"DYING IS A DAY WORTH LIVING FOR!"

The ocean breeze, the shift of the waves, the rocking of the boat, the setting sun.

There was nothing more that she needed.

Just that was enough to make her smile involuntarily, as she watched the horizon of the open sea. Not much bothered her; There was a storm, far in the horizon, but they could easily avoid it. They’d be to their destination by tomorrow, home, free port, and once again, as always, free.

That horizon, simply admiring that horizon.

Despite everything, she was free.

“Wake up, Shimmer! The captain needs you at the helm!” A friendly voice bellowed from above.

“Aye!” She smiled, and moved diligently, every step accounted for as she ran by the side of the ship. The crew wasn’t lively, it had been a pleasant afternoon until now.

With a combination of running and teleporting, she made it to the helm in a flash, diligently saluting. “Captain Tempest! You called?”

“Aye, Shimmer.” The weary unicorn motioned her to the side, where they could view the horizon they had sailed by. “What do you make of this?”

Closing one eye, opening the other, she surveyed the horizon with a spyglass that the captain offered, and her face grimaced in a mixture of tension and annoyance. “Blue sails, a galleon… That's… The ‘Pristine’... He found us, then.”

In the distance, making their way towards them at dangerous speeds, was a galleon, and a mighty one, at that. Blue sails, sporting royal colors with dozens upon dozens of cannons. A galleon they were already painfully acquainted with before.

“Aye, that’s what I thought so too… We cannot outspeed them, not like this…” Tempest adjusted her hat nervously, pondering. “Okay. Let’s play it like we did on the damascus bay.”

“I’ll follow your lead if that’s what you wish, Captain– But do you really think he’ll fall for it?” Sunset let out a snort– Given the opponent they were facing, there was indeed a possibility that fooling was their way out, but still...

Shrugging pensively, the Captain leaned on the side of the boat. “Prince Blueblood is known for his looks, not for his intelligence, or his courage, or his cunning–”

“--Or his looks.” Sunset corrected, snickering, and the captain followed suit.

Running a hoof through the railing, Tempest pensively looked down. “No matter what, the ‘Bihorn’ must stand. This brigantine is my everything… We cannot lose her.”

“You won't.” Sunset nodded with a confident smile. “Let’s see to it, aye?”

“Aye.” Tempest reciprocated on the smile, then walked to the wheel. “Up and at it, bilge rats!” She proclaimed, getting the attention of the whole crew. “The ‘Pristine’ has found us– You all know what this means! We are playing this like we did in damascus, no loose fire! I want all of you sharp, ready for anything, we may need to fight our way out!”

“B-but Captain, that’s a galleon!” One of the crew stuttered, as he looked at the ship fast approaching.

“And?!” Tempest raised a defiant eyebrow. “I’ll take no trembling nor shivering from the lot of you! To your stations, you all know how to play this!”

The atmosphere of the ship became infinitely more tense, as they readied themselves. The Captain nudged her first mate. “Go be with the crew. Lower the colors.”

“Aye, Captain.” She nodded, and got to work. Sunset diligently helped lower their black sails, at a vain attempt to feign a disguise.

Taking a deep, long breath, Tempest remained at the wheel, taking a relaxed stance.

It did not take long before the ‘Pristine’ was upon them. The massive galleon stood tall, its deck towering above them, the crew upon it looking down at them as they parked by.

“Good evening, officers!” Tempest spoke as casually as she could, handing a wave. “To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit, out on this beautiful night on the open sea?”

“Captain Tempest!” A pompous, familiar, undignified voice announced from above, expressing his distaste with every syllable. “Do you really think I would not find you, no matter how far you ran?”

“Prince Blueblood!” She put on the fakest smile possible, as she bowed, removing her hat almost respectfully. “What a pleasure to see you on the edges of the known sea! Up for a joyride, are you?”

“Do not flaunt your deformity at me, pirate!” He spoke with a scowl, a sneer, as he pointed at Tempest’s broken horn. “You KNOW What I am here for!”

She allowed herself only a single moment to snarl, to let her eye twitch, at the lowest point of her bow, until she placed her hat back on, and that same rehearsed innocent smile. “Pirate?” She scoffed in feigned surprise. “Why, we are honest merchants! Taking the scenic route, as we head for port!”

“You have STOLEN FROM ME! And you KNOW that you have! Do not tell me you are this ignorant and dimwitted!!”

Both crews were tense, on both sides, listening attentively to the exchange, waiting for the first shot to ring out.

Tempest shrugged, playing dumb. “Pray tell– What exactly have I stolen from you? By all accounts, I am right here! My whole crew is right here!” She waved a hoof at the crew, who all waved back innocently, and yet, nervously. “Whatever could I have stolen?” She batted her eyelashes innocently.

“My CROWN! You filthy mongrel, you have stolen my CROWN!!” The Prince barked, inconvenienced, leaning a bit far on the railing above her.

Tempest raised an eyebrow, and grinned. “Excuse my ignorance, but… Do you not need to be a ruler to have a crown?”

“That’s IT!” he proclaimed, undignified, then turned to the helm. “Captain!! Send her beloved Bihorn to the depths!! We shall recover my effects from the ocean floor if we must!!!”

“HARD TO PORT!” Tempest bellowed, immediately turning the wheel of the ship as fast as she could. “HOIST THE COLORS! MAN THE CANNONS AND FIRE AT WILL!!”

The black flag was raised once more just in time for the conflict to begin.

The entire crew sprung to action immediately, as they ran to their stations, many of which were already prepared. The Galleon mimicked the movements, and it ran out its guns towards the Bihorn.

“BRACE UP STARBOARD!” Sunset yelled out, as she ran through the deck, assisting on the crew's run.

Soon enough the sounds of cannons deafened the air, ringing out and its damage scattering parts of both ships into splinters in a subsequent cacophony of blasts.

Screams rang out in both ships, the loud booms echoed as the crews shouted in diligence or pain.

The Bihorn was steadfast, attempting to flee, but the Pristine was close behind, attempting to get a shot.

“SHE’S ON US!!” A sailor desperately bellowed as he looked behind them, the galleon towering over them, close behind, threatening to ram into them at any moment.

“Not for long!!” Sunset cried out, as she ran out from below deck, carrying with her magic two gunpowder barrows in tow. “MAKE WAY!”

As soon as she was at the helm, Tempest flinched in surprise, eyes widening at the sight.

“Easy, Captain!” Sunset assured, as with her horn, she lit one of the barrels, and with agility she climbed on top of the railing of the ship, keeping herself steady.

“You are a wild mare, Shimmer!!” One of the crewmates yelled in surprise and admiration, taking his distance.

“So I’ve been told!” She grinned. Sweat ran down her brow, as she waited for the most opportune moment.

Screams yelled out from both sides, and for one single, desperate second, a couple of the crew members of the Pristine noticed what was about to happen.

Through a swift and determined motion, Sunset threw the barrel overboard, right on the deck of the Pristine. In a mere second it detonated, sending a plethora of wooden planks and crew members to the sea.

The crew of the Bihorn cheered as they saw one of the masts of the Pristine snap and collapse to the side, slowing it down, damaging it thoroughly.

“One more for good measure, men!” Sunset cried out with a smile, and the crew cheered. Lighting another barrel, she took aim, looking directly at the target.

This time, she aimed low.

The Galleon was previously attempting to ram them– Giving her a perfect sightline of the front of their ship.

She threw another, with the same swiftness, and it detonated near the front of the Pristine, tearing a hole on its hull.

Another set of cheers from the Bihorn, another set of shouts of despair from their enemy.

“They’re turning away!!” One of their crew yelled out in joy, noticing the Galleon was indeed turning. Many of the sailors yelled out in joy.

“N-no, they’re–” Tempest swallowed dry. “They’re TAKING AIM! BRACE YOURSELVES!”

The Galleon was now with its side fully facing the Bihorn, and with it, unleashed a barrage of cannonfire, which the brigantine and its crew had to endure.

Crewmembers shouted in fear and in pain as the cannon fire dug at the side and back of the ship, splinters flew, and a few bits of the deck was on fire.

Sunset, on the commotion, was thrown back violently, landing on the center of the ship, shaking her head aggressively to keep herself awake.

“LOWER DECK IS TAKING IN WATER!” A pirate yelled from below.

“UNICORN GET DOWN THERE AND PLUG THE LEAKS– And Where’s my first mate?!” Tempest shouted out, from the wheel, gripping it in pain.

“Wake up, Shimmer!” A sailor crawled out, for the second time on that day, pushing the unicorn to stand on her feet. “The captain needs you at the helm!”

As if nearly robotically, Sunset blinked several times, and threw herself forward diligently.

She took a passing glance at the enemy. Despite the damage, the Pristine seemed to be none the worse for wear, and it was turning to pursue once more. Her heart sank, wondering if she had just angered an opponent that would not quit.

“SHIMMER!” Tempest shouted, getting her attention. “Take the wheel!!”

“A-aye?!” She stepped forward, seeing the captain recoil from her position, leaning besides the railing. “B-but why?!”

Tempest removed a hoof that covered her side, showcasing a pretty large piece of wood had been lodged on her side, through the many impacts of cannonfire at their ship, and she was bleeding, wincing, breathing haggardly.

Sunset’s eyes widened. “MEDIC!”

“BELAY THAT!” Tempest shouted back, then looked back at her first mate. “Focus on getting us out of here– Nothing else matters– And if I die, you’re Captain!!!”

Here she was, being thrusted into an important position– One she did not bargain for. She had abandoned positions of importance and leadership long before in her life, after all.

“I--I’m not fit for it, Captain!” She tried arguing, as she held the wheel. “I’m not–”

“YES YOU ARE.” She commanded with a snarl. “Now get us out of here, Captain Shimmer!”

She spent ten painful seconds, considering her options, considering her position. This was close to bringing her panic– The entire situation was pretty hopeless, and now it was up to her.

She was meant to fix it, somehow.

She scanned the horizon with her gaze in a frantic panic, and found her answer.

A rock and hard place, out of the frying pan, and into the fire.

Death was a friend. One she should greet with a smile, not fear.

After all, Sunset Shimmer had died, long ago. Why not die roaring?

That same confident smile manifested into her weary face once more.

“FULL CANVAS INTO THE STORM! HARD TO STARBOARD!” She yelled out at the crew, as she spun the wheel drastically, confidently. “ABANDON THE CANNONS, MEN!! WE’RE RIDING INTO THE TYPHOON! DYING IS A DAY WORTH LIVING FOR!!”

The ship turned, and the men were certainly uneasy, looking at her with desperation.

Wind spread across the sails as the ship picked up speed, pulled by the storm.

One of the crewmates flew to them in a panic. “Shimmer, do you have a deathwish?! We are willingly sailing into a storm now?!”

“Pick your poison, sailor!” Sunset yelled out with a smile, as she pointed behind them. “A galleon or a storm!! I know which one I'd rather drink!” She held the wheel closely, with determination. “Now back to your station!”

“That's what I'm talking about, you mad mare!” Tempest cheered, as she continued to clutch her wound carefully.

Sounds of cannons rang out from behind them, and Sunset ignored them. The Pristine, on its attempts to fire at them, was falling behind, no matter how much a galleon would usually outpace them.

And this allowed for the perfect chance to reach that typhoon before they were overtaken.

The waves picked up, and so did the wind. It began to blow savagely as they approached the storm, it's dark clouds threatening to swallow them whole, the occasional lightning crackle lighting up the night sky. The sun had set completely, and that would only provide them more cover.

“HOLD FAST, DO NOT FLY OFF THE SHIP, PEGASI! YOU BELOW DECK, REPAIR AT WILL, AND KEEP THE GUNPOWDER DRY!” Sunset cried out, as she began feeling the first drops of water rain on her face.

She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. If this was to be her last moments, she would go roaring.

The Bihorn was completely overtaken by the storm. The winds and waves crashed around them, throwing them off balance, overtaking the sounds of their yelling. The ship rocked up, down, left, right, knocking them off balance, but she gripped that wheel, steadfast.

A lightning crackle lit the surroundings, for only a second, it was as if it was day.

Behind her, a sailor kept an eye. “The Pristine continues her pursuit! They’re coming with us into this typhoon!!”

“Good!” Sunset shouted, with that same smile. “Let’s see them try to keep up with the Bihorn with this weather!” She laughed out loud, continuing to hold the wheel with all her might.

The moment of panic had passed. She was now fully in her element once more. Gambling with her life, gleefully dancing over a knife’s edge.

And still, they continued to endure the storm. The crew ran around the deck desperately, ensuring no damage would hold the ship back, while below deck, unicorns were hard at work attempting to repair the holes that the pristine had blown on the side of their ship, with plenty of earth pony and pegasi helping get the water out.

Sunset took a glance behind them, and smiled deviously.

“THE PRISTINE IS FALLING BEHIND!” She bellowed, and it was true, the galleon was struggling to keep up, with a broken mast and the hole in its hull; And what's more, with the darkness, it was quite likely they’d lose sight of the Bihorn soon enough, a fact she very much would use to their advantage for their escape.

Cheers rang around the Bihorn, but they were then muffled by the sound of the storm. “ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS SURVIVE THIS STORM, LADS, THEN WE’RE HOME FREE!” Sunset shouted with a smile, and sailors audibly joined in.

“Atta girl…!” Tempest, besides her, coughed out blood.

“Now will you accept a medic?!” Sunset raised an eyebrow daringly, with a smile.

“Negative!! I’m not letting anyone touch these wounds during a storm!” Tempest barked out, continuing to lean on the railing. “We need every sailor on deck working– Not worrying about me!”

“I’m not letting you give up the Captain title that easily!” Sunset laughed, still manning the wheel. “So hang in there, alright?!”

“I’ll take that under advisement!” They had to shout to be heard, as the ship was pounded with rain and wind.

She kept focussed ahead, not letting anything distract her. Focussed on the darkness of the storm, of the crackles of lightning, on the pounding of rain.

She couldn’t yet see the light at the end of the tunnel, but things were looking up.

Dangerous, intense minutes of bathing in a storm passed.

“Sunset…!” Tempest’s voice was barely audible over the storm, as she leaned on a railing next to her, clutching her wounds, barely holding together, and her first mate listened attentively. “The Sunset…!”

“What was that, Captain?!” She had to shout, just to be heard.

“The last glimpse of a Sun setting in the horizon has a flash of green–” The Captain attempted to look at her, weary, wounded. “signaling a soul returning to our world…!”

All Sunset could do was raise an eyebrow in confusion.

“Green… Like your eyes!” Tempest gave an ironic, haggard laugh, smiling at their circumstances. “I always found that strange about you!”

“You lost me, Captain!” She chuckled, unsure of what to make of it.

And still, the onslaught of waves persisted, sometimes they splashed over the deck, sometimes they knocked the crew off balance.

This persisted for dozens of painful minutes, their adrenaline was high, and they frequently checked behind them to ensure their pursuers were no longer on them– and after a while, they lost sight of the Pristine entirely.

There was no time for cheering. The crew was utterly and entirely focussed.

Time passed agonizingly slow as waves pounded the sides of their ship, and rain poured from above, with them having little to no sight of what they were sailing into.

Until something quite strange happened.

With a flash of lighting, their surroundings were lit, if only for a brief moment.

And from the corner of her eye, Sunset thought she saw… Herself. She blinked into the darkness several times unsure if she had seen what she had seen.

And choose to ignore it. After all, she had other things to focus on, until…

A magical flare flew from the Bihorn and popped in the sky. A powerful spell– One that remained above the ship, bathing it in an orange light, while also somehow keeping the rain from pounding above them, a miniature sun.

The entire crew gasped in confusion and surprise, and Sunset did the very same… “Hey.” A voice called out calmly from beside her. It was her own voice.

Weary, tired, soaked, the Princess of Hope stood besides her, scanning her with her gaze. “So I’m a pirate in this universe? That's new…!”

“W-what the fuck are you?!” The Captain recoiled, keeping only one hoof on the wheel.

“I’m you from another universe.” She said, parting her own mane away from her eyes, given how wet it was, blocking her vision. “Let me get caught up…!”

I am Sunset Shimmer. And I ran away from everything.

I failed as a pupil of Celestia. And I failed to get revenge– I couldn’t bear to stay there. I had to run as far as possible. There's no place in Equestria for Sunset Shimmer.

…But there is a place on the Bihorn for her.

I never would have thought that a pirate’s life would have served me well– But in hindsight, it is perfect.

Take what you can. Give nothing back. Spend your days in a glorious haze with your crewmates, and especially your captain.

And of course, be far, far away from Equestria at all times. Life in the open sea suits me, and it's simply perfect. Any day can be your last, and that means every day is a gift.

I am right where I’m needed.

With a weary, happy exhale, the Alicorn leaned on the railing, exhausted. “Oh thank goodness, a happy runaway– Those are rare, but… I needed that.” She let out a long sigh, looking at the darkness of the storm around them.

“W-what?!” Was all Sunset could say, in confusion.

“Last happy runaway I met was a few days ago, actually.” She continued to talk, just as weary, shaking her feathers lightly to rid them of water, reminiscing. “She had a flower shop all the way on Griffonstone. Imagine that… Sunset Shimmer, a gardener. Just like her dad. Despite everything that she had survived, everything that she had ran from… She was… Pretty happy.”

The Pirate remained quiet, stammering, unsure of if she was dreaming or whatever this was.

“I have to admit…” She let out an ironic chuckle. “The life of a gardener sounds pretty good right now.” The Princess of hope ached at her most recent wounds, clutching her side, letting out another long, winded exhale.

More and more, she felt the counter on her life tick down. Unsure of how many challenges of the multiverse she could face.

Each hour that passed, she wondered when she would fight a battle she couldn’t win.

Tempest, who had been watching the entire thing, piped in. “Excuse me first mate, but in my dying delirium it seems I am seeing double– And your double is a tall, muscular scarred Alicorn. Am I dead, or dying?”

“Woah, Tempest Shadow, you’re here too?”

“How is it that you have LOST THEM?!” Prince Blueblood shouted in disdain, with a very flimsy umbrella attempting to cover him from the storm that pounded the Pristine from all sides. “First, my mane is slick with rain water, and now THIS?! Your incompetence–”

“I am sorry, my prince!” The Captain of the ship shouted, clutching its wheel in exhaustion. “B-but as I had warned you, keeping up with them in a storm would be hard already, but since they broke one of our masts–”

“I will take no excuses from you, captain!! Find them at once!! Even if we must brave this typhoon for hours– EEK!” His umbrella was fiercely pulled by the storm, taken into the sea, and he whimpered in disdain.

With cries and whines, he flailed his hooves around in disgust, mourning his now soaked mane. “Oh, could this night possibly get any worse?!”

“Hi there.” The calm voice of the Princess of Hope proclaimed from behind them, as she lounged on the side of the ship, overlooking their operation. “Fancy meeting you here in this storm, Blueblood.”

“Whu?!” the prince recoiled in surprise and shock. “Who the devil are you!! Did my auntie train another Alicorn?!”

“Something like that.” She smiled confidently, tilting her head, amused at the fact that she had absolutely met Blueblood on occasion, when she first studied with Celestia, and that the Sunset of this world was likely no different, but there was no way that he’d remember her face; After all, Prince Blueblood did not respect anyone. “I won’t bother you for long. I know how much you hate that.” She spoke, mockingly.

With a swift, singular motion, Sunset shot a beam of fire from her horn, through the sails of the Pristine, incinerating them nigh instantly, and the fire spread to the other sails.

“That’s that. I’m just here to keep you from pursuit.” She shrugged, as the whole crew gasped in surprise and confusion. “But hey, one last thing, and this one is personal.”

With thorough waves of her horn, she moved her telekinesis… And gave prince Blueblood a fierce and definitive and painful wedgie.

His cries were muffled by the storm, but she still took a chance to enjoy them.

“You have no idea how much I've always wanted to do that in my universe.” She grinned, watching the unicorn squirm and whimper.

The crew did not stop to help, most were distracted with the sails burning, the rest, enjoying the sight of the prince desperately struggling.

“Welp, I’ve done what I'm here for. Enjoy the sail, Blueblood! Give Celestia my regards.” She spread her wings and took off into the storm once more.

“There– That should be good enough. Don’t make any drastic movements for a day or two, okay?” The Valkyrie spoke calmly, as she finished mending the large wound on the side of Captain Tempest’s hide with her magic.

“Thank you… Other Shimmer. And thank you for ridding us of our pursuers.” She tipped her hat, with a slight, kind smile.

“Don’t mention it. I fucking hate Prince Blueblood. Arrogant little overly groomed asshole...” The alicorn stated simply, with a shrug.

Besides them, the other Sunset pondered. “It’ll take them a while to replace their sails– And they won't be able to do it in the storm, either. We’re home free. Phew…!”

“Indeed. All thanks to the strange intervention of this… Other you!” Tempest smiled, pointing at the Alicorn.

“Again, don’t mention it… You’re a friend, in my universe.” She gave her the warmest smile she could, under the exhaustion. “Now, pirates, if you don’t mind…” She looked around at the large crew of curious onlookers that surrounded them. “Could you point me to the nearest deserted island? I need to nap, and I don’t think I'll manage, in a ship rocking like this…”

“We’re in the open ocean…” her other self scratched her own chin, confused. “Sorry, but not only is there a storm, but I doubt you’ll find any island anywhere leagues from here…!”

Exhaling, the Valkyrie lowered her head. “Alright. Well, I’ll just rest over there in the corner, and in less than an hour, I’ll be gone. Don’t mind me…”

She walked without hesitation, and yet, slowly, taking a seat at the corner of the upper deck, watching the waves.

Above them, the flare she had set still lit the skies. The waves still shook the boat, but the rain pounded them no longer, they were protected by her magic.

Tempest took hold of the wheel, and nudged Sunset, pointing at her alicorn self.

Sunset shrugged in confusion.

“Are you kidding me, first mate? Go talk to her! Aren’t you even a little bit curious?!”She muttered, eyeing the Valkyrie, who was wearily yawning.

“I guess?! I don’t know?! Maybe I'm dreaming?!” Sunset muttered back, giving the same glances.

Tempest sighed, shaking her head, and gave her first mate a nudge.“Don’t let this opportunity pass you by, Shimmer! Go talk to your weird Alicorn other self from another dimension!”

The rest of the crew kept a clumsy, curious, secretive eye on them, as Sunset approached her other self.

“What, uh…” Sunset eyed her other self, joining her at the side of the ship. “What are you doing…?”

“Preening.” The Alicorn had a mouthful of her own feathers in her mouth, clumsily moving her wings with her teeth. “Usually my wife does this for me, and vice versa– Haven’t gotten much of a chance, in all this mess…” Her voice trailed off.

“Y-you’re married?!” Sunset’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yep. And it was pretty good, too.” She muttered, her voice muffled by the sounds of the feathers in her mouth, her mind elsewhere.

“...Was?”

“I’m here. Not there. So… Past tense.” She moved from one wing to the other. “Can’t be married to the mare of your dreams if you are a couple hundred universes away from each other.”

“...That's rough, buddy.” Was all that the pirate could mutter, incredibly puzzled at the whole thing.

“Understatement of the century…” She mumbled, with an exhale. “...Want to know who I’m married to?”

“Eh… I'd rather not.” She shrugged, smiling. “Leave it to chance, you know? I’m not getting married myself, but good for another me for managing to do it. I’m pretty satisfied with my pirate love life.”

“Suit yourself. It would have been funny.” She suppressed laughter, knowing how content this Sunset was with her life, and choosing not to dangle another in front of her.

“Sure, man.” She smiled, shrugging again.

Quiet passed, with the sounds of the heavy waves, the rocking of the ship, and the curious eyes of the other pirates as they worked diligently passing by.

“Why was Blueblood chasing after you pirates anyway?” She asked, absentmindedly.

“We stole his crown, heh.” She amused herself. “Part of a competition between the pirate lords, who can steal the most outrageous, daring treasure. Tempest put two and two together and figured this would be one of the funniest.”

“That it is– That little baby doesn’t deserve a crown.” Snickering, she leaned on the railing. “You have no idea how much I had to contain myself not to throw him in the ocean, seriously.”

“Oh, I have some idea!” She laughed along.

A bit more quiet passed, as Sunset considered a question that was incredibly relevant to her.

“So… Any more me’s out there that managed to get wings…?”

“I have no idea…” She exhaled, diligently continuing to ruffle her own feathers. “I’m hoping I’ll get to meet one, but… Haven’t seen any other, outside of me… Not yet. But I don't know. I might be the only one…”

“...Fuck.” Her other self leaned back.

“Yeah. You said it.” She exhaled, continuing to fidget with her feathers. “Haven’t seen any yet. I’m hoping there’s more, but… It’d be pretty fucking disheartening to find out I’m the only one, because, I’m, you know…”

Sunset tilted her head, unsure of what she meant.

“...I’m dying.”

Silence.

“I… You seem okay? What do you mean?”

“Haven’t slept a proper night of sleep in a week. Seven fucking days. Every hour I’m shot into another universe, and more than a handful of them have been incredibly dangerous.” She pointed at her hide and face. “See these scars? They’re nearly all new.”

“...Damn. That, uh… Almost makes me feel better for not earning wings. Almost. Heh.” The pirate let out an ironic chuckle.

“...Yeah. I don’t think I’ll last much longer, but– It’s not your problem.” She shook her head. “Look, we won’t see each other ever again in an hour, and you’re happy, so… Just do me a favor, and stay happy. Not every Sunset can say she’s happy… So that happiness is worth its weight in gold.” Her gaze moved to the darkness again.

“I do love gold.” She joked, leaning on the railing, raising an eyebrow.

“Heh. Yeah. Pirate.” The Alicorn chuckled, shaking her head. “But I mean it. There’s plenty of… ‘us’es out there that don’t… Don’t even get to have this.” She pointed at the Bihorn, who stood tall against the storm. “Not a pirate ship, just… A place to belong.”

“I get it. A home… I’m pretty happy with mine.” She smiled, nodding. “I’m… it's good to have met another me, despite the weird circumstances. I… Despite everything, I'm glad you ended up here. Even if it was just for me to see you preening yourself.” She joked, nudging her.

“Heh, don’t knock it till you try it.” Her other self grinned, flapping her wings once, now that they were adjusted.

Comfortable silence passed, until the Alicorn stretched. She side eyed the pirate captain with a mischievous grin. “So, did this Tempest Shadow ever tell you her real name?”

“Oh, so you know too, huh?” her other self leaned forward, smirking as well.

“Fizzlebop Berrytwist.” They both muttered in unison, keeping an eye on the captain, whose ears twitched, but otherwise had no reaction, leading to both Sunset’s snickering together.

“I’m her first mate– she has confided in me more than a couple of times, when we drank together.” Sunset shrugged, with that same grin. “And vice versa.”

“Good for you, honestly. Tempest is pretty great.” She shrugged, thinking of what an odd pair these two made. “So… Did you ever tell her you were the first student of Celestia…?”

Fidgeting, Sunset averted her gaze. “How could I? It's… Too personal. Besides, it's the kind of secret ponies wouldn’t believe you if you told them. I keep my cards close, even out here.”

“I get it. You’re living another life now…” She nodded in understanding, having been through this song and dance dozens of times before with other Sunsets, and not being interested in interfering. “Confession is good for the soul, but hey, it’s behind you now. So… As long as you’re happy.” She shrugged, with a smile. “Any chance you have some rum or whatever it is kind of booze you pirates drink–”

“Yooooohooooo!” They both stopped– And most of the crew as well, hearing a feminine voice call them from below, in the water.

Their ears twitched, and they leaned on the railing, and several sailors joined them in curiosity.

Gasps filled the deck.

“T-that’s a Mermare?!” Sunset looked down in surprise, and her Alicorn self was considerably less emphatic.

Below them, in the water, was a pony with kelp for hair, sharp fangs, a reef-like horn, and a delightedly happy smile. “Hiiiiiii there, Alicorn!” The Mermare called out, with a flirtatious tone, and a loving smile. “Haven’t ever seen big mares like you sailing this far out…! Do you come here often?”

“Scram. I’m married.” She commanded plainly, with a glare, flaring her wings. The Mermare complied nearly instantly, diving into the water with an “Eek!”

The entire crew was flabbergasted, staring at her in shock. “Y-you resisted the allure of a Mermare?!” One of the sailors gasped out.

“I-incredible…” Another added.

“It’s just Mermares, guys.” The Alicorn shrugged. “It’s not like deep sea–”

She stopped.

A painfully, deeply intimate, deeply familiar voice sang to her from the ocean below.

Everything stopped.

“Hand in hand we cross the line… I want to kiss you one more time…!” The voice was slow, loving, and of course, familiar.

Sunset’s heart stopped, as her ears twitched. She forced herself to look down.

In the ocean below, swimming, beckoning her, was her wife, Twilight Sparkle. “Good evening, my Sun…” She smiled warmly, wearily at her love. “Aren’t you tired of fighting…? It could just be you and me, one last time…”

For a singular, quiet, painful moment, Sunset’s expression softened, as it contorted into grief.

There was nothing else, but this moment, in which her wife was calmly and lovingly inviting her to stop fighting.

Calmly and lovingly inviting her to let go.

Calmly and lovingly inviting her to die.

…But soon enough, her grief turned to rage, as she exhaled, gritting her teeth, steam came out, and sparks began flying around her, the temperature rising exponentially. Sailors backed away from her.

She stomped a hoof on the railing, and snarled words with immense anger. “How DARE you wear her face and speak in her voice. GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE OR I’LL TURN YOU TO FRIED FISH.”

Now the Mermare gave up completely, swimming away in a panic.

The Alicorn, snarling, breathing heavily, pushed herself away from the railing, and walked to the center of the ship, where she muttered to herself. “Fucking Mermares, fucking sirens, fucking heart readers, fucking FUCK!!!” She shouted, delivering a swift kick to a box that flew overboard, narrowingly missing a sailor.

Murmurs and rumblings resounded around her as the sailors speculated.

“What in the world was that?!”

“The Mermare is gone…!”

“Give her some space, everypony!”

“S-she resisted the temptations of a Mermare…!”

“There were pickles on that crate…”

“The Mermare wore a face, wasn’t it–”

“Was that– The Princess of friendship?!”

The other Sunset approached her slowly, watching her breathe deeply, steadying herself. “Hey, uh, what the hell was that…? Why did that Mermare took the face or Twi– Of the Princess of Friendship?!”

Keeping her gaze on the floor, she gritted her teeth. “My wife.” She muttered, suppressing rage.

“W-what?!” Sunset’s jaw dropped, flabbergasted.

“And it’s not my first time dealing with Mermares either.”

The rocking of the ocean in their rowboat was gentle, but the air was still tense. Applejack kept an eye on their ship, one that did not belong to them, but was docked by a nearby island they could see.

And on this small row boat, Sunset and Applejack were bait.

“I can’t believe we’re bait.” The Farmer huffed, gazing at the ocean horizon. “Why ain’t one of those pirates out here, instead of us again?”

Sunset was utterly focussed, even as she practiced moving her wings, sitting down. “I don’t trust them as far as either of us could throw them– Besides, they probably couldn’t get this job done.”

“Are ya sure?” The farmer adjusted her hat, nervously. “I don’t like leavin’ the girls by themselves out there…!”

“Twilight won’t let anything happen to them– And I’m pretty sure Rarity can fence circles around those pirates, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Sunset gave her an assuring smile. “If I’ll be honest, I’d rather not send ponies to get torn apart by Mermares– Even if they are pirates competing with us and our friends for the same treasure.” She shrugged, grinning. “Besides. We’re both here. With the two of us, this’ll be a sitch. I thought of asking Pinkie, but I realized that she’d jump on that water without hesitation if she saw a hot Mermare.”

“Ya can say that again, partner.” She grinned back, nodding, lounging on the boat. “But still…” She looked at the ocean horizon, with the sun low on the skies, and many clouds covering it. “We've been here for hours…!”

“According to Twi, Fishtail Bay is the island known for the most common sightings of deep sea Mermares.” Sunset spoke, absentmindedly, pointing behind her, to where their ship was docked. “If we want to force one to help us with the clues to the treasure, this is the best place to start.”

“Well, call me a hog on dried dirt cause’ I’m bored.” The Farmer scratched her chin, pensively. “And what’s so special about ‘deep sea’ Mermares, anyways? Somethin’ different from regular Mermares?”

Nodding with a smile, Sunset reminisced. “If you must ask, Twilight and I have studied endless trivia relating to monsters and magic, so I have a whole encyclopedia on my head about the subject.” Her smile was proud, almost with a slight blush.

“Well, I’m bored anyway. What's yer encyclopedia got to say?” Applejack leaned back, ready for a story.

Sunset lounged as well, getting comfortable, almost imitating her wife. “Well for starters, there are three known kinds of Mermares; Not to be confused with ‘sirens.’ (those are a whole other problem.) First one, River Mermares. These are harmless, sociable, and their diet does not involve meat, only kelp and berries. They’re more common on northern Equestria, but not in cold climates, and they’d make for great picnic buddies.” Sunset leaned back as well, lounging. “I think we met some when we traveled there a couple months back?” She pondered.

“Shoot, I didn’t even know those were Mermares!” Applejack chuckled. “I don’t judge ponies by appearances, ya know?”

Snickering, Sunset nodded, and decided to continue. “Secondly, there’s the Sea Mermares. More commonly known in stories and legends, they are sociable, and their diet does involve meat, but it's a myth that they eat sailors and ponies alike, they usually resort to small fish and kelp, and other assorted sea flora, and are, much like most of their cousins, known to sing for socializing, and there are more than a few legends of ponies and sea Mermares falling in love. Funny enough, we ran into some of them when we visited Seaquestria after me and Twi killed the Storm King, remember?”

“Hah, I just thought those were hippogriffs too!” Applejack laughed to herself, having simply gone with the flow, when they traveled there. “I feel like a real dum dum.”

“Don't blame yourself, you were pretty distracted by the sight of Rarity being under that ocean spell Twilight cast– She looked like a Mermare, remember?” Sunset raised an eyebrow, teasingly. “Big ol’ fish tail, heh.”

“Um, Eeyup…!” Applejack flustered quietly.

With an exhale, Sunset arrived at the subject in question. “...And then comes the Deep Sea Mermares. They usually travel in small packs, and aren’t very sociable, because their diet involves significantly larger mammals and fish, and primarily meat. They can detect boats sailing from pretty far, and usually pick those as their targets. They also have a pretty good sense of smell. I’d imagine they’d like the taste of an Alicorn, it’d be like a delicacy.”

“Uhh… Significantly larger…” Applejack became tense.

“Like us. Yes. All of the reports of Mermares snatching sailors off of boats or even luring them out into the sea can be attributed fully to the deep sea mermares and their tricks. They’ll do anything to get a hearty meal that will last them a long time, out here. And ponies have… A lot of meat.”

Applejack suddenly became keenly aware of how much muscle and meat she was packing all over. “W-wait, whaddayamean, tricks? Don’t they just sing n’ stuff?”

“Funny, and morbid misconception. Singing is not all they do.” She reminisced on the studies she and Twilight went through. “All they need to do is lure a prey into the water and then drown them to eat them, so they’ll do just about anything for it– And that includes magic, trickery, and all forms of mimicry.”

“Ya lost me there, they’re magical?”

Sunset took a moment to properly think of how to put these into words. “...Do you know how Princess Cadance can read your heart effortlessly?”

“Unfortunately.” Applejack blushed, reminiscing of previous encounters with the Princess of Love where her guts were spilled for her.

“The Deep Sea Mermares have similar magic– Naturally, not nearly on the same level as an Alicorn, in fact, it's entirely unfocussed. How did Twilight explain it…” She pondered, only for a little bit, after all, her friend wasn’t magical, so explaining magic was a little more intricate. “They read your heart, as if skimming a book, and they pluck only the essentials for an act. They focus on people you love, people you miss, trying to give something you wish for, and they mimic them. It can be a lover, a family member, or even just a friend… Sometimes just the voice… Sometimes the entire face.”

“Wh-wha?! They mimic their faces?!” Applejack began to get increasingly nervous. “L-like changelings?!”

“How do you think sailors would willingly jump off of a boat? If they thought there’s a loved one waiting for them down there, especially if it is somepony they miss… Yeah.”

“That’s pretty dang horrible…!!” The Farmer scratched herself, eyeing the water, more tense now. “W-well, I ain’t afraid! I’m already in love, and I’m pretty dang happy, so they ain’t trickin’ me!!”

“Yeah– I’m curious, if anything, on seeing their magic in action. I imagine Twilight will want to hear all about what happened here later, so we might as well–” She stopped, and her ears twitched, as she quickly shot a glance behind her.

“We’re not alone.” She muttered, having seen a figure dive into the water. “Stay sharp.”

“A-alright! We got this!!”

“Let her get close, then we snatch her; Be gentle because they’re slippery and shifty. I’ll get us out of here after. Don’t go in the water.”

A tense quiet passed, where they kept shooting glances around them, looking for their target…

…And soon enough, a horn poked out from under the water, belonging to none other than Twilight Sparkle.

“Oh, tarnation, is that Twi…?!” Applejack’s eyes widened as her blood went cold.

Sunset remained completely quiet, her eyes twitched, as she felt that strange tense sensation of being face to face with an imitation of your lover.

“Good evening, Sunsun!” Her voice was melodic, inviting, and Sunset flinched upon hearing the nickname. “I was tired of spending time with those pirates, so I came here for a swim! Care to join me, Sunset?”

“Take that face off right now or I’m burning it off.” Sunset’s horn sparkled as she huffed in tremendous anger.

“Eek!” The Mermare dove into the water quickly, fearful.

Silence. Sunset breathed deeply, and Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Um, partner, we’re supposed to catch one, right? Ya scared her off, heh.” She chuckled in amusement.

“Sorry. That really pissed me off…” She blushed, looking down in defeat.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it, partner. We can just wait for the next one–”

“Hello there, handsome.” Another painfully familiar voice came from the water, this time belonging to another lover. Applejack froze.

Her gaze landed on none other than Rarity, who was slowly approaching their rowboat from the water, with a loving smile. “I hope you haven’t missed me too much, darling…” She spoke lovingly, seductively.

Applejack recoiled to the opposite end of the boat, flustering. “Um, Rares, I, uh…!”

“Wait for her to get closer, then grab her.” Sunset muttered quietly, trying to not scare her off.

“What’s wrong, dear…?” Rarity spoke, as she leaned two hooves on the row boat, coming closer, pouting. “Is it my mane? It always looked dreadful, when wet…!”

“O-oh nah, ya look great, haha!” Applejack was a flustering mess, gritting her teeth with an ashamed smile. “So, um, uh, we uh…”

“Look at you, a blushing mess. Honestly, Applejack! You’re so helpless!” She teased, with that same flirtatious smile, batting her eyelashes.

“Uhh, so, um…”

“Grab. Her.” Sunset muttered through gritted teeth, sweating.

Applejack stepped forward slowly, carefully, approaching the Mermare, who remained without fear, beholding her with that same affectionate smile she had, dozens of times before. “So um, if ya don’t mind, miss Mermare, we kinda need your help with somethin…!”

As soon as she had a hoof close enough, Rarity touched it, nuzzling it with affection, with that same flirtatious tone. “So strong… You’re my big strong girl, aren’t you?”

The Farmer nearly choked and sputtered right there, a flustering mess.

“Applejack. She literally wants to eat you.” Sunset muttered, feeling the danger of the situation rise exponentially.

“So, um, miss Mermare,” She smiled awkwardly, desperately, flustered. “We need to–”

“--Don’t you recognize your sugarcube?” Rarity tilted her head, pouting.

“O-of course I do! I, um, sorry sugarcube, I just mean uh–”

Sunset’s eyes widened as she noticed something that concerned her. The way that the Mermare’s tail moved about on the water, it meant nothing good.

“Applejack, she’s calling her pack– Seriously Applejack just grab her!!” Sunset muttered, her nerves rising.

“You would never hurt me, would you, my dearest?” Rarity moved an affectionate hoof, cradling her love’s cheek.

“N-no, I wouldn’t, we just uhh, I mean umm,” Applejack was a flustering mess, completely entranced.

And it got worse.

Another voice was heard, the same voice, from the opposite end of the boat.

“Hello there, handsome!” There was another Rarity, swimming towards them slowly, with that same loving smile.

Applejack’s ears twitched as her heart pounded furiously, turning to the newcomer.

“Eyes on me, darling.” Another one appeared behind her, from the water, beckoning her attention.

“Applejack for the love of Celestia, just grab one of them–” Sunset was beginning to regret bringing a pony into this rowboat that couldn’t fly or cast magic, for Applejack’s own sake.

“Oh how I miss touching you…” The same loving voice sounded from another side, as yet another Rarity joined in. Applejack shivered, as she noticed all the Rarity’s were now leaning on the boat, surrounding her.

“...Winding you up and watching you go…” Another Mermare continued, as they all began reaching forward, touching and caressing the farmer.

“H-how do y’all know that song?!” Applejack was panicking, a flustered mess.

“...I once more stare into that horizon…” The Mermares began singing in unison, leaning forward, touching her.

“O-oh tarnation I hate how much this is workin’ on me…!!” Applejack muttered softly, desperately, as the dozen of Rarities all were taking hold of her.

“Applejack, they're going to overturn the boat!!” Sunset tried getting her attention, and failed.

“...Waiting for you to return, my hero…!” They were all holding the Farmer now, who didn’t struggle, just looked around frantically in a flustered panic.

Sunset couldn’t let another second pass. She yelled out, unleashing a massive fireball into the sky, spreading her wings wide, scaring the Mermares.

All of the Rarities yelped in fear and dove into the water, fleeing the sight.

They both breathed heavily, boat intact, but pride certainly damaged.

“S-shoot. Sorry, Sunset, I really screwed the pooch on that one…!” Applejack hid her face under her hat shamefully, still blushing.

“I-it’s fine. We’re okay. That was too close though, we need to think of another strategy…”

“Maybe Dash should be in this boat instead of me…!” Applejack scratched her own mane, still ashamed.

“Eh, the same probably would have happened. Rarity is gonna have a field day once she finds out why we failed, you know?”

“Oh darnit, I ain’t ready to fess that up…!” Applejack chuckled nervously, still flustered. “Well, let’s just head back, clearly we–”

With a massive impact from below, their boat was overturned.

The Mermares came back all in a single pack, throwing the two mares into the sea viciously, rendering their boat useless.

“S-SHIT!” Sunset gasped for air, as soon as she teleported out of the water, taking flight, looking down. “A-Applejack, what ha–”

Her eyes widened. Her heart sank.

Applejack’s hat floated on the water.

But no Applejack.

Sunset dove into the water desperately, using her magic and all of her training to swim after what looked like twenty Rarities dragging her friend to the bottom of the sea with drowning intent.

“Well, still, that was… Crazy. Pretty unheard of, a pony resisting the allure of a Mermare…!” Sunset leaned forward on the railing, beholding her alicorn self with curiosity. “And, uh, the Princess of Friendship, no less. How about that…?” She scratched her own mane in complete confusion and shock, still processing it.

The Valkyrie did not respond. She leaned her forehead on the railing of the boat, gritting her teeth, forcing her eyes closed.

“So, um, that wife of yours…!” Sunset considered nudging, but backed away. “Why uh, why are you here, instead of with her…?”

“She’s coming to get me… I think… She’s probably…” The Alicorn spoke through gritted teeth, eyes. Closed. “...Fuck.” She exhaled weakly, resignated.

“I see… She stuck to the code, I imagine.” Sunset scratched her own chin, beholding the storm around them. “Twilight Sparkle, you scamp… A mare after my own heart!” She chuckled ironically.

“Code?” Was all that the Valkyrie could mutter.

“Oh, right, sorry. Pirate code. Pretty simple really, one of many;” She cleared her throat, as if announcing something, or speaking something she had rehearsed. “‘Any mare or stallion who falls behind is left behind.’ It is never personal, and I personally cherish it. There is never any doubt where our allegiances lie, and we would not die for each other. Keeps things simple! Guilt free. A moral paradise, for Sunset Shimmer.”

She snickered, almost deviously, but lighthearted, and the Alicorn said nothing, so Sunset continued . “I guess she must have realized by now, Equestria doesn’t need two rulers. And it sure as hell doesn’t need Sunset Shimmer.” She then stopped, realizing she was walking on eggshells, or rather landmines, when she noticed her other self’s expression. “S-sorry, I mean uh, that’s rough. I’m sorry this is happening to you–”

“--No, you’re right.” The Valkyrie raised her head, looking at the darkness of the storm intently. “Equestria never needed us. I know that better than any of us by now.” She felt a pit in her stomach, a hollowness on her throat. “I’m… I’m a fucking idiot.” She wasn’t crying, but she was close to.

The flare that had kept the ship alight and protected from the rain finally died out, and they were bathed in darkness and rain once more, except for the lanterns of the ship and the occasional crackle of thunder.

Having seen her wife, even in the twisted form of a Mermare, shook her deeply. Suddenly, it felt hollow to have even been fighting this hard, this long.

Twilight Sparkle wasn’t coming to save her.

“I should have jumped in the water with that Mermare.” She sputtered out, shaking her head, feeling a dangerous mixture of anger and sorrow. “At least I would have died seeing my Star again.”

Painful, mournful silence, as the Pirate drinked in the heaviness of her words.

“Look, you…” But she stopped, having no clue what to say.

“We are getting closer to the end of the storm, lads!” Tempest shouted out from the wheel, garnering the attention of the crew. “Hold on tight a little longer!”

The storm rained on them again, and they remained silent, the Alicorn did not move or budge an inch as the winds were crashing against the side of the Bihorn.

“…Whatever. I just hope I can sleep in the next universe.” The Valkyrie shrugged, the moment that her other self tried speaking.

The pirate exhaled, unsure of what to say, feeling all of a sorrow that wasn’t hers.

“Look, how about we get you some rum, and then–”

“--Something’s here.” The Alicorn froze on the spot.

Her hide shivered. Her ears twitched. She looked around frantically as her entire body screamed danger.

“What do you mean, some–WOAH!”

The ship hit something, coming to a stop, even as the impact of the waves continued to shift them aside. And as the Bihorn came to a halt, several sailors tripped and lost their balance. Even the captain, from the helm, nearly toppled over. The Valkyrie remained standing, nerves high.

“What the hell was that?!” One of the sailors bellowed out in confusion.

Another, looked out to the dark sea below them in confusion. “We must have hit a reef!”

“On the open sea…?” The Alicorn muttered to herself, having not been shaken by the impact.

The sailors around them were confused, but her body compelled her to act.

Lighting her horn, she leapt over the railing. “I’ll check it out. Be right back.”

And her other self still looked around in confusion, returning to the helm, to help her captain.

Sunset dove into the inky depths, the only light being the one she produced.

It was quieter here. The sound of the storm was deafened, as she heard the muffled noise of the waves above.

And as she turned to the Bihorn, she did not like what she saw.

Her light wasn’t nearly enough to distinguish the figure in full.

Her adrenaline spiked. She recoiled.

After all, in the depths, she saw her own face.

“C’mon Sparkles, we should head to bed. You’re gonna ace it at Ponyville Trivia tomorrow anyways–”

“W-wait! Please just one more, Sunset! One more!” She pleaded, with puppy dog eyes, clutching books with desperation.

Leaning back on her chair, Sunset sighed, rolling her eyes with affection, giving her girlfriend a warm smile.

It was past midnight, and they were both still at their Community Center library, sitting on their favorite couch chairs, surrounded by dozens of books that they had delved in through nearly all afternoon and night.

“Pleaaaaaase… You can pick a book you like if you want!!” She gave the same pleading eyes, the same adorable face, which Sunset was not able to resist, no matter what.

“Fine. One more, okay? You’ve been Ponyville Trivia champion for years now– I'm pretty sure you’ll keep the title no matter what.” She grinned, as with her magic, she brought a book she personally adored closely. “You can’t ace trivia if you don’t have a rested mind, you know?”

“Now who’s giving out trivia, hihi!” Twilight delighted herself on the joy and whimsy of getting her girlfriend to follow along.

“Alright, alright, but remember, no cheating.” Sunset covered the cover of the book she was rifling through with a wall of other books she rested on the table.

“Ready when you are!” The Princess of Friendship gloated, crossing her arms, and she had every right to.

Sunset gasped audibly, as she found something very interesting to her. She was looking through a grimoire of mythical beasts, after all.

“Okay. Miss Sparkle! Here is a question for you: What is the largest reported mythical sea beast?” She raised an eyebrow, with a grin.

“Trick question! It is also the largest reported mythical beast in general; The Kraken!” She spoke without hesitation.

Tilting her head, as if daring her, Sunset smirked. “Oh really? Are you sure?”

“The reasoning behind it is simple– Of all titans recorded, none are alive to match the size of the Kraken, much less any benign gigantic beasts alike, or mountain golems and what not, which might not classify as living beings, but rather constructs, or automatons.”

“Stay on topic, Miss Sparkle!” Sunset smiled even wider, egging her on.

“As it happens, the Kraken is known to be so massive that we have no proper full recording of its gargantuan size! After all, it is incredibly rare to have full reports on what its full appearance could be! All information we have points to it being the largest mythical beast, naturally.”

“Really? What else?” She wanted to see just how far Twilight could go— Double checking the pages of the book as she did.

“Interesting mysterious trivia about it– Although most researchers and scholars that have attempted to study it have speculated that it is a cephalopod, other researchers have discredited the fact, given its behavior and what we have ascertained from its anatomy, and not to mention the seemingly unending life spam.”

Sunset was so entirely entranced and amused by the way her wife spoke so knowingly. “Oh really? Why’s that?”

“It all comes down to a certain Starswirled beloved wizard of ancient times, hihi.” She smiled deviously. “On ancient tomes recording his adventures, Starswirl the Bearded reported an encounter he survived with the Kraken– One in which the tentacular monstrosity was enormous, and yet, amorphic. He then postulated that it was likely that the Kraken was of extraterrestrial origin, not being classified among any of the species we have here, simply a monstrosity that came from space, crashing upon our seas, making its home the deepest trench of the abyss.” She spoke almost poetically, rehearsed, and proudly. “And most surprisingly of all… It seemed to mimic him.”

“Mimic him, eh?” Sunset raised an eyebrow, overlooking the text. “How so, Miss Sparkle!”

“Simply with its tentacles, it mimicked the shape and face and even beard of the beloved wizard of legend– To what intent, he could not figure out, but he speculated that it was a form of involuntary copying of the prey it sought after. By mere instinct, the Kraken sensed its prey, and copied it, merely visually, before attempting to consume it.”

“Disgusting, horrifying, and awesome.” Sunset smiled deeply. “Anything else, Miss Sparkle?”

“Yes! Much like many other mythical beasts, the Kraken must be drawn to others alike it. Meaning other enormous leviathans, or…”

“...Alicorns?” Sunset’s eyebrows shot up for a moment. “Wow. How does that work, exactly?”

“Simple. It's like a sense– A shiver. Were we and other mythical beasts near each other, we would likely sense each other’s presence, and be drawn to each other. Whether it is for curiosity, or simply…”

“...To kill and eat each other, I figured, heh.” Sunset mulled over, thinking about it. “What you’re saying is we probably shouldn’t go out into the open sea if we don’t want to run into this guy, so as to not be an appetizer for him?”

“Oh, not at all! The Kraken is an exceedingly, impeccably rare sight, it is likely we’d go a thousand years without even sighting it. From all we know, it lives on the furthest edges of the known sea, and its true home is unknown. Meaning we’d have to be incredibly truly unlucky to ever meet one!”

Sunset shut the book with a loving grin. “Looks like you aced it, Miss Sparkle, of course. Time for bed!”

“W-wait!! I’m not done, um–” Twilight involuntarily yawned, desperately suppressing it so she could give out more trivia. “The odds of meeting one are astronomical, but that could be a simple case of survival bias, meaning that we only know of little reports of sailors witnessing it because they're the very few that survived the sight–”

She was picked up by her girlfriend, and forcefully carried to their room, as she attempted to continue to ramble, even through her yawns.

“THE FUCKING KRAKEN IS DOWN THERE!!!” Sunset shouted desperately as she climbed back on board the Bihorn, completely drenched in water, her horn still alight.

Through the storm, the pirates stopped in their tracks, wondering if they had heard what they had just heard.

Both her other self and Tempest froze.

The ship groaned, as the wood below was scrapped, held.

On any other day, a sailor reporting such a sight would have been chocked up to being delusional.

But enough strange things had happened in this night…

…That not entertaining the idea was suicide.

“SPEARS! AXES! LOAD GUNS, DEFEND THE MAST!!” Tempest yelled out at the crew as she rang a bell to get every single one of their attentions. “MOVEMENT! SHOW ME MOVEMENT, THERE'S NO TIME!!”

“ROLL THE GUNPOWDER BARRELS ABOVE DECK!!” Sunset bellowed in a panic motion, as she addressed the crew below. “CANNONS; TAKE A SHOT ONLY IF YOU HAVE IT– DON’T FLY OFF THE SHIP, PEGASI!!”

The Alicorn shivered as she felt every single vibration reverberating from below the ship, in the water, and otherwise. Despite the rain, despite the waves, she could feel all of it. It was calling to her. She was prey.

A panicked, terrified voice echoed from below deck, from one of the sailors, rolling a barrel up. “T-there’s only one more barrel of powder!! You tossed the others at–”

“--The Pristine, shit, SHIT!!” Sunset’s eyes widened, as she turned to her other, winged self. “Y-you’re an alicorn, right?! Can you kill it?!”

“I haven’t slept properly in a WEEK, and it’s NIGHT TIME! I don’t like my chances!!” She grimaced, keeping a battle stance at the ready, as her wings quivered in anticipation.

“TENTACLES COMING UP PORT!!!!” One of the sailors yelled out, recoiling from the railing.

“AND STARBOARD!? sHIT!!” Another beckoned from the other side.

From all around them, the Bihorn was overtaken by dozens of inky black tentacles, slowly crawling on the side of the ship.

Lightning lit the air. For a brief second, they could see even more, dozens upon dozens of tentacles raised from the sea, looming over the Bihorn.

With a flash, The Valkyrie adorned her armor, illuminating the surroundings. “I’LL TRY TO KEEP IT DISTRACTED!” She bellowed, leaping into the air.

And so, the Kraken attacked.

The dozens of inky enormous tentacles began sweeping the deck, attempting to grab hold of the crew, the masts, anything at all, feeling by touch, moving at dangerous speeds.

The crew shouted, panicked as the storm pounded around them. Ponies lobbed spears, and chopped with axes, doing questionable damage to the beast and its appendages– The unicorns, most of all, attempted to blast it with magic, not always managing to drive the tentacles back.

Tempest was surrounded, and unleashing her broken horn’s magic, her spells crackled like fireworks, pushing the tentacles back, lighting the stormy night.

From below deck, the cannons fired– Rarely ever meeting a target in the darkness, but on occasion striking a tentacle down.

With a scream of panic, a sailor was grabbed in full by a tentacle, being pulled overboard, terrified, all while unicorns and pegasi tried pulling her back, to no avail.

The Valkyrie pierced the air, slicing the tentacle, throwing the pirate back on the ship, unable to keep it very gentle on the circumstances.

The same began repeating, as the tentacles began grabbing hold of more of the crew, and Sunset continued flying through the air, slicing the appendages and throwing the pirates back on the ship as efficiently as she could, intent on keeping them all safe if she could.

After all… The leviathan was here because of her.

Sunset flew through the storm at breakneck speeds, her light piercing the night sky, her wings slicing at tentacles and her horns piercing them. “OVER HERE, YOU OVERGROWN SQUID!! COME AND GET ME, I’M OVER HERE!!” She shouted loudly into the storm, her screams deafened by the roaring rain.

The battle on deck was frantic. The blasts of magic lit the air, as pieces of the ship flew into the air, and the tentacles wrapped themselves around the deck, and the screams of the sailors were muffled by the storm.

And above all, visibility was difficult, as one by one the few lanterns that lit the air went out, crushed or tossed aside, and all that illuminated the fight was the light of the horns of the unicorns, and the flashes of battle.

“T-THE KRAKEN IS BELOW DECK!!” one of the sailors shouted as tentacles began piercing the side of the ship through the cannonside, and screams were heard from under.

In response, the Valkyrie flew low, piercing through the appendages that crawled on the lower floors from the ship’s exterior, those that were prodding the inside of the ship, endangering those below deck.

Waves crashed against the side of the ship. The groan of wood and vicious monster meshed together as the Bihorn was shaken against the storm.

It was hopeless, and yet, every single sailor was fighting, no matter how terrified.

Sunset, her jaw agape, watched the sight of her alicorn self flying through the storm.

Surrounded by tentacles, lit by lightning, she flew in aggressive motions, as dozen upon dozens of the Krakens appendages prodded the air attempting to grab her, all while she tried, with impeccable diligence, to avoid them and fight back, in a never ending loop of panicked breathing and speed.

But she couldn’t fight forever.

One of the tentacles managed to hit her– And with fierce force, she was thrown into the Bihorn, crashing against the mast, then collapsing on the deck.

Sunset ran to her aid, watching her cough out blood, breathing haggardly, exhausted.

“A-are you okay?! C’mon, we have to keep fighting–”

“--WATCH OUT!!” The Valkyrie shoved her away, and in her place, a massive tentacle fell down upon her, squeezing the Alicorn against the deck, and then, ensnaring her.

Sunset watched in a panicked silence, as her Alicorn self was dragged out into the inky depths of the ocean, on the grasp of the Kraken.

And suddenly, The many tentacles that were ensnaring the Bihorn receded back into the water.

Silence fell onto the ship. Every sailor looked around in surprise, and slowly, they came to the same realization.

“IT’S LEAVING!! WE DID IT!!” They yelled out in joy, unaware of what had happened, thankful to see the deck not bound by tentacles of a leviathan they couldn't possibly hope to kill.

“Alright, bilge rats, we’re not done yet!” Tempest yelled out. “One last push, we have to leave this accursed storm!”

Sunset continued to sit, looking at the ledge of which she had just seen her other self be taken from.

Her breathing quickened, as her eyes looked below into the water.

Nothing. Not a sign.

The water was dark and it moved fast.

She looked behind her, considering just the insane stupidity of what she was considering.

Muttering angrily to herself, she grabbed the last gunpowder barrel with her magic.

“Hang the code.”

Sunset Shimmer was drowning.

She had not had the chance to take a deep breath before the Kraken had crushed her and then pulled her under the waves.

The light of her horn dimmed and disappeared, and she couldn’t see a thing, as sea water filled her lungs and she was pulled lower and lower.

It filled her mind. She could barely consider her options, through the pain and the flooding.

Teleportation failed her. Flames failed her. Blades failed her.

She coughed, retched, as bubbles left her throat, her armor felt cumbersome, as it was crushing her side.

She felt the tentacle tighten its grasp against her struggle, the armor crumpling around her, and her mind fogged, the pain, the drowning, it was slowly leaving her mind as the pressure of the water dimmed her thoughts.

It wasn’t the magic that was failing her. She came to simply accept what was happening.

There was no point in fighting this. Even if she was well rested and during the day, this battle might have had the same outcome.

Her eyes rolled back, as she began to lose consciousness.

Death to a Valkyrie would have been better than this.

Death to a Mermare would have been better than this.

What would be her legacy?

Would she even have one?

After all, she had discovered plainly and fully that her world never needed her.

Her happiness felt like an imposition, now that she had seen the Multiverse.

Everything felt so small. It felt so hopeless and pointless.

A meaninglessness seemed to permeate her every thought.

Did she have regrets?

Too many. But only one mattered.

The realization that she was not necessary for Twilight Sparkle’s happiness.

It almost brought her comfort, in these final moments.

She even considered, for a moment, how things might have wound better for the both of them, if they really had never met. Made different choices.

But it was alright now. Because she was dying– And wouldn’t have to worry anymore. She wouldn’t have to fight anymore. She was letting go.

She would never be found. She would never be buried, and that was okay. It had to be.

Wherever her wife was– Whatever she was doing, she just hoped, with the last of her energy, that she would be happy.

That’s all that could possibly give her any reprieve as the massive tentacular jaws of the leviathan brought her closer and closer to her end.

She didn’t struggle anymore. Her senses were fully dulled, and she was ready for the end.

But the end was not ready for her.

An explosion shook her, and she could see a faint light before her, as the tentacle released her and retreated, with the bellow of the leviathan echoing through the seas below her.

A hoof reached out and grabbed her, and she could feel everything.

I am not leaving myself to die. Get up, and keep fighting, other me.

Sunset Shimmer doesn’t quit.

She felt those thoughts rushing through her, clear as day.

And together, they teleported away from the inky depths.

Appearing on the deck of the Bihorn, she immediately wretched and vomited sea water all over the floor, gasping for air desperately, feeling her armor heavier than ever.

She couldn’t distinguish the tears from the salt water that left her mouth, nose, and eyes, as she coughed and sputtered, and besides her, her other self was coughing substantially less.

“No, no no…” She muttered as she attempted to stand, but her body was failing her. Her wings felt heavier than they had ever been. “No, no, why did you save me?! The Kraken would have left, you could have escaped, you–” She stopped to cough some more.

“WE’RE EVEN!” The pirate commanded, standing, pointing at her. “LISTEN UP, BILGE RATS!” She yelled out and the whole crew surrounded them. “WE’RE GETTING OUT OF HERE. ALL OF US!”

“It’s coming back, it’s coming back–” The Valkyrie muttered, as she felt the Kraken coming closer once more, intent on finishing what it started.

Tempest walked to them, incredibly emphatic. “How in the world are we getting out of here?! Isn’t the monster coming back?!”

Sunset turned to Alicorn with determination. “We’re taking the Bihorn, and we’re flying out of here. All of us.”

With eyes widened, the Valkyrie caught on. She raised her wings with a deep, haggard breath, and her horn went alight.

“ALRIGHT, ALL UNICORNS, ALL TOGETHER NOW! WE’RE TAKING THE BIHORN– THE ALICORN ISN’T DOING IT ALL HERSELF, COME ON!” Sunset bellowed out, as her own horn became alight.

Together, one by one, the unicorns caught on.

Their magic united, all of them, glowing as one, enveloping the ship.

And just like that, slowly, the Bihorn began taking flight.

Through the guidance of the Valkyrie, they moved it up, then forward, and began taking speed. Every other pony became amazed by the sight, including Tempest, who smiled, seeing just what her first mate was capable of.

And just like that, they finally escaped the storm, clearing its damp clouds and lightning, being greeted by the night sky once more.

All who weren’t unicorns got to cheer and watch, as they picked up speed, continuing into the horizon of infinite stars, leaving the storm behind.

But it didn’t last. The Valkyrie coughed again, her strength waning, and her magic faded, and as soon as she collapsed on deck, the ship did as well, with all of the unicorns failing to maintain the ship’s flight without her help, and they were once again immobile.

“No, no, no, get up, we need distance, please, other me, get up…!” Sunset pleaded, as she attempted to help the alicorn stand, with questionable results.

“The Sun…” She muttered, her eyelids narrow of exhaustion, her body weighed down, her armor vanishing into her horn as she felt her strength leaving her. “I need the sun…”

“It’s night time!” Tempest yelled out from the helm. “The sun won’t be here for hours–”

“Backup. I need back up.” Sunset muttered as her eyes opened, and she stood, facing the edge of the boat. “I need to call her…”

She spread her wings. And every pirate watched her in puzzled, hopeless silence.

She closed her eyes, feeling the night wind on her face. If this was to be her last moments, she wanted to feel the sun, one more time.

And so she raised it.

To the shock of every single sailor, they were seeing the sun rise, despite it being full nighttime.

And as soon as it had risen… Sunset collapsed onto the deck.

Her strength was gone. She was now fully unconscious.

“H-how– How did she do that?!” Tempest questioned, as she ran to the Alicorns side. “Is she dead?!”

Sunset looked at her other self with extreme concern, seeing that her breathing was shallow and weak, even in the light of the sun.

Sailors surrounded her in confusion, surprise, and fear.

Tempest scanned the ship's deck, trying to ignore the rising sun. "Okay, sound off crew! Who's unaccounted for? Who did we lose to the Kraken?!"

The crew looked amongst each other in silence, as they surrounded the unconscious alicorn, with an air of shock and respect.

"I think..." Sunset muttered, beholding her Alicorn self. "I think she might have saved all of us...?!"

There was an uncertainty, as the crew looked amongst each other, unsure of what to do-- Unsure of how to show thanks, unsure of what to do when moving forward.

"T-the Kraken will be back, won't it?!" One of the sailors bellowed in fear.

"S-should we abandon ship?!" Another asked with just as much tremble in her voice.

"And go where?" Tempest shook her head, looking at the open sea. "The open ocean with a Kraken nearby means certain death for a longboat-- Besides-- I will not abandon the Bihorn."

"What can we do, Captain?!" Sunset asked, not with fear, but desperation. "How do we fight?!"

Tempest ruminated, gazing at the beautiful sunrise of a welcome ocean. ...There was nothing they could do.

Until the entire ship began to groan and tremble.

Panic. Tempest held onto the mast. “S-shit– It’s back, it’s here!!”

The ocean, now in clear view due to the morning sun, darkened.

A shadow spread around in the water below them, as far as they could see-- Not that any of them would dare to.

“No no no– Get up other me, come on!!” Sunset grabbed hold of the Alicorn, taking her far from the edges of the ship, dragging her, desperately trying to shake her awake, to no avail.

The sailors watched in horror as slowly, the ship began overturning. Debris rolled around the deck as they held on desperately, with the wood below them groaning and creaking.

Tentacles rose from the ocean and began entangling themselves on the sides of the ship.

And from the water, rose the would-be-head of the beast, tilting the boat in its direction.

A horrific, monstrous thing, whose breath resembled the death of a thousand sailors.

It was twisted and tentacular, even in its face, every limb seemed to drip a black ichor, an indecipherable, ill-smelling substance. And it was a horrendous sight– The tentacles twisted themselves in a form that resembled the face of none other but Sunset Shimmer.

Dozens of twisted red eyes conjoined and gathered at where would usually be the eyes of a pony– And the tentacles retracted and recoiled from being in the open air; Accompanied by one being a horrific crooked imitation of the horn of an Alicorn. The barrel of gunpowder that Sunset had so diligently detonated on its jaws to free her other self had left merely a scratch; One that seemed to be nigh regenerated.

And yet, it opened its twisted jaws, with dozens of uneven rows of bent teeth spreading wide, awaiting its prey.

It tilted the ship so the Alicorn would fall directly onto its mouth. But Sunset held onto her desperately, with all her strength, not letting her go.

A tentacle reached out to grab the unconscious Valkyrie, and Sunset tried her absolute best to fight it off with magic, to no avail.

They were seconds from having the entire ship overturned, and dumped onto the jaws of the enormous beast.

Sunset couldn’t hold on any longer.

And then, blinding light pierced the skies.

The Kraken screamed out in a horrific voice as dozens of its tentacles were incinerated with a light that burned the air to cinders.

The Bihorn was released, and they tumbled until the ship stabilized, unsure of what had just happened.

The Kraken returned to the depths, fleeing.

And soon enough the ocean was dark no more.

“WHO HAS RAISED MY SUN?!” Princess Celestia landed on deck, with an imposing blast of wind, staring down at the sailors in anger.

Walking among the quiet crew, who were all intimidated and shocked, she frowned and demanded their attention. “A storm, A pirate ship being attacked by the Kraken on the furthest reaches of the known sea– And what’s more, one of you has raised my sun. How, and who?! What has happened here?!”

Slowly, quietly, the crowd moved aside, revealing the perpetrator; The one that had saved them all.

Celestia’s grimace of frustration contorted into one of worry immediately.

“S-Sunset Shimmer?!” She ran forward and kneeled down, seeing the bruised, scarred, collapsed body of her old pupil… Now and Alicorn.

“H-how have you come to be so lost?!” She whispered in desperation, cradling the unconscious Alicorn with concern, checking for her health in a panic. “What has the world done to you…?”

“Um, uh… Hi Celestia.” The Pirate Sunset waved as Tempest shoved her forward. “Um… Parlay…?”

Celestia’s eyes widened in complete disheartening confusion as she switched gaze between the two Sunsets, and adding much to her surprise and shock, the Alicorn Sunset began glowing, enveloped by a certain light.

The Valkyrie floated in the air, as her limbs began to fade, and without even regaining consciousness, she was shot into the next universe.

“What a mess, Sunset...!” Celestia rubbed her temples, as the Bihorn sailed further into known seas. The sun remained raised for a little while longer, as her old pupil explained everything. They were both on the helm with Tempest, and Sunset shied away like a foal caught stealing cookies. “Is this what you have been up to, for all these years…?”

“Well, um, kind of? The Kraken and the weird interdimensional Alicorn clone were new. I promise.” She scratched her own mane in an awkward smile. The entire band of pirates pretended to work as they eyes the Princess of the Sun, who was simply there, among them.

“I, uh… Ran away. And being a pirate turned out to be pretty great for me…!” She shied away from eye contact, fidgeting.

“Sunset Shimmer is an invaluable member of our crew, Princess.” Tempest tried assuring, even if she wasn’t sure she had a say in this conversation. “And a damn good first mate, at that.”

“And this is where you ran to…” Celestia looked at the horizon of the open sea. “At least, well…” She smiled, even if wearily, beholding her old pupil. “At least you are alive and well.”

“And somehow, you were the first pupil of Celestia and never told us, huh?! What the hell, Sunset?!” Tempest frowned at her, muttering it.

Sunset threw her hooves in the air, as if surrendering, awkwardly.

Celestia walked over to her and hugged her tightly. “I have missed you, Sunset Shimmer.” She spoke, containing tears.

“I-I missed you too.” Sunset blurted out automatically, the words being squeezed out of her as she hugged back.

“Well…!” Celestia walked over to the edge, and with her wings raised, and her horn alight, she lowered the sun once more.

That same, familiar green flash greeted them.

Night fell, and it was adorned with constellations and stars that reflected beautifully off the open sea. “I suppose these matters are to rest, then.” She turned to Sunset, with hope and expectations. “Would you… Would you like to return with me to Canterlot…? I imagine your family may miss you just as much as I did…”

Her heart stopped, as her eyes widened, and she strongly considered the offer– All while Tempest watched her like a hawk, eagerly awaiting the response.

“It…” Sunset chuckled, shaking her head with an exhale. “I wouldn’t mind visiting sometime… But not today. I am home, Princess Celestia…!” She nodded confidently, waving at the Bihorn.

Despite everything, she couldn’t help but smile, seeing her pupil having found her place, even if it was one so far from her.

“Then I suppose this may be goodbye, then…” Celestia climbed onto the railing, giving her pupil a warm smile and a nod. “I will see you–”

Tempest nudged her first mate forward, convincing her to speak.

“--Wait a second!!” Sunset smiled, as she composed herself, walking forward.

Silence, as the Princess held her breath.

“The… Kraken hasn’t destroyed all our supplies… And we could definitely use your help if it shows up again-- So, um, is tea still your preference…?” She asked, with pleading, thankful, joyful eyes.

“Yes.” Celestia smiled just as fully stepping back onto the deck. “Shall we, my pupil?”

“Hmm, you know–” Hermes spoke, with a mouthful of sandwich perturbing his words. “I wonder if we’ll ever see another me out there in the multiverse!” The sandwich could not contain his excitement.

Fluttershy and Spike, who were sharing the meal, sitting next to him, wondered. “I dunno. We have been pulling Sunsets specifically–” He looked back, seeing the two Princesses of Friendship hard at work. “And, um, that one Twilight with the demon wife.”

Fluttershy fidgeted pensively. “Gosh, it’s weird, hearing about our other lives isn’t it? I mean… I died, in that Sunset’s universe…!”

“What I’m saying is–” Hermes cleared his throat, after having properly swallowed another proper bite of that delicious sandwich. “--I wonder, if in some other world, I cracked it, you know?”

The other two tilted their heads in confusion.

“This!” He pointed forward at all the machinery. “I wonder if I managed to figure out interdimensional travel by myself, without ever needing help, in another world!! It seems plausible, wouldn’t you agree? After all, this is my life long passion!!”

Blowing raspberries, Spike shrugged. “Meh. None of the Sunset’s knew about me much, so sheesh– I don’t think this Multiverse is all it’s cracked up to be. Where’s the universe where I’m a superhero, you know?”

Fluttershy giggled, even if taking the situation seriously. “I dunno. I’m pretty happy where I am now. I’m not that curious over what other Fluttershies are up to…!”

“You two aren’t seeing the full picture.” Hermes shook his head, dismissively. “If there are worlds where we are abysmal failures, there are worlds in which we are impeccable successes!”

His eyes turned with wonder to the machine that was so diligently built throughout the week. “And I cannot wonder, out there, about the possibility of my successes…!”

“Alright, everypony! Break’s over, gather around!” Twilight spread her wings, garnering the attention of all of them in the room, including the multiple Sunsets they had pulled so far. “Interdimensional Lasso V2 is ready to be fired up, here and now! No more dawdling!”

They all got in their positions, diligently readying to turn the machine once more.

“Ready?” Twilight asked, standing by the enormous conduit crystal.

“Ready.” The Demon Sunset affirmed, coached by her wife, with her horn crackling with energy.

Together, they would combine their power, firing it up once more.

Five…

Four…

Three…

Two…

One…!

“...GO!”

Author's Note

SUNSET SHIMMER VS THE KRAKEN.

INFO: This leviathan is over a thousand years old. Armies might not be capable to slay it, much less a single pirate ship with an Alicorn atop it. The beast was with full home-field advantage, as it always has, rendering their attempts to fight it nigh meaningless.

VERDICT: There wasn't even a battle to be had. A devastating loss for the Princess of Hope.

MAN this chapter was a doozy. it felt longer than it is, but maybe that's just me slowing my role.

A pirate's life for me, huh? Good times.

The runaway Pirate. Happy as she could be, drawn by my gf.

Also Prince blueblood and the Pristine got eaten by the Kraken. As an indulgent meal to console it for the failed 5 star snack that is the Princess of Hope.

Forgive me for indulging on two flashbacks for encyclopedia stuff but I love going on stupid tangents about monster stuff just for fun. I wanted to write that Rarity Mermare swarm scene for so long, lmao.

Did you notice? The songs the sirens sang were both from previous fics of mine! And they are deeply, profoundly poignant to the characters they were sung to.

That Mermare sequence would have gone very very different if Sunset had brought Pinkie, heh. Worth stating I must issue a formal apology for the lack of Pinkie Pie on this fic; She's pretty important for Sunset, and I haven't gotten to cherish her yet. But I will o7

Also imagining bringing Rainbow Dash lmao.

Not much else to say other than the Bihorn has seen better days-- And worse days, but its crew can now brag on having to survive a clash with the Kraken, that's pretty legendary.

Next chapter? A long awaited intermission; Twilight holds on, and commits. And after that? I'll take a hiatus from writing this fic!