"Mommy!" I called. My nine year old arm barely reached her. "I love you," she called. "Please!" I called. "The ocean, it will help. Don't leave it," she said. "No!" I cried. "Emily, I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "Mom! Grab my hand!" I called. Right there! The tree! It moved again! But, did it have a face?" "I'm sorry, Emily," she said. And then I heard it. I never noticed it before. My mother said something right before she died. Only a whisper, "stay strong,"

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" I awoke with a start. "Are you okay?" A voice asked. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" I screamed again as I stared eye to eye with Chris. "Sorry, it's only me. Are you okay? I heard you calling out for your... Mom," he explained. "So you came," I said rolling my eyes.

He shook his hands. "No! No... I was coming to wake you and yeah..." He said wide eyed. I gave him a death glare and threw a pillow at him. "Hey! Oh, that's want happened to the security camera..."

"Some advice... Keep it that way," I assured him. "Some clothes are there on the desk, bathroom over there," he said. I grabbed his shoulders and guided him to the door. "Thanks bye!" I said. He turned around outside of the doorframe. "Oh and I'll be back for you in-" I shut the door, "-20 minutes!" I couldn't help but smile. I know he's trying to be my friend, but honestly friends were never my thing, and I'm not exactly in a "friendly" mood; taking in my current situation.

I put on the- I'm sorry what?! A dress?! It was sleeveless and a soft lime green. The middle was white with zigzag lines. It was flowy and knee length. I had to admit its a beautiful dress. I put it on with some white flats. My hair was up in a messy bun. Looking in the bathroom mirror, the dress complimented my eyes.

Knock knock.

That would be Chris.

I opened the door. He looked up from his feet and went wide eyed. "...um..." Was all he could manage. I looked down at myself. "What?" I asked. I mean really, it was just me. "You look really pretty..." He said. My eyebrows shot up. "Oh... I'm not really use to...compliments. Especially from a magical... Being,"

He laughed. I liked his laugh. "Magical being. Hey, it's an upgrade from blue vampire... And sorry but... Fish town? Really?" He almost laughed it out. "I was mad, shut up," I said rolling my eyes. He took me by the arm and led me down the hallway. "I'm not going to escape this time," I sighed at him. He let go, blushing. "Why do I need to wear this dress anyway?" I asked.

"We're going to use our tails," he said. I gave him a very lost look. "Oh right, well, when you want to use your tail, you summon it. But if your not wearing this special material, then when you change..."

"Oh," I knew what he was going to say, or when you change you'll have no clothes at all. "Also maybe I should tell you, that dress was specifically picked out for you. It was your mother's when she was your age," he explained. I stopped and stared at him. "Who thought of that?" I said. He had is nervous face again.

"Me..." He confessed. I gave him an unexpected hug, for both of us! "Thank you," I said while smiling. Since I came here I was getting closer and closer to my mother. It made me feel all warm inside. Like really, the same feeling as before. I suddenly started sobbing. Chris turned to me in concern.

I started laughing uncontrollably.

Then I started screaming.

Then I couldn't stop smiling.

I was finally able to gain control. "What's happening?!" I asked Chris wide eyed. He burst out laughing. "After you gain your full powers, you have an emotional shift, it's your new essence trying out... Well... You!" Chris explained.

I look at him with my eyes wider then before. "Any other kind of "shifts" I should be worried about!?" I said extremely worried. All I needed, was for... I don't know... That I started to grow gills or something! Wait, that doesn't actually happen, does it? "No I think you're fine kiddo," he assured, then walked on.

Wait, I'm sorry. Did he just say "I THINK"?!?!?!?!

After my mental breakdown, we came across this waterfall thing. Like the hallway just stopped, and then, there was water. But was the water beautiful! It sparkled like a million blue diamonds, it smelled like chilly, beach air. I laughed.

I turned to Chris and he maliciously smiled at me. Suddenly he ran into the water. "Chris!" I called. Now it was only me. I paced the hall.

Is jumping into this water smart?

Yes.

No.

Yes...

No...

Yes!

No!

Yes!!!!!!!

It was pure dark in the water. I couldn't find the exit and I was running out of air. What did Chris say again? Summon my tail?

Summon...

Summon.

Summon!

The air was becoming extremely limited. Then it came to me.

Live for Jacob, live for dad, live for mom.

I glowing light emerged from my chest and my lungs sucked in the water, but I was still alive. Then my legs stuck together and greenish blue shells emerged from the skin. Until at the end, a flowing, light green fin emerged. I could see in the cave and noticed my top. It was in the shape of a sports bra but bathing suit material. It had layers or ruffles, and was the same color as the dress. I looked around the cave and noticed Chris.

"I almost died!" I yelled. "Your right. You know, even without your tail you can breathe under water? You already got your powers, you just needed to stop holding your breath. Also, you couldn't see, because your eyes were shut extremely tight. I thought they were going to fall out," he chuckled. My face turned bright red.

He led me down a tunnel. I've got to say having a tail is amazing! Also, because I'm a water spirit now, I don't feel the chilling water! The walls were soft rock and every so often there was a plant life of some sort. I smiled at Chris and he returned one back. He pulled aside some hanging seaweed blocking the way.

"Emily, welcome to Star Cliff City's other half, the Angelfish District,"