Clyde's Journey

Chapter 5

The three are walking through the swamp looking for a place to rest. Lilly's ankle still hasn't healed, so she still has Clyde helping her walk.

"Clyde, how much longer do we have to go?" Poppy asked.

"Hold your horses, we're almost there." Clyde replied.

They walk past the trees and see a village of houses held up by mangrove roots, with frogs using their jump boost to scale trees. Clyde knew the Frog Kingdoms were different, but he never could have imagined this.

"Hello! Can we get some help over here!" Poppy boomed without thinking.

The entire village started staring at the three like they were aliens. Most of them had never seen Temperate frogs before. Some village elders walked out of a hut to see what the commotion was about, while the rest of the village broke into whispers.

"You should know we don't take kindly to outsiders in the swamp. I don't know where you came from, but you should be heading back."

Clyde was already tired of people telling him what he could and couldn't do, and this was the last straw.

"No, we are not gonna leave! My name is Prince Clyde of the Temperate Frog Kingdom and I demand medical attention for my friend!" yelled Clyde.

The entire village now stared at three with curiosity, the whispers being more noticeable.

"Very well then. Follow me." the elder replied.

The elders led the three into a village hut, where they would be staying.

"Lilly, Poppy, you two stay here." said Clyde.

"Why? Where are you going?" Poppy asked.

"Don't worry about it." said Clyde.

Clyde walked out of the hut and towards the outskirts of the swamp. He then found an oak tree and sat in its shade. Clyde then pulled out a sketchbook and begun drawing. Drawing was always a way to reduce stress for him.

While drawing, he heard someone giggling behind the tree. He then looked behind the tree and was instantly smitten. A rosy blush started to form on his face. He saw an albino female frog, which in his words "was the most beautiful frog in the entire swamp".

She looked at the tree, so Clyde quickly hid behind the tree. When he looked past the tree, the girl was gone. He looked at the spot she was at with confusion.

"What are you doing behind that tree?" the girl asked.

Shivers went down Clyde's spine as the girl surprised him.

"N-Nothing" Clyde nervously replied.

The girl saw the sketchbook in Clyde's hand and snatched it out of his hands.

"H-Hey, give that back!" Clyde embarrassedly asked.

"Alright, here you go." the girl said while handing the book back.

"My name is Sofia. What's yours?" asked Sofia.

"C-Clyde." Clyde responded.

"Nice to meet you, Clyde." said Sofia.

"N-Nice to meet you, too." replied Clyde.

"CLYDE! Lilly's foot is better!" yelled a happy Poppy.

"Alright, I'm coming!" Clyde yelled back.

Clyde ran toward the village house, still thinking about Sofia. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Clyde, the village elders were having a meeting.

 "Are you sure it's him?" an elder asked.

 "Yes, you saw what he said." an elder replied.

 "Then it is decided. We alert the Temperate Frog Kingdom about Clyde's whereabouts." the head elder stated.

 Fortunately, a person was listening to the elders' conversation. Sofia. She quickly ran to tell Clyde about the elders' conversation.

Sofia opened the door of their village house and told Clyde about the elders' plan.

 "Are you sure?" Poppy questioned.

 "Yes, I overheard the whole conversation. " Sofia answered.

 "If this is true, then we need to get out of here." said Clyde.

 "Mind if I come along? It's kinda boring here." asked Sofia.

 "S-sure" Clyde stuttered.

 "C'mon, then let's go!" Poppy yelled with excitement.

The four walked out of the village house and towards the village gates, when the elders stopped them.

 "None of you are going anywhere." the head elder stated.

 "Grab 'em." an elder commanded.

 The guards grabbed the four tightly, not letting them escape. 

 "Hey, let me go!" Sofia commanded.

Clyde then kicked the guard holding him, making the guard drop him. He then used his tongue to blind the guards, making them drop his friends.

 "Let's get out of here!" Clyde yelled.

The gang ran from the guards and swam across the river. By the time almost everyone was across, they realized Lilly was missing.

 "Aaah! Help!" Lilly cried while still in the water.

 "Don't worry, I got her!" replied Clyde.

 Clyde then jumped into the water, swam across and grabbed Lilly. He then swam back to shore with Lilly on her back.

 "Lilly, are you okay?!" a worried Poppy asked.

 "She's fine," Clyde replied, "But we need to get out of here."

The gang ran into a forest and continued running until they couldn't see the guards anymore.