Fluttershy had read about Sea Ponies once while she was in Twilight's library. She merely glanced over the chapter, not paying particular attention to the information. Fluttershy, for the most part, had been indifferent to the existence of sea ponies. This all changed when she saw the figure emerge from the ocean.
"Hello there! My name's--"
"OH MY! A SEA PONY!!!" Fluttershy squealed and immediately flew towards the sea pony. She was pink with a blue mane. Her fins were small and she had a very big grin on her face. Fluttershy gave the pony a great hug.
"I never thought I'd see a sea pony in my life!!!"
The others laughed as Fluttershy realized that she was crushing the sea pony's lungs. She let go and blushed as the sea pony regained her breath.
"....Ri-Right then...my name is Tidal Wave! I was busy swimming around when I heard somepony talking. I had to just come up to see who it was! I can help you all cross the ocean if you want me to!" Tidal Wave was very peppy and energetic; Pinkie Pie would have a lot of fun with this new pony.
"That's very nice of you." Twilight responded. "I am Twilight Sparkle. We come from Equestria and are in search of the Elements of Harmony." Each pony took her turn to introduce herself, and finally Tidal Wave spoke again.
"Right. So if you'll all follow me please!"
"Wait!" Rarity boomed. "I just can't get my mane wet...especially in sea water!"
Tidal Wave laughed. "Of course, silly! Sea Ponies have the special ability of creating large air bubbles. You'll travel underwater through one!"
With that, Tidal Wave began to blow a bubble. The bubble slowly engulfed Rarity as she became entrapped in the clear structure. Each pony, as well as Spike and Durango, were encased in separate bubbles.
"Follow me!"
*********
Fluttershy was normally scared of being in new places - especially at the bottom of the ocean - but something was very different about it, which Fluttershy loved. The water was so calm and peaceful. The underwater plants slowly waved back and forth in such a peaceful way. Schools of fish and other sea creatures swam by the bubbles The yellow pegasus was in complete awe.
Tidal Wave and Pinkie Pie were at the front of the party.
"...So that's when I threw a party for my friend Sea Sponge!"
"You love throwing parties too!?!?!? I LOVE parties!!!"
"We definitely need to throw one giant party together!"
"Oh yes! That's just the thing to get my friends back in good spirits! We've had such a long journey so far and..."
Rarity was amazed at how colorful it was underwater. "I must design a dress based on this theme...yes if I make a waved skirt...Oh and the colors!"
Meanwhile, Applejack was still trying to get used to moving around in the bubble. "One hoof in front of the...Dag nab it!" She exclaimed as she flipped upside-down. Rainbow Dash laughed right beside her. "...How's it feel to be trapped in a bubble, sugarcube?" Applejack snidely replied. Rainbow frowned and looked down. "It's fine...it's not like I can't....handle...I need to fly!!!" She panicked as Applejack laughed.
The cutie mark crusaders trotted along right next to each other. "Hey, what about scuba-diving cutie marks?" Scootaloo said to her friends.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS SCUBA DIVERS YAY!" They shouted in unison. Their bubbles began vibrating due to the sound, so the three fillies all stopped and crouched at the same time. "Let's try not to drown, girls..." Sweetie Belle said to the group.
Twilight, unsurprisingly, was writing a letter to Princess Celestia. "There's so much about underwater that I need to tell you..." She said as she jotted her words down.
Durango and Fluttershy were in the back of the pack. Durango was very careful not to pop his bubble with his sharp claws. Fluttershy wasn't one to start conversation, but she did her best to try to talk to her savior.
"So..." Fluttershy began in a soft voice. "...You know, I can't thank you enough for saving me...even if I don't deserve it."
Durango turned towards his new friend. "I didn't deserve to be saved, but you helped anyway. I was a greedy dragon...well, so are all dragons, but still...I can start a new life now, thanks to you and your friends. I had to return the favor."
Fluttershy blushed.
"...And you should think about doing the same. Starting a new life, I mean."
"Oh?" Fluttershy peeped. She looked a little intimidated by the dragon.
"I didn't mean that there's anything bad about you...it's just...Confidence is the key. You are a very courageous pony, and if you were more confident in yourself...there would be nothing you can't do!"
"Do you really mean that?"
Durango nodded. "I've seen many dragons that were like you at one point...Who knew that just a little confidence could change them so drastically." He said before remembering the dragons that had fallen near his home.
Fluttershy gave a small smile. She felt much better now; she knew she could accomplish anything, especially with her friends by her side.
"...And we're here! Welcome to the Sea Pony Kingdom of Tritona!"
Over a small mound lay a vast kingdom. The buildings were all very ornate and glistened in the depths of the ocean. Rarity cooed as she saw how each building was bedazzled in fine jewelry and an undersea theme. The entire kingdom was covered in a magical dome. It looked like very powerful magic.
"Beautiful..." The ponies gasped in awe at the marvelous sight. The one thing about the kingdom, Twilight noticed, was that it seemed to be unharmed by the meteor shower.
"We know about what happened days ago..." Tidal Wave said. "The ponies who live above the sea must be so devastated by what happened...but we are safe here! You are welcome to stay as long as you want! We will go meet our king now."
The kingdom was even more beautiful up close. The streets were lined in diamonds and seaweed was scattered all along the sides. Hundreds of sea ponies swam along to do their daily chores. They were all happy, healthy, and safe.
In fact, Twilight felt very different down here. It felt as if he had much more strength than before. "I wonder..." She said to herself as she began to power her horn up. Alas, a pinkish aura formed. Twilight was able to use her magic to its fullest extent!
"Look! My magic works again!" She happily cheered.
"See?" Tidal Wave said in response. "You are much better off down here. I implore you to stay!" Her expression looked very sincere, as if she was trying her best to keep happy in such times.
Soon, the group entered the main castle. It was located in the very center of Tritona. The steps were made of pure marble and the building glistened as blue and yellow light bounced off its fine architecture.
Inside was even more regal. The walls had pictures of sea ponies on them, all in a formal pose. Lights hung from the ceiling as rainbows bounced off of the ornaments it held. A giant door led into the throne room.
The King of Tritona was a rather large sea pony. His scales were a bluish green and he looked rather happy. A great white beard drooped from his chin and he wore a golden crown containing blue and green gems. Rarity could not hold herself back. She approached the king.
"Allow me to introduce myself, your majesty...I am Rarity, and I simply adore your kingdom!" The unicorn bowed in the most elegant of ways.
The king spoke in a deep, yet jolly voice. "Welcome to Tritona! I am King Typhoon VII."
The other ponies approached and bowed as well. Durango stood behind the ponies, unsure if he would be accepted. The king noticed the green dragon.
"I see you have...dragons...with you." Typhoon said.
"They are with us; they mean no harm." Twilight hastily responded. Typhoon looked skeptical, but nodded.
"I apologize. It's just that dragons have not necessarily been...the closest of friends with my ponies. We normally do not interfere with the above world."
"Which is why you should really think about staying here!" Tidal Wave offered with a smile.
"Thank you...we appreciate the offer, but we have to help save our home. We cannot stay for long."
"At least allow us to give you respite for the night!" The King asked of his guests. "The outside world is far too dangerous. Perhaps we can convince you to stay...if not, you will be free to go in the morning."
Twilight looked to the girls. "What do you think?" She asked.
Rarity immediately responded with a loud "YES!", to the chagrin of the other girls. However, they agreed.
"We do need to rest for a bit, sugarcube." Applejack said to her friend. "The fillies are dead tired...and Ah think we'll be safe down here...King Typhoon?" Applejack turned towards the king.
"Yes, my dear?" He asked.
"Are there any...ya know...monsters lurkin' down in these parts?"
Typhoon laughed. "Our dome protects us from anything that tries to invade. In fact, we easily defended ourselves against a changeling invasion a while back...looked pretty convincing as a bunch of sea ponies."
"...I guess we can stay for the night." Twilight gave in. She wanted her friends to all be happy, safe, and fed.
"It is settled, then!" Typhoon boomed. "Your rooms will be right that way. Allow our maids to set them up for you. Dinner will be served in this hall in three hours. Feel free to explore the kingdom until then!"
*********
Fluttershy found herself wandering the streets of Tritona with Pinkie and Tidal Wave. Both were collaborating on a gigantic party to be thrown later that night. They were with Spike and Durango for a short while, but the two of them ran off together in order to "acquire" some gems.
"Ooh, what about streamers!"
"Streamers!? I love streamers!"
"There's a shop over here that sells some! Let's go!"
Both bounced off, away from Fluttershy. "Uh, girls?" The pegasus asked when she noticed she was left alone. A sea pony swam past her, leaving Fluttershy to squeak and hit the edge of her bubble. She continued walking through the kingdom. Fluttershy was amazed at how peaceful it was down here...it was almost as if the problems above were nonexistent. That thought lingered in her mind as she remembered everypony she knew that was still up there, struggling to survive..
No, I won't stay here knowing others are in danger! She thought to herself before rushing back to the castle. She had it: The sea ponies here were very nice, and she was glad they were safe, but there are others out there who need help...help that the Elements can bring. She zoomed past Rarity, who was busy buying materials to sew an extravagant dress for her and her friends.
"...Do you take bits here?"
"Yes, ma'am...but regarding your current situation, dear, I'll let you go with everything on the house!"
Rarity screamed in delight. "Thank you, darling! I must design a dress for you in return! I will get right to work on it!"
The sea ponies cluttered the streets of Tritona. They all had places to go and ponies to see. Every pony that Fluttershy passed would give her a forced smile along with a couple of 'hello's and 'good morning's...it was very awkward indeed.
Fluttershy came across a couple of young sea ponies playing a game of sea ball. They were in a small open area with two baskets on two ends of a long court. The object of the game is to get a ball in the basket. Due to underwater pressure, it was not so easy.
"Hello, young ones." She said in a very gentle tone. "This looks like an interesting game you're playing.
The larger of the two sea ponies spoke up. "We play everyday down here. Want to try?"
"Oh, I'm not much of a sports person, but maybe I can learn to play above the water one day."
The ponies looked at each other for a second before turning back to the pegasus. "...My mom told me not to go up there. It's a bad place." One said while the other nodded.
Fluttershy had a confused look on her face. "What do they mean by that? I mean..." I know why they mean that, but how can we fix it if nopony wants to help?
"...Um, we have to go now." The smaller sea pony said.
"We just got-OUCH!" The smaller of the sea ponies hit the other before he could finish his sentence. "Yeah, it's getting late. See you around!" They sped off without another word, leaving Fluttershy with the small ball. She picked it up and threw it weakly towards the basket. It gently floated down, barely missing the goal.
*********
Upon returning to the castle, Fluttershy found the area where the ponies would be staying. It was in a large air pocket, meaning that the ponies wouldn't have to stay in their bubbles while they slept. Rainbow Dash was the first one she saw, who was zooming around the giant room as fast as she could. Scootaloo was in the room as well, trying to keep herself aloft as she flew in a smaller, slower circle underneath.
"You'll get it, kid! Oh, Fluttershy?" Rainbow said as she noticed her pegasus friend. "Back already? I thought you'd go looking for the sea creatures or something."
"Rainbow Dash, I..." Fluttershy started before trailing off.
"What's that? I can't hear you."
"I just wanted...."
"What?"
"I'm not sure if....we should..."
"Spit it out, Flutters!"
"I DON'T WANT TO STAY HERE!" Fluttershy yelled in response before immediately bowing down. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Rainbow Dash. I didn't mean to..."
Rainbow laughed. "It's okay. I understand; this isn't exactly my comfort zone. I belong in the sky! Besides, we're only staying here for the night in order to rest up and continue searching for the elements!"
"I guess so...as long as we do leave...I didn't mean to bother you, Rainbow Dash."
"It's okay, Fluttershy! I'm completely cool with it! See you at dinner?"
"See you at dinner."
*********
If Canterlot cuisine was considered fancy dining, the food served in Tritona's throne room was beyond fancy. Scores of butlers arrived to place food on the elongated table. They did so at the exact same time, all with the same expressions on their faces. King Typhoon sat at one end of the table as each of the mane 6, fillies, Spike, Durango, and Tidal Wave all sat in fancy seats. The food itself looked like average underwater plant life: coral, sea cucumbers, sea weed. However, the food was seasoned with something that made it taste very divine. Applejack wasn't very much into fancy dining, but even she was pleased with the food brought out to her. Spike was stuffed on gems he found during his tour of the kingdom, but he managed to set some room aside for dinner as well.
After a few minutes of eating, King Typhoon spoke up. "...So, how did you like my kingdom?"
"It was wonderful!" Twilight responded. "I found one of your libraries...it contained so many books. I was really surprised that they were able to last underwater!"
"Ah found yer food market to be very helpful!" Applejack touted.
"We're going to have the best party ever tonight!" Pinkie Pie chipped in.
"Your fashion sense in this place is very divine! Girls, I'll need your help with my dresses tonight! We shall depart in style!"
"About that..." King Typhoon started. "I would very much appreciate it if you girls would stay here. My people were very enlightened by your arrival, and would love if you could teach them the ways of the surface dwellers. Besides, the world above is...going through a rough time right now. I doubt it would be suitable for innocent ponies such as yourselves.
Fluttershy unexpectedly responded. "I'm sorry, but we can't stay past tomorrow morning. We have a duty to perform, and I don't think we can let anypony above down."
"Darling, what if we bring everypony above down here?" Rarity asked back. Fluttershy was not moved.
"I think Fluttershy is right." Twilight spoke up. "As nice as it is down here...and as safe as it is, we don't belong here. Our place is up there on the surface. And right now, it's in trouble. Only we can save it, and that's what we must do! Won't you help us?" The princess turned towards the sea pony king.
"...Beyond seeing you through to the other side of the ocean, there is nothing else we can do. I want my ponies to be safe and sheltered from the outside world. If you won't join us, then that's your choice."
Dinner went silently afterwards, besides random conversations coming from the fillies. Immediately after, Pinkie Pie and Tidal Wave's party was thrown. Sea ponies from all over the kingdom showed up. It was undoubtedly the biggest party Pinkie Pie had ever thrown. Rarity had been working on her dresses during the party as she asked each of her friends to help model.
Her work was soon finished as Rarity showed off six astonishing dresses. Each one was a representation of each of the mane 6, with an underwater theme. They were so lavish and elegant, even Applejack was impressed. The fillies each received similar dresses, and Spike received another fedora. Durango was given a little cape.
"I'm not sure if this is your thing, but here you go, darling!"
Durango humbly accepted it.
The party was full of dancing, laughter, and cake. Even King Typhoon was enjoying himself. Hundreds of Sea Ponies showed up, surprising even Pinkie Pie as the hall filled up very quickly.
"Best. Party. Ever!" She exclaimed as she began bouncing around.
Fluttershy found herself in one corner of the hall, eating a very tasty seaweed cake.
"Fluttershy?" Twilight's voice emerged from the sea of ponies. She looked tired as she approached.
"You okay?"
The yellow pony nodded. "I'm fine, thanks for asking, Twilight."
A school of sea ponies passed by the two. "Tritona is so amazing!" One said. "I never want to leave!" Another said. "What about you?" The school stopped right in front of Fluttershy. Each had a huge grin as they crowded the pegasus. Fluttershy whimpered. "I...I actually don't like it here."
The crowd grew silent. The entire hall was literally quiet as Fluttershy was put on the spot.
"You...don't like it here?" One sea pony asked. Others began whispering and murmuring all over the room, making Fluttershy feel uncomfortable. Some gave looks of disgust, while others whispered.
"Maybe she should just leave."
Rainbow Dash flew in soon after. "Hey! Stop crowding my friend! She gets nervous when pests swarm her!" The party returned to life a few seconds later, although sea ponies would glance at Fluttershy whenever possible.
The blue pegasus turned to Fluttershy. "Be careful," She warned. "These weirdos don't know how cool it is above water. The open skies, the clouds, the grass...Being bottled up down here isn't good."
I just want to fly away from here, away from all of the problems...
Soon enough, the party came to a close as night crept up through the bottom of the ocean. The ponies returned to their air pocket and prepared for their journey.
"Are you sure we can't stay longer?" Rarity asked the others.
"We hafta' keep movin'." Applejack replied. "Don't you want to help Equestria?"
"Why, of course I do! But...It's so nice down here! Why couldn't I have been born a sea pony!?" Rarity whined.
Over by the corner of the room, Fluttershy looked out a window. The ocean was just as calm at night as it was during the day, except there was something much more...lonely about it. The sea ponies lived in this extravagant kingdom, protected by the dome...but, they are still alone. Alone not only because they cannot leave the ocean, but also because they refuse to make contact with the outside world. Sure, they'll happily accept anypony who stops to visit, but they'd rather not take on the problems of the outside world.
Alone...
*********
The next morning, the ponies were treated to a splendid breakfast. Not much talking happened during the event, and the king was too busy to attend. Each pony was given a saddlebag and some supplies for the journey. Rarity's dresses were neatly folded into each respective saddlebag. Durango was given a giant knapsack to store even more supplies.
When it finally came time to depart, King Typhoon had returned from his royal business. "Tidal Wave and I will see you off to the edge of the ocean. There, you'll end up on a beach in the land of the Griffons. From there, I'm sure you can find where you need to go."
Fluttershy and the others soon departed the brilliant kingdom. King Typhoon brought a few of his guards with him for precaution. She took one last look at the place. It looked as lonely as ever - the lights emitting from the kingdom soon faded away into the vast darkness that surrounded it. The journey out of the kingdom was just as peaceful as the journey into it. Schools of fish swam above the ponies' heads.
The journey was long; they were, after all, crossing the entire ocean. Rainbow pointed this out when she stopped to address the king. "This is taking forever! Isn't there a faster way to get there?"
The king smiled as he stopped as well. They were in a small valley surrounded by underwater mountains. In the center was a small geyser. Small bubbles came up from the geyser and floated up into a small white current above. The geyser itself was angled such that it did not point straight up.
"Now, watch closely! Tidal Wave, would you care to be first?"
"Sure thing!" the sea pony chirped as she jumped right into the geyser. Fluttershy squeaked as the sea pony disappeared.
"Oh my!"
"Wait for it..." The king said to himself. Sure enough, the geyser spit the sea pony right out. Like a bullet, Tidal Wave flew right into the stream, which proceeded to shoot her even faster through the current. The ponies were all impressed.
"You have to be moving fast enough into the current in order for it to take you as fast as you want to go." The king said.
Rainbow Dash looked at the stream and simply said, "That. Was. Awesome! I want to try!" The pegasus immediately plunged into the geyser. The sea pony bubbles were strong enough to withstand the force of the geyser, so Rainbow didn't have to worry about not being able to breathe. The geyser shot the pony into the air and she flew right through the current. Rainbow took a moment to position herself so she could "fly" through the current. "This is the coolest thing ever! Maybe I can do an underwater sonic rainboom!" She yelled.
The ponies each took a turn to enter the current. The fillies had a lot of fun with it, as did Pinkie Pie. Rarity was scared at first, but she in turn loved it as well. Durango had trouble fitting in the geyser, but he made it as well.
Fluttershy was the remaining pony. King Typhoon looked at her. "Are you ready to go too?"
The pegasus nodded. "Will you be coming right after?" She asked.
"We'll be right behind you." He reassured.
Fluttershy gulped before looking down into the geyser. It seemed to peaceful with the bubbles coming out of it. She closed her eyes and walked right in.
The inside of the geyser was dark. Fluttershy couldn't see a thing. After a few seconds, she felt the pressure begin to build up. Before she knew it, she was shot out of the geyser. Fluttershy screamed as she entered the current, then soon began to start laughing. She had never done anything so...fun before! "Woooo!" She said in a loud, yet still quiet voice as she zoomed through the ocean.
Fluttershy saw the whole ocean in a new light. As she zoomed by, she saw the many colorful plants and ocean life. They swam alongside the current as well as inside. Even though she was in a bubble, she felt that she was one with the ocean at that point.
Eventually the current emptied out into another small valley. Something that looked like a mountain stood on the far end. Fluttershy met the others who had already traveled through the current.
"That. Was. Awesome!" Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash said to each other. The yellow pony blushed as she regained herself. The others laughed.
King Typhoon and his guards eventually made it through the current. "I take it you enjoyed your ride?" He asked the ponies.
"Now, just travel up the mountain there and you'll reach the griffon land. I cannot help you any further from here. Good luck, my little ponies!" He said before turning to the dragons. "...And dragons!" The king chuckled.
Pinkie Pie and Tidal wave both cried as they knew they may never see each other again. "It's been fun!" Pinkie Pie said with a snivel. Tears began to fill the bubble up, but Tidal Wave blew another bubble to fix this.
"Now, let's get going." Twilight said calmly to her group. They had enough supplies to last them for a while, so they were not worried about anything at all.
The journey up the mountain was not hard. The only problem was that the bubbles were very slippery and it took a while for the ponies to get used to walking uphill with them. At a certain point, it was impossible for them to continue with the bubbles.
"I guess we have to pop these." Rainbow Dash said to the group. She was the first to pop her bubble after holding her breath. From there, she quickly swam to the surface. Durango did the same.
Twilight stayed behind to make sure the others all got up safely, especially the fillies and spike. Rarity and Applejack helped their sisters while Twilight assisted Scootaloo. Fluttershy made her way up afterwards.
Upon reaching the surface, Fluttershy felt very different. It was probably because of the time they had spent underwater. The pegasus made her way to the shore. The others were there now: Rainbow was busy racing Durango in the sky, relieved to finally be free. The fillies had begun working on a sandcastle. It looked similar to Tritona.
When the group had all rejoined again, Twilight spoke up. "So, where are these griffons?" She asked.
Rainbow Dash pointed up. The ponies had realized where they were. The beach was a small one, yes, but beyond it were large mountains and cliffs. They pierced the sky with their height. The other ponies looked on in awe.
"I've only been here once before with Gilda," Rainbow Dash said. "But, I think I remember where her village is."
"Pardon," Applejack spoke up. "But how are us non-fliers gonna get up there?"
Without a word, Durango picked up Rarity and Applejack. The fillies and spike jumped on the backs of the winged ponies. They all followed Rainbow Dash as they flew into the sky.