When Shining opened his eyes he saw that a small bubble of air surrounded his head, thus making it possible for the stallion to breath underwater. A quick glance around the murky darkness revealed that the same had been applied to all of his friends.
"That was some good thinking on your part, Shining," Soarin sincerely praised. "Sometimes I don't know where we'd be without your quick wit."
"But I didn't cast any kind of underwater breathing spells." Shining protested.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Spike was the first to ask the obvious. "But if you didn't... then who did?"
All of a sudden a brilliant, glowing orb of some sort appeared and the group was stricken with fright. "That would be me," The orb replied in a tone of voice that sounded distinctively female and bubbly. "Friend or foe you don't deserve to drown."
"Then what was with that whirlpool earlier?!" Soarin complained.
"Sorry, forceful habit," The voice answered in a sincere tone of voice. "But now you're on my turf."
"Who are you?" Shining questioned.
The voice only answered. "Sorry, Mother says I'm not supposed to speak to strangers."
Braeburn tried not to snicker as he commented in reply. "But ain't that what you're doin' now?"
In a more serious tone, the voice retorted. "Okay, okay, you got me on that one. But, how do I know I can trust you? We don't get many visitors down here."
"We're being pursued by Commander Tempest of the Storm King's army," Shining explained. "And we're trying to find Queen Novo of the hippogriffs."
For a moment the voice inside the orb was silent. But then in a blinding flash it revealed its true form to the stallions and dragon. It appeared to be a seapony, judging by the fins and the huge tail. Her coat was a yellowish gray in color, her hair, fins, and tail a light arctic blue. And her eyes seemed to be an innocent brilliant cyan in color. Not to mention the red around her neck that also extended to what looked like a pair of wings. "So you're on the run from the Storm King too?! Well why didn't you just say so?!" The seapony laughed. "Come on, I know just the seapony who can help you!"
"Well I'll be darned, seaponies do exist," Fancy Pants commented. "All this time I assumed they were just a legend."
"Oh we're real alright!" The seapony laughed. "The name's Princess Skystar. But there'll be plenty of time for hellos later. Right now, I need to be getting back to my home," She then eagerly exclaimed. "Oh, just wait until Mother sees you! She's gonna freak!"
Princess Skystar led her new friends through a series of underwater caves, until at last they swam upon what looked like an underwater city. It was a little hard to tell since everything was so dark and dreary. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Seaquestria!" Skystar happily exclaimed. "It's not much, but home's still home no matter where you are."
The group swam up through a small passageway moments later, finding themselves in what appeared to be some kind of throne room. High above the throne rested a sea anemone that appeared to protect some kind of strange, glowing object. And on the throne itself rested another seapony, this one much taller than Princess Skystar. She boasted a coat of light fuschsiaish gray, flippers with blueish-gray on the tips, hair (and a tail) a two toned purple in color, and strong magenta eyes that looked anything but happy. "Princess Skystar!" The seapony spoke in a stern tone of voice as she got off her throne. "What is the meaning of this?! Haven't I specifically told you not to bring outsiders into our kingdom?!" Then she gave a shout. "Guards! Seize these intruders at once!"
Several seaponies with spears quickly materialized, surrounding the group on all sides. No one dared to say a word.
Princess Skystar quickly defused the tensions. "It's okay, Mother. These guys are friendly. They said they're fleeing from the Storm King, just like we did."
"Wait a minute, you've encountered the Storm King before?" Shining questioned. "Does that have anything to do with how you know Queen Novo of the hippogriffs?"
The elder seapony laughed. "Honey, I am Queen Novo! And I am, or at least I was the queen of the hippogriffs. A long long time ago."
Shining's eyes lit up like stars in the night sky as he swam over to the queen! "Oh you don't know how glad I am to finally meet you!" Then he bowed his head as best he could. "The name is Shining Armor, the Prince of Friendship and the Crystal Empire. I also happen to be captain of Equestria's royal guard," Then he pointed a hoof. "And these are my friends, Big Macintosh, Braeburn, Soarin, Thunderlane, Fancy Pants, and my adopted nephew Spike." His friends all waved back at Queen Novo but refused to move for fear her guards might retaliate.
"A prince, huh? Well this is certainly news to me," Queen Novo commented. "But then, when you've been underwater for as long as I have news doesn't exactly travel fast. But why, may I ask, do you seek out my help specifically? Who sent you?"
"Princess Celestia was planning to send her sister, Princess Luna. But I don't think either of them knew you were actually a seapony," Shining explained. "I come here specifically to request your help. Equestria's capital city, Canterlot, has been attacked by the Storm King's forces and has fallen, as have the princesses. We have no other allies we can contact."
Novo listened intently to the entire conversation, her eyes scanning the prince for any hint of deceit. She couldn't detect any such traces, it appeared that her guest was speaking the truth. "Most unfortunate that you would be targetted by the Storm King. I must say I'm quite surprised he would send a pony of all creatures to hunt you down. The Storm King I knew would've done the dirty deed himself."
"It sounds like you have a history with the Storm King, whoever he is," Soarin commented in observation. "Does he have anything to do with Mount Aris and why it looked so abandoned?"
Novo bit her lip as her body language became cold and defensive. The queen appeared to suddenly clam up and refuse to speak. "I... can't tell you that." Was all she managed to force out.
"Then let me tell the story, Mother! I've heard it a million times since the day I was born!" Skystar eagerly protested. And then without waiting for permission she swam over to some panels and started to narrate. "A long long time ago, like before any of you were born, the hippogriffs lived in peace on Mount Aris," The first panel depicted hippogriffs going about their daily lives with smiles on their faces. The princess swam over to the next panel, which depicted a giant, bi-pedal centaur like creature attacking Mount Aris as frightened hippogriffs ran in every direction. "But then one day, the evil Storm King showed up and laid waste to the entire kingdom. He wanted the hippogriffs' unique magical abilities and powers, and was determined to drive them to extinction if they refused to give it up," The next panel showed the hippogriffs turning into seaponies as they attempted to escape the Storm King's wrath. "So the hippogriffs that managed to survive turned into seaponies and fled underwater. As it turns out the Storm King can't swim, so as long as the seaponies remained underwater they would be safe. So you see, guys?! We are or at least were the hippogriffs!"
Big Macintosh was the first to speak up when the story was done. "So let me get this straight. Ya'll turned yourselves into seaponies, just so you could flee and hide? And ya never turned back into hippogriffs after the Storm King went away?"
"Oh we did, but the second we did so the Storm King returned and we had to flee again," Queen Novo coldly explained. "It was then that I realized that we had to stay underwater if we were to survive. To remain on land would be to allow the Storm King to wipe us from existence all together. I did what I had to do to protect my subjects."
"Um, if you don't mind us asking, how did you transform into seaponies anyway?" Thunderlane asked the queen.
Novo responded by swimming over to the anemone that rested above her throne and lightly tapping on it with a fin. The anemone opened up, revealing a pearl that glistened brightly as a mysterious energy seemed to flow within it. "With this," The queen answered. "This is the Pearl of Transformation. I could tell you how it works, but I think it's better if you witness its power for yourself," She grasped the pearl in her fins and aimed it at the group as she instructed. "This is gonna feel incredibly funny but please hold still, the transformation process shouldn't take more than a minute."
All seven members reluctantly obeyed and held still as the pearl was opened up and the glowing magical aura within it flowed out to them. One by one they were transformed into seaponies, complete with fins replacing their front hooves and a tail replacing their back hooves. Their cutie marks moved from their flanks to their lower body area, resting firmly on their sides (except for Spike who didn't have a cutie mark).
"Whoa! This is... incredible!" Braeburn declared as he swam about in his new form. "Come on, guys, the water's great!"
Everyone swam about for a moment, getting used to their new forms. Even Shining found himself fascinated by the pearl and its magical properties. "With the Pearl of Transformation we could easily outwit the Storm King and defeat him!" He declared.
Novo wasn't so convinced, she clutched the pearl tightly in her fins. "Or more likely, it could end up falling into his greedy clutches. Which is the last thing ANYONE needs."
"But your majesty, you don't understand! We came all this way out here specifically to get help from you!" The prince protested and pleaded. "That pearl is just the thing we need to tip the scales in our favor, pardon the pun. Would you really condemn us to suffer just because of your own cowardice?!"
Novo only tightened her grip on the pearl in response and angrily retorted. "I am hardly a coward if I choose to put the safety of my subjects ahead of the reckless desires of someone like you! You've never tangled with the Storm King before, I have! The Storm King isn't like any threat you've ever dealt with, he is merciless and vicious! He'll stop at nothing in pursuit of his power! And I cannot and will not risk the possibility of him getting what he's always desired!"
"But we're only being pursued by Commander Tempest," Spike protested. "Surely we could just use the pearl to fend her off and restore the princesses to power, right?"
Novo shook her head. "Even if such a thing were possible, the possibilities are just as high that in your quest to defeat Tempest you would leave the pearl unprotected. And what do you think would happen then?" She then replied. "I'm sorry, but the Pearl of Transformation is too dangerous to be used in battle! If it ever fell into the Storm King's hands, there is no place were we could be safe from his wrath. It's unfortunate that you came all this way just to be disappointed, but as Queen of Seaquestria I have to think about the well being of my subjects first. If you like, you're welcome to stay down here and maybe I could see about lending some of my more capable soldiers. But the Pearl of Transformation is strictly off the table no matter what!" The queen returned the pearl to the anemone from which it came and then she stretched her fins as she declared. "Now if you'll excuse me, it's time for my seaweed wrap."
Princess Skystar, meanwhile, commented to the group. "Don't mind Mother, she'll come around in time," She then held up two shells with googly eyes and painted faces. "Shelly and Sheldon and I were hoping you might stay. There's so much we can do together. We could make necklaces out of shells, and picture frames out of shells, and decorative wastebaskets out of shells," Then she sighed and hung her head. "But I understand you guys probably have more important places to be, so I won't bother you." And then she left the throne room just moments after her mother had done the same.
Just like that the stallions (and dragon) were alone in the throne room and without a clue as to what to do next.
"So that's it then? We came all this way out here for nothing?" Fancy Pants commented. "This can't be how it ends. there must be something we can think of."
"If only there was some way to convince Queen Novo to trust us," Shining pondered with a sigh. "But how?"
"Well I'm sure you'll think of something," Soarin encouraged his friend. "You always seem to have an answer for when we need it most."
"Maybe while you think of it, we should go check on Skystar?" Braeburn suggested. "Seems like she could really use a friend or two. Bet it gets pretty lonely down here."
Big Macintosh shook his head. "Cousin, this ain't the time to be playin' games and singin' songs. This is serious."
But all of a sudden an idea came to Shining's mind. A most unusual and quite risky idea, but one that if it worked would hopefully solve their problem. "Actually, I think Braeburn might be right," He suggested. "Skystar is Novo's daughter after all, and if we're nice to her she might be able to put in a good word for us with her mother. And Braeburn, considering how much time you've spent with Pinkie Pie, I can't think anyone more qualified than you to squeeze a lifetime of fun into just a few minutes."
Braeburn tried not to blush at his friend's compliment. "What about you, Shinin'? You gonna tag along?"
The prince tried not to look guilty. He knew that in order for his plan to work he would need all of his friends to be otherwise occupied. "No. I will stay behind."
"Oh I see, it's part of your plan isn't it?" Thunderlane asked to which Shining nodded. "Well that's alright, I'm sure it's very important. You've never steered us wrong before."
"Yeah!" Soarin eagerly chimed in. "Just leave Princess Skystar to us and you do what you have to. See you in a few!" And then he and the rest of the guys all swam off to look for Skystar.
Now alone in the throne room, Shining sighed and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry guys," He glumly commented even though he knew no one was around to hear him. "I wish there was some other way to do this. But I see no other way."
The song and dance had worked better than anyone had expected, even Queen Novo seemed to be impressed. Her mood had changed from cold and distant to warm and friendly. "You know, I think there is one small thing we could do for our guests... no, our friends." She declared.
Everyone smiled happily, it looked like everything was going to work out just fine after all.
But then suddenly the happy silence was broken by the shrill cry of an alarm. And accompanying the alarm was a constant red flash.
Novo immediately swam to the throne room and everyone else followed. Novo let out a gasp at the sight that greeted her eyes!
There was Shining all tangled up in the anemone's tentacles, the exposed Pearl of Transformation just out of his grasp! He struggled in vain to break free of his prison.
Novo's mood immediately soured and she seized the Pearl of Transformation and held it close! "I don't believe it! After all that, you were merely using that little number as a distraction so that you could swipe the Pearl of Transformation for yourself!" She angrily scolded.
"No," Shining groaned as the anemone's tentacles prevented him from moving. "I never meant to steal it, I only wanted to study it. Learn how it worked. I was going to give it back, I swear."
Queen Novo was not convinced. "You expect me to believe that?! You come into my kingdom and like a fool I greeted you warmly and treated you with kindness! But all along your intentions were selfish and self-centered! Princess Celestia never would've done such a thing," Then she turned to Princess Skystar and scolded. "Skystar, this is exactly why we don't bring outsiders into our kingdom in the first place."
"But Mother-" Skystar began.
"Don't you 'But Mother' me young lady!" Novo snapped. "None of this would've happened had you obeyed my orders and not gone up to the surface!" Then she turned back to Shining Armor and his friends. "You've given me no choice. I hereby banish you from Seaquestria AND Mount Aris! If you ever set even one hoof, fin, or other extremity on my kingdom again, I will show you no mercy!"
"Please, your majesty," Shining desperately pleaded. "I know you're very upset right now, and you have every right to be mad with me. But don't take it out on my friends, they were no part of this. They had no idea I planned to do any of this. Banish me if you must, but leave my friends alone. I beg of you."
"You say that, and yet you don't deny that having your friends charm the fins off my daughter was part of your plan?" Novo questioned to which the prince reluctantly nodded. "Then they are just as guilty in this as you are and shall be punished accordingly." She then held out the Pearl of Transformation.
"Wait!" Shining protested to the queen. "Before you reverse the transformation, you need to know that we can't breath underwater! Would you really condemn us to drown just because of this?! Even your daughter was not that cruel."
"You have a point there," Novo reluctantly agreed and clapped her fins together. Air bubbles surrounded Shining and his friends a moment later. "Be lucky I let you have that," She declared as she held out the Pearl of Transformation. "Now, by the power invested in me as queen of the seaponies, I hereby revoke your seapony status!" The pearl's aura quickly surrounded the stallions (and dragon) turning them back to normal. Then they were promptly whisked back up to the surface by a raging current.
Skystar could only look down in despair. "The first friends I ever made down here, and they turned out to be traitors. Maybe my mother was right all along." She thought.