80 Days: Under the Waves

by Sharp Spark

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I cautiously proceeded through the maze of junk, but the sight on the other side left me speechless. The galleon indeed straddled the boundary between water and air, where whatever magical barrier preserved this place came to an end. And on the other side of the abrupt wall of sea, a strange submersible vessel gently bobbed in the water.

The craft was bulbous, with a glass dome in the front revealing a small cockpit crammed full of controls and indicators. Still, the submersible looked easily large enough to hold three or four ponies. Nearby, Crankshaft was tinkering with a disassembled engine, a screwdriver clamped in his mouth.

Seeing me, he spat it out. “Huh? Oh, you’re still here. What do you want?”

I explained the circumstances of Madame Fog’s wager, and our imminent need for transportation.

Crankshaft didn’t appear particularly interested. He leaned across his workbench, peering at me. “Yeah, but what’s in it for me?”

I paused, musing the question. I was familiar with ponies of his type.

I knew that greed motivated all ponies...
I decided the best approach was to appeal to his pride...
I chose to call upon his sense of honor...