Melody swam back and forth, her fins fluttering anxiously as she waited for Lock to return from the eel's cave. She had been swimming the same path for what felt like hours, her mind racing with all the worst - case scenarios. What if Lock didn't make it back? What if he was trapped in the eel's cave? What if...why did he have to go in alone, why had he insisted? Misty, hovered beside her, sensing her distress as she approached her friend's side. ''Mel, calm down,'' she purred. ''This guy Lock seems like a strong swimmer. I doubt he'd go in alone, if he couldn't handle it.'' Nodding, as she tried to reassure herself, Melody took in her friends kind words. She knew she was right, but it was still hard to shake the feeling of not knowing. Even though she and Misty had just met the guy, there was something about him that had her becoming attached to him. Melody took a deep breath and tried to focus on the present moment at kind. She looked around, taking in the familiar coral reefs, as a school of fish darted around, bringing with them the gentle currents that rocked her body back and forth. It was hard to believe that today of all days, had been the day she'd finally made up her mind to venture away from her home, to venture out into the warmth waters, away from her father and wicked aunt, to witness what the kingdom of Atlantica had to offer, something she had always wanted to do. It wasn't long till she was pulled out of her thoughts, just as a faint splash echoed through the waters. Melody's heart skipped a beat as she turned towards the sound. And there, right in front of her, was Lock, emerging from the distance, his eel-like body undulating as he swam towards them.
Letting out a sigh of relief, she rushed towards him. ''Oh, Lock! When you told us we couldn't come with you, I was so worried!'' Rolling his one yellow eye, Lock stared into Melody, as he quickly handed something red towards her. Taking a back for a second at what it was she was holding, her eyes widened in surprise as she realized in her arms was the poor crab. Lock had successfully rescued him from the eel. Melody's eyes sparkled with gratitude as she cradled the small crab in her arms. ''Oh, Lock, you did it! You really rescued him!'' Lock's one yellow eyes seemed to gleam with pride as he nodded. ''Told you I could do it,'' he said, his voice low and gravelly. Misty swimming down to join the pair, wiggled her small fin in excitement, as a giant smile played on her little kitten face. ''You're a true hero!'' she shouted happily, paws risen to the air. Suddenly the crab, sensing the commotion around him, scuttled about in her arms, its claw snapping, as it seemed to regain consciousness.
''Unhand me this instant, I don't need to be cradled.'' said the crab. Melody's eyes widened in surprise as she let out a small giggle. ''Oh, sorry about that, ! I didn't mean to coddle you.''
''It's not it's Sebastian to you, young mermaid.'' Replied the Crab as he pushed himself to the left of Melody. Slowly peering his eyes on her, as he shifted from her to Misty, to Lock, back to Melody. Sebastian's gaze lingered on her for a long moment before he nodded, his expression stern. ''And you, sea dragon? I suppose you're the one who rescued me from that awful eel?'' Crossing his arms to his pale, yet lean chest, Lock groaned. ''I'm not a sea dragon. I'm a eel.''
''If you're a eel, then I'm king Triton.'' hissed Sebastian, sarcastically.
''I'm the first of my kind, been that way since fifteen years ago.'' Sebastian's eyes narrowed, his claws clicking against the rock as he took a step closer to Lock. ''Fascinating,'' he whispered, voice dripping with disdain. ''A eel who claims to be the first of his kind. I've never head of such nonsense.'' Misty, who had been watching the exchange with interest, suddenly opened her mouth to speck. ''Sebastian, perhaps instead of fighting with Lock, you might be willing to help me and my friend out?''
Sebastian's gaze snapped back to Misty, his expression unreadable. "Help you and your...friend?" he repeated, his voice cold. Lock, still standing opposite Sebastian, seemed to tense, as if expecting an attack at any moment. Melody, however, took a step forward, her eyes locked on Sebastian's. "Yes, please," she said, her voice gentle but firm. ''You see, we're not originally from here. I live in the arctic waters, and I don't get out very much, so I would love it if you'd be our guide. We're hoping you'd be able to show us around Atlantica.'' Sebastian's expression remained unreadable, but his claws seemed to relax slightly as he regarded Melody's request. ''Atlantica?'' he repeated, voice tinged with surprise. ''You want to explore Atlantica?'' He looked at Misty, then back at Melody. ''I'm a crab, not a tour guide,'' he said, his tone dry.
''You know if it weren't for these two convincing me to save you, you'd probably still be stuck in that eel's mouth.'' commented Lock. Sebastian's gaze flicked back to Lock, his expression darkening. "And what's it to you?" he growled, his claws clicking against the rock. Melody's eyes widened slightly as she sensed the tension between the two. "Hey, no need to get defensive," she said, her voice soothing. "We're just trying to be friendly." Sebastian's gaze snapped back to her, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. "Friendly?" he repeated. "You're not from around here, and you're asking me to show you around?" He snorted. ''You mermaids are all the same. Always thinking everyone else is just waiting for your friendship.''
''Well, yeah I think saving you from the eel, makes us friends, don't it?'' Melody asked, voice wary as if she hadn't said that. Seemingly, looking as though he was giving in, Sebastian let out a sigh of defeat, as he allowed his claws to still at the side of his body. ''Alright, I can show you around. You've already seen the statue of our king and queen, where would you like to go next?'' he asked. At this Melody felt like her heart would explode, she had never been this excited. Melody's eyes sparkled with excitement. ''That sounds amazing!'' she exclaimed. ''Can we visit the palace? And the mermaid market?'' Sebastian's gaze narrowed. ''You want to see the palace? Not many mermaids visit the palace anymore, not since the king's daughters moved away.'' he snorted. ''Moved away? I don't understand, why would the princess'es move away from the castle? Why would they just up and leave your father like that?'' Sebastian's expression turned guarded, as he looked away, his gaze drifting out to the sandy ground below. ''Who knows, there are many reasons they decided to leave. I'm not at liberty to discuss,'' he said curtly. Melody's eyes lingered on his profile, sensing there was much more to the story. Lock, however seemed unbothered, as he usually did, which seemed normal to his personality.
''Anyways, that's get on with our tour,'' Sebastian said, suddenly turning chipper, as he motioned Melody and Misty to follow him. Slowly turning her eyes on Lock, Melody's voice merging with the motionless water, as she asked. ''Are you coming?'' Lock's expression remained unreadable, but he nodded slightly and fell into step behind Melody and Sebastian. "Yeah, I'm coming," he said, his voice neutral. As they swam, Melody couldn't help but notice he was seeming more relaxed now, watching his eyes she noticed he was scanned the surroundings with a quite curiosity. She wondered to herself what it was he was thinking about, but she also was wondering what he might be hiding behind that one yellow eye. Sebastian, meanwhile seemed to be leading them on a while goose chase, darting in and out of narrow alleyways, and hidden underwater courtyards. Melody's head spun as she tried to keep up with him, her eyes darting from one exotic sea creature to another. What was he showing her? And why was his suddenly so quiet?
As the gang swam on, getting deeper and deeper into the underwater kingdom, Melody's wonder and excitement picked up. Never in her life had she seen such vibrant colors, such exotic creatures, or such intricate architecture. Sebastian led them through a grand hall of coral columns, where schools of rainbow - tailed fish darted past them. They then passed by a fountain that shot out jets of pure blue water, so high into the air, Melody couldn't stop herself from giggling when a few drops splashed her. They then turned a corner, and Melody's eyes widened d as she took in the sight of a garden filled with giant sea anemones, their tentacles swaying gently in the current. Then her curious eyes spotted a group of mermaids, their voices blending together in perfect harmony, as they strung their long fingertips through the strings of what appeared to be a makeshift instrument made from seashells. Just as she was about to comment on its beauty, Sebastian stopped in front of a massive shell shaped palace, its surface glinting with mother - of pearls. ''Welcome to the throne room,'' he said, with a flourish. Melody's eyes were still taking it all in when reality suddenly slammed into her like a huge tidal wave. She felt her heart skip a beat as she realized...she was supposed to be home hours ago.
Panic and anxiety set in as she glanced at her companions, her eyes with fear. ''Oh no,'' she whispered, voice trembling as her hands shook violently. ''I'm so dead.''
''Mel, what's the matter?'' Misty asked, curiosity, as she awaited for Melody to reply.
''My dad and aunt Morgana are going to kill me. I'm late getting back.''
''What was that name?'' Sebastian's eyes flashed with a sudden intensity, his pupils constricting to slits. His little body shifted, his posture straightening, his shoulders squaring off. The air seemed to thicken around him, as Melody felt a heavy shiver run down as her spine as she picked up on the sudden change in the small crab. Melody's eyes darted nervously around the room, his voice barely above a whisper. ''Morgana. She's my aunt.'' At this Sebastian's body seemed to tense, his eyes flashing with an intense light. His little claws snapped together rapidly, as they let out a sharp clicking sound. ''Is something wrong?'' she asked. Melody's words hung in the air, and for a moment, it seemed like time itself had slowed down. Sebastian's body seemed to vibrate with tension, his eyes flashing with an intense, golden light. His little claws snapped together with a sharp clicking sound, like a ticking time bomb counting down to detonation.
Misty's eyes went wide with alarm, and she took a step back, her shell trembling slightly. "Sebastian, is something wrong?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Sebastian's gaze seemed to bore into Melody's soul, his eyes burning with an unholy intensity. His tiny fins flexed and relaxed, flexed and relaxed, like he was struggling to contain some pent-up fury.
"Morgana," he hissed, the word a low, menacing growl. His voice was like a cold wind on a winter night, sending shivers down Melody's spine. The air seemed to thicken around him, as if the very atmosphere was charged with electricity. Melody felt like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into the abyss of Sebastian's anger. In an instant the air turned from peaceful to dangerous, as Sebastian's small frame began to twist and contort, his shell cracking and reforming into something entirely new. His limbs elongated, claws sharpening and transforming as they became razor - sharp talons, then his body inflated like a balloon, grew larger and larger until he was towering down at the them from land. Melody and Misty's eyes were frozen in terror as they watched Sebastian's transformation, their minds racing with worst-case scenarios. But instead of fleeing in fear, Melody suddenly sprang into action. She grabbed Misty's fins, pulling her up to the shore with an urgency that was impossible to ignore.
"What are you doing? He might hurt you!" Lock barked, his voice shrill with alarm, but Melody was too caught up in the moment to burst her head out of the water, her long, curly hair streaming behind her like a golden ribbon. As she emerged onto the sand, she yanked Misty's tail out of the water, pulling her friend up beside her. The two friends stood panting, their chests heaving with exertion, as they stared up at Sebastian's gigantic form looming above them. The once-small crab's body now towered above them, his massive claws snapping wildly as he hovered above the sand. The sun was completely blocked by his enormous shell, casting a dark shadow over the beach. Melody and Misty felt tiny and insignificant beneath his gaze, their fear giving way to a sense of awe and wonder.
"Sebastian! Please!" Melody cried, her voice hoarse from the effort of shouting over the wind generated by Sebastian's massive movements. She cupped her hands around her mouth, trying to amplify her voice, as she gazed up at the giant crab with pleading eyes.
Just as she was about to try again, Misty tugged on her fin, her voice trembling with concern. "Mel..." "Not now, Misty," Melody interrupted, her gaze still fixed on Sebastian's furious face.
But Misty persisted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mel, you should take a look at yourself." Melody's attention wavered, and she glanced down at herself. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized that her hands were glowing with a soft, pulsing light. The light seemed to be emanating from her fingertips, casting an ethereal glow over the sand around her.
"What... why?" Melody breathed, her mind racing with questions. Was this some kind of magic? Was it connected to Sebastian's transformation? Sebastian's claws continued to snap wildly above them, and Lock's worried chirps grew more insistent. But Melody was too stunned to do anything but stare at her glowing hands. Suddenly her body began to pulse, as her tail began to tremble. Her tail began to tremble, and Melody felt a strange sensation coursing through her fins. It was as if she was being drawn into the light, as if it was calling to her very essence. The world around her grew hazy, and she felt herself being lifted off the ground. Misty's voice was distant and muffled, but Melody could make out the words: "Mel! No! Don't go!" But Melody was powerless to resist the pull of the light. She felt herself being pulled upward, toward Sebastian's snapping claws...
And then, in a flash of blinding light, Melody's tail disappeared. In its place, two slender legs emerged, complete with feet and toes. She stared down at them in shock and amazement, as if she was seeing them for the first time. As she looked up, she saw a pair of guards from the nearby castle bursting onto the beach, their faces set in stern determination. "Halt! Who goes there?" one of them barked, eyes fixed on Melody's new legs, then they made contact with the giant crab, Sebastian, as he suddenly ceased his snapping. As for Lock, is protests vanished, as the three friends stood frozen in shock, all eyes on Melody's new appendages, and the giant crab Sebastian, as the sun finally dripped below the horizon, making way for the stars.