by Christine Graham

Miki, Miki…

Miki gripped her pillow tightly. She heard him calling her name. The voice would not leave her alone. She rolled over to one side, pulling on the covers. Sleep was no longer an option to her anymore. He would not leaver alone at night. He would not let her sleep.

Miki, I need you, the voice called to her again.

Gojira, leave me be! She pleaded back to him. This was the third month he had been calling to her. Miki felt a pull on her psyche and a tug on her very soul. Eyes, pupil-less, steaming white eyes stared back at her from the darkness. He was watching her. Gojira, the demon god of the depths, the destroyer of all Japan was watching her again. The monster had been calling her name for years, but never had his voice been so loud. A hand pulled her from her body—no a claw. It was a claw! She could see it through her soul. The gleaming talons of the slate blue gray claw gripped her spirit and yanked it away from her body. She felt like screaming, but another claw had reached out and gripped her mouth. She took hold of a powerful, muscular, scaly arm as she was pulled close to what was calling her. She could not see the demon, but she saw his eyes. She felt the heat of his breath on her spirit and the coldness of his glaring stare. Miki shuddered with fear of the demon’s power.

Miki…said Gojira. He whispered to her. Miki…

The eyes were unrelenting, they showed all the power that drove the demon’s passion towards all Japanese. Jaws parted, revealing the four gleaming rows of teeth. Miki’s eyes focused on a single blue-white glow down his throat. She knew that this was the light of the demon’s destructive plasma breath. Was he going to breathe on her because she was refusing to come with him?

She stared into those pure white eyes. She knew that there had to be a reason why he had such odd looking eyes. The mouth closed and his breath became soft. She heard the rumbling of his belly as he slowly breathed. Then, she knew why Gojira had white eyes.

Yes, Miki, that is the reason, I’m not alive, Gojira mused.

She felt scaly lips brush against her cheek. Again, that hot, steamy breath was near her. Then, she felt a sudden chill as the claws let her go. She soon found herself standing on a cliff looking over a barren island. She knew that this was Gojira’s home. Miki heard that same rumble coming from beside her. She turned towards the deep sound and her eyes lit up. There, he was, Gojira. Gojira was an enormous demon of great power and stature. He stood well over 120 meters in height. Gojira gazed down at her, his stern face never changing. Gojira lowered himself to her eye level. He had a head that resembled a scaly puma, tiny pointy ears, and scaly spines that ran from the top of his head to his shoulders. The spines almost resembled spiky hair in the shadows cast by the moon. They almost seem to drape over his shoulders. She could see his enormous, branch-like, dorsal spikes. They arched up and twisted like gnarled hands reaching for the sky. His lengthy tail swept softly behind him. Gojira blinked, studying her with his intense gaze.

Miki, you are getting close, he said.

“Why do this to me?” she asked.

We are connected, we have been since the beginning when you tried to stop me from attacking Okinawa many years ago, Gojira replied in a cool, mental voice.

The moon’s light turned his eyes into pools of liquid quicksilver as his voice became soft and kindly. She knew that the demon had two sides, this side was kind and gentle. She knew very well of the other side. Gojira’s destructive nature was legendary to the Japanese. He had killed many people during his rampages through the small island. Yet, there still was the question as to why he took in so much joy of Japan’s destruction. She has seen him use his plasma beam on helpless victims who were trapped in corners and allies. She had seen him tear through buildings as if they were made from rice paper. Other countries tried to help Japan in containing Gojira, but the demon proved too powerful.

It is Japan I wish to see fall, Miki, the Americans should not interfere, he stated, reading her thoughts again. At one time, they would have joined me in Japan’s destruction, but they have lost sight of the goal. It is—shameful.

“Why do you think so? Why do you take joy in Japan’s torment?” Miki asked.

Gojira growled and leaned away from her. It is because you take so much joy in death. Your so-called honor has driven you to even send Kamikaze planes on to American battle ships! You pride in your own death. You beg for it! So, I’ll give it you! But Japan will not die, she’ll just hang her face in shame like she always does.

His words were colder than his eyes. Then, he turned to her. Columns of steam radiated from his eyes as he leaned close to her.

Take heed in my words, Miki Segusa, the demon hissed. I am the embodiment of the tortured, vengeful, American souls who died in the Pacific War. You brought this onto yourselves by forgetting who really started that war! Prepare to see me tomorrow in the afternoon. And don’t bother to send in the military, they just get in my way.

Miki felt tears stream down her face as he turned from her. Suddenly, Gojira corrected himself. He had frightened her again.

Forgive me, Miki, he said comfortingly. I did not mean to scare you. But I must do as I must do. Until your people come to their senses, I will always be there—a reminder of what you have created.

Miki awoke in a cold sweat. The nightmare was over for another night. She knew felt Gojira’s movements again. He was moving off his island and into the water. Shen knew that soon, the demon would reach the shores of Japan by the afternoon. He moved with dangerous speed. She had to warn the CCI.

Katagiri sat at his desk. He studied the photos taken from the last attack on Tokyo. He had to know if Gojira had a weakness. Katagiri was determined to find that weakness. The door softly knocked from the other side.

“Come in,” he said in a gruff voice.

Miki Segusa came in, her silk black hair tied in a pony tail. She held onto some files with tight, trembling hands.

“Miss Segusa, what is it?” he asked. “Is it about Gojira?”

“Yes, I can feel him moving and I can see him as if he is stand beside me,” she said in a trembling voice. “He’s moving again. He’s heading for Japan.”

“Like that’s a surprise,” he sighed. Katagiri picked up the phone and called in to one of his scouts along the coast line. “Station 2, is there any sort of changes within the water—temperature, radioactivity, or anything physical?”

He paused to hear the station manager speak: “Yes, thank you.” He hung up. “Well, Miss Segusa, there aren’t any changes so far.”

“I know he’s coming!” she shouted, tears streamed her eyes.

“You had one of your dreams again?” he asked, seeing her tears. Katagiri smiled smoothly. “Did he say when he was coming?”

“Afternoon,” Miki replied.

“Any particular place?” he asked.

“He didn’t say where, he just said when,” she sighed.

Katagiri crossed his arms: “Well, then, that’ll give me enough time to start a plan of an attack.”

The phone rang, Katagiri picked it up: “Katagiri…What? You’ve spotted him? Where? Nearing Hokkaido? When will he get there?” A long pause…Katagiri lowered the phone. He looked back at Miki with scrutiny. “It seems you were right again. Gojira is nearing Hokkaido, he’ll be there some where within the afternoon. They say he’s taking his time.”

Miki lowered her head and sighed. She sat down and began to concentrate. She focused her mind on Gojira. She sensed him laughing at her as she tried to mentally stop him from attacking Hokkaido. The demon mentally pushed her away with such a great force. His mental push literally pushed her off the chair. She fell to the floor, holding her head.

You know you can’t stop me, said Gojira. You haven’t the strength. And don’t strain yourself, Miki. I don’t want you hurt.

“You tried to stop him again?” Katagiri asked as he helped her up.

“Yes,” she gasped. “He’s still too strong for me to control. His energy is incredible. Gojira is more than a monster. I should have known it when I first looked into his eyes. They were white! Gojira isn’t anything alive, which is why you can’t kill him. No one can. Gojira is a—a ghost!”

“He’s just some creature who wrecks havoc on our beloved Japan, he can be killed,” Katagiri scoffed. “Gojira isn’t immortal. Everything has a weakness—so does he.”

“Maybe, but it’s not physical!” Miki cried. “He told me that he is the embodiment of the souls that had died during the Pacific War. He’s a demon, not a monster. Demons can’t be killed—you can’t kill something that’s not alive!”

Katagiri let loose a mused chuckle. His lips turned into a crooked smile as he watched her weep.

“And you think this is why that animal attacks Japan?” he asked. “Because he believes he’s some sort of specter from the grave? How pathetic!”

Miki shook her head.

“Watch what clouds your mind,” he said. “You’ve been visiting his head to much. There’s no such thing as demons or ghosts. Just Gojira—he’s real and he can be killed. I will find a way.”

“You can’t kill him.”

Katagiri turned away from her and walked out of his office. He knew that it was time to call on General Odaka. Miki walked from the office. She knew that Katagiri could not kill the demon Gojira. She knew the truth about what he was, but she did not know who he was. She knew that there was a who somewhere. She did sense that there were multiple beings within Gojira, but these beings were only echoes. There was only one mind, one voice—she just need to know who that voice use to be. Gojira had given her a hint to his past. Somehow, the being that is Gojira was once alive. This being—this ghost had a past, possibly family, or friends. She had to know who Gojira was before he died. She had to get inside his mind.

Miki walked down the hall. The corridor seemed strangely empty. She felt that chill brush against her again. She stopped abruptly when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head slightly. Miki held her breath as she felt the hands moved down, brushing her arms softly. Then, they gripped her hands. A scaly chin rested on her head.

Wish me luck, said the demon. In a few hours, I’ll be in Sapporo.

“What do you want from us?” she asked.

Did they ever teach you World War II history in your school, Miki? Gojira asked softly.

“No, they didn’t,” Miki replied, her breath became shaky.

Gojira lowered his mouth to her ear: They should have. Perhaps, if you want your country safe, you should read up on that war. History could very well repeat itself.

Once more, she felt his lips press against her cheek. She turned around to look at him, but to her disappointment, he was gone. Miki rushed down the hall, she had to get on a chopper to Sapporo.

General Odaka was waiting for an opportunity to try out his latest full metal jacket missiles on Gojira. He walked beside Katagiri as they walked towards the copter.

“And I a sure you, with these new addition to our arsenal,” the general began calmly. “Gojira doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Can you stop him before he reaches Hokkaido?” Katagiri asked.

“We can slow him down,” Odaka replied. “Our navy has some submarines waiting for him just off the coast.”

Katagiri shook his head, he knew that the subs would not stand a chance against the monster.

“Mr. Secretary, there is a 90% chance that Gojira could end up in Sapporo before the day is out,” informed Odaka.

“I will inform my pilot to fly me to Sapporo,” Katagiri said. “Try if you must to slow Gojira down before he reaches the island. Have your ground troops and air squadrons ready for when he emerges to the beach.”

“Yes, sir,” Odaka nodded.

Just off the shores of Hokkaido, Gojira sliced through the water. He swam like a crocodile, using his tail as a rudder. Gojira’s eyes narrowed when he saw two dark shapes in the water. He sensed many minds within the dark shapes. The demon knew that they were submarines. The first sub fired its torpedoes towards him. Gojira dodged the bullet. He eyed the vessel as he charged his nuclear pulse up. He was going to hit both subs with one blast. Both submarines fired on the demon. Gojira plowed through the water, charging up his dorsal spikes. He let loose the first pulse which exploded the torpedoes. The second blast was a powerful blue wave that incinerated the submarines. Gojira continued his swim to Hokkaido.

Hokkaido, Japan

Gojira’s sudden appearance in Hokkaido startled the residence. CCI knew of the demon’s motives head on—he usually attacks the people first, then, he moves to the buildings. Katagiri flew over Hokkaido in his helicopter, watching Gojira’s movements. Gojira began to travel through Sapporo, setting the city ablaze with his atomic breath. This was a different turn the dark god took—attacking the buildings first. The demon’s head snapped up quickly as Katagiri’s chopper flew over him. The demon’s white eyes narrowed as columns of steam arched up from his lids. Then, he turned to face the fleeing people below his feet. He sensed their fear and he fed upon it…

A man looked all around him as the chaos that the demon caused grew. He felt his mind being plucked at by some unknown force.

It will be safe in the alley, whispered a voice. The man looked around him and tugged at his shirt collar. The voice was disembodied, but he feared it like he feared Gojira. He looked back up at the frightful gaze of the demon as he trampled the people of Sapporo with his enormous, clawed feet. The demon let loose another blast of his blue-white heat beam. Bellowing balls of fire irrupted from the buildings. The man’s mind was being plucked at some more. He looked all around him, watching the other people scurrying off into the alleys. Then, he felt a pluck at his shirt. The man gazed all around his body to find that he was covered in black widow spiders. He had arachnophobia—spiders frightened him.

Run to the alley! They won’t hurt you there, the voice pressed on.

The alley! He’ll be safe in the alley! The man ran for the alley like all of the other fleeing people. As soon as he got there, he realized who told him to go. The spiders were gone. A dark, looming shadow blocked the opening to the alley. Everyone lifted his or her heads up only to scream in horror. The demon god, Gojira, had herded them into the alley!

Run to the alley, the demon’s mental voice mocked. It will be safe…

The man heard the dark god’s voice laugh mockingly at him. Tears streamed his eyes as he stared back into the pupil-less, emotionless eyes of the demon. Gojira’s dorsal spikes lit up with blue-white fire. His massive jaws parted, revealing his jagged, sword like teeth. Gojira arched his head back and let loose a blast of blue-white, radioactive flames on the captive victims. Then, he swung his head around to torch the rest of the alley and the buildings adjacent to it. Gojira turned around, hearing the sounds of more screaming. It pleased his ears. He lifted back up and howled triumphantly as he began to follow the screams. His head turned back towards the sky to watch Katagiri circle the rubble that was Sapporo. A new scream was heard from atop one of the buildings.

“Godzilla!” the word etched into the demon’s brain.

That was English! Gojira exclaimed. He recognized the name the Americans gave him. He was called Godzilla in the United States. Though, he had never attacked America before. He had no reason to. In life, he was once an American. He was made from the American souls that died during the Pacific War almost 50 years ago. Gojira turned to the scream and saw two American tourists on top of a lookout from one of the skyscrapers. He sensed their fear, but this disturbed him. Did they not know that he was doing this for them—for the very country that he died for? It was obvious that no American knew what he really was. This thought disturbed him. Somehow, he had to let the United States know—but perhaps this thought was irrational. Gojira became confused. He wanted to let the two tourists know that he was not going to harm them—he was after the Japanese—not the Americans. He would never harm them. The demon sighed and nodded to the tourists. Then, he turned around and walked off, leaving the building that they stood on unscathed. He could never harm another American. He remembered that he almost did 40 years ago. What was his name again—Raymond Burr? The demon swore that he would never hurt the ones he died for—the ideas that he died for—the country he wanted to protect from the Japanese. Yet, in his mind, he knew that war was over. He knew that he had more of a personal score to settle with the Japanese. It was not about honor—his country’s honor—or the fact that the Japanese caught him off guard at Pearl Harbor. It was about the death of a loved one—and about history. Until the Japanese admitted that they started the war by blowing up Pearl Harbor in 1941, Gojira will be there. There can be no truce between them.

Katagiri looked out the window of the chopper. He noticed that all but one building have been destroyed in Sapporo. He got out a pair of binoculars to see what was on the top of the building. He spotted the two American tourists. Why would Gojira not destroy a building because of two Americans? He watched the demon as he trashed though the rest of Sapporo, roasting the buildings and the people around him. He continued to herd the people on the streets to their dooms in dark alleys. The blue, misty steam flowed from Gojira’s eyes as he took pleasure in the destruction of Sapporo. Katagiri hoped that he would soon leave the city and head towards the line of army tanks and missile launchers. He knew that Odaka could not wait to use the new weapons on the demon. Hopefully, the weapons will be enough to destroy the monster. Katagiri did not believe in the urban legends that Gojira was some demon. He did not believe what Miki Segusa said about Gojira—he is not some specter of war—he’s just some dumb animal and a menace to Japan.

Gojira turned around and looked back at the chopper. He growled at Katagiri, gritting his glistening fangs.

Not a specter am I? He asked Katagiri. Katagiri flinched. He heard Gojira’s voice in his mind. Not a demon? You don’t believe in ghost and old horror stories, do you? I’ll show you!

Katagiri felt Gojira’s mental claws tearing and poking into his mind. The pain blinded him. Gojira had a grasp on his most feared horrors. Nightmarish visions fogged his sight. Katagiri was flung backwards to the back of the helicopter. The pilot of his chopper glanced back at him.

“Sir, sir?” he asked. “Sir, are you alright?”

Katagiri could not answer. His mind was being ripped at by Gojira’s mental powers. He could see the demon in his mind as clearly as he could see the demon outside the chopper. Gojira stood there, staring at him, working his mental powers on him. The demon clawed painfully into Katagiri’s worst fears. The secretary let out a cry of agony, gripping his head. Gojira let out another howl. He saw the fear that Katagiri was emitting. Feeling satisfied, he backed off. Katagiri went into shock and blacked out.

“Don’t worry, sir,” said the pilot. “We’ll get you back to the base.”

I’ll let your mind rest, Katagiri, Gojira rumbled. For now.

Miki Segusa flew in on a helicopter just as she watched Gojira made his way out of the city. He was heading in land to teach the army a lesson. She knew that he always enjoyed a good bout with Japan’s only means of protection. Today, the demon did not seem to be in the best of moods. He seemed disturbed about something. Miki knew that Odaka was not out on the battle field. He was somewhere near one of the bases, watching the battle. The tanks fired their rounds of ammunition on the demon. Gojira stopped for a moment, felling the small hits pelt his tough, scaly hide. He arched his neck back, his lips parted. Miki watched in horror as Gojira fired on the tanks with his plasma beam. They exploded into flames. Planes circled over his head and dove down, firing their payloads on him. This only enraged the demon. He charged up his dorsal spikes. The brilliant blue-white light spread to his shoulders and tail. Miki could only guess that this was Gojira’s nuclear pulse. He was going to repel his air attackers. The demon concentrated as the glow about his body grew. Then, he looked back up at the jets, his white eyes glowing. The pulse that he built up was like a wave of energy. The pulse radiated off his body, destroying his air attackers with its power. The pulse began to race towards Miki’s chopper.

“No!” she cried. “Turn this thing around!”

“I’m trying!” the pilot exclaimed. “The pulse has locked up the controls!”

She watched in horror as the pulse came closer to the chopper.

Gojira! She cried.

Miki? Gojira glanced back towards the helicopter. No! Miki! I’m coming!

He rushed to her aid as fast as he could. Miki saw his great claw reach out to grab the chopper. He set the air craft down to the ground. He sensed no movement from the people inside the chopper.

Miki! No! he tried desperately to call to her. Gojira knelt down and opened the chopper door with his mind. He lifted her body out of the craft. Miki, you shouldn’t have come.

Gojira lower his nose down to her. Miki did not respond to his mental cries.

Miki, no, not you too, he wept in anguish. I have already lost one that I loved, I can’t loose another.

Another? Miki asked in a weakened mental voice. Who?

You’re alive, the demon sighed. Go, get some rest, my Miki. I’ll tell you when you are asleep.

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. Miki sat up: I won’t, not until you leave Japan.

Miki…Gojira shook his head.

Go home, yourself, Miki said.

Very well, but for you and no one else, the demon grumbled. But I shall return to finish the job. Japan may rest for two weeks until I return.

Thank you, Gojira. Miki smiled as she saw the demon get up. The demon walked off, quietly. Gojira turned back to the rest of the army. He was feeling a little generous today. The demon set a mental image to the soldiers. He told them that they should be honored that he decided to let them live. He returned to the ocean without another word of disturbance.

“Two weeks?” Miki asked. “That’s what he’ll allow us to recuperate? I suppose that is enough, but what about all the deaths?”

Maine

Miki Segusa wanted to find out why Gojira swam all the way from the Pacific to the Atlantic. She took a CCI chopper out, following his movements. She could feel the demon’s sense of regret. Gojira seemed to always act peculiar when he was in the Atlantic. He was not the same monster. She tracked his movements through her telepathy and through Geiger readings. The radiation level in the water always changed when Gojira was swimming. His trek to the Atlantic took him straight through the Panama Canal and then up through the Gulf of Mexico—following the coastline. She followed him up the coast line on the eastern shores of Florida and all the way up to the state of Maine—the vary top of eastern part of the United States. She knew that he had been doing this for five years now, but she never really tried to follow him until now. Gojira did not show any signs of acknowledging her presence as he made his swam to the Americas. She found it strange that the demon would never come inland or attack anyone that was out to sea. She noticed his behavior when he was near fishing boats—he always ducked down below the water before they got a clear view of him. She wanted to know if anyone reported that they have seen a giant reptile swimming near the shores of Maine. She landed the chopper at a small airfield just outside of Bar Harbor, Maine. She took a cab into town, telling the driver to drop her off at a pub near the beach. Bar Harbor was on an island called Mount Desert Island. But there was nothing that looked to be a desert here.

Americans make up such funny names; came a disembodied voice into her head. Miki turned around to see where the voice had come from. Perhaps Gojira knew that she was there. She walked into the local pub and sat down at the bar. Some of the regulars there stared back at her for a moment. Then, they turned back and went to their business. She called the tender and asked for a drink.

“What would you like, ma’am?” she asked.

“One mocha latte,” said Miki.

“Coming up,” the bar hop said with a smile.

Miki glanced around the room, seeing who was in the pub. She began to feel a little uncomfortable as she felt the eyes of the regulars glancing back to stare at her once more. She did not know anyone here.

Becky will take care of you, came that same chilling voice.

Miki rubbed the sides of her arms. The voice was cold, but comforting. The demon was a master of many sides and many faces. But what mind controlled him? She had to find the who that was Gojira’s mind. Some how, she knew that she would find it here.

There is a who you seek, Miki. But you must find it. I will make it easier for you this time. If you want to learn more—ask that man over there.

She felt the will of the voice direct her eyes towards a man sitting in the corner. The man wore a navy blue turtle neck sweater and a toboggan. His face was weathered and he grew a goatee frosted with silver white on his chin. He sat there, sipping at his coffee, silently.

Becky came up with one mug of mocha latte for Miki. There was cinnamon in the bottom.

“One mocha latte, ma’am,” she said. “That’ll be $2.50.”

“Uh, oh,” Miki began. “I’m sorry, I’ve left my travelers checks at the airport…

She began to flush with embarrassment for leaving the traveler’s checks behind. Miki shook her head in dismay.

The man walked up to Miki with a smile. He pulled out his wallet and took out a Five.

“I’ll pay for the lady,” the man said.

“Yes, sir, Mr. MacNamee,” said Becky.

“Keep the change,” said Mr. MacNamee.

“MacNamee?” asked Miki.

He turned to her: “That’s right, miss. Mat MacNamee, owner of Mac and Zack’s Mariner Co. I’m the fourth richest man in the US.”

“I’ve heard of your company,” said Miki. “I’m Miki Segusa—ESP specialist for the Crisis Control Intelligence in Tokyo, Japan.”

“The CCI?” Mat asked. “Don’t you guys hunt Godzilla?”

Heads came up when Mat said Godzilla’s name. Miki sensed that there have been many sightings within Bar Harbor, Maine.

“That’s correct,” she said.

“What are you doing here? You’re a long ways from Japan,” said Mat.

“Godzilla’s here,” Miki replied. “After his attack on Sapporo, Hokkaido—the monster made a trek to the Atlantic. He’s been doing that for five years now. For some strange reason, Godzilla has been traveling to this very spot.”

“Nesting, maybe?” asked Mat.

“No, he cannot nest,” she said.

“What makes you so sure?”

“There are no signs of a nest on Birth Island,” Miki replied smoothly. “And no offspring. If there were young of Godzilla, there would be some signs. And there are none here. He comes alone and he leaves alone. I just like to know why? Has anyone seen him?”

Becky walked away, cleaning the mugs with a towel.

“He’s been sighted,” said Mat. “But he doesn’t cause any trouble for us. He doesn’t bother the fishermen here or shoot off his death breath at us. Things ain’t the same for you in Japan, are they?”

Miki sighed: “He attacks viciously in Japan. He kills the people—murders them! He destroys our buildings and sends our people into hiding. Only, the government is too proud to ask for help. We live in fear of him. Only his trips to Maine can provide us with some time to rebuild—but not much. We are powerless to stop him. A demon!”

“Demon?” laughed Mat. “I’d call him a savior!”

A few rumblings of agreement came from the pub. Miki looked around, puzzled.

“Savior?” she asked.

“Do you want to hear my story?” he asked.

“Yes,” Miki said.

Mat led her outside where they would not be heard by the others in the pub. He looked around. The pier beyond the beach was empty. He led her to the pier. Local folks nodded and greeted him as he walked onto the pier.

“What did you mean by ‘savior’?” she asked.

Mat sighed: “It was only five years ago when I first saw him out on the open ocean. That night, there was a hurricane blowing inland from the south and I was caught up in it. My boat almost capsized when something caught it. I looked out from the captain’s nook and there, staring back at me from the darkness were two glowing, white eyes. I heard an ominous, low howl and my boat lifted out of the water. That’s when I knew that my boat was being carried by something huge! The clouds parted and I saw what had carried me. There he was—a sight to be seen—a monstrous reptile. The palms of his claws were holding my boat. He was enormous! Well over 100 stories, I think. I noticed a flicker of blue-white light on his dorsal spines and I knew that this was Godzilla. This was the monster that was famous for attacking Japan. But why did the creature save my life? I’ve always wanted to know that.”

“Jim MacNamee…” Miki breathed.

“That’s my older brother’s name,” said Mat. “How did you know my brother’s name?”

“Where is your brother?” she asked.

“He’s dead,” said Mat. “He died in 1941—at Pearl Harbor.”

Miki’s eyes lit up.

“He was a captain for the US Navy,” continued Mat. “His boat was a destroyer called the U.S.S. Oklahoma.” (Note: The Oklahoma was a real ship that went down at Pearl Harbor. You can see how serious I’m taking this story.)

Now you know, came the mental voice of Gojira.

“After the first rescue…” began Mat.

“First rescue?” she asked. “You mean Godzilla has saved your life more than once?”

“Three times in fact,” Mat smiled. “So, I decided to hunt for him myself. Not to kill him—but to see him like I did that first time. The other times, I did not see him as clearly. But I knew that he was there.”

“Why would he save your life and kill so many others?” asked Miki.

“Ask him that next time,” chuckled Mat.

“I can,” she said. “I’ve been having telepathic conversations with Godzilla.”

“Huh?” he asked. “Conversations?”

“Yes, I’m empathic,” Miki nodded. “And what you just said provides a clue to his mystery. Godzilla can’t be killed, you know.”

“So I’ve heard, your government can’t seem to do the big guy in,” Mat said. “Tough hide.”

“No, its more,” she said. “Godzilla really is a demon—no he’s a ghost!”

“Ghost? Like ‘boo’ kind of ghost?”

Miki smiled and looked out to sea. She saw a strange shape rise out of the water. She knew that the shape were the tips of Godzilla’s dorsal spines. She saw the tail flip out of the water, slapping the surface before it submerged again. Mat turned around, his eyes were wide.

“Godzilla!” he gasped.

“Yes, the dark god is here,” Miki replied solemnly. “That is what the legends call him—a dark god. In 1954, on the Odo Island, the natives said that Gojira was a specter of war. They said that he is the embodiment of the souls who died in wars long past.”

“The embodiment of the souls who died in wars?” breathed Mat. “That’s is very heavy. But why does he attack Japan, but the US.”

“It is not many war souls that make up Gojira, but one soul,” she said as she shivered. The air became colder to her as she saw the ominous, reptilian head rise slowly out of the water. “Choose whether or not to believe this, Mr. MacNamee—but the soul that created Gojira was your brother—Jim. That’s why he saved your life those times. That’s why he would not attack Bar Harbor when he was near. He attacks Japan because he wants revenge, because we—have forgotten about the meaning of the Pacific war. His nuclear breath—the same as the bombs that were dropped on Japan 50 years ago. His rage—the same rage that each American felt when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The souls that make up Gojira are fed into Jim’s power and then into Gojira itself.”

Mat stepped back, bewildered, confused, and flabbergasted. He looked back at the head that stood above the water. The hazy mist around the head obstructed the features of the face. Mat could see the gleaming; cold, ghostly white eyes that stared back at him.

“I admit it, Gojira,” Miki said. “We did start that war.”

She paused for a second and nodded. Then, she turned to Mat: “He said that it’s not me he wants to admit. He wants the Japanese historians to teach it to the children. Only then, will he leave Japan alone.”

“He’s speaking to you?” Mat asked.

“Telepathically,” Miki said. “He said that you knew he had these powers. You use to make fun of him and you called him ‘Wiz Kid’ when you were younger.”

“No one ever knew I called him that!” Mat gasped. “No one—but Jim…Jim!” He turned back to the head. “Jim! You’re alive!” His heart leapt up when he looked at Godzilla.

The head turned away and sank back under the water.

“Jim! Come back!” cried Mat. “I want to talk to you! Jim! I want…” he broke off when he saw the head disappear under the sea. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He looked back at Miki Segusa. “I wanted to tell him about our mother and father. I’m sure he wanted to know about them—how they died.”

Died? Asked a voice that rocked Mat’s head.

“I heard him!” Mat breathed. “Jim, Mom and Dad are dead! They went peacefully though. Dad was going to give you the house—if you were still alive.”

He called out to the ocean, desperately hoping that Godzilla would hear him. No dark figure rose from the water. Mat ran towards the end of the pier as fast as he could. Miki ran after him, calling his name. When she finally caught up with him, she saw him sitting down on the pier, looking at the water.

“Gojira has requested that you go home,” she said. “He will see you there, tonight.”

“He said that?” Mat asked.

“Yes,” Miki said. “Do as he requests.”

“A specter?” Mat sighed. “Godzilla’s a ghost. No wonder you can’t kill him. You can’t destroy something that isn’t alive.”

The Mansion

And now, its dark and we see both Miki and Mat waiting for Godzilla’s arrival. That’s when an unexpected guest appears—Mat’s daughter Julia and her two boys.

A gray mini van drove up into the driveway. Two children came out of the side of the van as a woman gathered her things. Mat and Miki looked back behind them to see the woman and her two sons walk up to them. The young boy with the red curly hair ran up to Mat and hugged him.

“Hey, grandpa,” said Mark. “We came to visit!”

“You did?” Mat asked.

“Hi, grandpa,” said Tony.

“Dad,” said Julia. “I hope you don’t mind. I called and you weren’t home.” She turned to Miki. “Who’s this?”

“Miki Segusa,” said Miki, bowing. “CCI, Tokyo, Japan.”

“CCI?” she asked.

“The Crisis Control Intelligence,” said Tony. “You hunt for Godzilla.”

“Yes, you know of us?” Miki asked.

“I know of you, Miss Miki,” he said. “You’re the ESP girl from CCI. I watch the news when Godzilla’s on.”

Tony, my telepathic grandnephew, said Gojira’s mental voice.

“Who said that?” Tony asked as he glanced around. Miki’s eyes lit up when she realized that Tony had heard Gojira speak to her. Only another telepath could hear him talk to Miki.

Julia crossed her arms: “Telling more of your monster stories, Dad?”

“Actually, she came on her own,” said Mat. “Godzilla’s here—just close to the shore. Miki has been tracking his movements.

“You shouldn’t have come here,” said Miki.

“Excuse me, missy,” Julia sniffed. “I am more welcomed here than you are.”

“No, its not that,” said Mat. “Julia, Miki’s here because…”

A low, ominous rumble from beneath the sea interrupted his words. Bright flashes of light danced across a single spot on the ocean surface. Miki and Tony stepped forward. Tony could feel the power serge around him. He had a feeling he knew what this sign meant.

“Godzilla,” the two said in unison.

Julia’s eyes lit up, the color of her skin faded away. She was afraid. She watched in horror as a dark form rose from the water. The form dripped with seawater as it headed towards the shore. The humans looked up as the dark shape stepped onto the land, causing the van to jump as its foot came down. The car alarm screeched loudly. Two, cold, white eyes stared back at them. Julia screamed and began to run from the monster. She grabbed Mark and ran for the van.

“Tony, get over here, now!” she cried. “It’s a monster.”

Don’t run, Tony, you’re safe where you are, said the voice into his mind. I won’t hurt you and you know why.

“Uncle Jim,” Tony nodded. “It’s alright, Mom! It’s Godzilla. He won’t hurt us.”

Miki turned to Mat: “Tony is telepathic.”

“I know, but his mother doesn’t,” sighed Mat. “If she does, she doesn’t believe it.”

I can’t blame her for not believing, Gojira’s voice said—reaching Mat’s mind. You didn’t at one time.

“Dad, run, that thing is behind you!” Julia cried.

“Miki said you shouldn’t have come,” said Mat. “Now I know why. You’re ruining my moment here with someone I haven’t seen in 50 years.”

Go to the house, Julia, came Godzilla’s unheard voice. It’s safe in the house. Take Mark with you. It’s safe…

Go to the house…Julia nodded, her eyes became glossy. She took Mark and walked into the house without another word.

“What the hell happened?” asked Mat.

“Godzilla mentally moved Mom to the house so that she wouldn’t become too hysterical,” said Tony. “Just like he does when he herds the Japanese into alleys to kill them.”

It’s the same motion, but without the results, Godzilla nodded. He let loose a low growl as he settled down to the rocks. His thoughts turned to Mat.

“He says that he misses you,” said Miki to Mat. “Death has not been kind to him.”

“I see that,” Mat nodded. “What the hell were you thinking when you died? What the hell is all this crap about revenge, huh? Did you die stupid, Jim?”

“He says that he understands your anger,” said Miki.

Tony began to laugh. Godzilla turned to him. Miki looked over at the youthful psychic.

“What are you laughing at?” she asked.

“I just can’t help but to think that my uncle is the Kaiju King,” he chuckled. “It makes me laugh to think of it. Grandpa said that Jim was sort of short.”

Godzilla snorted, blowing up bellows of dust clouds with his breath. Mat looked back up at the great demon, still find it hard to grasp that his brother was somewhere inside that monster. Why would the man he grew up with, he loved as his brother do all those atrocities? Godzilla’s cold, white eyes stared down at the human at his feet. Their unrelenting gaze pierced through his soul and chilled his bones. He never felt so cold before. Mat began to feel his mind being plucked at. Prying hands touched and fingered his brain. They were looking for questions. They had the answers to them. Mat knew that he could not hear his brother’s mental voice like Miki and Tony, but he felt Godzilla’s will inside his mind. Jim never had that much strength before. The questions were found: Why does he attack? What brought him back from the dead?

“Why is it that you can’t talk to me like you can to them as much?” Mat asked.

“It’s hard for him to speak to you,” said Miki. “It’s like you are deaf and he’s trying to shout into your ear. Sometimes you hear him because he’s loud enough for you to hear him. Most of the time, we can hear him.”

“Are you controlled by one soul or many souls?” Mat asked.

“Gojira said that it depends on the situation,” said Miki. “Right now, one soul—the soul of your brother is in full control. The other spirits are resting peacefully. When he returns to Japan, the souls will awaken and Gojira will attack again.”

“Well, then stay here, Jim!” cried Mat. “Don’t go back to the Pacific.”

“He says that he has no choice,” said Miki.

“Why?” Mat asked, arching his head to look back at Godzilla.

“He won’t tell me!” Miki began to weep. “He says that he must return to destroy Japan. That is all that he’ll say.”

“Grandpa,” began Tony. “Since Godzilla’s a ghost—maybe it has to do with why ghosts haunt particular places. They feel that they have some unfinished business to do. Godzilla haunts the island of Japan. I guess haunting is over-rated these days. You have to destroy places to get people’s attention.”

“How do you finish work you did in life by slaughtering lives and destroying buildings?” asked Mat.

It works, hissed the demon. Fear is the best solution to my dilemma.

“You’re crazy!” he shouted.

I’m practical, Godzilla rumbled. They beg for it!

“That is what he told me that night,” sighed Miki. “We beg for death—Gojira said to me.”

“Jim, you’ve changed,” sighed Mat. “You’re not the same.”

Godzilla let off an enormous roar. He began to claw the air, his back spines lighting up. He became agitated. Godzilla reared back and bellowed his great, earth shaking trumpeting howl. The ground shook and buckled underneath the humans at his feet.

“What’s wrong with him?” Mat asked. “I just said that he’s changed.”

“It’s not that,” shouted Miki. She became worried. “It’s the other souls. They’re stirring inside of him, forcing Jim to head back out to sea. They’re telling him to go and destroy Japan. Godzilla is Jim’s body, but Jim is being partially controlled by the souls that make up that body. He’s trying to force them back.”

Not yet! Godzilla cried. I want to know what happened to my parents! Leave me alone! Stop it! Go away! Stop yelling, I can’t think! I want to stay! I don’t want to go back yet. Leave me alone with my brother!

Godzilla bellowed again, his roar echoing off the nearby sea cliffs. His dorsal spines lit up again and a blue glow swelled up inside his mouth. Radiation and heat distortion seeped from his jaws. Then, like a thunderous blast, the power of his blue white, radioactive breath irrupted from his mouth. He aimed it out to the ocean so that he would not harm his brother. Yet the force coming off from his breath’s initial blast was enough to knock the humans down and knock over the van. The ground shook violently from the power of the blast. Then, he closed his mouth and he fell to the ground. Godzilla felt weakened from the mental fight he had with the other souls. His head landed in the soft, wet, sand of the beach. He grumbled and moaned from the uneasiness that the souls gave him. His whole body shivered. Godzilla clinched his teeth up, curling his paws into tight fists. His tail coiled up tightly around his body.

Miki, help me fight them! Godzilla cried.

Miki walked over to the demon and laid a hand on his scaly neck. She closed her eyes and began to lull the souls back to sleep. Godzilla slowly began to relax. His claws relaxed as he began to breath slowly. Godzilla swallowed and rolled to his side. His muscular chest heaved in and out with every deep, powerful breath. He panted, his forked tongue hanging out of his jaws like a tired dog. Godzilla looked back at Miki, his strange white eyes were hazy, but relaxed. He turned towards her, his muzzle coming close to her.

Thank you, Miki, he said. Godzilla turned back from her and shifted his bulk around. He sighed and closed his eyes.

Miki turned to Mat and Tony: “Godzilla request to remain on your beach for tonight. Is that all right with you?”

“Of course,” said Mat. “Jim, you know that you’re welcomed here. This would give us some time to catch up.”

I would enjoy that, said Godzilla. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Miki heard some rumbling inside his throat. For the first time, she saw Godzilla fall asleep. Miki turned back to the others, her eyes became teary. When she touched him, she felt the painful battle that went on inside. The souls were fighting for control of the body that they created. The souls were agitated by the conversation between Jim and Mat. They did not approve of Mat’s reasoning. Mat was persuading Jim to stop Godzilla’s rampages—and it enraged them! Jim was starting to lose sight of the perspective. Godzilla must not lose sight—he is the demon the Japanese fear.

“What happened?” asked Tony. “Why did they attack him like that?”

“He lost sight of the objective,” said Miki. “All war souls have one objective and they would try to carry out that reason beyond their deaths. The soul of Jim MacNamee began to sway from the reason. They were reminding him why they allowed him to use their strength. Gojira is not some tool for spirits to get in contact with their loved ones. Gojira is a force of destruction. The demon isn’t supposed to care of such trivial things like this. So far, they have allowed Jim to watch his brother through Godzilla, but this is where they draw the line. Mat was trying to persuade Jim into not attack Japan. That was the wrong thing to do. Arguing with Godzilla’s main spirit is the worst thing to do. There is a possibility that he will leave here when he regains his strength.”

“And then what?” asked Mat, but somewhere, he knew the answer.

Miki swallowed her fear: “He will attack Japan. The destruction, the killing—it will all happen again.”

Mat looked back at Godzilla, his eyes trembled in confusion and fear. The soul of his brother was commanding that monster, but he was being controlled by the other spirits.

“I think he wants to be controlled,” said Tony. “One objective—that’s what he thinks. That’s why he can’t stop attacking Japan!”

“Then, we’ll never get rid of the threat of the demon god—Gojira,” shuddered Miki. “It’s no use.”

“Don’t they know he’s a ghost?” asked Mat.

“No, Katagiri—the head of CCI believes that Godzilla is nothing more than some mutated freak,” Miki sobbed—her voice began to break as she spoke. “This only infuriates Godzilla further. The demon wants Katagiri bowing before him—worshipping him as he destroys his country.”

“That doesn’t sound like Jim!” Mat cried, shocked. He stepped back in horror as he looked back at the sleeping form of Godzilla. “What did those other spirits do to him?”

“He’s not the man you knew,” said Miki. “Remember, hatred and vengeful rage flows through Jim’s mind now. That flows through every mind of all the souls. It fuels them as Jim uses that to fuel Godzilla. His power is limitless.”

Godzilla rumbled, shifting his bulk again. He was dreaming, Mat thought. The demon snorted as he slept peacefully. Dreaming dreams of Japan’s ultimate demise—no doubt.

“Get your country to say they did it!” cried Mat. “I maybe no psychic, but I know when my brother has an objective, he will even dream of doing it! He’s dreaming about it now.”

“It doesn’t work like that,” Miki sighed. “My government feels the same as Katagiri. To them, Godzilla is nothing more than an animal. They thought that this was some mating flight.”

“Grandpa,” began Tony. “We can’t change what a country thinks. But I think Godzilla can. Sooner or later, they’ll figure it out that he’s not even alive.”

“My country can seem a little hard headed at times,” Miki said with a slight smile on her lips. “Especially about Gojira. They still think that they can kill him.”

Mat grunted in disgust: “No use on arguing about it tonight. Miss Miki, I can send for a pilot to take you back to Japan in the morning, but you’ll have to stay tonight.”

“I flew in on my own chopper,” she said. “But I do need the rest. I need to stay close to Godzilla to see what time he intends on leaving.”

“If he does leave,” said Mat with some hopeful optimism. He wanted to spend some more time with Jim.

“I know that you want him to stay,” said Miki. “But you have no control over what Godzilla does. If he leaves, its best to let him leave without anymore arguments.”

“I don’t like that,” sniffed Mat. “Not even a good-bye?”

“He will not say good bye to you, Mr. MacNamee,” Miki sighed. “That is his way.”

“All right, no arguments,” grunted Mat. “What ever he wants. I don’t want to cause another spasm and be roasted to a crisp just because I want him to stay.”

Miki nodded and then bowed. She wished them good-night as she headed towards the house. Tony and Mat followed her movements. This was going to be a weird night.

“She’s staying for the night Julia,” began Mat.

Julia grunted and crossed her arms defiantly. She did not trust Miki Segusa. Then, she looked outside. Her eyes widened when she saw the huge, dark bulk of Godzilla resting quietly on the beach. She gasped in fear, her hands shook violently. She could have sworn on her very soul that she saw those evil gazing, soul-piercing, white eyes opening just to look at her. The eyes, they would not leave her mind. They stared straight into her heart. Though, the eyes were closed—Julia could still feel them on her. She shuddered, she was afraid.

“That creature—that evil beast is still outside!” she hissed in disgust. “Why, Daddy?”

“Julia, I don’t think that I could ever explain it to where you could understand,” Mat said—word for word. He knew she would not buy the strange story about his dead brother and Godzilla.

“And what did that witch do to my son?” Julia asked, tapping her foot on the floor, expecting a very good answer from him.

“I can’t explain that either,” he sighed. “And Miki didn’t do anything. The boy was born with that gift. Like my brother—Jim—who passed away.”

“I remember your stories about your brother with the supernatural powers,” she scoffed with a great Humph! “I never did believe them.”

“Then, you’ll never believe the reason why Godzilla is sleeping on my property, either, Julia,” Mat said calmly. “So there’s no reason for me to explain it to you. And I don’t have to explain anything to you—you’re my daughter! You’re in my house and—so therefore, I don’t have to explain.”

“I worry about you, Dad,” Julia cried.

Mat rolled his eyes: “I’m not some senile old man, girl. I’m a multi-millionaire. I don’t need you to worry about my life. All my life, I’ve made the right decisions. Just go with it and leave it be.”

A sudden chill came over the atrium of Mat’s great mansion. The lights suddenly flickered and faded. Two pair of eyes, white and cold stared at both of them from the outside. The eyes stared at them through the smoky glass dome at the top of the atrium. Heated breath steamed up the glass. Mat looked back over at the beach. Godzilla was gone! The eyes flashed brilliant white. Julia felt her fear rise up. She shook down to her knees. Her knees buckled underneath her and her body felt heavy. She wanted to run from the eyes. The eyes kept her in her place. She felt her mind being plucked. Something was searching within the precious thoughts. She began to feel violated as the eyes probed her thoughts. Violated that the eyes would see into her most private memories. Violated! She leaned near to the ground. Julia looked up at her father. He was standing still. The eyes held him like a captive mouse. He could not move to even help her. The eyes never left the atrium. Julia thought that they were inside the dome, staring down from a beam that held the glass to the walls. They were unrelenting, their stare was emotionless. This frightened her the most. No emotion—no feeling, nothing. They were not blank, but they held no remorse for the violation of her mind. There were no regrets.

You do not believe in the supernatural, Julia, said that same eerie voice in her head. The voice was the same as it was last time. The voice was as unfeeling as the eyes. Why believe in what you don’t understand? The supernatural is only the tip of the iceberg. I can do much more than what he remembers.

The voice left her mind, but the eyes did not. Julia whimpered—the supernatural finally reared its ugly, demonic head at her.

Don’t believe in the supernatural, the voice returned. That’s weakness! You can’t show weakness. So out of character.

I’ll show weakness if I want to, she thought. The voice chuckled mockingly at her. The eyes did not laugh—their gaze unchanging. She sensed something about the eyes. She felt something inside of her, telling her to recognize the being behind the eyes. She knew no one from her past with white, pupil-less eyes. She did not want to know the being behind those horrid, evil eyes. She tried to force the invading being from her mind. The voice only chuckled.

Sorry, Julia, said the voice. My powers must have skipped you and went to Tony instead. You have the mental tenacity of a pea! You can’t force me to leave. But if that’s is your wish, I shall grant it.

The voice finally left her mind and the eyes disappeared back into the darkness. Julia gasped for air. The mental hold almost suffocated her! Fresh, cool, comforting air filled the room. She sighed and lifted her back up from the floor. Mat looked down, dazed from the experience.

“He’s gotten stronger,” he said, scratching his head. Mat looked over at her and leaned over to help her up. Julia took his hand, her tears blinding her eyes.

“What do you mean,” she asked, weeping.

“Jim was never that mentally strong before,” Mat chuckled, picking her up off the floor. “So that’s what Miki meant by the souls feeding into his strength. The amount of souls he must have absorbed from the Pacific War increased his mental power.”

“Jim?” asked Julia. “What do you mean ‘Jim’?”

“That creature out there is Jim—well sort of,” said Mat. “I can’t explain it more than that. In fact, I’m having a hard time grasping it myself.”

“You’re nuts!” she cried.

“Don’t say anything else about it, Julia,” Mat protested. “Just don’t say another word. I’m going to bed, good-night.”

His words were cold, almost as cold as the white eyes of the demon. Mat walked up the cascading, winding stares to the balcony. Silently, he disappeared behind the great, oak doors that opened down the hall. He left Julia bewildered. She closed her eyes. A pair of white, unrelenting eyes stared back at her from the inside of her lids. They would not leave her alone. The eyes of the demon have been burned into her soul. She opened them and looked back out the window. The enormous form of Godzilla had disappeared. The eyes never did disappear from her. She felt that she would never get to sleep tonight.

Miki, Miki…the desperate cry disturbed her dreams. Miki felt that tug again. Claws—grappling, wanting—faded in from the darkness of the recesses of her mind. Miki saw the ghostly white eyes stare with forbidden strength. His voice seemed urgent. A chill gripped her soul as the claws yanked her from her body again.

Miki…the voice called out to her. I should have realized this before.

The demon seemed frightened about something. Gojira has never been frightened before. What should have he known? What was scaring the great, dark god? Miki turned to the eyes and searched into the mind behind them. He blocked her out. The eyes blinked—that was unnatural. The eyes lit up the void with a bright light. Miki saw the form of the dark god before her. He loomed over her, a testimony to his great and unyielding power. Yet, he was frightened.

The souls, Miki, the demon began, his mental voice was shaky with fear. They can be used against me. If Katagiri knows how to use them properly, I can be stopped.

“What do you mean by this?” she asked, craning her neck up painfully to see him.

Gojira’s expression was unchanged—emotionless. His voice spoke for his emotions. The eyes blinked again.

I use the souls of the WWII war dead to feed my power, Miki, he began. But these souls are only American who fought against Japan. There is a possibility that the Japanese war dead could rise to oppose me. And I’m not talking about forming into another monster to fight—it is possible that they could force-absorb into my body and take me out that way. A battle within me and I’ll would just disintegrate into nothing.

“Katagiri would not follow this,” she said. “He does not believe that you are a ghost.”

The eyes turned away from her and she heard a dark, solemn rumble from within the demon’s belly. She saw the gnarled dorsal spines spark up with electricity. The souls were becoming agitated again, fighting for control over the body. Gojira shrieked in pain, hearing the multitude of voices shouting and groaning. He raised his claws to his head, holding it as he felt the souls fight.

They want that confrontation, Gojira hissed. They want one last chance to fight the enemy! We must be put rest with a victorious battle!

He turned back to her; his eyes glowed with blinding rage. The chill that hung in the air soon turned to heat—heat that burned Miki’s soul. She felt the scorching like flames licking at her body.

A glorious battle! That is what we want! The voices within Gojira howled. Jim fought to keep them back. The voices continued: A battle which we will end victorious! This battle will completely wipe out all of Japan!

No! Cried Jim’s mental voice. I don’t want that to happen. What we were doing before was enough.

Miki began to scream in pain from the shouting of the millions of voices. She screamed in her sleep, arching her back and clawing at the sheets.

Leave Miki alone! Jim protested.

You have lost sight, Jap-lover! The voices snarled. Gojira slumped over, his burning white eyes wide. Rage, pain, fear, sorrow, it all came at him with great force. The demon could not handle the force. His eyes bulged out like the eyes of a fish. Such hatred! Such despising hatred. Jim could not hold Gojira together. The demon began to break apart. The souls’ warring inside tore at the flesh and ripped through bones. Then, he gathered in the strength to force the voices back. He concentrated on them, feeling their emotions of hate and despair. The hatred felt like knives, slicing at his soul. Jim could sense that Miki was feeling the same thing. He did not want to harm her. He forced them back, absorbing their power within his own soul. The tears began to heal. Jim gritted his ethereal teeth and forced Gojira whole. The voices that warred inside soon became nothing more than mere shadowed echoes. Jim’s own soul absorbed them and Gojira fed upon them. The demon god’s power grew. Gojira turned back to Miki. The eyes became emotionless once more. Gojira regained his composure and rumbled.

Now, you understand why, Gojira said. Katagiri already knows the truth about my powers.

Miki slumped down; exhausted from the mental fight the souls gave her. Gojira thrust himself onto her form. His scaly lips came close. She could feel his heated breath on her skin, sending chills and goose bumps running through her. He held her close to him with his unrelenting gaze. A claw came up and brushed gently against her face, fingering her full lips.

He knows because I showed him, Gojira whispered coolly. He pressed his lips to hers. The force and weight of his body leaned her down to the ghostly ground below her. The head came up and the eyes disappeared.

Miki awoke from the vision the demon gave her. The chill she felt in the vision still was with her. She was cold. Miki gripped her bed sheets tightly, shivering from the ethereal chill. She tried to sense if Godzilla was still outside on the beach. She closed her eyes and sought him out. All she could feel was a void where the great beast laid. Some echoes touched her mind—echoes of the souls who cried out for vengeance and rest. She began to search for him, just to see if the demon was near. To her surprise and horror, Godzilla was no where to be found. It seemed that the demon had completely vanished. Miki sighed and got out of bed. Something did not seem right to her. Even if Godzilla was thousands of miles away, Miki could still sense his presence. She pushed back the covers and leapt up from her bed. Miki began to dress in her kimono, tying her boa around her waist. She opened the door from her room and ran swiftly down the hall. She wanted to know if Mat was up. He has to know that Gojira had left. (This is dry and without flavor. Very sorry.) Miki ran down the stairs and into the dining room. She saw that Tony, Julia, Mat, and Mark were already up. The smell of buttermilk pancakes filled the room with a pleasant odor. Miki stopped and caught herself, feeling all her thoughts and emotions collide inside her.

“Miki, I hope you didn’t mind we let you sleep late,” began Mat with a pleasant smile. “Have a seat. I don’t know what you eat over seas, but we have pancakes.”

“He’s gone,” she gasped and swallowed.

“Who’s gone?” asked Julia.

“Jim,” Miki replied hastily. “I mean Godzilla.”

“I know Jim left,” said Mat. “He’s not out on the beach. You were right about him leaving last night. I couldn’t stop him.”

“No, he’s gone for good!” she cried. “Godzilla has completely disappeared. I can’t sense him. Even if he had returned to Japan, I would still be able to sense him. He’s not on this planet.”

Mat swallowed his food and lowered his fork slowly. He wiped his mouth with a white napkin, his hands started to shake. Mat’s steel eyes lowered to his plate, his appetite vanished.

“Where is he?” he asked softly.

“Grandpa, let me try to sense Uncle Jim’s spirit,” began Tony.

“Tony, don’t pretend,” Julia snapped.

Tony snapped his head up to his mother. His eyes crossed and his mouth frowned. Then, he sniffed, taking in a breath through his nose. Tony closed his eyes and began to search for the soul of Jim MacNamee. He searched through the void of energies. He found himself floating in a mental ocean of darkness. Tony tried to concentrate on the energies that felt like Godzilla. He was new at this and he was not experienced.

Miki walked over and placed her hand on Tony’s shoulder, joining him in his search. Together, perhaps they would have enough power to find Godzilla. Then, a familiar energy appeared before them. Two eyes, cold and white stared at them. They looked like they were in pain and they trembled as they stared. The eyes blinked and then vanished. Miki and Tony opened their eyes—their search was over.

Miki sensed Godzilla’s movements again. She felt relieved, but frightened at the same time. She sensed that he was heading directly towards Tokyo.

“He’s heading for Tokyo Bay,” Miki shuddered.

“You can sense him again?” Mat asked.

Julia snorted and stared at Miki with some fiery anger in her eyes.

“Yes, with Tony’s help, I managed to find him,” she said. “You should take the ESP course, Tony. You have real talent.”

“You think so?” Tony asked with some excitement.

“Yes, even Godzilla thinks so,” Miki smiled. “But now, I must leave for Japan. It is night over there and Godzilla is using that to his advantage. He believes that night attacks hold more terror than day attacks.”

“By the time you reach Tokyo,” began Julia with a snooty voice. “That horrid monster will be gone.”

“I still must return and report back to Katagiri,” she announced.

“At least take some food for your trip,” said Mat. “And, also, tell Jim that I’ve found his dog tags.”

“Dog tags?” Miki asked.

“Yeah, his identification tags he wore during his service,” Mat replied. “In order to identify some of the bodies that were lost in Peal Harbor, divers went down and made a record off all the tags around every neck of every soldier. I asked if they would retrieve Jim’s tags for me. If he ever wants them back, just let him know that I have them and I’ve been taking care of them. I spent last night looking for them in the west wing guest room. That’s where I keep all of Jim’s things.”

“I’ll tell him,” Miki said.

Tokyo Bay

Katagiri flew over Tokyo Bay in his chopper. He received a report from Miki Segusa that Gojira was heading back towards Japan. Another report of the temperature rising in Tokyo Bay lead him here. He set up a blockade around Tokyo Bay to try to stop the monster from coming. Already, General Odaka had tanks along the bay’s shore. Katagiri had a feeling that this may not stop him. He looked out over the water and then looked out. He saw many squadrons of jets zoom passed him. The chopper shook with every passing. Katagiri hung on to his seat. He looked back down at the water. The silver moon’s reflection danced across the surface. Katagiri waited for Gojira to show his ugly face. He waited for a long time for the demon to rise from the water. Katagiri looked out and saw a light beneath the ocean’s surface. The light played and danced around a single point. Lights of blue-white sparkled beautifully around in a hypnotic motion. Katagiri was almost entranced by the show. His mind snapped back to the present in horror realization that the playful lights came from the demon Gojira. A head rose out from the water and roared at the barricade of destroyers. The strange white eyes narrowed as steam rose from them. The demon seemed agitated and enraged as he slowly approached the ships. Katagiri sat back as his chopper circled around.

Katagiri! Called a voice into his mind. Katagiri jerked up and looked out the window. The demon was looking directly at him. He felt that grip on his mind again. Gojira began his mental attack on Katagiri, clawing and digging farther into the fragments of his mind. Katagiri held his head trying to fight the demon’s attacks. Then, Gojira backed off. Katagiri smiled smugly at him, feeling that he had defeated the demon’s attacks. This was not the reason Gojira backed off. The demon had another idea in mind.

You are too weak, Katagiri, hissed that voice into his mind. Gojira mocked him with a chuckle. Now, see how pathetic you really are—you and your disdainful armada!

Gojira stood there, like a statue as the destroyers began to fire upon him. He did not flinch, nor did he move. Katagiri expected to see the demon fire his powerful breath at the ships, but not even that came. The demon just stood there. His eyes focused on the ships—an unrelenting gaze. He stared directly into every soul of each crewman on the destroyers. Katagiri began to watch in horror as the guns silenced on the ships. The gun turrets began to target something else. Gojira’s eyes quickly glanced over at the buzzing jets. They started to fire at him, but their bullets only bounced off his scales. He turned his body smoothly as he glanced up at the jets. Then, Gojira nodded. On command, the gun turrets on the ships began to fire at the jets. Katagiri could not believe his eyes. Gojira was in command of the destroyers, ordering them to fire on the jets. The demon was making the Japanese shoot their men down! Katagiri watched with tear soaked eyes as one by one the jets plummeted from the sky in huge balls of fire. Gojira directed his command to the jets now. The few jets that were still in the sky spiraled down in a deathly dive to the ships.

Kamikaze planes! Gojira shouted. Like it was in World War II, but this time they attack your ships. You are truly pathetic.

Katagiri felt helpless as he watched the Japanese Defense Force attack itself. They continued to attack as Gojira slipped away into the darkness. The demon dove back underwater and began to make his way through Tokyo Bay.

“Sir,” began the pilot. “Why are they attacking each other like that?”

“Gojira,” Katagiri said grimly. “Somehow, he is controlling them. Just like Miki said, Gojira is a demon.”

“A demon?” he asked. “Gojira is really a demon?”

“And that proves it,” Katagiri nodded. “No animal could control an entire blockade of destroyers and a squadron of jets just with a single nod. He is not an animal, he’s a demon—a dark god of destruction. And he is here to destroy Japan through physical attacks and mental attacks. He can get into the very heart and soul and rip it apart like rice paper. No animal can do that!”

He leaned out the chopper window: “Do you hear me, demon? I believe in you! But I will find a way to stop you. If it isn’t physical then it has to be spiritual. I’ll find it, demon, I find it!”

That is what I want you to do, the voice coldly said. Katagiri shook his head as he watched Gojira rise from the water again to attack Tokyo.

Madness and chaos filled the streets of downtown Tokyo. The demon feasted on the fears of the countless thousands as they ran through the streets and through the parking lots. Gojira walked through the park, looking for victims to torment. He spotted a man running swiftly into a vale of trees. He heard the human’s ear piercing cry of terror. Gojira chuckled, pleased that he could make men scream like babies. He followed the man to the vale, his enormous foot coming down onto the canopy of trees. The man heard the sound of splintering wood and cracking branches. He looked up and his eyes bulged out in fear as a foot came down upon him. Gojira slammed his foot down on the screaming human. His face grinned in satisfaction as he felt the gooey jam of blood and tissue smear between his toes. He glanced across the park at a traveling bus. He heard the sounds of screaming humans inside the bus as it fled from the demon. Gojira lumbered over to the bus as it swiftly sped away from him. The demon’s tail swept from side to side, knocking over power lines and street lights. His eyes narrowed and his lips curled up into a snarl. The bus slowed to a stop. The vehicle began to back up slowly to the demon’s feet. Gojira loomed down to the bus and picked it up with his claws. He raised the bus up to eye level, watching the humans inside began to shove and push themselves towards the front. He heard the sounds of babies and children whimpering, men and women screaming. Gojira opened his mouth wide, revealing his double rows of serrated teeth. The screaming increased to blood curtailing cries.

No, that’s enough! Cried Jim. That’s enough, don’t make me do this!

No regrets, said the voices of the other ghosts.

But there are children inside! Jim shouted. I don’t want to kill innocent children.

Gojira flinched as he fought the souls inside. He felt something wet running down his cheeks and dripping onto the pavement. Gojira shoved the bus into his mouth, crushing the haul with his sharp teeth. Then, his back spines charged up with a brilliant blue white glow. He felt the swell of heat in his throat and he heard passengers’ screams. They knew what was coming from his throat. His teeth clamped tightly to the bus. The passengers watched in horror as the whole bus filled with a wash of blue-white light. The heat swell and radiation distortion seeped from Gojira’s jaws. Like a pulse, he unleashed his breath while the bus was inside his mouth. The bus shattered into millions of pieces as the nuclear energy burst forward in a violent stream.

What have I done? Asked Jim. What have I become?

Even with those thoughts, Gojira continued his rampage. His attacks were unchanging. He herded people into back allies and cornered them, only to slaughter them later. He set fire to the buildings around him with his breath. Gojira continued his attacks until the morning sunrise.

As the demon god left, he glanced up to the sound of a helicopter flying over the desolate ruins that was once Tokyo. He sensed the mind of Miki. Then, he turned from the chopper and lumbered back towards the ocean.

Miki watched the demon as he turned to look at her. There was something wrong with him. His eyes—they held the very human feeling of remorse and regret. The demon never regretted what he did to Japan before. Something had changed inside of him. She sensed that Gojira was being forced into attacking this time. She felt his emotions and saw them on his scaly face. Then, she gasped. She saw wetness around the bottom lids of his white eyes. The dark god was crying. Then, she knew who was in full control of Gojira as he turned from her, lumbering off to the ocean.

“Jim,” she whispered. “What happened?”

Forgive me, Miki…began the solemn voice of the American Navy captain.

Gojira? She asked. What happened?

I’ll—tell you later, Miki, said the demon. Just go to sleep and I’ll tell you.

Miki turned the chopper in towards the CCI building. She found the great headquarters of CCI fallen in ruins. She glanced around the ruined structure, seeking out for signs of life. Miki’s eyes widened as she saw Katagiri’s chopper down on the street near the building. She landed her helicopter near his and ran out to meet him.

“Katagiri, Gojira has been spotted,” she informed. “I watched him go back to the water.”

“I watched him destroy all of Tokyo,” Katagiri began in a deep, hateful voice. “And before he did that, he somehow controlled the navy and the air force. And then, he ordered the both of them to open fire on themselves.”

Miki’s mouth dropped.

“There was nothing left,” he continued. “Miss Segusa, I believe you. No animal could do something like that. No animal of this world could control the mighty Japanese Defense Force. But a demon can. Gojira is a demon.”

“He’s more,” Miki began. “A lot more. I know of his history.”

“Tell me, Miki,” Katagiri took her by the arm. “Tell me, how does one defeat a demon?”

“Katagiri,” she began with a deep breath. “Why does a ghost haunt a building?”

Katagiri looked at her with a blank stare.

“A ghost haunts a building because there is something in that building that was apart of it,” she said. “There is something that the ghost wants—something that keeps it haunting that building. So, the ghost continues to haunt the building until at last it finds what keeps it there and then it can rest.”

Katagiri was silent as he listened.

“Gojira is a ghost,” she said. “In the form of a powerful demon. Although he is made up of many different ghosts, one head ghost controls him. I have the identity of that ghost.”

“Who?” he asked.

“His name is Jim MacNamee,” Miki said. “He was an American Naval Captain that died at Pearl Harbor in 1941. Captain MacNamee was captain of the Oklahoma that was docked at Pearl Harbor when—we attacked.”

“What?” he asked. “We attacked? Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941? They told us that it was the Germans that did it.”

“What we learned in school was only a cover up,” she said. “That is why Gojira is attacking us. He wants us to admit that we were the ones that started the Pacific War. He wants the truth to come out. The Americans know who did it—so does the rest of the world, except Japan.”

Katagiri looked away, his eyes looked around the ruined buildings.

“Gojira—Jim MacNamee will continue to attack us unless we can admit that we were the ones who attacked Pearl Harbor,” she said. “Or find some other motivation to direct him to. Ghost need direction—their minds are one-tracked.”

Katagiri sighed.

“There is another thing,” Miki said. “Jim was born with psionics. In life, he was a telepath and he had some minor telekinetic abilities.”

“How strong are these telepathic powers of his?” he asked.

“Strong enough to kill,” she nodded.

“And perhaps strong enough to control the minds of pilots and navy crewmen,” began Katagiri. “Long enough to get them to fire on each other.”

“You know of his powers?” she asked.

Katagiri nodded: “After the attack on Sapporo, Gojira mentally attacked me. He dug through every brain cell in my head, ripping them apart. I felt it, his claws raking through my brain, but—he spared me and telepathically spoke to me. I heard his voice in my head—it was cold and unfeeling.”

“What did Gojira say to you?” she asked.

Katagiri lit up cigarette, trying to keep calm as he began to speak: “He said: ‘I’ll let your mind rest, Katagiri. For now.’ After that, he turned and headed towards the army barricade.”

Miki’s eyes became downcast. Then, she looked back up at Katagiri.

“How do we defeat something like that?” he asked. “He’s too damn powerful.”

Miki shook her head, she still remembered the look of Gojira’s eyes. She could not forget the feeling of regret that they held. She could not forget his tears. For the first time, Gojira had wept after destroying Tokyo. She did not know how to explain that to Katagiri. She watched him. He shook from head to toe.

“Where did he go after his attack on Hokkaido?” he asked her.

“Bar Harbor, Maine,” she replied. “To visit his brother.”

“Brother?” he asked. “What brother?”

“Jim MacNamee has a living brother named Mathew MacNamee,” Miki began calmly. “Because Gojira was once Jim in life, he visits Mat every chance he gets. I’ve met Mat. He said that Gojira has saved is life at various times.”

“Gojira saves lives?”

“Yes,” she said. “Well, the local residences of Bar Harbor know that Gojira visits their town. But there are no reports of damage property or loss of life when he visits. There have been numerous reports of G-sightings all along the East Coast of America, but no attacks.”

“Why would Gojira attack Japan, but not America?”

“Because of Jim,” Miki stated. “Gojira’s soul is American. Why would he attack his own country? He believes that Japan is his enemy. Jim is Gojira—so as long as he is stuck here, he will do what he will do.”

“This Jim,” began Katagiri. He sensed the passion in her voice as she spoke of Jim. “Have you made contact with him—more than just mere dreams and visions?”

“I have spoken to Gojira,” she said. “And I have visited with Mat while Gojira was resting on the beach near his house. He really isn’t as bad as he seems sometimes.”

“Not as bad?” Katagiri asked in an angered voice. “Look around you, Miki. Gojira has destroyed Tokyo!”

“When I saw him leave Tokyo,” she began. “I saw tears in his eyes. Gojira regretted the destruction he caused. That was the soul of Jim regretting it.”

“I don’t believe that!” he shouted. “When I saw Gojira control the minds of the Defense Force, he had no regrets! That demon loved what he was doing!”

“Then, it must have been something else,” she said.

“Yes, that creature cries crocodile tears,” Katagiri growled as he crossed his arms. “Don’t feel any sentimentality for him. He’s a demon and he must be destroyed. But how? Exorcism? A priest? Garlic?”

“Gojira isn’t a vampire,” Miki snapped.

“Do you think I’m joking, Miki?” Katagiri asked, gripping her arm tightly. She began to pull away from his grip. He was hurting her. She sensed that he was desperate. She squirmed in his tight hold.

Gojira! She called.

“There must be a way!” he shouted. “If he is made up of the spirits of the American Pacific War dead, then we must try to get Japanese dead to fight him!”

Miki! Gojira replied.

“How do I do that?” Katagiri asked. “How do I find ghost to fight Gojira?”

“You do realize that the Defense Department will think you are crazy, Katagiri,” she said. “Getting ghosts to fight against Gojira. They believe that he’s still an animal.”

“Not after that show he put on for us,” he said. “We’ve gathered samples of a strange substance he left behind. When the test results come back from the lab, that’ll be all the proof CCI needs on telling what sort of monster we’re dealing with. I find it interesting what Gojira was in life. One soul, one mind, directed on one thing, our destruction. This captain must have really hated us, when he was alive.”

Miki rolled her eyes. She knew that Gojira was made up of many ghosts. She has seen the war inside Gojira when they disagree. Then, she remembered that Jim did in fact absorbed most of the warring souls in her dream. Perhaps Katagiri was right. She thought on the ectoplasm Gojira left behind. Then, she recalled the tears. It was possible that the ectoplasm was his tears he had shed when he regretted doing something.

Miki? Asked Gojira. What’s wrong? Miki, why are you calling me?

Katagiri—my arm! Let go of my arm! She screamed. Katagiri still held tightly. He turned towards her and saw that unfocused look in her eyes.

“You’re talking to him!” he cried, drawing her close.

“Let go!” she cried.

Let go of her arm, Katagiri! So help me, God, I’ll kill you if you hurt her! Katagiri flinched when he heard the angered voice of Gojira in his mind.

“You have feelings for her, demon?” he asked. “She’s Japanese! Why do you care for her and you kill so many others, Gojira? She’s Japanese like the rest of them! Maybe you long for some shore leave—eh?”

Stop mocking me, you pathetic excuse for a man! The dark god roared. Katagiri heard the awful howling roar off in the distance. Then, the claws came—ripping through his mind once more. I won’t be so forgiving if you hurt her. You would not have the strength to fight me off.

Katagiri saw the cold, white eyes staring at him as the demon rose from the back drop of the ruins. He let go of Miki’s arm, screaming in pain as Gojira dug deeper. He really meant to kill him this time. Blood seeped out from the canal of his ears. Miki knelt down to Katagiri, touching his shoulder. He began to spasm and convulse, flecks of white foam formed around his mouth. Miki glanced back at the demon, seeing the white eyes glow with burning light.

“Don’t do this, Jim!” she cried. “Don’t kill him!”

Gojira growled and his white eyes blinked. The demon relaxed his grip on Katagiri’s mind. Then, he settled down next to a ruined skyscraper and crossed his arm. More and more, Gojira was acting less like a demon and more human. She began to suspect that contact with his brother had changed him—bring out more of Jim’s human side. Even his crossed arms gave that away. Then, Gojira closed his eyes and searched inside Katagiri again. He was not hurting him, rather, he was repairing the damage he caused earlier. His mind could heal as well as kill. Miki watched as Katagiri’s face became more relaxed. His eyes opened and he got up. Katagiri craned his head up to look at the frightful visage of the demon god—Gojira. The demon stared down at him. The cold eyes that once held no emotion, filled with a look of angered defiance. He did not like doing what he did. A snarling frown parted his lips, showing off every gleaming columns of sharp, sword-like teeth.

You should feel so lucky, Katagiri heard Gojira hiss. Next time, I won’t be so generous when Miki is around.

“You Americans are all alike,” Katagiri sniffed. “You’re so pushy at getting your way.”

Gojira snarled and got up. Miki sensed a very human humph escaping the demon’s lips as he lumbered away. She watched silently as his massive form disappeared behind the rubble. Miki’s eyes lit up and she dashed off after him. She remembered what Mat had told her to do.

Jim! She cried after him. Jim, wait, I need to tell you something!

The demon stopped. Miki watched quietly as Gojira turned back towards her. His eyes were fierce and cold. Miki held her breath. Then, she felt a smile come on her face.

“Mat told me to tell you, Jim,” she said—using his name. “He’s found them. Mat found your dog tags.”

My dog tags? Gojira asked. How? Those were lost when my body went to sea.

“He had someone retrieve them,” Miki shouted. “He wants to give them to you if you return back to Maine.”

Gojira’s face softened. She saw the tears flow from his eyes again: I want them back. He knows that. Thank you, Miki.

Then, he face became cold again. Gojira regained his composure. The great demon let loose a fearsome roar. His back lit up. Miki’s smile disappeared when she felt the charge in the air build up. She smelled ozone and felt the electricity charge carry through her. Miki saw the heat distortion swell up inside the demon’s mouth as the blue-white glow formed in his slightly parted jaws. Her throat became dry with fear. Her body shook violently. Miki’s eyes welt up with salty tears as she saw the blast of his breath race towards her. The powerful stream of the ray raced over her head, stirring her hair like a gust of wind. She quickly glanced behind her shoulder at the target of the beam. Miki screamed violently, feeling her body being flung back just as the breath hit its target. Gojira was just finishing the job on CCI’s main building. His breath pivoted over and struck Katagiri’s chopper. Katagiri leapt out of the way as the chopper exploded. The beam slowly diminished away as Gojira turned away from the destruction.

Let me know if you ever find away to defeat me, Katagiri, the demon scoffed. I would very much enjoy a fight. All this destruction is getting old.

Katagiri heard the demon chuckle deeply just as he faded away into the smoke and the dust left over from the debris. Miki’s eyes shook as she watched him walk away. She knew that there was some humanity left in Gojira. She just had to get to it. That was the only way she could try to appease the demon and set Jim’s spirit free from its torment. She did not care for Gojira, she cared for Jim. But why did Jim care so much for her?

Gojira…she sighed. Miki turned away from where the demon disappeared and walked back over to her chopper. Tokyo was in ruins. She knew that Gojira was going to strike again soon—in another place, at another time. She waited for him to return. Miki knew that she would not know why Gojira was weeping if she was not asleep. This time, she had to go to sleep just to see him.

Ghostly Findings

“Dr. Nakajima,” began Katagiri. “About that sample left by Gojira.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Secretary, I have it here,” sighed Nakajima. He leaned off of the desk and approached the beaker. Nakajima was weary from the long day. His old eyes ached and his body felt fatigued. But learning the knowledge behind the strange substance secreted by the monster intrigued and baffled him. Never has he studied a sample like it. He had worked as a chemist for over 30 years. He had seen chemicals that could boggle the mind, but this substance, he had not seen. Nakajima could not make it out. The strange ooze was light greenish yellow and translucent. He picked up the beaker and began to swirl the ooze around. It reacted much like a liquid. It swished around in the glass and it made a sound much like water would. And then he tried to touch it. The substance became sticky and it reacted like ooze. Nakajima handed the flask over to Katagiri.

“What did you find?” Katagiri asked, deeply.

“It’s not like anything I’ve studied,” he said. “And this stuff is the only real, tangible—well anything that we’ve ever gotten of Gojira.”

“Is it his blood?”

“No,” said Nakajima. “I think that this is something else. I’ve tested it to every known base and acid. It’s not even a neutral!”

“It must be some type of chemical!” Katagiri roared, frustrated.

Nakajima shook his head: “It’s not even a chemical, nor is it an element. At least not an element we’ve got on the charts.”

“Then what on Earth is it?”

“That’s a good question,” the scientist smiled. “You wrote in your report what Miss Segusa told you. Gojira is a demon, right?”

“More on the lines of a ghost,” the secretary sighed.

“Then, this stuff is real ectoplasm!” Nakajima cried. “There is a theory rolling around the paranormal scientists…”

“Paranormal, you mean people who study ghosts?” Katagiri eyed him harshly.

Nakajima nodded: “They go to haunted houses to try to prove that there is an afterlife. Well, sometimes they find—well they say that they find ectoplasm on the walls, where ghosts have gone through. It’s a secretion.”

“But Gojira has never secreted something like this before,” Katagiri gruffly inputted. “And the buildings he’s gone through are all in ruins.”

“Gojira, perhaps, has the power to make himself more solid than normal ghosts,” grinned Nakajima. “Gojira is made of solidified ectoplasm, something that doesn’t come off of him if he touches something—like what happens with other ghosts.”

Katagiri shook his head.

“I take it you know more about his power than I do,” began Nakajima, reading Katagiri.

“He’s a telepath, and a very strong one!” Katagiri snorted. “He nearly killed me again with one of his little thought probes. And he can control people! I call that power!”

“Astonishing,” he gasped. “Thought probes? The more I learn about Gojira…”

“You take this like you’re at some sort of picnic, doctor,” growled Katagiri.

“Forgive me,” Nakajima bowed. “It’s just that Gojira is filled with mysteries that need to be solved.”

“Then, talk to Miki Segusa,” he began sharply, turning towards the door. “She has solved most of his mysteries just by talking to him.”

“What has she found?”

“Gojira’s true identity…” Katagiri’s voice trailed off as he left the laboratory.

Three beings invaded Gojira’s dream. They stared at him with stern and hateful eyes. He could not see them very clearly. The forms loomed over him with intense eyes. He knew that he had seen them before. They’ve invaded his mind countless times. He saw the glowing golden shimmers of dust dance and play around the forms. They were the souls of the Japanese war dead. Gojira hissed and growled at the forms. He felt his own pull from the souls that made up his body. The souls of the American war dead stared back at the souls of the Japanese war dead. Gojira fell to the ethereal ground, watching in horrifying amazement as the blue-white souls inside his body seep out through his mouth. Jim forced them back, trying to hold onto them as desperately as he could. The souls would not obey. He needed them. Gojira—or rather Jim now—growled and snarled defiantly as he saw the souls collide with the golden dust near the three forms. The forms just stood there. Their eyes stared down at him with a gaze that shook every part of his body in fear. Gojira regained himself and gave them a taste of his own stare. He called to the souls that swarmed and warred around the forms. The souls of American dead parted from the golden dust and slowly seeped back into his body. He smiled devilishly.

Nice try, Gojira hissed. Don’t do that again!

We won’t, dark god, said the voices of the Japanese dead. But now, we will defend our land from you. We have a way…a way to finally defeat you. Just wait.

That’s what I’m counting on, Jim sighed. That’s what we want. Just say when and where and we will be there.

Tomorrow, in Okinawa, you will meet your first challenge, they said.

We do now, Gojira protested. And you will see how and why! We will make sure that the first battle will end in failure. Preferably on your side!

The conversation ended in darkness…

Gojira awoke violently from his dream. He sensed that Miki was waiting for him. He felt that strange unnatural urge to blink again. He knew that he was loosing himself. His human feelings were coming back—well, Jim’s human feelings. He looked around at his island home. The spirits settled here a few years ago, tired of roaming around the water when they had no place to go after each attack. Jim had led them to this tiny island in the South Pacific. It was the perfect resting place for Gojira. Here, he hid in a cave to keep out of sight. Gojira stirred from his rest. The urge to destroy burned like fire inside his heart. With one united impulse, the souls commanded Gojira to head out to see. He forgot about Miki and only saw one objective. Jim heard Miki call to him. Gojira snarled and flinched. The war began again. Jim could not take it anymore. The souls wanted him to forget Miki. He could not. There had to be a reason why he thought of her so much. Jim tried to fight off the urge to destroy. The fire intensified inside him, gnarling hands gripped him, and pulled at him. They led Gojira off the island and into the sea.

Miki…Gojira called in an airy voice. In the afternoon at Okinawa. There will be a fight. I am going there now…

Gojira! Miki cried. Fight? Wait!

Jim searched within his mind and searched within her heart as Gojira dove into the salty water. He looked deep within her soul to find why he cared so much for her. She was Japanese. So why did he care? Then, he found it. As Gojira sliced the water, Jim found his reason.

Maria! Gojira cried. He stopped, floating there in the murkiness abyss. Maria! It can’t be you! But it is! Miki, you are my wife…

He had found her. Her soul had reincarnated into the body of Miki Segusa. She had not gone into past life regression. Miki did not understand, but Jim did. He saw her and he sensed her. That was why he cared so much.

Maria…Gojira breathed. You have been here all this time. Miki, forgive me…

What did you do that morning? Why did you cry? She asked.

For the first time, I hated killing innocent people, Gojira sighed. He continued his swimming towards Japan. What I was doing, it’s not right. It was never right. But revenge is thing that darkens the heart and blinds even the kindest of men to what he was doing. I know that now, but I am forever bound by that fate. I must kill the Japanese. I have no choice in this anymore.

Do you hate us? She asked him.

No, not anymore, he said. Hate is a strong word. Do something to make this stop. Until that time, your war dead are going to defend Japan against me. It will be a battle to the end. I may survive, I may not. It all depends. Find it, Miki! I know you can. Ask my brother! He has hands in state far enough to know every secret. Just remember, what I do, I do because I am force to…

Gojira’s speed increased.

Remember, Miki, I take no joy in your country’s destruction anymore, Gojira reminded her. The killing of innocents must stop!

He dove deeper into the water, gliding along with powerful speed. He felt the sadness and the heaviness of his sins weigh upon his heart. Gojira felt heavy as he swam through the abyss. He felt the power of his tail speed him along to his destination.

The killing must stop! He thought…

Baragon: God of the Earth!

“Hey, Goro!” cried Ken. “This place looks like a dump!”

Goro and Ken looked around the old temple. This temple was dedicated to the Earth God Baragon. The temple was in ruins for lack of care. No one has ventured into the ancient temple in years. Dust littered the stone floor. Goro swiped his hand across the dusty railing. Clouds of dust bellowed up from his hand as he rubbed the old rail. Ken looked around the alter. Old chalices and plates sat on the stone slab, unused in ages. He spied a dusty, old statue set at the middle of the alter. The stone statue was of a creature that walked on his all fours. The creature had one long horn on its brow, just above its nose. Large, floppy ears framed its face. Ken leaned close to it, to inspect it more. Upon closer inspection, Ken found it to glisten.

“Hey, Goro!” he called. “Give me your flashlight!”

“Okay,” said Goro. He still did not know why he was here. He knew that Ken was going to swipe some of the things in this old temple. Some of the things in here were valuable. Ken was loosing money in his job. Goro hefted the flashlight to Ken’s awaiting hands. Ken grabbed it just before it could hit him in the head.

“Hey! Watch where you throw that thing!” he growled.

“Sorry,” Goro said. “What did you find?”

“An old statue of this funny looking beast,” Ken whispered. He shined the light onto the statue. Ken’s eyes grew wide. The statue glistened with radiant golden light. It was gold! “This will be what I need. I’m sure I can get it for a lot of Yen on the market!”

“Maybe a hundred thousand Yen?” Goro asked.

“No, much more!” he smiled as he stuffed the statue into his bag. “But no one has been in this temple for years! They won’t miss it.”

“May be the spirit guarding this place might,” said Goro.

“What spirit?” scoffed Ken. “Don’t tell me you believe in old wives tails about some guardian spirits. Baragon is just a legend, nothing more.”

Ken looked around the dusty, old temple and laughed. Then, he grabbed Goro by the shirt and ran out of the temple. They scurried off to their truck. Just as they got into their truck, a rumble—angry and deafening shook the ground. Goro looked down at his feet. Cracks and slivers raced under his feet. The ground began to shift and give way. Ken leapt into his truck.

“Goro, don’t be a fool!” he cried. “Get in!”

Goro opened the door and shoved himself into the truck. The ground rumbled violently. They heard a muffled roar followed by an ear piercing squeal. Goro covered his ears. His head split in agony as the sound grew louder. Ken, started the motor, revving up the engine.

“Come on!” he hissed to the truck. Ken set the truck in gear, hearing the wheels spin. The wheels span, but the truck was not moving! Ken slammed his foot on the gas, but all that came from it was more sounds of spinning wheels. The truck was caught in one of the cracks.

“You don’t believe in spirits?” cried Goro. “Then, what is that?”

Ken looked up to the windshield. He stared in horror at a great, enormous eye. The eye was followed by a mouth armed with sharp, sword-like teeth.

Defilers of my temple! Roared an angry, shrill voice into their heads. The head jerked and Ken and Goro felt the truck rock. The truck was thrown from the ground. Goro and Ken cried in horror as the truck swung in mid air. They did not catch what monster attacked them. It was too late, they would be dead upon impact.

Baragon shook the dust and dirt from his head. Thousands of minds controlled his heart. One objective weighed heavily on his brow: find the Dark God Gojira and destroy him! He trotted off, hearing the sound of his enemy’s mighty roar.

Find the Demon God, thought Baragon. Find him—destroy him. We want vengeance for the destruction he has caused Japan!

Miki Segusa flew back to Maine. She wanted to know about the Pearl Harbor incident. She wanted to know what really happened. She traveled back to Mat’s mansion for help. Knocking on the door, she waited for an answer. Mat answered the door with a smile.

“You’re back so soon,” he said. “Is Jim with you?”

“He had sent me here,” she gasped. “Godzilla has attacked Tokyo. He gained control of the Japanese navy and air force, forcing them to open fire on each other.”

Mat stared at her with a blank expression. His mouth felt dry and his stomach curled into a tight knot. Mat swallowed. Then, he motioned for her to come in. He stared at her for a long time as she walked across the floor.

“He said that he regretted what he has done,” she continued. “I saw tears in his eyes as he left Japan.”

“What else did he say?” Mat asked.

“He said that he wants his dog tags,” Miki began. “Then, he knows that there was something wrong. He is forced in doing what he does to Japan. Jim wants out! He says that perhaps Pearl Harbor wasn’t a sneak attack.”

“It wasn’t,” said Mat. “We only knew about this a few weeks ago. My friend the Secretary of Defense has a document dated 1941. It’s a declaration of war from the Japanese. They were writing it and they tried to get it out before the bombing of Pear Harbor. They were only two hours too late. The document wasn’t written in time.”

“Where is this document?” she asked.

“In Washington,” Mat cleared his throat. “I can see if I can possibly get a copy of it.”

Miki leaned back and sighed. Gojira—Jim, it wasn’t our fault after all. We had a declaration of war, but it never got out. Gojira, I have found it!

To late…whispered a sad, meek voice. To late for me, now. The fight begins. Tell, Mat that I love him.

“A fight?” she asked.

“What fight?” Mat asked.

“Gojira is going to fight someone,” Miki said. Who are you going to fight?

Miki’s eyes widened. She sensed the presence of others around Gojira. These ‘others’ hated him, despised him. They mocked Gojira. She could feel them all around him. They took the form of a creature. Miki closed her eyes, blocking out the outside world. Her mind, her soul was in Japan. She watched from ethereal eyes the two towering forms before her. Gojira waited silently. His eyes shown the look of concentration and desire—desire to win. Baragon, the other monster growled in challenge at him. Gojira just stood there. He was studying the smaller monster. Baragon was no taller than the demon’s knee. Gojira eyed the monster intently. The strange monster’s sounds were shrill and high pitched. Baragon’s screams made Miki’s head pound with pain. The strange, four-legged creature lunged for Gojira. Gojira’s eyes narrowed. His thick, muscular legs spread wide. His claws out stretched, waiting to catch the monster in his talons. Gojira bent his knees, a snarl curled up slowly on his lips. Miki felt a chill upon her shoulders. Hatred, lust for battle, and fierce fiery anger pounded into her head. All these feelings came from the two monsters. Miki knew that Baragon was out matched. Gojira was strong, powerful, and most of all—invulnerable. Baragon leapt up onto his hind legs, throwing his body’s weight onto Gojira. The demon caught the creature. He dug his claws into the hard leather hide of Baragon. Rich, red ichors flowed from the open wounds, oozing out onto the demon’s claws. Baragon clamped his teeth onto Gojira’s forearm. The monster’s fangs dug deep into the flesh. Gojira grunted, feeling the pain inflicted by this small nuisance. His face showed no agony. Gojira only grunted from being annoyed, not from the pain. The demon dug further into Baragon’s flesh.

Is that the best you can do? Gojira asked. This is meaningless!

“Miki!” cried Mat. “What’s going on?”

“A monster—created from the souls of the Japanese war dead—has emerged to fight Godzilla,” Miki whispered fearfully.

“What?” Mat asked, horrified. “Another demon?”

“No, a holy beast,” she corrected. “Baragon. I thought he was a legend. That means that soon the other holy beasts will awaken.”

“Holy beast?”

Miki nodded, shaking from head to toe: “Baragon isn’t strong enough to defeat the Dark God, but he will hold out long enough for Mothra and Ghidorah to awaken. They are the eight-headed hydra of Yamato. Baragon, Mothra, and King Ghidorah—the protectors of Japan.”

“So, why did they not awaken when Jim started this?” Mat asked.

“It was possible that they could not awaken,” she said. “Someone must have desecrated Baragon’s temple. That is why he awoke. Then, somehow, he is controlled by the Japanese war dead. I remember a dream I had before the latest attack. Gojira’s warring souls wanted a confrontation. Jim must have summoned the Japanese souls for this fight.”

“Jim can summon souls?” Mat whispered. “Where is he learning all of this? That’s not apart of his telepathy.”

“It is what he gained from dying,” she sighed. Miki closed her eyes again. Gojira, you will win this fight. Baragon is not very strong compared to you.

But the others are, Gojira replied. Let me concentrate!

Miki felt Gojira’s powerful mental push. The demon slung her away from his mind. His mental throw caught her off balance and she staggered backwards. Mat reached out for her, grabbing a hold of her arm. Miki gasped for air, trying to search for Godzilla’s mind again. He was blocking her mental voice. He wanted no distractions. Gojira continued his fight. Tears flowed down her eyes as she suddenly felt alone without his voice inside her head. She felt the sob well up in her throat, her eyes squinted. Tears flow down her cheeks. Miki lowered to the floor and leaned into her hands.

“What’s the matter now,” Mat asked, holding a hand out to comfort her.

“He—he pushed me away,” Miki wept. “I can’t hear is voice anymore!”

“Has Jim been defeated?” he asked.

“No, he’s just blocking me,” she said. “I feel alone all of a sudden.”

“Why?”

“Mat, his voice is a part of me. I’m a lone without it,” Miki shuddered. “And my body—houses the soul of his wife.”

Mat stood back, silent and phased. He could not truly believe what he was hearing from her. He was still, his brow crossed in a confused scowl.

“That is who I was,” she said.

“Jim—told you this?” Mat asked.

“I felt him inside me, searching,” Miki said. “Then, I saw what he saw. I saw my death. I saw Chelsea’s death. I saw the planes. But Jim wasn’t there. He left me to play good captain. He was not there. Flames everywhere—large explosion. From that on I could not remember anything. And now, he has left me again!”

Miki shook her head, trying hard to make sense of all of this. She looked back up at Mat, her eyes bloodshot from her tears. Her mouth was pulled back in an agonizing grimace. Mat could tell she was in torment about all of this. She did not know how this was going to end.

“The document,” she sniffed. “We must show it to him before his next fight. It might stop all this.”

Mat nodded.

“Mat, come with me,” she said. “If he heard it from you, it might help bearing the weight of the truth to him. He may not believe me.”

“All right,” Mat said. “I will come with you.”

Baragon still held on tightly. Gojira did not even move. He stared down at the attacking kaiju with stern eyes of hatred. His white eyes began to glow. Columns of steam rose out from his lids. His lip twitched and the muscles in his arm tightened. Steam rose from his lips and his nostrils. His lips parted and his jaws slowly opened. He leaned down onto Baragon—ever slowly. The glow of his eyes became white hot. Before Baragon could react, Gojira had dug his long fangs into the monster’s neck. Pain filled Baragon’s senses. Gojira slowly closed is jaws on his neck, taking in every squeal of agony from the monster. Jim was enjoying this. The taste of Baragon’s own blood pleasured him. Then, when he felt that he had a good enough hold on Baragon, Gojira snapped his neck back up. Baragon felt a shock of pain racing up and down his body. He let go of Gojira’s arm, staggering back in agony. Gojira stood there, feeling his arm with his claw. In his mouth was a large chunk of bloody flesh and entrails. Gojira had torn flesh from Baragon’s neck. The bloody entrails dripped from his mouth and stained his fangs. Gojira had the look of a beast, feasting on the flesh of his opponent. The demon spat out the chunks of flesh from his mouth. His eyes narrowed and his lips curled up into a beastly snarl.

My neck! Cried Baragon. You will pay, demon!

How pathetic, mocked Gojira. The little puppy wants to play with the big dogs. I might warn you, play with fire and you’ll get burned.

Baragon roared in blinding rage. His horn began to glow brightly with his growing anger. Gojira stood back, watching in silence as the holy beast charged up his main weapon. The monster snorted and snarled, rearing his head back painfully. The wound was weakening him. Baragon’s dark eyes widened as his head shot forward. The creature shot out a powerful, blinding ray from his horn. Gojira did not see this coming. The ray shot right for him, hitting him with great strength. He heard his flesh sizzle and pop from the heat. He smelled the charcoal smoke coming from his wound. Gojira fell to the ground, holding his stomach. He never thought that such a puny creature could inflict such pain to him. Gojira grimaced at his pain, looking down at his arm and his stomach. He growled demonically, saliva and foam dripped from his fanged jaws.

What’s the matter? Gojira heard Baragon ask with some arrogance in his ethereal, shrill voice. Can’t take what you dish out?

What I dish out could kill you, pooch! Gojira snapped. I’m only warming up. I’ll save my strength for the real fight.

There will be a real fight, Gojira, Baragon nodded. Though I will not be apart of it. I am just the one to keep you occupied until they get here. When you face Mothra and King Ghidorah, you will know what true pain is!

I thought that you were nothing more than some pathetic lackey, Gojira scoffed. I can’t wait to meet and break your buddies. The eight-headed hydra will fall before me and beg my forgiveness, like those who they protect.

Baragon snarled: We do not protect mortals, only the land. We protect Japan. You are nothing more than an invader—like the souls that make up your body.

And you are made from the souls of the ones we were ordered to fight, Gojira said solemnly. So are they. So, enough talk! Come to me, Baragon of the Earth! Come to the Dark God Gojira, and die with your hopeless honor!

You don’t know the meaning of honor, Baragon hissed as he lunged for Gojira. Neither do any American!

Gojira felt the charge race up his back. His eyes widened as Baragon leapt up to pounce on him. Heat swelled up inside his mouth. He felt the power of his nuclear breath race up his throat and gather inside his jaws. He laid flat on his back and craned his neck up, watching the monster leap from the ground to the air—only to come down on top of him. Gojira’s mouth parted and his breath blasted out. Baragon was caught up in the heat. The blue-white ethereal spray was all around him. He felt his flesh burn away. His eyes began to melt in the siring heat of Gojira’s powerful breath. Baragon’s world was shattered by the blue-white light coming from the demon’s mouth. He was blinded, but all he could see was blue-white. The souls that made up Baragon broke up. Gojira closed his mouth, ending his breath. He watched as Baragon’s body, now lying on the ground, began to shimmer. He saw the souls of the war dead part away. They flowed around Baragon as he disappeared into the shimmering mirage. The golden sparkles of dust swarm around the place where the monster lay. For a long, lingering moment, Gojira could sense the hatred and disgust the souls felt for him. He showed little remorse for Baragon’s death. He watched with pleased eyes as the souls flowed up to the sky, only to disappear into the sun’s light.

This isn’t over, Gojira, he heard the souls hiss. We will meet again…

I’m counting on it…Gojira breathed.

Katagiri stood silently on the hill, looking over at the battle that took place. General Odaka stood with him, his beady eyes were wide. He had never seen such a battle before. Katagiri took in a deep breath. He could only deduce that the monster that was just defeated by Gojira was Baragon. The legends were true. There were guardians of the land. Katagiri remembered the legends told to him as a child. He could only hope that the two other guardians would be strong enough to finally destroy Gojira. His lips curled up into a crooked smile. He watched Gojira roast Baragon with one shot of his bright, siring breath. Gojira was powerful. His strength unsurpassed by Baragon. The smaller monster was no match for the demon. Yet, he did manage to wound Gojira. That was all Katagiri needed to know.

“So, the demon can bleed!” Katagiri chuckled. “How interesting. Baragon did what we’ve tried to do for years, actually hurt Gojira.”

“I thought that Gojira was a god,” began Odaka. “You told me that on the phone, right after the Tokyo Bay attack. I did not believe it before.”

Katagiri looked back at him, his eyes narrowed and his face twisted in an awful scowl. He stared at the general for a very long time. Then, his attention was turned by the horrid sound of Gojira’s triumphant roar. Katagiri turned towards the monstrous sound, trembling with fright. His eyes met up with the demon’s eyes. Gojira glanced at him with those piercing white orbs. The demon’s face had the look of no emotion. He did not mourn for the death of his opponent. He felt nothing for Baragon. The guardian was nothing more than a nuisance to the dark god. Nothing could stop him from his rampages. Gojira was annoyed. His lips curled up in an ungodly snarl. His lips pulled back across his enormous wracks of teeth. Steam flowed in columns from his upper lids. Gojira slowly turned is body around, facing the army that had gathered.

Don’t waste your time on me, Katagiri! Gojira hissed.

Katagiri flinched at the sound of Gojira’s voice in his mind. He turned away from the demon. Odaka looked back at the secretary, his eyes studied Katagiri’s movements.

“What’s the matter?” Odaka asked.

“He’s—in my head!” Katagiri grunted. Gojira’s eyes narrowed as he forced his mental will on Katagiri. Katagiri felt Gojira’s grip like a powerful vice, squeezing his mind and smashing his thoughts. The demon stood still. He heard the man cry out in pain. Gojira forced his claws into Katagiri’s mind once more. This time, he had one objective—take control over Katagiri. Katagiri felt his body move without his command. His legs moved by a will not his own. Odaka watched with wide eyes as Katagiri walked over to one of the soldiers. Strange energy flowed through his body, tingling his senses.

“Hand—me—your—gun,” growled a voice from Katagiri’s mouth. It was his voice, but he did not say the words. Katagiri knew that the words were from the demon. The soldier obeyed, loyalty blinded his logic. He knew that there was something wrong with Katagiri, but he dared not to disobey. Odaka strode over to Katagiri. He was baffled by what was happening. The general turned back to the demon. Then, he looked back at Katagiri.

“Katagiri, sir,” Odaka began, worriedly. “Sir, what are you doing.”

Katagiri took the pistol from the soldier and cocked the hammer. He lifted the gun to his head, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Gojira, no!” Katagiri pleaded. “No, don’t do this to me!”

“Katagiri!” cried the general. “Put away that gun!”

“I can’t,” Katagiri wept. The demon’s claws dug deeper. Katagiri felt his finger tease the trigger.

“Sir, you’re not well!” Odaka yelled.

“It’s not me!” Katagiri cried. “It’s Gojira. He has control over my body.”

Odaka turned back to the demon: “What do you want? A hostage? What do you want from us?”

Katagiri’s death…said a voice colder than a tomb into Odaka’s head. He staggered back. This was the first time he heard Gojira speak to him. Now, he believed. He believed that Gojira was a demon. He saw the hatred in the dark god’s eyes. He felt small and insignificant before Gojira. Then, the sound of a gun shot disturbed his thoughts. Odaka turned around, his eyes shaking with fear. Katagiri laid before him. There was a huge, gaping, bloody hole in the side of his head. Brains and flesh dangled out the exit wound. Blood dripped in puddles around Katagiri’s body. His sightless eyes were focused on Gojira. Then, Odaka stood back as a golden fleck rose from Katagiri’s body. The fleck rose higher into the sky. It shot off into the air, in the direction where the souls of Baragon were heading. Odaka shook his head, he could not believe what he was seeing. He saw a man shoot himself in the head, commanded by a will stronger than his own. Then, Odaka understood. Gojira could never be defeated. No matter how much his army tried to kill the demon, Gojira would remain victorious. No matter what new firepower Odaka added to his arsenal, the dark god would still be stronger. No one could defeat Gojira. No one, but maybe the guardians. He knew of their legends, stories he was told in his youth. Odaka was not going to give up. He was going to avenge Katagiri’s death. Anger and hatred darken his heart. Odaka glanced back towards the dark god. Gojira slowly lumbered away from them. His mind was set on other things.

Miki! Miki’s eyes lit up when she heard the voice. Miki, Baragon is finished.

She did not reply. Mat and Miki were in a plane to Washington D.C. He had a copy made of the declaration of war written in 1941. Mat had to fly to Washington to retrieve it. The Defense Secretary only said that it was for reasons of security. Mat grumbled, why could he just fax the stupid thing to his office? Miki looked out the window of the plane. Her mind was somewhere else.

Miki, answer me! Gojira roared into her head.

Miki refused to reply. She crossed her arms defiantly. She did not want to speak to him. She did not even care if he had won or not.

Miki, what’s the matter? Why aren’t you answering me? He asked.

Miki shook her head. Her eyes became unfocused and she leaned her head back. The world around her melted away from her eyes, as she drifted off into a slumber. The claws appeared again, pulling at her soul. This time, they would not let go of her. She pulled away from the claws, beating them away with her fist. Then, she looked up in a fearful gaze. Eyes, cold, furious, and white stared at her. She had angered the demon for not replying. Her eyes shook as she felt wetness drip from her bottom lids. She was crying. Fangs dripped with steamy saliva. She smelled the ozone in the air and she felt the heat. Then, something snapped inside of her. Miki felt an angry welt in her heart. She stared at the cold pair of glowing eyes. She gritted her teeth and gripped the claw that held her arm. Miki, with all her strength, tore the claw from her. Her anger was like fire. The demon’s eyes blinked.

Leave me be, demon! She hissed at him. I don’t want to talk to you!

What is wrong, Miki? Gojira asked. Why are you angry with me?

Miki stared him down, her brown eyes narrowing. Her mouth frowned in disgust.

You left me! She cried. You left me then, and you pushed me away now! How dare you, Jim. How dare you!

Gojira’s white eyes disappeared from view. Miki looked around the void for him.

“Miki,” said a voice from behind her. She turned around, her eyes meeting up with a pair of young, blue—human eyes. She stood back. A man dressed in an officer’s uniform stood in front of her.

“I’m truly sorry, Maria, for leaving you,” Jim whispered softly. “But my country had called.”

“You left our daughter and I to die in the explosions,” she hissed. This was Maria talking through Miki.

“I did not know that you were going to die that day when Pear Harbor was attacked,” Jim began. “But it was only until after I had died that I knew you were gone. I searched everywhere for you and Chelsea. I could not find you.”

“So, you go parading around in the guise of a gigantic monster,” Maria sniffed. “You kill innocent people because you could not find me. Search within your heart. You would have known that I was always there.”

Jim’s head lowered in shame and sorrow. His shoulders slumped and he sighed in grief. Tears stained his cheeks.

“I have a message for you, my dear husband,” Maria began in a harsh and unforgiving voice. “Because of your selfish atrocities, you will never find rest. As punishment for your deeds, you will remain on this mortal Earth as the demon you created!”

Jim looked at her, his eyes shook with sorrow: “Forgive me, Maria! I’m so sorry!”

“I’m sorry that you have to do this in order to satisfy your thirst for vengeance, Jim,” Maria wept, shaking her head. “I love you. I do forgive you for what you have become. But judgment does not end at death. It only continues. What you choose to do after that is up to you. I only hope that you will choose right and leave Japan alone. Perhaps, after a while, you can finally see rest.”

“Where’s Chelsea?” he asked.

“She is in her resting place, where she belongs,” said Maria. “She does not understand why you did not come. I don’t think she would want to see you now. It would break her heart.”

Jim’s form faded from site, only to be replaced by the ominous, soul piercing eyes of Gojira. The eyes held great sadness and regret—something that they never held before.

I’m so sorry, Maria, Gojira shuddered.

“I hope you can find happiness in this nonsense,” Maria whispered.

I shall, dear wife, the demon hissed. His eyes regained their cold stare. Somehow, Miki and Maria knew that it would never end. As long as Gojira remained on Earth, he will never back down from his killings. If he could not kill the Japanese, he would find another objective. Anything that gave him a reason to hold vengeance in his cold heart. He will find a reason, Miki knew this. Gojira faded away from the vision. Miki awoke, startled by Mat’s touch. He laid his hand on her shoulder to wake her. They had arrived in Washington D.C. But would the document be enough to prove to Gojira that Pearl Harbor wasn’t a sneak attack? Miki had her doubts. There were more things that drove Gojira into his attacks than Pear Harbor. Deep rooted things that drove his ambitions. The souls would not be satisfied by some piece of paper. She hoped that it would be enough. Mat and Miki made their way in the all hours of the night to the Capital Building. The paper was waiting on the Secretary of Defense’s desk…

Gojira lumbered out to sea, feeling the need to head towards Kyushu Kara. Another voice called him there. He had not trampled Kyushu in a long while. The dark god felt that the island needed a good thrashing. There were innocents to kill, buildings to smash. Whether or not Jim took joy in this was not on his mind. The souls of Gojira were working in unison. They all enjoyed the death they caused. The demon sliced through the water. His speed was great, his motivation gave him strength. Gojira growled, his eyes lit up the murky water with sunshine. Fish and whales scattered away from him, fearful of his dark presence. Those who stood in his path were instantly slaughtered. Gojira’s fury flooded his senses. Then, he felt something grab at his foot. Gojira looked down at the annoying feeling on his foot. He saw a head with a snout armed in glistening white fangs. Another head faded in from the dark water, then another. Gojira was baffled by what he saw. Pain, great and blinding, reached through him. The three heads were crowned with glistening horns. They were connected by three snaking necks. A golden scaled, mus