Author's Note

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
(Epic Guitar Rift)

Epilogue - The Endearment Arc

"Alright then! To hell with all of you... uh... I'll miss ya a lot, and... uh... yeah... bye."

Those were the last words Sunset heard as Manex, CJ, and Jain raised the boat's anchor and dropped it on the deck. Noah tapped Fall's shoulder and he twisted the boat's key. Igniting it quickly.

The Rainbooms waved merrily as the ship pulled out of the dock. The sun just above the horizon as water splashed behind them and the sound of the boat gradually quietened.

While the Rainbooms continued to wave and cheer at their friends returning home, Sunset simply stared out into the waters. She could see Noah's figure waving back in the distance before the sun consumed him.

She felt a single tear slide down her cheek as he disappeared. Never to be seen again in the land of Equis. Forever on the other side of the world. The side she could never hope to traverse.

Sunset whispered, "I said I wouldn't cry. I promised him. I said I wouldn't... but I... I just can't. He's gone. And he's never coming back. Not for another problem, and not for another occasion.

"Don't go... come back. Please, I... I..."

Sunset fell to her knees. She ran both hands through her hair as the tear turned from one to many. The Rainbooms ignored Sunset as if she didn't exist, and she felt her heart crumble. The sun finally dipped into the horizon and Sunset looked up.

The moon had taken the sky, and the Rainbooms were nowhere to be seen. The cars and minivan were gone and the water had dried up.

Sunset turned behind her and found nothing but dust. Dust as far as the eye could see. She felt her face and it was covered in dried blood, tears, and wrinkles. The red in her hair had all turned grey, and she could see the hundreds of wrinkles all across her skin through a tiny puddle. Sunset held her head out of perplexion and screamed.

"Come back to me!"

"Sunset!"

"Ah?!"

"What in the name of Christ has you yelling like that? You sound like you just met the devil!"

Sunset felt her surroundings and took a deep breath before sighing. She was in Noah's car, and everything was okay. The leaves hung lusciously from the trees as she passed by them, and the ocean in the distance was full of water. She felt her face, no wrinkles. She pulled down the passenger seat's mirror and sighed as she saw she was still young as ever.

She was safe, and Noah was still by her side.

Sunset spotted the car's speedometer and found it lower than normal. It appeared Noah had decided to take his last drive on this street peacefully. He wasn't exactly smiling, however. Like he was anxious for something.

Noah slowed the car down just a bit as they reached a hill. He placed a hand on Sunset's shoulder as her panting finally ceased. "What's your deal? I asked you a question, remember?"

Sunset laid back in her seat and faced the window. Similarly to what she'd see, the sun hung just above the horizon, and its blinding light made it appear larger than normal. If it weren't for today, Sunset would've enjoyed watching the sundown. But all it'd been was a symbol of the end.

The end of Noah and Sunset.

"Hello? Kid? What's the matter?"

Sunset shrugged, "I, uh... I-I just... I had a bad dream."

Noah raised an eyebrow, "What was it about?"

"Uh... if, uh... if Twilight managed to beat us both and commit galactic mass slaughter... it wasn't pretty. I saw all of our friends die. I saw what was left of the world... I saw you die..."

Noah laid a hand on Sunset's shoulder, "Well, it's a good thing we kicked her ass, eh?"

"Uh... yeah."

Noah returned his hand and laid back in his seat. He turned over to Sunset and she continued to stare out the window. He examined her and found tears welled up in her eyes. As if she was holding them back.

Noah sighed, "Sunset... I've made hundreds of friends. Though all or an unbelievably great majority of them are no longer with me. Yet out of all those friends, even the ones I've made recently... I doubt I'm ever gonna forget you."

Sunset continued to stare out the window, and Noah shrank. Despite it, he continued. "I... I know you don't want me to leave, but I can't abandon my friends. They need me. They would've still been stuck in that orphanage if it weren't for me.

"They see me as... as a sort of leader. Or maybe just someone who has the ability to make the important decisions. As in what place to rob, what car to use, what boat to steal... who's life to take... An abundance of decisions the every-day-human can't make themselves.

"Hell, even I struggle at making the decisions. And sure, I could just tell them we should stay, but they've been pushing at this for months. They want to return to America. Return to Earth. They want to go home.

"Even... even I want to go home. That doesn't mean I hate it here. I'm just homesick. It's been so long since I've seen some piece of shit on the news talk crap about some political figure.

"It's been so long since I've seen a protest in the streets. News of war on the rise. A terrorist attack, a new invention, hell, a new supercar. Not all of those things are good, but it's my home. And despite all of its utter barbarities and crimes against humanity, I love my home.

"Think of it as when you've finished up in Equis and you're ready to return and tell your teacher to go fuck herself because you're better than she ever was. Think of it like that."

Noah sighed a final time as Sunset continued to stare out the window. He'd said all he could, but she still wouldn't face him. He felt like she thought of him as a monster, but he just wanted to go home.

Sunset felt a single tear roll down her right cheek and land on the window frame. She closed her eyes as the ride continued, and Sunset whispered a single sentence to herself.

"But I don't wanna go home..."

"Oi, Kid, we're here."

Sunset drowsily opened her eyes and analyzed the scene in front of her. They'd arrived at the dock after apparently a couple of hours as the Sun had dipped below the horizon, and the moon began to shine.

At the dock were all of the Rainbooms and the Black Five relaxing on the beach nearby. All except Fall who Sunset assumed was preparing the ship for departure.

As for the ship, Sunset's eyes widened. "You stole a tugboat?"

Floating upon the seas was indeed a tugboat. It was rather larger than what Sunset had expected it to be, but it was exactly how she'd seen it before. That hull was surprisingly difficult to forget.

Noah shrugged as he pulled the keys out of the ignition. "Oh, uh, yeah. I may have been a little loopy after not getting enough sleep the past few days to when we stole it. Or I was high. And you should've seen the sailers. Those niggas were pissed. I mean, not like they had no reason to. That thing cost eight figures... huh... maybe we could sell it..."

Sunset shook her head as she stepped out of the car and heard her name being called. It was Rarity.

"Sunset darling, over here. We were just having a picnic while waiting on you two. And if I may, what held you up for so long?"

Noah shoved his keys in his pocket, "Sunset wanted to see all of the places we'd been before the boys and I left. Why? Is there a problem with that or something?"

Fluttershy shook her head, "No, we enjoyed our time here. We just wished it didn't have to end with you leaving."

Noah shut his door closed, "Ah, well, that's a damn shame."

He strolled towards them and promptly gave Applejack a hug from behind. Catching her off guard and red flushed her cheeks.

"Uh... what are you-"

"I'm giving you a goodbye hug, dumbass. I've already wasted enough time, so let's get this over with."

Noah pulled back from Applejack and gave Rarity a hug after her. Sunset watched with an ever-growing frown on her face as Noah gave each and every member of the Rainbooms a final embrace. Even the Twilights, despite barely knowing them.

Manex flicked Noah's forehead as he came up from behind. Noah cursed, "Ow! Goddamn it Manex, what the fuck!?"

"That's for making us wait! We've been sitting here with this nasty-ass boat ages! We were supposed to leave two hours ago!"

"For Christ's sake Manex, excuse me for not just flipping off Sunset and just ridding into the... well... sunset. Now hand over your keys to one of them, say your goodbyes, and get on the boat! Ol' bring me that horizon head-ass nigga."

Manex flipped Noah off while pulling out his keys from his back pocket. He haphazardly threw them at Applejack before turning on his heels and boarding the boat. The keys hit Applejack directly in her left breast, and she keeled over and whimpered somewhat.

"Sunset," Noah called, and she approached him. Frown still planted on her face.

Noah pulled out his own keys from his back pocket and handed them her. Sunset wasn't exactly paying attention earlier, so she was caught off guard when she saw the glint of the key's platinum blade.

"You're... you're giving me your car?"

Noah's face fell flat, "Sunset, where am I gonna put a two-ton supercar on an eight hundred ton docking boat that's already holding three dipshits, one quiet kid, one sexy mudafucker, and a slightly mentally disabled labradoodle?"

Sunset giggled at another one of Noah's stupid jokes, "I-I, uh..."

"There you go," Noah finished. With a genuine smile, Noah opened Sunset's right hand and placed the keys on her palm.

"Besides, now you have something to remember me by," Noah added, and Sunset's smile melted away like butter in the oven.

"Noah! Where do we put McFly?" CJ called from on the boat, McFly next to him. His derp face with his tongue hanging out reminded Noah of Derpy Hooves an awful lot.

"Uh, just... this fuckin' dog, keep him with Fall."

"But Fall's sailing the boat."

"No shit."

CJ's face fell flat as he gently gripped McFly by his collar and lead him to the bridge of the mighty tugboat. Noah let go of Sunset's hand and sighed.

"Well... this is it, Kid. The end of the road."

Sunset felt the hole in her heart consume everything around it as Noah spoke. This was it. The day she'd been hoping, praying would never come. She'd hoped the boat would break or one of Noah's friends have an incident and they're forced to stay. But instead, Noah was leaving just like in her nightmare. It appeared now, it was more of a vision.

"Noah... I..."

Sunset felt the tears welled up in her eyes start to mess with her vision. Unfortunately for her, it didn't take long for them to fall. Instead of sobbing as she'd normally do when feeling sorrowful, Sunset simply let them fall. She didn't even sniffle.

Noah instantly took note of the tears and glanced over at the Rainbooms. They'd gathered behind her on the dock and smiled sympathetically. Not to mention a couple of them had tears rolling down as well.

Even Noah had a single tear rolling down his own cheek. He'd felt Sunset's pain, but also wondered if she'd make her move. Closing his eyes, Noah pulled Sunset in for one more kind embrace. The best Sunset could muster was holding her hands to his sides while he caressed her back.

Even if Sunset didn't think the same as Noah, he knew just how much she enjoyed his company. And he'd be criminal to say he didn't either. There wasn't a day that went by when Noah didn't think of her. How she went from threatening him in the locker bay to texting him almost every chance she got. And it wasn't like he didn't either.

Noah was Sunset's first-ever true friend. And though she had others, it was up to those above whether or not she finds another like him. And a part of her didn't want to. Noah pulled Sunset tighter as he whispered his last words to her.

"There'll be another time..."

Noah let go of Sunset and she did as well. He saluted with two fingers to the Rainbooms as he back away and boarded the ship. They waved as he did as well.

Jain crossed his arms, "Ya done?"

"Why don't you do everyone a favor and just jump off a cliff, Jain?"

"You first."

Noah rolled his eyes and motioned to Fall. He ignited the ship with its key and CJ returned from the engine room. Finalizing for their departure. Noah turned to face his friends, all except Fall, as they approached him on the deck.

"Alright dipshits, we don't know what'll happen when we-"

Don't go.

"-exit Equis' shield thingy barrier bitch dog. I don't know what that-"

Don't.

"-random string of words were, but you know what I mean. So all of you to the second floor, or whatever-"

Please.

"-the fuck you call it on a boat, and I'll create a shield around the tug to protect us. Got it?"

"Got it," the Black Five acknowledged concurrently. With that, Noah approached the bow, and the Black Five headed to the second deck. Sunset's vision pulsed as the anchor lifted, and smoke burst out of the tugboat's large exhaust.

No.

I... won't... let.. you... please..."

Noah itched his chin as the boat pulled from the dock ever so slowly. "I wonder if the FBI knows our names. We may have to change that shit then. And where the hell am I gonna dock a ten million dollar tugboat? Actually, why the fuck does this thing cost ten million? It stinks, it's slow as shit, and worst of all, it doesn't even have a goddamn fridge! I had to buy a mini-fridge, go shopping for food CJ'll probably eat in less than an hour, find an outlet for the damn thing, and then there's Manex and his fuckin'-"

*Dunk!*

Noah whirled around, "What the fuck was- ah! Sunset?! What the hell-"

Noah was interrupted by Sunset as she tackled him to the deck of the boat! Fall immediately stopped, and Noah shook his head. Confused immensely by Sunset's sneak attack.

"Sunset, what the hell are you-"

Noah was again interrupted, but this time, it silenced him immediately. He was left dumbstruck, yet full of such glee he felt his head would explode and cover the deck in blood and whatnot.

Sunset kissed him.

He felt as if time had just stopped. The birds stopped squawking, the waves stopped waving, the boat stopped humming, the moon above shone brighter than the sun, and the joyful voices of the Rainbooms from the dock became muffled.

He shivered with delight as Sunset straddled him tighter, and caressed the sides of his face with her thumbs. Her hair falling upon his face, and the taste of her lips reminded him of Sierra.

She pulled back, took a breath, and explained. "Noah, please! Don't leave! I-I love you! I loved you ever since Christmas Day! When you made me so happy that night! I don't wanna lose you! Please! Don't go! I'll do anything! You've just brought me so much happiness, I feel like my life would end without you! I-I'm not trying to be obsessive, I just... I-I just-"

Sunset was interrupted when Noah pulled her back to him and kissed her in return. She practically melted in his arms as he held her tight. She'd waited for this moment for years, and so had he.

It'd happened. It'd finally happened. After all the time that passed, all the years of rivalry and months of friendship, Sunset had made her move. Just like Adagio had told him she would. And It felt incredible. Noah let go of Sunset's lips and whispered.

"Took you long enough..."

Sunset giggled and fell into his arms, and Noah closed his eyes as reality seemingly dissolved around him... Although for the Black Five and the Rainbooms, reality merely got more real.

"Oh for the love of God almighty! Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Goddamn it! We were gonna go home! We were gonna sell this big-ass boat! But no! Sunset decided that out of all the dicks on this damn island, she wanted his!"

CJ ranted as he pounded the wall. The Black Five had come up from the second deck and were left speechless as they watched their former rival plant her lips on their leader.

Jain crossed his arms, "Oh, shut the hell up, Acorn! If you want my honest opinion, I'm glad we're staying. I kinda like it here in Equis. It's bright and has got some fine-ass girls."

Manex peeked over the side of the tugboat at the Rainbooms and his face fell flat as they jumped up and down like girls from a 90s movie. Looks like they'd been planning or waiting on this day to come.

He sighed, "Well, I guess we're staying."

Fall shoved the tugboat's keys into his pocket as he stepped off the dock. He approached his friends and found Noah talking to the Black Five while Sunset lost her mind with the Rainbooms.

He approached the Black Five, and Noah continued. "Look, we don't know what they know about us back in America. Sure, we left three years ago, but the government and shit rarely forget. We'll just stay here for a little while longer, and then we'll head home. Hopefully, luck will be on our side. Any objections guys?"

Noah felt a grin form on his face as Fall merely shrugged, Manex didn't speak, and Jain smiled himself. Though CJ had other thoughts in mind. Ones that clearly everyone didn't agree with.

"I say we just leave already!"

Noah raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Because if it weren't for Sunset, we would be in the Atlantic by now!"

"Well CJ, I wanna stay. The others don't seem to mind either. Why do you wanna go home anyway? This place is great, and the Sirens were dealt with half a year ago. I've seen Twitter, and tensions are still somewhat high."

"Well, I... I-I... ugh, fine nigga! But when we leave, legitimately, I'm taking most of the pay for that stupid-ass tugboat! And I don' wanna hear jack shit from any of you niggas!"

"Okay CJ, we got it."

"Fuck you, nigga."

As Manex placed a hand on CJ's shoulder and began talking, Noah turned to the Rainbooms. Who were still giddy and enthusiastic as ever about the new loving relationship.

Rarity shrieked with joy, "Eee! It's still just so adorable! I knew you'd get him one day darling!"

Rainbow Dash, while a grand smile on her face, calmed Rarity down. "Jeez Rarity, it's already been established. Don't your vocal cords hurt?"

"Not at all!"

The blush on Sunset's face deepened as Applejack spoke. "Ah still can't believe you somehow jumped onto a moving tugboat, climbed up, its side, 'n' tackled Noah like it was nothin'! Where'd that sudden bolt of energy come from anywho?"

Sunset rubbed the back of her head, "I-I... I don't know to be perfectly honest. It kind of felt instinctual. Like... l-like I just had to, you know?"

Pinkie Pie pulled Sunset in for a tremendous hug. "Hooray for Sunset! This calls for the greatest party I've ever thrown in the history of parties! I'll use everything from every other party I've ever done in my life! It'll be amazing!"

The Rainbooms laughed joyfully at Pinkie Pie's incredible enthusiasm. It even made her voice crack with the amount of shouting she did. Which only made them laugh even harder.

Noah and Sunset laid on the beach and stared at the stars. Sunset rested her head on Noah's chest and he stroked her hair tenderly. The moon always shone so very bright in its full stage, and it was almost like a blue sun. Sunset snuggled into Noah's shirt, and Noah sighed happily.

They were together. After all said time, Sunset was his, and Noah was hers. It’d felt like a prophecy finally coming true. Like the buildup of the greatest end of all time. Noah smiled as he looked down at Sunset.

"So," he began. "This is us?" And Sunset closed her eyes as he continued to stroke her hair. The moonlight shining like a diamond in the sky upon her.

"This is us."