“Rainbow, are you okay?!” Twilight fluttered speedily around the wet-soaked mare. “Omigosh! Rainbow, that was amazing!”
“Ngrnngh...” Rainbow struggled to sit up. As Sinrar reached in, she reached a hoof out from behind the Shard piece and grabbed his fetlock. “Of all the ponies, girl, I'd expect the right A-word from you.”
“Pardon?” Sinrar remarked.
“Not you. Miss You.” Rainbow glanced aside at Twilight. “See? We got things done without anyone having to get hurt after all.”
“Well, I know you didn't stab him in the eye, but is really okay?” Twilight remarked.
Before Rainbow could respond, Nick chanted: “Look!”
Everypony on board the Swan Song spun to look beyond the stern.
The mass shape of Ultimo lingered just beneath the waves. A pronounced tail swung back and forth, but the creature remained noticeably dormant. Even its fins had lost their sporadic vigor.
“What in blazes is he just waiting around for?” Sinrar grumbled. “Did you pull out part of his brain, harpy?”
“No... or maybe... yes.” Rainbow's lips pursed as she squinted at the beast. “The creature didn't bother stalking this Atoll until it took a bite out of the Shard, right?”
“Probably got possessed by her Frostiness,” Sinrar said, nostrils flaring.
“There's only one way to find out. Here, Romeoats.” She thrust the Shard piece into Nick's chest. “Hold this for a sec.”
“Ooomf!” The shaved stallion awkwardly grasped the enchanted object. He looked up while Rainbow Dash trotted towards the ship's edge.
“Rainbow,” Twilight muttered, floating closely alongside the mare. “There's no guarantee he'll understand our words.”
“Well, he doesn't seem to understand spears very well, so what could it hurt?” Rainbow cleared her throat, then leaned over the edge. “Hey. Dude. Fish dude.”
The fins shifted ever so slightly. The weight of the serpent dipped and rose. The snout cocked to the side and a beady eye broke the water.
“You don't eat ponies. You don't eat seagulls. So... like... why's a group of islands so important to you, huh?”
Again, a fin or two splashed at the waters. A series of spines retracted along the creature's back.
“That piece of the Shard is out of you. So chances are you've got a clear head. So listen to me carefully.” Rainbow's brow furrowed and she spoke firmly. “You're free now. You've got nothing anchoring you here anymore. So... go on vacation or something, alright? I'm sure there are plenty of sexy giant eel chicks out there in the depths for you to spawn with. So... uhhh... show's over.”
The eye blinked, glinting with moisture and dumb curiosity.
“Look, do I gotta go shoving my hooves down your throat again?!” Rainbow hollered, teeth showing. “Get out of here, Ultimo! Scram! And take your teeth with you!”
Just then, a deep bass roar undulated through the waters. The spines of the beast stuck up and retracted once more. With a few lasting bursts of vibrating organs, the beast dove under the Swan Song, curved around, and lazily swam its way west. It soon became a writhing shadow that drew further and further towards the bright blue horizon.
“And you're welcome!” Rainbow grunted, slicking her wet mane back. “Oversized melon fudge...”
Twilight smiled at her. “Not exactly the same touch that Fluttershy has, but looks like you got the job done.”
“Yeah, well, not all sea serpents can be calmed with a fake mustache.”
“Actually, that was Rarity, but...” Twilight giggled. “I'll forgive you this one time.”
“I can't believe it...” Nick stammered, gawking at the giant beast as it swam towards the oceanic vanishing point. “That did it! He's gone!” He grinned. “Everypony's free to sail where they please!” He spun about. “Doctor Mane. Please tell us you got that on camera!” Silence. He blinked. “Doctor Mane?”
Theanim Mane was staring wide-eyed at the frosted chunk in Nick's hooves. His lips moved as he exhaled a series of ritualistic prayers.
“Uhhh...” Nick cocked his head aside. “Doc?”
“A piece of the Queen's glory...” Theanim murmured. His goggles turned foggy as his eyes moistened. “A frost that does not melt. Ever.”
“Oh great...” Sinrar rolled his eyes. “And he's a paperweight again.”
“Now that that's over,” Rainbow said, still shaking her legs dry. “Now for the real funky part.” She looked at the others. “We gotta get this thing back to where it belongs.”
“And then what?” Nick asked, hoofing the shard piece back to Rainbow.
“Hmmm...” Rainbow held the pale object in her hooves. “Good question.” She stared at the polished surfaces and the endless mist pouring magically off the thing. “Usually, at a moment such as this, I simply wing it. But it looks like now I'll have to flipper it.”
“The local yahoos can help,” Sinrar said.
“Yes. Absolutely.” Theanim nodded, collecting his senses. “Surely the Nealenders will know how to treat such a holy artifact with zeal and reverance.”
“Works for me!” Rainbow lazily tossed the chunk into a rattling bucket. CLANG!
“Gkkk—!” Theanim flinched, eyes bulging.
“Nick!” Rainbow trotted past him until she perched heroically on the Swan Song's bow. “Take us back to the Atoll!”
Nick smiled, saluting. “Aye, Captain Dash!” He sped over to the ship's rudder.
Theanim slumped into the cabin entrance, cradling his camera with a shuddering breath. “Verlaxion spare us all...”
The Nealend shore was on fire with cheers and whooping chants. When the Swan Song finally arrived in the shallow surf, it was as if the Queen of Rohbredden herself was visiting.
“What a fine day!” Silver hollered, grinning wide. “Bloody but without blood!”
“A warrior who uses her body instead of a spear!” Sora squinted. “How did you do that?”
“I... uh...” Rainbow Dash casually scratched the back of her neck as she smirked at all of the cheering villagers and their guests. “I took a left at his uvula and hit the brakes a block from his tonsils.”
“Oh Great Goddess Verlaxion!” Flare flew up, grinning wide. “You're such a brave, brave hero!” She soared straight for the boat.
“Ehhh, it was nothing—” Rainbow braced herself.
Fwooosh! Flare rocketed past her and pounced on Nick.
“Whoah!” WHUMP! Nick enjoyed a muzzle full of Flare, followed by a full-feathered hug.
“I'm so proud of you! Heehee! My melt beau!”
“Preach it to oceans, why don'tcha!” Nick wheezed, nevertheless hugging her back as well as his noodly limbs could.
Sinrar rolled his eyes and said, “We've got the piece of the Shard.”
“Do you, now?” Kaji remarked, flying close to Rainbow's side of the boat. “Brilliant! We were getting bored of fishing in the lagoon without a whirlpool!”
“That's it?!” Twilight scoffed. “They're not upset about Ultimo being gone?”
“Uhhhh...” Rainbow struggled to speak above the continued cheers and shouts along the shore. “What about the great hunt, y'know?!”
“Eh...” Kaji shrugged. “There's plenty of fish in the sea. And if we get sick of chasing sharks, we'll just cannibalize the next visitors that show up!”
“Uhhhhhhhhh—”
“HAH!” Kaji slapped Rainbow's flank. “Silly landwalker! That's a classic one!” He winked. “Eh, don't worry. If we can't spill blood, then there's always melting. Eh, Flare?”
“Mmmmmmmm!” Flare kissed Nick until the stallion's muzzle was blue.
“Right.” Kaji flew off. “I could use a cold dip.”
“Hey wait!” Rainbow waved after him. “The shard—”
“Dr. Mane!” One of the Continentalists shouted from the shore. “Is it true, then?! Is the beast finally gone?”
“As Verlaxion is my witness, yes, my friends.” Theanim nodded, smiling. “Ultimo has left this Atoll for good.” He pointed at his camera. “I even took a snapshot or two of his departure.”
“Oh, praise the Queen!” The Continentalists smiled and hugged one another in joy. “We can finally leave this blasted oven!”
“First thing's first!” Rainbow hollered to the crowd. “We gotta get this piece of the Shard back into the bottom of the Lagoon where it belongs!”
“I suppose you would like help with that, eh, landwalker?” Sora said.
“Yes.” Silver winked. “You didn't exactly have... a lucky time diving there before.”
Rainbow glanced at Twilight, and both ponies smiled with a contented breath. “Thought you'd never ask.”