He and David jumped out. The mermaids stared at the vehicle with wide eyes and tilted heads.

Adella played with her necklace. "And what exactly is that?"

"It's a dune buggy - it's how we're gonna take you guys to the lair," David explained as he gestured toward the wooden castle.

With a nod, Liam then added, "Yeah - and hopefully, you guys will get legs."

The mermaids all smiled. Larinia then spoke, "This was such a great plan, you guys."

With a nod, Raine then added, "So, what do you want us to do?"

"Just swim all the way ashore, and you guys can climb in the dune buggy."

The girls all exchanged looks as they took in Liam's words. Their smiles grew before they all dove underwater. Their tails - a rainbow of colors - flipped upwards as they swam.

They reached the shore and crawled onto the sand. Adella gripped her necklace before she reached for a couple of metal bars on the buggy and hoisted herself on the seat.

She then reached out and grabbed Serena's hand. She pulled her up while Serena used her free hand to grip the seat.

Once inside, Adella then called out, "Alright, boys, we're ready." Liam and David both nodded before they hopped back in the buggy.

Liam cranked it up and put it in gear before he drove across the sand. Adella and Serena both giggled.

Once at the lair, Liam pulled to a stop. He then asked, "Do you guys need help, or can you get out?"

They giggled once more. Adella then answered, "You are so sweet to ask, but we can take it from here."

The two of them then climbed out of the buggy and flopped down onto the sand. Their eyes roamed the lair.

Serena smiled and spoke, "This truly is something special. Did you guys build it yourselves?"

The twins smiled as well. Liam then said, "We had to borrow the tools - and track down the wood - but yeah, we built it ourselves."

With another smile, Adella told them, "And now, we can see just how magical it truly is."

She and Serena then clasped hands as they scooted over to the lair. They squeezed each other's hands before they made their way over the threshold.

Once the girls were both inside, a glow of light engulfed them both. When it faded, their tails had been replaced with legs.

Liam and David's eyes both widened. "It is magic!" "I can't believe it!"

Adella and Serena stood. They held onto each other as they both wobbled a bit. They took a deep breath and admired their legs.

Serena smoothed down her t-shirt and shorts. "I must confess that the lack of scales feels a bit odd."

David couldn't help but smile. "You'll get used to it." He then turned to his brother.

"I'll stay here with Adella and Serena so that Morgana, Raine, and Larinia all fit."

"That's a really good idea. I'll be right back."

David hopped out before Liam put the buggy back in gear and returned to the remaining mermaids.

Morgana and Larinia both hoisted themselves up onto the empty seats. Their tails tangled together. Liam reached out and grabbed their hands and helped steady them.

"Are you guys okay?"

The girls adjusted themselves on the seats. Morgana then answered, "We're fine. We probably shouldn't have climbed up here at the same time."

Liam nodded before Morgana reached for Raine. She held on tight as she climbed into the buggy. Once settled, Raine and Morgana offered a nod.

"Let's go, Liam!"

He offered a nod of his own - and he smiled. He put the buggy in gear and drove across the beach.

"You guys might end up with some sand on you."

The girls only giggled. "We're used to a little sand," Morgana told him.

Larinia then added, "We've also found lots of treasures buried in the bottom of the ocean."

Liam chuckled. "You and my dad would get along well." With another smile, he then said, "And since our lair is magical, maybe we can all do some exploring and find more treasures."

The mermaids all exchanged a look - and a smile. Morgana then spoke, "We can't wait."

Liam then pulled to a stop in front of the lair. He hopped out as Morgana climbed out of the buggy.

She landed with a thud. Larinia and Raine followed suit. Once on the ground, all three gazed at the lair.

Their eyes widened. Morgana exclaimed, "Adella! Serena! You both have legs!"

Both girls wiggled their toes in the sand. "Indeed we do. And it's wonderful!" Adella spoke as she smiled.

Serena then added, "And now it's you guys' turn. Come on." She gestured to her friends.

The three of them exchanged a smile before they clasped hands. They scooted across the sand and into the lair.

Once inside, a white glow surrounded all three girls. When it faded, their tails had been replaced with legs.

Liam and David's eyes both widened. "Whoa!"

The girls then squealed. "Look at us!" "We have legs!" "This is amazing!" Their eyes then locked with Adella and Serena.

They all rushed together for a hug - only for Adella and Serena to catch each other as they fell while Morgana, Raine, and Larinia tumbled in the sand.

Liam and David rushed to their sides. They pulled the girls to their feet.

"Maybe you guys should start with walking," Liam began. David then added, "And slowly at that."

Adella giggled. "I'm sure you're right." The boys then stepped back as the girls resumed their hug. They squeezed each other tight.

When they pulled away, David then told them, "So, what do you guys want to do first? Do you want to go exploring?"

"Yeah, there are some really cool spots in Storybrooke and the rest of the United Realms," Liam added as he planted his hands on his hips.

David tilted his head. "We should probably stick to the beach, don't you think?"

Liam groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "You're probably right. At least until we can get Hope on our side."

"And who is Hope?" Adella questioned with a tilt of her head.

"Our older sister," Liam explained as he crossed his arms over his chest.

David huffed as he added, "Yeah - she doesn't trust you guys."

"That's too bad," Serena began. She and the other mermaids all exchanged a look before Adella fixed her gaze on the twins - and ran her fingers along her starfish necklace.

"You should have listened to her."

Liam and David's eyes both widened. "Wait, wh…" the latter began - only to be blasted back by a wave of magic.

Liam rushed to his brother's side. "David! Are you alright?"

He jumped up - and rounded on the mermaids. "What was that for! We helped you!"

"So you did - and now we're through." Adella gripped her necklace once more before she and the other mermaids joined hands.

With a deep breath, the girls then raised their hands and shot another wave of magic. The boys jumped out of the way - only to land outside the lair with a thud.

They pushed themselves off the ground and rubbed their heads and backs.

They then exchanged a look of their own before they marched back over to the lair and stomped inside.

"Ow!" they both shouted as their heads banged against something hard. They looked up and spotted the remnants of a magical barrier.

Adella grinned wickedly. "And that, boys, is to ensure you never get back in here."

"This is our lair now," Raine added as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"You're not gonna get away with this!" David shouted, his fists balling at his sides.

Adella smirked. "We already have."

She and the other mermaids then shared a laugh - while Liam and David fumed. The pair then stomped away.

As they paced up and down the beach, Liam shot his brother a glare.

"This is all your fault. You're the one who said we should go see them!"

"My fault? I don't remember you putting up much of a fight!"

"Because I thought you were right!"

"And whose bloody fault is that?"

"It's yours, you idiot!"

"Mine? You're the one who…"

Their argument escalated until they shouted over each other. Their blue eyes blazed with fury.

Liam then put his hands up. "Wait. Shouldn't we come up with a plan?"

David crossed his arms over his chest. "A plan for what?"

His brother then gestured toward the lair. "To stop the mermaids. They obviously don't have good intentions."

"Oh, really? I never would have guessed."

Liam punched David in the shoulder. "We have to get help. And you know who we need to find."

David groaned. "I was afraid you'd say that." He then ran his fingers through his hair.

"You do realize she's gonna kill us?"

Liam only shrugged and let out a sigh. "At least we'll be put out of our misery."

The pair let out another groan and ran their fingers back through their hair. With a deep breath, they traipsed down the beach.