Invasion of the Astro Monster: Destroy All Ponies

Chapter 24

Sunset

Ghidorah and Rodan landed back at the castle. Celestia approached them, worried. "What was that thing?" she asked.

Rodan shuddered. "That was Hedorah," he said.

Celestia's face showed that she still needed more explanation. Ghidorah stepped in.

"Hedorah is a being of pure pollution. It lives to destroy life wherever it exists,"

"Like you?"

Ghidorah winced. "Yes. Like me,"

Celestia gave him a glare. "So now what?"

"Hedorah is not stupid. It will leave to gather energy, before returning for a full assault. If kaiju continue to leak in, it may recruit their assistance," Ghidorah continued.

"We cannot allow that to happen," Celestia said. "Rodan, you and our weapon, the Super X-P, will hunt Hedorah down and destroy it,"

"And what about her?" Rodan asked, pointing to Biollante's avatar, which seemed to be weaker.

"I will stay here, and defend Ponyville and Canterlot from any kaiju that pose an immediate threat," she said.

Celestia nodded. "Agreed,"

"That brings up a point I need to ask you. What's up with that thing? The Super X-P, or whatever you called it?" Rodan asked.

That's when Trixie, Derpy, and Gatling Gale burst in. "Your highness, mission is a success," Gatling said.

Celestia nodded. "Rodan, the Super X-P is our secret weapon. Luna oversaw its construction. We built it to assist in the battle with the kaiju," she said.

Ghidorah shook his heads. "It won't work. Countless civilizations have attempted similar things, never with success,"

"No success? I don't know if you noticed, but we helped get rid of that thing!" Gatling shot back.

"Helped is the key word. If we had not been there, your puny toy would have been a mere distraction,"

Gatling tried to rush forward, but Trixie held him back with her magic. He shot her a look, but she simply shook her head. Ghidorah humphed, turning his attention back to Celestia. "And what about me? Rodan is not enough, let me go and finish this," he said.

Celestia sighed. "I really would like to, Ghidorah, believe me. But I have a hard time believing that you are truly changed," she said, before walking away. She stepped onto the balcony and closed the door behind her.

The room was left in silence. After a while, the ponies left. Rodan sighed, before flying away. Biollante exited silently. Ghidorah was left alone.

No.

He would not be content with this answer.

Ghidorah walked towards the balcony, and opened the door. Celestia sat, watching the sunset. Ghidorah watched her for a moment, before seating himself next to her. For a moment, the two ancient beings simply watched the sunset together.

Finally, Celestia spoke. "What made you change your mind?"

Ghidorah thought for a moment. "It was a dream,"

""A dream?"

"Yes. It was horrifyingly vivid. It showed me what I had truly become. A monster,"

Celestia nodded.

"It wasn't just that though. Ever since I arrived here, I felt something. An itch in the back of my head, one that tried to persuade me from evil,"

Celestia turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

"I spoke about it with Luna. She told me it was the Elements of Harmony trying to change me. The dream was their ultimate weapon against me,"

She nodded. "Tell me, why do you want to change?"

Ghidorah had to mull this over. He paused for a long while.

"I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps its this place. The atmosphere is different here. Here, there is no need for violence. It is very different. Maybe, I just want to be happy,"

Celestia nodded again. "And you honestly think you can achieve that here?"

Ghidorah shrugged. "I have given up all hopes for returning to my dimension. Even if I did, I have done too much evil to make things right. But here..."

He got up, and moved towards the edge of the balcony. He looked out over Ponyville, so peaceful.

"But here, I have no past. Here, it is new. A clean slate. A chance to start over, and do things right,"

Celestia walked up next to him.

"I believe you," she said.

Ghidorah looked at her, and although neither showed any expression, Celestia knew he was grateful. They continued to watch the sunset.

"You know, I put a lot of energy into my sunsets. I hope it pays off, but there's no way to really know without asking somepony, is there?"

Ghidorah took in the sight of the sun setting. And for the first time in his long life, he appreciated true beauty.

"I'd say it does," he said.

Celestia looked at him and smiled a warm, radiant smile.

And for the second time in Ghidorah's life, he appreciated true beauty.