All across Equestria, millions of ponies, animals, and magical creatures lay unconscious in forests, grasslands, swamps, deserts, volcanoes, and garbage dumps filled with broken glass. And like precious little flowers opening in the warmth of the first spring sun, they began to awaken.
At the magically rebuilt farm of Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was the first of her clan to awaken. Confused and disoriented, she got to her hooves.
“Big Mac? Big Mac, you here?”
Big Mac pulled himself out from under a bush. “Eeeeeup...”
Applejack shook her head. “What in tarnation just happened?” The last thing she remembered was something involving sharks and everything being demolished. But that couldn't be... everything around her was intact and pristine. Wobbling, Applejack made her way to the top of the closest hill; there she gasped at the vista before her, for the Apple family homestead and fields of apple trees were now sparkling in the sunshine.
“Big Mac, look! The apples! I ain't ever seen 'em so bright and sparkly! Have you?!”
“Nnnnoope!”
“Why, they must be delicious! I reckon they'll be the best apples we've ever grown! We'll be rich! Rich I tell ya!”
Granny Smith wobbled up the hill. “Applejack, did I bump my head? I could have sworn there were sharks around here.”
“No, Granny,” Applejack said with a laugh. “There ain't no such thing as sharks in these parts!”
All three shared a great and hearty laugh, not noticing as smiling fruit bats came down and devoured all the apples.
***
Throughout all of Equestria, everyone awoke from their shark-induced nightmares. Within the Everfree Forest, Zecora found herself lying at the foot of her now-restored cabin.
“Oh my, what a dream! But I am glad to see that the grass here is still green! And now that my house is once again as strong as a tank, it will not be repossessed by the bank!”
In Ponyville, all the families that had been sucked up or eaten found themselves back to normal once again. Lyra and Bonbon awoke inside Rarity's boutique, along with Berry Punch; after looking around in confusion and spotting her now-empty liquor bottle, she made a solemn vow right then and there never to touch another drop of the stuff as long as she lived.
On the coast, Manehattan glowed once again, with Iron Will and his commandos waking in the middle of a crowded street. Within the Crystal Empire, the crystal ponies were overjoyed to find that their crystal homes were restored, along with the Crystal Palace, the crystal libraries, crystal shops, crystal bakeries and crystal gardens with their crystal flowers and crystal birds who sang crystal songs. But it was not only the settlements on the ground that had been given a new lease on life. Cloudsdale was restored as well, with not a single piece of cloud out of place, and the beloved ball pit intact once again. And not far away, the Enterprise hovered in the beautiful sky, the hull now sparkling clean and intact, as if it had only just gotten off the assembly line.
Inside the bridge, Picard and the other bridge staff awoke from their rainbow-inflicted daze, surprised to see a clear sky with nary a shark in sight.
“Report,” Picard said.
Data (his legs now restored and intact) checked his readouts. “All systems functional,” he said. “Shields are at one hundred percent; hull integrity is the same. All damage has been repaired.” He looked to Picard, surprised. “It is as if we were never attacked.”
“Counselor?”
Troi took a moment to mentally scan the ship. “Everyone's fine, Captain. In fact, they're better than fine. They feel rejuvenated.” She grinned. “In fact, so do I.”
“Same here,” Riker said. Glances about the bridge revealed grins on everyone's faces. Their bodies had been rejuvenated by the rainbow waves, and no matter their age, everyone felt at the peak of health.
Checking to see if he had any hair on his head, Picard tapped his combadge. “Mr. Worf, where are you?”
“Returning to the Enterprise, sir.”
The viewscreen revealed a small convoy of ponies flying towards the Enterprise, with Worf riding upon Princess Celestia's back.
“Ah, very good. The landing bay will be ready for you.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
Another tap of the badge. “Princess Celestia?”
“Captain Picard...it's good to hear your voice.”
“And the same for you, your Highness. But I suppose the big question is if this nightmare is over.”
Outside the Enterprise, Celestia looked down on the land below, now restored to its prior glory, as if the Sharknado and Sharkicane had never existed at all.
“Yes, Captain. It's over.”
Upon the backs of Luna, Fluttershy, Cadence, and the giant crab, the mariachi singers cheered and played a happy song.
***
It didn't take long for Celestia to fly back to the now-restored Canterlot with her entourage. Delighted at seeing the Royal Palace intact once more, she wasted no time in sending out a work order to install numerous anti-shark defenses before sending out a proclamation to all corners of the continent to explain exactly what had happened, and, more importantly, to summon everyone to Canterlot so loved ones and family could be reunited. And it didn't take long for that to happen, and from the moment ponies poured into the city, the air was filled with happy cries as countless reunions took place.
One such reunion was at the entrance to the city, where Rarity waited for a train arriving from Ponyville, barely able to contain her anxiety. And as the doors swung open, she scanned everyone storming out onto the platforms, until she spotted the one face that was more precious to her than all the diamonds and gems within the earth.
“SWEETIE BELLE!”
“Rarity!”
Charging across the station, the two sisters embraced each other, the tears flowing.
“Oh Sweetie Belle, never leave me again!” Rarity sobbed.
“I won't, Rarity! I promise! And look! I finally got my cutie mark!” She showed her flank, revealing the little insignia of a pony being swallowed by a shark, a mark that she now shared with the other crusaders, signaling that their talent was being consumed by aquatic predators.
“Oh Sweetie Belle, it's beautiful!” But in truth, Rarity didn't care. All she wanted was to have her sister with her once again, and that wish had finally been fulfilled, the sight making the giant crab tear up once again.
Elsewhere in the city, Twilight was reunited with her parents, while Shining Armor and Cadence were returned to each other, and Celestia and Luna embraced Prince Blueblood once more (after returning their embraces, he ran off in search of shampoo). The Minotaur Queen, Griffon King, and all the other rulers who had stood with Celestia found their subjects alive and well.
All of Equestria was, at last, reunited.
***
As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, work began on the biggest party in Equestria's history. Celestia and Luna directed the the construction of a massive, outdoor stage at the base of the Canterlot mountains. Perhaps more than any other pony and creature present, the princesses could rest easy knowing that the sharks were no longer a threat. By all reports, the rainbows had covered every corner of Equestria, and the sharks had been completely neutralized. The Megaladon, a being of almost pure evil, had been so annihilated by the blast so that not even a skeleton remained.
There was still the question of the other remaining sharks, of which there were thousands, scattered throughout the world in both the sea and on land. But without the corrupting influence of Discord's magic, they were back to their friendly shark selves, and horrified at what they had done. Now eager to help make up for the destruction that had been wrought, they were working with Fluttershy to arrange a special musical performance later in the evening.
More pressing was the question of what to do with Queen Chrysalis and her cohorts who had tried to use the Sharknado and Sharkicane to their advantage in taking over the planet for their own nefarious ends. But being temporarily turned into sharks had given them all a new outlook on life, and made them realize just how foolish the plan had been. They were at Canterlot as well, and trying to avoid everyone's gaze, especially the Queen.
“So, dear Sister,” Luna asked. “What shall we do with them?”
Celestia eyed Chrysalis. “I don't know. Hopefully she has learned her lesson, along with the others.”
“That Sharknadoes are useless tools for enacting political change because they are as much a threat to the ones who use them as the ones they seek to overthrow?”
“Precisely.”
The Queen could only bear to look at Celestia for a few moments longer before turning away.
Celestia figured that it would be best to wait a day or two before deciding what to do about Chrysalis. But she had the feeling that in light of all that had happened, she just might see the error of her ways and learn the true magic of friendship.
The Enterprise flew high overhead. Leaving Luna to oversee construction work, Celestia headed into the palace. Swirls of light appeared as she entered the the throne room, fading out to reveal Captain Picard, Riker, Worf, Data, and the other senior officers of the Enterprise.
Celestia nodded. “Thank you all for coming.”
Picard returned the nod. “The pleasure is ours, your Highness.”
“I wanted to thank you all for everything you've done. Without your assistance, we would not be standing here, and the sharks would be devouring the universe.”
Picard and the others gave humble smiles. “It was the least we can do, your Highness.”
“Indeed it was!” With a flash of light, Discord appeared above them all. “You all performed so much better than I hoped you ever would!” He clapped. “Bravo, bravo!”
The others glared at him.
“What? Are you not happy? Equestria and the Universe are saved! The Federation got to meet a society even more tolerant and loving than themselves, and all of Equestria got to make a bunch of new friends! What's not to love?!”
“The fact that you almost destroyed our planet,” Celestia said.
“Well, yes, there is that... but that was an accident. Honest, it was.”
“I wouldn't be so sure of that,” Picard said.
“Oh Jean-Luc, will you never learn to trust me?” he sighed. “Oh well. I suppose it's time for me to be off to plan my next masterpiece... and I promise, on my honor, that it won't involve all manner of destruction and chaos. Tootoloo!”
With a flash of light, he was gone.
“My apologies that you have to live with him,” Picard said. “We only have to put up with him whenever he chooses to show up.”
“He will learn to control himself, in time,” Celestia said. “And unless he wants to risk the wrath of all Equestria, he'll lay low for a few decades. Now,” she turned to the wall, and a large curtain, “I called you all here because I want to present to you all all a token of our gratitude.” She signaled to two guards, who yanked the curtain away. “Behold, the window that will immortalize your heroic deeds for the rest of time!”
Behind the curtain was a stained-glass window depicting the Enterprise shooting lasers into the Sharknado, with Worf flying through the air and knocking sharks away with his bat'leth.
“Only the bravest, most courageous, and noble deeds are immortalized in the Royal Hall. You have all earned this highest of honors.”
The ranking staff of the Enterprise looked upon the portrait in awe, overwhelmed at such an honor... though Riker couldn't help but nudge Worf and giggle at the portrait of him attacking sharks in mid-flight. “Have Klingons ever battled sharks in mid-air?”
Worf stood tall and proud. “No sir, Commander. They have not.”
“In addition, you also get these commemorative t-shirts,” Celestia said, handing them out. Each read: “I survived the Sharkicane, and all I got was this commemorative t-shirt!”
“You will also receive a commemorative snowglobe, towel, a permanent fifty percent discount at the palace's gift shop, and a commemorative action figure set.” She handed one to Worf, which showed a plastic miniature version of himself battling the sharks, complete with a sound chip that said, “Rah! Die sharks, die!”
Riker giggled. Worf blushed.
Luna and Twilight trotted into the hall, both looking very pleased with themselves. Upon Twilight's back, Spike was even more pleased as he proudly carried out his phaser rifle, a token he got to keep in memory of helping Twilight to deliver the Friendship Nuke.
“Your Highness,” Twilight said. “The preparations are complete. We're ready to begin!”
“Excellent.” Then, to Picard, “We would be honored if you could all join us for the celebration, Captain.”
Picard bit his lip. “I would be honored to, your Highness, but I'm afraid the Enterprise has to return to Federation territory. Command will be rather anxious about having their flagship vanish on a routine mission.”
“Are you sure you cannot stay, if only for a little while longer?”
“It would be my pleasure, but my crew and I cannot delay. Perhaps, sometime, we can come back out so that our cultures may further learn more about each other, but-”
“Captain, if I may?” Riker said. “We've only been here a day. We're in a new world in a galaxy across the universe from ours. I'm sure we can spare a few days to learn more about Equestria's culture.”
“Indeed, sir,” Data said. “There is much I find fascinating about these ponies. With your permission, I would like to study their language and customs, and perhaps browse their libraries. Princess Twilight Sparkle has said I may explore her personal library if I wish.”
Picard considered the requests.
“And I do recall you promising to give us a tour of the Enterprise once this was all over,” Celestia said. “I would still like to meet your crewmembers and learn about your culture as well.”
Picard gave a sheepish smile. “Indeed, I did promise that. Well... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to stay a few more days. Besides, we'll need Q's help to get back to our own galaxy.”
“My sister and I should be able to handle that,” Luna said.
“Well, in that case... I believe we can stay for the party.”
Pinkie Pie squealed as she leapt into the throne room and yanked out her party cannon. “Does that mean I can-”
Luna smiled. “Yes, Pinkie Pie. You may start the party.”
Squeeing, Pinkie fired her cannon, filling the hall with confetti and all manner of party twirlers.
***
Minutes later, and the celebration of life was in full swing. Pinkie Pie fired her party cannon again and again as the musicians began to play, with Octavia, the Mariachi singers, and the sharks playing the lead, and Riker providing backup with his trombone. The air was filled with the happiest music ever heard in Equestria, along with the roars of singing sharks. After using the Enterprise's replicator to create the biggest, most elaborate electronic music equipment ever made, Vinyl Scratch joined in on the fun, going into an epic musical duel with the triangle shark (a duel that would eventually lead to romance, courtship, marriage, the birth of shark-pony babies, and the beginnings of the Seapony race).
As the music played, every inhabitant of Equestria joined in, dancing and spinning away on the dance floor. The Princesses joined in on the fun, as did Picard and his officers, as well as the crewmembers of the Enterprise, who beamed not only themselves down, but also several replicators to create all manner of intergalactic cuisine for Equestrians to sample. They also got to try the delicacies of Equestrian food as well; Worf, in particular, found Derpy's muffins to be most delightful, quickly munching his way through several in a row before requesting the recipe (which would quickly become the new food of choice on Qo'noS).
Above them all, Rainbow Dash rocketed through the evening sky, spreading a rainbow of love against the stars that shone down on everyone present, while the Enterprise fired off firework after firework. And thus, with their hearts united by the magic of friendship, all of Equestria, and the crew of the USS Enterprise, were never again threatened by sharks, and they all lived happily ever after.
That is, until several years later, when a volcano began to erupt homicidal lava-beavers.