Captain Blueberry Frost comes to Princess Celestia before dawn with a rare letter from the Mermare capital at Mako. Princess Celestia reads through it and it details that an empty ship called the S.S. Mermare ran aground on Mako Atoll and there was no sign of the crew or passengers on board. Troubled by this, they speculate on what could have caused the disappearances but very few theories hold ground. The boat is reportedly intact so a sea monster or Kaiju attack seems unlikely, but there haven't been any ransom demands or signs of a struggle that might suggest kidnappers or pirates. Deciding they and investigators need to see the boat up-close, the two try to figure out how to get it off the atoll and back to shore. Mako is surrounded by a perpetual, magical storm and fog bank with rough currents and many reefs, called "The Shroud". Princess Celestia explains they can't simply take The Shroud down as it was placed with powerful magic by the first Mermare queen to defend against Windigos and other threats, and is even older than herself. As such it's so ingrained in Mako itself it might take weeks of dedicated mages, Mermares, and Alicorns working together just to open a hole in it. That's unfeasible given the time frame and as Captain Frost points out, might concentrate a lot of energy at one point that could attract a Kaiju and put lives at risk. So they can't put a tow boat through The Shroud and they can't cancel out The Shroud itself.
Princess Celestia gets an idea and requests Captain Frost to send for Godzilla Junior. Blueberry Frost is a bit confused at the suggestion as it doesn't seem there is a kaiju attack to be repulsed, but Celestia has something else in mind. Rather than trying to go through or cancel out The Shroud, just go under it with someone amphibious.
Junior takes a train to Baltimare along with a class from the School of Gifted Unicorns who are going on a field trip. He's interacted with children before, like when he played with the child psychics as a baby, when he rescued a school bus during a battle, and when he played with the baby kaiju Gorgo. This has not prepared him to deal with these excited and curious students, especially Mariner Chi Bi Moon. Mariner teleports all over the place asking him questions about his background and abilities. She's eager to assist him in his next battle, which he immediately shoots down. She asks why he has Luna's symbol on his armor, and he answers that he's her bodyguard, and that he checked on her before he left and she's asleep. Upon hearing that he slept in her room, she asks if they are dating. Junior grabs her and clamps her mouth shut and says no more questions just as they arrive. Mariner manages to persuade him to give her an inked hoofprint autograph. As agreed, the class' teachers charge Junior up with magic until he returns to his true form. The citizens take pictures and the class cheers as Junior carefully enters the water and swims out to sea. Mariner becomes so excited that she fires heart shaped pink death rays everywhere, her imitation of the Atomic Breath, forcing her teachers to dive for cover.
A nervous Electra patrols the borders around Mako Atoll, waiting for Canterlot's response team. She sees a flash of light and feels the water become warmer. She is surprised to see Godzilla Junior, now back in his pony form, casually walking along the ocean bed. She calls Queen Maui on her shellphone and reports this strange sight. Junior doesn't even have visible gills like that time Twilight Sparkle created some with magic so that she and her friends could visit under the sea. A dolphin attempts to attack him, but he scares it off with a warning shot from his Atomic Breath. Electra says this is not a normal pony.
Queen Maui's throne room is inside a beautiful grotto that can only be accessed via an underwater cave. It is half underwater and half above the water, and the volcanic glass ceiling refracts both sunlight and moonlight. Maui is very colorful and is smaller than her peers, but she still has a commanding presence. Maui and the others struggle not to stare in shock as Godzilla enters the grotto and presents a letter.
- Dear Queen Maui of the Eastern Sea Mermares and ruler of Mako,I took the precaution to seal this note in a canister and used waterproof parchment and ink, so I trust this message is still legible. If not the intent can be gleaned from my compatriot I have asked to give you this letter. I appreciate your haste in alerting myself to the situation with the lost boat, the fate of her missing crew and absent passengers is of the utmost concern of the Canterlot Diarchy. While I trust you and your resources' assessment of the contents, given the nature of the alien incursions and general chaos of this type of scenario; I wish to bring the boat back to Equestrian harbor to investigate. No doubt you and I both know of the problems undertaking such a regard, which is why I have sent the one who ferried this letter. This is King Godzilla Gojo Junior of the Terran kaiju. Yes, he is the same giant entity who aided in the defense of Canterlot some weeks ago. Do not fear, for if treated well he is a gentle giant whom I call a friend. In his true form both he and I believe him to be large enough and strong enough to physically lift and carry the S.S. Mermare through The Shroud and out to the open sea, where he can bring it to calmer, clearer waters to be towed to shore. All he will require for this action is burst of benevolent magic to return to his true form and a bubble spell to ensure all items on the ship stay aboard while he's carrying it.I hope we can continue this cooperation and get to the bottom of this mystery in good time. Additionally, the back of this letter contains an invitation to the upcoming gala being hosted in celebration of the Crystal Empire royal couple's first pregnancy as a form of a state babyshower. You are more than welcome to come if you please.Sincerely and with good will,Princess Celestia Alexandria Alicor
Junior explains that Mothra Lea told him it is not safe to transform so soon after reverting, and estimates they will have to wait until nightfall. He was able to reach the islands before reverting, so he should be able to bring the ship back to Baltimare. Until then, Maui welcomes him as a guest and assigns Electra to be his guide. He thanks her, commenting that he's lived on an island and in the sea, so he should be comfortable here. Maui says she's been thinking of opening a passage through The Shroud to allow pony visitors, so she'd like to hear what he thinks of her realm so they can set up accommodations for future visitors. He says he'll keep that in mind and dives into the water. Maui muses on how handsome he is. Junior joins Electra and they move to inspect the ship, while he is oblivious to all the Mermares staring at him with lust.
Around dawn in Ponyville, a scared Ki Seong sneaks through town levitating a lit candle and carrying half a dozen needles. She pushes back some shrubs and stones to find the puzzle box she had hidden there has been destroyed. She instantly deduces one of the baby Destroyahs must have vaporized it with a stray Micro Oxygen shot. That box was a ward that prevented her old enemy from entering the town, but with it gone, she is free to hunt her once again. She hears a branch creak and finds two songbirds singing on it, but she notices the birds are moving and singing in sync. She throws needles, which break the illusion and reveal a massive nine-tailed fox. The creature laughs and retreats. Seong says she needs to make another box.
Gentle Leaf is confused when Ki Seong starts packing up all their stuff. Seong says she has to leave for a day, so she'll drop her off at a friend's place. Gentle Leaf is nervous when Seong hugs her like it will be their last day together.
Ki Seong drops Gentle Leaf off at Sweet Apple Acres. She gives Granny Smith a new frying pan as a present, and is relieved when Granny touches it without any trouble, as the creature's illusions are disrupted by iron. Granny says Gentle Leaf is in good hooves, and she'll help her and the Cutie Mark Crusaders make Zap Apple Jam. Seong comments on their dog Winona and says she should probably get a dog soon. She bids Gentle Leaf goodbye and leaves.
Gentle Leaf has fun filling jars with the jam when she smells something like burned sugar and hears giggling. She investigates and nearly walks into the Everfree Forest when Winona runs up and starts barking, having sensed evil. The nine-tailed fox is unable to stand the sound of barking and retreats, dropping her illusion and letting Gentle Leaf see her briefly. Scared, the filly deduces that this was why Ki Seong left. She runs off to get help, and runs into Anguirus. He asks what she is doing here and Applejack shows up, asking Winona to be quiet. Applejack briefly explains Ki Seong dropped her off and he says that doesn't make sense as the two had plans today. Gentle Leaf gets a pen and paper and explains everything that happened last night and today, then writes, "SEONG'S IN DANGER! HELP!"
Anguirus and Applejack run to Ki Seong's restaurant/house to find it seemingly empty, but the door is open. Applejack sees strange tracks outside and inspects them while he goes inside. Applejack judges whoever made these paw prints was very big, and there are huge claw marks on the walls similar to when Winona would sometimes scratch things. The claw marks lead up to the window. Inside, Anguirus sees several needles, blown out candles, knocked over chairs, and an upstairs door that is normally closed is open. He hears Applejack calling for him, but he says he needs to check something. Suddenly, a scared looking Ki Seong steps out of the upstairs door. He tries to go to her, but to his confusion, she avoids touching him. He asks what is going on and why she dropped off Gentle Leaf, and she claims something came up and she'll make it up to her later, not like they were going to do anything today. He gets suspicious and asks what she needed. She suddenly kisses him on the lips, and he finds his muscles paralyzed and his mind dulling. She pushes him to the ground and straddles him while continuing to kiss him. He concentrates and floods his body with burning mana, neutralizing the effects and allowing him to move again, then pushes her off. She is surprised and he asks her what his real name is. She answers Quill Coat, confirming she is an imposter. Just as he feels claws digging into his stomach, he throws her across the room and through a table. She screams as her shoulder gets stabbed by a needle, and her illusion slowly breaks down. He charges, but she jumps away and pulls the needle out. She says it will be fun to hunt him after she finishes her main target. She escapes, running past a startled Applejack, who sees a glimpse of nine tails.
The pair deduce this creature was the cause of Gentle Leaf and Ki Seong's distress. They go outside and see Seong's hoofprints leading into the forest, and huge paw prints following them. Anguirus charges after them and asks Applejack to get help, but she follows him despite his protests, stubbornly saying this thing attacked her farm and it will pay.
The pair enter White Tail Woods, which is still damaged by Gyaos and has a few of their skeletons lying around, and finds Ki Seong's tracks lead to a cabin with lit candles in every window, but strangely, the paw prints stop. Anguirus smells the creature and hears her giggling, and realizes she's about to attack them. He and Applejack run into the cabin and he finally sees its true form, a nine-tailed fox slightly larger than himself. They enter and close the door, but she doesn't follow them. Inside, they find an exhausted and frantic Ki Seong. She tests them by pressing a metal poker to their arms and is satisfied that they aren't illusions. She hugs them with relief.
Applejack and Anguirus take turns guarding the door and windows as Ki Seong works with several tools and mixes ingredients together. Applejack doesn't understand, but Anguirus recognizes that she is trying to create a protective ward. He asks what that creature is. Seong asks if they saw it up close, and he remarks it straddled him. Seong roars, not out of jealousy, but concern. She points at his torso and they find claw marks. She explains the creature likes to rip people's hearts and livers out. Seong explains the creature is called a Gumiho, and has been chasing her all the way from Carrea.
Several years ago, when Ki Seong was a teenager, she lived in a small Carrean village. She had an arranged marriage with a Kirin named Cho Yon. She didn't like it at first, as she had been influenced by Equestrian culture that says people should choose their own spouses. But as the years passed, she got to know Cho Yon. He was a gardener and florist, and constantly gave her flowers. He was a terrible cook and shy, but they started falling in love.
One day, she prepared to go on another date with him, but he was confused and said he just met her a few minutes ago, and then she left in the opposite direction. He said she acted unusually forward and snuggled up against him, then ravenously ate his snacks before leaving. Ki Seong wondered what was going on.
