Firebird ファイヤーバード [Godzilla 1978 Series]

On the isolated Alaskan island of Pitkin, strange tremors begin to alarm local scientists. The source of the tremors is soon revealed to be the reawakening of a long-dormant volcano, which erupts violently, covering the land in searing lava. With their boat destroyed by the resulting tidal waves, the scientists' only chance for survival is to call for help. Meanwhile, a loud screech echoes from the erupting volcano.

Aboard the Calico, the crew receives the distress signal from Pitkin and rushes to the island, their ship cutting through the ocean on hydrofoils. Upon arriving, they meet with the scientists and agree that their best option is to enter the active volcano through a series of lava tubes spotted during a helicopter flyover. Their goal: to discover the cause of the sudden eruptions.

As the scientists and crew make their way into the lava tubes, Godzooky excitedly follows, eager to join in. Concerned for the large creature, Pete takes to the skies in a helicopter to keep an eye on him. Deep inside the volcano, Pete, Godzooky, and the team come face-to-face with the Firebird, a massive, red pterodactyl-like monster. Surprisingly, the creature does not attack, even as Godzooky flies beneath it with Pete on his back. The group manages to escape to the surface and rushes to the Calico—but the Firebird is right behind them, emerging from the volcano with a deafening screech.

In a panic, Captain Carl Majors calls for Godzilla's help. The King of the Monsters arrives just in time, and a fierce battle erupts between the two titans. The Firebird launches scorching heat rays, while Godzilla counters with his powerful atomic eye beams. The Firebird skillfully avoids the blasts before swooping down to grab Godzilla in its talons, lifting him into the air. The two monsters eventually land and continue their battle on solid ground. The fight ends when Godzilla is knocked off a cliff and tumbles into the water, bringing the confrontation to a halt.

The Firebird retreats to the North Pole, but the Calico gives chase, fearing the creature is heading to the frozen wastelands to lay its eggs. If successful, millions of Firebirds could emerge, threatening the entire world.

Using a heat-tracking device, the Calico locates the Firebird's icy lair and calls upon Godzilla once more. The two ancient creatures engage in another intense battle, which reaches a stalemate until Godzooky intervenes. The Firebird retaliates by unleashing a blast of fiery breath, knocking Godzooky unconscious against the ice with a powerful swipe of its tail. In a fit of rage, Godzilla drags the Firebird underwater. Once Godzooky recovers, the two work together to trap the beast in a cave, sealing it with boulders.

• In the Godzilla 1954-1999 Super Complete Works (ISBN: 9784091014702), the creature is given a subtitle of "High-Temperature Monster" (高温怪獣 - Koon Kaiju).