//------------------------------// // Into the Depths... // Story: Summoning the King of Monsters! // by Krazy Stargazer //------------------------------// The Everfree Forrest was particularly quiet around this time. The local birds sang their songs without a care in the world, the squirrels scurried about, and all was right with the world. Suddenly, a ferocious roar broke out and the birds scattered from their perch in a hurried mass. A second later the roar was heard again this time even louder and more fervent. Quickly the word spread throughout the forest to avoid a terrifying creature and his rampage. The local denizens scrambled from his thundering voice and biting aura that smelt of death. “Just who in the hell does that damn red pony think he is, talking to me like that!?” The King of Monsters roared in a rage. His dorsal fins fluctuated in brightness in accordance with his rage, and he was quite literally “steaming” with rage. Godzilla’s temper had been building ever since he came to Equestria. It was nothing but humiliation after humiliation for him. The list of transgressions was endless! He was shackled! Shrunk! Nearly bested in combat, and receiving assistance! The King of Monsters replays the events of the past couple days over and over again in his head, and with each humiliation, he recounted he grew angrier and angrier. By now he strayed quite far from any of the pony dwellings. Which was probably a good thing, because at the moment the Nuclear Titan was a ticking time bomb. So ingrained was his rage, that Godzilla hardly noticed where he was going. All that he knew was that he was better off without those damn ponies. “Hell I even humble myself to try and help that orange pony, and all I get for my trouble is a damn scolding! Well, screw them all! A King...no a God needs no one!” He thundered on. “I’ll find a way back home without them! Screw them! Why If I were my REAL height ohhh they’d be pleading on those stupid little hooves of theirs!” He continued venting, stomping his way through the forest with his rage continuously building. He unleashed his rage on anything unfortunate enough to get close, clawing at boulders, swatting down trees with his mighty tail, and snapping at any small critter that was too close. Just about the only thing he didn’t do was unleash his Atomic Breath, although he came pretty close. However, he was disturbed from his rampage by a growl. He turned to face the annoying sound. It was a Manticore with its scorpion tail raised high, its lion fangs and claws bared, ready for a fight! Godzilla smiled maniacally, he was itching to tear something apart, and this thing would be a blast to tear to shreds. Godzilla strode toward the monster with malicious glee, his tail twitching in anticipation for a battle, when suddenly he heard a soft rustling in the bushes next to him. All his joy melted. “Don’t...don’t you dare take this away from me damn it,” he said with gritted teeth. He slowly moved one of the bushes with his tail; low and behold it was what he feared most. It was a tiny Manticore cub. The little creature trying it’s best to look fearsome, but only looking more pitiful. Godzilla let out a deep sigh, but before he could make another move the adult slammed into him. He flew back slamming into the dirt hard. The Mighty Titan shook his head regaining his senses. There before him the adult Manticore looked poised for battle, even ready to die. However, Godzilla knew better, this was the look of desperation, not one of sport or malice. If he engaged in battle right now he knew that he would leave the cub an orphan. All his instincts were telling him to let loose, to destroy this creature that dares attack his person. He longed too, as well. To feel the rush of battle coursing through his veins, to feel the thrill of victory, he could practically taste it. He glanced at the cub which had emerged from its cover and still trying it’s best to look fearsome. The King of Monsters looked at the sight before him and with a frustrated huff, walked away. ~~~~ Meanwhile in Ponyville ~~~~ Applejack, Spike and Twilight were now all finally on their way to Sweet Apple Acres. Sure Twilight could fly now, but she preferred to keep pace with her friends. “So Applejack you think that your visitor might be a dragon?” Twilight inquired. “He sure looks like one, but he doesn’t seem like any dragon I’ve ever seen” Applejack pointed out “I wanted ya to give him a once over.” Twilight nodded in agreement. “It would be fascinating to see this “visitor” in person, he seemed like quite an interesting specimen.” she thought to herself “Of course learning more about a possible Dragon, or Dragon-like creature is also intriguing.” Twilight glanced at her “number one assistant” who was still smiling in anticipation. Of course Twilight also knew that this must also be fascinating for Spike as well. It was rare for Spike to spend time with another one of his kind so his excitement was completely understandable. Twilight felt a slight twinge of guilt, at the thought that poor Spike never got to spend his formative years around another of his dragonkin. Even though he rarely mentioned it she knew that deep down Spike was curious about his own kind. By the time all three of them finally reached Sweet Apple Acres, they were more than ready to meet the mysterious stranger. However, something was wrong. The Apple Family’s mysterious guest was nowhere to be found. They had checked the house, naturally expecting him to be recuperating on the sofa, except he wasn’t there. They checked the barn and the orchids, but they just couldn’t seem to find him. They did notice that the farm seemed to have been damaged in several odd ways, it was almost as if a really clumsy Ursa Major had stumbled through the Apple farm. Apple trees were snapped in half, pipes were leaking, there were damages to the roof of the barn, and the Zap Apple Jam cabinet was a sticky mess. After their search Spike, Twilight and Applejack all reconvened but there was no sign of their scaly visitor. Just some vague property damage. “Do you think there was a fight or something?” Spike inquired. He was quivering slightly at the thought that their “visitor” might have turned violent. Twilight shook her head “No, the damage is too widespread for it to have been a fight.” She then turned to Applejack “I’m sorry about the damages though I’ll clear my schedule to help clean if you’d like?” Applejack glanced at the wrecked cabinet containing her families prized Zap Apple Jam and sighed ruefully “Much obliged Twilight but I’m more concerned where that “Godzilla” fella off and vanished too.” “You’re little “guest” left AJ,” said a familiar deep voice. The trio turned to see an exhausted, and disheveled Big Mac carrying repair equipment on his back with a rather glum expression. Applejack trotted up to him to get some answers. “What do you mean he left?” she asked somewhat irritated “he was in no condition to go off on his own.” Big Mac raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop his pace. Finally, he stopped at the cabinet and began to repair it, all the while not even giving his sister a sideways glance, “Your newest “friend” ain’t much of a farm hand. He was as clumsy as an ox and twice as stubborn.” Applejack looked incredulous, “What!? You had him do farm work in his condition?” Big Mac shrugged and continued nailing the cabinet with a hammer, “The fella was insistent on making himself useful. But when push came to shove he up and quit, leaving me to clean after his mess.” “Big Macintosh! You and I, both know that farm work ain’t for just anypony, it takes weeks, months even to really get a handle on things. Why would you let a fella we know nothing about start working on the farm?” The steady sound of the hammer drumming against the cabinet suddenly stopped, “I could ask why you let some fella we know nothing about muck around our home in the first place AJ!” The two Apple siblings stood their eyes locked, glaring daggers at each other. Until finally a voice spoke up. “So does that mean that your friend is just wandering out their aimlessly?” Twilight said concerned “If what you said about him not being from Equestria is true AJ, then he could be lost or end up getting himself in trouble!” A twinge of fear shot through the farm pony as she realized that Twilight was right. They didn’t have time to be standing around here bickering. She began to trot her way out of the house when she heard a response from her brother “So you’re prioritizing a stranger over family are you AJ?” Applejack stopped dead in her tracks. Twilight and Spike looked on uncertain, but anxious for their friend. Then with a dismissive wave of her tail, the determined Element of Honesty galloped out of the house in search of Godzilla. Twilight and Spike quickly followed suit, leaving Big Macintosh alone. He glumly looked out the open door his sister and her friends galloped out of to go look for some stranger. The door creaked open still, “humph didn’t even bother to close the door”. He put down his tools and walked over to the door. Then from behind him, he heard a cough. It was Granny Smith. Big Macintosh and Granny Smith stood there for a time, then finally Big Macintosh broke the silence “I reckon you think I messed up huh?” He expected a lecture or a severe tongue lashing about how he broke the coveted “Apple Family Rule of Hospitality” or how disrespectful he had been to his sister...indeed the more he thought about what his Grandmother might say the more shame he began to feel. Yet she didn’t say a word. Instead, she walked up to the cupboard grabbed the repair kit and began to get to work. Big Macintosh looked stunned. Then Granny Smith turned to her grandson with a smile and said: “Big Mac you can always fix cabinets or roofs, and sometimes you can apologize for breaking a promise, but you can’t always fix a broken relationship with somepony.” The red stallion looked stunned. Then glared at the open door one last time. ~~~~ A little bit Later ~~~~ Applebloom had practically been bursting the whole school day to tell her friends about her cool new house guest. So by the time the final bell rung, she was like a dam ready to burst and immediately told her friends Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell all about her newest friend the mysterious “Godzilla”! Her friends, for the most part, were totally enraptured by the story of the mysterious Godzilla as well. Applebloom regaled them with the story of how both her sister and Godzilla fought of a Chimera! Applebloom elaborated that he was like a kind of super, dragon, warrior, creature, that didn’t seem to know a lick about Equestria; and how he came from some far off land where he claims, there are all sorts of monsters. Monsters that he has to fought and beaten too! “Wow, this Godzilla guy sounds really cool! Not as cool as Rainbow Dash of course but still kinda cool” Scootaloo said positively gushing. “I’m more interested in hearing how your sister and the “mysterious visitor” ended up meeting. That sounds like something out of one of those books Rarity’s always reading.” Sweetie Belle said with a light chuckle. Applebloom blushed at the idea “Sounds super weird when you put it like that Sweetie Belle.” “I think you’re missing the most important part though Sweetie! This guy fights monsters! How cool is that?” Scootaloo interjected. Just then they were a particular pair of ears heard her rivals chittering all excitedly, and being the most important filly in school knew that she had to be at the center of it. This, of course, was Dimond Tiara, closely followed by her accomplice in all things “popular”, Silver Spoon. “Look, Silver Spoon the Blank Flanks are all excited about something,” said Diamond Tiara with her classically superior tone. “Yea maybe your planning to finally get Cutie Marks as remarkable as ours,” Silver Spoon added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “...AS IF!!!” they both exclaimed with almost precise timing, tittering at their own cleverness. Unable to stand being mocked Applebloom tried to defend her case “Nuh uhh! My family got a super cool visitor the other day. He’s a super cool monster hunter, who’s from really far away! So far, in fact, he’s never even heard of Equestria till a couple days ago!” The posh duo stopped tittering for a moment and they were almost impressed...almost. Dimond Tia glared condescendingly at the simple Apple farmer, “Oh I’m so sure you have some really cool monster hunter in your little farm, NOT! I bet you’re making the whole thing up anyway.” “I’m not making it up! I’ll prove it! I’ll bring him to school tomorrow, then you’ll see for yourself.” “Good luck bringing your “imaginary” friend to school then,” Dimond Tira said with a smirk. “Yea, see you then” echoed Silver Spoon. With that said the duo walked off smugly. “Geeze those two just never let up!” said Applebloom exasperated. “Well, all we got to do to prove them wrong is bring your friend to school right?” asked Sweetie “That should be easy.” “Yea and they’ll be eating their words in no time!” Scootaloo said, practically imagining their shocked faces already. “Yea, you girls are right. Come on let’s head back to the farm so we can talk with Godzilla” and with that, the three excited fillies galloped off to Sweet Apple Acres. So imagine their surprise to find the farm in complete and utter disarray. The trio looked over the farm somewhat curiously, Applebloom looked on with the kind of expression that a child can only get when they expect that an adult is about to give them A LOT of chores, “Aww man this is gonna take forever to fix!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at each other for a moment and then looked at their friend. “Don’t worry about it Applebloom we’ll help you and your family tidy up,” Scootaloo said reassuringly. “We will?” Sweetie inquired. A quick jab to the side from the young pegasi quickly informed her that yes, they would indeed help clean up Sweet Apple Acres, “Owie...I mean yes of course. You can count on us.” Applebloom gave both her friends a quick hug “Thanks guys...still I wonder what happened here.” Suddenly the elderly voice of Granny Smith spoke up “This is what happens when you let two headstrong stallions alone for too long, but don’t worry about that dearie the adults will handle matters soon.” Applebloom trotted up to her grandmother and gave her a brief nuzzle glad she was okay, despite the condition of the farm. Suddenly a thought occurred to her, “Say where is everypony else, Granny Smith?” “They’re off looking for our guest, who wandered off...” “What! He’s missing?” Applebloom said shocked “But...we need to...” “Poor dearie must be feeling something awful. Hopefully, your sister and brother can find him and we’ll fix them all a grand feast.” Granny said completing her thought. “But Granny, we need to find him for tomorrow for class!” Granny Smith looked at her granddaughter and nodded idly “Well hopefully your siblings can find him then.” “Maybe we can look for him too?” the young earth pony asked tentatively. “Sorry kiddo. You leave this to the “big” ponies to sort out okay dearie?” “But Granny...” Applebloom protested. “No, “buts” here little missie. Now, why don’t you help Granny finish tidy up? We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.” The trio let out a groan. They knew they weren’t going to get out of this one. They were about to try to protest until Granny mentioned that she’d bake them one of her famous Apple Pies if they did a good job. Reluctantly the group decided to stay and begin repairing the farm. ~~~~ Meanwhile ~~~~ Trixie Lulamoon looked up at the glistening castle in a mixture of awe and contempt. It was an imposing structure to be sure. It clearly dwarfed any building in the rinky-dink little town of Ponyville. Even by Trixie’s estimations, the structure was bigger than many of the buildings in Canterlot and Manehattan. Unlike those buildings, however, the Castle held a certain “organic” texture to its architecture. Almost as if it had been spontaneously grown out of the ground like a tree. Truthfully, Trixie despised the building. Not only was it an eyesore among the more rural sights of Ponyville, but it was a testament to everything Trixie hated about Twilight Sparkle. How somepony like Twilight even got her very own castle was beyond her. “Well...here we are Trixie. All we got to do now is go ask Twilight for help” said Ditsy Do with a somewhat nervous expression. On the one hand, the simple mailmare was relieved that their journey would be almost over soon. She knew all about how clever Twilight could be and had seen her and the other Elements in action once or twice. Yet, that wasn’t the reason why she was nervous. Ditsy looked at her friend who seemed less malnourished but had an expression of utter indignation. Ditsy knew that Trixie really, really didn’t like Twilight Sparkle, so to put all her feeling aside must be taking alot of effort. “I just know that Twilight will be able to figure this out,” Ditsy said, trying to reassure her friend. “Yes, of course. Leave it to the prodigy that is Twilight “Snarkle” to find a way to save the day! Let’s just get this over with.” Trixie knocked loudly on the large doors, perhaps a little harder than she needed too, and waited for a response. They waited for a bit, but there was no response. Irritated now, Trixie knocked even harder, still no response. “What in Equestria? I come all this way and the Princess of Friendship can’t even be bothered?” Trixie thought. “Maybe she’s out of town?” Ditsy offered. Trixie let out a growl of annoyance. Her horn was glowing and she was about to blow the stupid doors right of their hinges, but before she could get the chance she heard a trotting sound. That was all the warning she got right before she collided with a big red blur. Her assailant barely had time to guard his poor ears, Trixie was peeved and was gonna make sure somepony knew it. “Just what in Tarturus is your problem? Why did you attack the great and powerful Trixie you feeble peasant?” The red stallion steadying himself from the collision covered his ears and said in response “Begging your pardon Ms. The Powerful, but I got somepony to look after!” He was about to break off into a gallop but noticed that he was levitating off the ground and enveloped in a pinkinsh glow. He blinked in disbelief, then in defeat as he was turned around to face the irritated unicorn. “Trixie has half a mind to teach you some manners, Mister!” Trixie threatened. “Look I’m really sorry but I'm in kind of a hurry! Now if you’d just put me down...” “Oh and just what were you in a hurry for? Trixie happens to be very busy as well.” “Look, I made a darn fool of myself earlier today and I’m trying to set things right.” The red pony stated with a look of remorse. Trixie raised an eyebrow but didn’t release him. “I’m looking for a friend of my sister. Long story short, I ended up chasing him off and now I’m trying to find him.” Trixie seemed to consider this for a moment but furrowed her brow “Well, Trixie has some very important business with the Princess of Friendship before you so rudely interrupted her!” The red stallion seemed to ponder this for a second before a look of recognition overtook him. “I reckon you’re talking about Twilight! Why she was just with my sis. They just ran off to find their friend!” Trixie held a hoof to her chin in thought, just then Ditsy Do intervened. “Trixie. Maybe if we find the pony they’re looking for Twilight will help us.” Ditsy said entheastic “It’s a better plan than just waiting outside the castle anyways.” Trixie eyed her assistant and then the red pony in her grasp, with a belated sigh she released him. “Very well. You are most fortunate that Trixie’s loyal assistant has spoken on your behalf. We will find whomever you are looking for and bequeath them onto Twilight as an offering.” The red stallion thought the declaration sounded a bit ominous, but more help couldn’t hurt he reckoned. “Fine by me, now can you put me down.” As soon as he spoke gravity slammed his body back to the ground “Darn unicorns” he muttered under his breath “Alright then follow me.” Just like that the unicorn, pegasi and earth pony were off in search of their mysterious target. ~~~~ Meanwhile ~~~~ Deputy Cirrus hadn’t left the side of the mysterious guard pony ever since he was brought into the city. Shortly after he was brought in to receive medical treatment her superiors had ordered some scouts to go check on the neighboring port city. The report they brought back would haunt her nightmares. The city had been reduced to cinders and ash, and there were no survivors. None, except for the guard pony Cirrus currently stood over. She wondered just what this poor pony had seen. He was covered in ash, and scorch marks. The poor stallion had been out for hours, and she had been ordered to stand to watch over him. So she did all the while wondering if the poor pony would even make it. Suddenly, he shot up and screamed. “Tick Tok!” he yelled. His sudden movement nearly scarred the fur right off Deputy Cirrus’s back. “It’s alright, your safe” she tried to assure him. “No, no something terrible happened, the port is destroyed!” “We know soldier, were combing t over as we speak” “That’s not important. He’s coming!” The frantic pony said practically screaming. Cirrus held him down trying to pacify him, but he continued rambling “He’s gonna go after one of the Princesses! We have to do something!” To anypony else this would seem the ramblings of a madpony but... “Okay soldier. I’m going to let go of you now, and you can tell me what happened, calmly okay.” He nodded fervently, and she released him. “Okay...Let’s start with your name.” “Fleet Foot. The name is Sargent Fleet Foot,” he said finally starting to calm down. “Good. Now tell me what happened?” Cirrus asked. Fleet Foot obliged and told her the horrifying events of the past couple days. He told her about the attack on the city and more importantly, he told her about the monster who ravaged it, Typhon. Cirrus wasn’t sure if Fleet Foot’s descriptions were right but the way he said it was that this, "Typhon", was a monstrously large and cruel dragon. One that could burn an entire city in one fell swoop, and whose wings could flap with the force of a hurricane. The color from the young deputy’s face slowly drained as he continued his story. He tearfully told about his subordinate’s passing and how the monster had used him to lure Fleet Foot into a trap for information about the Princesses. Then he elaborated that the dragon had left him alive just to torment him with guilt. Deputy Cirrus carefully considered the story, it sounded fantastical to be sure. However, she remembered staring off into the distance at her post earlier that day, seeing the huge bellows of smoke and then to see it suddenly be snuffed out. His story fits the timeline of events. Yet, if he wasn’t lying that meant that Equestria was in great danger. “Dear Celestia...” Cirrus thought in horror. The Sargent looked sympathetically at the young deputy, he wouldn’t wish what he’d seen on anypony. “We need to alert the Princesses,” the Sargent said gravely.