How to Build a Sandcastle

* A Friends' Tale Featuring The Sourceress and Integrity Tim *

(If you are unacquainted with the Friends, you can check out some of their previous adventures at "Nick Fury Learns a Lesson" and "Cratering on the Moon").

One morning, back in October, the Friends woke up ready for adventure. "We're going to the beach today!" declared Nick Fury, jumping with excitement. Bulldozer impatiently pushed the blankets off the still drowsy Pikachu and Giraffe. Neither complained too much , even though they are both late sleepers. Prince Eric and Zecora discussed the remaining travel plans. Soon everyone was ready to go.

After hundreds of miles of songs, word games, and emergency bathroom stops, they arrived at the Gulf Coast. For the next week, they'd be enjoying the sun and sand of Dauphin Island, Alabama!

The Friends didn't waste any time getting down to the business of playing at the beach. Holiday spirits were high.

Nick Fury even kept his temper when he was the butt of the classic let's-all-walk-away-and-leave-him-buried prank. (He could be heard grumbling under his breath about it later, however).

The next morning at breakfast, Prince Eric proposed launching an exploration up the coast. Pikachu readily agreed and Zecora nodded her assent. Seeing Zecora was in favor, Nick Fury jumped in. Not wanting to be left behind, Bulldozer and Giraffe began packing lunches. 

Twenty minutes later, they were on the beach, following the call of the horizon.

Time passed pleasantly. The weather was warm without being hot. There were sandpipers to chase and seagulls to scold. The sand was soft with few shells to cut your feet. The waves were playful and nonthreatening. Conditions were ideal and no one was bickering.

Shortly after stopping for snacks, Zecora paused. "What is that?" she asked.

Prince Eric squinted into the distance, "Is that a log...or a person?"

Cautiously making their way towards the strange object, they slowly recognized it as a large piece of driftwood standing vertically in the sand. Laughing at their nervousness, Pikachu and Bulldozer circled the driftwood, speculating on how it came to be standing upright. "It really does look like something!" Nick Fury declared somewhat defensively.

"It looks like a Cat Butler," Giraffe replied frankly. Everyone agreed that Giraffe's comparison was spot on. The log really did look like a Cat Butler standing at the ready!

Still laughing, they turned to leave. Behind them, a voice whispered, "Seek The Sourceress."

Everyone paused. "What the?!" sputtered Pikachu. "Who said that? What sorceress"

"Not sorceress, Sourceress." Now the voice was clearly coming from the still motionless Cat Butler. "Seek The Sourceress."

"I don't like this place anymore," Giraffe whispered, nervously eyeing the Cat Butler. Everyone agreed there was an uncomfortable feeling in the air. Bulldozer and Pikachu left with Giraffe, reassuring her as they walked. Zecora and Prince Eric stayed back to contain Nick Fury. Protective of Giraffe, he was stepping up on the Cat Butler, Yelling threats and waving his guns. Prince Eric tried talking Nick down. Ultimately, Zecora caught his eye an silenced him with just a glance. Still furious, the three ran to catch up with the others.

The Cat Butler, for his part, never moved nor spoke again.

The rest of their excursion passed uneventfully, and the sun was setting by the time the Friends returned. The beach was empty, save for one solitary woman gazing quietly at the sea. For the most part, they'd put the incident with the Cat Butler behind them. However, as darkness approached, Giraffe began to feel unsettled at the memory. Moving closer to Zecora, Giraffe asked meekly, "Do you think their really is a sorceress?"

Before Zecora could respond, the solitary woman turned. "Not sorceress. Sourceress. I am The Sourceress."

Startled, Pikachu blurt out, "You just said the exact same word twice!"

"I absolutely did not. A sorceress can do magic and is entirely fictional. I, on the other hand, am entirely real. I get to the source of problems then source the materials necessary to solve them. Thus, I am The Sourceress." The woman spoke kindly but sounded slightly perturbed. Prince Eric got the impression that she had to give this explanation frequently.

"That makes sense," Pikachu admitted begrudgingly, "but sorceress and Sourceress still sound exactly the same.

The Sourceress sighed. "It's all in how you pronounce the silent U."

Pikachu opened his mouth to protest, but Prince Eric quickly interjected. "You said you find and solve problems. Is their perhaps a problem we can help you with?"

The Sourceress's face lit up as a broad grin stretched across her face. "As a matter of fact I do! There is a huge problem at this very beach in that it is completely without a sandcastle. There are none! How can a beach really be a beach if it doesn't have sandcastle?"

The Friends exchanged sideways glances as The Sourceress continued, "My brother, Integrity Tim, and I have discussed this problem at length. While we have many skills between the two of us, we do not have what it takes to build a sandcastle that will stand the test of time." The Sourceress spread her arms wide in a gesture of inclusion, "But now that you are here, we can do it!"

Baffled by this last comment, Pikachu exclaimed, "What do you mean by that? What makes you think we can build a sandcastle?"

Smiling even wider, The Sourceress replied, "Isn't it obvious? Zecora is brilliant at military strategy. Prince Eric has lived in and visited many castles. No one has more practice with weaponry than Nick Fury. Giraffe knows how to make things safe and comfortable. Bulldozer, well, how can anyone imagine building something without Bulldozer? And you, Pikachu," The Sourceress turned to look at him directly, "you like things to be correct and accurate. The best buildings are always built correctly and accurately."

Pikachu wanted to ask how she knew all this information about them, but for once he knew it was time to stop arguing.

Without missing a beat, The Sourceress continued. "The first step in any project is to gather information. Tomorrow, my brother and I voyage to Fort Morgan. You will join us." Presuming compliance, she turned and walked away.

So, bright and early the next morning, The Sourceress and Integrity Tim caught the ferry to Fort Morgan.

While they agreed to help, the Friends still felt wary of the situation and preferred to take their own boat.

Six hours later, the Friends arrived. The Sourceress and Integrity Tim - whose ferry ride was only 45 minutes - were impatient. "Finally!" exclaimed The Sourceress. "We have made many plans. Come sit. We have much to discuss."

The Sourceress led them to a cafe, sat at the table, and pulled out a checklist. She took a long sip from her colorful, green bean-garnished drink, and then began.

"First, Integrity Tim will take you on a tour of the fort so that you can learn about the integrity of forts. Second, we will create a design, Third, we will find a location. Fourth, we will gather the supplies. Fifth, we will build!"

Pikachu asked, "wouldn't it be better to find a location before designing the castle? How else will you know what it should look like?" Nick Fury sarcastically replied, "How will you know it's the right location if you don't know what you're building?"

After a lively debate (during which Giraffe ate the green beans and Bulldozer muttered that he just wanted to skip to step 5), it was agreed that they would draw preliminary plan, then modify once a location was decided.

That settled, they left The Sourceress behind and were off to Fort Morgan. Integrity Tim went into great detail about the fort's history and pentagonal design. Prince Eric asked many intelligent questions. Zecora was silent but attentive. Nick Fury tried to act attentive to impress Zecora, but kept getting fidgety with the urge to fire the cannons. Pikachu noticed Nick's struggle and kept finding way to mess with him. Bulldozer examined the walls and dry moat carefully, considering how he might duplicate their construction. Giraffe licked salty lichen off the fort's brick walls.

Reconvening at the cafe, the Friends told the Sourceress what they learned. Like Fort Morgan, it was agreed their castle should have five walls, a tunnel, and a moat. Since their building would be a castle and not just a fort, it would also have turrets.

Blueprints drawn, it was time to go home. Although the Friends enjoy steering their own boat, they agreed that given the late hour, a 45 minute ferry ride was preferable. The Sourceress stood towards the bow, eager to get back and begin building.

The group met early to begin scouting for a location. It was agreed Integrity Tim would walk to the nearby village and gather supplies needed for the construction. Once he departed, The Sourceress determinedly strode off down the beach. Having shorter legs, the Friends followed more slowly, examining the beach with care.

As they walked, the Friends found several places that would work, but somehow didn't feel right.

Other locations were easier to eliminate.

Tired of walking, the Friends took to their boat and scoured the coast. Their path brought them to a small inlet. It was perfect.

Prince Eric sounded his bugle, summoning The Sourceress and Integrity Tim. Arriving quickly, they agreed on the perfection of this location.

There was much celebration.

Site selected, the friends quickly got to work, each doing what he or she does best. Integrity Tim oversaw the blueprints, while The Sourceress stayed close, supervising.

Zecora confirmed the height and location of each turret. Giraffe made certain the food storage would remain cool and water-tight.

Nick Fury with his guns and Pikachu with his lightning tested their ability to defend the sandcastle with some light target practice.

Bulldozer dug to his heart's content. Prince Eric completed many small tasks, while telling numerous stories that began, "So at this one castle I visited..."

In no time at all, the sandcastle was finished! Integrity Tim smiled contentedly while his sister danced exuberantly. "Now that the sandcastle is compete, the beach is complete!" The Sourceress sang joyfully as she leapt about. "I am forever grateful to you all!"

As she parted, The Sourceress threw a handful of glitter into the air, covering the Friends. Integrity Tim shrugged apologetically and left with her. The pair disappeared into the distance.

That night, as they picked off flakes of glitter, the Friends watched the sunset, confidently delusional in the belief that upon departing in the morning, they'd be leaving behind a castle destined to survive the centuries.

The End