It was early noon. The spring heat bathed the citizens of Ponyville in its warmth. The sky was clear; the birds chirped a soothing tune. The flowers bloomed, and the spring wind moved gently across the town. In the Golden Oaks library, Twilight is sitting alone on her bed. She was busy studying for new spells, soaking in the information from the spell book in her hands. As she was reading, she couldn't help but let herself get distracted. It had been just a day since that night. Celestia had left for some reason. Why would she leave so soon? Weren't things going well when they were spending time together? There was also something else bothering her. Twilight set the book down into her lap, looking toward her dresser. She looked over the pictures of herself with Spike when he was just a baby and she was seven. She smiled at the photo. She then saw a photo of herself with her entire family. She went on to find the photo that she had taken with her friends. As she continued on, she came to one of the last pictures that she had taken. It was a photo of Junior and her standing next to each other. They smiled as they both had an arm wrapped around each other.
"I'm glad that you liked the birthday party that we threw you." Twilight said to herself. She then frowned as she recalled the night before. Twilight got up from her bed, setting her book down. She was worried about him.
"I gotta go see him." said Twilight aloud. She then went over to the end of her bed, slipped on her shoes and made her way out of her bedroom. As she made her way down the stairs, she noticed that Spike was sitting with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in his hand.
"Spike, look after the library for me please? I'm off to check on Gojira." called Twilight. Spiked stopped himself before he could take a bite.
"OK. Let me know how he is when you get back." said Spike worriedly. Twilight nodded and smiled.
"Of course."
Twilight had been walking for several minutes, making her way over to Junior's home. She noticed that that the day was lovely. The sun shone brightly, and the smell of flowers was in the air. She saw butterflies pass by, finding a patch of flowers to land on.
"Gosh, I love spring." sighed Twilight happily. Twilight found herself on the path that she desired. She walked along the path, catching Junior's home in the distance. She quickened her pace, feeling the need to be there for her friend. She was getting closer; she began to ponder what she would do when she got there. How will she bring up the issue? Should she bring it up? Maybe, she should just spend time with him. Hopefully, help him take his mind off of whatever was troubling him last night. That way, he just might open up to her about it. Twilight had made her way onto the porch of the house. She stepped up to the door and gently knocked on the door.
"Gojira?" called Twilight. She waited for ten seconds, not receiving a reply. She knocked harder this time.
"Gojira! It's me, Twilight!" called Twilight, raising her voice. She waited ten more seconds. She was about to knock again, but thought that she should wait longer. She waited for a couple of minutes, but she was beginning to get anxious so she knocked rapidly this time.
"Gojira! Please, open the door! I want to talk to you!" shouted Twilight. He wasn't answering. She was beginning to worry. She knew it would be useless, but she placed her hand on the door knob and twisted it. To her surprise, it was unlocked. She opened the door slowly, her head slowly getting inside of the house. As she stepped in, she gasped at what she saw. His living room was a mess. His table was flipped, pieces of a lamp were scattered on the ground, and there was a hole was in the wall. She slowly walked in, searching her surroundings.
'Did he do this?' thought Twilight. She began to walk down the hall of his home, searching one of the rooms. She found an empty bed, the blankets were neatly made. Almost as if no one had fallen asleep on it. She felt herself growing nervous. Where was he? Twilight turned and noticed that the door to another room down the hall was cracked open. She made her way over to the door. She pushed the door open, revealing the bathroom. As she was about to step in, something caught her eye on the ground. Her eyes focused on the ground. She nearly had a heart attack at what she saw.
"Oh gosh!" cried Twilight. She had found the one she was looking for. Junior was on the floor, lying on his side unconscious. Twilight dropped to her knees and began to shake Junior.
"Hey, wake up! Gojira, please, please wake up!" cried Twilight. Her heart was racing. What happened to him? Why was he unconscious? He wasn't dead, was he?! Twilight feared this thought. She grabbed his hand and placed three of her fingers on his wrist. She waited, before she felt something.
"Oh good, you're OK." said Twilight, relieved to feel a pulse. She then resumed shaking Junior.
"Hey, wake up!" Junior began to stir. He lightly groaned as he began to shift on the ground. He slowly opened his eyes, drowsily staring into Twilight's. He then began to sit himself up.
"Twilight? What are you doing here?" asked Junior, his voice groggy.
"I came to check on you. Good thing that I did." answered Twilight. She then leaned closer to him. "What happened to you?"
"I..." Junior was about to answer. All he remembered was that he was in agony. There was something else, something terrifying. He couldn't remember it quite well. "I don't know. I don't think I'm feeling well."
"Come on, let's get you to your living room. I'll make us some tea." said Twilight. She stood and reached for Junior's hand. Junior gently took her hand; she then pulled him up to his feet.
Mosura was alone in the lair. She sat cross legged with her eyes closed on the platform, above the pool of water that flowed in and out of the cave. She felt the warm sun beaming down on her in the cold cave. She took light and calm breaths. Her mind was not focused on the world around her. She thought of peace, joy, and love. As she sat, she felt her peace interrupted. Her blissful state was changed. Her mind flashed to fear, sadness, anger, and hatred. Mosura tried to force these feelings out of her, but she couldn't. She grunted as she struggled to find peace. That was when she realized that these were not her emotions. They belonged to someone else.
Mosura found herself in a wasteland. There was no one around. There was only a dark, clouded sky. The ground beneath her was a street that was cracked. That was when she noticed what was around her. Tall buildings lied in ruins. Some stood tall, some leaned on the one next to them, and others were nothing but rubble. Abandoned carriages and chariots were scattered on the streets. The city was lit by the light from fires that raged on the buildings and the streets. The city was desolate, with nothing but destruction.
"whose mind am I in?" asked Mosura incredulously. She felt the ground beneath her shake. The sounds of something enormous impacting the ground can be heard. Mosura nearly lost her balance as she felt the Earth shake more. She saw a massive beast covered in dark smoke; it stood over 300 feet tall, lumbering through the buildings, pushing through them with ease. The monster lets out a deep and ghostly screech into the heavens. Red eyes glowed from its head and jagged dorsal plates ran down its back. The creature stops walking, slowly turning its head toward Mosura's position. Mosura felt her heart skip as the beast looked in her direction. It bared its teeth and snarled at her, slowly turning and began to approach her.
"He doesn't need you. One day, I will make him greater..." said the creature in a deep and powerful voice. Mosura gasped as she heard the monster speak.
"W-who are you?! And what are you talking about?!" demanded Mosura. The creature merely chuckled.
"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds." said the creature. As the beast had gotten closer, Mosura clenched her eyes shut. As she held them closed, she stopped hearing the creature approaching. Mosura slowly opened her eyes, finding herself sitting back at the lair. She felt her heart beat fast, her forehead dripping with sweat. She attempted to calm herself. Her breathing was shallow. She couldn't figure out what she had experienced. Was she really inside someone's mind and witnessed something that has been forged in their psyche? Whose mind was it?
"What did it mean by, 'He doesn't need me'? Who was it talking about?"
Junior sat on his sofa with Twilight. Both were drinking warm tea that she had made. Twilight looked to him in worry. He had a look in his eyes that she didn't like. He looked like he had lost the life in them. She felt like that she was looking at an empty shell of her friend. Junior sets his cup of tea down on the table which he had set back up. While Twilight was making them tea, he began to clean up the mess that he had made. Unfortunately, he couldn't do anything about the wall at the moment.
"Thank you, Twilight." said Junior. Twilight nearly jumped at his voice. He had been quiet the whole time since they left the bathroom.
"Oh, no problem!" smiled Twilight. Junior reclined on the sofa, staring off to the wall.
"Gojira?" called Twilight.
"Yeah?"
"Do you...want to talk? About yesterday?" asked Twilight. Junior remained silent. Twilight scooted closer to him, taking his hand into hers. Junior flinched, but he turned to face Twilight.
"You can tell me anything. We're friends right?" asked Twilight, a sad smile on her face. Junior stayed silent. He then slowly nodded.
"We are. OK, I'll tell you." answered Junior. He spent the next couple of minutes of explaining the event that occurred last night.
"And that's why she left." said Junior. Feeling shameful at the story he had told. Twilight looked to him sadly.
"I see..."
"Never in my life have I used that on her. She really was a mother to me. I would rather die than hurting her like that." said Junior. Twilight didn't like hearing that last part, but she understood why he said it. If anything, it told her how much Celestia meant to him
"Why did you say it then?" asked Twilight. Junior sighed in response.
"I don't know. I guess... I guess I was just angry. Not at her." answered Junior. Junior couldn't tell her the complete reason for his mood. He had to talk about a minor source of his anger. "Maybe it had to do with me coming back to after getting mugged. I guess I just didn't like Celestia worrying so much about me."
"Why not?" asked Twilight.
"She's a princess. She doesn't have time to worry about someone like me. I was thankful that she spent some time with me when I was younger, but I hate that she can't focus on her own life." answered junior.
"Goji..."
"I don't know. Maybe I'm just overreacting. I just don't want her to worry so much." sighed Junior. He sat silently in the room with Twilight.
"I wish I could tell her the truth." whispered Junior. Twilight's ears perked as she heard him whisper.
"What was that?"
"I said that 'I wish I knew how to make it up to her'." lied Junior.
"Oh. Well, you could start by apologizing to her." replied Twilight. "Speak to her in person; apologize with all of your heart. Don't fake it. Tell her why you said those things to her. Don't try to butter her up, that's not the way to apologize."
"Got it. Anything else?" asked Junior. Twilight then looked deeply into his eyes. Their eyes locked, she was determined to make sure that he got it.
"Tell her that you love her." said Twilight. Junior felt his burden lightened. It was thanks to her that he could find the courage to face Celestia. One of the things that he liked about Twilight was that she would always want to help a friend.
"What would I have done without you?" smiled Junior.
"Based on how you were when we first met, you wouldn't have faced the problem." joked Twilight. Junior lightly chuckled.
"Thanks Twilight."
"Anytime." said Twilight. She then stood from the sofa. "Why don't we hang out today? We can have lunch."
"I'd like that. I'll get dressed."
Location: classified MONARCH Base Delta
In a great room, there was Erika. She stood alone wearing a black suit that covered her from her shoulders to her toes. The MONARCH insignia on her chest. Her back, on the other hand, was exposed. Erika remained still, waiting. At the end of the room, the sounds of heavy steps can be heard. Out from a large door, came a large machine. It was built to resemble a standing man. It stood at eight feet tall, with heavy armor built on it. A blue visor glowed on its head. The machine had two large blades attached to its forearms. The machine began to slowly approach her, stopping 15 feet away from her.
"Combat simulation activated." echoed a feminine monotone voice. The mech took a stance, rearing its arms in front. Erika got into a stance as well, balling her hands into fists.
"Begin." said the monotone voice. The mech sprinted toward Erika, its metal feet clanking against the floor. Erika charged as well, sliding under the mech. She turned and found that the mech had turned as well. It swung its fist toward her. Erika side-stepped to the left, grabbing the arm and pulled on it. The mech stumbled forward, then raised its other fist and swung at Erika. She rolls away from the punch as it approached, it connected against the ground and left a dent on the metal floor. Erkia backed away from the mech as it faced her. She stared at it with a calm expression. The mech raised its arms into the air, the blades on its forearms extended out, reflecting the light onto the walls. The mech placed its arms together, rubbing the blades together, causing sparks. It then charged at Erika, swinging its blades at her. She ducked and hopped over the incoming blades. Erkia leaped toward the mech, punching it in the head. The mech staggered, its visor cracked. Its chest opened up, out came two cannons. The cannons shot blue bolts of magic toward the soldier, hitting her on impact. Erika cried out in pain as she felt the bolts pierced through her skin. She dropped to her knees, breathing heavily. She looked to her wounds as they sizzled from the heat. They began to seal themselves shut. Erika stood back up and charged toward the mech. She dodged the next barrage of bolts, making her way toward the chest. She grabbed the cannon's muzzle, yanking it out of the mech, causing it to spark. She then swung the cannon at the mech's head. The mech then swiped its arm at Erika, its blade making contact with her. Erika cried out in agony as she felt her left arm sliced off. Her dismembered arm flew as blood stained the ground, landing a few feet away.
Erika held her wound, gritting her teeth. She noticed that the mech was approaching her, preparing for another strike. Erkia ran from the mech, her blood dripping from her wound. She then felt something going on the area where her arm was dismembered. She looked toward the wound and noticed that her blood was changing its red color to green. Out of the stub came her arm, growing like a plant-like appendage. She gasped at the sight, finding it disturbing. It appeared like an arm made of a plant with a sharp clawed hand. She then looked toward the mech, an idea forming in her mind. She turned and made her back toward the mech. She leaped at the mech and swung her clawed hand at the head. As she landed, the mech's head fell apart. It then fell onto its knees and collapsed onto the ground. Erika panted, she then looked to her new arm. It slowly began to shift, changing from a green plant looking arm to a familiar pale human arm. She sighed in relief. She turned noticed that her old arm was still there. She approached it with a frown on her face.
"What am I gonna do with this then?" Erika asked herself. She reached for the arm, picking it up in disgust. Suddenly, the arm began to morph into a green liquid. It phased into her exposed. She nearly yelped as it transpired. She looked at her arm, and noticed that something was different about it. Her veins were slightly exposed beneath her skin. The disturbing thing about them was that they were green. She sighed sadly. The sound of metal clanking against the ground echoed in the room. Erika jumped at the sound. She quickly turned and found three other mechs taking a stance. She sighed in disappointment.
"Well, let's see what else I can do." said Erkia. She then began to sprint at the mechs. The trio charged at the new Transmutant. She gave a war cry as her arm changed back into a clawed appendage. She slashed at the abdomen of one of the mechs. It sparked and dropped to its knees. Erkia ran past it, nearly slashed by one of the mech's blades. Erika turned and felt pain in her right arm. She dropped to one of her knees, grunting as her right arm began to shift. Her arm morphed into a plant arm with a serrated blade at the end. The blade was peculiar as, Instead of a steel blade, it was made of bone. She stood back up and charged at one of the mechs. It raised its arm at her, swinging down its blade. Erika raised her arm, blocking the blade. The mech towered over her, its cogs and parts working to overpower her. Erika slightly struggled from the machine's strength, she looked toward her blade in worry. She feared that a bony blade wouldn't be able to withstand a mech using its steel blade on it. Her fears were put to rest as she realized that the bone was holding strong. She strained as her muscles stretched, her adrenaline shooting through her. She began to force the mech back, then shoved it way. The mech stumbled back; Erika sprinted toward the mech and leaped towardit. She gave a cry as she brought her blade down on her opponent, slashing it in half. The mech sparked, as wires and circuits separated from the strike. Bits of metal parts clattered onto the floor.
The mech that she had first slashed in the abdomen stood back to its feet. The unscathed mech stood by its side, both stretched their right arms forward. Their arms began to shift in shape, parts and gears shifting into cannons. Erika gasped as she recognized the weapons.
'Damn, rockets!' thought Erika. The mech's cannons flashed, firing small missiles. They streaked across the air, leaving behind smoke as they were propelled toward Erika. She raised her arms over her face as the rockets impacted the ground in front of her. The rockets exploded in front of her, fires, shrapnel and smoke rising where she stood.
The mech's lowered their arms, their visors glowing. The black smoke surrounded where the Transmutant stood. One of the mech's stepped forward, its blade drawn. Suddenly, green tendrils shot out of the smoke. They wrapped themselves around the mech. The machine struggled as it tried to free itself from the tendrils. The tendrils lifted the mech in the air, slamming it repeatedly on the ground. They then threw the mech toward the other, knocking them both to the floor. Out from the smoke, leaped Erika, whose body was in bad condition. She was covered in burns, her suit was torn and singed, her arms and thighs were revealed, her backside of her suit was torn, with tendrils sticking out. Her breathing was shallow as she glared at the mechs. Erika was slowly walking toward them. Her back sprouted two vines, but at the end of them were roses with mouths. Theses mouths were filled with sharp teeth, with fluid dripping out from them. The mouthed roses screeched and hissed at the mechs, as they bared their teeth. The vines shot forward toward the mechs, wrapping around them and biting on their heads. The tendrils held the mechs as the mouths gnawed at them. After the visors of the mechs lights died, their bodies slumped. Erika panted, her burns were beginning to heal, her tendrils and vines released the mechs and shrank bank into her body. Erika sighed as she looked at hands.
"I really am one of them now." said Erika, dejectedly. Ironic, as her job was to stop Transmutants that were attacking. She and her squad were destroyed by one Transmutant and she's brought back to be one of them.
"Combat simulation completed." said the monotone voice. Another large door opened, revealing a sight that lifted her spirits. Erika made her way over toward the door.
"Very good. You have been maturing fast in your mutation." said Genshiro. Erika smiled to him.
"Thank you, father. I'm still not used to this...change." sighed Erika. Genshiro frowned.
"I know, Erika. Please try to bear with it." said Genshiro. Erika nodded to him.
"Understood."
Erika sat on a chair. An Earth bound man was looking her over. His face was neutral as he analyzed her arm. He then placed her arm down and began to scribble down on a clipboard.
"You seem to have a much faster healing factor compared to the Alpha's." said the Earth bound.
"I noticed. Why did my arm grow back as a plant?" asked Erika.
"Well, we actually combined your DNA with both Alpha's and a Rose that we discovered recently." answered the Earth bound. Erika looked to him in confusion.
"A rose? Why a rose?"
"This wasn't an ordinary rose. It was like a fly trap. We discovered a living fossil of it, the last of its kind. It contained acids and poisons that it used against prey. The rose would wrap its prey in vines and would drag it away and would dissolve it with its acids. After that, it would devour the smaller pieces of the prey. It grew to be pretty big for a rose, almost four feet tall." answered the Earth bound. Erika cringed in response.
"So, I have the DNA of a dragon and a killer rose mixed with me?" asked Erika. The Earth bounded nodded in response.
'You just may be the ultimate hybrid so far.' thought the Earth bound. He then placed his clip board down.
"Another thing. Unlike other Transmutants and the Alpha, we've learned that you are able gain energy from solar radiation. Of course, this is due to your DNA mixed with that of a rose. You can use geothermal radiation, nuclear, and solar radiation to help you gain energy. But, we want you to remain as close as possible instead of looking for these other two sources. So, you'll have to remain on base to 'photosynthesis'." said the Earth bound. Erika sighed.
"I guess that's better than searching."
Somewhere in Equestria...
The land was filled with tall trees. A small mountain lied ahead among these trees and a small village. However, these trees were dead. Not a leaf was on them. The grass was gone, and nothing but dirt was on the ground. The area was burnt by a forest fire long ago. The village was abandoned, and was in no better shape than the forest. In a dark cave in the small mountain, there was chatter going on. The cave was cold and dark, with only the sun bringing little light.
"We need food." hissed a forest green colored, Mantis-like creature. He stood among a five other Mantis-like beasts, all were sitting on stones inside the cave. They were all different shades of green. A few of them were bright red in color. The other Mantis-like creatures nodded and conversed amongst themselves in agreement. One of the red mantises stood among the others.
"Kamacuras, MONARCH is making it difficult for our scouts to search for suitable settlements to raid. The last raid on Los Pegasus has led to that." said the red Mantis, speaking in an insect-like feminine voice. One of the lighter green Mantis's stood as well.
"She's right. A few of our group members have also encountered another Transmutant that drove them away. MONARCH isn't the only thing that we have to worry about." said the light green Mantis, speaking in a deep, insect male voice.
"I am well aware of that. However, we can't succumb to MONARCH and a couple Transmutants." said Kamacuras. One of the other green mantises stood as the other two previous mantises sat back down.
"What about the meadow that's miles from here? Aren't wild cattle grazing out there?" asked a mantis, speaking in a younger male voice. Kamacuras clicked his mandibles in frustration.
"Yes, but Kumonga and her group have made that land their territory. We are no match for spiders." sighed Kamacuras. One of the green mantises leaned over to a red mantis that sat next to him.
"I've always hated spiders. Pretty damn ironic that we've became insects." whispered the green mantis in a male voice. The red mantis clicked her mandibles as she shuddered.
"Tell me about it." whispered the red mantis back.
"May I make a suggestion?" asked another forest green mantis. Kamacuras nodded in approval.
"I suggest that we attack a smaller settlement here in Equestria. MONARCH has no presence there. I have been there before." said the mantis. One of the male mantis's laughed.
"I recall you limping back here. Something about another young Transmutant and a little pony kicking your ass." said the male. The forest green mantis flared its wings and hissed in anger.
"I told you, he was stronger than he looked! And that pony was an Earth pony! She kicked me in the leg when I wasn't looking!" shouted the mantis. He then turned to Kamacuras. "Kamacuras, allow me to take a team to kill that boy! I suspect that he is hiding out there. With him out of the way, we can raid the town and take their livestock and crops for ourselves!"
"Boy? What did he look like? There wasn't that many young male Earth bounds mutated all of those years ago to still be called, 'boy'." asked Kamacuras.
"He was Neighponese. He also had charcoal grey hair. That's all that I can remember." answered the mantis. Kamacuras stood and pondered.
"Yes... I believe I know who you are speaking of. I've seen him with one of Destoroyah's group members when I was locked in the Vault." said Kamacuras. "I don't want have to merge our group with Destoroyah's just for the sake of food. At least not yet." he then looked toward the other forest green mantis.
"Very well Kickback, I will allow you to take five of our members with you. They should be enough to gather food for our group and to handle that Transmutant if you happen to run into him. Do not attack him, unless he attacks you. Do not let the humans see you. I want this settlement to last us." commanded Kamacuras. The other mantis bowed in response.
"Yes, sir." said Kickback. He then made his way out of the cave, opening his wings. His wings flapped rapidly, causing a loud motor-like sound in the wind. He took off out of the cave, flying down to small crudely built village. In the village were a few Earth bound humans and a dozen other mantises. He landed in the center of the village, making his way over to the humans, searching for his desired team.
"You, you and you three!" called Kickback, pointing to his desired team. A young neighponese woman with red eyes, wearing a hood over her head; three mantises, and a round muscled tan skinned man with brown hair. They looked to Kickback in confusion.
"Prepare to leave, we're going to Ponyville." commanded Kickback. The young woman stepped up to him.
"What the hell for?" asked the woman.
"We need food or else we'll starve out here." said Kickback as he gestured to a deserted forest region. Nothing but dead trees stood, no signs of birds or animals around. The woman turned back to him.
"So, we're gonna raid that town?" she asked curiously. Kickback nodded.
"Hai. However, we need to make the town last. We're just going to take some of their livestock, their fruits and vegetables. Hopefully we can leave before the humans can suspect that it’s us." Kickback then turned and glared at the three other mantises. It was hard to tell if you weren't like the mantises, but they were able to tell just fine.
"I want you to remain out of sight in the forest when we arrive. I rather we not let our presence known and disappoint Kamacuras." commanded Kickback. They nervously nodded in understanding.
"Good. Let's ride!" shouted Kickback. He flapped open his wings and began to flap them rapidly. Dust was blown around him. He crouched and leaped as his wings carried him into the air. The two Earth bounds made their way to a separate mantis, hopped on their back. The mantis's flapped their wings, crouching and leaped into the air. The Transmutants took off into the afternoon sun, disappearing in the distance.
Ponyville, Equestria. Two weeks later...
"What the hell is going on here?" asked Junior incredulously. He stood with Rodan, Mosura and Angirasu at his side. All stared mouth agape as they stood in the orchard of Sweat Apple acres. They were witnessing something disturbing. Something that was unnatural. In fact, not even people breaking out into song seemed to compare to what they were seeing. Bunnies were running around with long, giraffe-like legs, cotton candied clouds floated above, chocolate rain, giant apples on the trees, popcorn everywhere. Junior's eye was twitching as he took in the scene. He began twitch around his body. Rodan looked to him in concern.
"You OK ,man?" asked Rodan. Angirasu and Mosura looked to Junior as well, disturbed by Junior's behavior.
"Nature has an order..." whispered Junior. Angirasu raised a brow.
"Huh??" Angirasu cocked his head. Junior twitched again.
"But what is it that brings order?" asked Junior in a whisper. Mosura had a worried look on her face.
"Gojira, you're starting to scare us." said Mosura. Junior began to chuckle like a maniac.
"Hey, Angirasu?" asked Junior in a casual tone.
"Um...yeah?" asked Angirasu. Junior placed his hands on his shoulders, putting on a smile.
"We're best friends, right?" asked Junior. He then turned and grabbed Mosura by her shoulder with his left arm and pulled her closer to him and then pulled Rodan closer with his right arm.
"Aren't we all best friends here?" asked Junior. The three other Transmutants all looked to each other uncomfortably.
"Yes?" they answered in unison. Junior nodded, still holding his smile.
"Best friends do things for each other. Because that's what they do, right?" asked Junior in a cheerful tone. Rodan gulped.
"Sure dude, that's what friends are for." said Rodan. Mosura and Angirasu quickly nodded in agreement.
"I'm glad to hear you say that. I have a favor that I'd like for you to do for me." said Junior.
"What's that?" asked Mosura, nervously. Junior's face lost his smile and turned serious.
"I want you guys to kill me." answered Junior in a serious tone. The three other Transmutants' eyes widened and they pulled away from him.
"What?!" they cried in unison. Junior shrugged.
"I'd ask one of the girls to do it, but I don't think they'd like that." said Junior. Mosura glared at him.
"And you think that we would?!" demanded Mosura.
"Dude, I know things are freaky right now but come on!" shouted Rodan.
"I think that you may be overreacting Goji." said Angirasu.
"Please? I'll let you guys take all of my possessions when I'm gone!" cried Junior. Mosura grabbed him by his shoulders and shook him.
"Shut up, that isn't funny! Get a hold of yourself because we aren't doing it!" shouted Mosura.
"What am I seeing here? There's no order here. Nothing is natural about what's going on here. Its more unnatural than we are. Hehehe." Junior began to chuckle as his eye twitched.
"Uh oh, I think he finally broke. Just when he started accepting that people breaking out into song is natural." said Rodan. Junior then dropped to his knees and sighed.
"I'm sorry, I nearly lost it there." apologized Junior. Angirasu patted him on the back.
"We all almost did at one point. Come on, let’s go find out what's going on." said Angirasu. Junior nodded as he stood up to his feet. The Transmutants jogged further onto the Apple family’s property. They found Twilight and the other five girls getting rained on by the chocolate rain. Fluttershy was attempting to tame the animals from devouring the enormous apples, Rainbow was stuck to the cotton candy clouds, Pinkie was gorging herself on popcorn and chocolate rain. Rarity was standing, not being much help under her rain coat and umbrella, and Applejack was buried in popcorn, a look of despair on her face as the unnatural phenomenon was occurring on her farm.
"Oh..." complained Junior. He then noticed Twilight and Spike were walking by as she levitated a book with her magic. She was scanning the book and smiled in satisfaction.
"Don't worry everyone! I've learned a new spell that'll fix everything." announced Twilight. Junior's heart leaped with joy at her words. Twilight took a stance and raised her arms in the air. Her hands were engulfed in the raspberry aura. She shot her hands forward, and out came a lavender beam that shot toward the chaos that threatened to drive Junior insane. A bright flash of light blinded everyone in the area. As their eyes recovered from the blindness, they saw that nothing has change. Twilight had a look of shock and despair on her face.
"My fail safe spell...failed!" cried Twilight. She then looked to Spike. "What do we do?!"
"Uh...give up?" asked Spike. Twilight shot him a disapproving glare.
"Oh no." said Junior. He then slumped his head down.
Canterlot, Equestria. A couple hours later...
Junior was jogging alongside Mosura and the Element Bearers in Canterlot's castle courtyard. After containing the madness on Applejack's farm, the girls were summoned by Celestia for some reason. Naturally, Junior thought it would be best if he came along too. Besides, he still had to apologize to Celestia. Although, now wasn't the best time. Mosura had tagged along. Junior tried to convince her to stay with the Angirasu and Rodan. However, she was still upset that he asked them to kill him. She thought it would be best to make sure that he didn't have any more thoughts and to keep him from actually attempting it. Oh, for what he had witnessed and the things that he wasn't used to that was ordinary to common folks, he was close to attempt it. Thank God for friends to help you regain your rational thoughts. He was glad that the girls hadn't witnessed that entire scene. Twilight, Rainbow and Applejack may have chewed him out if they did. Poor Fluttershy may have burst into tears.
The group burst through the large doors into the castle foyer. Inside, they found Celestia pacing around on the stair case anxiously.
"Princess Celestia! We came as fast as we could!" called Twilight. The group had jogged into the throne room, screeching to a halt at the bottom of the stairs.
"Thank you, Twilight. Thank you all." greeted Celestia in a grave tone. She then noticed Junior among them. She lightly frowned. "Thank you, Junior." The Transmutant nodded, a small frown on his face as he looked down at the ground, too ashamed to be in her presence.
"Is this about the weather? And the animals’ weird behavior? What's happening out there?! Why isn't my magic working?! Is there-" Twilight was babbling questions before Celestia could answer. The princess raised her hand, silencing Twilight.
"Follow me." said Celestia. The group had followed Celestia through the castle. They were currently walking down a hall where stained glass windows lined the walls.
"I've called you all here for a matter of great importance. It seems an old foe of mine, someone I thought I defeated long ago, has returned." said Celestia gravely. Junior was walking near Fluttershy and Mosura, his attention focused on the Avatar's story. He caught Fluttershy stalling and wandering off to the side in his peripheral vision. He stopped and turned, finding Fluttershy staring at the ground. She then slowly looked up, beholding a stained glass window of a figure that was familiar to Junior.
"His name is Discord" said Celestia. Fluttershy yelped as she saw the depiction of the man beast on the stained glass. She then hid behind Junior. Junior was dumbfounded at what he had heard and saw.
'Wait, Discord is free?' thought Junior. He then felt an itch in the back of his head.
'Who's Discord?' asked Mosura. Her voice echoed in Junior's head as she telepathically spoke to him.
"Discord is the mischievous spirit of disharmony." said Celestia. Junior then looked to Mosura, raising a brow.
'That answer your question?' thought Junior. Mosura huffed in response.
"Before my sister and I stoned him, he ruled Equestria in an eternal state of unrest and unhappiness." said Celestia. The group looked upon a stained glass that depicted Discord using an Elf, a Valkyrie and an Earthbound as marionettes. The humans were in a state of despair. Honestly, it made Junior feel a little uneasy to see that.
"Luna and I saw how miserable life was for the Earthbounds, Valkyries, and Elves alike! So, after discovering the Elements of Harmony, we combined our powers and rose up against him! Turning him to stone." said Celestia, her voice filled with triumph. Junior saw a stained glass that depicted Celestia and Luna flying around Discord as he was in stone.
"Alright Princess!" cheered Rainbow. The group continued down further with Celestia as she continued to tell her tale.
"I thought the spell we cast would keep him contained forever. However, since Luna and I are no longer connected to the Elements, the spell has been broken." said Celestia. Twilight looked to her with a puzzled expression.
"'No longer connected'?" asked Twilight. The group had stopped at the end of the hall, where a large dome shape was over them. A large door stood in place in front of them.
"This is Canterlot tower, which is where the Elements are kept inside. Since all of you recovered them, I need you to wield the Elements of Harmony once again and stop Discord! Or he will thrust all of Equestria into eternal chaos!" said Celestia in urgency.
"But why us? Why don't you-" Twilight was interrupted by Pinkie.
"Hey look! We're famous!" said Pinkie as she pointed to a stained glass with the girls wielding the elements, defeating Nightmare moon.
"You six have shown the full potential of the Elements. By harnessing the magic of your friendship to beat a mighty foe." said Celestia. She lowered herself closer to Twilight, focusing on her.
"Although Luna and I once wielded the Elements, it is you who now control their power. And it is you who must defeat Discord!" said Celestia, displaying her wings. Her tone gave the group the idea of the gravity of the entire situation. The girls all looked to each other in worry, concern, and uncertainty. But, Twilight stepped forward with a determined look.
"Princess, you can count on-" Pinkie stepped up and raised her hand.
"Hold on a second!" cried Pinkie. She then stared into Twilight's eyes. "Eternal chaos comes with chocolate rain you guys. Chocolate rain!" Junior and Mosura responded by face palming.
"Don't listen to her princess. We'd be honor to use the Elements of Harmony again." said Twilight. Celestia nodded, stepping up to the door. She stuck out her index finger and stuck it inside of a hole in the door. An aura engulfed her finger and shot into the door, causing it to glow as it slowly opened. A bright flash blinded the group, they regained their vision and beheld a case covered in gems.
"Ooh~ You can keep the elements. I'll take that case!" said Rarity. Junior mentally groaned.
'Well, fancy cases aside, that door was bitchin.' thought Junior.
"-I have full confidence that you will be able to defeat Discord, with these." said Celestia as she levitated the case forward. As she opened the case, there was nothing inside. The entire group gasped in shock. Celestia was shocked herself, suddenly dropping the case. Everyone was silent, staring at the case slack-jawed.
"Oh, well. if anyone need me, I'll be outside in the chocolate puddles with a giant straw!" said Pinkie, taking off from the group. Junior's eye began to twitch.
"Oh, hell no!"
"The elements, they're gone!" exclaimed Twilight. The group surrounded the empty case that lay on the ground. Celestia was pacing around the room.
"That chamber is protected by a powerful spell that only I can break. This doesn't make sense!" said Celestia. Junior was able to sense how tense she was from the mystery. He was beginning to feel anxious at what would happen next. Just then, the halls echoed with maniacal laughter.
"Make sense? Ooh, what fun is there in making sense?" asked a male voice. The humans and Transmutants searched for the source of the voice. Junior tensed his muscles, preparing for any fight.
"Discord. Show yourself!" shouted Celestia. A chuckle escaped from the voice, echoing in the halls.
"Did you miss me, Celestia?" asked the voice. The group searched for the voice. A flash appeared over on the stained glass that depicted Discord with the human marionettes. The image of Discord began to move.
"I missed you" said the voice. The image of Discord was speaking, making eye contact with Celestia. The image of Discord flew from the glass, appearing on the other glass that depicted the girls and the Elements of Harmony.
"But you wouldn't know that would you? Because I don't turn people into stone!" sneered Discord.
"Enough! What have you done with the Elements of Harmony?!" demanded Celestia. Her wings flared as the tone of her voice turned sharp.
"Oh, I just borrowed them for a teensy little while." answered Discord. He snapped his lion claws, causing the image of the Elements of Harmony to vanish.
"You'll never get away with this, Discord!" said Celestia. A glare focused on the man-beast. Discord sat on the pedastool that held the elements in boredom as he looked for dirt on his claws.
"Oh, I remember how grim you can be Celestia. It's really quite boring." said Discord. Junior felt himself growing irritated at the spirit of disharmony, wanting to shut him up.
"Hey! Nobody insults the princess!" shouted Rainbow. She flew toward the stained glass window. Discord snapped his claws and disappeared. Rainbow rammed into the stained glass. She moaned as her eyes rolled in a dazed state. Discord reappeared in a larger form of himself back on the stained glass.
"You must be Rainbow Dash! Famed for her loyalty, the Element of Harmony you represent." said Discord.
"That's right! I'll always be loyal to the princess!" declared Rainbow. Discord disappeared in a flash.
"We'll see..." said Discord. His voice echoed in the halls.
"I can't believe we're wasting our time talking to a tacky window." said Rarity. Discord reappeared in the stained glass window behind her.
"The beautiful Rarity! Representing the Element of Generosity, if I'm not mistaken."
"So ya know who we are. Big deal!" said Applejack in annoyed tone.
"Oh, I know much more than that. Honest Applejack." replied Discord. He had grown in size within the stained glass window.
"You seem to know our strengths too." said Twilight as she glared at the spirit of disharmony. Discord disappeared, reappearing on the first stained glass window that he was on.
"Yes, Twilight Sparkle. And yours is the most powerful and elusive Element. Magic." replied Discord. "Fluttershy's is kindness and Pinkie Pie's is a most favorite of mine! Laughter."
Pinkie was holding her hand up to her mouth, as she was holding in a laugh.
"Pinkie!" called Twilight. Pinkie suddenly bursts into full blow laughter.
"He's standing on your *hihi* -head!" laughed Pinkie. Discord was standing on the image of Twilight's, depicted in the stained glass, head. He chuckled as he thrusted his arms forward and back and walked in place on the image of Twilight's head. Twilight silenced Pinkie with a disapproving glare. Junior had enough of this.
"Hey asshole, you done playing games?" asked Junior. Discord's ears perked at the sound of his voice. He turned and faced Junior, a grin on his face.
"Oh, if it isn't the son of a samurai. Gojira Takeshi the second!"
"Hey, how did you know that?" asked Rainbow.
"Actually, he told me about that years ago in the statue gardens." said Discord. Junior's eyes widened.
"You were able to listen to me?" asked Junior in a surprised tone.
"Everything that you told me since we've met. Including that one thing that you told me the last time that you visited me." answered Discord. Junior's heart nearly stopped at hearing that. He knew damn well what he was talking about. He had a fearful expression on his face that went unnoticed by the others.
"Don't worry, it's our little secret." whispered Discord. He then turned to face Celestia with a disapproving look.
"You really ought to be there more for this boy. He's not well." said Discord. Junior growled.
"Shut up! It's not her fault! It's mine!" shouted Junior. Discord looked to him in amusement.
"Come now my dear boy. We both know that's a lie. You know who you truly blame." said Discord. Twilight looked to Junior in confusion.
"Gojira, what does he mean by that?" asked Twilight. Mosura was standing by, growing anxious.
"You couldn't talk to Celestia about certain things. Which is why you made me your imaginary friend." said Discord. Celestia looked to Junior in surprise.
"What?" asked Celestia. Junior didn't respond, he kept listening to Discord. He had stopped glaring at him.
"You felt that you were wronged all of those years ago. I've always wondered who or what had wronged you, but I learned from you over time." said Discord. Fluttershy looked to Junior in worry.
"Goji?" called Fluttershy.
"Why do you hesitate to be who you truly are if you weren't happy with who you presented yourself as?" asked Discord. Mosura's ears perked at this. She began to sense a mix of negative emotions building nearby.
"Discord, leave him alone." said Celestia. She was glaring at him with intensity. Junior kept staring, listening as he clenched his fist.
"When you were younger, you asked me, if there was a purpose for you in the world? If you could do great things that you and your parents could be proud of." Discord then locked with Junior's with intensity.
"My answer to you is that, you have no purpose in this world. You're doomed to an existence where the world around you will grow to despise you just like it did with me." Discord's voice can be heard, but his mouth wasn't moving. His voice echoed in Junior's mind. No one else could hear him. Junior stopped clenching his fist, his emotion dwindling.
"What should I do?" asked Junior aloud. He was speaking in his native tongue, hoping no one else would understand. Celestia looked to Junior in wonder. What was it that Junior hasn't told her? Discord grinned.
"That's up to you." said Discord. Mosura stepped closer to Junior, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I don't believe I am familiar with you." said Discord. Mosura turned and glared at him.
"I rather we not become familiar with each other." said Mosura. Discord grinned at her.
"Oh? Well, I don't suppose that you have a...special relationship with young Gojira here. Would you?" asked Discord. A light blush formed on Mosura's cheeks. Twilight's ears perked at this and looked to hear the answer the Transmutant's answer. She wore a hopeful face that what he asked wasn't true.
"No. We're just friends." answered Mosura, keeping her tone calm. Discord rose a brow.
"Really now?"
"Yes, really. He's more like a little brother to me." said Mosura. Junior wasn't listening to the conversation. He had completely shut everyone out.
"Aw, isn't that sweet?" asked Discord in a mocking tone. Mosura sends a harsher glare at him. "You wouldn't happen to have some of the same worries that he does would you?"
"I-" Mosura's words were caught in her throat. She was shocked at the possibility of Discord's knowledge of her true self. The female Transmutant wondered how he could have known.
"Stop stalling, Discord! What have you done with the Elements of Harmony?!" demanded Celestia, her patience running thin. Junior had stopped listening. He was lost in thought. Discord had listened to what he had told him. He may have had no choice, but he actually remembered everything. The Transmutant mentally questioned Discord's reasoning for mentioning this and pondered what was his angle. Junior had vowed Vengeance to the one who had killed his father. But, he wondered if it was worth it, or if it was a lost cause that would lead to his own demise. Discord was right in his assumption that there was no purpose for him in this world. Junior began to move, slowly walking down the hall. The girls and Celestia were too busy listening to Discord to notice Junior’s absence. Mosura turned and saw that he was leaving, so she began to trail after him.
Junior sat down in the statue gardens. He was alone, sitting in front of the pedestal that once held Discord. Junior sighed. He heard light footsteps in the grass coming from behind.
"Gojira?" called Mosura. Junior didn't respond. Mosura came closer, sitting next to him. She had a concerned look on his face.
"What's the point?" asked Junior.
"Of what?"
"Of everything. Maybe he's right." said Junior.
"You mean Discord?" asked Mosura. Junior shook his head.
"No, your brother."
"My brother?" asked Mosura.
"He said that the humans would never accept us. Why am I trying to be something that I'm not anymore?" asked Junior. He plucked the grass in front of him. "Discord knew my secret. I was that close to being found out."
"Gojira, who do you think you are?" asked Mosura. Junior sighed.
"I don't know. But whoever I used to be is dead. He died since the day that I was reduced to the freak that I am today." said Junior solemnly. Mosura took his hand, holding it tenderly in her grip.
"Your blood does not determine who you are. Your actions are what defines you as an individual." said Mosura. She placed her hand on Junior's cheek and brought it to face her.
"I don't believe that the boy that you were is dead. I believe that he is still alive and is growing into a man." said Mosura. Junior looked away, sadness filling his eyes. Mosura's ears perked at the sound of footsteps. She released Junior and found Celestia coming around the corner of a bush.
"I believe that there's someone who wants to see you." smiled Mosura. She stood and reached for Junior's hand, he took it and stood up to his feet. He saw that Celestia was making her way towards them.
"I'll give you some time alone with her." whispered Mosura. She walked away and bowed in respect to Celestia. Celestia repeated her bow, familiar with Neighponese customs. Mosura then made her way out of sight.
"How are you feeling, Junior?" asked Celestia, her tone motherly and soft.
"I'm fine." answered Junior.
"Oh. Alright than." answered Celestia as she looked away. Junior stood up, looking at the ground as he clenched his fist.
'What the hell are you doing?' thought Junior. He looked back up to Celestia.
"No, I'm not alright." said Junior. Celestia returned her gaze back to Junior in surprise. Junior walked up to her and took her hands in his.
"Celestia, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I disrespected you. I'm sorry that I've hurt you. I'm sorry for not telling you that I was going to Neighpon. And I'm sorry that I told you that you weren't my mother." apologized Junior. He looked into her eyes, pouring his thoughts and feelings to her.
"I never meant to hurt or worry you. I was angry when I said that. I was angry that I couldn't be here enough to see you and when I did, all I did was worry you again." said Junior. He felt his eyes beginning to sting.
"I hated how all I did was worrying you. I left Canterlot because I wanted to do something with myself so your worries could be put to rest. I didn't leave because you failed at being a mother to me." said Junior. Celestia's eyes were beginning to soften much more than before.
"You never failed me. Don't believe what Discord said about not being there enough for me. I was the one who failed you. You saw me as son, and I failed at being a better son to you." said Junior, his voice breaking. Celestia's eyes watered, her lip quivered.
"I love you, mom. I'll always will." said Junior. Celestia's tears streamed down her pale cheeks. She pulled her hands away from Junior and wrapped him into a tight embrace. She sobbed as she held him tightly. Junior returned his hug, tears streamed down his face as well.
"Oh, Junior. My dear child!" sobbed Celestia.
Mosura peaked from behind a bush. She was watching the entire scene. She hid herself back behind the bush, sitting on the grass. She sniffed as she wiped a tear from her cheek. A small smile was on her face.
"Don't let them tell you who you are. You know who are." said Mosura. The scene was beautiful, and it touched her heart to see him happy. He deserved it.
"Are you certain that you don't want to wait for Twilight and the others?" asked Celestia. Junior nodded in response.
"Yeah. They're strong girls. I bet they can handle it without me." said Junior. The train blew a loud whistle, causing him to turn around.
"All aboard for Ponyville!" shouted the train attendant. Junior turned back to Celestia.
"Sorry, our ride is here. I'll see you soon when we celebrate Discord's defeat!" said Junior, confidently. Celestia nodded to him.
"He will be stopped. Take care. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mosura." smiled Celstia. Mosura bowed in respect.
"It was an honor meeting you, your highness." said Mosura humbly. The two Transmutants made their way to the train boarding it. Junior appeared out of a window, waving to Celestia as the train began to accelerate. Celestia returned her wave, all the way until she was out of sight. Junior sighed as he sat back in his seat. He couldn't wait to get back home. He rather not tangle with this villain, especially since he knew way too much. Junior laid back in his seat.
"Can you wake me when get back?" asked Junior.
"Of course. Get some rest." said Mosura. Junior sighed as he laid his head back, closing his eyes. He began to breathe calmly, waiting for the sleep to take him.
1 hour later...
"Gojira, wake up!" called a voice. Junior gasped, shooting up fully alert. He turned and found Mosura with an anxious look on her face.
"I smell foreign Transmutants!" said Mosura, urgently in Neighponese. She didn't want to alert the passengers that were unboarding the train
"Where?!" asked Junior.
"I don't know, but we have to find them now!"