Pixelate 4: Shining Star

Chapter 6: Undersea Server

Shining Star had just re-entered town and are heading for a nearby coastline.

Michael: "We've got the money to purchase two boards right?"

William checks the guild's funds.

William: "We're good."

They walk over to the coastline.

Kyle: "Been awhile since the last time we were here."

They enter a shop filled with dozens of different surfboards.

Isabel: "I'll pay for them."

As Isabel goes to pay for the two boards, everyone looks around.

Risa: "Nice."

Andrea: "These boards are only for show."

Micheal: "The boards we use are more mechanical and are portable."

Caleb: "(quietly) Th-This looks like fun."

Anthony gives Caleb a little pat, jump scaring him.

Anthony: "Trust me, it is."

Everyone else except Kyle and Isabel facepalm.

Robert: "I think he's hopeless."

Risa and Caleb receive gifts.

Isabel: "Alright, let's head over to Theta."

They all eagerly head outside.

Five minutes later...

Micheal: "We'll see you over in Theta!"

Micheal, Anthony, Isabel, and William take off.

Risa: "Okay, so that's how you pull it out."

Risa jumps on her board and flies off.

Kyle: "You coming Robert?"

Kyle and Robert hop onto their boards.

Robert: "See ya!"

They fly off.

Andrea: "Are you okay Caleb?"

Caleb is shaking as he stares at his board.

Andrea: "Just try to relax. There isn't anything to be afraid of."

Andrea hops on hers.

Andrea: "I'd better not keep them waiting."

Andrea flies off.

Caleb: "I-I c-can..."

Caleb climbs onto his board.

Caleb: "...do this!"

He goes off without warning.

Caleb: "(shaky) Wh-Whoa!"

Caleb acquires balance.

Caleb: "(amazed) Whoa..."

Caleb is enjoying the sea breeze on his face.

Caleb: "Amazing."

A message appears in front of Caleb.

Caleb: "(confused) Don't need to hold your breath?"

His board begins to tip and dive into the ocean.

Caleb: "What?!"

He becomes completely submerged in water, and yet he can breathe normally.

Caleb: "This is cool!"

He takes in the unimaginable scenery of the ocean floor.

Caleb: "What's that?"

An aquatic city is resting on the ocean floor.

At the edge of the city...

Kyle: "There he is!"

Caleb arrives at the edge of town and hops off his board.

William: "Was I the only one who actually held their breath a bit?"

Risa: "Yes."

They all gaze at the city.

Micheal: "I never would've guessed that a server would be underwater."

They begin to walk into town.

Anthony: "I'm just looking forward to going toe to toe against some aquatic enemies. They'll be in for a shock!"

Everyone sighs at the terrible pun.

Isabel: "(face palming) Are you actually my twin brother?"

Anthony: "Yeah."

The moment they step foot into town, everyone except Caleb gets swarmed by a horde of new Players.

Player 1: "(excited) It's Magician, the Hurricane of Judgement!"

Player 2: "(excited) Light, the Pillar of Flame and Shadowbreaker, the Light of the Future!"

Players 3 and 4: "Roc, the Unmovable Glacier, Kiss, the Shadow of Death, Axl, the Gilded Lightning, and Kitsune, the Mountain Beast!"

Players 5: "Otaku, the Tidal Wave of Freedom?!"

Players 6,7,8,9 and 10: "Here in the Theta server?!"

All Players: "Can we get your autographs?!"

Kyle: "(awkwardly) Alright single file line and someone needs to provide us with writing utensils."

As the others begin to sign away, Caleb watches with awe and fear.

Caleb: "(in head) Will I ever be like them?"

Caleb cluthes his fist.

Caleb: "(whispering) Can I?"

They finish signing twenty minutes later.

Player 3: "Are you looking for a ninth member?"

Player 8: "Please say yes!"

Andrea: "Actually..."

They look over at Caleb.

Andrea: "... Echoes is our ninth member and our Ranger."

A Player checks his stats.

Player 4: "He's a noob."

Player 9: "Is he really the ninth member of Shining Star?"

Caleb begins to show doubt on his face.

Isabel: "Yes he is and don't try to put him down."

Robert: "He's got issues."

Players: "Okay..."

The Players walk away.

Caleb: "(mumbling) Are they right?"

Micheal gives Caleb a gentle pat.

Micheal: "Don't let what others say get you down."

William: "You're the ninth member of Shining Star. Don't forget that."

Anthony: "Well, let's go explore Theta. It should help take your mind off it."

Caleb: "O-Okay..."

The group takes a stroll across the ocean floor, taking in sights they wouldn't see anywhere else for the next two hours.

Two hours later...

Risa: "What time is it?"

They examine their ID Gloves to see that it's 7:50.

Everyone: "OH SHIT!!!!"

They quickly log out.

Everyone: "See you guys at school!"

Everyone darts home like never before.

Caleb: "(in head) Can I really call myself the ninth member of Shining Star?"

Caleb hurries faster.