Invasion of the Astro Monster: Destroy All Ponies

Chapter 18

Devastation

King Ghidorah and Rodan landed in front of the building they had been eating in previously, being met by a stern looking Celestia and Luna. Ghidorah winced in pain, blood flowing freely from his gaping abdomenal wound. A pony nurse ran up to him, and gasped as she saw the extent of the damage. She levitated some bandages in an attempt to help him, but he brushed her off.

"The job is done," he said flatly. Celestia grimaced.

"Is that so?" she asked.

Celestia gestured to the carnage. "Does this look like the job is done?" she asked.

The city was ablaze. Buildings burned as ponies ran through the streets. Dead bodies were strewn throughout the city, some left where they fell, others carried away by friends or loved ones. One filly appeared to be trying to dig a mare and colt from under a large piece of debris. The pair were not moving, and were clearly dead. The sight was enough to make Rodan choke up.

The pterosaur seemed at a loss for words. "Is this what normally happens if a kaiju enters a populated area?" Luna asked. Rodan nodded, taking in the sight.

"Wow...I mean...wow. I always saw the destruction we caused...But I've never really seen it....not up close, at least...."

The crimson-scaled kaiju seemed striken. All his arrogance and annoying-ness had evaporated, gone as he realized how much his actions affected other living, sentient beings.

Celestia looked at Ghidorah, who seemed impassive. "Don't you have anything to say?" she said.

Ghidorah looked out over the destruction and carnage. For once in a long time, he felt at peace, as though things were right again. That is, until the Parasite returned. It scratched, whispered in his mind, told him that this was wrong. But he was stronger, he would not bend to the will of this thing. He looked at the fires burning, an internal war being waged.

"Well?" Celestia pressed.

"Death is normal. I have never been bothered by it," he said.

Celestia was normally very calm. She was collected, and she was careful not to ever lose her temper. But today had not been a good day. First the hellish ride here, then the attack, and now this. And so it was that, despite her best efforts, Celestia finally cracked.

"Do you realize what you've done? What you've accomplished here tonight?" she said, her face growing dark. Ghidorah said nothing, so Celestia continued. "Do you have any idea how many ponies died tonight? Or how many more will die before the dawn? Do you know how many families were torn apart, how many lives were destroyed? Or how much it will cost in both money and mare-power to rebuild the Liberty Mare? Do you?"

"I defeated Bagan, that's all that matters," Ghidorah said, not looking her in the eye.

"Is it? Is it really, Ghidorah? I've tried, Ghidorah, I really have! Ever since we met, I've tried hard, harder than anypony can or should try just to make you happy! All I wanted is for you to see good, Ghidorah!"

"See good? Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"

"Ghidorah, I have seen beings who I thought were pure evil reformed before my very eyes. I truly believed that if we showed you peace and understanding, that maybe we could convince you to change your ways!"

"Change my ways? I am the bringer of fear and despair wherever I go! I will never change!"

Celestia grimaced, trying not to show emotion. "You're right. You'll never change," She said, before walking away. "What do you think you're doing?" Ghidorah called after her.

"You've convinced me. You can say goodbye to any ideas you may have had about getting your powers back," she called back.

Ghidorah was dumbstruck. When the medical ponies arrived in a second attempt to help him, he was to confused to fight back. He let them take him away, beginning to think of the implications of this last turn of events.

Rodan, meanwhile, sat on the balcony, watching the fires burn. This whole experience had been eye-opening for him. He never cared about what he destroyed before, but now that he actually knew who he was harming and how it was affecting them, it bothered him. He heard the sound of hoofsteps behind him.

"Hey, mister?" a small voice said.

Rodan turned to see Babs Seed. "That was really cool how you fought that monster and all, but could you help me with somethin?"

Rodan looked down at the tiny filly, sympathy overwhelming him. "Sure, kid. What is it?'

"Well, I kinda left without my sister knowin, and I'm sure she's worried sick 'bout me! Do ya think you can take me home?" she asked. Rodan smiled.

"Sure thing, kiddo. Climb aboard," he said, hunkering down, as Babs climbed onto his back with a smile on her face. He flapped his wings, and they were off, not noticing Luna watching.

Celestia approached Luna, as both stared at the devastation. "Sister, the battle was inefficient. More lives were lost than was necessary," Luna said.

Celestia nodded.

"We need a new way to deal with the kaiju threat. Clearly, King Ghidorah is not trustworthy enough to fight for us,"

Celestia nodded. "What of Rodan, or Biollante?"

"Rodan is clearly not powerful enough to handle his own 100% of the time, and Biollante is rooted to Ponyville. She will not be capable of fighting abroad,"

Celestia nodded again. "What are you suggesting?"

Luna began pacing. "I knew that eventually something would happen, something like this. That's why I have taken the initiative. I have started a little...project, I will call it. It is designed to fight kaiju. However, I need your approval to acquire test pilots for it," she said.

Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Pilots?" she asked.

"I know it sounds dangerous, but trust me, sister, this is our best option against the kaiju threat!"

Celestia thought for amoment, before turning to the destruction once more.

"Do it. Do whatever it takes. So long as this never happens again."