** By request of a recent follower, they requested me to write another TLM story human-mermaid gender bend. I know this is my very first, but I know this will be one of the best I have done so far. **
The waves crashed to and fro in the ocean as a cruise ship started to lead to the direction of land. The sun shone beautifully all about the ocean as whales and dolphins started to jump in the air. A young child ran to the front of the ship and noticed that the air felt amazing. Her beautiful long black hair flowed from the wind. She loved the view of sea animals swimming over the sea. Oh, how she dreamed of being apart of them. As she looked, the child noticed another figure was swimming with the dolphins. As quick as a flash, the young girl grabbed her camera and tried to zoom in to the figure, but she couldn't make it out of what it was. Before she was able to snap a photo, she heard a call inside the ship.
"Erica! Lunch is ready."
"Coming, mother."
As she ran inside, deep in the ocean, the dolphins swam by and the young boy with tail-like fin joined in, enjoying the sea and its beauty. He never dreamed of being one with anything but the water. His short red hair shined like a beautiful fish scale, his teal tail fin was as beautiful as a pearl from a clam. When he sang, you could tell that it was lovely as a call from either a whale or a dolphin. Just when he had said his good-byes, he then noticed that there was a call coming from one of the seahorses.
"Prince Aqua! Prince Aqua?"
"What news do you bring?" Aqua asked.
"Your mother is in need of you at once, Prince Aqua."
"At this very moment?"
"Indeed. This is a very important business that she needs to discuss you with."
"Really? All my life, it has always been 'a very important business' to my mother. Why can't she do something different for once?"
"Because, if you recall correctly, you are the youngest heir to the throne and is in need to take care of the kingdom."
"I know all about that tradition. I just-I just want to be as I am."
He swam away as fast as he could.
"Prince Aqua, wait!"
He was gone within a flash. The seahorse, with hesitation, swam back to the kingdom to inform the queen what has happened. As he went through, his six brothers and sisters were practicing their performances for the evening. Sebastian, the composer of the musical number, noticed that the seahorse was coming through.
"Ah, there you are!"
"Sebastian!"
"I was wondering when you were coming through my path. Are you ready to work on your part for this concert?"
"Not right now, Sebastian."
"Why not?"
"I need to talk with the queen for a moment."
"Why, what's wrong?"
"It has to involve tonight. You see-"
"There you are."
Before he was able to explain what happened, both he and Sebastian looked and noticed that the queen of the kingdom came by the performances. All of her children , Sebastian, and the seahorse bowed in respect.
"I have been searching all over for you," she replied. "Where is my son?"
"Prince Aqua? Well,..."
"Is something wrong?"
"He's...practicing. For the ball tonight. He mustn't be disturbed."
"Of course. My son's beautiful talent would make the best impression for our honored guest from our neighboring kingdom."
"You mean to say: that the kingdom Atlantica is coming to our ball tonight?" Sebastian replied.
"Absolutely."
"This is the most important opportunity that I have been searching for! I would love to hear the princess sing her beautiful voice."
"She is the absolute person to marry my youngest son. I hope to see all you there."
As she started to leave, the seahorse started to panic.
"Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear."
"What's wrong?"
"The kingdom of Atlantica is going to be here tonight, which the queen is believing that Aqua will be there, but if I don't find him by the timeframe, then, there may not be a chance for the kingdom to be united."
"Relax." Sebastian stated. "You worry too, much. You know that? Why, if I know Prince Aqua, he's probably in the coral reef enjoying the scenery of the sea."
What Sebastian stated was not true at all. At that exact moment, Prince Aqua was near his hideout where he can enjoy the scenery of the sky. He knew that his mother would not allow him to rise to the surface since humans lived above, but he sometimes felt extra precaution when swimming with his dolphin friends. One dolphin friend, Fowler sat down near him since he felt troubled.
"Why does my mother want me to marry someone I never met before or whom I never loved, Fowler?"
"I wouldn't know. Your father didn't have a problem of seeing you married to someone you love."
"Yeah, but my mother is the one that wants me to be married so that I can rule."
"Why can't your mom pick one of your brothers or sisters? I mean, they have more opportunities to rule than you do."
"Don't you get it, Fowler? The law states that the youngest has the right to rule. I never even want the throne."
"Right, right. Sorry about that."
"Would I give to be free from being apart of the throne?"
Meanwhile, about a few miles away, Erica and her family were just returning from land into their cruise ship.
"Wasn't that a magnificent trip, darling?" the father asked.
"Indeed it was." the mother agreed as she turned to her daughter, "How about you, Erica? Erica?"
What they didn't know was that Erica had just entered in a bookstore which was near the port which contained bizarre amounts of books from mythical creatures or of fictional stories. As she was about to leave, Erica spotted a book that contained the image that she noticed during the trip.
"You have a bright eye." the book seller replied. "You are looking at the most exquisite beauty of the legends of the mermaids."
"What are mermaids?"
"Mermaids," he started, "are mythical creatures who are part human and part fish. They live in the deepest part of the ocean. They contain the most beautiful, but also, deadliest voices."
"How so?"
"Their singing voice are lovely to hear, but it can be the death of anyone who comes across their voice."
She started to shake in fear.
"They are pretty scary."
"But they are beautiful."
"Do you have a story about these mermaids that I can read about?"
"Absolutely. Allow me to get you this book."
He then showed only picture images of mermaids that were beautiful and images in the ocean.
"I'll take it."
She pulled out a $20 and handed it to the book store owner.
"Keep it. Consider it as a gift for me."
"Thank you sir. However, I should pay you."
"You could, but I noticed that no one buys books like these anymore. Besides, you may find something more amazing than I have ever imagined."
"Thank you sir. I will treasure it always."
As she walked away, she placed the book in her purse and ran towards the ship. Erica wanted to know more about these mermaids and knew that her family never believe in mythical creatures. During the trip, she went into her room to read the story about the mermaids and noticed that they were beautiful creatures in the sea, who contained power not only from their voice, but also from their magnificent hair. It was said that their hair contained an immortal energy that allowed the user to either heal the sick or injured. However, if a mermaid was to be seen on land, their power may not be used and the magic will be lost.
"Amazing! I wonder what would happen if a human came across a mermaid? Would the power be lost as well or will they die? I don't know."
"ATTENTION PASSENGERS:" the sound monitor replied in the speakers, "WE NEED YOU TO STAY SHELTERED IMMEDIATELY INSIDE THE SHIP. THERE IS A HURRICANE THAT IS COMING THROUGH OUR COURSE. PLEASE REMAIN CALM. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO GO THROUGH THE STORM CAREFULLY. THANK YOU."
"A storm? I need to tell mom and dad."
At that exact moment, as she was going to tell her parents, Aqua was swimming towards the castle since the celebration was about to begin. He knew that his mother will stop at nothing to see him married to the neighboring kingdom with one of their daughters. As he was close to the corals, the current below felt different than normal. He noticed that a storm was coming through the ocean. As he attempted to swim past the current, he started to be pushed away from his destination to a different course. The hurricane went through not only in air, but also through sea. Just when Aqua was trying to break free from the current, the water pushed him so much that he couldn't fight any longer. Meanwhile, back on the ship, Erica tried to find her parents outside through the storm.
"Mom!" Erica called out, "Dad!"
It became difficult for her to see since the storm was strong and the water was coming in the ship. Just when the water splashed in the ship, there was a figure who fell towards the top deck. She looked at the figure and noticed that he looked like a human on deck.
"Sir, are you okay?!" she yelled.
No response came from the boy. With hesitation, she ran towards him and tried to grab him by his arms and carry him to the ship for safety. However, as she noticed that he had fins instead of legs, she was surprised. A merman here in this exact cruise ship? As the water came towards her again to wipe them to the ocean, she felt scared that she covered herself with him by her arms. As she closed her eyes, the water actually froze time. Erica looked up and noticed that the water stood there lifeless.
"How-"
As she thought for a moment, their bodies were glowing bright as the sun as if they were protected somehow. Aqua, as he was opening his eyes noticed that he was glowing as well. As he quickly looked towards his side, Aqua and Erica glanced at each other and he pushed her away full of fright in his eyes. Just like that, the water returned and splashed at the spot they were before. She covered herself for a moment to avoid getting wet in her eyes; Aqua then used the opportunity to escape through the water. Erica, after the storm died, looked towards the direction and noticed that the merman wasn't there.
"Who was that?"
Not knowing who he was, her mother and father then came out and scowled at her for being out in the most dangerous storm in the sea. The lecture went on and on for the entire trip, but all throughout the cruise, she couldn't stop thinking about the boy and how they glowed together. Meanwhile, Prince Aqua then started to swim towards his room and sat on top of his bed. He was touched by a human? Not just that, but a girl human?! The enemy that killed his father placed her slimy hands on top of him? However, as he looked at himself in the mirror, he then noticed something: why did he glow as bright as the sun? She seemed like she wanted to protect him or something, but he did not trust this girl even though she was his enemy. Little did he know that from that moment, the prophecy that was told by the elderly whale was coming true. It has been foretold that a certain leader will shine as the sun and will defeat evil.