Swept from her dreamscape, Komodithrax felt her mind awaken. She didn't move; her eyes remained closed, wishing to return to the serenity of sleep. She felt hot, but in a rather pleasurable way. She stayed in the same posture of laying on her side, hoping that sleep would come back and hold her head in its' arms.

Then she realized that she was no longer in Zilla Jr's arms.

Her weary eyelids slid open, revealing her amber eyes to sunlight that poked through the top of the trees she lay under. Komodithrax's snout twitched as she sniffled and yawned, stretching her arms and legs while her tail gracefully twirled and slithered around. Where was Zilla?

But she didn't worry for him. Footsteps from deeper inside the forest boomed lightly. What had he been up to while she slept? Surely, it was almost midday at this point, so why let her sleep for this long?

With not much else to work with, her imagination pictured all the things Zilla could have done while she slept. Perhaps he went out for a relaxing swim. Understandable; he might've needed to wash up after their night spent together. Komodithrax chuckled subtly to herself, finding humor in the thought. Or maybe he had gone out to fetch them breakfast. How wonderful would it be to see him walk through the trees with handfuls of trout or tuna! She smiled at the cute scenario.

The footsteps became louder as they approached. Komodithrax turned to them and lay back on her side, waiting for his appearance with a big smile and hearty, loving eyes. She couldn't be happier.

But it wasn't Zilla who emerged from the trees.

"Hello, pretty girl..."

Komodithrax gasped, eyes wide and reeling back in her spot. "H-huh?!"

"Hmm...yes, you'll do."

She backed away from the creature, but he was far too fast. He grabbed onto her voraciously as she cried out "No! L-let go! NO!"

"Yes...you'll do just fine dear..."

...

"The Earth is nothing. It is small, covered in bitter saltwater, and teeming with little humans...tsk, and to think that they are the dominant species of this world. Their ignorance to my power is insulting; they should be throwing themselves at my feet, begging and praying for mercy.

So small and sad this little orb of water is. Mouselike in the face of its' greater cousins like Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn...what purpose does this runt planet serve?

It is dying; polluted, infected...and even as their world falls, the humans only worsen its' condition. They're far too busy slaying each other with meaningless war for resources and disturbing Mother Nature's sleep for her supplies to notice the damage they're causing. When this world falls, they only have themselves to blame."

The preacher levitated across the darkening sea, holding a light hazel creature in his arms. The female was unconscious, laying in his arms like a groom would hold his bride.

"And when I show myself to this world, there is no respect. No fear...nothing. So I must put these lowly creatures in their place…...below my majesty. Of course, there was one beast that refused to bow. That refused to submit, and my foolish pride and confidence overcame me in our first battle."

The female shivered in his arms, cold with a kafkaesque nightmare. Her captor could sense the images in her mind, but his eyes were focused on the piece of land that slowly came closer and closer as he traveled above the seawater.

"But I've gotten my revenge...I've spilt my enemy's blood in his own ocean, and it nearly cost me the life of my son...but I know he lives, and he waits for my return to submit his obedience to my will, but waits alone he does not. And it is quite humorous, truly."

The beast glided through the thick mist that had surrounded Manhattan and came into view like an ominous phantom ship, much to the shock of Zilla, Junior, and Xen.

"Who would have thought that I, the godly Xenilla, would have the ludicrous treat of shattering my enemy's children?"

…

The three juvenile kaiju stood in a line, staring at Xenilla in pure awe and horror. The monster had a crazed look in his eyes. If he already seemed like a psychopath before, he was a madman now. The beast had been unleashed.

There was first the initial terror that came over Zilla Jr. The one who had tried to kill him, tried to kill his entire family, levitated before them with doom in his eyes. Zilla could manage no more than a whisper. "N-no way..." Junior stood by, equally horrified. Without his father beating down the beast, Xenilla certainly seemed much more intimidating. Xen stared with wide eyes. He felt different from his fellow kaiju however. There was a certain...comfort. His father lived...his creator lived. But what did that mean for Zilla and Junior?

"Well now, hello children." sneered Xenilla with a taunting and dark voice. There was a sick smile to his usually stern face, and his eyes were slightly redding up. He looked over to Xen and cocked his head with a swift motion, telling Xen to come by his side. "My son...come now, away from these rats, so that I may slaughter them swiftly. I have a gift for you as well..."

Xen gulped nervously and began his answer. "F-father...I-"

Suddenly, he was cut off by Zilla Jr, who frantically yelled "KOMI?!" The young kaiju began sweating and balled his fists up.

Xenilla glanced down at Komodithrax before looking straight at Zilla with the evilest grin. "Yes, she is the gift."

Komodithrax moaned and slowly opened her eyes. "Mmmmwaaah? W-whuuh?" Her vision was blurred with drowsiness, and her head spun.

Junior glanced at Zilla briefly before looking back to Xenilla. He had not spoken once yet, but his mind processed the new creature. "Hmm...Zilla met someone?"

Xen blinked twice and stuttered "Uh, what?"

Soon, Komi's vision and thinking were restored, and she blinked several times before widening her eyes at the horrid realization of where she was. She looked up at Xenilla's awful face and squirmed desperately to escape, but he was too strong for her. He held her tightly in an uncomfortable way. She frantically looked over at Zilla Jr with fear in her eyes. All he could do was stare back with the same, bulging eyes.

Xenilla looked back at Xen while keeping his iron grip on Komodithrax. "Yes, a gift for you child. I came across her as I traced your energy to this disgusting wreck." He looked around briefly. "I presume this is my work, hmm? No matter...I bring you this creature as a present! A delicacy for you to spread the petals of this flower and savor your reward."

Zilla Jr almost screamed at Xenilla when he finished. "STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Komodithrax took in what her captor had said. A new type of fear bled into her soul. She kicked and squirmed voraciously, and when she realized that there was no escape, she flung her head around shrieking horrific yells. "No! You can't do this! I...I...N-NO!"

Junior gasped, disgusted at Xenilla's sick intentions with this poor female. "Woah! Let her loose, Xenilla! She's not a part of this!"

Xen watched, shaking his head with fear and shock. This was his father's plan?! He didn't even know the bloody girl! "Father! Please reconsider your actions!"

"MY ACTIONS ARE JUST!" boomed Xenilla. "HOW DARE YOU SPEAK WITH SUCH INSOLENCE TO YOUR RULER?! Do you not see the gift I have for you?! Think, boy! THINK!" Komi continued crying and kicking about, begging for release.

Zilla Jr growled and stepped back momentarily to build momentum. Without any prior warning, he sped off towards Xenilla, roaring and snapping his jaws before he suddenly stopped, dripping with furious sweat.

Xenilla had one of his hands in the air, sticking his index finger out and shaking it playfully like a parent, scolding Zilla. "Ah-ah-ah, naughty boy! Do not be so hasty with your actions! Another step out of you, and I'll make sure this one suffers the consequences." He looked down at the terrified Komi, then back at Zilla Jr, who stood breathing ferociously.

Junior took a step forward towards his brother. "Zilla, calm down." he began.

But Xenilla wasn't tolerant of any other chances. He raised his finger at Junior now with a deathly look. "Another trouble-causer?! Take one more step, damn you..." Junior stopped immediately, nodding with an understanding. "Listen, deal with us, not her. She's done nothing!"

But Xenilla was no longer paying attention to Junior. Instead, his hand was hovering over Komodithrax's chest, then over her waist, and finally to her lower waist; dangerously close to the spot between her legs. She watched in silent terror, fearing the worst. Xenilla's eyes widened with shock. He could sense something else within her body...a different DNA type...Godzillian DNA.

And then the dread realization came over him. All were silent. He shook his head, slowly and softly at first before roaring with anger. Komi cringed and huddled herself under his wrath while the three other kaiju stood by, tensely waiting for what came next.

Xenilla looked Zilla dead in the eyes. "You've spoiled her, haven't you..."

Zilla Jr continued breathing furiously. "She belongs to me...it was my right."

"YOU'VE TAINTED HER PURITY! TAKEN THAT PRIVILEGE FROM MY SON!" hollered Xenilla. " *sigh* Alas...she will not bear you a child. You've failed your "right"."

Zilla Jr stood unmoved, but a small bit of him was relieved to hear the news. He didn't think he would be ready for children just yet, but the thought was dwarfed by the immediate situation.

"But she may still serve a purpose for me...yes, indeed. My son will carry on my blood with hers' and my line will be everlasting...Xen, my child...come here." Xenilla motioned for his son to come to him.

Xen looked nervously at his father, then to Junior. He stood carefully, shaking his head "no!"at Xen, attempting to warn him not to. But he could not just disobey his father like that, so he began taking slow steps over to Komodithrax and Xenilla, much to the dismay of Junior and Zilla.

He approached his father and waited for his next words. Xenilla smiled and held out his hand, caressing Xen's head for the first time ever. "Feast your eyes son, for you will most certainly enjoy your prize when nightfall comes."

The stroke surprised Xen. He said nothing, wanting the stroke to last forever. Why had his father never done something like that to him before?

Xen looked down at Komodithrax, who trembled and stared back in terror. She was panting silently; beads of sweat running down her sleek, attractive figure as she lay in Xenilla's arms. Truly a beautiful creature, and she was all for him. His to touch...his to love…

Why would he pass up this opportunity? His father was alive. He felt an affectionate stroke from his father for the first time. And he would later make his mark with this stunning female. Where was the sin in any of this?

And seemingly with no hesitation, he suddenly lunged at Xenilla, his crest flashing intensely.

The kaiju was taken by surprise. He cried out, dropping Komodithrax and reeling back. But he felt no punishing blow. Instead, he opened his eyes to see Xen holding Komodithrax in his arms. In the next moment, the boy set the girl down and frantically cried out "Run!". Komodithrax did so without any delay, and she ran into the comforting arms of Zilla Jr. They hugged affectionately as she cried in his arms. "Why did you leave me alone like that?!" Zilla Jr did not answer, but instead caressed her gently. Now was not the time for resolve. Junior took advantage of the confusion and hurried to Zilla and Komi, wrapping them both in his arms. Attacking now would have been foolish.

Xenilla glared at Xen. He felt betrayed, dishonored, disrespected. "How dare you..."

The traitor stood back with an expression Xenilla had never seen on his face before. There was no contempt like he had been expecting. Instead, a face of sadness and anxiety looked back at him. What was going on with his son?!

Xen spoke after a few moments of silence. "Father…I love you. I am yours, and I give you my obedience and trust."

His father gave him no time to finish. He swept his hand out angrily and snarled "Rubbish! You have no respect nor do you have a shred of obedience with me! Your latest actions speak for themselves!"

But Xen carried on after he lashed out. The kaiju took soft, little steps towards Xenilla, speaking with a surprisingly calm voice. "Please understand! I only did what had to be done!"

Of course, Xenilla was stubborn and raged out again. "You know nothing of responsibility! Of right and wrong! You're nothing at this age!"

"But that's where you're wrong! No matter how old or how young one can be, sin and immoral acts are ALWAYS wrong! You've kept me ignorant to such topics, and I refuse to be subjected your objectivism any longer! In your own eyes, you see all that you do as justified and right. But you've caused more deaths and sadness than anything this planet has seen!"

"I still manage to miss your point, fool! Why should you or I care what happens to this planet and its' inhabitants?!" Xenilla roared.

Xen took a few more steps forward, calm as ever. His eyes only grew wider with pity as he neared Xenilla. Junior watched anxiously, worried about if Xen was going too close. His father seemed unpredictable at this point, but the brave son continued walking on. He was determined to get something across.

"Because this is OUR world now! And we certainly don't need to take it by force! We don't even need to TAKE IT! You see yourself too far above our fellow kaiju, and the world is against them, and if they're against them, they're definitely against US! Aren't you tired of this?! Enough is enough, father...it's not just enemies and allies, but you and me. Have you not noticed that I am unhappy? Unsatisfied with my existence? Of course not, because you're only focused on stupid revenge and power! Have you never thought of me as a child rather than your heir? Do I not deserve happiness simply because you created me by force?"

Xenilla shook his head with violence and anger. "Do not speak of such silly things! You serve one purpose, and that is all! Don't you dare to forget your place..."

Be it out of bravery or stupidity, Xen did not stop. He kept walking towards Xenilla, desperate eyes pleading with the beast. "But I DO! I DO have more to my life than being a simple clone! I have my own feelings, my own thoughts, my own views, my own body, and you've done everything you can to make me forget that. But we all change." He stepped forward a few more times, nearly in contact with his growling father.

"And I know that you can change too, father."

For a second, Xenilla stopped growling. His eyes remained serious and deadly, but a twinge of confusion showed in them. "What?"

Xen nodded and took a deep breath, never breaking his sight with his father. "Yes, I believe in you. It's only now that I realize that you never asked to be this way. How difficult it must be to keep your reputation as a tyrant...but even I know nothing of your origins, because you never spoke to me about things other than my training. For all of my life, it's felt like you were a harsh instructor rather than a father. And despite all the damage you've caused, all the sadness you've brought, all the lives you've took...you can still repent."

Xenilla panted heavily with angry and confused breaths. "Bah! Don't feed my mind this garbage..."

Xen reached out slowly to his father, despite the danger that faced him. "It's not garbage, it's love. It's my love for you, father. I've never told you this, and neither have you, but I will say it now in the time that you and I need it more than ever before: I love you."

The father stood speechless. He said nothing but continued to glare at Xen, but there was something odd about his glare. Something...different, in his eyes.

Xen fully extended his arm, reaching out and planting it gingerly on his father's right shoulder. Xenilla said nothing, keeping his stare at him while the boy kept speaking. "I love you, I love you, I love you. It's time for a change, and we can only start that change with love. I want to be your son...not your replacement."

All these words struck cords in Zilla, Junior, and Komodithrax's hearts. They were outspoken; words of truth and compassion. They could not help but manage a subtle smile. Komi sniffled lightly and watched on, moved by the incredible moment.

Zilla Jr was reminded of his own father. In their last moments, he thought he hated him, but now he realized that he still loved him. There was no reason for hate, no purpose. There had already been enough sadness and hate. Zilla smiled and held Komi tightly. Junior watched the two briefly and chuckled very quietly.

Xenilla looked at his son, no longer with a face of hate. Instead, he stared expressionlessly. Xen smiled and waited for his response. He was glad to have gotten that out of him. The symphony of sorrow and despair had finished their requiem. Not another note would they play; not another string to tug at. A new life for both of them had begun.

And right at that moment, Xen was sent flying backwards with a horrible cracking noise.

Zilla, Komi, and Junior gasped, eyes wide.

Xenilla's open palm stuck out, glowing a bright yellow color with bright lightning-like trails in his hand, trailing like veins down to his elbow. His face remained expressionless as he stood holding out his hand and watching Xen crash through endless piles of rubble.

He had struck him with some indescribable strength and ability. The force was tremendous, and there had been an intense flash of sparks from the impact, which had hit Xen square on the chest. He plummeted through one final pile of concrete before halting his death slide. He landed on his back harshly and lay still; head staring up at the dark orange sky.

With no hesitation whatsoever, Junior sprinted towards the fallen kaiju with all his speed. He panted and panted, running unusually fast until he at last reached Xen and fell to his knees with a horrified face. "X-Xen!"

His eyes were not focused on Junior. His mouth and nose trickled thick, dark blood while his squinting, bloodshot eyes pointed at the sky. A flock of white seagulls flew by; dark silhouettes in the orange sheet of Earth. Already, he felt his vision fading and a loss of feeling in his body. A bitter coldness came over him. Junior could only watch on in horror, looking down at the awful crater left in his chest. "Just breathe, buddy! Just..."

Xen's eyes followed the flock, as if observing nature for the final time.

A smile came to his red lips.

"I tried...I thought...I thought I could change God..."

Slowly, his eyelids drooped like theater curtains, meaning only one thing:

Closure.

Junior stayed silent, watching his face. Despite the blood, he looked asleep. Junior's hand slowly moved over Xens' statue-like face, caressing it gently. He felt his lower lip quiver and his eyes water. He had stayed by his side until the bitter end, and now that the end had come...sadness remained.

With his other hand, Junior brought it up to his face and covered his mouth, breathing as calmly and quietly as possible. Zilla Jr and Komodithrax watched at a distance in sullen silence.

Suddenly, Junior let out an abrupt heave of air and sobbed into his cupped hand, small droplets of tears streaming down his face. He had witness the death of a child, ready to start new, to start fresh. Ready to make the world just that much better. And he would have been a good friend.

Xen's only friend.

Junior cried into his hand, not loudly, but certainly mournful. He lowered his head and brushed his hand over Xen's lifeless chest, feeling the cold, dead skin. "God….I'm so sorry this happened…..."

Komodithrax felt her own eyes burning, but she stopped herself from shedding any tears and burrowed her face in Zilla's neck. He watched on, batting tears of his own. He didn't know Xen very well, but now he would never know. None of them would ever know what the boy was like under his faked personality; no one would ever see his true heart.

Komi trembled lightly. Zilla Jr brought her closer and hugged on more tightly, but she suddenly broke away from him and jerked her body back to the murderer and screamed "You killed him! YOU'VE KILLED YOUR OWN DAMN SON!"

Xenilla stood up; his hand shaking. His eyes seemed to glimmer in the orange light as he stared ahead at Junior weeping over Xen's body. With a monotone voice, he uttered "I did what I must. I cannot allow any distractions...not even from my son."

With abrupt, uncontrolled rage, he shrieked at Zilla Jr and Komodithrax "AND YOU TOOK HIS PURPOSE! YOU!". The two stepped back, Komodithrax with furious tears and Zilla with a stern, cautious face.

Xenilla pointed an accusing finger at the couple, panting madly. "He was no good anymore...not fit to be my replacement..."

"He would have rather died than see himself become the monster you are..." Zilla and Komi looked behind them to see the voice coming from Junior. He stood walking towards them with rage in his face, despite the calm but dreadful tone in his voice.

"YOU SEALED HIS FATE, BOY!" hollered Xenilla. Hot air steamed out of his flaring nostrils.

"I showed him the light. You would have done nothing but returned him to darkness." said Junior, still calm as ever. He stood next to his brother, lined up with Zilla and Komodithrax facing the devil before them.

Xenilla stomped his right foot forward, quaking the ground with a sick smile on his face, smeared with insanity and unholy rage. "No matter…I can promise you that my merciful offer of a swift death is no longer available for you or your pathetic sibling. I will break everything in the young one and use his blood to drown you. Picture this for a second. Let this sink in, because soon, the only other thing sinking in will be dark, red blood streaming down your throat." He looked over at Komodithrax as his grin spread even wider. "Oh, don't fret, dear. Once I've had my fun with them, I'll move on to you, and the true enjoyment begins there...you will carry my seed and bear me a son. I expect you to nurture and care for it when the time comes. Once you've done so, your life is yours again."

Disgusted, she snarled and bared her sharp, perfect teeth. The three kaiju backed up and entered their respective combat stances; Junior with equally spread knees and raised hands, Zilla with a lowered back for boosted trajectory, and Komodithrax on all fours with her hind legs and rear skyward, ready to pounce. They all uttered their roars; roars that stood for ferocity, vengeance, and courage.

Xenilla's face changed. His smile faded as he realized what they were doing:

They would fight until they each met their own ends.

He snarled and puffed his chest out before uttering his ear piercing screech of a roar. "So be it! I'll gladly wear you down for your demise!" And with this final statement, he charged forward, stomping with all the rage in the world.

Junior held his arm in front of Zilla and Komi. Before they could question his motive, he charged straight at the lumbering Xenilla, holding his arms open. The two caught each other in a grizzly grapple, snarling and snapping at each other's jaws while wrestling hideously. Xenilla seemed to have the upper hand and was already beginning to tower over Junior. The struggling kaiju bent his back, looking up at his competitor. Xenilla was snapping his jaws like giant scissors, intimidating Junior and sparking the fear intended. Momentarily, Junior looked back at Zilla and Komi, frantically nodding his head at them, signaling for something to be done.

Then, Zilla Jr understood: his brother was acting as a tank, brute forcing his way with Xenilla as a method of keeping him busy so Zilla and Komodithrax could take advantage of the situation and attack. He nudged his mate quickly, and the two looked into each other's eyes and nodded before splitting up and running around the grapplers. Now behind Xenilla, they both lunged at his vulnerable back and sides roaring.

Zilla Jr sunk his talons and teeth into Xenilla's thick hide on his right shoulder and ribs while Komodithrax attached herself to his left side and tore away at the scales, causing the beast to roar out. He lost his advantage in the grapple and was shoved harshly back by Junior, causing the beast to stumble as he reached behind him for the sneaky attackers.

His right hand latched onto Zilla Jr's neck firmly. He threw his arm back in front of him, sending the lizard crashing down in front of him roaring and squirming. He lifted his foot to crush Zilla's chest, but cried out in pain as he felt Komodithrax's deadly fangs pierce the more vulnerable tissue on his neck. With both hands, he reached behind him and grabbed hold of her throat, causing her to gag as he brought her in front of him. Xenilla held her above the ground, choking her and smiling at her struggle. Her face turned red, but she kept her ferocious expression, staring straight at him before he suddenly let go as a bright blue ray of energy bombarded Xenilla's right shoulder. He roared and was pushed to the side by the impact, holding his shoulder. Komi helped Zilla to his feet. They looked over to their side to see Junior standing with his mouth steaming hot. "Get away!" he yelled as his mouth and spines flickered blue before unleashing another pillar of atomic energy straight at Xenilla. Zilla and Komi leaped out of the way just in the nick of time.

The beam should have crashed into Xenilla's chest, but instead, the beam shot out to the sky! Junior stopped and saw that his target had materialized a crystaline shield that reflected his ray to the sky. Behind the shield, Xenilla grinned and began charging his own power weapon before his shield was shattered by Zilla Jr leaping straight through with his spines pointed straight at it. Xenilla felt the prick of the sharp spines and reeled back, grunting and holding his pricked chest. While Zilla was still recovering, Xenilla charged forward and leapt out with his knee, smacking it straight into Zilla's lower jaw and sending him flying back roaring in pain. "Zilla!" yelled Junior. He began charging his breath again when suddenly, another, much brighter sky-blue beam shot out at Xenilla's chest, making him roar out and extend his arms to block the searing beam.

Zilla popped his neck and looked over at Junior, who was looking over at Komodithrax. She had fired the beam, and her mouth steamed as she snarled, threatening for another.

"Wow, hot and dangerous..." thought Junior momentarily.

Xenilla brought his hands down. The thinner skin on his arms were ablaze, burning away the skin, but he merely smiled as the fire died out quickly. His tissue regrew with incredible speed, looking good as new, albeit slightly moist. He looked straight at the female warrior with a sinister grin. "Well now! Feisty, are we?!"

She snarled again and assumed her combat stance once more. She cautiously crawled closer to Xenilla, circling the monster as he grinned. "Oh please, I'd rather you be in prime condition for when you bear my son rather than with broken limbs." Komodithrax snapped her jaws angrily, unwilling to waste her spit talking to him. He shrugged. "But, I guess that after my child is delivered to me, I can use your flesh as his nourishment if you decide life with me is too unbearable." He finished with a dark tone.

Zilla had already recovered. He used this distraction to his advantage and rushed towards Xenilla again, this time headbutting the side of his knee, bringing Xenilla down with a grunt. He reacted by swinging his arm at Zilla, smashing it into his ribs and flinging the kaiju back roaring. Junior stomped forward, furious at his enemy. "You're gonna regret that..."

Xenilla sneered back at Junior and faced him. "Come to me! Embrace your doom, child!"

He had completely forgotten about Komodithrax behind him.

In a matter of seconds, he felt her punishing talons sink into his back again, roaring out and reaching behind him, scraping at her back and arms. She winced and held on tightly. Xenilla almost found a good grip on her when he suddenly felt intense heat blast his face. A bright blue light blinded him with pain as he stumbled back from another one of Junior's atomic blasts. Komodithrax jumped off just as Xenilla fell backwards, clutching his face. Zilla Jr picked himself up, panting and drooling a bit of blood, which he licked off his lips and approached the downed enemy. Junior and Komodithrax walked towards Xenilla. Was he already done? It had been far too easy…

Xenilla groaned, covering his face. "P-please, no more! I can't take much more of this!"

The trio kept their glares at him, but did not say a word. They waited for his hands to be raised in submission. Apparently, that was all it had taken.

"I'll stop now! No more!" pleaded Xenilla. His body trembled as he spoke. A long silence took place as he slowly raised his hands off of his face.

"I've held back long enough. Playtime's over, and you've all been bad children." muttered Xenilla darkly. He ripped his hands from his face and opened his mouth, sending a bright yellow volt of lightning straight at Junior's chest, which sent him flying backwards crying out. Zilla and Komi gasped and charged the downed beast, but they also felt the harsh sting of his painful breath. They were zapped and sent dropping to the ground, quaking in pain and groaning. Xenilla stood up and grinned while raising his hands skyward, roaring as the giant crystals on his shoulders flickered a pinkish color. Beside Zilla and Komi, two giant stalactite crystals emerged from the earth, sending dust and water particles everywhere. They glowed a bright white, standing tall and sharp.

"Did you really think it would be that easy?" chuckled Xenilla. "You have no idea who you've challenged, foolish kids." The crystals crackled with energy that trailed over to Xenilla's crest and shoulder crystals, filling him with power. Zilla and Komi slowly picked themselves up, wiping the dust off themselves before getting electrocuted again, sending the two of them back down crying out in pain.

Xenilla laughed as he watched the two struggle. "Hah! Make this easier on yourself...or better yet, do keep trying! It entertains me so!"

Suddenly, the crystal on the left shattered to pieces, pummeled through my Junior's shoulder tackle. Xenilla looked over in surprise. Junior charged Xenilla roaring and reaching out to tke him down. A fat crystal materialized in Xenilla's right hand as Junior charged, and with tremendous power, he swung the crystal like a club straight into Junior's left cheek, breaking the crystal on impact and sending the kaiju down like a tower. He landed with a loud boom and lay still, dripping blood and nasal fluid from his mouth and nostrils. His eyes rolled. His head ached massively. Severe damage had been done. He coughed blood and groaned out in pain.

Xenilla wiped the shards off of his hands, shaking his head and smiling. "Ah, what a pain that must have been!" He reached down and grabbed hold of Junior's neck, holding him by the throat and choking him. He hoisted him up and observed him for a few moments, taking joy in watching the kaiju squirm and choke. Suddenly, with a great heave, he tossed Junior away. He crashed and slid through the debris and landed in between Zilla and Komodithrax, who were still stunned by the crystal. Zilla's wincing eyes directed themselves to Junior, who was panting and bleeding profusely. "J-Junior..." Komodithrax lifted her head slowly and watched helplessly. She panted and looked over at Xenilla. "Y-you're dead..."

As if in response, Komodithrax felt a cold, hard object pin her down. She struggled to move, but she could not lift her belly from the ground. Junior cricked his neck over to Komi and saw a crystaline encagement over her body. He tried to tell her with his weakened voice. "T-Trapped!" She heard this and turned her head to reply, but only witnessed as crystals clamped over Junior himself, trapping him on his back. He struggled, even though he knew it was futile. She trembled under her imprisonment, barely even able to squirm. Xenilla sighed, walking towards the fallen kaiju. "Already down, just after a mere demonstration of my true power, hm?"

The only one still free from his traps were Zilla Jr. He tried lifting himself up. Neither he nor Komi had expected the volts from the crystals to sting that much. It had hurt so bad, his body was still shivering from the electric pulses. It was enough to kill an entire city, and it was directed straight into his body. Junior watched his brother pick himself up painfully. He shook his head and sputtered "N-no Zilla!"

Zilla limped over to his brother and knelt down, wobbling from the pain. "Ungh...I'll g-get you out Junior. I'll g-get-"

Xenilla had reached Zilla Jr and slammed his rock hard fist straight into his ribcage, sending the kaiju toppling on his side, groaning and holding his side with shaky hands. Both Junior and Komi saw this and desperately struggled to break free, both their efforts fruitless. Xenilla drew back his fist and walked over to Zilla, snickering and taking long, ominous steps. Zilla lay clutching his side. The pain was far too great to stand, and surely, something inside of him must have broke. His eyes were little more than slits, watching in horror as Xenilla got closer, each step like a dark piano key telling him death was near.

"Where's your attitude now? Unable to speak?" uttered Xenilla. He crouched down by Zilla Jr and locked eyes with him. He extended his left arm and unexpectedly caressed the top of his head. His hand trailed down along the backside of his neck, stopping at the beginning of his dorsal spines. He genuinely enjoyed petting his downed foe as if establishing dominance to a lowly dog. Zilla only watched on. He opened his mouth and let out a cry, sounding like a lost child rather than a fearsome reptile. Xenilla cocked his head in amusement. "Aw, are you hurt? Perhaps there's something I can do about that."

His hand trailed off of his neck and down to his aching ribs, where he applied light pressure. Zilla groaned out, squirming weakly in pain. Xenilla kept his eyes on the kaiju the whole time, savoring the experience sadistically. He pushed harder, causing Zilla Jr to cry out louder. "S-stop!" The tormentor heard his cry of mercy, but he only kept pushing harder. He finally pushed until he heard a sickening pop. Zilla yelled out in agony, scrambling weakly to get up. He was going through pure hell right now.

From where they lay trapped, Komi and Junior witnessed his pain. Junior uttered raspy, weak roars as he struggled, losing both life and power by the minute. Zilla's cry of pain only made him more determined to escape from his shackles and murder his brother's tormentor. Komodithrax was weeping. She let tears roll down her face as she watched the horror. There was nothing she could do. Both her and Junior were exhausted and did not have enough energy to fire up another beam.

Eventually, Xenilla stopped toying with Zilla's bones. He grabbed the kaiju by the nape of his neck and grasped the thick beginning of his tail with his other hand, carrying him like a pest. "I grow tired of this. Do you know what other fun activity I have planned for you next, dear boy?" taunted Xenilla. Zilla could not speak. He moaned while being hoisted up painfully. His head drooped down in defeat, staying silent. Xenilla looked over at his prisoners and grinned. "Oh don't worry; you get to watch."

With that, he dragged Zilla a few feet away, standing so that both Komi and Junior saw them both; Xenilla in all his glory, and Zilla in all his agony. The beast dropped his prey harshly in open grounds, letting no obstacles obscure his audience. Zilla began reaching slowly with his arms, trying to crawl away when he suddenly screamed in agony at the sudden stomp of Xenilla's foot on his left arm. A horrible snap echoed through the destroyed city, piercing Junior and Komi's ears as bad as Zilla's scream did. For a few seconds, Junior went mad, wriggling violently in his crystal bindings, flicking the blood from his lips in all directions yelling "YOU LET HIM GO, DAMN YOU!". Komi saw her mate's pain and cried "Please just leave my Zilla alone! Stop this!". No longer was she confident or stubborn with her way. She just wanted it all to stop; to end her mate's agony.

Zilla panted uncontrollably with shock and searing pain. His frantic eyes brimmed with tears, staring at Xenilla's foot on his arm. The monster had a dark look in his face. "You won't run from this..." He elevated his giant foot. Zilla's arm was quivering; limp and still. Undoubtedly, his arm was broken.

Xenilla walked around Zilla and over to his right leg, which was laying spread out and quaking with fear. "And just to make CERTAIN that you don't run..." Leaving no room for sadistic tension, he brought his other foot up and slammed it straight down on his right femur, shattering it instantly with another loud crack.

And right then, Zilla could take no more. He let out a bloodcurdling scream as tears streamed down his beaten face. No longer could he hold back his pain or emotions. He cried. He cried and cried like a child. His voice was horribly out of tune, echoing screams and sobs of different pitches...all delivering the same awful message. His hands spastically balled up in pain. How much longer would his mind continue to work with sanity?

Xenilla walked back to Zilla's side and furiously kicked him over, rolling him on his side. He was no longer screaming. He was just crying to himself, but everyone heard it. Xenilla sneered. "Hmph! Don't cry in the face of death. At least go with some shred of dignity and manhood."

With Zilla lying on his belly now, his head fell to his side. His face now looked over at Junior and Komi, who were still struggling to escape. Junior did all he could to comfort Zilla. "Ungh! Don't worry! I'll help you! I...I'll..."

He stopped speaking when he noticed Zilla Jr's smile.

Both he and Komodithrax noticed it.

Laying on his back, completely defeated, mercilessly tortured, and two steps from hell, the youngling was smiling. It was a smile of peace; of happiness; a smile that only one could bear once they found true happiness and inner peace; the most innocent, blissful, sweet smile on Earth. Wet tearlines trailed down his face, but they did not matter anymore. He was going to die an awful death, and Zilla was smiling at his brother and mate.

Junior watched in utter terror. How could he even manage to smile in this situation?! But he said nothing. He could only stare back at his brother's face, wishing that he could get back up just one last time to hold him in his embrace; to tell him that he was safe; to tell him that all was tranquil.

Komodithrax gazed into her lover's eyes. His orange, beautiful, almost feminine eyes gazed back to her, wide with both grief and bitter happiness. She knew it was his end; that death sat nearby, waiting to whisk him off to Charon and ferry him to the next life. But she could not smile back. The thought was too much. She silently wept; her mouth quivering as smooth tears dribbled off her cheeks. "No...not my love...not him..."

The moment was interrupted by Xenilla, who grasped Zilla Jr's throat and heaved his head up to the heavens, choking him. From Junior and Komi's view, the sun was setting behind the devil and the son, giving the two angelic, tangerine glows and silhouettes. It seemed unholy that such a wicked abomination would take the boy's life in such heavenly light.

Xenilla glared down at Zilla, who quietly sputtered, choking on his saliva and drooling lines of blood and bile. It angered Xenilla to see him still smiling. He raised his other hand to the skies of the holy creator, wielding a jagged crystal in his palm. "And once again, the son of God is forsaken not on the cross, but rather in the hands of the enemy. Let the heavens spectate the atrocity! Let the angel's trumpets blast their hymns of praise as I cleanse the world of your divine filth!" The sadist paused once before closing his sermon with three last words:

"Good riddance, Zilla."

Junior screamed out in objection, blabbing nonsense and rustling voraciously with his crystal bindings. Komodithrax wept with no limits, letting out her objection and grief. Zilla Jr took in one last, deep breath and gulped in the richly flavored oxygen and nodded in content, finished with his Earthly life. His smile remained as he closed his eyes with one final tear that slid down his face as he awaited judgement. Behind his closed eyes, he remembered his father. How he longed to see him once more; to make amends and rejoice...

Xenilla tensed his arm, ready to bring down his weapon and end the boy's life. Waiting no more, he lifted it at full height and brought his punishing hand down in the background of Junior and Komodithrax's screams and cries to stab through the honorable kaiju...Zilla Jr.

His weapon never touched the boy's throat.

At incredible speed, a blur of dark brown raced across the sky, slamming into Xenilla's arm, sending the crystal flying far off into the distance while Xenilla roared in pain, dropping Zilla Jr to the ground. Xenilla held his wrist, massaging the dislocated bone and looking around fiercely. "WHO?!"

Both Junior and Komi's mouths were wide with shock. They looked around before seeing a large shadow drift above them, landing on top of Junior's crystal shackles. There was a brief period of intense tugging before the crystals shattered, freeing him. He looked up to see a familiar face. Knowing their haven had come at last, Junior smiled briefly. "Well...better late than never..."

Rodan smiled back at him. "You're right, kid. Now lemme move onto the lady right there." He turned and flapped onto Komi's shackles, much to her surprise. "Wh-whah?"

Zilla Jr opened his eyes and cried out, expecting severe pain, but instead found himself staring up at an enraged Xenilla, gripping his wrist and looking straight over at Junior and Komi's location. "Damned bird...I'll have your wings slit open for this!"

Well, he was definitely talking about Rodan…

But another voice called from elsewhere, booming:

"You won't lay a finger on him. Nor will you continue to hurt my children like this."

It was...his voice.

Xenilla looked over as a whole new expression came over his face. It was one of fury; of contempt. "So you live after all..."

"The same can't be promised for you..."