It was 9:45 at night, and all the streets and highways around the island contained few vehicles on the road. About the only thing that was driving on one section was an old 1983 Honda Accord that seen better days, appearing to have been in the middle of a major flood. Inside the car contained two people that you would never expect to be in a car like this: The now exiled Princess Emily Kimiyama Zukin of the Zukin family and her candy making tradition, and her calm, cool, and romantically deprived lackey, Sirius Chamberson.

            "Are you sure that this car was used during the flood? Don't cars become electronically totaled when they are in a large pool of water?"
            "Yes, but fortunately, this car got out of the major floodways before it caused considerable damage."
            To recap, Zukin was forced out of her home and her business because the future female co-ruler of the Chimera Island Kingdom, Princess Sherry, now identified as the mythical and very destructive Siren Lorelei, wanted to gain control of the island and the world's supply of Coralati, a chemical that is grown in coral reefs that can amplify the taste of any organic food substance, and cure most conditions involving the mouth.

            The reason she was forced out is because Lorelei found out that Zukin wanted to "snuff" her for the love of Prince Rick, the current ruler of the island, through an ingested poison that can paralyze the taste buds and salivary glands of a human. How she found out about that was through hypnotizing Zukin's "dunce," who just happened to invite the woman over as an act of settling the issues between the two parties.

            In the effort to find out what exactly happened between the two, Zukin asked some personal questions directly to Sirius. "Ok, now that we are out of the way, I want to ask you some questions."

            Sirius voice began to quiver. "This isn't good."
            "Question 1: Why was Sherry invited to the house? Question 2: How did she find the secret laboratory? Question 3: Are you still a virgin? Question 4…"

            "Would you just let me explain everything for once?" He shouted out at Zukin, who was behind the wheel, trying to keep her view of the cops. "Anyway this is what happened. Late that night, while you were moping downstairs wondering if the entire universe did a one eighty on you, Sherry made a surprising sudden visit to the mansion without her entourage or her royal bodyguards. I greeted her, as a gentleman should when addressing a princess and I talked to her about why she was here."

            "Upon first glance, I would assume that she was here to settle the conflict you have with her, but for some reason I was enamored by her presence. In every attempt to discuss the problem at had, she was more persistent in getting "involved" with me. Realizing that she was on the verge of trying to take control of me, and the fact that she was already Rick's future wife, I had to run. Then she started singing…"

            "And you were soon under her control with absolutely no free will of your own and you not only "squealed" but she tied you up while she slipped a "Mickey" in your mouth that knocked you out of your socks."
            "Gee, are you a cynic." Sirius said.

            "Not really. I just watched too many detective movies recently, but that is unimportant right now. Sherry wants me dead. I just wish I knew why."

            "What do you mean, 'Why'?" said Sirius, who is questioning Zukin's response. "You wanted to destroy her so that you could get Rick. It is your standard classic revenge scheme."

            "That's true, but there is something else?"

            "What do you mean?"
            Zukin changed positions on the lanes and moved the car into the shoulder, making a note to turn off the car so that no one will notice a stranded vehicle filled with people. "Do you really know who Sherry is, inside?"

            "Not really. Look, Zukin, I know that you are trying to not deal with the problems of Sherry, but leave me out of this, please." Sirius begged for Zukin to exclude him from her affairs, but she could not do it. "I don't think that it will really matter. Since you knew all about the candy, the hidden door panel and the lab, Lorelei will go after you as well, and as long as we stay on the island, we are not safe."

            "What are you saying? Who is Lorelei?"

            Zukin realized that Sirius did not know who Sherry was. "Sirius, I think that there is something that you need to know. It is about Sherry. I found this out while she was downstairs interrogating me."

            "What about her?"

            "Have you ever wondered what really happened while she was singing, or for that matter, do you even remember being in control of yourself after the first note?"

            Sirius thought about it and said no.

            "Sherry is not a human being. She is a mythical being known as a Siren."

            Sirius was in disbelief. "Zukin, you expect me to believe that Princess Sherry is a Siren. You know what? I am going to leave the car right now and head for the nearest hospital, because I can see that…"
            Zukin grabbed his arm before he got to the door handle. "Hold on a second, I am telling the truth."

            "Like you except me to believe that. The next thing you are telling me is that this car has an F1 engine which, by the way, it doesn't."

            "This is true and I am not lying. Look, let me explain for a second what I am trying to say. Do you even know what the myth of the Siren Lorelei is?"

            "Uh, no." Sirius said. "I do know what a Siren is though. It was in the Odyssey where Odysseus had to pass their island while dealing with their highly alluring singing."

            "Well, the story is something like that. Somewhere along the path of Germany's Rhine River, there is this rock situated there called Lurlei. The rock itself is not the problem at hand. It is the area around it that is the problem. Along this section of the river lies a treacherous path that is very difficult to navigate by boat. Along with a haunting echo that emits from the winds, many people consider that area to be quite like the Siren myth. In the early 19th century, a German writer named Clemens Brentano took that idea and wrote the myth of the Siren Lorelei into his novel Godwi. A few years later, it got retold in Heinrich Heine poetic lyric, Die Lorelei."

            "So you are getting this information on a 19th century literary device? Is that even her name for crying out loud? What is going to persuade me to not get out of this car and report you to the police?"

            "Let me as you this question then: Was her singing really that forgetful?"

            Sirius's mind blanked out. She was right. "Ok, Zukin, right now I believe you, but how are you sure that her name is Lorelei?"
            "Funny you should ask that question." Zukin said. She went deep inside her pocket and took out a news article that was dated about a month ago, giving it to Sirius. "Cosplayers Monthly: How to get your reluctant boyfriend to dress up as your favorite bishounen and…"

            "Oops, wrong article. Read the back." Zukin said as she felt sweat drip down her neck.

            Sirius flipped the article. "Presidential Scandal Results in Political Collapse: Solaris Island Confederation impeaches president after his involvement with the V.P. family. I heard about this article. Wasn't the President having an affair with the V.P's wife? That is just like the Camelot incident in reverse."

            "I know, but look at the picture."

            Sirius carefully looks at the picture. Although it appears to be fuzzy, it becomes much clearer once he turns on the light. "That's Princess Sherry! But how…?"

            "Check the name."

            Sirius reads further into the article to reveal the true name of that person. "Lorelei Wantanabe. Maybe I am starting to believe you after all…" Sirius turned his attention to the suitcase that he was holding in his hand. "Say what was inside that suitcase that you told me to get?" he said to Zukin.

            "I don't know." She said.

            "What do you mean you don't know?" Sirius added.

            "I seriously don't know. All that I have been told by my parents is that in case we were ever forced to leave the mansion, we have to always take that with us no matter what."

            "Well, let's open it now."

            Sirius unlatched the locks from the suitcase and opened it. What contained inside was an envelope, about 15,000 in currency, numerous unopened manila envelopes, and two fake passports."

            "What is this?" Sirius opens the letter to find a note. "It's a note from your parents." She gave the note to Zukin, which she read with a touching feeling.

            To The Self Titled "Princess" Emily Kimiyama

            If you are reading this note right now, then it has already come to pass that we have disappeared and that you were forced out of the mansion for some reason which is beyond our knowledge. I know that it has been a long time since we ventured out into the sea, but there is a reason why we have went out, and it is time for you to know.

            As you have known from experience, a long time ago, I, Kimiyama Haru, was taught the hidden secret of the Coralati from my parents. What I have told you is that it is an organic chemical that stems from the coral reefs around the island, amplifying the flavor of any food that touches it. However, I have purposely left out one potential detail about the chemical that I have wished it would never be brought up for your safety.  Inside the Coralati lies the true source of a Siren.

            You should be confused, but I will explain it in more detail. It is true that the Coralati is a purely organic source, but if anyone were to expose themselves to the corals that make the chemical  in their natural habitat for an extended period of time, which can be for months,  the person will gain the ability the innate ability to influence anyone that it comes around it. I have used this chemical, in fact, to influence your mom, Izumi, to marrying me. As odd as this may seem, she accepted me even without the influence.

            "He used the chemical to marry my mom?" Zukin clamored. "What is that chemical anyway, a full-blown aphrodisiac?"

            "Keep reading." Sirius stated to her without emotional care..

            There is a serious flaw, however, with the chemical. Unless someone is biologically attached to the ocean, it will inevitably result in the summoning of the one who created it, for you see, the mystery of the chemical lies on an island that has never been discovered: the mythical isle of the Sirens.

             According to the myth attached to the chemical, it is they, the Sirens, who were able to create the corals that contain it, and it is only they who should possess it for all eternity. I thought that it was just a simple myth started to scare kids, but I was very wrong.

            When your mother and I first saw the reports about the Solaris President, and this was before his impeachment months later, we all though that the president was corrupt. However, when we saw the face of Princess Sherry, we began to wonder if the siren myth is true. Upon evaluation of the resources that was under control by the Confederacy, we found out that they were in the research of the Coralati chemical. As soon as we realized the possibility that she was the myth we were afraid of, we took our sails and ventured out to sea in search of the island, and maybe find something that could, metaphorically speaking, reverse destiny. However, since you are reading this letter, I assume that we have been lost at sea and probably the Siren has already taken control of your assets.

            Right now, there is a danger that is happening on the Chimera Island Kingdom, and you are right in the middle of it. I'm sorry that you've had to hear this and get involved at the same time, but you have to find the solution to the source. I have a feeling that something much worse is going to happen if you do not find the weakness to the Siren. Find the island…

            Kimiyama Haru

           

            After finishing reading, she read it again, from top to bottom, to see if what he said was real. After reflecting on everything she went through the past couple of weeks, she figured that her dad could possibly be right. Zukin opened the overhead and looked at herself in the mirror, depressed and almost tattered by the clothing that she was still wearing. "Now I see what was going on. Father…"

            "Zukin?" Sirius said, attempting to comfort her. She said nothing for a moment, processing all the information that she had inside her, and then responded softly. "Sirius…,"

            "Yes, your highness?" He said it in an act of sympathy.

            "… I know that right now… my parents are out somewhere in the ocean… and I also know… that the issues with the kingdom become more important as one takes responsibility for the safety of others." She turned her head to Sirius. "I know it sounds weird, but…"

            "We've got to save the world from a deranged creature that wishes to use the chemical in a plan that that involves manifest destiny."
            She smiled at him. "You're all right after all." She started up the Accord and drove back on the highway. "I realize that we can't use the hotels to stay for the night, but I do know a place where we can "crash" until morning. Sirius, call the Emi's."

            "You think that they are going to allow us to sleep in till morning. What about the news reports of us as fugitives?"

            "I know that they will believe my innocence, and with the reputation that I have with them, getting inside will be easy."

            "Yuriko, wake up!" Zukin said as she knocked heavily on the door.

            "Are you sure that the Emi family is going to take us in at ten at night?"

            "Yes, they probably haven't gone to sleep yet. Besides, I gave them a call. They should let us in."

            The two were standing outside the back door of the electronics guild. It was already well past ten, and the cops were still searching for the two fugitives, who were quite resourceful in taking an off road course directly to the seaport. Now the only problem was trying to get inside Emi's house.

            The back door opened. A woman stood in front of it, greeting the two with a quick speech "Emily, it is you." The woman replied.

            "Hi, Yuriko. I know we don't have time so let's get inside before the cops come and I will explain everything." Quickly, the two got inside the house/store as she locked the door behind her.
            Upon entry, the two saw a quaint house/electronics store that seemed to have all the amenities of a well-to-do home, with a small kitchen, living room, a front door to the store itself, and stairs to the living quarters. Meeting the two was Emi Hiroji, Yuriko's husband. He addressed the two with concerned looks. "Emily, I've heard everything in the news, and knowing the history that you two have been, I know for a fact that you two are innocent of the crimes set before you, and my wife Yuriko and daughter Toshiba both agree, even though right now, it is both an honor and a quandary to have you two here."

            "The feeling is mutual." Sirius added, breathing a sigh of relief.

            "However, the both of you are in serious danger. You may want to see this in the news. It was just reported minutes ago." The two went to a nearby TV that was in their living room, where it was conveniently located on the local news channel

            This is CIN Ten O'clock News with breaking news. If you are just tuning in, we have been following a report that has recently come in from the Chimera Island Kingdom, and although these reports are currently preliminary, for the most part they are true according to our sources. It has been confirmed that there has been an assassination attempt on Prince Rick. Right now the sources are telling us that the main suspect in this crime is the current president of the Zukin Candy Company, Kimiyama Emily, otherwise known as Zukin Emily. Her motives are unclear, but as of this moment, she is charged with attempted regicide in the first degree and considered very dangerous.

            "I am charged with the attempted regicide of Prince Rick?!" Zukin yelled out "You know, if I ever get my hands on that…"

            Sirius got his mini-mallet out and tapped it on Zukin. "Ow! What did you do that for?" she said, scolding him

            "You were talking too loud." Sirius said.

            We have our political advisor and reporter Alex Maelstrom on the steps of the royal palace. Alex, can you hear us?

            I am hearing you loud and clear. Right now, the reports are directly from the palace themselves. Apparently, what we know is that Emily attempted to poison the prince by putting it in one of her candies that she made specifically for him.

           

            All eyes were looking at Zukin. "What? I gave him the antidote."

           

            If it was not for the quick efforts of Princess Sherry in finding the antidote, the prince would have had to deal with his mouth paralyzed from the inside out.

           

            "Liar!"

            Sirius what is the current status of the royal couple right now?

            From what I know, right now the palace is currently on lockdown. No one is coming in and no one is coming out of the palace at all. As a result, we have only been allowed a certain distance from the palace.

            Alex, a lot of people are wondering as to how all this began?

            Well, from the footage that we received just minutes before tonight's broadcast, the local police raided the Zukin family mansion, and what they have found is very interesting. Apparently, Emily has built inside the mansion a working laboratory where she was able to create the poison. What we see from this footage here (shows footage) is that she has spent the money to maintain and manufacture probably all the secrets of the company. How and why she wanted to kill the Prince is still a mystery, for the two have always been in close relation with each other and…

            Hold on, Alex, we are going to have to cut you off right here. I am receiving word that we are getting some new information. I am telling you right here and now, this information we are getting is coming directly from the palace. Apparently, a man by the name of Sirius Chamberson has been reported to have had an affair with the Princess. Although details are sketchy, the parliament believes that Sirius was using her as part of Emily's plan to kill the Prince. Therefore he is now considered to be a suspect as well.

           

             "Oh that is just bull…" He did not finish. A large mallet slammed him in the head which came from Zukin herself. "Gee, Sirius, you've been swearing out more than ever. You need soap?"

            "No."

            While they were discussing, Yuriko went downstairs to the basement in order to prepare the sleeping quarters for the two. She came back up moments later. "As much as we can grant you to stay the night, you do realize that you will have to sleep in the basement to prevent anybody from finding you."

            The two were fine with that. With everything that they had dealt with today, this was a welcomed change.

            Later that night, while the Emi's were sleeping and Sirius was snoring, Zukin stood looking at her blue locket that she took with her the night before. Although the monetary value of this item was about 100, to Zukin, the value of this item was priceless. It was given to her parents the day they have set sail, and it has been the only thing that has keep Zukin alive emotionally. Keeping it in her heart felt like it was keeping the spirits of her parents close to her, and never letting go, even if they are somewhere out in the ocean

            Now that Zukin is a fugitive from the island, though, it has another meaning to her: that of her past….

            The next morning, Zukin awoke to the sounds of the harbor, which included the cackling of the gulls that resided there. Sirius was already awake, looking over the contents of the sliver suitcase, and discovering some interesting items that resided within the case. "Princess, I see that you are awake." Sirius addressed her as if she was one.

            "Sirius, can I ask why are you calling me a princess when I know for a fact that I am not the candy princess anymore?"

            "I don't know; force of habit maybe? Anyway, I took a look inside the manila envelopes and I found some interesting things. On one envelope contained some fake birth certificates and documents for us, quite useful in certain situations. In the next envelope, I found the travel plan of where your parents sailed." Zukin felt somewhat depressed when Sirius mentioning her parents, so Sirius skipped that envelope. "Sorry, anyway the next envelope contains the some interesting documents pertaining to the Coralati, including a detained log of the research into it. The last document, well…"

            "Let me see…" Zukin took a look at the picture to reveal an image of the blue pendent that Zukin was wearing. At the same time that she was smiling, she noticed something that was behind the back of the picture. "Emily, in the ocean, she will guide you." and it was signed by her mom, Izumi. Zukin sat down in confusion. "Sirius, I think that this is about to get a lot more weird."

            The two arrived upstairs to be greeted by Yuriko and Toshiba. Hiroji was out in the business section of the home. "Hello, did you have a nice sleep?" Yuriko asked.

            "…as much as we can when we are running from the law." Sirius said, trying to lighten up the crowd. Zukin elbowed him for messing up.      

            Now the hard part began to set in. Yuriko began to ask the two about what they were going to do. "You are not going to go out in public and reveal yourselves out in those clothes. Everyone will identify you two in a second."

            "We are quite aware." Sirius said. "Therefore, we have had the company to know a certain clothing store owner that will help us be inconspicuous. We made the call before we went up and they should be coming right now.

            The doorbell rang. Toshiba opened the door. A woman was standing in front of the door holding two boxes of clothes, and speaking with a very jovial voice. "Hi, I have a request from a now defunct princess."

            About ten minutes of choosing later, Sirius and Zukin completed selecting their clothes. They were being inconspicuous in hiding themselves from the media, but now they appear to look like they could stand out.

            "Is this all you had, Remi?" said Zukin, who was wearing a familiar costume that she wore long ago that involved her earlier cosplaying days. (Think Oshare-Zukin without the bunny ears.)

            "Come on, I had this in archive, I though it would still fit you."

            On the other side, Sirius wore a civilian Nautica shirt that Remi, the owner, had with her. "It's all right. It does the purpose." He said.

            "What about the silver pants?" Zukin added.

            "Uh…" an interesting sweat drop tricked down Sirius' neck.

            After saying their goodbyes, Zukin and Sirius went out the back door carrying the silver suitcase. Upon their return back to the Honda, which stood untouched in its decrepit shape, the two began to thing about what they were going to do. "Well, now that we can't stay here for long, what do you think that we are going to do Zukin?"

            She sat in the driver's seat thinking about this. "It's kind of sad. We have all these people helping us, yet we know we placed them at so much risk… we have to prove our innocence, but right now, we have to leave the island." She started the car. "I guess for right now, it is the only thing we can do."

            With that, the two got out of the back, drove to the main road, and headed for the pier…

            Meanwhile, back at the palace, Princess Sherry looks toward Rick sitting on the couch, who has been virtually enslaved by her immense charm. So great was this influence that if Rick was to be given a decision, the response would have to come from Sherry herself. She would have been in complete glee were it not for the fact that Zukin and Sirius were still on the run, and inside herself is an anger that is waiting to be quelled. The only way Sherry's rage would be extinguished is if the two were to be captured, and so far, nothing has happened…yet.

            "Princess Sherry, Captain Akira is here to see you." A servant replied.

            "Send him in."

            The servant left the room and Captain Akira walked in. "Princess Sherry, I would like to give you an update on the current investigation into the search."

            "Proceed."

            "It appears that Zukin has had contacts with most of the townsfolk and appears to be getting assistance from the following sources." He hands her a sheet containing all the connections that Zukin has. Sherry looks at it and says. "I would like you to investigate all of these people and tell me if they have come in contact with Zukin."

            "Understood, it is already in progress."

            "I see. Well, is there anything else you need to explain?" Sherry turned around and smiled at him very seductively. Akira took note. "Well… I think I'll be going now." He runs off.

            "I love doing that." She smiled.

            The sun was rising to its highest peak in the sun as the Honda Accord was driving down the main road along the pier. Unfortunately, it seemed that the car is just on its last legs as Zukin began screaming about how slowly it is advancing. "Come on. Don't die on me now! I still haven't made the payments on your new Spoon engine!"

            As it made the turn onto the parking lot, the car slowly trickled down its path and made it on to the parking lot. "Come on, park…" She carefully turned the car toward the spot and aligned it with the parking lines, trickling to a complete stop. After which, she yanks the keys out. "Well, I guess I have done well. You are still alive baby, even if we did make all those shoddy connections from the start." Seconds after parking, the car's engine backfired and went on fire. "Should we run, Zukin?" Sirius said.

            "Oh, yeah." Grabbing the suitcase and everything that was there, the two ran as far away as possible from the car before it exploded "Grand Theft Auto" style.

            "That was absurdly convenient." said Zukin. "At least no one will find out where we parked."

            "Right, Zukin, and why is everyone crowding toward it?"

            Noting this, the two quickly got out of sight of the parking lot.

            After about five minutes of wandering the pier, Sirius began to wonder the point of why they were here, and to repeat the obvious statement… "Zukin, can I ask you why we are here at the pier?"

            "I'm not even sure." She added. "I've been thinking that there is a way anyone would be willing to take us on an expedition to the island and…"

            Sirius shook his head in complete ridicule of herself. "You think all these freelance sailors will be willing to do so. Forget it. When we tell them where we are going, there is no way that they will accept us."

            "Wanna bet?"

            A half hour later, while the two were at the "Glimmering Star", a local seaside bar, the deal was quickly resolved.

            "Pay up, Zukin." Zukin drew a face as she handed over a fifty to him. Apparently, during their search for a sailor to take them to the island, word traveled about where they were going to go. So, as a result, everyone started to leave the pier once the message was passed. A frustrated Zukin was in anger. "Damn! Is there no one that will take us to the Isle of the Sirens?"

            She yelled so loud that everyone in the bar area moved their chairs back a step. "Ok..."

            "Do you even know the history of the island?" Sirius said. "It is just like the ancient Odysseus myth. Anyone who has even come within 20 miles of the island will never again see land. The only seafarer that can ever go there is either a woman, or a guy that is completely immune to the enchanting song of the Siren. However, some superstitious sailors won't even think of tagging you along because you are a woman.

            "How so?"

            "A woman on the ship equals bad luck. Event if that was the case, I doubt if there is anyone there that can do it, unless your father had assigned us a boat that is moored, which I have check the documents and there is none."

            "Now what do we do?"

            While they spoke, a man walked up to the seat next to them; his eyes exhibited a small shade of brown as they are covered by his focused eyelids. The rest of him was tanned out, with his hair just reaching his eyes. "Ginger Ale." He requested to the bartender. As the bartender got the glass, he quietly got his mouth into the conversation. "You ask about the Isle of the Siren, do you not?"

            Zukin spoke to him. "Yes, we are. Why do you ask?"

            "Not many locals talk about the mythical Isle of the Sirens. Legends say that whoever enters the island never returns. In a sense, we seafaring people are forbidden to mention the island because of that. Yet you two seek knowledge of the island despite those risks. However, I am willing to offer you access to the island. You're interested?"

            "Perhaps." Sirius said. "What is your offer?"

            "My fee is negotiable. Also, I know some things that the locals do not and I am willing to discuss them in my yacht: Pier 12, at sunset, name's Leroy Variant."

            "My name is Andre Viola. This is my friend. Zelda Elysium." Sirius said using the fake passport names.

            "Nice names. I'll see you then." He left the stool after he gave the bartender the cash. Zukin looked at Sirius, who was having a grin in his face. "Pay up, Sirius."

            "You know that did not count!" He said as he gave her 100.