It could definitely be said that Cleo, Rikki, Emma and Bella have overcome the storm. Their friendship is now stronger and they've done so many things together. But just as summertime is in full swing, an unexpected cloud pops up.
Charlotte returns...
The early morning sun barely peeked over the horizon as the group made their way to Mako Island. The ocean reflected soft hues of pink and gold, but none of them were in the mood to admire it. Determined to uncover the truth about Charlotte, they moved quickly, their collective energy tense yet focused. They had made sure to make a move early to make sure Charlotte couldn't surprise them while doing it.
"Are we sure this is going to work?" Will asked.
"It has to," Cleo said, her voice firm. "If Charlotte did anything to the island, this is our best chance to find out what it was."
Emma nodded. "The Moon Pool holds the answers—we just need to know how to ask the right questions."
As they reached the island and anchored their boat, Rikki was the first to hop onto the rocky shore, Zane close behind. "Let's make this quick," she muttered. "I don't want to give Charlotte any more time than she already has."
Ash helped Emma out of the boat as they began to walk in the sand. Their steps were hurried, the events of the previous night still fresh in their minds.
Once inside the Moon Pool cave, the atmosphere felt charged, the lingering magic of the place stirring the water in faint ripples. Cleo took a deep breath.
"Now what?" Rikki asked, kicking a small rock into the pool with a splash.
Cleo took a deep breath, her gaze steady as she stepped closer to the water. "Whatever happened to Charlotte... it had to have been under a full moon. She definitely had to do something specific because we locked her powers away with the moon of fifty years. We need to recreate the full moon she transformed in somehow."
"Recreate it?" Emma raised a skeptical eyebrow.
Lewis nodded thoughtfully, already pulling out a few notes in his notebook. "It makes sense. The Moon Pool reacts to lunar energy. If we can replicate the effect of a full moon, it might show us what happened when Charlotte transformed."
"That's easier said than done," Zane pointed out. "We don't exactly have a moon handy."
"We don't need one," Bella interjected. "The crystals inside Mako have their own energy. Maybe if we channel it right, it could mimic moonlight."
Emma crossed her arms, intrigued but unconvinced. "And how do we channel it?"
Bella smiled, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a delicate necklace. A small blue crystal which dangled from a brown leathery rope. "Will and I made this for you," she said, handing it to Emma. "It's a crystal, straight out of Mako Island. I was planning on giving it to you later for helping me out with the college situation, but, right now we might need all the crystals and mermaids we need." She smiled, handing over the crystal necklace to Emma.
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Emma took the necklace, her expression softening. "Thanks, Bella. I guess it's worth a shot." She said as she put on the necklace over her white gem locket.
