It had been a week since the toads were expelled from the town of Wartwood, and a brief peace washed over the residents of the town. Though in a place like Amphibia, peace and tranquility were things that didn't last long before the next adventure or issue in the form of a large beast or yokai came into being. The residents of the swamp knew all too well to get too comfortable. But that didn't mean that they weren't welcoming to some extra new experiences, especially as of late.
Randy blocked a crossbow bolt with his sword before it could hit Mrs. Croaker.
"Die Sadie Croaker! Die!" Jonah laughed like a deranged lunatic as he fired another bolt at Mrs. Croaker.
Randy swatted the bolt away from the elderly frog lady with a swift slice of his sword.
"Sprig, remember when Anne told you not to obsess over someone not liking you?" Randy asked, cutting another bolt in half.
"...A little," Sprig squeaked like a scared mouse.
"Well, this is an extreme example of taking things too far!" Randy snapped, blocking another bolt.
"I agree!" Anne freaked out.
"Don't worry Mrs. Croaker I'll-" Sprig was about to jump in only to be hit by a tossed walking cane.
Mrs. Croaker jumped over Randy, tossing a large sticky ball of candy right at Jonah. The hardened sticky projectile struck Jonah's crossbow, shattering it to pieces like a bowling ball would a toothpick. She landed, whistling to her pet spider, Archie.
The little spider crawled all over Jonah, covering him head to toe in the blink of an eye in a thick web cocoon before tossing him to the wall.
"There, problem solved." Mrs. Croaker dusted off her hands.
"Wow, did not see that coming," Anne said in surprise.
"So, what's gonna happen now?" Sprig asked.
Mrs. Croaker walked up to the webbed up Jonah, making sure that he was good and well webbed up.
"Nothing. Because nothing happened here. Understood?" Mrs. Croaker pressed her cane on Sprig's face, emphasizing her point.
Anne and Sprig nodded like a couple of bubble head toys.
"Good, now listen, Sprig, why are you so obsessed with me not liking you?" Mrs. Croaker asked.
"I'm just used to being liked. Did I do something to offend you?" Sprig asked. "I'm sorry. Just tell me why!"
"I don't know, kid. Something about you just rubs me the wrong way," Mrs. Croaker shrugged. "Maybe it's that dopey face of yours or that squeaky voice. But don't fret over it. Lots of folks don't like me. Jonah doesn't." She pointed to the webbed frog.
"That's true."
"Heck, there was a time where most of the town didn't like Randy. Anne just got around to being liked." Mrs. Croaker pointed out. "So, just move on from that. But you did try to help, so I like you a little more than before."
"YES! SHE LIKES ME!" Sprig hopped in joy before Anne caught him.
"Sorry for the mess," Anne said as she left.
"Bye, Mrs. Croaker." Randy followed behind them.
"What a mess," Mrs. Croaker said. "Now, where did I put that saw?"
As they walked away from Mrs. Croaker's house, Sprig couldn't help but hop in utter joy. He'd finally gotten the old frog lady to like him. Even if it was just a little. It was a little funny for the two humans.
"She likes me! She likes me! She likes me!" Sprig threw confetti into the air with a big goofy smile on his face.
"You know that this will only annoy her from now on, right?" Randy asked.
"Oh let him be, Randy." Anne waved off. "You know how he gets when he's happy. Besides, I felt just like that when me and Wally dragged you to that adventure."
Just then, said hobo frog spotted them walking by.
"Top of the morning, Anne and Randy!" Wally greeted them from the top of a barrel. "Up for another adventure to find another mysterious yokai?! Ha!"
"You know it!" Anne called back to him.
They both laughed as Randy smiled.
After all this time, Anne was finally getting the love and acceptance of the frogs in town and Randy couldn't be happier for her. Sure, it almost got her killed a few times but the way Anne bonded and listened to the frogs was even better than how he had bonded with them. She had a knack for connecting with others and giving others a chance even if they were harsh with her. It was something that he struggled back in his early days in Amphibia. But he figured that she had her own way of reaching out to others. It made him feel better knowing that she was getting used to the swamp and the frogs that lived there.
Now getting ready for the dangers outside Frog Valley?
They still had some work to do there.
But at the very least, they were solving and helping out in Wartwood, solving any issue the townsfolks had. Which reminded them of a slight issue they had yet to figure out.
They came up to the Plantar farm with Polly waiting for them just outside the door while playing checkers with a fly bird.
"Oh hey, you guys are back," Polly said. "Hold on." She moved her chips in quick succession achieving victory. "I win!"
The fly bird knocked the game over before flying away.
"Let me guess, Hop Pop is still in the dumps?" Anne asked.
"See for yourselves."
Polly opened the door to show the sight that would've broken any man's heart: Hop Pop depressed. The old frog sat on the couch, stewing in his own misery like an old soup that barely clung to any kind of flavor. He had bags under his eyes and a black dirty beard as he laid there with flies flying over him like vultures. He hadn't bothered putting on any kind of respectable clothes apart from a pair of sweatpants and a white undershirt. By the way he smelled, he hadn't even taken a bath that morning.
The loss of the family stand was finally getting to him after everything that had happened. A look at the family savings showed that they weren't in good financial terms. Almost losing Bessie and all the crops that were ruined in the fight with the toads had forced Hop Pop into a pit of misery and a deep depression. His role as the patriarch of the family was not being fulfilled and that wasn't even the worst.
Hop Pop felt like he wasn't doing anything to help. Despite his age and years of wisdom and knowledge, he couldn't find a way to turn the situation around for his family. He felt useless and that led to him feeling stuck and unable to move on.
"Another day, another reminder that I can't do anything," Hop Pop sighed. "It feels like just yesterday when I had a stand to run and everything was right in the world." He picked up a picture of him with his stand.
The look was not good and it was making the kids feel terrible.
"I've never seen Hop Pop that down before," Randy whispered.
"Yeah, we gotta do something to cheer him up," Anne whispered back.
"You wouldn't happen to have some more of those ninja allowance left, would you?" Polly asked.
Randy pulled out his wallet only to get a puff of old dust hitting him in the face.
"Nope. I'm broke too." Randy winced at how little he could help in the aspect of financial support.
"Oh, why don't we get a job as bounty hunters?!" Sprig suggested. "Training, real-life experience and a few less bad guys to deal with."
"Okay, that might be your best idea ever, Sprig." Polly imagined herself busting down doors with a badass flailing maze and capturing criminals.
"Except that there aren't any bounties available." Randy cut their dreams of bounty hunting down. "Many of the criminals don't come this far out. The best we can do is hunt some wild dangerous animals that might be causing trouble for some quick cash. So unless you don't mind groundhog babysitting, we can go on and do that."
"Guys, come on, we gotta find something to help Hop Pop," Anne said. "And I've got just the thing." She pulled out a job application form.
"A job?" The others asked.
Anne walked into the house, getting Hop Pop's attention.
"Hey, Hop Pop," Anne said.
"Oh, hey there, Anne." Hop Pop moaned. "You need some help?"
"Yeah, I need help, helping you. Look, Hop Pop, I know that you feel like you're not going anywhere, that you have nothing to do but ride this out and it's killing you," Anne said. "What you need is another job. Another reason to get up at the crack of dawn. Something to make you feel like you're up to the task."
Anne's words stirred something inside Hop Pop. Normally, he would think that he was too old to get a new job. He'd been a farmer for decades and ran the stand all that time as well. Starting a new job out of the blue with no other experience seemed like a lost cause. But there wasn't much left for him to lose.
"I don't know Anne, you sure I'm qualified to be a 'greeter at the super market'?" Hop Pop asked as Randy and Sprig helped him off the couch.
"It wouldn't hurt to try," Anne said, as she helped fix the old frog's hair.
"Plus it gives us time to clean the couch," Polly commented before spraying some deodorant on Hop Pop.
Hop Pop found himself outside the house, looking his best but still feeling down in the dumps. He was an old man and was being told to get a job that he might not even be good for. It wasn't what he loved but it was the only thing he could do. Might as well go to the interview and see if they would take him out of pity.
"We're sorry, Mr. Plantar, but you just don't fit the kind of frog we're looking for. Have a good day."
Hop Pop walked out of the super market feeling more down in the dumps than before. His self-esteem was not going any lower because he was sure it reached the other side of the planet. There wasn't even a job for him out of pity. Ruffling his hair back to its usual look, he sighed as he continued walking until he reached the town square. There he saw a crowd of townsfolk gathering around the main building of city hall.
"What's all the commotion?" Hop Pop asked.
At the center of the congregation was a box where Mayor Toadstool and Toadie stood side by side with smiles on their faces.
"And now let the electoral campaign for mayor of Wartwood commence!" Toadie declared. "Our first candidate is none other than Mayor Toadstool." Toadie dropped the name down into the ballet with only a few unenthusiastic cheers.
"Thank you, thank you! You're all too kind," Toadstool said. "It is an honor to be nominated to such a prestigious position once more. Unopposed too. Maybe this year someone will make me work for it." Toadstool walked away leaving the crowd of frogs less than thrilled at his candidacy.
Hop Pop, already feeling pretty down himself and tired of all the issues that Toadstool and life had thrown at him, spoke his mind for the first time in a long time.
"Ha, some mayor. The guy raises our taxes and what does he do? He spends it on himself. Why this town has a lot of problems he hasn't even gotten around to fixing." His words caught the attention of everyone around him. "First, the infrastructure of our homes is falling apart." Hop Pop pointed to a building that collapsed on itself, showing a frog taking a bath. "Our streets have potholes with potholes." He turned to the streets just as a frog and their snail were swallowed up by one of the huge potholes. "And we still haven't fixed the school since the centipede attack that destroyed it!" He pointed to the ruins of what was once a school where children played, only for a giant centipede to pop out of the ground, scaring them.
The more Hop Pop spoke the more people listened and the more people agreed. Frogs and residents alike looked at each other and muttered how much his points were true. It slowly spread between the listeners, igniting a fire that had been gathering for a long time. Frogs like Stubby, S. Wardsmith, Wally and Felicia looked at each other, pointing out how much Hop Pop was saying what they were all thinking. Even the resident newts and other species like Duckweed, Loggle and Julian agreed with the sentiment.
"Well I say that this town needs something more than someone that only looks out for themselves! It needs someone that will actually try to do what's right!" Hop Pop let out a breath. "Man, ranting felt good. Sorry for taking your time and disrupting the peace everyone."
Hop Pop turned to leave only for Wally to grab his hand and raise it high in the air.
"I nominate Hoppedaiah Plantar as mayoral candidate!" Wally cried out.
"Seconded!" Felicia added.
"It's settled then!" S. Wardsmith wrote Hop Pop's name and tossed it in the ballet. "Welcome to politics, Hop Pop!"
"Hop Pop! Hop Pop! Hop Pop!" The crowd cheered, listing Hop Pop over their shoulders and carrying him like a folk hero.
At that moment, Hop Pop felt something he hadn't felt in a long time. He felt like he was useful, and could help others more than anything else. It wasn't a job he wanted but it was the job others needed him to take. A smile appeared on his face as he knew exactly what he had to do. He would run for mayor, he'd do his best for his people and he would make them all proud!
However, what Hop Pop did not notice was that the sudden cheer brought the attention of three spirits. Three yokai that looked at the congregation of frogs not far from them.
"Oh this is a change."
"What should we do?"
"What we do best, brothers."
"Make a lot of chaos in the process!" The three yokai cried out in gleeful cheer as the frogs and citizens of Wartwood cheered for Hop Pop.
Hop Pop returned home with a smile on his face.
"Heya kids!" Hop Pop called out.
"Hey, Hop Pop!"
"Someone's in a good mood," Randy noted.
"And not reeking of failure," Polly added.
"Did you get the job at the supermarket?" Sprig asked.
"Nope," Hop Pop said with a smile.
"Oh that's great-What did you say?" Anne asked with a confused look. "Then why are you so happy?"
"Because I'm running for mayor!"
Everyone looked at Hop Pop like he'd just grown a second head.
"What? Hop Pop, are you serious?" Randy asked.
"I am. I gotta go and prepare for the trials to become mayor and refresh myself on all the laws." Hop Pop walked to his study with his head held high. "Oh, I should also work on a speech or two."
As soon as he closed the door, the rest of the household were left to digest what they had just heard. Hop Pop had gone to the supermarket to get a 'greeter' job and he'd come back now running for office.
"Wow, talk about a turn," Sprig said.
"I wonder how I can use Hop Pop's new political powers to my advantage." Polly rubbed her hands in a scheming fashion.
"Guys, no, this is serious." Anne stood up. "HP was miserable without the stand, imagine how it would be if he loses this race. We have to help him!"
"It's not just that, Anne. There hasn't been a frog mayor in Wartwood since I can remember," Randy said. "Unless someone took over while I was gone?" He looked to Sprig and Polly, only for them to shake their heads.
"Wait, seriously?" Anne didn't understand it. "There hasn't been a frog mayor in a town full of frogs? How does that work?"
Randy, Sprig and Polly all just shrugged, uncertain as to how that was possible. It was one of those things that started so long ago that no one could tell why it was. Like an old law that seemed useful or with reason back when it was first installed but now it was more detrimental and unimportant.
"Well, looking past that for now, we still have to help Hop Pop," Anne said.
"You can count on us, Anne!" Sprig hopped on the table with a proud stance along with Randy and Polly.
"That's great guys, now how do you become mayor here?" Anne asked. "Back home it's all about kissing babies, shaking hands and posing."
The next day, the whole town gathered up before Duckweed and Julian. Julian carried a large book with a golden cover that read 'Mayoral Trials'. He opened it up for Duckweed to read out loud for all to hear.
"According to tradition, the title of mayor will test the candidates in three trials that must be passed along with a final confrontation." Duckweed explained to all those present. "Each of these trials will test a different responsibility that a mayor has to uphold."
"We shall proceed to the first trial now." Julian gestured behind them to reveal a large rhino beetle that looked ready to smash everything in sight with its massive horn. "A good mayor must look at every challenge like it is something important, given that even the slightest issue can become bigger problems later on."
The rhino beetle roared in anger against the chains that held it.
"Okay, this is nothing like I imagined." Anne said, a little stunned.
"A mayor has to be able to counter threats from the outside that could harm the town they are in charge of," Duckweed explained. "All you need to do is stop the beetle before it causes any major damage."
"Or kills you," Julian added.
"That too."
Anne pulled Randy, Sprig and Polly together to form a plan.
"Okay guys, there's no way Hop Pop can take on that thing on his own," Anne said. "We need to give him a weapon or armor or something before he becomes Hop Pancake."
"We could use some tranquilizers to stop the beetle if it gets too dangerous," Randy suggested. "But Hop Pop can't receive any outside help in this trial according to the rules."
"Maybe we can distract it?" Sprig suggested. "I can be pretty annoying."
"I can vouch for that." Polly rolled her eyes.
"Then all we gotta do is make a lot of noise and then it'll steer away from HP and come after us," Anne decided.
They separated unaware that the three yokai had heard everything.
They giggled to themselves before swiftly moving towards the large rhino beetle. The first of the yokai stepped forth, revealing its appearance. It was a small fox-like yokai with lustrous yellow fur, a pair of sharp ears that stood upright, and a sneaky smile that could be met at any gambler's den and be respected.
This was Kitsune, a mischievous fox spirit. They looked at the rhino beetle before an idea struck them. They clicked their tongue, getting the beetle's attention. The large bug looked at the yokai with curiosity as Kitsune gestured for it to get closer. As soon as the beetle was close enough, Kitsune began its trickery.
First, it pulled out two strands of its fur, creating two duplicates of itself. The first one transformed into a tiny chibi version of the beetle while the second and third ones turned into chibi versions of Toadstool and Hop Pop. They then proceeded to do a little dance for the beetle, which it found delightful and fun.
The miniature copies of the three started playing pranks on each other with chibi Toadstool and Hop Pop targeting the beetle in particular. They would throw cake in its face, kick them on the behind and cheat it out of money. All of that was starting to tick off the rhino beetle a little. And then, it all culminated with the chibi rhino beetle being pants in front of its crush and getting their face painted like that of a clown.
The larger beetle was no longer having fun, snorting loudly and angrily at the little show that was taking place before him.
And to end the show, chibi Toadstool and Hop Pop pulled out a sign that read 'And your mom was a slug too.'
The rhino beetle roared in fury, breaking free from its chain. Fire filled its eyes as it eyed both Toadstool and Hop Pop with rage.
"The beetle is loose!" A frog called out as the beetle charged at the two contestants.
"Oh, trial starts now!" Duckweed jumped out of the way as the beetle charged the candidates.
"Wait, what?!" Toadstool let out before the rhino beetle swung its horn at him, sending him flying over his head.
Hop Pop jumped out of the way of the attack but the beetle quickly ran after him. He hoped and ran away from the beetle as it chased him in circles with all its might. The wrath of the large insect could be heard from the loud snorting and roaring it let out, giving Hop Pop little to no room for doubt: This was a test against a real threat. He quickly jumped out of the way just as Toadstool fell back down to earth.
"Ow, shouldn't have had those cricket nuggets before this," Toadstool groaned.
He screamed as the beetle ran him over like a tumbleweed that had crossed the road.
"That thing's going to kill them!" Randy called out.
"This is far more intense than any political debate back home!" Anne added. "Hey, ugly over here!" She waved her hands as Sprig and Polly called the beetle names.
But nothing they did made the beetle lose interest in the old frog and the toad it was beating up.
"Something's wrong," Julian said. "The beetle wasn't this angry before."
"That's all I need to-" Randy tripped down to the ground.
He looked down to see his laces had been tied together without him noticing.
"What the juice?!" Randy tried to pull off his shoes.
Hop Pop continued running for his life as the beetle once more ran over Toadstool. The creature was madder than any critter he'd ever seen. Something had made it that angry and was directing its wrath at them. If this continued, he and the others watching this trial would get hurt badly. He needed to calm the big beast down somehow or at least trap it.
The old frog's eyes scanned the area, assessing the situation. The chain wasn't any good, he couldn't use Randy's sword even if his life depended on it, and there was no stall-Wait! His eyes landed in a big old tree stump. It was big enough to stop anything big running at great speeds.
"Let's hop this works," Hop Pop said. "Hey, I made a pun." He jumped straight to the stump, landing before it.
Making sure that his body covered as much of the stump as possible, Hop Pop whistled, getting the beetle's attention.
The rhino beetle continued beating up the toad, trying to strangle him. Then the whistle caught its attention like a dinner bell.
"Hey, big ugly brute, your dad was a stinky larva!" Hop Pop called out, waving like crazy.
The rhino beetle roared in pure anger at his father's honor being insulted. It charged at Hop Pop like an angry locomotive.
Hop Pop waited for the beetle to get close enough, even if every cell in his body told him to jump out now. Just as he could see the snorting nostrils of the giant insect, he jumped. Hop Pop's body flew over the rhino beetle as the beetle crashed into the large tree that appeared before it. Its large horn pierced the wood as Hop Pop landed behind it.
The rhino beetle fell down, knocked out from the collision with the old tree stump, much to the relief of everyone else.
"Hoppedaiah Plantar wins the first trial!" Duckweed called out with everyone cheering in unison.
"Say wha?" Hop Pop couldn't believe it himself before the crowd gathered around him to celebrate.
Toadstool got picked up by Toadie and was dragged away after the savage beating he'd received.
"You did it, Hop Pop!" Sprig and Polly hugged their grandfather. "That was awesome!"
"It was a close one, that beetle was as angry as a toad with a toothache," Hop Pop giggled.
Randy heard someone laughing behind them in a whisper. He turned his head to see who it had been. But there was nothing there, only some rustling leaves from the wind blowing. Some would say that it was nothing more than a trick of the imagination or the laughter of one of the frogs amongst the crowd. However, Randy couldn't shake the feeling that something else was making light of this situation. The suddenly angry rhino beetle's rampage and his feet being tied together like that without anyone noticing were strange enough. His warrior instincts were not ones to let strange happenings like that go without being examined.
"Yo, Randy, everything good, dude?" Anne asked.
"Yeah, but I think we should keep our eyes open for anything going on." Randy kept looking at the bushes, searching for any clues. "This trial was too dangerous for my liking."
The three yokai laughed as they reenacted the close calls and beatings both Hop Pop and Toadstool went through. Their thirst for mischief had been wetted and they wanted more.
"So, who's up next?" Kitsune asked.
"That would be me, brother. It'll be so much fun!" The second yokai giggled.
"Oh I'm getting pop corn for this one," the third yokai added.
The town moved on to the edge of a cliff where a large nest awaited them. The nest was filled with large baby birds as big as Randy and Anne, and they were all crying for food and their mother.
"Being mayor is knowing what the people want and need to be happy and content," Duckweed explained. "These baby birds are calling out for something. What is that something?"
"You might want to find out fast, their mother is bound to return soon," Julian added, keeping an eye out for it.
Toadstool scoffed at the challenge.
"I know what these little chicks want." Toadstool walked up to the baby birds with a bag of coppers. "They want money to buy some grub. Here you go." He handed the babies some golden copper coins like he was giving money to some beggar on the street.
"Is he seriously giving babies money?" Anne asked.
"Yeah, lucky," Polly crossed her arms.
However, the baby chicks took exactly two seconds of looking at the gold before tossing it back at Toadstool like it was garbage.
"Okay, settle down. Would five more coppers make you feel better?"
Toadstool's answer came in the form of the babies biting and pecking him in a feathered fury of angry hungry chicks. The toad was forced to run back covered in scratches, peck marks and more than a few traumas about how money doesn't solve everything.
As Hop Pop observed the situation, the second yokai emerged from the shadows. This one looked like a small demonic-looking imp with blue skin, and fiery red hair. It looked almost like a little kid with a mischievous smile on their face apart from the small fangs that poked out. This was Makuragaeshi, another mischievous prankster.
It looked up, spotting the mama bird getting closer to the nest. It dug its hand deep in the earth pulling out a large worm. It whistled loudly, catching the attention of the large bird. The bird followed Makuragaeshi's movements, keeping track of the worn it had pulled out from the ground.
"Go fetch!" Makuragaeshi tossed the large worm at Hop Pop's feet.
"Huh? I was just looking for one of these," Hop Pop said.
"Um, who threw that thing?" Randy asked just as the large shadow of the mama bird passed them over.
They all looked up to see it circling down towards Hop Pop at great speeds.
"That's not good," Sprig said.
"Hop Pop, get rid of that thing!" Anne called out.
"Huh?" Hop Pop then saw the large bird flying down towards him with its talons raised at him. "Oh no!"
Hop Pop jumped out of the way as the bird scratched the ground where the old frog had been just a few seconds ago. It circled back, chasing after Hop Pop like a bloodhound ready to catch its prey. Its talons reached out for Hop Pop and the worm he still carried in his hands. But the old frog was so small that it managed to avoid them every single time.
"Okay, I'm going in!" Randy rushed in, only to trip over a pillow someone had left by his feet. "Seriously?! Who just leaves a pillow lying around?!"
"Okay, that is weird," Anne commented.
"Fluffy though," Sprig touched it.
"Hop Pop, get rid of the worm!" Randy called out, kicking the pillow away.
Randy was about to rush in but Hop Pop then got an idea. He ate the worm in one bite.
"That just made it worse, didn't it?" Polly asked.
"Totally," Anne replied.
However, Hop Pop rushed straight for the nest while the bird was right behind him. As he ran, Hop Pop chewed on the large worm until it was mush. With one desperate hop, the old frog made it to the nest, presenting the mashed up worm.
The baby birds observed the grounded and salivated food being presented to them. They smelled it, understanding that it was food. Their instincts kicked in and began to eat it.
The mama bird stopped and watched as Hop Pop fed the baby birds like they were his own. The act of kindness calmed the bird enough to stop trying to catch Hop Pop. It just watched carefully.
It surprised the crowd enough to cheer.
Well, most of them.
"Ew." Anne gagged at the scene.
"That's how he fed us when we were little," Sprig commented at the fond memory.
"Still gross." Polly didn't share in the fondness.
The chicks finished up the food Hop Pop had given them and calmed down once their bellies were full.
"There we go, all satisfied and happy," Hop Pop sighed as the mama bird stepped down to the nest.
The frogs cheered as Hop Pop covered another trial.
And then the large bird screeched at them, forcing the whole town to flee in utter terror.
Once more Randy heard someone laughing at the event. He turned around to look at who was laughing but he didn't see anything. Which made him feel all the more suspicious.
"Okay, something is definitely going on," Randy muttered as everyone ran from the giant bird.
"Let's hope the next trial is less dangerous!" Anne screamed.
"No it won't." A third voice muttered.
The whole town stood in front of a thick part of the swamp as Hop Pop and Toadstool were taken deeper into the swamp by Randy. They were both blindfolded and with no idea where they were going.
"So, what's this trial supposed to be?" Anne asked.
"Sometimes being mayor is like being stuck in an uncharted place and forced to find your way back to civilization," Julian explained.
"So that's what we did," Duckweed added. "The two candidates must make their way back from the heart of the swamp before nightfall."
"Man, Amphibia politics are hardcore," Anne muttered as all they could do now was wait.
Randy took the blindfolds off from both contestants once they were deep enough in the swamp.
"Alright you two, as much as I'd like to point things out for you, I must remain unbiased," Randy said. "You both have four hours before nightfall to get back to the edge of the swamp where everyone will be waiting. Good luck. Smokebomb." Randy disappeared in a puff of smoke before the two candidates.
Randy peered out from the shadows of the trees, watching from above like a bird of prey. However, he wasn't looking at the two contestants but instead he was searching. Searching for whoever was making all these pranks and attempts to sabotage the trials. He couldn't tell who it was but one thing was certain; they were playing with fire.
"Hm, I suppose we should start heading back," Hop Pop said, checking on the moss on the nearby trees. "This is deep green moss, it's particularly damp at the center of the swamp. Which would mean that we're about an hour or so-" Toadstool knocked Hop Pop down as he sprinted deeper into the swamp.
"Smell ya later, old frog!" Toadstool ran through the vegetation around them without a clear clue of where he was going. "I'll send you a postcard back from Wartwood!"
Hop Pop pulled himself from the mud before noticing a blue bug struggling on its back. Acting on his own kindness, the patriarch of the Plantar clan flipped the bug gently back on its legs.
"There you go little fella," Hop Pop said. "I don't suppose you'll tell me where I'm supposed to go, do you?"
The small blue bug chirped at Hop Pop, climbing on top of his shoulder pointing south.
Hop Pop looked in that direction and then at the place where he had been left.
"Well, the moss does point out that we're at least a few kilometers north of the swamp's edge. So going south is our best bet," Hop Pop said. "He, you are a smart little fella. You remind me of an old friend of mine called Jeremaiah. But we called him Jeremy for short. Would you mind if I called you Jeremy?"
The bug chirped, nodding its head before doing a little dance.
"Hee, hee, Jeremy you crack me up." Hop Pop laughed as they walked on back to the edge of the swamp.
Randy watched it all happen from the top of the tree. He was sure that Hop Pop would find his way back and Toadstool would stumble back at some point. But he was there on a mission.
The strange happenings had to have a motive. Someone was trying to get this mayoral campaign to go off the rails. The question was who and with what purpose? The attacks didn't seem aimed at Hop Pop and Toadstool always seemed to get caught in the crossfire. Randy would understand if the acts were meant to take Hop Pop out or help Toadstool. The toad was losing and losing badly and with his previous scam with the tax money, he wasn't the most beloved. But everything seemed too random and chaotic to properly aid or hamper either Hop Pop or Toadstool.
The best he could do was follow them both and wait.
"So which one do we go after first?"
Randy's ears perked up at the question. He maintained his stealth as he turned towards the sound of the questions. He looked down, spotting the two previous yokai popping out of the bushes.
"I don't know." Kitsune scratched their chin. "The old frog is pretty crafty, a worthy challenge."
"I say we go for the fat toad, it's been funny to see him fumble and stumble his way through things." Makuragaeshi countered.
"You two forget that it's my turn." The third yokai stepped out.
The third yokai looked like a tall skinny green tree wearing a turtle shell. Its limbs were long and gangly like toothpicks but its hands had long sharp claws that could grip and webbed fingers. The head was covered with shaggy hair and a dish at the very top where a small pool of water laid. And then there was the long beak that looked just like a dog's flattened snout. This was a Garappa yokai.
"And I say we pull some tricks on the toad, maybe give him a bath or two," Garappa said. "The old frog could die if we aren't careful here."
"Okay," Kitsune shrugged.
"It's your turn anyway," Makuragaeshi added.
Garappa grinned as it jumped into a nearby river and swam after Toadstool.
Randy narrowed his eyes and took after the yokai.
"Three yokai causing mayhem," Randy muttered to himself as he jumped from branch to branch. "I don't know what they're after but I am not gonna let that happen." He swung through the air, using his scarf as a line.
Toadstool continued running while panting. He'd be at the edge of the swamp in minutes and then everything would be right in the world. He was mayor for a reason. Sure he liked to take a few coppers here and there and get a few luxuries thrown his way but he was sure that no one would mind. No one important that is.
"Alright, and I should be with the people in three… two… one-AAAHHH!"
Toadstool slipped down a drop rolling down to the bottom, and hitting every rock and branch on the way. He screamed and yelped and cried in pain as his suit got torn apart by the fall before falling inside a pond. A few bubbles floated to the surface before Toadstool broke the surface of the pond, coughing at the pains covering his body.
"Ow, what did I do to deserve this?" Toadstool asked. "Seriously, what specific thing did I do to deserve this?"
A pair of hands quietly rose up behind him unnoticed.
"Oh well, at least things can't get any worse now," Toadstool said.
The hands grabbed him, pulling him under the water. Toadstool tried to get out of the water, struggling against the strong grip that held him. He screamed and cried out for help only to be pulled back in. Whatever got him was letting him go up and then back down to the water before being dragged around the pond right and left like a dog dragging a big, heavy bone. All the while Toadstool screamed in holy terror as he got tossed and turned like a toy in someone else's swimming pool.
The Garappa was having fun, messing with Toadstool was much more entertaining than with the older frog. It swam quickly around the pond, dragging the toad as it flailed and screamed like a little baby. Pulling him under water, it gave him a hungry snarl and terrifying face to seal the deal.
Toadstool screamed loudly, releasing a large amount of bubbles from his mouth as he swam for the surface.
Garappa grabbed his leg, pulling him back down as he was about to break the surface. It released Toadstool once more, letting him swim back up with all his strength only to pull them back down again and again.
Just then, a branch poked into view.
Toadstool reached out, grabbing it. He pulled himself out just as Garappa fought to pull him back in once more. But the stubborn toad wasn't going to get eaten or toyed with any longer. He pulled himself out, feeling his body being stretched out more than ever in his life. He could hear the branch creaking and getting pulled deeper and deeper, like it was about to snap.
A sharp blade cut through the water, forcing Garappa to release Toadstool.
As soon as the yokai did, Toadstool shot out of the pond and into the air. He cried out in fear and shock as he crashed into the swamp trees, branches and mud. Every hit hurt his body and his pride before he abruptly landed face-first on the mud.
Randy landed next to him as he saw the toad completely passed out.
"I guess there are worse ways to escape." Randy grabbed Toadstool's hand and dragged him back to the others, while a wild critter bit Toadstool's buttcheek.
The trials had ended for the day.
Toadstool had regained consciousness and walked the last few steps out of the swamp. He was shivering, cold, wet and naked. Not to mention that he felt completely humiliated.
"Here you go, sir. One warm robe from your favorite walk-in closet." Toadie covered the mayor before he died of the elements.
"This isn't good, Toadie. I might lose this election." A dreadful thought in more than one aspect for him and for the message that it might send. "It's time to do the best thing politics has taught me. Bribery. Get the carriage ready."
"At once, sir. Would you like a bath first?" Toadie asked.
"Get the carriage ready after the bath," Toadstool rephrased at the thought of a hot bath after that horrible ordeal.
Back at the Plantar house, Randy told Anne and the Plantars what he'd seen in the swamp.
"Three yokai?!" Hop Pop asked in shock. "What could they want with the election?"
"I don't know, but tomorrow's the last event," Randy replied calmly. "I'm not sure what they might do or what their intentions are but they can't be good."
"If you ask me, they all sound like pranks to me," Polly said.
"They actually kinda do," Anne thought about it out-loud.
Randy wasn't sure if he could agree with them. Or what kind of pranks they were thinking of. But what was clear was that they were messing with the election and that could be dangerous. He needed to stop them before they pulled something worse.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
They all went to the door, opening up to reveal a cloaked Toadie.
"A certain someone would like a word," Toadie whispered slowly.
"You mean Mayor Toadstool," Anne didn't question it.
"No comment," Toadie replied.
"Toadie, we know it's the mayor," Randy replied with a bored expression on his face.
"I said no comment!" Toadie doubled down on his mysterious routine.
Hop Pop climbed inside the Mayor's carriage where Toadstool awaited him. The big toad was calmly sipping on a drink when Hop Pop sat down.
"Alright, Hoppedaiah, I will go straight to the point: I want you to lose tomorrow's election." Toadstool said with a calm tone.
"Well yeah, I figured," Hop Pop replied with a clear and unimpressed tone.
"No, I mean, I want you to lose on purpose." Toadstool clarified for the old frog. "Look, you're a farmer, you don't know the first thing about running a town. There are things that you don't even know how they work. So, listen, to sweeten the deal, I promise that if you take a dive in the last trial, I'll give you back your stand."
Hop Pop looked at Toadstool in shock.
"Wait, are you being serious?" Hop Pop asked.
"Yes I am. You can have it as big as you want in the center of the market with a discount on the rent," Toadstool said, trying to sell Hop Pop on the idea. "All the financial security you could ever want for. Tell ya what, why don't you sleep on it and then do the right thing tomorrow?"
Hop Pop looked down in thought as he left the carriage and made it back to the house.
Randy, Anne, Sprig and Polly looked at Hop Pop as he continued to look down in thought.
"Hop Pop, you okay?" Anne asked. "You look a little deep in thought."
"Well, um, Mayor Toadstool is making me an offer I'm not sure I can refuse," Hop Pop sighed. "He says that if I lose tomorrow on purpose, he'll give us the stand back."
"What?!" They all screamed.
"Hop Pop, you can't take that bribe!" Randy said. "Toadstool knows he's gonna lose and he's trying to buy you out."
"That's pretty low if you ask me," Sprig added.
"Yeah, you should've asked for more." Polly commented with a chaotic smirk.
"Polly!" Anne snapped.
"Kids, if I get the stand back, then I can get our financial security back," Hop Pop said. "This way I can ensure your futures if anything happens. Maybe I'm not cut out for being a politician. I just don't know."
"But Hop Pop, what about the yokai messing with the trials? They might not want Toadstool to win," Randy countered. "I don't know what they're up to but you can't let your guard down."
Hop Pop sighed once more. It seemed that no matter what he did, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. The safety and security of his family was his priority, but he also knew Toadstool was one to come short on his deals. Why did he get involved in such a dirty thing like politics?
The night had come for the fourth and final trial: a good old fashion boxing match. The town hall was packed full with all the citizens of Wartwood. Everyone was packed in a single room where a boxing ring had been set up with posters and banners of the two candidates preparing for the match. They both stood inside the ring with their boxing gloves being fitted for the fight and their respective teams in their corners.
"Alright, Hop Pop, keep your distance and aim for the belly," Randy tightened the glove on Hop Pop's hand. "Toadstool might be bigger but he's also slower. Use your speed to get in and then move out."
"And if you can get him to tire himself out that would also be a plus," Sprig added.
"I say go for the groin and end it," Polly suggested without any shame.
"You okay, Hop Pop?" Anne asked, fitting his other glove.
"Yeah, I'm okay for the most part." Hop Pop looked at his gloves. "But I still don't know what to do."
Anne placed her hand on his shoulder comforting him.
"No matter what you do, just know that we're proud that you tried to make a difference and help people out," Anne said, making the old frog feel a little better about his situation.
"Both candidates come to the center of the ring!"
Hop Pop and Toadstool walked to the center where Duckweed waited for them.
"Alright you two, I want a clean fight amongst you and no underhanded blows below the belt," Duckweed instructed. "The winner is the last amphibian standing. Shake each other's hands now before the bell rings."
The frog in charge of the bell suddenly woke up at the mention of ringing bells..
"Ring the bell!" He tongued the bell, starting the match.
Toadstool didn't waste a second, taking a swing at Hop Pop's head.
Hop Pop ducked under the swing as Duckweed jumped out of the way. The smaller frog dusked and dodged the swings coming at him from Toadstool like Randy had instructed him. But Toadstool wasn't letting up with the swings. He was bigger and hit harder than Hop Pop but at least the old frog was smaller. Holding up his gloves, Hop Pop managed to block one of the punches. But he was still sent back flying against the ropes.
Ironically, the ropes sent Hop Pop straight back to Toadstool like a pebble being shot by a slingshot. The old frog hit Toadstool square in the stomach, making him double over in pain. The softness of Toadstool's belly made Hop Pop bounce back only to get shot right back at the toad, hitting them in the face and down to the floor.
"That's got to be against the rules," he wheezed in pain, trying to pull himself up.
"I don't think I should be bouncing around so much at my age." Hop Pop stumbled with his head spinning after so much bouncing like a pinball.
At the back with the crowd, Kitsune, Makuragaeshi and Garappa laughed at the spectacle before them. The slip ups, the bouncing and the counters were clearly the work of a master of comedy. It was slapstick at its finest and they couldn't get enough of it.
"Ha, ha, look at 'em go!" Makuragaeshi laughed as it chucked some popcorn.
"I must take notes for future tricks." Kitsune tried to hold back a laugh while they were hitting their heads and made fools out of each other.
"Hey, did we have something planned for this as a grand finale?" Garappa asked, sipping from his drink.
The other two yokai looked up in thought. It would be a waste to not throw something out. The two amphibians were far too entertaining to leave high and dry like that. They were the best troublemakers in town and they had to make something to truly show everyone that they were the best. Change seldom chrome to Wartwood and this was the chance to make a statement to last an age.
But what to do to make for the grand finale?
"How about we make a big Oni appear?" Makuragaeshi suggested.
"Nah. How about some illusions?" Kitsune followed up.
"Well, how about we make a large tree emerge from the ring and give them both a wedgie?" Garappa suggested. "I can use the water, Makuragaeshi can control the ground and kitsune can use the seeds."
Kitsune and Makuragaeshi looked at each other in thought. It was simple and it seemed like the best way to get in on the fun all together.
"That is a magnificent idea, my friend." Kitsune patted his friend's back.
"Yeah, can you imagine the look on their faces?" Makuragaeshi snickered with mischief.
"A little like yours are about to look, I'd say."
A red scarf wrapped around the three yokai, binding them tightly in a strong hold unable to escape. They were pulled back with great force. Something kicked them before pinning them to the ground. The three yokai struggled and thrashed against the red scarf that held them. But they couldn't get themselves free.
"So all this was a prank spree?" A lit fire sword appeared next to their faces, scaring them.
The three yokai looked up to see Randy standing over them with a ticked off glare. And like three children after being caught, they freaked out at the sight of him.
"Well?" Randy looked at them with a sterner look.
"Um, yeah, it was all harmless fun!" Kitsune cracked first.
"We didn't mean to hurt anyone!" Makugaraeshi added with tears in their eyes.
"I'm sorry for messing with the toad!" Garappa cried out in utter fear. "We're sorry!"
Randy was a little annoyed that these three had just made a bunch of pranks that put people in danger. But he didn't sense any malice coming off of them. They were pranksters and troublemakers at most and thankfully no one had gotten hurt. The most he'd do was scold them and have them be where he could see them instead of running loose and causing more trouble.
On the other hand…
Randy lifted them up before he proceeded to hit them over the head until they grew large painful bumps. He had to make sure they knew they had to get punished.
"Alright, but you're coming with me and you better not make any more pranks for the rest of the night." Randy dragged the three yokai back with everyone else, hoping that the match was still going in Hop Pop's favor.
Hop Pop got hit once more, going down. It had been a tough fight, mostly because he had been put against someone at least half his age and with more muscle and fat. He was tired and Toadstool's promise hung in his mind like a carrot.
"Okay, you gave them a show, now stay down," Toadstool gasped, heaving and sweating like a pig in a heatwave.
Hop Pop was tempted to just lay down and get the stand back. But something kept him from passing out in peace. His eyes landed on his grandkids, Anne and Randy.
"Come on, Hop Pop! Get up!" Sprig called out.
"You can do it!" Polly screamed.
"We believe in you!" Anne cheered him on.
"You can kick his butt!" Randy cheered… while holding on to three yokai?
For a second, Hop Pop thought that he was seeing things.
But the cheers of the crowd began to reach him. They were calling his name. They were asking him to keep going. They believed in him. They trusted him to do right by them. Them… That was it. The answer!
Hop Pop pulled himself right back up, rejuvenated and stronger than before. Their cheers and their support gave him back his strength.
"What? What are you doing?!" Toadstool punched Hop Pop over and over but the old frog just stood there strong. "You could've had your stand back! You could've had anything you'd wanted! Why get back up?!"
"Because this is not about me!" Hop Pop returned the blows, hitting lightning fast against Toadstool.
Hop Pop jumped back before jumping forward. His right arm landed a devastating uppercut on Toadstool's jaw, sending the toad to the floor.
Everyone gasped in shock as Duckweed checked on Toadstool.
"Knock out. It's a knockout!" Duckweed called it.
"The winner is Hoppedaiah Plantar!" Julian added as the ball rang.
Everyone cheered as they lifted the old frog over their shoulders.
Hop Pop felt like he was at the top of the world. The victory would signal a new change for Wartwood. He would help his community and make sure their needs were met. This was the start of something better.
The day of the vote count had arrived and everyone waited with baited breath for the results. Even the yokai pranksters waited to see who had won.
Toadie came up with the results in hand.
"With a landslide amount of 200 votes, all of Wartwood, Hoppedaiah Plantar!" Toadie revealed.
Everyone cheered at the old frog's victory.
"And with a whooping 1800 votes and your mayor once again, Mayor Toadstool!" Toadie revealed much to the shock of everyone.
"WHAT?!" Everyone cried out.
"The rest of Frog valley voted for Mayor Toadstool, so it only makes sense that he won," Toadie explained like it was just basic knowledge.
Everyone in town was flabbergasted at the revelation. All this effort and work and the rest of the valley voted for Toadstool?! It was unbelievable.
Hop Pop was the most confused out of everyone, looking down in thought. He tried to make sense of what had happened. But it just didn't make sense.
"Phew, man, that was a close one. You really gave this old toad a run for his money, Hoppedaiah," Toadstool spoke in a slightly more humble tone than one would expect. "Well, at least you know that everyone in Wartwood loves you. Surprised everyone else didn't."
"I don't understand, since when does the rest of the valley get a vote in the mayoral position of a single town?" Hop Pop asked.
"Wait, so you didn't campaign outside of Wartwood? You didn't know?" Toadstool asked, surprised.
"I'm a Theater Mayor for cricket's sake. How was I supposed to know that?1" Hop Pop asked still getting over the revelation of the bogus electoral system Amphibia had.
"Hang on, you really didn't know? Wow, that's wow." Toadstool sobered up, patting Hop Pop in the shoulder with actual pity. "That really takes the joy out of winning the election."
"The party with the cricket nuggets and the hot tub is ready, Mayor Toadstool," Toadie commented from behind.
"Well, almost all the joy." Toadstool perked up slightly before leaving Hop Pop.
Down amongst the crowd, Randy turned to the three prankster yokai with an annoyed look.
"Okay, you can prank the mayor and Toadie, but don't kill them or drown them," Randy said.
Kitsune, Makugaraeshi and Garappa laughed as they rushed after Toadstool and Toadie with different pranks flooding their minds.
After the crowd scattered, Randy, Anne, Sprig and Polly walked up to their grandpa as he sat down on the steps. He hadn't said a word since the results of the election and had just sat there. They feared that he'd gone back down to the depression he'd had before all this began.
"Hey, Hop Pop, how are you doing?" Anne asked.
"Doing great, thanks for asking." Hop Pop turned to look at them with a bright look on his face.
They looked at each other in surprise, wondering if they heard him right.
"I didn't notice any bit of sarcasm there," Randy said. "Hop Pop, you know you lost the election, right? Aren't you sad?"
"Or devastated?" Polly added.
"We thought you'd be crushed." Anne and the others sat down next to Hop Pop.
"I mean, I was for a little bit. And sure I would've loved to have won. But hey, I did my best even when everything was against me," Hop Pop said. "And sometimes knowing you did your best is all you need. Thanks for sticking with me all this time, kids."
"Any day, Hop Pop." Sprig, Anne, Randy and Polly hugged their grandfather, hoping to make him feel better.
Someone cleared their throat, getting the family's attention. They turned and saw the rest of the town looking at them with small smiles.
"Oh hey everyone, is everything alright?" Hop Pop asked.
"Actually, Hoppadiah, we got you a little something." S. Wardsmith and the other frogs led Hop Pop and the rest of the group to a spot on the market.
Hop Pop's eyes widened as he saw his old stand right there before his eyes. It looked brand new, all cleaned up and with a new coat of paint. A gasp of shock and amazement exited his mouth as he rushed over to look at it.
"I-I-I don't believe this," Hop Pop said. "How did you folks pull this off?"
"Well, we all pitched in and decided to give you a little something, Hoppadiah," Felicia said.
"It ain't much but we all made sure it looked just like you remember it," Stumpy added.
"But why? I lost," Hop Pop couldn't understand why they'd do this if he couldn't help them.
"So what? You stood up for us and gave these old frogs something we haven't had in a long time," S. Wardsmith spoke in his usual matter-of-fact tone.
"Hope," Wally finished up.
Even if he had lost the election, Hop Pop stood up for his people. He had managed to ignite the feeling of hope that there would be better things coming to them. That the monotony and lack of care of others didn't have to be the word of the day. They now saw that there was a chance for a better tomorrow waiting for them and they were more than happy to repay the frog that gave them that spark back.
"I-I don't know what to say, but thank you." Hop Pop felt a tear run down his cheek. "I promise to make you all feel proud. I'll set up the stand right away, I'll move the apples away from the radishes-Meh, I'll fix that later. Right now, there's one more thing to do."
Everyone gathered around the stand as the camera took a picture of the new stand and the people that helped an old frog feel special.