Chapter 84

The Beach Episode

We've all seen the anime. When you see the words "beach" and "episode" beside each other it conjures certain images. Certain expectations. Of scantly clad men and women, running and bouncing around with as much skin exposed as possible.

Well, guess what?

I don't own a swimsuit.

Before spawning in, the world—named Summer Oasis, by the way—prompted me to change into a swimsuit and popped up my menu with all my clothes in it. But, again, I was swimsuitless. So I selected what I already had on, minus the disruptor and, for now, my helmet.

I dropped into an empty beach, beside Kenzo, who, like me, had opted to wear the same clothes. I walked over to him.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"You know where, my dear. Trying to select the best bathing suit. You've seen the anime."

I laughed. "Yes, I'VE seen the anime—but you?"

"I've lived in the Interverse for much longer than you, of course I've seen anime. It's older than you and I combined, if anything I should be the one amazed that you know of it!"

"Wow, that's a weird concept to me. You're kind of right."

Kenzo just beamed, his point made yet again.

Behind us, the others started to appear. Stephen was first, electing a classic pair of swim trunks, just solid blue. I am going to give you pervs the least amount of details as possible but, let's just say, his muscles were far more in existence than I would have expected from when I first met him. He'd definitely been training. He also had a matching pair of blue goggles on his head, coupled with his spiky hair he looked like a Digimon protagonist.

Following close behind him was Dowser, who I fully expected to be in a speedo or something but he actually dressed rather conservatively. He wore a one piece bathing suits, one of those white ones with the red stripes. And that enormous floaty was firmly around his waist.

He gave a holler. "Beach episode!!!"

But then he looked down from the heavens to see me standing there, in my full gear.

"Darcy, what the hell?" He said, throwing an accusatory finger at me.

"What's the problem? I'm here to train."

Dowser pouted.

Next came what I'm sure the majority of you are slobbering at the mouth at: our fair Netta. Dowser sure was. He saw the flash of light foretelling her appearance and he locked eyes with it, his mouth hanging open like a dog.

Out of curiosity I shot a glance at Stephen who was looking at the light, then away. Then back again. He finally put on his goggles, a tint going over them, and he locked eyes completely on the light show.

The light faded... And out stepped Netta, a sly smile on her face as she stepped out wearing the best bathing suit I'd ever seen in my life.

A two piece bikini. Of two giant black censor bars.

Dowser groaned and whipped away. "This is the worst beach episode ever."

"We aren't here for fun, Dowser," Netta said as she kept walking, giving Stephen a look as well who quicky averted his gaze. "We're here to get Darcy ready."

"W-what can we do to help?" Stephen asked, walking closer to where Kenzo and I stood.

Kenzo just shrugged. "You all are here just for moral support, I suppose."

Stephen laughed. "That's all?"

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"I didn't know how to turn the big one down once he proclaimed his excitement," Kenzo explained.

We all laughed at that, even Dowser did a little bit. He was still pouting though.

"Okay, so, you guys relax and do beach stuff or whatever. I'll learn what I need and then join you!" I said in probably the cheeriest voice I've ever used.

Kenzo clapped his hands and a volleyball net appeared a bit farther down the beach.

"Oh hell yeah! I'll race you, Stephen!" Dowser was back in it as simple as that. He shoved Stephen, playfully, but with his strength he went catapulting into the sand.

I went and helped dig him out as Netta laughed and asked, "You need any help with that?"

"No, I'm good. I've actually done this before."

She smiled and turned away from us, giving chase after Dowser.

I gave Stephen one good pull and dislodged his head from the sand in one move. Either I'd gotten that much stronger or he hadn't wedged in there as far as he had during the battle royale.

He plopped down onto the sand, brushing his hair and eyes clear of the sand. "Why does that always happen to me?"

"I don't know but it was worse this time without the fishbowl, wasn't it?" I gave him a side eye.

"I elect not to answer that."

I flicked him on the forehead. "Go make sure they don't get into any trouble or something. And try and have some fun."

He just stared off at the other two playing on the beach, a look close to disgust clear on his face. "I find it hard to have fun with what you're facing."

"I know. But I'm gonna handle it. Learn what I need. Maybe get some training in with you guys. It'll be great."

He sighed and got up, dusting himself off more. When he looked back up at me he was all smiles.

"Beach episode," he said.

"Beach episode," I agreed.

#

I left my friends to start the beach shenanigans without me, and joined Kenzo by the edge of the water.

"So we just... go in?"

He shook his head. "Not we. Just you. I'll direct you if need be but I think it's best that you just feel things out on your own for the most part. Feel the water around you. Focus on it. And then call on your powers. That's all the advice I have."

I took a deep breath. And then walked into the waves. It was cold, but not too much. The waves started small, just little lines rushing toward me. I got the urge to hop over them as they went by me. I fought it at first but after the second or third wave I gave into it, leaping over them with a childlike glee. I unequipped my shoes, to better feel the sand and water on my toes.

Before long the water was up to my knees. It was no longer an easy task to jump over the waves. I could if I really wanted to, of course, just push off with my mind. But I think I was passed that. I walked forward, rocked by the waves. I let them hit me, feeling the power behind them increase in intensity the deeper I went.

And then my feet left the sea bottom and I was full on swimming. The waves much bigger but still nowhere near hardcore surfing worthy ones. They appeared to be set at a certain level and I was grateful to not have to delve into giant ass ship destroying waves.

I continued like that for awhile, just swimming forward, going up with the waves and then down as they passed me. I closed my eyes, just getting lost in the movements like Kenzo suggested.

I didn't know how far out I'd gone, but eventually the waves came slower until all at once they were gone. This didn't shock me though, I didn't even bother to open my eyes. I felt... safe. For some reason. I knew what it must look like from around me, a big open ocean, with water all around, just a sliver of land in the distance. When I saw scenes like that in movies I always assumed that must be the most terrifying feeling in the world. Surrounded by all that vastness. All that potential for death and danger. All alone.

But being there now... it was calming. My mind didn't care that I was alone, didn't bother to worry about what could lurk in the depths. I was calm.

I equipped my fishbowl, knowing it was time to surround myself with the sea. With my eyes still closed, I submerged myself fully beneath the water. I went straight down, at first swimming downwards but then I realized a better way. I righted myself and activated my powers, using them to force myself down without having to move a muscle. That was great on it's own but it did another thing for me: complete the next step of Kenzo's advice.

My mind opened itself up to the water. It was cold at first, a wave of ice. But then that fire sensation in the center of my mind kicked on, the bubbles of energy forming. It happened fast, too quick for me to figure out where to release it so I just opened my entire body, letting the energy rush through me and out.

From my minds eye I could see the energy seeping out, red-ish bubbles, looking like a fire burning underwater. My inner flame fought against the cold of the water. Like it was an enemy, something to push out and conquer. But... I knew that wasn't right. I thought about the calm of before. The feeling of the water on my skin. The waves crashing against me.

As I replayed those ideas, and really felt them, focusing on the water and how it really felt, my mental flame began to change. It burned and burned until it was no more.

A cold crept in. A cold ten times worse than the Skull masks and I thought I made a horrible mistake. My whole body became like ice, freezing and sinking into the depths. Just when I thought it was all over, the water rushed up to my head. It spun, like a whirlpool, with my mind at the very center. I thought I was going to get swept away, sucked inside my own mind, my body a permanent icy fixture on the bottom of the ocean.

But the flame returned, burning bright before cooling down—literally. The flames became the same blue as the ocean, and little by little they became less flame like and more watery. Until it became a blue fountain, the bottom burned while the top billowed out bubbles. They rushed out of me again, filling me with a warmth that melted away the ice of before and I was back to feeling the calm and comfort of the water around me.

A water that now bubbled from within.

I grinned and opened my eyes.

Another eye stared back, one I'd long forgotten.