ERIK: *waves for them to calm down* ONE AT A TIME!

*they all quiet*

ERIK: *picks one to explain what's going on*

MERMAN: There's nets!! Tons of fishing nets!! They're starting to swipe up the children!

ERIK: WHAT? *sets Ariel down on the throne and swims towards them*

MERMAID: *sobbing* Huge fishing boats! They've got my baby!

ERIK: calm down. I need some of the fastest, most agile merfolk and we'll deal with those ships.

*some volunteer*

ERIK: *says to everyone else* stay on the castle! Don't leave it for any reason. Ariel, I want you to keep everyone here. Understand? *looks back at her*

ARIEL: Understood. Everyone get close together

ERIK: *takes his volunteers and swims out of the castle*

ARIEL: *closes her eyes*

ERIK: *sees the nets* now, I want each of you to swim to the nets and cut them. Don't get caught!

*they nod and swim as fast as they can to cut the nets*

ERIK: *heads towards where he hears the children crying*

LITTLE MERMAID: Help!!!!

LITTLE MERMAN: Daddy!!! Mommy!! Help!

Baby mermaid: *whines*

ERIK: *swims up to the hull and knocks lightly on the bottom* children? *says through the wood*

*the children all yell at his knocking, signaling they're there*

ERIK: *by magic cuts the hull open so that the water won't come in but the children can slip out* come.

*they swim out, clutching onto him*

ERIK: *disentangles himself from the children* *reseals the hole and guides them down into a patch of a seaweed*

*they hide*

LITTLE MERMAN: Where's mommy?

ERIK: *smiles gently* your mommy is at the castle. I want you all to hide here. I will return for you and take you back. But, don't leave this hiding place.

*they nod*

ERIK: *swims away to see what the volunteers have done*

*all the nets have been cut and the ships are retreating*

ERIK: *swims back to the children*

*they're all shaking*

ERIK: *leads them back to the castle*

*they reunite with their parents*

ERIK: *hurries over to Ariel* is everyone alright?

ARIEL: Everyone is fine... We just have one small problem

ARIEL: *looks toward the children*

ERIK: what it is?

LITTLE MERMAN: *sobs hysterically*

ARIEL: Go talk to him...

ERIK: *swims over to him* what's the problem?

LITTLE MERMAN: M-My Mommy's gone!

ERIK: where did you last see her?

LITTLE MERMAN: The people t-took her in their n-net!!!

ERIK: *calms the boy down gently* was it a large ship?

LITTLE MERMAID: Y-Yeah!

ERIK: I'll get your mother back. Don't worry. *turns to Ariel* how long do you think you can take care of the kingdom?

ARIEL: As long as you need me to. *says confidently*

ERIK: good. Because, I'm going after that mermaid. I'll leave Reza here to help you. But, I'll take Nadir with me. Who knows where she is now...

ARIEL: I will stay strong...

ERIK: I know you will. *kisses her* I'll return as soon as I can. *swims off to find Nadir*

ARIEL: *holds the boy close as he cries*

ERIK: *finds Nadir and Reza* I have a job for you two.

NADIR: What isss it..?

ERIK: the humans attacked and though we were able to save all the children, there is one mother we need to go after. Reza, you will help Ariel take care of the kingdom as long as Nadir and I are gone.

REZA: *nods*

ERIK: Nadir, you're coming with me. We may have to go on shore so remember, I am a rich gentleman and you're my trusty servant.

NADIR: I'll try to control my lisp ssssire

ERIK: please do. It doesn't help much. Now, Reza, to the castle. Let's go, Nadir.

REZA: *leaves to help Ariel*

NADIR: *follows alongside Erik*

ERIK: *swims after the ships* she's on one of those ships.

NADIR: Which one do you think it isss?

ERIK: probably the flag ship. *swims faster*

NADIR: That's not good...

ERIK: its dangerous. That is not only the largest ship but the fastest and the finest.

NADIR: *swims with him* How will we get onboard?

ERIK: through the hull. Remember that trick I can do with opening up a hole that we can get through but no water can?

NADIR: I do

ERIK: that's how we'll manage it.

NADIR: I hope Christine is alright...

ERIK: who's that?

NADIR: That little merman's mother

ERIK: how do you know her name? *arches an eyebrow and looks at him*

NADIR: I made it my responsibility to memorize relations in the kingdom

ERIK: good for you.

NADIR: For your sake

ERIK: I guess it would be helpful.

NADIR: I am your friend

ERIK: yes, you are.

NADIR: And I find that without hard work one can't be your friend, can one?

ERIK: no, it takes a lot of work to earn my trust.

NADIR: And yet... With Ariel...

ERIK: with Ariel....I loved her and that made up for it I suppose.

NADIR: Do you think she trusts you?

ERIK: I believe she does.

NADIR: Well... Let's just rescue the mermaid

ERIK: *nods and speeds up* *growing near the fleet*

NADIR: *follows diligently*

ERIK: *swims lower beneath the sea so neither of them will be seen*

NADIR: Erik?

ERIK: yes?

NADIR: When... When we return after this rescue... I don't want to be a snake

ERIK: *looks at him* what so you want to be? And why?

NADIR: A merman... I've always wanted to be one

ERIK: a merman? *thinks on the subject*

NADIR: And... Umm... There's this... Woman

ERIK: *smirks* I KNEW IT! Who is it?

NADIR: Felicia... Felicia Crystals...

ERIK: *thinks for a moment* yes, she's a very pretty girl.

NADIR: Oh her eyes sparkle just like blue diamonds... She's a true gem... No wonder her last name is Crystal

ERIK: *rolls eyes* well, come along, Romeo. We have another mermaid to rescue then we can go home and I'll change you. Then, you may have your pretty mermaid.

NADIR: Oh thank you, my friend! *grins*

ERIK: *laughs* but, I'm still expecting you to work for me.

NADIR: I will!

ERIK: good. I don't wish to lose my right-hand merman to a woman.

NADIR: *beams* Merman...

ERIK: not yet. We have to survive this... *swims under the flag ship*

NADIR: Alright. *follows*

ERIK: *opens up a hole in the ship's hull*

NADIR: *swims through the hole*

ERIK: *follows him and changes them both into humans*

NADIR: *beams as he's in a suit* Am I a butler?

ERIK: *nods* yes. If we meet someone, let me do the talking. Understand?

NADIR: *frowns* Yes, massster

ERIK: *begins to walk through the ship's hull*

NADIR: *follows alongside him poshly*

ERIK: *freezes as he hears a commotion on the deck and a woman sobbing*

CHRISTINE: *cries and squirms on the deck as they poke and touch her* Stop you brutes!!

ERIK: *growls and looks at Nadir* we've found the Mermaid. *scampers up to the deck and hides behind some barrels*

NADIR: Oh my...

CREW MEMBER: We could sell the tail part...

ANOTHER CREW MEMBER: And leave the other half as the only girl you'll ever have!

*they all jeer*

CHRISTINE: *trembles and cries*

ERIK: *growls and steps out from behind the barrels* you will do no such thing... *stalks towards them*

CHRISTINE: *looks at him*

Crew member: Who the hell are you?

ERIK: *ignores his question* you have my subject. I want her back. Now.

*they all look confused*

CHRISTINE: *gasps* Y-Your majesty?

ERIK: yes, Christine. I can change my form when I wish. Now, let this mermaid go this instant.

*they all start laughing*

NADIR: I would obey my master of I were you...

ERIK: *eyes dark and snaps fingers* *seaweed begins to wrap around the ships, stopping it* I can take this ship to the bottom of the ocean in a moment and send each of you to Davy Jones' Locker with a wave of my hand. Set. Her. Free.

*all their eyes widen in fear*

CREW MEMBER: *shakily takes the net off of Christine*

ERIK: *smirks* Nadir, take Christine back to the water. *folds hands behind his back and fixes the captain with a steady look*

NADIR: *takes her back into the ocean*

CAPTAIN: Your majesty... Please excuse my men's' behavior

ERIK: why were you taking the merfolk? *eyes are hard*

CAPTAIN: To take them ashore

ERIK: why? They weren't yours to take.

CAPTAIN: To see if perhaps they could live in our society

ERIK: why should you want that?

CAPTAIN: Science and if they can't their tails will cost a pretty penny

ERIK: *growls and eyes turn to fire* science! You human are sick! How would you like it if we stole your children and sold their legs!

*they all shout negative and scared responses*

ERIK: *smirks* fairness never was a human trait. *walks over to the door that led off the deck and begins writing strange letters on it*

*they watch him*

CAPTAIN: W-What are you doing?

ERIK: *finishes and turns to them* just a little reminder to you that should this ship ever come into these waters again it will go up in flames and none shall survive.

*they all shake in fear*

ERIK: *smirks at their shaking* *walks over to edge of the ship and glares at them all* I am the one who has ruined all fishing in this area. I can ruin shipping as well if any other ships return. Don't make me.

*they all back away from him and begin to steer back to land*

CAPTAIN: Lock him up. *growls*

*men grab Erik forcefully*