Melody nodded with a determined grin, "We got this!", and so, she and Nola carefully swam, getting closer to the lair, seeing the stingrays at the entrance.
With a look traded, Melody and Nola looked for a big rock that is basically balancing on a formation tower, and with flips of their fins, they shot off small, yet strong rocks, hitting the big rock, earning the stingrays to perk up at alert, looking in the direction suspiciously of the sound, and another flip, direct hit, and the big rock fell, crashing down, and the stingrays thrilled and lulled as they went, flapping their sun-like wings, going to check out the disturbance. Melody and Nola quickly made it to the entrance, sneaking carefully into the lair, listening, and as they looked around the corner cautiously, they saw Cetus in his merman disguise, barred up in a large coral prison.
Melody looked around frantically for a key as Nola swam over to Cetus, sobbing, and Melody found it, "Got it!", swimming over to the cage before pausing in shock when the cage vanished, with Cetus chuckling as he turned back to his old self, "What did I tell you? No one would suspect a simple young mermaid. My, my, how you've grown.", as Nola changed back to Lucia.
Melody gasped in horror, swimming fast, trying to get to the entrance, but the stingrays blocked it all, with Cetus replying, "Uh-huh, princess.".
Melody looked around, "If you're thinking of killing me, think again, I know my grandfather and parents will kill you for it!".
"Oh, relax, child, if I was going to kill you, I could have done it ages ago. No, no, I was thinking more of a agreement.", Cetus purred.
Melody glared at him, "I ain't going to make a deal with you on anything!", before turning around and trying to fight back against the rock-solid stingrays, as Cetus asked wryly, "Not even for making your mother happy again by bringing Tazio back to the living?".
Melody froze for a moment before she started fighting again. "Oh, I can see that I touched something there.", Cetus laughed. "Like you would help me! You killed Tazio!", Melody shouted.
Cetus replied, "I admit that the tyke was stubborn, living up to his name, and you know what? That got me to respect him a little...now, I have to say that Ursula's flaws with bringing people back to the living was quite tragic, but I like to think I improved the spell. But it's up to you for the trident is far more powerful in good forces, and you can use it to bring Tazio back to life.".
Melody wasn't obviously listening to it. Cetus had to admit that looking back now, it might have been a mistake to play his hand too quickly, to reveal himself so soon. But it is what it is, Melody was now in his grasp, and he planned on exploiting her to his ultimate goals, one way or another.
"Let me put it this way, Melody... my vengeance has always been towards your grandfather; your mother and father merely got themselves involved when honestly, it needn't happen. Your grandfather for years could've given your mother legs... but he didn't. He drove your mother into Ursula's arms...", Cetus replied.
Melody exhaled deeply as she was getting exhausted trying to get out, and Cetus hummed in thought before he noticed Lucia gesturing with her hands, pretending to dream.
Cetus then grinned as he chanted slowly, his underwater cauldron opening up to reveal a floating orb, "I admit almost all your dreams has come true, but how about your parents? Especially your mother's...", with the orb showing Tazio giggling as he crawled to Ariel, walked his first steps to Eric, and said his first word to Melody, growing up at every milestone, with the real Melody freezing and turning around to see Ariel smiling so happily, hugging Tazio as he chatted about his day, swimming with all the family in Atlantica, chasing and playing with the image of Melody in games of tag and hide-seek.
"You can't give her any of that...", Melody growled. "You should've come for me sooner before my parents told me everything.".
"Oh, don't give me that rubbish. I'm willing to set aside the feud and make amends with your family... all I need is the trident.", Cetus said. "You can put up this brave front, Melody, but we both know deep down how you want what I'm offering. A chance to finally make your father and especially your mother whole once again...".
Melody looked at him with a deepening frown, and Cetus spun the orb once again, showing the grieving parents on their balcony, replying, "This is one of her worst days, correct? And this happens every year ever since he died.".
"Because of you.", Melody said as Lucia huffed, "I'm getting sick of your tongue, you brat! Cetus, we're wasting our time with her!".
"Silence!", Cetus quickly shut her up. "We'll both get what we want, and she'll help us. Now keep silent and let me continue.".
Cetus took a deep breath, and replied, "Let me put this way in simple words. You are the one who can make your family whole and happy. You bring your brother's body, and I can make him into flesh. The trident is the only thing that can make him whole and living without side effects, and you are bonded forever to him for you were born twins, and that bond, along with his soul, can exist if only his heart beats again, and he would be extremely healthy as he should be, no sickly skin, no coughs to exhaust his body, no limits from going outside and breathe in the fresh air, swim in the sea, and sing with the family. Family is more important than anything, yes?".
Melody didn't know what to believe. She doubted Cetus would keep to his word about anything. If he was indeed a student of Ursula, then she obviously would expect some trick. "You have a choice, princess. Either die here, now… or do what I want and have your family completely reunited.".
Melody sighed deeply, realizing that even if her grandfather tracks her down after her parents notice that she's missing, they'd be led into a trap...yet Cetus doesn't care about her parents specifically...especially if they're humans, unable to stop him...but if they'd be reunited with Tazio, maybe Cetus could let it go if they move inland or something as he's more focused on ruling the seas than the earth.. they'd be technically safe, whole, and alive...
Melody glances at the orb, seeing her father comfort her mother, breaking down...if Tazio is alive and whole, she'd not need to cry anymore, finally moving on, without all those people judging her...Melody took a deep breath, narrowing her eyes in determination, looking at Cetus in the eyes, "I'll do it, not for you or her, but for Mom and Dad.".
"Excellent!", Cetus clapped his hands. "Wise decision, Melody!", with a proud smile. "I want a contract!", Melody quickly shouted. Cetus looked at her for a moment. "I want to make sure you keep to your end of things!".
"You…", Cetus began to laugh. "You actually think I'd make the same mistakes as Ursula?".
"Either I have you held to your words… or you kill me, and you'll be right back to where you were before, no trident and certainly no way of getting it.", Melody said.
Cetus raised an eyebrow, "Do you think a contract is better than the one, say, that traded your mother for your grandfather's life? I have no use for a baby when I want the trident.", and Melody exhaled lightly...He has a point...she spoke, "It's only an agreement?".
"Yes, and you can say that it's a deal without the need of a contract.", Cetus responded with a nod. Melody closed her eyes tight. She wasn't a foolish girl; she certainly knew better. But perhaps there was a way for her family to get what they wanted and for Cetus to lose… or better yet, die. She didn't know how yet, but she knew she needed to try to think of something.
Cetus smiled, "I'll give you a gesture of goodwill to show you that I am not to kill you, Melody. Boys, split up.", and Melody heard the swoosh sound of the stingrays' fin-wings, and looked back to see the stingrays moving out of the way to the exit/entrance of the lair.
"You know what you need to do, Melody.", Cetus said as Melody stared at the entrance. "How do you know I won't simply just call you out to the king?", Melody asked as Cetus smiled.
"You won't. We both know that, or we wouldn't even be having this conversation.", Cetus purred with a hum. Melody exhaled deeply, seeing his point. She nodded, "Alright.", before leaving onwards, and Lucia glanced at Cetus, "Don't worry, if she's anything like her mother, she will see it through.".
Lucia snorted, "I still don't like it. What if she blabs to her parents?". Cetus smirked, "One: She broke her mother's rule numerous times. Ariel would be too upset to listen. Two: She has gone too far to be here, and besides, would you want to prolong being a mermaid as long as possible if you were in her steps?".
"I still don't like it.", Lucia said. "You have your own role to play. Her parents will soon more than likely realize something is wrong and will go look for her… so if you're looking for your chance with the young king…", Cetus smirked.
Lucia nodded, and Cetus gave her a potion vial, "Remember, if he's in town or out of town, he's free from the palace. Pour that in a drink when he's not noticing, and be sure when he drinks it, you face him, nobody else, and bam, he's in love with you.".
Lucia snorted, "I know it by heart, Cetus. You said it many times already. Ta-ta!", swimming off. As Lucia soon was out of sight and earshot, Cetus snickered, "Too bad that I couldn't see her face when she finds out that Ariel is able to break the spell. After all, that human king is soulmates with Ariel.", and the stingrays snicker in unison, amused.
Meanwhile, Melody got to the shoreline under quick time, sighing deeply as she changed back to human, already missing the delightful fun of being a mermaid, and hid the bracelet in one of her pockets, heading for the lagoon, taking a rowboat to the weeping willow island.
Melody stepped into the ground as she landed, exhaling deeply as she clutched her locket, "Please forgive me, Tazio...", feeling guilty, sick, and tired as she used one of the oars to dig out the grave, and after 10 minutes, relieved that Tazio is only a small baby instead of a full-grown adult, taking out the well-crafted, slightly rotting coffin, and gently placed it down in the rowboat, and got in, rowing out of the lagoon to the causeway to the sea, and once she checked that there's no ships or people noticing, she put on the bracelet, taking the coffin in her arms, and got into the water, transforming back into her mermaid self, diving and swimming back to Cetus's lair, knowing that Atlantica would have more than likely notice a young mermaid carrying a coffin.
She hasn't noticed that one of the lagoon creatures; a flamingo has seen everything, and decided to head to the palace as the sun was getting down, already past dinnertime.
"You're sure she was here earlier?", Eric asked Grimsby who nodded, "Of course… she was here some hours ago and had gone towards your room, I think.".
"You think? Grimsby, no one knows where our daughter is, right now!", Eric was starting to panic along with Ariel, both of whom were frightened by Melody's absence.
Ariel sobbed, "I should have noticed! Why didn't I?!", and Eric comforted her, "Hey, hey, it isn't your fault, Ariel...She knew today was Tazio's death anniversary...Maybe she went to find a place she can be alone to think...After all, we told her the truth a few days ago...".
"But Eric, what if she ran away because she still thinks that she's to blame for Tazio's death even after we told her that it isn't her fault?!", Ariel cried in angst and panic. Eric widened his eyes in slight shock and surprise, and he was speechless for a moment, trying to think what to say, to comfort her when a honk pierced the air as one of the windows were open to let through some fresh air.
Ariel sprinted over to see, and gasped, "Eric, a flamingo is landing in our gardens!", as Eric blinked in surprise, joining her, and sure enough, a flamingo has just landed. Eric frowned, "Flamingoes doesn't show up except for...the lagoon.".
Gasping in panic, "The lagoon!", Ariel cried out, and ran to the doors that led down to the gardens outside, and Eric followed her, with the flamingo noticing them, bowing their head, "Your majesties. Ariel, I saw your daughter in the lagoon...She was going in and out of the island where Prince Tazio rests...".
"When? How long ago!?", Ariel was wanting answers now. "Not but a few minutes ago…", the flamingo answered.
Ariel asked urgently, "Where did she go?", and the flamingo exhaled, "Under the sea.", and Ariel widened her eyes, "What?! That can't be right! She can't go under the sea, it's dangerous!".
The flamingo spoke quietly, "She did, and with a tail, your majesty, and she...she did something on the island, I heard sounds, but I don't know what it was...I only saw a brown box that she was carrying into the rowboat, and then in her arms as she went into the sea.", lowering his head in fear of the queen's temper if rumors are right about redheads...
Ariel nearly fainted from shock at the news as Eric quickly ran over to where they had hidden their charms and quickly discovered Ariel's was gone. "She took yours, Ariel... right under our noses, she took it...", Eric sighed as he gripped his hands against a chair.
Ariel gave out a sob as she took her face in her hands, "But why? Why is she doing this?", as she collapsed on the bed, sitting, and Eric exhaled, "I don't know, but if she has your bracelet, she might be going to Atlantica...". It's a few minutes after Ariel dismissed the flamingo from the gardens, having chased Eric to the master bedroom.
"But she has been gone all afternoon, if not most of the day! Daddy would have told us sooner if that happened!", Ariel shook her head, and Eric frowned, "Ariel...I think you should take my bracelet...I mean, I am curious to see what happened on the island... and if she is able to change back to human form, I can find her in town...while you go talk to Triton, maybe Melody is having a bad day, probably wanting to see her grandfather for the first time without fuss or anything...".
Ariel shook her head. "No... something's... something's very wrong, I can feel it, Eric...", Ariel said as Eric wrapped his arms around her tight.
"Ariel, listen to me... we'll get her back, and we'll find out what has happened, okay? But you need to go now... it's dangerous for her especially if that monster knows... I pray he doesn't know...", Eric urgently told her, frowning.
Ariel exhaled deeply, looking out the window at the sea, and Eric stroked her cheek, "You know our daughter, Ariel. I'll be here after I check the lagoon and the town, okay?", and Ariel nodded, "Okay.".
Eric kissed her on the lips and gave her his bracelet, "Bring her home.", and Ariel smiled softly, "I will.", hugging him tightly before leaving him as she went down the stairs through the palace, to the ocean waves, and put on Eric's bracelet, dipping her legs into the water, and immediately, she transformed into her old mermaid form, purple seashells and green tail.
She felt a familiar feeling of home again, and dived as she laughed in joy, and Eric exhaled in relief, hearing that familiar laugh again, and glanced at Grimsby, "Is one of the horses good for going for the lagoon? I need to check on the island.".
Grimsby nodded, "Yes, sir, and the carriage is set out too. Find our princess, Eric...", with a concerned look on his face, and Eric smiled, "I will, Grim.", heading to the courtyard before the main entrances of the palace gates.
Meanwhile, Melody made it to Cetus's lair, and he smiled, "Ah, you got your brother's body! Well done, Melody.", and Melody gently put the coffin down, "You won't infect him with your dark magic?", glaring at him.
"I won't even touch him with my dark magic, for there's other magics. He will be back to flesh in due time with grey magic, a type of neutral magic, but there's still one last thing.", Cetus nodded with a raised eyebrow, and Melody exhaled, "I know...the trident..".
"Indeed. Boys, guide her to Atlantica so she won't get lost.", Cetus instructed, and the stingrays purred, swimming on out of the lair, with Cetus smiling, "Go on, child. Sunset will be in an hour. Best to be quick.".