Chapter 5: Encounter/Flashback

After the repairs of the I-401 the crew sailed from the Shining Kingdom to the abandoned city that’s near the main city of Pearlsovakia to resupply food, clothes and etc. The sky filled with grey clouds and in the port the I-401 docks and the crew loaded some supplies.

While Striker is packing some stuff he suggested to everypony “This can last for half of a year”

Crest trotted towards his brother Imperial Wolf and asked “Anything I can help with?”

Wolf replied “It’s fine brother, leave this to us, and gets some rest. You always work yourself too hard after all, Ah that’s it” she turns at Mel Ice and asked “Mel, Could you buy these for me in town?” He shows a paper that has list of things that she needs.

Mel questioned to Wolf “Why so sudden?”

Wolf asked “Alright Crest, you just help your friend Mel”

Mel questioned to Wolf “Is this necessary right now?”

Wolf was little bit and annoyed and pushed both of them and letting trot to the town “Ah, gosh…Just hurry up and go”

Striker asked when both Crest and Mel trotted “Crest, buy me instant miso soup”

Brady asked as well “I want cola please”

Cloud asked and was thinking “I want….I want….”

“You guys…..” Crest commented a continued trotting with Mel to the town. While both Crest and Mel trotted to the town Crest asked “During the Second Great War, there’s a naval port down here”

Mel nodded and commented “I remember this when I first met you, Pearl and the others long ago”

Crest asked her a request “Mel can you close your eyes for a few minutes and need to get something surprising” she closed her eyes with excitement and Crest bolted quickly to a store and brought something. As he trotted back he puts a necklace around her and she’s keen to see the surprise. “Now open, Mel” Crest said and when she opened her eyes and she was amazed. The base of the necklace shows a metal carved image of an alicorn flying with 6 floating objects around her in the clouds.

Mel blushed and smiled “Thank you, Crest” and again both Crest and Mel continued buying the stuff their friends needed. “There’s one more shop so wait here Crest, I need to get something as well” as Mel trotted to the shop and turned around at Crest and smiled and entered in the shop.

“Okay, I’ll wait Mel” Crest answered and he sat down one of the chairs and looked around the town.

Suddenly he noticed somepony in the distance which turns out to be Nightmare Moon smiling at him and trotted away and Crest stood up and bolted after leaving Mel unnoticed about it. As he stops trotting in a middle of the park he looked around and then Nightmare Moon appeared behind him.

Nightmare Moon greeted him “Pleasure to meet you, Imperial Crest”

Crest asked her name “Nightmare Moon, why?” as he asked those words Nightmare Moon approached to him and she hold his forehoof.

Nightmare Moon replied “I’m here” she felt a similar magic and her eyes glowed in red in a second and continued her speech “to see you, Celestia’s puppet” after those words came into Crest’s mind, Nightmare Moon uses a spell to make him unconscious and at the same time the submarine I-401’s colour scheme turned grey.

Mel appeared at the park looking for Crest and found him unconscious in a complete shock she bolted towards Crest “What’s the matter!? What happened!? Crest! Crest!” as Mel tries to tap on Crest’s head but there was no answer.

In a void that almost look like Luna’s dream realm, Imperial Crest wakes up in this void and doesn’t understand why is he here. Suddenly a ripple in the void projected a flashback of Luna.

“The Yamato is beautiful, I can harness the power of it, I can use these ship for our self-defence” an alicorn mare appeared in the flashback and appeared as Princess Celestia.

“So this is meeting to plan a good future for Equestria” a voice sounded like Princess Luna and Crest viewing the flashback on Luna’s perspective.

A male voice was heard “You mean a plan to prevent any wars in the future, and bring peace to other nations” the flashback shows a the BFE Elizabeth showing a human and a pony on the deck facing two huge battleships known as the Yamato Class.

Celestia asked “So all the nations can get along and have peace within Equestria”
The human known as Crimson Shouzou answered “That’s right”.

Shouzou along with one pony boarded the Yamato and Celestia uses her magic to let a table with 3 chairs appeared and both Shouzou and Celestia sat and the pony stands near Shouzou and Luna teleported from the Musashi to the Yamato and sat at the chairs.

“Since we witnessed the end of the second Great War billions of lives were killed and most of them are families and we have to find a way to prevent any wars” Celestia asked Shouzou.

Shouzou and looks down replied “Of course most of billions of lives are families and innocent people, that’s the reason why I have this meeting with you guys”

Celestia asked “If that’s so, we should plan a way to convince other countries that doesn’t get along with our allied countries to cooperate and getting along so we can prevent further conflict”

Shouzou asked “Of course, because war is our enemy”

Celestia turns around at Luna “Luna, do you accept this?”

Luna replied “I accept, because we don’t more innocent lives dying”

Celestia questioned “Shouzou, when the first war started what you did for your country?

Shouzou replied “Good question, I’m fighting and defending for my country and my family”

Luna understand and said “So that means your country is safe from harm including your family”

Shouzou nodded and puts out a photo of a family photo of his wife and two twin sons “This is my wife Amalthea Scarlet and my two sons Imperial Crest and Imperial Wolf, I’m sure you have families back in Equestria but just as I know from your former student Twilight she brought harmony of all Equestria along with her good friends and solve friendship problems and overcome the impossible”

Celestia looked at the photo “Beautiful, *looks at Luna* our mother and father are in heaven right now and only I have in my family is my sister *smiles* Luna and I will protect her”

Shouzou asked “That’s right, since this world is now messed up because of the 2 Great Wars it is our duty to fix this messed up world”

Celestia said “That’s true Shouzou, you’re like kind and helpful just like our father”

Luna was thinking and asked herself “I hope this meeting is helpful”

Celestia said “I think this helps, finding countries that don’t get along with other countries and find a way to help so we can prevent small conflict that might turn into a huge conflict”

Shouzou laughed a bit and asked “That’s it”

Celestia questioned her sister “Luna, what you think about this meeting? I object that we’ll talk to our allied countries leaders to let them know about the situation and they help other countries that needs help, along with my friends we’ll have a talk to neighbouring countries as well and it’s our responsibility to protect those who can’t protect themselves”

Luna asked “Are you sure this could work, the war happened about 2 times”

Celestia turns around at Luna “We’ll try our best prevent any conflicts, and I’m sure this meeting is helpful”

Shouzou is about to end the conversation “I was terrified about the war as well, but since I got the chance to speak with you, and brainstorming about the prevention of any wars, I did my best to finish our conversation” looks at Luna and he bowed at her and said “Luna, it’s your responsibility to support your sister and help other ponies that have nightmares about the war and telling them that you and your sister will try your best to prevent any conflict, also I will help whenever you ask, Luna”

The flashback disappeared, and it’s about to show the next flashback but Crest is going to witness something horrifying. A gunshot was heard and the flashback was shown. A group of ponies including some griffons in the Elizabeth ganging up on Luna and Celestia and Shouzou was shot dead and ending up slipping down on the wall slowly leaving blood on the wall and a pony that was with him before was holding a gun and said “I’m sorry, Emperor”

Celestia bolted to Shouzou and shouted “Shouzou!” Luna starts to sob over the loss of a new friend that reminded her of her king father.

Luna cried out “Why you do this? I thought you ponies are supposed to know that were trying to bring peace!” and the unknown pony points his gun at Luna.

The unknown pony said “Wars can’t end and we can’t trust a former enemy” he clicks the trigger and fires at her but Luna uses her magic force field and then she went silent and then she opened her eyes and it appears red.

The flashback ends and later it shows a lot of dead bodies around in the room including the unknown pony that shot Shouzou and Celestia was horrified on Luna’s anger and hatred and Luna left the Elizabeth leaving Celestia and the body of the dead emperor.

Celestia cried out “Luna!” Then Celestia picked the body of Shouzou and teleported back to the Yamato and then she saw her sister flew to the Musashi and Luna activates Musashi and orange neon lights appeared on the Musashi showing that Luna is in control of the ship.

“Shifting interpretation” Luna said as she commands the Musashi to point the mains guns at the Battleship Elizabeth and then the Musashi fire projectile shells at the ship and the shells land all over the Elizabeth and then the Elizabeth explodes and sinks and Luna asked herself “Action speaks louder”. Then the flashback ends.

Crest was horrified of the death of his father that he once loved and heard Nightmare Moon above him “You are Celestia’s puppet” Crest looks above and saw Nightmare Moon trotting down a red glass staircase and Nightmare moon continued her speech “No wonder you cared about everypony that you loved and tried to protect, but in the end you lost them”

Crest was confused “I…”

Nightmare Moon continued her speech “together with your only friend James Black Fire he was alone and left”

Crest tried to asked “That’s not true, I tried to help him”

Nightmare Moon asked “This might be what Celestia whished for” she trotted towards Crest and looked at his chest and said “Celestia, Why are you hiding? Do you like your puppet so much?

Crest asked in concern “Stop that, I’m Imperial Crest”

Nightmare Moon denied him “You’re not, you’re just a puppet who possesses Celestia’s magic capability, Let me tell you another story ever since I was once banished to the moon, Celestia was alone so she put a spell on you since you were born, and during your young days you are capable of raising the moon without any notice and no wonder you have the power to create a huge force field that saved you’re friends by a powerful explosion. Then Nightmare Moon projected the event when Celestia was defeated by Nightmare Moon and she continued “After I destroyed Celestia. Her last resort was to give you her rest of her power, why do you have a dual magic capability? Think about it, it’s because Celestia is fond of caring for everypony and tried to protect them. Dangerous ponies and other creatures might appear anytime without notice. Until then, a puppet is no longer needed” Nightmare moon puts her hoof on Crest’s chest and hearing two hearts beating and she continued “Equestria shall bow down to me and I will eliminate those who oppose me. After that, can you do anything? Celestia might destroy you and come to me, Dear Celestia, come back to me and I will fight you again, I won’t let anypony interfere anymore”

After all that Crest woke up in the medical room of the I-401 and sees Mel looking at him with relief that he’s alright and his brother stand alongside with her.

Mel asked Crest “Are you okay?”

Crest responded “Mel, I’m sorry”

Mel responded “Don’t push yourself”

Crest nodded and Mel questioned him “What happened?”

Crest replied “Nightmare Moon appeared”

Wolf was surprised by the name he mentioned “Nightmare Moon?! Did she follows us to the abandoned town of Pearlsovakia?”

Crest responded “She used a spell on her to have a strong anti-response protection so I didn’t sense her presence”

Mel questioned him “Crest, can you tells us everything?”

Crest nodded and tried to get up but he felt weak and Mel assisted him on getting up “Celestia and Luna met our father *looks at his brother Wolf and looks at Mel* Emperor Crimson Shouzou tried to get help on how to rebuild a new era that will prevent any conflicts with all nations of Equestria. Our dad had a meeting with them to know the status of all the allied countries and finding ways to prevent war. But, he was sacrificed in the process. Now the one on-board the Musashi is a cloned figure created by Nightmare Moon” after his speech Wolf went a bit in concern.

Wolf asked “So our father… wasn’t a betrayer”

Crest replied “Based on what I saw in Nightmare Moon/Luna’s memory, that’s true. Then I came to realize that our father was trying have a meeting with the two sisters and trying prevent any conflict”

Mel had that thought of the reason why those ponies killed his father and questioned Crest “Did she tell you anything else?”

Crest replied “Well, She reminded me I’m the same rank as her”

Mel was confused and asked “What does that mean?”

Crest responded “Also she would like to see what will happen to me after completing Celestia’s last order”

Mel and Wolf said in unison “Celestia’s last order?”

Crest looked at both Mel and Wolf and looked down “Guys, about Celestia disappearance, she’s been defeated along with the elements of harmony by Nightmare Moon, Since Shouzou gave the two sisters the ability to control the flagships for self-defence. Both Celestia and Luna can control the entire fleet whenever they need to. Now, since there’s only one flagship left…which turns out to be the Musashi controlled by Nightmare Moon”

Wolf tried to understand “So since Celestia is defeated Nightmare Moon can control our entire Zipangnese Fleet but some of our fleet were rogue vessels”

Crest continued “The Zipangnese Fleet of Fog is loyalty to Nightmare Moon, I’m not sure if you remember we witness the battle when Celestia was defeated and when Celestia was drowning and trying to save her she requested us to leave the area so she put a spell on all us to forget what happened to her”

Mel questioned “Why did Nightmare Moon tells us all these?”

Crest was shocked and remembers the words of Nightmare Moon told.
*flashback*
Nightmare Moon words “After that, can you do anything? Celestia might then destroy you and come to me”
*flashback ends*

Crest replied to Wolf “I don’t know”

Mel asked “Is that so, Thank you Crest”

Wolf asked “Rest well now, If you need anything just tell me” both Wolf and Mel trotted out of the medical bay and headed to the bridge.
Crest looks down and asked himself “Mel, I lied for the first time”

Meanwhile at the communication dimension Wilson and Frost appeared and before them is Amalthea and Kotoko.

“Amalthea, why do you contact us? Were on a middle on planning some things” Frost questioned to Amalthea

Amalthea asked “Just few more days, the war will begin”

Frost was annoyed “How carefree, I’m not helping you guys to fight the war”

Wilson questioned Amalthea “Amalthea, did something happen?”

Amalthea answered “Crest’s ship stopped functioning” Wilson was surprised and Amalthea continued “This is the first time…”

Frost questioned “What exactly happened to Imperial Crest?”

Kotoko answered Frost’s question “Nightmare Moon contacted him”

Amalthea asked “I don’t know what Musashi’s up to but there must be a special reason. It does shed some light”

Wilson questioned her “How’s Imperial Crest’s conditions now?”

Amalthea answered “Depending solely on normal ponies is hopeless”

Wilson stated “So you contacted for our help?”

Frost was shocked about this “Are you telling us to fight Nightmare Moon?!”

Kotoko interrupted “Everypony is involved as well! Don’t you fight for them?!”

Wilson asked “We don’t have much ships except for mine”

Amalthea asked “One rogue vessel Harushima will assist your ship, there must be something you can help with”

Frost asked “That’s true but…. “

Wilson asked “Amalthea. We have to protect our family as well, I don’t want to involve my family in war, my family experience the war many times and I don’t want my family to experience another war”

Kotoko looked down in concern down looked up at Frost and asked “You’re right”

Wilson asked “I’m sorry”

Amalthea just smiled and asked both Frost and Wilson “Okay, interesting, isn’t it? We all have choices, it’s your call”

The meeting ended and the realm there in vanished

Meanwhile in the North Equestrian Ocean the Rogue ship appeared in blue and it’s identified as the Heavy Cruiser Takao controlled by Kotoko and Amalthea.

Kotoko questioned “Hey Amalthea, Haven’t you stay with the revolution that you formed in Iwo Shima?”

Amalthea answered “To tell the truth… I want to see what happened to my son and don’t worry Vice Admiral Furushita is leading the revolution to take back Zipang which is taken over by Nightmare Moon’s forces”

Kotoko asked “That’s true”

Meanwhile at the abandoned town of Pearlsovakia the crew deciding a new plan on fighting Nightmare Moon.

“Facing such situation is our first” asked Cloud.

Brady commented “This is bad, though we can operate it, it’s just a normal submarine”

Striker holds his laptop checking the vessel status and asked “Nightmare Moon’s given time limit is two days away, it seems bad”

Cloud asked Striker “Multinational and military urged and threatened to unlock the corrosive weapon blueprints”

Wolf commented “They must be panicking”

Striker asked Wolf “Let them be, they can’t do anything with it”

Mel entered the bridge and everypony looks and saluted.
Mel announces “Maintain coarse ahead”

Wolf questioned her “Mel, how’s Crest?”

Mel answered “Though he’s awake, I let him rest”

Striker questioned Mel “What happened in town? Along with Brady and Cloud they all looked at Mel for her response.

Mel replied “Crest and Nightmare Moon had some kind of contact” everypony was shocked and Mel continued “The current leader of fog is Nightmare Moon”

Brady commented “Huh? What happened to Celestia?”

Mel answered “She was defeated by Nightmare Moon” everypony was shocked about Celestia.

Striker questioned him “What the hell happened?”

Mel answered “Meetings is not that perfect. Now, Nightmare Moon is keeping an eye on us, under such situation who knows we can take advantage instead. Besides Crest lost her signal, so we are free form radar. It eases our movement”

Striker asked “Even so… it’s very hard for us to engage in battle…..However” closes his laptop. “No matter what odds we face, let’s do whatever we should, that’s how we survived till now. Tactical Officer our command”

Mel answered “Proceed as planned, set sail to Bermane Strait. The confront Nightmare Moon in Atlantic Equestrian Ocean”

Brady saluted and went back to his seat and said “Roger! This reminds me back in the old days”

Cloud saluted and trotted back to her seat and said “Tactical Officer, our course is clear”

Wolf bolted out of the inner bridge and headed to the engine room and said “Leave the engine to me!”

Striker opens up a control stick “I’ll so the manoeuvring”

Mel shouted “I-401, set sail!”

Striker also said “Set Sail!”

The I-401 turned to portside and starts to sail and leaves the wharf.

Author's Note

To be continued....