AN: chapter 40/41/42/43

Chapter 40

Remembering Everything

Ariel cried in her grotto. Her sobs echoed off the walls. Broken human things scattered the sand that her rage had caused. Nemo and Flounder stood outside the grotto listening to their friend cry. "You should go in Flounder," Nemo said as he watched the red head through a crack.

"I cannot, she thinks I'm dead."

"But you have known her longer," Nemo protested. Flounder sighed heavily.

"You know the ring Eric gave you?"

"Yeah? What about it?"

"Attina placed a memory spell on it. So whenever she felt lost or lonely, her memories will come back to her."

"So what you're saying is if I give her the ring she will remember everything?"

"Yes, then I can go in," Flounder finished.

"Alright, but what about Attina and Finn?" Nemo asked as he looked around.

"It's alright, they will be here soon. Just go on in," Flounder said as he pushed Nemo through the small crack.

"Alright, alright I'm going." Nemo watched the short rise and falls of Ariels sobbing back before he placed his larger fin on her shoulder. Ariel jumped. She sat up quickly using the switch blade Jim gave her as protection. "Whoa! Ariel calm down it's just me! Nemo!" Ariel watched the terrified Nemo at the end of the blade before she lowered it.

"Sorry Nemo," she said as she turned away from him. Nemo swam around to face her again.

"Where did you learn how to use a blade like that?"

"Instinct," Ariel said as she moved the blade around in her fingers. Something on the blade caught her eye. "What's this?" She asked as she ran her fingers over the cursive writing engraved on the blade. "To my dearest spaceman, happy birthday, thank you for showing me the stars. Love with all my heart, Ariel." Did I do this?" She asked Nemo as she looked up from the blade. Nemo just shrugged his shoulders. "I am spaceman" Jims voice echoed in her head. "Jim? That name is so familiar to me," Ariel said as she looked past Nemo. Nemo sighed heavily.

"I know Ariel."

"Nemo? But how?" She asked as she scoped him up in her hands. Nemo sighed again.

"I'll show you," he said as he swam from her hands and disappeared behind the rock.

"Nemo?" Ariel asked as she followed him, he was digging in the sand. Ariel sighed as she sat down, "oh Nemo, nothing is there if there was I woul-what is that?" She asked as Nemo turned around with the blue ring in his fins.

"It's yours," he said as he handed it to Ariel. Ariel took the ring and turned it in her slim fingers.

"Mine?"

"Yes, read the writing," Nemo said with a smile as he notice Flounder swim in with Attina and Finn. They were a little bashed up, but fine.

"To my dearest sea monkey, from sea to the stars, this is from my heart. My love for you will grow, be mine forevermore. Love with all my heart, Jim. Hmmm . . ."

"What? What is it Ariel?"

"Sea monkey. That's what my mother and Jim called me," Ariel said as she stared at the ring.

"Why don't you try it on?" Nemo asked as he watched Attina make hand actions at him. Ariel looked at him.

"Should I?" Nemo smiled and nodded.

"Yes." Ariel looked at the ring.

"I don't know it mightn't me mine."

"How do you know? You don't until you try," Nemo said with a smile. Ariel thought for a moment before she nodded.

"Your right, I should try," and with that she slipped the ring onto her wedding finger. Ariel couldn't describe what happen next. An electrical current ran through her body. She took a large breath as if she had been forced under water without air for some time. She scrunched up her eyes as the current rushed through her. Once the pain went away she opened her eyes the widest they could go and shouted out Jim's name. Someone behind her grabbed her shoulders lightly and yanked her form the ocean floor. Ariel didn't know what was happening everything was a blur. Once Ariel's eye sight was normal again she took at her sisters face that was in front of her. "Attina?" Ariel asked puzzled and a little dazed. Attina smiled warmly at her.

"Hey sis, how's your memory?" Ariel raised a hand to the pounding in her head and squeezed it.

"Fine," she looked around the grotto, "where are we?"

"We are in your secret grotto Ariel," Attina said as she checked Ariel temperature. "She's got a little bit of a head ach, but that's only from fighting off Eric's spell. So all in all she will be alright."

"Well that's good news," Finn said as he swam into view.

"Eric's spell?" Ariel echoed confused as she looked at her sister.

Attina frowned, "yes, can you remember anyting Ariel?"

"A little bit is coming back to me. Eric brought me home and used a spell on me to forget you guys. Right?" Ariel asked making sure she had got everything right. Attina nodded. "Then that means," Ariel raised her other hand to her mouth, "oh no Jim." She then cried into Attina's arms.

"Shhh it's alright Ariel we are going to bust him out," Attina whispered into her hair.

"But how? If I go anywhere near the palace I'm thrown into the dungeons as well. I have given up my place in the kingdom," Ariel cried.

"We know Ariel, but," Attina pulled Ariel at arm's length, "you are the only one to know all of the palaces hiding places."

Ariel sniffled, "your right and I know exactly how to get to Jim."

Chapter 41

A Dreadful Fate

Jim groaned as he pushed himself off the hard coral floor. "Oh thank heavens you are alright Jim," a familiar voice said as hands help him from the floor. Jims head spun at the sudden pick up. He used his hand to steady his head as black dots raced across his vision.

"Ow my head," he groaned.

There was a light chuckle, "that wouldn't surprise me. You did take a nasty fall. I couldn't help you I was busy with Belle. I am sorry brother." Jim's vision cleared. He saw the worried face of his brothers. He clutched his brother's shoulder.

"It's alright Dimitri, I would have done the same." Dimitri sighed thankfully and held Jim's hand on his shoulder.

"They hurt her pretty bad Jim. I had to tell him who you really were or they would have killed her."

"They tortured her?" Jim asked crossly. His only reply was Dimitri's sobs. Jim knew he was right. "Dimitri," he said as he pulled him into a hug, "it's alright, no affence I would have done the same if it were Ariel." Dimitri chuckled through his sobs and clapped Jim on the back as he pulled away.

"At least we know we are brothers," Dimitri said as he straightened himself in the water.

Jim smiled, "yeah the Hawkins way. Put yourself last," he held put his hand.

Dimitri smiled as he clasped it, "and your friends first." The brothers laughed in the tiny cell.

"Well at least you guys are smiling," a new voice weakly. Jim smiled as Belle sat next to them. She had cleaned up a little. Her hair was out and she had gotten rid of the ripped cloth. Jim rested a hand on her bruised cheek.

"I'm sorry you had to be punished Belle." Belle smiled and leaned into Jim's touch.

"It's alright I am fine."

"Still, Eric is going to pay," Jim said as he retrieved his hand.

"That's a problem," Dimitri said. Belle placed a hand on his brown tail.

"How?" Jim asked puzzled.

Dimitri sighed heavily, "turns out, Eric has been doing his magic research and by this afternoon he would of found the spell to turn us back into humans. We will drown in front of the royal family and a crowd of mer-people."

"What! No I can't let that happen, Ariel wouldn't sleep for weeks," Jim said as stood and gripped the cells bars in his hand.

"That won't be a problem Jim," Belle said as she swam beside him holding onto a bar of her own.

"What do you mean Belle?" Jim asked as he turned to her.

She sighed heavily, "I heard some guards talking outside the cells window when I awoke. Turns out Ariel left her place in the kingdom and if she returns she will be killed on sight."

"What? Why would the king to that to his own daughter?" Jim asked confused and angrily.

Belle sighed again, "it's a kingdom law. The Kingdom came up with the law, not the king and queens. The law is there for any royal family who abandons the kingdom, and if they enter it they will be killed on sight. So it's not Triton doing this Jim," she placed a hand on his shoulder, "it's the kingdom." Belle felt her hand rise and fall quickly on Jim's shoulders she turned to Dimitri and frowned. Dimitri frowned as well as he took a hold of Belle's arms.

"Come on Belle, let's leave Jim with his thoughts," he said as he pulled her away from the
bars.

Jim let his head fall in between the bars as he cried his tears drifting into the ocean, "oh Ariel why did you have to be dumb and pull a stunt like that?"

Chapter 42

Terrible News

Just outside the kingdoms borders. Ariel along with Attina and Finn swam around trying to find a small opening. "Ariel, are you sure the little opening is here anymore?" Attina asked as she watched Ariel pat the wall.

"Yes, I used to use it when I wanted to get to my grotto at night," Ariel replied.

"But are you sure it's even here anymore? Triton could have cemented it back up," Finn replied.

Ariel laughed, "no it's secret." Attina and Finn exchanged glances. "See I found it!" Ariel called as she pushed a piece of stone into the wall some more. The wall rattled and moved. Bubbles escaped the door as it opened. Attina and Finn gaped in surprise. Ariel giggled at them and swam in side, "come on!" Attina and Finn followed Ariel and were surprise to see they were in the kingdoms market place.

"Uh Ariel, how exactly did you come across this place?" Attina asked as the door they swam through close.

Ariel shook her sister's comment off, "long story," Ariel said as she looked around.

"What are you looking for Ariel?" Finn asked as he looked around too.

"Oh nothing, sometimes I would stay at the grotto all night and forget to collect my scarves," Ariel said as she ducked behind a building and brought out a box. "Here they are!" She said as she placed it at their fins.

"Is that my orange scarf I lost ages ago?" Attina asked as she snatched up an orange scarf in the middle of the pile.

Ariel hissed, "right I forgot to tell you, I borrowed it."

"Why you little-"

"Attina focus," Finn said interrupting her as he grabbed a brown scarf from the box. "What's the plan Ariel?" Finn asked as Ariel pulled a black scarf from the box.

"Wrap the scarf around your head like a hoody and follow me," Ariel instructed as she wrapped the scarf around head hiding her red air. Attina and Finn did the same. Then they swam out in the busy market. No one seemed to care that they were passing through. They almost made it to the palace until something made Ariel turn to a little mer-child that was shouting out today's news in the market.

"Ariel? What are you doing?" Attina asked as she noticed Ariel turn around.

"Just checking something, I'll meet you at the palace gates," Ariel said as she swam off.

"But Ariel-"

"Come on Attina your sister knows what she's doing," Finn said as he pulled Attina along.

"I hope so," Attina aid a she looked over her shoulder.

Ariel reached the young mer-child. He was swimming just by a jewellery stand. "Excuse me, little mer-boy?" Ariel asked. The mer-boy turned to her. He had soft brown hair, blue eyes and a yellow tail.

"Yes?" The little mer-boy asked.

"Can you repeat the news for me?"

"It costs a nickel for individual news," the little mer-boy said.

"What?"

"You heard me," The little mer-boy held out is hand, "one nickel or I'll call the guards." Ariel huffed angrily and gave him a palace dime. The little mer-boy gaped at the dime, "what's this?" he said as he turned the dime over in his hand.

"A palace dime, now if you don't tell me the news I'll simply take it back." Ariel said as she went to reach for the dime but the little mer-boy retrieved his hand.

"No, no a palace dime will do nicely," he said as he placed the dime into a brown bag he carried around his waist.

"Good, now the news?" Ariel prompted. The little mer-boy cleared his throat before he begun.

"There are humans in the kingdom disguised as mer-people. Sir Eric has been practising magic after princess Ariel disappeared years ago, said to be he was broken hearted. Anyway, he has been ordered to find a spell to un-mask the humans to let them drown in court. King Triton will be letting this happen as a kingdom event so be there this afternoon at 2, well in half an hour."

"What!?" Ariel asked as she covered her mouth and looked at the time. "Jim," she whispered, the little mer-boy heard her.

"Come to think of it, one of the humans were called-"

"I must go, thank you," Ariel said not hearing him and swam off.

"Jim," the little mer-boy finished as he watched Ariel leave. "hmmmmm."

Chapter 43

Up the Food Shoot

Ariel met Attina and Finn where she told them she would. Ariel didn't look at them as she pushed open the gate. Once they were inside they swam into a bush. Attina noticed Ariel was keeping her distance from them. Once they were safely hiding in the bush Attina laid a hand on Ariels shoulder. "Ariel what is wrong?"

"Nothing, come on we have to get to the castle," Ariel said as she swam off. Attina looked at Finn worried. Finn smiled as he took her hand and swam after Ariel. They reached the kitchen area in no time. Ariel pushed open the door, no one was there, just as she expected. "Come on," Ariel said to Attina and Finn as she swam inside.

"Where are all the staff?" Finn asked as he looked around.

"Cooking elsewhere," Ariel lied as she looked around.

"Ariel what is wrong? What aren't you telling us?" Attina asked as she swam into Ariels view.

Ariel sighed defeated, "it's—" The palace trumpets interrupted her.

"What is father holding?" Attina asked herself.

Ariel looked away, "the killing of the humans."

"What? Ariel we have to save them," Attina said as she rushed to the door.

"Wait! Attina we don't know where they are being held," Finn called behind her.

"Of course we do, they will be in the palace dungeons," Attina said.

"No that's too easy," Ariel said thinking. "Eric wouldn't put them in a place so obvers like that," she continued.

"Ariel's right. After we escaped he could have moved them," Finn said to Attina.

"So where could they be?" Attina asked Ariel.

"That's what we are about to find out. Follow me," Ariel said as she pulled down a latch.

Attina peered inside. It was big enough to fit all of them, but only in single file. The small area also smelt like old food. Attina could see why, there were food scraps suck to the sides. Attina pulled away holding her nose, "ew! I am not going up the food drain!"

"We have no choice, if we swim a fin out of the kitchen the guards will see us," Ariel said as she turned to her sister, "this is our only way, and it leads straight to Eric room."

"How do you know?" Attina asked as she placed her hands on her hips. Ariel looked way avoiding her gaze. "You used this to get out of your bedroom unseen?" Attina asked in disbelieve.

"Yes, but can we talk about this later? Right now we have to rescue Jim and the others." With that being said Ariel pushed herself into the food shoot. Finn placed a hand on Attina's shoulder in comfort.

"Come on Attina this is the only way for Ariel to be happy, and that is what you want isn't it?"

Attina sighed defeated, "yes it is."

Finn smiled kindly at her, "then come on," he said before he swam into the food shoot. Attina sighed in defeat. She swam to the shoot and peered inside. It stunk of old kelp and fish. Attina pinched her nose and rolled her eyes in displeasure.

"Ariel you owe me," she said as she squeezed through the shoots opening. "Eww!" Ariel smiled at her sisters complaining. Old kelp and plankton seeped into her black scarf as she crawled through the shoot. The shoot was big but not big enough to swim through. They had to use their arms and hands to pull them along the shoot. It was simple and easy as the old food provided a slippery surface. They came to a stop at a Y section. One of the shoots led further down the other went upwards.

"Why did you stop Ariel?" Finn asked behind her.

"We have reached a Y section. You two follow the shoot going down. At the next Y section take the one that goes up," Ariel instructed pointing at the downwards shoot.

"Where are you going Ariel!?" Ariel winced as she herd her sister cry out from behind her.

"This way leads to Eric's room," Ariel said pointing to the drain going up. "The next Y section leads to my room, we will meet there."

Finn nodded in understanding, "go do what you need to do, we will meet later."

"You guys don't mind if we separate?" Ariel asked surprised.

Finn smiled at her, "when we were saving distressed people with Jim, he always spilt us up. True sometimes it didn't work but other times it was the best thing he could think of. And now it's a good idea, we all can't fit up that shoot so it's best if we meet you later." Ariel nodded in agreement and started up the shoot leaving Attina and Finn to go the opposite way.

"I can't find it Cindy." Ariel heard Eric say as she came closer to the shoots latch. She propped herself up before she opened the latch a little to peer inside. Eric was at his desk and Cindy seemed to just come out of the cleaning tunnel as her hair was wrapped up in some kelp. Cindy placed a hand on her brother's shoulders.

"You will," she comforted.

"No, I have already found the one for Jim and the others. I'm trying to find one to erase Ariel's memory again, but for good this time," Eric said as he turned more pages in his book. Ariel watched Cindy's face fall a little and wondered if she only imagined it.

"That's probably not for the best," Cindy said as she left her brother.

"What do you mean Cindy?" Eric asked as he looked up from his book.

"Nothing," she said as she appeared near the food shoot. Ariel pushed herself further back so Cindy wouldn't see her. "Are you going to eat this?" Ariel heard Cindy ask.

"No, get rid of it," Eric replied and at his words the latch to the food shoot was pulled open and a bowl full of kelp pasta and chopped up plankton fell on top of Ariel.