Chapter Text
“Newtopia here we come!” Sprig bounced around with joy.
“Wooooo!” Polly joined her brother, hopping and rolling beside him.
“Yall kids better not be causing problems!” Hop Pop yelled down from above as Anne climbed down.
“They're not! Nothing is broken!” Anne called back as she arrived.
Marcy was still sitting in her hammock, fully dressed with her hood up, back turned to the rest of the room.
“Hey, you doing alright?” Anne gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Huh?” Marcy turned back. “Yeah, I'm alright.”
Her eyes were cold and empty, her recently regained sparkle stolen away by fears and anxiety, approaching the very place she was hurt most.
“It'll be ok, you know what to do. We'll get whatever happened fixed up and you'll be good to go!” Anne tried to fluff with their hair through their hood.
“This isn't something you can just talk him down from…” Marcy returned to rubbing the scar over her cheek.
“Then we'll be in and out as quickly as possible!” Anne grinned, face showing her determination.
Marcy smiled softly.
“Thank you…for everything.” Marcy replied.
“What do you mean?” Anne also grew nervous.
“For being so patient with everything with me,” Marcy flipped to face Anne, “for being so determined to make sure I'm safe and that I feel safe…and, for not making me share more than I'm comfortable with of what I've been through,” A hint of glimmer returned to her eyes as they grew misty looking at Anne.
Anne gave a sheepish smile with reddened cheeks, placing a hand on Marcy’s head, rubbing it under her hood.
“Always.”
Marcy put their arms up, and Anne laughed, leaning over into the hammock, giving them a tight hug.
“Alright kids, we're about there, let's get all set up,” Hop Pop climbed down, pulling some more blankets from storage.
Anne grabbed a handheld battery fan from her bag, handing it to her friend, as Sprig started to close all the curtains.
“Here, this should help a little in case it gets warm,” Anne's face showing her nerves.
“Thanks Anna-Banana,” Marcy held the fan close, giving Anne a warm smile, one she returned.
“Alright,” Hop Pop hopped onto a stool he dragged over to get above the hammock. “Just stay quiet and still until you don't hear any sound other than general distant city commotion. Once you can move, make sure-”
“Not to leave the fwagon or make too much noise unless you all come tell me I can, and hide if I hear anything. I know,” They gave a gentle nod.
Hop Pop sadly nodded back.
“Hang in there Mar-Mar, I'll work things out,” Anne fluffed with Marcy's hair one last time as they smiled up at her, face almost a bit red as she held back tears.
Anne and Hop Pop pulled the blankets over her, with her aid, tucking them around her to just appear like a bundle of hanging cargo for their trip. Once she was in place and handled, and a few more words were exchanged, the family climbed up to the top, Anne being the last one to go as she looked on at the bundle that held her world. Something felt- wrong deep down. She couldn't place it. Anxiety began to bubble up as she debated unwrapping her, having her call Joe and getting her far from this damn city that so horribly betrayed her. She almost began to move as Sprig peaked down.
“You coming?” He asked curiously.
Anne glanced between the two and sighed. She'd be fine. It would all be fine.
“Yeah, sorry. Spaced out a bit,” Anne made excuses as she climbed up to meet him.
The two hopped into the bench, Polly quickly jumping into Anne's lap as Sprig plopped down beside her.
“There it is yall. Newtopia,” Hop Pop smiled, as the cream stone walls towered before them.
The kids called out in awe at the city, towering over the glittering blue water below.
“It’s beautiful…” Anne said quietly.
“Hehe, oh-” Hop Pop began before being interrupted.
Sprig jumped across his sisters to shake Hop Pop aggressively.
“Hurry up! I wanna see it! I wanna touch everything,” His eyes shimmered at the shinies, textures, and colors this new place had to offer.
“Settle down boy, we got stuff to get done!” Hop Pop pushed Sprig off and Anne sat him back down on her other side as the wagon started to move with a snap of Bessie's reins.
“Once we figure out the Marcy stuff and find us a way home, or- some kind of start, we can have all the fun we want!” Anne promised with a determined smile.
“Yeah! Woohoo! Newtopia, you ain't ready for the Plantars!” Sprig cheered as they approached the water surrounding the city.
The wagon trudged through surprisingly well, having very few hiccups along the way, but they did find the city gates closed, something that according to Hop Pop and Marcy, wasn't always common…
“That's strange…” Hop Pop said as he rubbed his chin.
“Isn't it normally ya know, open?” Polly said with some sass.
“Yeah, it's-”
“Who are you? State your business!” A guard yelled from above.
“We're the Plantars! We're from frog valley!” Hop Pop announced.
“We're hoping to talk to the king!” Anne added.
“Wait, are you a human?” The guard replied, getting a better look at Anne by leaning out the window a little more.
“Uh- yes-?” Anne gave a confused look.
The newt suddenly pulled out a shell, and blew into it, producing a sound like a horn.
“Open the gates! A human has come! Bring them to the castle!” He ordered loudly to people out of sight.
Suddenly, the ornate golden doors began to push open, a few guards waiting inside. A teal newt dressed in a purple and cream gown decorated at the bottom with wave patterns soon approached as well, part of her curled navy hair pulled into a bun.
“It is an honor to have you in our great city, such…rustic individuals,” She picked her words wisely as she curtseyed.
“Glad to be here dude! Or, m’lady,” Anne bowed a little as Hop Pop wrangled the kids.
“Well, I am Lady Olivia. And you are?”
“Anne! Anne Boonchuy!” She stood proudly.
‘I remember Marcy mentioning that name…she truly is one of her friends…’
“Uh- You good?” Anne looked confused as the newt suddenly went quiet.
“AH! Apologies, my thoughts got away from me,” Olivia awkwardly laughed. “And who are you traveling with?”
“Huh? Oh! Ahem- I'm Hopediah Plantar! These here are my grandkids Sprig and Polly! And well, ya met Anne,” Hop Pop placed the youngest grandkids beside their lanky sibling.
“Hello!” Sprig waved.
“Sup,” Polly casually nodded, before being slightly kicked by Hop Pop.
“Ow! Hey!” She hissed.
“Don't be so casual!” He spoke through his teeth.
“But-”
“Ahem, well I believe it's best we go to see the king! So, shall we?” Lady Olivia gestured on into the city.
“Of course! Lead the way ma’am!” Anne nodded.
Olivia nodded in reply and alongside her guards, escorted the family through the streets.
The family took in their surroundings as they got just a glimpse into this city of wonders. Food stalls holding snacks and meals they'd never seen, storefronts with windows of luxurious gems and jewelry, some nearly resembling Anne's own necklace at much higher prices, clothing stores with price tags the frogs could never dream of affording, and newts of all kinds, looking on and whispering about the outsiders, very few even saying hello.
After a while of walking, they finally reached the castle, and a few guards grabbed Bessie's reins.
“Hey-!” Anne began to call out as Hop Pop put a hand on her leg to stop her.
“They'll keep the wagon and snail both safe,” Olivia assured.
“But-”
Hop Pop shook his head. This was part of the plan. It'd be ok. Anne just buried her fears and sighed. Once the wagon was out of sight, on its way to a courtyard for safe holding, they headed inside.
After what felt like ages of walking and wrestling Sprig to not touch everything, they arrived at the giant doors to the throne room.
“Now, remember, you are meeting the king of Newtopia. Be respectful and formal. And-” Lady Olivia looked to Anne with almost sad eyes, the girl giving her a look of confusion in return.
“Be careful what you say,” She sighed, brushing some dirt off Anne's shoulder.
“...I will.” Anne nodded after being silent for a moment, holding the pendant.
Olivia nodded and gestured to the guards to open the doors. The doors were slowly pushed open, revealing the large room, lined with columns wrapped in statues of some almost serpent-like amphibian Anne didn't know. She'd have to ask Marcy later…
Before them, at the end of the corridor, towered a giant blue newt, dressed in regal armor and a crown carved of bone. The way the light shone around him left a menacing shadow over him as he smiled.
So…this was the jerk who hurt Marcy…Maybe this wouldn't be so easy…
“Your highness, I present Anne and the Plantars,” Olivia bowed with a gesture to the family.
“You really ain't gotta separate it, Anne's a Plantar-” Hop Pop attempted to politely correct.
“Well hello!” The giant newt spoke casually as he stood with a grin.
“It’s good to meet you! So you're Anne, right? What about the rest of you?” He knelt down to get a bit closer.
“I'm Hopediah, your highness,” Hop Pop bowed.
“I'm Sprig!” The pink frog stood proudly.
“Polly,” The pollywog seemed almost bored.
“Haha, you're quite the fun bunch!” The king gave a belly laugh in return.
‘How…how can he be so friendly but do something so cruel…’ Anne gave a slight glare.
“You good, kiddo?” The king turned to the human.
“Huh? Oh. Yeah. I'm fine,” Anne dismissively replied.
“Ahem, well Plantars, this is King Andrias Levithan, peacekeeper of a thousand years and the first of his name,” Lady Olivia formally introduced the monarch.
“It’s an honor to meet you, your highness,” Hop Pop lowered his head.
“You as well! But please, just call me Andrias! So, what brings you to the city?”
“Well-” Anne began.
“Can I quickly ask first, why were the gates closed? I didn't think they often were anymore,” Hop Pop interjected.
“You'd be right in that! They've been kept open most of my reign! But we've heard of some…threats nearby that we just wanted to be cautious about,” Andrias gave an awfully vague answer.
“Makes sense,” Hop Pop shrugged.
“Now, you had started to say something?” He turned to Anne.
“Right, well the reason we came was actually to see if I could find a way home,” Anne stood straight.
“AH! Earth right? Well, I've actually been looking a bit, but I will gladly look closer now that you're here! And you came with your two friends, right?” Andrias leaned down towards her.
Anne tensed up slightly, hoping to hide it as best as possible.
“Yes, I did…Sasha and Marcy,” She listed their names after a moment of silence and debate.
“Well, I'm sure you've heard we're searching for Marcy, but we'll keep an eye out for Sasha as well! Although I have some things I'd need from Marcy first,” Andrias gave a friendly smile, the last phrase sounding sort of…off.
“A-About Marcy, I-” Anne began after taking a deep breath.
“Your majesty, there's some nobles here for their meeting,” A servant waited in the hall.
“Sorry, I gotta go do that. Why don't you all take this, and grab yourselves a good room or two in the Hemisphere Hotel? Oh, and get yourselves some nice stuff too,” Andrias held out a small golden card.
Anne grabbed it slowly, before Andrias returned to his true height, walking above the small family and down the halls with this servant.
Anne sighed, stashing the card.
“I should probably follow along to assist, shall I send guards to guide you?” Lady Olivia politely offered.
“N-No, I think we can find it. Thank you,” Anne shook her head.
“Alright, have a good evening Plantar family,” Olivia curtsied.
“You as well,” Anne waved as she left.
“Well, they were cool!” Sprig smiled.
“Yeah…cool,” Anne glared down where the king had gone.
“Anne, are you-”
“I'm fine, HP. Let's just go to the hotel…I'm tired,” Anne coldly replied, beginning down the halls.
The frogs exchanged sad looks before following the human’s lead.
~~《¤》~~
Marcy blinked her eyes slowly open, although it was hard to tell wrapped in blankets.
Surprisingly, it wasn't too warm! It was really cozy actually! Well, obviously, she fell asleep. It was pretty refreshing, she'd struggled to sleep the last few nights, so a nap was nice. She did some tiny stretches before listening to her surroundings.
Quiet. Not a soul close. Perfect.
She pushed off the blankets and sat up, stretching for real. She shook her head, her messy hair falling over her face. She undid the green clip in her hair and detangled the raven mess with her fingers, cleaning it up and returning her clip to its place. She fully removed the blankets and carefully climbed out into the mostly dark fwagon, a few peaks of sunlight creeping in the curtain’s gaps.
Rechecking the quiet status, she peaked slightly out one of the windows. She was positioned in a courtyard, and saw as the sun was slowly beginning to lower down, hints of a golden hue snaking through the city. She smiled, returning back inside, turning on a few small mushroom lights and sitting down in the breakfast nook with her journal. She sat her bag beside her as well, still strapped across her body. She turned on an old downloaded show and got to work writing.
After a few minutes, she was completely in the zone. Just enjoying her time. That was, until there was a click from the door. Their head jolted up and over, as a newt servant opened the door, not paying attention.
Before Marcy could move, beyond grabbing her book and phone and standing, the cleaner looked up, eyes going wide and dropping their mop and bucket. The two stared, wide eyed in silence before Marcy finally broke it.
“Fuck,” She blurted.
The newt darted out, Marcy doing the same, slamming open the back door.
“MARCY! MARCY IS IN THE COURTYARD!”
The servant scrambled to the castle as Marcy booked it for the streets, stuffing her journal and phone in her shoulder bag. Once close enough, she fired her crossbow, a rope attached, hurling herself onto a wall and climbing to the roof as guards began to pour out.
She ran across the rooftop, leaping to another once that one came to an end. The kingdom's guards followed from below.
Meanwhile, as the frog family headed towards the hotel they'd be in for a while, they were passed by a mass of guards, catching their attention.
“What- what's going on?!” Hop Pop exclaimed with confusion.
Anne looked up, seeing motion on the buildings above before recognizing a familiar cape.
“Shit!” Anne called out, starting to run after the group.
“Lang- wait, hold on!” Hop Pop struggled to get moving as the young frogs chased after their sister.
“What's going on?!” Hop Pop asked a servant running too.
“Marcy was in your wagon! She must have taken it over while you were gone! I found her when I went to clean it!” They yelled in a panic.
“Right-” Hop Pop nervously replied.
In front of them, Sprig had finally caught up with Anne, Polly tight in his arms.
“What's going on?!” Sprig yelled out to his older sister.
“They found her!” Anne replied vaguely, but with wording they'd understand.
“What? How?!” Sprig called out.
“I don't know! But I just- we need to get to her before they do, or at least get her out! I knew this was a terrible idea!”
The frogs nodded, continuing alongside the human as they followed her friend and the guards.
~~《¤》~~
As the cloaked duo approached the city, the taller of which groaned.
“It's about time! My feet are killing me!” She complained.
“That's because you have a thousand knives in your boot!” The other growled.
“I have to be ready for anything!”
The toad groaned and rolled his eyes as they approached the gates. Shockingly, they were open.
“...That's odd. I had heard they had been closed lately,” The toad blinked.
His ally shrugged, before the two entered the gates and walked the streets. Once they had been in for a bit, a while into the city, the gates began to close.
“What's up with that?” The taller of the two asked.
“Ok, this is getting weird-!”
Suddenly, a group of guards rushed past, one stopping beside the two.
“You!” The newt yelled, dressed in nicer armor than the others and not wearing a helmet, letting his pulled back purple hair loose, a few strands falling over his gray face. Likely the lead of the charge.
The duo froze.
“You’re Grime right? The traitor toad Captain that lost his tower?!” The newt asked, obviously angry.
“What if I was?” Grime muttered cryptically.
“If you help us catch her I'll make sure the king clears your name!” The newt pointed to a figure running across rooftops.
When the angle was right, Sasha got a peek at their face. One she recognized, even from a distance.
“Marcy?!” Sasha yelled.
“Yes! Now, would you rather help or rot in the depths of the dungeon?!” The newt hissed.
The two exchanged looks, before Sasha cracked her neck.
“Say less!” She yelled, beginning towards her friend, eyes locked on her above.
Marcy had to change routes once the gate closed, lengthening her escape route, needing to find a building high enough and close enough to get her over the wall. Their breath was hard and heavy as their heart pounded, but the adrenaline rushing in their veins kept them going as they leapt across a gap, tumbling onto the next building before scrambling back up.
Anne's eyes remained locked on her as she ran the streets, reaching the end of the path, where it met with another. As she entered, she crashed into someone else, both crashing down as they did. Anne checked her necklace, sighing in relief when it held no damage.
“Watch it!” A familiar voice hissed as Anne rubbed her head.
Anne flung her head around as the other adjusted her blonde hair.
“Sasha?” Anne asked, a mix of shock, anger, and confusion.
“Boonchuy?!” Sasha looked confused.
Anne looked around for guards, finding none nearby, she scooted towards the girl.
“Are you helping Marcy?” Anne hopefully asked.
“Helping? I'm trying to catch her to get Grime's name cleared from being a traitor! And maybe I can talk some sense into her after whatever she did!” Sasha rolled her eyes.
Anne's blood began to boil. Her face scrunched.
“Helping…Anne, she obviously- wah!”
Sasha yelled out as her friend tackled her down.
“What the hell Boonchuy?!” She screamed, trying to wrestle the girl off.
“I can't let you get to Marcy!” Anne glared down at her, pinning her arms down.
Out of everyone in this chase, Sasha was the only one Anne believed had a chance of reaching Marcy. She had to make sure that wouldn't happen.
Sasha's face filled with rage, as she fought, finally getting her legs between her torso and Anne, kicking hard and shoving her off.
Sasha launched herself up, returning to the chase. Anne had to take a second to regather herself, before following the girl.
The frogs and toad stalled behind a bit, exchanging glares but being too focused on their humans to truly engage one another.
The pursuit continued, Anne managing to slow the girl down enough to allow Marcy to keep a good distance from her main real threat. The minute Anne caught up and began to try and get in front of Sasha, she slammed into her, shoving her down, scraping her elbow as she fell into the stone ground.
Sasha managed to stretch the gap quickly, as the wall grew close in. Anne stood and did her best to catch up.
As Marcy grew close to the end of her escape, she braced herself as her largest leap came up. All she had to do was reach the edge of the wall and pull herself up. She took a few deep breaths, speeding up her racing before pushing herself up off the very edge and stretching her arm out.
Her fingertips caught the edge, before slipping off.
‘No, no, no!’ Echoed through her mind.
Her heart raced as she began to plummet, before her fall was slowed as she tumbled down a few buildings on the edge of the city. Something caught her cheek just before she reached the ground, slicing into it just below her eye, opposite of the scar from the claw.
Crimson poured from their nose, minor cuts and injuries, and the gash on their cheek as they struggled to haul up their aching torso as newts quickly surrounded them.
What felt like a thousand eyes looked down on her, weak, alone, in pain, unable to do anything to protect herself. Her only friends in this world probably miles away on the other side of the city. Tears burned her eyes as her lip quivered, heart racing.
The helmetless gray newt stepped forward with a smile, before looking surprised at the face of his prey. So young and innocent, yet scarred and damaged beyond belief. He sighed.
“I'm sorry little one, but the king orders your retrieval,” He spoke, traces of sympathy in his voice.
“No- please- I-I can't go back-” Marcy pleaded, finally weakly lifting her torso from the ground.
“It’s not my choice.” He sighed.
The newts began to close in.
Marcy's heart raced.
“Please- stay back-”
“No can do, kid.”
Part of Marcy’s fear began to shift to anger, adrenaline flooding her veins once again. She shifted her weight off her arms, lifting her right arm, clicking her crossbow open, an arrow already in place.
“I said, stay back!” Her voice began to echo as she fired the arrow into the crowd.
A shockwave of green energy followed the bolt, knocking down and disorienting the soldiers.
As the other humans grew close, a rush of wind stopped them a moment, before turning to the scene at the wall.
Marcy breathed slowly as she stood, glowing green eyes darting around the group. Her hair was illuminated with the same colors, and as she placed her hand against it, moved on its own, feeling almost like soft feathers to the touch.
“Get her!” The newt yelled from the ground, soldiers beginning to scramble to their feet, snapping Marcy back to reality.
She spun around,lifting her arm towards the wall and fired a bolt of pure energy up, followed by a rope. Just as newts arrived, she hauled herself up the wall, quickly climbing up and pulling herself over the edge. They looked back down below, locking eyes with one specific soul they didn't think they'd see.
Anne looked on the verge of tears, but gave Marcy a look of determination nonetheless, gripping the blue stone over her chest, nodding slightly.
A tiny smile crept across Marcy's face with a hint of warmth in her cheeks, before she took a giant breath in, letting out a nearly ear piercing whistle that could be heard for miles, hurting the ears of her pursuers, making the few slowly scaling the wall stop. Exactly what she needed.
Before long, their sparrow landed beside them. As quickly as this all began, it ended, as she mounted the bird and took off, fading to just a silhouette in the golden hour before disappearing completely.
Anne let out a tiny sigh of relief, cut short as she was slammed into a nearby wall.
Sasha pinned her shoulders again, glaring daggers into her. Anne's relief faded to anger as she tried to fight back, attempting to shove the girl off.
“Enough!” The lead newt yelled to the girls, catching their attention.
“I'm bringing you both to the castle where the king will have a word with you at dawn! Cuff them both! Keeps them from fighting!” He barked at his men, quickly pulling out ropes, and fumbling with them a bit, before restraining their wrists in front of them.
Grime's wrists were tied as well while the frog siblings were carried. Anne realized now Hop Pop had been lost to the crowds long ago, the old frog nowhere in sight.
A soldier shoved their hand onto her back, gesturing her forward, beginning the long escort back to the castle.
~~《¤》~~
“We'll wake you before dawn! Be up or risk worse than the king would otherwise give!” One of the escorts yelled into the room before slamming the door shut.
Anne heard the click of the lock before sighing, standing from the bed. She walked to the window, a full red moon hung high in the sky, surrounded by sparkling stars. She leaned onto the ledge of the window, slightly leaning out into the night breeze.
“Stay safe Marbles. I'll find you.”
She wiped her tears with her hand.
“I promise.”