"Ha ha! I fixed him!" Hali exclaimed.

"Okay this is getting weird," Melody shivered, "now, all of a sudden, she has powers!"

Hali was so relieved, that she had saved Xavier's life, that she would have jumped up in jubilant celebration. However, Hali still wasn't feeling one-hundred percent better, since Tiamat really did a number on her with the stolen Trident. So, she settled for a quick peck on Xavier's lips, but then blushed realizing everyone was still in the room. Everyone plus Sam.

Sam backed himself into a dark corner of the room, biting down on his lip, to keep from screaming, or crying. He wasn't sure which he would do at the moment, though. Sam did know, however, that there was a searing pain ripping through his heart. Hali didn't love him. That much was painfully obvious.

"What's going on?" Xavier's weak voice croaked.

"Hush, you need rest," Hali said sweetly, brushing locks of sandy hair out of Xavier's eyes with a gentle hand, "you don't have a fever. That's good, at least."

Sam held his breath, it was all he could do, to keep from doubling over is psychosomatic pain.

Sebastian's voice rang out, "While we all stuckin here, mon, dat maniac on da loose!"

"He's right," Ariel concurred.

"I know he's right, mom," Hali said annoyed, "but I need that book. It's useless to Tiamat, but we can't win without it."

"I'll retrieve the the book," Sam bravely declared.

"We don't even know where she is right now!" protested Hali.

"I have a hunch," Sam spoke with dead eyes, "but I need to take the crab with me."

"I got a name, ya hooligan," Sebastian attempted to snip Sam's nose, but the sailor swatted him away, and Sebastian slammed into the far-side wall.

"Sebastian, are you okay?" Ariel gasped rushing to her dear friend.

Hali was more concerned with Sam at the moment, however. After all, Sebastian did have a rock hard shell to keep him safe. Sam had no armor, but his own flesh.

"That's a dangerous quest, Samuel," Hali said worriedly, grabbing hold of Sam's right arm.

Wrenching his arm out of Hali's grip, Sam replied, "I'll manage, Lorelei."

Sam's blue eyes were the saddest Hali had ever seen them, even sadder than the time the sailor had spilled his guts to her, all those years ago.

A weak, "Okay," was all that Hali could bring herself to respond.

"Con ya slow down, mon?" Sebastian voice jostled as Sam viciously moved his golden fins through the water.

"Not really, seeing that the entire ocean is in danger," said Sam sarcastic as ever, "do you really have to clamp on to my fins so tightly?"

"Yes," Sebastian's reply was simple.

"Look," Sam sighed in disgust, "just tell me how to get to Atlantica, and keep the conversation at a bare minimum."

Both the sailor and the crab, knew this would turn out to be one heck of a long swim. Neither really enjoyed the other's company all that much, to begin with. Tack on a multiple hour's swim... it just wasn't going to be fun.

After what seemed like an eternity, the once dazzling kingdom of Atlantica came into view. Sebastian finally unclasped himself form Sam's tail, and the pair swam towards Atlantica like their lives depended on it, and it was true in a sense.

"This is Atlantica?" Sam questioned in shock, "Hali described the kingdom as if it was a paradise. This isn't a paradise. My musty old ship looks better than this."

Surely, Atlantica was in an dismal state. Nothing seemed to grow there. No coral. No seaweed. No kelp. Nothing. Atlantica was a waste land, as barren as the gorge they had passed on their way to Murphy's shack. Everything was dead, but the most eerie thing about Atlantica, was the complete lack of life.

"Atlantica was not always like dis, boy," Sebastian assured the visitor.

"I believe you," Sam replied after taking in the scenery, or lack of it, "nobody would have ever even wanted to live here, if that were the case."

"Why you want to come here, mon?"

"I can't shake the feeling that Tiamat is in Atlantica," Sam explained staring off into nothingness.

"Where?" Sebastian questioned in wonder.

"If you were a power hungry hag, hiding out in an abandoned kingdom," Sam began, "where would you choose to take up residence?"

"In da castle, mon!"Sebastian shouted as if it were his idea to begin with.

"Exactly."

"How we gonna get dat book?"

"I don't know yet," Sam admitted, "it's not like we can just stroll right into the castle. If she catches us, we're dead."

Ultra Special Blah Blah Blah

Oh my goodness! I'm trying to end this story, but it won't let me. Does anyone else feel like their stories have minds, and are living thinking creatures? I do!

The much awaited prequel came out yesterday. It is entitled The Misadventures of Sali. Be sure to check it out. Still, it is not to late to send me your private message ideas, about Sam and Hali.

xJadeRainx