Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There be tales of a force of good in Frog Valley, and by extension the South West area of amphibia. A blue ghost of immense power. 

Not much was known about the specter when it was first discovered by a small pink frog boy. It ran from him the moment he tried to talk to it. This lead him to be enamored by the strange thing. He tried time and time again to talk to it, but it always ran away. He would leave snacks and handmade toys for it as it looked young, despite how big it was compared to him.

It wasn't until he was cornered by a giant mantis that the creature protected him. The creature exploded the mantis' head with a blue fiery punch. How the rest of it exploded from that is a bit of a mystery. Before the frog boy knew it, the creature held him in it's arms and flew them out the forest. Placing him gently on the ground at the edge of the forest. The creature prepared to bolt when the frog boy grabbed it's hand offering friendship.

It was not the last time Sprig Plantar saw the creature. He saw it again as he was looking for some wild spices his grandfather asked him to find. The creature approached him and from what he told us, he told the creature about his life and his home. He wished he could show them, but the creature looked weary.

After many weeks and a lot of convincing, he was able to get the town to follow him to the wood to meet the creature. He made sure to pat down everyone for weapons of traps. 

Everyone was a bit scared of the creature, but Sprig reassured them that it meant no harm and even saved him a few times. The elder frog Hopadia actually shook it's hand. The old frog shivered at the coldness of her flaming hands, but made no comment.

The townsfolk were slow to accept the creature, but over time, they gave it permission to enter the town. It wasn't until a day or two later that the creature was spotted sitting on the fountain near the center of town. It occasionally did a quick fly by on the perimeter of town then back to her resting spot. Whenever a threat showed itself, she handled it with ease. Hiberday was met with glee as nobody was reported missing. After that the creature was seen as a hero, a protector of the town. 

It wasn't until one day in the fall that the creature looked sorrowful. Sprig tried to find what was wrong and got nothing as the creature never spoke or even wrote down anything. The creature's face then looked like it had an idea them made a strange call. It was a yell, but sounded like an echo. The air felt a weird, yet comforting chill. The townsfolk left what they were doing to investigate. The creature motioned them to follow.

The creature dragged them deep into the forest. Making sure to keep everyone together and safe. She led them to what looked like a crack in a cliff. Everone looked confused, then the creature fazed through the rock. Surprising everyone. The creature motioned for them to follow, but the crack was too thin for most to get through. Sprig volunteered and squeezed through. He was expecting a den like nest or something of the like, but what he found made him lose his breath.

He called for his grandfather, but was unable to get in. The creature saw this and used it's fist to punch a bigger crack. The whole cliff shook with the power behind it. The elder and a few others walked in to see what caught Sprig's attention.

Most were not prepared for it.

Lying on the ground in what could best be described as the fetal position, was a long skeleton. Wearing an eerily similar outfit as the creature, but the creature's clothes looked like faded and wisped in wind like it's fiery hair. The skeleton's left leg was in pieces and the ground beneath it looked dark. It doesn't take a scientist to see that the skeleton was once the creature. The hair still clinging to the skull was a dead giveaway... No pun intended. The townsfolk also found a bag of some kind. The creature just sat in the corner, looking at the skeleton as the bag was searched. They found quite a few things they don't understand. A pink box with a broken piece of glass in front of it, strange food items they have never seen, and a empty music box with the lid shattered. The old wood didn't hold up well it seems. The last few items gave some interesting and sad facts about the creature.

They found a picture of what looked like the creature, except not blue, with two other creatures like itself. The other was a strange card with words and a picture of the creature.

Student I.D.

Anne Boonchuy Age 13 Female

Student of Saint James Middle School

They now have a name for the creature and what it is. Anne is just a little girl who met an unfortunate end, but came back with unimaginable powers.

The townsfolk were unsure of what to do now, but it was Sprigs idea to have a funeral. He asked the creature Anne if she would like that, and all she did has give a small smile and a nod.

The town carefully carried the remains back to Wartwood and made preparations. They chose to set a small shrine at the fountain that Anne would always keep watch at.

They dug a deep hole and burred a box with Anne's bones neatly placed in it. A pedestal was placed over the hole with a small statue of their town protector before all the blue flames and everything. Infront of it stood the strange music box, protected in a thick glass case, the picture of her friends laying on the inside of it. Anne seemed to care about the box, but it also made her frown when she held it. This was the best the town could think of, but it looked like she appreciated it.

Every year when the leaves start to change, the town hold a small festival in memorial of their protector's past life. They give her gifts and even a cake. Nothing extravagant. Just little nick-knacks and little figures that looked like the creature's belongings if they weren't ruined. The ones Anne liked best. She would display at the shrine. Most of the time it meant that everything was left at the shrine, and everyone loved that. Anne would sit at her own grave the rest of the day. Like she was trying to say something, but nothing came out. It isn't until everyone has gone to bed that Anne let's out one small phrase.

"I'm SoRrY."

Chapter Text

The local toads of the Eastern Tower spotted a strange pink light in the distance. It was almost bright enough to light up the local area. I slowly died down into a dim glow, yet was still enough to be seen from the roost of the tower. A small group of scouters were sent to investigate. 

One day later a roar resonated throughout the swamp, visibly shaking the tower, but no sign of a hulking beast anywhere.

It was two days later when only one of the scouts returned. The toad was shaking like a frog and he stuttered in fright. Captain Grime slapped him back to his senses. Finally able to give out his report.

He reported that his squad made it to the cave. They went inside and he was left to keep watch. Though he could hear them talking about the strange glow was not coming from the rocks but deeper into the cave. The further they went in the less he could make out, but he knows they found something and shortly after he heard them be alarmed by something. Soon he heard them start to fight something. The fight probably lasted only two minutes before all went silent.

Next thing he knew, the glow was getting brighter, no it was getting closer.  He scrambled back and hid in a bush, his head barely poking out. A floating beast surrounded in pink went to the entrance of the cave, it's fiery wings flapping ember around. The scout could feel the heat emanating from this thing and it was a good ten feet away at least. The fire spirit thew the corpses of his squad into a pile just in front of him. He nearly yelped, but held it in. 

The spirit let out a loud roar, then when it seemed satisfied, it slowly retreated back into the cave.

After nearly crapping his pants, the scout ran away from the cave as fast as his legs could carry.

Some of the toads saw the roar as a warning to stay away, but others saw it as a challenge. It only killed scouts, not hardened warrior or tenacious barbarians.

Grime stated that if anyone wants to try, then go ahead, but if you die it is your fault and you brought shame to the tower and your bloodlines, but come back with the glow extinguished from the cave, and be met with honor and a place as my lieutenant. 

Every now and again some poor sap would think they were hot stuff and go out to fight the beast. Non returned and with each attempt, another roar rang out.

After losing almost 17 toads, volunteers stop showing up. Grime saw this as a sign of weakness and opted for himself to go. If he is to die, control of the tower will go to his sister, as much as he hates the idea. She would run it well enough.

Grime trekked though the wilderness and found the cave. The glow just as bright as when the first squad showed up. Rotting corpses of his comrades lay in numerous piles. The captain actually started to feel a bit of unease, but pushed the feeling down. this was his time to either become a champion again or die in glorious combat. Just like his colosseum days. He took a deep breath in, and stepped into the beast's den.

The pink slowly got brighter as he got further in. The walls seemingly getting darker and more crimson. Likely from his fallen comrades.

The moment he made it to the end of the cave, he was met with an opening like a large room, but all that was around were stones. the pink beast lounging on one of the rocks as if it were furniture. It didn't stay still long as it noticed the captain and lunged. Grime raised his shield and the thing dented as if a cannonball hit it, but it was the fist of the beast. The captain commended the spirit for it's strength, but swore that he would do his best to slay them.

The spirit just let out a roar and charged again. The captain feeling as spry as ever in the throws of a real challenge dodged the attack. He tried to swipe with his sword, but the spirit just grabbed it with it's hand, then the sword started to melt in it's grasp. Grime could feel the heat in the room rise to uncomfortable levels, his skin feeling dryer than the dry swamp, but he doesn't back down.

He took his dagger from his side and lunged for the beast, but it simply punched him away, sending him flying into a pile of rocks. Surprisingly the rocks proved to be softer than the captain, or they were very brittle from the heat as they got crushed underneath him. He saw the beast pause for a moment and stare at something to his left. He met the gaze and found a half decomposed hand of something he is not sure of. The curiosity of this hitting the captain hard as he swiped more debris away. As he was uncovering what looked like a head, the beast lunged at him and threw him at the other end of the room. The beast moved more and more rocks, looking desperate to uncover what the thing was, but the captain already knew. He saw what was crushed under what looked like at least half a ton of rock. It was a mangled corpse. Looking strikingly similar to the beast, but missing the fiery pink and instead looked pale from what was left of the rotting flesh. The skull of the creature burst open and left over brain matter was squished to mush. He saw a tag on it's clothes that showed the words 'Sasha' on the collar. This dead thing, and the beast were the same thing. Toads believe in an old saying that if the fighting spirit is strong enough, you will live on to fight another day. Seems her spirit was, but her body wasn't. The captain could make out what might be tears in the eyes of the beast as it looked at it's mangled corpse, it stopped trying to uncover it as it was getting a bit too morbid for even the captain. 

The beast turned back at him and bared it's teeth before letting out a deafening roar. It was about to lung again, but the captain did something he rarely did.

He took a knee and lowered his head in respect. The beast was stunned by his behavior.

He told the beast that he is no longer going to fight them. It has shown that it's spirit if stronger than himself or any other warrior he has met. That he was sorry for encroaching on the spirit's resting place, and swore to order his toads to never disturb this place again.

The spirit looked shocked at his words and looked between him and the corpse of itself. The temperature and glow went down a huge amount. Still present, but no longer feeling like a warning and more like a inviting homey feel. Grime raised his head to see that the beast is now sitting cross legged in front of him. It rubbed it's shoulder then let out a hand. The captain looked it the appendage for a moment before grasping it with his own and they tested each other's grip before shaking. He thanked the beast for the challenge and made an offer to create a proper burial for their... past self. The beast looked weary, but then gave a short nod.

Grime would return to the tower five days after he left. most of the toads thinking he was dead, but waited for a full two weeks as he instructed, but they were surprised to see him coming back with the beast close behind.

Grime tried to explain the situation the best he could, but many did not fully understand.

Grime now has his new lieutenant and no one argues it. Over the course of the next few days, squads of toads were sent to the cave and were instructed with turning it into a shrine for the fallen. They found that the stone was easy to carve. They created a tomb in a few short days, and in the middle of the expanse was a pile of roughly cut stones, created into the shape of a square with a small inscription on a larger slab.

To have fallen only for your fighting spirit to resurface is the ultimate sign of a warrior. Here lies what is left of Sasha's mortal body. Let her spirit live on battle after battle so her name will never be forgotten. Live on lieutenant, and whip these toads into something a quarter as good as you. And for when I am no longer here. I hope to join you again if my spirit is as strong as yours. - Captain Grimothy "Grime"

Chapter Text

A strange specimen was brought into the Newtopia University. It was a mangled corpse found at the bottom of the longest flight of steps in the capitol. Many biologist were stumped at the creature's strange anatomy. Nothing in the history books or even urban legends gave light to what it is, but they were able to determine it was female and held some form of sophistication, given the clothing it had on itself and the countless notes and such in it's carrying pouch.

Test were done for days and still nothing on what it was. Word was sent to the King on the discovery, but they had yet to receive a reply.

It wasn't until a full week had past that a teacher's aid found that the chalkboard was full of notes on the creature, but it had clarifications, diagrams, and even a whole life cycle drawn up. He reported it thinking it was a prank of some kind, as he was the only one who should have been their that morning to set the class up. 

The researchers stated that they made no such notes, but they seem to be too detailed to be false. They now have a name for the species. Human.

Later they found the library turned upside down, every book strewn about in neat piles. The librarian was not happy.

The teachers jotted the notes down and cleaned the board. Now with new knowledge, they could research it further with experimentation. The body was put on ice to preserve it longer and each day, it seemed that new notes on humans appeared. It was first just on chalkboards, then message boards, then it became long ramblings of what could either be stories or history written in every area that chalk could write on. It was becoming bothersome to clean it up, so they devised a plan to find who has been making these notes.

The first stake out was met with a shocking discovery. A green wispy looking spirit was inspecting the biology lab, looking over a frog anatomy book. It flipped the pages quickly then closed the book in a few second. Soon reaching for a new book, but it was spooked when it spotted us. It ran through the walls and a short chase was met. It came up to nothing as the Spector flew into he ground. No sighting of the specter was seen for a few days, but the notes and book piles slowly came back. This ghostly figure looking a bit too much like the human creature, seems to be a lover of knowledge. 

Many attempts to catch the creature for questioning came up empty. Every time they cornered it, it would faze through the ground and not show up for a few days.

It was three weeks in that a student offered a plan to communicate with the creature. If it can read and write. It can read a message and reply to it. So notebooks with quills and ink were strewn about in nearly every classroom with a simple question. "Who and what are you?"

They didn't actually expect a answer so soon, but within the next day, the notebooks were filled with the life story of a girl, (The creature found mangled.) and her friends who it said might be in Amphibia as well.

So this creature is alien in nature and a ghost it seems, as well as having others possibly being here. Two incredible discoveries that seem almost too much to believe if there weren't so many eye witnesses. At the end of the notebooks it gave it's own question.

"Can I trust you?"

The question held an air of worry. The head of the university had a meeting and it was decreed that the specter be made an ally. The dean offered himself to make first real contact with the spirit. The conversation went as such.

"We wish to welcome you professionally to the most distinguished school in all of Amphibia. I am the dean." 

The green ghost hesitated, but shook the dean's hand.

"Marcy Wu... Formerly, Marcy Wu."

"Welcome Marcy. I would love to get more acquainted over a spot of tea if you would like to join me." 

Marcy looked a little puzzled, but gave a small smile.

"I don't think I can eat or drink, but I appreciate it."

And after that she became a kind of mascot for the school. She taught everything she knew of her past life but stated that it is also 'very fuzzy' from how she stated it.

"I am able to see the big picture of what was my life, but I am missing the finer details. People's names, faces, the days I saw them. I seem to hold all the knowledge I had however, so that is nice. I can tell that I have always loved learning."

Even after many talks, the dean still feels the strange melancholy in her echoey voice. A feeling of wanting to know what you can't recall. Everynewt has experienced this before, but for her it is way bigger than trying to place where you left your research paper or your house keys. She is wanting her full memories back, but the best she can do is relay what she already knows.

"You will always have a place here in the university Marcy."

"Thank you, sir."

The King finally replied and actually came here himself. it is quite an honor to have him visit. he only ever shows up to challenge out captain of the flipwart team, when they get a new one. (Marcy being the current.) He has beaten ever single opponent. 

He greeted himself and was very friendly to Marcy. He offered his condolences to her about her lost life, but offered her a chance to try flipwart against him. Each turn he would close his eyes and then make his move. The dean has seen him do this every time.

In all my days I have never seen the king lose, but he did. I expected him to throw a fit, but instead he gave a boisterous laughter that shook the whole building.

He told Marcy that she has won a secret prize only for those who could beat him. She was told to go to the castle with him and claim her prize.

She left with a bit of worry in her eyes, but it is mostly just the intimidating size of the king. he is forty feet tall after all. 

All was quiet for a few days, but then the ground started to shake and many of the lamps around Newtopia began to glow green. The statue at the top of the castle began to spin, but as soon as it did, it stopped. A cry out in pain and anguish filled the city. A green beam of light bursting though the castle walls with the king in tow. many bystanders were caught it the battle.

"I won't let you use me to take over the world!" 

"*Cough* My dear. You fail to see the big picture! Imagine all the worlds you could learn about, all the people you could teach your knowledge!"

Marcy shook her head. The thought was nice, but she knew better.

"You will only enslave and leave husk! No amount of learning is worth that!"

The king raised a glowing sword the likes no one thought could exist.

"If you don't come willingly, I will have to force you!" 

The battle went on for what felt like hours, but was only a few minutes. Sword swipes, giant exploding dice, and the like were destroying block after block. many of the citizens rooting for their king, but the newts of the university tried to shed light on the green spirit many starting to side or at the very least cry out for a surrender from the king. Marcy looking worse for ware. This skittish girl seems not used to fighting.

"I will not yield." His skin looked cracked and what looked like sparks came out of them... What? "I have waited 1000 years for this type of opportunity! You hold an ancient stone's power! I will not let it slip from my grasp again!" He came down for a final strike on her, but she quickly dodged.

"I have heard many speeches like that from tyrants, both fictional and nonfictional. They all end the same... With them taken down!" 

Marcy's wrist were licked together and a ball of energy appeared in her grasp. Her hair becoming a massive bush of green fire.

"Kamehameha!"

A massive laser obliterated the king and pierced through the castle, unknown to everyone that The Core was incinerated with it.

Marcy would then collapse into a pile of rubble, her form blinking in and out of existence until she seemed to disappear.

Half the town was wrecked, the castle destroyed, and the land in need of a king.

The dean got everyone in the city to hold a funeral for Marcy and begrudgingly, the king as well. He and the faculty told the story of Marcy and everything they taught them, the citizens soon feeling bad for Marcy even more. They melted down the king's gold statue and turned it into a image of Marcy writing in a book. It was a peaceful ceremony. Until.

"You guys did a great job with the fine details." 

Everyone looked behind themselves to find the green ghost of Marcy floating there.

"Huh? I thought no one could hear me?" 

She looked down at herself and she let out a gasp.

"Seems I have gotten my physical form back. I was worried I would be unable to interact with anything ever again, but seems my body just needed to recharge it seems. That is a huge relief."

A grand welcoming had commenced for the green spirit of knowledge has returned.

Slowly she helped with rebuilding the city to it's former glory. She was able to use her energy to power many ancient machines that made day to day life a breeze for even the most common of commoners. she wished to spread this power further, but her form would flicker out if she tried to do to much, so for now she will stay and watch over Newtopia. In many years to come, she would be know as the Immortal and all knowing Queen of Amphibia. Her teaching slowly making it's way across all of Amphibia. 

The news would take a while to get far though. The swamps are a dangerous place after all.

"Not like there are others like me out there."

Chapter Text

It has been about seven years since Marcy became Queen of Amphibia.

Seven years since Anne became Frog Valley's protector.

Seven years since Sasha became an immortal gladiator. 

It wasn't until the fifth year that word of other spirits met each other. They each tried to visit the other's land, but they were each met with a a shocking discovery. There was some kind of force field keeping them in. Marcy did calculations, Anne tested here and there, and Sasha slammed herself into the wall at all angles for three days straight.

Marcy found that they all seem to cover 33.33% of Amphibia. Each having full reign on 1/3rd of the place.

A year later Marcy was able to send out messages to each of them and devised a plan to chat.

Now at year seven, they are all encroaching the spot they were told about. The focal point of all three sectors. The center of the pie, if you will.

Marcy came by herself, but carried many writing materials to take notes on the others.

Anne came with a more grown up Sprig on her back. She doesn't talk much so he is here to fill in.

Same can be said for Sasha as she dragged the aging Captain Grime. The last few years being not so good to him, but as enjoyable as ever with his lieutenant by his side.

"Oh my frog! You two look just as cool as Anne!" Sprig hopped off his buddy and went towards each of the girls, inspecting them by touching their hair, bending their limbs, and the sort. Marcy was happy to let him learn, but Sasha let out a warning growl, but Grime told her to let it happen. She reluctantly let the pink frog do it's thing.

Anne wanted to join her friend, but was unable to due to the force field.

"Sorry that you can't come into my territory. I would love to show you, but it seems our power is too great and has to be contained. I have found some books talking about a way to contain the powers, but it seems we are missing the final in the series. No such luck on what they found. sorry." Marcy left her condolences.

"So you are able to talk?" Grime looked surprised. "I can't get anything but grunts and growls out of this one." He patted Sasha's back. She let out a huff, already looking like she wants to leave. "Come now, Sasha. This is a big discovery. Let's just stay for a bit and see what we can learn."

"Anne can talk, but I have only heard it a few times. Her voice is like an echoey whisper. It will send chills through your bones. Trust me." Sprig nudged Anne and she sheepishly looked away then gave a friendly punch to him. "She is still very expressive though. She likes to draw pictures sometimes. I don't know what they are, but they look like they might be her home." Sprig pulled out some pieces of paper from his bag fashioned from what was scavenged of Anne's backpack. He handed some to Marcy and Sasha, but quickly took the ones he gave to Sasha back as he saw smoke starting to come from the pages. "Might just have to have your toad buddy hold these." He handed them to Grime.

"I am Captain grime of the Eastern Toad Tower." Sprig gave a quick bow and moved back to beside Anne.

"Hmm... Yes these are of our old home..." Marcy flipped through each. They were drawings of places she can recall. A park, a school, and a house. "Seems her memories are locked like mine. Sasha being even more extreme in that regard. I believe that we all used to be friends back at this place."

"Whoa! Really? I thought you two looked familiar. You look like those other two creatures in the photo Anne's body had." Sprig was hopping in place from excitement. "Do you remember her Anne?"

Anne looked at both of the girls. She felt a familiarity fill her chest, but couldn't recall. She didn't know how to respond as it felt like she knew them, but has no recollection other than the photo that is still in that shattered box in that glass case. She waves her hand in a 'Kinda.' response.

Marcy let out a hum. "It is not to important. I can't even recall everything, but I will say it is nice to see you two again. Do you mine telling me how they have been adjusting to this world?" Marcy asked both Amphibians.

They then took turns telling tale after tale of how they slayed monsters, or rallied people together, or just relaxing and enjoying life, or what ever you would call it for them. It soon was getting dark and Marcy was running out of writing material.

"I hate to say this, but I think we should head back to our respective homes. It was fun catching up, and I hope to see you all again, but I have a country to run and I am sure you have people to protect." Marcy packed up her stuff and prepared to leave. "I wish to do this again next year. I would like it to be sooner, but again. Queen. Not many days off. Good day. I will write to you both often though." With that and waves from the others, she left in a flash of green.

"Wait, did she say queen?" Sprig asked.

"Yes. She slaughtered the old king and took his place. From what I heard at least." Grime gave back the stuff Sprig handed him to show Sasha, but Anne stopped them.

"KeEp iT." Anne gave a small smile.

Sasha looked a little puzzled, but gave a nod. She was starting to leave with her Captain, but stopped for a second to wave goodbye at them.

"You did well lieutenant. I am sure that we will-*cough*" Grime started having a coughing fit, and Sasha picked him up so he doesn't get winded. "Thank you Sasha. Sorry... This old toad seems like he is gonna be dust not too long from now." He gave an melancholy smile, but started laughing. "Don't get too mopey! I will be there with you soon enough, and if not, you will be Captain!" He grinned at her and she smiled back, but held a glare that said 'Bring it, old man.'

Sprig and Anne stay at the spot a little longer.

"That was interesting. I hope you get to see them again. It will be good to have friends that understand what you feel like. Right Anne?" He turnned to her and saw she was looking at the ground. "Anne? You okay?"

She gave a slow nod and pulled Sprig into her lap, wrapping her arms around him.

"Just feeling down again?" He felt her nod. "I know what could cheer you up." He wiggled through her grasp and pulled his fiddle out of the bag. "The song I wrote you all those years ago." He began to play.

"Now you find yourself
In the wild unknown
With the frogs and toads
And your far from home
But there's so much here to discover
One leap after another
Hop into the adventure
Gotta ribbit, ribbit
Jump on in it

Welcome to Amphibia
Life don't get much crazier
When you're a super girl
Living in another world
What you gonna do?
You gotta ribbit, ribbit
Jump on in it

Welcome to Amphibia
Life don't get much crazier
So ribbit, ribbit live it in
Amphibia"

Sprig looked up to see Anne letting tears drip down her cheeks. She hugged him even tighter.

"LeT's Go hOmE." They both smiled and Sprig wiped her tears before they flew off back to Wartwood.