Melody's eyes fluttered open, her senses overwhelmed by the rush of water surrounding her. For a split second, panic gripped her as she realized she was submerged in a large tank, the unfamiliar hum of the ship reverberating around her. Her heart raced, and instinctively she thrashed, her tail flicking the water in a burst of motion.

"Melody!" Jim's voice cut through the water, muffled but urgent. His face was pressed close to the glass, his eyes wide with concern. "It's okay, you're safe!"

Her panic began to subside at the sight of him, and slowly, her breathing steadied. She blinked, her fins brushing the bottom of the tank as the shock began to wear off.

Jim tapped the glass softly, his voice gentle now. "You're in the medical bay. You fainted earlier, but you're okay now."

Melody relaxed slightly, her initial panic giving way to curiosity. Her fingers brushed across the gills on her neck, as if to confirm that she was indeed still in her mermaid form. She floated closer to the glass, her eyes meeting Jim's, the anxiety finally leaving her.

"That's it, deep breaths," he coached, his tone steadying her further.

A voice behind Jim broke the moment. "Good, she's responsive." Kate stepped into view, her copper hair gleaming in the light of the med bay. "I'm Dr. Katherine Blake, ship's medical officer. You've had quite a scare."

Melody's eyes flicked from Jim to Kate, her brow furrowed as she tried to piece together what had happened.

"You had a bit of altitude sickness," Kate continued, her voice calm and professional. "It's not uncommon for first-time space travelers, especially humans. We've got you stabilized now, though."

Melody moved her hand to her chest, feeling the slow rhythm of her heart returning to normal. She nodded, though the water still made her movements slow and heavy. She rose to the surface so she could speak, "I... I feel a lot better now."

Kate offered a small smile. "Good to hear. Do you remember passing out?"

Melody shook her head. "Not really. One minute I was watching the ship take off, and then..." She looked at Jim for reassurance, her confusion still evident.

"You said you felt dizzy," Jim explained softly. "Then you fainted."

"I see…" Melody then gestured at the water around her. "But, what am I doing in this tank?"

"Ah yes, the tank was my idea," Kate tapped the glass, smiling. "The intent was to use it as a decompression chamber in order for your body to adapt safely to the extreme altitude of outer space."

Kate then pressed a few buttons on the tank's console, starting the draining process. "I'm going to lower the water level now, so you can shift back into your human form. We'll keep monitoring you, but you should be fine after this."

Slowly, the water began to drain. As it receded, Melody's tail shimmered and shifted back into her legs. Her coral skirt floated back into place as she began to regain her human form. She flexed her fingers, steadying herself, still slightly disoriented.

Jim was immediately at her side, helping her as she stumbled slightly when her feet touched the bottom of the tank. "Careful," he murmured, guiding her out as the last of the water drained away.

As Melody stepped out of the tank, dripping and unsteady on her feet, Kate quickly fetched a towel from a nearby cabinet. "Here, dry yourself off," she offered, handing it over with a kind smile.

Melody wrapped the towel around her shoulders, feeling a slight wave of nausea still lingering. "I'm feeling a little better, but... still kind of nauseous."

Kate nodded as she adjusted a monitor on the wall. "That's normal, given what you've been through. Don't worry, I know a few remedies that should help."

Jim, holding Melody stable with a gentle hand on her shoulder, let out a teasing chuckle. "She's telling the truth. Kate used to get air sick all the time back at the Academy. Never could handle long flights without a bag handy."

Kate shot him a playful glare. "Well, I remember you were no stranger to turbulence yourself, Jim."

Melody blinked, her curiosity piqued. "Wait... you two knew each other before all this?"

Jim cleared his throat awkwardly, shifting his weight. "Uh, yeah. We went to the Royal Interstellar Academy together a couple of years ago." He glanced toward the door suddenly. "I'll, um... I'll go find Mary so she can help you with some dry clothes."

Before Melody could even respond, Jim had already made a hasty exit, leaving her with a bemused expression. "What's got him in such a tizzy?"

Kate smiled knowingly as she sat down on a stool beside the exam table. "Oh, that? It's nothing. We, uh... dated for a bit while we were at the Academy."

Melody raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Dated, huh? Is it... awkward seeing him again?"

Kate gave a casual shrug, leaning back slightly. "Not really. We ended things on good terms. Jim was always a bit of a hot shot, you know? I liked him well enough, but he was more into his solar surfing and proving he could outfly everyone than anything serious."

Melody smiled faintly, with a persistent feeling of curiosity. "So, no hard feelings, then?"

"None," Kate replied, her tone light and reassuring. "He's a good guy. We just wanted different things, and honestly, I think he's better suited for someone who can keep up with him." She gave Melody a pointed look, a teasing glimmer in her eyes.

Melody's cheeks warmed slightly at the implication, but she said nothing, instead giving a small, thoughtful smile. She pulled the towel tighter around her shoulders, the remnants of her earlier discomfort easing as the conversation shifted.


Jim returned with a fresh set of clothes just as the sound of Melody's laughter echoed through the medical bay. He froze in the doorway, puzzled. "What's so funny?" he asked, his eyes darting between Melody and Kate, who were clearly sharing an inside joke.

"Oh, nothing," Kate said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Just telling Melody about the time you tried to impress the entire Academy by flying that hoverboard during a storm."

Jim's face flushed as Melody stifled another giggle. "Did you know, Jim," she teased, wiping a tear from her eye, "that Kate says the hoverboard malfunctioned because you overloaded the stabilizer circuits?"

Jim shook his head, grumbling. "That hoverboard was defective. I maintain that to this day." He handed the clothes to Melody, his cheeks still pink. "Here, these should be nice and dry."

"Thanks," Melody smiled, still catching her breath from laughing. "I'm starting to wonder how many more of these stories I'll be hearing."

"Oh, plenty more," Kate said with a wink. "I've got a whole archive."

Jim's eyes narrowed playfully as he crossed his arms. "You know, I'm starting to think I'm not too keen on you two hanging out," he quipped, though the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth betrayed him. "Who knows what other embarrassing stories you'll dig up?"

Melody grinned as she took the clothes from him. "Don't worry, Jim. I'm sure there's only a *few* more hidden gems."

Kate smirked, leaning casually against the counter. "Just a couple... but I might save the best ones for later."

"Great," Jim muttered with mock exasperation, running a hand through his hair. He then softened, his tone turning more serious. "Anyway, I should tell you—Amelia wants us all in the war room to go over our next steps. She's summoned us as soon as you're ready."

Melody nodded, her expression growing more focused. "I won't be long."


The War Room was a dimly lit chamber, filled with holographic displays and navigational charts. Amelia stood at the head of the table, her posture straight and commanding as Melody, Jim, and Kate entered. Silver and Mary were already seated, their eyes focused on the intricate star maps projected on the table.

"Ah, there you are," Amelia greeted them. "We have much to discuss, but first, Princess Melody, do you have the Sea Stone with you?"

Melody hesitated, a sheepish smile crossing her lips as she scratched the back of her neck. "Well, it's… sort of complicated. I accidentally swallowed it during, uh, a moment of chaos."

Amelia's brows furrowed in confusion, but Kate's interest was immediately piqued. "Swallowed it?" she echoed, leaning forward. "And you're still here to tell the tale? That's incredible. Have you noticed any unusual symptoms?"

Jim gave Melody a reassuring nod, and after a moment of hesitation, Melody's eyes glowed a soft blue. She held out her hand toward a glass of water on the table, and as she concentrated, the water rose into the air, twisting and swirling as if it were alive. Kate's eyes widened in awe.

Silver chuckled and leaned back in his seat. "Aye, we've seen a lot more than just that. The lass's abilities came in handy when we fought Ironbeard. She handled him well enough to keep us alive, and even managed to bring Jim back after he took a mortal blow."

Mary nodded, her eyes reflecting the memory. "That's right. I've never seen anythin' like it before. The Sea Stone's power flows through her now."

Amelia's expression softened as she took in the weight of their words. "That's quite the revelation," she mused. "We may have more than just Ironbeard to worry about. With the Sea Stone in your possession, Princess, you've become a target for anyone seeking its power."

Melody's grip on the table tightened slightly. "I'll do whatever it takes to stop him. I won't let anyone else get hurt because of me."

Jim, standing beside her, gave her a quiet, supportive smile.

Amelia nodded, her sharp gaze sweeping over the group as she brought the conversation back to the mission at hand. "Our top priority remains stopping Ironbeard from retrieving the final two Elemental Stones: Air and Earth. We can't afford for him to wield the power of any more stones."

Jim straightened up at the mention of the remaining stones, his mind racing as a memory stirred. "You know," he began, "when I was a kid, my mom had this old storybook. It was full of legends and myths, but there was this one story that always stood out to me. It was about the Elemental Stones and their origins."

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "A children's storybook?"

Jim nodded. "Yeah, but it wasn't just any story. I remember reading about where the stones were hidden—something about ancient, mystical places tied to the elements themselves. There might be clues in that book, something that could help us track down the Air and Earth Stones before Ironbeard."

Silver leaned forward, intrigued. "Ye think this book could actually hold the key to their locations, lad?"

Jim shrugged. "It's a long shot, but it's worth checking. The Benbow Inn—my mom's place—might still have the book in storage. If anyone has it, it'll be her."

Amelia's ears twitched thoughtfully as Jim spoke, recalling the details of the legend. "It seems we have a starting point," she said, her voice calm but commanding. "The Benbow Inn. If this storybook has any clues, we can't waste time."

Jim nodded, excitement building. "Yeah, if my mom still has it stored away, we might just be able to track down the final two stones."

"Then the Benbow it is," Silver rumbled, his gaze shifting to Melody and Jim with a spark of anticipation. "Seems like the lad's childhood is about to become a bit more important than ye'd think."

Amelia shifted her focus to the group, eyes sharp. "Our top priority is stopping Ironbeard from retrieving those last two stones. We must act swiftly before he gains more power."


Once the group was dismissed, Kate quickly stepped forward, gently catching Melody's arm with a sense of urgency.

"Princess, wait! If I could steal you for a couple of hours, I'd like to run some tests to assess the current state of the Sea Stone," she said, her voice tinged with both curiosity and concern.

Melody hesitated, her brow furrowing. "Do you think there's a chance to remove it?" she asked, though she tried to temper the hope creeping into her voice.

Kate gave a soft, reassuring smile. "I won't make any promises, but I'll do my best." She gestured toward the medical bay, and Melody nodded in agreement. "Shall we?"

As Kate led the way, Jim followed with an anxious pace, not wanting to be far from Melody.

Once they reached a more secluded section of the medical bay, Kate began prepping her equipment with quiet precision. Melody sat down on the examination table, still feeling slightly disoriented from the earlier events, while Jim hovered protectively by her side.

"Let's see what we're dealing with here," Kate said, adjusting the settings on the scanner. "I'll start by checking how integrated the Sea Stone is and if there's any safe way to remove it."

Melody glanced over at Jim, who gave her a reassuring smile. "If anyone can figure this out, it's Kate. She's got a knack for solving impossible problems," he said, trying to ease her nerves.

Kate swept the scanner over Melody's body, her eyes locked on the screen. "You mentioned swallowing the Sea Stone during a chaotic moment. Have you experienced any strange symptoms since then?"

"Mostly dizziness and nausea," Melody admitted, biting her lip. "But it only really hit me when we got into space."

Kate frowned thoughtfully as she analyzed the results on the screen. "Interesting... It's not just in your stomach. The Sea Stone has merged with your biochemistry in ways I didn't expect. It's affecting your physiology on a cellular level. I'll need more time, but extracting it won't be simple."

"Will I need to stay here for long?" Melody asked, her voice a bit shaky as her fingers nervously twisted together.

Kate met her gaze with a steady calm. "Only for a while. I'll need to run a few more tests and figure out if it's possible to safely remove the stone without harming you. But don't worry, Melody. I'll do everything I can."

Jim stood beside her, his concern mixed with a glimmer of hope. He watched Kate work, quietly wishing this would be the breakthrough they needed.

After what felt like hours, Kate exhaled sharply, her shoulders slumping. The tension in the air was palpable as she stared at the screen, defeated.

"I'm so sorry, Melody," Kate said, her voice thick with frustration. "I've tried everything I can think of, but the Sea Stone is completely absorbed into your system. I can't figure out how to safely extract it."

Melody's heart sank, though she fought to keep her expression hopeful. "So... what now?"

Kate softened her tone, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't lose hope. Once we land on Montressor, we can consult Dr. Doppler. He's not a medical doctor, but his knowledge of science and astronomy far exceeds mine. If anyone can help, it's him."

Jim, who had been quietly watching, placed a hand on Melody's shoulder, his touch warm and comforting. "We'll figure this out," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "You've been through worse, and we've always gotten through it. Dr. Doppler will know what to do."

Melody gave a small nod, trying to hold onto the optimism Jim offered. "Thanks, Kate," she murmured, her gratitude genuine despite her lingering anxiety. "I know you've done everything you can."

Kate nodded, looking determined despite her own frustration. "We'll find a way. But for now, get some rest. You've had a rough day."

With a final, reassuring glance, Kate left the room, giving Jim and Melody a moment alone. As the door slid shut, Jim sat beside her on the exam table, his expression softening.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice low as he turned to her. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. You're not alone in this."

Melody managed a faint smile, grateful for his unwavering support. "Thanks, Jim. I guess we'll just have to see what Dr. Doppler says."

Jim nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "Exactly. And in the meantime, let's keep focused. We've got a lot to prepare for."


Later that evening, after the crew had gathered for dinner, Jim found himself knocking softly on the door to Mary and Melody's quarters. She had been uncharacteristically quiet ever since the tests.

"Hey Mel, mind if I come in?" Jim asked through the door, his voice gentle.

"Of course, the door is open," came her exhausted reply.

The door slid open with a soft hiss, and he stepped in, careful not to wake Mary, who was already sound asleep on one of the bunks, her gentle snores barely audible. Melody was sitting on the edge of her own bed, staring out of the small window at the stars.

Jim approached quietly, sitting next to her. "Couldn't sleep?" he whispered.

Melody shook her head, her eyes still fixed on the stars. "It's not that... It's just, there's so much on my mind." She glanced over at Mary, making sure not to disturb her. "I haven't seen my parents since before we left for Arlington, and now... I don't even know how long it'll be before I get to see them again."

Jim frowned, understanding the weight of what she was feeling. "I'm sure they're alright, Melody. And you did get that letter sent to them. They know you're safe."

Melody sighed softly. "I hope so. I just don't want them to worry, especially with everything that's going on. It feels like it's been forever. I didn't even get to say goodbye properly. We were just supposed to visit the Duke, and then… well, everything happened so fast."

Jim watched her quietly for a moment, recognizing the vulnerability in her words. "You'll see them again. I know you will. And when that time comes, they're going to be so proud of what you've done. You're protecting them from all of this chaos by fighting out here. You're keeping them safe in your own way."

Melody exhaled, a bit of tension releasing from her shoulders. "You always know what to say."

Jim gave her a lopsided grin, nudging her shoulder lightly. "It's a gift."

Melody laughed softly, though the anxiety in her eyes hadn't completely faded. "Thank you, Jim. I just… needed to say it out loud."

He nodded, understanding. "Anytime."

They both sat quietly for a moment, the soft snoring of Mary in the background almost comforting. Melody leaned her head lightly against Jim's shoulder, and for a brief moment, the weight of everything felt just a little bit lighter.

Jim hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to add something. Then, with a small smile, he said, "You know, you're going to meet my mother when we get to Montressor."

Melody's eyes lit up with curiosity. "That's right! The Benbow Inn is your home, right?"

Jim nodded. "Yeah. She still runs the place. I haven't been back in a while, but I think you'll like it. It's... cozy."

"I can't wait to see it," Melody whispered, a genuine warmth entering her tone. "I bet your mom's lovely."

"She is," Jim said, his smile softening. "And I think she'll be happy to meet you."

Melody blushed faintly but smiled back, the idea of visiting such a personal part of Jim's life putting her at ease, even with everything else swirling around them.

"Get some rest," Jim murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "We've got a big day ahead of us when we land on Montressor."

Melody nodded, her eyes already growing heavy with exhaustion. "Good night, Jim."

"Good night, Melody," he whispered back, quietly slipping out of the room as she finally closed her eyes.