Chapter three: The Ceremony
22 years later
It is tradition in the moth monarchy for the two newborn royal children to wait 22 years before they transform into their Imago form. During these years, they study everything that is available to them. Astrology, mathematics, fighting, geography, science, and dozens of other fields of study. This ensures that when the time comes for them to transform, they bring with them all the knowledge they need to survive in this unforgiving world. Battra put most of his energy into military strategy, public speaking, hand to hand combat, foreign affairs, and most importantly, politics. He was an avid speaker for moth independence and urged Vothra and the moth court to separate themselves from the Kaiju Royal Court. He argued that the court uses them for their healing abilities and their large amounts of knowledge on the world. He wants to be king so he can make the moths independent again and also to form a peace treaty with the Mutos. But Mothra on the other hand wanted nothing to do with being queen. She put all her energy into wisdom. Quickly becoming one of the brightest students in their society. She was also exceptionally well at combat. She mastered all ways of hand to hand as well as memorizing all aerial combat maneuvers so that when she is allowed to transform she knows how to fight. But what did she plan on doing if she became queen? Well she didn't know. All she knew was that she needed to ensure that the Mutos don't destroy them and also to make sure that relations with the Kaiju court are good.
But early on Vothra and Mothra both noticed that Battra began to act differently. He began associating himself with a crowd of kaiju who were in favor of Muto rule. Battra often got into fights at the local nectar bars over who is the better ruler, Dagon or the Muto Prime. This often led to his mother getting angry with him. But at the same time she needed him. He was one of the current acting generals in the war and his contributions have led to several Muto attacks being repelled. Some say he has been sent by the ancestors to win the war for us. But Mothra and Vothra know him enough to know that he has something planned. He was eyeing the Throne. Not the moth one, the big one. The one that Dagon currently occupies. If any of you have read the book series "Ender's Game" then imagine Battra as an evil Ender. But on the night of the 22'nd year of their birth, both grubs were ushered into two separate chambers beneath the tree. The dim tree sap candles lighting the tunnel ways gave a damp and dark atmosphere. A tree keeper moth showed both of them their transformation chambers and then left. The two spots were two hollowed out openings between several large roots. It had just enough space for each cocoon to fit snuggly. Mothra looks over at her brother as he speaks.
"It has been a pitiful existence being bound to the Earth. I am dreading the day that I must be imprisoned like this again, wouldn't you agree?"
"Well, I agree with you on that, but we have a big day tomorrow, let's get some rest and show the world just who we are."
"Then rest we shall, goodnight Mothra."
"Night, Battra."
The two crawled into the cavities, stood upright, and closed their eyes. Within no time at all they were already beginning to transform. It will be a long night.
The next day
Dagon was hesitant to host this event in a time like this, after all, the entirety of the Kaiju Court and every single Divine Moth was here to witness this event, the location of the tree could be compromised and the moths might lose their home. But Vothra pushed for it. She wanted her children to show themselves anew to the world and she was eager to crown one of them so she can focus on other things. Dagon, his mate, and the now teenager Godzilla sat in the back row so the smaller kaiju can see. Most kaiju have a very rapid and fast childhood. This is an evolutionary trait so that they can age fast enough to reproduce and also not be vulnerable to predators. So while it takes humans around 18 years to be an adult, it takes around 20 for the average kaiju. But these kaiju can live for hundreds of thousands of years, and if they go dormant with a constant supply of nuclear energy, they can be alive for as long as they want. Vothra sat on her amber throne with some mild anxiety. After all, it's not every day that all of the most powerful kaiju show up at her door. She kept glancing at the skies around her, searching for the black shape of wings to appear on the horizon.
"Well, it's now or never. Ladies and gentlemen!"
The crowd's murmuring falls silent as Vothra speaks.
"I would first like to say thank you for coming today to witness the crowning of our future monarch! It's not everyday that a new moth is crowned. But today I, Queen of the Moths, am going to announce who is going to become the next ruler!" Vothra sticks her two front legs in the air as she shouts this to the kaiju below. They excitedly respond with shouting. She then swipes both her front legs to the side to signal everyone to quiet down.
"Well, to start things off, may my first born, and the first male moth in over 2 millennia, fly down to meet us! Battra! Make your presence known!"
A black shadow is cast onto the ground as Battra flies in from some distant point. His large, black spiky wings cast a deep shadow on the ground below. A large yellow and red streak criss-cross his wings. A large, yellow and black horn shoots from the top of his black head and his large red eyes bore into the soul of everyone who sees him. A large red streak runs down the back of his black, armored body. He makes one lap of the bowl shaped auditorium and sets down at the end of the aisle. His six black and yellow legs support his massive frame. He shifts his wings behind him and while all this is happening not one person speaks. Vothra is silent. She is in utter shock on how evil and destructive he looks. She gulps as he begins to walk towards her slowly.
"Well, hello, Battra. You look…ravishing."
"Don't lie to me mother, you know just what I am, and I don't care what you think. This form fits me and I am satisfied with the results. Sorry to, disappoint you." Battra spits.
He takes his seat to the right of Vothra as she, along with the rest of the audience, contemplates what just happened. Thank god none of them heard the two's exchange of dialogue.
"Well, meet my son, Battra! But there is still one more you haven't met, meet my daughter, Mothra!" Battra squirms uncomfortably at the tone of his mom's voice.
As soon as she finishes speaking another large shape appears in the sky, but this one's wings are larger. A large, luminescent teal blue glow covers the entire area as Mothra sets down on the aisle. She has white, furry face with a brown streak that runs from her mandibles right down her back as her body fades to brown. She has shimmering blue eyes and long brown antennae. Her six legs are brown and tipped with sharp points. She walks down the aisle right to her seat on the left, the entire time the audience is stunned. Godzilla, who was preoccupied by dazing into the distance, looks over at the young moth setting down. He looks at her and is shocked. How can someone like this exist? He watches her walk down and take her seat. She looks around the room and locked eyes with him. She stares for a couple seconds and then looks to her brother. Mothra, after she sat down, looks around the room. She locks eyes with this young Gojira staring at her. She can't remember his name but all she knows is that it's Dagon's son. She looks to her brother. He is visibly upset. He wanted an entrance like her and instead he made people fear him. The two lock eyes and Mothra can feel Battra's red eyes crush and suck her soul.
"That is my daughter, Mothra! Well now that y'all know who they are, let us begin!" Vothra shouts to the crowd. They are eating this stuff up. Vothra positions herself closer to the edge of her resting spot to be in between the two. She then speaks.
"First, my son Battra. He is a military genius, being the current acting general of our infantries's 32'nd division and has several victories under his wings. He is poetic, smart, intelligent, and fierce. He will make a great king. And secondly my daughter, Mothra. She is a kind soul, who has become rather intelligent herself. She has mastered several forms of combat and is a skilled hunter and craftsman. She knows more than you think and she is a strong leader. She will make a great queen."
Both moths look at each other as the crowd rumbles with applause. Vothra shifts back a bit.
"But now I will decide who will become the heir to the throne once I am gone." the crowd falls silent as Vothra sits back to think. She remembers everything that happened, and all she can remember is how many times she has scolded Battra for doing something not good. She remembers scolding him for attacking Mothra, and she remembers everything good he has done for the army. All their victories, all their triumphs over the Mutos. But then she moves on to Mothra. Her strengths lie in her abilities. She knows all kinds of ways to heal wounds, make someone feel better, she has mastered everything that she has been taught, and most importantly, she never once attacked her brother. She is too pure. Too docile, she could cause their doom as a species. Vothra sits back for a second, and then comes to a decision. She moves forward again.
Silently the crowd watches as Vothra stands above the two, she raises her two front arms, looks at both moths. And chooses. Mothra and Battra both look forward. Her arms come down…..on Mothra's shoulders. She is the heir. The crowd cheers and shouts for the new Queen of the Moths. She sighs but something is wrong, she can sense it. Battra turns his head around and stares angrily at Mothra. He moves over and strikes her with his front legs. She tumbles to the floor as guards rush to restrain him. The crowd goes silent as Battra begins to speak.
"HOW…..DARE YOU CHOSE HER! ARE YOU MAD? SHE WILL CAUSE NOTHING BUT THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR SPECIES! ALL SHE WILL DO IS DESTROY WHAT HAS TAKEN US MILLENNIA TO CREATE! SHE CAN'T LEAD AN ARMY, SHE CAN'T COMMAND TROOPS, HELL SHE CAN BARELY KEEP HERSELF UP IN A FIGHT. AND YOU CHOSE HER!" Battra screeches at his mom as she loses her temper. Her normally purple wings turn to a shade of red.
"I chose her because she is a good person! She doesn't manipulate others to achieve something for herself! You do! You ally yourself with people who want nothing but for us to be under someone's thumb! You're evil Battra, EVIL! AND HOW DARE YOU STRIKE YOUR SISTER! THIS IS WHY YOU AREN'T KING BATTRA, YOU'RE NOT ONE OF US!" Vothra shrieks to him.
Battra is hit with a massive insult. He looks to the crowd. It is silent. Dagon and Godzilla are standing up in case they need to fight. Battra speaks as hatred flows through him.
"Well then, if I am not one of you, then I shall leave. I will go somewhere where I belong." he turns around to leave as he spreads his wings. He makes one last look at Mothra. An evil grin spreads across his face.
"Your highness."
He lifts off and flies away from the ceremony. The crowd is stunned Vothra bursts into tears. Mothra picks herself up, and flies away to her den. The crowd leaves one by one. Godzilla is the last to leave. He looks at the weeping queen, the empty room, and walks out and away from the tree. An eerie silence filled the area as the sun sets on the tree. Vothra doesn't know what Battra will do. But she knows it won't be good. A storm is coming.
Notes: Thank you guys so much for being patient with me. I started drivers ed recently so it has made writing hard for me because all my time has been taken up with that. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as it took me a bit to write it. Don't worry guys, I promise I won't take too long to write the next chapter, plus there will be some pretty good action, and it will set the stage for Godzilla and Mothra to finally meet. As always leave a review, share the story with others and criticism is always welcome.