Chapter 13 – The Day of the Ancestors

As the summer air continues to be hot, the preparations for the Obon Festival continue throughout the day. While the people are busy, Godzilla and his friends are busy will another matter. Godzilla has been invited to do a Taiko drum while Mothra is invited to do a special dance. Anguirus and Rodan are helping out with a theater and King Caesar is helping with the stalls. Godzilla and the gang have been practicing before the day of the festival; it is a few days away.

In a Shinto Temple, Godzilla is practicing playing the Taiko with the elders. This is entirely new to him and he succeeds in mastering some of the basics. This resonating sound can be heard in the grounds. Godzilla took a break with the elders.

Elder = "That was great, Godzilla-sama, you are improving."

Godzilla = "Thanks, but it was nothing. I thank you for teaching me."

Elder = "No problem, seeing a Kaiju play a Taiko does give the feeling that time has changed."

On the other side of the building, Mothra is practicing her dancing with the Shrine Maidens. Her dance is beautiful and even the Shrine Maidens are in awe.

Shrine Maiden = "Mothra-sama, that was beautiful!"

Mothra = "It was nothing, when I have nothing to do; I just dance for the fun of it."

Shrine Maiden = "But still, it was amazing to see."

The practice goes on…

At a Buddhist Temple, Anguirus and Rodan are practicing their roles before the day of the Obon Festival. Anguirus plays the role as the Hero who is saving his apprentice from his rival who is very determining to drive the wedge. Rodan plays the apprentice who is confused and angry, but understanding. After the practice, Anguirus and Rodan took a break and had a fest with Zen cooking.

Rodan = "This is so good!"

Anguirus = "I agree, having a meal after a good practice sure tastes good."

Zen Monk = "You're movements are perfect today."

Rodan = "It was nothing, you're the best teacher."

Zen Monk = "All I did was to give guidance, you're efforts will please the audition."

Anguirus = "I just hope it goes well…"

Rodan = "Hey, what is Caesar doing around this time? He is not in the events this time."

Anguirus = "Oh, Caesar told me he is going to be watching the events while helping out at the stalls. He will be right next to us."

Rodan = "Oh good, I sure hope he is have fun."

Anguirus = "He has his own way of having fun."

As the goes down with everyone done with the preparations, the day finally came.

At the streets, the crowds gather to pray and make wishes for their ancestors. The stage where everyone will be performing is getting be crowds since Godzilla and friends are performing this year. They are hiding behind to see the crowd.

Mothra = "The number of people is higher than I thought."

Anguirus = "I guess everyone wants to see us perform."

Rodan = "There's even cameras here, I am getting nervous."

Godzilla = "Calm down, don't forget that we are here to send off the spirits of their ancestor. This is an important part of the final day."

Mothra = "Rodan and Anguirus are first with the play, right?"

Anguirus = "Yes, we are. Rodan, it's time."

Rodan = "I know…"

Anguirus and Rodan put on their masks and step onto the stage. Their performance brought joy and tears with the story and they received a loud applause from the audience. After the duo left, Mothra came onto the stage with some little girls. Mothra dances to the music and the girls joined her. Her dance enchants her audience and Godzilla. Once her dance finishes, the audience cheers as Mothra left the stage. The audience turns to the tower where the Taiko drum is mounted. Godzilla appears and begins his performance as the people pray for their ancestors. Godzilla was the last performance before the crowd dispersed.

After the main event, Godzilla and gang gathered to the stall where King Caesar is currently at. Godzilla and the gang are treated with an amazing dinner that Caesar cooked up while everyone was performing.

Rodan = "This is the best! This is how food should taste!"

Godzilla = "Thanks for the meal, Caesar."

King Caesar = "No problem, I am glad that you are enjoying it."

Anguirus = "We should do it again next year."

Mothra = "I think so too."

Rodan = "Yeah!"

Godzilla and the gang finished their meal and head off to bed. However, King Caesar is still wake and went into Godzilla's room. He noticed some dark aura surrounding Godzilla. King Caesar used his powers to gentle remove the tainted aura. Godzilla continues to sleep as King Caesar left his room.

King Caesar = "That was Dogora's doing, I bet he's trying to cause him some discomfort. With that weak energy, it won't hurt him much. However, it's properly best to keep an eye on him and the others… just in case…"

In the next morning, Godzilla is once again at his desk and everyone is helping him out for a very important day. The preparation day is coming for the Exchange Event and Godzilla is making sure that everything is going smoothly.

Rodan = "Ow, my back!"

Anguirus = "You ok?"

Rodan = "I… am… fine!"

Mothra = "I know summer has long days, but this day came so soon."

King Caesar = "You know the say; time flies when you're having fun."

Godzilla = "Hey Rodan, did the weather show any signs for a storm or something?"

Rodan = "It was fine when I came… Why?"

Godzilla = "I just want to be prepared for strong winds and heavy weather."

Mothra = "That's our Godzilla, safety is always his concern."

Rodan = "It's the way we love him."

Anguirus = "Don't forget that there will be other countries from the other seas like Atlantic seas and the Latin Seas. They are going to be a part of the event as well."

Rodan = "Hey, does anyone want to check out the other stalls after everything is good?"

Godzilla = "We can do that, I don't see a problem."

Rodan = "Alright!"

Mothra = "I am looking forward to see everyone enjoying themselves."

Godzilla continue to get the paperwork done as the people get ready for the Exchange Island.

In the dark caverns in an unknown location, Dogora is really having a hard time with his hunting for the green crystals. The crystals he has found is very small and he only fixed one foot of Gigan. Dogora found out that the taint he placed on Godzilla has been removed and he is angry. However, he got hit by a rock after punching a wall. Dogora's quest for revenge is getting nowhere.

Japanology:

A Taiko is a type of drum that is both fun and spiritual. There is evidence that the drums stretches far into history and the Taiko drum is a part of Japan. The Taiko come in all shapes and sizes, but the sounds that resonates never changes.