Anne and Maddie poked their heads from the basement side door, and upon seeing no one else around, they both snuck out as quiet as a flea.
Oliver looked out and watched as the two girls moved like ninjas, trying to reach the barn without waking up Hop Pop (who was still asleep in his rocking chair.)
Olivier just let out a sigh as he stepped out, and just walked normally.
Okay.whispered Anne. the coast is clear!
"wonderful." spoke Olivier, monotoned.
Anne then opened the barn door… and Olivier widened his eyes at what was inside.
"is that… a Giant Snail??" spoke Olivier.
"Her name is Bessie!" said Anne, as she fed the Snail some berries. "Hop Pop rides her like a horse to get around town, and travel far away."
"I don't know what a horse is… BUT, I have seen creatures like this in my own world before." said Olivier.
"Oh. Well… Does your world have Unicorns??" asked Anne.
"Unfortunately, yes." answered Olivier, glumly.
"Well, Horses are like Unicorns. but without horns, and aren't magic at all." explained Anne. "You just ride them around if you are a Cowboy, or you can't afford a scooter."
Olivier extended a finger as he prepared to ask a series of follow-up questions. BUT, he decided against it as he wanted to get this quest over with.
"Okay, how long will it take to get ready?" spoke Olivier.
"Just give me a few minutes." said Anne, as she approached a large saddle at a wall.
Olivier exhaled as he sat down on a bundle of hay. Maddie then approached, and sat down right beside the boy (almost making 'squeaking' noises with every step that she took.)
"I'm a little excited for this trip!" spoke Maddie, smiling. "I've always been on my own, and never had real friends to do fun things with."
Olivier looked down at the Frog Girl.
While he didn't consider them to be 'friends', he didn't want to upset Maddie either. So he breathed out, forced himself to smile and gave Maddie a gentle pat on her mop top.
"I hope you do have fun on this trip, Maddie." said Olivier.
Maddie gave Olivier a warm smile that made the boy feel uneasy.
(("titan, why does she have to be so flipping cute!?!")) thought Olivier. (("she's like a baby Hobgoblin."))
"OKAY, I think we're all ready!" spoke Anne.
Olivier looked to see the large saddle strapped onto the snail's huge helix shell. Said Saddle had both front and back seats, and some pouches at the side for minor storage.
"You… know how to drive this thing?" spoke Olivier.
"HER. I know how to drive HER." corrected Anne.
"right, sorry… I forgot." apologized Olivier.
Anne smiled. "It's okay, man. and: Yeah, I do know how to drive Bessie."
Anne then took a moment to recall her 'experience' when she first learned how to drive Bessie, which caused her to shudder at the memories that to this day, STILL haunted her nightmares.
"I will never forget those lessons for as long as I live."
Olivier stared at Anne with a blank expression. "Oh… Kaaay."
Anne was the first to climb up and took the reins in hand. Olivier grasped Maddie, and lifted her up before climbing up himself.
"You two ready??" spoke Anne, looking back.
Maddie smiled while Olivier just gave a blunt Thumbs Up. Anne smiled back, and with a gentle whip of the reins, Bessie started moving.
Olivier jumped a little, surprised at just how NOT-Slow the giant snail was. Bessie soon exited the barn, and before long was pulling away from the Plantar Farm and down a trail.
Olivier looked back, Watching as the distant town of Wartwood became more distant. He huffed and returned his sights forward, leaning back in his seat as he allowed himself to relax.
Perhaps the 'Boonchuy Girl' was right about this trip: Already he was starting to feel better.
"Okay, everyone. LOOK SHARP!" spoke Anne, as the party entered the forest. "It will be awhile until we reach the end of the path, so keep an eye out for predators."
Olivier gave yet another blunt thumbs up, rather than saying anything. He then let out a deep sigh as he stared off at the passing forest.
He practically grew up with a whole forest as his back yard back in his own world. But the forests of this Amphibia were so different from the one he was used to in the Boiling Isles.
The trees were shaped differently… and everywhere there were mushrooms that glowed in various colors. The Scents and Sounds of the forest were also different, yet STILL felt familiar in their own way.
This Frog World may be different… but SOME parts of it felt like home.
"OKAY, we're nearly halfway there!" spoke Anne.
"Really?, it doesn't feel like it's been THAT long." spoke Maddie.
"Oh, trust me. We're not out of the woods yet." said Anne… who then chuckled upon realizing the pun she made.
Olivier rolled his eyes, but then became alert upon hearing some distant rustling.
At the same time, Bessie suddenly stopped and retreated into her shell.
"Bessie?!" spoke Anne. "What's wrong, girl??"
"She must sense nearby DANGER!" exclaimed Maddie.
"I heard something in the foliage." spoke Olivier. "it sounded like something was… moving fast. Close, but not too close."
Anne and Maddie looked around, trying to find any sign of what Olivier was referring to.
Sure enough, they saw 'something' rustling through the thick plants. It moved so fast, it was next to impossible to identify what it was.
But, Anne dreaded that she DIDknow what it was.
"oh, shoot." spoke the Thai Girl.
"what is it?" asked Olivier.
"Hedge-Hogs." answered Anne.
"Hedge-What??"
"They are Predatory Rodents with a body covered in spiky quills!" exclaimed Maddie. "They like to hunt in packs, can run like the wind, and can strip flesh from bone in SECONDS."
"Sooo… They're like Timber Wolves, then??"
"They do remind me of wolves." spoke Anne, momentarily forgetting the danger.
But as more plants began to rustle, and some low growling was heard. Anne returned to being alert, along with Olivier and Maddie.
"this is not good." spoke Olivier, as he reached up for a hanging tree branch.
Maddie herself opened up her satchel, and took out two curse pouches. As soon as she did so, however...several creatures burst out from foliage. Everyone looked to see wolf-sized creatures with rat-like faces with lance-like quills covering most of their furry bodies.
Most of them were a dull, brown color… while ONE was oddly colored BLUE.
"I take it these are those "Hedge-Hogs" that you were talking about, Anne?" spoke Olivier.
"yep." said Anne, frozen in fright.
The spikey rodents all snarled, their mouths drooling.
keep STILL... whispered Maddie. no sudden movements-
It was then that the Blue Hedge-Hog pounced at Maddie. Olivier acted quickly, shielding Maddie and flinging the creature back.
"SUDDEN MOVEMENTS!, SUDDEN MOVEMENTS!!" exclaimed Maddie.
The other Hedge-Hogs attempted to attack as well. Prompting Olivier and Maddie to fend them off as best they could.
"ANNE!, We need to get moving NOW!!" exclaimed Olivier, as he fired a Hex Bolt. "They're trying to trap us in a "Kill Box!"
Anne nodded, and gripped Bessie's reins.
"BESSIE!!, THINGS ARE GETTIN' MESSY!!!" exclaimed Anne, loudly.
At that moment, the Snail popped its muscular head out and let out a call. With a slap of its tail, it shot off like a cannonball and moved like a gust of wind.
Olivier exclaimed as he was knocked back a little, now clinging to the rear of Bessie's Saddle for dear life.
"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGHH!!!" screamed Olivier, whipping in the air like a wind sock.
"OLLIE!??" exclaimed Anne, alarmed (but unable to do anything right now.)
"Hold on, I'VE GOTCHA!!" exclaimed Maddie, as she ran over to Olivier.
...but then her sole visible eye widened. "uh-oh..."
"What?!" said Olivier, who then looked behind him...and instantly regretted doing so.
Both Olivier and Maddie gasped as the pack of Hedge-Hogs chasing them down, and despite the incredible speed that Bessie was going, they were slowly gaining upon them...
...and unfortunately for Olivier, his skinny, dangling legs made for an easy target.
(*SNAP!*, CHOMP!!)
"GAHH!!" exclaimed Olivier, as the Mega-Rodent literally nipped at his heels.
"GET BACK-(*KICK!*)-YOU OVERGROWN RATS!!"
Maddie gritted her frog teeth and tried to pull Olivier back into the saddle with all her might.
As the Blue Hedge-Hog lunged at Olivier, he held his breath and stomped both feet at it's head. In an instant, he bounded off its head while also kicking it away at the same time.
The momentum propelled Olivier back into the Saddle, and immediately after Maddie jumped ahead and proceeded to lob some curse bombs that she had at hand, forcing the Hedge Hogs back.
"YOU ALRIGHT, OLLIE!!?" called Anne, glancing back.
Olivier groaned as he tried to raise up. "I'll... live." answered Olivier.
"GET BACK, YOU NASTY PINCUSHIONS!!" yelled Maddie, still lobbying Curse Bombs.
Olivier rushed over, and saw that the Hedge-Hog pack were still chasing after them.
"Dang, these things are persistent!" said Olivier.
"Yeah. Hedge-Hogs are fast, and can keep running for hours!" explained Maddie.
"If we don't find some way to lose them, they are GOINGto catch us eventually!!"
Olivier looked back to Anne. "How much further until we're out of this forest!!?"
Anne whipped Bessie's reigns. "Still pretty far!, even at this speed!!"
Olivier growled in aggravation. "damn it. I guess I have no choice."
Olivier reached into his satchel, and pulled out a bottle with a glowing liquid. He then popped the cork and drank down what little contents were in it.
His eyes then glowed as he felt his body start to energize.
Throwing the now empty bottle at one of the Hedge-Hogs, Olivier spun his hands together, charging them with Gold magic. His eyes glowing bright, he slammed his hands against the Saddle, and spread golden energy over Bessie, Anne, Maddie and himself.
In that instant, Bessie started moving much, MUCH faster than she normally would. Becoming like a shooting star that streaked through the forest, even destroying trees she crashed into.
Anne gasped, shocked at the incredible speed that she was going. She'd gone fast before, but she had NEVER gone this fast!
(It reminded her of that scene from Star Battles that she and Marcy once watched with her dad, When the 'Epoch Hawk' engaged it's Warp Drive and eluded the Imperial Star Devastator Fleet.)
And just as suddenly as it happened... it was all over.
Bessie finally came to a stop at a clearing, the mystical energy having faded away. Anne breathed heavily, feeling like her heart was trying to pound out of her ribcage.
"holy... WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!!?" exclaimed Anne.
Maddie stared blankly, stunned. "that was... THE MOST AWESOME MAGIC I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! We moved like a bolt of lightning!"
"Really??... That's AWESOME!!" exclaimed Anne. "OLLIE, YOU-"
((*THUD!*))
Anne and Maddie looked and saw Olivier had dropped like a stone, lying motionless on Bessie's saddle with his limbs spread out like an 'X.'
"oh frog!, he's dead!!" exclaimed Maddie, jumping up-and-down.
Anne released Bessie's reigns and ran over to Olivier. "Ollie??... OLIVER!!"
Anne then proceeded to (lightly) slap Olivier's face, trying to awaken him. After the THIRD slap, Olivier grabbed Anne's wrist mid swing and looked at her with annoyance.
"I'm... NOT... Dead." growled Olivier.
"YAY!!" cheered Maddie.
Olivier groaned as he sat up and held his dizzy head. "I never... c-cast a spell th-that big before. gonna hafta... t-take it easy for awhile."
Anne and Maddie frowned. "well... Thanks. we really appreciate you helping us."
For some odd reason, Anne's words made Olivier react in an emotional way. Looking at the human girl with a stunned expression that put him on the verge of tears.
But the Witch Boy quickly averted his gaze, doing his best to suppress those sudden feelings.
"you are... welcome." answered back Olivier. "glad I could... help."
Anne tilted her head. "Are you okay, Ollie??"
Olivier flinched upon hearing that nickname. "I'm fine."
Olivier then forced himself up, dismissing Anne's attempts to help him. "I'm... fine."
Anne and Maddie both didn't look convinced, but decided not to press the issue.
Instead, the party of three took a moment to examine their current surroundings.
"Dang!, I think we got turned around. I have no idea where we are." said Anne.
"I'll climb one of these trees," said Maddie. "If I can locate the mountain, we'll find our way out."
Before Anne or Olivier could say a word, the blue frogette was already scaling a large tree. Now alone, Anne looked at Olivier (who was now leaning against Bessie to support himself.)
Anne slowly approached, and tried to start a conversation.
"That really was impressive back there, Ollie." said Anne. "How you made us go super fast! It was like "Speedy the Porcupine!"
Olivier eyed Anne with confusion. "Speedy the what?"
"Oh, right. Sorry." spoke Anne, realizing her error.
"It's a videogame that my dad liked to play on his downtime. It's about a Porcupine who can run faster than light, and fights this mad scientist named "Doctor Machinek", who turned all the forest animals into robots and wants to use seven magic gemstones called "Anarky Rubies" to take over the world."
Olivier STILL looked confused. "Huh?"
Anne blushed redder than a tomato. "never mind. Point is, That was a cool magic spell you cast!"
Olivier nodded. "It's one of my special skills. Every witch is capable of performing all kinds of magic, but certain magicks come easier to others. With me, I always had an affinity for Chrono Magic, which is a lost art."
Anne was now interested. "So, what else can you do besides make things go really fast?? Can you slow down time, too!!?"
"yeah, that's also easy." said Olivier.
Anne's eyes then suddenly lit up. "wait. I just remembered... On the day we first met,
when me, Sprig and Maddie were attacked by that giant snake. did... Did you use your time powers THEN when you saved us??!"
"yeah." answered Olivier. "I siphoned all kinetic energy in the area and slowed time to the point of stopping, and got you three out of harm's way. From your perspective it must've been like teleporting. Took a lot out of me, though."
"well... Thanks. We really did appreciate the save back there." said Anne, smiling.
Olivier simply nodded.
"So, you can accelerate and slow down time... Can you also Time Travel, too!?" continued Anne.
"no. well... Maybe. I've never tried doing something that advanced before..." spoke Olivier. "I'm not sure if I COULD do something like that safely. It's hard enough making things go fast or slow."
"I see... sorry for asking." said Anne, softly.
"don't apologize. there is nothing wrong with asking simple questions." said Olivier.
At that moment, Maddie dropped down upon the pair and clung onto Olivier not unlike Sprig often did with Anne (which Anne noted, and giggled at.)
"I'm back!" exclaimed Maddie.
"So I see." spoke Olivier as he grasped Maddie and set her down.
"The Misty Peaks aren't too far from here now. We should make it if we go right now!"
Anne lightly punched Olivier's shoulder. "Great job, Ollie! We're making great time thanks to you!"
Olivier blushed as he rubbed his arm. "thanks..."
The group got back onto Bessie's saddle, and this time Maddie took the reins since she knew the way to go. Anne sat beside Olivier and smiled at him. though Olivier averted his gaze, feeling very awkward around Anne.
Anne took note of Olivier's shyness and tried to not look at him too much so he wouldn't feel uncomfortable. Although she still gave him occasional glances, watching as the Witch Boy checked the contents of his satchel.
Anne's smile then faded when she saw the jagged scars behind his shaggy hair. Her mind then started to race, trying to comprehend how Olivier could've gotten such an injury.
It was too precise to be from an animal. so Someone must've done that to him deliberately. But the very idea of ripping or cutting someone's ears off made Anne's skin crawl. Who could do something so... Sadistic?!
Anne stared off, deep in thought. The more she tried to imagine HOW that might've happened, the more Olivier's behavior and attitude started to make more sense to her.
Olivier had some major trust issues, seeing the worst in things before anything good. though despite this, Olivier was still good natured and wanted to help others.
It made Anne shudder to think about why someone would want to hurt a helpful person like Olivier in such a way. She just couldn't grasp how anyone could be so cruel as to cut off someone's eyes so badly that they'd leave scars.
No version of what Anne imagined made it seem as though it was accidental, or justified in any way. The only other alternative would be that Olivier did it to himself.
If so, then WHY?? why would he hurt himself like that?!
Anne just didn't know... and she probably wouldn't know for a long while. But what she did know was that Olivier needed a friend, even if he acted like he didn't.
Everyone needs a friend. And if Olivier had none... Then she would gladly be his first.
"hey." Anne jumped upon hearing Olivier's voice. "y-yeah??"
"You got really quiet all of a sudden." said Olivier, looking at Anne. "Are you alright??"
"y-yeah... I'm fine." lied Anne. "I was just... thinking about some things."
Olivier was silent for a while, looking out at the passing trees that moved at a steady pace.
Breathing out, he decided to strike up a conversation: "you were looking at my scars again."
Anne's face turned beet red. "Uhhh... I-I-I- (*deep sigh*) i'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Olivier paused. He inhaled deeply, and then spoke: "I didn't do it to myself."
Anne looked at Olivier, he was now crossing his arms and curled up into a ball. He gave the vibe of someone who felt vulnerable, but was trying to be strong and not show weakness.
"were you attacked??" asked Anne, her tone soft.
"you could say that." answered Olivier, his voice small.
Anne paused, and then continued with her questions: "was it... an Animal??"
"no." answered Olivier. "there was... a Bully from my school."
Anne's blood ran cold, immediately getting a flashback of Maggie, her own personal bully from her own world.
"she always picked on me because of my... condition." continued Olivier.
"I had a friend who used to defend me from her. But then one day, she... She turned against me. She's now friends with my bully. and she... she held me down. took my grandfather's carving knife... and..."
Olivier stopped, his body shivering and shaking. Anne was also shaking, her eyes wide as she tried to process what Olivier had just said.
a school bully. a friendship betrayed. It all felt so familiar, even if it was very different.
Anne scooted closer to Olivier. She tried to place a comforting hand upon the boy, only for him to flinch at her touch, not unlike an abused animal that was scared of being hurt again.
Anne pulled her hand back, not wanting to distress Olivier (yet wishing she could hug him.)
"I had a friend once." spoke Anne, finally. "I trusted her with my life... and then she betrayed me."
Olivier finally looked at Anne, and noted the broken expression on her face.
It was a look he was all too familiar with.
"nothing hurts more than having your heart broken by someone you trusted." continued Anne. "all those good memories we shared, now tarnished forever. I still cry whenever I think about her... and I don't even know WHY anymore."
Anne started to tear up, her memories of Toad Tower starting to return again. As she found herself close to sobbing... she then felt a gentle hand touch her face.
Anne looked and saw Olivier gently wiping away her tears. He had a neutral expression, yet she saw a softness in his mismatched eyes.
"I'm sorry." said Olivier, finally. "I... I had no idea."
Anne nodded as she wiped her tears away herself. "don't apologize. you didn't know."
The two remained still as they looked at each other for a moment.
"ollie... I know we only just met, and I get you have trust issues." began Anne, speaking softly. "But I really do want to be your friend. I know this will take time, but all I ask is that you give me a chance."
Olivier looked into Anne's hazel eyes, almost as if trying to read her true intentions. Despite how wary he was of this human girl, something deep down inside him made him WANT to trust her.
Part of him didn't want to take the risk. 'Friendship' is only temporary, afterall. Friends eventually let you down, maybe even just use you for their own benefit
Afterall, Anne certainly had everything to gain from him by using his mother's portal to return home. And once she was back in her own world, she would have no more use for him anymore and completely abandon him.
And yet... Anne seemed to be sincere, and genuinely have empathy for how he felt. She didn't HAVE to abandon her errands in Wartwood to check on him after the town alienated him.
maybe... Maybe Anne really did want to be his friend. maybe he could trust her.
At the very least, it wouldn't hurt to give her a chance.
(*deep breath.*)
Olivier breathed out, sat beside Anne and finally leaned against her. Anne took this as a sign of trust, and risked putting her arm around the Witch Boy.
Olivier didn't flinch this time... so the Thai Girl tightened her hold on him.
"I'm sorry what happened to you, Olivier..." spoke Anne. "you didn't deserve that."
Olivier said nothing. He only nodded, taking some comfort in Anne's apparent compassion.
Maddie glanced over to the two humans, having overheard everything. the blue frog grimaced, having a mixture of emotions that she tried to keep in check.
She then whipped the reins, goading Bessie to move faster.
[End of Part Nine]