Author's Note: ...Okay, let me start off with the usual apologies for the horrible chapter. Again (at least my brother enjoyed it...). Now, secondly, let me get back to the point: I am a senior in high school, and I have applied to several difficult AP classes. Meaning? I won't be able to update as quickly as I have during my summer vacation. Meaning? You might have to wait a week for me to update, if I'm not writing in between or even during my classes... *coff*. Anyway! I hope you continue to enjoy the story and look forward to future chapters. I am definitely going to finish this story even if it kills me!
...Girls, (or even guys), that was a figure of speech. Seriously. Don't kill me.

The door creaked open- I sat up straight.

"Bro?"

"Giroro." His shadow concealed him, kept him from view. His strange, croaking voice sounded hesitant before he continued, "What are you doing here? I-I mean, why aren't you in bed? Do you have any idea what time it is-?"

"You didn't come home. I was waiting for you."

He swallowed.

"Giroro…"

"What?"

"Don't tell dad."

Before I could question him, Garuru stepped into the light, limping, hunched over. It was horrendous- nasty dark shapes blotted his body, making him look spotted and… small. "Are… are those bruises-?"

"Most of 'em."

A little red glistened from his mouth. He turned away when he caught me staring. "Giroro. Can you prepare a bath for me?"

Wordlessly, I ran to the bathroom and did what he asked. The sight shocked me- my older bro, beat up like that. Who could've done such a thing?

"Hey, Giroro?"

I grimaced, or tried not to. He looked worse under the bathroom's light, where it was brighter and it exposed more of his injuries. One of his eyes were swollen. The more recent cuts glistened with blood, while the others dried and formed a protective layering of skin over it. Bruises. Don't get me started about how many of those he had- I just couldn't count them. Couldn't see how dark they were against his already purple skin, how many were discolored and different, how many… how many there were. Later we found out that he broke his arm, too.

"Thanks," Garuru said softly. He laid a hand on my head, and I winced under the touch, like I could feel his pain through his fingers. "Oh, and that kid- Nabibi? He won't bother you anymore."

"Gir- Rio? Rio!"

Giroro coughed, sputtering salty water. He gasped, taking in the air deeply. Everything still looked fuzzy, though- he felt disoriented, dizzy. "Where am I…?"

"I'm sorry, but you're asking the wrong person…"

Giroro looked beside him. The familiar pink haired boy from earlier- he was with Koyuki. "…Devonte."

"Devon," He corrected him, shuffling uncomfortably.

"What… what happened?"

"Do you remember getting pulled into the water too, Rio?"

That's right…

Black blobs had locked onto his ankles, sending him into the dark oceanic abyss…

Giroro looked down at his legs. Cloth was wrapped around his ankles, like a medical servant had patched up his wound. He grunted as he attempted to pull himself up. His skin burned with pain, but he was able to walk. He sat down again and turned to his… friend? Acquaintance? Okay, person he had met a while ago.

"What were those things?"

The reply was an apologetic shrug. "I'm sorry, but I know just as much as you do." He gazed around. "Maybe the other men would be happy to help us out?"

Giroro was startled. Other men? "We're not the only ones here?"

Suddenly, he absorbed his surroundings. There were men everywhere- standing around, arguing with each other, crying. What was going on?

"Excuse me," Dororo said, gently patting a boy's shoulder. The boy- around the age of Natsumi, maybe- turned and faced him. He was tall, burly. He seemed to enjoy Dororo's shy and smaller stature. "What are we doing here?"

"Oh. So I'll take it you two are new, then?"

"New, as in, we just got here? Then yes." Giroro folded his arms when he noticed that this boy was trying to intimidate his friend-acquaintance- whatever. "We just want to know what's happening."

The boy wetted his lips and let out a long sigh. "It's unbelievable, really."

"We just got bitten by frog-knows-what and pulled down into the ocean. I think it's safe to say that we can believe in the unbelievable now."

The boy perked an eyebrow before he finally consented. "Do you know the legend of the Yao Bikuni?"

Giroro and Dororo shook their heads.

"Then are you at all familiar with the creature Ningyo?"

Again Giroro and Dororo shook their heads.

The boy threw his hands up in the air. "And you call yourselves Japanese?"

"I-I'm not Japanese," Giroro stuttered. "I'm from Brazil."

"And I'm from…. America?"

Giroro gave Dororo a funny look while the boy continued, "Ningyo is- was supposed to- a mythological creature. Basically, it's a fish-man. Legend has it that their meat is pleasant-tasting and will give anyone who eats it a remarkably long life. Well, a long time ago, a fisherman had caught one of them and, intrigued at the creature because he had never seen it before, invited some friends to come and taste the meat. While the fisherman prepared the meal, one of the guests looked into the room and noticed that the fish had the face of a man, and he told the others not to eat it. So when the food was served, the men wrapped the fish up in cloth when the host wasn't looking, planning on throwing it away when they went home. However, one of these men was drunk, and he didn't throw away the fish. When he came home, his little daughter demanded a present from him, so he unwittingly gave her the fish. Before he could finally come to his senses and tell her to not eat the fish, he was too late. She ate every morsel. Later, the girl grew to a young woman and married- she retained her beauty and youth and outlived her husband, who grew old and died…"

"Not that this isn't an interesting story," Giroro interrupted, not at all fazed by the fairytale. "But what does this have anything to do with-?"

"The girl," The boy explained. "She's the reason why we're all down here."

Dororo and Giroro blinked at him, confused.

The boy made an exaggerated sigh. "The Ningyo have chosen her to rule as their queen. The girl. She's their queen."

"…So, what you're saying…"

"Her latest husband died tragically a few months ago. She had asked, like she has always done in every generation, for all her minions to bring her all the good looking boys from the surrounding islands as candidates for her new bridegroom."

Giroro and Dororo gaped at him, their mouths dropped practically to the floor.

"Ahh, so now you understand, yes?"

"So you're saying that these black things came from out of nowhere and took both Rio and Darren under the water?"

Natsumi and Koyuki watched Fuyuki desperately as he mulled over the possibilities. "…They could be sea urchins. But I've never heard of them dragging people into the ocean before…"

"Well, Fuyuki, what are we going to do?" Natsumi's voice had a dangerously snappish tone to it, but lives were at stake. She was terrified of what Rio and Devon might be facing- what if they were man-eating sea monsters? What if they enslaved them? What if they were beautiful mermaids that had seduced Rio and taken him away to live happily ever after?

Man, I hope that doesn't happen again…

"Where is Sarge?" Fuyuki asked, standing up. "They might be able to help us out."

"But I haven't seen them all day," Aki said, frowning. "The last time I probably did was before the sun went up- remember? After that, they just disappeared."

"They got them too," Koyuki murmured.

No other words were exchanged- it was the only possible explanation.

"I'll get a submarine faster than you can say guacamole!" Momoka stood up and turned to Paul. "Paul!"

"Yes, miss!" Paul whipped out a cell phone and immediately pressed a button. Two minutes didn't pass when a helicopter hovered above the island, above them, with a large sub being carried despite it's enormous and impossible weight.

"Wow, Momoka," Fuyuki said with admiration. "When you told me you were prepared for a possible kappa-kidnapping operation, you weren't kidding!"

"Yeah, well," Momoka blushed. She said, softly, "You inspire me-"

"We need a plan!" Natsumi interjected. "Sorry. Um, let's think, Fuyuki. Would it be safe just to go under there? Two of them were able to pull Rio down there- and trust me when I say he's a pretty big guy! What if there are more? And besides, where are we going to find Rio and the others?"

"You're right," Fuyuki murmured. "You're right…" He closed his eyes and began to deduce. First he sampled all the necessary information and processed it in his mind. Exhibit A- The shattered seashells on the beach; Rio had stepped on most of them without getting hurt, which Fuyuki personally found a little weird. Exhibit B- Darien had blue eyes, that looked like that one guy but he decided not to let it bug him. Exhibit C- The sand under his feet was starting to get hot and the punch was a tad on the warm side. And most importantly, Exhibit D- Momoka was wearing a hot pink bathing suit that burned his eyes just a little too much.

Of course!

"I got it!" Fuyuki said, clasping one of his hands on top of the palm of another. "The sea urchins are collecting boys!"

…How on earth was he able to figure that out?

"You guys can use me as bait," Fuyuki said. "If they take me to Sarge, I should be okay."

Natsumi, Koyuki, Momoka and Aki looked amongst themselves worriedly.

"Are you sure?" Momoka asked.

"Of course he isn't!" Natsumi scowled. "Why don't we just dress up as boys? I'm pretty sure those little black blobs won't know the difference. And besides! Fuyuki couldn't defend himself if his life was on the line- which it is."

Fuyuki was about to protest before he gave it a second thought. "…You have a point there."

"But we're still going to need someone to pilot the sub," Momoka pointed out.

"Okay." Natsumi took a deep breath. "Koyuki and I will be the bait. Fuyuki and Momoka will stay close somewhere and then follow when they catch us. From there, we'll find the others."

"Hanging us upside down is UNACCEPTABLE! If you don't put us down right now you will have to answer to ME, Sgt. KERORO OF THE ARPIT PLATOON!"

"Ku-ku-ku-ku~! I don't think they have to worry about you, Sergeant."

"You can say, 'uncomfortable'?"

"I wish I had some taffy…"

The dungeon was dark- the only light provided came from a tiny window, where the ocean life was carrying on the other side. Dusty bricks were aligned in a clumsy order; little driblets of water slid down the walls, no doubt from the sea. The three frogs and Mois were facing downwards, their skin already beginning to turn an unfortunate shade of blue.

Keroro began to rock himself to and fro. "SERIOUSLY WHAT THE FROG IF YOU'RE GOING TO TORTURE US AT LEAST TELL US WHAT WE DID WRONG!"

"What you did wrong was trespass."

"Kero?"

"Finally, he shuts up!"

Two figures made themselves known- and, regrettably, they did not have the prettiest faces on Pekopon.

In fact, it was very well possible that they had the ugliest faces in all the universe. They had the head of a man, but their lips protruded like a chimp's, and their eyes bugged out like a toad's. Tiny hairs spouted at the top of their scalp. From their neck down tiny scales can be seen, glimmering slightly in the light. Their appendages were like those of fish.

….And don't even mention the smell.

"Wow, Sarge," Tamama said glumly, gazing at each respective… creature. "Being taken by fish people. That's kinda low, like, even for us."

"Ningyo," The first one said, rather stingy.

"How can they even seeus?" Keroro muttered.

"Simple," Said the second Ningyo. "We see you by not seeing you."

Keroro was struck dumb for a moment, absolutely silent, his eyes slit into observing weapons of mass destruction-

The second Ningyo rolled his eyes. "We're blind."

"Oooooh. Gotcha."

"So what are you going to do with us?" Tamama whimpered. "Cuz all the blood is in my brain now and I'm starting to see red."

"Do not worry. You shall have the honor of joining the Queen's royal bouquet."

"Aw, sweet!"

"As the main dish."

"Wait, what."

"Let them dangle up there for a while," One of the Ningyo called out to someone. "Especially the annoying talkative one. Hopefully he'll die first!"
"Tch. The annoying talkative one," Keroro repeated, folding his arms. "What an insult." He turned to Kururu. "I'm sorry. I'll have them apologize to you when we get down."

"…My, what a gentleman you are. Ku-ku-ku-ku~!"

"….Wait. Did they just say we're going to be-?"

"That's right." Tamama said dolefully.

"DON'T EAT US!" Keroro screamed. "WE TASTE HORRIBLE!"

The second Ningyo turned toward Keroro and smiled freakishly. "The ones who say that are always the ones that taste the best."

The four were quiet as the two monsters slowly closed the door.

"I…. am not going to marry a fish girl!"

The boy shrugged in response. "It doesn't really seem to me that we have much of a choice, does it?"

"How did you know all this?" Dororo asked.

"Pamphlet." The boy took one out of his pocket, but Giroro smacked it away. "Now that's just rude-"

"We have to find a way out of here," Giroro muttered. He turned and faced the wall, which was built up of thousands of rather fragile looking stones. He began to dig, with Dororo and the boy behind him, watching.

"Um, I wouldn't do that if I were you-"

As soon as Giroro removed several of the stones, a spray of water jetted from the tiny crevice he had created. He held out his hands in a desperate attempt to stop it. Water ran down his fingers and arms as the boy and Dororo helped him place the rocks back in order.

"We're about a thousand leagues under the sea," The boy told him.

"Thanks for telling me that," Giroro muttered, wiping his face with his palm.

"No problem!"

Suddenly, the voices of the so many men began to hush, much to the threesome's surprise. They turned to see what everyone was making a silent commotion over.

Three Ningyo (which were as ugly as the Keronians imagined them) appeared before the male crowd over a large balcony, where they patiently waited for everyone's attention. A fourth figure was standing behind them, veiled. It observed them all, taking in each presence, every possible groom.

That must be the queen, Giroro thought. What kind of girl would allow herself to rule over an entire race of fish people?

He shuddered. There must be a reason why she was wearing that veil- to conceal her ugliness.

Oh how he was already beginning to miss Natsumi…

"Are you ready sis?"

"Ready."

"Koyuki?"

"Ready."

"Good." Fuyuki nodded at them. "Just look around for the sea urchins. They'll definitely get to you." He looked at them for a final time and pointed in the opposite direction before he made his way, "I'm gonna go now with Momoka, okay?"

"Okay," The two girls agreed.

Koyuki remembered the blood from Dororo's ankle and winced slightly. It was going to be painful- it had to. Still, it was the only way to get him back- him and Giroro back, plus their friends, the platoon. What kind of people would do this?

Koyuki moved a bit awkwardly in her disguise: her chest wrapped tightly under Fuyuki's clothes, thick socks and clunky sneakers to hopefully cushion the nasty bite that they were prepared to endure. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and tucked under her shirt to conceal any femininity. Natsumi wore the same things, and did the same thing with her hair.

"Did Fuyuki give this to you?" Natsumi gestured toward a tiny microchip on her neck.

The ninja girl jumped slightly. "No. What's that for?"

"It's to help them find us." Natsumi felt it with her finger. "He probably forgot. The little ditz... Don't worry, though. You'll be with me, I'm pretty sure…"

The two were quiet, pondering over different scenarios, grimacing and shuddering at each. Natsumi glanced at Koyuki.

"You should be able to tell if they're coming, right?"

Koyuki nodded. "I should, now that I know what exactly attacked D."

"Alright," Natsumi breathed deeply, concentrating. "Now where exactly are they…?"

Fuyuki avoided the water, slapping his sandaled feet against the soft, soggy sand. He wanted to evade whatever had kidnapped DJ and Rio- as fascinated as he was with this strange phenomenon, he did not want to be fish food. Besides, he would be able to watch the same conclusion as the girls from a safer view, from behind the glass wall. And who knew? If they were friendly, he could even ask them several questions. Maybe they're from Atlantis! Maybe they knew the mermaid that he met a while ago. Maybe…

He was closer to the shushing tides, the white, salty foam just barely touching his toes.

Maybe they were spirits! Spirits, coming to haunt the visitors of this island for invading their graves…

The sea licked at his feet, wrapped around them coldly, before slinking back to its troubled waters.

Could it be the ghost girl? No, it couldn't be. She wasn't violent…

Loud sploshes caught his attention. He stopped and stared down at the ground. The ocean was at his feet, swallowing him nearly to his knees. Since when did he get so far into the water? Its gravity pulled down on him, forcing him to waddle, one foot in front of the other, away from the deadly sea.

He tried to get away as fast as he can, knowing the consequences, but when he saw two tiny black balls darting toward him, he already knew it was too late.

There was a scream, a sickening splash, and a bloody, bubbly bath.

By the time Koyuki and Natsumi had ran toward the source of the revoltingly devastating sounds, Fuyuki was long gone.

Commercial Break~!