The King of Monsters found himself in a situation unlike any other...he was a house guest. The pony named Applejack had offered him medical assistance and even breakfast. Godzilla was new to hospitality but supposed he needed to put up with the politeness of the ponies, he did owe them in a way. Then there was the red male equine to consider, the protective hatch-mate of Applejack, and obviously he didn't like Godzilla very much. After their little...altercation Godzilla and Big Macintosh were understandably wary of each other. When the meal was ready Godzilla walked over to the kitchen and stood at the entrance, unsure of what to do next.
"Well what are you doing on over there for? The foods over here!" an elderly voice called out.
Godzilla turned his head to see a green, elderly looking, female pony. She didn't seem commanding, indeed she seemed enthusiastic, which give Godzilla some hope. The red, male pony merely glared at him. To his surprise he found that the hatching named Applebloom was also present. She was energetically waving him down beckoning him to sit beside her. He smiled but decided that he needed to make a good first impression.
He walked over, bowed, and pronounced regally, "Thank you for accepting me into your dwelling while my wounds heal. May good tidings follow you and your kin."
The reactions he got were mixed. The hatching seemed to chuckle, and the male rolled his eyes, the elderly pony just waved her hoof nonchalantly "Ehh nonsense. The Apple family prides itself on it's hospitality Mr..."
"You can call me Godzilla, Mrs."
"Well, Mr. Go-jy-ra...go on and have a seat...might I suggest next to Applebloom. Poor filly looks like she might blow a gasket any minute now."
The King of Monsters thought about correcting the elderly ponies punctuation of his name, but thought against it. "She must be feeble of the mind." He thought. "I mean...I said it as clear as day...It's probably best not to stress her out."
As he was thinking this though he felt something knock against his foot, he barely had time to let out a yelp as his jaw smacked into the ground. Unfortunately it didn't end there, as a reflex he had swung his tail and accidentally broke the support to Big Macintosh's chair as well! He quickly followed Godzilla with a yelp, and a painful thud on the floor.
Applebloom couldn't help but let out a quick laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Even Granny Smith let out a chuckle, "Deerie why don't you help our guest and your brother. I reckon our guest is still a little unsteady on his feet."
Applebloom obeyed, while trying to stifle her mirth. Big Mac grumbled something incoherent about a "big clumsy lizard" and excused himself. Godzilla on the other hand was mortified. Here he had planed to introduce himself to the matriarch of the household with poise and dignity...and then he completely blundered about like a newborn hatching! Granny must have sensed her guest was feeling rather embarrassed so she interjected "Ah don't worry about it youngster. Why if I took a bite from the business end of that Chimera fellow I'd be feeling a bit off beat too!"
That seemed to take the edge of the situation a bit, and Godzilla relaxed. "Yes of course it must have been a lingering effect from my battle, that's the only explanation" he thought to himself. Then Applebloom chimed in.
"It also might have been ya tail! Reckon we didn't think about that...sorry Mr. Godzilla."
He completely seized the chance to save face, "Why yes! After my battle, and err...unfamiliarity with the terrain of your home...I must have lost my footing...of course."
Applebloom and Granny Smith lightly chuckled and continued their breakfast.
~~~~
(Meanwhile at the Ponyville Train Station)
It was said that Ponyville had a nack for attracting wierdo's and oddness in recent years. The Parasprite incident, the arrival of Twilight Sparkle, and that one weird Earth Pony obsessed with time, had all become commonplace. So nopony batted an eye when "The Great and Powerful Trixie" and Ditsy Do disembarked from their train. Although the populace may not have payed them much mind, each of the mares had a world of things on their minds.
Poor, Trixie had another bout of pain as they disembarked. However, she knew that her connection had gotten better and even knew where they needed to go from here. Trixie grimaced at the thought of where they were heading, but steeled herself and looked liked a mare on a mission.
Ditsy on the other hand was smiling happily; although she wished the circumstances were different she was happy to be home. Trixie however kept her head down and headed on in determination, she would much rather not have to deal with the denizens of this place for any longer than she had too.
"Come along Mrs. Do." Trixie beckoned.
"Ohh, err...right" Ditsy complied following close behind. Her ears downcast slightly. She knew Trixie well enough to know that there would be no time to dilly-dally.
"Soo...where are we heading?" Ditsy asked.
Trixie mumbled something incoherent.
"I'm sorry I didn't catch that..."
She mumbled a little louder but Ditsy still couldn't tell what the unicorn was saying.
"Errm one more time?"
"Oh for the love of Celestia! Twilight's Castle! We're heading to perfect little Twilight Snarkle's perfect, glittering Castle!" the unicorn said in a huff.
Ditsy recoiled slightly but said nothing. They proceeded until they were on main street, when she smelt the bakeries of Ponyville readying for breakfast. Her stomach let out a little growl as she smelt the familiar sent of her favorite pastries; muffins. The thoughts of home and food made her feel a bit nostalgic. She thought about her little filly just a couple blocks from main street. She wondered If...just if...
"Say Trixie? I know we're on a super-dooper, extra, important mission but...I don't suppose we could swing by my place for a minute? I really miss my little Dinky and wanna make sure she's honkey-dory."
Trixie turned around and gave Ditzy a venomous glare, she was about to respond when an audible grown was heard emanating from the unicorn's stomach. They were silent for a moment.
"And! I can bake you some of my world famous muffins! I'm sure some food in our tummies will help us on our daring quest!" Ditzy said emphatically.
Trixie just mumbled something again but Ditzy took that as an invitation and gleefully lead her boss to her home.
~~~~
(Meanwhile in Twilight's Castle)
Spike and Applejack had been conversing for quite a while. Mainly, Applejack seemed to be asking a lot about his draconic heritage. Spike was unsure about how to feel, he was raised by ponies, and quite frankly felt most comfortable around ponies. What little interactions he had with his own species weren't the best of impressions to be perfectly honest. Perhaps he felt a trickle of shame? Shame that he didn't know as much about dragon's as he would have liked?
It certainly wasn't for a lack of trying. As Twilight's "Number One assistant" he had access to stores of Information from the Canterlot Royal, the Far Reaches of the Crystal Empire, and the archives of the Ponyville Library...before it was destroyed. In part he sympathized with Twilight's fascination with dragon culture because even with all the access they had any information on Dragon's was extremely vague and dicey at best.
When he had went on the Great Dragon Migration he was over-joyed he had thought that somehow he would finally reconnect with his species and maybe be accepted. Yet, he learned that he didn't hold much in common with the dragon's of his age. They were jerks who liked tormenting other creatures for fun! In fact if it weren't for Rarity, Rainbow and Twilight they might have turned on him too! Ever scene then he had decided to cut ties with the dragons. He wouldn't associate with them unless absolutely necessary.
Spike had thought that he had gotten over any sentiment of his heritage some time ago, but Applejack's questions seemed to have reinvigorated a curiosity about his kind that he though he had repressed long ago.
Yet, not every question Applejack asked seemed to describe a dragon at all. In the intervening minutes since their conversation started Spike begin to get the sense that whatever creature she was describing wasn't a dragon at all, but then again he couldn't be positive the creature was some variant he had never come across before. After all their were some trait's she described that seemed to fit a dragon's depiction.
According to Applejack the creature, had gills, talked like nobility, had healing abilities unlike any creature in Equestria, and wore golden gauntlets. Spike was quite astonished by this description, the image he imagined the creature must have looked like was...bewildering. Yet, Applejack was his friend and he wanted to help her if he could, so he gave his honest diagnosis.
Spike explained that Dragon's weren't typically as social or literate as ponies so they didn't sound very "royal".
He had seen many dragon types during the dragon migration, flying adults and teenagers mostly, but none with gills, although he admitted that he simply could have missed them or that they didn't participate in the migration.
As for regeneration he stated that Dragon's had a high tolerance for heat, like being able to dive into magma as if it were like a spa. He also stated that their scales could protect then to an extent. But if Dragon's do manage to sustain damage it takes roughly the same amount of time to heal as any other creature.
Applejack for the most part was rather confounded. She was almost certain that Godzilla was some kind of dragon, but here was Spike telling her that he might not be.
"Applejack...are you sure your describing a dragon?" Spike asked "And...why the sudden interest?"
Applejack pondered for a moment "It'll be best to show ya I reckon. When Twilight comes down we can all walk over to Sweet Apple Acres and I'll show you who I'm talking about."
Spike thought about it for a minute. He had his usual chores to do, but this creature sounded interesting. He supposed he could spare a minute to see it.
"You know what AJ? I'll take you up on that offer!" Spike said with a smile.
~~~~~~~
"Dinky! Oh Dinky! Where are you? Mommy's Home!" Ditsy Do called out happily.
The cross-eyed mare was rewarded for her efforts, as a cliter-clatter of little hooves could be heard followed by a happy squeel.
"Mommy!" a small pale-purple unicorn exclaimed gleefully. In a single movement she had launched herself from the top of the stair case toward the loving embrace of her mother. Ditsy gracefully caught her daughter and hugged her tightly. Dinky was her pride and joy. She was Ditsy's whole world.
Trixie stood by the entrance watching the whole touching scene unfold and her demeanor gradually lightened.
"You're home early mommy! Did your practice go good? (gasps) Have you got a new trick?" Dinky exclaimed.
Ditsy coyly rubbed the back of her head, "errr...we were working on it. But somethings come up. It just so happened that we could stop by and see my favorite "little muffontop" ."
Dinky blushed slightly, "Mom...that's embarrassing." she complained.
"Oh? Well you'll always be my "little" muffintop" Ditsy affirmed. She suddenly remembered that she had a guest!
"Oh Trixie! Err...sorry I was just..."
"It is no issue Mrs. Do. I'm surprised you didn't mention our new trick to young Dinky though."
The filly's eyes lit up. "Really! Can I see? Please! Oh pretty please!"
"Very well then. The Great and Powerful Trixie shall show you a small sample of her magical prowess!" Trixie took her cape and wrapped it around her hoof.
"Now, repeat after me 'Stars and Lights make Everything Alright'."
"Stars and Lights make Everything Alright!!!" Dinky repeated faithfully. Trixie removed her cape and a cascade of fireworks display erupted from her very hooves! Not only that but the took the shape of a bird! A Star! Finally, a glittery impression of Dinky herself!
Dinky was wide eyed in awe and clapped enthusiastically, "That was great Ms. Trixie!!!"
"Yea Trixie! Even I'm surprised." Ditsy Do remarked slightly concerned.
"A great magician always has a trick up their sleeve no matter the occasion" said the Great and Powerful Trixie sagely.
"Oh honey it's a weekday. You better head off to school" Ditsy said realizing the time.
"Oh good point! Bye Mom! Bye Ms. Trixie!" Dinky yelled as she ran out the door.
As soon as Dinky was gone Trixie staggered a bit.
"Trixie!" Ditsy quickly grabbed her boss before she could collapse, and supported her to a sofa.
"I suppose that little trick took more out of me than I thought..." Trixie admitted.
"I'm sure Dinky appreciated that Trixie...we really should get you patched up. I'll whip us up some muffins lickity-split! Then we can figure out what to do next."
Trixie nodded and sat on the sofa in thought. She wondered where the creature she summoned was now. She wondered...what it was thinking? Here she was with a friend that cared so much for her, and a daughter that cared for her in turn...she just couldn't imagine the creature from the summoning ever having anything like that. In that moment, Trixie pitted the creature.
~~~~~~~
Godzilla couldn't remember the last time he could just sit down and chat with another, while enjoying a nice meal. The one named Applebloom was just a bundle of energy, and seemed quite insistent on him trying everything they had to offer. Truthfully he didn't need to consume his nutrients through his mouth although he found the process of "eating" deeply satisfying. Although for many eons the only things he ate and actually tasted were fish, and other marine life he could nab on occasion. Yet, what these ponies were offering him this day was unlike anything he had ever tasted before! It would seem that they were an immensely creative lot, for they has ways of preparing food that he had never even conceived. The boiled, roasted, smoked, and baked an assortment of food all based around some type of fruit; an 'apple' he believed it was called.
He tried an assortment of all kinds of Apple related foods, applepies of course but there was also applefritters, apple-doughnuts, Apple pancakes, you name it and as long as it was "apple" related the Apple family more than likely had it! Speaking of the meal, it was unlike anything he had ever tasted before! The flavor danced across his tongue, and left him feeling deeply satisfied.
"So do you like it Mr Godzilla?" Applebloom asked, her eyes full of hope.
"Young one..." Godzilla said in the middle of his third pie, "I have lived a long time...I have ventured far and wide...but this is by far the most delicious thing I have ever tasted!"
Applebloom beamed with pride and Granny smiled.
"Glad to hear it. We Apples pride ourselves on our hospitality," Granny Smith explained, "Speaking of hospitality are you feeling better dearie? From what I heard you had quite the run in with that dang Chimera fellow."
Godzilla coughed at the mention of last nights events, but once he thought about it he did notice that he was feeling a lot better. He flexed his arm that was in a sling, and lo-and-behold he was all healed. He smiled, at least he still retained the ability to heal quickly. He glanced as the gauntlets still as mystified by the objects as ever. Then he felt hungry again so he ate some more.
After a bit Appebloom excused herself so she could go to school and scooted away, leaving Godzilla and Granny left at the Table. Godzilla took the opportunity to gobble the remaining delicacies. With Applejack, Big Mac and now Applebloom now gone their was quite the abundance for Godzilla to chow down on, and he did so with gusto.
Granny chuckled "You sure are hungry aren't you eh? We Apples love breakfast but I recon you've eaten enough for two ponies."
Godzilla paused, "Sorry, I am unfamiliar with pony customs...and normally I do not eat this much...I'm not sure what's come over me..."
Granny waved dismissively "Nonsense, it's a complement, it means that we are good hosts and that you enjoy our cooking."
"Regardless I am in your debt Apple family...please allow me to repay you," Godzilla proposed, and in that instant he immediately stopped eating and got very serious.
"Oh that's no bother..."
"Please, It would not be right for me to not repay you. It is not the way of things. I was weak, and due to my insolence I have caused an undo burden on to you. You were under no obligation to help me, a stranger. You've taken a large risk in taking me in and I wish to repay you in some way" Godzilla said bowing for emphasis.
Granny pondered this for a minute. The poor dearie really seemed determined to make amends, perhaps she could give him light chores...nothing to strenuous just something to keep him busy and content...
"Alright...since your so insistent on the matter, you can follow Big Macintosh on his rounds and help him with his chores for the day."
Godzilla bowed once more "Your hospitality has not gone unappreciated Ms. Smith."