Disclaimer: This is a complete work of fiction. There's no resemblance to actual persons, places and / or events. If so, it is utterly not intended. We do not claim to own Bratz or anything to do with it at all. Character exposure in this story is completely non-profit and just for fun. We own nothing but our own plot-bunnies. Thank you.

Summary: /Mermaids, noun, a fictitious or mythical half-human sea creature./ A mischievous merman, a bitter and lonely human… and a prom after party at a luxurious beach house. What do they all have in common? Why fate, of course!

Warning(s): M-Slash. Coarse Language. Violence. Mature Themes.

Genre(s): Fantasy / Drama / Romance

Pairing(s): Cameron x Penn, Dylan x Yamit, other mixed pairings.

Rating: T, for now.

Author's Note(s):

CreativeWritingSoul – Hi everyone! It's been awhile since we have put up a collaboration story in the Bratz section. I believe our most recent collab was Masquerade. Before that? Once Bitten, Twice Shy. We have also collaborated on a Monster High fanfic titled, 'Vanishing Act'. Check them out! Anyway, I can't speak for the both of us but I'm quite excited about this one. We just started working on it recently but I can feel it's gonna be a good one, so hang on tight. Don't forget to read and review, it's greatly appreciated. Many thanks, please enjoy!

Written-Anonymously – Oh my goodness, it feel amazing to be writing with of my best friends. You guys have no idea how excited I am for this story. I also really thankful for CreativeWritingSoul for letting me talk them into writing with me, who was only going to beta it until I flashed my sexy smile and batted my eye lashes. Anyways guys, please give us your input on the story by reviewing and please enjoy.

Blood Pearls

I

The waves crashed against the shore and the smell of salt water present in the air. The sun had begun to set on a warm summer day. A few families gathered their items and children from the fun-filled day at the beach. From behind a large rock a pair of eyes watched the people walk about the shore leaving only footprints behind them. He desperately wished that he could join them, to go wherever they were going. Deep down he knew this wasn't an option for him. For one... his father would never allow it. For two... he had a responsibility to his family that he couldn't just run away from.

There was a familiar noise that peaked his attention. It sounded like wind playing with tree branches to mortals, but to his kind… that was his warning to return home immediately. It was a distinct signal to all merfolk that there would be a council meeting about to take place. He took one last breath of the salty air and dove under the water. Penn swam deep into the clear blue water until the coral castle came into view, part of his heart broke upon seeing his home and the coral near-dead.

He was surprised to see his father there waiting for him. He knew the drill enough by now to know that he had most definitely been caught. "Hey dad..." he greeted nervously as he waited for his dad to begin yelling.

"Son." He greeted the younger in return. He didn't want to have this conversation. The reefs had ears after all… one could never be too careful whom was listening in. "Come. Don't keep your mother waiting."

"Yes, sir." He answered his father and followed close behind. He hoped his father would punish him instead of getting his mother involved.

They swam the rest of the way in silence. Penn was so used to this he kept his gaze away from the guards as they passed. They were also familiar with the 'aisle of shame' he swam to the Ruler every few days. The Ruler… also happened to be his birth giver.

"Penn." The way she spoke his name in such coldness made him roll his eyes.

"Greetings, birth giver." The young lad said as he wore a devilish smile upon his face. "So what's it this time? Maybe to my room to think about where I shouldn't go… again?" he questioned, cockily.

She narrowed her eyes and left the sitting position on her throne to descend down to her son. She cupped his chin in her beautifully webbed fingers. "My child… my youngest child. If I didn't know better… I would think you aspire to be exiled."

A few gasps from the royal court could be heard around the room, surely no merperson would want to live their life like that! "Well I would prefer not to be, but at the same I'm tired of being groomed for the throne. I don't want this." He stated bluntly. "I never did."

She heaved a dramatic sigh. "Listen to me," she turned her back to him, though he had seen it numerous times before. It was her defense mechanism when he began to upset her. "you have no choice. You are to be groomed for the throne." She turned around with her chin held high. She was a royal sight to behold in all her bold beauty. "When merfolk look at a Kingdom… what do they see?" She asked him sternly.

"Samudra..." The father of the disobedient child cut in. "Sammy… please."

"Tethys. I did not address you." She barked at him, though he knew not to take it too personally. She was on guard as Ruler. She meant no harm… only to protect those she loved. Why didn't Penn understand that? She scolded him out of love, not want to make the remainder of his life expectancy miserable. "Penn. What do they see?"

"A stereotypical strong male leader." He stated casting his gaze towards the floor, hands clasped together in front of his form.

"Precisely. Penn, this is your life." She told him. They had been through this many times prior that she felt she was wasting her words going over it yet again. "Do you want everyone in your Kingdom to turn into sea foam? Do you want them to grow starving? Scrounging for food… eating one another for survival?"

"Some of us are herbivores, dear." Tethys stated, earning himself a hard glare from his wife.

"Tethys!"

"I apologize, m'lady."

"I accept your apology." Samudra had fallen for a peasant and chose to start her family with him. She wasn't supposed to rule but she was the only heir, of the previous Ruler's blood to the throne, hence why she ruled currently. "Penn… sometimes making sacrifices of your own for a greater good is the righteous path."

"No." He snapped his gaze towards his birth giver. "I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone." He hastily brushed his bangs that had floated in his face out of the way. "I just don't understand why I can't have a little fun before I'm chained to the throne until I turn into sea foam!" The raven-haired male shouted at his birth giver.

She rubbed her temples as they throbbed. Why was this child so difficult? She birthed and raised six others. Six! And he, the seventh born, proved to be the most difficult. "Because, Penn… what you call 'having fun' is what will kill you if you aren't careful!" Samudra near-growled. "Do you think I'm foolish boy? Do you think I'm unaware of your 'adventures'?"

He remained there in pure shock, he honestly thought he had gotten away with everything. "What... how?" Penn then looked at his father with pain in his eyes, knowing he was the only one he ever told about what he had seen on the surface.

Unfortunately the bond of secrecy had to break at some point. Tethys couldn't go on lying to his wife any further. Though to his surprise as well, she caught on earlier than he expected her to. He also thought they were doing well.

Samudra did not want to take the conversation this deep… but she knew she had to. "Should I consider you already sea foam, Penn? Should I just tell myself that you're already dead?"

Tethys stared in disbelief. Did she really go there with their son? "Samudra, that is enough!"

"No, Tethys, it isn't! Because Penn doesn't understand the consequences of what could happen to him!" She smashed a delicate, decorative seashell with a powerful swing of her tail. The 'smash' made both men in trouble cringe.

"Telling our boy he's already dead to you, isn't the best way to show your love, Sam!"

She was fighting back the rough stinging sensation behind her eyes. Neither one of them seemed to understand why she was upset. Afraid… scared, terrified to lose them. "You two stubborn mules don't understand." She cleared her throat, refusing to cry. Not now. "If I lost you both, I'd have nothing left. Nothing… worth existing for."

"Stop it!" Penn screamed at both of them, he never meant to cause this fight between them. "Just stop it. Please." The young lad repeated himself. "You guys shouldn't be fighting... over me. I'm not worth it." By now he was staring at the throne, that one day soon would be his. "I will try to be the best heir you have, as long as you guys stop fighting." Penn tried to bargain with them.

Samudra hugged Penn tightly. He couldn't escape her grasp even if he tried his hardest. "We weren't fighting… we were disagreeing. You would tremble if you witnessed a true fight between your father and I."

Tethys gave an irritated sigh of his own now. "Would you just take the boy's sympathy Sam? Would it kill you?"

She stayed quiet and hugged her one and only son. She parted the hug and caressed his cheek gently. "Go. Return to your chamber at once." She demanded it despite her soft voice.

"Yes ma'am." The young merman replied before turning his back toward his parents. He glanced over his shoulder one last time at the sturdy throne. A small sigh passed his lips as he swam for the exit. Penn wanted nothing more than to go back into the open ocean.