Alton is a merman who feels out of place in the ocean, longing for the land. He's rebellious and disobeys his parents, King Osharus and Queen (unnamed), often venturing to the surface to observe humans. One day, he follows his curiosity and encounters a boat, a shark, and a human he falls instantly in love with. He saves the human from the shark, defying his parents' strict rules and risking his own safety. This event marks a turning point in his life, leading to a significant encounter with a human.