A Voice Like Water

My throat is on fire.

I make an inhuman screech and flop over on my side, hissing.

Are those noises coming from me?

I try to stand but cannot.

What happened to me?

Where are my legs?

Water.

I hear it, but not with ears.

With my heart.

I NEED IT!

I manage to roll into the river, still not under my own control. The running water embraces me like a warm mothers arms. The burning in my throat ceases. I am whole again, Water courses around me, giving me space, giving me time. She is a good friend.

I love her.

I loved her so much that I laughed. And the sound that came out of my now-quenched throat is my own, not the gaspings and wheezings from before. That heartened me, so I attempted speech.

"H-Hallo?" That was my voice. Then why did I feel so different? I looked at my body and gasped. I was not what I used to be. I have parts I did not have before, some parts are in the wrong places, and others are missing altogether. I no longer had the legs I was so dependant on before. In their place, a long blue tail stretched out into the indigo void below me. I used to be afraid of deep water. Not anymore. Now, it was like an old friend, inviting me to stay for dinner. I held my hands out in front of me. They were no longer hands. I only had three fingers plus my thumbs, and all were webbed up to the second knuckle. At the tips of my digits were tiny claws, barely an inch long but razor sharp.

What was I? Where was I? I wasn't on Earth anymore. Water told me so. She doesn't lie to me. I needed to get to the surface, I needed to look around. I didn't know how to swim in my new body yet, so I asked Water to teach me. She did. She's a good friend like that. It didn't take very long, so I swam to the surface. The sun was actually pretty nice, it made me want to lay on a rock and take a nap. But, here would be time for that later. I scanned the shore for clues as to where I was. I appeared to be in some sort of river, with a small beach on either side, leading up into an impenetrable forest. Then, I heard a familiar voice.

"Hello! We have been waiting!"

"SCHREEEEEEEEESSSSSSS" Oops. Water-voice isn't the same as air-voice. "Sorry."

I turned in the her direction. My ears seemed to automatically compensate for air-hearing. I had better eyesight than before, too. Which meant I could plainly make out the Princess of the Night before me. She sat on her haunches on the beach, eyeing me carefully, seeing how I would react. I swam to the shore and asked her calmly, "So, you are THE Luna? She who raises the moon, and co-ruler of Equestria?"

"The one and only." Her lip curled into slight smile.

"So, I am in Equestria right now?"

"Yes."

"Neem me niet kwalijk." I turned away from her, looking over Water. I took a deep breath. I summed up my feelings in all of two words.

"HEL JA!" My voice echoed over the trees, stirring a flock of birds from their perch. apparently my voice is much more powerful in this form as well. I turned back to the princess. She had a bit of explaining to do. "Mijn excuses. In case you haven't noticed, this is very, very exciting for me. But, if you do not mind, I have a few questions I would like to ask."

"We will attempt to enlighten you as best we can. Ask away."

"Well, first..." I didn't even attempt to phrase this in a question. I just gestured to my new body.

"That, is a bit complicated. When humans were banished from this realm, a magical seal was created, like a one-way door, that prevented humans from getting back in. We got around this by giving you a different body when we brought you here. It is the same loophole that we are sure Discord used to bring Echo here."

"How long ago was this seal created?" I might still be able to save my faith.

"Six thousand years ago. Welcome to Eden, although it might not be the paradise you want it to be. I suggest you avoid that topic, though. You will ask questions you won't want the answers to." Evidently she recognised my train of thought.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I still need answers. "What am I, exactly?"

She gestured to the river. "You are a Sea Serpent. When you said you were a singer, we figured we would play to that. Serpents are the best singers in Equestria, hooves-down."

I chuckled and feigned shock. "Hooves-down? I guess I'll have to live up to that."

"Indeed. Unfortunately, sea serpents are few and far between, preferring the solitude of the oceans and rivers
over real company." I decided not to tell her about Water, that spending all of my time with her didn't sound very lonely at all. A pony wouldn't understand.

"I will need time to hitch my carriage." She continued. "Meanwhile, I suggest you get aquainted with your new body. Your human items are in that satchel." She jerked her head toward a canvas bag I hadn't noticed before. "We must be back in Canterlot by dusk. I have a moon to raise." And without any further formalities, she cantered off into the woods, presumably to her carriage.

Well, if she expects me to ride in a carriage, I'd better learn how to move on land. Water didn't like the idea of me leaving, but I couldnt keep the princess waiting. I crawled up on land, wincing as my connection with Water was severed. My tail, being my most muscular body part, would support me. I shifted my tail so it was beneath me, then attempted to push myself off the ground with it. After failing only twice, I managed to not only get my tail to support me, but to balance on it as well. "Well, this isn't so hard." I slithered through the sand like a snake while keeping my body upright. "Not hard at all."

Movement, check. Now, I need to see what I look like fully. Water can help with that. I slithered to her side and looked at my reflection. I had initially expected my appearance to be similar to a mermaid. I was surprised at what I saw.

Looking back at me was a long, square snout like a crocodile, and slit-pupiled yellow eyes. Visible on top of my head and going down my neck was a mane that was a color that could only be described as wet blonde. Well, it was wet. I had webbed flaps on the side of my head that were my functional ears, and behind these, along my neck were gill flaps that flipped open periodically, searching for my good friend. I also had tufts of hair on the side on my snout akin to a moustache, the same color as my mane. When I opened my mouth, however, I was even more surprised. Instead of the spiky croc teeth I expected to line my jaw, there were double rows of triangular teeth you would expect in a Great White Shark.

So, sea serpents are a cross between a shark, a crocodile, a snake, a fish, and a whale. I guess that works. Bidding final farewell to my friend, I slung the canvas bag over my shoulder and slithered off into the forest, searching for Luna. She wasn't very far away when I found her, watching as Her tademark Night Guard hitched themselves up to her carriage. She seemed surprised to see me.

"We were going to pick you up! How did you even make it this far?"

"I guess I'm used to it. It wasn't that hard." Honestly, she was only like fifty feet from the beach. "Just because I'm aquatic doesn't make me incapable."

"Hmm... I guess not. You'll make a good champion, I think. Speaking of which, if you are to be my piece in this game, we're going to need to know your name. Oop, we're a poet."

I never really liked my name. It was long and annoying and hard to pronounce, and worst of all, it reminde me of my father. I decided on something more fitting to my new form.

"You may call me Zeeslang, Prinses."

"And we will, if you will call us Luna, please." She replied, blushing.

"Sure... Luna." I gave her a 'What are you getting at?' sort of smile. She blushed even harder and looked away.

"Corporal Starlight! Is the coach ready?"

A rather young-looking stallion saluted as he finished hooking himself to the carriage. "Yes, Ma'am! You may load up when ready, Ma'am!"

She giggled as we climbed in. "He's new. He has a tendency to overuse honorifics sometimes." We took off, getting a rather spectacular view of the setting sun, at which Luna frowned. "We are cutting rather close, Corporal!" She shouted over the wind.

"Apologies, Princess. We'll pick up the pace. HEYA!"

This is so amazing, I'm in Equstria, flying in a chariot, pulled by bat-winged pegasi, next to a princess, on my way to freaking CANTERLOT! I feel like singing! Hmm... I turned to Luna.

"Do you mind if I test my new pipes, Princess?"

"I you mean you wish to sing, then, please. You were beautiful in the pub, by the way."

"Dank u. That means a lot to me." I nodded as I contemplated what to sing. I settled on a very fitting one. Classic Disney is best Disney.

I can show you the world

Shining, shimmering, splendid

Tell me, Princess, now when did

You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes

Take you wonder by wonder

Over, sideways and under

On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world

A new fantastic point of view

No one to tell us no, or where to go

Or say we're only dreaming

'Okay, I can do Aladdin fine, let's see how I do Jasmine.'

A whole new world

A dazzling place I never knew

But when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear

That now I'm in a whole new world with you

Now I'm in a whole new world with you

Unbelievable sights (Near-miss with pelican)

Indescribable feeling

Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling

Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world

Don't you dare close your eyes

A hundred thousand things to see

(Hold your breath, it gets better)

I'm like a shooting star

I've come so far

I can't go back

To where I used to be

A whole new world

Every turn a surprise

With new horizons to pursue

Every moment red-letter

I'll chase them anywhere

There's time to spare

Let me share this whole new world with you

A whole new world

That's where we'll be

A thrilling chase

A wondrous place

For you and me

To my pleasant surprise, I had done both the Aladdin and Jasmine parts easily. I turned to my princess with a smile, hoping to recieve one in return. I got a bit more than that.

She was staring at me wistfully, eyes half-lidded, as if in a trance. "Take me, Zeeslang." She breathed, "Take me right here." She turned around and presented me her... lady parts.

ಠ_ಠ "Luna? Are you Ok?" I snapped my fingers a couple of times.

This brought her out of it. She turned back around, planting her rump firmly on the floor of the cart. She attempted to hide her face, which was so red I'm surprised she wasn't dizzy from blood loss. We both started sputtering rationalizations.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me..."

"It's not that I wouldn't, it's just that you came on very strong..."

"I've been alone so long, and that song was so beautiful..."

"I mean, it's only pre-marital if you plan on getting married, but..."

"And your scales are so pretty..."

"If you really want to, we could go on a movie date or something..."

"I have my royal duties, and I don't think I could handle a relationship right now..."

"I'm still adjusting to the new setting and all..."

"..."

"..."

"Princess! We have arrived and are beginning our descent!" Starlight interrupted. Thank God.

"F...Full ahead, Corporal! We have a moon to raise!"

"Yes, Princess!" The rest of the ride was spent in awkward silence. As was the landing. And the unpacking. The princess broke it first.

"I understand that it has most likely been a long and stressful day for you, and you are welcome to use my personal bedchambers if you wish. The password is 'Orions Belt'."

"I couldn't, I'd hate to be a burden-"

"Nonsense, Zeeslang. I dragged you from your world and it's the least I can do to provide you with a warm bed."

"But where would you sleep?"

"We don't require much sleep ourselves, and if it comes down to it, we could always just crawl in with Tia. Really, I insist." She waved a hoof, closing the issue. I reluctantly slithered away, shoulders slumped. An earth pony, who I guess the princess had designated to be my guide, followed.

"Goodnight, Zeeslang." I heard the princess call.

"Goedenacht, Luna." I called back over my shoulder.

My earth pony guide, a blue colt whose name I later learned to be Grand Tour, brought me to the princess' bedchambers without a hitch. He then scurried off to places unknown. I gave the guards the password, although they seemed loathe to let me into their mistresses inner sanctum.

I hadn't realized how tired I was. I placed my bag of human artifacts on a chair and flopped down in the absolutely massive bed. But sleep wouldn't come. I got up from the bed and moved to the mirror on the nightstand, once again examining my new body.I could see myself quite well by the light of the moon. It wasn't so much a shock as it was before, but it's strange to look in a mirror and not see the face you've been seeing all your life looking back at you. Call me vain, but when you body changes as much as mine did, you want to know what it looks like.

My distinct lack of legs was a very prominent feature, although I'd been getting around fine by sliding on the tip of my tail. The lower three or four feet of my length I had been using for locomotion, and three feet above that was my pelvic girdle. In the place of a certain organ, there was a cloaca-like structure, which was then flanked on either side by little downward-facing claws that I assumed to be some form of mating clasps. From my vestigial pelvis up, my torso seemed proportional to a humans, albeit blue and scaly. My arm and thorax muscles were in the same place they always had been. The strange part was that my neck was now almost a foot longer than it had been before, and much more flexible. In total, I would guess that I was about fourteen feet from the tip of my tail to the end of my snout.

I decided to look around the castle. I left the bag there, it would be safe enough, then left the room, earning a suspicious look from the guards. I addressed them.

"If you see the princess, would you be so kind as to let her know that I appreciate the offer, but that I must decline?"

They just nodded.

"Bedankt."

And so I wandered. Having grown up in northern Europe, I'd had the chance to see some truly marvelous castles. Canterlot Palace trumped them all. The sheer scope of it was enough to impress. Its halls were so big that a giant could have toured the castle without even having to duck. Walls and floors of gold-veined marble, vast stained glass windows that rivaled the cathedrals of Italy, monumental pillars that would have dwarfed the Parthenon. All of this, tastefully arranged, artfully maintained, and even at this late hour, bustling with activity. Servants, nobles, dignitaries, most hurrying through the halls with somewhere to be. A select few were like myself, marveling at the sights of this grand castle.

And at me.

I guess a sea serpent is a pretty rare sight around the palace, my mere prescence was earning me quite a few stares. Eventually, one of my equine admirers, a rather fancy-looking brown pony, plucked up the courage to approach me.

"Excuse me, sir, are you lost?" He seemed uncertain. I decided to mess with him a bit.

"Het spijt me, denk ik niet spreken uw taal. Spreekt u Nederlands?"

"I am sorry, I do not understand." He went the 'Maybe if I talk slower he'll understand' route. I hate it when people do that.

"Sta mij toe tonen u de dans van mijn volk!" I started waving my arms and spinning in circles.

He backed away slowly. "Right... you do that..."

Confident that no other ponies would be bothering me, I continued my tour, eventually finding myself in a seemingly abandoned section of the courtyard. Fenced on all sides by tall hedges, was a pool of water shaped like the sun. The pool was lit from underwater by gems that glowed with an inner light. Perfect.

I now realized why I couldn't sleep. I slithered to her side and slipped gently beneath her surface. She hugged me tight and welcomed me back. She was my friend and I'd missed her. It was as simple as that. I swam to the center of the pool, coiled into a ball, and was instantly asleep.