Chapter 105: The Heart of Notre Dame Part 2: Gypsy Hunt
Outside of the cathedral, the people had all disbursed, and the guards were looking, Esmeralda, disguised as an old man with her goat on her back was walking out of the courtyard and moving as fast as she could to the cathedral, but didn't go unnoticed as Captain Phoebus noticed her, watching her go to the church and close the door, the gypsy removing her cloak once she got in and looked around, seeing the architecture and hearing the church choir singing. As she looked around, captain Phoebus walked up behind her, hoping to get to talk to her, but she noticed him almost instantly, hearing his armor clanging as he walked, so she spun around, grabbing his sword and tossing him to the ground, pointing the sword at him as she glared at the captain.
"You." She said.
"Easy, easy, I just shaved this morning." Phoebus said.
"Oh really?" She asked. "You missed a spot."
"Hey, there's no need for violence." Psyrox said, he and the ponies coming out from behind the support pillars. "I mean, we are in a church after all."
"Yeah, come on now, it's bad to attack anyone in here!" Pinkie said, spooking the two of them.
"Did she...?" Phoebus asked, starring at the pink party pony. "Did that pony just talk?"
"Trust me, you don't wanna ask." Twilight said.
"Alright, alright, let's just calm down." Phoebus said, getting up. "I just wanna apologize."
"Oh really?" Esmeralda asked. "For what?"
He then swept Esmeralda's feet, knocking her over while taking his sword back, making Psyrox pressed his fingers to the temple of his head and sighed, knowing this wasn't going to end well.
"That for example." Phoebus said.
"Hey, that wasn't nice at all!" Pinkie shouted, growling at Phoebus.
"You sneaky son of a-" Esmeralda was going to say, but was interrupted.
"Ah, ah, ah, watch your language, we're in a church after all." Phoebus said.
"You always this charming or am I just lucky?" Esmeralda asked.
She then grabbed a candle stick holders and swung, Phoebus defending himself as he backed away, laughing as he blocked her attacks.
"Candle light." Phoebus said. "Music, privacy, can't think of a better place for hand-to-hand combat."
"Well it would be romantic if not for all the fighting." Rarity said, thinking about it.
"You fight almost as good as a man." Phoebus said, blocking another attack.
"Really, I was going to say the same thing to you!" Esmeralda replied, Pinkie laughing.
"That's hitting a little below the belt, don't you think?" Phoebus asked.
"No, this it!" Esmeralda replied.
She then swung the candle stick to hit him the privates, but he blocked, only for her to use the other end and hit him in the head, causing him to see stars before shaking his head.
"Touché!" Phoebus said, getting nailed in the gut by the goat, holding his stomach. "Didn't know you had a kid."
"Kid?" Pinkie asked, looking at the goat. "That looks nothing like her."
"No Pinkie, he means a young goat is called a kid." Twilight said. "It's how some people pronounce them."
"And he doesn't take kindly to soldiers." Esmeralda said, backing away.
"Yeah, I noticed." Phoebus said, holding his gut. "Uh, permit me, I'm Phoebus, it means... some god." She just starred at the captain as did the ponies and their protector, still weary of him as they didn't fully trust him. "And you all are?"
"Is this an interrogation?" Esmeralda asked, which Phoebus put his sword back in the scabbard.
"It's called an introduction." Phoebus replied.
"You're not arresting me?" She asked, looking to the ponies. "Or them?"
"Not as long as you're in here." Phoebus replied, surprising her. "All of you are in a church, which means I can't arrest you."
"You're nothing like the other soldiers." Esmeralda said, putting the Candle stick down.
"Thank you." Phoebus said, taking it as a compliment.
"So, you aren't;t going to arrest her, what do you want?" Fluttershy asked.
"Well, I'd settle for her name." Phoebus replied, looking to Esmeralda.
"Well, if that's all..." She said, looking at him with pure joy as she felt a little safer. "Esmeralda."
"Beautiful." Phoebus replied, the goat looking to his friend in disgust. "And much better than Phoebus anyway. And you all are?"
"I'm Twilight." Twilight replied. "Twilight Sparkle. And these are my friends, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Cadence, and you already know Psyrox."
"Yes, we met." Phoebus said, looking to him.
He took a glance at Psyrox, thinking about the weapons he saw him and the ponies use when fighting the Nobodies, and was about to ask what they were as to him, they looked familiar when the door to the cathedral, everyone looked to find Frollo come in with a battalion of soldiers and a few Dusks close behind, shocking them.
"Good work captain!" Frollo said, walking towards them. "Now arrest them!"
"Claim sanctuary." Phoebus whispered, Esmeralda glaring at him while Psyrox got ready for a fight. "Say it!"
"You tricked me."
"I'm waiting captain." Frollo said.
"I'm sorry sir, they claimed sanctuary." Phoebus said, surprising Esmeralda. "There is nothing I can do."
"Then drag her outside and..." Frollo said, but was interrupted by Psyrox, who leapt over them and called his Keyblades, surprising the judge as he backed away. "Those weapons... they're..."
"Frollo, you will not touch them!" The archdeacon said, walking over to them. "Don't worry my children, minister Frollo learned years ago to respect the sanctity of the church."
Frollo glared at them, but then glared at Psyrox, knowing the weapons looked familiar, but couldn't put his finger on it as he walked away, but hid behind a pillar, the archdeacon escorting Phoebus out the church while the goat ran up, hitting him in the rear to get him to leave faster while the ponies walked forward, but as they did, Frollo came up from behind and grabbed Esmeralda, making her gasp as he pinned her arm behind her back and making the ponies turn around, calling their Keyblades and pointing them at the judge.
"Let her go!" Cadence exclaimed. "You heard what the captain said, you can't touch or arrest us while we're in here!"
"I do not know how you horses can talk, probably some form of witchcraft." Frollo said. "I'll learn more after I take you in. And if you think you all eluded me, I'm a very patient man, I can wait. Besides, Gypsies don't do well behind stone walls."
As he said it, he then smelled her hair, creeping everyone out as the girls shivered.
"Hey, don't you go sniffing random people hair you creepy McCreepersan!" Pinkie shouted.
"What do you think you're doing?" Esmeralda asked, clearly not enjoying it.
"I was just imagining a rope around that beautiful neck of yours." Frollo said, putting his hand on her neck, but Psyrox appeared behind him, putting his blade to the judges neck and making him let the gypsy go.
"I know exactly what you were thinking pal." Psyrox said, Esmeralda moving away from him. "You claim yourself to be a righteous man, but righteous men don't go around groping women and smelling their hair."
"Such clever gypsies." Frollo said, turning to face him. "Always twisting the truth to fill the minds of the people with unholy thoughts."
"The only unholy thoughts that are going around are yours." Psyrox said. "Your heart is corrupted by darkness, you just don't see it yet."
Frollo stared at Psyrox for a little bit, looking down at his weapon and then having an idea of what it was, smiling as he backed away.
"Well, no matter." Frollo said, walking to the door of the cathedral. "You have chosen a magnificent prison, but it is a prison nonetheless. The moment any of you step outside, you're mine."
He then walked out of the church, closing the door behind him and leaving them all alone in the hall, the gypsy running to the door to see if she could escape while Psyrox walked to the ponies, dismissing his Keyblades.
"I hate that guy." Psyrox said.
"We all do." Twilight said. "At least we're in the place where the Heart Piece is hidden. We better start looking and get out of here."
"No need, I already know where it's at." Rarity said, getting their attention. "The hunchback has it."
"You sure?" Pinkie asked.
"Positive." Rarity replied. "It was on his back."
"Then we know where it is." Twilight said. "Now we need to figure out how to get it."
Before they could say anything more, Esmeralda walked past them, completely defeated as she felt trapped, walking to them.
"If Frollo thinks he can keep us here, he's wrong." Esmeralda said.
"Let's not be too rash Esmeralda." Cadence said. "We kind of caused a stir out there."
"You saw what he did out there." She replied. "Letting the crowd torture that poor boy. I just thought that if one person could stand up to him... what do they have against people who are different?"
"You can't right all the wrongs on your own." The archdeacon said.
"No one out there is going to help." Esmeralda said, making the priest smile.
"Well, maybe someone in here can." The archdeacon said, walking away.
"What does that mean?" Pinkie asked.
"He means someone here will help us." Psyrox replied, looking up to the stain glass window of Jesus. "We just need to ask."
A moment later, Esmeralda walked up next to Psyrox, music playing as a song was beginning while the ponies looked up, trying to figure out who they were talking about as they looked to the window before the gypsy looked over to the other people, Rarity looking over to see them kneeling before some railings and their heads bowed, their hands together as they prayed..
[Esmeralda]
I don't know if you can hear me,
Or if you're even there.
I don't know if you would listen to a gypsy's prayer.
Yes, I know I'm just an outcast,
I shouldn't speak to you.
Still I see your face and wonder,
Were you once an outcast too?
\In the rafters, Quasimodo was alone with Spyro, who was leaning against one of the posts when he heard someone singing, both he and Quasimodo looking down to see who it was that was singing, not finding the source of the voice, so they went down to see if they could find them. Back with the group, everyone was walking away from the statue they were in front of, walking through the row of candles while the ponies followed close behind.
[Psyrox]
God help the outcasts,
Hungry from birth.
Show them the mercy they don't find on Earth.
[Esmeralda]
God help my people,
We look to you still.
God help the outcasts or nobody will.
A moment later, Quasimodo and Spyro walked above the main room, looking down to see a crowd of people walking by, but then saw Esmeralda, Psyrox, and the ponies walking the opposite direction, Spyro immediately interested int he ponies.
"Hey... isn't that... the Gypsy that freed you?" Spyro asked.
"Yes, but who are they?" Quasimodo asked.
"I don't know." Spyro replied, scratching his head. "But... they look... familiar."
"Like you've seen them before in another life?" Quasimodo asked. "Before you lost your memory?"
"Maybe." Spyro replied, looking down at them "I can't remember them, but... I feel... happy."
[Choir]
I ask for wealth!
I ask for fame!
I ask for glory to shine on my name!
[Rich woman]
I ask for love...
[Choir]
I can possess!
I ask for God and his angels to bless me!
A moment later, Quasimodo and Spyro had snuck down, watching the group walk by, but Spyro was more focused on the ponies, wanting to get closer to them to see who they were while Quasimodo kept his distance.
[Esmeralda]
I ask for nothing, I can get by!
But I know so many less lucky than I!
Please help my people,
The poor and down trod!
I thought we all were the children of God.
[Psyrox]
God help the outcasts,
[Psyrox and Esmeralda]
Children of God!
As they finished their song, Esmeralda hugged her pet goat, Rarity and Twilight walking up to Psyrox, who knelt down and hugged them too, almost like he knew they wanted to hug him while Quasimodo and Spyro watched, the later not understanding why he felt jealous all of a sudden, but felt like he wanted to go over and rip him apart.
"You, bellringer!" Someone shouted, making Quasimodo knock over a candle stick. "What are you doing down here!?"
"More than you apparently." Spyro said as Quasimodo ran away.
"Haven't you caused enough trouble!?" The man shouted.
"Yeah no thanks to you pricks!" Spyro shouted back.
The group watched as the hunchback was running away, running past a mirror, but when he passed it, they saw a reflection of Spyro run next to the hunchback, Rarity's eyes lighting up as they ran after them.
"Wait!" Esmeralda shouted. "Please wait, I want to talk to you!"
"So do we!" Twilight shouted as well, running after them.
They ran after the hunchback, running up the stairs while Spyro flew after the hunchback, flying next to him.
"Quasi, slow down will ya?" Spyro asked. "You don't wanna run too fast do ya?"
"I know, but..." Quasimodo tried to say, but stopped when the gargoyles appeared.
"He's right, you mustn't run too fast or she'll get away." Victor said.
"I know, but I need to..." Quasimodo said, interrupted again by Hugo.
"Yeah, just give her some slack, then reel her in!" Hugo said. "Giver her some slack, then reel her in! Give her some slack and-"
"Knock it off Hugo!" Laverne said, hitting the fat gargoyle in the head. "She's a girl, not a fish!"
Quasimodo then tried to run away, only for the group to catch up to him, stopping when he heard them.
"There you are." Esmeralda said. "I thought we had lost you."
"Yes, well, um..." Quasimodo said, nervous to be talking to her and looked to Spyro, who motioned for him to talk to her. "Well, I have... chores to do. So... it was nice seeing you... again."
"Smooth Romeo." Spyro said, making the hunchback groan.
"Wait, please!" Twilight said, teleporting in front of the Hunchback, moving past her as he climbed up. "We just want to talk."
"I wanted to apologize for this afternoon." Esmeralda said, climbing up the ladder and followed by everyone else. "I had no idea who you were. If I knew, I'd have never... pulled you... up... on the... stage."
"Wow." Fluttershy said, flying up and looking around.
"It's beautiful." Rarity said, walking to the table.
"What is this place?" Esmeralda asked.
"This is where I live." Quasimodo replied.
"Did you make this... all by yourself?" Cadence asked, picking up one of the dolls.
"Most of it." Quasimodo replied, feeling proud of himself.
"Darling, this is beautiful." Rarity said, examining the houses and the dolls herself. "The craftsman ship, the cuts, the carving... you have a gift."
"I'll say he has a gift." Esmeralda said. "If I could do this, I wouldn't need to be dancing in the streets for coins."
"But you're a wonderful dancer." Quasimodo said.
"Yeah, even we saw you dance!" Pinkie said, spinning around and wearing a shirt, dancing with a tambourine. "You were like, swish, swish, dance here, dance there."
"She's a random one." Spyro said.
Everyone was laughing at the pink pony, who kept doing random dancing, but as Spyro watched, he seemed to recall something, memories from the past coming back to him as he starred at the pink pony, remembering he knew someone like that, if not exactly like her.
"Well, it puts bread on the table." Esmeralda said.
"Hey, what are these?" Twilight said, using her magic to lift the cloth off.
"Wait, they're not finished!" Quasimodo said, rushing over. "I still need to paint them!"
When Twilight removed the cloth, it revealed two unpainted figures, one tall and skinny while the other was short and fat, amazing everyone.
"Wow, look at them." Cadence said. "The carving, so even and delicate."
"Quasimodo darling, you are a true artist!" Rarity said.
"It's the blacksmith." Esmeralda said, chuckling as she picked the fat figure up. "And the baker!"
"Looks like you made some new friends pal." Spyro said, floating down.
"You're a surprising person Quasimodo." Esmeralda said. "Not to mention lucky. You get all this room to yourself."
"Well, it's not just me." Quasimodo replied. "There's also the gargoyles and the bells. Hey, you all like to see them?"
"Of course we would darling." Rarity replied.
"Then follow me and I'll show you." Quasimodo said.
He then climbed up the ladder, everyone following after him and saw there were a lot of bells in the rafters, everyone amazed by them.
"Wow, so many bells!" Pinkie said excitedly. "I wanna ring them, I wanna ring them!"
Without waiting, Pinke ran to the closest bell and put her head in it, ringing the bell by hitting her head against the bell and making it ring before Twilight used her magic to teleport Pinkie out of it and next to them, leering at the excited pink party pony.
"Never thought there would be this many up here." Esmeralda said.
"Oh, there's lots of them up here." Quasimodo said. "And they all have a name. This is little Sophie." Quasimodo then started to swing on them as he moved on. "And Gemarie, Annmarie, and Louis Marie, they're triplets."
"And who's this one?" Cadence asked, finding the bell tower interesting.
"Big Marie." Quasimodo replied.
"HELLO!" Cadence shouted from inside the bell, making it echo and making everyone chuckled a bit.
"I knew the princess had a silly side, but didn't expect her to do this." Pinkie said, bouncing to the bell.
"Yeah, she's lots of fun." Twilight replied, smiling at her old foal sitter. "Despite being a princess, she is very relaxed."
"She likes you." Quasimodo said. "Would you guys like to see more?"
"We'd love to Quasi darling." Rarity replied.
Quasimodo climbed up the ladder while everyone else followed, thought Twilight had to teleport herself, Pinkie, and Rarity up to the roof while Fluttershy and Princess Cadence flew up, Esmeralda and Psyrox climbing the ladder to the roof to see the sun setting in the distance, everyone captivated by the scenery as the sunset made everything they saw beautiful.
"Amazing." Esmeralda said. "I bet the king himself doesn't have a view like this."
"The view is quite lovely, isn't it?" Rarity asked, sighing. "I wish Spyro was here to see it."
As soon as she said that, both Quasimodo and Spyro looked at her in surprise, hearing the pony say Spyro's name shocked the both of them, the hunchback walking over to her.
"Spyro?" Quasimodo asked, wondering how she knew his name.
"Yes, Spyro." Rarity replied. "He was a gentleman who was always there for us. He was loving, heroic, dashing, and our herd leader. He loved all of us, well except for Princess Cadence of course, she's engaged to somepony else. But the rest of us, he loved and protected us from any danger. We'd go on picnics, travel to other places, he was such a prince."
"Wait... herd?" Spyro asked, the words ringing in his head. "Cadence?"
He looked back to the alicorn, finding she did look familiar to him before looking to the other ponies, finding they looked and sounded familiar before more memories came to him, remembering them and a few others around him, kissing and hugging them while also looking completely different, remembering fights he was in, protecting others before the memories reached him again, but this time with Scootaloo, playing around with her and helping her with her homework, a tear coming to his eye, which seemed to have an effect on Quasimodo as a tear rolled down his face, confusing him as he didn't understand why he was crying.
"Rarity." Spyro said.
"Rarity?" Quasimodo asked, getting the mares attention.
"How did you know my name?" Rarity asked. "We never introduced ourselves."
"Oh, uh..." Quasimodo said, trying to think of something.
"I feel like I could stay here forever." Esmeralda said, saving Quasimodo.
"So why don't you?" He asked, climbing to her. "You have Sanctuary after all."
"Yeah, we're basically safe here." Pinkie said.
"Thanks, but I can't." Esmeralda said. "I might be safe, but I'm not free. Gypsies don't do well in stone walls."
"But... you're not like other Gypsies." Quasimodo said. "They're... evil."
"Who told you that?" Twilight asked.
"Old sour puss that's who." Spyro replied, floating around.
"My master, Frollo." Quasimodo replied. "He raised me."
"But... how could someone so cruel raise someone like you?" Fluttershy asked. "You're nothing like Frollo."
"Cruel, no." Quasimodo said. "He took me in when nobody else would."
"Yeah, after he killed your mother." Twilight whispered to Rarity, Cadence nudging her to be quiet.
"I am a monster after all." Quasimodo said, looking depressed.
"You're not a monster darling." Rarity said, walking up and sitting next to him. "You may not look like a normal human, but you're more human that that cruel judge Frollo."
"She's right." Esmeralda said. "Here, give me your hand."
"What?" Quasimodo asked.
"Just let me see it." Esmeralda said.
Quasimodo was skeptical at first, but he then gave her his hand, which she examined it like a palm reader, examining every line on his hand.
"Whatcha doing?" Pinkie asked, appearing next to the Hunchback, spooking him.
"Reading his palm." Esmeralda replied. Most Gypsies do it to help people have an understanding of who the person really is and what their future has in store for them." She looked through the hunchbacks palm, examining it. "Let's see, a long life line... oh and this one means you're shy. Hmm, I don't see any... monster lines."
"See, even she sees you're not a monster." Rarity said. "You're a good person, not a monster."
"And me?" She asked, giving her palm to Quasimodo. "Do you think I am evil?"
"Oh no!" Quasimodo said, taking her hand. "No, you're kind, and beautiful, and..."
"A gypsy." Esmeralda said. "And... maybe Frollo is wrong about the both of us."
She walked over tot he railing of the roof, leaning against it as she looked out to the city, the hunchback walking over to her as she looked out.
"You helped me, so let me help you." Quasimodo said.
"But there's no way out." Twilight pointed out. "There are soldiers everywhere."
"There maybe soldiers at every door, but we won't use a door." Quasimodo said. "You carry your little friend here, and I'll carry you down."
"You mean climb down?" Esmeralda asked, looking down, nervous, but decided to trust him. "Well, ok."
The goat jumped into the gypsies arms, which she used a piece for cloth to cover his eyes so he wouldn't freak out.
"Fluttershy and I will fly beside you and catch you incase you fall." Cadence said.
The two ponies leapt up and flew int he air right as Quasimodo picked Esmeralda up, going over the edge and hanging onto one of the gargoyles, the cloth on the goats head falling off, which the goat looked down and freaked out, holding onto the gypsy as she tried not to look down.
"Please tell me you've done this before." Esmeralda said, feeling nervous.
"No, but I have climbed around here long enough to know where to go." Quasimodo said.
He then leapt over to another edge, leaping from post to post while the Gypsy felt her stomach turn, fear welling up inside her as she held onto her pet and onto the hunchback, the hunchback leaping over as she tried not to scream, Fluttershy and Cadence diving down to help them, but Quasimodo grabbed onto another post and climbed down, leaping off the tower and onto the roof, holding onto the metal shingle.
"Wow, you're quite the acrobat." Esmeralda said.
"Thanks." Quasimodo said. "It's no big-"
He didn't finish as the shingle came loose, making them go for a ride, which the two flying ponies feared for them, flying after them as the group slid down the roof and onto a water spout, sparks flying everywhere as they slid until they shot out, Quasimodo grabbing onto the stone spout while the roofing flew out, crashing into the ground and distracting the guards, forcing them to run to where the noise was coming from. Using this distraction, Quasimodo let go, dropping down until he grabbed another stone railing, swinging to another gargoyle before landing in front of a statue as the ponies landed next to them, but a guard was walking by, so the posed next tot he statue, pretending to be statues as he walked by, unfreezing as he walked away.
"Hope I didn't scare you." Quasimodo said.
"Well you scared us." Cadence said. "I thought you wouldn't make it when you slid down the roof."
"We're just glad you're ok." Fluttershy said.
"Hey, I got an idea." Esmeralda said, getting Quasimodo's attention. "Come with me."
"What?" Quasimodo asked.
"To the Court of Miracles!" Esmeralda replied. "Leave this place."
"Oh, no, I won't." Quasimodo replied. "I won't be going back out there again. you saw how it went last time. This is where I belong."
"Alright, then I'll come and visit you." Esmeralda suggested.
"But... what about the soldiers!?" Fluttershy asked. "And Frollo!?"
"That won't be an issue." Psyrox said, appearing out for the shadows and scaring them.
"How'd you get here!?" Cadence asked.
"I can open corridors and walk through them." Psyrox replied, raising a red flag in Fluttershy's mind. "I came down to help escort Esmeralda to the Court of Miracles.'
"Then it's settled." Esmeralda said. "I'll come after sunset and visit you."
"But, at sunset I ring the evening mass." Quasimodo said. "Then I have to clean the cloisters, ring the Vespers..." Esmeralda found his list of chores to be cute, how he was acting shy around her, so she then kissed him on the cheek, making him stop. "Whatever works for you."
She then reached int9 her shirt, pulling out a homemade pendant and presented it to Quasimodo.
"If you, or anyone else needs Sanctuary, follow this." Esmeralda said.
"How?" Quasimodo asked.
"Just remember, when you wear this woven band, you hold the city in your hand." Esmeralda said.
The goat then made a noise, warning them that another guard was on his way, prompting them to make a hasty retreat. Psyrox leapt down and reached his arms out, the gypsy jumping down followed by the goat and the three of them ran into the city, Psyrox following the gypsy as they ran to where she needed to go. Quasimodo sighed a happy sigh, beginning his climb up the cathedral while the ponies flew up, but as soon as they reached the top, Captain Phoebus came out of nowhere and grabbed the hunchback, freaking the ponies out.
"Hi there." Phoebus said. "I'm looking for the Gypsy girl. Have you seen her?"
Without warning, Quasimodo pushed the soldier back and went after him, grabbing a torch and was about to attack, but Rarity and Twilight got in the way.
"Wait, don't!" Twilight said, stopping him. "It's ok Quasimodo, he's on our side."
"He's a soldier!" Quasimodo exclaimed. "This is a place of Sanctuary, he isn't supposed to be here!"
"Yes, but he's also the one who said she claimed Sanctuary." Rarity replied, surprising him. "When Frollo came with some soldiers and Nobodies, Phoebus said she claimed Sanctuary, saying we all claimed it, saving us."
Quasimodo looked at Phoebus, leering at him, but trusted his friends, lowering the torch back into the ring holding it before backing away.
"I wanted to talk to her." Phoebus said. "I just wanted to tell her I didn't mean to trap her here. I didn't mean to trap any of them here, but it was the only way I could save them. Would you please tell her?"
"I will." Quasimodo said.
The captain smiled, preparing to walk away, but then stopped, turning and looking at them again.
"Oh and one more thing." Phoebus said. "Tell her she's a lucky woman."
"Why?" Quasimodo asked.
"To have friends like you watching out for her." Phoebus replied.
He turned and walked into the tower, taking the spiral stairs back down into the cathedral while the group walked back to Quasimodo's room, the hunchback leading the way while the ponies hanged back, but Fluttershy looked worried, Cadence seeing how worried she is and walked next to her.
"What's wrong Fluttershy?" Cadence asked. "You seem nervous."
"It's Psyrox." Fluttershy replied. "He said he could open corridors. As in Corridors of Darkness."
"And that's bad?" Cadence asked.
"It means he's a Nobody." Fluttershy replied. "Nobodies are ponies without a heart, born when a strong hearted pony looses their heart. If he's a Nobody and he can open corridors, then he's with Organization XIII, the same organization that killed Spyro."
Cadence suddenly froze, feeling her heart drop into her stomach as she heard what Fluttershy said, looking to Twilight and her other friends walking with the hunchback.
"But... why would a pony who is with our enemy help us?" Cadence asked. "Why help us?"
"Maybe he's after the Heart Pieces and when we collect them all, he'll turn against us." Fluttershy said.
"Maybe." Cadence said, think about it. "We better keep a close eye on him when he gets back. We need to understand why he's really helping us."
The two of them then walked into the room, flying up to where Quasimodo's diorama of the Cathedral and the hanging glass was, seeing everyone was laughing and having fun, Quasimodo having a slight blush on his face.
"Honestly Quasimodo, she seems to like you." Rarity said.
"No, no she doesn't." Quasimodo said.
"Oh, don't be modest." Twilight said, walking up. "We can tell when somepony likes somepony else. After all, we were with somepony we loved,"
"Look, I appreciate it girls, but let's not fool ourselves." Quasimodo said. "Ugliest face in all of Paris."
"So?" Rarity asked, walking up. "It's not always the looks that matter darling. It's the heart that matters. We fell in love with Spyro for his good and kind heart. And for his handsome looks."
"Rarity!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Thanks anyway, but let's not get our hopes up." Quasimodo said, walking to the banister and looking out. "I don't think I'm her type."
A moment later, music started to play as another song was coming, looking out into the city as he felt his heart flutter as he got out some supplies to craft something.
[Quasimodo]
So many times out there,
I've watched a happy pair,
Of lovers walking in the night.
They had a kind of glow around them,
It almost looked like heaven's light.
I knew I'd never know,
That warm and loving glow,
Though I might wish with all my might.
No face as hideous as my face,
Was ever meant for heaven's light.
Rarity couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor hunchback, walking over as he picked up the doll that represented him, sitting next to him.
[Rarity]
Even though looks are what matter to many,
Though try as all you might to look good in the night,
The heart is what matters most, the kindness is what we see.
No face is truly hideous when you have a good heart,
You are meant for heaven;s light.
[Quasimodo]
But suddenly an angel has smiled at me,
And kissed my cheek without a trace of fright.
I dare to dream that she,
Might even care for me.
And as I ring these bells tonight,
My cold dark tower seems so bright,
I swear it must be heaven's light!
Quasimodo then started to ring the bells to let all of Paris know that it was tie to sleep while the ponies helped him carve out a carving of Esmeralda, painting her and then helping to ring the bells for the night. Smoke then started to rise from within the cathedral, the archdeacon and some priests walking in the halls with a pendulum with burning incest coming from it,cleansing the church.
[Choir]
Confiteor Deo Omnipotenti
Beatae Mariae semper Virgini
Beato Michaeli archangelo
Sanctis apostolis omnibus sanctis
A moment later, at the Palace of Justice, Frollo was walking towards the window in his room, Zexion following behind him.
"Why do you allow that Gypsy to hide in that church?" Zexion asked. "My Nobodies can drag her out and we can-"
"We cannot do that." Frollo said. "When someone enacts the right to Sanctuary, nobody can touch them, not even you and your Nobodies." He then stood in front of the window, looking out to Paris and to Notre Dame. "But when she sets foot outside of the church, that is went we can arrest her."
The music then picked up, Zexion wondering where the music was coming from as Frollo looked to the sky as if to pray.
[Frollo]
Beata Maria,
You know I am a righteous man.
Of my virtue I am justly proud.
[Choir]
Et tibi Pater.
He then walked to the fireplace, standing before the flames as he sung.
[Frollo]
Beata Maria,
You know I'm so much purer than,
The common, vulgar, weak, licentious crowd.
[Choir]
(Quia peccavi nimis)
[Frollo]
Then tell me, Maria,
Why I see her dancing there,
Why her smoldering eyes still scorch my soul!
[Choir]
(Cogitatione)
[Frollo]
I feel her, I see her!
The sun caught in her raven hair,
Is blazing in me out of all control!
[Choir]
(Verbo et opere)
[Frollo]
Like fire!
Hellfire!
This fire in my skin!
This burning...
Desire...
Is turning me to sin.
A moment later, darkness crept into the room and from it, people in red hoods appeared, yellow eyes coming from the hoods as the symbol of the Heartless appeared on their heads, terrifying the judge as he looked to them.
[Frollo]
It's not my fault!([Choir] Mea culpa!)
I'm not to blame! ([Choir] Mea culpa!)
It is the gypsy girl, the witch who sent this flame! ([Choir] Mea maxima culpa)
It's not my fault! ({Choir] Mea culpa!)
If in God's plan, ([Choir] Mea culpa!)
He made the devil so much stronger than a man! ([Choir] Mea maxima culpa!)
The Heartless then turned into liquid, flying into the fireplace and passing over Frollo, flames going over his body as they felt his darkness, finding it appetizing as they watched him.
Protect me, Maria,
Don't let this siren cast her spell,
Don't let her fire sear my flesh and bone!
Destroy Esmeralda,
And let her taste the fires of hell,
Or else let her be mine and mine alone!
Zexion smiled in the corner, sensing the darkness inside of the judge rising as he decided his own sins and corruption, oblivious to the darkness that was growing inside of him when they heard someone knock at the door, both of them turning to see a guard open the door.
"Minister Frollo, the Gypsy woman has escaped." The guard said.
"What?" Frollo asked.
"Are you sure?" Zexion asked. "Did you check the entire cathedral?"
"We did, she's no where in the cathedral, nor is the man in the black coat." The guard replied.
"But how, I...?" Frollo asked, looking angered as a dark mist appeared in his hand, disappearing a second later. "Never mind. Get out you idiot. I'll find her, I'll find her if I have to burn down all of Paris!"
"That's the spirit minister." Zexion said, opening his book, smiling at what he saw. "Let it out. eat all your anger and hatred out."
The music continued as soon as the guard left, Frollo holding the sash Esmeralda gave him during the Festival.
[Frollo, Chorus]
Hellfire,
Dark fire,
Now gypsy, it's your turn!
Choose me or,
Your pyre!
Be mine or you will burn!
He then tosses the sash into the flames, the fabric burning as darkness rose in the room, Shadows and Soldiers appearing around him as the red hooded Heartless appeared, backing away as the darkness approached him.
[Choir]
Kyrie Eleison!
[Frollo]
God have mercy on her.
[Choir]
Kyrie Eleison!
[Frollo]
God have mercy on me.
[Choir]
Kyrie Eleison!
[Frollo]
But she will be mine.
Or she...
Will...
Burn!
[Choir]
Ah-ah-ah,
Ah-ah-ah,
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-aaaaaaaah!
He then collapsed onto the ground as the darkness overwhelmed him, Zexion approaching him as he saw a dark aura surround the minister, dark mist seeping into him as he smiled, looking to the cathedral as he knew he now had his ace in the hole, preparing for when the time was right to begin his attack. Back at the cathedral, the ponies were lying down on anything that was soft to them, whether it was a bunch of old cloth or some tapestry, they got comfortable and went to sleep as Quasimodo finished ringing the bells, climbing down while Spyro just leaned against the wooden beam, watching the ponies with a sad look.
"Is something bothering you?" Quasimodo asked, noticing how unhappy he looked.
"I remember Quasimodo." Spyro said, surprising the Hunchback.
"What?" The hunchback asked.
"Remember when we first met?" Spyro asked. "When I first came to you?"
"How could I forget." Quasimodo replied. "Scared me half to death when you first appeared."
"Well, back then I didn't have my memory." Spyro said, looking to the ponies. "I was always by your side, guiding you and making you laugh. But now... now I remember... everything." He the flew over to the ponies, landing above Fluttershy as he waved his hand, conjuring a green banket for her and covering her, which the lemon yellow Pegasus took the cover and held onto it. "I remember these ponies, my life, everything about me." He then walked over to Twilight and Cadence, who were sleeping together on some clean cloth they found, waving his hand again as a purple and light blue blanket appeared, putting them over the ponies, the two uncurling as they felt the blankets. "I remember these ponies and how I feel for them, how I love them."
He walked over to Pinkie, who was already fast asleep and he conjured a pink blanket for her, putting it over her as she instinctively reached out to grab his hand, passing through it as she slept.
"You really seem to care about them." Quasimodo said.
"I do." Spyro replied, walking over to Rarity, seeing how happy and peaceful she was when she was sleeping, reaching to stroke her hair, but his hand went through her hair, no effect to her at all. "I truly do. You better get some sleep Quasimodo. You got a lot to do tomorrow."
Not waiting to be told twice, the hunchback went over to his bed, climbing up the ladder while Spyro returned his attention to Rarity, waving his hand as a blue blanket appeared, covering her with it as she held onto the blanket like her life depended on it, mumbling in her sleep as she held the blanket, subconsciously reaching fr his hand, which he didn't remove, even though her hoof went through his hand. He smiled at the mare, straightening up before disappearing, leaving the ponies to sleep for the night. The next morning, the captain was waiting for Frollo's wagon, the wagon arriving in the place it was supposed to be at when the door opened, the captain saluting to the minister.
"Good morning sir." Captain Phoebus said. When he saw the minister, he saw that he was pale, groggy, and looked miserable like he didn't get a good nights sleep. "Are you alright sir?"
"Yes captain, I'm fine." Frollo replied, his eyes blood shot and red as he rubbed his head. "Had a little trouble with the fireplace."
"I see." Phoebus said, looking over to see Zexion, smiling. "What are your orders sir?"
"Find the Gypsy girl!" Frollo replied.
Upon his order, the guards all across Paris started to ransack houses and businesses where Gypsy's were rumored to be hiding in, finding hidden latches and doors in some of the local businesses and bringing them to the minister, who offered them some silver to reveal her location, but every time, no matter how much silver he offers, they would not reveal her location, nor where the Court of Miracles is, even if he asked them. After a while, Frollo came to an old windmill, which doubled as someone's home, a crowd gathering in front of the run down home, which Esmeralda, having disguised as an old man, and Psyrox, putting his hood up to keep his face hidden, approached the home, joining the crowd to see what was going on while Inside, Frollo was interrogating the family, which he and the captain came out and closed the door, which Frollo took a spear and used it to lock their door, smiling.
"Burn it." Frollo said, shocking the captain.
"What!?" Phoebus asked, clearly disgusted.
"Until this building smolders, these people are traitors and must be made examples of." Frollo said, passing the torch to Phoebus, who took it.
"With all due respect sir, I was not trained to murder the innocent." Phoebus said.
"But you were trained to follow orders." Frollo said. Not agreeing with how the minister was acting, he looked into his leaders eyes and saw something that sent a chill down his spine, which was a spark of dark light, indicating that he was no longer acting in the best interests of the people. He walked over to the house, but instead of tossing the torch onto the house, he plunged it into a barrel of water, showing his defiance to the order, much to Esmeralda's surprise. "Insolent coward."
Frollo then took the torch from another of his men, riding his horse to the mill and raising it up to the windmills panel, instantly setting ablaze the mill and the house as everyone watched in horror. He us had to roll out of the way in order to not get crushed by burning debris while the family cried in horror and fear. Phoebus then leapt through the window, the people watching as he dove in while Esmeralda worried for the captain, hearing the crying from inside the burning building, but a second later, Phoebus kicked the door down and ran out with the children in his arms, the mother and father running out of the building right as it collapsed, the people cheering for him as he returned the children to their parents, pleased to have helped. But a moment later, Phoebus was hit in the back of the head, held down by a couple of his guards as Frollo rode over with Zexion close by, smiling at him.
"I'm disappointed in you captain." Frollo said. "The punishment for insubordination is death captain. you had such a promising career, such a pity you threw it away."
"Consider it my highest honor." Phoebus said.
The guard raised the sword above his head, getting ready to execute the captain, but a laser bolt hit the sword out of the soldiers hand, causing him to flinch as a few Dusks came in and knocked the guards away from the captain, giving him a chance to escape while Esmeralda used a stone to hit the horse, throwing Frollo off while the rogue captain took the horse, more Nobodies appearing to handle the rogue Nobodies as the minister got up.
"Get him!" Frollo shouted. "And don't hit my horse!"
Multiple Archers took aim, releasing a large volley of arrows at him, all of them missing the captain as he was in the clear, but a stray arrow ended up getting him in the back, nearly hitting his heart as he fell off the horse and into the river, archers releasing more arrows into the water to finish him when Frollo walked over and Zexion followed.
"Hold your fire." Zexion said, getting the archers to stop. "Save your arrows."
"Yes, let the traitor rot in his watery grave." Frollo said, Esmeralda and Psyrox getting to the lake while keeping their backs to the stone pillars to avoid being seen. "Find the gypsy girl! If you have to burn the city to the ground to do so, so be it!"
Frollo and his men then left the bridge, giving the two of them the chance to get into the water and dive below the surface to rescue the captain, unlatching his armor and bringing him to the surface so they can get some air and swam over to the shore to get him some help. In Paris, most of the day went by as parts of the city was on fire, the soldiers tearing the city apart while his men followed him blindly as they looked, but found nothing, infuriating the minister.
"Where is that Gypsy?" Frollo asked. "And why did your Nobodies attack us!?"
"They weren't mine." Zexion replied. "They were following someone else's orders."
"But whose orders were they following?" Frollo asked.
"Sir, we've looked everywhere, but still no sign of the Gypsy girl." The new captain said.
"I had the entire cathedral surrounded." Frollo said. "Guards at every door. There was no way she could have escaped. Unless..."
Frollo then looked up to the cathedral, thinking the only way she could be able to escape was if she had help from someone else, knowing exactly who might have helped her to escape. In the top of the cathedral, the ponies were watching everything burning to the ground as Victor, Laverne, and Hugo decided to reveal themselves to the ponies, which they were freaked out at first, but went with the fact the gargoyles were alive, everyone watching the city burn.
"Oh, this is awful." Fluttershy said.
"You're telling me!" Hugo exclaimed, everyone looking to him and seeing he was playing cards with Pinkie. "I'm loosing to a pony!"
"That poor Gypsy girl." Victor said. "I'm beginning to fear the worst for her."
"I know, but don't say anything to Quasimodo, you hear?" Laverne asked. "We don't want to upset him, he's worried enough."
"You're right, we need to play it cool." Hugo said. "Nice and relaxed."
"Lighten up." Hugo said.
"Smile and laugh!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Shh, here he comes." Twilight said.
Quasimodo was walking down the steps, heading towards the stone railing, looking out to the burning city.
"Any sign of her?" Quasimodo asked, which Victor instantly broke down.
"Oh, it's a lost cause!" Victor exclaimed. "She could be anywhere! In the stocks, in the dungeons, on the rack!"
"Nice Victor." Laverne said.
"Yeah Victor, you went and blabbed about it when we wanted to play it cool!" Pinkie said, holding a large chunk of ice, where she got it, no one knew.
"He's right." Quasimodo said, walking away. "What are we going to do?"
"Hey, don't sweat it." Hugo said. "You guys got nothing to worry about. If I know Esmeralda, she three steps ahead of Frollo and well out of harms way."
"Exactly." Rarity said. "Plus, she's with Psyrox, and we all saw how good of a fighter he is, so she's perfectly safe."
"You really think so?" Quasimodo asked.
"We know so." Spyro said, floating down.
"Hey, when things cool off, she'll be back." Hugo said, stuffing his face with food.
"What makes you think so?" Quasimodo asked.
"Because she likes you." Laverne replied, messing with his hair. "We always said you were the cute one."
"I thought I was the cute one." Hugo said, food spitting out of his mouth.
"No, you're the fat stupid one with the big mouth!" Laverne replied.
"Not to mention repulsive." Rarity said, Hugo glaring at them. "Besides Quasi darling, you helped her to escape, you're basically her knight in shining armor."
"And those guys are a dime a dozen!" Hugo said, hopping over to the railing with a hotdog and fork. "But you Quasi, you're one of a kind."
A moment later, music started to play again as another song was coming on, the ponies all smiling at Quasimodo as they gathered around.
[Hugo]
Paris, the city of lovers,
Is glowing this evening.
True, that's because it's on fire,
But still, there's "l'amour."
[Rarity]
Somewhere out there in the night,
Her heart is also alight,
And I know the guy she just might be burning for!
She used her magic to create a heart, letting it fly to the hunchback before it disappeared, leaving him speechless.
[Hugo]
A guy like you,
She's never known, kid.
A guy like you,
A girl does not meet every day.
You've got a look,
That's all your own, kid.
Could there be two...?
[Victor and Laverne]
...Like you?
[Everyone]
No way!
[Hugo]
Those other guys,
That she could dangle,
All look the same,
From every boring point of view!
[Rarity]
You're a surprise,
From every angle!
Mon Dieu above,
She's gotta love,
A guy like you!
[Twilight Sparkle and Victor]
A guy like you,
Gets extra credit,
Because it's true,
You've got a certain something more!
[Hugo]
You're aces, kid!
They then moved Quasimodo to a chair where Rarity had her glasses on when she would make designs, Pinkie, Twilight, and Fluttershy wearing barber outfits and helped her make Quasimodo get a new look while the Gargoyles provided the supplies.
[Pinkie Pie]
You see that face,
You don't forget it!
[Everyone]
Want something new?
Hugo:
That's you!
The mirror that Hugo got for Quasimodo, who was wearing a white wig to try a new look, broke, the gargoyle tossing it away.
[Everyone]
For sure!
[Laverne]
We all have gaped,
At some Adonis.
[Victor]
But then we crave a meal,
More nourishing,
To chew!
[Hugo]
And since you're shaped,
Like a croissant is,
[Everyone]
No question of
She's gotta love
A guy like you!
They then moved onto a piano, which Victor was playing while Rarity was lying on top of it with Cadence, both wearing beautiful red dresses that she had whipped up a little while ago.
[Rarity]
Call me a hopeless romatic,
But Quasi, I feel it!
[Cadence]
She wants you so, any moment,
She'll walk through that door!
Then Hugo ran into the room next door, closing it and coming back out dresses as the Gypsy, making the ponies snicker at how ridiculous he looked.
All Three:
For...
They then got a blanket and put the hunchback in it, tossing him into the air as they sung, making him fly while everyone took turns in it, being tossed into the air before Hugo was unlucky enough to get stuck, Fluttershy flying while they sung.
[Hugo and Victor]
A guy so swell...
[Laverne]
A guy like you,
I tell you Quasi...
Twilight and Fluttershy:
With all you bring her...
[Rarity and Pinkie]
There never was
Another, was he?
[Everyone]
A fool could tell,
It's why she fell,
[Laverne, Cadence, Pinkie]
From king to serf
To the bourgeoisie...
[Everyone]
For you-know-who!
Then they moved to the bells, where the gargoyles were swinging on them, making them ring.
Laverne:
They're all a second-stringer...
Hugo:
You ring the bell...
[Everyone]
You're the bell ringer!
When she wants ooh-la-la,
Then she wants you-la-la!
She will discover a guy,
You're one heck of a guy,
Who wouldn't love a guy,
Like you?
They then moved a bunch of random stuff to make a romantic setting, trying to make it look as beautiful as possible, even if the stuff they were using was old and decrepit.
You got a lot,
The rest have not,
So she's gotta love,
A guy like you!
[Hugo]
A guy like you!
When the song ended, they all heard what sounded like a door opening, looking down to see who it was to find Esmeralda.
"Quasi." She said, her voice echoing. "Quasimodo?"
"Esmeralda?" Quasimodo asked, he and everyone else running to see her, please to see she was ok. "Esmeralda, you're alright! I knew you would come back."
"Quasimodo my friend." Esmeralda said, hugging him before holing his hands. "You have done so much for me already, but now I need to ask you for your help one more time."
"Of course, anything." Quasimodo replied.
Esmeralda then ran back, Quasimodo walking behind, but then stopped, seeing the captain who was looking for her injured with Psyrox carrying him inside, everyone freezing when they saw him.
"This is Phoebus." Esmeralda said, helping him. "He's wounded and a fugitive like me now."
"How'd he get injured?" Twilight asked, running over.
"He took an arrow to the back." Psyrox replied. "I tried healing him with the Cure spell, but the wound is too deep. He won't last much longer without proper treatment."
"What can we do?" Rarity asked.
"He needs stitches and a place to rest for a while." Psyrox replied. "We brought him here as this is the last place Frollo would look for him."
"Can you please hide him?" Esmeralda asked.
"Of course." Quasimodo replied. "This way, hurry."
He took them up the stairs to a makeshift bed, pointed to it as Psyrox quickly moved him to the bed while Esmeralda and Fluttershy got to work mending his wound while everyone else left to give them room to work, but Quasimodo stayed and watched, keeping an eye on them as they worked. When they were far enough away to where they couldn't be heard, Psyrox sat down, wiping the sweat off his brow while everyone else was on edge, fearing for the captain's life.
"Why would his own men attack him?" Cadence asked. "This doesn't make any sense."
"It's because he defied Frollo's orders." Psyrox replied. "Frollo wanted him to burn down a house with a family in it for providing aid to some gypsies."
"He tried to what!?" Twilight asked, angered and shocked. "Frollo was going to burn a family for just helping somepony in need!?"
"He's lost his mind!" Rarity said. "Why would anypony do such a thing!?"
"Somepony who's not of sound mind." Cadence replied. "At least the captain was there to save them. But it ended up turning him into a fugitive."
"Good soldiers follow orders." Psyrox said, looking to the sky. "At least that's what some say, but some of the best soldiers follow their gut and their heart because, if an order seems wrong, they most call them out for it. No one should follow orders they know is wrong."
"Like you?" Cadence asked, getting everyone's attention. "Did you refuse to follow an order?"
"What are you talking about princess?" Pinkie asked.
"I'm talking about him and the Organization." Cadence replied, confusing the ponies. "He's a Nobody."
"What!?" Twilight exclaimed, looking to Psyrox. "Psyrox, is this true?"
The Nobody looked a bit uncomfortable, getting up and walking to the railing overlooking the city before taking in a deep breath, knowing he was busted, but decided to come clean.
"It's true, I am a Nobody." Psyrox replied, everyone getting up and on guard. "But you have nothing to fear from me, I'm on your side."
"Oh yeah, and why should we believe you!?" Pinkie exclaimed, firing her party cannon.
Psyrox just moved his head to the right, dodging the ball of confetti while hitting one of the guards who was harassing a couple, knocking him to the ground while letting them escape.
"Because I have no loyalty to the Organization." Psyrox replied, turning to them. "They tried to recruit me, but I followed my own path, deciding to go against the Organization as something told me they were the enemy. But when I heard something about heart pieces and the Prince of Light and Darkness, I knew i needed to act."
"So what, you travel to every world out there, find the pieces and collect them for yourself?" Twilight asked.
"No." Psyrox replied, surprising them. "To protect them."
"Come again?" Rarity asked. "You said, protect them? From what?"
"Those who'd use their power for a darker purpose." Psyrox replied, walking to them. "I don't know whose nobody I am or why I feel like I need to fight the Organization, but I promise you this, I will help you to get the Heart Pieces back, no matter what. On my honor, we will get those pieces back and you will get your friend back."
Everyone was still suspicious of the Nobody, unsure of if they should trust him, but decided to trust their gut and stick with him for the time being, returning to the group to see how Phoebus was doing, but saw an unhappy Quasimodo, who was holding an Ace of hearts, wondering why he was unhappy when they looked over and saw Esmeralda and Phoebus kiss, knowing why he was so unhappy as he ripped it in half. Before they could do or say anything to cheer the heart broken Hunchback up, the goat made a sound, getting their attention and ran over to see Frollo's wagon, the minister coming out of it with a basket.
"It's Frollo." Twilight said, running to the room, Esmeralda and Quasimodo looking to her. "Frollo's here. You two need to leave now."
"We can't take Phoebus with us." Psyrox said, walking into the room. "He's in no condition to move."
"Don't worry, we'll hide him." Cadence said. "Esmeralda, Psyrox, you need to get out of here, now."
"Esmeralda, come." Psyrox said. he lifted his hand and instantly, a corridor opened, sending a chill down the ponies spines as they saw it. "This will take us to the Court of Miracles. Faster than trying to sneak through the streets."
Esmeralda got up and walked over to the corridor, but stopped, turning to her friends as she feared for them and Phoebus.
"Be careful my friends." Esmeralda said. "Promise me nothing will happen to Phoebus."
"I promise." Quasimodo said.
Esmeralda smiled at him, touching his face before running through the corridor, Psyrox following her through as it closed behind them, but a second later, they looked out and saw Frollo was half way up the tower, putting them in a panic.
"We need to hide Phoebus, quickly!" Cadence said, looking for a place to hide him.
"Quasi, over here." Spyro said, waving and pointing underneath the table.
Without time to explain, Quasimodo pulled the captain out of his bed and started to drag him to the table, flipping the cloth over and pushing the captain underneath the table, kicking him in the rear as well to get him underneath it. Once he was hidden, the ponies all ran to find a separate hiding spot, the fliers flying outside and onto the roof, the Unicorns hiding behind some crates they found while Pinkie rushed up and into one of the bells, holding onto the pendulum right as Frollo came in, Quasimodo fixing everything on the table as he arrived.
"Oh, master." Quasimodo said, trying to act surprised. "I didn't expect to see you tonight."
"I'm never too busy to share a meal with you dear boy." Frollo said, acting happy. "I brought a little... treat today."
Quasimodo was nervous, not wanting for Frollo to find Phoebus, but was brought back to reality when Frollo cleared his throat, wanting the inch back to get the plates and glasses, which he rushed over to get them from the nearby shelf, but ended up dropping them, making himself look like a fool while Frollo smiled, knowing his hunch on the hunchback might be right as he came back over with the plates and the glasses along with a bottle, the minister reaching into the basket and pulling out some grapes.
"Sorry sir." Quasimodo said.
"Is something troubling you my boy?" Frollo asked, putting some grapes on his plate.
"No sir." Quasimodo replied.
"Oh, but there is something troubling you." Frollo said, popping a grape into his mouth. "I think... you're hiding something."
"Oh, no master." Quasimodo replied, trying to act innocent. "I'd never-"
"You're not eating boy." Frollo pointed out.
The hunchback then started stuffing grapes into his mouth, trying to not seem guilty, but Frollo was already suspicious of him.
"Very good, thank you." Quasimodo said, only for Phoebus to groan, so Quasimodo tried mimicking the sound as if enjoying the meal, the captain trying to get up, but the hunchback kicked him, knocking him out instantly, coughing to pretend he was choking on something. "Heh, seeds."
Frollo raised an eyebrow, now certain Quasimodo was hiding something as he got up, looking around and seeing something pink, smiling as he knew it was the pink pony, but since she was in Sanctuary, he couldn't touch her, but knew how to get them to leave.
"Something's... different here." Frollo said. "But what?"
"Nothing, sir." Quasimodo replied quickly, but Frollo saw the carving of Esmeralda, picking it up.
"Is this... new?" Frollo asked, examining it. "It's awfully good. Looks very much like the Gypsy girl. Oh Quasimodo, I know... you helped her escape!" He slammed the doll onto the table, making Quasimodo fall backwards as the ponies flinched, ducking back into their hiding places as they continued to watch what was going on. "Now all of Paris is burning because of you!"
"She was kind to me." Quasimodo said.
"You idiot!" Frollo shouted, destroying everything on the table before walking over and grabbing the hunchbacks shirt by the collar. "That wasn't kindness, that was cunning! She's a Gypsy! Gypsies aren't capable of real love! Think boy, think of your mother!" Frollo was beyond angry, dark smoke coming off his back as the darkness in his heart was beginning to take control, the smoke disappearing as he calmed down. "But what chance does a poor, misshapen child like you have against her heathen treachery." He then got up and took out a dagger, stabbing the figure before putting it over the candle, lighting it on fire. "Well, never you mind Quasimodo, she will be out of our live soon enough. I'll free you from her evil spell." He then tossed the burning wooden figure to the floor, blazing on the ground. "She'll torment you no longer."
"What do you mean?" Quasimodo asked.
"I know where her hideout is." Frollo's said, walking away before turning to him. "Tomorrow at Dawn, I attack with a thousand men."
Frollo then turned and walked down the stairs, turning his head and smiling as he left, leaving Quasimodo alone on the ground, looking at the smoldering remains of the wooden figure he made as everyone came out of their hiding places.
"Oh Quasi darling." Rarity said, walking over and sitting next to him. "I'm so sorry for what he did."
"Forget what he did, did you hear him?" Phoebus asked, getting up. "He's going to attack there Court of Miracles before daybreak. If he gets there first, all those Gypsies will be slaughtered."
"Then we need to warn them." Cadence said.
"You coming with me then?" Phoebus asked.
"We'll go." Twilight said.
"I can't." Quasimodo said, getting up.
"What, why!?" Pinkie exclaimed, her head popping out of his shirt. "I thought you were her friend!?"
"I can't disobey Frollo again." Quasimodo said, pulling Pinkie out of his shirt and putting her down. "He's my master, I have to listen to him."
"But he's been nothing but cruel to you Quasimodo darling." Rarity said, getting up. "He left you to be humiliated by a crowd of people, he locked you away in this church, he destroyed your hard work..."
"And he gave you a really, really, mean name too!" Pinkie said.
"You know what he's doing is wrong Quasi." Rarity said. "You have to warn her."
"But she doesn't love me." Quasimodo said, rubbing his arms.
"That doesn't mean you should abandon her." Rarity said, making the hunchback look down at her as Spyro floated down, listening. "She stood up for you when no one else did. She might not have feelings for you, but she's your friend and friends look out for each other. You'll find someone who will love you someday, you just need to have confidence in yourself and accept yourself for who you are, not a monster, but as a person."
Quasimodo looked at her, watching as she and her friends, including Phoebus walked away and down the stairs, leaving Quasimodo behind as he looked to the gargoyles and Spyro, who were all staring at him.
"What?" He asked. "What am I supposed to do? Go out there and save the girl from the jaws of death and the whole town will cheer like I'm some kind of hero!? She already has her knight in shining armor and it is not me!" He then took a deep breath, sitting down as he felt miserable, his heart broken and depressed. "Frollo was right. he was right about everything. I'm tired of trying to be something that I'm not."
"Maybe." Spyro said, walking over and sitting next to him. "But what Frollo saw in you was an abomination, a monster. But Esmeralda, she saw a person, not a monster. You have a good heart, a kind heart that never lost hope before and you shouldn't loose it now." He then reached into his coat and pulled out a cloak, presenting it to Quasimodo. "You are tired I know. But I think you're tired of people seeing you as a monster, not of being what you aren't. So stop being what people call you and be what you truly are... a person, a hero, a friend."
Quasimodo looked up to Spyro, something in him sparking as he listened to what his friend said, looking to the gargoyles who gave him the thumbs up or smiled, reaching over and putting the cloak on.
I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" Quasimodo asked.
"Maybe. Spyro replied. "But you're already in trouble with Frollo for helping Esmeralda, why not do it again?"
Quasimodo smiled at his friend, running over to the edge of the tower and jumping out, beginning his descent down to catch up with the others and warn Esmeralda and all the Gypsies at the Court of Miracles.