Chapter XLI: Sinister Shadows

With Naveen and Tiana's little dance done, Tiana broke away from Naveen.

"We best be pushing on." she said as she hopped off.

Getting up to follow, Ushio spied as Naveen was yanked by strange shadows further into the swamp.

"Tiana!" he called out.

As everyone noted what was happening, they began to chase after him. Ushio summoned her Keyblade as she ran down the shadows. Before they could reach Naveen, strange balls of light dissolved the shadows, saving him. Seeing a figure coming out of a fog, Ushio stood at the ready.

However, what came out of the fog seemed to be an elderly woman carrying a lit up stick.

"Not bad for a one hundred ninety seven year old blind lady." she laughed. "Now which of you naughty children been messing with the Shadow Man?"

—

"We're so glad we found you, Mama Odie." Tiana said as the group reached Mama Odie's home. "Ray and Louis here have been telling us all about you. We've been traveling quite a long way and you can't imagine what we've been through. And we heard that you-"

"Good to see you again, Ray." Mama Odie interrupted. "How's your grandmama?"

"She's fine."

"Mama Odie." Tiana said, trying to get her attention again. "We don't want to take up too much of your time."

"Y'all want some candy?" she asked.

Ushio stood in confusion. This was the woman that could help Tiana and Naveen. Really?

As the two frogs replied no, Mama Odie took the candy herself.

"Now, that's too bad. It's a special candy. Would have turned y'all human."

Hearing those words, the two pleaded as Mama Odie are the candy herself.

"Wait! Don't! Please don't take it!"

"I'm just messing with y'all."

"How on earth did you know that we wanted to turn back?"

Mama Odie got up as she sauntered over to her gumbo pot.

"You sure this is the right blind voodoo lady who lives in a boat in a tree in the bayou?" Louis asked.

"I agree. It's kinda strange." Ushio added.

"Pretty sure." Ray assured.

"Now, y'all figure out what you need?" asked Mama Odie.

"It's just like you said, Mama Odie. We need to be human." Tiana replied.

"Hah! Y'all ain't got the sense you was born with!" Mama Odie exclaimed. "Y'all want to be human, but you're blind to what you need!"

What we want? What we need? Is all the same thing, yes?" reasoned Naveen.

"Is the same thing? No!" Mama Odie interjected. "You gotta dig a little deeper and find out what you truly need."

"I understand what you're saying Mama Odie." Tiana replied. "I need to dig a little deeper and work even harder to get my restaurant."

In response to Tiana's statement, all Mama Odie could do was sigh and place her head on her palm.

"Well, if y'all are set in being human, there's only one way." Mama Odie began to stir her gumbo pot. "Gumbo, gumbo, in the pot. We need a princess, whatcha got?"

The gumbo shined as it showed an image of a blonde girl.

"Lottie?" Tiana recognized her. "But she's not a princess."

"Hush up and look at the gumbo." stated Mama Odie.

"That's right." Tiana continued. "Big Daddy's King of the Mardi Gras parade. So that makes Lottie a princess."

"Does that count?" Naveen asked.

"Yes, it does." Mama Odie commented. "But only till midnight when Mardi Gras is over. Hop along, you only got till then to get that princess to kiss you. Once she does, boom! You both turn human!"

"Midnight?" Naveen pondered.

"That doesn't give us much time at all." Tiana stated.

"What about me, Mama?" Louis asked. "I want to be human too, so I can play jazz with the big boys."

"Jabber Jaws, you dig a little deeper, you'll find everything you need. Come on, come on, come on! There's a lot of river between here and New Orleans. Y'all best get to swimming." As she pushed them out, she took a moment to look at Ushio. "Except you, child. I need to have a word with you."

"Me?" Ushio asked.

"Yes, you. You're not from around here, are you?"

"Not really. Though I suppose it's not that simple."

"Well, let me warn you. Before you know it, things will begin to converge. When that time comes, you'll be faced with things you may not remember. However, it's up to you to decide how you move forward with all that."

"Wait, what do you mean?" Ushio asked.

"Hush now, you've got some friends that need your help."

—

Making their way to a river boat, the five were able to sneak aboard. As shadows of other people came around the corner, the four animals tried to hide and Ushio played it cool. With the three men rounding the way, they revealed themselves to be wearing animal costumes as they made note of Louis.

"Man, that is one killer-diller costume."

"Hey gator, can you blow that horn?"

Doing as he was asked, Louis played a few notes on his trumpet.

"Come on. Sit in with us! We're playing Mardi Gras." one of the men offered.

Louis took their offer as he went off with them, playing his instrument.

"We can't miss this." Ray said. "Little Louis going to finally play with the big boys!"

As Ray took off to join Louis, Tiana started to follow.

"Naveen, Ushio, you coming?"

"I'll catch up with you later." Naveen replied.

"I'll-"

"Hey, Ushio, it's been a while. Why don't we catch up!" a voice called from behind the girl. Looking back, Ushio spotted a familiar face.

"I'll catch up later. I've gotta meet up with my old friend here." Following the person around the corner, Ushio immediately pulled her Keyblade out. "So, what is it you want Kyra."