Chapter 2: "A Vacation Like No Other."
Pararaiha o te matomato.
Maori.
In Equestrian, this translates to "Paradise Of Green." Another name for The Emerald Keyes. Huge, lush jungles, mysterious ancient ruins of a civilization long forgotten, and the best vacation resort in the world, all brought to you by our friends at Cobalt Industries.
At least, that's what it said in the brochures we were given on the boat.
The Emerald Keyes, Tropicana Sea, Cannon Bay Docks, 8:30 am
Me and Dr. Seastone were two caramel and teal colored dots in a huge line of ponies as we walked down to the docks from the boat. I had packed rather light. All I needed were a change of clothes, in case (Celestia forbid) something were to happen to my sundress. Seastone had nearly chastised me for trying to wear my favorite white blouse on a vacation. Even after I had told her it wasn't really a vacation, she still insisted I wear the yellow sundress I saved for when I attend the annual Springtime Picnic at Royal Canterlot University. She, however stuck to her lab coat, stating "I always feel on vacation." (I ignored that, and packed my blouse anyway.)
As long as I still got to wear my Butterfly bowtie, I was fine with wearing the dress. (Though, I thought it would look better as a sort of necklace, which I had no trouble modifying to fit as such.) She had also tried to style my eternally swirly, teal mane into...well, anything but the shape it always took. Sadly, this was all in vain, as the swirliness in my mane is far too much for any genius's understanding to bare. (Especially mine.)
I looked out from the deck of the boat, as in the distance the skyline was graced with the visage of a massive futuristic hotel, that towered even over some mountains we could see close by. Several other smaller but still very high tech looking buildings were seen around it. The Jewel Of The Keyes, Resort. That was where we were staying.
Extremely hard to book. Luckily our rooms had been paid for by the Meir Foundation (After they found out my parents were missing, they wanted to buy me a personal jet to fly out here and get them, but I said we were just planning on taking a ship there and staying at the resort. I honestly think they were challenging me to see who wanted to get my parents back home more. They would have rented out the entire resort had I not strongly declined. The Meir Foundation is a little obsessed with my parents, but they cared. That's all that mattered.)
There were countless other boats and ships that had made port in the busy welcome area that was Cannon Bay. We were still a good ways from the resort, but it wouldn't take long by carriage. Lush, palm trees decorated every corner of the boardwalk, and the roads leading up to the huge manor where Simon...er, Dr. Cobalt lived. Below on the dock, I saw a huge sign baring the signature Cobalt Industries, split atom logo.
"Welcome To The Emerald Keyes! A Vacation Like No Other." I read next to the logo on the sign.
"Here's hoping." Dr. Seastone commented, as she loaded her backpack onto her back. "Lets get to it then!"
The loose fitting, silk cloth of the sundress twirled behind me as we made our way down the docks. The smell of the sea, and the warm breeze of the tropics graced my face as waves crashed against the shores. All around us, ponies were chatting happily about how much fun they were going to have, or how beautiful the island was.
And it was. Very beautiful.
We didn't know much about the case nor any major details, but Simon's Estate seemed like a good place to start. Cannon Bay was the welcome area to the actual island, with the Cobalt Estate a mere few miles up from it, perched on a hill overlooking the ocean.
But before we could do that, Dr. Seastone apparently had other ideas for where we should go first.
"I need a drink." she stated plainly.
I looked at her. "Seriously? We only just got here, and you want to drink, already?"
She smiled as she said "Yep." she said simply. "It's been a long trip, and it's against my better judgement to sample any drink they serve on a cruise ship, with a name like "The Salty Fish."
We both nearly gagged at the thought. "Ugh. Good point."
And so our first destination was a small juice bar that had been set up on the boardwalk just opposite of the docks. A colorful little hut known as "Juicy Joe's Juice." As we went up to, whom I presume was Juicy Joe waiting behind the counter, I took a seat at the bar with my friend. When asked if I wanted anything, I of course chose a small lemon water, much to Dr. Seastone's disappointment. But she smiled anyway as we enjoyed the drinks that were brought to us.
As I sipped my lemon water, I suddenly felt eyes on the back of my head. I turned around, but saw nothing but a few tourists, who were busy looking at the scenery rather then at me. I turned back to see a cheery face staring at me from the side.
I yelled out as I nearly fell of my chair. But the sweet looking mare who the face belonged to, quickly caught me by the hooves to keep me from falling. "Oh, sorry about that! It's just well...."
She gave me a searching look, as I did as well. She was a very cheery and brightly colored earth pony mare. With a tangerine coat, an elegant and well layered ocean blue mane and a palm tree with a gentle wind swirl for a cutie mark. A large tropical pink bloom adorned her mane, beautifully. The smile never left her face, as she suddenly wrapped me in a tight hug. "Oh, Meir, it's just so good to see you again!" she said happily. Her voice was sweet and high pitched, like that of an adorable filly. She was exactly as I remembered her.
I laughed as I hugged her back. "It's good to see you again too, Tropical Breeze."
"It's been too long, Meir! We have to catch up over at the manor, so much has changed since you and your father-"
She stopped short, as her smile wavered a bit. "I'm sorry. When...me and Simon found out what had happened to your parents, Meir, I sent word back to Equestria immediately!" The sweet mare said, taking my hooves in hers.
I had known Tropical Breeze when I was a filly. She always played with me, talked to me about her trips to other exotic places, showed me her vast collection of butterfly paintings, and was more or less like a big sister to me, while I was on the island with my dad. Looking at her now, she didn't seem to have grown up much. She was only a few years older then I was, yet had the personality of hyperactive filly at Hearths Warming. I hated to see her worried, like this.
"Its alright, Breezie. We'll find them don't worry." I assured her.
Breezie suddenly laughed. "Of course we'll find them, silly! You're here! The Smartest Pony In The World!" she exclaimed.
My cheeks reddened as I tried to keep focused on the conversation we were having. But Dr. Seastone smiling and nodding from her seat at the juice bar, didn't help much.
"Anyways..." I said, trying desperately to get the case back into mind. "Would you mind if I ask you about their disappearance? What they were doing when they went missing, and about the project them and Dr. Cobalt were working on?" I asked, as Dr. Seastone came over to join us.
"Oh, Simon can tell you all about that. He's the genius after all!" Breezie exclaimed cheerfully. "C'mon lets head up to the manor, and we can all work to crack this case together!"
I smiled. "Sounds great, thank you Breezie."
Dr. Seastone handed Juicy Joe a few bits for the drinks, and hopped of her seat. "I get to meet another fellow genius? Awesome! I can't wait to argue extensively with him about how my theories trump his own." she joked.
At least...I had thought she was joking.
Tropical Breeze smiled back as she led us out of the crowded boardwalk area to a small, very high tech looking carriage of some kind. Obviously another invention of the brilliant Dr. Cobalt. If there was anything to be said, about the stallion, he was absolutely a genius. A visionary, and my idol as a filly. He inspired a great many brilliant minds with his inventions and many award winning theories. I could see why he and my father were such good friends.
But as we climbed into that sleek, silvery white vehicle. Even as we were carried on the long dirt roads that spread across the island like a bundle of snakes, and even as we made our way past thick jungles and up the long winding road to the massive gleaming gates of the futuristic, clockwork mansion of the genius behind The Emerald Keyes.....
I couldn't hide the fact that I felt like there was something very sinister going on in paradise.
I had no idea, just how sinister things would soon become.