I don't own 'Godzilla' nor 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'. 'Godzilla' is a trademark of Toho Co. Ltd. and 'My Little Pony' in all its incarnations is owned by Hasbro.
"International Debate"
Godzilla is a well-known and well-loved heroic icon in the land of Equestria. But will that love and admiration always translate beyond the country's borders? Will other lands find the monster's presence as endearing despite the king of the monsters not having nearly as much exposure outside the realm ruled by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?
Takes Place after Season 8, Episode 5 "Grannies Gone Wild"
It was easy for one to make the assumption Equestria was the center of the world since so much seems to surround it, both literally and figuratively. It was also understandably easy for one to forget there was so much more going on around the grand, prosperous country. Despite all the land it entailed and the fantastic history it had accumulated over the years, Equestria was not the only major country or superpower out there. There were many other grand lands stretched out across the planet; a planet much bigger than most seemed to realize. Some lands were bigger than others, some had more citizens than others, some could be seen as more civilized than others, and there were a few that had more species living as citizens than others.
Basically, countries came in all different shapes and sizes with different economies, ecosystems, and the like. Some of them might also bare striking similarities to one another in certain ways while also retaining their own unique identity overall. Saddle Arabia, Yakyakistan, the Dragon Lands; these were the names of but only a few other countries out there. Farther east was a massive group of nations that made up a whole continent known collectively as the East Kingdoms. They all had their own individual hierarchies and governments in place, but they all still answered to the highest authority of the continent.
This was the jade emperor, grand high ruler residing in the Jade Empire, the biggest nation of the east lands. For almost as long as Princess Celestia has been in power in Equestria, the jade emperor or empress has always been the designated grand high monarch of the East Kingdoms. In addition to ruling the Jade Empire, the mantle also came with ruling over all the other eastern nations, especially in specific situations when called on to do so. Other than that, the nations had their own governmental systems and/or sub-monarchies in place to handle authorial responsibilities. Some even had their own sub-emperors in place while still being subservient to the jade emperor.
One of the smaller, but still more prosperous kingdoms in this system was a chain of islands at the edge of the eastern continent. These were the Islands of the Rising Sun, a collective of lands ruled over by the sub-emperor known as the imperial emperor of the Rising Sun. Were one to take a walk through the nation, they'd probably see many vast similarities in the culture, geography, agriculture, and architecture found in separate eras of Japan. From the classical era to the feudal era and even evolving mixes of the modern era, it was a cultural cluster. It was truly amazing and remarkable how many similarities there were, much like how other lands in this world not our own shared so many similarities with ours overall.
Cultures, geographic formations, and so much more was similar, it was a most wondrous coincidence one could ponder. The Islands of the Rising Sun were clearly no strangers in such mysterious coincidences. Although, they also had their own unique qualities to their culture as well, while also sharing some similarities with those other lands on this the planet, too. For example, a great chunk of the citizens here loved to hit the beach. Several of these islands were fit for just such an experience, having many great sandy shores perfect for a beach-going experience.
While that was not always the case with some islands not even being habitable, there were even some of the smaller islands that had great beaches for ponies to enjoy. It was true, much like Equestria, ponies were the main inhabitants of the Rising Sun islands. Although the ponies here had the slightest of differences with the Equestrian ponies. Nine times out of ten they were taller, maybe a bit lengthier, and there were some slight differences in the facial features. Perhaps the biggest difference of all was the unicorns had different, more curved, pointed, and sharp horns that closely resembled the blade of a katana.
Regardless of the differences, physical or cultural, a great many of the Rising Sun ponies still wanted to hit the beach when it was a bright sunny day and the temperature called for it. On such a day, the beachgoers and, to an even greater extent, the whole country would be in for quite a surprise. One family of beach-going ponies was busy with happily making a giant sandcastle over the buried lower body of the dad, who smiled and laughed as he helped his wife and children do it. This was the family's first holiday out together in a long time, for the dad's job as an accountant often kept him rather busy. However, he'd also had some time off coming his way and he had every intention of making the most of it despite "strong suggestions" from others in his office to reconsider.
However, after seeing his kids smiling and laughing happily and seeing how brightly his wife beamed, the unicorn stallion knew he'd made the right call. His six-year-old son and five-year-old daughter's joy and his Earth pony wife's relief were clear signs of it. So the stallion just sat back and relaxed while his children continued to bury him under the sand while making a big and surprisingly elaborate sandcastle. It didn't seem like anything could go wrong on such a fun, happy day. Even though looks can always be deceiving.
While the family of ponies were enjoying their time together, a sudden commotion started to come from the surrounding ocean; a rather loud commotion. It wasn't quite tidal wave big or typhoon big or anything like that, but it still caught the attention of ponies on the beach. The dad heard the voices of the other ponies on the beach pointing out some extra churning in the waters close by. He couldn't see it because of the mount of sand all over him blocking his view. He started to get worried, though, when several of his fellow beach-goers started to sound much more panicked as they pointed out something coming out of the water.
When he heard his wife and children scream, that was the final straw. The unicorn stallion sat up and shoved the sand on him aside, wrecking the sandcastle so he could see what was going on. His heart nearly stopped as his eyes widened in pure terror at what what he saw. Three rows of ivory white, almost maple leaf-shaped plates were sticking out of the water and they were enormous. The seas of this world were infested with all sorts of sea monsters among the regular marine life you'd expect to see.
Rarely, though, would one of the bigger sea beasts venture so close to the surface as this creature with the plates had, let alone come towards land. While the mass majority of beachgoers, including the father and his family, had never seen such a sight before in person, something about it still rang familiar. They were about to get a chance to found out, for the approaching rows of plates stopped and then started to shift. The massive creature they belonged to was standing up straight, revealing its upper body. This, of course, included its face... the face of the almighty king of the monsters.
The giant saurian of power and might let out a huge, bell-like roar, starting in a higher, thundering shriek that faded into a low moan. This sound, coupled together with the mere physical presence of such a titanic, mighty-looking beast like the three hundred plus foot kaiju made ponies cry and scream in terror.
"Run!" somepony yelled.
"It's Gojira!" another added.
Instantly the father got up to his hooves, albeit stumbling a bit from immense fear, and grabbed his daughter while his wife grabbed their son. As they pulled their children as far away from the waterfront as they could, they never took their eyes off the reptilian, dinosaur-like giant who dwarfed just about every other living creature. Godzilla let out another of his mighty roars, this one having much more of a growl in it that would surely make even the most ferocious dragon nervous (which it has). While most ponies were already running away to flee the sight of the monster, some were only slightly backing up while some even got closer to the water's edge to get a better look. It would seem Godzilla was just too fascinating of a sight for some ponies to resist, especially those who knew the kaiju king's reputation and that they had nothing to worry about.
A few, a very select few ponies on the beach had been tourists in Equestria when Godzilla first arrived there, so they knew all the good deeds he had done. They knew despite how the giant leviathan may look, he was actually good at heart, a hero even. Unfortunately, rather than try to calm their fellow beach ponies, they seemed more focused on getting a good look at Godzilla since they'd either gotten only glimpses before or missed him completely. Because of this, there was a much more numerous section of the ponies on the beach that were scared, downright terrified of the sight that was Godzilla. The king of monsters quickly saw this and got the hint quick that he wasn't welcomed around here.
So with a flare of his nostrils and a sneer of his upper lip, Godzilla turned away from the beach and dove back into the water. His tail flipped up in the air during his dive and then splashed back down into the water before Godzilla started swimming away. As he went, his back plates disappeared under the ocean waves. Soon the king of the monsters was gone, much to the relief of the majority of the ponies at the beach, even though they were still shaken to their very core from the experience. For the first time ever, Godzilla had appeared off the shores of a country foreign to Equestria.
And there were bound to be consequences.
Gigantic Creature Terrorizes Beach Goers
Sea Monster Appears Near Rising Sun Islands
Beach Ponies Flee For Their Lives From Monster
Surfs-Up For Giant Monsters in Rising Sun
Godzilla Appears And Horrifies in Rising Sun
These were but a few of the many headlines of various papers both from the Rising Sun Islands and all over the world reporting on the incident from a week before. They were all Twilight Sparkle cared to get her hooves on as well. She could only bring herself to take so many disheartening headlines. Looks like there are some things even I don't want to read, Twilight Sparkle thought as she hung her head in despair.
"I can't believe this is happening," Twilight Sparkle let out.
She was sitting in the throne room of her castle. Her throne stood alongside the thrones belonging to her friends on all sides of the round table that doubled as the map of friendship. She wasn't alone, though.
"It's just a misunderstanding, Twilight," Spike said as he put a supportive hand on her hoof. The princess looked to her little brother-like assistant as he smiled reassuringly. "That's all it is, just a misunderstanding."
"I sure hope you're right, Spike," Twilight Sparkle said. "I hope the emperor of the Rising Sun Islands sees it that way."
"I'm still wondering why Godzilla showed up the way he did," Princess Celestia chimed in. The others looked to the seven-foot-tall, white-furred alicorn, who had come to converse with her fellow princess before their meeting with the foreign emperor. "He has not been known to just randomly show up on foreign shores, except when needed like that incident on Parrotdise Island."
"It's not like him at all," Spike agreed.
"Fluttershy said that Godzilla did because something felt... familiar about it," Twilight Sparkle explained.
"You mean like something from the world he came from originally?" Princess Celestia asked.
"Exactly," Twilight Sparkle confirmed. "Apparently he got feelings from it. The same kind he did from a similar chain of lands he lived around growing up in his world."
"So in a way, Godzilla felt like he was going home?" Spike asked. "Wow, that's deep... Do you think this means he's homesick or something?"
"I doubt it," Twilight replied. "Godzilla's told Fluttershy he's been treated much better here than he ever was at his original world. My guess is that it was a temporary lapse where Godzilla was bound by his animal instincts to head for familiar territory."
"Be that as it may," Celestia interjected, "we still can't have Godzilla showing up in foreign nations like that. Especially not superpowers like the Rising Sun."
"What are you saying?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Twilight, you saw the panic Godzilla caused just by rising out of the water," Princess Celestia stated further.
"Are you saying you want to try and impose sanctions on Godzilla?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
Yeah, good luck with that, Spike thought to himself.
"That's more than likely something that will be brought up in the meeting today," Princess Celestia said. "So you should probably be prepared for that."
"But where do you stand on it?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"I'll tell you everything once we're in Canterlot," Princess Celestia said. "Now, I suggest we get moving there ASAP. We've only got five and a half hours before the meeting with the foreign emperor. This will give us time to do one more talk-through of our strategy together... and where we both stand."
Twilight Sparkle put a hoof to her chest as she took in a deep breath then let it out again as she extended her hoof outward.
"Okay, Princess Celestia, let's do this," Twilight Sparkle said, putting on her game face.
"Very well," Celestia replied as she offered a supportive smile.
With that, Twilight Sparkle, Celestia, and Spike exited the throne room, only to find TJ waiting outside for them. This surprised them all, especially Twilight.
"TJ, what are you doing here?" Twilight asked in surprise.
"Well, I knew that meeting was today," TJ explained. "So I just wanted to wish you luck, Sparkles."
The Earth pony stallion walked over, pulled Twilight close and kissed her. She did kiss back, but it felt halfhearted, not that Thunder Jack blamed her. He knew a big political debate was awaiting her, hence why he took no offense to any sort of hesitations. He put a hoof under her chin and turned her head to look up at him and his supportive smile.
"I have confidence in you, Twilight," TJ said. "I'm sure with you being a part of this meeting, everything will go just fine."
Glad one of us feels that way, Twilight Sparkle thought to herself. Instead of actually saying that she forced a smile back.
"Thank you, Jacky," the alicorn princess said as she took her boyfriend's hoof in one of hers. "Let's just hope your faith isn't misplaced."
"Twilight, we must go," Celestia said kindly, but firm.
"Okay," Twilight Sparkle said as she nodded. Then she looked to TJ. "See you later?"
"I'll be right here when you get back," TJ said before exchanging a second, more passionate kiss with Twilight.
After that, the tall, tan-furred stallion stepped to the side and let Twilight, Celestia, and Spike pass by. Please let this go well, TJ thought as a concerned expression crossed his face.
Canterlot, 5 Hours Later:
"Your Majesties," Flash Sentry said as he entered the royal hall. Twilight, Celestia, and Spike looked across the way from the thrones of the royal sisters to the entrance. "The Rising Sun's escort has arrived outside the castle walls."
"Please let them in quickly," Princess Celestia beckoned.
"At once, Your Highness," Flash said with a bow before taking off.
As the white alicorn of the sun turned back to those with her, she saw that her former pupil was as much a nervous wreck as ever. Except she was doing her absolute best to not show it and go crazy like she tended to do. Her deep, heavy breaths, however, showed how tense and on edge she truly was. Princess Celestia offered a supportive hoof to Twilight Sparkle's shoulder. When the younger alicorn mare looked to her superior, she saw a motherly smile on her face.
"You can do this, Twilight," Princess Celestia assured her friend. "This isn't the first time you've dealt with international relations between countries. I'm sure nothing will go wrong."
Twilight Sparkle smiled back as she put a hoof on the one Celestia placed on her shoulder.
"Thank you, princess," Twilight Sparkle said.
Suddenly the door to the royal hall opened again as Flash Sentry stepped forward.
"Announcing the arrival of the representatives of the Islands of the Rising Sun," the orange pegasus stallion announced.
This confused Spike, Celestia, and Twilight. Representatives? Twilight Sparkle thought to herself. I thought we were meeting with the emperor.
The twin doors swung open as a small group of ponies walked in. There were three in the middle, two unicorn mares on each side in black office coats and skirts with white shirts to go with. In the middle was a pegasus stallion wearing a black suit and tie with a white shirt to match along with black, thick-framed glasses. The ponies that surrounded them as their security escort wore karuta armor reminiscent of that worn by samurai in the feudal era of Japan. They had they carried katanas in side holsters as well, some even carrying extra weapons, naginatas; long poles with curved blades at the end.
Twilight Sparkle followed Princess Celestia's lead as she stood up regally and majestically. Twilight Sparkle tried to look as regal as possible... but didn't quite match up to her former teacher's presence. They both watched as the Rising Sun political party stopped at the bottom of the steps leading up to the twin thrones of the royal sisters.
"Welcome, oh honorable delegates and representatives of the Rising Sun," Princess Celestia announced. "We hope that with your cooperation we may settle any and all misunderstandings recent events might have caused between our two prosperous nations."
The Rising Sun representatives responded with a small bow of their heads, which the princesses returned in kind.
"We hope for the same, Princess Celestia," the brown-furred pegasus stallion in the suit replied. "May this meeting prove fruitful and beneficial to us all."
"Hopefully so," Twilight Sparkle responded.
This caused the pegasus stallion to turn to her and raise a brow questioningly. The gesture made Twilight feel nervous that maybe she spoke at the wrong time or said the wrong thing. Celestia saw her fellow princess's distress and took the reigns.
"Of course you must've heard by now of our own princess of friendship?" Celestia asked pleasantly. "This is Twilight Sparkle, one of Equestria's newest princesses who has helped us a great deal in forming close bonds with neighboring nations."
Twilight Sparkle merely smiled as she waved a nervous hoof. While the pegasus stallion looked outwardly neutral, one got the feeling inside he might be hiding a building frustration.
"Of course," the pegasus stallion said as he bowed his head. "Thank you for your presence here today, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Hopefully, it is a helpful one."
"I certainly hope so, representative," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Of course, how could I forget?" the pegasus stallion replied. "Introductions are indeed in order. Firstly let us offer our humble apologies that the emperor could not be here. He was tied up with other affairs."
"We understand," Princess Celestia said. "It's not easy running a country."
"Not at all," Twilight Sparkle agreed.
"Which, of course, is why I said I'd gladly fill in for the emperor," the pegasus said. "He thanks you for your understanding, as do we all. This actually falls under my jurisdiction anyways. I am the Rising Sun's minister of foreign affairs. Or the foreign minister for short. My name is Stern Brow."
"A pleasure," Celestia said with an added smile.
He then pointed a hoof to the fully peach-colored mare on his left.
"This is my personal secretary, Helpful Hoof," the foreign minister said.
She smiled as she bowed respectfully.
"Konichiwa," Helpful Hoof greeted.
Stern Brow then turned to the candy red-furred and berry blue-maned unicorn mare on his left.
"This is Rosey Pedal," he introduced.
The mare bowed respectfully.
"I'm a representative for the governor of the prefecture the island falls under," Rosey explained.
The two princesses knew right away what island she was referring to.
"Yes, of course," Celestia said. "We're very happy to have you here."
"Dōmo arigatō," Rosey Pedal said as she bowed once more.
Alright," Stern Brow said a bit forcefully. "Now that the pleasantries are finished, perhaps we can get down to the matter we're here for."
"Certainly, foreign minister," Princess Celestia said.
She may have been apprehensive of the way the minister just spoke, but she wouldn't let it show in any way.
"Perhaps we could start with what we all hope to get out of this meeting?" Twilight Sparkle suggested.
"Very well," Stern Brow said. He then gestured a hoof to the Equestrian princesses. "How about you begin, Your Majesties, given that you called this meeting?"
"Very well," Princess Celestia said with a smile. "Thank you for your generosity, foreign minister. Princess Twilight?"
Celestia looked to the violet-furred mare who gave the smallest nervous twitch but bowed her head respectfully and smiled nonetheless.
"Thank you, Princess Celestia," Twilight Sparkle said before turning to the Rising Sun representatives. "It's my understanding that you, on behalf of the citizens and authorities of your country, have come here with many questions, doubts, and possibly even fears. I hope that we can answer these questions, remove these doubts, and put all fears to rest in the name of maintaining and even improving upon the relationship between our two nations. While contact between Equestria and the Rising Sun has been the bare minimum so far, trades and exchange, nation summits and the like, I wish for us to be much closer. Perhaps Equestria and the Rising Sun Islands may even be allies or... friends when all is said and done.
"That is what I most want to get out of this meeting overall. And you, Princess Celestia?"
"I couldn't have said it better, Princess Twilight Sparkle," the tall white alicorn said with an approving smile. "My hopes and desires are the same as my fellow princess's."
"And ours as well," Stern Brow said. "Along with other wants and desires."
Twilight Sparkle looked to Celestia questioningly, to which the pony with the tri-colored mane smiled and bowed to let her co-princess take the stage.
"Please, by all means state them," Twilight Sparkle said with a smile.
Stern Brow's neutral, but authoritative expression turned into a glare of malice.
"Either the containment of full-on termination of the beast that caused a great disturbance by showing up in our country's waters so close to our lands!" Stern Brow proclaimed.
This got a small look of surprise from Celestia and a full-on gasp of horror from Twilight Sparkle.
"What?" the younger alicorn asked with a hint of dread in her tone.
"We want something done about Gojira," Stern Brown reiterated. "The creature you are clearly responsible for. Otherwise, you would not have called this meeting as you did. As such, we're holding you and your country personally responsible."
"Gojira?" Princess Celestia inquired.
"That is what our government has code-named the monster," Stern Brow explained. "The one you call Godzilla."
"You want us to kill Godzilla?" Twilight Sparkle asked in a whispery, horrified voice.
"Or to get the creature under control," the minister of foreign affairs replied. "That is a direct request from the emperor on behalf of our whole country. Although speaking frankly from my own perspective, I am hoping to see the order from you to have Gojira destroyed."
"Destroyed?" Twilight Sparkle asked in horror. She looked utterly mortified by the foreign minster's words. "How could you ask something like that of us? How could you ask us to take Godzilla's life when he hasn't taken one from anyone, anyone in your country?"
The stallion's glare intensified.
"I won't hesitate with my answers, princess," Stern Brown said. "Especially now since I see where you stand on this. Being blunt on my own personal thoughts, and feelings on this matter, the monster is a pubic menace. I want this creature dead, killed, completely wiped out and obliterated. It just showed up on our shores without any hesitations and sent the public into a wild panic."
"And just because of that, you want––?"
Celestia put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, indicating for her to stop. The violet mare looked to the taller alicorn, who only gave her a look indicating she'd take the reigns.
"It was my understanding Godzilla actually didn't come ashore," Princess Celestia responded. "In fact, everything I heard said Godzilla stayed in the water looking on for mere moments before turning around and leaving again. Is this not true? Is it also not true that he did not physically harm a single pony at all?"
"Yes, but ponies were still injured in the panic," Stern Brow said. "Some were trampled."
"And you're gonna pin the blame squarely on Godzilla?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Twilight," Celestia said as she looked to her former pupil.
"Yes!" Stern Brow said. "If it were not for that monster showing up, there would've been no panic! An animal, a wild animal such as Gojira, especially at that size should not be able to run free as it does!"
"Godzilla is not a wild animal!" Twilight Sparkle protested. "I don't know how much the Rising Sun knows about Godzilla and I realize the beach landing is your only personal experience so far, but––"
"But what, Twilight Sparkle?!" Stern Brow said, intentionally leaving out her royal title. "Because there are wild stories of Gojira saving your country regularly, you wish us to leave the beast alone?" The minister of foreign affairs paused for a moment, but there was no reply to his question. "Oh, yes, the stories are well known. Not just to us, but we happen to know for a fact that a lot of other countries, like us, find these tall tales dubious.
"Not only that but they are also, again like us, not comfortable with the idea of a sovereign nation like yours harboring a monster who's a potentially serious threat to international security. For years now, Equestria has been building up a good name in international relations. Are you truly willing to let that goodwill you've worked all this time for get thrown away for the sake of a beast you tell such fantasies about?"
"They are not fantasies and they're not tall tales," Twilight Sparkle insisted. "Godzilla has truly come through to save our lives, our citizens, our country, and the whole world on several occasions! Yes, the world! The threats we faced that Godzilla shielded us from could've had a significantly bigger effect on us than they did. They could've effected the world too and that includes the Islands of the Rising Sun, foreign minister."
Stern Brow scoffed not holding back any of the contempt he felt at that moment.
"It is true, foreign minister," Princess Celestia said. "We can provide several photographs and other forms of documentation that can verify and substantiate that Godzilla did all the things for us he did. That includes my own word on having seen him do it myself. I was there and up close to watch him fight an evil beast under the control of a psychotically evil mad pony that meant to bring harm to our country."
"So you can believe us when we say Godzilla is not a threat," Twilight Sparkle said. "He would never intentionally harm any pony."
"Maybe not for your country," Stern Brow said with a scoff.
"I beg your pardon!" Twilight Sparkle said with a bit of outrage.
"Clearly you have some sort of bond with this beast," Stern Brow said. "But it's also clear that you don't have a leash on it. Otherwise, it wouldn't be going into foreign territories like it has been... Unless maybe it was by your own decree!"
"Be mindful of your words, foreign minister!" Princess Celestia said in her royal Canterlot voice. "Less you accuse Equestria and more directly myself of conspiring against neighboring nation, you would do well to think about what accusations you toss around!"
The whole room was taken aback by the white-furred alicorn's outburst, some ponies even looking downright terrified. The armed escorts with Stern Brow and the unicorn mares had even reached for their weapons, making the Canterlot royal guards in the room take a few steps forward. After a moment, Stern Brow looked more outraged than he did scared, although it was clear he, like most of the ponies in the room, was still uneasy after that display. None in that throne room was more horrified than Princess Celestia herself, who seemed absolutely distraught over what she had just done. She looked to Princess Twilight Sparkle who, along with Spike, seemed intensely mortified at the development in their own right.
"Foreign Minister Stern Brow, I am so, so sorry," Princess Celestia said in a shaky voice. "Please excuse my outburst."
"How dare you speak out against us in that manner?" Stern Brow angrily said as he pointed a hoof at the sun princess. "We came here seeking a solution to this matter and you have the gull to shout at us like a child throwing a tantrum?!"
"What does it seem like you're doing right now, foreign minister?" Twilight Sparkle said bluntly. Stern Brow's personal secretary and the governor's representative both gasped while Stern Brow scowled. "We tell you Godzilla's not a threat or a wild animal and even offer proof and you threw it back in our face to make blatantly false accusations. You dared to suggest that we conceptualized a plot against other nations. One that involved sending Godzilla in to assert dominance.
"These ideas come clearly from a realm of paranoia and are completely unfounded. For one thing, Godzilla's been with us for more than a year now. If we were going to use him in some capacity like that, don't you think we would've by now? On top of that, Godzilla has made no attacks on your country! Not even this one time where he showed up and then left almost immediately without ever coming onto land; your lands.
"Also, Godzilla has made no such appearances in any other country, save for an incident where he actually saved a group of parrot islanders from a gang of rogue dragons! I truly fail to see where you have grounds to make such claims. Despite all that, you're still justified in your concerns about Godzilla showing up in your territory at all unannounced."
Stern Brow was growling through gritted teeth, looking like his brown fur might actually start to turn red.
"I will not be talked to this way!" Stern Brow shouted. "You either do something about Gojira or––"
"If I may," Rosey Pedal interjected, much to Stern Brow's dismay. "Before this gets any more heated, I'd like to give my governor's stance on all this."
"Of course, Representative Rosey Pedal," Princess Celestia said. "Please state your piece on these proceedings."
"Thank you," Rosey said with a bow. "At first, the governor's demeanor and stance was much like Stern Brow's here. He was angry, outraged, distraught, and very fearful, being concerned by what Gojira's presence on our shores could mean."
"Oh, boy," Spike let out, voicing the concern Twilight and Celestia were also feeling.
"However, then we got word from some of our citizens," Rosey Pedal said. "You see, it turns out Equestria is quite a popular tourist location for a lot of our citizens. What Stern Brow failed to mention earlier was that while it's true many in our country are concerned with this development, a good many others have also come to Gojira's defense."
"Really?" Twilight Sparkle let out in glee.
"Indeed, Your Highness," Rosey Pedal said with a smile. "Those who were tourists here in the periods you say Godzilla protected you from external threats corroborate these claims, even showing their own photographs they took. So in that case, things do check out."
"Why do I get the feeling there's a 'but' coming?" Spike inquired.
"Ssh," Twilight shushed her assistant.
"However, the governor still has concerns," Rosey Pedal said. "Like the majority of those in our government, he does not want an incident like this to stand as is without action being taken. He and the rest of the government do, indeed, want something to be done about this on your behalf."
"Kill the monster!" Stern Brow exclaimed. "It's a public menace!"
"Foreign minister, I'm going to have to ask you to refrain from such outbursts," Princess Celestia said with royal authority in her voice.
"I wasn't exaggerating earlier!" Stern Brow said. "Our government has hooves in several countries who feel the same type of concern about Gojira. More specifically, the fact that you're clearly responsible for him and don't do anything about it or that he's yours at all. That even includes some of your so-called allies! Saddle Arabia, Mount Aris, Zebabra, Maretonia, Almythara! Yes, I said Almythara!
"Even the minotaurs don't like the idea of you having a giant monster that you can let loose whenever you please!"
"And you've clearly seen evidence to the contrary of that happening!" Princess Celestia said. "It's true Godzilla goes and swims about wherever he wants, but we have no control over that. Godzilla his own being, nopony owns him!"
"Ah, but was there not a ceremony in which you made this thing a citizen of your country?" Stern Brow asked. "If so, sounds like a mockery if you ask me."
"There was a ceremony, yes," Princess Celestia said. "But that was only honorary citizenship. It does not give me or anypony else power over Godzilla. He would only ever listen if he wanted to, which he always has so far!"
"Then he is a wild animal who could attack at any moment!" Stern Brow said.
"Absolutely not!" Twilight Sparkle said. "How can you still make those claims when everything we've said has been to the contrary?!"
"How do you know Godzilla won't attack?!" Stern Brow asked.
"He's told us!" Twilight Sparkle said.
This caused Stern Brow to laugh mockingly.
"An animal told you he would never attack another country?!" Stern Brow asked.
"Not us directly," Twilight Sparkle said. "It was through our friend, Fluttershy, who can... talk to animals."
A few bits of laughter came from those in the Rising Sun's political party.
"What, you guys don't have anypony like that?" Spike asked.
"Godzilla told us through her that he only wants peace and friendship," Twilight Sparkle said. "He only attacks when we or any other innocent pony requires aid. This should further authenticate the fact that any surrounding countries are safe from any harm because of Godzilla's courage, kindness, integrity, loyalty, and friendship. We have no need for him to attack another country because our goal with them is global peace and unity! Godzilla could probably even defend your country if you ever needed it, foreign minister."
Stern Brow scoffed again.
"So, let me see if I understand this," Stern Brow said. "You want us to take you on your word, which you claim is also Gojira's word, which he gave you through... an animal translator? While we're on the subject, does this not contradict your continued statements that Gojira is not an animal?"
"I said he wasn't a wild animal," Twilight Sparkle corrected. "By technicality, yes, Godzilla is an animal. He's not a member of a recognized sentient species and he can't talk like you or I can. But clearly, there's more to him than you're giving him credit for. He's not only sentient in his own right, but he's obviously benevolent."
"Utterly ridiculous," Stern Brow scoffed. "So am I too understand that you'll do nothing about what Gojira's presence in the land of the Rising Sun caused us?!"
"We never said that and we'd appreciate it if you'd stop putting words in our mouths, foreign minister," Princess Celestia said. "Yes, action will be taken. We will attempt to reason this out with Godzilla and see to it your shores and those of any other foreign soil are safe from his potentially harming presence. Nonetheless, what Princess Twilight Sparkle said before is true. Should you need his aid at all, we will also try to see that Godzilla will give it should you ask so."
"Don't count on it, Your Highness," Stern Brow said with scoffing spite. "The emperor will, indeed, hear of what transpired here today."
"As will my governor, who will send a copy of my report to the higher-ups as well," Rosey Pedal said. "That way all stories and points of view on this reach the emperor so there's no confusion."
Stern Brow's brow furrowed greatly as he looked to the representative with contempt.
"Thank you, Representative Rosey Pedal," Princess Celestia said. "And to you too, foreign minister. I'm sure this meeting will work to improve relations with our two nations over time."
"So I suppose this means this matter is closed for the time being?" Stern Brow inquired.
"Yes," Twilight Sparkle said. "Keep in mind, though, this also applies to the shores of other countries, not just the Rising Sun. So Godzilla shouldn't be making any unplanned incursions to Maretonia, Zebabra, or anywhere else."
"What about the cruise liners and small pleasure crafts out on the oceans?" Stern Brow inquired. "The ones who reported bad encounters with Gojira where his mere presence terrified some passengers to death?"
"We've heard of no such claims or incidents," Princess Celestia said. "Had we, they would've been dealt with just like we're dealing with this situation right now regardless of what you might think happened here, foreign minister."
"As far as I'm concerned, nothing happened here," Stern Brow said. "Nothing at all. This matter is not handled and not closed. It was all a waste of time."
"Thank you for seeing us, oh, honorable representatives," Princess Celestia said as she, Twilight, and Spike bowed. "I look forward to future meetings with you and your government in the future."
Everyone in the Rising Sun's political party bowed their heads respectfully, save for Stern Brow, who glared and turned away, soon followed by the others. Rosey Pedal offered the princesses of Equestria an apologetic smile before she fully turned away and left with the others as Stern Brow was cursing in his own native language "under his breath". He was still doing so even after the twin doors shut behind him and the others in his party.
"Well... that could've gone better," Spike said.
"What was with that foreign minster?" Twilight Sparkle asked in a distraught tone. "It was like he was determined to make this meeting go bad, determined to make Equestria out to be an evil, plotting nation, and to make Godzilla out to be a vicious, mindless, and destructive animal!"
"That's how these meetings go sometimes, Twilight," Princess Celestia said. "Sometimes ponies are just determined to see things one way and prove they're just in doing so, regardless of the facts. A good majority of the time, it takes a lot more than one meeting to change that mindset. Even after a great many, though, there's still no guarantee on changing their minds."
"But he was so––"
Twilight Sparkle couldn't finish her sentence, only huffing in defeat. Spike took his sister-like friend's hoof in his hands and looked up to her with a supportive smile. Twilight Sparkle responded with a grateful, but still sad smile of her own.
"I know, Twilight," Princess Celestia said as she put a supportive hoof on her former student's shoulder. This made her and Spike look up to the princess of the sun. "I didn't like him either." This made the trio share a round of laughter. "Oftentimes, there are meetings with representatives from other countries that I end up not caring for personally."
"Really?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Oh, of course," Princess Celestia said. "Twilight, you're going to find through such meetings as this and other political gatherings, you'll meet many royal and government officials that you'd rather not spend time with personally. That's perfectly fine because that's not what government or politics should be about. It should be sitting down, discussing what's best for all involved, especially the citizens, and then doing what's agreed to be best. Although, that doesn't always happen, unfortunately.
"Some forget we are servants for the masses and would rather push their own agendas, regardless of if it's best for everyone involved or not. It's even worse when what could be seen as best for a certain group isn't best for another. It's a very complicated process, which is why meetings like this are necessary, even if they don't always go how they should... And yes, they can devolve into shouting matches sometimes, too."
"I understand, Celestia," Twilight Sparkle said. There was still a troubled expression on the violet alicorn's face, though. "Still, this meeting's left me uneasy."
"It's left me worried as well, Twilight," Princess Celestia admitted, letting it show on her face. "Are there really countries that have grown weary of Equestria all because of our association with Godzilla? And what of the stories about ocean liners and pleasure boats being terrorized by Godzilla? Could such suggestions be true?"
"If so, it's surely not intentional," Twilight Sparkle said. "That's not the kind of kaiju Godzilla is. He just barely qualifies for that title. He's not a monster!... Not the way something like Geon or Solomon... or Monsager were."
"Yes, yes, Twilight, I know," Princess Celestia said. "Believe me, I know. Still, clearly, some ponies don't."
"So... what are you guys going to do then?" Spike asked.
"What should we do?" Twilight Sparkle asked. "What all can we do? What will happen if this all gets in the way of my project?"
Princess Celestia looked to Twilight Sparkle.
"You're referring to the Monarch Alliance initiative?" the sun alicorn inquired.
"Yes," the princess of friendship replied. "I'm sorry, I know it's wrong to be thinking about that kind of stuff right now."
"No, Twilight, it isn't," Celestia said firmly. "Having the countries of the world united under a single banner in times of need is very much a good idea. Right now, though, it doesn't look like the Monarch Alliance is possible with other nations. Not even with some of our own allies apparently who are supposedly uneased by our friendly relationship with Godzilla."
"What do we do then?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"That's what I've been asking," Spike said.
Princess Celestia was silent as she looked on thoughtfully. With each passing second, Twilight Sparkle and Spike both got all the more nervous, as was evident by their expressions and body language.
"We need to talk with Godzilla," Princess Celestia said. "We need to see what we can get him to do to restore and possibly improve Equestria's international relations."
Twilight Sparkle nodded her head solemnly while Spike looked less than pleased in his own right.
"So, you're really gonna do it?" Spike asked flatly. "You're really gonna try to impose sanctions on Godzilla?"
"It's not like that, Spike," Princess Celestia said. "I just want to figure out the best course of action to take involving all the parties this scenario includes. Especially Godzilla!"
"And by doing that, you mean put a leash on him?" Spike said. "You want to make Godzilla our pet?"
"No..." Twilight Sparkle said, "we would be his."
3 Hours Later:
"And that's basically where we're at right now," Twilight Sparkle finished up.
She, Spike, Fluttershy, and Princess Celestia all looked as nervous as a fly in a spider's web. They were currently in conference with perhaps the mightiest being on the face of the planet; the king of monsters himself, Godzilla. The apex predator looked none too pleased himself, his animalistic scowl appearing as though it could kill a creature just by looking at it. The ponies and their dragon friend all did their best not to for fear of such a thing happening. This anger in Godzilla stemmed from the fact that he'd just heard the results of the meeting that took place earlier that day with the minister of foreign affairs from the Rising Sun.
Before heading to the meeting, Twilight Sparkle had grabbed Fluttershy to come with her, Spike, and Celestia to the west coast beachfront. The yellow pegasus was to both call Godzilla and act as an interpreter for the king of monsters. She figured it was best they bring as few of their friends as possible given the nature of this meeting and how it could go. So now here the ponies and the young dragon were standing on a seaside cliff looking up at the amazing sight that was Godzilla. It was all the more frightening too, because of how aggravated and upset Godzilla was.
The giant saurian lifted his head up high as he let out a loud, high-register, shrieking roar that slowly faded into a bellow. This had made the ponies and Spike flinch and twitch with fear, for the outburst was so sudden. Ordinarily, when talking to his smaller friends, the kaiju king would emit a lower bellow so as not to shatter their eardrums. This one got away from him, though, for the great Godzilla felt like his wrath could be invoked at any moment. Godzilla saw what his outburst did to his friends and hung his head as he let out a softer growl of a roar.
"Godzilla's really upset right now," Fluttershy said as she took her hooves off her ears.
"We can tell," Spike said dryly.
"But he does apologize," Fluttershy said.
"And so do I, Godzilla," Twilight Sparkle said.
"That goes for me as well," Princess Celestia said. "I had a feeling these developments would upset you, oh great Godzilla. But it truly was not my intent."
Godzilla let out a few growls as he looked to the alicorn of the sun.
"He knows," Fluttershy said.
Godzilla tried to force a smile, but it quickly faded as his brows lowered and his facial expression conveyed his upset demeanor. His sadness soon faded into another angry scowl as he let out several low, growling bellows.
"Godzilla says he hates that it's come to this," Fluttershy translated. "He always knew he'd be treated differently because of who and what he is, but he didn't think his mere presence would reflect so badly on all of Equestria too. All he wanted was to explore this new world that's suppose to be his home... Now, he's asking what good is it to be a defender in a different world if we're all gonna keep him on a short leash just because he's a kaiju."
Twilight and the others looked to the somber creature, looking as vulnerable as he possibly could emotionally.
"Godzilla..." Twilight Sparkle let out in a sympathetic voice.
The saurian responded with a big flare of his nostrils as he looked all the more dejected. He roared again, in a low, moaning roar as he looked away.
"Oh," Fluttershy let out emotionally as she wept.
"What?" Spike asked. "What did he say?"
"He asked if ponies will always hate and fear him just because he's a monster," Fluttershy said
"No!" Twilight Sparkle said as she looked to Godzilla. "They just don't know you yet! Not like we here in Equestria do!"
"That's right!" Spike said as he walked a little closer to the cliff's edge. "Don't forget while you're still new to everyone out there-" Spike pointed beyond Godzilla- "you're still loved by all the ponies and creatures living here!" Spike pointed downward at the ground with both hands for emphasis. "We all know straight up that there is good in you. We've all seen it up close and personal when you risked your life to protect us all.
"You're only a monster in the loosest of terms. You're a hero more than anything else. Maybe to some, you are just a monster, but the best thing about you is you can be a monster when it counts the most and then turn around and be a hero when we need you to be! I don't like that we have to come talking to you like this about this kind of thing either, because you don't deserve it. You deserve so much better because of all the great things you've done and what you went through to do them
"We love you here, Godzilla, because we know what and who you truly are deep down. So don't let any haters from beyond Equestria get you down! I promise one day they'll see the light when you have to step up and be a hero again!"
Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Princess Celestia looked to the little dragon with great surprise, although the princess of friendship also had pride mixed in. She had been so proud of Spike so many times before when he stepped up where it counted the most, but this was one of the times where she was proudest. Twilight couldn't keep from smiling as she came up to Spike as she put a hoof on his head before hugging him close to her. She wasn't the only one touched by his words, for Godzilla was emitting several soft growls as he smiled in appreciation. Then the kaiju king let out a low, growling roar.
"He said 'thank you, Spike,'" Fluttershy said with a smile.
This made the purple-scaled dragon beam brightly as well as he let out a laugh of joy. Godzilla looked from him to Twilight Sparkle.
"What Spike said is the absolute truth," Princess Twilight Sparkle said. "I promise you this unease with other nations is only temporary. You're too good of a being for it to not be."
"Absolutely," Princess Celestia spoke up, making all eyes fall on her. "Godzilla, you are among Equestria's greatest champions."
"Some have said the greatest of them all," Twilight agreed.
"You deserve to be treated better and so you shall," Princess Celestia said. "I promise I will do everything in my power to spread the good word that comes with your name to other nations."
"It's actually already started to an extent," Twilight Sparkle said. "Tourists from other nations that came to Equestria have been telling tales of what you've done for us here in Equestria. So that's a start. We just need to continue that good publicity in the public and in political sessions."
"I can send a word out to the newspapers to do so," Princess Celestia said.
"Like get interviews with ponies about what they've seen Godzilla do?" Fluttershy inquired.
"That and more," Princess Celestia said as she looked back to Godzilla. "So you see, my friend? It will all work out, you have my word... It'll just take time."
Godzilla's face was an inquisitive one as he stayed silent for a moment. Then, after several quiet, thought-filled seconds, he let out a low, bellowing roar.
"He wants to know what you want him to do," Fluttershy translated.
"Just... be more picky with where you swim to," Twilight Sparkle said. "Only for the meantime. But especially be picky about where you make landfall."
"Also... just for now... please avoid going near the Islands of the Rising Sun," Princess Celestia said. "There are ponies in power there still making a stink about you. They'll take any excuse they can get to ruin your reputation. I don't want them getting any fuel before we have a chance to clear your name."
Godzilla huffed again as he looked away, his face conveying anger and sadness. To the untrained eye, the anger would stick out more on what many would call a monstrous face. To Twilight and her friends, clearly, Godzilla was more saddened by this turn of events. As the king of the monsters looked back, though, he nodded his head before roaring out.
"He says okay, he'll do it," Fluttershy translated.
"Thank you, Godzilla, for your cooperation," Princess Celestia said. "It's more than I can say for some politicians out there. This will play a big part in––"
Godzilla let out another, slightly more forceful roar as his facial expression turned hard and stern, getting everyone's attention.
"He just said on one condition," Fluttershy said.
"State it," Princess Celestia said.
Godzilla let out a bellowing roar followed by several short growls, shrieks, and a final roar.
"He wants you to destroy anything that says he's a citizen of Equestria in any way," Fluttershy said.
This got a gasp out of the others, making Godzilla let out several other roars.
"He says he understands why, but you're still taking away part of his independence," Fluttershy said. "So he wants us to give him back another part of it in return."
The others looked to Godzilla who looked as serious as a heart attack, which somepony could probably get looking at the monster king.
"Very well," Princess Celestia said, sounding as regretful as everyone else looked. "It will be done... Godzilla. Know that you'll still always have a place here, though."
Godzilla let out several growls as he nodded his head. He then let out a low bellow.
"He says 'thank you, Your Highness,'" Fluttershy translated.
"You're most welcome," Celestia said, forcing a smile. "And thank you again for understanding."
"Are–– are we okay?" Spike asked, making Godzilla look to him.
The king of the monsters responded with a nod of his head.
"Are we still friends?" Twilight Sparkle asked with concern.
Godzilla roared out several times. Everyone looked to see Fluttershy smiling, meaning it could only be good things Godzilla was saying.
"He says so long as we want his friendship, we'll always have it," Fluttershy said. "Because he will always want ours."
The others smiled to the king of the monsters just as he turned away and started heading back out to sea.
"Are you going to be okay, Godzilla?" Twilight Sparkle called out.
The leviathan of a creature gave no response as he walked further out towards the tides. His tail flicked up high into the air before slapping back down into the water. Godzilla's body submerged more and more as he walked on deeper in the ocean's depths. Then he finally dived forward and started to swim away, his back plates disappeared into the water soon after. And so a clearly dejected Godzilla, the undisputed king of monsters was gone but had left behind a few things for his friends on the cliff to think about.
2 Hours Later:
"So he took off like that," Starlight Glimmer said. "He said things were cool, didn't he? Godzilla probably just needed some time to cool off. You did say he was really upset, right?"
"You didn't see the look in his eyes, Starlight Glimmer," Spike replied. "He was furious."
The unicorn pony looked to Twilight Sparkle, who nodded her head, her expression being one of regret and despair. After getting back from meeting Godzilla, Twilight Sparkle and Spike came home to their castle to find Twilight's former student waiting there for them. When she'd asked how it went, they told her in full detail.
"Exactly," Starlight Glimmer said, despite her voice slightly shaking form uncertainty. "He was upset with the situation and needed to get away from it. Doesn't mean we have anything to worry about with him. Godzilla said he'd play ball and that he still has Equestria's back, especially with you guys'. Look, things just get... rocky sometimes.
"When that happens, usually the best thing to do is give those who want some space... well, some space. Godzilla's stuck with you guys this long, I'm sure he still will despite this. Especially given all you guys have been through together already."
Twilight Sparkle looked to Starlight Glimmer and offered her a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Starlight Glimmer," Twilight Sparkle said.
"I had a good teacher," Starlight said with a wink. "You guys gonna be okay?" Twilight and Spike both nodded their heads. "Good, then I'll give you your space. I have some things I need to catch up on anyways. Take care."
"You too," Twilight and Spike said together.
With that, Starlight Glimmer turned down a corridor and headed along her way.
"I think I'm gonna book it to my room too," Spike said.
The purple dragon started to walk away.
"Spike?" the violet-furred mare said questioningly.
This made her brother-like assistant turn back to her.
"Yeah, Twilight?" Spike asked.
"This whole situation with Godzilla's really got you upset, doesn't it?" Twilight Sparkle asked. The young fire-breather was quiet for a moment before nodding his head. "I understand, Spike. If you have more you want to say on this... please feel free to get it out now."
At first, the dragon welp was silent, not sure he could find non-aggressive or non-confrontational ways to say what he wanted. When he saw the look in Twilight's eyes, though, he knew she wanted him to pour his heart out.
"Okay, I'll say something," Spike said as he stood firm, his face conveying his anger. "This situation is completely ridiculous. Godzilla's been willing to spill his guts for us so many times in the past. Not just us, but for the whole world because all those monsters he fought could've gone after everyone else when they were done with Equestria. And how is he repaid?
"The rest of the world forces us to put Godzilla on a leash!... He deserves better than that. Godzilla, king of the monsters, a mighty and powerful hero... gets kenneled like a rabid dog ready to be put down."
"It's not quite like that," Twilight Sparkle said before hesitating a moment. "I do see what you mean, though, Spike,. This truly is a horrible and compromising situation. Not just for Godzilla, but Celestia, Luna, myself, and possibly all of Equestria, too... Still, the tough position we've been put in is nothing compared to the tough and unfair position Godzilla's in.
"Let us pray this gets resolved and Godzilla gets his freedom back soon... I'm sorry this has left him mad as he is... And I'm also sorry you're mad, too, Spike. In a way, I am myself. I just don't know what else to do right now."
Spike was silent for a moment as he observed the genuinely distraught look in his maternally sister-like figure's eyes.
"You know I'm not mad at you or Celestia, right, Twilight?" Spike asked. "I'm just mad at the situation."
"I know, Spike," Twilight said while forcing a smile.
Spike smiled back as he walked up and shared a quick hug with Twilight Sparkle.
"See you tomorrow then?" Spike inquired.
"Count on it," Twilight said as she beamed down at her number one assistant.
Spike then turned away and headed for his room while Twilight Sparkle watched. After a bit, her smile faded as she let out a sigh of exhaustion, disappointment, and aggravation. She looked to a hall window and saw the sun was slowly starting to lower from the sky. Looks like it's about that time again, Twilight Sparkle thought to herself. Only instead of heading for her room, she felt the compulsion to head for the library.
When she got there, she was surprised to find just how dimly lit it was with only one or two lights in the middle of the large room of books. They were both tiny lamps on one of the library's tables, revealing an Earth pony stallion painting a rose with red, pink, and purple peddles on a white guitar. Of course, this tan-furred stallion was Thunder Jack, who turned in surprise when light from the halls outside the library shined through the crack of the now opened doors. He was both relieved and a bit embarrassed to see it was Twilight Sparkle, who was now looking at him questioningly.
"Hey, Sparkles," TJ let out in a pleasant voice as he smiled to his girlfriend. "Don't you ever sleep?"
"The sun's only just going down, Jacky," Twilight Sparkle responded.
"Huh," TJ said before turning away and going back to his painting. Then he said through the paintbrush in his mouth, "You couldn't tell if it was night or day in here."
"Maybe that's because you don't have more than one little light on," Twilight Sparkle said with a chuckle.
She then used her magic to turn on all the lights in the library. TJ put his brush down and looked to his special girl and smiled.
"Thanks, Sparks," TJ said. "The electric bills here must cost two front legs and a back, though."
"Eh, being royalty gets you some perks," Twilight Sparkle said. "Like official royal discounts on... everything."
"Nice," TJ said before turning back to the acoustic guitar he was painting. "Well... the paint needs to dry... but other than that, it's done. Come over here and tell me what you think, Twilight."
The violet alicorn mare walked up to TJ's side and gasped when she fully saw what he was working on.
"Oh, TJ, it's beautiful," Twilight Sparkle said. She then looked in surprise to see a violet electric guitar laying on the other side of the table with something painted on it as well. "Is that my cutie mark on that guitar?"
"Yeah," TJ said with a smile. "I was painting these for you... They were supposed to both have your cutie mark on them... but I decided to get a little creative when painting the acoustic."
"Ohh, TJ," Twilight Sparkle let out emotionally. "I love them both."
She put her hooves around TJ as she leaned up against his back. He smiled as he rubbed a hoof against those his girlfriend had lovingly wrapped around him.
"I'm glad you approve, sweetie," TJ said.
"They're both beautiful," Twilight Sparkle replied. "Thank you so much."
"That's what I'm here for," TJ said. "So, how did it go at the meeting today?"
Twilight Sparkle's loving smile shifted into a somber expression.
"Bleh," Twilight Sparkle let out.
"That good, huh?" TJ said with a soft chuckle.
"Worse," Twilight said. "Instead of the emperor of the Rising Sun coming to see us like what was supposed to happen, they sent the minister of foreign affairs. Oh, along with him they sent a representative of the governor who runs the island Godzilla showed up next to."
"Wow, he snubbed you?" TJ asked. "Seems kind of rude. What's a minister of foreign affairs anyways?"
"Basically someone who deals with the mass majority of international business and relations with other countries," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Like how you do as the princess of friendship making nice with other countries?" TJ asked.
"Eh... sort of, but dealing with much more than just friendship," Twilight Sparkle said.
"Ah," TJ said. "Well, then, it does kind of make sense he was sent then. Still, you'd think the emperor would keep his word and meet with you like he was supposed to."
"I'm sure there's a good reason why he couldn't," Twilight Sparkle said. "That's not the part that I'm mulling over, though."
"Oh?" TJ asked. "Well, what is it then, baby?"
Twilight Sparkle was silent for a moment before she took a deep breath.
"It was the attitude of the foreign minister himself," Twilight Sparkle said. "While the governor's representative seemed reasonable enough, the minister was calling for Godzilla's execution."
"What?!" TJ let out in shock.
"Ssshh, easy, TJ," Twilight said. "Yeah, I thought the same thing. He claimed he was afraid of what would happen if Godzilla had come ashore either on the Islands of the Rising Sun or anywhere else outside of Equestria... Now I can't get that out of my head."
"Well, that's not surprising," TJ said. "Some jerk just came in here judging Godzilla before getting to know the real him and just seeing him as a mindless monster and demanding his death. If I was there and I heard that moron spout that stuff, I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it either. Probably won't anyways after you just told me about it."
"Is he really a moron or a jerk, though?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
TJ raised an eyebrow.
"You're not trying to say he was right or justified, are you?" TJ asked.
"No, no!" Twilight said in a panicked tone. But then she hesitated a small moment before speaking on. "Not right... maybe a little justified. That's only because he represents a foreign nation that, for the most part, is experiencing Godzilla for the first time. He really could just be looking out for the nation's citizens and their best interest."
"Or he could be scared of the fact Equestria has a bigger defense than the Rising Sun does just on principle alone," TJ said.
"That's also a possibility," Twilight Sparkle said. "I simply don't know right now if this... Stern Brow was looking out for the Rising Sun's best interest or was pushing his own personal agenda in this case."
"It could easily be either-or," TJ said. "Could even be something else entirely. I'm no politician, but from what I gather, politics aren't really as clear cut black-and-white as folks make it out to be."
"They're really not," Twilight Sparkle said. "I always knew they weren't, but being in the middle of them myself now, I see there are many more variables and much more red tape than I'd ever realized before. Although I will say it's easy to see why some folks get that idea. On the surface, suits and ties, crowns and capes, they all seem exactly the same with the same goals. But if some creature was to look a little deeper, they'd see there's a lot more to it."
"Then there are the few that really are just black-and-white," TJ said.
"Pandas are politicians now?" Twilight Sparkle asked playfully.
"Hey, don't knock it," TJ said with a smile. "They're intelligent creatures... They'd probably be better suited than some of the fatcats in office right now."
The two shared a quick laugh and a kiss.
"Oh, you always make me feel better, TJ," Twilight Sparkle said happily.
"I'm glad I can be here for you and make you happy," TJ replied. "I always want to do right by you, Twilight, and let you know you're loved."
"You do every day," Twilight Sparkle said with a loving smile. "You're such a brave, strong pony with a big heart to match."
Suddenly a frown overtook the Earth pony's face, almost turning sad. This gave the alicorn princess pause as she looked to TJ with concern.
"Is there something wrong, TJ?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Huh?" TJ let out as he looked to his girlfriend. "Oh, no, no, no."
Twilight Sparkle gave him a serious glance as she tilted her head.
"Come on, Jacky," Twilight Sparkle said. "I know something's up. We've been together too long for me not to know. So tell me, please, what's on your mind?"
Thunder Jack seemed hesitant as he tried to think of how to discuss it with Twilight.
"The island," TJ finally said.
Twilight Sparkle instantly understood what her boyfriend meant as she nodded her head.
"Pony Tale Island," Twilight Sparkle replied. "I haven't forgotten either. Although I can't imagine the nightmare it was for you. I'll never act like I understand the way you do."
"Nightmare is right," TJ said. "I still have nightmares because of what it was like on the island."
"I know," Twilight Sparkle said. "I hear you screaming at night sometimes... It breaks my heart each time. I want so much to come and comfort you. You're such a brave pony for going through all you did for so long on your own.
"All of you on the island were so brave to undertake fighting the minotaurs like that for so long."
For some reason, it felt like Twilight's words stung TJ more than they did help.
"I'd say you can come to comfort me if you want, Twilight... but I'm not sure I deserve it," TJ said.
"What do you mean?" Twilight Sparkle asked with concern. "Please tell me, TJ."
"Well... I mean..." TJ hesitated greatly, fearing what his girl's response would be. "I wasn't always the brave pony you think I am. Sometimes I doubt if I ever was so brave."
"How could you say that going through what you did?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Because some ponies had it far worse than me," TJ said, his voice getting slightly shaky and emotional, though it didn't break. "And I didn't always care." TJ looked to Twilight with trembling eyes. "You promise you'll still love me when I tell you this?"
"Of course I promise," Twilight Sparkle said as she kissed her boyfriend's cheek.
TJ looked away from Twilight and to the white acoustic guitar he was painting.
"When... my dad first brought me to the island... I was mad," TJ said. "I resented him uprooting my life the way he did. Sure, it wasn't a lot, but it was mine... Then we became familiar with the evil practices of the minotaurs running the place fairly quickly. That actually made me hate my dad, even more so when he volunteered our help without ever asking me how I felt about it.
"In all the time I kept as quiet as I could, never being able to find the right words to voice my... displeasure, let's say, on the situation."
"Were you able to tell him eventually?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Yeah," TJ said. "Yeah, I did... the same day I told him I understand and was ready to do my part in the good fight." TJ took a breath, sighing big as his voice and body shuttered. "Before that I... I tried to run... The day before I said that to Dad, I was trying to run away from that life.
"I didn't ask for it and I didn't want it at all. So I was gonna run. I got as far in the forest when... I saw it." There was a small break in TJ's voice at the end of his sentence. "There were these... minotaurs on a ledge...
"Th- They were... tying... this rope on the branch of a tree. I... I looked again and saw that... it was a noose."
"Oh, my gosh," Twilight Sparkle let out.
"They had a pony with them," TJ said as tears fell from his eyes. "They'd... they'd tied a sack over her head. Yeah, it was a poor mare they'd taken... They pulled the bag off her head and I saw... pure horror and fear in her eyes... Yeah, I knew... I knew what they were gonna do."
TJ shuttered more, making Twilight Sparkle put a hoof on his shoulder.
"TJ," Twilight Sparkle said in a soft, but emotional voice.
"Instead of doing something, I... I ran," TJ said. "It felt like I ran forever... But it wasn't fast or far enough... No, I... I heard the scream... and the snap of the rope... It stopped me dead in my tracks as I turned and looked back."
"What did you do?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"I ran back," TJ said emotionally. "It was too late of course, she was gone... So here was an innocent mare who... I could've saved, but... I was too scared... too selfish to try. So... after running back to Willowbrook and laying there in my bed sleeplessly the entire night, I... I pledged to myself and to everypony... I'd dedicate myself to the cause." TJ let out a heavy sigh before saying, "And that's the secret origin of Thunder Jack, the wonder pony... the freedom fighter, whatever."
"Oh, TJ," Twilight Sparkle said.
"We all have things we fight for, Twilight," TJ said. "We all have our reasons... our motivations. Mine just happens to be I was too selfish and scared to see something was worth fighting for at one point in life... While Godzilla's is that he's so selfless he knows right away when a cause is worth fighting for... just like you, Twi. I don't know exactly what this Stern Brow's reasons and motivations are, but... if they really are good... then you'll bring him and others like him around to seeing the light.
"You'll be able to lead others through the gray areas when it comes to Godzilla. You're a natural-born leader, a smart pony, a beautiful soul... as well as a beautiful pony in general."
Twilight Sparkle blushed as she smiled.
"Thank you, TJ," Twilight said before kissing him.
"I'm so proud to be yours because I know you're all these wonderful things," TJ said with a smile. "You can do these wonderful things, show other ponies how to do them, too. You'll show other nations how to deal with Godzilla and show Godzilla how to deal with other nations. Probably gonna take some time, though."
"I guarantee it will," Twilight Sparkle said. "It'll be worth it, though. Thank you, TJ... for being so supportive and... sharing your secret origin with me." Both ponies felt a little bad about making light of such a horrible moment, but they tried to move past it, giving each other a quick hug. "TJ?"
"Yes, babe?" TJ replied.
"Will you... sleep with me tonight?" Twilight Sparkle requested. "I don't want to be alone."
TJ looked a bit surprised, but a kiss from Twilight instantly lit up his face.
"I'd be glad to, Sparkles," the stallion said.
This made Twilight Sparkle smile as she headed for the library door with TJ in tow.
"I love you, Thunder Jack."
"I love you too, Twilight Sparkle."
The darkness of night had come and Anguirus was resting on the beach. Ir was the very same beach where he and Godzilla came ashore when they first discovered the uninhabited island that they had pretty much made their home. Although a bit tired, the four-legged monster didn't feel like sleeping, wanting instead to wait for his very close friend– actually his very best friend in the world in all honesty– to come home. Godzilla had not yet returned from his travels to Equestria, having left hours ago when it was still twelve 'clock in the afternoon. Now it was about twenty-eight minutes past ten in the evening and while the spiky shelled Anguirus wasn't worried at all about his friend's wellbeing, he was lonely.
Anguirus knew full well that Godzilla was more than capable of taking care of himself, so he never worried about his bipedal companion. The quadrupedal monster just sat and waited for him to come back in hopes they would do something together like they usually did. A large part of him was actually starting to wish he had gone with Godzilla to Equestria despite not feeling up to it before. After spending three months randomly wandering the country looking for open fields where he could sleep, he felt more stable and secure having an actual home on his and Godzilla's island. Not that he hated Equestria; it was still a very beautiful place and Anguirus wanted to visit it again soon, but not just yet.
So the ankylosaurus-like kaiju stayed behind waiting for Godzilla, a decision he was starting to regret. That is until the moment when it felt like his eyelids were trying to force themselves shut and his ears suddenly picked up a disturbance in the water. This shot his eyes wide open as he stood up on his four feet and started to sniff the air for a familiar scent. Upon picking up said scent and confirming who it belonged to, Anguirus smiled before letting out one of his near haunting howls of a roar. He waited and listened and not three seconds later to he get a familiar bellow in response.
Anguirus got all the more excited as he stood and waited. It felt like no time at all before he suddenly spotted a rise in the water that was coming ever closer to the island's beach. The ecstatic Anguirus roared out once more, lifting up on his hind legs before dropping down to all fours again. Soon three rows of familiar maple leaf-shaped plates ivory white in color popped out of the water, rising over the ocean's surface. Then the rise in the water got even bigger before dispersing in a big wave as Godzilla stood up in the water and roared out to his waiting friend.
Anguirus howled again, smiling brightly as he watched Godzilla come up onto the beach. He was so happy to see his friend, he didn't seem to notice the less than pleased demeanor of the kaiju king. Godzilla decided not to bring any attention to it, instead just walking up as Anguirus scooted to the side to get out of his way, looking up and smiling all the while. His best friend's happiness at having him back prompted Godzilla to stop and force a smile as he gently placed his hand on the top of Anguirus' head. After a couple of seconds, Godzilla then removed his hand and made his way further onto the island, going beyond the beach.
As he watched the king of monsters go, it was then that Anguirus noticed something was up and looked on with concern. Treading carefully, the four-legged monster walked after Godzilla, being sure to keep a respectable distance between the two of them. He looked on at Godzilla all the while, trying to figure out what could be so wrong it made his friend hang his head. Anguirus also felt an air of great anger within the king of the monsters in addition to the sadness he felt. He never asked Godzilla about it, though, instead just following in silence until the king of the monsters stopped in a partially grassy, partially rocky field surrounded by small hills and rises in the ground.
Then Godzilla lowered himself to a sit, not being as careful about it as he was when in Equestria. Here he could be more himself, not worrying so much about how he stepped, where he stepped, how loud he roared, anything like that. Here, in this environment, Godzilla could fully embrace his size, his nature, who and what he was. That seemed to be of little comfort as Godzilla hung his head, his temper high because of the proceedings that happened during his visit to Equestria. He made a promise to his friends and he intended to keep it, but it didn't mean he had to like it (actually outright hating it like no one could ever imagine).
As Godzilla looked up at the moon, he let out a few soft, but aggravated growls and chitters. Then he felt a paw on his right shoulder and turned to see Anguirus at his side, smiling supportively. Anguirus let out a short yelp to Godzilla, making him actually smile as he roared back in appreciation. Then the two friends looked up at the bright white moon in the sky. Godzilla started to feel more at peace, his anger and sadness subsiding, being replaced with gratitude he had a friend like Anguirus to come into his life.
All of a sudden, Godzilla's ears twitched and his eyes widened before he stood up. This surprised Anguirus, who walked back a few steps to give his friend room to stand. Godzilla turned in the direction of Equestria and sniffed the air, prompting Anguirus to do the same. While his ears weren't as good as Godzilla's, his sniffer was twice that of the king of the monsters', so he quickly picked up what his friend was sensing. This new scent caused Anguirus some concern but was surprised to look back and see Godzilla smiling.
This confused Anguirus, not knowing what Godzilla saw in this development. Whereas they would both usually be on high alert and be getting ready to fight, Godzilla actually saw an opportunity. A chance to prove something to the entire world who had not embraced him and Anguirus yet. A chance to prove that kaiju can co-exist with the rest of the world.
THE END
And so that's the first story in volume 2 of the Godzilla-My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic short story collections. Let me apologize in advance if any Japanese readers I may or may not have get offended in any way with how I portrayed or described what's clearly meant to be MLP:FIM's equivalent of Japan with the Islands of the Rising Sun. I am not trying to offend anyone or reinforce any sort of racially or culturally insensitive Japanese stereotypes. I did research and tried to apply it as best as I could in writing this story (while keeping it in line with lore I'm establishing for the series). If you feel I didn't do enough and were still upset with this portrayal, please do let me know. Call me out and hold me accountable for any ignorance I may have displayed here.
Also, I am aware the emperor in Japan doesn't have any actual power or authority. Especially in modern days where it's more so a formality or tradition to have one while elected government officials run the country. I just wanted an emperor in power for the sake of this story and future stories to come in the series. Also, the Islands of the Rising Sun are clearly suppose to be a mix of older and newer culture and society the same way Equestria is.
Other than all that, I hope everyone enjoyed this story and I hope you'll tell me in a review or even if you have constructive criticisms, tell me those too. I hope you've enjoyed this series so far and will enjoy the future entries to come. I'm the Writer of the Storm, signing off.