The Advent of Godzilla

by Jongoji245

Chapter 2 (Old TImeline): Enter Gojira

Morning comes by again as one of the “big apple” trees is being bucked by the band of children. Despite the force of even kicking them in unison, the apples still wouldn’t fall off easily. Chelsey became agitated by the bugs and stepped away from the tree.

“Out of the way!” The young horse shouted as she charged head first into the tree. Stars circled around her head as she faltered onto her haunches. An apple does fall onto her snout and into the bucket.

“Well that worked…” Sweetie Belle remarked before being given a harsh look from the larger mare as she rubbed her sore head.

A shadow loomed over them as Schnookums slowly walked over to the tree. He extended his hand, grabbed the branches, and began shaking it violently. One by one, the large apples fell off the tree and into the bucket, with the group cheering at the success. Schnookums can’t smile, but the best affection he could give is a small lick from the tip of his tongue. He then moved over to the next tree and began shaking it.

“This day couldn’t get any better…”

“Actually it would if these mantis’ stopped nipping on me.” Scootaloo said as she fluttered up and down on the mantis’

“Mantis’ shouldn’t do that.” Cosgrove remarked as he stamped his hoofs on the nipping pests

“And how many mantis’ have you seen?” Diver commented as she slapped one with her tail.

Cosgrove kicked one the size of a large rabbit when he turned and pointed his hoof.

“Certainly not that one!”

Diver turned around and saw a mantis the size of a jaguar. The insect began to charge at the ponies when it received a good head butt from Big Mac. Toppled over, the red pony reared up and slammed his hooves on it’s head.

“Disaster averted, Big Mac!” Applebloom congratulated with a smile.

“Nope…” Big Mac remarked

He was dead on about that. More jaguar sized mantis’ are prowling towards them, joined as well by a few bear sized ones too. Shnookums brought himself between the foals and the mantis’ before being joined by Big Mac and Chelsey.

“Cosplay, you and your friends go get help.” Chelsey

Just after she say’s that a mantis leaps at her and latches onto the horse with it’s claws. Chelsey bucked and brashed the mantis against a tree. Out of options, she jumped and fell on her back. The bug twitched a little before expiring.

Cosgrove stopped in his tracks and looked back as the bugs continued to swarm the three who stayed behind.

“We’ll never be able to get help fast enough.”

“How much help can we do?” Sweetie Belle replied as a mantis crept behind her. Zipper was about to open his mouth when a pumpkin flew out of nowhere and cleaved it’s head. The six foals looked forward and saw Grannie Smith with an army helmet next to a catapult used every Nightmare Night.

“Never had this much fun in years!” the elder mare yelped.

Cosgrove motioned the Crusaders and Diver

“You four help load up the catapult!”

“But what about Big Mac!”

“Just go! Zipper and I will handle it!”

“Andjusthowthetwoofuswillhandlebearsizedinsects?!”

“It’s tornado season!”

“Tornadoseason?! It’salreadypast-" Zipper stopped for a moment "Ohhhhhh!”

Cosgrove ripped out a claw from the decapitated mantis and galloped towards the three fighters. Zipper began running around in a large circle. A lion sized mantis leapt at Schookums, responding in kind with a tailwhip. The mantis flew over in direct course to Big Mac, receiving a can of apple bucking as is splattered along a tree. Chelsey was up on her hind legs sparring with a bug her size when the mantis grappled the mare when she was in distance. She pushed and shoved to keep her face away from the shearing mandibles. Cosgrove leapt on the back of the assailant.

“Surprise!” He shouted as he lopped off the insect’s head with the claw.

“Show off…”

A distance away from Ponyville a large group of ponies are having fun on the riverbank. Three ponies were on boogieboards riding on the currents brought by the wind. A lifeguard scanned around seeing if anypony was in trouble when she noticed an anomaly in the distance. She grabbed her binoculars and found that is was massive wave. She grabbed the whistle wrapped around her neck and blew as hard as she could. Everypony began rushing out of the water, the mother’s grabbing their foals. A foolish surfer stayed behind, ignoring the lifeguard’s louder blasts as she tried to bring him back. As the surfer reached the wave, it increased in size and bursted. The speed of the wave was too much to react to and the surfer was flung across to a tree along the bank. A massive shadow soon loomed over the bank.

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, the battle is growing much more tense. The mantis’ now have elephant size companions. Schnookums just bit off one of their heads and began using the body as a two handed weapon. One of the mantis’ latched itself onto his back and is biting into his plates.

“Okay a little to the left, no a little too far left!” Granny Smith ordered the fillies as they moved the catapult. “Unleash the Payload!”

Pulling a lever, the catapult launched another pumpkin and smacked the mantis off Schnookums’ back.

“Bullseye!” Diver yelped

Zipper began to move faster and faster until he was just a blurr. Big Mac, Chelsey, and Cosgrove were able to retreat. Schnookums was in a grapple with five of the bugs. Knowing it is now or never, Schnookums detaches his limbs and the tip of his tail and burrows underground. As the bugs feast on the detached remains, one by one, they are flung into the air. The tornado can be seen in Ponyville, especially in the Mayor’s office before she saw the gigantic monster making it’s way towards the tornado.

Once every last bug was removed, Zipper slowed down and began to pant heavily.The Crusaders, Granny Smith, and Diver looked out from the barn as Big Mac, Chelsey, and Cosgove walked towards the exhausted Sleipnir. Cosgrove gave Zipper a soft pat on the back. But the peace was again broken as three massive shadows loomed over them.

“Don’t tell me, there are three gigantic mantis’ behind me?”

“Eeyup.”

“Think we’ll survive this?”

“...Nope…”

“Bring it on…”

The four once again assumed defensive poses at the super giant mantis’ as a fourth even larger shadow loomed above them. Schnookums popped his head as the shadow continued to loom. The ponies’ pupils shrank at the sight of the figure. Grannies’ mouth was agape long enough for her dentures to fall off before wrapping her lips around her snout. Cosgrove slowly began to eye the figure.

They were standing face to face with a monster they haven’t seen before. It was clearly reptilian though the head sported a curious pair of ears. On it’s back lied three rows of back plates with the largest near the hip region before tapering down to the tail. It’s eye’s were blood red with a yellow iris. The monster shuffled it’s plantigrade feet and began to inhale. After a “small” growl, the monster gave a mighty roar so loud it actually shook the ground. The ponies in the farm covered their ears, though it was pointless to try. Further away, the ponies could hear the roar without having to cover their ears, though it does cause a stir in the nursery. Even far away in her chambers, Princess Celestia heard a faint echo of the roar.

One of the mantis’ charged at the monster, only to get a whack from it’s massive tail. However, when the monster turned around, another one latched it’s claws around the neck. The monster struggled a little before clamping its jaws and severing the mantis’ arm at the shoulder. It then grabbed the insect and slapped it hard enough on the ground that the abdomen was smashed flat.

The first mantis that attacked it leapt onto the monster’s back and started raking it’s claws back and forth. Though only taking off bits and pieces of scales, each scale was the size of a small boulder; Everypony in the field ran their way to the barn. The monster then wrapped it’s tail around the joint between the thorax and the abdomen and brought it forth to it’s claws. Using as much strength as it could, the monster ripped the mantis apart.

The last gigantic mantis scuttled back a little into the trees. As it went deeper, the massive insect’s became more and more obscure. The monster looks back and forth as each short burst of buzzing the mantis leaps out and inflicts damage on the massive reptile. At one point the mantis slashes it’s ankle, toppling the beast. The spiny monster breathed heavily as it regained its footing. The mantis aimed itself towards the beast’s back and leapt. At a few meters from it’s destination, the monster suddenly turned and snapped at the mantis’ cranium. The wings sprout open as it’s limbs twitched before becoming limp.

The monster spat out the carcass and roared to the sky. The juice from the insect flew off the teeth, making a mess when it splotched on the ground. The beast turned and walked towards the barn. The ponies cowered as the monster’s size became more apparent. They dared looking up at the skyscraper figure. It’s face donned a large set of eyebrows and unintentionally gave them a fierce scowl. It flared it’s nostrils as it emitted a small rumble.

Suddenly a large blast comes from behind and hits the monster in the back. The beast turns around and spots a winged figure in the sky. With the Mane Six on their newfound quest, Princess Luna took charge of watching Ponyville in their absence. With much firepower and agile flying skills, the beast could not dismiss her as mere fly. It’s back plates began to grow a light orange, with the radiating heat to match.

“Everyone to the storm shelter!” Big Mac shouted

Everypony and Winona made their way to the underground shelter. When he entered the shelter Cosplay glanced back. Just as the red stallion closed the doors, an orange glow filtered through the door. A static humm also can be heard outside. Dust crept it’s way from the ceiling of the shelter as the monster moved about outside. Winona shook in fear as the battle continued, prompting a reassuring hug from Big Mac. Gradually the sound began to fade, but for safety’s sake, they kept inside the storm shelter well into the evening.

It was noon the next day when the group crawled out of the underground shed. Their eyes widened at the result of last night. All across Sweet Apple Acres, there were tail draggings, foot prints about five feet deep at least, and burned trees from a dying forest fire. The carcasses of the insects from before were gone, most likely crushed after last night.

Construction crews were also underway, removing the burned and damaged material while also planting new apple trees. Princess Luna stood tall, monitoring their progress. The group bowed in thanks as the Princess of the Moon approached them.

“Are thou hurt? Anything broken?”

“Eenope.”

“What was that thing?” Apple Bloom asked

“Yeah it looked a lot worse than Tirek!” Added Scootaloo

“I have been asked these questions by the other civilians of Ponyville, I cannot answer them… This is a being we have never seen before. I have issued a name to my men.”

“Which would be?”

“Monster Zero.”

Chelsey rose on her back feet and looked at the direction of the footprints.

Luna looked in the same direction, “I have driven the beast far away from any inhabited area. There shouldn’t be any trouble until I come up with a destruction plan. In the meantime, it is best if you evacuate to a safer area until the threat has been eradicated.”

“Leave Ponyville?" Cosgrove stepped forward "After the trouble we’ve just been through with Tirek!?”

“Unless thou have any other ideas.”

The three toed colt drew his eyes and ears back.

Chelsey stood beside him and answered, “Yeah he does! He could tame that thing like he did to Schnookums!”

“Schnookums was potato when I found him," Cosgrove looked at his taller friend "would it be any easier to tame a thirty story lizard?!”

The young horse drew back before looking at the Princess of the Moon.

“I am giving you three days to evacuate.” The Alicorn lit up her horn and disappeared.

The news was grim for the whole Apple family and the colt. Granny Smith lowered her head at the thought of leaving the place her side of the family made. The circus ponies showed a great deal of sympathy. All those days in helping gone to waste.

Spike was later seen running towards the farm with a scroll in claw. Weaving through the crowds of construction ponies, the young dragon made it to the group of ponies. Huffing and puffing, Spike stretched out his arm and handed the scroll to Big Mac. Removing the seal, Big Mac eyed the scroll before handing it to Granny Smith. The elderly pony gave a slight smile before handing it over to her youngest granddaughter. The scroll read.

Dear Sweet Apple Acres,

Our adventure was quite a tough cow to wrangle. We were lead to a village where ponies there had equal signs for cutie marks. Pinkie had a very good hunch there was somethin’ wrong with this place. Turns out that Starlight Glimmer formed an equalist society where everypony had no special talent. Thanks to Fluttershy, we were able to make a lier out of that mare. We couldn’t catch her, but everypony was able to make their lives for the better. We will be returnin’ soon.

Love,

Applejack.

Applebloom handed the scroll back to Spike. Cosgrove looked at the farmers as Granny Smith gave him a nod.

“Can you send a reply letter?”

Spike took out a quill and a new scroll.

Dear Applejack,

You’re family is doing fine, the farm is doing well… But I hate to be the bearer of bad news. While you were away, another giant monster, a lot bigger than Tirek, ravaged Sweet Apple Acres. Princess Luna was able to drive it away. We are given three days to evacuate Ponyville until the threat is rid of. We’ll write where we are. Be very careful when you come back.

My apologies,
Cosplay

Upon writing the last few words, Spike wrapped the scroll and blew on it, sending the message in green fire to it’s destination.

“Guess I should start packing then.” Sweetie Belle said as she began walking to the Carousel Boutique.

Scootaloo followed behind as well. No doubt the same was said at her foster home. Cosgrove drooped his ears before waving to the Apple Family and walked away as well, his circus friends following him. Spike looked at the group of ponies and began to ponder.

“Hey," Spike caught three of their attention - "why don’t you stay in Twilight’s Castle until they return?”

“We appreciate the offer. But I think it’s best for us to leave.” - Cosgrove turned his head around - “I’ll be back here when it’s all over.”

The group continued to walk towards Cosgrove's house as Schnookums poked his head out of the burrow.

“The question now is, where I will go?” Cosgrove turned around and saw his friends scratching their heads.

“... What?”

“We never said we came alone…” Answered Chelsey

Cosgrove cocked his head as the door opened behind him. He looked up to a brown stallion with blue hair and a lion taming cutie mark and a chartreuse mare with red hair and a hula hoop cutie mark.

Cosgrove looked at their familiar forms, “You’re faces…”

“It has been quite a while…" Loopty Hoop began tearing up - Cosgove...”

The colt immediately hugged the two ponies, who returned the gesture in kind.

“Look at you" - Lion Tamer lifted his adopted grandson - "You've grown up quite a bit.”

“I am sorry…" - Cosgrove turned his head to his grandmother - "I shouldn't have run away. I was full of-”

“It’s okay," Loopty Hoop nudged her head against her grandson "We miss her just as much as you…”

Cosplay laid his head down onto their chest.

“There is much to talk about on the way back.” Lion Tamer and Loopty Hoop began walking walking but noticed Cosgrove rubbing his house door.

Diver placed her hoof on his shoulder, “When you are ready meet us at the train station.”

The group of ponies left his side as the colt walked into his house and began to pack his bags. The night settled in as Cosplay kept thinking to himself, “It’s only temporary, it’s only temporary.” This is something even worse than anything he has ever seen. Whatever sorcerer brought this abomination to the world must have been out of his mind.

Morning came too late. No doubt Celestia was with this hunting party as well. Cosplay walked with his suitcase in his mouth. He wanted to make his first stop at Sweet Apple Acres to say goodbye. He placed his suitcase down and knocked on the door. Waiting a while, he placed his ear on the door if there were anypony inside. No sound, not even Winona's paws could be heard. He looked around the barn and found wagon tracks. As he turned around to leave he spotted an apple blossom high on a tree. Focusing on the blossom, the colt crouched down and sprang upwards up the trunk, grabbing the branch with his incisors. Even for a small branch, it proved a handful as Cosplay gnawed on the branch while using his back legs to leverage.

Before he knew it, the branch broke off, leaving a light tan scar as Cosplay fell into a large hole. Climbing out of the hole, he gently placed the blossom down and shook off the dust from his fur. Upon looking ahead, he saw that the hole was a footprint. It wasn’t the footprint of the monster, but it matched that of Schnookums. Cosplay followed the trail, noticing that each footprint got larger and larger until finally reaching a massive tunnel. Cosgrove gave a soft growl before turning around to the train station.

Author's Note:

Is there a term for describing an child's adopted grandparents? I've looked everywhere but I couldn't find it.