(AN: Cover drawn by riribelle!)

Thalassa blinked the tears away from her eyes. No tears, no crying, she thought to herself, You are the queen of the waves. You must show no weakness in the face of danger.

Her great trident, or, at least the broken pieces that once made up her trident, lay on the ground before her. How could she allow herself to be defeated so easily?

Ceto stood before her, her back turned to the queen. Thalassa didn't need to see her face to know exactly where the woman was looking. To the great altar, where the Gems of Tide waited in their case. Ceto approached the altar, running her unnaturally pale hands over the case. She looked back towards the queen, and began to speak.

"I'm disappointed, Lass," Thalassa cringed at the nickname. "I was hoping that you would put up more of a fight. Oh, well, at least you made this easier."

"Ceto, please," Thalassa begged, "Perhaps we can come to some kind of agreement-"

"That's funny," Ceto said, her expression quickly turning into a glare. "I recall myself, saying the exact same thing, before you drove us out of our homes."

Thalassa opened her mouth to speak, but shut it just as fast. Ceto turned back to the altar.

"At last," She said, quickly opening the case. However, she was shocked to find it empty. "What?" She spun around, grabbing Thalassa by the collar of her blouse, pulling the queen toward her. "What did you do?"

"I-I sent the gems away, before you got here," Thalassa said, her eyes wide and filled with fear. "I thought it would be better if they were gone than in your hands."

"And where are they?"

"If the spell worked correctly, they should've been sent to Earth, but, I don't know where on Earth. They were all scattered apart, to make it harder for you to find them."

Ceto released Thalassa, who flopped to the ground. "Well, Lass, as much as I would love to kill you right now, you're much more useful to me alive than dead, at least for now. Scylla, Charybdis?"

Out of the shadows, where nothing seemed to be before, stepped out the two women. Standing to Ceto's right, Scylla, and to Ceto's left, Charybdis.

"Lady Ceto, is this that Thalassa you've told us so much about?" Scylla said. "I thought she was a great queen, but that surely must've been a lie." She laughed.

Charybdis laughed, too. "Just look at her! Weak, weak, weak! I almost feel sorry for her. Almost!"

"Would you two mind taking hold of her?" Ceto said to the two women. "She is to be our prisoner, and I wouldn't want her to try and run away while I'm casting the teleportation spell."

Scylla and Charybdis did as they were asked, both taking one of Thalassa's arms. The queen didn't try to struggle or fight against them. "Onda, Costa, find them." Thalassa said. Before she knew it, Ceto was surrounding them all in a large, dark bubble. When the bubble popped, they were all gone.

Onda and Costa, two little fairy penguins, had been watching the entire scene, hiding behind the altar. Onda was a bit smaller than Costa, and she was blue, while Costa was green.

"Costa," Onda said nervously, "What... What did Queen Thalassa mean by that? Find them? The Gems of Tide... Or the legendary warriors?"

Costa looked to the spot and Thalassa, Ceto, Scylla and Charybdis had just been a few moments ago. "I think both."

OP: "Swim! Splash! Precure!"

EPISODE 1:
"Defender of the Sea, Cure Coral is born!"

"Marie! Are you listening?"

Marie suddenly looked up at the sound of her mother's voice, startled. "I-I'm sorry!" She said. "I didn't even realize I was daydreaming."

Anne smiled slightly at her daughter, giving the 14-year-old a pat on the shoulder. "I was just asking you if you were okay."

Marie tried to smile back. "I'm just a little... Distracted, is all."

Anne pulled out the chair next to Marie and sat down. "Sweetie, what's going on? You can talk to me."

"It's nothing," Marie said. "I'm fine."

Marie's older brother, Jack, rolled his eyes. "Just leave her, Mom. You know what that means," He said over a mouthful of eggs, "There is something wrong, she just isn't gonna say anything about it."

"Jack, chew your food before trying to speak," Anne said.

Marie sighed. "Okay, I'll tell you." She said. "I'm just a little worried. Algebra tests are coming back today, and I really don't think I did well."

"Aww, sweetie, is that all?" Anne gave her daughter a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "It's just a test. If you do badly on it, it's not the end of the world."

Maybe not for you, Marie thought.

"Here, I've got something that might cheer you up," Anne said, reaching into her pocket. "Ta-da!" She pulled out a round, dark blue jewel. It was transparent, and rays of light shone through it like light shines through water. Anne took Marie's hand and placed the stone in her palm.

"Oh, wow," Marie said, turning the stone around in her hands. "It's gorgeous, but, where did you get it?"

"My friend Helen, you know, the jeweler?" Anne said. "It's a specimen that turned up one day. No matter how many tests she did, she couldn't identify what kind of gem it was. She gave it to me, and now I'm giving it to you. It can be a good luck charm!"

"How come you never get me anything nice like that?" Jack said. "Kidding."

"Thank you," Marie said, slipping the stone into her pocket.

Just then, the kitchen door swung open. "Gooooood morning, everybody!"

Anne looked up, startled. "Natasha," She said through gritted teeth. "How many times have I reminded you to knock before practically breaking down our door in the morning?"

"Many times," Natasha said, striding in. "Don't worry, Mrs. Mason. Someday I'll remember to do it!" Anne just sighed.

"Hey, Nat!" Marie said, waving.

"Marie!" Natasha took the seat next to her. "And Jack. How's my best friend doing?"

Jack smirked. "I'm not your best friend."

"Exactly!" Natasha threw her arm around Marie. "My best friend is this girl right here."

Marie couldn't help but laugh. "I'm doing fine, thanks."

"Well, unless you all want to be late, I suggest you get moving," Anne said.

"Oh, jeez." Jack quickly choked down the rest of his eggs.

Marie took one last sip of orange juice, and ran to grab her bag. The three of them were out the door, Marie and Jack saying the usual "Bye, Mom" and Natasha saying "I'll bug you later, Mrs. Mason".

As Marie climbed into Jack's car, she was unaware she was being watched.

"That girl..." Onda said.

"What about her?" Costa asked. "We're here to look for the Gems of Tide, Onda. Didn't you say you could sense one somewhere in this city?"

"Well, yeah, and..."

"Then let's keep looking," Costa concluded. "The sooner we find it, the sooner we can save the Kingdom of Waves."

Onda didn't say anything, but looked back at Marie, one more time, before the two of them flew off.

Little did she know, Onda was being watched, herself.

The halls of Shore City High were packed, as usual. Marie and Natasha struggled to hear each other over all the conversation going around.

"You nervous about your score on the test?" Natasha asked her best friend.

"Yeah."

"Look, Marie, it's algebra," Natasha said. "Nobody's good at it. Except for, like, super geniuses and stuff. Also, everybody was talking about how hard that test was, even the smart kids. If you fail, don't worry, you're not alone!"

"Easy for you to say," Marie said, frowning. "I was always good at math in elementary school, okay at it in middle school, and now... Basically, my parents' expectations are high, while my actual ability? Low."

Natasha snickered. "Yeah, in my case it's expectations low, ability low."

"Alright, everybody," Mr. Burrows said to the class, "I'm sure you've all been waiting for this. It's time to hand back your tests from last week."

This is it, Marie thought. She felt in her pocket for the jewel, silently wishing for a good grade. She watched Mr. Burrows go around, handing everyone their graded tests, watching everyone's reactions to their grades. A quiet "Yes!" and a fist pump there, a groan there. She wondered who would get theirs first: Her, or Natasha?

It was Natasha. She sat in front of Marie, so Marie couldn't watch her reaction. They would have to discuss their grades later. At lunch, probably. They didn't have any other classes together. Eventually, Mr. Burrows came to Marie. Uh oh. That look of disappointment. The way he handed it to her folded, so no one else could see the grade.

Marie took the test from her teacher, trying to hide how nervous she was. She turned it over, and...

D minus.

She paged through, looking at what she had gotten right and wrong. A few of her incorrect answers, she may have gotten right, it if weren't for mistakes on her part. Accidentally putting down a 4 instead of a 3. Leaving out a number by mistake. And, oh, come on, she had that one right, but accidentally entered the wrong answer on the scantron!

Marie flipped the test closed, placing it face down on her desk so no one could see her grade. So much for that lucky charm.

"So, I take it you didn't do well, judging from that look on your face." Natasha sat down next to Marie, at their usual lunch table.

"No."

"What grade did you get?"

"I really don't want to mention it," Marie said. "How did you do?"

"A B plus," Natasha replied. "I was gonna celebrate, but, seeing you like this, I guess it's not really appropriate anymore." The blue-haired girl shrugged. "It was a lot of lucky guesses, anyway."

Another girl approached, sitting down at the table with Marie and Natasha. "Hello!"

Marie looked up, trying to smile. "Hi, Ruth."

Ruth saw right through her fake smile. "Marie, are you alright?"

"She got a bad grade on a test, is all," Natasha said.

"A bad grade, huh?" Ruth said. "What class?"

"Algebra," Marie said.

"I'm really good at algebra!" Ruth said. "I could help you study sometime, if you want."

Natasha smiled and shook her head. "What subject aren't you good at, Ruth?"

"Well, there's art," Ruth said.

Marie smiled, for real this time. "Thanks, Ruth."

Ruth smiled back. "Any time! We're friends, right?"

Marie's phone buzzed, and she looked down at it. A few texts from her brother.

cant drive you and nat home today sry. movie date w/ lottie this afternoon

meant to tell you earlier, forgot, sry

[kiss emoji]

sry meant to send that to lottie

Marie had to chuckle a little at that last one. "Well, Ruth, thanks to your sister, me and Natasha are walking home today."

"Aww, man," Natasha said.

"What are she and Jack up to this time?" Ruth asked.

"He says they're going on a movie date this afternoon," Marie answered.

"Probably another superhero movie," Ruth said. "You know how much Charlotte loves superhero movies."

"Oh, yeah."

Marie liked Ruth's older sister, Charlotte. She was very nice, if overenthusiastic, and honestly, she and Jack could be so obnoxious sometimes. They were one of the many couples causing hallway traffic jams.

"Wait, Marie, I've got an idea," Natasha said.

"An idea? An idea for what?" Marie said.

"Taking your mind off of today!" Natasha exclaimed. "There's one place where I've never, ever seen you sad at! The aquarium! Let's stop by there on our way home, okay?"

"Well, maybe, but what if I see my dad?" Marie said. "I have to show him and my mom the test."

"Here's an easy solution: Just don't show him until later," Natasha replied.

"I don't really know if that's a good idea..."

Ruth spoke up. "If you want my advice, I think it's best if you tell him as soon as possible. If you wait too long, it's just going to hurt more when you do tell him."

"Okay," Marie said. "If I see him... I'll show him the test."

After school, Marie and Natasha were walking the streets together.

"Come on, Marie, at least try to look a little happier," Natasha said, playfully punching the light brown-haired girl on the arm. "We're going to your favorite place in the entire world!"

"I'm just kind of scared to show my test to my dad," Marie said.

"You know," Natasha smirked. "It's not too late to not tell him anything!"

"No," Marie said firmly, "I have to tell him."

"Okay, okay," Natasha said. "You need to have some fun sometime, Marie. Break the rules, just do whatever!"

"No thanks, I-Oof!" Marie had bumped right into someone. "Oh, oh no, I'm so sorry, I..."

The person Marie had bumped into was a girl. About their age, she had long blonde hair, and dark purple eyes. She didn't say anything. She just scowled at Marie, before walking away without a word.

"Well, this day is going great," Marie said, frowning. "I just made a stranger hate me."

"Not just any stranger," Natasha said. "Talia Fontaine. Don't know much about her personally, but I've heard she's a spoiled brat."

Fontaine. Marie knew the name. It belonged to one of the wealthiest families in Shore City. It wouldn't surprise her if a member of the family was spoiled. They let it pass, and continued on.

Shore City Aquarium was busy today. Marie and Natasha made their made through the crowds.

"Come on, we've gotta get to the shark tank," Natasha said. "Hopefully, we've made it in time to see the feeding!"

"I'm coming, coming," Marie said, trying to keep up with her. Finally, they reached it. No matter how many times she visited, she always marveled at the size and beauty of the main shark tank. Resting a hand on the glass, she watched silently as the sharks swam by. She knew the name of every species she saw. At least for that moment, she forgot about all her worries. She forgot about the test. For just a moment, she was at peace.

"Beautiful creatures, aren't they?"

Hearing her father's voice pulled Marie back into reality. "Hey, Dad."

"Hi, Bill!" Natasha said, waving.

"Natasha," Bill said, "Why is it you call me Bill, but you call my wife 'Mrs. Mason'?"

"This is the first time you've complained about it," Natasha said. "Would you prefer 'William'?"

"Yeah, nevermind," Bill said, chuckling slightly. "Anyway, you two just missed the shark feeding!"

"Aww, man," Natasha said. "Wish we had gotten here a little bit earlier!"

"Um, anyway, Dad," Marie finally spoke up, "I've got something I need to show you."

"Oh?"

Marie took her backpack off, opened it up and brought out the algebra test. Her hands shaking, she handed it to her father. Marie watched his expression as he looked at it, but as he did, he kept a straight face. Finally, he spoke up.

"We'll talk about it tonight when I get home, okay?" Bill handed the test back to Marie.

"O-O-Okay," Marie said, holding her breath.

"Good," Bill said, turning to walk away. "See you then."

Marie watched him go, and felt tears begin to prick at the corners of her eyes. She blinked them away as fast as she could.

"Ouch," Natasha said. "The 'we'll talk about it later' deal. One of the worst responses to this type of thing."

"He's... He's disappointed in me."

"You don't know that!"

"That's the last thing I ever want my dad to be," Marie said, turning back and watching the sharks. "Disappointed in me. I want to become a marine biologist just like him. I don't want him to be disappointed in me. I want him to be proud of me."

Natasha was unsure of what else to say. "Marie..."

"I want to be alone now, if you don't mind," Marie said.

"I'll... I'll just go home now, I guess." Natasha said, turning and leaving.

Marie thought it was best to leave, too.

Eyecatch 1: Marie, Natasha, Talia and Ruth are all in beachwear, chasing Onda and Costa along the beach. Marie, however, trips on a rock and falls right on her face. The others laugh and help her up as the Precure Ocean Splash logo appears in the corner.

Eyecatch 2: Standing in a line, the girls all hold oyster shells in their hands. One by one, they open them up. Marie opens hers up, nothing, Natasha, nothing, Ruth, nothing, but when Talia opens hers up, inside is a sparkling pearl. The others look at her while she proudly smiles, and the Precure Ocean Splash logo appears.

Marie didn't go home. She didn't want to face her mother and show her the test just yet. Instead, she just wanted to walk. The boardwalk was empty this time of year. It was the perfect place to be alone. With the ocean in view, she felt calmer. It wouldn't stay empty for long. Spring Break was getting closer, and with it would come the year's first wave of tourists. All the shops along the boardwalk would open up. T-shirt shops, souvenir shops with cages full of hermit crabs for sale, ice cream places and pizza places and french fry places. The tourists would learn the hard way why you don't feed the seagulls. When Marie was 7, she threw a single french fry toward a gull and ended up with a flock chasing her halfway down the beach for the rest of them. The boldest ones would try to steal food straight out of your hands.

The attractions would open up, too. The mini golf courses, the go carts, and the arcades. And of course, the crown jewel, Wild Pier, its rides and games all lighting up during the evening. Marie looked now at its currently still and unlit rides. She couldn't wait to see that big ferris wheel turning again.

Eventually, Marie reached the marina. It was one of Marie's favorite places to go to be alone. She always loved to watch boats come and go and bob in the water. Walking to the end of the docks, she passed by her father's sailboat. It brought back fine memories of him taking her and Jack out to sea and teaching them how to fish. She also knew how to sail it herself- He taught he that, too- and almost considering going out for even further seclusion, but he wouldn't want her going out on her own without permission.

Finally, Marie reached the end. She sat down, letting her feet dangle over the edge, gazing out into the ocean. She reached into her pocket, pulling out the gemstone. "Some lucky charm you turned out to be, huh?" She pulled her arm back, and was about to throw and send it straight into the ocean, when she suddenly heard a small voice shout out.

"Wait!"

Marie lowered her hand. "Huh?"

Another small voice, this one different. "Please, please don't throw that!"

Marie got up and turned around, and behind her were... Two penguins? A slightly smaller blue one, wearing a bow on its head, and a slightly larger green one, wearing a pearl necklace. "Uh..."

"Please, we need that gem," One of the penguins said- The larger, green one. It was the voice she had heard first, the one shouting at her to wait.

Wait.

Talking penguins?

"What's going on?" Marie said. She had to be dreaming. She had to be.

The penguins started flowing, and they came up to.

The blue one spoke up. "We need it to save our world!" It was the second voice Marie had heard, the one begging her not to throw the stone.

"Onda!" The green one said. "Look, can you take us somewhere private? We can discuss more when we're not out in the open like this."

"Um... I could take you back to my house?" Marie said.

"Perfect!" The green penguin said. "By the way, my name's Costa. The loudmouth one is my little sister, Onda."

"I am not a loudmouth!" Onda yelled.

"I'm Marie Mason." Marie wasn't sure if she really should have been telling her name to these strange, talking penguins.

"Right, then, Marie," Costa said, "Lead the way!"

They were almost back at Marie's house. Onda and Costa had decided to hide inside Marie's backpack, and she had been slowed down slightly by it, with it being heavier than usual. Finally, her house was in sight, just a bit up the road. Marie's backpack unzipped, and Costa poked her head out.

"I feel like we've been in there forever," Costa said. "How much longer until we're there?"

"Yeah, it's hot in here!" Onda said. "I want out!"

"We're almost there, actually." Marie pointed down the road at her house. Her mother was out working in the yard, and she noticed her father was just pulling into the driveway. Just in time, she thought, nervous of what would come when she got there. Jack was probably home now, too.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Onda flew right out of the backpack. Marie still had no idea how a penguin was able to fly, let alone speak.

Costa followed after her. "Onda? What is it?"

"Look!" Onda pointed a flipper. Marie looked to where she was pointing, to the roof of her house. Standing there on the roof was a man. He had unnaturally pale skin, slicked back black hair, and dark violet-blue eyes. He was dressed very strangely, wearing something like the captain of a ship would wear, but in black and red.

"Karkinos," Costa whispered. She sounded afraid.

"Karkinos?" Marie repeated. "Who's that?"

The man, Karkinos, began to speak.

"It's not fair," He said, "It's not fair. You human beings live peaceful lives. You live happy lives. Uneventful lives. But in this world, no, in all worlds, there is an endless amount of pain and suffering. And what do you do? You ignore it! You let someone else deal with the problem! You're not the one suffering, so it doesn't matter if other people do. You're safe and happy, so what does it matter if other people aren't? Imagine, for a second, that you're the one suffering. Well, why don't we make that a reality?"

Marie watched as Karkinos held out his hand, and in it, appeared a small vial, full of a dark liquid. He uncorked it, waving his free hand over the open lid, and a few drops of the liquid came out, floating in the air around his fingers.

"Rise from the depths... Hadalis!"

As Karkinos said this, he pointed his fingers, at Bill's car. The drops of liquid flew toward it, and when they hit the car, it began to transform into a horrible monster. Marie heard it roar, and then a scream she knew was her mother's and she ran, she had to get there, she had to, her family-

"Marie, you need to get out here!" Costa yelled.

"Don't go, don't, it's dangerous!" Onda added.

They flew in front of Marie, trying to block her way, but she pushed them right out of the way and kept going.

"No!" Marie shouted. "That's my family!" She made it to the front yard. Her mother and father were lying on the ground, unconcious. A strange light was emanating off of them, drifting toward the monster- Hadalis, it was called.

"As my Hadalis saps life energy, it goes to Abyss, invigorating and strengthening the people." Karkinos said. He looked up, noticing Marie. "Oh, hello. Care to join us?"

Marie was terrified. Her whole body was shaking, and she could feel her eyes beginning to tear up. But she had to be brave. She tried her best to stand tall and firm. "L-L-Leave-Leave them alone."

Karkinos laughed. "Pretending to be brave, little girl?"

Marie stood her ground, trying to ignore the tear that had spilled over and was now making its way down her cheek. "I-I said leave them alone."

"You know, there's a reason why the cowardly survive longer," Karkinos said. "Allow me to demonstrate. Hadalis, crush her."

Marie refused to move, even as the Hadalis approached her, raise its monstrous foot, brought it down on top of her, and-

Onda and Costa had flown in right at the last second, surrounding her in a bubble. The foot of the Hadalis hit the bubble, and bounced off harmlessly.

"Oh, great, the penguins are helping her?" Karkinos said, sighing deeply.

"We need to figure out a plan to get you out of this and get you to safety," Costa said.

"We can't hold this for long, it'll get through eventually!" Onda said.

The Hadalis was pounding at the bubble. Cracks were quickly forming.

"I'm not going anywhere," Marie said. She was now crying freely, and her voice had become very shaky.

"What?" Costa said. "Why?"

"No matter what, no matter the cost..." Marie began, "I have to protect my family. I won't let anyone hurt them!"

With one final hard pound the Hadalis' foot, the bubble gave way and shattered to pieces, only for a bright light to shine and the Hadalis to be blasted back several feet from an unknown force.

"Wait... No," Karkinos said.

Marie looked around. Where did this light come from? She looked down at her hands, and in them, was a locket. It was pink, and engraved on the front was the image of a sea shell. Onda and Costa floated next to her, staring at her and the locket.

"Costa! She's one of them! We found one of the Legendary Warriors!" Onda said excitedly.

"Marie, listen to us," Costa said. "You are a Pretty Cure. That's called a Soak Locket, you can use it to transform and protect your family."

"It's so easy! Just put it on and say, 'Pretty Cure, Tidal Power'!"

Marie put the locket on. "It sounds weird, but, I'll do it."

"Pretty Cure, Tidal Power!"

Waves of light came out of the Soak Locket, surrounding Marie. She was underwater, surrounded by pink and yellow bubbles. Colonies of bubbles began to form around her, starting with her shirt. When the bubbles popped, she was wearing a different shirt. It was light pink, with a bright pink sailor collar with long ties in the front. A few more bubbles appeared, and a yellow starfish brooch appeared on her chest.

The bubbles moved down to her skirt. When they popped, they revealed a pink wrap skirt with a scale pattern, made of shiny fabric, almost as if the skirt were actually covered in scales. The hems were lined with sheer yellow fabric, while underneath the skirt, there were light pink bike shorts.

The bubbles finally moved to her shoes, and when they popped, she now wore sandals, with dark pink soles and yellow straps. She raised her hands above her head, and on her wrists, fine pearl bracelets appeared. She brought her hands down on top of her head, and her shoulder length hair grew slightly, sections of it being pulled up into two small pigtails on either side of her head, held up by yellow seashell hairclips.

The transformation was complete. The new Precure smiled, bringing her hands together. "The defender of the sea with an ocean of bravery..." She twirled around on one foot, and posed, one hand over her chest and the other spread out to the side. "Making a splash, Cure Coral!"

The light faded. Marie, now Cure Coral, looked down at herself, shocked. "What just... I am..."

"One of the Legendary Warriors," Karkinos growled. "Hadalis, attack!"

"What do I do?" Coral asked, looking over at the penguins.

"Get out of the way!" Onda replied.

"How?!" Coral looked back, and the Hadalis was once again trying to crush her. Quickly, she jumped out of the way of it, launching her high into the air. "What the... How did I get up here?"

"A Precure possesses special, extraordinary abilities far beyond ordinary humans." Costa explained. "Enhanced strength, jumping incredible heights, surviving incredible falls, just to name a few."

"Enhanced strength, and..." Coral looked toward the ground below, noticing the Hadalis was directly below her. Facing downward, she put out a fist, bringing it right down on top of the Hadalis, making a small, shallow crater. She landed on her feet, a bit shakily. "Woah, did I really just... Do that?"

"You're really starting to try my patience, little girl," Karkinos said, crossing his arms.

Coral turned back to the penguins. "What do I do now?"

"Finish it off!" Onda said. "Quickly, quickly, before it gets up!"

"Okay, I'll try." Coral said. She turned back to the Hadalis. "I can't forgive anyone who tries to hurt the people I love!"

"Pretty Cure..." Coral held out her hands to the side, spinning slowly. A ring of water formed around her. She slowly moved her hands out in front of her, and the ring of water began circling around her hands. "...Coral Splash!" The water blasted toward the Hadalis like a firehose, cleansing it. It turned back into an ordinary car. There was a sudden light, and when it faded, all the damage done during battle had disappeared, as if nothing had actually happened.

Karkinos glared at Cure Coral, before forming a dark bubble around himself. When the bubble popped, he was gone.

Coral, too, formed a bubble around herself. When it popped, she was once again plain, ordinary Marie. Her mother and father were stirring. "Oh, jeez, Mom, Dad!" Onda and Costa quickly jumped back into their spot, inside Marie's backpack. Marie ran over to her parents to help them up.

"Are you two okay?" Marie asked. "Do you know what happened?"

"I have no idea," Anne said, rubbing her eyes. "There was a strange man, standing on the roof. He was talking, and then... I don't know."

"That's about as much as I remember, too," Bill said. "Marie, do you know what happened?"

"No," Marie lied. "I was taking a walk. I just got home, and found you two on the ground like that."

"Well, it's good that you're alright," Anne said, hugging her daughter.

"Uh, by the way, Mom," Marie said. She had to tell the truth sooner or later. "I... I got a..."

"I know, you got a D minus on your algebra test," Anne said. "Your father told me when he got home, just before whatever it was happened. Just... Study more and do better next time, okay?"

"Wait, really?"

"Marie, it's just one test," Bill said. "There will be more tests that you can do better, or worse, on. There's no need to focus on one."

Marie was so relieved. "Okay."

"And, since I haven't asked yet," Anne said, "How was your day, sweetie?"

Marie reached up to her neck, feeling for the Soak Locket. "Oh, it was pretty uneventful, really."

ED: Ride~The~Waves

ON THE NEXT EPISODE:

Natasha: Marie, you've been acting way strange today.

Marie: What? What do you mean?

Natasha: You're closing up more than you usually do. Are you trying to hide something from me?

Marie: W-What? Never! Next time on Pretty Cure Ocean Splash: Can you keep a secret? Cure Storm Strikes! Let the waves rush over you!