Shopping went a bit horrid for Selene. The store was large and wide able to accommodate her as she moved through the store with her tail out. However, the managers came up to her as she was looking at the clothes with Night as Twilight and her mother went off to look at cribs. They tried to get her to take off her costume causing her to get confused. Night Light stepped in and tell them that Selene wasn’t in costume and that she was in her real form. Selene placed her hoof on his shoulder shaking her head as her fins moved a bit causing them to go pale. The managers had to step back before whispering to each other. They came back telling her she had to sit in a basket that Night or Twilight had to push around. Night was about to get into an argument with them but Selene agreed to keep the peace. She climbed into the basket they had with them smiling at Night.

“You shouldn’t let them push you around” he whispered towards Selene, “Velvet told me you were the queen of the sea as the islanders called you”

“I maybe the queen but…” she sighed as she moved closer to him “After the peace treaty is signed and we return to the surface I will be exiled from where I come from. The nobles do not like me and they started a war. They told my dad that if he wanted the war to stop he needed to exile me. So why would I use a title that I would no longer have? I will be living here on the surface so why would I make a fuse now” Selene curled herself up in the basket. She watched as Twilight and her mother walked over with some items floating in their magic. Twilight noticed that Selene was in the basket causing her to give Selene a confused look. As she got closer her father stopped them and told them what happened. Velvet wanted to give the managers a piece of her mind when they were ringing them up. The managers were keeping an eye on Selene as they were sitting at the checkout counter. Selene had her fins up as she glared towards the managers. She pulled herself out of the basket with the help of Night Light. Sighing she walked out of the store and sat on the sidewalk fixing the scales. As she was fixing her scales she could hear a small voice in the back of her head. Sitting up she looked around the storefront.

“Star?”

“Yes?” Star let out a small yawn as she been enjoying her time off.

“Are you calling me?”

“What? I been asleep. I have been enjoying this time on the surface” Star started to chuckle. “Why?”

“I’m hearing a voice calling me. Telling me to return”

“Don’t listen to it” She hissed as Selene placed her ears against her head.

“Why?”

“It’s the sea. Once you return you might never come back to land” Star huffed as Selene’s ears stayed against her head.

“It might be better than getting looked at weirdly”

“Surface ponies Selene. They're not used to seeing a pony that is different” Star sighed as she moved a bit in the shadows. Selene could feel Star taking an eye as she looked around. She let out a loud huffed as she noticed the ponies glancing towards her before turning back to the other ponies.

“As long as they are not hurting you. Ponies will always talk no matter if you're on land or sea.” Selene let a breath out as she tried to push the other voice and emotions away.

“Star”

“If the voice starts overpowering mine then we leave.”

“Star! Do not tell her that is a good idea!” Twilight’s voice rang through Selene’s head. The merpony placed her hoof up to her head as Selene turned around as Twilight was smiling to her parents as they walked out of the store. Her heart was pounding in her chest as She watched Twilight turned towards her. She shot the merpony glared towards her. Selene got to her hooves and walked with them in silence as she kept close to Twilight. Once they were back at her parent's house Twilight turned towards Selene.

“so you're going to up and leave again? You got lost when you ran from Pinkie! You got hurt when you ran from the girls in Baltimare” Twilight was trying to keep her calm as Selene nodded.

“The voice is telling me to. It's soft but its there. I can feel the pain coming from it and I can feel the fear from it” Selene laid on her stomach in front of Twilight.

“I’m scared. Do I leave and stay in the sea or do I stay here and let it get louder and louder” she glanced up as the purple unicorn laid out in front of her.

“I know you are but you need to stop running away from your problems. You know we can always go find Princess Celestia and Luna. They control the sun and moon and their magic must talk to them so they know when to change the time of day” Twilight smiled as her mother walked in placing hot stones on Selene’s back. That caused the merpony to gasp as her tail flicked behind her.

“Mother!”

“Your father told me she was hunching over. Her back must be hurting from walking like that. Plus hot stones always helped my back when I was carrying you and shining armor” she smiled as Selene nodded.

“This feels so good” she nestled her head into her hooves. Twilight snickered as she sat up stretching her back. Walking towards the kitchen she started to make a pot of tea. Her mother was busy making some small sandwiches as her father was sitting at the table trying to finish his paper. Twilight poked her head out seeing if Selene wanted anything but she found the merpony resting.

“How is she doing?” Velvet glanced towards her daughter.

“She asleep. I think today wore her out” Twilight sighed as Velvet poked her head out as she used her magic to warm the stones back up.

“She has also been harassed today. The ponies working at the store forced her to sit in a shopping car because of her tail” Night Light spoke up as he placed the paper down.

“Dear when did you two run into each other?” Velvet walked back into the kitchen.

“I was on my way back with the princesses from Saddle Ariba. We were a day from Trottingham. We were on the way to dinner when we heard a loud crash on deck. I followed the princesses to the deck and we found the sailors pulling Selene from the hull. Her tail was wrapped up in rope with nails sticking out. Princess Celestia knew what she was and let her sleep in their room. After talking to her and repairing her tail. We came into land and as we were transporting from the boat to the dock our boat was attacked. I was knocked into the water and she came in after me. She saved my life from drowning and from being shark food. Her guards also helped” Twilight placed the tea kettle on the table as her mother had a smile on her face.

“She saved you twice in your life Twilight. Even when you two didn’t know each other” Velvet smiled as Twilight nodded.

“Well while you two talk I will go and place the poor dear upstairs” Night moved from the table leaving the two chatty mares to talk. He walked over to Selene noticing the merpony was resting easy as her ears were twitching nonstop. He was able to carry her up to the bedroom allowing her to rest in peace. As he was walking out of the room his mind drifted towards the memory of when his kids were younger and he had to carry them to bed. a smile formed on his muzzle as he walked down the stairs back into the kitchen where he found his daughter and wife going through a list of names. He was about to sit down when he heard a knock on the front door.

“I wonder who that could be?” he spoke up softly as he walked towards the door. Opening it up slowly he noticed his son Shining Armor with princess Celestia standing next to him.

“Shining, Princess Celestia please come in” he smiled as Twilight poked her head out from the kitchen. Twilight walked out with her mother as her eyes cast up towards her mentor.

“Twilight sparkle” Celestia spoke up as the purple unicorn flattened her ears against her head waiting for the scolding “I am glad you are safe. You had me worried when we couldn’t find you” Celestia leaned down and nuzzled her softly.

“I’m sorry princess.” Twilight rubbed the back of her head.

“Now that you are found we need to find Selene” she smiled.

“Oh, she should be upstairs resting. The poor dear was in a large amount of back pain” Velvet spoke up as Celestia breathed easily.

“Good. I was worried that something happened to her again.” She closed her eyes as she rubbed her forehead.

“What do you mean by that princess” Velvet glared at her daughter as Twilight looked down to the floor.

“Well it is a long story”

“I can make a new pot of tea” Velvet turned around disappearing into the kitchen. As Velvet was getting the tea ready Celestia started to run through the story. As they were gathered around the living room Selene started to move. Moving her back she felt that the rocks were missing causing her to open an eye. Looking around she noticed she had ended up in Twilight’s room again. Picking her head up Selene moved from the bed as she listened to the voices coming from the bottom rooms. Nudging the door open she walked out and kept quiet. She looked down towards the stairs before taking a small step down. Once she was on the lower floor Selene poked her head into the kitchen glancing at the ponies around the table. She could see her aunt sitting in the back with Shining armor turning a bright red while Cadence and Twilight were laughing. Night Light was sitting at the table quietly allowing his wife to embarrass their son. Velvet was going on about a time when Shining Armor accidentally tripped on a rock and landed in a cabbage cart that rolled down the streets of Canterlot all because he was staring at Cadence in her prom dress. Selene backed out of the kitchen as she looked around towards the bookshelves. Walking over she looked up towards the books tilting her head to the side. Noticing a book of black and silver with the words “Mare in the moon” written on the side. Picking that book from the shelf Selene leaned against the couch as she opened up the book. Placing the book on the floor she stretched herself out on her stomach reading silently. Her tail was swaying behind her as she carefully went over the book. Once she was finished with the book she sat up and placed it on the shelf. As she was sitting at the shelf she heard hoof steps coming towards the room. Her heart sank into her chest thinking it was her aunt coming into the room. Looking around she hid behind a potted plant. She stayed still watching as Shining armor walked into the room with Celestia following him.

“Well, when Selene is awake bring her to the castle. Your friends are very worried for you both” she glanced towards Twilight with a sad glare in her eyes.

“I will princess” Twilight nodded but the room went silent as the plant started to move. Moving their eyes they noticed a pair of fins popping out from behind the plant. As they were staring Selene had found the small space comfy and a perfect place to try and convert into a cave. She was trying to curl up into a small ball till she was caught by a golden aura pulling her from the spot.

“No, I found this cave” she let out a loud hiss as her fins went up while her fur stood on ends. She was glaring at the ponies as they were staring back. Once she saw who was staring at her and who was holding her in place. Her face turned a dark shade of red as she curled herself up into a ball hiding her face. She could hear Star laughing at Selene’s embarrassment.

“I think the Sparkles have claimed that first” Celestia smiled trying to hide her amusement. She kept her eye on the curled up merpony noticing her fins were twitching while she was being held in her magic “Now that you are up my dear. You and Twilight can follow me to the castle” Celestia placed Selene on her back. The purple unicorn gulped as she followed the solar alicorn out of the house. Her ears stayed back as they walked out of the house. As they were walking through the streets Twilight looked up towards Celestia.

“Princess does the sun ever talk to you?” she spoke up causing the alicorn to stop for a moment as she looked towards her student.

“What has brought this one, My faithful student?”

“Well, Selene said she was hearing the sea calling her. I know it's her magic but I didn’t know if your magic acted the same way” Twilight shuffled her hoof along the streets.

“Well, I know when I first started using my magic I could feel a pull. The sun would pull at my magic when it wanted to set or raise for the day. However, it never talked to me so that might be something you want to ask Luna. The moon was a cold one when I moved it though it might be nicer to Luna.” Celestia moved her wings noticing Selene was shifting her weight as she moved her head. Selene moved a bit as she allowed one of her eyes to be free as she noticed the buildings around her move. Selene moved her head so she could see where they were walking. She noticed the buildings were moving and the floor was replaced by white fur.

“Finally coming out of that shell?” Selene heard her aunt spoke softly in a snicker.

“I’m sorry about what happened” She smiled as she rubbed the back of her head.

“About the going missing or the hissing at me?”

“Both of them” Selene smiled as she looked down at her aunt. “I didn’t know what came over me with the plant” she giggled as Celestia simply nodded. It was another silent walk as they entered the castle. Selene looked over and noticed the night guard and the solar guard both lined up in the throne room as Luna was giving orders.

“I want the stones turned over. The weeds searched through and the leaves turned over as well” she held her wing up as Celestia let out a giggle. The younger alicorn turned around and noticed her sister was giggling.

“Do you find this funny dear sister? Our niece and student are”

“Found. Thank you mares and gentle colts but those who are not scheduled to work may go home.” Celestia smiled as she placed Selene from her back onto the ground. Luna huffed as she looked to the two ponies.

“You two made us worry” she waved her wing at them as Selene was glancing around the room. Her fins were twitching as she looked around.

“Selene?” Luna spoke up causing the merpony to turn towards her.

“I’m sorry” she smiled “I’m just out of my element here” she kept the smile up as Luna nodded.

“Selene I think you need to relax” Celestia looked towards the merpony.

“I’m not stressed. I’m just confused. I mean I don’t know what to do. I can hear the voices again and Star is getting drowned out by them” she laid out on the floor whining. The ponies in the room turned towards each other. Twilight looked up towards the princess “Can we take the boat to the Tropics?” she spoke up as Selene glanced towards Twilight.

“I don’t feel at ease sending you two out there alone”

“I can go with them sister, and I can drag along our two newest guards. Plus Twilight can get her friends together” Luna smiled as she walked towards Celestia.

“Luna if we go to the Tropics then King Triton will think we are too impatient to wait the full year he has given us!” Celestia stomped her hoof as Luna held her wing up.

“Who said we will be going to Maremuda sister. I said the Tropics. I would like to see the islands around there and talk to the ponies that live there. If we are going to help Triton why not see what our ponies who live on the islands need as well” Luna smiled as Celestia placed her wing under her chin.

“Fine but while my sister gets the supplies and the boats together. I will grant you some time in Ponyvile. I want you to stay with the elements and learn how a surface pony works and interacts with the world around them. I want you to feel comfortable around other ponies” Celestia looked towards Selene causing her to look up at her aunt.

“But I am fine around ponies” Selene smiled.

“Around merponies. I’ve noticed you watching the surface ponies closely. I also noticed you sticking around ponies you know. I want you to branch out” Celestia walked over towards Selene moving her wing around her “I want you to be able to handle the surface well. I’ve been sitting in some of Krill’s lessons with his merpony students and I will say its eye-opening. But one of his points that sticks with me is that merponies that are born and come from the sea need to return. They need to do that to keep their powers in check. I learned that most get by with a tank or a quick visit to the beaches. Though if you want to stay here on land you need to balance both lives” she was brushing her wing over Selene’s mane. The merpony nuzzled her face into her aunt’s fur.

“Okay” her voice was soft as Celestia smiled.

“Good, now your new friends should be waiting for you two at the train station for the next train back to Ponyvile” Celestia walked over to her sister as Selene turned towards Twilight. She noticed a large smile on Twilight’s face.

“I guess I am coming back with you” she smiled.

“Oh, this will be great. We can learn magic and I can continue my research!” she was clapping her hooves. Selene chuckled as she walked with her out of the castle.

“Well, what about this Nightmare Night I’ve been hearing about?” Selene looked towards the pony beside her.

“Oh we will go over that as well” Twilight helped Selene move towards the train station. Glancing towards the train station Selene noticed the five mares sitting in a circle talking to each other. Pinkie was the first one to noticed the two and started to bounce up and down.

“Is she coming with us?” she smiled as Twilight nodded.

“The princess thought it would be a good idea for her to work with us this week. She is also arranging us to visit the Tropics with Selene in a week as well” Twilight was giggling as Rainbow looked towards them.

“Wait were going to visit the Tropics in a week!?” her wings twitched as Selene nodded.

“I thought since we can’t go to Maremuda just yet why not visit the islands? It's warm and comfy even at this time of year” Selene was flexing her fins as she kept her grin up.

“Awww Sweet a nice vacation during this week!” Rainbow smiled as Pinkie bounced around.

“Ahh shucks this is going to be a nice break. Harvest is all done for the year so a nice vacation would be lovely” Applejack fixed her hat as Rarity was going off about bathing suits and everything. Fluttershy let out a quiet shout. Selene giggles as she followed them onto the train.

“Can we bring Discord?” Fluttershy had spoken up as Selene nodded.

“I bet he would love another vacation” Selene kept her smile up as she took a seat on the train. She was listening to the ponies around her create a plan on what they were going to help her with. Pinkie was first as she was determined to make up the day where she was running out of the bakery. Then Applejack as she wanted to make up for what her brother did. Rainbow Dash wanted to be next as she wanted to take Selene to the Wonderbolts show happening in Ponyvile. Rarity wanted to be last as she wanted time to plan outfits together. This time the train stopped in Ponyvile and her friends let Selene off with a helping hoof instead of keeping her on the train and dragging her off to who knows where.