Melody closed her eyes and followed the stingrays out; just trying to think in her mind how she could still be able to get the upper hand on Cetus. There had to be a way as she knew very well that Cetus would betray her at first chance. She wasn't no fool but was certainly in a vulnerable position.
And so, as they got closer, the stingrays pointed to the palace right center of Atlantica, and Melody sighed deeply, nodding as she then swam off alone, with the stingrays staying around, but carefully avoiding the patrols of guards, unknowing that Ariel has made it to Atlantica as well, but soon saw her swimming around with her eldest sister, Attina.
Attina comforted Ariel, "Don't worry, we'll find her, Ariel. Daddy is currently talking with the captain of the patrol guards.".
"I just... I'm at a loss, Attina... why would she do all this?", Ariel sobbed at the thought of it. "Look, there's... I'm sure she has good reasons... Poseidon help her, she better have good reasons...", Attina replied.
Ariel sighed deeply, "I really hope she's safe...And that monster...Poseidon...", giving out another sob before Attina took her into a hug, rubbing her back, "Shh, shh, it's okay...And to think that you'd be back here on the anniversary of dear Tazio's death...Either way, I am happy to see you again down here...All of us are...".
"I know...Honestly, I'd be here every day if it wasn't for that monster...and I wouldn't have held Melody back from seeing the city...part of her just like me...", Ariel whispered in angst, and Attina murmured softly, "I'm so proud of you, baby sis...even if you're not the baby of the family anymore...After all, family is more important than anything else. And before you ask, my husband and children understand...".
Attina and the other sisters have married their soulmates and had children over the years, and Attina will be queen once the monster is dealt with for once and for all, sooner or later.
Ariel smiled as she pulled back, "Thanks, Attina.", and Attina nods, "Naturally. Come on, let's head for the palace, maybe Daddy has some good news.". Ariel nods in agreement, and both mermaids swam on for the palace, unknowing that Melody is in the vicinity, having made it to the throne room.
Melody hid swiftly in the decorative underwater plants, watching King Triton order people around, overjoyed to see her grandfather, amazed to see his tail, and in one part of her mind, she wanted to go tell him everything, but another part warned her not to, for what could Cetus do, if he knew, thanks to his dark magic?
King Triton soon was approached by one of the guards, "Your majesty, your daughters is approaching the palace.", and King Triton nodded, "Thank you.", swimming off to greet Attina and Ariel.
Melody was hesitant to come out and take the Trident from its stand, designed to only King Triton and his descendants, and then she heard the familiar thrum of fin-wings, seeing the stingrays in one of the teardrop-shaped windows, staring at her.
Melody sighed, taking a deep breath, and swam over, looking around, and took the Trident with a grunt as the Trident glowed momentarily, snapping one of the pearls off her bracelet in her frantic action, falling to the floor as Melody quickly swam out of the throne room, to the stingrays, with Ink guiding Melody out of Atlantica, with the other one, Gash remaining back, yet staying out of sight until Cetus commands Gash to be seen by Ariel and Eric sooner or later.
Melody closed her eyes tight as she swam away with her ill-gotten prize. She was running out of time for sure, and Ink was making sure that she wouldn't be late. She opened her eyes to see the sick smile on Ink's face as he wasn't looking at her. 'Smile while you can... you'll join your master with Ursula soon enough.' Melody thought.
Meanwhile, King Triton reassured Ariel as he, Attina, and Ariel swam slowly into the throne room, "I set out patrols to search for her. She will be back to you and Eric soon enough, I know it.".
Ariel smiled a little, "Thanks, Daddy...I'm still anxious...What if she's lost?", and Attina replied, "She's like you, Ariel. She's smart and brave, she'll be fine.".
"I hope you're right, Attina.", Ariel sighed softly, looking ahead, before gasping in shock and surprise, "Daddy, the trident!", pointing to the stand. Triton looked, and his eyes widened, "Impossible...".
"Unless it's one of your descendants, Daddy, the trident cannot be removed...", Attina replied, and Ariel was speechless before she saw a shine, and blinked in surprise as she swam down and picked up a pearl..."It's a piece from my bracelet...Melody was here...".
King Triton exhaled, "The only reason she took the trident, she confronted the monster...Something important for her to take it...", and Attina frowned softly, "But what could Melody want to trade the trident for? She's able to be a mermaid with Ariel's bracelet and all...".
Ariel frowned, "She was last seen in the lagoon, at the island...I better find Eric...He said he would see why she was there at the island.", and Triton nodded, "Right. Attina, go with her. I will have to double the patrols...If the monster has her, the stingrays would be around.".
Attina nodded, "Yes, Daddy. Come on, Ariel, let's go get Eric. One piece of the bracelet should be able to transform Eric into a merman.", and Ariel replied, "Let's hurry!", swimming quickly.
Back up on the mainland, in the town, Eric was asking for knowledge about anything out of place by all his friends and associates in the village, still shocked at the discovery of the act Melody did...The grave of his son had been dug up...and now he knows what the flamingo meant by brown box...She took the coffin with her...but why?
"Melody... why...?", Eric muttered to himself as he closed his eyes and was walking along one of the streets. "Care for a drink, sire?", Eric heard a feminine voice nearby before looking over to see some woman at a stall, offering drinks of what clearly was grape juice.
Eric exhaled heavily as he has been searching and asking throughout the town earlier...He admits he has gotten thirsty...Perhaps a boost of energy could help...He smiled politely, "Yes, that sounds nice...Pardon me if I am being rude, but have you seen anything out of place, or a 12-year-old girl with curly black hair, ocean blue eyes? She's my daughter, and she's missing.".
The woman frowned, "I'm sorry. I haven't seen her in the past few hours. She's typically here every morning before either heading back to the palace or the direction of the beach. Oh, dear, I hope the Queen is alright.".
Eric sighed deeply, glancing in the direction of the sea, "She's managing, but she's quite worried like me.", not noticing the woman mix the love potion in the drink she's holding.
"I do hope the princess is safe, sire, and I am sure she wouldn't want you to collapse from dehydration. You need the energy to keep going.", the woman replied reassuring and matter of fact as she gave a warm, comforting smile, holding out the drink to him.
"Yeah... I think I'm about to collapse from worry rather than dehydration.", Eric sighed as he took the drink. "Thank you, ma'am.", Eric nodded as he put the drink to his lips and took a sip.
Lucia watched with anticipation as Eric drank it slowly, and a moment later, he began to feel strange, and suddenly, he became trapped in a dark place, seeing two windows of life, and he heard not his voice, but a monotone, obsessed, lovestruck voice groan as the woman stared at him, "Are you alright, Eric, dear? It's Lucia.", and Eric heard that voice, "Yes, yes, I think I'm fine, Lucia. Shall we head home for dinner?".
Eric himself was horrified, realizing that he's trapped! He must have been dosed with something...He can't control his body, nothing! And Lucia, that name sounds familiar, but like from long ago...
Lucia, on the other hand, was almost so giddy with excitement that she almost wanted to laugh at her achievement but knew it was better not to draw attention to herself.
Lucia smiled brightly, "Oh, Eric, I was thinking more of a stroll down the beach, if that's okay with you, dear.", and the body of Eric seemed to nod, "Anything for you, Lucia.", offering his arm, and Lucia smiled happily, taking it in her hand, and the odd couple headed off.
Eric was trying desperately to take back control of himself, but it was like a nightmare of watching his empty shell of his body walking with Lucia.
Ariel and Attina breached the surface of the sea, with Ariel nodding to herself, "Okay, there's still some light left. I hope Eric found something.", and Attina smiled reassuringly, "You got this.", before blinking in confusion, "Is that Eric? I can't tell from this distance.".
Ariel looked over to the far shore, and grinned, "I'd know that face anywhere. Wait, why is he walking down the shore with a woman?", and Attina frowned, "Maybe the woman is elderly? I mean, Eric is compassionate.".
"I don't know, but I gotta take a closer look!", Ariel swam quickly, with Attina following her, and as soon as they got closer, Ariel frowned, "What is wrong with him? He's looking off, and he's not talking until the woman talks to him first!".
Attina narrowed her eyes in thought before gasping in horror, "Ariel, did you say that Ursula planned to bewitch Eric when you are not supposed to succeed on the third day of her plan?", and Ariel widened her eyes in terror, "That monster! He must have taken a note from Ursula, but that isn't definitely him!".
"Go, get that woman off him, Ariel!", Attina urged, and Ariel growled, "Oh, I plan to!", swimming straight into the shallows, transforming back to human, and stomped angrily to Eric and Lucia.
Lucia stopped, raising an eyebrow, "Hello, your majesty.", and Ariel snarled, "That's my husband you're with! Get off him!".
"That's absolutely ridiculous. He's not your husband, is that right, Eric, dear?", Lucia cooed to Eric, and he didn't blink or smile, only talking in a monotone, lovestruck, obsessed voice, "I do not know this woman, Lucia.".
Lucia smiled warmly, "So, if you'll excuse us, we have a stroll to finish.", and Ariel narrowed her eyes, "I don't think so!", punching Lucia really hard in the face, earning her to shout, letting go of Eric, crashing into the sand.
Ariel huffed, and looked at Eric straight, pleading, "Please know me.", as she leaned up to kiss him on the lips fiercely and full of love.
The two of them kissed for a few moments as Eric just stood there motionless... but only for a few seconds before he had a hand on his head and he groaned, feeling what had to be almost the mother of all hangovers almost. "Eric?", Ariel asked, worried about what would come next as Eric shook his head to quickly get back to speed.
"Ariel...", Eric gave a small smile. "THAT LIAR!", Lucia roared. "HE TOLD ME IT WAS PERMANENT!".
Eric and Ariel looked at Lucia on the sand, scowling as she scrambled to get up, holding her nose from bleeding any further, and Eric narrowed his eyes, "I should have known...I now remember who you are, Lucia of Glowharhen. You have faulted yourself with that monster...You betrayed your nation, your kingdom, for what, to take me away from the ones I love? True love breaks all spells, and I would never, ever leave Ariel for anything, not even you.".
Ariel smiled widely, "And I will never leave you either, Eric, for anything.", and Eric smiled, enveloping his wife in his arms as he kissed her passionately, and Lucia screamed in fury yet again before shrieking out in horror.
Both Eric and Ariel looked over in surprise to see Lucia changing size and form into a horrible, ugly hag, moaning in pain as she shouted, "No, no, not my beautiful looks! No, no!".
Eric sneered, "I guess that monster didn't specify the deal you made with him. Now you'll have to live with that forever, and you won't ever find love or anyone else who'd like you ever again.", before looking away, and Ariel smirked, "Perfect punishment for you.", before gasping as she remembered, "Eric, Eric, Melody took the Trident!".
Eric looked at her, "What?!", and Ariel nodded, "A piece of her bracelet snapped off in the throne room, and she took it when Daddy wasn't looking!".
"So, that's why she took it...", Eric murmured in surprise, and Ariel blinked in confusion, "What are you talking about, Eric?".
Eric looked at her, "The island, I looked, and Ariel, the coffin of Tazio is gone...She took it with her.", and Ariel gasped in horror and shock, "She took Tazio's body?!".
"Cetus...", Lucia coughed out as Eric and Ariel looked back at her. "Cetus claims he can bring your son back to life... I helped lure Melody into his lair so he could get the trident. I don't know if he can do it, but he obviously just wants to the power...".
Eric and Ariel gasped in bewilderment and looked at each other, and Ariel narrowed her eyes, "We can't let this Cetus trick Melody!", and Eric nodded, "Right, but I don't have a bracelet to be a merman with you...", trailing off.
"You do.", Ariel gave him the bracelet of half of the clamshell charms, along with the one piece of the pearl bracelet, and replied, "Apparently, half of bracelet charms work just as well as full. Come on! We got a daughter to save!".
Eric nodded, putting on the bracelet, and the couple jumped into the sea, turning into merfolk, joining Attina who had heard everything, and urgently, they headed for Atlantica when Ariel noticed a familiar stingray heading off from the borders of Atlantica, "Guys, does that stingray look familiar?".
Attina nodded, "Yeah, sure does.", and Eric bit his lip, "Maybe he knows where the lair is.", and Ariel grabbed his hand, "We got this.", and Eric nodded, and so, the trio went to follow the stingray.
Meanwhile, Melody arrived at Cetus's lair with the Trident, seeing that the coffin is empty, with a familiar baby, now flesh and blood, seemingly like he's asleep, on a bassinet-shaped crevice of the lair..."You...You did it...".
Cetus chuckled, "Indeed. Now, it's almost sunset. You must hurry as sunset is the most powerful time of magic.", and Melody exhaled deeply, clutching the trident, and removed her locket, opening it up, and saw the projection of Tazio soon as the lullaby filled the lair.
Melody knew that she doesn't want Tazio to drown, and Cetus instructed, "Do it with all your heart, your desire, your wish, your love.", and Melody took a deep breath, praying under her breath as she murmured to the trident, and the trident glowed intensely.
Extremely focused, Melody aimed the trident, and a beam of magic came through the projection into Tazio's body, asking as she focused deep and deep in her soul, finding that faded twin bond, calling out for Tazio's soul, hearing Tazio's surprised cries in her head, asking him to come home to the living.
Tazio responded with a hopeful, excited, anxious cry in her head, and suddenly, the projection of Tazio was transferring to the body, infusing together, with the body becoming healthy, bearing a tail of an incredible ombre rainbow color, with red at the top to purple at the bottom of the fins, hearing the beat of his soul coming together within the heart as the body grew in weight and size, becoming a year old baby, the age he is supposed to be from the projection.
Melody panted heavily as the trident then dimmed down, watching her brother's body for an anxious moment before suddenly, Tazio gave out a healthy, loud wail of life, squirming and opening his bright, beautiful eyes of teal eyes, no sickness, no pale skin, no coughing, no blindness at all.
Melody took deep breaths for a few moments... hearing the wails, but she felt drained, exhausted, and just wondering what would come next as there was the voice in the back of her head telling her that something was about to go wrong. One thing for sure though, was that Melody was keeping a tight grip on the trident.
Cetus smiled, "Splendid! Just splendid! I knew you were special, Melody!", and suddenly, he groaned, grimacing in annoyance at the wails, and his tentacle swiftly grabbed into Tazio, with Melody gasping in horror, "Tazio!".
"Relax, I ain't going to kill him again! I just want him to shut up!", Cetus snarled, and Tazio whimpered, quieting down, and Cetus nodded, "There, that's a good boy. Now, give me the trident, and you can have your brother to hold again as it should be...After all, I promised not to kill him, but I can still harm him, and well, I hear a baby's sensitive skin is prone to getting cut easily.".