She panted loudly as she sped as fast as she could through the glowing, green tunnel that Yuushi had created. Looking down below her feet, she could see the thrashing waters through the translucent energy, threatening to engulf her when the tunnel burns out. Sweat was building up on the squirrel's forehead as she dashed as fast as she possibly could. Penelope curiously popped her head out of the pocket, taking in the sight around her, "This is crazy! What if we don't make it, Crystal? I'm too young to die!" "I am too, Penelope, I am too..." Crystal gasped, "But don't think like that! We'll be okay.. it's just... pant... a bit farther..." Her arms swung back and forth madly in coordination with her feet as she made her way along the tunnel. Penelope examined the area around them, and suddenly shrieked at the sight, "Crystal! Crystal, look! Behind us.. it's... it's..." Crystal spun her head around, only to see that the tunnel was disintegrating behind them, and was catching up quick. "I-It's vanishing!" She cried, "Penelope, hang on!" The tunnel spun rapidly as the glow began to fade. "We're almost there, Penelope, just... pant pant... a little... more!" She leaped towards the wet, sandy ground of the edge of the island, just as the tunnel completely faded away behind them. "Yeeeeekkk!" She shrieked as the two went flying towards the rough ground.
Penelope came toppling out of Crystal's pocket, and was swept up by a huge gust of wind aimed towards the rapid water. Crystal smashed head-first into the grainy beach, her arms and legs smacking down with her. "C-Crystaaaal! Help meee!" Penelope yelped as she splashed into the stormy water. The squirrel immediately jumped to her feet at the sound of her friend's pleading voice. "I'm coming, Penelope!" She yelled, diving into the water. She resurfaced and gasped for air, but only finding more water to inhale. She started coughing, "Augh these waters are too rough right now! The storm's too strong to swim through this..." She thought desperately to herself, "Pene--" A huge wave of water engulfed the squirrel, who then immediately resurfaced, "Where are yo--" Another wave crashed down over top. "Crystal! Crystal, I'm over he--" The squirrel once again resurfaced and followed the direction of Penelope's voice. She saw a small yellow creature floating just below a huge threatening wave. "Penelope I'm here!" Crystal grabbed the bird defensively and held her with one arm, while her other arm was paddling at a high speed in an attempt to avoid the incoming mound of water. The wave struck down over top of them, sending them flying forward, Crystal gripping Penelope with all her strength. The two shrieked with terror as they found themselves airborne and heading straight for the grainy sand yet again. Crystal curled around Penelope, protecting her as they once again smashed into the beachy location. Crystal rolled to a stop, and Penelope found her grip light now. The flicky stumbled out from the squirrel's grasp and coughed while shaking the water from her feathers. "Crystal, you saved m--" The flicky took a good, long look at the squirrel, who was now out cold, "Oh no.." the bird took in a deep breath of air while examining her seemingly lifeless friend, "...I'm not going anywhere without you, Crystal. No one has ever given me the time of day like you have, you've risked your life for me and saved me from death, and you barely even know me yet..." her eyes drifted to the torn red material that was wrapped around her leg, and tears began to fill her already soaked face, "I'm not going anywhere without you..." The young yellow bird snuggled up under Crystal's limp arm and closed her eyes gently, tears streaming down her soaked feathers.