Chapter Text
3 Years Later
"Luke come on, swim faster." Michael teased from up ahead.
"Some of us haven't been on a tail for most of their life." Luke yelled back frantically trying to catch up with the merprince who was swimming much further ahead of him.
"You still technically had one." Michael stuck out his tongue, turning to blow bubbles in the other merman's face, "It's not my fault that you didn't learn how to use it till you were eighteen."
Luke huffed teasingly as he frantically swum to catch up with Michael. Michael had slowed slightly for him, not that he'd admit it to Luke. As they emerged from the sea into the warm summer air, Luke couldn't believe it had been three years already since Michael had washed up on their shores that summer. What an incredible three years it had been. It was hard to believe just how much both their lives had changed.
Luke had once been so terrified of the ocean yet now he spent so much time in its depths. After the King's decision they'd remained on land mostly, only taking trips to the cove and occasional trips down to the Kingdom. Though slowly that had begun to change. Currently Michael and Luke split their time roughly half their time between the land and the ocean. Michael had suggested it so that Luke could become more acquainted with the sea world personally rather than just through books.
Michael was right, he'd learnt so much in that time. Luke now knew the Kingdom like the back of his hand. He also had a much better relationship with Michael's parents, and often went to royal gatherings with them. Sometimes they were in other parts of the ocean, they'd only recently returned from a trip to the Indian Ocean to visit the Kingdom there. Everyone was more welcoming to him now.
Though no matter where they were between the land and the sea, they always tried to make time to come and join Ashton and Calum for their morning surf when they were close by. The two of them bobbed up and down treading water, as they watched Ashton and Calum navigate the waves ahead on their surfboards.
"They still haven't seen us." Michael grinned, he turned to Luke, "Do you say we scare them?"
Luke grinned back, flicking his greyish silver tail, "I have an idea."
Luke swam away from Michael towards the two surfers. He glided up towards the surface sideways. Knowing that his tail would be just slightly sticking out of the water. He carefully navigated around the nearest board keeping his head just below the surface.
It didn't take long for the board riders’ legs to thrash and disappear as its rider called out to the other. Luke swum towards him, before popping up a few seconds later resting his arms up on the person's board.
"Hey Calum." He grinned innocently.
Calum let out a sharp yell, his face growing wide in horror as he quickly turned to him in alarm. As soon as he realised it was only Luke his eyebrows narrowed on him.
"I thought you were a shark Luke. Not funny." Calum yelled, splashing a wave of water at his face. Luke shook his head as the water sprayed him directly in the face.
"I can't help it that I have a mostly grey tail." Luke grinned smugly, pushing it out of the water.
A few seconds later Michael appeared out of the water beside Luke. He was in a fit of laughter. "Cal, your expression had to be the best thing I've ever seen."
"How did you not realise it was him, Cal? I mean he does it to you all the time." Ashton called from the other board grinning smugly as he paddled over towards them.
Calum pulled a face at him. It was a known fact that Luke liked to pull this trick from time to time. The look on Calum's face was always worth it.
"For two people who are going to be made Kings tonight, you two sure play a lot of practical jokes." Calum growled teasingly at them.
"Come on, who says royalty isn't allowed to have fun?" Luke smiled back, which earned him a nod from Michael.
"You're not quite royalty yet, Luke." Calum teased back.
Luke rolled his eyes. Technically Calum was right, but the four of them knew it wouldn't be for much longer.
"In any case you two are coming right?" Michael prompted, "Like you've been charging the rings in the moonlight like you're supposed to? We don't want any accidents like last time."
Luke nodded. Calum and Ashton hadn't been back with them under the ocean with them since that incident three years ago. Calum gave a nervous nod, naturally he was still a little bit sceptical about the powers of the rings considering they'd almost drowned last time. Luke and Michael's powers had been the only thing that had saved them. On the other hand, Ashton was a little more eager.
"Of course, we have. We've had them sitting on the windowsill for weeks. We wouldn't miss it for the world." Ashton smiles.
"I just hope I can remember how to swim properly with that thing. I have no idea how you lot do it all day every day." Calum spoke.
"Hey, I wondered how you humans stayed on legs all the time." Michael nodded.
"True." Calum shrugged. "I guess it's just what you're used to. I mean I was pretty good at it by the end last time."
"In any case, tonight is going to be great."
*****
Later that day Luke and Michael sat together in the chambers waiting to be called out and the coronation ceremony to begin. They both knew that half of the world’s population of merpeople would be out there waiting to see them. It was comforting knowing they'd have some friends out there. Michael's parents and Luke's mother would be out there. Ashton and Calum had visited them earlier, flicking their magic tails in amazement before hurrying off to join the waiting crowd. Calum seemed a lot happier about the whole tail deal than he had been. That had relieved both Luke and Michael greatly.
"I can't believe this day is here." Michael sighed leaning back up against the plush leather couch they were waiting on.
"Me either." Luke nodded; his stomach was filled with nervous butterflies. Within the hour they would be the crowned rulers of the entire Pacific Ocean.
"Do you think we're ready for this?" Michael asked.
Luke nodded, the past few years they'd been working their way up to this. He knew Michael had grown up his whole life being prepared for this day. These past few months Luke had been treated a similar way. It seemed like every time they'd been down here people had been offering him advice or trying to train him up for this whole deal. He was a little nervous, but he was glad the day had come. They'd been studying laws, meeting the people and everything in between. That also included convincing the merpeople that Luke was to be trusted. Which hadn’t been the easiest thing at times.
Michael's father had announced to them a few months ago that he'd be stepping down soon due to his declining health. Naturally they'd both freaked out. It would mean not returning to land quite as often and taking more responsibility. It had taken Luke a while to get used to the idea, but after talking it over with Michael, Ashton, Calum and his mother he thought he was ready. They both were.
Luke smiled warmly at Michael, though he could see the nervousness in Michael's eyes, "Yes, I know we are."
Michael's frown creased into a small smile.
Neither spoke for a moment, as they continued to wait to be called onstage.
The seaweed that was covering the doorway shifted, and a lilac haired mermaid emerged into the room. Her lilac hair was braided with tiny bright coloured seaweed.
"It's showtime." The lilac haired mermaid grinned at them.
Luke and Michael nodded as they both rose and followed her through to the stage. On stage a voice could be heard as they tried to compete with the loud noises from the audience. The people were excited about the coronation of the new rulers.
The lilac mermaid ushered the two of them forwards and they swam up to the edge of the stage. She directed them up a small ramp.
There was a green tailed merman waiting at the podium. He wore a fancy looking shelled necklace and held an ornate but rather old looking book in his hand. He smiled warmly at the them both as they ascended to the stage.
Both looked out into the swarming crowd of people. There were people for as far as the eye could see. Yet their eyes searched the front row. Ashton and Calum waved at them from near the front. Luke's mother was sitting with them and saw them waving and soon joined in. Though Luke could see Michael's parents give the three of them a stern glance from the next seats. The three promptly stopped looking a little awkward.
As Luke scanned the crowd, he could see some of Michael's cousins and other members of royalty from the other oceans. He could see Luna there as well. While she hadn't exactly warmed up to Luke's company, she seemed to tolerate him which was enough for them both.
A loud ringing sound rung through the street. A hush soon fell over the crowd and it was time for the official part of the ceremony to begin.
"Are both of you willing to take the oath?" The male began.
"I am willing." They echoed. They exchanged nervous grins at one another. They'd been practicing this part for days. It had been their decision to take the oath together rather than separate. There were several parts they had to agree to before they were given the crowns. They answered back quickly, just as they had been practising.
"Prince Michael and Luke, do you promise and swear to govern the Merpeople of the Pacific Ocean according to the laws and customs for the good of the society and its people?"
"I promise to do so." Luke and Michael spoke in unison once more.
With those words the crowns were placed on their heads. After that an ornately dressed Mermaid lead the way as Michael's father swum along behind, he wore a much less ornate crown than he usually wore. Michael's father carried the large golden blue gemmed trident that he was often seen with. He stopped directly in front of Michael. They exchanged grins as the former King passed the trident to him. As it changed hands it lit up an electric blue.
Luke and Michael looked up as the crowd called out their names. They let up a cheer. Luke struggled to keep his composure. He'd been prepared but not for something of this scale. Yet Michael simply grinned. They were the rulers of the Pacific Ocean now.
"This is incredible." Luke gasped. “To think this is all ours now.” He couldn’t believe that this was happening. The golden crown on his head felt heavy on his forehead. Yet as his eyes scanned the crowd, he could see the wide grins of the merpeople before him. It was all worth it just for this.
Michael nodded and grinned at Luke’s words, he was worried that the pressure would get to him before today. He would always be slightly thankful for washing up on the beach that day and meeting him. Three years ago, he could have never expected to be standing here like this. Back then he would’ve gladly given the throne over to one of his cousins. Yet he was content now, this was what he was born for. He knew exactly who he to thank for that. “It’s crazy huh?” Michael agreed before he turned to Luke and smiled. Luke looked over him in surprise, "Though I’m glad you’re here. There's no one else I'd rather be up here with."