Chapter 104: The Heart of Notre Dame Part 1: Welcome to Notre Dame
On the Harmony, everyone was distracting themselves as the ship made it's way to the next world, Rarity in the simulation room working on designs she believes would work out when she got back to Equestria, taking inspiration from the North American Ice Age while Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were in the kitchen mixing up some desserts for everyone to have a snack. Twilight and Cadence were looking through the book they got, trying to understand how the books magic worked, but not getting very far while Shining Armor, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were in the training room, the two mares sparring with one another to keep in shape and to learn some new moves for the next time they were in battle. Zecora however was busy mixing together some potions for the group from mana potions to full elixirs for when they needed a boost, finding Spyro's alchemy book and following the instructions on how to make each of them while the fillies helped her out, finding the ingredients she needed while also trying different things to get their cutie marks while they were on the ship, though they had to lock the door to the cockpit as, while May had to use the bathroom, the fillies tried to fly the ship themselves, almost crashing it into an asteroid.
After some time, everyone was continuously doing what they could to pass the time when the PA system came on, everyone stopping what they were doing to hear what was May was going to say.
"Alright everyone, we're approaching the next world now." May announced. "Everyone please come to the cockpit and take your seats as we will be coming out of Warp Space in a minute."
Everyone finished up what they were doing, Pinkie finishing up with packing some cookies before bouncing up the stairs, following everyone else as they took their seats. After a minute, the ship came out of warp space, flying for a minute before they arrived at the next world, which was covered in buildings with Notre Dame on top of the world, bells ringing as on the bottom it looked to be a festival with balloons flying everywhere with musical instruments playing.
"Alright, the next world!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Let's get down there!"
"Hold on Rainbow Dash." Twilight said, pulling out the book, which the bell symbol went from black to gold as the chapter page glowed again, copying the world into its image as writting appeared. "La Cité des Cloches. What does that mean?"
"It means The City of Bells." May replied. "This was a sleeping world."
"Sleeping world?" Applejack asked. "What in Equestria ya'll talkin' about?"
"They are worlds that fell into darkness, but never fully recovered after Ansem was defeated." May replied. "Meaning they no longer had hearts, but Sora and Riku traveled to each of these worlds and went into their dreams, unlocking their Keyholes and waking them up. What happened in the dreams never happened in the real world, which is why we need to be extremely careful in this world."
"Why's that?" Twilight asked.
"This world has an aversion to magic." May replied. "Meaning if they see magic, they'll arrest you and throw you behind bars before burning to at the stake."
As she said that, dead silence filled the ship as they heard what would happen on that world, Pinkie gulping air as she felt a shiver run down her spine.
"So, what's the plan?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, I would go down there myself, but I can't." May replied, turning to face them. "I visited this world a year ago while I was corrupted by Malefor and... let's just say I'm not everyone's favorite human being down there. If they see me, they'll arrest me instantly."
"Wait, you're saying you can't go down there... at all!?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Afraid so." May said. "But I can send down a group of you down there to begin searching."
"Alright!" Scootaloo shouted. "Send us down and we'll-"
"Not so fast Scootaloo." May said, interrupting her. "I'm only sending down a small group to the world's surface, not all of you."
"So, who's going down there?" Applejack asked. "And how many?"
"I'm sending down five of you." May replied, pulling out a box from no where. "And how we'll decide who's going is drawing numbers. Whoever gets the numbers one through five will go down to the surface." She placed the box in the center of the cockpit, the crusaders rushing put to get their numbers when May got in their way, stopping them. "Sorry girls, not you."
"Oh come on!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "Why can't we go down?"
"Because this world is way too dangerous for you." May replied. "Not to mention you'd be foal napped in an instant. Only the grown up ponies can draw."
She then turned her head and nodded, letting them know they can draw the numbers from the box, each of them taking a number out and walking away from the box. Once everyone had their number, they opened the pieces of folded paper to see what they got, some surprised by their numbers, while others looked disappointed or in Rainbow Dash's case, defeated as she fell down comically.
"Alright everyone, what did you get?" May asked.
"Five." Twilight said.
"Two." Rarity announced.
"O-One." Fluttershy said.
"I got six." Rainbow Dash said, her face planted to the floor as she wasn't happy.
"Yippee, I got four!" Pinkie shouted, bouncing up and down.
"Eight." Applejack said.
"Seven is the number that I got, though I wasn't expecting my luck to be a lot." Zecora said.
"I got... nine." Shining Armor said. "But, that means that..."
"Looks like I got three." Cadence said, horrifying Shining Armor.
"No, absolutely not!" Shining Armor said. "You heard what May said, that world is dangerous! You and Twilight are not going."
"Shining, it's very sweet that you are looking out for us." Cadence said, kissing him. "But we can handle ourselves. I'm with four ponies who have Keyblades, I'll be quite safe."
She then hugged her husband to be, reassuring him that she would be ok before walking over to the four other ponies, May walking in front of them with her Keyblade out.
"Alright everyone, listen carefully." May said. "This world is not very big on magic, nor talking animals, so don't say a word and don't use your magic unless absolutely necessary. And don't summon your Keyblades unless you need to as there is one person on that world that will have you executed without thinking twice."
"Thanks for the warning." Twilight said. "So, how should we proceed?"
"Just remain out of sight as much as possible and find the Heart Piece." May replied. "And be careful around the guards, they aren't very friendly. Especially to gypsies and animals." May got up and called her Keyblade, raising it up as a light shined in the cockpit, making everyone close their eyes. "Good luck."
The entire room was then encased in light, the five ponies in the center of the room being absorbed into the light as it shot out of the cockpit and headed towards the world, flying towards it like a meteorite, entering the atmosphere and flying through the sky until it landed in a back ally, the five ponies released form the light and looked around, finding themselves in the ally before moving to the mouth of the back ally street, finding the old city of Paris with many wooden houses, horses everywhere and people walking about their daily lives, one passing by them, but ignored them as he walked.
"Well, at least we can move about without drawing too much attention." Twilight said, walking out as a kid pointed at her, the woman looking at her before picking her child up and running. "Or not."
"Um, maybe it's your horn." Fluttershy said. "May did say people here don't like magic."
"We'll have to worry about that later." Twilight said. "Right now, we need to see what the book says." She then pulled the book out and flipped to the chapter page, the riddle appearing underneath the chapter title. "Loved by the mother, hated by the judge, a being of disfigured features is despised, but never holds a grudge. Acceptance is the key to living a peaceful life, but only when accepted by all will he finally be freed from their strife. Saving a woman with raven hair will be the key, to show who the true monster is for all to see."
"Ooh, wonder who the monster is!?" Pinkie asked. "Cause, if it really is a monster, Fluttershy could tame it, we could become best friends with it, and we can party all day and night!"
"Um, let's not try and do that." Fluttershy said, covering her head. "Besides, we aren't supposed to be seen, remember?"
"I got it covered." Cadence said. She closed her eyes and lifted her head, her horn glowing a light blue as her magic shined out, hiding their horns and wings, spooking everyone. "There, now we can move about without drawing attention."
"A camouflage spell!" Twilight said in excitement. "That's perfect!"
"Yes, but it won't last forever." Cadence said. "I will need to reapply it every couple of hours to keep up the illusion and if we fly or use our magic, the spell is broken."
"Right, no using magic, gotcha." Twilight said.
"Ew, what are they wearing?" Rarity asked, seeing the people's clothing, instantly appalled by their clothing. "So bland, so... depressing."
"We can worry about fashion later Rarity." Twilight said. "Right now, we need to-"
They then heard the bells of the nearby church ring, scaring Fluttershy to leap underneath Pinkie Pie, shivering and shaking as she hid, only for her and everyone else to start hearing music playing, looking around to see where it was coming from, following it until they reached some kind of stand which there was a gypsy there prepared to give a show, the gypsy wearing a purple and indigo colored outfit with yellow over the top and bells, his hat blue with a yellow feather and wearing a purple mask, approaching as some of the local children came to see the show right as the song started.
[Choir]
Olim, Olim Deus accelere.
Hoc sæculum splendidum.
Accelere fiat venire olim.
[Clopin]
Morining in Paris, the city awakes,
To the bells of Notre Dame.
The fisherman fishes, the bakerman bakes,
To the bells of Notre Dame!
To the big bells as loud as the thunder,
To the little bells soft as a psalm.
And some say the soul of the city's
The toll of the bells.
The bells of Notre Dame.
Listen, they're beautiful no?
So many colours of sound, so many changing moods.
Because you know, they do not ring all by the themselves.
[Clopin's puppet]
They don't?
[Clopin]
No silly boy.
Up there, high, high in the dark bell tower,
Lives a mysterious bell ringer.
Who is this strange creature?
[Clopin's puppet]
Who?
[Clopin]
What is he?
[Clopin's Puppet]
What?
[Clopin]
How did he come to be there?
[Clopin's Puppet]
How?
[Clopin]
Hush (Clopin's Puppet] Ow.), and Clopin will tell you.
It is a tale, a tale of a man and a monster.
Clopin the used his hand that had the puppet on it to pull the curtain back, but as he did that, the entire world around the ponies started to grow dark, the colors of the city melting away as the entire world around them melted away, Fluttershy screaming as she dove under Princess Cadence, shivering in fear as the world went dark, only returning as a light appeared, glowing brighter and brighter until it revealed the city during a cold winter night, near a canal where they saw a boat moving along the water, four people on it, three men, one of them ferrying the boat and the other three gypsies with a woman, who appeared to be holding something, hearing the cries of a baby as it got closer.
Dark was the night when our tale was begun,
On the docks near Notre Dame.
[Gypsy 1]
Shut it up will you!
[Gypsy 2]
We'll be spotted!
[Gypsy woman]
Hush little one.
[Clopin]
Four frightened gypsies, slid silently under the docks near Notre Dame.
[Gypsy ferryman]
Four guilders for safe passage into Paris.
A second later, an arrow came out of nowhere, hitting the stick the ferryman used to push the boat along, everyone looking to see a bunch of soldiers pointing arrows at them, more arriving and surrounding them.
[Clopin]
But a trap had been laid for the gypsies!
And they gazed up in fear and alarm,
At figure whose clutches were iron as much as the bells.
They then looked back to see a shadow on the wall, all of them fearing for their lives as they saw a man in black robes riding a black horse, a cold expression on his face as he approached them.
[Gypsy 1]
Judge Claude Frollo!
[Clopin]
The bells of Notre Dame. ([Choir] Kyrie Eleison!)
Judge Claude Frollo longed to purge the world,
Of vice and sin. ([Choir] Kyrie Eleison!)
And he saw corruption everywhere,
Except within.
[Judge Frollo]
Bring these gypsy vermin to the palace of justice.
[Soldier]
You there, what are you hiding!?
[Judge Frollo]
Stolen goods, no doubt, take them from her.
[Clopin]
She ran!
A moment later, the woman broke free from the soldiers grasp and started running, Judge Claude Frollo following close behind as he rode his horse after her, running through the streets to catch the woman.
[Choir]
Dies iræ, dies illa,
Solvet sæclum in favilla!
Teste David cum Sibylla!
Quantus tremor est futurus,
Quando Judex est venturus!
As the group ran through the streets, Rarity was barely keeping up when something shined in her eye, looking up to see what it was only to see a gold and purple light above them, her eyes wide with surprise as she watched the light fly straight for Notre Dame, going through a window as the Gypsy woman leapt over a railing to get away, running straight for the church and hitting her fist on the door.
[Gypsy woman]
Sanctuary, please give us sancturary!
There wasn't an answer as she turned to see Judge Frollo quickly approaching her, running again to escape.
[Choir]
Quantus tremor est futurus,
Quando Judex est venturus!
The judge then grabbed the cloth in the woman's arms, pulling it before kicking her in the stomach, causing her to hit her head against the stair, killing her instantly, horrifying the ponies as they saw the despicable scene, hearing a babies cry.
[Judge Frollo]
A baby? A monster!
After seeing the baby, the judge looked around to find a place to dispose of the baby, finding a well as he had his horse walk over, lifting the baby up to drop it into the well.
"NO!" Cadence shouted.
She then lunged for the baby, hoping to save it, but she passed through it and hit the ground, rubbing her head as she looked up in horror as the judge was about to drop it, only for the light in the sky to appear again and unleash lightning, stopping him.
[Archdeacon]
Stop!
[Clopin]
Cried the Archdeacon.
[Judge Frollo]
This is an unholy demon!
I'm sending to hell where it belongs!
[Archdeacon]
See there the inncoent blood you have spilt,
On the steps of Notre Dame.
[Judge Frollo]
I am guiltless, she ran, I pursued.
[Archdeacon]
Now you would add this child's blood to your guilt,
On the steps of Notre Dame!
[Judge Frollo]
My conscience is clear!
[Archdeacon]
You can lie to yourself and your minions!
You can claim that you haven't a qualm!
But you never can, run from nor hide what you've done from the eyes!
The very eyes of Notre Dame!
The Archdeacon pointed to the statues that decorated Notre Dame, revealing they were all looking at him, terrifying the judge as he looked around.
[Clopin]
And for one time in his life,
Of power and control,
Frollo felt a twinge of fear,
For his immortal soul.
[Judge Frollo]
What must I do?
[Archdeacon]
Care for the child, and raise it as your own.
The archdeacon lifted the dead woman up as he walked to the doors of the church.
[Judge Frollo]
What? I'm to be settled with this misshapen,
Very well, let him live with you and your church.
[Archdeacon]
Live here? Where?
[Judge Frollo]
Anywhere.
Just so he's kept locked away where no one else can see.
The bell tower perhaps.
And who knows, our Lord works in mysterious way.
Even this foul creature may yet prove one day to be,
Of use... to me.
[Clopin]
And Frollo gave the child a cruel name,
A name that means half-formed,
Quasimodo!
The scene then returned to the traveling puppet show, Clopin using a puppet and some shadows to show them what happened next after that.
Now here is a riddle to guess if you can,
Sing the bells of Notre Dame.
Who is the monster and who is the man?
Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells,
Bells of Notre Dame!
As the music ended, the crowd left, leaving the ponies alone at the front of the wagon, shocked to have watched the horrifying scene before them as they looked to the bell tower of Notre Dame.
"Poor thing." Fluttershy said. "To be ripped out of your mother's arms like that and then locked away in the bell tower, ringing them all the time."
"That judge Frollo is a big old meanie mean bully!" Pinkie exclaimed loudly. "What did those people ever do to him!?"
"Who knows?" Twilight asked. "Something must have happened to cause him to have a deep resentment towards Gypsies. But we can't worry about that now. We need to find the Heart Piece."
"I think I have an idea where it is." Rarity said, looking to the church. "It's somewhere in there."
She then pointed to Notre Dame, making everyone else look to it as they now had an idea where to start looking.
"In Notre Dame?" Twilight asked. "Well, it's a start. Let's get going everypony."
They then walked in the direction of the massive cathedral, walking past all the people who didn't pay any attention to them as they went about their own daily activities. In the bell towers, Quasimodo, a Hunchback wearing a green shirt with brown pants and shoes had just released a bird, leaning against the railing as the gargoyle next to him came to life, spitting out the nest as he tried to get it out.
"Man, thought that bird would never leave." Hugo, the big fat gargoyle said.
"That's what happens when you sleep with your mouth open." Victor, a thin and sophisticated gargoyle said.
"Ha-ha, go scare a nun." Hogu said, looking down. "Hey, Quasi, what's going on? I fight, a flight?"
"A festival." Victor said.
"The Feast of Fools!?" Hugo asked. "Alight, alright, lot of wine and cut veggies!"
"It is a treat to watch the colorful festivities." Victor said.
"Yeah, especially since we have a great view of it!" Hugo said.
"Yeah, great." Quasimodo said, walking away from the balcony.
He then walked away from the balcony and back inside, climbing up the stairs to a room he made for himself with a table that had carved buildings and carvings of people on it, playing with one of the carvings as he sighed in defeat, unhappy about his current predicament.
"Not gonna watch the festival this year?" A voice said.
Quasimodo looked up to see a figure wearing a purple coat and black pants, Spyro, leaning on a wooden support beam holding the bell up, looking down at the festival before looking back to the hunchback.
"What's the point?" Quasimodo asked. "I just... I don't feel like watching the festival."
"Why not?" Laverne, an older looking Gargoyle with pigeons on him asked. "Every thought about going there?"
"Sure, but... I can't." Quasimodo replied. "I'd never be able to fit in."
"Oh come on Quasimodo." Spyro said, leaping from the rafters and landing without harm to himself. "You don't need to fit in for this festival."
"He's right you know." Victor said. "As your friends and guardians, we insist you go to the festival."
"Yes, there's lots of stuff for you to do.." Spyro said. "Like, enjoying all the foods and drink, learning some of the songs..."
"Wine, women, and fun!" Hugo said. "Learning about the culture."
"Bobbing for snails!" Hugo said, grabbing a bucket, slamming it on Victor. "And playing dunk the monk!"
Spyro shook his head at them, walking over to Laverne and the Hunchback and sitting down.
"See Quasi, you can't stay cooped up here forever." Spyro said. "It's not good for you."
"Yeah, you can't sit up here and watch your life fly by." Laverne said. "Just get yourself a fresh tunic, some clean pants and-"
"Thanks you guys, but you're forgetting one thing." Quasimodo said, pulling out a carving of Frollo. "My master Frollo."
"Pfft, you mean old stick-up-his-bum?" Spyro asked. "Forget him. His rules mean nothing."
"But I can't disobey him." Quasimodo replied. "He has forbidden me from attending the festival. And he hates the Feast of Fools. He'd be furious if I asked him to go."
"You kidding?" Spyro asked, floating above him, doing the backstroke. "He hates anything that has to do with fun. Mr. I-Wanna-Make-Everything-Pure is just an old sour puss with no love life. Guy get's his kicks making everyone else miserable, makes me wanna knock him in the head with a wooden plank, if I had a body."
"Besides, who says you gotta ask?" Hugo asked. "You sneak out, enjoy the festival and sneak back in."
"It's just one afternoon." Laverne said. "He'll never know you were gone."
"But what if I got caught?" Quasimodo asked.
"Better to ask for forgiveness than ask permission." Victor replied.
"But what if he sees me?" Quasimodo asked.
"Then wear a disguise." Spyro said, pulling out a cloak and wearing it. "What he doesn't know won't hurt ya bud. Besides, being cooped up here forever is a fate worse than death, you gotta live a little. Come on, what do ya say?"
Quasimodo looked between Spyro and his friends, seeing the hopeful looks on their faces and smiled, happy to have great friends like them to encourage him to have fun and go attend the Fest of Fools.
"You're right, I'll go!" Quasimodo said, getting up and walking to the stairs, everyone cheering. "I'll get cleaned up, I'll stroll through those stairs, I'll march through the doors and-"
"Good morning Quasimodo." Frollo said, surprising them.
"G-good morning master." Quasimodo replied.
"Oh great, Count Dracula's here to suck all the fun up." Spyro said, almost making the bell ringer laugh.
"Dear boy, whoever are you talking to?" Frollo asked.
"To your mama, that's who." Spyro replied, making himself laugh.
Quasimodo leered at Spyro, not paying any attention to him as he looked back to his master.
"M-my friend, sir." Quasimodo replied.
"I see." He said, knocking on the gargoyles. "And what are your friends made of dear boy?"
"Stone, sir." Quasimodo replied.
"Can stone talk?" Frollo asked.
"No sir." Quasimodo replied.
"Good boy." Frollo said, walking over to the table. "You're a smart lad."
"Yeah, smarter than you numb-nuts." Spyro said.
He then watched as Quasimodo run around to get plates and cups for him and Frollo, placing a wooden plate and cup for himself while his master got a metal plate and cup, angering Spyro as he watched Quasimodo give the good china to a judge who degrades him behind his back.
"Now, shall we review your alphabet today?" Frollo asked.
"Oh, yes master, I'd like that very much." Quasimodo said.
"Very well." Frollo said, pouring a glass of wine for him and the hunchback. "A?"
"Abomination." Quasimodo replied.
"B?" Frollo asked.
"Blasphemy?" Quasimodo asked.
"C?" Frollo asked.
"Contrition." Quasimodo replied.
"D?" Frollo asked.
"Damnation." Quasimodo replied.
"E?" Frollo asked.
"Eternal Damnation." Quasimodo said.
"Good." Frollo said. "F?"
"Festival." Spyro said.
"Festival." Quasimodo repeated.
As soon as he Heard Quasimodo said Festival, he spat out his drink, wiping his mouth as he glared at him.
"Got'em!" Spyro said, snickering.
"Excuse me?" Frollo asked.
"F-forgiveness." Quasimodo said, trying to save himself.
"You said festival." Frollo said, closing the book. "You're planning on going to the festival, weren't you?"
"You bet your knickers ya old wanka!" Spyro shouted, though Frollo couldn't hear him.
"It's just, you go every year." Quasimodo said, following Frollo as Spyro followed him.
"I am a public official, I must go." Frollo replied. "But I don't enjoy it. Thieves and cut throats, the dregs of humankind all mixed together in a drunken stupor."
"I'm sorry master." Quasimodo said. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"Yeah, we only wanted to have some fun party pooper." Spyro said, knocking his hat off his head, which Frollo caught.
"Blast this wind." Frollo said, putting his hat back on.
"If you insist!" Spyro shouted.
He reached into his pocket, pulling out an E-11 blaster, which Quasimodo swatted away, leering at him, which Spyro just shrugged his shoulders, pulling out a hammer and raising it over his head, but fell over the railing, screaming like Goofy as he his the ground.
"Quasimodo, can't you see it?" Frollo asked. "When your heartless mother abandoned you as a child, anyone else would have drowned you."
"Heartless my rear." Spyro said, hanging onto the railing. "As for drowning, you're en expert on that, aren't ya pal?"
"I took you in and raised you as my son and this is how you thank me?" Frollo asked.
"I'm sorry sir." Quasimodo said.
"My dear Quasimodo." Frollo said, patting the hunchbacks back. "You have no idea what it's like out there. But I do."
A moment later, music started to play, indicating a song was about to begin, which Spyro floated above them, crossing his arms as he glared daggers at Frollo.
[Frollo]
The world is cruel.
The world is wicked.
It's I alone whom you can trust in this whole city!
I am your only friend.
I who keep you, teach you, feed you, dress you,
I who look upon you without fear.
How can I protect you, boy, unless you always stay in here?
Away in here?
"Remember what I've taught you, Quasimodo." Frollo said, he and Quasimodo walking back into the tower.
You are deformed.
[Quasimodo]
I am deformed.
[Frollo]
And you are ugly.
[Quasimodo]
And I am ugly.
[Frollo]
And these are crimes for which the world shows little pity,
You do not comprehend.
[Quasimodo]
You are my one defender.
[Frollo]
Out there, they'll revile you as a monster.
[Quasimodo]
I am a monster.
[Frollo]
Out there, they will hate and scorn and jeer.
[Quasimodo]
Only a monster.
[Frollo]
Why invite their calumny and consternation?
Stay in here, be faithful to me. ([Quasimodo] I'm faithful.)
Grateful to me. ([Quasimodo] I'm grateful)
Do as I say, obey.
[Frollo and Quasimodo]
And/I'll stay in here.
Frollo took the wood carving of the hunchback from Quasimodo and put it onto the cathedral, walking away from Quasimodo as Spyro sharpened a knife.
"You are good to me master." Quasimodo said, looking depressed. "I am sorry."
"You are forgiven my boy." Frollo said. "And remember Quasimodo, this is your sanctuary."
Frollo then walked down the stairs, walking out of the bell tower while Quasimodo looked defeated while Spyro just threw the knife, passing through Frollo's head and hitting the wooden support beam.
"Bullseye!" Spyro shouted, looking over to Quasimodo, floating down and sitting next to him, putting his hand on the Hunchbacks back. "Hey, don't listen to him. You aren't a monster bud. The difference between a monster and a man is heart, and you have plenty of that. Your heart is kind and pure, his is nothing but stone and coal."
"Thanks for trying to cheer me up Spyro." Quasimodo said, looking up at the bells.
Quasimodo:
Safe behind these windows and these parapets of stone,
Gazing at the people down below me.
All my life, I watch them as I hide up here alone.
Hungry for the histories they show me.
All my life, I memorize their faces,
Knowing them as they will never know me.
All my life, I wonder how it feels to pass a day.
[Spyro]
Not above them, but part of them.
[Spyro and Quasimodo]
And out there, living in the sun!
[Quasimodo]
Give me one day out there, all I ask is one,
To hold forever.
[Spyro and Quasimodo]
Out there, where they all live unaware
What I'd give,
What I'd dare,
Just to live one day out there!
[Spyro]
Out there among the millers and the weavers and their wives,
Through the roofs and gables you can see them!
Ev'ry day they shout and scold and go about their lives!
[Quasimodo]
Heedless of the gift it is to be them!
If I was in their skin, I'd treasure ev'ry instant!
Out there, strolling by the Seine,
Taste a morning out there, like ordinary men,
Who freely walk about there!
Just one day and then, I swear,
I'll be content,
With my share!
Won't resent!
[Spyro]
Won't despair!
[Quasimodo]
Old and bent
I won't care
I'll have spent...
[Spyro and Quasimodo]
One day out there!
Out in the city, the ponies were walking though the streets and past some of the vendors when Rarity suddenly stopped, having faintly heard something as she looked up to Notre Dame as if trying to find whatever it was that she heard.
"Is something wrong Rarity?" Twilight asked.
"Oh, sorry Twilight dear." Rarity said. "I thought I heard something, that's all."
"What did you hear!?" Pinkie asked excitedly. "Was it a bird!? Oh, or maybe you heard some music and somepony was dancing to it!"
"I don't what it is I heard Pinkie." Rarity said. "All I know is that it was faint, but it was familiar."
"Hey look!" Pinkie exclaimed, pointing to a few Gypsies playing music.
There was a woman wearing a white shirt with a purple and blue long skirt playing a tambourine with a man wearing al green playing a flute with a goat that was dancing around a hat. They then walked over to listen to the music while a man wearing a cloak and pulling a horse along approached and tossed a few gold coins into the hat, only to look at the woman and seem to fall for her. However, a moment later, another gypsy whistled to let them know someone was coming, so they panicked and the goat took the hat with all the money, which he dropped it everywhere and the woman ran back to get it when two guards in black armor arrived, glaring at the woman with disdain.
"Alright gypsy, where'd you get the money?" The first guard asked.
"If you want to know, I earned it." The gypsy woman replied.
"Gypsies don't earn money." The first guard said.
"You steal it more likely." The second guard said.
"Why those ruffians!" Rarity whispered, getting ready to charge.
A second later, she felt something on her head, looking up to see there was a hand on her head, looking to her right to see the mystery man in the black jacket holding her, kneeling down.
"Don't." He whispered to her. "Let it play out."
"You'd know a lot about stealing, wouldn't you?" The gypsy asked.
"Troublemaker uh!?" The first guard asked, getting kicked in the face by the woman.
"Maybe a day in the stocks will cool you down?" The second guard asked.
However, before they could do anything, the goat jumped up and hit the second guard in the gut while kicking the first, allowing the woman a chance to escape past the man with the horse, which he pulled the horse as the guards ran to catch the woman, running into the horse and being knocked down, one of them falling into the mud that the horse was standing next to.
"Achilles, sit." The man said. The horse did as ordered, sitting down,but on top of one of the guards while the crowd laughed, even the ponies couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Naughty horse, naughty. He's impossible really, can't take him anywhere."
"Get this thing off me!" The first guard said, being the victim of the horse.
"I'll teach you a thing or two, peasant!" The second guard said, pulling out a dagger.
"What are you hoping to do with that butter knife?" The mystery man asked, walking up. "Not much you can do with it unless you're going to use it to shave yourself."
"You keep out of this!" The guard asked. "Or else I'll-"
The man with the horse then removed his cloak and drew his sword, revealing he was wearing golden armor.
"You were saying, lieutenant?" The man asked.
"Oh, c-c-c-captain!" The guard said, inadvertently hitting himself in the head with his dagger, dropping it. "At your service sir!"
The captain then put the tip of his bade through the first guards mustache, cutting it.
"Now, I know you have a lot on your mind right now, but I'm looking for the Palace of Justice." The captain said.
"Yes sir, follow us." The first guard said as the horse got up, walking away while the captain walked over to the mystery man.
"My thanks for trying to help me sir." The captain said, putting his sword away. "May I have the pleasure of your name?"
Without answering, the mystery man removed his hood, revealing he had silver hair done in a ponytail with his right eye being blue while his left was red, spooking the captain, but not retreating.
"Psyrox." The man replied. "My name is Psyrox."
"Well Psyrox, you got courage for standing up against the guards." The captain replied. "My name is Phoebus, and a little advice, don't get into fights you might not win."
"Trust me captain, those guards would be the ones loosing." Psyrox said. "Anyway, take care now captain and... be careful of Judge Claude Frollo. He's not exactly known for having a kind heart."
"I'll keep that in mind." Phoebus replied. "Take care now."
The captain then took the reins of his horse and followed the two guards towards the Palace of Justice while Psyrox walked over to the ponies.
"You got courage little pony, but it is however misplaced." Psyrox said.
"You knew that would happen?" Cadence asked.
"Of course I knew." Psyrox replied. "That goat is the woman's loyal companion, so I knew he'd protect her."
"Wait, you're the same guy who was at the North American Ice Age." Twilight said.
"You are correct little pony." Psyrox replied. "I was watching you all while in that world."
"W-watching us?" Fluttershy asked. "Why?"
"Just observing." Psyrox replied, looking up as he heard some music staring to play. "Ah, the Festival of Fools is about to start. Would you care to join me? It's better to go with friends than alone."
Without waiting for an answer, Psyrox walked past the ponies, which he patted Pinkie on the head, confusing her to why he would do that, but they all followed him, though they were skeptical of him as they had only just met him and didn't know much about him. After a couple of minutes of walking, they arrived at the Festival of Fools, where tents, wagons, and some stands were set up as music was playing, Gypsies dancing and frolicking around, Pinkie immediately enticed by the festivities as she attempted to go in and start partying, but Twilight bit down on her tail and yanked her back.
"Pinkie, nows not the time to start partying." Twilight said, spitting her tail out. "We need to find the Heart Piece."
"Oh lighten up will you?" Psyrox asked. "It's a party, enjoy yourself."
"See, even Psyrox knows when to have fun!" Pinkie said. "Let's just take a moment and have some fun!"
A moment later, the trumpets were blowing and music was playing as people dressed as monks were walking through the middle of the street as people all gathered around to see and be apart of the festival, to have a good time and not have to worry about the consequences of anything happening. Up in the cathedral, Quasimodo was climbing down the pillars, landing on the balcony below as he looked out as the monks walked by.
[Choir]
Come one, come all!
Leave your loops and milking stools,
Coop the hens and pen the mules!
Quasimodo then looked up and saw his friends waving to him, giving their support for him to go and enjoy himself while leapt down, landing next to him and nodding, showing he was right behind him all the way. Quasimodo then grabbed the streamers and zip lined down onto the post watching as the
Come one, come all!
Close the churches and the schools,
It's the day for breaking rules!
Quasimodo tried to get a better view, holding onto the rope on the post, but it then unraveled and caused his to go swinging to the path in front of the monks, holding his cloak to avoid being seen.
Come and join the Feast of...
[Clopin]
Fools!
Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha!
Trying too get away, Quasimodo turned around to leave, but was blocked by the crowd, Clopin dancing with him until he started to dance, flip, and frolicking around, appearing and disappearing like Pinkie, who decided to join in with Clopin, freaking her friends out.
Once a year we throw a party here in town,
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down!
Every man's a king and every king's a clown!
Once again it's Topsy Turvy Day!
It's the day the devil in us gets released!
It's the day we mock the prig and shock the priest!
Everything is topsy turvy at the Feast of Fools!
[Choir]
Topsy turvy!
[Pinkie Pie]
Everything is upsy daysy!
[Choir]
Topsy turvy!
[Clopin]
Everyone is acting crazy,
Dross is gold and weeds are a bouquet!
[Clopin and Pinkie Pie]
That's the way on Topsy Turvy Day!
While Quasimodo was trying to find a place to hide, he ended up getting trapped in a line of dancing girls, being dragged into the other tent while Clopin and Pinkie were dancing as well, all going into the tent, which Quasimodo got out of, but tripped, falling into the next tent while Twilight quickly ran in and dragged Pinkie out and behind another tent where Cadence, Fluttershy, and Psyrox were having fun playing some games and dancing.
"Guys, we can't afford to be caught!" Twilight exclaimed. "May said we shouldn't be seen talking!"
"Oh relax and unwind." Psyrox said, dancing with another woman. "In this festival, no one cares! They'll think it's just some elaborate costume!
"But... what about the World Order?" Twilight asked.
"Twilight darling, relax." Rarity said, walking over with a colorful hat. "It's a festival, they're meant to allow everyone the opportunity to unwind and have fun. We can look for the Heart Piece later. After all, it's in Notre Dame, it's not going anywhere and we can look for it once the festivities are over."
She was skeptical about doing what he and her friends said, looking around and fearing that they would get caught, but gave in, walking with her friends as Quasimodo came out, smiling as he found a friend in the tent right as Spyro appeared.
"Dang dude, you got lucky there." Spyro said. "She's a keeper."
"Yeah, I think you're right." Quasimodo said, looking over and seeing the people enjoying themselves.
[Choir]
Topsy turvy!
[Clopin]
Beat the drums and blow the trumpets!
[Choir]
Topsy turvy!
[Everyone]
Join the bums and thieves and strumpets!
Streaming in from Chartres to Calais!
[Clopin]
Scurvy knaves are extra scurvy,
On the sixth of January,
[Everyone]
All because it's Topsy Turvy Day!
A moment later, Frollo's wagon came in with a large escort of soldiers, each taking a side right as the wagon stopped at a tent set up for him, the judge walking out and going to his chair.
[Clopin]
Come one, come all!
Hurry, hurry here's your chance,
See the mystery and romance!
Come one, come all!
See the finest girl in France,
Make an entrance to entrance!
Dance, la Esmeralda
Dance!
Clopin then threw a smoke bomb and from it, the Gypsy woman who Phoebus protected appeared, Quasimodo and everyone there entranced by her as she danced around, but Judge Frollo looked disgusted as he watched, not noticing a guy in a dark coat appearing next to him.
"Look at that disgusting display captain." Judge Frollo said.
"Yes sir." Phoebus said, watching intently.
"Hmm, interesting." The man said, pulling out a book. "Possible, yet not probably."
A moment later, Esmeralda ran up the stage and danced towards Frollo, taking her sash and wrapping it around the judges neck, who seemed to be lost for words before she smacked his hat over his face, infuriating the judge while she kept dancing, taking a soldiers spear and using it to swing around a few times before landing on the ground, winking at everyone, which Quasimodo and Spyro clapped, Spyro whistling as everyone else threw money to her.
"And now ladies and gentlemen, the pièce de résistance!" Clopin shouted.
Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for!
Here it is, you know exactly what's in store!
Now's the time we laugh until our sides get sore,
Now's the time we crown the King of Fools!
You all remember last years king!?
Everyone looked to the direction he was pointing to and saw a man being carried by some people in a box, which they deemed the throne, which he burped as he was drunk, making the ponies recoil.
"Eugh, how deplorable." Rarity said. "The least he could do is act like a gentlemen."
So make a face that's horrible and frightening!
Make a face as gruesome as a gargoyle's wing!
For the face that's ugliest will be the King of Fools!
Why?
[Everyone]
Topsy turvy!
[Clopin]
Ugly folks, forget your shyness!
[Everyone]
Topsy turvy!
[Clopin and Pinkie Pie]
You could soon be called Your Highness!
[Choir]
Put your foulest features on display!
Be the king of Topsy Turvy Day!
Spyro shoved Quasimodo to the stage, causing the hunchback some discomfort, but saw Esmeralda extend him a hand, which he took and was then pulled up along with other people who were on the stage, all wearing masks as they lined up. She then pulled the mask of the first person, but the people booed him, so the goat knocked him off the stage, moving onto the next one, which he tried to make an ugly face, but he was also knocked off. The pile grew bigger and bigger as each person was knocked from the stage, which Pinkie was also apart of the people on the stage and, using her ability to break the forth wall, made an ugly face that made her friends recoil, but she was knocked off the stage, landing on top of Twilight. The two then got up, rubbing their heads as Pinkie shook her head, her face going back to normal.
"Dang it, I was so close!" Pinkie exclaimed.
It was a good try Pinkie." Cadence said.
"I gotta admit, I would have made you winner instantly." Twilight said, everyone laughing.
A moment later, the crowd gasped, the ponies recoiling as they believed they'd been found out and were ready to make a quick escape.
"It's no mask." A man said, getting the ponies attention.
"It's his face!" A woman said.
Then ponies all looked up to the stage and saw the Hunchback, gasping as well, shocked to see the person on stage wasn't wearing a mask at all.
"It's the bell ringer from Notre Dame!" A man said.
Frollo looked appalled and shocked, seeing the Hunchback on the stage, who was horrified as he believed everyone would hate him, covering his face, but Rarity didn't seem to be phased by him, even through he was ugly, she didn't seem too bothered by his looks at all, feeling bad for him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, don't panic." Clopin said. "We asked for the ugliest face in Paris and here he is! Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame!"
The crowd cheered and all ran up, grabbing the hunchback and carrying him along the street while Pinkie cheered and whistled, shooting confetti out of her party cannon, only making her crowd cheer more as everyone else did the same, cheering for him while using their magic to create fireworks, breaking Cadence's spell, which no one noticed, the ponies joining in on the singing right as the crowd tossed the old king and put the hunchback in the throne.
Everybody!
[Everyone]
Once a year we throw a party here in town! ([Clopin] Hail to the king.)
Once a year we turn all Paris upside down! ([Clopin] Oh, what a king!)
Once a year the ugliest will wear a crown!
[Clopin]
Girls, give a kiss!
[Everyone]
Once a year on Topsy Turvy Day! ([Clopin] We've never had a king like this!)
[Clopin, Pinkie Pie, Everyone]
And it's the day we do the things that we deplore!
On the other three hundred and sixty-four!
Once a year we love to drop in,
Where the beer is never stopping,
For the chance to pop some popinjay,
And pick a king who'll put the top!
In Topsy Turvy!
Topsy Turvy!
Mad and crazy, upsy daysy, Topsy Turvy Day!
The music ended as the people all chanted his name, Quasimodo crying as he felt truly loved, confetti flying everywhere as he finally felt like accepted by everyone, not noticing the glow coming from his back. As the girls joined in on the cheering, they failed to notice the book was glowing from Twilight's saddle bag, throwing flowers and other kinds of flowers at the Hunchback. But a moment later, a tomato flew out of nowhere and ended up hitting Quasimodo, covering him in tomato juice and confusing him while the ponies were shocked.
"Hey, who threw that!?" Pinkie shouted, leaping through the crowd to find the person who threw the tomato.
She got her answer when she saw some of the guards throwing the fruits and vegetables at him, making him try to flee, but he slipped and caused everyone to laugh at him, but the ponies and Psyrox didn't laugh at all, finding their actions to be repulsive and repetitive. Before they could do anything to help him, a rope came out of nowhere and got him in the neck, yanking him down onto the rotating platform, another coming out of nowhere and getting his hand, members of the crowd pulling while the crowd laughed. Having had enough of the people bullying the hunchback, Pinkie pulled out her party cannon and pulled the cord, firing a cake out of it and coating some of the people pulling on the rope, knocking them down, but when that happened, Quasimodo lost his temper, his shirt ripping as he pulled on the ropes, knocking them down as the sky turned red, the ponies looking up and wondering what was going on.
He tried to get the ropes off, only for more to come from the crowd until he was yanked down, two men running up and tying him to the platform as everyone just laughed, cheered and mocked him, the platform spinning as the people all threw food at him, getting on the ponies nerves, growing more and more infuriated until Twilight had enough, teleporting onto the stage and charging her horn with her magic, creating a protective barrier around the stage and causing the food to bounce off, shocking the crowd as they witnessed it. Frollo got up from his seat, shocked to have watched what had happened.
"Sir, request permission to end the cruelty." Phoebus said.
"No captain, arrest whoever is using this witchcraft." Frollo said. "But leave the hunchback on the platform. A lesson must be learned."
But then Esmeralda, walked up the stage, Twilight turning to see her come up as the barrier fell, slowly approaching the Hunchback while Cadence put the camouflage spell back on Twilight, hiding her horn as the gypsy walked up.
"I'm so sorry." She said, kneeling down to him to wipe off some of the food. "This wasn't supposed to happen. Please, don't be afraid."
"You're... helping him?" Twilight asked, surprised to see how kind she was, but surprising Esmeralda when she spoke.
"You Gypsy, you and your horse get down from there at once!" Frollo ordered.
"Yes your honor." She said. "Just as soon as I free this poor creature." Esmeralda said.
"I forbid it!" Frollo shouted, which she took out a dagger and cut him loose, shocking the crowd. "How dare you defy me!"
"You mistreat this poor boy the same way you mistreat my people!" Esmeralda shouted. "You speak of justice, but you are cruel to those who are in need of your help!'
"Silence!" Frollo shouted.
"JUSTICE!" Esmeralda shouted.
A moment later, she helped Quasimodo up right as Cadence ran up, helping the hunchback up as the others came up, but as the came up, Rarity stopped, looking at the hunchbacks back and seeing the symbol on his back, shocking her.
"Mark my words gypsy, you'll pay for this insolence." Frollo said.
"Then it looks like we crowned the wrong fool." Esmeralda said, taking the crown from Quasimodo. "Because the only fool I see... is you!"
She then tossed the crown, it landing on the ground in front of him, but before he could give the order to arrest the gypsy, multiple voids opened and Dusks along with Samurai and Creeps appeared, shocking the crowd as they ran away, shocking Frollo.
"Don't fear judge Frollo." The cloaked man said, walking up and next to him. "We'll handle this."
"Nobodies!" Twilight shouted.
She, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy called their Keyblades, holding them to the Nobodies and Pinkie and Rarity leaped forward, engaging them. Twilight casted her magic, breaking the spell again as she fired spell after spell onto the Dusks, taking them out one at a time before swinging her blade, slashing and hacking the creeps and samurai while Pinkie popped in and out of random spots, tackling and slicing through them while dodging their attacks, jumping into barrels and out from behind wooden posts, taking out multiple enemies. Rarity however was having difficulty with the Dusks, fighting three at once as they surrounded her, dodging and deflecting her attacks before they knocked her over, causing her blade to skid away. She reached for it with her magic to get it back, but one of the Dusks saw what she was doing, hitting her horn before picking her up, the mare kicking and screaming before they were sliced in half, Rarityy dropping to the ground and looking up to see Psyrox above her, but in his right had was, to her surprise, a Keyblade.
The blades stem was black and slightly curved at going to the tip, the teeth of the blade looked to be a half circle with red crystals pointing outward, a design similar to the Keyblade known as Two become One, the symbol of he Nobodies in the middle of the guard with a red and black checkered handle, the guard of it a red and black circle, the chain of it silver with an X at the end of the chain. Rarity gazed up at her savior, surprised the Nobody had a Keyblade when more Dusks appeared, swinging his right arm out as another Keyblade appeared, similar to the design of the one in his left hand, but it was blue and white instead of black and red. The Dusks charged forward right at Esmeralda, seeing her as an easy mark, but a corridor opened and Psyrox was in front of her, slicing through them like butter and turning them into dust and surprising the Gypsy.
"I suggest you find a place to run ma'am." Psyrox said. "This is no place for someone who can't fight."
"I can take care of myself!" Esmeralda said, grabbing one of his Keyblades and swinging, destroying one of the Dusks before it disappeared and reappeared back in his hand.
"Noble, yet foolish." Psyrox said, using a Thundaga spell to toast some Creepers. "You better disappear because once these guys are done, Frollo is going to have us all arrested."
Looking up to the judge, seeing the contempt look on his face, Esmeralda ran to the nearby stage, where two fellow Gypsy's on stilts picked them up and put them on the stage, Esmeralda taking the cloth and wrapping it around her before she disappeared. A second later, Fluttershy flew over with Cadence, who was using her own magic to vaporize the Nobodies while Fluttershy knocked down some of the Creepers that flew up, keeping them at bay as they flew down in front of the stage, Twilight and Rarity joining them right as Psyrox leapt over the enemy, landing in front of them and slamming his red and black Keyblade on the ground, releasing a torrent of darkness towards them and destroying them, but more kept coming, approaching them as the group backed away.
"They just keep coming." Cadence said. "When does it end?"
"When they stop coming." Twilight replied, Striking down another Dusk. "By then, we'll be overwhelmed."
"Then we make a tactical retreat." Psyrox said, stabbing his red and black Keyblade into the ground. "Dark Fog!"
A moment later, a thick cloud of dark smoke covered them, the Dusks leaping forward to prevent them from escaping, but when the smoke cleared, leaving the Dusks walking around in a circle, wondering where they went before disappearing as the rain was starting, Frollo scowling at Quasimodo, who tried to cover himself up with what remained of his shirt. Judge Frollo then got onto his horse, looking to the captain as he rode.
"Find the Gypsy girl and those horses." Frollo said. "I want them alive."
"Yes sir." Phoebus said, turning to face his men. "Seal off the area men, find the gypsy girl and those horses, but do not harm them!"
Frollo rode his horse to the platform Quasimodo was on, glaring at the hunchback as he looked furious with him for disobeying him.
"I'm sorry master." Quasimodo said, tears rolling down his face. "I'll never disobey you again."
He then got down from the stage, everyone backing away to make a path for him as many feared him, the hunchback hobbling to the cathedral while covering his face, fearful of the people as he reached the door, going into the cathedral and was about to close the door when he felt someone put their hand on him, looking up to see Spyro, who looked sad as he looked down at Quasimodo.
"You have nothing to be sorry for Quasi." Spyro said, putting his hand on the door. "You just wanted to have a day to be like everyone else. And it was ruined because of one persons choice."
With his peace said, he and Quasimodo closed the door to the cathedral, closing themselves out from the outside world as the people all disbursed to get out of the rain, but Frollo remained outside, his eyes on the cathedral as the mysterious man on near his chair approached, not afraid of the rain as Frollo looked to him.
"What do you want?" Frollo said.
"Why, I've come to help." The man replied, removing his hood to reveal it was Zexion, smiling at him. "You and I have a common enemy here. The ponies and their protector."
"Your squabble is of no concern to me boy." Frollo said, riding his horse away from him. "My concern is to purify this city of sin and the Gypsies that bring it."
"What if I could give you the power to do that?" Zexion asked, Frollo stopping his horse and turning to look at him. "I can give you the power you need in order to eradicate the Gypsies and cleanse this world of vice and sin. But I ask for one thing in return."
"And what would that be?" Frollo asked, turning his horse to look at him.
"The Gypsy woman, Esmeralda is it?" Zexion asked. "I believe she has something I want. Help me acquire it from her, and the power to cleanse this world is yours."
Judge Frollo stared at Zexion for a moment, thinking about the offer given to him when he smiled, finding the offer to be tempting as he imagined what he could do if he could cleanse the city of the Gypsy and of all sin.
"Might I have the pleasure of knowing your name before I agree to this?" Frollo asked, his mind already made up.
"Zexion." He replied. "My name is Zexion. And I believe this is the beginning of a great and powerful friendship."