Three days later, Junior and Mora were deep in conversation. They'd been like this almost nonstop since the morning after they made this arrangement. And they thoroughly enjoyed it. Junior told Mora about his life as well as his father's. Mora told Junior about her ancestors. Not surprisingly, she had much more to say than he did.
Junior loved listening to Mora's stories. He couldn't help but want to hear more every time she finished telling one. He actually began to worry that she was getting annoyed by this. If she was, though, she didn't show it. Every now and then, Leo would join in on their conversation, but not often. He did not do so tonight. Instead, he was resting in the cave he shared with Mora, wondering how long it would take for her to talk herself to sleep.
It didn't seem to be anytime soon, though. At this time, a couple hours after sunset, she and Junior were trying to figure out what they wanted to discuss next. Or, at least, Junior was. When there was a lull in the conversation, Mora usually let him pick their next topic because he was the curious one and she was the one with a wealth of knowledge at her disposal. Plus, she knew his mind was filled with questions. After a few minutes, Junior spoke up:
"Mora, I've heard so much about the... uh... what'd you call it? The Great Hollow. I've heard so much about it, but I've never been able to picture it. What does it actually look like?"
"You sure you want to know? You'll be able to see it in person pretty soon."
"Yeah. I wanna know what to look forward to."
"All right, then. Well, it's a lot like Skull Island, but bigger and brighter. There are no clouds, no fog, and no sky. Nobody knows what it is, but there's some kind of strange light in the cave ceiling that illuminates everything. In the center of the Hollow is a huge lake filled with strange, dangerous creatures. As I understand it, you've actually already met one."
"The squid?"
"Yes."
"Anything else I'd have to worry about down there?"
"Well, there's always at least one kaiju that tries to stir up trouble, but Gojira's kind have always taken care of that. However, as I understand it, their numbers have grown quite low over the last few millennia. They may even be gone completely by now. It has been some time since my kind have returned to the Hollow, so I can't say for certain what it's like down there at this time. What I do know is that your resemblance to Gojira may prove useful down there."
"How?"
"Because it may deter these troublemakers from trying anything while you're around. If they can tell the difference, though, it could make you a target. You'll need to be on your guard."
"Heh, guess I should've expected that."
"What?"
"Well, it seems like almost everywhere I go, someone or something's always trying to kill me. It makes sense that the one place in the world that I'd like to be the most would be no different."
"Junior, don't let this discourage you. The chances are quite low that they'd try to attack you, anyway."
"But they still could."
"Yes."
"And what should I do if that problem comes up?"
"That, I can't answer. If that time comes, you must do what you feel is right. However, I advise that you try to consider the consequences before you act, for the repercussions could be serious."
"I will."
"Good."
Suddenly, a familiar cry could be heard in the distance.
"Anguirus is returning." Mora said. "He should be here in a few minutes from the sound of it. I'm going to let Leo know and give you two some time to catch up."
"Okay. Thank you."
"For what?"
"For the last week. It was great. I haven't had so much fun in a while."
"Hm. Your welcome. What are friends for, right?"
As Mora flew away, Junior went to look out over the ocean and try to spot Anguirus as he approached. After about a minute, he caught sight of his friend. He was close. Junior turned and went to meet Anguirus as he came ashore. Another four minutes later, he'd arrived.
"Well, you're looking better." he said.
"And you look like you could use a nap." Junior replied.
"Heh, I won't argue with that. Three days of swimming, a few hours rest, another day of swimming, a few more hours of rest, and another three days of swimming? Yeah. I could use a nap."
"Did you find anything, at least?"
"Yes, I did. You?"
"Mm-hmm. In fact, I almost-"
Their conversation was interrupted by a loud noise further inland. Something had hit the island with tremendous force. Surprised and worried, Junior and Anguirus rushed to find the source. As they approached their resting spot, they found it. There, waiting for them, standing in a small crater where it'd landed, was Kiryu.
"Well," it started, "look who it is. My old friend, Anguirus, and the one who would replace me."
"Replace you?" Junior asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Anguirus knows."
Junior turned to Anguirus only to find him frozen in place, seemingly in disbelief. He was quietly talking to himself, saying: "No, no, it can't be." Now, Junior was getting worried.
"No more games." he said, looking back at Kiryu. "Who are you?"
"You seem like a smart creature. If I know Anguirus, and I do, he would've told you about me. But, just in case you're still not sure, here's a hint."
Kiryu's robotic body tensed up and began to glow bright white. So bright, in fact, Junior and Anguirus had to avert their eyes. When the glow faded, the light in Kiryu's one good eye dimmed and its body seemed to shut down. In front of it stood a ghostly figure. It was then that Junior figured it out. There, standing before him, almost transparent and bathed in soft blue light, was Gojira. Junior's terrified look told the apparition all he needed to know.
"Hm, I guess you do know who I am."
"H-h-how...?" Anguirus tried to say, his sheer disbelief making it almost impossible to speak. "How...? How are you...? You're supposed to be dead!"
"And so I am, old friend. Killed by humans, to be exact."
"That's not possible." Junior replied.
"It is possible, and you know it! Who do you think made this body? Who has overtaken a world that is rightfully ours?!"
"The Earth belongs to all who live on it." Mora said, landing nearby alongside Leo. "Having been its guardian for so long, I thought you'd know that, Gojira."
"Hmm, when I followed Anguirus here, I didn't realize that this was Infant Island. Does this mean that you're against me as well, young Mothra?"
"Not as long as you are capable of listening to reason. This does not have to end in violence."
"Reason?! What possible reason do you have for allowing that... infestation to spread? They destroy the land and cover it with their overcrowded settlements. They kill any creature that they come across, not just for food or to defend themselves, but for fun! Why should they be allowed to persist?!"
"Because they can change. Some have already realized the error of their people's ways and are trying to change them. It will take time, but eventually, they will become powerful allies."
"Eventually? They could destroy this world in the time it'd take for them to change!"
"Gojira, please. If you would just think-"
"No more talk. If the four of you aren't with me, then you are against me."
"This island is sacred." Leo said. "There will be no violence here. It is the law."
"Laws are for the living, something we are not."
"We?" Anguirus asked, having regained his composure.
Suddenly, Kiryu's eye lit up and the mech fired a Maser blast at the twins. In response, they took flight in order to avoid the attack. Kiryu launched after them in pursuit, leaving Gojira's ghost on the ground with Junior and Anguirus.
"Impressed?" he asked. "This is why I flew off when we last met: so I could learn how to take on this form. And now I can do so and control that machine simultaneously. Quite useful, don't you think?"
They didn't answer. They just glared at him, waiting for him to make a move.
"You know, the reason I came here was to ask you whether or not you'd changed your minds about the humans, but I can see now that there's no need. Let's get on with it, then."
Junior attacked first, running toward Gojira and swiping at his face. It proved to be ineffective, however, for Junior's hand passed right through his target and his momentum made him fall flat on his face. Seeing this, Anguirus stopped mid-charge and used his sonic roar. Again, Gojira remained unharmed. He was quite amused by their efforts.
"You thought that would hurt me? Please! You can't kill what is already dead!"
Having gotten to his feet, Junior rushed the ghost again, having completely ignored what he'd just said, and once again passed right through him. Gojira laughed.
"What did I just say, you fool? You can't beat me. No one can! The living can't touch the dead. But..." He disappeared, then reappeared in front of Junior, landing a hard blow to his face and saying: "... the dead CAN hurt the living."
"How does that make any sense?" Junior asked, spitting a tooth out.
"I don't know, but it sure is fun!"
Another hit to the face sent Junior staggering backward.
In the clouds above, Kiryu and the twins were engaged in a kaiju version of a dogfight, with the former having the advantage in speed and power and the latter in numbers and maneuverability. They chased each other around, using the clouds to hide themselves, firing beam attacks left and right. So far, they were evenly matched, with neither side managing to land a decisive blow. But how long would that last?
Below them, the battle on the ground continued, with Junior and Anguirus repeatedly trying and failing to hurt Gojira, who had no such problem when it came to hurting them. After several minutes, they knew that they had to try something different. Both sides stood a few hundred feet away from each other, on opposite sides of the large clearing they were fighting in. Neither side took their eyes off the other, waiting for their opponent to make a move. Gojira was enjoying himself, though, and he wanted to see what his combatants would do next. So he waited while they discussed their next move.
"Maybe we can try talking him down." Anguirus said.
"Didn't work out so well the last two times, but let's keep that option open in case he calms down." Junior replied. "I don't think he's in much of a talking mood right now. Plus, I would very much like to kick his ass. Any other ideas?"
"You could try your fire-breath."
"I don't know if that'll work."
"It's the only thing we haven't tried."
"Fair point."
"I'll distract him so you can get a good hit in."
"All right. But be careful, will ya?"
"Oh, come on, kid. Have a little faith. I've been doing this a long time, you know."
"Okay, okay. Let's get going."
"My thoughts exactly!"
As he finished speaking, Anguirus roared and dashed forward as fast as he could, headed straight for Gojira. Halfway to his target, he jumped up and rolled into a spiky ball. Against most opponents, this would've caused serious damage, but it did absolutely nothing to Gojira except pass through him and make him laugh. As the ghost watched Anguirus roll around, Junior charged up and fired a powerful blast of atomic breath, nailing Gojira in the shoulder, causing his ghostly form to flash bright white and making him scream in pain. As a result, Gojira's connection to Kiryu wavered and the robot shut down for several seconds, causing it to fall and almost hit the ground before reactivating and rejoining the fight.
Now knowing that he could hurt his opponent, Junior fired his atomic breath again, hitting Gojira a second time. "Ah," the apparition started, "I had forgotten that you could do that. You must be very powerful if you can hurt me, young one. I suppose I'll have to change tactics now."
"I won't give you the chance!" Junior replied as he pressed his assault, firing blast after blast at Gojira, who used his disappearing act to avoid the attacks. This went on for about a minute. After avoiding yet another blast, Gojira reappeared right in front of Junior and hit him in the face so hard he doubled over and had to hold himself off the ground with his hands while his head stopped spinning.
"It would seem you are eager to hurt me, young one. Why? Did I upset you? Do my intentions offend you?"
"What offends me", Junior started, rising to his feet, "is how low you've sunk."
"Let me guess: Anguirus told you about the glory days? He told you about the millennia I spent helping others, protecting the Earth? Did I inspire you? Was I your hero?"
"Yeah. Yeah, you were. I looked up to you. I'd hoped to meet you in person. But now that I have, now that I've seen what you've become, I can't stand to even look at you."
"Oh, you poor, tortured soul. Perhaps I should put you out of your misery."
"Maybe I should do the same to you."
Gojira laughed at this. "I'd love to see you try!" he said.
"Would you both stop it?!" Anguirus exclaimed, intervening. "If we don't settle our differences right now, this fight could go on forever."
"Sounds like fun." Gojira replied.
"Gojira, stop. You sound like a psychopath. And just look at yourself. Plotting genocide, attacking two Mothra, trying to kill innocents. You're violating everything you ever stood for right now! You've let your rage and this new power consume you. You're not thinking straight and you need to cool down."
"'Not thinking straight?' Have you not heard a word I've said? My intentions are pure. I'm trying to save our world!"
"This is about a personal vendetta you have against the humans! That 'saving the world' nonsense is just a load of crap and you know it! Is this what Gigamoth would want?"
Gojira froze. Anguirus's question hit him like a bullet hitting a deer. Even Kiryu froze in place, leaving the twins confused as to what happened. "No," he said. "No, it isn't."
"You loved her, didn't you?"
"Y-y-yes... H-how did you-"
"A good friend knows these things, big guy. I figured it out after she died. I was worried I'd upset you if I said anything, so I didn't. But now that it's out in the open, I have one more question for you: do you want to honor her memory?"
"Yes, of course."
"Then let go of the hate and let the humans be. Gigamoth would've wanted to preserve all life, not just kaiju. Just tell us what they did to offend you so much and let us help you deal with it."
"You're right. This is not the way. And she would absolutely hate the thought of me attacking her family." Behind him, Kiryu flew down and landed, followed by the twins, then proceeded to shut off again, signaling that the fight was truly over.
"There, that's good. That's really good. Now, what happened? What did the humans do to you?"
"It started several decades ago. For some time beforehand, I had been hibernating near a small, beautiful tropical island. My slumber came to an end when a massive explosion went off near my resting place, decimating the island. I don't know what or why, but something about the explosion left me in constant, agonizing pain. It felt as if my skin was burning, wiggling, trying to rip itself from my body.
For a time, I tried to ignore the pain. While I did so, I learned that the humans were the ones behind the explosion. I saw their vessels near my resting place and followed them. For a while, I observed them. I saw how they had changed this world and wondered how something so small could be so powerful. I began to fear that they could usurp us as the most powerful creatures on the planet. This fear, along with my anger at them for inflicting that horrible pain upon me, eventually became all I could think about.
After a while, I couldn't ignore the pain anymore, and I exacted my revenge upon them, destroying two of their settlements and killing as many as I could find. After I did so, I calmed down a bit and sought out a new resting place, hoping that my body would heal and the pain would subside while I slept. But, before I could, the humans unleashed another terrible weapon upon me. The water around me bubbled. The flesh was burned from my bones. The last thing I remember doing was surfacing and screaming in terrible pain.
Then there was nothing. No pain. No fear. No anger. Nothing. I was dead. And I was finally at peace. But, then, the humans intervened once more. They took my bones and used them to build the metal monstrosity you see behind me. My spirit was roused from its slumber as soon as it activated. Within that machine is a device called a computer. Through it, I was able to access all the humans' knowledge and experience in seconds. That is when I realized that they had done this to me as well as the true extent of the damage they had done to the Earth. That is why I was so adamant on destroying them. Even after my death, they still caused me pain."
"I understand. And I'm sorry. I truly am. Nobody should have to go through that much pain."
"And you're not the only one", Junior said. "My father and I both endured pain like that, although his was a lot worse than mine. He felt the same way you did about the humans, except he just tried to stay away from them."
"Hmm. Tell me, why don't you hate the humans? Surely, your father would've taught you to."
"He never did, actually. He just taught me that it was best to avoid them. Plus, I've only ever seen their good side."
"Ah, yes. I remember you mentioned that when we first met. But, what your father? We seem to have much in common. I would very much like to meet him."
"He's dead."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"Thank you. And I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier."
"There is no need. I was out of line. If the roles were reversed, I would feel the same way."
Anguirus stepped forward, saying: "It's good to have you back, my friend."
"Thank you. But what will I do now? I have no family to return to, the humans will likely be hunting me, and I can't bear the thought of going back the Hollow."
"The humans may have done so by accident," Mora said, "but perhaps you've been brought back for a purpose. A way to atone for your sins."
"What do you mean?"
"Tell him", she said, looking at Junior and Anguirus.
"Tell me what?"
"Gojira," Anguirus started, "Ghidorah's back."
"WHAT?!"
"And he's on his way back to Earth to finish what he started."
"He will be here in a matter of months", Leo said, joining in. "My sister and I have been preparing for war. Perhaps this is why you're back, to help us end his threat once and for all. To avenge Gigamoth and all those who died during the Great Battle. Will you help us?"
It took a while for Gojira to respond. He was still in shock at what he'd just heard. He didn't know what to say, nor what to think.
Junior worried that it may not have been as good a time to tell him as it seemed. He feared Gojira would take it badly and lash out. But it was too late to do anything about it now. All he could do was watch and wait.
After a few minutes, Gojira's ghostly form vanished and Kiryu reactivated. He stepped forward, turned to the twins, and said: "I will."
Upon hearing that, Junior breathed a sigh of relief. Anguirus must've expected this, for he did not move. The twins didn't have much of a reaction either, aside from Mora saying: "Very good. It is an honor to have you back on our side, Gojira."
"Thank you. The honor is mine. But with Ghidorah's return still months away, what will you have me do in the meantime?"
"I'm afraid there's not much you can do. The others have already been notified and, for now, the world is peaceful. On the surface, that is. I would suggest you help us maintain that peace by joining us on our patrols, but given that the humans do not trust you at the moment, I believe that would be ill-advised. Our human emissaries can speak on your behalf, but it will take a good deal of convincing. And you were right before about returning to the Hollow. If you were to do so, those that lived there would neither recognize nor trust you. More than likely, they will also fear you.
For now, I think you should rest. Reserve your strength for what is to come. I suggest you stay here for now. Our friend over there, Junior, is recovering from a recent battle. When he is back to full strength, he and Anguirus will be going to the Great Hollow. If you so wish, you can escort them to Skull Island and remain there afterwards. I believe Kong will be much more open to seeing you in your current state than most. Then, when the time comes, you can lead Junior and Anguirus to Storm Island, seeing as they've never been there."
"I believe that... is a good plan. Thank you again. You... All of you... You have given me a second chance and a new purpose. I am eternally grateful. I only hope that I can be of use in the coming battle."
"Oh, I think you can", Anguirus said. "When it's all said and done, I'll bet Ghidorah will regret coming back here."
"As always, old friend, your words are a great comfort. I look forward to catching up with you. And I also look forward to becoming acquainted with you, Junior. That is, if you will allow me."
Junior lowered his head in a sign of approval and respect. "Of course", he said. "I think I would very much like that."
"But not tonight, though", Anguirus said, chiming in. "It's getting late and I'm sure I'm not the only one who's exhausted."
"Fair enough", Gojira said. "I will see you in the morning, then."
With that, Kiryu powered down and the twins returned to their cave. Junior and Anguirus returned to their resting spot, both still deep in thought about what just happened. So deep, in fact, it made it difficult to sleep. Junior stayed up most of the night thinking about Gojira. Finally, he had someone like him to talk to again. Someone he could truly relate to. He only wished his father was there to meet him. And beyond that, the thought of Gojira aiding them gave him some hope for the battle to come. Perhaps they could win this. And perhaps they could all live to fight another day afterwards.
