Chapter 13

THE NEXT MORNING.

…

It was early in the morning. The sun high above the ocean surface glistened like a hazy ball of light, brightening the ocean floor, including the City of Middleton.

James arrived at the dining room. He looked around. None of the family had arrived yet. A few servants with trays of food arrived and set it out. One looked at King Possible sympathetically.

"Will there be anything else, your highness?" He asked carefully.

"No," James assured the servant. "You may go."

The servants bowed and swam off.

King Possible put his face in his hands. He wasn't feeling hungry, his thoughts on his missing daughter.

Just then, his daughters, Bonnie, Zita, Tara, Monique and Yori arrived. None of them looked well. They each took their seats and waited. Bonnie was the first to break the silence.

"Where are Mom, Jim and Tim?"

"Your mother isn't hungry right now." James answered grimly. "I'm not sure about your brothers."

"Do we wait for them?" Zita asked.

James sighed. "No. Say your own prayers and then you may eat."

"Thanks Dad." Monique said before folding her hands and giving a silent prayer.

Her sisters followed suit.

James eyed his daughters. Zita and Bonnie made their plates and appeared to have forgotten to say their prayers. But he didn't correct them.

Tara finished her prayer and made her plate. She then glanced at her father. "Kim hasn't been found yet, dad?"

"No." James replied sadly.

The mood of the royal sisters got lower. They resumed their meal quietly. James sighed. "I'm going to skip breakfast." He told his daughters, getting off his seat.

The sisters watched their father go.

"Poor dad." Zita commented sadly.

"Yeah," Tara agreed.

Bonnie sighed. "I hope Kim's alright."

The other sisters suddenly looked at Bonnie in surprise, which annoyed the brunette.

"Hey, I don't like Kim, but that doesn't mean I want something bad to happen to her." She frowned.

"Fair point, sis." Monique commented.

For a long moment, no one did anything. Then they resumed eating silently.

SURFACE

Regent Barkin had almost finished his meal. He glanced over at Prince Ron and his friend, Kim who wore a black and blue dress with black shoes and a blue bow in her hair. Ron wore simple blue pants, black boots and a white shirt and his trademark pouch. The mole rat was on the table, eating cheese from a bowl.

"Okay, I'm done." Ron looked over at Kim. "Ready for the tour, KP?"

Kim gave Ron a look and then touched her plate as if signaling something.

"You want a little more to eat, KP." Ron conceded. "OK. But please finish up so we can leave."

Kim filled up her plate with more food and began to stuff her face, finishing her meal in less than a minute.

"Well, I guess that's that." Barkin commented dryly. "Have fun, your highness. But don't have too much fun."

Ron chuckled awkwardly. "You worry too much, Regent B."

"And for good reason." Barkin countered stiffly.

Ron chuckled more awkwardly while Kim frowned and Rufus gave Barkin a raspberry. The royal official groaned. "This is the thanks I get being considerate."

Kim got to her feet and looked at Ron, clearly ready for the tour.

"Booyah!" Ron exclaimed happily. He looked at Rufus. "Ready to go, Rufus?"

"Yep!" Rufus replied before running to the end of the table and hoping into the poach that hung from Ron's belt.

"Have a nice trip." Barkin told the young prince.

Kim followed Ron outside the castle. Rufus was sticking his head out, eyeing Kim and his surroundings. Up ahead was a strange device. Kim thought it looked like a carriage, only it was strangely shaped, made of a material she had seen but wasn't very familiar with. In front of the carriage were some appendages that were linked to a harness on the back and neck a strange creature with four legs.

"Well, here we go." Ron told Kim.

"Hmm." Rufus responded from the pouch.

Kim followed Ron into the carriage. She eyed the contraption in wonder. Ron then shook the reins and the horse moved forward, leaving the castle ground. Kim looked to and fro. She pointed at some hills. Ron looked at the direction and smiled. "Yeah, it's a nice view."

Kim looked behind her and wondered what the underside of the carriage looked like. She then leaned over so she could see under the moving carriage.

Ron looked at the road up front and then glanced at Kim and his eyes widen. "Uh Kim?" He asked, perplexed by Kim's abnormal stunt.

Continuing to dangle upside down, Kim stared in wonder at the moving wheels and the legs of the creature pulling their carriage.

Ron smirked. "Mermaids. Curious as a cat."

Hearing that, Kim suddenly pulled herself back up and sat back in her seat, grinning sheepishly. She didn't know human customs, but could tell from Ron's comment that she had made a fool of herself.

Before long, they reach a bridge, leading into a town. Kim eyed the river in wonder. She had never seen so little water in such an odd form.

In the town were humans going to and fro. It was like the market place in Middleton. There were stands with various merchandises for sale. Kim went over to a stand, eying some pots.

"Would the lady like a pot?" The merchant asked. "No finer pot in brass or sliver."

Kim looked at the merchant awkwardly. Ron came up. "Sorry, she can't speak."

"Your highness." The merchant exclaimed in surprise.

"She's my friend. I'm just giving her a tour." Ron looked at Kim. "Let's go."

Kim followed Ron. She looked around at the different sights. They then came to an open area. Ron then looked at Kim. "Do you know how to dance?"

Kim nodded. Ron smiled. "Then come with me."

Kim smiled as she took Ron's hand and followed him. They then began to dance. They didn't have any elegance in their moves, but they enjoyed themselves.

UNDER THE SEA

Wade swam to the edge of the palace entrance where two guards were.

"Wade Load." One guard said kindly.

"Hi, I'm here for Kim." Wade announced

"She is missing." The guard grimly told the mer-boy. "The King and Queen are very worried."

Wade grimaced. "They have not found anything?"

"No." The guard answered.

Wade became frustrated. "I'd like to see her brothers, Jim and Tim."

"Sure." The guard replied.

Wade swam into the castle. He made a few turns and came to the door to a room. He opened the door and looked inside. Both twins shut down their magic shells and tried to look innocent.

"Hey Wade." Jim said, looking casual.

"What's up?" Tim asked.

Wade glared. "Kim's missing, and I'm worried."

Both twins looked uneasy. "Yeah, it's awful." Jim agreed.

"What he said." Tim added.

"Care to tell me what happened?" Wade asked coldly.

"What do you mean?" Both boys asked simultaneously.

"Kim's been secretly visiting a human for who knows how long." Wade elaborated stiffly. "What do you know about it?"

"What makes you think we know anything?" Jim asked casually.

Wade fumed. "You were there when her father showed up." He angrily told the twins "Kim accused you of breaking an agreement and the King said you were wrong to not tell him the truth," He glowered at the twins. "Now tell me what happened."

Both princes looked uneasy.

"Okay, you got us." Jim confessed. "We figured Kim was up to something and had a spy shell follow her."

"One of your inventions?" Wade guessed irritably.

"Exactly," Tim replied, taking over the discussion. "So we learned she was visiting a human that she had saved years ago."

"And what happened next?" Wade asked coldly. "And no lies."

"We gave her an ultimatum: do favors for us or we tell Dad what she's been doing." Jim declared.

Wade became indignant. "Your sister was visiting a human and you blackmailed her?!"

"She owed us." Tim countered

"She ruined our concert." Jim finished.

And you thought this human wouldn't harmed her?!" Wade demanded.

"Well, we thought Kim was fine." Tim said weakly.

Wade's expression hardens. "And that is your scientific opinion?" He asked coldly.

Both princes cringed at that question.

"Okay, we messed up." Tim conceded.

"We weren't being very bright that time." Jim agreed.

Wade sighed in aggravation.

"Look, we never intended for any of this to happen." Tim said desperately.

"Yeah, we didn't." Jim concurred

Wade glared at the boys. "Well I'm worried about Kim. Maybe you can use your know-how to find her?"

Jim and Tim glanced at each other.

"Guys, she's my best friend," Wade said, his voice less harsh. "Please, if you have something to help find her, then use it."

Jim pondered this. "We'll try."

"Yes, we will." Tim concurred.

"Good." Wade said uneasily. He turned to swim.

"Hey, Wade." Tim called after.

"What?" Wade said, glaring at the princes.

"We do hope our sister is alright." Tim assured Wade.

"Yeah, we do." Jim concurred.

Wade considered that. "Well, at least you care." And turned and swam off.

He made a turn and then saw Queen Possible.

"Wade?" She exclaimed in surprise.

"Oh." Wade exclaimed in surprise. "Hello, your highness."

"Oh Wade, do you have any idea where Kim is?" Anne asked desperately.

Wade moaned. "Sorry, but I don't know where she is. I'm worried about her."

Anne grimaced. "Me too."

Wade suddenly didn't feel sympathetic. "Maybe she wouldn't have taken off if her father didn't go crazy with that trident of his."

Anne gasped, startled by Wade's words. "Wade!" She snapped indignantly.

"I've got to go." Wade turned and swam off, leaving Anne perplexed.

SURFACE

Ron was relaxing in the carriage while Kim held the reins. He glanced over at his friend. "You've gotten better in controlling a horse, KP."

Kim glanced at Ron, her expression awkward. She recalled how when Ron had given her the reins earlier. She had struck the horse so hard, it had caused the creature to run very fast and out of control and gave Ron a scare. She had enjoyed her experience of the horse running fast, but it still annoyed her how inexperienced she was as a human.

"Hey, stop there." Ron pointed up ahead.

Kim looked. Up ahead was a structure near a lake and wooden platform with what humans called boats nearby. She then pulled the reins and got the horse to stop.

A man came out of the small building and came forward. "Your highness."

"I'd like to rent a boat." Ron told the boatman.

"Of course." He said, looking at Kim. "Who is this?"

"A friend of mine." Ron explained as he got out of the carriage. "I'm taking her on a tour." He took out some coins from his pocket. "Here."

"Thanks." The man replied, looking at his boats on the dock. "Take your pick, your highness."

"Come on, KP!" Ron said, taking Kim's hand.

Kim got out of the carriage and they ran to the dock.

"Let's take this one." Ron pointed to one.

Kim eyed the boat and shrugged. Ron got into the boat and Kim climbed inside and sat across from him.

"Here we go." Ron began to row the oars and the boat began to go off into the lake.

Rufus climbed out of the pouch on Ron's belt and ran to the front of the boat, eyeing the scenery. Kim looked around, enjoying the pretty sights. The lake was interesting. Though large, it was smaller than a droplet when compared to the ocean. The trees were interesting. Though not as colorful or exotic as coral, she found their simplicity unique.

She looked at the water and touched it with her hand, and then held her hand in front of her face, eyeing her wet fingers. The sensation was different. The pond water wasn't like the ocean, or like the drinking water in the palace. She then heard a sound and looked up. There were flying creatures passing by. They looked like birds, but weren't like the sea birds that flew over the ocean.

"What's on your mind, Kim?" Ron asked suddenly.

Kim opened her mouth to speak but then realized she couldn't. She glared at Ron.

"Sorry, I keep forgetting you can't talk," Ron pouted. "Man, I wish I knew what happened to you when I found you yesterday."

Kim grimaced, her mood suddenly low.

"Oh, man." Ron grumbled, realizing things had gotten ackward. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. Look, go and enjoy the sights. After all, this is what you've always wanted to see."

Kim smiled, her spirits lifted. She looked around again. A long silence followed as Kim admired the sights.

Ron's kingdom was amazing. In some ways it wasn't very different from Middleton. Like Mer-folk, humans had homes, a marketplace, a monarchy, culture and art. But in other ways, their cultures were very different. The food, art and such were very different from Mer-Folk. Humans had technology instead of magic. There were land animals instead of sea creatures. And of course, there was very little water on land.

"You hungry, Kim?" Ron asked.

Kim blinked, surprised by the question.

"I asked if you're hungry." Ron told his friend, holding out a bag of food in his hand.

Rufus stood up, looking at his master. "Hmmm."

"Here, buddy." Ron gives the mole rat a lump of cheese.

"Hmm, cheese." Rufus took the cheese, reveling in it.

"Here." Ron handed Kim another piece of cheese.

Kim eyed the cheese questionably.

"Don't worry, this is a different brand then the one you tried yesterday," Ron assured the former mermaid. "You might actually like it."

Kim took the cheese and put it in her mouth and froze. The taste was incredible. It didn't have the unpleasant taste the cheese she had tried yesterday had.

"I see you like it." Ron grinned. "Here." He offered her some more cheese, and a type of bread and some figs.

Kim took the food, enjoying it. Ron grabbed some of the snacks and stuffed his face. Kim frowned. Ron's manners could be atrocious sometimes. She looked around and then noticed that the sun was at high noon. She became nervous as she realized something: she had used up half of her time already and Ron still hadn't kissed her.

"Kim, you alright?"

Kim blinked and looked at Ron, surprised by the question.

"You alright, KP?" Ron asked again.

Kim nodded, forcing a smile. She then glanced at the water again, but her thoughts were on what DNAmy had told her. Ron had to kiss her before the Noon on the third day. She was running out of time. She frowned at her reflection and considered her options. Then she got an idea. She looked up at Ron and puckered her lips.

"Huh? Ron exclaimed in surprise. "KP, what are you doing?"

"Huh?" Rufus exclaimed looking back and surprised at what he saw.

Kim blinked her eyes and kept her lips puckered.

"Oh, you want me to kiss you." Ron exclaimed, looking embarrassed. "Look Kim, you're pretty and all but… I'm not much of a kisser. There was this princess I once kissed and… it didn't go so well."

Kim pouted.

"Come on Kim, don't be like that," Ron pleaded. "We're friends, and that's enough, right?"

Kim felt fear bubble in her stomach. She would be fine with just being Ron's friend, but if he didn't kiss her, she couldn't be with him anymore. But there was no way she could tell him that. And she didn't know how to write it down in the surface language humans used. She looked sideways.

"Kim, please." Ron said as he angled an oar so he wouldn't lose it and then reached over and touched Kim's shoulder. "It'll be alright. Who knows? Maybe one day, we will be a couple. But we can't rush it. I know maturity isn't my thing, but hey, I have my moments."

Kim tried to put on a straight face. She should have known that love at first sight was unreal. She looked around, taking in the scenery again. She then got an idea.

When she was a kid she had a pout known as the guppy fish pout. She could use it to get whatever she wanted. When she got older, her parents became immune to it. But maybe it would work on her young human friend. She looked at Ron and gave him the pout.

"Uh, KP, what are you doing?" Ron asked awkwardly.

Kim kept up her cute innocent expression. Rufus cringed, bothered by what he was seeing.

"Fine." Ron sighed in defeat. "You win, KP."

Kim smiled before puckering her lip again Ron hesitated and then leaned forward and then kissed Kim on the lips. They both felt intense emotion.

With a groan, Rufus looked away, disgusted by the display.

UNDER THE SEA

DNAmy froze in horror, her magical Orb-Of-All-Seeing revealing the two humans kissing. Nearby, Shego, Monty and Drakken watched the whole thing with perplexity.

"Well, so much for that." Shego grumbled.

"What will we do now, mistress?" Monty asked respectfully.

DNAmy pouted, her fists clutched, her tentacles curled like fingers. "So unfair! I was so close. So…" She then stopped. "Wait." She then touched the bubble. It changed colors. Then she smiled. "Of course."

"What is she talking about?" Drakken asked, looking at Shego.

"Like I know." Shego retorted impatiently.

"Oh my little sweet devilfish." The Sea Witch said teasingly. "I said the boy must kiss her before high noon on the third day."

"And now he's kissed her?" Shego retorted irritably. "So how is your plan not scrapped?"

DNAmy gave the mutant eel a scowl and Shego cringed, aware her mistress's displeasure could be bad.

"I said he had to give her the kiss of true love." DNAmy told her eely minion coldly. "That kiss was more along the lines of infatuation. True love can take years to have." The Sea Witch grinned, rubbing her tentacles together like hands. "That is why our little princess is doomed to fail."

Monty and Drakken grinned while Shego continued to frown. "Love. Seriously, who believes in it?"

….

Monique swam into her room, sullen. Tara was on her bed, reading a data shell. She looked up at her dark skinned sister.

"You alright, Monique?"

"No." Monique answered coldly. "I was going to go to Club Starfish today."

"And what's wrong?"

"We're not allowed to leave the palace." Monique answered irritably. "Mom's orders."

"Oh my." Tara replied sympathetically. "I guess she's worried that something might happen to us."

"Hey." Monique retorted. "I've been out of the palace many times and never swam away from home." She scowled. "Kim really made a mess of things."

Tara scowled. "Yeah." She agreed bitterly.

Monique flopped on her bed. "When they find Kim, I'm going to give her a piece of my mind."

SURFACE

The sun was setting. The carriage pulled into the palace courtyard. Ron glanced at Kim. "Well, we're here."

Kim looked at their surroundings.

A trio of servants came to the carriage. "Your highness."

"Yeah, thanks." Ron told the servants and looked at Kim. "Milady."

Kim smiled and allowed Ron to walk her off the carriage. The duo headed to the palace. "You hungry, Kim?"

Kim nodded.

They headed to the dining room where Barkin was already waiting. "So you're back, your highness." He commented. "How did it go?"

"Well, Regent B." Ron assured the royal official. "Kim really enjoyed the tour."

Barkin eyed Kim, though his expression had less hostility then before. He then looked at Ron. "Does she have anywhere to go?"

"Excuse me?" Ron asked, not understanding.

"I mean, is she staying here indefinitely or is she just a guest?" Barkin clarified. "Look, if she's staying here, we need to make arrangements."

"Arrangements." Ron grumbled. He looked at Kim. "Well Kim, would you like to stay here?"

Kim nodded happily.

"Okay." Barkin said. "She'll need to learn proper etiquette. We need to know her place at the castle." He gave Ron a cold look. "And that she won't distract you from your responsibilities."

Ron chuckled nervously.

"I'll make some preparations." Barkin said. "She'll go to classes in about a week. And your classes will resume as well, Stoppable."

"Great." Ron replied and then looke at Kim an smile. "Well, we got all week."

Kim smiled encouragingly.

UNDER THE SEA

James was in a room, looking grim. He had been largely inactive since his daughter had gone missing. Just then, a servant swam into the room. "Sir, Dr. Porter needs to see you if it's possible?"

James groaned. "Fine."

"Only if possible, sir." The servant elaborated, aware that things were difficult for the King with his daughter missing.

King Possible smirked grimly. "Anything is possible for a Possible." He left the room, leaving the servant worried.

The Sea King made a few turns and soon reached the lab. King Possible swam into the lab. Dr. Porter was there. "I was told you wanted to see me."

"Yes your highness," Porter told her monarch.

What is it you wanted to see me for?" King Possible asked.

"Do you know anything about the mystic light that appeared yesterday?" Porter inquired.

"No, I did not." King Possible answered grimly. "So, it has happened again..."

"Yeah, except this one headed towards the surface, probably the dry land." Porter announced.

"Strange." The Sea King murmured. "I don't care about the humans, but what in the sea would target the surface?"

"I have a theory." Porter said softly.

"What is it?" King Possible asked.

"As you know, that kind of light has been seen many times over the past few years," Porter explained grimly. " It's why I have decided to research bizarre cases. To find connections."

What did you find?" King Possible inquired.

Mer-people have gone missing, usually without a trace," Porter explained. "But a few have seen surrounded by a bright light which was identical to the ones we have seen, and then they were transported away and never seen again."

"So you think another mer-folk was taken?" King Possible frowned.

"Likely." Porter answered grimly. "Not sure who, how or why though. And I don't know why this one headed towards the surface."

King Possible grimaced. "Well, then keep me alerted."

"Yes, your highness." Porter replied respectfully.

King Possible departed grimly. He thought of Kim, wondering where she was. "Could… No, it couldn't be." He grew concern. He then went to a servant. "Contact Will Du. Tell him I wish for an update."

"Yes, sir." The servant complied.

SURFACE

The sky was dark and the moon was above the horizon. Ron exited the palace and came out to the courtyard. He casually walked to the outskirts of the palace ground and looked out past the beach and at the ocean.

Ron frowned. The ocean had appealed to him for years. But now it seemed different and incomplete. He looked up at the palace, particularly at the window which was part of Kim's guestroom.

"Oh," He murmured dreamingly. He then looked at the ocean frowned. "Your view isn't very nice anymore." He commented.

Rufus poked his head out of the pouch on Ron's belt and chirped.

"No, the ocean is great buddy," Ron assured his friend. "It's just…the ocean feels incomplete now. I guess Kim made the ocean special. Now having her here has taken away what made the ocean so great."

Rufus expressed his views on that.

"Yeah, I guess." Ron agreed. He looked thoughtful. "You know, I wonder, did Kim leave a life behind? I mean, did she have friends and family?"

Rufus murmured and shrugged.

"Yeah, it's not like we can ask her," Ron concluded grimly. "Oh well." He looked again at the ocean. Then at Kim's window. He smiled and then returned to the palace.

…

To Be Continued

…

Author note. As you know, this taken from the segment with Eric and Human Ariel, only with a few differences.

1, I pondered how to do the kiss scene. I mentioned in a past that I didn't want to do Love at First Sight. While Ron and Kim have a history and do care for each other, I don't think Ron's reached a point where a kiss is true love. True love is putting another before your own rights and needs. Such love is hard to give and takes time.

2, I hope you like the subplot with Kim's family and Wade and their worries for Kim's disappearance.

3, Much of the trivia and details wasn't easy to write. Hope you enjoyed them.

Till next time.