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October 3rd, 2009, Saturday, Midnight...

Charlotte's POV

It was storming.

It seemed like the best and only way.

The clouds clustered and gathered all around the sky, lightning illuminating the sky and bolting to the surface all around me. The dark skies cried as the pouring rain whooshed around me.

I could barely open my eyes as the rain blinded me from all around.

Lightning flashed before me, causing me to jump as the sound of thunder rumbled like an earthquake.

I looked around, shielding my eyes from the heavy rain when shock took me over.

I was in the middle of the ocean! The usually calm waters worked in correspondence with the stormy skies, the waves swirling around me while reaching frightening heights.

Suddenly, there was a bright flash from behind me. Though hesitantly, I turned around and my eyes widened so much from fear that I felt faint.

A huge, 20-foot tsunami was heading for me in my direction! The waves surrounding me put a grip on my tail as if to stop me from swimming away from my impending doom.

I tried manipulating the water around me, trying to feel some sort of connection strong enough to lessen the hold on me, but it was like the ocean had a mind of its own.

Out of options, using my lesser powers, I made the water holding me into gelatin and broke the mold, freeing my tail, and just in time!

With a deep breath and a silent prayer, I ducked under the currents, narrowly avoiding the tsunami. But even underwater, the storm looked terrible. The tsunami had crashed into the water, causing the waves from underneath to appear as storm clouds. Lightning flashed harshly over the surface and the vibration of the thunder sent a chill to my spine.

Looking around me, the normally radiant, blue sea was now gray and dull. It was like staring into an abyss and not being sure which is more dangerous to be in.

"Charlotte..."

Even though I was floating, I still went stiff.

That voice...

"Charlotte, come to me..."

Marana!

I had to be dreaming, I had to be dreaming, I just had to be!

It was completely dark now. I could hear the storm, hell, I could feel it, but it was like I was floating in space with nothing to hold on to.

"Charlotte...Come home to me..."

I felt something snap in me. The fury, the anger, the hate, all rolled up into one, and somehow, possibly in my head maybe, I screamed.

"Listen to me, you Wannabe-Ursula! I want nothing to do with you or your grand master plan! It's because of you my life has derailed just as I was putting it back together and nothing you say or do will make me join you!"

Suddenly, there was utter silence. No storm raging, no whooshing ocean currents...

Nothing...

...

...

...

"ANE'LIE, YOU WILL RETURN TO ME AT ONCE!"

There was a growl and before I could move, a large sea serpent with deadly, familiar red eyes came in for the kill!

I screamed.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I tried to move my arms, my tail, anything to get away from the Water Snake!

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed, anything, just anything to getaway!

Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms wrap around me. I tried to fight my way out of its grasp, but it wouldn't relinquish its hold on me.

"Let me go! Let me go! LET. ME. GOOOOO!" I screamed, banging my fist against whatever was holding me. Tears started to fall down my eyes as I felt like dying inside once again.

Suddenly, a light blinded me and I slowly opened my eyes.

I was back in my room, my bed, in my human form.

It was just a nightmare.

It was just a nightmare too real enough to leave me in tears.

"Shhhhh, Charlotte, calm down. It's okay. Shhhhh, mommy's here, alright, mommy's here," I heard as I felt myself being rocked back and forth.

Mom must have heard me screaming and ran to me. It was her arms that were wrapped around me.

I couldn't help but snuggle into her more. I needed this comfort and am willing to drop my pride for this.

I just let her hold me there, rocking me back and forth, as she caressed my hair and muttered words of assurance. I hadn't been held like this since I was 6.

Eventually, she stopped and looked at me, wiping my tears away.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

I admittingly shook my head.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I shook my head again.

"Want me to spend the night?"

This time, I nodded my head. Thomas could only do so much and I needed a Mother's Touch.

So, I pulled more of my bed covers off me as my mom got into bed from behind. Then, pulling the covers back over us, she wrapped her arms around me again, pulling me close to her and I held onto them as my eyes dropped me back to sleep.

I felt mom turn the lights out, but even in darkness, at least I felt safe.

October 4th, 2009, Sunday, Afternoon ...

I was lying on my bed, with Thomas sleeping by my feet, sketching in my sketchbook.

I haven't done this since that fateful camping trip with Alaine, especially with my drawing of her with the tail.

After my date with Riley and finally mustering up enough courage to even look at that drawing, I looked around the Internet, under "Precognitive Abilities" (which I was now sure was the correct name to call my visions- Precognitions), I learned that painting/drawing was common to use with precognitions.

Especially when the person is either asleep or unconscious of them doing it.

And seeing as I did it subconsciously, I decided to take a lazy day.

So far, I spent 2-3 hours sketching: My mom cooking, what I believe the garden would look like when mom and I finish it, me riding a dolphin for the first time, and presently, Thomas sleeping.

I just started a new page when my phone started ringing.

I answered it, "Hello?"

"Hello Beautiful, how are you?" a familiar voice gleefully announced on the other said. He put an extra emphasis on 'beautiful'.

I sighed in annoyance before answering back, "First off, don't call me beautiful! We've talked about this. Secondly, what do you want?"

"First off," he started, mimicking me, "I will continue calling you that until you start to believe it! Okay, Beautiful? Secondly, I called to ask if you would be my date to the dance this Halloween."

I almost sat up hearing this."What are you talking about? What dance? I'm pretty sure you're not talking about the choir performance, are you?"

Miss Anelies had announced to the choir the day after Alaine's return about the Halloween show that was happening and everyone, and I mean everyone, in the choir was, not only to compose a song but perform as well. Groups and solos were accepted.

I hadn't started mine's yet, but I had a whole month to start.

"Nope. You see, in your honor, I beat up the royal crap out of some jock that had the nerve to talk about you so badly that the act itself would have been non-consensual. So, instead of being suspended or expelled, the principal 'volunteered' me into helping the Student Council throw this big, costumed Halloween Bash! So first off, you're welcome. Secondly, I don't believe that show will happen on the 31st. I believe it's not announced yet and your choir teacher has yet to hear about this!" he exclaimed. Whether he sounded like he was defending himself or not wasn't my problem.

No way! Miss Anelies was informed on everything when it came to her choir. There's no way she'd stand for this!

"Well, I'm sorry, Riley, but I have to decline. I'm actually in the show, and am also required to do this," I said, hoping my annoyance of timing wasn't there.

"Well, I know for a fact that you're just saying this to not go out with me. Why? Afraid to kiss me again, thinking I won't like it? Because, if that's the case, you're wrong and you happen to be an amazing kisser!"

Well, glad to see it wasn't one-sided on that particular event. I stated, "You just happen to have the biggest ego in all of Los Angeles, Dontcha?"

"It's a gift, Charlie. You know you love it!"

Oh, yep, definitely the biggest ego around here! Wait a minute...

"Did you just call me...Charlie?"

Admittingly, no one has ever given me a nickname more than 'Char', and Alaine's obvious attempt at 'Char-Char' didn't last long.

"Well, 'Charlotte' is a mouthful, and you mostly go by 'Char', and it's Alaine's nickname for you anyways. So, 'Charlie' is my name for you. Plus...it seems fitting," he seemed to say honestly.

I decided to mess with him.

"So, if we're talking pet names, can I call you...Ry-Ry?" I asked as innocently as I could.

I could feel the disgust on his face before answering hastily, "No-Nope! 'Ry' is a good enough nickname for me!"

Hearing how fast he said that, I couldn't help but laugh. Nice to know even cocky bastards were sensitive.

"You have a great laugh," he said thoughtfully. That stopped me there.

"Not like I have anything else to laugh about these days," I stated truthfully. Lately, there's been no means to laugh, even if I needed to sometimes.

"I doubt that. But seriously, would you go to the dance with me?" I could hear the hope dripping from his mouth.

Nope! I'm gonna pop it!

"How about a...maybe!" I laughed, mostly for my amusement.

"Oh, come on! You went out with me earlier!" he whined.

"Ah yes, the date you practically embarrassed me to get! I did have fun, but the fact is, we still don't know each other. You know more about me than I know about you!" I said, simply stating the truth.

He knew about my past and all I knew was why he took his lifeguard job seriously, which wasn't bad, but still!

"Point taken, so ask me anything!"

"Twenty Questions?" I asked.

"Ten...for now," he said slyly. I rolled my eyes at his obvious attempt to be mysterious.

"Alright, what's your favorite color?"

"Chocolate Brown." That was an instant one.

"Favorite instrument?"

"The guitar. Any kind of works."

"Favorite meal?"

"Anything home-cooked!"

"Favorite place to be?"

"Paradise Cove."

"Why?" I asked, instantly regretting it a moment later.

"That's where I met you."

Geez, can someone please tell this guy to stop flirting!? I can't tell whether to blush or be annoyed.

"Stop flirting, Ry, I'm serious! What do you hate the most?"

"Bullies, though ex-ones are nice too."

"Riley!"

I heard him laughing his ass off on the other end of the phone. The laugh he gave off had a calming effect, but I wasn't telling him that!

"Okay, four questions left. What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Undecided, but maybe a counselor for kids with rough lives."

That surprised me. Another fact which might have a story behind it!

"Favorite dessert?"

"Cookie Cake."

And he had a sweet tooth!

"Do you always beat up guys to impress girls or do you do it for fun?" I asked jokingly.

"Oooh, tough question!" he sounded like he had to think carefully on that, "While for me, staying out of trouble requires no fights, I'm more than willing to risk it when someone is either harassed or badly talked about."

Now, that one had me worried and I'm not sure whether to be relieved or not. But my last question was a cross between joking and curious.

"Alright, last one: Did you just call me to ask me on a date or did you just want to hear my voice?"

This one took a surprisingly long time to answer, and by long, I meant by 30 minutes.

"Ry? Riley?" I called.

I was about the hang-up, thinking we lost connection or something when he eventually returned to the line.

"Yeah, sorry about that. To be honest...which one did you want it to be?" he asked.

"No, I asked you this and now I want an answer!" I demanded.

I was now actually curious to hear his answer.

"Well..."

"Well?" I pried.

"It'skindofbothways! BYE!" and then he hung up.

"Riley? Riley! Uh, great!" I exclaimed sarcastically. But despite how fast he said it, I heard him loud and clear.

He said it was both ways. Did that mean he called to hear my voice and ask me out?

I threw my head back onto my pillow, frustrated. I might not love the guy, maybe not even care to this degree! But if having possible feelings for him feels like this...

Well, it sucked!

I had so many things running through my head, that I forgot I was drawing something. So I looked up, expecting to see a whole page full of nonsense.

My eyes widened.

Instead of scribbles and nonsense as I expected, it was, as if it was taken out of a polaroid, it was a picture of me and Riley.

His arm left arm was wrapped around me as I laid my head on his shoulder, my eyes looked closed for a brief second, while he was looking down at me, smiling, with his sunglasses on. There was enough 'light' to see the love in them while his other hand, despite not being seen, held the 'camera'.

Great, even my 'visions' are rooting on my love life!

3rd POV

Life for Charlotte was getting a little hectic.

Riley was right: They did announce the dance on the morning announcements.

And right after that, Miss Anelies personally announces for all the choir students to come to the auditorium.

They're going to combine the dance and the show. Judging by the exhausted look on her face, Charlotte could tell that her teacher argued tooth-and-nail to not have it canceled. And it would be on the 31st.

The students have mixed reactions to the new change. Some were happy, the reason being that more people would hear them sing.

Others, such as Charlotte herself, hated it. They were already under the pressure of performing in front of friends and family. Now, they also had to deal with the entire student body watching them as well!

Talk about a nerve-racker!

Then, lessons with Laguna and Karen weren't getting any easier. Somehow, Karen must have talk Laguna to teach Charlotte to finally defend herself. They were now in the middle of something rather... interesting.

At the Cove's Residence...

In the Grotto...

Jonathan had put two stools in the pool, one on both sides. Laguna was standing on the left and Charlotte on the right.

She felt a little nervous being one step from falling in the water, but she had worn boots, so she felt secure.

For now.

Charlotte's POV

I don't believe I could express the nervousness in me even if I tried.

But could you blame me? In the position that I was in, one move and I'll fall into the pool.

I get the feeling this was not an ordinary exercise.

"Alright, to be honest, I didn't want to do this, but after what happened...you...and Karen was right and I do need to start learning how to defend yourself," Laguna started.

I quickly turned my head to Karen and nodded, as if to thank her. She smiled back at me.

"However, seeing as you're so eager to improve more in your powers, I decided to use this as the perfect way to show you just how much power and energy you need to show," Laguna concluded.

"And what is it we're doing?" I asked.

"Back in the old days, mermaids would often use this as a way of disputing territories and, for fun, messing with humans. So, they played an ancient war game in which is similar to a tug of war. Only instead of rope, we are using a ship. Jonathan, bring it in!" Laguna commanded.

I watched as Jonathan walked into the pool and placed a large, vintage-looking pirate ship in-between us before moving out of the way. He sat next to Karen and Brendan, who wanted to "watch this go down", as he said.

"Um, Laguna, care to tell me how you found this funny to mess with humans?" I asked warily.

Laguna gave me a bemused look before answering, "Oh, I didn't find this amusing...much, in my days. But to answer your question, the difference is that mermaids often used real ships with sailors on it."

Why did that sound so disturbing in so many ways?

"Um," I gulped, "wanna go first?"

"Don't mind if I do," she said, as she brought her hand out.

The ship started moving towards her and I brought out my own.

A while back, Laguna practically forbid me from using different hand gestures and to use my original, single gesture instead. I've been using it for a while and it didn't unnerve me as much as before.

I quickly made it bubble under the ship and used my mind to turn it around and move it towards me. Karen had taught me to often use my imagination when using telekinesis with other powers, and it's worked miracles!

And like I wanted it to, the ship moved to me, and once in range, claimed it by tapping it at the top.

"Round 1 goes to Charlotte!" Brendan shouted, much to Brendan's dismay.

Then, Laguna pulled the ship back into the center.

"Well, I see you've brushed up on telekinesis and your heat powers. A mermaid can use whatever powers she has. Now, let's get a little harder," Laguna said, using two hands.

The ship started to move towards Laguna again and I brought out both of my hands as well.

This time, while using my mind, I created waves around the ship, turning it away from Laguna and towards me.

But Laguna created another set of waves, bigger ones, using it to move towards her again and, with her mind, pulling it to the range and claiming it.

"Round 2 to goes to Mother," Karen announced.

"Nice trick," I complimented.

"At least I know you've been practicing. The waves were a nice touch," Laguna said back.

Once again, the ship was in the center and both of us had our hands out. This time, I took the chance to go first and pull the ship towards me using heat and the water to guide it.

Laguna brought out her other hand and made the ship turn the course and go towards her.

Suddenly, I felt the urge to use an old power of mine, one I hardly used since my change.

I brought out my other hand and started moving it around. And sure enough, a breeze set in.

"Wind. Excellent strategy, but I'm afraid I'm forced to do this," Laguna said, with a hint of mockery, using her other hand, waving it until it made a fist in the air.

I almost dropped my jaw as clouds started to form above us. And then I heard thundering from the clouds.

How the hell did I not know about this!?

"Mother, is this necessary? You both won a round each!" Karen said, concern and worry in her voice.

"Don't worry, I got this!" I exclaimed. This time, I added more wind to the mix.

Laguna once again found a way to use it against me, however, and put in more energy into moving the ship towards her.

I used my strength to pull the ship back to me successfully, but Laguna was using her mind, changing its course back to her.

Looking up at the dark clouds above us, I decided to try something new.

Raising my other hand, I raised it towards the clouds, and with another sound of thunder, it started to rain. The harsh winds started to pick up between us, and now, I can see the ancient war game on the inside.

Both of us were now in a power struggle, the ship back in the center, turning clockwise and counter-clockwise as we struggled for it to come to our side.

My heartbeat increased as a violent gust of wind lashed out between us. I felt like I was in a storm, a battle overseas that only pirates in the stories get to describe.

And then, to my surprise, Laguna lifted her hand again, but instead of more rain, it was lightning.

This one I was familiar with for two reasons, though I won't say. I had a good idea of how to get this to work for me!

But then, all of a sudden, my vision fades.

It was dark around me.

This was just great! Another vision in the middle of a mermaid war game!

But if I was more than aware of what I was seeing, shouldn't I be able to wake myself up?

Then, I felt a rush of air forming around me, almost like a tornado was sucking me in.

Oh please, oh please, oh please, let it not be another stormy nightmare! I barely sleep enough as it is! I closed my eyes as I braced myself for a possible impact.

Eventually, the air stopped and I opened my eyes again.

My eyes widened in shock and bewilderment.

Suddenly, I found myself in the one place I never thought I'd set foot in again.

The moon pool on Mako Island.

What could be Marana's game? Her control of me was there, but this place?

Why am I here?

Looking into the moon pool, I saw a figure swim in through the entrance. I quickly moved away, not knowing which mermaid was here.

But when I saw the hands of the mermaid pull themselves out of the poll, I officially felt like I was going to faint.

It was me!

Well, it was me, red hair and all from when I was in Queensland.

But if that version of me is here...

Oh no.

I knew exactly where I was now.

I watched in fear as my old-self got onto the sand and dried herself, leaving her back in her human form. I cringed when I saw the locket around her neck.

Even though I was moonstruck at the time, that didn't mean I didn't look any more menacing than I did before.

For a moment, I saw the evilness in me, and I now wonder whether or not Marana did have some influence over me at the time. The look in my eyes was something I didn't think, even at my angriest state, was something I could pull off.

Eventually, I saw three other forms swim in, and in no-time, Rikki, Cleo, and Emma were standing in front of me.

Or us, or whatever!

I walked towards my other-self and began to reason with her.

"You don't have to do this! I understand, you're angry, hurt, and you're tired, but please don't do this! You won't win!" I yelled.

But it seemed like she couldn't hear me, and with a menacing voice, crueler than I remember me sounding that fateful night, she spoke,

"Well, well, well, nice to see you three join the party."

Wait a minute, I never said that!

Emma spoke, "You're not going to win, Charlotte. You're moonstruck! You're not yourself!"

Trust her to be the voice of reason.

"Oh, come on Emma, she's too far gone and you know it!" Rikki exclaimed.

But then there's Rikki.

I looked at Cleo and saw the glare she was sending towards the Old Charlotte. I felt a shiver go down my spine, but she didn't seem to notice.

But then again, I'd wronged her the most. I had every right to feel it.

Then Old Charlotte spoke again.

"I don't believe that, girls. Do you really think you can defeat me?" she said in such a mean, sarcastic tone that I wondered how I pulled that off in the first place.

"Give it up, Charlotte! Just because you have more powers than us doesn't make you any better!" Cleo yelled with much conviction.

But then Old Charlotte laughed and looked at the moon pool as it started to bubble.

"Wanna know something, girls? 50 years ago, my grandmother gave up her very tail here, on this particular alignment. Now, I think it's time you three retired your tails...permanently," she said, eerily calmly.

All three girls were shocked at this revelation.

"Have you lost your mind!?"

"There's no way that's gonna happen!"

"Get over yourself! This is the very reason no one wants you around!"

Both I and Old Charlotte stiffened at those words. Please tell me it wasn't Cleo who had just said that!

The old me at the time never had friends because she was always bullied, and even then, the others who were bullied like me didn't come near me.

And she officially started the explosion.

"Well, Cleo," the Old Charlotte said her name with much venom in her voice, "maybe you could consider this a vacation. The girl who has everything never knows true pain until it hits them!"

Just as the moon pool was fully bubbling, Old Charlotte raised her hands from the water, up to the air, where 3 snakes made out of the water, rose and, under her command, attacked the girls.

I watched helplessly as the girls cowered together as the circled them, pushing them closer to the edge of the pool

Cleo managed to use her powers to manipulate the snakes away from them, but it came closer just came closer instead.

I saw Emma freeze one of the snakes' heads, but by turning to look at Old Charlotte, her mistake was made as the ice reverted to water and it pulled her into the pool.

"EMMA!" Cleo screamed.

I witnessed Rikki finally losing it and boiling the snakes all around her. My heart started to rest a little. Rikki technically had the most useful but dangerous power of the three.

But it seemed like Old Charlotte had enough tricks up her sleeve. She conjured up three more snakes and, with the moon's power, formed one menacing, and terrifyingly-realistic King Cobra.

Showing its fangs towards the two girls, Rikki raised her hand to conduct electricity at it, but size did not matter as it moved, missing the lightning by seconds and, taking a lesson from Emma's frozen snakehead, Old Charlotte froze the cobra's head.

I didn't think shock fully ran through me as I witnessed the cobra slam its head into Rikki, knocking the wind out of her and pushing her into the moon pool. The snake then dissolved immediately.

"RIKKI!" Cleo screamed.

"STOP!" I screamed. None of these things happened, none of the words said were even spoken, yet it feels like I was here and this was too real for me to handle.

Now it was just Old Charlotte and Cleo. How fitting! The old me knocked out two of Cleo's best friends and allies!

I couldn't help but smile as I saw the brave face Cleo tried to put on.

"You don't scare me, Charlotte! You're never going to get away with this!" she yelled. Old Charlotte gave a short laugh.

"Oh really? Try me!" she challenged.

Cleo took a large amount of water from the moon pool and formed a water sphere the size of my body. This must've have been the most power she ever generated.

She threw it at Old Charlotte and it was a stand-off. I had a brief moment of déjà-vu and realized it was just like at the park when I took the locket.

I could see the power struggle between the two and it wasn't like I could control the outcome. Old Charlotte was having a little trouble channeling all that water and was putting up an effort. But just when it seemed like Cleo had the upper hand and managed to push Old Charlotte closer to the edge, it felt like something snapped in old Charlotte.

"Still. PATHETIC!" Old Charlotte yelled, melting the water orb, causing steam to flow everywhere, but she used the power of the winds to blow it away and started using them to surround Cleo.

I knew what was about to happen!

I felt my heartbeat race as unstoppable speeds as Old Charlotte lifted Cleo into the air, and hearing her screams nearly made my heart stop.

The tears down her eyes, the fear greatly expressed on my face...

I briefly wondered if that's how I looked when the girls had me in the air.

I screamed at Old Charlotte, "Stop it! Please! It's over, you won! Leave her alone!"

I felt tears running down my face and for a moment, it felt like Cleo and I were going through the same thing.

"STOP!" I screamed once again. Cleo looked down in fear as she saw the bubbling moon pool below her. Looking at Emma and Rikki now, I just realized that they were now in their clothes.

They'd lost their tails.

I looked back at Old Charlotte, and for a brief moment, or possibly a second, she looked in my direction before turning to give Cleo a cruel smile before talking,

"Oh Cleo, I did have a lot of personal things against you. But then I realized, the longer you stayed a mermaid, the longer you lost your humanity. Think of this as me doing you a favor and giving it back!"

And with one hand motion, I watched in tears as Cleo fell into the moon pool.

"CLEO!" Emma and Rikki shouted.

I screamed.

"NOOOO!"

Laguna nearly missed the lightning bolt at the last minute as I dove into the pool.

And once at the bottom, I officially broke down in tears, more than I have in an entire year.