Okay here's an idea I had for the "Amphibi-Babies" AU. I shared some thoughts of what could come from the biological dissimilarities but what if there's a psychological one? You said that Mr and Mrs Plantar would still unfortunately die in this AU but what if Anne freaked out everyone by doing something very human and held a grudge. Two years later they've mostly put their lives back together and Hop Pop finds a note on the kitchen table, "gone after the herons"
That’s a very Anne thing to do. This would signify the first of many instances of going out of her way in the name of justice now that she’s a bit older and the bigger sister to Sprig & Polly (though she hasn’t fully realised the responsibility of that), having memories of her frog parents and wanting to seek revenge. The fact that she thinks she can take down not one but TWO herons (‘◉⌓◉’).
Cue a very worried Hop Pop hopping into the far swamps to find her. Not wise to leave little Sprig & Polly at home alone so he must’ve called someone to look after them & the house.
Hop Pop finds Anne on a cliff with the herons in the distance, she plans to get their attention.
Hop Pop (whispering): Anne! What do you think you’re doing?! Get down here right now girl–before they see you-!
Anne: But I have to get back at them for what they did to mom & dad!
Hop Pop: Anne listen to me, sometimes, bad things happen, really bad things–you have to accept that there are some things you just can’t change.
Anne: It’s not FAIR! They took mommy and daddy away from me! They have to PAY!
She then gets the herons attention by shouting and screaming, and it works as they come towards her to investigate.
Anne realizes they’re a lot bigger than she anticipated and freezes in place.
The heron jabs it’s sharp beak towards her but Hop Pop manages to grab Anne out of the way. They run and hide and eventually, they loose them.
Hop Pop: I think we’re safe now.. Do you have any idea how worried I was?! What in Frog’s name were you thinking Anne?! You could’ve gotten hurt! Or even–
Anne: I’m sorry Hop Pop.. I just.. I thought that I could..
She sniffles and chokes on her words and Hop Pop can’t be mad at her for feeling this way. They’ve already had such a rough night.
Anne: I miss them.
Hop Pop: ..me too.
I wonder what’s worse, if Anne was with Sprig and Polly when the herons attacked, or if she was accompanying Hop Pop on his travel.