A/N: This chapter went through quite a few rewrites. I had the ideas in mind, but I was anxious as to how to execute them in a way that flowed and wasn't overly-complicated. If it feels a little disjointed, that's why. Just let me know and I'll go and fix it!

Enjoy!


Chapter 12: The Spirit of Nudism

Akko then began stomping her feet violently. "What more do you want from me, nudist magic?!" she shouted, angrily. "I'm naked! I like being naked! Isn't that enough?!"

Diana felt guilty as she watched Akko vent her frustrations. She tried again to think of some advice that would help Akko, but she couldn't.

Realizing there was nothing else she could say to her, Diana shook her head defiantly. She stood up and tapped Akko by the shoulder. "Akko, there's something I have to tell you," Diana said, sternly.

Akko was put off by how serious Diana looked. "Uh, tell me about what?" she asked, nervously.

"The truth about nudist magic…" said Diana.

Akko was confused. "The truth? What do you mean?"

"W-well, when I told you about nudist magic," began Diana. "I…I…"

Diana found herself getting tongue-tied. "What is it?" Ako asked, innocently.

Diana stared into Akko's eyes. She wanted to tell Akko the truth about nudist magic, but there was something about Akko's wide crimson eyes that always made her look like a puppy dog.

A highly-excitable, poorly-trained puppy dog, but a puppy dog nonetheless.

In any case, Diana found it difficult to tell Akko the truth.

Diana instead let out a frustrated grunt and she walked over to the lake. Now it was her turn to lose her temper at the lake. "I don't understand it!" snapped Diana. "You're doing everything right for once. It's supposed to work, so why isn't it?!"

Diana looked back at Akko. "I'm sorry, Akko," sighed Diana.

"Sorry for what?" replied Akko. "It's not like this is your fault. Maybe I'm just not as much of a proud, full-fledged nudist like you are."

It was then that Diana decided to come clean.

"Akko, I'm a first-timer too!" she shouted, frantically.

Akko looked at her, bewildered. "What did you say?" she asked.

Diana took a deep breath. "The truth is…I'm not a regular here," she confessed, "I was never a nudist before coming here. This is as much of a first time for me as it is for you."

Akko was shocked by the revelation, "Hold on, you're a first-time nudist too?! But you were so…"

"I know," interrupted Diana, "I told you I was a regular nudist…because I thought that would convince you that it isn't so bad…and I wouldn't be the only one."

"But then…if you're a first time nudist too, how did you know so much about nudist magic?" asked Akko.

Diana then rubbed her shoulders nervously as she knew the next part was going to be devastating to Akko.

"I don't," she quickly answered. "I…made it all up."

Akko still didn't understand. "You mean you don't know anything about nudist magic?" she asked, shocked. "So that's why your advice hasn't been working!"

"Akko…there's no such thing as nudist magic!" shouted Diana. "I made up the whole thing!"

Akko shook her head wildly. Diana could sense Akko's mind completely imploding on itself upon hearing the truth. "Nudist magic isn't real?!" she asked, hysterically. "But then…all that stuff about your magical energy getting stronger and it being a secret to witches?"

Diana, feeling guilty for deceiving Akko, looked away from her in shame. "I just wanted us to be nudists together," she said, mournfully. "And then…everything just got away from me…and I couldn't keep it up anymore. I'm so sorry. I got your hopes up for nothing."

For a moment, Diana just stood there, ready for whatever Akko was about to give her, whether it was a tongue-lashing or a punch in the face. Diana wouldn't blame Akko if she decided to turn her into some small creature and refuse to change her back.

Diana waited and waited for Akko to do something.

But Akko hesitated. Of course, she was mad at being lied to, especially because she really wanted to get better at magic, and nudist magic sounded amazing. However, as she thought about it more and more, she found herself becoming less and less enraged.

Akko just stood where she was with her head down. It was difficult to see what her facial expression was, which wasn't helped by the darkness.

"Akko?" asked Diana.

"Come on, Diana," Akko said, finally. "Let's keep practicing."

Diana was surprised by Akko's reaction. "What for?" she asked. "I just told you nudist magic is fake!"

Akko looked back at her…with a small smile on her face. "No," she said, "I think nudist magic is real!"

Diana was not expecting this at all from Akko. "No, it's not," replied Diana, "I'm telling you, it was just a lie."

"Well, you lied about being a nudist," said Akko, "and yet…here you are! You're naked outside…with me…also naked outside! I never thought that would happen in a million years!"

"I…suppose," conceded Diana. "But I'm telling you, nudist magic isn't real!"

"Are you sure?" asked Akko. "Once you became a nudist, it made you a much more pleasant person! And then, when I became a nudist, you and I had more fun than we ever did before! I say that's pretty magical!"

"I…guess you're right," Diana said, doubtfully.

"And just look at this place!" continued Akko. "With how shiny and beautiful everything is, you can't tell me there's no magic here!"

Diana took a look around the secret spot. She had to admit Akko had a good point. There weren't many glowy places she could think of that were far away from everything that wasn't magical in some fashion.

Suddenly, Akko rushed up to her and grabbed her hands. Diana blushed as Akko was only an inch away from her face, staring right into her eyes. She had a determined look on her face. "Come on, Diana," she said, sweetly, "If we came all the way out here, there has to be a special kind of magic. Now are you gonna help me discover it or not?!"

Diana still wasn't sure about nudist magic being real. But Akko's persistence was rubbing off onto her and she found herself motivated to keep going with magic practice.

"Well…okay!" she agreed.

Just then, the lake began glowing brighter than before! The light became so intense, the two witches had to cover their eyes.

But as quickly as it appeared, the light died down and the lake returned to normal. "What was that about?" asked Akko.

"I…have no clue," said Diana.

"Huh…that was weird."

Ignoring the strange phenomena, Diana handed Akko's wand to her. "Okay, let's continue," she said.

Akko took her wand and faced the lake. "Remember, slow and graceful," murmured Diana, "relax and don't force it to happen."

Akko closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She then began waving and swirling her wand in the air, steadily and smoothly. Keeping her eyes closed, she did her best to keep her mind clear.

Then, Akko raised her wand up high in the air.

She was about to lower it down to the lake to perform the water spell, but she stopped. She had a sudden realization about the lake and why it turned bright green. "Wait!" she shouted. "I have an idea!"

She turned to Diana. "Let's do this together!" she proposed.

"Together?" Diana asked, confused. "Why?"

"I think it might help me master the spell faster," explained Akko. "Please?"

"...very well," agreed Diana. "If you think it'll help."

With her wand in hand, Diana walked up to the edge of the lake. She stood right next to Akko.

"Ready?" asked Akko.

Diana nodded her head. "Follow my lead."

The two began twirling their wands in the air. Diana kept a slow speed so that Akko could keep up.

"And arms up!" instructed Diana, as she raised her wand up in the air.

The two witches held their wands up high then pointed them to the lake. Diana slowly pulled her wand up. Much like she did before, she "lifted" the water up from the lake and "dangled" it off the tip of her wand.

Now, it was Akko's turn. Akko took a deep breath and carefully lifted her wand up.

She tried as hard as she could to focus all her energy on making the water levitate.

She lifted her wand a few feet up…

…and a stream of water began floating upwards towards the tip!

Akko's mouth dropped. "D-Diana! Look!" she shouted. "It's working!"

Diana's eyes popped as she watched Akko slowly bouncing her wand around, with the water bouncing along with it. "You did it!" she cheered. "You actually did it!"

Akko chuckled as she began twirling around, waving her wand in every direction, with the water flying in the air, following her every movement!

Infected by Akko's contagious merriment, Diana followed suit and spun around in place, making her stream of water dance alongside Akko's. The two streams intertwined and snaked around each other in a beautiful ballet of dancing water.


Little did they know, Hiromi was watching them from on top of the cliffs that overlooked the lake. She was happy to see the two playfully laughing and dancing.

"Great job you two," she murmured to herself.

Hiromi then had a sly smile on her face. "Now let's see what you do with a little boost in your magic," she said, twirling the wand in her hands.


"Alright!" Akko cheered as she jumped into the air. "I knew nudist magic was real!"

Diana laughed. "Hold on now, Akko," she said, "That was a basic spell we just did. I don't think nudity made much of a difference. It was all about being confident in yourself."

"No, it's definitely nudist magic!" boasted Akko. "But I think it's also because you helped me."

"Oh! T-Think nothing of it," stammered Diana.

Akko then ran over to Diana and wrapped her arms around her, making her blush. "Thank you so much, Diana!" Akko said, gratefully.

"Uh, Akko, o-our chests are touching," Diana said bashfully.

Indeed, Akko's chest was pressed up against Diana's. But Akko was feeling so proud of herself, she didn't care.

" I see you two are enjoying yourselves! "

The two witches jumped when they suddenly heard a loud, booming voice echo through the lake. "W-what was that?" asked Akko.

Akko broke away from Diana as she looked all around the secret spot. "You heard that, right?" Akko asked, nervously.

They kept quiet and waited for the voice to speak again.

"Hello?!" called out Akko. "Is anyone out there?!"

"Perhaps we just imagined it?" said Diana.

They covered their eyes when the lake began glowing again.

The ground then started to rumble and the lake began to slosh around violently. "Diana, what's happening?!" Akko asked, scared.

"I don't know!" replied Diana, who was equally terrified.

Akko and Diana held each other's hands as the lake began to part.

All of a sudden, a large woman whose body was made entirely of water rose up from the lake. She towered over everything and had long flowing pink hair which cascaded down her chest, covering her large breasts. Her entire body gave off a heavenly light. Her lower body was hidden below the surface.

The giant water lady shook her head before opening her eyes and looking down at the frightened nude witches. "Oh! Hello!" she gasped.

"Aahhh! Giant naked water lady!" Akko screamed. "And she's got big boobies!"

"Let's get out of here!" shouted Diana.

Akko and Diana tried to hightail it out of the secret spot, but the water lady quickly stopped them by blocking their path with her massive hands.

"Please don't be afraid!" she pleaded. "I promise I won't hurt you! I am a spirit who strongly believes in the peaceful nature of nudism."

"You're a…spirit?" Akko asked, curiously.

"I am! You may call me Aphrodite," the water woman said.

"A-Aphrodite?" asked Diana. "As in…the Greek Goddess of Love?"

"We share the same name, yes, and we also share the same love for nudity. And you are…Atsuko Kagari and Diana Cavendish, correct?"

Akko and Diana slowly nodded their heads. Even though Aphrodite was proving herself to be a kind giant, Akko and Diana were still worried about upsetting her. Especially Diana.

"We're very sorry to have bothered you," said Diana, bowing down to Aphrodite.

"Yeah, we didn't know this was your home!" added Akko. "Please don't be mad at us!"

"Oh, not at all!" Aphrodite said, gently. "I was actually enjoying your little performance just now. It reminded me of two other witches I met long ago."

"What other two witches?" Diana asked, curiously.

"Um…what were their names again?" she muttered. "Lulu and Anna? No, Luna and Amy? No, that doesn't sound right either."

Akko and Diana were also stumped. None of the names Aphrodite mentioned rang any bells for them.

Aphrodite then threw her hands up in the air. "Well anyway," she said, "you two are a lot like them. They were witches who wanted to master nudist magic as well. And one of them already had great magical abilities, but the other…not-so-much. They were very different from one another. In fact, they didn't like each other at first."

Akko and Diana looked at each other, astonished to hear how similar these two other witches were to them. Although secretly, Diana thought it was too much of a coincidence. She was sure Aphrodite was making it up (not that she would say that to her face).

"But," continued Aprhodite, "through becoming nudists, they learned they actually had a lot in common. In fact, they began to develop… feelings for each other."

Diana and Akko's faces both turned red. "Uh, feelings?" Diana asked, nervously.

Aphrodite continued on. "Anyway, at first, they were both very insecure about how they looked nude. But, by working together and being true to one another, they both managed to overcome their anxiety and obtain the power of nudist magic!"

Akko's face beamed brightly. "Wow!" she gasped.

"So nudist magic is real?!" Diana asked, flabbergasted.

"Nudist magic is indeed real," Aphrodite giggled.

"Ha! I told you!" boasted Akko.

Diana hung her head down in embarrassment. "Please don't beat yourself up over it," Aphrodite said, kindly. "I know you thought you made it up. For what it's worth, you were right about one thing."

"I am?" Diana asked, in disbelief.

"This is a special kind of magic, one blocked by feelings of embarrassment and insecurity."

Aphrodite held her hand out and a bright glowing light appeared. "To truly embrace this amazing, magical power, a witch cannot be ashamed of herself or her body. A witch is proud of who she is outside-and-in! And the best way to prove that is…well, to be nude!"

"I'm nude!" Akko said, proudly. "And I like being nude!"

Aphrodite let out a hearty laugh. "I can tell," she said. "It's amazing how fast you adapted to the nudist lifestyle!"

"She sure surprised me," added Diana.

Aphrodite then turned to Diana. "And what about you?" she asked. "You confessed to being a first-timer too. So, what do you think? Do you like the nudist lifestyle?"

"Oh! Uh… yes…I do," answered Diana.

"Are you sure?" Aphrodite asked, doubtfully.

Diana thought hard about her answer.

She then shook her head and faced Aphrodite defiantly. "Yes, I do!" Diana said, this time with more confidence. "My family always thought that nudism was a disgraceful act. And for a while, so did I. But I decided to give in to my curiosity, and I found nudism to be the most freeing experience of my life! I'm glad I decided to make the journey here!"

Diana then turned to Akko. "And I'm glad I brought Akko along as well!" she said with pride. "If I had come alone, I wouldn't have enjoyed this day as much as I did! Akko really made this day special. And that's no lie!"

Akko rubbed the back of her neck, blushing at hearing so much praise from Diana.

Aphrodite grinned. "Yep, you two are definitely full-fledged nudists. I think you two are more than worthy of accepting the magic," she said.

"We are?!" Akko said, excitedly.

She then lowered her hand holding the light down to their level. "Go ahead," she instructed. "Grab the light, and let it grant you the power of nudist magic."

Akko and Diana examined the light carefully. They were both confused as to how they were supposed to hold something that didn't appear to have a tangible form. Nevertheless, after a quick nod to each other, they stuck their arm out towards the light.

Once their hands were close enough, the light exploded into a thousand pieces! Akko and Diana were captivated as the pieces fluttered in the air before disappearing.

And then…it was over. Akko waited for something else to happen, but it never did. "Is that it?" Akko asked.

"That's it," said Aphrodite.

Akko then looked down at her body, then to her wand. She wondered if she really had obtained the power of nudist magic. She didn't feel any different. "Huh," she said, "that was…quick."

"What were you expecting? A firework show?" asked Diana.

"I just thought that would go on a little longer. And maybe be a little flashier. Especially from a spirit."

Diana shook her head, disapprovingly. But Aphrodite took it in good spirit and laughed. "I understand you want to be a great witch like Shiny Chariot," she said, "well, now that you have nudist magic on your side, let's see what you can do!"

"Alright!" Akko said, pumping her fists.

Akko then faced the lake once more. She decided to do the water spell again, so she waved her wand around in circles. She then flicked her wand down to the lake.

But this time, instead of a single stream of water floating up to Akko's wand, several water spouts and a large wall of water shot up into the sky. Diana and Aphrodite were at a loss for words! Diana especially was taken back by Akko's newfound abilities.

Although the water spouts were moving somewhat erratically and inconsistently from one another, Akko couldn't believe how quickly she was able to create something so big!

"Okay Diana," said Aphrodite. "Now it's your turn!"

"Oh! You mean right now?" Diana asked, hesitantly.

Aphrodite nodded her head approvingly. "I know you're a rather talented witch already, but wait and see what you can do with nudist magic."

After a small moment of hesitation, Diana approached the lake, standing right beside Akko.

With a few motions of her wand, Diana pointed to the lake…and a large unicorn suddenly emerged from Akko's wall of water. "Whoa!" gasped Akko. "That unicorn is humongous!"

Diana's eyes popped upon seeing the unicorn appear before her. Diana had summoned unicorns before, but none that were so big they towered over her. They watched as the unicorn galloped around the water spouts. It was big enough for Aphrodite to pet when it pranced around her. Akko and Diana were frightened when it started running close to the shore near them!

Then, everything calmed down. The water returned to normal and the unicorn vanished! Akko and Diana stood there with their mouths open and their eyes widened.

"I look forward to seeing the rest of the show," Aphrodite said. She then crossed her arms across her chest and submerged herself back into the lake. The lake then went back to how it was when Akko and Diana first arrived.

Akko and Diana's faces were frozen completely stunned by everything that just happened. Even when they fell backwards, landing on their bottoms in the dirt, their faces didn't move at all.

"That was…I mean, everything just…" stammered Akko. "I don't even know what to call it!"

"Unreal?" suggested Diana.

Akko then leaned back, lying face-up in the dirt with her arms stretched out. "This has been one crazy trip so far," she sighed.

"And it's only been the first day," added Diana.

Diana then began pawing through her spellbook. "Come! We have much to do," she said, "especially if we are to be ready for tomorrow!"

"Huh? Tomorrow? Why tomorrow?" Akko asked.

"Oh! Right, you don't know yet," mentioned Diana.

"Know what? Is this another lie you told me?!"

"No, no! Uh, well…not exactly…"

Diana regained her composure. "The truth is," she said, "Hiromi was the one who told me about this place. However, she said she would only tell me if we made a promise to her."

"We? What kind of promise?"

Diana then took out the brochure for the Nudist Summer Festival that she had tucked into one of the pages of her book. "You and I…are going to put on a show."


TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N: Just two more chapters to go (plus an epilogue)! Honestly, I could keep this story going for another few chapters. But after a year of writing, I just want to finally finish this story and starting working on the next!

Please let me know what you think!