My Little Pony: A King Arises

by Aaron1248

Chapter 4: The Hatching

Night came by Luna’s will. The sound of trotting hooves could be heard as a royal chariot was seen being pulled by two earth pony guards. In the chariot, Celestia and Luna sat as they traveled up the dirt trail in the hillside. The sounds of the Neighponese forest could be heard all around them.

The trek didn’t last long as they reached their destination. The Temple of the Rising Sun had severely changed in the last fifteen years. The structures of the mighty temple still showed signs of damage and destruction. Walls had crumbled, the garden was decimated and cracks could be seen on various objects. However, new structures were seen to have been built over the recent years. Several small work stations could be seen where various ponies were seen doing various tasks.

The chariot stopped at a checkpoint at the entrance of the temple where a unicorn walked up to the guards. They had minor chat before gesturing them to continue. The chariot pulled into the temple where Luna spied various workers, guards and heavy construction equipment hard at work. What was going on around here? With all of the various workers and guards you’d think this was some sort of base of operations. Suddenly, a loud thumping noise similar to a heartbeat was heard. Luna turned her attention to the origin of the noise and her eyes slowly widened at the sight.

In the distance, a colossal-sized arch tower was seen. The tower itself was roughly the size of a fifteen-story building. Instead of being made of stone it appeared to be made of some form of chitin material. A bioluminescent red glow came from deep within the structure. It appeared to be making more heartbeat-related noises, which made Luna believe that something alive was within that tower.

Luna was cast from her thoughts as the chariot came to a complete stop. She looked to see that the chariot indeed stopped and a few Neighponese earth pony guards were waiting to escort them. The princesses got out and walked up to the guards, who bowed in respect to the sun and moon princesses.

“Greetings, your highnesses.” The first guard spoke up in a Neighponese accent. “We hope you had a safe trip.”

“We did,” Celestia answered. “Is the doctor expecting us?”

“Yes, your highness.” The second guard spoke up. “This way, please?” With that, Celestia and Luna followed after the guards. They led them closer to the center of the temple, where the structure was located.

Deep within the center of the temple, the structure stood as various ponies wearing hazmat suits were taking readings from it. Various machines such as huge cameras, sensors and scanners probed it across the entire range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The imposing apparatus, which were at least a story in height, rested upon a ring of grilled metal on stone flooring surrounding it. Above surveying it from an elevated control room dubbed “the crow’s nest”, Dr. Serizawa, now in his sixties, watched the structure as the scientists and technicians were monitoring the data on the structure. The words “MUTO” were displayed along with what appeared to be a form of time code on each screen.

Suddenly, the structure started to pulse. The pulses grew in speed before the air around it rippled as it emitted a luminous pulse. The translucent structure convulsed, shaking off a cloud of dust along the bits of outer husk. The spasm caused the entire temple and the attached scaffolding to tremble slightly, which Serizawa found more a little unsettling. At the same time, the magic-powered lights flickered throughout the facility. Industrial-sized backup generators, installed for just such occasions, kicked in automatically to override the power loss.

With full power restored by the generators, the equipment within the crow’s nest monitored the pulse. Glowing screens, tracking emanations all along the electromagnetic spectrum, registered a continuous spike that only gradually diminished in intensity before subsiding altogether.

“Seven-point-two seconds and getting stronger.” An earth pony scientist wearing glasses reported. “We’re trending exponentially and—“He
then started rapidly tapping his keyboard, collating and translating the latest data from the pulse. “—that’s our new curve.”

A distinctive waveform appeared on a central display screen. The pattern displayed a series of rising peaks, starting small at first, but quickly increasing in size and frequency. Serizawa examined the display in fascination. The pattern didn’t match any biological phenomenon he was familiar with.

The sound of hooves on the metal floor gained the doctors attention. He turned to see a unicorn guard walking into the crow’s nest. He walked up to the doctor before saluting to Serizawa.

“Dr. Serizawa,” he said. “Two individuals are here to speak with you—“

An earth pony official got annoyed a bit by the interruption. “Can this wait? Have Dr. Graphic handle this.”

“She did, sir,” the guard replied. “She sent me to retrieve the doctor.”

The official sighed in frustration, now noticing Dr. Graphic’s absence at the moment. Serizawa recalled her being called away before the pulse went off. Intrigued, he gave the guard his full attention. He trusted Crypto’s judgment, and wondered what about the visitors was so significant.

“She said that the princesses had arrived,” the guard said.

The princesses had arrived? Serizawa found this provocative enough that he let the guard escort him downstairs to the antechamber of a utility room that been made into a makeshift meeting room. He found Graphic waiting for him outside the utility room, while an armed guard stood firm at the door to the larger room beyond.

A bit nervous, Graphic nodded at Serizawa as he arrived. They peered through the clear glass door seeing both princesses sitting down, drinking tea while waiting for the two. Without further delay, the two doctors then entered the room which caught the attention of the two alicorns. Celestia smiled at the two unicorns nodded to both of them.

“Dr. Serizawa,” Celestia said. “It’s been awhile. I can see you’ve changed since we’ve last met.”
“Time has been kind to you, your highness,” the aged unicorn said with a chuckle. “For your beauty hasn’t faltered after all these years.” Celestia couldn’t help blushing a bit before getting back into the subject.

“Anyways,” she said before turning to Luna. “Before we get started, Luna I would like to introduce you to the two unicorns in head of this operation. The stallion is Dr. Ishiro Serizawa.” Dr. Serizawa bowed his head in respect to Luna. “And the mare is his associate, Dr. Crypto Graphic.” Dr. Graphic also bowed her head a bit to Luna.

“Greetings, your highness,” Dr. Graphic said. “I’m assuming you’re here for the situation that’s brought your sister?”

“Indeed,” Luna answered. “Unfortunately thou weren’t informed about what the situation might be. Our sister had said that you’d be able to explain everything to us?”

“We will,” Dr. Serizawa informed. “And we’ll make sure that we don’t confuse you as much.” Luna nodded before listening to the two unicorns.

“Fifteen years ago,” Dr. Serizawa explained. “This temple was attacked by an unknown creature. Survivors of the attack claimed this creature was around the size of a dragon and for some reason had a keen attraction to anything with magic residing within. Some of the survivors claimed that the creature went after anypony that used magic on it. Hence the reason it came here in the first place. It was after the Magatama Necklace of the Sun, a magical artifact passed down from the late empress.”

“So what purpose could this beast have with the artifact?” Luna asked with a raised brow.

“Its purpose,” Dr. Graphic joined in. “Was to feed.”

Luna’s eyes widened in shock at what she heard. It came to this temple to feed? Luna shook the thought from her mind before turning to the two.

“Are thou saying that this beast came to feast upon magic?” Luna asked. Both of the unicorns nodded at her. “So does that mean—“

“Yes,” Dr. Serizawa said. “It consumed anything with magic. Be it an object or a pony.” Luna was filled with horror when heard this. Luckily she calmed down when she felt her sister place a hoof on her shoulder. Luna sighed before turning her attention back to Serizawa.

“So where is the beast now?” she asked.

“You’ve seen the structure outside, correct?” he asked. Luna gave a nod before he continued. “That structure is actually a cocoon of sorts that contains the creature.”

“A cocoon!?” she exclaimed in a shocked tone. Both scientists nodded as Luna tried to get over her shock. “That’s impossible. No known creature in Equestria is able to do such a feat.”

“That’s true,” Dr. Graphic said. “Tell me this, your highness. Are you familiar with fossils?” Luna’s brow rose a bit before answering.

“Yes,” she answered. “We had the pleasure to experience the thrills fossils had within the Canterlot museum.” She thought for a bit before she got what the doctor was getting at. “Wait! Are thou saying this beast is some sort of dinosaur?”

“In a sense,” Serizawa answered. “We believe the creature, that we call the MUTO , is an ancient form of unknown parasite.”

“Parasite?” Luna asked.

Suddenly the entire temple shook. Lights were flickering as a pulse was felt throughout the temple. Each of the horns started to spark a bit from the experience. Luna held her head a bit after her horn stopped sparking. It felt like something was forcefully cutting off her magic.

“Luna, are you alright?” Celestia asked. Luna’s headache subsided as she breathed out a sigh of relief before looking at her older sibling.

“I am fine, sister.” She assured. “It felt like something was trying to suppress my magic.”

“That would be the EMP, your highness,” Serizawa explained.

“What is an EMP?” Luna asked with a raised brow.

“An EMP is an acronym for Electric Magical Pulse,” Dr. Graphic answered. “It’s a pulse of high level magical energy that’s known to suppress any form of magic. It affects a pony depending on their breed. Earth ponies would lose their strength. Pegasi wouldn’t be able to fly and unicorns would temporary lose their magic. Alicorns fall into the same faction for all three.”

Another tremor was felt across the temple. The lights flickered yet again as the pulse covered the temple. Each of their horns sparked again and Luna held her head as she felt the magic suppressing migraine. Both doctors looked at each other with concern as the tremors subsided.

“That was more recent than the last few times,” Dr. Graphic noted. Serizawa nodded a bit.

“When did these pulses start to happen?” Celestia asked. Serizawa looked to the princess with a serious expression.

“It started two weeks ago,” he answered. “They were small at first but over time they’ve started becoming more recent and growing stronger.”

Another tremor shook the temple. This one, however, was stronger than the last one as dust and specks of stone fell from the ceiling. The pulse was then felt as the lights flickered again and each of them grunted feeling the pulse’s effect. Dr. Graphic looked alarmed at Serizawa, whose eyes were filled with the same concern. The EMP seemed to be increasing in intensity.

Suddenly, a unicorn technician rushed into the antechamber. “Dr. Serizawa, they need you upstairs! We have a problem.”

Serizawa took those words at heart and immediately sat up and followed after the technician. Dr. Graphic didn’t waste time either and followed after the unicorn. Celestia and Luna looked at each other before nodding and followed after the two doctors.

The group raced back to the control room, which was now in a barely controlled frenzy. The elation and excitement of only a few minutes ago had been supplanted by an almost palpable sense of panic. Emergency alerts and warnings flashed urgently on almost every screen and console. Buzzers and sirens sounded. Alarmed pony technicians shouted over each other.

“Just seconds apart!” A pegasus called out.

Another pony, whose name Serizawa didn’t know, stared in dismay at the readings before him. “—stronger, broad spectrum!”

A middle-aged earth pony stallion was pacing back and forth in worry. Luna grimaced a bit watching the stallion chew on his hooves nervously. The power and intensity of the pulses were exceeding all their expectations and precautions. The team’s historic breakthrough was turning into a disaster.

“Any wild magic leakage?” a stallion asked in fear.

A larger tremor shook the crow’s nest as the cocoon emitted an even stronger pulse. Serizawa staggered across the quaking floor to the windows overlooking the inner temple. Down below, the mammoth cocoon flexed and heaved, causing great hunks of its rocky outer shell to shear off and crash onto the metal grille covering the floor of the temple. Tiny figures, their movements hampered by their cumbersome hazmat suits, scrambled for safety as the chunks of the shell tumbled down onto the expensive equipment like a rockslide, smashing portions of the sensor array to pieces. The impact of the fragments slamming into the stone floor echoed off the walls of the temple. As the outer layer of the cocoon disintegrated, more and more of the infernal red glow within it was exposed.

“What in Tartarus is it doing?” Luna asked.

“Magic levels still zero,” reported a fellow technician, with audible relief. “It’s sucked all the magic dry from the artifact.”

Serizawa looked towards the trembling cocoon with a hardened glare. “It’s done feeding.”

Puzzled, Luna looked over at Serizawa. She then gazed to the cocoon uncomprehendingly. “What's about to happen, doctor?”

“It’ll break free.” Serizawa explained. “Once it does then this facility and the ponies stationed here will be in danger.”

Graphic ran the scenario through her head several times. All of the destruction, pain and death, just like fifteen years ago. “That’s what it’s building to, converting all that magic until it hatches.”

“We need to shut down,” Serizawa said.

“Secure the temple!” an earth pony ordered. “Wildfire protocols!”

Another pony pressed a button, sounding an alarm. He relayed the order into the microphone. “All personnel, clear the first perimeter, immediately!”

Klaxons blared throughout the base. Crimson warning lights flashed and rotated. Outside the crow’s nest, the generators were cranked up to full capacity as the six looming construction cranes went into operation. Gears engaged and motors roared as the cranes stretched a net of thick steel cables above the inner temple. Those were a precaution if anything tried to escape.

Serizawa watched from the crow’s nest as the tech crews on the lower levels of the temple scrambled out of the way as the huge wire “cage” descended, sealing the cocoon inside, even as another layer of the outer shell shook loose, sloughing onto the floor of the temple with tremendous force. Serizawa offered a silent prayer for the workers below, hoping they would not be crushed by the stony fragments, which were as hard and brittle as volcanic rock.

Agitated voices filled the control room. The pulses, coming faster and faster, were growing steadily in strength. Arguments broke out among the panicky pony scientists and technicians as they debate the correct response to the escalating crisis. Emergency measures were hurriedly deployed, but Celestia and Luna gotten a definite sense that matters were spiraling out of control.

“Temple secured!” a technician called out as the high-tension netting stretched taut above the quivering cocoon. The technician let out a sigh of relief, which Serizawa feared might be premature. After all, the cage had never been tested.

The announcement quieted the tumult inside the control room. Overlapping voices trailed off as all heads turned toward Serizawa, who was keeping a firm gaze on the cocoon. Everypony, except the princesses, knew what came next. An earth pony technician’s hoof hovered above a switch. He looked to Serizawa for the go-ahead.

“Say the word,” the technician said.

A lot was going through Serizawa’s mind right now. He was now given overwhelming responsibility to give the word to end the life of a creature. While he never killed anything before, this was a tough decision. There was still so much they could learn from the creature. Right now, unfortunately, wasn’t the time to be merciful. Either he takes out the threat or many more will die. He then felt a hoof on his should and looked to see Celestia giving him a sympathetic look.

“Doctor,” she said. “It’s your call. Do what you believe is right.” Serizawa nodded before turning his attention back to the cocoon.

Down in the temple, the cocoon shuddered again, shedding yet another layer of the shell. Great chunks of the cocoon rained down on the stone flooring, which began to buckle beneath the avalanche. With each layer, more and more of the unearthly effulgence at the core of the cocoon could be seen, although the organism within remained hidden from view.

But for how much longer?

“Kill it,” Serizawa said.

Celestia let Serizawa make the call. She then nodded to the earth pony technician, who threw the switch.

Thousands of volts electrified the metal grille at the base of the cocoon. Bright blue flashes crackled across the flooring. The cocoon sizzled and convulsed as the electricity arced across its outer shell, jolting it with bolts of contained lightning. Smoke rose from its cracking outer shell. Floodlights and fuses blew, throwing the entire inner temple into darkness. Graphic gasped, and Celestia looked away from the window. In theory, whatever was growing inside the cocoon had just been electrocuted.

Serizawa prayed they had not waited too long.

On the monitors, the data feeds all went silent. A hush fell over the control room.

“All readings are flatlined,” the technician reported.

Serizawa peered down into the murky temple. As nearly as he could tell, the cocoon remained intact, apart from a single long crack splitting its surface. Shadows filled the gap, making it impossible to discern what lay deeper within the cocoon. The bioluminous glow had been extinguished. No sound or motion could be detected from this height. He, however, wasn’t going to take the chance of overlooking it.

“Get a visual,” he instructed.

Down in the temple, a work crew cautiously approached the charred cocoon. The stone floor beneath their hooves was no longer electrified, but their hazmat suits included rubber boots regardless. Massive fragments of dislodged shell, the size of boulders, were embedded in the floor, forcing the workers to detour around them. Burnt and shattered scientific equipment further obstructed their path. The slabbed floor beneath their hooves was cracked and cratered, making it difficult to navigate. It was several minutes before they reached the base of the cocoon, which remained dark and inert.

The leader of the team and unicorn, Koji Tanaka, ignited his horn with magical light. An incandescent yellow glow cast light on the deep, jagged crack running up the blackened exterior of the looming cocoon. He peered up at the crack, but saw only a still, silent darkness. It appeared that the creature was indeed dead, but perhaps there was yet more they could learn by examining its remains?

The team drew nearer to the cocoon. Tanaka was about to report back to the control room, when he spotted a glimmer of movement through the crack. At first he thought it might be just a trick of the light, but, no, something was definitely shifting deep within the cocoon. He squinted into shadows, while the rest of his team started shouting and pointed fearfully. They could all see it now: Elusive shapes—no, a single shape—stirring inside the cocoon, right before their eyes.

Tanaka’s mouth went dry. He began to back away warily.

A deafening howl erupted from the cocoon, echoing off the walls of the temple. Terrified, Tanaka and his team turned and ran frantically for their lives.

They didn’t get far.

A bone-rattling shockwave blasted from the cocoon, flinging the fleeing workers across the floor into the ruins and rubble. The concussive force disintegrated what remained of the cocoon, causing it to crumble to dust, even as a tremendous electromagic pulse blew through the entire base, shutting anything magic-powered down. Tumbling through the air, Tanaka was already dead, his organs pulped, before he slammed into the disintegrating pile of debris.

The creature was now 61 meters. Its entire body was colored greyish black with white patches over its body. One of its two forelimbs were now wings and were twice its body length. Its triangular head bobbed a bit like a bird, looking around its surroundings. It spotted the many workers fleeing from its cocoon. Each of their auras called out to it. The creature then howled again before giving chase after a potential meal.

Along with his fellow scientists and the princesses, Serizawa stared down into the abyss, which was lit only by the intermittent strobing of the emergency lights. The steel-mesh net over the pit remained intact, further obscuring his view of the creature below, which had obviously survived their attempt to electrocute it. Despite the danger posed by the monster, Serizawa marveled at its obvious strength and endurance. They had sent enough voltage through the temple to fry a blue whale, but the creature was still alive and free from its cocoon.

‘We waited too long,’ he realized. ‘It’s grown too strong.’

The erratic lighting frustrated him. Straining his eye, he could make out only the vague impression of some gargantuan form moving below. He caught sporadic glimpses of gargantuan red eyes and gleaming fangs.

Beside Serizawa, Luna gasped as the shadowy beast pressed up against the cable netting, testing its cage. The creature heaved upward, shaking the entire temple. Steel scaffolding and support beams began to buckle alarmingly. Tortured metal screamed in protest. Now she understood why Celestia believe this creature was a bigger threat than Tirek. This creature was a true monster. The crow’s nest bucked beneath everypony’s hooves, Serizawa had to grab onto a window sill to maintain his balance. Graphic stumbled against him, her face pale.

“Everypony out!” Serizawa shouted. “Now!”

His hoof then slammed down on a panic button.

Outside, ponies were galloping everywhere trying to get to positions to destroy the monster that was rampaging inside the temple. However, after a period of aggression, everything calmed after another EMP was released. It stopped moving, until at last its two long hooked forearms rose up out of the temple. Slowly, the guards watched as they then wrapped around on the steel wires and started pulling them down. One by one, they began to snap and split across the space above the temple, several guards and workers were caught in the wrong place as they fall victim to the breaking metal and flailing wire. One unlucky guard was nearly cleaved in two by one such wires snapping at him as it broke free from the tension.

The princesses had made it outside, and watched in horror as the monster continued to pull the wires apart in an attempt to free itself. Another wire was attached to an overpass leading to the temple snapped under the pressure and fell towards the two alicorns. Both dodged out of the way as the metal cable slammed into the ground, causing it to crack.

Luna landed on the ground hard. She groggily looked back to where her sister was at. She saw her older sister getting up. Her coat appeared to be covered in patches of dirt as she shook her head of dizziness. She then looked to Luna before her eyes widened in fear.

“LUNA!” she screamed as she tried to gallop to her sister, but was cut off as a piece of large debris landed in front of her, nearly crushing her.

“TIA!” Luna screamed as she was about to gallop to her aide.

She was, however, stopped by two things. The first was that more metal and debris falling into her path. The second was the sound of the monster’s unholy howl once more. She slowly turned around slowly, her eyes widened in fear as she saw the massive hooked claw rise up and slam into the ground. The monster, known as the MUTO, was free and it hauled itself out of the temple. It gave out a mighty roar as it seemed to celebrate its freedom. With that the guards and workers started scattering about. This caused the MUTO to look down at the scattered ponies. Various auras were seen amongst its gaze, which it caused the parasite to drool. It was a feast it couldn’t pass up.

The MUTO roared as it charged at the crowd of ponies. The workers ran for their lives while the unicorn guards casted Magic Missile spells at the creature. The energy projectiles each exploded on the parasite’s body, which made it shriek in pain. While the spells were painful, they barely did any damage. It howled as it continued its charge before overwhelming a group of guards. They screamed in terror as the monster struck at them with jaws open. Their screams were immediately silenced as the MUTO gulped down its first snack out of the cocoon.

Luna’s eyes widened in horror to what she had just witnessed, that thing just devoured innocent ponies. Her teeth gritted as her anger started to build. She will not allow this beast to do whatever it pleases while in her presence. She will slay this foul monster. Her thoughts were broken as she heard the MUTO roar again. She saw that it then had its attention on a unicorn guardsmare who was frantically firing Magic Missile spells at the monster. Without hesitation, she galloped towards the mare readying herself for battle.

The guardmare fired another Magic Missile at the MUTO. It howled as it closed in on the mare. Before she could fire another spell, her rump hit a hard wall making her realizing her situation. She was cornered and will most likely be dead. A shadow loomed over her causing her to look quickly, her eyes widened in terror. The monsters crimson red eyes focused on the mare with hunger. The guard’s eyes started to water up with tears as she shivered in fear. The MUTO then prepared to strike on the unicorn mare with jaws agape and drooling.

Suddenly, a large beam of blue magic slammed into the monster, causing it to shriek in surprise and pain. This caused the MUTO to get knocked off its feet into a part of the temple. The guard’s eyes widened as she looked in surprise to see Luna land in front of her facing the monster. The princess then turned her attention to the guardsmare with a sympathetic look.

“Art thou alright, my little pony?” she asked. The unicorn nodded before bowing a bit to the princess.

“Hai, Luna-sama,” the mare said while looking down in grief. “I tried to fight with all my might but my companions—“Tears started to fall from her eyes. “—t-they…” She was stopped as Luna placed a sympathetic hoof on the mare’s shoulder.

“There, there young pony,” she assured. “No need to say anymore. Right now, you must get to a safe location.”

“But what will you do?” the guardsmare asked. Luna then turned her attention to the MUTO, who was now getting up from the attack Luna inflicted on it. Its narrowed crimson eyes gazed at the alicorn as it growled in anger. Luna’s gaze turned into anger as she glared back at the monster.

“I will slay the foul beast!” she exclaimed before raising her wings and with a mighty flap took to the air towards the towering monster. The MUTO reacted to this with a mighty roar before rising up and charged at the alicorn princess.

Luna’s horn glowed as she then fired a beam of magic at the winged monster. The beam hit the MUTO in the chest causing it to halt a bit before it roared and continued its charge towards the princess. It then took a snap at Luna, who quickly dodged before ascending to a higher altitude. The MUTO looked up seeing its current prey taking to the sky, with a roar it spread its own wings and gave a mighty flap with its wings and took after the alicorn.

Luna looked behind her and gasped as she saw the winged monster speeding towards her. She dodged to the left as the MUTO passed by, however was knocked away from the extreme wind currents caused by the monster. Luna stabilized herself as she looked up at the MUTO, who made a turn around and was homing in on her.

The princess’s horn glowed as she then sent out a beam of magic at the monster again. The MUTO saw it coming as it barrel rolled to the left, which caused Luna to gasp. It then went back into homing in on Luna. It passed over her, causing the wind currents to hit her hard. She screamed as she was sent spiraling to the ground. She landed hard on the ground, practically knocking the wind out of her. She groaned as she started to pick herself up from the ground. Several feet away, a large “THOOM!” was heard as she looked to see the MUTO right there staring down at her, roaring as its wings were spread out in aggression.

Luna’s horn glowed again as she was ready to cast another magic blast. The MUTO, however, anticipated this as one of its forelimbs started to give out a red bioluminescent glow. The blinking glow grew faster and faster before the MUTO raised its forelimb before slamming it into the ground. An EMP then shot out and it hit Luna with full force. Her horn immediately lost its glow and sparked uncontrollably. Sheer pain shot throughout her body as she let a loud scream as the force of the pulse knocked her back.

Luna groaned as she wearily looked up as her eyes slowly widened in horror. Right there above her, the MUTO clicked as its maw drooled as it looked down at its potential meal. Luna desperately tried to get up but unfortunately her legs wouldn’t respond. The MUTO was about to strike when suddenly it was knocked back by a beam of golden magical energy. This caused the MUTO to shriek in surprise and pain as it was forced onto its back.

Luna then gasped as she saw Celestia land right in front of her. Her eyes were filled with anger as she faced the direction of the monster, which was now getting back up. The MUTO growled as it faced Celestia let loose a loud howl. Celestia spread out her wings to show intimidation to the winged monster. Her horn glowed gold as she continued her hardened glare.

“Listen, unholy beast,” she said with anger. “You will not harm my sister while in my presence!” She rose up on her hind hooved before slamming her fore hooves into the ground. The ground beneath them started cracking and spreading out as what appeared to be magical flames spewed from the cracks rushed towards the MUTO.

The MUTO shrieked as the blaze spewed in front of it. The intense heat caused the monster to recoil and back up. It then roared before spreading its wings and gave them a major flap, causing the flames to die down from the intense wind. Celestia stood firm as the wind rushed past her, not moving from her spot.

The MUTO was about to charge at the two princesses when it then picked up something on its heightened senses. A sound only it could hear, a sound that was calling out to it. The MUTO turned away from the two alicorns before letting out its own high pitched, clicking call. It waited a bit before the call from before responded back. The MUTO then spread its mighty wings and gave them a flap, allowing it to take to the air and headed north, where it disappeared into the cloud cover out of sight.

Celestia sighed with relief as the monster had finally left. Unfortunately, that didn’t ease the tension. The monster was now free and could be anywhere. It could even cause havoc in Equestria. One thing, however, caused her confusion. What caused the creature to deter its attention away from them? Whatever it was it probably wasn’t good. A groan behind her gotten her attention as she turned to see her sister, Luna, still collapsed on the ground. She rushed to her sibling checking to see if she was alright.

“Luna,” she said as she nuzzled her. “Are you alright?” Luna opened her eyes and smiled weakly at her older sister.

“We are alright, sister,” she replied. “Though, thou is weak with our battle with the winged demon.” Celestia sighed while she shook her head.

“That was foalish, Luna!” she berated. “You know it was unwise to face an enemy you had no knowledge about whatsoever.” Luna chuckled weakly as she laid her head down.

“I’m sorry, Tia,” she apologized. “Thou were doing our duty as a princess. We couldn't let that beast do as it pleases.” She was then nuzzled by her older sister.

“Hush now, Luna. Rest and regain your strength.”

Luna nodded before closing her eyes before letting her mind wander into the realm of dreams. Celestia then looked around her, only to feel her heart break. The area around her was devastated, all caused by the rampage of the MUTO. Walls had crumbled, the stone floor was either cratered or cracked and the metal works were completely destroyed.

“Your highness!” a voice called out. She turned to see Dr. Serizawa and Dr. Graphic galloping up towards her. She nodded to both of them as they stopped right in front of her.

“Thank the Maker you two are alright,” she said. Serizawa nodded before turning to Luna’s fallen form.

“What has happened to Luna?” he asked.

“She tried to combat the MUTO,” she explained. “Unfortunately she was hit by the full force of the EMP.” Serizawa nodded before turning to Graphic.

“Go find a medic team,” he ordered. “The princess will need it.” Graphic nodded before galloping off to find the medics.

Serizawa then looked upon the destruction before him. The secret would soon get out and panic will spread across Equestria and beyond. Their top priority right now was to locate the monster and detain it. Hopefully they would be able to stop it before “he” comes.

The Braying Sea was a small marginal sea that lied between the edge of the Crystal Empire and the Hooviet Union. Here was home to several underwater volcanic fields, where thermal wild magic expelled from within the planet for millions of years. It’s also home to another around the same age.

Under the waves at the base of two volcanoes, an ancient creature slept. Its breathing was calm as oxygen flowed into its gills while it slumbered. The magic expelled from the volcanic vents were absorbed into its jagged spines, fueling and feeding him. Every sea creature knew not to disturb him while he slumbered, but he didn’t care either way.

Suddenly, he heard something. Something familiar he hadn’t heard for a very long time. He began to stir as the noise continued, fueling an ancient anger that he hadn’t felt for a while. Four fingered claws started to scrape across the ocean floor in agitation. A snarl was etched on his muzzle as he then began to rise up off the ocean floor. He knew what this sound was all too well. He snarled again as oxygen filled bubbled escaped his toothy maw as his eyes shot open revealing glowing yellow eyes. He had awakened and the hunt could now begin.