On the surface, Bill opened the same door we entered before.
-Fly!-
The professor continued rowing as fast as he could to get to the laboratory first. The sun was starting to set, we were running out of time!
Underwater, the crab was leading his army from below, while Joe searched with the shark and a group of swordfish from above.
During our trip towards the remaining ingredient we decided to take a break since we were a bit exhausted. Celia took advantage of it to go alone for a while without discomfort behind a couple of rocks. Chuck noticed and went after her.
-Do you mind if I stay with you?-He asked.
-AH!-Celia shouted-Thank god it's you and not my cousin, otherwise I would have already kicked you out of here-
They both laughed and sat down to see the landscape, Celia sighed and said:
-You know...I never thought I would see the ocean like this way-
-And which one did you expect?-Chuck asked her.
-Well...I don't know-Celia replied-I don't think being a fish was on that list-She said, looking at her fins with disgust.
-I think you look pretty…-Chuck commented in a low voice.
Celia, who had heard it, blushed. She then looked at Chuck.
-You look…ridiculous-Said Celia while laughing in silence.
-Wow, thanks-Said Chuck with irony.
-But also adorable-Celia finished speaking.
Chuck turned red after those words. Then Celia leaned on Chuck with her eyes half-closed.
-Thank you for always being there for me-Celia told him in a low voice-You are the only person I trust...and my only friend.-
Chuck didn't know how to react but he let her lean on him and Chuck returned to his formal color, they stayed like that for a few minutes.
-Celia I…-Chuck started speaking-I wanted to tell you that…-
-Guys! We're moving now... -I shouted to them interumping Chuck. I stopped talking when I saw how close they were to each other.
Chuck and Celia noticed, quickly separated and stood up.
-Am I...interrupting something?-I asked.
-No, no! Chuck and I were already going with you guys!-Celia told me nervously.
I didn't believe her at all but I left with the rest anyway, Chuck and Celia laughed in relief until Celia kissed Chuck close to the mouth and then left.
-We'd better go with the rest, shall we?-Celia told Chuck before walking away.
Chuck stood paralyzed, brushing his tentacle where Celia kissed him, until he shook himself a little and also returned to the group.
Back on land, the group of parents had discovered the secret passage that took us to the laboratory, when they arrived they saw the professor.
-Excuse me!-Bill shouted at the teacher-Have you seen 4 teenagers and 2 little kids?-
-K-kids...?-The teacher stammered-Ah yes kids, no...no kids...!-
-Wait!-My father called the professor as he entered his laboratory-What did he say?-
Anna pushed Bill and my father away to confront the professor on her own. Inside the laboratory, the professor ran up the stairs while Anna followed him angrily until they reached the upper floor. The rest followed her and found the professor moving some kind of machine.
-YOU!-Anna said angrily while the teacher made a nervous gesture-Where is MY Charles?-
-Charles? Oh yes!-
-Oh, tell me now or I'll tear you limb from limb!-Anna said, grabbing him by his robe angrily.
-Take it easy, Anna!-Bill said, separating them both-If you kill the guy, he won't tell us where the kids are-Bill directed to the professor-So tell me, where are our children?-
-They...turned into...fish-Said the professor while the parents looked at him surprised-
-We're not playing games with you mister, TELL ME WHERE THEY ARE! Where are our children?
The group of parents began to threaten the professor, until he took the camera and showed them the video of Stella and Steven transforming into sea-creatures. Anna, being the first to see it, shocked, fainted and fell to the ground.