The Ocean Above Us

“I am not going to lie when I say that Andrew Ryan must be stopped.” -Athena.

Heartbeat, heartbeat, heartbeat. That was all Nimbus felt at the moment. Heartbeat, heartbeat. He then felt his body being moved. Heartbeat. Nimbus tried to open his eyes, but they wouldn’t obey him. Heartbeat, heartbeat. Breathe in. Somehow, he knew his body was intact, but nothing more than that. Heartbeat, heartbeat. Breathe out.

“Is it working?” he suddenly heard somepony’s voice. The voice seemed quiet and somewhat distorted, as if it were coming to him from a great distance.

“I don’t know...” another muffled voice said.

Heartbeat, breathe in. Heartbeat, breathe out.

“The plant is not in full control,

We still have time to save his soul.”

Breathe in, breathe out. Heartbeat.

“He’s starting to wake up! Vinyl, keep doing whatever it is you’re doing!”

As his hearing began its return to normal levels, he became aware of a throbbing in his head. It wasn’t exactly pain; it was more as if his skull was vibrating. As his disoriented mind processed this, he slowly regained sensations in more of his body. As cognitive thought slowly became possible, he wondered what was happening to him. He was warm; a sign that his fur still covered his skin and a sign that he was still alive. The buzzing in his skull that started off so harmless quickly became quite painful as more as his senses returned. Something was covering his ears, releasing wave after wave of the horrible vibrations throughout his body.

The pain mounted as his hearing returned in full. The voices heard were still muffled, but they were much clearer.

“Vinyl, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but turn it up!”

“It’s already at eleven!”

Cognitive thought returned its optimum level, and he realized that it was music playing in his ears. Loud, dubtrot music.

Nimbus’s eyes shot open as he stole a breath from the air.

“He’s alive!” As Nimbus' eyes regained focus, he saw Octavia standing over him. As she spoke, her mouth matched up perfectly with the distant words. She reached down and removed the pair of headphones from his head. Nimbus sat up, trying to catch his breath.

“I honestly didn’t think that would work...” Vinyl said from behind him.

"What...” Nimbus attempted to form the words with his heavy and dry tongue. As memories came to fill his mental vacuum, he let loose a gasp that interrupted his sentence. He remembered getting the Green Hoof virus from somewhere, although the where was unclear, and then dispersing the cure through the air. There was a little bit left in liquid form, so... he had given it to Octavia, and then...

He frantically checked his body to make sure no plants were emerging from it. To his discomfort, he found that a single pair of vines just barely poked from his left hoof. He looked at Octavia, then the rest of his surroundings. He was in the nearly empty Bass Hammer. The only ponies he could see were Vinyl Scratch, Octavia, and Zecora. Several victims of the Green Hoof were piled into the corner.

“What’s going on?” He asked. “What happened?”

“The virus took a hold of you,” Zecora began,

“But the music stopped your impending doom.

The plant will not kill you today,

But it is now a part of your DNA.”

“Part of my...”

“Nimbus,” Octavia said, giving him a hug. Odd, since their first encounter wasn’t exactly friendly. “I thought you were dead...”

“You almost caused that,” Nimbus murmured.

“I know, and I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me...”

“What you suffered from was not only Green Hoof,

But also your thoughts becoming aloof,” Zecora told her.

“A pony’s mind, when death is upon it

Will shift to instinct, instead of logic.”

“Where’s Oceana? And Fluttershy?”

“We’re right here, big brother!” Oceana pranced around him in his peripheral vision. “We thought you were dead, but you aren’t. Are you?”

“No, I’m not. Don’t worry,” he eyed the spot where the remains of the plant peeked through his foreleg. “What happened to me?”

“The cure destroyed the majority of the plants inside of you,” Octavia explained. “Vinyl stopped the growth with her music after the cure destroyed the flowers, but the stalk didn’t die...”

“It’s part of me now?”

“I guess, I’m not a scientist, but Zecora was saying something about how the plant changed your genetic code...”

“The plant that would’ve taken your life.

Can now be used to help your strife.”

"Huh?" Nimbus asked as he tried to understand the Zebra. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Zecora did not reply to that question.

“Now that you have saved this day,

I can send you on your way.

You will find the one you seek

Inside the place where plants are weak.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nimbus repeated, and noticed that everypony else in the room was thinking the same question. Zecora was deep in thought, as if she was trying to think of a slightly less cryptic riddle that he would understand better.

“Try to reach the place below

Where flowers float and water flows.”

Nimbus got that one. Topside was in the sewer system.

Fluttershy, Oceana, and Nimbus swiftly exited through the bar's doors. Octavia didn't follow, for she seemed to be very interested in Vinyl despite her previous opinions about her. Zecora disappeared through the forest of Arcadia, with warning of the plants that caused Green Hoof. Although the cure was in the air, the plant still needed to be destroyed. Anypony could still get it, but Ryan’s attempt to burn the forest down had reduced the number of plants in the area, and the chances of that happening.

“Athena,” Nimbus said, remembering that his mysterious guide would need an update, “I’m on my way to Topside now.”

“Really? What happened? I haven’t heard from ya in awhile...”

“It’s a long story, but I’m on track now.”

“Well, whatever. Just be careful. Ryan’s got his eyes on you, so there's no doubt somepony else will take interest as well.”

“Alright, now, what can you tell me about the sewer system?”

“The sewer system?” Athena repeated.

“That’s where Topside is supposed to be.”

“It’s a sewer. Watch out for electrical breakage, and anything else that doesn’t mix well with water.”

“Where is it?”

“This place is just like the big cities on the surface, kid. Ponyholes lead down into it.”

Finding one of said ponyholes was very simple. After removing the cover, however, Nimbus realized the reason that nopony would follow Topside down one. It was pitch black in the sewer system below. Not a trace of light could be seen coming from the dark corridors. Fluttershy stood, as Nimbus had come to expect, shaking at the thought of being in the dark in a place like Rapture.

“We’re going to have to go down there, Fluttershy,” he told her. She simply shook her head in fear. “This is getting old. You will be safer with me than out here on your own,” he said, “Now get in there before I drag you in there.”

“What if there’s... a monster down there?” She whimpered, genuinely frightened.

“Then I’ll shoot it,” Nimbus deadpanned.

“But what if-”

“I shoot it, end of story.”

“Yeah, nopony hurts my brother!” Oceana chimed.

Fluttershy eventually gave in to Nimbus's gradually raising voice, which explained to her exactly what Splicers would do to her if they caught her alone. It also established that Splicers were attracted to loud noises, much like his own at the time. Her hooves splashed in the thick green water, but the color soon became irrelevant as Nimbus put the ponyhole cover back to avoid any followers.

“Okay,” Nimbus whispered through the darkness, “Just follow the sound of my voice, Fluttershy.”

Her voice trembled, “Okay...” she managed to get out.

“Athena, I’m in the sewers. Not sure what I’ll encounter down here...” Nimbus said.

“Alright. Once you find Topside and explain your position to him, I’m sure he’ll be happy to help you. I know him personally, so just mention you’re a friend of mine.”

Nimbus was about to reply, but a single word caused him to hesitate. Friend. Was he really Athena’s friend? She had gotten him into more close calls than he could count on his hooves, but she had also saved his life. All of this danger was in line with the promise of finding his little sister, but he knew that Athena needed his help as well.

“Hey, kid?” She repeated, after he hadn't responded for a few moments.

“Oh, what? Sorry. I spaced out for a second.”

“After you find him, come back up and meet me at the Rapture Metro train station. I’ll be waiting there for you, and we can find your sister and get out of here.”

“Right, right.”

Nimbus moved along the walls of the sewer, not being able to make out much. His hoofsteps made soft splashes that echoed throughout the labyrinth. His only light fell dimly from the few ponyhole slits above. He didn’t know where he was going, but he prayed he’d find something. Anything.

His prayers were answered when he heard hoofsteps coming from somewhere down the path in front of him. He could make out a red light, and its source became visible as the figure of a sleek mare walked across the t-junction. It was a Big Sister. Nimbus froze, not daring to make a move. The Sister continued walking, and when Nimbus thought that she was going to pass, he let out a relieved breath. He felt the sweat matting his fur as she stopped, and her head turned. The red light slowly cast its beams closer and closer to him as the Big Sister’s head slowly swiveled to look directly into Nimbus’s eyes.

In that second he was pulled off to the side while Oceana still clung to his back. A hoof covered his mouth, so he couldn’t shout out. He thought he heard Fluttershy squeak for an instant as well, but it became muffled. There was a nearly silent click, and he heard a soft voice in his ear.

“Don’t make a sound, understand?” the stallion’s voice wasn’t crazed like a Splicer’s. Instead, it was calm and commanding. Nimbus did his best to nod his head as he heard the same commands being whispered to Fluttershy and Oceana. The room they were in was illuminated by the glow of a dim lightbulb. In this room there were several shelves stocked with canned foods of all varieties and  weapons of varying magnitudes.

The stallion that had pulled them aside wore a pitch-black cloak, which concealed the entirety of his large frame. A face mask and a wide brimmed hat of the same color concealed his face and head. However, as he took off his mask the others got a good look at him.

“Thanks for that save... are you... Johnny Topside?” Nimbus asked. The stallion in front of them was very muscular, but not to the point where he was a hulking brute. From what Nimbus could tell, the stallion's fur was red, and he had a blonde mane that looked like it hadn’t seen a pair of scissors in ages. Under each of his green eyes were three distinct freckles.

“Eeyup.” He replied grimly, with a nod.

“Big Macintosh?” Fluttershy asked, “You’re down here too?”

"Haven’t gone by that name in a long time...” the stallion replied. He gazed at the ground for a moment. Out from behind him, a small yellow earth pony filly emerged. She had a bouncy red mane, and glowing yellow eyes. It was a Little Sister.

“Big brother, is that Fluttershy?” She asked, her voice reflecting a southern accent.

“I’d reckon so...” Topside replied.

“Apple Bloom?” Fluttershy’s voice trembled, as if she was about to cry. One of her best friend’s little sister was a Little Sister.

“Eeyup...” Topside confirmed her statement, “And before you ask... AJ’s here too...”

Fluttershy was silent.

“I haven’t seen her since Ryan came ...after me..." Topside pulled the mask back over his face.

“Ryan got Applejack...” Apple Bloom sighed.

“Don’t say things like that, I’m sure she’s fine...” Topside nudged his little sister with a hoof.

“We’re here for your help,” Nimbus stepped forward. “Athena said..."

“Athena?” the masked stallion seemed taken aback, “What’d she say?”

“She said that you might know where I can find my sister. Is that true?”

“Eeyup.”

“Alright,” Nimbus nodded, “Can you help us?”

“Eenope.”

“What?”

“Too dangerous.”

Nimbus sighed. “Athena?” He spoke into his radio.

“Yeah? Have you found Topside yet?” Athena’s voice came through.

“Eeyup.” Topside said.

“Topside? It’s been a while,” Athena replied.

“Indeed.”

“Look, I need you to help this kid find his sister. If you do, I’ll meet you all at the Rapture Metro station, and I’ll get you out of here.”

“Do you-” Topside began, the pause demanding the attention of everypony in the room, “know how dangerous that is?”

“No, inform me,” Athena's voice was dry.

“His little sister has most likely turned, which means she’ll be paired with a Big Daddy,” Topside explained, “In Ryan’s generator room, there’s a database that can locate any of the Big Daddies or Big Sisters in Rapture, as well as the Little Sisters they’re paired with. If you could get there, you could probably find her.”

“That’s easy. You’re a badass, Topside. You go with them and find where his sister is, get her, and we leave,” Athena concluded.

“Hold on,” Nimbus interjected, “We’re talking about Ryan’s generator room. You don’t think he’ll have this place guarded?”

“Eh, you’re right...” Athena agreed grudgingly.

Topside spoke up again, “I’ve got my Little Sister to look after, too.”

“Let me guess,” Athena's voice conveyed annoyance, “Little Sister?”

“Eeyup.”

“Nimbus? Do your thing.”

Nimbus nodded.

“I’m going to heal her,” Nimbus said. Topside gave him a skeptical look through the mask, but Nimbus reassured him. “It worked on Oceana here.”

“Hi!” Oceana waved to Apple Bloom from her place on Nimbus’s back.

“Who is he?” Apple Bloom asked her.

“He saved me!” Oceana replied.

“Saved you?”

Nimbus extended a hoof in her direction, startling her and causing her to jump backwards. Her brother nodded to her and she took a cautious step forward. Putting a hoof over her head, Nimbus began his work, and before long, Apple Bloom had been returned to her normal state. She looked around, and then turned back to look at her empty flank.

“I’m saved, I’m saved!” Apple Bloom cheered, but was hushed by Topside, “What does being saved mean? I don’t feel any different.”

“It means that Splicers aren’t going to try to snatch you up,” Topside told her.

“Oh...” She thought about this answer, then she gasped. “Did I get my cutie mark? Did I?” She began to spin around happily, but then suddenly stop and sighed as she noticed that nothing was there. She then noticed that Nimbus’s flank was also bare. “You’re a blank flank too?”

“Apple Bloom!” her brother scolded.

“No, it’s fine,” Nimbus smiled sadly, “I haven’t found my special talent yet...”

Nimbus was about to speak into the radio, but he was cut off by a loud screech that assaulted his eardrums in a familiar fashion. It was always the same omen. The Big Sister was coming.

“Kid, that Big Sister is coming for you!” Athena said.

“I’ve figured that out, but why?”

“When you rescue a Little Sister, all of the pheromone stuff on them goes away. When there’s a change in pheromones, any nearby Big Sisters can pick up on it.”

"You could've said something about that earlier, you know!"

A loud crash came from the small metal door behind Nimbus. Johnny Topside unexpectedly responded by kicking his back legs into it. The door broke free of its place in the wall and crushed the Big Sister between it and the wall behind her. Nimbus fired his machine gun in her direction, but the Big Sister tilted the door with a hoof. All of the bullets in the clip were deflected, sending water into the air.

The dim light from inside the small room allowed Nimbus to search for another clip as the Sister dropped the door, splashing the polluted liquid all over Nimbus. She lunged at him as he recoiled, but was deflected as Topside knocked her off course. Topside reached into his cloak and produced a Germane styled hoof grenade. Pulling its string, he tossed it at the downed Big Sister. She lifted a hoof, and seemed to catch it with magic. She had no horn, though, and there wasn’t a magical glow around the grenade.

How it was happening wasn’t important as it was promptly thrown back at them. Topside quickly thrust both of his front hooves forward to counter the attack.

With a deafening sonic boom, all of the water in front of him was suddenly swept up in a huge gust of wind. The Big Sister and the grenade were also pushed back, and were swallowed by the darkness. A flash of light followed by a loud bang illuminated the sewers for a split second, and then it was dark again.

“Let’s go. She’ll be back...” Topside said.

Athena wiped sweat off of her face with a hoof. It was time to get going to Rapture Metro. She wasn’t going to be able to keep her game up much longer, though. With the research she had collected, there was a choice to be made. Nimbus had something special about him, but should she betray their trust for her own benefit?

The dimensional tears were also a point of interest. She had only discovered them recently, but she had learned a great deal from them. The tears were gateways to other universes, and Athena knew how to see through them. What she had learned was that one universe in particular had close connections with her own, and she was using it to her advantage.

In this universe was a scientist named Dusk Shine, a mysterious figure named Ares, and a crazed dictator named Andrea Ryan. The most curious of all, however, was the one-winged pegasus mare named Altos.

As she prepared to leave, there was a knock at her door.