Loyalty Among Worlds (Amphibia AU)

It was another sunny day in the world of Amphibia. And it was a wonderful day to work on the crops in the Plantar Farm. However, some of the farmers weren't all bright and cheery. But that didn't stop the rest of the farmers from expressing a positive attitude.

Darrel was busy keeping Bessie and Clipper fed. But Clipper ate more food because of his size. "Is there no end to your stomach, buddy?" Darrel asked. Tint was working on sharpening the farm tools and cleaning them for pristine condition. "Everything clean, greased, and sharpened. So that your actions are beautiful," he said.

Cronaxx was mostly working on the numbers. Counting all the plants harvested, weeded, planted, and summing up the amount of food sold every day. Cronaxx mumbles to himself, keeping track of the numbers. "Carry the four, divide the radius of the eggplant which ranges to and from…"

As for Anne, Sprig, and Polly, they were weeding the crops. Sprig looks to their cowapillars and comes up with an idea. He rushes to Hop pop, who is seen drinking lemonade and lounging on his lawn chair.

"Hop pop! Hop pop! Great idea. What if we trained the cowapillars to eat the weeds? That way we-" Hop pop stops him talking and points to a barrel with a sign that says suggestions on it. "Suggestion Barrel's over there."

He rushes to the barrel and begins writing his suggestion. Darrel, Tint, Anne, and Polly approach the barrel as well. "I didn't know you guys have a suggestion barrel," said Darrel. "Do you think he actually reads your suggestions?" Tint asks. "Doubt it," Polly replied. "I suggested a swimming pool months ago, and that never happened."

"Oh come on guys," said Sprig. "Have a little faith in Hop pop." Then, a scent caught whiff from Tint's nose. "I smell something," he said. "Something unusual at a farm, but familiar to me." Darrel expresses a curious look, "What do you smell?" "Ember," Tint replied. "Coming from that barrel."

Tint points to the suggestion barrel, and Darrel moves it to find out. The kids discover that at the bottom of the barrel was a pit of fire. They were shocked to see that Hop pop doesn't even bother to look at suggestions. "A Fire Pit?!" Polly cried. "That's the opposite of a swimming pool."

Sprig cried out, "Why Hop pop? WHY!?" Hop pop bounced out of his chair and said, "Because your suggestions were ridiculous. You can't just dig swimming pools anywhere, it attracts pests. Running a farm ain't easy kids."

Darrel looked at Hop pop with disappointment and said, "You're right Hop pop. Running a farm isn't easy, but that doesn't mean you should ignore your workers. I grew up in a country where everyone has a voice. And their voices matter. Ignoring those voices ended up causing disaster."

Cronaxx stops counting in his tracks and looks to the group. "A good leader inspires people to have confidence in their leader. A great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves," he said.

"Cronaxx is right," said Sprig. "If I were in charge, I'd listen to other people's suggestions. Not burn them!" "You? Run the farm?" Hop pop teased. "Ha! Run it into the ground maybe." The two croak at each other surprising Polly. "Is that an official challenge?"

Sprig runs up to a bell posted high to the sky. He hits the bell while giving off a battle cry. "Sprig Plantar, you have rung the family challenge bell," announced Polly. "What is your challenge?"

"I want to replace Hop pop and run the farm my way." Sprig replied. "I do formally accept this challenge," said Hop pop. Anne whispers to Darrel, "Do you think this'll make sense in a moment?" Darrel shrugged, "Maybe."

Shortly after, Polly, the salamanders, and the humans sit on a log while Sprig and Hop pop cover themselves in mud. "You know what, forget I asked that," said Anne. Darrel nodded, "So, care to explain what's going on?"

Hop pop rubs mud on his face and replies, "That Plantar family challenge." "An artful test of skill where the winner takes all!" Sprig cried. "They push each other until someone falls off a lily pad," explained Polly. "It's dumb, but fun to watch."

Darrel perked up to the challenge making him remember something. "Almost kinda like sumo wrestling," he said. "Sumo what now?" Tint asked. "It's basically a form of competitive wrestling where two big Japanese wrestlers attempt to force their opponents out of a circular ring."

"How do you know this stuff?" Cronaxx asked. Darrel takes out his phone and shows a video of his two sisters acting like sumo wrestlers whenever they fight each other. Darrel then shows a video he created using Japanese announcers and words appearing on screen.

Anne laughs at his video. "That was hilarious, Darrel. Why didn't you publish that?" Anne asked. "Because my family asked me not to and I agreed. There are some videos I keep to myself," replied Darrel.

"Enough chit chat," said Polly. "Let the challenge begin!" She hits her small tail on the bell announcing the start of the challenge. Hop pop and Sprig charge at each other pushing and shoving, giving each other a few smacks.

Hop pop pushes Sprig across the lily pad and close to the edge. On the verge of victory, Hop pop pins Sprig down. "Give it up boy," he said. "I've got the experience and the upper body strength."

"Oh yeah," grunted Sprig. "Well I've got the MORAL HIGH GROUND!" Sprig counteracts Hop pop's grip by moving his arms to the side. Then uses his legs to lift Hop pop off the lily pad and into the mud pit. Thus winning the challenge.

The group was stunned at first, but then congratulated their new leader. "Sprig's head of the farm!" they chanted. Hop pop however, was upset. "Looks like my time is over," he said as he walks off into the wilderness. Cronaxx looks back to where Hop pop left, feeling sorry for his friend.

Back at the Plantar farm, the group opens their attention to Sprig. "As long as I'm in charge, no suggestions are bad," he announced. "Swimming Pools?" Polly asked. "You betcha," replied Sprig. "Dance parties?" Anne asked. "Let's have one right now baby!" Anne turns on her music and the three dance the night away.

Anne looks over to see Darrel leaving the house. "Hey, why don't you guys join us?" she asked. "Just a moment Anne," Darrel replied. "I need to feed Clipper and Bessie before I do. But keep that music pumping until then."

Darrel exits the house only for Cronaxx to wait for him. "I hope this doesn't affect your training, or your chores," he said. Darrel shook his head, "It won't Cronaxx. I'm still going to do my part on this farm, and continue training as follows." Cronaxx nodded in relief, "That's good, because tomorrow, we've got much needed exercise to perform."

For the rest of the day, Darrel continued his magic training. All while Sprig takes action and approves the team's suggestions. Polly got her swimming pool, they taught the cowapillars to eat the weeds, even paid a clown for entertainment. Except for Polly, who hates clowns.

After a while, the crew was able to see the complete renovation of the Plantar farmhouse. "I got to say, this looks promising," said Tint. "Take it all in buddy," said Sprig. "This is what good leadership looks like."

Anne looks around, "Uhh anybody worried about Hop pop? I haven't seen him since we got back." Darrel looks around too. "Hey yeah," he said. "I'm a little concerned as well, since he looked upset." "He's probably off licking his wounds," Sprig shrugged. That gave Darrel a more worried look.

Then, things started to turn sour so quickly. When Darrel got ready to feed Clipper and Bessie, he realized that they ran out of hay for the animals. Darrel goes over to the house to find Sprig sliding down the slide. "Hey Sprig, the animals are getting feisty and we're out of hay. We need to get more to keep them from going hungry."

Sprig pops out of the water and says, "Great suggestion." That's when Anne's stomach growled. "Speaking of food, we should eat too," she said. The group heads inside and finds that there's no food left. "Guess today's the day Hop pop goes to the grocery store," said Tint.

"What are we going to do?" Anne asked. "I am getting HANGRY!" Darrel backs up in fear, knowing how agitated Anne gets when she's hungry. Suddenly, Sprig comes up with an idea and picks out potatoes from the garden. "Fresh from mother nature itself," he said.

Suddenly a small centipede hisses at the group scaring them. Darrel takes the staff and casts a freeze spell. Putting the insect in a solid ice cube. "Whoops, didn't check for pests," said Sprig. "Well how were we supposed to know that?!" Darrel asked. "I'm beginning to think there are a few things we don't know about running a farm," said Anne.

"We've got some kinks to work out, sure," said Sprig. "But isn't it better to live in a place where you're listened to?" Suddenly, Clipper starts buzzing his wings and bites down on the corral surrounding him. Darrel and the salamanders rush out to see the damage he's causing. To avoid more mishaps, Tint casts a sleep spell to keep Clipper in check.

Later that night, Darrel packs a few necessities and sneaks out of the barn. But the salamanders stop him. "Going somewhere Darrel?" Cronaxx asked. "Yes, I'm finding Hop pop and we're putting him back in charge. Without any suggestions to say no to, Sprig will just destroy the farm."

Cronaxx and Tint smiled, "Good, because we're coming with you," said Tint. "Maybe, we can teach him a lesson in listening to others," said Cronaxx. "Any idea where he might be?" Darrel waves his hands and casts another vision orb. "Show me Hopediah Plantar," said Darrel. The orb shows Hop pop in a cemetery living amongst the beetles.

Darrel and the salamanders arrive at the cemetery and find Hop pop. "Howdy do, salamanders," he greeted them. "How are you doing?" "Not so good Hop pop," Tint replied. "Oh before you guys say anything else, could you help me pick mushrooms for Jeremey and his community?" Hop pop asked.

Cronaxx nodded, "Of course Hop pop, I like to see how life is treating you." Darrel and Tint groaned with impatience, but agreed to help out. Soon, the group was picking mushrooms for the beetles.

Darrel approached Hop pop and asked him, "How does it feel to be a part of a community where your voice matters?" "Surprisingly, it's really swell Darrel," replied Hop pop. "I feel like I'm a part of something."

Just then, Anne and Polly arrive. "There they are!" Polly cried. "Hop pop." "Dude, we've been looking all over for you," said Anne. "Hello girls, come to help us collect? It's going to be a long winter."

Now Cronaxx spoke, "As much as we want to help the beetles, now's the time to come back and lead the farm again." "Sprig is destroying the farm, ignoring feeding the animals, and allowing pests to invade our farm," said Darrel. "We've been eating nothing but raw potatoes Hop pop," said Polly. "I'm having digestive strife. Digestive STRIFE!"

However, Hop pop wasn't keen on coming back. "I've grown since the last time you guys saw me," he said. "How long has it been?" "A day and a half," replied Polly. "I've got me a new life amongst the beetles," said Hop pop. "They taught me about community, equality, listening…"

Darrel spoke up, "Then listen to us, Anne saw Sprig sleeping in your bed now." That made Hop pop jump, "He WHAT?!" That made Hop pop travel all the way back to the farm. The rest of the group followed.

Hop pop made a grand entrance and jumped in front of Sprig's face. "I have returned!" he announced. "I don't believe it!" Sprig cried, and pointed to the group. "Backstabbers! Conspirators!"

"Us salamanders don't follow orders to those who are blind to objectives," said Cronaxx. "Sorry dude, we had a good run," said Anne. "But we didn't know what we're doing," said Polly. "It's time to realize that some suggestions don't work at all," said Tint.

Sprig was a one frog standing for his title. "We had a beautiful dream!" he cried. "But I guess I'm the only one willing to fight for it!" "Then it's time for you to wake up!" siad Darrel as he gave Hop pop a small bell to ring.

"Sprig Plantar, I challenge you to a rematch! Winner gets control of the farm forever!" Hop pop takes his stand and glares down his opponent. "Sprig do you accept the challenge?" Polly asked. "I accept," replied Sprig.

Back at the lily pad, the two opponents cover themselves in mud again. "I beat you once, I can do it again," said Sprig. "I'll prove my way is right!" "We'll see," said Hop pop.

Anne sits on the log feeling nervous, but Darrel calms her down. "It's going to be okay, Anne. Cronaxx foresaw what happens next." "What happens?" Anne asked. "Let's just say things turn out for the better," Darrel replied. Anne takes a breath and says, "Okay."

Polly rings the bell, "Let the final challenge begin!" The two frogs charge at each other and give themselves a powerful tongue punch. The punch was so powerful that waves of mud collided within the lily pad. The two frogs were knocked down on opposing sides and slowly got back up.

"The group told me everything, Sprig," said Hop pop. "You're destroying the farm. Don't you see? Even if you win, you lose." Sprig, still defiant, kicks Hop pop down as he gets up. "So I'm just supposed to go back to the way things were? You never listen to us!" Hop pop grabbed him from behind and said, "And I was wrong! I know now that you can't work together unless everyone has a say. Jeremy taught me that, and Cronaxx's words lingered in my head."

Sprig flips Hop pop over, so that both frogs were facing each other. Hearing the words he never thought his grandfather would say, Sprig loosened his grip on him. "You mean it?" Sprig asked. "I have to admit most of my ideas were pretty terrible. I think we even caused permanent damage to the ecosystem."

"Yeah, but some of your ideas could work," said Hop pop. "We'll never know unless we try. I promise from now on to actually read your suggestions." Anne and Polly gasped at his change of heart, all while Darrel and the salamanders smiled in assurance.

"Promise?" Sprig asked. "Promise," replied Hop pop. Now filled with hope and belief that his grandfather stands true to his word, Sprig lets go of Hop pop and falls off the lily pad. He sighs with relief as he falls down. As he hits the mud, Polly rings the bell. "And the winner is HOP POP!"

Later that day, Hop pop comes out to see that the farm is back to the way it's supposed to be. Darrel prepares lunchtime for Clipper and Bessie. "Supper time, Bessie and Clipper!" Feeling relieved that his companions were satisfied with food again made Darrel smile.

Out in the fields, Anne was shoveling dirt and breaking a sweat. "Think we could set up some shade around here, Hop pop?" Anne asked. True to his word, Hop pop plants a large mushroom in front of the sun. "Great suggestion, Anne," he said.

"And over there, I kept a small version of your swimming hole." Hop pop points to a small watering hole that's big enough for Polly to swim, but not large enough to attract bigger pests. "And best of all," said Hop pop as he hopped his way to the suggestion barrel. He moves it out of the way to show that the pit of fire is gone. "No more pit of fire."

Sprig feeling happy hugs his grandfather, "Thanks Hop pop," he said. Hop pop pats his head. "It would seem that the good leader has become a great leader after all," said Cronaxx. "Now the difficult part is to maintain that role," "If anyone can be a leader, Hop pop can," said Sprig.

Later that night, Hop pop was reading all the suggestions by the fireplace. Any of the suggestions that he thought that couldn't work, he tosses them into the fire. However he keeps the suggestions that could work.

Inside Bessie's stable, Darrel prepared to get some sleep after another fast delivery of goods into Wartwood. Anne arrived to talk to Darrel. "So you knew that this would happen?" Darrel nodded, "Of course, it was part of my future vision training."

Anne smirked, "You're starting to get more wise in this world." Darrel smiled, "Thanks Anne." "Wise and cheeky," Anne chuckled. Darrel playfully shoves her shoulder and the both have a good laugh. "So, what happens next?" Anne asks. Darrel simply replies, "The future is a mystery. Yesterday is history. But today is a gift, that is why it is called the present."

Anne laughs at his remark, just as Darrel was about to pull out his phone. "Want to see more embarrassing family moments?" Darrel asked. "You want to show them to me?" Anne asked. "What about your agreement with your parents?" "I've been thinking, after what we've been through I think we could use some entertainment," said Darrel. "Besides, I have more embarrassing moments than my own sisters."

"No way," said Anne. "You've got to show me some of those!" Darrel was uneasy but he took a deep breath. "If I show you, will you promise not to tell anyone else?" Anne locks her mouth with an invisible key. "It's in the vault," she said.

For the rest of the night, Darrel showed her some of his embarrassing moments that his family collected over the years. Even some of the videos he edited themselves to give him video editing experiences. The two laugh them off quietly while the salamanders are asleep.

The night grew late and the two decided to turn in for the night. "I bet Sasha had a good laugh seeing them," said Anne. "Well, she didn't see them," Darrel said. His statement shocked Anne. "As we grew up I feared that if I showed them to her, she would post them, humiliating me and my sisters. You're the only person I trust seeing these moments."

Anne was shocked, she didn't know that the boyfriend of her best friend didn't trust her enough to keep those videos privately. But to share with her made her feel different, but in a good way. She realizes that Darrel wants to trust her, so she came up with an idea.

She holds out her pinkie fingers and crosses her arms and legs. "If you trust me, then I will keep your promise," said Anne. Darrel crosses his arms and legs, then locks his pinkie fingers with Anne's. "I solemnly swear, till the ends of the Earth, that I will not tell a soul about what you showed me. So help me god."

Darrel smiles at her devotion to his trust and hugs her. "Thank you Anne. You really are my best friend. My best human friend." Anne returns her hug, "Anytime, Darrel." The two yawn again. "Goodnight Anne," said Darrel. "Goodnight Darrel," Anne said as she left for the basement. Darrel smiled for the rest of the night until he fell asleep.