2 days have pass, the flood waters have receded and the villagers were finally able to head down.
But the damage was already done.
Almost the whole village was destroyed, and even the castle took some damage.
While the kingdom is being repaired, Ariel and Melody went to Atlantica to see how Triton is doing as he was spending more time awake. Melody left a few minutes earlier as Ariel walking to be with her father a little longer as she explained of what had happened.
"Well, I'm not pleased that you both got yourselves in danger." Triton said. "But, at least what's important is that you made it back safely."
"Thanks, Daddy." Ariel lightly smiled.
"Any possible idea where Gojira might be?" Triton asked.
"At the moment, I'm not sure." Ariel said. "And there's no timing how long before Slattern will again. And with Morgana out there once again, I..." She then sighed. "I just don't know how much longer I can keep Melody safe from her."
"Is something troubling you, dear?" Triton asked noticing his daughter's concern.
Ariel then sighed. "I just... If I hadn't kept the truth from Melody from the first attack, I... The trident wouldn't have fallen to her hands in the first place."
"Ariel, listen to me." Triton said lifting her chin. "Parenthood has never been easy. Believe me, I was a bit of a nervous-wreck myself when after Attina was born."
Ariel slightly chuckled from that.
"But what I do know, is that sometimes we do the wrong things for the right reasons." Triton said.
Ariel smiled and hugged her father.
"Sometimes I just wish I could go back, and undo my mistake of keeping everything a secret from Melody." Ariel said.
"I know that feeling as well wishing I could've saved Athena." Triton said. "But I know with everything happening, we'll get through this. You know, Sebastian actually did explained why Attina left to find you and Melody."
"He did?" Ariel said.
"Yes." Triton said. "And I was a little surprise that your other sisters went with her as well. You should be glad to Attina as your big sister."
Ariel then smiled. "I guess I am. I remember we were so close when we were kids."
Meanwhile, Melody was with Alex, Lily, Lee, Tara and Leo as they swam around.
"So, you and your mom actually found Gojira?" Tara asked.
"Yeah." Melody nodded. "We found him in a cavern."
"I seriously can't believe the crazy stuff you got yourselves into." Leo said.
"You sure had us worried." Lily said.
"I know." Melody said. "But I think it's Slattern we should truly worry about."
"Yeah, I mean, who knows when he might strike again." Alex said.
"We could be in real trouble when he does." Lee said.
"I hope Gojira can still stop him." Tara said.
"He has recovered some of his strength, but I don't know for sure." Melody said.
"Yeah." Leo said. "And I heard from some fish, who heard from a dolphin, who heard from a Right Whale who actually seen the 2 go at each other on a fishing ship."
"Yeah, Gojira managed to stop him from killing those people." Tara said. "But I'm afraid that's only the first round."
"Who knows what might happen when they fight again." Alex said.
"Which is why we need to be ready for when that hammerhead-face madman shows up again, mon." Sebastian said appearing.
They then turn to him.
"Question is, how long till he does though?" Leo inquired.
"I'm not sure." Sebastian said. "We just have to be ready."
"Well, I just hope you're right." Melody said.
"Me too." Sebastian said.
He then crawls off as then suddenly Atlanna appeared rushed towards them.
"Hi, Atlanna." Sebastian said.
"Guys, you gotta come see this!" Atlanna said frantically.
"What's the matter?" Melody asked.
"There's no time to explain, come on!" Atlanna said and quickly swims off.
They then followed her.
They quickly followed Atlanna to the coral reef.
"I was out collecting some shells, when I came across this." Atlanna said.
They arrived at the reef and then were shocked of what they saw.
A large section of reef was completely white, and another section next to it was all dead.
"Oh, my goodness." Tara said shocked.
"What happened?" Melody asked.
"I don't know." Atlanna said. "It's almost as if nearly half the reef has died."
"Something tells me that Slattern is a much bigger problem to the ocean than we thought." Melody said.
They begin to check the entire reef as it hasn't been effected for now, but this reef wasn't the only one that was struck with this impact. Other reefs are slowly dying to the slightly warmer oceans. Fish stocks living near the coast head further out to cooler waters, forcing some seabirds, seals and sea lions from their usual fishing areas.
And most reefs are now missing an important member of the community.
Sharks.
Unseen relentless hunting from Slattern's army has reduced shark populations by over 90% within an area of 1,000 miles. Some few sharks were lucky enough to escape as they head off to find safer waters. But that won't help them for much longer, and other marine animals are been hit just as bad.
After 10 minutes, Melody and the others checked the entire reef as the resident reef fish and other animals are doing okay for now. And they have seen a few sharks swimming by, a few Gray Reef Sharks and Whitetip Reef Sharks hanging by the current.
Both species are too small to be a threat to mermaids, their usual prey are small fish and other animals.
And recently, Melody had a new respect for these impressive predators. A few months ago, she, Alex, Lily and Lee swam off to the reef while Atlantica was in the middle of a celebration. And they saw a large number of Gray Reef Sharks patrolling the reef waiting to snatch a fish, not easy with the fish hiding in tight areas. But the arrival of a number of Whitetip Reef Sharks changed everything, as they were slender and more agile, the Whitetips can get into hiding places where the Gray Reef Sharks can't reach. And the 4 watched as some Whitetip swam into tight areas flushing out any hiding fish, as the waiting Gray Reef Sharks snatched.
Melody was truly amazed by this kind of partnership, despite being a little frighten. But even though their effects seem damaging, sharks play a role in maintaining a healthy reef by keeping fish populations from growing too high.
But soon, that balance may no longer be seen.
That evening, Ariel, her sisters, Melody and Sebastian were at the throne room with Triton going over a map as some soldiers came back from scouting trips.
"Our last scouting trip has sighted Slattern heading somewhere north." A guard reported. "Which he could be heading to back to his lair."
"Another sighting shows that Gojira seems to going in the same direction as well." Another guard added.
"Seems like Gojira is going after him." Attina said.
"Then it's settled." Triton said. "At first-light, I want a team of soldiers to head to Slattern's lair."
The guards then headed off.
"Do you think Gojira still has a chance?" Melody said.
"I hope so." Ariel said.
Later in the night, everyone was asleep as well as Melody she was peacefully asleep.
However, Ariel couldn't sleep as the thought of Slattern finishing Gojira for good was plaquing her. She knew that everything and everyone would be grave danger it happened, and what worried her more is that she may not be able to protect Melody when Slattern goes after Atlantica.
So she made the difficult choice to sneak away again, to find Gojira before he finds Slattern.
As she exits the room, she looked back to Melody once more and heads off.
A couple hours later, Melody was still asleep as she then stirred.
She woke up, and then noticed her mother's bed was empty.
"Mom?" Melody frowned and looked around.
She then got out of her bed and swam off realizing her mother was gone.
As she wandered through the halls, she then saw Attina who was heading off to bed after getting her mind off some things.
"Aunt Attina!" Melody said quickly swimming over to her.
"Melody?" Attina said turning to her niece. "What are you doing up?"
"Have you seen my mom?" Melody asked.
"I thought she was asleep." Attina said.
"No, her bed's empty." Melody said.
"Oh, no." Attina said realizing something. "She must've snuck away to find Gojira. I'm going to find her, wait here incase she comes back."
Attina then swims off.
Close to dawn, Attina was still trying to find Ariel as she headed further north.
She soon pass by a kelp forest when suddenly a familiar voice was heard struggling through the dense kelp.
"What the...?" Attina looked back.
Then suddenly Melody came out of the kelp.
"What are you doing here?" Attina said. "I told you to stay home."
"I'm sorry Aunt Attina, I can't just sit around and wait if Mom got caught by Slattern." Melody said.
Attina then sighed and shook her head. "I swear, you're too much like your mother." She said. "All right, but stay close."
They then swam off.
It was now morning, and Attina and Melody were still heading north has they haven't found Ariel as they were at the open sea now.
"Where could she be?" Melody said.
"I'm not sure, she has to be somewhere ahead still." Attina said.
"I just hope we find her before Slattern does." Melody said.
"Me too, then again, this isn't the first time your mother has done something reckless." Attina said.
"Yeah, been hearing that a lot lately." Melody said and giggled. "And remember Aunt Arista telling me this 1 time she and Mom stopped a pair of alligators from stealing the royal treasure."
"I know." Attina laughed a bit. "And that time Ariel used the trident to free the Prehistoria dinosaurs."
The 2 laughed unaware they were being followed.
"Excuse me?" A familiar voice said.
The 2 suddenly jumped and looked back and saw Ariel.
"Mom!" Melody said.
She rushed to her mother and hugged her.
"What are you 2 doing out here?" Ariel asked.
"What are we doing?" Attina said. "We came looking for you. What were you thinking?"
"I'm sorry." Ariel apologized. "I was trying to find Gojira."
"Gojira can probably handle Slattern." Attina said.
"We don't know that for that." Ariel said. "He might need help and doesn't know it."
Attina sighed shaking her head. "Half the time I don't even know what I'm gonna do with you." She said. "Come on."
They begin to head further north.
Towards midmorning, the sun shines higher as they swam north.
Out here in the big blue, there remain a few pristine places to remind them of how rich the oceans can still be.
As they swam, they came across a large pod of Long-finned Spinner Dolphins. And they seem to be gathering in great numbers.
Ariel, Melody and Attina followed the dolphins as they travel, and some leaped into the air doing twirls and spins before they hit the water.
Melody couldn't resist and then leaped out of the water trying it herself. Even Ariel and Attina couldn't help themselves and did it.
Spinners live in pods, groups of individuals linked by complex social relationships.
They swam alongside with the dolphins as a series of clicks fills the water as they can only guess what they were saying.
The dolphins constantly touch and talk with one another, using a language of clicks and whistles.
The dolphins continued clicking and chittering as they swam.
Soon Melody noticed a school of tuna following them.
They are shadowed by Yellowfin Tuna.
The tuna rely on the dolphins to find food.
"I wonder where they're going." Melody wondered.
"I'm not sure." Ariel said.
They continued following the dolphins and tuna.
Everyone is searching for the same prey...
Ahead of them, was a large shoal of small fish.
Lantern Fish... the numerous fish on the planet.
The shoal of Lantern Fish swam through the water.
No longer than Melody's finger, Lantern Fish spend most of their time hiding in the deep. So, despite their astounding abundance, people don't fish for them.
They are one of the few fish that still thrives.
Soon, the dolphin pod begins to close the distance on the shoal.
As they close in on their prey, the dolphin pod gets bigger and bigger.
As they continued swimming, Ariel, Melody and Attina were amazed as they were surrounded on all sides by dolphins.
"I never seen so many dolphins at once before." Melody said amazed.
"Me neither." Ariel and Attina said in unison.
This pod could be 10,000 strong.
For every one at the surface, 20 swim below.
Soon the dolphins quicken their pace as clicks fill the water as the 3 mermaids followed.
Using echolocation, a type of sonar, the dolphins detect Lantern Fish in the depths and drive them to the surface.
Soon the front of the dolphin pod arrives and starts corralling the shoal as Ariel, Melody and Attina watched.
They patrol the underside of the shoal to stop their prey from escaping back to the deep.
The 3 mermaids watched as the dolphins begin to grab a mouthful of fish as clicking and chittering fills the water.
Once the dolphins have had their fill, there's still plenty more for other predators.
Suddenly like underwater eagles, a shoal of large rays appeared coming to have their share.
Mobula Rays swoop in.
The 3 watched as the rays swam around grabbing mouthfuls of fish.
To maximize their catch, the rays attack in formation.
They watched the rays as they continue swooping into the shoal.
A wall of mouths scooping up their prey.
Eventually, the Mobula Rays begin to head off.
Because people don't fish for them, Lantern Fish and their predators thrive.
Soon, Ariel, Melody and Attina left the rays and dolphins and continued north.
All these hunters have barely made a dent in the great shoal.
Most life in the open ocean is concentrated in a thin surface layer, where the power of the sun has its greatest effect. These sunlit shallows are fertilized in a surprising way. As the dolphins produce waste, they play a vital role, recycling nutrients from the deep up to the surface. This marine manure helps to fuel the basis of all life in the open ocean.
As Ariel, Melody and Attina continued on, they came across a section of surface water where it was green which was a bloom of tiny plants.
Phytoplankton... microscopic drifting plants.
They combine nutrients in seawater with energy from the sun to create the very foundation of every food chain out here. So all animals, from the smallest fish to the largest whale, ultimately depend on these tiny plants for food. And in turn, the phytoplankton benefits from the nutrients produced by these animals.
Crucially, phytoplankton also produce half the Oxygen in the air people breathe. So, no matter where you live, one can thank these exquisite little plants for every other breath you take.
In ideal conditions, they can blooms to such an extent that great swathes of the ocean turn green.
Surprisingly, phytoplankton also play a vital role in cloud formation. Moisture evaporating from the ocean condenses around tiny particles created by the plankton. These droplets combine to grow into colossal clouds. They can rise 12 miles into the atmosphere. These oceanic clouds reflect the sun's energy back into space, helping to protect the Earth from rising temperatures. Not only do the oceans produce half the Oxygen we breathe, they also drive the weather and climate, transporting life-giving fresh water around the world.
The high seas are the life-support system of our planet.
They have such power simple because they're so vast.
The oceans cover 2/3s of the globe, and that's just the surface.
They're also immensely deep.
Merpeople have barely explored the deep unexplored space, but humans won't be able to for another century.
Towards noon, They finally made it to the polar region as they were 2 miles from Slattern's lair.
"Gojira has to be somewhere." Melody said.
"He could be anywhere out here." Attina said.
"We just have to keep looking." Ariel said.
They continued swimming through the field of scattered ice floes, but then a distant honking bellow was heard as the ocean suddenly went silent.
"You heard that, right?" Ariel asked.
"That way." Attina said and swam off.
They quickly followed her.
Before long, they started looking around the fields of ice on the surface, and then a row of jagged dorsal plates caught Melody's eye.
"There!" Melody said.
They quickly swam over, and soon saw Gojira.
"Gojira!" Ariel called out.
Gojira turns to them.
"Ariel? Melody?" Gojira said stunned. "What are you doing here?"
"We came looking for you." Melody said.
"I appreciate that." Gojira said. "But it's not going to be safe here soon." He then noticed Attina. "My word. Attina, I believe."
"Yes." Attina nodded.
"You've definitely grown up last time I saw you." Gojira said. "Soon-to-be Queen Attina I presume?"
"Well, not yet." Attina said. "But, I'll get there eventually."
"I'll be sure to be there that day." Gojira said. "Right now, Slattern needs to be dealt with."
"But we don't know where he is." Melody said.
"I know a way to draw him out." Gojira said.
Then suddenly Gojira inhales deeply as his mouth and eyes glowed blue and a rapid immense pulsating began as his dorsal plates lit up as he charged up. And even his chest lit up as he then towards to the direction of Slattern's lair and then fires a powerful blast as Ariel, Melody and Attina shielded their eyes from the brightness.
At his lair, Slattern angrily paces.
"That mermaid and her daughter has interfere with me one too many times now." Slattern growled. "Time to matters into serious matter."
"How do you think I feel with that girl?" Morgana retorted.
Slattern growled turning to her. "Then since you can't control yourself over the girl." He said. "Then perhaps I KILL YOU NOW!"
He lunges forward as then suddenly a blue blast shot through the rock wall knocking everyone back. Slattern soon got up as he backed away.
Gojira continues firing as the blast made it to the mountain.
At the lair, the blast finally ceased as Slattern turns to the opening made by it.
Gojira then roars out thunderously at the distance.
His roar echoed as Slattern then roars out.
"Time to finish this for good." Slattern said.
He then jumps off the edge and falls into the water and swims off.
The group of 4 waited as they know Slattern was coming.
Soon a loud screech was heard nearby, as Gojira knew well.
"Stay low and quiet." Gojira said.
Ariel, Melody and Attina hid behind a section of ice by the edge as Gojira headed away.
Soon, Ghidorah appeared and lands on the ice and snarled.
Just then, Slattern and his goons arrived as well as Morgana.
"I was wondering when you were going to show up." Slattern said. "So, where are they?"
"Where's who?" Gojira questioned.
"Do I look like a fool?" Slattern inquired. "I know that mermaid is here, along with that daughter of hers'. And I swear she better pray I don't kill that girl in front of her."
"Leave them out of this." Gojira said.
"Oh, sure." Slattern said. "Especially to what happened to Athena that day?"
Ariel, Melody and Attina behind the ice ridge then frowned of Slattern mentioning the day Athena died.
"I believe it started with something similar to this." Slattern said.
Suddenly Otachi rushed to the ice ridge and fired an acid blast melting the ice and reveals Ariel, Melody and Attina. And then Otachi quickly snatches Ariel in his 3-clawed tail.
"Mom!" Melody cried as Attina held her behind her.
"Just as I thought." Slattern said.
Otachi then brought Ariel to him as she struggled in his grip.
"This looks familiar." Slattern said. "Where have I seen this before?" His memory then came to him. "Oh, yes. I remember. This is the look Athena had before she died. I looked ahead. Saw the fear in her eyes."
He the wrapped one of his tails tightly around her.
"And here's my little secret." Slattern said and lowers to her ear. "I killed Athena."
It took Ariel a few seconds for her to realize what he said.
She then thinks back to the day her mother died as she swims off, she thought she saw a large figure in the distance at the surface with a hammerhead.
And the figure then broke the ship's rudder and then rams the ship violently as it gained speed.
Ariel then realized her mother's death was actually intentionally by Slattern.
Then suddenly Gojira shoves Slattern aside as Ariel was knocked from his grip.
"My mother!" Ariel yelled. "How could you?!"
"First she leaves her own kind!" Slattern turns to his army. "And now she wants to kill me!"
"You killed Athena!" Ariel yelled.
"What?!" Attina and Melody exclaimed horribly shocked.
"Tough talk for a little mermaid." Slattern taunted. "Let's see you back it up though."
Slattern then roars out loudly and stomps his right hand.
"It's me you want, Slattern." Gojira said. "Leave her out of this."
He then used his tail and sends Ariel Away as she slid across the ice as Melody and Attina joined her.
Gojira then confronts Slattern and his dorsal plates flashed a display and then roars out loudly. He then rushed forward.
Slattern charged as well as he then skids to a halt and snorted.
The 2 monsters begin to size each other up as Slattern stood to his full height on all 4s.
Gojira stared hard at Slattern as his dorsal plates, and then he lifts his tail up high and then slams it down on the ice hard with a massive thud.
Slattern then slammed his tails on the ice and then pounds the ice with his fists growling.
Gojira glared at him and then roars out loudly.
Slattern bared his teeth and roared.
And then Slattern charged as Ariel, Melody and Attina watched. Slattern charged as bits of snow and ice were kicked into the air and he growled as he got closer.
"This... ends... HERE!" Gojira yelled.
He then roars as he charged.
The 2 monsters charged as they near each other, and then rammed each other in a head-on collision as Slattern roared. They growled as then Slattern pushed Gojira back, they then rose up as Gojira swatted his hand at Slattern's face.
Ariel, Melody and Attina can only watch and stay out of the way as fight begins.
Slattern then threw Gojira off his feet as hits the ice and turns back to him. They circled each other and then roared as they clashed and swung claws at each other and Gojira lands a strike on Slattern's face. They circled more as then Gojira lunged attack his side, but Slattern pulls Gojira in front of him and then forcefully pushes him off his feet and knocks Gojira onto the ice as he lands on his back hard.
Slattern snorted and roared.
Gojira rolled to his feet and shook his head, and turns back to his rival.
The 2 charged as Slattern throws Gojira off his feet as his army roars out.
Slattern and Gojira snapped at each other as Gojira lifted his left foot and then claws Slattern's side and then kicks him off as Slattern hits the ice and soon got up and turns to him.
Slattern lightly growled and turns to his side now carrying 3 gashes, but he merely laughed.
The 2 then begin to circle each other as Slattern roared.
Gojira then charged as well as Slattern as collided into each other, and Slattern threw Gojira aside and he lunges as Slattern held him back. They snapped at each other and then Gojira struck a hit on Slattern's head. Slattern quickly recovered, and then bites down hard on Gojira's left wrist as he roared in pain. And Slattern twirls and threw Gojira as he slid on the ice leaving claw marks.
Slattern then shoves Gojira back as they fought, and Slattern bumped against a column of ice. He threw Gojira aside as they turn towards each other, and then Slattern pushed Gojira back more and near a ledge of ice.
Gojira noticed it, and then quickly pulls away as Slattern hits the side breaking a few pieces off. Gojira quickly turns back to him and roars as Slattern confronts him, Gojira roared loudly as his dorsal plates flashed.
He then shoves Slattern and starts pushing him back, looking he was starting to gain the upper hand.
Slattern however had other ideas.
He soon manages to grip the ice and got on all 4s as Gojira struggled to push him back, and then Slattern forcefully pushed Gojira back as he tries to hold him back. Slattern pushed with all his strength and got on his hind feet and gained speed as he pushed Gojira more.
Ariel, Melody and Attina watched as they knew it was bad.
The 2 monsters growled as Gojira tried to get a firm grip, but then his foot slipped in a large crevice of the ice. And then Slattern rams him against his shoulder, and then rams him off his feet as an ice column was broken loose as Slattern roared out.
Gojira hits the ice landing in the crevice, but then saw the ice column and then crashed down on his shoulder pinning him as he then roars out loudly in pain.
"Still up for it?" Slattern taunted.
Gojira struggled under the ice column, but it was too heavy for him to move as he was badly pinned.
"Just as I thought." Slattern said and he turns to his army. "I am the one true king!"
He then roars out loudly as well as his army.
"Move out!" Slattern ordered.
He and his army begin to head off.
"And Ghidorah." Slattern said.
Ghidorah turns to him.
"Make sure he stays down this time." Slattern said.
Ghidorah then turns to Gojira, and then lowered down and snaked towards Gojira as he weakly groans.
He went up to Gojira, and then all 3 heads bite down and his necks glowed as Gojira then roars out loudly in great pain.
"We have to go." Attina said.
"But we can't leave him!" Melody said.
"There's nothing we can do, come on!" Ariel said.
With no other choice, they were to leave and swam off. And Ghidorah continues draining Gojira's energy as he roars out in pain as he was too weak to fight. Ghidorah's left head bites hard on Gojira's neck as he screeched in pain.
Ghidorah soon shrieked out and soon flies off.
While Gojira lays motionless in the ice crevice still pinned under the ice column.
Author's Note:
Next comes the final battle.
The fight was a combo from The Golden Compass and Walking with Dinosaurs 3D.
Also, last Friday, I saw the new Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild on Disney+. I actually enjoyed, though Simon Pegg who played Buck was the only actor who returned for this film. And shame that Scrat didn't appear, chances are, he's probably still lost in space.
Last thing, it was kinda odd to see an Ice Age film opening with the Disney logo instead of the 20th Century Fox opening.