Though he wouldn't admit it aloud, Harry felt a surge of gratitude for Cardi B's timely arrival. He took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Now it's just Eric left..."
Boom!
As if on cue, the tranquility of the Crystal Stables shattered. The underwater structure exploded, and a hulking merman, far larger than any average specimen, burst forth, pinning Eric beneath his immense weight.
"I'm gonna die!" Eric shrieked, seized by panic. "I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die!"
Beneath the enormous hand pressing down on his head, Eric felt a terror he had never known.
"Shameless thief who dares trespass in the royal palace! Now..."
Before the burly merman could deliver his pronouncement, a pink Meow Meow Hammer sliced through the water, aimed directly at his head.
Sensing the imminent threat, the merman glanced up – and his vision was instantly engulfed in a sea of pink!
Someone's ambushing me!!!
Those were his final thoughts before unconsciousness claimed him, the force of the blow sending him spiraling away.
??!
Eric stared, momentarily stunned. Then, recognition dawned, and he scrambled to his feet, whirling around.
He saw Harry and Malfoy landing in poses worthy of superheroes. Without turning his head, Harry flicked his wrist, and the pink Meow Meow Hammer returned to his hand.
If they weren't wearing dresses, this would be the coolest thing ever.
"Holy crap! You guys are absolutely awesome!"
Harry and Malfoy exchanged surprised glances at Eric's words. They had anticipated being overwhelmed, relying on their most potent abilities to turn the tide. Despite some lingering self-consciousness, the weight of societal judgment still gnawed at them.
But now, Eric's exclamation swept away all doubt.
Harry and Malfoy's gaze softened towards Eric. If you can talk the talk…then this rescue effort was worth it!
Before the trio could exchange words, the merman guards closed in once more.
The sheer number of enemies was enough to make even Harry and Malfoy falter.
"Intruders! Take them down!"
The lead merman guard barely finished shouting when a beam of brilliant yellow-white light erupted from above.
A deafening blast followed, sending over a dozen mermen flying.
...
Back within the royal castle's confines...
Despite his inherent agility, Ariel's years wandering on land had gifted him a wealth of combat experience, including land-based techniques recently gleaned from Eric.
Thus, his elder brother now faced a distinct disadvantage.
Blood trickled from the eldest prince's wounds, yet Ariel fared only marginally better.
This irked the eldest prince, causing him to regret not simply ordering his men to swarm Ariel from the start. Besting Ariel in single combat would be a victory; however, one utterly dwarfed by the prospect of claiming the throne.
As for why he anticipated reinforcements despite the ongoing invasion…
He dismissed the clamor outside as inconsequential, assuming Ariel had gathered some weaklings from the depths who were no match for his elite force.
With this in mind, the eldest prince cast aside any pretense of honor.
"Guards!!!" The eldest prince bellowed.
At this, Ariel froze, clearly stunned. "What?"
Seeing Ariel glance instinctively towards the crystal doors, the eldest prince abandoned all pretenses of courtesy. "You dare lose focus in a fight, Ariel? You have given yourself away!"
With a roar, the eldest prince thrust his steel fork towards Ariel.
But, to his shock, the crystal doors burst open, and a voice echoed from beyond, "I'm afraid your guards won't be arriving anytime soon."
"What?!"
Terror seized the eldest prince, causing his attack to falter.
Seizing the opportunity, Ariel batted aside the incoming fork, driving it into the ground.
Gripping his own fork tightly, he used it as leverage to launch a kick, striking the eldest prince squarely in the face and chest!
The immense force sent the eldest prince sprawling, his fork skittering away.
"…"
Ariel glanced down at his weaponless, prone brother. Clearly, he had won.
Only then did he seem to remember something, turning towards the crystal doors, where Tom and Nagini stood.
"You actually came all this way to save me? Tom, you rascal…"
Seeing Tom, Ariel connected the dots in his mind and was immediately moved to tears.
???
What is going on? Is there a curse on the position of Sea King? Does taking it make you brainless? Tom thought, dryly amused.
However, Ariel's "strangeness" didn't last long either, as he had something very important to do.
"Eric… damn it, I didn't expect my brother to be so strong. Is Eric already dead after such a long fight?!"
Ariel muttered as he hoisted the lifeless eldest prince into his arms, preparing to halt the battle.
Watching Ariel rush off, Nagini titled her head, "Didn't Harry and the others already go?... Tom, aren't you going to remind him?"
Tom shook his head slightly. "No need. It's better to end this farce sooner rather than later."
...
Outside the castle, Harry and his companions fought valiantly, with ordinary merfolk unable to even approach them, but…
…this place lacked everything except mermen!
While not all of the eldest prince's forces were present—some patrolled the outer city—they still possessed the sheer numbers to overwhelm Harry and his allies.
Then, the castle gates crashed open, and Ariel appeared, hoisting his limp elder brother high on a steel fork, showing no mercy or respect.
Ariel took a deep breath, then shouted, "The rebels are finished! Surrender and live!"
---