At the palace...
"I just don't know what we're going to do with you young man..." Nereido said with disappointment.
"Papa I'm sorry, I just forgot-" Mermando tried to explain.
"As a result of your careless behavior-"
"Careless and reckless!" Soos interrupted.
"The entire celebration was-"
"Well it was ruined! That's all!" Soos complained. "Completely destroyed! This concert was to be the height of my career! Now thanks to you I am the laughing stock of the entire-"
"But it wasn't his fault!" Wendy snapped defensively, swimming into the throne room. "First there was this shark! He was chasing us all over the place, and if I hadn't tricked him into getting stuck who knows what would've happened!"
"This is true, she did save us." Mermando nodded.
"And then this seagull came, and he just wouldn't stop talking-" Wendy continued.
"Seagull?" Nereido gasped.
Wendy slapped a hand over her mouth.
"You both went up to the surface again didn't you?" Nereido frowned.
"Nothing happened." Mermando shrugged.
"Mermando, how many times must we go through this?" Nereido facepalmed. "You both could've been seen by one of those barbarians, by one of those humans!"
"Papa they are not barbarians!" Mermando glared.
"They're dangerous! Do you think I want to see my eldest son snared by one of those fish-eater's hooks?"
"I'm eighteen years old! I'm not a child!" Mermando protested. "I'm not even a minor."
"Don't you take that tone of voice with me young man!" Nereido said angrily.
"But-"
"As long as you live under my ocean, you will obey my rules!"
"But if you would just listen!"
"Not another word! And I am never, never to hear of you going to the surface again, is that clear?" Nereido lost his temper.
Mermando swam away very upset. Wendy facepalmed.
"Well, see what happens when you don't listen." She sighed.
"Wendy, even though I am not your father I am still your king-" Nereido tried to calm down.
"Yeah, well, if you had just let Mermando explain you would've found out that the area of the ocean we were in is never visited by humans."
Nereido and Soos both looked stunned.
"What?" Nereido said.
"Yeah, the seagull is an old friend of ours and he made his home there for that particular reason." Wendy nodded. "Well, I'd better comfort Mermando."
She swam away, leaving Nereido feeling a bit guilty for having lost his temper.
"Oh don't feel bad sire." Soos said. "After all the surface can still be dangerous. Besides, even though Mermando and Wendy aren't minors anymore they're still teenagers. Teens, they think they know everything. You give them an inch, they swim all over you."
"So, you don't think I was too hard on him?" Nereido asked.
"Of course not, why if Mermando was my son I'd show him who's boss." Soos clacked a claw. "None of this swimming to surface nonsense and all that. I'd keep him under tight control."
Nereido got an idea.
"You are absolutely right Soos." He said.
"Of course I am."
"Mermando needs constant supervision."
"Constant."
"And someone to watch over her, keep her out of trouble-"
"All the time."
"And you are just the crab to do it."
"Yeah-wait what?"
"That's right Soos, now scuttle along."
Soos cringed and left the throne room.
"Me and my big mouth." He muttered. "I should be writing symphonies, not babysitting some headstrong teenager-"
He saw Mermando and Wendy swimming away from the palace.
"Huh? What are they up too?" Soos swam after them.
They continued swimming until Soos saw Mermando and Wendy pull a boulder aside and enter a cave. He quickly swam after them, just missing getting stuck. He then dropped his mouth open upon seeing what was inside: all sorts of human objects.
Mermando was lying on the floor admiring his fork, but also looking a bit sad.
"Mermando are you okay?" Wendy asked.
"If only I could make him understand." Mermando sighed. "I just don't see things the way he does. I don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things...can be bad."
He started to sing:
Look at this stuff
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the guy
The guy who has everything?
Look at this trove
Treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here you think
Sure, he's got everything
I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs?
I've got twenty!
But who cares?
No big deal
I want more
I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see them dancin'
Walking around on those - what do you call 'em?
Oh - feet!
Flippin' your fins, you don't get too far
Legs are required for jumping, dancing
Strolling along down a - what's that word again?
Street
Up where they walk, up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin' free - wish I could be
Part of that world
What would I give if I could live out of these waters?
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand?
Bet'cha on land they understand
That they don't reprimand their sons
Proper men, sick of swimmin'
Ready to stand
And ready to know what the people know
Ask 'em my questions and get some answers
What's a fire and why does it - what's the word?
Burn?
When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love, love to explore that world up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world
Soos, who had been startled by his own reflection on a jar and got stuck in a stein earlier, ended up rolling down and crashing into objects. This startled Wendy and Mermando.
"Soos?" Mermando was stunned.
"Mermando...how could you...why could you...what is all this?" Soos asked bitterly as he freed himself from random objects.
"It's uh...it's just my...collection." Mermando explained awkwardly.
"Oh I see...your collection...IF YOUR FATHER KNEW ABOUT THIS PLACE-!"
"You're not going to tell him are you?" Wendy interrupted worriedly.
"Oh please Soos, he would never understand." Mermando pleaded.
"Mermando, you're obviously under a lot of pressure down here." Soos took Mermando's hand and started to lead him away. "Let's take you home and get you something warm to drink-"
The cavern became dark.
"What do you suppose-?" Mermando looked up.
He and Wendy swam up to the surface and towards a dark shape on the water.
"Mermando? Mermando! Wendy!" Soos called as he swam after them.
Mermando and Wendy reached the surface and gaped at the fireworks that were shooting off around the dark shape: a royal ship.
"Wow, beautiful." Wendy smiled.
"Yeah...come on let's check it out!" Mermando started to swim towards the ship.
"Whoa whoa, there's humans on that ship remember?" Wendy grabbed his arm.
"Relax, we won't let them see us." Mermando grinned.
"Well...okay." Wendy gave in.
Soos caught up with them.
"Where are-jumpin' jellyfish! You two get back here now!" Soos panicked upon seeing the ship. "Mermando! Wendy! Get back here!"
No luck, Soos was forced to swim after them.
Mermando and Wendy, hearing music, climbed up the ship and looked up onto the deck. There they saw a bunch of humans and a pig dancing around. The pig suddenly stopped and snuffled the air. He then snuffled around until he neared Mermando and Wendy. Mermando and Wendy drew back, frightened, only to receive a lick on the cheek each.
"Waddles, here boy!" A female voice called.
Waddles left Mermando and Wendy and went over to his owner Mabel.
"Hey what are you doing boy?" Mabel grinned as she knelt down and petted Waddles.
Waddles just oinked happily.
Mermando felt his heart starting to beat fast upon seeing Mabel. He had never seen anyone so beautiful before.
"Hey kids." Stan suddenly flew up to them. "Quite a show huh? Yeah this is a human party...not sure what they're celebrating but it must be something important. They don't bring fireworks out for just any occasion."
"Fireworks...was that what those colored lights were earlier?" Wendy asked.
"Yup." Stan flew in closer and relaxed in between Mermando and Wendy. "Normally avoid humans but I do love a good party."
"Never saw a human this close before." Mermando was still gazing at Mabel. "Isn't she bonita?"
"I dunno, she seems kinda fat to me." Wendy looked at Waddles by mistake.
"No that's not a human, that's a pig." Stan corrected. "Mermando means the one with the pig."
"Oh."
"Silence, silence." Dipper then showed up. "It is now my honor and privilege to present to my sister Princess Mabel my very special present."
"Aw you didn't have to get me anything Dipper." Mabel grinned.
"Of course I did, you are my favorite twin sister."
"I'm your only twin sister."
"Whatever." Dipper chuckled.
The present was unveiled to reveal a beautiful statue of Mabel and Waddles. The statue had even been painted so it looked like them.
"Wow, you even had Waddles added!" Mabel grinned. "Thank you bro, this is wonderful!"
"Hey, it's no big deal." Dipper smiled. "I just wish it could've been a wedding present..."
"Oh come on Dipper don't start." Mabel laughed. "You're not still sore because I didn't fall for the prince of Glowerhaven are you?"
"No no, I didn't like him either." Dipper shook his head. "It's just...you are next in line for the throne but can't inherit it until you settle down with the right guy... If you don't marry in time then I'll have to inherit the throne instead and I think you'd make a better ruler. Besides, I'm not into ruling a kingdom. I'd be happier being your advisor."
Wendy couldn't help but blush. She was actually surprised by Dipper's kindness and selflessness, often royal siblings (actually siblings in general) were jealous of each other. But here was a sibling who cared more about his sister than the throne. Plus he was actually kinda handsome too.
"Found someone you like?" Mermando grinned, seeing Wendy's blush.
"What? Oh no, no, I'm just impressed with his selflessness." Wendy denied.
Mermando just playfully jabbed Wendy with a smirk, who glared back at him.
"I know Dipper, I just haven't found the right guy yet." Mabel sighed.
"Maybe you're not looking hard enough." Dipper suggested.
"Oh believe me when I find him I'll know." Mabel smiled. "It'll just hit me...like lightning!"
Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. A storm!
"Hurricane a comin'!" A sailor called.
"Stand fast! Secure the riggin'!" The lookout called down.
All the sailors - and Mabel and Dipper - worked to keep the ship under control. The wind blew furiously and the waves became like an amusement park ride. Meaning Soos and Stan were having trouble...thank goodness Soos was a sea creature, and because of that he decided to just stay underwater. Stan however wasn't so lucky, he couldn't hold on.
"Whoa! Sorry kids can't stay the wind's too strong!" Stan cried as he lost his grip. "Mermando! Wendy!"
Mermando and Wendy couldn't help him...they couldn't even help themselves. The ship was moving so jerkily that they lost their grip too and landed in the ocean. Concerned for Mabel and Dipper (even though Wendy didn't want to admit it) they stayed near the ship and watched.
Suddenly lightning hit the mast and set it on fire! Even worse, the ship crashed amongst some rocks and sent everyone flying into the sea! Luckily they were able to grab a lifeboat and climb onto it. Mabel helped Dipper onto the boat.
"Are you okay Dipper?" She asked.
"Yeah, are you?" Dipper gasped for air, having swallowed a little seawater.
"Yeah but where's-?"
They suddenly heard a frightened squeal. Waddles was still on the ship, which was in flames!
"Waddles!" Mabel cried before diving into the water.
"Mabel no!" Dipper cried, diving and swimming after her.
"Dipper get back to the lifeboat." Mabel ordered.
"No sis, I'm not leaving you!" Dipper argued.
"Fine..." Mabel said with exasperation.
They climbed onto the boat, ducked a falling mast, and headed for Waddles. Waddles was on a high part of the ship, trying to avoid the flames.
"Waddles, come on jump!" Mabel held out her arms.
"It's okay boy, we'll catch you." Dipper held out his arms as well.
Waddles jumped and Dipper and Mabel caught him.
"I'm glad you decided to put him on a diet years ago." Dipper remarked.
"Me too...come on let's get out of here." Mabel said.
They ran back towards the lifeboats, but Mabel got her foot stuck on the deck, causing her and Dipper to drop Waddles into the ocean. Fortunately he learned how to swim years ago, and also fortunately the sailors helped him onto the boat.
"Mabel!" Dipper gasped.
"Dipper get out of here!" Mabel ordered, trying to free herself.
"I said I'm not leaving you." Dipper retorted, trying to free her.
"Your highnesses!" One of the sailors called worriedly.
Dipper and Mabel looked back and paled. The fire was reaching the gunpowder!
Sure enough there was a huge explosion! The good news was that it freed Mabel, the bad news was that Mabel and Dipper fell into the ocean unconscious.
Luckily, Mermando and Wendy were both nearby and swam over, rescuing them in time. Mermando swam Mabel and Wendy swam Dipper to shore.