After breakfast that morning, Polvina, Ester, Tubarina and Bia went down to the Abysmal Palace to meet with Bia's parents, the Abysmal King Wayne and the Abysmal Queen Yvette. Because of their duties to the Abysmal Kingdom, a giant kingdom that often suffered from food shortages, they often had to leave their daughter Bia at home and in charge while they were away. Now that Bia had grown up, her parents were happy to let her join the frontlines, leaving the Abysmal Palace unattended.

The Abysmal King and Queen were more than happy to lend their support to the girls. "You girls have been good friends to my daughter for a decade. We're happy to lend you our support," said the Abysmal King.

"With our kingdom's power, even the Shark King will have to bow to our might!" remarked the Abysmal Queen.

After having lunch with the Abysmal King and Queen, Polvina, Ester, Tubarina and Bia met up with Miss Marla, Duante and Seretao at the Turtle Palace to pay a visit to the Turtle King.

Tata answered the door. "Oh hello, Polvina, Ester, Tubarina. Miss Marla, you're here too!"

"Hello, Tata!" the three girls replied.

Miss Marla said, "Can we come in, Tata? We're hoping to convince the Turtle King to join us again."

Tata replied, "You can come in, but I don't know if you'll be able to convince him."

Everyone entered the Turtle Palace as Tata led them to the throne room, where the Turtle King and Queen were.

Tata reported to her parents, "Mother, Father, it's Miss Marla. She's come back with Polvina, Ester and Tubarina to convince you to join them."

The Turtle King Taigo said, "My answer from last time stands, Miss Marla. The Shark King needs to be brought to account for what he has put Salacia through."

His wife, the Turtle Queen Harmony, added, "As the chief medical commander for the World of Salacia, I have to agree. The war has put massive strains on our health system to the point that even neutral parties like the Octonauts and Bubble Guppies are unable to help everyone. Let's face it, this wouldn't be happening if the Shark King didn't keep the war going for as long as he did."

Polvina piped up, "Look, Your Highness, nobody wants the Shark King to be brought to account more than we do, but isn't showing him the error of his ways more effective than just punishing him?"

Ester added, "We all know what the Shark King has done, but maybe you don't understand the consequences of what the Shark King is planning."

"You think I haven't heard about his plans already from Miss Marla?" responded the Turtle King. "Of course I know the consequences. It's more reason why the Shark King needs to be stopped."

"Your Highness," said Tubarina. "I know what my father can be like, but I also remember how he used to be. Surely you've had some good times with him when you were at school together."

"Save the sympathy nonsense for someone else. Most of us only respected the Shark King because he was the heir to the most powerful kingdom in Salacia, but over the years, he's shown his true colours towards us all. Maybe you should convince the Shark King to stop the war, Tubarina. He might listen to you because you're his daughter, but I wouldn't count on it."

"I'm sorry, girls, sirs and Miss Marla," said the Turtle Queen. "We're doing this for the good of our world. If you'd like to join us then you're very welcome to, but we can't join you because there is no way to stop this war without defeating the Shark King."

It was then that Hugo returned. "Mother, Father, big sis, I'm home!" As Hugo came into the throne room, he had brought with him Marcello, Sirilo, Marli, Elektra, Angelica and Socita. They were surprised to see Miss Marla and the girls there.

"Hugo, my son," said the Turtle King. "Have your friends come to join us?"

Hugo replied, "Sorry, Father. I believe in a different cause now. Marcello helped me see the light. The Shark King deserves to see a better world and we need to help him fight for it instead of letting him bear the burden all by himself."

"Way to go, Marcello!" praised Tubarina. "How about you, Tata?"

"I'm proud of you, lil bro!" Tata praised. "Father, Mother, we should put our support behind Miss Marla, if not for Tubarina or Marcello then for Hugo."

The Turtle King and Queen thought for a moment. The former then said, "Very well. For you, Hugo, I'm willing to believe that the Shark King can change. I must admit that I may have been a little hard on the Shark King as well."

The Turtle Queen reassured, "Don't be too hard on yourself, dear. The girls and Miss Marla are just trying to achieve the same goal as us in a different way. I hope we can count on each other's support."

The Turtle King told everyone, "I will announce this decision to my supporters tonight at the War Rooms. Please join us for that."

"Yes, Your Highnesses," the girls said.

Off to the side, Duante commented, "Looks like your plans are about to be fulfilled, Seretao."

Seretao commented back, "Yes. My parents will finally be avenged."

"What?"

"Hmm? Oh, right, yes. My plans are indeed coming together."

Veto and Soraia called their friends to the Stingray Palace. They gathered in the garden as they listened to what the two of them had to say.

Veto began his apology. "Guys, I'm sorry I didn't think about what my father was doing to everyone, whether animal, saline or Drylander. Over the last few days, I've seen what my father has been doing and I realised that he has lost his way."

Soraia then followed with hers. "I'm sorry too. I never stopped to think about what it must be like for you because I've never been in your shoes. I'm a princess and I should be caring more about the affairs of my kingdom instead of being with my boyfriend."

Dylan said in response, "No, Veto, we're the ones who really should be saying sorry. It's nice that you're coming around to our way of thinking, but we really should have told you what we were thinking instead of letting it all come out on the battlefield."

Delfi added, "You two have a right to be together, just as we all do. We were all caught up in the heat of the battle and the turmoil in our hearts. Part of growing up is realising and admitting that you're pointing fingers at people when you're also in the wrong."

"Thanks, everyone," Veto said. "Look, are you guys still siding with the Turtle King?"

"Yeah, we are. Why do you ask?" asked Dylan.

"You should join our cause instead." Soraia told everyone. "Miss Marla believes that we can end the war without having to defeat the Shark King, and so do Polvina, Ester, Tubarina and Marcello."

"Why should we side with Miss Marla over the Turtle King?" asked a confused Delfi. Veto and Soraia then proceeded to explain everything they had learnt from Tubarina. Everyone was stunned upon hearing it. "Wow… I can't believe the Shark King would do such a thing."

"I'm having a hard time believing it too," Dylan commented. "The Turtle King's holding a meeting tonight at the War Rooms. You two should join us. We'll find out if the rumours are true or not."

That evening, the Turtle King's faction met at the War Rooms for their meeting. Polvina, Ester and Tubarina also called everyone they went to over the past few days and invited them to come if they could. Most of their friends from school ended up coming to the War Rooms, though there were some exceptions.

"Maurico and Caton appear to have joined the Revengers," Polvina reported.

Ester retorted, "Of course they would."

Tubarina spotted Lorah, one of the Shark King's generals among the crowd, and went to him. "Lorah! Fancy seeing you here. How come you decided to join the Turtle King?"

Lorah replied, "The Shark King's been really out there these past few days. I don't know what he's even fighting for anymore."

"Well, it's nice to see you regardless." Tubarina saw Veto with his friends and went over to him. "Veto! Nice to see you and your friends are getting along again." She talked for a bit with them before going back to Polvina and Ester.

Polvina and Ester went over to Leia, who was with the Whale Queen and Naimo. "Thanks for coming," said Polvina. "I can't imagine being in your situation right now."

"Thanks," said Leia. "We still have to do some more tests, but we're sure we'll be able to manage."

After everyone had assembled, the Turtle King called the meeting to order and made his announcement. "Fellow royals of Salacia, the events of the past few days have been an eye-opener for me. I was right to say that the Shark King should be stopped, but I never realised that we could do better than simply punishing the Shark King. Polvina, Ester and Tubarina have taught me that today and I'm sure these girls have said the same to a lot of you as well. Since we are aiming for the same goal in the end, we have agreed to join our factions and work together to end this war."

As everyone else applauded, Dustin and Agostinha headed for the exit. "Hey, King Dustin, where the hell are you going?" shouted Tubarina without the slightest ounce of tact or delicacy.

Dustin replied, "I cannot stand for a cause with you three girls at the helm. Agostinha and I are joining the Revengers."

Tubarina yelled back, "Motherfucker! You would forsake this cause because of your pride? Or is your girlfriend more important than ending this war?"

Ester pulled Tubarina back as she pleaded, "Look, King Dustin, we're sorry for what Tubarina and I have done to you, but can't you put aside the past and work with us?"

Polvina called out in addition, "That's right. We can talk out our differences later, but now is the time to come together to stop the Shark King and the Drylanders."

Dustin and Agostinha, not saying anything, left the War Rooms, with some others following them in solidarity.

The Turtle Queen said, "I'm sorry girls, but we'll just have to do this without the Krill and Lobster Kingdoms and whoever just left with them."

The Turtle King added, "This is unfortunate, but it is what it is. Anyway, our objective now is to engage the Shark King in battle. We'll meet back here in two days. Everyone, please take this time to prepare yourself and your armies."

After the meeting ended, the Turtle King asked to see Tubarina, Marcello and Veto. Their friends were with the three as the Turtle King spoke to them.

"Now then, Tubarina, Marcello and Veto, I'm honoured to have you three join forces with us, but now that our objective is underway, I can't let you go back to the Shark Palace in case the Shark King knows. Is there anywhere else you can stay for the next couple of days?"

"Your Highness, I appreciate the offer, but-" Veto began before Tubarina slapped him on the back of his head.

"Veto can stay with me!" Soraia piped up.

"I can take Tubarina," Ester offered.

"And Marcello can stay with us!" Hugo added.

"I appreciate it, Hugo, but if it's alright with you, I'd like to go back to my parents," said Marcello.

The Turtle Queen replied, "But Marcello, the Hammerhead Kingdom is right next to the Shark Kingdom. It's no better than you going back to the Shark Palace."

"Queen Turtle's right," said Tubarina. "You should stay here with Hugo and Tata."

"But I need to talk to my parents," Marcello pleaded. "You know, family business?"

"I'm sorry, what business?" asked the Turtle King.

"It's family business," replied Tubarina. "In that case, I'm going with you, Marcello."

"Me too," said Veto. "We won't let you go alone, Marcello."

"And me," added Soraia. "Even if we're distantly related, it should be okay, right?"

"Isn't there anything you can do to stop them?" the Turtle King asked Polvina.

"It's their decision, Your Highness," Polvina replied.

The Turtle King said to the four, "Very well. You can stay at the Hammerhead Shark Palace, but I need to warn you. There's no telling if the Shark King has any ears there, so whatever you do, don't say anything about us or our operation. You can call us from somewhere safe if you need any help. I'll see you back here in two days."

And so, the four of them went to the Hammerhead Shark Palace to stay for the next two nights. Though the Hammerhead King Macnus and Hammerhead Queen Molly were surprised to see them all, they were nonetheless welcoming. There weren't many things to do there since Marcello had all his stuff back at the Shark Palace, but they made do with what they had.