We had to bring our life jacket?
I've great rowing skills. They call me boat master.
And Twig jabbed him with his horns, and he was like, "Ow!"
Attention, Sparrow Scouts.
Today, you all will have the opportunity to earn the last badge of the year,
the Fish Finder River Badge.
Yeah. Finally!
Today is a good day to be a Sparrow.
To earn it, you must identify as many fish as possible during your journey.
I'll need everyone to form groups of four.
Hey, Jacob, do you wanna be in our group?
- Izzy, here. - Gabriel, here.
But there's only three of us. Have we ever had a fourth before?
No. We've always worked quite well as a trio.
I'm sure we'll find someone.
Doesn't hurt to broaden our horizons.
- I wanna paddle. - That's a good idea.
I don't understand. There isn't a single person available to join us?
That's because nobody wants to get stuck with the Freaky Friends.
The Freaky Friends? Who are they?
Wait, is that us?
What's so freaky about us?
You lot are always getting caught up in some weird stuff.
It's like you're allergic to normal.
What are you talking about? We had plenty of normal trips. Right?
Uh...
Of course we have. There was that one time when... Oh...
Oh, how about when... Mm.
It's true. Our number of normal scout trips is currently at
zero.
Maybe you three should leave scouting and join the circus.
Our wild reputation was bound to catch up with us eventually.
This is all my fault.
You two weren't freaky before you met me.
Don't be ridiculous.
We chose to be your friend, freakiness and all.
Hm. Still...
We'll show them.
{n8}Today, we'll have the most ordinary river trip you can imagine.
{n8}If adventure calls, we'll hang up the phone.
Thank goodness there's still a spot.
Hilda, Frida, David, you're going to team up with Louise.
Okay. Let's begin. This badge isn't going to earn itself.
Who's Louise?
Hi.
Oh. I... I don't believe we've met before. I'm Frida, and this is David and Hilda.
Welcome to the Sparrow Scouts.
Oh, I've actually been a scout for a year now. I just keep to myself.
A quiet type. I can relate.
So, are you worried about taking a trip with the Freaky Friends?
The who?
- Perfect. - Phew.
There's one.
A lutefish! That's seven and counting.
What a wonderfully unremarkable day.
Don't get too close.
We don't want to get sucked into a whirlpool or eaten by a sea serpent.
- Yeah. - That won't happen.
It won't. Right?
Of course not. Mostly because sea serpents live in the sea.
Doesn't matter.
I'm sure you'll still find a way to run into one.
Yeah.
I promise this will be a completely normal outing.
Remember. No detours. No magic. No freakiness. We follow the map.
You got it.
Oh, cruddlesticks.
Uh...
I lost the map.
What?
- What? - How could you?
- Wasn't on purpose. - Something wrong?
- No! - Not at all.
Everything is totally normal.
Hm.
Phew.
We better hurry. We're losing the other rafts.
Oh.
{n8}Which way looks less likely to lead to an exhilarating adventure?
My lucky coin will help us decide.
Oh, oh, oh!
I've been practicing holding on to things as well.
Well, here goes nothing.
Where are we?
Let's keep paddling. We're sure to recognize something soon.
Hm?
What's wrong?
I think it's stuck.
Excuse me for a moment, Louise.
I got it!
Hello!
Is everything all right up here?
Yes. We found another fish to add to the list.
Very average.
Nothing special about it.
Rude. Mind if I come aboard?
There's something marvelous I'd love to show you.
I think it just talked?
Sounded like a normal fish noise to me.
We were just about to put it back in the river.
Fine. I didn't just want to show you something marvelous.
I need your help!
Yep. It's definitely talking.
Help with what?
There's a vicious sea serpent after me!
Now I know you're lying.
Hilda told me there's no way we'd run into a...
Sea serpent!
Wow.
Everyone, paddle!
I'm not sure I find the humor in being eaten by a sea serpent.
Ooh! Ooh! That way! It won't be able to follow us into the shallower water.
That does not look safe at all.
I don't think we have a choice. Everybody, hold on!
Perfect. We're rescuing a madman.
It worked.
Sorry about this, Louise.
Don't worry. We'll be back to the main river soon.
I'm not so sure about that!
Waterfall!
Paddle!
Everybody okay?
Perfectly, thanks to you.
You must let me demonstrate my gratitude.
Not sure we have the time.
We have to get back to the other scouts as soon as possible.
Um, how are we gonna get back up?
We'll have to carry the raft through those woods.
Nonsense. I won't let my rescuers go through such misery.
I don't think we need any more ideas from him.
Are you sure?
Ta-da!
Within these caves are a series of tunnels.
I know them like the back of my fin.
I can lead you straight back to the main river.
Hm. Just a second.
Anybody else think there's something fishy going on?
Are you making a joke?
I'm not trying to eavesdrop, but this is rather a small raft.
It's true.
Wait. So, earlier, you could hear...
Oh.
{n8}This is all my fault. I lost the map.
Sorry. Still listening.
{n8}If we go through the woods, we might get lost in there too.
That's true.
And the sun will be setting soon.
All right, merman. Show us the way.
Perfect! You won't be disappointed,
or my name isn't Eugene.
Your name is Eugene?
Well, it's my surface name.
You can't pronounce my true name without gills. It's...
{n8}All right, Eugene. What exactly do you find so amusing?
That's not encouraging.
We've fallen into a trap.
He's gonna eat us any second now.
Even worse. He's putting on a show.
♪ You can tell it's a no-brainer ♪
♪ I happen to be the best entertainer I performed for the King of the Sea ♪
♪ I was practicing one day For a most important show ♪
♪ To entertain the court And other VIPs below ♪
♪ Next thing I knew, a fishing net Was scooping up this triple threat ♪
♪ I was caught Now I'm not where I ought to be ♪
{n8}♪ Entertaining the crowds At the bottom of the sea ♪
♪ The fisherman asked me To grant him a wish ♪
♪ I protested "I'm not that kind of fish" ♪
♪ "Return me to the sea," I implored ♪
♪ But my heartfelt pleas were ignored ♪
♪ He held me captive while I plead And dropped me here instead ♪
♪ Left all alone to ponder my cruel fate ♪
♪ A performer with no audience Is a true fish out of water ♪
♪ For many a year, stranded here ♪
- ♪ With nothing but to wait and wait ♪ - Excuse me?
- Eugene? - ♪ And wait ♪
Will this be going on for much longer?
You're not enjoying the show?
It's clear you had fun doing it.
- And that's what's important. - Of course we didn't enjoy the show.
What happened to this being a shortcut to the river?
Audience feedback is important, and I hear you.
I'll take your notes into consideration for my next performance,
which is scheduled for... ...now!
{n8}♪ But now I have the four of you Wanna see what I can do? ♪
♪ You can't fathom The depths of my skills ♪
♪ My comedy always kills ♪
♪ You'll get dizzy switching gears ♪
♪ From laughing your head off To choking with tears ♪
{n8}♪ And I'll take your breath away With a single well-placed pause ♪
Hm?
{n8}♪ I'll show you fun My aquatic dramatics are second to none ♪
♪ I'll give you everything If you just give me your applause ♪
♪ You're in luck 'Cause you're stuck in the muck with me ♪
♪ The most talented fish From the bottom of the sea ♪
Yeah.
So, what do you think? Be honest.
You like the adjustments I made per your notes?
- No! - No?
Well, that's a little reductive. What part exactly needs tweaking?
All of it!
Especially the part where you said you'd help us get back to our troop,
but instead, trapped us in this cave, scaring poor Louise half to death.
Is that how you feel, Louise?
Well, I...
I feel like if that serpent was an illusion,
then the earlier one was too.
Did we even save your life?
A showman never reveals his secrets.
I just wanted to show you a good time, and in return... get a laugh.
Is that so much to ask?
Do you really care that much about entertaining us?
{n8}You have no idea.
Thespians like myself are natural givers.
We give, and we give, and you...
You have no appreciation for the arts.
You consider this art?
How about this?
If you can make us laugh in the next five minutes,
we'll stay and happily watch.
Forever?
Fine. But if you fail, you have to let us go.
Hm.
I do love a good game.
All right. Let's do it.
Ha-ha!
Hm.
Here's one to warm you up.
What did one ocean say to the other?
Nothing! They just waved.
They just waved.
Nice work, David.
Hmm-mm. Hm.
Fine.
I guess I'll have to pull out my A-material.
How is this supposed to be funny?
David, what's happened to you?
Me? What's happened to you?
Mm?
Looks like we're keeping it together so far. Oh no. Is that my voice?
I don't think this is funny.
Ha-ha! Gotcha!
Oh no. We laughed.
At such juvenile humor too.
Well, not all of us laughed.
Fine. You've beaten me.
- Yes! - Woo-hoo!
Yeah!
You're free to go,
Louise.
- What? - Huh?
You didn't say if I can't make you all laugh then you all go free.
You laughed. You stay.
He's right. Semantics are very important in these situations.
Fair is fair.
Louise shouldn't have to be stuck watching mediocre musical numbers
because she chose to hang out with the "Freaky Friends."
{n8}Are you finally going to tell us what's so funny?
You think Louise is so innocent.
What's that supposed to mean? Huh?
Give my friends one more chance to win their freedom.
And?
{n8}And if we fail, you can have all of us.
{n8}I'll laugh at your jokes even if I don't think they're funny.
{n8}Louise, what are you doing?
You'd risk your freedom for these three?
{n8}Fair enough.
Choose your exit.
One leads to your way out.
The others lead to an eternity as my captive audience.
How are we ever going to pick the right one?
Time for a private meeting.
{n8}The merman laughs when someone's about to do something
{n8}he thinks is stupid or wrong.
All we have to do is pretend we're choosing an exit
and watch his reaction.
Wow. How did you notice all this?
{n8}When you're quiet like me, it's easy to stand back
{n8}and notice the things others miss.
Okay, Louise. We'll follow your lead. Ready?
Huh?
Hm? Hm?
Hm.
{n8}They're onto me. Darn my charming, expressive face.
Mmm.
All right, last two.
Maybe not the one with the teeth?
Keep an eye out.
No smile.
This must be the one, then.
Be prepared to hang on.
It's a trick.
I win!
Oh no!
Whoa!
We can do this!
All together!
Huh?
- Whoo! - Yes!
{n8}What?
No! Wait!
Ah! We did it!
Sort of.
{n8}We're still lost.
Would this help?
Huh?
You took the map.
You three are always doing something wild and unexpected.
{n8}I was really excited to have an adventure with you.
{n8}So when I realized you were all committed to making our day normal...
{n8}So, you did know we were the Freaky Friends.
{n8}I was trying to play it cool.
{n8}I didn't expect things to get so out of hand.
Don't worry.
Things always get this out of hand.
You're not angry?
No, it's just nice to know that someone appreciates our tendency to be,
um, abnormal.
If you want, you could be our fourth Freaky Friend.
We could be the Freaky Four!
Picture to mark the occasion?
{n8}Eugene.
{n8}So, you really don't want to see another one of my shows?
No.
If this is about trying to imprison you for an eternity,
I'm sorry, but you ever try to get a rise out of a river carp?
The most boring audience in the world.
In the sea, I had devoted fans. Now the only response I get is...
Blah, blah.
Well, why not just go back to the sea?
You heard my story.
I'm stuck here in this cursed maze of waterways.
I never thought I'd say this, but what's so funny?
{n8}This "cursed maze" is just a river.
And all rivers lead to the sea.
Wait. Really?
Mm-hmm.
Geography isn't my strong suit.
Head south. You should be home by tomorrow.
Oh, and before you go.
Mm-hmm.
Sorry again, kids. And farewell. I hope you think of me fondly.
We won't.
{n8}But we will use you to earn our Fish Finder badge.
{n8}One approval-starved merman.
I guess we should probably start heading back.
Well, the sun's not going down yet.
Wanna try for more?
- Yeah! - Let's go!
- Not having the map. - I want the badge.
- Anyone got any snacks? - Mm-hmm.
Louise, what did you whisper to him anyway?
A showman never reveals their secrets.
No sign of the Freaky Friends. What do you think happened to them?
I bet they were all turned into frogs by a hungry kelp witch.
♪ The most talented fish At the bottom of the sea ♪
{n8}Yeah!
♪ I'm always letting everyone down ♪
♪ I'm always letting Everyone know I'm down ♪
♪ Mm, mm I'm always letting everyone down ♪
♪ I'm always letting Everyone know I'm down ♪
- ♪ Mm, mm ♪ - ♪ One, two, three, go ♪
♪ I am no CEO ♪
♪ I'm not professional ♪
♪ I'm no bright... ♪