Backstage with Basil of Baker Street

Inside a large, glowing castle in Atlantica, a male mer-cat stood on the balcony, looking proud as the mer-animals applauded for their ruler.

This mer-cat has yellow fur and a purple mertail with clear lavender fins, wearing a purple hat with a black stripe around it. His name was Top Cat, king of the sea.

Top Cat smiled and waved to the crowd.

Meanwhile, down below the coral reef, six female mer-animals were rehearsing for the upcoming concert.

One of the mer-animals was a slender 18-year-old swallow with light purple and dark feathers that cover her body and head, a yellow curved beak, light purple and dark hair styled like a pair of long braids, cobalt eyes, and a red mertail with clear lighter red fins, wearing a white shell bra, gold bracelets on her wrists, white-and-red wristbands, white bandanna around her head, gold glasses, and a gold necklace with a ruby pendant. Her name was Wave the Swallow, Top Cat's first-born niece.

The second mer-animal was a rabbit with golden blonde fur, long ears with pink ear innards, a white muzzle with fluffy cheeks, light green eyes, a black nose, light brown markings around her eyes, and a lavender mertail with clear lilac fins, wearing a lavender shell bra. Her name was Bunnie Rabbot, Top Cat's second-born niece.

The third mer-animal was a 16-year-old mongoose with yellow fur, curvy ears, a furry, peach muzzle and ear innards, a black nose, green eyes, long, purple hair, and a green mertail with clear lighter green fins, wearing a black tank top. Her name was Mina Mongoose, Top Cat's third-born niece.

The fourth mer-animal was 18-year-old bat with peach skin, white fur, black bat wings, teal eyes, and an orange mertail with clear matching fins, wearing an orange shell bra. Her name was Rouge the Bat, Top Cat's fourth-born niece.

The fifth mer-animal was a 15-year-old eggplant-colored hedgehog with peach skin, eggplant-colored fur, orchid hair, black eyes, and a Prussian blue mertail with clear cerulean fins, wearing an orchid shell bra. Her name was Sonia the Hedgehog, Top Cat's fifth-born niece.

The last mer-animal was a 6-year-old rabbit with creamy fur, light brown markings around her face and at the top of her ears, a white muzzle, a black nose, pink ear innards, brown eyes, and an orange mertail with clear lighter orange fins, wearing an orange tube top. Her name was Cream the Rabbit, Top Cat's sixth-born niece.

As they were vocalizing, a slender mouse swam between Sonia and Cream, carrying some music sheets. He has light brown fur with with tan markings at the muzzle, a long, skinny tail, a brown nose, curvy pink ears, and green eyes, wearing burgundy swimming trunks. His name was Basil of Baker Street, Top Cat's official court composer.

"Now, remember, ladies," he said. "This is a celebration." He swam over to a rock and set his music sheets on the stand. "I want smiles, I want energy, I want my music to SOAR!" On "soar," he placed his hand over his chest and pretended to sing.

"Basil," Rouge whispered. "Have you seen…"

"Rouge," Basil cut her off. "You must project from the diaphragm."

"Wave, Rouge, watch that high F, hmm?" Basil said, showing the mermaids a high note on his sheet, "Sonia, Cream, Mina, Amy, Sally, Cosmo…"

But he noticed Amy, Sally, and Cosmo were not there.

"Where are Amy, Sally, and Cosmo?" asked Basil.

"Cosmo, Amy, and Sally girl are not here." said Bunnie.

Basil was frantic. He threw his arms up in a fright and asked, "What do you mean they're not here?! They're the soloists! They *have* to be here!"

"You know Cosmo, Amy, and Sally girl!" Bunnie said in a singsong voice.

"Bubbling barracuda!" cried Basil, as he pulled one of his sheets over himself, "The King, he will…"

But then he remembered what the sea king had said. He crawled out from under the sheet and fanned it, saying, "We mustn't panic. They've got to be around here somewhere." He placed his sheets in order and said, "I'll stall, you take your places. SOMEBODY FIND THOSE GIRLS!!!"

Wave, Bunnie, Mina, Rouge, Sonia, and Cream swam off, leaving Basil in a state of panic.

As the orchestra was tuning, and the mer-animals applauded, a light shone on Basil. "Psst! Your Majesty…" he whispered. But he grinned sheepishly before sighing in defeat and swimming to his post.

As the applause died down, Basil set his sheets down, and Top Cat bowed before him, wishing him good luck.

Basil gulped nervously before tapping his baton, hoping everything would turn out all right.