Land. It was a sight to behold. Rainbow Dash wanted to rejoice. Never again would she brave the deep blue sea once she returned home.

The entire journey was one long nightmare. At least seven times it stormed. Seven times Rainbow Dash was tossed helplessly like a rag doll in a broken washing machine. The endless blue for as far as the eye could see drove her mad.

The clear, starry nights did little to make up for the feeling of entrapment. Oh, so many times did Rainbow Dash try to fly back. Each time, the fear of her wings tiring with nowhere to land sent her scurrying back to the ship. Rainbow Dash wasn't afraid of much, but it wasn't too late to add "drowning" to the list.

And the food was just awful. Rainbow wondered how much of her vomit was from the seasickness, and how much was from the taste. It got so bad that Rainbow Dash could almost hear the fabled Sirens singing to her, coaxing her to abandon her half-finished tin plate of soggy carrots and join them for a dive.

Pure superstition, of course. Rainbow Dash didn't actually believe in sea monsters. But then again, there have been more than a few stories of ships being discovered completely void of their crews at sea (Celestia knows those salty-looking crew ponies loved to tell their share of stories). The thought of a slimy tentacle reaching up from the depths to grab Rainbow Dash while she slept...

You know what, let's go ahead and add "sea monsters" to the list, too.

Her anxiety had tripled when the ship reached the border of the mapped ocean. Rainbow Dash could see why it wasn't charted. Jagged rocks jutted out everywhere. No ship could possibly get through, and what Pegasus would dare fly past it and risk getting lost?

Of course, that meant that their ride was officially over. They were given a rowboat and supplies. The ship would be back in two weeks to pick them up.

If we're still here, Rainbow Dash whined to herself.

She was not fond of the idea of rowing the boat while being inches from the surface of the water. So, she grabbed a rope, tied a couple knots, and soon she was guiding the boat between the rocks. Naturally, she had explained that as her reason for pulling the boat. Twilight didn't need to know that Rainbow Dash was scared of a little water.

Luckily, her rigorous training as a Wonderbolt paid off, as within five hours, a speck of land appeared on the horizon. And according to Twilight’s estimation, it was exactly where they were heading.

"Five days." Rainbow Dash groaned as they drifted closer to shore. "Five days on the water. How do those ponies do it?"

"It's a talent like any other." Twilight answered primly. "Maybe I should become a sailor. I seem to have a natural proficiency at sea, and my navigation skills would certainly come in handy."

"Don't you have a kingdom to run?"

Twilight smiled genuinely. "A girl's gotta have a hobby."

Rainbow Dash didn't bother retorting. She revelled in winning, but back-and-forths between her and Twilight hardly ever ended in success. Besides, Rainbow Dash was already a winner. Let the bookworm beat her at something, why not?

"Are we there yet?" Rainbow griped.

"Almost." Twilight said reassuringly. "I think we'll be close enough to shore to walk the boat the rest of the way."

"Can't you magic it to the shore?"

"I suppose I could," Twilight nodded. "But where's the fun in that?"

"Whatever. You push it." Rainbow Dash muttered as she rolled over onto her side. "I'm taking a well-deserved nap."

Twilight rolled her eyes slightly. She wished she could be exasperated at Rainbow's behavior, but she had grown used to Rainbow Dash being difficult a long time ago.

When the boat reached the shallows, Twilight hopped out. The water was perfect temperature to combat the sun. The soft sand underhoof was incredible, as well. Twilight’s heart raced with each step, as it felt like her hooves were sinking into the ground every time they pressed down.

Twilight grabbed the rope with her teeth, and tugged the rowboat behind her. The soreness of her limbs faded as she stretched, and the water lapped at her coat.

As she approached the shore, Twilight quickly saw that their arrival had already attracted attention. Two ponies watched her from the beach. She could only imagine what they must be thinking.

"Hello!" Twilight called out as she waved a hoof. After a brief pause, one of the ponies gave her a confused wave back.

Well, that's better than them turning and running off.

The two ponies turned and ran off. Twilight sighed.

"Hopefully they're just going to go locate and bring back a local leader."

With the rowboat landed, Twilight sat back next to Rainbow Dash, ignoring the snores. A few minutes passed, and the sound of hooves neared. Twilight stood back up and jumped out.

A light orange Pegasus stallion trotted cautiously towards her. His aqua green eyes studied her carefully. Finally, he spoke up.

"Shipwrecked?"

Twilight shook her head.

He continued to examine Twilight, his eyes widening slightly as he took in her horn and wings. "You don't look like a sailor."

"I'm not," Twilight explained. "We were sent here to help solve a problem."

"'We'?"

Twilight kicked the rowboat, jostling the Rainbow Dash inside.

"Whaddya want, eh? Put 'em up and fight me like a horse!"

Twilight cleared her throat. Rainbow Dash rubbed her eyes and looked around. She saw the hesitant pony standing on the beach.

"Oh. 'Sup?"

"You said you were sent here?" The stallion addressed Twilight. "Who sent you?"

"Well, a map did, good sir. We are here to solve a friendship problem."

The stallion shot a perplexed look at Rainbow Dash.

"Don't look at me, I don't know how it works."

"Why don't you take us to wherever you just came from, and I'll explain everything." Twilight smiled at the Pegasus.

He paused to consider, before nodding. "Follow me. The village isn't far."

Rainbow Dash dragged herself out of the boat, her limbs cracking as she trotted to catch up with Twilight and the new guy. The pair both introduced themselves to the pony. He revealed his name to be Torch, which suited his cutie mark. He went on to explain that there wasn't a friendship problem on the island he could think of.

"There tends to be more than meets the eye with these things." Twilight assured him.

Torch scratched at his short, shaggy orange mane. It was darker than his coat, and it seemed to be dotted with silver. "Well, there is a problem... Maybe you can help us. You have magic, don't you?"

Twilight nodded. "Yes, I do. Is there a magical disturbance abound?"

"Well, I don't know. But whatever it is, it isn't natural." Torch warned her with frightened eyes.

Rainbow Dash yawned. "Then why would the cutie map call me? I'm not an Alicorn Princess."

Torch raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Like I said, I'll explain everything." Twilight tittered nervously.

A short distance down the trail later, and the trio arrived at what could only be the village Torch mentioned. A couple dozen huts poked up around a pool of presumably fresh water. Ponies strolling here and there stopped what they were doing to observe the newcomers.

"I'll introduce you to my wife," Torch said. "She might be able to explain what's been going on better than I can." He halted, processing his words. "She, uh... might get a little emotional."

Twilight and Rainbow Dash exchanged looks. "Is something wrong with her?" Twilight inquired.

"Not her," Torch shook his head. "But there's something very, very wrong with our son."

"I think we already found our friendship problem." Rainbow whispered.

Torch led them to a large hut, pushing open the door. Rainbow Dash and Twilight followed him inside.

"Did you find out what Bean and Bug were so worked up about?" They heard a mare ask.

"Yes. We have visitors." Torch answered as he trotted to a living room area. A pink Pegasus laid on a cushion, her chin resting on one hoof. Her sky blue mane fell over her eyes.

She looked up at them, her eyes widening in shock. Torch placed one hoof on her shoulder.

"This is my wife, Fire-"

"Firefly."

Rainbow Dash gazed at the Pegasus, peering into her violet eyes.

"R-Rainbow Dash?" She asked in a quiet voice. She stood up, reaching a hoof towards Rainbow. She flinched when it brushed into Rainbow Dash's chest, as if expecting her to be an apparition.

"Rainbow Dash, do you know this pony?" Twilight asked slowly.

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash swallowed. "Twilight, this is Firefly. My mom."