A Trio of Anomalies - The Kingdom of Fantasy

CHAPTER 4 - FUNNY FROG FRIEND

Their footsteps echoed off the walls as they walked uncertainty through what appeared to be a tunnel made entirely of crystal. They walked closely to one another, as it took on a cold and not very inviting shade of blue, unlike the warm and bright colours of the dust trail and door.

"Good day to you, fair Knights in Shining Armor!" they were certainly not expecting someone else in the tunnel with them. Steve spun around to face this new individual, shouting "Goodness!" Nicholas jumped and clutched at the music box before hiding behind Steve, not really doing a good job as he was taller and broader than his best friend. Erwin took a massive leap out of the way and knocked his head against the hard crystal walls. He staggered forward to take a better look at "the jumpscare", still rubbing his head.

Steve, who was the first to find his voice, replied, "Good day to you, peculiar species of Anura, wearing a jacket and vest with a funny hat to match!" It was a rather accurate description, as the frog-like creature did wear a jacket and vest made of red velvet, and his three-pointed hat complemented his outfit, and his lime green skin tone rather nicely.

The frog-like creature replied, still enthusiastically, "My name's Scribblehopper, the Literary Frog. And what wonderful deed will you three perform today? I was expecting one fair knight in shining armor, but it seems like I've got three to write about! Three rather, young knights, don't you think?"

"Yes, rather young indeed," said Steve, "We're not knights. We're adolescents who decided to check out that door which spawned in the sky just now."

"Um ... alright," Scribblehopper shook his head and got out a notebook and feather quill, " But I need more information, more elaboration! Your story won't work at all! Too bland! Too uninteresting."

But!" he turned to Steve, his eyes shining with inspiration, "I can make it interesting! After all, I am a budding writer. I shall write a book about your adventures! So, let's see. What are your names? What do you call yourselves as a team?"

They found Scribblehopper a rather amiable character, despite the jumpscare they got at first. Amused, they played along.

"I'm Stephan, but you can just call me Steve."

"I'm Nicholas."

"I'm Erwin Liew, He Who Just Bumped His Head On The Wall Because He Was Scared Of A Frog, but you can just call me Erwin. Also," he added as a joke, "we're the Three Musketeers!"

Scribblehopper started well, scribbling, excitedly. The trio crowded around him, however they could only see weird lines and circles.

"Hey! That's the funny language on the side of the box," remarked Steve.

"Oh?" Scribblehopper looked up in surprise, "You can speak it well but not read it? That's strange. It's Fantasian, the universal language of the Kingdom of Fantasy. Here, I'll read it to you."

He did:

Through the Golden Door came three young Knights in Shining Armor. They call themselves the Three Musketeers, Stephan the Courageous Erwin the Cunning and Nicholas the Compassionate! Stephan had shining yellow eyes like a tiger, with electric blue hair that could be seen from miles away. Erwin's bewitching green eyes could only be matched by Queen Never Named herself, and his skills allowed him to get away with doings unseen. Nicholas, although he rarely spoke a word, his actions warmed the hearts of the good and his charisma charmed the hearts of the evil. He may be tall and broad, but his heart deep inside was the softest out of the three.