Chapter 28: Salty Waters

My powerful paws thundered the ground as I sprinted across a long field of flowing grass. I felt the fiery energy burning through my legs as I picked up the speed, my eyes narrowing in determination. A song in a different kind Twoleg language was on repeat in my ears; I couldn't even understand what they were saying. I'm guessing there were multiple languages in Twoleg world, but this song was catchy regardless.
I saw a cliff coming up, knowing it would lead down into more grass. I ran faster and faster as the song got quicker, then leapt off of the cliff. I looked down to see where I was landing, and gasped. It was sand, and the sand lead into a mass blue body of water; the ocean! The salty scent filled my nostrils, and I almost didn't see my paws before I landed. I stretched out my toes and landed square on all fours, then got to the edge, where the water was lapping against my paws. With my ears tilted forward, I studied the waters. I would have to swim for as long as I could. I had the strength. I had the power, I could do this.
I took out the device and placed it safely in my bag, and then thought- my things will get wet if I don't find a way to keep them dry. Think powers- I remembered. I thought hard. Maybe I could make a ball of fire and put the bag inside of it? Would that work? I decided to try it. I formed a ball out of my paws and pulled out, making a fire-bubble. I placed it on the water, and it floated, the flames circling it, even though it was in water. My eyes lit up. I found a way! I made a fiery bubble around the bag, and gently placed it on the water. It floated, and the bag was fine. I huffed in victory, then made a small, thin tendril connecting to the bubble and put it on my shoulders. It was warm, not burning, because I was immune to fire.
I sighed, feeling energy pulse through me as I charged into the water, the water lapping around me. I ran until the water held me, and I was swimming powerfully. My jet black legs were pushing me forward, and the salty tang of the water stung my nose just a little bit. It was almost... nice. Electrifying, it gave me a jolt of energy. My claws sliced through the blue water, which was much deeper now. I glanced back only for a second, seeing the land far behind me. I wondered what that land was called. I knew that Twolegs named the lands, but I wasn't sure what it was called. I just wondered...
The song, even though it wasn't playing in my ears anymore, was playing in my head. I had energy coursing through my veins; I could swim forever! I felt invincible, I felt powerful, I felt everything. I felt like a wild-cat, like one of the ancient cats from LionClan or TigerClan...
Or even like Flamestar! My ears pricked forwards confidently as I swam on, my legs not feeling tired or sore... yet. I smiled, enjoying the energy I had. I was far from the land now, I was swimming so fast that I could barely see the land. The water was so deep below me, I didn't even want to think about how deep. But curiosity was pricking at me, and I couldn't help but want to take a look down there... it was so dark and mysterious...
No, Vixenfur. Not now. Not while you have the energy, don't waste it. I pushed my curiosity and questions aside, feeling blood pump through my system. I would look later, when the ocean got even deeper, when there was more to explore. I swam on, my legs nowhere near aching or tired. I had endless energy. I had the confidence to keep going, I had the power, I had everything. I really believed I could swim across the whole ocean... sure, with a break eventually, but not many breaks.
"Yeah," I said out loud as I swam, "The whole ocean... across it all... to the other lands..." I smiled, laughing a little as I swam quickly. I knew I could make it. I looked up, seeing the fiery panther in the sun known as Flamestar, smiling down at me. She knew I could do it too. I knew I could do it.
So I was gonna do it.