The group soon made it to the nearby ocean, which sparkled under the sunlight.

"Just dive down below, and you will find the mermaid Kingdom," Misty explained.

"But... we can't breathe underwater," Pickle pointed out.

"Hmm… fair enough," Misty gave a thought before smiling. "Hang on, I have an idea,"

She flew down towards the water and released her magic towards it. Suddenly, the ocean water bubbled up, and out from the bubble came a mermaid with long, flowing blonde hair with a sky blue tail. She waved up at Misty.

"Heya, Misty! You called?"

"Hello, Seashell," Misty smiled. "My friends are in need of some assistance,"

"A mermaid!" Blaze gasped.

"Well, yes, I am a mermaid," Seashell giggled. "What assistance do you require, new friends?"

"We need some way to get to the Mermaid Kingdom and find the Water Sapphire, but we can't breathe down there." Blaze explained.

"Oh, that should not be a problem!" Seashell giggled once more.

She swirled her hands and magic came out, twirling around the group as it carried them into the depths of the ocean. When the swirling stopped, they all gasped to find themselves underwater.

"Whoa! We're in the ocean!" Sparkle gasped. "But... how are we breathing?"

"Easy!"

They all turned to see Seashell swim over to them with a smile.

"My spell gave air into you, so you may breathe underwater!"

"Wow! Amazing!" Pickle beamed.

"Come on! I'll show you the way!"

Seashell then led them off through water. They drove down through the coral reefs, swimming past colorful fishes as they did so.

"Wow... it's so pretty down here!" Sparkle giggled.

"Thank you! We mermaids love to keep our reef beautiful and safe for all those who might come to visit," Seashell laughed. "Now, what did you say you were here for again?"

"The Water Sapphire. Uh... your ruler isn't mean as the fairy king is... right?" Blaze asked.

"Oh, she isn't," Seashell giggled. "but I suppose that's the problem,"

"What do you mean?" AJ asked.

"It's because Queen Fatigue is a fair mermaid that always wants things as just as possible," Seashell explained. "but she's also very cautious. She might distrust you at first glance, but she won't be cruel! Promise!"

"Okay..." Blaze nodded. "Let's go and see her."

Seashell soon led them to a village of mermaids of different kinds. They all waved as they passed the mermaids swimming by. At last, they made it to a giant palace made of giant seashells, where merman guards stood with silver spears.

"I have brought guests to see the queen. Will you please let us in?"

The merman guards seemed friendlier and more welcoming than the fairy guards as they bowed and let the group pass. Seashell smiled and swam forward, motioning the group to follow after her. They passed through the halls of the palace, where mermaid and merman servants were tidying up the palace while small shimmering seashells hung on the walls.

"Wow... the merpeople are so much friendlier!" Pickle cheered.

"We still can't lower our guard, Pickle," Crusher reminded him.

They soon made it to the throne room, where Seashell knocked on the door three times before opening it with a bow.

"Your highness? We have guests."

"You may enter," a voice from inside spoke.

They all entered through the door to face a mermaid with flowing red hair, purple eyes and a sparkling golden tail.

"Wow... she's beautiful..." Sparkle gasped.

"Hmph, non-mermaids AND mortals…" Queen Fatigue looked at them questioningly. "What do you wish from my kingdom?"

"They—"

"Seashell, they have mouth, please let them speak for themselves," Queen Fatigue told the mermaid.

"Of… course, your highness," Seashell nodded and backed up, motioning the group to swim forward.

"Well... um... your highness, my brothers have these special powers, but these three villains are trying to take over our home, and we need all the stones to stop them... including the Water Emerald." Sparkle explained.

"Villains, you say?" Queen Fatigue raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Zhan Tiri, and Crusher's parents, Krisha and Calvin."

"Zhan Tiri?!" Queen Fatigue jumped up, floating up her throne. "Why would that demoness be after a bunch of mortals?! What kind of powers do you have that she ever so craves for?!"

"The... um... Sundrop and Moonstone."

At the mention, the queen gave a shocked expression before releasing her waves, bringing Blaze and Crusher forward. The two yelped as they were brought in front of the queen, who then swam towards them, eyes narrowing.

"The Sundrop and the Moonstone… hmm… I see…"

She looked lost in thought before a smirk stretched across her face. She clasped her hands together and gave a beaming smile.

"Oh! If that's the case then I would gladly hand you the Water Sapphire!"

"So... what's the catch?" Crusher sneered. "If you think you can keep one of us captive, then you're WAY outta line!"

"Crusher, please!" Blaze exclaimed, before turning back to the queen. "So sorry, your majesty. Our last interaction with the fairy king... well... didn't go well, and Crusher is really shaken since he's the one who was trapped."

"Oh, don't worry, dears, there's no catch," Queen Fatigue grinned.

She twirled her hands around, and out came the Water Sapphire from her magic. She flowed it to the duo and smiled.

"It's all yours!"

The brothers glanced at each other for a moment before hesitantly getting the gem. After making sure that there was no cage or anything, Crusher sighed in relief and grasped the gem in his tires while Blaze smiled and gave a bow.

"Thank you, your highness!"

With that, they turned to take their leave. Queen Fatigue watched with a smirk as her eyes flashed purple.

Suddenly, the gem in Crusher's tire gave the same glow. From the sea bed, a chain of bubbles came out and grabbed the dark blue truck by the back tire.

"H-Hey!! She tricked us!!"

"Not trick, per se," Queen Fatigue smirked. "But do you really think I'd let the most powerful element stones walk away from my kingdom so easily? I think not,"

"Your highness, let him go!" Seashell pleaded. "They just want to save their home!"

"Yes… the home for MORTALS, not exactly my concern," Queen Fatigue scoffed.

"Crusher was right... he KNEW not to trust you!" Blaze exclaimed.

"Don't worry, don't think I didn't forget about you, Sundrop!" Queen Fatigue giggled, her eyes shimmering purple.

Another bubble chain sprout out from the sea bed and aimed to get Blaze, who gasped.

"BLAZE!!"

Blaze quickly swam out of the chain's way. As he did, a guard stood between him and his family, spear pointing towards him. Queen Fatigue laughed.

"Oh no, don't you think you're going anywhere!"

"You better let us go, or I'll have no choice but to use my magic!" Blaze exclaimed.

"And mine!" Seashell sneered. "I thought you were kinder than this!"

"Oh, I am, but only to my fellow magical beings, not pesky MORTALS!" Queen Fatigue growled and held out her magic.

Her eyes glowed red as she blasted Seashell, who screamed as she was hit, her magic slowly draining from her body until she was pale and grey. She fell to the sea bed, knocked out as Queen Fatigue began to grow larger as she laughed evilly.

"Seashell!" Blaze gasped, diving toward her.

"What did you do to her?!" Sparkle shrieked.

"Those who defy me get drained of their power. So, your brothers better agree to my terms, or they're next!"

Crusher stared down at the unconscious body of Seashell before gulping as Queen Fatigue pointed her magic at him. Blaze growled, tears rolling down his cheeks before turning to the queen, whole body glowing yellow.

"YOU… YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!"

His eyes blazed in red before he swam over and blasted the mermaid queen. Queen Fatigue was about to oppose when the Sundrop magic hit her, sending her towards her throne with a thud.

"DRAT!" she shrieked. "THAT DOES IT!"

Her eyes glowed red as she aimed a blast at Crusher. Blaze snarled and used his magic to oppose her magic blast.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY BROTHER, YOU CRAZY QUEEN!"

"I'LL STAY AWAY IF YOU LET ME KEEP HIM!" Queen Fatigue smirked.

"NEVER!"

"Then his magic IS MINE!" Queen Fatigue cackled. "MWUHAHAHAHAHA!"

She blasted him off then she swam to the dark blue truck. Crusher gasped as Blaze hit the sea bed, daze as he groaned. This made the other snarl, his body glowing crescent moons as his eyes glowed icy blue.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY BROTHER!"

He released black rocks glowing icy blue towards the mermaid queen. Queen Fatigue shrieked as she was sent back by the rocks.

"DRAT!" she yelled.

Crusher's body glowed more, and the bubble chain on his tire popped. He then swam down towards his brother and helped the red truck up.

"Thanks. Let's get the Sapphire and get outta here!"

Crusher nodded before they both swam up towards their family. Queen Fatigue snarled and forced herself forward despite the pain.

"I WILL HAVE YOUR MAGIC!" she roared out.

"Blazing Speed, everyone! NOW!!"

They all released their boosters, even Crusher released the ones Flame gave him while handing Pickle some as well. Just as the guards surrounded them again, they swam/zoomed off, leaving colorful contrails behind.

"STOP THEM!!"

They managed to zoom past the guards that tried to grab them as they dashed up towards the surface. They managed to escape through the water and land on the nearby beach, skidding to a stop once they were safe.

"Made it..." Sparkle sighed. "But... what about Seashell...?"

"I know," Blaze sighed. "I wish we could—"

"What about Seashell?"

The group glanced up to see Misty flying down to them, looking worried.

"The queen... she took Seashell's magic..." Crusher sighed. "She was trying to save us..."

"Oh…" Misty looked horrified. "Is… Is she alright…?"

"We... don't know..." Blaze said. "I'm so sorry... this is all my fault. I... I was too quick to trust..."

"Ah, you trusted the mermaid queen," Misty nodded in understanding. "It's alright. Everyone makes that mistake sometimes. I… I just hope Seashell will be alright…"

"So... what do we do now? I-I'm too nervous to trust anymore rulers... even the ruler of the unicorns..." Sparkle whimpered.

"We don't need to trust them, just be respectful," Blaze told her.

"Yeah, and maybe double check the gem before leaving," Crusher shuddered.

"So... can you take us to the unicorn kingdom, Misty?" Phoenix asked with a slight yawn.

"Of course, of course," Misty nodded and waved her hand to recreate the wings on their backs before flying off. "Follow me!"