- Sorry for anyone looking forward to Young Love, but I'll be skipping that episode and moving straight to Moon Spell because honestly I had nothing for Cory to do in that episode.

-

"Welcome to my gothic world!" Rikki said as she saw the black balloons scattered all over Emma's house.

"Who died?" Cory joked.

"It's my dad's birthday," Emma told them with a frown. "It's an important night."

"I can't believe you organised this whole thing by yourself," Rikki said as the three other girls followed Emma further into the house. "It's very, um... efficient."

"Have I told you about the seafood?" Emma asked Cleo.

"About 25 times," Cleo answered.

"Tell your dad it needs to be fresh, and it has to be his best stuff." Emma continued.

"As opposed to the fish they just left out in the sun." Cory joked.

"Very funny. We need to have it here by 7:45." Emma instructed. "Better write that down."

"You seem a bit tense," Cory said as Cleo started looking around for a pen.

"I'm not tense," Emma said. Straightening out her back.

"You're grinding your teeth," Rikki said. Pointing to her own teeth for emphasis.

"It's called a smile, Rikki," Emma said with a slight twitch. "Elliot, don't just do yellow and black; get some other colours."

"Alright, alright. Gee," Elliot sighed as he threw one of the black balloons at Emma.

"If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself." Emma huffed. "The night's itinerary."

Emma passed a sheet of paper over to Cleo. Explaining how the night should go.

"You've got a gap between 9:10 and 9:40," Rikki pointed out.

"That's when I read my speech," Emma explained.

"For 30 minutes?" Cory said. Somewhat bewildered by the thought of that.

"I've timed it at 26 minutes and 45 seconds, approximately," Emma said proudly. "Leaving a little over 3 minutes for applause and congratulations."

"Sounds more like a battle plan than a party." Rikki smiled.

"I need to test out my speech," Emma thought out loud.

Cory had to admit that she admired Emma's commitment to do a "26 minutes and 45 seconds" speech. She had trouble handing 5 minutes speeches for school. When she was younger, she once panicked when being called up and shouted that she needed to go to the bathroom... in front of the whole class.

But on the other hand, Emma's speech came off as somewhat wordy and overdramatic. Cory thought that maybe she didn't get it because she didn't have the same kind of relationship as Emma did with her dad.

She did miss her dad sometimes, though.

Later on, Cleo had to leave for work. Leaving Rikki and Cory with a definitely not stressed Emma. They were at least able to get her out of the house for a bit. Reminding her that she needed to pick up some shoes for the party.

Once that was done, the three of them decided to visit Cleo to show her the new shoes. But when they got there, she seemed a bit confused.

"Did you see that?" Cleo asked as they approached her. "That old woman? She was standing just there."

"What old woman?" Rikki asked.

"She knows about us. She said something about the full moon being dangerous."

"I didn't see anyone," Emma told her.

"Me neither," Rikki added.

Cleo turned to Cory, who shrugged. "Sorry, Cleo."

"She told me not to talk to sea perch," Cleo pressed. "And something about reflections and 'beware the full moon'."

"What did sea perch ever do to her?" Cory wondered out loud.

"Sounds like she's had a bit too much sun," Rikki told Cleo.

"There's something different about her."

"But not as different as these," Emma said as she pulled out her new shoes to show Cleo. "Gorgeous, aren't they?"

Cleo agreed just as Byron walked by. Giving Emma a quick hello and a sweet smile. Emma did the same with an added hair flip.

"What's all this about," Rikki asked. Mimicking Emma's hair flip.

"Don't be stupid," Emma denied. "There's nothing going on."

"Lie." Cory joked.

The other three girls all gave each other knowing looks. Emma's crush on Byron was probably one of the most obvious things in the world.

But they didn't have much time to dwell on it due to Emma going right back into party planning mode.

"I can't stop thinking about what that old woman said," Cleo said while Emma greeted guests at the door. "Beware the full moon."

By the time Cory got ready and arrived back at Emma's place that night, she had basically forgotten what Cleo had said about the Full Moon.

"We're mermaids, not werewolves," Rikki whispered to her.

"I think Emma was right. She was probably just tired from walking around all day," Cory shrugged.

As the others talked, Emma continued greeting guests.

First was an aunt and her grandmother. Emma told the grandmother how gorgeous she looked. Then came Zane's dad, Dr Bennett, and a younger woman none of them had met before. Bennett introduced her as Candy. They were followed by Zane and Miriam. Everyone's favourite people.

Finally, there was Lewis. A face Cory recognised and liked.

"Lewis! Right on time," Emma smiled.

"Yes, well, I am a sucker for parties," Lewis replied.

"Never took you for a party animal, Lewis," Cory jested.

"I'm also a man full of surprises," Lewis said. Causing Cleo to smile and Rikki to roll her eyes.

"I need you to stand on door duty whist I get some drinks," Emma told him.

The girls started heading over to the kitchen while Lewis was left at the door. Somewhat dumbfounded.

Cory let out a small yawn as they walked.

"Getting tired already?" Rikki asked.

"Just had a lot going on recently," Cory told her.

Thanks to her uncle and (soon-to-be) aunt's recent engagement, there had been a lot of buzz in the Watsford house as of late. Lots of wedding talk and planning. Thankfully Emmett and Ava hadn't gotten to Emma's level of stress party planning yet.

"You're gonna have to get used to this," Rikki commented.

"I think Ava and Emmett's wedding is going to be very different from this."

While Emma's parents were nice people, Cory knew there were quite a few differences between the Gilberts, Emmett Watsford and Ava Turner. Just little things, you know? Like how and where they were probably raised. Stuff like that.

Before they could continue the conversation, they heard Emma saying something nearby.

"You look way too young to be Zane's father's girlfriend."

The girls looked over in disbelief when hearing that come out of Emma's mouth.

"I beg your pardon?" Candy replied.

"I guess you're just after the money, though." Emma shrugged.

Cory and Rikki made their way over to her.

"You can't say stuff like that, Emma," Cory told her.

"Why not?" Emma questioned.

Rikki and Cory's eyes widened at their friend. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing's wrong with me, Rikki baby," Emma said as she patted Rikki on the cheek. "I feel fantastic."

The two stared at Emma in confusion as she made her way over to Bennett. "Wish I had a daughter who went to all this trouble for me."

Emma narrowed her eyes at him. "You've got a lot of hair growing out of your nose there, Harrison. It's like a forest."

Rikki was quick to grab Emma's shoulder and start dragging her away. "We were just on our way to the bathroom. We'll catch you later."

Before they could get away, Emma grabbed a water bottle out of a girl's hand. Pouring it all over the floor and almost hitting Cory.

"Frick!" Cory said as she jumped away.

"I love the look of water," Emma sighed as everyone around her gasped.

"She's overtired," Cleo tried to explain to the guests. "She's been working really hard to get this party right. I'll take her outside for some fresh air."

Cleo took Emma's hand and started walking her outside.

"Aunt Thea," Emma stopped. "Your skirt, did you steal our picnic rug?"

"Okay!" Cory started pushing Emma to the door. "That's enough stand up for you, young lady."

Once they were outside, Cleo and Cory led Emma to the nearby pool chair.

"What is going on with you tonight?" Cory asked her.

"Have you ever noticed how weird people look?"

"... what?"

"Their legs just don't look right,"

"You need to sit down," Cleo told Emma.

Emma sat down on the chair and continued her talk. "Now, take fish. They're sensibly designed."

Cory placed a hand on Emma's forehead. "She doesn't have a fever or anything."

"Maybe she really is overstressed?" Cleo turned to Emma. "Can we get you anything?"

"I'd love a cheese sandwich... On rye, with sardines," Emma said.

Cleo started to get get back up but stopped when Emma added something. "Actually, forget the cheese and the bread. Just bring the sardines."

Cory looked on in confusion for what felt like the 20th time that night.

"Okay," Cleo said. "Don't go away. We'll be right back."

The two made their way inside right around when Emma's dad returned home. "You don't think?" Cleo asked.

"I sure hope not," Cory replied as she kept trying to get the packet of sardines to open. "Come on!".

"You wanna eat sardines?" Rikki asked as she reached her hand out to offer Cory some help.

"They're for Emma," Cleo explained.

"Where is Emma?"

"We put her outside?"

"By herself outside?"

"Oohhh nooo," Cory realised.

The three of them rushed out the backdoor. Only to find Emma had disappeared. They kept looking around till Rikki found Emma's new shoes abandoned by the water.

"There's something just not right about this," Cleo said.

"That's the understatement of the year," Rikki frowned.

"I can't believe we just left her alone," Cory shook her head. "I should have stayed with her something, ugh!"

They continued staring out at the sea as Lewis made his way over to them. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Have you seen Emma?"

Cleo picked up Emma's shoes and showed them to Lewis. "We found these, and they're-"

Cleo suddenly stopped and looked up. As did Rikki and Cory.

Cory felt a strange sense of calm wash over her as she stared up at the moon. Like nothing else in the world mattered. She didn't even notice Lewis snapping his fingers in front of her face.

The feeling disappeared as soon as the clouds moved across the moon again.

"That would be a mistake." Cory turned to see Rikki blocking Lewis' arm from touching her.

"S, sorry, but," Lewis studdered. "You guys just went extremely weird when that moon came out."

"This is what the old woman meant!" Cleo told the others. "She was trying to warn us."

"Couldn't she have been a little more specific?" Cory asked as she looked out at sea.

"That first night at the moon pool at Mako Island was a full moon as well," Rikki pointed out.

Cory let out a surprised yell as Emma popped her head out of the water.

"You guys have gotta come in!" Emma sighed happily. "Mako Island is amazing at night. You've never seen anything like it."

"Oooh, okay, I don't like this," Cory said as Emma spun around in the water. Her friend's sudden personality change was freaking her out.

Rikki frowned and turned to Lewis. "Pull her out now."

"Me?! Why does it have to be me?!" Lewis argued.

"Well, it's obvious we can't get wet. We could fall under the same moon spell, and then you'd have to pull us all out!!"

"Come to Mako Island with me," Emma said. "It's the most wonderful place. It's like an underwater wonderland. We could all live down there forever!"

Cory clenched Cleo's arm. Finding herself getting more freaked out by the second.

Rikki gave Lewis a stern look, causing him to let out a sigh of defeat. "Emma, of course, we'll come with you. You just, ah, take my hand, and you can show me the way."

Lewis reached out his hand to try and pull Emma out. Only to find that she was a lot stronger than she looked when she flipped him over into the water with a laugh.

After several unsuccessful tries, they finally managed to get Emma out of the water and back towards the house. Rikki got to work trying to dry Emma's tail as Cory kept an eye out from their hiding place behind some bushes.

"Nothing's happening!" Rikki yelled. "Her tail should be gone by now! She's dry, but it's still there. Why isn't it working?"

"It's the full moon," Cleo said. "It's what the old lady said."

"What old lady?" Lewis asked.

"I like my tail just the way it is," Emma told them.

"Everyone quiet." Cory hushed them. "Someone's coming."

"But's so pretty!" Emma told Cory.

"Is that you, Emma?" Someone called out.

"No!" Cory, Rikki, and Cleo jumped out to see Emma's aunt with a frown on her face. "Just us! Getting some fresh air."

"I'm looking for Emma," The woman said. "Her father's here."

"Well, we'll let her know if we see her," Cory told her.

The woman smiled but didn't more. The four of them stood there in silence. Waiting for someone to make a move.

"Er, just watch out for bats," Cleo said.

"Bats?" The woman asked with a hint of fear in her voice.

"Yeah, there's tons out tonight," Cory confirmed. "Probably looking for something to eat right about now."

Emma's aunt looked like she would finally go inside but stood when Emma peaked her head out from behind the bushes.

"Hi, Aunt Thea," Emma called out. "Do you wanna come to Mako Island with me?"

"Hey! Um, Emma's not exactly herself tonight." Lewis said as he pushed his head out from the shrubs. He quickly moved Emma back into hiding with a forced smile.

"What are Neil and Lisa doing with that child," Thea said as she made her way back inside.

"That way too close," Cleo said as they made their way back to Emma and Lewis.

"We need to do something before everyone else starts looking for her," Rikki said.

"Okay, it's 9:08," Cleo looked down at the schedule for the party. "According to the schedule, Elliot plays the oboe till 9:10, which means we have 2 minutes."

"I need to eat something NOW!" Emma told them. "I'm so starving! I need food!"

"Do you still have the sardines?" Cory asked Rikki.

Rikki pulled the packet out. Emma quickly snatched it away and started munching down on the salty fish.

"Ugh, the smell," Cory scrunched up her nose.

Once Emma was done with her sardines, they moved her over to the spa when she wouldn't stop asking. So, Cleo, Rikki and Lewis decided to go looking inside for a way to carry Emma in without getting noticed. While Cory would say with Emma to ensure she didn't get in trouble.

"The water's so nice, Cor!" Emma smiled. "Just for a minute."

"No, Emma," Cory said like a parent telling their kid they couldn't get a lolly. "I don't wanna get this dress wet."

Emma's dreamy smile turned to one of mischief as she splashed some water in Cory's direction.

"EMMA, NO!" Cory shouted as she jumped out of the way. "That's the second time you've nearly splashed me tonight!"

"You need to relax," Emma sighed. "Hi, Byron!"

Cory turned to see Byron walk up the steps to the backdoor. "Hey, girls. You got the spa going. How's the water?"

"It's broken actually,"

"Looks like it's working to me,"

"No, like as in... the jets are too strong?" Cory cringed. "You should head inside!"

"You sure you don't need help?"

"Nope! All good!"

Byron made his way inside with a shrug, and Cory turned to Emma.

"See you later, Byron!" Emma called to him.

"You're so going to get it when this is over," Cory told her.

"Isn't Byron pretty?"

"Umm, if you're into that, I guess,"

"He's got such nice hair," Emma said, lifting herself out of the spa to get closer to Cory.

"Ugh, I can small the sardines from here," Cory grumbled.

After another minute or so, the rest of the gang made their way back outside. Along with the wheelchair that belonged to Emma's Nan.

They got to work wheeling her back into the house with blankets covering her tail. They got a few strange looks, but no one seemed to suspect anything.

"Cory! Good to see you too." Byron said. Seemingly out of nowhere as they walked by.

Cory didn't know how to react, so just gave him a friendly wink with a finger gun. (Totally unaware that Emma had secretly pinched him, causing him to think Cory did it).

By the time she caught up with the others, Emma had frozen Zane and Miriam's lips together while they were kissing.

"Literally can not leave you alone for 5 seconds," Cory whispered angrily to Emma. Who just giggled in response.

"Em? Emma?" her mum called out to her.

"Why now?" Cory cried internally.

"It's time to make your speech," Emma's mum said.

"Emma's asked me to do it," Cleo walked towards the older woman. "She's a bit nervous."

The rest of them rolled Emma into the bathroom. Much to Cory's dismay, Rikki told Cory to say in there with her.

Emma looked around the room and smiled at the sight of the seafood platters. She rolled herself over and moved to grab one. Only for Cory to try and pull it away from her.

"Emma, stop it. That's not for you!"

"But I'm hungry!"

"You just had a whole tin of sardines!"

The two argued back and forth for a few minutes before Lewis and Rikki thankfully came in to take the platters away.

"Thank you!" Cory said as she rubbed her temples.

"Everyone's distracted with the speech," Lewis told her. "Let's get her to her room."

"Yes, good idea!"

"But I don't wanna go to my room," Emma pouted. "I wanna go swimming."

"Well, thanks to the way you've been acting, I think you've lost your swimming privileges tonight," Cory told Emma in a tone that was surprising stern for her.

Once they got Emma to her room, the rest of the group went downstairs to grab a chair to block the door. Only to find that in the 30 seconds they were gone, Emma had already climbed out of the wheelchair. Convincing Byron to start making out with her.

And to add insult to injury, Aunt Thea was the one to catch them.

"Byron, dinner's ready," Cleo told him. "Better hurry up before it's all gone."

"Later," Byron said to Emma as he got up from the floor.

"Wait for me. I'm coming." Emma said as she tried crawling out of her room.

"We can't hold her like this for much longer," Lewis said.

"So the bedroom wasn't the best idea." Rikki sighed.

"There's just too many people wandering around," Cory said. No matter where hide her, people are going to somehow find her."

Lewis thought for a moment. "I've got a key to the JuiceNet Cafe."

"How'd you get that?" Cleo asked.

"Wilfred hired me to fix his Internet connections,"

The next few hours were spent rolling Emma all the way over to JuiceNet Cafe without stepping into the moonlight somehow. It took a lot of stopping and starting, but the teens managed to get there eventually.

And by the time they did, Cory had never felt so tired. She honestly felt like she could sleep for a whole day after this.

"Did you sleep?" Cleo asked everyone a few hours later.

They had put Emma up on the pool table when they got there and decided to try and get some sleep. So Cleo and Rikki laid down several chairs to sleep on, and Lewis and Cory decided to try the booths.

"Not comfortably," Cory yawned.

"What if she's stuck like this forever?" Cleo leaned up from her chairs. "What if the tail never goes away?"

"There's always the circus," The half-asleep Lewis answered.

Cory tried to let out a laugh, but it just turned into another yawn halfway through.

Suddenly Emma sat up from the pool table and stretched. "I had the best sleep."

Thankfully her tail had disappeared, and she was back in her previous party dress.

"What am I doing here, guys?" A worried look covered her face. "What happened?"

"It's a long story," Rikki shrugged.

"I'm not going to explain it," Cory said as she got up from the booth. Only to feel her body stiffen. "Ouch, pain."

The friends met up again after Emma sorted everything out with her dad.

"I never want to go through another night like that," Emma stated.

"Well, neither do we, believe me," Lewis replied.

"And the worst thing is not knowing exactly what I did,"

"Ooo ho, don't worry, I'll always remember," Cory said.

"Hey, Emma," Byron placed his hands on Emma's shoulders. "Thanks for last night. I just wanna say you have the world's best lips."

Emma cocked on her drink as Byron said his goodbyes.

"Lips? MY lips?" Emma asked the others. Who were trying to hold back giggles.

What's everyone's wearing for Halloween? I'm gonna try to find a place to dress up as Amity Blight from Owl House. Despite the fact I'm working that day.