While Jack's group was freed by Aquata and began hatching a plan, Sebastian, Flounder and the rest of Ariel's sisters were backed into an empty hallway.
Attina looked left and right worriedly, "Where's Aquata?"
Sebastian crawled up on the ledge and said to the frightened mermaids, "Girls, it won't be long before those things round us up too."
"I wish Ariel was free and Daddy still had the trident," Adella said sadly.
A concerned Arista looked at all the chaos occurring in their home and at their captive younger sister. It was bad enough when she was missing but now this had all taken a turn for the worse. Finally, she couldn't stand it. Someone had to do something!
Flounder then said thoughtfully "Maybe that human could help like he said."
He and Ariel's other sisters glanced at Attina, who looked reluctant to consider.
Then Arista spoke up, "We need the trident, somebody - one of us – needs to create a diversion, snatch it away and free Ariel while Aku's busy."
Sebastian immediately protested, "Neither one of you is going out there while Aku's minions are roaming around!"
Arista said to him, "Not if we time this right. We'll snatch the trident and try to free the humans with the sword!"
Now Attina reacted, "No Arista!" she cried, grabbing her sister's arm, she didn't want to lose another one, "You can't!"
Arista shook her head, "I'm sorry, but I am the fastest besides Ariel and Aquata. Please, I can't stand staying put and not doing anything anymore!"
The elder sister hesitated but then she slowly released her arm. "Alright, but you've got to be quick. We'll cover you."
Alana glanced out and blinked in surprise, "Or maybe we could stage an ambush of our own to make it work: look."
The others follow her gaze and see a few familiar faces waving out at them to get their attention from their own hiding places. One was Gabriella, a deaf mute mermaid with her octopus companion/interpreter Ollie. The other three were friends of Ariel that must've just returned from their trip beyond the kingdom. They were Urchin, a merboy who was like a younger brother to them, Little E, son of the Evil Manta and Simon, the friendly sea monster.
Gabriella points to them then to her head before raising her index finger. They've got an idea.
Carefully, they glanced out. Then they put their plan into action.
"Get ready, after I swim out you go straight ahead." Attina whispered.
Alana, Andrina, Flounder and Adella swam out then tackled some of the swimming shadow minions. Catching them by surprise.
"Take them!" One said in a deep rasping voice.
Finally Attina swam out but not before telling Arista and the rest: "Go!"
The second group swam as fast as they could into the middle of the battlefield where Aku continued to taunt the down-trodden sea king and his terrified daughter.
By then, Ariel was trying to shake the skull she was in. No luck, it just floated right where it was.
Aku glanced at her with a knowing smirk, "It is pointless to struggle, accept your fate."
Triton spoke up, "No, not as long I'm alive. She may have made a deal with you but I will not desert her. You may conquer my kingdom, but we will never accept you."
"That can be easily remedied." Aku said to him coolly, he then turned back to Ariel, "Soon, you will learn proper respect for Aku."
Ariel gasped, knowing what he meant.
In the meantime, Jack and the Scotsman rack and chop at the attacking robots and shadow ninjas, fighting their way towards them. As the two warriors approached with a wary Aquata following, they spot the small group in the other direction.
They motion to be quiet.
"Now what? We can't get that close without that monster seeing us."
Urchin, looked around then pulled some strands of kelp and seaweed. Hang on, I'm getting a brainstorm.
He, Arista, and Little E pulled and tied them together until they were long enough to fit two individuals.
"Simon, could you give us a hand?" Little E asked, handing the sea monster the finished work.
Simon stared then caught on to what they were thinking. "All aboard!"
"You get ready to take the trident, we'll help Ariel." Urchin instructed. "Keep him busy till she gets free."
Both Simon and Arista nodded once.
Next, Urchin and Little E got on the extended seaweed, which Simon then swung like a sling which propelled both boys towards the skull containing Ariel. And with a strength like Simon's, it was enough to shove it towards one direction away from Aku.
"Got it!" Little E cheered as he and Urchin landed.
The moment the skull hit the seafloor, both Jack and the Scotsman motioned for Ariel to move back. Without hesitation, the two men slammed their blades through the skull, freeing Ariel.
By the time Aku threw Simon off him, Arista swiftly seized her chance. She swooped down, snatched the trident then began swimming for her life.
"Swim, Arista! Swim!"
Triton, Aquata and Ariel's cries alerted Aku, who turned just in time to see Arista already more than a few yards away.
_
In another direction, Sebastian grumbled from his spot behind a brain coral waiting for the group.
Then came the sounds of screaming.
Five familiar faces turned a corner being chased by some shadow minions.
"Flounder! Girls!" He cried in surprise.
"Sebastian heeelp!" screamed Flounder.
"Do something!" cried Alana.
Sebastian reached out and grabbed the end of one of the minion's back fin.
"I got the tail – it got me too, whoa!"
He ended up getting dragged around, his claw still holding on to the minion's fin.
To be continued...