The Ocean Above Us

“The Big Daddies are just not enough. We need something better, more aggressive, with a better determination of  who’s a friend or a foe...” -Twilight Sparkle, on the creation of the Big Sister.

Nimbus was taken aback at the sight. The Big Daddy had been killed, it’s final sight the barrel of a revolver that had fired a bullet straight into his visor. The Splicer holding the gun looked down at the Little Sister, and this time she truly had nopony to save her. Nopony... but himself.

Shaking his weariness off, he trotted up behind the Splicer, and clubbed him in the back of the head with the pipe. Luckily all of the other Splicers had been defeated by the Big Daddy, for the blow produced a loud clank that echoed throughout Artemis Central. The Splicer fell over, not expecting this sudden attack, but quickly got back up and struck Nimbus in the face with the butt of his pistol. Nimbus stumbled back as the Splicer took aim.

“Don’t hurt him!” a voice cried out, one that Nimbus was not used to hearing. Fluttershy had jumped from her hiding spot and had tackled the Splicer. The gun had slipped out of his hooves, the awkward way that such a weapon was held making it hard for him to hold on to it. The Splicer promptly kicked Fluttershy off of himself, sending her into a wall. The Splicer went to retrieve his fallen gun, when Nimbus saw an opportunity.

The gun was laying in a small puddle of water, and the Splicer’s front hoof was submerged in said puddle. Focusing, he extended his left hoof towards the the puddle, and a bolt of lightning jumped from his hoof. It struck the water, and the Splicer immediately felt the effects. The electricity coursed through his body, causing him to drop to the concrete floor and start flailing like a fish out of water.

Nimbus stepped over the Splicer, and steadied himself on his back hooves, much like the Splicer who had threatened the Little Sister. With the pipe held high over his head, he brought it down on the Splicer’s neck. The sickening crack of bone, and the blood that drained from the Splicer’s mouth confirmed that if he wasn’t dead already, he would be soon.

Nimbus had just taken his first life, but it was for the better, right? That Splicer was only going to hurt more ponies if he had let him live. Fluttershy was still, her body slumped up against the wall next to the door to Sparkle Simplicities. She had saved his life, and spoke louder than she ever had in the time that he had known her. He rushed to her side, and tried to wake her up.

“Fluttershy, Fluttershy, wake up!” Nimbus leaned in and put his head against her chest, listening for a heartbeat. There it was. With a sigh of relief, he let himself relax. She was going to be okay, hopefully.

His relief vanished when he felt a tug on his tail. He turned to find the Little Sister he had rescued. Her unnatural yellow eyes were stained with tears.

“Why wont Mister Bubbles move?” She sobbed.

“He’s gone...” Nimbus replied, doing his best to comfort the girl.

“Who’s going to save me from the monsters?” The girl whimpered, wiping the tears from her eyes. Nimbus felt bad, these fillies really looked up to their Big Daddy. With him gone, there was nopony else to protect her. Nopony but himself. He knelt down to her level.

“I will,” he told her.

“But... you’re not my daddy...”

“I know, but it’s not safe here. I won’t hurt you, don’t worry.”

“But...” The filly protested.

“Would you like to come with me while I go meet a friend?”

"But..." She was very cautious about this strange pony. Her Daddy was the only other pony who had ever treated her like this...

"I can't just leave you out here to get snatched up by something... Please?"

"Umm... Okay..."

"I'll let you ride on my back, here."

“Okay...” she said, hesitantly climbing aboard the pegasus as he sat on his haunches, allowing her the right angle to climb aboard. She clung onto him, and Nimbus was surprised to realized how light she was. She was no feather, but she certainly wasn’t as heavy as his sister.

“I’ll get you to someplace safe, don’t worry.”

“I miss Mister Bubbles...” She said, burying her face in his mane.

“It’ll be okay.”

Nimbus sighed internally, now he had to take care of two fillies. This was going to be just utterly fantastic.

“Are ya there?” Nimbus had forgotten all about his radio, which had just received Athena’s voice.

“Yeah, I’m here. What do I need to do to open this door?”

“Use your Plasmid on the panel next to the door.”

“The panel? Just... Just hit the panel with it?”

“Yeah, that should do the trick.”

“Okay,” Nimbus raised his hoof, and hit the door with another Electro Bolt. The motors in the doors whirred to life, and opened themselves up. The lobby of Sparkle Simplicities was a mess, with waiting chairs flipped over, vending machines knocked down, and the walls and ceiling were chipping away. At least there were no Splicers in there.

Nimbus dragged Fluttershy’s unconscious form into the room, and looked around. There was more lighting than there was outside, but it still wasn’t anything spectacular. The corners remained dark and ominous, like something could’ve been stirring in them, ready to strike at any moment.

“Are you in?”

“Yeah.”

“That door should close automatically after the shock wears off. Don’t worry about anypony following in behind ya. I’ll let you talk to Twilight now, radio in when you’re done.”

“Alright,” Nimbus said, and put the radio away. He looked around the lobby, and found no sign of life. After peeking his head in through the door behind the reception desk, he found nothing either.

“Hello? Is anypony here?”

No response. Maybe this Twilight was out right now. He turned to go back into the lobby, when he heard steps coming from above him, and scampering down a staircase he had missed somehow the first time he scanned the room. A small purple dragon appeared, stopping from his run in front of Nimbus, and attempting to catch his breath.

“You’re... the guy that just got... got here?” He managed to get out between breaths.

“Um... yeah. Why?”

“Twilight’s been going crazy ever since she saw the... the bathysphere come through. Well, actually it was me who saw it but... whew!" he was obviously winded, but the way his short body moved just made it seem like some sort of joke. "She’s still going crazy!”

“I need to talk to her, where is she?”

“She’s upstairs and-” The dragon froze as he noticed the filly riding upon Nimbus’s back, “Is that a... Let me just go get Twilight...”

The dragon went back up the stairs, calling for the mare in question. A few moments later, a purple unicorn mare with an unkempt purple mane who looked as if she hadn’t slept in days descended them. She wasted no time in addressing the issue.

“I’ve been looking for you. You just... just-” Twilight seemed frozen, in the same way that the dragon was, when she saw the Little Sister riding upon Nimbus’s back.

“Miss Twilight?” Nimbus asked, not understanding why she was shocked.

“Ex- excuse me, I’m Twilight Sparkle,” she extended a hoof and shook Nimbus’s, “Is that a... Little Sister riding on your back?”

“Umm... Yes, it is. Why?”

“How... how did you get her to trust you?”

“She seemed like just a regular little filly. When her Big Daddy died-”

“Wait, you killed her Big Daddy? How-”

“No, a group of Splicers ganged up on him. I just tried to comfort this one, because she was crying,” Nimbus turned his head to get a look at the girl on his back. She was just resting there, patiently waiting for the conversation to continue. Twilight examined the girl closer, but she backed away from her as the curious scientist came closer.

“Very fascinating...” She said, extending a hoof in her direction. The girl moved herself to hide behind Nimbus’s head, almost instinctively. Twilight put her hoof down, and tilted her head to get a better look at the Little Sister.

“What are you doing?” Nimbus asked, trying to make sense of Twilight’s actions.

“She seemed to have made some sort of bond with you. Not as strong as the one between her and her Big Daddy, but still, it’s a bond...”

The girl tugged on Nimbus’s mane, getting his attention.

“Is she going to hurt me?” she asked. Her voice still seemed a bit shaken.

“No, she won’t hurt you. Right Twilight?”

“Of course not,” Twilight said, “I wouldn’t hurt a sweet little filly like you, but I would like to conduct research on the two of you sometime. what brings you here, anyway?”

“Well, my name is Nimbus. I was told that a mare by the name of Athena owes you a debt?”

“Ah, yes. I was so worried that it was some agent of Celestia’s that had gotten in here... but why did she send you?”

“She said she’d help me find my sister down here, and then get me out of this place.”

“Yes, this isn’t the best place to be...” Twilight looked past Nimbus and noticed the unconscious mare on the ground behind him. “Oh my! Is that Fluttershy?”

“Yeah, she said you knew each other.”

“But... What is she doing down here? Is she okay?”

“She said she knew the pony that came down here with my sister. I used to work with her in Cloudsdale until...” he spread his mechanical wing out, allowing Twilight to see, “I can’t fly as well as I’d like to. That's how I met Fluttershy, though.”

“I need to treat her! She looks like she’s been hurt!”

“Yeah, she kinda saved my life...”

Twilight’s horn began to glow, and the five of them had teleported to the top floor. Fluttershy lay on an operating table, allowing Twilight to get a better look at her under a light. She had several dark bruises on her left side, but other than that she was unharmed.

“She’s going to be out for a little while, but she’ll be okay. I’ll get her situated, but I need you to do a few things for me,” Twilight said.

“Yeah, sure.”

“There’s an old friend of mine named Rarity, though I strongly suggest that you call her ‘Lady’ Rarity. Anyway, I need you to get a certain key from her. It’s not like a key that goes to a door, it’s a genetic key, one that has her DNA imprinted into it. Normally, I’d just ask to borrow it, but we’re not exactly on friendly terms right now.”

Nimbus nodded, “Where is she at?”

“You’ll find her at Carousel Boutique over in Celestia Square.”

“Alright. Any tips?”

“Well, you need to get on Rarity’s good side. That’s the only way that you’ll have a chance at getting the key from her.”

“Got it. Also, is it alright if I ask what happened between you two?”

Twilight hesitated. “No, it’s not something I’d like to discuss.”

“Fine. Well, I guess we’ll be going now,” Nimbus turned to leave, but was cut off by Twilight.

“Wait!” She said, grabbing something with her magic, “Take this. Help that Little Sister.”

“What?” Nimbus turned his head, and saw Twilight levitating something in front of his face.

“It’s a Plasmid. I need you to use it to save her.”

“Why don’t you use it?”

“Well...” She began, “I haven’t exactly tested it yet... It shouldn't kill you, though... Plus, she trusts you!”

“Ugh... Fine.”

“Really?” Twilight enthusiastically leaped up, clopping her front hooves together. She caught herself in the middle of her foalish actions. "Sorry, I get excited."

Nimbus just rolled his eyes and took the Plasmid. He knelt down, and motioned for the Little Sister to get off of him, in case he fell over again. He took the vial, and prepared the syringe it came with. He held it to his vein, not knowing what to expect.

“Wait,” he said, “I already have one Plasmid on me, is this going to screw with it?”

“No, it shouldn’t. Your body can only hold so many though. You’ll know when you’re near your body’s limit.”

“Alright...” He steadied his hoof, and then brought the needle down into his left foreleg, injecting the Plasmid into him. He felt nothing, but saw a glow in his hooves. It spread, and then he felt a flare of pain, as if his skin was ripping open. For a moment, he even thought he could see his bones, but then it all disappeared as quickly as it came and he was back to normal.

“You okay?” Twilight asked, “Well, you’re not dead, so that’s good.”

“Whew...” Nimbus sighed with relief, “That sure wasn’t a sample. What does it do?”

“It allows you to absorb ADAM from various sources. Primarily, those Little Sisters. If you take enough ADAM from them, you should be able to turn them normal again.”

“And the ADAM goes...” Nimbus was worried about the ADAM going directly into his body.

“It goes directly into your body,” Twilight said, but when she saw the worried look on Nimbus’s face, she explained further, “It shouldn’t drive you insane, don’t worry. It’ll be stored in various places throughout your body, and it will be a part of you. You’ll be able to buy things from the Gatherer’s Garden now, as well.”

“How... exactly?”

“Well, you’re going to have to put your foreleg into the slot that the container is supposed to be placed. You’ll feel a prick, but at least it’ll inject your Plasmid for you.”

“Okay...” Nimbus was skeptical about the safety of that action, “How do I cure the Little Sisters?”

“Just put your hoof over their forehead, and focus on her. The Plasmid should activate at that point. You’re also going to want to make sure you do it near a safe place, so they don’t get snatched up just to get infused with ADAM all over again.”

Nimbus reached out to the filly that he had rescued, putting a hoof on her forehead. She closed her eyes, and let Nimbus’s new Plasmid do it’s work. She began to glow, and then in a flash of light, she was back to what she looked like before she had became a Little Sister. Her eyes no longer glowed, instead they were normal, with blue irises. Nimbus looked down at his work.

“Thank you!” She said, smiling up at him.

“You’re welcome,” Nimbus replied with a nod, and suddenly felt a wave of energy pulse through his body. It was weak, but he still noticed it. “What now?”

“Well,” Twilight began, “You’ll have to go find Rarity. As for you,” she turned to the filly, “Would you mind staying here with me so you can help me rescue the rest of the ponies here?”

“Umm, okay...” she replied cautiously.

“I’ll be on my way, then,” Nimbus said, exiting down the stairs, and out the door.

“Athena, are you there?” Nimbus asked into his radio. He was alone in the transition station between Artemis Central and Celestia Square. To either side, he had a beautiful view of the ocean, and the city. To his front and back were tall metal doors, each having a wheel-opened door, like ones seen on a boat. Nimbus pulled down on the wheel with his hooves, and with a few turns, he got the door to slide open. There was no reply.

Celestia Square was much larger than Artemis Central. There was an eight way split, the six ways to the sides leading to several shops, all of which were closed. To his front, a grand neon sign indicated that ‘Carousel Boutique’ was located through shattered glass doors. Nimbus stepped up, and pushed open the doors, which he was sure were the only doors that weren’t automated in the entire city. However, the moment his hoof entered the shop, he heard a noise from his radio. It wasn’t Athena’s voice.

“Who dares enter Carousel Boutique?” A haughty, uptight voice asked.

“How did you know I had a radio?” Nimbus replied.

“Hah! You don’t think I picked up your radio signal when you got close?”

“Umm...”

“State your name, and tell me what you’re doing here!”

Nimbus facehoofed. “Look, I’m just looking for a Lady Rarity.”

“Oh!” The voice cried out excitedly, “You’ve heard of me?”

“Umm, yes?”

“Hehehee!” She giggled in delight, making Nimbus wonder exactly how crazy she was, “Are you looking for an ensemble? I’m one of the finest dressmakers in Rapture, but I also make suits as well...” she gasped, as if realizing something. “Or... are you here for my ADAM? You’re not getting a single drop of it!”

“No. I’m-”

“You’re what?” Her excitement had now turned to anger.

“Word on the street is that you’re short of help. I’m here to offer some.”

Rarity mused over this for a moment, “Mmm... yes, I am a bit short of help... Who sent you? Ryan? Fontaine? They’re just trying to get on my good side...”

“I was told about you by a mare named Athena,” he lied.

Rarity gasped again, “Athena? You know her?”

“Well, just over this radio... Hey, do you mind if I sit on one of these tables in the lobby here? If you’re not coming down I can’t be up on my hooves the whole time.”

“Of course, darling. Make yourself at home,” she said in a gentle voice. It suddenly changed to a defensive one as she said, “Just don’t come upstairs!”

“Fine...” Nimbus took a seat on one of the not-broken chairs in the lobby.

“Now, about Athena?”

“She contacted me when I first got here.”

“You sound so casual about it!” Rarity said, “Do you even know who Athena is?”

“Umm... No?” Nimbus cautiously replied, fearing that his answer would be a loud one.

Her gasp was so exaggerated he might’ve thought she was holding her breath for half an hour.

“Athena is one of the most mysterious mares in all of Rapture! Nopony knows her true identity, but she’s an information dealer. I used to get all of the juiciest gossip from her before she began an uprising against Andrew Ryan.”

“What’s wrong with Ryan?”

“You really haven’t been here very long, have you?”

Rarity said it like it was a bad thing, but Nimbus was honestly glad he wasn’t here when all of this began.

“I’m not really the talkative type, sorry. If you really need my help, just tell me what to do.”

“Hmph! A waste of your time, am I?” She accused, her glare reaching him through the speaker of the radio.

“No, I was just saying-” he began, but caught his angry tone in remenence of what Twilight had told him about staying on Rarity’s good side, “I was simply bringing up the fact,” he repeated, in a more civilized tone, “that I’m not going to get anything done if we’re just sitting here talking.”

“I guess not...” She said, calming herself. “Well, like I said, I do have things that I need you to get done, if you don’t mind.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”