57. Two Birthdays, One Surprise

Chapter 55 - Two Birthdays, One Surprise

Back in Anne's bedroom, Anne was reading Dante's inferno while Darrel was reading the Hobbit. Tint was reading the first Cynthia Coven book. He started to feel more depressed than before. The idea that he couldn't perform magic anymore made him feel weak. If he was to go up against Andrias, he'd want to be ready.

"So how's the book Anne?" Darrel asked. "I'd give Dante's Inferno a B plus for story, and a F minus for helping them get home," replied Anne. "How about your book?" "Great story, but not a lot of wizards," said Darrel. "He only appears when the group needs it. What about you Tint?"

Darrel turns to see Tint reach out like he's performing a spell, but nothing happens. Tint doesn't respond to his call. "Tint? Tint? Tint!" Tint snaps out of his zone and comes back like he's waking up. "Huh? Wha? Eh? What is it Darrel? I'm trying to concentrate."

"I'm sorry Tint," said Darrel. "You look like you've had it rough." "I just need to work harder if I'm ever going to get my powers back," said Tint. "I can't fail." Anne grows weary, "I'm not sure you should practice magic in my house," she said. "I know what I'm doing!" Tint snapped. "Leave me alone."

"Okay," said Anne. "So Sprig, how's it going on your end?" "Pretty good," said Sprig. "I really think I'm getting somewhere." He was shown sitting on top of a sculpture made from Anne's books.

Darrel smirked, "Sprig, books are meant to be read, not sculpted." "It's a giraffe," said Sprig. "I can see that," said Tint. "Okay, I can see we need a break," said Anne. "Finger Football anyone?" "Sure," said Darrel. "You know it," said Sprig. "You in Tint?" Anne asked. "Count me out," said Tint. "I need to focus."

Darrel, Sprig, and Anne take a moment to play finger football, while Tint continues reading and focusing on his magic. Then Hop pop and Polly enter with suspicious looks on their faces. Darrel took notice and shrugged.

"Okay, I'll bite," he said. "What's going on?" "Oh nothing," said Polly. "We're just looking for a place to put this mud crown!" Polly and Hop pop reveal a mud crown made fresh, possibly from the backyard. "What is that?" Anne asked. "What's going on?"

"Well," said Hop pop. "In Amphibia, it's customary to put a mud crown on somebody's head when it's their birthday!" "What!" Anne gasped. "What?!" Darrel exclaimed. Tint turned his head in silence and shock, dropping his book in the process. Polly and Hop pop sing their traditional birthday song to Sprig.

"Sprig Plantar," said Darrel. "Today's your birthday?" "It sure is," replied Sprig. "I had no idea it was your birthday," said Anne. "Don't worry about it guys," shrugged Sprig. "I don't think I ever mentioned it." Darrel shook his head, "No, you didn't."

Anne immediately lunged in front of Sprig, "I'm your friend! I'm supposed to know these things." She then decided to drop everything. "Well we're not doing anymore research today. We're doing whatever folksy frog traditions you do. What have you got?"

"Well," said Hop pop. "The mud crown represents every frog's humble beginning as an egg, in the muddy waters in the swamp." "And all that's left is for the birthday frog to wear his crown, and reflect," said Polly.

"Reflect?" Anen asked. "On his life," replied Hop pop. "until this point." Then the group watches Sprig bask in the sunlight reflecting on his own life and how far he's come. Darrel could feel the memories he had with him flow in his heart. Tint however, kept his eyes shut and turned away.

"Okay, all done," said Sprig. "Welp," said Hop pop. "That's that, Hoppy birthday Sprig." "Oh, that reminds me," said Sprig. "Tomorrow is someone else's birthday." "Really? Who?" Darrel asked. "It's-" "Wait hold on!" said Anne. "That's all you frogs do for your honking birthdays?!"

"Yes," said Hop pop. "This is starting to feel culturally insensitive." "Unacceptable," said Anne. "Birthdays should be fun, and memorable. Especially when you're turning…" Anne begins to realize that she doesn't know how old Sprig is. And trying to guess his age is only gut wrenching to watch.

Darrel sighs, "How old are you Sprig?" "Eleven," replied Sprig. "Of course eleven," said Anne. "And I knew that because I'm your friend. And this friend is about to give you the best birthday you've ever had in your life! Capiche?!"

"Okay, that was creepy," said Tint. "Well I'm intrigued," said Sprig. "A little scared but intrigued. Let's do it!" Sprig tosses the mud crown outside the window and he, Tint, Darrel, and Anne race out to their bikes.

They ride down the road, with Sprig riding in Anne's basket, and Tint riding in Darrel's backpack. "I can't believe Polly and Hop pop didn't want to share this basket with me," said Sprig. "I feel perfectly sa-" Then the two bikers hit a few potholes along the way.

"Listen up," said Anne. "Earth birthdays are about fun, presents, cake. It's basically a day that means you tell people what to do, and get what you want." "Actually Sprig," said Darrel. "Birthdays are mostly about spending your special day with the people who care about you." "Wow," said Sprig. "In Amphibia, it's all about respecting those around you and being grateful for the time you have left alive."

"Man, talk about brainwashing," said Anne. "What do you think, Tint?" Tint remained silent and pointed his face away from Anne and Sprig. "Maybe he just doesn't want to talk," said Darrel ."He's been a little upset lately." "Okay," said Anne. "Earth birthday montage engage!"

For the rest of the day, Anne and Darrel show Sprig around to see how humans celebrate their birthdays. They return to the mall to get Sprig dressed up with birthday gear. They go to the boardwalk to ride on the rides. They paddle in the swan boats, ride on the merry go round, go sightseeing, even go to the planetarium. Tint was standing in the background feeling very gloomy, but he didn't want the others to notice.

Anne stashes a gift she recently got for Sprig and hid it in her jacket pocket. "So how did you like the observatory, Sprig?" Darrel asked. "That place had everything," replied Sprig. "Big telescopes, crazy contraptions, and I made a new friend." "He wasn't a friend," said Anne. "That was security yelling at you to get off the telescope."

"Pssh, Anne on your Earth birthday, everyone is your friend," said Sprig. "Now you're getting it," said Anne as they got on her bike. Then, Darrel takes notice that Tint is still feeling under the weather. So under, he keeps trying to practice his magic. "Tint, are you okay?" Darrel asked. Tint took a deep breath and rubbed his face. "Sure," he replied. "Come on, let's go."

The four bike their way down the path being greeted by on-goers to see the birthday balloons. "That was fun," said Sprig. "Thanks for an incredible birthday guys. You know, at first I couldn't understand why you make birthdays so special. And now I get it! Today was amazing."

"I'm glad you enjoyed today, Sprig," said Darrel. "So, was it the best birthday you ever had?" Anne asked. "Oh definitely top three," said Sprig.

Anne suddenly stops her bike, and Darrel stops shortly after. "What!? That's it?" Anne cried. "I pull out all the stops and I'm still third place over a couple of mud crowns?!" "Anne, I think the other two birthdays mean more than just mud crowns," said Darrel. "Well this will not stand," said Anne. "It is my duty as Sprig's friend to keep the party going until it's in the number one spot!"

"Haven't we done everything by this point?" Tint asked. "Yeah, Anne," said Darrel. "There's literally nothing left for us to do." Anne turns around to find an advertisement for a hot air balloon ride and fireworks show. "Not everything," said Anne smirking.

Later, Mr Boonchuy and Matthew drop them off at the parking lot. "Thanks dad. Thanks Mr Loyalitat," said Anne. "Be back soon." "No worries," said Mr Boonchuy. "We'll just be over here reading great american literature." The two take out a couple of books and read quietly in the car.

The four friends arrive where the hot air balloons were getting ready to launch. "Woah, we get to ride in one of these?" Sprig asked. "Welcome my friend, to paradiso," said Anne. Shortly after, a small firework goes off early by accident. Tint sees the fireworks and suddenly stares in shock.

"What was that?" Sprig asked. "Just some nut who set off a firework display too early," said Darrel. "They don't go off until later tonight." "I'm going to get a bird's eye view of another world, in a flying machine that's powered by fire? And watch colorful fireworks go off later tonight!? Woohoo!"

Sprig races to the balloons until he screams in horror. Anne and Darrel follow behind him after they hear him scream. They scream too seeing an evil clown balloon facing them.

Then, another clown pops out of the basket. "Don't be startled, child. This balloon only looks scary because it was repurposed for a horror movie promotional piece." "How could you think it was a good idea?" Anne asked. "We weren't about to waste a perfectly good clown balloon," replied the clown. "Anyways, the name's Blair the Balloonist. I take it you're here for the birthday package?"

Sprig nodded, "I'm eleven now." "Well hop aboard explorers," said Blair as he opened the basket. Just then, Darrel turns around to see Tint still frozen in shock. His eyes started swelling up, which made Darrel very concerned. "Tint. You okay?" Darrel asked.

Tint just shed a small tear and then ran away from the balloons. Darrel grew worried. "Tint!" Darrel cried. "You guys go ahead and enjoy the balloon ride, I'm going to see what's wrong with Tint."

"Okay, but hurry back," said Anne. Darrel raced through the balloons hoping to catch up with his salamander friend. At the same time, Blair's weather alert goes off. Reports of high winds were being alerted, causing the balloons to cancel their flights. However, the fireworks show would still arrive on schedule.

Anne and Sprig were disappointed by the sudden cancelation of the balloons, but that didn't stop Anne from causing her sto scheme her way into trouble again. They get in the basket as an excuse to feel what it's like to fly in a balloon. Only for Anne to bring the balloon off the ground and into the air.

"Isn't this a bit risky?" Sprig asked. "Relax," replied Anne. "We're still tethered to the ground. What's the worst that could happen? Now come on, let's seal the deal and make this the best birthday ever!" Sprig cheered, and the two gazed in magnificence as the sun set on Los Angeles.

Their amazing moment of glory was suddenly halted when a big gust of wind snapped off the tether, causing them to float into the city. Blair catches wind of them in the air and groans, "I am so getting fired for this." He honks his nose twice.

Anne and Sprig were screaming across the city, with Anne controlling the altitude and Sprig steering the balloon with his tongue. They overcame the obstacles, but the one they couldn't get past was a flock of geese.

Inside a building, a therapy session was in process. "Well doc, I think you've done it," said the patient. "I think you've cured me of my fear of direct eye contact-" Just as he finished the sentence, the evil clown balloon passed by. Causing the patient to flip over the table in a state of panic, and run off.

Outside, a skywriting plane wrote a message saying, 'Will you marry me?' While down below, a proposal was being made. "Look behind you," said the first male partner. His partner turns around to see the message only for the clown balloon to block the word 'marry'. "No Tyler, I will not clown face you," said Tyler's male partner.

Later on, the two fly right into a crane that has a large point on the end. With no way to stop or steer, the two jump for it. They land on a palm tree, which flings them onto a mattress tied to a car, which shoots them to a hotdog stand, which makes them grab onto a fire escape ladder. The ladder breaks free, and the two fall into a garbage dump.

"Now that was a horror show," said Sprig. "Welp, I ruined your birthday," said Anne depressingly. "After all this time I thought I would be a better friend than this." "How so?" Sprig asked. "Hello! I didn't even know it was your birthday," replied Anne. "I thought I could make it up to you with the craziest day ever, but it looks like I'm just a failure through and through."

"Friend punch!" Sprig shouted as he launched his tongue onto Anne's face. "Wow, it's been a while since that happened," she said. "Anne, you're my best friend because I love being with you," said Sprig. "Not because you knew what day I was born. And this birthday isn't in the top three because of the crazy stuff we did. It's in the top three because we got to spend it together."

Anne was so moved by her friend's speech, "That's like the sweetest thing anyone's ever said. Thanks man." The two hug it out, making this one of Sprig's best birthdays ever. "Okay I've got to know," said Anne. "What are your top two birthdays?" "Birthday number one was the day I was actually born and given life," replied Sprig. "And number two was when Mom and Dad gave me my hat. My memory is a little fuzzy, but it's an iconic hat, right?" The two make their way back home and Anne gives Sprig a telescope engraved with his and Anne's names on it.

Meanwhile, Darrel was still trying to catch up with Tint; he almost lost sight of him when they entered the park. Tint bails on his disguise, considering no one was around at this time of night. Darrel looks around trying to find him, until he spots him sitting on the bench feeling sad.

This made Darrel feel sad too and he sat down next to him. "Hey Tint," said Darrel in a gloomy tone. "Hey Darrel," replied Tint. "Look, I'm fine. I just lost interest in spending another minute on Sprig's birthday."

Darrel had a feeling why the subject of birthdays made Tint upset. So he decided to ask, "Are you upset about birthdays because you never got one like Sprig's?" Tint shook his head, "No, I'm upset because my birthday was always special because I share my birthday with Uncle Cronaxx's birthday."

"You and Cronaxx share the same birthday?" Darrel asked. Tint nodded, "Spending time with Sprig made all my memories flood back in my head. The way me and Uncle Cronaxx spend our time together. And our birthday always ends when he erupts the sky with his beautiful fireworks."

"And that's why you stopped when the fireworks went off," said Darrel. "They brought back the highlight of your birthday." Tint nodded silently. "And all this time when you were attempting to perform magic, it was to get away from remembering the joy that birthdays brought you."

"And tomorrow's my birthday," said Tint on the verge of tears. "My birthdays are going to be different from now on, because Uncle Cronaxx can't…" And with that, Tint started to cry his heart out. He was quiet enough so passing walkers couldn't hear him. Darrel hugged his poor salamander friend and comforted him. "I'm so sorry, buddy," said Darrel.

Just then, a glowing blue orb came floating down behind them. The two didn't take notice with them mourning, but the orb split in two and phased into their heads. "Listen, Tint," said Darrel. "Birthdays are meant to be spent with the people who care about you. You're like a brother to me, and I want to spend it with you. However you want to spend it."

Tint smiled at the idea, "I just want to spend the day quietly with you and your family." Darrel smiled, and the two got up to go home. "Our family Tint," said Darrel. "You saved my mom, you're one of us now."

That night, when everyone was asleep. Darrel calmly started tossing and turning. In his dream, he was swimming in the lake, breathing with the fish underwater. Darrel was happy, until he started hearing whispers. The whispers led him into a glowing cove, and the voice grew stronger the closer he got. The cove glows brighter and the voice rang clear in his head. "Look to the waters."

The next morning, the Loyalitat's were discussing ways on how to celebrate Tint's birthday over breakfast. "We could go for a flight over Los Angeles," said Matthew. "Or we could watch the Lakers at the Crypto Center," said Amelia. "Or watch a performance at the Dolby Theater," said Jane. "What do you want to do, Tint?" Sarah asked.

"I just want to enjoy the view at a lake," said Tint. "I know a good place where we could go," said Darrel. "The Encino Reservoir. Our grandfather loved to go there vacationing with us." "That's not a bad idea," said Matthew. "Let's finish up and make tracks, it's going to be a long ride."

Thankfully, that ride felt short for Tint. Considering he's played road games with Darrel, Jane, and Amelia. The family park near the lake and enjoy the scenery. Tint and Darrel drew their attention to the lake and got a good look at themselves in their reflection.

"Darrel," said Sarah. "Is Tint going to be okay?" "This is his first birthday without Cronaxx," whispered Darrel. "Just give him time to adjust." "What does it mean?" Tint asked. "Was it just a dream? What was I thinking?"

"What do you mean?" Jane asked. "I just had a crazy dream where a strange voice told me to look down at the lake," said Tint. "I must be crazy." "You know," said Jane. "When grandpa died, Mom and Dad always sang my favorite song from my favorite musical. Whenever I hear that song, I sing along with them, and it makes me feel better." "How did it go?" Tint asked.

(He Lives in You - The Lion King)

(Jane gets in a starting pose, as if she was about to dance for an audience)

Jane:

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Night and the spirit of life calling mamela

And a voice just the fear of a child answers mamela

(Tint was stunned, remembering that same melody he heard long ago. Darrel instantly recognized the melody and smiled.)

Ubu khosi bo khokho We ndodana ye sizwe sonke

Wait, there's no mountain too great

Hear the words and have faith

(Tint and Darrel look back down in their own reflections)

Have faith

He lives in you

(Tint instantly remembers his Uncle's words, looking up to the sky smiling.)

He lives in me

He watches over

Everything we see

Into the water

Into the truth

In your reflection

(Tint looks back down in the water and sees the reflection of Cronaxx.)

He lives in you

The glowing blue orb leaves Darrel and Tint's heads and grows brighter and brighter. Gaining the family's attention. "What's that?" Amelia asked. The orb starts to take shape, and finally speaks. "Tint, Darrel." The two boys were shocked. "Cronaxx?" The orb dims a bit and reveals its true form, as Tint's recently fallen Uncle Cronaxx.

"Hello, Loyalitat Family," said Cronaxx. "Oh my god," said Darrel. "Cronaxx! You're- You're a…" "Ghost," replied Cronaxx. "Yes, that's correct." "Can you make ghost sounds?" Cronaxx nodded, "I can. I can do a lot of things. But magic is not one of them. Not anymore."

"But why are you here?" Amelia asked. "To help my nephew," replied Cronaxx. "Uncle…" said Tint. "I'm so sorry." "Tint," said Cronaxx. "You must take your place in the circle of life."

Tint looked down feeling hopeless. "I can't," he replied. "I'm not who I used to be anymore." "You must remember who you are," said Cronaxx. "A powerful and wise wizard." Tint looks up to Cronaxx and looks down again, seeing him as a ghost.

"I'm sorry," said Tint. "You were my teacher. How can I be like you, when I don't know everything you know?" Cronaxx smiled and placed his hand on his cheek. "As a wizard, I was most proud of only one thing: Having you as my nephew." "Wasn't that a long time ago?" Tint asked. "It can't be," replied Darrel. "He's right," said Cronaxx. "That is forever."

"I don't want to be alone," whimpered Tint. "You're not alone," said Darrel. "I never left you two," said Cronaxx. "I never will. Now remember who you are."

After a while, Tint looks back on his life. He goes back to the day he was hatched, to the day he first performed magic, to his Uncle training him under his guidance. Then, meeting Darrel for the first time, to the adventures he had with him, Anne, the Plantars, and the people of Wartwood. Tint looks up to his ghostly uncle with a smile.

"So, who are you, young salamander?" Sarah asked. Tint looks back to the family and says, "I am Tint Tormak: Great Nephew, and student of the Great Cronaxx, the Salamandrian Wizard."

Tint takes his hands and performs a basic light spell. And much to Darrel's surprise, Tint's magic appeared to be working again. And with much more in store. Tint smiles seeing his powers back, he goes to hug Darrel. "Thank you, Darrel. For everything," he said. "You're welcome," said Darrel.

"Now let's get home and celebrate your birthday," said Cronaxx. "You mean you're staying?" Tint asked. "Only until my unfinished business is complete," replied Cronaxx. "And I think I know what it is," said Darrel, smiling.

Loyalitat Family:

He lives in you

He lives in me

He watches over

Everything we see

Into the water

Into the truth

In your reflection

He lives in you

He lives in you

Jane & Tint:

He lives in me

He watches over

Everything we see

Into the water

Into the truth

In your reflection

He lives in you

Meanwhile, back at the Loyalitat residence, Darrel's staff is on the verge of losing its color. And Darrel didn't even notice that his powers were starting to fade away. But that didn't matter to him, because all that mattered now was that Cronaxx is back as a guiding spirit, and Tint has his powers back.