Chapter 7-Embers
There was a deafening silence.
Since the Great Tree was burned down, neither side did anything. The Mutos met fierce resistance once they crossed over the Texas-Mexican border line. The Kaiju Royal Army was hit with a massive blow. Not only did they lose their smartest species, but the only one that has natural healing abilities. Now any other species can heal, but it takes them considerably longer due to their massive amounts of radiation. Since the Divine Moths have significantly less radiation, they are able to heal faster and heal others. Mothra and Battra are the only survivors of their race. The Mutos left no survivors and take no prisoners.
Mothra currently is hiding deep in a cave near the front line. She doesn't know what happened to her kind but she feels nothing but sadness. Her wings and antennae droop. She looks at the moon and wonders what to do next. It's been 3 weeks since her tree burned down. She stands up, walks to the entrance of the cave, and lifts off. She needs to know if anything is left.
Godzilla and his squad barely managed to make it back to base By the time that he reported the news to his father, the line had already been formed. He was sent back to his room to study. Although he admires his father's wishes, he wants to be in the military. He wants to fight alongside his fellow kaiju, but since he is the last male Gojira, he needs to be protected. It really is unfair.
Mothra spots the smoke from a hundred miles away. Her huge eyes are easily stung by it. Soon she spots what's left. The trunk of the tree is burned away. A large black area surrounds it. A massive column of smoke billows into the night sky. She sets down and instantly the hot coals burn her legs.
"I knew you would return."
Mothra does a complete 180 to see Battra sitting in the darkness. His large red eyes and red wings are the only thing that she can see. His tail pinchers clack.
"Before you ask, no one else survived. I made sure of it."
Mothra's heart sinks. She couldn't believe it. Her own flesh and blood betrayed her race.
"How…..could you? WE'RE YOUR OWN KIND! YOU TRULY A MONSTER!"
Battra walks out of the darkness. Mothra's antenna shoot straight up when she is mad. Her wings also turn red or orange. Battra clacks his pincher and looks towards her.
"I did what was needed. Your kind were going to get snuffed out anyway. You see Mothra, I have plans. I dream of a world where both Kaiju and Muto are hand in hand. Where both sides work towards a common goal under a single crown. And I am wearing it. I am the only person who has any brains and skills that are able to do so. In order to get there, I need the trust of the Mutos and since I was cast out, there was no better target. After I have Dagon's head on a stick, I will kill the Prime and take my place as Emperor of Earth!"
He raises one of his forearms and spreads his wings. A sinister grin sprawls across his face. Mothra is scared. Scared that her brother has been twisted into this...thing. He clacks his pincher and looks at her again.
"Then, we..shall..have..peace," Battra lowers his wings. Mothra is in awe of this guy. She always knew he wasn't the nicest person, but she always had hope he would turn out good. But this, this is beyond evil. He has gone mad. She turns to look at him. Her antenna droop a little bit.
"You really are evil Battra. What do you think mom would say, huh? DO YOU THINK SHE WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU!"
"She wouldn't say anything. She always knew who I would become. If she really cared about me should would have ended my life before it began. But she didn't. She put the species before her. After all, I am the first male in over a millennia," Battra's wings shake a little bit. They always shake when he is serious about something. Mothra turns to leave. She is done with him.
"I really do hope you know what your doing Battra. Your going to be the death to all of us," Mothra jumps into the air and flies off. Battra looks at her as she is leaving.
"Just wait, my little moth queen. Soon I will be running the show."
Although barbaric, the Kaiju Royal Court and the Muto Supremacy both function the same. If you challenge the leader to a dual to see who rules, and you win, you now rule the entire kingdom. In the early days of the Kaiju Court, the king would change every other day. But once the Gojira's took the throne, they never left. The Muto court is the same but when a Muto Prime shows up, they almost always win. Battra's plan is to let the Mutos win the war. And when the Prime is busy gloating and showing off, he is going to kill him and take both thrones. It is the coup of the century.
Meanwhile, in the Muto Throne room…
"Supreme leader, our progress has slowed. What do we do next?"
The Muto Prime scratches his head.
"Pull every able bodied Muto from all lands to this point. I will NOT LET A BUNCH OF SMELLY LIZARDS HOLD ME BACK!" The Prime slams one of his huge forearms into the ground. The whole room shakes. The messenger Muto backs up a bit.
"I, I will do so sir, right away sir." the messenger leaves.
"Battra, come forth."
Battra flies up to the Prime."Yes, Supreme Leader."
"Once my army arrives, we will send everyone at once. A couple dozen Kaiju is no match for a million Mutos. And after we squash their defences, we will march right into their throne room and kill Dagon ourselves. And then...I...will rule all of the world."
"Yes you will…...then and only then will there be peace," Battra gins.
The Prime gets up from his seat. He begins to pace the room.
"Battra, these are changing times. We are at the doorstep of victory. I don't know what will happen after, but I do hope we remain on the same side. You are a huge asset to me, and even after this destructive conflict ends, you will remain one. I have plans."
Battra is dumbfounded. He underestimated the Prime's intelligence. He speaks.
"What kind of plans?"
"Well for one, all kaiju must be destroyed. With them there won't be peace. I am debating on whether you will be the only one I spare, but that Godzilla kid, he shows great promise. He is strong and very smart. I don't want to kill him, but if he won't join me, he must die. Also, that sister of yours, Mothra. She would also be a great asset. I have seen her fight. She is just like her mother. With her, Godzilla and you on my side, we will be unstoppable."
"Mothra doesn't believe we are a worthy cause. She hates me and you. She would rather die than join us."
"Then it is settled. Go find her. Eliminate her and bring back her corpse. I will not let her live if she will do nothing but bring us trouble. And find that Godzilla kid. Tell him that I will make him a high ranking leader. He has much of my respect. And if he won't budge, destroy him too."
Battra is hesitant to kill his sister. Although they are different sides of the same coin, he still cares for her. Plus he doesn't even know where she is.
"I don't know where she is, I don't even know where to look."
"She is in the Royal Palace. Infiltrate it. Find her and kill her. If you won't do it, I will."
"Yes, Supreme Leader." Battra turns and leaves the room. He takes flight to the palace.
The Prime watches him leave. He motions to two Mutos hiding in the darkness.
"Kill him."
And the plot thickens! The Prime always knew his intentions. The next two chapters are going to be another major climax in the story, so be prepared! This chapter was my favorite to write so far and I can't wait to get started on the next two. See y'all next week!