Author's Note

Back again with another chapter, you guys. Enjoy.

There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.

-Alfred Hitchcock.

The Beauty Of Terror

''And how are we doing this again?'' Grass Song asked, swimming about in the waters of Seaquestria. Usually, a water-breathing spell would need time to be set up, and it would only last for so long before it had to be recast, but from what Yuu and Ai were able to be together made that seem like foal's play. ''This seems a little funny.''

''Ai!'' the smile on Ai's face was grossly contagious. With a bit of help from her sister, they were able to fashion a better way of breathing in underwater environments. She breathed out, the carbon dioxide sent out of her OX-Mask as the fresh air was brought in automatically. The process made for much greater ease of access in leisure and military environments. ''We merely isolated the process in which fish use to breathe and recreated that in an automatic process in the form of wear that frees any potential manual error!''

''Gotta admit,'' Daring marveled at the vibrant and serene sights that dwelled a few hundred feet down in perfect clarity. Jellyfish, swordfish, and even fish she didn't know existed roamed around the aquatic Sunderland, the coral reefs, and the reflection of the sun on the surface essentially riding the gap between the two very different worlds. And her hat stayed on too during all of this. ''This is different than the regular diving we normally do and way more efficient,'' Daring swiftly maneuvered around the coral reefs, the flippers giving her greater ease of direction.

The depths of the Seaquestrian Sea were a hidden gem in its own right but also laden with its own set of underlying threats in pursuit of an artifact that could help in their quest. So far, little in the way to find Jamir and Rin a way back home was essentially shrouded in mystery from the few books that Graceful Wind was able to provide to the crew before leaving the Crystal Empire. Luckily for Daring, she craved adventure and a change of scenery from the Avernus Jungle, and this would be just the thing she needed.

''So, while we may have forgotten to bring the books from the ship, what makes you so sure this artifact is even here?'' Rin kept her head on a swivel while taking in the bright and vibrant sights of the deep, slowly beginning to understand the fascination her family and other avid people swore by deep sea diving. Initially, learning to navigate the waters with the flippers and wrapping her head around not having a hand stop of any kind took less time. ''And I'm pretty sure the book mentioned something about the Seaponies.''

Jamir hummed in agreement, the bright and clear blue of the water beginning to dim as Yuu conjured up a light source for the group to use the further down they went, a narrow alcove filled with underwater caves soon came into view. ''They weren't mentioned in the book to be hostile, just more reclusive; which I can understand after what happened to them above land.''

''Regardless, if we get in and out, we won't have to be leaving Blank and Echo, and Rin's Fairies topside for too long, so let's focus up,'' Daring said, narrowly squeezing into the entry point to the cave, the rough shapes of the carved-out rock tugging and pulling against her wetsuit. Slowly managing to squeeze through the cracks, the sight that lay before them was something only few could put into words.

''Whoa,'' Grass Song commented, slowly performing a sweep of the area and its splendor, wanting so badly to capture the moment as a picture. If the Seaponies retreated to this from the mainland, then she could understand what they held to gain from a place where their natural biology would always provide them the edge against any intruders. The lack of seeing any, even scouts or sentries this far down was curious. ''This is amazing.''

''But it makes you wonder if we manage to get this far without seeing trouble, that we may be able to make this a quick expedition,'' Daring said, resting near a rock to give herself a break to reassess the situation about the valued treasure of the Seaponies that she was sure did just more than provide the means to escape the wrath of the Storm King. ''I don't think it references the pearl, but the actual treasure has to be down here somewhere.''

Rin huffed, casting a look to Jamir as he used his Life Drive to scan the surrounding coral and rock formations, the scrunch of mild disappointment on his face speaking volumes to their situation. She wondered just how much longer the two of them could go before the other ended up snapping and doing something rash in retaliation for being in a wholly different world than their own.

Time itself could be accelerated, or slowed down, and even frozen back in their own world; all of which panned out its own separate set of repercussions.

But, she had a more pressing issue to attend to, courtesy of Yuu.

''Hey, you ok?'' Rin keyed into her earpiece, the private channel and secondary function of the OX-Mask essentially silencing their conversation with the rest of their group. ''I know that look.''

''. . .I'm fine, we just need to focus on this Gold of God thing,'' Jamir continued to scan, the pale white light emanating from his Life Drive showing all manner of small marine life and structures. ''Even though I'd wager on the other thing we have a better idea that works somewhat.''

''I know, but we don't know the full extent of what it can do,'' Rin argued.

''And like they do?'' Jamir turned his head to face his partner. Rin's challenging look failed to convince him otherwise. ''The only thing they know is that of second-hand talk, who's to say Maria just didn't use it the wrong way? Maybe we could-''

''-That's a strong maybe, and even if we end up using our Fairies to dissect the problem, we still can't be 100% it'll work.''

''It'd be a chance if nothing else. Besides, I see this going one of two ways; either we find it, or we don't, and it's back to square one with no real idea of what to do next. This Gold of God could only be a fake, to throw whoever chose to look for it off the trail.'' Rin's gaze softened a bit at his words. ''And afterwards; then what? It'll just be an endless chase.'' Jamir sighed, pausing his search to stop and look at the cave's surroundings. Daring and Grass Song floated a bit further ahead, leaving the pair to their conversation. ''We didn't find jack squat in that little village of Starlight's, and who knows where she ran off to?''

Rin shivered at the mention of her name; even after the entire event passed, the feeling of being possessed never truly seemed to go away, no matter how many times she tried. Starlight didn't seem like a major player in the game to get back home, but from Daring and Blank's accounts, she was a pony who definitely went past the left and rightmost limits of magic and its morality. If they met again, as Snow claimed they would, then a touch of interrogation for all the knowledge she held would be precious in the grander scheme of things. ''Don't remind me.''

''Hey, uh, guys! Check this out!'' Grass Song's nervous tone roused the pair out of their thoughts. Further down, the underwater cave gave way to a deeper passage where a slew of colorful lights were presented. Quickly swimming over and further down, the source of the request soon made itself known in the form of the blip of what looked to be a great empire.

Or rather the remains of it.

Colorful, bright, and in quick succession were the barrages onto the majority of the kingdom's defenses. Numerous schools of sharks were mounted by what appeared to be bipedal goat-like creatures. Dressed in tight wetsuits, and spears and with magic bubbles around their head supplying them with air, they swam in organized formations the sharks opening their wide maws to chomp down and dissect the Seaponies that attempted their defense. Towards the center of the dome-like kingdom situated in the middle of the infighting looked to hanging on by the strength of a thread. In the midst of the death and chaos, swam a Seapony, larger, more focused, and angrier than the others that looked to be slowly pushing the invasion back, though only just.

Those not disemboweled were captured,

''Is that?'' Grass Song asked, huddling close to a rock for cover. Rin and Jamir peered over the ridge that led down towards the fighting.

''Ai! From the written texts, as well as Ms. Daring Do's words, that would appear to be Queen Novo of the Seaponies, also known as the Hippogriffs based on their ability to switch their body types from land to aquatic!'' Ai answered her question, the green glow in her eyes from essentially zooming to get a better look from afar. ''Her and her subjects look to require our assistance, Master!''

The blood. Guts. The pained expression on their faces and the glee in the eyes of the sharks only served to bring Jamir into a temporary state of dullness, the sounds, and sensations around him being drowned out by. . .

Pain.

His throat hurt from the constant shouting, the tendons in his legs long pushed to their limits. Breathing was a constant challenge, not to mention the incessant humming of machines in the background that only seemed to get louder and louder with each passing second. He hated it. He wanted it so badly to end.

SNAP! SNAP! THUD!

Another lash came from above, causing him to fall onto his stomach and groan. The cold of the floor clung to his skin, essentially becoming part of him after so long. The light from above never once turned off, along with the everpresent, looming probes soon turned his mind on its head.

''Come now, brother; surely you can do this? I just know you will,'' Junko's voice echoed right in his ear as he was hoisted up to a standing position. That cold, blank gaze that registered whatever twisted machinations in her mind was only tempered by what her mind, voice, and body could implement. It never failed. He. . .would comply. ''There we go, all you needed was a little tough love; that's all this is,'' Junko cooed, laughing slightly at her brother. ''I just want you to know how much I love you for being so strong; I need you to get stronger, stronger in ways others can't. My mission will be completed, and you are the key to it all.~''

Did he dare talk? She. . .sounded pleased. Maybe, just. ''W-When?'' Jamir whispered, his head down.

''Hmm?'' Junko brought her ear closer. This, she wanted to hear.

''When. . .will it end? We've been doing this for. . .god knows how long. This 'promised land' you keep talking about doesn't- MMMPH!'' Junko jammed a cloth into her brother's mouth, silencing his words of blasphemy. Still not ready to heat the full message.

''So close, brother; looks like you will need some more training, after all.'' Junko pursed her lips, facing away from Jamir before fishing her facemask from the waist belt where her two swords lay, carefully clipping the ends to the rest of her bodysuit, the auxiliary lights coming to life. Beginning the walk out of the facility, she suddenly thought of something, a possible more efficient way to accelerate his results in the small amount of time they had. ''Choe and Aero should be more than enough for you to handle at this stage, at least until I return. I will be expecting nothing but the best of reports.'' Junko looked one last time at her brother for the next few weeks, that was.

''Why?'' Jamir asked, still prying for an answer. One that held more substance than the other, more non-persuasive responses of late.

''Because,'' Junko turned, the clinking and jumbling of her gear as she walked away filling the air. ''This was your wish and your fault.''

''Master/Master!/Jamir!'' the feeling of being shoved and pulled out of the way brought him back to the present moment. Seeing what nearly did him caused him to grit his teeth. It took one look at Ai and Yuu for the message to get across. Using Ai's power to hold the shark that attempted to eat him still, he summoned Snow out of the Life Drive.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! Rin's sword made quick work of the shark as its blood filled the cave. Daring and Grass Song took cover, the former only able to make quick work of one shark by way of the natural environment and using the spear of one of the goat creatures against it. ''You back in the game?'' Rin asked, turning around to spy a few stray sharks and their riders heading toward their position.

Engaging Fusion, the edges of Jamir's eyes filled with blue, pink, and purple, his hands forming claws as he adopted a sick grin on his face. ''I am now, and I got some frustrations to vent.''