Invasion of the Astro Monster: Destroy All Ponies

Chapter 9

Uneasy Peace

King Ghidorah had encountered many strange things throughout his life. Be it that one time he fought a cyborg version of himself, or experiencing the seemingly-drug induced effects of mind control, there was plenty to choose from. But frankly, this being named Discord almost topped all of that. Almost. "Mecha-King Ghidorah" was still weirder. But it was close.

Ever since his arrival to Canterlot Castle, the draconequus had become apparently quite interested by the three-headed dragon. At present, the pair of them sat in front of a pool, watching ponies frolic in the water. Discord sipped on some chocalate milk, and Ghidorah occasionally tried to as well. He was surprised to find that the liquid tasted like iron on the first sip, then like strawberry the next. Unsettled, Ghidorah quickly stopped drinking.

"This is the life, Ghids," Discord said, referring to the King of Terror by his pet name. Ghidorah hated that name. Just like everything else.

Ghidorah gave the Spirit of Chaos a glare out of the corner of his eye. "If you say so..." the dragon grumbled.

"You know, I used to be like you once," Discord monologued, ignoring Ghidorah's mood. "Evil, out to rule the world, forcing others to be my slaves and whatnot. It was pretty fun,"

Ghidorah eyed him. "Isn't that contradictory? If it was so fun, why are you where you are now?"

Discord sighed. "I admit, sometimes I wish for the old days," he waved a paw, forming an orb of fire in his palm. He toyed with it, letting it dance across his fingers for a while, before he grabbed it and froze it solid. He tossed the frozen fire into his mouth and swallowed without chewing. "But when I look at all that I have now, all that's changed," he gestured to the ponies in the pool. "I realize that it's all worth it,"

Ghidorah looked at the ponies in the pool. They all seemed happy, and full of love. For a brief moment, he felt the horrid itch in the back of his head again, but it didn't last this time. "You will find that you and I are more different than you may allow yourself to believe, Discord," Ghidorah said. "I find little reason beyond neccessity to agree to anything Celestia demands, and even less reason to care about the pathetic lives of the ponies,"

Discord nodded. "Perhaps. But I know what's going on in those heads of yours," he said cryptically, patting the nearest one playfully.

Ghidorah flinched. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, don't pretend you haven't noticed. The sudden lack of hatred, the slowly changing emotions. It's a common problem to those who aren't used to it,"

Ghidorah began to be a little scared. "What are you talking about?"

"It's this place! It tends to change those who don't want to be,"

The look on Ghidorah's faces was all Discord needed to see that the dragon was not following. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll understand soon enough,"

Before Ghidorah could reply, they were interrupted by a pony guard. "Lord Discord, King Ghidorah, the Princess requests your presence at once!" the pony said.

Discord groaned. "Probably couldn't find her special shampoo this morning. Come, Ghids. We have work to do,"

Before King Ghidorah could protest, Discord snapped his talons and they disappeared in a flash.

*  *  *  *  *  *  * *  *  *

"But, your Highness!" Fluttershy pleaded.

"I understand your concern, and that of your friend," Princess Celestia said, gesturing to Biollante. "But you will find that I have the situation under control,"

"With all due respect, yer Highness," Applejack said. "Ah don't think ya realize the gravity of the situation! From what we've been told by Biollante here, King Ghidorah is just pure evil! Now what could you possibly want to do with that?"

Celestia looked down at Applejack. When she spoke, it was in the same tone a mother would use to correct her child. "Don't forget, Applejack. Many thought both my sister and Discord to be pure evil, yet both proved them wrong,"

Applejack sighed. "Yes, yer Highness," she grumbled.

Before anything else could be said, all of the ponies were interrupted by an audible popping sound. With a flash, both Discord and King Ghidorah appeared in the room. Biollante glared at the dragon, clearly unsatisfied with the current turn of events.

King Ghidorah took in the plant-pony, slightly unnerved by the glare she was giving him. Not that he showed it. "Do I know you from somewhere?" he asked.

The plant-pony grimaced. "Yes. Unfortunately. The last time we met, you were at Monster Island. You attacked me and some of the others there. I didn't appreciate it,"

Ghidorah's eyes widened as recoginition hit him. "Biollante? Is that you?"

The plant-pony nodded. "What happened to you?" Ghidorah continued.

"I myself am intact, and have set my roots on the outskirts of Ponyville. What you see before you is merely an avatar I am using for communication,"

Ghidorah felt the rage building up inside him again as he turned to Celestia. "How come she gets to keep her powers and I don't?" he shouted.

Celestia remained calm. "I'm afraid that neither I nor my sister were made aware of her arrival. Tell me, Biollante, do you remember at all how you got here?"

Biollante shook her head. "I'm afraid not. All I remember was an incredibly bright light, and then suddenly waking up here. It was the middle of the night when I awoke, so regaining my energy was harder than it should've been,"

Biollante turned her attention back to Ghidorah. "As for you," she said, marching up to the dragon. "I don't trust you at all. You may have convinced these ponies that you won't harm them, but you haven't convinced me!"

Ghidorah huffed. "And why would you care?"

"Because I dislike seeing life in any form destroyed. But for you, I think I could make an exception,"

The dragon and the plant glared at each other, causing a tense and awkward atmosphere for the Equestrians in the room. "Ghidorah, stand down!" Celestia commanded.

Growling ferally, Ghidorah backed away from Biollante. Biollante, too stepped back a few paces.

For a moment, both of the kaiju simply stared each other down. Finally, Ghidorah broke the silence. "Whatever. Your presence is trivial at best. You will not be a problem," Ghidorah turned to leave.

Biollante didn't respond. If she was offended by how easily the King of Terror had underestimated her, she didn't show it. Suddenly Biollante's eyes went wide and she let out a gasp.

"What is it?" Fluttershy asked.

Biollante's eyes looked as if they were far away. "Two beings. In the forest. They're kaiju! They're moving towards Ponyville!"

Celestia's face grew grim. "You know what to do," she said to the sulking Ghidorah. He merely grunted in response as he walked towards the balcony. Celestia's horn glowed, and the spell was cast.