"Soarin! Hey, Soarin!"
 
"Up here!" I lowered the oil pot and spread my wings wide, rustling my feathers to soak up the brilliant noonday sun.
 
"Where are— Oh." Spitfire stepped into my room, peering around until she saw me on the balcony. "What are you doing?" She trotted over, her gaze skating curiously across my glistening wings before finally meeting my eyes.
 
"Preening." I looked away, past the vibrant green lawns, down to the broad white beach, out over the aquamarine sea to where distant waves curled over the lagoon breakwater, an arc of chaos in the peaceful vista.
 
"You're practically dripping." She wrinkled her nose, leaning in. "What is this stuff?"
 
"Coconut oil. I got it from an islander." I spun the jar, revealing the label. "To keep salt out of my wings."
 
"Oh, huh." She paused, shifting uncomfortably. "Well, we're about to leave for the beach party, so…"
 
I glanced back briefly, taking in the bright towel draped over her back, the thick, dark lenses shading her eyes.
 
"Did you know they find pearls around here?" I turned back, waving to the distant view. "I was planning to go diving."
 
"Hey now, don't be like that." She touched my shoulder, coming around to look me in the face. "Fleetfoot worked hard putting this together. Won't you spend some time with the—"
 
"Team?" I cut her off, a wry smirk curling my lips. "Yeah, that would be nice." I layered as much derision into the phrase as I dared, and almost winced when her face crumpled. I pulled away, rising and readying for flight.
 
"Soarin, please."
 
I paused, looking back at the real hurt in her voice.
 
"We need to plan for the Games," she continued, drawing a steadying breath. "Won't you at least sit with us?"
 
"You sidelined me at your convenience," I spat. "You [i]lied[/i] to me, lied to Rainbow. I don't even—" I clenched my jaw, swallowing the bitter remainder. After a long moment, I  sighed. "I… I accepted your apology, and so did Rainbow. But my head is still messed up. I'm going diving, but I'll be at the beach later, okay?"
 
She nodded once, unsteadily, and I lurched into the air in hopes the warm breeze would ease my frustration.
 
I stumbled out past the breakwater, ignoring the smooth surface of the lagoon for more adventurous depths. Emotion slowly faded as I staggered in swoops and stalls, fighting the humid air and weight of oil in my wings.
 
Team. I rolled the word around in my mind, trying to re-connect it to the ponies I flew with. They regretted their actions, and I understood that, but a seed of doubt still lay in my mind. After the qualifiers concluded, I'd wondered why I'd so easily accepted the benching, what exactly I now saw in their eyes.
 
I hovered for a long moment, surveying the half-visible ocean bed. The water was clear and bright, only distorted by wave-crinkles. I randomly picked a spot, drew a few deep breaths, lowered my goggles and dove.
 
A moment of freefall, a blast of pressure, and silence.
 
I steadied myself when I stopped, spreading my wings. I hung in cool green silence for several seconds, watching the swarm of bubbles race upwards, wondering at this alien landscape.
 
Forests of spiky coral, studded with brilliant fronds and attended by swarms of jewel-like fish, carpeted the sea-floor. Strange creatures nestled in nooks and crannies, sea urchins in clusters of spines, sponges in  every hue, seaweeds of wonderful variety. I essayed a few long strokes, carefully working my wings, exploring this exotic wonderland.
 
My lungs soon started to tickle. I leaned upwards, breaking for the surface. Swimming was different from flying despite my powerful wings. I broke the surface with crash and vaulted into the air.
 
"Haaaa! Hahaha!" I laughed in exultation as my frustration was finally washed away. I circled, looking down. This was new. This was wild. This was interesting. A grin grew on my face as I surveyed, searching for another likely plunge.
 
[hr]
 
I listened to the crashing waves, resting and reveling in the heat of the sun. The warm stone beneath me was a pillar surrounded by sea, standing off a jutting point. I'd explored and played for hours, diving again and again, marveling at what I found underwater. There was a peace beneath the waves, a calm, unchanging, flowing moment of [i]now[/i] revealed in silence and calm movement.
 
But perhaps I should head back.
 
I considered the other Wonderbolts, imagined the group on the beach. The resort wasn't far. Finding them would take mere moments. Of course they would welcome me. Just like before.
 
Maybe one more dive.
 
I leisurely stood, examining my wings. The oil was wearing thin, but should still protect against waterlogging. I lifted off, enjoying the pleasant glow of exercise as I swept out to sea, gliding low to skim my hooves in the water. I grinned at the rippling trails. I soared high, pulling a crisp roll to scan the seafloor as I searched for another new vista. A strange shape, further out than I'd been before, caught my eye.
 
"Is that…"
 
I drifted closer, wondering. I hovered low, peering through my shadow at the half-visible shape.
 
"A ship!"
 
I pondered it while flying low circles. It lay keeled over, half buried, easily a hundred feet bow to stern, with three masts. I wondered what it was named, curious about the ponies who'd been aboard, what disaster had left such a relic.
 
Maybe they'd left clues?
 
I could check!
 
I lowered my goggles and climbed hard, nearly vertical, looping into a power-dive. I'd learned some tricks this afternoon, discovering how to dive deeper and stay under longer. I reached one hoof forwards as I neared the surface, plugging my nose with the other and blowing like we did for suicide climbs. I slipped through with folded wings, ears popping again and again as I sunk five, fifteen, forty feet, bubbles peeling away as I shed speed underwater. Cool water caressed me as I stopped, flapping slowly in the inverted hover I'd learned.
 
The sun threw down luminous rays, lighting the wreck in otherworldly glory. My curiosity bubbled, and I swam closer with careful flaps. The keel had an obvious hole, shattered planks obscured by muck and trailing weeds, the beautiful desolation patterned by skating ripples of light from the surface above.
 
I circled slowly, wondering. I headed for the transom, searching for this lost traveler's name, half-noticing the rear windows were gone. I brushed a hoof across the obscured words, disturbing dirt and life, revealing a few letters.
 
[i]ocha… Bell…[/i]
 
I looked upwards, pondering entry through the broken panes. I was learning to hold my breath, but being trapped was a worrying thought. I moved up slightly, peering at the gloom within. I didn't have a light, and—
 
[i]Teeth![/i]
 
I jerked backwards as something writhed inside, glimpsing a huge eye and gaping maw. It jerked and I spun, panicking and nearly losing my breath. I tried to soar, reaching in shock for better-trained instincts, but barely cleared the deck before a huge nose emerged. I swam for the surface with all my might, but something grabbed me and yanked sideways.
 
I nearly panicked again, fighting for freedom, but stopped at a glimpse of the hoof gripping my shoulder.
 
The hoof was connected to a leg, which was connected to a barrel, which was connected to a [i]fin.[/i]

I was suddenly moving [i]fast.[/i]
 
I furled my wings, stretching forwards, looking back as the ship quickly diminished. A cloud of dust slowly rose around it, obscuring whatever had surprised me. It was still in sight as we slowed, near a whorled crystalline structure of impressive size, my savior towing me down towards a narrow circular entrance. I was scared for a moment, but relaxed when I saw the glassy ripple of air inside.
 
We broke the surface at speed, tumbling through dim spaces until I fetched up uncomfortably against a smooth, cool wall.
 
"Ow."
 
"Oh, sorry!"
 
I carefully righted myself, looking curiously around the strange room and inspecting my savior.
 
I saw a mare, colored like wet tigerseye, bright brown with iridescent yellow highlights. Long, elegant fins wrapped her neck and hooves, miming an elaborate dress with loose sleeves. A delicate, broad tail swept from her waist, ending in a spectacular fluke with intricate scallops. Bright green eyes shone with curiosity, while threads of water beaded on her fine coat and brilliant scales.
 
"I didn't mean to launch you." She pushed a frill out of her face.
 
"Uh…" I stared wonderstruck. "Are you a mermare?"
 
"Seapony," she corrected easily. "I'm Jejune! I didn't mean to scare you, but that sea-serpent came rushing out and it seemed you could use a hoof."
 
"Thanks." I stood and shook myself off. The room was organically curved, formed from a translucent nacre which let in dim blue light. I could make out the ocean's surface through the ceiling. A shallow pool shimmered at one end, with strange plants and crystals arranged lovingly nearby.
 
"This is my house!" Jejune folded her tail gracefully under herself and scooted closer. "It's a oneironautilus shell. Do you like it?" She smiled expectantly
 
"It's pretty." I settled back, wondering if I should breathe carefully. There wasn't much room for air, but she didn't seem worried.
 
"I made it myself. Well, I found the shell." She trailed off, staring curiously at my wings. One of her hooves started to move, but she pulled it back.
 
"Oh, sorry." I shook my head, trying to re-orient myself. "I'm Soarin." I held out a hoof, which she shook hesitantly. "Thank you very much for helping me."
 
"Are you a skypony?" she blurted, immediately looking abashed.
 
"Pegasus, actually." I grinned, trying to alleviate her embarrassment. "Don't see many of us around here?"
 
"Oh, a few." She traced small circles on the floor, looking down. "They dive for black pearls in the north bay. I've never talked to a flying pony, though I've heard all about you. Do you really watch the skies, herd the thunderstorms and corral the winds?"
 
"When it's necessary." I pointed to my cutie mark. "I'm good at lightning, myself. I'm one of the Wonderbolts, who—"
 
"Really?" Her eyes lit with bright enthusiasm. "Do you do tricks?"
 
"Yeah, although right now my team—"
 
"Are you really the fastest and best fliers in the whole world?"
 
"Maybe, but—"
 
"Do you fight evil, championing justice and right all across Equestria?"
 
"I don't know if—"
 
"You've got to help me save Wavy!"
 
"Uh?" I paused as she seized my shoulders and leaned in, enthusiasm changing to excited hope.
 
"He swam to the wreck yesterday but hasn't come back. I can't outswim that sea-serpent, but you can fly, so with your help we can rescue him!"
 
"Who's Wavy?" I asked cautiously.
 
"He's my pet snake." She looked down, worry creasing her brow. "He's about thiiiiis long," she waved one hoof, "with blue and black stripes, and he's really friendly! I hope he's not in trouble." She looked back up, and I mused for a long moment. She wanted me to say yes, I could tell. But I couldn't muster any confidence, not in half-learned swimming and barely practiced diving.
 
"Oh, please!" She clasped her hooves over her heart, begging with huge, liquid eyes. "I know you can do it! You've just need to get the sea-serpent's attention! Then you can head for the surface, get out of the water and fly away. It can't follow there, and you're really fast, I just know it! I can swim in and rescue Wavy while it's gone!"
 
"Hmmm…" I pondered that, trying to keep my uncertainty from showing. I couldn't look away from her face. Her emerald eyes drew me back each time. I saw surety there, belief in me and my trappings, even if we'd just met.
 
It was a nice feeling, having somepony rely on you, believe in you.
 
"Well…" I drew in a deep breath, considering. I'd risked my life on dumber stunts. It came with the job. "Okay."
 
"Eeeeee!" She pulled me in for a warm, damp hug. "Thank you thank you!"
 
"But we need to practice, at least a few times. Your plan might work, but I have no idea how fast that serpent is or if I can swim fast enough."
 
"Okay!" She turned back to the entrance. "Come on!"
 
[hr]
 
"What'd you think? Would I make it?" I hovered just over the water, watching her bob in each passing swell.
 
"Yup!" She cheered and waved. "You'll be half-way up before it's out of the ship!"
 
"Okay, then." I fluttered down into the water and held out a hoof. My ears ached from pressure, but that wouldn't kill me. "Let's do this."
 
She seized my foreleg and dove. We surged down, down, fast and smooth as the current. The seabed leaped into focus, the ship growing quickly near. She slowed and paused at the bow, before turning to me. I spread my wings and flapped forward, curling under the belly of the ship, tracing its torn lines until I reached the stern. I rose to the empty window-frame and tapped once.
 
The seawater around me skirled as the leviathan inside stirred. A gleam of foxfire eyes convinced me I had its attention, a half-felt rustle galvanized me to action. I leaned back, sweeping wide and hard as I climbed.
 
I heard a muffled whoosh behind as I ascended. The surface, limned with shattered reflections, grew with agonizing slowness. I felt the pressure in my ears ease as I gained height. I glanced back for an instant, gaining an impression of teeth and purple ferocity. I swam harder.
 
The seconds stretched as I strove, the familiar pound of adrenaline dragging fear into timeless fragments. Now I rode it, channeling the high into more power, more speed, reaching up for wind and freedom and safety.
 
I broke the surface with a gasp, yanking in deep breaths of warm air as I leaped skywards, chains of water falling away as I re-entered more familiar fluid. A second splash sounded behind me, entirely too close. I looked back and [i]it was still coming![/i]
 
I accelerated, my contrail forming as I fell into proper style, darting upwards as only daily conditioning and natural talent could allow. I realized I was high enough when my ears popped.
 
"Hello!"
 
I jerked, nearly stalling at the lilting voice, but caught myself despite still-damp wings. I shook fiercely, shedding weight and blessing the oil coating which easily rolled away the last drops.
 
"Hello? The pegasus up there!"
 
I looked down, astonished to find the sea-serpent stretching far, far above the waves. He was [i]much[/i] taller than I'd guessed.
 
"Yes?" I called hesitantly, spiraling downwards. I dropped to where I could see him, but still felt safe from lunges and leaps. "Um, hello." A dissonance hit me, the absurdity of the situation. I'd just been fleeing for my life. Hadn't I?
 
"Oh, thank you for listening!" The serpent ran a hand through his flowing orange mane. "I'm [i]so[/i] far from home and I've been absolutely [i]dying[/i] to ask somepony what's worth seeing, but everypony seems so skittish here! I'm visiting my son and I've been absolutely desperate to take him someplace nice, but—"
 
"Hold up." I swooped a little closer, inspecting his friendly grin and earnest eyes. "I think there may have been a [i]slight[/i] misunderstanding."
 
[hr]
 
"…and the underwater caverns are simply amazing!" Jejune waved her hooves, indicating extreme amazement.
 
"Oh, that sounds [i]fabulous![/i]" The sea-serpent, who I now knew as Steven Magnet, grinned widely. "Perhaps we could visit after lunch at the resort!"
 
"Mmmm, mmMm!" The smaller sea-serpent squeaked in response, crawling out of his tide-pool to swarm up Jejune's tail and tangle in her frills. She giggled and nodded, petting him affectionately.
 
"That does sound nice," I agreed, mentally noting another place for tomorrow's explorations. We were on the beach, on the damp sand just below the palm trees where all four of us could sit and talk comfortably. I glanced at the sun, near the horizon. "And it's been great getting to know you three. But I really should be going. My… companions will be expecting me."
 
"Oh!" Jejune turned and bowed slightly. "Thank you so much for your help, Soarin. And, um." She paused, tapping a hoof nervously. "I'm sorry for asking something so reckless." She glanced at Steven. "I shouldn't have pushed you."
 
"No, it's fine." I grinned back. "It might seem silly now, but you were serious then. Besides." I threw one wing around her in a half-hug. "It was nice to have somepony ask for my help. Made me feel useful, you know?" My grin went a little wry, at that.
 
"Oh-ho." Steven lowered his head, peering directly into my eyes. "Something bothering you, my friend?"
 
"A little," I admitted.
 
"Tell us?" Jejune gave me a wide-eyed stare.
 
"Well… alright." I drew in a deep breath, and I did.
 
The whole story spilled out, in bits and pieces and careful questions, how I'd been on the relay team for the qualifiers but my teammates had pushed me aside in favor of a faster mare. How they'd apologized afterwards, but I still couldn't quite face them.
 
"So… so… I don't even know." I sighed, feeling the familiar frustration well up. "They sincerely apologized, but when I see them I can't help think—"
 
"Maybe they were right the first time." Steven nodded slowly.
 
"Exactly." I ground a hoof into the sand.
 
"Hmm…" He carefully smoothed his elaborate mustache. "But they were, weren't they? Rainbow is faster than you."
 
"Yeah." I looked down.
 
"So let them be right the second time, too." Jejune ruffled my feathers, tickling a chuckle out of me. "They still think you're a wonderful flier. So what if they don't expect you to be as fast as another pony? I never expected you to swim faster than me." She looked up at me, smiling. "I just expected you to be as fast as you could be. And you were."
 
"Thanks." I smiled back, enjoying the scent of her, wild salt and ocean breeze. A little of my helpless annoyance faded. "And, well, I know that. I tell myself every time I see them. Hearing it from you is nice, though."
 
"Just be careful how much you weight another's approval," Steven added. "Jejune's entreaty might have motivated you, but that speed was all yours." He ran a hand through his mane. "I love it when others notice my [i]fabulous[/i] style, but I look my best because I love it, and I think you're similar." He tapped me gently on the chest. "Don't let dislike [i]or[/i] approval hold you back. You'll be happiest knowing yourself, and that only happens from the inside out."
 
"Yeah…" I gazed out to sea, reflecting, recalling when I'd flown for the simple joy of it, soared for the thrill and dove for the speed. "Yeah, I think you're right." New resolve firmed in my chest as half-felt knots of anger finally uncurled. My my stubborn mindset, finally broken up by the events of the day, floated away on the warm jasmine-scented breeze. I spread my wings and crouched, ready to fly. "Thanks, both of you, for reminding me. I'll think on this, but I really should be going."
 
"Just a minute!" Jejune waved a hoof. "I've got something for you!" She turned and dove lithely into the shallows, flashing away. I glanced up at Steven, who shrugged. I folded my wings and sat back down.
 
I wouldn't mind a few more moments.
 
[hr]
 
"Hey, Soarin!"
 
I glanced over, goggles riding high on my face as I skimmed towards the beach, targeting the lights and delicious scents of what could only be a cookout. Bright voices laughed and called in the twilight, and familiar coats flashed between the palms.
 
"Hey, Fleetfoot." I waved as she slipped up beside me, buzzing wings driving a surfboard through the waves fast enough to leave a foaming wake. She slowed as she neared, swerving liquidly and spraying me with seafoam.
 
"How are you?" She grinned broadly, but I saw that thing I couldn't quite name flash in her eyes again. Now, though, it looked more like worry than disgust.
 
"I'm okay." I smiled back, pushing self-doubt and second-guessing aside. What did it matter what I saw? They were my friends, and if I trusted them, they would return that. "Actually, I'm doing pretty good. You'll never believe the day I had."
 
"Sweet!" Her grin widened a touch, filled out by a hint of the fierce challenge my team loved to pass around. "Did you find pearls? Sunken treasure?"
 
"Maybe." I grinned back, thinking of the chain of cunningly-carved silver coral cinched around my fetlock, adorned with a deep blue pearl. Jejune had called it an abalone tear. "Could be I did." I laughed, feeling a kiss warm on my cheek. I ratcheted up my speed, leaving Fleetfoot behind as I headed to the party.
 
Perhaps I had, indeed.