Aquatic Kingdom Hearts

Chapter 12: So Close; Another Unfair Deal

Ursula's Lair

Ursula, Jones, and the remainder of the Dutchman's crew saw the whole thing in her cauldron bubble, and boy, was she flipping mad. Not only did she see from Tuesday the information that Maccus and Koleniko had given her, but the fact remained that the boy had nearly kissed the Mermaid Princess, and that of his and her destiney to stop her from her plan. She fumed to herself at her cauldron, "This isnt happening. THIS. CAN'T. BE HAPPENING!" she growled as she looked at Ariel with much distaste, "The little tramp!"

Though Jones scratched his tentacle covered face with his crab claw as he pointed out, "Though I've gotta admit, she's better at this than I even thought."

Ursula glared at the sea pirate as she swam back to her cupboard to get her ingredients. She growled to herself as she shouted, "At this rate, he'll be kissing her by sunset for sure!" and grabbed a few ingredients, including a butterfly trapped in a glass crystal ball, and still flapping alive. She then swam over to the caudron as she shouted, "Well…it's time Ursula took matters into her own tenatcles!" and threw them into the cauldron as they exploded, she looked over to Jones as she shouted, "Get the Dutchman ready to make sail to Port Royal! We're going to crash a party!"

Jones shouted to his men, "Alright, you dogs! Set sail for Port Royal immediately!" the crew shouted as they all ran out of the lair, heading for the Dutchman to prepare for a voyage to Port Royal. But before the captain left, he turned towards Ursula and asked, "And…what fate, have you planned for the boy?"

Ursula raised an eyebrow at that as she snarled, "The Thatch boy?" she then looked at the cauldron's image of Eric a she sneered at him, "That boy….after we obtain the First Heart, we'll set a trap for him. And the last thing he'll learn about the ocean's newest ruler, is how cruel I'll be to the humans."

She then threw the butterfly inot the caldron as it blew up to complete whatever her spell was. She then snarled as she clutched the shell, "Triton's daughter will be mine!" she then sneered evilly as she chuckled at her shell….the shell that contained Ariel's voice, "And then I'll make him writhe…", she swam up as the spell began to take effect on her, "I'll see to it that he'll wriggle like a worm on a hook!" and laughed maniacly as she glowed yellow. Her features became smaller and her skin getting more normal, as her hair grew longer and darker. And as she cackled, her shell glowed brightly, until her voice couldn't be heard…and was replaced with Ariel's.

Day 5

Afternoon

Swann Shopping District

Frey went with Ariel after school to the mall for her first dance dress. Eric couldn't come along for the tour; Frey's reason was that it should have been a surprise for him. They went to a nice dress store that seemed to have what Ariel was looking for, seeing as they had fancy dresses for teenagers her age. However when they were looking around for something that would work, Ariel was having trouble, she was trying to find something nice yet it was proving difficult.

Ariel looked at all the dresses she could find, but they didn't seem to be the right ones to her. But that wasn't what troubled her about this. What troubled her was what would happen if she did become fully human. She loved Eric more than anything, but she was torn between her new home here, and her old home in the sea. 'I don't know why I wanted ta do this.' She said to herself slightly depressed looking around her in the store.

"What's wrong, Ariel?" Ariel turned to see Sebastian on her shoulder. He could tell something was troubling her dearly as he read the troubled look on her face. She merely shrugged and sighed her thoughts out, 'I don't know, Sebastian…maybe I should call this off.'

Sebastian may not have known what she was thinking, but he looked at the girl and felt pity for her reason for feeling like she had no way in or out. "Well you shouldn't worry, child." he said placing his claw on her shoulder, despite the fact that he was standing on it, "I may be an old crab, but I know what it was like to be young and troubled." He then smiled as he told Ariel, "Whatever life you choose, you and your family will always be together."

Ariel couldn't help but feel slightly lifted by his words. She then took him from her shoulder as she held him in his hands, and smiled at him. He had been so helpful in getting her and Eric together and now he was still helping her again. She silently thanked him by kissing him on the head again as she held him close to her facial cheek, 'Thank you, Sebastian. I needed to hear that.'

It was then that Frey popped up, and noticed Ariel's quietness. Well, he knew that Ariel was mute for now but he figured that this would cheer her up a little. He tapped her shoulder to get her attention as he replied, "I think…this one will leave Eric's brain malfunctioning when he sees you later tonight." Ariel looked a little confused like that as she silently stated that she didn't want to hurt Eric's head. Frey shook his head, "No, no…it's a figure of speech. What I mean is, when Eric sees you in this, he's gonna be so happy.", and handed over to her a pink dress of sorts.

Ariel took it and looked at it in slightly confused, but when she looked at it, she couldn't help but smile at this.

Later that Day

Back at Thatch's Residence

Dax had just gotten out of the ocean, and walked into the house as he shaked himself dry. He had just gotten out of it as he had swum out to the anemones and gotten something for Ariel. Well, actually it was something that he had planned to give to Eric, so he could give it to her. He opened his hands to reveal two orange starfish; both were around the size of a penny. Dax smirked at this, "Man, that girl is gonna be so ecstatic when Eric gives these to her." but then he wondered on where they were gonna get back here, but shrugged, thinking Ariel was having a little too much fun with the whole shopping thing.

He then ran up to the stairs to go check on Eric and see where he was at this time. He looked in his room first, seeing Max asleep on the bed as usual and hopped on. He did his best to stay away from Max, less he be turned into a chew toy on sight. He then looked next to the dog as he saw what Eric was wearing for the dance tonight. He prepared a nice, but not formal outfit on the bed. However, Dax looked around and ignored the outfit as he tried to see where Eric was right now.

He walked down the hallway to try and find the boy, but stopped as he saw the bathroom door open. He looked in there and heard the water running, and saw the silhouette of Eric in the shower. He then waltzed right in as he asked, "Hey, Eric, how you holdin' up in there?"

Eric, a little surprised by Dax being in here, stopped for a moment as he replied, "I'm just cleaning up in here. Nothing special about it."

Dax then decided to press it on as he stood up on the sink next to the shower. He then crossed his arms as he stated, "Well, kiddo…tonight's the night. The night you and your Mermaid lip lock with one another."

Eric stopped for a moment as he turned off the faucet. And then he peeked through the curtains as he looked to Dax with a little uncertainty and nervous look in his face, "You know, Dax, um…I'm not sure I can do this."

Dax couldn't believe this as he looked to the boy as he stated, "Eric…need I remind you…YOU'VE ONLY GOT ONE DAY LEFT TO KISS HER!", he then calmed down as he told her, "So you don't have time to be timid here." He then stated with his hands held high and in stance, "You must be bold…Daring!"

Eric raised an eyebrow at this as he reached for a towel and dried himself off. He then wrapped it around his waist as he pulled the curtain and stepped out. Then he turned towards the otter as he asked, "Bold and daring? You make it sound like it's a life or death situation."

Dax looked at him with a raised eyebrow as he stated, "That's because thanks to the Sea Witch it has become a life or death situation." He then stated, "Now before long, at this dance there'll be music…romantic lighting." Eric then stopped to look at the mirror as he tried to comb his hair back to its messy self as Dax continued, "And then when the time is right…you both will confess your love to each other, with your True Love's Kiss."

Eric looked at the otter with a goofy expression, but then returned to the mirror. He looked at himself with a little uncertainty at this, wondering if this was the wisest course on this. It was true that this was the only way to help Ariel but he wasn't sure if he could go through with this. But then he reassured himself as he looked to the mirror and said it to himself, "Yeah, I must confess…", but then he shook his head as he doubted himself once more, "I…I don't know if I can…."

Then Dax jumped on Eric's shoulder as he took the comb and decided to hairstyle Eric's hair for him. He then asked as he pulled at the boy's hair with the comb, with fearful uncertainty about the boy's feelings, "You care about Ariel, don't you?"

Grunting a little as Dax combed his hair, he replied, "Well…ugh…more than anything."

Dax then started to finish the hairstyle as he simply answered, "Well, then stop worrying and just tell her at the dance tonight." And then after that, he was finished. He smirked as he looked at his handiwork as he proudly stated, "Voila! Oh, you look so…", but then looked disgusted as he realized how bad he looked, "…so, uh…"

"Stupid.", Eric stated as he saw his hairstyle. His hair was now put into curls and bows; something that really did make him look stupid.

Dax cringed at this as he scratched the back of his head nervously. He then replied with a nervous half-smile, "Yeah, not quite the hairstyle I was looking for." He then pulled the bows out as he made Eric's hair back to its messy surfer style. But as his hairstyle was done, they heard someone coming up the stairs.

Eric stepped forward a little, about to open the door, when Frey's voice stated, "Don't! Ariel wants to keep her dress a surprise for you."

Eric seemed confused, but then he heard a door slam, indicating that Ariel went into her room. Dax just smirked at Eric as he commented, "Must be something really special if she doesn't want you to see what it is."

Later On

Evening

That night in the house, Frey had returned to the house to escort the two lovebirds to the dance. At the moment, Eric and Frey were downstairs in their suits. Frey was dressed in a nice clean white dress shirt with the collar opened up, and wore a black pair of dress pants and his jacket was in his arms, with brown dance dress shoes as well. Eric was perhaps dressed as sharp as ever; he wore a white dress shirt, with the collar left opened and still had on his surfer's necklace, as well as his earrings. He also wore black dress pants and a coat as well, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and wore black dress shoes as well.

Eric was fiddling with his collar, all his life he had really hated these things; they always seemed to be too tight around the neck area for some odd reason. The two boys were waiting for their mermaid princess to get ready. Being a little nervous, this being his first date and dance, he adjusted his opened collar for what seemed like the twentieth time that night.

"Man, Eric. Take it easy." Frey said to reassure his friend.

"I can't help it." he replied back to his friend, sounding obviously nervous at the moment, "This is my first dance…and it's my first date too."

"I hope you guys are ready." They turned to see Dax coming down from the stairs. Behind him a familiar red-haired girl followed the otter and crab. Dax apologized as he stated, "Sorry about the wait, guys. Ariel couldn't get her hair right."

When Eric turned not only did his jaw drop also, it nearly hit the floor and bounced back like they would when you'd see it happen in a cartoon show or comic. Ariel was wearing an all pink prom dress. She also wore a white scarf around her neck that covered her shoulders. Her hair was tied back giving her a ponytail, but still kept her right side swipe bang in place, as she looked completely dazzling. Eric never thought she looked more beautiful to him in his life. "So what do you think?" Dax asked him as he scurried to Eric's side where Max was as he barked excitedly at seeing Ariel, and as Ariel came up to him, smiling at her date. Eric tried to say something but his brain seemed to have taken a temporary vacation.

Frey just smiled at the scene, "I think you might have short-circuit his brain."

Ariel couldn't help but smile and chuckle at that while Eric blinked a few times, shook his head, and came back to his senses.

"Wow…" He nearly whispered, "Ariel...you look amazing." Ariel couldn't help but blush slightly, she never really considered herself the kind of girl that could turn heads. Mainly because most boys seemed to ignore her, but she had to admit it was nice that Peter seemed to genuinely find her attractive. It made her feel pretty good about herself.

It was then that Dax signaled Eric, "Eric…don't you have something to give our mermaid Princess?"

Eric smirked at that and pulled out from his pocket, and looked to Ariel for a moment, "Um, do you mind?" Ariel shook her head, wondering what Eric was about to do. And then he placed something on her ears as she heard a suction sound, and after he pulled away, Ariel felt something on her ears. She smiled brightly as she knew what they were; starfish earrings. She hugged Eric thanking him for this wonderful gift, causing Eric to blush a little at this.

Sebastian scuttled over to Dax as he nudged him, "Nice job, how'd you know?"

Dax merely stated, "Oh, think nothing of it. Besides, everyone in the sea knows that Starfish earrings compliment a mermaid."

Frey then broke the two up as he stated, "Well, if we're not too busy with you two hugging one another, I suggest we make haste. The dance doesn't last long; we've got only until midnight." And with that, said, the three teens, and secretly the two sea critters, walked out the front door, and to Frey's Mini Cooper, and drove towards the school dance.

Later that Night

Port Royal High School

Gymnasium

The school room was lit up with activity as the Enchanted Sea Dance was going swimmingly. The whole place was decorated in undersea decorations, the buffet tables were loaded with party foods and sweets, and even a bowl of fruit punch was set up. A huge stage was set up, and a band was playing a song entitled, Earth Angel.

The students were all over the place, dancing to the music or socializing with one another, discussing on what they were gonna do on the weekend after Friday. They were all dressed up in dance clothing or dresses, so there were a number of well-dressed teens roaming around in the school. And into the crowd came a familiar trio, as Ariel, Eric, and Frey walked right in to the dance floor. Frey looked around and saw a couple of girls, giving him a desirable eye. He then looked over to the two teens as he signaled, "I'm gonna be over there for a moment.", and then left the two alone together, slightly nervous.

And then out of the blue, none other than Seifer and Foo, spotted the two and walked over. Seifer called them out, "Well, well…if it isn't Thatch and the mysterious new girl." Eric groaned at this as Seifer walked up to them with Foo at his side. he was dressed in a white dress shirt with blue jeans and dance shoes. Foo, despite her skinny figure, was dressed in a lovely black satin dress. Seifer then looked to Eric as he quirked, "Well, this is a first. I didn't know you could dance, Thatch."

Eric smirked as he just stated, "Well, I never said I couldn't, I just wouldn't."

Seifer then looked at Ariel, who felt a little uncomfortable with him looking at her, and stated, "I've gotta admit, you look wonderful this evening."

"Fantastic.", Foo stated, adding a compliment to her.

Sensing Ariel's discomfort, Eric saved her by saying, "You know, we're just gonna go over here for a moment." And then walked away from the two. Eric looked over to Ariel as he stated, "Sorry if he made you feel uncomfortable.", but then he smirked to her as he complimented, "But considering how beautiful you look tonight, I doubt any boy could resist you." Ariel couldn't help but blush at that as they stopped and watched the dance floor.

Then Mr. Feeney, who was the chauffer of the dance, walked up to the stage as the band had finished their song. He then announced on a microphone, "How about that, kids? And now I ask for all of those couples out there, to join the dance floor…to dance to the Heart Fish Waltz of So Close."

The slow song that Feeney announced started to play and Eric looked to Ariel as he asked her, slightly nervous as he held out his hand, "Shall we?" she smiled at that and nodded to him, as she took his hand into her own. The two then walked to the dance floor and stopped in the center, along with the others couples as they danced to the song. Eric held out his left hand out as Ariel held on to it with her right, and then Eric placed his right hand on her waist, as she placed her left hand on his shoulder. The two smiled at one another, and began to dance, as the song started to go,

You're in my arms

And all the world is gone

The music playing on, for only two

The two danced to the song and for more than a moment, they were both enjoying every moment of it all. And then Ariel danced closer to him and held him close. Eric felt a little surprised by this, but felt comfortable by this as they continued to dance to the song,

So close…together

And when I'm with you

So close…to feeling alive

Eric and Ariel had been enjoying their time together. Eric made sure he was careful but they still managed to slow dance together. He was nervous that he might trip but thankfully he was naturally graceful.

Ariel felt like this was all but a dream. She was actually human, and at a human dance with a boy she liked and so far nothing went wrong. For a brief moment she felt like a normal girl; like she felt human among them all. She knew that she would never forget this night.

A life goes, Romantic dreams must die

So I bid mine goodbye, and never knew

So close was waiting, waiting here with you

And now, forever, I know

And all that I was is to hold you…

So close

The two were dancing so wonderfully, almost as if they were dancing on top of clouds. Eric stopped for a moment, and then while still holding onto Ariel's hand, gently twirled her and brought her back to him, having her smile at him as they continued their dance. Dax and Sebastian, who hid underneath the snack table, watched the two teens. Dax nudged the crab a little as Sebastian smirked back at this accomplishment. Even some of the other teens watched the two with much envy at the couple as they danced to the song,

So close….to reaching

That famous happy end, almost believing

This one's not pretend, Now you're beside me

And then during this part of the song, Eric then softly sang the next lyrics to her as they danced.

And look how far we've come….

So far…

We are….

So close…

Ariel's heart was nearly a flutter after that little romantic gesture that Eric had done for her. She looked at him in his eyes…his big beautiful brown eyes that she had lost herself into. And realized never before…just how in love she was with him. She grew closer to him, and rested her head on his shoulder as she brought her left arm around him to hold him close to her, embracing him as they danced to the song,

Oh, how could I face the faceless, days

If I should lose you now?

We're so close to reaching, that famous happy end

Almost believing, this one's not pretend

Let's go on dreaming, though we know we are

So close

So close, and still…

So far…

And then the song stopped for a moment, as the two looked at one another. They couldn't tear each other's eyes off even when everyone stopped dancing. And when the fast music started to go, Eric smiled at the girl in front of her as he asked her, "You want to get out of here, and someplace more romantic than this?" Ariel was a little surprised by all this, and just nodded at that. And with that, the two walked out of the dance. Sebastian and Dax saw this, and scurried off to catch up to the two, to see where this was going. Frey just smiled at his two friends as they retreated out of the dance while he danced with a blonde, and just mumbled, "You two have fun now."

Port Royal Beach

Port Royal Cove

The full moon was out and about as Eric and Ariel walked along the beach shore. They both were walking barefoot, and Ariel's hair was out of the ponytail, as they had left their shoes back at the house and felt the sand under their feet. The two walked along the moonlit shore as they conversed with one another…well, it was actually Eric who conversed with Ariel considering she couldn't talk. They smiled at one another as they stopped along the small waves that beat across the shore. The two stood there, with Eric's hand holding on to Ariel's as they watched the moon's light reflect along the sea, and for a few minutes, neither one said so much of a word.

As they looked out to the sea, Eric looked over to Ariel, and nearly gulped at her. Ariel didn't realize it, but she was being backlit by the glowing shine of the full moon's light, with surrounded her with a soft, pearl-colored aura. To Eric for the past few days and even tonight right now, she was the most beautiful, most amazing girl that he'd ever met in his life…even if she was a mermaid princess. He then returned his gaze back to the ocean as the two just admired the sight that they saw in front of them. But Eric at the moment had a small troubled thought going on inside his head as it showed on his face.

While Eric gazed at the ocean, Ariel stole a sideways glance to watch the moonlight reflect off of the boy that was on her mind. She smiled as she thought it made him look incredibly cute…but then she saw it highlighted a hint of concern in his eyes. She wondered what he was thinking of, until he turned to face her and asked, a little worried, "Ariel?", she nodded, responding to him as he nervously asked her, "Are you…happy here with me?"

Ariel looked to him, a little surprised by that question. But she smiled as she thought as she looked at him, 'Of course I am, Eric…as long as I'm with you, I'll always be…', but then she stopped suddenly as she looked out at the ocean. She looked saddened as she thought about her home and family. Eric caught her frown as he asked her concerned, "What is it?" She looked at Eric but then shook her head, giving him a sad smile.

He could probably guess what was bugging her as he asked, "You miss your home and family, don't you?" Ariel looked to Eric as she nodded sheepishly. Eric then asked, "You know, I never got the chance to ask about your family. What are they like?" Ariel smiled a little as she tried the best to tell him. He asked her if she had any siblings, and with a little guessing, she told him about her six sisters. And Eric pretty much guessed her father, King Triton, wasn't that much easy to get along with him losing his temper. She soured and turned away as he pretty much brought up the subject of her dad in. But Eric smirked as she turned her back to his direction as he reassured her, "Well, if it makes you feel any better, when I was growing up with my uncle, I did some things that got him pretty mad. And believe me, my uncle can yell pretty loud too."

Ariel smiled at that, but then frowned again, remembering something. Eric asked, "What's wrong?" She looked to Eric and smiled, looking at him with an understanding as she thought, 'I'm really happy that you're here with me, Eric. It just feels like there's someone else that can relate to me. The other Merpeople just didn't understand me…what I thought about humans and the Merpeople coexisting instead of separate.'

Eric, who had gotten to know Ariel pretty well, could sense what she was thinking. She then took her hand again as he smiled to her, "I think I know how you feel, Ariel. My family's…not exactly has been known best for its adventurous history." He then explained that their family had been ridiculed and shot down by the community because of their belief in not only the existence of the Merworld, which the museum had laughed at being folly, much less his Grandfather's and his uncle's claims that the Lost Continent and Empire that was once known as Atlantis even existed. He scratched the back of his head as he stated, "I guess in the end, nobody understands our family's pursuit in proving that these places and people pretty much exist. Everyone else just thinks of them as some legend or story told to children, and nothing more but myth." He then sighed sadly as he said, "I guess we're just a family that gets laughed at by everyone, and they just see them and me as a bunch of nobodies that'll never get anywhere…"

Ariel looked to Eric with a face that read, 'Eric, don't say that!', she then cupped his cheek with her slender fingers as she turned him towards her way. Eric was a little surprised by her as he silently read her face; even though she couldn't talk without her voice, he guessed she was trying to say to him, 'You're not a nobody! When I look at you, I see an amazing, brave person…who's strong …and wonderful…', she gulped hard, and slid her hand down to his shoulder as she looked up into his eyes, '…and sweet, funny, and handsome…they don't see someone weird and odd, like me.'

Eric knew that look on her face, seeing it himself as he grew up with everyone shunning his belief that a mermaid saved his life as a kid. He grabbed her hands in his as he told her, "Ariel, listen. Don't call yourself odd. Nobody around here or the ocean looks at you and sees that. I know…I don't."

Her eyelids fluttered as she silently gazed at him, and asked, 'What do you see, Eric?'

"I…I see…", Eric nearly froze up at this point, as he saw Ariel's lovely Aqua Blue eyes pierce him like a pair of hot needles. He felt his heart beating faster than normal, and his face slightly blushing at this. He drew her closer to his chest; his hands still holding on to hers, and her face blushed, and her hands beginning to tremble in his as he spoke up once more, "I see an amazing girl who is beautiful, adventurous, stubborn, headstrong, and just as curious of the world around her as I am. A girl who's smile makes me feel like I'm the luckiest guy ever. A girl whose beautiful Aqua Blue eyes, warm and inviting…two amazing blue sapphires that have seen amazing things that I've only dreamed about seeing. When I look into your eyes now, Ariel…I can almost see what you've seen." Ariel looked surprised at him, and smiled deeply at him as she silently wished to herself, 'Thank you, Eric….'

The young teens stared deeply into each other's eyes, and to them there was nothing, not even the sound of waves. It felt the exact same way as the night when they had their 'accidental' kiss. Eric squeezed her smooth, small hands, and felt his heart beat faster in both fear and excitement; to his amazement, Ariel reacted the same way…as she felt the same feeling and way.

Ariel closed her eyes, stood up on her tiptoes in the sand, and titled her face up to his, approachably. At that moment, Eric felt a charge of excitement and paralyzing fear that nearly reduced him to a quivering puddle. He leaned forward, and tilted his head downward towards Ariel…, and was preparing to kiss her as he told himself in thought, 'Here it comes Eric…the Kiss…' but thankfully, Ariel nudged forward the last half-inch, and gently nuzzled the side of her head to his, causing the two to smile at this, and they slowly made their way towards each other's lips, silently inviting their kiss….

But then the two suddenly stopped as they heard something familiar. Ariel turned around in surprise as she seemed to remember the sound all too clearly: it was her own voice, singing that tune she had when she gave it to Ursula to pay for the spell to make her human. Eric looked to Ariel in confusion as he asked, "Ariel, what is it?"

Ariel ignored Eric and broke away from him, running towards the sound of her voice. She was almost sure that was her voice; she needed to know for sure. Eric followed after her, but then suddenly, a thick fog rolled in, making her disappear. Eric stopped for a moment, shouting out, "Ariel! Where are you?"

In the Fog

Loosing her way and Eric in the fog, Ariel searched around it to find the source of her voice. She knew right then and there that it was her voice alone. She wondered to herself, 'How's this possible? What's going on here?' And then she heard the voice getting closer, and stopped as she saw someone walking towards her from within the fog.

It was a girl, around the age of sixteen, just like her. And surprisingly, when she saw her, she almost looked just like her; same figure, skin, and hair length, except for a few differences. She was wearing a blue spaghetti strapped shirt, with a long white skirt that covered her feet, and wore a black wrap cape with a hooded cowl. Instead of red hair, she had long flowing dark brown hair that was split in the front, dark brown eyes…and to Ariel's surprise she had tiny purple hermit crab shells for earrings, and a glowing hermit crab shell pendant necklace that seemed all too familiar.

The girl stopped in front of Ariel just about fifteen inches from the confused former Mermaid. The girl sighed in bliss, as she fiddled with the shell around her neck…and surprising Ariel, spoke to her…in her voice, "Mmhmm. I have to admit, Princess. They weren't exaggerating when they said you have the most beautiful singing voice in the ocean." Ariel looked stunned by this, but the girl looked at Ariel a bit in thought as she stated out loud mockingly, "Oh yeah, I forgot…I don't read body language." She then walked up to Ariel as she smirked, "I guess if we're going to have a conversation, I might as well loan this back to you." And then took off the pendant and placed it around Ariel's neck. And then she smirked as she spoke…in Ursula's voice, "There….now how's that, Princess Ariel?"

And then, without realizing it, Ariel spoke out with her voice once again, "Ursula? What are you…?" she then stopped for a moment as she brought her hands to her mouth, and then took them off as she asked out loud, "My voice…I…I can talk again?"

Ursula waved it off as she stated without caring, "Yes, yes, yes. But you're still under contract, so as soon as we're done here, I'll need it back."

Ariel raised an eyebrow as she asked her, "What do you want?"

Ursula, in her teenaged human form, merely chuckled as she explained, "I've been keening an eye on you for some time, Angelfish. And it seems that you and Lover Boy have been growing larger in your bond lately." But then she walked up to Ariel until they were both face-to-face, "And that, Ariel…may I call you Ariel? Good. That's just a big fat unwanted cog in my plans right now."

Ariel seemed confused by that, but didn't want to hear it as she stated, "No. No, the deal was I would have six days to become human, if the person I love and I shared the Kiss of True Love. You gave me until tomorrow's sunset."

Ursula was getting angry as she ran over to her, and grabbed her boy the shoulders. She then yelled at Ariel nearly freaking her out, with her face twisted in a snarl, "HERE ME OUT, YOU LITTLE…!", after realizing she had lost her composure, she calmed down and calmly talked to Ariel once more, "Just…here me out. All I'm asking is that you don't kiss before the sun sets on the sixth day…which is tomorrow."

Ariel went bug eyed with shock as she broke free of Ursula's grip as she shouted, "What? No! you…you said that…"

"I said that if…if…he kissed you before the sun sets on the sixth day, you'd become human.", Ursula answered as she shrugged and turned around to show her back to her, "And it's been, what? Five days now, and he still hasn't kissed you yet. I mean, if he really cared about you at all, he wouldn't have been so shy around you and just have kissed you by now." Without Ariel looking, she smiled evilly as she replied, "Seems to me like he doesn't care about you at all."

Ariel seemed hurt by that; hearing that Eric didn't care about her at all. She openly stated that, with her voice quivering in anger and fear as she shouted to Ursula, "You're wrong about him! I don't know what you think about Eric, but he loves me! He…loves me." And then she turned away from Ursula as the sea witch walked behind her, "And no matter what you do, or what deal you make…I know that tomorrow, Eric and I will…"

But then she stopped as she was turned around as she faced Ursula. It was then that Ariel took notice of other shapes coming out of the fog, heading fright for them. Ursula then smirked, "Oh, really? Well…what if Lover Boy had, oh shall we say…an unfortunate accident?"

Ariel paled as she saw the crew of Davy Jones walking along the land, with their weapons at the ready. The pirates sharpened their blades, waiting for Ursula to make one order. Maccus viciously smiled at Ariel as he greeted the princess, "Ello, poppet."

Ariel nearly buckled to her knees as Ursula walked behind her and replied, "Now…here's the deal. You'll stay away from the boy's home, the boy's family, the boy himself until tomorrow's sunset. And Eric, will remain unharmed." She then saw Ariel's uneasiness with the deal as she callously pointed out, "Of course…if you want to risk it all, and be responsible for the boy's life, I'm flexible with that."

Ariel just stood there, in complete shock by all this as she took this all in. If she didn't kiss Eric tomorrow, she'd lose him. And if she stayed with him and put him in danger, she'd still lose him. Both choices were completely unfair, but the thought of losing him was even more unbearable. Her eyes began to water, and to her this was slightly strange, and then she collapsed on her knees and started to cry, with strange little drops of water coming down her face. She thought she was leaking or falling apart, but right now she didn't care; all that mattered to her was her heart breaking at this terrible deal as she cried in hopelessness.

Ursula smirked at this as she walked up to Ariel, and took the shell back from her, "Good, I'm glad you understand the seriousness of the situation." And then she put the shell necklace back on her, going back to Ariel's voice as she stated, "Tomorrow the Flying Dutchman will arrive at Port Royal Cove. There won't be anyone there on that day, so I suggest you get on that boat before sunset. Got that, Sunset, because that's when we're leaving." The crew snickered, growled, or cackled in delight at this evil as they began to walk away, leaving the distraught mermaid with these troubling thoughts. Ursula then waved as she disappeared into the fog with the others, "I trust you'll make the right choice, Dearie."

As soon as Ursula disappeared, the fog did as well, leaving only Ariel to weep at this unfair deal. It was around that time, that Eric had finally found her, on her knees and balling her eyes out. He ran over to her side and knelt down next to her, "Ariel? It's me, Eric. What happened?" Finding she couldn't speak again, she looked at Eric, with tearful eyes as she tried to convey what had happened. But it wasn't successful as she just crashed into his arms, and sobbed as she buried her face into his chest.

Eric didn't really understand what had happened to her at this time. He didn't know why Ariel was crying, but he knew that he couldn't stand to see her like this. So he did the only thing he knew of to do for her. He responded to her distressed state, by wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly to her, as she let it all out.

Thatch Residence

Nearly Dawn

When the two teenagers had gotten home from last night, they went to bed. The exhaustion from last night's failed attempt had taken it out of everyone…except for Ariel as she was awake now. She was getting dressed in her usual attire; her white shirt with the black spaghetti strap top, and blue skirt, along with her boots. She had finished and walked up to her bed's dresser, where Sebastian lay snoozing on a makeshift bed made from Max's puppy bowl. She smiled sadly as she heard Sebastian mutter in his sleep, mentioning that he had composed the greatest symphony ever. She carefully kissed him on the forehead as she said her goodbye to him, and took a folded piece of paper off the dresser. And with that, she walked out of her new room; the room that Eric had given her to stay in, and went to where she needed to say goodbye the most.

She silently opened the door that led to Eric's room, and quietly walked in as she looked around. She spotted a drawn picture of her when she was only ten; although it looked like it had been done by a ten year old boy and just lightly smiled at that. But then she saw a picture of her at her age now, and couldn't help but smile more at this. However, she turned her attention as she heard snoring coming from her left. She saw Max, sleeping soundly, as well as the source of the snoring, Dax, as they slept on the same bed, where Eric was sleeping now.

Ariel walked up to him and sat down next to him as he slept soundly. She just smiled at him, seeing that he looked so peaceful and relaxed when he was asleep. She stretched her right hand forward and took a few strands of hair away from his face. This was the hardest thing she had ever done in her life now, more than having to give up her voice to become human. She started to shed a few tears at this, but then shook it off, but still had a tear or two to shed. She took the note that she had written for Eric, and placed it in his open right hand.

After that, she did the only thing that was left for her to do. She leaned in close to Eric, and then lightly kissed him on the left cheek of his face. As she did this, a single tear strayed down her face, and it landed near his eye duct as she leaned towards his ear. And even though she couldn't talk at this point, she still whispered to him, 'I'm sorry, I had to leave you, Eric…I love you…', and with that, she got off his bed, and walked out the door. She then walked down the stairs, and out the door, going to where her captors awaited for her.

Next Chapter: The Setting Sun; Too Late?