As morning arose, the gang awoke. Though the day looked promising with the bright sun in the cloudless sky, the truth was the situation for them was in fact cloudy; being that the princesses had lost Feemer who was their essential navigator.
"I never thought I'd say this, but I miss Feemer," said Jasmine.
"Me too," said Snow White.
"Yeah, I do to. Even if he is a big mouth," said Tiana.
"And he doesn't even have a mouth," said Snow White.
They realized that they could not leave the island until they got him back, so somehow, they would have to save him.
But as most of the gang were concocting different plans, Aurora, who had gone out of the ship, came back with distressing news.
"Girls! Ariel is gone!" she proclaimed to the shock of the gang.
"She's probably still on the island. She said she was going to talk to the judge, but she must've never come back," said Merida.
"Well we must find her and fast!" exclaimed Flora.
With that, the gang rushed out of the ship towards the island. However, once they got, they noticed right away that something was different. Every citizen, from man, woman, and child; even elderlies, were in chains and handcuffs. Others were forced to make statues of Robert and those who didn't work fast enough were whipped mercilessly.
The princesses were shocked at this recent chain of events. Merida, Mulan, Pocahontas, and Jasmine especially grew angrier and angrier as they saw even the kids being treated as nothing more than animals.
"How awful," said Snow White.
"Are they really willing to go this far just to keep law and order?" said Pocahontas.
Merryweather huffed in her chest as she had just about her fill. "That's it! I've had enough of this!" she huffed before she pulled out her wand.
Flora could instantly tell what was on her mind and stopped her waving hand. "No, Merriweather!" she said.
"But..." Merriweather started before flora cut her off.
"I know, I know...but we cannot afford be on thin ice with these people, especially if we can even hope to get Feemer back," said Flora.
"Flora's right," Tiana said in agreement.
Merida firmly gripped the hilt of the sword, her hold on it growing tighter until she saw the sight of Judy screaming as she was being carried off by two guards with her parents helplessly watching. "Well you can do what you want!" she said before she pulled out her sword and rushed towards the guards.
Mulan, Pocahontas, and Jasmine followed soon after followed by the rest of the gang.
"Please, spare her!" Judy's mom cried out.
"I'm sorry madam, but we must do our job," said one of the guards.
"According to Rule #309, Amendment #4, Section #62, Subsection #5; recently made by new High Judge, Robert; all children must be one of the seventeen statues, between 9:00am and 3:00am," said the other guard.
"Won't you please reconsider?!" Judy's dad said.
"Sorry, but we cannot," said the first guard.
"But we can!" shouted Jasmine before she gave the first guard a high jump kick to the face, releasing Judy from his grip.
Meanwhile, the second guard and Merida were locked in a swordfight, but eventually, Merida got the best of the guard and knocked him out with a shot to the head with the hilt of her sword.
The first guard went for a shot at Mulan, but she ducked and got him with a few karate chops, followed by a sweep kick.
With both of the guards down, Aurora returned Judy to her parents.
"Thank you very much for saving our daughter," said Judy's mom as she hugged her.
"Yes, thank you," said Judy's dad.
"Oh, don't thank me, it was those three who saved her," said Aurora as she pointed to Jasmine, Mulan, and Merida.
As Judy's parents went over and shook her friend's hands, Aurora looked on with slight disappointment. Though she was happy for Jasmine, Merida, and Mulan, she wasn't quite happy for herself. Cinderella felt the same way as Judy's parents credited them.
"Come on girls! We have to find Ariel!" Mulan pointed out.
"Ariel?" Judy thought to herself as the gang headed off.
In the Courthouse, Robert was reaping the fruits of his ill-gotten labor as he rested comfortably on a long red couch with two lovely women feeding him grapes. Chained to the wall, his brother, Adam, could only watch with his head held down in utter humiliation and shame; made no better when Robert spit a grape in his face.
"So dear brother," Robert said sarcastically. "How does it feel to know your little brother is higher in the food chain than you? Not so good, does it? Mother did always like you best."
"Oh here we go," Adam groaned.
"She did! Always tucked you bed first, made you the biggest pancakes, read you the Book of Rules before you went to bed before me," said Robert. "But know, I'm the big cheese in this sandwich, cowboy! And there's nothing you can do about it!"
Adam knew that unfortunately, his brother was right. As long as he had that book, Courtasium was under his control.
As the ladies fed him more grapes, an idea popped into Robert's head. "Boys! I'm issuing a new rule! Number #27, Amendment #7, Section #8, Subsection, #91; every morning, between 10:00 and 11:00am, all personnel of the courthouse must...dance the Irish Jig!" he said.
After he wrote the new rule in the book, the staff looked up at the clock and saw that it was precisely 10:01am. Without hesitation, one of the staff pulled out a stereo, played Irish music, and they all danced.
Robert laughed. Then a another idea came to him. "And in addition, they must also balance a bowl of mashed potatoes on their heads," he said.
He once again wrote the rule in the book and as if on command, the staff grabbed big bowls of mashed potatoes and balanced them on their heads while dancing.
Robert laughed even harder and then came up with something else. "And...they must do it while balancing on a rolling pin," he said as he wrote the rule in the book.
So with that, the staff grabbed rolling pins and danced on them.
Robert was as giddy as a schoolgirl. He knew he could do whatever wanted with anyone on the island based on whatever he wrote in the book and nobody could tell him otherwise.
Elsewhere on the island, the gang continued their search for Ariel, but so far were unsuccessful.
Tiana figured she probably wondered off and got captured. And if that was the case, not only would they have to rescue Feemer, but now Ariel as well. Belle suggested they could cover more ground if they split up, so that's what they decided to do.
Judy remembered what Ariel had done for her previously and decided that she had to repay her. After returning home, she snuck out the back door and began looking for her while making sure not to catch the eye of any guards. Eventually, she found the moping princess in her cage.
"Ariel!" Judy shouted.
"Huh?" Ariel said. "Aren't you...Judy?"
"Un huh," Judy answered.
"Well listen, you can't stay here," said Ariel.
"But I can get you out," said Judy.
"How?" asked Ariel.
Judy pulled out a small hairpin and straightened it out.
"How did you get in here?" Judy asked as she began picking the lock.
"This guy named Robert tricked me into to getting the Book of Courtasium," said Ariel.
Judy gasped as she finally picked the lock, releasing Ariel from captivity. "Robert?! He's one of Courtasium's most wanted criminals! Oh no, this is bad!" she said.
"I know. I feel guilty, OK," said Ariel.
"But it's also bad for you," said Judy.
"What do you mean?" asked Ariel.
"Rule #1034, Amendment #6, Section #10, Subsection #7 states that any person who aids in criminal activity will be subjected to immediate execution!" said Judy.
Meanwhile, from the skies, Fauna and Merryweather spotted Judy and Ariel talking.
"There they are!" said Fauna. "We better go tell the others."
The two fairies informed the others of Ariel's whereabouts and eventually followed them to her.
"Ariel!" shouted Jasmine as she and the others rushed over to her. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah...I'm fine..." Ariel said.
"Well you don't sound fine," Jasmine said as she noticed Ariel turn her back to her.
"Well she was in a cage all night," said Judy.
"Hey, you're that girl," said Merida.
"My name is Judy and I helped Ariel get out," Judy said.
"You did? Oh well thank you, dearie!" said Fauna.
For a while, Ariel remained silent and with her back still turned away from her friends. She just stood there, motionless, head down. The gang had never before seen her like this. Aside from Snow White, Ariel always seemed like the perky one. Being in that cage must've really done a number on her.
"I think it's something else," Belle suggested.
"Is it?" Jasmine asked Ariel.
"No..." Ariel struggled.
"Yes it is. If there is something bothering you, Ariel, you should just tell us!" said Jasmine.
Ariel turned to see all her friends eying her intently. All the eyes staring at her combined with the overwhelming guilt was just too much for her to handle.
"Nothing is bothering me! Everybody just leave me alone!" Ariel shouted before she ran off.
"Ariel, wait!" shouted Judy as she followed her.
The rest of the gang followed behind.
Adorned in a red and gold rope with men carrying his throne, Robert stood before the citizens, his arrogant aura just protruding from his body.
"Citizens of Courtasium! Bow down before your ruler!" he proclaimed.
On command, the citizens bowed down. Robert smiled sinisterly at the fact that he had the entire island in the palm of his hand.
"Yes! You are my subjects! For with this book, I control you all!" Robert shouted. Just then, he spotted the tearful Ariel running across the square. "And I owe it all to her."
As Robert pointed towards Ariel, the citizens gasped after they turned to see the guilty princess who stopped immediately after seeing Robert as well as the multiple eyes that were locked on her.
The good fairies and the other princesses also noticed him.
"Is that the judge?" asked Flora.
"Yes, but that's not who you think it is," said Judy. "That's Robert. A high class criminal."
Robert took a sip of red wine from a golden cup as he continued to gloat. "I must say Ariel, you were oh so easy to fool," he said.
"Ariel, what is he talking about?" Jasmine asked.
Ariel at first was hesitant to answer, but eventually, she took a deep breath and let it out. "I was stupid. I helped Robert get the Book of Courtasium. I was tricked. It's all my fault," she said.
Judy ran over and grabbed Ariel's dress. "No, you did what you felt was right," said Judy.
The outraged citizens rallied around Ariel and the rest of the gang and rioted towards the red haired princess.
"She aided a criminal!" said a citizen.
"That's Rule #34, Amendment #60, Section #2, Subsection #41; 'No aiding criminals!' she must be executed!" said another citizen.
"What?!" Mulan exclaimed.
"Sounds good to me," said Robert.
"No! You can't do that!" said Belle.
"Guards, seize the red head!" Robert ordered.
The guards charged forward and prepared to take Ariel when Merida stood in front of her and pulled out her sword.
"You aren't seizing anyone!" Merida protested as she swung her sword.
Mulan and Jasmine stood ready to defend their friend. The other princesses guarded her as well when suddenly, Ariel walked forward in front of the group.
"Wait...I'll do it," said Ariel.
The other princesses and the good fairies gasped.
"What?!" Merida said.
"Are you crazy?!" exclaimed Jasmine.
"Ariel, no!" Pocahontas said.
"It's my fault the book fell into Robert's hands and I need to take responsibility for my actions," Ariel said.
"But Ariel," said Cinderella.
"You can't!" said Merida.
"No!" said Judy.
But Ariel stood firm. She was prepared for the worst as she walked towards the guards. Merida stepped forward, but was blocked by the multiple swords from the guards.
"At dawn, she will be executed," Robert proclaimed.
Ariel turned her head for what seemed like a final look at her friends before being taken away to the courthouse.
Back at the ship, the gang was wrought with distraught. Judy had followed them.
"Guys, we can't let this happen," said Merida.
"Well there's nothing we can do! This is Ariel's decision!" said Tiana.
"Oh, so you're saying we should just back off?!" said Merida.
"No, but Ariel said herself that she wanted this! I don't like it, but we can't do anything about it!" said Tiana.
"How can you be so heartless?!" said Merida.
"I'm not being heartless, but you can't fight the system!" said Tiana.
"Stop it! Just stop it! Arguing is not gonna solve anything!" Jasmine shouted before she punched the mast.
"Tiana's right, as long as Robert has that book, we can't stop him," said Cinderella.
As the other princesses contemplated themselves, Judy walked over to the good fairies who were having tea and cookies.
"One lump or two?" Fauna asked to Flora.
"One," said Flora.
Fauna waved her wand and made a small square of sugar appear and dropped it in Flora's tea.
"Ohhh! I'd like to give that two-timing, snakebag, Robert, at least twenty lumps!" Merryweather said before waved her wand and made two cookies appear and dunked them in her tea and stuffed them in her mouth.
Judy was intrigued at how the fairies' magic, particularly at their wands. As she saw the fairies make more cookies and lumps of sugar appear, she did some more hard thinking.
As the orange-red dawn sun slowly dove underneath the massive courthouses of Courtasium, the citizens all gathered in the central square in front of the fountain as the hour of Ariel's execution was approaching. From behind the doors of the Courtasium Courthouse, the sounds of marching footsteps vibrated louder and louder until the front doors opened to reveal a cavalcade of Courtasium soldiers. There were two lines of soldiers next to each other, each line holding a long chain, and at the end of the chain was none other than Ariel, chained by her wrists and her neck.
Tears of remorse trickled down her cheeks as she took what time she had left to remember all her friends; the princesses, Sebastian, Flounder, Scuttle, Urchin; her father and sisters; and especially Eric. More tears she wept wishing she could say goodbye.
Forming a pathway, the citizens watched as the chained princess was escorted to a guillotine, her head placed underneath the sharp, crooked blade.
Despite it hanging above her, Ariel remained strong. In her mind, she was prepared to pay the price for her actions.
Robert approached the stage where the guillotine sat and addressed the rowdy crowd. "And now, citizens of Courtasium, this perpetrator will now be atoned for her reckless and inconsiderate conduct! Let this be a lesson to all who dare disobey our order!" he shouted. "Now, Rule #502, Amendment #10, Section #60, Subsection #7, states that those who are about to be executed must be given a chance for final words. So Ariel, any final words?"
"Yes. To everyone, I'm sorry I caused this to happen," said Ariel. "This only happened because I just wanted to change things around here. I wanted to stop your obsession with law and order. But I jumped the gun too fast and now you're all more miserable than you were before. I did this to you, and I'm ready to ay for it. I'd like to say from now on, I'll take more responsibility for my actions, but obviously, this is the only time for me."
At the end of her speech, Ariel closed her eyes for the final time as a soldier raised the guillotine blade.
Another soldier did a drumroll as the crowd waited intently.
Finally, the blade dropped and the crowd gasped as...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
No one was there. Ariel had just disappeared. At least for the time being until she reappeared in front of her friends.
"Girls?!" the shocked Ariel said. "What are you doing?"
"Just trust us," Judy said.
"Hey! She disappeared during her execution!" a citizen said. "That violates Rule #900, Amendment-"
"Oh will you shut your gab?!" Merida shouted.
Robert growled as the good fairies approached him and the crowd.
"Attention everyone! Robert has been lying to you!" Flora announced.
The crowd looked at each other quizzically upon hearing Flora's words.
"For once, Flora is right!" Merryweather said, receiving a cold stare from Flora.
"The book that Robert has is a fake!" said Fauna.
Robert vehemently protested the good fairies' claim. "Outrageous! I have the real book right here!" he said.
But when Robert showed the book, the crowd gasped.
Robert, confused by their reaction, looked at the book and he himself gasped.
"Where's the gold sash?!" a citizen exclaimed.
It was true. The original Book of Courtasium had a golden sash running down from the upper left corner. It was one of the definitive marks of the book.
Robert looked through the book to find the sash, but could not.
"This is impossible!" he said.
Just then, Judy came forward and presented another Book of Courtasium, but this one had the sash. "This is the real book!" she exclaimed.
Judy's parents looked on with intrigue and intent while the rest of the citizens eyed Robert coarsely.
"Rule #1000, Amendment #200, Section #600, Subsection #700 states, 'no forgery of the Book of Courtasium in any way, shape, or manner!'" said one of the citizens.
"He is not our ruler!" said another citizen.
Realizing this, the guard expunged all loyalty towards the false ruler of Courtasium and pointed their swords toward him.
"Oh, elephant poopie!" said Robert.
Ariel was now relieved of all consequences and her friends gathered around her and embraced her, though she still felt guilty about the whole affair.
Being that Judy was in possession of the real book, that technically made her the official ruler of the island and for her first order of business, she ordered the guards to have Robert arrested and have Adam released. She then gave Adam the book and therefore his former place as the ruler of Courtasium.
"Per the rules of Courtasium, my brother, since you forged a fake book, the punishment is execution! To the guillotine with you!" Adam proclaimed.
"Couldn't I just get a spanking and a stern warning?" Robert asked.
But his pleas fell on deaf ears as he was dragged away, underneath the guillotine.
The princesses and good fairies turned away for they did not want to see what was about to happen.
But before the guard dropped the blade, he was stopped by a voice.
"STOP!" the familiar voice shouted.
Everyone turned to see it was Ariel. Surprisingly with the book in her hand.
Adam looked with surprise at how quickly the book was out of his hands.
"She has the book! which means she is now our ruler!" a citizen said.
"Yes I am. And here is my first act," Ariel said.
To the utter shock of everyone who observed, Ariel tossed the Book of Courtasium into the fountain.
The guard holding the guillotine blade released it out of shock and Robert just barely avoided it. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"AHHHH! She's destroyed the book!" a citizen exclaimed.
Ariel then stood on the fountain and addressed the crowd. "Don't you see what's happening?! You're letting a book dictate what you do or don't do! And you're too obsessed with law and order! Listen, I know that Robert is a criminal, but execution is not always the best way to deal with criminal, nor is it the always the best way to handle anyone who breaks the law. To truly uphold justice, you must be fair and believe in a balanced judicial system; innocent until proven guilty, and not always using force and intimidation, but rather use reasoning. It's true that there has to be law and order in the world, but sometimes, it must be done peacefully and always fairly. For the sake of everyone, every man, woman and especially children," she said.
Judy smiled warmly at Ariel's words.
The citizens took the time to soak in Ariel's speech and eventually, they realized what she said had merit. Adam ordered the guards to take Robert to the Courthouse to be tried for his crimes.
After which, Ariel joined her friends in another embrace that Judy joined in, for she was happy to be alive and with the people she cared about most.
The next morning, things were much different around the island. There were still a number of rules, but not any many as there were before and even the smallest offenses were forgiven.
People could even have frizzy hair if they wanted. Most of the women walked around looking like Merida.
The princesses made their way to the courthouse for they had been summoned there by Adam whom they were met by after entering through the entrance.
"Ariel, could you please step forward?" Adam asked. Ariel headed his request. "Young lady, I along with everyone on the island would like to thank you for opening our eyes."
Snapping his finger, Adam commanded a guard to present him a brown box which he opened in front of Ariel to reveal a golden, circular badge. Taking it out, he placed it around Ariel's neck.
"What's this?" Ariel asked.
"It is the Badge of Courtasium," Adam said. "Take it to forever remind you of what you're done for us."
"Way to go, Ariel!" Rapunzel exclaimed.
"Well all right, girl!" said Tiana.
"You deserve it," said Cinderella.
"Thanks guys," Ariel said to her friends with pride before she turned back to Adam. "But what about Robert?"
"Well we are currently making the plans for a new prison facility. Once they are done and it is finished, Robert will be placed there as well as anyone else who doesn't obey the law. Within reason of course. Until then, we've found an...appropriate job for him..." Adam said.
The 'appropriate' job for Robert turned out to be shoveling up dog and cat poop.
"Oh and there's one more thing," Adam said before he reached into his pocket and pulled out none other than Feemer. "I believe this belongs to you."
"Feemer!" the gang shouted.
"Well I must say it took you long enough to get me out," Feemer said. "I was...beginning to think I'd never see you again."
"You missed us," said Snow White.
"Well who else is gonna keep you ladies out of trouble? Certainly not the fairies," said Feemer. "By the way, I found something quite interesting back in the Confiscation Chamber."
Unlike before, Adam gave the group permission to go into the chamber with Feemer in hand. In the chamber he began to glow brightly and for the group, this meant only one thing. Going further into the chamber, they discovered none other than the next crystal scepter, turquoise in color.
Most of the princesses put a hand to the scepter, but there was no reaction. Ariel tried her hand next and the scepter glowed as bright as it could be. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the scepter was meant for her.
With extra provisions given by the citizens of the island, the gang was all packed and ready to once again be on their way as they got into that ship. The gang Ariel, with her new scepter, was the last one to head on board when she suddenly heard a young voice.
"Ariel!" the voice shouted.
Ariel turned to see Judy running towards her.
"Judy?" Ariel said. "What is it?"
"Please don't go, Ariel. I'll miss you," Judy said.
"I'll miss you too, but I have to go with my friends. But I have something for you to remember me by," said Ariel.
"What?" asked Judy. To her surprise, Ariel took off her medal and placed it around her neck. "But this is your medal."
"And now it's yours," said Ariel. "Keep it and always be strong."
Judy nodded before she rushed up and gave Ariel a hug to which she returned.
Now on the boat, Ariel waved to her new friend as the boat departed from the dock.
As the boat disappeared into the mist, Judy took Ariel's words to heart. She resolved that from now on, she would be strong and make her own rules and not let anyone push her around.
And so the second of the crystal scepters had been found and was in the possession of Ariel. The young princess gazed at her new scepter along with her friends.
"Ariel?" Tiana said.
"Yes, Tiana?" said Ariel.
"That was pretty brave of you. Takin' responsibility like that," said Tiana.
"Oh yes, it was very, very brave," said Snow White.
"Incredibly foolish, but nonetheless brave, I suppose," said Feemer.
Ariel explained to the gang how the experienced had changed her as a person. Following her near death experience, even before that, she resolved to be held more accountable for her actions. She also promised never to do anything that would endanger those around her again.
The good fairies smiled at Ariel's proclamation while the other princesses patted her on the back. Merida gave her a hard noogie on the head.
As Ariel rubbed her head, a thought came to her mind. "Flora?" she asked.
"Yes, Ariel?" Flora said.
"That was pretty amazing how you were able to tell that book was a fake," she said.
"Hmmm...yes it was..." Flora said before she and Fauna and Merryweather gave a tiny chuckle.
The other princesses, with the exception of Ariel, joined in the chuckle.
"What?" Ariel asked quizzically.
"Well..." Fauna started to say.
"What? What is it?" said Ariel.
"As it turns out...the book was real," said Merryweather.
"WHAT?! You mean the book that Robert had?" asked Ariel.
"Yes," said Flora.
"But...how?" asked Ariel.
"It was Judy's idea," said Belle.
The other princesses told Ariel how Judy had the good fairies make a fake version of the book, then had them make the sash on the real book disappear.
"Wow! That Judy is one clever girl," said Ariel before she walked to the front of the ship. "Well, Feemer, lead the way."
As Ariel stared out at the sparkling ocean, she was more resolved than ever and was prepared for the further journey that lie ahead.