//------------------------------// // Say Hello To My Invisible Friends // Story: Ynanhluutr // by Imploding Colon //------------------------------// “We're entering shallow waters,” Rarity said. Rainbow Dash stifled a yawn and looked across the deck. “Huh?” The ghostly unicorn hovered over the sea within range of the pegasus and the Midnight Dreary. The sun was setting, casting a ruby sheen across the watery world. “I've been concentrating very hard. Getting into a 'zen,' as t'were. Much like my old inspiration sessions at the Boutique.” “'Kayyy...” Rainbow squinted “Just what has that got to do with shallow waters?” “What I'm trying to tell you is that the ocean floor has risen,” the unicorn said. “But there aren't any islands in sight, Rarity,” Twilight said. “Trust me,” Rarity remarked. “I can sense it. Just like the stones.” “But the ocean's floor has nothing to do with rubies or gemstones or—” Rainbow stopped, for she felt a drift in momentum. She looked towards the center of the Midnight Dreary. “Uhm... what's up, doc?” “Hmmm?” Theanim Mane glanced over from where he gripped the rudder wheel. “Is it time to switch hooves yet? It's not even nightfall.” “No, I mean... why'd you slow down just now?” “Oh. Just a precautionary measure.” Theanim smiled. “We're entering the Lukewarm Stream. The waters here are shallow. We could expect more coral reefs, so be sure to ignite the torchlights along the front bow before you take your shift.” “See?!” Rarity beamed. “I knew there was more to this... this fluttering!” Rainbow's jaw dropped. “How... did you know that?” “Hmmm?” Theanim blinked. “Oh. Well... simple experience, my dear. All after I had an unfortunate run-in with a series of jagged shoals on my first midnight cruise. Eheheh...” “No, I mean...” Rainbow winced. “Never mind.” “Ohhhhh... I see.” Theanim smiled. “Another conversation that I'm not destined to be part of.” Rainbow bit her lip, avoiding her gaze. “Mmmmm...” “You know, if I recall correctly, there was only one form of payment I expected in exchange for your passage.” He arched an eyebrow. “He's right, Rainbow,” Twilight remarked. “After all, I'd say by now that you owe him.” “We owe him,” Rarity stated. “Look...” Rainbow leaned towards the spectres, sneering. “It's hard enough as it is with the other melon fudges on this ship threatening to crucify me every friggin' day!” “Am I interrupting an exchange right now?” Theanim chuckled, glancing at the waters ahead. “Verlaxion's Sleet, you're chatty tonight!” “Look, Doc, it's not that I don't want to tell you everything. It's just that—” “—you assume I'm less open-minded than your previous Colonialist peers. Heheh...” He adjusted his goggles over his mane. “I suspect that such is the direct consequence of having met Kihutajans before Rohbeddeners.” He shrugged. “Had you appeared in the east first instead of the west, I suspect you'd be far less trusting of Professor Sinrar and his colt apprentice.” “Nick wasn't his apprentice,” Rainbow said. “And... things aren't that simple.” “That appears to define your nature, doesn't it?” Theanim waved a hoof in the air. “Life lacks a blissful simplicity without the blessings of Verlaxion.” “Almost, but not quite, Doc.” Rainbow bore a tired smile. “Life's complex. I just like to treat it as if it's simple.” “Forgive me if I'm not convinced.” “Just tell him, Rainbow!” Twilight Sparkle said. “He seems pretty receptive of what you've had to share so far!” “But the deeper we go into Verlax's territory, Twi, the less luxury I'll have in sharing!” “Then take advantage of the moment!” Twilight smiled. “You were always the sort of pony to seize the day!” “Except when she was taking her gratuitously long naps,” Rarity droned. “Rarity, you're not helping.” “How about this, Miss Dash...?” Theanim locked the wheel into position and trotted over to her. “You tell me all about this Twilight and the other personality, and I promise not to share with the others.” He smiled. “It'll be our little secret... at least until we depart from Rust for Shoggoth.” “You're a scientist, Doc,” Rainbow droned. “And all I've got is—like—subjective stuff. Even if I wanted you to believe what I've got to share, I don't see how you could possibly be convinced of—” “His second and third rib are metal replacements,” Rarity said. Rainbow gave her a double-take. “His... second and third rib... are made of metal? Huh?” Just like that, Theanim nearly fell over. He leaned against the outside of the cabin for support. “How... h-how on earth did you know...?” “Huh?” Rainbow looked at Theanim. “Know what?” “That... that...” The stallion gulped. “Ten years ago. I was spelunking in the caves of the Upper Wyvern bluffs, searching for archaeological evidence of Pre-Thaw Tribal Communities. I slipped and fell down a polished slope... and my body was severely punctured by a group of dastardly sharp stalagmites.” He shuddered. “I nearly lost my life. However, by the grace of Verlaxion, and some expertly skilled surgeons, I was given a second chance to live and collect data for the Order. I... I don't like to tell ponies because it's never my intention to garner unnecessary sympathy.” His brow furrowed. “So... what could possibly possess you with that knowledge?” “Uhhhhhh...” Rainbow fidgeted. “...a... ghostly apparition of a long-dead dress-making friend?” She smiled crookedly. “...who suddenly has this freaky magnetic radar sense?” Twilight Sparkle giggled. “If it helps make the conversation go any smoother, right now Dr. Sands is using his magic downstairs again!” “Doing what, pray tell?” Rarity asked. “It's a long sea voyage,” Rainbow droned. “What else is the unicorn doing?” “Hmmm?” Theanim cocked his head to the side. “What unicorn?” “Okay... okay...” Rainbow waved his hooves. “Lemme just give it to you straight.” She glared at him. “This trip that I'm on is a super important one, and it's super important for two reaons. One: it's letting me resurrect my long-dead friends so that they can return their harmonious spirits to physical bodies.” “Uh huh...” “Two: it's some ancient supergalactic predestined method for keeping the world as we know it from dying through long-term exposure to chaos.” “... … ...huh.” Theanim blinked. “And... uhm... there are these beacons... beacons located deep within the machine layer of this artificial world that I gotta get to in order to... uh... reboot the system?” Rainbow's muzzle twisted. “And it so happens that fate's carrot-on-a-stick is the chance of bringing back my friends. So far, I've got Twilight Sparkle and Rarity by my side, but I'm still missing three more.” “And... these friends of yours—” “Are here.” “Right now.” Rainbow nodded. “Only... I'm the one mare who can see them.” “And I think Mr. Mane is delightfully handsome,” Rarity cooed. “And Rarity thinks your hot—” Rainbow jolted. “Dang it, Rarity!” Rarity giggled madly, hugging herself. “Unnnngh...” Rainbow face hoofed. “...at least with hallucinated ghosts, I'd go insane temporarily.” “I... I see...” Theanim adjusted his goggles and smirked. “Well, sounds like some quite pleasant company.” “You don't believe a single word I just said, do you?” “It is rather difficult,” Theanim said. “But I find the idea quite enrapturing. And the fact that you... er... Rarity knew of my alteration—” “She also knew about the waters getting shallow,” Rainbow said. “Not sure how...” “Oh, well that would explain things.” Theanim smiled. “And—dare I ask—who does Twilight Sparkle find attractive?” Twilight opened her mouth— “Cover yourself with a bunch of old library books and then she'll talk,” Rainbow said. “Hey!” Twilight pouted, cheeks red. “That's not even close to true!” Rarity giggle-snorted. “It most certainly is, d-darling!” She rolled over laughing, and a chuckling Rainbow Dash soon joined her. “Hmmm...” Theanim leaned back, folding his forelimbs. “So long as you and your friends are enjoying yourselves...”