Chapter 111: Heart of the Frog Part 2: A Trip Down the Bayou
It was starting to become night in the city and everyone was on their way to the La Bouff mansion for the masquerade ball that was being hosted, everyone talking about it while up on the roof top, Luna had set down, panting heavily as she had flew as fast as she could and as far as she could, looking back to see the frog prince on her back, holding onto her mane.
"Wowza, you're pretty fast in the air." Naveen said, sitting up.
"You should see Spyro." Luna said, her thoughts trailing to him as she looked down, saddened by the thought, which the prince noticed.
"What's wrong?" Naveen asked. "Did this Spyro do something to you?"
"No, he didn't do anything to me." Luna replied, sitting down as the prince slid down, walking up to her side. "He's my colt friend, which to your kind is called a boyfriend. He was killed and his heart scattered to who knows where."
"Scattered?" Naveen asked.
"He's a very powerful pony." Luna replied. "His magic was beyond anything I have ever seen." She then used her magic to take her ring off, the gold band with a sapphire blue moon gemstone on it, smiling at the ring. "He was kind, funny, and unpredictable. He saved me from my darkness before it could consume me, giving me another chance in life. I owe my life to him... and my love."
"He must have been something else." Naveen said, watching her put the ring back on. "So, how exactly was he killed?"
"Another pony killed him." Luna replied. "Hit him with some daggers she threw at him while he saved my niece."
"So he sacrificed himself for another." Naveen said, smiling. "That's a true hero there."
"Yes, indeed." Luna said, watching as the sun set.
As the sun lowered into the horizon, the two of them sat there, watching the sunset, but then Luna felt something was nearby, a cold chill running down her spine, so she turned around and tried to find what could be causing her to feel this way, freezing as she saw a Dusk behind her, getting up and charging a beam of energy as Naveen looked, screaming in fear as he fell down.
"Foul creature!" Luna shouted. "You may not be the one who murdered my love, but I shall destroy you nonetheless!"
"Follow me." A voice said. Lune then froze again, loosing concentration as the Nobody approached, walking around her, but not attacking, the princess of the night watching it, only for it to fly away int he direction of the rich area, stopping and turning to face her, swaying back and forth as it waited for her. "Follow me."
"What is that thing?" Naveen asked, hopping onto the princesses back.
"A Nobody." Luna replied. "It's a creature created when someone looses their heart to darkness. And I think it want's us to follow it."
"Why?" Naveen asked.
"I'm not sure." Luna replied. "But it doesn't seem to be a threat."
"Do we have to follow it?" Naveen asked.
"We have nowhere else to go." Luna replied. "Might as well see what it wants."
Luna extended her wings and flew into the sky, following the Nobody to wherever it was taking her as the Nobody flew from rooftop to rooftop, making it's way to the mansion where the ball was being held. At the La Bouff estate, the party was already underway with guests already dancing with anyone they could partner with, some of the guests talking and enjoying the music as well as some of the food that was present at the ball, enjoying Mardi Gras, enjoying one of the most celebrated times of the year. At the entrance, everyone looked and to their surprise, they saw a man dressed up like a Dusk, remembering what they look like and easily fashioning the costume to his size and his build to allow for easy maneuvers and combat, walking among the crowd as they gazed at him. The ponies and Zebra waked behind him, Rarity dressed as a princess with a gold crown on, fluttering her eyes as she walked across, Fluttershy dressed up as a bunny rabbit, moving as quickly as she could through the crowd as she felt her nerves hitting her. Zecora then walked up next, wearing an dark cloak with her mane down and spiders in her mane like she did during Nightmare night, walking along while the fillies ran up from behind, Scootaloo dressed up as a Wonderbolt, which she requested, Sweetie Belle dressed up as a Daisy, which she hated, and Apple Bloom dressed up as a little vampire, showing her fangs as everyone laughed and cheered, clapping as she walked by.
"Next time, I'm the vampire pony." Sweetie Belle said.
"Shh, yer gonna blow our cover." Apple Bloom whispered.
"Relax Apple Bloom, no one's gonna pay attention to us." Psyrox said. "Anyway, let's get something to eat. I'm starving."
They walked over to the closest table for food, finding it to be packed, but then found Tiana's table, walking over right as she tossed a pastry for a dog to eat.
"Careful now, that's probably not good for the poor thing." Psyrox said, walking up.
"Well she's would have taken one from someone else if she wanted to." Tiana said, looking to Psyrox, but then to the ponies, recognizing the fillies. "Oh, it's you three again."
"Hi Tiana!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, shocking the adults.
"Apple Bloom, have you gone mad because here caution must be had!" Zecora said.
"Oh don't worry, she's cool." Scootaloo said. "She already knows we can talk."
"It's true." Tiana replied. "We sort of introduced ourselves. Though I never got your names."
"I'm Sweetie Belle!" Sweetie Belle said. "This is my big sister, Rarity, Fluttershy, Zecora, Psyrox, and by friends Apple Bloom and Scootaloo!"
"Well it's nice to meet you all." Tiana said.
"Give me some of them napkins, quick!" Charlotte said, grabbing handfuls of napkins.
"Whatever for?" Tiana asked.
"I swear, I'm sweating like a sinner in church!" Charlotte replied. "And it's getting so late! Where is my prince!?"
"There's still a few stragglers." Tiana pointed out.
"It's no fair!" Charlotte said. "My prince is never coming."
"Lotte..." Tiana said.
"I never get what I wish for!" Charlotte said, running up the stairs.
Tiana ran after her friend to comfort her, leaving Psyrox and the ponies alone at the bottom of the steps, starring at the top of the steps.
"My, so dramatic." Rarity said.
"You're not any better either Rarity." Sweetie Belle said, her big sister glaring at her.
"What does she mean she never get's what she wishes for?" Fluttershy asked.
"My guess is she made a wish on a star." Psyrox replied. "Some people do that when they really want something."
"Wishing on a star does not give you what you want, working hard and making it come true yourself will make it so, nothing else shan't." Zecora said.
"Still, it bring's them some comfort and hope." Psyrox said. "Maybe-"
"Ladies and gentlemen!" A man announced, getting their attention. "Is royal majesty, Prince Naveen!"
The people made way for the prince, which he nodded his head to everyone and walked towards the mansion, Charlotte getting ready to greet her prince while the fillies were shocked to see him.
"This isn't right." Apple Bloom said. "That ain't the prince."
"Yeah, we saw him get turned into a frog." Scootaloo said. "No way that's him."
"Well maybe the spells already broken." Rarity said.
"It's not that simple for the spell to already be broken, I believe what the fillies have spoken." Zecora said. "This cannot be the prince the fillies have seen, for I believe this is an imposter as I believe the grass is green."
A second later, Charlotte walked down the stairs as the fake prince bowed, taking his hand as they started dancing, music playing as all eyes were on them, watching as they waltz, Tiana smiling at her friend as she was happy for her for getting her wish. Next to her was someone dressed up as a horse, which it was a horse costume that requires two people and from it, a man pulled the head back to reveal it was one of the men who sold the sugar mill to her.
"Evening Ms. Tiana." The man said. "Loving the party."
"Hello Mr. Fenner." Tiana said, the rear end of the horse costume moving, as the saddle opened to reveal another man, shorter than the first and fatter. "And Mr. Fenner."
"Evening Ms. Tiana." The second Mr. Fenner said. "Have any Beignet's?"
"Help yourself." Tiana said. "Have you the paperwork for the mill with you?"
"Yes, about that." The first Fenner said, trying to think of an easy way to tell her the news.
"You've been out bided." The second Fenner said.
"W-what?" Tiana asked.
"Yes, a fellow came in this evening offering the full amount in cash." The first Fenner said, Tiana completely crushed. "But, if you can top that by Wednesday, then it's yours. Otherwise..."
"You can kiss that mill goodbye." The second Fenner said.
The two men tried to leave, but Tiana got in their way, stopping them.
"Do you have any idea how long it took me to save all that money to buy that mill?" Tiana asked.
"Exactly." The first Fenner said. "I don't mean to be biased, but a little woman like yourself would have had problems running a big business like that on your own. You're better off with something smaller."
"Now wait just a minute!" Tiana said, trying to stop them.
"Love them beignets." The second Fenner said.
"Hold on a moment!" Tiana said.
She then pulled on the tail of stop the Fenners, but the tail came off and she fell into the table, knocking off the food, ruining her costume while the others rushed over to help.
"Are you alright Tiana darling?" Rarity asked.
"Yeah, I guess." Tiana said, wiping off some of the jams.
"Hey Tiana, how about some of them man catching..." Charlotte said, seeing her on the ground covered in food. "What happened!?"
"I... I just..." Tiana tried to say, getting helped up by her friend.
"Come on dear, let's get you a new dress." Charlotte said. "Prince Naveen, I'll be right back sugar!"
Charlotte took Tiana into her home to get her a costume change, the ponies walking behind them as Psyrox followed to make sure Tiana was alright after being told she might loose the mill before she got the chance to get it. On the roof of the mansion, Luna had just landed and was looking around for the Dusk, finding it on the other side of the mansion's roof, disappearing and leaving the two royals there.
"Well, guess this is the place." Luna said.
"Hey, I know this place." Naveen said. "This is the La Bouff residence. This is where a masquerade ball is being held for Marti Gras." He then looked down and saw Lawrence disguised as him, making his blood boil. "And there's Lawrence!"
"Relax my friend." Luna said. "We'll... wait a minute." She looked to the stairs, watching as the two women were walking into the mansion with the Nobody following behind them and the ponies, recognizing them. "I don't believe it. My subjects and herd is here!"
"Herd?" Naveen asked. "Subjects?"
"I'll explain later." Luna said. "Right now we need to get inside and recruit their aid. They will help us break the spell."
She took off again and flew around the building to look for the room they were going into, watching for a light to come on. In the hall outside of Charlottes room, everyone was waiting for Tiana and Charlotte to come out, hoping everything was going to be ok with their new friend when Charlotte came out, happy as can be.
"Hey, is Tiana ok?" Psyrox asked.
"Oh she's just fine." Charlotte replied. "And she looks absolutely gorgeous! Well, I gotta go and dance with my prince. Toodles!"
Charlotte ran back outside to dance with her prince again, leaving the group alone in the hall, so Rarity knocked on the door and opened it, gasping as they saw Tiana, who was wearing a gorgeous blue princess dress, sparkling in the light as she sat on the bed, completely heart broken.
"Oh my stars, Tiana..." Rarity said, everyone walking in. "You look absolutely smashing! You're gorgeous!"
"It looks lovely on you." Fluttershy said.
"It's amazing!" Sweeite Belle said.
Psyrox wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a word as he was captivated by how she looked, his face turning red as he felt something pang in his chest, reaching up and clutching his chest as he felt something hit it, surprised and confused as to what it was.
"Thanks, I guess." Tiana said, getting up.
"Tiana darling, what's the matter?" Rarity asked.
"It's the Fenner brothers." Tiana said. "I saved up all that money to buy the mill and they might give it to someone else. I worked hard for that mill."
"Do not despair Tiana, for all is not lost as you still have time to match the cost." Zecora said.
"Yeah, five days you mean." Tiana said, walking out to the balcony. She breathed in and sighed in defeat, knowing she wouldn't have the money she needed by Wednesday, looking up to the star as she remembered how her friend wished on it, looking down at the picture and breathed another sigh. "I cannot believe I'm doing this." She then put the picture against her chest, closing her eyes as she brought her head back to the star. "Please, please, please."
What's she doing?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Making a wish." Psyrox replied.
"A wish?" Apple Bloom asked. "For what?"
"For her dream to come true." Psyrox replied.
Everyone looked back to Tiana, seeing how unhappy she was as Fluttershy and Rarity walked up to the desperate human, looking up to the star thinking about wishing for something, closing their eyes as they made their own wish silently, everyone walking out as Tiana opened her eyes and saw a frog next to her, spooking her, but groaning.
"Very funny." Tiana said to the star, looking to the frog. "So what now? I suppose ya'll want a kiss now huh?"
"Well, kissing would be nice yes." The frog said. Both Tiana and Rarity screamed at the same time, backing away and into a cabinet full of toys and books, knocking everything down. "Sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you. I just, wow hey wait!"
Both Rarity and Tiana started throwing things at the frog, making him hop around and dodge, but when a book flew past and over his head, a dark blue aura surrounded the book, catching it and surprising the ponies, those still outside looking up to see Princess Luna descending from the sky and landing on the balcony, glaring at Tiana and Rarity.
"What is the meaning of this ruckus?" Luna asked, dropping the book.
"Princess Luna!" Rarity said, bowing to her as she walked in.
"Rarity is it?" Luna asked. "Why pray tell were you attacking Prince Naveen?"
"Wait, prince Naveen!?" Rarity asked, looking to the frog before walking up to him. "Oh so you're the prince Sweetie Belle and her friends were telling us about."
"The one and only." Naveen replied. "And... I'm actually kind of surprised there more talking horses like yourselves."
"We're ponies, not horses." Rarity said, picking him up. "Well, except for Zecora, she's a Zebra."
"Zecora huh?" Naveen asked, looking at the Zebra. "Amazing. And, you're Rarity?"
"That is correct." Rarity replied. "And the fillies you met a while ago are Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and my little sister Sweetie Belle."
"Hi!" Sweeite Belle said.
"Nice to meet ya!" Apple Bloom said.
Fluttershy then walked up, seemingly calm as the prince was currently a frog, so she was alright with approaching him.
"I'm Fluttershy." She said. "And this is Psyrox."
"Nice to meet you all." Naveen said. "And as Luna said, I am Prince Naveen of Maldonia."
"Wait... if you're Naveen... then who is that out there waltzing with Lotte on the dance floor!?" Tiana asked.
"I don't know exactly." Naveen said. "Probably my butler taking my place. One minute I was dancing and having a good time, the next moment before I knew it, I am tripping over these."
He raised his leg and wiggled his toes, Tiana raising the book to smash him, but Luna yanked it out of her hands, stopping her.
"Please, can we not try and kill the prince?" Luna said, putting the book down."
"Wait a minute." Naveen said, taking the book. "I know this story!"
"You do?" Tiana asked. "You know the story of The Frog Prince?"
"Of course I do." Naveen replied. "My mother would have our servants read this to me every night when I was young." He opened the book and was excited, flipping back and forth through the pages as he saw hope. "Yes, yes, yes! This is it! This is the answer! You have to kiss me."
Naveen turned around and Tiana looked at Luna, who looked surprised and disgusted, backing away.
"Neigh, I am not kissing a frog!" "Luna said. "I refuse to lower myself so such things!"
"Well I'm not doing it!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "You won't see me doing something that gross!"
"No, I mean her." Naveen said, pointing to Tiana.
"Excuse me!?" Tiana asked.
"Oh don't worry, you'll enjoy it." Naveen said. "I guarantee it. All women enjoy the kiss of Naveen. Now come... pucker."
As he puckered his lips, his throat crack expanded, causing everyone but Fluttershy and Psyrox to back away from him, Naveen bringing the sack back in and smiling.
"Gross." Scootaloo said. "I actually feel sorry for Tiana."
"Look, I'd really like to help you, but..." Tiana said, turning her back to the prince. "I do not kiss frogs."
"But, on the balcony..." Naveen said. "You said-"
"I didn't expect ya to answer!" Tiana replied.
"But you must kiss me." Naveen said. "Besides being irresistibly handsome, my family is fabulously wealthy. Perhaps i could give you a reward for you, some kind of wish I could grant."
When the prince mentioned his family was wealthy, she immediately looked to the poster, an idea coming to her mind as she knew this was her only chance, looking back to the prince as, even though she didn't like the idea, it was her only chance.
"Just... one kiss." Tiana said.
"Just one." Naveen said. "Unless you beg for more."
He then licked his lips, grossing everyone out as they backed away, but Tiana swallowed her disgust and closed her eyes, puckering her lips, but opened one of her eyes to see the puckered lips of the prince, instantly freaking out as she tried to calm herself down, telling herself she could do it s the prince freshened his breath, Tiana turning quickly and kissing the frog as a green light shined between them, everyone covering their eyes to not get blinded. They opened their eyes as the light died away, but instead of Naveen returning to human, he remained a frog, shocking the ponies.
"What happened!?" Sweetie Belle said, squeaking as she asked the question. "Why didn't it work?"
"Remember, we need to destroy the pendant that was used to curse the prince." Scootaloo said. "Just a kiss won't break the spell."
"Scootaloo is right and a kiss will not break the spell, and Tiana might not be doing so well." Zecora said, looking down.
Everyone looked down to the dress, finding something was moving in the dress, that thing moving around being Tiana, but she was a frog now, everyone gasping when they saw her.
"Yikes!" Scootaloo said. "At least Luna and I didn't kiss him, otherwise that would have been one of us."
"On that I agree." Luna said.
"Ya'll don't look that different." Tiana said. "But how did ya get all the way up there? And how did I get all the way down here and all?"
She lifted her dress, but saw she had the arms of a frog, gasping in horror, looking to her right where a mirror was knocked over and saw she was a frog, screaming in horror as she leapt up onto the dresser, knocking Naveen down.
"Princess, princess calm down." Naveen said.
"What did you do to me!?" Tiana shouted. "I'm green and slimy!"
"It's not slime." Naveen said. "You're just secreting mucus."
Without warning, Tiana talked the prince and threw them both onto a rocking horse, getting launched into the air and hitting the shelf, landing back onto the horse before a book fell onto the horse, launching them out the window. They all then ran out to the balcony to see if they were ok, watching as they flew through the air and landed right in Charlotte's dress, the young woman randomly dancing around, falling on her back and her dress falling on her, uncovering her head to see Tiana and Naveen, screaming as her father sent the dog after them while the fake prince was shocked, dropping the glasses of wine.
"We need to help them!" Scootaloo said.
"No." Psyrox said. "If one of you use your magic or fly's right now, who knows what they would do. Come, we'll meet them in the swamp."
He raised his hand up and a corridor opened, the girls backing away, but Psyrox motioned for them to enter, which after some hesitation, they walked into the corridor before Psyrox walked through, following them inside as it closed behind him. Down at the party, the dog was chasing Tiana and Naveen across a table trying to get them, getting entangled into some balloons as it took off into the air, the fake prince taking the opportunity to sneak away, rushing to a guest house and opening it to reveal Facilier and Maleficent there, both looking at him.
"How did he escape!?" The fake prince asked. "I thought you said you'd bring him here!"
"A slight complication." Facilier said. "Lawrence, meet Maleficent, our new friend from another world."
"Who cares about that!?" Lawrence asked. "How did he get away!?"
"He was freed by a princess of another world." Maleficent replied. "I brought her here to bargain for Faciliers aid, but the frog prince removed her ring and allowed her the use of her magic again, freeing them from their prisons."
"Well this is fantastic!" Lawrence said, removing the pendant and turning back to his normal self. "How could I get tangled up in this voodoo madness? I can't go through with this! You wear this ghastly thing."
"He then threw the pendant, Facilier freaking out as he rushed to catch it, catching the flying pendant before it hit the ground, angry with Lawrence.
"Careful you fool!" Facilier shouted. "If anything happens t this, I'll-!" He saw how spooked Lawrence was while Maleficent was amused, smiling as she watched it all happen. "Fun fact Lawrence..." He then put the pendant on, showing the spell doesn't work on him. "Can't conjure a thing for myself. Besides, we both know the real power isn't magic. It's money!"
"Ugh, money." Maleficent said. "Worthless paper and metal exchanged for mediocre things."
"Say what you will Maleficent, in this world, whoever has all the money has all the power." Facilier said. :Lawrence, aren;t you tired of living on the margins while those fat cats in their fancy cars don't so much as give you a sideways glance."
"Yes, I am." Lawrence said.
"Then big boy, all you need to do is marry Big Daddy's little princess, and we'll be splitting that La Bouff fortune right down the middle." Facilier said, putting the pendant back on Lawrence and turning back to the prince. "60-40, like we agreed."
"Yes, but, what about Naveen?" Lawrence asked.
"Leave that to me." Maleficent said. "I shall send out my Heartless to locate the prince and bring him back here." She waved her hand and from the darkness, multiple Shadows appeared along with new frog-like heartless with glowing yellow eyes and spiked tongues, bug-type Heartless that looked like mosquitoes and a single large Gator Heartless with black and blue scales, the Heartless symbol on it's chest, and dozens of razor sharp teeth in it's mouth. "Go, bring the prince back to us, alive! If he looses his heart, I'll destroy all of you! Destroy all who get in your way!"
The Heartless nodded their heads, understanding the orders as they disappeared into the void, leaving Lawrence and Facilier in the room as they went to the fire to plan their next move. In the swamp, a corridor opened up again and from it, the ponies and Psyrox walked through it, finding themselves in the middle of the swamp, Rarity stepping into some mud and looking disgusted, pulling her hoof out and shaking the mud off.
"Ew!" She exclaimed. "Honestly Psyrox, couldn't you have brought us to some place a little more dry and not as disgusting?"
"It's a swamp drama queen, deal with it." Psyrox replied. "This world is called the Swamp of Frogs for a reason."
"What a horrid name." Rarity said.
They then looked up, hearing arguing above them as they saw the two frogs flying away on the balloons, clearly fighting with one another over something.
"Ah, right on cue." Psyrox said, looking down to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, could you get them down before they hurt themselves please?"
"Oh, sure, no problem." Fluttershy said.
Before she could fly up, they heard something pop, scaring Fluttershy as she jumped into Psyrox's arms, shaking as they heard screaming. Everyone looked up and saw the two frogs falling, landing in the water and the prince getting up, unharmed while Tiana pushed him off her, covered in wet grass and throwing it off, looking furious.
"You said you were fabulously wealthy!" Tiana shouted.
"No, I said my family is fabulously wealthy." Naveen replied. "They cut me off for being a LEECH! LEECH!"
He wasn't just saying it as he was leeching off his parent's money, but because he also had a leech on his arm, getting the blood sucked out of him while Tiana walked over to help him.
"You're broke and you have a gal to call me a liar!?" Tiana asked.
She tossed the leech away, but ended up getting scared by a massive fish, running for the water, tripping over logs and plants as a heron chased them.
"I'm not lying!" Naveen shouted, still running. "Once I marry Charlotte, I'll be rich again and I'll help you get your restaurant, if she'll have me?"
"You a prince?" Tiana asked.
"Obviously!" Naveen replied.
"She'll have you!" Tiana said. They then fell down a cliff and into a pond, onto what seemed to be a log. "Alright man, once you're married, you're going to keep your promise right?"
"Now hold on there." Naveen said. "I made that promise to a beautiful princess, bit a waitress. Wait, are those logs moving?"
Tiana looked out and saw the same thing he was, logs moving towards them, but Tiana knew they weren't logs and when she saw the eyes, she knew she was right.
"Those aren't logs." Tiana said.
A second later, the one they were on started to move, rising up as it looked back to them.
"I got dibs on the big one." The gator said.
The gators were looming over them, getting ready to eat, but without warning, a spiked tongue came out of nowhere and hit the gator in the head, disorientating the gator right as another one came out of nowhere, flying out of the water and snapping it's jaw onto one of the gators, revealing it was a Heartless and multiple mosquito looking Heartless appeared from the void.
"Run!" Tiana shouted.
She and the prince dove out of the way and into the water, the other gators fleeing to avoid getting killed by those things as One Gator lost it's heart, creating a second Heartless Gator, both looking around for the frogs, but did find hem. Near a hollowed out and dead tree stump, Tiana was looking out of a hole in the stump, looking at the strange monsters when she heard someone call her, looking down to find Naveen.
"Lower the vine." He quietly said.
"No, find your own tree." Tiana replied.
Naveen looked back to the monsters and saw they had spotted him, slowly approaching them.
"Alright, alright!" Naveen said. "Help me out of this one and I promise, once I marry Charlotte, I'll help you get your restaurant! Please!"
He looked back and saw the Heartless approaching, but then felt a vine hit him and he immediately grabbed it, beginning to climb up, but one of the Heartless used their tongue and wrapped it around the prince, causing him to scream like a girl as he held on for dear life, the Heartless pulling him back to it as they got closer and closer. Tiana was horrified as she watch the monsters about to take the prince, but a second later, a Keyblade flew down from nowhere and sliced the tongue off, causing the Heartless to screech in pain, freeing Naveen and allowing him to climb into the tree stump, both looking out to see the Heartless looking t their right and there stood Psyrox, who reclaimed his Keyblade and charged forward, Rarity and Fluttershy appearing next to him with their Keyblades. Without a second to thin, Psyrox leapt up and released a powerful Blizzard Spell and froze the water, freezing some of the Heartless to the water and allowing the ponies to have an area to fight.
Rarity engaged some of the frog Heartless and sliced through one of them, destroying it with one slice while leaping up and using a Fira spell to burn a second one, causing it to run around and run into others, setting them on fire as they exploded, releasing multiple pink hearts. Fluttershy took to the sky and was dealing with the mosquito Heartless, who were flying around and sucking energy from their fellow Heartless, causing them to explode before they zipped around Fluttershy, getting a couple of hits in before she activated her armor, one of them bouncing off her and falling to the ground, exploding into a cloud of dark mist before she cut through another and flew a third, flying off to handle the rest. Psyrox however was engaged with the two Gators, each of them snapping at the Nobody, but he blocked their attacks and flipped and jumped around, avoiding their attacks before throwing both his Keyblades and smacking both Gators in the head, disorienting them before he got them back and slammed into the first gator, breaking through the ice, but jumped out before he could be dragged down, landing on the ice and bending backwards, dodging a tail swipe from the second one, flipping backwards before throwing his Keyblade, the blade encased in white hot flames as it cut through the gator in the middle, causing it to snarl and yell in pain as Psyrox rushed forward and sliced through him a second time, the gator falling as it was destroyed.
When the first Gator fell, the other Heartless backed off, disappearing into the darkness to regroup and regain their strength, the three of them dismissing their blades as they walked over to the stump.
"It's alright everyone." Psyrox said. "It's safe now."
From behind the trees, the fillies and Zecora came out from behind them as Luna flew down, landing next to the stump right as Naveen and Tiana looked out the hole, breathing a sigh of relief.
"My thanks friends." Naveen said. "But what were those things?"
"They're called Heartless darling." Rarity replied. "They're monsters born from darkness in other ponies hearts. This also includes humans and animals."
"Thank goodness you're alright though." Fluttershy said. "Who knows what may have happened if we didn't arrive in time."
"Probably would have saved me from a headache, that's what." Tiana said.
"Hey." Naveen said.
"Well, at least everyone's alright now." Psyrox said. "And it's getting pretty late. Best thing to do is get some rest."
"Sleep here?" Rarity asked, looking around. "In this... ghastly place?"
"Sorry, would you like to have a reservation at an inn?" Psyrox asked, being sarcastic.
"That was quite rude of you sir." Rarity said, turning her head away.
"It ain't that bad." Sweetie Belle said. "We're on solid ground and there's a lot of room for us."
"But there's so much... muck!" Rarity exclaimed.
"Alright, one moment." Psyrox said. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a blanket, setting it down on the ground for the pony, who seemed happy. "Better?"
"Much better." Rarity said, walking over and lying down on it. "Thank you Psyrox darling."
"No problem." Psyrox said, lying u against a tree. "Better get some sleep everyone. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
Everyone got settled in and lied down, attempting to sleep for the night while Luna looked up to the night sky, wondering if she would get home to Equestria and how her sister was doing back home. The next morning, the prince was still sleeping, trying to stay asleep for a little longer when an acorn hit him, waking him up instantly and looking out the hole to see Tiana had made a raft.
"Rise and shine sleeping beauty!" Tiana said. "We gotta head back to New Orleans and fix the mess you got us into."
"Hey I'm not the one who was wearing a phony baloney tiara." Naveen said, jumping down and pulling a twig that had spider webbing on it, playing a tun as Tiana started rowing the boat while the ponies followed close behind, Luna and Fluttershy flying in the air with the fillies on their backs while Psyrox, Zecora and Rarity were walking on the shore. "Ah, music to paddle by."
"You know, a gentlemen would help a lady you know?" Rarity said.
"Oh, I'll play another then." Naveen said.
He then continued to play his makeshift instrument when a gator popped its head above the surface of the water, Fluttershy gasping as she saw it.
"Look out!" Fluttershy said, the gator opening its mouth as the two frogs screamed.
"I know this song!" The gator said. He pulled out a trumpet and started playing, confusing them as Luna and Fluttershy landed on the ground right as Naveen started playing his instrument, matching the tune as they played together, enjoying themselves when the music ended and the gator laughed. "Where have you been all my life?"
"Where did you learn how to play like that!?" Naveen asked.
"Why the bayou of course!" The gator replied. "It's the best place in the world to learn to learn jazz. All the greats play on river boats. Oh, Louis would give anything to be up there jamming with the big boys."
"Well why don't you?" Naveen asked.
Everyone looked at him, giving him an are you serious look as they looked back to Louis.
"Let me guess, they got the shotguns out." Psyrox asked.
"You bet they did." Louis said. "I dove right back into the river after I tried playing and basically swam for my life."
"Oh you poor little thing." Fluttershy said, flying up and stroking his head, which he seemed to like. "Those mean old bullies attacking you just because you wanted to play some music."
"I know, right!?" Louis said, looking up. "I'm not a mean alligator, I just want to have a chance to play with the big time jazz people."
"Well, thanks for not eating us Louis." Tiana said, tossing Naveen onto the makeshift raft. "But we need to be going now."
"Wait, what?" Louis asked. "Where ya'll going?"
"To find someone to break this spell." Tirana replied.
"Spell?" Louis asked. "What spell?"
"Well if you wish to know my scaly friend, we are not frogs." Naveen replied. "We're humans."
Upon Naveen saying that, Louis started to laugh, finding the information to be funny as he thought they were joking, looking up and seeing he had a serious face.
"Ya'll serious?" Louis asked.
"He is Louis darling." Rarity replied. "Though I myself and my friends, besides Psyrox here, are ponies."
"I am Prince Naveen of Maldonia." Naveen said. "And this is Tiana, the waitress. Do not kiss her."
"Excuse me!?" Tiana asked, clearly annoyed. "It's because of you we're in this mess. This goon here got himself turned into a frog by a voodoo man and-"
"Voodoo!?" Louis asked, clearly scared. "Like the kind Mama Odie do!?"
"Wait, who?" Scootaloo asked.
"Mama Odie?" Apple Bloom asked. "Who the heck is she?"
"She's the Voodoo Queen of the Bayou!" Louis replied. "She's got magic, spells, all kinds of Voodoo."
"Hey, maybe she can help us!" Apple Bloom said.
"Yeah, if she's got voodoo magic, she might be able to help break the spell and help us find the Heart Piece!" Sweeite belle said.
"Could you take us to her!?" Scootaloo asked.
"To the deepest and darkest part of the Bayou!?" Louis asked. "Facing prickly bushes, trappers and hunters, with guns, and those big scary yellow eyed monsters around... no."
He then plopped himself down and started to play his trumpet, everyone groaning as their best chance of finding the Heart Piece was denied, Naveen clearing his throat as he hopped off the raft.
"Watch and learn." Naveen said. He walked up the stump and to Louis, who was still playing his trumpet. "Hey Louis, it's too bad we can't help you with your problem. If only you were smaller, less toothy. You could play music to adoring crowds without scaring them." Louis suddenly stopped playing, his eyes wide open as he took the bait. "Well, we gotta be going now. See ya."
"Cute." Tiana said.
"Honestly Naveen darling, what..." Rarity began to say.
Naveen raised his hand, stopping her from talking, waiting for what he knew was coming.
"Hey guys, I got a crazy idea!" Louis said. "What if I asked Mama Odie to turn me human!?"
"Louis, you're a genius." Naveen said, he and Tiana jumping onto his head.
"But why would you want to be human?" Scootaloo asked. "You're awesome enough as an alligator that plays a trumpet."
"Why would I want to be human!?" Louis asked. "Why many things little pony!"
Music then started playing, Louis jumping into the water as he swam along, playing his trumpet as Luna and Fluttershy took the fillies on their backs and flew over them, Psyrox using his own magic to cut a log up and turn it into a boat, taking a rope out of his jacket and creating a lasso, tossing it and Louis grabbed it, pulling them along as he played.
[Louis]
If I were a human being,
I'd head straight for New Orleans!
And I'd blow this horn so hot and strong,
Like no one they've ever seen!
You've heard of Louis Armstrong,
Mr. Sidney Bechet?
All those boys gonna step aside,
When they hear this old ex-gator play, Listen!
He blew his horn as he danced around, having a good time as the ponies started to dance to the beat, Louis letting go of the rope as they danced, even the ponies in the air enjoyed the music as they bounced their heads to the beat, Louis diving into the water again and making a splash that caused everyone in the boat to hang on.
When I'm human,
As I hope to be,
I'm gonna blow this horn,
'Til the cows come home!
And everyone's gonna bow down to me
Thank you, thank you,
Oh, thank you!
I love you too, baby!
He kept on playing his trumpet as Naveen pulled out his makeshift instrument, playing it along with the beat as they continued on.
[Naveen]
When I'm myself again,
I want just the life I had!
A great big party every night,
That doesn't sound too bad!
A redhead on my left arm,
A brunette on my right!
A blonde or two to hold the candles,
Now that seems just about right,
Eh, Louis?
Life is short,
When you're done, you're done!
We're on this earth,
To have some fun,
And that's the way things are! ([Louis] Tell it, brother!)
When I'm human,
And I'm gonna be,
I'm gonna tear it up like I did before,
And that's the royal guarantee!
"You are getting married!" Tiana exclaimed, shooing away the butterflies that came to enjoy his company.
"Ah, that's right." Naveen replied. "I have to leave a string of broken hearts behind me."
Tiana then took his instrument, giving him a stick as she tossed the stick with webbing away.
[Tiana]
Your modesty becomes you,
And your sense of responsibility!
I've worked hard for everything I've got,
And that's the way it's supposed to be!
When I'm a human being,
At least I'll act like one!
If you do your best each and every day,
Good things are sure to come your way!
What you give is what you get,
My daddy said that,
And I'll never forget,
And I commend it to you!
[Everyone]
When we're human,
And we're gonna be...
[Louis]
I'm gonna blow my horn!
[Naveen]
I'm gonna live the high life!
[Tiana]
I'm gonna do my best,
To take my place in the sun!
[Naveen and Tiana]
When we're human.
Louis kept on swimming deeper and deeper into the swamp, pulling the boat along as he went, blowing his horn as Naveen found another makeshift ukulele, the fillies repeating the song, which Louis was more than happy to play his trumpet again for an encore. Back at the mansion, Lawrence was flirting with Charlotte, who was apologizing for the frog fiasco last night and he seemed to be enjoying the high life when his ear started to return to normal, slowly returning to his normal state and doing the best he could to keep his features hidden, resorting to asking her to marry him, which she obviously said yes as she ran off screaming, retuning to his normal form as Facilier and Maleficent walked up, the witch doctor grabbing the pendant.
"No!" Faciliar said.
"What's the matter?" Maleficent asked, smiling at him. "Did your spell fail?"
"No thanks to you bringing that princess and ruining everything!" Faciliar replied. "Without him, we're dead in the water. Have your little monsters found the frog prince yet!?"
"They have." Maleficent replied. "Unfortunately, he's in the company of the Prince of Light and Darknesses little ponies friends and a Nobody with Keyblades."
"Keyblades?" Facilier asked. "You means the key shaped swords?"
"You know of them?" Maleficent asked.
"My friends on the other side warned me about them." Facilier replied. "Said they have the power to undo any spell."
"Any spell!?" Lawrence asked. "You mean..."
"Yes Larry, they can undo the princes transformation if they wanted to." Facilier replied.
"And the Nobody isn't the only one." Maleficent added. "A white unicorn called Rarity and a yellow Pegasus known as Fluttershy also have one."
"Blast, three of them!" Faciliar said. "Looks like I'm going to have to take drastic measures."
"What kind of measures?" Lawrence asked.
"I'm gonna need to ask my friends on the other side for help." Facilier replied.
Back with the group in the swamp, Psyrox was being briefed by his Dusks about if the Heartless were close by, Luna keeping her distance as she remembered the time Marluxia tried to corrupt her, having distrust for them while Louis was talking with Tiana and Naveen about the formers restaurant, Naveen getting hungry from their talk of food as did everyone else.
"How can you trust him?" Luna asked. "He's one of them."
"He saved us many times princess." Rarity said. "He saved your niece and he's rescued us a couple of times. He's quite the gentlemen really."
"And he's brave." Fluttershy added, looking to him. "He betrayed the Organization and is helping us look for the Heart Pieces."
"But why would he want to help collect the Heart Pieces is the question." Luna said. "What's in it for him? Why betray his fellow Nobodies to help us get the pieces of Spyro's heart?"
"Gosh, we never really thought about that." Apple Bloom said, looking to Psyrox. "Psyrox, why ya helpin' us get the Heart Pieces anyway?"
"Because they are pieces of one of the most powerful beings in existence." Psyrox replied, turning to them as the Dusks disappeared. "If a person holds one piece of the princes heart, they have limited access to his powers. Meaning, all of them."
"Wait, so if somepony gets one of Spyro's heart pieces, they'd have his powers?" Scootaloo asked.
"Some of them, yes." Psyrox replied. "You see, when someone houses pieces of another persons heart, there is a chance you get their powers as well. And with how powerful your friend Spyro is, whoever holds it will become near invincible. Such power does not belong to anyone other than the Prince of Light and Darkness."
"Naveen, what are you doing?" Tiana asked, getting their attention.
"Shh, you're frightening the food." Naveen said, opening his mouth to get a mosquito, but missed, his tongue wrapping around his head. "Not as easy as it looks."
He then tried again, launching his tongue, but it ended up wrapping around a dead branch, bringing it back and smacking him in the mouth, knocking him over and everyone laughing. A moment later, Tiana noticed a fire fly and her tongue started acting on it's own, the young woman trying not to eat a bug, but her tongue ended up yanking her towards the bug, which was resting on top of a dandelion. Both frogs opened their mouths and their tongues shot out, entangling together and pulling them into one another, their tongues tied in a not, the fillies laughing.
"Wow, talk about being tongue tied!" Scootaloo said, laughing while the adults looked at her, disappointed in her for the joke.
At Disney Castle, Twilight and the rest of her friends were waiting on the ship to be finished, Chip and Dale going as fast as they could, but to them, the ship was very complicated and would take a while. In the back of the group, Pinkie looked out to the run way as if she heard something as Applejack noticed.
"Somethin' wrong Pinkie?" Applejack asked.
"I don't know, felt like I heard somepony make a Spyro pun!" Pinkie replied happily.
"A Spyro pun?" Applejack asked.
"You know, one of those really bad jokes that only I like as they're super duper funny to me, but usually not to anypony else."
"Oh, one of those kinds of puns." Applejack said. "So who made the joke?"
"No clue." Pinkie replied. "But I'll pop in and see who-"
A second later, a random sign dropped down, stopping her as she looked at what was written.
You're not breaking the 4th wall this time. Wait your turn.
"Seems like somepony doesn't want ya to do yer shenanigans this time." Applejack said.
"Aw, it's just a sign." Pinkie replied. "What's the worst that can-" She then froze as the sign turned around, showing there was a toy soldier with a cork gun, locked and loaded. "AH, HE'S GOT A WEAPON! EVERYPONY RUN!"
She then ran around in random directions, Applejack clearly not amused as Pinkie ran up walls, on the roof and out from crates randomly as she screamed, Applejack raising her hoof and the panicking party pony ran into it, instantly stopping.
"Pinkie, it's just a cork in a metal pipe." Applejack said. "It ain't gonna hurt you."
"Um, I wouldn't say it's harmless AJ." Pinkie replied.
"Aw pony feathers Pinkie!" Applejack said, walking over to the toy soldier. "Ah mean, all ya gotta do is pull it's cork and-" As she did that, the gun went off, firing a blast and knocking Applejacks hat off, covering her face in black soot as the sign tried to go up, but an angry Applejack grabbed hold of it and started pulling. "Aw no ya don't ya varmint! Ya'll gonna get it this time!"
Applejack continued to pull on the sign, Pinkie joining in as she laughed, thinking it was just a regular game of Tug-of-War, Applejack wanting to get payback for what the author did. Meanwhile at the swamp, Louis was trying to get the frogs tongues untied, but ended up making it worse, getting them even more tangles, their tongues still tied, but this time they were all tangled up, the two of them tied together as Louis went to get something to get them loose, the ponies and Nobody remaining with the frogs to make sure nothing happened to them.
"Remind me never to ask Louis to get me untied." Psyrox said.
"I concur." Luna said. "Now how are we gonna get them out of this mess?"
A second later, another firefly came buzzing by and saw them, laughing to himself as he flew up to the two frogs.
"Oh well lookie here!" The firefly said. "Girl, looks like you and your boyfriend got a little carried away, am I right?" The two frogs then tried to speak, but with their tongues tied, it was near impossible for anyone to make sense out of what they were saying. "Alright, I'll handle this. Let's shine a bit of light on this situation." He then concentrated and tried to glow, but his light failed, so he tried again, accidentally farting before it shined for a second, twisting it like it was a real lightbulb and he then started shining, flying over to the two frogs. "Oh don't worry, I ain't gonna explode. I'm not a firecracker. It's just my big fat butt. Woman like a man with a big back porch!"
"Not all of them." Psyrox said.
"Hmm, you got yourselves tied up real good, didn't ya?" The firefly asked. "Now where did it go to? Hang on Cap, this won't take but a moment!"
He then squeezed himself in between the two frogs and started looking for the tongue, finding it and humming a tune as he flew out and pulled the tongue hard, untying them instantly.
"Thank you little firefly friend." Luna said. "You have our gratitude."
"Yes, thank you." Tiana said.
"Not an issue!" The bug said. "About time I introduced myself. I am Raymond, but everyone calls me Ray."
"Thanks, but... pardon me if I'm rude, but your accent, is funny no?" Naveen asked.
"I'm Cajun bro." Ray responded. "Born and bred in the Bayou. Say, you two are new around here, aren't you?"
"We're actually from a world far, far away from here." Naveen replied.
"No way, you's aliens!?" Ray asked.
"Actually, we're humans." Naveen replied. "Except for the ponies and zebra, they're really ponies and a zebra."
"Prince charming here got himself turned into a frog by a voodoo witch doctor." Tiana said.
"Well there you go!" Ray said. "Never mess with a Voodoo man!"
"And now we're on our way to Mama Odie's to..." Tiana said before Ray flew over to her.
"Wait a moment, did ya say ya'll are going to Mama Odie's?" Ray asked, Tiana nodding her head. "Well you're going the wrong way then, she's the other direction. Now what kinda Dundee head told ya'll to go this way?"
"I found a stick!" Louis shouted, running out the bushes and seeing everyone was upset with him.
"Louis darling, have you been purposefully been taking us the wrong direction to get to Mama Odie's?" Rarity asked.
"What, no!" Louis replied, clearly nervous. "I was confused by the topography and the... the geography and the choreography and-"
"Louis, are you still scared?" Fluttershy asked, flying out to him. "Are you still scared of Mama Odie?"
Louis tried to think of something but then broke down, falling on his tail.
"It's not Mama Odie that scares me anymore." Louis replied. "I'm still scared of the hunters and the prickly bushes. I just... I..."
"Aw, there, there baby, it's ok." Fluttershy replied. "You don't need to be scared. We're with you now."
"Remind me never to ask a gator for directions again." Rarity said.
"That's the first rule of the Bayou, never ask a gator for directions." Ray responded, whistling as more Fireflies lite up. "Me and my relations will guide the way for you."
"Wow." Sweetie Belle said, her eyes lighting up. "Pretty."
"Hey cousins, get down here!" Ray shouted. "You's ready for a little bayou gotta call!?"
"Ready when you are cousin Ray!" One of them shouted back.
They then started playing music, the fireflies flying down to show them the right way to Mama Odie's.
[Ray]
Alright, Lulu! Let's get to it, darling!
Come on, 'cher! Just follow the bouncing butt!
We're gonna take you down, we're gonna take you down,
We're gonna take you all the way down!
We're gonna take you down, we're gonna take you down,
We're gonna take you all the way!
Goin' down the bayou, goin' down the bayou,
Goin' down the bayou, takin' you all the way!
We got the whole family! There goes Mimi, Cousin Boudreau, oh Grandma Mama, your light out!
We all gon' pool together, down here that's how we do!
Me for them, and them for me, we all be there for you!
We're gonna take ya, we're gonna take ya,
We're gonna take ya all the way down!
We know where you're going and we're going witchoo,
Takin' you all the way!
Goin' down the bayou, goin' down the bayou
Goin' down the bayou, takin' you all...
Yeah, you know! Come on y'all!
Keep that line flowin', and them lights a'glowin!
Yeah, you're right!
Tout sweet, come on! Ha ha!
Looks like we gettin' close!
I hope somebody know where we at,
Cause I'm lost man!
Back at New Orleans, Facilier was back at his home and office, talking with his friends on the other side while Maleficent was in the back, waiting for him as he talked with them.
"Friends, I know I'm in pretty deep with ya'll already, but, we got a... a slight problem." Facilier said. "It seems our froggy prince has lost his way. And I need your most generous assistance getting him back." The masks just laughed and growled, clearly not interested in helping him, which Facilier knew would happen, so he had something they couldn't resist. "Uh-uh-uh, I know what ya'll are thinking. What's in it for ya'll?" He then pulled out a voodoo doll that looked like Big Daddy, Charlotte's father, and pulled out a pin. "Well, as soon as I dispose of Big Daddy La Bouff..." He then spun and an illusion of the town appeared around him. "And I'm running this town, I'll be the one running New Orleans in the palm of my hand, and you'll have all the little souls your dark little hearts desire, minus the hearts Ms. Maleficent here wants for her army of dark little monsters she calls Heartless. I'll even throw in the souls of the ponies from another world, which one of them is royal, three are little fillies, one Zebra, and a couple of Keyblade warriors, all for you." He then used his voodoo magic to get the city in his hand, blowing in it as illusions of souls flew up, flying into their nostrils as they seemed to be very interested. "Ya'll love that don't ya? So, we got ourselves a deal?"
The masks looked at one another, thinking about it before the largest one opened it's mouth wide, releasing a bunch of shadows from it that surrounded the witch doctor, Maleficent seemingly impressed with the magic going on at the moment.
"Such power, such... darkness." Maleficent said, walking up. "Be careful with such dark powers Facilier. If you dwell to long and too far into the darkness, otherwise it will swallow you whole."
"Oh don't you fret none Maleficent." Facilier said. "I got this well under control. With your Heartless and my friends on the other side, we're going to find ourselves a FROG! The Bayou, the porter, bring him to me alive! I need his heart pumping, for now. Hurry, toot sweet!"
With that, the dark shadows flew out the door and out the windows, anywhere they could go to get out as they zipped around the town to look for the frog prince while some went into the Bayou to find him, lights flickering as they went about the city before leaving the place and made their way to the Bayou, Facilier smiling as he watched.
"The Keyblade is more powerful than you think Facilier." Maleficent said. "It can destroy those shadows, despite them being Voodoo spirits. They will be a formidable force to not take lightly."
"Oh don't worry Maleficent." Facilier said. "Once we have the frog, the Heart Piece you want so much will be yours, for my friends on the other side said the Heart Piece you're looking for was here. And I believe our little froggy prince has it."
"If so, we will destroy him and get it." Maleficent said, her Heartless following closely behind them.
"Remember, I need him alive for my plan to work." Facilier said. "And once it's done... nothing will get in my way."
He then started laughing, his laughter echoing through the city as the shadows and Heartless entered the Bayou, looking for their froggy target.