'Quiet! I cannot concentrate!'

'I can't believe he's at it again' thought Pearl as she watched her friends.

Speed the turtle was chuckling at Jean-Bob the frog, who was plotting another attempt to get Princess Odette to kiss him and turn him into a prince. Of course, Pearl doubted this a lot, like Speed and Odette.

Pearl was an female Atlantic Puffin with two pigtails on her head and bright, brown eyes.

'You've come up with some dumb ideas, Jean-Bob, but this one's a doozy' said Speed.

'And brainless too' Pearl added.

'Hah! Go ahead and laugh you two!' Jean-Bob said. 'I'll get her to kiss me and when she does…'

'When she does, poof! You'll change into a prince' Speed finished. 'I know, I know, you've told us'

Jean-Bob turned to get his plan into action when he came face to face with a bouquet of purple flowers. Pearl was holding them.

'How 'bout instead of getting your legs chewed off, just give Odette these flowers'

Jean-Bob raised an eyebrow at her.

'Come on, pal!' Pearl pleaded. 'They were only next to Speed and they're far prettier than the ones you want'

Jean-Bob swiped the flowers out of her wings. 'Hah! What, they love duds! I don't want 'zese flowers, I must have zose' He pointed across the water to a bunch of flowers growing on the other side. Two hungry alligators were poking their heads out.

'When she learns that I have risked my life for them, 'ze kissing will not stop'

'Then you'll change into a prince' Speed said.

'Precisely'

'Ok' Pearl shrugged and cats a nervous look at the lake. She waddled away fast. 'But don't blame me or Speed if one of those scaly logs take an arm away'

Jean-Bob ignored her and jumped into a tree.

'Mind if I point out problem?' asked Speed.

'I don't take advice from peasants!' scoffed Jean-Bob.

'Suit yourself'

Pearl turned and covered her eyes as Jean-Bob prepared himself. She heard Jean-Bob trying to gain his confidence, a sudden swipe of the stick he was holding, a bending sound and Speed's voice came in saying' Just curious, how are you gonna get down?'

'Oh no..' Pearl whined.

She threw her self on the ground and covered her head when she heard Jean-Bob's scream fill the air and the sound of alligators chomping and water splashing.

'What'll I do?! What'll I do?! What'll I do?!' Pearl repeated over and over.

For what seemed like am eternity she kept her head covered and her eyes closed. Then, something made it's way on her shoulder. Something warm and comforting. There was only one person who had that touch.

The puffin slowly turned and saw Odette, smiling down at her. Speed and Jean-Bob were behind her. Jean-Bob didn't look quite hurt.

'Phew..' Pearl sighed with relief. 'Thank goodness you're still in one piece. If only I wasn't such a coward, I would've come to help you'

'It's alright, Pearl' said Odette with another smile. 'We know there wasn't anything you could do'

Then the princess turned to Jean-Bob 'What in the world were you trying to do?'

'Well, he was trying to-' Pearl began, but Jean-Bob cut her off with a 'Ssh! I wanted to get 'zose flowers for you' And he pointed to the flowers across the lake.

'You're being sneaky again Jean-Bob!' said Odette, teasingly.

Pearl giggled a bit and turned her head away. Odette's hand remained on her shoulder.

Why do I have to be so afraid of water? and swimming?' Pearl asked herself.

But the truth was she could still remember why

It had been 4 years since Pearl was seperated from her parents.

She used to live in Norway. Near the ocean. She had only been hatched 10 days ago and was still too small to leave the nest. And a huge storm had blown her parents away while they were gathering food for her.

They never came back afterwards and Pearl had decided to leave the nest early to feed herself.

The next day she waddled away from her home, towards the ocean. But no sooner had she taken a couple steps in the water when a huge wave consumed her, taking Pearl under.

Try as she may she couldn't swim back up, for she was still too young to swim.

But luckily Odette was at the beach with her father that day and had spotted the young bird. She had rushed in and grabbed Pearl just as she couldn't hold her breath anymore.

Odette had immediately felt pity for Pearl and took her home to her palace. Ever since, Odette was Pearl's mother figure. She even taught her how to fly. And Pearl decided to remain with her.

Odette was even the one who gave her the name Pearl. When she had grabbed her out of the water, she had also grabbed a clam. Inside was a pure white pearl. She had kept it inside her jewellery box.

But Pearl never forgot her time in the water and was scared of going in again. She remembered when Odette had tried to give her a bath for the first time.

Odette carried the young bird to a basin filled with clear water and was about to place her in until...

'No! Please don't put me in there!'

Odette was surprised to hear her little friend speak. 'Why not? she asked.

'I just don't want to! I don't want to drown!'

The princess understood. 'Alright. But you still need to be washed. I may have a better idea'

She emptied the basin, placed Pearl in it and used a wet soapy cloth to clean her. Pearl cringed and tried to bear it.

'How is it I'm not afraid to fly but I'm afraid to swim?' Pearl kept asking herself. in disgrace.

Her thoughts returned to Odette's conversation with Jean-Bob and Speed.

'Speed, make him understand'

'I'm only a turtle'

Pearl lifted her head up.

'Odette' she spoke. 'I'm sorry for everything that's happened to you. I only wish I could do something for you, because you've done a lot for me'

Odette gave her a kiss. 'I know, Pearl. But only my true love can help me. I'm just glad you're with me'

Pearl nodded and sighed again.

Only a couple of days ago Odette was kidnapped by the evil enchanter ,Rothbart and taken to this place.

Pearl was still home at Odette's palace and had heard the news that the king was dead. She suddenly feared for Odette and had flown across the sea to find her, despite her fear of water.

Pearl had not stopped flying until she came to a large lake and heard a familiar singing voice. It was indeed Odette's voice. But when she had found her, she was not herself. She was a swan!

And that was when she had also met Jean-Bob and Speed.

Rothbart had placed a spell on Odette,which changed her into a swan by day and human by night. And only a vow of everlasting love could lift the curse.

Pearl's thought were again interrupted by Odette, singing to herself. Pearl loved to hear Odette's voice. Especially when she sang songs about love.

'I hope this Derek person finds Odette soon' Pearl said softly. 'I've never seen her this sad before'

The puffin bird closed her eyes and listened to Odette's singing, all the while hoping that the spell on Odette would be broken and she would be happy again, just like she used to be...

'Pearl! Watch out!' Odette suddenly shouted.

'Huh?"

THUNK!

Something black and white landed on Pearl.

'Ugh!' She struggled out. 'Whatever did that to me, I'm gonna...'

She gasped. That something that had landed on her was another puffin bird!

Odette, Speed and Jean-Bob approached.

'You think it's dead?' asked Speed.

'No, it's just it's wing, I think' said Odette.

Pearl looked back at the puffin. There was an arrow sticking through its wing.

'Oh my goodness! Who would do such a horrid thing?!' Pearl gasped again.

'Strange looking fellow' said Jean-Bob, as he lifted the bird's head up and dropped it.

Pearl examined its injured wing. 'Odette, I'm going to help this poor fellow. It looks like its in a lot of pain'

'Very well' Odette agreed. 'Jean-Bob. Speed. You better hold him.'

The turtle and frog laid across the unconscious bird. 'Ready'

Pearl snapped the arrow in half and carefully removed it, which cause the puffin to squawk in pain.

Odette ripped part of her dress and handed it to Pearl. She quickly wrapped it around the puffin's injured wing.

'Hello?' Jean-Bob pried open the bird's eyes. 'Zis' is your wake-up call'

The bird suddenly jumped to its feet and began to throw kicks and punches towards everyone. Jean-Bob and Speed jumped back in fright.

'Aha!' the puffin bird shouted in triumph. 'It takes more than a pair of pond folks to keep Puffin down! Hi-yah!'

'Wait!' cried Pearl. 'It's ok. We're all friends!'

The bird glared at her. 'If you were me friend, how come you have an arrow in your hand, ah, a-hah?' He snatched the arrow from her. Pearl stepped away.

'Yes! The exact kind of arrow I have in…' the bird suddenly stopped when he noticed the bandage on his wing.

'Pearl took it out while you were lying there' Odette explained.

'You mean she had a chance to kkkt but instead she pfft?' the bird asked.

'Uh-huh'

'Yeah!' Pearl growled at the puffin bird. 'How could you think somebody like me would attack you?'

'But..'

'But, nothing!' snapped Pearl. 'I saved you and this is the thanks you give me?!'

'Pearl! That's enough!' Odette said, firmly. Pearl stopped and turned away with her wings folded.

'Ma'am' said the bird. 'I apologise'

'Well, Pearl' said Speed. 'What do you say?'

Pearl glanced back and saw the bird's merciful expression.

'Ok' she muttered. 'I forgive you, and I'm sorry for yelling at you. Truce?'

'Truce' said the puffin bird. 'Allow me to introduce meself. Me name is Puffin. Lieutenant Puffin'

'It's a pleasure Lieutenant Puffin' Odette said. 'I'm Odette, Princess Odette'

Puffin kissed the back of her hand.

'And these are my best friends in the whole world. Mr Lorenzo Trudgealong...' Odette gestured to her turtle friend.

'Friends call me Speed' he replied.

'...and Jean-bob'

'I have no friends, only servants' said the french frog. 'And they call me your Highness' he held out his hand, expecting Puffin to kiss it.

'He thinks he's a prince' whispered Speed.

Puffin made a small cuckoo whistle and turned back to Pearl, who took another slight step backwards.

'I owe ya, Pearl' he bowed. 'And I intend on stayin' until me debt is paid'

'Oh' Pearl was surprised by his offer. 'Thank you, but I don't really need anything. Perhaps you could do something for Princess Odette'

'I don't think there's much you can do' Odette said sadly. 'He has me under a spell'

'What? You mean a magical…' Puffin waved his feathers, pretending to cast a spell. To everyone's shock, a bunch of flowers appeared in front of him. And the scenery around them changed. Bright, beautiful flowers appeared around them.

'Oh no! Rothbart!' Pearl gasped. She grabbed Puffin's wing (the unharmed one) and took him behind a large tree, along with Speed and Jean-Bob.

'Who?'

'Rothbart!' Pearl pointed to the man that had suddenly appeared before Odette.

Puffin frowned. 'That's the one that shot me! 'Lemme at 'im, lemme at 'im… I'll…'

'No!' Pearl held him back. 'I'll admit, I'd love to give him a piece of my mind too. But he's too powerful'

'You mean he's the one that placed the spell on Odette?' Puffin asked, turning his head to face Pearl.

'Uh...' Pearl was about to answer, but she found herself a little lost, looking at Puffin. 'I..Oh! Yes, he is!'

'And it looks like he's at it again!' Speed chimed in, watching Rothbart kneel on one knee. Odette's arms were folded and she was frowning.

'At what?'

'Why he's asking Odette to marry him!' Jean-Bob explained. 'If Odette agrees, he'll lift the spell put on her and become king'

'But the thing is that Odette already loves somebody' said Pearl. 'Prince Derek'

The group of animals peeked out at Rothbart and Odette.

Odette, once again has refused Rothbart's offer.

'I'll never give you my father's kingdom!' she yelled.

'Rothbart was annoyed at first, but he smiled evilly. 'I was hoping you'd say you'd be mine. But it looks as if you need another day to think about it'

The moon had begun to set.

'No...' gasped Odette. Then she slowly made her way into the lake, as Rothbart laughed.

A magic stream of water surrounded the princess and when it had finished, a white swan had taken her place. Tears streamed down her face.

As Rothbart stomped away, the animals slowly approached Odette.

'Princess...' Puffin said in shock.

Odette waddled onto the land towards Pearl, who still wouldn't go near the lake.

'I'm so sorry, Odette' said Pearl, as she began to cry to.

'Puffin watched the two of them for a moment. Then he smiled.

'I said I would pay my debt and I meant it! Pearl, I'm going to help your friend!'