80 Days: Under the Waves

by Sharp Spark

.

I eagerly accepted his proposition, and peppered him with questions as we walked to the western outskirts of the city. He deftly parried my attempts to discern our destination, demonstrating a wry wit.

When we reached the boundary of the city’s dome of air, he boldly strode out into the water, and I had to hastily secure my mask before following. The device worked wonderfully, despite some minor discomfort, but I found adjusting to moving in the water far more difficult. Sawtooth watched my flailing attempts at swimming with his crooked smile, and when he held a reached a hoof out questioningly, I nodded with relief.

The next thing I knew, he effortlessly surged through the water, coming up behind me to wrap his forelegs securely under my own. I barely had time to gulp a breath before he pushed forward and we were off, traveling at a remarkably high speed through the water as he used his powerful tail to propel the both of us together.

I suppose in some ways it might have been embarrassing, having to be cradled like a foal as my own form was far too ill-equipped to deal with life at the bottom of the ocean. But rather than a hindrance, Sawtooth swam with a confidence and power that instead made me feel at one with the sea. I felt like I realized some fraction of the connection the sharkponies had to this place, but even that shadow of a feeling brought me a tremendous sense of wonder.

Then we arrived at his destination, a coral reef...