*Ariel is the lead singer of the band at the Catfish Club, with Flounder as the maraca shaker. Ariel and Flounder met when Ariel was 13.

(Ariel's P.O.V.)

I panted heavily as I swam hard as I could, heading home to Atlantica, hoping that Mom wasn't too worried. I just never thought I'd be in the middle of a storm as I was looking for some moss which the seahorses love. Then there was the fact that I was knocked out by something during the storm, and I kept thinking that I somehow heard a voice talking to me, and there were blurry glimpses of something black.

I was relived that no human saw me once I came to, through I was bewildered that I was this far from home, and I was admittedly a bit scared of that. I breathed in relief when I recognized the kelp forest, and flicked my tail as I went over the sand cliffs, seeing the distant shine of my home, and as I turned around a crevice, I smiled brightly as I saw Atlantica.

There is no better place than Atlantica itself, the coral/gold buildings, the sounds of music in and out in numerous places, and oh, the people, individually amazing on their own. Yet for some reason, I feel like I was the only person who'd ever dare to wonder what's out there on the surface, through I never dared to break Mom's rule as I don't want to hurt her heart.

Mom had gone through a rough spot when I was little. I remember it vividly. That was the last time I remembered being out there on the surface. We used to go to this cove, and we played, sang, and had music. Mom was throwing me up into the air when I saw it. It was a ship, the biggest one I had ever seen, and there was yelling and shouting. One of the hooky things knocked me into a rock, and I was dizzy. Daddy grabbed me, threw me to Mom, and I heard this sound as Mom screamed. It rivaled her scream as it was loud.

That was the last time I ever saw Daddy. Mom was distant for a time, then she bounced back, not quite the same Mom I remembered before that day, but somewhat more protective and more nervous. She almost never sang again, except on my sisters and I's birthdays. I think Daddy would've been proud of Mom as people said that she is by far, the best queen since my grandmother, which was Poseidon's wife.

"Ariel!". A voice called out, and I looked over to see Flounder, my best friend. I smiled, "Flounder, what's going on?". Flounder gasped in shock as he came up to me, "Going on? Going on? Ariel, Sebastian's looking for you! You didn't make it to any of his classes, did you?". I widened my eyes, and slapped my forehead, "I didn't mean to! There was this storm, and-".

Flounder shook his head in disbelief, flitting around me, "You were in the storm?!". I covered his mouth quickly, darting my face around to see if anybody heard us, and I ducked lowly to face him, "Good thing that no one heard you, otherwise I couldn't talk to you anymore, alright?". Flounder mumbled something, nodding firmly.

I sighed, letting go of him, and he nervously looked around, "Sorry, Ariel, but...a storm? First time I heard that. What were you doing out there, anyway?". I sighed, "Look, I'll explain later. Mom's real worried by now, probably.". Flounder winced, "Oh, right. You coming to the club or not?". I shook my head lightly, "Sorry, Flounder, but I can't. You know that Mom would be watching me closely for the next few days before she relaxes.".

Flounder nodded in understanding, "Fair enough, and just to warn you, I think Sebastian probably would've told your mom about your...absence.". I smiled weakly, "Appreciate it. I'll see you tomorrow or something, okay?". Flounder patted my arm with his fin, "Okay, Ariel. And I am glad that you're okay. Storms are nasty!".

My smile grew stronger at his words, and hugged him lightly, "You're my very best friend, Flounder. It's nice of you to be concerned about me. Tell the club that I couldn't make it, alright?". Flounder chuckled, "Duh, of course. I hope you're not in too much trouble with your mom, Ariel.".

I let go of him, shrugging, "Beats me. I gotta go before I get into more trouble. Good night, Flounder.". Flounder waved a fin, "Night, Ariel! See you tomorrow!". He then swam off, leaving me alone, and I bit my lip nervously, sighing heavily as I then presumed my swim, heading to the castle.

I greeted the guards with slight nods, and made it to the throne room where I saw Mom sitting upon Daddy's old throne, with Sebastian upon one of the side-rests of the throne. I bowed my head lowly, "Hello, Mother.".

Mom's voice called out, "Come closer so I can talk to you, daughter.". I came closer, swimming up as I could face Mom. I exhaled, "I didn't mean to miss Sebastian's classes. I was displaced for some time...".

Sebastian scoffed lightly, "You better have a explanation, mon!". I nodded, "I do have a explanation, Sebastian! After lunch, I headed to the stables, and I saw that the seahorses were sorta bored, and I thought that if I found some moss, it would make the seahorses calmer and happier. I went beyond the kelp forest as I heard that the best moss was beyond there.",

"And somehow, I found myself in the middle of a storm. I was too high up, so close to the surface so I had to fight against the waves and such. Then I blacked out because something hit me, and I came to, finding that I was on a beach. Gratefully, no humans saw me, and I left instantly because I saw that I missed dinner by the position of the sun as it was setting by the time I left.", I finished finally with a heavy sigh.

Mom widened her eyes, swimming off the throne as she clenched the Trident in her right hand, and her left hand cradled my face, "Are you alright? I don't see any wound on you.".

I held her hand warmly, smiling re-assuredly, "I'm fine, Mom. And I am positively sure that no humans saw me. It was a storm, for Poseidon's sake! Humans are said to flee the seas at the mention of storms, right?".

I heard a sigh from Sebastian, "Well, at least you've read my books and you've heeded your mother's rules. Thank goodness that you're safe! But you should have told one of us that you were heading out, for gosh's sake! You are a princess, the daughter of Queen Athena.". He floated near us, a frown on his stern face.

I sighed lightly, "I know, Sebastian. I promise that I will tell someone next time I do that or another thing, okay?". Mom nodded, "Good, that's good, Ariel, but you are ordered to stay in Atlantica for the next few days, understand? I just want you to be safe, please?".

Her eyes shimmered in worry, and I smiled, hugging her gently, "Okay, Mom. I promise to stay in the city. I will just play games with Flounder after I finish classes, okay?". Mom rubbed my back warmly, and she pulled back, and smiled softly, "I will order one of the chefs to make something for you, and bring it to your room, okay?".

"Sounds great, Mom, thanks. I love you.". I grinned brightly, and Mom kissed my cheek softly, "Now, I believe that your sisters is in the great room. I shall see you later at bedtime, okay?". I nodded, and left her and Sebastian, heading to the great room, knowing that my meal will take some minutes to prepare.

I sighed to myself, unbelieving that I held something from my story. I don't know why I want to keep the mention of the voice and the black something. And for some reason, from comparing Flounder and Sebastian's voices, the voice from the storm sounded male and it was a smooth, rich tenor.

Was it a dream or something else? Was it a human man? Why could a human save me in a storm? Better yet, leaving me on the beach? I am so confused! Either way, I am glad that I am alive and well.