The Wings of Demise

Chapter Seven: Rebirth of Mothra.

Infant Island: Fate.

As Junior opened his eyes, he saw the mid-day sun hanging overhead, and blinked several times before getting up. The first thing he saw was that Leo had left sometime earlier, although he expected that. He looked around, and saw Anguirus waking up, along with a series of tracks that indicated where Leo had left to. Kong was also awake, and Neo woke up soon, with Belvera leaving him to fly in the direction of the tracks. "Hey, have any of you seen Leo? He was sleeping right next to me, and I don't know how long he's been gone." Junior couldn't help but be worried slightly, especially considering how much turmoil the young moth was in now.

"Sorry Junior," Kong answered, "I didn't see him leave. But these tracks seem to be a few hours old like they were made around sunrise… So I guess we follow them…. I really hope he's okay."

"Well, let's go now Junior." As soon as Anguirus said this, Junior had already started walking away, and to his shock, Neo started to follow him immediately, leaving Kong and Anguirus behind. "He really cares about him…. Hey Kong, where did the other guy go?" Since Junior and Neo were far ahead, Kong and Anguirus were much slower, and the two decided to talk while they looked for Leo.

"Oh that weird guy? Beats me. But I see his tracks too, so he's awake, and I think we can trust him, if only because I didn't smell Bagan on his hide. You wanna talk Guirus? About what happened?"

"No. Thank you for asking Kong, but right now we need to find Leo, and then we all need to talk…. Because now…. We don't have a leader, and I'm not leader material at all."

"When you said that Junior really cares about Leo, what did you mean? Aren't they friends? I know you and Mothra loved each other…" Anguirus looked at Kong, and then looked back at Junior who was out of earshot, before he answered him.

"Leo is in love with Junior, and Lea told me this awhile back, and after that day I could see it clearly like she did. Leo really liked spending time with Junior, and at first, while it was something born out of wanting a friend around is age, it became more. The more they talked, I think Leo felt a connection between him and Junior, and eventually it turned into love… and now Junior is starting to feel the same way. The way they interacted last night….. the way he comforted him after what happened to her… You should've seen it Kong….. She should've seen it….."

"…I'm sorry Anguirus….. I know she mattered a lot to you all… and she was my friend too…. I want to get to know you all better….. So if Leo needs to talk to someone, or you do, then I'll do my best to listen." Kong looked at Anguirus, the two stopping as they let Neo and Junior go on ahead. "No one was there for me after what happened to my parents, so it's the least I can do."

"….. Thank you Kong….. I'll do my best to help all of us train…. I never want this to happen again…. I can't lose anyone else I love." As the two followed behind, Neo and Junior were having a conversation of their own.

"Neo….. I want to talk with you….."

"… Sure brother…"

"I….. I just want to say that… I'm sorry….." Neo stopped and looked at Junior in surprise, the other kaiju's sincere look telling Neo that it was happening right now. "I heard you last night while I was getting some food for Leo… talking to Kong…."

"….. So you did…. What about it brother?"

"….. Do you really feel that alone? All the time? And you really are remorseful what you did to me and father?"

"….. I did and I am….." Neo turned away from Junior shamefully, and continued to walk with him. "You don't have to apologize to me…. I'm sorry….." For a long time Junior was silent…. And then he spoke up again, saying something to Neo.

"….. I forgive you… While I will never forget what you did to me, or how you hurt my father… you did not deserve to be born alone or grow up without any love or affection….. nobody ever does….. I don't consider you to be my brother….. but….. I want you to be my friend….. and I hope you can help us all….." Neo looked at Junior, shocked at this, and stopped walking. "When we find Leo, and we go back home….. Can you help me harness my psychic powers? Without Mothra, we'll need all the help we can get, and I want to use them effectively, so I don't lose Anguirus, Kong, or Leo next….."

"… Yes…. I will….. Thank you…. for giving me another chance…. Brother…" Neo could feel his heart racing and his hand trembling, and within his mind, he almost felt a smile take hold of his face. "I'll help Leo too….. any way I can." He listened for the Beast in his mind, but heard nothing

"You're welcome Neo….. I mean it…." It was then that Kong and Anguirus finally caught up, and the group came to a clearing from the jungle, and then saw a massive tree in the middle of it, with the Shobijin sitting on top of some of the branches, and on the side of the tree, a white cocoon that would crackle with cosmic energy once in a while. Before the stunned Kaiju could say anything, King Caesar suddenly leaped down from the top of the tree, and the Shobijin followed, hovering in the air as they looked at the group.

"Who are you exactly buddy?" Anguirus hoped that the strange kaiju before them could speak, and that he would have an answer to his question. "We know you tried fighting Desghidorah, so I'm assuming you're on our side so who are you?"

"So many questions I can see Anguirus," Caesar replied much to the dinosaur's shock, "so for this I shall speak normally so I don't make a fuss. I go by the name King Caesar, and I have learned of your tale through the thoughts and emotions of young Leo, along with these luminous fairies." At this, he gestured at the Shobijin with his staff, and then continued to talk, gesturing at each kaiju as he did. "You are Godzilla Junior, the son of Godzilla and the new King of the Monsters, yet you believe yourself not worthy of that title. You are Kong of Skull Island, and Wielder of the Sacred Lightning. You are Anguirus, grandson of Baraguirus. And you….. you who has a troubled heart, you are Neo, right? And together, you are what Desghidorah called the "Earth Defenders" right?" At this, the kaiju looked stunned, before Junior answered the guardian.

"I am Junior, and you are correct about all of our names. And yes, we are these "Earth Defenders" that he talked about. Since you know all of this, then you know what happened with one of us." At this Caesar sighed, and put his head down sadly, before he looked back up, and spoke once more.

"Mothra Lea's loss weighs heavily in your hearts I can see. She died saving you all from Desghidorah, and now her son must carry that burden she did as Guardian of Earth, along with all of you. If I could, I would have my brother come down from the Otherworld to aide us all, but as he cannot, then I shall do my best to help you, in payment for saving my life. Now….. there is something you all must learn about young Leo, and for that, I shall let the Shobijin talk, for they are connected to him." At this Moll, Lora and Belvera flew forward, while Caesar stepped away, and looked back at the tree. The cocoon was still surging with cosmic power, as if something powerful lay within it.

"Our friends….. there is something you all should know about Leo, and it is important that you listen well." Moll's voice sounded grave as she said this, the tiny moth making sure everyone was paying attention. Anguirus walked up to the tree, and touched it with his front claw, trying to see if anything would happen.

"When she was glowing golden like that, that energy she passed into him," Anguirus asked, as he turned back to look at the Shobijin, "That was her power and some of her memories right? Leo said something like that last night, so you gonna explain that?"

"It was a Merge right? Or close to one?" Junior's question suddenly stirred up looks from Neo, Kong, Caesar, and Anguirus, the four kaiju each having their own thoughts about it. "My father told me about it…. it's what my brother did to save him from dying…."

"It was close to a Merge, but all she simply did was transfer her power to him, along with as many memories as she could, like Battra did to her before, and Gaia to Battra before," Lora answered them both, noticing Kong and Neo's confusion. "In other words, Leo is becoming a fully-grown Divine Moth, but I gather you know that already. However, in addition to the power Mothra Lea has transferred to him, Leo has great inner power as well, and may very well have the potential to become the most powerful Divine Moth that has lived. We know not how it happened, but it seems as if this comes from cosmic energy, and this energy will help him if he can harness it. If he cannot harness it, he could lose control of his powers and thus put himself into danger."

"All that power," Neo muttered to himself, "I can sense it….. I had that power once…. When I…. When I…. I'll help him in any way I can…."

"Wait, you mean to tell me that the kid is a literal god?" Kong's confusion made Caesar chuckle, before Belvera responded to him.

"No, but he can be powerful like one if he gets the proper discipline and training, something that I'm sure you'll do. After all, do you not wield lightning as your weapon? And are you not still constantly training yourself to use it well? Perhaps you have the same potential as well Kong, and Junior too. You do as well Neo." Junior suddenly looked shocked at this, Neo quietly looked away, and Kong's eyes widened in shock, while Anguirus stared at himself. He looked down at his claws, and suddenly felt the same sharp pain in his back like he always had.

"So…. does that mean…. I'm just normal?" Nobody heard him say this, but the dinosaur had to face a certain fact that he had tried to keep to himself for some time now. Compared to Kong, Neo, Junior, Mothra, and Leo, Anguirus was not a divinely picked guardian or an empowered being, rather he was by all intents and purposes simply a dinosaur, and at that, a runt. The Angilas could hear his father's words constantly replaying in his head, and it had only intensified after what had happened with Mothra. He couldn't wield lightning, he could not fly or use telepathy, he could not use anything Junior could do, and he could not fire out any energy attacks. All he had was the ability to slash with his claws, roll into a spiked ball, and sonic attacks, all of which paled in comparison to their abilities. And yet in spite of this perceived uselessness, the dinosaur stayed and listened as the conversation went on. "They could be gods, all of them. Even she could've been. And yet…. They always bring me along…. Even though I'm not as strong as them, and I don't have much to offer them….. So what if I don't have the powers of a god dad? They see something in me that you never did, so you know what? Fuck off. " At this, he could hear his father's voice disappear from his mind, and with new resolve, he walked back to the group, and joined them.

"Is there anything else we need to know?" Junior's look of shock had worn off, and now he felt as if there was something else that still had to be said. "How much longer until he leaves the cocoon and joins us again?" Junior could feel the warm feeling in his chest again as he thought of Leo, and his heartbeat increased as he remembered the conversation between him and Leo the previous night. "I promised him I would be there for him, and I will keep it no matter what…"

"Yes," Neo continued, "When will he leave? We need to get back home, because we are still in danger out here." His hand started to tremble again, somewhat more violently, but he hardly noticed while he looked at Caesar and the Shobijin. Only Belvera noticed the hand, and she flew over to him, sitting on his shoulder.

"I promised Lea….. Mothra…. That we'd all take care of Leo. So, I'm asking the same as everyone else, how long do we have to wait?" Anguirus stared at the tree, looking defiant at the power emanating from it.

"That dragon….. so much power," Kong sighed, "And the worst part is that I don't think he is the worst thing we will encounter. So tell us now." He removed his axe, and started to charge up his lightning.

"Leo will hatch when he is ready, but it is important that he be protected now. For if he is attacked before he is fully grown, then he shall perish." Lora and Moll were speaking together now, to make the point sink in. "We pray nothing terrible will happen to him, so you must all defend him with your life, no matter what. But once he is ready, then he will be a great ally to us all."

"Well isn't that a shame? I guess none of you will get to see that happen."

The voice suddenly caused all the kaiju there to turn around, and to their horror, stood Desghidorah, albeit very much changed. He was panting heavily and occasionally coughing, which did little to take away from the oozing open wounds on his body, a sick mixture of green and red which were dripping constantly, smoking as they hit the ground. His wings had holes in them, and yet seemed to have still been able to let him fly right to Infant Island. His legs seemed to be struggling, some of their tendons being visible as his scales continued to fall of slowly, taking the chunks of flesh with them. Worst of all were his heads, or what was left of them, for only two remined relatively intact. The stench from the missing head hung in the air, the flesh still rotting and melting away as more of the neckbone had been exposed. Nutcase was fairly well off, his eye socket only slightly leaking blood from his lost eye, and a nervous and pained expression on his face as he coughed violently, vomiting up more blood. Leader was a different story however, as patches and patches of scales had fallen off of his neck, and the gaping hole in it was leaking red and green. His face had a crazed expression, not helped by half of his skull being exposed on the side of his face, giving him an almost half grin due to his fangs no longer being covered by a cheek. Blood was leaking out of his mouth, and parts of his face were discharging green fluid, and his eyes had clouded over, seemingly to be pure white now, and leaking blood. "Oh? You thought I was dead huh? That bitch fucked me up good, hehehehehe, oh she did…" Leader coughed again, and his tongue came out of his mouth, licking the remains of his chops.

"Shut up and kill them already. We're both dying here," Nutcase sputtered, his seemingly joking nature gone. "Aren't you supposed to be the focused one?" The Earth Defenders stood their ground, unsure of what the melting dragon was going to do, or what would happen.

"I don't have much time left at all…. Urgh… but that won't stop me….. I see you're all protecting her son…. But where is she? Oh wait….. she's dead I bet….." Leader smiled as he could tell by the looks on the other kaiju's faces, he was correct. "I can barely see you at this point…. But I can tell that I was right. NOW HOW ABOUT I SEND YOU ALL TO JOIN HER!?"

"Oh I don't think so," Anguirus growled, and charged towards Desghidorah, the rest of the group following along with King Caesar. The Shobijin flew back to the tree, preparing to protect Leo's cocoon if the worst happened. Junior was the first to attack firing his atomic ray as Nutcase's crimson beam came out of his mouth, the two exploding as they hit in midair, and then Desghidorah leaped towards the group, slamming the ground to create eruptions of flame. Caesar quickly leaped into the air using an axe kick to slam Leader, while Neo quickly sliced into Desghidorah's side, watching as blood sprayed out of the cut. Junior tanked through the flames and stood his ground, determination burning in his eyes. Kong's lightning bolts assaulted Desghidorah from above, and the ape started to grapple the dragon along with Junior and Anguirus. While it was true that the dragon was melting alive, he was no less dangerous than he was back in Hokkaido, and this was proven when he fired off his energy wave, blowing back the Earth Defenders.

"We need to stop fighting these guys you idiot!" Nutcase was still screaming at Leader, the middle head still smiling as he attempted to fire his crimson beam at a charging Kong, only for it to fire out of the hole of his neck. "JUST KILL THE DAMN MOTH AND BE DONE WITH IT!"

"Why don't you shut the fuck up?" Desghidorah bit into Kong's axe and both discharged their bolts into each other, before Leader swung and sent Kong flying into a mountain. Neo stayed back, not daring to try and use his full power in fear that Leo's cocoon would be damaged as they fought. Caesar quickly charged up energy from the midday sun, and used it to kick Anguirus who had rolled up into his ball form into Desghidorah, sending the dragon flying into several cliffs. With another explosion, Desghidorah rose out enwreathed in flames, not caring that they were speeding up the process of his flesh dripping off of his body. Landing, he fired out flame blasts, watching as Junior charged through them as his dorsal plates started to glow white and then bit onto the young kaiju as he attempted to punch him. "You idiot boy…. You've let your guard down."

"Did I?"

"Wait let him go! NO! NOOOOOO!" Junior's spiral ray fired out of his mouth, and Nutcase screamed as the beam hit him right on, blowing him to pieces and severing the neck from Desghidorah. There was only one head left now, and Leader tossed Junior away, trying to process what had just happened.

"Hehehehehehe Hahahahahahah HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! He finally shut up…. I can hear myself think now…. Ahhhhhh." Desghidorah then summoned more flames around him, and quickly countered Kong's chain, grabbing it in his mouth and tossing him into Junior sending the two flying near the tree. "So this is what Ghidorah meant by getting rid of the other two…. Oh I feel so free!" Caesar punched Desghidorah with a sun powered punch, only to realize he hadn't regained his full strength, and watched as the dragon pushed back, and grinned at him. "Oh if I could see you better, you'd be shitting yourself right about now I bet. And once I'm done with you, I think I feel confident to take on Father…. oh wait… Bagan…." The dragon evidently had lost his mind, and this was proven when he summoned several flame swords and fired them wildly around, while blasting Caesar away with his crimson beam, now enhanced by the flames and partially firing out of the hole in his neck. Anguirus's sonic attacks did nothing to the dragon, and soon he was blasted by a volley of flame, and sent towards where Neo, Junior, Kong, and the Shobijin were. Neo quickly conjured his shield with the Shobijin helping, sending the next crimson beam back at the flying Desghidorah, blasting parts of him off. Desghidorah then quickly landed, sending his flame volley out of the ground, and for a brief minute as it staggered the group, it allowed Desghidorah to quickly fire a flame blast….. right at the tree and the cocoon.

The cocoon was ignited instantly, and so was the tree.

"LEO!" Junior screamed as he saw the cocoon catch fire, and turning back at Desghidorah, he could only stare in shock as the dragon grinned. "You…. you BASTARD!" Junior roared in anger, and parts of his body started to glow red. "He was my friend…. I loved him…. I promised I would be there for him….. and YOU TOOK HIM AWAY FROM ME!" The other Earth Defenders could only watch as Junior's body started glowing fiercely red, with Kong's face frozen in horror, realizing what was going to happen.

"Oh? I'm sorry…. But I'll let you know this….. I bet he screamed real good when he-" Then suddenly Junior stopped glowing, and heard something from the inferno behind him.

A single solitary crack. And then more as the tree exploded with the cocoon, a green bright glow taking up the battlefield as the sound of fluttering filled the air. The Shobijin looked on in wonder, all three of them watching as shapes their size rushed past them, flying into Desghidorah and blasting the dragon back as more of his flesh melted off. Then they started to converge together right in front of the group, forming a green energy ball that got bigger and bigger as it shone. Caesar watched with wonderment as he steadied himself with his staff, and so did the rest of the Earth Defenders, as the energy took on the shape of a fully-grown Divine Moth, and stopped shining. "Leo?"

Leo almost resembled his mother in body shape, with the same six legs and massive wings, only with several differences. First was that his fluff was pure white with black markings, along with three green gems being embedded in his forehead, and his wings being more curved back, and having patterns like that of a rainbow on them. Next was his antenna, being featherier than Mothra's, and seemingly crackling with green energy, like most of his body was right now as he floated in front of the Earth Defenders. Finally, his eyes were still the same emerald green as they were as a larva, and when Junior looked at him, when all the Earth Defenders looked at him, they could feel the power radiating from the moth. "Leave. Them. Alone." Leo's body continued to crackle with cosmic energy, the moth's anger fueling it, and Desghidorah started to panic as he realized just how powerful the moth was.

"No…. no… I don't understand… how!?" Leo slammed into Desghidorah as he charged his body with cosmic energy, and carried the dragon up into the sky, and away from the Earth Defenders. The dragon broke away and barely noticed as part of his leg sloughed off, still staring at Leo in horror. The light was able to pierce through his clouded vision, and thus, he could see exactly where the moth was. "I burned you alive. I DESTROYED THE TREE AND YOUR COCOON! HOW!? HOW!?" Flame swords flew at Leo, the moth dodging them all as he fired a beam out of the gems on his forehead, the two dogfighting. Leo then fired out several ring-shaped beams of energy, disrupting Desghidorah's crimson beam and shocking the melting dragon. "HOW!? HOW!? HOW!?" Leo charged into Desghidorah again as he covered his body in cosmic energy, causing an explosion and then turned around, his wings generating a thin layer of blue energy that covered Desghidorah, stopping the dragon in midair as the two flew above the ocean. "WAIT NO! MERCY! I WANT MERCY! I'LL GIVE YOU ANYTHING!" Desghidorah smiled as he sensed Leo hesitating at this, preparing a flame blast to try and immolate the Guardian of Earth.

"Mercy? Fine, I'll grant you mercy." Desghidorah started to breathe a sigh of relief, before he realized Leo wasn't done yet. "I'll give you the same mercy you showed to my mother!" Leo let his scales and wing lightning fall onto the dragon, who in one last vain attempt fired his flame blast out, only for the scales to stop it mid-air, and send it back at the user. As the flames ignited Desghidorah, he screamed in agony while he was moving back, before his wings dissolved into ash, and he fell towards the sea. Leo watched as the dragon hit the waves with a splash, and then sunk below, before a boom could be heard, and out of the water rose a pillar of light, which then took on a cross shape, before it dissolved into nothing.

Desghidorah was no more.

Junior looked up at Leo, who flew down towards his allies, and landed gently on the ground, the three Shobijin flying towards him and Caesar walking up to him. Anguirus approached him first, followed by Kong, Neo, and then finally Junior, the Jira Tribe member looking at Leo in wonderment. Leo looked at the group, taking in their stares as he wondered what to say first, and looked in his memories for any of his mother's, trying to see how she spoke to the others so well and got their attention. "…. Hey….. I know I look different now…. But it's still me…. I'm still Leo." The moth's anger had dissipated, and now more than anything, he sounded much more reserved now, and a bit nervous. "He's gone now…. He won't hurt anyone ever again…. Never again."

"Leo," Junior spoke, "How do you feel now? Are you okay?"

"I'm okay now….. but I still miss her….. I can see her in my mind…. She gave me something to remember her by…." Leo sighed, and looked up at Junior, along with the rest of the group before he continued talking. "I feel so powerful now…. So is there anything I can do to help you all now? And can you help me Junior? Anguirus? Kong? Neo? Help me to harness this power so I can make her proud?" In spite of the spectacle of Leo's destruction of Desghidorah, Neo could sense that the moth's power wasn't fully realized yet, and he had only scratched the surface of what he was capable of. But there wasn't anywhere on Monster Island where they could safely train the moth, except for the chamber he and Kong used, and remembering what he and Junior had talked about, Neo decided to respond.

"Leo… I can help all of you…. I can help you harness your power, I'll do it for you, and I'll do it for her." Neo stood there, his trembling hand not bothering him right now, starting to think about the chamber, and all that it could be capable of.

"I loved your mother Leo, and I know she loved you so much, so I'll do anything I can to help you grow." Anguirus once again thought of his father, and then thought to himself, "I may not have power like you, but that doesn't mean I can't help you. You aren't weak Leo…. And I help you see it. For Lea."

"I hope I can grow alongside you Leo," Kong answered, "And I think that I can give you some pointers on controlling power. I'm learning as I go on, and so can you." The ape had slung his axe and chain on his back again, and he stood there, rubbing one of his wounds.

"While I will not go with your group just yet young one, you can rest assured I will help you all make Bagan come undone." Caesar watched as the group looked at him, and Leo then rose up, flying towards the Guardian, the gems and his antenna glowing as he touched his forehead to Caesar's. "Oh? That is where you live and where you thrive? When I am ready and I am fully healed, I will join you all and be an ally so loyal and steady. Now, should you be out on the sea, and should you need any aid, watch out for my sister Manda, for she too can help you make this planet free." And with that Caesar stopped talking and watched as the Shobijin flew over to Leo, all three of them speaking together.

"As we all served your mother and helped her when she needed it, we will do the same for you Leo." The Shobijin then flew up to him, and then merged inside of him, causing Leo to fly back just a bit.

"Leo, are you ready to go home? I am here for you, and I always will be if you need someone to talk to." Junior couldn't help but look up at Leo, his beauty making him feel the same warm feeling in his chest. "And there is plenty you can do to help us Leo. Never doubt that, ever."

"…. I'm ready…. Let's go home." As the group left the island except for King Caesar, who held his staff over the land, and did his best to heal the damage with the power of the sun, there was a mixture of sorrow, and yet hope.

All however could feel her presence as they were flown home, and Leo almost could've sworn that she was smiling.

He would make her proud.

The Dark World: Bagan's Lair.

In his private area, Bagan look on in displeasure as Desghidorah fell into the ocean, and promptly exploded into nothingness. As the dragon's soul flowed into his own body, Bagan gripped the armrests of his throne as crimson energy surged through his body, and then let go when it stopped, and sighed deeply. "Hm. For a brief minute, I thought you might be worth something after all when you slew Mothra. Instead, you have led to her son gaining more and more power….. However, at least I am rid of you." Indeed, Bagan had felt more of his old power creep back into him, and for that, he was happy. He looked at his shell, it being silent as it floated in the pillar of light, and then back at his personal viewing globe, which was now shut off. "Something different is happening this time. I thought that the death of Godzilla would help me secure my victory. Instead, I am being challenged now, by his child, and those damned souls who think they can defy me. However, I see no issue with sticking to my plan right now, especially if it helps me reach my full strength again." Bagan took one last look in the viewing globe, and saw them flying back to their home, wherever it was. "Hmmmm….. out of everyone I've faced in the past, your group is perhaps the most resilient. I shall keep observing you for now." Bagan got up, and stepped back into his shell, feeling blood vessels and organs pumping in his body, and walked up to the viewing globe, holding his hands up to it.

Time for another meeting.

The Dark World: The Main Area.

In the Dark World, Hedorah couldn't help but notice Dagahra's mood, the water dragon being much more dour than usual along with his rat friend or pet. They were sitting with their backs to the viewing globe, or in the case for Dagahra, as best he could with his flippers in the back. "Oh? Feeling down are we?" The spirit floated down in his smog form, his red eyes appearing in front of Dagahra's face, causing the water dragon to growl a little and turn away. "Fine I get it, you lost a friend. Big deal. Don't you know it's better to be feared than loved Dagahra? Yes I will admit my group doesn't fear me, or Winter boy for that matter, but rest assured, when I can unleash my full power, oh I will be feared. And you?" Dagahra stared in defiance at Hedorah, before he rose up and looked at the spirit along with Deutalios.

"You know, I was once one of many Guardians of the greatest city on this earth, and for your information, I had friends who I gave a damn about. But try telling that to the humans who sealed them away, locking them in as it sunk. I know what you're trying to do Hedorah," Dagahra said quietly, his voice devoid of emotion. "You think I'll join your little group? Fuck no. It was me and Deutalios to begin with, and it will be like that from now on. Now leave me alone, before I show you what pollution really looks like buddy…." Several Barem crawled out of his shoulder cannons as he said this, the starfish staring at Hedorah silently. "You know how long it took these babies to take out an entire pod of whales? 2 hours. Now leave me alone before I test what exactly they can do to a spirit."

"Hmph! I asked nicely, but I can see you are otherwise occupied….. oh and by the way, if you really thought for one moment that Desghidorah would ever return your feelings, well, you'll never know." Hedorah left the two alone, and Dagahra sighed again, before looking at Deutalios, the rat kaiju having a concerned look.

"Boss? You okay?"

"No…. I'm not okay…. I'm tired of working my ass off for this freak, I'm tired of him always making me wait around," Dagahra grumbled, "And I'm tired of seeing those who I care about being screwed over time and time again! I didn't want to lose him…. And I did….." As the dragon huffed, he suddenly noticed several dark portals appearing in mid-air, and knew it was time for another meeting. He then noticed the kaiju in the pillar of light had regenerated completely, the rest of the souls having flowed into the body, and making it appear as if it was intact. Ghidorah seemed to be slightly happy this time, no doubt because of what happened to Desghidorah, and yet at the same time displeased, because of Mothra's son finally becoming a fully-grown Divine Moth.

"I call you all here my Acolytes, for we have lost another member to these "Earth Defenders," and yet they have lost a member as well. As I am sure some of you already know, and as the rest of you will know right now, Desghidorah decided to leave us and in some vain attempt to either test his own strength or impress me, attacked Mothra's group and got himself killed in the process. Now this does not affect the plans for the Promised Day, nor does it mean that we lost anyone of significance." Hearing the last sentence made Dagahra's blood boil just a bit, and clutch his claw, wishing he could cave in Bagan's face. "However what it does mean is that in spite of Mothra's death, the new Guardian of Earth has the potentially to wipe a good faction of you out. And so, I think it is time I finally introduced you to our newest member, one whom I think will work with us quite nicely." As soon as Bagan said this, the pillar of light stopped shining, and the kaiju in it fell to the ground. Everyone looked at the kaiju, some muttering amongst themselves as they tried to figure out who it was. The kaiju was a Jira Tribe member, with a charcoal grey body, white dorsal plates, and a long tail, with the head almost looking like Godzilla's did, and yet not so much. Then suddenly, a white light started shining on parts of the creature's body, making them appear translucent and cracked like the kaiju was trying to keep something sealed within their body, and the creature stood up, no, floated up as the Acolytes stared in shock and silence. Then the creature's eyes opened, and they were pure white, which fit with the rest of the white light. "I would like to introduce you all to Gojira, or rather, the kaiju who made it known to the whole world that we still existed, in spite of how much humans tried to forget it. Felled by a human weapon, I have improved him by making him a depository of damned souls and those who gave into fear and despair, in no small part thanks to you. Now then Gojira, who is your loyalty to?" The creature looked at Bagan, his white eyes glowing brighter as he pondered for a minute, and then spoke, his voice sounding like many were speaking at once.

"We serve Bagan, the Beginning and End of Life. What is thy bidding master?" Inside of the phantom, one soul in particular floated around, wondering where he was.

"Where am I? Am I alive again? My body…. I can't control it! Help me! Someone! Anyone!" The phantom ignored that voice, and bowed before Bagan's voice.

"Very good Gojira….. I have no such bidding right now. Now, all of you disperse! I wish to speak with Dagahra alone." Dagahra watched as everyone left, Ghidorah grinning at him with a malicious stare, until only he and Deutalios were left. "He leaves too. When I said your name, I meant you alone."

"No. We're a package deal Bagan, if you want to talk to me, then you talk to him too okay you old bastard?!" Deutalios was quickly motioning that he would go away, but Dagahra stood his ground in defiance.

"Hm. Fine, the rat can stay, but should you defy me again like this, then I shall destroy the next time you speak out. However, I need you alive right now."

"Well, what is it? Tell me Bagan…. Why do you need to talk to me?" Dagahra waited in silence while Deutalios stood there listening for where Bagan's voice was coming from, occasionally sniffing around too.

"I sense that Atlantis is going to rise again soon, and I can feel its power source starting to call out." Dagahra's heart started to beat rapidly, thinking of his old home again, and then remembered his thoughts of rebellion, and started to wonder if Bagan was listening in to whenever he thought of them or talked about them. "Since you know how to get there, I assume that you will be all too eager to get your reward for giving me Gojira to use? All I request now? I would like the power source from Atlantis, and then I shall leave you be, free to make the ocean your own domain. After all, I can just as easily use the power source to restore more of my own power, and then feed of the fear, despair, and souls you reap."

"…. Really? You're telling the truth? Atlantis is rising again? Where?" A beam of light suddenly shone down on Dagahra, and the water dragon felt the information pouring into his head, the path he would need to take, and where exactly the city was going to rise. "After all this time…. I'm going home…."

"Very good then Dagahra. I shall let you know when Atlantis rises again, and then just get me the power source, and you will have nothing more for me to do." With that, Bagan's voice went silent, and Dagahra and Deutalios stood there in shock and silence, trying to process what had just happened.

"Boss…. Is the plan still on?" Deutalios looked around as he said this, hoping Bagan wasn't listening or anybody else for that matter.

"… Of course…. But this time….. I've got a fourth guy to save." Dagahra smiled, knowing that while the wait was long, he would finally get what he always dreamed off, and soon he would be rid of his major problem. "Guy needs a power source huh? I'll give him one….. and those Earth Defenders too….. they will all know who the Master of the Sea really is!"

The phantom Gojira stood in silence, the many souls inside of him talking amongst themselves, as another rebel soul started to gain consciousness as well.

"….. I….. Live…. Where is my body? And why am I stuck in the body of a Jira Tribe member?! I am an Angilas! Not one of them!"

Monster Island.

Leo was holding onto Anguirus as they flew over the ocean, and behind him, Neo was lifting up Kong while Junior swam below, the kaiju quiet as they started to see their home on the horizon, the setting sun not exactly glowing orange yet, but still illuminating the island for all to see. It was home…. And yet, the group couldn't help but feel as if there was something missing, someone missing. "….. We're finally home Anguirus…. It feels like we've been gone for so long…." Leo looked down at Junior, seeing the young kaiju swimming below him, and sighed….. thinking about how he could've been right after the loss of his father. "Hey, wait everyone…. The island!"

"The island….. it's like nothing happened at all," Junior gasped in amazement as he reached the beach followed by Anguirus landing next to him, and then Leo hovering in midair, followed by Kong and Neo landing too.

"What the hell is up with this place?" Kong scratched his head in confusion, looking at where the damage used to be, along with a few Kamacurai who had come to see the arrival. "It's like it's alive or something like that."

"It only felt this way after I met Junior," Anguirus answered the ape, "I didn't notice it at first, but the island seemed to feel like it was….. well…. I can't really describe it, but it was like it knew that Mothra and Leo would join us soon, and then even more…." He sighed, remembering the simple times of when it was just four of them. Then they suddenly heard the sound of scuttling and turned to see Ebirah running up to them, a frightened look in his eyes.

"Oh now you all come back, right after you missed the whole damn island healing itself! Hey, wait a minute….. You're not Mothra….. You're Leo…." The crustacean was now looking Leo over, his frightened look disappearing as he looked on in wonderment. "Wow kid….. I never thought you'd change…. Wait….. Where is…." Ebirah then noticed how downcast everyone seemed to be, and it suddenly hit him. "Oh….. oh….. I'm sorry kid….." Ebirah put his head down, and looked away shamefully, before leaving back to his cave, muttering, "….. I'm sorry…."

"… We need to talk, everyone does," Neo said, watching as the Shobijin left Leo's body, and started looking at him. "Leo…. Is there somewhere where we can all talk in silence?" Leo could sense the protection his mother put up was still running, but after what had happened, he didn't want to take any risks right now.

"Follow me everyone." Leo flew over the jungle, looking down at it, and remembering how he had once been down there as a larva. "….. I'm a fully-grown Divine Moth now….. I still…. I can't… I really am…." As Leo continued to process this, he caught his reflection in the crystal-clear lake, and almost gasped at his appearance. He then saw the entrance to the cave, and flew in, watching as the others followed him. "Is this private enough? It's where I was hatched…. And where my mom and I…. where we slept." Leo sighed, looking back at everyone, and at Junior, the young kaiju looking at him as well.

"It will work Leo," the space kaiju answered, "…. Now…. Let's talk….. We have a lot to discuss…." Neo suddenly heard laughter in his head, but ignored it, praying the Beast wouldn't speak at all during this.

"So…. I am the Guardian of Earth now…. Now that my mom is gone….." Leo started shaking just a bit, his wings still flapping just a bit as he landed and stood there. "… So that means I'll be…. taking her place as part of your group…"

"Yes….. but the thing is, she was our leader," Junior continued, looking sadly at Leo, and wishing he could do something to help him. "….. We need a new leader now….. and I don't know how we will pick….."

"… I will count myself out," Anguirus announced, his voice tinged with a hint of regret and yet acceptance, "I am not leader material, and it will be easier for you all to pick without me…. But I will still help no matter who is picked." The dinosaur looked around at everyone, until Kong spoke next.

"Listen….. you've all known each other longer than I have known you…. so I count myself out too…. Because I have no experience being a leader…." All that was left was Neo, Junior, and Leo, the three looking amongst themselves as they continued to debate who should be leader, although Neo couldn't help but feel as if he too should count himself out, especially considering what was going on in his mind.

"….. Junior….. I think you should be the leader." Leo's statement broke the silence, and Junior stepped back in surprise. The setting sun illuminated the cave in an orange glow, and Junior tried to say something before Leo continued to talk. "I just became a fully-grown Divine Moth, and I need to focus on training myself so I can step up to what my mom did….. All those powers I used back at her old home? I did them by instinct, and I know they can be better, so I have to focus on them."

"He's right Junior," Anguirus continued, watching as the young kaiju tried to speak. "I think you are what brought us all together…. Listen…. I know you are nervous about this….. but you have potential…. And if it doesn't work out, then that's okay Junior…. It's your decision in the end, right Leo?" Leo nodded and they all looked at Junior, wondering what the young kaiju would do, and how he would answer. The orange started to fade into blue as Junior stood there lost in thought, and then he answered.

"… I am not the King of the Monsters yet….. but I will be your leader…. And to the best of my ability, we will stop Bagan together, we will get stronger together….. and we will protect the Earth together. Desghidorah called us "Earth Defenders," and he murdered one of our own….. so you know what? I say we take that title and use it as our own….. because if Bagan and his minions think they can take our planet away from us…. If they think they can take more of our friends and family from us…. Then they have something else coming!" At this Junior charged up an atomic ray, and fired it up into the night sky, watching as it created an intense orange pillar of light. He then powered down from the raw emotion, and looked back at the group and back at Leo.

"One more thing," Leo said as he started to charge up his forehead gems, and fired the beam at one of the cave walls, carving a strange set of symbols into it which looked like "モスラ." Leo turned away from the wall, and looked back at the Earth Defenders, the group realizing just what it was he carved in.

"We do it for her."

Eventually, as the group left, Junior stayed with Leo, the two looking at each other, and yet not being able to speak like they wanted to, instead just choosing to sleep together. It had been a long series of days, and right now, they only wanted to rest. At one point, Junior woke up, and noticed through the hole in the roof that Leo was sitting outside of the cave looking up at the moonlight, and talking to someone who wasn't there. He had left earlier, saying that he was going back to where the battle with Desghidorah had taken place to try and heal the damaged forest, and now he was back. "I won't be weak again…. I can't lose anyone else again…. Mom, protect us all, watch over all of us….. and guide us…. I love you Mom….. and I love Junior…."

Junior felt sleep taking him, and before he slept, he said to nobody but himself, "Father…. do the same for us all…. I love you…. and I love Leo…."

As Junior slept….. he felt at peace….

Even though he knew when he woke up again….. everything would change forever.

Author's Note: And we have made it, The Wings of Demise is finished! And with Parts 1-3 done, I can safely say that we are halfway through the story, with only Parts 4, 5, and 6 remaining, and the Final Part coming right after them. So here, the status quo has changed, and now the Earth Defenders are down one, but they are still motivated to fight against Bagan and his army, no matter how many new allies he makes. I would also like to announce that I will be taking a break from this story after today, and return to writing after a week or so, starting off with two interlude chapters, and then going directly into Part 4, which I hope to make bigger and better than ever. Now here is the voice cast with minimal changes.

Johnny Yong Bosch as Godzilla Jr (adult and teen).

Dan Southworth as Neozilla/SpaceGodzilla and the Beast.

Sumalee Montano as Mothra.

Matthew Mercer as Anguirus.

Yuri Lowenthal as Leo.

Steve Blum as Kong.

Sigourney Weaver as Biollante and the Beast.

James Sie as King Caesar.

Marc Diarson as Godzilla.

Quinton Flynn as Rodan.

David Gallagher as Battra.

Phil LaMarr as Baragurius.

Richard Epcar as Bōryu.

Travis Willingham as Kong's Father.

Laura Bailey as Kong's Mother.

Cate Blanchett as Gigamoth/Mothra Gaia.

Sean Astin as Baragon.

John Rhys-Davies as Gorosaurus.

Viggo Morteson as Gomora.

Mae Whitman as Moll.

Lara Jay Miller as Lora.

Grey Griffith as Belvera.

Greg Baldwin as Daimajin.

Fred Tatasciore as Destoroyah.

Charlie Adler as Varan.

Willem Dafoe (Leader), Dave Wittenberg (Nutcase), and Kevin Michael Richardson (Vicious) as Desghidorah.

James Woods as Dagahra.

Spike Spencer as Deutalios.

James Patrick Stuart as Gigan.

Patrick Seitz as Grand-King Ghidorah.

Tony Jay as Bagan.

James Earl Jones as Gojira (Godzilla 1954)/Ghost Gojira (Ghost Godzilla).

Angela Basset as Godzilla Earth.

Nathan Lane as Ebirah.

Tim Curry as Hedorah.

Patrick Warburton as Megalon.

Robert Englund as Gabara.

Cathy Weseluck as Godzilla Jr (child).

Stephanie Nadolny as Kong (child).

Veronica Taylor as Anguirus (child).

Jim Ward asM.O.G.U.E.R.A.

Gregg Berger as G.O.R.T.

Jeffery Dean Morgan as Gaira.

Nika Futterman as Lilith (female MUTO).

Daran Norris as Nimrod (male MUTO).

Eartha Kitt as Megagurius.

Brian Drummond as Zilla.

Dee Bradley Baker as Gezora.

Robert Axelrod as Ultraman/Kaiser Belial (Vision).

Mark Hamill as Baltan Seijin.

Kerrigan Mahan as Griffonrzer/Goldar.

Goji73 as Shadow of RED.

Kaiji Tang as Akira Yuki.

Colleen Clinkenbeard as Akane Yashiro.

Don Frye as Douglas Gordon.

Skip Stellrecht as Dan.

Carrie Kernanen as Miki Saegusa.

DC Douglas as Cameron Winter.

Charles Dance as Alan Jonah.

Next time... we see the Earth Defenders train, and Junior and Leo grow closer together, along with Neo's dealings with the Beast, and Anguirus and Kong's attempts to better themselves, and the addition of a new member to the team as the group prepares for Part 4 Of ROTK, Masters of the Sea and Death.

See you all next time... and stay safe everyone. Don't be afraid to leave feedback or to review this story, or recommend it to other people who may be seeking fanfiction to read. See you all in 2021, and let's make next year great!

Shadow of RED, Zenith, and all related concepts belong to Cosbydaf.

The King Caesar song and Mothra song belong to Toho Studios.

Keep Circulating the Links.