28. Breaking of the Fellowship

Luz looked over her cauldron, making sure that her potion was brewing correctly. She was trying to brew a healing potion to help mend broken bones. Over on the other side of town Gustav was helping to rebuild a house, while Amara and Lilly were taking care of a wounded frog. Luz wasn't sure how much time had passed since the battle but it felt like ages. For the first few nights Luz and the others had kept a rotating watch just in case Uodeela managed to come back. As the nights went on though, it became clear that she wasn't going to return and the group had stopped keeping watches. Instead they spent their days doing their best to help the villagers recover from the battle. Initially that had involved gathering up and burring the bodies of the fallen, a task none of them had looked forward to, and tying to asses what to do next. After that the students had begun brewing up potions to help the wounded, they had also rebuilt some houses and gathered food for the people of Tadpole Pond. Right now Luz was watching over a healing potion as the sun began to set. Lilly came over to check on her.

"Hey Luz, how's the potion looking?" asked Lilly.

"Looks fine," replied Luz, as she glanced at the potion, "how is Mrs. Hopper?"

"She's fine, a lot tougher than she looks," answered Lilly, "still getting over the loss of her husband, but she opened up a bit to Amara. Said that maybe she should consider moving to Newtopia to get a fresh start."

"Huh, I wonder if it really would be safer in the city?" thought Luz.

"I imagine it's as safe a place as can be in Amphibia," said Lilly, "but considering what Uodeela said about the Newts well who knows? Maybe it's only safe for Newts?"

Luz didn't respond instead she glanced out at the forest, looking at the trees her eyes ready for any glimpse of movement. Lilly noticed what she was doing.

"You still think there's a chance?" she asked.

Luz paused for a long time before replying, "honestly no, but a part of me refuses to give up hope," she clenched her fist as she said this, "I have to think that even if Uodeela can't turn back on her own, that maybe there's still a way, and all we have to do is find it!"

"Well if there is a way, the best place to look would probably be Newtopia," said Amara walking up to where Luz and Lilly were, catching their attention, "it has the largest library in all of Amphibia as well as the only real University in the land. If we want to find a way to cure Uodeela then it's our best bet."

Lilly and Luz looked at each other, Amara had suggested the gang relocate to Newtopia a few nights ago, but at the time they were unsure. Lilly had wanted to wait and see if her father showed up, while Luz was thinking about heading out to Wartwood. Uodeela was going to take her, but now with her gone Luz was trying to decide if it was better to make the journey by herself or stay with her friends here.

"Listen, I know you're both unsure of what to do," said Amara, "but I think going to Newtopia is our best course of action. You can stay with me and we can use the vast resources the city has to offer in trying to find a cure for Uodeela."

"Amara are you sure we would be welcomed there?" asked Lilly seriously, "you told us what your parents think of other species, I doubt they'd be happy to have a frog, a toad, and a completely unknown human show up on their doorstep."

"I'll figure something out," said Amara though not with much conviction, "maybe I can convince my parents to let you stay, or maybe I can arrange for hotel rooms for you. Oh I could challenge my mother for control of the family money."

"Amara that's a huge risk!" exclaimed Lilly, "if you were to lose then not only would we have no place to stay, but your mother could very well disinherit you."

"I know….I know…it's just, I feel so useless here," said Amara sitting down on the ground, as she did though she injured her tail stump, "Ahhh!"

"Oh be careful Amara," said Lilly rushing over to check her bandages, "it still hurts then?"

"Yeah, though not as much as before, wish my new tail would hurry up and start growing," exclaimed Amara in a huff, "but like I was saying, am I the only one who feels like we're spinning our wheels here?"

Lilly and Luz looked at each other then back at Amara.

"I know you want to help Uodeela," began Luz, "it's just before all this happened I was getting ready to go to Wartwood to see if Anne was there. But honestly with Uodeela gone I'm not sure what to do."

"The thing is I honestly don't feel comfortable going to Newtopia," said Lilly, "even if you were there to protect us, and were able to talk your parents into letting us stay. I don't want to be in a place where as a frog I'm a minority."

Amara sighed, "I get it, I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm pushing you guys, I just want to do something to help Uodeela."

"Amara there's no reason you can't go to Newtopia yourself," said Lilly.

"But then I'd be alone," said Amara looking sad, "I only just got to be friends with you, plus I'd only be one person looking for a cure. I just know that if all of us worked on it together then we would for sure find a way to cure Uodeela. The four of us are an unstoppable team!"

"If we were an unstoppable team then we would have won the battle without losing Uodeela," said Gustav bitterly as we walked over to join the conversation. Luz, Lilly, and Amara turning towards him.

"We can recover from this," assured Amara, "If we stay together I know we can, we just need to find a way to cure Uodeela then we can figure out what else to do."

"That's if she can be cured," said Gustav, he looked at the faces of his friends before continuing, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be pessimistic, but everything feels so hopeless right now."

Lilly came up to him and put her arm on his shoulder trying to comfort him. "I know, everything is so messed up right now, and it feels like we have no control over the situation."

"It really does," answered Gustav, "sometimes I just don't know what to do. Even though we've tried to help get this town back to normal it seems like we aren't making any progress. There's still so much to do and it all feels overwhelming sometimes. Maybe that's what your really feeling Amara?"

"Yeah kind of," agreed Amara, "but I think helping the town is important. I just wish I could do more."

"I know a lot has happened," began Luz, trying to inspire her friends,  "and maybe we don't know what to do right now, but Amara you are right about one thing. We'll figure it out together, whatever that means. At this point I don't know, but I'm sure we can come up with something." The others smiled at hearing Luz say this.

"Oh looks like the potion is ready!" sad Luz seeing that potion had changed color, "let's get this distributed to whoever needs it."

Later as night blanketed the village Luz and her friends settled down for bed. They had managed to obtain two tents and set them up near the center of town. Amara and Gustav were sharing one while Lilly and Luz shard another, though before she lay down Luz told Lilly she was going to go for a walk.

"I just want to be alone for a bit," said Luz to Lilly as she left the tent.

Luz walked far away making sure she wasn't seen by anyone.  She walked into the forest along a path she had discovered a few nights ago. The path lead into a small clearing, Luz doubled checked to make sure she was alone then closed her eyes and began to concentrate. She imagined a small orb of light forming in her hand. It took a few minutes but eventually the orb materialized in her hand. Luz smiled as she raised up the orb and let it drift upwards into the sky to join the billions of stars that shown down on her.

Every night since the battle Luz had made sure to take some time to train and hone her powers just like Uodeela had taught her. She had also decided to keep her powers a secret at least for now. Learning that she didn't need to drink elixir to fully use her powers had been both exciting and sad. All her life Luz had wanted nothing more than to live out a fantasy life as a powerful witch and now she actually was one! And yet the fact that she had only just stated to unlock her power at the same time as losing her mentor was sad. She wanted Uodeela to be here to help guide her, to see if she was doing it right, to tell her she was proud of her.

Uodeela said that my powers come from one of the gems on the box that Anne had, thought Luz, how did I get those powers? She also said that she thought there was a reason I had been given them. She thought Anne, Marcy, Sasha, and I were brought here for a reason. But she didn't say more after that. If only she were still here I could ask her more questions.

Luz pushed these thoughts from her head as she continued to experiment with her powers. Looking in the distance she saw a tree branch. Luz concentrated and imagined a vine shooting out from her hand, a few seconds later it did and wrapped itself around the branch allowing her to climb the tree. As Luz got to the top she looked down at the ground, after closing her eyes and concentrating she jumped out of the tree! As she fell though she began to concentrate and was able to use the wind to slow her fall. She managed to land softly on the ground without injury. Finally she concentrated and summoned a flame to her hand, Luz moved her face closer to the fire and could feel the warmth it provided, yet it didn’t burn her hand.  Luz closed her eyes and focused on making the flame larger increasing its intensity and expelling it from her hand in straight continuous stream. She took care so as not to accidentally burn anything; then when she was done she focused on extinguishing the flame and managed to make it disappear. Luz kept practicing for a little while longer, but didn't want stay out too late. Eventually she finished her training and returned to her tent to go to sleep.

As soon as Luz left Lilly walked over to the other tent to check in with Gustav and Amara.

"Luz went to go walking again, so we have some time to work on the present for her," she said to the others.

"I wonder where she's been going off to?" asked Gustav.

"She says she wants to be alone," replied Lilly, "I think she's still taking Uodeela's loss real hard, remember magic doesn't exist in her world."

"I hope she's okay," said Amara.

"She will be once she sees the gift we've been working on for her," said Gustav as he used a knife to carve a large staff.

"I hope she likes this," sad Lilly working on a neck-less and some gloves.

"I'm sure she will," said Amara as she continued knitting a large purple cloth, "but part of me hopes she doesn't end up leaving."

The other two looked at Amara causing her to continue speaking, "It's just, I hope this doesn't sound stupid but I want the four of us to stay together. It's why I don't want to go back to Newtopia by myself, I don't really have any friends there, I'd be stuck with my parents."

"I get where you're coming from," said Gustav, "but you knew that Luz was going to leave sooner or later right? She's not from here and wants to go home."

"I know but that was before we lost Uodeela," answered Amara, "now with her gone, I really wish that Luz could stay."

"I understand how you feel Amara," said Lilly, "I'll miss Luz when she leaves too, but you'll still have us, and hey you managed to make friends with us after you opened up more and allowed yourself to have fun. I bet if you did that back in Newtopia you could make more friends."

Amara considered this, "I guess you're right."

"We still don’t know what's going to happen, but I think if Luz wants to leave we should encourage her to make the journey to Wartwood," said Lilly.

The next morning the group had breakfast together before starting on their chores around town. The mood a bit improved after their talk yesterday. Though as they began to get to work they heard a sound come from the forest. At first they were afraid, thinking perhaps the toads had returned, but those fears were put to rest as instead a large group of frogs emerged. They were being lead by a blue frog driving a brown snail, a blue frog that Lilly instantly recognized.

"DAD!!" she exclaimed happily as she ran forward to meet her father. He got down from his snail and embraced his daughter.

"Lilly, oh thank heavens you're okay," he said, "it took so long to organize the resistance army. I knew we wouldn't make it in time, but it's good to see you!"

"I'm so glad you're here," said Lilly.

"The town looks like it's in rough shape, but still you managed to beat back Grime and his army, that's great!" said Lilly's dad, "where's Uodeela?"

At the mention of Uodeela Lilly's face fell, the brief happiness she had experienced at seeing her father gone with the reminder that he was unaware of what happened.

"There's a lot I need to tell you," said Lilly, "let's talk about it, but first let me introduce you to my friends." Lilly lead her father away to where the others were.

"This is Gustav and Amara," said Lilly indicating the toad and newt, they waved back to him.

"And this is Luz," said Lilly, "you've probably never seen something like her before, but she's called a human."

"Actually I have seen another human," said the blue frog.

"You have?!" said Luz in surprise, "where?"

"Why in Wartwood," answered the frog, "Uodeela sent me there to investigate if there was another human there, her name was Anne."

"So she really is in Wartwood then," said Luz hopefully, "please you have to tell me more."

"I will of course," said the frog, "oh by the way my name's Emmanuel. I'll tell you more about the other human, but I think you all have a lot to tell me about what happened here."

"Yes we do," said Lilly, "let's fill you in on what happened."

"and that's the whole story," said Lilly as she finished explaining what happened. Luz, Gustav, and Amara had chimed in occasionally giving details about the battle and Uodeela's fate.

"So she's gone then," said Emmanuel solemnly, "I am sorry to hear that, but you should know that Uodeela had contingency plans in case something ever happened to her. I hoped I'd never have to implement them, but Uodeela trusted me to follow her wishes."

"What were these contingency plans dad?" asked Lilly.

"Well the last time Uodeela and I talked we figured that with the Southern Tower destroyed that would be what we could use as a rallying cry to get more frogs to join our cause. In fact that's what I was doing when I got Uodeela's letter," said Emmanuel.

"How has that gone?" asked Lilly.

"Mostly well," sad Emmanuel, "I've been all over the valley and we've managed to recruit frogs from every town. All of them are tired of the toads oppressive rule and want to drive them out for good. Uodeela had talked about using Tadpole Pond as a staging area and launching an attack on the Eastern area. If we started recruiting from the villages in the east then we might have a force strong enough to challenge Bufo."

"Look I don't mean to rain on your parade," interrupted Gustav, "but challenging the toads is serious business. Trust me I'd like nothing more than for you to succeed, but we barely managed to win the fight with Grime, heck the only reason the toads retreated was because of Uodeela's heron form."

"Yes you have a point," said Emmanuel, "in fact most of our long term plans counted on Uodeela being there to help us. With her gone I'm not sure how feasible the plan will be."

"Sorry to interrupt," said Luz, "but you were also going to talk about the human you met in Wartwood."

"Oh right," began Emmanuel, "yes Uodeela sent me to investigate rumors of a strange creature in that town. She wanted to be sure that it was one of your friends before making the trip out there. I can say with certainty that there was indeed another human in that town, her name was Anne and I think she even had the same skin as you."

"Yeah that's Anne alright," said Luz, "so now I know for sure that she's there." Luz stared off into the distance as she absorbed this new information.

They were interrupted however by another frog coming over to where they were.

"Emmanuel," began the frog, "we've captured some toads trying to sneak into town."

The groups eyes lit up at this information and they rushed over to see the captured toads. Gustav recognized them immediately.

"Dad?" he said, "and Braddock?"

"Gustav, you're okay," sighed Percy in relief.

"What are you doing here?" asked Gustav.

"We came to check on you," answered Braddock, "a lot happened when Grime came back to camp, and we managed to sneak away. Your dad wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I heard a giant heron chased the toads out of Tadpole Pond," said Percy, "I was afraid you'd been eaten."

"How did you get away from Grime?" asked Gustav.

Percy didn't answer at first looking at the frogs holding weapons on him and Braddock.

"Uh hey whose in charge here?" he asked.

"That would be me," said Emmanuel walking up to Percy.

"Listen I'd like to formally surrender to you," said Percy raising his hands to the sky, "I'll tell you anything you want to know about Grime, but please let me see my son. Braddock also surrenders."

"Oh yes," said Braddock who also raised her hands, "please I don't want to fight, until yesterday the two of us were soldiers in Grime's army, but if there's anything you want to know we'll tell you."

Emmanuel scratched his chin considering this development, "very well, if the two of you really want to help I'll talk to you alone." Emmanuel motioned for them to follow him and they began talking.

After about an hour of talking Emmanuel came back over to the group to fill them in on what he had learned.

"Well assuming they're telling the truth, we may have some good news," said Emmanuel.

"What did they say?" asked Gustav.

"According to them all of Grime's soldiers abandoned him after the battle," said Emmanuel.

"What?!" exclaimed Luz, Lilly, Gustav, and Amara all at the same time.

"Yeah and that's not all, apparently the plan to conquer the village wasn't even his it was Sasha's," said Emmanuel.

"I shouldn't be surprised by that," said Luz bitterly, "and yet it still hurts to know…..Sasha what happened to you out here?"

"According to them they didn't participate in the battle," continued Emmanuel, "said they were on something called latrine duty at the toad camp. Wanted to hear from you three if that was true."

Luz, and the others looked at each other trying to recall if they had seen Braddock or Percy during the battle.

"Actually I think that's right," said Amara, "I don't remember seeing either of them."

"Me neither," added Luz.

"I was actually looking for my dad on the battlefield, but I don't remember seeing him," said Gustav, "I was wondering if I could talk to them?"

"Be my guest," said Emmanuel, "your father wanted to talk to you anyway. In the meantime I'll direct my soldiers to help in anyway they can."

Gustav walked up to where his father and Braddock were, they hadn't been restrained in any way. Percy was ecstatic to see his son again.

"Gustav thank goodness your alright!" said Percy as Gustav approached, "I was so worried about you, Bog said you were at the battle and I got scared that something may have happened to you."

"I'm okay dad," replied Gustav a little stiffly.

"Wow they a really did a number on this place didn't they," said Percy looking around at all the damage to the town. That statement turned out to be too much for Gustav though as he fired back at his dad.

"Is that all you have to say?" he said in anger, "dad the toads practically destroyed the town they killed a lot of people! And it sounds to me like it was just pure luck that you and Braddock weren't involved in this!"

"It was kind of your fault," began Braddock, though she tried to recover upon seeing the expression on Gustav's face, "I mean your dad got in trouble for you escaping from the camp that night, then after I spoke for him Grime punished me to, we got put on latrine duty…..ugh, but because of that we didn't fight in the battle."

"But if you hadn't been put on latrine duty you would have fought?" asked Gustav.

"I….well….I….guess," stuttered Percy.

"I mean that's what we're expected to do," said Braddock.

"IS THIS REALLY WHAT YOU WANT TO DO?!" yelled Gustav his anger rising, tears in his eyes as he tried to make his father and Braddock see reason, "this town has been destroyed, Uodeela is gone!, Lilly almost got killed by Fens! So many people lost their lives, their homes, everything they cared about because the toads decided on a whim to attack them. Uodeela gave her life to try and help these people!."

Gustav paused to let his words have an affect. Braddock and Percy looked around seeing all the destroyed homes and burnt vegetation, it seemed to finally sink in to them on how terrible the battle had been.

"STOP BEING IGNORANT AND OPEN YOUR EYES!" he continued yelling! "We're being used! The newts want us to act as enforcers and keep the frogs in line. But we're noting but bullies! Why do we bother doing this when there's clearly no benefit to us? All we do is cause misery and suffering for no reason! Grime only invaded this town because Sasha suggested it. Is that a good enough reason to have caused all this suffering?"

Percy and Braddock grappled with the question, again looking over the ruined town. Finally Percy answered.

"Son I never wanted to be a soldier, toads are required to serve a certain number of years, some quit when there service is over, but most don’t. The reason is that once you're out there on your own, without an army backing you up, the people you've helped to oppress treat you with disdain. Toads who go live on their own are almost never welcomed in the towns they settle down in, because of what they've done. And so most return to their respective tower and continue serving in the army."

After Percy was done speaking Braddock continued, "in all the time I've served under Grime we'd never invaded a town before. It was always just about collecting taxes, Grime said as long as the frogs didn't get out of line we wouldn't have to hurt them. I never realized this is what we'd do if it ever came to an invasion."

"Gustav I'm sorry," said Percy hanging his head, "I don't know what I can do to make it up to you but please let me try." Gustav eyed his father for a second before running up and hugging him, glad that he was at least trying to do better.

Throughout the rest of the day Emmanuel and his frogs assisted in the reconstruction effort. Percy and Braddock helped as well doing their best to try and be better. When they finally had some down time Percy and Gustav offered to play some music  for the townspeople in an effort to lighten their spirits. Percy even put on his jesters cap and would occasionally tell a joke.

"Why did the Chickaliss cross the road?" asked Percy to Gustav.

"I don’t know why dad?" said Gustav.

"To eat the offerings at the other side!" answered Percy, the crowd remained silent.

"Hey how about a father son juggling act?" asked Percy trying to change the mood, with that he and his son began tossing balls between them. Meanwhile Emmanuel spoke to Luz, Lilly, and Amara.

"Uodeela first started the idea of an organized rebellion about ten years ago," he explained, "that's about the time I first met her. At the time my wife and I worked as reporters for the Swampshire Tribute, Uodeela used our position to slowly start to write letters to the editor about how bad the toads were for us. We felt that we needed to convince a large portion of the frogs that our views were right."

"I overheard you one night," said Lilly, "I didn't quite understand what you were doing, but after many more nights I realized what you were up to."

"I'm sorry Lilly," said Emmanuel, "I wanted to keep you out of it in order to keep you safe. I wish I could have done a better job protecting your mother." Emmanuel hung his head in shame at the thought of his wife.

"I don't blame you for what happened to her dad, it wasn't your fault, it was Grime and Fens who did that to her," said Lilly.

"Thank you dear," said Emmanuel embracing his daughter.

Emmanuel continued to talk explaining more about Uodeela and the rebellion, but Luz had tuned him out. Hearing Lilly bring up her mother, as well as Gustav and Percy playing music and laughing together suddenly reminded Luz of how much she missed her own mother. Luz excused herself from the group and went to go be alone, she looked up at the sky and the millions of stars in it as she thought about the last time she had talked with her mother. Luz couldn't help but feel a sense of shame as she realized the last thing she had told her had been a lie.

Luz let out a sigh at that thought and continued looking up at the sky. She wasn't sure for how long until she heard a voice call her name.

"Luz?" asked Lilly coming up to her, "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Hey Lilly, I'm fine….I think, I was just thinking of my mother," said Luz, "seeing you and your dad bond, then seeing Percy and Gustav singing and telling jokes together made me think of her."

Lilly didn't say anything, but came up to where Luz was standing and stood by her.

"You miss her don't you?" asked Lilly tenderly.

"Yeah I do," answered Luz, "about a year ago I got expelled from my old school, I remember my mom being mad and disappointed in me at first, but after she cooled down she told me not to be worried about it. She said I shouldn't let one mistake take over my life. Even though I had gotten expelled my mom still tried to comfort me and help me get over it. You know there's a saying in Spanish, "No hay mal que por bien no venga."

"What does that mean?" asked Lilly.

"It basically means that if something bad happens to you then something good will eventually happen too," answered Luz. "Mom said that to me when I was expelled and it turned out to be true, after that at my new school I got to meet Anne and Marcy. I've been thinking about that saying because it ended up coming true again when I got transported here to Amphibia. It was something bad that happened to me, but I ended up getting to meet you, Gustav, Amara and……Uodeela." Luz's eyes teared up on saying Uodeela's name.

"And well thinking of how that saying turned out to be true twice got me thinking of my mom and how much I really miss her," said Luz, "I also felt guilty because….the last thing I told her before I went missing was a lie. I didn't want to lie to her, but I was so scared……Thinking about it I should have been honest with her, maybe things would have been different….."

As Luz trailed off the tears began flowing again from her eyes. She sat down and allowed herself to cry. She felt Lilly put her arm around her and comfort her.

"It's okay Luz," said Lilly softly, "I understand better than anyone what you're going through. I still haven't gotten over my mom's death. I don't think I ever will, and sometimes thinking about her makes me sad." Tears began streaming from Lilly's eyes too.

"But I honestly hope that your separation from your mother is only temporary," continued Lilly, "As painful as it was for me to lose her forever, I hope you get to see your mom again.

For a long time Luz said nothing, eventually she spoke, "Lilly, I've decided. I'm going to make the journey to Wartwood. Before Uodeela transformed she told me the box Anne has is needed to get me home, so it's the only clue I have for how to do that. I have no idea what's happened to Anne in all the time we've been separated, but it's possible she's learned something too. And I still need to make things right with her."

"If that's your decision then I support you Luz," said Lilly, "it would take you too long to go on foot though, tomorrow I'll ask my dad if he can help."

"Thanks Lilly, I appreciate that!" said Luz gazing back up at the stars.

The two sat there in silence watching the sky and thinking about their mothers.

Next morning Emmanuel gathered Percy, Braddock, and Gustav together.

"Listen there's something I want to ask you," he said. The toads all looked at him.

"With Uodeela gone, we've lost one of the main advantages against Grime and the toads," said Emmanuel, "but I feel perhaps that the two of you could help give us a new advantage, though I should warn you it will be dangerous."

Percy and Braddock looked at each other then at Gustav before speaking.

"If there's anything I can do to help then I want to do it," said Percy.

"All I wanted to do after my time in the army was up was go and take care of my garden," said Braddock, "I never wanted to hurt others."

"What would you ask of us?" said Percy.

"I'd like you two to go back to Grime, and spy on him for us," said Emmanuel.

"Wait what?" asked Gustav, "do you know what would happen if they got caught?"

"We would most likely be tortured and executed," replied Braddock plainly, "but that doesn't matter, we'll do it." Percy nodded his head in agreement.

"Why do you even want to spy on Grime?" asked Gustav, "his army deserted him he's not a threat anymore."

"According to what they told me it's not Grime that's the issue," said Emmanuel, "it's Sasha!"

"Wait really?!" asked Gustav.

"Sasha was the one who got Toad Tower running well again," began Braddock, "she was the one who helped organize us to fight off a heron attack. Plus it was her idea to attack Tadpole Pond, she and Grime had practiced a series of maneuvers to fight Uodeela in her heron form, said she learned it from some human show where the characters fight these things called "titans." Grime was always rough and cruel, but he was never an effective leader. Sasha changed all that, she got the toads to listen to him; honestly even if the other toads did abandon Grime I think Sasha will still come up with another idea. It's pretty clear that she hates losing."

"I gather this Sasha character is pretty dangerous," said Emmanuel, "I think it prudent that we keep an eye on her, can the two of you do that?"

"Of course we can!" said Percy, "though how could we get any information we find back to you?"

"I was hopping that Gustav could help with that," said Emmanuel.

"Me?" said Gustav in confusion.

"I think I can trust you to relay messages between your father and I," said Emmanuel.

"Grime thinks I'm a traitor though," protested Gustav, "and I doubt Sasha would be thrilled to see me."

"His army's gone though," said Percy, "Bog won't be around to say anything, and I think I can convince Grime to leave you alone."

Gustav thought for a bit considering the danger, but finally he replied, "Okay I'll do it. You're trying to help so I'd like to do my part."

"Hey dad there you are!" said Lilly coming over to where her dad was, "I've been looking for you."

"I'm just about finished with these three, what do you need?" asked Emmanuel.

"I wanted to ask if you and I can do Luz a favor….."

Amara stirred the pot of stew as it simmered over the fire. Luz sat nearby cutting up some vegetables to add to the stew. Luz sniffed the air.

"It smells good," she said.

"Yeah should be ready soon," answered Amara, "I'm glad that Lilly's dad brought some food with him, we have more now and can feed more people."

"Not only that but all the frogs that came with him have made rebuilding the town a lot easier, feels like we might actually do it," said Luz.

"Hey Luz there you are!" exclaimed Lilly running towards her.

"Hey Lilly," replied Luz, "what's up?"

"I have some great news! I just talked to my dad and he agreed to take you to Wartwood!" said Lilly.

Luz was a bit stunned by this news and didn't know how to react.

"Wait really? I mean that's….." Luz trailed off not knowing what to say, "I hope it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all," said Lilly, "I know how important it is for you to find your friends and go home, I just want to help you do that."

"I….wow….thank you Lilly….I don't know what to say," said Luz.

"We'll work out the details, he has a few things he needs to take care of but I think we should be good to go in the next few days," said Lilly, "also you aren't the only one leaving, Gustav is heading out on his own journey."

"What?" said Luz in surprise. Lilly explained the situation.

"Oh my that sounds dangerous," said Luz, "spying on Grime."

"Gustav wants to do it to help," said Lilly.

"What about you?" asked Luz.

"I'll go with you to Wartwood," began Lilly, "but after that my dad and I have other things to do. I'm going to stay with my dad and train in the resistance. I think after that battle I need to get stronger."

"So then this is goodbye," said Amara solemnly, she had been listening to the conversation, but hadn't commented yet. Lilly and Luz turned to her.

"I guess it is," replied Luz.

"I didn't want this to happen!" cried Amara, "I only just got to know you all, and now you all have to leave! It's not fair!" Lilly and Luz came up to Amara.

"I know it feels that way," said Lilly, "but we all have important things to do, and we need to be on our own to do them."

"Amara have you thought about going back to Newtopia?" asked Luz, "you said they have the best library in the land. You had said it was our best shot at finding a way to help Uodeela I think you should do it."

"Plus I bet you could use your family's status and resources to help even more," said Lilly, "you have access to things the rest of us don't if anyone can find a cure I know it's you!"

Amara seemed encouraged by these words, "you do have a point. I….just wish I didn't have to go back to being alone. I don't like the idea of going back to my parents and not having you guys around."

"I know," said Lilly, "but remember what I said. You made friends with us when you opened yourself up. If you find the right people I know you can make new friends. And Gustav and I will for sure see you again."

Amara smiled at hearing Lilly say this.

"Plus you've said how your family has their own private library," began Luz, "you have access to resources the rest of us don’t. I think you might be the best chance we have at curing Uodeela, we need you Amara!"

Amara thought for a moment looking hard into Lilly's and Luz's faces before deciding, "Alright I'll do it! After you leave to Wartwood I'll make my way back to Newtopia and do what I can to find a cure!"

After a few more days it was finally time for Luz to leave, she was slightly comforted by the fact that Lilly would be coming with her so she wouldn't have to say goodbye to her just yet. She was a bit sad to leave Amara and Gustav as she honestly didn't know if she'd see them again. Still she got herself ready on the morning of their departure and prepared herself to say goodbye.

The sun was barely in the sky as Luz, Lilly, Emmanuel, Amara, and Gustav all met on the edge of town near a trail that lead away. There was a large enclosed wagon hooked up to a brown snail, this would be there transportation to Wartwood. Emmanuel had jokingly called it the "fwagon" which he said was short for family wagon. While Luz wasn't sold on the name it's interior was very impressive! It had sleeping accommodations for three and a large central table as well as various cupboards to store provisions in. It reminded Luz of those RV campers back in the human world. Emmanuel excused himself to prepare a few last minute things and allow Luz and Lilly to say goodbye to their friends.

"So I guess this is it then," said Amara sadly.

"I suppose it is," added Lilly, "Luz once you find Anne you may find a way home so we honestly don't know if this is the last time we'll see you."

Luz hung her head as she acknowledged that possibility, "I know, I think that's why this is so hard. I hope I get to see you all one more time before I leave this world entirely, but in case I don't."

Luz turned to Gustav, "Gustav I enjoyed listening to your music and it was great getting to know you. As someone who got made fun of and bullied myself I understand how you feel, but I think it's great that your not like other toads and you want to do your own thing. Never lose your weirdness and keep being unique."

"Thank you Luz," said Gustav, "it was great meeting you and learning potions alongside you. That Azura story you told us was amazing! It was great to put on a show with you too. If you've never considered being an actor I think you should! You certainly are talented!"

Luz turned to Amara, "Amara I know we might have gotten off on the wrong foot, but I'm glad you turned out to be a good person. When I fought Sasha she told me about how her father ignored her and how it affected her. I know you were negatively influenced by your parents as well, but you've shown that you can rise above it! I loved sharing the stage with you and I hope you continue to grow!"

"Thank you Luz!" said Amara, "and to all of you, when I get back to Newtopia I promise I will do my best to find a way to cure Uodeela."

"We know you will!" said Lilly, giving her a smile, "but before we forget I think it's time we get that present we made for Luz right guys?" Amara nodded and ran away to grab something.

"Huh?" said Luz surprised.

"Well Luz," began Lilly, "we thought you could use some new traveling clothes, and once it became obvious that you'd be leaving on a journey to hopefully reunite with your human friend we thought it would make a great going away present!" Amara returned holding a set of clothes in her hands and presenting them to Luz.

"You guys!" said Luz in an emotional tone, tears forming in her eyes, "you didn't have to do that!!! Oh I feel so bad now, I don't have anything for you."

"Ah don't worry about that," said Gustav.

"We thought it would be nice for you to have something we made so it could feel like we were still with you," said Amara.

"Come on try them on!" said Lilly

Luz took the clothes and entered the fwagon, a few moments later she emerged in the new gear.

While her St James uniform was still visible under the new clothes, Luz now wore a purple cloak, it hung down behind her life a cape and formed a hood around her head that she could pull up or leave down. Around her neck was a colorful neck-less made of various beads and teeth. Gustav said they were from a giant snake. On her hands she had some new finger-less gloves that offered her hands and arms some protection. On her left arm was a bangle also made of beads. Around her waist she had a belt, but not an ordinary belt, it had bags attached to it that were for storing potion ingredients as well as two slots where she could hold potion bottles to use on the go. She also wore a new pair of blueish boots that matched her tights quite nicely. Finally she held a staff, a staff adorned with different colored ribbons tied up on the top. The staff's bottom was also sharpened to a point, potentially making it an effective weapon. As Luz looked at the staff she realized something.

"Hey wait a minute, is this Uodeela's staff?" she asked.

"It is, or was I suppose," said Gustav, "I've made a few changes to it, we found it a few days ago. The only thing that was damaged was the gem that used to be held in the top, the rest of the staff was still intact."

"I recommended that we sharpen the bottom," said Amara, "thought it could maybe help you in combat in case you get into any scrapes out there."

"We thought you should have it," said Lilly, "this way if you make it home you'll have something to remember Uodeela by."

Luz gripped the staff tighter, looking at it with reverence and resolving to treat it with dignity. After that Luz looked over her new outfit one more time and towards her friends who had given it to her.

"You guys…you're the best!!!" exclaimed Luz rushing forward to envelop all her friends in one last group hug. The hug lasted awhile as they knew this might be the last time they saw Luz, eventually though the friends separated with Luz, Lilly, and Emmanuel boarding the fwagon and departing along the road. Luz and Lilly turned back and waved at Gustav and Amara until they were out of sight.