~3rd Person POV~

The girls were at the Moon Pool, and tonight was a full moon. While dealing with Zac's connection to the island and the mysterious Merman Chamber was their top priority, there was another problem: Evie and the moon spell. Sirena was offering to bring Evie to the Moon Pool and help her control it, but Ondina didn't think it was a good idea, saying they should focus on Zac. Manoa sided with Sirena, reminding Ondina that helping Evie would not only help her, but would also be one less problem to deal with on full moon nights. When they asked Mimmi for her opinion, the brunette mermaid started to stare off into space. She had a vision of the Merman Chamber and Zac. When she snapped out of her trance, she agreed with Manoa and Sirena, even offering that she and Sirena help Evie, while Manoa and Ondina focused on Zac. When all four mermaids seemed satisfied with the plan, they swam to the mainland.

At the cafe, Sirena and Mimmi talked to Evie and Zac about bringing her to the Moon Pool. Evie was willing to do it, and Zac agreed as well, although he seemed quite distracted. Zac then left to find Jasper and talk to him about his vision.

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After a bit of searching and asking around, Manoa eventually found Erik.

"I figured I'd be seeing you sooner or later." he says when he sees the red-haired mermaid.

"Oh?" she asks.

"So, it's a full moon tonight." he says, almost as if he knew what she was here for. When she doesn't respond, he continues "Let me guess. You want me to keep an eye on a certain someone, keep him from taking a nighttime swim to Mako?"

"I hate to ask, but if it's not too much trouble. Unless you have something else planned, then-" Manoa starts.

"Well, I could have something planned."

"I know, but tonight's too important."

"Okay, no problem. I can do it."

"Thanks Erik," Manoa says, relieved that he was willing to watch Zac, "I really appreciate it."

"Anyway, want to catch up tomorrow? Maybe go for a swim? Or I could take you out to the Marine Park." Erik offers.

"Sure, sounds fun." Manoa says. "See you later." she then kissed him on the cheek, but stepped away blushing once she realized what she'd done. "I'm sorry," she says, "I shouldn't have done that."

"It's fine," he says, returning the kiss. "See you later." As Manoa left, Erik's phone rang. It was Jasper. "Hey, what's up?"

"I need you to meet us at Zac's place." Jasper says on the other end.

"Us? Who else is there? What's going on?" Erik asks.

"Me, Zac, Cam, and you when you get here." Jasper answers. "Zac saw Mako. Like a vision."

"The point, Jasper?"

"Just get over here. It'll be easier to explain."

"Alright, I'm on my way."

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When Erik made it to Zac's place, Jasper was opening his laptop and pulling something up.

"You're late." Jasper says.

"I was busy." Erik explains.

"Were you with Manoa?"

"Were you with Ondina?"

"Guys," Zac interrupts, "can we please focus? You said you took pictures?"

"I did." Jasper says, opening them on his laptop. "I didn't have much time, though. The entrance was about to close."

"I saw these in my dream last night." Zac says, looking at the symbols from the pedestal.

"What do you think they mean?" Jasper asks.

"I was hoping you two would have an answer." Zac says.

Erik moves over and stands next to Zac, looking at the image on the screen. "If they mean anything, I don't recognize it." he says.

"They... they feel familiar," Zac says, "but it's like it's some kind of ancient language and I can't read it."

"Maybe it isn't a language." Jasper reasons.

Zac pauses for a moment, thinking about what it could be, and finally has an answer. "I think it's a code. Some kind of sequence."

"Like a PIN number." Cam adds.

"And I think you might be the only one who can unlock it." Jasper finishes.

"I can try," Zac says, "but I'll need you two to help me overcome the moon spell. If I can stay in control I might be able to figure out how to unlock this thing"

"You got it. We'll be there." Jasper says.

"Wait what?" Erik asks. "I promised Manoa that I would keep an eye on you and keep you away from Mako."

"He's right." Cam adds. "I mean, there's no way the fish chicks are going to let this happen."

"They can't know," Zac says, "especially Ondina and Manoa." as he said the girl's names, he looked at Jasper and Erik.

"Ondina won't. She thinks I'm keeping you away from Mako as well." Jasper assures.

"And you're cool with that?" Erik asks.

"This is more important." Jasper tries to reason. "We're going. Are you?"

Erik lets out a frustrated sigh. He couldn't deny that he was a little bit curious about the Merman Chamber, but he also knew that if he went with them and the mermaids found out, they might not trust either of them anymore. He didn't want to do that to Manoa and go back on his word.

When Jasper didn't get a response, he finally said "When you decide, you know where to find us."

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Manoa, Sirena, and Ondina were at the cafe, waiting for Evie to finish up at her shop so they could leave. When she finished, she turned to the girls. "I'm a little concerned about Zac" she says.

"Jasper and Erik are looking after him." Ondina assures her, "he'll be fine."

Evie smiles at her, appreciating the reassurance. "I might just give him a quick call before we go." she says, and she pulls out her phone, calling Zac's number. To her surprise, it was Cam who answered, and he wat sitting at a table a few feet away from them. He didn't seem to notice that the girls were there as he lied about how he and the rest of the guys were having a movie night at Zac's place. After faking a bad connection and hanging up, the girls were standing right behind him. "Still here." Evie says, startling Cam.

"I can explain." Cam says, knowing he had been caught.

"Call Jasper." Ondina says, and Evie dials, ignoring Cam's reasoning not to.

A moment later, Jasper's phone rang in Cam's pocket. Manoa then asked Evie to call Erik, and just like the other two, his phone rang in Cam's possession.

"What's going on?" Ondina asks.

"There is a perfectly good explanation." Cam reasons.

"Then start explaining." Manoa demands.

"Okay, okay. Zac and Jasper went to Mako."

"What?" Ondina asks.

"And what about Erik? Why do you have his phone?" Manoa questions.

"He wasn't sure at first. Said he wanted to keep his word and keep Zac away."

"And?"

"He changed his mind at the last minute."

Manoa and Ondina gave each other hurt looks before turning to leave. "Sirena, you go ahead with Evie." Manoa says.

"We have something to do." Ondina adds.

While Sirena took Evie to the Moon Pool, Manoa and Ondina sped towards the Grotto to find Mimmi.

"We have to go! Now!" Ondina says as right when she enters.

"Where's Sirena and Evie?" Mimmi asks.

"The Moon Pool." Manoa answers. "Forget them, we have to get to Mako."

"What happened?" Mimmi asked.

"We've been played like a conch shell, that's what." Ondina says. "Erik, Jasper, and Zac. They're working together."

"What?" Mimmi says in surprise, "I thought Erik and Jasper were-"

"They betrayed us." Manoa says, the hurt more clear in her voice. "They've taken Zac to Mako."

"Jasper took photos of the symbols and now he thinks they can start up the chamber."

"What chamber?" another voice asks, entering the room. The mermaids turn and immediately recognize who it is.

"Veridia." Mimmi says.

"What are you doing here?" Manoa asks.

"From the sounds of things, I arrived just in time." Veridia says.

"Veridia," Rita Greets.

"Rita. It's been a long time."

"Indeed."

"Nothing much has changed. It's good to see you, Rita." Veridia says.

"Veridia and I were at mermaid school together." Rita explains.

"You were always top of the class," the mermaid leader says with a hint of jealousy before turning back to the girls. "I told you, you had until the next full moon to sort things out."

"Things have got a little out of hand." Ondina explains.

"So it appears." Veridia says. "You mentioned a chamber on Mako."

"The boy... Zac... he unlocked a merman chamber on Mako." Manoa explains.

"He's on his way there now." Ondina adds.

"Then we don't have much time." Veridia says. "We must stop him accessing that chamber at all costs. Take me there. Immediately. The moon is rising. Let's hope we're not too late. Manoa, you stay here."

"What?" she asks. "No, I'm coming too-"

"I do not think that is wise." Veridia says.

"Like you said, we don't have time. I'm coming." Manoa states, the group sped to Mako.

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Jasper, Erik, and Zac were on Mako beach, heading towards the jungle, when Zac stopped. The moon was trying to spell him.

"Zac?" Jasper asks, making sure he's okay.

"What do you think's going to happen if we start this place up?" Zac asks.

"We've come this far," Jasper says, avoiding the question, "you wanna stop now?"

Zac remains silent and moves ahead, while the other two mermen stay behind a bit.

"He's right, we have no idea what might happen." Erik says.

"If you want to go back, go ahead." Jasper says before continuing onward.

"No, I'm coming," Erik says, catching up. "I'm just saying we should be careful."

The three mermen continued until they found the Chamber entrance, which opened a moment later. When they entered, Zac went over to the pedestal, Jasper stood to his left, and Erik a short distance away from them.

"Stay focused." Jasper tells Zac. "Think about the symbols."

Zac reached toward the symbols in front of him, and they started to glow in a blue light. Unsure of what to to do, he hesitated and started to pull his hand back.

"What's the sequence?" Jasper asks.

"I'm trying," Zac says before hesitating again.

"He doesn't know." Erik says, "we should just get out of here."

"Not yet." Zac states before finally touching the symbol of the moon rising, then the small Trident symbol.

"Which is it?" Jasper asks.

Before Zac could answer, a woman's voice was heard.

"Move your hand away. Now!" Veridia had entered, Mimmi, Manoa, and Ondina behind her.

"Who's she?" Jasper asks.

"Veridia." Mimmi states, "head of the Mermaid Council."

"What are you doing?" Ondina asks.

"Why are you helping him?" Manoa asks as well.

"Manoa, please. I can explain-" Erik starts, but is cut off by Jasper.

"This is the only way. We need to know what this place is. Zac is the only one who can control it."

"So these two are mermen as well?" Veridia observes. "Any more surprises?" she asks Ondina.

"No, that's it." she answers.

"I won't tell you again," Veridia addresses the mermen while raising her hand to use her powers, "stop what you are doing, and step away."

"Leave them alone." Rita says, entering the Chamber with her hand raised as well.

"You made your choice long ago." Verida says. "You should have stayed in your grotto."

"I wouldn't." Rita says as Veridia tries to attempt to use her powers on the boys again, "you know what I'm capable of, Veridia. Top of the class, remember?"

"Do you realize what would happen if the son of Nerissa controls the power of this place?" Veridia accuses.

"What is she talking about?" Mimmi asks, "What does this have to do with my mother?"

"Tell her, Veridia." Rita says, "she has a right to know."

"Tell me what?" Mimmi demands.

"Nerissa had a son..." Rita explains, "a son who could share visions with her daughter. A connection made possible only through blood." she then turns to Zac. "you're that son, Zac. You've never been a land boy. You were always a merman."

There was a small moment of shock as everyone realized what Rita was saying. Zac was a true merman, and Mimmi's brother.

"Why now?" Mimmi asks, breaking the silence, "why didn't you say anything before?"

"I had to be certain..." Rita says, "and now I am."

"This changes nothing." Veridia says. "It ends tonight."

Mimmi then stood between the boys and Veridia. "I won't let you hurt him." she says.

"Move aside." Veridia orders.

"No."

"Ondina, Manoa, tell her not to be foolish."

The two mermaids looked at each other for a moment unsure of what to to.

"I'm sorry Veridia," Ondina says, standing by Mimmi.

"You know the price for disloyalty." Veridia warns

"I know what loyalty is." Ondina states, taking Mimmi's hand as a sign of friendship. Meanwhile Erik took the chance to try and reason with Manoa again.

"Manoa, I-"

"You stay back." Veridia orders, targeting him instead of Zac.

"NO!" Manoa shouts, shielding Erik.

"Manoa Lai," Veridia says.

"You can't. I won't let you."

"So he's the one then?" Veridia asks. "I see I was wrong. Moia's Curse always finds a way."

Before Manoa could ask what she meant by 'Moia's Curse,' the image of the moon disappeared in the Chamber, meaning it was about to close.

"We have to get out of here." Erik says.

"You have betrayed your kind." Veridia states. "You are no longer a part of the pod." she then turned and exited the Chamber, Followed by Jasper and Ondina, then Erik and Manoa, then Zac, Mimmi, and Rita.

When everyone was out and the entrance had closed, Veridia was already gone, and Manoa tried to storm off as well, with Erik right behind her.

"Manoa, if you could just give me a moment to explain-"

"Explain what?" Manoa hissed. "I trusted you, and you lied to me. And now I have to figure out that curse Veridia was talking about that apparently has something to do with you."

"Manoa-"

"Goodnight, Erik." Manoa then turned and sped towards the Grotto, where she met up with the others.

Zac was having a hard time dealing with the truth about himself and Mimmi. Rita did her best to explain what she could, Evie tried to reassure him, and Mimmi tried to make light of the situation. None of it seemed to help much though, as Zac stormed out of the Grotto, and Evie left soon after, needing to get back to her own place. Sirena, Mimmi, and Ondina decided to head back to Mako for the night, but Manoa chose to spend the night in the Grotto's sea entrance. Whatever this apparent curse was had shaken her up real bad. However, she wasn't going to let it bother her tonight. She would figure it out in the morning.

A/N: Things have happened! The truth is out about Mimmi and Zac (which we all knew was coming) and some mysterious curse is centered around Manoa and Erik. Speaking of Erik, he's got some explaining to do. Why did he suddenly turn against the mermaids? Well, it will be a while before we find out (and he finally won't get interrupted when he finally does explain his actions) as this is the last chapter of Mysteries of Mako. Fear not, for there will be a sequel, but it will be a while before I start working on it as I have other writing projects that I want to finish first. Plus, I'm starting my second year of college and I don't know how much time I'll have to write (or should I say, when I have time I'll want to write). Thanks for reading!

~Sarah_Renai