The Sun is Brighter on Land

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five

Prologue

“Merponies* – are said to have existed long before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna even moved the sun and moon. These mythical ponies have been recorded though out history by Sailor ponies and Pirates sailing on the open waters. The most well-known merpony story is the one about Dreamy Abyss and her sister Princess Koi leaving the safety of the ocean flanked by their guard Rainbow fins to find their beloved friend, sister and fellow guard. Apparently the pony they were after was named Mercury Rain.”*

“Momma who is Mercury Rain and Princess Koi and Dreamy Abyss and Rainbow Fins?” a small filly stared up at her mother who placed her hoof on the page she was reading as she looked down at her daughter who had a doll in her tiny hooves as she sat on her tail while her fin like wings moved back and forth.

“My darling you know Princess Koi she is your great great great grandmother and Dreamy abyss is her sister. Rainbow fins and Mercury Rain were their two best guards they had ever known but they were also sisters. Mercury Rain just got tired of living under the sea so she found another merpony who could cast spells to give her legs and walk among the land ponies. I do not know the rest but I do know that they all had come back to the sea safe and sound.” The large pony had smiled down at her daughter as she placed her in a bed with four pillows stacked on top of each other.

“But if it is a story then it is safe to go above and walk on land mother?” A small filly looked up at her mother who had a bright snow white coat with a dark blue mane matching the night sky along with a tail and fins to match. She smiled as her bright blue eyes shimmered in the light that the shells were giving off.

“My dear Selene this is only a book from the land ponies found in a ship sunken long ago.” The pony closed the book in her lap as she grabbed a blanket in a field of white magic pulling it around her daughter who matched her for every color right down to her fin.

“Then when can we go above?” Selene sat up in her bed as her mother Artemis smiled kissing her above her horn as her fin like wings moved slightly with the water.

“One day I promise you will walk long the land my dear now it’s time for you to sleep.” She had tucked her daughter into to her bed turning the shell on the wall off as she cracked the door letting some light in from the hall as the little merpony drifted off to sleep holding a doll with four legs and a long mane and tail dressed in a white gown.

“One day, Just one day I can see what being a land pony is all about” she had closed her eyes pulling the doll closely as she snuggled under the covers dreaming about the land above.

The sun was shining bright in the bright blue sky as the Pegasus flew high into the sky clearing the skies of the clouds as the earth ponies were farming the land while the unicorns used their magic to build houses as the birds chirped and the kids played with each other. The day had turned to night and the stars came out shining brightly with the moon in the middle. Fillies and foals came out with their parents around a camp fire telling stories passed down from generation to generations.

Selene smiled in her sleep as she continued to dream on.

Chapter One

A Thousand years later

Two large dragon type fines laid stretched out along the sands of the ocean’s bottom as schools of fish swam overhead ignoring the two large light blue eyes staring up at them. A mare with a coat white as snow and a large ocean blue mane laid sprawled out in the cold sand of the ocean floor that was hidden by a large haul of a ship that had been split into two. Selene sighed as she moved her tail up and down watching the fish swim in circle above the wreck. Her tail had gone from a light blue to a deep dark blue as she pushed herself up from the sand, missing the large shadow that went by scaring the fish. She swam over to a hole in the wall pulling out a large light green bag with a star on the front of it.

“I spy dinner tonight!” a voice rang out behind Selene making her turn her head as her heart started pounding in her chest as a figure stood in a half open doorway. All she could see was his shark’s fin and tail.

“Please don’t eat me!” she screamed causing the figure to laugh as it moved in closer revealing one of her guards.

“Silver you land lover!” Her face was a bright red as she shouted at him while holding her chest like it was about to explode.

“Oh watch your tone young lady.” He waved his hoof at her as she pushed her mane back. Silver was a half shark and half pony making him a rare bread. His dark silver mane was hidden under a dark blue armor that was surrounded by silver fins no less.

“Oh and why were you skipping school today?” A female had entered behind him. Rainbow Bright had a yellow unicorn guard with a deep dark cherry red mane hidden under her dark blue armor which was lined with rainbow fins instead of silver. Rainbow was the late decedent of Rainbow Fins.

“I didn’t want to go, I just want to explore besides it’s not like any pony misses me there!” she waved her hooves as she swam out of the wreck heading towards a small city that was lit up like the night sky. It was a small city with a large silver castle sitting in the middle made out of nothing but coral. Guards roamed the streets as Selene swam by them getting nothing but bows and salutes.

“You know your father is going to hear about this!” Rainbow yelled as she and Silver followed Selene. She lived in the town of Bermuda, named for the small islands above, but her father said that after the last of the humans died from them and ponies started building on them they were changed to Bermareda. Her father King Tryten wanted to keep the name is father before him had used to name this city. At the current moment the kids were being let out as the school bell rung out, parents were standing along a coral gate waiting patiently as some of them glared at Selene as she swam by heading towards the castle. Her father’s chariot was already in the court yard as she entered the castle looking at the wood and the coral mix together to create walls and the floors that she swam in every single day.

“FATHER YOUR BACK!” she yelled as she wrapped her hooves around him as he laughed given her a hug back. He was truly an Alicorn. He had a dark blue completion with a greenish white mane and beard as he carried his golden trident with him everywhere. He smiled as his dark green eyes gazed down at Selene “So why weren’t you at school my daughter?” he spoke causing her to freeze up.

“You know why dad.” She had let him go as she started heading towards her room.

“Wait now.” He pulled out a large white box with a red ribbon wrapped around it. “I had to go near the surface today and one of the local ponies gave me this, I can’t use it but you can.” He handed it over to Selene who just tore the wrapping paper off. The local ponies on the smaller islands always knew about the ponies living down below, they were the keepers the ones who always helped them out in times of need. When she opened the box laid a, large leather bound book with silver plate edges and a silk red ribbon sticking out the bottom of it. She took her hoof and opened it to a random page and found that it was blank but the pages were bright beige.

“It’s blank” she looked up at her father who was smiling.

“It’s called a journal up on land it’s where you could record your thoughts and anything else.” with that an idea popped up into her head as she swam past her father heading towards the library with her two guards following close. Her father took her mother’s hoof, who was floating beside him with her dark blue mane tied up in a bright white ribbon as her coat was the same snow white like Selene’s.

“Shall we?” they both went towards their bedroom as the guards went back to patrolling the area.

Bedroom

“So how did your meeting go darling?” Artemis was pulling the ribbon from her mane as Tryten was placing his crown on a dresser with his trident propped up against it.

“Somewhat okay it just didn’t go how I would have liked it.” He ran his hooves though his mane as Artemis wrapped her hooves around his neck.

“What happened?” she was looking at him in the eyes.

“For one Princess Luna wasn’t around apparently they have taken up doing two courts instead of one and it just went downhill from there darling.” He gave his wife a hug “I wished you would have been their it would have been so much better.”

“Or it would have been awkward they don’t even know that I’m alive I highly doubt Luna dose but the next time I will go with you okay?” she smiled as he closed his eyes falling back onto his bed.

Library

Selene had her face buried into different kinds of books, ones with maps, ones with spells and the others were history about the ponies that walked upon the land above. She was copying down a few maps of town and cities she would of loved to see as the Librarian was busy rearranging the whole entire library as Silver was off reading different fantasy books as Rainbow was in the history section. Selene had her eyes on a small black leather bound spell book as the doors to the library had swung open. Three kids wearing school bags wrapped around their hips came swimming in just stopping at the door as their eyes had settled on Selene. The oldest one had grabbed the other two and swam out of the library leaving the doors wide open making the librarian grumble.

Her eyes went back towards the page as her heart sunk even more in her chest as she cast her gaze upon the page noticing a spell for Merponies to give them legs.

Merpony to Land pony

This spell can be used on any merpony with a large amount of magic to remove the tail and to give them hind legs like the ones on land have. Even if this spell works the caster or the Caste should not get wet or the spell should break reveal their tail, fins and gills to the open public.

Under moonlight's misted veil

Find the dream on which we sail

Stillness calls you far away

Where the nature spirits play

up from the seas

Down on to land

Into the skies we fly

Up from the seas

Under the ground

Deep in the oceans we are found

From the sea to land

May I dance with the earth ponies,

Of fly with the Pegasus in the skies,

Or cast my magic with the unicorns,

But under the moonlight’s twisted veil I cast this spell

So I may walk upon their land.

By – Mercury Rain.

Selene couldn’t believe her eyes as she copied the spell down quickly, but she also stuck the book into her bag as she placed it around her waist forming a plan in her head. She left the library with the books still on the table her guards quickly following her. She was too busy thinking about a plan she skipped dinner making her parents a bit worried as she hid in her room for the rest of the night. Quickly emptying her bag she placed her journal the small black book and a large bag she found from one of the ship wrecks along with them. She got her stomach looking under her bed as she reached with one hoof feeling around for a cold metal object. She had found it! Pulling it out it was her trident silver and gold mixed together her father had made her.

“The moon is out mother a father must be asleep now.” She thought to herself as she quickly threw some words on a scroll leaving it on her desk quickly making her bed. Pushing her window open she swam out of it and in to the dark night of the seas. UN announced to her two sets of eyes was watching her as she left the castle heading towards the edge of the city. Selene made sure to avoid her father’s guards slipping from alley to alley until she reached the edge where the coral grew the thickest. She took one deep breath and crossed the coral letting the breath go when she saw the city in the distance. Turning her head back towards the dark sea head out feeling the warm water turned into an ice cold chill.

“Are you nuts!” a voice came from the emptiness making her turn her head in all directions as Silver came zooming by. “Do you know how many dangers are out here at night?” he was wearing his armor as he sighed noticing she was holding her trident at him.

“Don’t do that I could have blasted you!” she yelled at him as he smiled at her.

“You blasting me is as likely as Rainbow Bright catching me” he had his hooves on his hips since he was wearing his armor still. He was grinning allowing his teeth to be seen until a large chunk of coral smacked him in the head.

“Say that again I dear you Silver!” Rainbow was behind him as she crossed her arms making Selene placed her trident up. “Anything to say Princess!” she was using her title which made Selene cringe.

“I’m still going no matter what!” she threw her hoof up into the air as the two shook their heads.

“Fine but were coming along not matter what then, plus your heading towards open water’s land is that way.” Rainbow pointed towards her right as she had a map in her hooves causing Selene to blush.

“Oppose Let’s get going then!” with that the three swam off into the distance.

Chapter Two

Bermuda

The sun was up and her mother was swimming though the halls towards Selene’s bedroom. She pushed the door opened and peeked her head into the room with dark blue walls decorated with different types of drawings of maps and land ponies. Her bed was made making her mother think she was off to school not even giving it a second though she swam off leaving the note on the desk.

Out at Sea

Selene and the other have reached the coast in no time. They were hiding behind a rock looking over towards the shore as large ships with sailors working as their caption watched from the crow’s nest before heading down. Past the ships she could see large buildings some were white and some were a dark color but they looked like they were holding up the sky as many dragons, griffons and Pegasus ponies were flying around.

“Alright last time to back out” she looked towards her guards who in return shook their heads. She dived back under the water swimming towards the wooden gangway since it was so close to the water it would have been easy for them to climb out. Lighting her horn up she, pushed her magic into her trident repeating the spell in her head changing them all, as their tails disappeared replacing them were two hind legs. They only had a few minutes to climb out of the water onto dry land before the spell broke.

Selene was the first one to climb on to the gangway gasping for breath scaring a few of the sailors. Her mane was tied into a bun with a long dark ribbon holding it in place as pearls wrapped the base of her horn as two strands, one on either side draped from her horn to the bun, as a bright orange shell held one side of her bangs up as her legs had silver bands wrapped around them. Her left front leg had a silver band wrapped around the lower part of her leg with pearls embedded into the silver as her right leg had a light blue shell embedded in silver on the upper half of her leg as the right hind leg had the same as her left front leg did. Her tail was wrapped in a dark blue ribbon as well as her tail matched her mane in color as her Cutie mark was a trident with a ring of water around it. One more thing about Selene her wings she had as a merpony stayed. She spread them out and noticed that the folds were almost a translucent blue giving them more of a draconic look to them now. Rainbow Bright climbed up the armor had changed to fit her now that she had two legs. Her eyes stayed the same since they were cat like scaring even a few more guards. Her tail was a dark cherry red as well as her cutie mark as a rainbow star. Her sword was still attached to her hip. Silver was the last one to climb out of the water. Same with his armor but his mane and tail had changed to a deep black as his cutie mark was a sword stuck in a bar of silver. Selene had picked up her trident with her magic as it was a light blue and flowed just like the waters of the ocean and the rivers she turned her head towards the sailors.

“Hello” this made them run for the hills If not for the captions standing in their way.

“What is going on?” one shouted as he walked past his crew his eyes settling on Selene and the others.

“I think you should hide that” Rainbow pointed to the trident as Selene shrunk it placing it in the bags she had on the ground now. “I’ll take them.” Silver picked them up placing it on his back as the caption a large brown stallion with a yellow mane hidden under his cap as he had on a dark blue turtle neck sweater. His cutie mark was that of a caption’s wheel.

“This place is not for kids like you now scat!” he stomped his hoof as Selene and her two guards went running or they tried to. They kept falling over their hooves causing the sailors to laugh making Rainbow turn her head to look at them making them clamping their muzzles shut.

“I need…more practice!” Selene was huffing and puffing as she sat on her hind legs looking up at the tall buildings. Many ponies of all colors and sizes walked past staring at them as they gazed around the town. It held many buildings as it was surrounded by a large thick forest.

“Wow great costumes are you heading to a festival?” a polite voice came from a green mare wearing a white police uniform as her light green mane was tied into a bun being hidden by her police hat.

“Costumes?” Selene blinked a couple of times as she looked down to herself as she looked over towards her two guards who were fighting over which city they should travel to first.

“no were not going to any festival ma’am just every day wear” she smiled at the police mare as she gave Selene one look over again before nodding.

“And your two friends?” she pointed a hoof to her guards.

“Oh they are my traveling companions just we travel on hoof and well” she was scratching her head while she tried to come up with some sort of lie to tell. It wasn’t as easy telling lies here as it was, back home where ponies hung on every word she said.

“Looking for the train?”

“Yes!” Selene shouted as she caused the mare to jump back as she smiled widely.

“Okay just go down main street here and take a left it’s the large wooden platform” the police mare was eyeing Selene as she backed up pushing her guards away from the large map of Equestria and out of sight from the police mare.

“What was that about?” Rainbow turned and looked towards Selene with her draconic eyes giving her the chills.

“I was running out of lies back there” Selene sighed as Silver kept his muzzle shut as they walked along the street causing a few heads to turn as they watched a few of the mail carriers fly overhead as they came to a large wooden platform with a small building with a window and a mare sitting behind it taking money from other ponies.

“Where should we go?” Silver spoke up causing the two mares to turn to look at him “What?”

“That is a good idea” Rainbow was scratching her head as Selene smiled grabbing a large brown bag from her saddle bags sitting on Silver’s back. She walked over to the building where the mare looked up from her book and sighed feeling annoyed.

“Can I help you?” Selene could hear the emptiness in her voice.

“Umm… yes I would like three tickets to your most recent destination please” she sat the bag down as the mare pulled out a large black book flipping through it as she saw the last train was bound to Canterlot than to Ponyvile.

“Next train goes to Canterlot and Ponyvile pick” the mare placed the book under the desk as Selene rubbed her chin a bit.

“What would you pick?”

“With the way you look you fit right in with the crazies in Canterlot or Ponyvile I don’t care” the mare mumbled into her hoof as Selene just simply smiled.

“I will take three!”

“Fifteen bits please” as the mare pressed a blue button causing three tickets to appear Selene placed the right amount of bits from the bag handing them over to the mare.

“Here” she shoved the tickets in Selene’s face causing her guards to walk into view causing the mare to glance at the water bottle sitting beside her before tossing it into the trash.

“What is with her?”

“I have no idea.” Selene walked over towards a bench as sitting on it as a colorful train appeared into the distance.

Bermuda

Artemis Selene’s mother was standing at the castle’s main entrance as her husband Tryten came swimming up behind her wrapping his arms around her “What is wrong my dear? You have been standing here the whole morning.” He asked sensing her distress.

“Something is just wrong, I haven’t seen Selene at all let alone her guards as well” her voice was in a panic as her husband leaned in kissing her cheek hoping it would help calm his wife down.

“She just probably in school with the other or hiding at the library we can go and check” he was trying to think of other ideas of where his daughter could be hiding.

“Alright than” she took a deep breath as she smiled at him as he pushed her mane from her face before taking off alongside her with his trident in hoof as they swam towards the school building.

Back on Land

Selene was making funny faces to a couple of fillies that were sitting on a bench near them as the train pulled up letting a few ponies off along with their bags. Rainbow rolled her eyes as she pulled Selene towards the train as silver followed suit holding his yawns back. They chose some seats in the back of the train as Rainbow chose a seat in front of Selene and Silver chose a seat on the other side of her using his own bags along with hers as a pillow.

“So where are we heading to?” Rainbow sat on her flank looking over the back of the seat.

“let see” she pulled out the tickets as a pony in a weird suit came walking by taking her tickets punching a hole on the top of them before walking away.

“Okay” Selene went back to the tickets “ a city called Po-ny-vile Ponyvile” she looked up at Rainbow who slid back down into her seat causing Selene to look out her window as the train gave an ear piercing whistle. Selene sighed as she placed her head against the window of the train causing Rainbow bright to peak over the seat taking notice in her princess’s face.

“What is wrong?” she caused Selene to lift her head from the window and sighed.

“many ponies don’t think I’m my father’s real daughter because I don’t look like him or I don’t take my job or position like he dose or that my mother is a land dwelling merflake!” she was looking at her hooves as Rainbow sighed as Silver rolled out of his seat popping his head up looking around before curling up in his seat again.

“Listen those ponies have no idea what you go through or how much your mother loves your father and their just not in their right minds okay.” Rainbow had a worried look in her eyes as Selene smiled “now why not tell your father?”

“I’m afraid that he will make it worse for me” she was messing with one of the wrist bands on her arms as the weird dressed pony came walking by yelling “CANTERLOT! CANTERLOT!” he came through yelling it before he disappeared towards the front of the train. Selene turned her head out towards the window as the scene changes from the rocky mountains to a large bright white and gold city as ponies were gathered on a large platform with a clock tower in the background as on pony that was a light sky blue with a rainbow mane and tail caught her eye.

“Hey Rainbow that pony almost looks like you” she was tapping the glass as Rainbow Bright turned her head as her eyes widen.

“She dose, Hey if she looks like me, what about you and Silver?” Rainbow laughed as Silver popped up and yawned showing his shark’s teeth. The rainbow pony joined her five friends as they gathered on to the train entering the same car as Selene and her guards causing Selene’s wings to open as she was caught off guard by a bright pink pony with a large cotton candy mane and tail with a three balloon blue and yellow cutie mark.

“hihelloyoulookcoollikeyourgoingtoaparty!” she was rambling so much Rainbow bright jumped up from her seat along with silver pulling the pink pony away from Selene.

“Hello” her eye was twitching as she waved her hoof causing the others to back off as the rainbow pony flew over head as she noticed she had a cloud with a three color lightning bolt. The others were was a lavender unicorn with a dark navy mane and tail and a pink strip and a light purple one mixed in with a starburst cutie mark. Another was a snow white unicorn with a dark velvet mane and tail with three blue diamonds as a cutie mark. To her right was a butter yellow Pegasus hovering close to the floor with three butterflies as a cutie mark, and orange earth pony with a yellow mane under a worn out brown Stinson and tail, as a light purple and green dragon sitting on top of one of the ponies.

“Hello?” Rainbow Bright got back into her seat as Silver walked over to the dragon. The purple pony back up a bit as Selene jumped up placing her hooves on the seat in front of her “Silver my bags please” she caused Silver to back up allowing the other ponies to choose their seats as he grab her bags pulling them from the pile as he placed it next to her.

The train started as the purple pony left her dragon on the seat they were on as she walked over to Selene “I’m so sorry that my friend jumped on you she just, well she Pinkie Pie” she had placed her hoof out “My name is Twilight Sparkle and you are?”

“Selene Starbright Ocean” she took her hoof and shook it.

Chapter Three

“That is an interesting name for a pony” she smiled as Selene moved closer to the window tapping the seat next to her “You can sit beside me if you wish to talk.” Twilight took the seat as Selene pulled her bags into her lap.

“Well my parents are odd” she pulled her bags close to her as she kept a hoof on her trident from the outside of the bag. “Oh and that is Rainbow Bright and Silver” she pointed to her guards as they kept an eye on Selene making Twilight jumpy a bit.

“So where are you heading to?” she was looking at Selene’s hair decorations as she pulled out her tickets.

“um, a Ponyvile”

“That is where I live” Twilight’s tail was moving a bit as her ears were up as her eyes were lit with a sparkle in them.

“Well if you could show me where the library is I would like to update on some information of mine” Selene hit a hot button for Twilight as her tail started twitching faster.

“Of course! I live at the library so what do you need to know” she was smiling as Selene moved her wings back and forth as she shuffled in her seat slightly as Silver shifted in his seat snoring “THE KELP IS MINE!” he roared out taking a bite out of the seat in front of him as his eyes were glazed over. The butter yellow Pegasus turned to look at Silver and his sharp teeth as Rainbow sighed face hoofing herself.

“I swear that boy sleeps like a freaking sea dragon” she pulled her hoof back as she punched Silver who woke up ripping the seat with him as he looked around.

“Well their goes first impressions Selene sighed as the train pulled into Ponyvile’s small wooden train platform causing Selene and the others to get to their hooves grabbing their bags as she made a mad dash for the exit. Rainbow grabbed her bags along with Silver and his bags as she dragged him out the exit following Selene. Selene came to a very shocking scene as a few ponies were staring at her as she pushed her way through catching the eye of a light teal unicorn standing next to a cream colored mare as Rainbow and Silver followed right behind.

“What was that all about?” they had stopped running when they reached a large gingerbread house with a giant cupcake sitting on the roof as Selene turned around looking at Silver who had the back of the seat still in his mouth.

“What was all that about you went shark on the seat in front of you!” she had a shaky voice as she was panicking causing a few ponies to look at them as the group from the train came running after them as Selene grabbed the back of the seat as her magic was a light blue water color as it wrapped around the seat pulling on it as Silver let go causing her to fall backwards on her back.

“I see pretty stars” she got to her hooves before walking over them causing her to fall down again.

“That was awesome!” the rainbow mare, came flying up to Silver as he was fixing his jaw as Bright was helping with Selene off the ground.

“Thanks I’m Silver and you are?” The rainbow mare was taken back a bit before she stuck her hoof out and grinned.

“I’m Rainbow Dash fastest flyer in Equestria!” she was off the ground flexing her hooves as Silver seemed smitten by Rainbow.

“Oh this is going to be confusing I know two Rainbows” he was staring at Rainbow Bright who walked over to Silver as Twilight walked over to Selene who was shaking out her wings causing the three fillies gawking at her.

“Are you okay?” Twilight helped Selene to her hooves as she brushed off some dirt from her coat.

“Yes I’m fine”

“Oh my you’re coat!” the white unicorn with the deep purple mane walked over as she grabbed Selene in her magic “You must get it fixed!” she dragged Selene off as Bright grabbed Silver from gawking at Rainbow as they followed Rarity down the main street as Pinkie bounced off yelling something about a party as a teal color unicorn followed Twilight and the others followed suit as Twilight was to worried about getting Selene from Rarity, Rainbow wanted to test Silver some more as the orange earth mare known as Applejack was skeptical about Selene and the others as her sister a small little yellow earth filly with red almost dark pink mane was following her three friends a white unicorn with a light lilac and white mane and the other a Pegasus filly that was the same pumpkin orange color as Applejack but with a dark purple mane and tail.

“Can you please let me go” Selene was trying to get out of Rarity’s magical grip as she was dragged into a pony salon where twin earth ponies were standing and waiting.

“Aloe, Mellow can you please draw a long bath for two” Rarity had placed a large bag on the counter as the teal unicorn came walking in giving Selene a clear view of her mint teal green, and teal green mane as she pulled Selene from Rarity’s magic giving Selene the time to get her head together.

“A bath sounds nice but I really want to update my information” Selene bowed as she walked out of the salon as the unicorn followed shocking her guards a bit “Off to the library!” Selene smiled as Twilight grinned.

“Well follow me” she turned around as Selene followed as unicorn was caught off guard by the earth pony she was standing with earlier “Darn it Lyra why did you run off?” the mare was glaring at her as the voices faded into the crowed as Selene followed Twilight as the fillies were gawking at her wings while bright carried her bags and Silver was love struck.

Bermuda

“Have you found her?” Artemis swam over to her husband as her voice carried a bit of worried as Tryten wrapped his hooves around her as the guards that followed went into different directions.

“I’m afraid not my dear” his voice had sorrow in it as his wife started to cry in his hooves as a Guard came out to the court yard followed by a maid.

“Your majesty this maid has something you might want” the guard kept his composer as Tryten glared at him as the maid held out a sealed envelope as Tryten took the letter in his magic breaking the black wax seal that was holding the paper together.

Mom, Dad,

I’m sorry for making mom worry and I know dad will be mad when you read this but know that I didn’t leave because of you, I left because I wanted to see what was out there for other ponies like land ponies. I’m leaving my guards behind but I have a very sneaky feeling that Rainbow Bright and Silver will follow me no matter where I go. I will send word to you when I’m on my home or if I find something that will change my life completely. But by the time you find this letter I will be a shore Equestria and off to an Adventure!

Selene Starbright Ocean

Tryten read the letter out loud as she whipped the tears from her eyes before she turns her head up towards her husband.

“We cannot send the guards! We don’t know where she is!” Artemis was worried again as Tryten sighed “We cannot go on land unless your sisters know that we are on their soil” he had his hooves on her shoulders.

“My sisters cannot know that I am alive I mean it’s been years!” she was starting to panic about something else causing Tryten to push his mane back.

“Guards send word to my brother that he is needed here” he held his hoof to a guard who bowed and swam off into the distance with his spear attached to his side.

“Honey you do not half to go with me if you do not wish to come” he replaced his hooves on her shoulders as she shook her head “No! I must go I mean I need to see them and to come clean to our daughter, this will be the time to tell her everything” Artemis swam off as her husband smiled.

On Land

Twilight had given Selene a place to stay as she found since she found that Twilight had a love of magic just like her but reading on the other hoof was something quite different. Selene was going through a history book as she stopped on a chapter talking about the royal pony sisters. Her mother would always tell her this tale but she didn’t know it came from the land. She was also staring at a large map of Equestria which she laid out on the floor in between stacks of books.

“Are you sure you don’t like to read?” the small little purple and green dragon was standing beside her holding a cup of tea as Selene smiled.

“I hardly ever go to school” she waved her hoof at the dragon as he looked at her as a shattering sound came from the kitchen. Her guards weren’t here as the yellow Pegasus Fluttershy gave Bright a place to stay and Applejack gave Silver a place to stay. The pink mare known as Pinkie had set up a party for Selene and her guards for that evening. Twilight had come out looking like Selene had set a bomb off.

“Hardly go to school?” her voice was shaky as Selene back up as her magic took ahold a book.

“Well yeah but there is a reason” Selene was trying her best as Twilight was advancing.

“Twi you and Selene are going to be late for the party” hearing that she switched from Selene to the dragon.

“Your right Spike!” she grabbed Selene causing her to drop the book to the ground pulling her out the door.

The party was located at the store they were in front of earlier that day known as Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie pie was bouncing around as the room was packed with ponies from the town as Selene wandered into the corner where her guards were at as Bright passed her bags to her.

“Do you want to stay?” Bright had her ears down as Selene nodded.

“But how do I slip out unnoticed?” She whispered into Bright’s ears.

“I saw a way out through the back” she pushed Selene out the kitchen and through the back door leading into an alley. The moon was high into the sky lighting up the dark alley allowing Selene and her two guard’s easy movement to the main street. Selene walked towards the large tree with the sign “Golden Oaks Library” causing her to stop in her tracks as she looked towards the sky.

“Princess?” Silver spoke up as Selene sighed.

“Don’t call me that while were on land” she walked away from the library as she walked out to a large grassy hill as she placed her bags on the ground pulling her small trident out putting some of her magic into it causing it to grow to size as she holds it in her hooves.

“You miss you parents?” Bright laid down beside her as she shook her head.

“No it’s just that no pony here ever made fun of me because I look different even with these flightless wings of mine” she moved her wings up and down looking to her guards “All they do is gawk at me like I’m something new!” she placed her trident on the ground as she smiled “I do miss my mom and dad but I feel relieve that no one wants to hurt my feelings” she whipped a tear from her eye as a sound of a twig snapping made them turn around as they see Fluttershy huddling to the ground.

“I’m sorry” her ears were against her head as Selene shook her head.

“It’s alright”

“I saw you slip away and wanted to check on you sorry if I was ease dropping” she was about to walk away as Selene held her hoof up.

“It’s alright you can stay if you want it be nice” she smiled as Fluttershy joined her on the hill.

Chapter Four

Tryten had just sent two scrolls with each his symbol on it to give fair warning to the rulers of Equestria that he was requesting a meeting with them and that his wife would be joining him. His brother Calvin had arrived and agreed to take the throne while both he and his wife were away on duty. Tryten picked up his trident as he swam from his desk to the court yard where his wife was packing up the large golden chariot as four guards strapped themselves in to the front.

“Is everything ready?” He placed his trident into the chariot as he looked to his wife who was pulling on the rope to tighten down the luggage.

“Yes I’m ready” she climbed into the carriage as she placed a blanket over her fiddling with the edges letting her nerves show as he climbed in next to her giving the signal to the guards to take off. The guards started off from the courtyard heading straight up towards the surface of the water as the moon light up the ocean’s blue undertones as they reached the surface causing Tryten to flair his trident up casting a transformation spell on them all. Artemis returned to her normal state stretching her back legs again under the blanket giving a sigh of a small amount of relief. As her husband flexed his wings as he pushed his mane back. The guards were changed into Pegasus ponies as Tryten placed his leg around Artemis pulling her close to him as they flew over the small island of Bermareda or Bermuda for short. Artemis kept her eyes on the stars as feelings of nervous were gone as she whipped a tear from her eye as she saw her sister’s handy work hanging in the sky.

“Father was right to give her the night sky” she spoke out loud causing her husband to turn towards her.

“Did you say something dear?”

“No just thinking about the past” she pulled the blanket over them as they entered the airspace over Tall Tale.

Somewhere else in Equestria Selene had placed her trident on the string of pearls that lead from her horn to her ears as a small charm as Fluttershy had encourage her to take a small walk down the brick road to her cottage as her guards were following behind.

“So where do you come from if I can ask” Fluttershy was hiding behind her mane causing Selene to laugh a bit.

“I come from the ocean near Tall Tale or was Bermareda”

“See this is why you need to go to school we live in the Bermareda triangle but some call it Bermuda it depends on the pony” Bright joined in as Selene started to blush.

“Wait you don’t attend school oh don’t let Twilight find out, that just make her go a little insane.” Fluttershy pulled out of her mane as Selene stopped in her tracks as she looked at the rocks in the road thinking about how Twilight acted earlier.

“You know Fluttershy I think I’m needed somewhere” She backed off from Fluttershy as she turned towards town and started heading back towards the library. Lights were still on as she pushed the front door open she noticed that Spike was placing the book away as Twilight was nowhere in sight.

“I thought Twilight ran you off” he turned to face Selene as she shook her head.

“No but do you know where she is?” she walked over towards him as he pointed up the stairs “she sleeping off some of the punch that Pinkie made” He finished placing the books on the shelves as he rolled up the large Equestrian map.

“Oh I should make my bed here then”

“Oh I forgot to show you to the guest room” he slapped his face with his claw as he waved her up the stairs as he took her up the stairs and down the hall to the right the last door in the hallway. The room was small with one window looking out towards the forest with a small bed tucked away in the corner. She curled up on the bed yawning. For another night she will be spending it away from home.

The sun was sitting on the horizon as the chariot carrying Artemis and King Tryten landed in the royal gardens as a large white stallion wearing a light purple armor with a light blue mane was standing in the middle of gold and blue covered ponies holding spears in their hooves. Tryten nudged his wife who opened her eyes and noticed that they had landed down and the guards were un-hooking themselves from the chariot while they went towards the back pulling the bags down. Artemis got to her hooves as she was tall as Celestia or Luna but she only had a horn that was covered by her mane. Her crown was still on her head as she had a cutie mark of a star shining brightly under a body of water while her husband had a cutie mark of a trident wearing a crown. The stallion in purple walked up and bowed to them.

“My name is Shining Armor and the Princesses wish to talk to you as soon as you land” he got back up as the guards made a path as Tryten gave a slight nod as Artemis took a depth breath as she followed them towards the entrance of the castle with their guards following right behind. Shining Armor pushed the two double doors open letting them into the throne room as a bunch of maid ponies helped with the bags. Celestia was the tall white Alicorn pony sitting in the middle between an ebony alicorn and a bright candy pink alicorn. Celestia’s mane was a bright pastel flag flowing in an invisible wind. Luna the ebony alicorn was sitting on her right with a mane made of the stars flowing like her sister’s mane. The last Alicorn known as Princess Mia Mora Cadenza or just Princess Cadence had a pink, purple and a bright tan candy color man and tail as she sat on Celestia’s left.

“King Tryten, why such the impromptu visit? We just saw you not to long ago” Celestia’s voice a soothing and was spoken with grace it put Artemis to shame. Tryten looked to his wife as she walked up clearing her throat “The reason we are here little Tia is because of my daughter has come to Equestria and we want to bring her home without causing war” she looked towards Celestia with her head up high as she came walking of the throne.

“No pony has called me that in many of years except for my sister who is long gone” her voice still held the grace and her face was still expressionless.

“And yet despised all that mother has said about you and cake you still gone and managed to get a royal fat flank! How many cakes has Luna stolen for you from the kitchen!” she poked Celestia in the chest as Luna fell to the floor laughing while Cadence was staring at them both with a blank stare.

“Did I miss something?” Cadence spoke up as Luna shook her head whipping a tear from her eye.

“No dear niece but I think you have some explaining to do? Dear sister” she walked over to Artemis who was waving a hoof in front of Celestia who was standing still without speaking a word.

“First I think I broke her and Second a Niece when did that happen?” she turned to look at Cadence who walked from the top of the throne down to where Celestia was standing. Luna rolled her eyes and leaned over “Sister I have cake”

“Cake where?” she turned her head as Artemis started to laugh bringing her attention to the pony standing in front of her “It can’t be mother said you died” her eyes were watering as she leaned in giving her a large hug.

“Yeah well I heard what mother said that night so I just thought it be better that I left I mean she loved you and Luna better since you were alicorns like her, the only reason she paid any mind to brother Sombra was because he built the crystal empire.” Artemis waved her hoof as Celestia pulled her towards the dining room with Tryten following behind the mares.

“So tell us how you found him!” Luna was eyeing King Tryten.

“Well I ran away from the castle because mother was too busy helping you to with your magic to even help me and Sombra was at his empire. I went with a couple of friends to Bermareda for a nice get away since they had just build a hotel on the coast.” She sat between Luna and her husband as Cadence took the other side of the table as Luna and Celestia took either end of the large dining room table “I was being tough how to surf like the locals but I took a wave to hard and fell into the water but I landed on Tryten here and I had sprang my hoof but I was too far from the island to get help so he took me home, but what really got me was the location of his home and how lovely it was plus I got my cutie mark as well while I was their” Artemis cheeks were blushing.

“It also didn’t help that my father’s guards were always following us when we were dating” Tryten placed his trident up against the wall behind him.

“Well he asked me to marry him so I came back to tell you but I heard mother telling you and the guards that I had died and no one couldn’t find my body” she was looking down at the table “So we had the wedding and so far we have one daughter Selene that’s who were hear looking for, she never left home” her worries were coming back.

“Oh well I can send my guards out to look for her but how old is she?” Cadence asked as Celestia took a bit out of some cake the chef brought in.

“Oh about a thousand and eighteen” That caught them all off guard as Celestia started a coughing fit.

“A THOUSAND AND EIGHTEEN!” she shouted as Artemis smiled as she walked over to place a hoof on her sister’s shoulder.

“Sister Tryten is king of the Merponies; I became one of them and stayed with him after I heard what mother said. Our daughter is one and she never been on land.” Artemis was looking at her.

“But a Thousand and eighteen Artemis she has to be an adult?” Luna was sitting back knowing a lot on merponies, but her sister on the other hoof.

“Little Tia we age slower than normal ponies the average age is up in the fifty thousand depending on fish” she was looking at her sister worriedly as Celestia gave a sigh.

“It appears that I do not know much about my land, for now I need to think about things dear sister but you and your husband can sleep in the guest quarters while I pounder about things, plus you can see the changes that have been made while you been gone dear sister.” Celestia stood from the table as she walked out of the room leaving the maids to clean up along with a few of her guards.

“I think we should take up on her offer” Tryten grabbed his trident as he walked out of the room following some random maid.

Back in Ponyvile Selene had rolled out of bed walking towards the bathroom as she could hear Twilight and spike talking she stopped on the top of the stairs and listen.

“Spike how can she have a fish tail? Merponies do not exist” Twilight was arguing with her pet dragon as he came back with “But Twilight I saw IT!” he growled as Selene looked down to her legs noticing that they were changing back to hind legs as the spell seemed to be taking hold. She placed her back against the wall as she sighed rubbing her temples as she walked into the bathroom brushing her mane back unsure how to fix the pearls or anything else that she was wearing. She walked down the stairs as she saw the purple dragon giving her a weird glare as she walked over to the front door eyeing her trident unsure if she would need it.

“Oh you’re up” Twilight came out of the kitchen carrying a cup full of tea as Selene smiled.

“Yes I just woke up thought I go for a jog or see Miss Fluttershy” she was smiling as she put her back up against the door as Twilight looked at her oddly.

“Oh why don’t I got with you?” she placed her cup down as Selene gave a shrug “Sure” she blurted out as Twilight grabbed the door in her magic opening it up as Spike went to organizing the shelves talking to himself.

“Will he be alright?” Selene looked back to Spike as Twilight pushed her out the door.

“Yes he be fine” Twilight walked along with Selene down the road towards the forest.

Chapter Five

The sun was shining brightly as Selene and Twilight walked along the road as the birds were whistling while a streak of Rainbow zoomed overhead. Fluttershy was sitting outside emptying a bucket of seeds to her chickens as a small white rabbit pulled on her tail.

“Angel mama is busy” she turned her head towards the bunny as he bounced away in a huff causing Selene to laugh scaring Fluttershy a bit.

“Sorry Fluttershy “she rubbed her head as Twilight opened the gate to the garden allowing them access to Fluttershy’s garden.

“The birds sound lovely Fluttershy” Twilight was in a chipper mood as she Selene looked over towards her thinking it was just normal for her.

“Why thank you Mr. Bluejay finally got over his cold” She had placed the bucket of seeds on the ground while Selene made her way over to a small river stream watching the fish swim by along with a couple of otters sitting on the bank watching her as well. She gave up after a couple of minutes as she backed off from the stream. Twilight had seemed too engrossed in her own conversation with Fluttershy she didn’t see Selene hopping the fence and sneaking away from the cottage. She walked along the hills that were located right outside of town and she noticed a large lake with a tall willow tree leaning over with a tire swinging over the water it seemed inviting as she walked over testing the cool water with her hoof.

“You know if you enter the water the spell breaks right” the voice caused her to jump as Selene whipped her head around noticing the teal unicorn from the other day.

“How?” she was stunned as the unicorn moved closer “I’m Lyra that outfit along with the trident” Lyra used her hoof to tap the small charm that hung from her string of pearls.

“Others might see it as a costume but with a well trained eye you can spot the difference between a costume and a real merpony” she was sitting beside Selene as she sighed.

“Please do not tell anypony” She placed her front hooves together begging Lyra.

“Cool your jets I won’t but be careful around Twi” Lyra was cut off by a long streak of color came crashing down into the lake beside them causing a large tidal wave to sweep them off their hooves and pulls them into lake breaking Selene’s spell around her but Lyra kept her form. Rainbow had encountered a wild Everfree cloud that sent her catapulting across the sky and towards the lake. Silver and Bright stopped along the edge of the lake as three fillies joined them looking towards the water as Lyra pulled herself out alongside Rainbow Dash.

“That was AWSOME!” the small orange filly with the violet purple mane and tail shouted as she fluttered her wings.

“Thanks Squirt” Rainbow rubbed the young fillies’ mane as Lyra looked around watching the lake’s surface.

“RAINBOW!” Twilight and the others came running in panic as the streak of color faded from the sky.

“I’m Fine” she smiled as she pushed her mane back.

“Nonononono” Lyra started to panic as she looked around the water as Selene popped her head out squirting a small stream of water into Lyra’s face.

“I’m fine” she only pulled herself half way out of the water with her trident in her hoof and her mane dripping wet around her shoulders giving her two guards a bit of shock.

“Well I think the cat is out of the bag now” her tail lifted out of the water causing everypony else to go wide eye to the point everypony thought Twilight was going to faint from the pure shock of something other than a book being mistreated. Just as Twilight was finding out first hoof about the merponies, her mentor Princess Celestia was just getting over the shock of finding one in her castle, and her sister no less.

“Sister?” Lune walked up to Celestia was sitting in the royal gardens sipping on a small cup of tea as she listened to the birds singing.

“Yes?” she placed her cup on the table as she turned her attention towards Luna as she sat across from her with a small ivory table separating them both.

“You seemed trouble?”

“Can it really be her Luna I mean she can’t be our sister! Our sister Artemis was a normal unicorn she couldn’t have lived this long and not telling me!” Celestia was visibly shaken as Luna sighed.

“Sister listen, she has to be I mean no pony not even Cadence knew about out brother, and merponies do live along time you know about myths and some of them turn out to be true” Luna kept her gaze on her sister who was trying to regain her nerves.

“That is true no pony knows about him” She rubbed her chin “I just can’t make this choice in one day Luna I just can’t” she shook her head as Luna got to her hooves and walked away leaving her sister to stew in her own thoughts. Luna walked into the castle down the marble halls drifting back into her memories. Artemis mane was a lighter blue as her coat was a snow white as she was sitting in the middle of a pile of books with her magic working around her as her flank was blank and she was focus on getting her mother’s attention as Luna crawled in watching her sister work. Luna couldn’t say anything yet as she was just learning the alphabet as her wings flapped back and forth giggling loudly causing her sister to turn her head towards her.

“You should be in bed” she placed the books back on the shelves as she picked up the small Alicorn filly placing her on her back before leaving the library. Luna blinked away the memory as Artemis came up to her placing a hoof on her shoulder as she held up a small cake smiling as the frosting was a light lilac purple.

“Dear sister would you like to pull an old prank on little Tia?” Artemis was grinning as Luna joined with her as they headed down the marble hallway towards the gardens. As they were going to prank Celestia who was none the wiser Twilight was just waking up noticing that she was moved from the side of the lake to her library home.

“What happened?” she placed her hoof to her head as she sat up on her flank.

“Oh you saw something that you shouldn’t have” Lyra was looking over at Selene who was fiddling with her trident as Twilight’s eyes went wide as she started to speak nothing but gibberish while pointing her hoof towards Selene as her two guards stood behind her as Silver had his Shark’s fin and tail out as Rainbow Dash was looking him over while Rarity was looking of Rainbow Bright who had her fin and tail out while Selene wore her spell.

“Okay now that she is away I think I need to give some explanations. My name is Selene Starbright Ocean I come from Bermuda or Bermareda as most ponies call is but I’m a merpony” she was glancing towards her trident as she recast the spell on her guards as Bright walked up in front of her placing her hoof up shielding her.

“So you’re the only merpony or are their more?” Applejack looked at them as Bright gave her a cold glare “She is the princess and daughter of King Tryten and Queen Artemis Sunbright Ocean.” Bright took up a position sitting in front of Selene who simply rolled her eyes at her guard.

“Bright stand down” she walked around her guard giving her a bit of a cold stare causing her to back off “Sorry Bright” She moved her gazed from Bright to the floor.

“It’s alright” Bright sat on the floor next to Silver who was in his own little world. Selene placed her trident up as she looked over to the group of either confused or scared ponies as she took a step towards them five of them took a step back as Pinkie pie stood where she was with a large smile on her face.

“You’re not scared of me?” Selene was on the verge of tears as she stared at Pinkie.

“Of course why wouldn’t I be?” she tilted her head to the side as Selene wrapped her hooves around her “No pony has ever wanted to be my friend their always so scared of me or they just didn’t like me” Pinkie pushed Selene back as she smiled as Fluttershy walked over from the group and hugged her.

“It’s alright we will be here for you” her voice was still soft as Selene smiled as Pinkie had a lightbulb appeared over her head “I got an Idea!” she grabbed the bulb as she zoomed off.

“HOW?” Bright was looking back at the spot where the Pinkie was standing towards the door where a large pink cloud of dust was.

“It’s Pinkie don’t think about it” Rainbow chimed in as Selene just sat there watching them as she sighed “I think it’s time we moved on I mean I don’t want to be a bother any more than we half to” she was looking away as Pinkie came rushing back holding a large cake in her hooves.

“What you’re leaving already!” Pinkie’s mane was almost deflated as Twilight and Rainbow jumped in placing their hooves on Pinkie’s shoulder.

“Pinkie it’s okay their going to stay” Rainbow was grinning as Silver shook his head as he walked over to Selene.

“Were staying?”

“Well if it’s okay with Twilight and the ones were staying with I mean” she rubbed the back of her head while looking away.

“Oh please I have so many questions” Twilight was clapping her hooves together as Lyra rolled her eyes.

“Alright but no random test!” Lyra placed her two bits in before leaving the library as Pinkie started bouncing up and down around the library.

Selene watched Pinkie as she set up a small part while Selene hid in a corner talking about the sea life with Fluttershy and Silver was still drooling over Rainbow. Bright kept an eye on Twilight as something didn’t feel just right with her. The party raged on till the night as Selene was stuck up helping Twilight and Spike pulling Pinkie Pie down from the rafters as she was tied up well she more tangled up in them as she swung around giggling like a small filly.

“How does she do it?” Selene was just sitting their staring as Twilight pulled on the streamers with her magic as Spike placed pillow along the ground.

“Like we said earlier do not think about it” the streamers broke causing Pinkie to fall to the ground landing on the pile of pillows bouncing up a bit before landing on her hooves giggling.

“Thatwasfunwellweshouldtrytodoitagainbye!”She waved her hoof and ran off leaving one dumb founded unicorn as the others went back to cleaning. Selene walked up the stairs towards the room she was staying in. Her gut was uneasy as she pulled her journal out along with a small quill.

Dear Journal,

This may be the first time that I've’ve written in you like this but I finally made some friends even if one kind of gives me an uneasy feeling. Twilight is nice but her eyes stare at me like the sharks living along my father’s kingdom border. They stare at me like they want to eat me leaving nothing but bones on the floor. Selene tapped her quill on her journal as she blew on the ink a bit hoping it will dry before she closed her book placing it back with in her bag as she curled up on the bed. Everything was quiet as far as she knew, but in the shadows lurked a pony with some kind of other intensions of their own. Selene was engulfed in a lavender magic as she was picked up by Twilight and carried to the basement as Spike was passed out on a pile of streamers dreaming of Rarity and being her knight and shining armor. Twilight had created a large makeshift tank hooked up to a large machine as she placed Selene in the large pool of water she walked over towards her machines flipping switches grinning from ear to ear as she finally had something she could report back to her mentor.