59. Entering Stardom

Chapter 57 - Entering Stardom

The very next morning, Tint woke up feeling refurbished and ready for another day. Cronaxx appeared out of thin air, even as a ghost he needed to sleep in order to remain focused on what the day lay ahead of them. Darrel however, remained motionless. He was wide awake, yet at the same time, he was tired. His eyes were bagged from the night.

"Woah, Darrel, what happened?" Tint asked. "Did you not get enough sleep?" Darrel looks up without saying a word, then looks back down. Tint looks to the staff to see all its color vanished. "Uncle, look."

Cronaxx looks with pure sadness. "The magic is gone," he said. "What does that mean?" Tint asked. "It means that whatever kept Darrel up last night, made him so scared and upset that he lost faith in the magic," replied Cronaxx.

Darrel silently nodded. "Darrel," said Tint. "If it's not too much trouble. Can you tell me your nightmare from last night?" Darrel was hesitant to speak. He had been crying all night, that he couldn't produce anymore tears. But he knew Tint wouldn't stop without an answer.

"I saw a vision," he said silently. "But if I'm gonna go into detail, promise me that you won't say anything? No one can know." Tint and Cronaxx knew it was this serious. They knew it was dark, but they didn't want to keep this away from everyone. "On one condition," said Cronaxx. "You have to promise to tell the people you trust yourself."

"Okay," said Darrel. "It all started when I saw Amphibia. It was not the same when we left it. There were factories producing robots, smoke replacing the clouds in the sky, red crimson skies overlooked the horizon. Amphibia has become a wasteland of destruction and despair."

Tint and Cronaxx sighed in sadness. "It gets worse," said Darrel. "Andrias has a master. I saw it with my own eyes." "What was it?" Tint asked. "It was a machine called The Core," replied Darrel. "It consists of the minds of all the smartest beings in Amphibia's history." "Artificial intelligence," said Cronaxx. "Preserving one's life after death is a terrible thing to do."

"How so Uncle?" Tint asked. "It's the natural order of things when creatures like us live to the end of our days," said Cronaxx. "But to preserve your mind, your soul, your personality, it's more damaging than you realize."

"And now, The Core has chosen a host," said Darrel. "Who did it choose?" Tint asked. "At first Andrias was going to use Cronaxx," said Darrel. "But he didn't," said Cronaxx. "Because after I fell, my body faded until there was nothing."

"So The Core chose someone else," said Darrel. "And not just anyone." He tightens the grip on his blanket, having trouble trying to get his words out. Every word to the truth is like a dagger to his heart. "It chose…not just anyone. But…one who is the best…The smartest…a-and…"

Darrel choked up, knowing it was the moment of truth. "The only one…who could beat Andrias at Flipwart." Tint and Cronaxx were a little surprised. "Are you saying," said Tint. "That Andrias gave the Core..?"

Darrel nodded, "He gave The Core to Marcy. She's alive, Anne was right." Tint and Cronaxx gasped. "But how?" Tint asked. "You were right, no one could've survived an impale like that." "He must have placed her in preserved care to prevent her from fading," said Cronaxx.

Darrel nodded again, "Lady Olivia and General Yunan removed her from some kind of rejuvenation tank. That's what kept her alive all this time. But now, the core has taken control of her. I heard her screaming, I felt her pain. It was like a thousand shards of glass piercing into your skull. And then it all went black."

Tint and Cronaxx were most upset to see Darrel like this. So much pain, so much horror, so much burden. And on a thirteen year old teenager nonetheless. "I'm so sorry Darrel," said Tint. He jumps up to hug his best friend.

Just then, Jane and Amelia come in to tell Darrel breakfast is ready. They find their brother tired and depressed, so they immediately come to his aid. He calls his parents and he tells them what happened to him last night.

The Loyalitats were most shocked to hear that Marcy was alive, but horrified that she was being brainwashed by the Core. "This is terrible," said Sarah. "Is there anything we can do?" "I don't think there is," replied Matthew. "All we can do now is comfort our son. He needs us now more than ever." Darrel nods, "That's all I want right now. And if it's not too much trouble, can we not tell Anne about this? It'll break her heart." The family agrees without a second thought.

"Well, we're going to have breakfast," said Amelia. "You come down when you're ready to eat." Darrel smiles sadly as his family, Tint, and Cronaxx head downstairs. His phone chimes reveal Anne texting him about taking the Plantars on a tour. 'Taking the Plantars to tour Hollywood. Wanna join?' Not wanting to bring their morale down, Darrel rejects the offer. 'I can't, I'm spending time with my family.'

Anne gets his response, and decides to take the Plantars to Hollywood anyway. Anne and the Plantars take the tour bus to see the sights of Hollywood. Polly, and Sprig were amazed, Hop pop was speechless. "Welcome to Hollywood," said Anne.

"Impressive, right HP?" Hop pop was happy beyond words, considering his dream was to be an actor. "Why, it's like your world actually respects actors," said Hop pop. "Respect them?" Anne asked. "Hah! Around here, people worship actors, AS GODS!"

"If only that were me," said Hop pop. He gazes across to see an actor be glamored by fans. Despite not achieving his goal long ago, Hop pop still wonders what could've been. "I know my acting career didn't pan out. But maybe I'd have a shot in this world!"

"Possibly," said Anne. "But, Mr X is after us, and he's seen you. So we need to keep a low profile. However, while Anne wasn't looking, Hop pop made his way into the street. "Hollywood, here I come!" he shouted. Anne wanted to go after him, however she didn't feel like it. "You know what, I do not have the energy for this," she said.

He raced down the street seeing opportunities he could never imagine. Along the way, he photo bombed someone's shot, and jumped onto a street dancer. He couldn't find any reason to frown at the place where his dream could come true. And it's only one audition away.

As he continues to rush down the street, he accidentally bumps into an elderly short man. "Oh I am so sorry," said Hop pop. "Ah, don't worry about it," said the old man. "Happens a lot at these old foggy auditions."

"WHA?" Hop pop gasped. He was standing in a line of people waiting for a time to shine on camera. "Auditions? Are you all actors?" "Guilty as charged," replied the old man. "Still waiting for my big break though."

He offers Hop pop his hand, "Humphrey Westwood, nice to meet ya. You an actor too?" "It's only my singular passion," replied Hop pop. "Hopediah Plantar."

"Say, I thought I knew the senior male actors around here," said Humphrey. "You from out of town?" "Yep," said Hop pop. Hop pop couldn't give away where he was from, so he left out the details. "Way out of town."

Then, the agent comes out of the door asking for Humphrey Westwood. Only to mistake Hop pop for Humphrey instead. The two apparently look alike to the agent, thanks to Hop pop's disguise. Then, Humphrey comes up with a suggestion.

"Hopediah, you should audition," he said. "Go ahead, take my spot in line." Hop pop was happy to have a chance to shine, but he just couldn't take Humphrey's place. But Humphrey considers this a Welcome to Hollywood to a new friend.

Hop pop enters the audition studio, and stands in front of the green screen. A spotlight shines on Hop pop, a script was handed to him by the agent. "Alright," said the scout. "They'll set the scene for you. You got this elbow cream, you put it on, you feel brand new. You're so surprised, you say…"

Hop pop stood in silence, he dropped his script and said. "Oooh, wow! Great!" But then the lights turned back on and the spotlight was turned off. The scout wasn't impressed, "Nope, not feeling it. Shame too, because everything about you is literally perfect."

"SAY WHAT!?" Hop pop gasped. His gasp echoed in the studio, shocking and gasping the staff. The scout was back to being impressed, "That is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard! Everyone, we got a new catchphrase." The staff applauded at his role, and Hop pop was happy to have his dream come true.

Outside the studio across the street, Anne, Sprig, and Polly were looking for souvenirs in the gift shop. Sprig was trying on shades with slats across, making it hard for him to see. "Yep, can't see a thing." Polly was trying on a chained watch and street clothes. "Hollywood? More like Pollywood!"

Anne sends Darrel another text message, hoping for another reply. The phone shows that he looks like he's texting, but then disappears. 'I hope Darrel's okay,' she thought. She looks across the street and sees Humphrey, mistaking him for Hop pop. "There's Hop pop. And it looks like he didn't cause any trouble."

They go over to see him, only for Humphrey to turn around and meet them. "Oh sorry," said Anne. "You look just like someone I know." Then, Hop pop with a gleeful smile and the agent exits the studio. "Alright, this guy got the part," said the agent. "Everyone else can go home."

Anne was stunned while Sprig and Polly were excited for their grandfather. "Are you kidding?!" "Way to go HP!" Humphrey was happy for his new friend, he offered a handshake. "Congratulations, Hopediah!"

Suddenly, Hop pop snapped back to reality, realizing what he had just done. He took Humphrey's spot, when he could've had that chance. "Humphrey, wait, I took your spot. I may have taken your opportunity." Humphrey just shrugged it off, "Pish posh, it was one in a mil either way. I'm just happy it went to a nice guy. Plus I waited forty five years for a break, what's a few more?"

Hop pop sulked, knowing the same feeling he went through just like Humphrey. "I still don't think this is a good idea," said Anne. "But as long as it's for something small that no one sees. Maybe it'll be harmless."

"So Anne," said Sprig. "Has Darrel gotten back yet?" "Nope," said Anne. "I've tried texting him for a while, but he hasn't responded. Do you think he's okay?" "Probably Anne," said Polly. "Or maybe he's just sick and he's getting delusional." Anne nodded sadly and looked up. 'Please be okay, Darrel.'

The very next day, Darrel got up for breakfast feeling more down than usual. He couldn't bring himself to talk with anyone else, aside from his family. Ever since he lost his magical abilities, he sulked on the couch eating cereal. He turns on the television and finds himself watching the commercial break.

"Do your elbows crack when you bend them?" asked a familiar voice. Darrel spat his breakfast on the television and got a good look. "HOP POP!?" he exclaimed. "What's going on?" Tint asked. "Hop pop is starring in a commercial!" said Darrel. "Hop pop's in a commercial?" Amelia asked.

The rest of the family rushed in to watch. "Try crack-a-lackin' elbow cream," said the announcer. "But wait there's more." "Say what!?" "This is not good," said Darrel. "How's that not good?" Jane asked. "Hop pop's famous."

"That's the problem," said Darrel. "We were supposed to be keeping a low profile! What was Hop pop thinking?!" Darrel groaned, "I wouldn't be surprised if the Boonchuy's were watching this right now. Or worse: Mr X." "Does a federal agent have time for TV?" Amelia asked.

Amelia wasn't wrong. Somewhere in the city of Los Angeles, Mr X was feeding his new frog pets he found in the movie theater. "Just because I'm a federal employee doesn't mean I can't enjoy the odd episode of Judge Julee," he said.

During commercial break, he spots Hop pop's commercial and immediately screenshots his face. He takes the image, uploads it to the computer and gets the location of where the commercial was aired. "And they said I was a fool to not pay for ad free streaming," he said.

Matthew was driving his family through Hollywood, hoping to catch the Boonchuys. "So where are we going?" Jane asked. "To the studio where the commercial is airing," said Darrel. "If we're lucky, Anne and the Plantars are going there too." "Uhh, Darrel," said Cronaxx. He points to the billboard with Hop pop's face on it and a voice bubble that says, 'Say WHAT?!'

It seems that everywhere they go, they can see advertisements of Hop pop's commercial break. "And it only took one audition," said Tint. "We gotta find them, fast," said Amelia. "Good idea," said Darrel. "Me and Tint will search for them on foot while you guys drive around outside the city. Work your way in until you find them."

Darrel, Tint, and Cronaxx get out of the car and the family drives off. "So where do we start?" Tint asked. "It's easy," said Darrel. "Follow the crowd. We find the biggest crowd gathering, we'll find him." "Of course," said Cronaxx. "Follow the bees, and you'll find the queen." "Why bees Uncle?" said Tint. "Why couldn't it be 'follow the butterflies?'" "Do butterflies have a queen?" Cronaxx asked with a grin. Tint sulked and said, "No."

The three follow the crowd and find Hop pop on the phone. But they weren't the only ones following the crowd. Mr X was right behind them with a mischievous grin.

"Meet you at ten am?" Hop pop asked. "At your office in the studio water tower? Just show up and I get the part!?" Anne sntaches her phone back and sees that Hop pop only has fifteen minutes to get to the studio. Darrel pushes his way through the crowd getting to his friends.

"Anne!" Darrel cried. "Darrel," smiled Anne. "What are you doing here?" "We need to get out of here," said Darrel. "Let's take the Plantars and get mov- And Hop pop's on the run." He points to Hop pop running to the studio. "I'm sorry kids, this is too big to pass on!" Hop pop shouted as he ran off.

"NO!" Anne cried. "HOP POP!" Darrel shouted. "You don't understand!" "Hey! Don't push man!" The two teens turn to find Mr X approaching them. "Hide!" The group takes cover behind a trash can, and Mr X passes them. Turns out, he's following the wandering minnow from the school of fish.

"Jenny," called Mr X. "He's headed for the studio lot. Meet me with reinforcements, we got him for real this time." The group hears him call the order and wait for him to pass. "We've got to get to Hop pop before Mr X does," said Anne. "Follow me," said Darrel. "I know a shortcut."

At the studio, Hop pop gets access from security to head to the studio. Mr X tries to get to Hop pop by using his grappling hook to climb over the wall to get past security. Anne, Darrel, and the Amphibians couldn't reach him in time, even with Darrel's shortcut.

Then, a golf cart pulls up to the toll booth, giving Anne and Darrel another idea. As the guy presents his pass to security, the gate opens, and the group sneak on the cart without him noticing.

Hop pop proceeds to the studio, but lets two guys carrying a mirror pass by. But in the mirror, Hop pop spots Mr X following him. Hop pop gives chase and takes a golf cart, but Mr X takes another cart and follows him.

"Oh no, Hop pop," said Anne as the group popped out of their hiding place. The driver suddenly takes notice. "Ahh! Who the heck are you people?" Polly jumps at him, grabbing his shirt. "No questions, Earth man!" Polly kicks him out of the cart, and Darrel takes the wheel. "Hold on!"

It's a chase across the studio, with Hop pop heading to the water tower, Mr X chasing behind him, and the others falling behind. They drive through shootings on movie sets, pass tv shows airing live, even meet performers with different accents when they're not shooting.

Hop pop swerves to another turn leading to the water tower. Tint notices a palm tree nearby, and uses his magic to block Mr X. The tree falls just in time and Mr X dodges the impact. He takes the cart and looks for another way to the water tower.

Hop pop makes it to the entrance of the tower. His dream pursuits are only a hop, skip, and a jump away. Feeling so excited, he didn't see a small janitor in his way. Hop pop bumps into him by accident. "Oh, I'm so sorry," he said. "I didn't see you there."

The janitor turns to reveal a familiar face. "Humphrey?" Hop pop asked. "Looks like you found out about my day job, Hopediah," said Humphrey sweeping. "Where are you off to?" "Oh me?" Hop pop asked. "I uh, have an audition up there." He points to the water tower, making Humphrey smile.

"With Mitch? Bravo, my friend, bravo! Golly what a break. I'm so happy for you. Even if I never make it, it's enough to know an old fart like me did." That statement really made Hop pop so upset. If he didn't take Humphrey's spot, then maybe Humphrey would've gotten the chance he'd hoped for. Hop pop decided then and there to return the gesture of kindness to a good friend. He offers Humphrey his spot on the audition of a lifetime.

Inside the water tower, Mr X interrupts the meeting with the director giving Mr Plantar the part in the movie. "There he is, get him!" The orders the feds to apprehend Hop pop.

The kids arrive to see the fight from below the tower, only to find Hop pop behind them. "Thank goodness you're okay," said Tint. "Who did they catch?" Darrel asked. "Just an old fart that almost looks like me," said Hop pop.

The feds apprehend the old man mistaken for Hop pop. Mr X laughs triumphantly, "Thought you could escape me, huh?" The old man reveals himself to be Humphrey Westwood. Mr X tried to take his nose off, hoping it was part of his disguise. But…

"Ow! Let go of my nose!" Humphrey shouted. Mr X was stunned, he was duped again. And if that wasn't bad enough, the director was furious at him. "I don't believe this! You dare treat Hollywood's newest star this way?! You'll be hearing from my robust team of lawyers after this!" The feds let go of Humphrey and leave Mr X, defeated once again.

Back outside the tower, the group comes out from hiding in the bushes. "So you gave the part to someone else?" Darrel asked. Hop pop nodded, "He's waited as long as I have. But not anymore." The two elderly gentlemen wave goodbye.

"I've already had a taste of the spotlight kids," said Hop pop. "And it's time for this old frog to stop pining over what he doesn't have. And start protecting the things he does." He gestures to his family, Darrel, Anne, and the Salamanders, and the group hugs it out.

"Come on guys, let's go home," said Darrel as he climbed into the cart. "You know," said Hop pop. "This whole experience has taught me that the real power is behind the camera." "You don't say," said Tint. "Kind of like wielding a magic wand or staff?" "Exactly," said Cronaxx.

"So Darrel," said Anne. "Is everything going okay at home? You hardly ever return my calls or texts." Darrel suddenly perked up and tried to keep a positive face. "Oh yeah, everything's fine Anne. I've just been spending more time with my family. After all, it's been months and we still have a lot of catching up to do."

Anne and the Plantars were concerned with Darrel's behavior, they knew something was off with him. "Is everything okay with him?" Polly asked Tint. "He's been through a lot," replied Tint. "It's best if he tells you when he's ready." The group leave the studio lot and park the cart outside the gates. The Loyalitats arrive to take them all home.