Several hours had passed. I stood outside the Ramshackle Dorm, feeling like I was on top of the world. The rights to the place had been given back to me, and never had I been more happier.

In the time I had been gone, the place was spick and span, the furniture rearranged and cleaned, along with the windows and walls, and the light fixtures were as good as new! It's like I never recognized it!

I was staring up at the place with a content gaze from my place in the yard. "This may not be my real home, but it's still a home nonetheless...."

Then, the same green fireflies flittered the place...

"Oh,I see you've returned. I'm surprised you have triumphed over Ashengrotto. You may seem like you're ditzy, but even you know to think outside the box." Principe Oscuro smiles.

I smiled back, sheepishly. "I suppose I should thank you for helping me."

"Thank me? It....was never my intention to provide hints." He was taken aback by my claim. "Hmm....I'm glad that the garden is back to a peaceful state as before. I would've loved to see Ashengrotto's prideful face fall in despair. It must've been a rare sight....." he seemed to look off in the distance, then he turned to me and nodded slightly. "Hmm, it's best if I depart for the time being. Good night." He was gone like that.

I let out a yawn and feel my muscles begging to rest. "Time to turn in for the night." I decided. But just as I was about to go back inside, I head fast moving footsteps. I stayed in the shadows as I saw two familiar figures halt in the street. Wait...I remember them!

"Is he here?" Silver asked. Sebek shook his head.

"No. Not here either."

"Then he's got to be over by the west building...." Silver mumbled.

Sebek sighed, "Ugh....Young Lord, why must you always wander without a second person? It's cause you didn't watch him, Silver!" He scolded.

Silver narrowed his eyes. "He's not a child. You're too overprotective of him."

But Sebek wasn't finished. "It'll be too late if we wander until something drastic occurs. Never let your guard down for a minute! Do you hold respect for your distinguished role as the Young Lord's bodyguard?! And don't you think about forgetting the huge debt we owe to him as well as Master Lilia for raising you!"

I raised an eyebrow.

Silver sighs, looking away in disappointment. "What does this have anything to do with now?"

They fled off into the night.

Now my mind was swirling. Young Lord? They probably mean Malleus...and MASTER Lilia?! What's he have to do with them?

Something really weird's going on...and it gave me bad vibes....I sighed, deciding not to think about it now, and went back inside.

——————————

I made it back into my newly refurbished bedroom, to see Grim already passed out on the edge of the bed, smiling like an idiot.

"That's....a big fish....there's no way I'll eat it all..." he snores.

I smiled just watching him. It really is great to be back here in our little sanctuary...I pet his head and he mumbled content.

Just as I was about to get into bed, having my clothes switch off already....

"The mirror's glowing again..." I mumbled and walked hastily up to it.

The glass was foggy, and I couldn't see anything on the other side. Until...

A fist started knocking on the glass, and someone started speaking.

"....some....there...." I couldn't see who it was until the blur was more defined by the outline.

"Is someone there?"

I backed up in shock at whom I saw just now......

Mickey?!

----------------------------

It was around mid-morning when I heard pounding on the front door.

I struggled to braid my hair and her down the stairs at the same time. "I'm coming hang on!" I tied off my braid as I turned the corner to see the Leech brothers.

"Morning KoebiChan! Azarashi-chan! Came to sweep by! Let's go!" Floyd smiled, this time not as full of sadistic playing. But actually genuine, for once.

Grim curled on my shoulder upon seeing them. "Uh, seeing you two makes me scared that you're about to pull something..."

"How you wound us. We would never do anything to those who've not broken contract." Jade places a hand over his heart with a mock frown. "Today's a perfect day, so this means..."

"Getting to the Atlantica Memorial Museum!" Floyd finished.

"What's the occasion?" I asked, with a eyebrow up.

"Just to be on better terms with one another, is all. Azul has reserved the entire place for us all for the day. He went ahead and is waiting for us."

"Lemme guess: putting the picture back like we said so?"

"Koebi-Chan, you're so serious. We know that; let's move!" Floyd whined. I hid my smile and rushed upstairs to grab my bag.

Maybe it was a good time to get on better terms.

————————

We caught up with the others and approached the place as before. Only this time: through the front doors.

"Whoa....the place looks awesome!" Ace gawked.

"There's a statue of the legendary sea king. The ocean floor really has some legendary figures..." Deuce points out.

"He looks pretty ripped." Jack smiled. Azul was right in front of us.

"Welcome, everyone to the Atlantica Memorial Museum. I've reserved our group under the Mostro lounge name. Feel free to enjoy what the museum has to offer."

Grim shot up with a scowl, "Hey! There's that slimy octopus Azul...huh? Why're you still in your human body?" He asked.

"Octo-Mers like me are exceedingly rare around these parts. I'd like to keep from drawing any weird impressions when I return the photo." Was all he said.

"You don't have to worry. No one will notice that the figure curled in the corner was you." Jade reassured.

"And we swam out here for a convinient reason. Shouldn't you be in your true form?" Floyd requested.

Oh yea, they were in their eels forms. And I got switched back into my swim gear. In case you didn't know.

"Please leave me be. I shall return the photo. Take your time to look around." Was all he said before turning away.

"They've got the mermaid princess's dinglehopper on display here." Floyd remarked.

"I saw in the brochure...but isn't it just a fork? No matter the way you look at it." Ace shrugged.

"It seems that way to those in land."

As soon as everyone swam off to a different area, I floated toward Azul, who was staring at the photo. He looked up just to see me stop a few inches away from him.

"You're not going?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Just staying here until the task is done." I shrugged.

Azul looked away. "No need to doubt me. I'll return it properly."

He does so. After it was placed back, he stood beside me and kept staring long and hard at the photo.

"I thought that if I could erase all photos of my past, my time spent being bullied for the being I was before would vanish with them. The Sea Witch never hid her past. She faced it and worked to overwrite her reputation. I kept saying I wished to be like her....but in the end, I couldn't accept who I was, and tried to act as if it never happened...."

I stayed there for a moment thinking about what he said. He really found a role model to follow in their footsteps. But it never went how he wanted it to. But you can't be like others. There's only one you. No one else can be like you, and you can't be like other people. That's what I've been taught at a young age, and it's never left me. So I might as well let him get some of Charlotte's Philosophy for the day. "Well, I believe you have something far greater than magic. You're fine the way you are without having to steal from others."

Azul looked at me questioningly.

I put a hand on his shoulder. "What I say is true. Your work was enough to throw even the headmaster himself off track."

Azul was surprised at my claim. "My hard work? Hmm...you flatter me my dear. But I only wished to get back at those who had tormented me for so long...."

I just nodded. I didn't even feel him take my hand in his. "Which is why....I want to put things behind the two of us and focus on our new beginning. The way we started was a rough patch, but you had smoothed things out, and for that, I see you in anew light, my Dear Lotte. Would you be willing to start anew?"

I smiled, "I thought we already were."

Azul chuckled and kissed the back of my hand. "Already we are. And might I say your hair looks very striking with that new color in it."

I looked at him, unsure. "What....what are you talking about?"

He raised his hand towards my ponytail and lifted a section of it and I looked at it to see teal stripes in it.

"What the-?!" I grabbed it. My mouth dropped open. How could this have-

Oh....the Artemis Stone.....but-

Okay, just play it off Charlie. Just fib your way through it. He won't know you have magic, right? RIGHT?!

"If it's because of your powers, then I must say it's a nice touch." I looked at him as he said that.

"Uh....yes! M-my powers did this..." I chuckled, then frowned, "you won't tell anyone, will you?"

"Ah, my dear. Of course not. I could never do anything as low as that." He smiled. I couldn't help but smile sheepishly.

"Aw, sick! There's a giant dinosaur skeleton in the back!"

"That's no dinosaur. It's actually a sea dragon. Legend says the Sea Witch had the skeleton of a sea dragon at the entrance of her cavern."

"They've even got a replica of her cauldron here!"

"Huh?! A cauldron in the ocean?"

"How'd they even heat that thing up?"

"Not sure...explain, Azul." We turned to see the other looking at us.

Azul clasped his hands. "Very well, but foreword: I'm a very expensive tour guide." He held out his arm, like a proper gentleman, and I slipped my hand through, as he led the way.

——————————

We got back to the mirror chamber as afternoon had settled over the school. "Aaah! Air on land sure is better!"Grim sighed as I smoothed out my school uniform.

"That museum trip was really great." Deuce thanked.

"I used to think it was super boring but it's actually pretty good once in awhile." Floyd confessed.

"It's fascinating to see how merfolk of the past perceived the world on land. They were really off sometimes...." Jade agreed.

"That fork, er, dinglehopper, was awesome." Ace smiles as he corrected himself.

"It pleases to hear that you've all enjoyed your time. I'm sure you're all exhausted after our little sojourn. How does tea sound at the Mostro Lounge? We're about to open." Azul's offered.

"Yahoo! Time to chow down!" Grim answered for us all.

—————————

"One special drink please!"

"And a limited meal combo!"

"You got it!"

"Huh?! It's crowded already!" Ace gasped at the packed place after we entered through the front doors.

"well...it seems out 'special advertisement' is already reaching numbers."

" 'Advertisement'?" Jack looked at Jade.

"After Azul Overblotted, the headmaster got pissed and forbid us from using the contracts from stealing other people's abilities. So he stuck to point cards!" Floyd explained

"Eh, point cards for the lounge?" Ace looked unsure.

"Indeed. The 600 madol special drink is one point. 1500 meal combo is 3 points. If you're able to rack up 50 points, you're given one meeting with me to discuss any troubles you're having!" Azul smiled.

"So....anything goes?"

"Can you also count school troubles?" Deuce pleaded.

"But of course!"

"With three points saved you'll be rewarded with an even special service."

"Any questions feel free to ask or look up on the website."

"In that case, one special drink!" Grim ordered.

"Make that two!" Ace grinned.

Deuce rose a hand. "A combo meal?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "You guys..."But I gave him a short pat on his shoulder.

"Eh, might as well go with it..." I shrugged.

——————————

Time had passed, and everything was keen in the lounge. Until Azul said he was still keen on the second location. And Ace said he just doesn't know when to quit.

I kept humming slightly to the jazzy tune that filled the air.

"Ne~? Whatcha doin', Koebi-Chan?"

Floyd wrapped his arms around me, smiling.

I patted his head like a mother would to a child. "Nothing you need to worry over."

"It didn't sound like nothing~." He teased.

"Well, it's obvious she's tryna hide the fact that she can sing!" Grim cheekily grinned.

"Grim!" I seethed.

"Oh, you do?" Now Jade was looking at me. "That could work. Seeing as we're short on entertainment."

"What's this I hear about singing?" Azul walked over to his lackeys, as I stood from my place.

"Didn't ya hear? Azarashi-Chan says Koebi-Chan heat can sing!"

"Sing?" Azul looked at me with a confused glance.

"Of course! Rosehearts has loved her voice ever since she sang for him." Deuce answered, a knowing grin on his face.

"Yea. She's like an angel~!" Teased Ace.

I tried to get them both to stop with a threatening glare, but then Azul smirked.

"Oh, can she?" He took my hand in his. "Then, I will believe you would be a great addition to the Lounge with your voice."

"Oh, but....That's the thing. I only sing for myself and those that I'm comfortable being around. So it's very small if you couldn't tell...." I looked away awkwardly.

" 'Those you choose to Sing for'? And who might they be?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out." Was all I spat out before turning away, feeling myself blush like a cherry.

"Aww, c'mon, can you sing for us, Koebi-Chan? I want to hear you.., we all do!" Floyd pleaded. I looked at him.

Worst mistake.

He had Puppy eyes. NOT THE FRIGGIN PUPPY EYES! Reminds me of my younger cousins who pulled that same trick when they wanted me to sing them a song before they went to bed!

".....UGH! Fine....but one song." I promised, and Floyd smiled immediately after.

"Yaaaay!" I shook my head, hiding my smile at his enthusiasm as I made my way towards the stage. The old school microphone stood center stage, sheen and ready to be used.

I frowned. I hope this equipment still works...

Suddenly, before I could fathom it, a spotlight flashed and centered itself on me. I shielded my eyes to see the place was dead quiet, and everyone was focused where I was.

Oh geez....fifth grade....the talent show...it was coming back to haunt me....I was shaking at the memory-

'No! You're not the girl you were before! You are better than this!' I told myself.

I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. Alone, on stage, there's no one here. But me....and me alone.

Long long time ago

I had my own little show:

Was a beautiful, a lovable angel.

But he took the spotlight, shining so bright,

Left me to fade away

But honey, now the turn is mine!

As soon as the best picked up, I felt my fear ebb away. Let's go.