~ The Beast Within ~

Sebastian is excited to go to the palace. Triton doesn't have a clue why Sebastian's all worked up. The howling hairfish gets its teeth in Founder's tail. Flounder feels kinda weird. Flounder's having a bad hair day. [ Sebastian became royal advisor to King Triton about ten years before Ariel was born. ]

Ariel and Urchin, riding squid cycles (first seen in the episode Red), help pick up Sebastian and bring him to the palace. Sebastian is all excited, because it's the 25th year anniversary of the day he officially became King Triton's royal advisor. Although Triton doesn't remember the occasion at first, he quickly gives Sebastian a trophy in recognition for years of loyal service. (Continuity note: Although it was never mentioned in the movie, the series here clearly states that "royal advisor" is Sebastian's official job. Also, don't ask questions about the lifespan of crabs because hey, it's a cartoon about merpeople and talking animals.) The gang, lead by Ariel, head out to Quaking Canyon to look for gemstones. Flounder is apprehensive, as always, but Ariel insists that it'll be an adventure worth having. The gang enter a cave and are trapped inside the entrance is blocked by a cave-in. They swim through the cave to find an alternate exit, and during this time poor unfortunate Flounder encounters a howling hairfish. Although Ariel saves Flounder, the howling hairfish manages to bite Flounder's tail. In order to escape, Urchin throws Sebastian's trophy at the howling hairfish to distract him. Just as it seems that all is well, Flounder starts feeling a little "hairy", and transforms into a howling hairfish himself, fierce and several times larger than his usual size. Flounder the Howling Hairfish terrorises the merfolk of a village, leading to some of his "victims" teaming up to hunt Flounder down. Lone among them is one villager who suggest they see "The Fortune Teller" who might know a cure. Ariel, Urchin and Sebastian overhear this and decide to follow that villager. During this time, Sebastian is mighty upset with Urchin for throwing the trophy, and can't let it go. Urchin himself loses his temper at Sebastian, and the two refuse to talk to each other. The gang eventually find that The Fortune Teller lives in a secluded large shell (that doesn't look all that different from Ursula's own home). The Fortune Teller refuses to help the villager, who leaves dejectedly. But when Ariel, Urchin and Sebastian ask the same thing, The Fortune Teller explains that she loathes the villagers who drove her away. She further explains that the howling hairfish curse was cast long ago by a sea witch (who is not Ursula) and the only way to cure Flounder is with a magical silver mist. Ariel soon figures out that the magical sea mist is a living school of silverfish, which apparently have the magical ability to stop the curse. They rush to save Flounder, who has been caught by the villagers and trapped in a derelict ship about to fall down a bottomless chasm. But they manage to cure Flounder and escape the ship in the nick of time. Flounder, understandably, is upset with Ariel, but he forgives her. Sebastian, seeing this, decides to forgive Urchin as well. Quotable quotes: Ariel: Let's go look for gemstones in Quaking Canyon! Urchin: Sounds like fun! Sebastian: Will we be gone very long, Ariel? Ariel: We'll be back in no time. Sebastian: That long, huh? Ariel: There are lots of gemstones in there. Flounder: Sounds like there's something else in there, too. Ariel: Nah. It was just the current, flowing through that opening. Flounder: Ariel, you always make excuses for scary sounds and spooky caves. Flounder: I've told you over and over... Ariel: Oh, Flounder. If you had a beard, you could be my father. Let's live a little! Flounder: I'd rather live a lot. Ariel: I'm worried. I don't know this place. Flounder: You're worried? Oh, we must really be in trouble! Flounder: Ariel, I'm so mad at you. We see a cave and I go, "I don't want to go in there." Then you go, "Oh, there's nothing to worry about!" Then I go, "Okay." Then [ imitates the howling hairfish ].

There's no bullying Flounder when he's a howling hairfish. The Fortune Teller explains the curse of the howling hairfish. Ariel and the school of silverfish. Sebastian and Urchin aren't talking to each other. Flounder is mad, Ariel apologises. [ Ursula is not the first nor the only sea witch of the underwater realm. ]