Equestria: Kong's Dominion

August 15th, 1034 ALB, Skull Island, Turquoise Sea.

Dawn breaks on the inhospitable Skull Island, the first rays of Celestia's Sun peek out from between the high mountains and the jungle around the huts of the Iwis, who begin their routine tasks, silent as ever.

Inside the rusted hull of the ERNS Colton was a small altar, engraved with the image of a crescent moon, a black and white image of a dark-colored unicorn, and a legionary sabre firmly staked to the ground; beside it was Sky Cluster, kneeling.

“This pony was called Moonlight Dusk, when we left uniforms, religion, and war behind, he became my brother, my soul mate, and my best friend,” the hippogriff said, his voice breaking, “and we swore we'd never abandon each other.”

Everyone gave him a minute of silence so the veteran could vent.

Then the hippogriff stood up, determined, “Let’s get out of this place.”

Then he took the saber with the crescent moon engraved on the blade, its stainless steel reflecting the light in the room., held it, and put the sword in his sheath.

At the dock where The Gray Fox was, everyone was there, tightening nuts and bolts, joining cables and joining metal.

Jade Finder, checking the starter levers, slightly moved one that made a sporadic mechanical, cranking noise.

A grey smoke came out of the transmission compartment, and along with it came Comet Trail, coughing.

“What in the Tartarus are you doing?!” the thestral screamed, stepping out onto the deck.

“The fuel ignited!” Tailcoatl exclaimed, approaching the Frankenstein engine at the stern.

Sky Cluster readied the bomber's cockpit covers, peering through its windows toward the engine.

“Let’s try it,” Tailcoatl announces, pushing the throttle lever as hard as she could.

Fluttershy and Spike turned the engine crank with all their might.

The mechanical sound grew louder and louder, with grey and black smoke coming out of the exhausts, but it died down quickly.

“Third time's the charm, let's go,” Comet exclaims, making adjustments to the engine.

The engine's start was heard in fits and starts, Sky Cluster whispered with faith to his creation, Tailcoatl pushed the throttle lever forward with all her weight.

The engine became louder and louder.

Until the nose cone of what was once the plane began to spin steadily. The engine roared and vibrated with life after so many years, and smoke came out of the exhaust steadily as well.

Everyone cheered at the comforting sound of internal combustion. Their joy was palpable.

Fluttershy sighed for a moment until she turned to look at the dock.

In front of them was the entire tribe, gathered to watch, stoic and silent, they witnessed the machine roar.

Sky Cluster was overcome with a feeling of deep melancholy as he saw all his life companions of more than twenty years gathered there, watching him departing.

He approached the bow of The Grey Fox, his arms and wings outstretched, tears streaming from his eyes.

The elderly zebras approached the dock and faced their departing foreign guest. Their expressionless faces conveyed a deep sadness and understanding.

“I guess, it’s goodbye, ain't it?” said the hippogriff, with a lump in his throat. “… Thank you, thank you for everything.”

The leaders, serene, nodded their heads in resignation. Their faces, marked by ceremonial paint and tribal markings, conveyed a final farewell to the hippogriff.

Melancholy and gratitude ran through the veteran's heart, his mature face showed it. He nodded slowly.

“If you ever go to Hippogrifia, look for me there,” he told them, smiling, as the Gray Fox slowly moved away from the pier, he stood with his wings and arms outstretched.

Fluttershy did not miss the opportunity to take some last photos of the Iwis, their stoic faces, she also felt the same as the veteran pilot, she felt what they felt.

The pulley system on the wall opened a passage through which the boat passed, heading north.

The huge trunks cast a shadow over them as they entered the exit into the unknown, and there, they saw for the last time those unusual zebras with stone colors, paint and tribal markings highlighting their features.

They passed to the other side of the wall and then the pulleys lowered the logs again, blocking the entrance to the silent home of an unknown tribe on an unknown island.

The morning sun radiated a comforting warmth before the hotter evening hours, the sky colored in warm colors, the jungle full of life and the river reflecting the rays of light from the rising sun.

The Gray Fox moves with determination and a calm rhythm along the current.

Comet Trail plays rock music on his cassette, which plays timidly in the boat, while he climbs onto the roof of the bomber's cabin, waiting for some signal.

Fluttershy and Spike gaze at the majesty of the island from the bow, Jade and Tailcoatl just admire the scenery for a moment while Sky is at the helm.

A flock of birds flies above them.

While Spike and Jade take a break for lunch, Sky pulls a photograph out of his pocket and shows it to Fluttershy and Tailcoatl.

The photograph showed an age-worn black and white image of a female hippogriff, smiling and posing for the camera.

“I have a wife… I had a wife…” —said the veteran, confused and thoughtful— “Did I have a wife?... I don’t know if I have one anymore.”

The hippogriff looked at the photograph again and showed it to the group again. “I got married before I enlisted, she had sent me a telegram the day before I was shot down, saying that my son was born.”

Fluttershy was touched by the story.

“I have a son out there, a fully grown hippogriff I haven’t seen,” Sky said, turning toward the mountains.

“And he’ll probably leave you for dead,” Comet said from the roof, causing a scolding from Tailcoatl. “What? I was just saying.”

“You don’t know,” said the golden-collared pegasus, turning back to the veteran. “You’d be surprised how much people wait, sir.”

“Meh, I don’t think they’re actually waiting for me, that doesn’t bother me y'know.” Sky said, and then turned back to them. “I just wish I could see him at least once… That’ll do.”

“We’ll take you home, sir,” Fluttershy assured.

Suddenly static was heard of the radio.

“Hydra 5, respond, anyone there? Over.” The radio was heard, coming back to life.

Everyone immediately turned to Comet Trail who took the call.

“Roger, this is Hydra 5, I can hear you, we’re on a boat, heading north, down the river, over.”

“A boat?” the Rain Docker asked on the other side. “Where did you get it?”

“We just met an old veteran, a time traveler, from the North Zebrican War, you'll meet 'im.”

“What kind of boat are you in?”

“It’s more of a plane than a boat actually, call it a planeboat, you'll see it.” The thestral said cheerfully.

“Ask them for their location, Trail,” Tailcoatl ordered.

“Oh yeah, deploy flares to find you, guys.”

“This is Peakard, roger that, Hydra 5, deploying flares, over.”

Suddenly, between the hills, in front of them, a beam of reddish light rose several meters above the trees.

“Over there!” Jade Finder exclaimed, approaching the bow of the boat.

Everyone cheered at the ray of hope.

“We got visual, two kilometers north, over,” Comet announced over the radio.

“Roger that, Hydra 5, meeting at one hour, Hydra 1 over and out.”

They'll finally meet again.

The atmosphere at The Grey Fox was filled with happiness, Comet raised his hooves in relief.

Suddenly, with a roar and a swift movement, a flying creature, a cross between a long-serrated pterodactyl and a hideous vulture, swooped down upon them, grabbing Jade Finder by the cross and carrying him away.

With a cry of terror from the pony, the vulture lifted him many feet out of the water, away from the boat. Soon more of them arrived.

Fluttershy, terrified, covered her eyes and ran for cover. Spike watched the scene in terror.

Comet Trail and Tailcoatl quickly grabbed their weapons and took aim, but their targets were now just a silhouette in the distance, with the sun behind and dazzling them.

There was no point, he was already too far away. Nopony shot.

The screams of terror intensified as more vultures approached and wrestled with each other, several of them grabbing him by the limbs.

A macabre spectacle of silhouettes took place in front of The Gray Fox crew when screams of terror turned into screams of despair and pain when the silhouette of one of those animals lunged at him, severing a limb from that equine silhouette. And even more came.

The screams of pain and suffering fell silent slowly, and the growls of the flying creatures intensified at their new feast.

“Hey! This... This can’t be,” Comet exclaimed, shocked.

“He’s already dead by now,” Tailcoatl announced grimly. “Everyone grab your gear, we have to get going.”

Everyone looked completely horrified, but the golden-collared pegasus stood firm.

“We have to go ashore to meet Peakard.”

“No, wait a minute. Isn’t anycreature going to say anything about that?” Spike said, dismayed.

“He’s gone, and he’s not coming back. There’s nothing to say, period,” Sky said, returning to the cockpit.

Tailcoatl just sighed.

It was not long before The Grey Fox drew near the shore and its occupants climbed out, following a stream to a rocky ford where they sat down.

“The flare was two kilometers away, they shouldn’t take long,” Tailcoatl announced, observing the surroundings.

Sky took the opportunity to fill his canteen.

“Unless they've been eaten,” Spike said.

Suddenly Sky Cluster heard a rustling sound, hoofsteps and cut weeds, immediately turning towards the source of the sound.

From the jungle emerged Major Phin Peakard, accompanied by eight soldiers, Windy Claw and Twilight Sparkle.

Comet Trail immediately brightened up, standing up to greet his comrades. “Thanks Celestia you arrived safely.”

His comrades reciprocate, hugging each other.

Twilight, Fluttershy and Spike soon follow suit, relieved and happy to see each other again.

“It seems you were right after all, Twi,” the dragon told him.

“I would've preferred not to, Spike,” the alicorn replied, worried.

“How many are there?” Tailcoatl asked Peakard, drawing the trio’s attention.

“The ones you see” —the Major turned to his soldiers for a moment— “are the ones there are, ma’am.”

“We lost Jade Finder,” The pegasus replied.

“A pity,” said the Major, somewhat indifferent.

“It’s nice to see you all!” Sky Cluster exclaimed, approaching Peakard. All the soldiers stared at him.

“And who's this?” the Major asked.

“We picked up a passenger,” Tailcoatl announced.

“Lieutenant Sky Cluster, 12th Fighter Wing, Her Majesty Queen Novo's Royal Navy Air Force.”

“You’ve been here since the North Zebrican War?!” the Major asks, impressed.

“Yes, sir, did I miss the parade?” the veteran said cheerfully.

“What an adventure,” the major replied, smiling, and saluting along with his soldiers. “Attention, Lieutenant.”

“We'll get him home,” Tailcoatl intercedes, “if we follow the river, we will reach the boat and reach the shore in time.”

“That sounds good,” Peakard replies, turning to the pegasus, “but we’re not leaving yet. We have a missin' pony, ma’am.”

“Wait, we're missing one?” asked the pegasus.

“Trotland. He’s on the fallen Stallion west of here.”

“West?!” Sky intervenes, gesturing with his claws. “We can’t go west, that’s where the skull things live. We have an old saying, ‘East is Best, West is Worst.’”

Everyone looked worried, except Peakard.

“Y'know southwest" —he made a pause— "we can talk about that, but you're gonna need a lot more guns if you're gonna go west, guys.”

“Guys, I think we should listen to Cluster,” Fluttershy chimed in.

“Yeah, this is crazy,” Spike added.

Twilight remained silent, she knew it was pointless.

Hearing all this, Peakard turned back to Tailcoatl, “Hey, your job is finding lost soldiers, right?”

For the first time, the pegasus looked doubtful, but thought her response some second, “Okay, sir, but if we reach that position and he’s not there, we won't send out a search party. We're back here by nightfall, understood? In tweny-four hours we have to be on the other side of this island.”

Sky shook his head in disappointment and walked over to the soldiers.

“Roger that, heard you loud and clear,” Pearkard said, with a somewhat cynical smile, turning back to his soldiers. “You heard the pegasus, we moving out at 10:00.”

Everyone got ready to rest for a while.

“It's a good group of boys, we’re all gonna die together out here,” Sky said to the soldiers, who were laughing nervously. “You're a good group of boys to die with, hehe, I'll tell you that much.”

Their nervous laughs were now just worried faces, as Cluster laughed wryly.

“You shouldn’t have come here.”

Tailcoatl sat down for a while, passing by Twilight’s group.

“Don’t forget to tell me that this is a bad idea, princess.”

“It’s a terrible idea,” they responded.