Chapter One – Life at the Island
It was currently one of those peaceful moments in time. No major human conflicts, no evil mutations running amuck, and, perhaps most importantly, no alien invasions. Life on Monster Island was good for its denizens, who were enjoying this rare vacation from chaos and destruction.
Godzilla spent his days roaming the island appropriately as "King of the Monsters", taking on the responsibility of checking up on his "people". His old friends and comrades Anguirus and Rodan met with him every morning to accompany him while he made his rounds.
His first few stops were always at the locations of some of the older residents of the island, Baragon's network of tunnels being the first. The horned beast popped his head up from a central hole and cordially greeted his neighbors and companions.
"Good morning," he grunted in the language of monsters.
"Morning, Baragon," Anguirus greeted. "How's the southern tunnel coming?"
Baragon made a face and replied, "It fell in again. I'm about to just give up on it completely."
"That's what you said before your last five attempts," Rodan said quietly, his red wings positioned so he appeared to be wrapped in a great cloak.
"True," Baragon admitted with a wry smile, "and I'll probably be back at it before the hour is out." At that, he performed a short nod and dove back beneath the ground to do what he loved best: dig.
Godzilla led the way to Manda's cave, but the great serpent was out at sea as usual. Godzilla trusted the wise monster and knew that he didn't really need to check up on him as often as the others.
As they approached the next area, the radioactive saurian prepared himself for a small battle of wits with the island's self-proclaimed queen. The giant spider known as Kumonga loved to play mind games and aimlessly banter, and Godzilla respected her enough to humor her.
"Greetings, Husband," she called to them as they came closer, her many eyes twinkling with good-natured mischief.
"Husband?" Godzilla asked with mock surprise. "When did this happen, and why wasn't I properly informed?"
"It only makes sense that as Queen of the Monsters, I'm betrothed to the King," she explained calmly, though her mandibles clicked quite excitedly.
"I don't claim to be an expert on such things," Godzilla said, "but don't female spiders have a habit of eating their espoused?"
"It happens occasionally," she replied, "but I'd find it in extremely bad taste to eat you before your usefulness ran its course."
"I'll make a point of staying useful, then," he laughed. "Seriously, are you well this morning?"
"Yes, my dear, I'm fine," Kumonga said happily. "As long as I have someone to talk to every so often, I'm contented."
The three kaiju moved on and came upon one of the newer additions to the island. Titanosaurus stomped about, looking around nervously from time to time. He was a naturally peaceful creature, his only violent act being provoked by mind control.
"Are you still enjoying our little island here?" Rodan asked.
"If it stays this quiet, then I'm just fine," he replied, still looking a little nervous. "Just the thought being dragged into another fight scares me out of my mind."
"Well, the three of us normally can take care of any trouble that arises, but your strengths would definitely be a welcomed addition to our ranks," Rodan assured him.
"Thanks, but I really don't think I could enter a battle out of my own free will," he insisted.
"Let's all hope that you won't have to," Godzilla commented semi-absently. His mind was on the next stop they were to make, which was the only one he didn't particularly enjoy.
The next citizen they came upon lay quietly beneath a rocky outcropping that created a shaded area by the sea.
"Hey," Zilla greeted them quietly, keeping a wary eye on Godzilla.
"Good morning," Anguirus replied, also watching Godzilla carefully. It was common knowledge on the island that Godzilla had not invited Zilla to Monster Island out of the goodness of his own heart. This move was prompted by Mothra's suggestion. Actually, "suggestion" isn't quite the right word. "Insistence" comes much closer.
"It's a nice day out, isn't it, Godzilla?" Rodan spoke, breaking the awkward silence and poking Godzilla sharply in the ribs with the tip of his wing.
Godzilla managed to mumble something in agreement, his eyes wandering around as his fidgeted in obvious discomfort. When he could no longer stand the situation, he abruptly turned and walked off toward the shoreline, roughly kicking boulders out of his way.
"I still don't understand why he's like this around you," Anguirus said to Zilla. "If he's got a problem with someone, he normally just dukes it out with them and forgets about it."
"I have my suspicions," Zilla replied, "but I don't think it's my place to confront him with them or anything. Thanks for coming by, though." At that, the iguana-like kaiju crawled further back beneath the outcropping and curled up, looking out at the sea pensively.
Anguirus and Rodan exchanged a long look and shook their heads, joining Godzilla and continuing on down the island with the disgruntled kaiju as he tried to pretend nothing was wrong.
The last monster on the island was a one of Mothra's larvae. This one was the only larvae on earth at the time and had decided to join the other monsters on Monster Island.
"How's your mother?" Godzilla asked the larva as she busied herself with spraying webbing to create the beginnings of a cocoon.
"She's doing fine," she informed him. "She's been really morbid lately, though. Every time she visits, she talks to me about how it won't be long until I take her place as 'Guardian of Earth'."
Godzilla was suddenly worried. Mothra had shown some clairvoyant capabilities, and she was never one to talk about such things unless she was more than certain she was right. This was unlikely to be an exception. Godzilla chatted with the young larva for a bit longer and continued on to his own section of the island.
"Thanks for coming with me," Godzilla said to Anguirus and Rodan. "I'll see you later today."
"Yes; take care," Rodan said as he spread his wings and took off for his roost on the sole mountain on the island.
"Later!" Anguirus called, rolling into a ball and tumbling off to his own section of the island just past Godzilla's own.
Godzilla paced about a bit, a feeling of dread gnawing at his stomach. This feeling only came on when something awful was about to occur, and Godzilla had learned to always listen to this feeling. Suddenly, he dove into the waters and took off for Infant Island. He needed answers, and Mothra was the kaiju that normally had them.