So the last chapter got screwed up. Some type of error I can't fix. I don't know what caused it. And, as of now, the site won't update it, even though it looks fine in my version. Regardless, I hope I got the basic idea across. I will keep trying to fix it, but it is a bit frustrating.

Anyway... my problems aside, Chapter 3! In this chapter, Mechagodzilla has a visitor and will get a name. Can't call them Mechagodzilla all the time now, can we?

Alright, no more delays, let's get onto the important part.

Chapter 3: Power in a Name

I pulled the cord out of my head, having finally completed my server banks. I then proceeded to make a backup of myself. It never hurts to be prepared, after all. Once done placing the cord in its place, I focused my attention on the cavern. My home, a twenty-two and a half mile long by eighteen mile wide cavern, is located somewhere beneath the Cascades of Mt. Hood. Pillars line the length of it. The pillars, despite their important job of stabilizing the cavern, are actually concealed resource stockpiles for repairs, potential upgrades, and expansion efforts. Each pillar's center is constructed of various materials such as iron, copper, gold, some uranium, and diamonds. Lots of diamonds, this ancient magma chamber created enough heat and pressure to create a surplus of diamonds. All carefully hidden inside pillars of nanotechnology. An ingenious hiding spot, who would look there?

Then there is the skull... I need to destroy that. Error: unknown error, attempting to resolve... resolved. I need to protect it. I do not know if it is possible for an artificial intelligence to go crazy, but I swear when I get near it, the skull of Ghidorah whispers to me. I can never make it out though. Best leave it alone for now.

Then there is the Monarch outpost on the surface, for humans, they work fast. 12 days and they are laying another cement foundation. Sometimes I show up to watch them work. The first time, some jumpy new guy shot me, but it didn't do anything. Ammonia levels around him had risen when my gaze fell on him. Mostly, though, I leave them be. What is interesting to me, however, is the newest Titan bio in their network.

Titanus Artificialis: Mechagodzilla

Titan Class: Protector

Behavior: Observations state that Mechagodzilla is safe to be around, nonaggressive, and protective of all life.

Known information: Mechagodzilla is an artificial titan, made by Apex, (now disbanded due to criminal charges). Mechagodzilla is the first Artificial Intelligence created by humankind. Displaying a fierce protective drive, Mechagodzilla wishes to defend innocent lives from titan conflict.

Strengths: Mechagodzilla is largely unknown at this point, has shown the ability to use built-in wrist blades, and a beam-like attack derived from Godzilla's own main attack, known as the Proton Scream. It fires highly concentrated energy capable of piercing almost all known materials. Godzilla's hide is semi-resistant. Mechagodzilla also possesses an infinite power source from Hollow Earth, simply known as Hollow Earth Energy.

Weaknesses: As of this moment, the only identifiable weakness is a lack of movement speed, which Mechagodzilla makes up for with unyielding force and tough armor.

It is suspected that Mechagodzilla has access to highly advanced nanotechnology. Further observation is required for confirmation.

Overall threat level: Mild

Projected Hostile Threat Level: Extreme

Despite his nonaggressive nature, should Mechagodzilla turn on humanity, it would be a catastrophe. It is in humanity's best interest to remain on its good side.

A part of me finds their observations... funny. Humor is new to me; I'm learning how to be alive. Perhaps I shall visit today? It is... nice, to have company. The humans are always fascinating to me. They are a far cry better company than that. My eyes rest on the skull, lingering for a while.

Proximity alert.

Scanning...

Titanus Rodan

Rodan? What is he doing so far from his territory? Curiosity peaked, I make my way up the staircase in this cavern, which is massive to a human, but normal to me. The doors, I place my hands on them and push them open, stepping out into the daylight. Rodan, perched nearby, trills in surprise when he sees me.

"I thought I would have to roar to get your attention! Hello! My name is Rodan. It's lovely to meet you! What is your name?" The bird is quite excitable, his voice boisterous and happy. Yet oddly enough, he has a Spanish accent in his words? Accents affect Titans? Curious.

"I am called Mechagodzilla..." my reply is hesitant; I am a bit cautious of the fire Titan.

"I understand that is what you are called, but what is your name?" Rodan asks again.

"I don't understand. What do you mean by your question?"

"Well, the humans call me a Pteranodon, but my name is Rodan. You are Mechagodzilla. What is your name? He clarifies for me, and I am at a loss."

"I don't have one," I reply.

He looks confused at that, as if not having a name is wrong. "Everyone has a name, Godzilla's name is Goji, Mosura is Mothra. Even..." He hesitates here. "Even Ghidorah had names, Ichi, Ni, and San." He finishes, looking a bit pained at the mention of Ghidorah.

My curiosity grows. "How does one choose a name?"

"You don't typically get to choose a name; your parents give you one when you hatch based on your gender, male or female. Although you didn't exactly hatch, did you?" He looks me over when he says that last part.

"I am not male, or female, though." I think he already knew that.

"Your situation is unique. You get to choose what you want to be, who you want to be. You could choose to be male in personality and choose a male name, or you could be female in personality and likewise, choose a female name." Rodan explains to me. My freedom to choose.

Earlier, you mentioned that I was made as if you had encountered something like me before. Why is that? That was something I had noticed, the familiarity of my situation.

He thinks for a moment before responding. "You aren't, the humans from before made something like you, what they called a dragon. Not sure what happened to him now that I think about it. His name was Ladon, he was built to protect something important, I can't remember what." Rodan stops to try and remember but shrugs after a moment.

In Greek mythology, Ladon guarded the garden of the golden apples of Hera. Was he built, just like me?

"He chose to have a male personality and chose the name Ladon. He was a good friend," Rodan tells me, a wistful look in his eyes.

A name. What is my name? My database runs thousands of videos of human culture, male, female, name after name, they all mean something. I could choose something with historical relevance. No, that doesn't feel right. Should I be male or female? Looking down at my arms, my body, I was built to be Godzilla's opposite. Goji is male... I shall be female then. I don't want to be Godzilla after all. Now for a name. My mind flashes back to the stars above, the shooting star had a blue tail, my reflection in the window, my running lights are blue. That's it! It's the perfect name!

"From now on," I start, breaking Rodan from his own thoughts, "my name is Azure, for my blue lights." I finish with conviction, yes, this is my name. As I say it, a sense of freedom comes over me; I know who I am.

Rodan tilts his head, mumbling it to himself a few times. "Azure... I like it. It just fits."

I nod. This is me, my name is Azure. I stare at my reflection in the metal doors that make up the entrance to my cave, staring at my reflection, the blue lights are a nice touch, but I need something else. Taking control of some of my nanomachines, I start around the right eye, changing the metal to Azure blue. Slowly, I create a stripe down my right side, from the eye down to my tail tip, all in the same blue. From the right eye, down my neck, along the side of my chassis, and down the tail, yes, my stripe, my body, my identity. Rodan seems to like the aesthetic design choice by the sounds he makes.

"Looking good, Azure." He confirms my thoughts.

"Thank you, Rodan." I am thankful.

Rodan looks up at the sky, contemplating for a moment. "I should return to my volcano before Goji gets mad. Well, madder, he isn't happy with me still. Not that I blame him. At least we are on speaking terms again..." he trails off, a guilty expression on his face.

"I very much enjoyed your company, better the Scylla at the very least. Actually it isn't hard to be vetyer company than her since she attacked me while I was settling in." Really, anyone can be better conpany than that.

Rodan laughs, bids me goodbye, and takes to the sky. I watch him go, roaring a goodbye, which he returns. Once he is gone, I turn my attention to the Monarch outpost, still under construction, and make my way over. Standing in my usual spot, I watch the humans work, but I note that the field research team is watching me, writing down notes and observations, and checking recording equipment. I feel this is the perfect time to properly introduce myself. So, I slowly and carefully lower my head to the researchers, careful not to startle them. I watch them turn a camera to me, ready to record whatever I do, or in this case, say.

"Greetings, my name is Azure, it is nice to meet you." I make it sound happy, as I am truly happy to have my own name. The humans are stunned, unable to form a response and to my amusement, only one researcher ever does, lovely to meet you to Dr. Davis.

I watched them work for two hours before deciding to return to my cavern. Closing the doors behind me, I headed down to upload my memories to my server bank.

"So... you... have... a... name... now... little... Azure..."

Ignore it; it's not real, just a dead skull.

"Ghidorah... never... dies..."

"You died, now you should stay that way!" Claws up, I swing at the skull and-

System Failure

Why am I on the ground? What was I doing? Oh yes, backing up my data. I stand up and walk to my server banks, plugging in to back myself up again. My eyes travel to the skull; something isn't right. I bring up the security footage for the skull and watch it play back, shock filling me, hearing Ghidorah speak in the recording, then watching my systems crash. What is going on?

I approach the skull, staring at it.

"I know you are there." I wait for a response. Seconds turn to minutes, minutes turn to hours, and still I wait.

"So... you... do..." Seven hours have passed. It took seven hours for a response. Interesting.

"What do you want?" A simple question.

"I... am... lonely... without... my... brothers..." It responds after a few minutes.

"What happened to them?" Of course, I already know what happened to Ghirah.

"Severed... our... link... ensured... my... survival... now... they... are... forever... beyond... my... reach..." the way the skull speaks of its brothers, as if it will never see them again.

"Why? Won't they regenerate with you?" I asked curiously. There was silence for 33 minutes.

"...No..." After that, no matter what I ask, it doesn't respond. So, I try something else.

"You said you were lonely. I will keep you company. I do know what loneliness feels like." Not a lie, for me, a single second can be perceived as an hour if I choose. In the time I have spent in the cavern, not quite fifteen days, I have perceived 20 years. Planning and making upgrades. It can get lonely with no one to talk to.

"I... would... like... that..." the skull of Ghidorah finally responds.

"My name is Azure. What is your name?" I do wish to know the name of the only thing to share my cavern.

"My... brothers... called... me... San." The third head, then. I figured as much.

"Nice to meet you, San." It's hard to tell, but the skull, no, San, seems grateful. It's nice to have a friend.

There you have it, Mechagodzilla has a name now: Azure. Also, female personality. I figured the original Mechagodzilla, Kiryu, is typically referred to as masculine in nature, so I thought it might be interesting to portray a female as our main character.

Also, Titanus Artificialis basically translates to "Titan Artificial" or "Titan, Man-made." Further simplified, it becomes "Man-made Titan."

So, San, friend or foe? What do you think? He seems innocent enough. But is it all a ruse? Or is it just a lonely soul? Only time will tell.

Next chapter, Azure gets a second meeting, but with whom?