Garret was fast asleep sleeping peacefully. He then felt the light of the sun shine down on him causing him to stir. He slowly but sleepily opened his eyes. He groaned as he sat up, rubbed his eyes, and let out a small yawn as he stretched.
"Morning already?" he mumbled sleepily.
He then lifted the covers off of his body and sat on the side of the bed about to stand up, but then he looked down and saw his tail. He then suddenly remembered.
"Oh yeah. I'm staying at Atlantica now," he thought to himself. "King Triton even gave me a room to sleep in. Not to mention... I'm still a merman."
He then began to remember back to when he was a human being and began to miss the feeling of having his legs. Because of that, he began to miss his mom and dad and even his little pain in the neck sister. He then shook his head.
"No. Keep it together Garret," he said to himself. "I can't afford to think like that right now. I may be stuck in this world for now, but there will be a way for me to get home. I just have to think positive and keep on living with Ariel and the others. I'll find my way back home when the opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, I'll find Ariel and Flounder."
He then looked at his tail and the pushed himself off the bed and swam out of his room. When he came out to the main hall, he was hoping to find Ariel and Flounder, but he had no idea where Ariel's room was. He swam around trying to find it, but the palace was a pretty big place.
"Man. Now that I think about it, this palace is pretty big," Garret thought to himself. "I wonder where I can find Ariel and Flounder."
"Hey! You dere! What do ya think you're doing?!" said a voice.
Garret turned around feeling a little startled, but there was nobody behind him. "Hey. Who said that?" he asked.
"Down here!" the voice said coming from below him.
Garret looked down and saw a certain red crab was right in front of him.
"Oh! Sorry about that! I didn't see you," apologized Garret. "You're... Sebastian right?"
"Dat's Mister Sebastian to you!" said Sebastian. "What are you doing sneaking around like dis?"
"Sneaking around? I wasn't sneaking around," said Garret.
"A likely story," said Sebastian suspiciously. "Let me give you a warning boy, you may have got into da king's and Ariel's good graces, but I've got my eye on you, so don't try anyting funny."
And with that, Sebastian swam importantly away leaving Garret feeling confused and slightly irritated at the crab.
"What's his problem?" he wondered. "I would say he's being crabby, but that's probably he lamest pun I could think of and an understatement."
Then he heard a familiar voice. "Good morning Garret."
Garret then saw Ariel and Flounder who swam up to him.
"Good morning Ariel. Flounder," Garret greeted.
"Did you sleep well?" asked Flounder.
"Yeah. Slept like a baby," said Garret. "Say, that Sebastian guy, is he always suspicious of new people and snobby or is he just plain crabby? No pun intended."
"Oh that's how Sebastian always is," said Ariel. "He's just is too overprotective and he worries too much."
"But he is the king's right hand crab," said Flounder. "He tries his best to make sure that the royal family is safe from harm."
"Well he could let up on the 'making sure the royal family' part," said Garret. "So, what are we gonna do today?"
"Actually, if you're feeling up to it, me and Flounder were hoping that we could help you practice swimming some more," said Ariel.
"Oh come on Ariel. Is that even necessary anymore?" asked Garret. "I'd say that I've pretty much gotten the hang on using this old thing."
And just to prove it, Garret showed off by swimming in a circle.
Ariel chuckled. "Yeah that's true, but we don't want you to get into another accident like yesterday do we?"
Garret blushed with embarrassment remembering what Ariel meant while Flounder snickered quietly.
"Har har," he said sarcastically, but then he smiled. "Alright then. You got me on that one Ariel."
"Great," said Ariel. "Me and Flounder can even show you a few tricks you can do while you're swimming."
"Sounds awesome," said Garret. "Let's go then."
Then the three friends swam out of the palace towards the outside of the kingdom. On the
When the three friends reached the outside of the kingdom, they towards an open place on the ocean floor and were just about to get started with Garret's practice, when they heard a strange noise. It was a loud moaning sound that echoed throughout the area.
"Hey. Do you guys hear that?" asked Garret.
"Yes. I do, but... what is that sound?" wondered Ariel.
"Could it be some kind of whale or something?" asked Garret.
"I don't know," said Flounder. "But it's scary."
"No, it's not," insisted Ariel. "It's... sad."
Garret listened more closely and could hear that Ariel was right. He could tell that whatever was making that noise did sound a bit sad. Ariel then suddenly swam ahead of them following the sound.
"Garret! Flounder! Come on!" she called. "Let's find out what that is!"
"Ariel, wait!" Flounder called back.
"Wait for us!" Garret said as he and Flounder followed Ariel in pursuit.
Meanwhile, the baby killer whale was still searching for his mother and his pod calling to them, but so far he couldn't find either one. The baby let out a sad whine as it was beginning to lose hope. Then the baby sensed something. Something was coming this way. The baby looked to his right hoping that it would be his mother or someone from his pod, but unfortunately it wasn't.
A great white shark slowly snaked out from the corner. It was big, it was mean, had piercing yellow eyes, and razor sharp teeth. The baby gasped in terror for he could see that the shark was coming towards his way. He had to hide before the shark saw him. He frantically looked around trying to find a place to hide. Then he saw a large bush of seaweed. The baby immediately swam for his life and dove right into the bush trying to be not to be seen as much as possible.
The shark grew closer and closer and the little baby trembled and his heart began beating like a jackhammer. He shut his eyes and prayed that the beast wouldn't find him. The shark was now right above him searching for any prey that was close by in the area. The great white looked and he looked, but he couldn't find any prey anywhere. Finally giving up, the shark decided to move on and slowly snaked away.
Not too far away, Ariel, Garret, and Flounder were still following the source of the sound which lead them to a different and slightly darker part of the area. Then, just when they thought they found the source of the sound, everything went quiet.
"Now it's stopped..." said Ariel as she looked around.
"Maybe it was just... you know just a noise," said Flounder.
"No, it was somebody calling for help," insisted Ariel as she looked around.
"What if that somebody's calling for lunch?" asked Flounder nervously.
"Don't even say that Flounder," said Garret. "You're overreacting."
"Well if you're scared, then you stay here Flounder," said Ariel. "Garret and I are gonna look to go over behind that reef. Come on Garret."
"Alright then, Ariel," said Garret. "Lead the way."
And so Garret and Ariel went over to the reef leaving Flounder by himself. He felt a little huffy. He then swam into to the seaweed bushes looking around. Flounder may have been trying to be brave, but on the inside he was feeling a little scared.
"I'm not scared," he grumped. "You two can look over there... and... I'll... look over here. And I'll let you now if... I... uh... I... I..."
Flounder's voice then trailed off for inside of the seaweed in the bushes, he saw something that made his heart stop with fear. It was black and it seemed to be moving. Then the thing opened revealing a large blue eye.
"ARIEL!" cried Flounder in horror.
Ariel and Garret immediately stopped and looked towards the direction of Flounder's cry of terror. The two immediately swam towards the seaweed bush. Then suddenly something large, black, and white shot out of the bush going right past Flounder and then past Ariel and Garret kicking up bubbles everywhere. The two went over to Flounder to see if he was hurt.
"Flounder are you alright?" asked Ariel cupping the fish in her hands.
Flounder was dazed and a little dizzy, but he responded with a nod. Ariel then looked towards the direction of where the thing that swam by them. What she saw made her eyes widen in surprise.
"Garret. Flounder. Look," she said pointing.
The two turned around and then saw it too. There hiding behind a cave-like formation a few feet away was a small, scared, black and white creature which Garret never expected to see before his eyes.
"Whoa," he gasped with wonder. "It's... it's a..."
"A k-k-killer whale!" squeaked Flounder who hid behind Ariel's hair still feeling terrified.
"It's only a little one," reassured Ariel.
"You call that little?! His teeth are bigger than I am!" the guppy replied.
"Flounder, you're overreacting again," said Garret. "Besides, I'd say it's probably more scared of you than you are of it."
Ariel then swam a little close to the creature. "Come on, come on," said Ariel gently trying to coax out the baby. "It's all right. Nobody's going to hurt you."
"Nobody's going to hurt him?!" asked Flounder incredulously.
"Flounder, be quiet," hushed Garret. "She's trying to get him to trust us."
The baby killer whale was still frightened of the three, but he slowly came out of the cave towards Ariel. The little whale swam around them still feeling frightened, but he also had some slight curiousity.
"That's it... that's the way Spot," said Ariel.
"Spot?" questioned Flounder and Garret.
"That's right," smiled Ariel as she pointed to a white spot that was on the end of the baby's tail as he swam by. "See? Right there."
"I get it, the spot on his tail," understood Garret.
Ariel then spoke kindly to Spot. "There, you see? You're safe. Nobody's gonna hurt you."
Spot still feeling frightened and less than trusting quickly hid back into the rock formation peeking out.
"Looks like he's still afraid," said Garret. "If only there was some way to calm him down."
Then Ariel swam a little closer to Spot and then she began to sing.
Poor little frightened baby
"Baby?" questioned Flounder and Garret.
Wandering on your own
You've been through a lot
Haven't you, Spot?
"Poor Spot, where's your mother?" asked Ariel. "Where's your family?"
Spot responded by letting out a sad moan and looking like he was about to cry.
"Don't cry spot," soothed Ariel. "I'll take care of you."
Everyone needs a family
No one should be alone
Garret, Flounder and me
We're gonna be
The family you've never known
Spot then slowly came out of his hiding place again and Ariel then turned to her two friends. "Flounder, Garret. We have to take him home with us."
Garret and Flounder's eyes widened. "We have to WHAT?!" they exclaimed.
"Oh, come on you two, can't you see?" asked Ariel as she resumed singing.
Just a little love
And he'll be good as new
In just a little while
Watch a smile come shining through
He's just a little scared
He needs a friend today
He needs a little love
How can I turn away?
As she sang, Garret couldn't help but stare with wonder as Spot slowly and finally began to open up to Ariel. Not only that, but Garret thought that Ariel's voice was one of the most beautiful things he ever heard in his life. And it wasn't just him who was entranced by Ariel's singing, Spot loved it too. So much so, that Spot began to hum in tune with Ariel's singing.
"Well, would you look at that," murmured Garret.
"He's singing!" said Ariel happily.
"He sounds just like you," agreed Flounder. "Well... sorta."
Spot then zipped by Flounder making him spin around and around. He then swam over to Garret and then gave him a small nuzzle to his cheek.
"Aw see, he likes you two," smiled Ariel. "You two could his big brothers."
"I don't wanna be his big brother," complained Flounder. "I don't want to be his midnight snack either."
"That aside, are you sure this is a good idea Ariel?" asked Garret. "I mean it might not work."
"Yes it will," smiled Ariel as she began to sing again while swimming with Spot.
Just a little love
That's how you begin
Showing him you care
Being there to tuck him in
Helping him to grow
Each and every day
Just a little love
Can go a long, long way
When Ariel finished singing, Spot's fear had completely disappeared and now looked very happy. Garret was still amazed for what had just happened.
"Unbelievable..." he murmured. "That... was incredible Ariel. How are you able to sing like that? It was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard."
"It's nothing special," smiled Ariel. "It's just something I was born with. Plus I had some practice. Now come on, let's get back to Atlantica. We're taking Spot with us."
"But Ariel, I'm telling you it's not gonna work!" said Flounder.
"Do you even have a place to even keep him?" asked Garret.
"Of course I do," said Ariel. "Now come on. Let's go."
"Ariel!" complained Flounder who was still against the idea of having Spot stay with them in Atlantica, but Ariel wouldn't listen. Her mind was made up. She along with Spot both started back to Atlantica leaving Flounder and Garret behind.
"Is she always this stubborn?" asked Garret.
"You have no idea," said Flounder.
And so having no other choice, Flounder and Garret followed Ariel and Spot back to Atlantica.
At the Royal Palace, Sebastian was merrily walking down the halls humming a little tune that he came up with. As he crawled along, he happened to see his reflection on a shell. He couldn't help but admire his reflection.
"Funny how a good-looking crab just naturally looks good in anyting he throws on," he mused as he struck a pose.
As he continued to admire himself, Ariel peeped out making sure Sebastian was distracted then she along with Garret, Flounder, and Spot quickly swam past Sebastian before he would notice.
Sebastian hearing something go by him looked back in time to see the shadow of someone's tail fin disappear from a corner. This made him suspicious.
Ariel then led her friend to another spare room a large seashell door. They all went inside and the door shut behind them.
"This is where you're going to live spot," Ariel spoke to the whale. "Do you like it?"
Spot chirped happily as he nuzzled against Ariel. He swam around the room feeling very curious to his surroundings. He then found a flower that was on top of a shelf. Spot sniffed at it wondering what it was, but then the flower sneezed blowing bubbles at Spot's nose. Feeling a tickle in his nose, Spot let out a big sneeze blowing him backwards causing him to bump into a stand carrying some large shells in Flounder's direction. Shells went flying everywhere with some crashing into the floor. Flounder tried to get away, but a shell ended up landing on him. He waddled around on the floor standing on his fins. Ariel and Garret couldn't help, but laugh because of Flounder looking so silly.
"Hold on Flounder, let me give you a hand," chuckled Garret as he grabbed the shell and shook it until Flounder fell out of the shell.
Flounder then turned to Ariel. "Ariel, you know that he shouldn't be in here!" he complained. "Killer whales are horrible! They're the worst things in the sea!"
Spot then swam up to Ariel and holding a couple of flowers in his mouth from which he had just picked from a flower bed in the room. Ariel couldn't help, but chuckle not paying attention to Flounder.
"Flounder. Seriously, you need to take it easy," said Garret. "I know you're frightened of killer whales, but even I can see that Spot's harmless."
"He's dangerous, you'll see," said Flounder. "One day, he'll you turn on you both with all those terrible teeth and then... GRRR!"
Then Flounder made a terrifying face barring his teeth like a shark. Spot let out a startled yelp and was so frightened that he swam out of the room.
"Spot! Come back!" cried Ariel.
Ariel, Garret, and Flounder swam after him in hot pursuit and were able to grab Spot before he could go far. With Ariel pulling Spot by his fin, Flounder pushing on his dorsal fin, and Garret pushing his snout, the three friends dragged spot back into the room.
"Flounder, you scared him," scolded Ariel.
Flounder was surprised. "I scared him? Nobody's ever been scared of me," he said.
"Guess you're scarier than you thought," said Garret. "Then again Spot's a baby after all."
Flounder then turned to Spot. "I'm sorry Spot. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm your big brother."
Spot then nuzzled against Flounder accepting his apology. Then there was a knock on the door and they all heard a voice that made them jump.
"Ariel? Is dat you in dere? It's me," said the voice.
Garret knew who that was. "Oh no! It's Sebastian!" he cried.
"We got to hide him! Quick!" said Ariel frantically.
She and Garret then moved Spot towards the bed and quickly covered him up with a blanket to hide him. Ariel then answered the door while Garret and Flounder stood guard over Spot to make sure he was covered. When she opened the door, she found that it was Sebastian looking very suspicious.
"Sebastian," said Ariel feigning surprise as Sebastian came in. "Flounder, Garret, and I were just saying-
"Flounder, Garret, and you and who else?" asked the crab as he came into the room.
Then Ariel noticed at Spot was peeking out from under the blanket. She immediately swam quickly over to the bed and hastily covered Spot.
"Nobody else!" she said quickly. "Right Garret?"
"Nope! Nobody else here!" said Garret. "Just us!"
Sebastian suspecting nothing, then jumped on the bed post to speak to Ariel.
"I just came ta remind you about da big Spring Celebration," said Sebastian.
"The Big Spring Celebration?" puzzled Garret. "What's that?"
"It's a big concert that's coming up," said Ariel. "But Sebastian should know by now that it's not till three months away."
"I know dat, but if I don't start in on you now, you're sure to forget about it and not show up," said Sebastian. "So I'm going ta keep reminding you every time I spot you."
At that moment, Spot peeked out from the blanket again. Ariel then quickly put the covers back before Sebastian could notice. Then there was trouble. Sebastian then hopped on Spot's nose on top of the covers and then started to climb towards the top of him pulling down the covers as he climbed. Ariel covered her eyes and peeped through them with horror, Garret bit his nails nervously, and Flounder gawked as Sebastian continued taking about the concert.
"Well anyway, dis year's concert's gonna really hit da spot," he said. "Wrote me a little number, see? I start it off alone with a solo spot..." He then sighed dreamily. "A solo spot."
Then he felt something move below his crab legs and let out a friendly squeak. He looked down he could see that he was standing right on top of Spot's head. A few seconds of silence passed, then Sebastian screamed in surprise jumping right of Spot's head and backed away while Spot feeling startled as well hid behind the bed.
"What you all doing with dat whale?!" shrieked Sebastian.
"Well... he just...uh... he just sort of followed us home," said Ariel innocently.
"Real smooth, Ariel," muttered Garret.
"Followed you home?! Dat's a killer whale!" yelled Sebastian.
"Relax Crabby," said Garret. "He's not gonna hurt you or anything. He's just a baby."
Spot then came out of hiding and let out a friendly squeak while waving his flipper.
"And I'm his big brother," cut in Flounder. "You can be his uncle or something."
"Oh no! No, no, no, no! A killer whale is not a pet!" said Sebastian sternly. "He's not meant to be a pet, so you need to put dat boy where he belongs!"
"We can't Sebastian! He'll die out there!" cried Ariel.
"That's right! He doesn't even know how to survive in the wilderness on his own!" added Garret. "Have a heart would you?"
"You won't... you won't tell Daddy about us having a whale would you?" asked Ariel looking at Sebastian with a pleading look.
Sebastian was still stern, but his face softened a little as he could see Ariel and the others looking at him begging. Even Spot wanted to let him stay.
"Please?" the three friends begged.
Sebastian smiled and sighed finally giving in. "What whale?" he asked in response.
Ariel immediately went over to Sebastian and gave him a hug while Flounder and Garret sighed in relief.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you, thank you Uncle Sebastian!" said Ariel as she set him down.
"Yeah. Thanks a bunch, Crabby," said Garret.
"Don't you uncle me no Sebastian's!" snapped the crab. "And who are you calling Crabby?!"
Spot then went over to his new uncle looking happy, but Sebastian immediately backed away.
"You stay away. You get back dere," warned Sebastian not wanting anything to do with the baby whale.
Then before Sebastian had a chance to react, Spot had slipped his fin underneath him and with a mighty fling launched the red crab out of the room.
"Thank you, Uncle Sebastian!" called Ariel as a screaming Sebastian disappeared past the door.
"Yeah! We owe you big time, Crabby!" Garret added.
As Sebastian fell back to the floor, he sighed miserably. "If Triton finds out about dis man, I'm crab cakes."