Hey guys! If I owned Mako Mermaids, would I be writing this? And I don't own the references to The Spy Next Door, the song Bad Day, the Alvin and the Chipmunks characters, Hunchback of Notre Dame, characters from the Sandlot, the scene or the song If Only from Descendants, or Pitch Perfect 2.
Rated K+ for some language.
Bold Italics are when they sing.
Erik's POV
I slept like a baby sea lion. Well, like a regular human anyway. Nothing could spoil my peaceful sleep.
Boy was I about to eat my words.
The door burst open as a very much awake Diablo, obviously on mega caffeinated coffee, ran in.
"Hey!" Diablo/Wolfboy shouted. "Have you seen my cap?"
"No." I grumbled from underneath the covers.
"Thanks." And Wolfboy left, giving me peaceful sleep, which lasted for about 5 seconds before my contumacious little brother was chased in here by the Hindi nerd, Network.
"Erik." Voltage/Raiden began. "What he says here is not true. I swear on Dad's grave." Both the boys were still wearing their PJ's. Raiden was wearing his white short sleeved tshirt and his black shorts as jammies and Xhiva was wearing his green flannel pajamas.
"Bass Boy." Xhiva/Network began, holding his broken phone. "Your brother is a psycho. He fried my phone!"
"Nice hypothesis." Voltage teased. "But'cha can't prove it."
Xhiva gave a death glare before saying, "Yeah but I can beat the crap out of you." And before I could say anything, the Hindi teenager started chasing my little brother. Just as they were in the hallway, Xhiva closed the door hard on his twin brother coming out. Xandou was hit quite hard on the nose. But Xhiva could feel the pain, as he swore he saw blood coming out of his nose.
"Watch we're you're going!" Xhiva yelled at his brother.
Xandou was wearing a dark yellow bathrobe and was holding his hand at his nose. "You should talk!" Xadou yelled back. He groaned in frustration before going to the Consorzio brother's room and yelling at me, "I hate this family!"
"What was that?" Raiden asked Xhiva.
"That was our twinstincts." Network explained. "Mer twins can sometimes feel each other's pain."
"Physical or emotional?" Diablo asked.
"Both." Xhiva said.
"You up yet?" Carlos/Salsa asked me.
Giving up the sleep, I woke up and groggily said, "Yes." Running my hand through my hair, I knew it wasn't going to be a good start to the day. In fact, most mornings started out with a fight. It was mostly from the twins. So I got up, took a shower, and got dressed. I saw Speed Demon/Xandou, walking down, wearing a sleeveless yellow t shirt, jeans, and his usual sneakers. "Backpack." I reminded him as he turned around to retrieve said item. Just as I was going back into the bathroom, I saw Raiden wearing a purple tshirt, jeans, and PF flyers. But the thing that caught my eye was that he was wearing a black leather jacket. And that he was chewing gum. "Uh uh." I said to him.
Raiden looked down and said to me, "What? It's in style?"
"A leather jacket?" I asked him. "In Queensland? It's too hot for that. Go put it away. And spit out the gum please." Raiden turned around as he was walking to our room and glared at me.
I waited for something appropriate while I was brushing my teeth. In the mirror, I saw passing by, Raiden, with something important missing. "Raiden." I called out to him.
"What?" He asked. "You said put it away."
"I meant just the jacket." I said to him. "You can't go to school, shirtless." Raiden had no grey shirt on, exposing his entire upper body to the world.
"But the ladies love the packs!" Raiden whined, gesturing to his abbs.
"She's not gonna notice you!" Wolfboy shouted from downstairs.
"Can your hole, Wolfboy!" Raiden shouted before turning back to me. "Please?"
"No." I said, taking responsibility as his legal guardian. "Go put on a shirt now." Raiden groaned as he went to our room. Don't get me wrong, I want my brother to live his life, but I'm worried about him. I just want what's best for my little brother. Sure he's a pain in the tail, but he's a pretty good guy.
Xhiva's POV
I walked downstairs to get breakfast. I just hoped that nothing wrong would happen at the place they called school. But I would have jinxed it either way.
"Hey Wolfboy." I greeted said merman, who was wolfing down, pun intended, his frosted flakes. What? Did you think we lived on seafood? Diablo was wearing an orange shirt, brown cargo shorts and sandals. He was also wearing his usual SD Eibar cap. He was talking about making the soccer team at this school last night.
"Hey." Diablo said before gasping in shock. "Whoa whoa whoa! You're not going to school dressed like that!"
I glanced down at what I was wearing. A white short sleeved button up t shirt under a green sleevless sweater vest. On my chest was a red and green striped tie. I wore black jeans and green converse sneakers. I was wearing my usual dark green watch and my new green tinted rectangular glasses. "What's wrong with the nerd look?" I asked, not seeing the problem.
Wolfboy scoffed. "The answer is in your question!" He exclaimed. "Dude, you gotta tone that nerdness down!"
I looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "What and you're telling me you've been to school? Need I remind you that you're uncle homeschooled you?"
"For a few years." Wolfboy said, pouting. "But that's not the point. The point is, nerdness, is so last year. Come on." Wolfboy led me to his disaster of a room. The dude never cleaned his room, seriously! Diablo sat me down on his wooden chair.
"Why am I even doing this?" I asked.
"You want to impress Yukimi don't you?" Wolfboy asked.
I sighed. I did want to impress Kimi. But not too much. I wanted mostly to stick out, but also blend in. "Yeah. I guess." I replied.
"Alright." He said taking a look at me. "Let's get rid of this first." He changed into a gorilla and with his giant hands, he took my sweater and with a giant rip, tore it off my white shirt.
I was majorly pissed which caused my eyes to glow a bright red. Oh yeah, I guess I should explain the eye color change. You see, the red flicks in my eyes come from my mom, whose eyes were also red. Well originally they were green which is where Xandou got his eyes from, until my mom's eye color changed to red. How, I still have no idea. But whenever me or Xandou got super mad, our eyes changed from our normal color to a bright red. Sometimes when that would happen, our powers would get out of control. Like right then, the lights were flickering, the computers flickered, the TV went all static and all technology in the room started buzzing weird because of me.
"I." I said through gritted teeth. "Just. Bought. That."
"Whoa." Wolfboy said, taking a couple of steps back. "Easy big boy, on the eyes and all. But don't worry, you're keeping the shirt, but take off the tie." I groaned as I did what he said, flinging the tie to the Hispanic merman. "Put this on." He shoved in my hands, a forest green tie. I had to admit it did look classy. I put it on and awaited Wolfboy's next move. "Now let's get this off." He tried to grab my glasses, but I swiped his hand away, but he saw this coming as he changed into a mouse and scurried on my arm. I tried to get him off, but he was too fast and he carried my glasses to the floor and changed back into a person. "Why do you even wear these again?"
I shrugged. "It's a good fashion accessory."
"Nice." Wolfboy put my glasses on the floor and stomped on them hard breaking them. "There, even without them, you don't need them! Matter of fact, you never needed them at all!"
I just stood there, smiling in victory.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Wolfboy asked me.
"Because mi amigo." I said. "The great thing about having a brain like mine, is that I have lots of back ups."
"Please don't wear the glasses today." Wolfboy said. "Oh and untuck the shirt and mess up your hair a little."
"Why?" I asked.
"Just do it." I did said actions and Diablo stuffed into my hand, a pair of pilot glasses. I put them on and I looked in the mirror only to be shocked at what I saw.
"I look…" I began.
"Say it." Wolfboy challenged.
I took a moment before saying, "Not dorky."
"Not even close." Wolfboy complimented. "Let's get some breakfast."
I stayed for a bit, taking in my look. I looked, kind of macho. A nerd macho. Why Xandou didn't embrace his inner nerd, I have no idea. Probably something to do with the illegal racing he did as a kid.
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At the Santos house…
Thalie's POV
I sat quietly in the kitchen, eating my pancakes. My mom was on the roof doing school stuff. I was my own to think some things through. Things like how I was gonna help Evie with the water situation along with the rest of my friends.
"Hey Thalie." Mimmi came up behind me with Sirena carrying a bag of packed codfish. "We're cooking codfish. Do you wanna help?"
I mentally grimaced but I didn't show it in order to be polite. I couldn't cook a fish, less eat one. "Sorry, I gotta be at school." I said. "First day back though."
"Well you can go when we're finished." Mimmi said.
I chuckled. "I would, if I had the option."
"Land school isn't like mermaid school." Sirena explained. "You have to be on time and they take record of your attendance."
"What's this?" Mimmi pointed to the paper next to me.
"It's a schedule." I explained. "The teachers, the subjects, and the time and day of every class. They all gotta fit together so that everyone's at the right place at the right time."
"Machines do all that?" Mimmi asked in wonder. "How?"
"Typical Zoe." Sirena said, using Mimmi's real name. "Just gotta know everything."
"A thirst for knowledge is a wonderful asset." I said.
"You sound just like your mom." Sirena said.
"Thalassa, time to go." My mom said all ready.
"I'll help you Rita." Mimmi said. "Then you can tell me about land school on the way."
And we left to walk to school.
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Diablo's POV
After breakfast was all finished, me and the rest of my friends rushed to the car. Of course, this meant us fighting for the front seat. All of us were in a dog pile trying to get to the precious front seat.
"Guys!" We all stopped as we heard Erik. "It's Diablo's day."
"No, it isn't." Speed Demon argued. "It's mine."
We all launched into an argument before Erik yelled out, "Enough! It's Diablo's turn because it is. Now shut up and get into the car."
As we all got in, Network asked, "Where is Carlos?"
"He has a meeting." Erik replied as he started the car. Halfway there, we were all a little tense. Raiden was looking out at the window, Xandou was cracking his knuckles, and Network was texting with a friend in Pakistan. I plugged in my headphones, turned on one of my favorite songs, and silently began to sing.
Where is the moment we needed the most?
Erik noticed, and with a smile sang along with me for a bit, an octave lower.
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost.
The boys behind us noticed and began to vocalize, in other words, we were all singing a capella. With me and Erik singing.
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey, they tell me your passion's gone away, and I don't need no carrying on.
Network started beatboxing.
Cause you had a bad day, you take it one down, you sing a sad song just to turn it around. You say you don't know, you tell me don't lie. You work on a smile and you go for the lie. You had a bad day, to see what you like, and how does it feel for one more time? You had a bad day, oh you had a bad day!
Erik's POV
As I drove the boys to school, I couldn't help but think back to my first day of alma mater. That was what we called mermaid and merman school in clans. Even though I was really young, I still remember my mom not wanting to let me go to my education center. After some thinking, we arrived at the school. The boys got out, but they kind of all fell out in the middle of their fight. They were betting on something but I don't know what.
"Guys." I said, taking note of the people noticing us. "We have an audience." Immediately, the Blade Boys stopped fighting.
Diablo took a whiff in the air and said proudly, "I love the smell of zit cream in the morning!"
Walking past Mimmi and the Santos', we found our lockers. Turns out mine is next to Cam's, Zac's and Raiden's. I had convinced Rita to put mine next to his, just so I could keep an eye on him. I know, I'm an overprotective merman, but someone's got to keep an eye on my troublemaker of a little brother. We would have separate classes because Raiden would be a sophomore, while I was a junior, despite my age.
"Welcome to the prison." Cam greeted as he was taking stuff from his locker. "If you or your junior squad, need anything, come to the Camster."
"Thanks." I said, taking out some stuff from my backpack into my locker. I peered over my right, and I saw Raiden opening his locker, get some stuff and leave to go to class.
"You're gonna like it here." Cam said. "The natives are friendly." Looking north, I saw Zac and his girlfriend Evie walking towards the lockers.
"We'll see." I said warningly. "Hey Zac. Wanna try out for the swim team?"
Zac chuckled at me. "Funny man."
"Just trying to be friendly." I said. "How about we meet up at lunch? Talk about what happened at Mako."
"We're on equal levels of being up to speed." Zac shot back. I had to agree with him on that.
"But you've got to wonder." I said. "Why did mermen build that place? What's it for?"
Zac closed his locker and said to me, "I've got to go." It was clear that he didn't trust me.
"Once Zac gets paranoid about you, there's nothing you can do to change his mind." Cam explained. "Trust me, I know."
Digging my phone out, I said, "Maybe this will change his mind." I scrolled through the photos until I came across the trident chamber pictures. "See? A chamber on Mako, built by mermen!"
"What are those symbols?" Cam asked.
"That's what I'm trying to find out." I replied.
"Maybe them fish chicks would know." Cam theorized.
"If they do, they're not saying." I said.
"What are these?" I heard Xandou ask behind me pointing to the lockers.
"Lockers." Cam replied.
"This looks like a good storage space." Xhiva replied.
"You've never seen a locker before?" Cam asked.
"No." I replied. "You guys better get to class."
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Esmeralda's POV
I was in the kitchen, preparing my special dinner. Cutting up codfish and all.
"How's Ondina" Sirena asked. She was helping me.
"She was fine after she stopped barfing." I replied.
"Ugh." Sirena made a face of disgust. I couldn't blame her. Those sessions were not pleasant.
"Where's Mimmi?" I asked. I had not seen her since this morning.
"She was helping Rita and Thalie." Sirena explained. "But she should be back anytime. What are we making?"
"Ensopado de Balcalhau." I replied.Sirena smiled. "Your famous codfish stew?"
"Oh yes." I beamed in victory. "Zoe's probably gone for a swim, ran into some dolphins and started chatting." "You know how she is." Sirena said.
"She has to know everything." We both said in unison. Sirena kept cooking and I muttered to myself. "A thirst for knowledge. Just like her mother. Ah, Nerissa could never stand not knowing something."
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Erik's POV
I found the Blade Boys and we all went to the Principal's office. Or the door of it. I had to stop Xhiva or Raiden at least 3 times from picking the lock, and 2 times stopped Xandou from kicking the door down. I told them that we had to set a good example for the principal and the rest of the school. I warned them of no funny business, but I didn't believe them when they agreed to it.
"Erik." Rita said behind us. "Xhiva, Xandou, Diablo, and Raiden. How nice to see you." Rita opened the door, but only let me in first. She sorted through my stuff and got my schedule out. "Remember Erik." She warned. "Just because you have royal blood, doesn't mean you get special treatment."
"That's ok." I agreed. "I understand. I just want to go to school like a normal guy." Just as I was leaving, Rita stopped me. "Erik." She said. "If there's anything I can possible do to help you transition, just let me know."
"Thanks Principal Santos." I said smiling. As I walked down the hallway, I turned back to the ocean's bad boys and said sternly, "You guys gonna do everything the teachers ask?"
"Yes." The all said in unison."
"Good." I looked at Rita who was peering through the ajar door. "Don't believe them." When I walked down, I turned around and said, "You four. Better. Behave."
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Raiden's POV
When Erik left we all sat in the woman's office. She looked like a young woman with most of Thalie's face, and her dark red hair.
When we sat down, she introduced herself. "I'm Principal Santos."
"Wait." I said. "Santos, are you Thalie's mom?"
"You know it." Rita smiled.
"I always thought she was an old lady." Xandou whispered. I snorted in laughter.
"Dude she kind of is." Diablo whispered back.
"You know I'm sitting about a foot away from you and I can hear every word you're saying." Rita said, slightly annoyed.
"My apologies Miss Santos." I said, using some of my inherited princely charm, not that I didn't have some. "Clearly we're getting off on the wrong foot here."
"Raiden's right." Xhiva agreed. Rita quickly forgave us and gave us our schedules.
"Oh Miss Santos?" Xhiva asked.
"Yes?" She replied.
"Could you maybe tell us anything about this merman chamber on Mako?" Xhiva asked.
"No." Rita simply said.
"Come on Rites." Diablo said. "Don't you at least know one itty bitty fact?"
"That's enough." Rtia's stern voice was enough to put all of us down. "In the meantime, I strongly suggest that you all put this out of your mind and focus on your other studies. And however familiar you are with my situation outside of school, while we're here, you four will address me as Principal Santos. And for the record, I advise less flirting with the girls and focusing more on your education."
And we all split up, going to class. As I walked I saw Diablo at the soda vending machine.
"What are you doing?" I asked the Hispanic werewolf/type Alpha morpher merman.
"Getting a soda." He replied, tugging his cap. "What do you think?"
"Um Diablo." David said behind us. "We don't stop for snacks right when school starts."
Diablo raised an eyebrow. "Then where are we supposed to go?"
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Diablo's POV
.lievable. The method of class shouldn't have even been called a class. Instead it should have been named Torture Zone. I was literally itching to just get out of the seat and run around all crazy. Sitting in one place for one hour was not my favorite pass time.
"I don't understand the purpose of this." I whispered to Rosalina. "We're caged like dogs. And I'm already part weredog and I've already been in an actual cage. Twice."
"Diablo." Rose said to me my, inner wolf already calming down a bit at the sound of her voice. "Relax, we're almost done anyway."
"This sucks." I whispered. "The scent of this classroom is at least 50 percent deodorant mixed with sweat. Yet I smell rose perfume."
"Are you smelling my scent?" Rose asked me.
I just sat there for a second before replying, "No that was accidental."
"Excuse me." Miss. Lamarca called out from his lecture on geometry. "What is going on?"
"Nothing." I said, flashing my infamous smirk. I could have sworn that the math teacher shuddered a little.
"Alright, Mr. Nagual." She said. "This is a warning." It was then I was saved by the bell. Instantly, I ran outside with all of my energy to my next class. I didn't know it, but Rosalina walked, shaking her head.
Raiden's POV
Four words to describe how I was doing: School. Is. Massive. Shit. I mean seriously. I think I prefer Merman Training back in the tribe over…this. I did receive an education of basic human stuff when I was growing up but I focused more on training my powers than literature. Which was the class I was in right then. The only thing that kept me from shooting the board with my lightning, was Thalie. I don't know how she did it, but whenever I tried to make a move just to get some quiet, she always knew what I was doing and gave me a hard core glare. I didn't show it but it did shiver my timbers. No pun intended, since I'm a teenage merman and all.
"What the hell are we doing?" I whispered to the dark-ginger half blood.
"We're learning." She whispered back. "What do you think?"
"Well I for one, think I'm gonna die of sheer patience." I whispered to Thalie.
She just chuckled. "What, you're allergic to it?"
I started at her for a minute before saying, "Yes. Who wouldn't be?"
"You know Raiden." She said to me. "I think that school could be a good thing for you. It could give you a chance to interact with some other kids. You like baseball right? There's a baseball team here."
I pondered over what she said before giving my sheer response. "You are such a mermaid."
"Thanks." She whispered.
"I wanna go home." I said, looking at my paper.
"And where would you think is home?" She asked me.
I scoffed. "Italy, where else?"
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Tiraken Twins' POV
(A.N This is my first attempt of writing a bi-POV, so please don't hate me if it doesn't make any sense.)
School was boring.
Amen to that, Xhiva. I mean, no action. But of all the things we did, was just answer basically every single question the teacher asked the class. Even though the other kids gave us glares, except for Helen and Kimi.
What was wrong with that? We were supposed to prove your worth in a learning center. Why the other kids were calling us show offs, we had no idea. It worked this way in MIT, it worked this way in here. As the bell rang, we were grabbed by Helen as she talked to us. She did kind of glare at Xandou. Which kind of got him scared.
Shut it Xhiva.
"What the hell Tirakens?" The black Fire Omega hissed at us. "Are you trying to show off and make the rest of us look like dumbasses?"
"Are you serious?" Xhiva asked her.
"Newsflash guys." Helen continued. "This isn't MIT."
"I'm sorry guys." Xandou said. "In case you haven't noticed, we have to prove our worth."
"Whoa." Kimi said. "Who told you that?"
"Our mother." We both replied. "It's how we survived by showing our intelligence."
Helen and Kimi looked at us in shock before Kimi asked, "Um Xhiva, Xandou, you two have never been to a real public school, have you?"
"Of course not." We both said in unison.
"Let's give you two an education." Helen said, taking Xandou's hand. "Peace de la resistance." Kimi took Xhiva's hand and took him away, while Helen grabbed Xandou's arm and led him away.
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Esmeralda's POV
At Mako island…
I swam to Mako, with only one word on my mind. The cooking was still not ready because I wanted to check up on Sirena. Don't worry, I know what I was doing. I had been cooking for years just as I lived on land for some time. Ondina however… didn't inherit my cooking skills. I surfaced just in time to hear Sirena's lovely voice. One of my best friends, had and AMAZING voice. I missed her a lot with her untimely passing and all.
"You have a beautiful voice." I complemented her.
"Want me to teach you the song?" Sirena asked.
"Nah." I said. "Singing's not my thing. I prefer plain old Portugesa."
"I'm teaching Zoe later." Sirena said. "You and Ondina are welcome to join us."
"Where is Zoe?" I asked.
"No idea." Sirena replied. "But you shouldn't be worried. It's good for her to go out and do something for herself for a change."
"Why?' I asked. "What happens the rest of the time?"
Sirena stared at me before replying, "Your daughter tells her what to do."
I simply laughed. "Expected of my daughter." I said proudly. "Oh God, when she gets her mind set to something, it's like…where does she get that from?" Sirena gave me a deadpanned look. "What?"
"Excuse me?" She asked. "Are you kidding me? I think you need to look at yourself in the water."
"Me?" I asked. "No, no, no, no. I'm stubborn but Ondina? No, that's a whole…she's just like…beyond. It's like she was put on Earth for one thing at a time."
"Still you shouldn't be worried." Sirena said to me kindly. "Let your goddaughter have a little freedom."
I sighed. "Yeah. I guess you're right." But my instincts were telling me that little Zoe was somewhere she wasn't supposed to be.
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No one's POV
Suncoast High School…
The four Omega mermaids sat together, as always.
"I just feel so sorry for the twins." Kimi said, already feeling sorry. "They must have been raised by very unloving parents."
Behind them, one of the Miller sisters, Brittany scoffed. "You know, I don't care if they come from a pack of angry wolves."
"She's right." The eldest, Jeanette said with sympathy. "We got to at least help them."
"No way." Brittany scoffed.
"But Brittany." Jeanette tried to reason.
"Oh please!" Brittany complained. "This compassion you feel for all mankind, is (scoff) sickening Jeanette!"
"Guys!" The youngest, Eleanor called them over, and the Miller sister went to their table.
"Hey Rose." Helen greeted said person as she sat down. "How you doing?"
"Getting Diablo to sit still isn't easy." She said. Kimi just laughed.
"Hey guys." Thalie said as she sat down.
"How you doing?" Rose asked.
"I've been giving this some thought." Thalie said. "It kind of seems more than just coincidence the four of us are Omegas and Evie's not."
"Well the odds of us becoming Omegas by sheer accident is about 187 zillion to one, but…if we have these powers for a reason, what is it?"
Meanwhile, Raiden was practicing baseball on the diamond, when 8 other boys came in and saw Raiden's skills. His skills were almost equal to their coach, Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez.
"Dude!" An obese boy with orange hair and freckles said. "This guy's got game."
"Yeah yeah." A tan boy said. "Too cool."
"He don't know what he's doing." A sandy haired boy said.
"He don't know what he's doing." His twin repeated.
"Yeah he does." Their coach said from behind the boys. "This guy knows exactly what he's doing."
"At least he ain't an L…7…weeeenieee." Square Glasses said.
"HEY!" A tall skinny boy called out to Raiden. "Get over here!" Raiden ran towards them huffing.
"What?" He asked. "Can't a guy practice in peace?"
"Woah hey!" A brown haired small boy said. "We actually come in peace."
"I'm Coach Jet Rodriguez." The Cuban man stepped out and shook Raiden's hand. "We're Suncoast's baseball team." As he began to introduce his team, they all readied their spits.
"That's Timmy and Tommy Timmons." Jet pointed to the sandy haired twins, who spit in greeting.
"Mike "Squints" Palledorus." The kid with glasses spat.
"Allen McLellan, we call him "Yeah Yeah."" The tan kid spit.
"Bertram Grover Wheats." The six foot boy with glasses spit.
"Kenny DeNunez." The black kid spit.
"Hamilton "Ham" Porter." The freckled face kid spat.
"And Scotty Smalls. We call him Smalls." The smallest brown haird kid spit but he managed to spit it far. It only got to his feat.
"You're killing me Smalls!" Ham exclaimed. "Almost as bad as when you didn't know who The Babe was!"
"So who are you?" Bertram asked.
"Yeah Yeah, who are you?" Yeah Yeah asked.
"I'm Raiden Consorzio." Raiden said.
"Consorzio huh?" Kenny said interested.
"Anyway, we've seen you and you're pretty good." Jet said. "Come find us after school and we'll see if you make the team." They all walked back, Raiden feeling proud of himself. That he actually made some possible friends.
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Xhiva's POV
I walked around the halls after my next class came and went. I could feel the glares of envy on me. This wasn't uncommon. Back in the tribe, the Blade Boys were practically team of mermen everybody wanted to be a part of.
"Hey Gandhi!" I heard an obnoxious voice behind me. Ignoring the racist remark, I kept walking. But it was a good thing I was a mixed martial artist because I dogged the jock throwing a punch at my head. But he grabbed my shirt and looked me in the eye. "Listen up here punk." He was a Caucasian kid with a mow hawk hairdo that was dyed red and black. He was obviously a football jock, because he was wearing a letter jacket. "Listen here newbie. I don't like it when new punks like yourself think that you're all that, so better watch out."
"Please." I snorted. "I wonder how many brain cells you still have left to use."
"That's it." The jock steamed. "You're dead. Now you got 2 options. 1. The Locker. 2. The Toilet, what's it gonna be?"
Immediately, I answered, "Locker."
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"Why did I choose the locker?" I grumbled. The buffoon had stuffed me into a locker. I, Xhiva Vali Tiraken had been stuffed into a locker. Normally I would have used my powers to get myself out, but the problem was, that required the use of hands, and mine were smushed. So I did the only thing that a wimp would do:
"Help!" I cried out! "Somebody get me out!"
"Hang on!" A slightly deep voice sounded outside. Within seconds the locker door burst open. A pair of arms helped me get out and I was finally free to move.
"Thanks." I looked up and I saw 3 boys. One was wearing a blue sweater, jeans, blue trimmed glasses, and sneakers. He had brown hair and blue eyes. He was the tallest of the trio. The middle one had a red cap over his dirty blond hair, and he had blue eyes. He had a red t shirt with a capitalized yellow A. He also wore sneakers. The smallest and slightly chubby one, had blond hair and green eyes. He wore a green hoodie and cargo shorts, and sneakers.
"No problem." The blue clad boy said.
"Are you ok?" The green clad boy asked, helping Xhiva up. "I'm really sorry about Nathan."
"Yeah that dude's a total douchebag." The red clad boy said. The blue boy nudged him and shook his head at him. Obviously those two had a love-hate relationship. The green boy was the sweet one.
"Allow us to introduce ourselves." The boy with the glasses said. "I'm Simon Seville, the smart one."
"I'm Alvin Seville." The red capped boy said. "The awesomest one."
"And I'm Theodore Seville." Theodore shook Xhiva's hand politely.
"Are you guys?" I asked before Simon answered.
"Triplets yes."
"Thanks." I said.
"Holla, my brother!" Alvin yelled out. I walked down to see Nathan picking on another kid. That did it. Getting stuffed into a locker and getting threatened with a splash of water, I could take. What I couldn't take was a bully picking on innocent human children. My eyes glowing red, my boxing, I charged at Nathan with a war cry.
What did I do? Let's just say I beat not just the shit out of him, but the organs as well. He wasn't dead. But eventually I got called to the principal's office.
"So just to be clear." Rita began. "You try to set a good example for me, yet you beat a kid."
"You saw what he did." I defended. "Picking on that poor boy. I thought if I could just stand up, things would be different."
"Xhiva." Rita said. "I understand what you're trying to do but violence is not the answer. This isn't Merman Training or your father's. You have to be more careful."
"And can I mention that the dude threatened me with getting wet and stuffed me in a locker, with my hands squished?" I asked.
Rita took a moment before saying, "I see. Tell me Xhiva, was beating up and threatening Nathan the right thing to do?"
I was stuck. So I gave her my honest answer. "Honestly Ms Santos. Ever since I got here, I don't know the difference between right and wrong anymore."
"I can understand that." Rita said.
"No." I said. "You don't know what it's like to suddenly doubt everything you've been taught, everything that you live and breathe. It's confusing me by the day."
"Really?" Rita asked. "When I met Harry Santos, I started to question the things that the pod taught us about humans. Even my sister and I had a serious argument about it. So Thalassa, my daughter, was born because even though I fell in love with a human, which was considered wrong, I did it because I knew it was right. Because I had listened to my heart."
I took in those words. Listening to my heart sounded cliché, but it just seemed right and vile at the same time. I was always taught by my mother to listen to my head.
"What do I do?" I asked her.
"Well normally, I would suspend you." Rita began. "But I have a better idea. You've heard of the lacrosse team right?"
"Yes." I replied.
"Normally the robotics club would be a good option, but since you have…passed their expectations, the lacrosse team should be good for you. It will give you a chance to get out more, make some friends, and even get some exercise."
"Well, I do well with a bo staff." I said. "So I should be good."
"Tryouts are…" Rita didn't finish because Zac had barged in.
"Sorry to interrupt guys." He said. "We have a problem." After Zac explained what happened, we all rushed to the junior lab. Ms. Trumble, the teacher, whose name I giggled at, was giving Rita a hard time over Mimmi. Kimi was taking the class and because of her getting nervous, she was sort of setting the table on ice. I walked over her and held her hand to calm her down. It was kind of cool, no pun intended. But unfortunately, Rita and Mimmi got splashed. Fortunantly we managed to trace them to the field. And get them dry, by the skin of our noses.
No one's POV
Zac, Evie, and Xhiva led Mimmi back to the main locker area. Before Mimmi could even speak, Esmeralda had her arms wrapped around Mimmi.
"Are you ok?" She whispered.
"Esme I'm fine." Mimmi said.
"She's had a little adventure." Evie explained.
"Esme was really worried." Sirena said.
"Of course I was!" Esme exclaimed. She took one look at Xhiva and muttered, "Xiaohui and Agni. Who knew?"
Xhiva chuckled sheepishly.
"Esmeralda." Zac said. "This is Xhiva, he helped rescue Mimmi and Rita."
"Well." Esmeralda said. "It's an honor to meet you, mister…"
"Xhiva." Said merman greeted.
"Thank you for your help."Esme said. "We must be going. We shouldn't be here anyway."
"Not yet." Mimmi walked up towards Erik and talked to him for a bit before going back to Esme, who walked up to Erik and warned him not to let his curiosity get to his head, like a certain childhood incident that had put Ondina in danger.
Esme then drove Mimmi and Thalie back home. As soon as Mimmi got out of the car, Esme hugged her again.
"Tia Esme." Mimmi said. "I'm fine. You don't need to hug me again."
"Don't get used to it." Esme warned. "As soon as I'm done hugging you, you're gonna be in big trouble."
Mimmi gulped as Esme led her to the living room. Yep, Mimmi was in trouble.
"Of all the imbecilic stunts you've pulled in the 7 years I've raised you." Esmeralda began her lecture. "This was the most irresponsible! Do you know what could have happened if you had been discovered in your tail?"
"I was just trying to see how humans learned!" Mimmi defended.
"First of all." Esme said. "You could have just asked Thalie instead of following her in school. Second, land school is honeycombed with some of the most ways to get splashed."
"I'm sorry." Mimmi said.
"You could be in a tank right now Zoe." Esme said, looking her in the eye. "Ondina, could be in a tank! This isn't the sea. The rules are different. You have to be smarter than this."
"I just wanted to learn something new." Mimmi said.
"Oh you have." Esmeralda said, getting real. "And you know what? I've learned something new too! I have learned that you, are not responsible enough to take care of yourself, you are not mature enough to go out on your own, and regardless of you graduating Northern Mermaid School, you're still a child."
"Is that all I am to you?" Mimmi asked. "A child? I'm not my mom!"
"Zoe." Esmeralda said. "I already let your mother die, I can't afford to lose you."
"Esmeralda." Rita said. "It wasn't your fault."
Esme turned around and said to Rita, "Yes it is."
Even though Mimmi and Esmeralda had cooled off, Esme was still plenty mad that Mimmi's recklessness had gotten her splashed and nearly seen. So Mimmi felt better, when Esme grounded her for a week, instead of the rest of her life.
Raiden ended up joining the baseball team, Xandou joined the basketball team and Diablo joined the soccor team.
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Later that night…
Xandou's POV
I met up with Helen on Mako. We ran around, played tag, and had a lot of fun. Finally we had a bit of a picnic on the beach.
"Is this your first time?" Helen asked.
"We don't really hang around with girls this much." I explained. "It's more like…gang activity."
Helen chuckled. "I meant, is this your first time eating a jelly doughnut?"
"Is that a bad thing?" I asked.
"You got a little..." Helen gestured to my lip, which I wiped the powdered sugar off.
"Xandou." Helen said. "I saw you today, and it looked like you didn't know where you were or who you were at the moment."
"I was just confused a little, but I'm ok." I covered up.
"No." Helen said. "My parents are British politicians, and your parents are criminals of the sea. But we're not automatically like them."
"I… kind of beg to differ." I said.
"Xandou." Helen said. "I can talk to you and I can tell you're not a criminal." We looked into each other's eyes, her bravery illuminated by the moonlight. "You wanna go for a swim?"
"Sure." I said. "But I need a moment." I took my pants of and revealed my swimming shorts.
Helen giggled. "Are those wheels on your shorts?"
I blushed a little. "Maybe." Helen took off her clothes to reveal a red swimsuit, which fit her body perfectly. Just the right curves. She ran in the water, her beautiful fin slapping the surface.
I sat on the beach, to think some things through with my baritone voice.
A million thoughts in my head
Should I let my heart keep listening
'Cause up 'til now I've walked the line
Nothing lost but something missing
I then thought about my parents and Chief Slade who were counting on me to set the path for future mermen.
I can't decide
What's wrong, what's right
Which way should I go
If only I knew what my heart was telling me
Don't know what I'm feeling
Is this just a dream?
Ah oh, yeah
If only I could read the signs in front of me
I could find the way to who I'm meant to be
Ah oh, if only
If only
Yeah
Am I crazy? Maybe we could happen
Yeah
Will you still be with me when the magic's all run out?
I then thought about Helen, who was making me feel this fire I never felt before.
If only I knew what my heart was telling me
Don't know what I'm feeling
Is this just a dream?
Ah oh...
If only I could read the signs in front of me
I could find the way to who I'm meant to be
Ah oh...
If only, yeah
If only
If only
I looked around for a bit to see that Helen wasn't coming back up. I was starting to get worried.
"Helen?" I cried out. "Helen!" I dived in the water and with my tail, I searched for Helen. I surfaced to see her surface to. "You scared me!"
"How?" She asked.
"I thought something happened!" I yelled.
"Yet you tried to save me." Helen mused.
"Do you thank me?" I said. "No. All I get, is soaking wet!"
"Xandou." Helen put her hand on my shoulder. "I know what I want. What do you want? What is right for you?"
I looked into her golden orbs, which were so beautiful, and thought this through. So I gave her an honest answer. "I don't know the difference between right and wrong anymore."
"Maybe I can help you." Helen offered. But then we heard a conch shell blow once. I knew what that meant. A search party for mermaids. I had to get Helen out of there.
"Helen, you've got to get out of here." I said. "Chief Slade's here."
"Why?" She asked. "Who is he?"
"I can't explain." I said to her. "I just need you to leave."
"Xandou." She said. "Promise me that you will think about this."
"I promise." And she left, the dangerous forces of the Ares Tribe.
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Xhiva's POV
I was in the bathroom looking in the mirror. I had a lot to think about. What path do I chose? Would I be like my criminal parents? Or would I be my own person? I looked into the mirror and began to sing in my baritone voice.
Look at you, look at me
I don't know who to be
Mother…
Is it wrong? Is it right?...
Be a theif in the night?
Father…
Tell me what I should do
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No one's POV
Grunts could be heard across the reef as Chief Slade of the Ares Tribe ruthlessly took down the opponents in his practice session. He was in the middle of sucking the water out of a prisoner, when a messenger interrupted.
"What is it?" He growled after he surfaced. A stoic merman treaded in front of him, shuddering in his mind that he was in the presence of one of the most powerful mermen to ever exist.
"It is as we feared Master Slade." The messenger spoke after he bowed. "Esmeralda Marino has arrived. Erik has failed to obtain the information. The playing field has shifted into the mermaids."
Slade thought for a bit before ordering the messenger, "Tell Agni to speed up the mutagen. It is time to bring the order of mermen into this chaos."
"Yes Chief." The messenger saluted before diving back in and swimming back to the Kanhoji's lab.
Slade smiled evilly. "It is time to finally increase my armies and get information." He turned around and with a single blow, killed his opponent, ending his session.
"My way."
And that's the end for now! Please review, because I do appreciate the feedback. What is to come? What will happen when a scientist goes missing? What is this mutagen? And what will happen when Xhiva and Kimi spend time alone on the solving a mystery of a psychic monkey? Thank you for waiting. And if you have not read Birthmark, I highly suggest you do before reading this.
Here's the after credit's scene
No one's POV
Nathan Derell was at the mercy of the bleachers, scraping the thousands of wads of gum from them. Rita Santos, the principal was smiling, for she had arranged this "community service'.
"Good work Nathan." She said proudly. "Only 10 more rows of bleachers to go." And she was gone, leaving Nathan to scrape more gum than he would remember.