Misty to the Rescue (5 page)

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.

"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?