Shoutout to 'CaketheSnake' on Deviantart for working on a request of mine.
Chapter 26: The Aged Mermaid
"….Mmmmmm….." Stanley Pines slowly opened his eyes. "Eeeeerrrr …. AAAAH!" Stan instantly woke up and punched a horrifying threat at the foot of the bed. "You won't take me alive …. Bro?"
On the floor, Ford Pines was feeling his nose. "Good morning to you too."
Stanley laughed half-heartily. "Sorry there, it's just …. You were just standing there, smiley like a freak and it's probably 6 a.m., isn't?"
"….. Nooooooo … maybe."
Stanley sighed. "Can I at least get some more shut eye? You do realize that we fought a giant squid and went sight-seeing all passed midnight?"
Stanford stood up and rubbed his nose again. "Sorry, I was just too excited!" He opened the blades and the morning sunlight …. I mean lightbulbs on the dome that imitates daylight, shun right into Stanley's face.
"My eyes!"
Stanford looked out the window to see the city slowly waking up, besides the dry land parts. "I cannot wait to meet the King himself. I hope he has time for all my questions I've pondered in the last hour?"
Stanley yawned with annoyance. "That's good and all. Why not go downstairs and get some free breakfast or whatever and –FREE FOOD!" Stanley rushed out the door in a flash.
"Oh boy." Feeling the worst to come, Stanford ran to the dining hall and found Stanley Pines overloading his plate with literally everything.
"I regret nothing calorie related!" Stanley (still in his boxers and undershirt) sat down and began his fine meal as he munched down everything.
Stanford pinched between his eyes before a lobster man thing walked to him. "For the record, you two are the only guests we have, besides that one other person."
"Really?" Stanford recalled the voice from last night. "Who may that be?"
And of course the lobsterman was cut off by Stanley pulling his favorite brother to the table. "Come here and eat with your brother! When was the last time we shared an actual meal?"
"Too long." Stanford smiled and sat with his brother. "But please, put your clothes on."
After breakfast and getting ready for the day, the twins checked out of the hotel and walked outside. Stanford pointed out a small blimp with the Gondala filled with water for all the merpeople.
"So where to?" Stanley asked with a smile.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ALL THE FOOD IS GONE?!"
"Away from whatever that was!" Stanford and Stanley dashed off before seeing what in creation could be. Oh well, probably not important.
They walked around town and stopped at some of the dry shops in town.
"Out of business. Out of business. Out of business." They passed by each store in the empty walkway as the Merpeople in the water enjoyed their day. "Seriously, this place needs my help. I can start it off with this!" Stanley took out what looks like a flashlight with a crystal tied in front of the bulb.
"Stanley, is that the size altering stone the kids had?" Stanford asked his brother.
"Yep, Mabel gave it to me for a little reminder. As if I can forget her ….. ignoring that flashback." Stanley and Ford walked further until they've spotted Mermando and his Manatee wife looking at a build board.
"I am not attracted to those Squid Siblings." Mermando answered his wife.
"Yeesh, It's the couple that will one day fill this world with sins against nature."
Stanford told his brother to keep it down and spoke with the couple. "Greetings Mermando and …. Mrs. Mermando." Feeling awkward for not remembering her name (if mentioned) he turned to the poster of the singing squids. "Well look at that ….. Wait ….. Well I know two cousins that will love to sue these guys."
"That better not include me, unless I'm the one suing." Stanley said as he walked up to them. "Hey, you heard anything about that king?"
"Actually we indeed have." Mermando smiled. "We've spoken with the guards and they will be picking us up to bring us the centerpiece of Atlantis 2.0, the castle!"
Just then a boat came by being rowed by a large crab.
"Speak of the Diablo."
The twins hopped in and enjoyed the quiet ride as Mermando and Manatee Wife followed by. After enjoying the views of the skyscrapers, roadways, and merpeople swimming by, they eventually reached the outer castle gates. After two guards opened it, they were treated to the majestic view of the castle ….. that looks like a giant version of the ones you get at a pet store.
"They're more desperate for my skill than I thought."
The boat stopped in front of the castle with no visible entrance, where they were greeted by the captain. "Hello, explorers from the surface. Have you enjoyed your night?"
"Sleep, no. Free food, yes."
"Good." The captain ordered a few mermen to bring out wetsuits. "These will keep you dry underwater, and the best part…." He pointed at the side of the glass helmet. "Artificial gills."
"Ha, they beat ya too it!" Stanley elbowed Ford.
They put the suits on and jumped right into the water. The captain pointed downwards and they all followed him underwater to an underwater drawbridge.
"What's the point of having that underwater?" Stanley's question was left unanswered as the drawbridge was lowered and they all entered inside.
Opposing from what the outside looks, the inside of the castle was vastly majestic with gemstone walls, marble flooring with designs of multiple sea creatures, and a ceiling with artwork depicting of what looks like their history which includes the construction of the first Atlantis, it's destruction, havoc waves and storms, merpeople making an offering to a large animal, merpeople befriending dolphins, merpeople realizing how awful dolphins can be, black Friday, and the construction of Atlantis 2.0, and Black Friday again.
Stanford, Mermando, and Manatee Wife all gazed at the marvels this castle held, and Stanley was estimating how much everything is worth, and maybe nabbed a few pearls laying around, but that's just a hunch.
"Does this thing have pockets?"
They eventually reached two large doors with markings depicting royalty.
"Behind these doors is where the king of Atlantis resides, King Quadent."
"Enough with the reference, I get it." Stanley randomly said. "….. Eeesh, there goes that Twilight Zone-six sense thingy again. Darn it, I did it again!"
Manatee wife whistled a familiar tone.
"Yep. You, did it again ….. STOP THAT!"
On the captain's orders, two guards slowly opened the doors as a bright light was shunned on them.
"My eyes, again!"
The light slowly died down and revealed an amazing throne room …. Without the king.
"W-Where is he?" the captain asked.
"I'm behind you guys."
Everyone turned to see a withered old merman with a large plain looking crown covering his eyes, a trident with four spikes instead of three, and a long white beard that is ridiculously long. The group just followed the old beard leading out a door and a several crabs picking at it.
"So, you must be those land guys." A guard whispered to King Quadent. "Humans, that's it." He swam over to two people. "But why do you have a tailfin and look like a manatee."
"Over there." Mermando pointed to the Stans.
"I see …. You must be clone humans."
"No wonder the dry area's sapped out of cash." Stanley whispered to Stanford.
Stanford swam ahead of his brother and bowed. "Your majesty, it is an honor to meet you. I am Stanford Pines. A researcher in the paranormal that came from a land called Gravity Falls."
"Gravity Falls you say?" King Quadent asked. "Tell me more."
Stanley sighed as Stanford spoke in a high manor. "Sheesh, I think I'm gonna get sick from listening to these two stuck-ups."
"I know, right?"
"Yeah, at least you agree with me, random voice from nowhere."
"Ahem….."
Stanley turned around to see the shadow silhouette of a beautiful skinny mermaid. "You must be a brave explorer, are you?"
"If you're hitting on me, you better be in your sixties."
Then the lights turned on and showed the mermaid to be an old mermaid about Stan's age. Stan's mouth slowly opened in awe as he gazed upon the mermaid's eyes surrounded by wrinkles, her red-fading hair, her chubby finger waving at him, and some sort of parasite on her tailfin.
"Hubba hubba." Stanley smiled and swam right over. "The name's Stanley Pines. Once business owner in the middle of the woods, now a true adventurer with my bro by my side. Who might you be?" he held her hand and kissed it, well he just tapped it with his helmet.
"I am the princess of Atlantis 2.0. Princess Oxygenial."
"Princess Oxygen-ial. What a beautiful name for such a beautiful fish lady."
"My, what charm. Do all human males have such charisma?"
"None as unique as mine." Stanley smiled. "Why am I feeling deja vu?"
As they were talking, a crab swum up to Mermando and Manatee Wife. "Hello. My name is Sab. I will be talking to you about why you were summoned here. Also I hate music."
"I did not expect him, yet I feel disappointed." Mermando thought to himself. "As you wish, but wouldn't the King want to join us? He is the King after all."
"Sorry, looks like he has something else in mind." The crab looked over at the King and Stanford exchanging information while Stanley and Oxygenial flirted with one another. "Come, this way." The crab led Mermando and Manatee Wife away as the others continued to mingle.
"Aaah, the land sounds so wonderful." King Quadent said in amazement. "Why not join us in a stroll around the city? We will even bring you to the ruins of the original Atlantis."
Stanford grinned widely.
"And we can visit all the romantic spots." Oxygenial smiled softly at Stanley.
Stanford bowed yet again. "It will be an honor to-"
"We're in!" Stanley shouted. "Now let's see the town!"
"Splendid!" King Quadent said. "Now onwards!" King Quadent swam ahead, but the Stans just stood there and watched the beard follow by. They watched, and watched, and watched, and watched.
"I think I saw a kid stuck in there."
And so the four enjoyed a wonderful time as a song played over a montage of them just hanging out and learning about Atlantis 2.0.
They swam around the underwater shops as Stanford and King Quadent spoke about all the businesses in their worlds as Stanley 'borrowed' a seashell gift for Oxygenial.
In a park, King Quadent spoke with Stanford about their aquatic plant life as Stanley and Oxygenial drove off in a runaway seahorse carriage.
At a farm, Stanford was observing farmers raising kelps and multiple species of sea animals used for food (not endangered or intelligent, relax …. And also not cute) while Stanley snuck into a pin and wrestled a miniature-mystical sea pig as Oxygenial cheered on.
At an opera house, King Quadent and Stanford listened peacefully while Stanley and Oxygenial snored loudly.
At an ancient bubble fountain with statues of historical merman carved on it, King Quadent and Stanford discussed the history of their two worlds while Stanley and Oxygenial vandalized one of the statues and framed it on a person at random.
Finally, as the sun was setting, maybe? The group of four left the city limits and swam into some old ruins scattered around a mountain.
"And here lay what's left of the original Atlantis." King Quadent said as they all gazed at the wrecked building with some bones scattered around and few bottom dwellers moving around. "Have you heard of what became of this once proud city?"
"Only that it was destroyed long ago." Stanford answered. "What happened here?"
The king sighed deeply. "What caused this destruction was not very clear for our eyes and minds, and most of our history was lost." He looked over at Stan and smiled. "But do not worry; we have archeologists working around these parts."
Stanford noticed a few digging around.
"I would love to learn what they have uncovered. Perhaps it will help me find what I was looking for."
"And what might that be, youngster?" asked the King.
"Oh right, I haven't told you yet." Stanford spoke with the King about the strange phenomena happening around these waters as Stanley and Oxygenial swam somewhere private.
"Stanley, this day have been the best time of my boring life." Oxygenial said. "You see, as princess I am always feeling trapped in the castle. Someday I want to go up to the surface and-"
"HOLY MOLY LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT ROCK!" Stanley swam right up to a large flatten blue gem nearly twice his size. "You're coming with me!"
Oxygenial looked at Stanley hording off what her people considered 'common rocks'. "Stanley?"
"You say something cliché, I mean Oxygenial?" Stanley turned over to the mermaid princess.
"There's something I want to ask you." She held her arms behind her back. "You see, I-"
"Mr. Pines!" Then Mermando appeared and swam up to him. "Mabel's Great Uncle, I have learned some great news. Apparently the Squid Siblings are going to rehearse for their-"
"Not now, kid. I think we're getting somewhere." Stanley grinned widely as Oxygenial gave Mermando an odd look.
"Mr. Pines, I think you should really hear this great news!" Mermando swam up in front of Stan, blocking him from Oxygenial.
Stanley just rubbed his face in annoyance. "I don't know what's the deal with you, but right now I'm about to be asked something by this beaaaaaaa-" Stanley then noticed the horrified panic look on Mermando as he direct his eyes repeatedly away.
"Aaaaaaaa Oh I get it! You want advice to get together with my Grand Niece!" Stanley gave him a fake wink.
Mermando blushed. "What, but Pines. I am sadly-"
Stanley wrapped his arm around Mermando. "Don't worry, I trust you enough, so I'll hear you out, kid." Stanley smiled at Oxygenial. "I'll be right back. Sweet cheeks!"
"Oh yooooou!" Oxygenial giggled as the two swam way behind a boulder out of her earshot.
"O.K., kid. Your face just reminded me of that one time I got myself trapped by this spider lady, what the heck is up now?!"
Mermando took a quick peek at the princess waiting patiently. "Mr. Pines, you and your intelligent brother are in terrible danger!"
"It's all about that 'Saving the Ocean' stuff, isn't it?"
"Well that's still a big point, but-"
"Look, I've been going green my entire life. Mostly because I'll be saving green."
"Mr. Pines, they're going to feed you to a monster."
"…. I swear it better not be a nuclear dinosaur."
End of Chapter
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