Ja'Marco's POV

Ja'Marco's birthday, Hedare/Quitman residence...

My name is Ja'Marco Ra'Keem Hedare.

At this time, I am now seventeen years old and set to receive a giant birthright that's been set in stone.

When I arrived back in the summer, I had an inkling that there was something amiss when it came down to Glenview Valley and my birth family. A part of me wanted to steer clear of them and make my own plans to head back to Los Angeles where I thought I belonged with my world of simplicity, no-nonsense, and routine.

And when I finally learned the whole story about me being a merman and how I'm descended from a powerful lineage while the friends I thought I knew best were planning to have me killed before pulling a one-eighty on me; I was feeling more and more lost than I did when I first arrived.

Even now, as I rise from my slumber after a sensual night lost in endless lovemaking, I was still more concerned about how things would change when I would make the biggest decision of my life. A major part of me that was now connected to Orion the Demigod (who was known as Oliver as a teenager) knew that I was meant for this world that I was gradually adapting to. But on the other hand, a small part of me that still knew right from wrong and was raised up to do so by my late maternal grandparents...he was certain that he could go back to normal after renouncing the claim and letting his uncle and ex-friend's sister to take him out of Glenview Valley.

I toddled my way to the restroom, grateful that my half-brothers and cousins were nowhere in sight. I turned on the light to take stock of the new man that I was becoming: a near-clone of Francis with a bit of Melvin and even Orion mixed in thanks to the Nexus that flowed within me. My eyes were now a constant sea-green with my skin lightly tanned, my brown hair fine and in a short crewcut with some blonde highlights. I was now an elite athlete with a masculine friend with some of my facial features being a bit boyish that were known to be mischievous.

I flexed my muscles a bit, still surprised on how I was now becoming what I thought was impossible. "Oh, man," I breathed. "Is this...is this who I am?"

"That it is," Orion's voice replied in my head. "You're getting closer and closer to being who you're destined to be, my brother and lover. But the final piece is needed to finalize your place in this brotherhood."

I inhaled sharply, still not used to having someone being able to read my thoughts and be able to communicate with me through telepathy. "I'm just scared," I commented. "If I accept this, Jeremiah and Felicia will have no problem with erasing my existence. And then what will become of my family?"

"The two, alongside the Thades, will have to accept it. They had all the time to bond with you before you arrived to Glenview Valley," Orion intoned. "They cannot go against what is meant to be, Ja'Marco. And you cannot deny yourself of what is meant for your legacy. You are not meant to be lost in the hate."

I nodded just as I saw Melvin and Wayne stand in the doorway. "Then I guess I have to do what I have to do," I said. "I only pray that no one will hate me for what's going to happen tonight."

"As long as you know where you stand, all will be well," Melvin, masculine in his form-fitting shirt and jeans, remarked as he crossed his arms. "Like we said, this is all written in the stars and you are meant to be a part of this."

"The ball is now in your court," Wayne added as he gave me a pointed look. "Whether you want to accept it or not, you will rule the rest alongside myself, your father, your brothers, and all the Tritons here in Rhode Island and all over the world."

I nodded. And I knew what I had to do.

**************

Third-Person POV

The Thade residence, later that evening...

"It's almost time," Jeremiah said as he, Felicia, Eunice, and Josiah- all dressed in their all-black glory- gathered in the living room. Only this time, they had their guns on hand and were ready to execute their lethal plan: to euthanize Ja'Marco Hedare and take out any of the Tritons and human supporters that got in their way. "I'm only sad that this had to happen, to be honest."

"I know," Felicia commented as she adjusted the beanie that she wore over her braided ponytail. "Ja'Marco's a good guy whose family are nothing but pure pigs. And with his birthday being today where he has to decide, I'm actually starting to wonder if...no. We can't take any chances at this point. Whether he's still sane or now one of them, we have to put him down and get his body back to California."

"Quite right," Eunice agreed, her husband nodding in assent. "Maybe it's for the best, you know? I mean-"

The doorbell rang. "Who's there?" Josiah said as he went to the door.

"Delivery for Felicia Adamson," said a man's voice.

Josiah opened the door...and was soon greeted by the well-dressed male police officers who stormed inside the home. "What is this?!" the man bellowed angrily.

"Eunice and Josiah Thade, Jeremiah Colby, and Felicia Adamson. The four of you will be placed under custody until Ja'Marco's birthday celebrations end tonight," one of them said in a formal tone as handcuffs were being placed on the four. "This is to keep you out of everyone's way as you four are under severe risk of causing unwanted harm or death of the teen in general."

"Says who?!" Jeremiah barked.

"Says us," came the voices of Frederich, Ferguson, and Francis Quitman as the trio (in their shirtless glory) stepped inside.

"You bastards!" Felicia screamed as she struggled to get out of the handcuffs. "Where's Ja'Marco?! What have you done to him?!"

"Such filth," Frederich scoffed, tsking and shaking his head in disdain. "As for my nephew, he is getting himself prepared for tonight's ascension where he leaves his old life behind and embraces the new life as a Triton and our fellow lover."

"You bastards!" Eunice yelled angrily, tears streaming down her face. "Ja'Marco won't allow for this! He wouldn't stand for it at all! He will renounce the claim and will ask to be killed to save his soul from eternal damnation!"

"Ah, but that's where you're wrong," Francis said smoothly as he pulled out a letter. "He asked me to read his letter to you all."

Hey, guys, the letter began.

If you're reading this, then I guess I made my choice.

When I first came here, I originally believed that there was truly something wrong with this place. Like you all, I wanted no part in what was going on and wanted to head back to Compton where I thought I belonged. But as time grew on after learning the truth, I came to realize that playing on the safe side kept me out of danger...yet kept me from living life to the fullest. And even as I'm getting ready for my big inheritance, I guess you can say that...well, maybe it's best to start playing the dangerous games to finally start living my life.

This sounds like I'm making the  decision to join these guys, but it's more than that. I'm choosing them because I don't want to just survive and settle for the basics. And hey, maybe being a merman isn't going to be bad after all. I will miss you all, though. It's going to be rough watching you grow old while I'm immortal. But it doesn't have to be that way. You all can have a piece of the pie if you just accept the revolution that is about to begin. I only pray that you four can at least try and give it a chance. If you want to leave for wherever you're planning, that's fine. But it only means that I can never be allowed to contact you again. Like Melvin said, the time has come for me to stop existing and looking at the world with scorn. It's time for me to start enjoying and experiencing.

And so, I bid you all either a final farewell if you choose to reject the offer or farewell until next time if you choose to accept. But know that I will always love you all, no matter what happens.

With love and due respect,
Jay Hedare Quitman.

"NOOOOOO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" Felicia sobbed and screamed, thrashing around while Jeremiah slumped down to the floor.

"It's for the best, my dear," Ferguson said soothingly. "All you can do now is accept my nephew's decision and let him go. Or you can accept it and be part of the new kind of cool."

Eunice and Josiah shook their heads in dismay, unable to accept what was being said. Jeremiah had a look of defeat on his face...yet was starting to come to grips with what was about to happen. And he knew what he had to do. "Officer, can you take me to the pool?" he said. "I believe I want to be at my nephew's party."

"You don't have to ask, sir," the male officer said, granting the man a small smile. "Jay will be so happy to have you, as will me and the others."

"No!" Felicia said vehemently. "Jeremiah! You can't do this!"

"I can and I am," Jeremiah Colby intoned as he was helped to his feet. "Sorry, Felicia, but this is all set in stone. And as they say, so say I: if you can't beat them, join them."

The young woman was livid beyond belief. And as she and the Thades were being led into cop cars where they would be taken to a separate location while Jeremiah was taken to the GVA indoor natatorium, Felicia had one mission in mind: warn the newcomers about this town and ensure that they don't join in on the madness. She had nothing but contempt and pity on the young man formerly known as Ja'Marco Hedare. While she hated him for accepting his new reality, she could only hope that things would change in the days to come.

Well, folks, Ja'Marco Hedare is now a Triton and so will Jeremiah! As for Felicia and the Thades, it is what it is. Anyway, folks, the epilogue is coming up and we'll hear from Felicia herself as another newcomer is soon to arrive. Don't go anywhere!

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