Chapter 2: Poor unfortunate souls
Meanwhile in Storybrooke Bay the merpeople seeing the cloud of magic as a sign of dangerous times to come decided to move on to another part of the ocean as far away from the magic as they could get. A command that was decreed but who else, King Triton himself. Ariel was the only one not preparing to leave because she saw it as a chance for her and Eric to be together. She was wading on the surface of the water waiting for him. Triton suddenly appeared next to her. "Ariel, what are you doing?" he asked
"Waiting for Eric. We can't leave him behind." Said Ariel
"He's a human. He belongs here and you don't, and as long as he resides in this world nothing is going to change that." Said Triton
"You're happy this has happened. Aren't you? You've never approved of Eric not since I first met him!" yelled Ariel
"You're damn right I haven't! Humans are very dangerous! Just think about it a human tricked you into giving up your mermaid life so she could trick me into giving up my power! Then she tried to kill us and on top of that sent us to a different realm where things are very unpredictable and humans are even more afraid of the unknown! And because of another human not even living in our own kingdom is safe anymore!" protested Triton "As for being happy. Of course I'm not happy. You're hurting. Which is why I decided to arrange a marriage for you. Colin has agreed to marry you."
"Colin? The prince who was visiting us when the curse hit?" asked Ariel
"Yes. You two would make the perfect couple. You have a lot in common." Said Triton
"Why is that because we're both mer people? Well, sorry, father but I'm married. " said Ariel
"You and the human can not be together." Said Triton
"First his name is Eric and second, just because we can't be together does not mean that we aren't married. I mean you married us!" Ariel stated
"He was a merman at the time." Said Triton
"When the curse is completely broken he can be a merman again." Said Ariel
"Until the curse is completely broken we cannot stay here. That cloud was a sign of further danger and as king it is my responsibility to make sure my people are safe and your father it is my responsibility to make sure you're safe." Said Triton "Now, come."
Triton went back under the water and Ariel went down after him. She knew she was only 16 but she wanted to have more freedom and that included the freedom to be with the one she loved. Her father had a different idea about how Ariel should live her life.
Back in the the Long Lost Fairytale World, Ariel was in the chamber where she kept her human artifacts. She loved everything about the human world and her collection filled the entire cavern. She had everything from forks to discarded armor. What she wanted more than anything was to be human. No one knew that. Of course they knew that she'd go up to the surface every year to watch the boats and him but nothing else. He was so handsome tonight and she was so happy that she could get to him in time when the boat went overboard. "ARIEL" yelled her father breaking her from her thoughts.
"Father, how did you know I was here?" asked Ariel
"Nevermind that. What is this!" yelled Triton
"Just my collection, father." Said Ariel
"You've been up on the surface again. I've told you a thousand times not to go up there! You have no idea what humans are capable of! I lost your mother to humans! I'm not losing you!" said Triton
"I'm sure not all humans are like that." Said Ariel
"You're in love with one. I can see it in your eyes." Said Triton
"Yes. I do love him." Said Ariel
" You're 16 you think you love him now but one day you'll end up being killed for your scales!" said Triton "Humans make magic potions from our scales did you know that?"
"He's not a wizard. He's just the local human prince." Said Ariel
" Royalty. Even worse he won't have to make the potions himself he'll hire someone!" yelled Triton " I hate to do this but if words won't knock sense into you maybe this will!" Triton lifts up his trident and blasted all the human artifacts "And you are never allowed anywhere near the surface or the human you think you're in love with ever again!"
"How could you do that to me?" asked Ariel
"I'm your father. I will do anything to protect you. " said Triton
Ariel swam out of the cavern and past her sisters who were talking in the main throne room. They stopped talking as she went by and decided to follow her. They went into her room and saw her packing.
"What are you doing?" asked Dreama
"I'm packing. What does it look like I'm doing?" asked Ariel
"Why are you packing?" asked Aquata
"Because you guys had to tell father what I was doing! He's tried to crush my dreams because of it! Well, I'm not staying in a place where I can't be free to be myself and love who I want to!" protested Ariel. She finishes packing and goes towards the door "Now, if you'll excuse me!"
" There are six of us and one of you. You aren't going anywhere!" said Aquata
"Get out of my way! I mean it!" protested Ariel flashing angry eyes at them
Dreama moves out of the way.
"Dreama, what are you doing?" asked Aquata
"I think we should let her go. I mean how would you feel if father wasn't letting you do what you wanted with your life?" asked Dreama
The girls slowly thought about it and moved out of Ariel's way. "Good luck." Said Aquata.
"Thank you." Said Ariel who swam out of the castle, out of the glass dome, and into open ocean.
Little did Ariel know was that the evil queen had been watching her through her magic mirror. "O, poor unfortunate soul. I know exactly how she feels." Said Regina
"You do?" asked the mirror
"Yes, I do. I had a true love once. It didn't end well." Said Regina
" I assume not or you'd be with him and not me but you've never helped girls out of the goodness of your heart before. Why do you really want to help her?" asked the mirror
"She's Triton's youngest daughter. I have a feeling he'd do anything to make sure nothing happens to her. Even give up his power. So, I'll utilize the old transformation spell." Said Regina
"Doesn't that spell come with horrible consequences for anyone who takes it?" asked the mirror
"Yes, it does. If the person who is put under it does not get true love's kiss within three days they lose their life." Said Regina
"Who would be foolish enough to risk their life for a kiss?" asked the mirror
"You'd be surprised how foolish people can be when it comes to love. Don't you remember what happened to Snow White?" asked Regina "Of course, for a spell that powerful I'm going to need some help. I'm going to visit Rumplestilskin I will be back soon." Said Regina
" Have a safe journey, Your Majesty. I will keep you updated on the younger mermaid." Said the mirror
The evil queen leaves her throne room.
Back in the Storybrooke hospital, Eric slowly opens his eyes. At first, he's confused but then remembers the cloud and blacking out. Then he saw Doc standing next to bed. "How are you feeling, Your Highness?" asked Doc
"I'm are you?" asked Eric
"They call me, Doc. Whale called me in after you blacked out. I'm the only one in this world who has any knowledge on how to deal with the consequences of magic. Well, me and Rumplestilskin but I'd doubt he'd be willing to help. " said Doc
"Magic? That's what that cloud was?" asked Eric
"Yes." Said Doc
"Wait, you refered to me as your highness and you said your name was Doc. Doc isn't a human name." said Eric
" I guess you didn't know. The savior broke the curse." Said Doc
"But if the curse is broken why aren't we back in our own world and why am I not a merman?" asked Eric
"We really don't know." Said Jack
Eric looks next to him and sees his old footman and friend Charles "Charles, what are you doing here?"
"I've been loyal to you and your family for many years. I'm not going to stop just because we reside in a different realm. " said Charles
"Then come, we will find the evil queen and get things back to the way they were!" said Eric getting out of the bed
Doc and well as some doctors and nurses hold Eric down in the bed "Sorry, your highness. We can't allow that. We can't allow you to leave until we know what the large amount of magic you ingested has done to your body! And because we don't know how unpredictable the magic that has been unleashed on this realm is the savior has advised everyone to stay inside. We all must remain here for the time being."
"That bitch wrecked our lives and you except me to just stay here like nothing has happened!" yelled Eric
"I'm sorry. I must insist." Said Doc
Eric laid back down "The second that we know what's going on I'm out of here!"
"Great to have you back, Your highness." Said Charles
A nurse comes in. "Mr. Fisher visiting hours are over and Prince Eric needs his rest."
Charles nods and leaves with the nurse and Doc goes after them. Eric looked out the window. The sky was an indingo color and was filled with stars. A shooting star went by and Eric made a wish on it. Ariel made a wish too although, she couldn't see the star from underwater. "I love you." They said together and then each went off to sleep.