Chapter 56

In the next few days, Cleo recovered considerably, given the circumstances. Lewis and the others attributed this to the magical potion. Recovery was not the case for the poor sea creatures; more were dying each day. It seemed the poison was spreading. The marine institute were Lewis worked couldn't figure out what was wrong: humans couldn't see it. Despite it being his weekend off, Lewis was called in, because he was a specialist, to help analyse what was wrong. The mers used the boats to get to the mainland, just in case it affected them again.

OoOoO

Cleo was now immune. This was according to the purple book. Once she had recovered, she returned to the site of the poison. She examined it. It looked like the poisonous cloud was coming from a massive ruby. After considering whether or not that was even possible, Cleo concluded that when magic was involved, anything is possible. What had Lewis said? According to the purple book, the source would be a cursed item or something related to the planetary alignments. Since it was a jewel, it must be the former. A stolen piece of treasure maybe? He said to see if it was still emitting poison if in the air. If it did, it would need to be taken back to its origin. Unfortunately, this was the case. Cleo encased it in a orb of water, soon turning black. She then swam back to Mako.

OoOoO

"Rikki, you know how you used to be a treasure hunter?" Cleo asked Rikki at dinner.

"Yeah?" she replied with a mouthful of chicken. Emma rolled her eyes.

"We need your expertise – this thing has to go back to its rightful place, a treasure trove of some sort apparently,"

The ruby had been encased in gelatine as well and was stored in the island's safe for the time being. They hoped they could get rid of it as soon as possible.

"Who's off work tomorrow?" Rikki asked, "I'll need help other than Cleo,"

"I'm teaching sorry," Emma said with a frown.

"I do," Anna said.

"Great," Rikki replied.

"I'm teaching as well, but I have a few non-contacts," Bella said. It was soon determined that all the boys were busy. Therefore, Rikki, Cleo, Anna, and Bella (for an hour and a half) were available. Rikki proceeded to call Jessie to see whether or not she'd be free and would like to help in the search. She was more than willing. When Alan found out his girlfriend was involved, he was even more than happy to offer his services as a boat driver, just in case they needed human assistance.

OoOoO

Anna and Jessie, Rikki and Cleo set off in opposite directions. Bella was to meet up with them later, along with Fred Jackson – coincidentally, both had the same periods off.

Before this, Rikki had mapped out where all the shipwrecks and loss of valuables had been in the harbour, which had been plundered and which had never been found. One in particular was interesting. For many years divers had been trying to get in but something had always spooked them, but none had told – that sounded rather ominous…or magical. Unfortunately, Rikki couldn't find any documents on which one it was…so pretty much they were just searching treasure troves for the right one and there were a lot of 'x's on the page. They hoped there would be some kind of marking. Maybe the same one that marked the rocks where they found the massive ruby.

After hours of searching, they had discovered many false leads, empty caves, and empty ships with no remarkable markings or symbols. They had almost covered all the territory on the map. Jessie came across a difference in the colouring of the sand and it seemed to dip suddenly. She followed it along until she came to a large rock structure and at the foot, she saw a large gaping hole. What was it? A cave? A crevasse? Just a crack? As she examined the rock, it caught her eye. She called Anna via mind speak: 'I think I've found something,'

OoOoO

Anna came over to where Jessie was.

'There's that same distinct marking,' Jessie told her.

'Yeah,' Anna replied, 'It kinda looks like a mermaid doesn't it?"

Jessie nodded in response. 'Should we call the others? It looks promising,' Anna continued.

They did this and soon the others who were searching were looking into the unknown and ominous hole. It was definitely big enough for them to swim in.

'Hey guys, where are you? Frank and I are swimming now,' Bella entered their minds.

Cleo sent the information. They had discovered that in relaying a picture of where they were via the mind, a mermaid or merman could find that place as if on auto-pilot.

The others waited patiently for the new recruits to join them.

OoOoO

Everyone was still looking at the ominous hole.

'Are we going in?' Frank asked cautiously.

'You betcha,' Rikki replied enthusiastically. The others looked at her with worried expressions. 'Come on! You don't think I spent all day looking for something just to turn around at the slight hint of danger?' They did not respond. 'Well I'm going regardless if you come too,'

'Oh okay,' Anna said.

'Well?' Rikki asked. 'Okay. How about Cleo and Frank stay out here – just incase we need help, and the rest of us go in?' she delegated. They all nodded – not that she showed it, but Cleo was glad she did not have to go in – yet.

Using the technique their kids showed them, Anna, Rikki and Bella created two balls of light. Jessie and Anna controlled them as they entered the cave.

A/N:
Hey everyone :) Sorry it has been a while - I'm pretty sure I've told you I lead a busy life.

Thanks to Waterlily2002, xmangal, BlazingLegend, Quillcox, Lauren111 and Acgisme.

Acgisme: In response to your review:

I am going to play Sister Sophia, one of the senior nuns...one of the ones who has solos in 'How do you solve a problem like Maria?'

For all those interested, thanks to Acgisme who wanted to know, here are some Maori translations:

Kia Ora koutou:
Thank you all

Kia Ora: Means thank you and hi (informal) - depends on context

Haere ra: means good bye - so does E noho ra

Pronounciation:

kya-ohra coat-oh

hai-rea-raa

eh-noh-hoh-raa

-I hope that helps :-)

P.S: PLEASE REVIEW!

A/N: 30/5/13: AH! Okay, Fred Jackson - the merman is FRED! NOT Frank. For some strange reason I keep writing Frank and then have to go back and change it. This is one of those times. So I have just changed Frank to Fred. So anytime you see Frank; I have written the wrong name! Sorry for any confusion!