Prologue

Ariel wiped away the fallen tears, glancing around at her demolished grotto. She brushed the strand of fiery red hair away from her eyes, taking in the full damage that her father's trident had done. She shouldn't have trusted Sebastian. He had told her father about her secret place and now... well, now it was ruined. Nothing but rubble remained.

"Poor child," a voice spoke, startling the young mermaid.

"Poor sweet child," another chimed.

Ariel looked at them strangely. She'd certainly never seen them before. "Who are you two?"

They ignored her question, slithering closer to her. Ariel realized then that they were eels. She vaguely remembered her father saying that her Aunt Ursula had two pet eels, though they were more minions than anything. She hadn't really been listening to them, but when she did, she caught words about the Sea Witch.

"You can't possibly mean... Aunt Ursula," she dragged the name out, watching the eels nod. "But Daddy says her magic is evil!"

"It's your affair," one of them chuckled lightly.

"No one will care," the other chimed in. "Just think... you and your prince together-"

"-Forever."

That was all that they needed to say. Ariel so desperately wanted to see him again; to confess that she loved him. So, she agreed, and the three swam off together, unaware that Sebastian and Flounder had noticed.

Upon arriving at the Sea Witch's lair, Ariel had begun to think it over for the fifth time, and nearly turned and swam away. The only thing that stopped her from doing so was the possibility of seeing him, Prince Eric, again.

"Ah! Welcome, dear, welcome," Ursula laughed, spreading her arms out in a dramatic way. Ariel relaxed a little, daring to swim closer to her aunt that had been banished by her father. "I've heard that you have fallen in love with a human!"

"Yes," Ariel nodded.

"Flotsam, Jetsam, leave her be. I feel that her father isn't too happy about this," Ursula frowned, inching closer to her. "Come closer, my dear! I believe I've got a spell that would work just for you."

Ariel, though hesitant, approached her aunt, willing to accept anything that would turn her human. Ursula hummed as she flipped through her spellbook, one tentacle tapping against the floor impatiently. Ariel's fins flipped nervously, which didn't go unnoticed by the famed Sea Witch. They were both silent for a few moments, Ursula grinning when she found the desired spell.

"I have a spell that will turn you into a human for one year," Ursula spoke as she hurried over to the shelf on the other side of the room. "There's only one catch. You have to make Princey fall in love with you and kiss you before the time's up."

Ariel nodded. It seemed reasonable enough, and she would have plenty of time to do it.

"Oh, and there is one more thing! My fee," Ursula's lips curled into a smirk.

"But I don't have any-"

"I'm not asking for much, dear! Only... your voice."

"My voice? How could I ever-"

"You'll have your looks! Your pretty face! And don't underestimate body language, darling," Ursula laughed.

"...What happens if he doesn't kiss me?" Ariel questioned, realizing that her aunt hadn't told her that.

"Your soul is mine forever," she shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing too drastic."

Ariel, confident that everything would work out, nodded.

"Okay."

"You'll do it?" Ursula tried to keep her glee hidden from the young mermaid.

"I'll do it."