A/n

Hello everyone! I'm going to be honest with you all. When I first started writing this story I was on a H20 binge in high school and during a semester at college began writing this novel. I loved Tempe's take on the show and thought I could continue it. Well life happened and I never saved my work from college leaving all of my plotlines and work gone which bummed me out and stopped me from resuming. But here I am! I'm gonna complete the cliffhanger but Im thinking of taking it a slightly different route then what I had originally planned. It will still have Atlantis as the core do not fret!

But, with that being said, I am playing with a few storylines and would love to hear your thoughts. Enough rambling and enjoy!

Ch 10 The Beginning of the End

*Flashback to the night before the UN visit*

Emma looked around in a daze, how did she get here? She was standing in the cave of the moon pool; the serene surface of the water reflected the starry night from above. The last thing Emma remembered was going to sleep to prepare for their visit to the UN tomorrow.

While pondering the possibility that she had been moonstruck she quickly disregarded it. There was no full moon tonight, so how did she get there?

As she pondered over how she got there, the moon pool began to gurgle. Water slowly began to rise as it took on the shape of mermaid. The mermaid was clearly female as the water curved and twisted into shape. The tip of her tail had fused with the pool while in her hand she held a trident upside down, the tips mere inches from the surface.

"Hello My Child"

The figures voice was soft and soothing, like a gentle stream crossing over smooth pebbles.

"The reason you are here is because you have been decreed as the next Head Queen of Atlantis."

Emma opened her eyes wide in shock. Queen? What is this lady talking about? "As for the council…" Emma's already wide eyes got wider, what the hell is this person? "Every great Queen needs a council to rely on" The lady continued speaking, "It is ok to be a Leader among equals."

"Who are you?" Emma finally steeled the nerve to ask as this unknown figure knew way too much about her life. "My name right now is not important, but what is to comes is that which is important." A cryptic answer was the only response to Emma's question. "You have awoken a sleeping enemy my child, and you are not ready for it yet." The figure continued.

"My son is angry that you awakened me and exposed our kind to the mortals. He is the one behind these attacks and he is the one who has come after you. I have not as much influence as him which limits my ability to help you. Instead, I shall give you this."

With that said a dolphin made of water appears from the surface of the pool with a glowing blue stone in its mouth.

"Take this" The figure said gesturing at the stone. "As my powers are limited, I cannot interfere directly in this battle. Instead, I shall give you a sliver of my power in case the worst happens, I am willing to pay the price."

Hearing how the lady phrased it, the stone currently in Emma's hand must be powerful if someone as mysterious as the water lady is even saying there's a price.

"My time is running up, to limit the effect in the mortal world you will forget most of this. The only thing you will need to remember is that this stone is your last resort."

"So, a backup plan?" Emma replied in a way she could understand. The lady laughed, the sound of seashells tinkling echoed through the cave.

"Yes, my child you could call it a backup"

With that said the water making up the lady dropped down back into the water, as though she was never there.

Emma looked around in a daze, how did she get here? She was standing in the cave of the moon pool; the serene surface of the water reflected the starry night from above. The last thing Emma remembered was going to sleep to prepare for their visit to the UN tomorrow.

Emma soon realized however that she was a holding a blue stone in her hand. She didn't know why she thought this, but she knew it was important. The words backup echoed in her mind as she stored the stone safely in the valley of her chest as she exited the moon pool, heading back to bed.

*Present Time*

Emma was leading those who could still run, into the forest. Their fast speeds made them look as though they were gracefully flying through the trees like monkeys.

We must lead them farther in if this is to work, they need to be closer to the gate. Emma thought to herself.

The enemies that followed were numerous, almost double of their troops at the beach. Despite Ash's display of strength, the actual effect only incapacitated their ships. This was a small relief as it meant no missiles could be fired at them. The enemies however still had their rifles.

Emma cursed at herself for her stupidity. She had talked so much bravo and asserted herself but was dealt a bloody slap when push came to shove. She knew about guns, about human weapons.

The Delphi soldiers however did not, and since no one informed the soldiers, they simply became cannon fodder when the enemy rushed onto the beach spraying bullets. A mermaid's true advantage was their powers. These powers were what allowed them to live in secrecy for so long, hiding themselves in plain sight, and yet, this is what also made them dangerous.

But a bullet is still a bullet. For a mermaid it is simply about being prepared and expecting the bullet for one to be able to defend and block it. However, if caught unaware one would need a quick reflex to save oneself. It's because of these instincts that the latter half of the Delphi soldiers caught on to the true power the guns possessed which greatly reduced their casualties.

Emma knew her plan would be risky but many of those deaths should have been avoidable. Cursing her stupidity one last time over the guns she suddenly thrust her hand into the sky resulting in an ice spike shooting up into the sky. After traveling for a few seconds, the ice exploding into a cloud of snow. This was her signal for the city to begin their part.

As Emma and the group pushed forward Emma patted the stone held in her bosom. It was if a sunstone had been blotted by the deepest depths of the ocean. The only thing marring this serene blue was a symbol of a dolphin with an upside-down trident going through it. As she checked that stone was secured one last time, Emma muttered under her breath.

"Always have a backup, even if you don't know what it is"

*Hidden in the underbrush*

The girl stared at the retreating merfolk heading into the wood, a cruel smile creeping on her face.

The girl looked like Charlotte, but the light behind her eyes was not her own. "This pawn did well." Her voice whispered, her voice which was once harsh and deranged now gurgled like muddy water. "They should never have exposed us… exposed me."

"… maybe… maybe if they are all dead…" The muddy voice trailed off as the girl merged into the shadows, disappearing into the trees.

*Back in the forest*

Cleo and Bella were holding up the backline, doing their best to hold off the enemy from gaining on them. Bella darted through the trees, caressing the bark as she passed. The spots left by her touch erupted vines that sprouted and entwined on themselves creating thickets that the enemy had to crash through.

One soldier tried to charge through what seemed to be a pine tree next to a thicket. He briefly gleamed pridefully at himself for not falling for the witch's trap only to suddenly have a spiked ball explode into his neck, its thin needles pierced his neck causing instant death.

Bella called this the Needle Tree.

It's a modified tree that Bella based off the Pinus Strobus or the Eastern White Pine. The long needles of the pine were long and super sharp, almost as though it was a sewing needle. Upon a large impact the trees needles will launch from its branches, scattering in all directions. This of course resulted in many of the enemy troops getting skewered with needles, the lucky ones got them in their gear, the unlucky ones got them in their neck.

Bella was usually not one to resort to violence.

This for Will, This is all for Will and Cleo and Rikki and… and… well EVERYBODYY She screamed in her head as she briefly looked at the carnage her powers created. "God I hope I don't get used to this" she mutters under her breath as she continued forward.

As she said this Cleo had come over to her and heard Bella's muttering. Looking back at the exploding trees behind them skewering the enemy troops, she put the two together. Did she say she didn't want to get used to this?

She just shish kebabbed the soldiers on the beach like it was nothing, she was a natural!

And then there's her. Look at her, she couldn't even kill that soldier and spared his life, and what he does he do? He tries to kill her! If it wasn't for Emma's quick thinking, she would have been dead.

Cleo knew she was not a fighter, this is exactly why the animals loved her, for she wouldn't hurt even a fly. No! No! Lewis's life could be in danger if I don't fight! I.. I.. I need to protect him! Like a dolphin! Yea.. that's right. Females can be aggressive too.!

With this weirdly specific internal pep talk Cleo decided she was done being the weak one.

"Bella! Create a clearing in the trees behind us!" She yelled over to Bella who was a few meters away weaving through the trees. Bella, trusting Cleo, didn't even question it as the two crossed each other as though they were in sync, weaving like a DNA strand through the trees. Suddenyl Bella spun around thrusted her hands forward, she then made grabbing motion and curled her fists and with scream pulled her hands apart as though she was tearing the very air itself apart. With a mighty tremble the sound of the very earth being ripped apart could be heard. Bella used her power and literally ripped the roots of the trees out and a clearing of 10m wide could be seen as the trees toppled over to the side.

This area was specifically targeted as it had the densest amount of the enemy troops. A few key soldiers sensed what was about to happen and quickly dodged into the thick under brushes at the sides of the clearing. Within mere seconds of this happening…

"Take this!"

With a mighty yell, Cleo jumps over Bella who had just landed herself, and with a hammer throw motion slams onto the ground. With a mighty whoosh a concentrated burst of air shoots forward like a crescent moon. The 100-mph shockwave of air easily sent the soldiers standing up flying as they crash into each other like pinballs. Bella with her arms still out to the side quickly swing them together in front of her causing all the swayed trees to stand back up.

The 5m wide swathe of earth carved out by Cleo's attack was the only scar leftover from the battle. Suddenly a red streak could be seen charging

With this being done the two girls just incapacitated a quarter of the left-over troops, now it was just up to Rikki. "Quick we need to hurry up to the gates of the city. Rikki is waiting for us." Cleo said Bella. Bella nodded in acknowledgement and continued pushing towards home, Cleo close behind her.

Rikki then finally caught up to Emma and nodded at her in some silent agreement. Suddenly Rikki shot even faster forward, each of her steps leaving scorch marks behind her as she used her flames to boost herself with every step she took. She wasn't mad that she couldn't fight right now, she wasn't stupid, she just had bigger things planned. Rikki smiled as she reveled in the fact that her part was so crucial to Emma's plan, despite the pressure. Ever since she gained control over her fire, it unlocked a darker fire inside her. Maybe it was protective instinct or finding those who she could call sisters that gave her that connection she craved. This craving is what sparked that fire inside her and fueled its power. The enemy will soon see the true might of her power.

*At the city gates*

The boys Will, Lewis and Ash were standing on the top of the gates surrounding a red crystal. The crystal looked like it was a normal sunstone that Rikki made if it wasn't for the pulsing red glow emanating from it. Lewis had been siphoning off the natural energies from Will and Ash and had been pouring that energy into the stone. Only a sunstone made by the Goddess of the Sun could handle the sheer force of power that was just waiting to break free.

Lewis wiped the sweat off his forehead as his body suddenly slumped from exhaustion. "It's all ready for Rikki" he says to the others. "Now we wait for the girls" Will replied as the boys stared out into the forest, desperately awaiting their mates.

The boys looked towards the forest, their eyes restlessly scanning the foliage, looking for any traces that could indicate the girl's location. Suddenly a red comet shot out from the trees charging straight towards the gate.

The boys were momentarily caught off guard and began getting into a defensive position before they realized what it was. "Is... is that Rikki?" Ash asked, doubting his own eyes. "She always was a hot head" Lewis replied. She is using her powers to generate momentum with every step The scientist in him immediately ran through dozens of theories of how exactly she was doing that when he realized it was pointless.

"This is Rikki after all, I bet it just comes naturally"

"There is nothing natural about that." Will muttered in awe mixed with fear. Thank God he had Bella, a wild soul that was gentle at the same time. He was missing her right now, he hoped she would be ok with what was about to happen.

Rikki quickly reached the gate and launched herself up to the top where the others were. As she shot up the top of wall she flipped and fired flames out of her hands, slowing her descent on to the top of the gate.

"Is it ready?" Rikki asked Lewis. Lewis nodded his head and handed over the pulsing sunstone. "Are you sure this is going to work?" Rikki asked Lewis with speculation as she felt the massive amount of power raging inside the stone. "If you were to ask me truthfully, I don't know. We are using the most plausible theory, but I have yet to do any trial runs…. The blast caused by this should still be within your control."

"And if its too powerful for me to control?" Rikki quickly followed up after noticing the hesitation in Lewis's voice and the 'should'. Lewis slightly squirmed under Rikki's piercing stare and internally sent a prayer to Zane for every fight he's been in with Rikki.

"Well… it'll hurt... a lot?" Lewis said with his hands up in defeat. He had no idea how strong this blast would be. But judging by the power coming off the stone it was at least equal to a modern-day missile. Would they survive that? Most likely, but not unscathed.

Rikki shook her head in disbelief as the reality that she may blow herself up began to creep in her mind. This tentacle of doubt however was quickly squashed when she saw Emma dashing out of the forest, quickly followed by a few dozen Delphi soldiers with Bella and Cleo leaving the forest last.

She steeled herself and began absorbing the hot gases around her. The air around her began to cool dramatically as a vortex of hot air being absorbed created a dense pressure of cold air. Rikki's body became engulfed in flames to protect herself from the plunging temperature.

Frost started to form on the gate when suddenly an ice ball exploded in the air. This was Emma's signal to attack. However right as Rikki was about to unleash the energy she stored up; she realized her sisters were too close to the enemy.

The first waves of their troops had already exited the forest and the stream of soldiers had yet to stop. The longer Rikki waited the closer they got to the girls. Suddenly the wind caressed her ear, and she heard Cleo's voice.

"Do it! We will be ok!" Her voice resounded in Rikki's ears. Hoping in her heart that they knew what they were doing, Rikki launched herself up into the air, the stone in her hands held up high.

The light from the sun beamed down onto the sun stone as Rikki engulfed herself in flames. With a might whoosh all the remaining energy surrounding Rikki got sucked into the stone like a vacuum, and for a split second there was an eerie silence.

Suddenly a loud cracking sound can be heard. "SOL FLARE" Rikki shouted as she used the stone as a conduit and unleashed her fury onto the enemy troops. The energy stored in the stone erupted into a beam of flames, as though Rikki was Dragon breathing fire onto the ground below. The entire forest became engulfed in flames, billowing clouds of smoke soon covered the sky and the choking heat could be felt by all those that stood near.

The flames last for a few seconds before with a loud crack the sunstone exploded in Rikki's hands. Rikki looked down at the raging sea of flames praying that her sisters were alright. The boys behind Rikki just stood in awe at the sheer display of power they had just witnessed.

As the flames began to die down two enormous blue domes could be seen peeking out from the receding wave of fire. Rikki breathed a sigh of relief as she recognized one of the domes being Cleo's water wall, but who was the second?

The wall that was Cleo's broke apart once all the flames died out. Inside was Emma, Bella, Cleo, and the rest of the Delphi warriors. Rikki could see from the distance that the girls were also curious about the other dome, but with Emma's frantic arm waving the group began running towards the city gates.

As the group was running the other wall began to break down. "What the hell" Rikki muttered as the inside of the dome was revealed.

A dozen enemy troops stood circled around a girl in the center. The weird thing about this girl however was that she was inside a giant man made of water. The man looked like a mermaid however this one had two tails instead of one.

The mouth of the man suddenly opened, and a sound of muddy water roared across the scorched earth. "PUNY NEIRIDS. YOU THINK YOU'RE STRONG ENOUGH TO STOP MY TRITONS?!"

With a mighty push of his hand water shot out and immediately blasted the group of Atlanteans running away. "Bella!", "Cleo!", "Emma!" the boys all shouted at once in horror. Looking down the wall they could see their mates get up, albeit very slowly. It was clear that they got injured in that blast.

"WHO ARE YOU TO SAY THAT YOU SPEAK ON ALL FAE'S BEHALF. YOU ARE BUT TADPOLES, SWIMMING IN A SEA YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT."

With that said the ground suddenly shook and the water around Mako shot into the sky. Intersecting at the top the water began its descent down, millions of gallons of water fell like a hammer, waiting to flatten all that was below it.

In the darkness the man glowed a light blue, his body shaking as he laughed manically. The guys could only stand there and reach out to their loved ones that were far below them, desperately trying to seek their warmth in what may be their final moment. As the boys look down the see Emma pulling a shining blue stone from her breasts and shatters it.

Everything went white.

A/n Thanks for reading guys. Please read and review and let me know what you think. Ive created a story line premise that will revolve around the ending of this chapter that will go down the more mythical side of mermaids and atlantis. I would love to hear your thoughts. Until next time!