"I see...", Triton nodded.
"That's why we came here now, if the Kraken wasn't a threat or anything, we would still be on our way to Pleasure Island and would've saved the reunion until after we returned.", though Eric said that; part of him thought it was also just in case things went bad; at least Triton would never know that his daughter drew breath for a short time again before being snuffed a second time.
"I understand. I... before anything else... I want to see her... I want to see Ariel.", Triton requested.
Emma nodded, "Yes, your majesty. That can be done.", before closing her eyes, inhaling deeply and exhaling before she formed a small portal of a window, focusing on the deck of the Crescent Moon ship, and there, sharing a chore of sewing a flag, Ariel and Zuri is sitting on a nail-set bench against the wall between the captain's door and the stairs to the wheel deck.
Both girls noticed it before Zuri looked at Ariel, "You ready?".
"I've been ready for so long...", Ariel chuckled. "Though maybe we should keep the twins to ourselves for the time being... not shock Daddy too much today.".
Zuri smiled, and kissed Ariel on the cheek, "Fair enough, wildfire.", helping Ariel up as they got off the bench, and as the portal got bigger, they stepped through into the sand of the lagoon in the cove.
Almost instantly, Ariel locked eyes with her father who stared at her with so much longing and angst in his eyes, speaking, "I'm so sorry, Ariel...", and Ariel said nothing as she sprinted up the bed of rocks, and equally face to face, Ariel hugged him, "Daddy!", with a sob of happiness and joy.
No more words needed to be said between the two of them for that moment. Practically everything was said in that hug. "It... it is real...", Triton muttered. "Yes, Daddy... I'm... I'm alright now...", Ariel whispered.
Triton murmured, "You're really here, my daughter.", gently caressing her red locks, rubbing her back, taking in that familiar scent of the sea, flowers, the breeze. Ariel rested her head on his shoulder, "I love you, Daddy.", missing that familiar gentle strength in his arms, the feeling of home, security, and fatherly love, taking in the familiar scent of the sea, the slight scent of sandalwood, and the tangled scent of her sisters.
Triton sighed, giving out a tear as he smiled genuinely for the first time in ages, "I love you too, Ariel.", feeling so lighthearted and free again, able to breathe once more.
"If it's alright with you, your majesty, Haku and I will take our leave and give you and your family time to yourselves.", Emma said.
Triton pulled away a bit and looked at Emma and Haku with a grateful smile, "Of course. When you are anchored and set for the plan, let me know.". Emma nodded, and winked at Eric and Zuri, before opening another portal for her and Haku to head back to the ship, seeing that it's still sailing on, and closing it after them.
Triton held Ariel's head in his hand gently, "Look at you, you have aged up a bit.", and Ariel giggled softly, "I am 22, Daddy. After all, Eric and Zuri are older than me, so I have to be on sort of equal terms with them.".
Eric laughed lightly, "True, and I am 26.", with a grin and Zuri smiled, "I am 27.", with a light chuckle.
Triton smiled, "Well, let's introduce your husband and wife to the family, shall we?". Ariel smiled, and touched her pendant on her pearl necklace, diving and changing into mermaid form, surfacing with a smile, "Let's go!".
Eric and Zuri laughed, seeing their wife so happy and free, stepping into the water as Triton used his Trident to change the duo into merman and mermaid. Triton then swam into the seashell transportation, and clicked the reins, "Let's go, Spot.".
Spot purred and thrilled, and Ariel gasped, hugging Spot's face, "Oh, I knew it was you! Look at you, so grown up!". Spot chirped and nuzzled Ariel fondly before diving into the water.
Eric and Zuri were having a bit of trouble at first before regaining their composure, and followed Ariel as they dived into the water, with Zuri grinning, "Well, turns out we don't need much practice, wildfire.".
"Still, give us a few moments to get our bearings.", Eric chuckled as the two of them swam around in the general area of Triton and Ariel.
"Married to both of them... I never imagined.", Triton said to Ariel. "I wasn't fully aware of myself until I finally was meeting Zuri. Oh, I knew of her from beyond, many of the friends I made in the afterlife were keeping close watch of the Talons during their journey.", Ariel smiled fondly.
Triton blinked in surprise, "Y-you saw Athena? Your mother?", and Ariel sighed, "No, and I couldn't find her anywhere in the living world either...It's like she got taken to a different realm or hidden behind dark magic...I don't know, but I know Tyne...Oh, Daddy, he is such a bubbly and sweet brother!".
Triton exhaled in shock, "Tyne is still a baby?", and Ariel nodded, "Yes, but wise beyond years. He's quite skilled in sign language. He's in safe hands with Grandfather Neptune and Grandmother Salacia in the heavens.".
Triton gave a sob of half relief, and half happiness to know that his son is at peace, not in pain or anything like that, and Ariel hugged him in comfort, kissing his cheek.
He still was pained that Athena was nowhere to be found in the beyond, but he was at least content with what he had now and what Ariel had told him.
Ariel rubbed his shoulder, "Daddy?", and Triton smiled softly, "I'm okay, Ariel. Yes, it's bittersweet, but it's good all the same for now, you're here, married, and you got the best of both worlds; human and mermaid, thanks to that handy necklace of yours.".
Ariel smiled warmly, "It's all thanks to one of my new friends in the United Talons group, Jason, he has a conjuring ring, and with Mama Odie who is a magical healer and powerful magician on one of the islands helping him, they made this possible.".
Triton nodded, "Good.", hearing laughter from behind, and seeing Zuri chasing Eric with a playful grin, and Ariel giggled, "They got the hang of it now. I love them, Daddy. They're so wonderful and kind to me.".
"I can see it in your eyes, daughter. You truly are happy.", Triton smiled warmly, and Ariel smiled with a nod before looking ahead, and gasping in joy as she saw Atlantica in the distance, "Eric, Zuri, come look! I give you, my homeland, Atlantica.".
"Not gonna surprise me, I've seen it already.", Zuri muttered under her breath as the group swam towards it. "Wow, you weren't kidding about this place.", Eric was in awe of the undersea kingdom he was witnessing.
Zuri may not be surprised, but she was still impressed of the incredible architecture, and everything that's part of it. She still wonders if the gold shine is actually metal gold, or rather coral gold.
Ariel giggled softly, kissing Eric on the lips as she squeezed Zuri's hand, "Nope. I was never a jokester when it came to describing Atlantica. It's truly one of a kind.", with a proud smile.
"Kida might argue.", Zuri teased as Ariel rolled her eyes before the group swam their way to the palace. As they swam, they could easily see the citizens of the kingdom watching them with practically stunned looks on their faces.
"Maybe we should've snuck you in... not draw attention and all.", Eric whispered to Ariel as she shook her head, "No, let the word spread fast; at least give my sisters something to hear ahead of time before I show up.".
Triton nodded, "If I know my other daughters and I do, they are bound to be around in the city marketplace and music hall..", getting out of the seashell, and using the trident, the harness vanished from Spot, and the seashell shrinking into a normal size.
Spot chirped, thrilling happily, and Triton patted his side, "Thanks, Spot.", and Ariel hugged him, "I know you need to get up there for air. I love you, boy.". Spot purred and headed up for the surface.
"Ariel, Ariel!", a voice shouted, and Ariel looked over, gasping with a wide smile, "Flounder!", and before the others knew it, Flounder and Ariel reunited, hugging and laughing.
"It's really you, it's really you, Ariel!", Flounder smiled so widely, and Ariel laughed, "I missed you so much, Flounder! Look at you, you're not a guppy anymore!".
"And you're not... gone... anymore.", Flounder really didn't want to say dead and all even though he knew. "No, not anymore...", Ariel gave a small smile as she continued to hold him.
Flounder smiled, "I missed you, Ariel.", taking into Ariel's familiar scents, and blinked in confusion before replying, "I must be smelling wrong, but you smell like you're pregnant.".
Ariel was glad that Triton was just out of earshot, but she quickly covered his mouth. "Be quiet, would you? Daddy doesn't know yet.", she shushed. "But I don't...", Flounder started to protest.
"Look, Flounder, yes, you're right, I'm going to have twins, but right now, I don't want to add more to me being back from the beyond on Daddy. It's enough I'm here now; I'll tell him in the next few days. I just... let him adjust and all, you know?", Ariel replied with a urgent look.
Flounder nodded in understanding, "Alright, Ariel. Still, that's pretty great news.", with a grin, and Ariel giggled, "It's all thanks to my spouses, Eric and Zuri. I'll introduce you to them.", with a smile as she let go of Flounder.
Flounder smiled, followed Ariel up to Eric and Zuri, "Hello, Eric, it's finally great to talk to you.", and Eric grinned, "Thanks for covering for us back in our courtship years. It's officially good to hear your voice at last. And this is Zuri Wilson, Ariel and I's wife. Oh, blimey! Do you want us to take on your last name since we're all married and all?", glancing at Zuri.
Zuri chuckled, "King Eric Wilson of Zaren and Queen Ariel Wilson of Atlantica and Zaren, I like the sound of that...Through you have to figure out the queen titles for us...". Eric smiled softly, "Ariel would be Royal Queen, and you would be Grand Queen, for Ariel is born of royalty while you're not. Is that okay with you?".
"Hey, I'd take no titles and still be happy as long as I'm with you two.", Zuri smiled as the trio hugged once more as Triton cleared his throat.
"We probably should get moving faster.", Triton said. "After all; I'm having the feeling that I will be needed for things sooner than later, correct?", he referred to the Pleasure Island attack.
Zuri nodded, "Yeah, but I think we still have several hours as today is the third day. The islet would be there by noon or sooner tomorrow, if I know Amelia and Silver.".
Triton gave a hum of thought, "Very well.", and gestured, "Come, all of you. The gardens would be perfect.", swimming on to the palace, and the group followed him, along with Flounder. They made it to the family gardens, and Eric and Zuri were both awed and amazed by the beauty of the gardens, seeing so much exotic flowers and fauna that only existed underwater.
A shriek was heard, "Ariel!", and Arista swam in a flash of red scales, hugging Ariel. Arista, the fifth oldest of the sisters. Ariel sobbed and laughed, "Arista!", admitting to herself as Arista is one of her favorite sisters yet she loves all her sisters.
"And we have five more of the reunions for sure to go?", Eric chuckled as Zuri shook her head.
"We both knew what we were getting into here. I mean, they're all probably going to have to meet the rest of the team and all, so...", Zuri smirked.
"Boy, that's going to be hard to keep track of folks.", Eric rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish smile.
Zuri laughed heartily, "True, but that is what it makes chaos fun. After all, I got three brothers back on Earth...They and Mom are surely mourning me since they think I'm dead.", and Eric squeezed her shoulder, "Hey, don't worry, we will figure it out once the war's over. After all, you and the team are powerful, and surely with portals and all, thanks to the Stones, we can get to Earth.".
Zuri nodded, "Yes, yes, you're right. Dang, I can imagine their looks when they find out that I am married.", and Eric smiled, "Indeed. But right now, let's just enjoy the time before we need to go for the mission.".
More calls and shrieks of happiness and shock as more mermaids came into view, hugging and talking over one another as they reunited with their baby sister, "Ariel! Ariel! Look at you, you look amazing! We missed you so much! You can't believe how it's empty so long without you!".
"I can't believe my eyes!", spoke a voice in disbelief as a red crab swam up, perching on one of the boulders, and Triton smiled, "Believe it, Sebastian...Ariel is alive and well, for a miracle has happened to her. And don't worry, it wasn't dark magic.".
"It's good to see you again, Sebastian.", Ariel smiled as the crab had to clutch himself. "Oh, boy, I think it's too much of a shock to him.".
"I... I'll be alright...", the crab tried to tell her as he pounded his chest a few times. Ariel picked him up, kissing him on the head, "Breathe, Sebastian. I'd never thank you enough for helping me back during the Ursula mess and keeping my father and sisters busy without having bad thoughts about me.".
Sebastian smiled softly, "Oh, boy, I am a soft shell, but it's so wonderful to see you, Ariel.", sniffing and touching her face with his claws, flat side. Ariel smiled widely, "I missed you, Sebastian. Girls, Sebastian, meet my wife and husband, Zuri and Eric.".
Eric and Zuri smiled, waved a hand, and Adella spoke without thinking, "How come you have so many scars and a single seashell?", and the rest of the sisters shouted at her, "Adella!", glaring at her.
"It's alright.", Zuri assured her. "It's understandable to ask at least. Let's just say I'm lucky to be alive about it and leave at that for now.".
"I'm sorry...", Adella still apologized as she rubbed her arm. "I'm not this normally free with my wardrobe and all.", Zuri said.
Attina nodded, "Ah, so you're human too, like Eric, huh?", and Zuri smiled, "Yep. But I have to admit being a mermaid is so incredible for I have dreamed to be one as I love the sea ever since I was little.".
Alana grinned, "Who wouldn't? It's a fantastic life down here.", and the other sisters nodded, agreeing with smiles and laughter. Triton smiled, "Let's go have dinner. You three must be hungry.".
Ariel smiled, "Oh, yes, I am, and I can't wait to eat my favorites again! I will show you two, my loves, you will enjoy it, I know it.".
Eric squeezed her hand, "I am quite interested to sample the cuisine down here, right, Zuri?", and Zuri smiled, "Agreed, Eric. And during dinner, we can tell you the story.". Everyone agreed and swam from the gardens into the palace to the dining hall.
It honestly felt surreal in some ways with dinner that night; just the fact that Ariel was back after long being dead and all; her family doing much of their morning and had probably moved on in some ways.
Of course, the trio left out extremely important personal details in the story, other than that, it was told of the truth of their perspectives and all.
Eric and Zuri enjoyed the new cuisine, and happily was immersed in the chaos of dinner and the family. After it was done, Triton told Ariel that he repaired her cavern of human treasures long ago, figuring that Ariel wanted to show her spouses the highlights of Atlantica while they have time.
Ariel was overjoyed to hear that for she had worked so hard on the cavern for ages, and the sisters told her that her bedroom has been waiting for her, and with much teasing, that the bed would fit the threesome.
After promising that they would be back before midnight, Ariel gleefully took her spouses to experience the marketplace, the Catfish Club, Scuttle's rock to reunite and meet, and eventually, the cavern grotto.
"I never realized how much you kept of the surface.", Eric said as the three of them looked around. Ariel mostly did look around to check to see if everything truly was restored and all while Eric and Zuri just checked out what she had.
"You'd be surprised what ends up in the sea at times... I still can't believe how wrong I was with all this stuff.", Ariel chuckled as she looked over a fork that she now knew was an eating utensil and not a hairbrush.
Eric laughed heartily, "I would never forget that look on Grimsby's face when you blew that pipe in his face.", and Ariel blushed, "I knew some of this stuff, thanks to you and your books, but not the rest.".
Zuri smiled as she looked over an ornate chandelier, probably found from a captain's rooms, "I can believe that. Some of this stuff is pretty old.". Ariel chuckled, "Some of the ships were half rotted, yes.", moving a little to sit on her rock, caressing her slight baby bump with a soft smile.
Eric smiled, joining her, holding her hand, and Zuri joined them on the other side, enjoying the quiet moment...Ariel sighed contentedly, "I know it only has been some hours since we found out, but I am so excited to meet them on the big day when they are ready to be born.".