~ Chapter 2 : Silence of the First Strike ~

"Where did it come from?!" King Triton bellowed.

"There, Your Majesty, there!"

The trident fired. Screams and shouts, people panicking, frantic splashing of water, crashes of furniture being overthrown. In the middle of it all, Eric crouched over his wife in fear she would get trampled in the panic. At the exact right time, he swung Ariel into his arms and rushed into the palace.

"Melody - in!" Eric barked without turning his head.

Melody lifted her skirt and rushed in, bumping into some people along the way. Tears were stinging a warpath down her cheeks. In her mind she replayed the scene over. When her parents found out about the Manta's plan, they had tried to rush her inside the palace without panicking anyone. Melody had been led in, and she had hid behind the massive double doors with a careful eye out as her parents tried to get the rest of the people inside. Then, rising out of the water like a demon from the depths of hell, the Manta had leapt out with tremendous strength, his wings spread wide, behind a large boulder on the other side gazebo right in the blind spot of King Triton and everyone else.

His shot had been accurate. He had used a blowpipe of some sort, and Melody swore she heard the prick as the dart shot into her mother's skin. It was the sound nightmares were made of. Melody couldn't remember but she must have screamed because her throat was hoarse.

It all practically happened in slow motion, because as Melody ran to her mother, her eyes and the Manta's eyes met directly, and the evil sea creature winked at her. He winked at her! Melody had felt her entire body go numb as Ariel collapsed like a rag doll and panic swept over the people, human and mer alike.

"Mom! Mom!" Melody sobbed, running alongside Eric. Ariel's eyes were closed and showed no signs of opening.

Eric rushed up the staircase into their bedroom, kicking open the door rather forcefully in the process, and lay down his queen on the sheets. "Melody, stay with your mother," he ordered, and rushed back out.

Melody cupped her hands to her face and started to cry. "Mom, mom..."

Meanwhile in the ocean the Manta was giving the merpeople a workout of immense proportions. Even the strongest of the guards could not keep chase with the Manta who had his wings propelling him forward. King Triton used his trident to speed himself up and tried to blast the Manta, but the large creature was evasive and had already planned for that. He tossed a batch of leftover deadly seashade over his shoulder, forcing the guards to move around the lethal cloud of poison, and when they finally avoided it, the Manta disappeared into the wilderness, a portion of the sea that even King Triton would not venture after dark. In the blink of an eye the Manta was gone, with nothing but the echo of soft chuckles in the water being proof that he had even been there in the first place.

"Back to the surface," said King Triton grimly.

By the time he got back the outside the palace had been completely cleared. Triton arrived just in time to see Eric coming toward the shoreline, his face something stoic.

Jeremy was still there, Tip, Dash and Sebastian by his side. Aquata was also there, but all the rest of the merpeople had returned home. Just by looking at Triton's face they knew that the Manta had got away.

"The poison was deadly seashade, wasn't it?" asked Triton.

"That's what I saw him collecting, yes," said Jeremy. Nobody dared say the well-known fact that deadly seashade was lethal, had no cure and acted within a few hours. "He could have added other stuff, I wouldn't know."

"I have to see her. I can determine exactly what poison was used," said Aquata. She looked at Triton. "Father?"

Triton nodded and with a soft touch of bright magic from the trident, Aquata had a pair of fully functional temporary legs (with a dress on, of course), and she lifted herself out of the water, albeit a little awkwardly. Eric helped lead her to Ariel's room. Melody was still there, lying down in a fetal position next to her mother.

Aquata touched Melody's cheek softly, then turned to Ariel. She placed her hand on Ariel's forehead and there was a soft blue glow as her own magical powers went into action. When it was done she turned to Eric.

"It's not pure seashade," said Aquata. "There's other elements in the poison, like urchin sting and snakebite, and some weaker elements that I've never sensed before. It's strange, but... This poison was meant to take a long time."

"You mean it'll kill her slowly?" asked Eric, the breath in his voice almost all gone.

"No, I mean..." Aquata frowned, "...it'll just remain dormant in her body for a while before killing her. She's collapsed because of the urchin sting which causes fatigue, but she's in no danger of death. Yet. The poison is there in her system but it's been delayed somehow, and will only act after a period of time."

"How long?"

"Two weeks. Three, at most." Aquata delicately arranged some of Ariel's stray hair. "And Ariel's strong. She'll fight it." She paused. "Eric, this kind of delayed poison is usually used for hostage situations. The time period is usually given for negotiation of the antidote. My guess is... My guess is that the Manta wants to make a deal."

Eric was quiet. "The trident?"

"Most likely," said Aquata.

"Can we get our own antidote?" asked Melody, who had been quiet the whole time. Her voice was hoarse.

"It is possible to make our own, but it'll take a lot of time and effort," said Aquata.

"You said my mom has three weeks," said Melody. "That's the time. And as for effort... I want to help."

"All the stuff in the poison came from the sea," explained Aquata. "All the stuff for the antidote will also come from the sea."

"I can still help," said Melody. "Grandfather can make me a mermaid again. I'll go back to Atlantica. I want to help my mother."

"Melody..." Eric began.

"Actually... She can help if she comes back to Atlantica with us," said Aquata. "Her blood is similar to Ariel's, she'll be able to help test the antidote as we're making it. It would be difficult to come back here everytime we add something new to a test antidote."

"And I'll help get the ingredients," said Melody.

Eric watched her daughter. The birthday girl had her hair in ruins, the priceless dress rumpled and torn along the edges, her cheeks sticky with tears. But in her eyes was the strength that she had inherited from her mother, the strength that Eric admired and respected. "Go to Atlantica," he said finally. "But leave the Manta to Triton and his men. I know you're thinking about finding him."

Melody looked at her father with wide eyes. Shoot, he read my mind. "All right, daddy."

"Promise me, Melody. Promise me you won't go after the Manta."

Melody sighed. "I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

A soft moan from Ariel took everyone's attention away from the conversation. Eric sat down next to her, carefully moving the hair from her eyes. "Ariel... Ariel, can you hear me?"

Ariel opened her eyes weakly. "Is... Is Melody okay?"

Despite her control, a loud sob escaped Melody's lips. My mother's been poisoned and she still asks if I'm okay... "I'm okay, mom. I'm right here."

"So the poison was meant for me, huh?" said Ariel, managing a soft laugh. "Eric..."

"I'm right here," said Eric, who lowered his head to kiss Ariel gently on the forehead.

"I feel... tired," said Ariel. "It wasn't only seashade was it?" She focused her eyes on Aquata, who shook her head. "But I'm hallucinating... I'm seeing Aquata in the room."

"She is in the room," said Eric, smiling.

"Oh," said Ariel. "I could have sworn my sister was a mermaid."

Aquata laughed softly, and squeezed her sister's hand. "Melody's coming back with me to Atlantica," she said. "To help find a cure for you. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. You behave yourself, Melody," said Ariel.

"Yes, mom."

"Eric?" Ariel looked up. "I'm going to sleep now. Okay?"

"Okay, honey." Eric blinked back tears. Ariel nodded and closed her eyes. Her breathing was steady as she fell asleep, a comforting sound as it proved that she was still alive. Melody started to cry again, and Aquata took her into a hug. For a long moment the three of them kept still around the sleeping Ariel.

A knocking sound broke the stillness. Carlotta peeked her head in. "Your Majesty?"

"Yes?" asked Eric.

"The people want to know what's going on," said Carlotta. Her eyes darted to Ariel, and she sighed with relief when she saw that she was still breathing. "Just so they're informed, Your Highness."

"I'm coming," said Eric, and he stood up. Turning to Melody, he said, "Gather your things. And you find that antidote."

"Yes, daddy," Melody said softly. She leaned forward and kissed her mother on the cheek. Ariel stirred slightly, but didn't wake up. Melody whispered softly, "I'll be back in two shakes of a fin, mom."

Eric had left the room to what he and Ariel called the 'speech balcony'. It overlooked to main square of the town, and it was where they would give speeches for the people of their kingdom to hear. When Eric arrived there there was the restless chatter of concerned folk, who immediately hushed when they saw him.

"My people," he began. "Today was meant to be a day of joy but ended as a day of sorrow. Princess Melody's birthday celebration was cut short when Queen Ariel was attacked by dart to her neck, and has been poisoned. But she is only ill and not yet in danger of death, and a search for antidote will begin immediately."

Melody walked past the corridor behind the balcony, listening vaguely as the people asked questions like if anyone else had been hurt and who was responsible. Melody heard her father tell the people that she was returning to Atlantica to help find the antidote, but then she didn't hear what else followed as she had entered her room and closed the door.

She leaned back against the door and shut her eyes.

I will be strong for her. I will find the antidote. Melody wiped away the tears, but when she saw her reflection in the mirror she almost started crying again. The beautiful dress that had been made her for her was nearly ruined. She crumpled to the floor, holding back the sobs that threatened to unleash their malice on her.

Melody had always been grateful to have the love of both her parents. Ariel had lost her own mother when she was young, and for the first time Melody had a glimpse of the pain that she must have gone through. That feeling was just awful, and Melody felt horrid that she had never understood that pain.

Melody changed out of the seaspin dress, carefully spreading what remained of it on her bed, and quickly packed up what few things she needed into a small bag that she slung over one shoulder. Ready to leave, Melody stood in the doorway of her room and looked around the place as memories replayed themselves in her head - mom would comb my hair at the dresser, she'd tell me stories before I go to bed - and then she realised in horror that she was using past tense.

"Ready to go?" Aquata asked, standing outside in the hallway. She was leaning heavily against the wall, not used to balancing on the two awkward appendages known as legs, and Melody gratefully gave her aunt an arm to lead her back out to the shore.

King Triton was there, as were Jeremy, Tip, Dash and Sebastian.

"Is she all right?" asked King Triton.

Aquata explained the situation to her father as Melody took comforting hugs from her friends (in Sebastian's case that meant him hugging her shoulder). "You are strong, princess," the crab said. Triton then looked at his granddaughter and raised his trident.

The last time Melody had become a mermaid it had been a moment of joy and elation. This time it was all she could do stop herself from crying.

*****

"They gave me quite a chase," said the Manta, reporting back to the Sorceress. "But nothing I couldn't handle."

"Good," said the Sorceress. "And I believe that as we speak, Melody has already been transformed into a mermaid and is returning to Atlantica with her grandfather. How sweet. And how perfectly predictable."

"Shall I began the next phase?" asked the Manta.

"Yes, but do it quietly," said the Sorceress. "And keep an eye out for Melody. If she's anything like her mother, then she'll be a heapload of trouble if she discovers what we're up to before we're ready. Don't ever underestimate that girl."

The Manta smiled. "Don't worry." He had certainly learned that lesson the hard way.

"Excellent."

*****

"And this will be your room." Aquata hovered in the doorway as Melody entered the room, dropping her few belongings on the bed. Jeremy, Tip and Dash remained behind Aquata, unsure of what to do. Melody had been quiet the whole trip, despite Sebastian's desperate urging to get her to talk. She even ignored Tip's usual comical witty repartee.

"Maybe - maybe we should go," Dash said nervously.

"Yeah, we should check the perimeter," said Tip, who struck a military pose and then proceeded to punch the water. "Can never tell if that dastardly demon will show up again. Don't worry, Melody. Tip and Dash are on the case."

"Thank you, guys," said Melody, who finally managed to smile. She looked at Jeremy. "Um. I'm sorry I hit you with the teacup."

"S'okay," said Jeremy, waving it off. "But that reminds me..." He reached into the pouch he had been carrying and took out a small item which was wrapped in the style of the painstakingly untalented in wrapping. He gave it to her. "I know I've got horrid timing, but it's your birthday present. You don't have to open it now, of course. Just... just keep it. Okay?"

Melody nodded numbly, holding the present. Tip started pushing Jeremy away, saying, "C'mon, fella, gotta give the princess some space." Dash waved timidly with a flipper and then followed the two.

Aquata gave Melody another hug. "This was your mother's room, you know."

Melody's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yup. Even after she left, nobody had the heart to change anything in it," Aquata looked around the place. "Sometimes your grandfather would just come in here whenever he missed her. And you. Twelve years was a long time." Aquata squeezed her niece again. "Despite it all, we're glad you're here."

"I'm glad to be here. And to be of help to my mom."

There was a moment of silence in which Aquata studied her niece, who was looking more like her mother every time she saw her. "All right. You settle down, I'm going to organise the antidote party," said Aquata. "You must rest, Melody. And, like your father said—"

"I know, I know. No going after the Manta."

"Right. That's the guards' job." And then Aquata left, shutting the door quietly.

Had she been there under other circumstances, Melody would have been thrilled to explore her mother's old room. Right now she just felt tired. Too tired to even be angry.

She lay down on the bed and looked at the present that was still in her hand. It was still her birthday after all. Melody cringed. Why did all the bad things have to happen on her birthday? When she was first born Morgana had tried to kill her, on her fifth birthday she'd been caught swimming in the ocean and her parents had the old wall around the palace commissioned, and on her twelfth birthday she'd discovered her locket, been tricked by Morgana and nearly destroyed everything she loved. And now this.

Birthdays stink, thought Melody, shutting her eyes. I must be cursed.

Then, in her mind's eye, she saw her mother. Always smiling, her eyes glowing with warmth, she'd always take Melody into a hug whenever she felt lost and alone. A smile twitched on Melody's lips as she heard her mother's melodic voice in a soothing lullaby, and the princess was soon fast asleep.

*****

"First, we need to get as many experts on poisons in the sea," Aquata announced to the small group that consisted of the most trustworthy she could find for the cause. "Anyone who knows anything about deadly seashade and how it can be used. Urchin, can you handle that?"

"Yes, Ms Aquata!" said Urchin, taking a salute.

"Pearl, you need to go undercove. Find out rumours, stories, anything, about the Manta, what he's been up, where he's been hiding out, anyone he's been seen with."

"Gotcha."

"Then we need explorers. I know a list of items that can be used for antidotes, it might be good to start there. I'll start a list right now. Gabriella, Ollie?"

Ollie looked at Gabriella, and they both nodded. "Tell us what you need, and we'll get it."

"And we'll need recruits later on for when the real ingredient hunting begins. Flounder, you up for it?"

"Anything for Ariel!" Flounder smiled.

Aquata sat back, thinking what other things needed to be done. "And don't any of you worry my father about the details, I'll be handling everything. He's got enough on his mind as it is with the tense situation between the kingdoms."

"Me, how about me?" asked Jeremy.

"You, Jeremy," said Aquata, "Will have the task of guarding Melody, with Tip and Dash. The Manta may have poisoned Ariel, but I've got the feeling that Melody's got a much larger role in this than it appears. Don't try to keep her to Atlantica. She's got Ariel's spirit, and if you try to keep her indoors, she'll find some outrageous way of getting out. Just... Just stay with her. Let her see the sights."

Jeremy frowned. "She came here to help find a cure for her mother."

"Yes, and the best way to do that is to keep her safe for when we need her for the antidote testing," said Aquata. "And with her swimming skills, she'll probably be the one to get into the tightest cove, the most wicked reef and the deepest cave for any ingredient. We don't have that list yet, so just keep her here for now."

Jeremy nodded. "Understood."

Aquata rose. "Very good. Remember, Ariel's life is as stake here." And probably Melody's, she added quietly to herself.
 

 previous chapter :: main page :: next chapter ::