The past few hours have been dedicated to respecting the loss of innocent lives both native and foreign. To the Tagatu, their burials are adorned with relics from warrior spears to skeletal necklaces. For the lost shipmates of the Venture, it’s their prized possessions. Pinky gave out her favorite frying pan for Lumpy. Jimmy placed Hayes’ soaked hat on his memorial, sniffling while stepping back. The Rainbooms give a few trinkets to the burial sites of Adagio and Aria. Several search parties have tried to find Sonata to no avail; not even the Shobijin could sense her. In the meantime, the twin fairies sang a song of prayer. Though the language is unknown to most, it touched several hearts.
An hour passes and Sunset just about finished collecting her things. Stroking her home, she wonders just how much she’ll miss this world. She continues walking down, where her friends are waiting, while looking at Celestia standing in front of the moth. The creature makes a few chirps, as if it’s actually talking.
“Indeed, she has gone quite far.” Celestia agrees, letting the moth make a series of chirps, “I understand, and I have complete faith in her as I have with Princess Twilight.”
Celestia wraps her right hand around her left, bows, then turns around. As she walks away, the moth makes a few longer, somber chirps. The Alicorn stops, somehow reflecting on what was spoken.
“I am aware, Mosura.” She answers before continuing her walk. With tiny legs, the moth slowly turns around and crawls to her shrine.
With Sunset’s possessions brought on board, including an egg the size of a watermelon, the pair of rescue boats are boarded and the passengers ready to go back to civilization. Sunset walks to the bow, looking around as the people she helped for months, men, women, and children alike gather by the shore. In her silence, she wraps her hand over the other and bows. As the Tagatu do the same, Rarity sheds a tear and so does Pinkie Pie, for she doesn’t have a camera to capture the moment.
With everyone on board not to encounter monsters, and The Venture ready to abandon them in a few hours, the best chance they have is using the fishing routes on the north end of the island, where the waters, while still deep for the motorboats, are too shallow for the island’s aquatic kaiju. Along the way through a tunnel of trees, the Rainbooms and the Crusaders talk with each other.
“Sunset rode a tiger!?” Rainbow hands were shaky before scooching closer to Sunset, “You gotta teach me how!”
“Trust me,” Sunset stands up and laughs, “it’s not as easy as you think.”
She chuckles a little before looking at her old teacher sitting at the stern of the motorboat. Looking at her alone, Sunset notices her friends looking at her and motion her to go up there. Swallowing some courage, she walks over to Celestia and sits next to her. The silence killing them, the Rainbooms and Crusaders take a peek from the corner of the pilot house. Sunset licks her lips and takes a deep breath before looking at her mentor sitting straight with eyes closed.
“I… I am so sorry…” Sunset takes another deep breath, “I am sorry for wasting your time… I... I understand why Twilight is the better one… and why I was so stupid, arrogant, and-”
Celestia immediately wraps her arms around Sunset, holding her tight as she has with many a troubled student.
“I was, and always will be, proud of you Sunset.” Celestia whispers, “I expected too much from you as I have with my other students. It’s an admirable quality when you are a protector of others. But you must realize that while you may be the worst student, it does not mean you are the worst individual in the world. As I have heard from Twilight and have seen just now, you are strong, passionate, and loyal to a fault. These are what I’ve seen in all my students, but only when tempered with compassion and humility can they achieve more.”
Both master and student look at each other at arm’s length. The peepers shed a few tears, Pinkie trying so hard not to break down.
“Just as long as you know,” Celestia rubs Sunset’s shoulder, “you are always welcome at my home.”
“Thank you, Princess Celestia.” Sunset looks up at the canopy, “But after all this, I have a lot to catch up. Besides,” Sunset looks at the peeping Toms, who immediately retreat, “who’s better at understanding magic other than Twilight?”
Just when Celestia curled up a smile, the boats leave the tunnel, warming them with the bright sun. The passengers look at the direction of the sun, staring in awe at the wonderful sight that beheld them. Roaming a clearing next to the river are some of the many animals the Rainbooms have encountered including being closer to the long necked reptiles Fluttershy saw at a distance a while back. One of them, a juvenile, notices the motorboats and follows them at a steady stride. As two larger individuals join it, Celestia wraps her arm around Sunset.
“As you wish.” Celestia and Sunset look at each other, give a smile then look up at the massive creatures approaching them. The juvenile cranes its head a little and gives out a bellow, as does the rest of its kind.
Watching the motor boat enter the lagoon from afar, Sonata sheds a tear before returning to the jungle. The heroines have won and are taking back a friend. The Skedar and the Skull Crawlers are no more… and so are two of her sisters, the only company she had since being banished here two thousand years ago. Alone, with the fixed pendant, she hoped that the island's smaller carnivores would end her to no avail. So she went with plan b. Sonata settles a rock, stands on it, and pulls down an overhanging vine. It’ll take a while, but to be with her sisters again, it’ll be worth it.
That is until the soil gives away, sending the Siren rolling down a slick tunnel. Her scream attracts a whalewolf, but predators don’t value injury as much as food and so scarpers off for easier prey. Reaching the bottom, Sonata slides across an icy floor, hits her back against the wall, and flops her belly. Shaking her head, the blue siren notices a blue gold object deep within the ice.
Two in fact; Sonata follows the two whip like structures, which join into one, turns around and lets out a yelp. Before her is the rest of her discovery: a three headed dragon bigger than the demon accidentally summoned by Midnight Sparkle. However long the beast was imprisoned, it’s done a good deal to him. Emaciated and wings frays, the creature has no chance of moving. Though his body is a golden color, the fact that Sonata’s pendant is glowing rapidly tells her otherwise. Sonata lifts the object and brings it close to the middle head. Seeing it glowing rapidly as an exhausted human heart, Sonata draws a toothy grin.
She might have lost her dear sisters, but she won’t lose herself… Not before them.
Home
With a phone charger she borrowed from Pinkie Pie, Sunset steps into her apartment complex for the first time in a long while. She takes a deep breath and begins to walk towards the stairs.
“Hey,” Sunset stops and turns her tired head at her landlord, “you're five days late on your rent.”
Withholding her frustration, the fire haired girl walks to the land lord, opens her back pack and turns it upside-down. Ten chunks of gold, each the size of a fist, land on the desk with a hard thud. The land lord, as astonished as any man with precious metals, picks one up and rubs it slowly.
“Count it if you like.” She mutters before continuing her journey. One aching climb up a flight of stairs and a brief walk down the hall to the door, Sunset takes out her keys, turns the lock and enters the room. She lets out a huff; though the jungle is dangerous, it's far more roomy, to say the least. Sunset takes a few steps forward when her toe touches something crunchy. With a flick of the switch, she found her small apartment has become even smaller.
Scattered around are cards, baskets of candy, and presents, some as big as a suitcase. Her stomach not in the right mind for candy, Sunset walks to the kitchen; even if most of her food is rotten by now, a little can go a long way. To her surprise, the fridge is already cleaned out and replaced with fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. One particular eye catcher is two bunches of blue berry muffins on the second shelf with a pink card on top. Sunset opens the card and reads,
“I’m sorry for hurting you. If you don't want to forgive me, that's... okay. But at least have these muffins. You must’ve been really hungry after three months.
Derpy”
A warm fuzzy feeling fills her heart, Sunset takes out a blueberry muffin and takes a nibble. The taste of the savory, sugary, and fruity pastry revived her sweet tooth, and she quickly takes a larger bite. As she finishes the muffin, Sunset hooks up the phone to the charger and sits on her bed. A half hour later, her ears pick up several beeping sounds like a bell. She stands up and presses the power button on her phone.
“70 Missed calls, 52 voicemails.”
Entering her password and setting the phone on speaker mode, Sunset scrolls to her list of missed calls. All of her classmates and a few lower classmen from Applejack to Zipporwhill have called her. She flips to her voicemail, places the phone on the edge of her bed and sits down. Taking a small breath, the Unicorn in women's clothing presses the first message with Applejack’s phone ID.
“You have fifty-two voice messages. First message.”
“Hey, Sunset. I’m calling to tell you that I’ve found someone who’s got someone to say. Ahem, Apple Bloom.”
“Uhm, Sunset, I, we, are Anon-a-Miss. See, we were jealous that you were getting all the attention and we… Well…”
“End of Message. Second Message.”
“But Rarity-”
“NOW, SWEETIE BELLE!”
"Sunset, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Each succeeding voicemail made Sunsets heart wrench. All those days since, all those faces that jeered her, scorned her, broke her down. This sudden change in character, though desperate, is more than just heartfelt that it breaks her heart once more. Holding a pillow as she would a teddy bear, and tears in her eyes, Sunset lays on her side and continues listening to the voicemails. After the seventh message, she starts bawling, letting her sadness take her into slumberland.
The next morning, the school bell rings again, and the student body fills the Commons once more. But the chatter isn’t as loud as it was. The news of the crusade to get Sunset back stifled several of the upperclassmen such as Lyra, Bon Bon, and Derpy. Micro Chips hears the doors open and makes a hissing sound through his lips, almost dropping his glasses.
Standing a few steps ahead of the Rainbooms is Sunset Shimmer. In one of the many presents in her apartment were a new pair of jeans, a blue shirt with a yellow trim, and a new jacket with orange chevrons on the sleeves with a pair of boots to match. The sight of her got the entire student body to stop and stare at the person they’ve driven out since the past December.
Passing through the Crowd, Derpy is the first to step forward. Like a scared puppy, she takes each small step forward. When she is up close to Sunset, Derpy musters all the strength she can to lift both her eyes apologetically. Everyone holds their breath, waiting for a response. As they do, Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna step out of the crowd. Sunset spreads her arms and lets her disabled classmate hug her. Hearing Derpy sniffling and her grip tightening, Sunset rubs her blonde hair before looking at the approaching school masters.
“Welcome home, Sunset.” Celestia greets, letting out a small tear, “Welcome home.”
Equestria
With her sister and Twilight gone on their little expedition, Luna takes the responsibility of raising both the sun and the moon. It's an arduous task that requires two massive meals and lots of bed rest. That fortune comes thanks to their current royal advisor, Kibbitz. Raising the sun once more, Luna lets out a yawn and makes her journey for her bedchambers; sandwiches to eat, daydreams to visit and all.
“Not so easy when I was in your horseshoes.”
Luna’s sleepy eyes widen and she turns her head to the kitchen, finding her one and only sister sitting by the table and eating a grass sandwich. Seeing another sandwich prepared, Luna foregoes sleep just a little longer and joins her sister.
“I trust that Sunset Shimmer is all well?” Luna asks, taking a nibble from her sandwich.
“Yes,” Celestia takes a sip of her tea, “all is well.”
But Luna doesn’t see Celestia even lift up a smile; surely something as important as getting in touch with a lost lamb would get something positive. She puts down her sandwich and asks, “Then what troubles you, my sister?”
Celestia puts down her cup of tea and closes her eyes. With a sigh, she answers, “Two have escaped.”
Luna immediately rises from her seat, wings spread and eyes widened. She’s had her fair share of monsters, and hearing that two have escaped from a place not even possible to escape, let alone find, is bad news.
“Which two?” Luna cocks her head, but Celestia doesn't answer, “Sister, which two?”
Bermuda Air Space, twenty-five miles around Isla De Mona
In blue skies, an F-22 Raptor screams across the Mexican Gulf. A training session, the vehicle isn’t armed; an armed one in international waters would raise a few eyebrows. Adorned with decompression suits from head to toe, the cadet is all more than ready for the demands of the danger zone. Beneath his visor, he notices a white streak in the sky.
“Cadet Mitch to Headquarters, I have picked up an unidentified flying object on my Two, over.”
The Headquarters, stationed near the Bahamas, notices the blip on their radar, and so the communications officer tries to communicate with it per quo.
“Unknown flier, this is the Florida Sea Base, you are flying unauthorized over international waters. Please respond.” The blip continues to go over the center of the radar, not giving a response, “I repeat, you are flying unauthorized over international waters, please respond.”
Again, no response.
“Cadet Mitch, we’re sending an investigation squadron, return to base immediately.” Now the cadet’s frequency is static, much to his worry.
“Officer Soundwave,” standing behind the officer is a broad, middle aged, man, “report.”
“Admiral Considine, sir.” Soundwave stands up, “we’ve just lost communication with the-”
“HQ!” A voice breaks through the static, “H-! -in!”
“Cadet Mitch!” Soundwave tunes into the frequency, headphones pressed against his ear, “What’s your status?”
“- Chased!” More static before the static clears up with a screeching sound louder than two jet engines, forcing everyone to cover their ears. “It’s - it’s bigger than a battleship! Please, send-!”
Static. This time for good. Everyone in the room looked at the Admiral. Something as big as a battleship, flying faster than a supersonic aircraft? And with an engine roar that loud, it’s no joke. The hunt is on.
The Bering Sea, Fifty Nautical Miles South-East from Anadyr, Russia.
Farther north from where the Rainbooms and Crusaders traveled, a Russian submarine, the Balashevo, makes its maiden voyage. The area a subject to nuclear tests in the past, and with rising tensions between the world’s main superpowers, caution is to be made with the vessel in international waters. Five hundred meters below and the submarine makes itself horizontal and continues its voyage. All is well with the crew… until the private notices a blip, a large one.
“Captain, we have another ship near our coordinates.”
Inspecting the larger blip, Captain Kashirin walks away to the communications officer.
“Be ready to send word back home.” He asks.
“Captain, it’s not turning away.” The blip continues to travel horizontally.
“I haven’t gotten a message either, sir.” The communications officer adds.
“Battlestations.” Kashirin turns his cap around and sits on his chair while everyone goes into high alert. The lights change from light blue to deep red. “Torpedo one, fire! Torpedo two, fire!”
The Balshevo fires it’s torpedos into the murky horizon. The crew remains silent, holding their breath as the Private looks at his stop watch, for the average time of an impact these days are a minute or two. Soon enough, the crew grabs a hold as they feel the vibration.
“Torpedo one, direct hit!” The crew hears another boom in tune with the second small blip “fusing” with the larger one, “Torpedo two, direct hit!”
“Captain, it’s still coming!” Indeed, the larger blip turns around and starts coming at them, fast. “100 meters!" The crew then hear a rumbling noise and a set of thuds growing louder in succession, "No, ri-!”
The hull of the submarine is breached, and the vessel explodes faster than the crew can have the chance to escape. The explosion fills the sea with bubbles and dust. Several deep water fish and squids are swept away by a massive creature spinning around. Beneath the moon, beneath the waves, the creature raises his large, saurian head and roars.