Good news: LULU PASSED HER CLASSES! And I thought I was going to fail. Let's celebrate with the dance of joy! Bad news: well, you already know that this update has been super late, and for that I apologize. But I just started a Matrix story, and packing for the retreat was more time-consuming than I thought it would be. But as a special treat…I'm updating my Roger Rabbit story tonight!

greatbigsealover44—I freaking hate that bitch, ha hah. I think I'll go watch some Inuyasha. *goes to YouTube and freaks out* WHAT? Video removed by user? How DARE YOU REMOVE MY INUYASHA? Okay…YouTube, you are going down…

KaylaKissesKangaroos—Oh, don't worry about it. I have updated! Thanks for reviewing!

PrincessLaLaBlue—I know, I always wondered how she could read, too. Maybe we'll find that out later. ;) In answer to your question, Alicia and I have talked about an Inuyasha story, but we also have plans for adventures in: Monsters INC, Mystery Science Theater 3000, The Simpsons, Land Before Time, The Wizard of Oz, and Kung Fu Panda.

Chapter Twenty

When Alicia woke up, she was feeling refreshed in spite of the sadness that lingered over the ocean in light of Nemo's death. She hadn't slept well since the search for the little guy had begun, and now that it was over…sleep was good. She hoped that Nigel was feeling well enough to talk to her about what had happened. She set off to find him, and found him by the lighthouse again, still staring out at the ocean. "Have you been here all night?" She asked, concern apparent in her voice. He nodded, and she noticed the circles under his eyes. He needed more rest than she did, she noted wryly as she wrapped a wing around his shoulders. He jumped at the contact. "You should get some sleep," she said gently. "It isn't healthy to stay up all night and do nothing." He didn't answer her, and Alicia racked her brains for something to say to him. What could she say to someone who was suffering from so many past tragedies, including the most recent one? She finally settled on speaking the one thing that had been bothering her. "We should drop by the dentist's place today and talk with the Gang," she suggested, knowing that this would probably be the closest thing to a funeral Nemo would get from them all.

"What will they say to us? What will we say to them?" He demanded in a strained voice. "Are you sure that they'll still want our help after this incident?"

"The only thing worse than talking to them about it is not seeing them again and having them die inside that glass box," she pointed out. After considering this, he nodded in agreement.

"You lead the way," he said at last, and Alicia nodded, spread her wings, and took off.

"Hi, Alicia!" Lulu greeted cheerfully when the two pelicans landed in their usual place. Diver Dan had canceled his morning appointments and gone to visit a doctor in regards to the purplish bruise that was starting to form on his forehead, so the birds were not in danger of being spotted.

"Hey, everyone, Nigel and Alicia are here!" Peach alled out, also in a bright, chipper mood.

"I think that you're taking what happened better than we are," Alicia muttered in response. "I can't believe that he's dead."

"What are you talking about?" Lulu laughed. "Nemo is alive. He got flushed down some drain, and all of the drains lead to the ocean."

"But—but—but…I saw him! He was dead, the little guy was dead!" Nigel stammered, and the other fish laughed as they joined Lulu by the tank wall.

"We really must have scared you, huh, Nigel?" Bloat teased.

"He was faking it," Gill explained calmly. "And he's a better actor than all of us combined! The kid's got more in him that I ever did when I was his age." Nigel's shock faded into relief, but then turned to mild anger and frustration as the fish continued to laugh.

"I'm so glad that some of us are having a good laugh at my expense," he remarked before flying away.

"Aw, c'mon, Nigel, don't be like that!" Bloat called after him, but both he and Alicia were gone by them. Lulu shot him a glare.

"Day One of the Tank Gang Rehabilitation begins…tomorrow," she quietly noted, making a mental note of her statement.

"Oh, Nigel, don't be mad at them!" Alicia cried out, chasing after the leader of the flock. "They were just teasing! We're all happy to know that Nemo is alive, right? Be happy, too!" Nigel huffed as he landed by the dock. He angrily caught a fish in his mouth and swallowed it whole, but then softened his expression as he stared at his reflection in the water.

"You're right," he said, looking at her and smiling. "And I'm sorry if I did take it out on you. It's not your fault…"

"It's nobody's fault! He's alive!" Alicia cheered. "We should tell the others the good news!"

"Hey, Gerald, guess what? Nemo is alive after all! The little guy got flushed down the drain! Isn't that great?"

"Does this mean that I don't have to go back and feed the seagulls tonight?" Gerald asked hopefully.

"No way," Alicia snapped. "You still tried to eat Marlin and Dory, remember?"

"But I was hungry!" He whined.

"Next time, don't think with your stomach," Nigel shouted, and Alicia nearly fell into the water as she laughed.

Review, please! :)