Sister's Fovever

by RalphWolfandSamSheepdog55

Summary:

What if Ariel's Sisters had more of a role in the original film?

Chapter 1: Concert

Sister's Forever

Chapter 1

Concert

The sky was cloudy and grey. A flock of gulls flew over the rough sea waters, and seals and dolphins surfaced to breathe. The marine mammals watched as a vast ship sailed past. Aboard the boat, the crew sang a merry sea song while they opened the sails and pulled a net full of redfish up from the depths.

I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue and its hey to the starboard, heave-ho. Look out, lad, a mermaid be waitin' for you In mysterious fathoms below.

A young man in a white shirt held onto a rope and sighed contentedly as the salty breeze blew through his raven hair. Next to him was his loyal sheepdog, Max, who panted gaily.

"Isn't this great? The salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face... a perfect day to be at sea!"

His royal advisor, Sir Grimbsy, was green in the face and leaning over the side of the ship, losing his lunch. "Oh yes.. delightful..."

On the side of the ship, a man a year younger than him was looking down at the water in awe, wondering what life lived beneath those waves. His blonde hair dances softly in the wind.

"A fine strong wind and a following sea. King Triton must be in a friendly-type mood." A sailor commented as he took out some of the fish, which made the blonde feel uneasy.

"King Triton?" The black-haired man asked.

"Why, ruler of the merpeople, lad. Thought every good sailor knew about him." Another sailor explained.

"Merpeople?" Elmer asked. "As in…"

Grimsby snorted at the idea. "Merpeople! Eric, Elmer, pay no attention to this nautical nonsense."

The sailor waved wildly a fish in Grimsby's face. "But it ain't nonsense, it's the truth! I'm tellin' you, down in the depths of the ocean they live."

Whilst no one was looking, Elmer slipped one of the fish back into the ocean.

The fish signed in relief before swimming, joining thousands of other marine creatures in the kingdom of Atlantica, where a grand concert was to be held. The concert was to be the debut of King Triton's youngest daughter, Ariel.

A sea horse addressed the vast crowd. "His Royal Highness, King Triton!"

Triton entered on a chariot pulled by a trio of Bottlenosed Dolphins. The audience cheered as he used his triton to light a chandelier.

"And presenting the distinguished court composer, Horatio Thelonious Ignatius Crustaceous Sebastian!"

Sebastian entered the hall in his small chariot, pulled by two tumultuous orange fish, that swam so quickly they caused the chariot to tip upside down.

"I'm really looking forward to this performance, Sebastian," Triton said, letting go of the bridles on the dolphins as the chariot landed on the balcony.

"Oh, Your Majesty, this will be the finest concert I have ever conducted. Your daughters, they will be spectacular!"

"Yes, and especially my little Ariel."

"Yes, yes, she has the most beautiful voice. Hmm?" Then, under his breath, he muttered. "If only she'd show up for rehearsals once in a while."

The princesses were getting ready in the dressing room. They practised their song, their voice as sweet as honey.

"That was perfect. Now, remember, ladies, this is a celebration. The audience wants smiles, they want energy." The oldest, named Attina, instructed. "We've got to make Sebastian's music sore."

The others nodded, understanding.

"This is going to be great," Alana said before noticing her reflection in a mirror. "And luckily, I'm looking gorgeous just for the occasion."

"Do you think they'll be boys watching us?" Adella hoped, earning eye rolls from the others.

"I'm just glad we're not dancing. The last thing I need is everyone in the kingdom saying I dance like a piece of kelp." Aquata signed.

"I say you dance more like a dying jellyfish on a beach." Andrina jibbed, earning a glare from her older sister.

"You're not that bad of a dancer," Arista stated, hoping to cheer Aquata up. However, the brunette in blue noticed something familiar in her younger sister's hand.

"Is that my lipstick?"

"No." Arista fibbed.

"Then why does it have my name on it?"

"Ladies, ladies! Let's return to the subject at hand." Attina ordered. The other five returned to the line. "Andina, you must eject from the diaphragm. Aquata, watch that high-end. Alana remember, you sing after Adella."

Alana nodded.

"And then it's Ariel's turn." Arista said.

"Not quite. We introduce her then she..." That was when Attina noticed that the youngest wasn't present. "Where's Ariel?"

"She's not here?" Arista asked.

"How can she not be here? She's the soloist, she has to be here?" Attina stated crossly.

"You know Ariel. She'd miss her own Birthday party." Alana said.

"She almost did last year," Adella added.

"Her big eighteenth too," Aquata said. "But what an entrance she made."

It was then a grey fish swam up to them. "Princess, you're on." He announced before swimming off.

"What are we going to do without Ariel?" Arista panicked.

"Stay calm. I'll tell Sebastian, so he can…" but before Attina could finish, the seahorse announced that the concert was about to begin.

"Too late," Andrina stated deadpan.

Without any alternative, they swam into position.

Sebastian laid out his music sheet and his baton. Once silence fell, he struck up the orchestra. They played the music in perfect rhyme, not missing a bet.

The bubble curtains popped away as three giant clam shells arose. The sisters swim out of the giant clam shells as they sing in harmony.

"Oh, we are the daughters of Triton. Great father who loves us and named us well: Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella, Alana

And then there is the youngest in her musical debut. Our seventh little sister, we're presenting her to you. To sing a song Sebastian wrote, her voice is like a bell / She's our sister Ari–"

The shell opened to reveal that Ariel hadn't turned up. Sebastian gasped in horror, the sisters whinst, the orchestra stopped playing, and the king was furious.

"Ariel!" Triton yelled.

Chapter 2: Ariel

Chapter 2

Ariel

Ariel explored a sunken ship graveyard with her best friend, Flounder. They swam through the murky water looking for treasures from the world above. She was eager to find more stuff, but Flounder wanted to escape the creepy graveyard immediately. He knew too well that areas like this were ideal for predators to set an ambush for a light snack.

"Flounder, look there, it is!" Ariel pointed to a ship covered in algae and barnacles. "Isn't it wonderful?"

"Yeah, wonderful. Now let's get out of here." Flounder began to swim off, but Ariel grabbed him by the tail.

"You're not getting cold fins, are you?"

The best friends swam towards the sunken ship.

"Who me? No, I'm just um... I think that one empty, yeah."

"How do you know it's empty if we haven't been inside yet?"

"Well, I, um..."

"Alright, Flounder, you can stay out here and watch for sharks," Ariel stated before swimming through a porthole.

"Good idea, I'll stay right here and watch for... SHARKS?! Here, Ariel wait for me."

Flounder rushed into the ship but got stuck halfway through the porthole.

"Ariel, help!"

Ariel turned around, seeing her best friends struggling to get loose. She couldn't help but giggle slightly.

"Oh, Flounder." She grabbed his fins. "Here, let me help you."

She tugged and tugged, but the yellow fish with blue stripes was stuck like a bear of little brain after feasting on several honey pots.

"Ariel, do you really think there might be sharks around here?"

"Oh, don't be such a gubby Flounder."

Outside, a large grey figure swam around the sunken ship, its eyes focused on the fish.

Finally, Ariel managed to pull Flounder free, and they swam far down to find treasures.

Flounder looked around nervously. "This is great - I mean, I really love this. Excitement, adventure, danger lurking around every corn-"

He turned to see a skeleton of a pirate with a sword through its chest. He screamed. "Arrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeelll!"

He swam straight into her, knocking her down.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, sure." He shakily said. "No problem, I'm okay..."

"Shhh."

She noticed a glimmering object above them. They went to the upper level and found a silver fork lying on a broken table.

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Have you ever seen anything so wonderful in your entire life?" She picked up the fork and examined it.

"Wow, cool. What is it?" Flounder asked.

"I don't know. But I bet Scuttle will."

She placed the fork inside her bag, unaware of a menacing figure lurking outside.

"Look." She swam over to a dolphin necklace. "Arista will love this."

As she put the necklace in the bag, the figure disappeared.

"What was that? Did you hear something?" Flounder panicked.

Ariel didn't hear him, distracted by a tobacco pipe. "Hmm, I wonder what this one is?"

"Ariel, can we..."

"Flounder, will you relax. Nothing is going to happen."

Neither noticed the enormous great white shark behind them until its shadow fell upon him. Flounder turned and screamed loud enough to get her attention. She looked to see the shark smash through the glass and snap its massive jaws inches away from the fish.

"Ahh! Run! Run! We're gonna die!" Flounder cried as the shark began to chase them. The predator shot up, only to crash its head on the ceiling, allowing Ariel and her friend time to escape to the upper deck.

The shark erupted through the wooden floor right in front of them. Flounder practically swam into its open jaws while Ariel stopped only inches away from the beast's teeth.

They sped away as the shark chomped its way towards them like a madman with an axe.

In the commotion, Ariel's bag got caught on a loose piece of wood. She rushed to get it and only managed to free it when the shark almost caught her.

Flounder swims towards a porthole and gets stuck again.

"Oh no!"

Ariel pushed him through and wriggled out behind him. Flounder screamed as the shark burst through the wall and chased them around the ship's mast.

Flounder bumped into a crossbeam. The shark lunges towards Flounder, but misses as Flounder sinks towards the bottom with a dazed look. Ariel spotted him and swam down to get him, dropping her bag.

She caught him, then saw the shark race towards them, but his head got stuck in the ring of an anchor. Ariel picked up her bag, which had landed near her.

She swam off while Flounder glared at the shark.

"Big bully."

He bows a raspberry. The shark snaps at him, and Flounder swims with Ariel towards the surface.

"Flounder, you really are a guppy." Ariel laughed.

"I am not."

---

On a tiny rock island, Scuttle, the seagull, hummed a song and looked through his telescope.

"Fourteen hundred and ninety-two, dah-de-dum dee-do-do, rum-dim-dim, dee-do-dee-do."

"Scuttle!"

Scuttle flipped the telescope the wrong way round and spotted Ariel waving at him, with Flounder beside her.

"Whoa! Mermaid off the port bow! Ariel, how you doin', kid?" He called. He was unaware that Ariel was already at the shore of the island until he pulled the telescope away.

"Whoa, what a swim!"

Ariel shook her head. "Scuttle, look what we found."

Ariel pulled up her bag and put it on the island.

"Yeah, we were in this sunken ship, it was really creepy," Flounder explained.

"Human stuff, huh? Hey, lemme see." Scuttle dropped an anchor. It caught on his foot and knocked him off his perch. Rummaging through Ariel's bag, he takes out the fork.

"Oh! Oh! Look at this. Wow, this is special, this is very, very unusual." Scuttle

"What? What is it?" Ariel asked.

"It's a dinglehopper! Humans use these little babies... to straighten their hair out." Scuttle elaborated, twirling the fork around his feathers. "See, just a little twirl here an' a yank there and - voiolay!" His feathers go up in a poof. "You got an aesthetically pleasing configuration of hair that humans go nuts over." He hands the fork back to Ariel.

"A dinglehopper!"

"Say, look at this." Scuttle picked up the necklace. "Now this is a common treasure of humans."

"It is?"

"Yeah, a hoopcase. It's a common fashion choice for ladies."

"Oh, Arista's gonna love this."

"What about that one?" Flouder pointed to the pipe.

"Ah - this I haven't seen in years. This is wonderful! A banded, bulbous - snarfblat." The seagull stated.

Ariel and Flounder gasped in wonder.

"Now, the snarfblat dates back to pre-historical times, when humans used to sit around and stare at each other all day. Got very boring. So, they invented the snarfblat to make fine music. Allow me."

He blew the pipe, only for sand and a weed to pop out.

"It's stuck." He coughed.

That was when Ariel remembered. "Music." She groaned. "Oh, the concert! Oh my gosh, my father's gonna kill me!"

"The concert was today?" Flounder asked.

"Uh, I'm sorry, I've gotta go." She snatched the pipe and gathered the rest of her belongings. "Thank you, Scuttle." She waved before diving back under the sea.

"Anytime, sweetie, anytime."

---

Ariel and Flounder swam as quickly as they could, passing a large skeleton-like sea cave in the volcanic landscapes.

Inside the cave, a scrawny, nerdy merman approached a vast cecaelia in a bubbling pit.

""Harold, Harold, Harold. Dear sweet, stupid Harold." The sea witch, Ursula greeted, looking over her shoulder. Her eels swam up to her. "Flotsam, Jetsam. I'm afraid Harold failed to keep up his end of the bargain."

"I did my…"

"You want to impress the ladies." She reminded him as she exited the tub. "I gave you strength and all you had to do was bring me a freshwater lily in three days."

"But I searched everywhere."

"I know. Pity there out of season." She said, scratching his chin.

"Y-Y-You, You tricked me!"

She snapped her fingers and the contract appeared. "It was all in the contract Harold. Dear sweet, stupid Harold."

"Please, please. I just need a little more time." He begged.

"Times up Harold." She cold stated before summoning a golden twister.

"No no please." He desperately pleaded but to no avail. He screamed as the golden magic transformed him into a polyp.

"I do believe this calls for a celebration. Sadly we don't have much. Not like the fantastical feasts we had when I lived in the palace."

"Ursula picked up a scared little shrimp and ate him."

"And now, look at me, wasted away to practically nothing - banished and exiled and practically starving, while he and his flimsy fish-folk celebrate. Well, I'll give 'em something to celebrate soon enough. Flotsam! Jetsam!"

"Yes, Mistress." They beamed.

"Go to the palace and see if there is a weakness. He's got to have a weakness."

"And if not her," The eels chuckled. "His daughters."

"Especially his youngest."

Chapter 3: Attina's Talk

Chapter 3

Attina's Talk

Flounder waited out as Triton scolded Ariel for missing the concert, alongside Sebastian.

"I just don't know what we're going to do with you, young lady!"

"Daddy, I'm sorry. I just forgot I..."

"If it wasn't for your reckless behaviour."

"Careless and reckless behaviour!" Sebastian interjected from behind Triton's crown.

"The entire celebration was, er-"

"Well, it was ruined! That's all. Completely destroyed! This concert was to be the pinnacle of my distinguished career. Now, thanks to you, I am the laughingstock of the entire kingdom!" Sebastian ranted, getting closer to Ariel.

"But it wasn't her fault!" Flounder rushed to her defence, only to get nervous. "Ah - well - first, ahh, this shark chased us - yeah - yeah! And we tried to-"

Triton and Sebastian looked unconvinced at Flounder's seemingly tall tale.

"But we couldn't- and - grrr- and - and we whoooaaaaaa oh, and then we were safe. That the seagull said it was this is this and that is that-"

"Seagull?" Flounder gasped, realising what he said and hid behind Ariel, who gave him a harsh look.

"What?! Oh! You went up to the surface again, didn't you?! Didn't you?!" Triton yelled.

"Nothing happened." Ariel shrugged.

"Oh, Ariel, how many times must we go through this?! You could've been seen by one of those barbarians... by... by one of those humans!"

"Daddy, they're not barbarians!"

"They're dangerous." He picked up Ariel's chin and looked her in the eyes. "Do you think I want to see my youngest daughter snared by some fish-eater's hook?!"

"I'm eighteen years old! I'm not a child!

"Don't you take that tone of voice with me, young lady! As long as you live under my ocean, you'll obey my rules!"

"But if you would just listen-"

"Not another word! And I am never, never to hear of you going to the surface again! Is that clear?!"

Ariel held in her tears as her lip quivered before she swam off, Flounder following her. Triton sat down on his throne, resting his head on his hand.

"Hm! They think they know everything once they become adults. You give them an inch; they swim all over you." Sebastian stated.

"Do you, er, think I... I was too hard on her?"

"Definitely not. Why, if Ariel were my daughter, I'd show her who was boss. None of this "flitting to the surface" and other such nonsense. No, sir, I'd keep her under tight control."

Triton rubbed his chin and suddenly had a moment of insight. Outside the room, Attina was passing by.

"You're absolutely right, Sebastian."

"Of course."

"Ariel needs constant supervision."

"Constant."

"Someone to watch over her to keep her out of trouble."

"All the time-"

"And you are just the crab to do it!"

"What?!"

"Father." They turned to see Attina approaching the throne. "I think I should keep an eye on her. We're sisters after all."

"Are you sure you're up for it, Attina? It's a huge responsibility."

"Yes, Father. I can reassure you that I will not let her out of my sight."

"It would be more convenient," Sebastian added.

"Alright, Attina."

"Thank you, Father."

---

Ariel swam into her room. She went to her bed to lie down. Alana was at their makeup table, putting on plankton extract and sea salt."

"Isn't dinner supposed to go in your mouth?" Andrina teased.

"Must you do this every time?"

"I see an opportunity and I take it."

"At least I'll look attractive, especially to B-O-Y-S."

"And how B-O-Y-S have asked you out?"

"Why are spelling boys?" Arista asked.

"Did someone say boys?!" Adella cried, zooming to them Avery style. "Does plankton extract and sea salt work on them?!"

"That's why." Andrina groaned.

Adella went for the makeup, but Alana held it far out of reach of her younger sister.

"Come just a little." She begged.

"Absolutely not!"

"Just a tiny bit."

"No!"

"Finally, some entertainment," Andrina smirked.

Flounder told Arista to come over. She did, and he whispered into her ear. She gave a thumbs-up.

Attina entered and saw the bickering between Adella and Alana.

"Whoa, whoa, what's going on here?"

"She won't let me use her boy magnet makeup!"

"It doesn't do that," Alana said.

"But you..."

"She's talking about her looks, Ms sea of raging hormones." Andrina laughed.

"Shot!"

Outside, the eels hide in the kelp. They listened in until they saw the shadow of a massive orca. The apex predator of the sea, with a bite force of nineteen thousand pounds per square inch and weighing four thousand and five hundred kilograms, searched the sea bed, getting closer and closer to the eels.

The twenty-year-old spotted Aquata swimming to the window of her bedroom. He swam towards her at great speed, and once he was close enough, he opened his massive jaws...

"Stop, stop, Hikkepik, stop!" Aquata giggled as the orca playfully licked her face like a huge dog. "Alright, I love you too." She began to pet him and rub his nose while doing baby talk. "Who's mummy's good boy? Yes, you are. You're my big, handsome boy."

"Do you have to talk to him like that?" Attina asked.

"He likes it. Do you Hikkepik?"

Hikkepik nodded before licking his face.

"Come on, time for bed."

"Alright. Night Hikkepik."

She swam through the window while the orca went to rest in the kelp forest.

"Yeah, I should be off too, busy day tomorrow," Flouder said before shooting off.

Attina turned to the youngest. "So, where were you?"

"Don't start on me. Daddy's already done enough as it is."

"Ariel, you missed your debut! You knew how important that concert was to him."

"I know, I just..."

"Just what?"

Ariel signed. "Forget it." She turned over in her bed.

"Ariel, we've all had moments when we disappointed Father."

"Ya right."

"Oh no, I have. When I was seventeen, I used his trident and turned his butler into a meowing snail."

"I remember that. I got him mad when Pearl and I went to the Salty Spitoon thinking it was a party club." Alana added.

"When I dated Jeffery. Slimy fellow." Adella recalled.

"When I brought Hikkepik home," Aquata said.

"When I took his chariot out and accidentally crashed it," Andrina explained.

"And when I draw on the grand mirror." Arista finished.

"But he only got mad at you once! It feels like every week he hates me!" Ariel cried, close to tears.

"He doesn't hate you, Ariel. It's just you can be a bit... reckless at times." Attina gently stated. "Something's a lot, but no matter what, he will always love, for you are his little girl."

Ariel didn't say a word. She just looked at the floor. Attina signed in defeat and swam into her bed. The other sister followed. Once the last one was in bed, Triton came into the room.

"Is everything alright?" He asked.

"Yes, Father." The six oldest said in unison.

"Good night, girls."

"Goodnight, Father."

"Goodnight," Ariel said sadly.

Triton signed and left.

---

The king went into the royal gardens and stopped at the statue of himself and his late beloved wife. He stroked her stony cheek.

"Oh, Athena. I wish you were here. You always knew what to do. You knew how to talk to our daughters, and understood how to make them feel better, and everything... everything I don't know how to do."

He turned and looked sorrowfully at the ocean bed. It had been fifteen years since the fateful day that Queen Athena had been killed by pirates. Triton had healed over time, but he never forgave humans for killing the woman who brought joy to the kingdom. Athena had been a great music lover, and every year on the anniversary of her passing, he held a concert in her memory, and today he was hoping Ariel would be part of it.

Sebastian walked over to him. "You know, she's got her mother's locks, but she's got your headstrong character."

Triton looked at him.

"I remember a young merman who was reckless, overconfident, never listened to his parents, but over time he matured into a wise, responsible king who ruled the seas," Sebastian explained. "She's young, but one day she'll become a sensible mermaid, trust me."

Triton signed. "I hope you're right, Sebastian. I hope you're right."

Chapter 4: Part Of Your World

Chapter 4

Part Of Your World

The Princesses sleep peacefully. Aquata hugged her stuffed seahorse, Mr. Fuzzyfinkles, while Attina hugged her doll, Friedrich, which had been handed down from her late mother.

"Stevie, you're so perfect," Adella mumbled in her sleep, having her usual boy-centred dream.

In the dead of night, Ariel opened one eye. Once sure that her sisters were deep in the land of slumber, she quietly swam over to Arista's bed. She paused as Alana rolled over. Her heart beated, scared of her old sister waking up and catching her in the act. Alana was still fast asleep, and Ariel silently sighed in relief.

Once she reached Arista, she gently tapped the blonde on the shoulder. Arista didn't wake up, and she let out a faint groan. Ariel softly shook her.

"Morn..."

Ariel covered her older sister's mouth and let out a quiet "Shhh."

Arista took off her mask, and Ariel jestered her to follow, earning a nod. As silently as they could, they swam out the window where Flounder was waiting for them with Ariel's bag.

Hikkepik snorzed as some kelp tickled his blowhole. The vegetation entered his nostrils, and he sneezed, causing him to wake up. He was about to fall into slumber when he saw Ariel, Arista and Flounder quickly swimming above him. He called to the window in a high-pitched whistle.

"Aquata, tell your pet we're not playing at midnight." Attina groaned in her sleep.

Aquata shot up. "That's not his wanting to play call. That's his something's wrong call."

Attina awoke. "You can speak Orca?"

"Naturally. Comes in handy when I need to know what my Hikkepik needs."

Attina rolled her eyes. They looked around to see the two empty beds.

"Where's Ariel and Arista?" Aquata asked.

Attina looked out the window to see her sisters swimming away from the castle.

"What are they up to?"

"Can you keep it down? I need my beauty sleep." Alana moaned.

"You can catch up with it tomorrow night. You're ravishing already!" Aquata dryly stated before tipping Alana out of bed.

"Hey, what's going on here?!" She asked, taking off her mask.

"I'll explain on the way, now come on. Get Adella and Andrina up." Attina ordered. "Quickly!"

"Alright, alright."

Alana tapped Andrina on the forehead.

"What's the deal?" Andrina tiredly questioned.

"No time, come on, get Adella up."

Andrina got out of bed and went to the last sister and shouted in her ear. "Adella! Adella!"

"What?! I have the most wonderful dream." Adella said.

"The one where you're kissing Stevie?"

"Yeah. How'd you know?"

"Because that's the dream you have every night." She replied dryly.

"Ladies!" Attina snapped.

"Coming." They said in unison.

The five sisters and the killer whale quickly followed Ariel and Arista, past the kelp forest. Soon, Ariel and her friends came to stop by a gigantic rock formation. Ariel removed a large stone, and Flounder and Arista swam in. Ariel checked that the coast was clear before going inside and closing the entrance.

Attina swam to the entrance and opened it. Quickly, Adella, Andrina and Alana followed her in. Aquata told Hikkepik to stay put before she entered the hole and closed the passageway. They swam down the tunnel until they came to a grotto, illuminated by the beams of light from the full moon.

"What's the..." Attina whispered while the others let out a silent gasp. Alana covered her mouth in disbelief.

The grotto was filled with human artefacts, including paintings, kitchen utensils, pipes, jewellery, books, salt and pepper shakers, candle holders, boxes, and even a globe. Every inch was covered with treasures from the world above.

At the bottom, Ariel gave Arista the necklaces she had discovered earlier that day.

"Here, Scuttle called it a hoopcase," Ariel explained, putting it over Arista's neck.

"Oh, Ariel, I love it." She hugged her younger sister. She went to a mirror and examined it closer. "It's beautiful. It's funny, a hoopcase looks like a necklace. Wonder why they didn't just call it a necklace."

"He said it was... was a... a common fashion choice for ladies," Flounder added.

"I can see why."

They chuckled until they noticed Ariel lying gloomily on a rock, looking at the fork she had found.

"Ariel, are you ok?" Flounder asked.

"If only I could make him understand. I just don't see things the way he does. I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things - could be bad." She signed, putting the fork in the top holder of a candlestick.

Look at this stuff.  Isn't it neat?  Wouldn't ya think my collection's complete?  Wouldn't ya think I'm the girl.  The girl who has everything?  Look at this trove, treasures untold.  How many wonders can one cavern hold?  Lookin' around here you'd think.  Sure, she's got everything  I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty  I've got whosits and whatsits galore.

Adella looked through a pair of glasses. Ariel opened a box of wine cork removers, showing them to Arista.

You want thingamabobs?  I got twenty  But who cares?  No big deal  I want more.  I wanna be where the people are.  I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancin'.  Walkin' around on those -  What do ya call 'em? Oh, feet.  Flippin' your fins you don't get too far.  Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'  Strollin' along down a -  What's that word again? Street.  Up where they walk, up where they run.  Up where they stay all day in the sun.  Wanderin' free, wish I could be.  Part of that world.  What would I give if I could live, o ut of these waters?  What would I pay to spend a day, w arm on the sand?  Betcha on land they understand.  Bet they don't reprimand their daughters.  Bright young women, sick of swimmin'.  Ready to stand.  And ready to know what the people know.  Ask 'em my questions and get some answers.

Alana catches her reflection in a mirror. She admires her looks, causing Andrina to roll her eyes.

What's a fire and why does it -  What's the word? Burn.  When's it my turn?  Wouldn't I love.  Love to explore that shore up above?

She swam to the top of the grotto and stuck her hand out towards the surface, before she then sadly sank back down to the floor, watched by a sorrowful Arista and Flounder.

Out of the sea, wish I could be...  Part of that world.

Aquata placed her hand on a beer stein, causing it to fall on top of a jack-in-the-box. As she tried to grab it, she accidentally knocked various things, making them come crashing down on top of an accordion. Flounder hid inside a helmet, startled by the commotion.

Arista and Ariel gasped. "Sisters!" The latter said.

The other sisters looked in shock, Adella sheepishly waved while Attina stared angrily, breathing deeply.

"Ariel - what, are you mad? How could you - what is all this?" Attina asked.

"It's, uhh.. It's just my - collection..." Ariel whinst.

"Oh. I see. Your collection, hmm." The oldest sister replied sarcastically before screaming, "IF FATHER KNEW ABOUT THIS PLACE, HE'D..."

"You're not gonna tell him, are you?" Flounder interrupted.

"Please, don't," Arista begged.

"Don't think you're off the hook, why knowing both of you have collected all this... this..."

"Arista has nothing to do with this." Ariel defended. "She only comes here when I find something I think she'll like."

"How long have you known about this?" Attina asked Arista.

"Promise you won't get angry."

"Tell me and I'll decide."

"Three years." She replied sheepishly.

"Three years?! You've known about three years!"

"How'd you find out?" Alana asked.

"I saw Ariel and Flounder going off one night, and I decided to follow them. Then I came here, and Ariel explained everything to me."

"Why didn't you tell Father the moment you found out?" Aquata accused.

Arista looked down, looking ashamed. "I like human stuff too."

"Please tell you're joking," Andrina said.

"I'm not. I can't explain it, but there's something... magical about them."

"But she doesn't go looking for them," Ariel added. "I'm the only one who has been collecting all of this."

It took all of Attina's willpower not to lose her temper. When she was angry, she sounded just like her Father. "This is what you missed the concert for? To collect STUFF from the MONSTERS THAT MURDERED OUR MOTHER?!"

"They're NOT all monsters!"

"Ariel! They killed our Mother! Don't you understand?! She's dead because of them! Oh, if Father EVER found out..."

"Oh, please, Attina, he would never understand. He'll think it's a problem..."

"You think this is a problem!? I'll tell you the problem! The problem is that Father has six daughters who are proper Princesses, who shoulder responsibility, who do what they're told, who make him proud to be their father, and then, he has YOU!"

Ariel's expression slowly turned from shocked to heartbroken as Attina's words stabbed her in the chest like a knife.

"Ariel... I didn't... Look, we're under a lot of pressure down here." She took Ariel's hand and began to lead her away. "Come with us, I'll take you home and get you something warm to eat."

At that moment, a shadow from the surface engulfed the grotto.

Ariel looked up. "What do you suppose?"

Ariel began to swim upwards and out of the grotto.

"Ariel? Ariel!" Attina called, but Ariel ignored her.

The six sisters, Flounder and Hikkepik, upon seeing them swimming out of the grotto, quickly followed Ariel as she swam closer and closer to the world above.

Chapter 5: The Storm

Chapter 5

The Storm

Ariel surfaced and gasped in amazement. Not far away was a magnificent ship, above which fireworks painted the sky in multiple colours, including red, pink, yellow, purple and blue.

"Ariel!" Attina called as she and the others surfaced for the first time since they were little. "Ariel, what are..."

She gasped in horror at the sight of the ship. Fear covered her face, while the other looked nervously, except for two.

"Pretty," Arista whispered, looking at the fireworks.

"It's one of those... things." Andrina gulped.

"Scuttle told Ariel they're called butts."

"We shouldn't be here. Come on, let's go." Alana whispered fearfully.

Ariel watched with a smile before leaping towards the ship.

"Ariel! Come back! Ariel! Please come back!" Attina called, but Ariel didn't listen. The sisters followed after her while Flounder and the Orca stayed behind.

Ariel climbed up the ship and watched a party on board eye-level on the deck. Three sailors play music as the others dance a jig: Max, a shaggy sheepdog, barks and scampers around the dancers.

Suddenly, Max caught the scent of something he had never smelled before. Following the scent with his nose to the ground, getting closer and closer to the mermaid. Ariel quickly got out of sight. She slowly turned her head to check if the coast was clear, only to find the dog was still there, earning a friendly lick in the face.

"Max, here, boy." A voice called.

Max rushed off to his master. Ariel touches her cheek where he had licked her.

"Hey, come on, mutt, whatcha doin', huh, Max? Good boy, good boy." Eric said, playing with his dog.

Ariel looked at the prince, lovestruck. She had never seen anyone as handsome and kind as the man before her. Her cheeks blushed redder than her hair, and her heart beat loudly. The world around her was a blur except for the man and his dog. A dreamy smile painted her beautiful face.

"Ariel!" Attina called from below.

No reaction.

"ARIEL!"

Still no response.

The six mermaids reluctantly climbed up, joining their younger sister.

"Ariel, come on. Before they see us." Alana ordered.

Ariel still didn't react to her sisters.

They looked at the dancing sailors. The oldest sister glared with hatred.

"They don't look like monsters," Arista observed.

"They never do." Attiana bitterly stated.

"I've never seen a human this close before," Ariel said, watching the young man playing with the dog. "Oh - he's very handsome, isn't he?"

"He looks kinda hairy and slobbery to me," Arista stated, looking at Max.

"Not that one - the one playing the snarfblatt."

"It looks like a flute," Andrina stated.

"Yes, charming. Now let's go before we're turned into fishsticks." Attina said.

"I think we've got a bigger problem," Adella said, pointing to her lovestruck sister.

Aquata noticed a blonde sailor leaning on the side of the ship, looking over the vast sea. She saw the peaceful smile on his handsome face as the salty breeze blew through his hair. His blue eyes were sparkling with wonder and innocence.

She could feel the heat going up to her cheeks... and shook her head, silently scolding herself for even thinking such a thing.

"Are you ok?" Arista asked.

"Yes. Come on, let's go."

"Silence! Silence! Elmer, could you get down, please." Grimbsy announced.

Elmer jumped down, joining his friend.

"It is now my honour and privilege to present our esteemed Prince Eric with a very special, very expensive, very large birthday present." He gestured towards a large object covered in cloth and tied with a red ribbon.

"Ah, Grimsby - ya old beanpole, you shouldn't have," Eric said, playfully slapping the elder man on the back. The crew whistled and cheered.

"I know. Happy birthday, Eric!"

One of the sailors pulled off the cloth to reveal an enormous, gaudy statue of Eric, holding a sword and stepping atop a giant royal crest. Eric was... complexed by the gift. He never saw himself as the sword-willing type of person, and the stute was more of what Grimsby wanted him to be.

Max left out a growl of disapproval, while Elmer tried to hold in a chuckle.

"Gee, Grim. It's, uh, it's, uh - it's really somethin'." The prince rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yes, I commissioned it myself. Of course, I had hoped it would be a wedding present, but..."

"Aw, come on, Grim, don't start. Look, you're not still sore because I didn't fall for the princess of Glauerhaven, are you?"

Eric grabbed the telescope from Grimsby, then walked towards the railing. The mermaids hide before he stops walking. He looked out of the telescope for a second before tossing it back to Grimsby, who caught it clumsily.

"You can't blame him. She was a nice lady, beautiful, but shy in the brains department, like a lot of blondes." Elmer jibbed.

Aquata and Adella looked at Arista.

"What?"

"Oh, Eric, it isn't me alone. The entire kingdom wants to see you happily settled down with the right girl." Sir Grimsby stated.

"Well, she's out there somewhere. I just - I just haven't found her yet.

Eric sat on the railing, looking towards the night sky. Ariel looked up at him with a loving gaze.

"Well, perhaps you haven't been looking hard enough."

"Believe me, Grim, when I find her, I'll know - without a doubt. It'll just - bam! - hit me - like lightning"

A flash of lightning illuminated the darkening sky. The sailors, Grimsby, Elmer and Eric, looked towards the horizon while the wind picked up speed.

"Hurricane a'comin'! Stand fast! Secure the riggin'!" Eric cried.

Thunder rumbled loudly, and Eric and the sailors ran to different parts of the deck as rain started to fall and gigantic waves swelled up, rocking the ship. The crew pulled hard on ropes trying to tie a sail.

In the ocean, a wave crashes over Flounder and Hikkepik.

"We've got to go! Now!" Attina ordered.

They dove into the sea, all except Ariel.

"What are you doing?!" Aquata called.

On board, the captain tries to hold onto the ship's wheel, but it spins out of his hands. The ship crashes through the storm, and a wave passes over the deck. Eric runs to the wheel and grabs it.

On the side of the ship, Ariel lost her grip on the ropes and fell into the water. Swimming underneath, she swims up the stern and sees a flash of lightning hit a sail. A fire breaks out smelling like barbecue, and the ship looms towards jutting rocks. She gasps.

"Ariel, we've got to go!" Aquata tried to tug her away.

Eric pointed to the rocks. "Look out!..."

The ship rammed into the rocks, smashing the front, and all were thrown overboard, except Max. Eric's statue sunks down below the waves beside Grimsby, coughing, who flapped his arms about like panicking a flamingo.

"Grim, hang on." Eric pulled him into a lifeboat, then saw that Max was still on the ship. The dog barks as flames flash in front of him. "Max!" Eric dove back into the water and climbed up the side of the burning ship. As he leapt onto the deck, one of the masts broke and crashed down. Eric leaps out of the way. Flames spread fast towards the barrels of gunpowder.

"Jump Max! Come on, you can do it, boy! Jump Max!"

Max jumped into Eric's arms. The young man hurried to the side of the ship, only for his foot to break through a floorboard, causing him to throw Max into the water. The dog swam as quickly as he could towards the lifeboat.

Eric tried to pull himself free. Under the deck, the flame got closer to the barrel.

"Eric!" Grimsby cried while he and Elmer helped Max onto the boat.

Elmer jumped into the sea and swam towards the boat.

"I'm coming, bud." The blonde cried.

Elmer began to climb the ship. Eric looks over the deck. The flames reached a barrel of gunpowder, and the ship exploded. The sailors and Grimsby look on from their lifeboat, staring in horror.

Ariel swam to the ship to find the two men. Aquata followed to stop her.

The redhead looked around frantically among the debris. Then she saw him floating on a board, unconscious, before rolling off and sinking into the water. Ariel dove down to grab him, where she spotted the unconscious Elmer sinking down. She tried to pull both of them up, but their combined weight made it challenging.

Aquata wasn't sure what to do. Contact between the merpeople and the humans was forbidden, not to mention, humans had killed her mother, two less would be anything to worry about... would it? She could really just let anything die?

No! They were humans, they were monsters, they were killers! Killers like... like... Orcas. Like Killer Whales. Like... Hikkepik.

The mermaid in blue rushed and grabbed Elmer. The two sisters swam to the surface and headed towards the nearest beach.

Chapter 6: Part Of Your World Reprise(s)

Special thanks to Jmmar for the idea of Aquata's reprise of Part Of Your World

---

Chapter 6

Part Of Your World Reprise(s)

The early sun had just finished rising, hidden by grey clouds. A salty breeze gently blew as the waves rolled back and forth on the shore. A few pelicans flew out to sea for their morning fishing trip.

On the beach, the two men were lying on their backs, unconscious, with Ariel and Aquata leaning over them.

"Are they - dead?" Ariel asked, worriedly.

"Not sure?" Aquata said, checking Elmer's eye, his beautiful blue eyes. She studied his gorgeous face. He looked so handsome, so gentle. She brushes a small bit of his hair when her cheeks blush briefly before she shakes her head. "Anyway, we should go before Father gets worried."

Then Ariel noticed Eric's chest rising and falling softly.

"No, look! He's breathing." Ariel beamed in relief, then moved his hair from his face. "He's so beautiful."

"What would I give to live where you are? What would I pay to stay here beside you? What would I do to see you smiling at me?"

Attina, Alana, Adella, Arista, and Andrina surface, looking for their sisters, only to find Flounder and Hikkepik have washed up. They see Ariel caressing Eric's cheek and singing longingly.

Attina's jaw drops in disbelief, to which Andrina close it. The only one who found it sweet was Arista. Flounder gasped at the sigh while Hikkepik noticed his friend looking at Elmer.

"Where would we walk, where would we run, if we could stay all day in the sun? Just you and me, and I could be Part of your world."

The sun peeks through the grey clouds, and Eric's eyes flutter open as he touches Ariel's hand, only seeing her waist up. He watches as the golden sunlight lights up behind her. He could make her fully out, but he could see her face perfectly. Beautiful blue eyes and the most gorgeous face. She turned, hearing Max barking and running towards them. Eric touched her hand before she and Aquata dove into the sea. Max licked Eric's face before the canine run in the sea, barking at where the mermaids had been. Grimsby approached and helped him up.

Elmer awoke and saw what looked like a blue tail fin disappear into the water. His eyes widened in wonder at what he knew he had just seen.

"Mermaids," Elmer whispered.

"Eric! Oh, Eric. You really delight in these sadistic strains on my blood pressure, don't you?"

"A girl - rescued me... She was - singing... she had the most beautiful voice." Eric said, still recovering from the storm.

"Ah, Eric, I think you've swallowed..."

"Mermaids! We were saved mermaids! The sailors were right! Mer-folk do live under the sea! The kingdom of Atlantica, it must be really too." Elmer interjected, overjoyed.

"You drank the seawater, didn't you?"

"Oh, come on."

"Elmer, be realistic for once in your life." Grimsby dismissed.

The three humans begin heading home, while the sheepdog barks in the direction of the mermaids.

"Come on, Max."

The dog follows them, leaving the mermaids.

"We can't ever tell Father. If he finds out, he'll... oh great god." Attina panicked.

While Alana, Adella, and Andrina tried to calm down their older sister, Arista turned to Aquata with a smile.

"What?" The blue-tailed asked.

"It's so sweet. You and Ariel are in love."

"Love? You think I'm in love with him? Me in love with a human? Even by you're standards, that's dense." Aquata stated. The idea of her being in love with that handsome... what was she thinking? He was a human, while she was a mermaid; it was unnatural.

"But you helped him to shore, you saved him, just like Ariel. Maybe you'll leave the ocean to be with him." Arista pointed out in her usual child-like wonder.

"Leave the sea? Ha, never." Aquata said, looking toward Elmer just as he left the shore.

"What would I give if I could stay in these waters? What would I pay to remain away, far from the land? I'll keep my life, I won't roam 'Cause I'd rather be at home. For I can see I'll never be... Part of his world."

Arista looked at her sister in confusion. The orca came to her, looking at the blonde with equal puzzlement. Was it possible? Could a mermaid fall in love with a human?

Ariel hoisted herself upon a rock to watch Eric leave.

"I don't know when, I don't know how, but I know something's starting right now! Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be Part of your world!"

A wave crashes behind her as the wind blows through her hair.

Unbeknownst to the sisters, Flotsam and Jestsam rise behind them. The eels' glowing eye show their wicked mistress the events.

In her lair, Ursula chuckled in evil delight; the cards were in her favour.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. I can't stand it - it's too easy. The child is in love with a human. And not just any human - a prince! Her daddy'll love that. Boys, keep an eye on them some more, find every one of those daughters of Triton's weaknesses! . After all, if I play my hand right, I could get all seven of them! King Triton's daughters would make a charming addition to my little garden."

She looked over to her garden of polyps, all mer-folks who had made a deal with the sea witch to get what they wanted, but failed to keep their end of the rigged bargain and now were stuck to the floor and repulsive polyps.

"Oh, don't worry, you poor fools, you'll have some new friends very shortly. Besides, it's better than the alternative."

She pointed to a dark hole closed off by bars where a deep rumbling noise came. Three glowing eyes shone as Ursula began to cackle, echoing off the walls of the carcass of the deceased creature.

Soon she would be the ruler of the ocean. Every creature from the smallest zooplankton to the biggest blue whale would kneel before her!