Equestria: Godzilla Awakensby Migol-18Chapters2. Dragon Islands Mining Disaster.1. The Summer Islands Test.3. The New Manehattan Nuclear Accident.4. New Manehattan Exclusion Zone.5. New Mareland 1024 Earthquake.6. Gojira.7. The Battle of Puerto Caballo.8. The Road to Manehattan.9. Ambush.10. Evacuation.11. Descending into Tartarus.12. Aftermath.2. Dragon Islands Mining Disaster.May 21st, 1020 ALB. Ponyville, Equestria. It was a normal day in post-war Ponyville, the land and nature were slowly recovering after the horrors suffered by the Great War, Ponyville had been devastated after the Battle of Canterlot between the armies of the United Ponies Alliance and the Changeling Hegemony, the capital fall thanks to the intervention of Stalliongrad. This was no longer a small town, it was already a small city, with incipient industrialization. War changes the world and also changes the ponies, our mane 6 were no strangers to this: Rarity managed to expand her fashion and clothing business thanks to uniform contracts during the conflict; Although that was not entirely to her liking, she couldn't complain much. Pinkie Pie enlisted with her sisters in different services during the war. Thanks Celestia, they managed to survive the war by being part of the officer corps, with major battles and decorations to their credit. The psychological recovery at the end of the war in 1014 wasn't easy, the traumas will remain, but so will the parties. Applejack was also a member of the officer corps, along with her brother, and received numerous decorations for great battles and defenses. Today they work on their farm like in the old days, however, the war forced the Apples and other producers to mechanize and industrialize production. Sweet Apple Acres still maintains its essence, but there is no denying the large amount of machinery and automation there is. Rainbow Dash was no stranger either, as a prominent member of the Wonderbolts, she flew hundreds of dangerous missions, losing one of her own wings in the process, forcing her to sit in an office until they got her a metal prosthetic. Her rehabilitation and reintegration into post-war society took time, but she remains part of the Royal Equestrian Air Force. Fluttershy joined Twilight and Spike as heads of the alliance's joint research program, especially the nuclear program, one of the highest priorities of the war; They were even ahead of time when the first test was done there in the deserts of Mixie at the beginning of 1014. The advances were significant and the war was won thanks to this device. After the war, Twilight and Fluttershy would return home for a well-deserved rest, however, a new global order was being established, Stalliongrad and the Griffonian Empire grew significantly stronger during these years. Stalliongrad was granted an area of influence to the north of Equus and the territories to the south that they claimed in exchange for helping in the war; as expected, Canterlot-Stalliongrad relations deteriorated significantly after that; likewise with Griffenheim, now a powerful empire that threatens the River Federation to the east. This tense atmosphere led to an accelerated arms race, therefore, there was a need for more weapons research and with that Fluttershy and Twilight were called back to duty. Their friendship remained strong, however, Equestria called and everyone must do their part. At the Luna Nova Institute, they also met Twilight's former friendship student, Starlight Glimmer and her great and powerful friend Trixie, also recruited as a junior researchers because their great knowledges in magic, being a complementary members of the institute's research. That day in Ponyville was a normal day, everyone was finally able to coincide on their days of rest, so that was the ideal day to be able to get up to date with their friendship. This time it wasn't as big a party as Pinkie knows how to make them, but it was something more discreet; They needed a quieter situation than the hustle and bustle of their lives. Just a moment of talk and enjoy a bit of slice of life. “And tell us, Dash – says Rarity – what jobs do you do now at the Wonderbolts? It seems like they hardly do stunts anymore after the war.” “Oh yes, after the reforms we dedicated ourselves to training new pilots and parachutists on the new jet airplanes, I still can't get used to the fact that anyone can fly on those machines; but yeah, it seems like the higher ups don't want to waste time on stunts when you have commie MiGs on the border flying, so it's not as cool as it used to be.” Dash says in a disappointed manner. “Oh, darling, I hope you'll be able to do those wonderful stunts again one day…” “Tell us, Twilight, what are ya and Fluttershy searching now, uh?” Applejack asks. “Oh, girls, I have already told you that unfortunately we had to sign for our silence, the nature of what we do is classified, otherwise, I would tell you without a problem.” “And what about Starlight?” Applejack asks again. “Sadly she was sent at the last minute as a consultant on nuclear energy and magic to New Manehattan, there in New Mareland. Trixie went with her. – Twilight responds – They will be there for a couple of weeks, according to what the Princesses and the ambassador informed me.” “Shame…” Applejack says. “Uh… Twilight…” Spike intervenes, who seems to be choking. After a light tap on the back, the dragon finally burps, revealing a card. The letter had the CLASSIFIED seal and the seal of the two sisters. Twilight knows exactly what the symbol means and who it belongs to; It is not only a letter from the princesses. “What is it Twilight?” asks Fluttershy. While her other friends only watched with curiosity what the alicorn was reading. It's classified, unfortunately, Fluttershy, but it looks like we'll have to leave tomorrow. Fluttershy also understood the meaning of that and nodded. "Well, I guess this mean we'll have to accelerate this party a bit more before you leave..." Said Pinkie her new party howitzer. May 23rd, 1020 ALB. Open Pit Crystal Mines, 50 kilometers southwest of The Mountain, United Dragon Islands. Among the mountains of the dragon islands, a helicopter could be heard passing by, a REAF Dragonfly brand-new helicopter, there were Fluttershy, Twilight and Spike observing the landscape, very far from home. “How serious do you think this incident was? – asks Fluttershy, almost deafened by the pistons of the vehicle's engine – This is the first time something of this magnitude has happened in all the time of investigation." “Apparently from reports, pretty bad, flutters, Admiral Cynosura didn't say anything else to me when she met us at the port.” “From what I see in the report, Twilight, it is serious.” Spike says, flipping through the papers. After a few minutes, the helicopter passed the last mountain, flying towards a large esplanade between the cliffs, revealing the mine and the magnitude of the catastrophe that had occurred: More than half of the open pit mine had collapsed into a huge sinkhole whose depth could not be seen, beside the big landslide that destroyed the other half. “Dear Celestia.” The three exclaimed. After circling the mine a few times looking for a landing spot, the aerial vehicle finally prepared to touch down. There Dragon Lord Ember, a General and two cream and cyan ponies dressed in suits were waiting for them. “My pleasure, Your Majesty, I am General Whiplash, commander of the Southern Military Region. How good it's you that you arrived; I guess you already know Dragon Lord Ember and the SMILE agents, Lyra Heartstring and Sweetie Drops.” The general greets. “Hi, Ember, long time no see.” Spike says, going for the hug. “Hello, Spike... how long too.” Ember says, a bit embarrassed. After everypony greeted between them, Whiplash intervenes: “As you know from the reports, Your Majesty-” “Just Twilight, please.” “Apologies, Miss Twilight. The situation is changing and workers and machinery that were buried by the collapse continue to be found, however, we haven't descended into the abyss; the truth is, we already gave up on those who fell.” Whiplash says. “How many workers were there?” Fluttershy asks. “Approximately 200 died in the slope collapse, and we believe that another 100 fell into the abyss. Most of them are ponies and zebras that were unable. The injured are thousands, Celestia-knows-how-many missing there are.” "Oh no." Fluttershy says, her heart shrieking. “And why was SMILE called to this place? It was just an earthquake, wasn't it?” Twilight asks. “That's a good question, Twilight.” Lyran intervenes, as Sweetie pulls a paper from her saddlebag, with a seismograph pattern more like a plateau than natural seismic waves. “You see, Twilight, this seismological pattern seems extremely strange to us, we cannot identify it or know its origin; but this was what was detected at the time of the collapse.” Sweetie says. “How strange, I have never seen patterns like this... – Twilight says, seeing the sheet – Have they already gone down to the mine? There may still be people.” “We would do it ma'am, but we are waiting for the Special Engineers Corps.” Whiplash answers. “Special Engineers? Couldn't they just fly down or on a rope?" Spike asks. “It's true, sir, but we have detected large concentrations of radioactivity in the crystals down there, whoever goes down without a special suit has probably already died painfully by now, so the Corps of Engineers will arrive in an hour, they're prepared for this. ” “I'll help with the injured in the meantime, if you don't mind.” Said Fluttershy. Fluttershy entered the medical tent, it was full of creatures of all kinds, injured miners, broken bones and wounds still unhealed. Lots of body bags too. She approached a bed where a nurse was trying to heal the wounds of a zebra, he was breathing hard and she noticed his suffering. Fluttershy was no stranger to injuries, but her heart was also no stranger to the pain of seeing someone like that. She immediately noticed what kind of injuries he had, she had seen them before. They were not cuts or bruises, these injuries were radiation injuries. This poor soul's cells were being annihilated. "What happened?" the pegasus asked him. "The creatures of this world...we came...we destroyed the earth...we ripped holes in her skin...now she gave birth to a demon..." he said, breathily. The yellow pegasus's heart twisted in pain when he heard his suffering. Suddenly she heard several trucks and a helicopter arrive. When the engineers arrived, they began to prepare for the descent; in the end, Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike weren't able to fly there, because those HAZMAT suits were extremely cumbersome to wear. "Rarity'd have a stroke if she saw one of these..." Twilight thought. The descent was slow but sure. Approximately 50 meters down, the cavern was extremely spacious and dark. “Are you sure I have to go too?” Fluttershy asks, terrified. “You don't have to, flutters, you can stay and continue helping, we'll communicate on the radio. Channel 1.” Twilight says before the soldiers help her hook onto the rope and go down as well. “Team from surface to descent, do you copy?” Says one of the soldiers who accompanied them. "Strong and clear." They answer him. Several soldiers and workers also went down with them. “How strange, this doesn't seem natural either, I've been to many caves, mountains and so on, I've never seen anything of this magnitude…” A soldier mentions. “Curious,” a soldier remarks when checking his Geiger counter, “the radiation levels are at half, it is as if contact with the outside air had catalyzed something.” The lamps break the gloom of what was the cabin, some ponies were recording, others were taking photos, the camera flashes were like lightning in the darkness. Suddenly they see a figure in the darkness of the cave. Twilight soon comes over to see. It was a equine-like figure. Her heart filled with dread when she saw that this thing was a dead body. The Geiger counter was crackling like crazy. Suddenly a flash from the camera revealed the disturbing scene, several ponies and other creatures piled up on the floor of this cavern. She jumped in fright. "They sent another 50 workers down here before we arrived and learned how dangerous the cave was... – Whiplash said, grimly. – To look for survivors." The bodies were unrecognizable. "The rescuers did not return." Lyra added. The alicorn and the dragon continued to illuminate the cave. “Spike, do you see this?” Twilight points out with her magical light. The ponies accompanying them, in order to have more visibility, turn on several halogen spotlights, illuminating the cavern entirely, revealing that in front of them an enormous bone, a giant rib; not just one, but an entire row, a spinal column that stretched across the cavern leading to the fossil of an absolutely gigantic skull. "A dragon?" Sweetie Drops asks. “I don't think so, this is something much bigger, I don't think the largest modern dragons could ever have been so massive, this one is over 100 meters.” Pointed the purple alicorn. “Could this be what you've been researching all these years, Twi?” Spike asks. “It's possible, but I don't think it's him either, this one is fossilized, this is very old; it must be older than Equestria itself, easily millions of years.” Twi emphasizes. “Hey, look at this!” Lyra shouts. As they all go they see two huge fang-shaped protuberances hanging from the ceiling of the cavern, they look like rock formations, but they are definitely not rocks. As they approach, their Geiger counters began to crackle. "What's that?" Spike asks. “Perhaps a kind of egg, a sleeping spore… the bones are fossilized but this is not; perfectly preserved for millennia.” Twilight analyzed. Upon illuminating this tusk, she finds another one that looks similar, however, it was broken. “Fluttershy, can you see from there?” Twilight calls on the radio. Fluttershy's crackling voice could be said "Yes... more or less... it's like something... came out... of that thing..." The attention of everyone there was interrupted by the sound of a helicopter at the end of the cave, towards the other side. “Fluttershy, has the helicopter taken off yet?” Twilight asks. “Yes… ten minutes ago.” she responds with some static. So the group begins to walk towards the other side of the skeleton, finding a huge skylight in the cavern that led outwards, dazzling all the members of the expedition, towards where the helicopter was flying over a second entrance and a huge trail of sinuous destruction that led to the Fire Sea. “H-1 to mission control… Do you copy?” The pilot asks. "10-4, H1." Whiplash answers, looking up at the end of the cave. “We have something big out here.” 1. The Summer Islands Test.November 8th, 1016 ALB, Trotter Atoll, 915 kilometers east of Puerto Caballo. After many weeks of indecision, the Princesses have already given the military the green light to begin the tests in the southern seas, but these are not just any tests, it's a hunt. Trotter Atoll is a hive of activity, everyone doing their part in the test: soldiers, engineers, scientists, marines and pilots, all working to complete preparations on time. Operation Hurricane was reaching its final preparatory phases, the small island chosen among the other 22 of the atoll is called Anguila, or that is the name given by the fisherponies of Puerto Caballo. Multiple rings of sensors, cameras and measuring instruments were installed around the island and in the center was the burning heart of the operation: Hurricane III, Equestria's third nuclear device, whose capacity was approximately 25 kilotons, designed by the Luna Nova Institute of Nuclear Research; approved by Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle themselves. A few hours before minute 0, aboard the battleship ERNS Puddinghead, General Whiplash was speaking with Admiral Madoor Stroghammer: “Admiral, how long until the test?” “About three hours and twelve minutes until our objective arrives; according to the hydrophones, it is south of the Méridiennes – she says, checking her notes – Why, general?.” “Just curious, Marshal Blueblood and the Princesses want to put an end to this possible menace immediately; they're worried about the growing power of the Griffonian Empire and Stalliongrad, so Their Majesties wanted whatever is there to disappear.” The general says. “Don't worry, Whiplash, after this firecracker goes boom, Their Majesties will have no more worries about creatures attacking ships. – Says the admiral, looking through her binoculars – Oh, look, the New Mareland, Hippogriffia and Puerto Caballo Fleets have arrived.” Dozens of foghorns came from the ships approaching the fleet. "Indeed... – Says the general – I hope we are at a safe distance, this one is more powerful than the others.” “We are 30 kilometers from the island, Whiplash, calm down and enjoy the fireworks… – after checking the clock – By now, they should be starting to evacuate the atoll.” 15 minutes until detonation. The last ships to leave Anguila finally join the joint fleet, 30 kilometers from the island. Alerts and orders could be heard on the megaphones: “Attention, everypony to your positions, 15 minutes until detonation. I repeat, everyone to your positions, 15 minutes until detonation.” On the bridge, the atmosphere felt extremely anxious, Admiral Stronghammer, although undaunted, felt the enormous pressure of the mission entrusted to her. “Attention, gentlemen, target less than 15 minutes away, everyone attentive.” Whiplash was also feeling the pressure, "Will it work?" was the question that clouded his mind. 5 minutes until detonation. Once everyone was in their positions, observing and waiting. The atmosphere was tense. Scientists and soldiers making their last estimates and bets before the moment of truth. "Tell me, Whiplash... what'd happen if this creature doesn't go to Tartarus after such explosions." Asks Stronghammer, observing the peacefulness of the ocean. "I can't imagine, one worked well for Vraks, maybe we'll need a bigger bomb?" Whiplash says. "Who knows..." “Objetive in sight, 10 kilometers, at 9!” A sailor shouted. Suddenly everyone turns to look in unison, the tropical sea, so calm at this time of day, begins to rage when something enormous makes an appearance, giant thorns, a moving island comes out from the water; they can't see anything below water but it's certainly enormous. Alarm sirens are heard from the dozens of ships gathered there, conversations fall silent. “Well, Whiplash, here comes the moment of truth – says the admiral before taking the intercom – Attention, four minutes until detonation.” 1 minute until detonation. “Attention, 60 seconds!” Immediately afterwards, everyone puts on their eye protection glasses. "30 seconds." On that island, on the nuclear device, an image of a crossed-out creature is seen. This bomb is for that thing. "10 seconds." The creature approaches that paradise island. "5" "4" "3" "2" The waves of the sea, already raging by the enormous creature, become even more agitated when a huge head starts coming out of the water. "1" . . . Silence, everything was silence when the evening sky began to shine as if Celestia had summoned thousands of suns in a second on that little southern islet. The silence only meant one thing: Hurricane III had successfully detonated. The silence was thunderous, as everyone was shocked by the enormous fireball that was unleashed on Anguila. Tartarus has been opened. Seconds later a wave of energy would come that shook everything, from the entrails of the ponies to the keels of their ships, sounding their alarms. Admiral Strongahammer had a hard time getting up from her daze, but when she recovered she saw nothing on the island and said: “General Whiplash… call Canterlot. We've got it." Author's Note Well, there we start my first adventure in the fanfic world, I hope you've enjoyed it. Stay tuned because I'll be publishing a new chapter every week! 3. The New Manehattan Nuclear Accident.Author's Note And here comes another chapter, I hope you enjoy it. 3. The New Manehattan Nuclear Accident. May 20, 1020 ALB. Luna Nova, Equestria. Starlight Glimmer has definitely had bad weeks before, especially during the war, she did everything to support the war effort, she even enlisted, although in the end she was relegated to the second line, at least she did her bit for victory and that was more than enough for her. After she walked away from Twilight and her friends and left Ponyville to seek her own adventures with her powerful friend Trixie, life ultimately hasn't always smiled on Starlight. When they were recruited for the Manehattan crystal-based atomic bomb project, chosen for their great knowledge in crystal science and unorthodox magic, she didn't expect anything until she ran into Twilight, Fluttershy, and Spike again, situation which she did for some reason never imagined she would live, but she was happy to finally see them again after a long time and not just by correspondence. Although life and work did not always smile at them, being with familiar faces in such a transcendental project is something that keeps their morale high, despite the fact that the three ponies already mentioned are called from time to time to jobs that, at the it seems Starlight and Trixie aren't authorized to know. They weren't allowed to get answers, so they stopped worrying about it, plus they weren't the only ones having fun, misses Lulamoon and Glimmer were also sent to... Seminars, tutorials and consultancies? Yes, this definitely wasn't an adventure, but the pay is good and they get to travel from time to time, so they don't complain much either. The worst comes when they were finally able to go to Ponyville again to meet up with those friends they left in search of adventures, however, they were told that they will have to postpone it unexpectedly because a colleague got sick and now they will have to travel to New Manehattan. “Great, now that we could finally go to Ponyville after so long and now this, what could be worse?” Starlight exclaimed. "Don't worry, Starlight, we can go back to Ponyville one of these days, Twilight will have to wait for us, because I will be the greatest and most powerful consultant on magic and atomic stuff that New Mareland has ever seen, and you as my faithful assistant... of course." The blue unicorn says, much to Starlight's dismay. May 22nd, 1020 ALB. New Manehattan, New Mareland. The Sapphire City was a large metropolis, as bustling as its original counterpart in Equus, built by migrants from the three continents, one of the commercial epicenters of Griffonia, this city is the second most important in the Commonwealth of New Mareland, as well as one of the great centers of operations for the United Ponies Alliance, not many miles from the shores of the empire of the young Kaiser Grover VI. It was a mild morning in the city and the newspapers announced a moderately hot day. Starlight and Trixie had barely arrived at their lodging in the early morning, with good views to the bay, by the way. “Well, Trixie, good morning, as I remember when they told us when they picked us up at the airport, they will come for us in an hour, so we better get ready.” Starlight says, flipping through the newspaper she bought a few hours ago. “Don't you find it fascinating how technology has advanced so much that now planes can take us across the ocean in such a short time? The great and powerful Trixie is still amazed by that.” “Yes, I think that was part of the development program of Equestrian Airways and Northern Development… – Starlight stops her talking to focus on an article – Wow, it says that there was a mining disaster on the Dragon Islands, it says that the Special Engineers Corps were deployed to prevent more victims from the collapse…” “You know, Starlight, mining is dangerous work. – Trixie responds, interrupting, while checking her bags. – By the way, don't you know if I brought my toothbrush? May 22nd, 1020 ALB. New Manehattan Nuclear Plant, New Mareland. After passing through a couple of security checkpoints and identifying themselves about five times, Starlight and Trixie are finally greeted by another general and the head of the plant. “Good afternoon, Trixie Lulamoon and Starlight Glimmer, I am Radiant Glow, head of the New Marelander nuclear program; I have heard many things about you and your work, as well as Twilight and Fluttershy. I am sure it will be an honor to work with you.” “The pleasure is ours, we also know of your good work in this part of the world.” Starlight states. “Good afternoon, ladies, a pleasure, I am General Nightlight Charm, head of the fourth military district; an apology for the high security, but we are worried that some infiltrator of the empire will enter a place as delicate as this and we cannot make exceptions. We even have magic inhibitors in the facility, only telekinesis is allowed, by the way.” The Thestral says. "Don't worry, general, the great and powerful trixie will inform you of any irregularities if there are any." “Well, very well, ladies, I will show you your temporary offices. Over here please. – Radiant Glow tells them. – As you will see, we are an institution…” Her presentation was interrupted by a slight earthquake that caused the lights in the corridor to flicker. “What in the name of Tartarus was that?” Starlight asks. Radiant Glow exhales, thinking about what to respond, while Nightlight intervenes: “We have been suffering from those tremors and earthquakes for the last twenty-four hours; it is possible that it is of imperial origin, but we do not have much to support that statement.” “Yes, just that, this is a problem that we don't know what it is or what causes it. Please join me here better.” The yellow unicorn tells them. Thus, Radiant Glow takes them to the plant's control room instead, taking a sheet of paper coming out of the seismograph and computer reader. “As you will see, the patterns of these earthquakes are abnormal, even the aftershocks have exactly the same pattern. It doesn’t seem natural.” The drawn pattern on the paper looked like a plateau, rather than seismic waves. “This is weird, I can't imagine what this is either, it doesn't seem like any natural pattern that I know of.” Supports Starlight. “Trixie doesn't know this pattern either.” May 25, 1020 ALB. New Manehattan, New Mareland. Back in their lodging. “Yes, Radiant Glow, it doesn't seem like this is tectonic. I am seriously worried about these earthquakes… yes, we will get there in a few minutes… yes, thank you.” Starlight says before hanging up the phone. “This is definitely serious, Starlight.” Trixie says, grabbing her notebook. “I still can't explain what those patterns are... Changing the subject, you did decide to be part of the supervision of the maneuvers in the reactor, right?” Starlight mentions, making notes in her notebook and making copies of the patterns. “Indeed, Starlight, the Great and Powerful Trixie will be supervisor as you requested.” Said the ex-magician, combing her mane. "Be very careful please." May 25th, 1020 ALB. New Manehattan Nuclear Plant, New Mareland. The situation was tense in the corridors of the plant. “How serious are these earthquakes?” Starlight asks. “Same pattern as the last few days since we detected them on the Dragon Islands, but they're getting stronger. The last one was detected off the coast of Port Harbor.” Radiant Glow says, pulling out more measurements while trotting. "When?" "Two hours ago." In the basement, Trixie and several other ponies, dressed in HAZMAT suits, prepared to enter the service corridors. “Alright everypony, Trixie wants us to do this soon.” "Yes, ma'am." Everypony said before entering the long corridor. As they reached the bustle of the control room, Starlight became increasingly uneasy about what she saw on the screens and papers. “I think this is a serious security risk, Radiant, we should shut down at least part of the reactors until we know what these patterns are and resolve them.” Starlight demands. "But…" “The safety of this plant and the city are at risk, Radiant, that's much worse for your reputation than a blackout.” "I still think it's..." "I have operative authority in my contract, Radiant, we're not only attachés to give a couple of classes, we're here for security too." "If we pull this plant offline, it'll take three months to get it back up." Before the discussion could continue, they got interrupted by another earthquake, this one stronger than the previous ones, causing the lights to fail and the alarms to buzz. "You see? Shut down the plant and we’ll figure it out.” Starlight said. Radiant, having lost the argument, just nodded. Thus, all the workers began their work on their panels. Starlight, now worried about what's happening, grabs a walkie-talkie. “Trixie. Starlight speaking, you copy?” In the basement, Trixie's squad was trotting. “Okay, everypony, once-” She was interrupted by an strong earthquake, and the end of the hallway began to fill with a thick white gas that advanced towards the group rapidly. Trixie's hearts sank. “Dear Celestia... run!” “Trixie! Do you copy me?” "Yes, Starlight." The walkie-talkie answered. “Get out of there immediately, if there's a leak in the reactor, your suits won't protect you for more than five minutes, you hear me?” No answer. Anxiety was beginning to wash over Starlight, she has to act. And act quickly. “Radiant, put the doors in that hallway in override, I'll go wait for them.” "But is dangerous." The yellos unicorn protested, but to no avail, Starlight had already started running. “Trixie's down there, I won't leave her there!” The race against time was running out as both ponies ran to the entrance of that hallway. Those long and white-lighted hallways felt like an eternity. Starlight passed by many ponies fleeing the disaster on the way out until she reached the entrance of the hallway. Starlight saw nothing more than pipelines to nowhere. “Radiant, I got to the door, tell me it's in override.” This is Starlight on the intercom. “Affirmative, but we must close it now.” “I'm already here, when they pass I'll close it immediately.” Starlight says before taking the walkie-talkie again. "Trixie, I'm already at the door…" No answer. "Trixie? I am waiting for you…" “I know, I know.” Trixie said before a pipe burst, causing the group to stumble and fall, knocking one out. Trixie could only watch the white gas approach her at insane speed while trying to carry the knocked out companion. “Starlight, we need to seal the hallway, otherwise the entire city will be irradiated.” Said the intercom. "I know!" Starlight said with teary eyes. Before returning to the walkie-talkie. “Trixie?” “Starlight…” “Trixie, I'm here, do you hear me?” “Starlight… We won't make it. You have to close the door... Take care of yourself." “No, no, no, don't say that, run as fast as you can, please.” Starlight said, desperate. “Starlight Glimmer, close that door, please.” They tell her over the intercom. The weight on her shoulders was desperating to the unicorn. With teary eyes and a cloudy mind, Starlight refuses to close that door. No, she can't leave her behind. She can't. She can't leave Trixie. She thought. Suddenly, from the end of the hallway a thick white gas begins to approach Starlight rapidly. The gas approached the unicorn at an insane speed. It was just a few meters from her now. “Starlight!” In a cry of desperation, the unicorn presses the button, sealing the door permanently. The alarms were ringing and Starlight was in the floor, sobbing. Suddenly a knock is heard on the door, drawing the attention of a devastated Starlight Glimmer. In the small window that overlooked the hallway, several desperate ponies, including Trixie, could be seen peeking out. “I'm sorry.” She said to the her friend on the other side. Starlight's eyes were full of tears as she saw her best friend. As a second set of security hatches were closing, the two inseparable friends see each other for the last time. “Don't worry, Starlight… – says Trixie, taking off her helmet. – The great and powerful Trixie will be able to handle it… take good care of yourself.” The purple unicorn could only see the small window disappear behind the hatches. The hatches were now totally closed. 4. New Manehattan Exclusion Zone.September 2nd, 1024 ALB. Ponyville, Equestria. The doors of the train open onto the Ponyville train station, larger and busier after the wartime railroad expansion eight years ago. From the train coming from the Crystal Empire, Sunburst leaves, who comes, after a long time, to visit old friends. Sunburst was and has also been one of the most important researchers of the Crystal Empire, as well as a representative of the empire's research system in Equestria and the Alliance; However, this visit was not for work, this is social. He was welcomed with open arms, of course. “Tell me, Sunburst, what have you been doing all these years? It seems like very important things, since you haven't visited here for how long? five years…” Twilight says, while they were playing Dragon Pit. “Oh, mainly weaponry, it's the only thing the military is interested in, weaponry and spells are the only thing they know how to ask for. Besides, being a representative of the Crystal Empire in the Alliance takes up a lot of time.” Sunburst says, planning his next roll. "What about you?" “Well, being the head of research alongside Fluttershy and Spike also takes up a lot of time, but we were finally able to meet again. Although it doesn't look like we'll be staying in Ponyville for many more days again.” Twilight says throwing her dice. 2. “How about the other girls?” Sunburst asks, now rolling the dice. 5. “Oh, well, as far as possible. The war wasn't easy for anyone, but they already live normally, compared to Fluttershy and me. To Fluttershy, her sanctuary is everything, but work is work, so she entrusts it to Discord most of the time. Rarity went to Manehattan for a few days on business, but decided to take the Cutie Mark Crusaders with her, Applejack went too, they will be back in a couple of weeks. Rainbow Dash is with the wonderbolts almost every day and Pinkie is still Pinkie.” Twilight says, after throwing a dice for her dragon to be trapped. "Heck…" “What about Starlight, I want to know if she's having a better time after the New Manehattan disaster and the loss of Trixie.” Sunburst asks with another dice roll. 1. It could be better, much better. She went to New Hoofington to investigate what happened two years ago. After Trixie passed away and the city was immediately evacuated, she was extremely affected by what happened; she has been, since 1020, obsessed with the incident, I don't know how her room is now that she lives there and resigned the Luna Nova Institute, and she no longer lives in Equestria." Twilight says. “How difficult that grief must be for her, I don't want to imagine it; I sent her several letters of condolence, but she has responded little. What is certain is that the few letters she sends me are with the theme that it was not an accident and various conspiracies. She didn’t tell me she moved… I miss Trixie too.” Sunburst says, coming in rolling the last roll to win. Suddenly, Spike enters with a letter in his claws. “Hello, Sunburst, long time no see…” Spike greets before turning to Twilight. “A letter from the Princesses, Twilight, seems like another situation.” "What does it say?" Sunburst asks, curious. “It seems that Starlight was caught by the New Marelander police trying to enter the New Manehattan exclusion zone. Dear Celestia, I knew she was obsessed with this, but I didn't imagine she was that much,” says the purple alicorn. “Oh, Celestia, did she really tried that?” Sunburst says, very confused. “Yes, she has. I've tried to convince her not to get obsessed, but she can't get over it... I've tried to convince her that it's not the way, but she doesn't seem to pay attention.” Raising her hooves to her face in anger. "Yup... I think we'll have to change plans to go there, twi." Spike said, reading the letter. “I'll go for her, maybe I can talk to her to make her see reason.” Sunburst offers. “Will you? But you're on your days of rest.” Twilight says. “It doesn't matter, maybe a childhood friend will talk some sense into her. I will do it… – Sunburst says, already decided on what he will do. – I will need her papers." “Sure, they're in her room as far as I know.” "Well, let'Š go and see." Said the orange unicorn. When Spike brought the keys to open the room, they found a huge mess. The wall was full of maps, photographs, newspapers and articles; “Nuclear disaster in New Manehattan”, “Cover-up in the Dragon Islands?”, Accident in New Manehattan?” “Nuclear tests of the '16” were some articles that could be read. “Wow, she really is obsessed with the topic…” Sunburst said. “It was something I expected, really. We would all love to find the truth.” “Bioacoustics, nuclear energy, crystals, earthquakes, electromagnetic pulses… These titles are strange, I only recognize a couple.” Says the orange unicorn. “Wow, I don't recognize several either.” “Here are the papers.” Spike interrupts, after opening a drawer. “Thank you, Spike. It’s time to go try to convince her to come home.” Sunburst said. September 6th, 1024 ALB. New Hoofington, New Mareland. The road was long, and the flight was longer, but Sunburst finally reached the busy capital of “The Colony”, Sunset, bustling as always, before taking the last train of the day north. New Hoofington was a small city, but quite busy, especially after the evacuations of New Manehattan, it has now become the center of operations for the United Ponies Alliance in this part of the world. Now only seen on the horizon of what was once a metropolis like New Manehattan, now abandoned to be reclaimed by nature. The city police headquarters was not very big, but it provided a good security environment. There was Sunburst, sitting on one of the benches, asleep from the long trip here, however, he would be awakened by the electronic sound of the door that led to the cells. With half-closed eyes, Sunburst only saw that the officer only brought a teenage colt, with some tattoos on him, whose father soon began to scold him and take him away. As he watched the parents take their foal away, the orange unicorn began to lose his sleepiness and turned to look at the window again. At that moment, an officer escorts a disheveled Starlight to her release, looking at him with resignation. The Luna's night falls on the city, everything is calm. Starlight is being the one who guides her friend to her lodging, which was not very different from her room in Ponyville regarding to order and conspiracies. “I appreciate you taking so much trouble to come here Sunburst, but why did you come?” While putting a kettle on for coffee. “I was with Twilight, she told me how bad you've had it these last few years, I wanted to come help you get back home, get back the life you've lost, help you get over the loss of Trixie, for your sake.” Says the orange unicorn. “I thank you very much, but I won't be able to get my life back until I know what happened there.” Starlight says, turning to the window where the New Manehattan skyline is. “Please, Starlight, you can't live in the past. I will help you have a life.” Sunburst offers. "No. – says Starlight, still looking at the city on the horizon. – Trixie is still there. To me, she will always be there. They evacuated us so quickly…” They conversation was cut after the kettle started whistling. Starlight reapproched to the stove to turn it off. “You have to stop, for your own good… You still have great friends there in Equus, we still have a lot of life ahead of us, come with me and I will help you.” Sunburst says, putting his hooves on her shoulder. The mare looked at him, conflicted. The Celestia's Sun was beginning to rise from the east, beginning a new day for the inhabitants of New Mareland. Sunburst was asleep, but he started to hear hooves trotting and talking. Getting up, only to see that Starlight was talking on a radio to somepony. “Yes… yes… a boat… aha… I'll be there in an hour… aha… thank you.” Starlight immediately begins to gather her things and gets up only to see that Sunburst is there watching her. "What are you doing?" The orange unicorn asks, dismayed. “I'm going back to New Manehattan, Sunburst, I won't take long-” "I can't believe it." "I have to go. I've come back here and wasted the last two years staring through barbed wire, thinking it was some military mistake or some horrible design flaw they were covering up..." Sunburst just stared at her, skeptical of what happens. “…One day, I met a guy, he has a cargo ship. Every day, he passes by the reactor site and I asked him to put up a couple of sonar buoys for me. – says Starlight, putting on a HAZMAT suit. – Two weeks ago, I was checking this thing like I do every day, two weeks ago I tuned it and… Dear Celestia , there it is; Whatever that thing was, whatever they are guarding so carefully, started talking again. "Talking?" Sunburst asks, still skeptical. “Yes, talking. – says Starlight, getting excited. – I have to go back to my old lodging, I need my old notes, records and notebooks, if they are still there. I need the data to be able to prove that this is not a fantasy, that I am not what you now think I am..." Sunburst was now afflicted, he loved Trixie too. He knew his soul needs answers. “I will find the truth… and I will end this. Whatever it takes.” Sunburst, teary-eyed. “Why don't you let her rest, Starlight?” "Because I sent her down there, Sunburst, I sent her..." He says, dismaying Sunburst even more. – This was not a reactor meltdown.” “I don't want to hear it.” He says, remembering the dozens of letters about the topic she sent. “I know, but we can't run away from this, we can't bury all this in the past, Sunburst. You know as much as the importance of this." Sunburst, distraught, stares at Starlight. September 7th, 1024 ALB. New Manehattan Exclusion Zone, New Mareland. The Sapphire City, once a bustling city, was completely abandoned, huge abandoned buildings, streets where nature was gaining more and more ground; what was once the second most important port in the country was now an abandoned bay full of concrete, metal and rot. There were Starlight and Sunburst, in HAZMAT suits and oxygen masks, on a small boat, towards the shores of a city that the world forgot, frozen in time surrounded by danger signs. Wide streets and avenues of abandoned buildings and vehicles, with no visible vestiges of what was once a thriving metropolis. “This place makes my skin crawl, without a doubt. I never imagined that the New Manehattan that once existed would now become this.” Sunburst says, surprised. Suddenly they see a group of stray dogs passing by, chasing something. The mare remained quiet. “Well, that's something, come on… where did you tell me you girls were staying?” Starlight looked weirded out by the pack of dogs, so she took out her Geiger counter. 0.000 “Starlight, what's wrong?” Sunburst says, loonking back at her. Without a word, Starlight puts her hooves on her mask and begins to take off her oxygen mask. “No, no, no, what are you doing?” Starlight just breathes in and out normally. “I knew it!… the radiation in this place should be lethal, but there is nothing, nothing at all.” "What?" Upon arriving at the apartment, they began searching inside; Despite the weeds, the leaves, broken glasses and the noticeable deterioration, nothing has changed since that day. Searching the many corners of the rooms, they find all kinds of personal items, including the many notes and data they were looking for, and a photograph of Trixie and Starlight, taken on some occasion at the Luna Nova Institute, Celestia-knows-how-long ago. Starlight can only look at what once was. They were good times and she didn't know it. She couldn't help but shed her tears when she found the old magician hat that Trixie always wore, even though she was no longer one. “I'm so sorry, Starlight.” Sunburst says, moved. “I’ll get to the bottom of this.” The purple unicorn says, determined, with tears in her eyes. "I'm with you." The stallion says. Suddenly, an engine noise began to be heard, while the wind blew the leaves outside. "A helicopter?" Sunburst asks. Walking outside, they see an UH-1 flying over towards the nuclear plant. At the site they can see large tower cranes that illuminate something in the center of everything. A very complex installation, it seems. "What are they doing? Are they rebuilding the plant?” Sunburst asks. “I don't know, I've never seen something like…” Starlight gets interrupted by the engines of a military vehicle that stops a few meters away, much to her disappointment. “Stop there, Military Police, hooves up. Down!" The armed soldiers order them. "Damn." Starlight says. They are immediately arrested and handcuffed in the vehicle that quickly heads to the other side of the bay, towards the Nuclear Plant, at dusk. 5. New Mareland 1024 Earthquake.September 7th, 1024 ALB. Former New Manehattan Nuclear Plant, New Mareland. The road to the nuclear plant wasn't long, soon the transport vehicle carrying Sunburst and Starlight arrived at the first checkpoint, manned by soldiers, all wearing HAZMAT suits and gas masks. What was once an atomic energy facility had become a stadium-like mega structure, with tower cranes with large beacons illuminating and surrounding a large, tusk-shaped rock formation above what was once the nuclear reactor. The tusk gave off a faint reddish light through the base of the formation. This formation could be seen perfectly from the rear of the vehicle, Starlight and Sunburst just watched it with curiosity as the vehicle moved forward. "10 seconds. 10 seconds." A voice said through a loudspeaker. Running, several soldiers carrying boxes rushed to their positions, to wield various magic weapons nod measure equipment, aiming at this formation. Immediately afterwards, the formation begins to flash these reddish colors from the base to the tip. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten times faster and faster until it went off again, interrupting the lights and screens in the control room. “7.2 seconds and more intense. The increase is exponential. – says a yellow unicorn in a lab coat pointing at a screen with a plateau-like pattern. – This is the new curve.” “Thank you Radiant Glow… It's worse than we thought…” Twilight says, observing the patterns. “Miss Twilight, excuse me.” A commander approaches. "Yeah?" “Two ponies were arrested in the exclusion zone.” The commander says. “We have bigger problems than that, Fluttershy will take care of it.” Spike said, downplaying the situation. “She already did, sir, she sent me. She tells me it’s Starlight Glimmer.” Twilight and Spike immediately turned to the commander, surprised. "Who?" Arriving at the interrogation room, they find Fluttershy waiting for them, with Starlight on the other side of a one-way mirror. “We recovered these from her belongings, it looks very interesting.” Fluttershy says. “What impresses me the most is that the two of them are here.” Twilight says, looking in the mirror, there was her friend talking to two soldiers. “This wasn't a natural disaster, amigo, it wasn't an earthquake or a hurricane, this was not natural… Look, I'm tired of talking about this; I want to see my friend, my friend and I want to know that he's okay. – Starlight says, angrily, them she turns to the soldier who is standing. – You, you know, you know where Sunburst is; I want my friend, I want my backpack and my notes and I want to talk to someone who's in charge. "Miss…" “No, I don't want to talk to you anymore. – then turns her attention to the one-way mirror. – I know what happened here, you can tell the world that this area is deadly, but it's not. This is a vile deception.” At this Twilight, her heart was moved by the great emotionality that her old student was showing, the great pain that came out of her words twisted her insides. So many years of secrecy, so many lies... This is enough, she thought. “Because they are hiding something out there… Am I right or not?… My best friend of all my life died here! Tears of despair were clearly seen on Starlight's face, twisting the hearts of those present. “Something killed my friend! and I have the right to know it. I deserve answers." She says, her voice now breaking. “We should let her go. – Fluttershy says, extremely moved by Starlight's words. – All these notes, the diagrams and the data, data she collected are fascinating. It’s exactly the same pattern we've seen.” “Once we go over everything, I'll be honest with her, I'll stand up for all of this…” Twilight says, thoughtful. “What a data she collected; I thought this information didn't exist.” Spike says, also flipping through the stuff. Suddenly, with a rumble, the lights begin to flicker, interrupting everything. While Starlight points out what happened. “See? There it is again! That's not a failure in a transformer, it's an electromagnetic pulse; it affects everything electric for miles and it's happening again. The two ponies and the dragon, seeing the documents, are stunned by the revelation; now everything fits. “This caused everything the first time! Don't you realize?! – Starlight approaches the mirror. –And it will send us back to the pre-Equestrian age.” Even though Starlight can't see them, they feel her look of frustration touch their souls. “You have no idea what is coming.” Suddenly the lights start flashing again. Making them run back to the control room. “Now the pulses happen in seconds.” Says one thestral scientist. “It's affecting the electrical grid.” Says a pegasus. “Is there a radiation leak?" Radiant Glow asks. “Gamma levels are at zero. – Says another. – It left the three reactors empty.” When Twilight and company arrive, they find the formation blinking more and more strongly, part of it falling near the nearby workers. “It finished feeding.” Twilight says, anxious. “What's this?... it's the same pattern; I remember." Radiant Glow says, flipping through the papers she was given. "Four years ago. It's what caused the meltdown.” Twilight said. The three approached the window. “It was an electromagnetic pulse.” Fluttershy says. “It will eat all the radiation until it's born.” Spike adds. “We have to turn everything off, Fluttershy. We can’t let this thing out.” Twilight says. "O... OK, Twilight..." The yellow pegasus said, nervous. “Secure the network. Fire protocol.” Announces Radiant Glow. Immediately the alarms ring in the facility. soldiers and workers move around the facilities. “To all personnel, clear the first perimeter immediately.” The loudspeaker says. As machinery began to peel off a perimeter of cables and tower cranes moved into position, alarms sounded and ponies cleared the area. In the vehicle that Sunburst was in, the soldiers talk on the radio and get out of the vehicle, to the confusion of the orange unicorn, who from the windows saw the movements of troops and helicopters. "Hey, what's happening?!" He shouts, but it falls on deaf ears. As the cocoon flickered even more intensely, squads of workers ran up the walkways until they were out of the area and pressed safety buttons that activated a buzzer and a lamp. In the control center, a worker speaks on a telephone. “Network secured.” He assures. Immediately afterwards, the cocoon stops flickering before the eyes of an expectant Twilight and a troubled Fluttershy. Silence filled the place till the alicorn princess spoke. “Kill it.” Radiant Glow nods. After pressing a button, dozens of electric shocks of thousands of volts are fired throughout this “tusk.” Destroying the tip of it that almost fell on some workers who were too close. Dozens of lightnings struck the formation. The discharges lasted for several seconds that seemed eternal to Twilight until the cocoon stopped flickering, leaving the facility in an eerie silence again. “Readings are flat.” A worker announces, pointing at the screens. The tusk had now a big opening of its tip. “I want image.” Radiant Glow orders. A soldier was climbing the metal stairs towards the opening created by the electric discharges, who began to illuminate the cavity with his flashlight. The pony didn't say anything as he illuminated a kind of gray slime, drawing his attention to something at the bottom of the cavity that was moving. "What the buck is that?" The soldier thought, getting closer to see better. It was gross to watch the slimely thing move. Suddenly that thing shot out, destroying everything in its path, breaking its chrysalis. Emerging a gigantic insectoid creature, two long front legs, two shorter hind legs, arms and enormous wings. The longest legs, with a single curved claw, destroyed part of the perimeter, almost crushing several workers who were now fleeing the area; the creature let out a deafening growl and with a devastating swipe of its paw, it sent a shockwave through the ground. that would turn off all the lights. The creature stood like a living mountain, its red eyes burning with a primordial ferocity, trying to liberate itself. “Celestia. Check the network, it was EMP. We're losing power.” Radiant says. “Go get Starlight, Fluttershy, run.” Twilight asks, as the lights and all the facility's systems are turned off. Inmediately after, the yellow pegasus runs out the room. Inside the vehicle, Sunburst's confusion grew more and more at the blackout and the strange sounds coming from the center of the facility. In the interrogation room, Starlight saw that the electronic door had stopped working, opening. The control room was a medley of voices and reports screaming about burned circuits and downed systems. “Emergency generators online.” Someone says. As the facility's lights reactivated, they revealed the magnitude of the creature that was breaking out of its cocoon and freeing itself from the cables that surrounded it. That thing has been released, and it's going to the control center's direction. “Evacuate, immediately.” Twilight orders, gathering up whatever papers she could next to Spike. Thus, the chaos in the room unleashed as the evacuation began. Starlight was walking through the different hallways, looking for an exit, there was no point, she was lost and disoriented by the pandemonium that had broken out. Finally finding the roof, she could see what she had predicted, this enormous creature with red eyes and several legs that moved and twisted to free itself from the cables. Astounding her. But now only one question was on her mind: “Where's Sunburst?” Inside the truck, Sunburst was growing restless, seeing that the fire team had arrived at the scene. "Hey, let me out!" He yelled. However, in the chaos, his cries for help were in vain. The ponies that climbed out of their vehicles were only met with the creature's claws holding the facility's support cables, pulling the tower cranes downward. It didn't take long before the crane supports gave way to the pressure and began to fall one by one in a domino effect. Starlight saw several ponies pass by, whom she warned not to go through the scaffolding, however, this was also in vain when a crane fell, ending the lives of this group on the spot. Starlight managed to teleport in time. Outside the facility, Twilight and Spike were waiting for Fluttershy to come with her friend, however, she would arrive with empty hooves. “And Starlight?” Desperate question. “She escaped, I couldn't see her.” Says the shy pegasus. “Sunburst!” Starlight screams, looking for her friend, however in such chaos, her screams fall on deaf ears. When another crane falls, almost crushing her, but also managing to avoid it. The metal structure with the cabin began to slide due to the inertia and the cables. The mare avoided the moving pile of metal and watched it going into the abyss rapidly. She saw that the crane hit a vehicle, causing it to violently overturn until it collided with a wall, she managed to see something inside, something orange. "Oh no. Sunburst!” Starlight shouts, running on full adrenaline now. The purple unicorn also managed to see in the cabin of the fallen crane a poor pony desperately yelling for help before falling into the void to his doom. As she ran towards the vehicle where Sunburst was, she hears a rumble that makes her stop and turn around. A huge one-clawed leg, the enormous creature that had managed to free itself from its captivity in front of her, in its maximum splendor. The paws of this thing crushed everything and those unfortunate enough to be in its path, ponies, vehicles and structures. Seeing such a creature towering her, fear invaded every corner of Starlight's mind, her heart was beating frenetically, every sound of the creature amplified by terror. Taking refuge in another overturned vehicle next to her, the purple unicorn could only think about putting on a gas mask that she found next to her and pray. With the hissing sound of the mask on her face, her hyperventilating and the large amounts of adrenaline that her body had been going down, feeling her heart pounding, Starlight began to lose consciousness. The last thing she saw that night was the creature unfolding a pair of wings and taking flight. The giant disappeared into the darkness of the night. After that there was nothing. September 8th, 1024 ALB. SMILE Outpost Number 15, New Manehattan, New Mareland. Daylight revealed the extent of last night's destruction at the SMILE site and Twilight searched hard among the hundreds of wounded and the dozens of bags with bodies inside, hoping to find her friend, still nothing, but there's still a lot to look for. Finally she saw her, a purple unicorn helping a couple of rescuers, removing an orange pony from inside a transport truck. "Oh Celestia, no.” Twilight says, approaching. The night before definitely wasn't easy for anyone, when Starlight woke up, emergency crews had just arrived at the scene. Disoriented and exhausted, she restarted the search for her friend. It wouldn't take long to find him and for rescuers to find them too. Sunburst was still unconscious, he looked terribly beaten, but his chest was moving. Good sign. “Starlight!” Someone yells, making her turn around. “Twilight? When and how did you get here?” The unicorn says, confused. “It's… hard to explain, Starlight. You see…” Twilight says before being interrupted by the calls of Fluttershy and Spike. “Fluttershy? Spike? Did they also come with you?” The alicorn was about the open her mouth to speak again, but was interrupted again. “Twilight. They want to talk to you, come.” Fluttershy yells at her. “I'll be back.” Twilight assures her, leaving her old student with her friend, confused. After passing several piles of twisted metal, Twilight finds her two friends, along with a red-coated pony admiral and several uniformed creatures behind. “Oh, Twilight, this is…” Fluttershy says before being interrumpted. “Admiral Madoor Stronghammer, commander of the joint naval forces of the United Ponies Alliance, I come with explicit orders from the princesses. – Delivering a letter that Spike had belched up. – The direction of SMILE and its operations will be assumed in its entirety by the Joint High Command of the Alliance. You'll have to come with me. Do you need any staff?” Twilight after reading the letter and confirming the order, began to think and see around, only wounded and bagged corpses of what was once the control room staff could be seen. And there they were the two unicorns. "Yeah. Fluttershy, Spike and… – pointing towards where Starlight and Sunburst were. - Both of them. 6. Gojira.September 8th, 1024 ALB. Discovery Coast, 60 kilometers southwest of New Manehattan, New Mareland. Starlight was watching the doctors take Sunburst's vital signs, as the two helicopters piloted by hippogriffs flew over the ocean to Celestia-knows where. Starlight could only continue to wonder what was going on, “Why did Twilight tell them she needed us to come with them? How does Twilight know these military guys? What did she want to tell me before? Where are we going?" Her mind was a mess of questions and thoughts. Her thoughts were interrupted by the moans of Sunburst who finally regained consciousness. “Star… Starlight…” the orange unicorn asks, disoriented. “It's okay Sunburst, we are now safe, we will arrive soon and you will receive complete medical attention.” “What… What happened?” The stallion asks, rubbing his head in confusion. “Basically a crane hit your vehicle and sent you flying, Sunburst.” She tells him, trying to lighten the mood. “What a trip.” Sunburst says, looking at the ceiling. “Well yes, but don't worry, it looks like it was just several bruises and broken bones.” “Where…where are we?” “Flying in a helicopter somewhere in the sea, I don't know either.” His question would soon be answered, as they saw through the window that the two aircraft arrived at their destination, a group of three aircraft carriers along with their escorts, sailing in formation. Starlight was amazed, it was the first time she has seen a ship of this size. “Control, A-2 ready to land.” Said the hippogriff who was the pilot. "Copy that. Proceed.” They answer him. They saw the carrier deck get closer as the heli landed. September 8th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Discovery Coast, 66 kilometers southwest of New Manehattan, New Mareland. “Welcome aboard, Your Majesty, to the RHS Seatoga of the Royal Hippogriffian Navy, Admiral Seaspray at your service, leader of this joint squadron. Feel welcome on this ship, if you need anything, I will be on the bridge, speaking with Admiral Stronghammer.” “Thank you very much, Seaspray, we will be with you in a some minutes, but first we need medical help for that pony over there.” Twilight points out to the orange stallion. "Immediately." Twilight, Fluttershy, and Spike were waiting for Starlight outside the infirmary, grieving over Sunburst's injuries, when their attention is drawn to an emerging Starlight. "How's he doing?" They ask, reaching out to hug her. “They tell me he will be fine, though he suffered several bruises and a couple of broken bones, he will have to use crutches for a long time, according to the doctor. – Starlight said, still thinking about what happened yesterday. – And I still wonder go w did you get here? I thought you were in Ponyville or Luna Nova.” Twilight could only exhale, the moment of truth finally arrived for her. "You see, Starlight, for years we have been working on a secret project that started before the Great War: SMILE, or Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria, and since we were recruited for the Manehattan project, we were also recruited by the agency. I'm the head of this operation." As if it were a bucket of cold water, Starlight felt like her world was collapsing again knowing that her former teacher knew everything and never said a single word. Anger started flooding her thoughts. "At first SMILE only dealt with the monsters we are already used to, then it expanded to espionage and national security, but since these great creatures appeared, our work focused on them." "Why?... why? You were in charge of everything, you knew about New Manehattan, you always knew and you didn't say anything?!” says a Starlight, complaining. “I was forced to maintain silence...” “Yes, of course, you and your secrecy. That damn secrecy took Trixie and more than four years of my life, for what? For another one of my closest friends to almost die escaping from that bucking thing?” Faced with the accusations, Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike could only remain silent. “Your desire to learn and study these aberrations has only led to more calamities, deaths and destruction, the ineptitude and little appreciation for life that you've had is incredible; no, you never had. First you lead the creation of those bombs that will destroy the world, and then you let a nuclear plant collapse and kill dozens in order to keep your secrets secret. Unbelievable." Starlight says, her voice now broken by her sobs. The three of them fully knew that they could not defend themselves against these accusations and they only limited themselves to giving her a light hug. “I have no defense, Starlight, we made serious mistakes and we failed you, we failed Trixie, I failed dozens; Now their lives weigh on my conscience. I have no right to ask for your forgiveness.” The unicorn mare gave no answer. She liberated all the weight on these years by crying. A couple of minutes passed as Starlight's sobs subsided for her to speak again. “Tell me… – Starlight says, distressed. – Do you have anything else to say?” “Actually… Yes.” In the meeting room, a projector had been installed on the central table, pointing at a white board. There sat Twilight, Fluttershy, Spike, Starlight and several other workers. “Okay, Spike, start the presentation, please.” Twilight asks. When they start the projection, they could watch a Royal Equestrian Navy propaganda film about a submarine, the ERNS Galaxy. Then the narrator started his speech: "This is the ERNS Gakaxy, the first nuclear submarine in the world..." “Now let's talk without more secrecy. At the beginning of 1016, when the first nuclear submarine reached the depths, something awakened.” Twilight says, interrupting the recorded speech of the film. “Equestria believed it was the Empire, the Empire believed otherwise, or maybe Stalliongrad.” Fluttershy follows. “All the nuclear tests that year and the next... – Spike mentions, when the projector presented the different films of the nuclear tests in the summer islands. – They were not tests. They were trying to destroy it.” "Destroy what?" Starlight asks. "It. – Twilight points to the frozen frame of a huge animal with thorns on its back coming out of the water. – An ancient Alpha predator.” Starlight, now baffled, leans over to see the projection better. “Millions of years older than ponies, griffins or any other nowadays creature.” Fluttershy exposes. The film was showing a cave system and ponies with Geiger counters. “From a time when Faust was ten times more radioactive than it is today.” Spike adds. The film was now showing a taxonomic tree. “This animal and others like it consumed that radiation as food, but when the levels dropped on the surface, these creatures adapted to the depths. In the subsurface, absorbing radiation from the planet’s core.” Fluttershy says. The film was now showing the logo of SMILE, the coat of arms of Equestria with the two sisters, and the seal of CLASSIFIED. “When the Princesses found out about this, they entrusted the mission to SMILE to search, understand and learn as much as possible of it, expanding into a multinational coalition.” Spike explains. After the end of the film, the presentation now returned to the frozen image of the titanic animal coming out of the water. “The legends and tribes of southern Zebrica call it... Gojira.” Twilight says, turning to look at her. “The peak of a primitive ecosystem… A God, in every sense of the word.” Adds Fluttershy. "A monster." Starlight intervenes. The presentation now showed clips taken by the Special Engineer Corps. “Four years ago we found a fossil of another giant animal on the Dragon Islands, just like Gojira.” Twilight follows. “The mining incident…” Starlight says, deep in thought. “But that creature died a long time ago, because of that.” Spike says. The image shows the two tusk-shaped formations in the cave. Reminding Starlight precisely of the spore she saw in New Manehattan. “Parasitic spores. One sleeping, but the other was born. It was catalyzed when the mining company unknowingly drilled to the grave.” the pegasus “The creature advanced toward the nearest radiation source it found.” The dragon adds. “The plant where you girls were working in New Manehattan.” The alicorn says, gloomily. “There it created its cocoon, absorbing the energy of the reactor these years.” The pegasus intervenes. “Until it came out, like a butterfly, the creature we saw last night.” The princess of friendship said. “You knew about that thing all along. Why didn't you just kill it a long time ago?" Starlight claims. “He was absorbing radiation, we believed that killing it would release it and risk millions.” Spike explains. “That's why our mission was to contain it, study its biology and understand it. – Twilight adds. – we knew that it affected the surrounding electrical network, but thanks to you we can know that it is an electromagnetic pulse. What else do you know, Starlight?” “According to what I have searched, it seems that it is the call of an animal, it spoke something, it communicated with something. I found a book on echolocation, I think it's just that; In fact, I think something replied, but I can't tell you much more than that.” “Yes, I found that book in your room when I checked, but I passed it by, I don't know I didn't pay attention to, but you certainly did a great job to clarify everything... Fluttershy, go check please, maybe we’ll hear something.” As Fluttershy got up to the screens, the presentation continued, now showing the spore in New Manehattan. “Now that that thing is out, where's it going?” Purple unicorn ask. “The last we knew it was heading southwest, our radars were completely disabled by the EMP it radiated.” Admiral Stronghammer, who had just entered the room, intervenes. “As Her Majesty said, we tried to destroy that thing with nuclear detonations. I was personally supervising the operations. I'm sure that thing went to the depths of Tartarus with that bomb.” As she walked to the board, posting several photographs of the creature taking flight. “We call it MUTO, or Massive Unknown Terrestrial Organism, however, as you will see, it's no longer terrestrial, it's now aerial. The world still believes there was an earthquake in New Mareland and it would be preferable to keep it that way.” The admiral continues her presentation. “Since our radars are blind, we will have to hunt the MUTO visually, Seaspray and I were just discussing that.” “Thank you, admiral… eh… The MUTO is young and growing, it will look for its food. Radiation sources.” Twilight intervenes. “We're monitoring known locations, Starlight, but we're worried that if we don't find it…” Fluttershy adds. "What'll happen?" Starlight wonders. “Nature has a balance, the power to restore that balance. – Says Fluttershy with the image of Gojira behind her. – I believe he has that power.” September 9th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Fire Sea. The situation on the bridge of the RHS Seatoga was chaotic, with all kinds of creatures moving here and there in an incessant search effort. There were Twilight and Starlight talking while Fluttershy and Spike reviewed the readings looking for matches. “I don't think this monster hunting thing is for me, Twilight, I need a break, I need to go back to Ponyville… I'll take Sunburst with me.” The unicorn says. Twilight can't help but let out a sigh of resignation. “Okay, as the admiral informed, we will pass through Puerto Caballo tomorrow afternoon, I will try to make arrangements so that you can take a special flight for you and Sunburst. I don’t want you to suffer any more than you have already because of me.” “Thank you so much, Twilight… sorry for what I said, so many years of anxiety and obsession made me burst out and rant.” “Don't worry about that, my mistakes have brought us here, I deserved every insult.” September 10th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, 80 kilometers east of Puerto Caballo. Seatoga's flight deck was at maximum working capacity, with Fanthoms II taking off every few seconds and UH-1 in flyby. There were Starlight and her friends adjusting the last details. “Sorry I was only able to get you a military cargo flight to Manehattan, many flights to Canterlot and central Equestria were canceled due to the bad weather forecast. The helicopter will take you to Puerto Caballo for your flight tonight.” Twilight says, amidst the cacophony of planes coming and going. “Don't worry, Twi, that's more than enough. Thank you so much." "In Manehattan there are Rarity, Applejack and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I will send them a message to receive you there, and I'll give you their phone number and ubication, if needed." "Thank you, Twilight, and I just want to tell you... No hard feelings." After a hug between everypony, the two unicorns board the helicopter that soon takes off towards the west. Back on the hustle and bustle of the bridge, Twilight was still leafing through the multitude of notes that Starlight had, without much success while Fluttershy and Spike returned to their work on the screen. “Twilight, I think I found it.” Fluttershy says. The alicorn quickly got up from her seat to see that on the screen was the exact same plateau-shaped pattern, this time higher than the others. “Something replied.” The dragon said. Suddenly the get interrupted by the naval officers' talking. “Admiral Stronghammer, an intelligence report has arrived. The Kaiserliche Marine was mobilized this morning due to the loss of a Bronzetail-class nuclear submarine west of Feathered Isles.” Seaspray informs Stronghammer. “What is it, admiral?” Twilight asks. “A griffon nuclear submarine was lost, Your Majesty, activating an SOS. Its radio beacon tells us that it is north of Puerto Caballo. We already sent a team to see.” “Wait, a submarine in the jungle?” Author's Note Now this is getting interesting. I hope you've enjoyed it so far, we still have many adventures to live! 7. The Battle of Puerto Caballo.Author's Note Well, folks, I promise this is finally getting interesting o-o. 7. The Battle of Puerto Caballo. September 10th, 1024 ALB. City of Puerto Caballo, Puerto Caballo. The doors of the urban monorail opened, letting in new passengers. Among them, Starlight and Sunburst with his crutches. “Tren con Destino a, Aeropuerto Internacional.” The speaker says. “So that's all that's happened so far?” Says the orange unicorn. “Basically, unless they didn't tell me something else, but yeah, that's it... I'm still processing it.” Starlight tells him, sitting on the benches. "Me too..." After seeing them from the corner of their eye, they realize that a curious colt was watching Sunburst in his crutches and cast. They just smile at him. Suddenly, the train doors begin to close, leaving the foal inside and his parents outside. Starlight quickly goes to reassure his parents, who will bring him back, in a somewhat clumsy portcaballese. “No se preocupe, nosotros traerlo.” She yells at his parents. “I didn't know you knew portcaballese.” Sunburst says, watching his friend coming back to take a seat with the foal. “Me neither… and I hope we don't miss our flight. – says Starlight, turning to look at the colt, somewhat scared. – Hola, I am Starlight… he is Sunburst.” In the tropical hills north of Puerto Caballo, a team of soldiers wearing night vision helmets and HAZMAT suits walked through the thick jungle, in which that night was bustling with activity and natural sounds. The only thing that interrupted this orchestra of natural sounds were the steps of their hooves and the hissing of their masks. “Does anyone want to tell me why we're looking for a submarine in the jungle?” Somepony asks. “It must be some mistake, the radio beacon reports a ping at this location.” A teammate responds. “I have a reading… it's up front.” The leader says, now hearing a helicopter approaching. “Ahuizotl-1, this is Hawkeye-2, we received the same ping from the transmitter. Thirty meters, it’s getting hotter.” "Roger that." Ahuizotl-1 replies. As they continue walking and emerge into a clearing, they encounter a large metal structure, causing the transmitter's ping to go crazy. "Seriously?" A soldier asks. The leader approaches and with his gloved hoof and stirs up white slime to reveal a nuclear danger symbol and the words in herzlander: Gefahr. The slime would get stuck on the soldier's glove as he wiped the metal. "Gross." The leader says. Suddenly, when the helicopter flies over with its spotlight, it illuminates a huge bronze propeller and next to it a huge submarine resting diagonally on some trees. The U-176. “TOC, this is Ahuizotl-1, we found the lost submarine…” They warn from the ground. “And you won't believe what else we found.” They say from the helicopter. "What in the name of Tartarus is that?" The co-pilot says. When the aerial beacons pointed to the other side of the submarine they found a huge creature with several pairs of legs and a couple of wings, extracting the submarine's reactor to swallow it. “It seems to rise twenty or thirty meters above the treetops. – Says a soldier on the radio, transmitting to the control room... – and we don't see its width." In the control room, upon seeing the images, they could only remain amazed, thus, Admiral Stronghammer turns to see Twilight and friends. “The truth is out. No more secrets, Your Majesty, the top priority now is security. There are more than a million people on the island.” Twilight could only feel frustrated by the events, as well as worried because her friends were on the same island as that thing. “Admiral Seaspray, I need as many eyes as possible in the air, please.” Stronghammer orders. “Admiral, the hydrophones have detected something… it is coming from the south.” "What is it?" Admiral Stronghammer replies. Twilight expectantly gets up and leaves the room. “Twilight, where are we going?” Spike asks while joining her in the hallway. “I think he's coming. We have to see this.” A bustle of activity could be seen on the decks of the carriers, with various planes and helicopters taking off, going to the city. The city's nightlife was interrupted by dozens of helicopters flying over the beach and into the city. The city police and equestrian military quickly moved and rappelled to the roofs of the large hotel towers, facing north. Citizens testified this, amazed about the sudden mobilization. On the monorail arriving at the airport. Sunburst, Starlight and their temporary protégé were talking in the wagon, when their conversation was interrupted by two jets passing low, startling the colt. "Wow!" He says. The two unicorns could only begin to wonder. "What's going on?" The stallion asks, while the passengers watched the jets. "I... I don't know, but it doesn't look good." The mare says. In the cockpits of the Phantoms the hippogriff pilots communicated with the aircraft carrier. “2-Eagle-6, we circle the target. Waiting for orders..." "Eye contact, target at 12.” His winggriff informs. The fast planes that flew overhead caught the attention of the creature, which was trying to eat. It growled annoyed. As two other planes passed by, the creature dropped a deactivated nuclear warhead, nearly crushing the soldiers below. They shouted alarmed. The MUTO, now angry, began to raise its one-clawed giant foot, resonating like a menacing thunder, which lit up red. Faced with the soldiers' shouts to take cover, the monster stomped its foot that sent an expansive wave throughout the island, turning off all the lights and systems miles around. “Control, I have no power. Mayday, mayday!” The hippogriff calls before crashing into the mountain, killing many of his comrades on the ground in an explosion that could be seen from the beach. The monorail, with the blackout, stopped abruptly next to the airport. The colt that Starlight and Sunburst were carrying was beginning to get restless. “Okay, I bet you the lights come back on in ten seconds.” Starlight tells him, trying to make the colt understand ponish. "Don't worry." Sunburst reassures him. The confused passengers started murmuring. On the beach, in the confusion of what was happening in the mountains to the north, all the ponies were watching what was happening. They were watching a big fireball appear on the mountains. At that, a curious filly turned to look at the beach, where the waves were beginning to retreat out to sea. "Papá..." The filly calls for her dad. The waves start to get further and further from the original coastline. It doesn't take long for her father to turn around, to see the same thing as her and be frozen by the receding sea. His heart sank. The sirens begin to sound. Tsunami. “Control, we see a target two kilometers from your position, it could be an enemy.” A helicopter calls. Fluttershy, Twilight, and Spike were on the flight deck, deafened by the engines of the helicopters taking off. When looking through the binoculars they manage to observe a helicopter that flies over and illuminates a huge rock formation that is approaching... No, those are not rocks. Those are thorns. Three huge rows of thorns moving directly towards the Seatoga. At the shouts of the crew members about the collision, the thorns suddenly sink to pass under the aircraft carrier. The ships' battle alarms sounded as spotlights illuminated the creature's path beneath them. Running to the other side of the deck, they see the enormous thorns re-emerge, the waves pushing aside several destroyers that were in place. The enormous wave would not take long to arrive, destroying and carrying away trees, tourists, cars, everything in its path. With the influx of water into this part of Puerto Caballo, only the rooftops were safe now. The lights of this half of the city went out. Plunging everything into darkness. The creatures, residents and tourists alike, on the rooftops remained dark and silent, when some soldiers on another rooftop released four flares from their rifles, tearing the darkness with their reddish light, sinisterly illuminating the outline of the chest, arms and scales of a colossal creature. Imposingly high, towering over them, walking with a guttural sound. The ponies could only stare at the magnitude of the creature that had just emerged from the sea, amazed and terrified. "Fire at will!" Someone yells. The silence that reigned was abruptly broken by the bursts that police and soldiers began to fire from the roofs. Discharging their magazines at the titan. The shots and the screams of terror of the crowd could be heard in the darkness illuminated by the bursts. Nothing, they didn't do anything to it. Neither a single scratch. The baffled soldiers, stopping their blasts, also limited themselves to watching the colossal creature disappear into the dust and fog among the tall buildings. In the mountains to the north, radios blared incessantly with questions about the situation of Ahuizotl-1. "Ahuitzotl-1, report.... Ahuizotl-1, do you copy?" They could hear. The leader of the operation only took off his mask and watched as the city lights turned back on, revealing a trail of destruction towards the airport. His heart skipped a heartbeat when he saw want went down the hills, leaving that trail of destruction. On the monorail, the lights began to turn on to move forward again. "¿Ver?" Starlight says to the colt, her puertoballese is still a bit clumsy. “Estimados usuarios, lamentamos la inconveniencia...” The intercom said, as the monorail track lit up in sections. The monorail lights would end up illuminating a huge multi-legged creature whose roar was like a trumpet. It was directly on the tracks. Panic spread among the passengers. “Oh not again.” Starlight said as fear washed over her again. “It's that thing?” The orange unicorn said, equally terrified. The monorail, now filled with panicking ponies was moving towards the beast, their screams getting louder and louder. Suddenly a helicopters' machine guns began to fire at the creature, at which Starlight screams for everypony to get down. The helicopters flew over the creature, ceasing to fire. The MUTO just roared in annoyance. The screams of the passengers announced that the creature was even closer, destroying the track and the front of the vehicle, leaving a gap where several unfortunate ones began to fall to their doom. The wagon was almost vertical now. Sunburst was struggling to keep him and the child. Starlight was starting to panic, but had to act, and act quickly. "I got you!" She yelled. Starlight managed to come up with a solution with her clouded mind, and takes Sunburst and the colt into her magic before they fell, managing to hold on to the bench as the monorail went totally vertical. She thanked her brain for thinking straight despite her racing heart. At the Puerto Caballo International Airport the situation was chaotic, with runway technicians running for cover when the MUTO began to step between the parked planes. They were watching the creature without paying attention to the flow of water that had just arrived, wetting their hooves. The creature's howling was like all wind instruments in one place. “Target at twelve o'clock, two hundred meters.” Says the pilot of a helicopter. “We are on 6-X-01, target confirmed.” The co-pilot said. The gunner began to fire, until the helicopter's straight flight would be interrupted not by the MUTO, but by a huge thorn, which forced them to evade, putting them in collision course with the insectoid's wing. "We're gonna crash!" The pilot says, trying to gain altitude. The uncontrollable helicopter crashes into a nearby plane, starting a huge chain reaction that destroys plane after plane. In the airport waiting room, panic was spreading as the planes outside turned into huge fireballs explosions. One by one. The panic scream were getting louder. Screams that were immediately silenced when a colossal lizard's foot stepped a few meters from the window, and a guttural growl was heard. The earth trembled. It didn't take long for the MUTO to notice the alpha predator that had come for it, letting out a warning growl. Before it was an animal, more than a hundred meters high, triple the height of the insectoid; its long tail, sharp bone thorns, with a massive head, sharp teeth, small eyes, elongated and muscular body with extremely robust arms and legs. A formidable creature. An unstoppable force of nature that just came out of the ocean. Announcing his arrival with a shocking roar, worthy of a God who has come to hunt his prey. Gojira has arrived. 8. The Road to Manehattan.Author's Note Hello! I see you've come quite a long way up to this chapter, and I gotta say: First, I thank you for tracking my story, it was done with love and I'm glad you were interested in reading it. Second, after seeing a video of deleted scenes I wanted to included them, specifically three scenes: two in the mining disaster, the other will be in the next chapter. If you already read them after the edit, well, not much to say; if not, maybe you can be interested. This is the video I got those scenes. Author's note: 28/July. 8. The Road to Manehattan. September 11th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. It was dawning in the city that never sleeps, a new day brought by Celestia's sun. The morning activities were now starting. In Rarity and Applejack's hotel room, and the CMC were preparing for the day to come. Business with Coco Pommel continued to keep them here. "I keep wondering why she doesn't answer, Twilight sent us the message that Starlight would return, but no one answers there in Puerto Caballo... that for some reason they're there." Rarity says, frustrated, after hanging up the phone again. “I'm sure she's comin', sugarcube, it's just a matter of waitin' at the airport for sunset.” Applejack says. The discussion continued in the dining room when the Cutie Mark Crusaders began to wake up on the couch, in front of the television on. They stayed up watching TV again. Seeing that they left it on the news channel, for some reason that they cannot explain, they see images of Puerto Caballo. Puerto Caballo devastated. State of Alert… Cities on the South Coast prepare for possible attacks… The joint UPA Aircraft Carrier Group has been deployed… The images of a great battle between colossal animals, destroying everything in their path, one flying, another on the ground, between bites and blows. The winged one flew away, escaping, while the terrestrial one returned to the sea. “Wow, isn't that amazing?” Scootaloo says to the others. “Sister, Applejack, come see! Dragons!” Sweetie Belle yells at her sister. Interrupting their talk, they go to see, only for their hearts to sink as they see the images of the city where they were told Starlight came from. September 11th, 1024 ALB. City of Puerto Caballo, Puerto Caballo. The capital of the Dominion of Puerto Caballo lies in ruins, billions of Bits in damage, thousands dead and injured, and countless others missing. A desolate landscape of rubble, fallen helicopters, semi-collapsed buildings and hundreds of victims after the battle between the alpha predator and its prey ended in a draw. Starlight, Sunburst, and their little protégé definitely hadn't had a good night. They had to get to somewhere, Manehattan, Canterlot, Ponyville, anywhere, but they had to get there; but first, they had to find this foal's parents. Approaching a tent above were several medical ponies. “Good morning, this colt was separated from his parents.” Starlight said. "Yes, fill out these forms and we will get back to you right away." The nurse said. “Hey, are the phones still not working?” Sunburst asks some ponies nearby, getting distracted. “No, all communications are cut off.” Says the stranger. While both were distracted, the colt separates from them. Then Sunburst finished talking and looked back at where he left the colt. “Starlight… And the child?” "What?" Her heart skipped a beat. Stopping what they were doing and turning to look at their surroundings, they begin to get restless. Until they see the colt. "¡Mamá! ¡Papá!" The boy shouts, being hugged by his parents, both fortunately healthy. "Well, that's good." Sunburst comments, relieved. Behind the parents, a military truck passed by. Suddenly, a column of soldiers march in a column, reminding them that they had to get to the continent. Another idea struck the mare's mind. “Soldiers… I have an idea, Sunburst. I joined the army during the war, maybe we can go with them.” The purple unicorn said, approaching the column. “Ah, yes, I'd forgotten about that.” The orange unicorn said. "Sergeant. – Starlight calls a reddish horse. – former private Starlight Glimmer, my friend and I need to get to the continent.” "Bien… ahem… Well, this is your lucky day miss, anything that isn't tied up goes north. The princesses ordered a mobilization of the reserves as well.” “Is that where you’re going?” asks the unicorn. “Yes… – the horse points out, walking away. – Now we hunt monsters, it seems.” “Well, Sunburst. This is our chance.” Both unicorns started walking alongside the military column. The skies over Puerto Caballo were filled with UH-1s, F-4s, C-130s, C-141s, all heading north. September 12tth, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Fire Sea, 100 kilometers east of Saltmane. The Joint Carrier Group of the United Ponies Alliance is heading northeast, at full steam, among the powerful warships is Gojira, in the center of the formation, being flown over by helicopters at all hours. Twilight and friends were outside of the bridge, watching the giant thorns of the swimming creature. “I still can't believe we had to leave Puerto Caballo without first making sure Starlight or Sunburst are in one piece.” Twilight, shocked by what happened yesterday while Spike puts his hand on her back. “Don't blame yourself, Twilight, we must have faith that they are okay.” Fluttershy assures her, before being interrupted by the officers talking inside the command center. “Admiral Stronghammer, come see.” Seaspray calls. They enter the superstructure again. "What's happening?" The admiral asked. According to the tracking and radar models, everything indicates that the MUTO continues north… The models show the targets converging on the coast of Manehattan.” Says the Hippogriff. “Oh buck…” Stronghammer swears. “He's hunting.” Twilight intervenes, before the red-coated admiral continues giving her orders. “Let all ships keep their distance from the target. Monitor the speed and heading of those things, I want to know exactly when and where they are going to make landfall.” Stronghammer commands, then directing her attention to the alicorn. "Mrs. Twilight, what do you mean by he's hunting?...Do you think Godzilla is chasing the MUTO?" “But if the MUTO is his prey…” Fluttershy now intervenes. “The signal shows a call. Why call out a predator?” Spike wonders. “No, I don't think it's that; I think Godzilla was just listening… The MUTO was calling for something else.” Twilight notices. Stronghammer stares at them, confused. “The pattern… Focus the search on Crystal's Edge.” Twilight says, hurrying to the screens. “The Crystal Empire? Why would they go so far north?” Seaspray wonders. "It just can't be. It is impossible." Spike counterargues. “What is impossible?” Stronghammer intervenes. “There was another spore. Intact. – Fluttershy continues. – It was in the Draconian mine.” “But we dissected it, Twi, we did studies on it all these years. – Spike adds. – You yourself confirmed that it was a sleeper.” “Maybe it already woke up.” Twilight answers, looking at the map table. “That spore. Where's it now, ma'am?” Seaspray asks. “It was highly radioactive, the army took it away.” Fluttershy adds, nervously. “They supposedly destroyed it...” Spike concludes. “Miss Twilight. Where is it?” Stronghammer asks, wanting an answer now. “Where do the military keep the nuclear waste?” Twilight asks, looking at the mare admiral. September 12th, 1024 ALB. Yaket Range, 100 kilometers north of Snowbury, Crystal Empire. The column of military vehicles and helicopters moved quickly across the summer green plains of the Crystal Empire, nothing around for many kilometers. There was Shining Armor, after a rude awakening by the message that came from Twilight to his daughter Flurry Heart, preparing his HAZMAT equipment alongside his soldiers in the back of the truck; just like the old days of the Great War, he thought. He already needed some action after so many years of inactivity. “Alright, guys. – He tells the Royal Guard soldiers, and by radio. – Adjust your masks and equipment well, this environment is not pleasant for organic life.” "Yes sir." They all say. “The mission is simple, but vital, each soldier will have to open the hatches of each containment room and see that everything is in order and move on to the next one. Check for anything strange or out of place. Understood?" "Yes sir." They answer him. The convoy moved fast on the road a few more minutes before they approach a mountain. "We've arrived." It's heard on the radio. Mount Everhoof, Nuclear Waste Repository. Restricted area. A couple of guards open the barbed wire doors of the facility. At the entrance to the tunnel the trucks stop, letting all the soldiers get off. “Come down quickly, I want a visual inspection of each vault.” "Yes, sir!" They all yell, running on the hallway. First vault. Open the hatch. Nothing. "Clear." A soldier shouts. Second vault. Open the hatch. Nothing. "Clear." Another shouts. As more vaults were searched only the word "Clear" came. Tenth vault. Open the hatch. Day light. "Here!" A soldier says, making everyone turn around. “Open it.” Shining orders. The ton-weight gate opened slowly, letting in the light of day. The light of day reveals a huge gap in the side of the mountain, on the other side was one of the column's escort helicopters. Everyone present is stunned by the magnitude of such a hole in the solid granite. “What the…” Shining said, going outside and taking his binoculars and getting his mask off. He starts looking through his binoculars. He saw a huge multi-legged insectoid creature heading towards… "Oh no…" The Prince said, with his hearts sinking. The Crystal City. September 12, 1024 ALB. The Crystal City, Crystal Empire. That creature managed to break Cadance's shield. Celestia save us. Chaos was absolute in The Beating Heart, explosions on all sides of the city and a MUTO even larger than the one in New Manehattan, with eight legs and longer, robust arms. The royal family, fortunately, could evacuate to the basement of the palace on time. Many weren't that lucky. In one of the rooms of the Crystal Palace, firefighters knocked on the door, looking for any possible survivors that were left behind. "Is somepony here?" They ask. Nopony answers. After a few well-aimed knocks, they manage to open the door with their hammers, advancing down the hallway only to reveal that more than half of what was once a royal bedroom was now an enormous gap leading outside; helicopters passing by, following the creature that was now heading southeast. They could see the artillery explosions and the tanks' firing hitting that thing to no avail. September 12, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Fire Sea, 150 kilometers east of Saltmane. “Stronghammer, we have the images of the new MUTO.” Seaspray notifies. “Let me see them.” She orders. Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike turn to look at the screen as well. They see how Crystal City is being devastated by this thing, dozens of destroyed buildings, fires everywhere the MUTO walked through and the big gap in the Crystal Palace. Causing them great grief. “Oh no…” Twilight says, raising her hooves to her head in anxiety. “I hope they were able to evacuate them…” Fluttershy says, also anxious. “... Is that my statue?” Spike asks. Only causing looks of scolding at his comment. “It measures almost a hundred meters... I can't believe it...” Says the alicorn her face now lay on the table, ignoring the dragon's comment. “Hey, this one doesn't have wings.” Mentions Stronghammer. “Sexual dysmorphism?” Spike asks. “A female… is the one he was talking to.” Fluttershy adds. The alicorn's mind tried to focus a bit. “A mating call. – Twilight assures. – The female remained sleeping... until the male matured.” Twilight couldn't help but start sobbing, the weight was too much to her now. She now knew how Starlight felt. She was right about her, trying to learn about those things was a mistake, now her family was paying the price. “Now they're looking for radiation…” The pegasus follows dreadfully, conforting her distressed friend. “To reproduce…” Spike finishes. Several officers were gathered in the meeting room, while Twilight and friends just watched. “Tracking models tell us they will converge here. In Manehattan Bay.” Admiral Rain Rider of New Mareland says. "But if we put a time detonator on a nuclear bomb, we put it on a ship thirty kilometers from the coast, we attract the MUTOs to it, and therefore the MUTOs attract Godzilla." The admiral finishes. “And we detonated it, with minimal risk to the city.” Seaspray intercedes. “You can't be serious… They feed on radiation.” Fluttershy intervenes. "Correct. That’s why we use the bomb as bait.” Seaspray supports. “And we kill them with the force of the explosion.” Admiral Rider says. “That's crazy.” Twilight says. “Ma'am, if you have any other idea, you have my full attention.” Stronghammer tells her, leaving the alicorn speechless. "Admiral." Fluttershy says. "Yes ma'am?" “Gojira, may be the solution. – says the pegasus. – It seems to me that he's here to restore balance. “He can beat them.” Spike adds. "And? Shall we just stare? Sorry, Your Majesty, Ma'am, and Mr. Dragon, it's an enormous risk… – Stronghammer finishes, before returning to the officers gathered. – The warheads must be prepared and transported to the coast. I'll inform the Princesses.” Immediately afterwards, everycreature present collects their papers to leave. A frustrated Fluttershy also leaves the room, without saying a word. Only Stronghammer, Twilight and Spike remain. “Your Majesty, I know you don't agree with this, but my priority is to safeguard your subjects. The sisters will understand.” Twilight, quiet, takes a watch she was carrying and hands it to the admiral. “It's from when I went to the Changeling lands.” "It stopped." “Yes, at seven fifteen in the morning. July 5, 1014 ALB.” “Vraks…” “When we went to see the results of our work to Vraks, a young changeling gave it to me after rescuing him... He died from radiation a few days later.” The alicorn says gloomily before she and Spike leave, leaving the admiral to her thoughts. 9. Ambush.September 12th, 1024 ALB. Eclipse Gulf, 225 kilometers north of Baltimare. The C-130 full of soldiers and equipment had already been flying towards Manehattan for several hours, inside were Starlight and Sunburst. Both unicorns were just waking up from a tiring day when they were totally awoken by a soldier's commands. “Attention everyone, new orders and change of destination, we will head to Nieghton. On the edge of the thing's EMP influence. Get ready.” “Technical sergeant. What did they say?" Starlight asks, curious. “Another one of those things appeared in the Crystal Empire, miss.” The soldier says, walking away. The horse that greeted them in Puerto Caballo just stared at them, resigned as well. “Oh my Celestia… now what do we do?” Sunburst says, worried. "I don't know." September 12th, 1024 ALB. Neighton, Equestria. The streets of the small eastern town were filled with soldiers, all running around preparing for the mission at hoof when a group of trucks arrived, Starlight and several soldiers getting off the truck, they helped Sunburst with his crutches. The sky was full of cargo planes on their way to land on the airbase nearby. “Okay, everyone get off; the flights arrive up to here, we are close to the EMP range, from here, everyone either travels by land or stays here. Get off!" A sergeant shouts. "And now what do we do Starlight? We must return to Ponyville." Sunburst asks. “We will have to find a way to go…” Their conversation is interrupted by the loud horns of a diesel freight train that was arriving into the city, with two huge missiles in the cars and soldiers guarding it. Until their attention goes to a pink pony in an officer's uniform coming out of a building. "Attention! This train and these weapons are headed toward Manehattan. Whoever is not part of this mission, descend now.” “Is that Pinkie Pie?” Sunburst asks. “Wow, it is, and it's our ticket… Wait a minute, Manehattan? There are Rarity and Applejack!” Remembering the danger that these weapons pose and most likely those animals pose as well, Starlight decides on her plan. She will no longer run, she shall no longer leave a friend behind. “Sunburst, I think I'll have to go to Manehattan, I'll have to take that train.” "You? But who knows what happens there. It's dangerous!" Says the orange unicorn. “I will have to do it if I want to fully ensure that our friends there are safe. I have to go." Says an already determined Starlight, trotting to the building the pink mare is outside of. “Unit six, report to your section for the expedition.” The megaphone says. When approaching the pink pony who was talking to other officers, she sees them out of the corner of her eye, immediately ending her conversation to greet them. “Starlight, Sunburst? How did you get here?... What happened to you, Sunburst?” “It's a long story, Pinkie, but we need your help. Rarity, Applejack and the Cutie Mark Crusaders are in Manehattan.” Starlight says, receiving the pony's hug. "I know. I tried to communicate with them to no avail.” “And it doesn't seem like bringing those weapons to Manehattan is the most pacifist idea ever…” “Aha…” Pinkie begins to suspect where this is going. “I need to go to Manehattan, Sunburst will stay.” Starlight states, not beating around the bush anymore. "No." "But…" "I can't let you go, Starlight, because to begin with, that train is an asset of the nation, it's not for passengers, sorry. And second, it is a high-risk mission.” Pinkie says, her smile gone, walking to the mechanism her soldiers were extracting from a crate onto a table. Starlight recognizes the mechanism, she helped create it herself during her research days in Luna Nova. “The way I see it, that missile is a Balefire I ICBM, from appearances you've made a bypass that'll replaced the digital module and prepared it for an analog system.” Starlight says, still determined to go. Pinkie just stares at her. “And you know this because…” “I helped design it for several years, Pinkie.” “There's a reason I recruited the best, Starlight.” "Yes, but when was the last time your soldiers touched a nuclear weapon, or at least an analog module like this one?” Starlight says. Sunburst just watched. “Yes, I know, it's a DMME system, but I already have my ponies and they know what they're doing. Also, when was the last time you held a rifle?” “In my days on the second line...” Pinkie just rolled her eyes before being interrupted. “I think it will be worth bringing her, general. – The reddish horse from Puerto Caballo says. – She's got the spirit and seems to know these mechanisms well.” “Don't help her, Alberto.” Pinkie tells him. “Come on, Pinkie, I have to get on that train; our friends are there… Rarity, Applejack.” Pinkie, seeing that she won't be able to stop her, exhales. “Sergeant Alberto Roca. Give this mare a uniform and a rifle. She will get on that train despite my warnings. Don't take your eyes off her, she's very valuable for this mission. Mr. Sunburst will stay with me until further notice.” "Yes ma'am." Sergeant Alberto says, standing firm. “You helped her get into this. Now it will be your responsibility to get her to Manehattan in one piece.” Orders the pink pony. "Yes ma'am." September 13th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. In the city that never sleeps, the air was tense, evacuation notices had arrived in the morning and the avenues outside the city were in enormous chaos. The news channel continued to give bulletins about the creature approaching the city, which was already near Trotterfield. “And you heard Prince Blueblood, representing the two sisters at the press conference, saying that Canterlot hasn't ruled out using nuclear weapons to stop the creature.” At the hotel the girls were getting restless, deciding on a plan of action. “I'm extremely worried, darling , that thing is coming here, Starlight doesn't appear, the flights are canceled, the express trains have left and the highways are jammed.” Rarity says to her friend. “Equestria declared a state of emergency and called up everyone possible; I say that we must unite to help in the evacuation.” Applejack says. "Yes, but what will we do with the girls? They can't stay here." While their older sisters argued, the Cutie Mark Crusaders could only limit themselves to listening to the news and the conversation. “Now what will we do?” Apple Bloom asks. “Well, wait for them to decide, I guess.” Sweetie Belle says, bored. Suddenly, the phone in the room rang, but the adults paid no attention because their talk. "I'll answer." Scootaloo offered. She took the phone. "Hello? Scootaloo speaking…” The discussion between the older sisters still couldn't come to anything conclusive when Scootaloo spoke to them. “Rarity, Applejack, they're calling you.” The pegasus calls them. “Not right now, we're busy, darling.” Rarity answers. “Rarity, Applejack, it's Starlight calling.” "Oh really?" Applejack wonders. Taking the phone, Rarity puts it on speaker for the others to hear. “Starlight? How and where are you? We have tried to contact you all day yesterday.” “Hello Starlight.” They all tell her on the phone. “Hello!... – says Starlight. – Look, it's a very long story that will be for later, I'm in Neighton, girls, but first you need to listen to me. “We hear you.” Rarity states. “First, stay calm, please, I know that thing is going there, I'm on my way, you must look for shelter, be it a basement or subway stations, but look for shelter.” “OK, Starlight. Rarity and I will stay to help with evacuations and whatever is needed, but we will evacuate the Cutie Mark Crusaders tomorrow… When will you arrive?” Applejack says, with the CMCs looking at her, resigned. “I will get there tomorrow morning. The military has plans for those things. Please be very careful and don't take risks.” “It's okay, darling, it's great that you're coming here. We'll be waiting for you, be very careful too.” Rarity answers. "Bye!" They all say. The phone was hung up. The television in the living room continued to broadcast its bulletin. “Blackouts and electrical interference are increasingly radiating towards the southeast, all citizens within 300 kilometers of the creature are informed to please do not go out, seek shelter and avoid roads.” September 13th, 1024 ALB. Neighton, Equestria. It was dusk in the small eastern city, the horns of the freight train were heard loudly, announcing its departure. “Well, Starlight, I wish you good luck, you'll need it. You don't have to do it, but it seems like you've already made up your mind.” Pinkie Pie says, saying goodbye. “Take care, Starlight, say hello to the girls for me.” Sunburst says. “Thank you very much to both of you, for being there in the worst moments.” Starlight says, giving them a hug. “Be very careful. You'll have Big Mac’s fourth division watching your back.” The pink pony says to a Starlight who was trotting towards the train, putting on a helmet. "See you!" She says, trotting away. The train's diesel engine begins to rev, slowly pulling the cars, with horns and bells ringing. “Everyone ready!” A colonel shouts. Starlight, hurrying, approaches the car, where Sergeant Roca extended his hoof to her. “Well, Private Glimmer, welcome aboard the Manehattan Express.” The horse tells her. Equestrian highways were blocked, sending constant emergency calls to the services. Reports of people trapped on roads, crashed planes, and evacuation orders could be heard throughout Hollow Shades, Mareland, Manesbury, Stratusburg, and Manehattan regions. Not even the Discord would have caused so much chaos. September 13th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Eclipse Gulf, 190 kilometers east of Baltimare. “Yes, Your Majesty, yes… the warheads are on the way… I agree, Your Majesty… Yes, I will inform you. Thank you." Stronghammer hangs up the phone. The call to Canterlot was necessary to seek approval for the mission, despite Twilight's protest letters sent. The royal sisters have decided that the priority will be their subjects. There was no more to say. Stronghammer nods his head, indicating the green light for Seaspray and Rain Rider's plan. “Okay, let's get to work everycreature, I need the exact location of the MUTOs right now.” Seaspray orders. Stronghammer, thoughtful, approaches an pile of papers. "Admiral." Fluttershy interrupts him. "Yes ma'am?" “Please don't do it.” Twilight follows. “I understand your concerns, ladies, but we sacrifice lives every minute keeping these thiis thing away from the population and now we have two more on the way.” Twilight and friends are frustrated by the admiral's stubbornness. “There are millions of lives at risk.” Stronghammer says, approaching the map table again. “What I want to know is… Is it going to work this time? Can we kill them?” The admiral tells her. “But we tried it before! You were there!” Spike points out. “Those are programmable warheads, sir, of megatons, not kilotons. Nothing can resist that explosion.” Rain Rider intervenes. “Indeed. The 1016 bomb is a firecracker in comparison.” Finish Seaspray. September 13th, 1024 ALB. Somewhere east of Friesville, Equestria. Night fell on the railway convoy, the machine's horns echoed between the canyons and gorges with a river at the bottom of them. Fog covered the dark night of Luna's new moon. Starlight and her companions could only watch as they passed a bifurcation that led to a bridge that crossed the canyon, totally destroyed. “That doesn't bode well.” Starlight says. “Calm down, Private Glimmer; better come and give me a hoof here.” Sergeant Alberto tells her. Taking out the electrical mechanism from the tip of the missile, the private and the sergeant talked. “I thought nuclear bombs were detonated by remote control.” Says Sergeant Roca. “MUTOs disable anything electrical, including detonators. You can’t even be on the range without these things breaking down.” Then they take an equally heavy mechanism, putting it on the tip. “But this, on the other hoof, it’s old, it’s an analog clock.” Starlight says, putting the mechanism on the missile. “The harder you beat, the faster it is?” The horse asks, jokingly. Starlight's laughter was interrupted by an explosion on the other side of the mountain that caught everyone's attention. With a metallic screech and a jolt, the train began to come to a complete stop. They could see gunshots and explosions that lit up the night on the other side of the mountain. "Oh, mier..." Rock whispered in his native languaje. “Sergeant Roca, come running with the radio immediately. Now now!" The colonel shouts. Starlight looked at him. The peaceful silence of that night in the forested mountains was being broken by the multiple explosions that occurred on the other side of the hills, while Roca and Glimmer were running towards the front of the convoy. “Third Battalion, this is Alpha to Charlie, is the bridge free? Colonel Flight here. Over." The officer says. All he could hear on the radio was interference and shouting. Starlight, curious, approached the entrance of the tunnel that crossed the mountain towards the bridge. “I repeat. We have a train with very important cargo to the coast, is the bridge free? Over." Nothing. “Third Battalion, I need a report. Over.” The tunnel entrance was in total darkness. “Is it clear or not? Over." Colonel Flight asks, exasperated. Interference and distortion. A sound like a distant trumpet sound would scare them, putting them on alert. “I think we will have to check manually, colonel.” Starlight says, at the entrance to the tunnel. Suddenly a shock wave came out of the tunnel that stunned everyone and turned off all the lights on the train and their lamps. After they got back up, they all looked at each other worriedly, hearing distant clicking noises. They prepared to enter the tunnel. The absolute darkness of the tunnel was interrupted by the lights of the lamps attached to their Lightning rifles. The atmosphere was calm. There was not a single audible noise when they emerged to the other side of the mountain where there was a bridge that crossed another gorge covered in thick fog. “Do you think it's intact?” Sergeant Roca asks. "There is only one way to find out. – Says the colonel. – Do you want to go up or down?” “Yes, we will go up. Private Glimmer, stay close to me.” At the base of the bridge fruit bats flew about in their nightly activities. There colonel Flight was going down the bridge structure with a thestral soldier. At the top, Starlight and Alberto walked slowly, illuminating the tracks with their flashlights and the unicorn's magic. Then a sound. Roca stumbled, dropping his lamp into the foggy void. "Oh no." He said. At the base the two ponies were startled by the falling lamp, making them turn around. “Moron...” Said the thestral. Suddenly the dark mist of the night was illuminated behind the colonel, on the river. Making them turn around again. They saw a huge Phoenix Mk.III tank on fire heading towards them from the water. The colonel and his companion managed to avoid the metal beast that made the riverbank rumble and screeching. “Nighter, are you okay?” Flight asks. "Yes I'm fine." After getting up, they turn to the river, where a tide of burning military equipment passes in front of them. The burning smell intensified. Colonel Flight takes his whistle, warning. In the middle of the bridge, Private Glimmer and Sergeant Roca had reached the middle, confirming that the bridge was intact. “The bridge is intact.” Starlight says. “Alpha, this is team Bulldog. In order to move forward. Over." The sergeant says with his radio, not realizing that the mountains behind them were moving. “Here alpha. Roger that." They answer him. At the other entrance of the tunnel, the train soldiers were beginning to get on. "Let's go. All aboard!" They shouted. Immediately the train began to rev its engine again, sound its powerful horn and turn on its lights. Colonel Flight and Private Nighter were still at the base of the bridge, receiving a diffuse radio communication. “What do you say?... No, I don't have eye contact... I can't hear it, say it again. Over." Flight says before they're both surprised by the huge single-clawed paw rising up. At the top of the bridge, the enormous animal forced Sergeant Roca and Private Glimmer to lie down on the track sleepers, now overcome with fear. There was nothing between them and the female MUTO that appeared trough the mist. Roca could only feel how dread filled every part of his being as the creature approached them, making the ground rumble, filling the air with the sound of its clicks and growls that announced her presence. Starlight, though fearful inside, stood her ground, lying down, aiming her rifle and flashlight at the creature now moving beneath the bridge. Her heart racing, but her mind determined not to give in again. The creature passed under the bridge, its long bright red eyes certainly looking at them, knowing they were there, and the low, resonant hum of the female was approaching the structure. When Sergeant Roca's radio began to crackle, the creature approached its eye from below; all the horse could do was tremble in terror, whispering to Starlight to help him turn it off. The beast's clicking and growling intensified as the creature shifted from crouching to standing, she was taller than the bridge itself, overshadowing the dreadful little ponies. The clicking sounds of the female announced that she had opened her mouth, ready to take a bite out of the bridge, and therefore, the little ponies lying there. Glimmer and Rock were in absolute fear until the scene would be interrupted by the train's horns, approaching and drawing the creature's attention. The MUTO roared shortly before crossing half of her legs to the other side of the bridge to walk towards where the sound was. Starlight and Alberto, relieved, could see that in the creature's belly was a translucent bioluminescent sac full of strange orbs. The two stood up to watch the female disappear into the thick fog. Now there was only silence. “Con un demonio…” Alberto said, somewhat relieved. Suddenly, both raised their rifles at the sound of detonations coming from that direction along with a roar. Then nothing. “Wait… it's that...?” Starlight said, squinting her eyes. They both lowered their rifles when something bright broke through the fog between the tracks, it was approaching. Their heart raced again as the shrill sound got closer, appearing out of the fog something bright. The train on fire. "Run!" They screamed. Now the adrenaline was flooding them. Starlight was several heads ahead. Her heart beating even faster than before. “Alberto! Run!" Starlight shouts. “Starlight!” Sergeant Roca shouted before the creature's leg destroyed that part of the bridge, destroying everything in its path. Starlight, with adrenaline at its maximum, can only think about jumping from the bridge into the void. The river. The dip in the water was hard, disorienting her, but the enormous impact of the hundreds of tons of the machine next to her stunned her even more. Struggling to swim to the surface. When she comes out of the water, taking a breath, with her ears screeching and her vision blurred, she manages to see that a train car with a missile falls into the water, while the MUTO takes the other missile in her snout to begin swallowing while the unicorn tries to swim to the riverside. That night wasn't a good night either. September 13th to 14th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, 260 kilometers northeast of Baltimare. Collision alarms sounded on the ships. “It submerges.” The captain announces. Outside, between the ships, the thorns of the mighty Godzilla bowed before disappearing along with his tail among the ocean waves. Leaving everyone on the decks dumbfounded. In the planning room, Stronghammer's work was interrupted by the considerable tilt the ship was suffering. Twilight and friends grabbed anything that could fall before looking at the screens. “We lose eye contact. It submerges.” A technician announces. The admiral, also surprised, stares at the screens. “He changed course and is accelerating. He's going to leave us behind.” September 14th, 1024 ALB. Winsome Falls, Equestria. The river bank was calm, birds singing, land animals here and there. Also one or another scavenger, however, the latter would be scared away by something. Among the tangle of branches, metals and fallen soldiers that were on the riverside, Starlight wakes up, disoriented. She's dazzled by the white morning light of the cloudy sky. Muddy and with several scratches, she coughs up some water when trying to get up. Hearing something. The peacefulness of the morning was interrupted by the sound of many engines. Opening her eyes a bit more, she sees a UH-1 helicopter arriving at the scene, it has the changeling cockade. "Uh?" She wondered. Still disoriented, she tries to gain the strength to get up and turn around. Along with the changeling jägers that rappelled down came a hippogriffian CH-47 that had cargo harnesses. The changeling soldiers shouted orders in their language, carrying the missile that fell into the water last night to the harnesses. They attach the weapon to the harness. "Achtung, wir müssen diese Rakete sofort in die Luft bringen." The officers shouts, ordering them for the missile to get airborne inmediately. Starlight gathers strength to get up and approach them slowly. The jäger officer's orders were interrupted by one of his subordinates, signaling to him, crossing his arms. “Wir haben einen am Leben!” He yelled, pointing at Starlight. The jäger turned, only to see an exhausted unicorn coming to them. He screamed for a doctor. “Arzt!” Author's Note I can now dare to say that we're near the endgame of the plot. As always, thanks for reading, and stay tuned for next week's chapter. 10. Evacuation.September 14th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. The central park of the city that never sleeps was a bustle of activity with military trucks arriving and leaving, as well as ambulances and makeshift medical stations full of stretchers, carrying away patients bit by bit. Rarity, Applejack and the CMC had just arrived to help in any way possible, approaching the tents. “Hey, Lieutenant General Applejack, I'm here to report for duty, soldier.” “Welcome, lieutenant, it's great that you come, we need plenty of hooves for evacuation and activation of shelters.” The pony answers, saluting. “My partner Rarity and I will stay and help without any problem, soldier, but we need to evacuate these fillies out of the city.” The orange pony tells him, pointing at the three friends. “Well, you're in luck, ma'am, those are the last evacuation trucks leaving this district. They will cross the bridge to the other side of the bay, sick, injured and minors have priority.” When they turn to look at the trucks, almost full, they see Coco Pommel supporting the driver loading foals onto the bus. The run to meet her. “Coco, it's good to see you, darling. Could you help our sisters leave the city? We will have to stay.” Rarity approaches her with the minors. “Yes, of course Rarity, we'll get them out... And take good care of yourselves, please.” Coco says, also worried. “Very well, Cutie Mark Crusaders, we already agreed yesterday, let's not even discuss anything, your safety comes first. So please get on this bus.” Rarity say, now turning towards them, unwavering. “But what about Babs Seed? She's in Hayston, we can't leave her here with that thing out there.” Apple Bloom shouts. “Hayston... I think has already been evacuated, girls. Please get on the bus, we are running out of time.” Coco says, in a hurry. "You hard her, girls, I won't negotiate, please got on it." Rarity orders. The three friends, resigned and reluctant, finally get on the bus, which was starting its engine. "Take care, sister." Sweetie belle say, hugging her. Rarity corresponds and turning to her friend. “Thank you, Coco, you are a great friend… I don't know what we'd do without you. I owe you.” Rarity says, hugging her as well. “You don't owe me anything, Rarity, don't worry, we'll be on our way to Canterbury in minutes.” She answers, getting into the bus. As their embrace ends, the sound of the chaos of patrols, ambulances, and soldiers' orders is temporarily silenced by the sound of several engines. "Uh?" They wonder, turning up. Above their heads were several helicopters flying in formation, one large, one attack and one medium; all flying towards the coast. Flying over Manehattan in the UH-1 was Starlight with the group of jägers who rescued her, seeing the CH-47 that was flying next to her begin to move away because her helicopter began to turn left. "Ey! Where are they taking that one?” The purple unicorn asks, deafened by the noise of the engines, she's still dirty from last night. “Zirty kilometers from ze coast! To ze point of convergence! Ve ar going to attract zem!…” The jäger officer shouts at her, in a heavy changeling accent, almost deafened as well. “Zree birds vith one stone.” Starlight could only sit, thoughtful, watching the big helicopter move further away. At the Manehattan docks a group of ponies supported by hippogriffs were giving visual signals to the CH-47 flying overhead, placing the missile on a platform inside a landing craft. Once the warhead was in place, they untied the harnesses. September 14th, 1024 ALB. Tactical Operations Center, Canterbury, Equestria. The UH-1 touched the ground slowly, letting down its occupants who quickly walked away from the machine, there was Starlight, who was caught up by some ponies, helping her walk to the doors of an ambulance. “Easy, miss, sit down." They said. "Did you lose consciousness?” The doctor tells her, starting the examination. “I'm fine, don't worry.” The unicorn answers him. After landing in Canterbury from the RHS Seatoga, Admiral Stronghammer, Seaspray, Twilight and company descended from the helicopter. Stronghammer and Seaspray event to the small building adapted for command of the current operation. Upon entering through the door they find a small command center, full of creatures of all kinds speaking in code and saying orders on their radios. “Report, please. What is the location of the targets?” Stronghammer orders. “The male is 250 kilometers northeast of Dappleshore.” A zebra answers. “We detected seismic activity east of Summerfield; it must be the female approaching.” A unicorn continues. “And Godzilla?” The admiral asks. “The last contact was five hours ago, it maintains a heading of 12 degrees, descended to a depth of three thousand meters. He'll arrive in an hour.” Seaspray informs her, he's checking information from a screen. The pony admiral turned to watch the tv which was giving the news bulletin from city. Stronghammer skips a beat watching the news from the cable-stayed Manehattan Bridge, packed with cars. “There are still civilians on the bridge.” She says somberly. September 14th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. The cable-stayed Manhattan Bay Bridge rose through the evening fog and rain, packed with cars in a traffic jam. Fighter jets flew, patrolling the sky. More police cruisers arrived, as officers directed several lanes of traffic to just one, causing even more jamming. Soldiers and military vehicles advanced through the free lanes. On the bus full of Cutie Mark Crusaders, Coco Pommel the driver and the foals, there was a cacophony of voices and screams from the children who were playing and talking, preventing the driver from hearing the instructions of the police officer who was directing them to an alternate lane so that they wouldn't stop there. The driver, desperate, tried to point out his inability to hear him, but to no avail. He told the foals to shut up, but his request fell on deaf ears. Suddenly the children's attention was drawn to the column of Phoenix Mk.III main battle tanks advancing along the free lanes. The loud engines of the steel beasts and the soldiers were heading in the opposite direction, towards the city. From one moment to another the tanks make a sharp turn, destroying the pedestrian railing of the bridge, turning their turrets towards the sea. “In position.” Someone announced. Soldiers with bazookas ran to the outer railing of the bridge. Below them gathered the might of Equestria's First Fleet, Shield-class Destroyers and Firedrake-class Cruisers gathered at the entrance to the bay, sounding their fog horns, waiting. On the bus the children continued talking, while the Cutie Mark Crusaders talked about everything and nothing at the same time. Until a low deep growl silences everyone, making them turn to the right-side windows. Coco Pommel, nervous, begins to wipe the moisture from the window with her hoof to see better. Now only the rain could be heard as all the ponies came to the windows to see. "What is that?" Scootaloo wonders. “I don't know, but it didn't sound pretty.” Sweetie Belle says. “This gives me a bad feeling…” Apple Bloom adds. The silence is suddenly broken when a seagull crashes into the window, startling everypony inside. Several flocks of seagulls flew by toward land, fleeing from something. In the First Fleet, sailors were expectant. “To port, two hundred meters!” shouts a pegasus in a destroyer, taking aim. Everyone immediately began to move towards that side to see. The sailors present began to worry when the sea began to stir, revealing several enormous thorns approaching at high speed. "Collision!" An officer shouted, preparing for the impact. Suddenly the huge thorns stopped completely, leaving them dumbfounded. “Don't open fire. Don’t open fire.” The radio orders while deck guns took aim. The enormous creature stayed there, still, between the waves. Everycreature was confounded. The confusion of the sailors became fear when the spines began to sink and a long vertical tail emerged from the water, towering the ships. The destroyer behind them began to rise as Gojira's enormous spines lifted it from the sea, bending its keel. “Fire, fire, fire!” The radio shouts. The deck guns and missiles of the ships began to discharge their firepower on the back of the creature that was now emerging from the sea. On the bridge, everyone was beginning to duck as the shells from the deck guns missed the creature and headed toward the bridge. Faced with the children's panic, Coco Pommel told them to bend down. The driver decided to act. Hitting a car, the bus leaves the line of cars into the free lane, hitting a stop sign and almost running over several officers and soldiers who dodge it, however, this bus's run was stopped before it began when a missile hit one of the bridge's two suspension cables, falling in front of the bus. With a skid, the bus stopped again. The soldiers ran in front of the bus toward the railing. “First Fleet, there are civilians on the bridge, ceasefire!” A soldier says, seeing a projectile heading towards them. They took cover but the titanic creature appeared. The projectile hit the back of the enormous beast that was standing up, towering, taller than the bridge itself, leaving the bus passengers bewildered. With a roar, Godzilla grabbed one of the suspension cables. With the order to fire, the Phoenix tanks and soldiers began shooting at the beast at point-blank range. This didn't stop the hundred meter lizard from grabbing the bridge cables. Panic spread among the civilians on the bridge as they saw Godzilla roar, the civilian cars trying to flee as best they could. Suddenly the Phoenix in front of the bus goes into reserve, destroying a patrol car and pushing the fallen suspension cable. The path is clear now. The driver took the opportunity and immediately accelerated, passing between firing soldiers and the tank. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, frozen and frightened, just stared at the enormous beast that began to walk alongside and roared in annoyance, but they finally left it behind, exiting the bridge. However, the children's screams continued when Godzilla once and for all crossed the bridge, sweeping away and destroying everything in his path, just where the bus was minutes ago. "Dear Celestia." Apple Bloom said, anxious. At the patrol boats' position in the bay, the soldiers could only watch dumbfounded as Godzilla destroys the bridge, breaking it in half, while fighter jets flew overhead, launching their missiles. “Prepare to assemble the warhead.” A captain orders. “Preparing.” A subordinate responds. Removing the metal cap on the tip of the missile, the captain approaches the mechanism. “Arming keys.” He Announces. Inserting the two keys into the mechanism, the captain shouts. "3. 2. 1." The keys turned, turning the clock. 5 hours. Suddenly their attention is taken by a wave of energy that left everything silent. "What the Tartarus was that?" The captain asks. “An EMP.” A sailor answers. “The engine went out, there's no power.” The helmspony announces. All over Manehattan the lights and devices went out, leaving Applejack and Rarity confused. “What was that, Applejack?” The white unicorn asks. Leaving what they were doing, they walk out of the tent and into central park. The rain fell with intensity on the silent city and the curious citizens who came to the outside. Looking up between the buildings, the two ponies saw an earth pony parachuting down between the buildings. "A pilot?" Applejack wonders. Suddenly a fighter falls from the sky, crashing into the hotel, exploding instantly. The crowd's screams were immediate as the aircraft fell to the ground, turning into a fireball. In the bay, planes fell like leaves from the sky, crashing into the water while some pilots managed to eject from their machines on time. The Hunters and Phantoms fell uncontrollably into the water, one nearly crashing into the landing craft the missile was on, stunning its occupants. "Everypony alright?" The captain asked, leaning over the side to see the sinking fighter. "I'm alright". A gunner said before retaking his position with a machine gun. Suddenly a roar caught their attention, coming from above. As they all turned, they saw the male MUTO swooping down at high speed toward their boat, making them scream and shoot upward in vain. The creature hit the boat with all its weight, diving into the water before the worried looks of the civilians on the pier. The curious and concerned ponies emerged from their dead vehicles, seeing that the boat had now disappeared into the waters. The creature emerged from the water, with the boat in its snout. Panic spread. The insectoid creature threw the deformed craft to the ground, attempting to tear the missile from its support, deforming the metal and breaking it. Finally he had it in his shorter arms. Amidst the screams and roars, the MUTO took flight. Flying through the city, the creature finally landed on the pagoda-style buildings of Kirintown. A huge cloud of dust and debris from collapsing buildings rose before him, the sounds of the male could be heard happily. Before him, an animal even taller than him emerged, without wings and with greater strength. The female MUTO greeted the male with a soft roar, nuzzling his head in a friendly gesture. The male, with the missile in his snout, clicked in reciprocity, handing the warhead to his beloved. The female delicately took the gift that her partner gave her, making some soft clicks and grunts at the sac in her belly. Then she got to work while the male took flight again, protecting her work. In the center of Kirintown, the female began to hit the ground, digging, covering everything with dust and debris. September 14th, 1024 ALB. Canterbury, Equestria. The streets outside the city bustle with activity as more and more military vehicles and buses arrive from Manehattan. “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo Dash were registered at the Canterbury hoofball estadium, they are safe and sound, but I have no records of Rarity Belle or Applejack. They didn’t leave the city.” An official tells Starlight. “Check again, please.” She tells him. The official only glances at the papers. “I told them to wait for me and I couldn't get there.” The unicorn says. “Sorry, all the ponies at downtown will be taken to the emergency shelters. Don’t worry, your friends will be fine.” The official says. “Starlight?” The unicorn confusedly turns to see, seeing a pegasus with a multicolored mane. “Rainbow Dash?” “Hello, Starlight, I was seriously wondering why you were here, but here you are; alive and in one piece.” The pegasus says, embracing her. “How did you know I was here?” “They sent me looking for the pony that survived the attack on the train, I found out it was you because we need you for a mission.” says the blue pegasus. At the entrance to the command building were Twilight and her friends, expectant, until they see Rainbow Dash and Starlight arrive. Receiving her with another embrace, they start talking. "I didn't know you had left Puerto Caballo, Starlight, I didn't expect you to have shown up in Neighton to enlist again until Pinkie Pie informed me... but it's good that you're still whole." Twilight says. “Yeah, it's amazing that you joined that train, really, and you're still looking for Rarity and Applejack after all that.” Fluttershy says worriedly. “And yeah, I don't know how I survived that thing either, but apparently I still got a mission to do here.” “Admiral Stronghammer and Seaspray are planning something. We better get in.” Spike adds, opening the door. Surrounding a map of the west coast were Stronghammer, and Seaspray reporting to Commander Spitfire, and a group of blue-uniformed pegasus and thestrals, the Wonderbolts. "Pay attention" the hippogriff admiral starts. The friends enter the room, but no one notices their presence. “The male took the warhead to the city downtown, that puts a hundred thousand civilians within the explosion range. It can’t be stopped from a distance.” Seaspray says. “An analog clock was installed and the MUTOs are killing everything electronic in a five-mile radius. Approaching by land is not an option.” Spitfire continues. “That is why we will carry out a HALO insertion. Jump altitude of nine thousand meters over the dome and we jump... here, and here.” The commander points on the transparent bowl she placed in the map. “If you don't crash into a building, we'll meet at the meeting point Charlie... Here." “Any clue where to look, Your Majesty?” Stronghammer asks, turning to Twilight. "Underground." The alicorn explains. “If MUTOs are going to procreate, they must make a nest.” Fluttershy finishes. "Captain. – Stronghammer says to Spitfire. – When we find the warhead, how much time to disarm it?” “Sir, without seeing the analog model, I cannot speculate.” The commander says. “Sixty seconds if I have access. I designed the weapon a long time ago and adapted the device personally.” Starlight intervenes. Everycreature looked at her. “Private Glimmer is the only DMME soldier and technician to survive from the train.” Seaspray adds. “Yes, I know her. It's good that you're here, Private.” Stronghammer greets. “Sounds like we'll need her...” Spitfire says. “With all due respect, ma'am, if that doesn't work. – Soarin intervenes. – What is plan B?” “The coast is one kilometer to the southeast. We take the bomb to the dock, onto a boat, and get it as far away from the city as possible before it detonates.” Spitfire says, grimly. Everyone present was silent, aware of the weight on them. "Any questions?" Seaspray asks grimly. Nopony said anything. “You may go.” He says. Everyone left except Starlight and her friends. “Private Glimmer, everyone received notice, there is no extraction plan. If you doesn’t walk out, you won’t come back.” The hippogriff admiral said. “I will do whatever it takes sir.” Starlight says. “And I will accompany her, sir, she will not leave me, and I will show her what this jump is like.” Rainbow Dash says, saluting with her metal wing. “Be very careful, really, very careful. If it were up to me, I would never risk you, but it seems like I've failed at that before,” Twilight says, distressed. “Don't be so hard on yourself, Twilight, it wasn't your fault, it wasn't in your power to warn us. I have no grudge against you or anything now. Now I have a mission, face those things, and bring back our friends.” The unicorn says determined, giving her a hug. “Everything will be fine, let's hope it will.” Fluttershy says, with a slight tremor. With another long goodbye embrace, Starlight and Rainbow leave to join their companions. “So, what is an insert…uh…hello?” The unicorn asks; she had never been on these types of missions in the second line in the war. “HALO, High Altitude Low Opening, we jump from very high and open the parachutes as low as possible to avoid dispersing too much when touching the ground and so that the enemy does not see us until the last moment.” Rainbow says, putting a uniform, helmet and parachute on her friend. Starlight just swallows nervously. “Don't worry, when we jump, don't let go of me when we jump, we'll all have a flare on our ankle if we get separated. These helmets with an oxygen mask will help prevent you from getting hypoxia at that altitude.” "If you say so..." "Oh come on, this will be 120% cooler with those animals!" Twilight and her friends were looking out to sea. The sun was setting on the eastern hills. Stronghammer approaches them. “That Alpha predator, Your Majesty, do you think he will win?” Twilight exhales. “The greatest sin of us ponies is to believe that nature is under our power, despite the control of weather, animals or seasons...” The alicorn says, thoughtful. "But it's not; it's just an illusion of control." Spike said. “Let them fight, admiral...” Fluttershy finishes. September 14th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. The streets of the city that never sleeps are now filled with a dead silence, only broken by the MUTO that flies gracefully between the large buildings, landing on one, destroying the top and roaring menacingly. Applejack and Rarity could only think about running in the other direction. “Run, Rarity.” She told her. The screams of the crowd grew louder until they were silenced again as another enormous animal arrived between the buildings at the other end of the street, a guttural growl filling the city. From the coast came the alpha predator, towering, taller than the surrounding buildings; robust, elongated body with a huge head and sharp thorns on the back. Godzilla has arrived. The only thing Rarity and Applejack could hear as they ran towards the shelter, besides the screams of the crowd, were the metallic growls of the winged creature as it flew towards the giant lizard, hitting it and starting the fight. As the soldiers closed the doors to let the afternoon light outside, the two ponies only managed to see how the lizard took a bite at its opponent. The battle of Manehattan has begun. Author's Note We're in the endgame now. 11. Descending into Tartarus.September 14th, 1024 ALB. 9 kilometers above Manehattan, Equestria. Storm clouds swirled in the sky beneath the C-141 as it gained altitude toward the jump point, the dust and storm blocking the view of the battle of the titans occurring nine kilometers below them. It was the calm before the storm. The cargo plane of the Royal Equestrian Air Force flew through the yellowish evening sky. In the cargo bay they could hear the prayers of a companion who was reading a book, blessing his comrades before the jump. “Through the light, I gain strength, through the night, I gain strength; through the strength you give me, I gain the might to smite thine enemies. With that might, I hope to see its two stars: Sun and Moon in the sky once again, though if I fall, it is in the name of the sun and the moon; in them, I will find peace.” The air was tense, the Wonderbolts were preparing for the jump of their lives, some were writing in their diaries, others were praying as well, some were thoughtful and quiet, other were just talking to calm their minds. "I thank our princesses for allowing us to jump once again, as friends and comrades." Continued the praying soldier. Starlight's heart was pounding as she gave her Supernova magic rifle a final check and checked her parachute. “Alright, Starlight, like I told you, when the alarm goes off, we'll put on the mask, and we'll try to jump at the same time; to open the parachute you pull this red rope, for the emergency one you pull this buckle.” Says the blue pegasus with her express parachuting class. “Yes… yes…” The unicorn says, trembling. “Look at your wrist watch at all times, when it says 600 meters, open. That or when you see buildings.” "Aha…" “I know it's your first jump, my heart is also full of dread, but we'll have to do this.” “Yes… If you say so.” “When you go down, pull the buckles, towards you to gain altitude and go slower when you are going to land, pull this side to go to the other and so on.” The pegasus says, demonstrating with her arms. Starlight just nodded, it was difficult to understand, but her mind full of fear made her take note to the millimeter. Suddenly the lights in the cargo bay turned red and a buzzer sounded. “Okay, Starlight, moment of truth.” The pegasus says as everyone puts on their oxygen masks and stand up. “Okay, Wonderbolts, let's get to work. Good luck to you all." Spitfire says, getting into position next to the cargo hatch. The plane's loading ramp slowly opened, letting in the light of Celestia's sun that was setting on the horizon. Everyone stands up and forms lines towards the door, putting their hooves on the shoulder of the pony in front of each one, gradually approaching the gate. They see the clouds that are far below them. “Okay Starlight, when I run, you follow me.” A second alarm was activated, indicating the moment of the jump. Starlight puts on her goggles, her oxygen mask hissing constantly, adrenaling started flooding her blood once again. She's ready for the leap of faith, she's ready for the battle ahead. The Wonderbolts are ready for the jump, psyching themselves up and stretching for the moment of truth. Starlight had already decided, this will be her moment; now or never. “Trixie, Sunburst, this is for you.” Her mind stated. The alarm sounded again. 3. 2. 1. They all jumped into the void. The sky above the clouds was a great sea of tranquility as more Wonderbolts emerged from the plane, all leaving a trail of red smoke from their ankles, tearing the yellowish evening sky. Some Wonderbolts, driven by adrenaline, plummeted like a missile to get faster, others simply opened their limbs for a more controlled fall. The wind and the sound of the oxygen mask were the only things Starlight could hear, now with her heart racing, Rainbow was at her side, now holding each other's hooves to avoid separating. From her goggles, Starlight could only see Rainbow giving her encouraging signs as they descended at high speed. Soon the black clouds beneath them drew closer, enveloping them in zero visibility, the purple unicorn could only see the flares on her companions' ankles. As they pass through that part of the cloud they reach a clearing between the cumulonimbus. The unicorn only saw clouds, lightnings and heard thunder below. From the dark strata the ponies came out, towards another layer below. In the incessant hissing of her mask, the unicorn sees downwards again. As they pass through those clouds, the city is revealed to them, immersed in a bright yellow and orange from the city's multiple fires. It was like descending into Tartarus itself. The city's yellow skyline was broken by multiple red smoke traces. As they descended, through her mask, Starlight saw flashes of battle filtering through the smoke and debris, as the male MUTO and Godzilla stood in a whirlwind of fury and brute force. Starlight couldn't hear anything, only her breathing, so she turned to look at Rainbow, who also looked impressed by the demonstration of titanic strength displayed before their eyes. Between the lightning bolts and the gigantic shadows here and there, Starlight and Rainbow descended at terminal speed just a few meters from the lizard's back. The beast's roar was heard only as a dull rumble in their ears. Turning down, Rainbow gave the signal to Starlight to soon open her parachute. The unicorn checked her watch. 600 meters and descending fast. The tall skyscrapers got closer and closer. Between the tall concrete and steel structures the two ponies finally pulled the drawstrings of their backpacks, now descending quickly, but safely. With the MUTO passing behind them, the two ponies, now separated by their parachutes, finally touch down. Starlight took note well and managed a good landing, with nothing more than a roll to cushion it more. Starlight's heart continued to race as she took off her mask and goggles to grab her rifle. Turning to look around she didn't see anyone, so she decided to run to the designed meeting point. As she passed through a street she turned to look only to see the shadow of Godzilla's tail passing through some streets, among the dust. A guttural growl could be heard. Suddenly she heard shouting behind her, it was her teammates and Rainbow Dash getting together. So she run towards them. They finally meet. “I saw team 2 heading east.” Soarin said, joining those who had arrived. “Two didn't make it: Celest Wing and Sprinkle Medley didn't make it; I heard fragments on the radio.” Rainbow announces. “The snipers are already in position.” Announces a thestral. Commander Spitfire just hears this, and takes something from her saddlebags, a tracker. Using the device, the ponies find the warhead with its ping. "Where is it?" Starlight asks. “One kilometer away. It's uphill. Let's go." Spitfire orders. The Wonderbolts moved between the destroyed cars, their lights illuminating their path as the tracker pinged. It pinged louder and louder. They pass and intersection and hear a growl. They take cover behind a couple of cars on both sides of the road. They keep hearing the hight-pitched growl. Starlight and rainbow remained covered when Blaze, from the other side of the road say. “Hey, look at that.” She said to her companions. Peering through the broken windows, they see what remains of Kirintown. A colossal hole in the ground, like a huge open wound in the heart of the city. There was the female MUTO, her body writhing as she laid her eggs inside. Each scream of pain from the monster rang through the air, high-pitched and piercing, echoing through the rubble. “Well, that's just disgusting.” Rainbow Dash said as she saw the scene. The paratroopers watched in horror and fascination, when suddenly, behind them, a huge tail moved. From among the thick dust and fog, an enormous silhouette was illuminated by a lightning. Feeling this new presence, they turn back. Out of the mist came the enormous beast with a muscular body and enormous head. Starlight finally saw the magnitude of the enormous Gojira before her very eyes. The he roared. The roar of the creature shook the hearts of the soldiers present. The foundations of the buildings themselves rumbled when the animal roared with the power of hundreds of lightning bolts, a roar that shook the intestines of those present, growing with such intensity that it filled the world for a few seconds. The roar of a primordial power, of an incomparable force that shook the air. The soldiers, now stunned, turned to the other side, where the female MUTO was beginning to rise from the nest with another roar. And then, another titanic battle began. The MUTO's paw destroyed another roof, nearly crushing Starlight and Rainbow Dash. “Go, go, go!” Spitfire orders. Starlight stared at the two colossi that began to advance against each other while trotting. The clash of titans would shake the city. Advancing to the edge of the enormous hole where the MUTO was, it revealed the magnitude of the destruction in Kirintown. “Commander, have you seen this?” Soarin says. “Yes... We have to continue. – Spitfire says, looking at the tracker. - It's down there." When they went down they found a huge cave that revealed the MUTO's nest. Hundreds, if not thousands of small bioluminescent orbs covering the walls and ceiling of the cave, the missile was hanging from the center. While her companions were descending towards the missile, Starlight entered to see the scene, being impressed. Below, Spitfire shouted orders as they attempted to remove the missile from its biological upside down pedestal. The hundreds of eggs held by the spore glowed in pattern. “This is a lot more disgusting than I thought.” Starlight says. “Wow, these things do reproduce.” Rainbow adds, trotting toward the missile. Inside the translucent eggs were small creatures spinning and squeaking. “We have to put an end to these things.” The unicorn says to herself. Her attention is now directed to the warhead that had just slid down, touching the ground. "How much time left?" Spitfire asks. “Less than an hour.” Soarin says, looking at the clock inside. “Bring it down.” Spitfire says. Outside, the duel between the female and Godzilla becomes more difficult as the lizard pushes the female further, knocking her over and destroying another building. Among the screams of the refugees inside the building's bunker were Applejack and Rarity trying to get the ponies away from where the animals were fighting. From above the buildings the Wonderbolts of Team 2 shouted orders to move towards the docks as they watched Godzilla trample the female. The lizard's stomps were interrupted by the male, who grabbed the beast by the thorns on its back, pulling it away from his partner. Although he tried to free himself from a bite, the titan didn't expect the attack from the female and his back, which sent him crashing and knocking down more buildings. Trying to get up, Godzilla tried to roar, but was interrupted by another blow from the MUTO and her claw. Turning to the other side, the female dealt him another blow with her claw on his back, knocking him down. Underground, the Wonderbolts finally manage to dislodge the missile, taking out the warhead with the timer. “Carefully, put it down.” Spitfire orders. “Remove the cover.” Fleetfoot says. “Alright, Private Glimmer, it's your turn.” Rainbow says. Kneeling down, Starlight approaches the metal cover of the mechanism, she tries to open it, but to no avail. “It doesn't open… it's been welded.” Soarin says to Spitfire, desperate, he's trying to help the unicorn. “We need time to open it." Responds Fleetfoot. "We have no time! get it out of here and let's get to the boat!” Says a stressed Spitfire. “Everyone, let's carry the warhead. Move." Soarin orders. With great effort, the ponies grab the warhead and proceed to carry it away. With the help of those present and Starlight's magic, they make their way through the rubble to the outside. "Let's go." Starlight says, levitating a big debris, and turning to look at the eggs hanging from the spore. "Private, let's go." Soarin orders her before leaving. Dropping what she was holding with her magic, the unicorn heads to the entrance of the cave, but remains in thought as she turns back to the spore. A plan came to her mind. Taking courage, she runs back inside. In the city that never sleeps, the chaos of the two-on-one battle comes to a head when the two MUTOs are punching the alpha predator, causing it to stagger. The beast's roars of pain echoed before the soldiers present as Gojira fell onto another building. The Wonderbolts carried the warhead out of the crater, with the insectoid beasts beating up the lizard on the ground distantly. "Hurry up, let's go!" Spitfire orders. Leaving the crater, Rainbow turned around to see if Starlight was following her. Nothing. “Starlight?” The pegasus shouts. Seeing that she didn't come out, Rainbow got worried and quickly flew down. She found the unicorn exactly where she left her. “Starlight, for Celestia's sake, what are you doing?” The pegasus says when she finds her hitting the outside of a gasoline pipe of a buried truck. “Getting rid of those things. Come help me." The unicorn says, hitting the pipe with a metal rod. With no hesitation, rainbow grabbed a rod and started hitting the pipe. After a few desperate hits, the pipe finally gave way, releasing the hydrocarbon into the center of the crater. “Okay, now let's go.” says the pegasus, flying again. Starlight began to run out of the crater. Fuel began to fill the bottom of the hole, approaching a flame. As the insectoids continued to pummel the lizard, Rainbow Dash emerged from the crater, yelling for her friend to hurry up. Starlight begins to leave the crater, being helped by the pegasus's hoof. Suddenly the fire came to life. The entire crater became a huge fireball that could be seen for miles and illuminated the dark night, sending the two friends flying, stunning them. The female MUTO turned to look with a sharp sound. With a desperate roar she ran towards her nest, letting the male continue beating the lizard. The female passed running between the buildings, without noticing the warhead that the paratroopers were carrying under her. The male MUTO also, upon realizing what happened, stops his attacks to take flight towards his nest. Arriving at the smoking crater, the female let out a heartbreaking scream when she saw her nest and her offspring burned, the sadness of her screams was palpable, a cry of pain and loss proper of a mother who lost her progeny. Desperate squeals and growls sounded from the mother throughout Kirintown, as the two dazed ponies crawled away from the crater. Their stealth retreat would be interrupted when they stepped on a plank that broke. “Uh oh…” Rainbow Dash could only say, her brain was screeching. The sadness and grief of the hurt mother became anger when she turned to see those responsible for the loss of her babies. The stunned unicorn's heart sank as she saw the creature approaching, wrathful. The two ponies now stood frozen in fear when the choleric mother began to approach them. Her eyes were fixed on the little ponies. Just as the MUTO was preparing to attack, a hissing hum began to be heard that grew louder and louder, attracting the female's attention. The dense dust began to light up an intense pale blue color that began at the tip of the lizard's tail tip as it rose again. The female was now taking in the scene as the hissing sound intensified and the luminosity rose to the thorns on Gojira's back. Godzilla approached the female and with a huge inhale opened his mouth, and with a roar, he released it. Godzilla released his atomic breath, a beam of bluish light that cut through the night and struck the MUTO with devastating force that sent it crashing into buildings. The Wonderbolts carrying the warhead were completely amazed at such destructive display of brute power that knocked the female to the ground. This allowed the two friends to flee the scene. Godzilla then approached his now dazed prey, but was interrupted by the male who came flying in. The monster's roars were now directed at the flying animal. Spitfire and her team were moving towards the docks with difficulty due to the weight of the warhead. Upon reaching the docks, they approach a tourist boat that was moored. “Turn this thing on.” Spitfire orders. Soarin quickly comes to help her to open the boat's control panel and try to start it getting. When they turn towards the city they see the male MUTO attack Godzilla while the commander moves some cables that turn on the boat's lights. "Got it!" She announced. The roar of the ship's engine, lights, and status alarms echoed in the bay. The stunned female listened it, and saw the boat. With a roar of anger and distress she began to charge to attack the boat. Spitfire's heart sank as she saw the beast approaching in deep anger. “Quickly, move, run.” The commander orders the soldiers who just came with the warhead. The Wonderbolts began to untie the boat desperately, watching the female coming to the dock. Meanwhile, Godzilla and the male continued fighting, the creature's flying capability gave it a great advantage over the lizard, which roared in pain from the bites he was given. However, he managed to grab the MUTO with his snout, sending it flying between several buildings. The male took flight again and turned to attack again. Godzilla was now ready for him. When the male flew closer, He roared furiously, until with a precise movement, the alpha predator hit him with a tail blow that caused him to crash thunderously against a building. The animal, now wedged against the concrete and steel frame of the building, breathed its last breaths. Godzilla breathed, exhausted from the battle, but still not completely winning, the building where he crashed his rival now collapsing on top of him, knocking him down again. Starlight and Rainbow limped through the city towards the sea. They still had to get to the boat. Exhausted, they turned to see Godzilla falling to the ground in pain. The animal's tired face filled them with determination again, now listening to the shots that were taking place on the docks. On the docks the battle was desperate, the Wonderbolts fought bravely against the female MUTO, firing their magical weapons towards the creature that approached the boat. Starlight and Rainbow made it to the dock, the pegasus could barely see clearly from the concussion she suffered while her friend could barely stand. They both watched with terror as the female destroyed the upper half of the boat with one blow of her claw, ending the shots fired by those on board. The mission was now critical as the MUTO brought its enormous snout close to the warhead. But a bazooka missile shot that hit her in the cheek forced her to focus her attention with the second Wonderbolts team on the dock. Letting out a angry roar, she began to approach the dock again, leaving the boat alone. The shots of the ponies trying to buy time were heard, desperate, they yelled as the beast approached. Starlight and Rainbow began running to the boat, desperate. However, Rainbow finally gave in and fell unconscious to the ground. Starlight felt even more desperate when she saw her companion fall, but she couldn't stay to help, she had to get that boat moving at any cost. The creature approached the dock where the second team of Wonderbolts were and with one bite destroyed it. The last Wonderbolts continued firing when trying to distract the creature, but with other blows the shots ended. Starlight finally made it to the boat, stumbling. She checked the clock. 19:59:45 With another effort of her magic she tried to open the panel, but to no avail again. It was definite, she had to make this thing move. She approached the cockpit and revved the engine and steered the wheel toward the sea. With a last effort she pushed the ship away from the dock with an iron rod. Finally moving away from the dock, she fell onto the deck, totally exhausted. Now she was alone. Suddenly the boat turned off, leaving everything in silent darkness. With labored breaths, Starlight turns to see a huge claw stepping on the water. The female is on top of the boat, watching her. Slowly approaching the ship, the creature roars in anger. Starlight, too weak to cast a spell, pulls out her charge pistol, determined. The creature approaches to deliver the killing blow. Until the creature stopped dead, startled. "Uh?" She wonders, looking at her gun that didn't fire a single shot. Godzilla had clung to the female's neck with his teeth, taking her away now struggling to open her jaw with his hands. The creature resisted opening its mouth as the hissing hum grew louder, lighting up the lizard's thorns. With its mouth open, the titan released its atomic breath directly into the MUTO's throat, illuminating the night as life was extinguished in the MUTO's eyes, decapitating her from the blast. The female's body fell dead into the sea. With a triumphant roar, the Gojira demonstrated why it is the alpha predator, dropping the head into the sea, his roar resounded throughout the city as the battle of Manehattan came to an end. Starlight could only breathe a sigh of relief, dropping her weapon and hearing the boat's engine and systems come back online. The lights of the city that never sleeps came back on, demonstrating the amount of destruction from the city to the bridge. Exhausted, Starlight collapses, passing out on her side as she watches a exhausted Godzilla fall to the ground as well. Then nothing. 12. Aftermath.September 14th, 1024 ALB. Shores of Manehattan, Equestria. The sea and the night were now at peace, the silence was comforting as Starlight watched passed under the destroyed Manehatta bridge, Starlight's mind was now only pensive. The unicorn lay on the floor of the boat, with no one around, her breathing was heavy and ragged; exhaustion had taken every fiber of her being, and now, it was just her, the bomb, and the vast ocean that stretched out in front of her. Her mind finally allowed her to reflect on everything that had happened. She thought about Trixie, her great and powerful friend, now with her death avenged, she could finally let her rest in peace, she could finally reunite with her. She also thought of her fallen comrades, now their deaths won't have been in vain when this thing exploded. She thought about Sunburst, about Twilight and her friends, about the jump, about the train, about the nuclear plant, all the battles, all the wars, the nuclear explosions, the deaths and what she had to do to get here, all of that now. It all seemed far away, so far away; but just thinking about it was blow after blow to her wounded heart, now finally healing. "It was worth it?" She thought to herself as the city lights receded. “Was all this worth it?” She kept thinking. “Is this how it all ends?” She kept questioning herself. Of course it did, she answered to herself, now she finally had peace of mind, the obsessions she once had disappearing with the dark waves of the sea as the boat sailed. Now she could rest, rest in peace. Godzilla, the titan that had saved her world, now he was exhausted like her on the ground; he was a lone warrior in a world that was only beginning to understand his greatness. The clock continued its countdown. All those wars, all the horrors experienced, the shortages, the suffering... Was it worth it? The Griffon Empire, Stalliongrad, Equestria, Hindia... all of them geopolitical actors in a world that was opening to a new era. The clock was ticking. Her mind was now at peace, flooding her thoughts with a happiness she hadn't felt in years. The unicorn smiled finally, resting on the deck of that boat. It was now she and the sea, peaceful sea. Starlight then closed her eyes, waiting for the end. Suddenly a sound, an engine was approaching at full speed, she reopened her tired eyes. Starlight only managed to see a light in the sky, dazzling her. Her blurred vision only managed to see the light that settled above her and a figure that came down from the sky. "Was this how it ended?" She thought. Through her blurry vision she saw a pony with a helmet appear in front of her, shouting something she couldn't hear, it was too far away to be heard. A friendly hoof took her and put her on a stretcher as she was lifted up. Starlight only saw the light approaching, to be greeted by two other ponies with helmets, telling her things that she also failed to understand. The only thing she could see from where she was was the dark night over the ocean and the boat getting further and further away now. Suddenly the peaceful and darkness of Luna's night was illuminated with the power of thousands of suns, Starlight could not hear anything or see anything clearly, but she did not need it, her mind was at peace, her thoughts were now calm. While the ponies that picked her up from that ship told her things that she didn't hear well, she wanted to rest, it was too much to face. Closing her eyes, Starlight was finally able to sleep and relax. September 15th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. The city that never sleeps was unrecognizable, now the rubble was testimony to the chaos that had reigned. Firefighters and rescuers moved among the pile of concrete, steel and cement that was once the center of the city. In the middle of the rubble Godzilla lays, with his eyes closed. The helicopters resonated and the calls of rescuers were heard everywhere. Even with all the rubble, there was hope. "Silence." A firefighter orders. Everyone fell silent. "There's somepony down here, let's go." Spreading their hooves, they begin to pull several ponies out of what was once a shelter, emerging an orange earth pony and a white unicorn next to the group, covered in dust, but in one piece. More survivors. Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike arrive among the rubble to see the magnitude of what happened, seeing in amazement the enormous Godzilla lying on his stomach, still. The three of them can only limit themselves to seeing with amazement and distress what the animal left behind. However, their attention was then focused on the rescuers below them, pulling out two ponies whose colors became familiar to them. “Rarity, Applejack!” They all screamed, going for the hug of relief. “Twilight? Twilight! How did you get here so fast?” The orange earth pony asks. “It's a long story… we have a lot of explanations to give.” The alicorn says. “And Starlight? She told us she'd come, but it seems she couldn't.” The white unicorn said. “She was in the battle, fell unconscious and almost blew up the city... She'll tell it better than me, hehe.” Spike intervenes, joking a bit. "She's kind of fine, with rainbow, they got wounded in the battle." The alicorn princess said. “Yes, what happened was colossal.” Fluttershy adds. "Ah can agree on that." The farm pony said. September 15th, 1024 ALB. Canterbury, Equestria. Starlight opened her eyes slowly, dazzled and blinking at the white light from the ceiling. The unicorn looked around. She was in a hospital. “Welcome back, Starlight.” The Cutie Mark Crusaders greet, in front of her bed. The unicorn looked at them before her attention got caught by another greeting. “Good morning, Starlight.” The pony next to her says. Turning to look, still disoriented, she sees Rainbow Dash, just as bandaged as the unicorn was. Still looking around, she saw her nightstand full with letters of support and gratitude from Twilight, Fluttershy, Spike and the CMCs, as well as some flowers sent by the admirals. “Where am I and what happened?” She says, looking at her nightstand. “Oh, you are in the Canterbury military hospital, it seems that after I lost consciousness you managed to move the ship, it seems that they rescued you in time before you exploded in the ocean.” The pegasus says. lighthearted. “What about our companions?” Starlight says. Rainbow Dash became less cheerful. “Only we and five more came back, it was a miracle that Spitfire survived that hit… she swam to shore before falling unconscious.” Starlight looked to the ground, pensive again. "Just her, Thunderlane, High Winds, Lunar Twirl, and Autumn Leave came back, the rest are considered either missing or fallen." The cyan pegasus said, somberly. “They fought until the end to buy us time, Rainbow. I'm sorry." Memories of the battle came back to them again, bringing them shared pain. The stayed quiet and thoughtful. Giving them a minute of silence. While this was happening, the CMC had let them talk as they were now watching television again, the news from Manehattan. It didn't take long before the patients turned to look. Thousands missing... Princess Twilight arrived at the scene... The princesses are on the way to the city... Godzilla lies on the ground. In the live television images they manage to see that they rescue Applejack and Rarity from the rubble, finally reuniting. “Look, they're alive!” Sweetie Belle celebrates. "What a relief." Starlight says, relaxed once again. Finally good news. In the ruins that were once a metropolis, now only rescuers and soldiers can be seen arriving on the scene to help. “And what will happen to the nuclear pollution there, then?” The ranch pony wonders. “I really don't know, I think Godzilla feeds on it.” “Godzilla?” Rarity wonders. “That's what they call it.” Fluttershy says, looking at the laying down animal with amazement and gratitude. Suddenly a helicopter is heard, making them turn around behind them. The UH-1 lands a several more soldiers and a pink pony in uniform and an orange unicorn get out of the aircraft as well. Artillery General Pinkie Pie has arrived. Running to greet her, they give each other another big embrace. “How was the battle? I missed it since that thing attacked the train I was guarding.” The party pony asks. “Starlight, Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts jumped to recover the warhead, they were injured and are in Canterbury right now, very few made it.” Twilight summarizes it. “That's not very good news, but not so bad either.” Says the pink equine. Suddenly the monster exhaled, scaring everyone present who turned to look immediately. Twilight and Fluttershy were shocked to see Godzilla open his eyes, growling slightly. At the hospital, Starlight and Rainbow were still talking about their experience and battle last night, not paying much attention to the TV now. "Look! It's moving!" Scootalooo announces. Turning to watch the television they saw the large animal rise from the rubble and begin to walk slowly towards the sea. "That's got to be the biggest animal I've ever seen." The purple unicorn said. "Indeed." The pegasus said. The king of the monsters... Did he save the city? Amazed at the animal they saw fall exhausted the night before, they could only watch in amazement as the titan moved again. The six ponies and the dragon, along with the crowd, watched with amazement and relative gratitude at the enormous animal that was slowly walking towards the sea among the rubble. With a roar of triumph, the king of monsters took his leave, returning to the sea. The city was silent as Godzilla walked away, his imposing figure fading into the water, among the waves of the sea, his enormous thorns are now disappearing among the calm waters of the Celestial Sea. The friends hugged each other, knowing that now the future was uncertain, but they will face it together. "And now what?" Fluttershy wonders, her voice shaking. “We rebuild. – The alicorn responded with determination. – We will rebuild the cities and our lives, we will rebuild Starlight's life… There is still a lot to know about him, we will also have to learn more about Godzilla.” The group nodded in agreement. There is work to do and memories to honor, but there is also hope; the same hope that gave them all the strength to fight and survive their own battles and help others. The story of Starlight and her friends did not end there; it was just the beginning of something new, a new era. Like the phoenix reborn from the ashes of chaos, a new world replaces the old. As day replaces night, a new age is here to stay. The age of monsters. Author's Note And that's the end, folks, I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. Any kind of feedback and suggestions will be appreciated for its sequel. Yes, I'm preparing a sequel for this story, I think you already know which movie it'll be. Although this one will take longer, since classes have started again and I'll be quite busy, but sooner or later we'll have a sequel. It's been a huge honor that you've decided to read my Godzilla adaptation, I hope you liked it and I wish you a great day.
2. Dragon Islands Mining Disaster.May 21st, 1020 ALB. Ponyville, Equestria. It was a normal day in post-war Ponyville, the land and nature were slowly recovering after the horrors suffered by the Great War, Ponyville had been devastated after the Battle of Canterlot between the armies of the United Ponies Alliance and the Changeling Hegemony, the capital fall thanks to the intervention of Stalliongrad. This was no longer a small town, it was already a small city, with incipient industrialization. War changes the world and also changes the ponies, our mane 6 were no strangers to this: Rarity managed to expand her fashion and clothing business thanks to uniform contracts during the conflict; Although that was not entirely to her liking, she couldn't complain much. Pinkie Pie enlisted with her sisters in different services during the war. Thanks Celestia, they managed to survive the war by being part of the officer corps, with major battles and decorations to their credit. The psychological recovery at the end of the war in 1014 wasn't easy, the traumas will remain, but so will the parties. Applejack was also a member of the officer corps, along with her brother, and received numerous decorations for great battles and defenses. Today they work on their farm like in the old days, however, the war forced the Apples and other producers to mechanize and industrialize production. Sweet Apple Acres still maintains its essence, but there is no denying the large amount of machinery and automation there is. Rainbow Dash was no stranger either, as a prominent member of the Wonderbolts, she flew hundreds of dangerous missions, losing one of her own wings in the process, forcing her to sit in an office until they got her a metal prosthetic. Her rehabilitation and reintegration into post-war society took time, but she remains part of the Royal Equestrian Air Force. Fluttershy joined Twilight and Spike as heads of the alliance's joint research program, especially the nuclear program, one of the highest priorities of the war; They were even ahead of time when the first test was done there in the deserts of Mixie at the beginning of 1014. The advances were significant and the war was won thanks to this device. After the war, Twilight and Fluttershy would return home for a well-deserved rest, however, a new global order was being established, Stalliongrad and the Griffonian Empire grew significantly stronger during these years. Stalliongrad was granted an area of influence to the north of Equus and the territories to the south that they claimed in exchange for helping in the war; as expected, Canterlot-Stalliongrad relations deteriorated significantly after that; likewise with Griffenheim, now a powerful empire that threatens the River Federation to the east. This tense atmosphere led to an accelerated arms race, therefore, there was a need for more weapons research and with that Fluttershy and Twilight were called back to duty. Their friendship remained strong, however, Equestria called and everyone must do their part. At the Luna Nova Institute, they also met Twilight's former friendship student, Starlight Glimmer and her great and powerful friend Trixie, also recruited as a junior researchers because their great knowledges in magic, being a complementary members of the institute's research. That day in Ponyville was a normal day, everyone was finally able to coincide on their days of rest, so that was the ideal day to be able to get up to date with their friendship. This time it wasn't as big a party as Pinkie knows how to make them, but it was something more discreet; They needed a quieter situation than the hustle and bustle of their lives. Just a moment of talk and enjoy a bit of slice of life. “And tell us, Dash – says Rarity – what jobs do you do now at the Wonderbolts? It seems like they hardly do stunts anymore after the war.” “Oh yes, after the reforms we dedicated ourselves to training new pilots and parachutists on the new jet airplanes, I still can't get used to the fact that anyone can fly on those machines; but yeah, it seems like the higher ups don't want to waste time on stunts when you have commie MiGs on the border flying, so it's not as cool as it used to be.” Dash says in a disappointed manner. “Oh, darling, I hope you'll be able to do those wonderful stunts again one day…” “Tell us, Twilight, what are ya and Fluttershy searching now, uh?” Applejack asks. “Oh, girls, I have already told you that unfortunately we had to sign for our silence, the nature of what we do is classified, otherwise, I would tell you without a problem.” “And what about Starlight?” Applejack asks again. “Sadly she was sent at the last minute as a consultant on nuclear energy and magic to New Manehattan, there in New Mareland. Trixie went with her. – Twilight responds – They will be there for a couple of weeks, according to what the Princesses and the ambassador informed me.” “Shame…” Applejack says. “Uh… Twilight…” Spike intervenes, who seems to be choking. After a light tap on the back, the dragon finally burps, revealing a card. The letter had the CLASSIFIED seal and the seal of the two sisters. Twilight knows exactly what the symbol means and who it belongs to; It is not only a letter from the princesses. “What is it Twilight?” asks Fluttershy. While her other friends only watched with curiosity what the alicorn was reading. It's classified, unfortunately, Fluttershy, but it looks like we'll have to leave tomorrow. Fluttershy also understood the meaning of that and nodded. "Well, I guess this mean we'll have to accelerate this party a bit more before you leave..." Said Pinkie her new party howitzer. May 23rd, 1020 ALB. Open Pit Crystal Mines, 50 kilometers southwest of The Mountain, United Dragon Islands. Among the mountains of the dragon islands, a helicopter could be heard passing by, a REAF Dragonfly brand-new helicopter, there were Fluttershy, Twilight and Spike observing the landscape, very far from home. “How serious do you think this incident was? – asks Fluttershy, almost deafened by the pistons of the vehicle's engine – This is the first time something of this magnitude has happened in all the time of investigation." “Apparently from reports, pretty bad, flutters, Admiral Cynosura didn't say anything else to me when she met us at the port.” “From what I see in the report, Twilight, it is serious.” Spike says, flipping through the papers. After a few minutes, the helicopter passed the last mountain, flying towards a large esplanade between the cliffs, revealing the mine and the magnitude of the catastrophe that had occurred: More than half of the open pit mine had collapsed into a huge sinkhole whose depth could not be seen, beside the big landslide that destroyed the other half. “Dear Celestia.” The three exclaimed. After circling the mine a few times looking for a landing spot, the aerial vehicle finally prepared to touch down. There Dragon Lord Ember, a General and two cream and cyan ponies dressed in suits were waiting for them. “My pleasure, Your Majesty, I am General Whiplash, commander of the Southern Military Region. How good it's you that you arrived; I guess you already know Dragon Lord Ember and the SMILE agents, Lyra Heartstring and Sweetie Drops.” The general greets. “Hi, Ember, long time no see.” Spike says, going for the hug. “Hello, Spike... how long too.” Ember says, a bit embarrassed. After everypony greeted between them, Whiplash intervenes: “As you know from the reports, Your Majesty-” “Just Twilight, please.” “Apologies, Miss Twilight. The situation is changing and workers and machinery that were buried by the collapse continue to be found, however, we haven't descended into the abyss; the truth is, we already gave up on those who fell.” Whiplash says. “How many workers were there?” Fluttershy asks. “Approximately 200 died in the slope collapse, and we believe that another 100 fell into the abyss. Most of them are ponies and zebras that were unable. The injured are thousands, Celestia-knows-how-many missing there are.” "Oh no." Fluttershy says, her heart shrieking. “And why was SMILE called to this place? It was just an earthquake, wasn't it?” Twilight asks. “That's a good question, Twilight.” Lyran intervenes, as Sweetie pulls a paper from her saddlebag, with a seismograph pattern more like a plateau than natural seismic waves. “You see, Twilight, this seismological pattern seems extremely strange to us, we cannot identify it or know its origin; but this was what was detected at the time of the collapse.” Sweetie says. “How strange, I have never seen patterns like this... – Twilight says, seeing the sheet – Have they already gone down to the mine? There may still be people.” “We would do it ma'am, but we are waiting for the Special Engineers Corps.” Whiplash answers. “Special Engineers? Couldn't they just fly down or on a rope?" Spike asks. “It's true, sir, but we have detected large concentrations of radioactivity in the crystals down there, whoever goes down without a special suit has probably already died painfully by now, so the Corps of Engineers will arrive in an hour, they're prepared for this. ” “I'll help with the injured in the meantime, if you don't mind.” Said Fluttershy. Fluttershy entered the medical tent, it was full of creatures of all kinds, injured miners, broken bones and wounds still unhealed. Lots of body bags too. She approached a bed where a nurse was trying to heal the wounds of a zebra, he was breathing hard and she noticed his suffering. Fluttershy was no stranger to injuries, but her heart was also no stranger to the pain of seeing someone like that. She immediately noticed what kind of injuries he had, she had seen them before. They were not cuts or bruises, these injuries were radiation injuries. This poor soul's cells were being annihilated. "What happened?" the pegasus asked him. "The creatures of this world...we came...we destroyed the earth...we ripped holes in her skin...now she gave birth to a demon..." he said, breathily. The yellow pegasus's heart twisted in pain when he heard his suffering. Suddenly she heard several trucks and a helicopter arrive. When the engineers arrived, they began to prepare for the descent; in the end, Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike weren't able to fly there, because those HAZMAT suits were extremely cumbersome to wear. "Rarity'd have a stroke if she saw one of these..." Twilight thought. The descent was slow but sure. Approximately 50 meters down, the cavern was extremely spacious and dark. “Are you sure I have to go too?” Fluttershy asks, terrified. “You don't have to, flutters, you can stay and continue helping, we'll communicate on the radio. Channel 1.” Twilight says before the soldiers help her hook onto the rope and go down as well. “Team from surface to descent, do you copy?” Says one of the soldiers who accompanied them. "Strong and clear." They answer him. Several soldiers and workers also went down with them. “How strange, this doesn't seem natural either, I've been to many caves, mountains and so on, I've never seen anything of this magnitude…” A soldier mentions. “Curious,” a soldier remarks when checking his Geiger counter, “the radiation levels are at half, it is as if contact with the outside air had catalyzed something.” The lamps break the gloom of what was the cabin, some ponies were recording, others were taking photos, the camera flashes were like lightning in the darkness. Suddenly they see a figure in the darkness of the cave. Twilight soon comes over to see. It was a equine-like figure. Her heart filled with dread when she saw that this thing was a dead body. The Geiger counter was crackling like crazy. Suddenly a flash from the camera revealed the disturbing scene, several ponies and other creatures piled up on the floor of this cavern. She jumped in fright. "They sent another 50 workers down here before we arrived and learned how dangerous the cave was... – Whiplash said, grimly. – To look for survivors." The bodies were unrecognizable. "The rescuers did not return." Lyra added. The alicorn and the dragon continued to illuminate the cave. “Spike, do you see this?” Twilight points out with her magical light. The ponies accompanying them, in order to have more visibility, turn on several halogen spotlights, illuminating the cavern entirely, revealing that in front of them an enormous bone, a giant rib; not just one, but an entire row, a spinal column that stretched across the cavern leading to the fossil of an absolutely gigantic skull. "A dragon?" Sweetie Drops asks. “I don't think so, this is something much bigger, I don't think the largest modern dragons could ever have been so massive, this one is over 100 meters.” Pointed the purple alicorn. “Could this be what you've been researching all these years, Twi?” Spike asks. “It's possible, but I don't think it's him either, this one is fossilized, this is very old; it must be older than Equestria itself, easily millions of years.” Twi emphasizes. “Hey, look at this!” Lyra shouts. As they all go they see two huge fang-shaped protuberances hanging from the ceiling of the cavern, they look like rock formations, but they are definitely not rocks. As they approach, their Geiger counters began to crackle. "What's that?" Spike asks. “Perhaps a kind of egg, a sleeping spore… the bones are fossilized but this is not; perfectly preserved for millennia.” Twilight analyzed. Upon illuminating this tusk, she finds another one that looks similar, however, it was broken. “Fluttershy, can you see from there?” Twilight calls on the radio. Fluttershy's crackling voice could be said "Yes... more or less... it's like something... came out... of that thing..." The attention of everyone there was interrupted by the sound of a helicopter at the end of the cave, towards the other side. “Fluttershy, has the helicopter taken off yet?” Twilight asks. “Yes… ten minutes ago.” she responds with some static. So the group begins to walk towards the other side of the skeleton, finding a huge skylight in the cavern that led outwards, dazzling all the members of the expedition, towards where the helicopter was flying over a second entrance and a huge trail of sinuous destruction that led to the Fire Sea. “H-1 to mission control… Do you copy?” The pilot asks. "10-4, H1." Whiplash answers, looking up at the end of the cave. “We have something big out here.”
1. The Summer Islands Test.November 8th, 1016 ALB, Trotter Atoll, 915 kilometers east of Puerto Caballo. After many weeks of indecision, the Princesses have already given the military the green light to begin the tests in the southern seas, but these are not just any tests, it's a hunt. Trotter Atoll is a hive of activity, everyone doing their part in the test: soldiers, engineers, scientists, marines and pilots, all working to complete preparations on time. Operation Hurricane was reaching its final preparatory phases, the small island chosen among the other 22 of the atoll is called Anguila, or that is the name given by the fisherponies of Puerto Caballo. Multiple rings of sensors, cameras and measuring instruments were installed around the island and in the center was the burning heart of the operation: Hurricane III, Equestria's third nuclear device, whose capacity was approximately 25 kilotons, designed by the Luna Nova Institute of Nuclear Research; approved by Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle themselves. A few hours before minute 0, aboard the battleship ERNS Puddinghead, General Whiplash was speaking with Admiral Madoor Stroghammer: “Admiral, how long until the test?” “About three hours and twelve minutes until our objective arrives; according to the hydrophones, it is south of the Méridiennes – she says, checking her notes – Why, general?.” “Just curious, Marshal Blueblood and the Princesses want to put an end to this possible menace immediately; they're worried about the growing power of the Griffonian Empire and Stalliongrad, so Their Majesties wanted whatever is there to disappear.” The general says. “Don't worry, Whiplash, after this firecracker goes boom, Their Majesties will have no more worries about creatures attacking ships. – Says the admiral, looking through her binoculars – Oh, look, the New Mareland, Hippogriffia and Puerto Caballo Fleets have arrived.” Dozens of foghorns came from the ships approaching the fleet. "Indeed... – Says the general – I hope we are at a safe distance, this one is more powerful than the others.” “We are 30 kilometers from the island, Whiplash, calm down and enjoy the fireworks… – after checking the clock – By now, they should be starting to evacuate the atoll.” 15 minutes until detonation. The last ships to leave Anguila finally join the joint fleet, 30 kilometers from the island. Alerts and orders could be heard on the megaphones: “Attention, everypony to your positions, 15 minutes until detonation. I repeat, everyone to your positions, 15 minutes until detonation.” On the bridge, the atmosphere felt extremely anxious, Admiral Stronghammer, although undaunted, felt the enormous pressure of the mission entrusted to her. “Attention, gentlemen, target less than 15 minutes away, everyone attentive.” Whiplash was also feeling the pressure, "Will it work?" was the question that clouded his mind. 5 minutes until detonation. Once everyone was in their positions, observing and waiting. The atmosphere was tense. Scientists and soldiers making their last estimates and bets before the moment of truth. "Tell me, Whiplash... what'd happen if this creature doesn't go to Tartarus after such explosions." Asks Stronghammer, observing the peacefulness of the ocean. "I can't imagine, one worked well for Vraks, maybe we'll need a bigger bomb?" Whiplash says. "Who knows..." “Objetive in sight, 10 kilometers, at 9!” A sailor shouted. Suddenly everyone turns to look in unison, the tropical sea, so calm at this time of day, begins to rage when something enormous makes an appearance, giant thorns, a moving island comes out from the water; they can't see anything below water but it's certainly enormous. Alarm sirens are heard from the dozens of ships gathered there, conversations fall silent. “Well, Whiplash, here comes the moment of truth – says the admiral before taking the intercom – Attention, four minutes until detonation.” 1 minute until detonation. “Attention, 60 seconds!” Immediately afterwards, everyone puts on their eye protection glasses. "30 seconds." On that island, on the nuclear device, an image of a crossed-out creature is seen. This bomb is for that thing. "10 seconds." The creature approaches that paradise island. "5" "4" "3" "2" The waves of the sea, already raging by the enormous creature, become even more agitated when a huge head starts coming out of the water. "1" . . . Silence, everything was silence when the evening sky began to shine as if Celestia had summoned thousands of suns in a second on that little southern islet. The silence only meant one thing: Hurricane III had successfully detonated. The silence was thunderous, as everyone was shocked by the enormous fireball that was unleashed on Anguila. Tartarus has been opened. Seconds later a wave of energy would come that shook everything, from the entrails of the ponies to the keels of their ships, sounding their alarms. Admiral Strongahammer had a hard time getting up from her daze, but when she recovered she saw nothing on the island and said: “General Whiplash… call Canterlot. We've got it." Author's Note Well, there we start my first adventure in the fanfic world, I hope you've enjoyed it. Stay tuned because I'll be publishing a new chapter every week!
3. The New Manehattan Nuclear Accident.Author's Note And here comes another chapter, I hope you enjoy it. 3. The New Manehattan Nuclear Accident. May 20, 1020 ALB. Luna Nova, Equestria. Starlight Glimmer has definitely had bad weeks before, especially during the war, she did everything to support the war effort, she even enlisted, although in the end she was relegated to the second line, at least she did her bit for victory and that was more than enough for her. After she walked away from Twilight and her friends and left Ponyville to seek her own adventures with her powerful friend Trixie, life ultimately hasn't always smiled on Starlight. When they were recruited for the Manehattan crystal-based atomic bomb project, chosen for their great knowledge in crystal science and unorthodox magic, she didn't expect anything until she ran into Twilight, Fluttershy, and Spike again, situation which she did for some reason never imagined she would live, but she was happy to finally see them again after a long time and not just by correspondence. Although life and work did not always smile at them, being with familiar faces in such a transcendental project is something that keeps their morale high, despite the fact that the three ponies already mentioned are called from time to time to jobs that, at the it seems Starlight and Trixie aren't authorized to know. They weren't allowed to get answers, so they stopped worrying about it, plus they weren't the only ones having fun, misses Lulamoon and Glimmer were also sent to... Seminars, tutorials and consultancies? Yes, this definitely wasn't an adventure, but the pay is good and they get to travel from time to time, so they don't complain much either. The worst comes when they were finally able to go to Ponyville again to meet up with those friends they left in search of adventures, however, they were told that they will have to postpone it unexpectedly because a colleague got sick and now they will have to travel to New Manehattan. “Great, now that we could finally go to Ponyville after so long and now this, what could be worse?” Starlight exclaimed. "Don't worry, Starlight, we can go back to Ponyville one of these days, Twilight will have to wait for us, because I will be the greatest and most powerful consultant on magic and atomic stuff that New Mareland has ever seen, and you as my faithful assistant... of course." The blue unicorn says, much to Starlight's dismay. May 22nd, 1020 ALB. New Manehattan, New Mareland. The Sapphire City was a large metropolis, as bustling as its original counterpart in Equus, built by migrants from the three continents, one of the commercial epicenters of Griffonia, this city is the second most important in the Commonwealth of New Mareland, as well as one of the great centers of operations for the United Ponies Alliance, not many miles from the shores of the empire of the young Kaiser Grover VI. It was a mild morning in the city and the newspapers announced a moderately hot day. Starlight and Trixie had barely arrived at their lodging in the early morning, with good views to the bay, by the way. “Well, Trixie, good morning, as I remember when they told us when they picked us up at the airport, they will come for us in an hour, so we better get ready.” Starlight says, flipping through the newspaper she bought a few hours ago. “Don't you find it fascinating how technology has advanced so much that now planes can take us across the ocean in such a short time? The great and powerful Trixie is still amazed by that.” “Yes, I think that was part of the development program of Equestrian Airways and Northern Development… – Starlight stops her talking to focus on an article – Wow, it says that there was a mining disaster on the Dragon Islands, it says that the Special Engineers Corps were deployed to prevent more victims from the collapse…” “You know, Starlight, mining is dangerous work. – Trixie responds, interrupting, while checking her bags. – By the way, don't you know if I brought my toothbrush? May 22nd, 1020 ALB. New Manehattan Nuclear Plant, New Mareland. After passing through a couple of security checkpoints and identifying themselves about five times, Starlight and Trixie are finally greeted by another general and the head of the plant. “Good afternoon, Trixie Lulamoon and Starlight Glimmer, I am Radiant Glow, head of the New Marelander nuclear program; I have heard many things about you and your work, as well as Twilight and Fluttershy. I am sure it will be an honor to work with you.” “The pleasure is ours, we also know of your good work in this part of the world.” Starlight states. “Good afternoon, ladies, a pleasure, I am General Nightlight Charm, head of the fourth military district; an apology for the high security, but we are worried that some infiltrator of the empire will enter a place as delicate as this and we cannot make exceptions. We even have magic inhibitors in the facility, only telekinesis is allowed, by the way.” The Thestral says. "Don't worry, general, the great and powerful trixie will inform you of any irregularities if there are any." “Well, very well, ladies, I will show you your temporary offices. Over here please. – Radiant Glow tells them. – As you will see, we are an institution…” Her presentation was interrupted by a slight earthquake that caused the lights in the corridor to flicker. “What in the name of Tartarus was that?” Starlight asks. Radiant Glow exhales, thinking about what to respond, while Nightlight intervenes: “We have been suffering from those tremors and earthquakes for the last twenty-four hours; it is possible that it is of imperial origin, but we do not have much to support that statement.” “Yes, just that, this is a problem that we don't know what it is or what causes it. Please join me here better.” The yellow unicorn tells them. Thus, Radiant Glow takes them to the plant's control room instead, taking a sheet of paper coming out of the seismograph and computer reader. “As you will see, the patterns of these earthquakes are abnormal, even the aftershocks have exactly the same pattern. It doesn’t seem natural.” The drawn pattern on the paper looked like a plateau, rather than seismic waves. “This is weird, I can't imagine what this is either, it doesn't seem like any natural pattern that I know of.” Supports Starlight. “Trixie doesn't know this pattern either.” May 25, 1020 ALB. New Manehattan, New Mareland. Back in their lodging. “Yes, Radiant Glow, it doesn't seem like this is tectonic. I am seriously worried about these earthquakes… yes, we will get there in a few minutes… yes, thank you.” Starlight says before hanging up the phone. “This is definitely serious, Starlight.” Trixie says, grabbing her notebook. “I still can't explain what those patterns are... Changing the subject, you did decide to be part of the supervision of the maneuvers in the reactor, right?” Starlight mentions, making notes in her notebook and making copies of the patterns. “Indeed, Starlight, the Great and Powerful Trixie will be supervisor as you requested.” Said the ex-magician, combing her mane. "Be very careful please." May 25th, 1020 ALB. New Manehattan Nuclear Plant, New Mareland. The situation was tense in the corridors of the plant. “How serious are these earthquakes?” Starlight asks. “Same pattern as the last few days since we detected them on the Dragon Islands, but they're getting stronger. The last one was detected off the coast of Port Harbor.” Radiant Glow says, pulling out more measurements while trotting. "When?" "Two hours ago." In the basement, Trixie and several other ponies, dressed in HAZMAT suits, prepared to enter the service corridors. “Alright everypony, Trixie wants us to do this soon.” "Yes, ma'am." Everypony said before entering the long corridor. As they reached the bustle of the control room, Starlight became increasingly uneasy about what she saw on the screens and papers. “I think this is a serious security risk, Radiant, we should shut down at least part of the reactors until we know what these patterns are and resolve them.” Starlight demands. "But…" “The safety of this plant and the city are at risk, Radiant, that's much worse for your reputation than a blackout.” "I still think it's..." "I have operative authority in my contract, Radiant, we're not only attachés to give a couple of classes, we're here for security too." "If we pull this plant offline, it'll take three months to get it back up." Before the discussion could continue, they got interrupted by another earthquake, this one stronger than the previous ones, causing the lights to fail and the alarms to buzz. "You see? Shut down the plant and we’ll figure it out.” Starlight said. Radiant, having lost the argument, just nodded. Thus, all the workers began their work on their panels. Starlight, now worried about what's happening, grabs a walkie-talkie. “Trixie. Starlight speaking, you copy?” In the basement, Trixie's squad was trotting. “Okay, everypony, once-” She was interrupted by an strong earthquake, and the end of the hallway began to fill with a thick white gas that advanced towards the group rapidly. Trixie's hearts sank. “Dear Celestia... run!” “Trixie! Do you copy me?” "Yes, Starlight." The walkie-talkie answered. “Get out of there immediately, if there's a leak in the reactor, your suits won't protect you for more than five minutes, you hear me?” No answer. Anxiety was beginning to wash over Starlight, she has to act. And act quickly. “Radiant, put the doors in that hallway in override, I'll go wait for them.” "But is dangerous." The yellos unicorn protested, but to no avail, Starlight had already started running. “Trixie's down there, I won't leave her there!” The race against time was running out as both ponies ran to the entrance of that hallway. Those long and white-lighted hallways felt like an eternity. Starlight passed by many ponies fleeing the disaster on the way out until she reached the entrance of the hallway. Starlight saw nothing more than pipelines to nowhere. “Radiant, I got to the door, tell me it's in override.” This is Starlight on the intercom. “Affirmative, but we must close it now.” “I'm already here, when they pass I'll close it immediately.” Starlight says before taking the walkie-talkie again. "Trixie, I'm already at the door…" No answer. "Trixie? I am waiting for you…" “I know, I know.” Trixie said before a pipe burst, causing the group to stumble and fall, knocking one out. Trixie could only watch the white gas approach her at insane speed while trying to carry the knocked out companion. “Starlight, we need to seal the hallway, otherwise the entire city will be irradiated.” Said the intercom. "I know!" Starlight said with teary eyes. Before returning to the walkie-talkie. “Trixie?” “Starlight…” “Trixie, I'm here, do you hear me?” “Starlight… We won't make it. You have to close the door... Take care of yourself." “No, no, no, don't say that, run as fast as you can, please.” Starlight said, desperate. “Starlight Glimmer, close that door, please.” They tell her over the intercom. The weight on her shoulders was desperating to the unicorn. With teary eyes and a cloudy mind, Starlight refuses to close that door. No, she can't leave her behind. She can't. She can't leave Trixie. She thought. Suddenly, from the end of the hallway a thick white gas begins to approach Starlight rapidly. The gas approached the unicorn at an insane speed. It was just a few meters from her now. “Starlight!” In a cry of desperation, the unicorn presses the button, sealing the door permanently. The alarms were ringing and Starlight was in the floor, sobbing. Suddenly a knock is heard on the door, drawing the attention of a devastated Starlight Glimmer. In the small window that overlooked the hallway, several desperate ponies, including Trixie, could be seen peeking out. “I'm sorry.” She said to the her friend on the other side. Starlight's eyes were full of tears as she saw her best friend. As a second set of security hatches were closing, the two inseparable friends see each other for the last time. “Don't worry, Starlight… – says Trixie, taking off her helmet. – The great and powerful Trixie will be able to handle it… take good care of yourself.” The purple unicorn could only see the small window disappear behind the hatches. The hatches were now totally closed.
4. New Manehattan Exclusion Zone.September 2nd, 1024 ALB. Ponyville, Equestria. The doors of the train open onto the Ponyville train station, larger and busier after the wartime railroad expansion eight years ago. From the train coming from the Crystal Empire, Sunburst leaves, who comes, after a long time, to visit old friends. Sunburst was and has also been one of the most important researchers of the Crystal Empire, as well as a representative of the empire's research system in Equestria and the Alliance; However, this visit was not for work, this is social. He was welcomed with open arms, of course. “Tell me, Sunburst, what have you been doing all these years? It seems like very important things, since you haven't visited here for how long? five years…” Twilight says, while they were playing Dragon Pit. “Oh, mainly weaponry, it's the only thing the military is interested in, weaponry and spells are the only thing they know how to ask for. Besides, being a representative of the Crystal Empire in the Alliance takes up a lot of time.” Sunburst says, planning his next roll. "What about you?" “Well, being the head of research alongside Fluttershy and Spike also takes up a lot of time, but we were finally able to meet again. Although it doesn't look like we'll be staying in Ponyville for many more days again.” Twilight says throwing her dice. 2. “How about the other girls?” Sunburst asks, now rolling the dice. 5. “Oh, well, as far as possible. The war wasn't easy for anyone, but they already live normally, compared to Fluttershy and me. To Fluttershy, her sanctuary is everything, but work is work, so she entrusts it to Discord most of the time. Rarity went to Manehattan for a few days on business, but decided to take the Cutie Mark Crusaders with her, Applejack went too, they will be back in a couple of weeks. Rainbow Dash is with the wonderbolts almost every day and Pinkie is still Pinkie.” Twilight says, after throwing a dice for her dragon to be trapped. "Heck…" “What about Starlight, I want to know if she's having a better time after the New Manehattan disaster and the loss of Trixie.” Sunburst asks with another dice roll. 1. It could be better, much better. She went to New Hoofington to investigate what happened two years ago. After Trixie passed away and the city was immediately evacuated, she was extremely affected by what happened; she has been, since 1020, obsessed with the incident, I don't know how her room is now that she lives there and resigned the Luna Nova Institute, and she no longer lives in Equestria." Twilight says. “How difficult that grief must be for her, I don't want to imagine it; I sent her several letters of condolence, but she has responded little. What is certain is that the few letters she sends me are with the theme that it was not an accident and various conspiracies. She didn’t tell me she moved… I miss Trixie too.” Sunburst says, coming in rolling the last roll to win. Suddenly, Spike enters with a letter in his claws. “Hello, Sunburst, long time no see…” Spike greets before turning to Twilight. “A letter from the Princesses, Twilight, seems like another situation.” "What does it say?" Sunburst asks, curious. “It seems that Starlight was caught by the New Marelander police trying to enter the New Manehattan exclusion zone. Dear Celestia, I knew she was obsessed with this, but I didn't imagine she was that much,” says the purple alicorn. “Oh, Celestia, did she really tried that?” Sunburst says, very confused. “Yes, she has. I've tried to convince her not to get obsessed, but she can't get over it... I've tried to convince her that it's not the way, but she doesn't seem to pay attention.” Raising her hooves to her face in anger. "Yup... I think we'll have to change plans to go there, twi." Spike said, reading the letter. “I'll go for her, maybe I can talk to her to make her see reason.” Sunburst offers. “Will you? But you're on your days of rest.” Twilight says. “It doesn't matter, maybe a childhood friend will talk some sense into her. I will do it… – Sunburst says, already decided on what he will do. – I will need her papers." “Sure, they're in her room as far as I know.” "Well, let'Š go and see." Said the orange unicorn. When Spike brought the keys to open the room, they found a huge mess. The wall was full of maps, photographs, newspapers and articles; “Nuclear disaster in New Manehattan”, “Cover-up in the Dragon Islands?”, Accident in New Manehattan?” “Nuclear tests of the '16” were some articles that could be read. “Wow, she really is obsessed with the topic…” Sunburst said. “It was something I expected, really. We would all love to find the truth.” “Bioacoustics, nuclear energy, crystals, earthquakes, electromagnetic pulses… These titles are strange, I only recognize a couple.” Says the orange unicorn. “Wow, I don't recognize several either.” “Here are the papers.” Spike interrupts, after opening a drawer. “Thank you, Spike. It’s time to go try to convince her to come home.” Sunburst said. September 6th, 1024 ALB. New Hoofington, New Mareland. The road was long, and the flight was longer, but Sunburst finally reached the busy capital of “The Colony”, Sunset, bustling as always, before taking the last train of the day north. New Hoofington was a small city, but quite busy, especially after the evacuations of New Manehattan, it has now become the center of operations for the United Ponies Alliance in this part of the world. Now only seen on the horizon of what was once a metropolis like New Manehattan, now abandoned to be reclaimed by nature. The city police headquarters was not very big, but it provided a good security environment. There was Sunburst, sitting on one of the benches, asleep from the long trip here, however, he would be awakened by the electronic sound of the door that led to the cells. With half-closed eyes, Sunburst only saw that the officer only brought a teenage colt, with some tattoos on him, whose father soon began to scold him and take him away. As he watched the parents take their foal away, the orange unicorn began to lose his sleepiness and turned to look at the window again. At that moment, an officer escorts a disheveled Starlight to her release, looking at him with resignation. The Luna's night falls on the city, everything is calm. Starlight is being the one who guides her friend to her lodging, which was not very different from her room in Ponyville regarding to order and conspiracies. “I appreciate you taking so much trouble to come here Sunburst, but why did you come?” While putting a kettle on for coffee. “I was with Twilight, she told me how bad you've had it these last few years, I wanted to come help you get back home, get back the life you've lost, help you get over the loss of Trixie, for your sake.” Says the orange unicorn. “I thank you very much, but I won't be able to get my life back until I know what happened there.” Starlight says, turning to the window where the New Manehattan skyline is. “Please, Starlight, you can't live in the past. I will help you have a life.” Sunburst offers. "No. – says Starlight, still looking at the city on the horizon. – Trixie is still there. To me, she will always be there. They evacuated us so quickly…” They conversation was cut after the kettle started whistling. Starlight reapproched to the stove to turn it off. “You have to stop, for your own good… You still have great friends there in Equus, we still have a lot of life ahead of us, come with me and I will help you.” Sunburst says, putting his hooves on her shoulder. The mare looked at him, conflicted. The Celestia's Sun was beginning to rise from the east, beginning a new day for the inhabitants of New Mareland. Sunburst was asleep, but he started to hear hooves trotting and talking. Getting up, only to see that Starlight was talking on a radio to somepony. “Yes… yes… a boat… aha… I'll be there in an hour… aha… thank you.” Starlight immediately begins to gather her things and gets up only to see that Sunburst is there watching her. "What are you doing?" The orange unicorn asks, dismayed. “I'm going back to New Manehattan, Sunburst, I won't take long-” "I can't believe it." "I have to go. I've come back here and wasted the last two years staring through barbed wire, thinking it was some military mistake or some horrible design flaw they were covering up..." Sunburst just stared at her, skeptical of what happens. “…One day, I met a guy, he has a cargo ship. Every day, he passes by the reactor site and I asked him to put up a couple of sonar buoys for me. – says Starlight, putting on a HAZMAT suit. – Two weeks ago, I was checking this thing like I do every day, two weeks ago I tuned it and… Dear Celestia , there it is; Whatever that thing was, whatever they are guarding so carefully, started talking again. "Talking?" Sunburst asks, still skeptical. “Yes, talking. – says Starlight, getting excited. – I have to go back to my old lodging, I need my old notes, records and notebooks, if they are still there. I need the data to be able to prove that this is not a fantasy, that I am not what you now think I am..." Sunburst was now afflicted, he loved Trixie too. He knew his soul needs answers. “I will find the truth… and I will end this. Whatever it takes.” Sunburst, teary-eyed. “Why don't you let her rest, Starlight?” "Because I sent her down there, Sunburst, I sent her..." He says, dismaying Sunburst even more. – This was not a reactor meltdown.” “I don't want to hear it.” He says, remembering the dozens of letters about the topic she sent. “I know, but we can't run away from this, we can't bury all this in the past, Sunburst. You know as much as the importance of this." Sunburst, distraught, stares at Starlight. September 7th, 1024 ALB. New Manehattan Exclusion Zone, New Mareland. The Sapphire City, once a bustling city, was completely abandoned, huge abandoned buildings, streets where nature was gaining more and more ground; what was once the second most important port in the country was now an abandoned bay full of concrete, metal and rot. There were Starlight and Sunburst, in HAZMAT suits and oxygen masks, on a small boat, towards the shores of a city that the world forgot, frozen in time surrounded by danger signs. Wide streets and avenues of abandoned buildings and vehicles, with no visible vestiges of what was once a thriving metropolis. “This place makes my skin crawl, without a doubt. I never imagined that the New Manehattan that once existed would now become this.” Sunburst says, surprised. Suddenly they see a group of stray dogs passing by, chasing something. The mare remained quiet. “Well, that's something, come on… where did you tell me you girls were staying?” Starlight looked weirded out by the pack of dogs, so she took out her Geiger counter. 0.000 “Starlight, what's wrong?” Sunburst says, loonking back at her. Without a word, Starlight puts her hooves on her mask and begins to take off her oxygen mask. “No, no, no, what are you doing?” Starlight just breathes in and out normally. “I knew it!… the radiation in this place should be lethal, but there is nothing, nothing at all.” "What?" Upon arriving at the apartment, they began searching inside; Despite the weeds, the leaves, broken glasses and the noticeable deterioration, nothing has changed since that day. Searching the many corners of the rooms, they find all kinds of personal items, including the many notes and data they were looking for, and a photograph of Trixie and Starlight, taken on some occasion at the Luna Nova Institute, Celestia-knows-how-long ago. Starlight can only look at what once was. They were good times and she didn't know it. She couldn't help but shed her tears when she found the old magician hat that Trixie always wore, even though she was no longer one. “I'm so sorry, Starlight.” Sunburst says, moved. “I’ll get to the bottom of this.” The purple unicorn says, determined, with tears in her eyes. "I'm with you." The stallion says. Suddenly, an engine noise began to be heard, while the wind blew the leaves outside. "A helicopter?" Sunburst asks. Walking outside, they see an UH-1 flying over towards the nuclear plant. At the site they can see large tower cranes that illuminate something in the center of everything. A very complex installation, it seems. "What are they doing? Are they rebuilding the plant?” Sunburst asks. “I don't know, I've never seen something like…” Starlight gets interrupted by the engines of a military vehicle that stops a few meters away, much to her disappointment. “Stop there, Military Police, hooves up. Down!" The armed soldiers order them. "Damn." Starlight says. They are immediately arrested and handcuffed in the vehicle that quickly heads to the other side of the bay, towards the Nuclear Plant, at dusk.
5. New Mareland 1024 Earthquake.September 7th, 1024 ALB. Former New Manehattan Nuclear Plant, New Mareland. The road to the nuclear plant wasn't long, soon the transport vehicle carrying Sunburst and Starlight arrived at the first checkpoint, manned by soldiers, all wearing HAZMAT suits and gas masks. What was once an atomic energy facility had become a stadium-like mega structure, with tower cranes with large beacons illuminating and surrounding a large, tusk-shaped rock formation above what was once the nuclear reactor. The tusk gave off a faint reddish light through the base of the formation. This formation could be seen perfectly from the rear of the vehicle, Starlight and Sunburst just watched it with curiosity as the vehicle moved forward. "10 seconds. 10 seconds." A voice said through a loudspeaker. Running, several soldiers carrying boxes rushed to their positions, to wield various magic weapons nod measure equipment, aiming at this formation. Immediately afterwards, the formation begins to flash these reddish colors from the base to the tip. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten times faster and faster until it went off again, interrupting the lights and screens in the control room. “7.2 seconds and more intense. The increase is exponential. – says a yellow unicorn in a lab coat pointing at a screen with a plateau-like pattern. – This is the new curve.” “Thank you Radiant Glow… It's worse than we thought…” Twilight says, observing the patterns. “Miss Twilight, excuse me.” A commander approaches. "Yeah?" “Two ponies were arrested in the exclusion zone.” The commander says. “We have bigger problems than that, Fluttershy will take care of it.” Spike said, downplaying the situation. “She already did, sir, she sent me. She tells me it’s Starlight Glimmer.” Twilight and Spike immediately turned to the commander, surprised. "Who?" Arriving at the interrogation room, they find Fluttershy waiting for them, with Starlight on the other side of a one-way mirror. “We recovered these from her belongings, it looks very interesting.” Fluttershy says. “What impresses me the most is that the two of them are here.” Twilight says, looking in the mirror, there was her friend talking to two soldiers. “This wasn't a natural disaster, amigo, it wasn't an earthquake or a hurricane, this was not natural… Look, I'm tired of talking about this; I want to see my friend, my friend and I want to know that he's okay. – Starlight says, angrily, them she turns to the soldier who is standing. – You, you know, you know where Sunburst is; I want my friend, I want my backpack and my notes and I want to talk to someone who's in charge. "Miss…" “No, I don't want to talk to you anymore. – then turns her attention to the one-way mirror. – I know what happened here, you can tell the world that this area is deadly, but it's not. This is a vile deception.” At this Twilight, her heart was moved by the great emotionality that her old student was showing, the great pain that came out of her words twisted her insides. So many years of secrecy, so many lies... This is enough, she thought. “Because they are hiding something out there… Am I right or not?… My best friend of all my life died here! Tears of despair were clearly seen on Starlight's face, twisting the hearts of those present. “Something killed my friend! and I have the right to know it. I deserve answers." She says, her voice now breaking. “We should let her go. – Fluttershy says, extremely moved by Starlight's words. – All these notes, the diagrams and the data, data she collected are fascinating. It’s exactly the same pattern we've seen.” “Once we go over everything, I'll be honest with her, I'll stand up for all of this…” Twilight says, thoughtful. “What a data she collected; I thought this information didn't exist.” Spike says, also flipping through the stuff. Suddenly, with a rumble, the lights begin to flicker, interrupting everything. While Starlight points out what happened. “See? There it is again! That's not a failure in a transformer, it's an electromagnetic pulse; it affects everything electric for miles and it's happening again. The two ponies and the dragon, seeing the documents, are stunned by the revelation; now everything fits. “This caused everything the first time! Don't you realize?! – Starlight approaches the mirror. –And it will send us back to the pre-Equestrian age.” Even though Starlight can't see them, they feel her look of frustration touch their souls. “You have no idea what is coming.” Suddenly the lights start flashing again. Making them run back to the control room. “Now the pulses happen in seconds.” Says one thestral scientist. “It's affecting the electrical grid.” Says a pegasus. “Is there a radiation leak?" Radiant Glow asks. “Gamma levels are at zero. – Says another. – It left the three reactors empty.” When Twilight and company arrive, they find the formation blinking more and more strongly, part of it falling near the nearby workers. “It finished feeding.” Twilight says, anxious. “What's this?... it's the same pattern; I remember." Radiant Glow says, flipping through the papers she was given. "Four years ago. It's what caused the meltdown.” Twilight said. The three approached the window. “It was an electromagnetic pulse.” Fluttershy says. “It will eat all the radiation until it's born.” Spike adds. “We have to turn everything off, Fluttershy. We can’t let this thing out.” Twilight says. "O... OK, Twilight..." The yellow pegasus said, nervous. “Secure the network. Fire protocol.” Announces Radiant Glow. Immediately the alarms ring in the facility. soldiers and workers move around the facilities. “To all personnel, clear the first perimeter immediately.” The loudspeaker says. As machinery began to peel off a perimeter of cables and tower cranes moved into position, alarms sounded and ponies cleared the area. In the vehicle that Sunburst was in, the soldiers talk on the radio and get out of the vehicle, to the confusion of the orange unicorn, who from the windows saw the movements of troops and helicopters. "Hey, what's happening?!" He shouts, but it falls on deaf ears. As the cocoon flickered even more intensely, squads of workers ran up the walkways until they were out of the area and pressed safety buttons that activated a buzzer and a lamp. In the control center, a worker speaks on a telephone. “Network secured.” He assures. Immediately afterwards, the cocoon stops flickering before the eyes of an expectant Twilight and a troubled Fluttershy. Silence filled the place till the alicorn princess spoke. “Kill it.” Radiant Glow nods. After pressing a button, dozens of electric shocks of thousands of volts are fired throughout this “tusk.” Destroying the tip of it that almost fell on some workers who were too close. Dozens of lightnings struck the formation. The discharges lasted for several seconds that seemed eternal to Twilight until the cocoon stopped flickering, leaving the facility in an eerie silence again. “Readings are flat.” A worker announces, pointing at the screens. The tusk had now a big opening of its tip. “I want image.” Radiant Glow orders. A soldier was climbing the metal stairs towards the opening created by the electric discharges, who began to illuminate the cavity with his flashlight. The pony didn't say anything as he illuminated a kind of gray slime, drawing his attention to something at the bottom of the cavity that was moving. "What the buck is that?" The soldier thought, getting closer to see better. It was gross to watch the slimely thing move. Suddenly that thing shot out, destroying everything in its path, breaking its chrysalis. Emerging a gigantic insectoid creature, two long front legs, two shorter hind legs, arms and enormous wings. The longest legs, with a single curved claw, destroyed part of the perimeter, almost crushing several workers who were now fleeing the area; the creature let out a deafening growl and with a devastating swipe of its paw, it sent a shockwave through the ground. that would turn off all the lights. The creature stood like a living mountain, its red eyes burning with a primordial ferocity, trying to liberate itself. “Celestia. Check the network, it was EMP. We're losing power.” Radiant says. “Go get Starlight, Fluttershy, run.” Twilight asks, as the lights and all the facility's systems are turned off. Inmediately after, the yellow pegasus runs out the room. Inside the vehicle, Sunburst's confusion grew more and more at the blackout and the strange sounds coming from the center of the facility. In the interrogation room, Starlight saw that the electronic door had stopped working, opening. The control room was a medley of voices and reports screaming about burned circuits and downed systems. “Emergency generators online.” Someone says. As the facility's lights reactivated, they revealed the magnitude of the creature that was breaking out of its cocoon and freeing itself from the cables that surrounded it. That thing has been released, and it's going to the control center's direction. “Evacuate, immediately.” Twilight orders, gathering up whatever papers she could next to Spike. Thus, the chaos in the room unleashed as the evacuation began. Starlight was walking through the different hallways, looking for an exit, there was no point, she was lost and disoriented by the pandemonium that had broken out. Finally finding the roof, she could see what she had predicted, this enormous creature with red eyes and several legs that moved and twisted to free itself from the cables. Astounding her. But now only one question was on her mind: “Where's Sunburst?” Inside the truck, Sunburst was growing restless, seeing that the fire team had arrived at the scene. "Hey, let me out!" He yelled. However, in the chaos, his cries for help were in vain. The ponies that climbed out of their vehicles were only met with the creature's claws holding the facility's support cables, pulling the tower cranes downward. It didn't take long before the crane supports gave way to the pressure and began to fall one by one in a domino effect. Starlight saw several ponies pass by, whom she warned not to go through the scaffolding, however, this was also in vain when a crane fell, ending the lives of this group on the spot. Starlight managed to teleport in time. Outside the facility, Twilight and Spike were waiting for Fluttershy to come with her friend, however, she would arrive with empty hooves. “And Starlight?” Desperate question. “She escaped, I couldn't see her.” Says the shy pegasus. “Sunburst!” Starlight screams, looking for her friend, however in such chaos, her screams fall on deaf ears. When another crane falls, almost crushing her, but also managing to avoid it. The metal structure with the cabin began to slide due to the inertia and the cables. The mare avoided the moving pile of metal and watched it going into the abyss rapidly. She saw that the crane hit a vehicle, causing it to violently overturn until it collided with a wall, she managed to see something inside, something orange. "Oh no. Sunburst!” Starlight shouts, running on full adrenaline now. The purple unicorn also managed to see in the cabin of the fallen crane a poor pony desperately yelling for help before falling into the void to his doom. As she ran towards the vehicle where Sunburst was, she hears a rumble that makes her stop and turn around. A huge one-clawed leg, the enormous creature that had managed to free itself from its captivity in front of her, in its maximum splendor. The paws of this thing crushed everything and those unfortunate enough to be in its path, ponies, vehicles and structures. Seeing such a creature towering her, fear invaded every corner of Starlight's mind, her heart was beating frenetically, every sound of the creature amplified by terror. Taking refuge in another overturned vehicle next to her, the purple unicorn could only think about putting on a gas mask that she found next to her and pray. With the hissing sound of the mask on her face, her hyperventilating and the large amounts of adrenaline that her body had been going down, feeling her heart pounding, Starlight began to lose consciousness. The last thing she saw that night was the creature unfolding a pair of wings and taking flight. The giant disappeared into the darkness of the night. After that there was nothing. September 8th, 1024 ALB. SMILE Outpost Number 15, New Manehattan, New Mareland. Daylight revealed the extent of last night's destruction at the SMILE site and Twilight searched hard among the hundreds of wounded and the dozens of bags with bodies inside, hoping to find her friend, still nothing, but there's still a lot to look for. Finally she saw her, a purple unicorn helping a couple of rescuers, removing an orange pony from inside a transport truck. "Oh Celestia, no.” Twilight says, approaching. The night before definitely wasn't easy for anyone, when Starlight woke up, emergency crews had just arrived at the scene. Disoriented and exhausted, she restarted the search for her friend. It wouldn't take long to find him and for rescuers to find them too. Sunburst was still unconscious, he looked terribly beaten, but his chest was moving. Good sign. “Starlight!” Someone yells, making her turn around. “Twilight? When and how did you get here?” The unicorn says, confused. “It's… hard to explain, Starlight. You see…” Twilight says before being interrupted by the calls of Fluttershy and Spike. “Fluttershy? Spike? Did they also come with you?” The alicorn was about the open her mouth to speak again, but was interrupted again. “Twilight. They want to talk to you, come.” Fluttershy yells at her. “I'll be back.” Twilight assures her, leaving her old student with her friend, confused. After passing several piles of twisted metal, Twilight finds her two friends, along with a red-coated pony admiral and several uniformed creatures behind. “Oh, Twilight, this is…” Fluttershy says before being interrumpted. “Admiral Madoor Stronghammer, commander of the joint naval forces of the United Ponies Alliance, I come with explicit orders from the princesses. – Delivering a letter that Spike had belched up. – The direction of SMILE and its operations will be assumed in its entirety by the Joint High Command of the Alliance. You'll have to come with me. Do you need any staff?” Twilight after reading the letter and confirming the order, began to think and see around, only wounded and bagged corpses of what was once the control room staff could be seen. And there they were the two unicorns. "Yeah. Fluttershy, Spike and… – pointing towards where Starlight and Sunburst were. - Both of them.
6. Gojira.September 8th, 1024 ALB. Discovery Coast, 60 kilometers southwest of New Manehattan, New Mareland. Starlight was watching the doctors take Sunburst's vital signs, as the two helicopters piloted by hippogriffs flew over the ocean to Celestia-knows where. Starlight could only continue to wonder what was going on, “Why did Twilight tell them she needed us to come with them? How does Twilight know these military guys? What did she want to tell me before? Where are we going?" Her mind was a mess of questions and thoughts. Her thoughts were interrupted by the moans of Sunburst who finally regained consciousness. “Star… Starlight…” the orange unicorn asks, disoriented. “It's okay Sunburst, we are now safe, we will arrive soon and you will receive complete medical attention.” “What… What happened?” The stallion asks, rubbing his head in confusion. “Basically a crane hit your vehicle and sent you flying, Sunburst.” She tells him, trying to lighten the mood. “What a trip.” Sunburst says, looking at the ceiling. “Well yes, but don't worry, it looks like it was just several bruises and broken bones.” “Where…where are we?” “Flying in a helicopter somewhere in the sea, I don't know either.” His question would soon be answered, as they saw through the window that the two aircraft arrived at their destination, a group of three aircraft carriers along with their escorts, sailing in formation. Starlight was amazed, it was the first time she has seen a ship of this size. “Control, A-2 ready to land.” Said the hippogriff who was the pilot. "Copy that. Proceed.” They answer him. They saw the carrier deck get closer as the heli landed. September 8th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Discovery Coast, 66 kilometers southwest of New Manehattan, New Mareland. “Welcome aboard, Your Majesty, to the RHS Seatoga of the Royal Hippogriffian Navy, Admiral Seaspray at your service, leader of this joint squadron. Feel welcome on this ship, if you need anything, I will be on the bridge, speaking with Admiral Stronghammer.” “Thank you very much, Seaspray, we will be with you in a some minutes, but first we need medical help for that pony over there.” Twilight points out to the orange stallion. "Immediately." Twilight, Fluttershy, and Spike were waiting for Starlight outside the infirmary, grieving over Sunburst's injuries, when their attention is drawn to an emerging Starlight. "How's he doing?" They ask, reaching out to hug her. “They tell me he will be fine, though he suffered several bruises and a couple of broken bones, he will have to use crutches for a long time, according to the doctor. – Starlight said, still thinking about what happened yesterday. – And I still wonder go w did you get here? I thought you were in Ponyville or Luna Nova.” Twilight could only exhale, the moment of truth finally arrived for her. "You see, Starlight, for years we have been working on a secret project that started before the Great War: SMILE, or Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria, and since we were recruited for the Manehattan project, we were also recruited by the agency. I'm the head of this operation." As if it were a bucket of cold water, Starlight felt like her world was collapsing again knowing that her former teacher knew everything and never said a single word. Anger started flooding her thoughts. "At first SMILE only dealt with the monsters we are already used to, then it expanded to espionage and national security, but since these great creatures appeared, our work focused on them." "Why?... why? You were in charge of everything, you knew about New Manehattan, you always knew and you didn't say anything?!” says a Starlight, complaining. “I was forced to maintain silence...” “Yes, of course, you and your secrecy. That damn secrecy took Trixie and more than four years of my life, for what? For another one of my closest friends to almost die escaping from that bucking thing?” Faced with the accusations, Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike could only remain silent. “Your desire to learn and study these aberrations has only led to more calamities, deaths and destruction, the ineptitude and little appreciation for life that you've had is incredible; no, you never had. First you lead the creation of those bombs that will destroy the world, and then you let a nuclear plant collapse and kill dozens in order to keep your secrets secret. Unbelievable." Starlight says, her voice now broken by her sobs. The three of them fully knew that they could not defend themselves against these accusations and they only limited themselves to giving her a light hug. “I have no defense, Starlight, we made serious mistakes and we failed you, we failed Trixie, I failed dozens; Now their lives weigh on my conscience. I have no right to ask for your forgiveness.” The unicorn mare gave no answer. She liberated all the weight on these years by crying. A couple of minutes passed as Starlight's sobs subsided for her to speak again. “Tell me… – Starlight says, distressed. – Do you have anything else to say?” “Actually… Yes.” In the meeting room, a projector had been installed on the central table, pointing at a white board. There sat Twilight, Fluttershy, Spike, Starlight and several other workers. “Okay, Spike, start the presentation, please.” Twilight asks. When they start the projection, they could watch a Royal Equestrian Navy propaganda film about a submarine, the ERNS Galaxy. Then the narrator started his speech: "This is the ERNS Gakaxy, the first nuclear submarine in the world..." “Now let's talk without more secrecy. At the beginning of 1016, when the first nuclear submarine reached the depths, something awakened.” Twilight says, interrupting the recorded speech of the film. “Equestria believed it was the Empire, the Empire believed otherwise, or maybe Stalliongrad.” Fluttershy follows. “All the nuclear tests that year and the next... – Spike mentions, when the projector presented the different films of the nuclear tests in the summer islands. – They were not tests. They were trying to destroy it.” "Destroy what?" Starlight asks. "It. – Twilight points to the frozen frame of a huge animal with thorns on its back coming out of the water. – An ancient Alpha predator.” Starlight, now baffled, leans over to see the projection better. “Millions of years older than ponies, griffins or any other nowadays creature.” Fluttershy exposes. The film was showing a cave system and ponies with Geiger counters. “From a time when Faust was ten times more radioactive than it is today.” Spike adds. The film was now showing a taxonomic tree. “This animal and others like it consumed that radiation as food, but when the levels dropped on the surface, these creatures adapted to the depths. In the subsurface, absorbing radiation from the planet’s core.” Fluttershy says. The film was now showing the logo of SMILE, the coat of arms of Equestria with the two sisters, and the seal of CLASSIFIED. “When the Princesses found out about this, they entrusted the mission to SMILE to search, understand and learn as much as possible of it, expanding into a multinational coalition.” Spike explains. After the end of the film, the presentation now returned to the frozen image of the titanic animal coming out of the water. “The legends and tribes of southern Zebrica call it... Gojira.” Twilight says, turning to look at her. “The peak of a primitive ecosystem… A God, in every sense of the word.” Adds Fluttershy. "A monster." Starlight intervenes. The presentation now showed clips taken by the Special Engineer Corps. “Four years ago we found a fossil of another giant animal on the Dragon Islands, just like Gojira.” Twilight follows. “The mining incident…” Starlight says, deep in thought. “But that creature died a long time ago, because of that.” Spike says. The image shows the two tusk-shaped formations in the cave. Reminding Starlight precisely of the spore she saw in New Manehattan. “Parasitic spores. One sleeping, but the other was born. It was catalyzed when the mining company unknowingly drilled to the grave.” the pegasus “The creature advanced toward the nearest radiation source it found.” The dragon adds. “The plant where you girls were working in New Manehattan.” The alicorn says, gloomily. “There it created its cocoon, absorbing the energy of the reactor these years.” The pegasus intervenes. “Until it came out, like a butterfly, the creature we saw last night.” The princess of friendship said. “You knew about that thing all along. Why didn't you just kill it a long time ago?" Starlight claims. “He was absorbing radiation, we believed that killing it would release it and risk millions.” Spike explains. “That's why our mission was to contain it, study its biology and understand it. – Twilight adds. – we knew that it affected the surrounding electrical network, but thanks to you we can know that it is an electromagnetic pulse. What else do you know, Starlight?” “According to what I have searched, it seems that it is the call of an animal, it spoke something, it communicated with something. I found a book on echolocation, I think it's just that; In fact, I think something replied, but I can't tell you much more than that.” “Yes, I found that book in your room when I checked, but I passed it by, I don't know I didn't pay attention to, but you certainly did a great job to clarify everything... Fluttershy, go check please, maybe we’ll hear something.” As Fluttershy got up to the screens, the presentation continued, now showing the spore in New Manehattan. “Now that that thing is out, where's it going?” Purple unicorn ask. “The last we knew it was heading southwest, our radars were completely disabled by the EMP it radiated.” Admiral Stronghammer, who had just entered the room, intervenes. “As Her Majesty said, we tried to destroy that thing with nuclear detonations. I was personally supervising the operations. I'm sure that thing went to the depths of Tartarus with that bomb.” As she walked to the board, posting several photographs of the creature taking flight. “We call it MUTO, or Massive Unknown Terrestrial Organism, however, as you will see, it's no longer terrestrial, it's now aerial. The world still believes there was an earthquake in New Mareland and it would be preferable to keep it that way.” The admiral continues her presentation. “Since our radars are blind, we will have to hunt the MUTO visually, Seaspray and I were just discussing that.” “Thank you, admiral… eh… The MUTO is young and growing, it will look for its food. Radiation sources.” Twilight intervenes. “We're monitoring known locations, Starlight, but we're worried that if we don't find it…” Fluttershy adds. "What'll happen?" Starlight wonders. “Nature has a balance, the power to restore that balance. – Says Fluttershy with the image of Gojira behind her. – I believe he has that power.” September 9th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Fire Sea. The situation on the bridge of the RHS Seatoga was chaotic, with all kinds of creatures moving here and there in an incessant search effort. There were Twilight and Starlight talking while Fluttershy and Spike reviewed the readings looking for matches. “I don't think this monster hunting thing is for me, Twilight, I need a break, I need to go back to Ponyville… I'll take Sunburst with me.” The unicorn says. Twilight can't help but let out a sigh of resignation. “Okay, as the admiral informed, we will pass through Puerto Caballo tomorrow afternoon, I will try to make arrangements so that you can take a special flight for you and Sunburst. I don’t want you to suffer any more than you have already because of me.” “Thank you so much, Twilight… sorry for what I said, so many years of anxiety and obsession made me burst out and rant.” “Don't worry about that, my mistakes have brought us here, I deserved every insult.” September 10th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, 80 kilometers east of Puerto Caballo. Seatoga's flight deck was at maximum working capacity, with Fanthoms II taking off every few seconds and UH-1 in flyby. There were Starlight and her friends adjusting the last details. “Sorry I was only able to get you a military cargo flight to Manehattan, many flights to Canterlot and central Equestria were canceled due to the bad weather forecast. The helicopter will take you to Puerto Caballo for your flight tonight.” Twilight says, amidst the cacophony of planes coming and going. “Don't worry, Twi, that's more than enough. Thank you so much." "In Manehattan there are Rarity, Applejack and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I will send them a message to receive you there, and I'll give you their phone number and ubication, if needed." "Thank you, Twilight, and I just want to tell you... No hard feelings." After a hug between everypony, the two unicorns board the helicopter that soon takes off towards the west. Back on the hustle and bustle of the bridge, Twilight was still leafing through the multitude of notes that Starlight had, without much success while Fluttershy and Spike returned to their work on the screen. “Twilight, I think I found it.” Fluttershy says. The alicorn quickly got up from her seat to see that on the screen was the exact same plateau-shaped pattern, this time higher than the others. “Something replied.” The dragon said. Suddenly the get interrupted by the naval officers' talking. “Admiral Stronghammer, an intelligence report has arrived. The Kaiserliche Marine was mobilized this morning due to the loss of a Bronzetail-class nuclear submarine west of Feathered Isles.” Seaspray informs Stronghammer. “What is it, admiral?” Twilight asks. “A griffon nuclear submarine was lost, Your Majesty, activating an SOS. Its radio beacon tells us that it is north of Puerto Caballo. We already sent a team to see.” “Wait, a submarine in the jungle?” Author's Note Now this is getting interesting. I hope you've enjoyed it so far, we still have many adventures to live!
7. The Battle of Puerto Caballo.Author's Note Well, folks, I promise this is finally getting interesting o-o. 7. The Battle of Puerto Caballo. September 10th, 1024 ALB. City of Puerto Caballo, Puerto Caballo. The doors of the urban monorail opened, letting in new passengers. Among them, Starlight and Sunburst with his crutches. “Tren con Destino a, Aeropuerto Internacional.” The speaker says. “So that's all that's happened so far?” Says the orange unicorn. “Basically, unless they didn't tell me something else, but yeah, that's it... I'm still processing it.” Starlight tells him, sitting on the benches. "Me too..." After seeing them from the corner of their eye, they realize that a curious colt was watching Sunburst in his crutches and cast. They just smile at him. Suddenly, the train doors begin to close, leaving the foal inside and his parents outside. Starlight quickly goes to reassure his parents, who will bring him back, in a somewhat clumsy portcaballese. “No se preocupe, nosotros traerlo.” She yells at his parents. “I didn't know you knew portcaballese.” Sunburst says, watching his friend coming back to take a seat with the foal. “Me neither… and I hope we don't miss our flight. – says Starlight, turning to look at the colt, somewhat scared. – Hola, I am Starlight… he is Sunburst.” In the tropical hills north of Puerto Caballo, a team of soldiers wearing night vision helmets and HAZMAT suits walked through the thick jungle, in which that night was bustling with activity and natural sounds. The only thing that interrupted this orchestra of natural sounds were the steps of their hooves and the hissing of their masks. “Does anyone want to tell me why we're looking for a submarine in the jungle?” Somepony asks. “It must be some mistake, the radio beacon reports a ping at this location.” A teammate responds. “I have a reading… it's up front.” The leader says, now hearing a helicopter approaching. “Ahuizotl-1, this is Hawkeye-2, we received the same ping from the transmitter. Thirty meters, it’s getting hotter.” "Roger that." Ahuizotl-1 replies. As they continue walking and emerge into a clearing, they encounter a large metal structure, causing the transmitter's ping to go crazy. "Seriously?" A soldier asks. The leader approaches and with his gloved hoof and stirs up white slime to reveal a nuclear danger symbol and the words in herzlander: Gefahr. The slime would get stuck on the soldier's glove as he wiped the metal. "Gross." The leader says. Suddenly, when the helicopter flies over with its spotlight, it illuminates a huge bronze propeller and next to it a huge submarine resting diagonally on some trees. The U-176. “TOC, this is Ahuizotl-1, we found the lost submarine…” They warn from the ground. “And you won't believe what else we found.” They say from the helicopter. "What in the name of Tartarus is that?" The co-pilot says. When the aerial beacons pointed to the other side of the submarine they found a huge creature with several pairs of legs and a couple of wings, extracting the submarine's reactor to swallow it. “It seems to rise twenty or thirty meters above the treetops. – Says a soldier on the radio, transmitting to the control room... – and we don't see its width." In the control room, upon seeing the images, they could only remain amazed, thus, Admiral Stronghammer turns to see Twilight and friends. “The truth is out. No more secrets, Your Majesty, the top priority now is security. There are more than a million people on the island.” Twilight could only feel frustrated by the events, as well as worried because her friends were on the same island as that thing. “Admiral Seaspray, I need as many eyes as possible in the air, please.” Stronghammer orders. “Admiral, the hydrophones have detected something… it is coming from the south.” "What is it?" Admiral Stronghammer replies. Twilight expectantly gets up and leaves the room. “Twilight, where are we going?” Spike asks while joining her in the hallway. “I think he's coming. We have to see this.” A bustle of activity could be seen on the decks of the carriers, with various planes and helicopters taking off, going to the city. The city's nightlife was interrupted by dozens of helicopters flying over the beach and into the city. The city police and equestrian military quickly moved and rappelled to the roofs of the large hotel towers, facing north. Citizens testified this, amazed about the sudden mobilization. On the monorail arriving at the airport. Sunburst, Starlight and their temporary protégé were talking in the wagon, when their conversation was interrupted by two jets passing low, startling the colt. "Wow!" He says. The two unicorns could only begin to wonder. "What's going on?" The stallion asks, while the passengers watched the jets. "I... I don't know, but it doesn't look good." The mare says. In the cockpits of the Phantoms the hippogriff pilots communicated with the aircraft carrier. “2-Eagle-6, we circle the target. Waiting for orders..." "Eye contact, target at 12.” His winggriff informs. The fast planes that flew overhead caught the attention of the creature, which was trying to eat. It growled annoyed. As two other planes passed by, the creature dropped a deactivated nuclear warhead, nearly crushing the soldiers below. They shouted alarmed. The MUTO, now angry, began to raise its one-clawed giant foot, resonating like a menacing thunder, which lit up red. Faced with the soldiers' shouts to take cover, the monster stomped its foot that sent an expansive wave throughout the island, turning off all the lights and systems miles around. “Control, I have no power. Mayday, mayday!” The hippogriff calls before crashing into the mountain, killing many of his comrades on the ground in an explosion that could be seen from the beach. The monorail, with the blackout, stopped abruptly next to the airport. The colt that Starlight and Sunburst were carrying was beginning to get restless. “Okay, I bet you the lights come back on in ten seconds.” Starlight tells him, trying to make the colt understand ponish. "Don't worry." Sunburst reassures him. The confused passengers started murmuring. On the beach, in the confusion of what was happening in the mountains to the north, all the ponies were watching what was happening. They were watching a big fireball appear on the mountains. At that, a curious filly turned to look at the beach, where the waves were beginning to retreat out to sea. "Papá..." The filly calls for her dad. The waves start to get further and further from the original coastline. It doesn't take long for her father to turn around, to see the same thing as her and be frozen by the receding sea. His heart sank. The sirens begin to sound. Tsunami. “Control, we see a target two kilometers from your position, it could be an enemy.” A helicopter calls. Fluttershy, Twilight, and Spike were on the flight deck, deafened by the engines of the helicopters taking off. When looking through the binoculars they manage to observe a helicopter that flies over and illuminates a huge rock formation that is approaching... No, those are not rocks. Those are thorns. Three huge rows of thorns moving directly towards the Seatoga. At the shouts of the crew members about the collision, the thorns suddenly sink to pass under the aircraft carrier. The ships' battle alarms sounded as spotlights illuminated the creature's path beneath them. Running to the other side of the deck, they see the enormous thorns re-emerge, the waves pushing aside several destroyers that were in place. The enormous wave would not take long to arrive, destroying and carrying away trees, tourists, cars, everything in its path. With the influx of water into this part of Puerto Caballo, only the rooftops were safe now. The lights of this half of the city went out. Plunging everything into darkness. The creatures, residents and tourists alike, on the rooftops remained dark and silent, when some soldiers on another rooftop released four flares from their rifles, tearing the darkness with their reddish light, sinisterly illuminating the outline of the chest, arms and scales of a colossal creature. Imposingly high, towering over them, walking with a guttural sound. The ponies could only stare at the magnitude of the creature that had just emerged from the sea, amazed and terrified. "Fire at will!" Someone yells. The silence that reigned was abruptly broken by the bursts that police and soldiers began to fire from the roofs. Discharging their magazines at the titan. The shots and the screams of terror of the crowd could be heard in the darkness illuminated by the bursts. Nothing, they didn't do anything to it. Neither a single scratch. The baffled soldiers, stopping their blasts, also limited themselves to watching the colossal creature disappear into the dust and fog among the tall buildings. In the mountains to the north, radios blared incessantly with questions about the situation of Ahuizotl-1. "Ahuitzotl-1, report.... Ahuizotl-1, do you copy?" They could hear. The leader of the operation only took off his mask and watched as the city lights turned back on, revealing a trail of destruction towards the airport. His heart skipped a heartbeat when he saw want went down the hills, leaving that trail of destruction. On the monorail, the lights began to turn on to move forward again. "¿Ver?" Starlight says to the colt, her puertoballese is still a bit clumsy. “Estimados usuarios, lamentamos la inconveniencia...” The intercom said, as the monorail track lit up in sections. The monorail lights would end up illuminating a huge multi-legged creature whose roar was like a trumpet. It was directly on the tracks. Panic spread among the passengers. “Oh not again.” Starlight said as fear washed over her again. “It's that thing?” The orange unicorn said, equally terrified. The monorail, now filled with panicking ponies was moving towards the beast, their screams getting louder and louder. Suddenly a helicopters' machine guns began to fire at the creature, at which Starlight screams for everypony to get down. The helicopters flew over the creature, ceasing to fire. The MUTO just roared in annoyance. The screams of the passengers announced that the creature was even closer, destroying the track and the front of the vehicle, leaving a gap where several unfortunate ones began to fall to their doom. The wagon was almost vertical now. Sunburst was struggling to keep him and the child. Starlight was starting to panic, but had to act, and act quickly. "I got you!" She yelled. Starlight managed to come up with a solution with her clouded mind, and takes Sunburst and the colt into her magic before they fell, managing to hold on to the bench as the monorail went totally vertical. She thanked her brain for thinking straight despite her racing heart. At the Puerto Caballo International Airport the situation was chaotic, with runway technicians running for cover when the MUTO began to step between the parked planes. They were watching the creature without paying attention to the flow of water that had just arrived, wetting their hooves. The creature's howling was like all wind instruments in one place. “Target at twelve o'clock, two hundred meters.” Says the pilot of a helicopter. “We are on 6-X-01, target confirmed.” The co-pilot said. The gunner began to fire, until the helicopter's straight flight would be interrupted not by the MUTO, but by a huge thorn, which forced them to evade, putting them in collision course with the insectoid's wing. "We're gonna crash!" The pilot says, trying to gain altitude. The uncontrollable helicopter crashes into a nearby plane, starting a huge chain reaction that destroys plane after plane. In the airport waiting room, panic was spreading as the planes outside turned into huge fireballs explosions. One by one. The panic scream were getting louder. Screams that were immediately silenced when a colossal lizard's foot stepped a few meters from the window, and a guttural growl was heard. The earth trembled. It didn't take long for the MUTO to notice the alpha predator that had come for it, letting out a warning growl. Before it was an animal, more than a hundred meters high, triple the height of the insectoid; its long tail, sharp bone thorns, with a massive head, sharp teeth, small eyes, elongated and muscular body with extremely robust arms and legs. A formidable creature. An unstoppable force of nature that just came out of the ocean. Announcing his arrival with a shocking roar, worthy of a God who has come to hunt his prey. Gojira has arrived.
8. The Road to Manehattan.Author's Note Hello! I see you've come quite a long way up to this chapter, and I gotta say: First, I thank you for tracking my story, it was done with love and I'm glad you were interested in reading it. Second, after seeing a video of deleted scenes I wanted to included them, specifically three scenes: two in the mining disaster, the other will be in the next chapter. If you already read them after the edit, well, not much to say; if not, maybe you can be interested. This is the video I got those scenes. Author's note: 28/July. 8. The Road to Manehattan. September 11th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. It was dawning in the city that never sleeps, a new day brought by Celestia's sun. The morning activities were now starting. In Rarity and Applejack's hotel room, and the CMC were preparing for the day to come. Business with Coco Pommel continued to keep them here. "I keep wondering why she doesn't answer, Twilight sent us the message that Starlight would return, but no one answers there in Puerto Caballo... that for some reason they're there." Rarity says, frustrated, after hanging up the phone again. “I'm sure she's comin', sugarcube, it's just a matter of waitin' at the airport for sunset.” Applejack says. The discussion continued in the dining room when the Cutie Mark Crusaders began to wake up on the couch, in front of the television on. They stayed up watching TV again. Seeing that they left it on the news channel, for some reason that they cannot explain, they see images of Puerto Caballo. Puerto Caballo devastated. State of Alert… Cities on the South Coast prepare for possible attacks… The joint UPA Aircraft Carrier Group has been deployed… The images of a great battle between colossal animals, destroying everything in their path, one flying, another on the ground, between bites and blows. The winged one flew away, escaping, while the terrestrial one returned to the sea. “Wow, isn't that amazing?” Scootaloo says to the others. “Sister, Applejack, come see! Dragons!” Sweetie Belle yells at her sister. Interrupting their talk, they go to see, only for their hearts to sink as they see the images of the city where they were told Starlight came from. September 11th, 1024 ALB. City of Puerto Caballo, Puerto Caballo. The capital of the Dominion of Puerto Caballo lies in ruins, billions of Bits in damage, thousands dead and injured, and countless others missing. A desolate landscape of rubble, fallen helicopters, semi-collapsed buildings and hundreds of victims after the battle between the alpha predator and its prey ended in a draw. Starlight, Sunburst, and their little protégé definitely hadn't had a good night. They had to get to somewhere, Manehattan, Canterlot, Ponyville, anywhere, but they had to get there; but first, they had to find this foal's parents. Approaching a tent above were several medical ponies. “Good morning, this colt was separated from his parents.” Starlight said. "Yes, fill out these forms and we will get back to you right away." The nurse said. “Hey, are the phones still not working?” Sunburst asks some ponies nearby, getting distracted. “No, all communications are cut off.” Says the stranger. While both were distracted, the colt separates from them. Then Sunburst finished talking and looked back at where he left the colt. “Starlight… And the child?” "What?" Her heart skipped a beat. Stopping what they were doing and turning to look at their surroundings, they begin to get restless. Until they see the colt. "¡Mamá! ¡Papá!" The boy shouts, being hugged by his parents, both fortunately healthy. "Well, that's good." Sunburst comments, relieved. Behind the parents, a military truck passed by. Suddenly, a column of soldiers march in a column, reminding them that they had to get to the continent. Another idea struck the mare's mind. “Soldiers… I have an idea, Sunburst. I joined the army during the war, maybe we can go with them.” The purple unicorn said, approaching the column. “Ah, yes, I'd forgotten about that.” The orange unicorn said. "Sergeant. – Starlight calls a reddish horse. – former private Starlight Glimmer, my friend and I need to get to the continent.” "Bien… ahem… Well, this is your lucky day miss, anything that isn't tied up goes north. The princesses ordered a mobilization of the reserves as well.” “Is that where you’re going?” asks the unicorn. “Yes… – the horse points out, walking away. – Now we hunt monsters, it seems.” “Well, Sunburst. This is our chance.” Both unicorns started walking alongside the military column. The skies over Puerto Caballo were filled with UH-1s, F-4s, C-130s, C-141s, all heading north. September 12tth, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Fire Sea, 100 kilometers east of Saltmane. The Joint Carrier Group of the United Ponies Alliance is heading northeast, at full steam, among the powerful warships is Gojira, in the center of the formation, being flown over by helicopters at all hours. Twilight and friends were outside of the bridge, watching the giant thorns of the swimming creature. “I still can't believe we had to leave Puerto Caballo without first making sure Starlight or Sunburst are in one piece.” Twilight, shocked by what happened yesterday while Spike puts his hand on her back. “Don't blame yourself, Twilight, we must have faith that they are okay.” Fluttershy assures her, before being interrupted by the officers talking inside the command center. “Admiral Stronghammer, come see.” Seaspray calls. They enter the superstructure again. "What's happening?" The admiral asked. According to the tracking and radar models, everything indicates that the MUTO continues north… The models show the targets converging on the coast of Manehattan.” Says the Hippogriff. “Oh buck…” Stronghammer swears. “He's hunting.” Twilight intervenes, before the red-coated admiral continues giving her orders. “Let all ships keep their distance from the target. Monitor the speed and heading of those things, I want to know exactly when and where they are going to make landfall.” Stronghammer commands, then directing her attention to the alicorn. "Mrs. Twilight, what do you mean by he's hunting?...Do you think Godzilla is chasing the MUTO?" “But if the MUTO is his prey…” Fluttershy now intervenes. “The signal shows a call. Why call out a predator?” Spike wonders. “No, I don't think it's that; I think Godzilla was just listening… The MUTO was calling for something else.” Twilight notices. Stronghammer stares at them, confused. “The pattern… Focus the search on Crystal's Edge.” Twilight says, hurrying to the screens. “The Crystal Empire? Why would they go so far north?” Seaspray wonders. "It just can't be. It is impossible." Spike counterargues. “What is impossible?” Stronghammer intervenes. “There was another spore. Intact. – Fluttershy continues. – It was in the Draconian mine.” “But we dissected it, Twi, we did studies on it all these years. – Spike adds. – You yourself confirmed that it was a sleeper.” “Maybe it already woke up.” Twilight answers, looking at the map table. “That spore. Where's it now, ma'am?” Seaspray asks. “It was highly radioactive, the army took it away.” Fluttershy adds, nervously. “They supposedly destroyed it...” Spike concludes. “Miss Twilight. Where is it?” Stronghammer asks, wanting an answer now. “Where do the military keep the nuclear waste?” Twilight asks, looking at the mare admiral. September 12th, 1024 ALB. Yaket Range, 100 kilometers north of Snowbury, Crystal Empire. The column of military vehicles and helicopters moved quickly across the summer green plains of the Crystal Empire, nothing around for many kilometers. There was Shining Armor, after a rude awakening by the message that came from Twilight to his daughter Flurry Heart, preparing his HAZMAT equipment alongside his soldiers in the back of the truck; just like the old days of the Great War, he thought. He already needed some action after so many years of inactivity. “Alright, guys. – He tells the Royal Guard soldiers, and by radio. – Adjust your masks and equipment well, this environment is not pleasant for organic life.” "Yes sir." They all say. “The mission is simple, but vital, each soldier will have to open the hatches of each containment room and see that everything is in order and move on to the next one. Check for anything strange or out of place. Understood?" "Yes sir." They answer him. The convoy moved fast on the road a few more minutes before they approach a mountain. "We've arrived." It's heard on the radio. Mount Everhoof, Nuclear Waste Repository. Restricted area. A couple of guards open the barbed wire doors of the facility. At the entrance to the tunnel the trucks stop, letting all the soldiers get off. “Come down quickly, I want a visual inspection of each vault.” "Yes, sir!" They all yell, running on the hallway. First vault. Open the hatch. Nothing. "Clear." A soldier shouts. Second vault. Open the hatch. Nothing. "Clear." Another shouts. As more vaults were searched only the word "Clear" came. Tenth vault. Open the hatch. Day light. "Here!" A soldier says, making everyone turn around. “Open it.” Shining orders. The ton-weight gate opened slowly, letting in the light of day. The light of day reveals a huge gap in the side of the mountain, on the other side was one of the column's escort helicopters. Everyone present is stunned by the magnitude of such a hole in the solid granite. “What the…” Shining said, going outside and taking his binoculars and getting his mask off. He starts looking through his binoculars. He saw a huge multi-legged insectoid creature heading towards… "Oh no…" The Prince said, with his hearts sinking. The Crystal City. September 12, 1024 ALB. The Crystal City, Crystal Empire. That creature managed to break Cadance's shield. Celestia save us. Chaos was absolute in The Beating Heart, explosions on all sides of the city and a MUTO even larger than the one in New Manehattan, with eight legs and longer, robust arms. The royal family, fortunately, could evacuate to the basement of the palace on time. Many weren't that lucky. In one of the rooms of the Crystal Palace, firefighters knocked on the door, looking for any possible survivors that were left behind. "Is somepony here?" They ask. Nopony answers. After a few well-aimed knocks, they manage to open the door with their hammers, advancing down the hallway only to reveal that more than half of what was once a royal bedroom was now an enormous gap leading outside; helicopters passing by, following the creature that was now heading southeast. They could see the artillery explosions and the tanks' firing hitting that thing to no avail. September 12, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Fire Sea, 150 kilometers east of Saltmane. “Stronghammer, we have the images of the new MUTO.” Seaspray notifies. “Let me see them.” She orders. Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike turn to look at the screen as well. They see how Crystal City is being devastated by this thing, dozens of destroyed buildings, fires everywhere the MUTO walked through and the big gap in the Crystal Palace. Causing them great grief. “Oh no…” Twilight says, raising her hooves to her head in anxiety. “I hope they were able to evacuate them…” Fluttershy says, also anxious. “... Is that my statue?” Spike asks. Only causing looks of scolding at his comment. “It measures almost a hundred meters... I can't believe it...” Says the alicorn her face now lay on the table, ignoring the dragon's comment. “Hey, this one doesn't have wings.” Mentions Stronghammer. “Sexual dysmorphism?” Spike asks. “A female… is the one he was talking to.” Fluttershy adds. The alicorn's mind tried to focus a bit. “A mating call. – Twilight assures. – The female remained sleeping... until the male matured.” Twilight couldn't help but start sobbing, the weight was too much to her now. She now knew how Starlight felt. She was right about her, trying to learn about those things was a mistake, now her family was paying the price. “Now they're looking for radiation…” The pegasus follows dreadfully, conforting her distressed friend. “To reproduce…” Spike finishes. Several officers were gathered in the meeting room, while Twilight and friends just watched. “Tracking models tell us they will converge here. In Manehattan Bay.” Admiral Rain Rider of New Mareland says. "But if we put a time detonator on a nuclear bomb, we put it on a ship thirty kilometers from the coast, we attract the MUTOs to it, and therefore the MUTOs attract Godzilla." The admiral finishes. “And we detonated it, with minimal risk to the city.” Seaspray intercedes. “You can't be serious… They feed on radiation.” Fluttershy intervenes. "Correct. That’s why we use the bomb as bait.” Seaspray supports. “And we kill them with the force of the explosion.” Admiral Rider says. “That's crazy.” Twilight says. “Ma'am, if you have any other idea, you have my full attention.” Stronghammer tells her, leaving the alicorn speechless. "Admiral." Fluttershy says. "Yes ma'am?" “Gojira, may be the solution. – says the pegasus. – It seems to me that he's here to restore balance. “He can beat them.” Spike adds. "And? Shall we just stare? Sorry, Your Majesty, Ma'am, and Mr. Dragon, it's an enormous risk… – Stronghammer finishes, before returning to the officers gathered. – The warheads must be prepared and transported to the coast. I'll inform the Princesses.” Immediately afterwards, everycreature present collects their papers to leave. A frustrated Fluttershy also leaves the room, without saying a word. Only Stronghammer, Twilight and Spike remain. “Your Majesty, I know you don't agree with this, but my priority is to safeguard your subjects. The sisters will understand.” Twilight, quiet, takes a watch she was carrying and hands it to the admiral. “It's from when I went to the Changeling lands.” "It stopped." “Yes, at seven fifteen in the morning. July 5, 1014 ALB.” “Vraks…” “When we went to see the results of our work to Vraks, a young changeling gave it to me after rescuing him... He died from radiation a few days later.” The alicorn says gloomily before she and Spike leave, leaving the admiral to her thoughts.
9. Ambush.September 12th, 1024 ALB. Eclipse Gulf, 225 kilometers north of Baltimare. The C-130 full of soldiers and equipment had already been flying towards Manehattan for several hours, inside were Starlight and Sunburst. Both unicorns were just waking up from a tiring day when they were totally awoken by a soldier's commands. “Attention everyone, new orders and change of destination, we will head to Nieghton. On the edge of the thing's EMP influence. Get ready.” “Technical sergeant. What did they say?" Starlight asks, curious. “Another one of those things appeared in the Crystal Empire, miss.” The soldier says, walking away. The horse that greeted them in Puerto Caballo just stared at them, resigned as well. “Oh my Celestia… now what do we do?” Sunburst says, worried. "I don't know." September 12th, 1024 ALB. Neighton, Equestria. The streets of the small eastern town were filled with soldiers, all running around preparing for the mission at hoof when a group of trucks arrived, Starlight and several soldiers getting off the truck, they helped Sunburst with his crutches. The sky was full of cargo planes on their way to land on the airbase nearby. “Okay, everyone get off; the flights arrive up to here, we are close to the EMP range, from here, everyone either travels by land or stays here. Get off!" A sergeant shouts. "And now what do we do Starlight? We must return to Ponyville." Sunburst asks. “We will have to find a way to go…” Their conversation is interrupted by the loud horns of a diesel freight train that was arriving into the city, with two huge missiles in the cars and soldiers guarding it. Until their attention goes to a pink pony in an officer's uniform coming out of a building. "Attention! This train and these weapons are headed toward Manehattan. Whoever is not part of this mission, descend now.” “Is that Pinkie Pie?” Sunburst asks. “Wow, it is, and it's our ticket… Wait a minute, Manehattan? There are Rarity and Applejack!” Remembering the danger that these weapons pose and most likely those animals pose as well, Starlight decides on her plan. She will no longer run, she shall no longer leave a friend behind. “Sunburst, I think I'll have to go to Manehattan, I'll have to take that train.” "You? But who knows what happens there. It's dangerous!" Says the orange unicorn. “I will have to do it if I want to fully ensure that our friends there are safe. I have to go." Says an already determined Starlight, trotting to the building the pink mare is outside of. “Unit six, report to your section for the expedition.” The megaphone says. When approaching the pink pony who was talking to other officers, she sees them out of the corner of her eye, immediately ending her conversation to greet them. “Starlight, Sunburst? How did you get here?... What happened to you, Sunburst?” “It's a long story, Pinkie, but we need your help. Rarity, Applejack and the Cutie Mark Crusaders are in Manehattan.” Starlight says, receiving the pony's hug. "I know. I tried to communicate with them to no avail.” “And it doesn't seem like bringing those weapons to Manehattan is the most pacifist idea ever…” “Aha…” Pinkie begins to suspect where this is going. “I need to go to Manehattan, Sunburst will stay.” Starlight states, not beating around the bush anymore. "No." "But…" "I can't let you go, Starlight, because to begin with, that train is an asset of the nation, it's not for passengers, sorry. And second, it is a high-risk mission.” Pinkie says, her smile gone, walking to the mechanism her soldiers were extracting from a crate onto a table. Starlight recognizes the mechanism, she helped create it herself during her research days in Luna Nova. “The way I see it, that missile is a Balefire I ICBM, from appearances you've made a bypass that'll replaced the digital module and prepared it for an analog system.” Starlight says, still determined to go. Pinkie just stares at her. “And you know this because…” “I helped design it for several years, Pinkie.” “There's a reason I recruited the best, Starlight.” "Yes, but when was the last time your soldiers touched a nuclear weapon, or at least an analog module like this one?” Starlight says. Sunburst just watched. “Yes, I know, it's a DMME system, but I already have my ponies and they know what they're doing. Also, when was the last time you held a rifle?” “In my days on the second line...” Pinkie just rolled her eyes before being interrupted. “I think it will be worth bringing her, general. – The reddish horse from Puerto Caballo says. – She's got the spirit and seems to know these mechanisms well.” “Don't help her, Alberto.” Pinkie tells him. “Come on, Pinkie, I have to get on that train; our friends are there… Rarity, Applejack.” Pinkie, seeing that she won't be able to stop her, exhales. “Sergeant Alberto Roca. Give this mare a uniform and a rifle. She will get on that train despite my warnings. Don't take your eyes off her, she's very valuable for this mission. Mr. Sunburst will stay with me until further notice.” "Yes ma'am." Sergeant Alberto says, standing firm. “You helped her get into this. Now it will be your responsibility to get her to Manehattan in one piece.” Orders the pink pony. "Yes ma'am." September 13th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. In the city that never sleeps, the air was tense, evacuation notices had arrived in the morning and the avenues outside the city were in enormous chaos. The news channel continued to give bulletins about the creature approaching the city, which was already near Trotterfield. “And you heard Prince Blueblood, representing the two sisters at the press conference, saying that Canterlot hasn't ruled out using nuclear weapons to stop the creature.” At the hotel the girls were getting restless, deciding on a plan of action. “I'm extremely worried, darling , that thing is coming here, Starlight doesn't appear, the flights are canceled, the express trains have left and the highways are jammed.” Rarity says to her friend. “Equestria declared a state of emergency and called up everyone possible; I say that we must unite to help in the evacuation.” Applejack says. "Yes, but what will we do with the girls? They can't stay here." While their older sisters argued, the Cutie Mark Crusaders could only limit themselves to listening to the news and the conversation. “Now what will we do?” Apple Bloom asks. “Well, wait for them to decide, I guess.” Sweetie Belle says, bored. Suddenly, the phone in the room rang, but the adults paid no attention because their talk. "I'll answer." Scootaloo offered. She took the phone. "Hello? Scootaloo speaking…” The discussion between the older sisters still couldn't come to anything conclusive when Scootaloo spoke to them. “Rarity, Applejack, they're calling you.” The pegasus calls them. “Not right now, we're busy, darling.” Rarity answers. “Rarity, Applejack, it's Starlight calling.” "Oh really?" Applejack wonders. Taking the phone, Rarity puts it on speaker for the others to hear. “Starlight? How and where are you? We have tried to contact you all day yesterday.” “Hello Starlight.” They all tell her on the phone. “Hello!... – says Starlight. – Look, it's a very long story that will be for later, I'm in Neighton, girls, but first you need to listen to me. “We hear you.” Rarity states. “First, stay calm, please, I know that thing is going there, I'm on my way, you must look for shelter, be it a basement or subway stations, but look for shelter.” “OK, Starlight. Rarity and I will stay to help with evacuations and whatever is needed, but we will evacuate the Cutie Mark Crusaders tomorrow… When will you arrive?” Applejack says, with the CMCs looking at her, resigned. “I will get there tomorrow morning. The military has plans for those things. Please be very careful and don't take risks.” “It's okay, darling, it's great that you're coming here. We'll be waiting for you, be very careful too.” Rarity answers. "Bye!" They all say. The phone was hung up. The television in the living room continued to broadcast its bulletin. “Blackouts and electrical interference are increasingly radiating towards the southeast, all citizens within 300 kilometers of the creature are informed to please do not go out, seek shelter and avoid roads.” September 13th, 1024 ALB. Neighton, Equestria. It was dusk in the small eastern city, the horns of the freight train were heard loudly, announcing its departure. “Well, Starlight, I wish you good luck, you'll need it. You don't have to do it, but it seems like you've already made up your mind.” Pinkie Pie says, saying goodbye. “Take care, Starlight, say hello to the girls for me.” Sunburst says. “Thank you very much to both of you, for being there in the worst moments.” Starlight says, giving them a hug. “Be very careful. You'll have Big Mac’s fourth division watching your back.” The pink pony says to a Starlight who was trotting towards the train, putting on a helmet. "See you!" She says, trotting away. The train's diesel engine begins to rev, slowly pulling the cars, with horns and bells ringing. “Everyone ready!” A colonel shouts. Starlight, hurrying, approaches the car, where Sergeant Roca extended his hoof to her. “Well, Private Glimmer, welcome aboard the Manehattan Express.” The horse tells her. Equestrian highways were blocked, sending constant emergency calls to the services. Reports of people trapped on roads, crashed planes, and evacuation orders could be heard throughout Hollow Shades, Mareland, Manesbury, Stratusburg, and Manehattan regions. Not even the Discord would have caused so much chaos. September 13th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, Eclipse Gulf, 190 kilometers east of Baltimare. “Yes, Your Majesty, yes… the warheads are on the way… I agree, Your Majesty… Yes, I will inform you. Thank you." Stronghammer hangs up the phone. The call to Canterlot was necessary to seek approval for the mission, despite Twilight's protest letters sent. The royal sisters have decided that the priority will be their subjects. There was no more to say. Stronghammer nods his head, indicating the green light for Seaspray and Rain Rider's plan. “Okay, let's get to work everycreature, I need the exact location of the MUTOs right now.” Seaspray orders. Stronghammer, thoughtful, approaches an pile of papers. "Admiral." Fluttershy interrupts him. "Yes ma'am?" “Please don't do it.” Twilight follows. “I understand your concerns, ladies, but we sacrifice lives every minute keeping these thiis thing away from the population and now we have two more on the way.” Twilight and friends are frustrated by the admiral's stubbornness. “There are millions of lives at risk.” Stronghammer says, approaching the map table again. “What I want to know is… Is it going to work this time? Can we kill them?” The admiral tells her. “But we tried it before! You were there!” Spike points out. “Those are programmable warheads, sir, of megatons, not kilotons. Nothing can resist that explosion.” Rain Rider intervenes. “Indeed. The 1016 bomb is a firecracker in comparison.” Finish Seaspray. September 13th, 1024 ALB. Somewhere east of Friesville, Equestria. Night fell on the railway convoy, the machine's horns echoed between the canyons and gorges with a river at the bottom of them. Fog covered the dark night of Luna's new moon. Starlight and her companions could only watch as they passed a bifurcation that led to a bridge that crossed the canyon, totally destroyed. “That doesn't bode well.” Starlight says. “Calm down, Private Glimmer; better come and give me a hoof here.” Sergeant Alberto tells her. Taking out the electrical mechanism from the tip of the missile, the private and the sergeant talked. “I thought nuclear bombs were detonated by remote control.” Says Sergeant Roca. “MUTOs disable anything electrical, including detonators. You can’t even be on the range without these things breaking down.” Then they take an equally heavy mechanism, putting it on the tip. “But this, on the other hoof, it’s old, it’s an analog clock.” Starlight says, putting the mechanism on the missile. “The harder you beat, the faster it is?” The horse asks, jokingly. Starlight's laughter was interrupted by an explosion on the other side of the mountain that caught everyone's attention. With a metallic screech and a jolt, the train began to come to a complete stop. They could see gunshots and explosions that lit up the night on the other side of the mountain. "Oh, mier..." Rock whispered in his native languaje. “Sergeant Roca, come running with the radio immediately. Now now!" The colonel shouts. Starlight looked at him. The peaceful silence of that night in the forested mountains was being broken by the multiple explosions that occurred on the other side of the hills, while Roca and Glimmer were running towards the front of the convoy. “Third Battalion, this is Alpha to Charlie, is the bridge free? Colonel Flight here. Over." The officer says. All he could hear on the radio was interference and shouting. Starlight, curious, approached the entrance of the tunnel that crossed the mountain towards the bridge. “I repeat. We have a train with very important cargo to the coast, is the bridge free? Over." Nothing. “Third Battalion, I need a report. Over.” The tunnel entrance was in total darkness. “Is it clear or not? Over." Colonel Flight asks, exasperated. Interference and distortion. A sound like a distant trumpet sound would scare them, putting them on alert. “I think we will have to check manually, colonel.” Starlight says, at the entrance to the tunnel. Suddenly a shock wave came out of the tunnel that stunned everyone and turned off all the lights on the train and their lamps. After they got back up, they all looked at each other worriedly, hearing distant clicking noises. They prepared to enter the tunnel. The absolute darkness of the tunnel was interrupted by the lights of the lamps attached to their Lightning rifles. The atmosphere was calm. There was not a single audible noise when they emerged to the other side of the mountain where there was a bridge that crossed another gorge covered in thick fog. “Do you think it's intact?” Sergeant Roca asks. "There is only one way to find out. – Says the colonel. – Do you want to go up or down?” “Yes, we will go up. Private Glimmer, stay close to me.” At the base of the bridge fruit bats flew about in their nightly activities. There colonel Flight was going down the bridge structure with a thestral soldier. At the top, Starlight and Alberto walked slowly, illuminating the tracks with their flashlights and the unicorn's magic. Then a sound. Roca stumbled, dropping his lamp into the foggy void. "Oh no." He said. At the base the two ponies were startled by the falling lamp, making them turn around. “Moron...” Said the thestral. Suddenly the dark mist of the night was illuminated behind the colonel, on the river. Making them turn around again. They saw a huge Phoenix Mk.III tank on fire heading towards them from the water. The colonel and his companion managed to avoid the metal beast that made the riverbank rumble and screeching. “Nighter, are you okay?” Flight asks. "Yes I'm fine." After getting up, they turn to the river, where a tide of burning military equipment passes in front of them. The burning smell intensified. Colonel Flight takes his whistle, warning. In the middle of the bridge, Private Glimmer and Sergeant Roca had reached the middle, confirming that the bridge was intact. “The bridge is intact.” Starlight says. “Alpha, this is team Bulldog. In order to move forward. Over." The sergeant says with his radio, not realizing that the mountains behind them were moving. “Here alpha. Roger that." They answer him. At the other entrance of the tunnel, the train soldiers were beginning to get on. "Let's go. All aboard!" They shouted. Immediately the train began to rev its engine again, sound its powerful horn and turn on its lights. Colonel Flight and Private Nighter were still at the base of the bridge, receiving a diffuse radio communication. “What do you say?... No, I don't have eye contact... I can't hear it, say it again. Over." Flight says before they're both surprised by the huge single-clawed paw rising up. At the top of the bridge, the enormous animal forced Sergeant Roca and Private Glimmer to lie down on the track sleepers, now overcome with fear. There was nothing between them and the female MUTO that appeared trough the mist. Roca could only feel how dread filled every part of his being as the creature approached them, making the ground rumble, filling the air with the sound of its clicks and growls that announced her presence. Starlight, though fearful inside, stood her ground, lying down, aiming her rifle and flashlight at the creature now moving beneath the bridge. Her heart racing, but her mind determined not to give in again. The creature passed under the bridge, its long bright red eyes certainly looking at them, knowing they were there, and the low, resonant hum of the female was approaching the structure. When Sergeant Roca's radio began to crackle, the creature approached its eye from below; all the horse could do was tremble in terror, whispering to Starlight to help him turn it off. The beast's clicking and growling intensified as the creature shifted from crouching to standing, she was taller than the bridge itself, overshadowing the dreadful little ponies. The clicking sounds of the female announced that she had opened her mouth, ready to take a bite out of the bridge, and therefore, the little ponies lying there. Glimmer and Rock were in absolute fear until the scene would be interrupted by the train's horns, approaching and drawing the creature's attention. The MUTO roared shortly before crossing half of her legs to the other side of the bridge to walk towards where the sound was. Starlight and Alberto, relieved, could see that in the creature's belly was a translucent bioluminescent sac full of strange orbs. The two stood up to watch the female disappear into the thick fog. Now there was only silence. “Con un demonio…” Alberto said, somewhat relieved. Suddenly, both raised their rifles at the sound of detonations coming from that direction along with a roar. Then nothing. “Wait… it's that...?” Starlight said, squinting her eyes. They both lowered their rifles when something bright broke through the fog between the tracks, it was approaching. Their heart raced again as the shrill sound got closer, appearing out of the fog something bright. The train on fire. "Run!" They screamed. Now the adrenaline was flooding them. Starlight was several heads ahead. Her heart beating even faster than before. “Alberto! Run!" Starlight shouts. “Starlight!” Sergeant Roca shouted before the creature's leg destroyed that part of the bridge, destroying everything in its path. Starlight, with adrenaline at its maximum, can only think about jumping from the bridge into the void. The river. The dip in the water was hard, disorienting her, but the enormous impact of the hundreds of tons of the machine next to her stunned her even more. Struggling to swim to the surface. When she comes out of the water, taking a breath, with her ears screeching and her vision blurred, she manages to see that a train car with a missile falls into the water, while the MUTO takes the other missile in her snout to begin swallowing while the unicorn tries to swim to the riverside. That night wasn't a good night either. September 13th to 14th, 1024 ALB. RHS Seatoga, 260 kilometers northeast of Baltimare. Collision alarms sounded on the ships. “It submerges.” The captain announces. Outside, between the ships, the thorns of the mighty Godzilla bowed before disappearing along with his tail among the ocean waves. Leaving everyone on the decks dumbfounded. In the planning room, Stronghammer's work was interrupted by the considerable tilt the ship was suffering. Twilight and friends grabbed anything that could fall before looking at the screens. “We lose eye contact. It submerges.” A technician announces. The admiral, also surprised, stares at the screens. “He changed course and is accelerating. He's going to leave us behind.” September 14th, 1024 ALB. Winsome Falls, Equestria. The river bank was calm, birds singing, land animals here and there. Also one or another scavenger, however, the latter would be scared away by something. Among the tangle of branches, metals and fallen soldiers that were on the riverside, Starlight wakes up, disoriented. She's dazzled by the white morning light of the cloudy sky. Muddy and with several scratches, she coughs up some water when trying to get up. Hearing something. The peacefulness of the morning was interrupted by the sound of many engines. Opening her eyes a bit more, she sees a UH-1 helicopter arriving at the scene, it has the changeling cockade. "Uh?" She wondered. Still disoriented, she tries to gain the strength to get up and turn around. Along with the changeling jägers that rappelled down came a hippogriffian CH-47 that had cargo harnesses. The changeling soldiers shouted orders in their language, carrying the missile that fell into the water last night to the harnesses. They attach the weapon to the harness. "Achtung, wir müssen diese Rakete sofort in die Luft bringen." The officers shouts, ordering them for the missile to get airborne inmediately. Starlight gathers strength to get up and approach them slowly. The jäger officer's orders were interrupted by one of his subordinates, signaling to him, crossing his arms. “Wir haben einen am Leben!” He yelled, pointing at Starlight. The jäger turned, only to see an exhausted unicorn coming to them. He screamed for a doctor. “Arzt!” Author's Note I can now dare to say that we're near the endgame of the plot. As always, thanks for reading, and stay tuned for next week's chapter.
10. Evacuation.September 14th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. The central park of the city that never sleeps was a bustle of activity with military trucks arriving and leaving, as well as ambulances and makeshift medical stations full of stretchers, carrying away patients bit by bit. Rarity, Applejack and the CMC had just arrived to help in any way possible, approaching the tents. “Hey, Lieutenant General Applejack, I'm here to report for duty, soldier.” “Welcome, lieutenant, it's great that you come, we need plenty of hooves for evacuation and activation of shelters.” The pony answers, saluting. “My partner Rarity and I will stay and help without any problem, soldier, but we need to evacuate these fillies out of the city.” The orange pony tells him, pointing at the three friends. “Well, you're in luck, ma'am, those are the last evacuation trucks leaving this district. They will cross the bridge to the other side of the bay, sick, injured and minors have priority.” When they turn to look at the trucks, almost full, they see Coco Pommel supporting the driver loading foals onto the bus. The run to meet her. “Coco, it's good to see you, darling. Could you help our sisters leave the city? We will have to stay.” Rarity approaches her with the minors. “Yes, of course Rarity, we'll get them out... And take good care of yourselves, please.” Coco says, also worried. “Very well, Cutie Mark Crusaders, we already agreed yesterday, let's not even discuss anything, your safety comes first. So please get on this bus.” Rarity say, now turning towards them, unwavering. “But what about Babs Seed? She's in Hayston, we can't leave her here with that thing out there.” Apple Bloom shouts. “Hayston... I think has already been evacuated, girls. Please get on the bus, we are running out of time.” Coco says, in a hurry. "You hard her, girls, I won't negotiate, please got on it." Rarity orders. The three friends, resigned and reluctant, finally get on the bus, which was starting its engine. "Take care, sister." Sweetie belle say, hugging her. Rarity corresponds and turning to her friend. “Thank you, Coco, you are a great friend… I don't know what we'd do without you. I owe you.” Rarity says, hugging her as well. “You don't owe me anything, Rarity, don't worry, we'll be on our way to Canterbury in minutes.” She answers, getting into the bus. As their embrace ends, the sound of the chaos of patrols, ambulances, and soldiers' orders is temporarily silenced by the sound of several engines. "Uh?" They wonder, turning up. Above their heads were several helicopters flying in formation, one large, one attack and one medium; all flying towards the coast. Flying over Manehattan in the UH-1 was Starlight with the group of jägers who rescued her, seeing the CH-47 that was flying next to her begin to move away because her helicopter began to turn left. "Ey! Where are they taking that one?” The purple unicorn asks, deafened by the noise of the engines, she's still dirty from last night. “Zirty kilometers from ze coast! To ze point of convergence! Ve ar going to attract zem!…” The jäger officer shouts at her, in a heavy changeling accent, almost deafened as well. “Zree birds vith one stone.” Starlight could only sit, thoughtful, watching the big helicopter move further away. At the Manehattan docks a group of ponies supported by hippogriffs were giving visual signals to the CH-47 flying overhead, placing the missile on a platform inside a landing craft. Once the warhead was in place, they untied the harnesses. September 14th, 1024 ALB. Tactical Operations Center, Canterbury, Equestria. The UH-1 touched the ground slowly, letting down its occupants who quickly walked away from the machine, there was Starlight, who was caught up by some ponies, helping her walk to the doors of an ambulance. “Easy, miss, sit down." They said. "Did you lose consciousness?” The doctor tells her, starting the examination. “I'm fine, don't worry.” The unicorn answers him. After landing in Canterbury from the RHS Seatoga, Admiral Stronghammer, Seaspray, Twilight and company descended from the helicopter. Stronghammer and Seaspray event to the small building adapted for command of the current operation. Upon entering through the door they find a small command center, full of creatures of all kinds speaking in code and saying orders on their radios. “Report, please. What is the location of the targets?” Stronghammer orders. “The male is 250 kilometers northeast of Dappleshore.” A zebra answers. “We detected seismic activity east of Summerfield; it must be the female approaching.” A unicorn continues. “And Godzilla?” The admiral asks. “The last contact was five hours ago, it maintains a heading of 12 degrees, descended to a depth of three thousand meters. He'll arrive in an hour.” Seaspray informs her, he's checking information from a screen. The pony admiral turned to watch the tv which was giving the news bulletin from city. Stronghammer skips a beat watching the news from the cable-stayed Manehattan Bridge, packed with cars. “There are still civilians on the bridge.” She says somberly. September 14th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. The cable-stayed Manhattan Bay Bridge rose through the evening fog and rain, packed with cars in a traffic jam. Fighter jets flew, patrolling the sky. More police cruisers arrived, as officers directed several lanes of traffic to just one, causing even more jamming. Soldiers and military vehicles advanced through the free lanes. On the bus full of Cutie Mark Crusaders, Coco Pommel the driver and the foals, there was a cacophony of voices and screams from the children who were playing and talking, preventing the driver from hearing the instructions of the police officer who was directing them to an alternate lane so that they wouldn't stop there. The driver, desperate, tried to point out his inability to hear him, but to no avail. He told the foals to shut up, but his request fell on deaf ears. Suddenly the children's attention was drawn to the column of Phoenix Mk.III main battle tanks advancing along the free lanes. The loud engines of the steel beasts and the soldiers were heading in the opposite direction, towards the city. From one moment to another the tanks make a sharp turn, destroying the pedestrian railing of the bridge, turning their turrets towards the sea. “In position.” Someone announced. Soldiers with bazookas ran to the outer railing of the bridge. Below them gathered the might of Equestria's First Fleet, Shield-class Destroyers and Firedrake-class Cruisers gathered at the entrance to the bay, sounding their fog horns, waiting. On the bus the children continued talking, while the Cutie Mark Crusaders talked about everything and nothing at the same time. Until a low deep growl silences everyone, making them turn to the right-side windows. Coco Pommel, nervous, begins to wipe the moisture from the window with her hoof to see better. Now only the rain could be heard as all the ponies came to the windows to see. "What is that?" Scootaloo wonders. “I don't know, but it didn't sound pretty.” Sweetie Belle says. “This gives me a bad feeling…” Apple Bloom adds. The silence is suddenly broken when a seagull crashes into the window, startling everypony inside. Several flocks of seagulls flew by toward land, fleeing from something. In the First Fleet, sailors were expectant. “To port, two hundred meters!” shouts a pegasus in a destroyer, taking aim. Everyone immediately began to move towards that side to see. The sailors present began to worry when the sea began to stir, revealing several enormous thorns approaching at high speed. "Collision!" An officer shouted, preparing for the impact. Suddenly the huge thorns stopped completely, leaving them dumbfounded. “Don't open fire. Don’t open fire.” The radio orders while deck guns took aim. The enormous creature stayed there, still, between the waves. Everycreature was confounded. The confusion of the sailors became fear when the spines began to sink and a long vertical tail emerged from the water, towering the ships. The destroyer behind them began to rise as Gojira's enormous spines lifted it from the sea, bending its keel. “Fire, fire, fire!” The radio shouts. The deck guns and missiles of the ships began to discharge their firepower on the back of the creature that was now emerging from the sea. On the bridge, everyone was beginning to duck as the shells from the deck guns missed the creature and headed toward the bridge. Faced with the children's panic, Coco Pommel told them to bend down. The driver decided to act. Hitting a car, the bus leaves the line of cars into the free lane, hitting a stop sign and almost running over several officers and soldiers who dodge it, however, this bus's run was stopped before it began when a missile hit one of the bridge's two suspension cables, falling in front of the bus. With a skid, the bus stopped again. The soldiers ran in front of the bus toward the railing. “First Fleet, there are civilians on the bridge, ceasefire!” A soldier says, seeing a projectile heading towards them. They took cover but the titanic creature appeared. The projectile hit the back of the enormous beast that was standing up, towering, taller than the bridge itself, leaving the bus passengers bewildered. With a roar, Godzilla grabbed one of the suspension cables. With the order to fire, the Phoenix tanks and soldiers began shooting at the beast at point-blank range. This didn't stop the hundred meter lizard from grabbing the bridge cables. Panic spread among the civilians on the bridge as they saw Godzilla roar, the civilian cars trying to flee as best they could. Suddenly the Phoenix in front of the bus goes into reserve, destroying a patrol car and pushing the fallen suspension cable. The path is clear now. The driver took the opportunity and immediately accelerated, passing between firing soldiers and the tank. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, frozen and frightened, just stared at the enormous beast that began to walk alongside and roared in annoyance, but they finally left it behind, exiting the bridge. However, the children's screams continued when Godzilla once and for all crossed the bridge, sweeping away and destroying everything in his path, just where the bus was minutes ago. "Dear Celestia." Apple Bloom said, anxious. At the patrol boats' position in the bay, the soldiers could only watch dumbfounded as Godzilla destroys the bridge, breaking it in half, while fighter jets flew overhead, launching their missiles. “Prepare to assemble the warhead.” A captain orders. “Preparing.” A subordinate responds. Removing the metal cap on the tip of the missile, the captain approaches the mechanism. “Arming keys.” He Announces. Inserting the two keys into the mechanism, the captain shouts. "3. 2. 1." The keys turned, turning the clock. 5 hours. Suddenly their attention is taken by a wave of energy that left everything silent. "What the Tartarus was that?" The captain asks. “An EMP.” A sailor answers. “The engine went out, there's no power.” The helmspony announces. All over Manehattan the lights and devices went out, leaving Applejack and Rarity confused. “What was that, Applejack?” The white unicorn asks. Leaving what they were doing, they walk out of the tent and into central park. The rain fell with intensity on the silent city and the curious citizens who came to the outside. Looking up between the buildings, the two ponies saw an earth pony parachuting down between the buildings. "A pilot?" Applejack wonders. Suddenly a fighter falls from the sky, crashing into the hotel, exploding instantly. The crowd's screams were immediate as the aircraft fell to the ground, turning into a fireball. In the bay, planes fell like leaves from the sky, crashing into the water while some pilots managed to eject from their machines on time. The Hunters and Phantoms fell uncontrollably into the water, one nearly crashing into the landing craft the missile was on, stunning its occupants. "Everypony alright?" The captain asked, leaning over the side to see the sinking fighter. "I'm alright". A gunner said before retaking his position with a machine gun. Suddenly a roar caught their attention, coming from above. As they all turned, they saw the male MUTO swooping down at high speed toward their boat, making them scream and shoot upward in vain. The creature hit the boat with all its weight, diving into the water before the worried looks of the civilians on the pier. The curious and concerned ponies emerged from their dead vehicles, seeing that the boat had now disappeared into the waters. The creature emerged from the water, with the boat in its snout. Panic spread. The insectoid creature threw the deformed craft to the ground, attempting to tear the missile from its support, deforming the metal and breaking it. Finally he had it in his shorter arms. Amidst the screams and roars, the MUTO took flight. Flying through the city, the creature finally landed on the pagoda-style buildings of Kirintown. A huge cloud of dust and debris from collapsing buildings rose before him, the sounds of the male could be heard happily. Before him, an animal even taller than him emerged, without wings and with greater strength. The female MUTO greeted the male with a soft roar, nuzzling his head in a friendly gesture. The male, with the missile in his snout, clicked in reciprocity, handing the warhead to his beloved. The female delicately took the gift that her partner gave her, making some soft clicks and grunts at the sac in her belly. Then she got to work while the male took flight again, protecting her work. In the center of Kirintown, the female began to hit the ground, digging, covering everything with dust and debris. September 14th, 1024 ALB. Canterbury, Equestria. The streets outside the city bustle with activity as more and more military vehicles and buses arrive from Manehattan. “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo Dash were registered at the Canterbury hoofball estadium, they are safe and sound, but I have no records of Rarity Belle or Applejack. They didn’t leave the city.” An official tells Starlight. “Check again, please.” She tells him. The official only glances at the papers. “I told them to wait for me and I couldn't get there.” The unicorn says. “Sorry, all the ponies at downtown will be taken to the emergency shelters. Don’t worry, your friends will be fine.” The official says. “Starlight?” The unicorn confusedly turns to see, seeing a pegasus with a multicolored mane. “Rainbow Dash?” “Hello, Starlight, I was seriously wondering why you were here, but here you are; alive and in one piece.” The pegasus says, embracing her. “How did you know I was here?” “They sent me looking for the pony that survived the attack on the train, I found out it was you because we need you for a mission.” says the blue pegasus. At the entrance to the command building were Twilight and her friends, expectant, until they see Rainbow Dash and Starlight arrive. Receiving her with another embrace, they start talking. "I didn't know you had left Puerto Caballo, Starlight, I didn't expect you to have shown up in Neighton to enlist again until Pinkie Pie informed me... but it's good that you're still whole." Twilight says. “Yeah, it's amazing that you joined that train, really, and you're still looking for Rarity and Applejack after all that.” Fluttershy says worriedly. “And yeah, I don't know how I survived that thing either, but apparently I still got a mission to do here.” “Admiral Stronghammer and Seaspray are planning something. We better get in.” Spike adds, opening the door. Surrounding a map of the west coast were Stronghammer, and Seaspray reporting to Commander Spitfire, and a group of blue-uniformed pegasus and thestrals, the Wonderbolts. "Pay attention" the hippogriff admiral starts. The friends enter the room, but no one notices their presence. “The male took the warhead to the city downtown, that puts a hundred thousand civilians within the explosion range. It can’t be stopped from a distance.” Seaspray says. “An analog clock was installed and the MUTOs are killing everything electronic in a five-mile radius. Approaching by land is not an option.” Spitfire continues. “That is why we will carry out a HALO insertion. Jump altitude of nine thousand meters over the dome and we jump... here, and here.” The commander points on the transparent bowl she placed in the map. “If you don't crash into a building, we'll meet at the meeting point Charlie... Here." “Any clue where to look, Your Majesty?” Stronghammer asks, turning to Twilight. "Underground." The alicorn explains. “If MUTOs are going to procreate, they must make a nest.” Fluttershy finishes. "Captain. – Stronghammer says to Spitfire. – When we find the warhead, how much time to disarm it?” “Sir, without seeing the analog model, I cannot speculate.” The commander says. “Sixty seconds if I have access. I designed the weapon a long time ago and adapted the device personally.” Starlight intervenes. Everycreature looked at her. “Private Glimmer is the only DMME soldier and technician to survive from the train.” Seaspray adds. “Yes, I know her. It's good that you're here, Private.” Stronghammer greets. “Sounds like we'll need her...” Spitfire says. “With all due respect, ma'am, if that doesn't work. – Soarin intervenes. – What is plan B?” “The coast is one kilometer to the southeast. We take the bomb to the dock, onto a boat, and get it as far away from the city as possible before it detonates.” Spitfire says, grimly. Everyone present was silent, aware of the weight on them. "Any questions?" Seaspray asks grimly. Nopony said anything. “You may go.” He says. Everyone left except Starlight and her friends. “Private Glimmer, everyone received notice, there is no extraction plan. If you doesn’t walk out, you won’t come back.” The hippogriff admiral said. “I will do whatever it takes sir.” Starlight says. “And I will accompany her, sir, she will not leave me, and I will show her what this jump is like.” Rainbow Dash says, saluting with her metal wing. “Be very careful, really, very careful. If it were up to me, I would never risk you, but it seems like I've failed at that before,” Twilight says, distressed. “Don't be so hard on yourself, Twilight, it wasn't your fault, it wasn't in your power to warn us. I have no grudge against you or anything now. Now I have a mission, face those things, and bring back our friends.” The unicorn says determined, giving her a hug. “Everything will be fine, let's hope it will.” Fluttershy says, with a slight tremor. With another long goodbye embrace, Starlight and Rainbow leave to join their companions. “So, what is an insert…uh…hello?” The unicorn asks; she had never been on these types of missions in the second line in the war. “HALO, High Altitude Low Opening, we jump from very high and open the parachutes as low as possible to avoid dispersing too much when touching the ground and so that the enemy does not see us until the last moment.” Rainbow says, putting a uniform, helmet and parachute on her friend. Starlight just swallows nervously. “Don't worry, when we jump, don't let go of me when we jump, we'll all have a flare on our ankle if we get separated. These helmets with an oxygen mask will help prevent you from getting hypoxia at that altitude.” "If you say so..." "Oh come on, this will be 120% cooler with those animals!" Twilight and her friends were looking out to sea. The sun was setting on the eastern hills. Stronghammer approaches them. “That Alpha predator, Your Majesty, do you think he will win?” Twilight exhales. “The greatest sin of us ponies is to believe that nature is under our power, despite the control of weather, animals or seasons...” The alicorn says, thoughtful. "But it's not; it's just an illusion of control." Spike said. “Let them fight, admiral...” Fluttershy finishes. September 14th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. The streets of the city that never sleeps are now filled with a dead silence, only broken by the MUTO that flies gracefully between the large buildings, landing on one, destroying the top and roaring menacingly. Applejack and Rarity could only think about running in the other direction. “Run, Rarity.” She told her. The screams of the crowd grew louder until they were silenced again as another enormous animal arrived between the buildings at the other end of the street, a guttural growl filling the city. From the coast came the alpha predator, towering, taller than the surrounding buildings; robust, elongated body with a huge head and sharp thorns on the back. Godzilla has arrived. The only thing Rarity and Applejack could hear as they ran towards the shelter, besides the screams of the crowd, were the metallic growls of the winged creature as it flew towards the giant lizard, hitting it and starting the fight. As the soldiers closed the doors to let the afternoon light outside, the two ponies only managed to see how the lizard took a bite at its opponent. The battle of Manehattan has begun. Author's Note We're in the endgame now.
11. Descending into Tartarus.September 14th, 1024 ALB. 9 kilometers above Manehattan, Equestria. Storm clouds swirled in the sky beneath the C-141 as it gained altitude toward the jump point, the dust and storm blocking the view of the battle of the titans occurring nine kilometers below them. It was the calm before the storm. The cargo plane of the Royal Equestrian Air Force flew through the yellowish evening sky. In the cargo bay they could hear the prayers of a companion who was reading a book, blessing his comrades before the jump. “Through the light, I gain strength, through the night, I gain strength; through the strength you give me, I gain the might to smite thine enemies. With that might, I hope to see its two stars: Sun and Moon in the sky once again, though if I fall, it is in the name of the sun and the moon; in them, I will find peace.” The air was tense, the Wonderbolts were preparing for the jump of their lives, some were writing in their diaries, others were praying as well, some were thoughtful and quiet, other were just talking to calm their minds. "I thank our princesses for allowing us to jump once again, as friends and comrades." Continued the praying soldier. Starlight's heart was pounding as she gave her Supernova magic rifle a final check and checked her parachute. “Alright, Starlight, like I told you, when the alarm goes off, we'll put on the mask, and we'll try to jump at the same time; to open the parachute you pull this red rope, for the emergency one you pull this buckle.” Says the blue pegasus with her express parachuting class. “Yes… yes…” The unicorn says, trembling. “Look at your wrist watch at all times, when it says 600 meters, open. That or when you see buildings.” "Aha…" “I know it's your first jump, my heart is also full of dread, but we'll have to do this.” “Yes… If you say so.” “When you go down, pull the buckles, towards you to gain altitude and go slower when you are going to land, pull this side to go to the other and so on.” The pegasus says, demonstrating with her arms. Starlight just nodded, it was difficult to understand, but her mind full of fear made her take note to the millimeter. Suddenly the lights in the cargo bay turned red and a buzzer sounded. “Okay, Starlight, moment of truth.” The pegasus says as everyone puts on their oxygen masks and stand up. “Okay, Wonderbolts, let's get to work. Good luck to you all." Spitfire says, getting into position next to the cargo hatch. The plane's loading ramp slowly opened, letting in the light of Celestia's sun that was setting on the horizon. Everyone stands up and forms lines towards the door, putting their hooves on the shoulder of the pony in front of each one, gradually approaching the gate. They see the clouds that are far below them. “Okay Starlight, when I run, you follow me.” A second alarm was activated, indicating the moment of the jump. Starlight puts on her goggles, her oxygen mask hissing constantly, adrenaling started flooding her blood once again. She's ready for the leap of faith, she's ready for the battle ahead. The Wonderbolts are ready for the jump, psyching themselves up and stretching for the moment of truth. Starlight had already decided, this will be her moment; now or never. “Trixie, Sunburst, this is for you.” Her mind stated. The alarm sounded again. 3. 2. 1. They all jumped into the void. The sky above the clouds was a great sea of tranquility as more Wonderbolts emerged from the plane, all leaving a trail of red smoke from their ankles, tearing the yellowish evening sky. Some Wonderbolts, driven by adrenaline, plummeted like a missile to get faster, others simply opened their limbs for a more controlled fall. The wind and the sound of the oxygen mask were the only things Starlight could hear, now with her heart racing, Rainbow was at her side, now holding each other's hooves to avoid separating. From her goggles, Starlight could only see Rainbow giving her encouraging signs as they descended at high speed. Soon the black clouds beneath them drew closer, enveloping them in zero visibility, the purple unicorn could only see the flares on her companions' ankles. As they pass through that part of the cloud they reach a clearing between the cumulonimbus. The unicorn only saw clouds, lightnings and heard thunder below. From the dark strata the ponies came out, towards another layer below. In the incessant hissing of her mask, the unicorn sees downwards again. As they pass through those clouds, the city is revealed to them, immersed in a bright yellow and orange from the city's multiple fires. It was like descending into Tartarus itself. The city's yellow skyline was broken by multiple red smoke traces. As they descended, through her mask, Starlight saw flashes of battle filtering through the smoke and debris, as the male MUTO and Godzilla stood in a whirlwind of fury and brute force. Starlight couldn't hear anything, only her breathing, so she turned to look at Rainbow, who also looked impressed by the demonstration of titanic strength displayed before their eyes. Between the lightning bolts and the gigantic shadows here and there, Starlight and Rainbow descended at terminal speed just a few meters from the lizard's back. The beast's roar was heard only as a dull rumble in their ears. Turning down, Rainbow gave the signal to Starlight to soon open her parachute. The unicorn checked her watch. 600 meters and descending fast. The tall skyscrapers got closer and closer. Between the tall concrete and steel structures the two ponies finally pulled the drawstrings of their backpacks, now descending quickly, but safely. With the MUTO passing behind them, the two ponies, now separated by their parachutes, finally touch down. Starlight took note well and managed a good landing, with nothing more than a roll to cushion it more. Starlight's heart continued to race as she took off her mask and goggles to grab her rifle. Turning to look around she didn't see anyone, so she decided to run to the designed meeting point. As she passed through a street she turned to look only to see the shadow of Godzilla's tail passing through some streets, among the dust. A guttural growl could be heard. Suddenly she heard shouting behind her, it was her teammates and Rainbow Dash getting together. So she run towards them. They finally meet. “I saw team 2 heading east.” Soarin said, joining those who had arrived. “Two didn't make it: Celest Wing and Sprinkle Medley didn't make it; I heard fragments on the radio.” Rainbow announces. “The snipers are already in position.” Announces a thestral. Commander Spitfire just hears this, and takes something from her saddlebags, a tracker. Using the device, the ponies find the warhead with its ping. "Where is it?" Starlight asks. “One kilometer away. It's uphill. Let's go." Spitfire orders. The Wonderbolts moved between the destroyed cars, their lights illuminating their path as the tracker pinged. It pinged louder and louder. They pass and intersection and hear a growl. They take cover behind a couple of cars on both sides of the road. They keep hearing the hight-pitched growl. Starlight and rainbow remained covered when Blaze, from the other side of the road say. “Hey, look at that.” She said to her companions. Peering through the broken windows, they see what remains of Kirintown. A colossal hole in the ground, like a huge open wound in the heart of the city. There was the female MUTO, her body writhing as she laid her eggs inside. Each scream of pain from the monster rang through the air, high-pitched and piercing, echoing through the rubble. “Well, that's just disgusting.” Rainbow Dash said as she saw the scene. The paratroopers watched in horror and fascination, when suddenly, behind them, a huge tail moved. From among the thick dust and fog, an enormous silhouette was illuminated by a lightning. Feeling this new presence, they turn back. Out of the mist came the enormous beast with a muscular body and enormous head. Starlight finally saw the magnitude of the enormous Gojira before her very eyes. The he roared. The roar of the creature shook the hearts of the soldiers present. The foundations of the buildings themselves rumbled when the animal roared with the power of hundreds of lightning bolts, a roar that shook the intestines of those present, growing with such intensity that it filled the world for a few seconds. The roar of a primordial power, of an incomparable force that shook the air. The soldiers, now stunned, turned to the other side, where the female MUTO was beginning to rise from the nest with another roar. And then, another titanic battle began. The MUTO's paw destroyed another roof, nearly crushing Starlight and Rainbow Dash. “Go, go, go!” Spitfire orders. Starlight stared at the two colossi that began to advance against each other while trotting. The clash of titans would shake the city. Advancing to the edge of the enormous hole where the MUTO was, it revealed the magnitude of the destruction in Kirintown. “Commander, have you seen this?” Soarin says. “Yes... We have to continue. – Spitfire says, looking at the tracker. - It's down there." When they went down they found a huge cave that revealed the MUTO's nest. Hundreds, if not thousands of small bioluminescent orbs covering the walls and ceiling of the cave, the missile was hanging from the center. While her companions were descending towards the missile, Starlight entered to see the scene, being impressed. Below, Spitfire shouted orders as they attempted to remove the missile from its biological upside down pedestal. The hundreds of eggs held by the spore glowed in pattern. “This is a lot more disgusting than I thought.” Starlight says. “Wow, these things do reproduce.” Rainbow adds, trotting toward the missile. Inside the translucent eggs were small creatures spinning and squeaking. “We have to put an end to these things.” The unicorn says to herself. Her attention is now directed to the warhead that had just slid down, touching the ground. "How much time left?" Spitfire asks. “Less than an hour.” Soarin says, looking at the clock inside. “Bring it down.” Spitfire says. Outside, the duel between the female and Godzilla becomes more difficult as the lizard pushes the female further, knocking her over and destroying another building. Among the screams of the refugees inside the building's bunker were Applejack and Rarity trying to get the ponies away from where the animals were fighting. From above the buildings the Wonderbolts of Team 2 shouted orders to move towards the docks as they watched Godzilla trample the female. The lizard's stomps were interrupted by the male, who grabbed the beast by the thorns on its back, pulling it away from his partner. Although he tried to free himself from a bite, the titan didn't expect the attack from the female and his back, which sent him crashing and knocking down more buildings. Trying to get up, Godzilla tried to roar, but was interrupted by another blow from the MUTO and her claw. Turning to the other side, the female dealt him another blow with her claw on his back, knocking him down. Underground, the Wonderbolts finally manage to dislodge the missile, taking out the warhead with the timer. “Carefully, put it down.” Spitfire orders. “Remove the cover.” Fleetfoot says. “Alright, Private Glimmer, it's your turn.” Rainbow says. Kneeling down, Starlight approaches the metal cover of the mechanism, she tries to open it, but to no avail. “It doesn't open… it's been welded.” Soarin says to Spitfire, desperate, he's trying to help the unicorn. “We need time to open it." Responds Fleetfoot. "We have no time! get it out of here and let's get to the boat!” Says a stressed Spitfire. “Everyone, let's carry the warhead. Move." Soarin orders. With great effort, the ponies grab the warhead and proceed to carry it away. With the help of those present and Starlight's magic, they make their way through the rubble to the outside. "Let's go." Starlight says, levitating a big debris, and turning to look at the eggs hanging from the spore. "Private, let's go." Soarin orders her before leaving. Dropping what she was holding with her magic, the unicorn heads to the entrance of the cave, but remains in thought as she turns back to the spore. A plan came to her mind. Taking courage, she runs back inside. In the city that never sleeps, the chaos of the two-on-one battle comes to a head when the two MUTOs are punching the alpha predator, causing it to stagger. The beast's roars of pain echoed before the soldiers present as Gojira fell onto another building. The Wonderbolts carried the warhead out of the crater, with the insectoid beasts beating up the lizard on the ground distantly. "Hurry up, let's go!" Spitfire orders. Leaving the crater, Rainbow turned around to see if Starlight was following her. Nothing. “Starlight?” The pegasus shouts. Seeing that she didn't come out, Rainbow got worried and quickly flew down. She found the unicorn exactly where she left her. “Starlight, for Celestia's sake, what are you doing?” The pegasus says when she finds her hitting the outside of a gasoline pipe of a buried truck. “Getting rid of those things. Come help me." The unicorn says, hitting the pipe with a metal rod. With no hesitation, rainbow grabbed a rod and started hitting the pipe. After a few desperate hits, the pipe finally gave way, releasing the hydrocarbon into the center of the crater. “Okay, now let's go.” says the pegasus, flying again. Starlight began to run out of the crater. Fuel began to fill the bottom of the hole, approaching a flame. As the insectoids continued to pummel the lizard, Rainbow Dash emerged from the crater, yelling for her friend to hurry up. Starlight begins to leave the crater, being helped by the pegasus's hoof. Suddenly the fire came to life. The entire crater became a huge fireball that could be seen for miles and illuminated the dark night, sending the two friends flying, stunning them. The female MUTO turned to look with a sharp sound. With a desperate roar she ran towards her nest, letting the male continue beating the lizard. The female passed running between the buildings, without noticing the warhead that the paratroopers were carrying under her. The male MUTO also, upon realizing what happened, stops his attacks to take flight towards his nest. Arriving at the smoking crater, the female let out a heartbreaking scream when she saw her nest and her offspring burned, the sadness of her screams was palpable, a cry of pain and loss proper of a mother who lost her progeny. Desperate squeals and growls sounded from the mother throughout Kirintown, as the two dazed ponies crawled away from the crater. Their stealth retreat would be interrupted when they stepped on a plank that broke. “Uh oh…” Rainbow Dash could only say, her brain was screeching. The sadness and grief of the hurt mother became anger when she turned to see those responsible for the loss of her babies. The stunned unicorn's heart sank as she saw the creature approaching, wrathful. The two ponies now stood frozen in fear when the choleric mother began to approach them. Her eyes were fixed on the little ponies. Just as the MUTO was preparing to attack, a hissing hum began to be heard that grew louder and louder, attracting the female's attention. The dense dust began to light up an intense pale blue color that began at the tip of the lizard's tail tip as it rose again. The female was now taking in the scene as the hissing sound intensified and the luminosity rose to the thorns on Gojira's back. Godzilla approached the female and with a huge inhale opened his mouth, and with a roar, he released it. Godzilla released his atomic breath, a beam of bluish light that cut through the night and struck the MUTO with devastating force that sent it crashing into buildings. The Wonderbolts carrying the warhead were completely amazed at such destructive display of brute power that knocked the female to the ground. This allowed the two friends to flee the scene. Godzilla then approached his now dazed prey, but was interrupted by the male who came flying in. The monster's roars were now directed at the flying animal. Spitfire and her team were moving towards the docks with difficulty due to the weight of the warhead. Upon reaching the docks, they approach a tourist boat that was moored. “Turn this thing on.” Spitfire orders. Soarin quickly comes to help her to open the boat's control panel and try to start it getting. When they turn towards the city they see the male MUTO attack Godzilla while the commander moves some cables that turn on the boat's lights. "Got it!" She announced. The roar of the ship's engine, lights, and status alarms echoed in the bay. The stunned female listened it, and saw the boat. With a roar of anger and distress she began to charge to attack the boat. Spitfire's heart sank as she saw the beast approaching in deep anger. “Quickly, move, run.” The commander orders the soldiers who just came with the warhead. The Wonderbolts began to untie the boat desperately, watching the female coming to the dock. Meanwhile, Godzilla and the male continued fighting, the creature's flying capability gave it a great advantage over the lizard, which roared in pain from the bites he was given. However, he managed to grab the MUTO with his snout, sending it flying between several buildings. The male took flight again and turned to attack again. Godzilla was now ready for him. When the male flew closer, He roared furiously, until with a precise movement, the alpha predator hit him with a tail blow that caused him to crash thunderously against a building. The animal, now wedged against the concrete and steel frame of the building, breathed its last breaths. Godzilla breathed, exhausted from the battle, but still not completely winning, the building where he crashed his rival now collapsing on top of him, knocking him down again. Starlight and Rainbow limped through the city towards the sea. They still had to get to the boat. Exhausted, they turned to see Godzilla falling to the ground in pain. The animal's tired face filled them with determination again, now listening to the shots that were taking place on the docks. On the docks the battle was desperate, the Wonderbolts fought bravely against the female MUTO, firing their magical weapons towards the creature that approached the boat. Starlight and Rainbow made it to the dock, the pegasus could barely see clearly from the concussion she suffered while her friend could barely stand. They both watched with terror as the female destroyed the upper half of the boat with one blow of her claw, ending the shots fired by those on board. The mission was now critical as the MUTO brought its enormous snout close to the warhead. But a bazooka missile shot that hit her in the cheek forced her to focus her attention with the second Wonderbolts team on the dock. Letting out a angry roar, she began to approach the dock again, leaving the boat alone. The shots of the ponies trying to buy time were heard, desperate, they yelled as the beast approached. Starlight and Rainbow began running to the boat, desperate. However, Rainbow finally gave in and fell unconscious to the ground. Starlight felt even more desperate when she saw her companion fall, but she couldn't stay to help, she had to get that boat moving at any cost. The creature approached the dock where the second team of Wonderbolts were and with one bite destroyed it. The last Wonderbolts continued firing when trying to distract the creature, but with other blows the shots ended. Starlight finally made it to the boat, stumbling. She checked the clock. 19:59:45 With another effort of her magic she tried to open the panel, but to no avail again. It was definite, she had to make this thing move. She approached the cockpit and revved the engine and steered the wheel toward the sea. With a last effort she pushed the ship away from the dock with an iron rod. Finally moving away from the dock, she fell onto the deck, totally exhausted. Now she was alone. Suddenly the boat turned off, leaving everything in silent darkness. With labored breaths, Starlight turns to see a huge claw stepping on the water. The female is on top of the boat, watching her. Slowly approaching the ship, the creature roars in anger. Starlight, too weak to cast a spell, pulls out her charge pistol, determined. The creature approaches to deliver the killing blow. Until the creature stopped dead, startled. "Uh?" She wonders, looking at her gun that didn't fire a single shot. Godzilla had clung to the female's neck with his teeth, taking her away now struggling to open her jaw with his hands. The creature resisted opening its mouth as the hissing hum grew louder, lighting up the lizard's thorns. With its mouth open, the titan released its atomic breath directly into the MUTO's throat, illuminating the night as life was extinguished in the MUTO's eyes, decapitating her from the blast. The female's body fell dead into the sea. With a triumphant roar, the Gojira demonstrated why it is the alpha predator, dropping the head into the sea, his roar resounded throughout the city as the battle of Manehattan came to an end. Starlight could only breathe a sigh of relief, dropping her weapon and hearing the boat's engine and systems come back online. The lights of the city that never sleeps came back on, demonstrating the amount of destruction from the city to the bridge. Exhausted, Starlight collapses, passing out on her side as she watches a exhausted Godzilla fall to the ground as well. Then nothing.
12. Aftermath.September 14th, 1024 ALB. Shores of Manehattan, Equestria. The sea and the night were now at peace, the silence was comforting as Starlight watched passed under the destroyed Manehatta bridge, Starlight's mind was now only pensive. The unicorn lay on the floor of the boat, with no one around, her breathing was heavy and ragged; exhaustion had taken every fiber of her being, and now, it was just her, the bomb, and the vast ocean that stretched out in front of her. Her mind finally allowed her to reflect on everything that had happened. She thought about Trixie, her great and powerful friend, now with her death avenged, she could finally let her rest in peace, she could finally reunite with her. She also thought of her fallen comrades, now their deaths won't have been in vain when this thing exploded. She thought about Sunburst, about Twilight and her friends, about the jump, about the train, about the nuclear plant, all the battles, all the wars, the nuclear explosions, the deaths and what she had to do to get here, all of that now. It all seemed far away, so far away; but just thinking about it was blow after blow to her wounded heart, now finally healing. "It was worth it?" She thought to herself as the city lights receded. “Was all this worth it?” She kept thinking. “Is this how it all ends?” She kept questioning herself. Of course it did, she answered to herself, now she finally had peace of mind, the obsessions she once had disappearing with the dark waves of the sea as the boat sailed. Now she could rest, rest in peace. Godzilla, the titan that had saved her world, now he was exhausted like her on the ground; he was a lone warrior in a world that was only beginning to understand his greatness. The clock continued its countdown. All those wars, all the horrors experienced, the shortages, the suffering... Was it worth it? The Griffon Empire, Stalliongrad, Equestria, Hindia... all of them geopolitical actors in a world that was opening to a new era. The clock was ticking. Her mind was now at peace, flooding her thoughts with a happiness she hadn't felt in years. The unicorn smiled finally, resting on the deck of that boat. It was now she and the sea, peaceful sea. Starlight then closed her eyes, waiting for the end. Suddenly a sound, an engine was approaching at full speed, she reopened her tired eyes. Starlight only managed to see a light in the sky, dazzling her. Her blurred vision only managed to see the light that settled above her and a figure that came down from the sky. "Was this how it ended?" She thought. Through her blurry vision she saw a pony with a helmet appear in front of her, shouting something she couldn't hear, it was too far away to be heard. A friendly hoof took her and put her on a stretcher as she was lifted up. Starlight only saw the light approaching, to be greeted by two other ponies with helmets, telling her things that she also failed to understand. The only thing she could see from where she was was the dark night over the ocean and the boat getting further and further away now. Suddenly the peaceful and darkness of Luna's night was illuminated with the power of thousands of suns, Starlight could not hear anything or see anything clearly, but she did not need it, her mind was at peace, her thoughts were now calm. While the ponies that picked her up from that ship told her things that she didn't hear well, she wanted to rest, it was too much to face. Closing her eyes, Starlight was finally able to sleep and relax. September 15th, 1024 ALB. Manehattan, Equestria. The city that never sleeps was unrecognizable, now the rubble was testimony to the chaos that had reigned. Firefighters and rescuers moved among the pile of concrete, steel and cement that was once the center of the city. In the middle of the rubble Godzilla lays, with his eyes closed. The helicopters resonated and the calls of rescuers were heard everywhere. Even with all the rubble, there was hope. "Silence." A firefighter orders. Everyone fell silent. "There's somepony down here, let's go." Spreading their hooves, they begin to pull several ponies out of what was once a shelter, emerging an orange earth pony and a white unicorn next to the group, covered in dust, but in one piece. More survivors. Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike arrive among the rubble to see the magnitude of what happened, seeing in amazement the enormous Godzilla lying on his stomach, still. The three of them can only limit themselves to seeing with amazement and distress what the animal left behind. However, their attention was then focused on the rescuers below them, pulling out two ponies whose colors became familiar to them. “Rarity, Applejack!” They all screamed, going for the hug of relief. “Twilight? Twilight! How did you get here so fast?” The orange earth pony asks. “It's a long story… we have a lot of explanations to give.” The alicorn says. “And Starlight? She told us she'd come, but it seems she couldn't.” The white unicorn said. “She was in the battle, fell unconscious and almost blew up the city... She'll tell it better than me, hehe.” Spike intervenes, joking a bit. "She's kind of fine, with rainbow, they got wounded in the battle." The alicorn princess said. “Yes, what happened was colossal.” Fluttershy adds. "Ah can agree on that." The farm pony said. September 15th, 1024 ALB. Canterbury, Equestria. Starlight opened her eyes slowly, dazzled and blinking at the white light from the ceiling. The unicorn looked around. She was in a hospital. “Welcome back, Starlight.” The Cutie Mark Crusaders greet, in front of her bed. The unicorn looked at them before her attention got caught by another greeting. “Good morning, Starlight.” The pony next to her says. Turning to look, still disoriented, she sees Rainbow Dash, just as bandaged as the unicorn was. Still looking around, she saw her nightstand full with letters of support and gratitude from Twilight, Fluttershy, Spike and the CMCs, as well as some flowers sent by the admirals. “Where am I and what happened?” She says, looking at her nightstand. “Oh, you are in the Canterbury military hospital, it seems that after I lost consciousness you managed to move the ship, it seems that they rescued you in time before you exploded in the ocean.” The pegasus says. lighthearted. “What about our companions?” Starlight says. Rainbow Dash became less cheerful. “Only we and five more came back, it was a miracle that Spitfire survived that hit… she swam to shore before falling unconscious.” Starlight looked to the ground, pensive again. "Just her, Thunderlane, High Winds, Lunar Twirl, and Autumn Leave came back, the rest are considered either missing or fallen." The cyan pegasus said, somberly. “They fought until the end to buy us time, Rainbow. I'm sorry." Memories of the battle came back to them again, bringing them shared pain. The stayed quiet and thoughtful. Giving them a minute of silence. While this was happening, the CMC had let them talk as they were now watching television again, the news from Manehattan. It didn't take long before the patients turned to look. Thousands missing... Princess Twilight arrived at the scene... The princesses are on the way to the city... Godzilla lies on the ground. In the live television images they manage to see that they rescue Applejack and Rarity from the rubble, finally reuniting. “Look, they're alive!” Sweetie Belle celebrates. "What a relief." Starlight says, relaxed once again. Finally good news. In the ruins that were once a metropolis, now only rescuers and soldiers can be seen arriving on the scene to help. “And what will happen to the nuclear pollution there, then?” The ranch pony wonders. “I really don't know, I think Godzilla feeds on it.” “Godzilla?” Rarity wonders. “That's what they call it.” Fluttershy says, looking at the laying down animal with amazement and gratitude. Suddenly a helicopter is heard, making them turn around behind them. The UH-1 lands a several more soldiers and a pink pony in uniform and an orange unicorn get out of the aircraft as well. Artillery General Pinkie Pie has arrived. Running to greet her, they give each other another big embrace. “How was the battle? I missed it since that thing attacked the train I was guarding.” The party pony asks. “Starlight, Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts jumped to recover the warhead, they were injured and are in Canterbury right now, very few made it.” Twilight summarizes it. “That's not very good news, but not so bad either.” Says the pink equine. Suddenly the monster exhaled, scaring everyone present who turned to look immediately. Twilight and Fluttershy were shocked to see Godzilla open his eyes, growling slightly. At the hospital, Starlight and Rainbow were still talking about their experience and battle last night, not paying much attention to the TV now. "Look! It's moving!" Scootalooo announces. Turning to watch the television they saw the large animal rise from the rubble and begin to walk slowly towards the sea. "That's got to be the biggest animal I've ever seen." The purple unicorn said. "Indeed." The pegasus said. The king of the monsters... Did he save the city? Amazed at the animal they saw fall exhausted the night before, they could only watch in amazement as the titan moved again. The six ponies and the dragon, along with the crowd, watched with amazement and relative gratitude at the enormous animal that was slowly walking towards the sea among the rubble. With a roar of triumph, the king of monsters took his leave, returning to the sea. The city was silent as Godzilla walked away, his imposing figure fading into the water, among the waves of the sea, his enormous thorns are now disappearing among the calm waters of the Celestial Sea. The friends hugged each other, knowing that now the future was uncertain, but they will face it together. "And now what?" Fluttershy wonders, her voice shaking. “We rebuild. – The alicorn responded with determination. – We will rebuild the cities and our lives, we will rebuild Starlight's life… There is still a lot to know about him, we will also have to learn more about Godzilla.” The group nodded in agreement. There is work to do and memories to honor, but there is also hope; the same hope that gave them all the strength to fight and survive their own battles and help others. The story of Starlight and her friends did not end there; it was just the beginning of something new, a new era. Like the phoenix reborn from the ashes of chaos, a new world replaces the old. As day replaces night, a new age is here to stay. The age of monsters. Author's Note And that's the end, folks, I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. Any kind of feedback and suggestions will be appreciated for its sequel. Yes, I'm preparing a sequel for this story, I think you already know which movie it'll be. Although this one will take longer, since classes have started again and I'll be quite busy, but sooner or later we'll have a sequel. It's been a huge honor that you've decided to read my Godzilla adaptation, I hope you liked it and I wish you a great day.
