“Noooo!” she howled. The last thing the mermaids saw was a frantic swirl as Mantora tried to plunge away in a desperate attempt to escape.
Above the sea, feathers drifted down from the sky like dark snow. Lucy could see that the cormorants were still fighting bravely in the howling wind. The rain whipped through the air and glassy green waves rose up like sheer cliffs around the young friends. Suddenly, a small battered boat rode precariously over the top of one of the waves and dashed down the other side. A terrified human face peered over the edge of the boat. Someone had been caught up in Mantora’s battle storm!
Chapter Four
“That’s John Roberts’s boat,” gasped Scarlett. “But that’s not John in it.”
The mermaids looked up as the faded green boat spun around in front of them. Over its side, a pale young face stared pleadingly into Lucy’s eyes, looking sick with fear.
“He’s only a boy,” said Lucy. “It must be John’s son—Jack!”
At that moment, the wind suddenly dropped and Holly cried out, “Look, the Storm Gulls are flying away.”
It was true. Mantora’s crowlike birds were fleeing from the site of the battle. They darted wildly here and there, trying to escape from Chad and his brothers, who were chasing them into the distance. The waves died down again, the sun broke through the clouds, and its golden rays shone once more onto a calm blue sea. Under the water, the serpents sank out of sight, and Mantora was nowhere to be seen.
“Mantora’s army has been defeated!” cheered the mermaids. They burst out singing for joy:
Our friends are safe,
The battle’s done,
Listen to our victory song!
Our way is clear,
Mantora’s gone,
Listen to our thankful song!
We’ll reach our home
Before too long,
Listen to our joyful song!
As they sang, the look on the boy’s face changed from fear to delight.
“I knew it,” he breathed. “I knew Dad was right all the time. There really are mermaids!”
“Yes,” said Scarlett severely, “and there really are little boys who take boats that don’t belong to them. What are you doing in John’s boat?”
“John Roberts is my dad,” said the boy proudly. “And you must be Scarlett. You’re the one Dad caught, aren’t you?” He looked around at the friends as they bobbed up and down in the water near his storm-scarred boat. “The kind-looking mermaid with the red hair must be Lucy,” he added. “Dad told me all your names.”
“He told you our names?” spluttered Sophie. “But we put a Forgetting Charm on him so that he wouldn’t remember seeing us!”
“I suppose you didn’t make it strong enough for him.” Jack grinned. “Anyway, last night he came into my room to tell me a bedtime story. He said he’d had a strange dream about the Merfolk. He told me all about taking you to Cauldron Cliff. Then he said, ‘But remember son, it was only a dream.’”
“We should have made that Forgetting Charm much stronger,” muttered Holly under her breath.
“I wanted it to be true so much,” Jack continued, “that I couldn’t sleep at all. So I crept out of our cottage on Sandy Bay Island this morning, before anyone had woken up. I took Dad’s boat and rowed out West to look for you. That’s where he said the kingdom of the Merfolk lay hidden. And I’m so glad I did.”
His face shone as he looked at Lucy and her friends.
“Dad thinks I’m going to be a fisherman when I grow up, but I’m not. I’m going to be an underwater explorer, to find out all about the sea and protect it.” Then he remembered something and his sunny smile dimmed. “Dad will be so worried, though. The boat was damaged in that strange storm that blew up from nowhere, and I’ve lost the oars overboard. I don’t know how I’m going to get back!”
Lucy thought about John, anxiously waiting for his boy at home. It made her think longingly about her own parents, worrying over her in Coral Kingdom.
“We’ll try and get you home,” she said softly. “Somehow …”
“I don’t think we can, Lucy,” interrupted Scarlett. “We can’t waste any time rescuing humans right now.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, Scarlett,” pleaded Lucy. “He only came out here to see the Merfolk, after all.”
“It is sort of our fault, in a way,” added Misty. “If we had put a better Forgetting Charm on John, this might not have happened.”
“But what can we do?” asked Sophie, swishing her tail impatiently. “We have to swim straight home. The battle is over and the sunset is only a few hours away.”
“You see, Jack,” said Lucy, swimming closer to him, “we’re on an urgent mission for Queen Neptuna. Look!”
She shyly showed her crystal to the eager young boy. The sun’s rays reflected from it, like sparks of fire.
Wonderingly, Jack held out his sunburned hand over the edge of the boat. Lucy carefully lowered the crystal into his outstretched palm, where it seemed to shine brighter than ever. The other mermaids watched in surprise.
“Can you feel the strong young magic in it, Jack?” Lucy whispered solemnly. “We must get the crystals to Coral Kingdom before sunset, or the power of the Merfolk will fade forever.”
“Then go right now,” Jack cried, giving the precious crystal back to her. “Leave me here—I don’t mind. I’ll get home somehow. You can’t let your powers die because of me!”
Then the mermaids heard the beating of wings overhead.
They looked up to see Chad wheeling above them in the blue sky.
“Mantora and her army have fled,” he called. “Yerik and his sharks were too much for them. None of our friends were badly hurt, and they are returning to their homes. And you must race right away to your home in Coral Kingdom.”
“Can you help us one more time, Chad?” Lucy asked quickly. “This human boy is a friend of ours. How can we get him back to Sandy Bay Island?”
Chad swooped down and settled on the prow of the little boat.
“He could swim home with the dolphins who were fighting alongside us,” he said, tipping his head on one side to see Jack better. “They’ll take care of him.”
“Swim with the dolphins!” cried Jack. “That would be wonderful. Thank you so much.” He leaned over the side of the boat and looked solemnly into Lucy’s eyes. “This has been the most magical thing that ever happened to me. I’ll never forget you.”
“Forget!” exclaimed Misty. “Haven’t we forgotten something? We’re supposed to put a Forgetting Charm on him!”
Chapter Five
The mermaids held hands and formed a circle in the water around the boat, ready to start singing the Forgetting Charm. But Lucy suddenly dropped her hands and said, “I don’t think we should do this.”
The others looked at her in amazement. Quiet, shy Lucy had been so bold today! They had never seen her look so determined.
“Why not, Lucy?” asked Holly. “You know it’s one of the Merfolk’s laws. All humans who accidentally meet any mermaids have to be made to forget all about it.”
“I know,” said Lucy, “But Jack is different. He doesn’t want to harm us or catch us.”
“Even if we can trust Jack,” said Ellie, “we can’t break the Merfolk law.”
“Why not?” replied Lucy stubbornly. “The law was made to protect us, not imprison us. I’ve always been timid and afraid. This adventure has taught me that it’s sometimes good to take a risk. Even Queen Neptuna did that when she sent us young mermaids to collect the crystals.”
“That’s true,” said Sophie, looking around at the others hovering in the water.
“I think we should take a risk on Jack,” Lucy continued. “If he remembers us, it will inspire him to look after the sea himself one day, like he said. And he can ask the other human children to care for the sea creatures that we love.”
“Then so be it,” said Holly. “But we must be a secret, Jack.”
“I won’t tell anyon
e else,” he promised. “Not even Dad.”
Lucy quickly searched in her S.O.S. Kit and found her pearly Mermaid Comb. She pushed it into Jack’s hands.
“Then farewell,” said the mermaids kindly. “Don’t forget us.”
Then Lucy turned to look at the sun. It had started to climb down the afternoon sky, slipping closer and closer to its bed in the sea.
“The sunset isn’t very far away,” she cried. “We have to go!”
The mermaids had outwitted Mantora’s army and rescued Jack. Now they had to put all their energy into racing home with the crystals.
“Mermaid S.O.S.!” they cried, one last time. The brave young Crystal Keepers dived under the waves. Then they streamed away toward Coral Kingdom, on and on through the last precious hours of the day.
The friends passed silver shoals of mackerel, squirming squid, and clouds of tiny shrimps, as they raced through the glimmering sea. They spotted a gray whale and her calf gliding in the cool depths beneath them. They saw mottled green turtles floating near the sundrenched surface. Still the mermaids swam on without daring to stop or speak or rest. Just when Lucy thought she couldn’t move her arms and tail one more time, she saw the beautiful reef that marked the entrance to Coral Kingdom. They were nearly home!
Above the sea, the sun was sinking down in a fiery glow. As Lucy and her friends swooped over the reef, the gleaming towers and turrets of Queen Neptuna’s palace shone below them in the crystal-clear water.
With a sudden swirl of their tails, the mermaids stopped in front of the arching mother-of-pearl gates, which led into the palace courtyard. All six of them knocked eagerly and called out, “Let us in! Tell Queen Neptuna that the Sisters of the Sea have returned.”
The gates were flung open. A guard with a bronze helmet and a long spear blew a conch shell like a royal trumpet. Merfolk with worried faces darted forward from all sides of the courtyard.
“We’ve made it,” called Sophie, “we’ve come home.”
Surprised cries broke out around them. “The young ones are here! Have they got the crystals? How long is left before sunset?”
“Where is Queen Neptuna?” asked Holly urgently.
On the far side of the underwater garden, the guard opened a tall, carved door and Queen Neptuna herself swam out to greet them.
“We have been worried about you, my dear young ones,” she exclaimed. “I am so glad that you are safe.”
“We have done as you asked, Your Majesty,” said Misty quickly. “We have brought you the new crystals.”
A huge shout of relief burst out from the anxious Merfolk gathered all around.
“What great news you bring,” proclaimed the Queen, in her rich, clear voice. “Quickly, everyone, come to the Crystal Throne. The sun is nearly setting!”
Everyone swam eagerly after the Queen into the great hall at the heart of the magnificent palace. In the center of the glittering chamber, there stood the ancient throne, made of silver and pearls. Around its edge were the six sparkling crystals that gave power to the Merfolk.
But these old, dying crystals no longer sparkled. They barely gleamed with the faintest of lights. In a few minutes they would fade forever. The Merfolk gathered around and watched nervously, hardly bearing to look. At any moment the old crystals might flicker out, and Mantora would triumph. All Coral Kingdom’s hopes rested on the young mermaids, returned at last from their long journey.
Queen Neptuna swiftly curled her silver tail and sat on the Throne. Her long golden hair flowed over her shoulders and reached down to her waist.
“You have been faithful Crystal Keepers,” she said to the young mermaids. “You must place the new crystals in the Throne.”
“You go first, Scarlett,” whispered Misty. “You deserve it.”
Scarlett gave Misty a quick smile and glided toward the Throne. She held her crystal in the palm of her hand.
“The first crystal is to protect the fish and the sea creatures,” said Scarlett. Then she touched one of the old crystals with her new one. All the Merfolk gasped. Scarlett’s crystal flew out of her hand. The old and new crystals spun around together, shooting radiant sparks everywhere. Then there was a blinding flash of light. When the Merfolk looked again, there was no sign of the old, fading crystal. In its place, sealed firmly in the silver Throne, was Scarlett’s crystal. It shone with brilliant new life.
“Now you must all do the same,” urged Queen Neptuna. One by one, the other mermaids touched the old crystals with the new ones.
“The second crystal is to protect the whales and dolphins,” said Sophie.
“The third crystal is to protect the seabirds,” said Ellie.
“The fourth crystal is to protect the sea plants,” said Holly.
“The fifth crystal is to protect the Merfolk who care for them all,” said Misty.
The Queen bowed her head graciously to each mermaid in turn, as their new crystals locked themselves by magic into her Throne. Then she looked at Lucy. “And you, little one,” she said. “What have you brought?”
Lucy held out her pure, gleaming crystal.
“The sixth crystal is to protect the humans who come to the sea,” she said softly. She gently rippled her green tail and reached forward to set the last crystal next to the others. But as she did so, a ghastly voice rang out: “I COMMAND YOU TO STOP!”
Every head turned to see who was making the terrible disturbance, then the Merfolk’s frightened whispers echoed around the underwater chamber.
It was Mantora, and she had one last cruel trick to play on the mermaids.
Chapter Six
The Sisters of the Sea hovered bravely around Queen Neptuna’s Throne like a guard of honor. They were finally about to see their great enemy face-to-face.
Mantora swam through the petrified Merfolk, until she hovered insolently in front of the Queen. A long tattered cloak streamed from her shoulders. With a quick flourish, her dark veil was thrown back, revealing a face that had once been beautiful, but was now twisted by malice and spite.
“So, you miserable little mermaids have arrived home,” she snarled. “But I have brought you a surprise!”
A livid green sea serpent slithered out from under her billowing cloak. Lucy darted forward with a cry: “Jack!” The boy’s limp body was entwined in the sea monster’s clinging coils. His eyes were closed and his face was deathly pale. The life was slowly draining out of him.
“So, you recognize your dear human friend.” Mantora sneered at Lucy. “I have a bargain for you, my pretty one. Give me that magic crystal in your hand and I will release the boy. Then you can return him to his family—but Coral Kingdom will be mine!”
Lucy’s brain reeled. How could she make such a choice? If she gave the crystal to Mantora, the evil reign of Storm Kingdom would begin. But if she refused to do as Mantora commanded, Jack’s young life would end. Lucy looked helplessly at Queen Neptuna for guidance. But the Mermaid Queen remained motionless on the Throne, silent like a statue, her eyes fixed on her wicked sister. Yet just as Lucy started to despair, Neptuna’s clear voice seemed to echo in her head: “Strength and courage, Lucy. Believe in the magic!”
The young mermaid looked down at the crystal that she was still clasping in her hand. Deep in the heart of it, a green fire seemed to burn. Lucy didn’t feel shy or nervous anymore. Without thinking, she lifted her crystal and thrust it into Mantora’s eyes. A great flame of light burst from the glittering stone.
“Aaayeee!” screeched Mantora, clutching her dazzled eyes. “You have blinded me!”
She and her sea serpent writhed on the rocky floor of the chamber, their scaly tails tangled in a snaky heap. Lucy shot forward and grabbed hold of Jack’s lifeless body. She flicked her tail with all her might and set off for the surface, dragging the boy with her. Misty, Ellie, Sophie, Holly, and Scarlett rushed to help. Soon they were all racing up, up, up, getting closer to the overwater world where Jack belonged. With a great splash, they burst through the waves.
&
nbsp; Chad was hovering anxiously near the empty green boat, surrounded by a pod of sleek dolphins.
“Mantora and her sea serpents sneaked back and ambushed us when we were swimming with Jack,” he called. “But you have rescued him just in time!”
The mermaids managed to heave the boy into the boat. He lay still for a moment, blinking in the rosy evening light. Lucy gently passed her crystal over his mouth and heart. Then he coughed and choked and started to breathe once more.
“The dolphins will guide the boat back to Sandy Bay Island with their strong beaks,” said Chad. “We will guard them. Nothing will stop us from getting your friend home safely this time.”
Jack opened his eyes and looked at Lucy and the other mermaids as they clustered around the boat.
“You’ve saved my life,” he whispered. “I’ll never forget you, but the sun is setting—now go and save Coral Kingdom!”
Lucy smiled at him, then leaped up in a shining arc before diving into the water. The huge red sun was just about to slip below the horizon. Lucy knew what she had to do, and she felt brave and strong. Followed by her friends, she swam faster than she had ever swum before, straight back to the royal chamber where Queen Neptuna was waiting. Lucy swirled to a stop at the silver Throne.
“The last crystal is to protect our human friends,” she cried. Then she reached out and touched the old crystal, as its very last ray of light flickered and faded. The sixth new crystal spun into its place in a shower of sparks. The Throne shone like a glittering star. At last, the Mermaid Magic was complete.
“Hooray for Coral Kingdom,” shouted the Merfolk. “Hooray for the young mermaids! Lucy! Misty! Ellie! Sophie! Holly! Scarlett! Hooray!”