Adventures by the Coast

Chapter One: Formation

"…WAY out, by the buoy WAY out there. There was a shark big as me- or biggar! You wouldn't believe it if you saw it, mates."

"That must've been cool!"

"Was it scary?"

"'Course not, I'm used to seeing them arand."

"I suppose that must be very neat."

"'Course!"

She stood up from kneeling on the undersized dock and watched the sun anxiously.

"I've seen much worser you know."

"Like what?" He looked up at her as anxiously as she had stood.

"Oi, creatures."

"Creatures?"

"Creatures as long as the seashore."

"Don't you mean whales?" Cream squeaked.

"Oh, no. Not whales…" she put a hand to her head, shielding her sight from the sun. "They 'ad teeth long as a shark's."

Charmy laughed at her, "Shark's teeth are small!"

Marine looked solemn. "True, but these were sharper."

Cream and Charmy exchanged glances, both hoping the same thing.

"Ai, I'm just joking, mates! Don't get so pale-faced."

"Pfft," Charmy crossed his arms. "I wasn't scared."

Marine laughed. "Your face said otherwise. Though, y'know, I actually have seen things larger- except it was a whale. Your fortunate I'm not afraid of sea creatures."

"I told you! I'm NOT afraid! And why does it matter if you are or not?"

"Because someone has to be the leadah."

Charmy clapped his hands. "We're going somewhere?"

"Yeah! 'Course! You wanted to see the sea tunnels, right?"

Charmy nodded, eagerly.

Cream looked between the two of them. "You mean you two are going yourselves?"

Marine shook her head. "No, you're gonna go with us…right?" She held out a hand to the confused rabbit, but Cream showed no signs of moving.

"With…no permission?"

Marine shrugged. "I do it all the time, what's the harm? The islanders won't mind. Come on, it's really beautiful."

Cream stood reluctantly. "Okay…I suppose." She sighed when she looked out at the sunset she'd have to miss. She looked at Cheese, hovering by her, and saw he was just as unsure.

Charmy flipped mid-air as he often did. "Come on, come on!" He landed and ran across the slippery dock, not even noticing Cream's shout of," Be careful!"

By that time he was already on the shore, fortunately.

Marine waved a hand. "Let's go, Cream." She, too, ran across the dock.

Cream followed, shoulders sinking. At least she remembered to walk.

Marine caught up to Charmy and motioned to the small village. "We'll have to get some supplies from the sheds, first. You up for sneaking by the grown-ups, mate?"

Charmy saluted. "I was pretty much raised by a ninja. What do you think?"

"You're hired!"

"Yay!" He began to slowly creep towards the village.

Cream turned to Marine nervously. "Why does he have to sneak by if they are okay with it? Should I go ask my mother?"

Marine shrugged again, and Cream did not feel much more reassured. "Don't worry, mate. It's just more fun to sneak, is all. Your mother will be fine with it."

Cream muttered a half-hearted," Okay…" as she turned towards the shore to glimpse the dying sunlight. Cheese landed on her shoulder, chirping sadly.

It wouldn't be long and night would approach- and she knew she shouldn't be out there then. "Alright…as long as we aren't out long, Marine."

….

Charmy, meanwhile, made his way around one of the small housing structures to see the town campfire lit- and several people he happened to know gathered around it.

He knew they had come to meet up and discuss something – he wasn't sure what. Whatever it was, he wasn't interested. He was just happy to be "dismissed" to play with the others.

The beach was more of his thing.

But there they were- a few koalas, Blaze, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Espio, Vector, and Vanilla- all doing their talk with no marshmallows involved. As long as there were no marshmallows at the campfire, he wasn't going.

What was he doing anyway?

Yeah, right. Getting the supplies from the sheds. He assumed he'd know what those supplies were when he saw them.

He hid in the structures' shadows and slowly made his way around the adults- without them even knowing. He tried his best not to accidentally let his wings buzz, for that would be a dead giveaway.

When he reached the sheds, he cautiously reached for the latch and flipped it soundlessly. How he managed to be this quiet he didn't know. He tried not to think about it until the coast was clear.

He opened the door wide enough for him to slip inside, and when he did he shut it behind him a bit carelessly. He hoped no one noticed.

It was very dark in there, but somehow he managed to sort through the things and take what he thought they needed. At least he hoped so. He shoved the "supplies" into one of the canoeing bags and then made his way out.

As he snuck through the shadows, he was surprised to find that none of the adults had noticed him at all. Whatever they were talking about had their full attention. At the moment, he didn't really care. He broke out into a sprint and ran back towards the shore.

….

It wasn't long before Marine was leading the two of them down along the shore, and they walked a lot farther than they thought they'd need to.

"Hold it! If I got all this stuff, why can't you carry it?" Charmy complained.

Marine marched indignantly. "I'm the leadah, and you two are the followahs, so you have to listen to me! 'sides, you wanted to go."

"Yeah, but I still got this stuff like you told me!"

"But you carry your big crocodile friend, what's a little bag?"

"It's different."

"I'd like to know how-"

"Please stop it you two! We'll never get anywhere like that," Cream interrupted.

"That's true. Listen to your teammate, Charmy."

"Ugghhhh."

"Be quiet, now. I need to concentrate on leadaring."

Charmy sulked quietly at this, but at least she didn't notice.

Cream looked back where they had come, and the way the sky darkened was beginning to bother her. She could see all the more clearer the light cast by the campfire, now a good distance behind them.

She wondered if it was the time to turn them back around…but Marine wouldn't have that, that much she knew.

It was then that she heard a shrill voice call out," We're here!"

She looked ahead of her, and saw that the "sea tunnels" were before them.

She ran to catch up, Cheese trailing behind, and nervously watched them beginning to get curious.

The caves themselves were not that tall, only about four feet in height, and they went into the side of a rocky cliff, worn away by the ocean tide.

They were quite interesting at least, and in a way they were beautiful- as Marine had called them. Maybe more creepy in the dark, though.

"Whoa, have you-have you been inside of them before?" Charmy stuttered.

"Why?" Marine laughed. "Are you scared?"

"What? No, 'course not. But…do you expect us to, to, umm…"

"Well, it's what you came for, eh?"

Charmy and Cream exchanged glances, both probably wondering the same things.

Cream turned back to face her. "You're very fearless, Marine, but…I'm not sure it's a good idea."

"Shucks, we'll be fine! Besides, there may be something great in there! Treasure or mermaids or something!"

Charmy almost perked at the idea. "I may not want there to be mermaids…but imagine Vector's face if I come back with treasure!" He started laughing at the thought of it.

"Exactly….so come on. It's worth a shot, right Cream?"

Cream looked at the sand, tilting her head slightly- a nervous habit. "Well…I-I suppose. As long as we come back in a few minutes."

"Sure we will!" Marine motioned for them to follow her as she made her way towards it.

Charmy pulled the bag further onto his shoulder and walked forward.

Cream stood there for several moments.

She heard Marine's voice echo ," Come on, now!" but she didn't watch her enter. It all seemed so dangerous. She knew she shouldn't go, but-

"Come on, Cream!" Charmy called, turning towards her before following Marine in. "It'll be fun!"

A dark place at night, exploring some caverns, did not seem like fun to her at all.

But, then again, it could be. She laughed it off a bit, and followed. Maybe she was being silly. They'd be back soon anyway. What was the worse that could happen in that time?

A/N: I know I should stop adding multi-chapters to my list, but I couldn't pass it up. Eh, when imagination calls right? This shouldn't be a long story- 5 chapters maybe. As long as things don't change too rapidly.

DISCLAIMER: I am bad at Australian accents.