The next morning the above palace was in a tizzy. Servants rushing about to get things ready for a party.

"No. No. Those streamers should be twirled with those. The floor should look like a mirror. Oh don't forget the princess is allergic to cherries." They call back and forth as they run about.

With the girls…

"Is all of this really needed?" Ariel is a bit red as she's fitted for a new outfit.

"Oh yes princess." A maid looking at the pattern nods. "This party has been planned since hearing of you."

"Many representatives will be here." Another adds.

'I feel queasy now.' Ariel feels a bit ill at that thought.

"Hey take it easy you'll do great. It's just a party." Nora tries to calm her down.

She had already gotten fitted as she decided to go with something a bit simpler.

"C-couldn't we do this a different time?" Ariel looks a bit ill and nervous.

"You'll be fine, you'll have all of us there supporting you and everyone's excited to see you. I don't think there's anything to worry about." Nora smiles.

"Thanks. But I wish my stomach didn't feel so twisted up." Ariel places her hand over her stomach feeling out of it as the maids head out with the patterns and measurements.

As the maid's head off to get a few things Nora then whispers "Just remember what will happen tonight after the party. In the garden with our guys." Nora smirks.

"That does help." Ariel smiles a bit red at that.

"There see, use that to help you calm down. I'd better get into my own party outfit. I'll see you in a moment." Nora nods as she heads off.

"Bye." Ariel waves trying to stay calm.

With the guys…

Echo and Fives were given some Atlantean party outfit to put on.

"I hope I don't look ridicules in this." Echo sighs, never wearing anything like this before.

(Echo's outfit: A dark purple slightly puffed sleeved shirt with a white color and two edges of white on his shoulders/ White slightly puffed pants/ Dark purple shoes/ A waist sash striped in whit and purple/ and a cloth hanging down the middle dark purple edged with white.)

"Same here." Fives sighs playing with his puffs.

(Fives outfit is the same as Echo's but in navy blue)

"Too bad we can't dance with them at the party, but it'd be too suspicious." Echo sighs.

"I don't think Ariel will notice." Fives sighs heavily at that.

"Hey she's just friends with him, nothing more. Besides, we're the ones getting a secret dates later." Echo smiles.

"Guess you're right." Fives smiles with a small flush at that.

"I wonder how these things go. And what we're even supposed to do, I know they said we were there as guests but… it just feels weird not being in uniform or guarding someone." Echo frowns.

"I know what you mean." Fives rubs the back of his head at that.

"I guess we still could do our jobs and have some fun. Wonder what sweets they got at the party." Echo hazes a little.

"Really? That's what you want?" Fives eyes him with a chuckle.

"I can't help it, ever since Jessie snuck those sweets onto the ship I've been addicted." Echo flushes.

"Just remember to take it easy. Don't want a sugar rush, do we?" Fives chuckles teasingly.

Echo throws a pillow at his brother for that, but Fives catches it.

Later at the party…

Many people were at the party, and many seemed to be representatives from water planets. The girls were behind a curtain as they looked down some stairs.

"There are so many people." Ariel looks out feeling uneasy at all of them.

"Yeah bigger turn out then I thought. But hey we got this." Nora pats her back.

"I don't know. How do I look? Is this alright?" Ariel plays with her skirt.

(Ariel's outfit: a one sleeve powder blue tube top with white trim/ powder blue sheer long sleeve/ V cut long powder blue skirt/ V cut white trim/ dark blue sheer tail like extra fabric/ black flats/ white sheer head cover/ blue diamond headband/ light pink lipstick)

"Don't worry you look great. Fives just might faint." Nora chuckles.

(Nora was wearing a light teal dress/ The middle was cut like a diamond to show the belly and was edged in light yellow. It was a one strapped shirt with yellow edge on the collar and the bottom of the skirt with small beads. She had flat shoes on as well that where yellow. For jewelry she had a gold bangle on each wrist, and gold teardrop earrings. Finally she wore a yellow morning glory in her hair.)

"You think." Ariel reddens at that.

Kida comes up to the girls chuckling "You two seemed to of chased off the pre ceremonial jitters. That's good. Nora I'm sorry but only the royal family will be announced and then Ariel will be going down on her own."

"Do I have to?" Ariel plays with her hands nervously.

"It's a tradition going back several generations, and everyone wants to meet you. Please for us." Kida holds her hand.

"B-but I…" Ariel glances at Nora.

"Hey I'll be downstairs rooting for you with the others okay." Nora smiles.

"Thanks." Ariel hugs her.

The two hug and then Nora heads down through the secret passageway.

"Still nervous?" Kida looks at Ariel playing with her fingernails.

"A little." Ariel nods.

"You'll do just fine." Kida rubs her cheek with her thumb.

"How can you be so sure?" Ariel looks at her with shaking eyes.

"Because you're Aqua's daughter. You've also shown to be very strong in all of this." Kida smiles at her softly.

"Thanks Gran." Ariel hugs her.

Downstairs…

Nora had made it down unseen and was heading over to the others. The guys were at the snack table when they saw her.

'Is she sure she's not a princess? She's going to kill me.' Echo accidently drops the punch bowl spoon.

"Steady vod." Fives pats his shoulder.

Lee chuckles and says "She is quite lovely in that dress. I'm almost afraid to see what Ariel will look like." he flushes slightly.

'Me too.' Fives ponders a bit red at the thought. 'But why is he nervous too?' he feels annoyed at that.

Kenobi sees how nervous the boys are and chuckles. 'These two girls are going to be trouble.'

Then he heads up to meet her. "How are you doing?"

"A little uncertain in this dress. You?" Nora asks.

"Enjoying the show. It seems you've caused a bit of a fuss." Kenobi chuckles.

Nora looks over at Echo still hazed look and chuckles. Then she notices other men looking. She flushes, not used to the attention.

"Seriously, all I had to do was leave my planet to have guys look at me. This feels just wrong." Nora sighs.

"Well then I suppose they just couldn't see what was in front of them. Now we should go wait with the others. It's about time." Kenobi smiles.

Nora nods at that and they head to they're spot.

Soon trumpets were heard and the crier called "Introducing they're royal highnesses; King father and queen mother Ceil Tonn and Kida Tonn."

The two walked down hand in hand happily smiling at everyone as they clapped.

"Captain Prince Milo Tonn of the royal guard." As he came down several women seemed to swoon as he smirked.

Echo had to roll his eyes at that. 'Show off.'

'I think we found a merman General Skywalker.' Fives sighs heavily at that.

"King Link Tonn of Atlantis." Link came down stoically at this as many cheered or bowed.

"And finally, our missing princess, making her royal depute. Princess Ariel Tonn." The crier finally says.

'Here goes nothing.' Ariel takes a deep breath then heads for the stairs.

"Go Ariel!" Nora calls.

'Wow.' Lee and Fives both feel their legs buckle at the sight of her.

Echo was surprised by the entrance and then held his brother's shoulder and thought 'Take it easy vod, just wait a while.'

Ariel walks down as gracefully as she can. Taking a curtsey as she reaches the bottom step.

Once she reaches down Nora goes up to talk to her.

"You did great." Nora hugs her.

"You sure? I felt like I was going to fall over at any moment." Ariel whispers as she hugs back.

"No you were fine. Come on everyone wants to see you. Especially two certain boys." Nora chuckles.

"What?" Ariel looks over at them.

The two look over to see Lee and Fives stuck frozen in place with wide eyes as if they were struck by lightning. The two have to chuckle at this before heading over.

With Ceil and Yos…

"It seems my granddaughter's made quite an impression on your son." Ceil chuckles.

"Chuckle. Indeed. I've never seen him so stricken before. Perhaps this will work." The two clink their glasses and go off to talk.

As the girls got to the boys Nora said "Hey guys you'll catch flies like that." Nora chuckles.

At that both close they're mouths.

Lee then came up and said "Ariel, I um… I just wanted to ask you for the first dance." Lee flushes.

'Uh oh.' Nora and Echo look over at a steaming Fives.

'Stop making a move on her!' Fives fumes inside.

"Of course." Ariel gives a small curtsy before taking his hand.

With that the two go off.

"Fives she's being polite nothing else." Nora tries to calm him.

"I just can't stand seeing it." Fives huffs annoyed. "She seems very comfy with him." he crosses his arms.

"Then take this in, she's really only looking forward to seeing you in the garden." Nora glares.

Fives looks away. Still annoyed but also wanting to be near Ariel.

Nora then decides to walk off and see what to do, she wanted to spend time with Echo but she was miffed with Fives and needed to cool off.

Then Milo came up and said "Lady Nora, may I ask for this dance."

Echo paled as he saw this but Nora said "Milo I told you I can't."

"But it's only a dance. I promise no funny stuff." Milo salutes.

Nora chuckles but says "Sorry Milo, I'm not in the mood right now. Maybe later." Nora smiles and then heads off.

Milo sighs but lets it be. 'What am I doing wrong? Usually that always works.'

With Ariel…

"You're quiet a good dancer." Lee twirls her around.

"Thanks. You are as well." Ariel smiles at him. "Do they have to watch so closely?" she whispers looking at the others around them.

"Your mother made quite a name for herself. They're looking forward to seeing what you'll do as well." Lee explains.

"I don't like it." Ariel feels uneasy.

'There's also someone here that means harm.' Ariel can feel a chill in the air as she can feel some eyes on her.

"It'll calm down as drinks are had." Lee tries to assure her.

"I hope so." Ariel sighs a bit.

"Just remember to smile and be yourself. It'll calm down." Lee smiles softly as the music starts.

They bow and curtsey to one another. Ariel turns to see a few young men waiting to take her hand.

'Stay polite Ariel. Stay polite.' Ariel takes a deep breath curtsies to one of the men before taking his hand.

Ariel dances with a few of them. Some a bit bold in how close they hold her or place of their hands. When Fives saw one of their hands slide down her back, he steps in.

"I think it's my turn now." Fives cuts between them, looking at the man with a fierce glare.

"Of course." The man backs off with a bow.

"Thank you for the save." Ariel dances with him.

"Truthfully I would cut in anyway. I've grown tired of watching it all." Fives admits a bit red.

"Oh Fives…" Ariel looks at him lovingly. "You know if we told them…" she starts.

"We can't." Fives cuts her off.

"Why?" Ariel looks at him hurt.

"It would put a spotlight on everyone and cause trouble." Fives whispers.

"Sorry me not wanting to hide causes trouble." Ariel huffs a bit at that.

"Ariel I didn't mean…" Fives starts.

"I'm dizzy. I think I'll take a break." Ariel stops giving a curtsy then heads off.

'Why does my tongue always get me in trouble?' Fives sighs a bit at that.

Nora had come back to the snack table to talk to Echo "Someone likes sweet." Nora chuckles.

"I'm sorry I can't help it…." Echo then told her what he told Fives.

"It's okay you guys did grow up without that kind of stuff. And I can't complain since I'm the same." She grabs something with chocolate and smiles.

Echo flushes to see her calm and says "You know you can dance, I don't want you to be bored." Echo fidgets.

Nora looks at him and smiles sadly as she whispers to him "But I only want to dance with you."

Echo flushes at that but smiles happily at her. Suddenly Nora saw Ariel heading to the punch in a bit of a huff.

"I wonder what happened?" Nora looks worried.

"Go check on her. I'll go check on Fives." Echo nods.

"I'd kiss you know if I could." Nora smiles and then heads off to Ariel.

"Hey you okay?" Nora comes up worried.

"Why are men so… so…" Ariel huffs sipping the punch.

"Sigh, what did Fives do?" Nora looks out to the party to see a dejected Fives.

"I'll tell you when there are less ears around." Ariel looks at those still glancing at them.

"Fine but let's try to have some fun then. No need to be upset all night." Nora pats her back.

Ariel turns quickly as she feels a strong chill down her spine. She looks around trying to find the person eyeing her but can't find the malice intent in anyone around.

"Hey what was that, you shivered there." Nora looks worried.

"I could have sworn I… The stress must be getting to me." Ariel sighs as she shakes her head a bit.

"Are you doing alright guppy?" Milo comes over to them, worried for her.

"I think I'm just tired. I've never been the center of attention like this." Ariel looks around at everyone.

"Why don't you sit. I'll make you a plate and bring it over." Milo pats her shoulder lightly.

"Thanks." Ariel smiles at that.

With that the girls are led to a table outside where they can breathe the fresh air and take a break. Ariel glad to be away from the prying eyes for a bit.

"Oh I can breathe." Ariel sighs with relief as she slouches in her straw seat.

"It was a lot to take in Ariel. How are you doing?" Nora looks over concerned.

"I wish someone would have told me this bit of being a princess. I'm not a fan." Ariel sips her juice.

"It does look stressful. You don't get any time to yourself and it seems they're all expecting things from you. You going to be okay?" Nora raises a brow.

"I love the idea of having family don't get me wrong. But I'm not sure I like the politics." Ariel looks into her cup a bit down.

"Hey that's understandable, they look stressful." Nora frowns.

"Indeed." Calls a familiar voice, the girls turning to see Link.

"I'm sorry. I…" Ariel starts.

Link holds up a hand and gives a head shake.

"Aqua didn't like the politics either. Which is ironic considering Jedi settle many arguments." Link chuckles placing the plate down in front of her, a mix of meat and vegies. "Eat up, we'll keep them busy for a while." He pats her shoulder heading back in.

"Thanks uncle." Ariel calls after him.

Link stops a moment at that smiling at her before heading in.

"I think you just made his day." Nora smiles at her friend.

They ate a bit. Then Nora went to grab some snacks for them and find out what happened to annoy Ariel without stressing her out more.

'It's good to be out here.' Ariel takes in the smell of the salt water.

Ariel then felt it again. That uneasy feeling. Standing she sees a shark looking man that releases a dart from his wristband. As she falls her tail appears.

"Got her." The man whispers into a com.

Soon he's teleported off the back stand. Ariel going with him.

"Let's see what they do with their princess gone." A scarred shark man smiles at the princess in a tank cell.

Meanwhile….

Nora heads for the snack table and found Fives. She glared at him and grabbed him by the sleeve to drag him off.

'I'm in trouble.' Fives gulps a bit as he's grabbed.

They come to a secluded spot and Nora crosses her arms. "Ariel's upset, why?" She glares at him showing she wasn't kidding around.

"The thing is…" Fives sighs as he explains.

Echo saw what happened and came over and thought 'Oh no, poor Fives.' Echo gulps.

"Ah Fives, you know she's stressed with everything. I know you're stressed too with Lee and all, but have you considered that maybe telling everything would be a better choice." Nora raises a brow.

"No. It wouldn't." Fives rubs his arm with worry clear in them.

"Nora people would also come after her, the Kaminoans…" Echo couldn't even say it.

"You guys think we'd let them hurt you? And with our status they couldn't try anything or there be trouble. This is hard on all of us but…" Nora suddenly froze.

"Nora what's wrong?" Echo comes up to check on her, but Fives holds him back.

"Nora?" Fives looks confused as he holds his brother's arm lightly.

At that Nora glows and her eyes glared "Ariel's in trouble."

"What?!" the guys say shocked.

'Ariel!' Fives races out.

At that Nora fly's off, literally. Kenobi sees this and races after her to the balcony, the royal family as well as they knew that was where Ariel was.

As Nora came out she looked about "She's gone!" She growls.

She heard gasps and saw everyone looking worried. Kenobi rushes over and says "Nora calm down and explain what happened."

Nora tries to calm but can't, so tries to explain something… "Should have listened. Gone now, she's gone sense, sense…" Nora looks around and then up in the sky. She glares.

"Nora don't!" Kenobi tries to stop her but it's too late, she jumps over him and flies up.

"What's going on?" Ceil looks over shocked.

"Nora's protective of Ariel, most of us with force like abilities who make attachments have strong bonds and Nora's and Ariel's bond is very strong. She can sense where she is, and she'll find her. The thing is if she can handle who took her." Kenobi looks worried.

Yos and Lee come over "What has happened?" Yos asks and Ceil explains things to him.

Lee looks shocked and said "We have to go after them. Our ship should be fast enough."

"But they're going so fast we can't tell where Nora's heading." Echo looks panicked.

"I can sense Nora so I should be able to sense where she is going. Anakin lets go." Anakin nods as they head off, Lee, Fives, Echo, and Milo going as well as everyone looked on worried.

Meanwhile…

Nora was on pure instinct mode as she flew about, there were no flying creatures on this planet but she was catching up quick to the ship.

Inside…

"What's that?" The shark man looks at the scanners finds something fallowing them.

He growls and tries to launch something at it. Nora noticed something coming at her and used her powers to block it and it blows up.

The shark man smirks saying "Ha got you."

At the commotion Ariel woke up.

"W-what's going on?" Ariel feels her spinning head and sees she's in a tank.

'What is all this?!' Ariel places her hands to the glass confused and scared.

"Looks like they already tried sending a rescue party for you princess. But looks like they couldn't take my blast. Serves them right for sending something no bigger than a person." The shark laughs.

"No." Ariel gasps placing her hands over her mouth.

'Nora.' Ariel cries for her fallen friend.

What no one knew was that Nora used the cover of the explosion to get on the ship and then used her powers to force some screws off a ventilation shaft. She then sneaked in.

"Let me out of here or I'll…" Ariel looks at the scarred man with a glare.

"Or what? Make your legs appear? I think you'll find you can't." The man chuckles.

"Why can't I?" Ariel tries to keep her fear hidden.

"The dart my dear. The dart has an enzyme in it that keeps you in an easier to keep form. And much more lovely." The man smirks.

"Let me out sleemo and bring me my clothes!" Ariel hits the thick glass with her tail.

Ariel had been stripped of her skirts and jewels. Even her kyber necklace was gone.

"IF you behave, I might bring you a nice shell top for you." The man chuckles heading off to continue his work.

Nora glared at what she heard and started to look for the cure to get her friend's legs back. So they could get out. She had stopped glowing, but her determination hadn't flickered away.

As the man left Ariel curled up in her aquarium crying. She lost her best friend. And the last thing she said to Fives…

'I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' Ariel silently cries into her tail.

With the guys…

"She's this way." Kenobi puts in the coordinates.

'We're coming Ariel.' Fives holds his necklace worried for her.

'Nora be careful, pleas.' Echo worries, knowing that Nora could be dangerous in this form but both to her enemies and friend if not careful.

"Those sleemo Karkarodon. I swear when I get my hands on them." Link and Milo hiss.

"I understand you're worried and angry. But please try to remain calm. This could be a simple ploy for money or to try to force you to join them." Kenobi tries to assure them in his own way.

"Not the Karkarodon." They shake their heads.

"The Karkarodon view us two ways. One, incomplete due to us being part aquatic and part land." Link explains.

"Or two, pretty decorations." Milo fumes. "They make it so we can't change back to our feet and keep us in tanks. Mostly our woman and their forced to preform underwater dances for their entertainment." He looks sicker as he talks.

Fives, paling, doesn't even excuse himself as he runs to a rest room. Throwing his bucket as he throws up.

"Fives…." Echo runs in to sooth his brother back.

"T-they… Ariel…" Fives still feels ill as he sits with his back against the cool rest room wall. "Why didn't I go after her? Try to explain myself. Instead I…" he hits the wall.

"We'll get them back Fives. We will. Just have faith." Echo looks at him worried, never seeing him this despaired.

"Echo if anything happens to her…" Fives can't even finish as he feels himself shake with worry.

With the sharks…

"Ariel…Wake up." Nora taps on the glass.

"N-Nora?" Ariel wipes her eyes looks through the glass.

Nora smiles showing her the antidote "Big shark dudes eating, he won't notice us for a while." She opens up the tank only for an alarm to go off "Oops." Nora plunges the antidote into her friend and helps her out.

"That's not good." Ariel drinks the antidote quick and climbs out.

"Come on." Nora helps her into a closet and locks it. She then grabs a tarp to put over her friend.

"H-how did you survive?" Ariel whispers worried about her friend.

"I was flying after you when he shot a missile at me. I blocked it and used the explosion to sneak on board. Sorry I scared you." Nora hugs her.

"I'm just glad you're alive." Ariel hugs her crying a bit.

Then they heard the door pounding. "Open up. I just ate and I'm in a frenzy, so this door isn't going to be any problem!" He roars.

"Shoot I used up all my energy trying to get to you and the antidote." Nora tries to activate her powers but nothing.

"What do we do?" Ariel looks worried and tired.

"You have your saber?" Nora asks.

"No. He stripped me of mostly everything." Ariel feels for her missing necklace as she drips on the closet floor.

Nora looks at the closet and grabs two brooms. "Use this for now. I'm going to try something Kenobi taught me."

Nora sits down in criss crossed as she holds the broom and starts to think 'Kenobi, Kenobi.'

Back with the others…

Kenobi gasps as he said "Nora?"

"Sir what happened?" Echo looks shocked.

"She's contacted me." Kenobi looks on shocked.

"What? As in words?" Anakin looks shocked as well 'Even I can't do that.'

"Yes. She's calling for me." Kenobi sits down and calls 'Nora. Nora what happened?'

'I'm on the ship and I have Ariel, but we're stuck in a closet. My powers are drained and she is weak. Please hurry I don't know how long the door will last. He's in a frenzy.' Nora replies with fear in her words.

Kenobi replies calmly 'Hold on you two. We'll be there shortly. Good work Nora.' Kenobi sends out a sort of soothing energy to her and then opens his eyes.

"What did she say?" Link looks worried.

Kenobi explains what happened and Fives growls "Then we got to make this bucket go faster."

Anakin smirks "Leave that to me." Taking the controls.

As they did Kenobi couldn't help think 'I've only ever experienced such a thing with master Jinn. To experience it again… Am I becoming too close to my new padawan?' Kenobi worries.

With the girls…

"They're coming. Kenobi said they're coming." Nora says still a bit worried as she holds up her broom ready to attack.

"How do we take him down?" Ariel looks ready for a fight.

"Go for the nose, eyes, and gills. Those are they're weak spots." Nora looks on with hunters' eyes.

"Ready." Ariel finishes tying the clothe as a skirt.

The two stand side by side, ready to fight, and soon the door breaks. Nora goes for the intended spots making the shark man whimper. Ariel hits his gills making him sound winded.

"You, you were the one that trespassed. How did you survive my bomb?" Shark man tried to chomp at her, but Nora whacks his nose making him whimper again.

"Nothing you need to know sushi boy." Nora growls.

"This is for trapping me!" Ariel hits him in the gills again.

The shark man roars at them but they both then wack his stomach making him bend over and the girls then rush out to try and find and escape pod. Sadly, they wouldn't find one, what was worse was that Nora was bleeding slightly from an unknown injury.

When the Shark smelled it his pupils dilated and he growled. The hunt had truly begun now.

"Are you okay?" Ariel helps her to a room as the ship goes into a tizzy.

"Sigh, I didn't even notice that was there." Nora huffs she looks at her bleeding leg.

"Let me have a look." Ariel lifts up the skirt a bit to see her injury.

'This must have happened when the bomb exploded.' Ariel rips her friend's skirt to tie the injury.

"Sorry but this is the only thing I know is clean." Ariel keeps her voice low as she ties it. "Is it too tight?"

"No it's fine, thanks." Nora smiles at her.

"There they are!" A few bang on the door.

"They must of smelled my blood." Nora pales knowing what a shark that smelled blood would do.

'Way out. We need a way out.' Ariel looks around panicked.

"Come on." Ariel pulls her over to an air duct.

When the beasts break down the door, they find them gone. But find the small air duct slot open.

"They're in the air ducts." A man calls with a snarl.

"No matter. They can't go far." The scar man smiles with an idea.

With the others…

Fives is ready for a fight. He was going to get his girl back no matter what.

Echo was as well, he was never letting Nora go in a fight on her own again. "You going to be okay?" Echo looks over at his brother.

"When this is over, I'm not letting her go." Fives whispers touching his necklace.

"Same here with Nora." Echo plays with his bracelet.

"We'll be in docking distance soon." Anakin knocks on their door peeking in on them.

"Sir." They nod with a fire in them.

"As soon as we're on board we're taking those beasts down." Milo hisses.

"Agreed." Link looks ready to kill.

"I would have to ask you princes to stay here." Kenobi instructs gently.

"Not if all oceans boiled." They say at the same time.

"Your majesties…" Kenobi starts.

"Kenobi we stood by when we knew our sister was in danger. We won't do that again." Link stares sharply with a twinge of regret in his eyes.

"We won't leave her. Not ever." Milo shakes his head slightly with the same look.

"Very well. But please stay close." Kenobi instructs.

"To that we can agree." Link nods.

"Agreed." Milo nods.

With the girls…

"Come out. Come out. Wherever you are." The scarred man calls cover the coms. "Tell you what princess. You come out and agree to be mine then I'll let your friend live. How's that?" he calls.

"No, don't you dare. They won't keep they're word no matter what. And I won't let you do this." Nora grabs her friends arm determinedly.

'Like he'd keep his promise. But…' Ariel looks at Nora and her hurt leg.

"She's bleeding still, isn't she? We can smell it. It's only a matter of time." He calls. "You have ten minutes." He signs off.

"Ariel don't listen, once they smell blood they don't care, they won't keep they're promise. Please don't do this." Nora begs her friend.

"But you're hurt and you're starting to feel warm. If there's a chance they'll honor it…" Ariel whispers.

"They won't, I told you if they smell blood they'll frenzy. The others are coming we just have to hold on." Nora begs with tears now.

"We don't know how far out they are. And I… I can't lose someone else. I'm sorry." Ariel cries as she finds an exit for them.

"Ah you're here." The scarred man smirks as Ariel shows up with her hurt and dizzy friend.

"I'll surrender. But please. Please help her." Ariel looks at him pleadingly.

"Ariel No!" Nora calls with tears.

"They'll take her to the medbay. But YOU come with me." The man tugs her from Nora.

Ariel is caught in his arms as Nora nearly stumbles to the ground. Ariel looks at her sadly but can't fight as the shark takes her off.

As they disappeared Nora tries to go after them but is grabbed by other two. "Oh you're not going anywhere." On said.

"We have plans for you." Another smirks.

"I knew you never honor your deal!" Nora growls.

"Of course not, once we get a whiff of blood, there's no stopping us." The blue shark man struggles as the two start dragging her off, Nora struggling all the way.

Once in the medbay they strap her down and the tan one says "You want left or right."

"Left, that's where the bloods coming from." The blue ones licks his lips.

Nora growls at this then and alarm went off.

"Ah just when we were about to frenzy!" Tan says.

Blue then looks at Nora "Don't go anywhere. We still got dinner plans." He chuckles as he goes.

Once gone Nora starts to find a way to get out of the traps. 'Wait what was that trick again, loosen your muscles and….' And that's what she tries to do.

With Ariel…

The leader pulls her off to his room. A large tank sits where a bed should be.

"Get in and take this. You won't be leaving water again." The man offers her the injection.

Ariel goes over to the tank and with a tear gives herself the injection. The man smirking as her tail appears again. He then enters to swim over to her.

"No." Ariel pushes him back.

"Want your friend thrown out?" He smirks.

Ariel bites her under lip but doesn't fight. The shark kissing her.

'I'm sorry. I'm sorry Fives.' Ariel cries at this.

"Sir!" A man comes in.

"What do you want?!" The captain snarls turning to him as he holds a clearly upset Ariel close.

"We have intruders coming." The man gives a salute.

"Until later on my dear." The man strokes her face before jumping out of the tank.

Once he was gone Ariel rubs her lips trying to get rid of the feel of his lips off of her. But then there was the feel of his hands on her waist and shoulders. She felt sick and wanted to leave.

With the others…

A fight breaks out between the sharks and Atlantean guards. Along with the jedi and troopers with them.

"Where is our niece?" Milo has a shock triton keeping a shark man against a wall, his throat between his spikes.

"Where she belongs." He smirks.

Milo, angry, shocks the man. Him dropping to the ground.

"I'm going to find her." Fives heads off to find Ariel.

"And I'll go find Nora!" Echo goes to find where Nora might be, his heart stopping as he saw a trial of blood, but rushed off.

"Wait a minute!" Kenobi calls after the two. "Did you train them to act this way?" he looks at Anakin.

"I think I'm going to go take control of the ship." Anakin clears his throat heading for the command center.

With Ariel…

Ariel was sitting in the tank sadly. She wanted to be with the man she loves.

"Ariel!" Fives finds her.

"Fives." Ariel places her hands on the glass looking at him sadly.

"I'll get you out of th-" Fives moves to get her out when he's thrown.

"She is my price meat droid." The scar shark growls. "Maybe I'll have a snack before having her." He looks at the man ready to eat him.

"No!" Ariel shouts with her eyes shot tight.

Soon she opens them to find three ice shards in the man's back. Ariel looks shocked, unable to take in what she had just done.

"Ariel!" Fives winces as he stands. "Ariel I got you." He helps her out.

"I… I don't feel good." Ariel shivers from a cold running through her, snuggling into him to get warm and feel safe.

"I'll get you back to the ship. Hang on." Fives holds her close as he heads back.

"Ariel!" Her uncles call seeing her.

"Her body feels like ice and she's starting to gasp for air." Fives looks worried as he brings her on board.

"Not air, water. As mers we need water." Link explains.

"I'll go get a tank ready." A man calls.

"N-no. No please." Ariel gasps tiredly with a whimper.

"Bath then." Link rushes off.

Ariel is placed in one quickly. Though she didn't want to let go of Fives as she's placed in.

With Echo….

He was running like crazy taking down anyone that got in his way. 'That cant' be here blood, can it? She could have been hurt and yet. Why do I feel so sure.'

As Echo turns a corner, he hears a tan shark say "Why does something always have to happen in the middle of our meal."

"Hey relax, she's still fresh so she'll still taste good when we get back." Bleu chuckles.

At that Echo felt his sight go red as he blasted the two sharks down with the stuns and then rushed to the mebday.

"Nora!" Echo rushes in.

"Echo!" Nora calls crying as she just finally got one hand out.

Echo rushes up and she kisses him. "We have to get out of her."

"Yes we do we have too…" Nora then suddenly fainted.

"Nora!" Echo looks on shocked as he then notices it. 'She's burning up!'

With that he takes her back to the ship.

As he does Obi-Wan rushed her to the med bay to be looked over. The medical droid saying she needed to be placed in bacta immediately to get rid of the bacterial infection.

Echo looked on worried as they took her away to be put in black shorts and sports braw, before being dropped in a bacta tank.

'Nora, Nora I'm so sorry.' Echo feels himself lean against the wall before sliding down it.

On the deck…

"Sirs why was she so cold? I mean her skin has always been cool but this…" Fives looks worried.

"She killed the shark right? And did it out of strong fear and hate?" Anakin looks at his man with sadness.

"Yes." Fives nods, her voice still ringing in his ears. Her fear and anger clear along with desperation.

"She made a connection to the dark side. It was brief but it was there." Anakin sighs heavily at that.

Suddenly Echo came in walking like a zombie.

"How is she?" Fives looks over at his brother worried.

"They, they had to place her in a bacta tank. They don't know when she'll wake up." Echo comes up to sit at the table.

"I'm sorry Echo, but she'll be okay. She just needs rest." Anakin pats his back.

"She'll be okay. Don't worry." Fives pats his back.

"I should have been there. I should have been able to…" Echo shakes.

"Hey don't start that. You couldn't have stopped her." Fives cuts him off, worry in his tone.

"He's right. Nora's powers are still new to her and very instinctual. She would have rushed off to help Ariel no matter what. In fact, she may have given us time before that monster…" Anakin couldn't say it.

'Ariel.' Fives grips a fist at that.

Then the royal brothers come in.

"Ariel seems to be doing well but she's asking about Nora. Any news on her?" Milo asks.

"She's resting. How's Ariel?" Fives looks worried.

"Lee is with her, we do not trust leaving her alone at the moment." Link explains.

'Lee huh?' Fives feels his blood boil a bit at that.

Anakin helps calm him down by saying "At least she's awake. Nora's had to be put in a bacta tank and we don't know when she'll wake up. I hope master Obi-Wan is doing okay. He was never good at hiding how he felt when I got sick or injured." Anakin sighed as he rubbed his robotic arm.

"We are sorry to hear that. We shall be going back immediately. I need to inform everyone else that we are returning safely." Link nods.

"I will go check on the girls." Milo sighs worried for both.

As they left Anakin said "You two should get some rest."

"Sir… I'd like to check on the girls. I don't think I could sleep at all without checking on them." Fives looks to the side worried for Ariel.

"And I'd like to go as well sir." Echo looks pleadingly.

"Sigh, fine but go together so no one suspects anything." Anakin smirks as he goes back to driving.

The two flush at that and think 'He does know!'

But decided to head off. The first place they went to was to see Ariel, Lee sitting next to her and giving her words of comfort.

"H-how are you feeling?" Fives looks at Ariel trying to hide his fear and worry.

"Still feel cold." Ariel rubs her arms trying to chase away her goosebumps.

"I've asked for heat stones to be brought. They should keep the water and you warm." Lee places his hand on her bare shoulder.

'Stay calm.' Fives grips a fist a bit at that as he tries to not react to this.

'Stay calm Fives.' "Is there anything we can do to help you?" Echo asks worriedly for her.

"I'll be okay. How is Nora? Did they take care of her?" Ariel looks worried.

Echo sighs but explains what he knows, leaving out that she was almost eaten.

"S-so they weren't going to keep their word. And I…" Ariel feels ill at that.

'Ariel…' Fives tries to go over but Echo stops him.

"It wasn't your fault and Nora's okay just needs to rest." Echo said to comfort her and himself at once.

"Ariel you were trying to protect your friend and had NO way of knowing they weren't honoring it." Lee tries to assure her.

Once finished there they headed off to check on Nora. Ariel begging, they bring news of her back.

"We promise Ariel." Echo nods, eyes shaking as they left.

"They are good friends to you both." Lee smiles at her.

"Yeah." Ariel nods sadly.

'How can I face Fives after I…' Ariel bites her under lip almost to the point of bleeding.

In the medbay…

Kenobi sat on chair in front of the bacta tank Nora was in. He was in a meditated stance as he tried over and over again to make contact with her.

'Nora, Nora please I'm here. Please talk to me. What did they do to you?' At that Kenobi saw images of what happened on the ship, from the explosion, the hunt, Ariel's sacrifice, and Nora almost being eaten.

Kenobi gasped as he looked at Nora and said "Oh my padawan." Kenobi couldn't help but shed a tear.

"Sir?" Echo comes in looking worried at the general's behavior.

"Are you okay?" Fives looks worried at him.

"Thank you for getting her out of there, they were going too…" Kenobi couldn't even get the words out.

"I know. I overheard them. I knew blood could cause them to become crazy, but to try to eat someone…" Echo looks on worried.

'What?!' Fives stares shocked and worried at that.

"You two may be as unruly as my old padawan but I suppose that's a good thing. You helped save them because of that. How is Ariel doing?" Kenobi looks over sadly.

They explained what they knew and what Anakin said and Kenobi looked shocked. He sighed and said "Master Fisto will have his work cut out for him. She's going to need a lot of help to get over this."

"Why? Is Ariel not going to be okay?" Fives is unable to hide his worry at that.

"Let's just say many who have touched that side tend to become reluctant in using they're powers and can become fearful. It's best to help assure her that what she did was not her intention but her fear taking control. She will need to work on that not happening again. But other than that, she should be fine with all the ones she cares for around her." Kenobi smiles.

'Ariel. Ariel how I want to hold you.' Fives looks down sadly touching his crystal.

Echo was glad to hear that knowing Nora wouldn't want Ariel sad. But was confused on how emotional the general was getting. 'The general did say he tended to get this way when he was hurt. Is it the same with Nora?'

Echo looks up sadly at the floating figure in the bacta. "Sir when do you think she will awake?"

"It's hard to say. I looked through her memories." Kenobi stars.

The two felt worried at that 'Did he see something?'

"She was so brave and yet scared. Maybe her knowing that Ariel is okay will help her come out of this state." Kenobi goes back to meditated mode and tells Nora what he knows.

But as he did Nora eyes shift and Kenobi is pushes off his chair.

"Sir!" they both come over to help.

"Sir what happened? Is she okay?" Echo looks worried at a now somewhat fidgety Nora.

"What's going on?" Fives is the same.

"Sigh, she blames herself for what happened. Ariel was only in that situation because they promised to treat Nora if Ariel gave herself up to the leader. But as you both know that didn't happen." Kenobi looks on sadly.

"Nora that wasn't your fault." Fives shakes his head.

"Nora no you can't blame yourself." Echo looks on shocked, his necklace slightly glowing and her white one did as well.

At that Nora calms at that. Kenobi is shocked and said "Where did you get those necklaces?"

"T-the girls gave them to us." Fives holds his looking away a bit.

"They wanted to thank us for all our help." Echo looks down.

"Hmm… Nora must be connected to you boys as well. It seems a big part of her powers. Maybe if you two talk to her it will help her recover faster and into waking up." Kenobi rubs his beard.

"Sir I don't know if…" Echo starts not sure what to think of this.

"We shouldn't…" Fives is the same.

"Come now I can sense you boys care for them, many of the troops in Anakin battalion do. You all met on that crash and helped each other. I can only assume you all became close friends. Please, help her." Kenobi looks as if he's begging.

The two look on shocked at this but agree as they go up to the bacta tank and talk to Nora, hoping that what they say will help.

"Nora this wasn't your fault. You aren't the one that did this." Fives calls to her.

"Nora, we're sorry we couldn't be there. You shouldn't blame yourself for what happens. Ariel is your best friend and she'd do anything for you. I do the same for Fives in a minute. Please you have to understand that none of this is your fault. You have to wake up. Ariel's worried, the generals are worried, the royals, we're worried…" Echo puts his head to the glass at that and a hand next to hit.

'I'm worried most of all. I can't lose you. Please wake up, wake up Nora. I…Te amo.' Echo feels tears in his eyes. Te amo was a word he had heard Nora use before in her native tongue and if he understood it correctly it was how to say you loved someone.

He didn't notice but his crystal was as bright as a star and Nora's reacted to it, hearing every word he said.

'Echo… Oh Echo thank you. Te amo amour.' Nora suddenly put her hand to the glass and onto Echo's own hand.

They gasped at that and Echo called "She's awake!"

The med droid and Kenobi got to work but had to push the two out.

Echo felt his heart break as the door shut and thought 'Nora, I'll be back I promise.'

As Nora was being unplugged and taken out of the tank, she slightly opened her eyes to see Echo being shooed out and thought 'Echo, amour, don't go.' She tried to reach but fell back under.

Outside the door Echo hit his head against it along with a fist, tears coming down.

"She'll be okay Echo." Fives pats his shoulder.

"But, she looks so week what if…" Echo shakes at the thought of something happening.

"She just needs to rest. Let her rest." Fives tries to assure him.

Echo couldn't really agree but just nods as he fallows him.

With that they went to their barracks. Not that they slept well. Both felt uneasy for their girls.