Age of Monsters - A Warhammer 40k-Godzilla crossover

by Zillafire101

In the shadows of a world ravaged by the war, the inhabitants of the Millennium of Only War, learn that there is much of Terra's ancient past best left forgotten...

5. Chapter 5 - The Fire Daemon Arises

Mnguni lead the group into the clearing at the base of Mt. Ulaka, the down trees and running rivers at the base of the mountain, a few Hive towers and structures grown around the mountain. It was smaller then the Hive Magabaka and the rest were assaulting further up the north of the planet. He and the Scouts watched the few warriors and drones of the Hive-Fleet, marching about and patrolling the area around the Volcano. It seemed the Tyranids had set up their secondary base here to keep the Ukhozi and their allies from reaching the place. One of the Scouts scanned the area Magnoculars, Mal'Chori and Inquisitor Graham knelt beside them.

"The presence of Tyranids is significant, but not something that is insurmountable." Mnguni remarked, before standing slightly, still crouched, before signaling for the rest to follow.

The Squad and her retinue made their way back to the rest of the Marines. The Angels and Hound Keepers were waiting for the Scout, as Mnguni stood up to speak with the rest. "The Tyranids have a smaller hive-nest around the base of the volcano. My scouts can set up the explosions, but you'll need to keep them busy."

The Saharduin grinned, showing his row upon row needle-like teeth. "I'll eagerly slaughter any of the bugs."

"You'll have plenty to kill, Xeno." Mnguni remarked. "It's not a massive amount of creatures, but the attack will have to be quick and brutal."

An Angels sergeant spoke up, with the voice modulation and distortion added to his voice. "We can hit the warrior beasts first. That should scatter the weaker ones."

"Standard policy for dealing with Tyranids still stands, but approach it carefully," Mnguni warned, looking over his shoulder. "We don't know the full strength of the Tyranids here. They could have anything."

The Marines and other forces began to prepare their weapons and check their ammunition, before Mnguni spoke one final warning. "Whatever you do, don't disturb the waters, especially near the deeper parts of the rivers and lakes."

"Another horror native to this world?" One of the Hound Keepers asked.

Mnguni nodded gravely, before prepping his sniper rifle. "Let's get to work. Prepare yourselves."

Graham wanted to know more, but given what the Ogre-like beast had done to the three Lictors, she figured it was for the best to just focus on the alien horrors among the Tyranids, rather then wild beasts of the planet. She checked her Bolt Pistol and Power Sword, drawing the latter and marching to the edge of the jungles and woods, just before entering the clearing.

"May the Primarchs look upon us with favor!" One of the Hound Keepers announced, before Bolter and other rounds fired off, striking the first few Warriors closest to the woods.

Bolter and Plasma rounds struck the first few Warriors, showering the clearing with alien gore and blood, sending psychic backlash against the other, smaller Tyranids around them. They flew back, falling to the ground, the closest ones having their small heads explode from the psychic backlash. The Hound Keepers tactical squad charged, guns firing off, taking up firing positions. The Tyranids roared, charging at the attacks, before the Assault Marines jumped through the air, the roar of their Jump Packs almost deafening for Inquisitor Graham and Jralor. They slammed into the ranks of the Warriors, Chainswords roaring and slashing and striking against the weapons of the Tyranid Warriors. Raveners burst from the ground, hissing and shrieking and striking out at the Marines in question, while Graham fired off pistol rounds. Graham jumped back, as another Ravener burst from the ground, immediately swinging its scything talons at her. She parried and swung with her sword, deflecting its strikes, feeling like her bones were going to shatter from every strike, as she thrust forward, the tip of the blade striking the chest, before yanking it out, seconds later, a talon slashing where she stood. The creature continued lunging for her, before she aimed and fired her Bolt pistol into the creature's body.

As they fought with the Tyranids, Mnguni's scouts were moving quickly along the sides, carefully aiming with their Sniper Rifles, and taking snap shots at the passing Tyranid patrols, striking at the smaller troop numbers, aiming for the Warriors and Synapse creatures, before continuing on, not daring to waste anymore time then necessary. Minute by minute, second by second, the Tyranids were going to increase in number, here or where the Chapters had launched their attack, and it would get more difficult to finish this mission. They marched a little further on, before all coming to a stop. A Carnifex stomped into the clearing, just a few feet away from them, looking around, releasing low, grating growls, the scouts holding absolutely still, clutching their weapons close and tight, a few aiming them carefully for the creature's eyes or joints.

The Carnifex looked around a few more minutes, before lumbering off towards the battlefield, growling and snarling as it did. The Scouts waited for a moment, not wishing to let any sounds bring attention back to themselves, and once they felt was safe, followed after Mnguni. They made their way through the clearing, jumping and clearing over rocks and vines. Parts of the team scanned the area for any patrolling Tyranids. The Astartes Neophytes made it right up to the base of the mountain, before a few of snipers took their shots, firing off and taking out a few Warriors, shattering their skulls and heads in an instant.

The squad continued on, stepping over the dead bodies of Tyranids, not wasting time to commemorate their kills or little victories. Mnguni and the rest came upon the base of the mountain, the rocky, sparse terrain now a little rougher then the rest, looking around to make sure there were no Tyranids coming for them, spotting the rest of the Hive trying to rush upon the main Space Marine strike force, struck down with Bolter, Chainsword, and explosion.

Mnguni called their attention, pointing to the top of the mountain. "The equipment for lower 'tribute', to the Fire Daemon, is at the peak. We have to set the explosives and work quickly. The Tyranids will pick up on what we're doing, and once the mountain explodes...a molten death will be the least of our worries."

All the gathered Scouts nodded grimly. This was do or die for their chapter, and even victory may spell doom for the entire world. They knew, however, if Chapter-Master Magebaka was ordering them to execute this plan, then the threat of the foe, and their own chapter's future, must have truly been dire.

They made the climb, their superhuman enhanced legs allowing them to scale it faster then even the most hardened and ready Kaskrin of the Imperial Guard. They would need it. Ulaka was treacherous and deadly, even at the best and most stable of times. As they made their way up, vents filled with gas and heat would break open and pour out their contents from within the volcano. So concentrated was this heat, so caustic were the gases, that even the Space Marines would have trouble making the climb. It was why the tribes made the pilgrimage, and the fully armored Tech-Marines made the climb upwards.

The first yards up were not difficult, steep, certainly, but nothing the Scout Marines couldn't handle. They climbed over rock and stone, making sure to carefully ensure their steps didn't miss or send them falling to the ground below. They worked their way up, further and further, the first ones leading the way up stopping to look down to ensure no Tyranids were following them up, or flying above to ambush them from the skies. The scouts continued their way upwards, grim-faced and determined as ever. The sounds of battle grew more faint, while the the gas vents and rumblings of the mountain grew more and more clear as the climb went on.

A shriek sounded from above, Shrikes flying straight at them from the peak of the mountain. Mnguni and his Scouts took aim, focusing their Sniper rifles, while the others laid down suppressive fire with their Bolt Rifles, rounds flying through the air and striking one of the Shrikes at the front, tearing through its wings, and sending it hurtling into the mountain. One of the Scouts ducked, as the Shrike flew just overhead, hit the mountain side, and hurtled down out of sight. Another fired a Venom Canon, the acidic round striking close to Mnguni, before he responded in kind with a Sniper round to its eye, the other snipers following suite, Sniper rounds penetrating and spearing through the Tyranids, while the bolter rounds shattered their forms and sent them falling as well.

Even before the last Shrike had been cut down, the Scouts restarted their climb upwards. There was no time to worry or contemplate, just to climb and continue upwards. Vents burst open, the Scouts carefully ducking to the sides and away from the red, fuming pouring out from the sides of the volcano. As they did, the Marines reloaded their Bolters, putting away expended magazines and clicking fresh ammo into place. Mnguni silently signaled to the scouts, all of them fixing masks and goggles over their mouths and eyes, grunting among themselves and making sure they were secure.

The heat and gas was caustic. Mnguni could feel it even through the careful temperature controls of his armor. Scout Armor was not quite at the level of full powered armor, but even he was surprised at how much he was sweating. By time he finished this mission, he reckoned there would be enough sweat in his armor to fill a tea cup.

The air that remained was thin, growing thinner by every step. What remained was filled with carbon dioxide and all manner of other gases contained within the volcano's heart. The poisons within would've killed a mortal man, either by choking the lungs, or just simply burning them to the bone, but the Ukhozi were made of sterner stuff. Even if it was uncomfortable, the climb upwards would continue.

Meanwhile, in the summit below, the Carnifex had joined the fight, and whatever dim brain it had within, immediately focused on Inquisitor Graham, and charged. The Inquisitor had only just recently finished off a Warrior beast, and now faced with a charging, living tank. She looked up in shock at the ground rumbling as if about to split open, eyes widening in horror as the creature's twin, tiny eyes fixated on her and charged forward. Mol'chari, Jralor, and many Marines wisely got out of the way, running and ducking for cover, as the creature roared and surged forward, like a possessed battering ram.

Raveners broke through the ground, lunging at her with a twisted shriek and a malevolent gleam in their eyes, Graham ducking, rolling and jumping past their strikes, as the Carnifex smashed right through, grounding every other Tyranid to past in the mad rush to get to the Inquisitor. Some of the Marines fired off Bolter rounds and Rockets at the creature, but it ignored everything to try and get to the Inquisitor. Whether it was orders from the Hive-Mind itself, or the creature simply picking out a target different from the rest and concentrating its anger upon it, none could say. Of course, Graham was not concerned with why it was targeting her, only to try and get away from the thing. She ran, pushing herself to the limit, even as her lungs burned and her legs screamed, the pounding of the Carnifex's foot falls threatening to throw her into the air with every stomping step. The creature swung its tusked head down, trying to scoop her up, throwing dirt and herself upwards and into the sky.

Graham slammed into the ground hard, feeling the air knocked out of her, every part of her aching, feeling like she had been lite on fire. Her nose and the brow above her right eye were bleeding, said now swollen shut and heavily bruised. She scrambled to her feet, even as her legs screamed in agony. The Carnifex was charging again, and she had no time to cry about any wounds. She looked in front of her, and saw a large lake. Its waters were crystal clear and clean, she could see the jungle forests and skies above reflected perfectly in the surface.

"Don't disturb, well, nothing to lose but my life." She muttered to herself, before yanking a frag grenade out and throwing it into the water.

Two seconds later, an explosion tore through the surface, sending dead fish and water into the air and spraying out like a pillar. The Carnifex did not seem to care, continuing its forward charge directly towards her. She leveled her Bolt Pistol, and opened fire, rounds hitting the creature's armored head and its tusk, not slowing it in the slightest. It got within reach of her, rearing back and lunging for her, maw wide open and teeth bared, before something massive exploded from the water. The two were showed in water and a stench Graham couldn't describe. It would've made a lesser woman vomit.

She staggered back, as something monolithic exploded out from the river, winding and twisting about in the air. It was massive, truly beyond words. Upwards and up it stretched, covered in night-black scales, glistening green in some parts with slime or oil of some kind, shinning in the sunlight. Its head lead the way, coiling down and around, a long, inhuman snout, numerous tusks and fangs sprouting from its bottom jaw, and serrated teeth at the top. It glared down at the Carnifex, almost like a small puppy compared to its gargantuan mass, with hungry, pure yellow eyes.

The Carnifex roared, charging as the massive serpent swung forward, swinging to the creature's left, then swung around, quickly wrapping around the creature, squeezing tight around the Tyranid, and dragging it back into the river from which the creature had come.

From near the top of the mountain, Mnguni and the other Scouts looked in shock at the creature within the river, squeezing tight and twisting around the Carnifex. Mnguni blinked several times, breathing to himself. "A Grootslang. What fool woke it up?"

"Probably that Inquisitor fool." One of the Scouts muttered.

Mnguni shook his head, before gesturing to the others. "Come, we must finish the work, and wake up the beast."

The Scouts turned and jumped onto the peak. The massive opening was surrounded by numerous machines and platforms around the opening of the volcano. The ones closest to the center of the volcano resembled large, black cranes, large platforms that could be lowered deep into the center of the volcano. The scout squad divided up, Mnguni and another taking the further controls, two others taking the opposite controls, while four other Scouts went onto the platforms, preparing the explosives in question for the lifts. They worked hard, Mnguni and his partner clicking through the device, the machine spirit within speaking in a robotic, modulated voice. "Greetings, Flame Ukhozi Adeptus Astartes. The Fire Daemon within is stable, heart rate at normal, brain activity low. There is no need for feeding today."

"We're not feeding, we're waking him up." Mnguni announced, tapping through the board and inputting the override commands. "Prepare the lift."

"Yes, Lord." The Spirit's voice declared. "Glory to the Emperor. May His justice balance in all accounts."

It was not lost on Mnguni that such a declaration was similar to the ones used by the Inquisition and other leaders when executing Exterminatus. He presumed that unleashing this thing was no better then an Exterminatus by any other name. As he worked his thoughts drifted to a silent prayer to the Emperor.

'May you look favorably upon my Chapter and brothers for what we are about to do.'

The four scouts finished prepping all the explosive devices, one of them loading two frag and two krak grenades onto the platform as well, one of the other Scouts looking at him in annoyance. "What's the point of that?"

"A little extra to wake him up. I don't want to take any chances." He defended.

"There's enough charge to level a hive-city's spire." The other remarked, still aggravated. "Some grenades aren't gonna make a difference."

Mnguni finished keying in the codes with the other three scouts, then looked up to yell at them to stop arguing, when his jaw dropped behind his mask. The other scout looked to his sergeant, then followed his shocked gaze, his own eyes widening.

"Ukhozi! Tyranids incoming!" He shouted.

The other Marines turned and looked at where Mnguni and the other was looking, to see five massive forms flying towards them at top speed, swarmed by cloud upon cloud of Shrikes, Gargoyles, and other flying monstrosities. The four finished their last codes, as Mnguni shouted to them. "Lower the explosives!"

All four did so, as the other four jumped off and onto the main platform, and ran for cover. Mnguni and the rest began to run, the devices groaning as they were lowered down into the basin. Mnguni knew between the explosion setting off in the portion of a volcano, and waking up the creature within, there was little chance of their survival.

"I tell you what, we make it outta here, and I'll give you all as much Umqombothi as you can drink!" Mgnuni shouted as they sprinted and slid down the mountains.

One of the Scouts chuckled. "Why not? If I don't burn to death, I can at least burn my nostrils with the smell!"

They continued downwards, Mnguni knowing he probably wouldn't be able to make good on his promise, but at least wanting to keep his students' spirits up as much as possible. Vents and gas poured and shot out at random. Scouts jumped and rolled out of the way of the gases and smoke, focused on getting down, as far from the volcano as they could. And, even as they ran, the air-borne swarm drew closer and closer, their chittering and roars filling the air more and more.

The Marines on the ground watched as what was left of the Tyranids retreated into the jungles, Hormagaunts and Termagants jumping and sprinting away. Graham looked around, confused but grateful the battle was over, before Mnguni's voice called over the Vox channel.

"The bombs are set! Run!" Was all he managed, and all he needed to say.

The Inquisitor lingered for a second, before joining the Marines in sprinting out of there as fast they could. Mol'chari ran alongside the Inquisitor, covered in the smeared blood and viscera of the Tyranids, grinning madly. She glanced at the Saharduin for a moment, the creature's black eyes turning to meet hers in turn.

"This is glorious good fun! The slaughter and blood is truly glorious," Mol'Chari declared with a wide, fang-filled grin. "I will compose a poem to my deeds this day!"

'Recruiting this Xenos was surely a mistake.' Was all she thought as she ran through the jungle. She hoped the Ukhozi Scouts could make it to safety. They had lost enough this day.

Mnguni and his Scouts had made it half way down the mountain. Each one gave a silent, desperate prayer to the Emperor to keep them alive, and if not that, at least let their Geneseed glands be salvageable for the Chapter to recover from.

This was the last thought that went through their heads, before an explosion rocked the whole area, loud enough to deafen even the Astartes, and throwing them hundreds of feet into the air. The vents that once pumped out gases and carbon, now exploded into jets of lava and fire sent outwards. Mnguni landed first, tucking and rolling across the barren soil of the volcano. He turned, looking up, as ash and soot filled the air, a pillar of fire shooting up into the skies, large and powerful enough to knock a Titan off its feet if it were standing on the mountain. Molten rock and magma shot into the skies. Mnguni was thankful for his rebreather, because the air was now thick with ash. As the other Scouts struggled to their feet, above the explosion and fire, they heard a ear-piercing, shrieking call.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Deep within the volcano, the lifts had done has required and lowered themselves into the heart of Mt. Ulaka, as fast as they could work. These machines and lifts were a gift from the Mechanicus themselves, those in the know at least about what was inside Mt. Ulaka. They were not designed for speed, but to safely carry their 'offerings' into the volcano and let whatever was inside take care of it. Deep within, the lava flows were low, bumbling slightly and gas pouring out from the top of it. The volcano seemed normal, before something broke from the surface, a long, bird-like head, its face slender, beady yellow eyes glaring out, two horns curving from the back of its head.

It hissed slightly, seeing the conveyors lowering something to the creature. It narrowed its eyes, sniffing the air, releasing a low warble, before sinking back beneath the lava. This was not the sacrifices the humans gave to it. Whatever they were pulling, it would not work on the great beast within. As it did, a monumental explosion tore through the center of the volcano, vaporizing rock and stone, causing lava to pour in, then rush upwards from the new heat and power released from the assorted bombs. Lava and magma exploded upwards, as the creature was thrown even further down into the volcano, eyes shooting open, wide and filled with rage. It released a call, one filled with rage and anger at the sudden deception. How long had he slept here, after being thrown through time and space by the Man in Gold? The inability to even injure the strange human had burned in the creature's heart, a deep wound to its monumental pride, but it had swallowed that to allow the humans to bring it free food and their pungent beer.

Now, they had tricked him, and dared drop explosives into his new roost? It appeared even centuries later, the humans hadn't changed at all. Well, he would show them he hadn't changed in the slightest either.

The top of the volcano exploded, launching thousands of tones of ash and stone into the air, as the call continued, repeated and piercing the air. As the plum rose above and into the clouds, anyone who would've somehow survived the explosion and stayed atop the volcano would've seen the horned, beaked head rise, as a three taloned hand rose from the lava flows and grabbed onto the rim of the volcano, then another talon-tipped set of fingers gripped the opposite side. The creature pulled itself up, shaking off the magma, stretching its brown, leathery wings out, and snapping them slightly, sending bits of lava the size of a bus outwards into the surrounding jungle. Its chest was covered in a lighter brown, armored plating with spikes jutting from the front of the creature and around its plates. Its legs ended in curved, blade-like foot-claws, gripping the edge of the volcano and propping the creature up, as it released a shriek that could be heard for miles.

For the first time in millennium, Rodan, the Monster of the Skies, the Fire Daemon himself, had awakened, and was about to take flight.

Rodan shook himself off, croaking and growling as it shook off untold thousands of years of sleep from its body, before picking up something's scent. He turned, and spotted five Tyranid Harridan and their various minions flying in close support of them. He hated their scent. It stank the air of death and a sterile nothingness, as if even the germs and cells in the sky were dying around them. Their presence reminded him of the other flying creatures, the ones that threatened his roosts very often, and were eternally ravenous. He had enjoyed hunting them alongside the big turtle.

Now, fate or whatever had brought him to this new world, had brought him new, fouler creatures to hunt that were clogging up his skies. He turned, stretching his wings and releasing a shriek to pierce the heavens themselves, wings stretching above him. His membranes and body flashed, the veins in his legs, and neck, glowed orange-red like the volcano, then radiating from his body and into his wings, the veins of his membranes glowing red hot as he shot off, destroying much of the volcano's top in the sonic boom left in his aftermath.

The Tyranid Hive-Mind was vast, an incomprehensible mind of endless hunger, thoughtless chittering of its servants, and a desire to never stop until it had taken everything, every strand of DNA, every drop of water, every piece of bacteria. There was very little enemies that could surprise it or frustrate the Hive-Mind for long. So, when the Hive-Mind, through the eyes of its Harridans and numerous Gargoyle swarms, saw the massive form of Rodan flying at them, and picking up speed, even it was surprised for a fraction of a second. Of course, its surprise could be measured in a single Femtosecond, but even that extremely short period of time would be surprising to anyone that knew the Hive-Mind in depth.

After that Femtosecond of surprise, the Hive-Mind responded with its usual response to whatever got in the way.

The Harridans opened fire, Bio-Canons spitting out acidic clouds of corrosive maggots, splattering Rodan as he rapidly closed in. His flesh burned on contact, prompting an enraged roar, as thousands of Gargoyles fired their Fleshborers, tens of thousands of the tiny green projectiles striking against Rodan's body, little more then spittle to his great mass. Rodan shot upwards, closing its wings close and shooting up into the clouds. The Harridan and their servants followed, shrieking and roaring as they did.

The Harridan were fast, but they were not designed to engage in dog fights like fighters could. Their strength was in their flexibility over the metal, unliving shells that fighter pilots used. But there was one thing the Tyranids were about to learn.

If you took to the skies against Rodan, you needed to bring all the speed you could muster. As the flying swarm broke off into the skies above, believing it was in hot pursuit of Rodan, the creatures would be shocked to discover it flying upwards, curving around and circling right over the creatures' heads, and now behind them. Gargoyles and Shrikes turned, firing Venom canons, Fleshborers, Devourers and the like at the creature, Rodan ignoring all of it to come crashing down on the first Harridan. It was slightly smaller then himself in size and wingspan, but it lacked weight, Rodan pushing it downwards, and as the creature flailed about, swung his beak forward, striking down onto the creature's head and sniping its head clean off. With a contemptuous growl, it spat the foul-tasting meat to the ground, before shredding the beast's body with its Talons and taking off.

It kept on the tail of the other four Harridan, about to catch them, before banking off slightly and slowing down, letting them getting ahead. Rodan sped towards, Gargoyles and Shrikes trying to take him down, the Great Flier finally taking note of the tiny insects for a moment, before giving an annoyed warble, and spinning in mid-air, its great wings smashing right through the Tyranids and splattering them in an instant. It snapped its wings out, creating a sonic boom that vaporized any other Tyranids, and cleaned its wings entirely of the green gore. It continued onwards, flapping its wings twice, and keeping up with the Harridan easily. The one furthest left and furthest right broke off, circling around, as the center two remained in front, their accompanying Gargoyles swarming in a cloud, and firing off their tiny weapons again.

The two flew around, circling around, in a wide arc, and heading for the creature. Rodan continued on, slicing through the air like a razorblade. There was nothing that could stop his hunt. He had taken the full scent of the creatures, and no matter where they ran, he would pursue and drag them down. Rodan salivated at the thought of striking them down, before Bio Canon shots struck against his wings and face. Rodan feigned surprise, shrieking in horror at the attacks, as the two Harridan closed in from the left and right. Their scything Talons extended, ready to deliver their strikes to the beast, before Rodan flashed a smile at one of them, and shot forward, catching right up again with the last two Harridan, and the two in his wake, exploded from the air pressure and sonic boom left in his wake, showering the ground and shattered Tyranid gore.

As the last of the flying swarm tried to get distance, or shower him in further devourer rounds. His veins and horns glowed purple, eyes flashing with white light, as the creature breathed in deeply. As the Harridan attempted to retreat, a high-pitched scream went through the air, before a radiating purple beam, laced with bands of white energy, shot out from Rodan's mouth and instantly vaporized much of the swarm.

Rodan circled around the skies, whatever was left of the Tyranids in his rampage falling to the ground, burning chitin and meat scattered across the ground, Rodan releasing a series of calls and roars, as Graham and the rest of the strike team looked up in shock, still in the middle of the jungle, the entire place now silent. Graham felt her jaw drop, as one of the Hound Keepers turned his slightly towards her.

"Was that what you were hoping for, Inquisitor?" He asked wryly.

"The few records said Rodan was fast...but that..." She breathed, too stunned to continue. It shouldn't be possible.

"They call it, 'Fire Daemon'. Is such speed and power a gift from the Warp?" The Hound Keeper asked, wary of the creature circling its kills.

"The Emperor banished them to the Warp, but Rodan's speed was always incredible. It could cover 7,000 kilometers in a few days." She explained.

"Such a feat is...impressive." A Hound Keeper responded, looking back at the flying beast with some trepidation. What were they supposed to do to counter such a threat?

"Can Rodan be...tamed?" One of the Angels of Purification asked.

"No more then you could tame a mountain." She replied, shaking her head, before turning her attention to the others. "Let's get back to the Land Raider."

The Marines agreed, making their way through the jungle.

The volcano, meanwhile had calmed down, rivers of lava trickling out and pooling around, smoke still billowing, but its main eruption and explosion had seemingly been cut off. Rodan flew around and circled over the head, preparing to land atop it and return to his rest, before something caught his attention. On the winds, were more of these fiendish bugs. He narrowed his eyes in annoyance, releasing a low warble again, before taking off in the direction of the scent.

Mnguni and his Scouts looked up, 3 of them lost in the fall and rivers of lava, but the rest together and grouped up again. One of them looked to the Sergeant. "Where is he going, teacher?"

Mnguni leveled the Sniper Rifle, tracking Rodan with the enhanced sights for a moment, seeing it heading north-east. He kept tracking it for a moment, before lowering his gun and turning to his squad. "To the main battle."

The other Scouts looked uncertain and weary of that. The beast had clearly been more then a match for the Tyranids, no doubt about it. The question was, would they be able to do anything if the creature decided to turn its considerable wrath and rage on them? Mnguni could feel the uncertainty and doubt plaguing his students, and so took charge, as expected of a teacher.

"Come, we have ground to cover. We can't afford to lose the Land Raider." He said simply, setting off towards the jungles.

They followed, eager to at least get back to the Chapter and put as much of this mess behind them as they could.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Rodan continued through the skies, seeing the taint of the invading insects. Clouds of spores and other disgusting cast-off from the beasts filled the air, growing thicker and thicker as he approached. He hissed, beak curving slightly with revulsion for whatever these things were. Big Bugs, apes, lobster ninjas. It was all the same. Alien invaders trying to take what was his, and get in the way of his flock. A loud scream followed in his wake, the sound of air pressure being displaced and the sound bearing being pierced without much resistance to the Great Flier.

The clouds of spores and gas grew even thicker then he had seen. He slowed, coming to a stop and flapping twice to maintain his place. His eyes scanned the ground for a moment, trying to cut through the miasma, before flying in a little closer. Two forces, one looked human, but were larger and armored in gear he hadn't seen any human use, and the bugs from before. Both could be aliens for all he knew, but he was going to go after the insects first. Whether the others were a threat, was something he could figure out later.

He hoped they were smart enough not to rouse his anger. He also, partially, hope they weren't.

The veins across his body glowed brightly again, as he flew forward at high speed, before sending another beam of Uranium Heat into the smaller ground insects, and incinerating them in an instant. Warrior Broods, Carnifexes and Exocrine, all were destroyed in an instant. The Tyranids turned their attention upwards, shrieking and calling in rage and anger. The Three Chapters watched in shock, as the great Pteranodon swooped down, before flapping his wings, hard and fast, and sending massive hurricane-force winds through the hive, sending any other Tyranids flying away. Exocrine and Biovores fired off Spore mines and Bioplasma at the Monster of the Skies, striking into its armored chest and great wings, Rodan shrieking in annoyance at them, before flying forward, slamming into the ground in front of the Tyranid artillery beasts, throwing several into the air, before lunging forward, striking at them with his beak.

Like a bird snatching up worms from the ground, it held them in its mouth, struggling for a moment, before bisecting them with a single bite, before moving to the other Tyranid beasts. It seemed to take delight in their struggle against him, their great mighty limbs and great canons doing nothing to even pierce its burning hot body. It swooped forward, grabbing two more Biovores, and crushing them within its talons. It flew up, threw the Tyranids aside, then began to fly up. From the ground, came numerous Trygons, trying to swipe at him with their Scything Talons.

Rodan stayed out of range, before crashing down with his full weight, onto two of them, smashing them to pieces in an instant, before swinging down and biting down on the last, snipping it in half with a single bite. The Flying Kaiju spat out what remained of the Trygon, before turning its attention to the sound of Hierophant Titans charging, their blade-like limbs stabbing into the ground, Bio Canons firing at the gigantic flier. As with the Harridans, their attacks did little. Their curved, sinous bodies scuttled towards him, as Rodan flew at them.

Magebaka and the other Astartes watched the scene in shock. The Hierophant were some of the strongest Tyranid beings, able to, in packs, hunt Imperial Titans and Ork Gargants with a mix of their adapted weapons and metabolic processes giving them a survivability. And yet this creature, nearly twice their height, and was easily killing the beasts, slamming down on them with his talons, and crushing their bodies. As the Hierophants fired again at him, as another wave of Harridans flew out from beyond the Hive. Rodan shot up, shooting into the air with enough force to send the rest of the Hierophants flying away from the force of the winds it had displaced.

Avdol looked on in shock, unable to get his eyes off the creature. "Was that...the thing from Ulaka?"

"Yes. This was what we worked so hard to keep contained." Magebaka remarked, his own eyes also locked on Rodan, as it rampaged through the Tyranids. He finally turned to Avdol. "I think it's time to withdraw."

The Fakir nodded once, before both turned to the other Astartes, and began to order a tactical withdraw, to let Rodan do his work. The beast slammed into the first Harridan, head-first, the force and speed behind his upward lift so great it instantly splattered the first Harridan overhead, as the others fired their Bio Canons into his wings and back. Rodan flew around, grabbing one in his talons, holding it by the neck and stomach, before swooping downwards, and slamming the creature into a Hierophant on the ground, and dragging it along, throwing the others aside. As the Harridan flew by to try strafing him again, Rodan's body glowed, before firing off another Purple beam that quickly incinerated anything in its path.

The Hive Tyrant, powerful was it was, had nothing to damage the creature that had completely destroyed the hive. Within the course of a few minutes, Rodan had completely laid to waste an entire Tyranid invasion force. The Kaiju flew around, firing his beam upon a few of the capillary towers and causing them to collapse and shatter from the heat and strength of the beam. As the Tyranids scattered and began to retreat from the hive, Rodan swept the beam over them, incinerating a few of the cursed bugs, before noticing the Hive Tyrant, a few shots from the Venom canon deflecting off his spiked chest, before Rodan flew down, and struck the creature with his beak. It tried to strike back, but within a few more strikes of his beak, it was sliced to ribbons. Any Tyranids near by were thrown back and died from the psychic backlash of the Tyrant's death.

A creature that could face countless Space Marine, veterans and Honor Guard, that could withstand an Ork Warboss and his entourage of Mega Armored Nobs, was dealt with in mere seconds by Rodan, who didn't seem to even notice, slicing the stubborn little creature to pieces with a few beak strikes.

Rodan took off into the skies again, looking around for any further signs of the Tyranid invaders. Other then a few, isolated, smaller creatures, it seemed their heavy hitters had been all but destroyed. The Terror of the Skies flew around, scanning the horizon and terrain, eager to find more. It unleashed a few more blasts of its heat ray, striking into the Hive structures of the Tyranids, their Brood Nests and towers soon reduced to ash.

For Rodan, this hunt had been easy, and for one simple reason. The Tyranids, he could tell, hunted to feed. He simply hunted because he enjoyed the thrill of the fight. Desperation made them adapt only to the threats at hands, while nature had prepared him to face anything and everything under the stars.

He would finish up his patrols across the skies here, and then confront the little armored beings that had been engaging the insects beforehand. Whether they were invaders or not, he had to make sure they were not threat to himself. Perhaps they would be far better host then the duplicitous humans.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Magebaka and his Honor Guard lingered outside the monastery, the various Marines returning to the site of their allies' fortress. The various Marines had returned with their fallen brothers, Apothecaries tending to the injured, or extracting the gene glands from the fallen battle brothers. There was silence, none of them saying a thing for a time. There was too much to mull over. How close the Flame Ukhozi had come to death and destruction, the appearance of the very creature that had given them their name, and had completely annihilated a Tyranid Hive all on its own. How such a creature could move so fast, faster then any Thunderhawk or Stormraven. Yet, the lingering doubts remained. Before, they could cover up their rituals as simply tribalistic offerings to the Emperor or a manifestation of him. If the Ecclesiarchy and Inquisition learned of what they had kept hidden here, Bulawayo could be subject to worse fates then the predations of the Tyranids.

The Land Raider the Strike team had taken had returned, bringing with it the Inquisitor and the accompanying Marines. A few of the Scouts and allied Marines were either dead, or not accounted for. Of course, given the nature of the mission, unaccounted for was a polite way of saying dead.

"Mnguni, I see the mission was a success." Magebaka declared in a reserved, almost stately manner.

The Scout Sergeant looked over his shoulder, as if worried the creature would swoop in to attack them next. "Whatever success means in this situation, yes."

Magebaka turned his gaze upon the Inquisitor, his red eyes cold and distant, like the last dying embers of a White Dwarf star. "So, Inquisitor, did you get everything you wanted from us?"

She rubbed her neck slightly, looking at him with a sideways glance. "Your chapter survived, and the Tyranids are dead. You should be grateful."

"Survived? Until the Ordo Hereticus catches wind of this." Magebaka stated, his fury barely contained.

Avdol stepped between the two, gripping his force staff tightly, his expression constrained. "We have to remember, this mission was given to your Chapter by the Custodes on orders from the Emperor. Whatever steps you had to take, was in service to Him."

"We will see what the authorities have to say." Magebaka replied icily. He was angered at the Inquisitor for forcing the secret to light, but couldn't help but resent himself. It was a fool's errand to think such a powerful secret could be kept buried for so long.

Ntshingwayo spoke, distracting him from his thoughts. "Chapter-Master, we have routed the remnants of Jormungandr and sent them to the edges of the system. However, we have a ship now in the system, bearing Custodes signals."

Magebaka almost sputtered when he heard those last words. "The Custodes?! What are they doing here?"

Ntshingwayo was calm as always. "Something to do with the future of our Chapter, and orders from Roboute Guilliman."

"The Ultramarine Primarch lives?" Magebaka said with some shock, before straightening himself and directing the Master of the Fleet. "Send them to the surface immediately, in front of the Monastery, no landing pad."

"Yes, My lord." He replied, before the Vox cut off.

He paced slightly, uncertain of the what this could mean. Could they already know? Did they have spies or someway of listening in that Magebaka and the rest of the Chapter never discovered? Perhaps they were now here to dish out the final judgment upon the Flame Ukhozi. He just had to wait and accept whatever came, as dictated by the Promethean Cult.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

The Orion Dropship came out of orbit, circling the place, and landing a moment later, its ramp and parts unfolded and prepared for the passengers within to depart. Every second of the wait set Magebaka further and further on edge, wanting to get this done and over with, and deal with whatever case the Emperor's most trusted guards had for them. He shifted his armored weight back and forth between his legs, almost grateful when the ramp dropped, and the three Custodes stepped out. Avdol, Bellamy, and Inquisitor Graham had joined him in waiting for them, and all gathered could feel their hair stand on end, and their hearts quick, in a mix of shock, amazement and, slight trepidation at the sight of the Custodians, their power and strength evident every movement, their gold armor gleaming in the sunlight of Bulawayo.

Magebaka stood firm, swallowing slightly, before he spoke. "To what do we owe the honor, of being visited by the illustrious Custodes so far from Terra?"

The Lead Custodes, gave a small bow out of courtesy, Magebaka returning the gesture, as he spoke. "I am Shield-Captain Chongdao. My peers and I have come to deliver a gift to your Chapter, on the orders of the reawakened Ultramarine Primarch, Roboute Guilliman, himself."

"He has awakened?" Avdol replied in shock.

"Indeed. Observe what Terra and Mars give to you now." Chongdao replied, gesturing to the skies, as a number of gunships, bearing the sigils and markings of the Flame Ukhozi and the Angels of Purification, everything done to color and Chapter symbols.

The gunships were a design Magebaka and the others had never seen before, looking up at them curiously, as the gunships touched down, and those within them began to depart as the doors opened. Ranks upon ranks of Astartes came out, but none like what Magebaka or the others had ever seen, taller, armor more clean and refined, bearing weapons and Boltgun patterns never before seen.

"These are Primaris. They are the master-work of Belisarius Cawl, Tech-Priest Dominius of Mars, with the sanction of the Emperor himself and the Primarch, acting as His regent," Chongdao said, before looking to Avdol. "You, you are a Librarian of the Hound Keepers."

"Yes, I am." He replied curtly.

"Your Captain Nureddin has already received the Primaris your Chapter will need. He will tell you more about it when you return to your home world," Chongdao explained, before turning back to Magebaka. "You will accept the gift given, correct?"

It did not sound like a question or an offer, but a command in more polite language. Magebaka looked at the gathered warriors that bore his chapter's iconography and colors, not sure what to make of them. "Our numbers have been devastated already."

"By Tyranid and Orks, as I understand it." The Custodes replied, nodding. "There is enough here to bring your Chapter back to full strength."

Chongdao continued. "Learn their weapons, their equipment and tactics, integrate them into your own, and in turn, make them into Ukhozi proper, and all will be well."

"There is something else we need to discuss," Magebaka began, eyes darting nervously. "It has to do with the business of Mt. Ulaka."

The Custodes shifted back slightly, looking to his compatriots, before turning back to the Chapter-Master. "Am I supposed to know what that means?"

"You don't know what one of your order tasked my Chapter with, when it was formed?"

Chongdao shook his head. "My duties are to the Imperial Palace, Terra and the Emperor. I have heard Trajann Valoris speak of your world in pacing, but not enough to know much of anything of it."

Magebaka was almost grateful, though now pondered what he should do with the fact of the battle. Rodan would not be one they could hide forever, especially now that he was out and about. He didn't even know how to brooch the subject, when the air screamed again. Chongdao turned in the direction of the sound barrier breaking. The various Marines turned to the sound, as Rodan called again, and slammed into the ground, several yards away from the group. The gathered Marines trained their weapons, ready for a fight, but Rodan simply stood back, holding his wings and placing his wing-talons on the ground, observing the gathered forces of the Imperium arrayed before him.

Chongdao looked at the great beast of the skies, and sighed in a tired, annoyed fashion. "Another one?"

Magebaka looked at him in shock. "Another one?!"

"No the same as this one, but one was a gigantic lizard, the other a great moth," Chongdao explained, before turning to Graham, and sighing again. "Let me guess, Ordo Monstrum?"

"Yes, you...you've seen the other subjects we're after?" Graham asked, eager to hear what the Custodes had learned.

"Inquisitor Serizawa. Attached himself at the hip to the other Hound Keepers' companies, and had me journeying with them to stop Chaos from destroying an Eldar Craftworld." Chongdao explained. "On both Tharnis Prime, and the Eldar Craftworld, we encounter your Cryptids, Inquisitor."

Graham was stunned for a moment, excitement building in her chest. This seemed impossible. After so many millennia of having not seen these creatures, humanity had now encountered three in a matter of weeks. This was almost too good to be true. It finally fulfilled the tenets of their Order's foundation and oath to the Emperor himself. Knowing Serizawa, he had gathered the information in great detail.

Which, reminded her of what she was here to do. She sent out her Servo Skulls and Auspex scanners, as the Beast of the Skies looked apprehensive at the sight of such devices, a little put off. What had happened to the Humans, in the years he had been sent out and put to sleep in the volcano, that they were using skulls with machinery attached to them.

"How many of these creatures are there?" Avdol asked, furrowing his brow, and glancing back at the the Mutant Pteranodon, as it inspected the Marines for a moment.

"Ask the Inquisitor. We only concern ourselves with them if they become a threat to the Emperor himself." Chongdao stated. "Which, given the size, our plan of defense usually involves calling in as many Imperator Titans as we can."

Chongdao drew himself up, straightening, before looking to the Inquisitor. "Continue your work. Regent Guilliman will be most interested in the data you gather."

Graham nodded, not saying much, as the scanners and Servo-Skulls returned to her side, the Inquisitor carefully taking them back and storing them away in her armor to give to the rest of the Inquisitors within the Ordo Monstrum.

Chongdao seemed finished, before noticing the silent Captain Bellamy, and gestured for him to come closer. The Captain seemed surprised for a moment, before stepping aside with the three Custodes and away from the rest of the Space Marines.

"Belisarius Cawl knows about the quirks in your geneseed, the strange recruitment style of your Chapter, and has prepared the Primaris reinforcements with that in mind," He said quietly. "All that was said to Magebaka applies to your Chapter."

Bellamy nodded, as Chongdao and his comrades made their way back to the Orion Dropship, departing for parts unknown. They had delivered their detachments of Primaris to the Chapters, and now had to return for fresh orders. The work of the Emperor was never done. Whatever came next, the Captain-General and other leaders would need every hand to do their duty to fullest extent.

Rodan stepped back from the strange humans. Their armor and strength, reminded him, in a tiny way, of the Golden Man who had, over the course of many years, cast more and more of his fellow Kaiju, ally, neutral and enemy, into the unknown, before sending him away. They were but fragments, but the strangeness they exuded, the size and power, though still ants to him, was evident. He did not know the full extent of what the humans got up to, what power they gathered.

The Great Monster of the Skies flexed and opened his wings, taking two steps backwards and jumping into the clouds above. Dust and high winds flew off, buffeting the Space Marines as they watched him disappear into the skies. He had work to do. Something was calling for him. The Flows of energy across the galaxy were roiling and crashing against each other, like the ocean in a storm. Rodan did not understand the full breadth. He knew the Golden Figure of Men, and the Four Malefics were the biggest threat to his flock, and had power there, but he was a creature of tooth and claw, muscle and flesh, not the esoteric.

That simply meant he had to find Godzilla and the rest. Their mission had expanded in scope, but remained generally the same. Find threats, eliminate them.

One the Guardian Beast of the Skies had gotten a few miles from the Fortress-Monastary, reality itself was torn open in a hole, and Rodan flew through, it closing behind him in an instant.

Now, the three Chapters and the Inquisitor were left with what to do with both the Kaiju and the Tyranids gone.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

The destruction of Jormungandr had shocked the Hive-Mind to its core. It remembered the appearance, the face, the name of the creature that had destroyed their tendril. Never before had something been able to challenge on a biologic level. The creatures of the galaxy were of machine and nerve, to varying degrees, and machines could be overcome. Nerves could be manipulated to serve the Tyranids or make mistakes.

But the creature, Rodan, the beast of the Volcano, could not be devoured, not with their current bio-morphs. It could not be subverted with the use of the Genestealer's kiss.

The cold intelligence of the Hive-Mind, the never-ending, shiftless form of dread and hunger that dwelt within the greatest Hive ships and the smallest ripper, began to turn inwards, studying every DNA strand, every memory of the countless millions, if not trillions, of years it had been active in the consumption and ruination of galaxies. Many species had fallen under the talons of the Tyranids, but there was one that went willingly to the Spawn pools. A single specimen of a species long dead. Once formless, and shapeless, it sought the form of another. Like the Tyranids, it sought the DNA and power contained in the flesh of another.

Deep within the Hive-Mind's countless, chittering, screeching minds, was an eerie calm, a silence, bereft of hunger or the single-minded desire that made most Tyranids what they were. This was a creature that had agreed to join with the Hive-Mind, in exchange for the exchange in power and abilities.

Within the Hive-Mind, was the remnants of the creature once called Orga. The last remnant of the Millennian, a civilization that had reached its apex and vanished before humanity had even reached the stars. The last remnants sought out the DNA to preserve their bodies, often merging hundreds of individuals aboard special saucers, their liquid-like matter forms easily melding. One had fought the current Godzilla thousands of centuries ago, but its defeat did not mark the end of these creatures, merely the set-back in their plans.

Orga's kind were dying a breed, and that had been millennia ago. Whatever was left of them dwelt within the Hive-Mind's vast psychic might and genepools. Before, the Hierophants and Harridans were enough to counter what the Imperium, Aeldari, Orks and others had. Now, it had become clear that which they had taken in was needed. As part of the deal, Orga had been allowed independence, much like the Swarmlord or a Genestealer, he would be a semi-independent agent. The time had come for such a creature to fulfill its bargain.

The coiling mass of the Hive-Mind, like a many mouthed dragon, shifted and passed through the Warp, many voices shrieking, hissing and calling out, as the psychic presence of Orga emerged from it, massive to a human, a collection of souls merged into one by the needs of the Millennians, but still infinitely smaller then the sheer enormity of the Hive-Mind's presence. Orga's calming presence was nothing to infinite, screaming hunger of the Hive-Mind it was enjoined to. In an instant, data was shared, everything the Tyranids of Jormungandr had seen of Rodan, his attacks, his beam, his ferocity. Orga absorbed it all in an instant, the ancient alien mind filled with anger and determination.

It had been so long since he clashed with Godzilla and the other mutated beasts of Earth. He understood in that instant, what he had to do, and was going to enjoy doing it.

Across the galaxy, the genetic material, the basics of its DNA makeup and everything else needed to build Orga from the ground-up, was transferred instantly across every single Hive-Fleet and tendril of the Tyranid species. When this was completed, any Tyranid Hive-Fleet that had the Biomass required, would be able to create their own Orga. If the humans wished to escalate such conflicts, the Tyranids would respond in kind.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Teridax tapped one of his Power Claws against the cold hard table, a chunk of metal that had been haphazardly pushed to act as one for the Brotherhood of Damnation. It was here, in the quiet rooms, where all his selected Champions and Lords could observe. It was within his flagship, His Majesty's Sanctum, that Teridax planned out his raids and attacks against the Imperium, and sent his loyal warriors to take over Cults and subvert them to his will and ends. Such was the case of this woman, Amelia Khazon Isharad. She was a capable leader, more so then even some Champions he had.

He sat back in silence, after hearing her tale, what she and the rest of the Brotherhood and their new cultists had seen. What they had all described, from Telion, to Lakaeros, to this Amelia, seemed impossible. A great beast that predated the Emperor and the Primarchs, rising out of the sea, laying waste to much of a Chaos Space Marine Warband's heavy support, and leaving a Chaos Sorcerer rattled and fearful. And yet, the forces had brought back Pic-captures. His psychic gifts showed no signs of lie or artifice in any of them.

What they had seen was true. The great, mighty reptile was real.

"So, Isharad, what would you suggest we do?" Teridax asked softly.

"Me?" She asked in surprise, looking shocked by the question.

"Yes, Zaaras seemed to think highly of your ability to spot little details on the battlefield." Teridax stated.

"It was a little thing, I don't really believe my tactical abilities are any better then a Chaos Marine." She said, swallowing hard at the sudden attention.

He gave a thin, sly smile, as if enjoying the discomfort. Perhaps, this was his way of establishing control, reminding her of her place now within this Warband, the way of things under his command. She resented so much having to kowtow to their whims and bow and curtsy to their commands.

"Of course not. The breadth of experience of a mortal is always so limited." He remarked. The statement sounded passive, more like a statement of fact, but she could feel the underlying venom beneath his tone. "Of course, we will have to find the services of a Titan Legion."

"You needn't worry about that, dear Chaos Lord." A voice behind declared in a jovial manner. "The Chaos Gods have already seen fit to pursue this creature."

"How did you get in here?!" Teridax demanded in outrage, rising from the large seat to confront the Daemon Herald Vffarith'fyrm.

The Exalted Horror stayed where he was standing, in a corner of the gunmetal gray room, his pink form a contrast to the drab, colorless interrogation room.

"4 Maniples, each one part of a Legion dedicated to one of the Chaos Gods," Vffarith'frym explained. "Tzeentch believes he knows where the creature will appear next. The coordinates will be sent to your and other, chosen warbands."

Teridax stepped back for a moment, considering his words carefully. "We are to help the Titan Forces?"

"It is near were Guilliman and his forces are," Vffarith explained. "It is already a battleground against the Forces of the Anathema. We don't want them interfering in our hunt."

Teridax narrowed his eyes. Even if it was in service to the Dark Gods, it was still mere guard duty and distraction, not the real thrill of the hunt, and the rewards that came from the glorious victory to come.

Vffarith seemed to pick up on his disdain for the situation, and continued. "As long as you do your duty as required, the Chaos Gods will reward any who help take down this beast.

Now that was encouragement enough. One more step taken on the long path to Daemonhood. It was all the encouragement Teridax needed to lead the Brotherhood of Damnation into battle, even if it was against this creature.

"All Chaos forces fall under Vashtorr's command." Vffarith concluded, beginning to turn away. "Arrive when you are required to, and bring death to our enemies."

The Daemon Herald vanished into a flickering puff of blue and purple smoke, vanishing as if he had never been there. Excitement built in Teridax's heart, almost feeling as if he would jump with excitement like a child. This beast had caught the eye of the Gods with its destructive potential. And he was going to be the one to help bring it down. Amelia, however, did not share such excitement. It meant putting her people in more danger. The one thing they had desired when breaking from the Emperor's yoke was to no longer have to fight in far off worlds for some distant tyrant. Now, this Chaos Lord was shuttling them off as meat for the grinder for his own ambitions.

She kept her face neutral, merely looking to the Chaos Lord for confirmation on his orders. He turned, an eager smile on his scared face. "Prepare your Cultists for the deployment, and tell the other leaders and Champions what has occurred. We have glory to attain."

'You do, we all just die so you can achieve it,' She thought, before folding her arms behind herself. "Yes, my Lord. Glory to the Dark Gods."

The resentment boiled away in her heart, as she turned and left the interrogation. She promised herself she would level the playing field, somehow. It would be her people in command one day. She just had to be patient and put her faith in the Dark Powers.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Kollora was a world much like any other. An imperial colony, with mighty megalithic cities rising near the oceans and mountains, and a series of jungles and plains stretching far beyond it. The place supplied tanks and lasguns to the Imperial Guard, and metal and other materials to visiting Mechanicus Tech Magos. There were a million worlds like it in the Imperium. Largely unaffected by the opening of the Great Rift, the world had continued with its tithes, and its raising of PDF and Guard regiments, and all the tasks required of an Imperial world.

Then one day, it went silent.

An object hurtled towards the lush, green world. One of several in fact. It resembled a massive crystal object, like numerous white jewels nestled together, along with dozens of asteroids. Normally, such things would've been destroyed by the guns stationed on the world, designed for protection from pirates, everything from Rogue Marine Bands, Ork Freebootaz and Eldar Corsairs, but the asteroid storm was meant with nothing. There was no response, as if the world had just accepted its fate and allowed the objects to slam right into its surface. The object in the center flew forward, piercing through the atmosphere, fire burning over its surface but hardly effecting it, as the asteroids pounded the surface over and over, again and again, cracking and splitting the earth, and in their place, numerous crystal spires arose, smashing through the already ruined hive-city's buildings and spires, and rupturing hills and forests with their appearance.

The object at the center of this storm slowed, floating over a series of mountains and volcanic ground, rivers and pools of lava gathering here, in the distant north. Mountains rose all around the great valley, like jagged teeth, while the crystalline object seemingly shattered and flickered out, replaced by a creature that floated down to the earth, and came down to the planet. At a glance, it resembled Godzilla, but with a longer, more crocodile snout, tusk-like growths at the edges of his mouth, a red stomach and chest, and two massive crystals dominating the shoulders. Its skin was a dark azure, and its eyes a deep, bloody red. It looked around slowly, trying to pick up on anything with sight, smell and its telepathy, as two of the other crystals hit the ground, and broke open like eggs.

From them came two more creatures, each radically different from the other. One was hunched, its back dominated by purple-blue crystals, that matched the coloration of its face. It had a thin, muscled build, with purple crystalline claws on its hands and feet, and thin red eyes. Most of the rest of its body was silver-gray, and the center of its chest bore a yellow crystal. Its tail swished back and forth, ending in a crystal, spiked club, as it looked at the reptilian leader for instructions.

The other was more brutish, a humanoid beast forged from lava, its hide thick, blackened rock, parts of it glowing with lava, while its three-horned head opened in a jagged mouth, from which magma spilled in droplets, a bifurcated tail slowly swinging back and forth behind it. The creature's large, muscled arms almost dragged across the ground, as it turned to the leader as well, despite having no visible eyes.

Spacegodzilla had arrived, and with him came his top servants.

He commanded them with but a thought, directing them to follow him. The three beasts marched into the valley, through the lakes and rivers of lava, utter silence except for their massive footfalls. Spacegodzilla looked around, reptilian eyes narrowed wearily. He could sense several lifeforms nearby, but they would not show themselves. He hated the secrecy. He wished they would end this charade and show themselves already. He had other things to do, past servants to collect that had been lost for too long.

As the three reached the center of the valley, a short, barking sound echoed through the valley. Spacegodzilla and the other three stopped, preparing themselves, before numerous shapes jumped from the cliffs and hills above and around them, and landed, bearing spears and knives seemingly made from the looted metal from the human cities. The creatures, 8 in total, surrounded them, each slight shorter then Spacegodzilla, and only taller then the first servant, Krystalak, due to his hunched posture. They were all ape-like, bearing black fur and gray skin, with scars over their chests and faces, and red markings smeared over their chests, some of their faces and arms. They growled, eyeing Spacegodzilla with some trepidation, before a roar sounded. A larger Ape, its fur more white, along with a beard and prominent lower tusks, stepped forward, its shoulders covered in the scrap metal of a destroyed human tank.

The creature walked right up to Spacegodzilla, never taking his eyes off the taller creature, standing before him and releasing a series of growls and grunts at him. The Space Tyrant stood back, his face a smug, uncaring, barely contained grin. He released a short grunt and growl of his own to the ape, gestured with two fingers over the beast's shoulder, and roaring.

The ape leader looked surprised for a moment, looking back to his troop, before releasing a bark. The apes stood back and stepped away, eyeing the three strangers warily, but waiting for their leader's command. He gestured for them to follow, the three invaders and apes making their way deeper into the valley. At the end of the valley, among the great mountains and plateaus, was a massive cave. The Ape leader gestured for them to follow, Spacegodzilla lowering himself slightly to let his shoulder crystals pass through without trouble, as the they journeyed down, deeper and deeper, through a series of tumbling hills and broken stones, the heat building strongest here. Spacegodzilla and his peons were unbothered, simply continue the trek downwards.

They finally reached the end, great cascading falls of lava, and hot-running rivers of it, as more apes waited them, all toiling away in the dirt and stone, lacking the red markings the others had. Spacegodzilla and the entourage moved past them, the Crystal King not caring for a few slaves and servants among the apes. Whatever work their master had for them, was none of his concern. They finally arrived at the center, where other red-colored apes were standing guard over the weakling workers, eyeing Spacegodzilla with suspicion. He welcomed their unease, their trepidation. He was eager to put any in their place, to make good on his powers and position.

As they approached, one of the red-smeared apes approached, its face flat, hair graying, and several scars over its face and right. The ape was slightly smaller then the Graybeard, but approached with a confidence and swagger even Spacegodzilla found annoying. The One-Eye walked right up to the larger ape, and began growling and snarling, pointing to a cave opening, elevated above the area, and shaking its head, growling at the Troop leader repeatedly. The larger ape growled once, before shoving One-Eye aside, and continuing on. At the foot of the mountain that held the cave opening, were two other apes, very different from the others among them.

They were more lanky in build, taller, but still very muscular. Their fur was deep orange, skin gray. One was slightly and fuller in appearance, the other having a short tuft of a beard on its chin. The stronger-looking one had two markings, like dashes, over his eyes, and what seemed to be a large hand print from his right pectoral, down to the left side of his stomach. The other bore red markings over his face, two red slash-markings across his chest, and several markings on his forearms. Spacegodzilla could not help but cringe at the sight of them.

He knew exactly where apes that looked like that would come from.

The two sauntered over, showing too much confidence and too much bravado towards the three strangers. Spacegodzilla could almost feel the smugness radiating off their bodies, like radiation came off of him. The leader of the two grunted, gesturing with his chin towards Spacegodzilla. He made a few grunts and snarls, before indicating to where he and his peer had been standing. The area was a weapons pile, all sorts of primitive knives, clubs and spears arranged there. Krystalak snarled, releasing a low, angered hiss at the ape.

The Graybeard jammed his shoulder into the chest of the leader and growled, forcing him back, and glared down the younger ape, not making a sound, as if silently daring the other to make a move. The stand off continued for some time, before a deep, bellowing roar sounded off, echoing out from the cave mouth above the place. The apes all froze in place for a moment, before the servants and the Red Stripes, all went on all fours, turned to the cave entrance. Spacegodzilla and his servants began to move forward, before Greybeard swung an arm and caught the Crystal King by the chest, glaring back and shaking his head once. His reptilian snout curled in anger, before the creature that had made the roar. From the cave entrance, came another ape, tall and wiry, almost like the two that had dared step up to Spacegodzilla, but lacking the bulk and mass. His skin was pale, hair a faded orange, graying along the edges of the face and beard, with parts of its chest, face and arms marked with red warpaint, and curved around its body, like a sash, with the spinal cord of another kaiju. On his right shoulder, was the skull of another ape, fashioned into shoulder armor.

The Ape leader stood tall, leaning back slightly, as he looked down on the gathered monsters now at his court, before dropping down. The earth shook and trembled as he came down, before rising up and slowly making his way over, staying upright, as almost all of his servants kept low to the ground, and fearfully bowing their heads. His glowing blue eyes shown like embers in the low light of the cavern, the Ape Chieftain marching over, making sure to look over all his servants, and ensure none dared even look up at him as he marched among them. Spacegodzilla could only release a low, annoyed hiss at this irritating and grandiose display.

Finally, The Skar King stood before Spacegodzilla, looking at him right in the eye, as if they were equals, but Spacegodzilla decided not to correct that behavior. In this current stage, he needed his servants back together, and not already plotting against him before he could get things off the ground. Skar King looked him over, stroking his graying whiskers, before grunting and giving a toothy smile to the large reptile, then making a grand gesture of bowing, stretching his long arms outwards to his sides. Even in showing submission, he had to be ostentatious about it.

The two other orange-haired apes stepped behind him, crossing their arms as if to back up the Skar King, before Spacegodzilla merely gestured for the other to rise. He did, before noticing his two servants behind him and turning on them, barking a command, the two instantly backing away and kneeling down like the rest. Skar King looked at them with disgust for a moment, before turning back to his guests, going to his sycophantic behavior.

Spacegodzilla detested working with the old ape. When the Strange human in Gold had scattered them across space and time, Spacegodzilla had hoped that meant either the Red Tyrant would've passed from old age, or this "Emperor of Mankind" had treated him like he had the Star God. But Spacegodzilla could not afford to to be picky with his alliances and servants from back in the days of his attacks on Earth. Skar King was planning to subvert him and take over control of the Mutations.

Then again, they all did in some way. Skar King gave him a sideways smile, indicating he knew full well how Spacegodzilla felt, but towed the line carefully to keep the Celestial Tyrant appeased. Skar King lead them away, the other apes glancing up and aside at the three visitors coming to their King's court. The three were strange, alien and utterly different from anything the Ape tribe was used to seeing. The Skar King gestured to one of his red stripes, giving them the signal to continue their work, as he began to 'speak' with Spacegodzilla on what had occurred.

With gestures, growls and roars, the Skar King explained how the Human in Gold had knocked him into the space between space, Skar King tumbling through it for a long time, before landing on this world. The tribe of Kongs had also landed here, and Skar had established himself as their King and Alpha, of course awaiting the return of Spacegodzilla and the Mutations Alliance. Spacegodzilla grunted in response, not caring for his excuses and misdirection. His taking control of this world was to sate his own hunger and ambition.

Their walk took them to a far corner of the cavern, where the lava had stopped, and everything was noticeably cooler. Obsidius growled and grunted in dismay, but said nothing, merely shaking his stone-like hide slightly to get the magma and lava within his body moving again. Spacegodzilla leaned back slightly, curious now over what was causing this sudden drop in temperature here in the caverns. Perhaps Skar King's place here would not be a complete waste, if what he discovered was of use.

They came to a cave, where mist and fog gathered heavily at the mouth of it, a lone Kong stationed in front of it. It had a more humanoid face, red markings over his chest, and scars over his gray face and right eye, giving it a milky way appearance. The Ape stayed on all fours, approaching Skar King eagerly, and gesturing to the mouth of the cave, beginning to 'speak', before Skar King snarled and growled at the other ape, the creature obediently stepping away. Spacegodzilla nodded to his two servants, who held their positions, and waited, as he and the King entered the cavern.

The rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites all showed signs of minor frost and freezing, while a few rivers and lakes dotting the cavern were frozen solid. The signs grew more and more apparent, something here freezing the surrounding area, and leaving even this lava-filled wasteland bitterly cold. Spacegodzilla's curiosity deepened. Perhaps Barugon had also landed here. He had always been an effective servant in the battles against Gamera.

The evidence of ice grew stronger, but so did that of humans here. Discarded equipment and drills were scattered all over the caverns, like tiny toys to the two monsters, and the massive ice wall showing small signs of damage to the surface, like tiny cuts into otherwise perfect, beautiful glass. Spacegodzilla approached, almost entranced by the beauty of it, in a strange way, as he put his thin, razor-sharp claws up to the crystal and pressed in. He closed his eyes for a moment, before suddenly opening them and stepping back.

This ice wall was not a natural formation. Something living was inside it. The surface seemed to clear, as he saw a truly massive form inside, reptilian, half-obscured, with white scales and blue crystals along the back. He almost could not believe his eyes. The memories of his father told of a truly ancient Kaiju that predated most others. What Skar King had discovered may very well have been the first Earth Kaiju to come into being. The Crystal King turned to his counterpart in surprise, as Skar King, gestured to the ice, motioned with both hands to break it apart, then tapped the side of his head twice.

It was always the Red Ape's way, to desire to control what he could, and destroy what he could not. He wanted to use Spacegodzilla's psychic might to hold the Primogenitor of Kaiju in their grip. It was tempting. Spacegodzilla had spent a long time observing the way of things among the Humans and other aliens in this galaxy. They had seemingly gone mad in the time he was away. And they had, in their madness, also gotten very, very strong. The foul-smelling green beasts and their scrap-metal machines, the church-machines of mankind. All of them boasted firepower that was more then a match for their own durability and strength.

But her strength would be limited. Shimo, the creature within, was a benevolent protector. She had worked to regulate the Earth and fight off invaders. Controlling her, like most Kaiju, would be easy. His psychic might and ability to imbue that within crystals to act as psychic echoes and resonance of his power was unmatched.

But if he was going to conquer this galaxy with his old gathering of monsters, he needed loyal servants. Shimo was a powerhouse, but he did not want to give her reason to turn on them. And, knowing Skar King as well as he did, the Crimson Ape King was more then eager to give this creature ample reason to do just that. From the genetic memories he had, even his father feared crossing claws against the Ice Titan.

Until he could gather his forces, however, Spacegodzilla would have to make do with what he had. He nodded to the Skar King, and began to plot his revenge about that Emperor the humans had taken to worshiping. Spacegodzilla would enjoy crushing every last Titan Legion, Space Marine force and any other military unit the puny Sapiens could conjure up. When he landed on Earth once more, and shattered that throne and the indolent corpse housed within it, he would bath in both the psychic power contained within it, and the knowledge that he was now the most powerful psychic force in the known galaxy.

First thing was first. Building an army, and preparing to inevitably face his foolish little brother. Spacegodzilla smiled at the thought of that. He always did enjoy a family reunion. And once he was finished with his brother and the Emperor, he could answer a question that had been nagging at the back of his mind for years, like the voice of another creature crawling in his mind.

Why were his dreams filled with a large tear in space, a great, swirling tide of purple and blue energy contained within a vortex, a rip in the fabric of reality, that something within was calling to him from.

Notes

So, we wrap up everything with Jormungandr and the Tyranid invasion of the Sphess Zulu. So what came about with Rodan's design was mostly inspired by his Millennium, Final Wars/2004 design, with aspects of the Monsterverse and Heisei/Fire Rodan designs. Like I said before, I've been disappointed with Rodan's showings. The Heisei, Millennium and Monsterverse saw him being reduced to a sort of secondary Kaiju, even though, with the Big G, Mothra and Ghidorah, that he's supposed to be one of the Big Five of Toho. And boy, I also really didn't like the Singularity Point design, which is disappointing because I really enjoyed the anime and its updates to Gabera/Salunga and Godzilla Ultima. So here, I had him derailing the entire Hive Invasion as a way to bring him back in action, and plan for more in the future. This guy fought Godzilla to a draw with just wings and a beak, you gotta respect that.

And see 40k fans. Biovores and the like aren't the only ones I get too worked up over design changes about.

The other big appearance is Orga himself. My idea here was that Orga is a DNA absorbing juggernaut of war, so pretty much the closest to the Tyranids of the Kaiju. I plan for a few others to be added to the Hive-Fleet's Big Bois Club. One of the things I'm excited to is adapting Orga's body plan to more Tyranid-like. Can't just have him show up unchanged, after all.

The other is Spacegodzilla and Skar King coming together for their evil plans. While the good guys are scattered, the Bad Kaiju are gonna be together and unified, and working to not just conquer the Earth anymore, but make their own little empire of sorts. It also is a way for me to confirm Shimo is in this. I was surprised by how many viewers on were asking about the Ole Girl. I liked her too, but it was pleasantly surprising to see so many wanting her. To those asking about what monsters will appear, I plan to include as many as I can, though, for obvious reasons, some Ultraman/Zone Fighter and G:TAS monsters have to be left out. Sorry Ultraman fans, but Abaddon won't get one-shoted by Okariyan here. Even the Emperor would struggle against such power. I have to keep it fair.

I know I promised the next battle would involve the T'au, but that involved a battle with 40k Titans, and I thought the honor of such a cool and badass fight between Kaiju and Titan should go to Godzilla first.