Utaan

by Imploding Colon


All Aboard the East Boat

Snowflakes fell on the twisted braids of her mane.

Nevertheless, with solemn diligence, the mare continued drawing water from the half-frozen creek running behind a delapidated warehouse. Two equine bodies waited deep inside the two-story shack atop a stone platform behind her, surrounded by a dense forest of drooping elm trees with twisted trunks bathed in snow. Pitiable bursts of vaporous breaths wafted from the pilgrims' exhausted muzzles as they lingered and languished in silence.

Grunting beneath her breath, the mare filled one bucket... and then the other. She flexed her sore muscles with a sigh, then heaved the wooden yoke of both containers over her flank and turned around.

“Good afternoon, madame,” spoke a stallion with a rich brown mane.

“Guh!” She hobbled back, teetering from the loose weight of her buckets.

“Whoah!” Goggles rattling, Theanim Mane reached forward, grasping her by a fetlock, steadying her. “My goodness! I swear I did not mean to frighten you!” He smiled nervously. “After all... it took me an awful long to get here.” He cleared his throat. “My word... Elm Prefecture, as I live and breathe! Whew! The Consortium truly felt it necessary to isolate the three of you, didn't they?”

She breathed slower... limbs steadying. Then—once her lungs had fully recovered—she bowed her head, glaring at the cracks in the ancient, time-distorted courtyard.

“Again, my apologies for startling you.” He smiled nervously, adjusting the weight of an insulated saddlebag wrapping tightly around his flanks. “And I most certainly have no intention of disturbing this... erm...” He looked around at the crumbling conditions of the age-old town square. “... tranquil sanctuary of yours.”

“Then, by Verlaxion's blessing, you may be swiftly on your way,” the mare muttered. Shouldering her buckets, she trotted towards the exposed structure atop the antique foundation behind them. “I have my fellow brethren to tend to.”

“Mmmm. Yes. But of course.” Theanim cleared his throat, shuffling after her. “Perhaps I can be of assistance in that area.”

“That is kind of you to offer,” she muttered, hobbling up a set of worn stone steps. Her hooves nearly slipped once or twice on a thin layer of frost. “Grfff... But not necessary, sir. We can look after ourselves.”

“Your self-dependence is admirable, my dear lady,” Theanim said. “However, I shudder to notice and proclaim otherwise. If I may be so bold, it would appear as if the Consortium has been less than forthcoming in caretaking for your ailing physique.”

“They've done no more or less than we've humbly requested of them.”

“That's precisely what I was afraid of. Alas, I do believe I can be of much-needed assistance!” He cleared his throat again, trotting up alongside her with a nervous smile. “My name is Professor Theanim Mane of the—”

“I know who you are,” she grunted.

“Oh...?”

“Magistrate Chandler was kind enough to inform my fellow pilgrims and I along the way.”

“...oh.” He clenched his jaw tight. “Well, perhaps it might interest you to know that the esteemed Brye Chandler is not an official Magistrate in the Court's eyes.”

“I'm quite aware of that,” she droned. “As I am also aware that you are endeavoring to defend the mare known as Rainbow Dash, in spite of her many atrocities.”

“Correction.” He raised a hoof. “I am a defender of the truth. But I seek to fully ascertain it before making a firm judgment.” He hopped up a few steps and stood directly in front of her. “That is what brought me here. To speak to you. And—in the interim—to make sure that the three of you are properly nursed to health.” He glanced around at the snowy surroundings, his muzzle scrunched. “From the look of things, that hasn't exactly been on the Consortium's itinerary.”

The mare sighed, balancing the weight of the buckets on her flank. “I know about the truth first-hoof, Professor.”

“Do you, now?”

She nodded gravely. “It sank into the Shadow of Luminar, along with all the other scrolls of Verlaxion's wisdom, lost forever to the Quade.”

He bit his lip.

“We are... forsaken now,” she said, her voice wavering. “Lost children in a lost world. Goddess help us through this Month of Thawing.” She shook her head. “For we most likely will not survive. We certainly don't expect to.”

“Mmmmmm... I see.” He nodded... and then grinned suddenly with bright blue eyes. “Well, then! I'll take those, thank you!” That said, he swiftly hoisted the buckets off her flank.

The mare reeled, blinking. “Erm... Professor—?”

“Oh please...” He hissed slightly from the weight, pivoting the buckets around as he shuffled crookedly up the stone steps. “As if you're one to protest! Mmmff. After all!” A stifled chuckle. “You are forsaken... lost children! Why should... grnnnff... Goddess Verlaxion c-care if you live or die? Might as w-well endure the remainder of your years with... mrmmmff... a modicum of decency! Yes?” He huffed and puffed. “My stars and garters, these are heavy. Is the creek water frozen solid?”

“Uhm...”

“Well, you needn't worry! I've got flint and tinder, my dear mare! What your fellow pilgrims need is some warm water and even warmer food! I'll get a fire going for them—and for you as well!”

“They are meditating,” she muttered... almost growling. “They're concentrating on the pain of hunger and cold so as to connect with their truer, penitent selves!”

“Splendid! Then I shall nurse them back to health so they can suffer again tomorrow!”

“Professor—”

“What's your name again, my dear?”

She sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Sonikah. My inducted name is Sonikah.”

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Sonikah! Allow me to make this a more proper... mrmmfff... substitute monastery for you and your humble companions!”

Lethargically, she trotted up the steps and entered the hollow structure behind the stallion.

“Fear not! I shan't burn this rustic shack down! I've developed a knack for survivalism in recent months! After all... heheh... I've learned from the absolute best!”


“What do you mean we're out of fuel?!” Pinkie Pie sputtered.

“How many other ways do you want me to say it?!” Rainbow Dash grumbled, kicking the motorboat's engine. Clang! “We're out of juice! There's none left! Zippo! Nada!”

“But... but...” Pinkie panted and panted, gawking at the swaying blue ocean surrounding them on all sides. “We can't actually be empty in the tank, can we?”

“I'm afraid so, Pinkie,” Twilight said, her lavender face phasing out of the metal contraption in question. “There's barely a drop left.”

“And each time Rainbow Dash tries priming the device, it only wears out the gears worse and worse,” Rarity said.

“Wow, Rarity.” Fluttershy blinked aside. “I had no idea you were so knowledgeable on boat engines.”

Rarity fluffed her spectral mane. “It's a gift, darling. After all, it's no different than a sewing machine!” She cleared her throat. “Only... with slightly more elbow grease.”

“But how could you have run out so quickly?!” Pinkie cackled. “Of all the salty places you could have gotten yourself stranded! This is by far the saltiest!”

“Mrmmfff...” Rainbow folded her forelimbs, plopping back into her seat. “You're one to talk.”

“She does have a point, Rainbow,” Twilight muttered into the sea breeze. “Couldn't you at least have conserved the fuel better?”

“Hey.” Rainbow shrugged. “It's not like the ocean's current was gonna help us any!”

Rarity pointed at the thick wake still lingering to the west. “You gunned the motor at full speed for over a day!”

“I wanted us to get to Rohbredden fast!” Rainbow snarled. “You remember fast, right? It's more or less my bag!” She pointed at her flank. “I didn't get this cutie mark because I like fruity cereal, y'know!”

“Rainbow...” Fluttershy drifted in close, bearing a ghostly smile. “Please. Nopony wants to get to AJ any more than we do.”

Rainbow Dash hugged herself. She bit her bottom lip.

Fluttershy continued. “But if we want to get to where the Yaerfaerda beacon is currently resting, then we have to go about it the smart way!”

“We obviously can't rely on your wings at the time being!” Rarity said. “So we have to make the best use out of what's available to us!”

“To be fair...” Twilight drifted around the rear of the boat, peering into the empty orange fuel tanks. “...not even Sinrar's maps could have prepared us for just how daunting a trip this would be.” She looked at the others. “My nautical experience is just as miniscule as Rainbow Dash's.”

“You don't saaaaay,” Pinkie remarked, squinting.

“Yes, and—” Twilight blinked. She narrowed her eyes on the pink mare, shrugged it off, then continued. “And there are many momentum-hindering factors we obviously neglected to take in.” She waved her hoof from side to side. “Such as ocean currents. Wind drag. The ebb and flow of tide. And of course, sea brine.”

“Ohhhhhhhhh... Sea brine!” Pinkie grinned from ear to ear. “Can't forget about that! Brine's a female dog!”

“Ughhh...” Rainbow Dash slumped down in her seat, covering her head with her hooves. “Mrmmmff... I'm such a friggin' idiot.”

“Now now, darling, let us not cry over... erm... spilled kelp!” Rarity patted a phasing hoof through Rainbow's shoulder. “You spent the last thirty-six or so hours brute forcing your way to a victory in Red Barge! It's only natural that this latest venture would present itself as an unseemly hurdle!”

“Yeah!” Pinkie nodded. “And I'm certain there are many... many splendiferous ways to get out of this mess!” She gulped, trembling slightly. “I-I hope...”

“Oh yeah...?” Rainbow pulled at her face muscles before lifting her head. “Twilight, I don't suppose you sense Ultimo swimming around the bend once more?”

“Nope.” Twilight shook her head. “But with the day coming to an end, we'll have calmer waters overnight! Perhaps with a little bit of wing propulsion, you could—”

“Uhhhhh...” Rainbow pointed at her bandaged feathers. “...egghead?”

“Oh.” Twilight gazed down at the deck, ears folded. “Right.”

“Maybe...” Fluttershy rubbed her hooves together. “...we can convince some of the sea animals to give us a friendly tug towards shore?”

“Or unfold the fabric from the White Bargers' supply bags and construct a crude sail?” Rarity added with a nervous smile.

“Orrrrrr...” Pinkie peered west, squinting at the plume of smoke on the horizon. “...we could totally ask that steamship full of ponies to give us a lift!”

“Yes!” Rarity nodded, pointing. “What Pinkie said—” Her eyes crossed. “Buh?”

“Whoah. Wait.” Rainbow sat up, head turning. “What?”

“Huh?” Twilight and Fluttershy gazed west.

Rainbow Dash galloped to the stern of the tiny boat, rocking it. Perched along the edge, she shaded her eyes and gazed out at the horizon.

The smoke plume grew more visible, billowing into the air as a paddlewheel-powered vessel drew closer, churning the blue waves with wild abandon. Within seconds, the craft was close enough for the roar of its steam engines to ring in the pegasus' ears. Rainbow could make out three whole stories—built like whitewashed ziggurat platforms on top of one another. The dotted figures of ponies shuffled back and forth across the deck. More than a few of them stood along the starboard side, collectively staring at her and her friends' derelict little motorboat.

“Oh dear... oh dear oh dear oh dear!” Fluttershy trembled, clinging tight to Rarity as her voice came out in higher and higher-pitched squeaks. “They found us! I'm so sorry, Rainbow Dash! We should have tried harder to hide you from sight!”

“Fluttershy, get a hold of yourself.” Rarity cleared her throat, nevertheless patting the delicate pegasus' head. “We still don't precisely know who 'they' are.”

“Do you at least have a read on them?” Twilight asked.

“Uhm...” Fluttershy gulped. “There are easily... twelve... thirteen... fifteen on board?”

“That's a tiny crew for a boat of that size,” Twilight said. “Perhaps they're hauling freight?”

“But just what kind of freight...?” Rainbow glanced aside. “Rarity?”

The unicorn shook her head. “I don't detect any suspicious metals or volatile compounds, darling. But—if I dare say—I sense a lot of lightweight bundles of... something.” Her eyes lit up. “OoOoOoh! Textiles! Could it be?”

“Twilight...?” Rainbow glanced over her other shoulder.

“It's steam-powered, alright,” Twilight said with a nod. “I'm only detecting three tiny bits of mana. If you ask me, it's likely three unicorns... or two unicorns and a simple navigation device.”

“Yeah! And I'm detecting high quantities of pineapple!” Pinkie exclaimed, her left ear twitching... followed immediately by her right ear. “Oooh! With extra lime too! Mmmmm! Scrumptious! Take that, scurvy!”

“Whatever they're out here for... or whatever they may be carrying...” Fluttershy gulped. “They're coming towards us. And fast.”

“Yeah.” Rainbow panted, watching as the ship veered slightly starboard, breaking off course to intercept the motorboat. “I see that.”

“Rainbow...?” Twilight trembled, fiddling her ghostly hooves together. “What should we do?”

“More like what can we do, egghead?” Rainbow glanced around, sweating. “Even if I dove overboard and played dead—it wouldn't matter. They've seen us.”

“They're slowing down!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Pineapple Express ahoy!”

“Time is of the essence, darling!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Rainbow! Careful!” Fluttershy whispered. “Over half the crew has trotted towards their half of the ship to meet us!”

“Right...” Panting, Rainbow Dash looked all around. She saw a metal pole hugging the bottom lip of the boat's outer railing. Desperate, she reached down and tugged... tugged on the thing.

But it was too late. The steam ship coasted to a stop, its engines rumbling quietly while its paddlewheels slowed down to an icy lurch. The displaced water caused Rainbow's boat to dip and sag—but only briefly. Once Rainbow was reacquainted with the sound beyond her throbbing heartbeat, she heard a melodic voice chirping from up above.

“Ahoy! Ahoy there!

Rainbow gnashed her teeth, fussing, fumbling. “Uhhhh...”

“Let me guess!” A mare exclaimed, adjusting a thick black cap on her head as she squinted down at the boat. “Engine trouble?”

“... ... ...” Rainbow squinted up at the heads peering over the deck. “... ... ...yeahhhh...?

“You're an awful long way from Rust or any of the Barges! What, did a private trade ship toss you over board?” The ponies smiled at one another. “You can't be with the Consortium! They dump all their unwanted guests in the harbor!”

The equines laughed merrily in the salty air.

Rainbow blinked. “Uhm...”

“Seriously, though... do you need assistance, ma'am?”

“Err...” Rainbow gulped. She winced slightly. “...maaaaaybe...?”

“Your bow's pointed east. Are you headed to Osmanthus Prefecture? Because we certainly are! Gotta get these fine frocks delivered along the Silt Path in time for Unification Day!” The mare up above squinted, smiling. “Perhaps you could use a lift? You certainly look like you could!”

The ghostly mare stared up, muzzles wide.

“Could it be...” Twilight gulped. “...that these sailors actually don't want to tear us limb from limb like everypony else in the miserable muck?”

“Why, of course they're friendly!” Rarity gasped, waving a hoof. “Didn't you hear them?!” Her voice squeaked as she cupped both hooves to her rosy cheeks. “They're delivering 'fine frocks!'

“Uhhh...” Rainbow Dash raised her voice. “What would you all want in return for my hitching a ride on board your guys' ship?”

The ponies up above blinked at one another. At last, the lead mare shrugged and said, “Nothing more than your fine company as we help you get to Rohbredden! Safe and sound!” She winked. “Would be a shame if even one of Verlaxion's foals missed the Month of Thawing!”

“Errr... yeahhhh...” Rainbow smiled nervously. “Imagine that.”

“Stay put!” The mare exclaimed, waving a hoof. “We'll come about! There's an extra space from when we lost a lifeboat about two storms back! It should be the right size to hoist your vessel!”

“Jee... thanks.” Rainbow gulped. “I really mean it.”

“Hah! Think nothing of it, friend! Oh! The name's Captain Farouche, by the way! What's yours?”

“Oh, I'm—” Rainbow started—only to hear a loud hiss from Pinkie Pie. She looked over, blinking.

Pinkie charaded wings, a pendant, and a spectral mane.

“... ... ...uhhhh...” Rainbow looked across her friends' nervous faces. “... ... ...Rarishy!”

Rarity and Fluttershy blinked. They glanced at one another.

“The name's Rarishy!” Rainbow exclaimed. “And... uhm... thank you ever so kindly...” She spoke out the side of a contorted muzzle. “...dahling.”

“I swear...” Rarity grumbled, folding her forelimbs. “I'm going to pinch her something severe when we're all corporeal again.”

“Hmmmmm...” Twilight smiled, fanning herself. “And I'll watch.”


“Pretty snazzy ship you have here, Cap'n,” Rainbow said, trotting along the middle deck. Starlight glinted off the polished wooden railings. Behind them, the paddlewheels ceaselessly churned water and foam, filling the air with a delightful roar. “Nice and sturdy. Not too big. Not too small either.”

“Aye, she gets the job done,” Farouche said, trotting around to the starboard side. “Granted, we're usually not in this much of a hurry. My apologies for the racket the engine's making.”

“Uhhh... that's... that's quite fine,” Rainbow said, adjusting her saddlebag. “No complaints here, trust me.”

“Hrmmm... well, if you ain't a polite one, Miss Rarishy.” Farouche leaned against the edge, peering along with Rainbow at the dim eastern horizon under nightfall. “Mind tellin' me just what got ya stranded out here like a bloated whale?”

“Erm...” Rainbow shifted where she stood. “I... guess you could say I ran into the wrong crowd.” She gulped.

“Hah! I getcha!” Farouche winked. “Happens to the best of us. Worst of us too, but I ain't judgin'!” She slapped Rainbow's shoulder.

The pegasus winced, rubbing the edge of her bandaged feathers.

“So... fancy pendant of yers...” Farouche turned around, tilting the brim of her thick hat back. “Is that thing solid gold?”

Rainbow turned to squint at her.

With a smirk, Farouche waved a hoof. “Ain't meanin' to impose. Just haven't seen anything quite like it before.” She arched an eyebrow. “Is it some family heirloom from down below?”

“Down... below...?”

“Y'know! From Shoggoth!” Farouche folded her forelimbs. “I hear the muddredge elite get some pretty fancy bling from living in Camellia's glowin' shadow!”

“Heh... nah...” Rainbow shook her head, resting a hoof on the Element. “This ain't from Shoggoth. Upper or lower.”

“Mmmm... I see.” Farouche tucked her bangs back beneath her hat. She spoke above the crashing water from the paddlewheel. “More and more a mystery with each passing minute.” She winked, pointing at the mare. “I swear... you're the very reason I stick to livin' at sea.”

“I guess I'll take that as a compliment.”

“Good!” Farouche blinked. “'Cuz that's how I meant it!”

“Heh...” Rainbow gulped, gazing up at the night sky. “Are you Continentalist or Colonialist?”

“Pfft! Now I know you ain't from around these parts!”

“Oh?”

“A regular seamare could tell without askin'!” Farouche smirked. “I guess ya could say I'm a little bit of both. I lean towards where the platinum bars take me. Savvy?”

“Uhhh... savvo.” Rainbow nodded, squinting skyward. “So... guess you don't hang around in port much?”

“Ehh... I hop in and out of Rust from time to time—just to pick goods up from the western archipelagos.” She shrugged. “I'd rather not stick around a place that smells worst than the salty air, if you catch my drift... or lack of one. Hah!” She exhaled through a smile. “How about you? Ever been to any of the ports? Or—Verlaxion forbid—barges?

Rainbow blinked, staring up at the moon. It was waxing pale—and fast. Almost full.

“... ... ...Miss Rarishy?”

“Huh? What? Barges?” Rainbow snapped out of it, gulping. “Heck no! Wouldn't get within ten leagues of those... cruddy, rusty places.”

“Mmmm. Smart mare.” Farouche saluted. “Well, no doubt you'll be wanting to catch some shut-eye. We'll be reaching land soon enough.”

“Uhm... and then what?”

“Well...” Farouche shrugged. “As much as I'd like to extend my hospitablity forever, ma'am, I'm afraid you'll be on your own. But don't you worry. The river towns of Osmanthus are just as accomodatin'—or at least from what I hear.”

“You've... never been ashore?”

“Pffft! Sure I have! Plenty of times! Just... not in the last decade.” The mare cleared her throat. “I mean, the rice farmin' folk are plenty polite and all... but it's when you go inland into the frosted prefectures that you run into the reaaaaal snobs. Hah! If it's all the same to you...” She swiveled her hat around and trotted below deck. “...I'd much rather enjoy the Month of Thawing out at sea.” She waved a hoof as she disappeared. “Verlaxion's snowy slumbers, Miss Rarishy!”

“Er... yeah...” Rainbow waved back. “Back at ya...” With a breath, she turned back to face the glittery currents.

It wasn't long after that several chattering voices wafted up to her—followed by giddy giggling ghosts.

“Rainbow! Oh, Rainbow, darling!” Rarity cooed. “You must come down and take a look at their cargo!”

“I've never seen parrots with that kind of plumage before!” Fluttershy hugged herself, smiling from ear to ear. “Like little feathery phoenixes! And their voices are so melodic!”

“Birds? Pah!” Rarity waved a hoof. “Did you see all of that gold embossed silk?! Absolutely exquisite! I never knew the islands north of Nealend harbored such fashionable treasures!”

“Huh?!” Pinkie rose up out of the wooden deck, blinking. “What's the big deal about a bunch of shiny rugs, Rares?”

“Eugh...!” Rarity rolled her eyes. “Pinkie, my dear, you obviously wouldn't know what an exquisite cheongsam was if it galloped up and bit you!”

“Why would a... chung-something want to bite me? Is it anything like a chimichanga?” Her eyes brightned. “Cuz then maybe it'd be trying to get some sugar!” A beat, and she gasped in Rainbow Dash's direction. “Anyways, they've got chimichangas down below! Or... at least... they sorta look and smell like 'em! Wanna come see?”

“Erm... no thanks, Pinkie.” Rainbow wave a hoof while smiling. “I'm good. Thanks.”

“Awwwwwwww...” Pinkie pouted. “What's the fun of being picked up by an inexplicable bunch of westward sailing good samareitans if you're not gonna do it scrumptiously?

“I'd like to see the chimichangas,” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“Ewww... what for, darling?” Rarity grimaced. “Don't you know it's absolute torture in our condition! As if we can ever be bothered to eat anything in the near future! So why torture ourselves!”

“Yeah! But Rarity!” Pinkie grinned a crescent moon. “If you can't get hungry... then you can't get sick!”

“Hmmm...” Rarity tapped her chin. “I do suppose you make a valid point.” She placed her hooves on her hips as she floated. “Very well then, Pinkie! Onwards!

“Or... hehe...” Fluttershy suppressed a giggle. “Maybe it's 'downwards?'

“H-heyyyy!” Pinkie pumped a hoof. “That's the spirit! Come!” She motioned, diving through the decks. “Follow my nose!”

And like three colorful clouds, they descended.

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. She gazed up at the moon, her ears folded back. She swallowed a lump down her throat.

“You're thinking about what you're going to say to her, aren't you?”

“...?” Rainbow glanced aside.

A lavender shape lifted up, phasing through the wooden railing. Twilight gazed at her with a compassionate expression. “To Princess Luna, I mean.” She swallowed. “About the Quade.”

Rainbow sighed. She stared up again. “It's only a matter of days now. Guess I'd better think of... a pr-proper introduction.”

“Rainbow... so... so much happened in so little time,” Twilight said. “We'll be lucky if we get a second talk with Luna before we reach the edge of the world.”

“Ya think?”

Twilightly shrugged. “Who knows. Point is... why complicate things? Especially when we have Applejack to find?” After a solemn breath, she put on a weak but poignant smile. “If you don't want to tell Her Majesty, then we'll back you up.”

“Twilight, I have to tell her. That's the whole point.”

“But... h-haven't you suffered enough for all that's happened?” Twilight bit her lip. “I... I just hate to think of you dealing with more—”

“More what? Pain? Regret? And will it be anything worse than what I put the Luminards through?” She sighed out her nostrils. “Or the Ledomaritans... or the Xonans... or Chrysalis' hatchlings?”

Twilight bit her lip.

“No...” Rainbow shook her head. “I have to deal with the path behind me as much as the path before. Luna's helped me many times with stuff as bad as this... if not worse. She'll deal.” A gulp. “I'll deal.” She tilted her head east, spotting the distant orange speck hovering higher and higher with each passing league. “I only wish... wish...”

“What, Rainbow?”

The mare sighed. “...that I was as faithful and strong as other ponies I've known.”

Twilight drifted closer, smiling. The sound of her voice was warm enough in Rainbow's ear. “We'll help you get there. All of us.” A sniffling breath. “You'll see.”

Rainobw smiled back. Her eyes shut.


The lids twitched... quivered under the touch of warm daylight.

“Mrmmmf... gunngh...” Rainbow curled up into an even tighter blue ball of fuzz.

“Rainbow!” Pinkie leaned in. “Psssssssst! Hey Dashie!”

“Grnnnnghhl...” Rainbow gnashed her teeth, nuzzling a circular spool of rope on the ship's deck that she was using for a makeshift bed. “...mrmmfff... just five more minutes in the hammock, Belle...”

“Belle? Since when did Dashie get my voice mixed up for your sister's, Rarity?”

Honestly, Pinkie Pie, do you have a five second memory?”

“Hey! That myth's been busted! Maud tested it on her pet rocks!”

“Rainbow, darling, you might want to wake up now...”

“Mrmmff...” Rainbow stuck her head up, squinting. “Huh...?”

A pink shape hung her head in the sunlight. “Granted, it stressed them out something awful. Marble and I stood by and watched as Maud flushed them down the—”

“Shhh!” Twilight insisted. “Rainbow!” She spoke, her voice full of mirth and wonder. “Come! Get up! Come look at this!”

“Mrmmmfff...” Rainbow's ears ached from the sound of churning paddlewheels. She stood up, hobbled, and leaned against the railing of the topmost deck. As her head started to clear, she heard the tell-tale shrieks of gulls. The mare rubbed her eyes... then rubbed them again. “What am I even looking at?”

Soon, she discovered precisely what. Several green shapes rose up out of the water—jagged, but sloped into smooth humps at the summits. These formations covered the distant horizon from north to south. Overall, the emerald splotch of color rose up sharply, bleeding into a gray haze that occupied a good half of the cold blue sky.

“Well?” Fluttershy turned to look back at Rainbow. Along with Twilight, she smiled. “Isn't it fantastic looking?”

“I dun get it...” Rainbow yawned, wincing as she rubbed her bandaged wings. “Why's the sea all funky looking?”

“Rainbow, darling, that's land.”

“Land?” Rainbow blinked. Precisely then, she became lucid of several fog-horns blaring in the air. The surf was dotted with dozens if not hundreds of steamships and sailing vessels, all rolling in to a series of platforms that formed an iron barricade before a mighty blue estuary. “Huh...” She blinked into the looming continent. “Fancy that.”