Meanwhile, during the royal procession on the ship, both Alex and Robert, both formally dressed, made their way down the aisle as every villager watched in anticipation. But Snowy and Rascal were suspicious about this new prince. Snowy growled at Robert and charged, only to be kicked away by Robert's foot. Snowy whimpered as Rascal nuzzled his nose.
By then, Alex and Robert had made their way to the ceremonial throne. As soon as a bell rang, the villagers sat down. "Greetings, everyone," Treasure announced. "I have gathered you all today for one of the best occasions in the history of our kingdom. Today is the day that my daughter, Princess Alexandria, will be inaugurating a royal suitor into our kingdom."
By then, Chang was rapidly pulling Tintin toward the ship. Though he was trying his best to take his friend there as fast as he could, the sun was slowly disappearing below the horizon. Following behind them was a whole horde of animals and fish.
"Don't worry, Tintin," Chang exclaimed, panting heavily. "We're…going…to make it. Almost there!"
The royal procession was beginning to pack some heat. As Professor Calculus faced Alex, Alex bowed so that the professor could place the royal crown atop her head. "As the undoubted maiden," Treasure announced, "keeper of peace and the doctrine brought forth by the governed thereof, I present to you…Princess Alexandria of San Theodoros." Facing the crowd, Alex, who was still under the influence of Robert's spell, then said, "I, Princess Alexandria, pledge to keep the bridge of peace together so that we may rule."
"And now," Treasure announced, "as the undisputed second-in command, and the keeper of peace and balance…" "AAAAAHHHH!" one woman cried out. Soon, swarms of animals, birds, and fish were swarming the ship. The villagers were frightened as animals were spreading around the ship and causing chaos all around. It was then that Tintin climbed aboard and tried to get to Alex.
"What is going on here?!" Treasure demanded. Suddenly, the animals lunged toward Robert, attacking him. "Ow! Hey!" Robert cried out as birds and fish were swarming all over him. "Get off of me, you slimy little—" One of the birds noticed the jade amulet round Robert's neck and snatched it. "Ow! Why you little-!" Robert exclaimed, grabbing the bird's tail. Feeling the tug, the bird's beak flew open, causing the amulet to fly off. "No!" Robert exclaimed, but to no avail.
The amulet then fell right at Tintin's feet, shattering to pieces. Suddenly, the light of Tintin's voice slowly lifted itself from the amulet. The light in Alex's eyes vanished; she wasn't under the spell anymore. Soon, Tintin's voice traveled back to its rightful owner. Tintin got his voice back!
"Tintin?" Alex asked. "Oh, Alex," Tintin said, finally able to speak again. "You…you really do talk," Alex said. "You really are the one." "No! Stay away from him!" Robert ordered. Embracing Tintin, Alex softly said, "It was you all along." The two then leaned in for a kiss. "Oh Alex," Tintin said. "All I…I wanted to tell you was…" "ALEXANDRIA! NO!" Robert screamed.
It was too late. Before Tintin and Alex even got a chance to kiss, the sun had already set. "Aaaagh!" Tintin cried out, feeling a sharp pain in his body, and then he fainted. "You're too late!" Robert cackled. Alex gasped in shock as Tintin's legs then transformed back into his tail.
"You're too late now!" Robert said, his voice suddenly changing. Soon, he reverted back to his true form. The villagers were now in an uproar as they cringed in fear. Slithering hurriedly up to the two, Rastapopoulos then snatched Tintin. "So long, fair maiden!" he shouted. Then, the two went overboard. "Tintin!" Alex cried out. Snowy began to howl in sadness.
Under the surface, Rastapopoulos dragged Tintin by the arm. "You poor little prince," he sneered. "It isn't you that I'm really after. I have a much bigger fish to…" "
"Rastapopoulos! Stop at once!" a voice thundered. The turned and saw Haddock swimming up to them. "Why, Your Majesty!" Rastapopoulos exclaimed. "Ha, ha ha…how are we doing?" "Let the boy go," Haddock demanded.
"Not a chance, Your Highness," Rastapopoulos said. He then pulled out the contract. "The boy is mine now. We made a deal, remember?" Haddock then turned guiltily to Tintin. Feeling a tear coming to his eye, Tintin bowed his head, saying, "Haddock, I…I'm very sorry that all of this happened. I…I didn't mean to do it. If I had just…"
Enraged, Haddock thrust his trident forward, delivering a massive bolt of lightning to the contract. But the contract still remained unscathed. "You see?" Rastapopoulos said. "The contract's legal, binding and completely unbreakable—even for you." "What is that supposed to mean?" Haddock demanded.
"Of course, I was always the man with an eye for a bargain," Rastapopoulos said. "The squire of the great sea king himself is such a very precious commodity. But…" he then turned to Tintin, and then to Haddock, "I may be willing to make an exchange for someone even greater…"
Back on the ship, everyone was in an uproar, asking what was going and why this was happening in the first place. Even Treasure wanted to know the answer as to why. "Alexandria, I want to know what exactly is going on right now!" she demanded. Alex was still staring back out at the sea. Then, without warning, she grabbed a harpoon, hopped onto a lifeboat, cut the rope, and then plummeted onto the ocean.
"Alexandria!" Treasure ordered. "Get back over here! What do you think you're doing?!" "Mom, I lost him once," Alex called out, rowing further away. "And I'm not going to lose him ever again!"
