Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Bumps and Wax
While Hop pop was taking charge on driving Bessie to Newtopia, Darrel wrote in his journal again. Tint was practicing with his water training, Cronaxx stared into the drawing of the box Darrel and Anne showed them. Polly, Sprig, and Anne were going over what to do next on their next rest stop.
Darrel wrote in his journal, ' The last few days have been quite peculiar. After the ruckus with the Scorpi-Leo, we ventured off when the sun rose to the sky. I truly think that the charm bracelet I gave to Anne is one of the best presents she ever got. Though, I kinda wish I could show her the birthday video I made for her.
However, after the hunting scenario, we got lost when we took a wrong turn at night. Anne was driving, me and Sprig were navigating. Suddenly, Polly comes out wanting Sprig to tell her a story. Sprig couldn't at the time, but then a few mishaps got us a little lost. Then Hop pop came out and left us with inventory duty while he took over the reigns.
We stopped at a truck stop so Hop pop could get some rest and we cleaned up the wagon. We vented a bit because we were exhausted, and because we were careless with our words, we left her behind. We got stuck with a giant bird, until Polly zapped her.
After the truck stop, and a few repairs to the Fwagon, we arrived at the dry swamps of Amphibia. We came across an acting troupe, which captured Hop pop's undivided attention. Cronaxx and Tint were slightly impressed. Me and Anne weren't interested, especially after what happened in our elementary school play. We were working on a puzzle the whole day. But after a few bumps and distractions, we gave up.
However, we didn't know that the troupe was only a ruse. They were secretly robbers, grabbing the attention of the towns, then taking all their money. But their acts got the final curtain cell when Hop pop spoke out against them.
Then, we continued on for two weeks until we came across a fork in the road. At that time, Sprig, Polly, and Tint were constantly bickering. It was a pain to hear it in the fwagon, but to hear it outside, it was unbearable. Then, we came across Quallerers Pass, and we dropped them on the other side in hopes to make them get along.
As we drove on the other side of the path, we were very quiet. But Hop pop was eager to strike a conversation. Especially about me and Anne. So to avoid any contact with Hop pop, I cast an enchantment that makes Hop pop silent to us, but he could still hear himself. Eventually, we find Tint, Sprig, and Polly at the other end of the road.
They were able to stop their bickering, and started to get along with each other. I was glad to see them get along when all of a sudden, I got a tingling sensation in my spine. I summoned a vision orb to see what was going on, only to find Sasha preparing to fight us again. I was worried about her, and so were my salamander friends. This is not what I want when we find each other again.
One day, after Bessie's reins broke, we traveled to Ribbitvale in hopes of getting a new set. Hop pop states that the town is the most expensive site in all of Amphibia. I kinda wasn't impressed hearing how expensive they are. All I wanted to do was go in, get the reins and get out.
We entered the city, and already I was disgusted. All that rich, fancy getup did not make me happy. My father always told me money can't buy the things we really need. Soon after, we find an old familiar face. One-eyed Wally, who was primped up for his family name. Apparently he wasn't happy with his rich life, and he lied to his family about who he wanted to be.
So when Anne accidentally revealed his second life in Wartwood during dinner, I never felt so disappointed in how his father reacted. But after a strange game of their version of horse polo, I think his father is willing to accept Wally for who he is.
Now that we're on the road again, who knows what other bump we'll fall into…
After Darrel closes his journal, Tint calls him up to see the next town they're about to see. Before he could, Cronaxx instructed him to hide his face. Considering the fact that he knows they're almost there, the last thing they need is another distraction to delay the group. Anne did the same thing too, in hopes of not drawing attention to the group.
The group enters Stony Gulch, which has a sign that says 'Travelers Welcome'. The Planters and Anne were excited about entering because they wanted to do something while they were there.
Hop pop takes out his wallet, but is saddened to see it empty. "Sorry gang, all we can afford is window shopping," he said. The kids groan in disappointment.
Anne and Darrel start to feel a bit hot under their hoods, and Anne removes hers bringing unwanted attention to the town. "Uh-oh," said Darrel. "Right," said Anne. "Sometimes I forget about the whole, I'm a freak in this world thing."
A young tadpole started to cry, feeling scared. "It's okay," said Darrel. He removes his hood as well. "We're not monsters, we're just different. Watch." Darrel waves his staff and creates a small dragonfly of smoke. "Voila."
The crowd was most pleased with his trick. Anne joined in, twitching her nose and ears. Soon, one of the townsfolk was impressed that she gave them money for more tricks. The two looked at their amphibian friends, and Polly said, "Milk it!"
Polly places her bucket in front of them, and the two humans begin to entertain the townsfolk. From basic finger tricks, to magical illusions. All the while, Cronaxx and Hop pop look with disappointment.
At the end of the day, the two humans fill Polly's bucket up to the rim with coins. "This is amazing," said Tint. "You two made a bucket of money, literally," said Sprig. "Now how are we going to spend all of this cash?" Anne asked.
She looks around the town until she spots a building called the 'Curiosity Hut'. "That Oddity place is still open," said Anne. "How about it?" Cronaxx and Hop pop were still uneasy but they agreed. "Okay, but only if you keep your hoods up," said Hop pop. "We don't need to draw any more attention than we already did," said Cronaxx.
The two put their hoods back on, and the group entered the hut. They find the place to be filled with wax statues of the strangest of creatures. From 'Fromes' to a giant praying mantis, the hut grew creepier and creepier.
As the two humans enter the hut with wonder, the Plantars enter with deep concern. Cronaxx and Tint enter with curious looks on their faces. "No wonder they call it the Curiosity Hut," said Tint. "Something feels off," said Cronaxx. "And I think we're about to find out soon."
"Woah, look at this hot mess," said Anne. She points to what looks like a statue frog in a black suit, a dark red fuzz, an eyepatch, and holding a cane with an 8-ball in its grasp. "It actually looks life-like," said Anne. "Yeah," said Darrel, sniffing at the statue. "It even smells real."
"HANDS OFF THE MERCHANDISE!" cried the statue. The group scream, realizing that the frog statue wasn't a statue at all. The frog laughs and walks off the display, "The old mistaken for a grotesque lifeless being. Works every time."
"Welcome to my museum of oddities. I go by many names, but you can call me the Curator." "Little on the nose, but okay," said Polly. Darrel and Anne, with their faces carefully hidden, give the Curator some of their coins for a tour of the hut. "What's the matter? Faces too ugly for public? Hah!" Darrel keeps his hood covering half his eyes and says, "You could say that."
"Ooh, a mystery," said the Curator. "I love it! But enough chit chat, walk with me. I've traveled all over Amphibia collecting its most rare and frightening creatures."
The group explores the hut after the Curator takes his leave. Polly and Tint look at another strange wax creature that suddenly looks at them. The sudden scare causes the amphibians to have enough and return to the fwagon.
"We're going to wait outside, kids," said Hop pop. "Sure Hop pop. We'll be done shortly," said Darrel. Anne and Darrel continue to explore, until they see something in the artifacts display.
They take a closer look, only to see a skip man CD player. "Is that an old skip man?" Anne asked as she took it off display. "My parents had one of those when I was a toddler," said Darrel. "How did it get here?"
Suddenly, the Curator appeared behind them. "Ah, the Skip Man. It can be yours, for a million coppers! Hahaha." "Ah man," said Darrel. "Well could you at least tell us where you got that thing?" "Yeah, but where's the mystery if you know," said the Curator. "I'll tell you what. How about we trade for it, then? You guys got anything rare or vomit inducing that I could display in exchange?"
"As a matter of fact," said Anne. Darrel looks over to see what she was about to do. "Anne, Don't!" She removes her hood, shocking Darrel and the Curator. "Sweet Tadpole Mary!" he cried.
"That's right, we're the ultimate oddities baby," said Anne. The Curator looks to Darrel and understands the 'we' part in her statement. He removes his hood, and smiles in awe of what she was talking about. Then, he looks in his cape to find the Eternal Staff in his possession.
"Kids, with an attraction like yourselves, I could make three times the amount I make on this hut," said the Curator. "Let's make a deal," said Anne. "We'll be part of your special attraction for one day only."
"Say no more kid," said the Curator. "One day of you guys, in exchange for the Skip thing and everything I know about it. You got a deal!" Anne immediately shakes his hand. "You won't be disappointed, dude." Darrel stood in shock.
"I've already got some pretty elaborate plans for your exhibit," said the Curator. "Come back tonight after closing time and we can discuss." "Elaborate huh? I like the sound of that. Come on, Darrel, let's go. See you later." Anne leaves the hut with Darrel following her close behind.
Outside the hut, the Plantars and the Salamanders were waiting for their human friends. They see Anne exit the hut in excitement, and they see Darrel exit in worry. "You guys won't believe what we found there. A Skip Man!"
The amphibians were a bit confused. "It's a human device that can play music," said Darrel. "Anne, next time remember you're talking to frogs who have not seen human devices." "Oh yeah, sorry," said Anne.
"But trust me, it's big. And that Curator guy is gonna give it to us. All we have to do is be the museum's main attraction for a day." That statement made the amphibians gasp. "Anne, you can not, by any means, do this," said Hop pop.
"I agree," said Darrel. "Sure it's the first thing we found that was located in our world. But it's not worth bringing with us. Besides, I don't trust that Curator guy. Look at him." Darrel points to the curator who happens to be grinning through the window.
"Look Anne, as much as I want to know how that thing got here in the first place, it's not worth obsessing over it." "He's right," said Cronaxx. "How about we sleep on it, and figure out some answers in the morning."
Anne was not pleased. "Okay, I can wait," she said slumly. As the amphibians head to the fwagon, Anne sneaks a grin. "Until you fall asleep." Darrel walks up and gives her a firm look. "Anne, No!" She turns, suddenly realizing Darrel was right behind her the whole time.
"Anne, I'm telling you this frog is bad news," said Darrel. "But this is our only chance to find out more," said Anne. "I thought you would stick by me on this." Darrel sighed, "That's the problem Anne. Sasha thought the same thing, and look how that turned out. I am with you all the way, but I'm telling you I won't be a part of this."
Disappointed that Darrel wouldn't partake in what she had agreed to, Anne said, "Fine! I'll get that Skip Man myself!" Darrel didn't back down, "Fine! Let yourself get snared into a trap, but don't blame me!" For the rest of the evening, the two humans remained silent with each other.
Later, while the group was asleep, Darrel grunted and squinted his eyes like before. Deep in his dreams, he finds himself in a hospital. He hears alarms going off near the surgery wing. He rushes down the hall, beaming a bright light on his staff. As he runs down the hall, he starts to hear voices. One was his voice, the second was Anne's, and the third was Sasha's.
As he reaches the door to the surgery wing, he opens it and it reveals himself unconscious in a hospital bed. But no medical equipment was attached to him. Suddenly, he wakes up and starts floating from the bed. A dark red aura engulfs around him. Then, he blasts it in Darrel's face.
That impact wakes Darrel up from his nightmare. He looks to his surroundings and sees the amphibians asleep. At the same time he woke up, Sprig's toys fell into Hop pop's mouth. He coughs them back out and wakes up. "Dang it, boy! Wait Gang! Where's Anne?"
Darrel looks around and sees that Anne was nowhere in sight. "Oh no," he groaned. "She went back to that hut!" Tint cried. "We gotta save her," said Sprig.
Darrel immediately makes his way to the shack. Looking down on his hands, he spots a faint crimson red aura. He grows anxious about losing control, but that was soon faded with the thought that Anne may be in trouble.
With the amphibians close behind him, Darrel used his magic to burst through the door. "So much for being quiet," said Sprig. "I'm not letting that frog use my girlfriend as an attraction," said Darrel as he stomped his way through the museum.
He finds Anne in another section of the museum, being trapped in a capsule that's filling up with wax. He uses his powers to shut the machine down, gaining the Curator's attention.
"What the frog!?" he cried. "You can perform magic?!" Darrel stood his ground, staff in hand, and prepared to fight. "Let her go!" he shouted. "Let's get him!" said Sprig. He jumps above Darrel and charges at the Curator.
The Curator takes a wax staff and prepares to use it as a weapon. Sprig dodges his attack, but Darrel wasn't lucky when he smacked him upside the head. "Ha, stupid kid. I could still make money even when he's not performing magic."
He turns the wax machine back on and prepares to attack Sprig, Tint, and Hop pop. Polly and Cronaxx stayed behind, trying to figure out the secret behind the wax monuments. As the three amphibians get cornered by the Curator, Anne cries out, "Guys! Get out of here! Save yourselves!"
That cry brought Darrel out of his unconsciousness. He shot straight up, pupils glowing red, and staff at the ready. The Curator turns around and is scared, seeing the look on his face. "Oh crud," said Curator.
Darrel creates a large red cloud, and his eyes glow as bright as day, which makes all the wax attractions hatch and escape from the Curator's displays. They all enter the room where Darrel and the others are located. The Curator looked at his free attractions, and realized he made a mistake.
"Seize him!" Darrel bellowed out. The creatures all got together and dragged the Curator in the storage room. "Wait! Wait, hear me out," he pleaded. "I'll cut you all in on the profits! 10%, 11%! AHHH!" After the creatures locked the door, Darrel's magic slowly died down.
"Did we win?" Darrel asked. "Indeed we did," said Cronaxx. Suddenly, Darrel remembered something, "ANNE!" The capsule filled with wax, until Darrel took his staff and broke the glass. The wax covered all of Anne except her mouth. "Let's get out of here," said Tint. The group grab Anne and leave the hut.
Back at the Fwagon, The group set Anne near the fire to melt the wax off her. Darrel sits next to her after gathering more firewood. "Are you okay Anne?" he asked. Anne groaned, "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm sorry Darrel, I should've listened to you."
Darrel smiles and places his hand on her shoulder. "I'm just glad you're okay Anne. I don't know what I'd do without you." Anne smiles back at him, then looks down. "I just wish we could've gotten that Skip Man," she said.
Sprig and Tint smirk at each other, "You mean this Skip Man?" Sprig asked. Sprig reveals that he grabbed the item during the fight. Darrel and Anne were most pleased. "So did the Curator tell you anything about it?" Hop pop asked. "He said he got it from Newtopia," said Anne. "Which means we're on the right track!"
"You know what else is on the right track?" Cronaxx asked. "You two, keeping a low profile and not jumping into any things without us!" "I'm tired of facing my fears guys!" cried Polly. "You've got nothing to worry about from me," said Darrel. "I know," said Anne. "I never should've gone off on my own. And besides, we work better as a team."
"And the important thing is we're all okay," said Hop pop. "Except for that Curator, he's dead." Sprig hops to the sunrise and gives a navigation pose. "Onward, Family and Friends, to Newtopia!" he called.
"Oh guys," said Darrel. "I forgot to mention that the Skip Man also has a laser feature when you open it up." He points to a tree, opens the Skip man and a laser beam comes out. "Cool," said Tint. "But don't-" Before Darrel could finish, Tint walked into the laser and it hit his eye. "Look directly at it."