Norman and the gang were on a boat in the middle of the sea following the Evening Star as Max navigated with his compass. WarMonger broke it to the gang that he had an idea of SkullMaster moving towards The Beastess's lair. Before they left, the kind archdeacon appeared carrying a huge worn-out bag for them. When he opened it, out poured dozens of weapons and gadgets from the bag. Everyone gaped in awe at them, including WarMonger who had known the archdeacon to be no more than a peacemaker and a fine servant of the Lord.
"These weapons used to belong to the ancestors of this village, mine included," the archdeacon explained as the gang marveled at the weapons before them. "Before it was as peaceful as today, it was known to be one of the places that harboured strong, mighty soldiers into battle. After the war, the descendants decided that the bloodshed was too much of a sad reminder and decided to separate themselves from any violent matters happening in this world, thus created Fishermen's Friend Village. These weapons were kept in the deep cellars of our church, the place people least likely to find anything lethal and now, it's time for these weapons to be put to use again, for the good of the village and its future."
"Father, I..." WarMonger didn't know what else to say. He felt in debt for the archdeacon who had regarded him a son and a friend more than any other, perhaps even more than SkullMaster.
"Go now, my child, and use these weapons well. May God bless you, my little angel in disguise."
The gang made their choice of weapons and made a dash towards the jetty, borrowing a boat from a fellow fisherman and went off their way. Norman paddled as fast as he could. He had to get The Beastess's lair as soon as possible to stop SkullMaster. He had done a lot of damage to Fishermen's Friend Village and it's time they decided that enough is enough.
Secretly though, Norman wanted to get there fast to save Virginia.
"So, uh, you know my mother?" Max asked WarMonger after a brief introduction to each other. WarMonger nodded.
"She's the only one who regarded me as a human being and a true friend. I would do anything for her, even if it means going to the ends of the earth for her. My Master had played with both her and my emotions and I'm going to stop him before he does anymore damages."
"You realize though," Max lowered his voice, "that my pal Norman there has a crush with my mom."
WarMonger took a look at Norman's determined face as he picked up his rowing pace and sighed, "I know. I assumed that he was her boyfriend the first time we've met. There's no surprise they'll end up as a real couple. I'm content in being just her best friend. I wouldn't ask for more."
Suddenly, a few feet ahead of them, the sea bubbled and churned. Everyone held their breaths and grabbed their weapons. Is it one of SkullMaster's evil magic to keep them at bay? Could he have sent some of his minions to capsize them and attack? As they braced themselves for the worse, a few forms began to emerge and lo and behold! It was ours truly King Benedict a.k.a. Blake and his royal family!
Norman was stunned. Bea and Felix gaped. Max was speechless. After so many long years, Blake had finally returned with a new form. After being lost and presumed dead, here he was, in the flesh and alive and well. A long silence hung as everyone tried to take in whatever was before. Only WarMonger and Thor were puzzled at what was going on.
"Blake..." Norman breathed his words in wonder.
"Hello, Norman," Blake smiled, his body shimmered a little. Obviously, he had used his trident to create a protective layer on their bodies against the ray of the moonlight. "It's been years, don't you think?"
"I...I knew it was you. I knew it was you all along. I just didn't dare to believe it..."
"Oh God..." Bea's eyes began to well up. "It's Mr. Deanhart! I can't believe it...After all this while..."
"Dad...?" Max finally found his voice.
"My son," Blake turned towards his son that he hadn't seen ever since he decided to remarry. "I missed you so much."
"Dad, I...how...? Why...?" Max didn't know where to start asking. The questions burned intensely inside him but he didn't know which one to let out. How did he disappear? Why did he leave? Why hadn't he ever come back? Why didn't he return to his mother? How could he leave his mother and marry someone else, let alone have a child with her? As Queen Fridorithia gave him a few last concerned words, Max's heart ached at the loving sight. How he wished it was his mother and not the Queen who was talking to him. He wouldn't have to go through all that hell about his mother's prejudice with the sea and his deal with SkullMaster.
"Son, I know there's been a lot going on since I've left and I know there's a lot of explaining to do," Blake said as comforting to his son as he could. "I promise it'll all be cleared. But first we have to go stop SkullMaster. I received information from your friend that there had been a disturbance on the surface and I believe it has something to do with my half-brother Scott. I'm joining your fight."
"And so am I," Drakeb appeared from behind Pablio. Max looked at him a little grudgingly and Drakeb smirked, "Just a little service I'm offering to make up for your loss."
Phoebe, who had followed along to see Blake off, blushed a little out of shyness and guilt. She still feel a little peeved after the rejection she made and dare not face Max. Bea caught sight of Phoebe and understood what all this disappearance of Max and the goings-on in the village was all about. She couldn't help feeling a small tinge of jealousy but dare not to reveal it. Max stared at Phoebe for a while, before letting a sigh.
"It's alright, Phoebe. I've got it all thought out. Being your half-brother doesn't sound so bad. At least my little sister is prettier than the others I know."
Everyone chuckled and the atmosphere grew less tense. With that, Blake held up the trident aimed it at both himself and Drakeb. Like Max when he transformed back to human, their tails began to disintegrate, the scales began to peel and a line ran through the middle of their tails, separating into four pairs of legs. Phoebe and the Queen draped cloaks over their husbands' bare body and the gang helped them up the boat. As soon as they were on, Max quickly gave his father a bear hug. He didn't need his father's explanation anymore. He had his own reasons and his own choices to make, and he respected that. He had chose his own love life and didn't seem to regret it, just like Max chose his own love life and destiny, and he knew he had no place to question it.
Like father, like son.
Still, Blake had some explaining to do for those who didn't know of his fate. So as they bid goodbye to the rest of the royal mermaid family and continued their journey towards The Beastess's lair, Blake began his side of the story all over again, telling it to Bea, Felix and WarMonger with Max nuzzling lovingly in his embrace.
"I knew it! I knew it was foolish to get our hopes up!"
"Maybe it would've been better if he had never come at all."
The animated object servants were at the hallway bickering among themselves, still peeved about the fact that Max had walked out of their lives and that their Mistress had actually allowed Max to walk out of her. They really truly believed that Max being in their lives would change and turn their Mistress, including themselves, back to the way they were. Yet it was all but a dream. Max have left, and the Mistress was back to Square One, back to the olden days where they had to painstakingly endure her tempers and move around the castle in however movement their current bodies allowed them, although their Mistress didn't seem to care about whatever is going on around and prefers to muse over her misfortune in the East Wing. They couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Suddenly, the footrest dog lit up and barked. He hurried all the way towards the window and barked excitedly. Hope began to rise once more in the animated objects' hearts.
"Could it be...?" Rusty said as she made a dash towards the window, followed by the rest of the animated objects.
"Is it he?" Normie, the last one to approach the window, asked.
Who they saw was not the Max they were waiting for. Who they saw was a bulky man dressed in purple attire together with a woman with the exact hair colour of Max, like a female version of him. He had an evil, dark aura about him and behind him trailed a long line of spooky-looking smoke entities, moaning and groaning as they followed behind him. The huge gate was torn to pieces, lying helplessly on the ground and the wolves, as if under his spell, moved from the woods towards the castle, following the purple attired man's trail. This didn't look good.
"Omigosh!" Rusty exclaimed. "Invaders!"
"Intruders!" Virgil exclaimed as well.
"And...And he has the rose and the ring!" Normie breathed the words. Her eyesight was not to be taken lightly.
"He can't be the heir! That's not the heir we're expected to receive! Just look at him!" Rusty's broom boyfriend went into denial. "The ring is not even glowing and the rose isn't suppose to do that to the gate, is it?"
"Warn the Mistress!" Virgil ordered. "If it is a fight they want, get ready the moves with me!"
Meanwhile, SkullMaster and Virginia were standing before the huge front door of the castle. He marveled at the sight and imagined himself sitting on the throne of this huge castle ruling all over the world from here. And best of all, he had his love to rule alongside with him as he holds the world in his grasp. He held the rose towards the door but it didn't move. Obviously, the same thing happened at the gate. He had expected that to happen because he wasn't the true heir, but he had to make up a show to get Virginia's trust. The effects of the black love potion he fed her wasn't very strong (since in the rule of magic, love potions are actually forbidden and never has enough lasting effect) and he had to constantly shower Virginia with his promises so that the potion will hold on until he gets the throne. After that, he'll have to figure out a better, stronger love potion for her.
"The door is not responding, love," Virginia said as she stared at the unmoving door.
"The keeper here must've put another binding spell on it to keep me out," SkullMaster made an excuse. "Obviously she wants the throne all to herself. I'll show her."
With a signal of his hand, the smoky henchmen and women began ramming at the door. Even the wolves that he had enchanted suddenly developed some superhuman strength and began to ram the door as well. Inside, the animated objects tried to hold the door back. Normie went up to the East Wing to warn The Beastess.
"Pardon me, Mistress..."
"Leave me in peace," The Beastess cut her words short. Surprisingly, she didn't fall into one of her temper tantrums.
"But, miss, the castle is under attack! What shall we do, Mistress?"
"It doesn't matter," The Beastess sighed, caressing the bell-jar that held the rose. "Just let them come."
Meanwhile, as the ramming continued, the animated objects put their backs in keeping them out.
"This isn't working!" Rusty exclaimed.
"You tell me! It's like they're using a cave troll or something!" the wardrobe groaned as another ram hit the door.
"Oh, Rusty! We gotta do something!" Rusty's boyfriend pleaded as he tried to put more pressure on the door.
"Wait! I think I know what to do!" Rusty said as she got off the crowd. "Spread out, guys! I got an idea!"
"Wow."
Blake has finally finished his tale, and they were slowly closing in towards the island. Bea and Felix stared in awe. They’ve heard tales of The Beastess but never expected it to be true, or the island to exist for the matter of fact. As they got off the boat and wade through the thick forest, they braced themselves for any incoming wolves. Max sure didn't want to become the wolves' dinner again. While they waded on, Max remembered something his father said.
"Dad. You said something about my friend telling you about the goings-on in our village. Who is it?"
"Yeah, dude. Who could it be?" Felix asked, equally curious. "We sure weren't suicidal to be going down to the sea, not like you, Max."
"Well, I owe it to this friend," Blake replied as he fished out something from his pouch. Max beamed in delight as he saw that it was Normie's son, the coffee cup Junior!
"Junior! I didn't think I'd see you again! How did you get here?" Max exclaimed as he picked him up in amazement. Bea and Felix stared in disbelief.
"I've followed you ever since you left the castle, Max. And I've got a real good glimpse of the outside world while you were gone out to sea. When I saw you come back with a few merpeople with you, I figured out that the mermaid was the reason you left, and then I saw that really evil man come into the house and kissed your mother with some weird drink and they just took off. I had to tell someone. I knew I had to look for the mermaid princess. She's the only one who might offer you some help."
"He was almost drowning when we found him, or should I say when Phoebe's pet dolphin Reynard found him" Blake continued. "And when I formed a protective bubble over him for him to breath, he told me everything."
"Hah! A stowaway, huh? You should try working in a spy agency," Max grinned in admiration as he let Junior ride on his cap.
"Did you say that Scott fed Virginia with a weird drink?" Norman asked. Junior nodded.
"Master must've fed her with some love potion," WarMonger commented, remembering the black eyes he saw in Virginia. "I've seen him making some and selling it to a blacksmith's apprentice once. She fell under his spell almost immediately but soon died a few days later because there was something in the potion she was allergic to. Poor boy."
"Max, why did you go away?" Junior asked in his cute voice. "Don't you like us anymore? Don't you love the Mistress?"
"Well, of course I like you, and I like your Mistress," Max explained. "It's just that..."
"We're here."
Everyone stopped in their tracks as they saw themselves standing a few feet away from the broken gates of The Beastess's castle.
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