Author's Note
I apologize if it looks all jumbled up and messy. I didn't necessarily rushed this, but I've just added bits of ideas together after re-reading Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakeri. Don't expect regular release dates, like I said; I'm mostly writing idea based and not having a solid plot line, yet. So, enjoy the write and the read!
Chapter 1
In the middle of the Trotlantic Ocean, a bright light appears underwater, scaring away fishes from the biggest of whales to the smallest of prawns, and before it. An island appears.
The year 20XX, Summer.
A brony by the name of Michael, was walking around Ginza in Tokyo for an anime convention. Michael liked the MLP Fandom, but being an otaku was his number one priority. He was holding a Canon Camera that he bought online just for this occasion, he doesn’t really care for the model, as long as it took good photos.
But being a professional otaku and a newbie photograph, he looked up every anime with photo as it’s main plotline.
But back to the story, who cares about our protagonist right now.
As he was walking around taking photos of Ginza, he heard a loud hum. Confused, he looked around before a large shadow appeared behind him. Looking, he found a giant temple looking building right in the middle of the street he was walking on. People started chatting to each other about it being a movie prop. He started to take photos of it, noticing that it’s structure looks too much like marble to be a movie.
“I have to be going crazy.” He thought to himself, before zooming in on the touch screen of his camera, inspecting the “marble” he was so convinced it was.
An hour later, police and military arrived to protect the many civilians around the temple, still thinking it was a movie scene, they complied and looked around for any cameras to bomb.
“Sir, we have to ask you to leave the premise for your own safety.” A japanese police officer said to me. I looked at him before showing my badge that I was in the military. He inspected it and nodded, before showing me the way to the already constructed HQ tent.
“We don’t know how this structure appeared here in Ginza, but we have every working personnel near it and we are waiting approval to enter it.” General Matsumoto, a very strict and formal general, he was very good at talking to the media and just as good on the battle. Michael could careless right now, he was hoping that the convention would still be on after this event.
“How about we send a small scouting squad instead of sending a full regiment?” Michael asked on a whim, surprised at himself for being able to say that to General Matsumoto. He looked at Michael, before saying, “And what if we suddenly sent them on a suicide mission, Lieutenant Michael?”
Michael looked at the general confused before saying, “Then we could send in drones before sending in the squad, we have the technology to do it, sir.”
General Matsumoto looked down and contemplated before nodding, “Okay, we’ll send in a small detachment with drones in the front for any hostiles.
He then smiled a bit, “And you’ll be the lucky man commanding that detachment, Second Lieutenant Michael Johnson.”
That’s the start of Michael D. Johnson’s adventure to the other side.
“Sigh, what did I get myself into?” Michael said out loud as he and his squad were about to march into the structure. They were 8 including himself, all seasoned troopers.
“You got yourself in what you’ve asked for, ‘Second Lieutenant’.” A small female sergeant told him, looking at him a bit annoyed, “And we have to come along to, because of your stupid mouth!”
“Sorry, sorry, Mitsu! It was a good idea at the time to let the anime convention on.” Michael said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
“Sigh, honestly. You really need to change hobbies, Mike.”
Michael huffs and looks away from her, “Never! Anyway, do we have everything accounted for, guys?”
“Yup, white on everything.” A tanned japanese corporal said, looking over a notebook that looks strangely similar to the death note.
“White on everything, what?” Michael asked confused.
“Sigh, everything is accounted for, dingus.”
“Oh, okay. Alright guys, let’s move!”
(Michael, POV.)
As I was walking in the structure, all I could see was darkness everywhere. All of us attached a flashlight mount on our helmets, looking around and readying our weapons forming a diamond formation.
We were walking for quite a while before seeing a bright light, we kept moving forward before we reached a jungle. I could hear waves, clearly we are near a beach or a large lake. We all looked around for any potential hostiles, but all we found was trees, trees, trees and more trees for days. Suddenly we all heard a loud hum. I remembered it from the first structure, but as we were running towards the hum we heard the waves again.
This time I could actually see the beach and all I could see was water as far as the eye can see. I decide to use my radio to contact HQ, before the structure just appeared on the beach a 10 meters from us.
Then the chattering came from the box, “Another structure has appeared near Yokosuka! Repeat! Another structure has appeared near Yokosuka!”
I decided then to call HQ, “Forward Command, we have visual on the second structure. No reddies here in the island.”
“Roger, sweep the area, we are sending in reinforcements. We got green light from the Prime Minister.”
“Roger that, over and out. Alright guys, we just need to patrol a bit more until reinforcements come in to clean it up for us.”
We were patrolling for what seems like a few seconds before we heard something coming out from the second structure, and lo and behold a destroyer and a few helos came out it. I sighed and continued to patrol the area, looking for just about anything to report on.
An hour passed by, helos covering most of the area for us and finally ground reinforcement came and we were asked to relax in their tents until further notice.
“General, what are we gonna do now? This whole island is deserted, not to mention the first structure is gonna cause a problem for transport in Ginza. So, what did the Prime Minister ask us to do here?”
The general smiled and looked at me, whistling a jolly good tune, if I might add. Sounding a bit like the Smile song from MLP, but I don’t think he’s into that, “Well, the Prime Minister wants us to take control of this island once he heard it was potentially empty. And now that I look around, he might be happy to know that this island itself is full of resource. Also, Intel is telling us that there aren’t any satellites to pick up a good reading of the surrounding area. In normal terms, we are definitely not in Kansas anymore.”
“Alright, so what’s first?”
He looks at me straight, giving me a cheshire smile, “Why, built a base of course! And you, are going to lead the entire thing, Captain!”
And that’s how I knew, that the General was a complete troll.
(Michael, POV)
November, 20XX.
Since the end of Summer, I started to get into the daily ritual that has been praised and denounced for decades, smoking. Now, I wasn’t a smoker before this. No, no. I was a sane human being that knew the goods and mostly the bads about smoking. But here I am, smoking because of my recent promotion from Second Lieutenant to Captain with a snap.
Now, I’m not really into all that military stuff, but I don’t think you’re allowed to promote people like that for REASONS, but since I am now a Captain, I can’t really do anything about it.
So, here I am a Captain for the “Exploration team” and did I mention that I get to command a few destroyers and patrol ships? Specifically a squadron of destroyers and patrol ships? The General has a friend in the JMSDF who is an ADMIRAL of all things, asked him to lend me a few ships to command for the exploration team.
And I apologize if I start to get in a habit of using too many words, but, heh, it’s the freaking reason I’m smoking a cancer tube right now. To calm the nerves of this young man who just got himself into way too much trouble! But, luckily the launching date got rolled to another date, so I got that for me.
We are scheduled to launch next year, to firmly build the base and possibly construct something underground. The other major countries weren’t happy about this, but luckily we were able to push their worries and corrupted minds from entering here, just to benefit us more, which means more money in Japan’s economy, which means more anime merch!
Screw it, my logic rules.
Anyway, as I sit here I keep getting informed from my new secretary, Michelle, that the Admiral is sending us more “personnel” as in he’s giving the “Exploration Team” more and more “security measures” since we have no “secure measures to communicate with in the new world”. Sigh, I hate my new job already.
Well, the other captains were fine that I was now leading them, but I know that they didn’t want to lead in these “uncharted lands”. But, I think it’s mostly because they already have their hands full with ordering their respective ships. And yet they let me, an army officer to command a navy ship. Yeah, logic. I can already feel General Matsumoto’s smug face right now.
So, as I sit here, contemplating whether or not I should try alcohol next, I’m left with organization all this and reading up navy manuals on commanding a ship. My life is now a living hell, until we finally schedule the launch.
And we finally named the base, Shin Sekai, New world. Pretty original, huh? Anyway, the final building blocks for SS is to be finished in a few months, we’ve already got a basic harbor done, it’s where I am currently stationed at, the main base is already done, they just need to do the barracks, basic storage and a workable landing strip. Air force have been complaining about it. So, they’re starting work on it tomorrow so they can stop bitching.
December, 20XX.
Manehattan.
Wooden ships were coming through and fro from the harbor. Chattering can be heard and the occasional but annoying voice of various vendors asking for people to buy their wares and might be pass expiration.
A ship came to dock, but a pegasus flew out and shouted for the Royal Guards. “What is wrong, sir?” A typical white stallion with a green mane asked him, sporting the regular gold armor.
“An Island just appeared out of nowhere! And I saw a large castle, grey was it’s color! Lights as bright as the moon were seen! The Princess needs to know!” He then fell cold on the ground, the stallion tried to catch him, but it proved fruitless since he was not a unicorn. “Send a messenger to Canterlot! If what this stallion said is true, the Princess do need to know about this!”
A young pegasus saluted before flying a marathon towards Canterlot with a startling news that may shatter Equestria if word got out. Or just lots of shrugs will be given.
December, 20XX.
Canterlot.
“And that is why we should increase middle and lower class taxes to 2% to advance the technology in the Art sector, your highness.” A posh unicorn bowed in the Royal Day Court.
“I’m sorry, Coin Toss. But we can’t increased the taxes. If we do raise the taxes, it’ll be for education. But, thank you for giving me an enlightening argument on why we should improve the way farmers cultivate their crops last year. But we cannot simply increase taxes for Art. Maybe you can write one for education, then maybe we can reconsider raising the taxes. Thank you.”
“Not at all, your highness. I will start on that presentation right away.”
Suddenly a pegasus comes crashing in the Royal Day Court, panting and sweating. “News from Manehattan, your highness!”
All eyes were on this low ranking guard, “You may read it, my little pony.”
“An Island appeared out of thin air, a merchant told us before fainting at the Manehattan port! We believe it may be in the middle of the Trotlantic ocean. But we cannot be certain, we await your orders, your highness.” The guard then fell on the ground out of fatigue.
“Somepony bring him to the Hospital Wing and ask him for a written report. Captain Shining Armor, I want you to send a detachment of ships to this island’s location as well as the Elements. I wish you luck.”
“At your command, your highness! You heard the princess, move it!”
Princess Celestia looks out at a nearby window and sighed. “I hope it’s nothing big.” She thought to herself.
December, 20XX
Ponyville.
“Twilight, we got a letter from Celestia asking the Elements and you to head out to Manehattan for something.”
“Alright, Spike. Just let me finish researching this hum.”
Spike, sighed. As you cannot see. He and Twilight Sparkle are currently in the laboratory, which used to be a big study room. And Twilight is using various audio and magical devices inside said lab.
“Twilight, everypony kept saying that there wasn’t any hum! I even sent Princess Celestia a letter if she heard it and all she wrote back was ‘I might be humming too loudly, don’t look too deep into it.’ so can you please get up and eat! You’ve been here for at least a month when you started asking everypony about this hum that no one has heard!”
“I’m telling you Spike, I’m not going crazy.”
“I didn’t even! You know what, fine. Let the Princess down with this mission.”
Twilight then teleported infront of Spike, with crazed eyes. “Mission, Princess Celestia sending me a mission?!”
“Yeah, that’s why she asked for the Elements and you to head out to Manehattan for a ‘mysterious island’ in the Trotlantic ocean. So, can you please get up, eat and then ask- you already left. AM I THE ONLY SANE PONY HERE?!”
As our heroes an- Uh, wrong story. Twilight rushed off to Pinkie, then to Rainbow Dash and then boom they’re on the train waiting for the Shining Armor to pick them up from the train station.
December, 20XX.
Manehattan Harbor.
“Alright, everypony. We are boarding HMS Friendship and HMS Harmony, HMS Manehattan will be escorting us on our way to the ‘island’. Any questions?” Shining Armor told everypony that is on port.
“No? Well, then. Let’s set sail.”
December, 20XX.
Trotlantic ocean, 30 km from Manehattan harbor.
HMS Friendship.
(Twilight Sparkle, POV)
“So, what do you girls think? Are we headed off to look out for nothing, or are we headed out to this ‘grey castle’ that ‘shines as bright as the moon’ or something like that.” Rainbow Dash asked, I think she’s acting like this since the captain of HMS Friendship said to all the pegasus that they need to have all hooves on deck, or else they’ll smack against the ship, and being a flyer-addict, I guess she’s a bit cranky.
Urgh, I just hope that is trip is not some wild chase for nothing.
January, 20XX.
(Michael, POV)
Well, I finally took the time and drank some alcohol. I got tempted to from some guys who were celebrating New Years. Life sure is spiralling down for me isn’t it? Well, here’s some news, they decided to give the “Exploration Team” some research vessels to properly map the surrounding area. The Japanese government has suddenly got more resources thanks to just this small island, and they built a research and development building here to, well, research these news elements and ores they keep finding.
Oh, and we keep finding all kinds of fish here and many of us, including me, are pretty excited about some new sushi recipes. So, while I’m here eating some nigiri that taste like tuna and horse meat, don’t tell me how I know, but I know what horse meat taste like. I’m drinking some kind of “man’s drink” that they brewed up from the various grains they’ve got lying around here.
I just hope nothing big happens for the next few weeks, my brain, liver and lungs can’t take this much before they explode.
January, 20XX
Trotlantic Ocean, aboard the HMS Friendship.
(Twilight Sparkle, POV)
I can faintly see this island way off in the horizon, it looked nothing more than a small star if we didn’t look with a spy-glass. I’m getting a bit excited before heard a loud horn. And then all of Tartarus broke loose.
Lights were being spotted on us like a theater play, we were slightly blinded so we couldn’t see the many grey ships that were honing in on our small group of ships.
I started to hear voices from the sky speaking some unknown language. We started to hear something falling on our deck, then hoofsteps. Pirates? Or maybe guards from the “grey castle”? Anyway, they kept talking in this weird language. I couldn’t understand anything, and the bright light didn’t help, so I started looking like a neighponese. I frowned and shook my head at whatever this pony was saying, but I guess he wants us to follow him.
“I think he wants us to follow him, captain!”
“Alright, Twilight! Let him lead the way!”
I tried my best to tell the pony that we’d follow him, before the lights turned off and I could see clearly, that this pony wasn’t in fact a pony, but a tall biped.
I stared in confusion, before it started to head back to it’s ship by what looks like a rope ladder. If you want to call it a ship, that is. It looked more like a giant floating fortress, or a whale. It was so huge and grey that I bet Rarity would have a field day on what it should look like. She was already scolded by the captain and I don’t think that they’d be any different.
I just hope nothing big happens between us.