The Pirate and The Merhog

Kane and Stella

Everyone celebrated and rejoiced. It was truly a most joyous event for the entire kingdom. Stella went in search of Kane but didn't initially find him. She decided to check the area in the playground where they used to privately meet at when no one else was around. When she arrived there, she was shocked to see that he was actually there and alive. "Kane...?" Stella said in a soft voice. Kane turned to see Stella a several yards from him. He looked at her with disbelieving eyes when he saw that Stella no longer had tentacles but actual Merhog fins now. "Stella? Is that truly you?" Kane asked Stella. "I know it's crazy, Kane but it really is me." After what felt like an eternity, Stella rushed at Kane and embraced him into a deep hug before crying into his chest. "Kane, I haven't been the same ever since you were gone and I'm so sorry that I never told anyone about you... I was scared that everyone would start laughing at me if they found out that you were dating me... but instead it resulted you getting killed..."

Kane listened quietly as Stella cried confessed everything. She told him everything from Black Doom to the encounter and departure of Light Gaia. She didn't want any secrets between herself and Kane. Even if Kane were to become disgusted and hate her now, she felt she owed it to him since he died because of her bullies. "You suffered and went through so much Stella. I'm sorry wasn't there to protect you before those thugs ambushed and killed me. They were the cause of this." Kane said to Stella. "Y-You're not mad...?" Stella asked Kane. "Light Gaia resurrected me and gave you a second chance at a new life after undoing all of the damages done. Both Light Gaia and King Leonardo completely forgave everything that happened when you were under Black Doom's control. I have no reasons or desires to hold grudges against you. All I want is for us to continue where we last left off at. What do you say?" Kane asked Stella.

"I would really like that especially since I haven't been really happy for years..." Stella said to Kane while she was still crying. "You robbed of happiness. Let's change that and be happy together." said Kane. Stella smiled and before she said another word, Kane leaned in and kissed her affectionately. Stella mind went into a whirlwind of sensations and emotions upon feeling Kane's lips on hers again. She missed that feeling of his love, embrace and kiss and she craved and wanted more. "I don't know how else to describe this but all I know is that it feels amazing..." Stella said to Kane. Kane laughed and said, "I miss seeing you smile and laugh like before. It suits you." "Thanks, Kane." Stella said to Kane as she blushed and smiles at him. "I just realized that I don't have anywhere to stay. I'm practically homeless with nowhere to go." said Kane. "I could ask my brother-in-law King Leonardo if he could help you out." Stella said to Kane. "It's still hard to believe that your brother-in-law is the king himself. Talk about from humble beginnings." Kane said to Stella.

"It was not that easy for my sisters and I because our parents along with our other family members got eaten by tiger sharks when we were very young and we were the only ones that survived." Stella said to Kane. "I remember you telling me about that tragic day. And your brother-in-law hunted down and killed those tiger sharks. He brought to you fallen family members." Kane said to Stella. "Then he won't mind getting the both of us a place to stay. Except Athena got badly injured when we were attacked by the tiger sharks that day." Stella said to Kane. "And she's alive again. And speaking of Queen Athena, you never properly introduced me to her or to your brother-in-law." Kane said to Stella. "You were murdered before I got the chance to. But let do that right now. C'mon let's head to the palace!" said Stella. Kane and Stella left the area in the playground and started swimming their way to the palace.

Later that evening...

By the time Kane and Stella soon arrived at the palace. King Leonardo and Queen Athena were waiting for them in the throne room. Kane was finding it hard to believe that he was in the throne room of Atlantica. No one could just enter that chamber unauthorized, especially if not by the king or queen themselves at the risk of possible criminal punishment. "Not many people get the opportunity to enter the throne room unless they're family members or ordered by the king and queen to be in their presence." Stella said to Kane. "And what about me?" Kane asked Stella. "Don't worry. My brother-in-law heard about you earlier. He'll understand why I brought you here. Come and let's properly have you introduced to them." Stella said to Kane. "Okay if you say so, Stella." said Kane.

Leonardo and Athena standing together with Sheila standing to their side. Kane and Stella approached the royal couple and respectfully bowed to them. "Your majesty, I'm here with my love Kane. He's the merhog I told you, Athena and Sheila about." Stella said to King Leonardo. "Well, it's nice to finally meet you, Kane." King Leonardo said to Kane. "Stella told us much about you. It's nice to finally meet the merhog my twin fell for." Queen Athena said to Kane. "It's nice meet you too, your majesties." Kane said to both King Leonardo and Queen Athena. "My king, I'm here because both Kane and I don't have a place of our own to stay and live in. If it's alright with you, may we stay here in the palace until we're able to acquire a home of our own to live in together?" Stella asked King Leonardo. "Since you and Kane don't have a place to live at. I suppose it would be fair to have you both stay here in the palace for the time being until you're both able to get a home to live in together." King Leonardo said to both Kane and Stella.

"I'm sure my husband will help you both in finding a new home soon." Queen Athena said to both Kane and Stella. "I'll have those responsible noble families give you one of their best ones and monetary contributions as reparations for their families' wrongdoings against the both of you that started the years of grief we lived through." King Leonardo said to both Kane and Stella. "But... I don't know if my bullies' families will ever forgive me for what I've done..." Stella said to King Leonardo. "Their wayward spoiled teenage children paid the ultimate price for intentional murder of one of my innocent civilians. It's not their forgiveness you need, it's yours and Kane's that they need for never disciplining their children with were juvenile delinquents and disgraces to the noble class of my kingdom." King Leonardo said to Stella. "It's my forgiveness and Kane's forgiveness that they need...?" Stella asked King Leonardo.

"That's right. Their spoiled teenage children who weren't properly disciplined were bullies and their actions led to great problems affected everyone, my family included. They're not entitled to your apology, not after they murdered Kane to spite you." King Leonardo said to Stella. "Oh okay, Leo..." Stella said to King Leonardo. "But for now, you and Kane can stay in the guest room. Tomorrow I'll prepare a royal order to those noble families to give you one of their best homes and monetary compensation as reparations for their deceased teen children's past actions against you and Kane." King Leonardo said to Stella. "We understand Leo and thank you for all your help." said Stella. Leonardo and Athena spoke with them for a while longer before Kane and Stella departed for the guess room with Leonardo and Athena left for their private chamber.

The Next Day...

There was a lot that happened that Athena had to catch up on and one of the things she wanted to do was build her motherly bond with her son and reconnect with her daughters and sisters. Stella was still very apologetic about everything despite the fact that she was corrupted by Black Doom when she was at her most vulnerable. Athena, Leonardo and others had to assure Stella of their total forgiveness seeing how Light Gaia gave her and those who were at the receiving end of Leonardo's wrath years ago a second to start over. The only ones who weren't give this second chance were Stella's bullies who were also Kane's murderers.

"Athena, you, Leo and everyone else are right... I need to put the past behind me and continue move forward in my life." Stella said to Queen Athena. "If we and everyone freely forgave you Stella, than you need to forgive yourself instead of condemning yourself. Kane doesn't want you being miserable after Light Gaia gave you and Kane a new start in life together. Please don't throw that away for a self-condemning life my dear sister." Queen Athena said to Stella. "But Athena, I hurt a lot of innocent people back then including your husband and your family and I don't know if I could forgive myself for that..." Stella said to Queen Athena. "Wraith Stella already paid with her life for those crimes. She and Black Doom were responsible for holding your mind and body hostage and influencing your behavior and actions for years. And by the way, your two eels have been asking if they can stay and continue in their service to you." King Leonardo said to Stella.

"Well... they were one of my only friends I had during the time back when I was still being bullied and I think it would be nice to still have them around." Stella said to King Leonardo. "They're waiting for you outside the palace doors. They're on temporary probation." King Leonardo said to Stella. "Then I should probably go see them right now." said Stella. "Did Kane ever knew about them?" Queen Athena asked Stella. "Kane unfortunately didn't know about them due to the fact that he got murdered." Stella said to Queen Athena. "You can't go and get your eels acquainted with them and start your new lives together with them without condemning yourself for the past." Queen Athena said to Stella. "I understand, Athena..." Stella said to Queen Athena.