Chapter 7! Thanks to Awesome Rapidash, Mo12341234, and CocoxLadybat. A special thank you to Awesome Rapidash for giving me the schedule for the mermaids. I posted it in the introduction page.

In our last chapter....

The dining room was bustling with chatting mermaids as usual.

"So how are you feeling?" asked Katatsu.

"Better," Akira replied, smiling. "You guys were right, nothing to worry about." Suddenly, the doors of the dining hall burst open and a panting mermaid with strawberry blond hair and a pink tail rushed in. Madame Amaya turned around from where she was talking to the mermaid waitresses.

"What's wrong Madame Shizuko?" asked Madame Amaya. The mermaid took a long time to rest and cleared her throat. She looked like she was going to faint.

"The book," the librarian started. "The Mermaids' Book of Lost Secrets, it's, it's, IT'S MISSING!"

Chapter 7

The Prophecy

"WHHAAAATTTTTT?!?!?!?!?!" the headmistress screamed. Her voice rung through the dining hall. The was a silent pause afterwords.

"The Mermaids' Book of Lost--"

"I know what you said," exclaimed Madame Amaya. She calmed down. "I just can't believe it." The room was full of whispers.

"The book is missing!" Katatsu gasped.

"I didn't say anything to anyone!" the white mermaid said immediately.

"Of course you didn't, you were in the dorm room for the whole night," Natalie reassured her. Akira cocked her head in confusion. "I mean I'm a light sleeper, I wasn't keeping an eye on you or anything like that. I would be a stalker then." The noises of the mermaids got louder.

"SILENCE!" shouted Madame Amaya. "We will discuss this matter in home room." She glanced at the clock. "You are all dismissed, but hurry to home room." The mermaids hurried out of the dining hall and headed towards class. Akira nervously sat into her seat in home room. Everyone was discussing about the lost book. Madame Amaya entered the room quickly with Madame Tsukiko and Madame Shizuko following.

"Everyone settle down!" shouted Madame Amaya while clapping her hands. The mermaids' voices slowly drowned. "Thank you. Now you all know about the big news. First of all, don't panic, that would put us in a frenzy. Second, no one is in trouble. We have to gather clues first. If anyone saw anything strange last night, please report to me at the end of classes. I will be waiting right at the end of 9th period in dorm square if you have anything to report to me. Thank you for listening and Madame Tsukiko, you may start homeroom. Madame Shizuko, please come with me." The librarian nodded and followed the headmistress out of the room. The mermaids eyes followed them out and the whole room was silent. Now all eyes were on Madame Tsukiko.

"Okay, a reminder to everyone today," started Madame Tsukiko. "We will have the academy meeting before dinner today."

The day seemed so long to Akira. She couldn't focus in class. Her mind was only on the book. What is she was accused of stealing it? What would she say? The white mermaid seemed most nervous during history.

"Today we will talk about who our dorm houses were named after," announced Rina. "I'm sure you remember all of the facts in last night's reading, I hope. We will review the chapter starting with Lysander. As you all know, Lysander is a boy, or in this case, a merman's name. Lysander Adalfrid was actually a mermaid whose name was Gabriele Isole, a mermaid of the North Sea, but she was not a princess. Anyways, one day, the week before the war between the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea, Gabriele's father, who was in the war, was very ill. He was in no shape to fight. Since Gabriele was the only child in the family and their cousins were already in the war, she tried to convince her father to let her take his place. She had been practicing her fighting moves with her best friend, Izaak, prince of the Baltic Sea, just in case she needed them one day. Her father immediately rejected the idea, saying it was too dangerous and mermaids were not allowed to fight. He reassured her that he would get better soon, but Gabriele was not convinced. Gabriele's father kept getting worse and worse until the second day before the war he could not move. As Gabriele sat next to his bed, caring for him, a whisper came out of his lips: 'Find someone who can replace me. Don't go into danger. You will grow up into a wonderful and beautiful ruler' he said and then his eyelids folded over his deep blue eyes slowly. Gabriele was only 19 when her father died. She knew what to do; she went to the royal barn and put on a war uniform. Gabriele tied up her hair and put on a helmet;she looked exactly like a merman. She rode her seahorse around the fields, going as fast as she could. When Izaak came by, he fought with her, giving the skills of a true fighter. Gabriele and Izaak practice from sunrise to sunset the next day. Before Izaak left, he said good luck and gave her a kiss."

There was a large, but quiet, group of 'aww's and there was a small, but loud, group of moans. Rina continued.

"On the day of the fight, the king of the North Sea called role call. When Gabriele's father name was called, there was a silence, but then Gabriele spoke up in her manliest voice. I am Lysander Adalfrid, family friend of the Isoles. Johannes Isole passed away a few days ago and I am here to replace him. The king nodded and wrote 'his' name on the list. So far, no one accused her of being a mermaid. They lined up across the field where the Norwegian army stood. The reason why he was so famous was because he was the one who defeated the Norwegian king, almost costing his own life. Eventually, the king found out Lysander was actually Gabriele, but that did not bother him. She had saved the kingdom of the North Sea. After the moment, everyone called her Lysander, the name she used when she defeated the Norwegians. And that's the story of Lysander Adalfrid." {1}

The whole class clapped.

"Now, I will chose someone from each of the dorms to tell a summary of the story of how their dorm got their name," the history teacher said. "Victoria, why don't you tell the story of the Victoria dorm house?"

"I would be glad to Ms. Toin," Victoria replied.

"Wonderful," Rina smiled. "Please swim up to the podium and tell the story. There is a textbook in front of you if you need any reference, which doesn't mean reading from it." Victoria nodded and swam up to the podium. She took a few minutes to review over the chapter then looked on to the class. "I will be telling the story of Victoria. Before I start, just to clear things up, I am not her or I'd be dead by now." There were a few laughs. "Victoria Maganda was mermaid princess of the Philippine Sea."

After Victoria finished her summary, Rina started to ask questions.

"Akira," started Rina. Akira's head popped up. "What was the name of Victoria's father?" The white mermaid hesitated.

"Well, umm," she stuttered. "King Phillip?" Victoria smacked her head. {2}

"I'm sorry, but that's incorrect," Rina frowned. "Please pay more attention." Akira slumped back into her seat. Kristinia raised her hand.

"Yes?" asked Rina.

"I would like to answer the question," the auburn mermaid replied.

"Of course," nodded the green mermaid.

"Victoria's father's name was King Danelo."

"Correct, thank you Kristinia," smiled Rina.

During the explanation of the Jurtez dorm house, the bell rang.

"We will continue this tomorrow," Rina told them. The mermaids started to leave the room. Victoria caught up to Akira.

"King Phillip?!" exclaimed Victoria. "What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't thinking right," Akira replied innocently. "I can't focus. Look, I'll meet you after classes, I have to go." Akira swam ahead.

"Wait, Akira, wait, I'm not done yet!" called Victoria. She swam after her.

At the end of 9th period, Akira waited in their usual meeting spot in one corner of dorm square. Soon, the rest of the group arrived.

"Don't you think history was interesting today?" asked Katatsu.

"Yeah, I loved hearing all of the stories," agreed Annika.

"I liked the Lysander story the best," Hanna spoke up.

"Yup, me too," nodded Natalie. "I think she was a huge role model for people back then, and even now." Suddenly, Madame Amaya started to swim over to them, followed by frowning mermaids Sakura, Franchesca, and Jasmine. Akira's nerves tightened.

"Hello princesses, would you please come to my office with me, you aren't in trouble," said the headmistress.

"Um, sure," replied Victoria. The group swam over to Madame Amaya's office. She closed the door.

"Now we are here to talk a serious matter," Madame Amaya told them.

"About the book?" asked Annika.

"Exactly," replied Madame Amaya. "I noticed you two groups were the last to leave. If you could give me any information, that would be really helpful."

"I know who did it, Akira did!" Sakura blurted out. Madame Amaya's eyes raised to Akira."I saw her, she was the closest one out of her little group to the book! I know she stole it! It has to be her!"

"It wasn't me, I swear!" Akira stuttered. "She's lying! I would never do a thing!"

"Yeah, I'm Akira's cousin and I know she would never do such a thing!" Hanna retorted.

"Lies!" Sakura screamed.

"Calm down princesses, Akira, you won't be accused of it for now, but we will have to keep an eye on you and your friends," Madame Amaya sighed. Akira's hands turned sweaty. She couldn't be accused! She couldn't receive the punishment, or worse!

"I know something!" shouted out Victoria. All eyes were on her. "Well, I know that Akira knows something." Akira gave her the 'no way' sign.

"Come on, tell them what you told me last night," whispered Victoria.

"Well, um, I did see two figures coming out of the library holding something right when the doors were locked," Akira murmured. Madame Amaya's eyes widened. "I didn't see who they were though, since it was so dark. Those probably were the thieves."

"She's telling the truth!" added Natalie. "I saw them as well. They were two outlines of mermaids."

"Now that's a clue," said Madame Amaya. "Thank you girls for your help. At study and hall time, please meet me and Madame Shizuko at the library so we can discuss other things. You are dismissed. Hurry and drop off you things. Don't forget we are having the academy meeting before dinner today." The mermaids bowed and headed out. Sakura grabbed Akira's shoulder.

"You better not get us into trouble, or you'll pay," snarled the fuchsia mermaid. Victoria yanked Sakura's hand off Akira's shoulder.

"You hurt any of my friends and I'll hire sharks to eat your brains," threatened Victoria. "Oh wait, they won't have anything to eat cuz you have none!" Sakura gasped.

"That's right! You need some ice for that BURRNNN?"

"Um, I think that's enough," said Natalie. She pulled Victoria away. Victoria high fived Katatsu.

"Thanks for standing up for me," Akira smiled.

"No problem," Victoria told her.

After dinnner, Akira, Victoria, Natalie, Hanna, Katatsu, and Annika headed over to the library. They noticed Madame Amaya and Madame Shizuko standing in the far left corner of the room.

"Thank you for remembering," thanked Madame Amaya. "All we have to wait for is Sakura, Franchesca, and Jasmine."

"We're here," a voice said. The trio appeared behind them.

"Good, we're all here," stated Madame Amaya. "Now, Victoria and others, can you give us more information?"

"Well, not really, like we said before, it was too dark," replied Akira.

"Do you know where the figures were heading?" asked Madame Shizuko.

"I think they were heading to the Alexandria dorm house," answered the gold pearl princess.

"And I think I have something else to put in," Akira spoke.

"Yes?" asked Madame Amaya.

"Yesterday, Kristinia Delrosso seemed very interested in the book," Akira started, "she was talking to me on how the contract was useless and how it was tempting to just blurt everything out."

"Well, that's not how a mermaid princess should act," said Madame Amaya. "She might be up to something."

"That's what I said!" exclaimed Annika. "Pure evil!"

"Is there anything else you can tell me?" asked Madame Amaya.

"Well, she was around Maryssa Heine a lot after the explanation of the book," Akira added. Madame Amaya's eyes widened.

"Are you sure?" Madame Amaya asked.

"It's the truth," nodded Akira.

"Two mermaids who could have caused this," sighed the headmistress. "This is shocking."

"Anything can happen," said a silent Sakura.

"Wow, she actually has a soft side," thought Akira.

"Now how are we going to get it back?" asked Hanna.

"The book!" exclaimed Madame Shizuko. "I forgot all about it!"

"You mean the book that just got lost?" asked Franchesca.

"No, the Mermaids' Book of Prophecies!" replied Madame Shizuko, while searching the shelf.

"Is there a mermaids' book on everything?" asked Victoria loudly. Madame Shizuko pulled out a old book that was almost as big of the Mermaids' Book of Lost Secrets. She opened it and a puff of dust came out. Madame Shizuko coughed and flipped through pages. She stopped at a page titled 'The Prophecy for the Mermaids' Book of Lost Secrets'.

"There's a prophecy?" gasped Madame Amaya. She read off the page.

If the Mermaids' Book of Lost Secrets is lost, then use this prophecy:

The white moon rises into the gold sky over the fuchsia sea.

"The white moon rises into the gold sky over the fuchsia sea?!?!" exclaimed Victoria, "that makes no sense at all."

"I agree," Katatsu agreed.

"Wait a second," said Madame Shizuko. She read over the prophecy. "White, gold, and fuchsia are all colors!"

"So?" asked Hanna.

"What she means is that they could mean the pearl colors," replied Natalie.

"Exactly," nodded Madame Shizuko.

"The owners of the white, gold, and fuchsia pearls are," began Madame Amaya.

"Akira Marellas, Victoria Barbados, and Sakura Vinvaldi!" finished the librarian.

Akira, Victoria, and Sakura's eyes widened.

"WHHHAAATTT????!!!????!!!" they all exclaimed. "Impossible!" Their screams were so loud that mermaids started to look at the like they were a bunch of crazy sea horses.

"Wait, I remember this story!" noted Madame Shizuko.

"Now she remembers everything," muttered Annika.

"When the book was lost long ago, the mermaid kingdoms all had a huge gathering at one point to discuss it," told Madame Shizuko. "They called onto the three daughters of the sea god Poseidon, Julia, the holder of the white pearl, Genevieve, the holder of the gold pearl, and Brianna, the holder of the fuchsia pearl." {3}

"I always knew I was special," sighed Sakura. Franchesca and Jasmine rolled their eyes.

"Whoa, whoa, hold on there," Victoria stopped them. "You expect me, Akira, and that little twit Sakura, to help to reclaim the book?"

"According to the prophecy, yes," nodded Madame Amaya. Victoria's eyes grew huge and she fainted into her sister's arms.

So, what did you think of the seventh chapter? Tell me in your review!

SNEAK PEAK OF THE NEXT CHAPTER:

"Since you are the chosen ones," began Madame Amaya. "You have to have special training. They will be needed for anything that will happen. After dinner every day at hall time, you will train you battle skills with Ms. Nakamura. I expect all of you already know your powers."

The three mermaids nodded.

"Good, that is all. Good luck with your training. The whole mermaid world is in your hands." As Akira walked out of the door, she thought, "This could be another one of those amazing adventures!"

{1} Lysander's story might remind you of the Disney movie Mulan.

{2} Victoria smacked her own head, not Akira. Just thought I would clear that up.

{3} By the way, this isn't true in real life.

~Akira