The Mermaid of London

Chapter 8

Elsewhere, the Marapax were in their ship, moving through the air. They had reached the city of Atlantis and they entered. Countless civilians were homeless, many living in very cramped apartments in the slums. A large statue of Ceto stood in the heart of the city. Prices on essentials like food and clothing were expensive. Taxes were also absurdly high, with all the money going to benefit Ceto's lavish lifestyle. The ship finally reached the palace and before long, the Marapax exited the ship, with Puffer carrying the net holding Adrianna, Tommy, Terry and Miles. The mercenaries entered the palace, being accompanied by a guard wielding a gun, who unbeknownst to all parties was actually Cyclone, who wanted to look into what Ceto was going to do now that the princess and her family was now under the not-so-good queen's possession. As the Marapax walked through the halls, their captives took notice of their surroundings.

"So this was where you grew up, Mom?" Tommy asked.

"Afraid so, Tommy," Terry replied.

"It'd be a nice place if a crazed tyrant wasn't occupying it," Adrianna snarked.

"Silence," Barracuda coldy demanded.

"Make me!" Adrianna snipped in defiance.

"I'd love to, mermaid, but you being alive means extra pay."

Before long, the Marapax reached the throne room, where Ceto was waiting for them, holding a bag in her hand. She was flanked by several guards. Ceto had a satisfied smirk on her face.

"Ah, Marapax," she quipped, "I see you have finally brought my package."

"Good evening, Your Majesty," greeted, "We recaptured the princess and this time, we got her son, too," Stingray explained, "We also brought two more as a bonus."

Puffer held up the net containing their bounty, and Barracuda brandished his blade and sliced the net open, allowing Adrianna, Tommy, Terry and Miles to spill onto the floor. The guards walked up to the floor and forced them onto their knees, pointing their rifles right at the back of their heads, ready to fire should they try to fight back. They were each lined up in a horizontal single-file line.

"Amazing work, you four," praised Ceto, "I am very pleased. As per our agreement, I have the money I promised you."

She tossed the money to Barracuda, who caught the bag.

"$1,500,000 US dollars worth of Greek Drachmae."

"Wow!" Triggerfish exclaimed, "We're rich!"

"Finally!" Puffer declared, "We finally get to enjoy the fruits of our labors."

"Pleasure doing business with you, Your Majesty," said Barracuda before turning to the Marapax, "Marapax, let's return to the ship. Our work here is done."

"You have a good night, Your Majesty," Stingray bid farewell as he and the rest of the Marapax departed. Afterwards, Ceto walked up to them one at a time, starting with Miles.

"Ah, welcome back, human," she condescendingly greeted, "You may have been able to escape me last time, but rest assured, you will not escape this time."

She then walked to Adrianna, and immediately voiced her contempt for the mermaid.

"So...you're the mermaid that stopped me from getting the boy. Just looking at you disgusts me!"

"Yeah, well, you haven't exactly aged gracefully either, you old hag," Adrianna snarked, "You look even uglier in person."

Ceto slapped the mermaid in the face.

"Ooh, a feisty one, aren't we? Well, watch your tongue, mermaid scum!" the queen barked before walking over to Tommy, "Here we have Tommaso Fishbach, the half-breed abomination of Princess Teresa."