The Balloon Beneath the Sea

The creature shook the submarine.

Ronnie rolled under a seat. Paul crashed into the control panel. Ponco Violet remained upright by gripping two levers, which caused the lamps to flash and the horn to play three notes of a marching tune.

“There must be a way to rise,” Paul said.

“There is,” Ponco Violet replied. “The emergency balloon.”

She pointed to a dial marked SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, VERY LARGE, HUGE and UNWISE.

“We need huge,” Ronnie said.

“We need enough,” Paul corrected. “If it is too large, it will pull us out of the water.”

The creature bit down. A crack appeared in the outer layer of glass.

Ponco Violet turned the dial to HUGE.

Two doors opened on top of the submarine. Violet material billowed out and inflated. The balloon grew until it was larger than a house.

The submarine jerked upwards.

The creatures released it and fled, apparently deciding that anything capable of swelling so quickly was best left alone.

They shot through the water and broke the surface in an explosion of spray. For several seconds the submarine floated peacefully beneath its balloon.

Then it continued upwards.

(opens a larger, uncropped view)

“We’re flying,” Ronnie said.

“I have invented the world’s first AeroSubmarine!” cried Ponco Violet.

“By accident,” Paul said.

“Most discoveries are accidents recognized by the correct person.”

The submarine swung beneath the balloon. Paul looked through the transparent floor at the lake shrinking below them.

“Use the propeller,” he said. “It can push us through the air.”

Ponco Violet started the motor. They buzzed over the hills like the strangest aircraft ever built.

Ahead, a rainbow formed in a rain cloud.

“The Radiant Rainbow,” Ronnie said. “Steer for the violet band.”

Ponco Violet gripped the controls. This time she listened as Paul called directions.

The AeroSubmarine entered the rainbow. Violet light filled the cabin. Paul heard a sound like glass cracking beneath deep water.

They landed in the Rainbow Room amid torn balloon fabric and a shower of violet bubbles. The violet spark joined the other six inside the white door. For one perfect second, the whole room shone. Then a black crack appeared across the white door.

“The Heartlight,” Ronnie whispered. “It has begun.”