Loyalty Among Worlds (Amphibia AU)

After all the commotion with the mushroom colony, Hop pop was forced to do all of Tint's chores. Hop pop was able to complete them quickly and steadily, before the end of the day. Eventually, the group called it even with Hop pop, and he's back on good terms with the group.

In the center of Town Square, all of Wartwood gathered together for a yearly event. The group arrived to view the event. Anne and Darrel were confused with what's going on.

"Man, what is with this crowd?" Anne asked. "Are fruit flies on sale or something?" Darrel laughed. "Nope," said Hop pop. "Today's the day they announce the Frog of the Year award." "The what now?" Darrel asked. "The Frog of the hoppin' Year," said Sprig. "Every year, the town gets together and votes on the frog they think best embodies the values of Wartwood."

"We all voted last week," said Polly. "Even the Salamanders did too. Don't you remember?" "Not exactly," said Darrel. "Me and Anne were listening to music last week. We had a blast."

(Flashback)

The Plantars and the Salamanders were about ready to head out into town. Anne and Darrel were sitting in the living room listening to their favorite song. "Anne, Darrel," said Cronaxx. "We're about to head into town to vote for Frog of the Year. Wanna come?" Unable to hear what Cronaxx said, Darrel and Anne sang, " No, you'll never make us go. " "Suit yourselves," said Hop pop. The amphibians leave the house just as Anne and Darrel started dancing.

(Flashback ends)

Just then, the group hears Mayor Toadstool announce on the stand. "Alright folks, it's time! As ya'll know the Frog of the Year goes to the most noble, selfless, blah blah blah, let's get on with it." The impatient mayor made Darrel shake his head in disgust. 'With an attitude like that, I'd doubt that he'd win this year,' he thought.

Toadie gives him the envelope and Mayor Toadstool announces the winner. "And the Frog of the Year goes to…" He reads in disbelief, "Now this can't be right: Anne Boonchuy?!"

The whole town gasped, including the group. Anne stood in disbelief, until the whole crowd cheered. Hop pop pushed her up to the stand and told her to get up there. "A Plantar, Frog of the Year," he said. "I can't believe this," said Darrel. "My best friend, touching the hearts of all of Wartwood. I'm so proud of her."

Anne gets up to the podium to see all of Wartwood cheer for her. She smiles at them feeling joyful. "I don't know what to say," she said. "I do," said Toadstool. "Are you people out of your frog dang minds?!"

Hearing Toadstool's voice made Darrel step up, "No, they are not. As a matter of fact, I think they made the right choice!" "But she doesn't deserve to host a party," said Toadstool. "What party?" Anne asked. "It's one of our oldest traditions," said Toadie. "The Frog of the Year has to put on an incredible party for the whole town."

"Yeah, and that party is supposed to demonstrate the Frog of the Year's selflessness," said Toadie. "Anne is selfless far from it." "You just can't accept the fact that Anne is more selfless than you," said Darrel. "Your actions are what caused you to lose that award in the first place! While Anne here did much more for us than you ever did."

"Darrel's right," said Anne. "And besides, I'll show you, by putting on a party so big it will blow your minds!" The town remained silent, and confused. "It's just an expression," said Darrel. "She meant it'll be a great party." The town cheered, and Anne placed her arm around Darrel. Toadstool leaves the podium, still believing that her party will fail.

Back at the Plantar house, Anne and the gang were getting plans together to pull off the best party ever. Anne placed her plans on the living room table. "Here are the plans for throwing the best party ever, and proving that mayor wrong." "Anne, don't worry about what that mayor said," said Sprig. "Just have fun planning your party."

"You're frog of the year," said Polly. "Okay guys listen up," said Anne. The group gather around the table and look at the plans. "A great party has three ingredients: Entertainment, Exclusivity, and Spectacle. Hop pop, Cronaxx, you're in charge of entertainment. I dub thee, Masters of Ceremonies"

Hop pop and Cronaxx nodded, "I've been waiting for this day my whole life," said Hop pop. "I can make fabulous fireworks," said Cronaxx. "Polly, Tint, you're exclusivity," said Anne. "So it's your job to decide who gets into the party and who doesn't." She gives them a velvet rope, while Tint puts on a pair of shades. "Time to take action, Polly," he said.

"What about me, Anne?" Sprig asked. "You have the most important job of all, the Spectacle," said Anne. Sprig was so happy, he couldn't stand still. "At the party…" Anne said with a stern look. Until she gave off a sparkling look with wide eyes, "… You're going to tell Ivy how you feel about her." Sprig suddenly gives a surprised shocking look as if something slammed into his face.

Anne gives off a lecture about how romantic confessions she read in magazines help bring shines to spectacles. Sprig however didn't feel up to the task. "I don't know, Anne." "Please, Sprig?" Anne begged. "I need you to make this party amazing." Eventually, Sprig reluctantly agreed. "Come on everyone, let's bring the thunder!" Anne and the group cheered.

Meanwhile, down in the basement, Darrel was looking down at the old photo of him and Sasha. He reflects on all his memories with her, which there weren't many. All those dinner dates he's had with her, even when she invited him, he paid for all the meals. All those birthday presents Darrel gave Sasha nearly made him bankrupt. And whenever he gets hurt, he usually sends Anne or Marcy to watch over him.

Darrel sighs as he looks at one of Anne's magazines. He skips to the page where Anne revealed the spectacle. Then, he looks to the photo of his friends and covers Sasha and Marcy, leaving Anne visible in his sight. He looks to his scar on his left hand, remembering all the times she's been there for him.

Suddenly, Tint comes into the basement. "Hey Darrel, we're about to leave to prepare Anne's party." Darrel looks up, remembering that they have a long day of hard work. "Oh, okay," he said in an unfocused tone.

"Are you okay, Darrel?" Tint asked. "Can you keep a secret Tint? I wanted it to be a surprise," said Darrel. "Sure, what is it?" Tint asked. "I think I've decided to move on from Sasha, and tell Anne how I feel about her," he replied.

Tint smiled at what his friend was about to do. "Really?" "After all the times she's been there for me, and all the time we spent together in the last month, I think I'm ready to move on from Sasha," said Darrel. "I want to have someone who will always listen to what I have to say. I want someone who never gives up on me, and I don't give up on her."

"I'm proud of you, man," said Tint. "But what if she's not interested?" "If she's not," said Darrel. "Then at least I'm lucky to be friends with her." Tint smiles, "Whatever happens, I'll have your back." Darrel smiles too, "Thanks Tint. Now come on, let's get going." The two leave the basement and head into town square.

At the town square, everyone in town was helping get the party ready. Loggle was making a wood carving of Anne, Stumpy was on stew, decorations were working well. Cronaxx was working on safe non powerful fireworks, and Hop pop was working on his comedy act. Sprig was working up the courage to work on the courage to tell Ivy how he feels about her. Polly and Tint were messing around with the velvet rope, tugging and swinging it.

However, their goofing off caused a chain reaction. They hit a bystanding frog, who sets off a few fireworks, that spill a couple of crates. Toadstool and Toadie walk by to see the small foul-ups. "What'd I tell you, Toadie. She's going to be the worst Frog of the Year ever."

Anne wasn't going to let that stand. Soon she started to boss people around, asking for more than what she anticipated. Eventually, she started talking nonsense, even Darrel was having trouble understanding. "Anne, do you think you're taking this a little too seriously?" Sprig asked. Anne shouted, "NOOOO! Now hop to it everyone. We've only got twelve hours left!"

It is now night time in Wartwood. There were sparkling lights all over the party grounds. Frogs lining up in a long line, slowly getting into the party. Tint and Polly were doing their job excluding frogs who were not welcome to the party. Eventually, they let them in anyway.

Anne Boonchuy, stands in her white party outfit. Swinging a cane and a drink in her hand welcomes all the party goers. Cronaxx sets off the welcoming fireworks and the crowd awes in amazement.

With the party started, Darrel looked around seeing everything going off without a hitch. The frog performs proficiently on the DJ. Stumpy prepares Sashimi for the guests, which turns out to be a giant mudskipper. The mayor seemed impressed, until it was revealed to be alive.

Hop pop struggled with entertainment, while Sprig failed to confess to Ivy. The frogs had no idea how to dance to DJ music. Darrel watched as the party started to unravel. He goes to Anne to tell her what's going on.

Darrel finds Anne trying to teach the frogs how to dance to the music. "Anne, we've got big problems," said Darrel. "What are you talking about?" Anne asked. Darrel points to Hop pop who ran off stage, to Sprig hiding from Ivy, and to the mudskipper that's chasing away all the frogs and damaging the dance floor with it's flopping.

Anne looks to her sash and looks down in sorrow. "This is all my fault, this party stinks. Some selfless frog of the year I turned out to be." Darrel looks at Anne and says, "Maybe this party is a bust. But that doesn't mean you can't make things right. These frogs are in trouble and they need our help. You know it and I know it."

The two see the mudskipper knock over Anne's statue, eventually setting fire across the party grounds. Anne takes her sash and declares, "I'm fixing this right now!" Darrel smiles and takes his staff in his hands. "I'm right beside you. What's the plan?" "Just follow my lead," said Anne.

The two ran up to the mudskipper. Anne jumped above its head, while Darrel casted a tame charm on the fish. Anne wrapped her sash around its mouth and Darrel hopped on its back. The two rode around grabbing all the citizens of Wartwood, including Mayor Toadstool.

"Time to fan the flames," said Darrel. Darrel points the staff in the air, calling for a rain cloud to extinguish the flames. The mudskipper runs out of breath, and the fires get put out. The rain cloud fades away as the crowd cheers.

"Haha, We did it!" Darrel cried. "Yeah, we did it," said a glum Anne. "Mayor Toadstool, you were right about me. I am selfish. I got so obsessed of proving I deserve this, I ruined everything. I'm no frog of the year. Why did anyone even vote for me?"

"Hop pop and Cronaxx walk up to Anne. "Anne, we didn't vote for you because you were flawless," said Hop pop. "The townspeople voted for you because of how far you've come," said Cronaxx. "You've grown so much in your time in Amphibia. And this town wouldn't be the same without you, or Darrel."

Darrel places his arm around Anne, making her smile, and the crowd cheer for her again. Eventually, Mayor Toadstool gave in and put his greedy pride aside. "Gosh dang it. I try to fight it, but I have to say. Even I'm impressed with how you just saved the town from a raging inferno." He hands over the sash back to Anne. "This belongs to you."

Anne, feeling grateful again, grips her sash. "Thanks Mayor," she said. "Yeah, yeah, don't mention it," said Toadstool. "Now come on everyone, let's try to salivate this party shall we?" Everyone cheered, including the mudskipper who flipped his tail.

The citizens of Wartwood were able to salvage what little party was left. Stumpy prepared the food and looked after the mudskipper. The country folk got music and dance together. Darrel watched in amazement, seeing that everything turned out better than it used to be. He looks to see Anne and Sprig sitting together, and realizes that he has one last thing to do to make things better.

Anne was sitting at the table, apologizing to Sprig. "I'm sorry I tried to rush you into confessing your love to Ivy. You do that when you're good and ready." Sprig smiled, "Thanks Anne, when the moment strikes, I'll know it."

Just then, Ivy came up to Sprig and Anne. "Hey Sprig," she started, looking quite nervous. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you. Um, do you? Um? Do you think you want to go out with me sometime?" Ivy made Sprig and Anne gasp in excitement. Sprig accepts her offer and goes off to dance with her.

Anne smiled just as Darrel came up. "Hey Anne, is this seat taken?" Darrel asked. Anne gestured to him to sit next to her, and so he did. "Those two are good for each other," said Darrel "Yeah, I think their relationship will work out," said Anne. "Falling in love is easy, but it's the staying in love part that's challenging."

"Yeah," said Darrel in a gloomy tone. "What's wrong Darrel?" Anne asked. "I'm sorry that I didn't stop you in that thrift store," said Darrel. "If I had just said something, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Hey, for what it's worth, I'm glad you didn't stop me," said Anne. "If you had, we wouldn't have met Sprig, or Tint, and you wouldn't have gained magical powers. Plus having you with me by my side, that's what made the difference."

Darrel smiled, "Honestly, I'm not so sure what I'm doing at this point. But, at least I'm trying. And there is one thing I know I'm sure of." "What's that?"Anne asked. Darrel looks at his photo one last time, and decides, it's now or never.

"There's no graceful way of saying this, so I'm going to say it," said Darrel. "I know we've had our moments in the past month. And most of them were exciting, some confusing, and some moments that don't mean anything at all. But through all of those moments, I had more fun with you than I ever had with Sasha."

Anne perked up, surprised at what Darrel was saying. "Darrel? Are you saying that you like me more than Sasha now?" Darrel took a deep breath, "Yes, as in 'like' like you. Whatever this thing is between us, I want to give it a chance." Anne blushes as Darrel's staff glows bright pink.

"I was kinda aware of that," said Anne. "While you were sick, you told me you loved me." Darrel takes her hand and asks her, "I know it'll be complicated, with Sasha being here as well. But, do you feel the same way? I'd really like to know."

Anne smiles from ear to ear, and takes a deep breath, "Of course I do, Darrel. Let's go for it, you and me." Darrel perked up, hearing her response. "Really?" "Really," replied Anne.

Darrel looks away for a moment, then places his hand on Anne's face. The two place a warm gentle kiss on their lips. At the same time, they feel a magical aura within their hearts. They hear fireworks as if their moment was on cue. And thanks to the staff, a sprinkling of little pink stars surround them.

They break away from their kiss, and smile at each other. "Darrel," said Anne. "I want you to love me. Because I love you." Darrel smiled like never before, "Okay, we're doing this. This is the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me."

Then, Darrel realized what has to happen next, "You do realize this means we're going to have to tell Sasha about this, right?" Anne suddenly remembers Sasha and looks down at what she's done. "Anne, it's the right thing to do," said Darrel.

Anne nodded in agreement, "You're right Darrel. Whatever happens, we stick together." "And I'm never going to let you go," said Darrel. Anne nodded, just as Toadie came up to them.

"Ms. Frog of the Year, and Darrel," he said. "There's someone waiting at the bridge for you both. They say they're a friend." Anne and Darrel were surprised, "A friend?" they asked.

The two humans walk outside of town to the bridge. They spot a dark cloaked figure waiting for them. It reveals to be wearing armor, beneath the cloak. It turns to their attention and has a faint surprise in its eyes. It removes the hood on its head, revealing it to be Sasha.

"Anne? Darrel?" "Sasha?!" They called out. Their shock was soon replaced with joy seeing them again for the first time in a while. They hugged, smiled, and were relieved. "Sasha," said Darrel. "We have so many questions," "I'm sure you both do," said Sasha. "Like where have you been? How did you get through all this? Is Marcy with you?" Anne asked.

"I'll fill you in later," said Sasha. "But for now, I'm just glad I found you guys. We came as soon as we heard." Anne and Darrel's smiles soon disappeared when she said 'we'. "Who's we?" Darrel asked. "Just me and some friends of mine," said Sasha.

She gestures to a line of dark shadowy figures. A firefly flew over the one ahead of the group, revealing a scarred lip toad and two different glowing eyes. One sky blue and one light green. Darrel looked closely and realized what they were. "Toads."

"Nice to finally meet you, Anne Boonchuy and Darrel Loyalität," said the leader. The figures behind him glowed with red eyes, shocking the two humans.

To be continued…