That Sinking Feeling

Look! My trident is glowing!

What does it mean? It's never done that before.

Your trident... It looks like Otohime's.

Yeah, his might have glowed gold but otherwise...

Lady Sheila's trident has been passed down through all the descendants of the First Otohime...

He said he took his trident from the 28th Otohime...

So that means that his trident is a future version of mine, right?

That means it's actually the same trident! Maybe your trident is resonating with the same power as his!

Maybe you can reopen that hole with it?

Well, I guess it's worth a try.

The tear repelled me! What am I doing wrong?

Now that I think of it... He said he'd poured magic power into his trident.

Magic power? But I don't have that sort of power...

Then, how 'bout we ask the minister. I'll bet he knows.

You're right. Okay, let's go to the Central Keep in Sheila's era!

What in all the briny is this? How could this have happened?

Is this...another tear in spacetime?!

There's a tear in your era, too, Sheila?!

It's you!

I thought you'd all gone for good! But here you are yet again! Guards! Guards! GUARDS!

Wait, Minister! You have to listen to me! Something terrible is happening to the Dragon Palace! And it has to do with that tear in spacetime!

What are you talking about?

Do you mean to tell me that the Jewel Casket has been opened in the Dragon Palace of the future?!

It's hard to believe, but with this tear in spacetime here before me... Oh, woe, the Dragon Palace is doomed! We must prepare ourselves, too...

We must? The Dragon Palace of the future is in a mess, but...

There is a legend in the Dragon Palace that goes as follows...

When Disaster is awoken from its Jewel Casket sleep, a scarlet veil will fall... O'er the Dragon Palace in the deep. This blood red doom will fall... Across all time and space, and swallow up the world: A silent end for all...

No, we won't let him do that. That's what...

That's what Otohime is for!

Oh...

Tell me, Minister. My trident isn't as powerful as the golden one from the future we saw. But if I don't bring out its power, we can't stop the Disaster.

Hmm... It looks to me like the trident's magic has been exhausted.

I thought as much...

Otohime's trident is also known as the Godseal Trident, and gives great power to its rightful wielder. When the First Otohime sealed the Disaster in the Jewel Casket, the power of the trident was used. If you learn how to wield the trident, you may indeed be able to enter this tear.

Okay, so how do I restore the trident's magical power?

Magic power can be harvested from Atlantis Pearls, but...you would need a tremendous number of them. Collecting such an amount simply cannot be done. It is impossible.

But...

Wait a minute! There're plenty of Atlantis Pearls in my era.

Yes, there are! Because I ordered their cultivation!

Yeah. If we were to pick them with the help of everyone in the Dragon Palace, it should be enough.

Besides, there's no other way to do it. Gather the Atlantis Pearls.... Then leave the magic harvesting to me.

This looks like our only play! Let's get to the future Dragon Palace!

I'll call everyone with this conch...

Ahem, ahem...

*ah-ooh* *ah-ooh*

*ah-ooh* *ah-ooh* Citizens, people of the Dragon Palace... This is Captain Nagi of the Squid Squad. You may well have noticed that the Dragon Palace faces perilous times!

That the sea runs red should be proof enough of this... We can save the Dragon Palace, but we need your help!

Assemble at the Central Keep. I'll tell you more when you get here.

Thank you! Thank you all for coming! The peril we face is caused by Otohime's opening of Pandora's Box!

As we speak Otohime is...

...And that is the current situation at the Dragon Palace.

In order to stop Otohime, we need to gather magic power from lots and lots of Atlantis Pearls.

So, we need all of you to help!

Us, gather pearls? Does that mean she wants me to hand over mine, too? I knew we shouldn't have accepted that naked fellow as Otohime!

Calm down, everyone. Calm down! Let's start gathering. We need all the Atlantis Pearls we can get, so everyone help out and...

But what's the point of having Atlantis Pearls if the Dragon Palace is in trouble? Can we even trust that red squid? I mean, wasn't she a favorite of Otohime?

...... I knew no one would listen to me...

I'm sorry. The people of the Dragon Palace don't think well of me. There was no way they'd be prepared to help me out, really...

I...can't do anything...

Nagi...

Now is not the time for giving up.

Vice-Captain? And you...

Stand idly by? Why, no...!

Well, if you put it like that...

I'm your fishfolk!

I don't wanna die like this! I'll help her, too!

We'll help too!

My people...

...Listen up.

First, put all the pearls you have on you here. Secondly, search the Palace in teams. Finally, dive into the sea and gather pearls from clams! As many as you can find!

Right, let's get to it!

YEAH!

But you were the ones who hated me the most...

Thank you. All right then, come with me.

We've gathered all we can. I don't think we'll get much more than this.

Sons and daughters of the Dragon Palace, descendants! Friends of the sea... I thank you all!

I am Sheila. I am the 25th Otohime! I swear on my title that I will not let you down! I will stop the tyrant and save the Dragon Palace!

Okay! Let's take these Atlantis Pearls to the minister in Sheila's era!

This is astounding! How were you able to gather so many Atlantis Pearls? Quite frankly, I thought it would be impossible. It looks like I underestimated you.

No, it wasn't me who did it. It was Nagi here, and...the people of the Dragon Palace in the future.

Well, I must say that I didn't think I'd ever hear you say something like that... Hrmm...

So, Minister, was that enough pearls for yuh? We gotta git that magic intuh Lady Sheila's trident!

Oh, so we do!

Hrrrmmm... You have great many, but still not enough. A few more are required.

That's not good. Everyone in the future Dragon Palace did all they could. It won't be easy to find more.

I would say that, if you had about this many more...

If it's only that many, I think we have enough between us...

If it's only that many, I think we can get them ourselves... Let's go gather the rest of the Atlantis Pearls!

I guess we have no other choice! If we all look together, we'll be all right!

In that case, I need only leave it to you. When you have enough, bring them to me here. I'll be waiting!

Minister! We brought the Atlantis Pearls!

You did? You really did! Incredible... Truly astounding. Now, let me transfer their magic into the trident...

Now, finally, I will wield the Godseal Trident!

First things first... I must extract the magic from the Atlantis Pearls.

Your trident, please, Lady Sheila.

Now to imbue the trident with the magical power...

We've done it!

Crikey, Lady Sheila!

Okay! Now I can open the tear and that half-naked guy's gonna ge...

Wait a minute!

This still looks different than Otohime's trident...

It's true. His lance glowed with a golden light.

Now that you mention it...

Why would that be? Why hasn't my lance changed?

Ahh, yes... It is because you have yet to perform the Rite of Succession as Otohime...

The what? Does that mean I wasn't actually Otohime?

No, you are most certainly Otohime. But you have not performed the rite to inherit the power of the Godseal Trident. When you became Otohime, you were too young to even lift the trident!

Then why didn't we do the rite when I became an adult?

Well, I was unsure about giving you the power of the trident because you were so reckless.

B-But then...

Are you angry? You've just found out you were betrayed by your own retainer...

......

No, I'm not. I understand now. The old me would have just done what she felt like with it. You were right to do what you did.

Oh... I can't believe I'm hearing you say that. You have grown up into a fine young woman, Lady Sheila.

The time has finally come to perform the Rite of Succession!

In the Rite of Succession, you must show the people of the Dragon Palace your fitness to rule as Otohime. Once you have achieved this, the trident will assume its true form!

Now, Lady Sheila. Share your heart with the people...

Okay.

Friends, fishmen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Otohime, not praise her. I thought I ruled justly...

Bury her? Sounds like a plan! Yeah, yeah! Justly? Ha!

The evil that Otohimes do lives after them; The good they do is often interred with their bones...

...Huh?

There are many qualities that I lack as an Otohime... And I know that there's a lot that I cannot do alone...

So I ask you to help me! Help me be a fine Otohime! I want to be like my mother, or the great Otohime who preceded me. With your help, I can be like the First Otohime and bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to all!

Is Lady Sheila really saying what I think she is? Have we ever seen her so serious? But can she really just change so easily? I mean, it's Lady Sheila we're talking about...

Hey, Nagi. Did the half-naked guy complete the Rite of Succession, too?

Yes, he did. He showed his suitability by force: "Obey me or die!" In tears the people consented, and the trident glowed gold.

What a monster!

But Sheila won't do that. She's different from the old Sheila. Everyone'll trust the new Sheila, I'm sure of it!

Yeah, I think so, too.

I have laid bare my heart. Now it is for you to decide. Will you accord me the right to bear Otohime's Trident?

What do you think, people of the Dragon Palace? Do you remember the day the previous Otohime died so young... And little Sheila said she would become Otohime... We all pledged that we would watch over her and support her as she grew up, did we not?

But I forgot that pledge and made a grave mistake. I assisted as she was sentenced to the barrel punishment... And I hid that fact and I pretended that she was bedridden...

So that's what was going on then...

I am no longer fit for my high office. I cannot serve at Lady Sheila's side. So I beg you all. Please look after Lady Sheila in my stead.

......

Hey! Don't you dare! I'll really be in trouble if you quit!

Lady Sheila?!

Don't you get it? I want to be a great Otohime!

I know. As you are now, I am confident...

Are you seriously saying that? Can you honestly be sure I'm not gonna make another mistake?

Urk! W-Well, as for that...

You're worried, aren't you? That's why I need someone to point out my mistakes! I don't wanna be stuffed in a barrel again, but if you're not here I'll never be a great Otohime!

......

*snort*

...?

Hahahaha! It's like she's, ha ha, boasting about it. Hahaha. That's just like Lady Sheila!

Wha, hey! What do you mean by that!

That's the way you were. You were always honest like that.

Yeah. Just as the minister said. The people of the Dragon Palace all made a pledge when the former Otohime died... They pledged to protect Lady Sheila no matter what happened.

But we drifted apart...

But the reason we've decided to support you is because you are so frank and honest.

Still, pardoning the minister who consigned you to the barrel? Wow, you really have changed, Lady Sheila.

I remember the little Sheila who cried when her diapers were changed. And look at you now...

My people...

......

What the?!

The sea in this era's started going funny, too!

Has the Leviathan's power grown that much?

Dagnabbit! We gotta hurry, or the Dragon Palace is gonna fall!

Squids preserve us! What were those tremors?!

Everybody, calm down! I know what's behind the tremors. A man in a Dragon Palace far in the future has opened the Jewel Casket!

In the future?! What are you talking about?

I know it's hard to believe but hear me out! He intends to use the powers he has gained to melt the ice in the northern sea and drown the world!

Wait, but that's...

Our mission, in the name of the people of the Dragon Palace, is to seal the Disaster back up in the Jewel Casket.

So that's why it's time for us to take a stand! Help me, everyone! Together we can save our seas and the world beyond! Let's do it before the waves engulf everything!

Even if it's far in the future...

It would be a sad day, if the world were brought to an end by the Jewel Casket.

So let us entrust Lady Sheila...

Otohime with the hopes...

...And prayers of the people of the Dragon Palace!

Look! The trident is glowing! That's the proof that we are united!

You are successful at last, Lady Sheila! Now you truly are our Otohime!

People of the Dragon Palace! I hereby swear... ...I shall use the power of Otohime to save the Dragon Palace, and the world beyond!

Hurrah!

You did it, Sheila! Right, let's go get him!

Thank you, my people! I promise you all I will be victorious!

Do it, Sheila. Before his power grows any further!

Lady Sheila, we're countin' on ya!

Otohime's Trident is imbued with the hopes of all who live in two Dragon Palaces now: past and future. This time it will open the tear!

It worked!

It's time to finish this! Come on, everyone!

Yeah! Don't let your guard down!

So, you have followed me here, have you? Impressive... Now, prepare to meet your makers!

Surprised, are you? Well, too bad! The only one meeting their maker will be you!

Too bad? For me? Fools! Your time is up! Leviathan is now fully awoken! You should feel honored to be witnessing the birth of a god!

Quit your jibber jabber!

It seems you still do not understand.

So, let me burn it into your eyes!

Witness me! Witness me! I unleash powers never seen before!

Urk! This must be the power of the Disaster!

Just witnessing this overwhelming power... ...It makes me tremble with fear!

But even so...

I will put an end to you! Never will I lose to you!

You would defy a god, would you? You are too proud! Kneel before God!

No bloody way we're gonna kneel before you!

Otohime... Let us end this now!

You can show off your power all you want...

...But we're not going to do your bidding! Let's go! Down with false gods!

Nagi!

Sheila!

How can this be? I am kingly, divine! Beaten by the likes of you... Urgh!

The power o' the Disaster has done left his body!

Yes!

To be defeated by such weaklings... My shame has no end...

But the fires of vengeance are not so easily extinguished! They will burn with an ardent flame!

Muahahahaha!

Is it over?

......

Wh-What?!

The tear in spacetime is closing!

No way! We've gotta get out of here!

The tear...has closed...completely!

We're all here! We made it, dagnabbit!

Look, the sea has returned to normal! We saved our seas!

We did it. Let's tell the people the good news!

How glad I am that you're all safe! The crisis is over! How can we ever thank you?!

It wasn't just us. We were able to do this because the people believed and trusted in me.

Lady Sheila... You really have grown up.

Today is truly a magnificent day! Let us hold a banquet worthy of the Dragon Palace!

Then let us celebrate with the people of the future Dragon Palace, too. We could not have saved our Dragon Palace without their help!

A tremendous idea! The strange tears remain in place around the palace. It will probably take some time before we no longer feel the aftershocks of the Disaster.

I will take care of that. Minister, the preparations for the banquet are in your tentacles.

In that case...

Without your help we could never have saved the world!

So this is a victory for everyone in the Dragon Palace!

Today, eat, drink and make merry!

Lady Sheila is so darn cool! I sure am followin' the right person!

You were cool too, Aldo! Butcha don't compare tuh Lady Sheila!

Lady Sheila's ended up as Otohime in the future Dragon Palace, too.

There ain't no one gonna help her with somethin' so hard if I ain't! So I'm gonna keep doin' whatever I can to be o' use to her!

*chomp chomp* *munch munch* *crunch crunch* *gobble gobble* *gulp* *swallow*. Ahh, this is the life...

A-Aldo... Why didn't you tell me you were here?

Overeating is bad for you, you say?! It's okay, I haven't even filled my first stomach yet.

But I'm grateful you were here. You helped us protect our precious sea. With all that happened, I think I had the chance to take a good look at myself, too.

I wonder where I came from. I want to find out now. I'm going to search for my real hometown.

The banquet's in full swing. Have you spoken with everyone? You look ready to leave...

Yes, Sheila, I'll make my farewells here. I'd love to stay here forever, but I've got lots of things to do in the world above.

I bet you have. I say it with a heavy heart, but I suppose this is goodbye.

I'm going to stay here and reign as Otohime.

I've got Dragon Palaces in two eras to look after now. I'm gonna have my work cut out for me!

Thank you so much. If you guys hadn't been here, I couldn't have got this far.

Lady Sheila!

Lady Sheila! Ah came this far because of you!

So did I.

I only made it through the hard times because of your friendship.

Guys...

Well well, Otohime... What is the matter? You look oddly humble.

None of this weepy stuff suits you, boss! Let's eat, drink and make merry!

Lady Sheila!

Thank you for protecting the Dragon Palace!

My people...

......

Thank you guys, too. I've got to go back to the surface now, but take care of Sheila.

You going already? Why don't you take a load off and stick around a bit longer?

Aldo has his own mission. Just as big, no, maybe even bigger than mine.

All right! Let's all see him off!

You be sure to visit us some time! We'll have a welcome dance prepared for you!

When you wanna come back, you gimme a call, you 'ear? I'll be waiting on the shore for you.

Sure thing. Thanks!

See you again, hero from the world above.

So much has happened, but this was a good place in the end. I'll be sure to come back some day.

Hold on, Aldo!

There's something I forgot to give you. I couldn't have done this without you, so... Please, accept this. It's customary of Otohime to give it...

Otohime rewards those who've done them a good turn with a box that turns you decrepit if you open it.

Wait, no thanks, I can do without that!

Huh?! Come on, take it! This is my first duty since being restored as Otohime...

Well, if you put it that way...

Hang on. Duty as Otohime? I feel like I'm forgetting something... ......

AAAAAAAHHHH!

Whoa, what's with the screaming all of a sudden?!

I completely forgot! The thing the half-naked guy called Leviathan escaped us! My first duty as Otohime is to seal away the Disaster. I've gotta find it!

So what does all that mean?

Err, sure. We could definitely use you and your trident!

It's decided then! This starts a new chapter in our adventure!

Okay then! Take us back to the world beyond!

Get on me back then! It ain't more 'n a few swishes o' me flippers to Kira Beach!

Well, be sure to make the most of the banquet.