//------------------------------//
// For Everfree: Akiko and Anguirus 
// Story: Monster King 
// by Godzilla2020 
//------------------------------//

......................
Okinawa 1992
......................

The rain was coming down hard on the secluded house. It was surrounded by small trees that shielded the view to the beach. The house was large and came with a deck that faced the forest, perfect for sitting outside on nice sunny days, but today was not one those days. For one it was the early hours of the night and the weather was matching the mood of the two inside the house. 

Dr. Miki Akiko, age 29, one of the youngest megazoologist in history, stood in her living room with a telephone to her ear. Her eyes were wide her hand twitching as tears ran down her face. She was doing her best to keep her voice calm as she spoke, "O-o-okay, thank you doctor."

"Again my deepest condolences, Ms. Akiko." The voice spoke over the phone before it went dead. 

Miki let the dial tone play in her ear for a moment before it slipped from her hand. The red haired one dropped to her knees as she clutched her face and began crying. Her sobs were so loud that she didn't hear her front door open and close. A man with dark black hair stepped in. He was soaking wet from being in the rain and was carrying two suitcases in his arms like they were nothing. 

"Miki, couldn't you have helped out a little bit with unpacking? I mean half these bags are yours." He sighed. His eyebrow raised when he didn't get a smart remark. "Miki?"

That's when he saw her on her knees sobbing. "Miki!" He dropped the suitcases he was carrying and rushed to the her side. He knelt down rubbing her back gently, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Miki removed her hands revealing her tear stained face, "Hughes, it was the doctor." Miki said tears still falling as she held her stomach. Hughes looked at her like he just received a punch to the gut. The air was slowly leaving his body. He put a shaky hand on top of Miki's as her head fell into his chest and began to soak his shirt with tears. "The radiation it affected me after all. I-I-I can't have children.....I'm sterile." 

Hughes sighed gently rubbing her back and hugging Miki. "Don't blame yourself. It was that thing's fault. I should have killed it when I had the chance." 

Miki stopped sobbing, briefly, to punch Hughes in the chest. She looked at him with hard eyes as her red hair flared with her eyes. "Don't you dare blame this on, Minya! This is my fault, Hughes! I was the one who didn't fight hard enough to keep him on the island! I was the one who didn't figure out he was calling his father! Making me the one who lead Godzilla into the city! So all of this is my fault!" Miki was huffing as tears still fell from her eyes. She then looked down at her stomach clutching her fist tightly as she grit her teeth, "And this is my punishment." 

"Miki." Hughes said softly as he slowly reached out to her. The punch hadn't hurt that much, but seeing Miki in such pain hurt Hughes more than anything else. He slowly reached out to her, but Miki pulled away from him with a sniffle. 

"I broke up a family and now mine is gone before it even started." Miki wiped away a tear from her eye.

"No." 

Miki looked at Hughes as he stared at her. He reached out and held her trembling hand and brought it up to his lips. He gently kissed her hand. "Miki, I'll still be apart of your family." 

"Hughes?" Miki looked at Hughes with surprised eyes. Her face was flushed from both crying and her heart beating a little faster. She sniffled and let herself be pulled into his lips. When she broke away she looked at Hughes, "You'll still be apart of my family even if we won't have a child?"

"Miki, I'm not leaving you." Hughes said. He had a soft smile that she returned with a sniffle. 

She wrapped arms around him and pushed her head into his chest giving him a small kiss. "I hate that I can't stay mad at you."

"I love you too." Hughes said kissing Miki on the top of her head. "So, how about I make us dinner?"

Miki gripped him tighter, "Hughes, can we just...stay like this for a little longer?"

"Sure." 

With little effort Hughes picked Miki up and walked her to the couch. He continued to rub her back as she kept her arms around him. Miki happily listened to the sound of Hughes heart beat letting it slowly lull her to sleep. Her heart was still broken, but she at least had someone to comfort her. It didn't take long for the cuddling couple to lull each other to sleep with their comforting heat. 

Unbeknownst to them they were being watched from the outside. Purple eyes shined from the tree line that was masking the watcher's body. The rain covered their foot steps as they etched closer to the house. They stayed on all fours like a wolf. When they made it to the deck the intruder moved slowly stopping when their foot would make a slight creak in the wood. They looked through the glass door at the sleeping couple on the couch. They let out a small growl at the sight of them. They didn't focus on them long as their eyes focused on the hallway leading to the kitchen. If they squinted they could make out the fresh stack of apples on the counter then to the refrigerator. 

Their stomach started to growl and they licked their lips. They touched the glass feeling it's edges until they found one part on the bottom where the glass was broken. Suddenly Miki's head slowly rose up and she looked to the glass door with a raised eyebrow. 

"Must have been the wind." She said softly with a yawn. As the door was empty she yawned again before lying her head back down on Hughes' chest. Unknown to her purple eyes suddenly returned from the dark watching her.

................
One hour later
................

Miki slowly opened her eyes with a soft yawn. She looked up noticing that Hughes was still under her and sleeping. She giggled at his soft snores and the feeling of being pushed up every time he took a breath. She gently pulled herself away from him careful not to wake him up. 'How did I get a boyfriend like you?' She thought to herself with a smile. She stretched her body popping some of her joints. She looked up at the lights that were still on and sighed. 

"There's my electricity bill going up." She whispered.

That's when she noticed her reflection in the screen of her television. She felt her heart dip for a moment as she began thinking about the idea of looking at herself in mirror when she was pregnant. The idea of looking at herself with a baby bump would always fill her joy and made her giggle. Now it seemed that was nothing but a dream to see herself with a child. Her shoulders slumped and she felt her eyes starting to sting.

Before she could start crying Miki slapped her cheeks shaking her head. "Can't keep focusing on that." She spoke to herself and walked to the kitchen. "A little snack always perks up my mood. I know I bought some taiyaki before I left for Tokyo." 

She walked past the couch, heading straight for the kitchen, ready to eat some comfort food. That's when she heard a crack under her foot. Miki looked down at her foot and lifted it her eyes growing wide at the sight of glass on the ground. She then lifted up her foot checking for cuts as she was walking bare foot. Sighing in relief when there were no cuts on her foot, she looked at the where the glass had come from and was shocked to find that there was a hole in the glass door. It was small as if someone had thrown a rock through it. But she couldn't find a stone anywhere in sight just bits of glass that were red.

She rose an eyebrow checking her feet again. 'I'm not cut so that means.' Miki's eyes became wide as she looked at where the hole was. It was only a few inches under the lock and nob. Miki held her hand over her mouth to suppress a small yelp and started to slowly back up to the couch. She quickly started to rock Hughes awake. He moaned as his eyes slowly started to flutter open.

"Miki? What time is it?" 

"Hughes, shush!" Miki held up her finger before pointing to the glass door, "I think someone broke in."

Hughes quickly shot up looking at the door noticing that the drapes around the door were moving slightly with the wind making his eyes narrow. He slowly reached for his side and cursed when he didn't feel what he was looking for, "Forgot where I put my gun."

"Okay, first of all I'm really concerned that you can forget where you put a weapon so easily. Second we're not having a shoot out in my house."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Aren't you supposed to be a fighting genius? Make do with that!" Miki yelled in a very low whisper.

Suddenly they heard the sound of something breaking making Miki jump. Hughes looked into the hall leading into the kitchen. He sighed looking at her, "Stay here and call the police."

"What about you?" 

"I'll deal with it. You said I was a fighting genius." Hughes said with a confident smile, "I'll be safe."

"That's what the guy says in a horror movie before he dies." Miki said.

"Well this is real life." Hughes said giving Miki a quick kiss. 

He rose up from the couch slowly keeping his body low as he made his way to the kitchen. Miki looked at Hughes amazed as he had very little opening for someone to attack. If whoever was in the house was going to attack Hughes, they were in for a terrifying surprise. Hughes stood behind the wall he looked at Miki motioning toward the phone. She responded with a quick nod rushing to the landline.

Hughes then disappeared into the kitchen as Miki started dialing the phone. Before she could dial the last number there was a low growl. 'Did a gorilla break in?' She thought with wide eyes she then looked at the glass on the ground. Noticing the blood she saw that there was a trail leading to the kitchen, but that didn't have her interest. It was the size of them that had Miki interested. They were so small like the size of a child. 

"Miki!" Hughes voice came from the kitchen full of alarm.

Miki dropped the phone making and ran to the kitchen. She was expecting to see Hughes in a struggle with some kind of wild animal person. Instead she saw Hughes standing still with his arm held out. "Be slow don't do anything too rash." He said in a low voice trying to keep himself level. Miki made her way to him she looked over his shoulder and her jaw dropped.

In front of the refrigerator was a little girl with black hair that draped over her body, the only other thing covering her was a long torn shirt that was covered in dry mud, her body was so thin that Miki thought she was looking at a living skeleton. The girl held a half eaten apple in her teeth while she stood over a broken bowel of apples. Like a wild wolf she was snarling at them her eyes swinging wildly at Hughes and Miki. Her back was hunched up and her long finger nails scraping along the ground. 

"I think this our invader." Hughes whispered in a calm voice. 

The girl stamped her hand on the ground growling louder. She moved on all fours pacing. She was like a cornered animal looking for a way to escape. 

"You recognize her?" Hughes asked.

"I haven't been here in months she could be anyone's kid." Miki said, "Hey there little missy you got a name?"

Miki was making Hughes crouch down with her keeping her hands in the air. She began to show she wasn't a threat as she held a smile. The girl's growls got louder as she stared at Miki. The apple in her mouth spilt in half and the girl let out a loud roar. It was high-pitched and from what Miki could tell dry. 

"I don't think she can talk Miki or understand us." Hughes said looking at the girl's mismatched teeth, "She's like an animal."

Miki didn't say a word as she slowly advanced to the girl. Keeping her hands in sight Miki kept getting closer and the girl roared again. "Shhhh. It's okay you're just hungry aren't you, little missy?" Miki smiled as she slowly extended her hand. The girl saw this and lunged revealing her sharp teeth with a dry roar. Miki grit her teeth as the girl bit her hand. 

"Miki!"

"Hughes don't move. One move and she'll never trust me." Miki looked over her shoulder with serious eyes despite having her flesh torn away. "I've got this."

Hughes let out a breath through his nose. Nodding his head he stayed back from the situation. Miki turned back smiling at the girl, who was still biting her. She kept calm despite the pain as the girl bit down harder looking Miki in the eye as she did so. 

"Wouldn't you prefer an apple instead? You didn't finish your first one." Miki held an apple over the girl's head. The girl looked at Miki then the apple she let go of the woman's hand and lifted her boney hand to the fruit. In a flash she snatched it from Miki's hand and began eating it. Miki giggled at the sight as the girl kept a close eye on her while still eating vigorously. She opened the fridge the pop made the girl stop and stare. "Would you like some water?"

Miki pulled out a pitcher of water. "Wa-ter." Miki sounded out holding up the pitcher with a smile.

"Miki, I don't think she understands." Hughes said.

The girl kept chewing on the apple, but wasn't taking her eyes off the water. "Wa...Wa!" She started shouting while holding out another hand, "Wawa!" Some of the apple spat out of her mouth.

"Okay, she kind of understands." Hughes said looking at the girl.

Miki smiled and rose up the girl rose with her holding up her hands, "Wawa!" 

"Okay, missy, calm down I'm just getting you a cup." Miki said. The girl was now following her like a puppy shouting for the water. That's when Hughes noticed the small cuts and bruises on her bare legs and the fact that she was shaking with each step. 

"How long has she been out there?" Hughes said. 

Miki looked at the girl as she kept trying to grab the pitcher calling out. She then pulled out a cup and poured in water. She knelt down holding it to the girl. She sniffed it curiously then the cup. "This is a cup. Cup."

"C...up?" The girl said. 

"That's right cup." Miki said, "You have to put this in your other hand." 

She motioned for the girl's free hand. Although the child merely took two more large bites of the apple eating it straight to the core. She then tossed it away holding out both of her hands. Miki sighed, "Baby steps."

"Wawa?" The girl said again holding out both of her hands.

Miki held out the water letting the girl's boney fingers wrap around the glass. Miki held the bottom as the girl had shaking hands. She pulled back her head and gulped back the water. "You really were thirsty, missy." Miki said, "Hughes, get the bandages from the left shelf."

He got the bandages and some anti-biotic spray from the shelf and looked at Miki's bitten hand. "Okay, this may hurt a little." He said shaking the can.

Miki shook her head, "No, her first." 

"Are you serious?"

"She cut herself coming in. I don't want her getting an infection." Miki said. Her eyes were serious just as the girl let go of the cup with a loud gasp. She looked in between Miki and Hughes snarling at them both before backing away. "Easy, missy, were not going to hurt you."

"You say that now." Hughes said holding up the spray can. 

Miki held a finger to her lips. She looked at the girl and smiled holding out her hand again. "How about another apple?" Miki said this time sitting down and holding up another apple from the ground.

The girl cocked her head in curiosity and to Hughes's surprise she copied Miki. She sat down spreading out her feet. Hughes saw the small cuts on the girl's feet from where she stepped on the glass. Miki gave the girl her apple and then looked over to Hughes. She pointed to the can and bandages mouthing the words 'Get behind her'.

Hughes sighed and handed the medical supplies to Miki. The girl was too focused on her apple to notice. "You really like that apple don't you?" Miki asked as Hughes got behind her. 

"This won't end well." Hughes sighed.

Miki gave him a glare that he returned with an eye roll. "Okay, little missy, this might hurt a bit, but I promise you'll get something really good out of this. Hughes."

He sighed holding the girl's arms down. She stopped eating and began to struggle letting out high-pitched whines as her legs flailed. "Miki, hurry up she's stronger then she looks."

Miki held the girl's legs and kept the anti-biotic spray in her free hand. "Alright first foot."

.................
Later
............…..

"Yep, that went about as well as I thought it would." Hughes said, "And you have a mean kick." 

He looked at the girl, who was sitting at the kitchen table, she hissed at him. Her feet were covered in bandages and she tried kicking Hughes, but her legs were to short to reach him on the other side. That and she was also being held down by some rope. Miki walked over she was sporting a bruise on her cheek and a bandage on her hand, that was holding a smoking plate. She looked at the girl rolling her eyes.

"Hughes, would you untie Missy already?" Miki asked.

"You said to make sure doesn't runaway. And why are you calling her Missy?" 

"Because that's her name, Little Missy." Miki said.

Hughes sighed rolling his eyes to look at the girl, "Do you like that name kid?" 

'Missy' responded by hissing again and shaking the chair. 

"Okay then, what would you call her?"

Hughes looked out the window to the falling rain. "Ame."

"Ame? Rain? That's really creative."

"Yeah well it's better than Missy. Right, Ame?" Hughes asked rubbing the girl's head. She stopped hissing as Hughes gently rubbed her head. She looked at Hughes with wide eyes as she began cuddling against his hand making a soft hum. Miki smiled at the sight as she put the plate against the table. Revealing steaming balls of dough. 

"Okay then, Ame Missy Akiko. Would you like some takoyaki?" Miki asked.

"You're really giving her your last name?" Hughes asked. He stuck a pick into a ball and handed it to the girl. Akiko was drooling as she stared at it and her stomach growled. She opened her mouth.

"I don't think she has a family, Hughes. Look at her, she's probably been living in the forest since I left for Birth Island in December. There was a car crash when I left I heard there were no survivors. Looks like the reports were wrong." Miki said, "And look how old she is she may not even remember her parents." 

She rubbed Akiko's head softly. Hughes fed her more takoyaki looking at Akiko impressed, "But her will to live was strong enough to make her brake into houses. Impressive. She's a fighter."

"So, wanna help me raise this little cutey?" Miki asked.

"Miki, are you sure? Because this isn't like taking care of, Minya." Hughes asked with serious eyes.

"I think I'm being given a second chance." Miki said rubbing Akiko's head, "And I'm going to show the world that I'm worthy."

_________________________________________________________________________

Many scientist believed that certain parts of the world were hollow. Others believe that there are ancient species living in these hollow sections as well. 

The caverns were wide some of them roughly as wide as open plains. The only light source came from the shimmering rocks. The only sound came from something that could only be seen in nightmares. 

In one corner was a giant red centipede at least half the size of locomotive. The other was a pitch black scorpion the size of a eighteen wheeler. The scorpion was snapping at the centipede each time it tried to lunge. The arthropods were locked in a fight to the death. The black scorpion suddenly lunged at the centipede knocking it to the ground. It's pincers grabbed the creatures midsection slamming the centipede into the rocky ground. The centipede began wiggling wildly as the black scorpion began beating it like a drum.

The scorpion held it's giant stinger in the air like the grim reaper's scythe. It pierced the centipede's hide causing the beast to roar out in pain as the poison coursed through it's body. The black scorpion looked down at it's prey as it wriggled in agony slowly dying. It let out a victory roar before ripping into the centipede's belly. The black scorpion enjoyed the fresh meat after a hard fought battle. So much so that it didn't notice the much larger predator approaching from behind. The new creature was completely blind, it's gray scales helped it hide inside the tomb the monsters called home, two long legs helped the monster crawl across the ground, it's triangular head looked like a skull as a long tongue darted in and out. 

The Skullcrawler let out a high-pitched roar at the scorpion. The reptile stood above the scorpion easily placing it's foot on the creature. The scorpion tried stabbing into the Skullcrawler, but it's tail was caught between the monster's jaws. With a quick jerk the Skullcrawler ripped the scorpions tail off making the arthropod scream in pain. The hunter had quickly become the hunted as the Skullcrawler pressed down harder on the scorpion before yellow blood splattered across the rocky ground. The larger predator enjoyed it's feast with a sickening cackle as more of it's kind began to appear. Five Skullcrawlers dropped down from the walls of their cavern home. Each one varying in sizes from an eighteen wheeled truck to an office building.

The hunting party let out high-pitched roars scaring off any creature near them back into their holes. Although it didn't matter each of the reptiles could feel the movements along the ground, hear the sound of quickening heartbeats, and sniff out the fresh meat. The group was ready to engage the closet target they could sense. 

WAAAAAAEEEECK

The roar raddled the cave making the group fall silent as the ground shook. Each of the crawlers moved out the way bowing down in respect. The monster stood at least over a hundred feet tall. Like the other Skullcrawlers she stood on two legs the only difference were the massive bone spurs coming out of her elbows. She was the oldest of the monasteries and the hungriest. If it wasn't for the fact that they brought her food she would have eaten the males that make up her hunting party. The queen of the Skullcrawlers, Skull Devil, roared out in hunger. Her hunting party wasted no time in giving their own roars as they ran off searching for food. Skull Devil watched, or rather felt, them leave. She would have given chase if it wasn't for a strange scent in the air.  

Skull Devil wandered down into a slope sniffing at the ground for an unknown source. She rarely came to this part of her territory, so it was easy for something to wander off and hide somewhere. The thought of food made Skull Devil's mouth water as she continued to search. She stopped at a large structure one that was able to tower over the mad queen. She may not be able to see them, but Skull Devil could easily identify the smell of bones. She snarled at the bones in front of her as they were of creatures that easily towered over her. They may have been dead and she never felt one of these giant walking in her many years. But the mere thought of something so big in her territory, towering over her, angered Skull Devil. 

The smell started to linger in her nostrils and Skull Devil suddenly recognized it. Yolk. She began sniffing around the giant skeletons. The smell of yolk coming stronger from the inside. Eating a new born wasn't new to her she could identify a new born in an instant. This smell was new however. A new creature? Skull Devil began hissing as her instincts began taking over. Her other senses were kicking in. She could sense something nearby. It was hard to find, but she knew it was there hiding. It was clever, but she was determined. She was nurtured by these caves and knew where any creature would try hiding. 

She could feel herself getting closer. It was faint, but she could hear the beating of a heart. She stopped at small crack in between the walls as the smell was coming directly from there. Her nostrils flared as she began beating her tail against the ground. Skull Devil opened her mouth ready to roar, but suddenly stopped at the cries of her hunting party. She turned her head distracted by the annoying sound and in that moment her prey was gone. She snarled in both rage and surprise. Her head had only been turned for a moment and she never even sensed it flee. 

She listened closely trying to find the faint signs of a heart beat, but even that was gone. A scent still lingered, however it was getting to faint for her to track. She snarled slamming her long tail on the ground before walking back to her hunting party. She roared causing the cavern to shake. It was a simple warning. If something was there it would know it would be hers one day. With that she ran away leaving the bone yard still.

Once it was clear Skull Devil was gone rocks began to move. A squeaking roar echoed off the rocks. Yellow eyes scanned the area as the lizard began to crawl out of it's hiding spot. He could barely see even as his eyes started to adjust. The rest of his of senses were on overdrive he could hear and smell at a high rate. It drove him crazy even if it saved him from Skull Devil. The little monster was at least the size of a grizzly, but lacked the fur and muscle. A small horn poked out of the bridge of his snout, they also lined the top of his head, his back was hardened much like a crocodile. The fangs in his mouth were small and could barely leave a mark.

The small monster looked at the bones Skull Devil had loathed. He didn't know what they were but he felt a sense of familiarity with them. On the tips of their noses held a large horn and their backs held large spikes that looked as though they could leave devastating wounds. He looked at them in awe even if he didn't know them. 

In the past these creatures would guard their territory with ferocity. Never backing down no matter the fight. Those who walked the Earth at the time referred to them as the Anguirus. 

Know only one remained and he was scared. Anguirus let out small squeaks trying to call out to a parent. Having just hatched the small kaiju's steps were shaky. It was by sheer luck that he was able to hide from Skull Devil. Each time Anguirus blinked he could sense something. He could feel aura. Other creatures were swarming around him. Instinct told him they were dangerous. 

Except for one. 

Anguirus felt a warmth from above ground. It was pure light forming the image of a moth. This aura was alluring to him. As if telling him to come and greet it. From behind Anguirus could hear the roars of the skull crawlers and other monsters that littered the area. His options were pretty clear. He scraped his claws along the stone floor noticing that he managed to break through the rock. Anguirus made his way to the crack in the wall he used to hide from Skull Devil.  With little effort he began the long process of digging and climbing. The aura above was still calling out to him. Anguirus began crawling his way to the surface.

...................
Hours Later
..................

Night had fallen over the mountains around Texas. The only life was the hungry mountain lion dragging it's prey back to it's den. She snarled with the effort gladly awaiting the reward of fresh meat. She stood at the entrance of her cave home. Though something stopped her. There was something else in there. She let out a loud roar arching her back. 

Her roar was answered by a high-pitched screech and large boulder being thrown at her nearly crushing the big cat. The mountain lion ran off sounding more like a scared house cat from the unknown threat. Said threat made it's way out. Anguirus was panting his front paws bleeding, claws worn down from over use, he was know walking with a limp. His breathing was harsh and he was close to toppling over. His energy was drained from digging and climbing his way to the surface. He looked around trying to sense whatever was calling out. But each of his senses had gotten weaker Anguirus let out a squeaking roar before toppling over.  

Even as he started losing consciousness he looked up at the night sky. The stars were shining bright in the sky. Anguirus looked at them squeaking in delight. They were the first things that he thought were beautiful. Second only to the large orange and white wings that started to descend on him. With that Anguirus passed out with the feeling of his body leaving the ground.

He suddenly woke up finding himself on a small rocky hill. He felt energized all the weakness in his body was gone. His stomach was growling and he was meet with a sweat aroma. He turned his head finding a field of wild flowers some how sprouting from the rocks. With out a second thought Anguirus dug into them. The sweet taste filling his tongue with joy. He didn't care about anything else at the moment the only thought going through his head was making this area his territory. 

...................
Okinawa (Three Months Later)
................

"Missy, Hughes! Where are you two?" Miki called.

She was holding a math book in her hands walking through the house. She sighed in annoyance looking outside. Hughes was in the backyard punching the air. With each punch he would take a breath before resuming. Miki watched him and started lose focus humming to herself. 

"Maybe a study break isn't that bad of an idea." She said with a small smile. That's when she noticed the small bundle of black hair peeking out of a bush. She narrowed her eyes, "Found you." 

Miki rushed out of the house startling Hughes. He looked at her in surprise stopping his exercise to look at Miki. She didn't respond merely walking past Hughes with hard eyes. She was mumbling something to herself that he couldn't understand. Not that he wanted to anyways. Spending so much time with Miki taught him to fear her when she was like this. It didn't help that she cast him a glare that sent a chill down his spine. 

"Um...did I do something?"

Miki stayed silent merely walking to a bush and pointing at it with narrowed eyes Hughes cocked his head in confusion. 

"Did you want me to cut it down?" Hughes asked sweat pouring down his face.

Miki's response was to move her finger forward demanding that he come to her. Hughes gulped walking to her with a nervous smile. Miki had her arms crossed over her chest with a harsh scowl. Hughes was in front of Miki now staring into her eyes. 

"You look really beautiful today." Hughes stammered out.

It seemed to work as Miki's face did become red for moment, but that didn't get rid of the scowl she had. "You had one job, Hughes." Miki finally said. Hughes raised an eyebrow causing Miki to sigh in annoyance. She moved the leaves of the bushes out of the way revealing a small Akiko on the other side. "Don't let Missy see you fight."

Akiko was oblivious to the adults standing behind her. Her skeletal body had grown over the three months she spent with Miki and Hughes. She was know plumper and she had a slight muscle gain. She no longer had one piece of clothing, but a two piece shirt and pants. Her hair was no longer messy and full of dirt, it was clean practically shining in the sun as she moved. Her legs no longer shook nor did she stay on all fours. Akiko stood on two legs moving with great flexibility as she jumped in the air performing a spin kick.

Hughes eyes widened at the sight. Akiko had completely copied his moves down. As soon as she landed Akiko took a breath before going back to punch the air letting out a yell. She performed several more actions her body was just a blur of motion to anyone who wasn't a fighter. But to Hughes they were the signs of a pure fighter. He couldn't help but crack a grin at the sight, "For such a young child she moves like a pro."

"Hughes! She's a lady not a fighter like you." Miki said with a scowl. She brought the math book down hitting him over the head with the spine, "And you know it's time for her lessons. Missy, can't waist her time fighting she needs to be studying."

"She just snuck out no big deal." Hughes said.

"No big deal! How is she going to get into a proper school if she doesn't keep track of her lessons?" Miki said.

"Miki she's five and the only thing she's really doing are self defense moves." Hughes said.

"A spin kick is self defense?" Miki said. She looked at Hughes with a raised eyebrow. He then looked to Akiko as she continued to exercise. Each of her moves were getting more violent with each blow. Not to mention the smile she had. 

He sighed, "OK, OK, I'll say something. Ame!"

Hearing Hughes' voice broke Akiko out of her training. She looked over her shoulder to see Miki and Hughes standing behind her. A wide smile came across her face and she rushed toward them. "Papa! See Ame, see Ame!"

"Yeah, I saw you. You've got some pretty good moves." Hughes said. His smile grew as she called him Papa. It caused a warm feeling to grow in his chest. Over the three months they'd been together Akiko truly started to look up to Hughes. A sudden throat clearing from Miki snapped him back to reality. He sighed taking Akiko into his arms and holding her up to be at Miki's eye level as she stared at the little girl. "Did you sneak out of your lessons?"

Akiko's head dropped as she tried to avoid Miki's gaze. Miki mushed her cheeks together and brought Akiko's face to meet her own. "Missy."

Akiko made an uncomfortable moan as she tried wrestling away from Miki, but her grip was like iron. "No want book." Akiko shouted trying to break free.

"Missy, these lessons are good for you." Miki said in strict tone.

"No fun." Akiko argued.

"They're good for you."

"No fun."

"Well you're not fighting if that's your idea of fun."

"Booo!" Akiko stuck her tongue out.  

Miki sighed rubbing her temples together, "Missy, how do you except to get into a good school if you don't study?"

"No swool. Stay with Mama and Papa." Akiko shouted wiggling her small body in Hughes' arms. 

"Okay, let's compromise." Hughes said breaking the two up, "Ame, I'll give you a few lessons."

"Yay!"

"Hughes?!" Miki looked at him with sour eyes.

"But," Hughes lingered on the word, "only if you promise to take your lessons seriously."

Akiko pouted and started to hum in thought looking in between Hughes and Miki. "Swool then fight?" 

"Yes, but you're not fighting for fun. It's for protection if you can promise not to fight for fun and study I'll teach you." Hughes said.

Akiko started to pull her hair and began humming. Her head was spinning as she started to use her head. Miki and Hughes looked at each other as they watched Akiko tilt her head around. She began whining and it looked like steam was coming out of her ears.  

"Um is she always like this?" Hughes asked looking at Miki.

"Only when she's thinking." She sighed.

"Ahhh!" Akiko sprung her head shocking the adults. "Ame promise! Fight to project and learn swool!"

Hughes was about to correct her grammar, but Miki stopped him, "That's as close to a promise we're going to get."

Akiko giggled looking in between the two she saw as her parents. Hughes sat her down and Akiko looked at him with wide eyes. His became deadly serious as he knelt down in front of her and held her arms. Positioning them in front of her body then breaking her legs apart. "First relax your body, take in deep breaths, settle your nerves, that way you won't be stiff."

"Your teaching her now?" 

"Might as well. She'll try running again if you suddenly spring a math test on her." 

Miki sighed in defeat slumping her shoulders, "Fine I'll make some snacks."

"Red Buns!" Akiko shouted to Miki with a smile.

"No!" Hughes said his voice could have shattered glass. Akiko shrunk back when she looked at him. His eyes held a deadly intensity, "If you're training with me the only break you'll get is for water. Understood?"

Akiko hesitated for a moment as she stared at Hughes. She gulped as her body shook. Miki looked at Akiko in worry, 'I sense a meltdown coming on.' But to Miki's surprise Akiko's eyes hardened and she puffed out her chest.

"Yes sir!"

Hughes smiled, "Let's get started."

____________________________________________________________________________

Anguirus stood on the mountain looking at the clouds that passed over his head. He ate the various flowers that were sprouting around him. They tasted amazing and filled him up quickly. In the months he'd spent at the peak he hadn't left this part of the mountain. It was safer when he was in his weakened state, however his strength had returned and he was using it to sense the world around him. In the three months he'd been alive Anguirus spent his time eating and honing his senses. 

The small kaiju was quick to learn of the area surrounding him. The smaller bipedal mammals that would walk up the mountain, though they never came to his territory. Only walking about half the mountain before turning around and going back the way they came. He could hear their foot steps and smell them making it easy to track them down. 

He could now sense aura at a higher rate then when he first hatched. When he concentrated hard enough Anguirus could see through the earth. To the cavern bellow that birthed him. It made him shrink back when he made out the aura of Skull Devil. It was red as blood and full of malice. A shiver went down his spine. He could feel the monster looking for him. In the back of his mind he felt this monster would be the end of him. But that was something he'd rather deal with in the future.

For now he was focusing on what brought him to the surface and to his new territory. He hadn't sensed it then and it bothered him. Almost as much as the massive blue aura he spotted in the east. It dwarfed Skull Devil's making her look like an angry worm. It wasn't full of malice like Skull Devil yet it wasn't full of compassion either. This aura was awe inspiring and showing the clear gap in power the world had to offer. It was a mountain and he was sitting at bottom.

If he wanted to survive in it he had to get stronger. It was time he started to climb up. A growl from behind made that all the more clear. Anguirus heard a small pebbled move and the air swishing. He dodged out of the way of the charging mountain lion. He skid across the ground sinking his claws through the rocks. The small kaiju snarled at his attacker and the mountain lion roared back. She had her back hunched in the air.

It took him a minute to recognize this creature. He recalled her sent from when he first emerged from the caverns. Had she been tracking him? 

He didn't focus on that as he began flexing his claws trying to scare the big cat off. She held her ground roaring back at him. He wanted to get stronger this was his time to prove it. Anguirus circled the mountain lion keeping his guard up. This was his first obstacle to gain power. The two stopped circling each other before they roared leaping in to the air baring their claws and fangs.

____________________________________________________

"Again!" Hughes shouted.

Akiko was panting as she rose back to her feet. She stood in front of a tree it's bark was bare from various blows. Her eyes hardened and she punched the tree with all she had. On the sidelines Miki flinched when she heard the connection of flesh and wood. Akiko shivered from the pain going through her arm as it spread through her body. 

"Are you giving up, Ame?!" Hughes said. He stood over Akiko. She had tears in her eyes as her hands bled. 

The pain was immense and she wanted to cry and run to Miki. Yet she didn't want to look weak in front of Hughes. Staring at him was like staring at a mountain. One she wanted to climb over and surpass. So she wiped away the tears building in her eyes. "No."

"Good. Twenty more then we go to kicks." Hughes said.

Akiko didn't hesitate as she began punching the tree with more vigor. Miki watched on as Akiko kept attacking with Hughes watching over her. She looked to him and Hughes smiled at her holding up his thumb before issuing more orders to Akiko. She couldn't help but marvel at the two of them a smile creeping onto her face as she started thinking of an idea.

_______________________________________________________

Anguirus roared as he curled into a ball bouncing off the ground and smashing into a nearby rock. Boney spikes began to form along his back making his impact that more powerful. The rock he crashed into was torn in half and Anguirus uncurled watching his work. As the rocks hit the ground Anguirus cracked his neck with a yawn. A year had passed since he escaped his birth place and Skull Devil. In that time he had grown an extra twenty feet now making him the size of a small house. He no longer walked along summits of the mountain as his size made it harder for him to move. He now stood in a small canyon using the various rocks it offered to smash his growing body into. Armor plating had begun to grow around his body. Though there was a small scar under his eyes that was slowly healing.

A growl came from the one who birthed it. She made her way down snarling. Anguirus looked at the mountain lion he'd fought with wide eyes. She carried a rabbit in her mouth. Her slim and nimble body made it simple for her to navigate the rocky path. The only blemish on her body was the massive scar running down her back. Yet even with the injury it didn't stop her vicious nature. Which earned her a nickname by from the humans. Raze. 

When she reached the bottom of the canyon Raze roared at Anguirus. Even at his larger size the big cat showed no will to back down in front of him. Anguirus merely snorted out of his nose and went back to smashing rocks. Raze just watched him and ate her snack in the process. Each blow pushed him further inside of the rocky wall. Once he was done the rock wall he was smashing was completely hollowed out. Making a brand new cave one that Raze quickly ran inside of.  

Anguirus watched the mammal curiously as she ran around inspecting the cave he created. Her tail was wagging happily as she enjoyed the space of the area. She then looked at Anguirus, who was still watching her, and roared at him. Anguirus snorted again wandering off to find more rocks to build his strength against. Raze stuck her furry head out of the cave watching Anguirus train his body. Killing him was out of the question considering when she tried the first time she got her scar. Now he was too big to attack and to useful. 

Each time he attacked a random rock or stomped across the ground during one of his walks it would attract curios prey. Which would lead to a fully belly for her. Then there was his sheer size making for a perfect deterrent for rival predators. She purred at the thought of that. Until she noticed that Anguirus was walking away further causing her to chase after him.

Anguirus roared as he was growing more annoyed that Raze wouldn't leave him alone. His instincts were telling him to get stronger and the cat was getting in the way of that. Constantly following him and appearing just before he could throw a punch. He'd nearly stepped on her several times it was the main reason he'd made the cave for her, but even that wasn't good enough as he looked around and saw she was still following him. He snarled considering that was third hole he dug for the cat. At least it made for good training. Raze roared as she ran in between Anguirus's large feet making sure to keep pace with the dinosaur.

His snarl sounded more like a sigh as he wasn't enjoying this new relationship.

Raze purred as she was enjoying this new relationship.

________________________________________________

Akiko sighed looking at the group who stood in front of her. Fifteen years passed since she began living with Miki and training with Hughes. Now she stood in a dojo in the Anti-Godzilla Attack Force in sweats and a tank top with her long hair tied back. The group in front of her was five people in gis their belts ranging from orange to red. Except for the leader a blonde woman with a look of anger as she stared at Akiko. Her belt was pitch black.

"Sonya are we really doing this again?" Akiko asked, "I mean I don't mind kicking your teeth in, but your friends don't really deserve this."

One of the people looked to Sonya with worry. "Sonya, I'm not sure about this." He whispered.

Sonya merely pierced him with her eyes, "You know not to take, little Missy, seriously." Sonya spoke with a Russian accent and she gave a sly smile to Akiko.

"What did you just call me?" Akiko asked with a glare.

"Oh, that's right no one knows your real name. Whoops my tongue must have slipped. Silly me." 

"Okay, you've got two choices. Walk away and I'll forget about that comment or stay here and get the worst butt kicking of your life." Akiko said as she began cracking her knuckles.

Sonya laughed shaking her head as she spread her legs, "Thanks for the offer but...."

"I wasn't talking to you, Sonya, your butt's getting kicked no matter what. I was talking to your entourage." She looked to the group standing behind Sonya. They were all shaking and looking at Akiko in fear.

Sonya looked to hem with a harsh glare, "They're not afraid of you either. We all came here to teach you a lesson."

"That's right." A woman from the group spoke up. The rest began nodding their heads repeating themselves. They soon began to take up fighting stances. Each of them slowly circling Akiko ready to strike her. They looked to Sonya waiting for her signal.

"Teach me a lesson?" Akiko asked cocking her head. She then began snickering to herself and looked to Sonya's group. "Tell you what I'll  give you guys a handicap. It's leg day after all so I'll only fight using just my legs. Except for you, Sonya, you get the full Akiko special."

Sonya began grinding her teeth together, "I'm going to enjoy wiping that smirk off your face."

"I'm waiting." Akiko said putting her hands in her pockets. 

Sonya roared and rushed Akiko.

________________________________________________________

Anguirus lifted his head up surveying his territory. 

In the fifteen years that passed by the ankylosaur had grown to be a hundred feet tall. His muscles had increased enough to give him a lean build. The spikes on his back were sharp and hard as stone, the horns sitting atop his skull had become more devolped, and his nasal horn looked sharp to the touch. Two long fangs were hanging from his upper jaw. His tail had also grown an armor plating along with thick spikes that sat on the end. He moved out of the canyon and to a desert area with plenty of space and less mammals to bother him. 

Expect for one.

Raze lazily rose her head from his back. She let out a loud yawn and flicked her tail rising up and maneuvering around the forest of spikes that was Anguirus's back. Once she made it to his head Raze began swatting at his armored plated eye. Anguirus snorted shaking his head nearly knocking his traveling companion off. She hissed, but stopped when she noticed Anguirus was still. The hair on the back of her neck raised as she dropped to her belly. 

In the time she spent following Anguirus she knew when he sensed danger. His keen senses had gotten the pair out of nasty run ins with humans and her out of scrapes with larger predators. Even though something like a bear was little threat to him his body would still go ridged altering Raze. Helping their relationship grow as in return she lead him to sources of water and rocks to smash. They trusted each other which was why Raze began growling with Anguirus. 

A bear was one thing they were large and would make noise. They also lived in the forest that he left behind this was something different. He could sense something watching him and it was close. Any predator in their right mind avoided the ankylosaur like the plague, but this creature was stocking him. His heart began beating faster as he felt a fear he hadn't felt since his first hatching. He looked up finding that Raze was looking in every direction. He slowly rose up still keeping his eyes on the area.

It was a perfectly clear day without a cloud in the sky, they were resting in a large open desert making it harder for predators to sneak up them. The only thing that could come close to good cover were the large rock formations. Anguirus's eyes quickly widened as he spun his to the rocky mountain behind him just as Raze let out a loud roar. Crawling down were five large gray reptiles with heads like skulls. Two muscular legs carried their snake like bodies down at high-speeds. Creatures he thought he escaped were now back making Anguirus back away. Skullcrawlers. 

The Skullcrawlers had different plans. The first was the size off an office building and he jumped off the rock wall with his jaws open. Anguirus saw this and puffed out his spikes ready to impale his attacker. Almost like a laugh the Skullcrawler let out a pitched roar before it sailed over the kaiju and causing him to rise his head. On cue the smaller kaiju whipped his tail around Anguirus's neck causing him to gag. With pure force the Skullcrawler slammed into the ground and at the same time slammed Anguirus into the dirt. Raze cried as she tumbled off the kaiju's head into the ground. She groaned with Anguirus, though his were cut short as the Skullcrawler's tail squeezed his neck.

The others soon joined their comrade, each of them hissing. Raze backed up closer to Anguirus roaring at the giant reptiles, but they were focused much on larger prey. The next crawler was smaller than the first but just as brazen as it rushed Anguirus. He bit down on the kaiju's wrist and with little effort he broke through Anguirus's armor. Causing him to scream in both pain and surprise as his iron skin was like sand to these monster. He rose up on his hind legs only getting so far with his neck being constricted, the other Skullcrawler dangled on his wrist not letting go. He raised his free hand ready to smash the creature, though he was leaving his soft underbelly exposed. The three remaining crawlers circled him. 

Two were the size of houses and jumped into Anguirus's stomach. The blow knocked the wind and some bile out of his mouth. Anguirus was released from his choke hold and fell flat on his back with three Skullcrawlers slashing and clawing on top of him. The final crawler, the size of a large truck, jumped onto his face attempting to bite at his eyes. Raze was left to watch on as the monster began to eat Anguirus alive. His screams plagued her ears.

But she suddenly heard something else behind her and felt the air get hotter. She turned to see the first skullcrawler that had attacked Anguirus was looking at her. She hissed at him raising her back only for the crawler to walk closer. Mouth opened wide it prepared to snatch this quick snack before eating it's much bigger meal. Raze could only stand still feeling for the first time what it was like to be prey.

Suddenly a loud roar gained her attention along with a scream of pain. The larger Skullcrawler looked up and was slammed off his feet by one of his brethren. Raze was wide eyed to see Anguirus rising back to his feet. The two crawlers that attacked him were being thrown off. One was unlucky enough to be caught under his foot as he slammed down on the beast neck causing the creature to let out a choked roar. The crawler that was attacking his face was now squirming in Anguirus's jaws. He snarled at the remaining Skullcrawlers as they rose back up.

They roared at him and began circling, Anguirus wasn't letting his guard down. The crawler in his mouth screamed in pain as he added more pressure. His eye was bleeding luckily the smaller kaiju didn't do much damage missing his soft eyeball and merely scratching his upper brow, where fresh blood was running down his face making it seem like he was crying tears of blood. His left wrist was bleeding as well from where he was bitten, he was doing his best not to put weight on it, and not let the Skullcrawlers see weakness. They were hissing and circling him waiting for blood loss and shock too kick in. Anguirus started digging his claws into the crawler under his foot making it roar in pain, the smaller one in his jaw screamed as Anguirus started to apply more pressure. Until finally he bit down.

________________________________________________________________________________

"Gaah!" The first person to attack Akiko, a red belt, screamed. 

She kicked him in the jaw and a loud crack could be heard causing Sonya's group to freeze in their tracks. He fell on his back clutching his mouth letting out muffled screams. Akiko looked at the group with a cocky smile as she placed her foot on another members head, an orange belt clutching her stomach. She motioned her fingers for them to come at her, though she was mostly focused of Sonya. Sonya narrowed her eyes looking at the two remaining members of her group. Two men with red belts had shaky eyes as they started backing away.

"What are you two doing? Get her!" Sonya roared. 

"Didn't you see what she did?" One man asked.

Sonya was grinding her teeth looking at her subordinates while Akiko started snickering.

"Next, you'll say, 'She's only one woman'." Akiko said pointing a finger to Sonya.

"She's only one woman!" Sonya shouted. She looked confused having perfectly copied Akiko's words. She started laughing making Sonya's face red.

"Oh man, I can't believed that worked. I got that from a manga!"

"Get her or I'll do something much worse." Sonya growled to her subordinates.  

The men gulped looking at each other then in between Akiko and Sonya trying to figure out which was worse. Akiko smiled making the decision for them as she rushed the group. The red belts didn't have time to react as Akiko dropped to her hands and spread out her legs and began spinning. The surprise attack landed on their marks hitting the men hard and knocking them back. She stopped and brought her feet together pushing off the ground to land back on her feet. She smiled at Sonya making her charge rearing back her fist. 

Akiko smiled at her standing still much to Sonya's surprise. 'She's not dodging? Fine then.' Sonya thought roaring as she threw out her fist. Akiko held her ground and met Sonya attack with her forehead. Her hand stung as if she just hit a brick wall. Akiko snickered then started to escalate to full scale laughter.

"Wow, Sonya, that's all you had?" Akiko asked.

"Now way." Sonya said her voice distraught. She started shaking as she backed away from Akiko. "Your nothing more than a little brat who got lucky. You can't be this strong! You're nothing!"

Akiko looked Sonya in the eye before sending a hard punch to her ribs. Her group could hear the sound of bones snapping over Sonya's scream of pain. "I'm just better then you." Akiko said with cold eyes. The Russian fell on her back clutching her side. Akiko turned her head looking at her other opponents fear clear on their faces. She tapped her feet on the ground stretching, "Now then I think it's about time I finish off my leg exercises."   

"We give up." One of the red belts desperately shouted out. 

"Give up?" Akiko asked her eyebrow twitching, "You came at me and then decide to give up."

She jumped spinning in the air sending a hard quick to the man's head sending him to the ground. She then looked to his partner who was shaking in his boots. He stumbled doing the only thing he could think of and trying to fight back. He sent punches and kicks at her, but Akiko dodged easily. Akiko sent a hard kick to his knee sending him to the ground. As he fell Akiko kneed him in the nose, breaking it, he fell to his back and Akiko looked at him. Her eyes looked like a demon as she hung over his head. 

"We aren't done until I'm satisfied!"

____________________________________________________________

Anguirus roared as he slammed a Skullcrawler to the ground. The others roared as they watched him rip into their brother. On the ground two were already dead the first, having been caught in his mouth, lied on the ground in two pieces, the other had his skull caved in from where he had been stepped on. Now Anguirus was beating a truck sized crawler to death pinning it down as he ripped off the monster's tail. He then tossed it to the house sized crawlers. 

Anguirus roared at them slamming his tail into the ground challenging them to approach. They took acceptation to the challenge running at Anguirus like wild dogs. He charged back not losing any ground to those coming at him. All three reptiles slammed into each other creating a minor earthquake. The smaller skullcrawlers tried wrapping their tails around his neck in an attempt to choke him. But Anguirus quickly countered bracing his body and flinging the monsters into the rocks. Knocking them off.

Using his name sake one of the Skullcrawlers began to crawl along the wall. His brother was on the ground snapping at Anguirus's snout. Each time the monster snapped Anguirus recoiled revealing his throat. His brother snarled getting to a proper position once the ankylosaur stood up on his hind legs the crawler pounced. His tail poised ready to wrap around Anguirus's throat.

Anguirus saw this attack coming and dropped to all fours. His tail shot up like lightning the spikes on the end connecting with the crawler's jaw. Blood rained from the sky as a crumpled body landed on the dessert ground. His lower jaw hanging on Anguirus's tail with a flick he tossed it aside ready to deal with his final enemy. The final skull crawler started backing away looking for a way to escape, but Anguirus slammed his foot down letting out a roar. 

He wasn't letting the crawler get away after attacking him. It wasn't going to end until he was done with them. Anguirus charged just as the skullcrawler tried dodging the smaller monster was trampled. Screaming in pain as Anguirus stepped on his spine, shattering it to pieces, the crawler did the only thing left he could think of letting out a high-pitched screech. Anguirus watched the creature scream for several seconds and looked to the rock wall that the group had ambushed him from. He roared bringing his foot down on the crawler's head crushing it. 

Anguirus roared bring his head back into the air looking at the body of his enemies. He then heard the sound of a feline roar and found Raze steadily making her way toward him from her hiding spot. The big cat ran to his injured foot and began delicately licking it. She rubbed her head against him, and for the first time, with concern. Anguirus was almost surprised to see this side of Raze until he pushed his nose against her. She purred then looked to the bodies of the crawlers licking her lips. 

With predatory cation Raze sniffed the corpse of the Skullcrawler he crushed. Once she found it was dead the mountain lion wasted no time in ripping into the soft parts of the corpse. Anguirus felt his stomach churn watching her eat considering he was more inclined to eat plants. Though something else had him concerned as he stared at the rock wall he called out to Raze, but she was too focused on eating. With a snort he started climbing and sniffing the air using his senses to locate where the Skulllcrawlers came from. 

That's when he caught the scent of rotten eggs coming from the wall. When he pressed down harder on it his foot went through it and he quickly felt a wave of hot air mixed with rotten eggs. The rocks were incredibly hollow and led to a chamber. His eyes were fast to adept he saw the dark landscape mixed with a heap of corpses. Creatures he'd only seen when he tried to find aura. When he saw all this his instincts started to kick into overdrive. Something was very wrong. He turned his head to call out to Raze. Unknown to him something much larger was sniffing the air hole he just made. Before Anguirus could warn Raze he was suddenly rushed by the much larger predator.

______________________________________________________

"Akiko, please I'm sorry! Please no more!" Sonya begged. Her left eye was black and her cheek was bruised. She cried out as both of her arms were being twisted and pulled as Akiko stepped on her back. Her black hair was rising as she smiled and pressed down on Sonya's arms. 

"Come on, Sonya, you were talking all that game a minute ago. What happened? Didn't you say I didn't belong here? I was just some princess letting her daddy do things for her?" Akiko asked stomping on Sonya's back making her scream, "Well I'll make sure you never have to see me again!" 

"Please don't." Sonya begged. 

Her grouped watched on in horror as Akiko started pressing down harder on Sonya. They were bruised and covered in blood unable to move as Akiko would look at them as if daring them to stop her. The Russian cried as Akiko twisted and pulled her arms back further while stomping on her back. They could here Sonya's bones cracking as Akiko pulled her arms out their sockets. 

"Ame!" 

Akiko stopped her attack to look at the two people standing in the door of the dojo. Miki's hands were against her mouth as she looked in between Sonya and Akiko. Hughes was glaring at her with his arms crossed over his chest. Miki was in a white lab coat and a black dress. Hughes whore a black shirt that matched the camouflage pants he was in. She let go of Sonya with a sigh and threw her next to the others.

"I was just cleaning up some trash." Akiko said with a huff.

"All of you get to the infirmary!" Hughes roared.

"Yes, Captain Hughes." Sonya moaned. 

She held herself steady clutching her side the rest following her. They all gave Akiko dirty looks that she happily returned with a smile. Hughes soon stepped in front of her with a glare. Miki closed the door behind them with a look of disappointment that made Akiko click her tongue. Hughes took a breath through his nose keeping his eyes on Akiko, "I'm going to ask this once. What were you thinking?"

"Excuse me?!" Akiko shot back glaring at Hughes. He didn't answer only keeping a stone cold gaze on her. She clicked her tongue again, "I was defending myself!"

"By breaking Sonya's arms?" Miki asked.

"She's been harassing me since day one!" 

"You said the same thing when you were expelled from high school." Miki said. Akiko rolled her eyes causing Miki to gasp and stamp her foot down. "No, you do not roll your eyes at me, Missy!"

Akiko's eyes snapped and she glared at Miki, "Stop calling me that!" Her voice was so harsh and sharp that it made Miki take a step back. Her eyes looked hurt as she stared at Akiko, who looked just as shocked, but she was already on a roll, "I-I hate being called that name. Just call me Ame Akiko it's less embarrassing." 

Miki was about to say something until Hughes held up his hand. "Akiko."

"What no, Ame, this time?" Akiko asked with an eye roll.

"Ame, is the little girl who I taught to defend herself and protect others. You're just some thug looking for trouble." Hughes said causing Akiko's eyes to widen with anger, "Sonya's harassment came from you repeatedly goading her. I've broken up enough of your arguments to figure that out. I also saw the tail end of your fight throughout it you were merely showing off your strength, something I never taught you. Something that only a weak person would do."

Akiko was huffing with anger as a smiled formed across her face, "Weak am I?"

"Don't." Hughes simply said closing his eyes.

"Let me just show how strong I really am!" She shouted throwing a fist at Hughes. 

It was a fast right hook one that was meant to catch people off guard. Which was why Akiko was shocked when Hughes caught it. She tried pulling back but Hughes wouldn't let go. She then began to shake as he glared at her. 

"Both of you stop!" Miki shouted as she held Hughes arm. 

"Miki, go outside or stand in the corner. I'm putting a stop to this." Hughes said. 

"Yeah Miki, let me and Hughes do this." Akiko said. Hughes sighed as Akiko offered a cocky smile. 

Miki didn't get another warning as Akiko sent another punch at Hughes. Another that he easily blocked again and began using her own momentum against her. In a swift motion Hughes chopped the base of Akiko's neck. Her eyes became glazed as she fell to the ground. Everything was getting blurry and their was a ringing in her ears. She could just make out the blurry image in the corner of her eye. Miki's white jacket seemed to be shaking, but she couldn't make out what the woman was saying.

'What just happened?' Was the only thing that was going through Akiko's head.

________________________________________________________________________________

Wondering what happened was the only thing going through Anguirus's head. 

His vision was blurred and he could barely make out what was going on. He was splayed out flat on his back a slash across his soft underbelly. He could feel the heat of the sun hitting him slowly bringing him back to life. The ringing in his ear was starting to die down. It was being replaced by a screaming hiss. 

Anguirus slowly rose his head back up letting his eyes focus on the walking giant behind him. The creature of his past that he ran from was now standing in front of him. Her long snake like body held up by two muscular legs that shook the ground. Her skull head swung wildly. The queen of the skullcrawlers stood before him. The Skull Devil. 

Not only did the sight of the giant send a shiver down his spine, but it was the sight of what was in her jaws. 

Raze hung there limp her back covered in blood. That's when he started recalling what had happened to put him on his back. Skull Devil had rushed out of the hole he punched into the rocky mountain. The two tumbled down with Skull Devil pinning him to the ground and savagely mauling him. She would have ripped his throat out if it hadn't been for Raze suddenly lunging at her and clawing at her eye. 

Now he was witnessing the aftermath of her actions. Skull Devil held the big cat like a trophy in her jaws. Anguirus could only watch in horror as the closet thing he had to a companion disappear between Skull Devil's teeth. His chest started to hurt as a new feeling started to burn through out his body. The kaiju ignored the pain in his stomach as he flipped himself up. He could only see red as he looked at the monster of his nightmares that caused him so much fear.

Skull Devil wasn't paying attention due to the pain she felt in her right eye. Eyesight was useless to her, but it still hurt having her eye clawed out. She snarled with annoyance from the pain. She did enjoy the free snack that came from the loss of her pack. The scent of their corpses littered across the ground was easy to pick up. She slammed her long tail across the ground no longer having a pack annoying her. The sudden feeling of the ground shaking snapped her head around.

Anguirus rose back up growling at Skull Devil as she looked at him curiously. She sniffed the air finding a somewhat familiar scent. She was suddenly taken back many years to a creature she never saw, but knew existed. Her lips curled back to a smile as she started to drool. She'd craved this creature for so long and now it stood in front of her. 

Anguirus felt pure rage looking at Skull Devil he pawed the ground with his injured foot ignoring the pain. His spikes pushing out. He didn't care that Skull Devil was still twice his size, he didn't care that her claws could easily cut through him, he didn't care that she was viewing him as food. He only cared about his own weakness. He spent so much time hardening his body for any threat. Only for said threat to lay him out and kill his only friend. He roared raising his tail in the air slamming it into the ground to help propel him into Skull Devil. 

The giant skullcrawler lunged as well her jaws unhinging and her left leg extended and tail flinging from the bottom.

_________________________________________________________________

The world around Akiko stopped spinning as she rose up from the ground. She looked behind her noticing that Miki was standing in front of Hughes. She was hitting his chest yelling something she couldn't hear over the ringing in her ears. When Miki turned her eyes widened and quickly went to Akiko's side. When Akiko looked at her face it appeared Miki was crying as she gently rubbed her back trying to ease her child to a siting position. She then focused on Hughes who hadn't moved his eyes still holding a steel glare, that made Akiko grind her. Anger was swelling up inside of her because of that look.

"Missy, take it easy try not to move." She could finally hear Miki saying. She was trying to ease Akiko back down. But that wasn't working out as Akiko was tensing up as she started to growl. Her black hair rising up as she looked at Hughes. Miki looked at her daughter in horror as she looked in between Akiko and Hughes, "No, No, please Missy don't!" 

Miki tried hugging Akiko using her own weight to pin her down, but what came out of Akiko's voice shocked her. "Not done!"

"Missy?"

"Not done!" Akiko kept saying as she pushed Miki away. Still her mother kept pleading for Akiko to remain still trying to hold on.

"Let her go, Miki," Hughes finally said, "she needs this."

"I'm not letting you hurt my baby again!" Miki shouted tears falling from her face. 

"It's the only way, Miki."

Miki tried resisting as she looked to Akiko attempting to tightly hug her, but a firm yet at the same time gentle push eased her away. Akiko placed her hands on Miki's shoulders pushing her off her as she rose up looking at Hughes. Miki noticed the conflicted look she had. Akiko looked to be going through a stage of fright and anger all at once. "I'm not done you hear me, old man? I'm not done!" 

"You can't win." Hughes said. 

Akiko yelled charging at Hughes swinging at a man who had zero openings. Each time she only hit the air as Hughes dodged each punch. "You've left you're self wide open." 

Hughes looked at Akiko's exposed midriff as she wildly swung at him. His moves were like lightning as he struck her solar plexus. Akiko coughed as she dropped to her knees with haggard breath. Swallowing the vomit she felt coming up as she looked at Hughes. She was grinding her teeth as his face hadn't changed. "Stop...looking at me....like that." 

"Give up."

Akiko stood up on shaky legs ,she coughed, forcing her arms into a fighting stance. "I'm…not...done."

She yelled throwing another punch that Hughes countered while delivering his own punch.
____________________________________________________________________

Anguirus crashed into the ground as Skull Devil slammed his head against the rocks. She sent her clawed foot into his underbelly with a hard kick making him skip across the ground with a blood trail. Anguirus got up in time to be smacked in the face by Skull Devil's tail. Devil slammed her head into his knocking him back further. Her roars were of pure enjoyment as she continued to punish the younger kaiju. 

Anguirus pushed her away and swatted the monster's face with his spiked tail making her roar in pain as spikes dug into the side of her face. Devil rolled to the side letting her blood litter the ground, Anguirus followed ready to bite down her head, but was then met by a quick strike to the face. He fell on his side and Skull Devil stomped on his head, she roared preparing to bite down his neck. She would have torn into his throat his it wasn't for the intense pain going through her foot. Anguirus sunk his fangs into her foot looking at her with pure rage in his eyes.

He wasn't done yet and he was showing it as he rose back up.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Akiko swung her leg hitting only the air as Hughes came from behind delivering his own kick to her spine. She cried out sliding across the ground. Once she stopped Akiko grabbed the mat forcing herself up and at the same time propelling herself. She roared as she ran quickly ignoring the pain in her back, using another right hook on Hughes. One that he dodged with a sigh making Akiko smile. 

"Don't be so over confidant, old man!"

Hughes eyes widened as she began spinning on the balls of her feet. Raising her right knee and striking Hughes in the side. He grunted making Akiko smile wider as she went onto punch his face several times. She then kicked him in the chest knocking Hughes back. She panted while looking at Hughes as he stumbled, "You're faster than I remember." Akiko smiled after hearing those words. Though she was shocked to see Hughes stop swaying and look at her with the same eyes that were bringing her anger. 

He cracked his neck, "But speed doesn't equal strength."

Akiko rushed him again preparing to use the same attack as before. When she got her fist ready as she was near his face, but to her surprise Hughes got right in her face. He held her hand down applying pressure to her wrist making Akiko grunt and try pulling away. 

"If you're going to apply speed to your attack." Hughes quickly struck Akiko's temple with his elbow. "Then be sure to match your power as well. Otherwise they'll do very little damage. That's something Ame would have remembered."

Akiko felt the world getting darker and the pain in her head was even worse. She dropped to her knees with Hughes still holding her arm. Each pant was haggard as her eyes started to glaze over. With her free hand she pulled on his black shirt she looked up to Hughes. The look he gave her made the fire in her chest grow. She hated a look like that more than any other look he could give her.

It was full of pity.

"Give up."

"Shut...up."

"This is your last chance. Give up."

Akiko, with great difficulty, pulled herself up using Hughes's shirt. She grit her teeth as her eye stung from the blood leaking into it. "I...won't...drop....until...I...beat...you." She broke off from him taking a fighting stance. Hughes did the same, though with some reluctance. Miki stood by biting her finger watching the two she loved the most fight. The pain in her heart was great.
____________________________________________________

Anguirus was panting as he stood on shaky legs. His body was bruised, battered, and bleeding. He was missing teeth, one of the horns sitting on his head was broken, his nose was bleeding and possibly broken. Yet, much to the annoyance of Skull Devil, he wasn't giving up. 

His brain was firing on all cylinders as he began thinking of ways to win. Each time he attacked Skull Devil easily read his movements. For a blind monster she could read him like a book. Her senses were clearly higher than his, maybe greater. He started to recall how he escaped her the first time. Easing his heart rate and breathing to the point of death. He wasn't going to go down to this Devil. 

Skull Devil roared pacing toward him with clear intent to kill. Anguirus braced calming his breath. The pain of loosing Raze was still fresh in his mind. It angered him making his heart rate rise. Skull Devil picked up on it and rushed him jumping in the air using her tail to wrap his around his neck. The weight and strength of the skullcrawler was enough to lift the young kaiju off his feet. When she landed she threw Anguirus like a stone with her tail.

When he landed it was on his shoulder and it was followed by a loud snap. He cried out as he lost feeling in his right leg. He rose up on three legs the pain making his head spin and forcing him back to the ground. He heard Skull Devil rushing to him feeling her blood lust. He could feel her. Sensing the red aura coming off her. Feel the ground shaking with her stomps. The earth felt like it was another part of his body. He could feel the dead skullcrawlers as their bodies started to dry in the sun. The smaller animals that were hiding as he and Devil battled. Miles away he could sense the hair less mammals that Raze hated and he found interesting. 

He found all these creatures smaller than himself interesting, and he knew what would happen if Skull Devil killed him. He felt an urge to defend those that couldn't defend themselves. So they wouldn't end up like Raze. To do that he had to be calm and smart.

He took a calm breath slowly dragging his bloodied body along the ground. His breathing getting slower with his heart. Skull Devil roared as she got closer, but Anguirus kept calm. He beat his tail along the desert ground raising the sand. The scent of the dirt started filling his nostrils as the wind carried it. With a snort Anguirus started beating the ground harder. Creating a mini sandstorm.

One that Skull Devil ran into. She sniffed the air, but could only smell dirt. She couldn't her his heart beat or his breathing. She couldn't feel him anywhere. When Devil turned her head she was met with more dirt making her roar in rage. Anguirus stood by on three shaky legs taking a calm breath. He was starting to see double, but he wasn't giving up.

_________________________________________________________

Akiko was punching at the air. Missing Hughes completely she panted and looked at him. Only to be shocked to see more of him. "I...will...beat...you." She said. She started coughing holding her head from a massive headache. 

"Please, stop this." Miki begged.

Hughes looked at Miki then to Akiko as she tried keeping herself steady. She stomped her foot on the ground. Looking at Hughes with harsh eyes before taking a calm breath. Blood was dripping from her nose and head, her right eye was swollen shut, her cheek was bruised, and standing was the most painful thing she'd ever done. Yet she refused to fall over and balled up her fist.

____________________________________________________

Anguirus roared as he jumped and curled into a ball spinning along the ground with all the strength he had left. Skull Devil felt the ground shifting, but didn't have time to dodge the attack. Anguirus slammed into her head on. The kaiju roared in pain as the spikes pierced her face and violently pushed her neck back. Anguirus kept spinning at high-speed pushing the cave dwelling kaiju's neck further back while at the same time ripping off chunks of her skin.

____________________________________________________________________________

"This is everything I've got!" Akiko shouted as she lunged at Hughes rearing her fist back. 

Hughes took a breath from his nose, "Fine then." 

Akiko yelled as she went for a hard punch straight into Hughes faces. She smiled when she felt the connection of his cheek with her hand. She slowly felt him being pushed back by her strength. Then everything went dark.

________________________________________________________________________

Anguirus uncurled from his spin attack landing flat on his face. All of his energy was gone and the world was going black.  It  felt like the earth was moving like something was walking. He failed to kill Skull Devil. He could feel her getting closer. He could smell blood in the air and felt a warmth running along his neck. She was already ripping into his throat. He sighed before closing his eyes, accepting death. 

Only death wasn't here for him. 

Skull Devil was stomping up to him only she was missing something very crucial. Her head was resting on Anguirus's back letting out squeaks of death. Her body stumbled around before tripping on it's feet. Skull Devil, the demon of Anguirus's childhood and queen of the underground was finally dead. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

Akiko remained still as she punched Hughes, who was still standing. He looked at her with surprise as his cheek turned red. "That one wasn't half bad, Ame." 

"Hughes, she can't hear you." Miki said tears running down her face.

"I know." Hughes said with a solemn expression. 

Akiko's eyes had completely glazed over and her body hung uselessly. He gently moved her hand from his face patting her head. She feel into his arms and he gently pat her back. He scooped her into his arms like a father with a baby and closed her eyes.

"Stron...gest." Akiko muttered.

"Just rest kid." Hughes said as he carried her.

……………….
Hours later
……………….

Miki gently stroked Akiko's head as she lied in her bed. The room they were in was lit by a single lamp next to it was a picture of a five year old Akiko, Miki, and Hughes standing next to their house in Okinawa. She had a bandage and ice pack was placed on her swollen face. There was another ice pack under her chest dealing with the bruise around her solar plexus.  Miki's eyes were red from crying and she sniffled moving the hair out of her daughter's face. 

A soft moan suddenly came from Akiko, "Where?" 

"Easy." Miki said.

Akiko felt a piercing pain going through her body as she tried to sit up. When she looked around she noticed she was in her room. "Why am I in my room?" 

"Because you passed out and the infirmary was full of your....let's just say victims."

"More like pest."

"That's very rude, Missy."

Akiko clicked her tongue, "I hate being called that."

"It's the name I gave you." 

"Well I hate it and y..." Akiko was about to say something to Miki, but couldn't end her sentence. Choosing to look away from her instead. She clenched her bed sheets tightly clicking her tongue her eyes glistened. She then felt a warm hand touch her head. 

"Even if you hate me I'll always love you." 

"Why didn't you believe me?" Akiko asked, "I was telling the truth. Sonya's been bugging since I got here."

"That may be the case, but we taught you to be the bigger person. You could have ignored her and walked away. Not egg her on." Miki said. 

"Someone had to show her and her cronies who the strongest is." 

"By putting them in the infirmary? You know we'll have to transfer them to the hospital right? That one boy is going to need his jaw wired shut. And Sonya may have lost vision in one of her eyes." Miki said. She looked at Akiko in disapproval. 

Her daughter looked away clutching her sheets tighter. Miki kept looking at her making Akiko try even harder to avoid eye contact. Miki sighed shaking her head "I let your father train you in self-defense. Not so you could go picking random fights and putting people in body cast."

"My father? Didn't Hughes disown me? And what's this talk about showing off strength? That's exactly what he did during our fight." Akiko had a fire in her eyes looking at her fist.

Miki sighed shaking her head. She stood up walking to the edge of the room and grabbing the small trash bin, bringing it to Akiko's bedside. "To be honest, Missy, with the way you were fighting even I could have beaten you."

Akiko let out a small chuckle that was slowly starting to escalate into full scale laughter. "No offense, Miki, but...gah."

Before she could finish her sentence Miki jabbed her still healing stomach. The attack was so fast Akiko didn't have time to register the pain. Instead she just felt the sudden rush of vomit coming up her throat. She would have thrown up in the bed if Miki hadn't placed the trash bin in front of her. She quickly held onto it as Miki rubbed her back. "First of all it's mom, mother, or if you want me to bake cookies mommy. Secondly you're so confident in yourself that you let your guard down and leave yourself wide open."

"That was...a sucker punch." Akiko said choking on her vomit. 

"Finally, the biggest reason you lost that fight is the reason why you fight." Miki said. Akiko looked at her confused as she finished vomiting. Miki went on patting Akiko's back, "You were fighting to show off and scare your opponents into submission. However, something can easily defeat that type of fighter and that's the will to protect others. A fighter who protects others and stands for what's right will always be the strongest fighter. Or at least that's what Hughes tells me. And I'm sure that's what he told you when you first started training."

Akiko snorted leaning back and rubbing her sore body. She then felt the wound on her forehead and her black eye. Before looking at Miki with a slightly annoyed and calculating eye, "Then who was, Hughes, protecting when we were fighting?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Miki asked patting Akiko on the head, "You."

"Me?"

"Yes, the real you. Not that brute we saw. The sweet little rain drop, who splashed into our lives. Our Ame Missy Akiko." Miki said leaning and kissing Akiko's forehead. She brought her daughters head into her breast letting the warmth spread over her daughters body. "I've said this once, but let me say it again. You may hate your name. You may hate your father and myself. But we will always love you."

Akiko didn't bother struggling she instead chose to listen to Miki's heart beat. It was soothing much like the warmth her mother gave off. No matter how hard she tried to deny it. Miki would always be her mother. Her eye started to glisten. She thought about her fight with Hughes how he had looked at her with pity. 'He wasn't pitying me. He was trying to stop me.' Akiko thought to herself. 

She felt a tear roll down her face and quickly brushed it away. Miki, however, held her tighter, "It's okay it's just the two of us."

"Where's Hughes?"

"Some hot shot snuck onto the airfield and started piloting the new fighter plane that came in. I think it was called the Hawk or something. He went off to deal with that knuckle head."

"Oh okay," Akiko said her voice somewhat downcast. 

She didn't know how much time had passed, Akiko just remained resting her head on Miki's chest and Miki never moved her. She remained still rubbing her daughter's back. Small tears would come from Akiko's eyes and she would huff as her chest ached. 

"I'm sorry." She finally said after an hour. 

"I already forgave you, Missy." Miki said in a soft voice.

"That name is so embarrassing." Akiko said. She looked at Miki with a small smile on her face.

"Well it's the name I gave you." Miki said with a small giggle. 

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Akiko said. She finally pulled away from Miki hopping out of the bed, much to the scientist surprise.

"Hey, easy you're still injured."

"Can't take it easy I've got some training to do. Gotta relearn the basics if I'm gonna challenge, Hughes, again. Then lunch I'm starving after throwing up." Akiko said as she stretched her limbs.

"Wait you want to fight, Hughes, again?" Miki asked as she blinked at Akiko.

Akiko shook her head as she stretched her arm. "Yeah, but this time I'll be right in the head."

"It's scary how you two think so alike sometimes." Miki sighed shaking her head. Akiko merely looked at her confused until Miki held up two fingers. "Hughes, knew you might do this and decided to setup conditions in order for you to challenge him again. First: You must become a captain within in the next two years. Second: You must be in command  of at least two or more or people. If you can meet those two conditions you can challenge him again. "

Akiko hummed to herself rubbing her chin in thought. She hummed louder pulling on her hair. Miki could practically see the steam coming out of her head as Akiko went deeper into thought. 'She's actually thinking hard about this.' Miki thought as she watched Akiko. 

"I've got it!" Akiko finally shouted, nearly making Miki fall over with her sudden outburst, "So I just have to become a captain and get two other people to follow under me. This is just that old man teaching me to protect people."

"That and you could stand to make a few friends." Miki said.

"Becoming captain in two years must be his way of getting me to train harder. I'm already a corporal so I've got a few more ranks to go," Akiko went on clearly not hearing that comment. "now I've got a goal. Wait even better after I become a captain and beat Hughes then I'll become a General."

"General Ame Missy Akiko, not a bad ring. " Miki said.

Akiko shook her head looking at herself in the mirror and remembering the words Hughes said in their fight. "No, just...just Missy Akiko. I...I need to earn Ame back and that's after I beat Hughes."

"I see." Miki said looking at Akiko with sad eyes. She then clapped her hands together, "Well if that's the case I suggest you get a rival. If you're so bent on getting strong enough to fight Hughes."

"Hughes, is my rival." 

"Other than him. Someone on your level and rises just as fast. That will keep you on your toes." 

"How do I find that type of person?" 

Miki rubbed her chin in thought, "Well, Hughes says you get this urge to fight after seeing them. Sounds like something from that Pokémon game, but who am I to judge."  

"After I see them huh?"

Akiko rubbed her chin as she walked to her door. "Missy, put a shirt on!" Miki called as she looked at Akiko, who was only covered by her bra and bandages. Akiko responded by opening a draw and pulling out a small t-shirt that made Miki sigh and shake her head, "I swear you'd forget you're head if wasn't attached and don't you have any thing more appropriate. That's way to much skin your showing young lady. "

"After I see them I'll want to fight." Akiko muttered as she walked outside.

"Not even listening." Miki said before chasing after Akiko. 

As the two walked down the halls Akiko was still rubbing her chin. When they would pass others and Akiko would look up at them before sighing and shaking her head. She muttered a curse each time for not getting an urge to fight them on sight. Miki giggled at seeing Akiko so anxious about finding a rival. Even having to remind her that she wouldn't find someone that fast. Though Akiko ignored that speeding up trying to find other people. Miki shook her head laughing to herself.

"Kubo, quit being so nervous. This will only take a few more seconds." A voice called out from behind a door.

"I'm not so sure about this, Hikari, and keep your voice down." Another said. 

Miki raised an eyebrow at this letting Akiko walk off. The red haired scientist put her ear to the door. She heard two distinct voices of a man and a woman. 'Now what could this be?'

"OK, I'm in, these guys need better passwords." Miki heard the girl say.

"Please don't brag about this I feel like we're being watched." She then heard the man say.

"Kubo, it's not like someone's going to come busting through that door."

Miki couldn't help but let a big smile come across her face. "Ain't I a stinker." She said to know one. She then knocked on the door. 

"Inspection." She deepened her voice to a gruff tone.

There was scrambling behind the door as the man and woman began speaking quickly to each other. She looked at an imaginary watch tapping her foot. The door then swung open with a young man with orange hair, that was growing back from a buzz cut, he had a nervous smile that wavered between confusion and fear. "Um...hello ma'am how may I help you and is there an officer with you?"

Miki hummed looking at the young man with calculating eyes. "You don't know who I am do you?" 

"Um..." The young man started sweating again.

There was a gasp from behind him as a young woman ran up nearly pushing the young man out of the way. "Director Miki Akiko of the science department! I...I'm Susan Hikari I...I'm your biggest fan!" Hikari had wide eyes and a smile she then elbowed her friend, "Kubo show some respect."

"D...D...Director." Kubo was jittering and Miki could tell he was swallowing a guilty lump. He then brought his feet to attention, holding his head up high and saluting her, "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am."

Miki looked at him surprised at the way he stood. She then briefly saw him with black hair and features similar to Hughes. Even his almost robotic response to seeing her. He was wearing a military uniform with no bars showing his ranking, just a name tag that read Hudson. 

"Deja vu." She said aloud confusing the two.

"Ma'am?" Kubo asked in confusion.

"Oh, nothing and at ease or whatever I'm not military." Miki said. Her eyes then went to Hikari as she seemed to be wearing a skirt and blouse. She looked closely eyeing the girl up, "And neither are you it appears Ms. Hikari."

"Yes well I'm actually in your department ma'am. Kubo here is in the military, we're friends and just wanted to hang out." 

"Ooooh~! Just hanging out huh?" Miki said. She wiggled her eyebrows elbowing Kubo in the gut, "Aren't you the little charmer Mr. Hudson."

"We're just friends ma'am." Kubo said with a small blush.

"I used to say the same thing." Miki said. She continued to elbow Kubo her eyes slowly getting wide. She quickly went to poking Kubo in the chest then his stomach. "Someone's been working out." She then grabbed his arm feeling his muscles with a satisfying smile on her face. Kubo looked confused as his face got redder each time she touched him more.

"Um ma'am what are you..."

Miki clapped her hands together with a smile. She continued to look Kubo and up and down. "Mr. Hudson, could you leave Ms. Hikari and I alone. Just walk that way." She pointed toward the same direction Akiko went.

Kubo still looked confused, but she also noticed the sweat coming down his face. Hikari was sweating too yet she still pushed him slightly out of the room. "Go ahead, Kubo."

"Are you sure?"

Hikari nodded and Kubo cleared his throat bowing his head polity to Miki. "Have a good night Ma'am." Kubo quickly walked off though giving a nervous glance to Hikari. She gave him a reassuring smile before looking at Miki.

The minute Kubo was out of the room Miki closed the door. She looked to Hikari with a bright smile as she studied the room they were in. It was small like Akiko's and she noticed the pictures of herself and Kubo. Then the open laptop that was still on. "So watcha doin?" Hikari gulped shaking like a leaf as Miki stared her down with a happy smile. Her eyes had a deadly shine to them.

Outside the room and further down the hall Akiko was still walking rubbing her chin. "I'll want to fight them when I see them." She passed by several people in the hall looking at them yet she didn't get an urge to fight. She sighed scratching her chin, "I don't wanna fight any of these guys, I wonder if it's because I've fought just about everyone in here?" 

"Oh man we're so dead." She heard a voice say behind her.

Akiko turned to see a man with orange hair walking toward her with a worried expression. He looked to be at least a year younger than herself, but she was feeling her heart flutter. She came to a stop letting him pass by without even noticing her. He looked to be mumbling to himself something Akiko didn't understand. She was more focused on his body and movements. She could feel her entire body shaking in a way she never felt before. His movements were quick paced and his body was incredibly tense. His muscles were lean and he didn't look that strong, yet at the same time she couldn't see herself going easy on him if they were to fight.

She held her beating heart as a small smile formed across her face, "That guy."

________________________________________________________________________

Anguirus was slow to open his eyes as pain was racing through his body. He still couldn't feel his front paw signaling it was still broken. All this pain that was registering to him signaled that he was still alive. He shook his head trying to clear away his hazy vision. He could smell something putrid in the air as he used his one good front leg to lift his massive body off the ground. When he looked his side his heart skipped a beat when he saw Skull Devil's still body. He was sure she was going attack until he saw that her head was missing. The smell of her corpse still fresh in the air and it didn't take him long to find her head. He lifted his head up and looked at his spiked back to see her skull resting on his back. With a quick shake he threw her head off. 

He looked at the corpse of the giant in front of him then over to her dead followers. It finally hit him that the monsters he feared were finally dead. Defeated by him. The victory sat in his body and under this circumstance he would have roared in victory. Yet he couldn't bring himself to do it. For one he was still tired and drained from the battle and he had no one to share this victory with. 

Raze, the only creature he had as a companion, was gone. The pain of loss weighed on his heart. He failed to protect her and from that failure came loneliness. He let out a soft roar as he sat on the ground looking at the sky. The sun was slowly descending marking an end the worst day of his life. 

Soft roars came out of his mouth as he let his head droop. He felt sadness filling his heart. Suddenly he felt something he hadn't felt in years. A strange comforting aura that had called to him when he was first born. He felt it near the mountain Skull Devil had jumped from. He looked at it noticing a light coming from the hole he created it had grown bigger and the mountain was still crumbling down the entire side. The aura was calling out to him and he responded lifting himself off the ground. He limped toward it focusing all of his weight to his back legs and good front leg. He walked closer toward the mountain and saw that it was crumbling away revealing the den the Skull Devil called home. Bodies littered the area and mixed with the smell of sulfur nearly made Anguirus vomit.

Sitting in front of it was the glowing light that called out to him. He didn't want to go inside, but the light was making him walk closer. He stepped over the dead bodies crunching some of the old bones until he was facing the light. It was so welcoming and calming that the young kaiju forgot about the foul stench that surrounded him. The light floating in front of him came closer gently sitting down on his horn. Making the pain coursing throughout his body disappear. 

When he looked closer at the light Anguirus was surprised to see an insect the size of a bird, with white fur, two large blue eyes, and orange, yellow, and black wings. It let out a small chirp as it slowly flew from his horn and hovered over a massive tunnel in the ground. It hung there pointing for him to follow. Anguirus moved his bad leg and felt no pain. In fact his entire body was healed as he could feel aura radiating through his body. 

This insect had done that? 

He felt a large amount of power coming from it. Simply putting him in awe of it. Continuing to chirp the insect called out to him demanding that he follow. Anguirus snorted feeling power radiating from where the insect was flying. He could feel it flowing into his body energizing him. It was also hot enough to make him pant. 

He looked back to the desert that he and Raze made their home in. Raze was gone. He failed to protect her. When he closed his eyes he could feel hundreds of smaller creatures just like Raze. He felt an urge to protect them. So they wouldn't die like her. When he felt further out he could feel more of the world. He could also feel darker auras as well some that made Skull Devil and her group look like mice in comparison. If he wanted to protect them he'd have to get stronger. 

He hardened his eyes taking a step foreword letting the heat wash over his body as he went underground. He began feeling power coursing through his body making him grow. He stopped one last time looking out to the surface world that he once called home. He felt the auras one last time feeling each one that covered the area. Then feeling something strange to the east.

He could tell it was far off, somewhere he'd never reach if he were to go by foot. This aura was blue and taking the shape of a lizard. Anguirus felt his heart beating faster and body shook from it. He licked his lips. He'd felt this aura before, but it was bigger. Now it was smaller, yet still it was strong and it peeked his curiosity. He wanted to meet this creature one day and his heart was telling him he would. With that thought in his head Anguirus went back to the caverns that were once his birthplace. He looked to the insect and it chirped at him before flying off. Anguirus let out a soft roar as he continued to walk. 

The hawk sized moth looked to Anguirus as he dove underground. She was the guardian of this world and she loved all life including a new born. She was Mothra. 

An Anguirus still alive brought hope to the ancient kaiju. She could feel age taking it's toll on her and she couldn't protect this world much longer. She looked to the east feeling the same aura as Anguirus. Her main body was still in space so meeting this particular aura was going to take time. Though she hoped that this Anguirus would meet it. She could tell that those two would make great rivals for each other and build a deep bond. That would let her rest in peace knowing that the planet was under their protection.

……………..
Now
…………….

Akiko was holding Adagio in her arms letting the siren continue to cry. She hummed and held her tightly gently stroking her back. Adagio was shaking as she gripped Akiko tighter, "Don't let them take us, Aki. I can't go through that again. I can't."

"You know I will. The strongest fighter is someone who protects another." Akiko said. 

Adagio looked up at her sniffling and rubbing away some of the snot on her nose. Then noticing that she covered Akiko in it, "Sorry."

"It's okay that your scared. But don't let fear control you, let it help you think and make quick decisions." Akiko said wiping away some of the snot on her chest, "You want to protect your family right? That already makes you strong. Also trust the people that have your back and let them know you have theirs. You're not alone Adagio. You've got me, Hikari, Bone Crusher, Kubo, and Sunset."

CHEEERRRUNT

A loud chirp caught their attention as a Hawk sized Mothra fluttered in the air above them. The small kaiju looked them both over cheerfully. Akiko giggled pointing to the mini Mothra, "And two giant monster with serious attitudes."

Adagio sniffled again looking between Akiko and Mothra. She had a small smile, "Thanks Aki."

"We can stay out here a little longer, if you want."

Adagio shook her head getting back up, "No, I'm good." 

Akiko smiled taking Adagio's hand and helping her up. "Come on, Mothy."

Mothra followed the two down the ladder along Sunset's apartment. Once down Adagio hesitated at the door before taking a deep breath. Akiko placed a hand on her shoulder nodding in encouragement. She opened it and was surprised to see that Sunset and Hikari were still on the couch. Sunset stayed on Hikari's shoulder letting out soft sighs as she slept. Hikari did the same as she held Sunset in her arms. The young scientist also held a Sunset's ice pack against her ribs. Lora was turning in her sleep as she wrapped herself in Akiko's shirt. 

"Too cute." Akiko said letting out a small squeal.

Adagio smiled at the sight she looked at Sunset letting her heart feel harm again. She walked over gently moving Hikari's arms from the unicorn turned human. She cradled her like a new born with strength that surprised Akiko. She kept Sunset's head against her shoulder and held her ice pack delicately against the unicorn's side.  When the siren turned she spoke quietly, "Not my first time carrying someone to bed. Sonata and Aria pass out on our couch all the time. I'll take her to bed you get some sleep." 

"Well aren't you the responsible big sister." Akiko said.

"I'm just repaying her for saving me." Adagio said with red cheeks.

"Rrrright." 

"Good night, Aki," Adagio said with an eyeroll as she walked up the steps. Before she got up she stopped her face getting red again, "Hey um...can...can...we hang out with, Kubo, tomorrow? I still haven't thanked him properly yet for saving me."

"Well if we can pry him away from Godzilla for a few minutes then maybe."

"Thanks." Adagio said with a bright smile. The elder siren quickly rushed up the steps with Sunset in her arms.

"No problem." Akiko silently whispered before looking at a sleeping Hikari and Lora. She smiled at the sight as she gently pushed Hikari down and lying her head on a pillow. She pulled down the small blanket and draped it across the scientist, "Sleep tight, Sis." She gently said rubbing Hikari's hair and giving her a small kiss on the forehead.

She then looked at Lora, who was still turning in her sleep. Her face was scrunched and she kept turning her head. She then exposed her back to Akiko letting out a groan. Akiko sighed before touching Lora's bare back. "It's okay, I'm here." Lora stopped groaning letting out a small sigh of comfort and her body went still. 

Akiko stretched settling down on the floor. Mothra fluttered over her head staring down at her before settling next to Hikari. Her antenna twitched as she looked down at Akiko while also nuzzling Hikari's arm. The G-team captain smiled at the sight and rubbed Mothra's head. She yawned staring at the ceiling as her eyes started to flutter.

She was about to fall asleep before feeling something cover her body. She opened her eyes and found her shirt resting sitting on her body a green aura wrapped around it. 'I will never understand you humans and your desire to show your skin.' Lora's voice played in her head. The elder Elias looked down at her from the coffee table. She had her usual annoyed looked though it was full of a small playfulness.

Akiko smiled at her, 'I'm getting this from the fairy in a crop top?'

'Your the one who puts me in this stupid thing!' Lora's body glowed as her teeth began to grind with pure annoyance, 'When is my dress getting cleaned and when are you getting me a new outfit? Something pretty, but not lacey, I'm not Moll.'

'Easy needy baby. Miki took your dress and is cleaning it back in Japan. If you keep this up I'm dressing you up like a bikini barista.'

'Bikini barista?'

Akiko had to resist the urge to smile and think of a scheme. 'Yeah they wear the cutest outfits.' 

'Aren't those bikini things those string clothing items you made me wear at the beach?' 

'No, that was a swimsuit. A bikini is the cutest outfit on the planet.' Akiko began flittering her head with a dress that only Lora would love. As the elder Elias stared intently at her. She smiled when she noticed Lora started blinking repeatedly touching her fingers together.

'Akiko, I wish for you to buy me this bikini barista uniform.'

'As you wish my fairy.' Akiko thought with a hint of sarcasm. Lora rolled her eyes jumping from the coffee table onto Akiko. She gently walked across Akiko's body and placed her head against her chest. 

"Love ya." Akiko said with a giggle as she rubbed Lora's back.

"I love you too." Lora said with a yawn, "And if you're lying to me I'm turning you into a lightning rod."

Akiko laughed before closing her eyes and falling asleep.

………………
Camp Everfree 
……………….

Gloriosa Daisy glared at the man standing in front of her. He had a bald head and black suit with a red tie. Timber Spruce stood behind her trying to appear intimidating, as much as an eighteen year old could, by leaning against the desk in their office. The man in front of them wasn't impressed.  

"This could make for a great mall. Parking lot here, a fountain over there and all you have to do is sign a few papers from my client." The bald man said.

"Tell, Filthy Rich, I'm not signing any thing. This camp is our home and we'll never give it up!" Gloriosa shouted. Timber nodded his head in agreement not saying anything and continuing to eye up the man. 

The lawyer rolled his eyes, "You mean the camp that currently housing how many campers. What was it this past year? Oh that's right zero. I'm saying this as part of the business. This sale will help you and the little drop out over there."

Timber rose from the desk with a look of anger. Gloriosa held up a hand looking at her brother then to the lawyer of the man she hated. "Leave our home."

The lawyer rolled his eyes and stood up from his seat, "Even if you don't sell this camp will still go under and become open to the public and you know how fast my client will buy this place." He proceeded to the door stopping at it and looking at the siblings, "Enjoy this place while you can because in the next three months it's going to be a mall. Have a good night." 

He slammed the door shut and the siblings heard his car roll across the rocky ground. Timber sighed running a hand through his hair as he looked at his sister. "That could have gone better. What are we going to do now?"

Gloriosa didn't answer him as she walked outside looking at the area the lawyer had left. She walked over to the rocky driveway inspecting it. She touched some of the grass noticing that the tires had run over them and a small group of flowers. Her eye lids lowered as she clenched her fist tightly as the dead grass began to regrow and the group of flowers grew as well. Timber came running up to his sister with a look of concern. 

"Gloriosa?" 

"I've got this." Gloriosa said. Her eyes began to glow green, off putting Timber. The ground began to shake under their feet and the entire forest went silent as a shadow rose. It walked past the camp and Timber felt his heart beating faster.

"Gloriosa, whatever you're about to do please don't." Timber pleaded. 

Gloriosa's necklace was glowing with her eyes as she snapped her fingers. "Anguirus, make sure that worm thinks twice before coming back."

Anguirus responded with a resistant roar as he walked through the forest and to the object that was desired of him. He spotted it rushing through the forest. The light was quick to spot and he could feel an aura. It slowly took shape in his eyes and he felt an immediate rush of anger. He snarled and braced his legs before jumping into the air curling into a massive ball of spikes.