Ariel sat on her throne in the throne room, her usually serene face twisted in a mix of worry and concern. Prince Marcus, Eric's twisted distant cousin, had basically forced her into marrying him, otherwise he'd wage far between their two kingdoms, the first part, he was too be back later that night, and by the looks of it, the sun had taken its leave for the day, the sky turning midnight as she gazed out her window from her chair. Suddenly the doors to the throne room burst open, similar to the previous day when Marcus had showed up, a part of her was full of nerves that it was him returning, however she was surprised when a pair of guards appeared in the doorway. The urgency in their voices and the haste in which they arrived was not lost to her. As she rose from the throne, her long red hair cascading down her back like rubies, she made her way to the window. The view from there was breathtaking, with the sea stretching out before her like an endless blue expanse. She had expected to see her father's form sitting there, on the beach, however that wasn't what she saw. Instead she took in the sight of a giant crab, its shell was almost as big as a house, its form scuttling across the water, as it moved its claws back and fourth. Ariel's heart skipped a beat as she realized who the crab was.
''Sebastian..'' That name. How it slipped from her lips in a whispered prayer, as if hoping that somehow, someway, Sebastian would hear and notice her. But as she gazed out the window, she knew it was futile. He couldn't see her, nor hear her. ''Your highness, what should we do? That monster could hurt someone.'' Said one of the guards, his voice deep and raspy. Ariel's eyes remained fixed on the giant crab, her mind racing with thoughts of Sebastian and the danger that lurked beneath the waves. She could feel his presence, as if he was calling to her, trying to reach out to her. But it was as if she was trapped in a dream, unable to respond.
"Take me to him," Ariel said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to know what's going on." The guards exchanged a wary glance, but one of them nodded and gestured for her to follow him. Ariel did so, her heart heavy with foreboding. As they left the throne room, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into a trap. The guards let her through the winding corridors of the castle, past the intricately carved stone walls and the flickering torches that cast eerie shadows along the floor. At night the hallways were always so dark, Ariel had had it in her that torches should be installed, it was something she and Eric had always discussed, make the castle their own, after the death of Eric's father. As she burst through the doors leading to the outside, her long red hair streamed down her like a fiery banner, as the guards shouts of protest sounded behind her. She wouldn't stop. She had to get there. She had to see her friend. She didn't stop until she reached the stairs, two at a time, her heart racing with excitement and fear. Emerging onto the beach, the warm sand enveloping her from below, she felt a welcome sensation after the cold, hard stone of the castle grounds. Ariel didn't hesitate, running down to the water's edge as fast as she could.
The sea breeze whipped her heart back and forth, as she felt alive for the first time in what felt like an eternity. ''Sebastian!'' she shouted, try as she might to get the crab, the crab that once had been her closest friend in the entire world, to see her. As if on cue, Sebastian paused in his slow crawl across the beach. He cocked his head to one side, his beady eyes fixed on some point beyond Ariel's shoulder. Ariel followed his gaze and saw nothing but the endless expanse of water and sky. ''Sebastian! Look at me! I'm right here!'' But the crab just kept staring off into space. Ariel felt a pang of frustration and fear. Was it really possible that Sebastian couldn't see her? That he couldn't hear her? She tried again, her voice louder this time. ''Sebastian! It's me, Ariel! Your friend! Your friend!''
''Sebastian, please.'' Tears were falling from her eyes now, falling as they dissolved into the sand below. Sebastian's gaze remained fixed on some distant point, his expression unreadable. Ariel's voice grew hoarse from shouting, but she refused to give up. She felt like she was screaming into the void, with no one listening. As she spoke, tears began to fall from her eyes, falling like tiny diamonds onto the sand below. The sea breeze carried the sound of her sobs away, leaving only the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
Sebastian's claws snapped softly as he moved closer, his eyes still fixed on some invisible target. Ariel felt a surge of desperation wash over her, and she reached out a hand, as if to grab hold of Sebastian's attention. ''Please, Sebastian,'' she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. ''Look at me. See me. Hear me. I'm here. I'm right here." The crab's gaze flickered, and for a moment, Ariel thought she saw a glimmer of recognition in his eyes. But then he looked away, and continued his slow crawl across the sand.
Ariel felt like she was drowning in her own despair. She stumbled forward, her legs trembling beneath her. She reached out again, her hand grasping for Sebastian's attention. ''Please.''
''Ariel?'' Sebastian's voice was low and rough, like the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt a spark of recognition ignite behind her eyes, as he stared down into her form. For a moment, they locked gazes, and Ariel felt like she was drowning in the depths of his gaze. As she looked into his eyes, Ariel saw a glimmer of something she hadn't seen in years - hope. Hope that one day she'll get to see her friends again. Sure she still had Scuttle, but their friendship clearly wasn't the same. Not seen in the incident. ''Ariel?'' Sebastian repeated, his voice growing louder, more urgent. It wasn't long till he had her body in his claws, holding her as close as she could get, without being hurt. Ariel felt a rush of fear and excitement as she realized what was happening, however after a few minutes she felt herself becoming calmer, what ever this was, there was one thing she knew for certain. Sebastian would never hurt her.
''Oh, Sebastian, what happened to you.''
''Ariel, you've been gone so long. I-I missed you. Flounder and I. After you left, there just wasn't any point for us to continue to see each other. Sure, we checked up on you from time to time, but never like this. I-I miss us.''
''Oh, Sebastian, I'm so sorry,'' she said, her voice trembling, as the tears poured harder. ''I had no idea. I didn't mean to leave you and Flounder behind. After Eric and Melody, I just-something inside me...broke..I was so caught up in my own world, I forgot about everything else.''
Sebastian's claws relaxed their grip, and he pulled her closer, his eyes welling up with tears. "You forgot about me," he whispered. "You forgot about our friendship." Ariel's face crumpled, and she buried her face against his tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Sebastian. I was so selfish. I didn't think about how my actions would affect you and Flounder." Everything, everything was so beautiful, neither one of them wished to break the warm moment, however what happened next shattered Ariel's already fragile world. ''Drop the queen!'' The sound of Prince Marcus's voice sliced through the suddenly cool air, shattered the moment of tender apology till It was nothing but broken glass. Ariel's eyes snapped, turning to the beach, where she saw the Prince, surrounded by many of his men.
Ariel's eyes widened in horror as she took in the scene before her. Prince Marcus, the same man who had tried to capture her and marry her against her will, was standing on the beach, his men surrounding him like a menacing army. She felt Sebastian's claws tighten around her, as if he too was preparing for battle. ''What are you doing here, Marcus!?'' Ariel demanded, try as she may to keep her voice steady despite the horrible fear she felt growing inside of her. ''You're not supposed to be here yet. There's still time,'' Prince Marcus just sneered at her, his eyes gleaming with malice. ''Ah, Ariel, you're still just as beautiful as ever,'' he said, voice dripping with condescension. ''But you're still also just as foolish. You think you can push me back with time, who cares about the time. I told you I'd be here, so I'm here.'' Ariel felt a shiver run down her spine as she met his gaze. She knew that look, that tone of voice. It was the same one he had used on her when he threatened war across their kingdoms.
Ariel's voice trembled as she spoke, her words barely above a whisper. "You...you promised me you would wait. You said you would give me time to make my decision." Marcus chuckled, the sound sending a deeper chill down Ariel's spine. ''Ah, my darling? What stories you like to make up. But I'm tired of playing make believe, now, I'm here to collect. Get her down from there, kill the crab if you must.'' he ordered. Ariel's eyes widened in horror as she saw the men starting to surround them, some of them even stepping into the water, to create a circle around Sebastian. At this she felt his claws dig into her, as he tried to keep his grip upon her. ''No! No! Marcus, please. Don't hurt him.'' Prince Marcus sneered at her words. "You're trying to play on my sympathies, Ariel," he said. "But it won't work. You're mine now, and you'll do what I say." Suddenly a few more pairs of guards appeared, two of them helping one another carry what appeared to be a heavy duty harpoon, capable of killing all sorts of wild sea life, and now it was going to be used on Sebastian.
Ariel's eyes widened in horror as she saw the harpoon being brought out. She knew that Sebastian was in grave danger, and she had to think fast to save him, she had to get the guards and Marcus's attention on something else. Without a second thought, Ariel lightly brushed her fingertips across Sebastian's huge claw, as she smiled a gentle smile at him. ''I'm saving you,'' she said before she took a leap of faith out of his grip. Aiming for the sea water, Ariel's form disappearing. As he watched Ariel vanish from sight, Sebastian's claws reflectively flexed, as his body began to shake and tremble, as the light from before began to surround him. At this the guards and Marcus were momentarily stunned, their attention diverted from Sebastian as they tried to figure out what was happening. As the light enveloped Sebastian's entire body, he felt himself transforming again, and in a couple of seconds the once giant crab vanished into thin air, replaced by the regularly sized crab. Prince Marcus and his men were stunned, their eyes fixated on the spectacle before them. Just then Ariel emerged from the water, pulling herself out of the water, with her long hair flowing like seaweed. Her tail shimmered and sparkled, as It reflected the light of the rising moon.
''Ariel, no.'' Sebastian whispered, his voice dripping with sorrow as he realized what it was his friend was doing. ''I'm sorry, Sebastian,'' she whispered back, her voice barely audible over the sound of the waves. ''I had to do this. I had to get their attention away from him.'' Sebastian's eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and gratitude as he looked at Ariel. He knew that she had done this for him, and he was grateful for her bravery. Unfortunately, Ariel had given Marcus exactly what he'd wanted. A bride who couldn't escape. Approaching with a triumphant smile spreading across his face, he scooped the little mermaid up into his arms, hand stretched out, supporting her fin, as he licked his lips. ''After we're married, I could go for a nice fish dinner.''
Ariel's eyes widened in horror as she felt Marcus's cold, wet lips brush against her forehead. She struggled to free herself from his grasp, but he held her firm, his grip like a vice. Sebastian, seeing her distress, rushed forward, his claws snapping with anger. "Let her go, Marcus!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the waves. Marcus just laughed, his eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, I think I'll do no such thing," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "She's mine now, and you're just a silly little crab who can't do anything about it."
As Marcus took his leave, guards following behind, Ariel's desperate gaze met Sebastian's, her eyes pleading for him to help her. Sebastian felt his entire body burning with fierce determination, as he flexed his claws in anticipation. He knew he had to rescue her, just as she had done for him. And for that, he was going to need help.
In the corner of a large body of rocks, sat Melody, accompanied by her best friend, Misty, as she sat in disbelieve at everything she had just witnessed. First she'd lost her tail, and somehow got a pair of legs by magic? And secondly, she'd just witnessed the queen? Yeah, the queen transform into a mermaid with similar features to her own. The same fiery ruby hair, and the emerald green tail. What was going on? Melody's mind reeled as she stared at Misty, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and confusion. "Misty, what... what just happened?" she stammered, her voice trembling. "Why did the queen... why did she turn into a mermaid?"
Misty's expression was equally stunned, her wise eyes scanning the rocks as if searching for answers. "I don't know, Melody. But I think it's connected to the strange magic that's been circulating in the ocean lately. ''No, I don't think so. Did you see her face, she wasn't at all surprised to see Sebastian at the size he was, or the fact she turned into a mermaid. I mean, look at me, what happened to my tail? There's something else going on here, and I feel like Sebastian knows more than he's leading on.''
''Well, don't forget the way he looked when he first saw you. Do you remember, he looked at you funny right before he was swallowed up by the eel?''
Melody's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with the implications. "That's true... and what about the way he was acting before that? He seemed so nervous and jumpy. I think you're right, Misty, there's something more going on here."