The ship lurched as we hit something, making everyone stumble. Everyone looked around bewildered. I had a bad feeling, looking around, I could tell my brothers sensed it too.

"What did we hit!?" Lucas called.

"I don't know, but what ever it was, it was big." Micheal yelled back, holding onto Ritchie gently.

My eyes widened as my father's trident speared through the middle of the ship, the main deck splitting into two. Lucas gasped as everyone started to panic. Ritchie and I reacted quickly. We both leaped off the ship and swam down to our father.

"Father! Stop this!" I yell at him. He pauses as he hears my voice.

"Brandon!" He swam over to me. "Are you alright? Did those humans hurt you?" He see my bandages, a fire coming to his eyes. "They will drown for what they have done!"

"Father! The humans didn't do that! They are nice! One is my friend who I knew when I was little." Ritchie screamed at him. "You can't kill them! I love him!" Father blinks hearing that.

"You what?" He asks shocked.

"It's true Father. I too fell in love with a human. He's the most sweetest and kind person you ever met. Please Father, don't kill him." I begged, crystal tears spilling out from my eyes. "I'll come back and rule, even get married to someone I don't love, just don't kill them." I sob, Ritchie trying to comfort me.

My Father looked conflicted for a moment before sighing. "Fine, we have a agreement. I'll spare these humans. I hate to see you upset like this Brandon." My father raises his trident, ancient words tumbling from his mouth. Magical light started to dance with the water. It twirled and spun with the currents as it moved quickly towards the sinking ship.

Soon multiple flashes from above blinded us. I quickly swam to the sink ship remains, gasping at what was seeing. I found Lucas laying unconscious on the one piece of the broken deck. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing correctly. Lucas had a dark blue tail with glorious golden accents lingering around his waist where his body turned human.

Unknown to me, Ritchie has chased after me. I heard someone else sputter, "M-Micheal?" I looked over to see Ritchie hovering over Micheal's unconscious form. He too had a mermaid tail, black with purple patterns on his scales. I realize that Father had changed all of them into mermen.

I was so happy I nearly forgot the agreement. Father came up behind me, resting his hand on my shoulder. "Ritchie, stay with them until they wake up then take them to the kingdom. Brandon, come with me." My heart dropped at the thought of leaving Lucas but I complied silently.

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I followed my Father back to the castle, the trip was made in silence. Neither one of us said a word to each other until we were in the safety of my Father's office. I was in front of my Father's desk with him behind it. My Father was looking up at the painting hanging on the wall.

For a while we didn't speak, until My Father sighed heavily, "Why did you run?" His gentle tone surprising me.

I looked down. Why did I run? I mulled over this question. I was frustrated, hurt and overwhelmed, sure. But was it to get away from responsibility or was it because I was afraid to disappoint? Or could have it been more?

"I don't know... I was just so mad and tired of it all!" I say in frustration. "I was sick of it..." I hugged my arms as my Father silently listened. "You yelled at me for every little thing wrong I did when I tried my best! And..." I trail off.

"And?" He encouraged gently.

"And I'm afraid to fail the kingdom. What if the prophecy was wrong or I fail?" I spill out to him. My Father turn to me and swam around the desk and hugged me.

"It wasn't the prophecy that chose you, I did." He tells me.

"Why?" I asked. "You could have chosen anyone else but why me?" He smiles softly at me.

"Because I know you can do it." He ruffled my hair. "You may not believe in yourself now, but I chose you because you're understanding and level headed, like a king should be." I looked up at him.

"Really?"

"Really." He confirms. I smile a bit. "And I don't care who you marry as long as you're happy." He winks, making me blush. "I must admit, you know how to pick them."

"Father!" I squeal in embarrassment. He chuckles and smiles.

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It's been a year since the crew became a merpeople. It was a rough start at first for them, trying to get used to fins instead of legs. But they mastered it after a few days. Father let them stay in the castle since they had no where else to go. Jakey and Bryan hit it off right away and it was fun to tease them a bit. Micheal is still being shy with Ritchie when every Ritchie would flirt with him. It took awhile but Pat finally had soften Mitch's protected heart. Mitch starting to smile more with him. Mario and David started off on the wrong foot but are just now starting to admit some feelings for each other.

As for Lucas and me...well... We just got married today. Making me the official king. It was lovely and amazing. With Lucas at my side, I know I will be a great king.