Chapter XL: Down In The Bayou

Having walked through the firefly lit night, Ushio followed the other four on their search for Mama Odie. With them reaching a certain point, Ray was the one to speak up.

"I'll take them the rest of the way. And don't forget to tell Angela, Ray-Ray say, 'Bonne chance!'"

"That's your girl?" Tiana asked.

"Oh, no, no." Ray responded. "My girl? Ho, ho, ho. That's Evangeline."

"Evangeline?" Ushio asked.

"She the most prettiest firefly ever did glow. You know I talk to Evangeline most every night. She's kind of shy. Don't say much. And I know in my heart, someday we are going to be together. Yeah."

"Aw! That's so sweet." Tiana said.

"Yeah, so sweet." Naveen added. "Just do not settle down so quickly, my friend. There are plenty of fireflies in the swamp.

Nearby as the group moved about, unknown to them, three hunters spied in the night. Spotting the two frogs, they snuck after them. With Tiana and Naveen taking up the front, they were out in the open.

As they chatted it up, Ushio thought she spotted something in the corner of her eye. Looking around, it seemed as though nothing was there. Turning her attention back to the front, she saw where someone stood with a net, Neverland capture within.

"I got me one, boys! Y'all get that little one over there!" he proclaimed.

With her companion caught, she readied herself to begin the chase. However, in that moment, the things that had drawn her eye sprung up. Two types of grey, humanoid beings flanked her. One variety had long arms that supported it body and appeared more numerous than the others. The other seemed to have long, jagged sleeves and was hunched over. While her companions needed help, she resigned that she had to deal with this mess first.

Keyblade brought to the ready, she struck the more numerous Creepers. A few blows dispatched the Nobodies quickly as their only real advantage seemed to be their numbers. As for the Assassins, they proved to be more of a nuisance to the girl. While the occasional hit would connect, they tended to dive into the ground below. Against her better judgement, Ushio knew she had to wait them out. Given her predicament, the last thing she needed was to rush after Naveen and Tiana only to find one of the sunken enemies surprising her.

Taking out the last Creeper, Ushio noted the three Assassin still swarming the area. One sprung up in attack, only to find Ushio's Keyblade blocking its strike. She quickly swung around and dealt a harsh blow. The last two seemed to have the same idea as they attacked the girl in tatem. Taking in the nearby swamp in her strategy, she quickly blasted off a Watera spell that took out one of the Nobodies as she stuck down the other.

Having taken out the enemies that surprised her, Ushio rushed ahead to help out. Despite her attempt, they seemed to be useless as she saw the boat holding the hunters go flying off as Tiana and Naveen watched from a nearby rock. Walking forward to meet with them, she heard the tail end of their conversation.

"'And we talk, too.' I like that. You are secretly funny." Naveen chuckled.

"Not a stick in the mud? Say it. Say it." Tiana said.

"All right. You're not exactly…a complete stick in the mud."

"There you are." Ushio said she reached them. "Are you okay. I saw what happened and tried to help, but…"

"It's fine. We showed them." Naveen said.

"You look a little scratched up yourself. What happened?" asked Tiana.

"Let's just say some bad things popped up, but I dealt with them. We should be safe now." Ushio replied.

"So everyone, since it's been a while and we need to recover our strength, how about some swamp gumbo?" Tiana put forth.

"That'll do." Louis answered.

"Sounds delicious." Naveen said as he lounged back. "I'll start with a pre-dinner cocktail and something to nibble on while I wait. Thanks."

"No, no, no, your royal highness. You are going to mince these mushrooms."

"I'll help however I can." Ushio said.

"Thanks." Tiana responded. "Here, it'll tell you want to gather."

Ushio went to work as she gathered a few things Tiana pointed her towards. Glancing over at Naveen, Tiana came over to help him out. As she did, they seemed to have a bit of a heart to heart as they enjoyed themselves.

—

The five sat around enjoying their meal. Stories were told as they laughed it up. With everyone having fun, Ray was the first to draw their attention elsewhere.

"There she is." he spoke. "The sweetest firefly in all creation."

"Evangeline?" Tiana asked.

"I want to meet this girl. Where she at?" Louis added.

"Yeah. Where is she?" Ushio punctuated.

"How you can miss her? She glowing right up there in front of y'all." Ray said, gazing at the brightest star in the night sky.

Knowing the truth, Ushio stayed silent as the others seemed to come to the same conclusion. As Ray began to sing about his love, Naveen convinced Tiana to dance with him. Ushio simply watched as she knew not to get in the way.

—

"To think she'd be here." Kyra spoke as she observed the scene. "This just became more interesting."

Looking around at her surroundings, she smiled.

"Well, there's no need for that Shadow Man to know anything yet. And after all, I'm only after the one he has no stakes it."