//------------------------------//
// For Everfree: Girls in the Moon 
// Story: Monster King 
// by Godzilla2020 
//------------------------------//

"Guys this is serious!" Hikari shouted with a twitching eye as no one was paying attention to her. Bone Crusher and Kubo were sitting on Sunset's couch with game controllers in their hands. Both had tunnel vision as they slammed on the buttons. Vector was sitting on the floor with a tired look on his face. Next to him was a giggling Akiko with a cookie in her hands.

"Dude, you suck at this game." Bone Crusher said with a smile.

"Shut up and let me concentrate!" Kubo shouted as he pressed harder on his controller.

"Come on Vecy, say ah~!" Akiko said as she held up her cookie to Vector's face.

Vector let out an annoyed sigh, "Akiko, would stop treating me like a little--wait, is that peanut butter?" 

Without a second thought he lunged for the cookie in Akiko's hands chewing it up like a parrot with a cracker. Akiko squealed in delight as she watched Vector eat.

"You're just the cutest little thing!" She pulled Vector into a tight hug rubbing her cheeks with his. Vector's only response was muffled chewing.

Hikari began to grind her teeth as her teammates continued to ignore her. Veins began to pop on her forehead. Her blue eyes had a fire inside of them. On the other side of the room the girls and the Elias watched on with caution. Moll gulped as she saw the anger in her friend rising higher by the second, afraid what was to come next, she looked to Lora "Sister, should we maybe... say something?"

"Do you want to be punished too?" Lora asked.

"No way we just got our sugar privileges back!" Moll shot back.

"Exactly, let's just watch this play out." Lora said shaking her head. 

Moll shook her head in agreement and reclined back. "Oh speaking of candy be right back." Moll jumped down into the puffy pink hair they were sitting in. She soon reappeared holding two chocolate bars. "I've got snacks!"

"How does one's hair contain this much food?" Lora asked.

"Eh, I don't know. It just does." Pinkie Pie said as she let the Elias make themselves comfortable in her hair. 

"Does anyone else think we should call the police?" Fluttershy asked. 

"Fluttershy calm down it's not like she's going to kill them." Rainbow Dash said with a sigh, "Besides we have Celestia and Luna here if things get intense." 

She pointed toward their Principal and Vice Principal, who were sitting across each other at the kitchen table. Two pillars of absolute authority that the students of Canterlot High respected. When they needed advice the girls would run to these two. Luna stern yet also caring willing to listen to whatever problem a student had and help in whatever way she could. Celestia a comforting beacon of light to the students under her care. She was kind, caring, always willing to give advice and understand her students. She was also the adoptive mother to Sunset Shimmer the first person to take her in when no else would. She was someone Sunset loved to have in her life even if on certain occasions...

"Luna how could you tell Sunny my secret?!" 

The woman would embarrass her harder than any demon transformation ever could. 

Luna let out an annoyed sigh, "You're drunk." 

"You're drunk!" Celestia slurred as she held a barely touched wine glass in her hands. Her face was red and her eyes were glazed over. "She's a delicate little angle and you tainted her." She waved her finger around along with her head.

The girls, excluding Sunset, were slack jawed at the sight. The Principal Celestia, the most respectable person they'd ever known, looked like an average drunk one would see on a sitcom, and was a complete light weight at that. Sunset face palmed with a long sigh, "Mom."

"Woah, never thought I'd live to see my principal drunk." Rainbow said.

"I thought I hid all the wine." Sunset groaned watching her mother hiccup and sway like a plant in the breeze.

"Hiding wine huh?" Aria asked with a raised eyebrow and an evil grin, "Could the model student actually have a dark side her friends know nothing about? Could she actually be, gasp, an underage drinker." Aria let out a mock gasp holding her hand to her mouth dramatically.

Sunset merely looked at her with a deadpan expression, "No, it's to avoid this situation." She pointed toward Celestia as she had tears running down her face.

"Luna you big dummy, dummy head, dumb, dumb, dumb!" Celestia repeatedly shouted at her sister.

Luna took a sip from her own glass rolling her eyes, "Ouch that really hurts. Your words cut so deep." She spoke lazily like reading from a bad script.

"Luna, seems way to used to used to this." Rarity pointed out.

Adagio looked at a completely red faced Sunset, "So is this a regular thing?"

"Just kill me now." Sunset moaned.

"Perhaps I should call the police and inform them about the hidden bottles in your house." Aria said looking at Sunset with a raised eyebrow.

Sunset groaned, "I don't drink!"

"A likely story."

"Um girls." Fluttershy quietly said while tugging on Sunset's jacket. She had wide eyes as she was watching something else. But her voice went unheard as Sunset had rosy cheeks as she began denying everything that Aria was saying about her. Aria had her usual evil smirk as she kept pressing Sunset's buttons. Still Fluttershy continued trying to get their attention, "Um girls you might want to look at-"

"Aria, would you leave me alone!" Sunset groaned.

"Nope too much fun. Maybe I should check your room for beer." Aria said looking at the stairs leading to a loft.

Sunset got in the siren's face fire shooting out of her eyes, "Don't. You. Dare."

"Oh now I have to see!" Aria had a wide grin crossing her face. 

The fight would have gone on further if it hadn't been for Fluttershy yelping getting the girls attention as she dove to the ground. The girls were all confused when a sudden high-pitched scream and blur flew past them. Luna heard it too and looked up to suddenly see Vector plow into her. She was knocked clean out of her chair with a grunt. Celestia watched this with wide eyes as she broke into uncontrollable laughter.

"Luna got hit by a shooting star!" 

As Luna and Vector let out collective groans the girls slowly turned their heads as they began to shake in place. They were met with the sight of a huffing Hikari as she held a whimpering Akiko by the ear in one hand and a broken game controller in the other. Bone Crusher and Kubo were both flat on their backs with large bumps on their heads, eyes swirling. "Now. Are you all going to listen?"

"Uh huh." Bone Crusher and Kubo let out pained moans.

"Ow, Ow, Ow! I'll listen! I'll listen!" Akiko whimpered as Hikari pulled on her ear. 

Hikari turned her head toward the girls as they continued to shake in place. Her bright smile returned even though she hadn't let go of Akiko and or the controller. "Would one of you bring Vecy over here." 

Luna was slow to rise as she held a moaning Vector in her hands, "Could you please stop kicking him into me."

"Sorry about that." Hikari said as Vector was placed at her feet.

"Please don't leave me alone with her!" Vector begged. A sudden chill went down his spine as he felt a piercing gaze behind him. Hikari was practically glowing with rage. Vector turned around with a wide quivering smile, "Because I won't stop myself from showering her with love." He desperately spat out.

"Do I look like Akiko?" Hikari said with narrowed eyes.

"Well you're missing two very large features." Vector said under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Hikari studied Vector with narrowed eyes as he smiled back at her. "You live for now, but we've got bigger fish to fry. Moll, Lora come here."

Pinkie's hair shook as Moll and Lora brought their heads out. Both of them were shaking with fear, "Could you let go of Akiko first?" Moll said.

"And the jumpy stick." Lora said. 

Hikari looked down at her hands noticing that she was still holding Akiko and the game controller. She sighed before letting both go. Akiko rubbed her ear with a groan and whimper. Moll and Lora looked at each other sharing a mental conversation before nodding in agreement. Moll stood on top Pinkie's head pointing forward, "Onward Pinkie!" Pinkie sounded off like a horse before galloping toward Hikari. 

The young scientist held in a small giggle at the cute sight, as she kept up a serious face when she looked at her team. "OK guys, as I was trying to say, Vector, how long will it take to build the aura engine?"

"It took me about three weeks to build the first one. But now that I know what I'm doing it should take me two weeks. Depending on how fast Trans sends the parts." Vector said.

"Okay, now for the most important part. What are we going to do about money?" Hikari asked. 

Vector rolled his eyes with an annoyed sigh, "Don't get your panties in a bunch, Hikari. Trans couldn't have been serious about all of our funds being gone."

"This coming from the vagabond who flaunts earnings without a care." Lora said while rolling her eyes.

"Hey I'm a hermit. Who spends money on only the finest items." Vector said. 

"Like a statue of a frog girl?" Lora said with sarcasm and a raised brow.

Before Vector could speak back Hikari cleared her throat with annoyance. Freezing them in place as they looked at Hikari, "What you are is grounded, Vector." Vector raised his hands and scoffed in disbelief, "And we're returning this in the morning. If we're lucky we can get some money to buy food." She held up the platinum Froppy statue. 

"Oh come on, Sis!" Vector hung his head in disappointment letting out a sad groan. Hikari showed no sign of changing her mind on the topic. 

Pinkie Pie pat his head in sympathy, "There, there Vecy. You can stay at my house until you can get more money."

Vector went from being distraught to horrified in the blink of an eye. He stumbled on his words as he tried to think of an excuse, "Oh um yeah thanks and all, but I think we can short things out..." 

Before he could go on Applejack snapped her fingers as an idea formed in her head. "Hey that's a great idea, Pinkie! Y'all could stay with us till ya get this aura engine thing made. I got plenty a room at my farm." She walked past the others with a small smile and a blush as Kubo was getting back on his feet, "It's the least we could do for y'all sticken your necks out for us." She spoke softly with hints of a giggle as she helped Kubo to his feet while looking over his form. But as her face got hotter she pulled her hat down to cover her obvious blush.

Moll let out a small growl as she watched Applejack interact with Kubo. Lora pat her sister's head, "Easy girl." Though as she said that she eyed the farm girl like a rival. 

Vector, however, eyed her with anger mixed with concern as he looked into the smiling face of Pinkie Pie. He'd only know Pinkie for eight hours and she had already driven him up a wall. The idea of being in her house was raising massive red flags, "Can't we sleep in the Hawk?"

"Nope baby girl needs to get fueled up at the airport. Unless you wanna breath in gas fumes all night." Bone Crusher said rising back to his feet, "Besides haven't I taught you anything? If a kind person offers a place to stay you take them up on it. Especially if it's girl."

"You're just saying that because Sunset's mom is hot." Vector deadpanned.

Sunset felt bile build up in her throat for a moment with hints of embarrassment coming through. Luna merely sighed rolling her eyes noticing that her sister was still off her head and not paying attention. Aria was snickering elbowing Sunset in the ribs and wiggling her eyebrows. The only person who wasn't snickering was Rainbow Dash as she looked at her principal the same way the Elias were eyeing Applejack.

Bone Crusher cleared his throat as he walked over to Vector placing a hand on his shoulder. "Come on bro real talk," Bone Crusher seemed to be glowing, "When a girl opens the door to her house you gladly accept without question." 

Akiko and Hikari rolled their eyes at the advice Bone Crusher was giving. However, Vector was looking at Bone Crusher like a god, "But, what if the girl is insane, Big Bro?"

"Have you met Hikari and Akiko? You've seen insanity and beyond little bro. And what is it that Deku always says?"

Vector's eyes lit up at the mention of his hero and spoke in unison with Bone Crusher, "A true hero will face whatever challenge comes his way."

Akiko and Hikari both lowered their eye lids at Bone Crusher. While Kubo was chuckling to himself. Vector began looking at Bone Crusher in awe, "Thanks for the advice, Big Bro." 

Bone Crusher nodded his head at Vector continuing to pat him on the shoulder. All while keeping the small grin on his face one of pride and mischief. Vector may have been a genius but he was still eighteen. Which meant Bone Crusher could easily manipulate him with the right words. Although the girls easily saw through what he was doing. 

"Boys." Aria said rolling her eyes. 

Rainbow nodded her head in agreement before a thought began roaming in her head. A smile slowly started to form across her face. "Hey does this mean you guys are staying at separate houses." She quickly raced toward Bone Crusher wrapping her arms around his, "If so then you can totally stay at my place tonight, Bone Crusher. I mean we awesome types should stick together." 

"Rainbow ain't Scootaloo stayin at your place right now?" Applejack chimed in causing Rainbow's head to turn and look at her like a rabid wolf, "Sides I've got enough room for two." The farm girl quickly made her way over to Bone Crusher with Kubo in one hand. She soon wrapped her free arm around Bone Crusher pulling him closer to her. She cast smirk toward Rainbow, who was blushing and snarling. 

"Why is it always those two?" Vector said under his breath he as watched Rainbow and Applejack fight over Kubo and Bone Crusher.

Hikari laughed at the scene holding up her hands, "Girls it's okay. Thanks for the offer, but we can't impose on all of you. It would be best if we try to find a cheap motel or something." She tried to break the two up, but Akiko quickly stood up looking at the girls.

"Sunset do you have an extra bed in your place?" She asked pointing to Sunset's couch with her thumb. 

"Yeah I've got a guest bed whenever Celestia or Lulu want to stay over." Sunset answered without question.

Akiko shook her head in understanding as she began tugging on her hair. Thoughts flooding into her head as she formed a plan. "Applejack between you and Rainbow whose house is closer to the beach?"

Applejack and Rainbow stopped glaring at each other to look at the G-team captain, "Um that'd be my barn though it'd probably be faster to go through Everfree Park. Considerin the forest and the mountains."

"You can make it through all that right Little Private?" Akiko looked at Kubo with a confident smirk.

"Wouldn't be the first time I've driven through a forest." Kubo said.

Akiko shook her head, "Good now as for you two," Akiko turned toward Fluttershy and Rarity, "What are your living situations like?"

"Oh well my house is kind of full from all the animals I brought over from the shelter. Sorry, they just looked so cute so I couldn't leave them alone." Fluttershy said.

"And I transformed the guest room into a sewing room." Rarity said, "So guest are kind of out of the question for me."

"Do you all at least live close to Pinkie?" She asked and both girls nodded. Akiko took in a long inhale before she stopped tugging her hair. "Okay then everybody listen up! Kubo, Bone Crusher, Moll you're all staying with Applejack. Kubo first thing in the morning head out to the beach to check up on Godzilla and Mothra. Rainbow Dash keep your phone handy and if something doesn't feel right you run to AJ's barn. Rarity, Fluttershy the same thing goes for you two run to Pinkie's house if anything feels strange. Vector I'm counting on you to keep them safe until help arrives. Adagio I know you want to go home, but it'll best if you stay with Sunset. If Midnight and Kuro come they'll be targeting you two first. Safety in numbers." 

Akiko looked directly at Sunset and Adagio causing their backs to stiffen. Adagio kept repeating the words Sunset gave her about having friends that would protect her in her head. But she was still having trouble not breaking into a cold sweat. Sunset was the same as she was gripping her arm tight in an attempt to slow her racing heart. Both Equestrians were trying to keep cool heads in front of their friends and family, but Akiko saw right through it. She sighed pulling Hikari to her side giving them a bright smile, "And that's why we'll be watching over you two."

"I shall assist you as well." Lora said as she climbed out of Pinkie's hair. The elder Elias jumped to the ground, landing with great ease and grace as she turned to the girls. For someone so small Sunset and Adagio were surprised how high she held her head. 

"I swear, upon my honor, that I Lora, guardian of the Earth, will not let a single misdeed befall you this night!"

Lora let her aura flare up as she finished her sentence. Lightning danced around her finger tips as a confident smile appeared on her face as she looked at Sunset and Adagio. She even heard cheering from Moll and Pinkie, causing her confidence to rise up. Lora felt as though she was on top of the world it seemed everyone was preparing to praise her. She even felt herself rising off the ground ready to stand at the front of all those around her. She kept rising higher feeling as if she was going to soar. Higher and higher. 'Wait a minute.' Lora wiggled her feet attempting to feel the ground, but all she felt was air. When she looked down the elder Elias finally noticed that was being held in the air.

"Stop showing off fairy." Akiko said holding Lora up to her face.

"You ruined my moment, Akiko!" Lora shouted and flashing her teeth. 

"Not much talk coming from our cheerleader." Akiko said rolling her eyes. 

Lora's eye began to twitch, "Your the one who dresses me in this stupid outfit!" With that Lora bit down on Akiko's fingers. The G-team captain yelped letting go of Lora. The Elias was quick to jump on Akiko's scalp and began biting down like an angry dog. 

"Not really building my confidence." Adagio sighed. 

Sunset began rubbing the back of her head in concern. Seeing that two of the people that were meant to protect were currently fighting each other wasn't helping ease her rising nerves. She then looked to over to Kubo who seemed like he had something else on his mind as he was looking at Hikari. But her thoughts were interrupted when Aria and Sonata stepped forward.

"Hey what about us? Midnight said she wanted to kill us too." Aria said looking at Akiko.

"Yeah can't we stay with Dagi and big bro?" Sonata asked as she looked at Kubo and Adagio.

"Yeah, Cap, maybe I should be the one watching over the girls." Kubo said as he broke away from, a very disappointed, Applejack. 

Akiko merely looked at the three of them, as she continued to let Lora chew on her head. She let out a loud laugh as she looked at Kubo, "That's my Little Private always the knight in shining armor."

"Please don't call me that." Kubo said with a sigh and red cheeks.

"Godzilla likes it when you're around, so that's why you should be the one who checks up on him. I know you don't want anyone getting hurt, but Kuro get's into your head easily I can't risk that. So let your big sister handle things here alright. You can be our knight next time." Akiko said looking at Kubo with a smile. He sighed nodding his head in agreement. Akiko's smile quickly turned devious as she went behind Hikari's back. "Or maybe this little out burst is just an excuse to get some one on one time with Hikari.~" She had a teasing tone as she fondled Hikari's breast. 

"A-Aki!" Hikari yelped as her face turned red.

Bone Crusher and Vector's jaws hit the ground. All the women turned their heads trying to avoid the sight. Kubo felt his face getting hot. In a lightning fast moment he grabbed Applejack by the arm and plucked Moll from Pinkie's hair. "Alright everybody time to go!" He quickly shouted as his voice got higher and his face got redder. The door slammed behind them as Kubo practically ran out of the house. 

Akiko let go of Hikari as she began laughing uncontrollably, "Did you see the look on his face." Hikari looked at her with puffed cheeks as she held her chest. "Oh come on, Sis, it was a joke."

"It was violating." Hikari said as her face turned red, "Now I have to deal with that in the morning."

Luna let out an annoyed sigh, "Are you two done yet? If so than I'll be taking Aria and Sonata for the time being." 

Everyone looked to the vice principle with shocked eyes which maybe Luna sigh again.

"I moved into a new home recently. One Sunset has never seen before. If what you said about this Midnight person is true and she can view someone's memories than she'll have trouble locating these two if she can't find them." Luna looked at Aria and Sonata a smile coming across her normally frowning face, "Though they may have committed some undesirable actions in the past and Ms. Blaze is constantly getting into trouble. As an instructor I won't let anyone hurt my students."

Akiko nodded her head as she thought things over, "Yeah I can get behind that idea."

"It would delay Midnight, if only for a moment." Lora said.

"Hey don't we get a say in this?!" Aria shouted looking at Luna and Akiko with angry eyes, "You can't really except me to leave Adagio behind while two murders are chasing after all of us! Look at what she did to us!" The purple haired siren pointed to her cast then to Adagio. Causing Adagio looked down to the floor as she felt all eyes turning toward her scar. The elder siren gave a small groan of annoyance. 

"Aria, outside...now." Adagio said.

Aria looked at her elder cousin with wide eyes throwing her hand up, "Seriously?" 

Adagio merely looked at Aria with serious eyes nudging her head to the door. Aria groaned in annoyance stomping toward Sunset's door. She opened with a great amount of force with Adagio following after her with a stern face. Sonata was touching her fingers together with a frown as she watched her elder siblings leave the room. Adagio closed the door behind them, but everyone could hear Aria's raised voice. Sonata looked to Luna apologetically as Aria was the main voice the group heard. Adagio and Aria continued to argue outside for five long minutes until the sirens finally returned. Adagio had a tired look in her eyes, but kept a small smile as she returned. It was harder to read Aria's face as it looked like she flipping flopping between sad and angry.

"Luna, thank you for keeping my family safe." The elder siren said.

"Of course." Luna said with slight hesitance as she looked at Aria. The purple haired siren refused to look at anyone as she leaned against the doorway. "Even out of school you're causing trouble." She whispered looking at Aria with concern. 

"Um Auntie Luna." Sonata said.

'Auntie?' Luna looked at the younger siren with a raised eyebrow. She was shocked when Sonata wrapped her arms around in a tight hug.

"Thank you so much!" Sonata had a cheerful smile as she nuzzled Luna. 

Luna's face was getting red as from the sudden embrace. She had an awkward smile as she pat Sonata on the back. 'Great another hugger.' Luna thought to herself before clearing her throat, "Well let's get going it's starting to get late. Sunset do you mind helping with..." she rolled her eyes toward Celestia, who was waving her head and hiccupping.

"Everything is spinning." 

Sunset smiled at her, "Sure."

Everyone began exiting Sunset's apartment and saying their goodbyes. Sunset helped guide a tipsy Celestia into Luna's car. Pinkie Pie and Sonata were hugging each other goodbye while also listing things they were going to do in the morning. Vector was impatiently waiting for them to finish so the girl would lead him to where he would be staying. Although his annoyed groans of impatience earned him a slap from Hikari. When he looked at her in protest she merely held her hands over her chest.

"Do you have clothes to sleep in and for the next few days?" She asked in the tone of a stern mother. When Vector didn't respond and looked away from with shifting eyes it was all she needed to know. Hikari rubbed her temples, "Vector, what have I told you about packing spare clothing when you leave?"

"I didn't think I'd be here this long." Vector said with a shrug, "Besides I'll just tell Trans to send some clothes when I need supplies."

Hikari merely rolled her eyes chopping Vector's head. Before she could continue scolding him and accented throat clearing saved Vector's life. Rarity stepped forward with Fluttershy both held smiles as Rarity was holding a black t-shirt in her hands. "If you're looking for fresh clothing I may have the answer to your problem." 

Vector looked at the shirt in Rarity's hand in confusion as she kept smiling at him, "Um?" 

"After the incident with the coffee I thought you may need some clothing. So I happily made this for you," Rarity said with a wide smile on her face, "I've always wanted to take a crack at making men's clothing and this made for the perfect opportunity."

"It's the least we could do." Fluttershy said.

"I also made a new skirt for you Miss Hikari. After you ripped yours to save Rainbow, all I could think about was mending it. I left it inside for you." Rarity said.

Hikari smiled at Rarity bowing her head, "Thank you for that."

Vector took the shirt with a look of surprise as he studied his shirt and then the smile on Rarity's face. It was genuine which shocked him more. He kept looking in between the shirt and Rarity. He was about to say something to her if it hadn't been for a dark presence suddenly appearing. Fluttershy yelped as she turned around watching something rise up behind them. Rarity felt her spine stiffen as she felt predatory eyes fall upon her. Behind her something horrifying rose.

"What incident are you referring to?" Akiko's voice was like a snake as she leaned over Rarity's shoulder. Rarity gulped as sweat began pouring off her face.

"Well you see Miss Akiko when we first met Vector. We may have accidently spilled coffee on his back." Rarity explained through chattering teeth.

Akiko's purple eyes started to glow as she began cracking her knuckles. Her hair started to rise as well, "So you little girls spilled hot coffee on my little boopy?" A vein started popping from the G-team captains head, "Okay, which bone do I break first?"

Rarity started to whimper as Akiko hovered over her with a deranged smile. But before she could start attacking Vector stepped up, "Sis, it was an accident no need to freak out." 

Akiko's personality changed on a dime as her hair fell back down and her smile went from deranged to cheerful. "Oh, why didn't you just say so?" She began patting Rarity on the shoulder, "Thanks for helping Vecy, Rarity."

Rarity nodded her head with enough speed that it looked like her neck would break. Her voice was high-pitched as she was laughing hysterically and repeatedly spouted no problem. Pinkie began bouncing toward the group with her usual happy smile, "Sorry for the wait, Vecy, you ready to go?" She then looked at Rarity's bobbing head in confusion. "Why is Rarity acting like a bobble head?"

"Don't think about it. Now which way are we going?" Vector said with a sigh.

Pinkie Pie shrugged and happily skipped her way down the side walk. Vector followed in toe throwing his new shirt over his shoulder. That action quickly brought Rarity back from her scared state she broke away from Akiko and rushed after Vector yelling at him for wrinkling her master piece. Vector's only response was his uncaring eye roll. Fluttershy bowed her head at Hikari and Akiko before running after her friends. 

"Vector, I love you!" Akiko shouted making her hands into a heart.

"Take care of those girls, Vector. And no television or videogames. You're still grounded even if I'm not watching you!" Hikari called.

Vector grumbled from embarrassment. Fluttershy let out a small giggle as she watched Vector's face get red. She happily nudged his arm and looked at him with an innocent smile. Vector looked back at her with unsure and nervous eyes. It was strange being around people, other than the G-team, this kind before. Especially girls his own age. It felt strange to him. But in a good way. He offered a small smile back to Fluttershy then looked to Rarity, "Thanks for the shirt." 

"Think nothing of it, darling. Just try not to wrinkle it." She looked at her shirt that was still slung over his shoulder. "Or spill anything on it." She said playfully bumping Vector with her hips.

As the small group walked away Hikari held a very proud smile. 'Looks like Vector is finally making some friends his age.' She thought to herself. But her good mood quickly went down when she noticed Akiko grinding her teeth. Her black hair was rising up and it looked as though her eyes were glowing. A creepy laugh was starting to echo from the back of her throat.

"Hikari, my eyes were just playing tricks on me, right? I didn't see Rarity touch my little boopy with her butt, right? Because she knows I'll destroy her, right?" Akiko hissed out as she kept smiling like a mad woman.

Hikari pulled Akiko by her shirt collar and grabbed their sleeping gear, "Come on, Sis." 

In Luna's car Sunset was buckling Celestia into the back seat. She looked like a child trying to stay awake as she let out a loud yawn. As Sunset finally managed to buckle her mother in Celestia pulled her into a tight hug, "I love you so much, Sunny."

Sunset smiled hugging back, "I love you too."

"And don't believe anything Luna tells you." Celestia hiccupped and looked at Sunset with wild yet serious eyes.

Sunset chuckled holding Celestia's hands, "I won't now get some sleep. I'll call you in the morning."

Celestia pouted as Sunset pulled away from her, but her eyes quickly started to flutter. "Maybe I could take you to Camp Everfree some time." She whispered before falling asleep. 

As she pulled out of the car Sunset was quickly caught in a tight bear hug. Sonata gave an excited cheer as she hugged Sunset. Although the younger siren unwittingly was crushing Sunset's bruised ribs. "Sonata, ribs remember."

Sonata gasped released Sunset from her grip, "Oh right sorry, new Sis." Sonata playfully punched her head, "I was just saying goodbye and got a little excited."

Sunset hissed from the pain rubbing her side but still managed to crack a smile, "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll be safe with Lulu watching you."

"Yes she will." Luna said coming from behind Sonata patting her on the head. Sonata happily giggled as Luna ruffled her hair. Sunset was about to join in on the smile, but she soon caught sight of Aria walking toward them with a deeper scowl than usual. Adagio was right behind her with a long face that she was trying to keep cheerful when she saw Sonata. Luna looked at the two as well and let out an in audible sigh, "I take it you've said you're goodbyes."

Aria didn't say anything as she walked to the passenger side and got in. Adagio sighed looking at Luna, "Yes we have." She then turned to Sonata and pulled her sister close and kissed her forehead, "Listen to Luna and don't make a mess of things."

Sonata saluted with a smile, "Right Dagi...but what about, Aria?" 

"She's just in a bad mood nothing else. I love you." Adagio spoke the her last words loud enough for Aria to hear. The purpled haired siren's response was a snort. 'Well at least she responded.' 

"Promise you'll keep them safe? These two can be a bit of a handful." Adagio asked Luna.

"I wouldn't be much of an educator if I couldn't protect my students." Luna responded with a confident smile she then looked to Aria, "Besides this isn't the first time I've dealt with Aria."

"Be safe, Lulu." Sunset said hugging Luna one last time. 

Luna pat Sunset's head and got into the car with Sonata. Adagio and Sunset stood on the sidewalk watching the car pull off. Luna waved goodbye through the window along with Sonata. The two happily waved back, but Adagio had a pained frown when she noticed Aria wasn't looking at her. The elder siren sighed as she watched Luna drive off. 

"You know you could have gone with them." Sunset said looking at Adagio.

"They're safer without me. You heard Akiko, Midnight's after us." Adagio's eye hardened, "I won't endanger my family."

Sunset raised an eyebrow looking at Adagio, "You aren't planning on sacrificing yourself again are you?" 

Adagio smiled softly before flicking Sunset's forehead. "Don't worry your stupid pony head. Now do you have any pajamas I can wear?"

Sunset sighed and offered up her own smile gesturing for the siren to follow her inside. They were followed by Hikari, who was struggling to drag both Akiko and their bags. Inside they found Lora to be sitting on Sunset's coffee table meditating. When the elder Elias opened her eyes she smiled at them cheerfully before taking a calm breath and closing her eyes again. When Sunset closed the door behind her she took a relieving breath as her home wasn't crowed anymore. Or at least more so than usual as she looked to Adagio, Lora, Akiko. And Hikari.

'Oh My Gosh! Oh My Gosh! Oh My Gosh! The Susan Hikari is in my house! The Godzilla Girls are in my house! Don't freak out! Don't freak out! Breath Sunset Shimmer! Breath!' Sunset was doing her best trying to restrain herself from acting like a fan girl in front of everyone present. 

"Adagio!" She pointed to the siren causing Adagio to jump, "You need pajamas! So follow me!"

"Okay werdio." Adagio answered as she followed the overly excited unicorn turned human. 

As Sunset began to lead Adagio up the stairs she began to pat herself on the back for not freaking out. 'You got this Sunset just show Hikari that your calm and collected like any megazoologist. Sunset had a wide grin on her face but another thought occurred to her. She was taking Adagio to her room. A place not even her own group of friends have seen. Do to it containing something only she could see. She stopped in her tracks sweat coming down her face. 

"Hey you know what? How about you grab a shower and I'll lay your clothes out in the guest bed." Sunset said as she turned around laughing nervously at Adagio.

Adagio looked at Sunset with a raised eyebrow then attempted to look past her to the loft above. Sunset kept her nervous smile as she tried blocking Adagio's view. Although it didn't stop her from noticing some key features. Like a guitar hanging on the wall. A small cactus sitting on an old dresser. And a surprisingly well drawn image of a certain giant lizard giving flame haired girl a piggy back ride. The siren sighed and rolled her eyes, "Whatever you say." 

Sunset wiped the sweat from her head taking a breath. Which caused Adagio to cast a devilish grin as she walked back down the stairs with a lingering call, "Fan Girl." Sunset looked as though she turned to stone at Adagio's words. Which got a smile from Adagio. 

Though as she came back down stairs she saw Lora standing back up. The Elias's eyes were narrowed as she stared at the wall. 

"Is she okay?" Adagio asked.

"Lora what's wrong?" Hikari asked looking at Lora with worry. Akiko walked over with a serious look on her face. Lora kept staring at the wall intently for a few more seconds before breathing through her nose.

"I sensed an aura for a moment, but it's gone now." Lora stated. Adagio felt a shiver go down her spine at Lora's words. An aura meant either a kaiju was coming or it was, "It's not Midnight, thank goodness, it was Twilight."

"Well that's good to know." Akiko said looking at Adagio. The orange haired girl was holding her arm as her eyes became pinpricks. She gulped back some of her fear and nodded in agreement. 

Lora took note of the fear in her eyes as she breathed through her nose, "Yes I shall inform Moll of this. For I fear Godzilla may have sensed this as well." 

...............
The Apple Farm
...............

Applejack's farm was larger than what Kubo thought it would be. One side had Applejack's house and a large red barn, that he heard the sounds of various animals from on the other side was a large number of apple trees and a few pear trees. It was very impressive to say the least. He kept looking around at everything from the farm girl's roof. 

"Well this isn't good." Moll stated as she sat on Kubo's shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"That aura I felt a moment ago was from, Twilight."

Kubo raised an eye brow, "What's so bad about that?"

"Godzilla and Mothra sensed it too." 

Kubo looked at her with concern, "Are they coming here?"

"Relax, Mothra is spreading herself out know to cover the area and Godzilla...he disappeared into the ocean," Moll sighed pulling her knees up to her face, "I was hopping they would spend more time with each other."

Kubo chuckled to himself, "Oh and hear I thought we were about to have a rampage on our hands." 

Moll puffed her cheeks at Kubo and pulled on his face. He lied on his back looking up at stars in the night sky. The moon was wide and practically enveloped the entire sky. He took a breath through his nose, "You know Godzilla isn't going far. I'll take you with me to the beach I bet he'll come running the minute he hears your voice." 

Moll smiled at him and placed her head against him like a cat. They laid in silence enjoying the lack of light pollution the farm granted and observed the glowing stars in the sky. 

Although they were interrupted when the sound of creaking wood caught their attention. Kubo looked back to see Applejack climbing up. "Hey, Kubo, Granny Smith finished setting up the guest beds for you and Bone Crusher."

"Thanks, Applejack." Kubo said, "I'll come inside soon I'm just waiting for Bone Crusher to get here. Plus I like this place it's beautiful."

Applejack's face lit up for a moment when she saw Kubo smile at her. She scratched the back of her head with a laugh. "Well that's fine. I'll let Granny know. Oh yeah and here in case ya get hungry waitin." She held out an applefritter from behind her back. 

Kubo sat back up and took the sweat with a smile and broke a small piece to give to Moll. She took it although with hesitance as she continued to look at Applejack with tense eyes. "I won't let you win love rival." She said under her breath. 

"This taste incredible!" Kubo said oblivious to Moll. He bit into the fritter with exuberance as he lit out loud munches. "Moll, try it!"

Moll raised an eyebrow before taking a bite. Her face lit up and Moll shoved the entire piece down her throat. She let out a satisfied moan as she swallowed the fritter whole. Moll sighed and dramatically fell into Kubo's lap patting her inflated belly, "Apple fritter yummy, yummy in my tummy!" She topped it off with a loud burp that set her body back to normal.

Applejack laughed as she took a seat next Kubo, "Consider it a thank you gift." Kubo glanced at her confused as she tipped her hat toward him. Applejack motioned toward the farm, "This here farm belonged to my Ma and Pa they left it to us before..." She trailed off looking at the ground with sad eyes.

Kubo immediately understood what the farm girl was talking about. He put his hand on her shoulder in order to comfort her. Even though it only made Applejack's face light up even more which caused her to clear her throat to hide her blush. She took off her hat to both show Kubo and to hide her face, "This hat was my Pa. It's all I have left to remember him. I've been keeping it safe ever since. So when that varmint Kuro took it I thought it was gone forever. And that hurt more than being punched."

Kubo looked out to the farm seeing how the trees where in perfect shape. It looked as though carful hands had been used on each one. He could practically fell the love coming off of them. When he looked to Applejack's hat he noticed that it was in perfect shape even after his fight with Kuro. It was clear Applejack had been taking proper care of it. He smirked, "Well it's a good thing I got it back. I couldn't sleep at night if I knew that. I know the feeling of losing family." He clenched his fist tight.

"Kubo." Moll looked up at him with sad eyes. She put her small hands on his, but he smiled back patting Moll on the head. 

"But you know what? I managed to meet my best friend out of it." Kubo said looking up at the night sky, "In fact it was a night like this we became friends."

Applejack looked at Kubo with a tilted head, "You're talking about Hikari right? So are you two?"

"They're getting closer to expressing their feelings!" Moll jumped into the air and shoved her face into Applejack's, "So don't even think about getting in between them. Love rival!"

Kubo groaned in annoyance pulling Moll away, "We're just friends, Moll. And what's this love rival business?"

"Oh uh nothing who said anything about love?!" Applejack sated waving her hands up defensively. She rubbed the back of her head nervously laughing while looking at Kubo. As she stared into his red eyes Applejack started to get hotter and quickly looked away. 'Why am I making such a big deal about this? He's just a guy.' 

Kubo sighed and rolled his eyes as Moll continued to growl at Applejack. "This is gonna be a long night."

Moll suddenly stopped and her head shot up like a rocket. Her hair began to rise up, "I sense another aura coming this way. Fast!" 

Kubo rose to his feet keeping Applejack behind him. He looked closely noticing something in the sky coming straight toward them. He tensed up ready for whatever was about to come. Though he wasn't prepared for a high-speed rainbow to streak across the sky. Applejack sighed in annoyance rubbing her temples, "No need to worry it's just..."

As Applejack finished talking the rainbow streak came in between them. Kubo was surprised to see a girl that just moments ago looked completely human. She had the same rainbow streaked hair though now it was much longer and looked like a tail. She had two sets of pony ears sticking out from her head. But what had Kubo's attention were the set of blue wings in the girl's back resting under a blue guitar. 

"Rainbow Dash, why are ya ponied up and what are ya doin here?" 

Rainbow Dash laughed stretching her arms and at the same time flexing her wings. "I was just showing off for my awesome guitar skills to my fans." 

"That was awesome, Rainbow Dash!" A purple headed girl popped up from behind Rainbow Dash. 

"Scootaloo?!" Applejack had wide eyes seeing the little girl.  

The sound of a car parking suddenly got Kubo's attention. He looked down noticing Bone Crusher parking their rental car. When he got out he let out an impressed whistle as he looked up to the roof. "You really are fast, Dash Bow. I'm impressed."

Rainbow Dash blushed as her pony tail began to wag and her ears started twitching. This would have kept going on if Applejack hadn't knocked her on the head. She raised an eyebrow as she closely looked at Rainbow Dash, who was starting to sweat. "Didn't Akiko tell ya to go home?"

"Yeah well, I just found out Scoots and Apple Bloom were having a sleep over tonight, so I decided to bring her." Rainbow said as Applejack kept a suspicious eye on her.

"So when ya leavin?"  Applejack asked.

"I would but, (hurrah), that flight really took it out of me. So I'll just crash here with the guys." Rainbow stretched with a fake yawn. Although Applejack didn't buy it which made Rainbow play her trump card. She stuck out her lower lip, letting her pony ears fall flat, she began putting on her best puppy face, "You wouldn't kick out guest would you, AJ?"

Applejack kept a stern face toward Rainbow, "Fine, but you're bunking with me tonight. Got it Dash Bow?"

Rainbow suppressed a growl as she looked Applejack in the eye. "No problem, AJ." She drew a wicked smile that Applejack returned.

Kubo watched the two girl's interact as it appeared that they were butting heads together. If he looked close enough he could have sworn he saw electricity shooting from their eyes. His only conclusion was that these girls were weird. He sighed scratching his head when he suddenly felt a tugging on his pant leg. He looked down noticing the girl that was traveling with Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo, if he remembered correctly. She almost looked like Rainbow if it wasn't for her hair color and tanner skin.

"Hey you're one of those G-team guys right?" Scootaloo asked with wide eyes of amazement.

Kubo smiled squatting down to her eye level, "Yep."

"That's so cool! So you really fight those giant monster things with, Godzilla?!" Scootaloo began acting like an excited fan girl as she began firing off rapid fire questions. Each one Kubo nodded his to with a smile. There was just something about a child's enthusiasm that he couldn't resist. Though there was one question that he couldn't answer without a stutter, "Hey what's with the doll?"

Scootalo pointed to Kubo's shoulder, where Moll was still sitting. Kubo froze in place looking at the girl then to Moll. She hadn't moved and had an unwavering smile. "Doll Mode activated." Moll's voice spoke in Kubo's head. Kubo leaned back up smiling and rubbing the back of his head.

"This is something that a friend of mine me gave to keep safe. It's from an anime that she watches." Kubo lied with a smile before taking Moll off his shoulder and placing her in his pocket. Scootalo studied him for a moment before shrugging and running to Rainbow Dash pulling her away from Applejack.

"Come on Rainbow you said Apple Bloom wanted to have a sleep over!" She happily pulled Rainbow as she began to nervously laugh. Applejack's eyes narrowed as she discovered Rainbow's lie.

Rainbow took Scootaloo into her arms,  "Would you look at the time! " Before Applejack could catch her Rainbow Dash was already off the roof. Kubo heard the sound of Applejack's front door being opened along with the sound of a startled Granny Smith.

"That Rainbow Dash!" Applejack grumbled. She ran off the roof chasing after her friend. The sound of yelling could be heard as Kubo raised an eyebrow. He leaned over to see Bone Crusher laughing at whatever was going on in front of him.

"Dude you gotta check this out it's like Tom and Jerry down here!" 

Kubo looked down to Moll, who smiled back at him, "Yep, defiantly gonna be long night."

..............
Sunset's Apartment
...............

Sunset lied in her bed motionless as she looked up at the ceiling. The night had gone well dealing with her stress, but she still couldn't sleep. All she could do was keep thinking about Midnight and Kuro. Every time she closed her eyes she saw the cold eyes of Midnight and could hear the insane laughter of Kuro. Then there was also the fact she was chased around by a hungry kaiju. All of those thoughts caused Sunset to stare off into space attempting to just think of something, anything else. 

'Come on they won't get you.' Sunset thought to herself, 'You have to be strong for your friends, for Kubo, for...'

"Adagio." She whispered. She sat up brining her knees to her chin. 

Sunset began thinking back to Adagio jumping into Kuro and taking her place. Then finding the siren with her neck cut open and bleeding to death on the ground. If they had been just a second late then. Sunset sniffled wiping her eyes. When she pulled her hand away she noticed that there were tears in her palm. She let out a long sigh and rolled to her side. But, that only made a great pain to rocket through her body. It immediately caused Sunset to roll out of bed and run to her bathroom. 

Sunset hissed from the pain as she slowly lifted up her shirt. The bruise along her ribs was small but just a minor touch caused a great deal of pain throughout her body. "How much longer is thing going to stick around?" 

She stared at herself in the mirror thinking back to how she got it. That feeling of being helpless as Kuro used her as a soccer ball. She let out a harsh laugh. 'How am I supposed to get stronger against that?' 

She kept rubbing her ribs for a few seconds longer before letting out a groan mixed with a sigh, "Ice need ice."

She walked out of the bathroom past her bed and the picture of her friends. She smiled before another shot of pain prompted her to go stairs.  Now that she was getting closer to the bottom Sunset heard the sound furious typing. When she got further down she saw Hikari sitting on her couch.

"Shoot." Hikari said messing with her hair and swing her head back.  The young scientist looked to see Sunset and she offered an upside down smile, "Hey, Sunset, I didn't wake you did I?"

"Oh no! I was just having a hard time sleeping." Sunset answered.

There was a low snort from the couch as Akiko's head rose up. Some of her hair was stuck to her cheek as she looked to Sunset, "Hey keep it down." She spoke in a low tone before letting her head fall back. 

Sunset shrunk back touching her fingers. Hikari looked at Akiko with a frown and slapped her over the head, "Aki, don't be rude." There was a low moan from the couch and Sunset noticed Akiko's foot waving in the air.

As Sunset made her way to her fridge to retrieve ice she could still here the sound of furious typing and groaning from Hikari. Eavesdropping was nothing new to her. She specialized in it freshmen year. But now she felt a twinge of guilt every time she did it. Considering that eavesdropping was how she broke her friends apart when she was a power hungry ex-pupil. Now she eavesdropped just to here the latest gossip, or in this case, listening to the woman she viewed highly of stressing out about whatever was on her computer.

Once Sunset finished bagging the ice she slowly made her way over to Hikari looking over her shoulder to see her laptop screen. Sunset raised a brow at what was on her computer. The image was of a night vision scene of the beach. Hikari was staring at it intently before hitting the arrow key and reversing the image. Sunset's eye widened when she saw Godzilla and Mothra moving in reverse. Hikari stopped the image there and let it out play out. Godzilla appeared to be roaring before stomping back into the ocean while Mothra was separating her body. 

Hikari had intense eyes as she watched the scene play out. Her eyes followed Godzilla's back spines as they disappeared beneath the waves. She sighed replaying the video again this time stopping at Godzilla disappearing, "Come on where'd you swim off to this time?" She began rewinding it again, but only got the same result, "How does Kubo do it?"

"Can't you do this in the morning, Sis?" Akiko lazily asked. Sunset noticed that the G-team captain was using Hikari's lap as a pillow. 

"Something set Godzilla off, Akiko, I just want to know what it was."

"It was that Twilight girl. Lora said so. Right Lora?" Akiko looked to her stomach finding that Lora was using her as a bed. The elder Elias let out a small snore and turned her body. Her nose crinkled as she dug her head into Akiko's side. She giggled at being tickled and the cute sight, "See Lora agrees." She raised up a finger pressing Hikari's forehead.

"Go to sleep, Hikari. I make a good a pillow."

"It was something else, Aki. Just give me a few more minutes. I just need to figure out his pattern. And I'm sleeping on the floor last time we slept in the same bed you almost smothered me." Hikari said gently moving Akiko's hand back.

"Um excuse me." Sunset finally spoke up. Hikari looked at Sunset and her eyes turned sympathetic when she noticed that Sunset was holding ice on her side. "I'm pretty sure there's an air mattress that Rarity left behind somewhere in here."

"Oh it's fine Sunset after being around for Kubo so long. I can sleep just about anywhere without a problem." Hikari said with a smile.

"Oooooh~ So you and Kubo sleep around?" Akiko said with a smile and wiggling her eyebrows.

"Quiet you." Hikari blushed covering Akiko's mouth. She cleared her throat and looked at Sunset, "Hey Sunset come here let me help you with that."

Sunset complied making her way to Hikari and Akiko. Akiko moaned having to remove her head from Hikari's lap. Lora made the same sound although she was clinging to the G-team captain like a child as she sat up. Akiko rubbed Lora's back gently shushing her. 

"Sorry." Sunset whispered looking at Lora. It was strange seeing someone who usually looked so angry actually look so gentle. She looked surprisingly cute. 

"Don't worry Lora won't be too mad if you wake her up." Hikari said as she made room for Sunset to sit down, "Now let me see that ice for a minute." 

Hikari began pressing the ice against Sunset's side. She shuddered from the pain but it didn't last as the cool ice relieved some of the pain. Sunset sighed as Hikari placed her hands on the ice, "Now just keep pressure on that spot and it should help a little bit."

Sunset began applying the same amount of pressure, "Thanks."

"Not my first time doing this." Hikari said, "We do go through a lot of ice back home." 

"It's a sign of good training." Akiko said patting Lora's back. 

Sunset had a silent laugh, trying to keep quiet for Lora, while looking at the video Hikari was watching. "So what are you watching if you don't mind me asking?"

Hikari sighed pausing the video and leaned her head back on the couch. "It turns out Godzilla and Mothra sensed Twilight's little burst as well. I was hoping we would avoid this. But, buy the looks of things, Mothra is spreading herself out to keep watch and Godzilla is....hunting."

"You mean he's hunting Twilight!" Sunset shot up with a worried look. Although she immediately regretted it when a sharp pain went through her side caused by her quick movement. She hissed from the pain as she slowly sat back down. 

Lora moaned as she twitched in her sleep. Her body began to glow as a green aura covered her hand and the bottom of Akiko's shirt. Lora pulled her hand forward pulling up Akiko's shirt and began wrapping herself in it. "Sunset you mind keeping it down before I go top less." Akiko sighed patting Lora's head.

Sunset grimaced, "Sorry. Again."

"No need to worry Godzilla isn't hunting Twilight." Hikari smiled but it faded into a frown, "But, strange as it may sound, that has me worried more."

Sunset started to sweat, "You mean he's hunting a kaiju, like Battra or Varan. So that means..."

"They're here." A low voice came from behind them. Sunset turned to see Adagio stepping out of her guest room. 

The siren was in Sunset's old pajamas, although they were slightly to small on her. She was drenched in sweat and her puffy hair was down. Her eyes were pinpricks as she shook in place. She was breathing heavily as it looked like she was on the verge of having a panic attack. 

Hikari quickly began shaking her head, "No, if Midnight and Kuro were here right now we would have known it." 

"Are you sure? They snuck up on you in New York." Adagio said.

"We were caught up in the Muto attack and some team drama." Hikari said, "If Battra was here right now then the weather would have changed and Varan seemed to erratic while he was fighting. So Midnight may not have as much influence on him. You don't have to worry, Adagio."

Hikari tired smiling at Adagio, but she still looked terrified. Akiko looked at the scene pulling on her hair, "So much for not going topless." She slowly began taking her shirt off making Hikari gasp and cover Sunset's eyes as Akiko was now in a sports bra. She was gentle making sure not to wake Lora in the process as she wrapped up the Elias. She put Lora down gently stroking her head as Lora started to grumble out a protest, "I'll be back so sleep tight." 

She rose up from the couch walked to Adagio patting her on the shoulder. "Come on puffy let's go get some air. Sunny you ever go on the roof before?"

"Yeah there's a ladder on the side." Sunset said.

"Good." Akiko said as she began leading Adagio outside.

Hikari watched them leave before leaning back on the couch putting her head in her hands letting out a long sigh, "I really screwed the pooch didn't I?"

"Don't be so hard on yourself." Sunset said, "She's been through a lot."

"I know I've been through the same thing." Hikari said looking down, "I do have the privilege of being Kuro's favorite toy after all." She slumped her shoulders before lifting up her shirt revealing a small scar above her navel. It wasn't as deep or old as the ones on Kuro, but it still looked similar. 

"She calls this a mark." Hikari spoke softly lowering her shirt, "Kuro didn't have the best life. She was treated like an animal and tortured her entire life. It's what drove her away from humanity and meeting Midnight only intensified those feelings."

"Why would someone torture her like that?" Sunset asked, "What kind of a parent would do that to a child?"

Hikari shook her head looking out the window to the moon, "Do you remember the story I told you and your friends when we first met. How Kubo lost his parents?"

"Yeah the night before you said that was the anniversary of their deaths. That Yearling woman mentioned it at the hospital she said Kuro...carved it into her partners back." Sunset said with a shudder recalling seeing Yearling and her partner Fleetfoot bloodied. 

"Yes well that incident is known as the 'Meltdown'." Hikari said.

Sunset began thinking back to when she began researching kaiju. She recalled some of her early studies into the first era of kaiju. She was surprised to learn that there was more than one Godzilla. She had skimmed through some of the details as she wanted to find out more about the current one. But she did remember that the first Godzilla was killed by a strange device know as the Oxygen Destroyer. The second Godzilla, and one that seemed to strike the most fear in people, died during a battle in Tokyo. "So this 'Meltdown' was caused by the second Godzilla attacking right. So did he kill Kubo's parents?"

Hikari shook her head again, "No, that Godzilla was misunderstood. Kind of like ours, although he was more aggressive. But during the Meltdown. That Godzilla gained a large amount of power so much so that his body couldn't contain it. The defense force planned on luring him to an uninhabited island and have him die without injuring anything. But, two problems occurred the first was our Godzilla, who was called Minya at the time, appearing in Tokyo bay and the second was Destoroyah." Hikari spoke that kaiju's name with slight distain.

Sunset tilted her head in confusion, "Sorry, but I've never heard of that kaiju before. Does he have a picture anywhere?"

"Destoroyah is a name rarely spoken outside of Japan. Many want to forget about it. When that thing attacked it killed anything in it's path including reporters who got to close to the action. In just one night Destoroyah turned Tokyo into a living hell on Earth. It left nothing but a trail of bodies behind....like Kubo's parents." Hikari's voice grew cold as she clenched her hands.

Sunset looked down recalling the dream she had earlier that day. Then seeing the hurt face of Kubo, "How was it stopped?" she asked in small tone, "You said your Godzilla or Minya appeared right? Did he beat him back?"

"No, what Destoroyah did to him was something never seen before," Hikari looked Sunset in the eye with a serious yet all to grim demeanor, "Destoroyah was the first kaiju recorded to torture an enemy. Minya was too small to fight back so Destoroyah managed break every bone in his body. If the second Godzilla hadn't appeared ours may not be here today. The fight between the two was intense, but in the end not even a fully grown Godzilla was enough to stop Destoroyah. So to both finish off Destoroyah and save his son the second unleashed all of the energy in his body by causing a meltdown inside of his body that resulted in a massive explosion. That was enough to kill Destoroyah."

Sunset nodded her head in understanding but something was still off, "How does this relate to Kuro?"

"Right, I was just getting to that. You know Kubo lost his parents to Destoroyah." Hikari said she closed her eyes taking a breath that was full of pity, "Well it just so happened that Kuro lost her family to that monster as well." Sunset took in a breath at hearing this as she covered her mouth. 

"Many children lost their families on that day and the press called them the children of the Meltdown. The country tried taking care of them some of the best therapist came in to help deal with the situation. But it didn't help the those kids were never the same. You saw it for yourself with Kubo when the Mutos attacked." 

Sunset thought back to the look of rage Kubo had when she first met him. "Yeah he really freaked out back there."

"Yeah they reminded him of Destroyah. Luckily Kubo had my family to support him, it's why he was able to calm down." Hikari said with a small smile as she began recalling a past memory. Though it quickly faded when she started talking again, "Kuro on the other hand wasn't as lucky. From what I read in her file she was on the streets for a good portion of her life. Until she taken by a very bad group of people. They tortured her to the point that her hair turned white and gave her those horrible 'marks'. It was so much so that it wrapped Kuro's view of the world." 

"So her parents were killed by that Destoroyah thing and then she was taken in by a group that treats her worse than dirt?" Sunset asked trying to recap process Hikari's story. She experienced Kuro's insanity first hand now it seemed all this was a form of her acting out against the world. It felt so cruel and unfair that something like that would happen to someone. No one was there to comfort her or save her. Kuro was alone. Just like she was . The thought was enough to bring tears to her eyes. She began choking on her words, "Why...why did something like that happen?"

Sunset began to let out small sobs and Hikari looked at her in sympathy. "I asked the same thing every time I see her. Kuro just tells me that there is no such thing as 'hope' in this world not until she purges it with Midnight. She always tries to break me with that idea. But, you wanna know what's weird?" 

"What?" Sunset asked.

Hikari smiled and pulled her into a tight hug, "I still want to save her. The same way I saved Kubo."

Sunset looked at Hikari confused as the scientist began wiping tears from her face, "Like Kubo?"

"Kuro, likes to remind us that Kubo could have ended up like her and that he still can. But I have my doubts." Hikari said with a determined smile, "Kuro is just a scared girl trapped in the dark. She just needs help being pulled out."

Sunset let the words sink in, "You really want to save her?" Hikari held a soft smile looking at Sunset. She returned it being from a world where friendship was power she could understand. Heck she was even stopped by it. "Well if anyone can do it I know it's you, Miss Hikari. But what about Midnight?"

Lora suddenly began twitching in her sleep and mumbling something. Hikari quickly leaned past Sunset and began stroking the Elias. She softly shushed her until Lora went back to taking calm breaths. Hikari leaned back up with a sigh, "That's a sensitive topic and a bridge we'll have to cross when we get to it."

Sunset looked at Lora as she slept. All she did was mention Midnight's name and turned whatever dream she was having into a nightmare. She didn't know the full relationship between the two Elias, but it seemed close. If that were the case she wouldn't bring it up unless she said it was okay. She'd just let Lora have a happy dream, "Is it okay if I?" 

As if she knew what Sunset was about to say Hikari guided Sunset's hand. "Gently, don't press down, and stay along her back." She whispered as Sunset touched Lora's head then lightly stroked her down to her back. Lora's response was a soft sigh as she turned in her sleep. Sunset did her best to keep back a squeal from how cute Lora's actions were. When she wasn't frowning or lecturing. Lora was actually more adorable than Moll. 

Hikari giggled as she looked out the window again staring at the moon, "You know it was a night like this when Kubo became my best friend." 

Sunset looked at Hikari with deep interest as she began recalling her favorite memory.

___________________________________________________
Hokkaido (1995)

"One, two, three! Here I come!" An eight year old Hikari called out as she ran through her suburban house. She giggled as she began pulling back blinds and searching around any place that could be used as a hiding spot. A few minutes passed, but Hikari began to run out of spots to search. She stopped in a bedroom and scratched her head continuously groaning to herself. 

"Hey where are you?" 

Hikari yelped when she was lifted off her feet. A tall woman with flowing black hair smiled as she brought Hikari to her pearl skinned face. "Su, you can't just give up like that." She spoke with a slight New York accent.

"You're too good at hiding, Mommy!" Hikari complained with a frown.

"Actually you were looking right at me." Her mother deadpanned bringing her to the closet, "Next time try moving the coats when you're looking in the closet."

Hikari moaned her disappointment as her mother kept her in her arms. "Well since I won that means it's time for a punishment." Her mother had a devious smile as she set on the bed, "It's tickle time!" Hikari let out loud laughs as her mother began tickling her. They both stopped when they heard the front door open. Hikari lit up jumping off the bed. 

"Daddy's back!" Hikari shouted.

"Su you know not to jump off the bed." Her mother scolded though she had a wide smile on her face as well, "Now let's go see him together."

Hikari held her mother's hand and pulled her along as she ran down the hall. She quickly made her way down the stairs seeing a Japanese man with a scruffy bread and short black hair. He had a tired look on his face when he looked up to Hikari. She began to slow down as she looked at him, "Daddy?" 

"Seto?" Hikari's mother asked with concern on her face.

Seto Hikari looked up at them flashing a smile on his tired face, "There are my beautiful angles."

He walked forward revealing that behind him was a small boy with spiky orange hair. He looked down as if he was lost in thought. Hikari smiled at him, but the boy didn't return it. Hikari looked at him confused then back to her father. Seto bent down patting the boy on the shoulder, "Mary, Susan, you remember Kubo right?"

"Jon and Ashely's little boy right? It's been awhile since we last saw you little guy." Mary said bending down to look Kubo in the eye with a smile. Kubo continued to look off into space without saying a word.

Seto sighed rising back up with Mary, "Susan, how about you show Kubo to the couch and watch some cartoons. I need to talk with your mother for a minute." 

Hikari complied taking Kubo's hand with a smile. "Come on, Kubo!" 

Kubo looked to Seto which earned him a pat on the back to move him forward. Hikari giggled as she ran leading Kubo with her. She quickly lead him to their living room as she heard her parents talking. For a moment she thought she heard her mother sobbing. But she was to happy about having a playmate to pay attention. She grabbed the remote holding it up to Kubo with a smile, "Do you like Digimon? It should be on by now." 

Her response from Kubo was a nod. It was strange that Kubo didn't respond to her, but she figured it was because he was nervous. She turned on the television and it came on to a news station. The screen was full of a destroyed Tokyo. The city looked as though it was hit by every natural disaster on the planet. The headlines running under the screen read 'Night of Terror', 'King of the Monsters Dead?'. 

"Mommy and I watched this last night that new kaiju was scary looking. Daddy was there helping people in shelters. Do you think Godzilla is really gone?" Hikari started shooting off questions to Kubo. However; Kubo was breathing heavily clutching his chest and his eyes were wide as dinner plates. 

"Kubo?"

She heard a gasp from behind and saw her parents run in front of the television. Her father took the remote from Hikari turning off the television while her mother wrapped Kubo into a tight hug. She placed Kubo's head in her shoulder, "Kubo, it's alright it's over you're safe now." 

"Let's not watch TV for a while." Seto said placing the remote, "Mary, can you take him away."

Mary shook her head, "Kubo, let's get some lunch I bet your hungry." She took him into her arms as Kubo held onto her shirt tightly. Hikari could see his knuckles starting to whiten. 

As Hikari watched Kubo be taken away she looked at her father with concern, "Did I do something wrong?" She asked with teary eyes.

"No, you did nothing wrong sweat heart." Seto said sitting down next to Hikari holding her shoulders, "Kubo's just been through a lot lately and he'll be staying with us."

"What happened, Daddy?"

Seto had trouble answering as he kept trying to form the right words, "His parents have gone away for a long time and I said I would take him for a while." He looked at Hikari with a smile that was meant to show everything was okay. But, she could see that he was hiding pain. Hikari looked to her mother as she held Kubo in her arms. She was doing her best to calm him down by lightly patting his back and humming a song to him. However, Kubo's eyes were full of fear as he continued to shake in her arms.

..............
Hours Later
..............

Hikari was lying in her bed trying to sleep, but that wasn't happening. She couldn't stop thinking about Kubo's small melt down. He wasn't any better for the rest of the day or so she thought anyway. Once her mother guided Kubo to the guest room he never left. Even when it was time for dinner Kubo stayed there and her mother just brought food for him. She tried going inside to speak to him, but her parents forbid it stating that Kubo needed time to himself. 

She couldn't help thinking that it was her fault that this was going on. Kubo was fine until she turned on the news. 'He must be scared of kaiju worse than me.' She thought to herself as she turned in her bed. When she looked at her clock she noticed that it was eleven o'clock, way past her bed time. But she couldn't help feeling guilty about upsetting Kubo. 'I know I can make him an apology card!' Her head sprang up as she held a wide smile. She knew she needed to be in bed right now, but this was more important. Besides it wasn't a school night.

She turned on the lamp in her dresser while pulling out paper and crayons. She happily hummed to herself as she began drawing pictures. Though she suddenly heard something in the hallway. She stopped working and walked toward her door. Looking outside in the dark hall she saw nothing. Hikari shrugged it off thinking it to be nothing and got ready to go back to work. But the noise came back and Hikari groaned in annoyance.

"How am I supposed to work with that noise?" She whispered before walking out of her room. 

Nothing was there but the hallway. When she looked to her parents room it was dark and the only noise coming out were the soft snores of her father. That was something she was used to hearing. This noise was different it was softer and now it was getting louder. Making it much easier to identify the source. The guest room.

"Kubo?" Hikari slowly made her way to the room and pressed her ear to it. That's when she finally heard the sound of soft sobbing. She opened it a crack to peak inside and saw Kubo sitting in the bed. His head was buried in his lap as he softly cried.

"Mommy Daddy, come back." He softly cried as he gripped his hands.

Hikari watched him with eyes full of pity. She remembered the words of her parents telling her to let Kubo keep to himself until he was ready to talk. But how could she just stand there and watch him cry like that?

"Please...I don't want to be alone." Kubo let the tears fall freely down his face, "Mommy don't be dead. Please don't be dead. You promised you'd come back. You promised!" 

Kubo kept crying unware of the weight added onto his bed. "It's okay." A soft voice spoke to him. Kubo brought his head up as he sniffled. Hikari sat in front of him letting the moon shine onto her face. "You aren't alone." She said with a soft smile as she wrapped him in a tight hug. 

"I'm right here so you aren't alone." Hikari softly spoke as she stroked his hair with a giggle, "Your hair is prickly it's like a porcupine."

Kubo was surprised by her actions as he felt the warmth of the girl hugging him. The soft laughs she had when she touched his hair. Kubo sniffed back some of his snot, "Hey stop pulling my hair." He said with a loud voice trying to mask the fact that he was crying. He broke away from her hug rubbing his head, "You shouldn't do that to someone you don't know."

"Didn't we meet this morning?" Hikari deadpanned.

"That doesn't count we didn't introduce ourselves." Kubo said.

"Well according to my Mom we met when we were really young. Though babies can't hold memories unless they see things all the time. It has something to do with their brains still developing." Hikari began rambling.

Kubo wiped away the tears on his face listening to the girl explain memories. Though all she was talking about was completely flying over his head. So he looked at her like she was alien clown and responded with the only word that came to mind, "What?"

"Sorry I was rambling. I do that." Hikari giggled.

"It's okay you're really smart." Kubo said.

"Thanks!" Hikari said with a bright smile weirding Kubo out, "Anyway since we don't remember introducing ourselves let's do it over again. I'm Susan Hikari. I'm eight years old." She held out her hand.

"I-I'm Kubo Hudson. I'm nine." Kubo said keeping his hands by his sides.

Hikari pouted when she saw that he wasn't trying to hold her hand. She quickly took his hand into her despite his protest and she began to shake it, "Nice to meet you, Kubo." 

"You too, Susan."

"Hikari."

Kubo looked at her confused.

"My Mom calls me Susan, but I like being called by my last name. It's prettier." Hikari explained.

"Okay, you can call just call me Kubo." He said looking out the window. 

Hikari did the same looking at the clear sky and the beautiful full moon. "It's a really pretty night."

"Yeah I love looking at the moon. I always look at with...with." Kubo's voice trailed off as tears began to form in his eyes again. 

Hikari noticed it and wrapped him into a tight hug. "I'll watch the moon with you."

Kubo touched her arm and his voice was barely above a whisper, "Thanks."

"I don't know what happened to you, Kubo. But I promise I won't leave you alone. No matter what." Hikari spoke softly resting her head on his shoulder. "So you don't have to cry anymore."

"Thanks Hikari. But," Kubo held back a sniffle, "I don't know if I can stop."

"Then I'll be your tissue." Hikari said with a silly smile as she wiped away some of his tears.

"That's gross." Kubo snickered through some of his sobs. 

The two children sat on the bed looking at the moon. Kubo would let out small cries that would have Hikari gently pat his back to calm him down. Neither of them could tell how much time passed until Hikari started yawning. "Hey you should go to bed." Kubo said.

Hikari shook her head, "No way, I promised not to leave you alone. So I'm staying until you fall asleep."

"You'll fall asleep first." Kubo said as he let out his own yawn.

"Nope it's gonna be you." Hikari snickered but she started yawning to. Her face turned red causing Kubo to snicker as well. Their eyes started to get heavy as they began swaying, "Hey Kubo will you watch Digimon with me tomorrow?"

"Of course that's my favorite show." 

"Okay pinkie promise." Hikari held up her little finger.

Kubo looked at her with a smile and wrapped his finger around hers. "Promise." 

They fell onto the bed holding their fingers and with happy smiles as they let out sleeping breaths.

___________________________________________________________
(Now)

"We were completely inseparable after that." Hikari said.

She was expecting Sunset to say something, but all she got in return was a yawn. She felt a wait on her shoulder and found Sunset to be leaning on her shoulder. Her eyes were only half open, "Sorry Hikari I just got really sleepy." She was about to move her head but Hikari gently pulled her back.

"It's okay I don't mind." Hikari said with a smile. 

Sunset looked to her in surprise, "Thanks."

"Sunset."

"Yeah?"

"It's okay if you're scared." Hikari said looking Sunset in the eye, "You don't have to keep up this tough act it'll only make you more paranoid. Just let someone else do the fighting for you. That's what we're here for."

Sunset clenched her fist as Hikari gently rubbed her side making sure to avoid her bruise. She was scared. Scared of losing her life. Her friends. Her mother. She was also scared of something else, "Hikari I am scared. Like really scared. But I'm also scared for you guys as well."

"Us?"

"Kubo got frostbite fighting Kuro. Mothra was nearly killed in that fight.  What if something worse happens? All because you guys were trying to protect me. I couldn't bare to see that." She spoke with a sad whisper, "I want to get stronger so no one else get's hurt even if they're protecting me."

"Do you trust us?"

"Yes."

Hikari smiled and let out a small chuckle, "Then you just passed your first step in getting stronger." Sunset looked to her confused, "If you don't trust someone to have your back then you'll just be in the way. Or at least that's what Akiko told me when she started training me."

"You can fight?" 

"I'm not as good as the others but yeah." Hikari said rubbing the back of her head, "She also told me that someone whose fighting to protect another is the strongest fighter alive. That's when she started teaching me a few moves."

"Fighting to protect someone and trusting someone willing to fight for you." Sunset said letting the words sink in, "Do you think Akiko could give me a few lessons?"

Hikari looked at Sunset surprised as she tried thinking of the right words to say. As if on cue Lora turned in her sleep with a snort. "Gonna....die." She spoke in her sleep. 

Sunset looked to the Elias then to Hikari who sighed. She gave a deadpan stare and nodded in agreement. 

"Well I've been through worse." Sunset said looking determined.

"You say that now." Hikari said before turning back to her laptop. She had paused on the image of Godzilla swimming out to sea. Sunset looked at the image as well seeing the giant wading off into the ocean. He snarled looking ready to fight whatever he was going to find.

"You've got my back." She spoke softly looking at Godzilla then turning to look at Hikari, " And I've got yours."

Hikari smiled at Sunset resting her head on top of the Equestrian. 

_________________________

On Sunset's roof Adagio was leaning over the edge looking up at the sky. It was perfectly clear and the moon shined brightly down on her. Her hair was flowing in the wind. She was taking deep breaths of the night air. 

"Easy, puffy, the airs not going anywhere." Akiko said sitting down behind her.

"I know I'm just taking it all in." Adagio said not turning around.

"Or are you trying to find storm clouds?" Akiko asked with a raised eyebrow.

Adagio became tense as she tried looking away. The sky hadn't changed in the time she'd been up there. She knew it and yet she was compelled to keep her eyes on it. The only thing she could think about was Battra appearing in the sky and Midnight coming to finish her off. 

"Akiko."

"Hey you're Kubo's little sister now. So from her on out your my little sister. So you can call me Big Sis or Aki." Akiko said with a smile.

"Aki." Adagio said her voice was low and squeaked like a mouse. When she turned around Akiko frowned. Adagio was sniffling as tears ran down her face like a waterfall, "I'm so scared!"

"I know." Akiko spoke softly.

"I sent Aria and Sonata away so they wouldn't be hurt. But I don't want to die! I can't leave them behind! Sunset said having friends would keep me safe! But what can friends do against monsters?!" Adagio dropped to her knees holding her shoulders. She started to hyperventilate as she rubbed her scar, "It hurt so much when gave me this! And all that witch did was watch me while I was dying! With those cold eyes I can still feel them looking at me!"  She kept crying hard as fear began overtaking her. She kept going until she felt herself being pulled into something warm. It was soft and she heard a beat. There was gentle stroke going down her back. 

"Hush little angle dry your little tears. Hush little angle you don't need to fear." Akiko softly sang as she pulled Adagio into her chest and rubbed her back. Adagio swallowed back some of her tears as she held onto Akiko. The G-team captain kept singing as Adagio slowly stopped shaking. 'Never thought I'd have to bust out my old lullaby again. Especially for someone other than my little Vecy.' She thought to herself as memories began to play in her head.

___________________________________________________________________
Okinawa (1992)

"Hush little angle dry your little tears. Hush little angle you don't need to fear. Hush little angle Mama's right here." A red headed woman softly sang to the little girl sitting in her lap. The woman was in a small t-shirt and sweat pants and the girl was in a pink night gown. The child clung to her tightly as a stroke of lightning came from the sky lighting up the bedroom.

"It's really coming down out there." A man with a short black buzz cut was standing in front of the window watching the heavy rains fall, "I think we'll be staying in tomorrow, Miki."

"Hughes, would you not be so loud. I've almost got Missy down." Miki said in a sharp whisper. 

"Didn't we agree that her name would be Ame Akiko?" Hughes said walking over to the bed that Miki and Akiko were lying in. Akiko let out a soft yawn as she pulled herself from Miki's belly and looked between her and Hughes. Hughes smiled at Akiko patting her on the head as he got into the bed. She giggled waving her arms at him.

"Papa!" 

"She wants you, Papa." Miki said with a giggle handing Akiko over.

Hughes sighed taking the giggling little girl in his arms. "Hey Ame. Aren't you tired yet? You know the thunder won't get you." 

Akiko pulled on his cheek starting to laugh, "Sleepy with, Papa!"

"You heard the little lady." Miki said with a smile.

"One of these days your gonna end up sleeping in your own room, Ame." Hughes said as he pulled the covers the over himself.

"Oh does someone miss our alone time?" Miki asked wiggling her eyebrows.

Hughes blushed, "Hey, not in front of the kid."

"She doesn't know what were talking about." Miki teased sticking her tongue out. Akiko merely looked in between the two not understanding what was going on between the adults.

"Sleepy time?"

"Promise you'll stay asleep?" Miki asked. Akiko nodded her head with a wide smile. This earned her a kiss on both cheeks from Hughes and Miki.  Akiko giggled as she held onto Hughes and Miki's arms as they wrapped around. She had a wide smile even as the thunder kept bellowing outside. She was enjoying the warmth of her Mama and the soothing heart beat of her Papa. She no longer had to worry about the cold silence of the outside world.