Chapter Text
When Prowl arrived just past 6 a.m., he was surprised to find the beach empty and abandoned. Someone had anonymously called the police station to report the incident, but not a soul was present now. From his car, he did spot a large mass on the shoreline though and he quickly stepped out. Without wasting a moment, he cautiously approached along the sea bank's path.
After noticing its tail, Prowl mentally confirmed he was dealing with a Mer. The creature had a bright green coloring on his scales. Prowl noticed the two thin streaks of purple running all the way from the Mer's neck to the tip of his fins.
The Mer had not seen Prowl yet. Good. He had a few extra moments to assess the situation.
Prowl could see the Mer was ensnared in some sort of rope. Perhaps a net or a fishing line. It must have been cutting into flesh, because Prowl saw a mixture of blood and loose scales covering the nylon string.
He froze when red eyes glanced towards him. The Mer mirrored his reaction.
“Don't be alarmed,” Prowl murmured softly and inched closer. “Can you understand me?”
He wasn't surprised when the Mer did not make an attempt to respond and simply resumed struggling. Some of their kind could speak human language, others could not or didn't care to learn.
“Wait!” Prowl hissed and kneeled down. He whipped out the pocket knife he kept at hand for just such occasions.
The Mer glared at Prowl and shrieked, bristling as much of his fins in a warning, but Prowl slowed his approach instead of staying away. He extended his free hand forward, flat and palm open, in a hopeful display to show he wasn't going to hurt the Mer. He quickly reached for the closest portion of fishing line and swiftly cut it free. He winced in sympathy when he realized just how deeply the line had cut into flesh.
“Easy, easy now,” Prowl whispered as he glanced up at the Mer for a reaction. He seemed to have settle down after watching Prowl closely, with realization sinking in. When the Mer did not move again but kept his gaze pointedly on the pocket knife, Prowl slowly continued. Inch by inch, the fishing line was cut free.
After minutes of diligently cutting the line, Prowl stood up and took a step away. The Mer remained laying on the bundle of tangle fishing line, supporting his head and chest by his arms and breathing heavily. Prowl took the opportunity to bring his phone—now sealed in a waterproof case, thank you, Hot Rod—and quickly snapped a few pictures.
Ratchet, you awake? Got an anon complaint at the station and found this poor guy tangled up at the beach. I just cut him free, but I don't know what the best course of action would be now. Can you identify the type of Mer and its temperament?
Pictures are attached. Please respond a.s.a.p.
But, before Prowl could wait for a response, he noticed that the Mer was rolling over and crawling slowly. He grunted and clawed at the sand, staring at the ocean waves. Perhaps the Mer needed to be hydrated. He was lucky that that was still so early in the morning and less likely to get dehydrated.
“I'll take you to the water, but please don't swim away. I'll get you medical help,” Prowl said in a calm tone.
Still no indication from the Mer that he understood.
Prowl frowned and kneeled down by the aquatic creature again. He slipped an arm under his waist and lifted the Mer up with a grunt. He was heavier then he looked. A lot heavier.
The Mer must have been exhausted. He did not try to fight or get away from Prowl, but he glared at the human and produced a low-key rumbling.
Prowl waded into the ocean water until he was about knee deep and gently lowered the Mer down.
He felt a sudden vibration in his pocket. Ratchet must have finally replied to his text. He helped the Mer move into a sitting position before turning his attention to his phone once more.
It's too early for this. You owe me a coffee. Anyway, from your pics, looks like a chromis-type. Never met one in person, but heard stories. You never find one alone. They group together in a pod. Usually around six members and have a pecking order. Have you seen any others?
Prowl reread the last lines of Ratchet's text and quickly scanned the distant horizon. As if on queue, he spotted green flashes diving down under water and listened as several splashes echoed from the movements.
Yes...I think. They're watching me from the ocean, but keeping their distance.
Another vibration from his phone.
That's a start. Heading down there now, be there in 10.
Prowl nodded and glanced down at the Mer. He was still sitting up.
He frowned and waded a few steps in the water, gazing out at the ocean. Luckily, the waves were rolling slowly and calmly. And that's when he saw them rising up from the water.
One by one. Mers of identical colors. They all shared the two identical purple streaks on their backside. The only difference between them was their fin shapes and length. Four sets of red eyes peered at Prowl as they swam closer. That made...five altogether. Ratchet mentioned six.
Before he had the chance to open his mouth, the newly freed Mer darted past him in a surprising burst of energy and rejoined the others. Prowl was hit by the recoiling splashes. He grunted and wiped the salt water away from his face, but still watched as the group seemed to melt into a single coordinated mass. The other Mers crowded around him, speaking to one another in their native tongue. Prowl watched, almost flabbergasted as one of the Mers dived suddenly while the others tended to the injured one. He returned nearly seconds later, holding clutches of seaweed in his hand. Silently, the Mers each took a strand of seaweed and wrapped it, covering as many of the deep slices as possible.
“Can any of you understand me?” Prowl spoke up, which spooked the Mers. They all turned to stare at him again and watched. When Prowl received no answer again, he hesitantly reached into his pocket and pulled out his land link token, given to him by Ultra Magnus. He wished the Mer was here to help translate for him.
Prowl held out the token for the group of Mer to see and silently observed their expressions.
“Friend?” he suggested in Mer tongue, hoping he pronounced correctly.
Finally, the Mer that had been rescued muttered something. The others perked up and turned their full attention to Prowl. Two of them cautiously swam forward, but Prowl remained in place; standing waist deep in the water. One reached for the charm, almost like a shy child asking for a gift, and Prowl simply allowed the Mer to snatch it and examine it.
Prowl glanced over his shoulder after hearing a car door slam shut. Ratchet was stepping out of the rehabilitation center's large van. He waved to the other man, but froze after a series of hisses arose. He was suddenly jerked forward by hands on his arm. Prowl sputtered in confusion. The two Mers had grabbed him and pulled him.
“What are you doing?” Prowl yelped and tried to pull back, but each Mer now held one arm against his chest and began to swim.
He flailed and tried to kicked against the water, but the Mers had the advantage of being better swimmers. They already managed to yank him several feet.
They were trying to dive under water with him. Prowl panicked and squirmed.
Another of the Mer's joined them, wrapping an arm around Prowl's waist.
Prowl took one last long gulp of air before he was completely submerged and dragged away from the shore.