"But you said that there was a solution for every problem," said Misty.
"Not when Mantora and humans are involved," said Felix. He shook his head in despair.
"But isn't there anything we can do to rescue the Forest?" worried Misty. "You and your sea horse friends have helped me so much, Felix. I wish we could do something for you."
The noise of the boat's engines throbbed above their heads. The cutting of the kelp would soon begin. The little sea horses trembled with fear.
"Think, everyone, think," urged Sophie. The mermaids frowned with concentration. Then Misty looked up.
"I've got an idea," she exclaimed.
"Follow me as quickly as you can." She flicked her bright tail and sped swiftly toward the surface.
"But it will be dangerous near the boat," protested Scarlett, darting after her. "What are you going to do?"
"What are mermaids famous for?" called Misty over her shoulder. "Singing!" All the mermaids loved to sing, but Misty loved it most of all. One day she hoped to sing for Queen Neptuna at the great Sea Festival, which was held every year in Coral Kingdom. But now she was going to sing with all her strength to help her new friends.
"Of course!" said Holly. "Mermaid singing can persuade humans to do anything. What a brilliant idea."
"Come on," said Sophie, surging forward with a powerful flick of her orange tail. "Everyone follow Misty!"
The mermaids quickly reached the surface. They could see the menacing boat, coming to cut down part of the Forest.
"We have to split up now," Misty called to the others. "Then we can create a Mermaid Circle around the boat. The Circle will make our singing even more powerful. Are you ready? Mermaid S.O.S.!"
"Mermaid S.O.S.!" they all cried and plunged away in different directions as fast as they could. Soon the mermaids had surrounded the boat in a wide circle. Then they started to sing:
You happy sailors on the Sea,
Stop your work and listen to me.
You don't want to sail today,
Turn your boat and go away.
Listen to our mermaid song,
Don't do things you know are wrong.
The Forest creatures need your help,
So don't chop down their lovely kelp!
Little by little, the boat changed its course. Then it started to head back to the distant harbor. Misty's plan had worked! The captain and crew would go home and tell a muddled story about running out of fuel, or not liking the look of the weather, and the Kelp Forest would be safe. Once the sailors had been enchanted by the Mermaid Circle of Singing, they would never be able to find that spot in the sea again.
"Hooray!" cried Misty. "At least this time Mantora's nasty plans have been stopped. That was great singing, Scarlett."
"Well," she replied with the faintest of smiles, "I'm just doing my job as part of the S.O.S. team."
"And you've got your crystal back, Misty," said Sophie happily. "I knew you would get it."
Ellie quickly squeezed Misty's hand. "I think Queen Neptuna would be proud of you," she said.
"Well, I did manage to fix my mistake," said Misty, with a relieved grin.
"And rescue the Forest," said Holly.
"We all did that," said Misty. "We really are a team. Let's go back and tell everyone that they're safe now." The mermaids all dived in an arc like a rainbow, speeding down through the water to their friends.
The sea creatures were so happy when they heard the good news. The sea dragons, octopuses, and spiny urchins who lived in the Forest came to thank the mermaids. Squeak kissed them with tiny baby kisses. But Cato was still fast asleep.
It was time for Misty and her friends to set off on their journey home. Queen Neptuna would be waiting anxiously for them and for their magic crystals.
"Mantora's storm sent you far from Coral Kingdom," said Felix. "We will guide you out of the Forest and on your way. Then you need to travel to the West. Always follow the setting sun, but look out for Mantora. You never know when she might strike again. Be careful, brave mermaids."
"Be car'foo!" said Squeak.
"We will!" replied the mermaids. They swam with their friends through the last rows of purple kelp, until they saw the open sea ahead. Looking over their shoulders, they had one final glimpse of the dark, mysterious Forest, its seaweed fronds swaying gently in the water. The mermaids were so happy that they had been able to save it from destruction.
"Good-bye, Dash," they called. "Goodbye, little Squeak. And good-bye, dear Felix. We'll never forget you."
Misty and her friends held up their glittering crystals in farewell, showering sparks of light all around them. Then they put the precious crystals away carefully and set out for Coral Kingdom.
What will happen to the mermaids on the next part of their journey? And will they get home in time with the crystals?
Mermaid Sisters of the Sea
Misty has flowing blonde
hair and a shimmering
pink tail. Misty is a
really determined and
brave mermaid.
Ellie is very caring and
loves seabirds. She has
long, wavy dark hair and
a glittering purple tail.
Sophie has funky fair hair
and a blazing, bright
orange tail, which helps
her to swim super fast.
Holly has sweet, short
black hair and a
dazzling yellow tail.
Holly is very thoughtful,
and clever.
Scarlett has fabulous,
thick dark hair and a
gleaming red tail. She
can be a little bit
bossy and headstrong
sometimes
Lucy has fiery red hair
and an emerald green
tail, but don't let that
fool you—she is really
quite shy.
Misty to the Rescue Page 3