Chapter XLII: Are You Ready?

"Come on, you don't have to be so harsh." Kyra said as she leaned against the wall. "I'm not here to eliminate you. Truth is, I haven't been given orders to do so. I simply came here to have some fun and past the time while my job goes down."

"And what exactly are you doing here." Ushio asked.

"Well, when I was checking in on things for a friend, I spotted you and figured I'd say hello. I so wish we'd had more time together when we first met. It's so entertaining to see you struggle to fight for good."

"This friend you speak of. Is he…"

"Well, considering who you've been around, I'm sure they've mentioned him. The good doctor was picked to be given our assistance and I was dispatched to aid him. You can thank me for those Nobodies you've run into."

"You…" Ushio grew more agitated.

"Now, now. Not here. It'd be a shame if a swarm of Heartless attack this boat full of people." Kyra teased. "Tonight's the big night. Once the festivities start, feel free to do whatever you want. Until then, I can't let you harm his plan."

"You and the other Neo Seekers, just what is your goal." Ushio asked. "You cause all these problems, but you abandon your allies just as quickly."

"Oh really now. Do we?" Kyra smiled. "The time is coming when all will be revealed. When that hour comes, you'll know. Only problem is who gets to mess with you then? Iwa's certainly got his eyes on you for who knows what reason. However, you're too entertaining to let someone else have. Well, I suppose we'll decide then."

Kyra walked the deck as she looked out toward their destination.

"I look forward to show tonight. Show me the excitement that can come from a festival like this."

Before Ushio could say or do anything more, Kyra disappeared into the swirling, dark portal.

—

Unbeknownst to Ushio and everyone, while she was dealing with Kyra and the aftermath of their talk, the shadows had appeared once more. Sneaking about, they were able to grab Naveen and make off with him. As Dr. Facilier paced about, the shadows approached him, frog prince in hand.

"We are back in business, boys!" he exclaimed.

"Get your filthy hands off me!" Naveen said before noticing his former personal assistance across the room. "Lawrence!"

"Oh, now hold still, Your Eminence." Lawrence said as he raised a voodoo totem towards him.

—

At last, the boat reached New Orleans as the people moved out to join the festivities. Ushio departed as she spied Tiana and Ray.

"Ray! Ushio! Have you seen Naveen?"

"Look at you." Ray smiled. "Where'd the ring at?"

"What are you talking about?" Tiana asked.

"Well, if Cap didn't say nothing, I ain't going to say nothing, because old Ray's sealed up tighter than a drum. You ain't getting nothing out of me, no!"

"What are you going on about?" Ushio questioned.

"Ray." Tiana raised her eye.

"Okay, Cap not going to marry Charlotte, he going to marry you!" Ray replied to Tiana. "Soon as he gets himself kissed and y'all both turn human, he's going to find a job, get you that restaurant…I said too much, didn't I?"

"You said just enough, Ray! Thank you, Evangeline."

"I suppose I should give you early congratulations." Ushio said. Despite the air currently, she couldn't shake off what Kyra had said earlier.

The three rushed forward to search for their targets. Swimming through the dense crowds, Ushio tried hearing what Tiana was say through the noise.

"You just keep your eyes out for the biggest, gaudiest float with a Mardi Gras princess about to kiss herself a…a frog." Tiana spoke as she spotted their destination.

Ushio pushed her way through the thrall of people to see what Tiana and Ray has spotted. Utop the float they were looking at, a priest stood next to a pair that seemed like they were getting ready to get married. The girl was the same one she'd seen in the vision at Mama Odie's while the man definitely seemed like a prince.

"Oh no. This can't be right, darling." Ray muttered. "And how you still be a frog? Mama Odie, she…"

Hearing Ray stop, Ushio turned to see why. Staring where he was, she couldn't find Tiana there anymore. Ray flew off to find her with Ushio following behind. Heading into a nearby cemetery, the pair spotted Tiana looking distraught.

"I know what we seen with our eyes, but if we just go back that way, we're going to find out your fairy tale come true." Ray tried to comfort her.

"Yeah, that can't be right. Let's head back and prove it wrong." said Ushio.

"Just because you wish for something doesn't make it true." Tiana spoke in a dejected tone.

"It's like my Evangeline always said to me-"

"Evangeline is nothing but a star, Ray! A big ball of hot air a million miles from here! Open your eyes now, before you get hurt." With those words spoken, Tiana leapt off, leaving the two alone.

"She…she didn't…" tried Ushio.

"She just speaking out a broken heart." Ray said, gazing up at the sky. "That's all that is. Come on, Evangeline. You too, Ushio. We're going to show chere the truth!"

—

Watching the wedding in the parade, Dr. Facilier chuckled. He prepared his voodoo doll as he observed the events going done.

"Looks like everything working for once." Kyra spoke from the shadows.

"Exactly. As soon as the marriage happens, the town will be in my hands."

As Ushio raced towards the float, Ray was able to make it there faster. Flying up to the princess, he whispered in his ear.

"Cap, what you doing, son?"

The princess shooed him away as Ray avoided his hand. Spotting a frog tongue sticking out of a chest on the ground, Ray flew down to it.

"Is that you, Cap?" he asked the box.

"Ray! Get me out of this box!" Naveen shouted from within.

"I can't hear you!" Ray shouted back. "I'm going to get you out this box!"

Ray worked his magic as he picked the lock. Naveen flung the chest open just as the priest was finishing the vows. Before he could conclude his words, Naveen jumped on the princes neck and wrestled for control of the totem around the prince's neck.

Ushio could see as the prince and a frog tumbled off the float. Finally getting there, she tried to get to them as the prince grabbed the frog and ran into a nearby building.

Above, Dr. Facilier watched as the events went down. Angry got at him as he started his way down to meet his partner in crime. However, he had one last word for the woman watching with him.

"You! Show some of your worth and send out some of those creatures you control. I don't want anymore interruptions!"