Book 3 - The Merchant from the Depths: Chapter 28; Return of the Morays

The screen turns on as the chapter title plays "Chapter - 28; Return of the Morays''.

They had just swum out of the museum and back into their hiding/spying place as they watched Ace a little more.

They hear Ace tell the merman guard "...And I just loved that story my Grandma read me about a human prince and a mermaid princess." The merman guard tells Ace "They made a movie out of that, you know. I saw it with my girlfriend when I was younger! That was just about thirty years ago. No matter how many times I see it, that scene of the princess hugging her father gets me every time." Ace fains excitement as he shouts "I know, right?! That's, like THE scene!" The guard tells him "I'm surprised a kid your age has even watched it." Ace waves his hand as he explains "Oh, my brother's a huge movie buff. That flick's top-tier. Soundtrack's legendary, too."

Ace then spots his friends swimming out holding the photo.

So he makes sure the merman guard is entirely distracted as he asks "Oh yeah, speaking of which – is it true that all merfolk are good singers?" The guard answers "Oh, far from it. That's an old urban legend. One of my own classmates was so tone-deaf, their singing is like nails on a rockboard."

The others are now fully hidden again as Grim says "Ace is still goin' strong!" Deuce also says "I'm impressed he can carry on a conversation with a complete stranger for so long." But Jack tells them "We got what we came for. We need to go, pronto."

They then motion to Ace that they're leaving now, as they swim away to a better place out of sight of the museum.

Ace notices and tells the guard "Ah, look at the time. I think I'd better get going."

The merman is surprised as he asks "Aw, are you sure?"

He then leans in slightly as he whispers the offer "Seeing as you're such a big merfolk fan and all, I wouldn't mind giving you a little sneak peak at the museum while it's closed." He had whispered it as technically he could lose his job if he was found out.

Ace swims back as he waves his hand and tells him "Nah. That'd be cheating, and cheaters never prosper. I'll be sure to check the museum hours before I mosey down here again. Later, man!"

He then swims away to meet back up with his friends.

The merman guard calls out "Feel free to come back anytime!"

The merman then says rather satisfied "It's not every day you meet a nice young fellow like that." before he goes back to his duties of guarding the museum.

Ace meets back up with everyone as he asks them "So, how'd it go on your end?"

Grim answers "Photo acquired!" before laughing and finishing with "Couldn't have been easier."

Ace nods as he says "Great. Let's head back to campus, then." Deuce nods as he says excitedly "Right! I can't wait to shove this picture right in Azul's smug face."

Just then Jack tells them "Wait." as his ears perk up, obviously hearing something.

Then two long shadows appear above them.

Yuu asks "Did anyone else just see a pair of very long shadows?" while thinking 'I've got a bad feeling about this…it's going too smoothly…'

Just then eel Floyd and Jade appear before them.

Floyd greets them first "Teeere you are, Little Shrimpy!~" Then Jade "Greetings, everyone. I see you've already forgotten your previous lesson and decided to try your luck in the deep again."

Jack shouts the obvious "It's the moray brothers!"

Jade looks at the photo as he states "You appear to have gotten ahold of the photo." Floyd then tells them "Nice, niiice!~ That's real smooth~ But we wouldn't want you bringin it back so soon. Why don't we play a game of tag until sunset?"

Ace rolls his eyes as he states "Typical. I knew we wouldn't make it home without a fight with you two. Lemme guess: your plan is to stall us in the water until sunset, then beat us up and snatch the goods. Then you'd get the photo AND you wouldn't have to take these anemones off!"

Jade smiles before chuckling and stating "Using minimal labor to achieve maximum profit is just good business sense."

Jack looks at them as he realizes that it was indeed their plan before shouting at them "Wh- You guys really are crooked to the core!"

Ace still has a level head as he asks Yuu "Well, Yuu? What's your call?" Deuce also has a level head as he states "Knowing you, there's no way you came this far without accounting for them."

Yuu smirks before shouting "Keep the photo safe and play keep-away for a while!" although not explaining anything Deuce says "Okay. Simple enough. I don't know how long I'll last without my magic, but…" Jack finishes by shouting with a lot of enthusiasm "We've come this far! We don't have any other choice!"

They start to fight with the tweels.

The screen then fades to black as "To be continued" plays before fully turning off.