Chapter 12
…
Kim sniffed and wiped her eyes. She had finally stopped sobbing, but her mood was still low. She gave her decimated grotto a final look and swam out of it. But she didn't head home, instead swimming to the South of Middleton. She then sat down on a rock, feeling conflicted. She was angry, hurt and confused.
"I can't go home." She bitterly told herself. "Not after what Dad did." She looked around, wondering what to do. "I wish I could see you Ron. I wish I could be part of your world." She sighed sadly. Such a dream was impossible.
"Well hello Princess." A female voice sneered.
Kim turned and saw three colorful moray eels swimming towards her. She quickly grew tense. "Who are you?" She asked, trying to sound tough.
"Now don't be afraid, young lady." Monty assured Kim. His face was inches from hers, then he backed away a bit.
Shego frowned. "Listen up, Princess, the reason we're here is to speak for someone who can help you."
"Someone who can make your dreams come true." Drakken added as he melodramatically swam around Kim, giving her chills.
Kim stared at the eels, confused by their claims. "I don't understand."
Monty grinned, his eyes teasing. "Imagine you and your prince together forever."
"Yeah, that would be wonderful, wouldn't it?" Drakken asked mockingly.
"But that's impossible." Kim declared, perplexed by these creatures' words.
"Not for DNAmy." Drakken told the young mermaid.
"DNAmy?" Kim exclaimed in horror. "But wasn't she banished long ago?"
"Look Princess." Shego snapped. "She may not live in your palace anymore, but she's still around." her eyes narrowed. "The thing is she has magic and is the only one who can give you what you want most."
Kim hesitated. "But I couldn't possibly... Go away, leave me alone." She snapped, backing away.
Drakken and Monty became tense. "But you have to!" Monty shouted.
"Yeah." Drakken agreed. "It's the only-"
"Stop it boys." Shego cut them off. She then smiled at Kim. "Don't you see she'd rather live in the palace with her father then have her dreams come true?"
Kim became indignant. "That isn't true!"
"Whatever you say, Princess." Shego sneered and looked at her two cohorts. "Come on boys, she doesn't want our help."
Monty suddenly smiled with understanding and complied while Drakken hesitated and then swam up behind Shego and Monty, not understanding this.
Kim hesitated, her heart and mind full of conflict. "Wait!" She called after them.
The three eels stopped and turned. "Yes?" Shego asked with a nasty smile.
Kim hesitated for a moment. "Take me to her."
Monty and Shego grinned.
"What just happened?" Drakken asked, not understanding.
"Look D, don't worry about it." Shego snapped impatiently before looking at Kim and smiling. "Follow us, princess." She turned and swam towards the wilderness with Monty behind her. Drakken hesitated and then too followed his cohorts.
Kim swam after them, ready to see if DNAmy could really make her dreams come true.
…
Wade swam up to his house, his mood low. He opened the door to his home and entered.
"Hey, Wade." Miss Load said, and then frowned. "Wade, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Wade replied, clearly aggravated.
Miss Load frowned. "What happened?"
Wade groaned. "Kim lied to me! Her father destroyed her grotto, and..." He groaned again. "It's all a mess."
"I don't understand," Miss Load confessed. "How did she lie? And what do you mean her father destroyed the grotto?"
It's hard to explain." Wade sighed. "I can't even ask her now. Her father hurt her so badly."
Miss Load hesitated. "Look, it's probably not my business, but do you think you can still patch up whatever happened between you two?"
Wade sighed. "Probably. But she does still owe me an explanation."
"I hope things get better between you two." Miss Load commented kindly.
"Can I go to my room?" Wade asked grimly.
"Sure." Miss Load nodded.
"Thanks." The young mer-boy turned and swam off, leaving Miss Load perplexed.
…
Kim followed Shego, Drakken and Monty through a barren sea land. There were a few sea geysers and strange creatures all around. Up ahead was a mountain with a cave at its base. They had almost reached it when Kim suddenly stopped swimming, struck with doubts.
"What's wrong, princess." Shego asked coldly. "Scared?"
"You're not getting cold fins now, are you?" Drakken sneered, swimming around Kim before rejoining Monty and Shego.
"We don't have time for this." Monty stated irritably. "If you want your dreams to come true, come this way."
Kim swallowed. She then followed them into the cave. Up ahead she saw that the cavern had various essentials, a chair, a mirror, a few trinkets hanging up, some sea chests, and an object in the floor she didn't recognize. But what caught her attention was DNAmy, laying on a large seat made out of the far wall.
"Why hello, sweet thing." The Sea Witch said with a friendly smile. "How nice of you to have arrived." She conjured up a tray of food and held it out. "Sweet treats?"
"No thanks," Kim replied politely, perplexed by the friendliness of this notorious criminal.
DNAmy shrugged and put the tray down. "So I understand that you have a thing for a human prince, and your father wasn't happy about it."
Kim's green eyes narrowed in suspicion. "How do you know that?" She asked darkly.
DNAmy scowled. "I may have been exiled by your big mean father for years, but I still keep track of what goes on under the ocean." She then smiled as if her bad mood never happened. "Well Angelfish, there is a solution to your problem. The only way to be with this human boy is to become a human yourself."
Kim gasped in surprise. "You can do that for me?"
DNAmy feigned indignation. "My dear sweet thing, of course I can." She swam a little closer to the redheaded teen. "It's my purpose in life to help those in need."
Kim frowned, doubting that claim.
As if reading Kim's thoughts, the Sea Witch smirked. "I admit I've done stuff your father didn't approve of, but so what? You should know what that's like, don't you?"
Kim's lips curled, but deep down, she agreed with the Sea Witch's statement.
"Let's get down to business." DNAmy shrugged while wrapping one of her tentacle around Kim's shoulders. "I will make you a potion that will turn you into a human for three days. She then forced Kim to look at her table, saying "Now listen sweet thing, this is important. Before high noon on the third day from now, you have to get your human prince to fall in love with you."
"Fall in love me?" Kim asked, not understanding.
"Well, he has to kiss you." DNAmy clarified. "And not just any kiss. The kiss of true love. If he does kiss you before high noon on the third day, you will remain a human forever."
Kim stared at the Sea Witch, her face full of awe.
"But if he doesn't, you turn back into a mermaid and…" DNAmy gave a nasty grin. "Well let's just say your dreams won't come true. Do you still want to go through with this?"
Kim hesitated. The offer was both tempting and scary. And there was something else. "If I become human, I'll never see my family again."
"True." DNAmy conceded. "But you'll be with your man." She giggled. "Life is full of tough choices in it. Oh, there is another thing. My service isn't free. You have to pay me for it."
"But what do I have that-" Kim started to say.
"Now don't be hasty, my dear girl," DNAmy cut her off. "It's something you won't miss. What I want from you is your voice."
Kim frowned, touching her throat. "My voice?"
"Why yes, sweetie." DNAmy nodded. "As in you won't be able to talk or sing without it."
Kim was silent, troubled with the idea of not being able to talk. "Do I really have to lose my voice?"
"Now don't you worry, sweet thing." DNAmy kindly assured the teenage mermaid. "After all, you are very beautiful, and maybe not talking will work in your favor."
"How?" Kim asked her green eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Boys like girls who don't talk, of course." DNAmy replied simply. "Now, to business. Do you want to be human and get your man or not?"
Kim hesitated, conflicted by the choice before her. But then she thought of her family: her parents' irrational hatred for humans, her brothers breaking their word to her. She then thought of Ron, who thought that she was special. "Okay, I agree."
DNAmy conjured up a glowing contract with a special pen. "Well then go ahead and sign the scroll."
Kim took the special pen and signed her name on the contract. The contract vanished and DNAmy grinned. Waving her arms, she conjured up mystical waves that swirled around them. Kim became tense.
"Now sing, sweetie, and don't stop." The Sea Witch told the young redhead.
"Sing what?"
DNAmy considered that. "Just vocalize. That will suffice"
Kim began vocalizing her voice. It was a lovely melody. Meanwhile the Sea Witch raised her hands as some of the swirling magic took the form of two green tentacles of light. "Keep singing, sweetie!" DNAmy yelled as she gestured.
The tentacles of light moved toward Kim. Though scared, Kim continued to vocalize. The tentacles then touched her throat, pulling out a yellow orb out of her which sang in Kim's voice. Kim touched her throat, startled by what had transpired.
The yellow singing orb flew into the necklace shell DNAmy wore on her neck. "Oh one more thing." She gestured and a piece of green cloth hanging from a rock floated towards her hand. She then handed it to Kim. "You're going to need this."
Kim took it. Then looked at the Sea Witch with a strange expression.
"Well if you're going to be a human, you'll need to wear something decent. Humans have strange views on modesty" She then gestured and Kim was encased in a giant glowing bubble which then zoomed out of the sea witch's cave and beyond.
"Have a nice trip, Angelfish." DNAmy looked thoughtful. "Well I guess I can't call you fish anymore." She giggled at her little joke.
…..
At the Middleton palace, Anne swam through a passage and into the dining room. Tim, Jim, Zita and Bonnie were already present at the table.
"Hey Mom." Zita greeted her mother.
"Hey Zita." Anne replied before taking her seat. She looked at her children grimly. Zita was acting normal. Bonnie seemed alert, as if expecting something to happen. Tim and Jim were glum. She knew the boys felt terrible with what happened with Kim. She felt the same way.
"You alright, Mom?" Zita asked curiously.
"Yes." Anne replied, not wanting to tell her children what happened with their sister and hoping her sons would keep quiet.
Just then, Monique swam into the room along with Tara and Yori.
Hey guys." Monique said she took her seat while Yori and Tara followed suit.
Yori then noticed that her brothers seemed depressed, which wasn't like them at all. "Is something wrong, boys?" She asked the twins.
"Nope." Tim growled sarcastically.
"Never better." Jim added with equal sarcasm.
Yori frowned, unsure of what was troubling her brothers. King James entered the room, looking very grim. He took his seat.
"You alright, Dad?" Monique asked, perplexed
"I'm fine." James snapped angrily. "Let's say our meal prayers and get it over with."
"We're not waiting for Kim?" Tara asked, startled by this.
James grimaced. "No."
"What?" Yori exclaimed in shock.
"Why not?" Monique asked, not understanding.
"Where's Kim?" Zita asked in confusion.
"Enough!" James snapped his frustration suddenly great. "Sorry." He then apologized. "Things are complicated with Kim right now. She needs time alone."
Tara, Monique, Zita and Yori stared at their father in disbelief. Tim and Jim sat grimly in their seats, while Bonnie tried to act casual.
"Now, let's start." James said impatiently.
The siblings complied. After they finished their prayers, they started eating their lunch. The mood of the royal family was low.
SURFACE
Outside the Stoppable castle, Ron sat quietly on the sandy beach, his eyes on the water. Rufus climbed out of his pouch, went on the sand next to Ron, and chirped something.
"Just enjoying the view." Ron told his buddy, his eyes on the ocean ahead. "Kim is out there somewhere. We're going to try and meet again in a few days. I can hardly wait."
Rufus nodded sympathetically. He then noticed something. It appeared to be a light, bright as the sun, but not the sun. He shouted, pointing a claw forward.
"Huh?" Ron murmured and then noticed the light too. "What is that?"
The light seemed to be getting closer. And then it struck the beach on the far, far, far right of Ron's position.
"What the heck?" Ron scowled. "Let's check it out, buddy."
Rufus nodded. Ron got to his feet and took off with Rufus running behind him. The mole rat ran remarkably fast for a little creature.
On the far part of the beach, Kim groaned. She had been surrounded by light, traveling at impossible speed. Now she was lying on a flat surface and clearly out of the water. She sat up, dazed, blinking her eyes. She then looked around and found herself on a beach, the ocean water a few feet behind her.
She sat up and then noticed she was wearing a ragged green dress made of the cloth DNAmy had given her. She then looked down at herself and froze in shock. Instead of a tail, she had a pair of legs. They were long and pale, ending in bare feet. She lifted up one leg and examined her foot. She wiggled her toes, finding the sensation fascinating.
She opened her mouth to speak her thoughts but nothing came out. She recalled how she gave up her voice to become a human. She realized that she would have to get used to not being able to talk. She attempted to stand. Her legs ached under the weight of her body.
She then stumbled and fell onto the sand. She tried to stand again, adjusting to the discomfort of standing on legs. She then sat down and scowled, annoyed with her condition. She was an excellent swimmer as a mermaid, but could barely walk as a human. It was outrageous.
She heard a sound. She turned and her eyes widened. It was her human friend, Ron. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Hey." he called out as he ran towards the girl he saw on the beach. "Are you al-…" He voice faltered as he saw that the girl had a familiar body frame, face and long red hair. "Kim?"
Ron ran over to his friend and stared down at her. It was clearly Kim; except she was clad in green rags instead of a shell top and had legs instead a fish tail.
"Kim, is that you?"
Kim stared up at Ron, self-conscious of herself. Rufus caught up to his human owner. Looking forward, he gasped when he saw Kim. Ron's mermaid friend was… human.
"Kim, is that you?" Ron asked again.
Kim then tried to speak, but wasn't able to. She touched her throat in aggravation.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked, not understanding.
Kim touched her throat again.
"You can't speak?"
Kim should her head miserably.
Rufus chattered in confusion while Ron frowned. "But you are Kim, the mermaid who saved my life years ago, right?"
Kim nodded.
"Okay." Ron said ponderously, processing this information. "So what happened? How did you get legs, and why can't you speak?"
Kim frowned, giving Ron a glare.
"Right, you can't speak, so you can't tell me." Ron said, grinning sheepishly. "Can you stand up?"
Kim attempted to stand up. She gritted her teeth, her legs in great discomfort due to the weight of her body. She tried to walk, but stumbled.
"Wow." Ron exclaimed as he moved forward and caught the former mermaid. Holding her close, he helped her to stand and looked intensely into her green eyes. "Kim, I don't know what happened to you, but it's Okay, I'll help you." He arranged her to lean on his shoulder while having one arm around her waist. "Come on."
Kim complied, enjoying Ron's arms around her. She looked down at her bare feet as she walked. One day, she would learn how to walk and run like a real human.
Reaching the castle, Ron stopped and looked at Kim. "You know, it just occurred to me, if I tell people that you're a mermaid, they won't believe it. We're going to need a cover story to explain who you are."
Kim stared at Ron strangely, clearly not understanding.
"Okay, maybe you don't know this, but people, I mean humans, think mer-people are myths."
Kim's lips curled her face full of disbelief.
"That's why I can't tell them that you are- uh, were a mermaid." Ron explained, still holding Kim upright. He eyed her for a moment. "Can you stand on your own now?"
Kim attempted to stand, her face full of determination. Ron released his support. Kim stood up. She wasn't stumbling, though Ron could tell she wasn't used to standing up straight.
"Okay." Ron said thoughtfully. "Hey, I know. We'll tell them that I found you on the beach, and are probably the survivor of a shipwreck."
Kim frowned at Ron, annoyed with this plan.
"You got a better idea?" Ron asked frowning.
Kim sighed and nodded but then corrected herself and shook her head.
"Then that's what we'll tell them. Well I'll tell them." Ron declared.
Kim frowned, annoyed with the reminder of her lost voice.
"Can you walk now, Kim?" Ron asked, eyeing his friend thoughtfully
Kim took a few steps forward. It wasn't comfortable but she had gain better coordination of her legs. She moved around a bit and then looked at Ron and nodded.
"Well let's go." Ron resumed walking towards the castle, but keeping an eye on Kim.
Kim followed behind him with less difficulty in her steps. Up ahead was a guard who looked at Prince Ron, wondering who the raggedy-dressed girl with him was.
"Your highness, who is you're…acquaintance?" The guard asked.
"I found her on the beach," Ron told the guard. "I think she is the survivor of a shipwreck."
"Oh dear," The guard murmured, becoming concerned. "Were there others?"
"No." Ron answered, ill at ease with lying. "I need to get her inside."
"Of course." The guard agreed.
Prince Ron and Kim entered the castle. Just then, a servant girl noticed Ron and his strange guest. "Ron, who is this?"
"Oh, this is Kim." Ron replied. "She washed up from a shipwreck."
"Oh dear." The servant girl said, looking troubled. "Are you alright?"
"She can't speak." Ron explained.
"Oh my." The servant eyed Kim's appearance. Her dress was ragged, and her bare feet and messy hair were very unbecoming. "I will see that she is given a bath and better clothing."
"Oh, that isn't necessary." Ron said, thinking it could get complicated for Kim.
"Ron, look at her! She has no shoes, her dress is rags, and she is a mess. You know better than to leave a guest in such an unsanitary state." The maid frowned.
Ron grinned sheepishly while Kim scowled, not sure what was wrong with her appearance.
"Okay, just give us a minute." Ron told the servant. He then pulled Kim a short distant away and looked at her. "Alright, KP, you're going to get a bath and a change of clothes."
Kim frowned. She tried to ask questions, forgetting that she couldn't talk.
"Look Kim, you're not used to… being in a castle, but you need to trust what my servants do to you, OK?" Ron said gently.
Kim nodded reluctantly.
Ron looked at the servant girl. "She can't speak so don't ask any questions. Also, she's never been in a castle, so she may have trouble cooperating."
"Okay." The servant girl looked at Kim. "Come along now, Kim. Believe me; this is for your own good."
Kim complied, wondering what awaited her.
UNDER THE SEA
Bonnie was viewing a shell, displaying some entertainment. Just then Yori swam into the room.
"Hey Bonnie, any idea where Kim is?" Yori asked.
Bonnie pouted. "How should I know?"
"Beats me." Yori replied. "All I know is that something's up. Mom, dad and the squibs know something, and aren't talking. Tara, Yori and Zita don't know anything, and I haven't talked to Monique yet."
"She probably did something she shouldn't and is in trouble with Mom and Dad." Bonnie shrugged.
"There has to be more to it than that." Yori stated as her eyes narrowed. "Nothing like this has ever happened before."
"Whatever." Bonnie shrugged.
"Hey?" A voice asked.
Yori and Bonnie turned and saw Wade.
"Wade." Yori asked in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" Bonnie asked, puzzled.
"I'm looking for Kim." Wade answered simply. "She owes me an explanation."
"We haven't seen her in a while." Bonnie replied, annoyed with this development.
"We're getting worried." Yori added grimly.
Wade grimaced. "Oh man."
"Wade, do you have any idea what's going on?" Bonnie asked curiously.
"Sort of." Wade hesitated.
"Well, then tell us what you know." Yori demanded.
Wade sighed. "Okay, this is what I know; Kim has been visiting a human for a while."
"What?!" Yori exclaimed.
"That was Kim's secret?" Bonnie exclaimed, her eyes full of shock.
"And you knew this Wade?" Yori demanded.
"No!" Wade retorted. "I only found out earlier today! Anyway, her father somehow found out. He confronted her in her… well in a place. He had a fit and destroyed her collection."
"Collection?" Bonnie asked curiously.
Wade sighed. "Your sister collects human things, alright?"
"What?" Bonnie exclaimed, not expecting this.
"Unbelievable." Yori commented unhappily.
"Well she got really upset. I… have a ton of questions for her, but thought I should wait for her to calm down first. I thought she be home by now." Wade declared.
Yori threw a glance at Bonnie who looked tense. "Bonnie, are you alright?"
"Of course!" Bonnie answered quickly.
"You know something!" Yori accused her sister, her voice cold. "Tell me what you know!"
"Alright." Bonnie relented. "I figured Kim was up to something, and convinced mom and dad to go check it out. That's all."
Yori groaned.
"Hey, I didn't do anything wrong." Bonnie countered. "Kim was the one breaking our father's rules."
"This whole thing is a mess." Wade groaned. "If Kim returns, can you tell her I need to see her?"
"No problem, Wade." Yori assured the mer-boy.
" ."
"Bye." Yori called after Wade who had turned and swam out of the room.
Yori gave Bonnie a dirty look, and then swam out too. Bonnie felt a chill inside her, troubled with the way things were going.
SURFACE
"There." A servant said, completing the finishing touches to Kim's dress. "All done."
Kim stood still, her expression troubled. The following events had been perplexing. First she had been given what the humans called a bath. It was an unusual way to wash. Not exactly the way mer-folk got clean, but not too far off. Not a bad experience, either. But then there was the clothing. She understood humans had a different view on modesty then mer-folk, and that she should conform to it. But it wasn't pleasant.
She didn't remember the names of the various garments, but she didn't understand why human women had to wear so many items, especially since about half of them weren't visible anyway. And why did they have to be so uncomfortable on her body?
"Now don't be so gloomy dear." The servant told the young teen. "Come see yourself." She gestured to a mirror.
Kim went to the mirror to examine herself and her eyes were wide. She looked amazing in the pink gown with long sleeves, and white shoes. It wasn't Club Starfish, but in a way, it was better. Probably because it was human.
"Well, you look fabulous." The servant smiled. "If you'll come with me, darling, I'll take you back to Prince Ron."
Kim nodded excitedly. Exiting the changing room, the former mermaid followed the servant girl while she eyed her surroundings. The interior of Ron's castle was unique. She passed various servants and guards who threw glances at her. They then reached an opening that led to a large room. Kim suddenly felt nervous.
"Oh come now, dearie." The Servant assured Kim. "Don't be shy."
Kim complied. Up ahead was a table with two figures. One was a large man. The other was Prince Ron. Ron stared at Kim in amazement.
"Well, she is quite a catch, Prince Stoppable." Barkin commented dryly.
"Booyah!" Ron whispered in awe. "You look badical KP."
Kim smiled, flattered by the compliment. Barkin eyed her and then looked at his prince.
"So how do you know her again, your highness? The regent asked suspiciously.
"Oh well, I met her at a beach a few years ago. She… she help me out." Ron admitted the basic truth.
Barkin eyed Kim suspiciously. "So where is she from?"
"Well she… Actually I didn't ask that when we met." Ron explained awkwardly. "She had to leave quickly. And she'd lost her voice when I found her on the beach today, and can't tell us now."
Kim cringed awkwardly while Barkin eyed her suspiciously. "I'm going to be watching you, girl. Remember that."
"Hey, ease up Regent B." Ron interjected. "She's our guest. We must make her feel welcome here."
"Fine." Barkin conceded. "But I'm keeping an eye on her."
Ron looked at Kim and smiled. "Like a tour of my castle, KP?"
Kim nodded. Then made a face and touched her stomach.
"Hungry?"
Kim nodded.
"I guess you didn't have lunch before I found you." Ron concluded. "Let's go to the kitchen. That's how we'll start our tour."
Kim grew excited.
"Don't spoil your dinner, your highness." Barkin warned the young prince.
"I won't." Ron assured the large man. "Come on, KP."
Taking Kim's hand, he led her out of the dining room. Making a few turns, they reached the kitchen. Ned was there.
"Ron?" Ned exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here? Lunchtime was over, over an hour ago."
"Ned, I have a guest who seems to have skipped lunch." Ron told the teenage servant.
"Oh." Ned nodded, looking at Kim. "What can I make for you?"
"She can't speak." Ron explained. "Let's give her a tour of the kitchen and see what she likes."
"Of course." Ned said, glancing around. He grabbed an apple from a fruit bowl and handed it to Kim.
Kim accepted the fruit and took a bite. She smiled and proceeded to eat it and then gagged.
"Hey, you're not supposed to eat the apple's core." Ron exclaimed, taking the fruit away from Kim. "That has seeds."
"Why doesn't she know that?" Ned asked, puzzled.
"She can't talk so I can't ask." Ron told his servant, glad he didn't have to explain himself.
Ned frowned at Kim, puzzled by this. Kim smiled sheepishly at the young servant. "Would you like some bread?" Ned asked the strange girl.
Kim frowned, unfamiliar with the word.
"Try this." Ron told Kim, grabbing a piece of bread from a nearby cabinet and handing it to her.
Kim took the bread, eyed the thing strangely. She then put it in her mouth, and her eyes widened in amazement. The taste was so dry and unique.
Ned eyed Kim. "You look like you've never tasted bread before."
Kim looked up in surprise, wondering what to say before remembering she couldn't say anything.
"Must be a different type of bread than the type where she's from." Ron offered awkwardly.
"Yeah." Ned agreed, though he was still suspicious of this strange girl.
"Try this." Ron handed Kim some cheese.
Kim took a bite and made a face.
"Oh, you don't like cheese." Ron guessed, looking awkward.
"Just a minute." Ned went to the sink, grabbed a cup from the drainer, and filled the cup with water. "Here." He handed it to Kim.
Kim took the cup and drank it. It was a strange experience. Her whole life, she lived in the ocean, surrounded by water. To be dry and have water in her mouth was a very strange experience. Also, the water was different from the ocean. No salt or anything. But at least the odd taste in her mouth was gone.
"Let's see what else we got." Ned turned and went over to a cooler and took out some meat. "Want to try these out, missy? They're sausage."
Kim hesitated. She eyed the meat, wondering what land animal they came from.
"Don't be shy, try it." Ned assured the redhead.
Kim took a piece and gingerly put it in her mouth. The taste was strong, not like raw fish. Soon she finished it up.
"Your friend is strange." Ned commented. "If I didn't know better, I'd say she's never eaten food before."
Ron chuckled. "Yeah, that's funny."
Kim grimaced; aware she wasn't acting like a normal human. She was glad she couldn't speak. At least she had an excuse to not answer embarrassing questions.
"Let's see what else we got." Ron went over to the fruit bowl and took out some grapes. "Try these... except the stems, of course."
Kim eyed the fruit. She tried them, and made a face.
"Don't like grapes?" Ron frowned. "Seriously, who doesn't like grapes?" He ate some himself.
"I guess I can make you a sandwich." Ned offered.
Kim cocked her head, unfamiliar with this word.
"Well, you like the sausage, so a sausage sandwich will be good." Within seconds, Ned completed the main course. "Here."
Kim took the sandwich, eyed it strangely and then ate it. Her eyes widened. Bread and sausage had a different taste when combined. She ate it all up in seconds.
"That's it for now." Ned declared. "I don't want to spoil your friend's dinner."
"Come along, Kim." Ron told his guest. "I'll give you a tour of my castle."
Kim smiled and followed her friend, anxious to see his whole world.
UNDER THE SEA
James was sitting in a room, despondent. Just then, Tara and Zita swam in.
"What is it, girls?"He asked.
"We need to know what happened to Kim." Zita declared.
"Girls, it's complicated." James said.
"We're worried about her." Tara interjected softly.
"Did she really visit a human on the surface?" Zita asked.
James froze. "Girls, this is very complicated right now." He said, his patience strained. "I need to figure things out before I can discuss this with you." His face then hardened. "Can you two wait?"
Tara and Zita grew tense. Their father was usually calm and generally soft spoken. But there was a tension in him that was seldom seen.
"Yes, dad." Zita answered reluctantly.
"Yes, dad." Tara also answered, equally reluctant.
James sighed. "Will that be all?"
"Yes." Both girls turned and swam away.
James grimaced. Things were getting out of hand.
SURFACE
Kim continued walking through the palace with Ron not far behind her. She opened a door and looked inside. There was a staircase leading to a large room. The air was hot.
"This is the boiler room." Ron explained. "It's how we get hot water."
Kim frowned, wondering why humans were so interested in hot water.
"Well hot water is for cooking, taking a bath and washing dishes." Ron added. "We wouldn't have hot water in the palace without this room."
Kim looked thoughtful. She went down the stairs and looked around. The room was large. There was a large metal object that was emanating heat and cast the room in a faint light. There were pipes all around the room, going into the walls. There was a wood pile in another area.
"That's how we get heat in the castle." Ron explained. "I don't fully understand how it works, but fire burns in the furnace."
Kim frowned, not understanding the word, "fire". She wished she could ask.
"Servants sometimes come down here to put wood in the furnace to keep the fire burning." Ron continued. "And the heat keeps the castle warm and is how we have hot water."
Kim eyed the area, perplexed. The heat was strange. She had felt warm water under the sea, but this was different. She never felt so warm or dry in her life before.
"I think we've seen enough." Ron commented thoughtfully. "Let's go."
Kim complied. Exiting the boiler room, they then found Ned coming up ahead.
"Oh your highness." He exclaimed, adjusting his glasses. "What are you doing there?"
"I was giving my friend a tour of the castle." Ron answered.
The boiler room?" Ned asked, frowning skeptically.
"She's a curious girl." Ron replied simply.
"I'll say." Ned commented, staring at the redhead strangely.
Kim cringed, wishing she could blend in better.
"Well have a nice day, Ned. Bye." Ron interjected as he took Kim's hand and departed.
"Bye." Ned said as he watched his Prince and the girl leave. He shook his head. "That girl has strange taste."
Ned headed to a room and saw some servant girls together, talking.
"I mean, she's not my idea of a proper princess." One commented disapprovingly.
"If Ron is looking for a girl, I know some more eligible ones right here." Another said simply.
"What are you girls talking about?" Ned demanded.
The servant girls stopped and stared at Ned in shock, embarrassed to be caught gossiping.
"Oh, we were talking about the strange girl Ron brought here." A third servant answered.
"Yeah, she is strange." Ned agreed. "She wanted to see the inside of our boiler room. Seriously, who does that?"
"I think she might be queer in the head," The first servant said.
"So she's strange. Big deal." Ned retorted.
"No, listen," The girl insisted. "She showed up in rags, and was a mess, which admittedly isn't strange, considering she survived a ship wreck."
Ned frowned. "Okay, what's your point?"
"Well I heard that one of the maids who gave her a bath and change of clothes said she acted strange." The girl continued. "Like she'd never had a bath or seen soap before."
"Really?" Ned asked, finding that strange.
"Also, she didn't know how to dress herself, either." The maid added.
"I think she might have injured her head during that ship wreck." The third maid commented.
"I see." Ned murmured thoughtfully before getting to business. "Well we've got work to do, and let's treat our guest well."
The girls complied.
Ned sighed. "Girls." He grumbled before going to do his job.
UNDER THE SEA
Bonnie was swimming through a corridor. She looked uneasy. She then saw a servant up ahead.
"Hey, do you know where my mother is?" She asked.
She's a few rooms from here." The servant answered simply.
"Thanks." Bonnie turned and swam in that direction. She then found her mother. "Mother."
"Bonnie?" Anne exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Kim is still missing." Bonnie answered uneasily. "What is going on?"
Anne scowled. "We don't know. We've got people looking for her now."
"What happened?" Bonnie asked, sounding desperate.
Anne scowled. "What do you mean?"
Bonnie hesitated. "I mean, what happened when you and Dad went to… see her?"
That isn't your business, Bonnie." Anne told her daughter sternly.
"Okay, Okay" Bonnie exclaimed defensively. "Sorry."
Anne relaxed a bit, eyeing her daughter. "Why are you asking?"
"I was just wondering." Bonnie answered awkwardly.
"Fine." Anne replied wearily. "Was there something else?"
"No." Bonnie answered uneasily. "Bye, Mom."
"Bye." Anne replied slowly.
Bonnie turned and swam away. Anne watched her daughter go as unrest filled her spirit. Where was Kim? With a groan, Queen Anne swam through a corridor. She entered an office where James was doing paperwork.
"James?"
"Anne?" James looked up from his work. "What's wrong?"
"James, it's getting late and Kim hasn't gotten home yet." The Queen told her husband. "I'm worried."
"I already sent a search party to go find her." James told his wife. She should be back soon."
"I hope so." Anne said uneasily.
James sighed. "I messed up, didn't I?"
Anne sighed. "I don't know. I mean… visiting a human was… That was beyond madness. Honestly, I don't know how we should have handled it."
"Yeah." James agreed.
Just then Tim and Jim swam into the office room. They looked grim. "Mom," Jim said awkwardly.
"Dad." Tim said, just as awkwardly.
"Tim, Jim?" James explained in surprised.
Anne turned in surprise. "Boys, what are you doing here?"
Tim and Jim looked at each other nervously, and then resumed looking at their parents.
"We're worried about Kim." Tim began to say.
"Because she hasn't returned." Jim finished.
"We think she swam away from home." Tim added uneasy.
Both parents grew tense. "James, could it be true?" Anne asked fearfully.
"I don't know." James answered grimly.
"Well you did destroy her collection." Jim reminded his father awkwardly.
"We would be pretty upset if you destroyed our inventions." Tim added with a frown.
Both parents grew tense. Did they really drive their daughter to swim away?
"I'm going to increase the search parties," James declared and departed.
Anne looked at her sons, her expression perplexed. Then she too departed. The twins glanced at each other.
"Hick-a-bicka-boo?" Tim asked grimly.
"Hoosh-a." Jim answered, equally despondent.
SURFACE
Kim followed Ron through a corridor. "Okay, I think we've seen most of the castle." Ron commented.
Kim touched Ron's hand and stared intensely. She couldn't speak, but hoped Ron would read her expression.
"You're wondering what else there is to explore?" Ron guessed.
Kim nodded earnestly.
"Well, I guess we missed one or two basement rooms." Ron concluded. "A few closets, and less than a quarter of the guest rooms."
Kim continued to hold Ron's hand, looking intensely.
"You want to see those areas too?" Ron asked.
Kim nodded.
Ron chuckled. "I guess it fits that you want to see every nook and cranny in this castle."
"Your highness." A servant said, coming up to them. "Dinner is ready."
"Really?" Ron exclaimed in surprise, looking at Kim. "Wow, guess I lost track of time." He then relaxed. "I guess we better get to the dining room, right Kim?"
Kim smiled at her human friend.
"Well let's go." Ron turned, heading to the dining room with Kim not far behind.
They made a few turns and then reached the table where Regent Barkin was waiting. "It's not like you to forget about dinner, Stoppable." The large man commented.
"Sorry Regent B." Ron apologized. "I was giving Kim a tour of the castle and lost track of time."
"So I heard." Barkin said, throwing a stare at Kim. "You two are the gossip of the castle."
"Gossip?"
"Well, the servants were talking about your friend and how so little is known about her." Barkin revealed.
"Oh, well she…" Ron hesitated. "Okay, she's very curious, but there's nothing wrong with that."
"It's not just that." Barkin retorted. "We don't know anything about her, and her lack of speech is..." He rubbed his eyes. "Oh forget it. Let's just eat."
"Booyah." Ron grinned and went to his seat.
Kim sat in a chair next to Ron. "Want to say Grace, your highness?" Barkin asked.
"You go ahead." Ron replied.
Kim frowned. She never thought about the spiritual views of humans, and wondered how prayers were done in their world. Barkin said the prayer. Kim stared in wonder. It wasn't exactly like any meal prayers her family said, but it wasn't not far off either.
Ron made his plate while Kim eyed her food. She tried something, and made a face. She then tried another type of food and smiled, enjoying the taste.
Barkin noticed Kim's reaction. "Picky eater."
"Well, who isn't?" Ron replied before stuffing his mouth with more food.
Barkin eyed Kim again and then looked at Ron. "So Prince Stoppable, what are you planning on doing tomorrow?" He asked casually before biting into a veggie.
Ron sighed. "Oh, right, I have schooling tomorrow." He looked at Kim. "I won't be with you, I'm afraid. But maybe after lunch, we can go to the beach again."
Barkin sighed. "You should get out more, Stoppable. How about tomorrow, your schoolwork gets cancelled and then you take your girlfriend on a tour of the land?"
Kim felt her cheeks heat up at the word "girlfriend".
"Look, she isn't my girlfriend." Ron exclaimed with a cough. "But maybe you're right." He looked at Kim. "Well what do you say, KP? Would you like a tour of my kingdom tomorrow?"
Kim nodded excitedly.
"Wonderful." Barkin commented. "I hope you and your girlfriend have a good time tomorrow."
"She isn't my girlfriend!" Ron insisted while Kim continued to blush.
"Sure she's not." Barkin replied teasingly.
The two teens blushed awkwardly.
UNDER THE SEA
The Possible Family was eating dinner silently. By now, all the royal sisters were aware that Kim had violated serious taboo, leading to some kind of confrontation with their father, and that she had probably swam away.
Will Du swam up to the table before King Possible.
"Have you found anything?" James asked hopefully.
"No, your highness." Will Du answered grimly. "We have found no trace of your daughter."
James scowled, frustrated with this news. "Well, then, keep looking." He ordered. "Increase the search parties. I want my Kimmi-guppy found."
"Yes, sir." Will Du said as he swam to carry out the order.
James suddenly sighed and got up from his seat.
"Darling, where you going?" Anne called out.
James grimly looked at his wife. "I need to clear my head." He turned and swam away, leaving his perplexed wife, sons and daughters.
Monique, Bonnie, Zita, Tara and Yori threw glances at each other while Tim and Jim sadly stared at each other.
James made a few turns and then swam into his throne room and sat down, clutching his trident despondently while rubbing his forehead with his other hand. "What have I done?"
SURFACE
It was nighttime. Clad in a red nightgown, Kim was on a balcony, looking out at the night sky. She thought about how different the sky looked on the surface as opposed to under the sea. It had been a tough day. But she would get Ron to love her, and then she would be a human forever.
She then grimaced. She thought of her family and her old life. She was sad that she would never see her family again. But it was no use. Her father had hurt her badly, and Ron was a wonderful person. Her family had judged humans unjustly.
She then headed back to her room and lay down on her bed. Tomorrow, Ron would take her on that tour of the overland. She looked forward to her adventure, and Ron kissing her. She dozed off.
UNDER THE SEA
It was evening. Anne swam through a corridor and came to a door. She opened it and came into a large bedroom.
"Mom?" Yori exclaimed in surprise.
Anne looked around. Monique, Yori, Zita, Bonnie and Tara were already in their beds, reading or something but right now, they were all looking up at their mother.
"What's up, Mom?" Tara asked puzzled.
Anne grimaced. "I just wanted to make sure you were all here."
The five princesses threw glances at each other and at the empty bed that belonged to their missing sister, Kim.
"I hope she's alright, mom." Monique told her mother grimly.
Anne looked like she was close to tears. "Me too. Good night, my little angelfish."
"Good night, mom." The princesses answered back.
Anne swam out of the room. The princess sisters became grim. Even Bonnie wasn't happy. She really hated Kim, but she didn't enjoy the way things were going.
…
To Be Continued
…
Author Note/behind the Scenes
1, finally, this is done. I wanted to get this chapter posted over a week ago, but got delayed
2, when I started writing this fic, I wanted to make it less similar to the Original Disney Film. Originally this chapter had fewer scenes. But I rewrite it many times, making it longer and more complex then it would have been.
3, Kim's sexuality was complicated to write. Disney did Arial lack of clothing well considering.
But after careful thought, I decided to avoid the complicated scenario and gradually came up with the idea of DNAmy of giving Kim something to cover herself. Even bad people can have moments of decency.
4, Most of the scenes with Kim experiencing human food, clothing and such are not mine.
There are various shows where a mermaid, a fairy, alien or whatever becomes human and experience things they are not unfamiliar. These were the inspirations for what you have read.
5, I wanted Kim's family to have a larger role in my fic then Ariel's family did in the movie. That was why I wrote the subplot with them slowly realizing that Kim was missing. I hope you liked the characterizations, interactions and reactions.
6, originally Wade was going to aide Kim on her quest for humanity. But I couldn't make it work, so I backtracked and wrote it that decided that Kim was on her own when she made that deal with DNAmy.