Skipper had seemed to regain his normal strength and stood up. His eyes were still hooded. "We did it…" his voice faded with fading exhaustion.

Jazz clapped slowly. "That was amazing, guys. Now let's get going." His voice was deep with fondness of his friends' first time using their powers. I wonder what my power would be like. I know its fire, but how would I be able to wield it? He was still secretly upset that Snowie Jr didn't perform such remarkable, uncharacteristic actions to control his power. They nodded at each other and walked-and-slid down to the trail to the grand entrance of Ocean Zero Castle.

Xxxxx

Ocean Zero Castle was once owned by the ancient water dragon. It was almost hard to believe that they were actually walking in it and not walking in it in their dreams. Skipper (blue yoshi) walked in between Jazz (black yoshi) and Snowie Jr (white yoshi) through the mighty threshold to the castle's great interior walls. The entrance room was expansive—large enough to rebound an echo with an echo. Tiny water droplets could be heard at a distance that sounded so near yet distant simultaneously. Giant, broad blue-stoned pillars held the castle ceiling with boundless strength. It took several wondering minutes before they reached to the second door inside the castle. It could be open by grabbed from the bottom and sliding it upward. It took Jazz's strength. So far, all the doors were like this, let alone the main entrance. The doors were engraved with what the ancient water dragon's body might've looked like after he's won a war victoriously, head high and arms pranced. There was not one moment when Skipper never found it magnificent.

Several minutes passed and they were in a larger room that was made a labyrinth with a sharp-curving waterway. Little minnows leapt out gracefully. The ceiling was portioned with ancient decorations and illustrations of the era of the ancient water dragon. A large circle interrupted the center of the drawing and an aquamarine chandelier dangled strongly in the circle. The room was lit blue from the gleaming water and the chandelier gave it a faint yellow light, turning into a sea green that reflected the water's glistening light on the walls like dappled leaves.

Skipper walked along the edge of the water, watching wonderfully at the minnows. One of them looked peculiar, outstanding indeed. It must've been the lead of them, although it was the same size them. It swam underneath Skipper's shining nose and leapt up at him. Skipper screamed.

Jazz ran up to his side, holding a small key. Skipper felt pain sting throughout his nose like a venomous bee sting. The minnow latched on viciously with unspeakably razor-sharp teeth. Jazz stomped up rapidly and drop-kicked the monster squarely in the head. It shrills like something out of a nightmare and fell limply back into the water, leaving a trail of blood as it swam away.

Skipper grabbed his nose with both hands, slouching in pain, eyes shut tight. "Why, if I'd g'abbed that pu'k I wou'd do so if I cou'd!" he managed to shout with a covered nose.

Snowie Jr was investigating an opened treasure chest about the height of his knees. He stared at it inquiringly and looked up at them. "Hey, guys, you forgot something!" He shouted and they came up to him silently.

Skipper, still squeezing his nose, opened his watery eyes. "Wha' is dat?" he asked.

Inside the treasure chest laid a shimmering pearl. It outstandingly glistened beneath the heavy weight of their shadows. Skipper never laid eyes on anything this spectacularly. I'm a water nut for precious pearls so I might as well keep it in my sanctuary! He grabbed the pearl with two fingers and placed it in the waist satchel he carried. This might be the ancient pearl to that secret lock I saw over there.