Summary:
The land of Amphibia is known for three things. Frog people, interstellar music boxes, and emotional baggage between trios!
Steve had days where he questioned his time in the Emperor's Coven. Today was one of those days, as he once again had to chase after one of the Clawthornes, specifically the one that he spent lunch with … who proceeded to hit him across the face. "Sorry Steve, can't take it easy today! Too much security on this thing!" The young boy shouted, running as fireballs and lightning bolts hit where he previously stood. "Could you try something that doesn't damage clothing, I'd escape and not run away from you in my underwear!"
"Could you have not stolen from us in the first place!? That's valuable Emperor's cargo!" Severine shouted, firing blocks of ice at the kid.
"I know, why do you think I stole it!? Not only is it valuable, I get the chance to screw over Boolus in one fell swoop." Lucci yelled as he held up the little chest he was carrying. "Seriously, you can't tell me for a second that you wouldn't want to open up this little music box! It's so shiny and covered in frogs. It's like it's begging me to steal it."
"Lucci, I wouldn't!" Steve shouted. "That box had one too many warning labels on it, that thing is unstable and dangerous!" The reason why Belos wanted it in the first place was because he thought it could be an alternate to the Owl Lady's portal door. It was called the freakin Calamity Chest for crying out loud!
"Thank you Steve, now I want it even more!" Damn it, why did I keep forgetting this kid loved being a criminal. "I'll be sure to thank you personally after me and my mama cash this in…after exploiting it ourselves!" It looked like Lucci was going to get away with it, they just needed a second to catch up-
Clash
Not watching where he was going, Lucci bumped into two girls, making paper fly everywhere. "Watch where you're going-ooh great … you. " What looked like one of the Blight kids grumbled distastefully. "What on earth are you doing Lucifer?"
"Nonya business, Blight. I happen to be in the middle of an important job." Lucci groaned. Severine shot ice onto the ground, freezing the kid in place.
"You're stealing, again!?" A thick girl with glasses shouted. "Are you ever going to shape up?"
"I am shaped up, I'm following the family business." Lucci growled, using his shield to break out of the ice, looking at the girl. "Least I'm doing what makes me happy. Since when are you any good at abominations?"
"Still being half a witch I see." The blight rolled her eyes as she picked up papers.
"You know what, I don't need to be here. Have fun with your school projects and your cheap thrills. I'm gone." The glasses girl growled as she turned away.
"Yeah, turn away, turn your back on me, just like you always do." Lucci grumbled.
The girl with glasses paused. "What was that?"
"You heard me. You know why people call you half a witch? It's because you quit everything." Lucci accused. "You have no spine, you have no commitment, and you let people walk all over you."
"How's this for no spine!" She punched him in the face. "... Gah!"
"You've known me for years, why would you think that would work?"
"Allow me." The Blight formed a fist of abomination muck, which socked the kid into the ground.
"... Should we do something?" Steve asked quietly.
"Let them fight it out, less work for us." Severine shrugged.
"Oh, big mistake, Blight!" Lucci turned around and bubbled the fist, making it glow pink, before he hit her in the stomach. "How's the rotten soul in your gut feel!?"
"About as rotten as your personality!" The girl with glasses jumped on top of them, turning it into a three way free for all brawl, each of the kids fighting each other relentlessly without a hint of holding back. "My day was already miserable enough being around miss star student here, I did NOT need you!"
"You're the one failing the Abomination track, it's not my fault you choose the magic you're weakest at!" The blight pulled on Glasses hair.
"No, it's just your fault that we're all in this mess to begin with!" The pink kid punched the two of them to the ground, jumping on top as he tried to hit past the abomination goo.
"Don't start acting like you're innocent, you immediately ran to your no good mother and became a criminal! Your awful life is on you!" Glasses shouted.
The boy showed a slight hint of pink glowing on his body as anger began seeping out. "My…life…is perfect…don't you ever… insult MY MOOOOM!" He slammed the two into the ground again.
CAREEEEEEEEEAAAAA
The music box, which had fallen to the floor, began playing, and opened up, showing off a flash of blue, pink, and green.
"For the record, I'm going to stand by that this isn't my fault." Lucci said.
"You son of a-" The glasses girl began to swear before the three were overtaken by three bright lights. The moment it cleared, a small crater remained where the three kids and the box once stood.
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Sprig screamed as he ran away from the giant mantis. He heard stories of a monster in the woods, and thought if he took it down, he'd be hailed as the town hero. Then he could be the most awesome kid in town! Unfortunately, in pursuit of trying to find it, he completely forgot about the frog eating insects…which was darkly morbid the more he thought about it. Insects eating frogs, something about that was just wrong, like a cruel joke to nature itself.
"Krrreee!" Well, no time to think about it while running for his life. The mantis was cutting up trees as it tried to close the distance, slowly gaining on Sprig no matter how far he jumped. Oh why didn't he listen to Hop Pop!? He had an entire flashback about all the screw ups he made yesterday! This was why he didn't have friends!
"Okay Sprig, this isn't the time to be a coward, this is the time to be a hero!" He told himself. "You have your guts, your wits, and your slingshot! You can do anything!" He aimed his slingshot at the creature. "Hero time!" He shot forth a pebble, which bounced off the shell as if he didn't do anything. "... Maybe it is the time to be a coward."
"Kkkkk." Its mandibles clicked as it finally closed the distance, a scythe raised to cut Sprig to pieces … well, he had a nice life. Family was good, so that was nice. Polly would probably enjoy having a whole room to herself. Hopefully the funeral would be decent.
"Uggh, getting tired of eating just roots here. I could use something with a little more protein." A new voice made itself known. Sprig opened his eyes, seeing as how the mantis turned its head as well. It was a stocky looking …. creature. It wasn't slimy, it only had fur on its head, a weird face bump, and pointy looking ears along with five fingers. It was by far the strangest and ugliest creature Sprig had ever seen.
"Krrreee!" The mantis raised its blade to strike the new foe.
Shink
… Only for a pink blur to immediately fly past its head and land into a tree, revealing a pink circle with a lot of blades, as the head of the mantis slowly slid off. "Nice, I have meat for the next week." The strange…thing said with glee.
Well … maybe he could bargain his way to living against such a dangerous thing. "Hello …" Sprig gently introduced himself.
"Oh, talking demon!" The thing shouted with a smile. "Quick question, which way to the Boiling Sea?"
Sprig blinked at that one. "... Sea?"
"You know, the boiling sea? The big steaming hot pile of gray water that surrounds the titan?" He said. "The reason why we live and breathe?"
"Ti–tan?" Sprig scratched his head in confusion. "I've never heard anything like that around Amphibia before."
The kid blinked. "Alright, somehow I got blasted far away from the Titan … do you know where to find a large body of water though?"
"Nothing but land for miles my guy." Sprig apologized. "In fact, it's winter right now. Most of the valley is closed off by giant blocks of ice."
"Win-ter? Ice? But it was the Sunny season just … how long have I been here?" The thing scratched his head. "Suddenly all those stories about mom going into the human world sound a lot more plausible."
"Hoo-man?" Sprig asked.
"Creatures just like me, but with round ears and a lot more boring." He shrugged.
"What are you anyways? What's with your face?" Spring asked. "It almost looks normal, but that bump gets in the way of everything."
"Bump?" The thing looked confused. "You have demons with noses, right?"
"What, like creatures of the underworld?" He asked. "I'm not a demon, I'm an Amphibian. Frog to be exact."
"Okay, clearly I've stumbled into a different culture at the very least … great, just great." The creature grumbled. "Miles … maybe worlds away from everyone …" They sighed, walking away. "I'm gonna go eat the thing, you hungry?"
"Actually yeah, I gave all my candy to my sister Polly." Sprig gratefully accepted.
"I never had a sister, is it any different from having a brother?"
"I don't know, does your little brother cackle maniacally, have a revenge list, and talk about taking over the world with grand plans they don't have an easy way to execute?"
"I guess there really isn't any difference." The thing laughed. "I'm Lucci. Full name is Lucifer Clawthorne."
"Nice to meet you, Lucci, I'm Sprig Planter! Town sweetheart/fiend to all kids my age."
"How does that work?" Lucci asked.
"Adults find me charming, but kids my own age don't get me." He explained.
"I've been there before. No one gets me except my mom." The boy shrugged. "That's why the key to happiness is to look out for no one but yourself, except family. That's the exception to everything."
"Don't you ever want friends?"
Lucci snorted. "Nah, friends just stab you in the back. Trust me, alright?"
"Well, I don't really have any prior examples to go off of…" Except Ivy, who made him feel weird at times in his heart. "But aren't we friends now?"
The creature paused. "Let's…take that one day at a time. First you become acquaintances, then you move up to buddy, then we wait to see if you pass into honorary family territory." … Yeah, that seemed alright.
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Hop Pop was skeptical of the … thing entering his home. Mostly due to the giant dead insect he carried like it was nothing, and the mention of being family from Witches and Demons. But Sprig gave them his support, so he'd bring out the Planter Family hospitality. The monster didn't complain about living in a basement, or really about the humidity and dampness, saying it reminded him of home.
The monster didn't seem deadly … too much at least, but those powers to create saws to cut up the vegetables did rub him the wrong way, especially when Polly tried to get in too close. "Come on, imagine it kid!" Polly shouted. "Blasting power, destruction, everything!"
"Not how it works Polly." He spoke. "I can shape these things into a lot of stuff. Bubbles, Shields, Razor Disks, but they never last away from me for long, so they're better at close range."
"So all witches can do that?" Sprig asked curiously.
"Nope, just me. I was born with a special rock." He lifted his shirt, showing off a strange, pink gem inside of his stomach. "So far I'm the only witch I've met who has this. It's probably my only way of finding my dad." Aww, that was sweet. "I want to go up to him, and punch him in the face for leaving mom." …Significantly less sweet but understandable
"I can relate. More people need to be punched. That's why I punch Sprig every other day!" Polly threw one right into her brother's shoulder.
"Ow." The boy winced. "So … you have a brother?"
"Yeah. We're not sure what he is, but he's the cutest little guy you'll ever meet, and really fun to talk to." The creature grinned. "We also have a talking house, but for some reason people find him annoying."
"We don't have a talking house, but we have Wally. One eyed weirdo always spouting nonsense about finding monsters." Polly said. "You're actually the first time he was proven right. Which reminds me. Are you planning on eating us? Because I don't go down easily." She pulled out a pitch fork and nun-chunks.
"The Clawthorne family has a strict rule. Don't eat anything that talks unless they're jerks." The kid held a hand on his chest. "And you don't seem like a jerk in the slightest."
"Agree to disagree." Sprig rubbed his arm. "Speaking of which, is dinner ready? I'm getting hungry."
"Almost, you know how long it takes for the family stew to set." Hop Pop reminded them.
"Aw man, stew again!? You've served that for three days now!" Polly complained.
"And I get a little better at it every time." He smirked, taste testing it. "I got all the mold out of the toadstools this time, so you should be able to slurp it down without gagging too much."
"Thank you sir, it means a lot you're willing to cook for me." Lucci bowed.
"No problem. We Planets always support people we take in." He pulled the pot off the stove, putting it on the table as he poured a bit into each bowl. "Dig in now, before it gets cool."
"I can wait. I'm pretty sure the stew juice is staring at me." Sprig winced.
"Coooonnnnnssssssuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmeeeeeee."
"That's just the flavors settling together." He reassured. "Polly."
"Yeah, no. I don't feel like dying." Polly pushed it away. "Lucci, best to ditch it now before the fumes destroy your nostrils."
The creature didn't respond … on the account of him slurping down the bowl. "Man, I can't tell you how rare it is to eat a nice warm meal that hasn't been burnt beyond recognition. I mean, I still like it extra crispy, but the variety is nice."
"You…You like my cooking…" He's served hundreds of meals from the planter cooking book, and no one outside of himself has ever liked them.
"It could use a little snake venom, but otherwise it's really enjoyable." The boy grinned. "Would it be ok to ask for seconds?"
Hop pop froze, wondering if this was a dream. "No one in the history of the Planter family has ever said that in this household … TAKE IT ALL!"
"Thank you sir." The kid smiled, drinking it up. "Delish!"
"What is your stomach made out of?" Sprig said, half astonished, half confused. "No one's lasted five seconds against Hop Pop's cooking. Last Hopluck, Mayor Toadstool had so much food poisoning he couldn't even stand to give his thumbs down to declare us the losers.
"My stomach is weird. I think cyanide can be a decent meal." They shrugged. "... Or whatever poisons you guys have."
"So if I gave you this mysterious blue and screaming fungus would you eat it?" Polly asked.
"Of course." The creature plopped it in his mouth. "Oooh, aged to perfection."
"Nice, I finally have a convenient way to eliminate all my incriminating evidence!" Hop Pop was so happy, he wasn't going to question that!
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The creature gazed upon the prey, opening their jaws to encase and devour. "None of that." Before the boy wacked them on the head.
" Meeeewwwwwwwww…."
"No." The boy whacked it on the head. "No eating me alive. That's not allowed. You don't get to do that. How long have I been feeding you?"
"Meeeeeeeeeeewww." Three days.
"Exactly, I'm going to take care of you, so you can't eat me or my frog family. That's. Not. Okay."
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?" The oldest frog shouted from the silk cocoon she had tied it up in along with their kin. "Lucci, I thought I was clear on no pets in the house!"
"I didn't bring her to the house! I just fed her a couple of roots a few days ago and she followed me home today!" The boy exclaimed back. "And she was an adorable little cat worm thing. If you had seen her earlier, you would've loved her."
"Hiisssss."They shot a web at the oldest frog.
"Stop it." Another wack. "No eating frogs, that's wrong."
"Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrr."But they smell so good!
"I know they smell delicious, frog legs are a delicacy for a reason…"
"Wait what!?" The second oldest frog shouted.
"Ahah! Suck it bipeds! I'm the least likely to get eaten!" The pollywog cheered.
"But they're family and friends. And eating those is wrong." The boy continued. "Now shake." … They shook in place. "No, shake their hand"
"Meeew." They stuck out their paw.
"Come on guys, be nice to her and shack back."
"We're kind of tied up if you don't notice." The second oldest wiggled.
"Use your tongues."
"But they…"
"Guys, I come from beast keepers. The best way to calm a wild animal is to show mutual trust." The boy said. "Now if you want her to stop trying to eat you guys, you'll play nice." Awww, but she really wanted to eat them. You can't eat anything you're attached to. "Now, shake."
She slowly raised her paw forward, tentatively and ready to bite. "Alright…." The second oldest extended their path. So close, just one snap just one..
"No…" The boy kept petting her mane. So soft, soft soft…so nice, like the wet tongue on their paw…wait, no, no, she was associating touching the frogs with good feelings, that meant she couldn't eat them anymore, no, no, it couldn't be true.. "Good girl, I'm so proud of you." The boy hugged her as the shaking ended.
"Wow, she really is calm." The second oldest noted.
"No kids, don't get attached, we can't keep it!"
" Meeeeewwwww."She purred, rubbing her mane against his soft fleshy face.
"Aw, if you were a boy, I'd call you King 2…Guess I'm calling you Queen."
"No Lucci, if you name it, it'll never go away!" The old one yelled.
"Hop Pop, please, let me keep her. I promise to keep her tame." Her boy pleaded. "Back home there's so many wild and exhilarating creatures, it's one of few things that Amphibia has in common with the Boiling Isles…and Queen.." He hugged her again. "It feels like I'm right back at home."
"... Fine." The oldest one sighed. "But if she eats any of us, that's on you."
"Relax, she hasn't eaten any frogs, right?"
Gah, hairball. "Urr, urrr, Bleck!"She spat out a blue frog with a stringy sound thing.
"Free at last!"
"...that I know of." Her boy quickly added.
"This is going to be great! I now have two monsters living under my roof!" The small one cheered. "My army grows stronger with every day that passes!"
"Seriously, it's like King's spirit followed me to this world." Her boy scratched her head, making her purr once more.
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Maddie was usually an antisocial type of person. Not for a lack of trying, people just tended to freak out whenever she brought herself up as a self-taught witch. Magic wasn't uncommon in this world, but few felt brave enough to truly understand it, hence why she was alone most of the time, and probably why her father arranged a marriage between her and Sprig.
She wasn't particularly against it. He was pretty cute and sociable, so he was good friend material at least. Maybe it was just her young adolescent brain, but she had yet to experience anything close to resembling romantic love, let alone a crush on someone.
However … this was pretty close. "So if you want your potion to last longer, you need to focus on solid, more stable ingredients, usually cold stuff." The boy she was working with explained. The creature the town dubbed 'the Planter Monster'. A strange sort of fellow. Everyone in town was afraid of him, and who wouldn't give his freaking looking appearance. He was chaotic, and had a habit of pickpocketing, but he also fended off the giant bugs and birds that tried to eat most of the town.
It was the HOW he did that last part that fascinated the young witch. He summoned pink constructs from out of thin air and usually diced the creatures into bits. When she asked him if it was magic, imagine Maddie's surprise to find out that the boy was a witch…not just a researcher and teacher of potions and hexes…but an actual born from birth WITCH! From a whole species of natural born witches. "I see." She nodded. "Unfortunately we can't really acquire stuff like that easily."
"Why? Is the way super dangerous and filled with natural disasters?" The kid asked.
"No, we're cold blooded. We'd pass out before we carried it three feet." She explained bluntly.
"Ah. That makes sense. In the boiling isles that wasn't really a problem. Then the next best thing to do is a little life hack my mom taught me." He scooped up a bottle of the potion they were working on with one of his bubbles, and dug a little hole in the ground. "Keeping things underground like this helps keep their temperature down. Won't be too cold to hold but won't spoil fast either."
"I get it." She nodded. "But what about bugs and worms?"
"Just wrap it up in something they hate." He said. "For snails and worms, salt…no offense Bessie, I'd never do that to you."
"Beeeeeerrr." The snail purred.
"For large predators, it helps to have the scent of other predators. Keeps them away from intruding on territory. Mom used to smother me in the feathers of an owl beast to keep animals from trying to eat me."
"Where did she get owl beast feathers?" She asked.
"... You know, I never questioned it, considering I never saw one." He shrugged. "She's pretty resourceful, so I never had a reason to doubt her. She always said a good witch is able to make an opportunity out of any situation."
"I see." Maddie nodded at the wise words. "You know a lot about potions."
"Potions were mom's life blood finance wise when we weren't selling garbage." He answered. "Pluss…well…you're just like this one girl I knew back at home. She was a three eyed angel with a talent for potions.So I learned all I could about it from my mom to try to impress her. Though you have a lot more variety in your collection I admit."
So in his mind, she was better than a 'three eyed angel'.
Badump.
"So … wanna help stir the potion?" She asked. "I'd like a … hands on demonstration, you know, you being a natural witch."
"Sure, not sure there's any difference between worlds about how to stir something. I mean, there's only two ways to really do it." The creature of her dreams did so. "By the way, where exactly does your magic come from? Back home it all comes from the heart and the titan."
"Contracts with nature." Mostly demons, but a few sentient trees here and there. "It's my firm belief that magic is simply one's communication with the natural gifts of the world. They provide for us so that we provide for them."
"Wish more people back home thought like that." The creature sighed. "My mom's one of the few free witches because she loves it so much. Everyone else believes in Emperor Boolus and his dumb one magic coven system."
"Wow … and here I thought witches had more sense than that." She noted.
"I know right? Glad to see there's someone in the multiverse as smart as a true witch."
Badump
"How about you show me some of that bard magic you say you love so much?" She didn't care if this broke the engagement between her and Sprig; this creature..Lucifer…was way more her type.
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"It's stressful, isn't it?" Grime asked the captive. "You are resilient, yes, but even the toughest of rocks erode over time. Every moment you're here wears you down more and more, until … you crack." He grinned.
"Is that how you justify me breaking the bones of every guard you put in charge?" The creature rolled their eyes. "Because let me tell you, you are living in some serious denial. And thanks for the comparison, but I'm more comparable to an iron wood tree. They don't erode. In fact, they actually get stronger and bigger with age."
"Great, here we go again." He groaned. "Why can't I figure out if you're just completely shitting me or in complete psychotic breakdown?" Grime asked.
"I'm pretty sure that's more of a reflection of how bad you are at your job." The creature countered. "You know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Think about what you've been doing for almost three weeks with no success.
Grime did think about it. "... You have a point, maybe I should just kill you now and look for one of the other creatures you claim to have come with."
"You can try, but if I haven't been able to murder them, you have no chance man." She shifted off to the side.
Oooh, here was something he could work with. "I see it's not exactly a civil union between you three."
"Pfft, ha, that's the least offensive way of saying the theyre the fucking worst." The creature scoffed. "One of them is a royal bitch who threw me away because I wasn't rich enough, and the other is a criminal in love with an abusive bully and got me stuck here to begin with." She pounded on the brick wall. "I was keeping my head down; I tried to be the nice gal, I tried to be good, and what did it get me? A one wayticket to hell!"
Creak
The wall cracked, a few bricks even falling out of place. "You really need to keep up the repairs here, this castle is falling apart." She groaned.
"Yeah …" He trailed off, staring at what was once a very new and sturdy wall. Whatever this creature was, they were clearly unaware of their own strength, likely why they hadn't tried to escape in the first place. They were an unknown wildcard, dangerous as an enemy … but invaluable as an ally. "Where do you suppose they've landed?"
"With any luck, dead. But the universe doesn't have that. So probably either on the run or in a position of power." She growled. "Now if you don't have anything else to say, could you-"
Pfeeeet
"Herons!" Shouted the guards.
"Of course, as if I didn't have enough to deal with today." Grime pulled out his sword, and decided on taking a gamble. "If I open your cell, will you aid us in defining the castle?"
"Depends. Are you planning on trying to put me back in here? Because if you are, then giant birds are going to be the least of your worries."
"We'll see your performance and work our way from there."
"Guess I've worked with worse deals." The creature signed. "Fine, just clear the way and let me do my magic."
"Right." He led her down the stairs, to the gate where the birds approached. "Those are the Herons." He gestured to the creatures making their way over. "Why are they even attacking? We aren't making any noise." He asked a guard.
"Tony was sad when you said he wasn't good enough to guard a prisoner, and played a melody of sorrow." Percy explained.
"And I thought the Emperor's Coven was full of self-doubting incompetents." The creature commented.
"You have nooo idea." Grimme complained. "So, what weapon skills do you possess?" He asked the creature.
"None. Now stay out of the way. This might get a little bloody." The creature walked forward, unarmed, towards the giant avians while cracking her neck.
"You're just letting her walk forward?" Tony asked.
"Either she knocks them out, or distracts them long enough for us to flee." Grime said. "And if not, you're next Tony."
"Come on, you can tone down the criticism just a little."
Smack
They watched as a tree JUTTED out of the ground, smacking the Heron and sending it flying into the sky. Every Toad watched agape, turning to the confused looking creature. "Weird, I was going for a pinning maneuver … did I get stronger or something?"
" Aaaaaaggggggh!" The other giant heron began charging at her.
Multiple vines shot out from the ground, pinning it down. "Hey, Toady?" The creature shouted. "How tasty are these guys? We could use this one as a ride."
"….She was holding back in that cell, wasn't she?" Percy asked with a tremble in his voice.
"She could have broken out at any time." Grime had no doubt about it. The pure raw power was their pure unrestricted potential. It was undisciplined though.... in need of guidance. "Ahem, Creature.."
"My name is Willow Park." The girl corrected.
"Park." He amended. "In light of … this." He gestured to the event. "I'd like to make you my second in command."
"What?" She asked.
"You're clearly unfamiliar with the area, and you would benefit from having a roof and an actual room. And between you and me, you clearly have more brains and common sense than any of my men." He explained. "And you'll have the resources necessary to find your way back home, as well as finding your companions….and eliminating them."
She stared at him for a moment, eyes critically gazing the toad over … "I'm cool with that." She began walking past them. "Anyone who actually wants to get stronger with me, I'll beat the weakness out of you while I learn to readjust my strength."
"Soldiers, you all better say yes, or I'm throwing you into the mouth of this heron the moment it wakes up." Grime threatened.
" Yes commander Grimme!" Finally, it felt like there was going to be actual competence around the castle now. It wouldn't be long before the entire valley was under his control.
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Polly whooped as she rode on Lucci. "Your super speed rules dude!"
"I know, right!? And all it took was almost getting eaten by cannibals to unlock it!" He cheered as he hopped all across the rooftops, the wind blowing into their faces. "Like my mama always says: fear of death is the greatest motivation in the world!"
"I thought you said your mom said fire was the best solution to all of life's problems."
"She has many sayings and every one of them is accurate." He grinned. "Hey, wanna try that bouncy ball maneuver you and Sprig suggested after the evil taser worms?"
"Do I ever!" There were many benefits to living with such a freak of nature.His complete disregard for safety and authority, the rapidly expanding destructive powers, and someone actually being on board for her amazing and 'problematic' ideas.
"Okay then." He placed a bubble around her, placing her into her hands. "Here's the plan Polly, off the weather vane, into the baker's cart, six bounces off the museum's pillars, off the big fluffy hat that woman's wearing, and into the small pond. Are you ready?"
"Do the bedbugs drain the blood of their victims at night when we're sleeping !?" She rhetorically asked.
"Yes they do!" He shouted as he tossed her forward.
"Fear me peasants! Fear me as I pass by you at the speed of sound!" She yelled out as the momentum increased. Terror and confusion spread, the feeble minded weaklings of this town easily scared by even the slightest disturbance. "Off the woman's hat, and into the pond-" She bounced off the side. "Dang it!" She went wild, bouncing around until she hit Lucci in the face.
"... I need to work on my aim." He mumbled, rubbing his face. "So, enjoy the ride?"
"Enjoy it, I love it! It's so much better than getting shot out of Sprig's slingshot collection! Way more range and speed." She hopped on top of his head. "So many people usually think I'm too weak to handle stuff like this."
"I happen to know size isn't everything. My little brother talks big, but his greatest strength is how small he is. Slips through cracks easily, pickpockets with much more subtlety, trust me; being the little guy has more pros than cons."
"I get that, I just wish my legs would go ahead and pop in." She complained. "I mean seriously, being carried around all the time is annoying."
"King complains about that too, but he usually ends up preferring getting carried anyways after walking for five minutes." He explained, placing her back on his head.
"Fair enough." She began refiling through the kid's thick curly mane. It was surprisingly more roomy than she expected it to be. "You know, your hair might actually be more comfortable than my bucket." Polly shuffled through the items. "And it's like a treasure chest of chaotic fun! Knives, poison, Oooh, beetle chips too."
"Yeah, my mom taught me everything I know about violence, theivory, and storing infinity into one's hair." He smiled. "What about your mom? I haven't seen her around … did she ditch you and Sprig?" Lucci asked. "Because I'm willing to track her down and beat her up."
"Nah, she died before I was hatched." The kid was quiet. "Don't worry about it, she was gone before I was born, so I can't remember her anyway. Can't miss what you never had."
"That's pretty much how I feel about my dad. I know most people would say 'I'm missing a part of myself', or 'I would've wanted to know them personally', but really…I feel like not having one makes me appreciate having my mom around even more." Lucci said. "She's worked twice as hard to provide for me…so wouldn't she deserve double the appreciation?"
"I can see that." Polly agreed. "Still not gonna listen to Hop Pop when he says to not start fires though."
"Of course, starting fires is just something everyone needs to do." Lucci smirked. "Speaking of, want to set fire to Mayor Toadstool's wagon? The jerk has it coming."
"I've already got the maaatch~." He may not be a frog, but this kid was definitely her brother.
========================================================================
Toadstool whipped some sweat from his brow. "Man, gold sure is heavy." He noted as he carried the giant sack of gold on his back. Embezzling money was not as easy as most people would assume it to be. There was collecting the taxes, doing the math for how much he needed to overcharge the citizens, getting the specific amount he could reasonably get away with while not appearing too terrible of a mayor to prevent a lynch, or not giving toads enough tax money to prevent an execution.
Luckily he had his loyal stooge-secretary Toady today to do all the paperwork for him while he carried the gold to his private safe. It was a miracle he managed to make this much money from a farming community, which actually seemed to see a rise in profits due to one recent, albeit slightly annoying development.
The Planter monster. Wartwood's usual response to something new and different, especially to something so ugly looking, would be to run it out of town and leave it to be someone else's problem. Except this thing had enough power to act as a defender with a one hundred percent success rate, which was ninety-nine more than any frog before him! Between that, and the strange powers, no one was actually willing to anger him … except for Ms Croaker, but the creature apparently took that one in stride.
The more people he saved, the more people he had to embezzle from, so he was more than willing to let it be…especially since he could charge the Plantars more for housing taxes. Everything was going up Mayor Toadstool. "Toady, ready my bath-" He announced as he walked into his office.
"Toady's currently preoccupied at the moment." Another voice told him as he entered, showing off the previously mentioned Plantar monster, leaning by his desk, with a very dissatisfied look on his face.
"Ah … and what exactly … is he preoccupied with?" Toadstool asked as he looked around the room.
"Being locked in a bubble and getting played with by my pet Cat-butterfly." The monster pointed to the sight outside his window.
"I'm sorry sir, I'm trying to escape this nightmare! Aahhh, please, I taste soapy, soapy!"
"Meeeeeooo!!!" I like cilantro!
"... Just gonna worry about that later." He nodded slowly. "What brings you around my office?" Maybe he could use the opposite window to escape.
"Nothing much, just being a concerned citizen…I mean, I've been here for over three weeks, I feel like I can count myself as a citizen that can do normal citizen things, like shop, eat out…pay taxes ." He glared. "And I can't help but notice just…how high they are."
"Well … we have to pay toad tower, you understand?" He asked. "I know you're not a native, so the concept can be a bit out there, but they act as a central-"
"Oh, I'm WELL aware of the concept of fear mongering, and trust me, that's a whole other problem in of itself I plan on taking on later." The monster created another one of his bubbles, and spun it on his finger. "But even with that, even with all the hard work that the town puts in for each business, Stubby's restaurant, Wobbles woodsmithing, Hop Pop's farming….no matter what happens….they never seem to make a profit, especially after you collect taxes."
"I did say-"
"I'm not talking about the extortion the toads have over this town, I'm talking about the regular taxes, the ones that are supposed to go into supporting this town, fixing property damage, town projects, the type that's actually supposed to go into paying the town.
"Well … if you talk to my secretary Toady, he can show you the budget with how much money we have left after paying the toads."
"Please, please don't eat me!!"
"Oh, I've seen the budget. And if this was just a matter of the toad's extortion, we wouldn't be having this problem in the first place." The monster got close. "But imagine my utter shockthat when I went over it, about eighty percent of that tax went to the toads, while that remaining twenty percent just…vanished into thin air." The monster laughed. "Where does that money go, toadstool? It's definitely not towards the town."
"I-ah-"
"Rhetorical question. If it wasn't obvious by your gold rings, your golden bathtub, your golden name plate, your fancy carriage made from gold, and that tacky golden statue you placed in the middle of town, I think even a pollywog can figure out where that twenty percent is going."
"Ahh …" Definitely need to get closer to the window.
"You know…back home, there wasn't a damn thing I could do to Emperor Belos no matter how much I wanted to. He was simply too big for me to face….you do not have that distinction."
"Umm … I do it for the people-"
"Embezzling money is literally the definition of not doing it for the people." The planter monster walked up closer. "I was raised by a thief, the best thief that could ever exist in any world…I know a con man when I see one."
Time to bail. He sprinted and jumped out the glass. "You'll never take me alive!"
"Who says I was going to take you alive?" The monster smirked, before whistling. "Oh Queen, your dinner's ready!"
"What?
"Meeeeeeeewwwwwaaaaaaaaaaah!"That butterfly creature flew right in front of him…with eyes full of hunger.
"Aaahhh!!" He tried to use his money to save himself.
Chomp
But she just ate that along with him.
========================================================================
Two weeks behind Taxes. These frogs really knew how to push General Grime's patience. Guess they needed a little reminder of how much they should be afraid of the toads. They rode into town, resting their snail just at the town center, before jumping off. "Here's the deal, chumps!" She shouted. "Someone hasn't been paying their taxes! Collect all your money, or there'll be hell to pay."
The towns folk looked at them for a second, before shrugging and going off on their day. "Hey, didn't you hear her!? We're threatening you!"
"Yeah, we know." A one eyed frog said from a distance. "And we don't care!"
"... Beat that one up first, I'm going for the loot." She rolled her eyes as she made their way to Toadstool's place. The benefits to having a toad incharge of a hick town like this one was the easy compliance. "Alright Toadstool, what's going on around he-"
PLP, PLP PLP PLP
Rocks were being shot at her from a distance, showing a tiny pink frog in front of her next to a tadpole. "Nice, triple points!"
"...You have five seconds to run before I turn you into frog juice." She took out her axe.
"Nope, I have a better idea." The tadpole grinned. "Oh Lucci!"
"Yeah, what's up?" Said a new voice as a … creature walked into the picture.
"We have a jerk ransacking our joint." The pink frog pointed to her. "Waste that fool."
"With pleasure." The creature cracked his neck and walked towards her. "So I take it you're from Toad Tower?"
"Hey, it's another creature." A fellow toad said with surprise.
"Great, as if I hadn't heard that before." The thing rolled its eyes.
"It looks just like Captain Willow."
"...What did you say?" The creature paused for a second.
"He's just talking about our new training captain, ignore him." She responded. "Now where's Toadstool? We have words for him."
"Toadstool? Toaaaaddstoooool….Oh, you mean that wart faced jackass that was running the town into the ground. That Toadstool." The creature laughed. "Yeah…He's dead."
They blinked. "That explains the lack of taxes." She muttered. "So, here's the new deal..."
"Nah, I have a better one." The creature grinned. "Walk away, or I beat you up."
"You…you beat us up?" She asked. "I don't think you understand what's going on…"
"No, I do. I understand that the toads have power over the frogs through their fear mongering, extortion, and their slightly above average strength." He said, as a bubble formed around the monster's fist. "So..what happens when I show the frogs that they don't have to be afraid of a couple of overblown jerks?"
"Oh, you should be afraid." She raised her axe-
POW
And was punched out of the building with a single hit, along with the rest of her crew.
"Mam, a thought occurs." A fellow toad said after landing with her. "If Willow is unbelievably strong … then by that logic, any creature like her would be …"
"Who's ready for a pounding!?" The creature shouted as he jumped out, spikey bubbles forming across his hands.
"..I may have not thought this through well enough."
POW
POW CRUNCH
The next two minutes were a complete blur. The sounds of cracked bones and concussion could be heard as she groggily stood up. "This…You may be able to pack…a punch…but the rest of this town…"
"Can run your butts right out just as easily." The creature turned to the townsfolk…who had the remaining toads of her group tied up. "How's the haul people!?"
"Great! I liquefied one of their organs!" A blue skinned frog girl holding a green bottle of some liquid cheered.
"I whacked their head with a wooden mallet!" A frog with weird googles on their face shouted.
"I playe melodies that drove them insane!" The one eyed frog played an annoying tune with his accordian.
"I'm not too fond of killing, but I can support moderate violence!" Shouted an elderly orange frog.
"I was able to use my martial art skills for the first time in years!" A yellow Newt woman shouted as she drank some tea.
"Yeah, as you can clearly see, these little guys are strong enough to look after themselves. They don't need your protection, let alone your taxes." The creature stomped on her chest. "Take this message back to your warty boss…Wartwood is off limits. The Frogs serve no one but themselves." The monster growled as the pink frog kept shooting rocks in his face. "Now, do you want to deliver that message with or without your head?"
"With … my head." She groaned in pain.
"Aww, I wanted to see some decapitations." The tadpole complained.
========================================================================
"Now children, what is the most important and vital skill in swordsmanship?" Tritono asked.
"Precision?" Young Sprig asked.
"Exactly … which is why I hate to say it, but Young Lucifer is failing this class."
"Seriously?" The creature groaned.
"Yes. You have nearly everything down. Strength.." Enough to take down an entire building. "Speed…" Moving faster than the eye can blink. "Endurance…" The kid was capable of surviving everything. He took twenty arrows to the back and was able to keep going. "But you lack the ability to truly empathize with your enemies."
"What's there to understand?" They asked. "They're jerks, you beat them up."
"To understand your enemy is the key to defeating them." Tritono went on. "Someday, and I assure you, it WILL happen someday, you will face an enemy you can't beat head on fight. Sure, there's ways to beat an enemy bigger and stronger than you, as Young Polly demonstrates time and time again…."
"I just attack the knees." The violent tadpole smiled.
"But these require strategy, presion, and most importantly, anticipation." He went on. "Lucifer, I can see it in your eyes. You've been hurt emotionally before, no?"
The creature turned to the side. "So what if I had? That's in the past."
"Yet it is a burden you carry to this day. Tell me, Young Sprig, Young Polly, the boy since you've known him has been slow to open up, has he not."
"Oh slow like you wouldn't believe." The young frog laughed. "He put on the cool loner act, but that faded away during hibernation week when he had to watch over us all alone."
"He went insane from the isolation." The young tadpole smirked. "I half remember being thawed out from the flames-"
"Complete accident." The boy waved off in a hurry.
"I can see you've begun the process of accepting people into your lives, but you choose to keep your heart closed off aside from a select few you deem worthy." Tritonio went on. "To trust but verify is a handy skill, but against an enemy that matches your will to fight, or worse, surpasses it, to understand them may be what saves your life."
"I don't need to understand them." The kid rolled his eyes. "If I can't beat them up, then my family can. If not, we run and plan for a better solution."
"What if you're not given that chance? What if your family can't run, what if your family can't save you?" Tritonia pressed. "In circumstances like this, your words can do more than that of a blade or your physical strength. So very few understand the importance of emotional intelligence." He smirked. "Besides … if you understand a foe, then there is a miniscule hope you will sway them to your side, not unlike your frog eating butterfly."
"Meeewwwww."The beast rubbed its head against the monster.
"Yeah, he let it eat the mayor, and now it's back to thinking frogs are food." Sprig stated.
"Not all frogs, just the jerky ones, isn't that right Queen?"
" Meeew."
"I've never been more happy and more terrified in my life!" Polly shrieked.
"Fine, I'll take your advice under advisement." Lucifer stood up, walking towards him and whispering in a tone so that the other two couldn't hear. "Oh, by the way, you're not fooling anyone." The monster smirked. "No one trains three kids this enthusiastically without planning something. I know you're training us for a robbery."
Tritono laughed. "I know, I can see the con man in your eyes. I know for a fact the wallet I took out of your pocket wasn't even your own."
"Like how you had five different necklaces in your pocket that have the names of different people engraved in them."
"What can I say, the lie of a distant love is the most believable in young naive eyes." Tritonio had to give the monster this, he was a quick read of the situation. "So, what are you going to do about it?"
"Take fifty percent of the cut obviously." Lucifer smiled. "We all win that way…or I can get you closely acquainted with Queen like I did with Mayor Toadstool."
"You drive a hard bargain, Lucifer Clawthorne. You understand your enemy, and play it to your advantage. Now you're on the verge of passing." Tritonio grinned, holding out his hand. "Fine, you have a deal."
"Thank you." He held his hand out. "Oh, that paralyzing poison tack you have on your hand isn't going to work on me either. Poison proof."
"Can't blame a Newt for trying."
========================================================================
"Soon, I shall control all, and be the ruler of the frog state area!" The mushroom laughed. "Feel it, the feeble hopelessness of trying to best me!"
"Noo!" The old amphibian screamed. "Please, take me, leave my kids be!"
"What, you still have that freaky mutant … I want to say … hairy beetle? … with you." They pointed to the ugly creature. "I mean, I would've taken control over him, but I couldn't get a hold on it no matter how hard I tried.
"It seems we're at an impasse." The creature noted. "I can't be possessed, and you taste terrible."
"Okay, first off, rude."
"You're controlling all my friends against their will. We passed rude hours ago."
"Second, that's not your only problem." They smirked. "You can fight me, but can you afford to fight your friends!"
"They're right, It's hopeless, we're done for boy … well I am … you'll probably just beat everyone up and suffer years of heartbreaking guilt afterwards." The old man sighed.
"Not yet." The boy licked his hand. "Beware, healing spit!" He slapped the young frog upside the head-ooooh yeah, that's the good stuff! The mushroom could feel himself grow beyond comprehension! "... Right, I make plants wild and stronger …"
"AHAHAHAHAHA! My rule of amphibia is nearly complete! Soon all will know the name of Apothecary Gary!"
"Really…your name is Gary?" The creature raised an eyebrow.
"What, it's a perfectly acceptable name."
"It sounds like what I would name a pet snail, not the next great big dictator."
"Wait, that's it!" The old man shouted, before clearing his throat. "Oh boy, it seems that there's too much grub here! If only some big girl was around to eat it all!"
"... Was that supposed to-"
Bang
In the shed rushed a very … hungry looking … snail. "AAAAHHHH!!!"
"Haha, for once my grandkids' irresponsibility has finally come in handy!" The old man cheered.
"In my defense, I've been busy making sure to wean Queen of Frog flesh." The creature justified. "And on that note … seriously Hop Pop? Mind control?" Lucci asked. "It didn't once cross your mind that you were going a step too far?"
"It was advertised as more suggestibility …"
"If my mom wasn't guilty of doing arguably worse to people, then I might've stayed mad." The creature noted. "Besides, everyone makes mistakes, just don't repeat them."
"She's eating me! Eating me!!" So much pain.
"I suppose you're right. Just trying to make sure you kids don't get too soft on me. Before you know it, adulthood comes and you're looking after your own family."
"I'd never get soft sir, I'm as tough as the rock on my belly."
"I will have my vengeance on all of you, I swear! I will not be ignored!"
========================================================================
Besse munched on some berries grown by the harvest. Even at the risk of them turning into mutants trying to kill them all, they still tasted delicious. "Wow, you guys really know how to throw a party." The monster that lived with her masters commented as he bit into some beetle jerky. "So fancy looking."
"Well when there isn't a corrupt mayor constantly embezzling the money and being strong armed by the toads, there's actually quite a lot we can afford to splurge on." The tiny master known as Spring laughed.
"Not to mention knowing how to have fun when every day is filled with danger is a very important quality to an amphibian." Her eldest master, Hop Pop, nodded. "That's why we have so much festive energy."
"I'm gonna jump from this building, into that tiny cup!" A girl Sprig had a crush on shouted.
"Do a flip!" The legless master, Polly, shouted back.
"You know, saving her from danger would be the best segway into asking her out." The monster nudged Sprig teasingly.
"Whaaaat? Nah, we're cool with being casual for now." Sprig waved off unconvincingly.
"Riiiight. Completely casual." The monster smirked.
"Don't you have your own romance problems to deal with or something?" The young frog asked, looking away with a blush.
"Not really. I liked one girl back home. Never asked her out though … not that I actually had a chance to begin with." He laughed. "She's some star school athlete and I'm a criminal. Those just don't mix well together."
"Don't be too hard on yourself Lucci. Even if you have pickpocketed everyone in town, you still have helped us more in one month than toadstool has in ten years." Hop pop patted the monster's backpack. "The death rate has gone down a whopping ninety percent from the lack of wild animals brutally devouring us."
"I never thought a world would have a more brutal mortality rate than the Boiling Isles." The kid muttered. "So … the ice's going down soon right?" He asked. "Then we can go looking for a way to get the music box working again?"
"Of course! And there's only one place in all of Amphibia that might have the answer!" Sprig hopped into the air. "The biggest city in the world, Newtopia!"
"Yeah, road trip! More treasure to find, and more enemies to pulverize!" Polly cheered. "And maybe find more of whatever you are. Those other two you talked about."
"Willow and Amity…and I don't know…we've hated each other for so long back home, and the last thing they probably want to do is come and find me, not that I blame them." The monster sighed.
"Well it's not like you can just leave them here." Hop Pop said. "They probably miss their family just as much as you do."
"Fair point … I just wish we could bury the past behind us." The monster groaned. "We said so many awful things to each other; and we used to be best friends."
"What happened?" Sprig asked. "You keep saying 'friends just stab you in the back' but you never elaborate."
The creature looked troubled. "Well …"
Bwaaaa
A trumpet sounded out, interrupting that little discussion. "Is there some kind of band playing tonight?" The creature asked.
"Not until another hour." Hop pop took out a telescope and looked to the outskirts of town. "..Oh no … Everyone! Stop having fun! The toads are back, and they have an army!"
"Of course they do." The monster cracked their neck. "Mr Loggle, how are the weapons?"
"Pretty good, but you guys still owe me for blowing up the shop and never sticking around to fix it up, so least priority for the Planters." The craftsman complained.
"Whatever. I'll hopefully have most of the front Guard incapacitated by the time any of them get even close to the town border." The monster bubbled his fists. "Sprig, you ready to roll out with some perfect sniping?"
"I'll take out their eyes as you punch out their stomachs!" The young frog cheered.
"Brrrr." Bessie waved her eyestalks.
"Don't worry Bessie, Queen has you covered." The monster reassured me. "Okay folks, we're looking at a tense but hopefully short battle. Let's get in their and get it do-"
A wall of vines erected from the ground, effectively stopping everyone from moving. "Lucci, did you make the tomatoes come alive again!?" Hop pop shouted.
"No … which leaves us with one, very annoying suspect." The creature growled out, looking up. "You know, I didn't expect you to team up with war mongering toads!" They shouted to the sky.
"And I didn't expect you to team up with peace loving frogs." A voice shot back. "I assumed you'd take everything they had and walk away."
"Whataya talking about? Lucci's a bit greedy, but nowhere near that selfish or self centered." Spring noted.
"Trust me, he is, I would know." The voice came down and landed right in front of them, revealing a buff creature like the curly haired one, except notably female and with glasses. "After all, we were very close friends once."
"That was a long time ago Willow." The Planter monster growled. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Helping someone who took me in, in the world you got us locked up in." The creature spoke, before turning away. "I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Tell them what you want, Grime."
"To invite the residence of WartWard to the toad tower of course." The toad with one eye grinned, suspicion immediately being cast in him. "I'm certain that this little … misunderstanding of tax negligence can be easily resolved."
"Uh huh.." The monster rolled his eyes. "And why would anyone agree to come with you guys?"
"Come now, despite whatever strength and weapons you gained, and despite how strong this witch is, you're a farming community." The toad stressed. "Are you seriously that confident?"
"Yes."
"…Wow, you were right , the arrogance on this one is outstanding." The toad whispered to the female monster. "But the point stands that even if you could defeat us all … would everyone in this town come out unscathed, or be willing to risk it when a peaceful solution is available?"
"Screw peace! Anarchy forever!" Polly cheered.
"…We also have free food."
"Sold." Practically the entire town agreed collectively
"Seriously!?" The monster shouted.
"You have to admit, free food is something you never argue with." Hop pop reasoned.
"I don't argue because I'm poison proof. You have no excuse." The monster groaned. "Fine, but I don't trust this one bit."
"Funny, because I don't trust you one bit." The female growled.
Polly looked back and forth between them with squinted eyes. "I can't tell if you're giving off sibling vibes or ex lover vibes." Bessie agreed.
========================================================================
Willow glared, raising her blade forward at the enemy, that old frog Grime thought was a threat. Willow didn't see it, but order had to be kept.
"This has gone far enough Willow!" Lucci yelled at her, blocking her sword. "Teaming up with an oppressive force is one thing, I expected that from you to begin with."
"Oh, the criminal is lecturing me. How charming." She grumbled.
"But you're going to kill an old man, an innocent old man in front of his town, in front of his grandkids, over the completely stupid idea that he's some kind of revolutionary!?"
"I have the looks and wisdom for it!" The old man argued.
" Innocent? " She asked. "You kill anyone you don't like and nobody in that town tossed you out or threw you in jail." Willow retorted. "Either they're just as guilty as you, or you're a worse fear monger than Grime."
"That's how it was on the Boiling Isles."
"This ISN'T the Boiling Isles Lucci! Different rules and acceptance here!" She shouted.
"This isn't about you standing on a moral high ground, this is about you actively going against me because you think I'm always in the wrong no matter what I do!" Lucci charged back.
"Maybe if you had moral standards." She rolled her eyes. "Thinking Boscha could ever be someone to fawn over is justification for getting rid of you as is. Just like Amity."
"What the fuck does Boscha have to do with anything!? I haven't seen her in years! She's not even involved with this snorseshit!" Lucci yelled
"Oh please. Eda, Boscha, you want to know what I think?" She asked. "You like hanging around with terrible people, because it makes you feel better about not being a better person!"
Plop
Willow turned her head, seeing that pink frog throwing mud in her face. "I don't know what kind of person Lucci was back in whatever world you live in, and I don't care. Since the day he came to town, he has been kind, funny, brave, and most of all, always willing to stand up for us, especially against horrible bullies like you!"
Willow gently rubbed the mud off her face, before throwing the kid back to the crowd with a plant. "Stay out of the way kid." She told him. "It's between me and-"
"Don't you dare hurt him!" Lucci rushed forward with a pink shield, which she was forced to block against.
"Oh, so NOW you care about standing up for the helpless!" She shouted, pushing back and going for a stab, to which he grabbed with his bare hands.
"The onlyreason I'm letting you live is because I know your parents probably miss you." Lucci growled. "Then again, I don't know how they could stand to know that their daughter grew up to be the most repugnant witch I have ever known." He tossed her over to Grime. "And a bigger bitch than Boscha ever was."
Bigger … Bigger … Bigger …"Rough." Grime's voice sounded far off compared to the ringing in her ears. "Allow me some advice for my favorite …" He paused. "Why are you pin-" She no longer cared to listen. She had a witch to DISCIPLINE.
"You DARE to say I'm like her?!" She raised her hand, as a tree crashed through his shield, sending Lucci into the air. "I must be adorable to a rotten scumbag like you then, right!?" She grabbed him with vines, slamming him into the ground.
"Better scumbag than asshole. Look at yourself Willow, you're ruling by fear, by lording yourself over people who can't fight back, look inside of yourself for once you fucking hypocrite!"
"And that's what a criminal does!" She launched herself forward, and stabbed him, actually managing to draw blood. "Steal and do whatever they want because they're above the law! Not everyone's that lucky Lucci!" She punched him in the face. "NOT EVERYONE IS THAT STRONG!!" And again in the stomach, earning a crack from his ribs.
"So is that what this is about!? You weren't afraid of people like Boscha, you weren't angry at them, you were jealous! You wanted to be the one that pushed people down into the dirt!?"
" Not of people like Boscha…of people like YOU!"She slammed a tree onto him. "The son of the greatest witch! The boy with powers nobody else had! The kid who always goes toe to toe with the Emperor's Coven! You had life handed to you on a fucking silver platter! You always thought you were the most powerful, you always thought I was weaker than you!" Willow shouted as she threw him across the floor.
"I never thought you were weak-"
"Oh shut it!" She slammed the sword down against his shield. "You were always this narcissist who thought he was the answer to everything! Well news flash, you weren't! And because of you, we're stuck here without our families!" She slammed him further into the ground. "ALL BECAUSE YOU HAD EYES FOR BOSCHA LIKE ALWAYS!"
BOOOM
Willow watched as his body went through floor after floor, cracks running along the tower. Willow rushed in after him, using vines to pull herself to the bottom and step on him. "I'm a jerkass? I'm a bitch? Boscha terrorized me every day of the week and nobody said anything about it. Not Amity, not the School, and not the boy who chose her over everyone else."
"….I didn't…choose a…"
"She tried to kill me all the time and you never once came to my side, I realized my loss and knew that you'd always choose her, the bitch." She wrapped vines around her blade, turning it into a spear. "Now I'm the one in power, the one who does whatever they want without consequences. The greatest witch in Amphibia! How does it feel to be on the other fucking foot!?" She stabbed him over and over. "HOW DOES IT FEEL, LUCIFER!?"
Crumble
Willow paused, turning to see the walls crack apart, crumbling into exposed walls. No problem, she'd just get out of here and-
Whoooosh
"Ahhhhh!" She suddenly felt like her entire body was on fire, her nerves were acting all over in pain as every single ounce of energy felt like it was suddenly sucked out of her. "Why do I feel so weak…?
Smack
========================================================================
Lucci groggily pushed himself up. Even someone who healed as fast as him, that really pushed it. "Ahhhhhh.." He rubbed his head, the ringing blaring out loud. "When did Willow steal my color scheme?" He groaned. That surge of power almost felt unnatural when she … she …
She thrashed him. Physically yes, but … those words …after the birthday party, she ditched him…but maybe it was because Lucci didn't give her a good reason to stay with him.
He's always known his crush on Boscha was just that, a crush that would likely never be reciprocated. He was fine with that … but if it was bad enough for Willow to assume he'd abandon her for that … then maybe there was a bigger problem he was ignoring.
"What the hell am I doing?" He mumbled to himself. For fuck's sake, he was fighting one of his oldest friends to the death over a ten year misunderstanding. How terrible was he at friendship to let it get this far?
He turned, seeing Willow try to use her sword as a cane, which snapped as the girl fell to the floor. "Come on … plants … help me …" She groaned out. "I feel…so weak…why.."
Lucci was reminded back to ten years ago, back to simpler times, back when his biggest concern and joy in life was helping his friends. Helping Willow and Amity with their problems. "You're not weak." He held out his hand. "Come on, let's get out of here."
"I don't … need … your …"
Lucci groaned. "I'm already trying to fix it, don't make me trudge through it." The boy lifted the girl up onto his back. "You know, with how much you work out, I'm probably the only guy who can actually carry you like this." He joked.
"What…what angle are you playing at..?"
"None. Honestly helping you right now puts me in danger." He pointed up to the collapsing ceiling. Lucci forced up a small bubble, knowing it wouldn't last long in his state. "We need to move faster." He mumbled.
"How…How..why are you…."
"Because … I don't leave my friends behind…." Lucci stated. "I…never…wanted to stop being your friend … Boscha isn't … worth that." He affirmed. "I'd pick you, every time Willow. That's what friends do."
"Lucci…"
"I'm sorry I let you think otherwise…and I'm sorry for getting us in this mess." He apologized. "You were always so strong … I thought you'd be able to deal with anything … so I never bothered to help." The bubble was beginning to crack. "Gonna need a bit of that strength now … you need to make a tree for us, just to that exit." He pointed. "Come on Willow … you're stronger than you think you are."
The girl weakly smiled, before her eyes glowed green, and the feeling of wood underneath their feet was felt, pushing them upwards. "You…you really think I'm strong?"
"Law ends with Willow not because you're last…but because you're the best." He smiled. "I'm the first cause I'm the wildly impulsive guy who never thought things through as a kid …." Lucci gave a weak chuckle. "And here I thought I grew out of that."
They eventually made their way out. "I dunno … you're a little smarter." She smiled. "Not by much though."
"Lucci!" He saw Sprig running over to him. "You're alive!" Yeah … would have been a disaster if he never met these nutjobs.
"Hey, pretty sure there's enough room for an extra bed in the basement." He offered.
"What!? Don't tell me you actually want to be nice to the pushover doormat that almost killed you!" Polly shouted.
Lucci coughed. "Silly kids, misremembering little details.."
"It's fine Lucci, it's the least I deserve." Willow sighed. "Thanks, but I can't go with you. My place is with Grime."
"The fear monger?" He asked.
"If it's any consolation, the Newts are the worst of the three." She said. "High society people and all that jazz."
"..That's where we're going to find Amity, isn't it? Somewhere with them?" Lucci groaned.
"Given her string of luck and fortune, yes." Willow grumbled. "Now if you excuse me, Grime is rushing at us with the same look your mom gave whenever she saw something bad happen to you."
"Ah, so you've found your own family here, haven't you?" He smiled.
"Pretty much. I'd do everything for them."
"Same." He looked over to Wartwood,to the Planters. Lucci would do anything to get back home but he'd be the best liar to ever exist to say he wouldn't miss this.