The Cine-magic Series: Godzilla

A young man was making is way down the darkening streets of his home city. His name was Ford Brody and he was on his way home to reunite with his wife and five year old son. Ford worked as in the explosive ordnance disposal, which was part of the military. That meant his specialized in disarming bombs of all kinds. He was eager on coming back to his home, seeing as how he was away for fourteen months. Ford was excited to see his family again. That was until he noticed a mysterious glow forming in the air in front of him.

Ford stopped and stared at it with confusion. Alarms bells immediately began ringing in his head. Was this some kind of attack? How coincidental for it to happen right after his deployment. What happened next shocked him. The glow turned into some kind of bright opening and six multi-colored ponies and a purple lizard dropped out of it. Ford could hear groaning from the newly-made pile. His first thought was to move on and act like nothing happened, but, something about them looked familiar.

He remembered his son, Sam, talking about a certain show about ponies and something about friendship. Now, he didn't know why his son was interested in such a show, seeing as how it was likely targeted at girls, but still, if he remembered the descriptions his son had given of the characters, this was who he was talking about. It answered what they were, but it didn't answer why or how they were here. On the other hand, the Mane 7 were still laying in pile, dizzy from the inter-dimensional travel to lasted not even fifteen seconds.

"Uoh,” Twilight groaned and shake her head. "I swear this portal thing might be the death of us."

"Maybe not the death us, but it's the death of my perfectly kept mane!" Rarity wailed dramatically. "Why!? Why-y-y-y-y!?"

"Leave it to Rarity to somehow blow things out of proportion," Rainbow rolled her eyes.

"Rainbow, I cannot stress enough how many times we've had this discussion,” the put off unicorn said.

"And I can't stress enough how many times I didn't listen." Rainbow said with a smirk.

Rarity growled angrily.

“Oh, hey another cityscape,” Pinkie stared off at the tall buildings in the distance. “That’s another for the books.”

"Ah don't think arguin' is a good way to start off in'a new world,” Applejack then pointed to where Brody was standing. "Or to make a good first impression."

The other ponies and Spike took notice of the young man standing not even five feet away from them.

"Oh...um...Hello,” Twilight cautiously greeted. “Wait, you're a human, aren't you?"

"...Yeah,” Ford answered, not knowing what to expect.

"Huh, There's lot more human-centric worlds than I thought,” she said to herself. "Oh, sorry, I'm Twilight Sparkle and this Spike, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy."

The ponies and dragon all waved.

"Yeah, I kinda know about you,” the bomb expert said.

"Wait, you do?" Rainbow asked.

"Kinda. My son watches the show sometimes,” Ford explained.

"Show? What are you talking about?" Twilight asked.

Ford didn't answer at first. They don't know they're cartoon characters?

"The show you're in, he said. “Heard it's pretty popular.”

The Mane 6 and Spike looked among themselves in complete confusion. Well, except for Pinkie, for obvious and metaphysical reasons.

"We're...in a show?" Fluttershy asked.

"Of course we are, silly, Pinkie squished Fluttershy’s cheeks. “Who do you think I've been talking too when it looks like I'm talking to nopony?”

Confusion turned to disturbed as the realization slowly came upon the rest of the group of friends.

"I'm getting a headache,” Spike held his head.

"Look, we can worry about that a different time,” Twilight said, turning to Ford. "Uhm, Mr...."

"Brody. First name's Ford,” the man said.

"Mr. Brody, do you know where we are?" the alicorn asked.

"This is San Francisco,” he replied plainly.

"That doesn't sound familiar in anywhere," Rainbow said.

"Probably because it's a different world. Have yah forgot'n?" Applejack asked.

"No, I just..." Rainbow kept quiet, unable to think of anything to retort.

"Why exactly are you here?" Ford asked suspiciously.

"The Cutie Map summoned us here,” Twilight begun to explain. “Basically it senses potential missions from different worlds and transports us there to try and help or solve whatever problems are there."

"Well, there's nothing going on now. So, I don't see why it brought you here,” Ford said bluntly. “Listen, I need to get home. I haven't seen my wife and son in over a year. I have to get going."

He was about to walk past when Twilight was brought back to his attention.

"Wait! Before you do, you wouldn't happen to know any place we could stay,” she pleaded. "One that would let us in without much question?"

Ford thought it over. There weren't any hotels around this part of San Francisco for miles. And, while they he and them weren't exactly acquainted, they shouldn't left out in the cold dark, especially since it was San Francisco. The one other option he had was one he wasn't a fan of.

"I know a place,” he relented.

Ford knocked on the door of his home and waited.

"Are you sure you're okay with letting us stay with you?" Rainbow asked.

"Well, my drill sergeant always said to help allies no matter how you feel about them," Ford said.

"But, we aren't exactly allies,” Twilight pointed out. “You just met us."

"Yeah, but my son has grown attached to your cartoon,” the army man said. “I'm sure he would be ecstatic to meet all of you."

The door opened to reveal a young woman a pink shirt and a pair of jean shorts.

"Oh, Ford!" she practically jumped into her husbands arms. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't come back."

The two share a long, passionate kiss.

"Well, I have a reason for not showing up earlier,” he said with a smile.

That's when his wife noticed the Mane 6 and Spike standing sheepishly behind Ford. At first she was confused, but then, she too, recognized them.

"Wait, are those ponies from that cartoon Sam likes to talk about?" she asked.

"Apparently," Ford said. "This is my wife, Elle, and these Twilight and her friends. It was the only name I remembered."

A rally of greetings were shared.

"But, I thought they were just cartoon characters,” Elle said. "Why are they even here?"

"There's a lot to be explained," Ford said.

"We'll try to explain everything as best we can,” Twilight said.

"Yeah, and we can meet your son, too,” Pinkie said excited.

"That definitely puts a spin on your little welcome home party," Elle stated to Ford only.

"There will be time for that...and other things,” he said with a passionate.

His wife smiled back and they shared another deep kiss.

"Uhm...I don't mean to i-i-interrupted, but s-should we head inside?" Fluttershy asked with a blush.

"Yeah, it's starting to get cold out here," Rainbow shivered.

The proper pleasantries would have to wait till later. For now, Ford wanted to see his son again, while having some fun with him, his wife, and their new guests.

Well, sufficed to say, Sam was indeed beyond ecstatic seeing the Mane 6 and Spike.

Best day ever!" the five year old say, hugging both Fluttershy and Applejack.

"Woah, nelly,” Applejack said in surprise. “Ya weren't kiddin'."

"Like we said, he really does like the show," Elle said with a shrug.

"Yeah, even have the dragon with you,” Sam gasped.

"Heh. Nice to meet you too, buddy,” Spike shook his hand. “Cool to meet a fan from another world.

"Yeah, about that,” Twilight said parenthetically. “Would you mind showing us this...show?"

Elle was about to say something, but Sam acted first. He grabbed the remote off the coffee table and turned on the television. The ponies and dragon watched as the young boy flipped through a couple channels before reaching the one that was airing the My Little Pony cartoon.

"See? There you guys are," He said happily.

My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Aah, aah, aah, aah

My Little Pony!
I used to wonder what friendship could be...

The opening theme sang from the TV. The Mane 6 and Spike were awestruck and shocked.

"So, it's true,” Twilight said quietly. “In this word...we're just a cartoon."

"It’s more shocking that you’re real,” Ford said.

"Well, that brings up a lot of existential questions," Rarity spoke in astonishment.

"Existential? This is awesome!” Rainbow flew right up to the TV. "Think about it, all our greatest moments being seen through this magic box."

She gave the TV unit a good pat.

"It's just a TV,” Ford said rather flatly.

"I don't think we have those in Equestria," Rarity said.

"I think I saw one once," Twilight spoke up.

The others turned to her.

"You did?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah, but that was when I was in Sunset's world,” the princess explained. “I kind of remember seeing some large boxes that showed, what I'm assuming were, cartoons."

"Come to think of it, I think I remember seeing them, too,” Spike concurred.

"Ah! There I am!" Pinkie pointed to herself on the TV screen.

"This is the most amazing thing ever! Why haven't you told how amazing this!?"

"I know, me. Even now I'm still reeling from it," Pinkie literally reeled back with a bright smile on her face.

"Ain't that the time ya discover you and ah are loosely related?" Applejack asked.

"Sure is,” the exhilarated mare responded.

"But, how do they know all that happened?" Twilight asked.

"Coincidence maybe?" Fluttershy suggested.

"Well, that's one giant coincidence if it gets all of our life experiences correctly,” the mulberry alicorn said.

"How about we worry about that later,” Elle suggested. “Sam and I prepared something for Ford when he got home."

"Oh, really? As if this day couldn't get interesting enough," The army worker said.

The other ponies and dragon were still having a hard time coming to terms that they were a cartoon, at least in this world. That left a tin of questions for them, some they weren't sure they wanted answers to.

"Ah just don't get'it,” Applejack rubbed her head. “It's all so hard ta process."

"Um, maybe we should discuss this whole thing later,” Twilight suggested. “Wouldn't want to put a damper on this homecoming party."

Though it was a topic that plagued their minds, the others begrudgingly agreed.

"I suppose you're right, Twilight," Rarity said. "Now that I think about it, it's a little endearing seeing foals looking up to us like Sam does."

"Ah 'sppose that's true,” Applejack agreed.

"I...I guess,” Fluttershy added.

Wait, why was she scared of the fact up over foals looking up to her.

"Snap out of it!"she thought to herself.

She shut her eyes tight and shook her head.

"I hope this can be explained later,” Spike turned to Twilight.

"I hope so, too, Spike,” the alicorn said.

"We're gonna have so much fun!" Sam said happily.

"I love you guys already!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"I can't tell you,” Sam giggled.

"Can I see it?" Ford said.

"Don't let him see. Don't let him see,” Elle carefully brought a chocolate frosted cake right to where Ford was sitting.

"Woah,” Ford said in surprise. “Oh my god."

"It's a welcome home cake," Elle set the cake on the table.

"Look at that," Ford said.

"Ooo. That looks real good,” Rainbow licked her lips.

Pinkie didn't say anything. Instead, leaning over so slowly towards the cake. Applejack pushed her head down, as if to tell the pink mare to not get any ideas.

"Seems like you also added some decorations, as well," Twilight turned to the hand-drawn banner hanging over a sliding glass door.

"That's you,” Sam pointed a tall stick figure drawing, which was referring to Ford. "And that's me."

"Ah, how sweet," Rarity said softly.

"What's it say?" Ford asked.

"Welcome home, Daddy,” Sam read the banner.

"Daddy's home. Cake every night,” Ford said with a smile.

"Really?!" Pinkie asked with excitement.

"Yeah, that's not happening,” Elle laughed.

"But, what if,” Rainbow chuckled.

The group shared a round of laughter.

"Daddy's home equals cake every night," Ford played on with the joke.

"How did you manage to get chocolate on your eyeball?" Elle rubbed the frosting off her son's eyelid.

"Daddy did it," Sam answered innocently.

Ford just gave a mischievous smile.

"Subtle," Rainbow lightly punched the guy's shoulder.

"You know. It's nice this mission is lot more calmer than the others," Twilight mentioned. "I mean, we're making new friends while sharing a cake."

"Can't go wrong with that," Spike licked the frosting off his slice.

"Best mission ever!" Pinkie cheered.

Chocolate frosting covered her mouth and muzzle.

Later

Ford and Sam were having a playful moment on Sam's bed. After bring away from his son for fourteen months, it was long overdue to spend a little personal time with him. And with Elle preoccupied with her hair and the ponies preoccupied with the TV, Ford was going to make the most of it.

"I can't sleep with you making all this noise," he said playfully, tickling Sam.

Sam laughed uncontrollably. At this point though, he was all out of energy, what from getting see his daddy again and meeting those cartoon ponies he'd grown so attached to.

"Come on, let's get you into bed," Ford laid the covers over the young boy. "Time to hit the rack."

He gave his son a kiss on the forehead. As he made his way out of Sam's bedroom, the boy time on his side to face his father.

"Dad?" he softly called out.

"Yeah?" Ford turned back just outside of the doorway.

"Are you still gonna be here tomorrow?" the little boy asked hopefully.

Ford seemed to hesitant for a second. He didn't expect that kind of question from Sam, but, then again, he had been gone overseas for a really long time. No doubt his son missed him deeply during that time. And perhaps he had grown a slight fear that he would leave him again. Ford knew that wasn't going to happen. He was complacent on staying for as long as he could and give Sam the best life a father could bring.

"Yeah,” he finally said. "Come on, let's get some sleep."

Ford turned off the lights and slowly closed the door to Sam's room. With his son asleep and the ponies and dragon still glued to the television, now it was time for some personal time with his wife. First order of business, tell her all the funny stories and shenanigans that happened while on duty. The couple were in the lounge room, laughing up all hilarious stories Ford had to tell.

"Turns around, nose-to-nose, he says, "At ease, lieutenant,” he reenacted the story he was telling, holding a half-empty, stemless wine glass.

Elle was laughing up a storm on the couch. Ford came down and sat right next to her. Both were looking at each others' eyes lovingly.

"God, I missed your laugh," Ford said.

"I missed you," Elle said, her thumb hooked on her upper tooth in a teasing manner.

The two shared a quick moment of silence. They both knew it was time for the frisky stuff. Ford set the wine glass on the table, which Elle took as a sign to get started.

"Let's not get too heated now. We still have guests here,” she advised.

"Don't let that stop us," Ford gave a sly grin.

"Well, ah'll be. this Andy Griffith fella sure is a remarkable, stallion...or man, I should say," Applejack’s complimentary remark could be heard across the hallway.

Despite that, Ford and Elle went pretty much all in. Elle straddle against her husband and the two locked lips. She placed her hands over Ford's head. Ford turned on his back against the couch, keeping his hand firm on his wife's back. He placed his other hand behind her thigh, right where her shorts ended. Before things could get more risqué, the phone began to ring.

Elle was about to get up and answer it, but Ford playfully rolled her back onto the couch, their lips still locked together. Elle chuckled at her husband's playfulness, but there was also the possibility of the phone call being important.

"I should get that,” she said.

Ford didn't really respond, instead opting to lay himself on top of her to keep from getting up.

"No, it could be work," Elle said teasingly. "I need to get that."

She slipped past and made her way to the table where the phone was laying.

"You don't need to. Come on," Ford moaned.

With the intimate moment put on hold, he could begin to overhear some of the ponies. Somehow, it devolved into fighting over the remote.

"It's my turn with the remote,” Rainbow demanded. “I wanna watch something more cool."

"But, I wanna watch more of our show," Pinkie complained.

"Consarn it, ya two,” Applejack tried to break the fighting mares apart. “We ain't arguing over this, especially since we’r guests."

"Can't we just watch something we all agree on?" Spike vainly suggested.

Consequently, the TV changed from channel to channel as the mares fought over the remote.

"I'll be back."

Save big money at Menar-

Here there are 100 species of hummingbirds alone...

"Hi, Phil Swift here w-

"Thomas is a cheeky engi-"

Given that those ponies were all adults, they sure acted like children. Ford just shook his head. Meanwhile, Elle picked up the phone.

"Hello?" she answered. "Yeah, this is Mrs. Brody."

"Tell him you're busy tending to your husband's needs," Ford impishly got grabby-grabby with his wife.

Elle pushed him away, quietly snickering.

"Yeah, he's my husband, she said through the phone.

"Tell them we're not gonna buy it,” Ford rummaged through one of the cabinets, assuming it was a salesperson on the other end.

As the call continued, however, Elle's smile turned to a uncertain grimace.

"Yes, sir. Could you just hold on one moment?" she lowered the phone.

She stared at her husband with a perturbed look.

"It's the consulate. Joe's been arrested in Japan," Elle informed him.

There was a brief, pregnant silence shared amongst the two, until Applejack trotted into the room.

"Sorry if ya overheard all that,” she apologized. “Pinkie and Rainbow got inta ah fight with the remote thing. We thought it was time to lay off the TV, so we..."

She realized that the atmosphere with Ford and Elle had...changed, to say the least.

"Ehh. Everything all right ya two?" the farm pony asked.

Ford exhaled deeply and sighed.

"Not really, he said solemnly.

Did...Did ya two get into ah fight?" Applejack asked with concern.

"No. It concerns Joe," Elle said.

By this point, the other ponies and dragon had came into the room alongside Applejack.

"Joe? Who's Joe?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie drew a deep breath, readying herself for the incoming joke she was about to make.

"My father,” Ford answered.

Ahhhh," Pinkie said sadly, her face deflating like a balloon.

"What happened to your father?" Spike asked with concern.

Ford looked back at his wife. They exchanged troubled looks.

Ford frustratedly rummaged through his clothes drawers, trying to find what he need.

"Elle, I can't find my pants,” he said.

"They're in the other drawer,” Elle replied.

He opened the second drawer in the hallway and, of course, there they were. A fresh pair of grey jeans.

"So, why was he trespassing in the quarantine zone?" she asked.

"Ugh. Why do you think," Ford responded flatly.

"Trespassing? Quarantine? What in Equestria happened?" Twilight asked.

She and her friends followed Elle down the hallway. Ford picked up a plastic packet and headed into the bathroom.

"It's a lot to explain," Elle said.

"And now he's become this," Ford added. "The lone crusader for the truth. All his crackpot cuckoo theories."

"Oh. Really? I had a cousin that was like that," Pinkie mentioned. "Yeah, Bluestone was a real loopy one."

She twirled her hoof around to emphasize her point. Meanwhile, Ford stuff a hair comb, a toothbrush, and a few other toiletries into his packet.

"That's...informative, Pinkie,” Twilight said. “But not that right time to be talking about it."

"Your father is a good man. He just needs your help right now," Elle said to her husband.

Ford didn't respond. He had heard the same sentiment plenty of times.

"Ford, he's lost everything,” she continued.

"E-Everything?" Fluttershy asked, crestfallen.

"Yeah, so did I. But you know what? I got over it,” Ford interjected, adding a slight tad of harshness to his tone.

"Right. I can see that," Elle just smiled.

The military worker finished packing his suitcase, then let out a sigh.

"Listen, Sugarcube, it's clear as day that this’s bothering’ ya," Applejack spoke kindly. "Whatever it is, ya can share it with us. It's kinda our jobs to help fix these kind of situations, bein the Elements and all."

"Elements?" Elle asked curiously.

"We’re like protectors of our world," Twilight briefly explained.

Ford looked back at the group. Perhaps it was best to just air things out a bit, so as not to cause tensions.

"I'm sorry. It's just..." he paused briefly, thinking of the right words to say. "Every time I let him in close, he always tries to drag me back. And I can't. I can't put our family through that."

"But...why?” Rainbow asked, wanting answers. “What did he do?"

"Did he wrong you somehow?" Twilight presumed.

"Not really,” Ford said. “It's complicated personal stuff."

"Well, he is your family,” Elle argued.

She walked up to him, while he was finishing his packing.

"Hey, come here,” she hugged him in a loving embrace. "You know you're only gonna be gone for a few days, right? And then you are gonna come back to me."

Yeah. Yeah,” Ford smiled.

"Pardon me, you two, but should you gave you some space?" Rarity asked.

"Please do,” Rainbow murmured silently.

She was not interested in seeing the two humans being all lovey-dovey.

"Oh, no, it's all right," Elle figured it would be a bit rude to start getting too romantic with their guests standing right there.

So, she resorted to giving Ford a comforting hug. Ford gladly accepted it.

"It's not the end of the world,” she assured. "Besides, maybe it's a good idea to share what happened to them."

Elle turned to the Mane 6 and Spike.

"They did say they were here to fix a problem,” she reminded. “Maybe that's what they're looking for."

"Family issues,” Spike stated. “We've done that before."

"Yeah, whatever you and your old man are going through, I'm sure we'll be able to help,” Rainbow concurred.

Ford was still debating if it was really a good idea to share the traumatic experiences he had with people, or perhaps in this case ponies. But, his wife and the ponies raised a good point. They were here for a reason, surely this must be it. Maybe with their voices of reason, his father would snap out of his deluded conquest and come home. Plus, it might be therapeutic for him, as well.

"Please, Mr. Brody. We really want to help,” the Princess of Friendship implore.

After much deliberation, Ford drew in a breath and let out another sigh.

"All right. This is what happened,” He began.

And this was the story he told.

To be continued.