Down in Gullet…

Isabel almost spewed by the smell as she and her crew were in the belly of the beast.

She had almost forgotten about the smell when they reached the wooden floor. Gullet was the underworld of underworlds in Skull Island as the most shifted and deadly pirates like to lurk in its foul-smelling shadows. There you could face and cower over the great and fearsome Frogfather, the king of crime and the lord of smuggling. He had his amphibious fingers on every pie in every world of the spiral and maybe even beyond. Nothing goes beyond his notice, and no one dares to double-cross him and stay on Skull Island. Because those who do are never seen on Skull Island ever again.

Here, they can find a lead to where Ratbeard is.

"So, this is Gullet, I can see why they call it that." Bonnie Anne grimaced as she hated the thought of her fur getting wet in a place like this.

"Yeah, you never get used to the smell of things, do you?" Lasko chuckled a bit, "Oh, I remember how bleak it is on our many runs."

"Indeed." Egg Shen muttered, a tad cold from the belly of the beast, "Never thought a creature of warm blood would have cold inners."

"Probably the blowhole to be the cause." Nanu-Nanu surmised as he pointed to the hole they came through.

"Truly a strange land…" Itzen Kaan as he looked around.

"Oi, who you lot be?!" A Little Frog with guns questioned the crew.

"My good sir, we are in search of the highest esteemed Frogfather." The Marchioness requested in a refined matter.

The frog then showed suspicion.

"That may not be the right way to ask pirates," Emmet advised as the crew were getting ready to fight.

"Frogfather, sure I know where he is." The frog answered as he put his guns away, "His sanctuary is not too far from here in that place that looks like a warehouse. But before you get to meet him you need the password."

"So?" Isabel demanded as her scorpion began to hiss.

"Swordfish. The Password is Swordfish."

"Alright, everyone let's bounce." Lasko sighed, knowing what was going on.

Once they were out of range of the frog, Isabel was free to speak.

"He's sending us into a trap. How classic." Isabel informed.

"WHAT?!"

Most of the crew were surprised.

"And we're going to the trap?" Bonnie questioned the captain.

"This is how things work in the pirate world. Nothing is free, to talk to the big bananas of the business you need to prove your grit." Isabel explained.

"Yep, you have to keep proving yourself in order to get into the club." Lasko confirmed, "Reminds me of Little Izzy's initiation into the Rat Pack."

"Don't remind me. I remember that they smeared me with bait then had me run from my life from the Crokogators to get their totem." Isebel chuckled.

"Was it worse than going toe to toe with the bosses themselves for a full five minutes?"

"Oh, much worse. At least they don't bite."

"Kid, seriously, what have you been through?" Bonnie questioned, though admiring her determination.

"That's just how you will be as a pirate. Trust me, the rewards are worth the risk." Isabel answered before knocking at the door.

"Password?"

"Swordfish," Isabel answered as she and her crew got ready.

"Come on in…"

All the crew entered the warehouse then the sounds of fighting could be heard as shock blasts caused five new holes into the building! In the end, Isabel one as she got one of the Crabmen pinned.

"Now that we passed your little test… what's the password?" Isabel smiled but in a way that meant danger for her enemy.

"Ribbit! The password is Ribbit!"

"Ribbit? What kind of password is that?" Bonnie Anne questioned.

"No one has guessed it next. The Frogfather will be waiting for you next door." The Crab Thug informed the girl.

"Thank you for your partridge."

The blond then stepped off him and the crew left for the real lair of the Frogfather. There were two of his toughest guards were standing watch, ready to take down any intruder.

"Alright, you shlops, what's the password?" The Bodyguard demanded.

"Uh… Ribbit?" Egg Shen answered, not certain that it was going to work.

It was a surprise that it did as the guards stood down and opened the door.

"Welcome inside. The Frogfather is expecting your lot."

The crew was about to enter but then were suddenly stopped.

"Halt! Only the captain and the first mate are allowed in. The rest will wait out here."

"Oi, you can't-." Lasko began.

"It's okay, guys. Egg Shen and I won't be in there for long. We'll be right back." Isabel sighed as she and Egg Shen entered.

In the Frogfather's Sanctum…

Isabel and Egg were before the great and esteemed Frogfather… who was no bigger than a toy Isabel got for her scorpion Goldy. But doesn't mean he is less imposing or less fearsome than thought. No, he was quite the deadly frog who could tear apart anyone and anything in the path of his glorious organization. He was truly powerful.

"Ah, welcome Pirate. I see you have arrived." Frogfather calmly greeted them.

"If you knew I was coming then you know why I'm here," Isabel responded.

"Indeed, the location of Ratbeard. I know of the location of the pirate you seek, but I cannot give it freely."

"In the book of Favors, requests cannot be made without the other getting something in return-."

"Or in the old pirate code, nothing for nothing. So, what do you need me to get?" Isabel answered, wanting to get to the point.

"Why you little-."

"You got spunk, and you are cunning. That will be needed for a little… job I got for you. All you need to do is get me spice and the man who was supposed to get them… and here is where you get them both…"