The ocean churned with fury, the waves twisting and curling as if they could sense the battle of wills about to unfold beneath their surface. The deep, murky waters of Ursula’s lair glowed eerily, the bioluminescent creatures scattering in fear at the confrontation brewing between the Sea Witch and the mighty King of the Ocean.

Uma thrashed against Flotsam and Jetsam’s grip, her teal-blue tail shimmering in the dim light. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath hitching in desperation. She hadn’t meant for things to turn out this way—she thought she was finally claiming her destiny, but now she was nothing more than Ursula’s prisoner.

“Poor little princess,” Ursula cooed, her voice laced with mock sympathy. “It’s not you I’m after. I’ve got my sights set on a much bigger fish.”

A sudden, blinding flash of golden light illuminated the cavern as King Triton surged forward, his powerful presence momentarily forcing even Ursula to pause. His trident pulsed with raw energy, its golden glow casting long shadows along the cavern walls.

“Ursula, stop!” Triton’s voice boomed, filled with fury and desperation.

Perched atop a throne of shipwrecked debris and twisted coral, Ursula smirked, feigning innocence. “Why, King Triton,” she chuckled, her tentacles coiling around the jagged edges of her throne. “Ha ha ha—how are you?”

Triton raised his trident higher, its glow intensifying. “Let her go.” His voice left no room for argument.

Uma gasped, her eyes wide as she looked between them. A flicker of hope sparked in her chest at the sight of Triton—her father, the man who had raised her—but it was quickly overshadowed by the cold grip of reality. She had made a deal.

Ursula’s smirk deepened. “Not a chance, Triton! She’s mine now. We made a deal.”

She flicked her wrist, and a glowing golden scroll materialized in front of them. The contract shimmered with an eerie light, its magic absolute. Uma flinched as the glowing tendrils of the spell snaked around her, holding her captive.

“Daddy, I’m sorry! I—I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know—” Uma cried, struggling against the enchanted restraints.

Triton’s gaze softened for a fraction of a second before he steeled himself. He pointed his trident at the contract, sending a powerful blast of magic straight at it. But the magic deflected, ricocheting off harmlessly.

Ursula cackled. “You see? The contract’s legal, binding, and completely unbreakable—even for you.” She tapped the glowing parchment, her sharp nails gliding across it as if savoring her victory. “Of course, I always was a girl with an eye for a bargain.”

Her grin widened as she turned to Uma, her violet eyes gleaming with something dangerous—something possessive.

“The daughter of the great Sea King is a very precious commodity.”

Triton took a step forward, his hands tightening around his trident. “Uma—”

But Ursula cut him off, her voice thick with amusement. “But…I might be willing to make an exchange for someone even better.”

She reached out one of her tentacles, the tip grazing Triton’s golden crown. The implication was clear.

Uma gasped, her mind reeling. This wasn’t just about her. Ursula wanted power—absolute control over the sea.

And then…Ursula turned to her fully, her smirk fading into something more unreadable.

“You deserve to know the truth, my dear.” Her voice was deceptively soft. “You are not my niece, Uma. You are my daughter.”

The words crashed over Uma like a tidal wave, knocking the breath from her lungs.

“What?” The single word barely escaped her lips.

Triton stiffened, his expression darkening.

Ursula leaned forward, her presence suffocating. “He took you from me.” She jabbed a tentacle in Triton’s direction. “Stole you right from my arms like a coward. Lied to you your whole life.”

Uma turned to Triton, searching for a denial, for anything—but what she found was guilt.

“Is it true?” Uma’s voice cracked. “You’re not my real father?”

Triton exhaled slowly, lowering his trident. “I raised you as my own because I knew what would happen if I left you with her.” His gaze locked onto Ursula. “She was dangerous, Uma. She still is.”

Ursula snarled. “I loved you!” she snapped at Uma. “I would have given you the world! But Triton was too afraid of what you might become. He ripped you from my arms and filled your head with lies.”

Uma’s world tilted. Memories of her childhood flooded her mind—the way Triton had always been strict with her, the way he had always warned her against Ursula. She had believed he was only protecting the kingdom. But had he been protecting the ocean…from her?

“You thought I would turn out like her,” Uma whispered, her heart shattering. “You didn’t believe in me.”

Triton flinched. “I believed in you, Uma. I still do. But you deserved a chance—a real chance—to grow up with kindness and strength, not with vengeance in your heart.”

Ursula scoffed. “Enough of this little reunion. Make your choice, Triton—your kingdom, or your daughter?”

The water around them rumbled, the tension thick.

Meanwhile…

On the surface, Harry Hook’s boat cut through the waves.

“Harry! What are you doing?” Andrew shouted from a larger ship nearby.

Harry gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on the oars. “Andy, I lost her once. I’m not going to lose her again.”

He rowed harder, the saltwater spraying his face. He didn’t care about the risks. He didn’t care that Ursula could squash him like a barnacle beneath her heel.

All that mattered was getting Uma back.

Because Uma wasn’t just a girl he loved.

She was the girl who made him feel alive.