Chapter XXXIX: Southern Discomfort

"It appears you're having some problems."

Stepping out of the shadows, Kyra looked to her companion. The man turned towards her.

"Its nothing, I assure you." he replied. "I have things in place to assure my success. It won't go down that easily."

"I don't care how you do things, just give me an entertaining show." she replied. "Though I feel like something's missing."

"Nonsense. Now, I need to get to work."

"Whatever you say." Kyra said as she stepped back. "Just don't upset the others. It seems they're not as forgiving as my group."

—

Ushio found herself on a new world in a less than ideal situation. Finding herself up to her waist in swamp water, she looked for slight bits of dry land. Luckily for her, the moon was rising. As such, she spotted a path. Getting on it, she took it towards its destination.

•[The Bayou]•

Hearing the sound of music, she walked towards its source. Moving through the brush, the music came to a stop, but talking could still be heard. Ushio was able to spot a weird sight. From what she could make out, it appeared as though an animal was talking. She could make out what appeared to be an alligator. Yet, it stood on two legs and held a trumpet.

"Now let's see here." it said, searching the surroundings.

Ushio took a step forward. Stepping on a branch, it snapped, letting out a loud noise. She knew her cover was blown, yet the alligator made a shocking move. It appeared more scared than alert.

"Who's there." he said before whispering to himself. "Boy, I hope it not those hunters."

"Relax. I don't mean any harm." Ushio said, stepping out into view.

"Oh thank goodness." he let out a sigh of relief.

Ushio thought for a second. Sure, it was strange that she was talking with an alligator, but she'd talked with animals before. Yeah, it might've been under different circumstances, but the rules of the different worlds worked differently. She figured she might as well start at the beginning.

"So, um, my name's Ushio."

"Name's Louis." he replied back.

"Hello." she responded. "I couldn't help, but notice you were looking for something."

"Ah, yeah. See, a couple of friends need some help, so I'm looking for a sharp stick to help them."

Looking down at the branch she snapped, Ushio picked up a half and held it towards the alligator.

"Would this work?"

"Absolutely." he said, grabbing it. "Hey, why do you come along and I'll introduce you to my new friends. I bet they'll be glad to see you."

Not knowing what he meant, she followed along. Working their way through more bushes, Louis seemed to find his friends as he charged ahead a bit.

"I found a stick!" he called out.

Walking beside him, Ushio notes that his eyes were facing towards two frogs who stared back at him.

"Louis." a feminine sounding one said. "Ray here says you've been taking us in the wrong direction."

"I was…well, listen." Louis chuckled nervously. "I was confused by the topography and the geography and the choreography and…Wait! I found you guys another human."

A puzzled look appeared on Ushio's face. Another human, he said. From what she could see, it was just an alligator, two frogs, and was that a firefly?

"You're right." the other frog said. Walking over to Ushio, he jumped on her shoulder to get a better vantage point. "Since you're here, would you happen to know the way back to New Orleans, or better yet, do you know any princess?"

"I don't know any way to this New Orleans you talk about. You see, I'm not exactly from around here." Ushio said, scratching her head. "As for the whole princess deal…well, I think I remember my parents saying something about mom being a whole Princess of Heart or something, but I don't think that's what you're looking for."

"I see." the frog said, leaping down.

"Naveen, come on. You're probably confusing the girl." the other frog said. "Let's at least explain who we are and how we got here. My name's Tiana. The one over there's Naveen. See, Princess Charming here got himself turned into a frog by a voodoo witch doctor. Long story short, I got turned into one too. Before you came along, we were on our way to Mama Odie's. However, it seems we were going the wrong way."

"I see." Ushio nodded.

"Meanwhile, I was tellin' them the first rule of the bayou. Never take direction from a gator." the firefly said, flying up to Ushio. "You can call me Ray, by the way." Ray whistled as countless lights lit up in the night. "Why, me and my relationals will help show y'all the way. Come on, chere! Just follow the bouncing butt!"

—

"Friends, I know I'm in hock to y'all pretty deep already, but seems our little froggy prince lost his way and I need your generous assistance getting him back." Dr. Facilier spoke. The witch doctor paced in front of a mask filled wall which all glared at him. "Ha, I hear you! Now, what's in it for y'all? Well, as soon as I dispose of Big Daddy La Bouff and I'm running his town, I'll have the entire city of New Orleans in the palm of my hand. And you'll have all the wayward souls your dark little hearts desire. Y'all love that, don't you? So, we got ourselves a deal?"

In response, the large, center mask opened up. Sinister shadows poured forth from it, gathering around the room.

"Now we're cooking!" Dr. Facilier exclaimed. "We're going to find ourselves a frog! Search everywhere! The bayou, the Quarter. Bring him to me alive. I need his heart pumping for now."

The shadows flew out of the building, beginning their search. Being left alone, the witch doctor took a step out. He once again spotted his ally, leaning against the building.

"Looks like you're trying to fix your problem." Kyra spoke. "You know what, I've already sent some things ahead to aid you. In fact, why don't I go out there and help find your little frog prince myself."