Chapter Text
Ruby never thought she would ever enjoy the company of Chelsea ever again. And yet, here she was, lying under a tree beside the mermaid. Their heart-to-heart and reconciliation a few hours ago lifted the suffocating weight straining Ruby's mind and heart. There was a lot to deal with in the foreseeable future. But right now, she was content.
The red-haired girl was snoozing peacefully as her head laid gently on the teenage Kraken's shoulder. It was honestly soothing.
Although her mind was at ease now, the events before Ruby and Chelsea's reconciliation still lingered in the back of her mind. Ruby knew she couldn't avoid her family forever. She couldn't imagine how much trouble she would be in when she arrived home.
Despite her anger for her mother, the young Kraken couldn't shake the immeasurable shame over what she had done. She couldn't imagine laying a hand on her own mother. It was due to emotional turmoil—chaotic emotions blaring from within that couldn't be contained. It was inexcusable, but she never meant to do it. An apology was due.
Then, there was the elephant in the room: the bitter turmoil between Krakens and the mermaids. There's so much tension in bitter blood between them that Ruby wasn't sure if she'd be able to resolve everything. And don't even get her started on the other sea creatures in the ocean. One step at a time, she reassured herself.
A soft groan interrupted the princess's thoughts as her mermaid friend began to stir from her peaceful slumber.
"You're so adorable when you snore," Ruby teased.
"Oh shut up, Gillman," Chelsea said jokingly as she shoved Ruby.
It was good to laugh with her after everything, but there were still matters to attend to.
"So, about the Battle at Oceanside..." Ruby started.
Chelsea's head dipped in shame at the reminder of her betrayal. Seeing this, Ruby tried to lighten the mood a bit.
"There's no need to look so glum. I understand your actions came from a place of hurt. I've already forgiven you, Chelsea."
"I know. But it will take a while for the guilt to dissapper. Every time you mention it, i feel awful."
"In time, Chelsea. In time, Ruby said. It's really good that I will call you my friend again. I'm just glad I witnessed that interview and got to hear things from your point of view. I probably never would have believed you cared about me otherwise."
"Wait, really, Chelsea exclaimed. You heard all that!? Everything I said!?" The mermaid didn't think Ruby would ever hear her honest thoughts. And she knew she probably would have changed a bit. But it was for the best, she supposed.
"Yeah. I didn't realize how much you cared. I thought everything you had done was just manipulation. But you really had grown fond of me. I never would have realized that had I not listened to that interview. We may even have that reporter to thank for that."
Chelsea nodded in agreement. The two sat together for a moment in silence, letting the atmosphere of their surroundings take over. A mermaid and a kraken. Side by side, not caring about the differences and just enjoying each other's company. Why couldn't things be like this for the rest of the ocean?
"You know what scares me the most Chelsea," Ruby asked, her tone shifting.
Chelsea looked up with curiosity as she waited for Ruby to speak.
"I could have turned out just like them."
"Really," Chelsea said. Despite not knowing her for too long, the idea of Ruby being anything like her mother and especially her grandmother was unfathomable.
"Yeah. No offense, but your scheming and act of betrayal didn't exactly paint you in a positive light. You seemed to validate Mom and Grandma's beliefs. Plus, the newfound popularity was starting to get in my head. I even almost adopted my mother and grandmother's animosity towards mermaids. But thankfully, I wanted to remain my own person. I'm not a tyrant or a queen. I'm a protector. I value all life."
"You know Ruby, that's what makes you the strangest Kraken I've ever known. You DON'T want to kill a mermaid on sight. Even after what I did to you. Not that I'm complaining or anything."
Ruby nodded. An idea suddenly sprung in her head. "You know what, Chelsea? Why don't we try again?"
Chelsea gave Ruby a confused look. "Try what again," she asked.
Ruby smiles, waiting for the red-haired girl to put two and two together.
It suddenly clicked. "Wait, you mean the whole "no fighting, no hiding" plan we came up with? Ruby, I'm just not sure we could convince our people to get along. There's a lot of bad history between us—really bad history."
"I know. Many of our people won't agree. But maybe we can come up with some compromise. Mermaids and Krakens don't have to be friends, but they could at least be at peace. No more fighting. No more wars."
"I'm sorry to remind you of your altercation with your family, but after that display, I don't think changing your family's minds is possible. After everything that's happened, do you still think it could work?"
Ruby nodded reluctantly. "I'll be honest, Chelsea... I'm not entirely sure. But I won't just stand by while my family subjugates the ocean. I won't be complacent out of convenience. The sea is your home as well as your people's home. I'm sure many of them who live on land miss it. Despite everything that's happened between me, my mother, and my grandmother, it really pains me to side against them. But like I told her before, "We're going to change the world, with or without her."
This girl was truly something. She's been lied to, manipulated by her friend, forced into fighting, and yet never yielded. She was a Hallmark of unconditional generosity and kind-heartedness. Something Chelsea never thought she could see in a giant Kraken. It inspired her and made her proud to call Ruby her best friend.
"So, what do you say, super sea girl bestie? Want to give it another shot," Ruby asked what enthusiasm she had as she held out her hand.
After a moment of hesitation, Chelsea happily gripped her friend's hand. "Why not guppy girl!"
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As Ruby stood in front of the door, she braced herself for what was probably about to transpire. She was a nervous wreck and almost considered fleeing. But Chelsea's comforting hand reassured her. She'd support her no matter what. They decided it was best for Chelsea to stay outside for a moment while Ruby went in. If things went south, the mermaid could make a clean gateway.
The young teen opened the door slowly as her heart raced. As the living room came into view, she immediately spotted her mother sitting on the couch. Surprisingly, her Grandmama was beside her, comforting her as she wept. She had never left the ocean before, and it felt strange seeing her in a more humanoid form, sitting casually in the living room.
Both were too sorrowful to notice Ruby walking in. The young Kraken cleared her throat to get their attention.
The two on the couch looked up and went wide-eyed when she came into view. H-hey mom. "Hey, Grandmama. Hey, Mom." Ruby said awkwardly.
"Ruby, Agatha said hesitantly. Where were you?"
"I... I just needed time alone. To clear my head. Um... How's your...cheek?"
"It's healing. Stings a bit, but I'll be fine," Agatha replied.
"Mom... I'm so sorry, Ruby said, on the verge of tears. I'm also so sorry for the argument earlier."
"No, Ruby, Grandmama said. You have nothing to be sorry for. You had every right to be angry. Nothing can restrain a giant Kraken emotions."
The two Krakens' calm demeanor eased Ruby's tension, making her comfortable enough to approach them and sit down.
"Ruby, Agatha said. Your grandmother and I have thought a lot about what you said before. About what we've done and said. After all, we said in the interview, I know it's hard for you to trust us. I'm sorry, Ruby."
Grandmama nodded and said, "I also haven't been a good ruler... I haven't even been a good mother or grandmother. I'm so very sorry for that. To both of you."
Ruby hadn't expected that response from her grandmother. She was so headstrong in the antiquated beliefs of their people. The idea of peace and equality between Krakens and mermaids didn't seem like something she'd ever consider.
Ruby had tears in her eyes as she wrapped her mom and grandmother in a tight hug. "I forgive you both." The two happily accepted, and the three remained there for a few minutes.
"So... What happens now," Ruby asked a bit cautiously. As good as it was for them to reconcile, she didn't want to get her hopes up that they were willing to change. Grandma and Agatha once again surprised Ruby, though.
'Now, Agatha replied. Now, we'll start listening to you more. You deserve a say in how we run things. It's about time our family proves that we are worthy of ruling. Others deserve fairness in the ocean... even the mermaids."
"Well, it's about time a voice from outside chimed in." The three turn their heads to the door.
"Wait. Is that how I think it is," Agatha asked with a stunned expression.
Ruby sighed and said, "You can come in now." The door slowly opened to reveal Chelsea. She wasn't exactly pleased to see either of Ruby's family members. They took so much from Chelsea.
"Oh. It's her," Grandmama said in a monotone voice.
"Mom, be nice," Agatha whispered.
As if the previous confrontation, the house wasn't bad enough. The current scene now almost made the last argument look like a casual walk in a field of flowers.
Ruby broke the silence to ease the tension. "Yeah, I uh... Let Chelsea go the day before. Before... all of this."
"Why?" Agatha's tone of voice wasn't accusatory, disappointed, or angry. On any other day, she wouldn't hesitate to voice her displeasure. But not now. Things were different.
"I just... I don't want her to spend her days locked in a cage being harassed by the town's folk. She's not as bad as you guys may think."
"Yeah, Chelsea said. You'd understand that mermaids aren't so bad if you didn't have the mindset of kill on sight."
Agatha and Grandmama couldn't really blame her for her attitude, but it was all the more reason to set things right. "We're both sorry, Chelsea. We are a lot to you and your people, and we'll spend the rest of our lives making up for our mistakes as well as our ancestors." Grandmama nodded in agreement.
It may have been difficult for Chelsea to trust them, but she trusted Ruby, so she would take their word for it. "All right, Chelsea said. I'll agree to work with you, too, but only because I trust Ruby. As for the apology, I don't think I can forgive you, either. At least not now. Maybe someday. But I'm just glad that the animosity between us can be left behind."
Both giant Krakens respected Chelsea's decision. She walked over and said she would join them in their discussions. Ruby's face glowed. She was so happy to see her best friend and family members finally getting along.
"I'm amazed to see you on land, Grandmama, Ruby said. I never thought you had any desire to leave the ocean."
"Well, times have changed Grandmama replied. My daughter and granddaughter are both going through emotional turmoil. So I'm very much needed right now."
Ruby smiled as the four of them sat on the couch, discussing their plans to make peace. It almost felt surreal—the queen and princesses of the Krakens and the princess of the mermaids sitting side by side as equals. But hopefully, this would be just one step that would change history.
"By the way, Ruby. Your dad and I talked it over. For that slap, you're grounded for a month."
"Aw, sea biscuits."