The sun glared down on the Axle City beach, where two young trucks were relaxing while on their date.
It had been a few months since Crusher's secret had been revealed. Everyone was surprised but accepting nonetheless. Pickle was the most surprised but he loved and accepted the other as well.
At the moment, Pickle laughed as Crusher spoke gently melodies into the wind, his voice causing some of their picnic to float in the air in icy blue magic.
"Wow, Crusher! Who would've thought your siren magic was so amazing!" Pickle giggled, his smile beaming below the moonlight.
"Thanks, Pickle," Crusher said, smiling as he set their food down. "I still can't believe my secret's out and you… you still love me,"
"I'll always love you, Crusher," Pickle held his tire, a small blush on his cheeks. "Siren or not,"
"I'll always love you too" Crusher felt his face heat up as he got closer. "Nothing, I mean NOTHING could ever ruin this moment."
The two moved closer to one another and was just about to kiss when a shadow towered over them and a deep, angry voice boomed out.
"CRESECENTO!"
Crusher tensed up at the familiar voice while Pickle blinked in confusion. They turned to find a tiger shark emerge from the water, it's eyes glowing red as an older siren man sat on it's back, eyes piercing at the dark blue truck with a glare that could kill.
"F-Father...?!"
"Father?!" Pickle stared at his boyfriend and back at the siren in shock. "Crusher, what's going on?"
"Pickle, I can explain-"
"Enough of this!" the siren snarled and took out a long, sharp staff from out of nowhere. "Crescento, you are to come with me! Now!"
"Father, no!" Crusher shook his head glared up at the other. Pickle hid behind him, not wanting to be in the family conflict but still willing to be with Crusher in case he needed help.
"Yes!" the siren snarled. "Now, come!"
The siren lifted his staff and released a spell through a song. The melody blew with the wind, towards the duo. Crusher covered his ears to prevent him from hearing, but Pickle wasn't so lucky. He got caught in the spell, his eyes turning red as he made his way forward.
Crusher gasped. "Pickle, no!"
Crusher was too hasty and removed his tires from his ears. The melody reached him, causing him to be caught in the spell and drive forward. Both stopped in front of the siren, who smirked in victor.
"Ha! You are both coming home with me!" He moved his staff as he sang another spell. The spell caused a swirl around him and the duo before they all disappeared in a blast of wind, causing it to blow the whole picnic into a wreck.
Meanwhile, Blaze and AJ were on a nightly drive by the bay. As they did, they spotted an empty picnic basket carried off by the wind. They stopped in their tracks.
"Huh? How did this mess end up here?" AJ wondered. "And... what're those?"
Blaze drove over to see tire tracks heading to the water. He narrowed his eyes at them. "Tire tracks... Crusher and Pickle's, to be exact."
"But... why are they heading to the water?" AJ asked, dismounting from the driver's seat. "They wouldn't just leave their picnic in a mess,"
"Good point," Blaze said. "We better call the others, and see if we can get to the bottom of this."
As soon as they got in contact with everyone, they stood by and waited for them to arrive. The first that came was Darington.
"Whoa! Who made this mess?!" he asked.
"We don't know," AJ replied. "Crusher and Pickle were here on a date, but... they'd never leave the place a mess like this,"
"Yeah," Stripes agreed, driving over, with Starla and the others following. "And are those... tire tracks leading to the water?"
"They are, and they're Crusher and Pickle's," Blaze answered with a nod.
"But, that's what doesn't make sense. Crusher can turn into a siren, but Pickle can't. Why would they go into the water?"
"And we all know that Crusher wouldn't just... force Pickle into the water like this," Gabby dismounted from Watts and crossed her arms. "So what happened?"
"I know what happened."
Everyone turned to see Crusher's Grammy drive towards them, a worried and guilty expression on her face.
"Grammy? What're you doing here?" Starla asked.
"I came here following Crusher's father," Silina spoke. "He was after my sweet Crushy,"
"His dad?" Zeg asked. "Why he after Crusher?"
"He's here to collect Crusher to punish him," Silina admitted with a sigh. "Because of the incident months ago, it had reached him that Crusher is here, in the surface, and he didn't take the news of Crushy being exposed as the siren he is very well,"
"But, what about Pickle? Is he okay?" Watts asked.
"Honestly? I have no clue," Silina shook her head. "I am so sorry. I was suppose to stop Dracon from taking Crushy and from hurting Pickle,"
"It's okay," Blaze said. "The important thing now is to rescue them. But, the question is how?"
"I can help with that," Silina smiled and motioned to the water. "Dracon is taking them to world of the sirens. The only way for us to save them is to go underwater,"
"But, we can't breathe underwater!" Darington said. "Not like sirens anyway."
"Oh, but what if you can?" Silina grinned and drove close to the water. "I can turn you all into sirens, so that we may travel underwater to save Pickle and Crushy!"
"Really?" Gabby asked excitedly. "Cool!"
"Then let's do it!" Stripes exclaimed.
"Great," Silina drove to the edge of the bay. "Come, all of you, gather around,"
"Okay, but uh... one question. Will this hurt?" Darington asked.
"Only for a little while," Silina assured him. "Are you all ready?"
The group shared worried looks and nodded.
"All right. Hold still."
Silina took a deep breath and released a spell through her song. Lavender magic floated out of her lips, into the air and all around the group. The group gasped as they were slowly lifted into the air and gently carried towards the water.
"Whoa..."
Silina chuckled at their reaction before waving her hands around with her song. Suddenly, they dropped into the water with a huge splash, causing everyone to yelp as they hit the water.
"Water cold! Water cold!" Zeg yelped.
"Woah!" Darington gasped as a tornado of bubbles surrounded them. "What's happening?!"
"The spell," Silina mused in a melodic voice. "Let it flow through you. Let is shift your shape..."
The group nodded and closed their eyes as the spell flowed through them. The bubbles seeped through them, allowing the monster machines to feel a tingle of pain as they felt their tires disappear into hands and tails. Gabby and AJ had felt pain in their legs as they shifted into tails before the the bubbles disappeared, leaving them in the water.
"Guys!" Gabby was the first open her eyes and let out a gasp. "Look at us!"
"Huh?!" Everyone opened their eyes and gasped as they saw themselves, each of their skins a shade of aquamarine while their hair was the same as their color as well as their tales. "Wow!"
"We look crazy cool!" Darington said.
"Zeg is Dino Siren!" Zeg squealed, swishing his dinosaur tail-shaped siren tail.
"These tails are amazing!" Blaze exclaimed.
"I am glad you think so," Silina smiled and swam towards them, her siren form looking almost like Crusher's yet her hair was purplish-pink while her tail was light lavender. "You will need them to swim in the powerful currents of the siren world,"
"What're we waiting for? Lead the way!" AJ said.
Silina nodded and swam off, the others following behind her. As they did, they had some difficulty swimming with their new siren tails.
"Whoa! This is sorta tricky!" Blaze said, struggling to swim forward.
"Gah!" Darington held his hands out to balance himself as he swam. "Really tricky!"
"Uh... we could use some help!" Gabby chuckled nervously.
"Hmm?" Silina looked back and smiled amusingly. "Oh dear! So sorry," She swam back to them. "Don't worry, though. Crushy used to have trouble swimming too when he was younger,"
"I can see why," Watts said. "These tails are tricky!"
"It's like they've got a mind of their own!" Stripes hissed, swishing his tail to control it. "Even my tiger tail is better than this,"
"Zeg's tail too!" Zeg spoke as he suddenly flipped because of his tail.
This caused him to bump into Starla, which caused a domino effect of tumbling. Silina sighed but smiled before swimming over to help them.
"Come on, all of you," she urged, swishing her tail in front of her to set an example. "Try to swish it against the current. It will give you all a boost,"
Everyone did as they were told, each of them gasping at the effectivity of the advice. Silina giggled and motioned them to follow her forward. They finally managed to keep up with her as they swam deeper into the ocean. Finally, they reached an empty, sandy field, where a lone, giant white clam sat in the sand. They approached it, and Silina sang a few notes, causing the clam to open up, which revealed a giant, ocean blue pearl sitting inside.
"Whoa... that pearl is beautiful!" Blaze gasped. "I've never seen one that color before!"
"It is the Pearl of the Sirens," Silina explained. "Years ago, us sirens had been banished from the normal seas of Earth because of our constant manipulation through songs, so our ancestors had made this pearl. It is the one and only passage way to the siren world,"
"So, how are we supposed to open the passage?" Gabby asked.
"Only sirens may open the passage," Silina replied, taking out a magical scroll from out of nowhere. "And a special song, which would indicate that you are a true siren from the siren world for we sirens learn it at such a young age,"
"But, we're not true sirens," Stripes said.
"Yeah," Starla agreed. "How're we suppose to open the passage up with a song we don't know?"
"Good question," Darington nodded.
"Not to worry, my dears," Silina giggled and allowed the scroll to float in front of them. "I have the song right here. All I must teach you is how to sing while casting spells, for you see, as you are not natural sirens, you may sing with or without spells,"
"Cool!" Stripes spoke with a grin.
"How do we cast spells through song, Grammy?" Blaze questioned.
"Follow my voice, dears," Silina began to chant. "but do not listen to me. Listen to your own voice and mimic my tone..."
"Why shouldn't we, Grammy?" Watts asked, tilting her head.
"For even sirens can catch other sirens in their chant," Silina answered with a sigh. "That is how Dracon managed to kidnap Pickle and Crushy,"
"Oh... good point," Darington shrugged.
"Good for you all to understand," Silina smiled. "Now, read the scroll and sing. Sing with all your power, feel it in your body and let it all out..."
The siren-turned monster machines followed her instructions, each of them reading the notes in the scroll. After a while, different colors of magic flew out of their lips and all around the water. They gasped in surprise.
"Whoa!"
Silina chuckled at their reaction but kept on singing as their magic floated to the pearl. As soon as it touched it, the pearl began to float off from the clam before bursting out, creating a portal-like passage.
"Incredible!" AJ exclaimed.
"Indeed," Silina smiled and nodded. "And I'm very impressed with how you managed to cast the spell at your first try,"
"I am too," Starla agreed.
"Portal big and bright," Zeg commented, tilting his head at the passage way.
"Come on!" Blaze said. "Let's hurry and save Crusher and Pickle!"
The group all approached the portal and gasped as they felt themselves being pulled within before disappearing in a poof, the portal disappearing with them as well as the clam slamming shut as they left. Meanwhile, Crusher and Pickle found themselves inside Dracon's palace.
"Woah!" Pickle gasped, finding himself in a bubble and underwater as he looked around. "Where are we?!"
"Home..." Crusher sighed, not surpised when he found himself shifted to his siren form.
"Yes..." The duo turned to see Dracon swim over to them, eyes gleaming at them dangerously. "Welcome home, Crescento,"
"Crescento? I thought your name was Crusher," Pickle said.
"Crescento's... my full name. My siren name," Crusher grimaced before turning to glare at the other siren. "But, Father, why bring Pickle into this? If that bubble pops, he's done for! Let us go!"
"Well, I certainly was never letting this... being go out and report your disappearance now, was I?" Dracon smirked.
"Just leave Pickle out of this!" Crusher growled.
"If you say so..." Dracon swam towards the bubble. "Drowning him is the easier way to do so,"
"NO!" Crusher's eyes widened in horror. "Just... let us go back to the surface! I don't wanna be king!"
"I don't CARE what you want, you ungrateful brat!" Dracon slapped him with a growl.
"King?" Pickle questioned.
"Yeah, king," Crusher sighed and hissed, touching his stinging cheek. "Pickle, I..."
"Oh, so you announce to the WHOLE world that you are a siren, but you never bothered to mention your heritage?!" Dracon slapped him again, gritting his teeth. "You really are a shameful boy, aren't you?!"
"I wanted to follow my own path! Not yours!" Crusher yelled out, ignoring the pain across his other cheek.
"How DARE you, you little..." Dracon grabbed his staff and shot his son, sending him back to one of the walls.
"Crusher!" Pickle yelled. "Please don't hurt him!"
"Shut UP!" Dracon pointed the staff at him to shoot.
"Father, NO!" Crusher quickly recovered and swam in front of his lover's bubble. "Don't hurt him either!"
"Get out of my way or else-"
Suddenly, Dracon's staff began to glow. Dracon stared at it inquisitively, narrowing his eyes at it before turning to the guards.
"Guards, put my son and his little friend in the dungeons,"
"Yes sire." the guards nodded and immediately went over to grab the duo.
Crusher didn't struggle as the guards took hold of him. Instead, he turned to his boyfriend and made sure he was alright as they were taken out of the throne room. Dracon waited until they were gone then he turned back to his staff. He hit the end of it on the floor, causing a pure white crystal ball to appear out of it.
"Hmm..." Dracon stared down at his crystal ball. "What do you wish to show me, dearest crystal?"
The ball's white surface vanished, and an image of Silina and the rest of the group swimming their way through the passage, heading to the siren world. Dracon growled.
"Silina... and those must be Crescendo's friends. I have to stop them from reaching us. But how...?"
He looked around and smirked when he found a bunch of electric eels swimming about near the castle. He made his way to the window and released a small chant, red magic swirling off his lips. The electric eels were caught in his spell, eyes glowing red before swimming towards him immediately. He smirked.
"Now, my pets, go and stop those sirens!"
The electric eels gave a bow before swimming out. Meanwhile, Silina and the group had appeared exited the passage way and had appeared in front of the siren village.
"Everyone, welcome to the Kingdom of Melodia, the world of sirens,"
"It's beautiful!" Watts gasped.
"And so peaceful," Darington took a deep breath and sighed.
"Hmm..." Silina frowned and looked around. "Too peaceful..."
"What makes you say that?" AJ asked.
"There are usually guards at each part of the village, for safety measures," Silina explained. "To see little to no guards is quite... suspicious, and honestly a little concerning,"
"Concerning like... those eels?!" Stripes cried, pointing.
The group turned to see a bunch of electric eels coming their way. Those sirens who saw them shrieked and swam away in fear as the eels began to spark up threateningly. Silina gasped, her gaze landing on the bright red eyes of the eels.
"They are under Dracon's control!" she cried out, taking out a shield from out of nowhere and holding it in front of the group. "Get back now!"
The others obeyed her warning and quickly swam back. The eels all giggled evilly and began to shoot their electricity towards them. Silina held out her shield towards them.
"What are we gonna do?!" Watts asked. "The shield won't hold them off forever!"
"If only there was some way to break them out of Dracon's spell!" Starla hissed.
"There is!" Silina exclaimed.
"There is?!" Darington gasped. "How?!"
"Dracon's song alone is powerful," Silina told them. "but a unity of voice is stronger. All of you, follow after me!"
She released a chant and sang through the water, her magic of lavender floating in the waves. Blaze and AJ followed after, attempting to match her tone as red and orange magic came from their lips.
"Woah!" Stripes's jaw dropped.
"Let's follow after them!" Gabby spoke before chanting.
Soon, bursts of pink, purple, magenta, orange, blue and lime green came from them, surrounding them whole as a group. Silina smiled and proceeded to sing louder, her voice echoing among the rest. Their magic combined sent out a loud echo towards the electric eels, who all screeched in pain as their eyes started to lose their red and glow.
"It's working!" Darington exclaimed.
"Keep singing!" Blaze urged them. "As loud as you can!"
The group did as he told, their voices getting louder and louder until their voices echoed all through the village. There was a sudden boom, and their magic blasted towards the eels, breaking them out from Dracon's spell permanently.
"We did it!" Gabby cried out.
"Alright!" AJ cheered.
"Wa-hoo!" Darington beamed.
The electric eels suddenly looked confused about where they were and swam towards Silina. Silina smiled and let the eels swim around her arms.
"Now, now, dears, don't worry," she assured them. "You're all safe now,"
"You just swim on home," Blaze said. "Everything's gonna be fine."
The electric eels cheerfully swam to the group before swimming off. Zeg waved them off.
"Bye-bye, little eels," he said.
"They're sorta cute... when they're not shocking us," Stripes admitted.
"Yes, they are," Silina agreed. "Electric eels from the siren world are not harmful when free and happy,"
"Let's hope Dracon doesn't put more animals under his control," AJ shuddered.
"Hmm…" Silina nodded but she knew Dracon better than to underestimate him. "yes, we can only hope…"
"Come on," Blaze said. "Let's keep going."
Meanwhile, back in the dungeons, Crusher and Pickle were being guarded by two guards.
"Crusher...? What did he mean by your legacy? Were you meant to be king?" Pickle asked, finally having the courage to speak.
"Yes," Crusher sighed. "I'm his only child. I'm the heir to the throne, but I… I don't want to be king, so I left,"
"Why don't you wanna be king?"
"I—"
Before he could say anything else, one of the guards decided to take a break and left. Crusher's face lit up as an idea came to mind.
"Pickle, cover your ears,"
"Hmm? Wha...?"
"Just... trust me on this,"
Pickle frowned but shrugged and did as the other spoke. Crusher turned to the remaining guard and closed his eyes before chanting. Blue magic came from his mouth into the water, making it's way towards the guard. The guard looked as if he was trying to fight the spell but gave in anyway, eyes glowing icy blue.
"Is that the same spell you put on me and the rest of the town?" Pickle asked.
"No," Crusher shook his head. "That was accidental, which meant I had no control over it or of any of you. THIS, however, is intentional,"
"Totally understand," Pickle nodded and watched as his boyfriend swam towards the guard.
"Guard, release us," he commanded.
"Yes, sir..." the guard bowed and unlocked the dungeon doors.
Crusher sighed in relief and swam over to get a small grip on Pickle's bubble. He then pushed the bubble out until they were out of the dungeons. He swam a little further down the halls until he released the bubble. Pickle let out a sigh of relief himself.
"That was close!"
"Yeah..." Crusher looked around cautiously. "Come on, we better get going before father figures out that we escaped..."
"Good thinking. He terrifies me!" Pickle shuddered.
Crusher chuckled before getting grip of his bubble again. He proceeded to swim through the halls and had found a window to escape through when the other guard spotted them.
"HALT!"
"Uh oh..." Pickle gulped.
"We have to GO now!" Crusher began to swim faster as the guard took out a spear.
"Stop, in the name of the siren king!"
"Um, no thank you!" Pickle shook his head.
The guard swam after them, spear glowing brightly as he began to shoot. Pickle yelped, watching in horror as one blast managed to hit Crusher's tail.
"OW!"
"Crusher!" Pickle cried out as the siren prince's grip on the bubble slipped, causing him to float out of control. "Whoa-woah!"
"Pickle!" Crusher tried to swim over but hissed at the pain in his tail. "Ack!"
Pickle tried to get his bubble under control, but just as he tried, a pair of hands caught his bubble. He turned around and screamed. His captor smirked.
"Well, well, what do we have here?"
"Let go of him, father!" Crusher yelled as the guard grabbed and restrained him.
"You slipped through my tail once, son, and you're not escaping your destiny again!" Dracon snarled. "Guard, take him back to the dungeon... and restrain his magic,"
"Yes sir." the guard nodded and hit the end of his spear on the floor, causing a sort of magical handkerchief to wrap around Crusher's mouth.
Crusher muffled a growl, glaring at his father as Pickle's bubble was handed over to the guard. Dracon smirked, watching as the duo were taken back to the dungeons. He felt his staff suddenly glow and turned to see the crystal ball emerging from it, revealing the group still making their way towards the palace.
"Gah! That pesky group is still coming?! I'll have to send something else to stop them..."
He swam out of the palace and found a group of hammerhead sharks swimming by. He smirked and and released a chant towards them. The hammerhead sharks' eyes all flashed red before they swam towards the siren king.
"Now, do what the eels couldn't- ram those sirens to bits!"
The hammerhead sharks gave a bow before swimming off. Dracon smirked and let out an evil laugh.
Meanwhile, Silina was leading the group past the village and through the seaweed forest.
"Come on," she urged. "We should be able to make it through the seaweed forest easily."
Zeg was intrigued by the seaweeds and swam stray from the group. Stripes turned to him in confusion.
"Zeg? Where are you going?"
"Zeg hungry," Zeg whined. "Zeg wanna taste seaweed,"
"Okay... if you really wanna..." Stripes looked unsure but shrugged.
Silina turned to them and gasped. She swam towards them and grabbed Zeg by the shoulders.
"Hang on, dear!"
"Huh?" Zeg blinked at her in surprise. "What wrong, Grammy?"
"The seaweed in this forest is not something that should be eaten," Silina answered. "Some of these seaweed are alive,"
"Good reason not to eat it," Gabby said.
"Aww, but Zeg hungry," Zeg sighed. "Oh well,"
"When we make it past the forest, there is a garden full of edible goodies," Silina assured him.
"Ooh, yes!"
"Ooh, NOW I'm hungry," Darington chuckled. "Maybe I could-"
Before he could finish, however, a hammerhead shark suddenly burst into the seaweed forest. Darington screeched, swimming towards Blaze, who held him back protectively. The rest of them huddled together, with Silina forming a force field around them.
"Hammerhead sharks?!" Darington hissed. "Seriously?!"
"Now is the time that I wish I had my lasso," Starla groaned.
"No problem," AJ said. "We'll just use the spell we used last time."
"I'm afraid that it's not that easy," Silina shook her head. "Each sea creature reacts to a different spell. These hammerhead sharks will not be easily swayed,"
"Oh... darn it." AJ hissed.
"What spell could work on these hammerhead sharks, Grammy?" Blaze asked.
"One powerful enough to penetrate through them," Silina replied, releasing a scroll from out of nowhere. "Just follow the song."
She opened the scroll and sang out loud, her magic swirling out. The group gasped at the tune before nodding at each other. They all attempted to follow after the song, causing the song to be louder, but not very harmonic. They hammerhead sharks growled, shaking off the song before pouncing at their force field, which made the group yelp and stop singing.
"It's not working!" Darington exclaimed.
"What are we doing wrong, Grammy?!" Watts turned to her in panic.
"There is no harmony in our song," Silina shook her head. "We must all sing together, not just to make our voices louder than the other,"
The group looked unsure but nodded anyway to her suggestion. She motioned for the boys to sing first, their low and semi-low voices casting the chant, then she motioned for the girls to follow. She joined their chorus, causing their magic to unify into a golden color before unleashing out of the force field and towards the hammerhead sharks. Said sharks let out a roar as they tried to shake off and resist the music.
"It's working!" Stripes cheered.
"Keep singing!" Silina called out.
Their chorus got more powerful as their voices grew in volume. The hammerhead sharks cried out one last time before the golden magic wiped away the glowing red magic in their eyes.
"We did it!" Starla whooped.
"Yeah-heh!" Blaze cheered.
Silina giggled as they all cried in victor. She then turned to the hammerhead sharks, who suddenly looked lost, afraid and trying to find their way out of the seaweed forest. She frowned and swam towards them.
"Oh, poor dears," she reached out and petted them, catching the others' attention.
"What's wrong with them, Grammy?" AJ asked.
"Hammerhead sharks of the siren world are creatures of sensitivity and navigation," Silina explained. "They plan on where to go and always stick to it. With Dracon taking control of them, they had lost their way and sense of direction,"
"Aww... poor things..." Watts said, stroking one of the shark's heads.
"We need to help them get back on track," Blaze said.
"But how, Blaze?" Stripes questioned.
"We first need to get out of the seaweed forest," Silina told them. "Come. This way,"
She led them through a direction. The group followed after her, with the hammerhead sharks in tow as they swam past the seaweeds. Finally, they made it out of the forest.
"Finally!" Darington sighed in relief. "We're out!"
"Now you guys can get home," Gabby spoke to the hammerhead sharks.
The hammerhead sharks smiled and nuzzled against each of them before swimming off.
"Aww... I never imagined sharks could be so sweet," AJ said.
"The animals here are all sweet when free," Silina smiled before sighing. "which is why I hope the siren king's reign must fall,"
"Why?" AJ asked.
"The king is great evil," Silina sighed. "He had enslaved many animals to do his bidding... killed his wife... tried to manipulate his son..." The last sentences made her flinch and sigh. "His reign must end... but it cannot be that simple,"
"How come?" Zeg questioned.
"The prince… had gone missing for years," Silina hesitantly replied, sticking to the plan that she and Crusher had gone over during her visit.
"Missing?" AJ questioned.
"Yes, missing," Silina nodded. "There had been a rumor that he had gone missing since the queen's murder, but... no one has been able to approve of it,"
"Has there been no clues to where the prince might have gone?" Starla asked. "Maybe if we find him, the king could be dethroned!"
"As I've said, it is not that simple," Silina frowned. "Finding the prince would not necessarily mean that the king would be dethroned... especially if the prince doesn't come willingly," She then smiled at them. "but enough of that. We must head to the palace, and I know a shortcut that would lead us to the garden. Follow me,"
She turned and swam towards the direction. The group exchanged a glance before swimming after her.
Meanwhile, Crusher was massaging his hurt tail as he and Pickle sat in the dungeons, their cell having 3 guards to keep an eye on them this time.
"Come on! Let us go!" Pickle wailed.
The guards ignored his wail with a huff. Pickle groaned and turned to his lover, who was still silent because of the magic handkerchief wrapped around him.
"Don't worry, Crusher. We'll get outta here." he assured him. "I just... wish I knew how. Where is Blaze when you need him...?"
Crusher nodded in agreement before holding his hands out. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, concentrating his magic to his hands and chanting a song in his head. Pickle blinked over at him inquisitively.
"What is he doing...?" he muttered.
Crusher flicked his hands towards each other. Little by little, a spark of icy blue magic appeared from his fingertips. Pickle gasped.
"Of course! Singing a song in your head still activates your powers!"
Crusher nodded with a smile underneath the handkerchief. He focused again, swirling his magic to the handkerchief. The magical handkerchief began to crack little by little. With a final flick of his hand, the handkerchief broke into golden bits.
"Phew..." he let out a sigh of relief.
"THAT WAS AMAZING, CRUSHER! I-!"
"Shh!" Crusher motioned the other to quiet down. "Guards are still there, remember?"
"Right..." Pickle nodded. "so how do we get rid of them?"
"Hmm..." Crusher looked down at his hands and smirked. "I have an idea,"
He whispered chants under his breath, which released streaks of icy blue magic into the water and towards the guards. The guards didn't notice a thing as the streaks swirled around their heads, slowly making them sleepy until they began to yawn and lay back.
"A sleeping spell! Perfect!" Pickle grinned. "But... how do we get outta the cell?"
"Hmm..." Crusher hummed in thought. "Cover your ears. I'm gonna do a sonic shriek,"
"A sonic what?"
Crusher didn't explain and took a deep breath, turning to the wall behind them. He then let out a shrill shriek, causing Pickle to yelp and cover his ears in surprise. The wall started to crack, little by little, until it burst out and broke into bits.
"Whoa-ho!" Pickle gasped. "That was amazing!"
"Th-Thanks," Crusher cleared his throat to keep it from straining. "Come on, let's get going before father realizes that we're gone,"
He tried to swim over to him but quickly flinched and fell back. Pickle's eyebrows furrowed.
"Crusher? What's wrong?"
"Tail... still... hurts..." Crusher massaged his aching tail.
"Maybe you shouldn't move too much," Pickle suggested, but the other shook his head.
"Pain is worth it if it means getting you to safety," Crusher swam over, ignoring the stinging pain in his tail as he gripped the bubble. "Come on, let's go,"
"If you say so..." Pickle nodded slowly but frowned as he let the other push the bubble out of the dungeon cell and out into the water.
They had only gone so far when suddenly, a blast could be heard, and they turned to see Dracon swimming towards them, a scowl on his face as he gripped the staff in his hand.
"Uh oh..." both whimpered.
Crusher turned tail and swam as fast as he could to get away. Just as he reached the palace gates, however, another blast came, and Crusher turned to be faced with a powerful beam, shooting him down towards the coral garden.
"OW!"
"Crusher- whoa!" Pickle yelped as his bubble floated off towards the gate, hitting the cement column. "Oof!"
"Pickle!" Crusher struggled to get up, but his tail was burnt up too good as his father towered from behind him.
"Third escape tries aren't always the charm, Crescento." Dracon growled, tightening his grip on his staff as he neared his son.
"Father, please!" Crusher pleaded. "Just let us go home!"
"This IS your home!" Dracon roared out.
"Not since I ran away." Crusher shook his head. "And the name is Crusher now. Even Grammy knows that."
"Your grammy is a twit!" Dracon hissed. "Now either you stay here and become king, or your little lover will experience oxygen deprivation!"
Pickle gulped. Crusher's eyes widened in horror before sighing in defeat.
"Fine... I'll stay."
"Excellent..." Dracon smirked.
Suddenly, his staff began to glow, and his crystal ball emerged from it and he turned to see it revealing the group heading to palace through a shortcut. He growled.
"Drat!"
"Our friends!" Pickle gasped. "They're coming to rescue us!"
"I totally knew they would!" Crusher said with a smirk.
"SHUT IT, BOTH OF YOU!" Dracon roared out before turning back to his crystal ball. "Foolish creatures! I'll have to send something else to take them down..."
"Wait, 'something else'?" Crusher was horrified. "What have you been doing, father?!"
"None of your business!" Dracon shouted. "Here comes my worst yet..."
He turned to a group of swordfish servants and released an eerie song. The swordfishes dropped everything they held, their eyes flashing red before they swam towards Dracon with a bow.
"DESTROY THEM!" he ordered.
Crusher and Pickle watched in horror as they watched the swordfishes turn to leave. The siren prince growled.
"Leave our friends be, father!"
"Nay! They are trying to ruin everything, so I must stop them first!" Dracon glared down at him. "And if you don't do as I say, I will send something more dangerous, like a family of great white sharks!"
"I-" Crusher's eyes widened, feeling himself conflicted as he lowered himself down.
Meanwhile, the group had stopped by the garden to have a quick snack.
"Mmm! This all looks so good!" Gabby sighed.
"Dig in, all of you," Silina urged the group as she set down the coral cupcakes and seaweed salads on the makeshift table. "You will need your strength if you ever want to face the siren king,"
Darington nearly choked on his food at the news. "W-Wait, what?! We're facing the siren king?!"
"I thought we were only facing Crusher's father! Not the siren king!" Stripes interjected.
Silina froze in realization. She clasped her mouth and gulped.
"Er, I mean, yes, of course," she stuttered. "Crusher's father! Ha-ha, what was I thinking...? Oh dear, my age is really getting to me..."
The others exchanged a glance. Blaze wasn't convinced by the excuse and turned to her with a frown.
"Grammy, what's really going on?"
"I... I don't know what you're talking about, Blaze," Silina gave them a fake smile. "How about we go about to our food?"
The group were taken back by the dismissal of the usually sweet, straight-forward siren. AJ and Blaze stared at her in disbelief, still unconvinced.
"Grammy, please," AJ urged. "We know that you're lying,"
"Yeah," Gabby agreed with a nod. "You and Crusher sound the same when you lie,"
Silina glanced over at them again, her fake smile vanishing into a frown before she sighed.
"Alright, alright," she spoke with a nod. "you are all right. I haven't been completely honest with either of you. It's time for me to confess the truth,"
"The truth?" Watts blinked at her in surprise.
"Yes, the truth," Silina nodded. "You see, Crusher's father... is the siren king,"
Everyone's jaws dropped.
"Crusher's father is the siren king?!" Stripes cried out.
"But if Crusher dad king then... Crusher is prince?!" Zeg gasped.
"THE missing prince that we were just talking about!" Starla added.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner, Grammy?" Blaze asked.
"Crushy didn't want me to," Silina replied. "And it was for the safety of his identity,"
"Poor Crusher... no wonder life was so rough for him..." Darington said. "Then... did Dracon... really kill his mom?"
"Yes, he did," Silina nodded sadly. "Dracon killed his mother... my daughter..."
"I'm sorry, Grammy," Blaze swam over to her. "We didn't mean to give you bad memories,"
"It is alright, Blaze," Silina gave him a smile. "You all deserve the truth. If there is anything else you would like to know, you may ask now,"
"Well... what led up to his mom dying and him running away?" AJ asked. "Weren't they a happy family before?"
"Dracon was always so selfish," Silina sighed. "He wanted my daughter Athena for her beauty and her power. After Crushy was born, he soon realized that she was useless to him and killed her. Right in front of Crusher when he was 8,"
"Oh my gosh..." Gabby sighed.
"Indeed," Silina gave a nod. "Crushy was so traumatized that he ran away, hiding away from his legacy as the next siren king. He never told anyone where he swam off to, not even me,"
"How did you find out then?" AJ asked
"I always knew that he traveled to the surface," Silina answered. "He and Athena shared a passion for shapeshifting to blend in with the land creatures, so I shifted into my own form and traveled the world for him. The only way I was able to find him was when I had watched him racing in the Race To The Top of the World. From there, I tracked him to Axle City,"
"He and Athena must have been close..." Watts sighed.
"Yes, they were," Silina replied with a nod. "It was mostly me and Athena raising him before Athena was killed. Dracon didn't bother to acknowledge him until he saw his true powers,"
Hearing how is own father treated him made Blaze realize that this had somewhat to do with Crusher's attitude, and it made Blaze feel horrible.
"We... I didn't know he went through so much..."
"Oh, don't feel bad, Blaze, dear," Silina patted his shoulder assuringly. "Neither of you knew. Crushy... he changed over the years of loneliness and hiding. He used to be so bubbly and happy, a caring being who loves his people. Dracon killing Athena had made him... fear the sirens himself,"
"That's why he was so afraid of what we'd think..." Gabby said, tears beginning to form. "He was afraid he'd lose us..."
"Oh, no need for the water works, my dear," Silina gently wiped her tears. "At least now that the truth is out, he can be who he is around you. Be himself around all of you. You helped him slowly return to who he truly is, helped him open up more, and I could never thank you all enough for accepting him,"
"We always sensed good in him," Stripes admitted.
"Yeah, no matter how difficult he could be," Starla chuckled.
"Now come on- let's save em!" Blaze smiled as he finished up his snack.
"Yeah!" Darington agreed with a grin. "Let's do this- GAH! SWORDFISHES!"
The group turned and gasped to see the group of swordfishes swimming towards them, their sharp, pointy bills pointed at them threateningly. They all jumped from the table as Silina swam forward. She stared at the swordfishes before sighing.
"Another group of Dracon's mind-controlling victims,"
"We'll need an even stronger spell to bring them out of it!" AJ said. "Do you have one, Grammy?"
"Plenty," Silina grinned and took out a couple of scrolls from out of nowhere then she grabbed one, causing the others to disappear. "Ah, perfect. This is the one,"
"All right, guys," Blaze said. "We have to sing in harmony, but we need to sing loud enough to drive the swordfish out of Dracon's control. All together!"
The rest of the friends all nodded as Silina opened the scroll. The swordfishes began to swim closer threateningly, but the group were prepared and opened their lips to sing. Silina started off first with a soprano, her magic swirling around around them in a circular motion. She motioned the girls to follow after, from high to low, which caused their magic to add to the spell. The boys went next, also from high to low until they were all in harmony. Silina soon used her part of the magic to aim the spell directly at the swordfishes.
"We only have one shot for this!" she told them. "Get ready!"
She raised her hand high and echoed her magic through to get in control of the spell. As soon as the swordfishes were close enough. she sang her highest before releasing the spell towards them. The sword fishes released a scream as they were blasted by the spell, but their screams ceased as the redness glow in their eyes vanished into nothingness.
"Great work, everyone!" Blaze cheered. "We did it!"
"Hooray!" Darington cried out with a grin.
"Thank goodness!" Starla sighed in relief.
"Well done, all of you," Silina smiled. "Break time is over. Dracon isn't going to stop sending us his victims until he succeeds, so we must get going,"
Just as she spoke, one of the swordfishes broke away from the others and swam towards them. It nudged it's bill gently on Silina's arm to catch her attention.
"Hmm?" Silina turned to it. "Yes, dear? Is there something you need?"
"Y-Yes," the swordfish spoke with a nod, catching the group off-guard.
"He can talk?" Gabby asked.
"He is one of the swordfish servants of the palace," Silina explained before turning back to the swordfish. "What do you need, my dear?"
"I need to tell you what I overheard from King Draco," the swordfish said. "He is threatening the dear prince that he will drown his land lover and send sharks to you all if he does not obey him and stay to become the next king,"
"Oh, no!" Zeg gasped.
"Where are they now?" Blaze asked.
"At the palace garden, last I saw," the swordfish answered. "but I had overheard the king order the guards to take the dear prince and his land lover to the throne room,"
"Then that's where we need to go," AJ said. "But you and your friends have to keep all sea animals away from here. Got it?"
"Of course," the swordfish nodded and swam off to tell it's friends.
"I know another shortcut to get us to the palace," Silina grinned. "And this time, we go through the roof,"
"Let's go!" Blaze nodded.
Meanwhile, Dracon held Pickle's bubble with one hand and his staff on the other as the pointy end of his staff was pointed at the bubble. Crusher was on the floor, chained and held down as he was forced to watch.
"No, please!" Pickle wailed.
"Father, LET HIM GO!" Crusher begged, struggling on the chains, which earned him more burns than freedom.
"It was your choice that led to this," Dracon hissed. "Now you shall watch his death."
Just as his staff was about to pop the bubble, there was an explosion, and they all looked up to see Silina and the Blazing Team bursting into the palace through the ceiling.
"Grammy!" Crusher exclaimed.
"Guys!" Pickle cried out in relief. "HELP!"
"Get away from Pickle, ya brute!" Starla hissed.
"You DARE tell me what to do?!" Dracon snarled, turning to Silina. "And YOU! YOU are a traitor to me!"
"I'd rather betray you for my grandson and his friends any day," Silina huffed before chanting a song, which caused her magic to swoosh Dracon all the way to his throne with a wave blast. "Girls, I want you to protect Pickle's bubble. Boys, see if you can use this chant," She handed the boys a scroll from out of nowhere. "to free Crushy from the chains,"
"Got it!" Blaze nodded then he, AJ, Darington, Stripes, and Zeg swam over to Crusher while Starla, Watts and Gabby headed over to Pickle's bubble.
Crusher looked up with them with relief as they went around him. The scroll was unrolled, and the siren prince watched in surprise as the boys were able to chant out the spell. He was in amazed as the chains around him sizzled and disappeared into the water,
"Wow!" his eyes widened and glanced down at his chainless wrists and fin. "How did you guys...?"
"Grammy's been teaching us!" Darington cried out. "Isn't it awesome?!"
"Yeah," Crusher smiled. "Thanks, guys."
"It's no problem," Blaze smiled, but it vanished instantly when he spotted the burn on Crusher's tail. "Oh no, what happened to your tail, Crusher?"
"Father's guards blasted it." Crusher shrugged as he tried to move his tail. "It's no problem-"
As he tried to swim, however, he fell back down with a hiss. The others went over to help.
"Maybe there's a song that can heal your tail," said Stripes.
"No, not a song," Crusher shook his head. "Magic kelp,"
"That's a thing?" AJ asked. "Where can we find it?"
"I grow it in my garden," Silina spoke, swimming over and handing them a glowing piece of kelp. "I need you all to wrap it around his tail. The magic will take a while, so you help Crushy," She then turned and took out a dagger as Dracon returned, growling. "And I'll distract Dracon,"
"Got it." Blaze nodded and took the kelp to wrap around Crusher's tail.
Crusher sighed in relief as he felt his tail burn healing. He turned to Silina and watched worriedly as her dagger met his father's staff.
"Guys..." he gulped. "I... I don't think Grammy could take Father alone. You need to help her,"
"Friends need Crusher healed first," Zeg said.
"Besides, we've seen her fight," Blaze assured him. "And she's tough,"
"Well, so was Mom," Crusher shuddered. "and look where she ended up,"
The boys exchanged a glance, but before he could do anything, there was a gasp, and the group turned to see Dracon flick Silina's dagger off her hand and towards Pickle's bubble.
"Gabby! Incoming!" AJ cried out.
"We got it!" Gabby, Starla and Watts readied their magic, but Dracon was two-steps ahead of them.
"Oh NO you don't!" Dracon hit his staff onto the floor, blasting the girls apart, which caused the dagger to meet Pickle's bubble in a flash.
"Nooooooo!"
Crusher eyes widened before he rushed out a song, his magic quickly swirling towards his boyfriend just as the bubble popped. Pickle managed to hold his breath before he met the water, his eyes shutting tight as the magic surrounded him in a swirl of magic. When the magic ceased, Pickle gasped as his chest felt lighter, and he looked down at himself to see himself human with bubbly blonde hair and a green siren tail.
"Woah..." he turned to his lover and squealed. "Crusher... that was amazing! Look! I'm a siren!"
"Are you okay?" Crusher asked, swimming over to the other, ignoring the stinging sensation of the healing kelp on his tail.
"Yeah, I'm fine... I think." Pickle giggled and twirled around in his new form. "but this is SO cool!"
"I'm just glad that you're okay," Crusher sighed in relief.
"NO!"
Everyone turned and gasped to see Dracon growling as he raised his staff, which glowed as red as his eyes.
"Uh oh..." Pickle gulped and hid behind Crusher.
"I will NOT let you all get away with this so easily!" Dracon snarled.
"Everyone, gather around!" Silina ordered, causing them all to quickly swim behind her.
"What are we gonna do now?" Watts asked.
"We need to perform the most powerful spell we've got," Silina told them, snapping her fingers, which caused a platinum scroll to appear and unroll in front of them. "All together and in harmony!"
"On it!" the group nodded and began to sing out the chant in the scroll.
The song was an eerie and fast-beat melody as they sang, their magic roaming around them in a force field before shooting towards the Dracon. The siren king growled and used his staff to shoot out his own opposing blast.
"Ugh... he's too strong!" Gabby groaned. "We're not powerful enough!"
"I'll help out!" Pickle swam towards them and let out his own voice, the spell releasing a touch dark green magic that swirled around their force field and added to their spell.
The magic boosted up their spell, causing it to push against the siren king's magic. Dracon shook his head and sang higher, louder, his own spell powering up on his staff.
"His spell's still too strong!" Blaze said with a hiss.
"We need another siren to join the song, or Dracon's will overpower us!" Stripes yelled.
Crusher took a deep breath and removed the kelp from his tail before swimming over to the group. He started to sing the spell, eyes closing as he twirled his hands around. His voice got louder and higher, releasing his icy blue magic into the water and surrounding towards the force field. Soon, his magic had overpowered their own, joining together and blasting out even stronger than his father's spell as he opened his eyes to reveal them glowing the same way as the siren king.
Dracon growled and tried to make his spell louder and higher, but the combined magic was too strong, and his eyes widened in horror as the opposing spell began to near him, closer and closer.
"NO, NO, NO!" he roared out. "This can't be happening!"
"This... ends... NOW!" Crusher hissed, his voice echoing through the spell as he pushed the spell further.
"NOOOO!" Dracon wailed as the magic blasted him, surrounding him in a burst of light.
The burst of light brightened and exploded, throwing the others back towards the sand. They all crashed back with a thud at the explosion. Soon, the explosion ceased, and when the group looked up, there in Dracon's place floated a small seadragon.
"What happened...?" Zeg asked, rubbing his eyes.
"The spell..." Darington gasped. "It turned the king into... a seadragon?"
"Yes," Silina nodded. "The spell we did was a powerful spell to drain magic from a being and transform them into a creature that could do no harm, thus transforming Dracon into... a seadragon,"
"That means we did it!" Starla said with a cheer. "Crusher, isn't it amazin'?"
The group all turned to Crusher, expecting to see their friend cheering as well, celebrating about how he was free from his father's grasp and that he was now free from his threats. But Crusher looked neither happy nor relieved. Instead, he looked upset as he watched his father, now transformed as a seadragon, swimming over to him with a small squeak. Blaze frowned at this.
"Crusher... what's the matter? I thought you'd be happy to be away from your father."
"I... no, I'm not," Crusher shook his head. "Do you guys even know why he kidnapped me? Why he threatened to kill Pickle?"
"Um... to punish you for releasing your secret?" Darington guessed.
"No, not really," Crusher turned to them, shaking his head. "He brought me here... to become the next king,"
Silina's eyebrows raised up before sighing. Pickle gave his lover a sad smile while the others looked confused.
"It's because Crushy was in line to be king, but didn't want it... so he left." Silina told them.
"YOU? Don't want to be king?" Watts looked at the siren prince in disbelief.
"I think there's seaweed in my ear because I could NOT believe what I just heard," Starla stared, also in disbelief.
"It's true," Crusher sighed. "I REALLY don't want to be king,"
"But... why?" AJ asked.
"If I'm gonna take the throne then... I'm gonna have to stay here, in Melodia," Crusher crossed his arms. "forever,"
The others gasped.
"Forever?" Watts gasped.
"You won't be able to turn back?" Darington freaked out.
"Why do you think Father had to kidnap us at the bay?" Crusher nodded. "He couldn't shapeshift into a truck form. When I take the throne, I won't be able to shapeshift into my truck form either. I'll be stuck here forever,"
"Crusher..." Blaze put a hand on his rival's shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll figure something out."
"Yeah," AJ said. "Maybe there's something that can help."
"Don't you guys get it?!" Crusher said. "I'm stuck like this whether you like it or not! Not that anyone else would miss me..."
"Crusher..." AJ started.
"Maybe I can stay with you as a siren, Crusher," Pickle suggested.
"No, no, NO!" Crusher shook his head. "Pickle, love, you have a family up there on the surface. I would never want you to separate from them just because of me!" He sighed and turned away from them. "No... I... I just need to be alone..."
The siren prince swam off toward the garden, leaving everyone in sad silence.
They had never seen their rival like this before... and they felt really bad for him. Being forced into a destiny that he never wanted... they couldn't imagine how that was like.
"Poor Crusher... if only he didn't have to take the throne..." Pickle sighed.
"Wait... if Grammy is Crusher's grandmother, can't she take his place?" Darington asked.
"I wish I could, truly," Silina sighed, shaking her head. "but I can't. I am not of royal blood. I am from the mother's side,"
"What can we do? Crusher... he's one of us," Gabby said. "And we don't leave one of us behind."
"I may have an idea," Silina smiled but shook her head. "but... oh, no, I don't know how that will work..."
"What is it?" Darington asked.
"Once Crushy is 'crowned' king, shapeshift will be forbidden for him for the crown possesses magic that will restrain his shapeshifting magic," Silina began. "so, I was thinking that if he was not crowned, but was still placed on the throne, then he may leave whenever he wants and return whenever he wants,"
"Great idea!" Blaze said.
"But who's gonna tell Crusher?" Stripes asked.
"I'll do it!" Pickle offered before swimming out to the garden.
He found Crusher sitting in front of a tombstone. Pickle frowned and swam towards him, patting his shoulder.
"Crusher?"
"Oh... hey, Pickle." Crusher turned to him.
"Hey," Pickle smiled as he glanced over at the tombstone. "Was that... your mom's?"
"Yep," Crusher nodded. "Grammy told me she buried her here after I... I left,"
"Oh," Pickle gave a nod and sat by his side. "So... about being king,"
"You're not gonna talk me into it... are you?"
"No… not really," Pickle smiled and leaned his head on the other's shoulder.
"Then... what did you come over here for?"
"Well... Grammy had an idea."
Crusher turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "…I'm listening,"
Pickle smiled and recited to him Silina's idea. Crusher listened with a nod and a hum, analyzing the plan himself as Pickle finished with a smile.
"So... what do you think?"
"It... could work," Crusher spoke. "There's just... one problem..."
"What's that?"
"Well..." Crusher smiled and felt himself blush as he moved his hand to hold the other's. "I know that you have a family up there, and I might not be always returning to Axle City, so I don't know when I'm ever getting another chance to do this, so..."
He turned to face him completely with a smile and flicked his free hand around, causing it to glow a bright blue before something appeared that caused him to close his palm. Pickle looked confused as his lover handed what he held towards him. His eyes widened in surprise, however, when Crusher opened his palm to reveal an platinum ring with an emerald gem glistening in the middle.
"Oh, Crusher..." he felt the tears of excitement rim his eyes. "Is... Is that...?"
"Yes," Crusher nodded, his blush deepening. "because I don't think I can rule Melodia without my queen,"
"YES YES YES!" Pickle nodded frantically. "THE ANSWER IS YES!"
Crusher beamed and slowly slid the ring onto Pickle's finger. The two embraced one another before sharing a kiss.
"We have a lot to plan on the wedding," the siren prince spoke. "but we can have that planned with the others, right?"
"Definitely." Pickle giggled. "Come on! We gotta tell them the news!"
"Of course, my queen," Crusher grinned and held his hand before swimming back into the palace.
They found the others waiting patiently for them. Pickle couldn't contain himself and let go of Crusher's hand, swimming towards them excitedly.
"Guys, guys! Crusher and I are officially king and queen now!"
"What?" Everyone looked confused until Pickle showed off the ring.
"Guys, that's awesome! Congratulations!" Blaze said.
"A wedding AND a coronation!" Silina cheered, swimming towards them to envelope them both in a hug. "I am so happy for you both,"
"Thanks, Grammy," Crusher smiled. "We'll need everyone's help to plan it."
"And we're right here to help," Blaze spoke, the others nodding along.
"How about we start planning... tomorrow?" Silina suggested. "I am sure you are all tired from your adventure,"
"Good idea," Darington yawned.
"The palace still needs some repairs after the battle," Crusher pointed out. "Maybe you guys should get back to the surface,"
"Oh dear," Silina frowned as she watched the rest of them rub their eyes. "I don't think they can swim all the way up there,"
"Hmm... you're right," Crusher smiled before twirling his hands with icy blue magic. "Let's... help them out then,"
The group yawned as the magic surrounded them, followed by a chorus of voices as their eyes felt droopy. They soon fell into a deep slumber.
When they awoke, however, they found themselves no longer underwater or in Melodia. Instead, they were on Axle City Beach, laying down on the sand just near the sea.
"Wha... how did we get here?" AJ asked.
"Magic, apparently," they all turned to see Crusher chuckling as he drove towards them in his truck form. "but that was some sleep. 29 hours of sleep,"
"29 hours?!" Stripes's jaw dropped.
"Wow, were we THAT tired?" Starla yawned. "Man, that's ONE long nap,"
"You guys should head back to the Monster Dome," Crusher suggested. "There's a race today, remember?"
"Right, right," Blaze nodded. "What about you?"
"I'm gonna head back down to Melodia to bring out the news to the rest of the sirens," Crusher sighed. "I hope it goes well. There are a lot who rooted for Father for a long time,"
"Good point. But, what about us?" Gabby said. "We're still in siren form,"
"I knew you guys would ask that," Crusher snickered and held out a couple of colorful seashells towards them. "Sing into the seashells, and your magic will do the rest,"
The group released their spell, their magic swirling to each seashell. Each seashell glowed the same color as their magic before floating towards them, turning into sea shell necklaces and wrapping around each of their necks. In a flash, their siren forms vanished, and they were back to their truck and human forms.
"Whoa! We're back to our normal selves again!" Darington said.
"These necklaces will help you transform from truck to siren and back again," Crusher told them with a smile. "Consider it a thank you gift from me and Garmmy for helping us out,"
"No problem," Blaze said. "Now, we need to go- we need to get to the race. We'll see you later, right?"
"Yeah," Crusher nodded and pecked Pickle's cheek before turning. "See ya all later,"
With that, he dove into the water, his siren form appearing midway as the others waved him goodbye.