In three days, our heroes have already found, and managed to capture, an Angler Whale; a vicious behemoth from the deepest portions of the sea.

With it on their side, the supposed week-long trip was reduced by two days. The boosted speed would surely be an improvement in their transportation, and with the mighty Angler Whale in front of their ship, they were also guaranteed no interferences with pirates.

After Pinkie woke up from her unconsciousness, the first thing she saw was Justin. Thankfully for her, though, he was completely clothed again. Unfortunate for her, though... it was him that she saw first. (Or maybe, it was unfortunate for him, that she saw him first...)

Slowly, Pinkie Pie started to wake up... only to notice that she was in her bed, instead of in the main lobby of the boat. She looked out the window that rested between hers and Gilda's beds, only to be interrupted by the door to the room opening. When she turned around, she froze in place again, as the figure who stepped in her room was none other than Justin, himself. This time, however, he was wearing his usual clothing; a yellow trench-coat like hooded yellow jacket, blue denim jeans, and dark brown boots, with his right shoulder pad belted over his jacket, and his saddle bag belted over his waist with a Minotaur-sized buckle over his belt.

He smiled at her, and chuckled lightly, while motioning his arms forward, which were carrying a tray with a sandwich on top of it. "You sure do have a tendency of passing out around me. Here, this should help you wake up."

Slowly, Justin walked up to her, and offered the tray to the nervous Pinkie Pie. Then, he sighed and gently placed it on her bed, and turned around to leave. "I should... probably get back to the lobby."

"Wait... please." Pinkie stated, which made Justin stop mid-swing of the door, and turn around. Then he noticed she was no longer looking at him nervously, but rather, with a weak smile. "Thank you... I'm sorry. I probably should've told you that I've been dealing with my Estrus Period for a while now... and my mood swings are a result. It's okay now, though... I've gotten past it at this point."

With a nod, Justin stepped back in the room, and sat on the bed opposite of Pinkie's, while she, in turn, sat back on her bed, and picked the sandwich up from the tray. "Thank you, Justin. I know you must be feeling uncomfortable around me... and to be fair, I kinda feel the same way around you... but only because of my Estrus. It comes and goes at random times around the week that it occurs... but only during the week before or after is when it does so... and within three days, at most."

Justin chuckled at her, and shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, it's no big deal. I'm already used to it, anyways. Besides, your sister Maud already gave me the warnings, and all that."

Pinkie lightly giggled at that. "Good, good... she always was a good caretaker when my mom and dad weren't around."

Rubbing his chin in thought, Justin said, "You know... you haven't really told me much about Equestria, yet... if you don't mind me asking, what's it like?"

With a wide smile, Pinkie looked up in the air, and asked, "Oh, where to begin?"

"How about the place you're most familiar with? I've heard you no longer live in the Rock Farm with your parents or closest-aged sisters."

"Of course! Yeah, I haven't really been to the Rock Farm in a while, but my mom and dad still kept in touch through mail. Actually, I live in Ponyville, which is a small little community close to Canterlot, the Capital City."

"So, you live close to Princess Celestia and Luna, then?" Justin asked, which Pinkie nodded in response.

"Uh-huh! Even better, though! My friends and I actually know the princesses on a closer level than the average citizen!"

Justin's eyes widened at that statement. "No, way! Really?!"

With a cheerful nod, Pinkie replied, "Yep! Then again, it does help with the fact that my friends and I are the bearers of the 'Elements of Harmony', after all."

"Wait... so YOU and your friends from this 'Ponyville' place... are the 'Sacred Weapons' that the books spoke of?!" Justin asked in a shocked tone.

Pinkie nodded her head again. "Yep! I... guess I forgot to tell you that, huh?"

Justin simply nodded his head, and looked away from her. "Wow... no wonder you seemed different from the rest of the Ponies I've run into. You stand out from them both physically, and personally."

"Yeah... hey, can you guess which one I am?" She asked with a huge, somewhat unnerving smile.

Justin hummed to the question. "Well, considering you wouldn't hesitate to kill any threats when necessary, I'd say Kindness is out of the list. You tend to avoid going into too much dangerous situations when you're... 'Pinkie' and not 'Pinkamena', so Loyalty isn't it, either. You're an Earth Pony, so Magic is an obvious no. You might be honest, but you also have a lot that you don't say, like your Estrus Period, so not Honesty. If anything, you could either count for Generosity or Laughter, since you give everyone your utmost attention, even when you don't appear to be paying any attention... but since your mane and tail seem to show off a 'goofy' vibe, I'm gonna have to go with 'The Element of Laughter'."

Pinkie gasped at his revelation, then nodded her head. "Wow! You're pretty good at this, huh?"

Justin shrugged his shoulders. "Believe me, it's not that difficult. You just have to keep your eyes peeled for the most details."

"Yeah! Like how you have a spirit trapped in your staff!" Pinkie stated randomly, only for Justin to raise an eyebrow and tilt his head.

"I beg your pardon?" Justin asked confusedly, only for Pinkie to giggle.

"What? Didn't he tell you that he would be visiting you soon?" Pinkie asked casually.

Then, Justin looked at his staff, and stared at it in different directions. "I'm... not sure what you mean there, Pinkie... where did you-"

"You'll know later, Justin! Believe me... you'll know!" Pinkie stated calmly, until she finished off the rest of her sandwich, and picked the tray up. Then, she bounced from the bed with, what Justin claimed to have heard, a 'spring'-like sound.

"Okay, then..." he stated confusedly, before following the pink mare. "You've got me in the need for some fresh air." Then he snapped his fingers, and called from the hall, "Hey, Pinkie! Want to see the Angler Whale up close?"

Pinkie stopped in place, and turned around with wide eyes and a slack-jawed expression. "O-oh! S-sure!" Then she raised an eyebrow, and tilted her head. "Wait... are you sure you're comfortable with me spending time with you, though? I mean, I wouldn't hold it against you if you were to, y'know, avoid me, and all that!"

Justin shook his head and chuckled. "Pinkie, like I said, you're practically part of the family now, like everyone else! What better way to cure your infatuation than just to act like normal friends?" Then, before she could even respond, Justin was already in front of her with his right hand stretched out for her to take. "We are friends, aren't we?"

Pinkie merely stared at his outstretched hand for a moment, until she looked up at him and smiled warmly. Then, she nodded her head, and placed her left hand in his offered hand, and replied, "O-of course! Lead the way, friend!"

With that, the two of them headed to the end of the hall, and out the door... headed for where the Angler Whale was.

From inside the dining area, Swift and Gilda were sitting at the same table. "So, Swift. What do ya think about moving to Gryphonia with me? I mean, we are boyfriend and girlfriend now, ain't we? Isn't that what couples kinda do?"

Swift hummed to himself for a moment. "Well, I don't see why not... as long as the Gryphons don't mind, that is."

"Buck their opinions! I'm the top-class Mercenary there, Dumbass! If they have a problem, they can take it to their graves!" She retorted with a sly grin at the last statement.

Swift, however, smiled nervously and nodded his head. "Y-yes, dear! Then I'd be happy to move in with you! (As long as you don't end up killing me beforehand!)"

Gilda chuckled, before playfully punching him on his right shoulder. "Hey, c'mon, champ! Ya know I wouldn't kill my boyfriend, don't ya?" Then, she grinned mischievously, before adding, "That is, I wouldn't kill my boyfriend, unless he ever gets caught cheating on me, or decides to dump me! Perhaps even try to disagree with me too much. Oh, and you'll also have ta know how to handle my dad, too! I'm sure he will have a lot ta say!"

That statement caused Swift to look away, and sweat nervously. "H-hey! I'm not that kind of stallion, G! I wouldn't even look at another female with those kinds of eyes!"

"Then there ain't nothin' to be afraid of, is there, Dweeb? You don't look all googly-eyed at any other girls, and I won't have ta worry about gouging those googly eyes out!" That statement made Swift gulp and nod his head. He then started nervously tugging the collar of his light blue t-shirt, and looked away from her once more.

That, of course, gave Gilda an idea.

With a sly grin, she rested her arms in her lap and leaned towards Swift (giving him a better view of her chest behind her breastplate), and winked. "What's the matter, Swifty? Can't handle lookin' at cha own girlfriend?"

When he turned her way, his eyes widened, and his pupils shrunk. Then, he felt a slight copper-smelling liquid running over his mouth, which made him stand up and stutter, "I... t-think... I b-better go, now..."

When he started walking away from the table, Gilda called back to him. "Don't forget ta wash your hands!"

Letting out a gasp, Swift retorted, "I was talking about going to get a breath of fresh air!" Then he walked out of the door; face red as a tomato, and girlfriend laughing her hindquarters off. Whenever he wiped his right hand over his upper lip, he looked at his finger, and tilted his head in confusion, sure what it was, but confused of how it got there. "How in Tartarus did I get a nosebleed?!"

In Zula's room, Zula was standing on one finger, which was balanced on a stick of bamboo. Her entire body was upside-down, and she was wearing nothing more than her panties and bra, which were both stitched out of leaves and pine. Her right pointing finger was balanced on the stick, and her hooves were crossed. Her left hand was in a prayer-like pattern, ending directly at the central area of her chest, and hovering just barely under her snout. Her eyes were closed tightly, and her mouth was sealed shut. Not a word was being spoken in her room.

Suddenly someone on the other side of her room began to knock on the door. "Who is it?" She asked.

"Um, Miss Zula?" Ruby called from the other side, which made Zula smile.

"Please, come in, little Pony Child. I could always use a guest! Please, don't mind my room... it may not look its best." Zula said in a cheerful mood.

When Ruby stepped in the room, she noticed Zula's form of exercise. "Whoa! I wish I could do that!"

Zula giggled at the curious child, and opened her left eye, which was facing the doorway. "An exercise passed down from generations since... and yet to this day, it has made quite a difference! For a Zebra to clear its mind, one must be physically fit and swell, and one must be smart, for the brain is a muscle, as well!"

Ruby giggled, and nodded her head. "I see that... by the way, do all Zebras rhyme like that?"

Zula closed her left eye again, and nodded her head. "Indeed, it is tradition that we do. I could stop, though, if it bothers you."

Ruby shook her head in response. "Actually... I think it sounds really cool! Please, don't stop yourself from being yourself."

Then Zula opened her left eye again, and hummed. "Your father is right, in protecting your heart of pure. You are wiser than your age states... of that, I am sure. Tell me, Little Ruby, why did you come to see me, though? I'm not the most interesting of the crew... and even I know."

Ruby closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. "Zula... I want to learn how to use magic... and I was wondering if you could teach me? I may not be a true Alicorn, but Gilded told me that I did something back at the hospital in Port Greenhold! He told me that I... brought Daddy back to life!"

Closing her eyes again, Zula nodded her head, as her smile turned into a serious expression. "Indeed, I was there, when the miracle occurred. I must apologize to you, though... that power I've never seen or heard. That is, until you performed it before our very eyes. I can tell you have more power than any of us realize." Then, Zula folded her hooves over her chest and, in one spry leap, did a flip in the air, and landed her hooves on the bamboo, which was still balanced on the floor somehow. "If you wish to train the Druathican way, I must have permission from you, and hear what your father would say. Then, you'll need to think about the safety of the ship... for if something were to happen, your father's heart would surely skip."

The two of them lightly laughed at that last statement, while Ruby nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Miss Zula! I'll go ask Daddy right away!"

"Never forget your manners, kind-hearted child... and remember to speak with me, should your spells start going wild. And please, remember to tell your father this as well! He can always talk to me, should he need help with any spell." Zula stated, as she leaned halfway down the bamboo stick to look at Ruby closer.

With a nod, Ruby smiled and started heading out of Zula's room. "Yes, ma'am Thank you, Miss Zula! I'll try to be back shortly!"

Zula smiled and nodded her head. "Take care, Ruby. Come back any time! Perhaps then, I can also teach you how we rhyme!"

Gilded was sitting on a bench with a small round table in-between he and Stealth Paws. Both of them were glaring at each other, while covering their mouths with sets of cards.

Sweat started falling from Stealth's forehead, until he grinned. "Do you have any... fives?"

Gilded sighed a breath of relief, before replying, "Go fish."

"Damn it!" Stealth retorted, before he started drawing the next card from the top of the deck.

"Do you have any nines?" Gilded asked, only for Stealth to grin again.

"Go fish, mate!" he stated, only to stop drawing the card from the top of the deck... which happened to be a nine. "You bucking cheated!"

"Did not! And that's a false call, so you gotta skip a turn!" Gilded retorted.

Stealth groaned, before Gilded called out his next card. "Ya got any aces?"

"DAMN IT!" Stealth shouted, before placing the card in front of Gilded.

Finally, with the last card in his hand, Gilded asked, "Ya got any threes?"

Stealth laughed and retorted, "GO FISH!"

Gilded merely shrugged his shoulders, drew the next card, paused for a moment, then grinned mischievously. "Stealth, do you have any-"

"My turn! Do you have any sixes?" Stealth interrupted.

Gilded deadpanned at him, then showed him both of his cards, which made Stealth's pupils shrink, and his jaw to drop. "-idea what this means?" Gilded's beak formed a clever smile, in contrast with Stealth's angry glare.

"Ah, BUCK YOU, MATE!" Stealth complained, before throwing his cards on the table.

Gilded chuckled before standing from his seat. "Looks like you're the one in charge of dishes today!"

Stealth sighed before nodding his head. "You suck..."

Gilded shrugged his shoulders, closed his eyes, and then turned to leave. While leaving, though, he said, "Ya know, it would've helped if you didn't have that mirror behind you."

That statement caused Stealth to gasp and turn around. Sure enough, a large mirror was hanging on the wall directly behind him. "How the buck did I not notice that?!" Stealth mumbled to himself, until a realization hit him. "HEY! YOU CHEATED! I CALL A REMATCH!"

Gilded rolled his eyes, while he continued smiling and walking out. "Not 'till tomorrow, buddy! Anyways, later!" And just like that, he left the angry Fox to pick up the cards, and mutter complaints beneath his breath.

When Gilded stepped into the hall, he had to stop himself in his tracks to avoid bumping into Ruby, who was quickly walking through the hallway with a smile on her face. "Oh, hey Ruby!" Gilded commented, while waving his right claw at her.

Ruby stopped, turned around, and smiled, before waving right back at him and replying, "Oh! Good morning, Mr. Gilded! Sorry if I bumped into you!"

Gilded chuckled and shook his head. "Nah, it's fine! I gotta ask, though... what's got you so worked up today?"

"Sorry, I was just happy because Zula said she'd help me learn more about magic!" Ruby replied.

"Ah, that does seem like something you'd be happy about. After all, you did want to learn more about magic before we went to Druid Lake." Gilded commented as he crossed his arms and nodded his head. "So I take it you're looking for your dad then, huh?"

Ruby nodded her head and turned around. "Yes, sir! Anyways, I gotta go now. It's been fun talking with you again, Mr. Gilded!"

Letting out another chuckle, Gilded waved at the ecstatic filly and replied, "And to you as well, Ruby! Stay safe!"

And before another second could even pass, Ruby was already out of the hallway, leaving Gilded to continue walking through.

Zero Gravity and Heavenly Quill were in the Entertainment Room, which contained a dartboard, a Ping Pong table, a net, and a ball to be thrown inside the net. On another corner, there was a bookshelf with numerous books stacked on it, and two were missing.

Sitting on the opposite ends of each other, Zero and Quill were reading "Daring Do", an increasingly popular book that was said to have originated from Equestrian Literature.

Thor'lok and Topaz Claw were both in the room as well, playing Ping Pong with each other... although to Topaz, it felt more like "Dodge Ball", instead, because Thor'lok continuously hit the ball too hard, sending it flying at a dangerous speed. Sand Barrier and Storm Light were tossing the ball at the net, already on a tied-in game of "Horse", where one would throw the ball in the net a certain way, while the other would have to emulate the shot next. Software Patch merely stood at a corner, and was keeping score for everyone who were competing.

Finally, with a mighty swing, Thor'lok sent the ball flying across the room, while Topaz ducked for cover, and watched in horror as the ball flew towards Zero at an alarming rate.

Before it could even reach him, however, Software appeared in front of it and caught the ball with his right claws and said, "One point for Topaz Claw."

Thor'lok grumbled and sat his paddle on the table. "Thor'lok no like Ping Pong. Thor'lok go get fresh air."

Topaz breathed a sigh of relief and held his right claw out. "Good game, Thor'lok! I noticed you were trying to do better, and I respect that!"

Thor'lok nodded his head and shook Topaz's outstretched claw, only for a crunching noise to be heard, and following that, Topaz was lifted off of his paws each time Thor'lok shook his claw up. "Thor'lok thank Topaz. Thor'lok be back soon."

With that, the red-coated Minotaur walked out of the room, and into the hallway, while the Diamond Dog began rubbing his possibly broken claw, and whining with dog-like moans.

Before he could even take two steps, Thor'lok felt a bump on his right leg, and quickly turned to see Ruby stumbling back; about to fall down. Quickly, Thor'lok reached his right hand out, and caught Ruby just in time. "Thor'lok sorry! Ruby okay?!" He asked in a panicky tone.

Ruby chuckled nervously and turned away from the worried Minotaur. "Oh, hey Thor'lok! Don't worry, I'm fine! Actually, I'm sorry for getting you worried like that. I was just looking for Daddy. He wasn't in our room, and now I'm worried about him."

Thor'lok nodded his head. "Thor'lok understand. Ruby need help?"

That statement made Ruby smile. "You can if you want! Thank you, Thor'lok!"

Thor'lok smiled and gently brushed Ruby's mane, which made her giggle. "Thor'lok happy to help!"

And with that, the two of them began their search for Justin.

"SWEET CELESTIA! YOU ACTUALLY MANAGED TO CATCH THAT THING?!" Pinkie Pie practically screamed, as she and Justin stepped out of the Main Lobby.

With a chuckle, Justin nodded his head. "Indeed, I did! And thanks to it, we are able to get to Atlantis much quicker, now!"

Pinkie merely stared at the behemoth that was pulling the ship forward with wide eyes. "W-wow! You must be quite the Angler, huh?"

That statement caused both of them to chuckle, while Justin nodded. "An 'Angler for Anglers', I guess."

Then, he rubbed his chin in thought. "Hey, Pinkie Pie. While catching it, I noticed a pretty neat view. Want to check it out?"

Pinkie looked his way, then back at the Angler. "Um... sure! What kind of view is it, exactly?"

With a shrug, Justin replied, "It's a pretty high view... but it's safe, nonetheless... at least, while I'm up there." Then he released Pinkie's left hand, drew his bow, and shot a ghost arrow in the sky, which made Pinkie's eyes widen. "Hold on tight, please."

Pinkie gulped and nodded her head, before abiding by his instructions. Then, in the blink of an eye, the two of them were engulfed in a mist, and were now standing on top of the Angler Whale's dim light on the top of its antenna.

When Pinkie noticed just how high they were, she shrieked, and began hugging Justin's right arm, while he chuckled and said, "Relax, Pinkie. I have us under a protective shield bubble. We don't have to worry about falling." As he said that, he reached his left hand in front of them, and stepped towards the edge of the antenna. As soon as he made it to the edge, a blue wave of, what appeared to be, light pulsed around them, revealing the location of the bubble.

Pinkie looked around their location, and breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh... thank you, Justin. That's a relief!" With that, she released his arm from her bear hug, and smiled at him.

Justin looked her way again, and chuckled. "So... like the view?"

He then felt her left hand wrap around his right hand again, while she said in a calm tone, "Yes... it's really nice... thank you, Justin."

Justin nodded his head, and smiled at the sunrise, unaware of the fact that Pinkie was looking at him as she said that. Even so, she found herself looking at the rising sun with him.

Ruby, Swift, Gilded, and Thor'lok looked up at the two from the edges of the rails, and smiled. "Well... looks like someone might be cheering up already!" Gilded said, before looking at Ruby. "What do you think, Ruby? Should I fly up there and get your dad?"

Ruby rubbed her chin in thought, before shaking her head. "Nah... I think it's time that Daddy starts feeling more calmer... and it looks like Pinkie Pie could be the only one who can help him with that."

With a nod, the adults of the four started heading towards the Main Lobby again, while Ruby continued looking up at her dad, and her new friend. Then, when she turned around to leave, a sudden thought caused her to stop in her tracks, while a pang in her heart made her start feeling a sudden sense of sadness. "What... what if I don't... what if I don't even want to go back?" Ruby stuttered. Then, after walking into the main room, she quickly ran through the hallways, and back to hers and her dad's room. There, she burst through the door, and started crying in her pillow, as the impact of having to say good-bye to her new friends began clouding up her mind.