Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

". . . What was that, my lord?"

"Yunan, asking me a third time won't change my mind on the matter. I am ordering you to accompany Master Marcy on their expedition to the southern peninsula," Andrias boomed.  "In my last meeting with the young master, they raised a good point, that we should document the wildlife of our more distant regions for the safety of my subjects."

Yunan sputtered in indignation. "But sire, is this really the wisest move right now? I mean, with the valley opening up in just a few weeks, and rumors of rising dissent among the frogs . . ."

"Were my orders not clear General?" Yunan tensed up at Andrias' words, but said nothing. "Go with Master Marcy, help them in any way that you possibly can, or so help me frog you won't be going anywhere for a long time." Andrias' voice boomed around the near-empty throne room for a few seconds before General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, the youngest newt ever to achieve the rank of general in the great Newtopian Army, bowed her head in defeat.

"Of course my King. It shall be done. Do you have any other tasks for me while on this trip?"

"Yes! You accompanying Master Marcy is actually only a small part of why I wanted you on the expedition. I'm sure you've heard of rising cult-like activity in that area?"

"Yes my liege. I believe they call themselves the 'Truth-knowers', if my intel is accurate," Yunan responded. She was familiar enough with the King to know that his bout of anger had passed, and so she let herself come down from her heightened state that she would go into on the off chance her King did something he would regret.

“Yes yes, the truth-knowers. Awful bunch of fools they are, they’ll only hurt themselves with the way they’re acting. They’re almost as bad as Marcy was back when they first arrived, and that’s saying something. In any case, Yunan, would you mind doing some reconnaissance on that group and letting me know how much of a danger they truly are? That will be all.” Andrias waved his hand, unambiguously shooing Yunan out of the throne room that, as of late, had been empty more often than not.

As Yunan walked out of the palace, into the dazzling brightness of an early spring morning, she took a deep breath, and started pointedly walking towards her personal quarters, not that anybody was looking. She had to keep up appearances SOMEHOW.

Yunan silently opens the door to her room, steps across the threshold, and just as silently closes the door again. In an instant, the Lady Olivia was right up next to her, removing her outermost armor pieces, and massaging her shoulders. She finally let go of the rest of the tension still hiding in her body, namely in her tail and lower back, and just melted into her dearest friend.

“How went the meeting, General? Did the King have a new mission for you? Or more endless patrols of the inner realm?” Olivia, having removed the full outer layer of Yunan’s armor, sat down on her bed, patting out a seat next to her.

“Well theres both good and bad news! I, General Yunan, Scourge of. . .” Olivia bumped her shoulder reproachfully.

“Remember what I said about that Yunan? I’ve heard your spiel countless times and while I am incredibly amazed with your accomplishments, as always, its not great battle strategy. And a good battle strategy,”

“Requires good domestic habits. Yes yes I know, I just, I just get caught up in the moment sometimes, and get carried away My Lady.” Yunan sighed and flopped back onto the bed. “In any case, the great Peacekeeper wants me to accompany Master Marcy on a research expedition to the southern peninsula.”

“A research expedition?” Olivia flared her hair in surprise. “Pardon my Bufondish, but what in the everlasting Frog? I adore the child, but they can take care of themselves quite effectively on a simple research expedition. Surely this is some sort of cover for a proper mission he has assigned to you.” She rested her hand on Yunan’s, quickly noticing the way Yunan’s fingers froze up, the way her back stiffened, the way her favorite newt in all of Amphibia was barely breathing.

“Right on the mark as always, my Lady.” Yunan murmured quietly. “I reacted in much the same way when he told me of that assignment.” She sharply inhaled and stood up, turning to face Olivia with the perfect posture that a General of Amphibia should possess. “The real mission I was assigned was reconnaissance upon a cult that has been growing in popularity in recent months in the region. The Lord asked that this remain a covert operation, lest the cult learns of my sudden interest in their . . . activities.” Yunan closed her eyes and bowed to Lady Olivia, acting on autopilot. “My apologies Lady Olivia, but with your permission, I would ask that you vacate my room so that I have ample time to prepare for my coming trip with the young Master Marcy.”

Olivia, more concerned than she had been in several weeks, stood up, shooting several glances at Yunan as she did so. “I appreciate your discretion General. I pray your preparations go well, as does your mission. All power to the peacekeeper.”

“All power to the peacekeeper.”

“Oh, and Yunan, don’t forget to write. Please.” Olivia finally closed the door, but Yunan waited until her footsteps had fully receded down the hallway before collapsing down onto the bed once again.

Why couldn’t she just act normally around Olivia, or at the very least understand what she was feeling, because by frog, nothing about her friendship with Olivia seemed to make any sense. There was the fact that she, General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, the youngest newt ever to achieve the rank of general in the great Newtopian Army, had known the Lady Olivia since they were just Larvae, barely out of their own buckets. There was the fact that the Lady Olivia, Principle Advisor to the King, the Great Peacekeeper, hallowed be his name, was more or less raising the human child, Master Marcy, and that she was helping her do so, in a purely professional manner of course. The child needed a good education in the military arts, and there was no better teacher than General Yunan.

And there was the fact that the one thing she cared the most about in all of Amphibia, even more so than her King, had just been unceremoniously kicked out of her room, by her.

Yunan wasn’t feeling as spry as she normally was, how could she possibly be asked to engage in a pleasant conversation when she was constantly on the verge of throwing up? Something was wrong, and she couldn’t subject the Lady Olivia to actually caring for her, because the Lady Olivia has much more pressing matters to attend to than the kingdom’s greatest general feeling a little bit off.

She really would try to write to Olivia this time.

Chapter Text

Lady Olivia,

I am ever so sorry how long it took for me to write you this letter. It is now the fourth fifth sixth seventh day of my expedition with Master Marcy, and our missions have been advancing as planned, as my armies did upon the Great Desert all those years ago. Marcy has somehow documented fifteen brand new creatures, unknown to amphibiankind before this, all of them much larger than even our glorious king. One of the creatures that had to be pointed out to me was a tree that moved. I don’t mean it was swaying in the wind, it was moving around on six legs as a Barbariant would. Not many things can shake me anymore, but I had scarcely imagined that such a creature could even exist. That child somehow constantly astounds me every single day I am with them. Despite all of my grumblings, I am quite glad that our lord sent me on this mission with them, for I had been lacking in my duties as a guardian. I apologize for leaving you to do so much on your own. You didn’t, and don’t, deserve that.

Regardless, my own mission is almost easier than expected. The Truth-knowers have their main base of operations about 40 klicks southeast of our camp. It will be easy enough to explore the region by foot that I can leave Joe Sparrow here with Master Marcy for a few days while I track this group down.

Every single fact I learn about this twisted group makes me scream with rage and horror. They openly defy thousands of years of religious teachings because of a dream one of them had. It is downright blasphemous what they say about Lissanium. They claim that Andrias is not a true king, that he stole his throne by force. They claim that there are no Frogs Above, no holy trinity watching over us. I don’t understand how they could have been so misled by these ideas. I would ask that you communicate with the Bishop and have her get these amphibians the help they need.

Oh and did I mention that it is not just frogs here? Somehow this cult has united the three peoples of Amphibia under one banner, all collectively telling Lissanium to go pull the other. I do not know what to make of this whole situation.

In any case, I hope you are doing well I miss you, I pray your audience with the King goes swimmingly I miss you, I will keep Marcy out of unnecessary trouble I miss you, and I don’t know what I’m feeling but by the frogs above I miss you so much I hope the currents stay ever at your tail.

Yours,

General Yunan, Scourge of the Sand Wars, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched, the youngest newt ever to achieve the rank of general in the great Newtopian Army

===

My dearest General Yunan,

I am eternally delighted that your expedition with Master Marcy is going well. I am thankful that you are taking a more active role in raising our the our child, but don’t be too hard on yourself. If I had merely asked for assistance instead of steadfastly marching on day after day, we could have actually worked together on this. I’m certain that the King would have granted you at least some time to help properly raise Marcy.

The news of your expedition has been well received by the Peacekeeper, he is just as upset as you are by these baseless claims, but only barely. I am actually surprised at that, for I would have expected him to be as delicate as a tomato in a pottery shop, but when I told him the news, he never even left his throne. If I may be frank with you, I’m concerned. He hasn’t been acting like his usual self ever since the two of you left on your expedition. He’s been almost catatonic, and I do not know what to make of it. The top healers here, you remember Doctor Alexander of course, are just as puzzled as I am. I pray that you can return soon to provide support.

Regardless, I am so thankful for your letter, and I hope that I will continue getting them in the future. They are an acceptable way to fill the void you left behind have your memory nearby. Oh my peace, I sound as though you’ve gone off and died in a war somewhere. Rest assured I know that is not the case because otherwise Master Marcy would be here already deducing a way to bring you back to life.

I wish you all the best of travels my dear, and may the ground forever rise up to meet your feet. Give my regards to Mar-Mar, and make sure that they’re actually getting sleep would you?

Yours,

Lady Olivia, Tenth of Her Line, Premier Royal Advisor to King Andrias, Long May He Keep the Peace

===

Yunan finished reading the letter, eyebrows furrowed in thought. As she fed the messenger dragonfly some pollen, she called out over her shoulder. “Marcy, could I pick yer brain on something real quick?”

“Yeah Ma, let me just finish up this journal entry on that giant Cicada I found before dinner, because Oh. My. Frog. The implications that presents about Amphibia, I mean I thought I knew the full list of implications, but this is just the final nail in the coffin, and If my hypothesis is correct, then, I think it just might prove that Amphibia and Earth are deeply and intrinsically tied together, but I’m not exactly sure of the mechanism, I mean it would take a minimum of decades of research to even hope to figure that out, but with this evidence we might be able to actually get a start on it.” Marcy takes a breath, and seems to remember that Yunan had just asked them about something that most definitely not their thoughts about the implications of cross-dimensional contamination. “Oh my frog I am so sorry about that Ma, what did you want to ask me?”

“Hey Mar-Mar, its okay. I know how much this means to you, and it sounds like a really interesting theory, have you brought it up to any professors at the university yet? I think they would be absolutely fascinated with it! What I wanted to ask you, however, was. Wait. No it wasn’t a question, it was me telling you that your Mom wanted to say hi, she misses you, and that she wants a strict bedtime for you for the rest of this trip. We don’t want you ruining your sleep schedule for some world-changing research now, do we?” Yunan smiled mischievously at the plan she had just come up with while Marcy, having not noticed the smile, pouted.

“But Yunannnn." Marcy groaned, sticking out their tongue. We’re out in the wilderness! There are no appointments, no meetings, no early morning training regiments that could possibly be required out here, so why not go to sleep late? It just doesn’t make sense!”

Yunan’s already broad smile broadened even further. She exaggerated the yawn that she was genuinely feeling as she started getting under her bedroll. “Well Master Marcy, I’m mighty tired myself. I think I might just retire early for the night, and trust that you retire at the same time as me.”

Marcy signed in resignation and began moving towards their tent, disappointed that they would have to stop their analysis of the day’s events. Yunan stage whispered over to them before they got too far into bed, “Hey kid, this is the part where you only pretend to go to bed and then actually just get up in about 10 minutes to continue doing your thing.”

“Oh. Oh, ohhhh okay.” Marcy laughed lightly as understanding dawned on their face. “Goodnight General Yunan. Sleep well! Don’t let the burrowbugs bite.”

As the sun rose over the treetops the next morning, it found Marcy asleep on their journal, and Yunan desperately trying to not fall asleep right next to them.

Chapter Text

My Oldest and Most Trusted Companion, the Lady Olivia of the Court of King Andrias, (Long May He Maintain Peace),

Another two three days have passed since I received your last missive, and I fear it will be much longer than I anticipated until I can feel your touch again I may return to Newtopia. Every day I spend out here just keeps on revealing tendrils of this. I don’t even know if I can call something of this scale a cult. What I know I can call it, is ancient, perhaps even as ancient as the Most Holy and Righteous one himself, though it seems to have only grown in size recently. Its a malignant growth that over the past year has grown to concerning sizes, and were He not so powerful, I would be worried for His safety. However, I am worried about our child the young Master Marcy, for their appearance seems to have sparked this growth in the first place. In short, the existence of Marcy only bolstered their foolish claims that King Andrias, Forever Perfect May His Name Remain, has hidden the existence of whole other worlds from everyone.

This is obviously preposterous, and yet they care not for accuracy when speaking. I almost pity their madness. I may even feel sorrow when the grand armies of Amphibia get called in to crush them under heel.

Our child My protégé Marcy r e corded an observation of the most fascinating plant yesterday. It looked like a Lily of the Valley in full bloom, yet the petals were as rigid as my armor, and you know how that feels. It was uncanny, yet, as Marcy explained, its a defense mechanism for the incredibly delicate true bloom inside, which would otherwise be eaten by any number of forest denizens. They then talked for what must have been hours regarding its various alchemical and medicinal and magical uses. I’m sure it must have been interest ing , but about five minutes in I believe I fell asleep with my eyes open, and I’m still not sure how or why they kept talking for so long. I am incredibly proud of their effort and scientific prowess, though I fear that my idiocy in this particular subject may harm their enthusiasm in the future.

Regardless of all of this my lo dear and well loved friend, I trust that you are doing well. I’m certain the castle feels empty without me that you are (as always) in good company, even when I, General Yunan, Scourge of the Red Wastes, et al., am away. Has Marcy pestered you to play Flipwart with them yet? If not, I would highly recommend it when we return, if only so that I could see you suffer as I have. It has become a nightly routine for me to be absolutely decimated by the young Master, and I wish to pass that burden off, even if only temporarily.

Concerning the King, is there any update from the good Doctor as to what may be plaguing his Holy Soul? Frog knows what we would do if He were to leave us behind. If this persists I may end up cutting this mission early and returning, where I could focus on the defense of Newtopia in his absence.

My heart feels empty without seeing you daily. My bedroll is both constricting and too big without you by my side. Please know what I mean and want. I don’t. I await your response eagerly with patience, as does Marcy. We keep you in our minds always, and I shall endeavor to return your next missive with more haste.

Always by Your Side, Forever Your General,

Yunan Longclaw, Scourge of the Sand Wars

===

My Dearest and Oldest Companion, General Yunan, Defeater of Ragnar the Wretched,

I am saddened to hear of the delay in your mission, though it pleases both me and all of Newtopia that you are delving so deep into this cult. Your work in exposing their unholy work has not gone unnoticed, and I have a feeling that by the time this mission of yours is complete, you’ll have another accolade to add to your introductions my darling my love my dear friend. Lissani u m is watching.

Worry not about the gaps in your messages. It is relief enough that you are writing at all, for I am terrified of what I would lose if I never heard from you again for it benefits the both of us. This news of the size of the Truth-Knowers is concerning to me as well – your fears are not unfounded. I will have a trusted advisor ask around very carefully. If your reports are true, then there is every possibility that there are similar-minded amphibians here in the capital as well. I would also advise, as much as it pains me to suggest this course of action, to keep our the kid in the dark about some of this if you can, especially the portions of the Truth-Knowers blasphemy regarding their existence. A certain kinship may be felt by Marcy – bless their heart – and I believe it is in the best interest of the Church if such kindness is not felt by their chosen Prophet.

I also feel that your fears that Marcy will lose their interest in the natural sciences due to your inattentiveness are unfounded as well my love Yunan. If they were so easily dissuaded, they would not even be on this expedition with you. If I may offer a word of advice – should you wish to attempt to pay more attention to your ward – you could try to remember what they say so that you may relay the knowledge to me. This talk of a plant with such strong petals reminds me of a conversation I had long ago with Andrias, and I would like to follow up on the topic with both Marcy and the King.

I indeed have played Flipwart with the young master many times, back when they were still recovering from their initial injuries after their arrival, but it has been many long moons since then. I would like to see their improvement since them, especially if they are beating you as soundly as it seems.

The Doctor Alexander has not been forthcoming with what may be afflicting the King, saying that he does not wish to make false judgments before all information has been considered, though I expect in a day or so he will feel comfortable enough in the diagnosis to do something about it. The court is deliberately not talking of the matter, but I fear their tongues may not remain so tightly furled for long; its only a matter of time before someone slips up and says something they shouldn’t in false confidence, and should that happen your swift return would be necessary, with the mission as an expense.

Worry not, I have not forgotten how you feel by my side, but by Newts above its strange without you here The castle is quiet without your constant introductions, and I miss them the court definitely misses your various antics. I trust in Lissanium to bring you back with all speed from your tail, and do tell Marcy I miss them. Do make sure they are eating enough, you know how they can forget at times. Oh and before I forget, inform them that the Royal Scientists have completed a prototype of the alchemical bolts that Marcy gave them to work on some time ago, and that it is ready for a field test at their earliest convenience.

All the best and all my appreciation for everything that you are ,

Yours,

Lady Olivia, Royal Advisor to His Peacefulness, King Andrias

===

Olivia leaned back in her chair and sighed, closing her eyes.

“If only I could write what I mean, I could tell you everything. You deserve to know everything. I’m sorry for not telling you more, but Andrias wishes for things to proceed under wraps for the time being, and you are not included under those wraps.” She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, stood up, and looked for a messenger snail.

Later that night, she kept on catching herself as she tried to talk to her friend that she felt in the empty space next to her. Eventually she gave up and bedded down for the night in silence.