AN: Surprise! Happy Mother's Day to you guys, including my RK fans! Ya'll didn't think I wasn't gonna pull up without a one-shot for this, did ya?
So, about this little one-shot: It takes place between Chapters 2-3 in my "Raising Kaiju" AU and is a prequel to "Love Thy King". If you're new and haven't read either, I'd highly recommend them! (If you're a Mothzilla fan of course)
This focuses on Echo and Mothra's relationship, but more about the queen being a motherly caregiver to both him and Revon. Again, Celosia and Kenzo are not in this because this takes place before their time. And if you've read RK, you'll probably recognize that this one-shot takes place when Revon and Echo still loathed each other. So yes, definitely sometime before the events of "Chapter Three: Acceptance", and after "Chapter Two: New Beginnings".
Hmmm, usually I'm bad with what I wanna say in these notes. However, I do think that this may or may not hit some of you with serious feels. If I strike a nerve for somebody, please don't read/lash out. I know not everyone is giddy on this holiday, and that's usually on very personal matters. I did this because mothers are awesome, and sometimes they deserve recognition for their commitment in raising us. Without them, we wouldn't be here.
I hope this short little story serves as a nice treat for you. Have a good day/night and again, Happy Mother's Day!
Disclaimer: I do not own Godzilla or any other Toho/Legendary characters used or mentioned in this story. I only own baby kaiju.
For millions of years, Mothra has always been a divine and warm being. She's a vision of beauty, an embodiment of peace, and a queen to all monsters. Humans trusted her nature, and she always found herself feeling the same. Like every titan, Mothra's purpose was to protect the natural order and serve an alpha. She was also the king's consort, and that meant his responsibilities also happened to be her own.
And out of all the duties that required her immediate attention, being a parent now happens to be one of them.
Mothra jerked her head up, having been awoken again by a blood-curdling scream. With blue sunken eyes, the beautiful moth couldn't help but look over to the dark sky outside the cave. It was late, and judging by the deep growls now coming from her king, it was very late.
And as much as she wished to return to slumber, Mothra sensed that Godzilla was about to snap.
And when he's about to snap, that usually meant both of their children had done something to provoke him. Probably another fight. Those have become pretty common lately.
When she peered down from her perch, Mothra could see that Echo and Revon had indeed lost patience with each other. From the looks of it, both the plesiosaur and dragon had let their instincts take control, and were ready to slaughter. Echo was covered in deep slashes from Revon's sharp claws, and the dragon had bite marks all over his face and neck. The smell of blood filled the cave, and Mothra could see Godzilla holding Revon back by the tail with his teeth.
The dragon roared with outrage, trying to slash his claws again at the plesiosaur while snapping his bloody jaws. Echo was a few feet away and angrily roared at his deranged brother, his snout also coated in the lizard's deep blood. Both hatchlings were bleeding from their wounds, and the extreme smell was starting to irritate the queen's senses.
Godzilla knew Mothra had awakened and gazed his eyes up to the silent moth, pleading for help. There was only so much he could do inside this cave, especially him being as big as he is, and the moth couldn't refuse. However, she really needed to understand what caused both boys to lose control of themselves.
My king, what's going on?
Godzilla snorted, clearly unimpressed with her starting the conversation this way. With Revon's tail still in his teeth, the lizard telepathically responded back. You know how these two get. It seems if one even breathes, the other feels threatened enough to attack...
The moth exhaled tiredly. She couldn't agree with him more on that one. Yes, it is very unfortunate.
Mosura, I could really use your aid to tone these hatchlings down. My patience is wearing thin, and I'm about to eat one of them if they don't sto-
Godzilla was interrupted when Echo charged back at Revon to continue another round of raucous mauling. Seeing these two hatchlings, filled with such hate and bloodshed, was truly an alarming sight. Hearing their snarls as they attacked, wriggling as they bit and clawed each other's faces, horrified Mothra. She's never seen such fights between these two ever escalate this dire! Goodness, what on earth happened for them to become so feral!
Knock it off! She heard the king shout. Releasing Revon, Godzilla forcefully used his snout to nudge the two away from each other, but was unsuccessful.
My darlings, please don't fight! Mothra screeched.
For the two hatchlings, the words from the king and queen were nothing but a blur. Their instincts were in full control, and they wanted nothing but blood. Only one would be victorious in this fight, and both boys weren't going to surrender that easily.
If you don't do something, then I will! Godzilla snarled up to the queen.
Mothra ignored the king's temper before flying down to confront the children herself. As they continued to fight and snap their jaws, the moth knew she had to remain calm in order not to trigger their aggression. Godzilla snorted and watched in silence as his wife lifted her claws to pull the hatchlings apart.
The queen winced at seeing the blood now drenching her claws, and knowing that this blood belonged to her children only made it more nerving. Echo and Revon finally separated when they lost grip on each other, but were still hostile enough to snarl and snap teeth behind their mother's claws. Echo still wished to fight and ran from the queen, but the moth caught him in another claw and prevented his escape, pulling him back in the process. Revon also tried to do the same by opening his wings, but Mothra brought in another claw to pin the dragon down. Now receiving bites from both sons, Mothra chittered in annoyance before she heard Godzilla snort in amusement. She glared up at those gleaming golden orbs that were always a treasure to see, and wasn't pleased with what he had to say.
You sure I can't eat them my love?
No Gojira, you cannot!
The glimmer in Godzilla's eyes faded, returning back into their natural "pissed off" look. Damn, with all this blood around, he was really hoping he could get rid of the mess in every shape and form. Peeved, Godzilla shifted his head down and began licking up the excessive amounts of blood, along with dirt and pieces of flesh the hatchlings managed to pry off.
Mothra huffed as she continued to keep their sons apart with her claws. They finally seemed to cool down a bit, but they were still giving each other sinister looks. Mothra knew what both boys were thinking, and she swayed her head back and forth to portray it wasn't gonna happen. Giving their mother a look, the two hatchlings backed down to finally submit to her wishes. Pleased, the queen pulled her claws away to begin this lecture the right way. However, she had to take advantage of her reflexes when the boys immediately charged at each other again. Now even more irritated, Mothra finally had enough of this crap and wasn't going to play nice anymore.
What is wrong with you two!? Why are you both fighting!
He started it! Echo roared while using his front flippers to hold himself up on the queen's claw.
Revon roared back. No, he's lying! He was calling me a weakling!
Because you are! You're a failure, a coward, and a complete disgrace! You don't belong here!
I don't care what you think of me! I'm not going nowhere, you slimy sack of-
Mothra gasped upon hearing the sudden cursing of names Revon decided to use on Echo. Godzilla jerked his head up in alarm on hearing the dragon's foul name-calling, and Echo wasn't offended in the slightest as he glared. Midway through the cursing, Revon nearly jumped out of his scales when Mothra delivered an angry screech that nearly shook the cave walls.
REVON!
Revon sank with fear upon realizing his mistake while Echo huffed in amusement. Godzilla quietly went back to cleaning up the blood when Mothra continued expressing her outrage.
What has gotten into you! Where'd you ever speak such tongue because you certainly didn't learn from me!
Revon said nothing but lean down and wrap himself in his wings with shame, and it didn't take long for Mothra to figure it out. Her blue eyes darted over to Godzilla, and when he felt his queen shooting daggers, the lizard stopped to stare at his beloved before sending her a toothy smile.
Care to explain where a hatchling learned such language? Mothra asked, clearly unamused.
Godzilla couldn't lie to the queen, as he already knew by her look she had an answer. Glancing down at the two hatchlings, the lizard couldn't help but get a kick out of this. Plus, he had an idea, and it required easing the tension in this cave in order to achieve it.
Revon, how could you express such cruel words like that? Godzilla rumbled a purr as Revon slightly opened his wings to peek up at the king. He was surprised Godzilla didn't scold him for this, and he seemed to lighten up when the lizard continued. You know we can't act out in such a manner. Not in front of such a beautiful queen.
Echo groaned, knowing very well this was leading to something. Godzilla sent him a quick look before focusing his eyes back on Mothra, who was still unimpressed with his attempt to flatter her. His eyes gleamed again with that gentle fondness she cherished, as it was the same look he gave when they fell in love, but she avoided eye contact. Godzilla snorted and began swishing his tail playfully, still keeping eyes locked on her.
Remember when we met, my love?
Gojira...
You were such a feisty little thing that day. I sure ended up having my hands full, didn't I?
Mothra was trying hard not to buy into his little scheme and remained silent. Revon already had his ears up, listening to the story, while Echo had curled up and pretended nobody was near him. He immediately went back into his "own little world" as one would call it.
Didn't I? Godzilla purred, waiting for Mothra's response.
The queen couldn't ignore such conversation, and gazed back into those deep golden orbs that were filled with love. Fine, if he wanted to play this game, she was going to go ahead and let him win. Only for this time.
How could I forget? I nearly pierced your eye out.
Godzilla shifted his eyes down when Revon approached him, resting his head on the lizard's claws as he was eager to hear more of the tale. You could say your queen isn't so sweet and innocent herself. Never take her for granted boys. Even the most beautiful can be the most dangerous. Remember that.
Echo winced upon hearing his father rumble another purr to the queen, and he lifted his head up to growl at the lizard. Mothra remained silent for a second before huffing in annoyance. Not wanting to continue this sweet-talk, the queen fluttered her wings and kept her eyes on Godzilla. The king still retained a toothy smile, and despite seeing the blood stains on his maw, Mothra knew she couldn't refuse.
Let me know how the swim was when you get back. Mothra purred in response.
Ah, yes! The queen is letting him go enjoy some time for himself! Gosh, that's all he's ever wanted since the day he brought Echo home. Taking care and dealing with these hatchlings was so damn stressful, and Godzilla felt he deserved some time alone. No wife. No kids. No humans. No titans.
Just him.
Godzilla leaned forward to give Mothra a kiss by licking her cheek. The moth remained quiet to the loving gesture, and flew back up to her perch before Godzilla could crawl out and leave the cave. Revon and Echo made sure to avoid their king, and stayed alongside the walls to prevent getting crushed or stepped on. When the lizard rose to his feet outside the mountain that housed them, he turned his head and snorted. This was his gesture of saying "see you soon" without expressing it directly. And with that, Mothra watched her beloved king trudge his way over towards the ocean, shaking the land underneath each passing step.
Echo and Revon watched their alpha lower himself into the ocean waters, and until Godzilla's spikes disappeared did they return to giving each other dirty looks. Mothra flew down to stand before her children, and the two hatchlings turned up to face her when she folded her wings and lowered herself to their level.
Now, my precious little ones, who'd like to receive their cleanup first?
Echo and Revon said nothing but silently give their mother a serious look.
Godzilla always enjoyed the taste of blood, and the blood from hatchlings was always exquisite.
In fact, most titans salivated over its rich taste, but Mothra never understood why. Young titan hatchlings weren't filled with very much radiation, but from what her king explains, they were always a tasty treat for titans that favored hunting. Presumably, it had something to do with the pleasure of tasting blood in general, but she didn't care. In fact, she hated and wanted nothing to do with it.
Which was why instead of grooming them like her husband, she was going to use Echo's pond as the perfect alternative.
The moth stood before the burrow of blue water, and both hatchlings were right at her side. While Revon trembled with anxiety, as his fear of drowning still lingered, Echo was throwing a major shit fit. Not only was the idea of his water getting filled with blood an issue, but the fact the queen wanted to bathe Revon in there too. Godzilla worked hard on creating this pool for him, and never during his time on this island did Echo think Revon would touch his water. Ugh, he was going to contaminate everything! He couldn't let that happen! There has to be another way!
Mother, please! Please, I beg you! That's my water, please! Please don't put him in there! Echo croaked with heartbroken wails. Oddly enough, he never called Mothra that unless it was serious. With Godzilla, Echo also pulled the same thing.
Mothra ignored his cries before wrapping her claw around Revon's body, lifting him up until he was right above the water. Echo panicked even more, pleading for her not to do this, but she kept giving him the silent treatment. She hasn't even placed Revon in the water yet and Echo was already weeping. Goodness, he could be such a selfish little rat sometimes. Wonder where he learned that from?
Now she was receiving small nips and bites to her other legs, but it didn't faze her. In fact, it only made Mothra more irritated because this proves how desperate Echo was to get his way. She was just about ready to scold him for this behavior, as it was unnecessary and childish, but she had a better idea. Revon was croaking in fear as he peered down at the pond, using all four of his legs to grip around Mothra's claw even tighter.
The cave was now filled with endless cries from both hatchlings, and as much as Mothra wanted to buy into these pleas, she knew she couldn't. This was just her children's way of trying to take her for granted. They wanted THEIR way, and they knew that crying and complaining would make her submit.
Despite the ruckus, Mothra went ahead and dropped Revon into the pool anyway. The dragon yelped upon being met with the cold water, and the entire pond turned red from the excessive amount of blood washing off his scales. Echo roared with outrage for what Mothra had done, but he was immediately interrupted when she grabbed him next and tossed him into the pond as well. Revon gurgled up joyously at the queen for pulling that move, and she herself couldn't help but release a purr.
Echo resurfaced and noticed that both the moth and dragon found this amusing. This was his pool, and the king made this specifically for him! The fact that another titan was in here, and that Revon and the queen found it funny was not okay!
Before he could express his anger with another roar, Mothra purred and interrupted him by splashing water in his face. Revon croaked with laughter before flapping his wings in amusement. Echo scowled at both of them as water dripped from his face and teeth, and he looked up at his mother when her thoughts reached out to him.
Anger doesn't solve anything, my love. It gets you nowhere.
But you put him in my water anyway, and you laugh with him about it! Echo roared before snarling.
Well, I figured you needed to get in sooner or later. You also needed to cool down that little temper of yours. Mothra spoke softly before releasing another purr.
Revon croaked with even more laughter upon hearing this comment, and Echo sulked down into the bloody water with embarrassment.
Now come along, you boys need to get yourselves ready for bed. Mothra chirped as she turned away and strolled over towards the front of the cave. Revon gurgled and jumped out of the pond, opening his wings and shaking himself dry. Echo brought his head back up and glared at the dragon that ran after their mother. Ugh, that filthy scumbag! Why on earth was he so happy! He didn't deserve to have that grin over his snout, and Echo desperately wished he could bite it off.
Damn, guess he'll have to just save that for another day.
A few hours passed, and despite the disaster that transpired, everything was now where it should be. Echo and Revon were tamed and also free of blood, which made Mothra feel accomplished. Two completely different titans had surrendered their instincts to her, and she couldn't be more than proud. Despite the satisfaction, Mothra wished that her sons would come to learn the meaning of coexistence, but Godzilla told her it's going to take time. They cannot rush the process. No matter how much they wanted or tried.
So yes, it was hard for Mothra to enjoy this tranquility tonight, especially when both of her precious sons refused to sleep anywhere near each other. Any mother would feel dismayed by such an outcome, and Mothra didn't know what she could do to make it better. She wanted to enjoy every single moment with both hatchlings, but sadly, she was only allowed to have one. Like the king says, it cannot be forced. It would only make the process of bonding worse.
Speaking of the king, she wondered how thrilled he was to be away from such chaos. Damn lizard, he was probably having the time of his life stretching those muscles out. No doubt he hasn't made use of them since he prefers to stay in the cave nowadays. With that so called "sweet-talk" he used earlier, he probably pulled that to get away for awhile. Ah, but it's alright. Mothra had a feeling he was going to end up coming back sooner due to boredom.
Mothra shifted her head down to see Revon bundled close to her chest, breathing peacefully. The wounds on his face and neck were still visible, but they no longer bled severely as before. His scales glinted underneath the moonlight from the front of the cave, and the dragon groaned tiredly before shifting closer to his mother. Mothra leaned her head down and gently rested it over the hatchling, careful not to crush or wake him. She was now feeling tired herself, but she knew she couldn't sleep when she picked up quiet whimpers coming from somewhere behind her. Lifting her head, the moth turned to see that Echo was curled up in a ball, shivering and moping underneath his breath.
And judging by the signals he was sending, he wasn't sleeping or having a bad dream either.
He was upset.
My love, Echo? Mothra said in a worried tone, What's the matter?
Echo heard the queen, but was too distressed to let his thoughts respond back. He didn't wish to share anything with her, and even if he did, she wouldn't understand. She wasn't his real mother anyway, so what would she know?
Young one, I know you're awake. Please tell me?
No response.
Mothra figured this had something to do with the pool incident, and if that were the case, there was honestly no reason for Echo to be so upset. The pond in this cave did not belong to him, and any life form was allowed to have access to the water if they pleased. Though it was still filled with blood, new water would eventually come in to filter it out.
If this is about the water, I-
It's not about that! Echo turned his head with a snarl.
Then why are you troubled?
Echo rested his head back down, sending a spew of dirt to poof right underneath him. Though he avoided eye contact, the plesiosaur did let out an unhappy croak as he looked down with shame. It appeared as if he felt guilty for his actions, but knowing Echo, he was probably still holding that grudge against Revon for "ruining" his pool. Well, he did protest that whatever was on his mind isn't about the pond, so then, what is?
Echo finally let his emotions get the better of him, and Mothra was surprised to see him gaze up with watery eyes.
Mother, do you love me?
Mothra felt her whole world suddenly stop. All that peace, love, and confidence faded away, and as a motherly caregiver, she felt like she'd failed her job. Never before did she ever thought of hearing something like this, especially if she figured her child knew about her love for them. However, despite the immense pain she felt in her soul, she knew she had to act strong.
Now young one, why would you ask such nonsense like that?
Well, because you seem to enjoy Revon's presence more than mine. You and the king are always happier when he's around, but no longer with me. You let him take everything that I've ever wanted! Even the love you had for me! Echo angrily roared at the queen. It was supposed to be just me! So what did I do wrong for you to give that love to somebody else?!
Mothra couldn't believe that Echo was lashing out this way. So it's true, he still had a major detestation for Revon, and was admitting the jealousy and hatred that fueled his anger. However, it seemed that by his words, he was essentially blaming her for Revon being here. It did make sense though. She was the one who found the dragon in his egg, and when he hatched, she couldn't help but tame and bring him home. Echo had been the only hatchling years prior, and was content with himself then. He would always partake in playful games with Godzilla on the beach, and he would beg Mothra at night to sing him songs.
It seems Echo was still unwilling to let that go. At least, coming to the reality that he now had to share these kinds of things with another. Mothra understood where the plesiosaur was coming from, but he quickly needed to know that he was misunderstanding everything.
And as a mother, it was her job to be there for her child. He was hurting, and he needed her.
And even though she wasn't his true mother, she did love him as if he were her own. She always has, and always will.
Mothra slowly opened her wings and allowed them to glow a sapphire blue, doing her best to match the colors of Echo's eyes. The plesiosaur had never seen the moth's wings change into these hues before, and he lifted his head to gaze at its wondrous beauty. He didn't know how long he'd been staring, but the next thing he knew, the queen wrapped her wing around him and pulled him closer to her. Revon was still asleep underneath the queen's chest, and was oblivious to anything going on.
Mothra placed Echo alongside her left claw and purred fondly as she leaned her head down to the hatchling. The plesiosaur grew tense upon his mother's blue eyes staring into the ones of his own, but he relaxed when she pressed her head against his.
I will always protect you. I will always be proud of you. I will always love you. And I will always...and forever...be your mother.
Echo cooed as Mothra pulled away to admire the young hatchling, tilting her head as she purred in response. Those sapphire eyes no longer gazed up at her with sadness, but with joy and purity that made her fall in love with him even more.
Echo felt his snout reveal a toothy grin, and all the rage within his soul vanished. With soft purrs now rumbling in his throat, he felt complete. And reconnecting with his queen again made him understand that he'll never be forgotten. He was always going to be loved, and he was no longer going to feel alone and rejected. Right now, all the evil in his life no longer mattered.
What mattered now was that he has her, and she has him.
And she was going to hold his heart...forever.
Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe everyone!