Twilight, Sunset, and Starlight continued to try to find anything on the subject of the red and black Orichalcum Stones, when Spike walked into the room and said, "I believe I have an idea on where we can try to find a red Orichalcum Stone. Originally, even the green ones came from Seaquestria. Orichalcum is an ancient metal used back before the hippogriffs retreated to the seas to escape the Storm King. Maybe they know something about it?"

Twilight thought for a moment, "That is true, but how are we supposed to get there? I don't think I need to remind you that Penelope is the only member of the crew who can breathe underwater."

Spike cleared his throat and told her, "Not exactly. I can breathe underwater too. I've got gills and lungs."

Starlight Glimmer looked at Spike and asked, "Since when do you have gills? Did that witchdoctor you had on your crew experiment on you?" As Twilight stomped on her foot, she cried out in pain and asked, "What was that for!?"

Twilight glared at her, "Spike lost Zecora in battle, show respect for the dead."

Starlight gulped and bowed in apology, "I'm very sorry Spike, that was rude of me to imply someone you cared about would do such a thing."

Spike's eye twitched when Starlight suggested that Zecora experimented on him, but stayed calm, "I've had gills since the day I was born Starlight. My grandfather on my father's side was a sea dragon, I inherited gills from him, as did my father. Hell, my idiot cousin's side of the family might have gills." When Starlight apologized for her rude remark, he sighed, "Apology accepted. The only thing Zecora ever did to me was making a potion to nullify the tracking spell I had placed on me."

Sunset Shimmer nodded, "He's right, Celestia's husband was an Olympic swimmer before he married the Queen, it's no surprise he was part sea dragon."

Twilight sighed, "That's nice, but is a two-person party really efficient?"

Spike chuckled, "You don't think I thought of that?" before sitting down and closing his eyes and drifting off into a light sleep, light enough to dream a dream.

Starlight questioned what the prince was doing, falling asleep at a crucial moment, before she saw his Orichalcum Eye glowing, followed by the three of them glowing and gills started to form.

As Spike woke up, he smiled and said, "I had a dream of me and my whole crew swimming to Seaquestria, and now with my Orichalcum Eye's magic, all of us can breathe underwater."

Before any of the girls could respond, Pinkie burst into the room yelling, "Oh come on! That's the best the writer could come up with!? Just using a magic dream to give us all gills!? That's just so-" before a lightning bolt struck her, "Yowza! I don't understand why Rainbow gets off on that! How is that arousing!?"

As thunder rumbled again, Spike said, "Pinkie, just calm down. I have no idea who this writer you're talking about is, but whoever he is, it seems weird shit happens when you get into it with him. Just calm down."

Pinkie stood up and said, "Fine, it's just so annoying with his lack of-" before being quieted by Spike placing his hand over her mouth and muffled said, "Ok, I get it."

As the crew gathered and Spike explained why they now all had gills, and were heading to Seaquestria, they were a bit put off that they magically had gills but understood the situation. Spike told them, "Morgan, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Penelope are coming with me to Seaquestria. I just made sure that we all can if given the need."

Spike and the girls he'd chosen to take with him headed to the train station and bought tickets to the beach closest to Seaquestria.

Two hours later...

As they got off the train, Penelope took in the salty sea air, "Well, let's get going!" before jumping into the water.

As the five of them went into the water, they felt naturally attuned to the new gills they had. Twilight spoke, "This certainly is a new experience, but it's not that hard."

Spike nodded, "Come on, let's get to Seaquestria and ask around." before swimming towards deeper waters.

As they approached the city, they were stopped by Queen Novo's guards, who said, "Halt! No outsiders are allowed in Seaquestria!"

Spike explained, "I don't intend to cause any trouble. My name is Spike Drake, I'm the Prince of Equestria. My reason for coming here is to learn about the Orichalcum Stones. My Orichalcum Eye is made with a red Orichalcum Stone, which none of us on the surface have ever seen before."

The guard thought for a moment and said, "Very well, accompany us to Queen Novo's castle." before leading them to the castle.

As they arrived, Princess Skystar was looking out her window and her eyes widened when she saw Spike approaching and headed down to meet them alongside her mother. Before Spike and his friends entered, she squealed, "Mother! It's him! The one from the vision the Grand Pearl gave us! He's here!"

Queen Novo's eyes widened and as they entered, she saw Spike, and immediately smiled, "Welcome friends. I have been told of your quest by my guards. May I ask you something though? To you, the Prince of Equestria. I wish to speak in private with you and my daughter, Princess Skystar."

Spike nodded before motioning to the girls to leave the room, along with the guards. He swam over to a table and sat down, "Your majesty, I'm honored, but may I ask why you wish to speak in private when we're just here for research?"

Novo giggled, "Well, we've been waiting for you. The Grand Pearl predicted your arrival a few years ago. It showed you were the one who would marry my daughter."

Spike sighed and said to himself, "Why are so many people looking for a suitor in me?" before clearing his throat and saying, "I assume not a lot of news from the surface gets down here. I've sired a daughter, her name is Aurora. Not only that, I have multiple wives as polygamy is legal in Equestria."

Skystar's eyes started tearing up, "Does that mean you don't like me?"

Spike shook his head, "I never said I wouldn't agree, but I have a life on the surface, with multiple wives. I simply wish to inform you of the conditions of my life."

Skystar wiped her tears away and smiled, "Thank you Spike. Seaquestria doesn't have laws against polygamy, and I'd be honored to share such a man from the surface. The Grand Pearl told us your arrival would be the first step to bridging the gap between us and surface dwellers."

Spike smiled lightly, "That sounds like a great idea, connecting worlds as friends and allies is a welcome idea to me."

And so, Spike has arrived in Seaquestria, and while at first it was an unwarm welcome, he now seems to be part of a prophecy in connecting the sea-ponies with the surface dwellers. Once again, much like with Lucy, he must add a girl to his harem in order to gain allies. With Princess Skystar now agreeing to go with him when he leaves Seaquestria, she offers her help in assisting Spike and his crew learning more about the Orichalcum Stones. Under the sea, what new adventures await Spike and his comrades?

Only time will tell...

Next Chapter: The Orichalcum Mine Estimated time remaining: 36 Minutes