I do not own anything

Chapter 7: Eternal Metal

Not surprisingly Destroyah was still up for a fight. He spun around and blasted me in the belly with a beam of micro-oxygen sending me into the water. All over my HUD alerts were coming up saying I'd pushed my body too far. I didn't need to see those. I needed to see Destroyah's dead corpse lying before me.

Anguirus bit deeply into Destroyah's neck not letting go even when he took flight. Rodan and Mothra followed him into the air encircling him like twin birds of prey. Finally Anguirus leaped off of his neck leaving the two flying kaiju free to blast him with energy blasts from two separate directions. Combined the blast released a blinding explosion in the clouds, two more explosions followed soon after.

Rodan and Mothra were falling with smoke coming from slash wounds on their chests.

Swopping in low like a bat in his Aggregate form Destroyah knocked the rest of us clean off our feet save for Zilla who was without a doubt by that point the most agile out of all of us. Crushing what little remained under his gigantic feet I saw him run at Destroyah challenging him to fight him up front.

Alright kid, you want it here it is! In half a minute's time Destroyah changed forms activating his energy horn and swinging it at Zilla like a katana. Once more Zilla managed to side-step out of the attack and blast Destroyah right under his chin.

By then my systems were back up to functioning levels giving me the strength to tackle him into the ground. I grabbed him by the face then began brining my fist down over and over.

I guess what they say is true. He managed to wheeze between my punches. A good slave always defends its masters!

King Caesar pulled Destroyah from my grip to lay a few punches and kicks of his own on him. Destroyah tried to fight back but for his state and age King Caesar was still just as lethal. He bicycle kicked him into a small crack in the earth Obsidius had opened up. When he didn't rise up we knew he'd changed forms again.

Can you find him? Mothra asked me keeping her eyes peeled.

No, he's keeping himself hidden pretty well. Oh man was I missing my Absolute Zero Cannon more than I thought possible by that point.

CRACK!

I barely managed to pull Anguirus out of the way just as a literal legion of mini Destroyahs erupted from the ground under him. The trillions of tiny bastards turned in mid-air directly at us like the living wave of death they were. My maser blasts, Anguirus's sonic roar, and Zilla's atomic fire dispersed the attack but now we had billions of tiny Destroyahs crawling all over our bodies. My electrical field was barely strong enough to blast them off. For the others I had no idea what to do.

Golden dust started falling from the sky courtesy of Mothra flapping her wings. Against my metal body the powder actually tickled, a warm feeling started to wash over me while I felt a small surge of power entering it too. From somewhere Destroyah howled in unholy pain as the dust somehow came into contact with him.

He reformed near s still-standing building bent over in pain with lightning coursing around him. King Caesar single handedly ran up and drop kicked her through the building sending another tremor rumbling through the area. Just as he got up Rodan fired a uranium beam in his face, he was losing power because the beam didn't do half as much damage as it should have. In one flap of his damaged wings he drove his fist directly into Rodan's beak then knocked him to the ground with his tail. His horn glowed brightly forming into an energy blade that could have cut anyone of us in half.

For the next few minutes we were on defense until a barrage of cryo-missiles slammed into Destroyah's face. I recognized those missiles and the fighter plane that flew around the battlefield. My optics zoomed in so I could get a good look at the pilot. I couldn't believe it.

It was Akane.

I didn't know whether to be happy she was alive or pissed off that she'd decide to jump into this battle. Either way it was just her style; fearless to a fault.

She came around again drawing his attention away from the rest of us giving us a chance to regroup. She was carrying an armament full of cryo-weapons.

I messaged her instantly; AKANE FALL BACK! LET US HANDLE IT!

Her response shouldn't have surprised me; LIKE HELL! I'LL DRAW HIS ATTENTION, YOU NAIL HIM WHEN YOU SEE THE CHANCE!

Nearly she dodged a swipe from his energy horn.

Zilla came at Destroyah along with Varan not wiling to waste the chance. I texted Akane before moving in; IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN AKANE.

At the end of her response was a smiley face; YOU TOO KIRYU.

Zilla bit deeply into Destroyah's tail to pull him down with a loud thump kicking dust into the air. Varan tackled one of the areas that was frozen which was his legs making it crack but not break. I came down slamming both my feet on top of his chest. Shaking me off Destroyah grabbed Zilla with one arm and an attacking King Caesar with the other. His mouth glowed dark purple with me standing just a short distance away.

You lose!

Not yet!

Mothra slammed into Destroyah so hard he would have fallen face first into the ground had she not decided to wrap him in silk and hurl him through the sky. Easily he broke out of it charging up a sphere of micro-oxygen, Akane flew right in front of him.

Three cryo-missiles exploded inside of his mouth earning the loudest cry of pain from him any of us had every heard. When he landed on his feet he was shaking his head back and forth trying to numb the pain. His voice didn't even sound like normal no doubt due to his jaws being half frozen. I'M GOING TO BLOW YOU INTO PIECES!

To our shock he was able to fire his floral beam in less than ten seconds.

EVADE NOW!

Even with blood practically running down his entire body, fighting near non-stop for so long, and taking such a beating his floral beam was till strong enough to tear apart the ground, continue into the sea, and cause an explosion that could be seen for miles.

A series of quakes shook our feet making Destroyah look down to see Obsidius emerge to try to upper cut him. He spun around smacking him away with his tail screaming with fury. Big mistake.

My thrusters roared to life again propelling me right up to his ass-ugly face. Not hesitating for a moment I smashed my fists into his face so many times I lost track, all I saw where bits of his frozen flesh fly off. When he lunged at me I energy-tackled him as I burrowed my claws in his rib cage drawing more blood. Akane and Rodan flew in close to cover me pelting Destroyah's already mangled wings.

I'll cut you in half! His energy cut grew to incredible lengths.

I charged as much power as I could into my wrist blades. Just try it.

Bringing both my blades up I thanked humanity's brilliance at weapon making when my blades held up against his energy horn. During the clash our eyes locked with each other in a silent deadly discussion.

It doesn't matter if you kill me! There's going to be someone else; King Ghidorah, SpaceGodzilla, and even that bastard lizard himself. Humanity will never be safe!

You're right…but I'll be here to make sure it's still alive at the end of the day.

Why do you care so much? You'll eventually end up dead and they won't even care!

Maybe, maybe not. All I know is right now until something else happens I'm a guardian of humanity. That's why I'm going to kill you Destroyah!

We broke off from each other shaking the ground with our footsteps. I was slightly dazed with my power cells running lower and lower every passing second. If I didn't end this Destroyah was going to kill me. A crazy thought formed in my metal head; if worse came to worse I could self-destruct and hopeful take him with me or cause enough damage he's have to retreat. Luckily I never got the chance to try out that idea.

At first no one noticed but soon plant-like tentacles started rising from the scorched earth ensnaring Destroyah. No matter how hard he pulled the tentacles wouldn't release him, only letting go when he destroyed them with micro-oxygen only to be replaced by new ones.

Stay still, I've never tried doing this before with anyone much less a cyborg. The gentle voice spoke to me.

It was Biollante, it was Erika.

The tentacles that wrapped around me entered into the cracks in my armor releasing breath-taking surges of energy. Thank you Erika.

As soon as my systems were at least eighty percent power I charged Destroyah who was still drawing to tear away the tentacles. I enjoyed the screech of pain when my fist cracked the chest armor covering his floral cannon. Destroyah's energy horn began charging with energy melting some of the ice around it.

I bit into the horn with my jaws and broke it off letting out an animalistic roar after doing so.

In the split second before Destroyah grabbed me and flew us into the air my chest opened up to reveal my Hyper Maser Cannon charging. We were so high up in the air, grappling like two vengeful enemies ready to end it all. In a way that's what we were.

After you those bitches is next! His floral beam began charging.

Sorry but you're never going to hurt anyone again, least of all those two! My Hyper Maser Cannon reached full power before his beam did. I fired it.

I can't really describe the feeling I had firing the HMC at point blank range right into a kaiju's stomach. The best way I can say it is like burping, the biggest and strongest burp in history. I hadn't used all my power but a good chunk of it did go into blowing Destroyah's guts out.

His eyes went completely blank as the energy blast tore through his chest creating a huge gaping hole where his chest used to be. I think the impact of my HMC caused the energy he was charging up to explode outward creating the hole. All his life signs went dead, he didn't dissolve or melt away; he simply fell to the ground in a lifeless hemp.

I would have done the same had Mothra not fired a stream of silk around me to lower me to the ground gentler. Anguirus trudged up uneasy at the sight.

Is he…did you…

My scans confirmed it. Yeah Anguirus, he's dead.

Zilla came up overlooking the corpse with dark eyes. Let's just make sure he doesn't come back. He breathed a stream of atomic fire over the body.

To my surprise Destroyah's body started to burn away, including some of the bones leaving maybe roosted scraps of skin behind. After a few minutes we were all looking at a green bon fire the size of a skyscraper.

It was Takagi who came back on the line. His voice was strong and stern just as a commander's should have been. "Kiryu it's over…we've won. I'm getting a report from Akane, is Destroyah really done for?"

Glaring at the roosting body I answered him coolly. "Yep, extra crispy too."

"Good," his voice softened a bit at the next part. "There's someone who's been dying to talk to you. Here she is."

Akane's awe struck face appeared on my HUD. Her face was dirty but her eyes were as wide as dinner plates.

"Long time no see huh?" I chuckled.

She simply continued staring at me while flying around me until she finally rediscovered her nerves. "I-I didn't k-know you…you could…I…" small tears started to show up in the corners of her eyes. "It's good to see you're alright."

"It's good to see you haven't managed to get shot down." I added a smiley face at the end of the last message showing her how happy I was to see her. Akane had her flaws but she embodied some of the things I valued in humanity; determination, courage, and the fact she saved my metal ass (intentional or unintentional). For all that I was happy to see her. "So you're a first class pilot now huh? I knew you would be one day." Her flight record had seen a massive leap into eye catching territory.

At first she was dazed before regaining her senses. "T-Thanks. Kiryu are you…I mean not to be rude but are you well…do you still have issues?"

"…No at. You could say I've had a good talk with the original G-Man. Though when all this has quieted down I wouldn't mind you hoping inside of me, just to make sure something doesn't go wrong."

"Are you asking me to be one of your pilots again?" there was now an edge of playfulness in her voice.

"Yeah I am. After all what are friends for?"

I realized on that day I like it when my friends smile just like Akane was smiling now. This was definitely what I wanted to protect. "So how's Chujo doing?"

At the sound of his name I saw her cheeks turn slightly red. "H-He's doing fine. He's now one of G-Force's Head engineers, good pay, good friends and…"

Sadly our reunion was cut short when a call for her came through requesting her to come back. It was sad but we'd both survived so I knew we'd see each other again. Watching her fly off I couldn't help but be happy I'd decided to come back.

Well guys like I said it's been fun, Kiryu, welcome back. If some new kaiju pops up please call Anguirus before me. See ya. Rodan spoke up then flew away with Varan close behind.

Anguirus roughly shook his head and snorted at Rodan's disappearing form. He faced me with eyes dead-set in mine. Thanks for the back-up Kiryu. At first I didn't really know what to think of you but now…you're a friend, a comrade. If things ever get this bad can we…

Always Anguirus. I may be with the humans but trust me if you ever need a little help I'll be there. I meant what I said.

He gave me the best smile he could then gave one to Obsidius. If you want I can show you to Monster Island. It'll be a little difficult but I think we can find an area for you.

After everything I've done…you guys are really going to let me… It was both sad and surprising that Obsidius still was hesitant to let us befriend him.

Of course! Listen Obsidius about all this… Anguirus looked out at all the volcanos and lava flows that had been created by Obsidius. A lot of people had died due to this. Maybe Anguirus was remembering the first time he showed up and how much death and destruction he caused. You're not the only one who's gone on his rampages. I caught him shooting a glare at Mothra. What's important is what happens now. What do you want to do?

When Obsidius looked over at me I did my best to give him a smile.

I want…to protect the earth and…I don't want to hear people cry. I want to laugh instead.

His answer brought a smile to all our faces. Walking over to me he cooled his hands down enough for me to shake them.

Kiryu, thank you for everything.

Don't mention it buddy. I'll see ya' later and take care of yourself.

He and Obsidius disappeared beneath the tunnel heading back towards the place many Earth defenders had come to call home. Next to depart was Zilla saying he had to go find his father, professor Nick Tatopoulos. Before he left he said I wasn't half bad for a cyborg and I said he wasn't half bad for a mutant iguana.

King Caesar bowed his head in thanks to me before he left. I never thought I'd ever get that owner from a being like him. Fire Lion also sends his thanks Kiryu…along with Battra. Should we ever find ourselves on the battlefield I won't mind being by your side again. Farewell. Just like with Anguirus he shot Mothra a knowing look.

Now it was just me and her. The human forces hanged back somehow sensing there was a tension that needed to be resolved.

Our eyes stayed deadlocked for an uncertain amount of time. Finally Mothra broke the thickening ice.

You have my thanks for what you have done here today Kiryu. You not only saved the world but you gave it a new guardian as well. Kiryu…I…I owe you an apology.

I could catch the embarrassment in her voice clear as day. I wasn't sure if I was the first person she'd ever had to apologize to or was still unsure about me. Accepted…kind of.

Kiryu you have to understand I-

Save it! It was then that I let all the anger come back. Whether she liked it or not she was going to listen to what I had to say. Guardian of the Earth or not you had no right to tell the humans that! NO RIGHT! 'Creating me from the bones of the previous Godzilla was a grievous blow against the spirit of the earth?' That's bullshit! You act like the original was like you, something that came into this world naturally. We both know how it really it was. It was an abnormality, something UNNATURAL!

…

Yeah maybe I'm a living corpse but I've got a soul too! What did you think I was in the beginning? Some lifeless hunk of metal that didn't care about anything?

No. Her voice was calm now. You proved that when the first's soul was awakened in you and you did the opposite of what you were 'born' to do.

Yeah…and you showed the world you can be just as destructive as the rest of us when you tore through half of Tokyo. I got the reactions I wanted from the normally peaceful Mothra; shock, embarrassment, and anger. It turned out Mothra was still sore over that little event when her twin priestesses where kidnapped. Sure she had good reason but she still killed hundreds or thousands of people in her search from them. She really didn't like people bringing it up like I just did. If she was going to hit below the waist then so was I. You've got just as much blood on your wings as I do so don't go acting so high and mighty. I regret it. The names of the people I killed…I crimpled is burned inside of my brain. It's never going to go away, not even if the other side of me takes over.

…Well he? Will you ever get possessed by his spirit again and proceed to take more lives?

No, not as long as I have a say in the matter.

She turned her compound eyes to the newly created volcanic fields. Like Obsidius you don't like it either do you? The sound of crying and sorrow?

No I don't. Tell me something Mothra, does my existence sicken you that much? Am I that much of an eyesore you're going to destroy me yourself just like you promised to? Even after I saved your life and you family's? In her eyes I could see her weighing her options, good because that's just what I was doing. It would have been a short fight we both knew I would win. Lasers and missiles aside, my burning anger towards her was all that I would need.

When next she spoke I could tell she was trying to calm me down either for her sake, mine or for both of us. Kiryu it's not that it's just you're…unnatural. Your existence breaks the natural laws of life and death.

MY EXISTENCE! FOR GOD'S SAKE LOOK AROUND YOU MOTHRA! THE NATURAL LAW IS BROKEN ALMOST EVERYDAY NOW! WAS IT BROKEN WHEN KING GHIDORAH WAS MEACHINZED!? WHERE WERE YOU PASSING JUDGEMENT THEN! WHEN KING GHIDORAH FIRST INVADED WHERE THE HELL WHERE YOU!? WHEN BIOLLANTE WAS CALLING OUT WHY DIDN'T YOU ANSWER? WHEN MANKIND FIRST STARTED PLAYING MAD SCIENTIST WHY DIDN'T YOU DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT? WHEN SPACEGODZILLA WAS CREATED WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HIM BEFORE HE COULD REACH EARTH!? DESTROYAH!? THE COMING OF THE MILLENIUMS!? THE DIMENSION TIDE!? FACE IT MOHTRA, EVERYDAY THE NATURAL LAW IS BROKEN!

I didn't need a mirror to know my scar had started glowing red or my roars where now starting to scare every other living thing within my shouting range. Mothra throughout all this remained calm yet she looked at the ground in a sadden depression. I knew half the things I said probably weren't her fault but I had to let my anger at her out.

What did you think was going to happen Mothra? That humanity was going to quietly submit or just trust their fate in the hands of some previously unknown deity? Did you expect them to give up?

…

Did Battra ever say anything about me? Did he think the same thing you did?

…No. To Battra you weren't an issue.

Strange day huh? For once it turns out I liked the 'evil' (in my opinion Battra wasn't evil, he was just a crazy extremist) twin brother over the 'good' twin sister. After you went on a rampage did you expect the humans to just forgive you? No, it proved what some of them already knew; you were just as dangerous as the rest of us.

I'm…not going to deny that.

Once again our eyes locked with each other.

We're kaiju Mothra. Humans are always going to look at us like a threat. That's their nature, that's common sense. As the old saying goes 'Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.'

Is that what you believe I am? An enemy? Her voice sounded hurt now. Clearly I'd struck a nerve.

…No. I want to but I can't deny you've saved more lives than I have. You've done more good than bad. Me…I've still got a long way to go before I can even think about being a savior like you.

But you already are one Kiryu. I've sensed it…you value life maybe more than I do. I've been told by King Caesar and Fire Lion, you keep the battles far away from human populations. You passed those same feelings onto Obsidius. She cocked her head to sound. I have to ask…why?

I wasn't sure how to put what I felt into words. How did you describe it? Sure I was built to protect humanity but over time it'd become something more. With Mothra before me I decided to give it a try. What's the worst she could do? Laugh at me? Compared to humans we kaiju are gods, well, maybe titans if you want to get a bit more technical. It's easy to get carried away with being all big and powerful. It's easy to stomp on the little guys because they're smaller than you and can't do anything about it. I think that might be what drives most like SpaceGodzilla or King Ghidorah. Me…I know I've got the power to do exactly what they do but I CHOOSE not to. I like being the one who looks out for the little guys, to see them as people, as equals. I wish everyone could feel that way but they don't. So here I am, I'm going to do just that; look out for the little guys.

And yet you seem to accuse me of being too optimistic. The hurt feeling had been replaced by a playfulness I didn't mind at all.

I'm both my own person and a monument Mothra. A monument to humanity's undying resolve to survive. That's one thing I respect about them. Aliens, mutants, and ancient 'gods'…throw it all at them and they've still kept going. It seems like the universe to determined to push them around yet they continually push back. I'll be there pushing right with them along with anyone else who's willing to stand with me, regardless of origins. That's what I want to do with my soul and body.

Mothra's eyes shined with the same thing I saw in King Caesar and Fire Lion's: respect. Seeing that made most of my anger fade away. I think that's all I might have wanted from Mothra, just for her to recognize me as a living creature too.

Very well then Kiryu. You have my blessings. Like King Caesar she bowed her head in respect. I did the same.

Thanks now if you'll excuse me I have to get back to Japan. I didn't make it five steps before her voice stopped me.

You're going to fight him aren't you?

…Yeah I am. Do you plan on stopping us?

No, it isn't my fight to intervene in this time. Before you go why must you go face him once more? To prove steel and iron is stronger than flesh and blood?

Turning to face I would have cocked a grin if I had a human face. Nah. It's to let him and the world know who I am and what I'm here.

Mothra said nothing as she flew over me sprinkling me with energy pores. Some of the dents and tears in my body began to heal themselves. Once she was down she flew off into the sky probably returning to her island home.

After sending a message to all EDF commands I headed for the water. There was one last battle left. For me it was probably the most important one of this whole damn invasion. This one was personal.

The Tokyo skyline still looked beautiful in the wake of the setting sun. Damages to the city were visible but above all it was still standing.

Fate sure is funny huh?

I never really did believe in that stuff. Personally I think we make our own fate.

Is that why you're coming back here? Is it really your decision?

Of course it is. That's all I need.

Heheheh…I suppose that answer will do.

What the hell is that suppose to mean?

I was wondering if you were serious about this, turns out you are.

Listen right now you overgrown-

Ah don't get your circuits in a knot. From here on out I guess…my time has come to an end and now it's your turn.

With those words I felt an undescribed sense of peace. I'd never felt such a thing before. It was simply amazing to have. I knew it was the peace of mind that came when a divided soul became one.

Thankfully the area I landed in in deserted so I wouldn't have to worry about loss of life. Regardless I sent a message out to everyone in the area to get clear. Once I did I roared at the sound hoping he was there to hear me.

He called me back.

Godzilla emerged from the water with a few scrapes and bruises visible. I could still see the faint outline of the chest scar I'd given him from my Absolute Zero Cannon. We were both battle-worn but we still had enough strength for one last battle.

He stopped across from me with a puzzled look on his eyes.

What the hell is this? Are you really dead inside? He asked when I didn't respond to his roar.

No, I've just decided who I want to stay with.

With them? Pathetic.

Call them pathetic that doesn't change the fact they've managed to give you a run for your money a few times.

He slammed his tail down in anger. The wind ripped through the city like a tidal wave crashing down on land. It was just him and me. This wasn't going to be a death match but someone was going to walk away with some broken pride.

Ready kid?

Bring it metal head.

Our tails slammed into the ground just as we took and off and slammed into each other hard. We were a physical match leaving only a matter of whose will was stronger to determine the victor. I bit into his neck drawing blood as he bit into mine tearing the metal. Pulling back we bashed our hands into each other again and again. Godzilla was able to act faster. Rearing his right fist back he gave me the hardest rock hook I'd ever felt. In kind I gave him one of my hardest upper cuts.

We kept doing that, punching each other until we could see our teeth falling out crushing some car or vehicle. Godzilla smacked me with his tail temporarily knocking me back. He readied his atomic breathe to fry me, I charged energy into my body and as usual slammed into him with all the force of a hurricane.

Our tails met each other in a collision that sent shockwaves through the buildings. Twisting around I was able to slam my fist right in his gut, he slammed his tail into left leg. Next he racked his claws along the left side of my neck. He came around again but this time I crouched low and sprung upward slashing him along the belly as I ascended upward like I was performing another upper cut. In fury Godzilla blasted me with his atomic breathe.

I didn't know who to thank for my reinforced plating, humans or Mothra for giving me a power boost. I fired back with my maser cannons hitting him at the base of the neck. As expected he ignored the wound in favor of ramming me through six buildings using his sheer strength. I could feel his claws started to pierce my armor, the alerts on my HUD helped too. My wrist blades pierced his hide, I sent a current of around 1.5 million volts through the blades into his body making recoil.

Using my flexibility and thrusters I was able to land at least eleven slashes on him using my blades. My mistake came when I aimed my left blade for his eye and plunged it forward. Godzilla caught the blade in his teeth and literally broke it off while ramming his right hand into right side, the claws digging in like daggers. During the brief time I was in pain he bit into my exposed neck tearing apart the article muscle fibers within his reach. You can't even begin to imagine the pain I was in.

Pinned between him and a skyscraper I had no choice but to keep ramming my blade and fist into his sides hoping to causing enough pain he'd let go. At that point I realized my arm simply lacked the momentum needed, a rocket probably would have been enough. Yeah, a rocket installed on my elbow, an elbow rocket. If I lived through this I was going to have the top brass give it to me, funding be damned.

Suddenly I realized I was hitting the wrong place so I attacked exactly where Godzilla was attacking me. He screamed in painful fury when my blade entered his neck sending an electrical shock through his throat. Grabbing him by the throat and leg I hurled him through the building he had me against, enjoying the tremors he sent out upon impact. My enjoyment was short-lived when a burst of atomic energy sent me crashing to the ground.

This time we ended up hitting each other two different places, I socked him in the gut while he got me in the face. I guess my brain had taken too much damage because I actually felt my head hurting, all my motor controls went dark for a few minutes. I couldn't do anything, even as my 'relative' started thrashing me with his tail like it was a baseball bat. The moment I systems came back online I really let him have it.

Catching the tail I held onto firmly before bringing my blade down, chopping off enough so he wouldn't be able to use it as a weapon. Boy was Godzilla made then, I don't think anyone had ever seen this new Godzilla this pissed off. It kind made me wonder, his tail is one of the best weapons he's got yet why hasn't anyone thought of cutting it off or doing something about it?

My metal haul was dented as he slammed himself directly into my belly in retaliation. After that he just hurled me half way across town, blasting me even as I went down. I could see him charging up his Red Spiral Ray and knew if he hit me with that it was over. I blasted my Masers directly into his hips injuring the second brain that was located there.

Firing my thrusters again I tackled him all the way back to the docks causing him even more pain. I grabbed him by the snout and began pounding away at his face with all my might. He broke my grip and did the same. Finally I brought in irony and lashed at him with my tail, the angry look he shot me was priceless. I noticed his body pulsing meaning only one thing was coming; nuclear pulse. I braced myself as the blast headed my way hoping I would hold up. Something amazing happened when it hit, I could feel the pulse impact but the moment it did I felt my artificial heart beat ten times faster as it absorbed the nuclear energy. Channeling the energy I fired a charged Maser Blasters against an atomic breathe blast, mine won.

With his tail gone and his nuclear pulse useless I knew what the new Godzilla was thinking; it was brawler time. I beat each other until the district around us was nothing but a mountain range. I had dents all over my body with torn muscle fibers while he just had blood gushing out of open wounds. When he took another swing at me I caught it which turned out to be exactly what he wanted. Surging forward he finally was able to dig his claws into deep enough I could feel him tear out some of my circuits then upper cutted me. My right arm collapsed into its drill form as I returned the pain he dealt ten times over.

I used my jets to left us both over the flame covered city, we our energy blasts collided right there in the sky creating a spectacular light show. We landed across from each other panting harder than we were willing to admit. I knew the next attack would be it because we were both nearly out of strength.

One last time.

For all the marbles.

He charged his Red Spiral Red and I charged my new Omega Maser Cannon. Just before we fired we looked each other in the eye, eyeball to optic.

The resulting collision pretty much destroyed whatever building was still standing, the earth beneath us began to crack due the energy output we were giving off. Red flame-like bursts of energy and greenish lightning danced where our attacks met. We were even.

Once…I razed this place to the ground. THAT'S NEVER HAPPENING AGAIN!

Against all reasoning I started running forward, my blast pushing Godzilla's back with every step I took towards him. Too he realized what I was doing and how reckless it was. Once he was within arm's reach I poured everything I had into the blast, hoping against hope we both survived.

Don't ask me how far we were flung or how much destruction we caused because honestly not even I could tell you. All I know is I woke to see Godzilla barely standing before me bleeding from every part of his body. Alerts filled my HUD making me realized I had damaged myself, most of my weapons were offline, I was pretty banged up, and my energy batteries were at critical. I stumbled to take a step towards Godzilla.

I'll…let you…take…this round…got it? There was sliver of respect in his eyes as he turned away.

This ends now. I spoke up making him face me. The attacks, the rampages, they all stop. If you need nuclear energy fine I'll do something about that but there will be no more destruction. This city, Japan, humanity…it's all under my protection now.

You asshole! This my land! My terr-

NO! Even if I was practically falling apart I wasn't going to back down. What I had to say was going to be heard. Maybe I'm a hypocrite but right now, at this moment I'm telling you if you ever attack Japan or humanity I'll be there to stop you. I don't care what the reason is.

What do you think! If I stop attacking things will just magically go back to normal! No! I have a right to-

NO YOU DON'T! The people living here…they aren't yours to squash whenever you want. They're not yours to attack whenever you feel angry!

So what? You're seriously going to stop me?

Hell yeah I am. I stood defiantly in front of him with the setting us staining both of us orange. It was like déjà vu where we were. I've done horrible things and so have you but I'm still going to defend this planet just like you have.

The anger in his eyes was now fighting with something that I couldn't make out. Somewhere inside he knew I was right.

They hate me. Why do you think that? Do you think if I stopped attacking they'd magically lose all that hatred?

Of course not. Your dad's reason was he hated humanity because they hated him. You rampage through their cities and kill thousands of people. Ruin thousands of lives. In return they attack you and you end up hating them. That hatred will never die. As much as it sucked that was the grim reality. Hatred was like an endless cycle in this world where everyone's been hurt or think they're justified.

Still…I'll stand my ground and fight for humanity.

Godzilla snorted at me then made his way towards the sea. Dumbass.

Hey you're as much of a dumbass as me. You stand up for humanity when it counts. Junior…when you were younger you saw there was some good in them too. And for a fact I know you still do.

He stopped dead in his tracks as my words hit his ears. A whole number of things could have happened, he could have turned around and blasted me, he could have rebooked, or he could have trudged off into the sea in silence.

Before disappearing into the water he said a few last words to me that confirmed my thoughts. Nice job taking down Destroyah and calming down that boulder-brained lung head. If you plan on protecting humanity…don't die on us Kiryu.

Heh, don't worry about it. Oh and just go see Mothra about the tail. You know she always enjoys having you around right?

He used the remaining length of his tail to splash water in my face. A low chuckle left me while I watched him disappear beneath the waves back to Monster Island. See ya later Godzilla.

"OI KIRYU!"

Humanity really is an interesting thing. To my right, a roof top I saw Akane and Chujo waving at me, they were holding hands. If only my optics could take a picture so I'd have this to torture them with. Instead I settled for giving them the peace sign. Chujo's face light up instantly. Sending a message on hi smart phone I let him know I was happy to see him; GONNA NEED SOME REPAIRS. YOU STILL WILLING TO BE MY MECHANIC?

His reply couldn't have made me happier: ANYTIME OLD FRIEND.

By this point Akane realized I was staring at them holding hands and quickly released Chujo's hand with a heavy blush on her face. Chujo sheepishly rubbed his head giving me a little smile. Helicopters flew overhead along with military convoys rolling towards me. In one of them I spotted Miku and Commander Takagi smiling at me. Looking out at the city then at the sunset I roared proudly.

This is where I was going to belong. I had thrown in my lot with the human race's and I didn't regret it for a second. This is who I am; a guardian of humanity. I am a kaiju built over the bones of the original God of Destruction. I am a being whose very existence could be considered an 'affront' the natural world. I am a pinnacle of humanity's technological prowess and resolve. I am Kiryu and I will now and forever always be Kiryu, an Earth Defender until the end.

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