Loyalty Among Worlds (Amphibia AU)

After the events of Anne and her pimples, Darrel decided to take some time away from all the craziness. He continues to practice his magic spells on rocks, trees, flowers, and mushrooms. Resulting in giving Darrel a green thumb on plant life.

Darrel smiles on the progress he made the past week, he may as well be ready for more intermediate spells. But, of course, Cronaxx tells him that mastering magic spells takes years to train. Darrel didn't mind the waiting, as long as he didn't hurt anyone.

One day, Darrel was hoeing Hop pop's garden when Cronaxx walked up to him. "Darrel, I need you to do me a favor," he said. "Of course, Cronaxx," said Darrel. "What do you need?" "I need you to go into the wilderness and collect a few milkweeds for a potion I'm working on."

Darrel nodded, "Right away Cronaxx, I'll get some hiking equipment and I'll be on my way." Darrel enters the stables and packs up a few things in his backpack. Before he could do anything else, Hop pop entered the stables.

"Going somewhere?" he asked. "Just about to collect something for Cronaxx," replied Darrel. "And are you going to do that with the fields half complete?" Hop pop asked. Darrel looked back outside to see half the fields have been hoed. "Oh, I'm so sorry Hop pop," said Darrel. "Just make sure you finish your job before you move on to Cronaxx's," said Hop pop

And Darrel did just that, he put his stuff on hold and went back to working in the garden. To no surprise to anyone, Darrel did a great job. Thanks to his hard work, more vegetables will have proper soil to grow in.

Darrel returns to the stables and takes a water break. After finishing his water he looks at his backpack and remembers what Cronaxx asked him to do. He takes his backpack, the Eternal Staff, and makes his way into the wilderness.

Darrel waves off to the group, "I'll be back shortly!" he called. "Just be back before nighttime," said Hop pop. Darrel takes his leave in the forests. But before he could, "Darrel! Wait!" Anne cried.

"What's up, Anne?" Darrel asked. "I just wanna give you something in case you get lost,"Anne replied. She reaches in her pocket and takes out what looks like a compass. "You forgot this when we played that game Marcy hosted."

Darrel was so happy, "I thought I lost it. My father's compass." He reflects on his memories of his father as he gazes on the compass. Darrel's facial expression changes to a gloomy mood. "I miss my family so much," he said.

Anne saw his expression and gave him another warm hug. "I know," she said. "I miss my family too. But I know we'll see them again." Darrel and Anne break off from the hug. "No matter what, we're going to find our friends and get back home," he said.

Darrel waves off to Anne and ventures off into the wilderness. His journey takes him into the dark marshes of the swamps. It was there that fresh milkweed grew near the trees. Darrel smiled, seeing that he didn't have to go too far from the farm.

As he collected milkweed, he heard a groaning noise behind the treeline. Darrel picked what was left and left it in his bag. He walks to the source of the noise with his staff. He looks behind the treeline to see a large dragonfly laying a few eggs. Only for it to die suddenly afterwards.

Darrel looked disgusted seeing the laid eggs, but looked sad seeing the dragonfly perish. 'Guess she's fulfilled her cycle in life,' he thought. He looks back to the eggs and sees them about to hatch.

Suddenly, a large frill neck lizard popped out of the mud and ate a mouthful of the eggs. Darrel swung his staff to scare off the lizard, but it opened its frilled neck as a sign of dominance. However, Darrel waved his hand, calling upon mother nature. Vines from trees gripped, whipped, and stung the giant lizard. Then, a giant venus flytrap roared, scaring off the lizard.

Darrel smiled winning against the lizard. But frowned knowing that all the eggs were eaten. As Darrel prepares to leave with the milkweed, he spots a surviving egg under a tree root. He rushes over to bring it back to its nest, and finds a crack on the egg. The dragonfly wasn't ready to hatch, and the crack was only going to make things difficult for it.

Darrel wanted the dragonfly to live a full life, so he used his magic to fix the crack on the egg. The magic spell was a success, but Darrel thought he shouldn't leave it on its own. 'If that lizard took down its brothers and sisters, who knows what else lies in these swamps,' he thought.

"I'll take you back to the farm until you're ready to hatch," said Darrel. He takes his staff and journeys out of the swamps. As he hikes into the forests, he suddenly feels shaking in his hand. The egg was somehow ready to hatch.

Darrel places the egg down and backs up. The egg reveals a large larva, and immediately molts into an adult. Darrel was shocked at how fast the dragonfly grew. It stood as tall as three humans and its wingspan distanced up to two human houses. The dragonfly had a shade of blue exoskin with yellow eyes.

The dragonfly stared down Darrel as he fell back, scared of what might come next. Instead, the dragonfly brushed up against him and clapped its mouth parts in his backpack and took the milkweed he collected.

"Hey," said Darrel. "That wasn't for you. That was for my friend." The dragonfly leaned back from Darrel, chewing on the milkweed. "But, I guess you were hungry. I can always get more."

As Darrel prepared to go back, the dragonfly jumped into the trees, disappearing from sight. Darrel returned to the swamps and gathered more milkweed. As he left the swamps again, he left a bit of milkweed behind in case the dragonfly came back.

Back at the farm, Cronaxx was waiting outside the gates for Darrel to return. He smiles seeing his human friend return. "I was getting worried something happened to you," he said. "I got sidetracked," said Darrel. "The first batch of milkweed I gathered was eaten by a large dragonfly, so I had to collect what was left."

Cronaxx chuckled, "You have no idea that milkweed is dragonflies favorite food." Darrel hands over the milkweed to Cronaxx. "Anyway, here's the milkweed you asked for," he said. "Thank you, Darrel. Your efforts will be rewarded."

The next day, Darrel helped Hop pop clean out his study. He comes across a book containing diagrams about dragonflies. They also include information about their diets, their life cycle, and behavior.

"So, you're into dragonflies?" Hop pop asked. Darrel quietly nodded. "Well I'd be careful if I were you. Some dragonflies pick up frogs out of nowhere and they never come back." Darrel grinned, "Please, an apprentice wizard like myself? Dragonflies won't have the chance to grab me."

After helping Hop pop, the day grew slow. Darrel took the opportunity to see if his flying friend is still around. He returned to the forests with milkweed in his hands. He kept a silent watch as he walked around.

Then, he hears clipping coming from behind. The dragonfly climbed over a rock and onto the ground. Darrel reached out and gave him more milkweed. "Guess you clip your jaws whenever your-" Suddenly, the dragonfly snatched the week out of his hands and ate it. "Hungry."

The dragonfly crawls up to Darrel making him back up until he is pinned behind a rock. "I don't have any more," siad Darrel. But the dragonfly regurgitated the milkweed on Darrel's lap. "Eugh!"

Darrel was left confused as the dragonfly stared at him. He gestures at Darrel to eat the chewed up milkweed. Disgusted, he hesitantly does so. He hated the part of swallowing the milkweed, but made the dragonfly pur with happiness.

Darrel smiles at him with sincerity and watches him open his wings. Darrel was amazed by its grace and beauty. "It's like I'm looking at Mothra," he said. The dragonfly flaps his wings, pushing Darrel back, and hovers for a short period of time.

The dragonfly lands and Darrel takes a stick and starts drawing him. The dragonfly wanted to try something like that, and took a branch from a tree. He drags it across the ground in circles and curves, then drops it finishing his masterpiece.

Darrel looks around to get a better look, trying not to damage what the dragonfly made. He walks over the lines, looking at the drawing, until he comes face to face with the dragonfly.

The dragonfly clips his jaws in happiness, while Darrel smiles at him. He reaches out to touch him, but the dragonfly leans back. Darrel shuts his eyes and looks away. "It's okay," he said. "I'm not going to hurt you." He reaches out his hand to the insect, giving him his trust. In return, the dragonfly shut its eyes and leaned forward into Darrel's hand.

Darrel looks to his newfound friend as well as the dragonfly. He clips his jaws again and rubs his eye on Darrel's cheek. "You must really like to clip your mouth," he said. Then he gasped, "That's it. I'll call you Clipper." He scratches under his chin, making him purr.

Darrel looked to the sky and realized it was getting late. "Sorry Clipper, I've got to get back home." As Darrel started to walk away, Clipper began to follow him. Darrel was a bit hesitant, he knew that pets are forbidden. "Hop pop said we can't have pets, Clipper. I'm sorry."

Suddenly, he came up with an idea, "But, if you could be useful to the farm. Maybe Hop pop will have reason to keep you. We just need to find out what you can do. Give me until tomorrow okay?"

Clipper kneeled down, preparing to sleep for the night. Darrel smiles and heads back to the farm. He sneaks back into the stables and prepares to sleep for the night. He looks back to the forest and prepares to come up with his plan. 'Don't worry Clipper I'll think of something to make you a part of the group.'

The very next day, Darrel brought more milkweed to feed Clipper. The two ponder over what they can do to help around the farm. After spending another hour coming up with nothing, Clipper jumps a bit getting Darrel's attention. "What is it bud?"

Clipper gestured Darrel to get on his back. He lowered his wings to give him room to climb on. Darrel climbs up, and sits down on his prothorax. Before Darrel could do anything else, Clipper launched up into the air.

Darrel was shocked, having to fly on a dragonfly caught him off guard. He gripped onto Clipper's head and prepared to zip across the wilderness. Darrel enjoyed the breeze, until Clipper came to a stop and he flew off of Clipper.

Darrel luckily lands into the water. "Wow! That was amazing Clipper," said Darrel. "Maybe we could use your speed and flight to deliver food in record time." Clipper clicked his jaws as an approved response.

Later, Darrel found the best candidate for his plan, One Eyed Wally. "Hey, Wally," Darrel greeted. "Oh hey, monster," said Wally. "How would you like to have fresh vegetables delivered to you in record time?"

After talking with Wally, Darrel and Clipper took to the skies with a sack of wild carrots. Clipper flew high, but being a dragonfly could only take him so far. He could go as high as the mountains that block the valley.

"Okay Clipper, let's take this nice and slow," said Darrel. He guides Clipper down to the swamps of Wartwood and flips upside down. He finds Wally and drops the sack in his hands. "Thanks for the speedy delivery!" He cried.

With the delivery a success, Darrel decides to take Clipper for a speed run. Darrel guides Clipper to the skies until he can't climb farther. Then, Darrel lets go of Clipper and the two fall down to the ground. Darrel remained close to Clipper and climbed back on to pull him up from the ground.

The two zipped through trees, through fields, even passed the Plantar farm. Darrel raised his arms with joy and excitement. He felt like the real him who was kept hidden in shyness, suddenly burst out revealing his true self.

After a bit more flying, Darrel and Clipper set down near the watering hole to get something fresh to drink. "I think you're going to be a great addition to our family," said Darrel. "Let's just hope Hop pop can include you into the family."

The very next day, Darrel woke up and was ready for another day of farming. But he knew that today, he had to tell the group of his new friend. So Darrel tended Bessie with the Salamanders. Then tended to the gardens with Anne, Sprig, and Polly. And finally, cleaned up the kitchen with Hop pop.

As the sun was near the horizon, Darrel took a deep breath. "Guys! Can I have your attention?" The group came out and gathered together. "What's up, Darrel?" Anne asked. "There's something I need to show you guys," Darrel replied. "Is this why you've been going off into the wilderness on your own?" Sprig asked. Darrel just nodded his head.

The group makes their way into the open wilderness near the watering hole. "Okay, it should be here," said Darrel. "So, what's the thing you wanted to show us?" Polly asked. Darrel looked to Polly and replied, "A new friend."

He whistles loudly and Clipper comes out of hiding from the trees. The Plantars were shocked, Anne was left in awe, and the Salamanders looked with amazement. "What kind of dragonfly is that?!" Sprig asked "One of many few," said Hop pop. "This dragonfly can tower even the tallest of Amphibians, and run as fast as the dominant predators in the valleys."

"How did you find him?" Tint asked. "I spotted his egg after a large lizard ate off most of his brethren," replied Darrel. "I healed his crack and he suddenly hatched and molted faster than I anticipated."

Clipper rubs his head on Darrel, showing his affection to the group. "He must really like you," said Cronaxx. "I hope you're not planning on keeping him as a pet," said Hop pop. "Not a pet," said Darrel. "An asset for the Plantar Farms. He can provide fast deliveries."

"Can he really fly at fast speeds?" Anne asked. "He sure can," replied Darrel. "And I'll prove it." He climbs on Clipper's back and prepares his preflight stance. "Would anyone like to go for a ride?"

Hop pop was hesitant, and Cronaxx was firm. "I'm not as young as I used to be," he said. Tint, Sprig, and Polly awed. But Anne, without any second thoughts, slowly approached the dragonfly and climbed on.

Suddenly, Clipper jumped off and flapped his wings. Clipper begins flying across the valley, at a smooth pace. Anne, who closed her eyes during launch, opened her eyes again. She saw the beauty of the village of Wartwood and the clouds in many shapes and sizes. Anne raises her arms up and she felt like she was flying herself.

Darrel looked over to Anne, seeing how much fun she's having. Her expression made him smile, 'It looks to me like you're having a fun time Anne.' As night grew darker, the red moon was glowing so bright. Darrel was so busy looking at the moon, that he didn't notice that Anne's hand was touching his side.

After a few more minutes, Clipper landed back at the watering hole. And Darrel and Anne saw One-eyed Wally talking with the amphibians. "Darrel, having Clipper around is a great idea!" Hop pop cheered. "Huh?" Darrel asked. "Wally told me about your delivery, and he was more than pleased. He paid us in advance to expand your instant delivery business." He shows the two humans the sack of coppers.

Darrel looked with excitement, "So that means..?" Hop pop nodded, "Clipper can join our farm. As long as you take care of him." Anne and Darrel cheered. "I can assure you, Hop pop that Clipper is our Bessie," said Darrel. "Come on Clipper, let's go home." Clipper clapped his jaws in happiness and followed the group back to the farm.

Later that night, Darrel and the salamanders were prepared to settle in for the night. "Are you sure Clipper has everything he needs?" Tint asked Darrel. Darrel looks out to Clipper who's burying himself in the huge pile of hay outside. "I think he'll be warm enough for the night," replied Darrel. "Good night Clipper." he called. Clipper clapped his jaws goodnight and snuzzled in the hay. Darrel, the Salamanders, and Bessie get comfy for another good night's sleep.