//------------------------------// // Beginnings // Story: The Mermare // by angelic_song //------------------------------// It was one of those days in Ponyville. The day always started off perfectly, but then something happens and ruined everything. Twilight knew it was going to happen anytime soon so she waited by her door all day. Her friend thought she was absolutely crazy, but stayed with her either way. Hours had passed since Twilight started staring at the castle doors, she was just about to give all the mares the betting money when she heard a knock. “I knew it! You all owe me twenty bits,” Twilight boasted and the girls sighed. She quickly opened the door and it was a shocked what she saw. The two royal sisters were standing at her castle door, a sense of urgency in their eye. “Oh, hello, Twilight I’m glad you’re here we have bad news to share with you,” Celestia said glumly. “Oh, what is it princess?” Twilight asked. Her friend took notice of the royal sister a bowed their heads. “I’ll explain more about it when we get inside,” Twilight hastily moved aside for the princesses. Fluttershy and Rarity thought quickly and went to brew some tea. Twilight went to her room and picked out her best pillows. Once the tea was brewed and the pillows picked Luna began explaining. “Girls, as you know there are only a few official beaches in Equestria. Many which are just like the others, but recently some strange things have been happening at a particular beach,” Luna stopped and picked up her teacup, signally for Celestia to continue. “Yes this beach is Blue Water Beach. A very famous beach with a tropical feel to it. Sadly ponies who go swimming there are being reported missing, and when they are found the won’t breath a word about where they were. It was become a big concern and search teams have been sent out looking for any evidence that might tell us who taking the ponies,” Celestia used her magic a poured herself some more tea letting Luna begin again. “As hard as they searched they couldn’t find a drop of evidence. So right now were asking you if you’ll be able to monitor Blue Water Beach for about the next week or two to see if you can spot the abductors?” Luna asked sipping her cup of tea again. It’s was kind of strange who much the princesses liked tea. “Wait, let me get this straight. You want us to go to one of the best beach in Equestria for a week?” Rainbow Dash asked suspiciously. “Well yes, we need you to keep wat-“ Luna was interrupted by a loud scream. “Heck yeah!” Rainbow yelled. In a flash Rainbow had all her suitcases packed and was standing by the door. “OHMIGOSH! I’ve always wanted to go to that beach! Ponies say there‘s sand and water and shells oh and even coral! I can’t wait!” Pinkie bounced around the living room singing a silly song. “Oh this would be a great opportunity to use my beachwear line,” Rarity pondered. She suddenly had a look of urgency in her eyes. “WAIT A SECOND!” the girls all turned to Rarity. “I promised to CMC that I would let them have a sleep over at the boutique this week. I don’t want to break their little hearts, I’m sorry princess but I am going to have to pass this opportunity today,” the rest of the girls looked disappointed. Luna and Celestia smiled before looking at Rarity again. “Oh no need to panic, Rarity. I thought something like this would happen, so I convinced Celestia to let a few ponies join you on your travels,” Luna smiled a weird smile to her sister which made her blush. Rarity looked overjoyed, like seriously everypony thought that if she smiled any longer her face would crack. Rarity quickly excused herself from the little meeting and headed towards the CMC clubhouse. After Rarity left, Fluttershy excused herself too, saying she needed to tell Angel to mind the animals for a while. The next to leave was Applejack, then Pinkie Pie and finally Rainbow Dash. The three alicorns were left in the castle. Twilight started to make a checklist of what to bring, and the two sister took the teapot and left the castle. ~~~~~~~~~ A few hours later Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity were at the train station. Everypony was there except the CMC. They had been waiting for an hour now and the girls were still not here, two more boring hours passed. Twilight made another checklist, Pinkie Pie and Rarity were playing X’s and O’s, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were having a hoof-wrestling contest, and Fluttershy fell asleep a while ago. After three more hours, the girls finally made their show. “Girls! Do you know how long we were waiting for you? I told you to meet us here at twelve o’clock in the morning, and look at the time it’s six!” Rarity scolded the girls. They all looked confused. “Rarity, you told us to meet you at the station at six. I even have a recording,” Apple Bloom took a tape recorder out from her bow and played it. And sure enough the tape was Rarity saying to them at six, over and over again. Rarity cheeks flared. “Oh umm, did say that, didn’t I?” Rarity smiled sheepishly. The girls sighed and went to go get their tickets. After that they hopped on their train, and sat down for the three hour journey. ~~~~~~~~~ The train was very uneventful. So uneventful that Sweetie Belle actually fell asleep for half the ride. The girls noticed that the closer they got to Blue Water, the hotter the climate became. It was okay weather in Ponyville, but as the train chugged along the skies became clearer and the waves got louder. Finally they reached their destination, Sunny Sand Shores. This was one of the most popular tourist destinations in Equestria. Colourful shops were aligned in rows, each having something unique about each of them. Food vendors had massive lines of ponies waiting to get their fries or hay burgers. Parents were walking along the street with their foal who were eating ice-creams. The smell of salt, seaweed, and food filled everypony lungs. The sun beamed brightly on the little town. Teens and children all were running to the beach, some more clothes than other. Palm trees were in straight rows along the path shading ponies from the bright burning sun. Seagulls were swopping round in the air waiting for a pony to drop bits of food. “Wow, this place is awesome!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. She swopped up into the air to look over the town. “I hear a beach party going!” Pinkie Pie squealed and started to bounce towards the beach. Twilight was quick to wrap her in a magic restrain. “Pinkie Pie, don’t you think we should find a place to stay first?” Twilight reminded her. “Twi’s right. We can’t just sleep on the sand,” the girls all nodded in agreement, and began looking for a hotel to stay in. Beach side, luxurious, tropical and way to expensive was what Twilight thought of the only available hotel around here. “That price is bonkers! Yes the rooms were all underwater, and if you spent more than eighty-seven bits on food you get one night free, but that doesn’t mean you can charge money that would pay all my bills for a year!” Twilight yelled as she walked out of the resort. “Umm, Twilight. I know this sounds weird but couldn’t you just take money out of the royal treasury?” Fluttershy mentioned shyly. Twilight looked her, then looked at the sky, then back at Fluttershy. She smiled and walked back into the resort. After a few minutes of silence Twilight waltzed out. “Celestia, said she will pay for everything,” Twilight announced proudly. Rarity looked at Fluttershy with an expression like she was about to explode. “You know what this mean, Fluttershy?” Fluttershy looked clueless “Shopping!” she grabbed Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle’s hoof and disappeared to Celestia knows where. Rainbow, Pinkie Pie and Applejack excused themselves, saying a party needed to be attended, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom joining them of course. Twilight shrugged and went to join Rarity and Fluttershy with shopping.