Chapter 30 - THE RELEASE OF THE TITANS
Ariel's unease deepened as Megara led her through the labyrinthine temple and down a long, dark staircase that seemed to descend into the earth.
"Are you sure this is the way to Princess Jasmine?" Ariel asked, her voice trembling as the temperature dropped.
Megara's response was terse. "Positive." But there was a hint of doubt in her voice that Ariel couldn't ignore.
They soon came upon a dark blue river, and Ariel's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the bony, transparent figures floating lifelessly in the water. "Are they... dead?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Megara's reassurance was unconvincing. "Optical illusions. Special effects trickery to... you know... keep out intruders."
Ariel gulped, still unconvinced, but her naivety led her to follow Megara onto a small rowboat. Megara used a long stick to propel them through the eerie water, her face tense as she glanced back at the terrified former mermaid. She knew that she was leading this innocent girl to her doom at the hands of Hades, and in return, she would gain her freedom. But could she live with that? Was it worth it?
They reached the other shore, and Ariel couldn't wait to escape the haunting image of the dead people circling around her. A winding staircase led up to Hades, and they could already hear his voice in the distance. Megara recognized the anger in his tone.
"The Fates are here and you didn't tell me?!" he bellowed.
"We are worms! Worthless worms!" echoed the voices of his servants, Pain and Panic.
"Memo to me, memo to me, maim you after my meeting. Now bring me Triton's bitch Amphitrite, I need to let off some steam."
Ariel's face contorted in shock. "Mom?" she exclaimed, and without hesitation, she began to climb the stairs.
Megara tried to stop her, whispering urgently, "I think it's best if we go back." But Ariel was determined. She had never known her mother, having been abducted as a baby.
Megara pleaded with her. "It's someone else called Amphitrite. It's a very popular name nowadays. You know like a few years ago, every other boy was named Jason and the girls were all named Brittany?"
But Ariel was deaf to her words, ducking under Megara's arms and sprinting up the stairs. Despite Ariel's lack of experience with legs, Megara couldn't keep up with her.
Ariel stood motionless as she gazed upon the ominous figure of Hades, the god of the Underworld, casting a sinister shadow over the emaciated Amphitrite on the ground. Hades' smirk broadened as he locked eyes with Ariel, her paralysis apparent.
"Well, well, well," he sneered. "Look who decided to pay us a visit. I see you've found a new dress, haven't you?"
Ariel remained frozen as she saw Amphitrite's eyes filled with tears, mouthing "run" wordlessly. But Ariel did nothing, and before she knew it, Hades' ethereal arms seized her and flung her beside her mother with the force of a hurricane.
Megara entered the room, and Hades' grin grew even more twisted. "Meg, my darling," he gloated. "I knew you'd bring this gorgeous princess to me. Two thumbs up to you!"
Ariel's eyes bore into Megara, seething with betrayal. Hades' gaze roamed over Ariel's terror-stricken face. "Don't be afraid, love," he cooed. "It's just ol' Uncle Hades. I've always adored family reunions."
Megara loathed herself, but hid her feelings behind her usual aloof, sarcastic demeanor. "I don't feel like pretending to like you today," she spat coldly. "But we did have a deal, right?"
Hades scoffed, "Yes, the freedom thing. Here it is. You're free. Enjoy your newfound liberty." He waved his hand dismissively.
Megara looked puzzled. "Is that it? Just like that?"
Hades replied dismissively, "Yeah, what did you expect? Some grand spectacle with a spirit eagle and a Bulgarian choir? Sorry, but we don't have that kind of budget down here."
Megara smirked cynically. "Honestly, you sound better when you keep your trap shut."
In a fit of anger, Hades balled his fist, but held his temper. Instead, he imprisoned Amphitrite and Ariel in a dark cell adorned with skeletal bones.
"If you don't mind, I'll be taking my leave," he said, almost politely to Megara. "The cosmos is about to realign, and I've got some giants to liberate. I hope you enjoy your newfound freedom while it lasts, 'cause you'll soon discover that it might not be as permanent as you think. You remember the way out, right?"
With that, Hades vanished, leaving Megara standing before the cell doors that confined Ariel and Amphitrite.
Ariel tried to spew an insult at Megara, but her mind went blank from the sheer emotional turmoil.
"I'm sorry," Megara apologized. "I was forced into his service, and this was the only way to break free."
Amphitrite retched pitifully, and Ariel's eyes filled with tears. "It doesn't matter now anyway," she said solemnly.
"But I'm no longer under his control," Megara stated, and Ariel sniffled. "So technically, I'm not committing any wrongdoing by liberating you."
"What do you mean?" Ariel asked with a glimmer of hope.
Megara swiftly swung the cell doors open. "We need to get you out of here."
High above them, in the castle, Jasmine received an unexpected visitor. A slender yet muscular girl with long, wavy black hair stood before her, brandishing a massive fork. "I am Moana of Motunui. I'm looking for a girl named Ariel," she said, all business.
Jasmine gaped at the Polynesian beauty and the imposing weapon. Then it clicked—Ariel, the mermaid she'd slept with ages ago. So much had happened since then that she'd forgotten all about her.
"Uhm, well, come in," Jasmine said, stepping aside to let Moana enter. "Moana, is it? Who exactly are you?"
"The god of the ocean chose me to protect his daughter Ariel from the god of the underworld, who's trying to kill her and release the titans," Moana explained.
Jasmine's eye twitched a bit.
"Fuck," she muttered under her breath. "I know Ariel, but I have no clue where she is. Let's head to my room, and you can fill me in."
They climbed the stairs to Jasmine's chamber, and Moana recounted everything King Triton had told her. As they opened the door, Jasmine let out a small scream. One of her maids, Carlotta, was bound and gagged on Jasmine's bed. Jasmine hurried over to untie her.
"Who did this to you?" Jasmine asked, disturbed.
Carlotta gasped and spoke quickly, her voice trembling. "A girl! With dark hair and long legs. She overpowered me and tied me up like this." Carlotta was crying all over Jasmine's bedsheet. "She must have kidnapped that poor girl!"
"Which girl?" Jasmine asked, trying to keep her cool.
"The shipwrecked one! With the red hair! Ariel, I think her name was."
Moana gasped, and just then, they heard the door open behind them. Carlotta pointed a shaky finger at Megara, who entered with Ariel and Amphitrite. Megara and Ariel were supporting the weak goddess between them. Jasmine jumped up and swung her hand at Megara for the way she treated her favorite maid, but Ariel blocked her with an outstretched arm. Their eyes met, and Jasmine paused.
"Hi," Ariel managed to say.
"Hi," Jasmine replied, taken aback by how beautiful Ariel still was. They fell right back in love with each other at the sight of one another.
"Were you just about to hit me?" Megara asked indignantly.
"I-" Jasmine stammered, feeling confused. "You tied Carlotta up... you... you kidnapped Ariel!"
"She's helping us," Ariel declared, still gazing into Jasmine's pretty eyes.
Megara rolled her eyes. "We've all done things we regret. Now, help me, this one needs rest."
Megara, Jasmine, and Ariel worked together to place Ariel's mother gently on Jasmine's bed.
"Who is that?" Jasmine asked, her curiosity piqued. "Why do you have legs? What's going on?"
"It's my mother," Ariel whispered, taking a seat next to the bed. "Hades has kept her captive and mistreated her for over eighteen years."
Amphitrite lay unconscious, her breathing ragged and her skin cold to the touch.
Carlotta stood up abruptly. "I'll fetch some water." She stormed out of the room, casting a scowl in Megara's direction as she left.
Ariel turned to Moana. "Are you... is that daddy's trident?"
Moana nodded. "My name is Moana. I made a promise to your father to keep you safe from Hades. But it seems I'm too late."
Megara snorted derisively. "Well, ain't that the damn truth."
"I vow to protect you from here on out," Moana said to Ariel.
"From what?" Jasmine asked, perplexed. "What does this Hades-guy want?"
Megara sighed heavily. "He plans to release the three titans and bring about the downfall of Olympus. But before that, he's likely to turn Disneyland into a wasteland and kill everyone in the process."
Jasmine let out a disheartened sigh. "Oh, just a little apocalypse then."
"He could be here any moment now," Moana declared heroically. "We have to do something!"
"Us?" Megara murmured, her eyebrows knitted in confusion. "What about the ruler of this kingdom? Aren't we just a pair of princesses, a terminally ill woman, a gal with an enormous fork, and a chubby housekeeper?"
Jasmine sighed deeply, her expression turning grimmer by the second. "Afraid so, ladies. The sultan's attending a medal ceremony in the Disney Castle. We're all that's left here."
Just then, Carlotta reappeared, hastening into the room with a container of water, a warm blanket, and a considerable assortment of medical supplies for Ariel's ailing mother.
With a deep breath, Megara pressed on. "I hate to say it, but we're screwed."
"The power of the sea is in our hands," Moana insisted, clutching at hope.
"And how exactly is that supposed to help us?" Megara countered. "I doubt the titans are going to surrender just because you can spray some water at them."
As Moana and Megara continued to argue, Jasmine held Ariel's hand firmly.
"So, you want to talk about those legs of yours?'"
Ariel swiveled to face her. "I struck a bargain with the sea witch Ursula to be able to walk.'"
"Why?" Jasmine asked softly.
Ariel looked at her, a tender smile spreading across her lips. "So I could be with you. So we could... well, you know."
Jasmine chuckled softly. "That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard." She leaned in and kissed Ariel deeply, causing Megara to facepalm in resignation.
"Oh my lord," she said resignedly. "We don't have time for this!"
As on cue, they heard a loud rumbling in the distance. Fear flashed across all their faces as they squeezed each other's hands tightly.
"They're here," Moana whispered, her voice trembling. "We need to get out of here and do something."
"Or die trying," Megara said, her tone defeated.
"Then let's go," Jasmine said and moved toward the door, but Moana seized Ariel by the right shoulder and pushed her back.
"No," Moana said. "You need to stay here with Carlotta and your mother. You're safer here."
Ariel protested, but her voice caught in her throat as Megara joined Moana in holding her back.
"I made a promise to your father that no harm would come to you," Moana said, her grip firm on Ariel.
Before Ariel could respond, Megara interjected. "She's right, Ariel. The prophecy claims that you're the winning factor in this. We can't risk losing you, or everything will be for nothing."
The distant rumbling grew louder, and Jasmine noticed something moving in the water outside the window. Panic spread through Ariel as she realized there was nothing she could do to help.
"It's okay," Jasmine soothed, letting go of Ariel's hand. "We'll handle it."
With that, Moana, Megara, and Jasmine left the room, rushing down the stairs, where Jasmine's pet tiger Rajah joined them, and out of the palace to confront the advancing titans.
Hades appeared on a chariot pulled by black winged horses, smiling sadistically as the three massive beings approached.
"Welcome to Agrabah, my dear guests!" he cackled. "What say you, Titans? Shall we put an end to this wretched kingdom once and for all?"
"YES!" the Titans bellowed in unison, their voices trembling the earth.
"Excellent," Hades said, leaning back in his seat.
Megara, Jasmine, and Moana stood on the beach, trembling with fear as the giants closed in.
"We are utterly outmatched," Megara said, her voice quavering.
"But look!" Jasmine cried, pointing to the palace. "The guards are arriving! They'll save us."
Unfortunately, their hopes were short-lived. The twister Titan sucked up the guards in a single gust, leaving them nowhere to turn.
"That's unfortunate," Megara said, pivoting to face Moana. "Now, Vaiana, it's high time you put that massive utensil to good use."
Moana rolled her eyes. "It's Moana, not Vaiana."
Megara smirked. "Really? That sounds like a name straight out of a porn flick, but whatever floats your boat."
All of the Titans reached the shore, and Moana gripped her trident tightly. As the lava Titan lumbered closer, she released a torrent of water, nearly toppling herself in the process. The Titan roared in pain as the deluge of water washed over it, causing it to vaporize and petrify on the beach.
The girls gasped in amazement, especially Moana, who couldn't believe the power she possessed.
"I apologize for my earlier insult towards the fork," Megara said. "Please continue using it."
The remaining two titans loomed over the city of Agrabah, too far for Moana to reach.
"We need to get them closer," Moana said.
"How?" Jasmine asked, perplexed.
"We need to catch their attention," Megara murmured before shouting loudly. "Hey! Big guy! Over here!" She called out to the cyclops, who glanced back briefly before resuming his destruction.
"It was a good idea, though," Jasmine consoled.
Megara's eyes sparkled with an idea. "Take off your clothes," she commanded abruptly.
Jasmine hesitated, taking a step back. "What?" she said, confused. But Megara was already pulling her dress over her head, standing in her underwear.
"No time to discuss, just do it. I have a hunch."
Reluctantly, Jasmine removed her top. Soon, both girls were completely naked on the beach.
Megara tried calling for the cyclops again, this time in a more playful, girlish tone. "Yuhu! Big guy! You wanna see us fuck?"
The cyclops' head swiveled towards the two stunning women. Megara grasped Jasmine by the waist and pressed their bodies together, their warmth mingling.
Jasmine couldn't help but enjoy the unexpected turn of events. Megara was undeniably attractive. They kissed passionately, putting on a show for the cyclops. And it was working; the cyclops' mouth began to water profusely.
Megara moved downwards, kissing Jasmine's neck, chest, and eventually her large, round breasts. Jasmine threw her head back and moaned loudly, ensuring the titan could hear her. Megara's hand slid slowly down Jasmine's flat stomach and then between her legs.
"Uuuuh, this pussy is so wet," she said to the cyclops, and it was true.
The cyclops couldn't resist moving closer. Megara nodded at Moana to prepare herself with the trident. Jasmine made sure to make her moans as excessive as possible, though they were genuine as Megara skillfully circled her clit.
Now, the cyclops seemed close enough for Moana to strike. She aimed and released a torrent of water from the trident's sharp end, but the cyclops merely laughed.
"What the fuck, why is it laughing?" Megara exclaimed.
The stream of water seemed to tickle the giant titan instead of harming it.
"What do we do now?" Moana asked, still spraying the laughing cyclops.
"I have an idea!" Jasmine shouted and dashed towards the guards' armory, accompanied by Rajah.
As Amphitrite's eyes fluttered open, she gazed at Ariel beside her bed, her voice barely a whisper. "Ariel? Is that you?"
A single tear slid down Ariel's face as she nodded, holding her mother's hand tightly. "Yes, Mom," she replied softly.
"You're so big." Amphitrite's eyes filled with joy as she took in the sight of her grown daughter.
But then Ariel's gaze shifted to the window, where she saw the approaching cyclops. The sight was too much for her to bear. She had to do something. She had to help the girls on the shore, even if she didn't know how. Her heart raced as she stood up, determination burning in her eyes. "I can't just sit here and watch them die," she declared, her voice filled with urgency.
As Ariel sprinted towards the fray, Jasmine suddenly burst from the armory, still completely naked. Megara squinted, unsure if she was seeing correctly. Riding atop the tiger Rajah, Jasmine brandished a pair of machine guns, unleashing a hail of bullets at the beleaguered cyclops. Her breasts jiggled enticingly with each step the tiger took, drawing ever closer to the howling monster. The cyclops screamed in agony as Jasmine's relentless assault finally brought it to its knees.
Megara and Moana watched in awe as the scene unfolded before them, their mouths agape. Just as victory seemed within their grasp, the cyclops toppled a massive stone pillar from a nearby temple, sending it hurtling towards Jasmine. Ariel leapt into action, pushing Jasmine out of harm's way, when the pillar struck her with a deafening thud.
The trio rushed to Ariel's side, lifting the heavy pillar off her body in unison. Moana checked her pulse, the grim reality setting in. Ariel was gone.
"NO!" Jasmine wailed, collapsing to the ground. "WHY? WHY DID YOU DO THAT?" she cried, her anguish palpable.
Megara felt her breath catch in her throat, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't comprehend the loss. Moana was consumed by a mix of anger, guilt, and grief. She had broken her promise to Triton, and now they were all doomed.
The tornado titan returned, its approach drawing their attention once more. Desperate, Megara aimed Jasmine's guns at the monster, but the bullets passed right through it. Moana tried to douse it with water, but the same fate befell her efforts.
Frustrated and out of options, Moana pointed towards the ocean and summoned a horde of great white sharks with her trident. But, as predicted, they were effortlessly sucked up by the tornado.
The monster advanced relentlessly, and all their attempts to stop it failed. Jasmine lay beside Ariel, sobbing uncontrollably, while Megara stared helplessly at the sky.
"I wish we a a giant vacuum cleaner or something to suck up this fucking thing," Megara said, her voice laced with desperation.
"Wish..." Jasmine whispered, her thoughts drifting back to the genie. "Genie!" she cried out. Moana looked at her skeptically, but she continued, "Genie!"
Suddenly, the genie materialized before them, holding an old flip phone to his ear. "Somebody called?" he asked, his tone lighthearted.
Jasmine didn't have time for his jests. "I wish I had a giant vacuum cleaner to suck up the tornado monster," she said urgently.
The genie raised an eyebrow. "Oh hi, Princess. You seem to have forgotten your clothes today," he quipped.
Ignoring his teasing, Jasmine pleaded, "Please, we need your help."
The genie nodded solemnly, his expression serious. "Very well, Princess. Your wish is my command."
Genie transformed into a 50-foot tall vacuum cleaner and, with a swift swoosh, captured the approaching titan. The air grew eerily silent as Moana collapsed in the sand, exhausted. Megara joined Jasmine beside Ariel's lifeless body.
"It's done," Jasmine panted, her voice trembling. "It's over."
Megara looked up at her, her eyes bloodshot. "No," she said simply. "It's not over." She stood up and declared, "I'm going to Hades to trade my life for hers."
"No, I should do that," Moana argued. "I vowed to protect her."
"If anyone should do it, it should be me," Jasmine sniffled. "I love her... and she died because of me."
"I know him," Megara said. "I'm going to do it and you can't stop me."
Before anyone could protest, Megara sprinted down the staircase and crossed the river of the dead. Hades' body was ablaze with fury.
"HOW!" he screamed at the fates, who resembled demonic hags and wore simple black cloaks. "YOU SAID THAT ARIEL WAS THE ONE WHO WAS GOING TO STOP ME, BUT SHE DIED! HOW AM I STILL ON THE LOSING SIDE?"
"Yes," one of the fates replied calmly. "She did stop you. By saving Princess Jasmine, she saved the one who could summon the genie and put an end to your massacre."
"WHAT!" Hades bellowed, clearly preparing to launch into a rage, but Megara interrupted.
"Yeah, you really fucked up on this one," she said.
Hades turned to her, flames still engulfing his body. "Oh, this shall be good," he said. "Why are YOU here, Meg?"
"I want to bargain," Megara said confidently. Her eyes were red from crying.
Suddenly, Hades' anger subsided, and he began to laugh. "Hahahaha, you want to bargain?" he taunted. "Okay, you have my curiosity."
"Let Ariel go," Megara demanded.
"Oh, that's too late, honey," Hades replied. "You see, Ariel's running with a new crowd these days. And not a very lively one, at that. She's sleeping with the fishes… so to speak."
"I know you have the power to bring her back," Megara said, taking a deep breath. "In return, I will be your servant again. I will do anything for you, and you can do anything to me you want, just bring Ariel back."
Megara could see Hades considering her offer.
"Going once!"
"Going twice!"
"Okay, okay, okay, okay. You get her out - she goes, you stay," Hades said. He raised his hand, and Ariel's bony ghost body emerged from the death river and soared upwards, disappearing into the underworld's ceiling.
Megara couldn't help but smile. Then she felt Hades' gaze on her and quickly knelt before him. "What do you want of me, master?"
Hades revealed his ugly teeth in a smile. "What do you know about magic mirrors?"
Up on the surface, Moana and Jasmine still knelt over Ariel's lifeless body. Jasmine glanced towards the city, noticing the extensive damage. She feared what her father would say when he returned and could only hope Belle wasn't trapped in one of the destroyed buildings.
Then she looked back at Ariel and continued waiting, though her hope was beginning to dwindle.
Suddenly, Ariel's eyes fluttered open, and she began to breathe.