66. One View over the King's Next

Chapter 64 - One View over the King's Nest

Darrel wakes up the next day after a long day of evacuating and recruiting frogs. He was exhausted from running and fighting because the group came across an old foe. After they take a wrong turn, the group enter an isolated garden utopia, under the leadership of their old foe. Gary, the mind controlling fungi. Before they could escape, Andrias' robots came and burned down the whole village. However, thanks to Hop pop's kindness, the group and Gary's followers fought back against the robots and they joined the resistance.

Inside his cave, Darrel takes out the two photos his family packed up for him. One of his parents and sisters. And the other photo is of him, Anne, Sasha, and Marcy. Tint comes in and asks Darrel if he would like to see progress on the resistance camp. Darrel accepts and the two leave the cave. Darrel puts the photo of him and his friends in his pocket.

Darrel and Tint take a walk in the underground park and find Gary and a couple of his followers growing a new garden. "Hey Gary," said Darrel. "How's the new garden coming along?" "It's going so well," said Gary. "And it's more fun to have frogs willingly follow me instead of forcing them." Tint smiled, "I'm glad."

Darrel soon heads into the mission briefing room and finds Sasha and Grime going over the next plan of attack. "Oh, hey Darrel," said Sasha. "Sorry, there's no new mission for you today." "Thanks for getting more frogs for the resistance," said Grime. "Now we still need to ask for help from the newts and the salamanders." "We'll find a way," said Darrel.

Darrel leaves the mission room and makes his way across the underground base. He finds Sprig, Ivy, Polly, Maggie, and her triplet siblings running around. "Hey guys," said Sprig. "How's it going?" "So far no assignments," said Tint. "We're pretty much going over our next move to recruiting new members." "We're going to go to Stumpy's for some food, wanna come?" Maddie asked. "Sure," replied Tint. "Count me out," said Darrel. "I'm not hungry."

Darrel walks off while Tint joins the kids at Stumpy's. Darrel smiles to see Tint hanging out with others. Usually, he thought wizards don't stay in one place. But Tint is not like any wizard he read in books. He kept going until he came across the Plantar's cave. Inside, he finds Anne cleaning her sword.

"Hey Anne," said Darrel. Anne looks up and smiles at Darrel. "Hey Darrel," she said. "What's up?" "Well, Gary is working on a new garden. Sasha and Grime are going over our next plan. And Tint is hanging out with our friends at Stumpy's," replied Darrel. "So, we pretty much got a day to ourselves."

Darrel sits next to Anne and she blushes at how close they are. "Sheesh, when was the last time we spent time alone together?" she asked. "Christmas night, under the mistletoe," replied Darrel. "So, what do you want to do?" Anne smirked, and touched his hand. "We could…" The two inched closer and closer. Darrel was excited to know what she was going to ask her. "...play this new co-op battle game together." Anne holds up her phone and shows a new tag team game that she downloaded on her phone. "You're on," said Darrel.

Then suddenly, Darrel gets a familiar tingling vibe in his head. 'It can't be,' he thought. 'What are they up to?' "Hold that game, Anne," said Darrel. "Something's wrong." "What is it?" Anne asked. "It's the Core," he replied. "It's active and I think my powers are trying to connect with it." "Okay," said Anne. "But be careful." "I will," said Darrel. He gives Anne a quick kiss, making her blush and then races to his cave.

Inside his cave, Cronaxx was meditating in the quiet environment. That is until he was interrupted by Darrel and Tint's presence. "What's going on?" he asked. "The Core is active," said Darrel. "And my powers are trying to get inside its mind. I have to let my powers do the work if we want to know their next move."

"Hold on," said Tint. "What if the Core can also see through your eyes? Our hidden base would be compromised." "That's why no one is going in my cave," said Darrel as he takes a seat, legs crossed, and ready for infiltration. "Guard the entrance, and don't let anyone in. And try to keep the noise to a minimum." "Sure thing buddy," said Tint. "Good luck."

Darrel nods and closes his eyes. Tint and Cronaxx leave the cave and block the door with curtains. Darrel lets go of his struggles and lets his magic powers do the work. The moment he opens his eyes, he gives off the same orange and red glow like the one from Earth. 'Okay,' he thought. 'Let's see what I can see.'

Inside Andrias' floating castle, the Core was looking at Marcy's old phone. They have taken it apart to inspect the human device. Darrel didn't know what to expect, so he kept his mouth and mind shut. He really hated seeing Marcy being used as a vessel for the Core. "As we thought," they said. "This technology is pathetic!"

Turning around, the Core sees Andrias carrying a tray of what could be possibly food. "Ahem," Andrias cleared his throat. "Greetings Marcy- I mean the Core- MarCore? Okay what do I call you?" Clearly Andiras was having a hard time calling his machine ruler by Marcy, because that thing wasn't Marcy anymore.

"Hmm," the Core thought. "Good question big guy." Then, the Core thought of a dark and terrifying name. "Why don't you call us Darcy." Darrel cringed at the name and let a tear flow out of his eye.

"Darcy?" Andrias asked. "Yeah, you know, like Dark Marcy," said Darcy. "It's a reference to one of Marcy's video games. We searched her memories and the name appeals to us." Darrel was surprised that the Core would know everything about Marcy just by processing her memories.

"So is Marcy in there?" Andrias asked. Darrel quietly pleaded for an answer, hoping that Marcy in some way was still inside that horrific vessel of multiple minds. "No, no no," replied Darcy. "This is her body, but we got her locked up in a little room up here." Darrel quietly exhaled in relief, Marcy is inside but she's still trapped. So Darrel took that as a spark of hope.

"We're the ones in control," said Darcy. "Although we've inherited some of her quirks." Darrel wasn't surprised about that, he knew about Marcy's quirks. He even had a few quirks of his own. He knows more about Marcy than she knows about him. He mostly kept to himself as they grew up together.

"Speaking of which," said Andrias. "Here are those cupcakes you asked for." He opens the dome on the plate, revealing it to be Marcy's favorite cupcakes. 'I knew they would be Marcy's favorite,' he thought. "What was that?" Darcy asked.

Darrel stopped thinking at that instant, hoping Darcy didn't hear him. "I uh, said I have those cupcakes," said Andrias. "Oh yeah," said Darcy. "Sorry, I thought I heard something else." Darcy approaches the cupcakes, "Mmm, red velvet with Ube frosting, Marcy's fav. We can't tell you how delighted we are to finally have a body."

"Now then, follow us," said Darcy. "We have a very important mission for you." Then Darcy fell flat on their face, just like Marcy. "This thing needs calibration," said Darcy. Darrel groaned at the sound of that. There was nothing wrong with Marcy Wu.

Andrias and Darcy began walking down the corridor that was in the basement. "So we need to purge our system of some excess data," said Darcy. "Redundant memories, that sort of thing. This requires a full system reboot and you're the only one we trust to-"

Darcy turns around to see Andiras looking glum at a torn painting. Darrel looks as well, and was curious as to what it was. "Andrias?" Darcy asked. Andiras just stares down at the torn painting, showing four figures. One, that looks like a younger version of himself, and three amphibians. A frog, a toad, and a salamander.

"Hmm," thought Darcy. "Maybe we're not the only ones who need to let go of old memories." "Nonsense," said Andrias. "The past means nothing to me." The two continue to walk down to the main chambers and Andrias shuts down Darcy to reboot their data. And with Darcy turned off, Darrel's vision goes dark.

His disconnection from the Core returns him to his cave and calls to Tint and Cronaxx to come back in. "What did you see?" Tint asked. "I saw Andrias and the Core," replied Darrel. "They took apart Marcy's phone to study human technology. The Core is even going by the name Darcy." "Oh my," said Cronaxx. "Yeah, they uploaded her memory from one of her favorite video game references," said Darrel.

"Before they could, Andiras stopped at what looked like a torn painting." "Wait, did that painting have four figures on it?" Tint asked. "Yes," said Darrel. "How did you know?" "Because I saw it when Marcy invited us overnight," replied Tint. "And Uncle Cronaxx looked younger on it."

The two looked at Cronaxx, who had a sad look on his face. "Uncle," said Tint. "Was Andrias using you? Or were you two really friends?" Cronaxx looked at his students, feeling puzzled with what Cronaxx left behind after his betrayal.

"It's true," he said. "We were friends at first. But one day, lines were crossed. Lines we knew we could never come back from." "Please," said Darrel. "Tell us, what was Andrias like, before you left him."

The two sat down and Cronaxx created a vision portal and showed them the undamaged portrait of him, Andrias, and the other two friends. "Before Andiras was king, he was known as Prince Andrias…" Darrel and Tint watched carefully what Cronaxx was trying to show them.

Prince Andrias was making his way home after grabbing the portrait. Along the way back, a young Cronaxx was exiting the library and finds Andrias heading home. "Hello, Andi," he said. "Hey Cro-cro," said Prince Andrias. "How's the research coming along?" "Going so well," said Cronaxx. "It makes me feel a little better knowing my dream is coming true."

"My father and I really appreciate all you've done for us," said Prince Andrias. "I believe your family would be proud too." "Yeah," said Cronaxx. "I just wish my brother Cyrus could be around to see this." He takes out a locket holding two photos. One of him, and one of Cyrus, his brother. "He would want you to fulfill your dream," said Prince Andrias. "No one could've predicted that industrial accident."

"Still," said Cronaxx. "I wish he was here." Andrias could see how upset his wizard friend was, so he decided to cheer him up. "Hey, what's that behind your fins?" He pulls it out to reveal a Newtopian copper coin, making Cronaxx smile. Cronaxx takes the coin and hugs Prince Andrias. "You always know how to make me feel better, my friend."

"Come on," said Prince Andrias. "I want to show you, Barrel, and Leif something very special together," "Does it have something to do with what's on your back?" Cronaxx asked. "Yep," replied Prince Andrias. The two make their way to the castle.

At the castle walls they find a toad guarding the front gates. That toad was also one of their best friends. Cronaxx appears out of thin air in front of the Toad. "Hey Barrel," he said. "Hey Cronaxx," said Barrel. "How's it going?" "Just another day of researching possible new worlds until we actually see them," replied Cronaxx.

While he's talking, Prince Andrias appears from the castle walls and jumps Barrel. Holding him in a lock, Andrias gloats. "I'm disappointed Barrel. Shouldn't a Newtopian guard always be aware of his surroundings?"

"Shouldn't Amphibia royalty know never to put a toad in a headlock?" Barrel asked as he croaked loose from Andiras' grip. After breaking free, Barrel kicks Andiras down and Cronaxx cheers Barrel's victory. "Another victory for Barrel." Barrel scratches another tally on the wall.

"Oh yeah, Leif left a note for you." Barrel gives Andrias a piece of red paper, which is shown to be blank. "I don't know why she even bothered," said Barrel. "It's their way of communication," said Cronaxx. "There's this thing called invisible ink." "Invisible to others perhaps," said Prince Andrias. "We came up with the idea to leave secret messages for each other."

"Heh, yeah right," said Barrel. "She only taught you that after she and Cronaxx split up. No offense." Cronaxx shrugged, "It's okay, I wanted to pursue my dreams first before getting serious with others." "She's in the garden," said Prince Andrias. "Come on, let's go!" The three friends make haste to the kingdom's underground garden.

There they find their pink frog friend Leif, balancing on top of a large flower. "Hey Leif, how's it going?" Prince Andrias asked. Leif hushed them, "I have just perfected a dance that mesmerizes any creature that watches. Behold."

Cronaxx, Barrel, and Andrias watch as she perfects her dance, causing the moss creatures to sway to the rhythm. Even Barrel was mesmerized by the dance. Cronaxx bounced his head to the rhythm, and Andiras looked away, blushing.

"See," said Leif. "Even the strangest interdimensional animals love it." "That was weird," said Barrel. "Anyone else just black out?" "I'm impressed," said Cronaxx. "Brilliant," said Prince Andrias. "Classic Leif." "Thanks, 'Drias," said Leif. "Say, what ya got there?" She points to the covered portrait Andrias has on his back.

"Oh I almost forgot," he said. "Your surprise," He shows them the portrait, leaving his best friends in awe. "Ta da, an official portrait of us." "It looks just like us," said Barrel. "It's even got me on my good side," said Cronaxx. "That's a huge honor," said Leif. "What's the occasion?"

"Dad's appointing me to lead the next invasion," said Andrias. "If you're okay with that, Cronaxx." "As long as we get to express our glory to countless worlds, and not hurt anyone, I suppose it'll be okay."

"Hey," said Prince Andrias. "Cronaxx, if it wasn't for you, or any of you guys, I never would've made it this far. Your dream and our conquest is going to be a reality. Thank you all so much. I mean it." Cronaxx, Barrel, and Leif smile at the gesture. "Thank you 'Drias," said Leif. "Now what are we standing around for? We gotta celebrate."

"May I suggest, running through the hallways screaming at the top of our lungs?" Barrel asked. "You're on!" Cronaxx cheered. "Sounds good to me," said Andiras. "Let's go." The four proceed to run through the hallways screaming, only to be stopped by the current King of Newtopia. King Aldrich.

"Ahh, there you are, son," said Aldrich. "Come with me, we have much to discuss." "We'll catch up with you later 'Drias," said Barrel. "It'll be okay," said Cronaxx. "Sorry guys, gotta do prince stuff," said Andiras as he followed his father.

"Come on, guys," said Cronaxx. "We can go into my chambers and discuss plans on what to do in other worlds." "Sure," said Leif. "I've got nothing better to do," said Barrel. The three friends reach the door to Cronaxx's main chambers where he's been working on his dream. The door has no handle, no lock, the only way in is with magic.

"Allow me," said Cronaxx. He raises his hands and says the magic words, "Caput Draconis." And in that instant, the cobblestones begin moving in the shape of a door. The three enter and show Cronaxx's main study. Most of it were drawings of stars, constellations, and possible distant planets.

Barrel comes across one of the drawings that look like the Eternal Staff. "What's this magic stick?" he asked. "That's the Eternal Staff," said Cronaxx. "It was created by the first wizard ever to walk in Amphibia. It was said to have been lost in the wilderness, and no other wizard has ever found it yet." "Can't anyone find it?" Barrel asked. "Not even the strongest of warriors can find the staff," said Cronaxx. "That'd be like no one else could wield your warhammer."

"Forget that," said Leif. "So what's our first move?" "Here's what we could do," said Cronaxx. He takes a crystal and places it on a projectile device. It projects the first planet Cronaxx plans to visit: Earth. "We go to Earth first and see what kind of natural resources they have that the inhibitors thrive on." "Oohh," said Barrel and Leif. "In exchange," said Cronaxx. "We show them what we can do as a civilization.: Magical spells combined with everyday technology. Combined with their resources, our worlds could be twice as powerful."

"Isn't invading Earth what the king wants?" Barrel asked. "Well, as long as we keep Earth thriving, I'd like to think of it as sharing our greatness to other worlds," said Cronaxx. "Me too," said Leif. "I can't wait to see what creatures they have living here."

"And with Andrias by our side, nothing will stop us," said Barrel. The three cheer with great pride, just as Andrias enters Cronaxx's chambers. "Hey guys," he said. "Want to see something really cool?"

Prince Andrias shows them the key to the Calamity box, shocking Cronaxx. "Isn't that the key to the music box?" he asked. "The one I crafted?" "Indeed, my friend," replied Prince Andrias. "My father gave me this. It's only a matter of time before we start my mission."

That night, Prince Andrias, Cronaxx, and the others snuck into the room where the box is being kept. Andrias turns the key, and the four lights begin to glow, opening the door. They walk in to find the music box standing on the column, and a portal device beside the box, ready for the foreseeable future.

"And this is where the magic happens, literally," said Andrias. "I know," said Cronaxx. "I made it happen." "So it's already official?" Barrel asked. "Well it's not announced yet," said Andrias.

He turns to find Leif holding onto the box. "Then I bet you'd get into trouble if anything happened to this, huh?" she asked. "Please be careful Leif," said Cronaxx. "That box is very delicate. If anything happened to the stones-" "Cronaxx is right, Leif," said Andrias. "Put that box back."

However, Leif and Barrel decided to play a short game of keep away. Andrias and Cronaxx wanted nothing to happen to the box. "Please, magic is not to be played with," said Cronaxx. "Come on guys, it's important to us," said Andrias.

Then just as Barrel threw the box, Leif caught it. As she caught it, she touched the four stones in the palm of her hand. The stones give off a flash of light, and Leif starts to see strange images. Some were the destruction of Amphibia, others were images of the prophecy and the tapestry from the castle. She sees an image of Cyrus and a giant ax swinging down on him. Then, she starts to see the moon come crashing down onto their planet.

Leif drops the box and falls to her knees. "Leif!" Andrias cried. "Are you okay?" "What happened?" Barrel asked. "Give her some air," said Cronaxx. "I saw something," said Lief. "Leif, what did you see?" Cronaxx asked. "Andrias," said Leif, touching Andiras' hand. "If you go through with this mission, if we continue to use the box, I think Amphibia is doomed."

"What?" Cronaxx asked. "How? It can't be possible. I ran through all the possibilities." "It's true," said Leif. "I saw Cyrus too, and an ax. I think something really bad happened to him." She started crying, leaving her in the comfort of her friends.

The very next day, Leif came up to King Aldrich and told the council everything. "I think the music box is giving me a warning," said Leif. "As a gardener, I know the dangers of messing with the fragile ecosystem. And I believe that by interfering with other dimensions, we have upset the ecosystem of the multiverse."

Cronaxx stood by her side, "I believe she's telling the truth. As a wizard, I should know that even a single grain of sand can tip the scale. Upsetting the balance brings nothing but chaos and destruction. Fire and brimstone spreading across life. Laughter and joy, replaced with screams of pain and agony."

"That is why I've decided," said Leif. "We should stop using the box." Cronaxx was upset, but so was the council. They waited for this time to come for a while now, and Cronaxx was anxious to explore new worlds. But not at the expense of others getting hurt.

King Aldrich took a moment, then the Core's eye gave him the decision they wanted. Aldrich refused, "Nonsense, you sound like those cowardly Olms. You speak of fate and warnings but the stones are our sacred birthright. They are unique to our world and PROOF that only we are destined to conquer."

"Your majesty, please," said Cronaxx. "I should know more than any of us here. And if what Leif says is true, we can't take that risk." "SILENCE!" Aldrich commanded, slamming his ax down. "The expedition will continue as planned. With the prince presiding. And as for you 'wizard'. If you know what's good for you, you can make sure that everything goes smoothly and not fall like your clumsy brother. This council is adjourned."

Cronaxx, Leif, and Barrel leave the throne room with their heads down. Cronaxx thought back to the ax that King Aldrich slammed down and thought of what Leif said about Cyrus and the ax. 'My brother is not always clumsy. He finds success in failures,' he thought.

The three friends see King Aldrich leave and they walk back in to see Andrias. "Well that didn't go great," said Leif. "Yeah, sorry," said Prince Andiras. "But that's okay, you're in charge," said Leif. "You can just decide not to use the box."

"It's not that simple, Leif," said Prince Andrias. "Our society is built on these expeditions." "Look I know this won't be easy," said Leif. "But we have your back." "That's right," said Cronaxx. "We're your best friends." Barrel gives them a thumbs up in approval. "See? Together we can use your power for good."

"Look Leif!" Andrias shouted. "Maybe you should just focus on gardening and leave the ruling to me, okay?!" "Andrias!" Cronaxx shouted. "Please, Leif is your friend." Cronaxx started to grow upset. He'd never seen Andiras lash out like that before in front of his friends. And Andrias was most upset with how he reacted.

Thankfully he came to his senses and started to apologize. "Sorry, that was harsh. I'm just under a lot of pressure right now. You know?" "For sure," said Leif. "I get it. Friends?" Andrias sighed in relief, "Friends." The four amphibians hug it out, hoping to put it all behind them.

Shortly after, Andrias leaves to follow his father. And Barrel goes back outside to guard the gates. Leaving Cronaxx and Leif all alone. "Cronaxx, listen," said Leif. "I can't stand idly by while we let our home get destroyed." She turns to Cronaxx, who is suddenly getting horrible vibes in his head.

Inside Cronaxx's head, he starts to feel his brother working in his lab. He even hears his voice, "You can't do this! What if something goes wrong!?" "This is our destiny!" shouted another voice. "I won't make another weapon for your cause," said Cyrus. "Not while I know that my weapons will hurt others." "Then I can't let you live, traitor!" said the second voice. "Your majesty! STOP!" Then, the figure swings his ax, and all goes white.

"Cronaxx," said Leif. "Are you okay?" "Leif," said Cronaxx in tears. "It was my dream to explore new worlds." "I know Cronaxx. I know," said Leif as she hugged her friend. "But sometimes, to do what's right, we have to be steady. And give up the thing we want the most," Cronaxx shows Leif the key to the music box. "Even our dreams." Leif was most surprised. "Are you sure?" "I can't let anyone else get hurt. Not here, and not in other worlds."

Prince Andrias follows his father, making sure he does his royal duties properly. "Any orders for the portal operation tomorrow, your highness?" asked the advisors. "Don't ask me," said Aldrich. "Andrias is calling the shots tomorrow. Show them the key, son."

"Oh yes of course," said Andrias. He reaches for the key in his pocket, but his worst fears have been realized. For in place of the key, was the same copper coin he gave to Cronaxx. "Umm, be right back," Andrias makes haste to the box room with Aldrich glaring in disappointment.

Back in the box chambers, Cronaxx and Leif prepare to make their stand. "So what do we do?" Leif asked. Cronaxx gives her the key to the box. "You take the box and use it to transport it to a new world. I must stay to make sure no one creates a duplicate. Even if it means destroying all my life's work."

"Leif, Cronaxx? What are you doing?" The two look to see Andrias appear in the doorway. "The time has come for us to draw our own lines, Andrias," said Cronaxx. "Decide where we go from here." "If you won't stop this, we will," said Leif.

She grabs the box and prepares to make a run for it. "Don't!" Andrias cried. Cronaxx casts a lightning bolt on the floor allowing them a chance to escape the room. They make a break for it with Andrias chasing after them. They pass Barrel walking in the halls, and Andrias bumps into him.

"Hey what's the ruckus?" he asked. "Leif and Cronaxx have betrayed us!" Andrias cried. "What?" Barrel asked. "They would never do that." "I saw it with my own eyes," said Andrias. He picks up Barrel and the two pursue the frog and salamander. "Come on," said Andrias. "We gotta find them before they do something crazy."

They run into Cyrus' old assembly line, with Barrel and Andrias in tow. "I'll cut them off," said Barrel as he climbed into a hidden passageway behind a painting. Thanks to his warhammer, Barrel was able to cut them off.

"Stop right there you two!" he said. "Don't make me do this." Barrel gets in a battle stance. "Barrel, please trust us," said Leif. "What we do, we do for all of us." Barrel hesitated at that moment. He didn't want to fight his friends. "Geez Leif, I don't know."

"You should know this," said Cronaxx. "Aldrich did it." "Did what?" Barrel asked. "In this very room, he killed my brother Cyrus," replied Cronaxx. "That was no accident." Barrel was most surprised. "No, he couldn't, he said it was an accident." "They were the only ones here," said Cronaxx. "And Aldrich comes back alone, and all dirty."

"STOP!" Andrias shouted. Cronaxx and Leif jumped over Barrel and Andrias pushed him aside. The two dodge his plasma sword attacks and Leif fires a robot blaster at him. Andrias dodged every attack and deflected one of the blasts to Cronaxx's eye, giving him a big scar in the process. Cronaxx pushes them back with his wind magic and disappears, Leif crawls through the vents leading to the garden.

"You had a chance to stop them!" Andrias shouted at Barrel. "What happened?" "They confused me," replied Barrel. "Cronaxx said something about your father killing Cyrus." "LIES!" Andrias shouted.

Cronaxx meets up with Leif in the garden and she climbs up onto one of the moss men. "This is where we part ways," said Cronaxx, covering his left eye. "Take the box and never come back to Amphibia." "Okay," said Leif. "And Cronaxx…" She takes his hand and says, "You were the best friend I ever had." She kisses his cheek goodbye, then Cronaxx says. "You always will be. No matter how far apart we are."

Cronaxx snaps his fingers and teleports himself into his chambers. He takes his satchel and only takes the drawing of the Eternal Staff with him. "No one can know, not even me. Not anymore." He reached up to the sky and papers started flying in circles. 'I'm so sorry Cyrus,' he thought.

"Inflamore," he called. Papers of his maps, constellations, blueprints of new boxes, started to go up in flames. All his hard work, his dreams, started burning to a crisp. Sudden;y , he heard his brother's robots preparing to breach the front door to his chambers. Cronaxx had to act fast.

"Felite Incantato!" He points his hands down and causes his chambers to explode. The castle shook, causing the inhabitants to panic. The robots outside the door were damaged by the cobblestone blocking the passageway

Cronaxx was then shown flying away, thanks to the blast. Then he pointed his finger at his own head. "Obliviate!" A bright light comes from his finger and then diminishes after a few seconds. Cronaxx closes his eyes and disappears from the city of Newtopia.

Meanwhile, Prince Andrias and Barrel hear the explosion and go over to investigate. They find the room entirely destroyed. "This was Cronaxx's room," said Barrel. Andrias looks out and finds the gates of Newtopia destroyed as well. Leif and Cronaxx have escaped, thanks to their combined efforts.

"Leif, Cronaxx," said Andrias. He could only watch as two of his close friends ran away, preventing disaster to Amphibia. A disaster that Andrias ignored thanks to his family's legacy on the line. His depression was replaced with anger and deception. And a great cry rose out of the castle. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Outside the kingdom, Leif watched as Cronaxx's room exploded and he flew across the sky. On the moss man, she rode with all her might. But she knew she could never come back. All she could do was take Cronaxx's advice and leave for a new world. Never to return. But the only way to do that was to find help. "We must find the Olms," she said. "They'll know what to do. I'm sorry, my friend. This thing can't stay in Amphibia."

Darrel and Tint watched in heartbreak. "Eventually," said Cronaxx. "As I told you before, I was found by your father, he took me in, and the rest was history for our family. As for King Aldrich, he and the Core knew about the prophecy and waited for the box to eventually return. Our species were divided, thanks to the crown's rule. I've not heard from Barrel ever since, and Andrias well, my guess is he didn't want to see our painting again so…"

"So he scratched it out of anger," said Darrel. Suddenly, he starts getting vibes again. "The Core's coming back," he said. "Guard the door." Tint and Cronaxx nodded, and Darrel got back in position.

Darcy was completely recharged from their system reboot and wakes up to see Andrias burning the old portrait of him, Cronaxx, Leif, and Barrel. "Alright, you did it," said Darcy. They get up from their resting chair and walk up to Andrias. "Gold star for you bud. But now that's taken care of. Who's ready to finally start invading Earth?!"

"Ready?" Andrias asked. "After a thousand years, I've thought of nothing else." Andrias looks down at the fireplace, aware that the path he's going down is a one way trip. Darcy grinned in response, and then a familiar voice came out of them. "Why son, I think I'm almost proud of you."

Darrel gets cold chills shivering down his spine and blurts out, "King Aldrich?" Darcy turns their head, hearing Darrel's voice. "Who said that?" "I didn't say anything," replied Andrias. "No, I heard…" Then Darcy grinned again, "Well, well, well, it would seem we have a visitor."

Just then, Darrel disconnects with Darcy's collection of minds, and makes his way out of the base with his eyes closed. Making sure Darcy can't see where he is. He finds himself out of the base and into the outskirts where he first arrived in Amphibia from Earth.

Tint and Cronaxx find him looking at the Newtopian castle. "It was because of Marcy that I met you two," said Darrel. "The reason I got magical abilities, the reason my mom is still alive. She spared me from losing another family member, she saved my happiness." He tightens his grip on the Eternal Staff. "And now, she's trapped. Being used against her will! Scared, not being able to wake up from this nightmare!"

"We will stop them," said Cronaxx. "When the time is right, we will take our stand. And you two will face your enemies. Only then, will you become great wizards." Darrel and Tint smile at their guiding friend. Then, Tint had a terrible thought. "You must be careful Darrel. In order to rescue Marcy, you'll probably have to fight Darcy."

"I know Tint," said Darrel, turning back to the castle. "I know." He lets a couple tears roll down his face, then takes the photo out of his pocket and looks down at it. "But Marcy saved me. And I will not abandon her." His eyes glowed red for a brief second as he glared up at the castle. Then he started to look back at all the good memories he had of Marcy, leading up to this point. 'We're coming, Marcy,' he thought. 'And this time, we're all going home, together.'