Author's Notes and Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of the 1978-79 Hanna-Barbera cartoon Godzilla: The Original Animated Series, Hanna-Barbera does, or should I say Warner Bros. does. This incarnation of Godzilla is owned by H-B and Toho. I only own my self-insert, Vicky and the OC Army men (not the names, of course). I also do not own the story that is based on the second episode of this series. Also, anything in bold when a kaiju character is speaking/thinking means that they are speaking/thinking in their native language. Also, there is a Japanese word in here, whose translation was mentioned in a previous chapter. If the word (and thus the translation) is inaccurate, let me know please. There are also some slight curse words uttered by a character in here, but let me assure you, that's not me or my style; it's just part of the character and that character's voice.

Recap: The Eartheater has been defeated thanks to the combined efforts of the Calico crew, Major Cassidy and the surviving members of his unit, Godzilla, Godzooky, Vicky, and science. Sergeant Takamoto is now more open-minded towards Godzilla and Godzooky as well.

Now, it's time to say goodbye and wrap up this story…but is it really over yet?

CHAPTER 7

(San Francisco shoreline, 16:52 hours)

Saying goodbye was not easy, for the crew, or for the survivors of Major Cassidy's unit. They had been through a lot together, learned much about each other, and now had a strong bond. But, Major Cassidy and his remaining men had a job to do, and so did the Calico crew; the latter needed to get back on track in their search for the rogue Monster Island Search Division signal.

"It was a pleasure working with you and the others, Major," Captain Majors said, shaking the tall man's hand. "I only wish we could've done more."

The major smiled and shook his head. "Unfortunately, when you're in a job like this one, especially when you've been in it as long as I have, you come to realize that this sort of thing is inevitable," he said. "Doesn't make it any easier, but the best thing to do is not let it stop you from doing your duty."

Carl nodded his head in understanding.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Messick, Sergeant Takamoto, and Private Butler were having one last conversation with the rest of the Calico crew.

"Where will you guys be going now?" the lieutenant asked.

"Back to the Pacific Islands area," Dr. Darien replied. "Honestly, I was very nervous about coming here for that scientific convention."

"Perfectly understandable," said Messick. "But, look at the bright side, it'll be a very long postponement after what happened today; plenty of time for rethinking and seeing the kind of good Big G is doing, and will be doing."

"Indeed. I'm sure there are many who will be changing their minds about Godzilla, now and in the future," Sergeant Takamoto agreed, smiling sincerely.

"Hey, don't forget our other hero, sir," Private Butler piped up, giving Godzooky a pat.

"Well, 'course not!" Lieutenant Messick grinned. "Who can forget this brave, funny fella?"

The youngling shook his head and waved a hand in dismissal.

"Aw, c'mon, Zuke!" the lieutenant grinned. "You don't need to be bashful about it!"

"I think it's because that 'bravery' of his landed him in trouble," Vicky told the lieutenant.

"Maybe," Messick agreed, but then continued, a wide smile on his face, "but ya can't deny that this kid's got potential in the laughs department. You ever considered goin' on TV and showin' your routine?" he asked Godzooky, making the others laugh.

Zooky glanced at Pete, his expression one of surprised confusion and pointed at himself, silently asking, "Me? Really?"

"Well, first he might wanna learn how to behave himself, then we'll see about that," Brock chuckled.

"Hey, everyone," called Captain Majors. "Sorry to break it up, but…"

There was some groaning from the children, Private Butler and Lieutenant Messick, but they had known that this was coming and they complied.

"I hope we'll see you guys again," Pete said.

"That'd be great," Lieutenant Messick said. "Let's just make sure there aren't any destructive kaiju breathing down our necks when we do," he added amusingly, garnering smiles once again.

"By the time you see me again, I'll be a lieutenant, at least!" Private Butler claimed.

"That's quite a goal, sir," Vicky said, rather impressed by the claim.

"Well, it often helps to shoot high in this business; gives you another, if rather selfish, reason to live," Butler said. "But better that than constantly worrying all the time."

"I believe Lieutenant Messick is rubbing off on you, Private," Sergeant Takamoto smiled.

"That's good, kid," the lieutenant noted. "That sense of humor and positive attitude will keep ya alive. And that's a tip for you too, kiddo," he advised Godzooky, who nodded emphatically.

The humans then shook hands in departing, the children also getting quick embraces and Godzooky getting goodbye pats, which he returned with nuzzles and friendly licks. The crew also gave a bow of farewell to Takamoto, remembering Japanese etiquette. Major Cassidy gave Zooky one more hug around the muzzle and asked the youngling to give his regards to Godzilla. Godzooky nodded, saying, in his own way, that he would. He also threw a glance back towards Lieutenant Messick, grinning widely, trying to send the message that the major's best friend had decided to give up his smoking habit. Cassidy didn't get the message initially, but he gave the youngling a pat and promised him that they would talk.

Once the farewells were exchanged, Majors told Brock to plot a course back to the Pacific Island area and the Calico departed San Francisco.

(About half-an-hour or so later)

Major Cassidy already had Private Frank put in the call for pick-up and him and his men were now waiting in a rather deserted command post on the shore of an abandoned, damaged city.

My superiors back at command are gonna have heart attacks when they see me and what's left of my unit, he thought sadly, sitting down at a table in his tent. Although that's nothing compared to all the families I'm going to have to tell. There were a lot of young men with potential that I lost; a lot of them with young wives, even children, who are expecting them to return. It's a job in command that I've never looked forward to, and, despite all the times I've had to do it, even though the first time was the only time I broke in front of them, I still break into tears after I've finished. Most of them had taken it with stoic, but there were always those ones that cried and screamed, blaming me for the loss of their spouse, parent, family member, or friend. Can't say I blame them though; I'm the one in charge, I'm responsible for their safety and making sure they come out relatively unharmed. But…sigh…what happened was no different than any other time I went into battle. That doesn't mean I've become indifferent. It's just-

"Ted?" came Messick's voice, interrupting Cassidy's train of thought. "Teddy? You hanging in there, pal?"

Major Cassidy sighed heavily and turned so that his best friend could see the sad look on his face and in his eyes. Messick's eyes widened in silent understanding.

"Hey, Don," Cassidy exhaled, using a shortening of the lieutenant's first name. "Do me a favor, will ya?"

Messick took a seat opposite his friend and leaned forward, attentive.

"If somebody offers you a promotion in command, don't take it. It's not exactly a glamorous position, and this," he continued, pointing to the decoration on his own uniform that showed his rank, "this kind of responsibility changes a man. I kinda like you bein' your funny, light-hearted self; gives me another coping mechanism to fall back on. You go on to become a captain, or-Heaven forbid-a major, and I'm gonna lose it. Or you. Whichever happens first."

Lieutenant Messick sat quietly for a moment, processing that information. He knew what this was about; the two of them had had this discussion before, always when they came back on leave or just after a battle. They had had it ever since a young Private Messick found a certain Commander Cassidy crying in an alley after he had had his first unpleasant duty in informing next-of-kin of their loved one's death. The then-commander had thought he could handle it, but when he had gotten to the front door, he got cold feet. When the door had opened, he had froze…then bluntly got to the point, wanting to get it over with. The bluntness of the commander seemed to hurt the deceased soldier's wife as much as the meaning of the message did; she seemed to die inside, then gave him a full round of hysterics. It had turned out that she and her now-deceased husband were newlyweds, and had been trying to have a baby. Now that he was gone, she felt that all hope of that had died with him. Once she finished, Commander Cassidy had stood there for two more minutes before running away at breakneck speed, all his trained bravery and calm falling to tatters. He had been warned of this situation, but it had done little good in this case.

The then-Private Messick had listened to the story with sympathy and a rather scared look on his face. He had then offered the commander shelter and the two friends spent their time talking to get what had happened off of the commander's mind until he felt he could face it.

Ever since then, it had become something of a ritual, before and after going, even with Messick accompanying him on a few earlier times. It was rather unorthodox, but it helped.

"Well, I don't think the top brass will take that for an answer," Lieutenant Messick replied. "Sooner or later, like it or not, I'm gonna get promoted. As for losin' me…well, you don't have to worry about that too much now."

Major Cassidy perked up at that.

"After all," Messick continued, "we promised we'd go out together, no matter what. And I intend to hold you to that," he added, smiling seriously. "And…well, darn-it-all, wouldn't ya know it I lost my pack and my lighter in all that confusion. Not that I'll be needin' 'em anymore; I've had a good, hard talk with myself and I'm thinking of coming off those sticks for good. I hear it won't be easy, but at least I'll have my buddy to help me through it, like I'm doing for you."

Major Cassidy put a hand to his mouth to try to cover up a surprised, and relieved, smile. The only reason that his best friend would be saying that was if he had actually heard the conversation between Cassidy and Godzooky earlier in the day. He thanked the Lord and young Godzooky for making this possible.

"Hey, easy there, Theo. You keep going like that and you'll get me goin'," Messick happily smirked, glad his friend was in a good mood again.

Major Cassidy chuckled at that, then rubbed his tearing-up eyes and asked rhetorically, "Donald Messick, how'd I get so lucky to have you for a friend?"

The good-feeling, buddy atmosphere was broken by the entrance of Sergeant Takamoto and Private Frank. After excusing themselves, Private Frank gave them a new message from Command: When they got back, in addition to the reports for military archival, they were also going to make a set of reports for a "secret organization dedicated to the safety of humankind and study of 'Massive Unknowns'". In addition, said secret organization was asking for an update on the movements of "Titan-0-0-1" and any actions taken.

Major Cassidy cut through the fancy talk; Monarch had seen or heard about Godzilla (aka "Titan-0-0-1") in San Francisco and were wondering if anything had been done about him in addition to the hostile. No doubt they would want detailed reports of events, including the hostile Titan, the losses of his ranks, and the Calico crew's involvement. And no doubt their Japanese counterpart, the Global Defense Force, would want that information as well.

"D**n!" Major Cassidy grunted.

He had been so worried about other things that he had completely forgotten about the reports. And Monarch. And the GDF. D**n, d**n them both! Normally, Major Cassidy wouldn't be reacting like this, but that was before he became friends with a kaiju youngling and the group of humans who cared for him, as well as his massive guardian, whom he had come to respect. Telling anything about them to those groups would be like selling them out, betraying their trust.

"What are we gonna tell them, sir?" Private Frank questioned cautiously, not wanting to upset his commanding officer further.

The tall man fumed quietly, trying to get his temper down and his thoughts in order. Then, he remembered what he and Lieutenant Messick had said to Dr. Darien earlier; about Dr. Darien being able to put Godzilla in a good light with what she knew and that the scientists who were going to be at the convention that Godzilla had unknowingly rescued were going to be rethinking their opinions. There was only one way to do this.

"The truth," Cassidy finally replied bluntly. "The unblemished, God-honest truth. And if they don't wanna listen to it all, then tell 'em I'll come on the line and make them listen. And if they want to dismiss it, then tell them to go to h**l. You got that, soldier? And that goes for everybody else here, too. Tell 'em to give those high-and-mighty kaiju-eggheads the white-hot truth and don't worry about the cost; that's on me."

Everybody's eyes, minus the major's, went wide at that ultimatum. They knew that when Major Cassidy made a statement like that, he meant business. And this was especially true now. And once the shock had worn off, the three other men smiled widely. They had come to like the Calico crew. Young Godzooky had been very kind to them and all felt some responsibility for exposing him to the horrors that they had faced in their years of service. Godzilla, for them, at least, had shattered all stereotypes that had been associated with his predecessors when he rescued those people trapped on the Golden Gate Bridge and them. Such a thing hadn't happened for years, not since the last time a Godzilla had shown himself. Anyway, they weren't going to play sellouts and speak badly of them, or let anyone else do that, for that matter.

"Yes, sir," Private Frank affirmed proudly before heading back to the communications tent to deliver the return message.

"You understand that this could mean our careers, Meja-sama?" Sergeant Takamoto asked, a slight smirk on his face showing that he actually didn't mind that outcome and knew that the major didn't either.

"You let me worry about that, Iwao," Major Cassidy replied, reciprocating the smirk. "Besides, there's a time for following orders and a time to do the right thing. Might as well make this a time to do both."

"Uh, Ted?" Lieutenant Messick piped up.

"What's up, Don?" Cassidy asked.

"N-Not to push you off-topic, but… I suddenly just thought…" Messick trailed off uneasily.

"Thought about what, Messick-san?" Takamoto asked the suddenly-nervous lieutenant.

A pause preceded the reply: "About the kid". "About Godzooky," he clarified. "What happened today…that poor guy was almost literally scared to death. I just thought about him and…and I'm worried."

Both Cassidy and Takamoto sighed heavily; they realized that they weren't the only ones who weren't going to get a good night's sleep for a while.

"Well," Major Cassidy began slowly. "I know one thing: He's gonna be in good hands with Godzilla and the crew. And that advice you gave him, Don," he added. "About how having a sense of humor and a positive attitude will keep you alive," he clarified when his friend looked at him in confusion.

"That's for sure," Lieutenant Messick grinned, remembering. "Just think," he continued, "next time we see that kid, he could be famous. Wouldn't that be somethin'? The world's first kaiju comedian?"

Major Cassidy chuckled at the thought.

"Maybe," Sergeant Takamoto began, not quite used to the idea. "But, if you'll forgive me, there may be as much a chance of that happening as there is of…the Major outgrowing young Gozuki."

"Whoa! Whaddya tryin' to do, Taka-san, shoot me down or scare us?" Lieutenant Messick asked, laughing.

Major Cassidy laughed at the banter between the lieutenant and the sergeant, beginning to feel at ease despite the upcoming unpleasant duties he had to perform. And, despite his nagging concern about Godzooky, he felt confident that the youngling would be okay. After all, there had been people who had been able to bounce back from worse demons.

…Right?

Well, that's it for this chapter, but not the story. That's right, there's one more chapter…and let me warn you, there will be two rather disturbing dreams and implications of post-traumatic stress and bullying in it. Once again, referring to the topic of post-traumatic stress, I believe I may have said somewhere that I got some information from stuff on Pinterest and that's not really reliable, but there were pretty informative to me. Plus I've also taken a psychology class in senior year of high school and I took "Intro to Psychology" when I started in college, so I've got some academic info in my back pocket.

As for that last word at the end there...well...it's because of something I had learned about a voice actor I came to like through his roles that I had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA ABOUT until AFTER he died. He didn't suffer post-traumatic stress, but he did end up going through something that haunts a person just as bad, quite possibly worse: depression. If you're keen on actors like I am, then you know I'm talking about the late, great actor/comedian Robin Williams. I only knew him through his movie roles, more specifically his roles in animated films, and every time Robin's voice came out of one his character's mouths, giggles and a lot of smiling on my part followed. But it's true; before Robin committed suicide (I was still in high school at the time) and news of his death was all over the place, I had no idea that Robin had been battling depression. It was in religion class and we were doing a project involving using some magazine clippings and I happened to get one that featured Robin Williams and that was when I learned about his battle. I was shocked; really. Robin had such a way of making people laugh, and I thought many comedians were cheerful people who gave such delightful performances; that completely turned that notion over. What I'm saying is that what happened to Robin is, unfortunately an example of someone battling an inner demon, and...unfortunately, end up losing. Luckily for you all, I will not have that happen to Godzooky; he's got too much to do.

On a more positive note, you guys will also get a bit of that "planned soundtrack" that I talked about in my profile in the next chapter.

"'The world's first kaiju comedian'?! What, is she crazy?!" I can almost hear you all say; but I did warn you that this fanfic-verse is going to be a Kingdom Hearts-esque universe, so...that means you folks got a bit of foreshadowing. (And don't worry, I know what I'm doing.) And I hope you all enjoyed the interaction between Major Cassidy and Lieutenant Messick.

Once again, the cussing that was done in here is not my style, just part of the character's voice. And please, please don't hate me for what I did to Godzooky; I hope what happens later on in the next chapter provides a little cushioning for all of you.

As always, please read and review. Thank you.