Moon Stones Gone Missing

Chapter 22

Two days after the fight in the Merman Chamber, the mermaids and Zac made contact with Veridia, who told them to meet her at the Ocean Café.

Zac, Evie, Lyla, Sirena, Nixie, Mimmi, Ondina, Rikki, Emma, Cleo and Bella were told to be there at ten o'clock.

Rita, Cameron, David, Lewis, Will and Carly were all there too.

"And you're sure that you're okay?" David asked his girlfriend.

Sirena gave a small laugh. "For the one hundredth time today: yes, I'm fine!"

"And now Erik and Charlotte Dr Denman have definitely gone?" Cameron asked Zac.

Zac nodded. "We looked yesterday, the white boat is gone, and Erik and Charlotte are nowhere to be seen. Erik must have swam off somewhere."

"I'm glad you're okay," Carly said. "We were all so worried."

Evie smiled. "I'm fine, thank you."

"Pineapple and watermelon smoothie?" Bella looked at one of the menu's for David's café. "Hmm, that's new!"

"Shall we try it?" Cleo suggested.

Bella nodded. "Definitely."

"Make Mimmi and me a smoothie too!!" Ondina called to them.

"Raise your hand if you want a smoothie!" Will announced.

Everyone raised a hand, except from Nixie, who raised both her hands.

Lewis smiled. "I guess we have work too do."

"We'll help," Emma said, pulling Lyla towards the counter too.

The dinks were made and handed out to everyone.

"On the house!" David called to everyone when Rita tried to hand him some money.

They finished their juices and David brought out a tray of fish and sea foods, including...

"LOBSTER!!!!!" Niche cried happily, running to the plate and picking up the huge lobster.

"Girls," said a voice from the door. Everyone turned to look to find Veridia, head of the Mermaid Council, walking into the café, her arms spread wide. She had a small bag wrapped around her wrist. "I'm so proud of you."

Zac coughed. "And guy."

Veridia smiled. "And Zac. You have saved Mako Island once again, and the Mermaid Council can't thank you enough." Veridia turned to face everyone. Then she slipped the bag off her wrist and opened it. "Nixie, Lyla, Mimmi, Ondina and Evie, come here."

The mermaids walked up to Veridia, standing in a line. Veridia reached a hand into the bag, and pulled out a moon ring, with a moon stone. She handed it to Nixie, who dropped her lobster and grabbed the ring, shouting many thanks you's. Veridia handed a ring to everyone else, who accepted them graciously.

"How come you aren't getting one?" Carly asked Sirena.

Sirena smiled and held her hand up. "Because I still have my moon ring!"

Once Veridia had given the moon rings out she looked up. "Cleo, Emma, Rikki and Bella."

Cleo gave all her friends a worried and confused look, which they returned to her. This woman knew their names? And she wanted to talk to them?

"You four girls, even though not real mermaids, have proven that humans can live and keep our secret," Veridia explained. "And you also helped save our home, which you didn't have to do. We can't thank you enough, but we hope these will act as a thank you." Then she asked the four girls to stand in front of her, which they did. Then Veridia pulled out four moon rings from her bag, and handed one to Cleo, Emma, Rikki and Bella.

All the girls stared at their moon rings with admiration, huge smiles plastered on their faces.

"It is not everyday a couple of land girls receive this honour," Veridia smiled.

"Thank you so much!" Emma exclaimed.

"We've kept the secret too!" Lewis said.

"Exactly!" Will agreed.

"Yeah, don't we get moon rings?" Cameron joked.

Veridia pulled one out of her bag. "If you like...."

"Hey hey, I was joking!!" Cameron held his hands up.

"No, this ring isn't for you," Veridia said. Then she turned to Rita. "This ring is for you."

Rita was taken back. "Me?"

"Yes," Veridia said to her friend. "You helped protect Mako as well, even though you didn't have too. You have proved that you are a great mermaid, even though you did have to leave the Pod." Veridia handed Rita the ring. "Feel free too visit Mako any time."

Rita could hardly believe it. "Thank you, I don't know what to say..."

Veridia shrugged. "Then don't say anything. Just....come visit us a Mako."

"I think Zac would like a moon ring!" Cameron suddenly announced, smiling.

Zac turned to face Cameron. "No, Zac would not like a moon ring!!"

Veridia laughed.

"Do you know Erik's whereabouts?" Bella asked.

"We have a tribe of mermaids on the look for him now, and Charlotte, and Linda," Veridia nodded.

"And the Pod?" Mimmi asked. "Are they coming back to Mako?"

"They are there as we speak," Veridia smiled.

"And Aquata?" Sirena asked. "She's there too?"

"She most certainly is," Veridia smiled.

Sirena's face lit up.

"I will see you all soon, thank you once again." Veridia closed her bag, and left the café.

Every mermaid held up their new rings, admiring them.

"It's so nice to have them back," Lyla smiled happily.

"It is," Ondina agreed.

Cleo looked at hers, and held it to the door. She slowly looked up from her ring, and saw Mrs Chatham, looking at her. Mrs Chatham didn't say anything, and neither did Cleo. Mrs Chatham nodded, and Cleo smiled back, before she turned to her friends.

"The Pod!" Mimmi exclaimed. "The Pod are home!"

"We have to go see them!!" Nixie cried. "The last one there is a piece of rotten seaweed!!!"

"Is that a challenge?" Zac asked.

"Don't even bother betting," Rikki shook her head. "I could beat all of you, even if I swam to Mako with my eyes closed!!"

"Is that a challenge?" Evie raised her eyebrows at Rikki.

"Well, let's see who wins then," Lyla said, putting her hands on her hips and grinning at her friends.

"Yes," Bella agreed. "Let's."

Everyone ran outside (Mrs Chatham now gone) and ran down the ramp and to the edge of the water.

David, Lewis, Will, Carly and Cameron jumped into David's boat and he started the engine. Everyone else, except Rita, got ready to dive

"May the best swimmer win," Rita called. "On your marks, get set... GO!!!"

Zac and all the mermaids dived into the water, flipped their orange fins, and swimming as fast as they could to Mako Island, their beautiful, beloved home.
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___The End___