35. A Day at the Aquarium

Chapter 34 - A Day at the Aquarium

Shortly after the kids' sleepover, they arrive at King Andrias' throne room. The kids were still shown to be tired. Hop pop and Cronaxx looked refreshed and relaxed. Lady Olivia was still peeved about the kids' behavior last night. One of the Newtopian guards gave Lady Olivia a handkerchief to wipe off the marker Polly left on her face.

King Andrias waits impatiently for the group to arrive in his throne room. Darrel shakes off the tiredness and bows directly, "King Andrias, it is a pleasure to see you again!" "Again with the formalities, Darrel. Please take a load off." Darrel gets up, nodding to the King's wishes. "Wonderful to see you all again," said King Andrias. The rest of the group nodded in agreement.

"So I trust that you found more information about the box?" Cronaxx asked. King Andrias jumped a bit in excitement. Very anxious to tell his new found friends about what he and Marcy have discovered. "Oh, I sure did Croney ol' buddy." he takes out a huge green book with the four gemstones on the cover. "Ta-da! Take a gander."

The group looks in the large book and finds the box on one of the pages. "It's the music box," said Sprig. "What have you learned about this, your majesty?" Tint asked. King Andrias sits on his knees and explains.

"According to this book, it's a magical artifact that is thousands of years old. Apparently, my ancestors used it to visit entirely different worlds. They were peaceful explorers, scientists if you will. And, there was an amphibian who came up with this idea in the first place, but their name is unknown in the records."

He points to the box with the four grey gemstones. "These four stones are the key to getting it working again. They need to be recharged." "Recharged?" Anne asked. "That's why Cronaxx said the box was empty," said Darrel. "The box contained the stone's energy."

"How do we get them recharged, your majesty?" Tint asked. "The book mentions four different temples," said King Andrias. "Each channeling a different kind of energy. And once the stones are recharged…"

King Andrias proceeds to turn the page until, "We'll have a way home?!" Anne interrupted. The king was a bit displeased, but perked up his positivity again. "Steal my thunder, why don't you? But Yes!"

The king flips the page and shows the four gemstones recharged and a small map that leads to many other worlds. "This is amazing!" Darrel cried. "This is our one chance to get back home!"

The three humans cheered with excitement. "Now let's get out there and conquer those bad boys!" Marcy exclaimed. However, King Andrias stopped them in their tracks. "Woah, let's rein those snails in for a second. The book only gives the location of one temple."

Darrel looks at the book and realizes the king was right. Then, he realized something else. That the book doesn't show the fourth temple. This got Darrel confused, "This book shows only three temples. Where's the fourth?"

"Apparently, it was only discovered by one explorer," said King Andiras. "And he kept the location hidden. Other explorers tried to retrace his steps, but to no avail." Darrel was amazed, "Wow, a mysterious temple only to be discovered by one amphibian."

"But even if you have the location of the temple, you still have a lot of preparation to do before you set off," said King Andrias. "Good point," said Marcy. "Gotta get equipped for a mega quest like this: Armor to buy, maps to study, weapons to forge. This is going to take a few days."

"A few days?" Hop pop asked. "I hate to say it but we really got to get back to Wartwood." "You sure, Hop pop?" Darrel asked. "Absolutely," replied Hop pop. "The harvest is coming up and we can't miss it."

"I can understand, Hop pop," said Cronaxx. "One's journey is where the heart lies." "So, how are we going to play this out?" Tint asked. "I guess me and the Plantars will head back to Wartwood," replied Anne. "And when Marcy's ready, we can just meet up."

"Wait, wait, wait," said Darrel. "Are you saying that it's okay for me to stay with Marcy while you guys go back?" "Actually," said Marcy. "It doesn't make sense for any of you to go back to Wartwood."

Darrel and Anne were shocked by her statement, especially their amphibian friends. "Marcy, what are you talking about?" Darrel asked. "The last thing we should do is separate again," she replied. "Now that we're so close to finding our way home."

"I guess that's true," said Anne uncomfortably. "But," said Darrel. "What if we went back to get the box?" "Nonsense," shrugged Marcy. "Once Hop pop gets the box back, we'll just send a servant to pick it up. More efficient that way."

The two humans look over to the Plantars, with sad looks on their faces. "Sounds efficient, but it feels wrong," said Darrel. "Maybe…" said Anne. "Guys," said Marcy. "Right now, you have to follow your heads. Not your hearts. If the salamanders want to go back with them, that's okay. They all got you here, to me. It's time to let them go back to their lives."

Feeling down about this, Darrel and Anne take a breather. Marcy agrees to give them a day to say goodbye. King Andrias looks at how they're about ready to cry. "You folks want a giant tissue?" he asked. "To go, please," said Tint. "Coming right up," said King Andrias.

Back at the hotel, Darrel paced back and forth. Anne and the Plantars use King Andrias' tissue. Darrel grows a bit angry at the fact that he has to let go of his salamander friends. "It just doesn't feel right," he said. "Oh, come on," said Anne. "It's not like this is goodbye forever."

"Anne's right, gang," said Hop pop. He takes out the map of Newtopia and places it on the table. "The least we could do is have one last day together. Now come on, let's pick an activity."

The gang look for fun activities to do for one last day in Newtopia. Hop pop points out an aquarium in Newtopia, and Anne agrees to it. "Anytime I was feeling gloomy back home, the aquarium will always make me feel better," she said. "Sounds like a good idea," said Darrel. "The aquarium makes me empty my mind and focus on the beauty of nature under the water."

Eventually, the gang goes to the local aquarium. Inside the aquarium, kids were enjoying the sight of fish, taking photos of skeletons from different time zones, and running to other exhibits. Darrel, Anne, the Plantars, and the Salamanders were watching beaver bugs working on a dam.

Suddenly, a lake leech popped out of the water, scaring the group. "Woah, is that a lake leech?" Darrel asked. "Hey, yeah," said Hop pop. "This reminds me of the river lampreys that attacked the kids when the basement flooded." "I don't remember that," said Tint. "Maybe that's because you guys weren't there," said Polly.

Darrel looks over to Anne and Sprig who look glum. Darrel starts getting really upset with how Marcy is trying to separate good friends. "Let's move on to the next exhibit," said Cronaxx.

"Okay, if we're gonna have a sadness-free day, we need to avoid anything that might trigger our very delicate emotional states," said Hop pop. "I know just the place," said Darrel. The gang proceed to an exhibit filled with jellyfish. "Jellyfish, the most beautiful creature known to empty the mind."

Suddenly, a large kraken swims by, and the group remembers the time that a kraken almost destroyed Stumpy's restaurant. Worried that everyone is going to get upset, Cronaxx guides the group into the marine geology exhibit. Then, the group looks at coral displays that look like Hop pop's cane, to Domino 2, to Zapapedes, and the annual Wartwood grubhog.

"Hey Darrel, come look at this," said Tint. Darrel approaches where Tint was, then he suddenly stops in his tracks and gazes at a coral. One that looks just like Clipper. "That looks just like Clipper," said Tint. "Indeed it does," said Cronaxx. He looks over to Darrel with a glum look on his face. He clenches his fists and looks down. "I still miss him so much," he said.

"I know, Darrel," said Cronaxx. "And I'm sure he misses you too. Your connection with Clipper came from the magic in your heart. I don't think there's any reason Clipper would ever forget about you." Darrel goes to hug Cronaxx, "Thanks Cronaxx."

Darrel looks to see Anne and the Plantars really crying their hearts out. "This is obviously unfair," he said. "We've got to do something about this," said Tint.

"I may have a suggestion, if it'll get them to stop causing a scene in here," said the security guard. "What is it?" Sprig asked. "If you guys are feeling blue, there's always the Stingray Stage Show." "That sounds like a good idea," said Hop pop.

At the stage show, the gang watches as a couple of trained stingrays jump out of the water like dolphins. "And now," the announcer began. "For the main event, I'd like a volunteer from the audience."

Sprig puts his hand up and is invited down to the stage. The announcer instructs Sprig to hold out a fish in front of the tank for their special guest. "Everyone, give it up for Wanda the Water Snake!"

Just then, a large snake pops out of the water, making Darrel shake as the snake opens its mouth. "Well that's pretty cool," said Hop pop. Then he looks to Darrel with a shocked look on his face. "Darrel, what's wrong?" "I also happen to have a fear of snakes," said Darrel. "And the fact that this is bigger than an anaconda, makes me uncomfortable."

He looks to Anne and sees her crying, "You scared of snakes too Anne?" he asked. "No it's just that this snake reminds me of the time a different snake almost ate me and Sprig," she replied. She shows them a photo of Sprig flexing while a pair of eyes pop out of the water.

"What?! When?" Hop pop asked. "About the time you locked me in the house," Anne cried. Seeing Anne cry over everything that the Plantars ever did together, suddenly made Darrel lose his focus on the snake. The group come together and embrace their sadness, and Sprig's outburst scares the snake. The sudden splash destroys the plank and Sprig falls into the water.

The snake swims away just as the stingrays surround Sprig. The group arrived just as the announcer claimed that the snake was harmless. But the sting rays are a different story, for they love the taste of frog flesh.

Thankfully, Darrel casted a levitation spell and brought Sprig back to safety. But then, the stingrays prepare to dive at them. So Cronaxx and Tint push them back into the wild using their magic.

The group celebrated, then got kicked out at the same time. "Oh man, that was classic," said Sprig. "We stung those sting rays!" said Tint. "Well, we didn't have a relaxing day at the aquarium," said Anne. "But now we've got another perfectly us memory to cherish," said Cronaxx.

The group laughed it off, but then Darrel started thinking. He believed that by being with the Plantars and the Salamanders, he had more fun that he could ever imagine. Then he recalled a memory of what Cronaxx said to him. He told Darrel this simple statement. 'A wizard's journey is where the heart takes them.' By keeping that statement in his heart, he realized what he had to do.

"Plantars," said Darrel. "Yeah, Darrel?" said Sprig. "I don't care what Marcy said," said Darrel. "My head is telling me to listen to my heart. And my heart is telling me to go back to Wartwood." The group was shocked, but happy to hear about it. "Darrel are you sure?" Hop pop asked. "Indeed I am," said Darrel. "I want to say goodbye not like this, but at the very moment we get our passage home."

"But Darrel, what about Marcy?" Anne asked. "She needs to understand how important our amphibious friends are to us," replied Darrel. "I want to spend every moment with my salamandrian friends as much as possible. After all, how much longer are we going to be here anyway?" The gang ponders over Darrel's answer as they head back to the hotel.

The next day, before the sun began to rise, The Plantars and the Salamanders were packing up to return to Wartwood. "That's the last of our luggage," said Tint. He looks to Darrel with a ready look on his face. The two secretly nodded.

"Have a safe trip back, guys," said Marcy. "Let us know when you get the music box, and we'll send someone to come get it." At that moment, Darrel proceeded to drop his bags in the fwagon, surprising Marcy.

"Darrel, what are you doing?" she asked. "I'm taking your advice, and using my head," replied Darrel. "And my head is telling me to follow my heart. And my heart is telling me that I'm going with the Plantars."

Marcy was uneasy with his choice, "Darrel that's not what I meant." "Well like it or not, I've grown very fond of my friends," said Darrel. "I know we have to return home, and I have my own reasons. But if we're doing this, I'm doing it with my friends. Because only then, will it be a real adventure."

The amphibians, and Anne smiled at his statement. "And I'm not going to let you cut them from my life," concluded Darrel. "They mean a lot to me." Marcy was completely stunned by his speech that she remained quiet.

"If you're going with them..." said Anne. She reaches out for a hug from Darrel and the amphibians. "...Then I guess I'm going to miss you guys." Marcy looks at the group and starts to feel guilty about keeping her friends here in the first place.

"No more tears y'all," said Hop pop. "We'll see each other again." "Of course we will," said Darrel. "Cause I want Marcy and Anne to come and find us when we get that box." "Guaranteed," said Anne.

"Spranne against the world!" said Anne and Sprig as they exchanged their signature handshake. They give each other another hug as he hops on the fwagon. Anne and Darrel look at each other knowing they'll be apart for a while. "You know you can come with me," he said. Anne was a bit hesitant. "I understand if you don't want to."

The two hug for what seemed like a very long time, leaving Marcy in tears. The Plantars prepare to leave, and make their way to the main gates. Darrel told them he was going to walk through the scenic route one last time and catch up with the others. "I won't take long, I promise," he said. "Just hold up if I'm not out there."

Darrel takes to the streets of Newtopia one more time, smiling at the citizens, and waving them goodbye. Suddenly, he hears footsteps racing behind him. He chuckled to himself, 'You made the right choice, Marcy.'

"Darrel!" Anne cried. He turns around and the two humans hug with happiness. "Say no more," said Darrel. "Just tell them yourself when we get to the main gate." "Okay," said Anne. "Race ya!" Anne bolts past Darrel making him laugh, "Hey no fair!" Then, he runs after her.

The two humans reached the front gate and the fwagon was waiting outside for him. But what the gang didn't know was that Darrel brought a surprise. "I snatched a little something along the way," he said. Anne gets in front of Bessie, leaving the amphibians surprised.

"I'm coming with you to Wartwood!" she announced. The amphibians cheered with delight. "Good to have you back Anne," said Hop pop. "I assumed this would happen," said Cronaxx. "Come on guys," said Tint. "Let's go home."

Hop pop takes his reins and rides Bessie back home. At the same time, Darrel's head suddenly started hurting. "What's wrong Darrel?" Anne asked. "I don't know," he replied. "Something's wrong. And I think there's one way to find out."

He waves his arms and creates a vision ball. The ball reveals Marcy looking up at King Andrias from behind her. He speaks to her, but this time, in an ominous tone. "Always sad to see someone go, isn't it? I have a proposition for you, Marcy. And I think you'll find it very interesting."

Hearing the King's tone somehow made Cronaxx quiver in fear. But to him, it didn't feel like it was unintentional. Like he knew his tone of voice sounded familiar to him. "Kids, I've got a bad feeling about this," he said. "I know I just met him," said Darrel. "But your old friend seems to know something we don't."

"Maybe," said Anne. "But let's not let it spoil our journey back home." "Anne is right," said Polly. "Let's go Bessie!" Bessie chirps and continues to pull the fwagon.