The Underwater Pagemaster [Jake x Reader] Part Two

Later as the party was in full swing, Jake bumped into someone and turned to apologize until they placed a note within his hand and continued walking. He opened the paper and tilted his head at the message. Horse stables.

Looking up at [Name], he smiled slightly and snuck out the back of the castle as quietly as he could. He definitely didn't need anyone asking him what he was doing and why. How would he explain that one away? He strolled through the garden for a couple minutes, which would definitely give [Name] time to make some excuse to get away for a few moments.

Finally, he made his way to the determined location. Poking around the horse stables, Jake called out for [Name] quietly. Hearing a noise, the boy instantly froze and looked around. "Hello?"

"Mr. English? What are you doing here?" Equius asked, stepping out from behind a horse, holding a brush in his right hand.

"Oh well, I thought [Name] wanted to meet me here. To show me a horse I think. We talked about the horses here a bit while we were on our constitutionals out to get flowers for the wedding, but she never got the chance to show them to me. What are you doing here, Prince Equius?"

"I don't trust anyone but myself to take care of my own horse. He's a majestic beast is he not? He was a present to me from my father when I turned eighteen, and I've taken care of him ever since. His name is Highborn."

"He is rather high caliber, at least, I think so. It's nice that you would want to take care of your own horse. It shows a lot about you, you know. A lot of people can really respect a Prince who would enter the stables of his own accord to take care of his horse. I'll take my leave of you then, good chap. I certainly didn't mean to interrupt you or Highborn. Excuse me."

Heading toward the door, Jake paused as Equius called out for him again. Turning slightly, his eyes widened as a large pain enveloped his abdomen and he was roughly shoved against the side wall in the stables.

"Did you honestly think that [Name] would call you here? The night before her wedding no less? Fool! Idiotic merman fool!"

Jake grabbed at the pitchfork Equius had run him through with and tried to pry it from the stable wall. Every time he even touched the weapon, spasms of pain ran through him, but he had to get it out! The Blueblood laughed at his effort. "How-" Blood leaked out the side of Jake's mouth as he stared at the taller boy.

"You introduced yourself as Jake English. Bad on your part because my father has made my brother and I study up on the Atlantian culture day after day after day. I was surprised when you appeared because we hadn't heard so much as a peep from the golden underwater city since our ancestors had their war."

"You won't get my city. You stay away-"

"You're in no position to talk! You're pinned to the wall and that's how you'll die. I can hear the mourning now. Atlantis' Page Prince is dead, and all Hope is lost." Equius chuckled then, stepping back to admire his work. "I wonder who will find you. Oh well."

Jake waited for Equius to leave before he hastily struggled to detach himself from the wall and the pitchfork he had been stabbed with. Merfolk were more resistant than humans, but if he remained in this form-! "Aradia!" He called hoarsely in vain, remembering her parting words telling him to stay safe and be happy. And now he had gone and gotten himself stabbed.

He fought to stay awake as hard as he could, but he knew it was futile. With the blood loss mixed with the shock of being stabbed, Jake figured that nobody would find him in time. His chin dropped down to his chest as he tried to focus his eyes time and time again. After perhaps the millionth time he had passed out, he heard voices.

"-him coming out here. But he didn't go back inthide."

Was that Sollux? Jake wet his lips, trying to call out. "Sollux..."

"Hey, did you hear that?"

"I'm here!"

"Holy thit it is him. Jake are you in the thtables? [Name], over here."

"No don't let her in-"

"Holy fuck. Oh god. [Name], thtay back there."

"Sollux, get out of the wa-oh my god Jake!"

[Name] rushed over to him and hesitated to touch him anywhere. "Oh god. Oh god. Who-"

"It doesn't matter. You guys have to pull. Get me detached."

"It mutht have been Equiuth," Sollux murmured, and Jake didn't say a word.

"Oh my god. I'll definitely not marry him now after what he's done!"

"You just keep yourself safe, [Name]," Jake said, wincing as he and Sollux both tried to pry him off the pitchfork.

"Says the idiot currently speared like a fish!" [Name] caught Jake as he slumped forward, the pitchfork finally coming off the stable wall.

"You have to hold me [Name]. Sollux has to remove the pitchfork." Jake muttered, eyes glossed over with pain and tears.

The girl nodded, gripping Jake's shoulders with both her hands. "Wait!" Pulling out her handkerchief, she put it in Jake's mouth. "Bite down on this and try not to scream."

Jake nodded, and Sollux began pulling. Instantly his back wanted to arch and fire was erupting in his abdomen, but he kept it together and didn't scream. He bit down as hard as he could on the cloth in his mouth as he growled angrily at the pain he was feeling. Finally when the pitchfork was removed, Jake leaned against [Name] weakly.

She swiped at his sweaty brow and turned to Sollux. "We have to get him to the hospital."

"No," Jake mumbled, stumbling away from [Name], only to be steadied by Sollux. "I need to get to the sea."

"Jake, I won't lose you! You have to-"

"[Name]. We're going to the ocean. Let'th go."

The girl blinked at her best friend, surprised that he hadn't agreed with her.

"Trust me," Jake said, his skin turning paler by the minute. "I'm not going to die so soon."

With help from [Name] and Sollux, they managed to get Jake down to the water. He was getting heavier and heavier by the minute, and [Name] was certain that he was about to lose consciousness. Finally, Jake waded out into the water and slumped face first down into it before disappearing below the depths.

"Jake! Let me go Sollux!"

"[Name]! Just watch okay? Watch."

Jake floated beneath the water, breathing normally. He took in one deep breath and felt his legs becoming one long tail. Opening his eyes, he removed the shirt he was wearing and swam around weakly. Wincing at the wound still on his stomach, he peered down at it and smiled in satisfaction as it started going away.

Heading down to the ocean floor, he scanned it thoroughly until he found what he was looking for. Grinning to himself, he removed the green flowers from the bottom and vaulted himself back up to the surface. Rising above the water, he grinned at Sollux and [Name].

"For you, my Lady," he said, holding up the green flowers with a smile.

"Oh they're beautiful Jake! Now get out of there and let me treat you so you don't die."

"You won't be able to do anything about it. Me or Equius actually. Because, I don't exist in your world. I exist in mine."

"What are you talking about?"

"Allow me to introduce myself. Properly this time. My name is Prince Jake English, heir to the throne of Atlantis. And I'm a merman." To prove his point, he hopped up onto a rock and smiled slightly. "Any normal human would have died after being skewered to a stable wall with a pitchfork, but a merman is more resilient to human things. Not entirely immune, but enough to at least make it out alive."

[Name] stared at him in shock. "So when you were talking about Eridan..."

"I was actually talking about myself. I've been betrothed since Feferi's birth, but I've caught her with my cousin once before. She doesn't love me, never did I'm sure."

"And Sollux-!"

"I found him holding your book. You could thay that the jig wath up before we really knew each other."

"This is a lot to take in. Merfolk only exist in books, or at least, that's what my father told me."

"Our people used to meet up together you know. It was my ancestor that tried to steal yours away. Nothing I do will ever make up for Dualscar's tyranny, but at least I can tell you that I'm sorry."

"Oh, Jake. There's no need for you to apologize for something that you have no control over!"

[Name] waded out into the water while Jake slipped off the rock he was sitting on. Grasping her by the waist, Jake spun [Name] in the water, her legs brushing his tail as she laughed with glee.

Finally, Jake stared at her very seriously. "I have to go and warn my people. We need to prepare for war."

[Name] nodded at Jake, her features taking on a grim note. Looking over at Sollux, Jake said, "Sol, I need you to see if you can find a hidden room in the belly of [Last Name] castle. Aradia talked about it being the key to our demise. Something tells me that there's an opening down there, right above the heart of my city. If they shoot something down there, I have a feeling they'd be aiming to destroy the entirety of Atlantis."

"You got it, Jake. Equiuth hath already headed back to hith cathtle to prepare for the wedding tomorrow, tho I thould have no problemth when it cometh to him."

Sollux took off running down the sand, heading in the direction of the castle. He wouldn't let his new friend's home be destroyed by some Blueblood idiots. [Name] pressed her forehead against Jake's and frowned.

"I wish I was marrying you tomorrow," she whispered.

Jake held her close, despite the inklings of pain he felt whenever his abdomen was touched. [Name] was worth the pain. "I know, [Name]. I wish I had a bride as lovely as you too."

"Is it too late to run away together?" She asked, a smile tugging at her lips.

Jake laughed softly and kissed the tip of her nose. "Yes, I think it's a little late for that. But don't act like I'm saying goodbye. I'm going to be back for you, and I'm going to stop that wedding no matter what."

"What is it like having a tail?" [Name] finally asked, curious as always.

"It's interesting, to say the least. When I was first granted two legs, I couldn't walk straight. I couldn't even get a pair of pants on."

The princess just had to laugh at that, which was what Jake was aiming for. "You have to go," he finally whispered, causing her to pout at him.

"I want to stay with you."

"You won't believe how much I want to stay with you, my dear, but we have duties. I'm going to have to convince my parents that we're going to be under attack, and when they ask me how I know that well..."

"Your father and mother don't like humans?"

"My father keeps us from them to protect us. Once he's found out I've been a human, he'll either have my head or rally our troops. And when he finds out that I love a human princess...he'll definitely have my head after that one."

"I love you too, Jake. And nothing will ever change my mind on that." [Name] said, grasping Jake's face and kissing him fiercely. "You come back to me, English. Or so help me, I'll become a mermaid myself to drag you back to my home."

"I'd like to see that," he mumbled, swimming back to shallower water so [Name] could find her footing. Once she was standing on the shore, Jake swam back and tossed her one last smile before he disappeared below the depths of the sea.

[Name] stood there for a few moments more, tears silently slipping down her face before she picked the flowers up from the sand that Jake had gotten for her. She smiled through her tears as she finally got her green flowers that she always wanted. She took off toward the castle, eager to get some sleep to get through the next day. She had a feeling that they would lose a lot of people, but Zahhak Kingdom would be worse off in the end.

-

Jake swam down to Atlantis as fast as he could. He didn't know how long he had been pinned to that stable wall, but by the time he had reached the outskirts of his city, the sun was on its way to rising. Cursing to himself, he willed his fin to propel him faster through the water. There was no way he was letting the girl he loved marry some guy who was going to kill her and had attempted to kill Jake himself.

"Prince Jake?" The guards asked in unison, who were guarding the entrance to the palace.

"No time! I've got to see Father and Mother!"

Swimming down corridors and shooting past people who seemed surprised to see him, he pushed his way into the throne room. His parents rose from their seats quickly and made their way over to him in a flash.

"Oh my darling boy," his mother wailed, clinging to him as if he was her last lifeline.

"Where have you been, Jake?"

"There's no time to explain, Father. The Blueblood's are going to try to get to our city to destroy us. We have to mobilize the army and fight them as they fight us. As humans."

"Jake-!"

"The only people who we have to fear now are the Zahhak family, Father. They plan to kill Dolorosa's descendant and destroy our kingdoms to fulfill the destiny of their own ancestors all those years ago."

His father sighed, returning to the chair and pondering. "Before Skye [Last Name] died, we always met up once a week to speak about how our families and cities were doing. It was a tradition started by my grandfather's grandfather, just in case something like this happened again. One week, she didn't show up, but I kept going back to the spot. Three weeks had finally gone by, but I didn't see Skye anywhere on the beach. However, I did see [Name] and she was holding a bundle I knew to be Skye's most recent child. She called him Z, and she told him that maybe someday, she and her mother could watch the ocean again side by side. It was then I knew that Skye had passed away."

"Father..."

"I have always forbade our people from going up to the surface, but I know that you always went. [Name] has a lovely reading voice, does she not?"

Jake jerked back as if he had been struck. "Uh-!"

"Somehow, I always felt that you and she would be the ones to unite the Kingdoms again. But now that Darkleer's descendants have made their moves known, we'll rise up and help our neighboring Kingdom."

"Jake! What's wrong with your stomach?" His mother seemed close to fainting with all this information that she was being assaulted with.

"Huh? Oh." Jake figured the holes hadn't closed up yet. "The Prince stabbed me with a pitchfork."

"Why didn't you try to drown him? Surely he couldn't have gotten that close if you-oh no, Jake..."

"A witch made me human?" He half-asked, shrugging sheepishly. "She was one of the three who had foretold something like this would happen."

"The Megido Trio. It must have been Aradia then. Terezi and Damara are dead." Jake's father pointed out.

Hitting his trident on the ground, two guards swam into the audience chambers. "Yes, King Charles?"

"Sound the alarm. I want all of our men here within the hour. All the women and children are to leave Atlantis and head toward the rock formations for safety."

"Yes sir!"

Floating back down to where his son was, Charles put a hand on Jake's shoulder. "You know more than I do. When should we leave?"

"I have to leave now. I have to stop a wedding." Jake said, floating away from his father. "Equius is to marry [Name] to unite the kingdoms, with his only goal being to destroy us and the [Last Name] kingdom. I won't let that happen! I'll signal you somehow, Father!"

"Wait, Jake! How are you going to get on land?"

"Easy. Aradia's magic! Just focus on gathering our people and keeping them safe!"

Jake swam away, already cursing himself for spending so much time explaining things to his parents.

"Jake!"

The young merman turned to see Eridan, Feferi, and Meenah floating there near the doorway. "Yeah?"

"What's going on?" Feferi asked, moving a bit closer to him.

"No time to explain. You and Meenah need to get to the rock formations. Eridan, my father wants all the men in the audience chamber." Jake explained quickly, shooting off.

"Wait!"

To his chagrin, the three of them tagged along with him. It was almost like when they were younger. They would race around and see who was the fastest, but Jake was always the winner. Breaking the surface near [Name]'s home, Jake cursed heavily as he realized that day had already broke. Sollux was standing there, placing some clothes down near the sand.

With a nod at the merman, the guard took off, no doubt back to [Name] to help her prepare for the day. "Jake, was that-"

The boy turned to smiled at Feferi. "That's my friend, Sollux. I'm afraid this is where we part guys. You really need to go back down to the city."

"What in the ever living fuck are you talking about Jake?"

The boy moved toward shallow water, and when his fins touched the sand, they transformed into legs. Stepping out of the water on two feet, the boy ran a hand through his hair and turned to look at his friends. "I've got a wedding to stop."

They stared at him in a mixture of awe and shock before they disappeared below the surface. Feferi hesitated, but Jake waved her away. "Be happy with Eridan," he said, grinning at her. She hesitated, but finally nodded as she too went back down to Atlantis.

Slipping inside the green tuxedo that Sollux had left for him, Jake adjusted the lapels and put a hand to his forehead. "Yes, I'm like a big fucking target in this thing. Thanks Sollux."

"You're fucking welcome. Now, let'th go."

"Egads, man! You certainly know how to scare a chap!"

"Thut up. The march hath already thtarted tho if you wanna object the right way, we have to get the fuck over there."

"Why are we waiting then, man? Let's go!"

-

[>Find the bride to be]

Dressed in a wedding gown of pure satin material with highlights of green to match the main white, [Name] clutched the flowers Jake had given her close and stared over at her little brother. "Today's the day, Z."

"I still say you shouldn't have to marry him," Gamzee muttered, messing up his hair. The maids had finally held him down and slopped at least two bowls of gel on his hair to get it to lay flat. And it still didn't really cooperate. "He's not even nice."

"I know, heart. I know."

"You should marry that Jake guy!"

[Name] laughed, a blush coming to her face. "I would if I could, Z."

"Where's Sol, big sis?"

"He went to go get Jake," she murmured, standing up when her father came into the small room.

"You look so beautiful, [Name]," he whispered, looping her arm with his. "Gamzee, go find Matilda."

The little boy scurried off, while [Name]'s father draped something over her head. It settled around her neck perfectly, and [Name] looked down, touching the necklace in awe. It was a mermaid dancing with a man. She looked up at her father, tears in her eyes.

"It belonged to your mother," he finally said, leaning down and pressing a kiss to his daughter's hair. "She always felt that you belonged to the sea. I'm just glad that your next kingdom is right next to the water. It's how you'll be happiest."

"Thanks, Father," she whispered, wiping away the tears from her eyes. "You aren't supposed to make me cry."

The first notes of the wedding march started as [Name] looked up in surprise. "That soon?" Sollux and Jake aren't here!

"Sooner the better, my dear. I suppose it's time for me to let you go."

The girl sighed as she walked along with her father. She trusted Sollux and Jake to get to her soon, but they sure were taking their sweet ass time! Walking with her father down the aisle, she forced herself to smile at both her extended family along with Equius' family. It was a private affair, but all the townspeople knew that their princess was getting married. Later on, they would celebrate with her.

Her father led her up to Equius, who took her hands within his with a smile. [Name] forced a smile back at him as the preacher began to speak. Jake and Sollux rushed up the hill to the church, panting loudly. "Sollux, look in the window and read the preacher's lips."

"The fuck?"

"I don't want to come in before he says it, chap! That would be entirely wrong."

"Alright, I'm looking. It hathn't happened yet. No wait, oh thit I think he jutht thaid it."

Adjusting his tie, Jake shot Sollux a look and flung open the doors to the church. "I object!"

[Name] turned, a large smile coming to her face. "Jake!"

Equius stared hard at the boy he knew should have been dead, but wasn't. Chancing a look at his father, he nodded his head. Sollux was the first one to see the gun Equius' father was pulling out.

"Everyone get down! He'th got a gun!"

Equius grabbed [Name]'s arm, but she stomped on his foot and rushed over to her little brother. "Let's get out of here!" Picking up Z, Sollux ushered [Name] out as she called to her father among the panic.

"Father!"

"Gather the troops! Sound the alarm!"

Sollux pulled [Name] faster away from the doorway as gunshots echoed throughout the small church. Just past the town on the horizon, [Name] could see dozens of people marching toward her city. "Sollux, go!"

"But [Name]-"

"Take Z and go sound the alarm! Stay in the barracks. Jake and I will be safe."

Sollux stared hard at her before nodding and taking Gamzee.

"No big sis-!"

"Go with Sollux, Z. I'll be with you soon."

Taking Jake's hand, [Name] rushed toward her castle gates. Once they had entered the castle, [Name] heard the alarm ringing loud and clear. "That'll notify my father that the battle has begun," Jake murmured.

"We have to find the hidden room, Jake. That's what the Zahhak's are after. We have to find it and protect it." Closing the large castle doors, [Name] pushed down the large block of wood to keep the doors locked.

Stepping back and sighing, [Name] found herself wrapped up in Jake's arms. "I missed you," he murmured.

"Missed you more," she said, smiling up at him. "We match."

"Yes, I noticed that. Our good old pal Mr. Captor made sure of it."

[Name] laughed and grabbed Jake's hand again. "Come on then. I'm almost certain that my mother knew where the hiding place was at."

For the next hour, Jake and [Name] tore the castle up. The pounding at the doors got louder as [Name] wiped some sweat off her forehead. "That's got to be the good 'ol Prince and his father," Jake said, his jacket long discarded as he rolled his sleeves up.

"The fighting has been getting louder. I hope Father and Z are okay."

"Gamzee is with Sollux, so he should be fine. Is there anywhere else that your mother spent time near?"

"Well, she had this one favorite painting that she would always look at..."

"Then let's check that!"

[Name] led Jake down a couple of halls before she stopped before a painting. "It's called 'The Mermaid's Wish'. The reason it depicts her dancing with a human man under the sea shows that she had always wished to be with him and human, but it could never be. It's a little melancholy, but my mother used to call me her little mermaid when I was younger."

Grasping the painting, Jake lifted it off the wall and set it to the side. "Oh, Jake look at this. It's like a dial. It needs some sort of...key?"

[Name] moved her fingers throughout the indentation before leaning back from it. "What do you think?"

Jake stared at the indentation before looking back over at [Name] who was fiddling with her necklace. Pointing to it, he asked, "May I?" She nodded and he unhooked her necklace, before fitting the charm in the indentation and turning it right.

Pulling the necklace back out, the dial merged with the wall behind it and a doorway opened up. "Woah..."

Jake ushered [Name] through the entryway before stepping inside himself. It was just a long corridor, but [Name] reached back and grabbed Jake's hand for good measure. Stepping into a large room, the princess gasped when a large pool greeted her. "A pool?"

"No, look, [Name]."

They both kneeled by the water, and Jake pointed directly below it. "The twinkling lights. That's my home."

"I bet it's very beautiful down there," she whispered. "I wish I could see it."

"Maybe someday I'll take you down there."

"Isn't this a lovely image?"

Jake and [Name] sprang to their feet, the boy immediately placing himself between [Name] and the gun Equius was holding. "It doesn't have to be like this."

"Sure it does. As Dualscar's descendant, I'm surprised that you aren't as bloodthirsty as he was."

"My cousins are his true descendants, but they are nothing like him either. Just put the gun down, and we can talk this over."

Equius clicked the explosive in his hand and tossed it into the water. "Make a move, Prince English, and you both die."

"Do you trust me?" Jake whispered to [Name].

She merely nodded against his back to tell him she did. "Cheap move bringing your little brother here, Equius."

"Horuss?" The man asked, turning to look behind him.

Grabbing [Name], Jake launched them both into the water below. Swimming as fast as he could, with [Name] clinging on as hard as she could. Running into Eridan, Jake thrust [Name] at his cousin. "Take her up to the surface and hurry. I have to get the bomb."

Eridan nodded and grasped the Princess, taking her back up to the open sea as fast as he could. Jake rushed for the bomb Equius had dropped, and grabbing it in his hand, swam off in the opposite direction of his home. He wasn't sure how long it was until it exploded, but when it started beeping faster, the Merman Prince let it go and took off back up to the surface.

"Jake."

Looking up above him, he smiled at Aradia. "There you are, Miss Aradia. How are you doing?"

Hearing a loud boom in the water below him, Jake grinned sheepishly. "I see you've been busy, Princeling."

"You have no idea." He began to swim while Aradia floated next to him. "What's been going on in the town?"

"I've recruited John, Dave, and Dirk to fight. They're doing so at the moment. There are a few soldiers dead from the [Last Name] Army, and I'm afraid to say that the king has fallen."

"Shit. What about my own?"

"Some mermen turned human have fallen, yes, but the Bluebloods are among the losing side."

"Think you can conjure me up some clothes?" Jake asked, reaching the beach. Moving toward more shallow water, he stepped onto the sand with human feet, already clothed and dry thanks to the witch before him. "Thanks."

"The Blueblood army has been falling back since your merfolk army has joined, and Equius' father has suffered multiple wounds."

"Will he die?"

"No, but he'll be paralyzed for life."

"A fitting end."

"Jake!"

The boy turned just in time to be pounced upon by [Name]. "Hey there."

"I was so worried about you!"

"I won't be leaving you that easily dear."

"The town is completely in shambles, but I think most of the people made it out alive. There are a ton of humans around that I haven't seen before. Are they your people?"

Jake nodded. "That's right. Come on; we need to find somewhere safe."

"English!"

"Shit! Run!"

Jake grabbed [Name]'s hand as they took off running, Equius trying to shoot at them while he gave chase. [Name] shrieked every time she heard a bullet ricochet off something, but the boy wasn't a good shot with a pistol, as he missed every time. Both of them rushed through the alleyways of town, but soon they found themselves trapped.

The Prince held [Name] close as they both faced down a rather angry, gun wielding Equius. "I stabbed you once," he spat at Jake, his sunglasses long discarded with the exertion of chasing after them. "But now, I have you both cornered. Finally. My father will be pleased to find out that I rid the world of not just one royal family, but two."

"Do what you want to me, but you leave [Name] alone you brute," Jake finally said, stepping forward a bit and pushing his girl behind him who protested instantly.

"Jake!"

"I do not think that is entirely possible, Mr. English. After I'm through with you, I think our resident Princess would love to take a dive into the ocean. Off a cliff."

"If you touch her-"

"You'll be dead by then so you don't even have to worry about it. Now, say goodbye."

A single gunshot rang out as Jake made sure he stayed in front of [Name], even though she was crying out and begging for him to move. Squeezing his eyes shut, Jake braced himself for the pain of a bullet that never came. Opening his eyes, he witnessed a head of blonde hair before his vision.

"Sollux no! Oh god no, Sollux!"

The boy slumped to the ground as Jake launched himself at Equius, fighting him for the gun. [Name] fell to her knees beside her best friend and bodyguard, cradling his head in her lap.

"Sollux, you idiot. I told you to stay in the barracks with Gamzee!"

"I'm your guard, aren't I? I'm thuppothed to protect you. You and Jake are the motht important...here."

"Sollux, please just rest. I'm sure-"

"It'll be too late. You know that better than I do."

"No. No no no."

"Come off it, [Name]. You didn't take that, ugh, nurtheing clath for nothing."

"God, Sollux, there's just so much blood. You can't leave me, please you can't leave us!"

Reaching up with his hand, Sollux placed it against [Name]'s cheek as he smiled at her. "What did I tell you? You're prettier when you thmile. Don't be tho thad. I'll alwayth love you..." His hand slowly started slipping down her cheek before [Name] pressed it to her skin again.

"No! You come back to me, Sollux! You told me nothing would happen to you! Please, don't leave me by myself. I need you here with me! Z needs you here. C-come back. Sollux-!"

[Name] gripped Sollux's hand with both of hers, not even caring if they were slick with the blood of her best friend. She just wanted him back! With tears cascading down her face, she looked up at Jake who had tears in his eyes as well.

"Equius...?"She asked quietly.

"The gun went off on him, but not enough to keep him from running. He's a tough son of a bitch, but the guards will pick him up before the night is over."

[Name] nodded, staring down at her best friend. "I just need a minute Jake. I'll be ready soon."

"Take all the time you need. He was my friend as much as he was yours, and his sacrifice was not in vain."

"Sollux..."

[>Three days later]

[Name] held Z in her arms while they buried both Sollux and their father. It wasn't until she had gotten over the shock of losing her best friend that she had to hear about her father's death as well at the hands of Equius' father. She learned that Eq's father was going to be paralyzed for the rest of his life, while Equius himself needed an amputation of his leg.

She would say it served them right, but she was Queen now and she had an image to uphold. [Name] looked over at Sollux's grandfather, who bounced Sollux's little brother on his knee to keep him preoccupied. He was so young, too young of an age to lose his older brother.

Walking over to Sollux's grandfather, he bowed his head at her as she approached. "Queen [Name]."

"C'mon Granddad. You know better than that." [Name] said, smiling at him.

"I know dear. Force of habit more than anything. I know I have no right to ask anything of you but-"

"I know what you're going to ask, and the answer is yes. Psionic's descendants do not need to serve my family anymore. Sollux lost his life because of it, and if I could turn back time, I would. Losing my best friend wasn't worth it, Granddad."

[Name] smiled down at the little one, who had two odd eyes of red and blue. "He's different than you guys."

"The doctor's called the red eye normal, but I know he'll grow up to be something special."

"You both are welcome to stay in the castle as you have been doing. You're practically family, Granddad."

"You've always been a kind soul, [Name]. You'll be a fine Queen for our people."

-

Later that night, [Name] kneeled down in the sand at the beach and waited. Finally, Jake's head emerged from the water and he smiled at her. Rising and stepping out into the water, Jake took her in his arms and hugged her close.

"It's going to be so hard," she whispered. "He's been with me for my whole life and-"

"I know, [Name]. I know."

"I wish you could be with me."

"You know I wish the same thing. However, your people need you while mine need me. I didn't lose my father or mother, but we're all in disrepair. Scared. For the longest time, my people have believed themselves to be untouchable. The Bluebloods have shown us that we are far from it."

"Soon."

"Most definitely. I will pass the title of Prince to my cousin, Eridan, who will marry Feferi in my place. When everything has settled down, I will come for you, and I will marry you."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah," Jake said with a grin. "You're stuck with a merman for life."

"For some reason, I don't mind that so much. Z adores you, you know."

"Good. He's a cute little guy."

"He might not like you so much if you call him cute."

"Fair deal."

-

Once [Name] had left and all was quiet, Jake sat on top of a rock and waited. Aradia appeared at the beach, bringing three men with her. A man with large wings floating beside the witch, a man dressed in a red suit with white hair, and a man dressed in regular clothes with nine tails at his back.

"Jake, I'd like you to meet John, Dave, and Dirk."

"Thank you for coming to help my people, along with [Name]'s kingdom. We will always be grateful."

"You could've told me that there was going to be a lot of death, Ara," Dave complained, massaging his throat. "I had to sing so many times tonight."

"Oh Dave! You're just complaining because you're away from your Banshee."

"Yeah, and you don't miss Halfie? What about you Dirk?"

"My Vixen is at home taking care of the kits who insist on acting like children around her even though they are not. To be honest, I'd rather be out here battling than taking care of the rowdy eight."

"I didn't know Merfolk existed," John said, flying in front of Jake with a smile. "So it's really nice to meet you. You and your kin are welcome in Faerieland at anytime okay?"

"I might have to take that up on your offer sometime. Within at least the next couple of months, I'll be human. Perhaps for good."

"Aradia's work?"

"Yeah."

"God dammit, Ara. This is why I told you I wouldn't talk to you for three hundred years and then some."

"Dirk, shut up. Otherwise I won't supply you with another potion."

"Point taken, oh great one."

"You know, my son is named Jake. Well, Jacob actually, but we call him Jake."

The merman grinned. "Yeah? He's gotta be a cool little dude then. How old is he?"

"Both he and his sister, Jane, are five. Roxy, our youngest, is about two now."

"[Name]'s little brother, Gamzee, is five. I'm sure you'd be welcome in our kingdom at anytime, so perhaps they could become great friends. In fact, all of you are definitely invited. [Name] wouldn't mind, being as she is Queen now."

"We might take you up on your offer, Jake. We gotta head back to Faerieland though." Dirk said, nodding to him.

Jake bumped fists with John. "Pop in at anytime guys. You're more than welcome here. Thank you for all your help."

Aradia snapped her fingers and the three men disappeared. Flying in front of Jake, she smiled. "This is where I leave you, Prince English."

"What? Not going to come down to Atlantis again?" Jake asked with a cheeky grin.

"Not on your life. I will leave you with a gift, however."

"A gift?"

"You will be able to become a merman by stepping into the sea, but you will turn into a human when your fins meet the sand. And, I suppose, you can appear with clothes on you instead of naked."

"Well thank god for that," Jake laughed, reaching out to give Aradia's shoulder a pat. "You'll always be welcome here too, Miss Aradia. Thank you."

"Just saving Faerieland, one person at a time. Stay safe Jake."

She disappeared to his eyes as he dove back into the sea. Floating above the water, Aradia sighed to herself. "I have done all I can do now, Mother. They've all been introduced to each other, and all together, they will save the world as they know it. I just hope that we've done enough."