Author's Note

Just as a reminder, this story is a sequel. While you do not have to read the previous to enjoy this one, it does contain major spoilers to that story. If you're like me and don't care, then have fun!

Introduction: An Hour of Arrival

Dock workers shuffled in front of her carrying crates, luggage, and equipment. Twilight Sparkle stood side by side with Princess Celestia, watching and waiting for the other passengers to arrive. The summer sun and ocean air created a pleasant humidity for their wait. The workers loaded the crates one by one onto the enormous ship that sat in the water behind them. It waited patiently to cruise out into the deep sea. The cruise ship was monstrous, meant to hold three hundred guests and crew. The sun shined down on its paint giving it a shine whiter than Celestia’s own fur. It would not be holding as many guests as it usually would be. Today’s departure was a special trip meant for the families of those who were victims of the Castle of Friendship massacre.

The first arrivals were Twilight Sparkle’s parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light. They had known about the cruise long before their daughter had but they took no part in its planning. When Twilight Sparkle learned of the trip she did not want to sit idly by like her parents. She had been wanting to prove that she was still a princess, that she could still lead. Of course, it helped to have Celestia by her side. Greeting her parents was easy, she’d been living with them since her hospital release. The dock workers took their luggage up onto the ship as she told them their room number. With a hug and a kiss, they boarded the ship to find their room, leaving her to greet the other passengers.

It wasn’t long before the second set of guests arrived. The Shy family bowed as they greeted the two alicorns. It was the first time Twilight had seen the Shy family since they buried Fluttershy. Her brother, Zephyr Breeze, had given a very thoughtful and emotional speech at the funeral, which was a surprise as he was not usually so charismatic. Things had apparently gotten back to normal for them as Zephyr appeared to be his old, goofy self. Celestia had found his behavior rather charming but Twilight quickly gave them their room numbers and pressed them on.

Two more ponies came wandering up as the Shy family boarded. It was another set of pegasus. Spitfire and Soarin gave their luggage to the loaders and greeted Celestia and Twilight. “It’s good to see you again, Princess Twilight,” Spitfire remarked with a smile. The Wonderbolts had shown up in full force for Rainbow Dash’s funeral but that had been the last time Twilight had seen any of them. She was happy to see them, though she had been expecting Rainbow’s parents. When she voiced her concern on whether or not they were coming, Spitfire answered, “We’re taking their spot on the trip. Soarin and I tried visiting them once or twice but were always turned away. We even personally delivered the letter for this cruise but they turned that away too.”

With Rainbow’s family cut from the list, it made sense to Celestia to invite Rainbow’s second family, The Wonderbolts. After a few conditions, they happily accepted a stay on the seven-day cruise. “It’s quite alright,” Twilight replied. “I’m sure the other guests will be just as excited to meet and greet two of the star Wonderbolts.” Her courteous words had left the two with smiles as they boarded the ship. She took a look back at the cruise liner, studying the massive amounts of windows that ran down the side. Two sets of families had already arrived, but without Rainbow’s family tagging along it made the ship seem even bigger.

As she stared up at the ship a slam of luggage startled her, catching her attention. She cringed at the sight of those who had made the startling noise but she forced a blank face. Two unicorns had shown up in full beach gear. Sunglasses, a straw hat, floral shirts, and sandals around their hooves. It was Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles, Rarity’s parents. She had always wondered if they were really Rarity’s parents, especially because Hondo was wearing socks with his sandals, a clear fashion faux pas. She had to look past that because they weren’t here for her, they were here for Sweetie Belle and her memory. Of course, just seeing them again reminded her of when she found Sweetie Belle, dead and covered in mud. She wasn’t able to attend the filly’s funeral nor Apple Bloom’s or Scootaloo’s. They had all been within a few days of each other, all at the same time she was recovering from surgery.

“When we got word of a free cruise we immediately started packing our bags,” Cookie Crumbles had mentioned. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen your mother but I know she’ll ask me about my blueberry pie recipe. I made sure that was the first thing I packed.” The unicorn went on and on, rambling about how nice Twilight’s parents had been to them. Twilight simply stood still, smiling and nodding, waiting patiently for an opening to give them their room numbers and force them onto the ship. This was a moment Twilight was glad to have Celestia by her side as she broke through the chatty unicorn’s blathering, giving them their room number and sending them on their way.

Once they were out of earshot, Celestia leaned down and asked, “Are you quite certain you’re okay with them being here?”

“Of course, of course. They lost somepony just as much as the rest of us.” Her words were saying yes but the sweat on her brow and the slight grimace in her cheeks said otherwise. Regardless, Celestia let the subject go, not wanting to cause stress on the young alicorn. This was meant to be a happy occasion.

Two final families were making their way up from the road through the designated paths. Twilight strained her eyes, hoping and aching to see who all was within this groups of ponies. She had hoped to see one with orange fur, a brown hat, and golden hair. Of course, she was only getting her hopes up. She knew Applejack had already declined the invitation. Her family had not, however, leaving Applejack to tend to Sweet Apple Acres while they went on the cruise. Granny Smith and Big Mac strolled up first, greeting and bowing to the two princesses. Twilight had been to visit Sweet Apple Acres a few times after she had been released from the hospital. Applejack hadn’t really seemed herself since the massacre, of course, none of the survivors did. She enjoyed Granny Smith’s company and Big Mac was always the charming, silent stallion.

Their smiling faces were enough for her to keep going. She gave them their room numbers and they were on their way up the steps. Of course, smiling faces were practically unheard of in the Pie family. The only one that would have smiled would have been Pinkie Pie, but that smile had long been buried. Cloudy Quartz and Igneous Rock Pie had taken Pinkie’s body back to the Pie farm, burying her without a ceremony like the other families had. It was rare that Twilight visited them but they still held the same droopy faces they had when she last saw them. “Welcome!” she greeted. “I’m so glad you all could make it.” The Pie family was rather large. Igneous and Cloudy were the proud parents of Pinkie, but she also had three other sisters. Maud, Limestone, and Marble.

From her visits to their rock farm, Maud always seemed to be the most distant. Compared to Maud, Marble was a canary. The youngest Pie sister’s attitude had changed with her sister’s death. It was as if she took up the role of being the talkative one after losing Pinkie. Maud, however, had become even more silent and emotionless – if that was even possible. Whenever Twilight visited she hoped to connect with Maud but it always ended the same way. “It is good to see you too, Twilight,” Limestone answered for her family. They got their room number and went on their merry way. It was a rather short conversation for Twilight’s liking but they’d have plenty of time to catch up within the seven days.

All the guests had arrived and boarded except for Twilight. Celestia called up to the captain of the boat and he came striding down with his first mate in tow. “Yes, Princess Celestia?” he asked.

“All the guests have arrived and you’re free to depart. But first, I’d like to introduce you to one of your passengers, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

He bowed his head and so did the first mate. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Princess Twilight Sparkle. My name is Starboard and I’ll be your captain for this cruise.” The captain was a gruff stallion with slick black hair, brown fur, and a grey beard to rival Igneous’s sideburns. “And this is my first mate, Porter.” He motioned to the pure white stallion that stood behind him. The first mate waved his hoof, a gentle smile across his face below his dark blue hair. He was a skinny first mate, smaller in size than Twilight and just her height. “Celestia had said you might have some questions before we leave. I would happily answer any of them.”

“Oh, I, well,” Twilight stuttered. “It’s just a few… that’s all. Like, how many crew members do you have, what’s the ship like, and can you, y’know, maybe show me how the ship works?” It was an odd assortment of questions, especially the last one.

Celestia had warned the captain ahead of time and so he took no surprise. “Of course. There’s six crew in total, including me and Porter. There’s Chef Savory. The waiter, Hors D’oeuvre. The maid, Gale Wind, and finally, our maintenance provider, Tricky Spanner.” He then motioned to the ship. “I can answer the second question by simply showing you around and I would be happy to give you a tour of the control room.”

“Six? That’s it?”

“Do not worry. Those four can easily take care of all the guests, and the ship is completely electronic and automated. Technically, neither I nor Porter really need to be here as we don’t control anything. We are simply here to make sure the system runs accordingly. If something does break we fix it.” As soon as he finished his explanation he noticed the twinkle in her eyes. “Of course, if you would like to learn how to manage the ship as well I’d be happy to teach you.”

She gave a nod. Ever since her recovery Twilight had taken to learning everything about every situation she was in. She knew every window within her home, the Canterlot Castle, and even her old castle in Ponyville – though, she never stayed there anymore. It was her little way of coping, and learning how the ship ran was just another thing she’d do to make her feel safe.

The captain and the first mate departed up the steps, waiting at the top for her to say her goodbyes to the eldest alicorn. “You take care, young one. I know this will be hard for you but I also know it will do you some good. You deserve a fun scenic cruise, so please, have some fun. For my sake.”

“I will. Don’t you worry,” replied Twilight. The two alicorns nuzzled each other and hugged, giving one last goodbye before Twilight trotted up the steps. She stood at the top, smiling down at her old teacher. The boat blew a horn as the first mate pulled up the bridge. Slowly, the cruise ship began to move. She waved goodbye to Celestia until she became a white dot in the distance. For a moment, she thought to run to the other end of the boat just so she could continue waving to her beloved mentor, but the ship’s size was already overwhelming. Her hooves were already aching from the amount of walking she knew she’d be doing along the cedar deck.

Unbeknownst to Twilight, her hooves would most certainly be aching soon enough but for a very different reason. Soon she would be dealing with more than she bargained for, as did all the other passengers and crew. For some, these would be their final days, as minutes pass by and the hours loom.