Author: Matthew Freese | Banner: Matthew Freese

The moon shone dimly in the dark sky, illuminating a broken city. Buildings reduced to rubble and charred by fire, people wailing into the night, and bodies lying in the streets and under debris, all in an invisible haze of death.

This was the city of Tokyo, the capital of Japan. The great metropolis of the land of the rising sun had been beautiful a few days ago, a symbol of Japan’s resilience and return to normalcy after the devastation of the war.

Until Godzilla arose.

Nuclear testing in the Bikini Atoll awakened a horrific monster, an aquatic dinosaur who was burned by the fires of the deadliest bomb in history. In vengeful wrath he tore apart Tokyo, ripping apart buildings with his ungodly strength and spraying blazing death from his maw. Thousands had died, thousands more would perish in due time from the radiation billowing off him and into their cells, and far more were injured.

Not even a full decade after the twin atomic bombs, Japan was once again victim to nuclear devastation. Only this time, they did not face an enemy who would accept a formal surrender.

In such circumstances, it would be hard for anyone to sleep, even if the rampage had only been witnessed from afar. But one soul in particular, still laying in his bed, found another darkness curling around his heart.

A humble abode could hide frightful secrets, and nowhere was that more true than in the home of Daisuke Serizawa. The young man, an eyepatch sitting on his nightstand, tossed and turned as he tried to slumber. An eye socket, devoid of the organ it was named after, marred his otherwise clean face, the result of having stepped onto the battlefield.

After seeing such madness as war, the chemist had only wanted to make the world better. Studying oxygen, the component in the air that animated organic life, he wanted to find something to improve the society his nation had contributed to harming.

He had only found something worse than what ended that war.

Sitting in his basement lab, upon its stand, was a device which could turn a city into a graveyard without harming a single brick or plank of wood. A metallic orb in a cylinder of steel and glass, containing pellets of a compound he had cultivated in his studies. With its activation, every oxygen molecule in its wide range would break down suddenly, dissolving any organic material afflicted.

The Oxygen Destroyer.

And he was going to use it in the morning.

When the sun rose, turning a black sky blue and shedding greater light upon the horrors of the land, he would sail with a crew into Tokyo Bay and lower his dread magnum opus to the sleeping Godzilla. And with a click, it would all be over.

He would be joined in the waters by the man who had helped convince him to go through with this plan. Hideto Ogata, a brave sailor.

A braver man than him.

Daisuke stopped rolling, letting out a sigh. Was that truly what he was focused on? On the precipice of such a day, he was focusing on Emiko choosing another man over him?

They had not said anything, but he knew. When his argument with Ogata turned physical, and he had injured the man by mistake, he knew from how Emiko rushed to his side and cared for him. To have that occur while also grappling with the fact that someone else knew of his horrible secret, it was just another claw digging into his soul.

He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. But he loved her, enough to where if she would be happy with another, he would let that happen. Especially with what he planned for himself on that fateful morning.

After his fight with Ogata, a broadcast of a children’s chorus praying for peace had begun on a nearby television, intercut with the scenes of destruction left in Godzilla’s wake. The words of the couple had not been enough to budge him on using the Oxygen Destroyer, but that showing of just what was at stake did jostle his hardened heart. However, only on one condition.

This would be the only time the Oxygen Destroyer would ever be used. Serizawa burned his notes, but that was not all. All physical traces of how to build the subversion of life were gone, but his mind still held them. A human mind, so frail and flawed.

If a nation wanted to take the next step up from nuclear weaponry in the arm’s race, all it would take was his capture and interrogation. As such, Serizawa had only one option to ensure the Oxygen Destroyer’s only victim was Godzilla.

When he descended into those waters, he would not rise again.

To march so boldly into one’s own death was something few men could handle, even with a purpose like he had. His finger traced around the site where an eye had once been, an eternal reminder of his own mortality. Serizawa had already faced death once, and he had manifested it within his basement, so he found himself unable to divert from this path.

Emiko would be happy, and his greatest sin would die with him. What did he truly have keeping him up, from enjoying one last good night’s rest? His remaining eye closed, and slumber fell over him.

***

The waves of the sea churned under the brilliant Sun’s light. Wind rolled across the vast blue surface, sending a chill through Serizawa’s body as he stood at the bow of the small boat. Shouts rose behind him as men dragged nets through the water, struggling against the thrashing fish caught within them.

“Serizawa, help us out here! They’re kicking today!” One of the fishermen yelled, his gruff voice making the eye-patched man rush over to aid his crew. Grasping the net, he joined them in pulling, the fish flailing as they were dredged up from their homes. Daisuke looked down at their catch as with a final heave, the net was fully out of the water. Thousands of writhing bodies moved behind the mesh net, wide eyes staring at him as he imagined how good they’d taste when prepped and cooked.

“Good job, lads!” He shouted to them, looking away from the fish for only a moment. “This should be enough for today, let’s-“

The net was filled with skeletons. All movement had ceased as every bit of skin, muscle, and organ was gone, leaving the mesh stuffed only with pointless death. Serizawa stepped back, shock upon his face. “What’s going on here?” He demanded, only for no voice to reply.

His crew was gone. The wood of the boat was suddenly rotting and cracking, despite having been in pristine condition merely a moment ago. All he heard was his own breath intensifying, as even the sea had calmed to an unearthly degree.

Subtle splashes drew his gaze back to the ocean, searching for the source. Had his crew gone mad and abandoned ship out of nowhere? Peering over the side, he scanned the water.

A human skull bobbing in the sea met his sight. It nearly made him fall back, narrowly catching himself as suddenly more skeletal remnants rose up from the depths, human and fish alike. Dozens, hundreds, thousands, perhaps even more corpses stripped down to the very bone, not a trace of anything else left on them.

The blue waters turned red. At first, he thought it was blood, like what was being rapidly pumped through his body by his racing heart, but he looked closer.

The crimson shifted like countless insects racing along the ground, over a carcass.

Serizawa stumbled back, looking up into the sky as if it would grant him answers. Sweat beaded upon his brow, his chest puffing in and out as he breathed swiftly. What was happening? Why him? Why was he the only one spared to bear witness to whatever nightmare this was?

Pain suddenly shot through the fisherman’s- wait… fisherman? He wasn’t a fisherman? He was a scientist. That conflict of the mind was forced back like a swallowed pill as the headache intensified, doubling him over with a grunt. It felt like something was crawling in his skull, behind his eyepatch, beating against the walls of the eyesocket. In desperation to make the pain go away, he ripped his eye patch off.

And a crimson crustacean fell out, with four thick blades upon its sides as its smaller legs skittered it across the rotted deck. And another dropped out from the opening in his face, its thin tail waving along the floor as it ran. Yet more of the trilobite-esque creatures fell from his hollow eye, far more than could actually fit in there, and Serizawa knew in the pit of his chest that these were the same as what lurked in the waters. Soon the whole deck was covered in them, chittering and running in random directions, but they still kept pouring from his skull.

Eventually, his stupor broke and he thrust his hand up to block them, but that did not halt them for more than a moment. When he lowered his hand back into his field of vision, it too had lost all flesh.

***

His eyes snapped open. Serizawa’s form, slumped against the barrier around a military truck’s bed, straightened as he cracked his joints. Grunting as he stretched, he looked around.

“Finally up, Daisuke?” Quipped a soldier leaning on the edge of the truck. “You were sleeping so peacefully, I almost thought someone left a baby here.”

“Yeah, right.” Serizawa shot back with a low chuckle as he stood up, making his way over to step off. “I don’t feel like I slept peacefully.”

“Oh, did you need mommy to tuck you into bed? Grab your damn gun, we’ve got people saying they’re hearing weird noises in the forest.”

“Enemies?” Serizawa replied, mind clearing after it had been swimming over both the dream he’d had and the fact that he had thought the war was over.

“Maybe, but it’d be weird if so. They were saying it sounded like bugs, big ones. I think they’re full of shit, but I want to blast something.” The man, far more comfortable in the clothes of a soldier, sneered.

Soon, Daisuke was part of a small group of soldiers marching into the dense forests of… wherever he was. He knew he was a soldier, and that this was World War 2, but the greater specifics did not come to him. His mind lingered on that dream.

Why did he have an eyepatch? Why did he recall being a scientist? Yes, he wished to become a chemist after this war was over, but that was the future. But more importantly, what did it all represent? A sea of red death, arthropods who brimmed with a corrosive antithesis to life pouring from his skull, innocent men lost in an instant.

He looked to the other men, all walking in front of him. He hated them.

Serizawa was not a man fit for the battlefield. This place that demanded the heart be smothered, where embracing the soul’s inner darkness was rewarded. Only the most primitive and savage parts of the mind played a role in this place, not the portions he cared to use, those more advanced and evolved.

That horrid dream, he could talk to Emiko about it. She would listen, and not mock him for being unsettled by such a horrendous vision. These men would only jeer and belittle him, for they relished in fields of bone and terror.

A raspy clicking from the trees above snapped him out of his train of thought, drawing every eye and gun up into the foliage. Branches cracked as leaves fell en masse, something ungodly crawling through.

A rattling series of bangs rose as someone pulled their gun’s trigger, the semiautomatic rifle spraying its payload into the trees. Others followed that path, until a high-pitched shriek drowned out all other noise. Yellow ichor dripped from the leaves, burning them away in smoke and falling to poison the earth.

The gunfire continued in terror as the monster revealed itself, dropping from the trees with only small cracks in its purple carapace despite having been the target of enough gunfire to drop an elephant. Spider-like legs pierced two men as it landed, blood spraying from their mouths as their hearts were torn. A tail ending in a wicked pincer came down around the throat of a third soldier, his gun flying from his hand as he was lifted into the air. He screamed in unimaginable terror, a bold warrior reduced to a scared child, until the abomination let him go with a swing. His shout of fear became a gurgle when his skull cracked against a tree’s trunk, his body limply hitting the dirt.

Serizawa fell back, sitting up as he watched the horrible thing screech and flail. A lengthy neck carried a thin head bearing mandibles, a crest upon the back of the cranium crackling with bolts of energy. Hollow eyes of yellow, like pustules, met the gaze of the man who’d orchestrated this hunt before something forced its way out of the creature’s mouth.

A second set of jaws opened wide before spewing a blue stream of brilliant light, surging with hideous power as it tore clean through the soldier’s chest. Serizawa watched transfixed, heart thudding in his chest as he watched the other man’s become nothing. A perfectly carved hole, devoid of anything within, sat in his abdomen as he fell to the dirt.

The wretched arthropod’s shadow fell over Serizawa, who turned to look up at it. “No, please, god no!” He shouted, reaching for the gun he’d dropped, but it was too late.

A leg crashed against his face, the sharp tip of the limb shredding his right eye and leaving only mangled viscera. The impact knocked him to the ground, but did not kill him, leaving him to scream as he tried to stem the bleeding with his hands. Through his one remaining eye, he looked up to see the monstrosity extend its second set of mandibles yet again.

Like a railroad spike being driven into the ground, it descended towards his face.

***

A sharp inhale broke the silence of the room as Serizawa awoke, hands racing to his face to feel at it. As he breathed heavily, he was relieved to feel it was as it should be. His right eye was missing from a bullet fired years ago, not from a monster bearing down upon him at that exact moment. The war was over, those cruel souls he was forced to spend time with no longer in his presence. He was devoting his time to something good for the world.

At least, he should have been. It was morning, sunbeams creeping through closed curtains. This was to be the last morning of his life, he remembered that now. He lay in better for a bit longer, just trying to feel comfort for a little more time.

There was a distant crash, and screams followed. Serizawa sprang up from his bed, racing to his door to see what was going on. Opening it wide, he was greeted with smoke rising in the distance, people running for their lives on a swiftly packed street.

Ogata ran by, Serizawa shouting for the man. “Is it Godzilla, is he up?”

“No, I don’t know what it is, but we have to run! It’s worse than Godzilla!”

Serizawa looked back towards the smoke, the shattering of another building ringing out. A hollow shriek rang out, making the chemist’s blood run cold. It sounded familiar, to the beast that had just taken his life in the realm of sleep.

“Where’s Emiko?” He asked Ogata as he ran towards the man who she loved.

“I was going towards her house to check, come on!”

The two men dashed past scores of people, those who had been lucky enough to avoid Godzilla’s rampage now caught in something else’s madness. Serizawa tried to just focus on reaching Emiko, on ensuring the woman he loved was safe.

Another raspy howl, the cacophony of destruction ringing loudly. Were his dreams a premonition, a warning from the universe at what would emerge under the blazing Sun?

They kept running, he did not know for how long, until a cluster of bright flashes from behind caught their attention. The two men turned to behold an awful sight, the kind that made Serizawa believe the world was truly ending.

On demonic wings, the folds the same color as raw meat, a chitinous monstrosity soared. And he knew from the crest upon its head, the eyes of a sickly yellow like infected tissue, that it was the same monster from his dreams.

The harbinger of the end let loose its call of damnation, thin jaws filled with crocodilian teeth opening wide to spray a purple bolt of death embodied. Serizawa and Ogata watched as a nearby street was torn asunder by the trailing ray, thousands of screams being silenced as everyone was reduced to nothingness. Not even ash like a firestorm, where once there was, now there was not.

Both men doubled over, coughing. Being near the scene of destruction drove a tightness into their chests, as if the air had been robbed from them. The shadow of the destroyer fell over them, buildings being torn down and people being tossed by the wind shear.

Serizawa and Ogata rolled across the ground, clothes tearing and skin blistering. Sucking in deep lungfuls of air, they rose to their feet. “Emiko, I have to find her, we have to get out of here.” Ogata wearily stated, Serizawa could tell it was the jumbled thoughts in his mind spilling out.

“Her home’s close by, and that thing’s going the complete opposite direction, come on!” Daisuke shouted, trying to take charge and lead.

He tried to focus on Emiko as they ran, but his mind could not help but drift to the horror above. He looked over his shoulder, seeing it disappear in another flash, in its place a colossal crustacean like what he had seen in his dream falling to flatten a hotel. The only visual difference was that this one bore more limbs, both on its underside and two gigantic cudgels protruding from its back.

The creature could shift its appearance, but why was it so large compared to the monsters in his dreams? Was this the queen of a hive? Were the crawling abominations in his mind merely a warped image of the true thing? Perhaps, this was all coincidence, and he was peering too deeply into things.

That last idea did not satisfy him, but as the home of the Yamane family came into view, he stifled these thoughts. Ogata threw open the door, shouting “Emiko! Professor Yamane!”

No answer. The home was silent, and as Serizawa looked around, he saw it in a state of disrepair. Table knocked over, plates and cutlery scattered all over the floor, and cracks along the walls.

“Emiko!” Ogata ran upstairs, Serizawa feeling like his heart was about to explode.

A pantry door swung open, the timid voice of a young woman rolling out. “No! Don’t go up there!”

It was Emiko, Serizawa running over to her. “Emiko, what’s going on?”

“Ogata, don’t-“ she shouted over Serizawa’s shoulder as he helped her step out, only for a scream of agony to cut her off.

The man she loved was hurled down the stairs, a gash torn in his midsection. Clutching his wound, the sailor seized up as a familiar shriek bored into Serizawa’s brain.

Wood and drywall split as the fiend he had just dreamed of emerged from the room, legs rupturing the stair’s railing as it crept down. Emiko screamed as she rushed over to him, a sound that added to Serizawa’s swirling torrent of distress. To hear her sweet voice contorted into such pain made his heart ache.

He ran over to try and save Ogata too, in the back of his mind dreading the idea that the professor was currently dead in that room.

The crustacean extended its secondary jaws, skull shimmering with the herald of its unholy strike. In desperation to not lose her, Serizawa grabbed Emiko around the waist and yanked her away from her wounded love.

Ogata was able to yell “Get her out of here, run!” Before the entire upper half of his body, along with a large portion of the wall, was lost in the sweeping streak of azure.

“No!” Emiko Yamane screamed, tears flowing from her eyes. “No, Ogata!”

“We have to go!” Serizawa tried to yell, but it was far weaker than he wanted. He had no particular connection to the man, but it still rent his heart asunder.

He was the only one who should have died today. Emiko and Hideto should have lived, in love and happiness together. As he dragged her towards the door, the monster barreling down the stairs to drive its mandibles into the sailor’s legs, Serizawa wanted to vomit.

Today was supposed to only have two casualties, himself and Godzilla. His awful weapon would have brought good into the world and then disappeared forever.

He would have brought good into this world before disappearing.

The door opened, the two more so falling out of it than walking, Serizawa stumbling to keep them upright as Emiko had given up all fight. “Come on, we have to go, it’s what he would have wanted!” Tears were flowing from his one good eye. “Emiko!”

She was an inconsolable mess, trying to break free of his grasp and run back into the home where there was only death. But he refused to let her go, he could at least do that much, for her father and her husband-to-be, he would save her.

A shadow fell over him, over the house.

His arms went limp, Emiko falling to the ground. He turned, looking up, all spirit robbed from him in an instant.

His destroyer loomed large above, its hollow eyes of sickness and decay boring into his soul. A hollow howl rippled through his body, shaking every aspect of his being, before the telltale signal of that accursed ray began.

In a flash of violet, Serizawa was no more.

***

He was awake. Sweat coating his face, heart rate spiking, mind swirling with terror and questions, Daisuke Serizawa had finally, actually woken up. There was a distinct difference between reality and dream, and it was always forgotten when actually in the realm of sleep, but made abundantly clear when the time came to rise.

The moon still hung in the sky, its pallid light failing to break through the darkness in Serizawa’s consciousness.

He swallowed, a dry throat receiving no moisture from saliva. Water, he needed water, that was something to focus on for a moment. Rising from his bed, he moved to grab a glass of the life-giving fluid.

As he did so, he caught a glimpse of his basement door. And with that, the maelstrom ended. The chaos of his layered dream cleared, and what was left behind crashed against his mind like the cars of a derailed train.

Skeletal remains drifting in the ocean, organic matter reduced to nothing, the air itself becoming inhospitable, it all tied back to his studies. As Godzilla had been born of the atom bomb, whatever horror crawled through his dreams was the spawn of his dreaded magnum opus.

As he grabbed a glass, he meticulously went over every detail he could recall from his dreams. In lower dosages, the Oxygen Destroyer would not eliminate the skeletal structure of a target, leaving behind the perfectly preserved skeleton. Hypothetically, if one were to concentrate the particles it generated in a straight line, it would become a weapon capable of piercing any material. The ‘Micro-Oxygen’ he had discovered before refining that further into the Oxygen Destroyer would slip between molecules and break them down, making armor pointless.

Water flowed into the cup, ceasing before it could overfill and spill outwards. The Oxygen Destroyer falling into the hands of a nation would not just be deadly as a bomb, but the technology and the entirely new scientific world contained within would change warfare to an entirely hideous degree.

He recalled how fighting had sickened him, the dream had held that mirror to him well. The idea that he could cause it to become somehow even worse, that the millions dying in abject agony would curse his name in their last dissolving breath, it ached his chest.

Pouring the water into his mouth, feeling the relief that it had given to life since its inception, he steeled his resolve. These dreams served the purpose of reinforcing his death march, at least that was what he believed. Showing him what would come about if the most horrible weapon crafted by human hands escaped his, the world of death it would forge.

As he finished his drink, a thought caught in his mind. Those beasts, why were they so consistent? If they were a symbol of a possible world, a reality that could be, surely they would have shifted and warped in his dreaming mind? But the appearance of one from a previous vision carried an odd continuity, making them seem far more real than a conjured thought form.

As he left the glass on the counter, he looked at it for a few moments. The last nighttime drink he’d ever have, the final quenching of a parched throat.

He took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.

It was not like he wanted to die. Despite his circumstances with Emiko and the potential end of all things sitting in his basement, Serizawa was not suicidal. Life had been harsh to him, but he wanted to live it, to do whatever he could to make it better for others.

As he returned to bed, he wondered if there was another way. But nothing came to mind, for the sake of the world, he would die in the morning. Perhaps then, he would be able to atone for all he had done.

Sleep claimed him. But peace would not.

***

Once more, two eyes saw the world, betraying that he was dreaming again. But this time, his subconscious mind made no effort to hide that he was no longer dwelling in reality.

Fires crackled in the dense jungle, but they did not burn him. Gun in hand, he marched forwards, uncaring of the distant sounds of conflict. This island was a slaughterhouse, and he was both butcher and carcass.

Marching reached his ears, two American soldiers moving as a pair. He remembered this, did not want to relive it, but the invisible hand of his consciousness would accept no deviation.

Branches and leaves parted as they emerged into sight, catching him in their own vision as well. Guns rose, fingers pulled triggers, and bullets raced out from their barrels. One pierced a human chest, rupturing the lung and scattering shrapnel through soft tissue and veins. Another only scourged air, eventually shattering against a tree’s bark.

And the third tore through the eye of Daisuke Serizawa, splattering vitreous humor and eviscerating the network of veins and lenses that made up the organ. The two men who were struck fell down, the aspiring chemist screaming in pain as the afflicted American dropped like a scarecrow taken off his post.

In the real world, almost a decade ago, what happened next was that the other soldier hesitated for a moment, sparing his comrade a glance. Serizawa, one hand over where his eye had just been, tried aiming his gun upwards to save his own life. The still breathing man noticed and prepared to fire, shaking slightly, but a hail of gunfire between them drove him away. A small group of Japanese soldiers found Serizawa and reported his wound, having him dragged away to base camp to have it be patched up as best it could.

And all Serizawa could think of was that the last thing one of his eyes had ever seen was another man’s death, at his own hands.

But this was not reality. In this blazing, twisted mirror, the other American soldier blasted Serizawa directly in the solar plexus, a hole spewing blood like the one on the limp body opposite him. He did not fall.

Bullets from the brush tore through the standing foreign soldier, casting him into the flames. All that was left in that little clearing was Serizawa and the man he had killed.

The dead man rose to his feet.

“You want to do good? In this world?” He rasped. “After what you did to me?”

Stepping forward, he got right up to Serizawa’s face. “After what the people around you did?”

The trees began to fall, the fire still roaring as screams echoed high. Japanese soldiers moved like demons through the inferno, cutting down men with a cruel aplomb. Looking down, the dreamer saw several bodies scattered around his feet. Bullet and bayonet wounds marked their corpses, and Serizawa remembered every face.

He had given them those. His body count was minuscule compared to some of his fellow fighters in Imperial Japan’s army, but every single one gnawed at his conscience. That they were enemy soldiers did not matter, their blood should never have been spilled regardless.

The carcasses stood up as well, surrounding him, but his last victim was the only one talking. “You think you can build something wonderful with blood-soaked hands? Improve lives after having taken them?”

“I will.” He hoarsely replied. “My death will-“

“Your death will do nothing!” The revenant screamed, blood flying from his mouth. A familiar red shell peeked out from his wounded chest, crawling under his tattered uniform. “Your effort to help only created an unimaginably evil weapon, and your death will do nothing to stop it!”

“That’s not true.” He wanted to scream back, at the resounding drumbeat of his own guilt, but the strength would not rise. “I’ll die with the Oxygen Destroyer, and nothing will come of it again. I and Godzilla, that will be-“

The body of his final victim dropped, but the voice continued. “Poor, poor Serizawa. Always too late to understand. Too late to see where his oxygen research was going, to see how the love of his life was feeling, and now, to grasp the truth.”

“You think you’re the only man who could learn this dark formula?”

***

Serizawa was in a tropical forest, drifting over the vibrant grass and through the lush greenery of the trees like a spectre. He did not have control over his form, and was being pulled towards somewhere specific, as though he were on a railway. Eventually, he stopped before a tree, his eyes focusing upon a mundane scene.

An insect chewed upon a leaf. Its mandibles crushed the sinewy green, funneling the pieces down its throat. A lizard raced up the tree branch, jaws snapping around the bug’s body to crush its exoskeleton in a spray of yellow ichor. The reptile thrust its head back, swallowing the remains of the bug, just before a set of talons wrapped around its body. With a shriek, a bird carried the lizard away, landing upon the ground and bringing its beak down to split its struggling prey’s skull in half. Then, it devoured the carcass in a swift gulp. A canine raced over, sinking its teeth into the avian’s flesh. Feathers and blood flew as the bird flailed, but the dog flailed its head back and forth until life left the creature. Dropping it, then placing a paw on the corpse to hold it in place, the canine began to tear off chunks of meat. Before it could finish its meal, a sabertoothed tiger lunged upon the dog, puncturing its throat with two sickle-like fangs.

Serizawa heard a whistling sound, of something swiftly soaring through the air. A spear struck the Smilodon in the throat, the point digging into the flesh and puncturing the windpipe. Its body dropped with a whimpering screech, giving the wielder of the weapon the go-ahead to step forth. A primitive man pulled his spear out from the giant feline, being sprayed with a geyser of blood when stone-blade exited meat. He grabbed the beast and began to drag it behind him, only to drop it when footsteps rang out.

A man from an ancient civilization that Serizawa was unsure of the identity of charged in with a sword and shield. The spear-hunter thrust his weapon, which dug into the wooden shield but failed to fully penetrate. Pushing it to the side, the slightly more advanced man lunged forward and drove his sword into the guts of the caveman, who groaned as his viscera spilled.

Before the ancient warrior could celebrate his victory, another man walked in, decked in clothes from the 1800s and with an old pistol in his hand. The centuries-old weapon clicked as it shot a ball of lead from its muzzle, breaking through shield, leather, and muscle tissue to punch a hole in the ancient man’s heart.

Serizawa, still like a specter, cringed as a man from his own time ran in, a light machine gun in his hand. Pointing the barrel at the colonialist’s back, he pulled the trigger, sending the man of another time to the ground in sprays of ichor. Metallic canisters flew in from unseen throws, spilling noxious gasses that made the soldier immediately begin to choke. His face bloated and changed color as his knees hit the dirt, hands grasping at his own throat.

The roar of a plane flying overhead drew the dreamer’s gaze upwards, his heart sinking. He already knew what this was, a single object dropping from its undercarriage confirming his suspicion. That lone whistle of a heavy object falling filled the air, before being replaced by an ungodly detonation. Walls of heat and pressure rolled over the forest, reducing it to nothing. Serizawa watched as what was once vibrant beauty became a flattened ruin of black ash, only decorated by wisps of fire.

A booming roar followed, footfalls like dropping bombshells ringing out as Godzilla stomped through the wasteland and kicking up plumes of dust. The leviathan’s eyes met Serizawa’s, and he marched towards him. The dreamer wanted to run, his instincts commanded it, but he could not move. Daisuke Serizawa was merely an observer.

Before Godzilla could reach him, a certain device rolled across the ground. A tube of glass containing a grey steel ball, connected by pipes to twin ends of the same material. The Oxygen Destroyer.

His Oxygen Destroyer.

The orb in the center split open, and from it crawled forth hordes of crimson crustaceans. Clattering legs beat against the glass for a moment before it broke under the internal pressure, letting them flood out in endless waves. Instead of going in all directions, however, they began to tower upwards. Shifting and roiling like a mass of gelatin, the trillions of lifeforms rose above Godzilla, who stepped back. Serizawa could tell the menace to Tokyo was just as afraid as he was.

Suddenly, the swarm was replaced by a flashing cluster of lights. Godzilla averted his eyes, while Serizawa wished he could. But he could only stare transfixed as the shimmering madness faded, and in its place was a monster twice and half against Godzilla’s height.

From behind, it resembled a ridged mountain of dark purple. Immense wings extended from its back, obscuring huge spikes protruding from the bulky shoulders. With a piercing screech, like every scream in a dying city at once, it lunged a pincer-tipped tail forth to wrap it around Godzilla’s neck. The monster that had plunged the land of the rising sun into fear, had burned an entire city to the ground in one night, was lifted like a toy by the child of Serizawa’s hubris. Screaming and flailing, Godzilla tried to fight, but it was pointless as the limb swung downwards, smashing him into the dirt like a meteor. Dirt and burnt debris flew like water droplets as the legend of Odo Island screeched.

Turning, the incarnation of destruction revealed more of itself to Serizawa. Unlike its arthropodic predecessors, this version bore two thick, spike-covered legs to support its bulk. Three claws protruded from the ends of its arms, a triangular implement of death which it brought down around Godzilla’s neck before lifting him up.

The face was unchanged from the flying form, still a hideous rictus grin of needles and eyes that bubbled with hatred and decay. Looking upon the full form of his monster, Serizawa was reminded of the mountain of knives that murderers were forced to climb in the Chinese idea of Hell. The deaths at his hands were not for pleasure, and most would not consider them to be without just cause, the requirements of actually being cast into that perdition; but in the chemist’s mind, it was all the same.

Beating its wings, the destroyer took off, carrying the panicking Godzilla into the sky. The terror in the monster’s voice, in his frantic flailing, Serizawa could not help but imagine how Godzilla would feel when the Oxygen Destroyer was activated next to him.

Releasing its prey, the embodied end watched Godzilla plummet to the ground below, falling miles before landing with a catastrophic crash. Laughing harshly, a noise that grinded against the man’s soul like sandpaper, the monster charged its beam. Violet devastation billowed in its throat, ready to be unleashed.

An Oxygen Destroyer Ray. Perhaps that was a fitting name for the beast itself, the only word that could describe a lifeform such as this.

Destroyer.

Like a lance cast down from the gods, the purple ray of concentrated anti-life descended, tearing into Godzilla with a mighty explosion. The booming crescendo of his death knell, likely the same noise he’d make in real life when the capsule opened and everything that was him became bubbles in the ocean, rocked Heaven and Earth.

Flesh melted under the violet stream, giving way to muscle dissolving and bone decaying. Without a single soul in the world but the one who created his killer mourning him, Godzilla died in abject misery and pain.

Destroyer crashed to the ground before Serizawa, splitting the earth beneath its monolithic feet. Rising to its full height, it stared down at its maker. White mist billowed off its body, tainting the air around it.

“I didn’t create you, I didn’t want to make anything like you!” Serizawa screamed at the unresponsive monstrosity. “I will not! With my demise, the Oxygen Destroyer will be gone forever, you will never-“

The monster beyond monsters breathed in, before raising its head to the sky in an omnipresent screech. Serizawa had no ears to cover, so he was forced to endure the full sound, but that was not the worst part. The firmament split like a curtain, unveiling a dead sky of purple. The dirt beneath him cracked and greyed, as if every bit of nutrients within was removed.

And he saw, between him and Destroyer, a line of scientists. Faceless, nameless, they passed an object between their hands. As they did so, they would add pieces to the contraption, glass, metal tubes, pill-like capsules within, all forming a familiar shape as it reached him.

Destroyer lurched downwards, observing with a sick curiosity. The line ended just in front of Daisuke, and when the device reached the last man, it was the Oxygen Destroyer. Minute differences in design, but unmistakably that accursed weapon.

“But, I won’t let another soul know of its intricacies! The method to create the Oxygen Destroyer dies with-“ he trailed off, remembering the words of his past dream.

“You think you’re the only man who could learn this dark formula?”

“No,” he whispered. “No, no, no.” He tried to back away, but he was anchored in place, forced to stare at a man he did not know holding the superweapon and the consequences of it all looming over them both.

Of course. How could he believe something so naive, so self-centered?

He could burn his notes, take his own life, he could even not let the Oxygen Destroyer be used a single time.

But he could not prevent another intellectual mind discovering exactly what he did. Following the same path to building the antithesis of life, and bringing about the future he dreaded and sought to halt.

“Will you be another like me?” He looked upon the faceless scientist holding his magnum opus, voice a low whisper as all vigor was gone. “A man just wanting to make this world better, and instead finding a way to make it as awful as possible? Or will you want that, uncaring of the lives lost as your pockets are lined so much as to burst?”

The looming nightmare rose back up.

“Does it even matter? When humanity’s desire to kill each other reaches its pinnacle, the step beyond the nuclear bomb, which can already end this world, will anyone care why you did it? When from the lifeless wastes emerges that abomination to erase whoever was spared, will the last words that leave their mouths be asking why you made it, or cursing you for bringing it into the world? Will they even know it was you, or will the man who broke the lid off of Pandora’s Box merely fade into the background?”

Upon Destroyer’s chest was an array of spikes in a circular pattern, as if the petals of a horrific flower. They began to shift, blossoming to reveal a crater in the monster’s abdomen.

“Will my sacrifice even be remembered, when it failed to do anything but buy humanity some more time?”

Crimson light radiated from the living extinction’s chest.

“Forgive me!” Serizawa shouted to the dead world. “I’m sorry, God I’m sorry! I wanted to heal humanity’s wounds, not pour poison into them!” He sobbed, begging for anything other than what was staring him in the face. “Are we all doomed? Is humanity bound to destroy itself no matter what I or anyone else does?”

As if to answer, Destroyer released the building power in its chest. Everything became red, as blood, as rust, as a dying star.

***

Serizawa awoke, but his heart and mind still felt like they were paralyzed. What he had seen smothered thought like a layer of ash to the lungs. The Sun had arisen on the day of his self-ordained execution.

A miasma of negative emotion clouded his mind, but one thought managed to break through.

“I still must go.”

***

The crowd’s voices blurred into a wall of background noise as Serizawa approached, the sea spray filling his nostrils with the salty scent as the docked boat rocked in the waves. At his side, a briefcase containing the Oxygen Destroyer, the handle of which the chemist grasped with white knuckles.

He stood still for a moment, at the outskirts of the gathered masses. He was going to die, and for nothing but more time for humanity. That thought shackled his feet to the floor, making him unable to move.

A hand clapped his shoulder, startling him slightly. “Getting cold feet?” Ogata asked with a smile, blissfully unaware of the raging turmoil inside Serizawa, nor the response that seeing him brought after the sailor’s fate in the chemist’s dream.

It broke some of the ice off Serizawa’s soul. “You could say that.” He nervously chuckled. “Didn’t have the best night’s sleep.” He put up a fake smile, likely an obvious one, but if Ogata noticed, he did not say anything.

“Hmm, not surprising. Big day, hard to get to sleep when something like this is on your mind.” The sailor stated with understanding. “Hope it was enough to get this done, cause I don’t think they’ll be happy if we reschedule.”

“That bad?”

“They’re ravenous.” Hideto replied. “You gave them something to hope for.”

“I… I suppose I did.”

“Are you ok?” Ogata asked. It was clear Serizawa had more on his back than all of Japan’s faith.

“Is this… worth it?” The chemist responded, every word chosen carefully. “If we kill Godzilla today, how do we know a new one will not emerge? Or some other monster born of atomic bomb testing? What if he is merely the first stone to fall in an avalanche?”

That was not his actual concern, but it aligned well enough. He just needed a second voice, a beacon to follow. He’d come here today because he had no other choice, perhaps some part of him did believe it was worth it, but he needed a foundation to stand upon.

Ogata took a moment to think. “I think that is a reasonable fear to have, but much like with your hesitation with the Oxygen Destroyer, we have to deal with the problems that are right before us before we can address possibilities.”

“But if we never look forward beyond the immediate issue, we’ll accomplish nothing.” It would do him no good to just spout off everything in his mind, as much as wanted to, but he would come across as a maniac. Chitinous demons spraying concentrated death, his own fears and mental struggles with his past actions.

“That’s true. But if we look past that which hangs directly over us in chasing what could be, instead of dealing with what is, neither will get fixed. Humanity is in for a tumultuous second half of the century, and even beyond, I can feel it even with what we’re going to do today. And that’s going to go on even after we’re dead, and our children,” that made Serizawa flinch, the realization that he was going to die without an heir, and Ogata had no clue of it, “will too. And it’s our responsibility to make sure they can take on the problems they’ll have, and if we leave Godzilla alone, if we let anything that follows him do whatever it pleases, they won’t even get the chance.”

“But what if we leave them something they cannot take on? A problem so tremendous, that we could have stopped if we knew?” Serizawa realized why he was here as the words left his mouth.

He could not stop that dark future, no matter what he did. So did he come here to not see that future, to die well before the whole world did?

Ogata pondered for several seconds, struggling to find the right words. He knew this man was hiding something in his soul, but it would do no good to pry.

“There he is!” A reporter shouted, alerting the crowd to Serizawa’s presence. Like a herd of animals they approached, making Ogata cursed under his breath.

“Have faith. Every generation learns something new, and can take on the world in a way the previous could not. I wish I had a more satisfying answer for you, but even after this is all said and done, I don’t know if I can give you one.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Serizawa grimly replied. The crowd surrounded them, Ogata waving them away as the two men walked through.

Perhaps this would be the last time the Oxygen Destroyer was used. Maybe it was only the first time, of many. The future was not written down, twirling in countless possible directions. It was both wondrous and frustrating.

If it was the only act of good he performed in his life, or a futile kicking against his and everyone else’s damnation, he would not know. As they boarded the boat, he looked down into the waters that would soon be his grave. He watched as Ogata ran over to Emiko and talked to her, the love they felt for each other clear as day.

At least he would preserve the good things in this world, if only for a short time. Perhaps from that, his fears would never reach past his mind. Daisuke Serizawa would do what he could, and that would be enough for him.

Now was not the time for regrets. Taking them to the grave was the worst thing one could do.

Author’s note. Before we begin, I wish to thank the following individuals for their contributions to this article: Ed Godziszewski, for generously sharing research and memorabilia from his collection, all of which is marked as such in captions; Mariko Godziszewski, for translating research material; and Erik Homenick, for sharing information and fact-checking my comments on Akira Ifukube’s scores for The Three Treasures (1959) and Buddha (1961).

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I’ve said this before for these reviews, but it’s a bit mind blowing sometimes that we can have a hot sauce released outside of Japan based on more obscure characters from Toho’s science fiction films. Case in point, this hot sauce for Manda from Atragon (1963), as the cover even depicts the creature battling the Gotengo. Now in terms of this review, I actually had high hopes for this particular sauce. I wasn’t expecting a great flavor, but I was expecting a nice heat to it. As someone who loves very hot things, the 10/10 rating and the warning that this would be painful had my interest. Unfortunately, this sauce doesn’t quite rise from the depths to meet those expectations. While it has a few redeeming qualities, its heat in contrast to the warning label and overall flavor leave something to be desired.

As a side note, not sure if it’s just mine, but the label was a normal label with a sticker of the Manda versus Gotengo design placed on top of it. I didn’t have the courage to rip it off, maybe as I finish and I will update this review. Anyway, it comes off as a bit cheap, but guessing there was a production or legal reason that they changed the label and had to do this workaround approach. Anyway, if you squint in the image below, you can see the “double labels” on the bottle toward the top (easiest to see on the left where it’s dark in the image). (more…)

Main Page – Multimedia Archive – Side Trips – Combatant Statistics – Forms, Assists & Enhancements – Announced Page – Combatant Skins – FAQ – Continuity Registry – Studio Tour – Creator Sorting – K.W.C.E.

The KWC has many combatants, who can vary in appearance. But the main page would be flooded by all the images that would need to be posted in order to showcase them all. Fortunately, that’s where this page comes in! So scroll down and look at all of the combatants’ skins to your heart’s content. Divided into skins from their source material and skins from other sources.

This page would become overly cluttered if every last recolored Bandai or similar figure was included, so it has been decided that the best course of action is to just list a few recolors from differing brands. If you wish to use an official recolor not listed, feel free to include an image of it along with your submission so we know what you have in mind.

 

Alien Baltan

Source Skins

Generation 1; Generation 2; Generation 3

 

Alien Guts

Source Skins

Showa; Heisei

 

Alien Mefilas (Universal)

Source Skins

Generation 1; Generation 2; Shin Ultraman

Other Skins

Ultraman Super Fighter (OVA)

 

Alien Zarab

Source Skins

Showa; Heisei; New Generation; Shin Ultraman

 

Anguirus (Universal)

Source Skins

Showa 1st Generation; Showa 2nd Generation (1968-1972; 1974); Heisei (scrapped concept); Godzilla: Final Wars

Other Skins

Godzilla Raids Again poster; Trendmasters (toyline); IDW comics; “Prehistoric” (IDW comics); Bandai recolor (figure); Godzilla: Monster of Monsters (Video Game); Bandai recolor (Figure); The Volcano Monsters (scrapped American production); Godzilla: War for Humanity (Comic Book); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Armored Titan

Other Skins

Concept art

 

Ant-Man

Source Skins

Ant-Man; Giant-Man; Goliath; Wasp; Yellowjacket

Other Skins

Marvel Cinematic Universe; MCU What If Yellowjacket; Ultimates (2024, Comic line); Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (TV Show)

 

Antlar

Other Skins

Kaiju Remix Series (Model)

 

Arcee (Universal)

Source Skins

Generation 1; Skybound comics; War for Cybertron; IDW comics; Marvel; Shattered Glass; Dreamwave; Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

 

Bagan

Source Skins

 

Godzilla Studio Tour; Super Godzilla; Godziban (Demon Beast, Powered Up State, Beast)

Other Skins

Version A (concept art); Version B (concept art); Transitional Art (Godziban – Mothra vs. Bagan: Prologue); Bandai Game recolor (figure)

 

Baragon (Universal)

Source Skins

Showa 1st Generation; Showa 2nd Generation; Millennium version

Other Skins

Trendmasters (Toyline); Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters (Video Game); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Battra

Other Skins

Concept Art; Godzilla Unleashed PS2 (Video Game); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Bemular

Source Skins

Main; Ultraman Rising

Other Skins

Kaiju Remix Series (Model)

 

Bender

Source Skins

Original; Alternate universe

 

Biollante

Other Skins

 

Trendmasters (Toyline); IDW (Godzilla Rivals: Biollante vs. Destoroyah; Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors); Kaiju Daikessen (Video Game); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

 

Blitzwing

Source Skins

Generation 1; Bumblebee; IDW; Marvel; Shattered Glass; Dreamwave

 

Bowser

Other Skins

The Super Mario Bros Movie; Super Smash Bros Melee alternate skins; Super Smash Bros Brawl alternate skin; Super Smash Bros Ultimate alternate skins; King Koopa (Super Mario Bros Super Show, cartoon)

 

Cthulhu

Source Skins

Death May Die; Call of Cthulhu (Original Story, derived from Funko Pop! Blitz (Video Game)); Puzzle and Dragons (Video Game); Tower of Saviors (Video Game); Monster Strike (Video Game)

 

Dada

Other Skins

Kaiju Remix Series (Model)

 

Destoroyah

Other Skins

Concept art; Gigabash alternate skins 2 – 4 (video game); Godzilla Generations: Maximum Impact (video game); Shogakukan Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (manga adaptation of film); Joku Productions (Model); Poster, adapted into a model by Monkey/Rat Studios; Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Devastator

Source Skins

Generation 1; IDW comics; Skybound; Shattered Glass; Marvel; Dreamwave

 

Deviljho

Source Skins

Monster Hunter generation 3; Generation 5

Other Skins

Aberrant Deviljho (Monster Hunter Explore)

 

Dragonzord

Other Skins

Black and Gold (Figure); Flame Toys Dragonzord (Figure); Promethea’s Dragonzord (Boom! Studios Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, comic book)

 

Ebirah (Universal)

Other Skins

Monster Island Summer Camp (comic); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Eleking

Source Skins

 

Original; Ultraman Max; Modern

 

Elita-1

Source Skins

Generation 1; Dreamwave; IDW; Marvel; Skybound; Transformers One; War for Cybertron

 

Ender Dragon

Source Skins

 

Main; Beta Version

Other Skins

T-Shirt design

 

Evangelion Unit 00

Source Skins

Blue Armor; Orange Armor (Series); Rebuild of Evangelion

Other Skins

Metal Build (Figure)

 

Evangelion Unit 01

Source Skins

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Series); Rebuild of Evangelion

Other Skins

Prime 1 Studio Josh Nizzi (Figure); Metal Build (Figure); Godzilla color scheme (Figure); Mechagodzilla color scheme (Figure); Natayanagi version (Figure); CCP Japan x Yoshi (Model)

 

Evangelion Unit 02

Source Skins

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Series); End of Evangelion; Rebuild of Evangelion

Other Skins

Prime 1 Studio Josh Nizzi (Figure); Metal Build (Figure); CCP Japan x Yoshi (Model)

 

Frankenstein (Universal)

Other Skins

Monstrum Üpsilon (Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre #3); Fortnite (In-game Default and Vintage cosmetics); The Great Yokai War: Guardians

 

 

Gamera (Heisei)

Source Skins

 

1995; 1996; 1999; “Nightmare” Gamera (G3)

Other Skins

Bahamut Greed (mobile game); Outlaw Factory (Model); CCP Middle recolors (Figures)

 

Gamera (Reiwa)

Source Skins

 

Base; Corrupted/Ancient

Other Skins

2015 Gamera short

 

Gan-Q

Other Skins

Kaiju Remix Series (Model)

 

Gigan (Universal)

Source Skins

Godzilla vs. Gigan; Godzilla vs. Megalon; Godzilla: Final Wars

Other Skins

Deathtrigger Gigan (Concept Art, made into a figure); Gigabash Alternate Skins 2 – 4; Trendmasters (Toyline); Kaiju Daikessen (Video Game); CCP Middle recolors (Figures)

 

Ghost Godzilla

Source Skins

Godzilla (1954); actual suit color

Other Skins

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (1956) poster; Snickers commercial; Original maquette (Adapted into Figure); Bandai Art and Retro Colors (Figures); CCP Middle recolor (Figure)

 

Godzilla (Heisei)

Source Skins

   

1984; 1989 – 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; G vs. G (2019 Short); Gemstone

Other Skins

   

Dark Horse Comics; Godzilla: Monster of Monsters coloration (figure); Gigabash alternate skins 2 – 3 (video game); New Godzilla (Scrapped Godzilla vs. Destoroyah concept); Godzilla vs. Charles Barkley commercial; Cybot Godzilla (Figure); Dr. Pepper commercial; Monsters and Protectors (Comic); Rivals: Vs King Ghidorah (Comic); Gangsters and Goliaths (Comic); Bandai recolor (Figure); Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters (Video Game); Kaiju Wars VR (Video Game)

 

Godzilla (Legendary)

Source Skins

2014; 2019 – 2024; Dagon (Godzilla: Aftershock comic book)

Other Skins

Fortnite (Video Game); Godzilla Kaiju Collection, red version (Video Game)

 

Godzilla (Millennium)

Source Skins

1999; 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003; 2004

Other Skins

 

Godzilla: Domination (video game); IDW Trilogy; Godzilla: Legends; “Nightmare” IDW; Concept art of 2004; Super Robot Wars; Godzilla 2000 concept art adapted into figures; Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game); Godzilla: Final Wars poster, made into an X-Plus (Figure)

 

Godzilla (Reiwa)

Other Skins

Crayon Shin-chan (Anime); Special Color SH Monsterarts (Figure); Orthochromatic recolor (Figure); Passiontank recolor (Figure)

 

Godzilla (Showa)

Source Skins

 

1955; 1962; 1964; 1965 – 1966; 1967; 1968 – 1972; 1973; 1974 – 1975; Marvel 616; “Mutant” Godzilla (Marvel comics); Mighty Avengers (Comic); Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe (Comic)

Other Skins

The Volcano Monsters (scrapped American production); A Space Godzilla (scrapped draft adapted into short story); Escape from the Hotel with Godzilla Approaching (escape room); Godzilla: Monster of Monsters (video game); Shogun Warriors (Figure); Monster Island Summer Camp (Comic); Tatsuki Nakamura art recolor (Figure); Monkey/Rat Studios (Model); Gigabrain recolors (Figures); CCP Middle recolors (Figures)

 

Godzilla Earth

Other Skins

Bandai recolor (Figure); X-Plus recolor (Figure)

 

Godzilla Junior

Other Skins

Godzilla Island

 

Goldar

Source Skins

“Grifforzer” Suit; 1st American Suit; 2nd American Suit; MMPR Movie suit

Other Skins

Player 2 Colors (Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition) (Video Games)

 

Gomora

Source Skins

Original; Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero; Ultraman Max; Modern

Other Skins

Ichiban Kuji (Figure); Kaiju Remix Series (Model)

 

Gore Magala

Source Skins

Tenth Angel Gore Magala (Monster Hunter Explore)

 

Gorosaurus

Source Skins

King Kong Escapes; Destroy All Monsters

Other Skins

IDW

 

Gotengo

Source Skins

 

Atragon; Godzilla Final Wars (Upgraded); Godzilla Final Wars (Original); Sazer-X 

Other Skins

Godzilla Island

Grimlock

Source Skins

Generation 1; IDW comics; Marvel comics; Shattered Glass; Dreamwave

 

Gyaos (Showa)

Source Skins

Original; Space Gyaos

Other Skins

CCP Middle recolor (Figure)

 

Gyaos (Universal)

Source Skins

Original; Super; Hyper; Rebirth

Other Skins

2015 Gamera short; CCP Middle recolor (Figure)

 

Hedorah (Universal)

Other Skins

   

Bandai recolors (figure); Gigabrain recolors (figure); CCP Middle recolors (Figure); Godzilla: Monster of Monsters (Video Game); Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters (Video Game); Concept art, adapted into a model by Life Name Club

 

Indominus Rex

Other Skins

Level 40, Generation 2 (Jurassic World: The Game); Amazon Rainforest, Champlain Valley, Death Valley, Gambia River Basin, Great Sandy Desert, Limpopo River, Mangrove Forest, Qilan Forest, Salar del Huasco, Sonoran Desert, Svalbard, Yukon River, Lux (Jurassic World Evolution); Blue and Green Brawlasaur (toyline); concept art; Malusaurus (scrapped concept); Diabolus Rex (scrapped concept)

 

Iris

Other Skins

HMA Variant Monsters (Model, standard and moonlight); Outlaw Studios (Model)

 

Jet Jaguar (Showa)

Other Skins

Here There Be Aliens (Comic); Retro Color Bandai (Figure); Tatara Arts (Model); Gigabrain recolors (Figure)

 

Jiger

Other Skins

Trendmasters (Toyline); CR Gamera: The Battle Pachinko (Video Game)

 

Kamacuras (Universal)

Other Skins

IDW comics; Rulers of Earth (comic); Trendmasters (Toyline); Monster Island Summer Camp (Comic)

 

Kamen Rider (Universal)

Other Skins

Kamen Rider: The First; Kamen Rider: The Next

 

Kemur Man

Other Skins

Kaiju Remix Series (Model)

 

King Caesar (Universal)

Other Skins

Godzilla: Final Wars concept art; Godzilla Unleashed (Video Game)

 

King Ghidorah (Universal)

Source Skins

 

60s; 70s; Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

Other Skins

Trendmasters (Toyline); Promotional Stills; FrankenGhidorah (Here There Be Aliens); Kaiju Daikessen (Video Game); Gigabash skins 2 – 4 (Video Game); Gigabrain recolors (Figures); Godzilla Unleashed (Video Game); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

King Kong (Showa)

Source Skins

King Kong vs. Godzilla; King Kong Escapes

Other Skins

The King Kong Show

Kiryu

Source Skins

 

2002; 2003

Other Skins

Evangelion Unit 01 paintjob (figure; Super Robot Wars); Evangelion Unit 02 paintjob (figure; Godzilla: Battle Line); Gigabash alternate skins 2 – 4 (video game); Black Kiryu (Figure, 2002 & 2003); Metal Build (Figure); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Kong (Legendary)

Source Skins

1970s; 1990s; 2020s; Kong’s Mother and Father (Skull Island: Birth of Kong, comic); “The Rival” (Godzilla: Dominion, comic)

Other Skins

Kong: Skull Island concept art

 

Legion

Other Skins

Concept art

 

Maguma

Other Skins

IDW comics

 

Manda

Source Skins

Atragon; Destroy All Monsters; Final Wars

Other Skins

IDW comics; Godzilla Monster of Monsters (Video Game); NES; Trendmasters (Toyline); War for Humanity (Comic); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Mass Production Evangelion Units

Other Skins

Prime 1 Studio Josh Nizzi (Model); CCP Japan x Yoshi (Model)

 

Mazinger Z

Other Skins

Prime 1 Studio Josh Nizzi (Figure)

 

Mechagodzilla (Heisei)

Other Skins

Trendmasters (Toyline); Kingdom of Monsters (Comic); Red Dragon (Figure); Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2 Shogakukan manga adaptation; Hocolobito Studios (Model)

 

Mechagodzilla (Legendary)

Other Skins

Military Camouflage (concept art)

 

Mechagodzilla (Showa)

Source Skins

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla; Terror of Mechagodzilla

Other Skins

Black Mechagodzilla (Godzilla Island); Kaiju Daikessen (Video Game); Bandai recolor (Figure); CCP Middle recolors (Figures)

 

Mecha-King Ghidorah

Other Skins

Trendmasters (Toyline); Godzilla Unleashed (Video Game); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

Mechani-Kong

Source Skins

King Kong Escapes; The King Kong Show (Cartoon)

 

Megaguirus

Other Skins

Bandai theater exclusive (figure); Bandai (figure); “Prehistoric” (IDW comics); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Megalon

Other Skins

Godzilla Domination (Video Game); Trendmasters (Toyline); Kaiju Daikessen (Video Game); Retro Color Bandai (Figure); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Megatron

Source Skins

 

Generation 1; IDW comics; Marvel; Transformers One; Prime Wars; Shattered Glass; Skybound comics; War for Cybertron; IDW comics Autobot version; IDW comics gladiator; Dreamwave

Other Skins

Fortnite; Original Beast Wars (Scrapped Concept)

 

Megatron (Beast Wars)

Source Skins

 

Transformers: Beast Wars; IDW; War for Cybertron

 

Megazord

Other Skins

Black Megazord (Figure); Flame Toys Megazord (Figure)

 

Monster X

Other Skins

Gigabrain recolors (Figures); Hocolobito Studios (Model)

 

Mothra (Heisei)

Source Skins

Godzilla vs. Mothra: Battle For Earth; Rebirth of Mothra

Other Skins

Kaiju Daikessen (Video Game); Monsters and Protectors (Comic)

 

Mothra (Legendary)

Source Skins

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019); Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

 

Mothra (Universal)

Source Skins

Mothra (1961); Mothra vs Godzilla; Ebirah, Horror of the Deep; Godzilla: Tokyo SOS; Godzilla: Final Wars

Other Skins

Ebirah: Horror of the Deep poster; Godzilla: Monster of Monsters (video game); Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters (video game); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Mt. Lady

Main story; Epilogue

 

MUTO (Female)

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Base; Queen MUTO (Godzilla: King of the Monsters)

 

Neronga

Source Skins

Mainline; Shin Ultraman; Ultraman Rising

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Kaiju Remix Series (Model)

 

Omnidroid

Source Skins

Omnidroid v8; Omnidroid v9; Omnidroid v10

 

Orga

Other Skins

Bandai recolor (Figure); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Optimus Primal

Source Skins

 

Transformers: Beast Wars; Rise of the Beasts; IDW; War for Cybertron

 

Optimus Prime

Source Skins

   

Generation 1; Bumblebee; IDW comics; Marvel; Prime Wars; Skybound comics; Transformers One; War for Cybertron; Shattered Glass; Dreamwave

Other Skins

Ghostbusters; Evangelion 01

 

Rathalos/Rathian

Source Skins

Monster Hunter generation 1-2; Generation 3-4; Generation 5-6

Other Skins

Conflagration Rathian (Monster Hunter Online)

 

Rayquaza

Source Skins

Baseline; Shiny

 

Red King

Source Skins

Generation 1; Generation 2; Generation 3; The☆Ultraman; Ultraman the Ultimate Hero (Female and Male); Ultraman Max; Modern

Other Skins

Kaiju Remix Series x James Groman (Model); Monkey/Rat Studios (Model)

 

Rodan (Universal)

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Showa Generation 1; Showa Generation 2; Heisei; Millennium

Other Skins

IDW Comics; Godzilla Domination (video game); Trendmasters (toyline); White Rodan (Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II scrapped draft); Rodan (1956) concept art

 

Piccolo

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Piccolo Junior; Demon King Piccolo

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Namekian in Black (Dragon Ball Heroes)

 

Sachiel

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Prime 1 Studio Josh Nizzi (Model); CCP Japan x Yoshi (Model)

Scorpina

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Player 2 colors (Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, video game); Commander Scorpina (Boom! Studios Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, comic book)

 

Sentinel

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Marvel vs Capcom 2 (Video Game); Marvel vs Capcom 3 alternate skins (Video Game)

 

Shin Getter Robo

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Standard; Shin Getter Robo Tarak (Getter Robo Arc, anime)

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Riobot Prototype, standard, and Tarak (Figure); Threezero (Figure)

 

Shockwave

Source Skins

 

Generation 1; War for Cybertron; Bumblebee; IDW comics; Marvel; Shattered Glass; Skybound comics; Transformers One; Dreamwave

 

Skullcrawler

Source Skins

Main; Subject Number 10 (Godzilla vs. Kong)

Other Skins

Skullcrawler Swarm (Godzilla x Kong: Titan Chasers, Video Game)

 

Soundwave

Source Skins

 

Generation 1; Transformers One; Skybound comics; War for Cybertron; Bumblebee; IDW comics; Marvel; Shattered Glass; Dreamwave

Other Skins

Hatsune Miku colors (Blockees, Figure)

 

SpaceGodzilla

Other Skins

Trendmasters (toyline); Bandai recolor (figure); IDW comics; Neo Player One (Figure); concept art; Poster (Adapted into a model by Susuki Garage); CCP Middle recolors (Figures); Godzilla Unleashed (Video Game); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

Starscream

Source Skins

   

Generation 1; Transformers One; Prime Wars; Shattered Glass; Skybound comics; War for Cybertron; IDW; Marvel; Dreamwave

 

Thundatross

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Alt. Colors (GigaBash)

 

 

Tiamat

Source Skins

 

Godzilla Dominion; Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

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Kong: Survivor Instinct (Video Game)

Titanosaurus

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Mothra: Queen of the Monsters (Comic); Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (Video Game)

 

 

Torterra

Source Skins

Anime; Detective Pikachu; Shiny

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Concept art

 

Ultra Magnus

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Generation 1; Dreamwave (Armored and armorless); Marvel; Shattered Glass; Skybound; War for Cybertron

 

Ultraman (Universal)

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A-type; B-type; C-type; Ultraman Dark; Shin Ultraman (Merged with a human/Unmerged)

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Ultraman Super Fighter (OVA); Shin Ultraman prototype / initial draft; Ultraman_n/a (Short Film)

 

Ultraman Taro

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Ultraman Super Fighter (OVA)

 

Ultraman Tiga

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Baseline; Tiga Dark

 

Ultraman Zero

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Ultraseven AX (Concept)

 

Ultraseven

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Baseline; Ultraseven Dark; Ultraseven X

 

Utsuno Ikusagami

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Yamato Takeru Vol. 2 (Shogakukan manga)

 

Varan (Universal)

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Showa 1st Generation; Showa 2nd Generation; Scrapped 2001 version

Other Skins

Godzilla: Monster of Monsters (video game); Varan poster; Trendmasters (toyline); Toho Apparel (art by IGUNUK17 on X/Twitter and Instagram); Godzilla Unleashed (Video Game)

 

Viras

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Dark Horse comics; Trendmasters (Toyline); CR Gamera: The Battle Pachinko (Video Game)

 

Wheeljack

Source Skins

 

Generation 1; Bumblebee; Dreamwave; IDW Comics; Marvel; Shattered Glass; Skybound; War for Cybertron

 

Zetton (Showa)

Other Skins

ULTRAMAN (Anime); Kaiju Remix Series (Model)

 

Zigra

Other Skins

Dark Horse comics; Trendmasters (Toyline); CR Gamera: The Battle Pachinko (Video Game)

 

Zilla

Source Skins

Godzilla (1998); Godzilla: The Series; Godzilla: Final Wars

Other Skins

IDW (Godzilla: Rulers of Earth); Godzilla Trading Battle (Video Game)

 

Authors: Jolene Steinard & Alex Williams | Banner: Matthew Freese

“With you, I will finally be rid of those pesky Autobots! Now, go, annihilate them; oh Great King of the Monsters!”

Those were the last words spoken by the mighty Decepticon leader, Megatron, before being reduced to a charred head on the ground of a destroyed city.

In one of his schemes to conquer Earth and kill the Autobots once and for all, Megatron decided that he should control the Earth’s mightiest defender. With the assistance of the Insecticon mind-controller, Bombshell, the Decepticon leader lured the beast to New York City. A battle between his forces and their mortal enemies had already been taking place there.

The Insecticon had planted a cerebro-shell, a device that allowed him to manipulate life forms, on the Titan while he was sleeping at the bottom of the sea. Together, Megatron and Bombshell called the king of monsters to the city with the assumption that he would do exactly as they said.

How wrong they were.

The almighty leader didn’t even get a chance to wonder what went wrong before a blue ray shot him down where he stood.

Not long after Megatron’s death, his second in command, Starscream, was the next to be killed. As the treacherous sky commander was announcing his promotion to the position of leader, the monster had grabbed him in his claws, crushing the new leader into a ball of flames while Starscream was still in his jet mode.

One by one, the Seekers he had commanded were destroyed as they attempted to shoot the beast down in a valiant attempt to avenge Megatron. As loyal as they were, Skywarp and Thundercracker were no match for a sweeping blast of the monster’s atomic breath.

Confusion and anger filled the remaining Decepticons’ minds as the Autobots started to panic. The evil robots tried shooting their purple blasts at the beast, but most didn’t make it.

One Autobot decided that he should take a stand amidst the terror that was wrecking the city. To protect the people of Earth like he had sworn once he met them, to help his brethren, to make sure the one he once called “brother” rested easily.

“If I do not return… ‘til all are one.”

Those were the last words of the Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, before meeting the same fate as his counterpart as he tried to calm down the monster.

Godzilla.

Bodies of humans and Cybertronians alike were scattered across the devastated city as Godzilla continued his attack on both races. It had seemed as if the last peacekeeping Autobots had fallen. Sparking and charred corpses of the large robots from both sides littered the rubble as the monster’s rampage continued.

Around the blackened body of Optimus Prime were the corpses of his most trusted soldiers and friends. Bumblebee, Jazz, Ironhide, Prowl, Wheeljack, Cliffjumper, Gears, Huffer, and Sunstreaker all laid in jumbled messes of rubble and scrambled parts.

Further down, their medic, Ratchet, had attempted to help evacuate two humans, both of whom laid cut up and bloodied next to him as the windshield on his chest had shattered after hitting the ground.

On top of a mountain of destroyed structures, two dead giants laid, their eyes permanently shut off with gaping holes in their chests. These were the Autobot and Decepticon combiners, Superion and Menasor, who decided to put their differences aside to attempt to fight the beast that was destroying their kind. Unfortunately, their incoordination and distrust with each other was their downfall as they too met their fates.

Below them, however, were two more parts of rivals, Autobot Blaster and Decepticon Soundwave. Both were some of the most loyal of their sides and sought vengeance for their leaders, but couldn’t match the sheer power of Godzilla, even with their little companions who had perished as well, some getting completely vaporized by the atomic breath that had killed so many.

Miraculously, there were survivors, as proven by a neon green and purple dump truck and crane patrolling the area, getting close to the bodies of the two communications officers.

Both were cautious since the King of the Monsters was still roaming the ruined city, looking around for more to add to his rampaging kill count. The giant looked around the area of the combiners he had just slain, not seeing the two vehicles hiding behind the rubble, snorting as he wandered off to seek more destruction.

A sigh was heard from the crane as he saw Godzilla had his back turned, going towards the body of Blaster, hooking on to the red corpse with the metal hook. He reeled it up just to set it down into the bed of the dump truck before the two started driving off.

A loud explosion was heard soon after, making the pair turn to see a blue and black jet firing missiles and purple laser beams at the mighty Titan, making Godzilla roar in annoyance, echoing through the wasteland of a city. The two construction vehicles quickly moved out, deciding it was better to continue what they were doing than to watch another slaughter.

Soon, the two had returned to a small base of sorts, just a little area surrounded by fallen concrete, a safe place where they had hoped they wouldn’t be seen. In the middle of the base, a very angry Decepticon was on his communicator, shouting as he watched the jet fire on the Titan, sporting the same purple and green colors as the two construction vehicles.

“Damn it, Dirge! Get out of there, now! Return to Cybertron with Astrotrain, go get help!” the masked Deception yelled, holding up the communicator on his wrist to talk to his fellow ‘con. A metal face guard moved up and down as he spoke, while the crimson red visor shined in the direction of where he was looking.

“To the Pits with you, Scrapper! I’m avenging Megatron, this organic will go down with enough…” Dirge couldn’t even finish before getting smacked out of the sky by Godzilla’s tail, exploding into a ball of fire on the rubble filled ground.

The Constructicon leader growled as he helplessly watched the Seeker ignore him, getting himself killed for nothing but a false sense of pride. Scrapper turned with his finger and thumb rubbing angrily where a nose would be before noticing the return of his comrades.

“Ah! Long Haul, Hook! Did you find him?” he asked, hurriedly walking towards the pair while they transformed into robot mode.

Long Haul was a bigger bot than both, having more green than purple and the bed of his truck on his back while Hook had his signature crane hook protruding from his own back.

“Of course, as if I would ever not succeed,” the pompous Hook answered, showing half of the body of Blaster that slid from the bigger of the three’s back, prompting a sigh of relief from their leader.

“Mixmaster! Help Hook fix this communicator so we may contact them!” Scrapper ordered, causing the rest of his teammates to reveal themselves from their hiding spot.

Mixmaster, the similarly colored ‘con with a pair of blasters above his head, stepped up apart from his two companions; the oddly-masked Scavenger and broad-chested Bonecrusher, to work on the body of the fallen Autobot.

“I sure hope you know what you’re doing… I don’t like the idea of calling the Autobots to help us…” Mixmaster complained as he started disconnecting wires from Blaster’s arm while Hook worked on the chest.

“It will work, they would never miss a chance to be so noble,” Scrapper scoffed as he worked on the wires of his communicator, pulling the metal on his arm back to disconnect them.

The leader of the Constructicons knelt down to the fallen Autobot’s level, letting his compatriots connect the wires from Blaster’s wrist and chest to Scrapper’s communicator. With any luck, it would allow him to contact any of the remaining Autobots that could be at their own base.

“Alright, here it goes,” the neon green commander announced as he pressed a few buttons on his comm piece, waiting for the static to subside and to hear a voice from the other end.

The other Constructions eagerly awaited an answer, some looking around to make sure Godzilla couldn’t hear them, afraid of invoking his wrath if he knew they were there.

Suddenly, their heads all popped up to look at their leader as a voice broke the silence.

“Hello? Hello! Ultra Magnus, it’s Blaster, he is attempting to communicate!” The Autobot voice from the other end called out to his superior, likely from nearby, and it didn’t take long for him to get back to him.

“I’m here, Perceptor. I’ll take it,” Ultra Magnus replied, his voice getting closer as the transmission went along.

“Blaster, come in! Is everyone alright? We’ve been trying to get to you for hours. What happened over there?” the Autobot commander asked, making Scrapper sigh as he had to break the news to the bot.

Usually, the Constructicon leader didn’t mind telling Autobots that their comrades had fallen, in fact, it gave him joy on most occasions, but something about this felt… different. This was something that affected both sides, it had happened recently, it felt too… raw. Taking another sigh, Scrapper prepared to bring in the bad news.

“This is Constructicon Scrapper… Blaster didn’t make it. We are the only ones left,” the Decepticon solemnly said, his head hanging low while he waited for a reply, hearing static on the other end for three agonizing seconds.

“Scrapper?” an orange Autobot by the name of Hauler murmured, turning his head away from doing maintenance on a wall. He stepped forward to see the Constructicon leader relaying the situation to the Ark commander.

“No… They can’t all be… Where’s Bumblebee? Ironhide?… Optimus?” Ultra Magnus asked. It was clear from his voice that he was trying to keep his usual, stoic demeanor, but some worry had cracked into his commanding voice.

“Dead, Magnus… They’re all… dead,” Scrapper sighed as he delivered the news, putting his hand on his head while he sat on a piece of rubble, waiting another four seconds for a reply.

“What happened to them? Was this Megatron’s doing? What did you do?” Ultra Magnus’ voice turned from hints of worry to anger, making the Constructicon leader’s hand ball into a fist.

“Megatron tried to control a Titan, it backfired horribly, killing everyone no matter the side. It destroyed this city, it didn’t care who or what it killed. It was like a force of nature,” Scrapper explained, a hint of anger in his voice after the accusation from the Autobot.

“Then what do you want? Why did you call us? To mock us?” Ultra Magnus’ voice started rising as he spoke, making the Constructicon leader get more irritated.

“We’re asking you for help… We need all of the Autobots you have to help us defeat this monster,” Scrapper proposed, attempting to hide the annoyance in his voice.

More silence followed from the other end, static was occasionally broken in those seconds by indescribable voices from other members of the opposing faction before coming back to life.

“I can’t afford that risk. I don’t know if this will be a trap, not to mention the great loss that had already just occurred,” Ultra Magnus answered stoically, having called a little in those few short moments, causing a growl of irritation from the Decepticon as he stood. He nearly ripped the wires from his wrist while Mixmaster and Hook lifted the corpse enough to keep the connection.

“Magnus, please…” Hauler mentally trailed off, watching the exchange between the two. He heard the desperation in Scrapper’s voice, sensing the fear coursing through his entire body alongside the rest of the Constructicons.

“You coward! Your friends died trying to avenge your leader, the same as mine!” Scrapper paused for a moment, his words getting caught in his voice box as he talked, his gaze changing to look at his teammates, this whole situation making him realize how much greater this was than any petty conflict between the Cybertronians.

“It isn’t a trap, we simply need enough forces to destroy Godzilla, and we aren’t enough! We need your help!” The figurehead of the team ranted as he darted his head back to the communicator on his arm, his raspy voice raising so much that the other Constructicons got worried that the Titan would hear them.

“They’re not joking!” Hauler’s mind screamed out, desperately wanting to run up to Teletraan One and take control of the situation. Unfortunately, he knew by doing that, he’d make things worse for both parties at that moment.

“Godzilla? That’s more reason not to help you! Nothing can kill him, you’ll be wasting your own sparks doing that,” The Autobot commander scoffed as his voice got louder in his own anger, the sound of chatter being heard among the transmission telling how serious this was.

“Then to the Pits with you, Magnus! We’ll just fight him ourselves, and you better hope he doesn’t find you as well!” Scrapper growled in frustration before ripping the connection from his communicator and Blaster’s, sighing in defeat as he failed to recruit the Autobots.

“Damnit…” Hauler softly cursed, watching the transmission with Scrapper end. “May Primus lead them through this dark hour.”

***

Millions of years ago

The Crystal City shined in front of them, its two domes towering high and wide enough to fit several city blocks. All the while, its towers overlooked the entirety of Cybertron and the highway that’d get any Cybertronian to their destination in a matter of seconds. It was a magnificent piece of engineering that’d improve the life of every bot on the planet.

“Glorious!” Hook exclaimed, slamming his hands together with pride. “Absolutely glorious!”

“Only thanks to me and mixing the vital components to keep everything up,” Mixmaster chimed, smiling at his handy works while he placed his hand onto one of the domes of Crystal City.

“To which we had to scrap several times because of Bonecrusher’s tendencies to blow things up,” Scavenger interjected, piling all of the leftover resources into a container alongside Long Haul.

“Only to get everyone to shut up!” Bonecrusher retaliated, jabbing his finger towards his complaining teammate.

Scavenger backed away ever so slightly, feeling a small amount of fear from his brother’s rage. His joints twitched, feeling fear wash over him, until Long Haul stepped up between them, his larger frame hiding Scavenger away from their agitated companion.

“This construction job bored me,” Long Haul relayed, popping his fists as he looked down at Bonecrusher. “I could go for a fight in the ring.”

“My friends, my friends!” the eager voice of Scrapper called out as they all turned to him alongside Hauler walking towards them with a cart of Energon. “There’s no need to fight, when we can celebrate instead.”

“I’ll gladly take a drink for my amazing contribution!” Hook excitedly spoke out, snatching an Energon cube from the cart.

“Pfft!” Bonecrusher spat out before taking a gulp of fuel. “If anyone was amazing, it was Hauler, for bringing us this Energon!”

The youngest and newest Constructicon chuckled while scratching the back of his head, slightly embarrassed from his brother. “It’s nothing, you guys. Just wanted us to celebrate our hard work.”

“Bah!” Bonecrusher burped out, letting the liquid settle in his system. “It’s a day worth celebrating for the greatest achievement in Cybertronian history.”

Mixmaster chuckled at Bonecrusher’s behavior, as he leaned over and elbowed Scrapper’s side. “Seems like the ol’ Energon trick works miracles on our angry friend there.”

Scrapper snickered at the comment before sipping on his share of Energon. He moved over to his celebrating brothers, looking up at their brilliant work. The magnificent city that’d be home to all who’d wish to continue improving the quality of life for all Cybertronians. Here, sparklings could make the choice to be an engineer, a scientist, or even an artist.

It filled Scrapper’s mind with hope and optimism that Cybertron would be in good hands. He glanced over at their newest recruit, Hauler, sipping on his Energon, smiling at his handiwork. The kid was modest, a little like himself, and he was always there to provide a helping hand.

The leader of the Constructicons placed his hand on Hauler, eliciting a slight jump from him. Scrapper laughed at the gesture, before Hauler calmed himself down. “You feeling proud?”

“Me?” Hauler inquired, taking a moment to process his leader’s question. “Absolutely! What we did here is amazing, and I hope we can only continue creating even more amazing things.”

Scrapped chuckled, his excitement was completely contagious and couldn’t help but feel that sense of eagerness. “There will be plenty more elaborate projects coming our way! Don’t you worry about that!”

“I look forward to our next project!” Hauler exclaimed before Scrapper handed him another Energon cube.

“Absolutely!” Scrapper hollered out before issuing an order. “Now drink up! You earned it!”

“Don’t forget to save some for me!” a loud, booming voice echoed out, followed by loud footsteps.

The Constructicons remained still for just a moment before turning around to see their good friend, Omega Supreme, smiling brightly as the sun.

Scrapper threw his arms up passionately, happiness washing over him to see the massive orange, yellow, and red Cybertronian. Without any further delay, he complied with Omega’s request and dropped the cube onto his orange claw-like hand.

The giant robot downed the entire cube within seconds and followed it with a monstrous burp. Omega smiled before looking down at his smaller friends while Scrapper took a step forward. “So, tell us, Big Chap. What brings you all the way to Crystal City?”

“I’ve been chosen to protect this glorious city you’ve built,” Omega Supreme answered, admiring the beauty of the city just before him. He smiled, knowing it was a job he’d cherish for the rest of his life.

“I can’t think of a better bot to look after this place than you, old friend,” Scavenger spoke, setting his empty cube aside.

Long Haul stepped forward, throwing his Energon cube aside before slapping the giant robot’s leg. “Tell you what. If you ever need help, let me know, I’d be up for smashing some heads.”

Omega Supreme let out a powerful laugh that shook the planet before smiling at his active friend. “I’ll let you know if I need help cracking skulls.”

“There’s no one I can think of that would do a better job of being the Crystal City’s guardian than you, Omega,” Scrapper praised, glancing over at the city once more. “None shall ever get past you, Big Chap!”

“No enemy shall ever destroy this magnificent piece of Cybertron!” Omega Supreme demanded before being handed another cube of Energon.

Him and the Constructicons all raised their cubes up to the orange sky, cheering for their success. “To our success!”

***

Present Day

“I knew it wouldn’t work…” Mixmaster grumbled as he and Hook put the fallen Autobot’s body on the ground before rising up to stand with their leader.

The other three Constructicons each turned to their commander for instruction, in need of leadership where there wasn’t any, making Scrapper nod at them all, understanding what he needed to do in such a troubling time for their kind.

“Constructicons. The Autobots will not be assisting us, and we have no idea when Astrotrain will return from Cybertron to bring any more of our ranks to help, but we each know what we need to do. We all come together to make the most powerful robot, the one that the Decepticons are depending on to continue their conquest of Earth, to avenge our leader, and stop this Titan from interfering with our plans for the future!” Their figurehead announced as he gave a speech to his teammates, standing amongst the rubble of one of the buildings they were hiding in. He resembled a figure to look up to as he raised a fist, hyping his fellow ‘cons up as they listened to his inspiring words.

“Now, Constructicons! Merge to form Devastator!” Scrapper yelled out as he raised his fist higher, earning a round of cheers from the other five members of his team.

The leader of the group leapt up into the air, transforming into his vehicle mode of a front-end loader. Shifting the shovel downward as it slammed into the earth, he pushed a part behind to make a spur, looking like a leg as it stood, waiting for the others as they started shifting their own parts.

Mixmaster transformed into a cement mixer, driving close by Scrapper before the cab of the vehicle went down on the ground while the rest of the truck raised into the air.

Long Haul jumped up between the two, transforming into his dump truck mode while shifting parts until he connected into the two legs, purple energy surging through the three as he formed the lower body of the combiner.

Hook flew up to the forming body, going from his crane mode to an upper body for the giant, parts moving into place as more energy went through the four Constructicons, any parts from him and Long Haul forming a large purple chest shield.

Bonecrusher and Scavenger each leapt towards the monolith towering over them, turning into a bulldozer and excavator respectively while they started connecting to the metal behemoth. Their vehicle modes shifted to become arms, solidifying this as two purple hands swiveled out of the limbs, more amethyst colored energy running through the combiner’s body while a head pushed up into place, completing the look.

Devastator’s red visor shined in the sunlight as it briefly showed from the clouds, his ginormous neon green and purple body glistening in the light as the giant started turning around, his massive legs kicking up dust and concrete as he shifted his body to face his opponent.

Two shining blue orbs lit up behind a cloud of smoke from a valley of burning buildings, more of the sapphire light pulsing further as a low growl was heard, earning a glare from Devastator as he gritted his metallic teeth. Stepping from the smog and crushing the remains of any structures in his path, Godzilla snarled at this new opponent, the large dorsal spines pulsing with blue atomic energy as the Alpha Titan sized up the giant robot.

After a deep gasp of air, the rage that built up inside of Godzilla’s mind collimated into an ear piercing roar of intimidation, glaring at Devastator as his daunting, siren-like scream rang through the landscape. The Constructicon Combiner’s fists balled up, smashing them together before throwing his arms back, he let out a yell of defiance right back. His voice box created the roar of opposition, the voice of six enraged Cybertronians being symbolized by the booming, rage-filled roar.

Both monoliths snarled at each other as they finished their bellows of anger towards one another, brows furrowing as they waited for the other to make a move. Ultimately, it was Devastator raising his colossal leg, slamming it into the ground as he started running.

Godzilla did the same, lifting his titanic leg to swiftly charge at the Cybertronian, his speed belying his size as the Alpha Titan rushed to meet his adversary, pushing a few buildings out of the way, turning them into piles of concrete and glass on the ground. The combiner did the same, his bulky arms shoving the structures to the earth, not caring whether anyone was inside.

Both goliaths finally met in the middle of the city. Godzilla loosed another roar signifying his dominance as Devastator raised his purple fist, aiming to swing at the reptilian’s face. He narrowly missed as Godzilla swiftly dodged, using his muscular arms to push the Cybertronian back into a building, crushing it into broken glass and chunks of concrete. This stunned Devastator enough to let the Monster King lunge at the combiner, biting his metal shoulder. Trying to penetrate the bulk, he started thrashing, attempting to tear the Decepticon apart before a solid knee to the gut stopped the assault. Godzilla let out a groan of pain, leaving an opening for a strong punch to the side of the face.

The Alpha Titan grumbled in discomfort as he staggered to the side, shaking his head at the hit while Devastator examined his shoulder. Nothing severe, for those razor sharp teeth had not torn through, only slightly denting the tough Cybertronian metal that composed him.

Devastator looked back at Godzilla, malice in his optics as the Monster King slammed his powerful tail into the ground, issuing another threatening roar at the war machine before getting back to close quarters with his adversary. Slashing the giant purple shield on Devastator’s chest with his jagged claws, he earned a grunt of annoyance as sparks flew from the combiner’s body, giving the Cybertronian three slash marks on the Decepticon insignia upon the shield.

Devastator was about to throw another powerful punch, before getting tackled into the ground. The muscular reptilian growled at the mechanical behemoth as he tried to get back up, then stepped down onto his foe’s chest with his mighty foot. A scream of pain rose as Devastator’s shield started to bend from the impact.

Godzilla glared down at the Cybertronian, watching him grab at his leg to try and push him off. It was too easy. He’d die like the rest.

At least, that’s what the Alpha Titan thought before Devastator’s visor glowed with purple light before shooting an amethyst beam, knocking Godzilla back as it struck his scaly chest. Roaring in both surprise and pain, the Monster King fell on his side, kicking up dust from the impact.

The Constructicon combiner groaned as he rose up, arms impacting the earth as he lifted his weight to get onto his feet. Knowing he had to be fast, Devastator hurried to kick Godzilla in the side, making the monstrous saurian bellow in agony as the neon green shovel on the combiner’s foot collided with his body. It nearly penetrated his armored skin as he rolled over onto his front, receiving a flurry of punches as Devastator loomed over his body.

Godzilla growled as he was hammered with the force of a cannonball per hit assaulting his back. Every time he attempted to get up, he was met with a harder punch to keep the King of the Monsters down.

Godzilla’s glowing dorsal spines shined a brighter blue, atomic energy pulsing through from the tip of his lengthy tail to his head. The Alpha Titan swiftly turned his head, eyes glowing brighter with power, giving the Cybertronian no time to react as a blast of Godzilla’s trademark atomic breath blasted into Devastator’s metal body. This sent the combiner flying back, skidding across the wasteland of a city while the Titan kept pouring more power into the nuclear assault.

Devastator howled in pain as the azure atomic blast wracked his metal body, struggling to get up as it kept pushing him back to the ground.

It wasn’t the heat of the attack that was harming the war machine, he could take that just like he could take lava from the center of the Earth. It was the force of the beam that made Devastator’s screams of pain echo across the ravaged landscape.

The combiner knew he had to think fast as the blast wasn’t slowing down anytime soon, he couldn’t endure the atomic breath for much longer. He wouldn’t be like the rest of them.

Devastator grunted as he managed to maneuver himself to a workable position, screaming as the azure ray hit his chest, going down to his torso, a bad weak point as that was where one component was connected to.

Getting his right leg into position, the cement mixer aimed a nozzle at the Alpha Titan, swiftly shooting green acid at Godzilla. He did not care where it hit, just that it would splash somewhere on the leviathan’s body.

Sure enough, Godzilla shrieked in agony as the substance splattered against his chest, immediately stopping the atomic breath as he felt the acid eat away at his rough skin. Trying to shake the harmful material from his body, he inadvertently gave the Cybertronian enough time to examine any injuries. Much of his upper body had become blackened from the assault, his hands grazed the areas, cringing as small sparks traveled from new wounds to his fingers, feeling some energon begin to leak.

There was no time to heal, however, as Devastator looked back at the menace in front of him. He had already recovered, glaring at the combiner as exposed skin now showed amidst the natural armor he possessed. A perfect target.

Devastator quickly put his hand forward, fingers all together in a line before purple energy encompassed them. A straight laser blasted from his metal hand and into the Monster King’s body, earning a cry of pain as the energy hit his skin, red blood pouring out of the new injury. Godzilla bellowed in agony, holding on to the wound as he leaned against a skyscraper.

The Cybertronian scoffed at the Titan’s pain, he didn’t think the monster even knew of it, but Devastator did. He liked eliciting the feeling in Autobots whenever he was formed, as did the Constructicons.

Something felt… strange about it this time though. It didn’t feel the same.

There was no maniacal glee he was taking in hurting this creature. Those thoughts seemed like they weren’t there. None of the Decepticons who made up his body felt this since… since Megatron’s death.

Devastator started marching forward, reaching back as his Solar Rifle transformed from a compartment within him, ready to finish this as he aimed the gun at Godzilla’s head.

The Constructicon combiner’s finger tried pulling the trigger, but… he just… couldn’t do it.

Why?

Was it all those millions of years ago? When Megatron took control of their minds?

Were… Were they now… free?

Devastator nearly pulled the trigger as the irritable thoughts started subsiding, but the King of the Monsters had other plans.

Recovering from the previous attack, Godzilla swiped his lengthy tail at the rifle, sending it flying across the city, making the Cybertronian gasp before balling his hand into a fist. He went in for a punch, but the Titan’s muscular tail came back to hit Devastator again, smacking into his hulking metal body, making the combiner cry out as he hit the ground. His legs already scrambled as he started lifting himself up from the rubble, gray dust covering his dark-gray face and upper body as Devastator got himself back up. The roar of Godzilla challenged him to keep fighting the Alpha Titan.

The combiner nodded in acceptance, fists ready to start pummeling his adversary again.

That’s what Devastator did best.

Devastate.

***

Running into the Autobot base, the Ark, a human rushed down its huge, empty, orange halls. Huffing, he gasped for air from how much he hurried to see the peacekeeping robots who he had quickly grown attached to since he met them all those years ago.

Swiftly pressing the button by the door, Spike Witwicky entered the center of the crashed ship, seeing many Autobots talking to one another in a circle.

“I saw the news and I ran as fast as I could! Is… Is it true?” The human announced as he looked up at the huge robots in front of him, panting while he attempted to catch his breath, hands on his knees while he breathed heavily.

Four Autobots stood in front of him. The City Commander, Ultra Magnus, his colors of red, white, and blue adorning his metal body reminded the human of the previous leader, and his friend, Optimus Prime. Though, they were obviously different with Magnus’ taller, wider build and those massive pylons on his shoulders.

With him was the old war veteran, Kup, the signs of age and battle showing on his green body. And a more familiar face to Spike was the Autobot scientist, Perceptor, the microscope beside his head being his most defining trait.

Coming up beside the human were a few other Cybertronians. Hot Rod, a recent and youthful addition to the team with those flames on his chest showing his rebellious nature, Arcee, a rare female Autobot adorned in pink, and Springer, a tough example of an Autobot soldier.

Around the room, Spike noticed more of these robots that he was more acquainted with, some more distraught over the recent news. The red ‘bot Sideswipe leaned against the wall, arms crossed as his head hung low, the shorter minibot Brawn was with the crimson Cybertronian, talking to him in a comforting way. Spike took this as confirmation that Sunstreaker didn’t make it.

“It’s… It’s true, Spike,” Ultra Magnus spoke mournfully as he looked down at the human with his glowing sapphire eyes, his hands trembling as he talked.

“Anyone out there is dead.”

Spike sighed as he heard the news from the people he knew would be absolutely certain. Many of the friends he made from this strange race of robots from space over all of these years were gone. Looking down, he felt a mechanical hand comforting him, gulping that feeling of crying down his throat as he looked to see Arcee kneeling beside him, kindly and silently helping him take the news.

The man didn’t know her very well, or many of these recent Autobots who had come to Earth a few years ago, but he appreciated the gesture, giving her a smile back before turning his head back to the base commander.

“So, what’s the plan now?” Spike asked, knowing there was always something to do for those fallen.

“We’re waiting for Devastator to stop fighting Godzilla, then we’ll go in and help clean up the mess,” Ultra Magnus answered grimly, but logically, knowing it may not be the best answer, but the right one.

“Devastator? He’s fighting that thing?And we’re not gonna help him? You’re just gonna wait?” Spike asked, looking around the room in confusion.

“Well, Devastator’s kinda… the enemy, son. We wanna play it safe, let both of ‘em kill each other, and not risk any more Autobots dying,” Kup explained, making it as digestible as possible, even though the human knew the conflict.

“They… did ask, but…” Perceptor began to elaborate, but was quickly cut off by his superior.

“I declined for the previously explained reasons,” Ultra Magnus interrupted, making the smaller red Autobot back down, and earning a grimace from the human.

“If they asked for help, you should do it. That’s what an Autobot does, they help, no matter who it is.”

***

Devastator grunted as he missed a punch, groaning while Godzilla crashed into his metal green body and shoved him into a building. Concrete broke as the sound of cracking glass rang through his audio receptors. The Alpha Titan started clawing at the Cybertronian as he shoved his opponent into the crumbling structure, attempting to get deep behind that purple guard on his chest.

Devastator gritted his steel teeth as he put one arm between Godzilla and himself, trying to keep his distance as the Monster King continued pressing his hefty weight against the Constructicon combiner. Heavy metal feet dragged against the pavement as Godzilla kept driving him into the building, hearing more cracks as it threatened to give out.

More importantly though, one of the alpha’s claws was beginning to dig into the hard, Cybertronian steel armor. Sparks tingled out of the blunt nails starting to seep inside, making Devastator pull the arm that was supporting him from the building to quickly slam it into the side of Godzilla’s reptilian head. The saurian stopped as he stumbled to the side, eliciting a screech of pain as he shook his head side to side.

The metal monolith groaned as he examined the new wound, luckily, he had stopped the monster from going too deep, but he needed to stop him from going any further. Devastator pushed himself off of the collapsing building with a mighty heave, stomping the shovel of his mighty foot into the pavement before colliding his fist into Godzilla’s gut, making the Alpha Titan howl in agony as the wind was knocked out of his lungs. This gave the Decepticon the opportunity to grab Godzilla by the neck, hurling the reptilian into a nearby building, smashing the structure with Godzilla’s head.

Just as the Monster King was starting to regain his composure, the Constructicon combiner kept his grip on the saurian’s thick, fleshy neck, shoving Godzilla through multiple buildings, glass and concrete slamming into the Titan’s face. Blood began to flow as his vision blurred, the screeching sounds of Devastator’s rage-filled screams filling his ears.

Just like that one trying to control him…

The silver one…

It all scratched at Godzilla’s ears and that… thing trying to manipulate him, it all only fueled his anger, and that rage was manifesting into blue energy going down the Alpha’s body.

This was different from how Godzilla charged up his atomic breath, and Devastator noticed this. Instead of only being on those massive dorsal spines, the atomic energy was all over the cracks in the Titan’s skin and crackling around him like energy, it wasn’t something previously seen. Pinkish sparks seemed to dance about that cascade as well, the same color as the Energon he’d been bathing in. Thinking quickly, the Decepticon Titan used his other hand to grasp the King of the Monsters’ maw, lifting up so he could turn his other hand to a fist, ready to punch the air out of this overgrown dinosaur again.

As Godzilla opened his eyes and stared down at Devastator, that was when the realization hit him.

The azure energy crackling through the Alpha Titan’s entire body shined like a bright light, almost blinding, before something greater than a thought hit the Cybertronian.

A massive atomic pulse shot from Godzilla’s body like an enormous blue shockwave, sending Devastator flying across the city, multiple buildings crumbling into debris instantly as the energy expanded outwards. And there was only more to come as the war machine crashed into the center of New York City, blowing up concrete and dirt upon impact. The combiner groaned in pain, coughing as his vision blurred and glitched, but besides the temporary blindness, nothing was wrong with his body as he started to get up from the crater he left in the ground.

Devastator only spat out some purple energon as he lifted his massive green body up, the liquid dripping from his mouth as he spotted his opponent once more, hearing that threatening roar before Godzilla started charging at him once again.

“Devastator… fears… nothing…”

The Decepticon Titan’s booming voice still echoed as he mumbled to himself, making one of his hands go back into his arm to replace it with a drill swiveling out, whirling to life as he prepared to be on the defensive.

Devastator growled as the Alpha’s footsteps made the earth shake louder the closer he got, putting one hand up into a fist as he prepared for the assault. The glow surrounding the leviathan’s body seemed to fade, energon not taking to an organic even as odd as him, but the air still seemed to slightly warp around him.

*******

Ultra Magnus hung his head down. The lights beeped all around the center of the ship, Teletran One issuing reports of New York going up in flames by the minute. His soldiers, his brothers and sisters in arms, ran around trying to find a solution to mitigate the problem.

Their voices all went mute with his focus simply at the console below him. His optics shuttered for a moment, thinking about the transmission he had with survivors against the Titan. The newly christened leader of the Autobots had a larger responsibility than he ever thought he’d have.

The Autobot Supreme Commander.

“Optimus, you rusted glitch! Why did you have to run out and play the hero?” Muttered Magnus, raising his head up at the Teletran, continuing to present the larger than life fight between Godzilla and Devastator.

“Because it was the right thing to do,” Spike spoke up, walking towards the leader of the Autobots.

Ultra Magnus turned around slightly to face his friend, grimacing at the conversation he was about to have with him. “He was always the one to charge face first into a battle without any regard to his life.”

“He did it for me,” Spike paused, recounting the time he and his dad were first saved by him from a burning oil rig fifteen years ago. He turned to the other Autobots, some were performing their duties while others had their optics on him. “And he did it for everyone else here.”

“Spike… I know what you’re trying to do,” Ultra Magnus spoke, taking a moment to glance back at the screen. The devastation was immeasurable as blocks were incinerated by the King of the Monster’s atomic ray. He felt guilty over the lives he wouldn’t be able to save, but he had to stand firm with his orders.

The Constructicons will give Godzilla hell and hopefully take him to the Well of AllSparks with them. Like the lives he couldn’t save, he wasn’t thrilled over letting anyone die, but sacrifices had to be made. Especially when the war for Cybertron was almost at its end.

Shockwave, as dangerous and vile as he was, was the only member of leadership left. In one day, they were closer to winning the war than ever before, but they had also taken significant losses. If Devastator fell, then only Bruticus remained as far as Titan-sized Transformers went, thus giving them the advantage.

Ultra Magnus glanced back down at Spike. “But I cannot.”

“Magnus…” Spike breathed out.

“To stop now and risk what’s left of our race would dishonor those who gave their lives to save humanity!” Countered Magnus, his fist shaking from the thought of his family getting blasted apart by Godzilla.

“Even those who fell…” Arcee’s calm voice interjected, stepping up between her two friends. “Would tell you they have no regrets.”

He saw the truth in her words, they would no doubt sacrifice themselves if they could, as had been shown constantly. Yet, there were still others that needed their assistance, like Elita-1 and her resistance cell on their home planet.

“Magnus,” Spike spoke up once more. “I just lost my best friend today, because he wanted to stand with his fellow Autobots and save the day.”

“Bumblebee was always the brightest of us all,” murmured Magnus, tightening his hand.

“He was, and he wanted to make sure everyone could wake up every day and live,” Spike relayed, approaching his three-story friend, placing his hand on his leg. “And he did it so my son would be able to grow up in this world.”

“And we’d do the same in his position, no matter the cost,” Arcee added, placing her hand on her friend’s shoulder.

“I know you would…” Ultra Magnus paused once more, taking a look at the room becoming more and more barren than before. He realized the soldiers under his command were not going to sit by while Godzilla devastated New York. The new Autobot leader chuckled at the display of rebellion. “Perhaps Hot Rod being disobedient isn’t such a bad thing.”

“It’s not him they listened to,” a new voice spoke up, causing the three to turn around to see an orange hook-crane truck rolling towards them.

“Hauler?” Arcee questioned, raising her hand up to her face, curiosity piqued her interest.

The construction#based Autobot chuckled, transforming before them, revealing a smile on his face. “Guilty as charged.”

“Hauler… I don’t understand, why would you…” Ultra Magnus tried to inquire about his subordinate, but was cut off by the construction vehicle.

“Because I abandoned them before when the Crystal City fell,” Hauler answered, remembering the details of that dreadful day when he not only lost the pride and joy of his work, but his family. “Omega Supreme might be clouded by vengeance and I by fear, but no more.”

The normally quiet and distant Autobot looked up at his new commander, his eyes glistening. “Do what you will of me after this is over for disobeying orders, but I can’t live knowing that I’ve run from my brothers once more.”

“If you really do believe there’s a chance they’ve reformed…” Ultra Magnus trailed off, pressing buttons on Teletraan One, activating defenses aboard the crashed ship and the sensors around the surrounding area, determining the fastest route to the city. “Then who am I to deny you this?

“And besides,” Arcee chimed in, her voice oozing with excitement, raising her hands up. “This could be how we win the war. Shockwave will be terrified of us when he sees us defeating Godzilla.”

“Come on, Magnus,” Spike chipped in, walking towards the exit of the control center. “Let’s make them proud, like we’ve always done.”

“Just because I agree with this rescue operation, doesn’t mean you all can just charge in however you want!” Ultra Magnus hollered out, following Spike as Arcee and Hauler trailed behind him. “If there’s a command to be thrown out, I need everyone to follow it.”

“I can listen to it, but the Constructicons might disagree,” Hauler countered, shrugging his shoulders.

Ultra Magnus rubbed his hand against face, already finding himself irritated by the various outcomes this operation could go in. “Right…”

“I still have no idea how you were able to put up with it, Prime.”

The Autobot Leader huffed out, not wanting to spend more energy arguing, he lifted his arm out in front of his compatriots. “Autobots! Transform and roll out!”

******

Millions of years ago

Energy blasts lit up the sky like fireworks!

Explosions roared across the whole metallic planet as war cries shook the long standing structures of Cybertronian society. The planet was falling apart with everyone losing the very things they cherished.

A lone Constructicon raced down the damaged streets, narrowly avoiding the fallen pieces of debris cutting off his route. Flames scorched his body from the blasts of energon, while holes in his body were caused by the bombing raids he was caught in. The hook-crane truck had to endure it, for he had people, family even, to check up on. His injuries would have to be attended to later.

“Please, please, please!” Hauler rattled repeatedly, sending his body into maximum overdrive from the almost endless driving. “Let the city still be standing. Let my brothers and Omega Supreme be okay!”

Smoke arose from the horizon as the Crystal City came into view, what was left of it anyway. The towers collapsed onto the once magnificent domes, smashing into the pieces while the highway was shattered into pieces.

“No…” Hauler gasped, transforming in front of the ruins of his pride and joy. The very thing he and his brothers dedicated their life to. “Why… why couldn’t they leave this alone? It was a monument to all of us, to inspire sparklings to become anyone they wanted to be.”

“Culprits:” the loud booming voice of Omega Supreme echoed out, alerting Hauler to his presence. “Constructicons!”

“What…” stammered Hauler, a wave of denial hitting him at the information his gargantuan friend delivered. “I don’t understand, they’d never destroy something as magnificent as this, much less something they loved.”

“Explanation: Robosmasher,” Omega Supreme spoke up, his booming voice rattling the surface they stood on.

“Megatron…” Hauler surmised.

“Assumption: Correct.”

“Were you…” the Constructicon murmured, taking a step forward towards his friend. He wanted to know if there was any way his friends could be brought back. Brought back to themselves before they’d end up as bodies littered across the planet. “Were you able to bring them back in any way?”

“Attempt:” Omega Supreme attempted to answer, but stalled, feeling his eyes beginning to leak with a moment of sadness and regret. They, too, were his friends. He didn’t show it to his last remaining friend, but he shared his grief. His purpose was destroyed and so was his family. Their minds had been twisted to be servants of the Emperor of Destruction. “Failed.”

“It’s not your fault, my brother,” Hauler spoke, placing his hand on the much larger Transformer’s leg. “You did everything you could.”

“Consolation: Rejected,” Omega Supreme harshly responded, backing away from the Constructicon. Hauler’s shoulders dropped ever so slightly from the gesture. “New objective: Hunt down Constructicons. Determination: To the ends of the galaxy!”

“What!? No! Omega, we can try again! Us Constructicons are some of the most brilliant minds on Cybertron, they can be reasoned with!” Hauler yelled out, not wanting to see any of his family lost to this war.

“Plea: Denied,” Omega Supreme’s voice echoed out. He didn’t want it to come to this, but after what happened with the Constructicons, there was no other option. “Explanation: No reversal from RoboSmasher.”

“No reversal?” Hauler coughed out, feeling his injuries slowly take hold of him, as small drops of energon leaked out of his body.

“Answer: Yes,” Omega Supreme spoke, swooping the small green and purple bot’s body into his gigantic hands. “Objective: Find Hauler a healer.”

“Omega, I’m fine…” Hauler coughed, shooting droplets of energon on the chassis of Omega Supreme. “Our priority is to find our brothers.”

“My priority: Destroy them,” the gigantic Autobot answered, walking away from the ruins of Crystal City. He didn’t want to look at it any longer, as he had wanted to leave a long time ago, but only stayed in the hope either survivors were found or someone like Hauler came back. His mission was finished and he could move onto the next objective on his list.

“Your priority: Survive,” Omega Supreme added, continuing to march across the desolate surface of Cybertron in the hopes for a healer nearby.

“Why do you have to destroy them? There’s always a way with them, there’s always good in them,” Hauler retaliated, desperately not wanting to see the former guardian set on extinguishing the team he was once a part of.

“Answer: Only solution. Reversal: Not present,” the titanic survivor answered once more. “Advice: Change colors so Autobots won’t mistake you as Decepticon.”

Without any hesitation or even the strength to conjure up any words for that second argument, he complied, focusing on the orange claw that was carrying him. The neon green and purple disappeared in a matter of seconds, replacing it with the same color as the guardian’s hand.

Omega Supreme was wise in that statement, but not when it came to their comrades. Hauler, feeling his optics about to close, his body about ready to temporarily shut down, uttered out one last declaration.

“You don’t need to destroy them! I’ll prove it to you!”

Hauler’s optics then closed as his whole body soon followed, the last thing he heard before darkness overwhelmed was “Thought: Appreciated.”

But as Hauler knew it, Omega Supreme still continued his road down vengeance, with no one able to convince him otherwise.

***

Present Day

Devastator roared as Godzilla bit down on his shoulder, making the windows of the crane upon his body crack. In response, his drill whirled, hitting the reptilian’s side and digging into Godzilla’s skin to make the Monster King howl in agony. Before it could strike any vital organ, he released his grip, blood spurting from the wound all the while. A headbutt to the combiner’s face cracked the crimson visor covering his eyes.

Devastator groaned in pain as his head reared back from the impact, his metal teeth gritting as Godzilla quickly continued his assault. Battering the combiner with his sharp claws, he tried to tear at his cybertronian body, getting to a point where the hand drilling into Godzilla’s skin wriggled free from his fleshy body, a tide of blood flooding the streets below.

Godzilla let out a defiant roar, trying to intimidate Devastator once more, but only got a growl from the Decepticon before he swung one of his drill hands at the Monster King. He barely missed as Godzilla dodged with such unexpected speed before ramming into Devastator, pulling a scream from the combiner as he once again bit at his shoulder, purple energon leaking this time as he began thrashing and running hard and fast. Utilizing his speed and power, he hoped to disorient his opponent while attempting to rip him apart.

Devastator cried out as he felt the Titan’s jaws clench harder while rapidly moving side to side, putting the drills back inside of his arms to form his hands again. His fists tightened before striking hard, a series of body shots pelleting off of Godzilla’s hard skin, making him groan in pain. But still, he continued his assault, aiming to go to the nearby buildings, making each hit count as the metal destructor slammed into every tower, concrete and glass fracturing against his green body.

Fortunately, Devastator’s cybertronian metal was made for this kind of abuse, but he knew he couldn’t hold out forever. Without looking, he hurriedly grabbed a chunk of a building, quickly smashing it against the reptilian beast’s head, finally making the monster let go with a cry of pain. This gave Devastator enough time to deliver another punch to Godzilla’s face, his mighty hand of steel colliding with a powerful impact strong enough to knock a tooth from the Monster King’s maw. The shovel on his shoulder moved in, smacking the side of Godzilla’s head as the cybertronian nearly fell from the power he put into the hit.

Devastator used a half destroyed structure to balance himself as he glanced at his opponent falling down, dust kicking up before a pained groan was heard. The Constructicon combiner huffed, silently praying to Primus that the battle would be over sooner… abnormal for his usual lust for violence.

Devastator fully stood on his asymmetrical feet, glaring down at his downed foe, hands glowing a bright purple, ready to shoot at the Monster King as the dust started settling down.

One swift motion was all it took to knock the gestalt off of his feet, the lengthy, muscular tail of Godzilla tripping Devastator. The green combiner fell to the ground, making him try to scramble to his feet before his opponent could rise.

Both goliaths rose at the same time, blue atomic energy quickly going up Godzilla’s spines, making Devastator’s visor glow purple as he backed up slightly; firing off a strong blast of energon right at the Monster King before a burst of atomic breath shot out of Godzilla’s draconic maw. Both rays met in the middle, the power of the blasts making both of them skid across the concrete while they tried to stand their ground.

Devastator groaned as he struggled to keep up the momentum, it was hard to see with both blasts directly in his optics. All he had to do was keep pouring power into the beam, not knowing how far he was going, just that it wasn’t enough. The Constructicon Combiner was more than that, he wouldn’t settle for anything less.

Megatron wouldn’t settle for anything less than his best.

Godzilla growled as he kept the beam struggle going, his eyes narrowing as he started to exploit his opponent’s apparent weakness: his vision.

The blue heat ray started traveling downward, going until the Monster King could blast Devastator’s chest. Moving out of the way from the purple laser as he pushed more power into the atomic breath, a scream of pain rose from the gestalt as the strength of the atomic burst sent him flying backwards. His hands desperately tried to grab on to the surrounding buildings, but the power of the radioactive ray made them break on impact, leaving Devastator to skid back along the concrete, leaving a trail of broken pavement and dirt in his way.

The atomic breath was so fiery hot and powerful that the Constructicon Combiner’s mighty chest shield started to bend, threatening to break and expose his chest underneath.

Devastator cried out in agony as Godzilla’s assault didn’t let up, going up until the Cybertronian’s back slammed into a massive building. He felt the heat ray stop momentarily, the alleviation making Devastator gasp and pant.

His limbs were already aching as the Decepticon goliath attempted to stand, before looking up to see the building he had crashed into, a confused look on his face showing as he recognized the skyscraper.

It was the one he had once climbed to fight the Autobots, which dwarfed even him.

The confusion suddenly turned into fear as Devastator’s gaze went back to the King of the Monsters, noticing the wicked smile on the beast’s face.

And then the pulsing blue atomic energy traveling through his spines.

The war machine’s legs started scrambling as he tried getting up, his balance not catching, not to mention the damage to the building made it nearly topple over as he moved.

Devastator desperately attempted to get out of the way while also not letting the towering monument fall on him, until it was too late.

The azure atomic breath shot through the city at rapid speeds, hitting the Cybertronian combiner in the chest yet again, forcing Devastator deeper into the building until it finally gave way, the concrete and windows cracking in quick succession as it began toppling over.

Godzilla wasn’t even done, the blue heat ray blew through the upper half of the building as well, making sure any and all rubble concentrated solely on the Constructicon goliath.

“NO!” Devastator cried out as he was quickly being buried alive in a concrete grave, massive chunks of debris piling on top of his behemoth green body, a mass of remains of the city’s largest building completely covering the Decepticon combiner.

As the Monster King stepped toward the Cybertronian’s tomb, he took a loud bellow signifying his victory over these invaders, more than happy to have gotten rid of the metal beasts. But still, it did not quench the sudden rage that he’d had over the course of the battle against these robots.

Godzilla stomped towards the pile of rubble until he had one foot on the grave. The King of the Monsters needed to make sure it was destroyed, just to be safe.

Godzilla’s spines glowed a bright blue, each individually lighting up before his eyes shined the same. Radioactive energy coursed through the Monster King’s body as he approached the pile of rubble that entombed Devastator, ready to destroy the combiner once and for all.

Godzilla’s atomic breath trickled through his reptilian throat, blue flames speeding to release from his maw.

The heat ray briefly shot through the air as two explosions rocked the Titan’s body, making Godzilla screech in pain and surprise as he shook his head, stumbling off of the pile as the Monster King’s eyes narrowed to the source. They widened as he saw vehicles rolling towards him at full speed before suddenly stopping, all but a slim blue car which went at supersonic speeds, driving in circles around the Titan before zipping past, going through any rubble or street, wanting to get Godzilla’s attention.

It got it.

Godzilla roared a challenge at the car, stomping towards the vehicle in a rage as he tried to find it.

“Good job, Blurr, keep him distracted!” a white semi truck carrying a red and blue car carrier called out.

The truck suddenly transformed, changing into Ultra Magnus. He looked off into the distance to see his ally, hearing him scream in fear as an atomic blast nearly struck him.

“YesUltraMagnus,I’lltrytrytry,doingthebestbestbestIcan!” The blue speedster cried out, momentarily transforming into his slick robot mode to fire a few shots at the Titan before forming back into a car.

Right beside Ultra Magnus were the rest of the main Autobot team for this mission. Kup, Hot Rod, Arcee, Hauler, and Springer, with others following behind.

Spike, wearing his white exo-suit made for missions like this, exited the orange construction vehicle before Hauler transformed into robot mode, stepping forward to hear his leader’s plan.

“Alright, I need two teams distracting that monster while I lead another to get Devastator out of that mess. Kup, you lead the ground team.”

“On it, Magnus, whatever you need,” The elder Autobot nodded and saluted as he stared up at his superior, ready to do as instructed.

Ultra Magnus looked to the skies, seeing a large white jet fly past overhead, putting a finger on the comms on his antenna.

“Jetfire, you lead an aerial team with any flier we have.”

“I got you. Everyone, fly with me!” Jetfire replied, a red “Warthog” plane and a green UFO: Powerglide and Cosmos, following suit.

“I’ll go too, Magnus, I’m good in the skies!” Springer said, giving a determined look before earning a nod of respect from the City Commander.

“Good. You too, Tracks,” Ultra Magnus said, pointing at a shiny blue sports car transforming into his robot mode, scoffing at the order while crossing his arms.

“Ugh… fine, but that big lizard better not scratch my paint, I just got it done yesterday…” Tracks sighed before turning back into his car mode, driving past his leader before wings folded out from the back wheels, letting him take off into the skies.

Springer quickly transformed into his helicopter mode, the rotors spinning as the green vehicle started taking off, following all of the various flyers going towards Godzilla to help fight him.

“Now, I need a team to get Devastator out of that rubble. I’ll take Hoist, Grapple, and Hauler to pick up any debris and pull him out. Sideswipe, Red Alert, Brawn, and Warpath, you’re for muscle and explosives.” Ultra Magnus ordered, pointing at each bot he called out, all of them ready to serve.

“Why do you need to take a couple of Minibots? I’ll go with you, Magnus!” Hot Rod confidently scoffed as he stepped forward, his cocky, headstrong attitude making the short Autobot, Brawn, furrow his brow in annoyance.

“Who are you calling a Minibot, punk?!” The grey helmeted bot asked, angry at the insult as he cracked his knuckles.

Ultra Magnus put his large hands on both of their shoulders, staring them down with a commanding look. It was time to solidify his leadership by breaking this up fast.

“Now is not the time. Hot Rod, do what I tell you, I made this decision for a reason!” The City Commander told the younger bot that he towered over, making Brawn do the same as he turned from the rebellious Cybertronian.

As Hot Rod disappointedly turned away, Warpath cheered, quickly transforming into his tank mode.

“Yeah! Let’s get that big bastard and blow stuff up! Zip zowie bang!” The red tank excitedly shouted with joy as he rolled away towards the pile of rubble, making Ultra Magnus and Kup shrug as they turned away from Warpath.

“He’s right. Let’s roll out, Autobots!” The new leader ordered as he transformed into his truck mode, allowing Sideswipe, Brawn, and Red Alert to transform into their car modes and roll into his car carrier.

“Gotcha, Magnus. Metal to the pedal, ‘bots!” Kup ordered as he transformed into his own Cybertronian pickup truck mode, speeding towards their target as the others followed, a mix of cars and trucks driving closely behind their mission commander.

***

Under the sea of rubble, the green and purple giant laid there, trapped. He attempted to move his joints either to rip the rubble off of himself or at least kick the piece of debris away, but nothing budged. Almost every part of his body was trapped by the rubble aside from his face with a small amount of space.

It didn’t matter, as Devastator could barely lift his head up and was only greeted by the remnants of a human building. Every spark in his gigantic body lit up, all of them communicating to each other as the giant remained still.

Yet, only one voice came out.

“Did I… Did I have purpose?” The combiner asked himself, pulling together the six thoughts entangled in his own mind. Their individual memories blurred throughout his circuits, recalling them all too briefly, witnessing the many tasks and battles he was a part of. “I did everything I was asked.”

One memory all six of his components had was their glorious leader Megatron, holding a giant white machine with tendrils sticking out of it. Each one of its arms latched itself onto the Constructicons heads, altering their very core to stand with Decepticon ideals.

The once great builders of the Crystal City, now evil geniuses, built the deadliest weapons for their newest leader. Devastator shivered at that memory, witnessing his components’ minds be perverted into vile creatures. Another shiver followed, realizing he was never one for compassion, but only rage and destruction.

Something about him was changing.

“Yet, why do I feel regret?” Devastator murmured, staring up at the concrete just above him.

Megatron was dead, and even if he were still alive, he wouldn’t be given an answer, but instead a blast from his fusion cannon. The Combiner slightly shook his head in the small amount of space he had, perplexed by his conflicting thoughts.

“What is causing all of this?” Devastator mused, thinking back to his former leader and the machine he used on all of them. His mind drifted to the device first, moving past his body’s conversion and towards another figure from his past.

Omega Supreme.

He recalled getting in a brief skirmish with the giant robot, attempting to use that very same machine on him. He was close, but the rivaling giant destroyed it before he could be met with the same fate. Devastator expected himself to be furious upon revisiting his failure, but in a startling twist, found himself to be happy at its destruction.

Devastator couldn’t help but smile.

Not just towards the Robosmasher’s destruction, but upon the memory of Omega Supreme.

He was a great friend to his constituents who treated them with respect. They achieved many amazing things together, but ended up betraying him because they were not strong enough to resist.

His entire system hummed, every piece of him feeling regretful over their roles. Not just in that moment of betraying a dear friend, but fighting a war they wanted no part in. Devastator hung his head down in disgust, not sure how to fully feel about the situation.

Matters only grew worse when another revelation came back to him.

Megatron and his cursed Robosmasher gave him a particular life!

Through another series of brief flashes, Devastator’s life began when his components first merged after the reprogram.

The Combiner gasped, feeling his entire body go cold at the revelation. He only existed because his components’ minds were rewritten and their bodies were altered to channel a war machine.

He briefly witnessed humans being sick, either through his many skirmishes in their cities or on a screen, never once knowing how they could be deterred by something like it. Now, with the entirety of his life running through his circuits, could he understand a fraction of what those creatures dealt with.

Devastator felt sick to himself.

He no longer wanted to exist.

He was a consequence, a burden on the Constructicon’s bodies. Something they never asked for.

“If… by some miracle, I can escape from this entrapment, I will… free them,” Devastator breathed, despair inside him growing more and more from each passing second. “They can flee and live with their lives in peace, being who they once were…”

Devastator closed his optics, experiencing the Constructicons’ memories once more. He witnessed their playful and creative natures, bonding with their friends over several projects. They were a family who cherished every moment together, and his birth ruined it. He played a part in tearing them away from Hauler and Omega Supreme.

“I can rectify it,” Devastator murmured, until it hit him like a rivaling combiner’s fist.

The Robosmasher was gone. Megatron was gone.

With Megatron’s demise, he noticed something about the Constructions and himself. Their personalities were slowly shifting towards how they were before the war. They were more compassionate and valiant in everything they did.

“Almost there,” Devastator weakly groaned out, wanting his existence to end so they may know peace once more. “Just need the strength to dig you out of here, so I can disappear forever.”

CRACK!

Light shone through the rubble, hitting the Combiner’s face. He briefly shielded his optics for just a moment until he realized it was salvation for the Constructicons.

CRACK!

More pieces of rubble were broken into tiny pieces while others were lifted away. Slowly but surely he felt his limbs being relieved of the burden, letting them move once more. Devastator attempted to lift himself back up, only for another piece of rubble to be removed.

Upon being shifted away, a smaller figure made his presence known, pushing another piece of concrete away. The figure had a shiny grey dome over his head while an orange and green body was short, but bulky.

He recognized the figure all too well, someone Megatron held in a very low regard, outright insulting him in a variety of battles. To him, he was a force to be reckoned with, his strength barreling through the Decepticon forces countless times. Now, from his point of view, it seems the smaller bot was saving him from this tomb.

“The Hulk is almost freed, you guys!” Brawn yelled, ripping another piece of concrete off of the Combiner. “Sure hope this gamble of yours works out, Magnus!”

Devastator nodded at the smaller bot, giving him a small gesture of appreciation. He figured his mortal foe was only doing it out of necessity, but he couldn’t be thankful enough. The Constructicons could now be free.

His entire body gave way, breaking apart into six different robots, all of them struggling to recover. Scrapper rubbed the back of his head, glancing back at his brothers as he sighed in relief at all of them still functioning. The Constructicon leader turned back at his would be saviors, the Autobots.

Amongst them were Brawn, Sideswipe, Red Alert, Grapple, Hoist, and Ultra Magnus himself. The two kept their optics trained on each other, fully intending to cut the other side off if hostilities resumed. They may have been in an alliance, but it was only temporary. Things could go sideways at any given moment.

Scrapper brushed his hands, removing the dust from his hands as he chuckled. “Nice of you to finally believe us.”

“It’s not me you should be thanking, Scrapper,” Magnus relayed, gripping his photon rifle. He had faith in his fellow Autobots, but couldn’t let his guard down on the Constructicons. “I’d be more than content to let you all sit under the rubble.”

“At least it was cozy in there,” Bonecrusher vocalized, picking himself back up as walked up to his leader. He briefly glanced around the battlefield, taking note of the bodies littered throughout it and the reinforcements gathering around them. “Much better than what everyone else got.”

“Oh can it, Bonecrusher!” Long Haul cried out, kicking a piece of rubble and sending it flying into a nearby building. The resulting impact shattered the entire floor with pieces raining downwards. “Some of us at least want to be useful and shoot the dinosaur!”

“I could have done with either,” Scavenger chimed in happily, throwing his arms onto the shoulders of his brothers.

“I’m inclined to agree with Long Haul,” Hook added, feeling disgusted with himself over his prior predicament. Them being trapped in the rubble and requiring the help of their mortal enemies to free them was humiliating. He viewed himself alongside his brothers as the superior soldiers in the entire Decepticon army, proving himself right at the reality of them surviving against the King of the Monsters. “At least we wouldn’t have been buried in garbage.”

“Any ideas, Scrapper?” Mixmaster inquired, following it up with an annoyed groan from his brothers bickering amongst themselves. “We did technically say we’d want to stop Godzilla, but there’s nothing really keeping us here afterall.”

Scrapper remained silent, pondering what steps his team should take next when he backtraced. What did Magnus mean by ‘not thanking me’?

The Constructicon leader stepped forward, keeping his optics focused on the new leader of the Autobots. The Autobots shivered in response, almost raising their weapons as the Constructicon elicited the same type of response from the rest of his squad. Scrapper raised his arm out to his brothers, motioning for them to lower their arms.

Scrapper kept his focus on Ultra Magnus, intending to find out what he meant. “Who should we be thanking then?”

“Hey guys…” Hauler’s voice oozed from behind the group of Autobots, making himself known to his former friends. The Autobot smiled softly at them, relieved to see they were all still in one piece. “Long time no see.”

The Constructicons were stunned to see a former friend rally the troops. One they all played a part in betraying not only their life’s work, but their brother as well. Scrapper couldn’t help but smile at seeing his dear friend once more. The things he wanted to spill out in the moment, to apologize for everything they had done.

“Hauler!?” Hook exclaimed, examining his bright orange color scheme, recoiling with disgust. “You look like shit!”

“Hook!” Scrapper barked, snapping his head back at his comrade’s behavior towards one of their own.

Hauler couldn’t help but chuckle at his friend’s remark. Blue lights shone from his chest, gaining Scrapper’s attention as he noticed the bot scanning him. In the blink of an eye, Hauler’s orange paint chipped away before being replaced with neon green and purple once more.

“He’s sort of right,” Hauler pointed out, flexing his original color scheme once more. “Green and purple are my colors.”

Scrapper chuckled at his comment before a monstrous roar from the King of the Monsters drafted their attention once more. Hoist turned back to Magnus, awaiting his response. “What’s your command?”

The Constructicons did the same with Scrapper, all of them eyeing for their next set of commands in this dire fight. Scrapper could tell they had a variety of responses, some wanted to continue forward while others wanted to flee and let the Autobots handle it. The Constructicon leader could reason with all of those opinions, knowing in their position, they weren’t wrong.

To him, however, he thought back to their life’s work.

Crystal City.

They destroyed it and countless others. New York was described as a glowing city to humanity and even the Autobots. They studied it, knowing how important it was to all of them, but they didn’t see it then nor now.

Except it was still a home, and an achievement of countless hours of hard work to create a thriving metropolis. They held no attachment to this city, yet it reminded him so much of Crystal City. Of their achievement.

“No.” Scrapper spoke, focusing his attention on the rampaging King of the Monsters “Not this time.”

“We runnin’ or fightin’, Scrapper?” Long Haul asked, aiming his weapon straight at the distant Godzilla.

“We’re fighting to save a city.”

***

“Ultra Magnus, you almost done over there? We’re doing what we can, but we’re getting our tailgates handed to us! I can’t find Inferno, Bluestreak, or Mirage!” Kup asked as he tapped his communicator, hiding behind a building as Godzilla stomped closely, the elder Autobot hoping the saurian wouldn’t see him as he gripped his blaster tightly.

“We’re trying to regroup, just give us a moment,” The City Commander replied, making Kup grumble as he heard Godzilla walk past him, his roars piercing his audio sensors.

“Well, we’ll see you eventually, I guess,” The old Cybertronian sighed as he saw his comrades at different buildings, waiting to strike while the flying vehicles overhead shot at the Monster King.

Jetfire, Cosmos, and Powerglide all hit Godzilla with every blast of energon they could muster, knowing that it wouldn’t be enough to do serious damage. But they were doing anything they could to be of use in the distraction.

On the other side of the Alpha Titan, Springer and Tracks pelted Godzilla with more energy blasts, dodging any swipe of his hands and snaps of his jaws as they zipped past, moving by the other Autobots scattering as they went by.

The green helicopter and blue flying sports car made a natural turn around the sky as they turned back to keep shooting at their target, orange blasts of energon splashing against his body like nothing.

“Hey, you guys might do something if you go for the eyes!” Powerglide laughed as he swept close to the Monster King’s face, taking a risky shot at his eye, making Godzilla roar in irritation before swatting the red jet away, successfully landing the hit.

Powerglide screamed in terror as the reptilian hand sent him flying uncontrollably through the air, the only thing silencing his sounds of fear being the side of a building, a minor explosion rocking the floor that he crashed into.

On the ground, Kup just shook his head as he watched the flying fool fail before motioning Trailbreaker to follow him. Getting into a more tactical position, they waited for Hot Rod and Arcee to be in place.

“I don’t know why you didn’t want to do this, I figured that shooting at a Titan would be more exciting than digging up a Decepticon,” The pink ‘bot wondered as she and the rebellious young Autobot wandered through the dusty ruins of the great city.

“Yeah, this seems cool, but I could have been the one to go right up to Devastator’s ugly face and tell him to get the scrap up. I’d be happy just doing that,” Hot Rod explained as he slid behind a large slab of concrete, peeking out to see the overgrown dinosaur still trying to attack their fliers.

“I think just doing this is enough to prove yourself,” Arcee said as she hid amongst a pile of rubble, gripping her pistol tightly as she was in the exact spot Kup wanted her to be.

“It’s not about proving myself. I know I’m good enough for Ultra Magnus, or Kup, or even Optimus. It’s about doing what I think is best, and I know I would have been better there than here.” The flame chested Autobot said as he scowled looking at Godzilla. If anything, this would be a good opportunity to practice his aim…

“Alright, you kids, fire!” Kup ordered as he began shooting at the Alpha Titan, along with the black Autobot beside him using the blaster attached to his forearm.

Arcee and Hot Rod followed, with the pink bot using her pistol and the red one using both of his wrist blasters. They stayed behind cover, as if it would do much against the creature that caused this destruction.

Godzilla roared in annoyance as he felt the small blasts hitting his body, doing little more than pestering him as he looked around to find the metal flies. He started ignoring the pests in the air.

The Monster King’s eyes narrowed at a green robot using a small weapon to shoot at him in the streets. He would just have to show them real firepower.

Godzilla’s spines started lighting up individually, humming and crackling with atomic rage as he aimed at his target, his orange eyes turning a vibrant blue before launching a round of his atomic breath at the bothersome machine.

“Oh damn,” Kup said before running to cover, his optics widening as he saw the beam following him through the remains of the surrounding buildings, reducing the rubble to more pieces, nearly hitting him as he ran past them.

The elder Autobot fell down, due to a mix of his age getting the better of him and not seeing a chunk of concrete on the ground. Kup gasped as he realized that he wasn’t dead, however, certain that he would be joining his fallen brethren from his past.

A bright yellow shield had protected him instead, making him look to see the source of it was none other than Trailbreaker, visibly straining to keep the forcefield up against the pressure of the atomic breath.

“G-Go… Kup… Finish it… for… Optimus…” The black Autobot said, looking back at the old sergeant as he was struggling to have more energy pour into the shield.

“I’ll see you soon, my friend. May Primus be with you,” Kup sighed as he transformed into his truck mode, swiftly driving to safety. Hearing the forcefield crack as he left, before an explosion rang out, he knew the fate of his comrade without even looking.

Hot Rod gritted his metal teeth as he moved out of position, shooting at the saurian before transforming into a slick racecar. He ramped up a pile of concrete to soar into the air, not knowing if he would get the Titan’s attention or go unnoticed as their distraction kept going.

The rebellious punk sped along the streets, engine revving with uncontrolled energy that he possessed. He needed to find anything there that could aid them, and knew of only one thing that might.

“Kup, Arcee, Blurr, I need you guys to follow me. Jetfire, try and keep that dinosaur busy,” Hot Rod said on the comms channel as he switched on his radio, interrupting whatever rock song he was playing before the battle.

“Alright, kid, but it better be good,” Kup answered, knowing they were low on options. He watched Jetfire continue the aerial assault, expertly maneuvering around any threat that Godzilla had towards him and his crew in the air.

The turbo revving young punk continued his trek until he finally found what he was looking for, his wheels spinning to a halt as he transformed back into robot mode, his smile beaming as he had it.

Right in the middle of the street lay Devastator’s Solar Rifle, and that was exactly what they needed to turn the tide.

Right behind him, the Autobots he requested to help him followed, all turning back from cars to robots, gazing up at the enormous blaster that sat before them.

“Alright, so you got that, how are we gonna use it now, kid?” Kup asked, placing his hand on Hot Rod’s shoulder.

“Yeahthat’ssobigreallybigbiggerthananyweaponwecanusenoneofuscanuseitnononoIdon’tkmowwhatyou’reth-” Blurr began complaining before Arcee covered his mouth. Although she didn’t mind his chatter, even she knew the speedster could be too much.

“We’re all gonna try lifting it up so we can shoot it, prop it up against that building and we’d be good,” Hot Rod explained, looking proud of his idea before his elder sighed.

“You see how big this gun is? I don’t think any of us are strong enough to get it up anyway, it’s a waste of time.” Kup immediately dismissed the plan, making the young Autobot’s optics nearly roll out of his skull.

“Well, we don’t have a lot more ideas, do we? I’m not just gonna do a suicide mission,” Hot Rod said, taking a breath before starting to push the giant rifle, gasping as he was already straining himself to get it moving. The others joined out of desperation.

Kup only wanted to just to show him how dumb it actually was, cursing at Hot Rod and berating him the entire time they spent heaving the gun toward a building, then climbing on said building to get just the right angle.

The rebellious Autobot even used a blue visor hidden in his helmet to make sure it was correct. He and Blurr each used both of their hands to grip the trigger.

“Here we go…” Hot Rod sighed before the pair pushed down, firing a purple blast of energon that could pierce a hole through seemingly anything, as they had seen on the battlefield on numerous occasions.

However, it seemed as if their luck spent finding the weapon was all they had for the day.

Godzilla had moved at the right time.

Any other time and the Alpha Titan would have had a hole in his chest, but now, it just barely grazed his spines.

The attack did not go unnoticed by Godzilla, who glared at the source of the shot.

Hot Rod, Arcee, Kup, and Blurr looked up in horror as Godzilla’s spines continued to glow a bright azure blue, the atomic energy surging through his body, ready to bring his wrath on the invaders that had attacked him.

He’d destroy them like the metal insects they were to him.

Hot Rod clenched his fist, thinking about how his miss had cost everyone the battle. The only thankful thought that he had was that they wouldn’t suffer long.

The rebellious Autobot gasped softly as he felt something tug his arm, looking to see Arcee hugging him, her eyes closed as she had accepted her fate.

“It’s ok, Hot Rod… you did your best,” she said, supportive as always, slightly calming his guilt as the Monster King’s maw glowed blue, ready to blast the Autobots into scrap.

Godzilla’s eyes shifted however, looking down as he sensed a high amount of energy in the ground. The energon in these beings was strong, and he could feel it through the earth.

The saurian began shooting his atomic breath down to try and destroy the threat before it could come up and attack, chunks of the ground shooting up from the force, concrete and dirt flying as Godzilla attempted to kill whatever was coming for him.

The King of the Monsters was just too late.

A drill shot up from the ground beside Godzilla, revealing the Cybertronian to be the mighty Devastator yet again, jumping out of the hole he left in the ground. Godzilla turned his body as soon as his heat ray stopped its fury, his eyes widening in surprise as he was sure that the combiner was out of the fight, but he was now standing right before him.

“NOTHING DEFEATS THE DEVASTATOR!” The Constructicon Combiner shouted in defiance of the surprised king as he retracted his drill, replacing it with his massive fist and sending it soaring into Godzilla’s face. Devastator nearly toppled over from the force, as much of his might as possible being thrown into the strike.

Godzilla almost fell over, feeling a tooth fly out of his mouth before the Cybertronian’s arms wrapped around his body. The organic colossus let out an astonished roar as Devastator held his waist, the Constructicon goliath using his incredible strength to lift the Monster King completely. Internal wires and pistons strained, gritting his teeth as he began bringing both of them down backwards.

“NOTHING!” Devastator finished as he slammed Godzilla down into the ground in a suplex, causing the earth to shake around the two warring behemoths, dirt and dust surrounding the area as they crashed.

Both Godzilla and Devastator groaned as they began to rise. Both were weak from the impact, but their tenacity and willingness to continue the fight overpowered their pain.

The Alpha Titan pounced on the war machine, his mighty jaws wrapping around Devastator’s head, wanting to crush the metal menace’s skull. But a sharp knee to the gut made him back off, giving the Constructicon combiner the opportunity to headbutt Godzilla before shoving the Titan off of his Cybertronian body.

The two goliaths rose to their feet, charging at each other. Both tackled the other as hard as they could, coming to a standstill as their feet skidded along the earth, but this time, Godzilla snapped at Devastator’s crane arm, tugging with excessive force to pull it off. The Decepticon gestalt screamed in pain as blue energon spurted from the appendage before getting hit in the face by the base, making Devastator stumble back, losing the shoving match as he let go of his opponent.

The Alpha Titan snorted with contempt as he held the crane arm in his maw, using it as a bat to swing at the Cybertronian destroyer. Devastator groaned in pain as Godzilla twisted his neck with great strength a few times, using his new weapon to strike the Constructicon combiner in his bulky body and face. His visor cracked more until it shattered, exposing the two red optics underneath, making Devastator scowl in annoyance before grabbing the crane arm, tugging it out of Godzilla’s mouth as he rose up.

The neon green giant swung the new weapon overhead, crashing the crane arm against the Titan’s head as hard as he could, making Godzilla’s ears ring as he cried out in agony, feeling his head throb from the broken appendage striking his skull.

Not only that, but the Alpha Titan felt a surge of energy in his head, a visible spark showing on top as he felt a sharp stream of pain. His howls of suffering increased in volume as Godzilla held his head, looking towards the ground as he scratched at his skull, yearning for the pain to stop, confused at what was happening.

It had to be whatever those invaders planted on him. They did this. They… must be… exterminated… or not?…

The Monster King didn’t even know what thoughts were his and what was implanted into his mind, it was Hell, he was… scared?

Devastator realized what was happening. The look of confusion and pain, the Constructicons making him up recognizing seeing each other succumb to the mind control millions of years ago, feeling just like that.

The combiner softly put a hand on Godzilla’s back, hoping to calm the Alpha Titan’s rage. But the expected reaction happened when Godzilla twisted his body, smacking Devastator to the ground with his lengthy tail, growling as the Cybertronian grabbed ahold of the appendage, tugging on it to try dragging Godzilla to the ground with him.

The Monster King scoffed at the attempt as he slammed his tail into the titanic Decepticon’s body, sending fragments of metal into the air before turning around, spines glowing with atomic power. He was ready to blast his opponent into scrap, and then, the rest of his kind.

Anything to stop this pain.

Devastator quickly slid his leg across the ground, colliding with the column that was Godzilla’s leg and tripping the Titan. His atomic fire momentarily shot into the air before abruptly stopping, making Godzilla growl in frustration before feeling a hard hit to the head, looking to see the Cybertronian behemoth beside him, wailing on his skull with one fist while his other hand kept Godzilla pinned down.

Every punch felt like both a surge of agony and a plea for help. The hits were aimed at the electric pulses going into the Alpha Titan’s head, every single strike assaulting the cerebro-shell until it finally cracked!

Godzilla gurgled as his eyes widened, the pain leaving his body as his eyelids felt heavy, closing as his head fell to the ground. His fight for control of his mind was finally over.

Devastator huffed as he gazed down at the Alpha Titan, recognizing that he had only knocked Godzilla unconscious by him still breathing. He knew exactly what to do with the fallen Monster King as he weakly stood on his asymmetrical feet. Eyes narrowed as Devastator grabbed Godzilla’s tail, dragging the saurian to the water. The gestalt cringed as the water went into his open wounds before they went deeper and deeper, until they reached the depths, waves crashing against the pair as they went down into the endless ocean.

The hulking combiner groaned, feeling the pressure of the depths getting to him. Devastator glanced back at the still senseless Godzilla before turning back to find a suitable place to leave the Alpha Titan. As much as it pained him, the battle had already drained him to the point where a knockout would have to suffice.

Devastator trudged forward, fish swimming past him as he kept his grip firm on Godzilla. With just a few more steps, he stood on the edge of a cliff, noticing a huge drop off to the depths below. What lay below didn’t concern him, as long as it kept Godzilla entrapped for a while. That’s all that mattered to him.

Using the bulk of his remaining strength, Devastator combated the intense pressure and swung the still motionless Godzilla around. He let him drop at the edge, intending to deliver a small kick to send him careening down. All that was left was for Devastator’s strength to come back to him.

Godzilla’s eyes opened up!

He shook his head, feeling himself completely engulfed in the ocean depths. The Alpha Titan felt himself at a loss. Godzilla knew something had occurred, feeling his bones aching and blood seeping from his skin, instantly causing fury in his very body. Whoever was responsible shall pay for their transgressions.

The King of the Monsters snapped his head and saw the green and purple giant before him, readying to attack him. Godzilla roared out, feeling the water rush into his mouth as he prepared to tackle the metallic behemoth.

Devastator’s core sank, fearing the worst as Godzilla still had fight in him. Not wanting to draw this out any longer, the Cybertronian reared his leg back and delivered it straight in Godzilla’s face, eliciting a gurgled cry.

Godzilla felt himself losing his balance as he collapsed from the edge of the cliff and descended towards the unknowable fathoms. The King of the Monsters shrieked out in anger watching as Devastator stood at the edge, glancing down at him. Godzilla wanted nothing more but to swim back up and tear him to pieces, but his body prevented him from doing so. Nearly every part of his body hurt and commanded him to rest.

As he drifted further and further to the bottom of the depths, Godzilla’s eyes closed, feeling the sensation of sleep take a hold of him. For how long he’d slumber, no one knew, but Godzilla was defeated, and one day he’d return when his body commanded it.

With the King of the Monsters disappearing underneath the depths, Devastator ascended upwards, coming ashore in the bay of New York. He waded outside of the water and into the city. Devastator then made his way back towards the inner section of the city. He could have left right then and there, either by running off into the sunset or flying into the sky, but his components wanted something instead. The hulking giant murmured, feeling their request was more important than his own desires.

He only existed out of force, a disgusting act onto six beings, one he wished never happened. Nonetheless, he could exist as an extension of their will. A chance to be more than a weapon for a tyrant, to be a symbol of their unification.

Devastator’s joints wobbled, feeling himself becoming more unstable. The hulking giant trudged through the broken asphalt, listening to their collective thoughts. Some, like before, still wanted to flee, but others needed to make sure of something. To make sure those who came to their rescue still stood to fight another day.

“Help…” a weak voice cried out.

Devastator stopped in his tracks and glanced over to the wounded red warthog plane lodged in a broken building. He recognized the flying bot from several of their skirmishes, the all too cocky Powerglide trapped in its confinement.

“Hey… big guy…” Powerglide coughed, energon spitting out from his mouth and onto Devastator’s chest. “Sorry about that….”

The Combiner studied the injured Autobot, realizing he wouldn’t make it without help as he was in really bad shape. “Hate to ask, but you think you can get me out of here…. Unless we’re back to fightin’… each other.”

Devastator heard the collective speak once more and was puzzled. A life hanged in front of him, completely at his mercy. Before all of this, he would have just laughed and destroyed the Autobot in his confinement. Now, he felt pity, sadness.

He didn’t know if he could even save him, but he had to try. After all, they risked their lives for him.

The green and purple giant reached his hands forward as Powerglide chuckled. “Don’t worry about my legs… I think they’re gone.”

“I’ll be gentle…” Devastator murmured, ripping the sides of the building with his right while he shielded the Autobot with his left. The upper portion of the structure collapsed onto his hand while he inched his right hand towards Powerglide, snatching him up. Devastator pulled him away as he let the upper portion of the building collapse gently.

“I appreciate it, big guy,” Powerglide coughed, continuing to lay almost motionlessly on his palm. “So what’s the plan now?”

“Rendevouz with your team,” Devastator confirmed, turning back to trek towards his saviors.

“Ah… good,” Powerglide sheepishly responded, barely keeping himself conscious.

Within a few minutes they saw Devastator erupt from behind the skylines, noticing Godzilla nowhere in their presence. They all collectively sighed in relief before realizing Devastator still stood as he made his way closer to them. Their mutual enemy had been neutralized, but the war could very well still resume.

Ultra Magnus stepped forward, placing himself in front of his surviving soldiers, pointing his gun at the approaching giant. Hauler nervously glanced at his friends doing the same as he tapped his fingers against each other. Scared that both sets of friends were about to fight each other once more.

Devastator ceased his movements, looking down at the squadron of Autobots in his vicinity. Despite his status, he was more than capable of taking them down, but he didn’t want to. Whether it was from the low energy of certain components or their wariness of war, it was futile to continue.

At least for today.

Without uttering a word, Devastator gently set the injured Powerglide down, causing the surprise of the entire group. “Powerglide!” Perceptor called out, rushing towards him with Hoist and Grapple trailing behind him to provide him medical attention.

“Hey, guys… small world…” Powerglide coughed, with Perceptor giving him a small amount of energon to keep him stabilized.

Feeling his own body about to give out, he disassembled himself into his six components. He was glad he could end the day doing something they were proud to do. Perhaps this was the start of something more peaceful between the seven of them. A way for all of them to move forward.

The six Constructicons huddled together, eyeing the Autobots that stood across the street. For a few minutes they stared at each other, trying to recover from their grievous battle, until Scrapper inched his way towards Ultra Magnus.

The Autobot eyed the Combiner leader, keeping his wits even if the Decepticon showed no hostility towards them. Ultra Magnus moved forward, intending to match the Decepticon’s movement.

Hauler watched the display, nervous that something bad could happen to either one of them or even both, he hurried over to them. The former Constructicon placed himself in front of the two, eliciting pause from the respective leaders, confused by his behavior.

“Please… no more fighting,” Hauler murmured, glancing towards Scrapper, his brother.

Scrapper glanced at Ultra Magnus, who slightly glared at him, expecting him to resume the conflict in any way before turning back to his friend. He couldn’t help but smile at Hauler, the bot who always wanted a group to remain strong no matter what. He always admired that about him, knowing he’d be a friend who’d have someone’s back.

The Constructicon leader patted Hauler on the shoulder. “There will be no war today, Hauler.”

He looked back up at Ultra Magnus, pushing himself gently past his good friend and towards the new Autobot leader. Scrapper offered his hand up and spoke, “Shockwave will disagree, but I don’t care what he thinks. We’re tired…”

Ultra Magnus stared down at the seemingly irenic Scrapper still holding his hand up to him. The Autobot leader kept some form of doubt alive in his head that this could very well be a trick, but thought back to Devastator bringing Powerglide back to him, alongside their behavior to Hauler. Something about them changed, and potentially for the better.

One thing rang true most of all from their actions, and he felt one-hundred percent the same.

Ultra Magnus grabbed onto Scrapper’s hand, shaking it, completely surprising the Constructicon. “I’m tired as well.”

A whistle blared in the sky as both Autobots and Constructicons jumped in surprise. They looked up in the sky to see Astrotrain touching down near the Decepticon group. Magnus nearly recoiled in horror, thinking Decepticon reinforcements were pulling up on them, but Scrapper shook his head.

“Don’t worry about him…” Scrapper lightly chuckled. “He’s just our ride out of here.”

Hook and Mixmaster immediately stumbled into Astrotrain, nearly collapsing in the hull of the larger Transformer. Scavenger collapsed on the ruined street, forcing Bonecrusher to groan and drag him, likely following suit.

Long Haul was the last to follow as he looked over at his leader. “Scrapper, let’s blow this joint and get back to Cybertron! I’m tired!”

“Be right there!” Scrapper called back out before turning back to Hauler. “We’d love it if you rejoined us, Hauler. We have a nice little place we’d think you like.”

Hauler smiled at his brother and rubbed the back of his head. “I’d love to, but that’ll have to be another day. There’s still a lot to be sorted out in this war before we can make that happen.”

“Don’t worry about Shockwave, I’ll sort him out,” Scrapper laughed, pulling the Autobot in for a hug.

The two felt like family once more as they kept their hold onto each other. Hauler reared back slightly, smiling at his friend once more. “It’s good to have you guys back.”

“It’s good to be back, Hauler,” Scrapper said, pulling back from his friend and inching towards Astrotrain. “And Magnus!”

Ultra Magnus titled his head up to the Constructicon leader, curious but also apprehensive at what the Decepticon was about to convey. “Keep doing what you can even if you receive pushback! I’ll do the same on my end, and help bring an end to this cursed war!”

The Autobot leader couldn’t fully believe him, as the thought of Shockwave taking the reins of the Decepticons terrified him. That ‘con was the most dangerous and evil of all Cybertronians, but he couldn’t help but smile softly. He wasn’t blind, he saw the progress the Constructicons were making.

Like Prime would say, “There was good in them.”

“Make good on your promise! And we’ll both see through to it!” Ultra Magnus called out, providing a small wave to the departing Constructicon.

“Soon this will all be a memory and we can get back to properly rebuilding Cybertron!” Scrapper called out as he boarded Astrotrain. The Triple-Changer took off into the sky while the Autobots watched, leaving all of them to ponder their future.

So many lives were lost, but others regained their freedom.

They all wondered if the war would get any worse from here, but with Cybertronians on both sides wanting to end this conflict, perhaps peace wasn’t too far off.

It was something worth holding onto.

Winner: Devastator

Author: Vincent Rodger & Brendan Sheehan | Banner: Vincent Rodger

Space. 

The inky black stretched endlessly, encompassing all one could see. The few lights that broke through it only illuminated the sheer width of the void, like a lantern simply showing the greater detail of the faces hidden within. Even as one came to a planet, they would only see it swallowed by the sheer emptiness that surrounded it until they arrived on its surface. In this far corner, the dark surrounded a strange, dark, and dead planet.

And something traveled to this forgotten world with a soul even darker than the all encompassing oblivion he traveled in. 

Those who traveled the void knew there were ones who lightened it: the Ultras. Godly beings, gifted by their artificial sun with incredible power, which they used to protect the innocent from the terrors who lurked the eternal night. But long ago, one of their greatest grew jealous and vain, knowing there was more he could do then simple protection. He attempted to steal their power source and was banished. A terrible mistake, as he found other sources to grow his power. Now, those who trusted the Ultras knew there was a shadow stretching from their light. The greatest evil in the galaxy they attempted to contain… now freed. 

Ultraman Belial’s twisted maw sneered as he flew towards the graveyard. One hand held the artificial star that granted his people unimaginable power, while the other gripped his prize, the Giga Battlenizer. This ancient artifact, created by the dreaded Alien Reiblood whose ichor strengthened his power, would give him an army. But first, he had to secure it from where they rested. Blazing, angular eyes of blood red looked upon the Monster Graveyard with joy. 

The universe would bow before him. And it would be beautiful. 

As the fallen hero began to enter the stratosphere of the dread planet, he spotted something hovering over the graveyard, making him stop. Alien crafts hovered above the planets, not enough to be a full fleet but enough to be visible from here. Belial snarled in frustration. He did not need these distractions, especially with the hurry he had. He had razed his home world, but he knew there were no doubt more Ultras stationed away from home rushing to him. He needed his army to make sure all would be under his claw. 

“Bastards, out of my way!” 

He threw his prize from the Land of Light towards the surface below the warships like a javelin, rushing past them without grazing a single one. The Plasma Spark’s holder forced itself into the earth with an instantaneous halt, the artificial sun undamaged. Now he could get to work.

Aboard the ship, the aliens of the Crisis Empire had a moment to stare in horror at the demigod before them, before he swung his staffed weapon and they met oblivion. A curved arc of energy slashed through the nearest ship, splitting it into two before both halves exploded into infernos.  The explosion rocked Belial from where he stood, as he leaned to watch violent dominoes of flame. Ship after ship was overtaken, the bright orange glow growing seemingly infinitely. It danced in the orange crescents that made the Reionic’s eyes, as he observed the death of thousands with a single attack. A light rumble in his chest increased into a gruff chuckle, then into a mad cackle as he watched the chaos. 

Such beauty, and he had only just gotten started. 

Among the chaos, a ship took off. Inside, a golden warrior rushed around watching as his minions made the controls work. He struggled to contain his fear. The ships… so many soldiers… gone in an instant. General Jark shut his eyes and settled his mind, trying to not lose himself to anxiety. He turned to a Chap soldier and pointed.

“Keep moving! Our only chance is reach the graveyard. The revival of the warrior will aid us. The Crisis Empire will not fall! This fool shall die from the might of Shadow M-”

The world shifted around him as the dark Ultra lunged forward, snatching the ship in his hands. The alien warlord stumbled as the ship shook. Falling to his knees, he managed to look up through their display, seeing the corrupted giant of light sneer down at him. Panic filled his mind as the angry eyes glared down at him. Terror filled his evil heart as he looked upon a being who made his works look like child’s play. He turned and desperately called.

“Fire all weapons! Please!”

The order was never completed. The fallen hero crushed his fist, ending Jark and his men in an explosion of sparks and fire. Flexing his talons to rid them of the shrapnel, Belial nodded as he flew off. He paid no heed to the mission the invaders came to this world for. As far as he was concerned, it died with them. His goal was all that mattered. 

Slamming a fist into the ground as he landed, the crimson shadow surveyed the dead landscape as he looked around, the souls of those vanquished by his “brothers” hanging with an ethereal glow of various color hues. Their souls were unmoving, until one by one eyes which were believed to be at rest turned their gaze towards the new arrival. Here would be where his dominion of the galaxy would begin! Slamming the staff into the ground, Belial called out to the dead world.

“100 Mons Load! Come to me, my army!”

An insidious laugh left the fallen knight’s maw as the souls descended into the underworld, their forms reacting to his command like a feather to a windless day. One by one they were devoured by the molten rock beneath his feet, only for the various monster souls to be reborn in crimson fire as lava erupted, their forms returned to the land of the living. Their eyes glowing, roars echoed into the night as they returned with a vengeance against the universe, seijin and kaiju alike rising from the depths of the afterlife.

The fallen knight from the Land of Light cackled into the stars as his army had properly returned to him, claws flexing with anticipation as the first steps of his plan had been accomplished. The fools that had sealed him away had been dealt with, his army had returned to his side, there was simply no force in the universe that would stop his reign of terror from occurring.

Bump bump…

The various souls turned to a bright raging red as they quickly returned towards the Giga Battlenizer, those that wished to wreak havoc on the worlds they were previously on when they were slain by the accursed Ultramen across the universe.

Bump bump…

But a strange feeling arose as Belial wrapped his clawed hand around his prized weapon once more, what should have been a moment of clear victory had him feeling off when he met a realization. While most of the souls that comprised his resurrected army joined without resistance, and he had met the required one hundred “men” for his conquest of the cosmos… something resisted his will during the process.

Bump bump…

The hillside above him burst open. While it certainly earned his attention, he didn’t move a muscle away from where he was standing. Simply putting his staff upon his shoulder, he stared towards the origin of the explosion, the smoke not allowing him to get a clear picture, but it was humanoid in nature. Metal clanks were heard as it stepped forward, robotically approaching closer towards the cliff below to get a better view of its surroundings.

He reached into the earth beneath him, carefully and quickly removing the soil and rock from his trusted crimson blade. While he didn’t exactly know what was occurring here, he did know that holding this weapon in his hand made him feel more comfortable than without it. It was as if it was always meant to be held by him, an extension of his will. Twin emerald lights turned towards Belial as the figure stood still, the smoke clearing its way for a proper picture to be made for the both of them.

He stood tall in his chrome colored form, cybernetics covering every inch of his body. It would be incredibly easy for someone to mistake the figure as just an automaton due to the various machines beeping on his body. But, the mysterious entity was much, much more than just some soulless machine. His face resembled an insect, twin antennae pointed towards the stars above. His belt glowed the same emerald as his eyes, spikes pointing outward from his elbows giving him the appearance of a demon.

Rust covered his armor, some of it being brushed off with his free hand along with the dust and rock from his tomb. He observed the area he now stood in, gazing past the horizon into the infinite sea of stars which surrounded them upon his barren rock. He then turned back to Belial, this time acknowledging his presence. “What is this place? Speak before I run out of patience.”

“What?” Belial questioned as he tilted his head, curiosity and fury equally keeping his attention towards the humanoid entity. It would appear that he wouldn’t have to find the soul that resisted his control via hunting it down, it was at least fortunate that the being was right before him as he awakened.

“I remember,” the figure spoke as he reached his hand out to the stars, as if he was attempting to grasp the memory itself while images quickly rushed into his mind. A great battle had occurred between the forces of Gorgom wishing to subjugate humanity under mutantkind and his rival… his… brother. “Facing a mirror. One of incredible might and valor.” He laughed a bit as everything quickly returned to him, palm being planted against his face as the chuckle echoed down towards the Ultra. “It would seem that he had proven his might over my own. Damn that cur!”

He had died in the last stand against Kamen Rider Black to protect the previous Creation King, the entity even granting him its power. And still, he had failed to destroy Kotaro, like some emotional child. “I was slain, is that it?”

Belial then turned his entire body to give the cyborg his full attention, their eyes meeting even so far away. “You are unlike the Seijin I have now enslaved. I have resurrected you, along with a hundred monsters to control you and yet… You are not only free-willed, but beyond some mere Baltan. Just who the hell are you?”

The entity laughed once more, this time having to put his hand on his stomach as he attempted to keep his footing over the cliff to not fall over. “You believed that you could simply take control of my very soul? Fool! I am the chosen new leader of Gorgom! I am the shadow which will engulf the Earth! I am the answer to humanity’s prayers for something to be done to save their world! I am the demon of mutantkind! I! am!” He launched himself into the air with a powerful leap, the cyborg descending towards Belial at alarming speeds. The fallen Ultra quickly blocked the crimson blade with his own weapon, feet sinking into the earth below. “Shadow Moon! And I am a Creation King, you peasant!” 

Belial cackled loudly, striking his claws against the Battle Nizer in a shower of sparks. “Peasant? Did I hear you right, kaijin? Do you not know of my tale? Of my exploits? I am Ultraman Belial! The greatest warrior in the galaxy!” 

The dark messiah of Gorgom did not react. This cur was nothing more than another haughty bastard, boasting his own superiority. He would enjoy breaking his will like many others. Though the name he spoke did make him pause. He remembered the stories of the Ultraman who fought against the beasts from deep beneath the Earth and then returned to the stars. If this dark being was seriously among their ranks, he could prove a challenge to his godly power.  

Belial cackled all while he carefully observed this rebel in his ranks. Despite his aggressive path forward against his foes, he wasn’t stupid. This creature being able to resist made it more powerful. And the fallen angel was nothing if not unquenchable. He was constantly searching for a power which would aid him in becoming even greater than he already was. If this “Creation King” had this type of power, he would either break him so he could send it out against his foes, or, the option he preferred much more. 

Rip it out for himself. 

The dark Ultra raised his staff-like weapon and roared as he slammed it into the ground, the stone splitting and cracking as he pointed.

“If you really are this king, let me see what you have! Face your brothers! Go, my army!”

And go they did. From within the ground, kaiju who terrorized hundreds of planets, and seijin who conquered just as many, appeared and rushed toward the armored warrior. The chosen one did not hesitate as with a single leap, he cleared the head of the charging Arston, his fanged jaws clamping shut as his eyes widened. A parrot-faced Alien Guts raised his arms to fire a beam at the silver figure as he crashed back down, only to choke as a punch to his abdomen silenced him. An Alien Hipporito, the terrifying alien mercenary, charged forward. His eyes glowed before he aimed his red trunk and fired, a burst of flame shooting out.

Shadow Moon dodged the inferno, kicking out a leg to trip the gangly alien. Falling to his knees, the trunked assassin had a moment to look up before another punch struck, right to his widening yellow eyes. The charging Arston, joined by a sprinting Alien Metron, skidded to a stop as the blood of their compatriot splattered their faces. Blinking out the gore and wiping it off with tendrils respectively, the duo looked at the green lenses staring back at them. Cracking his shoulder, the Creation King aimed his hands and let loose, a bright flash of lightning firing. Quickly flipping, the Metron landed at the back of the ranks to avoid the onslaught. His saurian brother wasn’t as lucky, screeching as the blast fried him.

On it went, the enhanced mutant fighting against the army. A judo chop to the neck of an Aribunta, to then leap over a Kemular and kick deeply into the chest of an Alien Borg, crumbling it to the ground so he could send a blast of energy through the head of the nearest Bemstar and then turn to grapple with the snapping jaws of Mukadender. 

Watching from behind, Belial stalled as he watched his ranks thin more and more. This was a powerful fool! 

Still, the monsters came, trying desperately to fell him even as it became more and more dangerous. And frustration built in the head of the grasshopper warrior as he watched their master, observing closely. Eventually, breaking free from the grip of the Metron and knocking it aside with a roundhouse kick, he raised his hands and yelled.

“Enough!”

The Creation King raised his hand, and with a brilliant flashing of lights, it was done. All the raging beasts, the bodies of their fallen comrades, and even the flames from their attacks. 

They were all gone. 

“What!?” Belial screamed, looking around baffled. He raised his Battlenizer in disbelief, shaking it, before aiming at the Gorgom general in rage. “What did you do!?”

The being once known as Nobuhiko did not react, coldly regarding his “master” as he stretched his mechanical knuckles. 

“Those simple beasts are beneath me. Distractions to a Creation King.” 

A silver finger raised to point at the black and red warrior seething on the dead planet.

“You are the being who resurrected me, to hold control of my body and mind, but I will always remain as your enemy. Now, face the results of your pride.”

The demon messiah of Gorgom thrust his crimson blade into the earth beside him, slowly walking forward before taunting the fallen Ultra. Raising his hand, he beckoned the other overlord to bring it on, to which the Reionic snarled before letting out a cry of rage.

The two charged at each other with violent intent, a shockwave rolling by due to the sheer velocity of the pair. The Battlenizer slammed into Shadow Moon’s arm as he blocked it, another shockwave radiating out before Belial was sent flying. A quick strike to the chest from the mutant’s open palm sent him soaring into rock, dust kicking up as he quickly recovered, only for green eyes to illuminate the haze once more as his opponent was already on top of him. Belial swung his weapon at the demon’s feet in an attempt to have the challenger land on his back, only for the savior of mutantkind to leap into the air before it could make contact.

The Reionic quickly pulled his legs back before launching them forth, slamming them into the armored Rider’s stomach, earning a groan of pain as he was thrown into the air. As Shadow Moon spun rapidly into the starry night sky, Ultraman Belial launched himself into the air, thrusting the Battlenizer forward in an attempt to land a devastating blow. Instead, the cyborg stood tall upon the staff, looking down at his opponent before speaking. 

“Is this all you can muster, greatest warrior in the universe?”

Rage snapped like a twig as Belial quickly switched tactics, throwing the mutant off of his weapon before going in with furious strikes. Eventually, there would be an opening, and when that occurred he would finish the traitor to his army. Sparks flew as the staff slammed into metal, Shadow Moon constantly on the defensive as he parried the rapid blows. The two descended towards the ground as the fight continued onward, arms moving like blurs. 

Finally! A blow struck true, the Giga Battlenizer landing upon the cyborg’s shoulder blade, and while there was a slight grunt… It was followed by a sigh as the cyborg rolled his head back. “Disappointing,” The mutant then pressed his fists against his belt, the middle starting to glow for a moment before flashing alarmingly. “Shadow Flash!”

Ultraman Belial let out a cry as he was blinded, only to then feel cold metallic hands wrap around his throat before the opponent’s skull slammed into his own. He was sent down with a sonic boom, before crashing into the rocky terrain below. Earth launched into the air as Shadow Moon descended towards the dusty crash site, landing his feet upon the soil with grace as he slowly walked over to his crimson blade.

Sparks flew as talons slashed across his back. The dark Ultra laughed as his opponent buckled for a moment before turning to swing his elbow, only for clawed hands to catch the attack. 

“I will make you regret not falling under my control, my liege.” He mockingly intoned. “For there are fates worse than death.” 

A strong kick to the back forced Shadow Moon to crash across the earth for a moment, skipping like a rock on water before he had managed to halt the momentum. Before Gorgom’s prophesied ruler could make a move, he was met with the fallen knight’s talons wrapping around his leg, raising him above his head before slamming him into the rock below.

The fallen general of the Land of Light then tossed Shadow Moon into the air, timing it perfectly for when his weapon would strike, slamming the Giga Battlenizer into the cyborg’s form and sending him soaring once again.

Only for him to disappear from his vision without explanation, standing baffled by what had occurred before turning to a strike to the chin. Belial was pushed back for a moment, being caught off guard once again as light began to surround Shadow Moon’s hand. While it didn’t register for a moment what it was, when he felt the cyborg’s cold grasp once again wrap around his throat to send out bolts of electrical energy… All the demonic betrayer could do was let out a laugh of pure bliss, watching as Shadow Moon stood confused by the action.

 “Seems that you didn’t do your homework,” the blight spoke before backhanding Gorgom’s leader and sending him flying. “Your elemental attack will have no effect on me, slave. In fact, you had only managed to return some strength to me as I absorbed the blow. Pathetic child.”

Quickly, the entity once known as Nobuhiko shook off the attack as he returned to his feet. The dark cyborg put a hand to his chin for a moment, pondering his next move. Then, he pulled his arms back as light gathered in his hands, forming a brilliant orb.

“Ah, I see…” The fallen angel replied. He would meet his foe’s challenge.

Ultraman Belial slammed his weapon into the earth beside him before leaping into the air as high as he could. Energy crackled as crimson and pitch black lightning surrounded the Ultra’s arms, all while he let loose a hideous laugh. 

“Take everything I have, and die a fruitless death!” 

The former general placed his arms into the shape of a cross before unleashing a beam of pure energy directly at the cyborg, the Deathcium Ray rapidly approaching the target at rapid speeds. But Shadow Moon did not move an inch as the blast seemed to make contact. A gigantic explosion erupted from the blast zone, the Monster Graveyard shaking violently as the cloud reached towards Belial’s form.

The demonic knight chuckled a bit, before letting loose a cry of pain when something suddenly impaled him. Looking down, he saw the crimson blade that the cyborg had left in the soil minutes prior sticking through his stomach. Turning his gaze behind him, there was a ball of light only inches away from his skull, Shadow Moon floating alongside him. 

“Fruitless, huh?” 

The beam quickly engulfed Belial’s form as it forced him towards the earth below, letting loose a hellish scream as he carved through the soil. Somehow managing to turn around as the energy blast was pushing him, he forced both hands onto the surface of the projectile in an attempt to halt his movement, only seeming to drag his feet into the rock below.

This duel was growing tiresome. With a wicked smile, Belial concocted a devilish scheme. With all of his might, the future emperor of the cosmos threw the energy blast into the vastness of the void which hung above him, taking a moment to catch his breath. Looking towards the direction from which he came, he managed to spot his prized weapon, only to once again be completely thrown off guard as Shadow Moon suddenly appeared before him. Energy surrounded the Century King’s fist as he swung forward with all of his strength. 

“Shadow Punch!”

Multiple layers of a nearby mountain were shattered as the warrior’s form crashed through completely, the natural structure of the vast graveyard coming to a crumble which once again shook the resting place of Kaiju and Seijin. As the shockwaves sent an incredible amount of dust towards him, all Shadow Moon did was stand still. Allowing the moment to sink in, only the green lights of his eyes punctured through the thick layer of dust which surrounded him. As the winds finally calmed down, the demonic cyborg simply brushed the dust off of his shoulder before walking towards wherever his target had landed. The teleportation ability had been a great advantage against the Ultra, even if he had greater experience and even, perhaps, pure raw power, the mutant had just the right tools to deal with him.

He wondered how much power that this Ultraman had left, seeing as the records across the decades told that the extraterrestrials had very little time on Earth for an unknown reason. Perhaps if he simply wore Belial down, making him use his energy in full, he would win in the end. While such a tactic was not beneath him, it would be a shame for the game to end so soon. Especially since the alien had spoken so much tough talk, perhaps it was just an illusion…

From the other side of the ruined mountain, a beam cut through rock like butter at light speeds. Shadow Moon only had a moment to act, but he did so with swift precision, blocking the oncoming blast with the Satansaber. The Deathcium Ray forced him backwards, his feet dragging into the earth as he stood with all of his strength to not be consumed by the light, grunting as it was quickly becoming more than a chore. He was left with very little option, either being consumed by the beam and possibly falling back into the depths of the underworld, or taking a risk and allowing it to pay off.

Managing to shift his body so that the attack would only cut through his shoulder blade, Shadow Moon let out a cry of pain as the beam made contact. Sparks flew as armor blackened, what little flesh sizzled and metal bubbled for a moment before the beam struck another nearby structure, destroying it in an instant as a pure display of power. Ashes fell towards the battlefield as Shadow Moon looked back up to see a figure through the smoke walking towards him, each step having an echo as Belial’s form approached.  

If the static mouth his species was “blessed” with could move, Belial would be grimacing as bad as the kaiju. This pathetic upstart! He gave him back his life! Whatever he boasted about his glory as a “King”, something had taken this bastard out before he had come along. And now that he saved him and tried to use that slain potential for his own need, he dared to strike back?! To act as if he was on his level?!

This was why he had rejected the Land of Light. To share power with another, to work for a better future, it was a lie. 

The powerful deserved to conquer the weak. 

And despite his flashy tricks, he was going to teach the kaijin that he was not the strongest here.

With a roar, the Reionic charged. He swung his clawed right hand to slam into the antennaed helmet of the cyborg, only for the martial artist to dodge quickly and throw a punch. Using years of regimented training, the alien dodged the attack and tried to slash again, only for the talon to be grabbed for a flip. Recovering quickly, the Dark Ultra raised his Battlenizer and swung, an arc of energy that coursed through the air in front of him. To the berserker’s growing rage, the Creation King raised his arm and braced, skidding back against the attack almost unharmed. The tyrant slammed a fist into the ground before he leapt, swinging his club as the silver warrior fired blasts of energy at him, knocking them back. 

He was simply too fast for him to land a hit, always finding some way to block! There must be another way for him to nail this whelp. Seconds passed as he entered the atmosphere, his mind skimming ideas.

There! 

The fallen angel chuckled at his sinister plan before he prepared. Hovering in the air with his natural abilities as Shadow Moon glared from below, he cracked his shoulder before chucking the Battlenizer to the ground. Like a deadly javelin, it crashed to the ground, causing the world to tremble from the impact, all as the grasshopper mutant stumbled for a moment. He turned his green lenses just in time to the crackling energy of the Deathcium Ray, piercing the air to hit him. With a flash, he teleported out of the way again, and again, as the deadly beam tore a line through the dead stone. The beam ceased and the Gogrom general stopped, his breath hitching as he stood…

Not even turning as he raised his armored hand to catch the fist heading for the back of his head. 

“Sloppy, Belia-” 

The rest of the reprimand was cut off by a scream as the Land of Light’s devil gouged his other hand into the abdomen of the child born under the eclipse. A chuckle echoed as he narrowed his eyes. 

“Sloppy, but effective, bug.” 

The dark god kicked out, using the glimmering exoskeleton as a launchboard to fling himself off of his foe. The mutant monarch did not move to reach him at first, his stoic snarl looking down at the wound. Flesh and tendons writhed as organic tissue were reconstituted by his enhanced biology, the cold warrior turning back and ignoring it. A single finger raised to the gleeful sadist. 

“You are going to regret that.” 

Belial did not respond verbally. He simply reached for his Battlenizer, the unholy weapon ripping from the earth to reach his waiting palm, skidding it against his free hand in a shower of sparks. 

The two warriors stood ready. 

Then they leapt for each other. The ultimate evil moved like lightning, the Battlenizer darting frantically to catch every precise blow from the leader of the new world order. The Ultra swung the weapon in a wide arc, aiming a sphere of energy, only for the mutant to disappear in a flash once more. Before the fallen angel could react, mechanical arms locked around his throat in a chokehold, causing him to hiss in anger as he twisted and beat back with his elbow. The kaijin let go, allowing his foe to turn his orange crescent shaped eyes to glare… only for the Star Saber to slash upwards, sending him spinning. 

Landing on the ground, Shadow Moon leapt up and leaned forward as he screamed. 

“Shadow Kick!” 

The devastating move landed as the dark Rider leapt, slamming into the hybrid evil’s stomach and sending both combatants flying into a mountain. Centuries of well worn erosion and the sand-swept peak simply ceased to be in a second as Belial crashed into it, caving the entire mountain face into a crater. The intergalactic warlord, dazed and wounded, coughed as he lay pinned under his foe’s boot and moved to attack, but the Gorgom savior was done playing. Disappearing in a flash, he appeared on the dark being’s side, sending him flying with another punch. 

Flying over the wasteland, the crimson striped villain flew, crashing into the dirt until his Battlenizer eventually found purchase. Sliding to a stop with the gouge it made in the earth, the dark Ultra looked up in time to see the twin of Black Sun leaping forward. The sinister being raised his weapon to fire, only for the mutant to appear beside him once again, kicking out to throw it off kilter. The evil god twisted around to attack, only for the kaijin to block each attack with quick kicks and held punches. Just as the mad tyrant was ready to just start whacking randomly, the Rider raised his arms and fired his lightning. 

The elemental attack still did not affect this type of Ultraman, but winded from the kick, he was sent flying back. Unsheathing his crimson blade, the mutant lunged further on his endless offensive. Satansaber met Battlenizer in showers of sparks, the two matching each other blow for blow.

But the smaller of the two was starting to catch up more. Twirling after blocking another blast, the mutant monarch raised his hand, a blast of energy shooting out to slam the dark being in his stomach. Ultraman Belial cried out as it hit, a clawed hand instinctively going to cradle it. It was the opening he needed. Lunging forward, the Gorgom savior disappeared and then reappeared, slicing into his foe’s ridged back. Then again, on his chest. Then again, his leg! 

A flurry of motion filled the air, each one heralding another hit against the evil alien. It soon seemed to be too much; with a yell of agony, Belial fell to his knees. Before he could move to do anything, the dark Rider leapt in a kick once more, slamming it into his purple Color Timer. The devil from the Land of Light was sent flying, crashing into the edge of the same mountain. He lay numb and seemingly unresponsive, holding onto his chest and panting. 

The silver bioweapon walked forward, no care in the world. He raised his blade at the wounded villain and commanded, the Satansaber leveled at him. 

“You have fought well, Belial. But this ends now. So says the Creat-”

Shadow Moon writhed as his mind was flooded with pain. The kaijin stumbled back, hand in his head as his emerald green lenses flashed with a sickening red. As his foe fell to his knees, Belial chuckled as he stood up straight, his wounded feint gone in a minute as he rolled his shoulder. The dark Ultra gestured.

“Well done, ‘King’. So busy pushing the attack… let it really flood through your veins.”

Now clutching his chest as he knelt on the ground, the Gorgom champion struggled to look up as he choked, eyes flickering.

“Wh-what have y-you…”

“The Belial Virus,” the fallen hero stated, lifting his talons to reveal the red tips they gained on their very end as he walked around the suffering super soldier. “Energy coursed through me, and into you. Makes you subservient to the true power…”

He leaned in, his static face practically sneering with joy.

“Me.”

The anti-hero looked away, his lenses still struggling to decide between red and green as he laid numb on the ground. The mad overlord continued to monologue, not noticing as the one chosen under a Black Sun gripped a fist tightly as he looked down.

“It was the least I could do. Kill you? After you almost put up a fight with your little magic tricks and ‘studying’? What a waste! No, much better to have you spending your existence as the general to my hundred monster army. It’d be perfect. You and I, slaughtering worlds and proving the mighty have the right to rule. Now then, what do you say?”

Belial leaned down with his head tilted, “eagerly” awaiting his newest slave’s answer. Shadow Moon, still looking to the ground, stood up robotically and still. The monstrous alien cackled as he eagerly looked to his new slave.

The haymaker came out of nowhere and hit like a tank. The evil Ultra was sent flying into a nearby cliff, crashing with a crack that caused earthquakes. As he slid to the ground, his mind burning with rage and pain, Ultraman Belial looked at his foe. Standing proud and ready, any signs of his forced control gone. A silver armored hand pointed a finger at him from where he stood. 

“You conceited fool. I am Shadow Moon…”

There was the sound of steel as a blood red sword was summoned into the Creation King’s hand. He let the blade spark against the flat of his one hand before turning to point it at the mad god. 

“…and I will never bow to another again.”

Blood boiling, the mad mastermind screamed in rage as he leapt up, charging forward with a taloned fist. The opposite to the Kamen Rider nodded and leapt as well, saber ready. 

The Rider marched forward, slowly approaching his foe as the metal echoed from each step he took. The fallen Ultraman aimed the Battlenizer directly at his foe, unleashing purple balls of energy from the staff in an attempt to send the mutant flying. But his attempt was casually tossed aside as Shadow Moon barely moved the Satansaber into the direction of the blast, knocking them away to detonate across the battlefield, the marching continuing as they locked eyes for a moment. 

“Surely, you can do better, Ultraman.”

A snarl exited Belial as he reared his weapon backward before sending a crescent wave of energy directly at the insectoid cyborg, the Belial Deathscythe cutting through the air at rapid speeds in an attempt to cut the mutant’s life short.

With a mere twist of his hand, Shadow Moon not only cut through the energy blast, but managed to send a shockwave through the barren soil beneath his feet. Emerald eyes stared into the Reionic’s very soul through the dust, the sound of metal clanking starting to sound like nails on a chalkboard as his ego was reaching a climax. 

“Enough games!” Yelled Belial as energy once again was shot forth from the staff, turning into a whip which wrapped around a silver leg.

Shadow Moon stared down in surprise before being thrown into the air, his form soaring as Belial guided the energy whip towards the earth below and slammed the former human into it. Repeating the process to send maximum pain through the kaijin’s form, rocks were sent flying into the air as metal dented upon his body. Dust covered the battlefield as laughter echoed into the warzone, each strike bringing pride to the Ultra.

Shadow Moon continued to hold on, not even attempting to free himself, waiting and observing. Still, even with him so high in the air and constantly moving, his eyes never left Belial’s form as long as he was in direct sight. A slight chuckle exited from the mutant before he felt himself being thrown into the air, halting his movement for a mere moment before being pulled towards the dark knight. Belial leapt into the air as he spun, kicking him directly in the chest as the energy whip pulled him closer at incredible speeds.

Cracks formed upon the mutant’s armor and a sonic boom was emitted from the blow, the former human being sent flying towards a nearby mountain formation. Ultraman Belial quickly followed his path, leaping into the air instead of taking flight to catch up in a display of pure power. His eyes glowed with radiant hate as time seemed to slow down for a moment, his form being nothing but a shadow and crimson streaks as he came down onto the Gorgom Monarch’s body. Talons wrapped around his neck as Belial landed beside him, a gigantic explosion sending earth flying into the air. Shadow Moon’s head was slammed into the soil below as the demonic warrior of light continued forward, his metallic form being dragged at mach speeds through the earth itself. 

The Reionic continued to let out a hellish laugh of glee as the action continued, the monster graveyard being literally carved through by his enemy’s body. He granted the bug the tiniest form of mercy by slamming his skull into the earth below him, another large boom making the graveyard shake violently. Belial tossed the Giga Battlenizer away from his free hand before simply slamming his fist into Gorgom’s savior, viciously striking the head further into the dirt.

The very earth beneath them roared as each strike cracked the battlefield, large booms being heard with each powerful strike. 

“Is your crown worth your life, cyborg? Fine! I will grant you what you seek and rid this universe of another false idol! Creation itself is now mine to command-”

A cold metallic hand wrapped around Belial’s own as the one who was once Nobuhiko rose from the rock, dust flying as he emerged so easily. Strength rose as he held his foe with one hand, emerald eyes once again penetrating the soul of the fallen general. 

“Are you finished with the charade?” 

Shadow Moon, with all of his might, threw Belial away as if he was nothing. The Ultraman skidded across the ground like a rock on water before slamming into a boulder, halting his movement as it split in two, his body soaring for a moment from the sheer momentum before crashing to the ground below. 

Taking heavy breaths, the dark warrior rose to his feet, standing tall even while wounded as Shadow Moon stood before him. Brushing off the dust from his metallic body, his eyes did not leave his target as he did so. 

The fallen Rider calmly tossed aside the Satansaber, standing with no ill intent as Belial examined his every movement. “Do your worst, Ultraman, I have everything I need in order to destroy you.”

“FOOL!” the demonic knight roared before leaping, swinging the Giga Battlenizer directly at the mutant. This was dodged, before a strike to his ribs was made, pushing Belial back before a simple smack to the back of the head with his palm sent him to the ground face first, a loud thud echoing as the earth flew into the air. 

Ultraman Belial quickly returned to his feet, only to be swept back down to the earth when a strong kick sent him flying. Shadow Moon simply taunted him with his pointer finger wiggling back and forth, a sense of shame being placed upon the demon. The dark Rider leapt to follow the enemy’s trajectory, reaching out with a cold hand as Belial attempted to deflect the grab, only for it to fall short as the cyborg simply pushed his arm back and wrapped his grasp around his neck. The earth erupted as the last member of Gorgom slammed him into rock below. Belial quickly went to defend himself in various attempts to parry the metal strikes, only to be met with cruel reality as Shadow Moon continued to land blows.

His clairvoyance allowed him to reach the last piece of the puzzle, his enemy’s movements being read moments before he could attempt them. Making the brutal beatdown all the more satisfying was the cracks forming upon the Ultraman’s body, purple light escaping from the demon with each blow.

Fingers dug deep into his chest, earning a scream from the veteran. The dark reflection of mankind’s savior looked down at where Shadow Moon had struck, hatred rising as each digit was punctured around the color timer. With quick thinking, he managed to flip the Gorgom leader away from his form, managing to create some distance as he returned to his feet. Panting and with very little strength remaining, rage and adrenaline made him still approach the duel. He quickly charged at the recovering Rider, only for him to catch the blow from the Giga Battlenizer and pulled the dark Ultraman closer. Rearing his head back, he slammed it into Belial’s to force his grasp to falter. The weapon was tossed away like nothing before energy surrounded the dark messiah’s fist.

“Shadow Punch!” The attack landed a direct hit, striking Belial in his core, and before he could even attempt to recover, he was met with a strike to each side of his head. Ringing echoed in Belial’s ears as he dropped to the ground, looking up to see Shadow Moon standing tall above him. He swung upward, attempting to land a strike upon his smug face, only for the cold reflection of what was once humanity to catch the attack. He curled the fist backwards before striking him down. Belial managed to catch himself before being disgraced, but he was still left wide open for another strike. A kick to the chest made the corrupted light roll across the earth, letting out coughs as his movement halted. 

Before he knew it, Shadow Moon was once again on top of him. Staring down at him like a predator would to prey, his cold metallic hand wrapped around the enemy’s throat as he lifted him into the air before carrying him away. Belial seemed powerless, but still he attempted to free himself, throwing out a kick, only to be met with nothing but air. Another series of punches were thrown, but each of them were dodged, the Gorgom leader simply continuing to carry him towards the cliffside beside them.

The mutant sent a headbutt once again, a shockwave rocketing out from the strike as Belial’s form went limp, clinging to life and hate as his hand struggled to reach out in an attempt to strangle Shadow Moon. 

How truly pathetic of the vermin.

Without a word uttered, the former human dropped his opponent into the void below. He watched as Belial’s form was quickly engulfed by the surrounding darkness, simply shrugging and giving a singular nod at the outcome of the battle. Turning away from the source of the battle, his breath hitched as the strain of facing the demigod hit him. He turned, preparing to figure out a way back to Earth, to his people, to-

Something struck the Gorgom master’s telepathic mind. A feeling of pure rage. He had only a moment to turn to where he had flung the Battlenizer…

Before a massive claw smacked him aside, sending him flying! The silver cyborg felt himself slide on the ground before eventually sliding to stop. Shaking his lensed head, Moon looked up… and felt his eyes widen. 

A massive titan grew from the ground, nearly reaching the stratosphere as it leaned back and released a sound like every soul in Hell was screaming at once.  Like some great demon he would have heard of growing up, with great wings, taloned hands, multiple burning eyes, and a snarling fanged face. But it was the details of this monstrosity that stopped his heart.  Pieces of the various awoken monsters he had waved away stuck out at wrong angles. Torsos with screeching heads poked out of the chest, limbs hung limply together to form the wings, entire beings had their bodies twisted into teeth, all of these horrific details as the hundred monster army was forced into the devil. And from atop its head, Shadow Moon’s foe looked down, implanted in the devil like a puppet master and roaring as he lunged forward. 

The Creation King leapt, but the towering amalgam of the Reionic moved faster. With a shuddering breath, a hellfire inferno burst from the beast’s maw. The being once known as Nobuhiko screamed as the torrent hit him, feeling as if he was engulfed in lava. As he struggled through the fire and flames, the claw of Belyudra snatched him. It flung the noble villain across the Graveyard, smashing through a long eroded mountain. 

Stumbling up, Shadow Moon panted before he teleported in a flash. Hovering above the beast, the kaijin leapt forward, a punch aimed for the head of the towering beast to try and take down the “brain” of the monster. Just as he leapt forward, emerald eyes glinting in the light, the burning eyes of the Ultra met him. One massive claw snatched him by his waist, the fallen angel snatching the other arm as he sneered. He glowered at the struggling cyborg, enjoying his struggling as he leaned forward until their faces were but inches away from them. 

“Insolent. Little. BASTARD!”

With a wet crunch and a scream, Belial yanked, snapping the shoulder of Shadow Moon. The Gorgom leader held back his pain, unable to move as the giant claws released him. He plummeted to the ground, only for the claws to snatch him up once more. The balled fist held him tightly, all as the dark Ultra looked down and cackled at his captor. 

“You really thought you would accomplish something? You really thought you could accomplish ANYTHING!? I AM ULTRAMAN BELIAL!”

The gigantic arm of Belyudra reared back before it slammed its captor to the ground, cracking the rocky plain. 

“The greatest of all of those who fought back the forces of Empera!”

Another earthquake-inducing slam. 

“The heir to Alien Reiblood and his hundred monster army!”

Another… and another. If the Creation King’s blessing hadn’t been given, Shadow Moon knew his blood would be splattering out of his helmet by now, a thought that barely broke though the absolute agony. 

“The undisputed ruler of the galaxy, who all will tremble and bow before, as they should have done from the moment I declared my sovereignty in the Land of Light!”

The hand rose up, with the kaijin’s head spinning as the hand shifted. The two claws of both hands met, linking around each talon to leave the twin of Kamen Rider Black cradled in between their palms. The being was barely able to move as he looked up at the mad conqueror who held him trapped, struggling to hide his pain as he shifted. 

“And you!?

“You are nothing but a little soldier, who thinks he’s important because he can sting. You are nothing, Shadow Moon! As little as the insect you resemble!

“And so, you deserve an insect’s death. 

“Sayonara!”

The hands withdrew and Moon spun in the air before they crashed back together with a crunching slam. Belial cackled as he squeezed his amalgamated palms together. His bruised ego wasn’t satisfied with the squish, no, no, NO! He would not be satisfied until every bit of gore this little welp had in him dripped from between the palms. 

As Belyudora squeezed, the leader of Gorgom screamed. His holy armor was the only thing keeping him alive. He had to do something… but what? There was no way he could attack Belial when he had this power. Even a teleport or a showing of his true power wasn’t a guaranteed win. The brilliant fighter tried to strategize, even in this torture. Something his tormentor said stuck with him. 

“The heir to Reiblood… and his monster army?”

That was it. The Creation King shut his eyes and held up a hand. Deep within the molten kaiju skin that formed the titan’s claws, something struck true. Despite himself, the fallen Ultra squealed, jerking his hand back. Stumbling as he shifted the Saber in his non-dominant hand, Shadow Moon leapt with a snarl. He raised the sword and swung, but not as an attack, as a diversion. Crackling bolts of emerald leapt from him, the dark power bestowed upon him. The galactic emperor snarled and went to unleash an inferno… before the strange power hit him. He let out a yell as he felt great pain.

For a moment, both foes were one. Shadow Moon saw the mind of the Dark Ultra, and Belial saw the monster who was once a man. The mutant master flexed his hand, nodding as he watched the distorted claw of Belyudora raise. The possession had worked. Now it was time for his plan to be enacted. 

An armored hand raised and focused as an overwhelming amount of cosmic energy gathered. 

A flash of light lit the graveyard. 

The fusion was gone with an explosion of force and two shapes falling to the ground.

The henshin crusader landed to his knees, sheathing his saber to cradle his broken arm. 

Ultraman Belial crashed to the ground. But not Belyudra, the amalgam giant. Or even as the black and crimson devil that had caused so much trouble. 

No, as he stumbled up and looked in horror, the true Ultraman Belial stood there. Silver and red markings crossing his body, his purple color timer now flashing red, and his angled yellow eyes looking in horror at what had happened. 

“No… no… noooo! H-how did you-?”

Hovering above, the Creation King held his hand out. Dangling in his hand, wheezing and spitting, was a strange alien creature. Its head curved with horns as it quietly wheezed, the off white and purple skin on its body shaking as its oblong eyes stared in horror. Its form was transparent, spectral due to having been long dead before this point.

The alien being known as Reiblood. The very being Belial had fused with to gain his power, severed into its own being and now helpless. 

“It’s like you said, ruler of the galaxy.” 

A wrist twisted with a sick crunch, and Reiblood’s form went limp. Shadow Moon’s emerald gaze never broke from the dark overlord, even as he tossed the “body” into the distance.

“Enough games.” 

Shadow Moon lunged, a fist swinging for the Ultra’s head. Even thrown off by the loss of his power, the trained warrior’s instincts did not fail him. He raised a hand to block, before flipping back and raising his hands into the signature plus pose to fire a beam. The blue energy that coursed out failed to hit armored flesh though, as the kaijin disappeared in a second. Panic filling his body, Belial turned to dodge, only to find his foe already waiting. 

The Shadow Punch swung with precision and force. Belial went flying back, landing against the nearest cliff face in an implosion of cracked stone. A shaky breath came out as he pulled himself free, his finned head numbly turning. The former overlord did not move, did not go to attack or defend. He was all too aware of the consequences. 

A shard tinked to the ground. 

Then another.

And more. 

More and more pieces like dark glass fell to the dusty sands of the damned planet as the remains of the Color Timer, the very thing holding Belial’s life force, scattered. The once noble defender’s breath hitched as he looked up, mind already fading. His ever present rage burned at his heart once more, and with the slow movements he could only barely accomplish, he tried to move forward.  

It was no noble charge, or berserker sprint, or beastly rage. It was a sluggish march, limbs numbly swinging as he tried to reach his foe, still standing there with an impassive look upon his etched face. The Ultra raised a fist to strike, only to find the effort too much as he crashed to the sand on his knees. With what felt like a Herculean feat of strength, Belial pulled himself up, his oblong glowing eyes looking up helplessly and for the first time, with fear. 

“No…

“Not like this. Please. Not like this.” 

The plea went unanswered, by either the aggressor or the universe itself. It was too much to hold himself up, and the giant of light slumped back, landing limply. His arms, moving by instinct to still desperately do any of the careful moves he learned to save himself, raised but failed to find the energy. He helplessly cupped at air, reaching for an invisible force to pick him up, but soon, even that was too much. 

His arms crashed down above his chest, somewhere between guarding the abdomen and lying in a casket, and after a moment, the glowing orbs that were eyes dulled into a pitch black lifelessness. After a moment of peace, an unnatural force took over. Be it some form of justice or part of the curse, unholy flames appeared and slowly overtook the body. The sentinel in steel stood over the pyre, until it too burned out and exposed an ashen land with nothing else remaining. 

Ultraman Belial was dead.

The leader of Gorgom placed the Satansaber on his belt, holding the weapon in place as he marched towards the fallen Giga Battlenizer. Dust covering its form was quickly removed as the mutant wrapped his hand around his prize. If he could still smile, he would be doing so, but a decent laugh into the void would have to suffice.

Shadow Moon let loose a hellish declaration to the universe as he held the staff above his head. Even if he was not capable of reviving his fellow mutants or summoning the army of monsters, his return only guaranteed one thing.

The death of Kotaro Minami, Kamen Rider Black.

His brother had escaped conversion completely from the Gorgom experimentation that would make them Century Kings, he resisted their forces and managed to destroy them despite all the odds. Even his own power was nothing when he was granted the might of the Creation King, but he had still been made a fool in the very end. Even during their final clash, Kotaro begged for him to return.

And so, returned he had, and he would kill his rival, his brother, the second Century King, if it was the last thing he was to do. He stared upwards into the vast sea of stars, it was somewhat impossible to tell what the right direction was, but after traveling from planet to planet, he might get lucky and steal an extraterrestrial’s spacecraft to make the journey.

Wait… He turned his head around, tilting it just a little as he sensed something approaching. Multiple energy signatures were converging onto his location, all of them similar to Belial. It would seem that those from the Land of Light had come to apprehend the fallen knight, but they had arrived far too late, and with a worse fate awaiting them.

His gaze slightly turned towards the ball of light far away from his reach, the unimaginable source of might was what they sought. It was the only logical thing after the death of Belial to attempt to retrieve, alongside the weapon he now laid claim to. From the gate above the planetoid, lights emerged at incredible speeds before landing in the distance. As the dust cleared from their arrival, their forms were revealed to the mutant cyborg.

Three giants of light stood alongside a pair of Kaiju from Earth’s past, all staring in  confusion at the scene before them. “Where is your master?” One of the giants spoke with authority, quickly removing the blade atop his skull before getting into an aggressive stance. “Where is Belial?”

“I believe you are mistaken, emissary of light,” Shadow Moon stated as he placed the Giga Battlenizer onto his shoulder, his other hand resting upon the hilt of the Satansaber. Standing with confidence, his eyes locked onto the new arrivals. “I am who you are dealing with now, for I have slain him.”

The group didn’t know whether to believe him or not, standing shocked for a moment before taking in a deep breath to take the threat seriously. If his claim was true, then they would need to deal with him quickly, the damage across the cyborg’s form granting them hope that victory was possible.

The rematch with Kotaro would have to wait, the tie breaker would be all the more satisfying after drenching his metallic hands in the blood of the guardians from the stars. A laugh of excitement slightly left his metallic maw, staring at the new arrivals as he slowly approached them, metal clangs echoing into the mass graveyard.

This was going to be a blast.

Winner: Shadow Moon (Universal) 

We spoke with three core figures from the Alamo Drafthouse team: Jake Isgar, Head of Alternative Content & Specialty Programming; John Smith, West Coast Marketing Director; and Scott Sugiuchi, Art Director. Together, they shared insights into the creative drive behind the Drafthouse’s extensive Godzilla programming and how their plans for the annual Godzilla Day celebration continue to grow. They also offered a look into the artistry and inspiration behind the company’s Godzilla-themed theater location.

(more…)

Authors: Connor Clennell & Andrew Sudomerski | Banner: Matthew Freese

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: The Pursuit
Chapter 2: Unanimous Matrimony
Chapter 3: First Contact
Chapter 4: The Hunt Begins
Chapter 5: The Face of the Devil
Chapter 6: Illusion of Victory
Chapter 7: The Grand Reveal
Chapter 8: End of an Empire
Chapter 9: The Battle Continues

Chapter 1: The Pursuit

Crossing the endless blackness, the sapphire orb moved at speeds faster than light. It navigated thousands of miles in the span of seconds, leaving behind a glowing trail like the tail of a burning comet. Never before had the creature within reached such high speeds, content to travel the cosmos at his own leisurely pace. Now, he pushed the limits of the travel sphere, his only and preferred means of interstellar migration, for the sake of his survival.

For as long as he had wandered the spaceways, Bemular had scourged a plethora of worlds and civilisations. Invasion was the way of life for all the great powers that governed the galaxy, but the reptile’s motivations were centered around the slaughter of life, whether it be sentient or beast, to appease his unmerciful insanity rather than to procure resources or subjugate rivals. Far outside the regions of superior empires and nomadic space beasts, the demon of the stars spent his living ravaging planet after planet, making prey of the races not under protection by a higher governing body, with only the officers of the universe-patrolling Inter Galactic Defence Force to interfere in the alien predator’s blood-hungry desires. As the body count amassed, attention was drawn to the killer, putting more strain upon the spiked menace as the defenses of his targets grew with his reputation of villainy. At last, he was cast out from his old territory, forced to enter into the space that belonged to system-spanning empires, with the assembled military strength that he sought to avoid. He combed the edges of these kingdoms, hoping to acquire new hunting grounds in the backwater territories.

The scourge of worlds found something else instead. Stumbling upon a sight that no eyes were meant to see, a truth the space monster’s pursuers were eager to enforce. Even with his current velocity, the space beast knew that he could not outrun the trailing ships. Within the confines of the orb, vision was a sense denied to the reptile. Instead, with its natural talent to absorb and convert heat to energy, the escapee of the Monster Graveyard’s own vessel functioned as a radar, sensing the coordinates of other entities through the heat and energy produced and wasted. Only on rare occasions had the sense failed its duty, an impressive testament to its accuracy.

Far behind and closing in, the enemy ships appeared as dull pulses of light on the wall of his sphere. Not gifted with higher intelligence, the sadistic saurian was unable to calculate the current rate of acceleration for his stalkers. He knew enough, which was that his vessel would be unable to outpace them with the rapidly decreasing energy stores, a consequence of the travel ball’s high velocity. Before he could assess his odds further, the sphere’s radar pulsed brightly. Only able to turn his head, the reptile and his transport were sent spiralling from their current trajectory as the laser blast struck. Smoke sizzled from the transport’s blue surface while he regained control, willing it to the side with a jerk, but was only able to avoid part of the second shot.

Skilled was not a word commonly associated with a repulsive creature of Bemular’s nature. Despite this, the outcast reptile weaved between the ensuing volley of green laser fire from the approaching formation of ships with an incredible display of agility. The bursts of light and heat produced with each shot from the vessels’ guns allowed his sphere’s radar to guide a route for the fugitive through the shower. However, it was doing little more than buy him a few extra moments of time. This was the loneliest, emptiest region of the system, with no asteroid belts or satellites for cover, and the nearest planet too far for the reptile to reach.

The sensors flared with urgency, warning of an approaching, larger concentration of energy. Snapping away from his thoughts, the dinosauroid moved to the side to avoid whatever had targeted him. Shooting past at speeds as fast as light, a larger, crimson stream burst from the tip of the leading ship, bristling with excess power to the point that its structure could not form into a smooth cone, appearing with a shape similar to water or flames. As he felt it pass by, mere metres from the vessel’s exterior, the solution appeared to the savage beast in the spur of the moment. As the warship charged up for a repeat attack, he maneuvered the travel ball directly into its sights. He detected the energy burst from the firing of the cannon, but held his position and allowed the flickering stream to strike the spherical transport.

Overwhelming force pushed the orb across the empty void, washing its exterior in light, energy and, most importantly, heat. The last element was what the cold blooded killer craved, absorbing the burning fire of the attack through the sphere’s surface and converting it internally to his own power. Coupled with the pushing force of the crimson stream, the recharged invader shot away from the approaching fleet with a silent burst of sapphire blue flames. It moved beyond the speed of light, putting kilometers between the reptile and his pursuers in one short burst, leaving them far behind and the space devil to continue his escape. Heaving for breath, however, he was not fit to resume his course after a sudden use of hastily-converted power, leaving the alien’s body shaken and in chaos. In order to fully recuperate his strength, he had to make landfall, and soon.

Thousands of kilometers away, a massive planet, the gas giant Jupiter, was detected through the travel sphere. The nature of the elements that composed it made it uninhabitable for most life, even for an extraterrestrial creature like Bemular, who could usually survive in the poorest environments. Before he could bite the bullet and head for the orange-brown world, a smaller body was sensed, hanging in the orbit and shadow of Jupiter. Unlike the larger planet, the sphere’s primitive sensors reported a more stable environment, but further information was inhibited from within the confines of his vessel. The sphere turned course, making for the planet under the little information it had, in the hopes that it would serve as a temporary site to hide out and recover from the ones who sought his destruction.

The exiled killer never knew he was being watched. Far from escaping his stalkers, from kilometers away, cruel eyes overlooked the energy trail of their quarry’s travel ball, tracking its projected course. As the planet that was the dinosauroid’s destination appeared on the screen, inhuman lips curled into a wicked smile.

“Oh, it couldn’t be more perfect. Now I have the opportunity to crush two obstacles in one single blow…”

 

Chapter 2: Unanimous Matrimony

The Xilien commandant rubbed his thumb and spandex-covered index finger over the headmaster chair, his patience thinning by the passing second. Those present had already been accommodated at the roundtable, yet many remained absent. With calculative precision, he jumbled with the billions of possible outcomes of their delay. He knew that his guests of honor, too, were becoming weary with impatience. Through the thin visor that sat atop his eyes, the Controller glanced at the central computer’s algorithmic patterns. The calculations did not deviate in the slightest, mathematically proving their absence would not derail from the prosperous future that awaited all of them.

Before he made his announcement, the Controller took one last look to verify those present. Two representatives of the Leviathan race were in attendance, both bulky extraterrestrials with tusk-like protrusions that jutted out from their face and two sets of eyes that stretched across their cranium. They possessed four two-pronged, disk-like fingers and four appendages for legs. These legs, however, were retracted inward into their bodies as they hovered in place, with no necessity for chairs.

In truth, these bodies weren’t truly theirs, for they had downloaded their consciousnesses into human hosts and restructured the human genome to resurrect their bodies. They had taken on the names of Sopler and Hoffman to distinguish themselves from the others, even if they were part of a greater hivemind colony. The Xilien Controller knew that their weapon—the aptly dubbed “Cyber Godzilla”—had already been deposited at Planet X’s Sector 07 containment unit, as were the other monsters, Gigan and Megalon, who were brought along by the others who sat parallel to the Leviathan aliens.

Across from the Leviathans, envoys of the Space Hunter Nebula M were present. Their insectoid bodies were on full display, having no need to project their human disguises. The Nebulan that identified itself as Fumio, the chairman, killed time by mapping out the relative trajectory between Planet X and their home in the Space Hunter Nebula, a simple hobby of his. The other, who identified as Kubota, fell into a mesmeric daze as he watched his young master solving for the shortest and longest routes most optimal for space travel, and all in-between.

To the Controller’s left sat the Queen of the Kilaak people, clad in a silver bodysuit and draped with a cape. Her distinct feminine appearance remained as elegant as ever, with a small red button on her upper chest. She sat, her hands folded over each other, and waited with brittle patience. But if there was one who had less patience than her, it was the Emperor of Seatopia who sat alongside his Nebulan compatriots. Antonio’s fingers curled into balled fists, his face fuming with impatience.

“What’s taking them so long?!” Antonio protested loudly, irritated by the long wait, “You sent out the invitation, and they should have been here by now!”

“Of course the human had to be the one to complain,” Sopler berated, speaking freely with the use of a telepathic frequency. “You deep dwellers and your surface relatives do not understand the patience needed for long-distance space travel.”

“DO NOT ASSOCIATE THEM WITH ME OR MY PEOPLE!” the Seatopian roared with utmost fury, “Or I will have you face the wrath of our god, in Megalon’s name!”

Kubota snapped out of his daze and directed his attention to his ally. “Lord Antonio, I implore you that now is not the time for petty fighting!” Kubota urged with a chitter from his mandibles, “You are falling for the Leviathan’s mind games and letting them take advantage of you for their amusement! Don’t humiliate yourself any further!” The Seatopian Emperor seethed, but held his tongue for the sake of keeping the peace.

The Kilaak Queen glanced at the Xilien Controller. “So will we finally begin, dear?” she questioned, her voice echoed with an eerie reverb, “It seems like things will only fall apart the longer we wait.”

He nodded. The Controller stood up from his headmaster seat and raised his right hand as a gesture of silence. All activity ceased, eyes glued to the Xilien leader. Even Fumio dropped his pen and listened attentively.

“Gentlemen, I apologize for the delay of our invitees. We cannot wait on them any longer, but it will be of no consequence. However, there is something I must address.” The Xilien’s eyes shifted to the Seatopian. “Emotional outbursts are punishable by Xilien law. As you are a guest of honor and that this is your first time here, all charges will be dropped, just this once.”

Antonio took a deep breath and exhaled. “I’m sorry,” he uttered remorsefully, “You invited me—a human—here, and here I am acting like a child.” He bowed with deepest respect. “Please accept my apology.”

“Your apology is accepted, and I will note that in the computer.” The Controller turned to the Leviathan aliens. “You, too, are guests of honor; but I must ask not to provoke anyone else for the rest of the session. Otherwise, you will be punished severely. Do I make myself clear?”

The two Leviathans glanced at each other before they came to a conclusion. “You have our word,” Sopler assured. Hoffman nodded in compliance.

“Excellent. Now let the meeting commence. I brought all of you here today to set forth a proposition,” the Controller began, “a unification of our forces acting as one cohesive unit. We distribute our resources among each other to help each of us prosper to new heights and begin a renaissance for our kinds through technological and intellectual exchange.”

“How can we be sure your aims are peaceful?” Hoffman inquired with suggestive doubt. “Do not misunderstand, we respect your race’s technological achievements and intellect. However, your past credentials indicate betrayal as a possibility. How can we assure our trust in this plan if this is still a very real risk down the line?”

Anxious murmurs stirred amongst the Nebulans and Seatopian. The Leviathan made a valid point, which was a cause for concern. The Xilien commandant, however, was unfazed and composed.

“I understand your doubts and apprehension. And allow us to put those qualms to rest,” the Xilien assured with calculated confidence. His specific wording perked their interest as they carefully tuned in to what he had to say next. “To ensure the ease of negotiations such as these, the Xiliens and Kilaakians have already become one. Our forces united, a free flowing exchange of information.” He paused for a moment and outstretched his left arm to the Kilaak Queen. “She is the Xilien Mistress; and I, the Kilaak Controller. For all intents and purposes, we are legally bound in interspecies marriage.”

“Hold on,” Fumio interfered, “does it not say under Xilien law that an Xilien citizen or authority figure is prohibited from expressing emotion and passion? And that those who do are punished for acting on those base desires?”

The Controller shook his head. But before he could speak, the Kilaak Queen took reign. “There is no contradiction of our marriage to the law,” she stated bluntly, “For our unity is based on the same goals for our species to prosper. Emotion and carnal desires have nothing to do with it. Look,” she said as she pointed to the red button on her chest, “this device is the creation of Xilien technology. It can regulate our body temperatures to what suits our needs, as our bodies cannot withstand low-temperature environments.”

“You mean this is too cold for you?” Antonio abruptly spurted out. “It’s already warm enough here as it is.”

“Very well then, if this means interstellar peace, we will very much take it into consideration,” Sopler contemplated aloud, mulling it over.

“To be honest, I still have my doubts,” Fumio remarked, “Since this is a preemptive measure, then who’s to say they don’t already have plans laid out? How can this be considered perfect peace?”

“We cannot change how you feel or force you to accept our hand of friendship,” the Controller noted, “It is only in your best interest to do what you feel is best for your people.” Xilien eyes shifted over to the only human present. “What say you, Antonio of Seatopia?”

Antonio’s eyes wavered, torn in his decision making. “I cannot give you an answer now, you will have to give me time.”

“No need to rush, take all the time you need. It is yours, and yours alone, to make,” the Xilien said. ‘Or until your Nebulan allies make that decision for you. Indecision is the worst trait for a leader to have.’ The Controller kept such thoughts to himself to maintain order.

Precise vision scanned the subtle movements of those present. The Leviathans were incredibly stoic, but the Controller could tell they were still processing the many possibilities and outcomes from the way they clamped their disk-fingers. Fumio, too, was deep in thought, with his claw-fingers overlapped near his mandibles. Kubota stood closer to Antonio, like an influencer over his decision making.

Then there were the empty seats. While the Controller had zero doubts all would bode well, as the algorithm had not changed, their absence stirred within his subconscious. Had they been building an invasion force against them? Is this what the computer predicted for their futures? It was one among billions of probabilities, outcomes he could not verify himself. He had to rely on the processing power of their computer…

The Kilaak Queen glanced over and saw him deep in thought. If she knew anything about the Controller, or the Xilien race for that matter, it was that his absolute faith in the computer would be his undoing. However, an Xilien subordinate approached her to deliver the news. “My Queen and Great Leader,” the subordinate started, acknowledging the pair. The Controller snapped out of his cold trance.

“What is it?” he coldly inquired.

“We’ve detected an anomaly in Sector 15…”

 

Chapter 3: First Contact

A brilliant light crashed upon the rocky surface of Jupiter’s dark moon. Dust kicked up from the impact, which infinitely sprawled beyond the thin atmosphere and into the void. Even as the cloud diminished, the bright light of Bemular’s spherical casing continued to shine like the sun. The dihydrogen monoxide plant, which was situated on the surface of Sector 15, burned away, eventually leading to the water spilling from the industrial structure. If the heat produced from the travel ball didn’t incinerate the Xilien workers in proximity, then the ensuing flood would certainly do the trick. Very few made it back to the underground tubes that led into the subterranean base before they were crushed by roaring water.

Steam billowed from the foot of the sphere, as it did little to affect it to any capacity. However, once the orb began to dissipate, Bemular could feel the water eagerly rush between his scaly toes. With a craggily screech, the reptile’s aberrant maw spewed superheated flames, evaporating the pouring liquid. Water was a precious resource for prospering life; without it, the living could not thrive. To quench his insatiable appetite, this moon’s destruction was all the more necessary. With powerful footfalls and wild whipping of his barbed tail, the thorny devil laid waste to the techno-infused rock formations and surface Xilien-made structures, killing all those who controlled the many facilities herein.

This brought a twisted smile to his face. However, his eyes briefly glanced at the ominous gas giant that loomed over him and the stars beyond, scanning for his pursuers. While there were many different spacecraft orbiting the planet, ranging from techno-organic carriers to fiery orange saucers, there was nothing of them. Verifying that they weren’t present, the invasive terror resumed his rampage.

***

“—and it is under siege,” the Xilien finished, “Shall we deploy our forces?”

Before either the Kilaak Queen or Controller could issue an order, Fumio took charge. “If you believe this treaty will ensure peace, then let us deploy Gigan to eradicate this creature,” Fumio insisted, “as a display of our peace.”

“Megalon could provide assistance,” Antonio interjected, “and their cooperation can guarantee an easy kill.”

The Xilien leader glanced at the computer, and for the first time since this session began, there was a change in the pattern. With this information, the Xilien was quick to decide. “I’m afraid that offer will have to be declined, gentlemen,” the Controller aptly stated, “It is not that we doubt Gigan or Megalon’s capabilities, but it is not in our best interest to use those two.”

“Then why not have the Leviathans deal with this pest?” the Kilaak Queen warmly suggested, “If they have come to a conclusion, that is.”

The Leviathan pair were still deep in thought, calculating the many outcomes that could sprawl from this decision. As they did, Antonio shot up from his seat. “Nonsense!” he shouted, “You’re telling us that their knock-off Godzilla is a better option than our god?”

The Controller raised his hand for silence. “Do you believe your ‘god’ must sully his power against something less than his full capability?” the Xilien calmly issued, “And must the universe’s renowned assassin engage against something with a pitiable bio-signature?” he said with a monotone straightforwardness.

“Very well then, if that is how you see it, Controller,” Fumio replied with a hint of spite. Even Antonio’s head drooped as he plunged into his seat.

“Leviathans? Have you come to a final verdict?” the Queen asked.

The bulky aliens revved to life with pulsating eyes. There wasn’t any more time to think it over; their decision was now. “We do not appreciate our greatest creation being classified as lesser than these,” Hoffman enunciated his disdain, “For our Cyber Godzilla is an engineered weapon that can rival the original.”

“However, if this is the first step to a united force,” Sopler added, “then so be it. We will showcase Cyber Godzilla’s power and prove it to be a force to be reckoned with.”

“Deploy a carrier to transport Cyber Godzilla to Sector 15,” the Controller ordered. “Designate the target as Monster Zero Sixty-Six.”

***

Rampant fires burned, yet the smoke produced fizzled out as they climbed through the thin atmosphere of Planet X. Nevertheless, it displayed the wreckage the wandering menace had wrought upon the area. The Xilien body count continued to pile up as they fell to his heat ray. However, the dark sky was illuminated by a shining saucer that caught his attention. Primarily white with red orbs on its top and undersides and a blue stripe around its circumference, the spaceship dipped over the horizon from the saurian’s view. His head tilted in curiosity, unsure what was going on. But when he saw it return to view, there was more to it. The three orbs produced cyan lightning, which carried a theropod-like lizard curled in a fetal position. Blue and red rings exuded from the bottom, encasing the other monster in a transparent sphere. Then, the saucer hastily flew over the mountainous terrain, with the creature in tow.

As the space machine came closer, Bemular was able to discern the fine details of this other creature. From its metallic sheen, the decayed red skin, and tubing across its neck, it became clear that the unknown intruder wasn’t wholly organic. As the saucer deposited the spherical case on the moist ground and retracted its tractor beam, a nearby cliffside began to open its doors. Within the hollowed mountain was a large satellite dish that could only be seen under the dim light of Jupiter. The device sparkled with technological display as a wave of ionizing particles, manifested in the form of a concentrated beam, washed over the barrier. In mere seconds, the atoms that made up the sphere broke down into gasses, left in the form of vapor. And just as quickly as it was done, the satellite was sealed back within the mountainside. In the midst of the haze, the cyborg that stood unconsciously unfurled from its fetal position, the lenses on its eyes dim and black.

“Cyber Godzilla, it is time to prove your worth as our flagship and their equal,” Sopler and Hoffman declared.

With a telepathic command received from his masters, Cyber Godzilla’s eyes activated in a flash of murky green. Pressurized steam ejected from his two large nostrils as the cyborg reptile rose from his slumped position. Cold, dead eyes scanned the target that stood before him. The enhanced revenant sneered at his target and released a synthetic cry, challenging the space reptile to battle.

Buggy eyes glared at the reanimated cyborg, pupils contracted with cruel intent. The space monster unleashed a high pitched wail, eager to lay waste to this cybernetic zombie. Both stood idle, if only for a moment, waiting for the other to move… And one order sealed the deal.

“Attack!”

Pressing his digitigrade feet into the rocky soil, the revived monster sprinted into action with impeccable speed. With only seconds to spare, Bemular spewed a stream of pale blue flames. Quick on his feet, the cybernetic mutant swerved out of the line of fire while maintaining his original trajectory. Before the space fugitive had the chance to turn its head, Cyber Godzilla used his boxy visage as a battering ram and plunged deep into the scaly fiend’s sternum. The extraterrestrial’s flames quenched in a violent wisp that singed his parched lips, all the while the spiny alien was flung from his feet. Only his thorny armor provided protection from the rocky wall he found himself embedded into. Unstable rock shook loose from the impact, pelting against his frame.

Wasting no time, the enhanced atomic reptile crouched low on all-fours and adjusted his position. From the mechanical devices weaved onto his prominent scutes, two sets of luminescent lights flared from the missile launchers on the right protrusion. With utmost accuracy, four energized missiles sped across the barren terrain and found their mark. Compacted energy unraveled in brilliant explosions as they bombarded damned scales, leaving burns in their wake. The Leviathan flagship pressed on with the assault, alternating to the other set of hi-tech missile launchers on the adjacent scute. Another round of energy missiles exploded, tearing and searing the scaly armor. The galactic menace wailed and panicked, which only caused more of the mountainside to cave in on itself.

Several more salvos blasted the imprisoned reptile to kingdom come, yowls being silenced by the nearly nonexistent atmosphere. After a while, blood sprayed from his wounds as the missiles chipped away his unnatural exterior. However, Cyber Godzilla reoriented himself and changed his trajectory. Rather than the target, the eight-count payload was fired at the massive wall that surrounded the extraterrestrial. A massive rockslide tumbled down the steep slope and buried the vile reptile under it. The unfeeling creation continued the bombardment until his foe’s screeches were cut short by the boulders that covered his entire body.

The dust hadn’t even settled as the zombified cyborg approached the makeshift prison. There was no hesitation on the revived American beast’s part as his scutes flashed with circulating atomic energy, his eyes temporarily a deep crimson. Radioactive ions formed within his mouth and exhaled as a wild burst of azure flames that coated the rubble. The minerals began to melt from the atomic breath, sealing the gaps and allowing the metallic components to weld together. He torched it until a new prison was forged from the rocks, a superheated metal casing that housed the infamous Bemular. Though the metal was still soft, the augmented reptile undisputedly knew that the compressed heat, trapped within the case, was cooking the target alive. Only subtle shifts of the metal shell informed him that the prisoner was still alive. But for how long was yet to be determined.

Had it been a few minutes longer, the metal casing would have had the chance to completely harden and perhaps encase the star beast in his prison. But it was not meant to be so. A few sudden, successive rams from within tore the soft metal like aluminum. The spiked devil leaned over horizontally and collided his thorny head with his captor’s metallic sternum. This caught the undead machine off guard. The cybernetic theropod was blown off his feet, crashing on his back where his back spines dug into the rocky soil. A visible crack was present on one of his metal chest plates. However, his cybernetic body absorbed the impact as he quickly regained his senses.

Making an effort to pull himself from the ground, Cyber Godzilla scanned for the conditions of his target. Bemular rose to his full height, which only revealed the declining health of the reptile. His body secreted sweat and steam from under his scales, giving him a distinctive shiny coat unseen with most reptiles as the dilated vapor was quenched from the void. Sweat mixed with blood from the wounds sustained, irritating the alien lifeform even more. The bane of the Inter Galactic Defence Force’s buggy eyes squinted as he tried to keep the dripping sweat and heat out of his sight. Even with the target’s limited vision, the reborn mutant was inclined to believe his foe knew where he was. This was further cemented with his next move.

Stretching his jaws wide, the alien terror spewed another round of pale flames. Having anticipated this, the first of the “Godzilla” species quickly propped his upper body through the support of his asymmetrical arms. Then his chest cavity popped open, revealing what was under the metal plates. Housed within was a satellite dish, an enhancement birthed from Leviathan engineering. As the pale fire struck the saucer, the azure blaze instead bounced off the reflector dish and returned to its sender with amplified power. Sparks and flames popped against the beast’s armor as his very own fire breath seared into his body. This left the towering reptile stunned, allowing the time for the fallen cyber-beast to reorient himself back on his feet.

With a synthetic hiss, the cyborg’s missile launchers lit up and fired from their sockets. Eight projectiles flew over and prepared to strike their target head-on. However, the sinister saurian had a trick up his sleeve. With cascading flashes of sapphire light, a swirling vortex of heat began to coat its thorny body. A spherical barrier forged from this heat, which caused the energy missiles to prematurely detonate before they could even reach their primary target. Then under its own volition, the orb began to hover above the ground. With another command, the sphere propelled towards his undead foe with incredible speeds.

The alien zombie leapt to his left, the orb passing by as it grazed the lizard’s mechanical right arm. It singed the space metal as the prosthetic’s sensors alerted the cyborg of the heat that exuded from it. Yet it also detected the marked increase in thermal energy from the impact as well. Cyber Godzilla’s green eyes tracked the sapphire orb as it circled around to mow him down. A plan hatched in the cyborg’s mind, one that wasn’t foolproof, but it was a plan nonetheless. Unlike before, the ultimate weapon of invasion stood his ground, prepared for the inevitable impact as the travel sphere rushed eagerly to meet him.

The dull red and cybernetic arms of the radioactive beast were held out in front of him, intending to halt the sphere with his bare hands. His feet crunched into the ground, anchoring himself. Even his artificial eyes squinted at the approaching brightness. All he needed was a brisk few seconds… But would it be enough? The answer came at the moment of impact.

A solid sphere of heat made direct contact with his outstretched palms, displacing until it pressed against his arms and upper torso, spreading the area of influence. The burning sensation began to wilt the flesh off his organic components and destabilized the structural integrity of the mechanical parts. The techno-organic iguana was pushed against his will, carving two trails where his feet were planted as he was dragged along. Amidst this, he prepared to press the opened dish against the fiery orb.

Another second passed. If he didn’t act now, he would certainly be compromised. Even if it wasn’t at full capacity as he had expected, it would hopefully be sufficient. The chest cavity pressed against the outer shell of the sphere, inverting the kinetic energy back at the source. Like the shockwaves of a tectonic plate, vibrations passed through the external barrier and the flaming heat that composed it, which washed over Bemular. The high-pitched frequency robbed the alien killer of his auditory and directional senses, losing his focus in the process. The flames died down as the space monster frothed from the mouth, unable to cope with the seismic burst that invaded his protective sphere. Before he knew it, the travel ball broke apart into large chunks and dissipated into sparkling fire as the dread extraterrestrial fell to the ground. With a loud thud, the alien reptile landed on his spiny back.

Much to the cyborg lizard’s pleasure, it panned out sufficiently. He took a look at his organic four-clawed arm, blackened and seared, exposing rotted muscle. While he noticed his regenerative intuition kicking in, it was a far cry from what it was back when he was truly alive. The right hand, however, was in a less fortunate spot. The three-pronged hand had warped and needed time to cool to solidify. But he knew there was no time to wait for either of these to rest. There was business to settle.

With cybernetic whirrs, the synthetic zombie advanced towards the fallen, dazed beast from the stars. Smoke puffed from the cyborg’s nostrils as his spines and eyes lit up. In an instant, Cyber Godzilla bathed Bemular in a blanket of azure atomic fire, making the stunned fiend suffer for it.

 

Chapter 4: The Hunt Begins

The orbiting assembly observed the battle far below from their position in the troposphere, judging silently as the Leviathan’s weapon demonstrated its power against the invasive reptile. From each of the commanding vessels, information was beamed down and fed into the Xilien computer, where it was then transmitted to the chamber of the council, and the eyes of the ruling bodies. The other races were impressed. Even though Cyber Godzilla had yet to gain victory, the triumph of Leviathan biotechnology and the abilities it possessed had started to sway the thoughts of their potential allies, which made the voices of the collective sing with egotistical pride.

“Do you continue to doubt the effectiveness of our creation now?” Sopler announced with vanity. “Our cyborg is equal in power to your own monsters, and its triumph will prove that it, and us, are worthy of this alliance and your respect.”

His face burning red and veins bulging at the arrogant words of the rotund alien, Antonio opened his mouth for a retort. The insinuation that their cyborg, some diseased, reanimated carcass, could stand alongside his god was an insult to Megalon’s magnificence. He held his tongue, however, at the piercing glares of the Xilien and Kilaak rulers, remembering the rules of their kind and the promise he had made. With a silent, calming breath, he sank back into his seat.

Kubota watched the Seatopian closely, his black, compound eyes glued to the human look-alike until he was certain that the emperor had his emotions in check. “That man needs to learn to keep his emotions in check, especially here.” He sighed in exasperation. “He has too much faith in Megalon, I fear. He and his people may see him as a god, but that belief does not give them power.”

He looked to his superior and awaited for a reply. But the chairman’s gaze was vacant, starting aimlessly across the room, with his antennae barely twitching and limbs frozen in their tasks. The silence was unnerving to Kubota, who had never seen his master in a state such as this. His discomfort was noticed by the Kilaak Queen, switching her gaze from the monitor screen to the Nebulans.

“Is there a problem, gentlemen?” she asked with a conflicted air.

Fumio’s mandibles chittered loudly, the first sign of sentience from the chairman since entering his trance. His antennae drooped over the side of his insectoid body, which reflected his mood of uncertainty.

“Something is… wrong.”

***

All eyes were locked on the surface of Planet X, fully focused on the outcome of the clash below. Only space’s dark vastness accompanied the mixed armada, with quick sweeps of the area sensing no other craft or being in the vicinity. However, a feeling of unease permeated many of the crew of the various vessels, unable to shake the aura of alien eyes upon them.

Above the fleet, the warship held its position. Its cloaking field and signal jammers hid it from sight and detection, leaving only a faint, reflective sheen in the shape of the craft as the only proof of its presence. Seated in his techno-organic throne, the ship’s commander watched the battle between their quarry and the revived corpse play out on the large screen before him, which shared the space with data graphs and video feeds of the vessel’s systems and occupants. Cold, scaly lips split to reveal sharp fangs, forming a cruel smile, while a tentacle flicked up lazily, giving a silent order to the crew circled beneath his seat of power. With a nod of confirmation, one of the lower-ranking operators tapped out an instruction on the controls at his station.

The surface of the illusion began to ripple as an object started to push through. Detaching from the vessel, a smaller ship pushed through the cloaking field as if it was water, bullet-shaped with a segmented, chitin-like cone. Simultaneously organic and mechanical in nature, the pod’s thrusters ripped it away from the mothership and out into the vacuum. It rocketed straight down, its onboard computers putting the pod on the most optimal course for the surface of Planet X. Unfortunately, that course was through the assembled fleet that guarded the moon’s atmosphere.

Without hesitation, the pod accelerated towards the wall of ships, picking up velocity in the few meters of space it traveled before contact. Only seconds before, the vessel had appeared on the conglomerate’s radar, and they were still reeling from the sudden revelation when it hit the blockade. Kilaak and Xilien saucers gave no resistance, popping like lightbulbs against the armour and force of the pod as it blasted through ship after ship without any sign of slowing down. The only challenge it faced was the massive Leviathan carriers, which sported greater armour and shielding in comparison to the other starcraft of the fleet.

But the pod did not deviate from its path, flying straight into the side of one of the colossal warships with a soundless impact. Ripping apart the energy barrier and reinforced plating, it scraped down the side of the warship in complete silence, tearing open the hull but unable to penetrate deeper. Eventually, the pod reached the vessel’s underside, sliding free with a shower of broken metal and launching back to its adjusted flight path with only minor exterior damage. Compared to the enemy fleet, its speed was incomparable, far out of range before they could gather their senses and gun down the craft. It continued to descend, glowing white hot with a cone of flames as it hit Planet X’s weak atmosphere, pushing through without any resistance.

“You poor, pathetic fools.” As the pod disappeared with its growing acceleration through the atmosphere, the rogue alien leader chuckled darkly. “The reptile’s chase has given me this perfect opportunity. And now…”

“There is nowhere left to hide.”

***

Heads darted around as alarms blared across the chamber. All at once, a hundred reports flooded into the central computer’s databanks, fighting over each other for priority to reach the eyes of the delegates. Fortunately, it was barely a strain on the processing power of the machine, a testament to its efficiency and the engineering skills of the Xiliens. Taking only a minute to process and organise the data, the conjoined data was uploaded to the viewing screen to allow its occupants to analyse it all at once.

Antonio pointed a finger at the screen, his twitching features swapping between confusion and anger at the image of the foreign pod. “What in the great name of Megalon is that… thing?!” he demanded.

No longer were the representatives of the galaxy’s strongest calm and collected. Fear and anxiety spread through the hall, manifesting physically in the unsettled body language of all but two of its occupants.

“This could not be anticipated.” With his spiny neck protruding from the cavity of his body, Hoffman’s bulbous head rose higher for a closer inspection of the collected reports. “The structure of the craft is much like our own; biological matter and circuitry together as one. But it is not ours, we assure you,” he promised to the others.

Up to this point, the organizers of the event had remained silent to converse with each other in private. While he lent his ear to the words and concerns of his mistress, the Xilien commandant could not resist his urge and devotion to the calculations of the computer, turning his back to the queen to examine its equations for the answers he needed. He did not frown, for that would be a violation of the very laws he governed, but uncertainty grew as he drank in the changes to the algorithm and the deviations it predicted.

Fumio, too, was engrossed in his own dilemma. Unlike the Controller, the answer he required was there, but unclear. Fog filled his mind to deny him of the information he knew was there, facts that could turn the atmosphere in the chamber around and restore the chance of success. As if to spite him, it continued to elude the Nebulan, leaving him enraged and beaten. I know you, he thought. The Leviathans speak the truth of their innocence. That feeling of familiarity… our race has seen that technology before, but where? From who?

The chairman’s colourless eyes returned to the monitor, where it showed the pod progress as it began to close the last few kilometres to the surface. It seems, for now, we must all wait and see.

***

Beneath the shadow of the reanimated mutation, Bemular’s garish features were imbued with the excruciating agony of thermonuclear fire. Screeching his torment worsened the experience for the reptile, for it allowed the atomic flames to access the sensitive gums and soft throat tissue inside his oral cavity. He could hear the crackling of his own scales as they blackened and withered under the unregulated heat, with each loss exposing the softer, vulnerable flesh underneath. Imbued by the mind-numbing agony, his legs lifted up from the black soil and snapped forward into the undead beast’s gut, kicking the cyborg away from his sprawled form. With great urgency, the trespassing alien began to lift his burnt body, suffering from spikes of intense anguish through the entire process, until he stood on his own feet at last.

Across the darkened plain, Cyber Godzilla recuperated from his prickly foe’s surprise counter-attack. His spines tore free from the colourless soil, flinging showers of rock across the metallic plating on his back as his head shook away the cobwebs. Although he had the benefit of cellular regeneration and Leviathan augmentation on his side, the resurrected iguana reacted too close to the sudden charge of his target and suffered for it as the mutant saurian’s needle-sharp teeth stabbed into the putrid flesh of his neck. For a moment, the spiny convict began to thrash his jaws across the cyborg’s nape, only to suddenly halt and withdraw as the rotten juices and preserving fluids that ran through the mutant’s veins flowed onto his tongue. He pulled back, gargling in horror at the vile concoction permeating his taste buds.

The augmented weapon took advantage and charged with an elephantine groan, his unmatching arms lifted to strike down at the reptile’s hide. Only at the last moment did the fugitive escape being disemboweled, turning around and throwing his head back to slam into the Leviathan zombie with the hundreds of spines that lined the length of his back. The impact was enough to disorient the interstellar monster’s attacker, stumbling on its feet with bruised scales and dent-lined armor. The first blow to deliver results was made, but the destroyer of worlds knew he had to keep up the offensive in order to contend with the cybernetic reptile. Sweeping his long, spike-lined tail, he stabbed the armored knee of the atomic machine’s left leg, forcing the reptile to stagger to the side as he lifted the assaulted foot. The combo was ended as Bemular swung around, tilting his body forwards to hammer it directly against the cyborg’s metallic sternum, with the resulting force tossing him across the battlefield through the air.

Pushing himself from the dirt, the undead soldier’s emerald eyes peered through the dust cloud generated from the impact of his landing. Only yards away, the lanky, green form of the beast from the stars stood out next to the black mountains, dripping blood from his scales while he stared back at the reanimated lizard. For both creatures, retreat was out of the question, for they both sought claim to the hidden moon. Despite their rivalry, an understanding was made between alien savage and cybernetic slave. Only through bloodshed could there be victory and supremacy. To that end, the terror from the Monster Graveyard and the Leviathan revenant of war opened their maws, charging up their signature energies. The air around each titan’s jaws warped with heat as sapphire fire vomited from their throats, colliding with a bright spark of light and flame. Funneling all the resources at their disposal, both reptiles sought to consume the other with super concentrated heat and nuclear fire respectively, but for now, a stalemate was reached.

Cyber Godzilla primed his fin launchers in preparation for a secondary attack. Unlike Bemular, who possessed only his oral heat beam, the Leviathan cyborg carried a multitude of weapons for long-ranged attacks. The compartments slid open, revealing a neon blue glow as the targeting computers connected to his augmented brain locked on. Before he could launch, his vision was unexpectedly overtaken by an overbearing orange flare. Blinded on the left side, his eye squinted in an attempt to block out the light and locate its source.

The mad fiend was also affected, mimicking the actions of his rival in the search of the intruding object. His frogish eyes bulged as they saw the descending pod, glowing bright with the flames that coated its surface like a protective shield. It rapidly began to close the distance, homing onto the dueling monsters’ position. As the pod neared the ground, the velocity and g-forces produced lashed out at the environment around it, mountains of black stone crumbling like jenga blocks and the soil splitting apart. Extreme heat and light engulfed both of the titans, which produced great quantities of sweat on the reptiles’ scales. That, in turn, evaporated to steam in the rising temperature, which started to melt the rock under their feet. The blinded duo finally cut off their duel, staggering away uselessly with their inability to see in the pod’s glare.

And finally, impact.

***

The eruption would forever leave a scar on the surface of Planet X. Although small, it released enough kinetic force to remold the terrain into a ragged, blackened crater, obscured by the brilliant orange mushroom cloud of fire and energy. Far underground, the secret fortress felt the effects of the impact as rooms shook from powerful tremors, while power across the base fluctuated. Lights flickered spastically, cutting out altogether as the power systems finally cut out from the unending vibrations.

In the chamber, the representatives only had to sit in darkness for a few moments before the backup systems activated, restoring life support, basic facilities and power to the complex. However, even this struggled to hold on, blinking on and off with erratic worry while Xilien engineers battled to keep the power from kicking out. In the face of danger, even the Xilien Controller and Kilaak Queen failed to maintain their unemotive appearance, growing expressions of distress as the chamber awaited the end of the tremors.

After what appeared like an eternity, the vibrations ended and the power stabilized. With the threat passed for now, the royal pair resumed their masks of neutrality, which had failed to be noticed by the other leaders amidst the panic. Had the slip been noticed, both rulers could have easily swung their power around for a feasible excuse, but at this moment, to aggravate their allies was not the intention. For the Controller, logic overpowered everything else; this moment was one to strengthen alliances in the face of this new threat, and he could only hope that the Nebulans, Leviathans, and the Seatopian Emperor would see the same sense. For the moment, his black visor joined the eyes of the room in looking at the restored image on the monitor.

***

The barren surface appeared even more lifeless after the impact. Fires quickly died from the lack of fuel to burn and the thin atmosphere of the planetoid, which prevented oxygen, a vital need for flames to grow, from collecting. It was the foul smoke from the flames that roused the thorny devil from unconsciousness, snorting hot air from his nostrils to dispel it from his aching form. Shakily, the extraterrestrial rose from under the collected sand and debris, shaking the material from his spines as he stood to his full height. He failed to stand straight, wobbling on his legs while trying to examine his surroundings through foggy vision. His mind scrambled temporarily from the collision, moving should have been the last thing to do, but it was a better alternative than lying helpless on the ground, where he would face the mercy of the augmented zombie or whatever had now entered the battlezone.

As the smoke faded, Bemular’s sight started to focus once more, losing the shakes in his limbs as the cobwebs cleared from his consciousness. With his restored sight, the interloping killer could see the devastation brought upon the surface; a sight to revolt and bring despair to most beings, but to a creature as repulsive as him, it was an image that sang to the depths of his black soul.

Far across, at the center of the crater, the pod lay embedded into the rock. Smoke wafted off its rapidly cooling plating, with barely a scratch or dent marring the techno-organic surface. There was a familiarity in his conscience, faintly recalling the image of a similar object, but the connection failed to click. However, the unchilling aura was enough to discourage him from venturing closer to the object. Then, with a hiss of air, it began to split open…

Cyber Godzilla’s eyes glowed, his processors rebooting the cyborg mutant’s augmented mind as purple lines of data flowed from his chest armor to the tubes connected to his lower jaw. The gears and motors in his limbs whirred as he pushed up, analyzing the condition of his body after the impact. Parts of the armor had been compromised and flesh was bruised and ripped away, but the Leviathan’s greatest accomplishment was not out for the count. Resuming his mission, the reptile was quick to locate his alien foe from a brief sweep of the environment, and stalked closer. He came to a stop, however, as he followed the spiny intruder’s gaze, coming to rest his eyes on the ship as it split open down the middle, unfolding like the cocoon of a moth or butterfly to expose the contents within.

Inside, dark shapes moved, obscured by the darkness with only crimson, luminous orbs across their bodies as markers for the creatures’ forms. Moving forward as light spilled into the confined space, the new life forms stepped out onto Planet X, crunching the gravel underfoot, locking their sights on the two beings that greeted them. They should have run or attacked at first sight, but like fools, both reptiles stood still and gawked, drinking in the terror of their arrival.

For this world and its people, it was too late to escape. To hide or to fight were the only options now, and neither would save their forfeit lives in the long run, for the harvest had commenced.

The Trilopods were here.

Chittering amongst their number, the arthropod hunters discussed the choice of first target. The undead saurian snorted, turning his head away from the invaders. The programming wired across the lizard zombie’s cortex did not label them as a threat nor a target, and until it did, his mission remained the same as before. Focusing on the green spines on the distracted space monster’s back, the cybernetic iguana’s scutes flashed bright with azure power from the tip of his tail to the nape of his neck. Bright fire flashed within his artificial eyes, but just before the moment of release…

“Cyber Godzilla, your instructions are changed. Ignore the reptile for now. It is barely a threat next to these unknown saboteurs. The arthropods are your new targets; terminate them without mercy.”

The blaze vanished as data streamed into the cyberised Godzilla’s cerebrum. Processing the new command, he looked between Bemular and the alien anomalocarids with uncertainty. Never had he been called off from a target before, but the instructions of the Leviathans were law, and he must obey.

He charged with a synthesized war cry, rushing at the pack with incomparable speed. Springing off the dark soil, the revived mutant pounced onto one of the bipedal beasts, pushing it to the ground with the combination of sudden force and his own hefty weight. Metal-coated jaws crunched the chitin plates of the Trilopod’s throat without difficulty, drawing out a squeal from its ringed orifice as green fluid bubbled up around the father of the species’ decayed gums. He grinned in pleasure, delighting in the creature’s suffering, but his eyes suddenly widened at the sensation of sharp objects coiling around the metal armor that strengthened his tail.

With its pedipalps securing the resurrected creature’s tail, the second Trilopod ripped the augmented assaulter away. The reanimated beast was tossed over the lifeless plains of scorched rock, droplets of dark green gore trailing from his stained jaws as he twisted in the air to land perfectly, digging claws into the earth for stability and drag. As he came to a halt, the cyborg remained crouched low as energy missiles rocketed from the scute pins, bombarding the skull and chest of the scythe-bearing anomalocarid with bright bursts of bluish-green fire and light. Smoke and dust rose up as the assault continued, whipping up a screen of clouds as the deep space predator raised its bladed arms to defend itself. Within seconds, the cybernetic weapon had to bring the barrage to a halt as the cloud covered the swarm completely, hiding them from his vision through the undead mutant’s own actions. Until the creatures entered his vision again, the revived lizard swept the landscape for head or limb.

The chittering of the intruders echoed around, but with the difference in conditions between the atmosphere of Earth and Planet X, the chorus came out muffled and muted. It hindered the unnatural being’s ability to locate the whereabouts of each creature, even with the amplified hearing granted from Leviathan engineering. Blind he was not, however. He immediately noticed the color change in a section of the cloud, switching from dark gray to a blood red as something within illuminated brightly. A crimson blast swept through the dust and ash, striking naught but rock as the nimble reptile leapt from the site of impact moments prior. Jumping to the side, his stare caught the hazy silhouette of a Trilopod from where the beam had fired from, granting the augmented reptile some insight into the capabilities of these unknowns.

His head snapped to the side, but he was already flying into the waiting radiodont’s zone, springing out from the smokescreen with its scythe raised high. With an ear-ringing shriek, the serrated limb slashed across the revenant’s left flank, tearing into the decaying scales with no resistance while only gashing the armor of his chest. The cyborg cried out, falling to the ground as putrid juices and chemicals spilled. Standing over, the alien hunter clicked its mandibles, lifting its bladed forearms above its head. It stopped suddenly, gagging and stumbling back as its olfactory center was assaulted by the overpowering stench of the zombie’s fluids. The distraction was enough for the techno-organic to climb onto all four of its limbs and lash out with his tail, knocking the arthropod off its feet as it gargled in horror.

Another Trilopod stepped forward as the smoke lifted, slamming the tips of both blades into the iguana’s armored skull. Cyber Godzilla crumpled like loose bricks, suffering from the ragged gash along his side that impaired the function of his leg. He couldn’t think of moving until the wound had healed, but that was too much time that the lizard lacked. As the looming insect’s foot pinned his back, he became aware of a smaller shape approaching from the side. He recognised it as another of the hunters when it emerged from the haze, but its shape and size were different from the beast above him. Only half of the bipedal warrior’s size and walking on multiple pairs of insectoid legs, the Alpha Trilopod crawled its way to the undead beast’s unarmoured neck, drawing out a pained hiss when it sank its pedipalps into the synthetic titan’s flesh and began to feed. Under the two creatures’ joined weight, his struggles were futile, as the parasite’s body bloated from the gorged bio-energy…

Bemular screeched out a warning. The Trilopods paid no heed as they closed around, blocking any and all escape routes for the extraterrestrial. The glossy eyes of the horde gleamed with a hunger that only the reptile’s essence could sate, chittering excitedly with the scent of dripping blood in the air. Although scrawnier and far from in good health, the space monster used the strength left at his disposal to the greatest efficiency. Hot fire blazed from the xeno’s chapped lips, throwing back a pair of Alphas with eruptive force. The assault was the signal for the pack to attack. With each Beta that approached, the sinister reptile threw his body against the mountains of chitin and muscle, taking every ounce of power in him to drive each creature back a few feet. Bladed appendages slashed at the psychotic beast, but many only bounced off the tough, defensive spines. Inch by inch, he gained room in the swarm’s midst.

Screeching aloud, a confident Trilopod brought down its raised scythe. The mad fiend countered the blow by leaning forward, catching the blade on the back of his neck. Several of the green monster’s spines cracked and fell off, but the arthropod was unable to penetrate the full layer. Swinging upward, the blade was dislodged, and the Beta stumbled back from the sudden shift in balance. Taking advantage of its downed defense, jagged jaws clamped around the Trilopod’s neck, crunching down on the tough plating. The hunter unleashed a shill cry as it fought to shake off the space dinosaur, but his grip was tight and secure. With a quick jerk forwards, a resounding crack echoed as he broke the alien hunter’s neck, dropping its limp form. One down, but a dozen remained. Meeting the eyes of the enclosing anomalocarids, the vicious monster cracked the stiff joints in his neck, cleaning the blood from his teeth with exaggerated licks.

That was when he noticed the condition of Cyber Godzilla. The broken mutation seemed even more like the living corpse it was under the heel of the Beta. His neck was soaked in his own disgusting blood, which also coated the mandibles of the bloated Alpha as it scuttled away. Hunching over, the larger Trilopod allowed it to crawl onto its back, not even flinching as the Alpha sank its pedipalps into the back of the skull. Both arthropods began to radiate with a green aura, their bodies merging as their genetic structure broke down and reformed with grotesque squelching noises. Before the reptile’s own eyes, the two Trilopods became one as a new body plan took shape.

When the light died out, it was revealed. It still looked like a Trilopod, but the changes in its appearance were obvious. Digitigrade legs, rows of curving, fin-like scutes along the back, a boxy set of jaws lined with stubby fangs; even its color had changed from reddish-brown to earthen grays. The new Trilopod hybrid parted its jaws, and even its call now sounded more like Cyber Godzilla’s own. It didn’t look right, though, trembling and wheezing with brittle armor and sunken eyes. Undoubtedly the result of taking genetic material from a creature long since dead, but the Zilla-Trilopod was prepared for combat despite its ailments.

Atomic fire spat from the hybrid’s jaws into Bemular’s sternum. Overtaken by the resulting agony and force, the bruised alien fell to the ground, howling and writhing for the assault to stop. There was no mercy from the Trilopod as it stepped closer to the reptile, coating his front in azure flames the entire time. Bemular craned his neck up, building up energy in his throat for a retaliating strike, but hooked forearms secured the wanderer’s jaws, locking them shut as the hybrid hunter’s atomic ray ceased. The twin Betas clicked ominously, pinning down Bemular while the Alphas set to work draining the genetic material out of the deranged criminal.

 

Chapter 5: The Face of the Devil

They watched as the horrific events transpired, seeing the situation turn from stable to dire in a matter of moments. The Xilien Controller discreetly glanced at the algorithmic graph, which continued to waver with uncertainty. In the midst of the ongoing havoc, he saw his compatriots breaking into a sweat, no doubt induced by stress and anxiety. The last thing the Controller needed to hear was from his subordinates, but unfortunately for him, the option was not in the cards at the moment.

“Great Leader,” the Xilien underling reported, “We’re receiving an encrypted signal.”

“Terminate it and block all external transmissions beyond Planet X,” the Controller ordered, “There will be no room for negotiations, for this undeniably has to be an act of war.” Without missing a beat, the computer suppressed all outside signals from entering the systems.

“Perfect peace cannot be obtained unless we fight for it,” Kubota plainly proclaimed, “On behalf of Master Fumio, allow us and the Emperor to deploy our monsters to aid the Leviathan’s creation.”

In an irritated growl, the Seatopian Emperor stood up. “Kubota, you do not speak on my behalf,” he vented his frustrations, “for Megalon carries the burden of protecting our people, and I must take that responsibility that will lead to a better future.”

“Then what will you do, human?” Hoffman scorned, as if the Leviathans had been reading the room the entire time. “What is your decision?” The others looked on, awaiting the Emperor’s response.

With a heated snort, Antonio rebuked the aliens, saying, “Our god will also provide help to your sinful abomination. No such filth should ever walk across the galaxy in the name of peace, but in dire straits such as this, I cannot find any other path that will guarantee my people’s protection.”

“The most reasonable conclusion you’ve come to,” Sopler added, “so long as these terms are not revoked by reckless actions, we will provide you assistance however we can.” Antonio reluctantly nodded, breathing carefully to manage control of himself.

“Something about this still isn’t right…” Fumio continued to chitter to himself, his antennae twitching nervously.

“Then I will issue the computer to release Gigan and Megalon from Sector 07, then we–” the Controller was cut off as the power began to flicker. The enclosure darkened to a near pitch black, with an emergency casing enveloping the guests of honor and the roundtable, leaving only a shimmering light hanging over them. Though they seemingly heard nothing, the Xilien Controller lost his composure as he felt an overwhelming strain on his neural processes, keeling over and falling into a seizure-induced state.

“Controller!” the Kilaak Queen called out, rushing to his prone and vulnerable form. With fluid action, she rolled him onto his side and stripped the cowl from her body, folding it and placing it under his head. She knew it would lose form and return to the metallic slug she once was, but it would still serve its purpose. Removing the thin visor from his visage, she clutched it near the red button on her chest as she slowly rose up.

Though pitch as black, the moans and wails of other Xiliens could be heard in the chamber. “Kilaakians, aid them!” Though unseen, the pitter-patter of Kilaak footsteps rummaged about, aiding their crippled Xilien partners.

“What happened? What’s going on?” Antonio inquired, concerned for the well-being of the Xilien commandant.

“I can only guess that the Xiliens have been compromised by a supersonic frequency,” the Kilaakian replied in hushed response, “but that shouldn’t be possible. We tuned out the original frequency that cost the Xiliens’ conquest of Earth years ago, so it shouldn’t be possible, unless…” She paused, dreading for the worst under her cold composure. All the while, she swept through the control systems of the Xilien computer in order to neutralize the frequency.

“It is not out of the question for the enemy to have repurposed or modified that frequency into something that could attack the vital components of Xilien engineering,” Sopler proposed, stretching out his neck to view the downed leader of this troubled treaty.

“And indeed, leave it to the deduction of the Leviathans to figure that one out.” The hardy and booming voice overrode the intercoms of the Xilien headquarters, which took everyone conscious by surprise. They scanned the pitch-black room for any invaders, until the monitor that had once surveyed the fight on the surface was replaced by a different image, one of a bioengineered throne room chiseled with chitin and mechanical components.

“Hello there,” the robust salutation came in crystal clear, exuding his presence upon these frightened sheep. “It would seem I was left uninvited. How unfortunate,” he spoke in a frivolous laugh, keeping his figure in the shadows.

Fumio froze solid, dropping the pen from his pincers. He glanced at the others; Antonio and the Leviathans were left speechless at this intruder, while the Kilaak Queen kept busy trying to reboot the system. Looking at Kubota, it seemed he too registered a familiarity with the one they were speaking with.

“Is that…?” Kubota chirped, his compound eyes seemingly widening with a fearful realization. Before Fumio could speak, the looming figure set his piercing gaze through the shadows.

“Oh? What do we have here?” the intruder replied with a firm, sturdy demeanor. “My reputation exceeds me, certainly.”

“You’re…” Fumio took a moment to compile his thoughts, letting it all fall into place. “You’re the one responsible for our world’s destruction. A cosmic crusader whose reach will go beyond the stars…”

The shadowy figure stepped into the lights of his monitors, revealing his colossal stature to those who stood conscious. Long, green tentacles drooped at the sides, robed in only the finest metallic armor that flowed like a silken dress. Piercing red orbs lit up the frontal torso, leading up to his tyrannical frill. The webbed membranes were tipped with bony spikes, seemingly fluttering in anticipation. In the center of this fold was his triangular head, layered in scaly flesh and adorned with an organic crown that protruded from his head. Double sets of incisors became visible when he hung his jaw low, contorting his mouth in a devilish glee, almost drooling with excitement.

“…Karkaro, ruler of the Cryogs,” Fumio concluded. The others fixated on Fumio, almost as if a wave of fear suddenly washed over them. Antonio almost dropped in what felt like utter shock. Though he had never heard of them, hearing the tension in Fumio’s voice was enough cause for concern.

The Kilaak Queen finished with her work, pressing in the final two buttons for the operating system to restart. She looked down at the prone Controller, his body no longer spasming as it once was. The cloak she had laid under him had been reduced to mush, but still functioned as the softener it needed to be. ’Good,’ she thought, ’looks like they won’t be able to configure the frequency for a while.’ Pulling the Xilien’s visor to the button on her bosom, she affirmed her determination.

“What brings you here, Cryog?” the Kilaak Queen inquired, her soothing voice stone cold with malicious intent.

Karkaro replied with an overconfident smirk and a click of the tongue before saying, “Did you not listen to your compatriot? I have a name, it’s Karkaro. And you will address me as such, slug.”

A nerve hit the spot, but she kept her composure. “You believe you can waltz right in here and disrupt a treaty among alien species, who want nothing more than peace?”

“Once this universe falls under my thrall, absolutely,” Karkaro proclaimed brazenly, “And you will see that for yourselves.” Just as he said that, the monitor deliberately switched to an image of the blockade of warships and vessels, in which another ship rippled into existence. Deactivating the cloaking devices, the Cryog battle fleet revealed their dark armor to the void of space, displaying the herculean task that was laid before the alien alliance.

“For you see, in the universe I will build, in the legacy I will forge…” his jovial mockery shifted into a threatening chime, “…There will be no need for other species beyond that of the Cryog Empire. Your demise will be imminent.”

A stagnant pause filled the air, letting the threat sit in. As the Xilien computer finished updating its software and fortifying its firewall, the transmission from Karkaro was cut, allowing control back to them. There was no turning back, no chance to negotiate. But with that, it made what came next that much easier.

“Everyone, now is the time to decide,” the Kilaakian spoke firmly, “Will you fight for the cause? Or will you turn tail at the first sign of trouble?”

“We speak on behalf of our species when we want nothing more than perfect peace,” Fumio stood up, regaining his fortitude. “Gigan will be our instrument to ensure that it will become a reality. You have our word.”

She nodded, then turned to the Leviathan aliens. “What about you?”

“Your intelligence is formidable and admirable, one who can match and synchronize with the Xiliens is one worthy of our respect,” Hoffman noted, “Although there was friction between us, our services will be at your disposal against the Cryog menace.”

“Indeed, and I must concur,” Antonio spoke up, “for the future of the Seatopian people rests with our lord and savior, Megalon. So long as these ‘Cryogs’ threaten the mass genocide of intergalactic races, such actions will not be tolerated.”

“Then we will show them what for! OPEN FIRE!” The Kilaak Queen screamed, startling everyone at the roundtable. Immediately, the saucers under the Xilien-Kilaak joint union pushed forward, prepared to combat these invaders.

Without missing a beat, the surrounding blockade whirred to life. White and orange saucers under the helm of Xilien-Kilaak influence bombarded the nearest Cryog war vessel with a series of laser cannons, carving the anterior of the space-faring battleship. Though the Xilien drones packed a punch, it was nothing more than an insignificant scrape against the colossal dreadnought, a speck next to a mountain. The Kilaak discs likewise discharged fiery pellets to aid, though they were miniscule and non-lethal in comparison.

Then came the techno-organic blimps that comprised the Leviathan armada. Gates parted, unloading swarms of sleek, red and white spacecraft, maneuvering within the cracks of the gargantuan Cryog ship. Their twin blasters shredded the thick, vein-like cabling and crippled the cannons, but such a herculean feat proved to only be a mild inconvenience. It was then that four of the blimp-like vessels opened their laser ports, unloading searing beams of light at the seams. The dark, organic armor of the Cryog ship bursted, consumed by a volley of explosive blasts that finally dismembered the monolithic machine.

All that effort for one ship, some of which had already aimed their laser cannons at the fleet.

This was going to be nothing short of an uphill battle.

***

The orders were received, and they followed them dutifully. The cyborg fowl, adorned with green skin, golden scales, and metallic enhancements, took flight through jet propulsion by the vapors spewing from the tri-fins on his back. Megalon, the Seatopian deity, clasped his drill-hands and spread out his protective elytra and transparent wings. With a single bound, the worshipped destroyer was airborne and followed his Nebulan ally, leaving the sector behind them.

Over the vacant yet mountainous landscape of Planet X, Gigan paid heed to the dogfight occurring in the depths of space. A Cryog vessel collapsing in on itself, swarmed by an assortment of saucers and artillery. But even if the collective armada landed a lucky blow, it was a mere taste compared to what was to come. The void rippled with the presence of countless Cryog dreadnoughts, each one escalating the scale in which the task force had to contend with. But the bladed beast did not derail from his original orders; the extermination of the Trilopod menace.

Infrared vision detected oncoming objects heading their way; one grounded, the other a crimson orb of light. The cyborg squawked at his Seatopian ally, ordering him to take the grounded one. The brutal burrower veered into the canyons to intercept the target enemy, while the space dinosaur kept a beeline to the unidentified sphere that closed the gap.

The beetle god’s compound eyes quickly identified the target, one that became apparent the closer it came. Though the creature differed in many areas, it unquestionably resembled that of the cybernetic zombie he and his people oh-so despised. Layered under chitin plating and equipped with pointed scutes along its back, the arthropodic reptile ran upon a set of digitigrade legs. A pair of scythe-like claws were held in front, prepared to hack and slash into the first target it came across. It huffed with heavy breath, but was nevertheless ready for battle.

With clasped drills, the scarab deity dove in and tried to ram the undead hybrid, eager to gore the bastardized reptile into shrapnel and paste. But much like its cybernetic counterpart, the Zilla-Trilopod pressed its feet and leapt out of harm’s way, made more pronounced by Planet X’s weak gravitational pull. By the time the dim divine registered this, he had already plunged into the surface layer of the dead moon, scattering minerals and boulders across the landscape. Just as the insect god rose to his feet, he felt his posterior torched by a stream of atomic flames, forcibly pushing him forward and stumbling over his feet.

Azure fire spewed from the boxy snout of the reptilian anomalocarid, relentless in its continuous assault. But once its temporary energy cells had been exhausted, the Zilla-Trilopod braced its scythes and charged. With a single bound, the composite organism closed the distance and was more than ready to rend and tear into the coleopteran deity. But just before the Zilla-Trilopod could stick the landing, the Seatopian guardian turned onto his charred backside and blocked the clawed scythes with his reinforced drills, stopping them dead in their tracks.

Both monstrous warriors emitted spiteful rumbles, the undead hybrid snorting smoke from its nostrils. Its unnatural features grimaced at the ancient insect, its scutes illuminating in a white flash. Parting its jaws, a tormenting blue light awaited the drilled bug. However, fate would not allow a god to fall. Rather, mandibles parted and spat out a geothermal orb, made from condensed heat and natural resources. The bullet shot right into the glowing maw, touching the curtling flames from the back of the throat. In an instant, the thermal grenade ignited, eviscerating the Zilla-Trilopod’s head, leaving very little left beyond the cauterized stump of a neck. Lifelessly, the Zilla-Trilopod slumped over, allowing the burrowing beast to return to his feet.

The target was terminated, which was enough to satisfy the guardian of the deep. But the war was far from over; his sensitive antennae detected the vibrations of giant footsteps, alerting him that there were more just beyond the cliffside. Just as it registered, more silhouettes, at least three, emerged from over the horizon, charging at full speed. Their earthen-grey epidermis camouflaged them with their surroundings, though their weighted footfalls gave them away. Adjusting his aim, the star-shaped horn atop his holy head discharged a flurry of jagged bolts. The Zilla-Trilopods were quick to evade, using their maneuverability to avoid the beams of lightning and smoothly cross the rugged terrain. With every discharge, the explosive aftermath kicked up dust and rock, shrouding the battlefield.

Despite this obstruction, their vibrations still gave the underground defender the needed anticipation for their approach. He possessed a relative knowledge of where they all came from, but even if he knew full well, there was a decision that had to be made. Which of them would go down first? He wasn’t given the time to think, only an impulsive act was all he had. Revving his drill, the Seatopian warrior turned his head to his right, thrusting the spinning arm directly for the Trilopod mutation closest to him. As the reptilian arthropod came into view, its bulbous, reddened eyes widened, coming face-to-face with the twirling limb without stopping its momentum.

In an instant, its face was shredded into gory paste, blurbs of green blood splattering all over. The Seatopian felt its frail skin crack under the weight of his strike. Even with one down, there were others he had to contend with. Spreading his elytra open and flapping his wings aggressively, the Earth beast twisted around in an attempt to slay another of the Trilopod mutations, but found himself in the unavoidable situation he dreaded.

Parting his mandibles, Megalon spat out another napalm bomb, hoping to at the very least intercept one more of the bastardized abominations that approached. Unfortunately, a stream of atomic fire rushed from the alien’s gullet, coating the red orb and detonating it prematurely. The other Zilla-Trilopod likewise charged a stream of atomic flames, blindsiding the subterranean titan with its potency. Before he could retaliate, he was quickly overwhelmed when another river of fire pinned him against the canyon’s wall, bathed in a scorching blaze of nuclear heat.

As the fires evaporated into a wisp, the beetle-like deity dropped to the ground, panting for breath. The abominations went up to the fallen god and pressed their digitigrade feet upon his head and back respectively. Antennae flickered as they felt the incoming pitter-patter of smaller feet, squirming the vacant moon to the battlefield. The righteous beetle didn’t have to wait long to see the perpetrators in his midst, with several, long-bodied anomalocarids swarming his downed form. Their pedipalps hooked into his armored skin and began draining fluids for their own gain.

The dim destroyer squirmed in a panic, trying to resist, only for immense pressure to crunch against his head. As the smaller Alpha Trilopods bloated from genetic material and bodily fluids, the helpless scarab could only glance to the starry skies with his compound eyes. As heavier footfalls made their approach, no doubt from the Trilopod hunters, all the guardian could see was the clash that happened right above him…

—

A blitz of crimson light flashed as Gigan once more scraped the fiery red sphere with his hammer-claws, heating the cosmo steel to dangerous temperatures. Such a pest had been an irritant since their arrival, intercepting whenever Gigan tried to assist his insectoid partner. Sweeping through the vacant void, the Nebulan cyborg propelled himself with guzzling vapor spewing from his tri-wings, curving upward to perform a u-turn. The red visor detected the energized orb, mimicking his maneuver and making a beeline straight for him.

As the soaring giants prepared for the worst, the bead above the visor shone a brilliant blue, discharging a sharp, thin red laser from the port. The high-powered cannon darted for the shimmering ball, a super-condensed, high-particle laser that proved to be able to pierce the energized hull of the travel sphere. As the laser knife perforated through the other side, the hellacious screech of the orb’s controller could be heard from within. Burning flames spewed from the holes, sucking out into the vacuum and depleting the energy reserves to maintain the sphere. In a matter of moments, the hideous shape of the Bemular-Trilopod came to visible light, even among the dark shadow of the looming planet Jupiter.

A similar bipedal stance paralleled between the donor and the Trilopod hybrid, with elongated scythes replacing the stubby claws of the original, and a thinned body compared to its brethren. Bright, crimson bug eyes twitched with ravenous bloodlust, its upper mandible split by a set of pedipalps, while retaining a lower jaw. Layered on the back of its chitinous shell were rugged spikes that lined along the entire backside, ending with the pincer-like tail, derived from the Trilopods. A sizzling wound was embroidered against the arthropod’s lower torso, a clear hole visible to the other side.

Falling under the weak pull of Planet X’s gravity, the Bemular-Trilopod reoriented itself midfall and opened its disgusting maw. A pale blue light generated from the back of its throat, giving the cybernetic fowl cause for alarm. In a moment, the bastardized copy vomited azure fireballs in droves, each one homing in on the spaceborne cyborg. Twirling to meet the flaming projectiles, the extraterrestrial mercenary swiped at the blistering fireballs, splitting them apart with his hooked claws.

Though he was able to stave off the first wave, the Bemular-Trilopod kept up the relentless assault, sending cloves of fireballs at the cybernetic prodigy of the Nebulan race. Cleaving and kicking with his spiked claws and toes, the bladed beast competed with the flurry of blue fire, though nothing could last forever. Angled to a side that the slicing speedster couldn’t protect, a homing fireball successfully detonated against the cyborg’s side, the sheer force of it sending him careening to the canyon-like surface of Planet X.

An eruption of dirt and debris scattered when the cybernetic warrior crashed, whereas the Bemular-Trilopod adjusted to slam against the surface with its feet and tail. Starting at an initial crouch, the dinosaurian anomalocarid raised itself fully upright, taking lofty steps to where the cyborg monster had smashed into. Without wasting time, the jeering abomination lurched for the fallen alien, swiping its scythes into the dust. Chitin-layered claws met with reinforced cosmo steel under the cloud, blocked by the bracing bird. Parrying the claws off him, the space dinosaur retaliated by swinging a hooked jab into the reptilian arthropod’s gut, breaking abdominal armor and oozing green blood.

For not even half a minute, the towering chimeras hacked and slashed, blades of steel and cheliped sparking flashes of intense fire, only to be diminished by the absence of air and gasses. The Bemular-Trilopod opened its maw agape, spewing pale blue flames at point blank. However, Gigan swiftly jerked his head to the side, evading a potentially lethal blow. Instead, the visored assassin fired a narrow laser from the forehead cannon, piercing through the Trilopod’s cranium with utmost precision. The disgusting Bemular-Trilopod gurgled as its pure red bug-eyes seemingly rolled into the back of their head, loosening its grip and movement. The bestial imposter slumped back onto its spiked shell, frothing from the mouth.

Even with the enemy crippled, the cybernetic hunter had to be sure the deed was done. But before he could, a tremendously powerful bolt of lightning struck the tri-fins and knocked the machine-like fowl down. Such raw capability could only be from one individual he knew well; on the other hand, a second option became all too prevalent with what had transpired to his comrade.

As the living buzzsaw rose to his feet, he shot a lethal glare at the bipedal enemy that stood before him. The segmented armor that lined the Trilopod’s posterior was split down the middle, enabling it to unfold the insectoid wings hidden beneath. Its stance and shape resembled that of his old ally, but couldn’t be further from him otherwise. A disgusting sight of a hideous creature, one the cruel cyborg scoffed at with a mocking shriek. Firmly pressing his bladed hammer-claw against the roof of his metallic beak, the cyborg swiped and sprayed crackling sparks as an intimidation display, and repeated the gesture with the other arm.

Time to dance.

The opponent bore its burly drill-arms and whirred them, the mineral-coated metals lined with the chitin-like plates that distinguished the Trilopods from other organisms. It charged forth as the Megalon-Trilopod unleashed a warbled shrill, prepared to do battle against the cybernetic assassin. What followed was an inevitable clash between reinforced minerals and metallic cosmo steel, clanging together in a sound that barely had space to travel through the thin atmosphere. Although brutal and powerful, Gigan was quick to maneuver around the clumsy movements of the false god. It would seem some things don’t change.

That came to a turn when the Megalon-Trilopod spat out a blazing grenade from between its pedipalp-like orifice, erupting in an inferno upon contact. Although the flames quickly died out, the explosive blast nonetheless had the enhanced ronin reeling back, forcing him to put distance between them. Another discharge of the geothermal bomb hurled his way, but the bladed warrior was quick to counter by detonating it with his laser cannon, destroying it before it could land. The Trilopod leapt into the empty sky above, revving its drills to rend and tear the cyborg to shreds. Propelled by flight, the Megalon-Trilopod dove straight for the Nebulan.

Such a tactic proved too straightforward for the cybernetic creature, simply moving out of its path as the drill-armed alien tore the earthen crust of Planet X asunder. In an instant, the insectoid disappeared in the embrace of the mantle of the moon. This, too, was something the experienced killer saw coming–and was more than ready for. He felt the earth rumble beneath his bladed feet, aware of the general vicinity of where the enemy lurked. With a brilliant blue flash from the gem embedded in his forehead, the crimson laser knife bore into the surface, attempting to pierce the subterranean foe. But it found no target, or at the very least it didn’t seem apparent.

The rumbling intensified, the space dinosaur becoming evermore expecting of drills tearing out of the ground. But what emerged instead was return fire; scarlet lights shredding the earth and searing into the golden scales and green skin of his body. A synthetic pained shriek rang from the cyborg, who attempted to swat them away with his curved claws. He retaliated with another discharge of the laser knife, which pierced through the earth effortlessly. His feet felt the vibrations different from the burrowing; a muffled cry of agony. Then, the shaking began to intensify.

Good. A violent smirk graced his metallic beak.

Though the vibrations increased in a ferocity that made Gigan wary, he was nonetheless certain his foe was going to emerge. And in the intermediate moments that followed, so it did. The sudden eruption of dust and debris catapulted into the air, scattering its remnants aside as the abomination emerged from the depths. Whirling its combined drill hands, the Megalon-Trilopod’s chortles became abundantly clear as the subterranean menace breached the surface, eager to gore into the cyborg assassin.

In the brief time before contact was made, the cyborg was brought to a sudden calm. His body darkened, preparing to collect the reserves of energy from within. An experimental modification since his failures on Earth. Then, in a split second, his body shone in a brilliant green light–then, he vanished.

For the Megalon-Trilopod, the realization dawned on it that there was no target. Time slowed to an exponential crawl. If the target wasn’t here, where did it go? Rather abruptly, the fear and answer of the Trilopod clone came crashing behind it, as firm and solid metal feet buried themselves in the posterior shell of the beetle-like anomalocarid, spraying green fluid from the freshly made wounds. An imitated wail of the Seatopian deity rang from its orifice as it was harshly slammed into the ground, groaning in misery from the inflicted suffering.

Large compound eyes were able to register the target; it was indeed Gigan. Hammer-claw already lunged for them, closing the distance to its face. There was nothing the Megalon-Trilopod could do to retort; in its fear-stricken mind, death was all that it could wait for. Cold cosmo steel penetrated the back of its head, tearing through the chitin and breaking through to the other side. Green muck splattered on the ground and stained the alien metal, ending the Megalon-Trilopod for good.

The hook-handed beast huffed. Teleportation had proven itself a very handy tool in combat; an upgrade to get the jump on an opponent and gain the superior advantage was nothing short of paramount in war. However, it came with its drawbacks. Such a technique took a toll on his physiology, only able to warp in short bursts and taxed his internal reactor’s reserves. If he wasn’t careful, he would lose the energy to continue fighting. Such a drawback would have to be corrected, provided they made it out of this battle alive…

The interstellar fowl puffed. It was beyond a doubt that his opponent was slain… But the ground continued to rumble. Why? It couldn’t be–

–In an instant, not one, but two breaches occurred on either side of him. Only able to react to protect himself with his claws, the cybernetic killer was tackled to the ground through the combined masses of the two Megalon-Trilopods that emerged from the earth. Had the other acted as a decoy to disguise their approach? An angered squawk rang from his beaked maw. How foolish was he! The universe’s renowned monster assassin, tripped up by a mockery of his ally! Truly a pitiful situation, a shameful but familiar feeling he had during the many failed invasions of Earth…

The skittering of smaller feet caught the enhanced invader’s attention. The long-bodied, multi-limbed creatures, without a doubt part of the Trilopod clan, came crawling up to him with the chittering of pure jubilation. They sank their fangs into his flesh, drawing from the genetic material of his organic half. The shell along their back began to bloat, filling with the necessary goods to support the evolution of the Trilopod army.

Gigan winced at the thought, but he was going to have to risk it!

Before another of the Alpha Trilopods could drive its pedipalps into his flesh, the gold and green form darkened, then shined a viridescent flash, disappearing from the grips of the Megalon-Trilopods. The chitinous titans scanned the area in confusion, trying to locate their escaped convict. It was then they were alerted from a cry of their Beta squad leader, who pointed to the airborne cyborg. Then they saw their target hightailing it out of there, trying to flee into the horizon of Planet X.

But the Trilopods would ensure that would never happen.

Another order was issued by the Beta Trilopod, commanding them to commence fire. The Megalon variants jumped into action, opening their elytra and taking to the air until they reached the same path as their quarry. Their star-like horns illuminated with a yellow flare, discharging powerful lightning beams simultaneously–merging together into one super beam! The bladed alien pushed himself out of harm’s way, barely dodging the destructive beam of electricity. But the divine copies were relentless in their pursuit, discharging beam after beam. Though the cyborg was graceful in the air, he was not infallible, and soon enough became victim to a supercharged blast–knocking him out of the sky.

Without a cushion to soften his fall, the fowl fiend collided against the base of a mountain, shrieking in pain from the harsh crash. But from the dust, he could see the Beta Trilopod looming in the distance, almost cocky in its demeanor. It spread its scythed claws out, almost embracing the fate that was going to be bestowed upon it. Then, the cyborg saw the engorged arthropod crawling upon the back of the bipedal warrior, sinking its pedipalps into the grooves that led to the nape. In an ethereal flash of light, their bodies became as one flesh, mixing and morphing with new features and attributes. Even if he already knew they had this capability, what the visored warrior saw next shocked him to his core…

After the metamorphosis, what stood in the Beta’s place was something new, yet familiar. It bore most of the Trilopod qualities, but was adorned with green flesh and golden scales. Golden tri-fins ruptured from its back shell, exposing winged membranes to the dark moon and thin atmosphere. The shape of the figure became thinner, matching the proportions of his own. The scythes of the Trilopod sharpened, though with a mixture of chitin and bone, reflecting the creature Gigan used to be.

But no such sentiments overcame the assassin; all he saw was another Trilopod for him to kill.

The Gigan-Trilopod squawked in mocking amusement, approaching the fallen cyborg. It shrieked, beckoning the Megalon-Trilopods to its side. The space dinosaur knew he wouldn’t be able to flee this one… The brutish insectoid lifted its drills up, prepared to tear the downed creature to pieces, only to be stopped by the anomalocarid-dinosaur with a swift command. A screech from the scaly arthropod detested such primitive violence, and that a compatible subject be taken back to harvest.

Such actions took Gigan aback, but he knew there’d be no escape… Though was fleeing the best course of action? Or could being taken to the enemy’s base of operations be more sufficient in taking down the Trilopod menace? With that realization, a thought came to mind–one that held its risks, but had to be taken nonetheless.

With a loud shriek, the space dinosaur began to darken, his flesh, scales, and eye dimming as he suddenly fell limp. The Trilopod mutants stood on guard, anticipating another teleportation trick… But nothing. The newest hybrid kicked the prone body, which remained unresponsive. Observations indicated the cyborg was still alive, which was good enough for it.

The Gigan-Trilopod issued more commands to the others; for the Megalon-Trilopods to take the Seatopian deity for harvest, and for the smaller minions to siphon more genetic material from the unconscious cyborg. And so they did without a hitch, the large Megalon-Trilopods dragging the beaten, but barely conscious Megalon off the battlefield and back to the hive. All the while, three more of the crawlers jumped the prone space beast, inflating with his genetic material to create more like them.

Once all was said and done, the claspers at the end of the Gigan-Trilopod’s tail wrapped around the neck of the cybernetic assassin, taking flight with the body in tow. No doubt, their masters would be pleased with the results.

 

Chapter 6: Illusion of Victory

Eyes of many shapes watched the unfolding events upon the central monitor, processing the unanticipated and horrifying events played across its screen in the last few moments.

Sopler and Hoffman looked at one another, their expressions unemotive but their body language expressing clear disbelief and concern for the condition of their prized creation. Fumio and Kubota twitched and quivered, unbelieving in the fact that their own renowned champion of war, too, had fallen to the arthropod invaders with so little resistance on his part. Of course, the one who had the greatest reaction to this defeat was the Emperor of Seatopia, his mouth agape and skin pale, staring blankly upon the imprisoned form of his beloved god. The entire room felt as if there were only seconds remaining until Antonio broke from his stupor and expressed the true scope of his emotions, regardless of the consequences of doing so.

The Kilaak Queen observed the viewing screen, uncertain of the next processings following this unprecedented sweep of their main combat force. Her soft gaze fell to the Controller’s lying form, who had managed to stabilize at last from the Cyrogs’ debilitating frequency, but had yet to regain consciousness along with the other members of his council. She prayed for his guidance more now than ever, understanding for the first time why their culture frowned upon the use of emotion, for in her distressed state of mind, the metamorphosed Kilaakian found herself lost on the next course of orders to issue. A communication problem, no doubt, that the Xiliens would not have to encounter.

The screen changed image from the planet’s surface to the command center of the Cryog warship once more. The visage of Emperor Karkaro flooded the monitor’s surface with his insidious smile of jagged teeth, looking through at the stunned representatives with cruelty and mockery in his gaze.

“Well, that was a disappointment. Was that really the best you had to offer?” he asked jeeringly, and to the warlord’s delight, the members of the alliance rose to the bait with expressions of fierce anger. ”Perhaps I was wrong to expect too much from the so-called ‘greatest’ warriors of the galaxy, hmmm?”

Antonio, with his thin temperance, could bear the insults no more. “Silence your tongue, wretched worm! My god will enact retribution upon you and the rest of your kind for such insul-”

”Goodness, the tongue on this one,” Karkaro laughed in the face of the subterranean emperor’s meager threats. Harsh glares from the Nebula Hunter M and Kilaak leaders shut down any continuation of Antonio’s rant, and he subsided without protest.

”Your beast is no god, you outdated fool. All of your kaiju are nothing to us. They might be tenacious and possess admirable bio-signatures, but they are insignificant and pathetic next to the creatures that I command. I have witnessed better shows of resistance from the Vir-”

The Cryog suddenly paused mid-sentence, gaze glassing over as if he had lost the words to say. The Kilaak Queen watched with curiosity as the emperor’s face morphed into an expression of confusion, and she wondered what exactly had happened.

“Resistance from who?” she tentatively asked.

Karkaro’s eyes blinked and returned to normal, snapping to look at the Kilaakian with an enraged look, teeth barred like an animal. ”What nonsense do you babble, female?” he snapped, spraying droplets of spittle across the view screen on his end. ”I crush all who oppose our glorious race. I conquer all that should and shall belong to me. You are all beneath me, and like your weak champions, you will be eradicated as the bugs you are!”

Before the tyrant could rant on further, the atmosphere was disturbed by an ached groan. The Kilaak Queen tore her eyes away from the screen and focused her attention on the shifting form of her awakening companion. Taking hold of his arms, she aided the Xilien Controller up into his chair, rubbing them in a soothing rhythm to help expedite his recovery. Around her, she could see that the other Xiliens were also beginning to rise, having also, at last, recovered from the trauma of the Cryogs’ debilitating frequency and were seen to by her own Kilaak aids.

The Controller managed to lift his head, with teeth bared and gritted to fight off the agony raging in his skull. Recalling the laws in regards to physical shows of affection within Xilien society, the Kilaak ruler halted her destressing actions before he could take notice. “I… require a s-status report post-haste,” he managed to force out.

”Oh, you’re finally back with us, Xilien,” came Karkaro’s mocking voice, pulling the Controller’s gaze up to the monitor and the visage of the tentacled being upon, expressing no outwards emotion towards the Cryog leader’s presence or appearance. ”I’m glad you could join us again. Now all of you can experience the suffering and full power that my armada will bring upon this filth-encrusted world.”

The Xilien commandant remained unfazed by the Cryog’s words, regaining composure as he met the intruder’s yellowed eyes though the gaze of his darkened visor. “Whoever you are-”

”Emperor Karkaro of the Cryog Empire.

“-whatever you want-”

”The extermination of your races.”

“-you are an enemy of the peace that we have gathered to forge and will not be tolerated. It was you who will be subjugated under the power of our collective forces.”

Karkaro lowered his head and chuckled darkly. ”I have grown attached to hearing such speeches of defiances. Each one seemingly so special and yet utterly generic at the core. It makes crushing my enemies oh so sweeter. But I digress. The time for words is clearly over.”

With that, the transmission was cut, leaving the council in silence.

***

The emperor settled comfortably into his throne as the feed of the alien committee cut to black, permitting his scaly lips to form into a smirk of villainous intent. Joining his tentacles in a relaxed posture upon the lap of his ornate robe, he prepared to give out the order for a full-scale assault upon Planet X and its occupants. This was to be another victory for the expanding empire and a further step towards the Cryog vision of universal peace and supremacy.

“Must you continue to mock them?”

Pausing on the verse of speaking, Karkaro turned to address the owner of the voice, passing a disapproving glare upon their figure. The Cryog in question stood to the edge of the emperor’s command pedestal, their appearance biologically inferior in comparison to Karkaro’s own genetic purity. The lack of a reddish tint to their tentacles, the reduced tips of their spined collar and missing the crown of spikes upon their skull betrayed his place as a member of the lower caste; the sect of the social ladder that had not stayed true to the ideal of racial purity. It would normally have been impossible for these half-breeds to ascend to any high rank, but to Karkaro, this was the one exception he had permitted.

“Come now, Rhizon,” he grumbled. “These are but insects in comparison. Undeserving of respect or decency. I can and shall treat them as I like. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t do the same if you were in my position.”

Rhizon looked away from the gaze of his leader. “That was not something I will deny, my lord,” he admitted. “I only caution not to rile them up too much. Be careful of what you may accomplish in their anger.”

“We have their monsters practically in our grasp now, and soon we will find out if the claims of their superior firepower hold true. Which they won’t. There is no other power in the galaxy that can match Cryog science and engineering.”

Rhizon’s right tentacle reached up on instinct to rub the side of his own face, running down the ragged, crimson scar over his eye. “You should have told that to the Hipporitians.”

“Did you say something, Rhizon?” Karkaro asked, snapping a deadly look at the commander. “Perhaps that old wound of yours is acting up. Shall I take a look at it for you?”

To his credit, the smaller officer did not flinch or freeze under his superior’s gaze. Instead, it was met by his own steely glance. “You are playing a very dangerous game, Karkaro,” he warned, words slow, deep and deliberate in hope that the emperor would take what he had to say seriously. “These are conquerors in their own right. Their reputations are legendary for good reason. Stop treating them like toys and act accordingly.”

Karkaro appeared to consider his words, albeit begrudgingly, holding his tentacles together against his mouth to hide the sulking frown that formed there. He leaned forward and consulted his options for several seconds, but Rhizon knew it was just an act. He knew what the emperor’s response would be even before he heard it.

“Very well.”

Or not. Rhizon blinked in surprise. Normally, the emperor would have ignored his council with some half-veiled excuse, but now he seemed to actually take heed for once. In spite of this, he felt no gratitude for the sovereign’s choice, for he was aware from past experience how cunning he could be in his schemes. But to think ahead this far? To anticipate this very argument? Was this THE plan or an alternative cooked up as a potential back-up? Every time that Rhizon thought that he knew all the facts about his adversary would he be proven wrong, pushing back the scales of equality in their game of lies and deceptions.

Karkaro finally resumed his regular stance and turned to one of the visored technicians dotting the ring of his throne. With the crack of a tentacle, he gained their attention, the Cryog twisting around and awaiting orders. “Give the attack order to the fleet. The time for waiting had passed. We strike now.”

The technician swiftly nodded, uploading instructions to the terminal and issuing the command across the fleet’s shared pathnet. Karkaro smirked and pressed a button on the chair’s arm to open a screen of the void outside.

“We win now.”

***

The void outside of the biotechnological behemoth was illuminated and warmed by the detonating shots from the miniscule defending vessels, rapidly fading back to pitch black and below zero temperatures once the dispersed energy had expired, only for additional blasts to reignite the vacuum and start the process. The repetitive assault had been like this for what appeared like an eternity, few results to show from it. Even when combining their individual firepower, the Xilien, Kilaak, and Leviathan fighters simply weren’t enough to breach the heavy armor plates that enforced each Cryog vessel, thus forcing them to rely upon the heavier caliber of weaponry employed by the latter’s colossal war carriers in order to accomplish the destruction of these invaders.

The atmosphere around the passive Cryog fleet suddenly shifted, brimming with activity like mighty beasts awakening from slumber. The crafts thrummed as energy visibly gathered around the cone of each warship, upon which a crimson orb began to glow with increasing radiance. Without prior warning, the cause for the display was made clear as each orb violently spat forth a powerful scarlet ray, illuminating the dark void and the hulls of allied and enemy vessels with deep red hues.

The smaller UFOs and fighter craft were utterly vapourised by the waves of death, offering no resistance as their structure was reduced to simple atoms. Against the heavy plating and energised shields of the Leviathan motherships, the laser barrage proved not as effective, but nonetheless was able to penetrate their defences and inflict devastating damage. Balls of flame and shrapnel bloomed up from the site of each strike across multiple carriers, with several concentrated blasts required to split apart a single Leviathan craft, scattering their techno-organic remnants across the exosphere of Planet X.

The alliance was taken aback by this frightening display of power. With such devastating firepower at their fingertips, it gave another slither of truth to the tyrant’s claims of superiority. But nothing that powerful could exist without some type of weakness, surely. Nothing could truly be classed as perfect in the ever-evolving setting of war, where technology and stratagems always held room for refinement. A crack in the shell, a flaw in the design; the Cryog blueprint had to have something, and if they could not find it, then the union of races would have to make one.

They had variation among their ranks, both in artillery and tactics. They had unique strengths and weaknesses that could be played off of each other in ways that their foes might not be able to perceive in their arrogance.

It was a minor advantage. It was all that they had. They would make it work.

Subspace communications opened to connect the battle computers across the fleet into one expansive network. Faults and glitches instantly popped up as incompatible coding attempted to synchronize, and engineers from all factions had to work overtime updating hardware and software to keep the web from immediately collapsing. At the same time, strategists coordinated with one another, using what little information they had on the attackers to feed a new plan of retaliation to the alliance armada.

As the Cryog continued to bombard the Leviathan cruisers, their smaller vanguard rushed forth in blinding droves, filling the void between the two flotillas with the sheer mass of their own metallic shells and salvos of plasma cannon fire. The majority of the shots failed to make contact with any of the Cryog super-destroyers, but such was never their intention; the simple existence of so many bodies confused the invaders’s targeting array, causing their once pin-accurate shots to now wildly deviate. Like a swarm of Terran mosquitos, the nimble fighters were a debilitating cover for their gigantic hosts, granting them ample time to intensify their returning fire.

The stratagem worked, but only for a moment. The Cryog’s response was delivered with remorseless brutality, changing the focus of their weapons from piercing blasts to sweeping heat rays, washing across the swarming warcrafts and igniting them in droves. Swiftly, their numbers started to fall, and this was the cue for the Xilien’s part in their grand plan.

Gathering in formations of around a dozen each, clusters of UFOs dove into the firefight and aimed for the zones of highest offensive concentration. Each vessel’s hull glowed with a pale blue aura as power surged throughout, increasing their exterior shielding to the absolute limit. Cracking bolts connected the occupants of each group, and whenever a heat ray connected, it was met with a solid blockade of energy, shielding their allies from the worst of the beam’s destructive power.

With them holding the line, the Kilaak fleet initiated their part in the grand scheme. Hundreds of saucers raced towards the goliaths of chitin and cosmo steel, using the barriers of their Xilien compatriots as cover to get closer to the Cryog cruisers. Their hulls glowed bright as the saucers activated the Fire Dragon protocol, taking the form of winged, long-necked drakes cast in energised flames. Like bullets, they shot forth, timing their attacks between blasts to strike at the emitter orbs and hammer them with their own flaming shells. Explosions coated the noses of dozens of Cryog vessels as hundreds of Kilaak UFOs used themselves as projectiles to assail the source of their primary weapon, bouncing off the reinforced exterior and back to safety to repeat the stratagem again.

Slowly, each apparatus started to crack, reducing its focusing ability and weakening the power of its attacks, giving the Leviathan battleships further time in the battle before they were overwhelmed. The smaller ships aided their allies as best as they could with what limited firepower they possessed, targeting the invader’s damaged hulls in an attempt to disrupt critical systems. By combining their resources into one, the three races were pushing against the encroaching wall together, throwing their all in to protect what could be their last true chance for victory and for peace. It was a truly valiant effort.

But it wasn’t enough.

Sheer numbers were the key core to the success of their reprising assault, but without the ability to keep those numbers up, it was merely a matter of patience until the Cryogs widened the cracks in the union’s plan. Unable to constantly replenish new troops, the Leviathan fighters began to be worn down, wearing down the swarm until their targeting computers could once more fire upon their enemies unimpeded. Unable to withstand such concentrated firepower for long, the Xilien blockades couldn’t last and crumpled, scattering into scorched debris underneath their might. Despite their furious assault and how much their surface fractured, the Kilaaks were unable to disable a single cannon, and were completely obliterated by the point-blank retaliating fire.

The alliance could do nothing but try and hold back the inevitable. They were but a rag-tag collection of survivors, trying to win against a race who had countless experiences in warfare and a history of successful campaigns, of which they sought to aid their falling resistance to. The Cryog were as a swarm of marching ants, relentless, unquestioning and unfeeling. Leviathan, Xilien and Kilaak were but bugs to grind under their heel, their resistance an insignificant variable. They would fall, as all the others before them had, and how all after would as well.

The stars watched in silence as the battle raged on, the atmosphere above the lifeless planetoid clogged with wreckage and bodies. Had either side not been preoccupied, they might have noticed as one of the distant stars began to shine just a little brighter, growing in intensity as something else made its way towards the slaughter…

—

Resistance was futile, or at the very least, it was pointless to expend his energy fighting in the moment. Megalon only looked on with his bulbous yellow eyes, scanning the predicament he and his partner were in. The Trilopod knock-offs held him tightly, and it seemed an imitator of Gigan towed his cybernetic ally through a firm grasp of the tail. But the longer the flight lasted, the more Megalon saw the surface of Planet X swarmed by the Trilopod menace, each taking on different and unique forms. Even along the dark skies, crimson orbs similar to that of Bemular’s blue travel sphere swarmed the battlefield.

They were truly numerous… Did they even stand a chance against the horde? Was it even possible to achieve victory?

Megalon saw the others in the distance; the despised cyborg that was nothing more than an unnatural abomination, and the enemy that incidentally set everything into motion. Part of the old god’s heart hated them both, wishing nothing more than to end them. But now was not the time. A greater threat loomed over them, and it was going to take everything they had to stop this new threat. For the sake of victory–for the sake of peace. But Megalon held no plan in mind. Although worshiped by his people as a god, he himself had to rely on others for combat strategy. If there was anything the insect beast had learned over his lifetime, sometimes waiting was the best option…

—

Down below, Cyber Godzilla had long since ceased resisting. The undead flesh rejuvenated thanks to Leviathan technology, letting the gash in his leg slowly heal. Unfortunately, it came at a price; having taken his genetic material, more bastardized clones cropped up. Imitators that took on his likeness. But he nevertheless heeded to his master’s commands; the Trilopod menace would be exterminated. Just sometimes it required more trickery than brute force to deal with the situation.

His opponent, the nefarious criminal Bemular, was in no better of a position. The wild space fiend continued to struggle under their grip, keeping his mouth clamped shut as they dragged him away to the pod. Whatever waited for them once they entered, Cyber Godzilla wasn’t keen to find out. And likewise, as the cyborg zombie soon learned, neither was Bemular.

He saw as the panicked fugitive screeched and wailed, mustering all the collective energy he had to offer. With a sudden spike in energy increase, the body of Bemular illuminated in a bright blue hue, pulsing and burning the Trilopods that had once surrounded it. In a surge of searing light, Bemular shot up to the skies in a desperate bid to escape. The Zilla-Trilopods that had surrounded Cyber Godzilla, save for the one dragging him to the pod, were dispatched to aid in the recapture of Bemular.

Just the opening he was looking for.

Green eyes lit up, releasing pressurized steam from his cybernetic nostrils. The Zilla-Trilopod felt the sudden jerk from the resumed activity of Cyber Godzilla, but was unable to respond to the threat in time as it felt the energized missiles explode against its ankles, taking out both in a fiery blast. Even as it collapsed to the ground wailing in pain, the Zilla-Trilopod kept a firm grip with its tail, trying to crush the neck of the zombified cyborg. But such feats proved for naught as the organic and metallic claws tore into the lithe extension, tearing the pincers from the rest of the tail in a bloody mess of green goop. The reptilian anomalocarid crashed onto its front, allowing Cyber Godzilla ample time to rise to his feet. Planting a firm digitigrade foot onto the scutes of the hybrid organism, a stream of blue atomic flames spewed from the boxy maw of the zombified weapon, torching its head mercilessly and relentlessly.

Despite being made from the same material as Cyber Godzilla, the Zilla-Trilopod shriveled and died from the intense flames. The decayed genetic structure weakened it to the point of fragility; although the Zilla-Trilopods possessed ample speed and agility, it compromised their defensive capabilities compared to the others. What was left was a charred head bereft of life, a husk of a soldier. One target down, so many more to go.

Two of the Zilla-Trilopods turned, directing their gleaming eyes towards the defiant Cyber Godzilla. They stood up tall, opting to discharge crimson lasers from the organic cannons attached to their torsos. Nearly a dozen thin red beams lurched for the cybernetic zombie, with Cyber Godzilla responding by opening the metallic flaps on his chest. The lasers bounced off the flaps and ribs aimlessly, but those that found their mark against the satellite dish within were redirected back to the source, grazing upon the flesh of the imposter Trilopods. Seeing the futility in their efforts, the reptilian aliens leaned forward and began to rush the autonomous beast.

It was then that Cyber Godzilla applied all the pressure he could muster into his feet, performing a powerful, single-bound leap that propelled him through the air. With all of his weight, the cyborg reptile smashed into his Trilopod double, pinning the lizard-like arthropod and tearing the cretin to shreds with his asymmetrical claws. Green goop and guts torn and splattered asunder, it only took but mere seconds for Cyber Godzilla to rend the torso doppelganger into mush. And in those seconds, the other Zilla-Trilopod made its move, imitating its genetic donor by leaping with its powerful legs and ramming itself into the cyborg. The armored insectoid snapped its jaws around the metal and dead flesh of its opponent, eager to tear the titan to bits and haul his carcass to the hive.

But Cyber Godzilla had other plans. Churning a bath of flames, the undead machine sprayed his atomic fire onto the Zilla-Trilopod, forcing it to release its grip and stumble back. When the cybernetic reptile ceased, what was left on the Trilopod was a scorch mark engraved between its head and shoulder. The Zilla-Trilopod hissed violently, staring down Cyber Godzilla with utmost malice. But a shriek from the arthropod-like reptilian signaled its allies, who began to converge in. Two of them were those derived from the Seatopian god, taking flight and charging straight for him. Another that stood on a nearby cliffside was a freshly hewn Gigan-Trilopod, its trill making its presence known.

Cyber Godzilla huffed, once again expelling steam from his nostrils. Against all odds, fighting was the only option. And he’d gladly revel in the chance.

—

A disruption became evident. It began with a flash of blue light, followed up by sudden explosive blasts of energy and gore. The beak-shaped pedipalps of the Gigan-Trilopod emitted a squawk in irritation. An uprising had begun. Perhaps it was best to dispose of them sooner and let their carcasses become part of the digestive tract of their hive. After it stored its cybernetic counterpart into the pod, the Gigan-Trilopod would join in the foray and subdue these pests once and for all.

But a pulse caught its attention.

Life activity registered from the pincers on its tail, feeling the sudden surge of activity from the host which it dragged. This all became clear as movement wrestled with their tail. The Trilopod didn’t even need to look back with its eyes to confirm it; Gigan had reactivated. The Gigan-Trilopod applied force, hoping to crush the neck of the cyborg before it could do anything. Instead, what the alien anomalocarid got was a tearing sensation around the tip of the tail as hooked claws pierced and tore the appendage in two! With a shrillish cry, the avian-like arthropod pulled its appendage back, profusely bleeding from the torn limb.

Spreading his tri-fin wings and twirling around to regain equilibrium, Gigan charged his organic counterpart with renewed vigor, operating with the intent to kill. The Trilopod imitator blocked with its bone-like scythes, carried by the push as their bodies collided. Although the calcified hooks were incredibly durable, even more so than its previous state as a Trilopod, the Gigan-Trilopod felt the cosmo steel quickly wearing out its blades, and needed to react fast. Churning searing hot flames from within its beaked maw, the Gigan-Trilopod sprayed a blast of superheated fire onto its target.

Although the short-ranged combustible fire could neither travel far nor maintain its form in the near-absence of an atmosphere, it was enough to get the job done. Burning from scorching hot flames, flesh and metal of the cyborg swirled with coats of fire before quickly diminishing from the nonexistent pressure. Gigan knew of a similar weapon within his own arsenal, but the laser knife had always proven far more reliable of a far-ranged weapon in combat. Its precise, cutting capabilities made it the more pragmatic option over the biological remnant from his life as an organic creature. Plus without a substantial atmosphere to sustain its form, using the flame breath would be nothing short of detrimental. But even if the Trilopods were unable to harness his true capabilities and decades of upgrades, it seemed they were able to compensate for other elements and use them in their favor.

By the time Gigan regained aerial stability, he quickly turned to a defensive stance, blocking the oncoming rush from his impostor. Darts shot from the eyes of the Gigan-Trilopod, its ferocity and conquest would be known. For the hive, for the imperial galactic empire to dominate all the universe. With one bony claw pressed against the metal hooks of its opponent, the Gigan-Trilopod swung back the other blade in preparation for a devastating blow.

A decisive swing aimed for the neck, eager for a clean slice. Even if it couldn’t cleave the head straight off, a partial cut–anything–would be more than efficient. But its opponent was more than dexterous enough to keep pace, indicated by the flash of blue from his forehead. Twisting his head, Gigan aimed the laser cannon at the incoming arm, firing a thin red laser that pierced through the biceps, shredding muscle and nerves alike. The sudden jerk of pain changed the trajectory of the ossein blade to an upward arc, veering its path from Gigan’s neck to the spike antenna that jutted from his head–which barely grazed them with a fiery spark.

Such an act left the Gigan-Trilopod open, something that Gigan was quick to take advantage of. Parrying the other bone-like sword away, the cyborg returned the favor by swiftly swinging his own metallic claw with precision. When the tip of the blade connected, it started at the base of the Trilopod’s neck, embedding itself in the chitin-like flesh as it carved its throat open. As it continued its ascent, the hammer-claw found its way to the mandibles and frontal skull, cleaving through the head of the Gigan-Trilopod with little effort.

Such a feat lasted less than a second.

Stunned and losing its motor controls, the Trilopod imitation stiffened and began to drop from the sky, pulled by the moon’s gravitational flux. Without a second thought, Gigan surveyed the unfolding situation… Only to see a clash of brilliant lights.

And with that, he sped off towards it.

—

Chaos sprung at the ample opportunity. The former target had fled, the despised cyborg had launched a counterattack, and his renowned ally had freed himself and sped for the spheres in the sky. If there was ever more a time to strike back, it was now. Summoning his strength, Megalon struggled against the firm grip of his Trilopod clones. They held tightly, making sure he wouldn’t escape their grasps. Collectively, the brawn of the Megalon-Trilopods kept the Seatopian deity in his place.

The more the insect god struggled, the tighter their hold became. So Megalon had to improvise. Parting his mandibles and twisting his head, a blazing orb shot out of his maw, the geothermal napalm bomb bursting into a torrent of hellish flames. The torso of one of the Trilopods and the head of Megalon became consumed with flames, forcing one of them off. This in turn disoriented the formation, losing balance in the process.

Though the burning flames were fierce, it wasn’t long before they were extinguished by the vacuum of space. Lurching his head at the Trilopod doubles, Megalon’s star-tipped horn glistened with the pulse of electricity, discharging the beast-killing ray at the abominable imposters. The powerful bolt split apart, drilling into the cores of the Megalon-Trilopods, searing their undersides. Forced to release their hold, the insectoid beast used this time to adjust his body in freefall. Rather than spreading his elytra for flight, Megalon outstretched his twin-drill arms to his front, revving for the moment of anticipation.

In the moments that followed, the metallic drills made contact with the surface, shredding the soil and debris out of his path. More of his body was wrapped in lunar innards, vanishing from the naked eye. Even if his own sight was compromised, Megalon held a special expertise in burrowing. His biological evolution guaranteed survival in subterranean layers, and in some respects tunneling through Planet X was no different. His long horn acted as a radar, with the twin antennae’s hypersensitivity able to detect and distinguish different types of vibrations. It was with this that Megalon was able to tell the difference between the fighting above ground and his pursuers giving chase.

The ruckus brought on by the drills of his Trilopod imposters forewarned Megalon of the directions they were coming from. One of them approached at rapid speeds, catching up to him in the crust of lunar soil. Another also flanked him from the other side, forcing the insect god to maneuver around it. Though Megalon proved successful at evading the drills, that didn’t stop the Megalon-Trilopod from tailing his pathway and following the tunnel he made. Unlike himself, his double had little issue shredding the flying debris that shot behind him. When they closed the gap, the Megalon-Trilopod shot off its own beast-killer ray, the electric bolt struck him in the rear, forcing Megalon to utter an anguished cry.

Megalon knew burrowing at this rate would do him no good, so with his drills still spinning at maximum velocity, he contorted his flexible body to turn around in the cramped space, facing his doppelganger head-on. Ramming at full speed, their drills collided against one another, the underground pocket allowing the sparks to scatter in a vicious lightshow across the two combatants. The momentum pushed Megalon deeper into the carved tunnel of his making, the Seatopian deity uttering a disdained grunt. His feelers could isolate the fact the other Megalon-Trilopod was well on its way, curving around and aiming for a rear attack. Though given they were both clones of him, doubt festered in his mind; for they clearly possessed not just his powers, but his quirks as well.

Time became of the essence. If he didn’t act soon, he’d be shredded to bits.

In Seatopia, he was hailed as a god. But in battle, his wits weren’t the sharpest. He relied upon the guidance of others in order to take action and strategize. But in this potential life or death situation, perhaps strategy wasn’t the answer, but simple-minded brute strength. Charging his laser beam, Megalon fired the bolt of lightning at the right arm of the Trilopod clone, severing its limb and forcing it to lose its once dominant position. With only one functional drill pressing against Megalon, the insect beast took advantage of the unfolding situation and supplanted his might against the Trilopod warrior. With ease, the god of Seatopia shredded through the chitinous armor and pasty green innards of the Megalon-Trilopod and tore right through to the other side, following the pathway he had hewn with his drills.

Just as he did, he heard the other Megalon-Trilopod break free from the place he was–its alerting cries informing him of his pursuer. It wasn’t long until another lightning bolt of the enemy struck him, but with no obstructions in his way, he powered through. Keeping his drills forward, Megalon tilted his head downward and parted his mandibles wide open. One by one, he spat volleys of napalm bombs from his maw, each one dropping and bouncing off the lunar tunnel until it vanished into the darkness. A retaliatory strike from the Trilopod detonated some of them prematurely, but that was also according to plan. The compact space caved in a portion of the tunnel, bringing it down and falling onto the duplicate. But the crumbling cavern did little to hold the Megalon-Trilopod back, as it too simply drilled the obstruction out of its way.

Even still, Megalon continued to drop bombs down the shaft, collapsing the pathway behind him. However, his feelers sensed several bodies waiting for him at the top, peering down the hole with malicious intent. Several of the Zilla-Trilopods hurled a flurry of atomic rays down the hole, filling the top in an azure blaze. Megalon found himself pinned between the wash of atomic flames or the ferocious drills of the other, leaving him no choice but to devise his own solution. Banking a hard left, Megalon embedded his drills through the walls, carving a new path for him to take. In doing so, he felt the radioactive fire rush past him. Unfortunately, he felt the Megalon-Trilopod do the same, tracing his trajectory and following his path.

Thankfully, it didn’t matter what the Trilopod imposter did; Megalon would find his way out. Rupturing the surface of Planet X, the insect god emerged from the depths, hopping onto the ground with feet firmly planted. Bashing his drills together, Megalon bellowed with his warbling cry at the Zilla-Trilopods. The reptilian anomalocaridids jeered at him with discontent, eager to take him down.

The fight was far from over, but he’d continue until the bitter end.

—

He had to run.

There was nothing left here for him to gain; if he remained here, he’d no doubt perish. A simple moon that didn’t seem all too conspicuous, to lay low and hide from their pursuer. But his malevolent instincts got the better of him when signs of life became apparent. Bemular hoped to avoid the consequences of his actions, mayhaps find another moon to hide. Yet a loud hum filled the dark skies, becoming ever apparent that this was not going to go his way.

His travel sphere pulsed a radiant light, informing Bemular of his surroundings within the blazing blue ball. It didn’t take long for his radar to detect the interference of similar-natured pulses washing over him. Two sets of crimson orbs, burning with a signature in his likeness, rapidly approached from above. Without a moment of debate or hesitation, Bemular banked a hard turn to steer clear of the Trilopod doppelgangers, trying to find a pathway to escape into the stars.

Unfortunately for him, his pursuers were quick to follow his trail. Maneuvering the vacuum with grace and proficiency, the crimson spheres accelerated and caught up to it, smashing into the blue travel ball with tremendous force. The conflicting energies pressed against each other, rupturing in sparks of red, blue, and violet light as the two red orbs slowed the speed of the blue one down. Gradually and steadily, they descended to the jagged terrain of Planet X. The Trilopod-influenced spheres forced the blazing blue orb of Bemular to drag along the surface, embedding a trench in its wake that left an unnatural glow in its path.

Bemular tried resisting their power as best he could, exerting the travel ball to the heights of its limits. But it proved for naught as he felt the external pressure of the red orbs compress his own. No matter how much he resisted, all it did was wane the formation of the travel sphere. The more it faded, the more congealed it became. Then, almost under the will of the Bemular-Trilopods, the dimming blue orb was hoisted to the air before being thrust into the ground, shattering its rounded shape and sending the cretin tumbling along the ragged surface of the vacant moon.

Rolling and rolling across the blue-brown terrain, the spiked reptile eventually found himself lying face up, wincing as he stared at the incoming threats. Among the two hovering spheres, one of them aimed straight for him–and for once, Bemular’s bugged out eyes clenched, bracing for impact. Moments dragged out into endless anxiety, swelling up in his very being as he awaited suffering, or even death.

But through his squinted eyes, Bemular saw a thin laser puncture the crimson sphere and rupture out the other side. Just as the laser beam vanished, the red orb lost its integrity, exposing the limp Bemular-Trilopod, helplessly falling on top of the spikey fiend. Without the strength to move, the space fugitive could only wait as the corpse crashed into him. Peering from his eyes, Bemular noticed his bastardized duplicate had a hole in its cranium. Regardless of the case of how, the Trilopod was dead, leaving Bemular ample time to shove the lifeless carcass with his legs and tiny arms.

Mustering from his sapped reserves, the spikey fiend forced himself up to his legs, glancing at the fight in the sky. The crimson orb and the augmented space dinosaur twirled across the empty void, moving with precision and grace. But when the cyborg found the ample opportunity, he fired another laser from his forehead, piercing through the hull of the orb effortlessly. It made its mark, although the sphere didn’t lose its shape like the other. However, it did force the red orb to crawl from the sky to the ground, leading Bemular’s rudimentary intelligence to determine that it had been injured.

Though it became quickly apparent that they were not the only target in the cyborg’s sights. The force and vibrations of the rough landing from Gigan was very much felt, forcing Bemular to turn his attention to the automated assassin. The red cannon on the cyborg’s forehead flashed blue, but didn’t fire anything. With an aggressive stance, Gigan pointed his hooked claws, drawing the reptile’s attention.

A shriekish squawk made Gigan’s intentions all the more clear. With the other claw, he pointed up to the sky. It was nothing short of a warzone up there; filled to the brim with spaceships and dreadnaughts that Bemular didn’t register. He figured some had to be his pursuers, but others were fighting against the endless armada. What he did see were more of his doppelgangers orbiting the hellfire, ensuring nothing made it in–or out. A caw brought Bemular’s attention back to the cyborg, blade still pointed at him.

Did he really think he’d escape? That was what Gigan proposed. It was foolish to think otherwise.

The bug-eyed cretin twisted its face in a vicious scowl, glaring at Gigan in contempt. Even if the cyborg spoke the truth, what was it to him? Bemular already knew he was severely outmatched. His odds of survival did not favor him, and fleeing for the stars would be the best outcome for him. It was his choice, and his choice alone. Bemular released a warbled cry, screeching his disapproval. He’d make it out alive, no matter what it took.

It was then Gigan braced his hammer-claws together. A harsh call rang from his metallic beak. An ultimatum–die to him, or die to them.

A snarl rumbled from Bemular’s throat, keeping his glare glued to the garish cyborg. His jaws parted, filling with ferocious blue flames. His nostrils snorted in discontent, puffing out residual smoke. His choice was the only one that mattered! As his pale heat wave neared overflowing in his maw, he saw the forehead of Gigan flash blue, and–

–In an instant, Bemular swerved his head to the side, discharging the full brunt of his attack away from the cyborg. Instead, the condensed beam of plasma found its mark against the other Trilopod clone of himself over in the distance, who stagnantly limped towards their location. The blast was immediately overwhelming, charring and searing the reptilian anomalocarid with its utmost fury. It survived, but very clearly sustained major wounds from that one burst alone. But to ensure its quick demise, Gigan likewise fired his beam at the wounded Trilopod, lancing it through the cranial region, killing it.

The two turned to each other. Bemular made his choice; to not make another enemy he didn’t have a chance of winning against. He contested Gigan’s methodology, still saw him as a hostile party, someone he couldn’t put his trust in. But between dying to the cyborg and being slain by the Trilopods, the latter left a far fouler stench in his consciousness. Something that had to be purged. At the very least, if he were to perish, there was an estranged comfort in his demented mind that he wouldn’t die alone.

For now, Bemular submitted. It was the only choice that ensured his survival. Seemingly satisfied with this decision, Gigan gestured to follow his lead. The tri-fins compressed against the creature’s back, gas expelling from the tips as Gigan flew off. Mustering what strength he could, Bemular formed a sphere around him. It lacked the integrity of his previous uses, but was sufficient enough to get him off the ground.

As he tailed the alien’s path, he wondered… Would this bear the fruit he expected? Or was it desperation that sold him on the temporary alliance? An illusion to victory? Perhaps this was all going to be for naught–but compared to the alternative, there was at least a shot of making it out alive, no matter how slim it seemed…

—

“Look at them, Rhizon. The vermin have decided to work together against our hunters. Isn’t that just sweet? Inspiring? So utterly hopeless.”

Rhizon paid half a mind to the mocking words of Karkaro as he observed the battle playing out outside on a monitor, noting down the tactics of the alliance’s vanguard. Cross-referencing with collected data from past campaigns, the commander instructed the fleet to counteract the strategies that their inferior battle systems could scrounge up. Efficiency was the foundation of all things, in his mind, an element that these lower beings had no clear understanding of, in spite of what the Xiliens and their computer-ruled society claimed.

Turning his gaze away, he focused on another monitor displaying the hunt on the surface against the alien beings, unable to stop his brow furrowing with infuriation. He despised these creatures with every ounce of his being. They were barely a step above wild beasts, undeserving of a place within the Cryog Empire, and yet the emperor of his race had chosen them as the vanguard of his crusade for universal domination over any asset his own people had crafted. The fact that he wouldn’t disclose where he had acquired them added further distrust in the Trilopods and their part in the Great Plan, and Rhizon loathed to work with these beasts under his command. But the emperor had ordered him so, and with his word as law, he was strained to comply.

Though he could not admit as such in front of Karkaro, the Cryog strategist found a hint of admiration as he witnessed the truce formed by the Nebulan cyborg and the rogue element. He wouldn’t have thought such a thing to be possible, especially with the reptile’s roguish nature, but in the long history of his career, Rhizon had been witness and victim to many unexpected strategies and contingencies, weapons and creatures mechanical and biological alike that put the will and power of the empire to the test, ensuring that complacency could never grow among their ranks.

Perhaps this one would be as challenging as the others, but ultimately would never bear the fruits of victory. One day, he might look back on this moment and question why it was that they must destroy something as intriguing as this solely for the reason that it was different. Perhaps, that moment would be amongst the comforts of the utopia that Karkaro had promised at the end of this long war, if that was the ultimate truth that he had longly doubted. In which case, his actions here would be justified, his doubts unnecessary, and there would be no guilt to bear on his conscience. They were survivors, through and through. If these lowly scraps had no power to resist their strength, their extinction was utterly justified. Such was the order of all things. Such was the way of the immoral Cryog Empire.

“They are nothing, my lord. Lowly insects scrambling for a few extra seconds of life before the boot comes down on them.” Rhizon allowed a cruel, predatory smile to spread across his features, flashing rows of sharp, pointed fangs. Not even he could not find displeasure in the final moments to their victory. “And like insects, we shall crush them all the same.”

“Yes, well, all the same, these ‘bugs’ have been a rather troublesome batch,” Karkaro murmured, thinking as he checked the live feed, frowning at the number of casualties, of which all were his loyal pets. “The first wave is starting to bear thin and all four of those abominations are still well and kicking. We’d better fix that.”

The sound of tapping drew Rhizon’s attention away from the monitor to look towards the emperor tapping instructions into the control panel embedded within the arm of his throne. His eyes bulged upon recognising the command sequence that was entered. “Three pods?! That amount of force is wholly unnecessary. Just one or few of our battleships would be far more effici – ACK!”

Karkaro’s other arm shot out and wrapped tightly around the officer’s throat, cutting his protest short as Rhizon gasped desperately for air. He was dragged roughly towards the throne and lifted so that he and the emperor were face to face, staring into Karkaro’s enraged features. Once cold eyes now burned red with fury, his words a hissed whisper to the commander’s hearing alone.

“I do not like those who forget their manners. If you take issues with my orders, you may address me in private. You will not challenge me in public again, and certainly not when those insects could be listening in.” He tightened his hold on Rhizon further, ignoring his rasping cries for mercy. “I am your emperor and if you wish to see the paradise I have promised, you will obey me in all things. Never forget that, half-breed.”

The pressure around his windpipe released as Rhizon was tossed away, crumpling across the bridge floor and wheezing for breath. Rubbing his bruising neck, the commander’s eyes turned back towards Karkaro, unable to hide the fear written across his features. Those cold orbs bore into his own, as if daring him to speak out again, but he couldn’t find the breath to act even if he wanted to. He could feel all the eyes in the room upon him, judging his display of weakness with hidden contempt. With a scowl, he managed to force himself up and meet the doubters with his own hateful gaze, cowing them into submission and returning them to their stations.

As Rhizon returned to his post, he cast one more look back towards the emperor, who was now preoccupied with the main screen as it displayed the new Trilopod carriers leaving the ship and rocketing towards the planet’s surface. What exactly had happened on that fateful day, when their world fell to the great destroyer, to twist him into the creature he was now? He hadn’t been present, witness only to the aftermath and the lifeless husk that once was the heart of their empire, but Karkaro had not been the same ever since, almost distant to the needs of his people in spite of the reward he promised them. How was a tyrant such as him meant to bring about paradise for their kind? It was a question he found himself too terrified to answer.

Alarms blared across the bridge, pulling the Cryog from his thoughts and turning towards one of the screens. “Report!” he barked to the corresponding station.

“Unknown bogey approaching our position, commander,” a technician responded, bringing up the radar and camera footage onto the main monitor. “Entering at mach 10, ETA two minutes to atmosphere entry.”

“Did you say approaching? As in, coming towards us?” Karkaro let out a booming, mocking laugh. “I didn’t think that anyone had the scrotes. Let’s see these brave fools for ourselves, shall we?”

The technician spoke up again. “We’re intercepting a coded message, emperor; a recording on an encrypted wavelength. Shall I attempt to access it?”

“Proceed,” ordered Rhizon. His curiosity was just as peaked as the emperor’s towards this sudden development. Who would openly fly towards an active battlefield? Who even knew that they were here? So many questions and not enough answers for the warmonger’s liking, requiring his patience for the twenty-four seconds it took for the message to be accessed.

As the voice came through, he nearly stumbled over, taken aback. His eyes went wide as the rogue object came into view on the scanner, recognising the unmistakable technology and craftsmanship all too clearly to pretend it was anything else. To the Cryog, it was the closest thing to seeing a ghost, a relic of a genocide now seemingly incomplete as this anomaly seemed to prove. The same word spilled from Rhizon and Karkaro’s lips, though the former lacked any of the venomous tone hissed out by his superior.

“No…”

 

Chapter 7: The Grand Reveal

A cold conclusion awaited. An inevitability against the might of the Trilopods.

Megalon struggled. With the persistence of angry hornets, the Zilla-Trilopods swarmed the insectoid god without any sign of letting up. Slashing and torching the insect’s hide with their onslaught, they surrounded him on all sides. Joining their assault was also the Megalon-Trilopod, whose fluttering wings soared above the chaotic crowd beneath it. Lightning rained from the Trilopod’s star-shaped protrusion, striking its target down below. Megalon suffered from the wrath of his Trilopod double, any deaths of the Zilla-morphed fodder ultimately inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

But the compound eyes of the Megalon-Trilopod caught something in its sights. At first, it mistook the figure as another of the Gigan-variants, but closer inspection confirmed it was the original. Ceasing its assault on the Seatopian warrior, the Megalon-Trilopod turned its attention to the oncoming intruder. Very quickly, metal drills met with cosmo steel hooks, two large bodies shoved through the air. Before the Megalon duplicate could fight back, Gigan shanked the Trilopod with a lethal kick, embedding his bladed foot into the gut of the hybrid organism. Another kick followed soon after, likewise puncturing the lower torso of the alien fiend, before finishing it off with a firm slap from Gigan’s tail. The insectoid-anomalocarid was sent hurtling through the sky, crashing roughly against the ground.

Then, almost willingly, Gigan dropped from the space above to the lunar crust below, slamming his bladed feet into one of the many Zilla-Trilopods, smashing it to green-plastered mush and gore, killing it instantly. The moment of Gigan’s arrival, the nearby soldiers redirected their attention to the bird-like cyborg. The buzzsaw jutting from his belly began to rev wildly, rotating at rapid speeds. Those foolish enough to approach became quickly ensnared by the hammer-claws, forcefully dragged onto the whirling buzzsaw without mercy or remorse head first. What remained were splattered corpses, painting the skin of the cyborg a sickly green.

Such skill and confidence was noted. But did one really matter against the many? With an issuing call from the Megalon-Trilopod, the Zilla-variants were quick to turn on the sudden intruder, swarming the cyborg with their sheer numbers. Even with the universal cutter still revving, the Trilopod pawns were careful to work around it, restraining Gigan’s other limbs and suppressing all movement from the cyborg.

A distorted shrill emitted from Gigan as a bolt of lightning struck upon his golden scales. While he knew full well of the uses of teleportation, the circumstances he knew didn’t allow it. His first attempt was futile, and doing so now would yield the same results. And likewise, the energy consumption of its use required more strategic usage, or at the very least needed to be timed just right. Seeking to conserve as much energy as he could, Gigan decided to take the brunt of the Trilopod’s wrath. But through the cluster of the Zilla-Trilopods, he saw Megalon scarred and bloodied. The limp beetle remained unmoving, only rolling when the Megalon-Trilopod landed nearby and kicked him around.

In the world of battle, death was nothing short of an inevitability. It was something Gigan was well accustomed to. But seeing Megalon in such poor health–the jaded indifference cracked, if ever so slightly. He kept an even temper, but the residual sting remained nonetheless…

—

The Gigan-Trilopod hacked and slashed its calcified blades against the reanimated cyborg, scarring the dead tissue and alien metal with ease. Cyber Godzilla was evasive, but the quick movements of the Trilopod matched his own in terms of speed and skill. In retaliation, the radioactive automaton fired its fearsome atomic ray, hoping to push the agile assassin away. But in response, the Gigan-Trilopod discharged ferocious flames of its own. Although the vacuum threatened to extinguish its fire, the full powered might of the flamethrower ensured it met its target, charring the undead reptile with its searing pain.

Wracked with pain, the robotic zombie faltered and stumbled, leaving him open to a decisive kick that launched the cyborg away. Chittering in delight, the Trilopod confidently loomed over the fallen warrior, eager to fulfill its master’s bidding.

Cyber Godzilla’s eyes glowed with the Leviathan’s influence, forcing him to move beyond his exhaustion. But even the suppression of his pained body could only do so much. The bio-robotic automaton weakly stood in place, arranging himself for the next strike. However, both he and the Trilopod menace were quick to notice a flash of light closing in on them. The transparent layer of the sapphire orb made it abundantly clear to Cyber Godzilla the identity of the perpetrator. The shimmering sphere crashed near them, the exterior dissipating into a faint wisp, leaving the blood-curdling shrieks of Bemular.

The bug-eyed fiend scanned the two, rushing towards the despised Trilopod clone of Gigan. Leaning forward with his spiny head at ramming speeds, the space reptile collided against the chitinous armor of the arthropodic hybrid, pressing and shoving the Trilopod warrior. Calcified scythes grinded against the hardened scutes that adorned the fugitive’s body, leaving light scratch marks upon them. Seeing the futility of its efforts, the Gigan-Trilopod opted to swing for the considerably less durable scales, only to be met face-first with a barrage of energized missiles. The concussive knockback of the blast forced the arthropod warrior down, leaving Bemular to loom over his fallen form.

The glaring red eyes of the Trilopod glared back with malice at the two reptiles that stood above it. But it was without mercy or remorse that both began to churn their blue flames, bathing the avian-like anomalocarid in a flash of superheat fire, torching its body pitch black. With screams and wails from the onslaught, the Gigan-Trilopod was no more, leaving its husk to burn from their wrath. But they could not rest, for another wave of Trilopod imposters converged on their location. More of the Zilla and Megalon variants screeched and bellowed, bombarding the battlefield with high-yield explosives and a flurry of atomic flames.

As a Zilla-Trilopod got close, Bemular lunged forward and clamped his jaws around its neck, tearing its throat out with a twisted glee. But just as he got the jump on one, another took its place and jumped the space criminal, toppling the spiked reptile to the ground. Wailing and grinding of teeth resounded from Bemular’s oblong maw, struggling to batter the pests off of him.

All the while, Cyber Godzilla could only evade the bombardment thrusted upon him. Raining lightning bolts and napalm blasts carved the landscape to charred ruin, the force of the attacks changing the very landscape around him. A ring of destruction cut off any escape routes available to the cybernetic zombie, pinning the beast to one location. But what urged them not to just blow him to smithereens outright? Such fallacies made him believe that these Trilopods were just as incompetent as their progenitor. But a blaring red light from above signaled Cyber Godzilla of the impending danger, leaping out of the way and into the array of blasts and bombs–an unsuitably safer place to be comparatively speaking.

In a matter of seconds, a crimson orb crashed onto the very location Cyber Godzilla had once stood. From the impact zone and scattered debris, the red sphere dissipated and revealed within it a Bemular-Trilopod, chittering and shrieking at the evasive reptile. The cybernetic augment had no time to spare, dancing around the explosive wrath of the Megalon clones. But the Bemular-variant snapped its eyes at him, a blue light illuminating from its maw…

—

Pinned and strained, Gigan struggled against their grip. A shot from the laser knife from his forehead was evaded by the cretins or their acting commander; and likewise, a sudden burst of short-ranged flames from his maw was woefully insufficient for the task at hand, all in a display of desperation for options. Even if he did escape, was there ever going to be a chance to recharge?

Perhaps it was better than nothing. Channeling his reserves, his body began to darken…

…Only to stop when the painful cries of the Megalon-Trilopod resounded. Jutted from its chest were a pair of metallic drills, rapidly whirling and shredding the torso of the Trilopod into paste. Then, with utmost force, the drills parted and tore the Megalon-Trilopod in two, killing it instantly. From behind the maimed carcass, Megalon stood and roared in triumph, catching the attention of the Zilla-Trilopods that held Gigan down.

The few that could be dispatched quickly lunged for Megalon, only to be met by a gruesome bolt of lightning from the star-shaped horn. Upon contact with the cranial region, the head of the Zilla clone exploded into a mess of brain matter and slimy green gore. The others that made their approach were either felled by his whirling drills or the ensuing napalm bombs that burned their chitinous exoskeleton to a crisp.

With the enemy preoccupied, Gigan adapted to the circumstances. Although still pinned under the weight of the Zilla-Trilopods, their decreased numbers had lightened the load rather significantly. Shifting from teleportation to flight, the tri-fins collapsed against his back, grinding against the lunar surface as the tips jettisoned with steam. Try as they might, they held their grip to the best of their ability; but even as they anchored their feet into the ground, it did little as the speed gradually picked up. Next thing they knew, they dangled helplessly as Gigan took to the higher echelons of space.

For the cretins that refused to let go, the fearsome assassin was quick to dispose of the scrawny anomalocarid-lizards with a whirring of his magnificent buzzsaw and a graceful aileron roll, using his hammer-claws to dislodge and tear at the energy parasites. Those that weren’t torn clean off met a worse fate with his revving buzzsaw, splitting them in half or shredding any desperate limbs trying to cling onto his gold-scaled body. As their falling forms crashed onto the lunar surface, Gigan made a hard turn to rendezvous with his long-time ally.

In the moment of his freedom, it seemed Megalon had been quickly overrun by the parasitic organisms. Bracing his reinforced cosmo steel blades, Gigan lunged for the dogpile, hacking and slashing at the infested colony until his insectoid compatriot was able to fight back, beating them down with a flurry of blunt strikes that bashed their frail heads wide open. Splurts of garish green goo launched from the impact wounds, be it from Megalon’s tough drills or Gigan’s deadly claws. And in what felt like a matter of moments, they cleared out the arena.

It wouldn’t be long before more fell upon them. But it was proof they stood better together than divided. Gigan extended his claw to his comrade, and the Seatopian god responded in kind. Their metal weapons clanged together.

A mantra from their people. For perfect peace among races.

And four was certainly better odds than one, or even two.

Tri-fins folded and elytra spread out, both allied monsters taking to the dark skies above as they sailed off to a different portion of the battleground. As gleaming red eyes picked up their airborne formations, the duo responded in kind. A volley of lightning blasts, laser cannons, and napalm bombs torched the mountainous land in a conflagration, the burning fires consuming all Trilopods in their path. Then the others came into view, fighting their own war against the other Trilopod variants. With a pulse from his high-powered cannon, Gigan fired another Laser Knife, piercing the skull of the bombarding Megalon-Trilopod that had been giving the zombified cyborg ample trouble. It keeled over instantly.

As the Bemular-Trilopod fired its heat ray, Cyber Godzilla’s chest flung open in a heartbeat. The burning blue heat ray bounced off the reflective sheen of the inner circuits, reflecting it back at the sender. Explosive bursts erupted from the crazed imitation, the arthropod-like reptile shrieking in dissatisfaction from what had just transpired. Taking advantage of the stunned alien pest, Cyber Godzilla pounced onto the target, mauling it with its asymmetrical claws and tearing it with its boxy mouth.

Noticing the pile of Zilla-Trilopods nearby, Megalon veered into the mound of crawling bodies, clamping his drills together as one. Revving at high speeds, he grazed along the top, shredding them into a slurry of organic paste. Noticing his interference, the lizard-like Trilopods directed their collective attention to the drilling beetle, dispersing their atomic rays at the airborne insect. Such flames proved futile against the high-speed drill, parting it with little effort as Megalon spat more fiery bombs from his mandibles. An eruption of hellfire overcame the chittering arthropoids, their legs scuttering to escape the raging flames. In doing so, they freed Bemular from restraint, allowing the bug-eyed menace to lash out and tear the face of a Zilla-Trilopod with utmost glee. Without rest, he fired his burning blue heat ray into the disgusting alien hybrid, reducing its face to cinders.

As Cyber Godzilla and Bemular dispatched their foes, Gigan and Megalon made a hard landing. Grouped together, the four giant monsters barked and scowled, but they understood each other. Whether they liked it or not, this was a fight that had to be taken on together. But even such a testy alliance had their plates full. For every Trilopod that had been slain, ten would take their place. The swarm was nothing short of massive, and only growing the more their appropriated genetics fueled the disgusting doppelgangers that mocked their visage.

With a squawk, Gigan issued the assault. For there was no other way than through, and no other method than killing.

In the name of peace.

But as the ground flooded with splattering green blood and the body parts of bastardized imposters, three distinct objects littered the sky. From the disgusting hive launched more pods from its nest, their bartizan hulls barreled through the void of space, closing in to the surface of Planet X at rapid speeds. Each impact shook the battleground, the noticeable blowback from the scattering dust and debris altering the four monsters of their impending incursion. As the last pod made landfall, they each opened up, one by one unleashing fresh Trilopod warriors to partake in this dwindling war.

Some of the surviving parasites, bloated from the harvested genetic material, crawled out of the dark pits of Planet X’s fissures and leapt onto the backs of the bipedal warriors. Their pedipalps sunk into the grooves of the nape, performing the ritual for more hybrid monstrosities. Each one morphing into a distinct, hideous shape that mocked their genetic progenitors. Low growls rang from the newly formed doppelgangers, each moving in to extend the battle.

Until each of them were subdued and destroyed accordingly.

***

The air stifled the longer this bloodbath drew on.

Their mightiest warriors and a rogue forced to contend with the monstrosity of the Cryog’s endless army. Each side drew blood from the other, but their warriors fought to the bittermost end. Warnings and intercoms from the space-faring war that took place well above their heads screamed in terror, their forces thinning from the monstrous force that beckoned them. For every Cryog warship downed, a whole sleuth of Xilien saucers and Fire Dragons would be wiped out by the firepower of another. The lethal combination of the fighter crafts and Leviathan-class battle cruisers from Cyber Godzilla’s masters proved fruitful in resisting the Cryog’s advances, but even their might struggled against the overwhelming wrath of Karkaro’s armada.

The algorithm flashed with unstable uncertainty. Dire straits were certainly ahead. Unease wavered, but all they could do was hold on until the battle turned in their favor.

But the careful eyes of the Xilien Commandant took notice of Fumio’s sketching, mapping out pathways as his antennae twitched anxiously. “What are you calculating?” The Xilien plainly asked, addressing the Nebulan.

“A tactile retreat may be in our best interest,” Fumio firmly suggested.

“Have no fear, Fumio,” the Commandant assured, “Evacuation ships are already on standby. Should the Cryog breach the surface, we will have made our retreat well before then.”

Fumio shook his head. “It’ll be too late by then. If we were to split up, the Cryog would certainly use that chance to exterminate us on the spot. A collective evacuation on one ship would be the best outcome. Our transport vessel will more than suffice.”

“That scrapheap?” Sopler ridiculed, “We fail to see it breaking through the exosphere before the Cryog make their move.”

The supercomputer ran its calculations. It seemed to take the heedings of the Leviathan and Nebulan in equal measure.

“Then let’s take it on faith the odds will turn in our favor,” the Kilaak Queen interjected.

Faith. Such a feeble, human construct. Yet in the right circumstances, it swayed the hearts and minds of those that believed. The Xilien held no such sentiment, but there was an understanding with his Mistress’ words. To continue their rally against overwhelming odds. A preposterous notion, but an option the Xilien had to at least consider.

Her words at least quelled the rising tensions. No doubt they too realize there wasn’t much to do but prepare for the worst.

“Great Leaders!” A Kilaakian servicewoman addressed, “We have readings of an unidentified object en route to Sector 15. There is also an open transmission from a third party.”

“Allow it,” the Xilien issued. He had no doubt Karkaro would also be viewing it, whoever it may hail from. All eyes glued to the screen, showing the visage of the ape-like alien both firm and diligent. Encrypting the information, it was clear the video was not a live transmission, leading the Xilien to come to only one conclusion…

”My name is Rikal, and I bring to you a message from beyond the grave. In life, I was a great commander of the Simeon race, who led our people out across the stars in search of a new home after our sun collapsed into a black hole. Though our methods may be considered cruel, in our eyes and cultures, they were acceptable in finding the salvation I so desperately sought for my people.”

He paused, if only for a moment.

“But we never found it. Instead, someone else found us.”

Rikal’s face contorted in anguish, the sounds of a predetermined war raging from beyond the Simeon’s confines. His eyes snapped open with cold resignation.

“To whoever receives this, I bring this grim warning. This oppressive force that exterminated our home, our entire race, will not stop at just that. It had set its goal to the complete subjugation of all life in the galaxy, perhaps the universe, and I truly believe they can accomplish this task. To prevent this, Mechagodzilla, our greatest achievement, has been sent to seek out and destroy these monsters wherever they claim root, and will wipe them out with the same lack of empathy that they showed us. It is in the best interests of whatever peace you seek that you aid our creation, and give my people the vengeance they deserve.”

When the transmission looped, it was cut off. But instead of a blank screen, the face of Karkaro overtook it instead, much to the chagrin of all present. His face read that of indifference, almost as if the entire purpose of this exchange was nothing more than to prove that he too received the signal. Fumio was quick to hide his notes, ensuring that the cruel ruler did not get a glimpse of their backup plan.

“Then let us see how this unfolds.” Reacting to the words of the Xilien, the Cryog gave a quiet huff. They will have to see, indeed…

***

Their will, their might, shall be enforced. The end of the opposition was nigh.

For each one felled, three more took their place. A non-stop hydra in colossal numbers that, even if the stubborn survivors could dispose of them efficiently, would overwhelm them sooner or later. The enemy forces were organic, or hosted such parts; there was only one end to this slaughter. They were bound to weakness such as exhaustion and depleted energy reserves. But the Trilopods were built to outlast and outnumber, no matter how powerful their enemies were.

The cyborg assassin and its closest compatriot tagged in with a whirl of claw-jabs and drill-punches. Bladed edges shred through their forces with relative ease, with subsequent bombardment of lightning blasts, laser beams, and thermal bombs aiding in the slaughter. Even so, their might waned the longer the battle went on. In a battle of attrition, there was no doubt the Trilopods would reign supreme.

The ailing cybernetic zombie likewise resisted, shooting streams of atomic fire to keep them at bay. Energized missiles found their marks, repelling those that it struck. But such resistance was futile. Steam pumped from its nostrils, the decayed augment maintaining maximum capacity. But such a state began to wear on its reserves, barely keeping up with what was demanded of it. A duck and a weave enabled the undead machine to clamp its boxy jaws around the throat of a Trilopod warrior, searing its flesh with a blast of radioactive fire. But just as the one perished from the burning wound, a triad of Zilla-Trilopods jumped their genetic donor, pinning it to the rugged top-surface. The lithe Alphas crawled upon their prey and sank their proboscis into rotted flesh, still willing to extract broken DNA for more hybrid warriors.

The primal space murderer ripped and tore asunder any Trilopod that dared stand in its way. Crazed and bug-eyed, the savage psychopath mimicked the tactics of the reanimated corpse, plunging its teeth into the neck of a Trilopod warrior. However, the feral beast pulled a different maneuver; anchoring itself with its tail and a leg, it used the other to lunge a powerful kick into the Trilopod’s gut, pulling back at its neck as it did so. In one swift move, the membranes and armor that kept its head attached ripped at the seams, spraying garish vile fluids as its head and spine were pulled from where its head once rested. As it tossed the dying head aside, the brutal criminal was tackled to the ground by a Megalon-Trilopod, stamped by its heavy body and powerful legs.

One by one, they fell. The Trilopods swarmed the already downed reptiles, leaving only two to deal with the incoming masses. And unfortunately for them, it wasn’t long before the pressure got to them. Alphas crawled all over them, siphoning their genetic material for more clones. No matter how hard they struggled, there was no resistance against the Trilopod forces.

They will conquer. And they will destroy.

But as the endless war waged on, there was… Interference.

Ping.

A dark object, nigh invisible to the naked eye, soared past the space-bound destruction occurring above. Only the glow of its rocket boosters and pulsing antenna gave it away.

Ping.

The pod began to shift, automatically adjusting its flight trajectory for a rough, but sound landing. Red alien eyes glared at the sudden arrival, the horde not contending with their respective targets braced and ready for whatever was going to emerge…

Ping.

Steam jettisoned as the pod doors slid open. No light breached the dark, only the gleam of red, cybernetic eyes pierced the other side. Each metallic footfall signaled to the Trilopods that the target was on the move. More importantly, it hosted no bio-signature or genetic material to draw from…

No option but termination.

The object showed itself, brimming with silver light as it stood out amidst the dark planetoid. It carried its weight with a bipedal stance, its knee-springs cushioning its immense weight. A large, reptile-like machine, with not an ounce of blood within. Rather, a circulatory system of wires and weapons was all that coursed through its constructed form. The cold, unfeeling automaton surveyed the situation, noticing distinct signatures among the masses. Its blocky frame shifted, locking its rotating wrists in place.

Without hesitation, the Trilopods charged en masse.

Time slowed to a crawl. The stampede of anomalocarids vibrated the very ground under their feet, and those with the capacity for flight took to the air. In a moment, they’d tear this machine to shreds, leaving nothing but space dust by the time they were finished with it…

And in that moment, they were torn to shreds.

—

With open shutters, all hell broke loose.

The payload was imminent, the sudden burst of sprawling energies and missiles erupted in a chorus of destruction. With merciless execution, Mechagodzilla mowed down all that stood in its way. Space missiles fired off from its fingertips, battering the massive horde with splintered armor and ruptured skin, littering the hellzone with fresh and bloodied wounds. With neck vents parted, a barrage of missiles beneath joined the choir of hellfire upon the Trilopod menace. Homyu shots, high pressure homing shells, and mouth missiles further embellished the unfolding chaos, inflicting severe trauma or exterminating them outright. A flash of orange electric discharge sawed through the limbs of the clawed warriors, disarming them as they keeled over. And its potent optical weapon–the Space Beams–utterly destroyed the flesh of the Trilopods on contact.

The monstrous war machine spread its destructive influence, spreading its missiles and firepower to the widest possible range. Even as the airborne Trilopods made a beeline for the weapons maestro, Mechagodzilla was quick to ceasefire, funneling all its powers into its jet engines. With a bounce from its springs, the mechanical destroyer quickly took to the air, evading the swarm entirely. Assuming its flight position, Mechagodzilla continued its gradual ascent. But Trilopod pursuers were quick to follow; Gigan and Megalon variants trailed the mecha’s flight path, ready to unload blasters of their own.

Flamethrowers and streams of lightning circled around the soaring superweapon, its head locked bow-first, with its hands pointed to the stern. Its head began to rotate along the craniocervical junction, spinning rapidly until it became a blur. Then, firing modified Space Beams, a cyan light pulsed from its eyes, coating the cosmic automaton in a cone-like barrier, protecting it from the onslaught of energy beams that would have otherwise harmed it.

Banking a wide turn, the flying machine propelled itself with burning jet fuel, barreling itself towards the incoming hunters. As the Defense Neo Barrier rammed into the Gigan and Megalon imposters, their shrieks of pain resounded as their skin and armor burned from the searing energy shield, sending them spiraling out of control with curdling smoke. A Bemular-Trilopod was quick to take their place, ramming its crimson sphere into the cone-shaped barrier. An array of sparking lights erupted between the two forces, their clashing energies mixed in a destructive display. But it didn’t take long for the narrow point of the conical shield to piercing the energized protection of the Bemular-Trilopod, drilling through it cleanly. Before the hostile alien knew it, its head was reduced to a bloody pulp, killing it instantly.

A mocking metallic shriek rang from the autonomous war machine, ruthless and cruel it continued to shred its enemies apart, dominating the dark, starry skies above.

While below, a shift began to occur.

The once active and vibrant Gigan began to dim, catching the attention of the Trilopod captors. There had been squawks and chitters about one of them that could teleport. Seeing this as a threat, one of the standing Gigan-Trilopods took a swipe with its claws, intending for a clean decapitation. But just as feared, in a flash of green light, the prisoner vanished. Quick on the draw, the Gigan-Trilopod swiped behind it, fully anticipating a sneak attack.

It found nothing.

Much to its dismay, when it found the rematerialized cyborg, he had warped away from them–and instead found his mark along the Trilopods holding the brutish Megalon down. A quick whirling from the buzzsaw sliced several Trilopod skulls wide open, loosening their fiendish grip on the Seatopian god. Using raw strength to free himself, the monstrous beetle went on the full offensive, drill-punching nearby Trilopods to paste and discharging his napalm bombs to usher calamity on the war-torn battlefield. Joining the mass destruction wrought by Mechagodzilla, Megalon too began to bombard everything in his path with fire and lightning.

As plumes of smoldering fire rose from the surface, Gigan made the advance to the other two. A shot from his Laser Knife reached for the further-out Bemular, killing the Megalon-Trilopod, enabling the rampant space reptile the chance to fight back against the other cretins that dared extract its genetic material. All the while, Gigan bared his blades, landing feet-first into the horde of Zilla-Trilopods. The knife-like foot hooked into the frail doppelganger, piercing and crushing it underfoot as Gigan’s weight bore down on it. With a slash of his claws, Gigan was quick to exterminate the other abominations, giving Cyber Godzilla the chance to get back to his feet. With a rush of steam from the nostrils, the undead cyborg rammed his mass into another of the Trilopod warriors, knocking it off its feet.

Ravenous and bloodthirsty, Bemular glared at the silver reptile high above, his eye twitching. Its focus was squarely on the Trilopod menace; and so long as that remained the case, he’d bitterly comply. But his wild mind only saw it as a means to an end. And what that entailed would only be known once this war was over.

For now, they had to push for a fighting chance. An opportunity against adversity. To overcome the tyranny of fear and conquer it. With a belching wail, Bemular tagged in, enjoying each moment of this massacre.

They’d die here now.

***

The control chamber was silent, the atmosphere reflecting the mood and thoughts of the gathered council, observing the viewing screen with intrigue and enthusiasm. Although caution remained at the forefront of their minds, there were none who, if asked, would deny the excitement rushing throughout their form, observing as the forces of the arthropod-esque hunters dwindled by the minute against the combined power of their representative champions and the reptilian interloper-turned-temporary partner.

Antonio watched with a firm-set expression and eyes shining with adoration at the sight of his revered god, feeling the pride and faith within him well with each heretic and pretender dispatched by his mighty claws and crackling thunder. The Nebulans, too, judged their creation, with their opinions able to be read by the room only through the subtle flicks and twitches of their erect antennae. The Kilaak Queen forged a small smile upon her usually cold features, sensing the growing passion for battle within the room and giving her silent approval.

“Your challenge fails, Cryog,” the Controller sternly stated.

As if on cue, the screen’s image shifted into waves of static and fuzz, reconfiguring into the bioorganic throne chamber of the Cryog royal warship, where Karkaro sat in waiting upon his command, the despot’s arm tentacles interlocked with one another before his pointed cranium, allowing only for narrowed, red eyes to stare back across the transmission into the Xilien’s visor. “So it would seem…”

“Each species represented here has proven their power here today. Alone, they would prove a challenging foe, but united as one, create a power thought to be unachievable.” The Controller stood up and glared hard at the emperor, standing in confident and defiant form for the occupants of the room and his addressor to bear witness. “Your actions here have helped in strengthening the bonds between our races we sought to forge against our enemies. Now you, our shared enemy, your army and your creatures shall see the demonstration of these bonds.”

The faintest trace of a smile crept upon the lips of the Xilien as Karkaro leaned forward in his throne, as if in contemplation, no doubt struggling to find the words to respond, trying with their “superior” intellect to imagine a new stratagem on the fly. The Controller took a brief glance away from the view screen to observe the calculations of the central computer and confirm their answers, and what he saw turned his small smile into a beaming grin of confidence.

“Perhaps I have underestimated you,” the emperor said after a moment. “I was expecting an easy victory, against a group of mismatched and uncoordinated pests. But now… I have seen the full extent of your joined abilities and what they can achieve.”

Fumio and Kubota’s antennae twitched at the unexpected praise. The Nebulan leader refused to buy into these honeyed words, like his predecessors had in their first encounter with the frilled raiders, for which their once-treasured homeworld had paid the cost. Fumio’s multi-compound eyes scanned the other inhabitants of the war chamber, and were pleased to see that none seemed to have fallen for the Cryog deceiver’s words, all sporting their own expressions of uncertainty.

His gaze met the viewing screen again as Karkaro’s limbs dropped, head tilting forward in despair and eyes closing shut… only to immediately open as he snapped back up, glaring across the screen with manic, gleaming eyes, lips pulled back to expose chitinous tooth plates in a psychotic, mocking grin.

“I see your power – and it is nothing!”

The central computer’s monitor screen suddenly stopped in the midst of its calculations. It started to flicker with erratic bursts of glitched pixels and static waves, making all heads turn towards the phenomenon and stare with expressions of disbelief.

“What is happening?” the Controller queried, snapping his gaze from one side of the chamber to the other, hoping for an explanation from his subordinates or even his allies. The only response was the sound of Karkaro’s cruel laughter as it consumed the room, drowning out the malfunctioning processors’ tones and whines of distress.

Fumio figured it out first, and a tremble of fear crept up his cold antennae, quivering erratically. “How long have you been in control?” the cockroach inquired of the emperor. The other representatives turned back their eyes to the Nebulan minister, with the Controller and Queen sharing the strongest expressions of shock amongst them.

“Since the beginning. Before we even revealed ourselves. The Xilien firewalls were hard to crack, and operating beneath the range of your subspace communication channels was certainly difficult. But a challenge?” Karkaro barked out another round of laughter. “We had total control of Planet X’s facilities within minutes. I must say, Xiliens, your level of cyber security is woefully outdated for a race dedicated to technology. It utterly disgusts me how such lowly mites like yourselves have managed to survive on this wasteland of a world.”

“But survive we have,” the Controller countered. “Our world persists despite its depleted state. Can you say the same, Cryog? You claim to be superior in many things, and yet you have no home to return to when your campaign has ended. Your failure to protect your own assets is what drove you on this doomed path.”

“It was the destruction of our homeworld that showed me the path which lies ahead,” Karkaro proclaimed joyously, spreading his tentacled arms wide. “You all simply could not understand, even when you each had the answer within your clutches.”

Fumio’s vibrating antennae betrayed the sudden sense of fear that overcame him, making his insectoid blood run degrees colder than it normally should. The tone with which the emperor had spoken triggered something primal in his memories, and what he could observe, the same was true with the Kilaak Queen and the Xilien Controller, though the latter was far more successful in hiding his body language. The answer had some relation between the three races, and the dread blooming inside compelled his investigation.

“What do you speak of, Karkaro,” he demanded.

“The Great Destroyer,” the Cryog bluntly responded, grinning wildly with zealous excitement. “He goes by many names and titles, but we know him as he truly is. My kingdom had grown weak and complacent, going unopposed for far too long until he appeared to us and revealed the error of our ways.”

“Though we lost everything that day, what I gained in knowledge made the sacrifice worthwhile. It showed me the path to allow the Cryogs to truly prosper, to follow in the ways of the Great Destroyer and to retake the strength we’d lost. Don’t you see it?” he laughed. “Of course you can’t. Why do I even bother with you? In fact…”

His tone grew dark, replacing glee with restrained contempt as his features became a mask of false calmness. “I think I’ve had enough of this game.”

“If you have more than empty threats to throw at us, Cryog,” the Kilaak Queen stated coldly, “we shall meet them with the same tenacity as before. We are not beaten yet.”

“Oh, you were beaten long before this conversation, female,” the emperor rebutted. “You want to see more than empty threats? You wish to see what the might of the Cryog Empire can do? How we conquered whole systems and slaughtered civilisations?”

The image pulled back to show the entirety of Karkaro’s throne, the dread within Fumio growing stronger as the tentacled alien made a show of moving his arm towards a specific section of the controls, poised above a large, red button. He cast a final look towards the council of races, his final words echoing around the room as the screen cut off, just as he slammed the tentacle down hard onto the switch.

”I hope you’re prepared for the terror you have unleashed.”

***

As the monitor wiped to black, Karkaro leaned comfortably into the throne. Around him, his crew stumbled and clung to the infrastructure as the whole vessel shook. Hisses of pressurised air and horrible squelching noises flooded the chamber, drowning out the noise of the uninitiated as they scrambled to understand the situation. Only Karkaro and his personal retinue understood the truth behind all of this; the secret which had carried the Cryog race to victory after victory and perhaps the greatest of the emperor’s accomplishments. And now he was setting it loose on these infuriating rebels who had defied him for too long.

“Ah, no kill like overkill. Perhaps my favourite saying.”

“You’re releasing the hive?!” Rhizon shrieked in horror, but Karkaro paid him no mind. Even if he managed to forget himself for a second time, he could forgive his commander’s unfounded concerns for the moment. “Emperor- Karkaro, why are you doing this? What possible reason could justify this kind of response?”

“To flex, my dear Rhizon, simple as that,” he purred. “These bugs keep pushing and pushing, testing their luck. Now it’s time that we push back, and push hard. I want them to understand why they have no place in the grand plan. I want them to run and hide in terror, to spread the word of our coming. And I have longed to use this asset for a long, long time.”

A new sound permeated the chitinous walls, unmistakingly organic in nature and decidedly alive. It was deafening, but soft, like some ancient beast awakening from a deep slumber. Karkaro looked to the ceiling, smiling in glee while his subordinate looked on in wide-eyed terror.

“What do you have inside there?” whispered Rhizon, his blood as cold as ice.

“My equal,” replied the emperor. “The only creature in this universe that understands the hunger which courses through me. Insatiable, demanding, a force which drives us on no matter what may lie ahead. And like me, she understands the true purpose of all other forms of disgusting life in this galaxy.”

“Those beasts down there, those mighty champions that those rejects hold so dear. They’re not protectors or vanguards,” he proclaimed aloud. “Like all things, they are food.”

“Food for what?”

Karkaro’s shark-like fangs gleamed with excitement as he answered.

“The Monster Who Devoured A Galaxy.”

***

For each moment passing, their collective might whittled down the combined forces of the Trilopod menace. Their dying screeches faded as gurgling noises drowned in their own blood, the relentless onslaught more than they could bear. Missiles, laser beams, and napalm bombs blasted them to pieces, some spraying wounds, others losing heads or limbs outright. The combined might of Mechagodzilla and Megalon proved daunting for the slaughtered cretins. And those that did escape their destructive line of sight were met with the fearsome claws of Gigan or the burning flames of Cyber Godzilla or Bemular.

Since this war of attrition began, there was at last pushback. A resistance against the might of the Trilopod army as they pushed through, massacring them one by one. Most fought, and therefore most died at the hands of the rebels.

A Trilopod hybrid died from an uppercut slash from Gigan, vivisecting its head in two. Lightning sprawled from Megalon’s star-shaped horn, scorching a line of their arthropod enemies with merciless savagery. Bemular rendered the last remaining Zilla-Trilopods with his teeth and feet, tearing them asunder without remorse. Cyber Godzilla pounced onto a bastardized Gigan copy, using his arms to pry its mouth open; and with the glow of his energized missiles, they shot into the back of the Trilopod’s throat, blowing it out and killing it on the spot. Mechagodzilla shifted from a flurry of missiles to a more calculated approach, terminating all Trilopods with a blast of its Space Beams or electrical Cross Attack Beam to do the job.

A breath of relief as the footfalls and screeches of the Trilopods faded into the cosmic winds.

As the arthropodal menace became scarcer on the battlefield, Mechagodzilla resumed the hunt, scanning the surroundings for any residual Trilopod activity. Bemular’s focus shifted. His leering gaze eyed the new mechanical arrival with fear and malice. While certainly a benefactor in the elimination of the Trilopods, it was only a matter of time before such a weapon would turn on him. With a boisterous cry and a reckless charge, Bemular sped towards the metallic juggernaut–

–only to be intercepted by the sudden body slam from the Nebulan cyborg, pinning him down to the dark, lunar ground. Gigan growled through his distorted vox, lowering his scythe-blades with a menacing hum. The reptilian criminal squealed under the space assassin’s weight, squirming to break free. Shrieks and bellows rang from the spiked fiend, the sadistic creature charging a blast of its pale heat ray to fire at the autonomous machine. But the surprise intervention of Cyber Godzilla ensured contact was never made, with the unfolding spread of his breastplate bouncing the heat ray aimlessly into space above.

Such actions would not be tolerated. Although their tested alliance had been through the wringer, the possibility of them turning on each other would certainly lead to their demise. Gigan held his hammer-claw high, ensuring the most force to slice through Bemular’s neck without hesitation. But a shriek from Mechagodzilla stopped him cold.

More were inbound.

All eyes peered to the darkness above. The large, globulating sack attached to the royal warship separated from its carriage, the dirigible trajected to their location. Pods discharged from their porous cells, spreading out across the perimeter of the battlefield en masse. The monstrous hive began speeding to the center of the formation, soon to make a touchdown on the small lunar rock.

Bemular froze, realizing the unfolding nightmare that was soon to draw upon them. A fierce squawk from the cyborg assassin issued a simple command; it seemed that there was an alliance to still uphold, even if begrudgingly. Gigan bounced off the space criminal, allowing the wretched cretin to free itself. Nowhere to flee with the war littering the exosphere, so bitterly they had to fight.

But what was the cost to climb over this insurmountable wall?

For as thin an atmosphere Planet X possessed, a vibration washed over them as the gargantuan hive made landfall. Upon impact, a cascade of dust and shockwaves rolled over the alien faction, shaking the orbiting satellite to its core. Such mass ejected ash and rock high into the sky, leaving the gravitational binds of Planet X. And there, as the dust began to settle, it stood. It pulsated with sickening life, the rest knowing full well something rested within… Then, a glow from above caught their attention. From the aperture of the Cryog’s royal cruiser, brimming with light, came a laser beam that struck the hive. What followed was an explosive blast that rocked the foundations of Planet X once more, even forcing the alliance to avert their eyes.

The great, burning fire quickly reduced to a smolder, as the sack began to undulate, its organic mesh beginning to recede for the birth of a monstrosity. Its visage mirrored that of the Trilopods before it, but far more numerous in eyes and pedipalps. In place of their claws were a set of elongated, segmented limbs. Instead of two legs, the Trilopod superior climbed out of its nest with several sets of titanic trunks, each stomp shaking the ground with utmost intensity.

Its large shape and radiant compound eyes cast a colossal shadow across the battlefield, an omen to the end. Towering and furious, her roar tore through the void, shaking the ground and every heart still beating upon it.

So declared Magita, the harvesting Queen of the Trilopods.

The survivors turned to face her and braced themselves.

Their final challenge had arrived.

 

Chapter 8: End of an Empire

The council room sat in stunned silence, taking in the sheer enormity of what could only be described as a monstrosity. Tremors shook the walls of the complex with ever-growing magnitude with each shift of the leviathan’s grand mass, lights flickering as the power struggled to keep operating. The alien delegates had all been witness to many diverse sights across the many corners of the galaxy, conforming to all shapes and sizes, but to merely label the titan as another kaiju almost seemed offensive.

“It cannot be,” whispered Kubota in utmost horror. His reaction earned the interest of the Controller, who noted that the Leviathans, too bristled in fear upon the sight of this… “Trilogod”, if that was its relation to the insectoid hunters. Their appearances were too alike for it not to be their queen or progenitor, but clearly their allies knew more about it than he did.

“You know of this creature?” he quizzed, his words seeming to strike a cord with the Nebulans as they snapped towards the Controller with shaking antennae.

“You truly do not know about th-” Fumio paused, antennae drooping in thought. “No, I suppose you wouldn’t. The story of Magita is not one that circulates commonly within your underpopulated sector.”

“Magita?” The name was unfamiliar to him, finding no results under that name within the central computer’s library. Glances to the Kilaak Queen and Antonio rewarded him with equally confused looks.

”That creature cannot be them!” protested Hoffman. ”Magita is nothing but a tale founded in superstition. A story told to our grublings about the dangers of gluttony and its trappings.”

“Do you not believe your own eyes?” Kubota interacted. “You can’t look at that… that behemoth and say that the galaxy eater is not real.”

Antonio’s face turned white in horror. “That thing actually ate an entire galaxy?!?”

”It is only a theory at best,” explained Sopler. ”There exists a space between this galaxy and the next where theoretically one could have once existed, littered with the scraps of long dead civilisations. The source between the rumours of this ‘Magita’ have never been confirmed, but it has long been embedded in the intercosmic sphere as a tale of warning. Only now, that warning appears to be all too real.”

“How do these Cryog dogs manage to control such an unholy thing?” Antonio was still struggling to understand the existence of this monstrosity. Even the Controller, normally good at keeping their emotions locked away, felt cracks form in his composure.

Distorted alarms blared from the crackling monitor, diverting all attention away from the matter as the operators rushed to intercept the incoming data. It was not the relief any were looking for.

“The blockade has been broken,” an Xilien reported. “Estimating 86% depletion of Planet X’s forces, 73% of the Kilaak detachment, and 59% of the Leviathan armada.”

Kubota sagged over in defeat, antennae drooping solemnly across the war table. “Is this it, then? Our last great chance for victory squashed before it can begin?”

“We have lost only when we have lost the ability to fight back.” The Kilaak mistress stood from her chair to address the chamber, the Controller following suit behind her. “This day is surely lost, but there can be others. Let us make sure that our races can live to see it.”

“Access secondary systems and initiate evacuation procedures,” the Controller ordered his subordinates. “We shall regroup and rebuild. My friends, can I ask for your assets’ assistance to prolong our escape?”

The five ambassadors looked at one another, taking only a moment to analyze the Controller’s demands. What he asked for was a huge gamble, but at this time, what else was left? All that he offered was the sliver of a chance, but that was infinitely better than nothing. Survival over victory; that was the new goal of their alliance.

They nodded in acceptance. Now all they could do was wait.

***

A magnificent and horrific shape began to move, the moon itself seeming to groan beneath her. Each footfall taken was nothing short of a tectonic event, displacing the lunar surface with jagged and ruptured rock. A living calamity of unimaginable proportion, draped in thick, heavy armor and glistening from the remnants of her former sack. Her many eyes, lined along her neck, glowed a pallid green. But the primary set illuminated with a spiteful yellow hue, housing a dark, primal intelligence and blind hunger.

Around the mammoth feet of Magita, the hunter horde swarmed like ants. Those who had survived the cataclysmic entry of the hive eyed the quintet with ravenous hunter, mandibles and claws twitching in anticipation of the feast. As the circle closed in, Bemular took heed of a Zilla-Trilopod that had taken interest in him, guiding one of its collector brethren closer to aid it in its sickening task. He barked off a warning, and the hybrid tensed in response.

A colossal mass slammed down just as the hunter began its leap. The defenders of Planet X and the arthropod vanguard were equally disordinated by the thunderous impact. As the dust began to clear, the noise of the screeching hunters rang out. The massive head of Magita rose up with the Zilla-Trilopod and its Alpha cohort locked inside her hooked mouthparts, ignorant to their squeals of protest while her jaws ground them to paste.

Of the five-monster alliance, only Mechagodzilla did not look on in horror at the repulsive sight, its computer unable to register concepts such as disgust or terror. Uncaring for the titan’s presence, the Trilopods continued to advance on the group, seemingly ignorant to the death of their own kin even as ichor and blood dripped upon their carapaces. Gulping down the mangled remains, Magita turned to look for the next source of bio-mass, spoiled for choice on this overpopulated battlefield, and none too picky to whatever or whoever filled her insatiable gullet.

The rag-tag group braced themselves, but knew staying put would certainly only end in their demise. Taking charge as the ringleader, Gigan eyed the gargantuan supergiant, taking heed of the extremities that loomed from behind the monstrous silhouette. Two sets of massive pinchers swayed on elongated tails, each one more than capable of gripping and slicing them in two if they were ever caught. So with a shrieking command, Gigan gave the first order: split up!

Following the cyborg’s lead, Megalon, Mechagodzilla, and Bemular joined in flight, scattering across the skies through their various means of self-propulsion. Gigan kept a healthy distance, observing the overwhelming mountain of chitin pulling its tremendous mass.

The others did their thing. Mechagodzilla, engines howling, soared with a flurry of Space Beams against her armored hide, detonating as explosive sparks. Certainly more durable than the lowly Trilopod troops. The airborne machine swerved around a swipe from Magita’s segmented arms, barely evading the brutal blow. Close quarters may not be an option for Mechagodzilla, every moment and every strike had to count.

Swooping in from the side, Megalon’s wings fluttered into motion, spitting volleys of lightning bolts and burning orbs upon the supergiant. Successive rounds struck Magita like a hailstorm of blazing suns…. Yet it barely left a mark against her indomitable defenses. Fire temporarily swamped her colossal form, yet no burns remained.

From within the confines of his orbital form, Bemular streaked across the vacant heavens. A darting comet shimmering with pristine light as he looped around Magita. But as the firepower from the mechanical destroyer and the beetle god ceased, the frenzied criminal opted for a daring strike–perhaps even a stupid one, but one with nothing to lose. Pulsating with tremendous light, Bemular slammed all his mass into a lethal strike, forcibly pressing against the cranium of the titanic arthropod.

Had it been any other monster, it would have proved worthy as a critical strike. But against Magita? It was merely the force of an apple against the human skull. An irritation, if nothing else. One Magita did not leave unheeded.

Monstrous pedipalps flared, lunging for the searing blue travel sphere in which Bemular resided. Teeth made for crunching and grinding snapped shut from a gaping maw capable of swallowing kaiju whole. Darting across open space, Bemular drew her ire, keeping the wrathful anomalocarid squared on him.

Gigan kept his distance, contemplating his next action. There were notable weak points, especially with the many eye-like organs lined along this colossus’ neck… But provoking her that soon may result in his premature death. A blue flash from his forehead cannon fired a crimson laser, which barely bore into the thick armor. The cyborg squawked in disappointment. At the very minimum, he could continue rallying the others to action, keeping firm tabs of her next move.

But in the back of his mind, he knew this situation was going to turn for the worse soon enough…

Cyber Godzilla remained grounded, arching his path just barely out of range of Magita’s colossal feet and the surrounding broken earth. A huff from its nostrils reflected the strain placed upon it; for there were no immediate weaknesses the reanimated cyborg could take advantage of. Thick armored plating ensured there was no weapon at his disposal that could harm the living mountain… But the many eyes proved promising. But Gigan’s lack of initiative informed him otherwise.

Yet there were other matters to concern themselves with.

With a twist of his neck, Cyber Godzilla peered over the horizon. What he saw raised concern… A new wave of Trilopods, from the freshly deployed pods, scavenging the battlefield for their war-dead. A snarl escaped his undead lips at the sickening display he saw next. The smaller, lithe cretins crawled onto the shredded bodies of the fallen hybrids, siphoning the genetic extract and fattening themselves to initiate the birth of a new clan of fearsome killers. And when they found their way up the backs of the host warriors, the ritual began once more. Harvested from the dead, a new breed of Trilopod hybrids screeched, proclaiming their impending arrival.

A snort from the machine augment gave him a moment to think. To concoct a scheme that’d make use of a bad situation turning worse… He scanned the incoming army and the hulking behemoth that threatened to kill them all.

Green eyes widened. An idea.

Returning his gaze upon the incoming horde, Cyber Godzilla declared his presence to the imposters, staying his ground. Among the reconstructed Trilopods, it was a Megalon variant that took the bait. Clasping its drills together, it plunged straight to where Cyber Godzilla stood, eager to gore the undead machine to plaster… Only for the Leviathan weapon to turn tail and speed towards the great colossus.

Springing with his powerful legs, the cyborg clung onto one of the many massive trunks that supported Magita. He felt the immensity of her movement, how the devouring queen lifted her appendage up and began to sway, shaking it violently. But still, the Leviathan cyborg remained undeterred. And all as he anticipated, the Megalon-Trilopod flew too close and, with the tremendous force behind the wobbling leg, splattered to pieces.

Thrusting her leg back down, Magita boomed with a vibrating roar of destructive prowess. The juddering tremors shook the cyborg, funneling them into his chest. But now was not the time for that. Storing the sonic vibrations, he’d have to make the bold climb up… But that wasn’t going to be made easy. If it wasn’t for the incoming Gigan-Trilopod wanting to dice him to bits, then certainly the incoming swing of the pincher-tipped tail was certainly going to. With another powerful bound, Cyber Godzilla flew onto the incoming appendage, landing near the base of the pincers.

Adapting on the fly, the reanimated cyborg dashed along the thick, lithe tail, following its trail and being careful not to slip off the colossal queen. Before he knew it, Cyber Godzilla found himself near the base, proceeding to climb along the back of the mammoth titan. But pursuers came in close as a pair of Bemular-Trilopods orbited him in their shimmering crimson spheres. A sneering growl escaped Cyber Godzilla’s lips, crouching low for another jump…

…Only for a thin red laser to pierce the hull of the travel sphere, puncturing through the Trilopod’s head. Before the other could make its mark, it was met with the full thrust of Gigan’s mass, the cyborg throwing himself against it. Pressing himself against the orb, the revving buzzsaw roared to life, sparking and grating against the energy ball in a splashing array of lights. It burrowed within the energized shell, breaching the host within, mangling the Trilopod hybrid until its brimming red light faded, leaving only a sawed-open husk to drop from orbit. With others inbound, Gigan took the fight to them, leaving Cyber Godzilla back to his mountainous trek.

Magita was far from static. Her wild and lively movements made it difficult to keep a steady climb, but it was a mission Cyber Godzilla was insistent he’d complete. Ever shifting movements kept the cyborg lizard on his toes; for every lunge of her long, outstretched ‘arms’ or thrust of her tremendous mass, the harder it was to climb. Even so, this did not deter the Leviathan automaton. He saw his allies fighting for their lives, with Magita’s hungry gaze fixated upon the brilliant blues of Bemular’s travel sphere. They had her distracted. And with Gigan dismantling the other airborne Trilopod clones with a flurry of hooks, buzzsaws, and laser beams, Cyber Godzilla knew his chance was now.

There was no doubt in the reptile’s mind that the colossus knew he was there; but the firefight from the others shifted her priorities. For every vibration carried, he stored it in his chest compartment, gestating sonic waves waiting to come out. And the higher he climbed, the more of the warring battlefield he saw. But now was not the time for observations; now was the time to strike! And with his chest flapping open, Cyber Godzilla proceeded to do just that.

Pressing against the skull of the humongous anomalocarid, Cyber Godzilla discharged all the sonic reserves in his chest, sending waves of intense vibrations through her thick armor. When they found their way through, the hollering, booming roar of Magita rang out of her gigantic maw, whose intense vibrations fueled the sonic discharge even more. Her head violently thrashed, attempting to dislodge the diminutive creature off of her. And with another firm head thrust, Cyber Godzilla lost his grip, sending the undead squamate hurtling off of her like a speeding bullet. The damage was undeniable, the impact scrapping the metal arm off the reanimated corpse entirely and rendering the components to his chest cavity useless.

Stunned and reorienting her senses, her hulking mass for once stopped moving. It was this chance they had to use, an opening created by the Leviathan zombie. Megalon and Mechagodzilla flanked the immobile supergiant with a united blast of lightning and lasers of flashing spectrums, their combined array aimed for the shoulder joint. Great thick chitinous flesh was not as sturdy as the layered armor, but would have proved resilient in most cases. But in unifying their beam weapons, they began to burn and scar the shoulder padding, earning her ire in the form of a reverberating shriek of agony.

The jolt forced her to move, and both monsters were quick to disengage. But while Mechagodzilla veered away from the incoming strike, Megalon doubled down and pushed further. Clamping his hand-drills together, they began to spin with utmost intensity, boring into the rugged flesh of the super-sized titan. Flaky, ashen flesh and striated muscles scattered as the screaming wails of the mighty Magita resounded once more. Unlike the subterranean realm under the crust, be it planet or moon, the innards of the great devourer proved to be far thicker than he had anticipated. Sensing the many parts of Magita at play with his antennae, the space within began to contract, threatening to crush Megalon from sheer, overwhelming muscle.

But he pushed ever deeper. Though his wishes of rendering her asunder from within failed, simply making it to the other side would prove more than sufficient. Especially for what he had in mind next.

His multi-part mandibles opened, spitting out one napalm bomb after another, each embedding in the wall of muscle and chitin as he passed along. But instead of exploding on impact, these were timed. And so long as he found an exit, then there was a nasty surprise awaiting the monstrous calamity…

Much to Megalon’s relief, he felt his drills poke and prod beyond the boundaries of Magita’s thick flesh. Shredding it all apart, the insectoid god burst through and soared high into the dark skies.

Then came the moment of promise.

Explosive charges set off, the fleshy tunnel igniting with burning orange fire and curdling smoke from both ends. Even her screams filled her maw with fire and smoke, bile pouring from the internal wounds created by the magnificent Megalon. But just as the god of Seatopia mocked and jeered at the titanic behemoth, he was suddenly met with an airborne ambush. An imitation of himself, Gigan, and Bemular rushed from above, putting all their collective mass into hurtling Megalon into the lunar surface…

Even so, it was up to Mechagodzilla to continue the assault.

Keeping focus on its primary directive, the bionic superweapon reloaded its finger ports, replacing the standard artillery in favor of a stronger punch. New missiles slotted into place, their shape distinctly harpoon-like as the alien terminator brought its hands frontward, rotating rapidly at the wrist joints. And with a powerful blast, the revolver missiles fired off, bombarding the plated armor and dense skin of the colossus that opposed them. The potent explosions washed over the monstrous figure in a shower of sparks, spurting blood and cracking armor from the power they packed.

Mechagodzilla refused to let up. Another round of revolvers found their mark against her many pseudocone eyes, mutilating them in a violent display of mechanical might. The infuriated Magita swung recklessly, hoping to find a target she could smash to pieces–yet these persistent insects continued to resist her eternal hunger.

For a fleeting instant, it looked like victory…

But such a fate was not meant to be.

Her body wracked with agonizing pain, the great colossus began to tremble. Powerful trunks and spindly prolegs shifted, spreading them out. Armor rattled as folds between the legs and body began to move, the previously unseen appendages unraveling from their hidden crevice. Her actions were slow, but very much deliberate. It came alive as it rose in full display, the lithe appendages tipped with serrated spears glistened unlike that of the body armor the titanic monstrosity adorned. The mesmerizing sight befell all who bore witness to it, especially as it began to spread out and unfurl. Suddenly, the new extensions fully revealed themselves to be wings! Their tertiary gradients flowed between the cool colors, offsetting her reddish armor and chitinous flesh, showing her majesty in its truest essence.

As her wings spread their terrifying visage, the mere act of unfolding disrupted the flightpaths of the airborne. Mechagodzilla was derailed from rushing into the membranes, with only a quick activation of the Defense Neo Barrier cushioning the impact, the residual burns doing little against the thick skin of her wings. As they fully outstretched, revealing their full glory, they likewise incidentally intercepted Gigan’s slaughter of the Trilopods, knocking the cyborg out of rhythm. Shifting to evasive mode, Gigan focused on dodging the incoming swarms of Trilopods surrounding him… But what the terrifying ‘Trilopod Queen’ had in store was cause of great concern.

Magita’s unemotive eyes narrowed on the fallen Cyber Godzilla, who was struggling to find its footing. A flap of her gargantuan wings dispelled the thin atmosphere of Planet X, preparing to take flight… Until a glowing blue sphere caught her attention. From within, Bemular growled. He had gotten in over his head; their chances were slim to none against this beast of the galaxy. Even with everything they’ve thrown at her, she still stood tall–and more importantly, alive. Warring pursuers be damned, he had to escape!

Pulsing with all the power at his disposal, Bemular flew away from the lost cause of a battle. There was no victory to be had here. But as he did, his sphere’s sonar informed him that the great devourer had achieved liftoff, following his flight trail. And to his horror, perhaps due to the less dense core of the moon or her immense size, she was catching up to him! As they breached the depths of outer space, Bemular squarely focused on escape–once he was fully freed from any influence of the moon’s light pull, he’d be in the home stretch. And at first, it seemed he was finally exceeding her, putting distance between them. But before he could shriek a victorious cheer, a large appendage flanked him at his side. The immense impact shattered the travel sphere in an instant; though had it not been for it, he would have been broken into pieces of organic chunks for certain. Magita’s long, segmented arms made their mark, sending him spiraling out of control.

A fading spark, cast into the void.

Even injured and maimed, Magita stood strong. Her enormity began to drop back to the moon, more than ready to plummet onto the lunar surface with all her mass. Among her dominant and remaining neck eyes, she found her initial target writhing on the ground. Such a pathetic creature. Guiding her falling trajectory, it was only a matter of time before she found her mark once more; this time, disposing of another pest as Cyber Godzilla vanished under her immensity. The ensuing impact rocked the moon once again, the demise of Cyber Godzilla more than certain.

The monstrous rumbling vibrated even the thin atmosphere, the vibrations passing through Mechagodzilla’s space titanium. But even against overwhelming odds, its directive remained unwavering. No room for compromise; terminate and destroy until there was nothing left. Even as a flock of flying Trilopods converged on the magnificent machine, they were quickly torn asunder by revolving missiles and an array of Space Beams and Cross Attack Beams, pulverizing the hybrid warriors without issue. And once disposed of, his cold, cybernetic eyes narrowed on the main prize…

Magita heralded another booming cacophony, her wings outstretched, imposing her massive figure. Calculations ran through the artificial mind of the superweapon, suspicious of her behavior. As if to confirm those suspicions, her massive wings folded at speeds that belied their size, drawing the curtains to reveal her next move. A set of lithe appendages barreled over her folded wings, the massive set of tail pinchers aimed squarely at the cosmic machine. Against the first, Mechagodzilla retaliated with a flurry of Space Beams and revolver missiles. Their impacts diverted the chela from its original trajectory, leaving the steel reptile ample time to evade the second one with precise maneuverability.

But their pursuit did not stop, the over-the-shoulder tails veering back around for a second chance. Perhaps there was opportunity to be had, using her pincers to sustain self-inflicted damage. Or perhaps such a chance was never meant to manifest; although Mechagodzilla had swerved out of the way of the initial strike, it was the second set of pincers that snagged the machine midflight, crunching against its space titanium hull. With applied pressure, the bony protrusions breached its machine innards, initiating a massive explosion where Mechagodzilla had once been. At last, a thorn in her side had been plucked, leaving only blackened ash across her massive tail pincer.

One by one they fell, forcing them to submit to her power, to prove her voracious hunger. None shall stand in her way.

Her eyes diverted to the cries and pleas of the straggler that dared puncture a hole through her. She saw the cretin pinned under several other of the Trilopod units, each one beating and battering the fallen beetle monster with ruthless torment. Her boisterous declaration forced them to move, fully intending on consuming this one to feast. The Trilopods scattered, enabling her to open wide and devour the unmoving prey…

Before her jaws could clamp shut, a speeding figure zipped past, hooking his fallen ally and pulling the beetle’s weight as they sped off. Anger boiled, an unfettered rage portraying her dismay as Gigan hauled his dying compatriot out of harm’s way. Perhaps such attempts were feeble; but after this devastating loss, there was no turning back. As if to reciprocate those feelings, a retreat signal was transmitted to his antenna horn, relaying the commands to fall back.

Assured that this fight would continue another time, Gigan held Megalon close. And with an array of full-body flashes, hardened crystallization encased both of them. In a matter of moments, the diamond casing began operating by Gigan’s will, putting distance between them and the destructive Magita. But even as they escaped, the war had truly fallen into the Cryog’s favor. Their warships descended upon the fleeing saucers of the Xilien-Kilaak fleets, sparing none in the process. Their massive laser cannons pointed at the retreating diamond, attempting to pulverize it. But Gigan evaded, barely nicking the casing as it sped for the stars…

Magita stood amidst a sea of death, the mangled remains of the dead strewn like offerings around her feet. A loud, boisterous roar proclaimed her absolute victory, but with it too came the pangs of hunger. As her Cryog ‘masters’ and Trilopod hybrids pursued the last of the stragglers, she began to feast. With deliberate calm, she bent down, her jaws unfurling as she began to feed. Their scattered or smashed corpses vacuumed into her gullet, satiating her eternal hunger with the rotten decay of the dead over the fresh taste of live prey.

With each step, the ground trembled beneath her hunger. But this would not prove to be enough. Nothing ever would. No matter how long it took, all would digest in the furnace of her belly. No planet, no galaxy would be safe from her everlasting hunger.

She would continue until she was full.

***

Alarms blared throughout the facility. The signal to retreat to all forces had been sent. The operators screamed of breaches and incursions occurring throughout all their sectors. The supercomputer ran through all calculations.

They lost. And the future held an inevitable outcome.

They were all going to die.

Jeering eyes mocked them from the other side of the screen, a cruel, curling smile rose from the twisted dictator. All his rows of razor-sharp teeth were bare and exposed, savoring every last moment of the fall of this rag-tag group of rebels that dared fight against his overwhelming might.

“You tried, and you failed once again,” the Cryog ruler spat, “Even together, you are nothing without the power to prove it. Your species will be a dead race you all will see with your very eyes, all the while the great rule of the Cryog will expand and thrive. The universe wills our species’ propagation, and nothing will stand in the way.”

His hands trembled, the Controller taking a moment to catch his breath. He had to suppress these emotions, if only to keep a stable mind. But such swelling anxieties became hard to ignore… But no matter; he pressed on, issuing his stern warning to the pervader of life.

“Know this, Cryog.” The countenance of the frilled emperor shifted to petty annoyance, not bothering to correct the Xilien of his namesake. “This battle isn’t over.”

Karkaro huffed in amusement. “Is that so? Whatever you think you have will fall to us. Know that, for certain.” The transmission feed ceased to be, the base vibrating intensely. No doubt scouts for the Cryog Empire arrived at their footsteps. Troops and soldiers would come flooding in at any moment… Then another violent explosion resounded from beyond.

“Great Leaders!” the Xilien operator panicked, “The Cryog forces are pursuing the attack!”

True to their word, every last one of them were going to be exterminated.

“Dishonorable wretch!” Antonio shrieked. “He won the battle!”

“Species such as the Cryog concern themselves less with taking prisoners, so long as their arrogance as the superior conception remains the status quo,” the Leviathan Sopler rationalized.

“Indeed, and so will remain the case as long as the Cryog thrive,” Hoffman added. Their blank green eyes flashed red, the surrounding Xilien computers picking up a Tachyon transmission beamed straight into the Leviathans’ brains.

“What is it?” The Kilaak Queen quickly inquired.

“Core Command has issued a retreat,” Hoffman relayed. “But such tactics are fallible with the Cryog’s ever-advancing pursuits.” The Leviathan aliens glanced at their contemporaries. “So we will hold off their forces. Use this chance to make your escape. For the sake of peace among all species.”

“Your sacrifices will not be forgotten,” the Xilien Controller remarked. “Before they flood this room, allow us to recompense you with an eventuality. A promise.” The Controller pressed a series of button commands into the supercomputer, the immediate action sending out a pronounced signal. “A promise that the Monster Zero Contingency will flatten everything the Cryog are and stand for.”

A crooked smile crawled over the stoic faces of the Leviathan aliens. “The gesture is much appreciated. Now go, follow the Nebulans’ plan and flee, and keep to your word, Controller.”

The Controller and the Mistress nodded in gratitude. All the while, Fumio relayed the plan, the group sprinting off to the nearest elevator that was least likely occupied by the incoming footsoldiers. As the leaders and the surrounding Xilien-Kilaak subordinates fled out of the chamber, the Leviathan were at last left alone. But such isolation proved short-lived as, just as predicted, the squirming tentacled limbs of the Cryog troops flooded the vacant room. Their numbers lined up, spear-guns raised and prepared to fire away with no regard.

A gambit the Leviathan were willing to play with.

Their green eyes flashed, exerting their telepathic influence to all those within the confined space. Some held strong, their servitude to their callous king unwavering; but among them were those with neural pathways susceptible to their psychic will. And it was in exploiting their individual sense of thought that some of the Cryog soldiers began to turn against their kind. Before long, they were in-fighting amongst each other, screaming and shouting as they slaughtered the traitors in their midst.

“You may hold fear or devotion to your deluded tyrant, but know that your individuality is your greatest weakness,” the Leviathan boldly proclaimed, their necks extending in a display of intimidation. “Without a conglomerate mind, the Cryog Empire will certainly fall.” But the strong-willed among the Cryog soldiers resumed their aim, blasting away at the rotund alien organisms without remorse. A hole seared into Sopler’s chest, another round separating his arm. Yet another found its mark along Hoffman’s extended neck, severing his head from the rest of his body.

Both aliens fell over, dead.

The stifled air returned to normalcy, without the telepathic influence of the Leviathan blinding them. However, among the dwindled numbers in their group, those that had turned against the will of Karkaro were exterminated on the spot. There was no room to compromise with the enemy, be it of a different species or ideology. Those who showed weakness needed to be exterminated.

For the glory of the Cryog.

—

The pitter patter of their scurries rang through the vacant halls, each turn Fumio took representing a step closer to getting out of here alive. That was, provided, they weren’t slain in the process. The spade-shaped halls were confounding to those not acquainted with them, but fortunately the Nebulan ringleader was more than adjusted for the most optimal path there. And even when they found Cryog soldiers, there was an alternate path on the fly they could take. Perhaps it was because of the hostile environment they thrived in and supplanted, but the Nebulans’ instincts were on-point. A trait the Xilien Controller secretly admired.

Kubota acted as a protective guard for the Seatopian Emperor, ensuring his safety first and foremost. As Fumio navigated, the Controller and the Queen acted as the rear-guard, whipping out their laser pistols at the incoming intruders. Anytime the cyan laser made contact, it pierced the transparent barriers that protected the Cryog footsoldiers, their life-like colors reduced to a negative state before vanishing from this plane of existence.

Fortunately for them, any hits they did take from the enemy spear-guns were greatly reduced by an electrifying protective forcefield, courtesy of Kilaak technology. Even so, it wasn’t impervious; for every blaster nicked his black armored vest, it exposed more of the gray spandex that laid underneath, and more importantly, the circuitry of his cybernetically augmented body. The Queen, however, was better off. Any damage sustained to her could morph and form around the wound, regenerating it as if nothing happened. The perk of being made of living metal, so long as the button-like radiator wasn’t broken…

“Here!” Fumio directed. “Into the elevator, quick!”

Operated with quick button presses and influenced by thought, the orange-like hue greeted the rag-tag alliance as they shoved into the tight space. By the time the doors slid shut, the Cryogs tried in vain to stop the elevator’s advances. But given the influence the Controller had over it, it proved for naught. Despite the temporary reprieve, the fight was inevitably waiting for them at the bottom…

“A little tight in here,” Antonio plainly acknowledged. This space would be comfortable for two individuals, but being crammed up like this was less than desirable.

“Gentlemen, allow us to take the frontlines,” the Controller requested. “The enemy forces are likely going to be ready. We will protect you with our forcefields.”

“Does your computer guarantee that outcome, darling?” the Kilaak Queen teased.

The Controller simply smirked. “This is my own calculated move to make.” His face returned to its default stoicism, addressing Fumio directly. “Where is your vessel?”

“We kept it secluded in the event things went south. Under a cliff near here. We will follow Gigan’s path as the best escape route once spaceborne.”

“You certainly have the foresight, Mr. Fumio,” the Controller complimented. They shuffled around, adjusting as need be. What waited outside was without question a risk they were going to have to take–

“Wait.” The insisted words of the Nebulan chairman caught his attention. Antennae perked, a realization that dawned on him. “I may have something worthwhile.”

The Xilien leader nodded, allowing Fumio to proceed…

—

War raged in the hangar. Blasters pelted off metal walls as the Cryog fought viciously against the joint Xilien-Kilaak efforts. Their forcefields protected them, but were not without fault. With repetitive and consecutive blows, it didn’t take long for the tentacled troops to overwhelm an Xilien or Kilaakian fighter. All things considered, it wasn’t holding up too well.

Elevator doors opened, with the Great Leaders and Antonio forcibly pushed out. Two Cryog guards kept their spear-guns pointed to their backs, with one of their armed tentacles restraining the Seatopian royal. “Move it!” one of them barked. Before they could proceed any further, a unit of Cryog soldiers aimed their weapons at the captives.

“Halt!” They cocked their weapons. “The decree from His Lordship is the extermination of all rebel scum!”

“And Lord Karkaro will get his wish!” the guard rebutted. “However, he requested that he make an example out of these ‘Great Leaders’ himself. The filthy insects are also scurrying somewhere, so get a move on!” With apprehensive gruffs and mocking jeers, the Cryog resumed battle against the remaining forces, the guards escorting their hosts to beyond the hangar bay.

Turning around through the large entranceway, the Cryog pair were quick to scan for any suspicious activity. With nothing of note, the Cryogs and their prisoners slinked away, out of sight of the others. But even the outside was a horrific sight; the monstrous Magita dwarfed the mountainous ranges of Planet X, and even further beyond were the massive Cryog warships and space fleet giving their collective a run for their money. But to ensure their kind lived to see another day, their leaders had to be there to guide their people through these dark times.

“There, to the right,” the Cryog whispered into the Controller’s auditor receptor. It was an ideal spot, underneath a ledge covered by the looming rocky formation and the fortified hangar.

“Your talents continue to impress,” the Kilaak Queen warmly remarked. But before any of them could go on further, the cyan blast of laser beams zipped past, scattering the rag-tag group. Two Xiliens and two Kilaaks, having followed their trail, closed the gap. They swayed their pistols with wavering conviction. The Cryog guards raised their spears, aimed and ready to fire.

“Ceasefire!” the Xilien commandant ordered. Obeying his word, the subordinates did as they were told and lowered their weapons.

“My Queen, I am glad you’re alive!” a Kilaak kindly gestured. The Queen only responded with a heavy nod, keeping a close eye on her subjects.

“Great Leader, why are these Cryog taking you to this hillside?” quizzed one of the Xiliens.

The Controller absorbed the moment. The fearful eyes of the Nebulans masquerading as Cryogs, the incantation of the subordinates, the leering eyes of his Queen… A very different picture was being painted. He had to choose his words carefully.

“Cryog sympathizers. They understand our cause for universal peace, so they were willing to guide us to safety. So please, disarm yourselves in the name of peace.”

They waited with bated breath, seeing what kind of reaction those words invoked. The real truth would have made it impossible to discern if they were hostile, or even an open invitation to get closer. But in the limited time exposed to their ruthless leader, it informed the Controller of what he needed to know. Sympathy to a cause other than their own would not be tolerated.

All he had to do was irritate that itch.

“My Great Leader, don’t be absurd! We are in a war, and–”

“Open fire.” Without hesitation, the false Cryogs complied with the Controller’s orders, the cyan laser emitting from the spear-gun, which in actuality had simply been the pistol disguised under image projection. It found its mark against an Xilien agent, and just as they suspected, the atomizing Xilien shed its disguise to reveal the Cryog beneath, clearly having appropriated weapons from the war-dead. And it didn’t take long for the others to show their true colors.

As their facades wore off, the tentacled aliens aimed their weapons. Two of them kept their eyes locked on the imposter species, evading laser fire as they did. The third, however, took a different approach. Their shot wasn’t intended for any of the other extraterrestrial species–save for one. Surrounded by bodies on nearly all sides was the Seatopian ruler, only armed with Nebulan-derived pistols, a far cry from the more refined Xilien laser guns. Even so, the human proved to be the most vulnerable, with the disguised cockroaches bearing the borrowed tech and the Great Leaders of the alliance using their forcefields to protect them from incoming fire. And with a blast, he fired off.

For a moment, Antonio saw the eyes of his killer. His heart stopped, fearing death was soon to find him. He prayed to Megalon for a safe passage.

But before he could accept death, the formation broke. Barking orders from the Kilaak Queen issued for Kubota to move, allowing her to more closely defend them both with her electrified barrier. Even as they successfully redirected round after round, it still chipped away at her fluid metal form. Then, a gesture from one Cryog to another issued a shift in strategy; and instead of one, two began whaling against her protection with rapidfire succession.

Before anyone knew it, they broke through.

A round from the spear-guns found its mark along the Kilaak Queen’s neck, puncturing it–and worse yet, breaking the radiator that helped her sustain shape. Her determined visage ran cold with fear as her structure began to malform, losing the human-like shape they all adopted for themselves. In this loss, the Nebulans used this chance to eliminate another of the Cryog warriors, the combined laser fire atomizing them. Even so, another casualty was no less devastating, even with their nigh-immortality and malleable form.

The visceral and slimy metal slug that remained squirmed in place, Antonio quickly scooped up the disfigured Queen in his palms. Without hesitation, Kubota kept up the attack, ensuring the Seatopian Emperor’s safety behind the Controller. Pillaging laser fire kept up from the enemy opposition, but scoring direct hits from the pistols ensured the demise of the Cryog soldiers. But such reprieve didn’t last long before other Cryog soldiers began flooding the ravine, no doubt lured by their firefight. The best they could manage was crawling back, inching ever slowly to the crevice that housed their means of escape.

“Lord Antonio, make a break for it!” Kubota shouted. Mustering all the courage and speed he could, the Seatopian leader made a beeline for the rickety saucer, the Queen in hand. Even if it was structurally imperfect, it was certainly a better alternative than being left in the open.

The shutter opened, a quick scanner recognition identifying Antonio. He was almost there, but his nerves ran cold. Death could come for him any given second…

“ANTONIO!”

His name resounded from the mouth of the still-disguised Nebulan, bolting away from the protection of the Controller’s barrier.

“KUBOTA, NO!” Fumio shouted, enraged and in disbelief. The Xilien commandant could only vex his frustration, unable to do anything to stop Kubota without compromising their well-being.

Antonio took one look back to see the unfolding scenario before his eyes before he could slip into the spacecraft. A blaster was aimed straight for him, the shot trailing in his direction. But a sudden shadow obstructed the incoming projectile. An overwhelming sense of emotion ran through Antonio as he realized Kubota took the hit, his false Cryog body bursting with the sticky fluids of a cockroach. His body flashed in photonegative light, dissipating the projected image and exposing the real damage done to the Nebulan counselor. The insectoid body burst open from the firefight, ensuring the protection of Antonio at the cost of his own life.

Not wanting his death to be in vain, the Seatopian royal fled into the spacecraft, leaving him a moment to process his comrade’s death.

Fumio and the Controller picked up the pace, the Controller recollecting his weapon from the fallen Kubota along the way. As they lined up for the spaceship, Fumio darted in as fast as he could while the Xilien held guard at the only entrance available, doing his damndest to keep the genocidal killers at bay. Lights flickered from the Nebulan transport vessel, its alien engines purring to life. When he felt the shifting movements of the ship’s antigravity propulsion kick in, the Controller sealed the door, allowing the Cryog blasters to pelt off the ship’s outer shell.

Lifting off the ground, the Nebulan saucer sped off from the tight crevice, ascending to the vacuum above and soaring into the darkness. Even as their dwindling fleets tried to follow, the onslaught of Cryog war vessels and gunships unloaded their payloads with ruthless vigor. Fumio steered their small ship on the most optimal flight path, barely missing the stray laser cannons that came their way. There were no weapons aboard; so all they could do was hold out and hope Fumio would guide them to safety among the stars.

To reconvene. To continue their fight.

The Xilien strolled up next to the Seatopian lord, casting his gaze upon the slug form of his Mistress.

“Human bodies produce more heat than most other species out there. To prevent her from going into hibernation, keep her close. I will try and create a new radiator for her.” Before he could scavenge for parts, Antonio spoke up.

“I’ve failed.” The human emperor sulked in misery. “Failed my god, my people, and my allies. And when Hell breaks loose, what do I do? I flee, hide behind others for the sake of my own protection. I should have been prepared for this outcome, but I let the Nebulans do that for me… How little I’ve been able to contribute. Except for being a heat source!” His body tensed, frustrated beyond comparison. “It should have been Kubota here in my place.”

The Xilien gleamed at the distraught emperor, computing his next words. “Indecision is the greatest weakness of any leader,” the Controller stated coldly, “Without resolve, your people will suffer for it. Your weakness since you got here.” He let those words linger, pressing the subterranean human into guilt over his actions. Even so, Antonio did not refute the claims, but silently accepted them. “But the greatest of leaders can be born from the valleys of despair, so long as you are willing to accept the reality that has transpired and rebound from it. Kubota died knowing that. It was a risk he was willing to take. Do not let his death be for nothing.”

A stifled sniffle came from the broken man. He wiped away his tears, being careful not to let any slip on the metal slug that leeched off his natural warmth. “Your kind can be robotic and straightforward, even cold…” Antonio mustered the will to engage eye contact. “But thank you.”

The Controller returned the gesture with a robotic nod. “And you are very welcome, Lord Antonio.” The Xilien resumed his trek, walking away as the Seatopian Emperor was left to his own devices. The metallic limax gently wrapped herself around his arm, a firm but warm grip as she siphoned the heat from his body. He had to be sure to take care of her in the interim. To take action of his own volition.

For the sake of a more prosperous future.

***

Bulbous eyes flickered open.

Floating in the great void of space, Bemular stared at the stars beyond, consumed by the many agonies that permeated his body. Broken spines, bruised scales and lacerations of all sizes decorated the dinosaurian’s bloodied form, his reward for his part in the alliance he had wanted no part in. Pain blurred his thoughts, making Bemular’s memories of what transpired fuzzy, leaving him uncertain to the fates of his despised “allies”. What really wanted was that he was alive. He had survived the hunt. Could the others say the same, at this point in time?

He couldn’t dawdle for too long. Intelligence was far from the greatest of the reptile’s traits, but Bemular could tell that the blow which had knocked him out couldn’t have launched him far from the moon’s surface, which left him squarely within the pursuer’s range, should they choose to follow. And he had no plans to wait and see if they would.

Where to go, however? Bemular scanned the stars for a direction to go, and his gaze caught on a distant blue shape amidst the distance lights. Something clicked within the alien’s scattered consciousness, a sense of familiarity, almost as if he had been here before. Confusion racked his thoughts, though the promise of sanctuary was too tempting to ignore.

A bright flash ignited in the void as the criminal entered his travel ball and began the journey towards the blue planet. Though he knew that any sanctuary he might find there would be temporary with the hostile invaders practically on its doorstep, Bemular was willing to take any chance of relief that he could.

And if this world turned out to be inhabited just like the last one, Bemular hoped they would have the common sense to leave him alone.

 

Chapter 9: The Battle Continues

Silence hung over the colourless terrain of Planet X. After a millenia of survival, clinging on above the brink of collapse, the hub of the once mighty Xilien empire had gone dark, snuffed out by a newer and greater power. Black smoke rose from the scorched remains of the citadel and dissipated quickly in the thin atmosphere, the structure as much a corpse as the numerous dead that scattered the moon’s monochrome soil. The last specks of life had been silenced; Planet X now well and truly a dead world.

High in orbit, Karkaro looked down upon his triumph in cold, calculating silence. Another victory for the glory of the empire, another step closer down the path of the great plan he had entailed. His orders delivered, the emperor was free to observe how the clean-up operation progressed. Techno-organic supply craft worked in swarming droves to strip down the remains of the Leviathan fleet, disassembling their bulk to be repurposed for the needs of their own, while on the surface far below, similar crafts took charge in herding the swarms of Trilopods back into the confines of the hive. Cables attached to two massive carriers were secured to the exterior of the fleshy mass in preparation for transport back to the mothership, bringing along its fresh bounty of harvested biomass.

Body disposal was left to the endless appetite of the hive queen. Showing no remorse for the fate of her fallen “kin”, Magita feasted at her own leisure, throwing body after body into the living meat grinder that was her colossal maw. Her scythed limbs probed the rubble for further bounties and skewered the mangled remains of Cyber Godzilla, slurping it down like spaghetti with only the mildest shudder of disgust at its flavour.

Any other being would have felt disgust or terror at the sight of her. Instead, Karkaro was utterly enthralled by the titan’s beauty. He and her were alike, transformed in the wake of the Great Destroyer, taking on his teachings in order to propagate the survival of their races. There was a hunger inside them, a voice gnawing away constantly at the back of their minds to be appeased by conquest and slaughter. Perhaps this was the reason he was so fascinated by her. The only non-Cryog in the universe that could understand the purpose behind his vision.

“Remarkable, isn’t she?”

He didn’t spare a glance as the commander stepped beside him, knowing fullheartedly of the disdain that Rhizon held for him and his beloved queen. His views were too shallow to see the beauty that lay before him.

“Where did you find it?” Rhizon’s words were laced with horrified awe as he stared at the feasting titan. “Where did you find the technology to even control such a thing?”

“Now, now, my dear Rhizon,” the emperor of the Cryog chuckled. “We’re all entitled to our little secrets, aren’t we? Especially if they benefit the empire.”

Now Karkaro cast his gaze to the side, drinking in his subordinate’s look of muffled frustration. It was cute, like a hatchling standing up against their schoolyard bully. Though in that scenario, the hatchling would have more of a spine than his “trusted” commander ever would.

“Prepare the fleet to regather and move out when you’ve finished cleaning up the mess. I want following those snivelling cowards’ trail to be our top priority.”

Rhizon’s brow furrowed. “Our entire fleet to wipe out a few stranglers is hardly optimal. They have no chance to rebuild, why bother at all?”

“Oh, we’re not going after them,” Karkaro clarified for his confused colleague. “They just happen to be heading towards our next destination.”

Turning away from the viewing monitor, the Cryog stepped towards the war table and input a series of commands. Projecting from the centre of the holographic map, a blue planet interlayered with various landmasses filled the two leaders’ gazes. The sight brought callous excitement to the emperor’s eyes.

“It’s incredible, Rhizon,” he explained in detail, “that this little planet and its primitive population has been such a pain for so many of the races that once inhabited this galaxy. Barely able to reach their satellite and yet they’ve repelled empires and destroyers again and again. Some would call that luck, but we do not believe in such drivel.”

“The answer is here, Rhizon,” Karkaro announced. “The culmination of the Great Plan is within our reach. The key to finally sating the hunger that plagues Magita and I, hidden away on this unsuspecting rock. And it’s almost within my grasp.”

As Rhizon leaned in, overcome with curiosity, Karkaro allowed a grin to take over his features as the bait took. His commander’s interest peaked, and now he would seal the deal.

“You know the story of Magita, The Monster That Ate A Galaxy. Tell me, then, if you’ve heard of this story too…”

***

The planetoid was nameless. In the depths of space, it sat alone in this vast universe, devoid of satellites, suns or orbit that might have given it some degree of significance. Isolated from the cosmos, it had drifted for millennia, as lifeless as the day it had completed its assembly from accumulated debris. Only stone and dust marked its dull, gray surface, disturbed only by the harsh winds and the occasional meteor strike. To the universe, it meant nothing… until now.

Flashes of lightning lit up the walls of the canyon, casting upon its coarse surface the titanic shadows of its dueling occupants. Smoke and dust were thrown up and charred rocks were tossed around, accompanied by harsh screams as the Gravity Beams found their mark, eviscerating the defenseless creature without remorse or regret. The one who cast them cackled in delight, flailing its multitude of heads and tails in delight of its kill.

The celebration was cut short by a shot of fire that erupted against the back of the titan, turning its joyful singing into calls of rage. Beating golden, bat-like wings to extinguish the pitiful flames, it spun around to face the second attacker, which charred forward without plan or care. Scythe-like horn, razor-sharp claws, fanged jaws and clubbed tail all lashed upon the slayer of its kin, but three jaws lined with sharp teeth halted the frenzied assault by clamping upon the neck and forearms of the beast, and hoisted it off the ground. Serpentine necks bulged and strained, slowly and painfully tearing the head and limbs from the body, allowing the corpse to slam against the dead ground.

Dropping his trophies, King Ghidorah cackled loud and long to the empty sky, letting the rest of the great cosmos know of the new lives snuffed out and added to the long list of his victims. So many had fallen to his almighty power, so many worlds plundered and civilisations exterminated that he had lost count; not that he had cared to begin with.

But in recent times, the King of Terror found that there was less and less life to experience his terror. The number of populated planets had begun to dwindle, and each one that he did find had mediocre varieties and numbers of flora and fauna. Many a time, he had come across worlds in the process of killing themselves, whether it be from war, pollution or natural causes. The entertainment gained from these disasters had worn itself out years ago. Now there was nothing. Less to kill. Less to do.

It was not the first time that King Ghidorah had wondered about the end of his long crusade. What he would do when all other life in the universe was extinguished. Descent into madness meant nothing to a creature who’d never had a sense of sanity from the moment of creation, but what would that mean for him? Would he just continue to exist for the rest of time in isolation? It sounded boring. He craved for something to distract him from the monotony of his own thoughts.

The left head sensed it first, curling around the body to look behind as it relayed the stimulus to its companions. The others followed suit, commanding the whole body to turn in the desired direction. The signal played loud and clear in the hydra’s minds – a call to arms, one that Ghidorah recognised still after all these years of abandonment. He remembered the experiences of servitude to these lowly bacteria all too well, seeking not a return to those would circumvent his will and make the destroyers of worlds a puppet for their ambitions.

It was the memories of such campaigns that changed his mind. He remembered the beasts that had faced him in battle, who had not cowed in the King of Terror’s shadow and defied him over and over without fear. It was from these creatures that King Ghidorah learned the concept not only of loss, but of challenge. He knew the concept of a battle where victory had to be earned and abilities had to be tested. And the message he was receiving would indicate that his summoners were against a foe that might give Ghidorah the challenge he had needed for so long, being so long since he had battled any other kaiju.

He paused, blinking in confusion. A head snaked around to look around at the landscape, sensing that something in his own statement was not right. But no, the planetoid had been as empty as it had been when he had arrived, and his hunger for destruction remained unsatisfied. But if the promise in his summoners’ message rang true, perhaps the subjugation of his will would be an acceptable, if only temporary, sacrifice.

A powerful flap of his wings hurled King Ghidorah off the ground, and several more carried him through the low gravity atmosphere at incredible speed, growing faster and faster as he ascended higher and higher. A last chorus of bell-like cries echoed across the empty landscape before the space monster escaped from the atmosphere and the vacuum of space consumed all sound. Soon, he was nothing more than an ever-shrinking speck of gold against the twinkling sky, and the planet was left as it had been more once. Lifeless, alone, insignificant.

…

…except for the patch of space that had begun to glow, illuminating the murky surface. If the King of Terror had stayed around just a little longer, he would have witnessed the glowing sphere break apart into thousands of swirling glass shards…

And hear the universe scream.

[Continued in Match 259]

Winner: Trilopod, Magita

A very special thanks to dopepope for some of the assets used in this banner for the K.W.C. Be sure to follow him on DeviantART, ArtStation, and Instagram.
And a very noteworthy shoutout to ByNEET for the spectacular Magita model!

Theater chain Alamo Drafthouse recently had a birthday celebration for the King of the Monsters which included showings of The Return of Godzilla (1984) across their many locations on Godzilla Day proper, but a day earlier something extraordinary transpired in Santa Clara, CA. The Alamo Drafthouse location in the Westfield Valley Fair mall ran an epic mystery marathon of Godzilla classics. An epic marathon alone is enough to delight, but the venue and the people involved in organizing the event helped elevate the experience to be something (more…)

Author: Michael Zamar | Banner: Landon Soto

At the edge of the Milky Way 

Footsteps rattled the plains as the horrid beast left destruction in his wake. Swords and spikes jutted from his form, one befitting the devil itself.

Years ago, likely eons, something had taken shape within the dark belly of the cosmos. It grew in power with every single encounter it had with another. Learning. Adapting. And as it mimicked all it saw, the appearance of it began to change; growing more wild and uncontrolled. None could stop it, and none could control it. It had many names that were coined as it traveled planet to planet, from star to star. But to those who looked in the records, they would tell you the only “true” name it had was simply…

IF.

And now, IF had prepared to start his rampage anew, demolishing cities on the system of a binary star. Music radiated from his entire body as instruments had emerged from his back, like the trumpets that played before the apocalypse. Weapons shot at it, but none made a dent, his hide having become immune to smaller projectiles long ago. His howling roar rattled the windows, and each blow from his sole fist was the equivalent of the force of a meteor, with his sword a knife through butter.

Thankfully for the denizens, there was still one last plan at play.

“BRING IT OVER THIS WAY! LET’S GO LET’S GO LET’S GO!” someone screamed in the distance, a military commander. Trying to focus his remaining laser gun on the monster’s eyes, he managed to catch his attention as the ever-evolving life form moved towards a still standing base. Suddenly, the music jutting from his body shifted from droning classical trombones to something more akin to an erratic electric guitar as he began to pick up the pace. Unbeknownst to him, he was running straight into a massive trap!

Stepping over the red lines, the base began to move from under his feet, him being none the wiser until it was too late. The ground shot up, a massive dome beginning to surround his form. Shouting out in surprise, he had hoped to escape, but an influx of missiles and lasers made sure to keep him distracted long enough to stay put. Soon, the dome collapsed around him entirely, rising into the sky as the rest of the massive rocket emerged. What was once a massive project meant to be used for long distance space travel in the case of an emergency had been retrofitted to become a massive prison for the beast.

Jets kicking in, it launched into the sky, soaring past the atmosphere and heading to parts unknown. Hopefully, he would never return….

Despite that, however, there were no cheers over their victory, only a stunned silence. Many were frankly shocked that the plan had worked to begin with, while others continued to mourn the losses the beast had left behind. With so much destruction, how could they ever recover?

“Sir… Do you think we made the right decision?” a surviving, injured civilian said to the commander. “If that thing ever gets out, who knows what it’ll try to do?”

Merely staring at the clouds, the higher up could only ask himself the same questions in his head. “I don’t know; but it was all we could hope to do. We tried punching the coordinates in so it wouldn’t risk landing on any nearby planets, but it’ll only be a matter of time before that luck runs out.”

“And when it does?”

“… Well, he’s someone else’s problem now.”

*******

Five Months Later

Said luck had run out once it had finally hit the Earth’s solar system, going past Pluto and soon all of the gas giants. The coordinates hadn’t been planned to go this far into the galaxy, leaving it, and the beast inside, on autopilot, waiting to see where destiny would take them.

It wouldn’t take much longer; for once they reached the Goldilocks Zone, the collision course had already been locked in. One that would take the ever evolving force towards Planet Earth, and towards an equally dangerous foe.

******

Seattle, Washington, 1:42 PM

The heat was relentless.

Buildings burned and toppled as the massive threat already had half of the city dead to rights. Massive wings beat akin to the force of a hurricane, violet lasers cutting into the military like a sword. With only freezer weapons doing anything noteworthy, they used as much as they could to hold the monster back, yet they were still fighting an uphill battle.

Eyes glowing amongst the dark smoke, Destoroyah was on a rampage. The Precambrian amalgam moved at a lumbering pace, trying to soak in every bit of pain and terror. With Godzilla and his allies occupied on the other side of the world with other threats, he was free to do as he pleased! And today, he had decided that would include demolishing all of America’s west coast. Having already taken out most of San Francisco, a quick flight had guided him towards his next location. Most of the army had already been defeated, but there was no point leaving the job unfinished. Only a few more miles to go before the rest of the city was destroyed.

Alas, he was destined to be interrupted. For as he began to calculate how each skyscraper in his path was to be destroyed, an odd glow had begun to radiate behind him…

Bursting through the clouds, the metallic object shined in the rays of the sun, the flames receding as it made it past reentry. Heading straight into the sea, all was silent as it eventually made touchdown, splashing with the force of the meteor and sinking into the sea.

Having his curiosity peaked, Destoroyah walked back over to where he too had first arrived, interested in seeing what had made an appearance. By the time he had flown back, however, it had appeared to have fully sunk; but things weren’t over yet…

For the being that was inside had finally gotten a chance to release himself from his bonds.

As the impact rattled and loosened the metal, that had given him a better shot at escape; wedging his weaponized hand against the walls as he slowly pried them open and popped part off with a final kick. His makeshift door flew past the waves and into the sky. The red devil took notice of this, as it crashed onto a building behind him.

Suddenly, the water began to foam as the strange beast had finally emerged, meeting his opponent face to face.

It was a tense standoff, yellow eyes staring into red. Despite Destoroyah having a somewhat notable size advantage, IF had refused to back down. In fact, the idea of toppling something larger than him had actually filled the extraterrestrial with a sense of excitement! A whole new window of opportunities had opened up for him depending on what this foe had in store, and he was willing to explore them all.

Destoroyah, however, had a much more simple mindset: and that involved finding out just how many pieces he could slice his new piece of mincemeat into!

Bellowing a shrill cry, the giant crustacean lowered his head, his glowing horn on full display as it aimed to stab right into the stomach of the enemy. However, IF braced for impact, his only hand grabbing the head and halting the demon in his tracks. Using a knee, he struck Destoroyah in the chin, earning a whine and making him step back as the strange being decided it was his turn to attack. Raising his bladed hand, he struck a crimson shoulder, but it did little more than spark.

When was the last time an entirely new face had actually struck Destoroyah back?

No matter, he would just have to use a bit more force. As his tail suddenly came to life and pinched together in preparation, a quick burst of purple energy shot into the air. IF stood in confusion… before suddenly being pulled into the light, with it bursting soon after. The sheer force temporarily blinded his eyes, and it made it hard for him to breathe. Taking the opportunity, Destoroyah continued his combo with a massive uppercut to the chin in retaliation. Then, grasping his foe by the neck, tossed him over his shoulders and further into the city streets.

The remaining crowds below ran for their lives, no longer wishing to be bystanders from afar. As IF slammed right into the ground and broke the concrete on impact, he was already in the midst of trying to get up and strike back. Alas, the sound of beating wings proved his foe had beat him to it. Another Oxygen Destroyer Ray spat from the gestalt’s mouth, cutting into his golden skin and the surrounding buildings, which in turn toppled onto the alien.

Alright then. Two could play that game…

Rising up, IF shook off the soot and debris covering him just as Destoroyah touched back down. As energy ran across his body, raw power merged with cosmic energy as his arms merged into a plus sign. In a matter of seconds, he fired off one of his most powerful stolen attacks: the Maxium Cannon!

Eyes widening in surprise, Destoroyah quickly stepped out of the way, watching it fly off until the horizon. He turned back around-

BOOM!

Only to receive a splitting headache the moment a Gravity Beam slammed into his skull! Yelping in shock and anguish, the demonic destroyer could only slowly open his eyes in shock. Out of nowhere, the alien had used two techniques only members of the Ultra and Ghidorah clans could use. How could this thing have possibly gotten ahold of them? It was certainly no natural member of either species!

Perhaps its abilities, and genome, were more complex than he had realized.

Things got even more mysterious when he once again raised into the air, IF following despite lacking anything resembling wings; simply levitating until he had reached the same height as his foe. Swinging his sword hand high, IF got back into action and swooped in, trying to cut more and more into the armored chitin until he could finally see blood. Destoroyah wouldn’t allow it though, striking back with his own Horn Katana. It was akin to a medieval sword fight, with each clash like fireworks. Neither side could get a leg up, prompting more drastic measures to be taken.

Fighting dirty, Destoroyah bit into the left hand, trying to dig into the fingers. IF tried stabbing at his foe’s side in response, but still could not fully puncture the tough skin, though he still had other options. Wrestling the hand out of the fiend’s mouth and seeing he only had a few punctures, he decided to tinker with everything else he had to offer, and throw out multiple tricks at a time. Blue heat built in his maw, and an odd clicking noise in his five fingers rang out.

Manifesting a yellow barrier with his horn, Destoroyah managed to bear the entourage, Bemular’s heat ray merging with organic finger missiles in a singular display. Once it resided, he went back in and spat back with a freezing mist that immediately formed frost across IF’s upper body, but that mattered little to a being who could withstand the frigid depths of space. Flexing muscles, the ice cracked, but the wound was quickly struck again as another purple blast shot at him, jamming some of the shards into his flesh. Destoroyah’s tail clamped around his foe’s neck, now having regained some control of the conflict as he flew forward, IF trailing behind as he slammed into building after building. Feeling like he had softened up the meat somewhat, the Precambrian beast decided it was about time to finish the job…

Eyeing the Space Needle in the distance, he figured out the best way to do so.

Beating his wings and going a bit higher, he stopped when IF’s chest and sensitive organs would be right above the skyscraper, akin to an executioner using a pit of spikes to kill a prisoner. Once the tail loosened its grip, IF fell an incredible twenty stories, slamming right into the tower as his spine and chest burst open in a shower of gore. Unable to handle the weight, the Space Needle fell to pieces, covering the monster in soot and debris, leaving the battlefield silent…

Laughing in victory, Destoroyah saw the smoke dissipate and decided it was time to leave this fight in the past. Moving away from the scene, he walked away with his backed turn, not even planning to give his opponent a proper farewell. He merely marched off, going to demolish whatever else was left of Seattle.

He hadn’t realized the hole left behind had suddenly opened wider, leaving a massive burrow and IF nowhere to be found.

Using both hands to breach the grated surface, IF burrowed underground akin to a living drill, moving so fast even the likes of Baragon would be put to shame. Moving forward and creating a trench underneath could have simply sent Destoroyah tumbling down. He had a different plan, however. One that involved giving the crustacean a taste of its own medicine, a purple glow building in his jaws as he aimed towards the concrete ceiling.

Striking the air like a pillar of light, the beam had quickly circled Destoroyah until the ground ran the risk of collapsing in on itself. Instead, it rose into the air with nothing but a single arm hoisting the weight. IF tossed the massive slab into the air, nearly striking the sea before Destoroyah panickedly flew away before impact.

It had perfectly mimicked his own attack after only two strikes?!

This did not bode well. Whatever he fired could be shot back twice as hard. Even if the damage was minimal due to the Oxygen Destroyer Ray being composed of what his entire body was made of, that meant other attacks could still pack a hit. He couldn’t understand it; how did this thing even work? It had taken him a much longer time to evolve to the point he was at now, but it could manage nearly instantly! No being on Earth had that level of power.

…No being, until perhaps, today.

Yes, if he could absorb that DNA and gain all of that power, he could effortlessly come out on top! But how could he reach for blood underneath a body full of jagged edges? He’d have to tear off those spikes one by one then, and he certainly had the strength to do so.

Snorting to himself, Destoroyah dove back down as his horn suddenly glowed to life, thinking that perhaps if he could cut them all off, he would have a clear shot at victory. IF, however, suddenly sprouted a counter-weapon: one with strings and a sharp edge at the tip that had suddenly sprouted and outright popped out of his right shoulder. Using it akin to a baseball bat, the strange life-form had fought back in the form of a… violin?

The crustacean had no idea what he was looking at, but his instincts kicked in anyways as he ducked the swing before it managed to nearly knock his head off. He tried grabbing the instrument to see if he could use it instead. Still, despite only having one dexterous hand, IF had quite the iron grip. Suddenly even more instruments began to sprout out in a terrible cacophony that made the humans nearby cover their ears, though Destoroyah merely grunted in annoyance. Seeing some more potential options, his eyes darted as he saw the different shapes, some more intriguing than others.

One that had caught his attention most, however, was a rather sharp electric guitar. One that was quite literally electric.

IF had decided to use every particular weapon to his advantage, and with how much he had seen and lived through, he certainly was not low on options. Some of the other ones sprouting from his form didn’t even remotely resemble anything you’d seen on Earth, but the ones that did still had their more deadly quirks. A flute began to play as it slithered down his arm like a snake, before bursting as a small puddle of blood pooled on the ground. Aiming at Destoroyah’s head, green light began to emit from it, as an acidic smell filled the air.

Knowing what was coming next, Destoroyah backed off, firing another homing ball that met the massive flute. It collided with the acidic sap IF had stolen from Biollante in a shower of smoke and acerbic sparks. The force from it made IF stumble back, giving the Precambrian terror the perfect time to swoop back in and steal the violin from under his nose! Getting a grip on the pegs and the scroll, his smirk had grown wider as he thought about bashing the head of the beast in until nothing but a bloody pulp remained. IF, however, was not deterred, the electric guitar from his back sprouting out in full as his anti-gravity flight took hold and prepared to strike.

What came next was a, quite literal, battle of the bands.

As both instruments met, the noise rattling from them came about in the form of an awful mix of sound, the contrast of their respective genres being clear. Destoroyah wielded his weapon akin to how Thor would for Mjolnir, but IF used his more akin to a sword. The tip would potentially pierce skin, the strings and wider base being used as just a means to an end in that regard. One would think the weapons would have broken after a few strikes, but they held strong, even the strings.

Backing off for a minute, IF kicked his guitar into the sky as trumpets formed on both shoulders, each one firing more self-made missiles. Destoroyah sent most of them flying away by either batting them with the violin or destroying them with his bare hands. Few still managed to hit him in the shoulder and the knee, though it wasn’t enough to make him stop fighting. In fact, now that he had a proper strategy in his head, pain just furthered his resolve. Playing around with the violin in his hands for a minute, he tried to line up the next attack perfectly to enact phase two. And as IF grabbed the guitar as it came back down and shot forward-

SHINK!

Destoroyah managed to strike first.

In seconds, three of IF’s spikes had crashed down to the ground as he cried out in shock and pain. And seeing that he managed to get in a perfect shot, Destoroyah saw no better time to split. Throwing himself to the ground and dropping his weapon, both his hands and knees met with the gravel below before his entire body was clouded in a massive puff of smoke, obscuring all who had tried to see. IF had taken the bait almost immediately, floating back down a decent distance away.

The first warning signs came from a chittering noise. Then there was another one… then another. Until they had revealed themselves to be aggregates in the dozens.

IF found himself so startled that he nearly tripped over his own feet as the swarm came in. Even with their smaller size, the sheer numbers had provided a new challenge he was not prepared for, and an advantage Destoroyah knew for a fact could not be nullified. Even if IF managed to put down a few directly in front of him, there were simply too many to stop his overall goal. The appendages sank into his back to keep steady as their teeth rose up and shot forward, piercing the skin as they drank in the blood like vampires. The alien rose to his feet, trying to shake off the 40-meter crabs, though he couldn’t manage before yet another force erupted from the ground and took to the skies.

Destoroyah’s flying form had rammed into him like a bull, knocking IF back down to his knees as more instruments sprouted to counter the constant threat. Something akin to a french horn sprouted from both shoulders, aiming down and shooting out powerful fireballs like they were gatling guns. They definitely did damage, as while the Aggregates had more numbers, they certainly were not as durable. More spikes began to burst from IF’s back, but that was okay to the swarm. They had gotten everything they had wanted, and all that was left to do was reform into one.

A bit easier said than done. Especially when the opponent had a new option in play.

Nuke the whole colony from orbit!

Swooping into the air, IF prepared multiple rays at once, one stemming from the eyes and the other forming at the ends of his arms. With his pupils beginning to glow crimson and a blue light radiating off the sword arm, it was clear the Destoroyah family would have little time for a counter attack. Multiple Juveniles formed from the remains of the destroyed and merged back into another Aggregate. Joining forces with the flying gestalt, two beams charged in their mandibles to stave off certain destruction.

Forming his arms into a plus sign, IF fired first, shooting a gigantic Zeperium Beam followed up with a Gigarium Cluster! The red lights soon merged with the pure white beam, forming a brilliant spiral, as both violet rays fired and merged themselves, growing in intensity. What followed was two attacks slamming into each other with the force of a meteor. Purple, ruby red, and ivory white merged as two rays fought for supremacy, each side pouring in even more power.

Power the runaway energies simply weren’t meant to handle, and both knew that. Destoroyah, however, had an option to rectify that.

Joining forces, even more of the swarm began to merge, turning into a second flying form! Circling their shared foe, it moved between both rays and behind the extraterrestrial. However, once he managed to catch the ploy, his body began to respond. A gun rose from his spine as it began to charge with heat! Electric energy pumped through it, firing in a massive strike of lightning that meshed with another detonating bomb.

Suddenly, it began to rain. An electrically charged, acidic fog soon formed from the acrid precipitation, making it impossible for anyone to breathe. Anyone, except for the two colliding titans. Withstanding the heat and calling off their respective attacks, both sides braced for the final phase of the war. Laughing in near unison, the remaining Destoroyahs began to remerge as IF’s body suddenly shifted again. Two more instrumental weapons emerged, and he grabbed them both with his only hand to dual wield as a much larger form began to form beneath him akin to a growing, cancerous mushroom. Soon enough, Destoroyah was back in his final form, energy radiating across his entire body as he smirked. Oh, the power… He felt like he could crush the entire planet in the palm of his hands.

IF’s inner reserves, however, could match nigh-perfectly. Conducting electricity across himself like a battery, he considered that now, they were evenly matched in power. Which meant this would all come down to skill.

Raising two electric mandolins high, IF’s war cry as he dove down signaled the beginning of the end!

Clenching his fist, Destoroyah’s punch met the two instruments in a contest of strength. Trying to overpower one another before they reached a stalemate, they applied more pressure. IF’s tail suddenly grew in size and grappled one of the mandolins for him, acting as a new hand while his sword arm plunged into Destoroyah’s shoulder. That hadn’t stopped the amalgamated monster from trying to get one of the instruments for himself, but the alien’s tail stabbed him with its sharp tip before that could happen. Like a scorpion, it had embedded itself in his leg, pulling away with a spray of yellow blood as the sword did the same. However, it would take far more than that to keep the crustacean down, as shown when he broke away and took to the sky.

It was time to put this new strength to good use.

Channeling newfound power, filled with alien energy, Destoroyah’s usual purple bolts suddenly gained a new, golden hue to them. So this was the power of the Ghidorah family! With the added gravitonic electricity coursing through it, an Oxygen Destroyer Ray shot forth. IF’s spikes became a shield that just barely rose in time to meet it, although the sheer force made sure to chip away slowly, but surely, breaking off shards. Trying to move away, IF went for a risky maneuver, jumping upwards before the beam could hit the rest of his body. Throwing his mandolin down before the beam could catch up, he struck Destoroyah in the forehead with a dull sounding clunk before diving back down with a tackle.

Suddenly, IF’s tail had split in two, each side grasping a mandolin and bashing Destoroyah repeatedly as he blocked with both arms. A swift blast from his mouth made the extraterrestrial stagger back, giving the incarnation of death an opening. Tapping into Spacium energy, his horn suddenly went from glowing yellow to blue, moving like a shooting star as he shot forward and sliced open IF’s chest like a cleaver through meat!

Howling in pain, the evolving creature clutched his wound and forced himself to temporarily retreat, rushing away and disappearing back into the smoke-filled city. After all that bravado, thought Destoroyah, he would flee like a coward? What a bore. Swooping back down, he sought to find the beast and end this conflict before things got even more needlessly dragged out. However, it wound up being surprisingly easier said than done…

With so much smoke and debris in his path, it was hard for Destoroyah to properly see. It would take ages to find IF at this point! If he wanted any hope, he’d have to clear all the ruckus in front of him; disperse it all at once somehow. Something akin to Godzilla’s nuclear pulse, so there’d be no place left to hide.

IF was on the job first.

A pulse of light expelled every bit of darkness, like a second sun forming on planet earth. Rainbow lasers split the cloud in two, and cut into the side of Destoroyah’s frill so fast it had immediately fallen off and disintegrated before it hit the ground. IF spared no time, bashing the massive cetacean abomination and slashing away with both hands as his tail grasped mandolins like clubs. Trying to get more space, Destoroyah’s chest suddenly began sparking, signaling a Hail Mary attack being prepared, but not one he wanted to fire too soon. With a being able to copy an attack from a single strike, this would have to be nothing less than the finisher.

Grabbing IF by the hand, Destoroyah tossed him into a building so hard it toppled immediately after, taking the monster down with it. A sweeping Oxygen Destroyer Beam eradicated what was left, explosions shooting high into the air and scorching the ground that still made it out somewhat intact. Yet, IF still got up, using one of the mandolins like a spear to attempt to stab the monster straight through the skull, yet it only met the palm of a hand as more blood skewered like a leaking faucet. Fighting through the sting, Destoroyah’s head slammed into his opponent as he pulled his hand free with a bit of pressure. Finally feeling like the strategy he had wasn’t working, the alien put the two weapons down and went all in on the final assault!

With the spikes on his body suddenly shifting, they molded further into the flesh, acting as a knight’s shield and growing more metallic as they acted as extra protection for what would come next. Swooping back in for the final time, his head dove down as the powerful “rock” he became struck Destoroyah in the chest hard enough to knock the breath out of the beast, tipping him over like a cow and knocking him flat on his back. With his maw glowing orange, the Precambrian kaiju knew he had to act fast. Wiggling one of his arms loose, he grappled IF by the neck, careening it upwards and pulling the head into the air before a whole row of fireballs lit up the sky.

Now with a brief distraction as his foe suddenly had a crick in the neck, Destoroyah used his foot and dug into the same wound his horn had left moments before. And to make sure it hurt, he dug his heels into the flesh, hard.

Feeling his organs begin to pop under the pressure, IF suddenly chopped off one of the clawed toes and backed away, the appendage slamming onto the ground as Destoroyah in turn winced. But it was fine. He had a bigger target than ever to blow this thing to pieces, and now he had gathered the perfect amount of energy to do so. Standing back up with a smile on his face, the plate on his chest bloomed open like a flower, green energy emerging from within like a spiral.

The Stomach Beam.

Grimacing, IF knew he had little time to strike back, but he still had enough energy for one last beam that could potentially win the day. Forming his arms back into a plus sign, azurite energy rushed around his entire body. One last Maxium Cannon would be used to counter the attack, gaining as much power as it could. Only the humming of energy from both could be heard…

As all the fireballs from above began to fall back down to the ground, both beams shot forward, meeting in the middle of the city in a booming explosion!

An orb of light pulsed as the two attacks struggled to overcome one another in a dazzling display, but neither had any advantage. Destoroyah poured more power into his Stomach Beam, but IF had plenty of Maximum Energy to keep going. Until one of them finally ran out of strength to give, it looked like a final clash that would have gone on forever. Fate would seemingly leave the victor up to nothing less but a coin toss. Fate’s true plan, however, would leave neither satisfied…

Fireballs had continued to rain down, striking what was left of Seattle as if it were the sign of the apocalypse. One portion of flame, however, was positioned above the perfect target. It hovered just over the ball of light created by both rays, diving down to act as the last straw upon the camel’s back. The stability of the singularity rippled. Like a runaway nuclear reactor, it would soon enter a complete meltdown.

Before either kaiju could realize what was about to happen, the explosion had begun to shroud both in a massive, fiery burst of light. As both of their cries were drowned by the droning sound of the massive explosion, the rest of the battlefield soon followed. Buildings crumbled as the remains shot out into the open sea, instruments flew straight into the air from the sheer force, and those who had not evacuated finally met their end as they disintegrated from the sheer power of the blast. Seattle, Washington had at last been broken beyond repair; as the war of the monsters came to a violent end with a detonation that had consumed everything.

And everyone…

******

One Hour Later

The aftermath had started with an aftershock.

IF clawed his way out of the crater he was trapped under with his bare hands, shaking off the rest of the rubble as his ruby red eyes scanned the area. There was no sign of Destoroyah anywhere… And yet, he still sensed his presence.

Frankly, he was lucky to still be alive after such an ignition, and he was thankful that he was. Still, he felt weak. Weaker than he had in a long time. He was in no shape to continue the fight as is, and it was fair to leave this part of the planet behind. Stumbling over, he found the violin he was using earlier in the conflict, picking it up and absorbing it back into his body. No use wasting a weapon after all.

Floating back into the air, IF had decided to scour the rest of the Earth. After all, the more lifeforms he could find, the more powerful he could grow. And this world would have plenty of strong beings to choose from.

At the same time, however, the nearby bay had begun to bubble to life, before Destoroyah had suddenly emerged with a howling roar! His hide was burnt, but he still had enough energy to stay in his perfected form. IF had turned back, seeing the demonic force call to him from afar; but he paid no mind. He had made his decision, and planned to stick with it. Soon, the alien had grown smaller and smaller from Destoroyah’s perspective, his wings too sore to give chase. Soon, IF had disappeared from view entirely.

Entirely shrouded in rage, Destoroyah’s fist struck the water like a toddler in a bathtub. He got away! With no clear target in sight, his Destroyer Ray merely targeted anything still left standing, the violet beam cutting into the buildings that still stood.

Suddenly, however, he had noticed something else in the water that snapped him out of his blind rage. The electric guitar IF had left behind. The one he had used as its own.

And with its original owner gone, surely it was ripe for the taking, was it not?

Getting another smirk on itself, Destoroyah grabbed it with one of his hands, taking the massive instrument with him; a souvenir of the battle. He had fun using the guitar as his own, and perhaps, with a bit more self-training, he could make better use of it as a personal weapon than even its creator could. Soon, the devilish monster had submerged, entering the depths until the day he would strike again. At the very least, he could say it wasn’t a total loss. He had only just begun to use the amount of power he had gained from the extraterrestrial. The rest of his newfound strength would be mastered in time as well…

Both titans quietly swore revenge, and knew a rematch was imminent. Regardless if it took days, months, or even years to meet again, they swore to settle the score all the same. Until that day, however, the question of who was truly the universe’s Perfect Life-Form would remain a mystery.

Draw: Destoroyah, IF