Chapter 2: Fish (and Sharks) are Friends

Ug...great my head was now pounding so hard I felt like my brain was about to jump out of my head. I sat up and rubbed my head.

"I need some aspirin." I muttered then opened my eyes and choked. I was under water. I grabbed my throat expecting to be drowning. I stopped. I was fine and felt perfectly normal. Weird. I quickly went behind some rock and coral and took a deep breath.

"Okay don't panic. Let's see I'm still breathing. And um..." I turned and saw that the crowbar was in the sand. "I have my crowbar and my tail...wait WHAT?!" I looked down and saw that I had a green mermaid tail and was wearing a dark blue tank top. I also noticed a pearl necklace and my headband now had peals and a clamshell on it.

"Officially freaking out..." I muttered clutching the crowbar. I looked around and couldn't help but notice that it was too familiar. Before I could guess I felt a rumbling and looked up. A boat rushed by and some fish were startled and started swimming. I stared and then realization hit me.

"No way..." Then I heard a pleading voice.

"Has anyone seen a boat? Please, a white boat. They took my son! Help me please!" It cried and I turned and saw the one and only Marlin and then another voice came.

"Look out!" Then I saw Dory run smack into Marlin. I almost laughed a bit. I was about to follow them but I hesitated. Would I ruin the movie if I interfered? I had to think about this...I knew the movie like the back of my hand...but I could alter it in a bad way...and that's the last thing I wanted to do. I peaked out again and saw that they were already swimming out.

"Well, I'm here now. Might as well make the most of it." I said and quickly followed them. I stayed at a distance and hid behind rock and coral. While carrying a crowbar cause for all I knew it was my way home.

Soon I recognize the coral where they would stop and have a slight argument. Dory whipped her head around and glared.

"Will you quit it!"

"What?"

"I'm trying to swim here!" She swam around the confused clownfish. "What the ocean isn't big enough for you or something like that?" I held in laughter. Marlin's face was priceless.

"You have a problem buddy? Huh, huh. Do ya, do ya, do ya?" She asked getting defensive. I now had to cover my mouth with my hand.

"You wanna peace of me huh, oh I'm scared now." The blue tang backed up and swam back up to Marlin. "What!"

"Wha..." Marlin asked totally lost.

"Stop following me okay." Dory said.

"What are you talking about you were showing me which way the boat went." Marlin said confused.

"A boat, hey I've seen a boat. It passed by not to long ago. It went um...it went this way follow me!" She carried and swam off.

"Wait a minute." Marlin swam in front of her. "Wait a minute, what is going on? You already told me which way the boat was going!" He yelled.

"I did...oh no..." She muttered feeling ashamed.

"If this is some kind of joke it's not funny! And I know funny, I'm I clownfish." Marlin said getting a bit annoyed and I decided to make myself known.

"Um hi, hello. I couldn't help but notice that you two are...uh disagreeing..." I stammered mentality kicking myself.

The both stared at me and I chuckled awkwardly. "You know what I'll just go..." I started swimming away but Dory went in front of me. "No wait, don't go. I'm Dory, what's your name?" She asked.

"I'm Angela." I said and reached my hand out. Marlin just stared at me. "You're a mermaid..." He said.

"Yeah...I'm shocked about that too. It's not important, so what's going on?" I asked rubbing the back of my head.

"Well, see I suffer from short-term memory loss." Dory explained.

"Short term memory loss..." Marlin mumbled. Dory nodded. "Okay that makes sense..." I said.

"I don't believe this." Marlin said and tried to swim away but Dory swam in front of him.

"No it's true I forget things almost instantly in runs in my family...at least I think it does. Hmm, where are they?" She through aloud.

"Um Dory, you okay?" I asked and she looked at us. "Can I help you?" She asked sweetly.

"Something wrong with you, really. You two are wasting my time. I have to find my son." He started to swim away and became face to face with Bruce.

Okay so Bruce wasn't my favorite part of Finding Nemo. When I was little he often scared me and he still gave me chills. Not as much now thankfully.

"Hello." He said. Marlin gaped at him and shook in fear. "Well hi!" Dory chimed. I squeezed the crowbar tighter and gave a tiny wave.

"Names Bruce." He greeted reaching a fin out. We all got pushed back by the sudden wave he caused. Marlin seemed to back up more. I didn't blame him.

"It's alright I understand, why trust a shark right?" Bruce said, backing away. I mentally counted down from three when he suddenly swan back up and we were right where his giant teeth were, if that wasn't enough he started laughing in a slightly maniacal way.

"He wanted to befriend us right?" I asked myself. I gently patted Marlin in an attempted to comfort him. I could feel him shaking underneath my touch.

"So what's a trio of bites like you doing out 'ere?" He asked as if he just didn't scared the seashells outa us. Well Marlin and me anyway, Dory seemed okay.

"Nothing, we aren't doing anything, we're not even out." Marlin stuttered.

"Great!" Bruce said and smiled. "How about you three come to, a little get together I'm having?" He asked. Dory gasped excitedly.

"You mean like a party?!" She asked hopefully.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah right a party." Bruce confirmed. "So what do you say?" He asked again.

"You know parties are fun, and it's tempting, but we really have to..." Marlin tried to swim away but Bruce came up from behind and nudged us forward.

"Come on I insist." He urged.

"O-okay...that's all that matters." Marlin said still unsure about the whole ordeal.

As we swam I turned to Marlin. "Hey, sorry you got dragged into this. I have a feeling this isn't your thing..." I whispered.

"It's n-not your fault..." Marlin said and I looked around and saw all the bombs floating around.

"Oh crab-cake..." I muttered. "W-what?" Marlin asked and I mentally kicked myself for making him more nervous.

"Hey look balloons! It's is a party!" Dory exclaimed happily. Bruce laughed. "Yeah those balloons can be a bit touchy you wouldn't want one of them to pop." He warned. I shuddered, this may have been the most dangerous place for a fish, or anyone for that matter.

We turned slightly and we saw the sunken submarine. Marlin gasped and tried to swim back but Bruce nudged him forward. I sighed, this wasn't going to be easy.

"Anchor, Chum!" Bruce called out. In the sub we saw two sharks appear.

"There you are Bruce, finally." Anchor said, he was obviously getting impatient.

"We've got company." Bruce said slyly.

"Well it's about time mate!" Chum exclaimed shoving Anchor out of the way.

"We've already gone through the snacks and I'm still starving!"

"We almost had a feeding frenzy."

"Come on let's get this over with!"

Anchor opened his mouth and Marlin covered his eyes and started shaking. Dory looked over and I gave her a reassuring smile. I gently eased Marlin over to where the next scene was going to happen. Soon Bruce rang the bell and Marlin peeked out. He seemed surprised by the fact he was still alive. Dory was on my other side and she smiled. I was slightly jealous that she could be so relaxed at this moment.

"Alright the meeting has officially come into order, let's say the pledge." Bruce said and the three sharks raised their right fins. Dory and I did the same.

"I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image, I must first change myself. Fish are friends not food." The Sharks chorused and I realized I did too. Marlin stared at Dory and me and I clamped a hand over my mouth.

"Except stinking Dolphins." Anchor huffed.

"Dolphins, yeah they think they're so cute! Oh look at me and I'm flippin' little dolphin let me do a flip for you!" Chum mocked and I glared at him.

"They aren't that bad." I huffed crossing my arms, still holding the crowbar, and Chum slightly backed away.

"Alright now today is step five, bring a fish friend, now you all have your buddies?" Bruce asked.

"Got mine!" Anchor piped up and he revealed a squirming green fish.

"Hey there!" Dory greeted.

"What about you mate?" Bruce asked looking at Chum, who flinched and looked down ashamed.

"Oh I uh, seemed to have misplaced my friend." As he finished a fish skeleton stuck out of his teeth and I covered Marlin's eyes with my right hand while face palming with the left. Marlin still flinched though. Chum quickly sucked it back in, but we still noticed. I glanced at the green fish and nodded my head towards the exit and he quickly swam out. It might have been just me, but I think he smiled slightly...

"It's alright Chum, you can help yourself to one of my friends." Bruce offered, snapping my attention to him, and Chum quickly grabbed Marlin.

"Aw thanks mate. A little chum for Chum eh?" He laughed. Marlin did not seem amused.

"Sorry..." I whispered.

"Alright I'll start the testimonials. Hello my name is Bruce."

"Hello Bruce." The two sharks said in a dull tone.

"It has been three weeks since my last fish. On my honor or I may chopped and made into soup." Bruce said proudly and everyone but Marlin clapped.

"You're an inspiration to all of us!" Chum said full of admiration. As he clapped he hit Marlin and he didn't look very happy about that.

"Alright whose next?" Bruce asked and Dory raised her fin. "Oh, oh pick me, pick me!" She said excitedly.

"Yeah, the little Sheila down the front."

"Woo!"

"Come on up here!" Bruce said as he and Dory switched places.

"Hi I'm Dory."

"Hello Dory." The sharks and I said unison. "And we'll um, I don't think I've ever eaten a fish." She said and the Sharks gaped at her and clapped.

"That's incredible!" Chum said full of admiration.

"Good on ya mate!" Bruce said.

"Whew, I'm glad I got that of my chest." Dory said with relief.

"Alright whose next?" Bruce asked.

"I guess I'll go." I said and swam up to the podium. I know that wasn't the next part in the movie, but hey I'm here so why not. I turned to the audience and took a breath.

"Hi, I'm Angela."

"Hello Angela. I must say we never had a mermaid in our parts before, what brings you here?" Bruce asked with curiosity.

"Well...it's kinda a long story..." I muttered. "Well go on, we got time." Bruce said kindly and I felt better.

"Okay, well the truth is I'm not really a mermaid...I'm actually a human. Tada?" I said awkwardly. Everyone stared and looked at me. Marlin seemed to get more pale.

"You don't look mean and nasty. How can you be a human?" Anchor asked.

"Well, okay so I was at my home watching...uh." Geez I nearly said 'Finding Nemo' gotta watch that. "A show when my dad called and said I need to post a picture of a crowbar we wanted to sell..."

"What's a crowbar?" Chum asked. "Uh, this." I said and pointed to what I was holding.

"Oh, I thought that was a lucky charm." Anchor said.

"Anyway...I got the crowbar and my tv acted funny and next thing I know I'm being sucked into it and 'boom' I'm here..." I finished. They were silent for a moment.

"Wow, now that's quite a tale...has this happened before?" Bruce asked. "Not to my knowledge." I said. Only in the movies or fanfic. Okay I really shouldn't break the fourth wall...

"Well thanks for sharing that with us and you don't seem like a human that would harm us." Bruce said and I sighed in relief.

"Thanks for listening. I need to get it off my chest." I laughed.

"Alrighty know, how about you have a go?" Bruce looked towards Marlin. "You have a problem?"

"Me? What I don't have a problem." Marlin insisted. "Oh okay, denial!" The FEA said and shoved Marlin up next to me.

"You got this." I whispered and swam back to the group.

"Just start with your name." Bruce said calmly and Marlin shivered.

"O-okay. I'm Marlin, I'm a clownfish." He stuttered.

"A clownfish? Really?!" Chum exclaimed grinning ear to ear. "Tell us a joke!" Bruce excitedly pleaded.

"I love jokes." Chum added dreamily. Dory seemed eager as well.

"Well I uh, actually do know a pretty good one." Marlin chuckled a bit. And I held my breath to keep from laughing.

"There was this mollusk and he walks up to this sea cucumber. Now normally they don't talk but in a joke everyone talks. So the mollusk says to the sea cucumber..." Marlin stopped and looked up.

"And three two one." I muttered knowing he saw the mask of the diver that took Nemo.

"Nemo!" Marlin exclaimed and swam up towards the mask.

"Nemo, hahaha...I don't get it..." Chum admitted. "For a clownfish he really isn't that funny." Bruce mumbled.

"No, no, no, no, he my son. He was taken by these divers." Marlin explained and Dory gasped, swimming after him. "Oh you poor fish." She said with sympathy.

"Humans, think they own everything." Chum snorted. "Probably American." Anchor huffed.

"Hey, I'm a human, AND American." I snapped clutching my crowbar.

"Now there is a father looking for his little boy..." Bruce sniffed. "I never knew my father..." He wailed and started crying.

"Come here." Anchor and Chum swam up and hugged him. I joined. "There, there, we here for you..." I soothed. Then, right on schedule Dory and Marlin swam down with the mask.

"No, Dory!" Marlin exclaimed and grabbed the straps the mask. Dory got upset and tried to pull it back.

"Hey, it's mine. Gimme!" She cried. "Hey, stop it you two!" I ordered in a voice that reminded me of a mother scolding her kids, not that the situation was much different.

Marlin's grip loosened and the strap hit Dory in the in the face. "Ow!" She exclaimed and I swam up to her. "Are you okay?" I asked. Marlin swam up too, obviously regretting what he did.

"Are you okay? I'm so sorry..." He said.

"You really got me there...am I bleeding?" Dory asked and some blood creeped up. My blood froze...I knew what was coming and it was the main reason I was scared a Bruce.

"Dory are oka-," Bruce then took a long whiff of the blood. "...ooh. That's good..." He said and grinned wide enough that the Joker would be running for the hills. Chills when the down my spine and I backed up in a corner holding the crowbar in front of me.

"INTERVENTION!" Anchor and Chum exclaimed and shoved Bruce against the wall.

"Just one bite!" He begged fighting the two sharks restraining him.

"You got to hold yourself together!" Anchor cried desperately. "Remember mate, fish are friends not food." Chum added.

"FOOD!" Bruce cried and with a powerful push, he lunged for the two fish. He crashed and they took the mask.

"RUN...er I mean..SWIM!" I cried and they went out.

"I'm having fish tonight!" Bruce declared and swam after them. "Remember the steps mate!" Chum called after him. I sighed as Chum and Anchor went up to me.

"You okay? You seem shaken up." Anchor asked worriedly. I straightened myself up. "Yeah, but we need to help Marlin and Dory!" I said and swam towards where Bruce disappeared off two and they followed me. I soon saw Bruce and he just opened the door.

"Here's Brucey!" He called. "Okay, play times over snap out of it!" I exclaimed and tried to pull him back, but he zoomed up and burst through the ceiling scaring Marlin and Dory. Bruce managed to get the mask and thankfully missed them. He swam after the two at full speed and I was still, somehow with a crowbar, able to hold on.

"Whoa, whoa!" I screamed.

"He doesn't mean it, he never even knew his father!" Anchor called. Soon Bruce chased Marlin and Dory into the torpedo launcher. Bruce gnawed at the opening but his mouth wasn't able to fit. Chum and Anchor swam up and tried to communicate with Marlin and Dory.

"Sorry about," Bam! "Bruce mate..." Chum said.

"He's really," Bam! "A nice guy..." Anchor assured. I managed to get off of Bruce and the torpedo launched into his mouth.

"Quick grab the mask, grab it!" Marlin urged and they took it from between Bruce's teeth. Bruce tossed the torpedo away and it floated towards a couple of bombs.

"Oh no...Bruce..." Chum warned shakily. Bruce sniffed and regained awareness.

"What..." He trailed off when he saw the torpedo drift towards the bombs.

"Oh no...swim away...SWIM AWAY!" He warned and the trio swam away. I sighed and saw Dory and Marlin peak out.

"Aww is the party over?" Dory asked. Acting quickly I pushed them back as I heard the bombs explode.

The next thing I know, I'm surrounded by blackness for the second time today.

Authors Note:

Well that's chapter two, hope it's not that bad...I didn't want to change to much, but I want to add some of my own flare. Please review! I would very much appreciate it!