Ivan sat in his sea cave, watching as his minions worked, and tapping his fingers on the rock in front of him. This was not going to work. They were moving too slow and Alfred and Arthur were already bonding after just one day. All they had managed to do was lure Arthur away from Alfred for 10 minutes at a time, at most.
If this was going to work, he would have to lure Arthur away from Alfred for much longer. He could tell just by looking at him, that he was falling in love with Alfred, but he felt insecure about it. That meant, he must have only liked women before, and now he was trying to deal with liking a man.
So, if a woman came along that reminded him of that mermaid that saved him…Yes, that would work out nicely.
Ivan still had the magic that Alfred made their deal with, stored safely into a magic sea shell. All he needed was a little magic and then, using that as a necklace, he would have all the magic Alfred had. All he had to do was stay out of water.
Yes, this will turn out well.
Alfred will become one with him, and then they will rule the oceans together.
"Okay, Mathew," Gilbert said, holding onto Mathew's shoulders. They were currently on their ship, heading off to that town Elizaveta had told them about. "What I want you to do is not move anywhere. Don't move from this spot. And don't let water touch you. It's the last thing I want to bring you on a ship when you're like this, but it has to be done."
"Why does it matter if water hits me?" Mathew asked innocently. It didn't seem to matter all that much. "Aren't the entire crew merpeople?"
"No, and don't use that word when you're up here," Gilbert shushed him. "We have a few crew members that are human. Meaning they don't know about us. And there is the chance that there are ships travelling near us. So it is very important that you stay right here and make sure no water touches you."
"Okay, okay," Mathew sighed. Gilbert nodded and walked away, leaving Mathew all alone standing next to one of the masts of the ship. This was not at all what Mathew had planned when he wanted to come with him. He did not like the idea of standing still on a ship, trying to avoid water, which he was surrounded by. And it really sucked that he still wasn't good with his legs, so he had to grip onto one of the ropes going around the mast for dear life so he wouldn't fall over.
It didn't make any sense. Gilbert walked around like it was nothing, and he expertly dodged the random waves that crashed onto the deck. Mathew figured it was all from the amount of time he spent up here on land… He even had spare clothes for Mathew, which was amazing considering how many people they had clothes for. Mathew couldn't help but wonder where they hid all of them…
"Oi, you're that new kid, yeah?" a big, burly man came over to Mathew, who nearly jumped at the sudden voice.
"Um…yeah," Mathew muttered. "M-My name is Mathew W-Williams." That last name felt weird, probably because it wasn't his. He didn't even have a last name.
"I'm just wondering why the hell Gil brought you up here," the man said. This one was obviously one of the humans. And he wreaked of alcohol, just like that place Gilbert brought him to the day before. "We don't need any more crew mates, especially one he won't let do anything."
"I just…wanted to come along, is all…" Mathew muttered, looking at the black boots Gilbert gave him.
"I heard we were lookin' for someone," the man said.
"I heard that, too," Mathew said quietly.
"You're such a kid," the man laugh, slinging his arm around Mathew's shoulders. Mathew flinched, his eyes going wide. This man was making him really uncomfortable. He took out what looked like a glass filled with a random liquid that Mathew hadn't seen him holding, and started chugging what was inside.
"Um…uh…please let go…" Mathew's voice was so small, even he couldn't hear it.
"You know what I think?" he slurred, blinking a few times after taking his drink. "I think we should go find a place alone and…"
"Oi! Harrison!" Gilbert yelled over to the man. He walked towards them. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Jus' talking to Mitch here," he slurred and Gilbert forced the drink out of his hands.
"Give me that, I believe you've had enough," he snapped, taking a long drink himself. "And his name is Mathew," he snapped, the drink obviously not affecting him as much as it did the other man. "You would know that if you weren't drunk off your ass. Now get to work."
The man chuckled. "Yes sir," he saluted mockingly and stumbled away.
"Damn Harrison…" Gilbert grumbled.
"Why do you have him on board?" Mathew squeaked, still trying to recover.
"Believe it or not, he's actually very handy when he's not drunk," Gilbert took another swig, emptying the glass.
"Are you any handy when you are drunk?" Mathew giggled.
"Never been drunk before in my life," Gilbert said happily and walked away.
Mathew couldn't help but laugh at how cocky he sounded. He tried to shift the weight in his feet because his right foot was starting to hurt, but all of a sudden, he felt extremely weak. Before he knew what was happening, his world faded to black.
Alfred sighed irritably. Nothing was getting done. Even he knew what he was supposed to be doing, but the two newest recruits seemed to be doing everything they could to ruin everything. And they kept on asking Arthur for help! Which gave Alfred less time to be with him. He only had 3 more days after this one was over! It wasn't fair!
The more Alfred looked at the new recruits, though, the more he recognized them. The minute he laid eyes on the twins that called themselves Feliciano and Lovino, he knew he had seen them somewhere before…and he was so close to figuring out, when the two brunettes bobbed their way over to him, their curls bouncing with every step.
"Yeah, what do you want?" Alfred asked irritably.
"Is that any way to fucking talk to us?" the one that was Lovino crossed his arms in front of him.
"Yeah, I believe it's fitting," Alfred nodded. He felt the sea spray hit him in the back of the head and flinched..
"We haven't even left the dock yet," Feliciano said happily. Alfred hated how happy and bubbly his personality was. What the hell was he doing being a pirate?
"It's a shame we won't be leaving until tomorrow," Alfred said. "I would love to see Captain Carriedo throw you two overboard for not doing shit."
"Listen, bastard, we just wanted to talk," Lovino snapped.
"Then go talk to someone who cares," Alfred snapped at them.
"Ah, but we have something we want to show you!" Feliciano said happily, going to Alfred's right side, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, so calm the fuck down," Lovino snapped, going to Alfred's left side and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"What the hell are you guys doing?" Alfred snapped, trying to get his shoulder's out of their grip, to no avail.
"Stalling for time," Feliciano said with a giggle.
"What the hell does that m-" Alfred was cut off with the feeling of something close to electricity go throughout his entire body. His entire body nearly exploded in pain as he cried out, his vision going black. He felt his body hit something hard.
"Dad! You don't understand!" Alfred nearly screamed. He could feel tears in his eyes.
"I do not care!" King Triton's voice boomed. "You are not to see that…that human!"
"Stop talking about him like he's an it!" Alfred yelled at him. "Humans aren't that bad!"
"How would you know?" King Triton asked.
"Because I've saved him once!" Alfred argued. "I got to see what humans are like first-hand!"
"You did not interact with a human, Alfred!"
"Yes, I did!" Alfred screamed. "And I don't give a shit what you have to say about it!"
Mathew watched, speechless, as the two argued back and forth. They were always at odds, but it never got this bad. Their father had found Alfred's cave where he kept things he found from the surface world and Alfred was protecting it with his life. Mathew had no idea how to break it up and save his brother.
"That is it, Alfred," the king snapped. "This place is going to be destroyed!"
"What? No!" Alfred shook his head furiously. His dad couldn't be doing this to him. "Dad! You can't!" This was his life! His dad couldn't destroy it!
"Father," Mathew swam quickly to his father's side. "I-I really don't think that's the best idea. Y-You should think about it."
"I have!" the king roared. "There is nothing that can stop me from tearing this place apart!"
"Dad, no!" Alfred tried to plead, swimming towards his dad, but it was too late. He wielded his magic trident, the end beginning to glow a deep red, and fired a beam at one of the walls of the cave. "DAD!" Alfred screamed, trying to get him to stop, but he didn't. The trident fired several more times. The torture didn't seem to end until King Triton stormed out of the room with a huff.
Alfred looked around in horror at the ashes that made up what used to be his treasures that he had collected for years and years. He shook his head in disbelief, swearing himself to not cry. He resorted to breathing heavily, trying to force those tears back.
Mathew swam up to his brother, properly concerned about him and stoked his back.
"Hey, Alfred, it'll be okay," Mathew tried to help his brother.
"No, it's not!" Alfred snapped, swimming quickly out of the cave and started swimming as fast as he could go. He just wanted to get away, far away. He didn't want to see his dad ever again, that's what he resolved.
Mathew caught up with his brother, swimming with him to nowhere.
"Go away," Alfred snapped at him.
"No, I'm not going to leave your side, Alfred," Mathew insisted and Alfred slowed down.
"Would you let me be alone for a second so I can bawl my fucking eyes out in privacy?" Alfred yelled.
"Alfred, you don't need to cry in privacy, I don't care," Mathew tried and Alfred stopped dead. It took Mathew a little bit to stop, as well.
"I do," Alfred argued. "It's my pride, not yours!"
"Having problems?" an odd, creepy voice came out of nowhere and the two brothers tried to look around for the source.
"We could make them all go away," another voice, a little darker, spoke.
"Go away," Alfred snapped, still trying to find the sources.
"Come with us," Mathew saw two objects coming towards them. He hadn't noticed until right then that they were in a murky, dark part of the ocean he was unfamiliar with.
"He will help make you feel better," Alfred saw the two objects, too, but they morphed into two mermen. They had brunette hair that varied in darkness and odd curls in their head that nearly touched when they were next to each other. They came on either side of Alfred.
"I don't need your help," Alfred said uneasily.
"Alfred, let's go," Mathew shivered. He had a bad feeling about these two.
"Don't be afraid," one of them spoke. Alfred noticed that there was something like electricity sparking between their fingers.
"I-I'm not scared of anything…" Alfred stuttered. He had to admit, though, he was getting very creeped out.
"Then come with us," one of them said and Alfred felt himself being pushed in some odd direction. Mathew followed them close behind.
"Alfred, let's go!" he said, louder this time.
"I-I…" Alfred tried to get out of their grasp, but he just couldn't.
"Ivan will solve all of your problems," one of them promised.
"The sea warlock?" Alfred and Mathew asked in unison. Now Alfred definitely tried to break free. He had heard about him. None of the words were good.
"He will help you see him."
"Him?" Alfred's struggles stopped.
"The human."
"He'll help you be with him forever."
"Alfred!" Mathew cried out, still following them. "Alfred, snap out of it!"
"You mean Ivan could help me…be with him?" Alfred asked.
"Forever," the two of them said at the same time.
This offer sounded promising to Alfred. But to Mathew, this would not turn out well.
"Alfred!" Mathew tried again. The two figures' tails shot out towards him and an electric current spat at him. Mathew flew back a bit and tried to move again towards them, but found himself paralyzed. "Alfred!" he called out, but they were already too far.
Alfred woke up with a start, gasping for air. He was below decks, on his hammock. He knew why those damn twins looked so familiar! If they were on the ship now, that meant Ivan was using them to prevent him from getting is objective done…That's what they meant by stalling.
"Oh, Alfred, you're awake!" Francis rushed to Alfred's side.
"Y-Yeah, what happened?" Alfred asked.
"You passed out a few hours ago," Francis informed.
"A few hours?" Alfred stood up quickly. "That…that can't have been that long! Where's Arthur?"
"Most likely with that girl Anya we found," Francis smiled fondly, like just thinking of her was giving him a boner.
"A-Anya?" Alfred stuttered. "Who the hell is Anya?"
"Getting protective of Arthur, now?" Francis raised an eyebrow.
"Who the hell is Anya?" Alfred demanded.
"Some girl we found in town," Francis sighed. "She's gorgeous. And she has the prettiest voice you could ever hear. If I didn't know any better, I would think she were a mermaid. Arthur has become obsessed with her, ever since she sang that one song. What was it, My Charming Sailor Boy…"
"My Jolly Sailor Bold. And a-a mermaid?" Alfred stuttered. "Where are Anya and Arthur now?"
Mathew woke up with a start. Sitting up in that bed Gilbert had showed him he would be staying in.
"Birdie!" Gilbert's concerned voice ran as he ran to the side. "Oh, thank Gott you're alright! Triton would have killed me if anything happened to you!"
"Wh-what happened?" Mathew stuttered, somehow managing English to come out.
"You suddenly fainted on deck," Gilbert informed. "Do you think you're okay?"
"I'm fine," Mathew sighed. He remembered he got a feeling right before he blacked out. It was a feeling of electricity. He had felt that before… That dream, did he and Alfred share it? "I think Alfred might be in trouble."
"Dude, don't tell me it's that twin telepathy thing I've heard so much about," Gilbert said quickly. "I don't think I could handle that."
Mathew shook his head. "That's not it exactly. But, I think we just shared a memory through a dream. I-I felt what he felt."
"What was the memory?" Gilbert asked.
"N-nothing," Mathew said quickly and decided to change the subject quickly. "A-Alfred's not good at sensing things like that, so he probably doesn't know we shared it…"
"Birdie," Gilbert said with a warning voice. "What was the memory?"
"When our father ruined his cave," Mathew muttered.
"That was the day he disappeared, right?" Gilbert asked. "What happened after it was destroyed?"
"Alfred ran away," Mathew said simply.
"What aren't you telling me?" Gilbert asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Don't tell my father…" Mathew said quietly.
"Birdie…" Gilbert warned.
"Alfred went to the sea warlock, Ivan," Mathew winced.
"He did what?" Gilbert's eyes went wide. "Is that how he turned human?" He stood up and started pacing. "Oh, Mein Gott. He made a deal with Ivan?"
"I tried to stop him," Mathew's voice was small.
"But it didn't work, did it?" Gilbert snapped.
"No…" Mathew muttered.
"Oh, Gott," Gilbert started pacing. "Oh, Gott, oh, Gott, oh, Gott! Why didn't you tell your father!"
"To protect him," Mathew looked down at his shoes.
"So you just…hide these kinds of things from your father?" Gilbert shouted.
"Yes," Mathew nodded. "I do it all the time for Alfred."
"What the hell does that accomplish?" Gilbert yelled.
"Well I know what it prevents!" Mathew retaliated finally, looking up at Gilbert. "I saw what happened to Alfred after our dad blew his cave to pieces! That's what led Alfred to do this more than anything else. If they had come to him before that, he wouldn't have gone with them if they offered him the world! We've been protecting each other our whole lives! If Dad found out Alfred made a deal with Ivan, he would cause a typhoon, taking out his anger on every living thing!"
"You should have told him," Gilbert sighed.
"Well, I didn't," Mathew said. "What's done is done. Let's just move on." Mathew groaned as he stood up, storming out of the room with surprising ease.
Alfred! Why? You've got to help me out here!
The sun was setting on this, a horrible day for progress.
Mathew sighed, this was not going to end well, he could just tell.
And now we know who Ursula is. Yay for Ivan making his way into the story! Also, for those of you who don't know who Anya is, it's female!Russia. As much as I hate genderbending, it had to be done.
Also, this chapter starts a series of flashbacks. As this story started in the middle, half of it is flashbacks. Yahoo!
Reviews are much appreciated and well loved.
I don't own Hetalia, the Little Mermaid, or "My Jolly Sailor Bold."
