"This suits me much better than that old ship wreck, my pet," Tiamat cackled.
The evil queen had been hiding in the decades old wreck of a pirate ship. Some of its gruesome decorations, consisted of the bleached bones of men, who experienced the misfortune of drowning. Gold, and other loot the pirates had collected, still lay strewn about what was left of the boat, and also spilled to the sandy ground supporting the once proud ship. Tiamat enjoyed the sight of the glorious treasure, but an even greater prize awaited, the sorceress.
Tiamat's black orb, used to spy on the defeated merpeople of Atlantica, projected the scene of an empty kingdom. Atlantica was nothing more than a watery ghost town. Mizu Kaida, her diabolical water dragon made sure of that. Oh, how clever the ancient Murkens were when they developed the art of dark magic!
A laugh caught in Tiamat's throat, "And to think those silly Atlantican's think they're safe in the protecting arms of Augustus! Ha, when the beams of the full moon pierce the surface of the ocean, my powers will reach full capacity."
The ice queen sat prominently in King Triton's throne, stroking the head of her devious pet. She had kept Triton alive for a reason, but as soon as the full moon rose, the pathetic old bag would no longer be necessary.
"In three days time, Mizu Kaida, when the moon rises, I will summon your little friends," Tiamat sighed dreamily, "then our invincible army will move to attack Olympia. Every kingdom under the sea, will eventually fall under my control!"
Mizu Kaida hissed in contentment of her mistress's words, and swam off in search of trouble, no doubt.
"Now," Tiamat mused, scraping her long, appalling nails on the arms of her throne, "If only I could open that foolish book."
Tiamat had tried everything her ingenious mind could come up with, yet the book remained steadfast, and unopened. Once, having become so entirely frustrated, the evil witch even zapped the book with the Trident's full power. To her surprise, the blasted thing came out without even a scratch. Worse yet, the meddlesome girl, Hali, the granddaughter and delight of old Triton, was still missing. She still didn't even know how Hali managed to escape. Despite multiple attempts and locating the girl, her searching spells proved unsuccessful. That annoying Guardian must have placed some spell protecting the dirt-child from harm, rendering Tiamat's hexes useless. Oh, how Tiamat hated light magic. Yes, this was a problem that needed to be rectified immediately.
With much difficulty, Eric and Sam were able to restrain Hali keeping her in bed, while the others looked on helplessly. Hali looked like a madwoman thrashing about, in an effort to free herself, her red hair flying wildly with every movement.
"Let me go!" Hali wailed.
"Darling," Ariel said for the twentieth-something time, "you need to rest first, and save the ocean later."
"I need that book!" Hali said through streaming tears, "Xavier, Grandpa, they need me."
"And you need rest," Eric glanced at his wife in agreement.
"Sebastian," pleaded Hali, "tell them!"
For the first time since reentering Murphy's home, Sebastian spoke, "Da girl is tellin' da truth. She not crazy, mon. She da new Guardian."
"I don't understand," Melody interrupted, "If Murphy was the Guardian, how can Hali be one?"
"I'm the Heart, stupid," Hali sobbed and choked.
"The heart?" Ariel questioned, "what does that mean?"
"Ya see," Sebastian tried his best to explain, "da ocean is madeof three parts..."
"Voice, Heart, Star," Hali frantically chimed in, "this is taking too long, and time is one thing we don't have. They are going to die! Do you people understand the meaning of the word die?"
Hali really was working herself into a state of exhaustion, when a silent voice reached her ears.
"Princess," Kailani wisely began, "maybe you already know how to heal him," the dolphin motion towards Xavier's near lifeless body.
"Of course!" Hali gasped, "how could I have been so stupid!"
"You're not stupid, Princess," Hachi comforted.
"Murphy would be so disappointed." Hali chided herself, "All this time, I simply needed to look with my heart."
"What are you talking about?" The royal family cried out in unison.
"I have to remember that word."
"What word, Hali?" Ariel begged.
"The healing word, mom," Hali's tone suggested that Ariel question should never have been asked.
Closing her eyes, and taking in a deep breath, Hali open her heart. Channeling her inner Murphy, she tried her best to remember the word. All it would take was that single word! Then suddenly, Hali's azure eyes shot open. She remembered. Struggling to get herself upright, Hali positioned herself above Xavier's body. As she placed her hands on his chest, Hali was just barely able to detect a heartbeat. She had come to his aid just in the nick of time.
"излечивать," chanted Hali.
The crowd watched in amazement as they witnessed the color return to Xavier's cheeks, as he emitted a slight, almost inaudible moan.