An attractive girl with fiery hair gazed into the ocean with her azure eyes. As she watched the waves splash against the sharp rocks with a rush of foam, she tried to remember the days of the Great Wall. Melody had told her that the wall's intention was to create a barrier between life on land and the world under the sea. Try as she might, she simply could not remember. Hali was just too young at the time.

She allowed the sound of the roaring ocean and the smell of the salty sea air to lift her into a world all her own. Hali delighted in the ocean. In fact, her own name meant "sea". There was something magical about the sea, or rather, there was something magical about Hali. She was half mermaid after all. Soon after the Great Wall was demolished, King Triton placed a magical spell upon Ariel and Eric's growing family, lest their children, King Triton's grandchildren, forget about their family still living in the ocean's depths. All Hali had to do, was whisper the word "fins", and miraculously she would sprout a tail. When Hali had had her fill of the sea, she merely needed to whisper "legs" in order to return to her human form. It was a perfect, yet unusual way to keep in touch with family. Hali was fingering an amulet forged for her by the King of Atlantica. It was a two-toned seashell, royal blue on one side and gold on the other. Engraved in the blue enamel, in delicate script, was the word "sea", and on the reverse side, "land" was engraved. Despite all her family's wealth, this simple, elegant trinket was Hali's prized possession.

Hali sat crossed legged on a black rock jutting out of the ocean. She amused herself by singing a song about mermaids with a voice as lovely as her mother's:

Mother, Father,

Please believe me.

Every word is true.

I've just seen a mermaid

Splashing in the stormy blue.

Before Hali could start singing a second verse, she was splashed with a jet of water. One thing was for certain, whatever that was, it wasn't a wave. Hali quickly turned her head towards the direction of the spout. She was just in time to catch a glimpse of a blue and yellow something dive into the sea. Suddenly, another jet of water hit her in the left cheek. As she was wiping the salty water off her face, she definitely heard a collection of giggles. Three more spouts of water hit Hali in her right arm, her torso, and square in the mouth. Hali had known for some time what was going on, but she didn't want to spoil the fun for the little darlings. Finally, Hali found an opportunity to get even with Flounder's rascally children.

"Fins," she whispered.

Halli's legs were enveloped in a warm glow and within minutes she was waving a scaly, chartreuse colored tail. There was nothing left to do but wait. Presently, she saw the heads of five little fish break the surface of the water. Without a moment's notice, Hali slammed her sturdy tail against the sea with a loud smack. This created such a frightfully big wave that each of Flounder's babies were carried off rapidly by its force.

"Hey!" exclaimed Tilapia, one of Flounder's daughters.

"No fair!" sulked Pisces, the oldest.

Bass and Marlin chimed in unison, "Let's all play again!"

Meanwhile, Sushi who was nowhere near as outspoken as her four siblings, giggled some more.

"What are you doing out here?" Pisces questioned.

"Oh, I was just daydreaming".

"And singing," Sushi quietly added.

"Did you make up that song too?" asked Tilapia.

"Yes, but you kids interrupted me before I could think of a second verse."

"Make it up now," pleaded Marlin.

"I don't know," teased Hali.

"Please," the five voices cried together.

"Well, if you insist."

Mother, Father,

Please believe me.

I am begging you.

Flounder's playful children

Asked me to Sing this song anew.

When Hali finished her song, she was met with a chorus of giggles. Considering that no one in her audience was capable of clapping, they simply splashed the water with their fins. Hali played with Flounder's babies for quite some time, but it soon grew late and they had to return home for supper.

As she stood alone on the sandy beach, Hali decided to look for some seashells. She found an incredibly beautiful one with at least three different shades of purple. Upon closer inspection, Hali could find no flaws. She smiled and placed the shell in her dress pocket. It was too perfect to leave on the beach. The rays of the golden sun were beaming on the glassy water, and Hali's thoughts turned, once again to the sea. Hali was so engrossed in her daydreams that she did not hear her mother approaching.

"What do you think about when you stare at the ocean, darling?" Ariel questioned.

Hali's response was automatic:

The sea is an ancient, old woman, but time has not yet stolen her strength.

Her voice has echoed on for centuries.

She sings songs of everything she has witnessed.

She sings of birth and life. She sings of love and death.

For eventually we all must return to the sea.

We all must return to her familiar embrace.

Ariel was silent for a moment, but finally said, "Hali, that was lovely."

"It hasn't got a title yet," Ariel's second daughter modestly blushed.

"Well, it's lovely just the same," her mother assured.

"You've come to take me prisoner, haven't you, Mother?" Hali groaned changing the subject.

"Honestly Hali, Melody expects you to be at her engagement party."

"It's nothing personal against Melody," Hali remarked, "but I've got an age old vendetta against those frilly dresses."

"Relax, it's only for a few hours," Ariel offered, "come, I'll help you get ready."

"Yes Mother, But I'm begging you, nothing in pink. It does not mesh well with my red hair!"