Nick leaned out over the balcony, humming to himself as the night air flowed over his fur.
"You look happy." Max commented. The fox turned around and noticed him leaning against the wall, a playful grin on his face.
"Your door wasn't locked and you weren't answering." Max said with a shrug, noticing the questioning look on his friend's face, "So, how did the tour go?" Max held back a laugh as a dreamy look appeared on Nick's face.
"It was… wonderful." He finally replied, returning his attention to the sheepdog, "She was so excited and happy! Not to mention beautiful.
"Wow." Max chuckled, "Somebody's got it bad. Anything happen?"
"What? No." Nick responded, blushing as he remembered their boat ride, "Nothing happened."
"Nothing?" Max asked, raising an eyebrow and giving Nick's sodden clothes a pointed look.
"We may have fallen in." He muttered, a sheepish smile on his face.
"Always the charmer, eh Nick?" Max laughed. Nick rolled his eyes and put his paws in his pockets.
"All part of my brilliant plan." Nick said, his voice laden with sarcasm.
"Really, and what is the next phase of your 'brilliant plan?'" Nick gripped the small wooden box in his pocket and gave Max a sly grin.
"You'll have to wait and see." He answered, winking at the sheepdog.
"Wait, there's actually a plan? Oh, c'mon Nick, what is it? Can I help?"
"You'll find out tomorrow Max." Nick chuckled, "And you will definitely have an opportunity to help."
"We better get some rest then." Max said, his tail wagging behind him, "I'll see you in the morning Nick!" The sheepdog rushed out of Nick's room, slamming the door shut behind him. Nick pulled the box out of his pocket and rolled it between his paws as he paced the room. The vulpine sat down on the bed and pried it open, revealing an elegant silver band adorned with a single, glittering diamond.
"After all," He murmured to himself, "I will need a best mammal." Nick snapped the box shut and pulled open the drawer on the dresser next to his bed, gingerly placing the ring in it. He began walking towards his closet, eager to change out of his dripping outfit, but stopped as his ears detected a distant melody. Intrigued, Nick hurried out to the balcony and searched the surrounding area for any sign of the voice. His eyes fixed on the beach as the singing grew louder, finally able to discern a bunny with caramel colored fur and suffused with a soft, golden light strolling towards the castle. As he watched, Nick's brilliant emerald eyes clouded, a flash of gold sweeping across them before they turned to a muted, dirty hue reminiscent of rotting leaves. The bunny approached the gates and Nick felt a strange, foreign compulsion. For a moment, he fought this unnatural urging, but soon gave in and sprinted back into his room, grabbing the ring from his dresser before heading for the entrance hall.
Scuttle swooped into Judy's room through her open balcony door and let loose a victorious screech.
"Congratulations kid!" He shouted, landing at the foot of the bed as Judy shot up, "You got 'im!"
"What on earth are you talking about?" Sebastian demanded, fighting his way from out under the blankets.
"The wedding!" Scuttle crowed, "I heard that a certain prince was gonna be marrying a certain bunny tonight!" Judy's face lit up and she jumped from the bed, rushing from the room without even taking the time to change out of her nightgown.
"Judy, wait for me!" Sebastian called, chasing the excited bunny. Scuttle let out another enthusiastic CAW and flapped after the duo. Judy slid to a stop at the top of the stairs and was about to leap down when she heard Nick's voice.
"Grimsby, this is Vanessa." Judy watched as Nick introduced a stunning brunette bunny to the old wolf, "She's the one who saved me when the ship went down."
"Oh no." Scuttle breathed, landing on the banister next to Judy.
"Is she?" Grimsby commented, inspecting the caramel colored bunny, "What about that other girl, Judy?"
"Who's Judy?" Nick asked in a monotone. Tears began to trickle down Judy's face as she watched the horrifying scene unfold.
"She's that other bunny who you've been spending so much time with!" Grimsby exclaimed, his brow creasing in concern, "Are you feeling alright Nicholas?"
"I've never been better Grim." Nick promised, "Vanessa and I would like to be married, tonight, in the harbor."
"Well that's a little fast don't you think—"
"We're eager to be together for the rest of our lives." Vanessa interrupted, her voice musical and hypnotic. Almost immediately, Grimsby's posture relaxed and he nodded, a pleasant smile replacing the look of concern.
"Very well, I'll ready a ship at once." The wolf responded, smiling at the couple, his earlier consternation seemingly gone without a trace.
Judy felt a small tug on her arm and gave a start of surprise. She looked down and noticed Sebastian, who had crept up undetected. The crustacean, giving his young charge a sympathetic look, motioned for her to follow him back to the room. Judy got to her paws and trudged after the crab, shoulders heaving in silent anguish. Upon entering the room, she collapsed face first on the bed, wracked with sobs. Scuttle flew back into the room and gave the distraught bunny a sorrowful look.
"I'm gonna go see what the deal is with this new bunny." Scuttle said, trying to sound upbeat, "Maybe there's something we can do to stop the wedding." Without waiting for a reply, the seagull shot out of the room. Sebastian opened his mouth, trying to think of something comforting to say to his devastated friend, but nothing came out. At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Judy raised her head to see a white sheepdog standing in the open doorway.
"Is this a bad time?" Max asked, a note of concern entering his tone as he beheld the distressed bunny. Judy shook her head and sat up, dabbing at her eyes with a sheet.
"I just heard about this new bunny." Max began, walking into the room and closing the door behind him, "I don't know who she is or where she came from, but I know that something's off. Nick's not acting like his usual self and he barely remembers you." Fresh tears began trickling from Judy's eyes as Max spoke.
"Don't worry." He assured, crouching down in front of Judy, "I'm going to do my best to put a stop to this." Judy gave Max a watery smile before wiping her face once more.
"I've got to go." He said, straightening up, "Nick needs his best mammal after all." With that, Max strode out of the room. There was a wedding that needed stopping.
Nick stood in front of the mirror and inspected his suit; an ensemble consisting of unfamiliar, pressed white dress pants and an uncomfortable white jacket with gold buttons and a high collar. He twisted to get a better view of himself in the mirror and frowned as a button came loose. Without warning, Max barged into the room, surprising the struggling fox.
"Oh Max, good, I need your opinion." Nick said, wrestling the button back into place.
"I think you're rushing into this." Max responded dryly. Nick dismissed the comment with the wave of a paw.
"Not that opinion." He clarified, "I don't know about this jacket." Nick turned back to the mirror and scrutinized his outfit again.
"Does it look ok?" He asked, a note of anxiety creeping into his voice.
"The jacket looks fine Nick." Max huffed, growing more annoyed with the vulpine by the minute, "Why are you worrying about your jacket when you're about to marry some random bunny you met last night?"
"It's my wedding Max." He stated, smiling at the sheepdog, "I'm a little nervous, that's all. And I do know her. She saved my life, remember?" Nick stepped away from the mirror and tugged on his jacket, straightening it out before facing his friend.
"What about Judy?" Max questioned, trying to reach the vulpine.
"What about her?" Nick answered, "Sure Judy's nice, but she wasn't the bunny who I was looking for."
"But Nick—"
"Max," He interrupted, "you're my best friend in the world, but your constant comments on my love life are getting on my nerves. I just need you to be my best mammal. Can you do that?"
"Of course Nick." Max lowered his head as if admitting defeat.
"Thank you." Nick said, looking him in the eye, "Now let's go. We have a boat to catch!" The fox skipped out of the room, the picture of happiness. As Max watched him go, a look of grim determination grew on his face. Something was definitely wrong with Nick.
Scuttle circled the castle, lost in his thoughts.
"Why'd you have to say anything, huh?" He scolded himself, "That poor kid is devastated and it's all your fault." The gull shook his head and continued flying, trying to think of any way to salvage Judy's hopes. As he flew, Scuttle noticed one of the balcony doors on the far side of the castle was open. Curious, he swooped down and landed on the balustrade. Inside, dressed in a voluminous white gown, sat the mysterious bunny who had displaced Judy from Nick's heart. Scuttle watched as Vanessa ran a comb through her fur and gazed at the reflection in the mirror. The seagull stifled a gasp when he noticed what the mirror was showing. Instead of the brunette lapin, the mirror showed an enormous honey badger with razor sharp fangs, a writhing mass of tentacles instead of legs, and a malicious smile.
"Marvelous." A deep and unfamiliar voice emanated from Vanessa, "Only a few hours left before Triton's precious daughter belongs to me. And she doesn't even have a clue." The bunny let out a cackle and stood up, grabbing a seashell necklace from the dresser and putting it on.
"Now, I shouldn't leave the prince waiting." She said, her voice changing to become lighter, more musical, and strangely familiar. Scuttle let out a squeak of anger as he realized the imposter was using Judy's voice to seduce the prince. Vanessa sauntered out of the room, veil trailing behind her as she headed for the wedding boat.
"I've got to tell Judy." Scuttle breathed, leaping off the balustrade and taking to the air. The seagull winged towards Judy's room on the other side of the castle, flying faster than ever before. He sailed through Judy's open balcony door and landed in a heap at the foot of the bed.
"Vanessa's not Vanessa!" He exclaimed, picking himself up off the floor and looking excitedly at Judy, who had changed into yesterday's dress and was looking very determined.
"What on earth are you going on about?" Sebastian asked.
"She's not a bunny." Scuttle explained, "She's a honey badger! With tentacles! And she's got this necklace-thingy that gives her your voice!"
"Ursula!" Sebastian exploded, "That devious, cheating witch!" Eyes shining with hope and a new resolve, Judy sprang to her paws and rushed out of the room.
"Judy, wait!" Sebastian shouted.
"There's still hope." She thought, jumping down the stairs, "Ursula has my voice, and if I can just get to Nick before the boat leaves I can break whatever spell she has on him." Judy burst out of the castle gates and sprinted towards the dock, dress flapping behind her like a flag. Each step brought the ship closer and closer, brought Nick closer. As the dry ground transitioned into the wooden planks of the dock, the ship began to pull away, raising the sails and preparing the oars. With one final burst of speed, Judy covered the rest of the dock, desperate to get to Nick before he was out of reach. The wind filled the sails and the gap between the dock and vessel widened. Judy neared the edge of the dock and knew that there was only one option. Her feet hit the last plank and Judy jumped with all her might. The bunny soared across the divide, rocketing towards the ship. At the last moment, Judy prepared for impact, hoping that she would be able to hold on.
THUD. Judy smashed into the boat and began sliding down the stern of the ship, desperately scrabbling for a pawhold, blunt nails scarring the damp wood on the way down and leaving predatory claw marks. For a moment, Judy's paw caught on a one of the planks and she hung several meters above the waterline. The victory was short lived as a wave impacted the boat, knocking her tenuous grip loose and sending her plummeting into the sea below.
Judy fought her way back to the surface as her sodden clothes acted like an anchor, pulling her towards the sea floor. Finally breaching the surface and sputtering for air, the bunny watched as Nick, her one chance at true happiness, sailed away.
Just as she began to swim back towards the dock, something brushed up against her leg. Shivering in surprise, the lapin searched the water for the source, growing more panicked with each moment she failed to detect the culprit. Suddenly, a brightly colored tropical fish breached the surface, transforming Judy's panic into relief.
"Judy!" Flounder shouted, swimming closer to his friend. The bunny sighed in relief and pulled him in for a hug.
Scuttle flew down from above, carrying Sebastian in his feet.
"Flounder!" Sebastian called, noticing the prince's wedding party, "We need to get Judy on that ship! Ursula has brainwashed the prince and we only have a few hours left!"
"She did?!" He exclaimed, breaking free from the bunny's embrace, "Don't worry Jude, I'll get you to that boat." Scuttle dropped Sebastian in the water next to Judy and hovered, waiting for instructions.
"Go and stall that wedding!" Sebastian commanded, shooing the gull towards the ship.
"Stall the wedding." Scuttle muttered, "Stall the wedding, I can do that." The bird flapped his wings and flew towards the palace cove. He needed reinforcements.
"I need to go warn your father." Sebastian said, a fearful look on his face, "Now Flounder, swim as fast as your fins can carry you!" Flounder nodded his head and took off after the wedding party, towing Judy behind him.
Scuttle flew into the cove and let out a cry.
"C'mon folks, we got an emergency!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, swooping down to roust every animal he could find. The birds in the cove responded immediately, taking flight and following the seagull until every living being with wings was in the air. Scuttle noticed several sea lions longing on the rocks and dived towards them.
"Get your rears in gear!" He yelled, letting out another echoing cry, "We need to help Judy!" The sea lions snapped to attention and took to the water, swimming towards the ship and galvanizing more marine life along the way. Scuttle took one last look around the cove before heading for the ship, his avian posse following close behind.
The wedding boat was gorgeous. A snow-white canopy shielded the guests from dying sunlight, the finest musicians in the kingdom were playing, garlands of flowers hung from every available surface, and the prince had never looked happier.
"Unfortunately," Max thought, watching Vanessa prepare to walk down the center aisle, "It's all a sham." The band struck up the iconic wedding march and the disguised sea witch began her procession, each step slow and deliberate. As she approached the front row where Max was seated, he let out a low growl, unable to help himself. Without breaking stride, Vanessa kicked out at the sheepdog, scratching his foot with the heel of her shoe. Max hissed in pain and looked around, but nobody noticed the bride's skullduggery.
"Something's got to happen." He prayed as the priest began the ceremony, "This has to be stopped." As Max finished his thought, a loud CAW broke the respectful silence. Max looked out over the side of the ship and stifled a laugh. Rapidly approaching was a dark, angry swarm of birds, led by an unusually large seagull. The avian horde reached the wedding party and began dive-bombing the guests, ripping through the canopy and grabbing at anything shiny or loose. Vanessa shrieked and began swatting at the birds, trying to drive them away. But the attack wasn't the only surprise to come.
"NOW!" Scuttle yelled, swooping down to attack Vanessa. On his command, the various sea creatures began assaulting the boat, rocking it back and forth and sending guests staggering across the deck. Scuttle landed on top of Vanessa and grabbed at her necklace, trying to regain the voice of his friend. The bunny screamed again, trying to tear Scuttle away as his talons dug into her dress.
Max laughed in delight as the seagull went after Vanessa and the boat began to rock. Seeing his chance, the sheepdog ran towards the bride, eager to help her assailant.
"We're here." Flounder panted, guiding Judy to the side of the boat before drifting away in exhaustion. Judy gave Flounder a one armed hug before turning to the ship and beginning to climb.
"GET OFF ME!" Vanessa growled, grabbing Scuttle's neck in both paws. The gull weakened as she began choking him, but refused to relinquish his hold on the necklace. While suffocating the persistent bird, the boat rocked again and Vanessa lost her balance. Stumbling backwards, with paws tightly clamped on his neck, the bunny fought to regain her balance. But, just as she appeared to have won, Max tripped her. With an angry wail, she fell, releasing the captive gull. With one last yank, Scuttle snapped the necklace in half and sent the shell flying across the deck. Vanessa watched in horror as it shattered at the feet of Judy.
A stream of golden light erupted from the remains of the shell and drifted into Judy's open mouth. Nick, who had hardly moved since the attack began, turned to face her. She watched as his eyes flashed gold once more before returning to their brilliant shade of emerald.
"Nick!" She shouted, savoring the ability to speak once more.
"Judy." He breathed, running over and sweeping her up in his arms. Setting the lapin back down, and Nick stared at her face as if he was seeing it for the first time; the fur stiff with salt; the eyes red from crying; even the ears, perked up once more. At that moment, he knew.
"It was you." He murmured, "You were the one who saved me. It's always been you." Judy smiled and nodded her head ever so slightly.
"Nick, what are you doing!" Vanessa shouted. She gasped in horror upon hearing herself. Gone was the soft, bubbly tone of Judy. It was replaced by the deep, rasping voice of her true form. Ursula the Sea Witch.
Nick leaned in closer to Judy, their lips inches apart.
"NO!" Ursula shouted, eyes wild with anger. The moment before Nick's lips made contact, the sun dipped below the horizon, shrouding the ship in darkness.
"You're too late!" Ursula crowed, watching the couple. Judy let out a gasp and fell to the ground.
"Judy, are you alright?" Nick asked, crouching down next to her. Judy gave Nick a miserable look and gestured downwards. Before his eyes, Judy's strong, grey-furred legs fused together, becoming a fish tale with iridescent turquoise scales.
"What did you do?!" Nick yelled, turning to face Ursula. The Sea Witch cackled and raised an arm to the sky. A bolt of lightning struck the bunny and destroyed the form she had been masquerading in, revealing the tentacled monstrosity that haunted merfolk's worst nightmares.
"Better luck next time lover boy." The honey badger snarled, knocking him aside and grabbing Judy in her claws, "She belongs to me now." Ursula dove over the side and into the sea below, taking Judy as her prisoner.
A/N: Hi guys! Just have a few quick things. First of all, I took some liberties with the way events happened, as always. I think Judy might just be a little bit OOC with how upset she is, but I'm not entirely sure. So let me know what you think on that. Also, the story is nearing an end. Heartbreaking, isn't it? So I'll try and get that last (or last two I haven't decided yet) chapters out for you quickly. Oh, and tomorrow's my birthday! I'll be 18! Yeah. That's completely irrelevant, I just wanted to let you all know XD. Anyways, comments are always appreciated (I got a really good one the other day, but is spazzing out on me and it's not showing up) and I hope that you enjoyed this last chapter. Thanks for reading!
