//------------------------------//
// The idealogy of the Great and Powerful. 
// Story: Summoning the King of Monsters! 
// by Krazy Stargazer 
//------------------------------//

A looming shadow stretches across the land, his mighty wings large enough to block out the sun itself.  The looming titan eyed the land before him.  Below him is the greenery of lush vegetation and the frolicking equines in their silly feeble dwellings.  The sight was an affront.  Even after all these eons these ponies still peruse such trivialities, meanwhile his kind had scarcely managed to reach his grandeur it would seem.  The thought somewhat vexed him.  

"These feeble creatures hardly deserve their pitiful carefree lives," thought the Terrible the Tyrant, "What's worse is that in all the time I've been asleep none of my kin has seen fit to reduce this land to cinders and ash.  Such a disappointment."

The terrible titan allowed memories to overflow him.  Memories of a begone era.  Memories of fire and pillage.  Centuries ago the world was filled with terror and despair.  You were either strong or you were not, and those who were not strong did not live.  There was nothing "fair" or "unjust" about it, that was just the way of nature back then.  This was a lesson that the Titan learned even as a hatching.

Truthfully, he was not the strongest of his brood growing up, his own hatch-mates sensed this and conspired to make his life a living misery.  Oh how they tormented him, they would jeer and leer at him of course they would brutalize the young dragon for the simple sin of his weakness.  He couldn't even depend on the intervention of his parents, for like all of his kind his parents were cold and indifferent, their philosophy was always to let the "brats" hash it out among themselves.

Weakness...it always came down to weakness.  The young dragonling would wish with all his might for a mercy that would never come.  It continued like this for years, all his brothers and sisters were finally all grown.  Yet he was still weak.  It wasn't until he had gained his wings that his fortune would begin to change.  With his wings he was free to gaze at those who were benieth even him.  The notion that their were creatures even weaker than he filled Typhoon with an indignant rage.  For if the world was cruel to him surely these pathetic creatures deserved a far worse fate.  

Truth be told the tyrant could hardly remember when his campaign of terror began.  Was it simple thievery?  Was it his first arson?  Whatever the case, his unceasing hatred for those he deemed "lesser" would carve a path of carnage and fear in his wake.

The more misery he caused, the more treasures he stole, the crueler his actions the stronger he became.  So great was his power that soon his cruelty outstripped any other member of his race, even that of his own family.  Furious that his own kind could not reach the same heights of terror as he, thus the Tyrant of Terror slew them as well.  He slew any creature in his way and stole all they held dear.  For now he was no longer weak, he was strong, he was powerful.  His evil was granted him power the likes of which this world had never seen and he would never give it up.

Yet, watching the ponies go about their daily lives had lit a rage in him that he hadn't felt in centuries.  It was true he had woken up with the intention of destroying the presence that he felt in his dream.  However as the Tyrant flew to his location he made a solemn vow, "When I am done slaying the presence that disturbed my slumber this whole land will be reduced to ash, so says Typhon the Tyrant of Terror!"

~~~~
In Ponyville
~~~~
On the list of "rotten" days that Big Macintosh had had in his life, he was beginning to think that this day would be on the top of the list.  The Apple Acre farm was in tatters, his sister was mad at him and now he was being lead like a dog on a leash my a demented unicorn who wouldn't stop ranting about Princess Twilight Sparkle.  When the blue unicorn said she needed to talk with Twilight he thought at first the unicorn was some sort of acquaintance of the princess, but after listing to Trixie's ranting he wouldn't be surprised if the two came to blows if they meet face to face.

It wasn't like he had a choice in bringing the lunatic unicorn to one of her best friends.  She had a telekinetic grip on him while they walked, making it obvious he wasn't getting out of this until the so called "Great and Powerful Trixie" felt like it.

Fluttering next to them was the mail mare, 'Derpy' Hooves he seemed to recall.  The pegusus seemed unburdened by the unicorn's mad ramblings.  Indeed the cross-eyed pegusus and the showboating unicorn were the oddest pair he had ever seen.  They had been searching the town for about half an hour at this point, and Big Mac couldn't help but feel he was doing most of the searching.

"Oh!  I think I see something!" said the grey pegusi in her bubbly tone.  Big Macintosh blinked, he didn't see anything.

"I don't..." then he squinted.  Indeed it was his sister, Twilight Sparkle and her ward Spike.  

"Yea their right over there!" he affirmed.  Immediately the telekinetic grip on his body was released and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well if was about time!  Honestly you two could have stood to look a little harder.  Now I need to have...words with the Princess" Trixie said speaking as if she was chewing on venom.  

Big Macintosh sighed.  He didn't know or care to know what sort of history Trixie and Twilight had but he knew he was gonna steer clear of that drama.  However, he was hoping the Princess might be able to help him find their displaced visitor.  Applejack was probably still mad at him, but he hoped she would at least hear him out.  So he trotted over to the group as well.

Twilight was the first to see the group and she seemed rather shocked, then Applejack spotted them and sported an "UN-amused" look, dragon seemed confused as well.  Of course Trixie was first to speak.

"Ahh Twilight Sparkle it certainly took some time finding you.  Honestly I was surprised to find that you weren't in your "luxurious" castle.  Trotting among the common ponies must be a thrill to somepony like you" The showmare said in a mocking tone.

Twilight still seemed rather shocked but then Applejack spoke up "What is it ya want Trixie?  Were kinda busy at the moment were trying to find a friend of ours so you'll excuse us." 

Trixie's eye twitched "I wasn't addressing you "Apple-bum".  I need to speak with her "highness" its a mater of upmost urgency!"

Oddly enough it was Spike who spoke up now.  "For someone asking a favor, you sure have a rude way of doing it" he said crossing his arms.

Suddenly the grey pegusi spoke up, "It is very important though!  Trixie has been trying to get a hold of you for ages Twilight!  Please hear her out?"   

Twilight gently gestured to Applejack and Spike "Its fine guys.  I'll listen to what Trixie has to say.  However..."

Twilight then turned toward Trixie with a fierce look in her "We are currently looking for someone.  Once we find them I'd be glad to hear you out.  But before I so much as lift an ear in your direction, you will apologize to my friend Applejack."  

Big Macintosh could have sworn he saw the princess's horn crackle for just a moment.   He looked at Trixie who looked both shocked and furious.  Trixie's horn lit up and so did Twilight's.  For a second he was afraid he was about to be in ground zero of a Magic Duel.  Suddenly, Derpy Hooves shot in between the two of them.

"Stop!  Trixie!  Please calm down.  I know your mad, and tired, and hungry.  But fighting isn't going to help us.  Remember why we came here.  There are bigger things going on than just the two of you!"

The anger in Trixie's eyes subsided and her horn dimmed, "You're...you're right Ditsy...I'm sorry I've lost my composure..." 

Then the showmare turned to Applejack "I'm sorry for the slur."

"I need to speak with you Twilight.  But if finding this lost pony will grant me an audience, than I shall assist."

Everypony, with the exception of Ditsy, was dumbfounded.  Trixie was being...reasonable.

"Well okay then.  We haven't a moment to lose." Twilight said determined to find their lost friend. 

~~~~~~
Meanwhile at Sweet Apple Acres
~~~~~~
Sweetie Belle was wondering how exactly she got roped into cleaning Sweet Apple Acres.  When Apple Bloom suggested they head over to her place, Sweetie didn't expect the place to be a wreck.  Or that they would have to spend their afternoon tidying the place up.

Sweetie had finally manage to help clean the "goo" from the Zap Apple Jam in the cabinet and had mooved on to the Apple Trees to survey the damage.  However as she did so she noticed something.  Their were markings, like claw marks on the Everfree Trees.

"Well that can't be good.  I'd better get the girls."

Sweetie gathered Scootaloo and Applebloom and told them what she saw.  Soon they were all gathered at the edge of the forrest.

"So...you think this might be your Godzilla friend?" Scootaloo said inspecting the markings.

Applebloom nodded "Yea they look about right."

"He must'a been kinda mad huh?" Sweetie said looking at an uprooted branch.

"Yea...he could be in trouble.  He was hurt something awful this morning guys.  He's not from around here, he might have wandered into the Everfree by accident."

"Well he wandered in, couldn't he wander back out?" asked Scootaloo.

Applebloom considered that but shook her head "That might be true but he could be in trouble now.  We got to go after him."

"Maybe we should wait for the grownups to come back?" Sweetie stated looking into the spooky forest "They might be able to find him better than we can"

"Probably, but we don't know how long he's been in there.  If we wait it could be to late to find him."

The Crusaders didn't like it but it looked like they would have to charge into the Everfree after Godzilla.  They stood at the forest in trepidation.  They had been in the forest once before and that hadden't exactly gone well.  They weighed their options.  They could wait for the adults, but they could be gone for several more hours for all they knew.  Applebloom in particular was in a panic, for she had actually seen Godzilla earlier today.  The guy looked like a wreck last she saw, he said he healed fast but even still it was hard to believe he'd be fully recovered by now.  Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle merely looked on at their distraught friend.  They may not have met the guy but anyone who could make an impression on Apple Bloom like that couldn't be all bad.

Finally, Scootaloo puffed out her chest and trotted up to the forest beckoning her friends "Come on the faster he find him the faster we can come back.  We've been in these woods before, and were smarter than we were back then.  If we hurry maybe we can go, rescue Apple Bloom's friend and the adults will be non the wiser."

Those words were enough to erase any doubt in the Crusaders minds and they galloped off into the Everfree Forrest.


~~~~
In the Everfree Forest
~~~~
His encounter with the Manticore re-opened his wounds and perhaps more importantly wounded his ego.  To think that he was about to pick a fight with a mother protecting her cub.  Then again he had done worse.  Far worse.  It was not unheard of for a predator to snuff out the young so they wouldn't become competition in the future, indeed it's a practice he was well adept in.  

"It's this place.  It's making me weaker." Godzilla mused as he looked over the bracelets still ensnaring his wrists.

"It's chipping at my mind.  Making me weak.  Accepting help, being defeated, and now I can't even muster the energy to slay those who assault my person...I must escape this place." he said in glum realization.

Yet where could he go?  This place was alien to him, his sense of direction was thrown askew.  He only knew that he had followed a vague feeling.  There was something in this forest that called out to him.  At first he thought he wandered here to let off some steam but now he felt like something was drawing him here.  As he walked he felt the sensation get closer and closer.  He was getting closer to his target.  Finally, he pushed away some bushes and saw a bewildering sight.  Down from the small cliff he saw it.  It was a gigantic crystalline structure in the shape of a tree!

The mighty Radioactive titan had seen quite a lot of weird oddities in his life this gave him pause.  He lumbered down the steps from the cliffside to the strange tree.  He looked it over and gave it a curious sniff.  It had a familiar fragrance.  Suddenly, Godzilla felt less anxious.  He looked up at the tree then with a claw he gently tapped it.  

There was the sound of a crisp raindrop.

Then like a flower in bloom one of the branches leaned toward the Titan.  Their in is gentle crystal embrace was a glass like bud, the petals of the bud slowly opened to display what looked like a fruit of some kind.

Godzilla picked the fruit and examined it.  It reminded him of the fruits the one named Applejack had provided for him.  He thought about that, for a bit.  Then he tentatively bit into the fruit.  It didn't have a taste per-say but he recognized the feeling.  It was similar to when he would hibernate deep int he depths of the planet, or those strange buildings those humans made back home.  The radioactive titan polished of the treat with gusto.  Then he let out a lazy yawn.  Like the quiet of the ocean after a storm, while Godzilla was under the shade of the tree he was calm.  He wasn't sure how but this place felt reassuring to him.  Godzilla soon found that he couldn't keep his eyelids open, and felt the powerful urge to rest.  So he nettled himself against the tree's base and found himself in deep slumber.

~~~~
Withen the Realm of Dreams
~~~~
The King of Monsters surveys his surroundings.  He is no longer in the forest, the ground beneath him glimmers and the air is wispy and thin.  IT only takes him a couple moments to realize what is happening.

"Okay I know your out there.  You can quit it with the theatrics so-called "Princess of Dreams".  The air suddenly began to swirl and condense around him.  The shimmering ethereal figure of the Princess of the Night materialized before the King of Kaiju.  

"A pity, the mystique of the dream realm is really one of my favorite features of ruling over the night.  Yet, I suppose such intricacies are not something you would concern yourself with."  As always her tone was commanding yet with a hint of mischievousness.  However, Godzilla was not in a playful mood.

"This marks the second time you've invaded my mind equine.  Have a care it does not happen again, my temper can only be sated for so long"  The King of Monsters warned.

The Princess of the Night then gives him a somber look, "Unfortunately that cannot be helped.  You see my sister has the gift of premonitions, and lately she has been troubled with visions of a terrible danger to our subjects.  One that will bring fire, death and destruction."

Godzilla raised an eyebrow, "So you believe that this entity is me?  Am I correct?"

Luna looks him over then shakes her head.  "You are headstrong, quick to anger and undoubtedly dangerous.  But, I do not believe that you are the danger that haunts my sister's dreams.  That being said your little tirades aren't helping your case."

"I made it known when we first meet that I was dangerous.  I never pretend to be otherwise." 

"Indeed, self-declared God of Destruction we both know that you are very dangerous.  Despite your...current state," Luna said gesturing to Godzilla's shackles "However, I also mentioned that I would do what I had too to protect my ponies.  Thus far all I have seen you do is scoff at those who would aid you, destroy property and pick fights.  Tell me does this sound like the behavior of a King?"

Godzilla chuckled to himself "In my world a King is one with power.  The one who has the most power, is the one who rules.  On my old world I was King because I was the strongest, and the most powerful.  Any who live under the reign of the powerful are subject to their reign.  I know not who threatens your lands oh Princess of the Night however I know that I would smte all those who dare threaten my reign."

"So your saying I should smite thee?" Luna asked looking Godzilla directly into his eyes.

Godzilla unflinchingly answered "Yes".

There was silence between the two of them for a moment.  Both starring at the strange entities before them.  While Godzilla's eyes held a fiery resolve, Luna's eyes only held sympathy.  Luna recognized the look in his eyes.  It was the eyes of one who sought strength, recognition or power above all other things.  Yet, Luna could tell that their was more than just the pursuit of power behind his gaze, their was more to the King of Monsters than he was willing to admit.  Luna decided that their was only one way too truly understand Godzilla, with a breath she enveloped herself in shadow and took on her Nightmare form.

"Then I shall test you King of Monsters.  You believe that you are only capable of Destruction and combat then we shall put that theory to the test!"

Before Godzilla could so much as utter a retort, the scenery changed.  Suddenly, he was surrounded by the derelict remains of a human city.  Smog and smoke may have obscured his view, however his senses were on high alert.  He sensed a familiar presence.  It was his ancient enemies, those loathsome beings that burrowed whiten the dead of his kind, only to return as a plague.  Two creatures insect like forms crept along the sky and ground with murderous intent,. 

Godzilla roared in indignation "You dare show your face here!  You dare challenge me!".  With a surprising gust of speed, the Titanic Titan launched himself at his attackers.  The flying one came upon him first, Godzilla managed to turn his body enough so that the creature merely grazed him.  However, Godzilla's momentum propelled him toward his true target, and with a thunderous crash he slammed his full weight into the larger female creature.   The Female roared in pain and toppled to the ground.

"I have to finish this quickly!"  Godzilla thought, "The male is sure to come back around..."

No sooner did he think that thought did the airborn male make another pass at him this time clipping him behind his head.  Godzilla stumbled and tried to zero in on the male but he was already out of range.

"Damn it!" he said glaring daggers at the annoying flying creature, then realization struck him "Wait the female!" 

As if on cue the female struck at his knees, causing him to grunt in pain.  "Okay that's it no more Mr. Nice guy!"  Godzilla grabbed the female with his powerful jaws.  She sqweeled of course but Godzilla kept his grip, then when the male made the second pass he tossed the female right at the male!  The two collided in mid-air and crashed to the ground.

"Now while their both vulnerable!" Godzilla thought seeing opportunity.  He lurched over to one to the taller human structures and with his momentous strength brought the thing down on his two hated foes with a resounding crash.  Godzilla smirked and roared in triumph.    

However, the King's triumph wouldn't last for long.  Godzilla suddenly stiffened and sensed something in the smog ahead.  A shuffling mass reviled even more foes!  The insect like menaces emerged from the smog ready to avenge their fallen brethren.  The King of Monsters stood upright and roared defiantly at the foes before him and charged in for another bout.

It continued like this for some time.  The King of Kaiju fought tooth and nail, against the ever increasing hoard.  It seemed that no matter how many parasites he slew more always appeared to take their place.  Their mere presence sapped his strength and he could feel his power ebb as exhaustion begin to take it's toll.  The human dwellings had been grounded to dust by this point, but the King of Titans couldn't spare a thought for them, as he was too engrossed in the battle.  He was breathing heavily from the battle.  His body was battered far worse than his earlier skirmish with the Chimera, and he barely enough energy to stand.  Still he stood defiant, with a wild fierce look to his eyes.  It was apparent right then and there that he would fight forever.

The Princess of the Night looked on in utter despair.  She had hoped that this dreamscape might illuminate the reason as to why Godzilla was filled with so much rage, and why he was always drawn to fight.  Yet, as she watched him fight within his dreamscape she knew that he would never stop, that he would never surrender. 

"Why does he continue to fight?  What compels him to continue to destroy?"

The Princess of the Night watched as he fought his unceasing battle.  She thought about what he said about power "that the one who was the strongest, deserves to rule."

"Is this all just to prove that he is the strongest?  Is he so invested in the idea of power that he will throw away his own life?  Or is it something more?" she wondered to herself.

As she continued to observe his dream she began to notice something though.  He fought with brutality and with a fierce zeal, yet never with cruelty.  He fought with conviction but never with ruthless abandon.  While he fought she found that there was a surprising grace to his fight.  It was like watching a terrible storm, magnificent in it's furry.  Then she slowly begun to understand, like a storm Godzilla's furry was primal and raw, yet filled with purpose.  He didn't fight because he wanted to become powerful, he fought because he was powerful.  Like a hurricane, or a volcano his destruction was power incarnate.

It was then she understood what he meant.  He fought because he had the power to fight.  If he didn't fight then no-one else would.  He fought any who challenged him because to challenge him was to challenge power.  He fought each foe with the fierce overwhelming power at his command.  

"King of Destruction indeed" Luna said thoughtfully.  With a wave of her horn she dissolved the dreamscape and approached the exhausted Kaiju.  Godzilla looked around as the parasites faded into smoke and the dreamscape took on it's former crystal structure.

"That...that was all a illusion wasn't it?" Godzilla said panting in exhaustion.  Luna nodded her head.

"What exactly was the purpose of that, might I ask equine?" 

Luna seemed to ponder this before answering "I needed to know why you fight.  I've seen would-be kings and conquerors and their feeble squabbles for power, yet you do not seem like them.  I think I understand better now why you fight."

Godzilla blinked and then let out a hearty laugh, "Oh so you've figured me out eh?  So what exactly have you discovered oh Night Goddess?"

"That you're alone."

Godzilla instantly stopped laughing.  Then glared at The Princess of the Night.  "Come again?"

"As I watched you fight I saw that you fought fiercely but seemingly without cause.  You didn't fight to protect others, yet you didn't fight to subjugate others as well.  It was as if...you fought because it was all you knew, as it was your purpose.

Godzilla looked at Luna and then shrugged his shoulders "I fight those who would come for my title as King.  I alone bear the mantle of King."

"Yet why have you not asserted yourself here in Equestria?" Luna inquired "Surely this place must be worthy of your reign?"

Godzilla cocked an eyebrow then let out a chuckle "Nice try, but you won't egg me on.  Besides I have not yet decided if this place is worthy of my reign.  As you can see I'm a little indisposed at the moment" he said gesturing to his shackles.

"So you fight just to protect yourself then, for your own survival?"

Godzilla looked angrily at Luna "You could never understand.  Why I fight.  Why I destroy.  They are beyond you!"

Luna looked impassively at the Titan "Then explain.  What separates you from a mindless monster?  Or a would-be dictator?"

Godzilla averted his gaze unsure how to proceed, then sighed "I cannot explain easily...perhaps It would be best to show you."  Godzilla extended his claw for Luna to grasp, Luna did so and with a flicker of magic the scenery changed once again.

The land was a mixture of prehistoric flora and volcanic geysers.  The air was heavy and biting.  For a mortal creature such an environment would be fatal, but for Godzilla and Luna it was merely a slight discomfort.  There were creatures of titanic proportions lumbering across the landscape, some of which could even be mistaken for small mountains.  Luna noticed that the Sun and Moon in this mindscape were younger than Equestria's.

"So I take it this was your home then King of Monsters?" Luna said taking in her surroundings.

"It was...and it was beautiful" said the King of Monsters with a hint of nostalgia and longing "It was not an easy existence.  There were dangers of course."  With a flicker of his memories he showed flashes of several of the inhabitants of this former world to Luna, the gigantic insect-like parasites that Godzilla fought in his mindscape, feeding on the dead of his kind.  As well as gigantic prehistoric avian monsters that roamed the skys, and armored like creatures that burrowed in the land.  Finally, their were creatures that resembled Godzilla himself in the oceans nurturing their young.

"Back then life was simple.  Survive.  My kind survived by becoming powerful.  We ruled the oceans.  Others took power from the sky, still others took power form the land.  We all found power in our own ways.  We all found a way to make that power our own..."  

Luna looked around, and she saw the same kind of passion in these creatures that Godzilla had displayed in his mindscape.  They all fought for survival yes, but it was their power that made them who they were.  It was like it was a part of their very being.  However, Luna could sense that this wouldn't always be the case.

"I take it something changed?" Luna inquired.

Godzilla nodded sadly, and gestured toward a streaking feature in the sky.  It almost seemed to scream as it streaked across the sky and then embedded itself into the Earth with a cataclysmic explosion.  The landscape instantaneously erupted into flames.  What little fauna their was burned to a crisp, the land shook and shuttered, and the oceans boiled.  Thoughout the specticle Luna could swear she heard high pitch bell noise.  The bell rang out louder and louder until their was nothing left.

"That's awful...I'm so sorry."

Godzilla didn't respond, he simply tightened his fists and gritted his teeth.  As Luna looked at the King of Titans he looked far more hurt than any battle she had seen him in.  

"So then my world changed.  Eventually I was all alone, in this new world that I didn't belong too. "

The landscape shifted in accordance with his memories, seasons, centuries, eons passed by in a flash.

"After a while I noticed new small creatures spring up.  They were not powerful as I.  I could easily destroy them.  Thats what I thought.  Eons after eons new small creatures would arise, and I would awaken from my slumber to survey my dominion.  After a while I grew to understand that these small creatures found power and survival in their own ways.  That they lived like my kind in their own small ways.  I guess I grew fond of them..."

Luna smiled "That is the first time I think I heard you admit that."

Godzilla huffed but continued "I wasn't the only survivor however.  Their were others from my time.  Who would destroy this new world.  I understood then that we would destroy this new world, as our old world had been destroyed, and I could not allow that to happen.  So I fought, I drove of the members of the "old world" so that the "new world" could flourish.  Then I slept."

"In other words...you maintained the Balance...you were the Bearer of Harmony in your world?"

"...I suppose.  I never thought to put words to what I did.  I simply protected my territory, as a King I watched over my dominion.  I watched over my dominion because I had the power to do so."

"You may not believe it Godzilla, but you and your world share many similarities with Equestria.  I believe that is why the tree called out to you.  That crystal tree that you found is a profound artifact for Harmony.  I understand now why you destroy, and why you hold power in such high regard.  In your own way you are a Bearer of Harmony."

Godzilla didn't much respond, he never considered that before.  He simply protected his territory against threats.  He never saw any grand meaning in it.

"However, in this world Harmony is only part of the Equation.  In this world no pony can make it alone.  Godzilla, you can't be the lone King watching from on high.  You can't be the single God above all.  I think that once you understand that, your bounds will be broken."

"I am a King!  My will is law!  I am the pinnacle of power, all is as I say!"  Declared the King of Monsters with a snarl, "I will not lower myself when I am so much more."

Luna looked sadly at the Titan "I believed that we had made progress here.  It seems that their is still much for you to learn.  I know how it feels to believe so strongly in your own strength, to believe that no one can oppose you.  But that line of thinking will turn you into..."

"...A Monster?  I know that."

"Yes, but you could be more" The Princess of the Night stated, "I still believe that you could be more than just a God, or King, or Monster."

"What could be mightier than me oh Goddess of the Night?" Godzilla asked with scorn.

"That you shall have to find out for yourself.  My time runs thin, when next we meet I hope you find what you're truly fighting for."