Chapter 7.

Huddled up, Simon and the sea creatures tapped their chins and patted their foreheads. They needed to think of something to do quickly.

Simon spoke in a concerned tone, “if Esperanza will not listen to us, we are going to need to the big boss to help save us and the sea, or our home will be corrupted and we will be imprisoned under the cruel force of Ahlecco and her snakes… Now, let's think, quickly!”

Simon and the sea creatures nodded their heads in unison and in agreement. They swam further under the ocean, and headed to Goddess Charlotte's throne. Along their way there, the water stared to turn murky and grimey. Ahlecco's curse over the sea had began. Panicking, Simon and the sea creatures swam quicker, until they bumped fins with the clown fish.

The first clown fish blurted, “hey, watch it loser!”

The second clown fished joined in the mean antics, “well if it isn't Simon, and… Wait. Did we scare away your untalented mermaid girlfriend?”

All three of the clown fish laughed.

Simon slapped fin to fin with the second clown fish. The other sea creatures broke up the confrontation.

Simon spoke boldly, “There's no time for your foolishness. If you haven't noticed, Ahlecco has risen from the ocean's underworld and is out to destroy our ocean, forever!!”

The third clown fish replied, “the monster, Ahlecco?”

Simon said, “Yes! NOW STOP CLOWNING AROUND!!!”

Simon and the sea creatures continued swimming towards the direction of Goddess Charlotte. Ashamed, the clown fish joined the other sea creatures. 

Moments later, Simon and the other sea creatures had finally reached Goddess Charlotte. She sat on her thrown, calm and unbothered. Her other goddess daughters sat next to her. Together, they guarded the sea.

Once Queen Charlotte caught sight of Simon, she blurted, “you're fired from working as head over the deep sea committee.”

Simon replied, “You're sovereign, you don't understand.”

“I understand that my goddess daughters, Esperanza has been gone all day, and the only creature she would have been roaming around with for so long - would HAVE BEEN YOU!”

“You're sovereign, please.”

“Whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it.” Goddess Charlotte spoke as the murky slime flew past her nose and past the goddess daughters. The slime clung to her scepter, and changed it from a bright royal gold to a muddy gray color. She looked down, and noticed the beautiful blue water began to transition into a dark, foggy gray. Simon and the other sea creatures noticed as well.

“Oh… my… goodness… That disgusting monster, Ahlecco is back,” Goddess Charlotte said as she disgustingly wiped the gray slime off her forehead.

Simon intervened, “that’s what what I, and everyone else hear needed to talk to you about.”

“What?”

Simon spoke quickly without catching a breath, “So, Esperanza and I went roaming one day after the sea creature ball. She was so upset about you being mad at her for her desires to explore and for the clownfish bullying her, so she made a deal with the evil monster Ahlecco. Now, Esperanza is a human, and thinks everything is great. We tried to explain, but she won't listen to any of us.… Now, we have very little time to save the ocean.”

“SHE DID WHAT?” Goddess Charlotte shouted to the top of the ocean, causing the water to shake and the tides’ waves to rumble. Angered, she aimed her mighty powerful scepter at the ocean, but nothing happened. She tried again, but nothing happened. She tried for a third time, but nothing happened.” She glanced at her foggy and slime covered scepter. She took a deep sigh, and leaned back into her chair. The goddess daughters took a hold of their scepters to aim them high, but their mother waved her hand, signaling them to not even try. She said to Simon, “what else do you have to say?”

“Umm. The sea creatures and I have come to you for your help. We tried breaking down the ship that Esperanza is on. We did get it to temporarily stop. We also tried talking to Esperanza, but she wouldn't listen. Sovereign and the goddess daughters of the sea, you all are our last hope.”

Goddess Charlotte rubbed her forehead and tapped her chin. She looked at her daughters, and spoke under her breath, “I can't believe she would do something like that.”

The first goddess daughter said, “I don't think we should worry.”

The second goddess daughter said, “we are more powerful than Ahlecco anyway.”

Goddess Charlotte said, “We are, but that sick, twisted fein got Esperanza's agreement in signature.”

The third goddess daughter said, “I'm sure there's a good explanation.”

Goddess Charlotte spoke again, “It can be very difficult to break contractual agreements, without both parties declaring the contract come to an end.” She took a deep sign.

Simon intervened, “your sovereign, I do not mean to speak out of turn, but sometimes you are a bit strict on Esperanza. I realize she has her faults and is not always in the right, but so do you. That's one of the main reasons she ran away and made a deal with that monster Ahlecco. She didn't know any better. She thought it would add some adventure to her life.”

Queen Charlotte gently nodded her head in agreement. She replied, “I understand. Now there is no more time for talking and explanations.” She magically poofed up a large golden chest filled with weaponry: swords, bows and arrows, and lasers. “It won't be long til’ Ahlecco and her army of electric snakes arrive. Everyone, suit up and pick your weapon. We are going to save Esperanza, and we are going to keep the ocean in our hands!!” Everyone did as they were told, as they put on their serious, warrior faces.