Avast! Thar be Treasure Here[Kats/Bilby]

[Spring [Complex]]

The silent march that the trio maintained would soon come to an end with Tidus spotted an impasse. A boulder, which while not that big, did impede the path. The light from the other side was simply shining around it like a silhouette. Pausing in place, he'd hold his staff to his side, a signal for everyone else to stop.

"And we have a problem."

Tidus declared as he maneuvered his way around the boulder. At the very least he wanted to try and peep but there wasn't much room. His palm rested gently upon it before placing his staff in it's traditional spot on his back. There was only one thing to do at the current moment, attempt to move the boulder.

"Let's put that strength of yours to use, first mate."

As he said this he took to a portion of the boulder. He was ready to try and move it, but with his limited strength...that didn't seem too likely.

[The Bilby Guy]

"Oh boy," Wakka said with an embarrassed laugh. 'Be careful what you wish for, right dad?'

Wakka got over his inner monologue and then put his Sports Ball away. The athlete also removed his backpack and placed it down on the stone wall next to them before he made his way over to Tidus' side.

"Leave it to me Captain," he said, reaching as high as he could on the rock's surface without losing good balance and starting to push. He got a feel for the ground and the weight of the rock, hoping that it was on a downward slope.

'This would be easier if my arms weren't still tired from all that rowing,' he thought with a laugh.

[Secret Agent Cat]

As they stopped, Selphie kept a mental note of all the turns and sidesteps they had made while going through the cave. She looked at the boulder that blocked their exit. They had a dilemma. Could Wakka move it? Should they all get together to try and move it?

Selphie stood near Tidus, watching as Wakka got a grip of the boulder. Surveying it. Selphie would keep quiet to see if Wakka could get it. He was pretty strong, well stronger than Selphie. But, she was useful in her own way. "Go, Wakka, go!" she cheered.

[Spring [Complex]]

"That a boy." Tidus said, but that boulder just barely budged. Selphie, whom had observed the boulder and took mental note, would realize the unusal slope of the terrain for a brief moment. Pushing from the left side was like pushing up a hill instead. It wasn't much of a slope but any advantage was better than none right? The next dilema was that the right side was a bit harder to get to. It'd require some teamwork to clear obstacles from the right side, perhaps even all their strength to move the boulder.

Of course Tidus didn't realize much, he was just observing Wakka push, while trying to get a glimpse of the outside.

[The Bilby Guy]

Wakka felt the boulder shift just barely. His current position wasn't that great, it seemed. Definitely not a nice, low slope going down the other side of this thing. gritting his teeth the athlete put his left foot back and turned it to act as a brace while he put his strength into holding the rock up the little amount that he had managed.

"I think we might need to use a lever, Captain," Wakka said with a bit of strain as he eyed the boy's favourite fighting tool.

[Secret Agent Cat]

Selphie watched as the boulder barely moved, she noted the unusual slope of the terrain. She thought for awhile. Right, side, right side! She, the navigator, would steer 'em boys in the right direction! "There, right side to star-board!" she announced. She jumped towards the right side of the boulder and started to clear away some obstacles. "Cap'n Tidus, help.." she said, looking back at him, a little desperate because she started with some small rocks and branches. Tidus would be able to carry the bigger obstacles better than she. The Capt'n's strength would be needed. Teamwork between the three mates would be key to getting them out of this rock-berg(iceberg)...

[Spring [Complex]]

"Now you're getting into it!"

Tidus responded encouragingly as he moved to assist Selphie in clearing the obstructions. There was a build up of rocks, branches, and other debris. No wonder the boulder was stuck where it was. Assuming an earthquake or something had rustled the island, the boulder was offset and crushed the debris which now inhibited it along the right side. Flexing his muscles, he'd proceed to help Selphie as best as possible. With each load, he'd get as much as possible before resting them down to the side.

Utilizing his own weapon as a makeshift spade, he'd get the last chunk out before calling out:

"Okay Wakka, you can let her down now. We'll start the push on this side. If we all push, we can move this thing, I'm sure!"

Tidus was filled with confidence at that moment, already lining up his palms along the rock to push. Once Wakka was with them, he'd begin the effort!

[The Bilby Guy]

"Glad to be your muscle, Captain Tidus," Wakka said affectionately as the let off on his strenuous brace of the rock while his two other "crew mates" prepared for the final go. Wakka took a moment to catch his breath and then moved to the indicated position. Placing himself in the center of the new pushing direction he began to count down.

"We push on three, ya? One.... two... three!"

With that the fifteen year-old heaved against the stone with all of his might.

[Secret Agent Cat]

Selphie moved the rest of the debris with Tidus' help. She then stood up, and rested her hands on the boulder. Ready to push when all were ready. Wakka counted to three and she pushed with all her might, though it wasn't much mind you. Though, with every day, every adventure she thought that she was getting stronger. That she was becoming as strong as the guys were. One of them! She pushed, moving her feet to get momentum but it was a bit hard against the semi-moist ground beneath her feet. She felt it moved. It was working! "Yes, keep at it guys!" she said, encouraging them. Though, it was more so towards herself than to them. They could probably have done it without her, but who would have known? It continued to move..ever so slightly.

[Spring [Complex]]

If the rowing from prior wasn't considered a work-out, then this was the super duty strength/cardio training. A regiment so severe, so grueling, that with each push...Tidus could feel the muscle strain. The journey out here really was a lot longer than the usual spot. No wonder nobody ever dared to come out. Still, the movement of the boulder was encouraging, Selphie's own words even more so. Yeah it gave Tidus just the right amount of will power to keep at it. As the Captain he had to put up a good front, after all.

Thus the trio would eventually get the boulder out of the way. Their forms basked in light as the pathway was clear. Tidus, shielded his eyes as best he could. His right arm barely able to lift up. With a few steps, he'd be out of the cave, his eyes scanning what was actually a coastline. What a strange island, it seemed the cave acted like a middleground passageway. However, what was even more astonishing was that this part of the island was beautiful. A tropical paradise that made Tidus think twice about comparing it to the usual spot.

He moved a little further out, there was a long outstretching roots of a palm tree. He caught sight of it and plopped down. The captain was too exhausted to really do much more, besides..the ocean looked quite beautiful from here. Yeah, he'd just gaze out at that ocean for now.

"What a surprise...I guess there was treasure after all."

[The Bilby Guy]

Wakka let out an then called back in a deep breath. None of them were really big enough to be pushing around rocks like that. It was a lot heavier than the one they sometimes moved around on their playground island. Well, the power of teamwork and all that. Everything seemed to have worked out for them.

The teen made his way out into the sunlight again with Selphie after their esteemed leader had gone ahead. Outside he was treated to the same view that Tidus had gotten. In terms of sheer beauty it did indeed put their own little island to shame.

"Good call, Captain," Wakka said with relief as he moved closer to the younger boy and sat himself down as well. He chuckled before continuing. "Too bad but I think I'm too tired to enjoy it."

[Secret Agent Cat]

Selphie seemed to have pushed the boulder with all her might and as they got it out of the way she followed along side Wakka, walking into the basking light. Squinting she saw the treasure they had discovered. Though it wasn't physical treasure, it was a treasure in its own beauty. Sitting besides Wakka she collapsed onto the sand, the warm sand warming her. She was exhausted. "Man..whata work out.." she announced, even from the sound of her voice you could tell that she was tired. She could probably curl up and fall asleep right on that beach. But..she wanted to enjoy the treasure they had found, just a little bit longer.

"..How 'bout we don't chart past the cave's entrance? Keep this, treasure, we be found between us. What ve say, maties?" she asked, then closed her eyes after taking in her surroundings. A tropical paradise, perhaps all to themselves? Their special place that they found. That no one else could know about, not even Sora or Riku! Just between the three of them.

[Spring [Complex]]

Tidus was silent as Wakka came by first, then Selphie. Both of them were exhausted, it was clear team work, while successful; came at a price. As for the Captain, he was tired too, so as they awaited a response from him, he simply moved his hand into his pocket. He'd withdraw the map from prior, extending it out to Selphie.

"Let's just take five..."

He was too tired to say too much more, but he mustered his strength to add something.

"Mark this portion of the cave down...we'll...explore some more...next time!"

The last bit of emphasis in his voice, was a semi return of the captain's glory. Though instead, he'd simply look out at the vista, a slight smirk across his features. Someday, a story would be told here...on this side.

[The Bilby Guy]

"Sounds good, Captain," Wakka said, his accent back in full relaxed form. He drank in the fresh sea air and it invigorated his spirit, if not his body. He had been holding the stone for the longest and his muscles still burned a little. But hey, he was young. He'd recover fast.

With that Wakka laid back down on his back, putting both hands behind his head as a pillow. He smiled as he lay there, ready to take a short nap before the ride home.

"Maybe next time we can be the ones to hide some treasure, ya?" he suggested, only half realizing that he had vocalized the thought.

[Secret Agent Cat]

Selphie took the map, but for the moment her navigator duties would have to wait. It seemed the first thing on the young girl's mind was a little nap in the afternoon sun, which seemed to hit exactly right on this beach. Not too hot, just right...right enough to take a nap on the beach! The young girl was probably the first one to fall asleep (map marking would have to wait) but before she did she repeated Wakka with a "Ya!..." though however enthusiastic it was, there was still a little bit of tiredness in her voice.

Being the youngest, and a girl, she had to work even harder than the boys did. She had to try harder too. At times it became exhausting but it all seemed to work out for the best.

After a short nap the three went back through the cave and back to where there boats were. By the time they had paddled back it was nearing dinner time. They got to the beach and started to go their separate ways. Selphie waved to Wakka and Tidus telling them she would see them later; which meant tomorrow.

[End]