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Six hours had passed since Murata's broadcast, with less barricades now on the street, and more stains of blood on the gravel. When news of Gondo's battle in the mall had spread along with a mysterious yakuza matriarch, Murata quickly informed his allies to step back, and let the police now handle things. The crowds would disperse, a few arrested for overnight stays, and security detail was made around the hospital.

Workers returned home beaten but relieved, a piece of history ingrained in their minds and in their feeds. The night workers arrived in a frenzy of excitement, hearing all the news after reading about it online with all the cafes and shops buzzing over the crooked chief. But there would come a greater war beneath the starless night.

From the Hotel District came a row of of limousines, the staff at the nearby love-ins expecting diplomats as they stood back in waiting. But they were surprised to see instead, a dozen members of the Toho. Then it was two dozen, three, five, thirteen, until the street was filled with jackets and suits all branded with Toho pins. Dogs, birds, felines, cows and crocodilians all marched towards the Millennium Tower.

At the forefront stood Kin Shisahara, a general before his army with hands clasped behind his back, as he gave orders to different groups. The few civilians who were out and about, were cautioned gently off the streets as various Toho families searched out the Jinuchu's local offices.

One such place was called Plectrum Development, a real estate company with office workers in their cubicles. As they typed away with baggy eyes, they heard a rumbling crowd past their stations, looking up in shock as a wall of kaiju went to the manager's office.

"Hey, you."

Itsumi the cockerel stepped forth, a dog sitting up from his desk with a trembling start.

"S-sirs, madames, c-can I help you?"

"Yeah, you're no longer welcome in Kaijurocho. You and any other Jinuchu businesses, you got three days to close up shop and take a hike. Also, we want all three Ighorashi brothers brought out, their heads bowed on the street, so we make them pay."

"I...I-i-i don't know what you mean, who are you-HRRRKH!"

The rooster grabbed his tie and pulled him close, snarling a rancid fire from his beak.

"Don't...fuck with me. You got two minutes to tell Doi Ighorashi, that the Toho are taking this city back, and each minute after that, we're destroying one of your servers."

"Th-th-this...you, y-you can't be serious!"

"ALL OF YOU, GET OUT!" screamed Itsumi to the workers. "EVERY ONE OF YOU, YOU'RE ALL GETTING PAID LEAVE, AND FULL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS CUZ YOU WON'T BE COMING BACK TO THIS JOB!"

No one stayed behind, running out the doors in a frantic race as Itsumi's family started smashing up cubicles and wrecking PCs, frightening the dog who ran to the phone immediately. All across the city, similar incidents would occur at various Jinuchu branches.

A clothes shop was shaken up by a red cow, a cabaret club cleared out by a white tiger, and a casino was visited by Anguirou Sano who waltzed his way in with Danzaki shuffling behind. The small Obakimura family spread out behind him, as the spikebacked ankylosaur pushed his finger at the cashier.

"You tell your boss, your REAL boss in the Jinuchu, that you're shutting this place down, and the Toho are out for blood!"

"But, s-sir, I don't know who you mean!"

"DON'T LIE TO ME! Call Ighorashi, the longer you wait, the longer I take smashing the FUCK outta this joint!"

"W-WAIT, NO, S-SECURITY STOP HIM!"

Launching over the counter Sano grabbed the wolf clerk, as four large kaiju came storming with shadows lengthening over the carpets. The Obakimura family faced them down with taunting blades, before Sano whistled for them to keep their cool.

"You see this?" He tapped his pin. "That says I'm patriarch, because SOMEONE in the Jinuchu killed my boss, and they ALSO killed his lieutenant, who was my best fucking friend!"

"I, I-I-I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"

"I know you don't. But your bosses do. Call them now, get all the Jinuchu out here, or else I'm gonna burn this place down, and then melt all your tokens down to make COFFINS, for your boys in security!"

Shuffling back towards the phone, the clerk started dialling as Sano snapped his fingers at the guards who clenched their fists.

"What? You want a fucking demonstration? Place your bets, I can kick any of your asses without even touching you."

"If you're not here to play," a rhino cracked his neck, "you can leave before we turn YOU into a one-armed bandit."

"Heh...Danzaki, what you say to that?"

"Hmhm...Bueno."

Roberto turned his back to the guard, before suddenly backflipping over his head and driving a violent kick to the back of the skull. The thug was knocked out cold, as most of the gamblers hurried to grab all their tokens in buckets before scarpering out the door.

Some however gave an annoyed look and just kept playing, as a fight started to break out with the wolf cashier calling on the phone, screaming with panic as Sano made sure to punch as loud as he possibly could. Across the lengths of Kaijurocho, select businesses were vandalised, and their guards were tossed out on the street to face the Toho.

From his lofty penthouse suite, Doi Ighorashi would receive the message as a lowly assistant came diving through the doors. The dragon stared out of the window of his study, gazing upon his model city as he noted the clouds thickening on the horizon.

"S-SIR, DOI-SAMA!" whimpered a tabby cat. "Reports are coming in, a-all over Kaijurocho, the Toho are attacking!"

"At...attacking?" He turned with a sneer. "What?"

"Every business we have, their thugs are coming in and smashing them up, they're demanding we all leave the city, and that you and your brothers come out to be punished!"

"Are they...no, they can't be serious," Doi shook his head, "who...who would dare stand against me so brazenly, in public even?!"

"I-i, I don't know," the assistant shivered, "but they won't back down, what're your orders?!"

"Send out divisions A through F. If they want bodies to fill the streets, it should be theirs instead of ours. Where is Gihei and Rai?"

"Gihei-sama's on business at the Yokohama docks, Rai-sama's at a tech conference."

"Call them, tell them the Malness account has just opened."

"Yes...y-yes sir."

The cat's eyes widened with fear, clenching his thighs knowing full well what it meant. He made the call with trembling fingers, the head of the Jinuchu checking his watch. 6:42pm, he opened a locked drawer and brought out an old cellular oblong green phone, with 9-button keypad and a pixellated screen.

"All I have to do is delay," he smiled, "whatever you filth are planning, it will be soon for naught."

Throughout the Millennium Tower, Jinuchu families mobilised and raced downstairs to split up in different groups, rushing them down on Theater Square and the length of Shachifuku.

"TAKE 'EM DOWN, THE FUCKING TOHO'RE GONNA PAY!"

"BROTHERS AND SISTERS!" Shisahara thrust his cane. "SHOW THEM OUR STRENGTH, AND PROTECT THIS CITY! CHAAAAAARGE!"

With a mighty roar the Toho Clan formed a tsunami, a surging force that slammed into Doi's thugs and spilled more blood on the streets. From Nagamichi came a news van, turning on its wheels with a shriek to block the view between the temple and the Tower. A manticore with a videocam stepped out, along with a rabbit showing a single horn as they started rolling.

"Just HOURS after the protest against Chief Gondo of Kaijuro Police, a war is gathering on the streets once again, but this time between the yakuza! Members of the Toho Clan started threatening businesses that belong allegedly to the Jinuchu, as more members have joined in the battle!"

They crept closer to catch the view of Theater Square, a spiked ball rolling out a casino to flatten Jinuchu members, before unfurling to reveal Sano. Fists would fly and blasting flames rang through the air, civilians running in fright as the rabbit continued.

"The police are already stretched thin from the recent protests, as well as the allegations of corruption in their office! This battle could not have come at a worse time, as Kaijurocho itself becomes a theatre of conflict! From the sidelines we'll keep you informed, but for now, this is Amani Al-Mirazh, QBC News, Tokyo, Japan."

"//Great stuff!//" said the manticore in Arabic. "//Let's keep our heads down in one of the stores.//"

"//Any recommends?//" the hare ran to a cafe. "//Shouldn't we stay with the van, Mateen?//"

"//We'll be in sight of it, don't worry, head over to LuckyEights, we'll get a better view!//"

"//I can't believe you got this tip! First on the scene, this shit is INCREDIBLE, how'd you even find out about this war even starting?!//"

"//You know the rule Amani,//" Mateen Al-Khorim waved his finger, "//I have to protect my sources...and right now, I wish them the best.//"

Heading inside a small casino where they kept watch of the carnage, they ducked down between tables as lightning bolts shot across the street. Fire and ice ripped through the gravel, as claws, fangs and poisonous stings came out in full force.

"//Good luck Kiryu,//" the manticore muttered looking to the van, "//hope that gives you enough cover...least I can do for the hot scoop.//"

Mateen kept his camera trained down the road, where the square opened up to an orgy of violence. In the midst of this was Anguirou Sano, hammering fists through the Jinuchu and shoving back with his large spikes piercing faces and chests. With a spinkick he whammed his tail through three goons, then rolled into a ball to start screeching along the road, and barrel through another four.

Unfurling himself mid-roll he kicked both legs into one punk, before seven piled on top of him to start beating him relentless. His body was quickly covered in bruises, a modern art rendition of welts that plastered his face. His saviour came in the form of red wings, a flying kick throwing one punk back before a second foot spun to crack another Jinuchu face. A blasting clap and a burning shriek forced the rest off Anguirou, before he felt Danzaki pull him up.

"HOO, thanks dude!"

"De nada," Roberto winked, "now let's show these chinga tu madres what Toho's all about!"

"FUCK YEAH, COME ON YOU SHITS, THIS IS OUR TOWN AND ALWAYS WILL BE!"

The horde lunged for them as they both took a stance, pulling back their fists like a bow before Sano crunched a stomach and Roberto clocked a chin on the same thug to knock him out. Two more thugs attacked with wild fists as Danzaki buffered with his wing, made a turning to crack the skull and grab onto Anguirou's shoulder to vault up high.

When the second Jinuchu punk looked up, Sano headbutted hard to send the thug falling, howling before a pair of scarlet knees came crushing down on the chest. Victims number four and five grabbed Roberto's wings and savagely kicked him to the dirt, stomping his beak and waistcoat before the spikeback chomped one at the back of the throat, and grabbed the other with both hands.

Roaring through his teeth causing his enemy's throat to quiver in agony, he spun his entire body to hurl both Jinuchu fiends and crunch them against the wall of a cinema front. Pulling up his friend they stood almost back-to-back, staring down another horde that came charging.

"You ever get to do THIS as patriarch?" taunted the ankylosaur.

"I wish," the pteranodon smirked, "makes a hella nice change...maybe this was for the best."

"Was what for the best?"

"Nah...I'll tell you later. Come on, let's do this for Kiryu."

"Yeah, for Goji!" Sano punched his fists. "He better take his time, cuz I'm gonna miss being patriarch for a day!"

All across the north and west there came a furious storm, the sky crackling with danger as kaiju fought each other through the streets. Claws of lightning ripped someone's chest, a fireball punched through a pillar and shards of ice gouged through several faces. Once he had a moment to breathe and the thugs were thinning out, Roberto snuck out of the fight and hid in a casino doorway to pull out his phone.

"Hola, you there!?"

"Yes." Rai's voice came through. "Do you require assistance?"

"No no, s'all good, I need a favour though. Where you at?"

"At my office, waiting until Doi calls for me, after which I shall be fashionably late."

"Bueno. Is uhhh, Ojha-san with you?"

"No...why do you ask?"

"It's for a friend," Danzaki sighed, "someone out there is looking for him, needs his help an-oh wait, hold up."

A dog came running towards him with barking fury, before the pterosaur wallkicked off the doorway and cracked his knee straight through the thug's snout.

"Sorry, shit is prima loco down here, anyways, I need to know where Ojha-san is right now, for the sake of a friend. You owe me this."

"Hm...very well," Rai shuffled some papers, "he is currently on the eighty-seventh floor of the Millennium Tower, awaiting a gap in the frenzy."

"Gracias. Alright, stay safe."

"You too."

Hanging up, Roberto then sent a text before heading back to the fight, charging towards a lion with a roundhouse kick to launch off his shoulders, then come down with a driving knee upon a badger's scalp. Back at Sano's side, they charged into the fray with the rest of their families.

Kin Shisahara, flanked by his most loyal guards, beckoned those to try and shoot him, countering energy bolts and plasma flames with shocking repercussions that sent foes flying across the square. The battle spilled towards the east, as a Toho group splintered off towards Little Asia, where Koreans stood on the rooftops in awe.

Amongst them was Byul-ga Sa-Rhee, standing alongside Jeon Keun-Rin who held his father's golden ball. Fires were erupting in spirals across the streets, icy rivers trickled down sidewalks and bolts of lightning struck high into the air, shattering windows with sonic booms.

"//What, what's happening?!//" the scaly foal cried.

"//A reckoning,//" said the bull, "//whoever wins this battle, will decide our fate this month.//"

"//Are we okay? We're not leaving our home...are we, Mr. Sa-Rhee?//"

"//No. Kiryu's out there now, fighting for us...fighting for this city.//"

"//I told you he was good,//" Jeon smiled at the elder, "//I told you he'd help us.//"

"//Heh, yes.//" Byul-ga patted his head. "//You were right, Jeon. Now come on, let's get inside before your mother worries.//"

As they hurried back in, the war would rage on spreading all across Shachifuku. The Toho kept the Jinuchu distracted far from the front of the building, as more and more thugs came marching out until only the rear guard was left inside.

In the Kaijuro Mall, another horde of thugs would come racing through the ground floor to try and surprise the Toho units. But they were suddenly assaulted by two shadows from the cafe, large black wings and burning red eyes that latched on their backs, hurled them against the walls, and crunched their skulls into the floor.

"HEY MOTHERFUCKERS, REMEMBER US?!"

"H-HEY, WHO THE FUCK?!"

Standing before them were both Mutokamis, Jan and Jira, the wife taller than her husband and both brimming with fury as the yakuza straightened their jackets.

"You fucking Toho too?!"

"No, but I was at your boss' auction!" snapped Jira. "You fucks tried to sell me off like MEAT!"

"Wait, whut?!"

"DON'T YOU WHAT ME, YOU'RE FUCKING DEAD YOU TRAFFICKING FUCKS!"

"I'LL TEACH YOU TO KIDNAP MY WIFE!" Jan screamed. "_NOBODY HURTS MY JIRA-CHAN, I'LL FUCKING BURY YOU! _"

The married couple launched at the small enclave, Jan grabbing one thug to smash him through a pane of glass, whilst Jira drove her knee into someone's crotch before crunching his snout inwards. Startled by their ferocity, some of the Jinuchu tried to run out the mall, before both Mutokamis flapped far with crooked wings and grabbed their shoulders, kicking them down to scrape their bodies deep across the gravel.

One thug frantically managed to kick the wife off him, clocking her with a ragged punch that immediately alerted Jan. With volatile fury, he grabbed the thug and slammed him into the wall, raining down a psychotic barrage of blows even after the Jinuchu member had collapsed unconscious, his body now a crater full of bruises.

From the Airenas Temple, staring out the stone windows, a small group of creatures would watch the carnage unfold throughout the streets. Shoji and her son looked on with horror, alongside Kiryu, McCartin and Kuribayante as windows were smashed, storefronts were scarred by flames, and roads would slowly crack from the deep ice.

"Look at this," gasped the priestess, "the protest was bad enough but this? It's disastrous."

"I was surprised that protest happened," Kiryu crossed his white sleeves, "never thought Murata had it in him."

"His chief was corrupt," Leo turned to him, "what else could he do?"

"Hm, another stooge of the government," snarled Ukyo, "at least he was stopped."

"Uhh, he was a stooge of a yakuza group, not the government."

"What matters is Jinuchu must be stopped," Kiryu cut through their words, "I'm just glad the protest managed to get most civilians off the street."

"And fortunate for you," said the doctor, "the police are far too busy covering themselves up to stop you."

"We just have to wait until the guards stop leaving, then I'll make my move."

"I will follow you after, since you need me to deactivate the weapon. We cannot risk leaving anything to chance and I sugges-what is that?"

"OH, sorry," the High Priestess pulled out her phone, "just got a text, I'll be right back."

She hurried out the room making both her son and the doctor look worried. Ukyo ruffled their doctor's coat as McCartin hugged Kiryu close, whilst all three kept watching the Tower.

"As I was saying," repeated the scientist, "I will follow you after to deactivate the weapon."

"Got it," Gojirama nodded, "just have to get up to the top floor, beat down every single one in my way. Business as usual."

His smile was brimming with confidence, but his fists were clenched with determination that made Gordon shiver next to him.

"You...you have to go, yes?" the student asked.

"I'm sorry," the kaiju pulled him close, "it's the only chance I have to stop the Jinuchu."

"I know. Please, be careful, Gojirama."

"You don't think anyone's coming after the temple?" asked Shoji the younger. "I mean the Jinuchu already bombed us once."

"Don't worry," Kiryu nodded, "I have some backup who promised to help out, they should be here soon."

"Oh good, good! Not Toho help right?"

"No no, they are former yakuza, but they won't attract attention."

"Sorry for that!" The priestess returned straining a smile. "I was checking the pharmacy, they're about to close so I'm going to head out before things get too much."

"You want me to come?" her son twitched his antennae. "We should do the buddy system."

"No, it's fine, I-"

"Mom, come on. You didn't let me go alone to the protest, it's dangerous out there."

"...alright," she sighed patting him, "I'm glad you're alright, I heard what you did, that was remarkable of you keeping a cool head."

"Well, I learned from the best, right mom?"

"Hmhm yes...you did."

"Ah, there they are." Goji perked up hearing his phone ring. "My backup's here to help you guys."

"Wait, backup?"

Following the Toho member downstairs, he opened the front doors where two kaiju stood waving. A one-eyed bird with steel beak, and a bronze beetle with a bent horn.

"Yo!" Ganbe smiled. "We made it!"

"Thank you, come inside." Kiryu ushered them in. "This is Shoji-sama, the High Priestess of the temple."

"Pleasure to meet you," she bowed, "I don't believe we've met."

"I'm Gen Ganbe, this is Meiji Garonba, we're helping Kiryu out cuz of-"

"YOOOOO you got manga wallpaper?!" the beetle rushed past staring at the tapestries. "Awww sick, which one is this?!"

"DUDE!" Gen hurried after. "It's not manga you dipshit it's just...just, curtains I guess!?"

"Bro, who puts curtains up on a wall, there's like no windows behind it!"

"Uhhh, they're tapestries?" Leonardo raised a hand. "Who're you guys?"

"I'm Meiji and this is Gen-HEY, you're the kid from the arcade!"

"Wait...yeah!" Leonardo tapped his head. "OutRun dude, wait you were in the yakuza?!"

"These two saved Obara's life," said Kiryu, "they're former Jinuchu, but they turned on Gihei and flushed out Issincho, they're here to be bodyguards until this is over."

"Is that so?" Ukyo came down still in their doctor's coat. "I heard about the raid on Gihei's place, and the ones who faced his assassin."

"YEP, that was us-HEY YOU'RE THE PLANT DOCTOR!"

"The...what?"

"YEAH IT IS YOU!" Meiji bounced towards them. "There was like, a news thing about you, how you talk to plants at the R.O.S.E lab?!"

"...anyways, Shoji-sama," Kuribayante walked past, "are you leaving now?"

"Just for a pharmacy run," she put up her hands, "you know how long it can take, Leo's coming with me."

"I will hold down the fort, also, Kiryu, the Tower's forces have left. There's not been another squadron in five minutes."

"Good, thank you."

Gojirama sighed as he straightened his sleeves and tucked his red undershirt. He took McCartin's hand and pulled him close for a deep kiss, Gen and Meiji looking on with a coy grin.

"You'll see me again," the kaiju said, "I promise you, Gordon."

"I know...Gojirama," the beast stroked his head, "don't let...bastards get you down."

"Hahah...wise words."

As he headed for the door, Shoji-sama took his hand with a firm squeeze and a gentle nod. They smiled to each other, the moths headed out east, and Gojirama heading west.

"Your boyfriend's awesome," said Meiji to Gordon, "he saved my bro's life."

"Really?" the student gasped. "He's...the best creature, I ever met."

"Yeah, he really is," Gen sighed, "if anyone can stop the Jinuchu...Kiryu can."

As they watched the three leave, Ukyo crossed their arms with a snarl towards the High Priestess.

"You two," they pointed at Gen and Meiji, "you are to guard the doors. Any of the Jinuchu come near, you attack first."

"Got it," the bird saluted, "soooo why are you here, aren't you like a scientist?"

"That's a story for another time, speaking of, I may have to leave at one point, but neither of you leave this temple."

"I stay too!" Gordon pumped his fists. "This temple keep me safe, so I keep it safe too!"

"Good," Ukyo nodded, "then we have nothing to fear."

Heading out past Pink Street, Mosurakoto took a careful long walk with her son following behind. Seeing her nervous pace and the way her sari dragged beneath her wings, the smell of fire thickened in their nostrils as roars of violence echoed behind.

"You're going somewhere else...aren't you, mom?"

She turned with a shameful look, her drooping antennae said everything as he approached.

"Is this about Ojha-san?"

"...what tipped you off?"

"You never look that sad nowadays unless it's about him."

"I...I'm sorry." She shook her head. "I am about to do something incredibly stupid, but...you know that same conviction you had, to stand against the police and talk them down?"

"Yeah...I get it." He pulled her into a hug. "Is he where Kiryu-san's heading?"

"Yes," Shoji nodded squeezing him, "I remember the buddy system, don't worry dear."

"What should I tell the others?"

"Whatever you wish," she nuzzled him, "a lie or the truth, it matters not. What matters is I must find him, and stop him before he gets worse."

"Just be careful. I love you mom."

"I love you too." She kissed his head. "Be strong my Leonardo. I am so proud of you for what you did today."

Stepping back, she spread her arms wide and unfurled her wings, a glorious golden robe that shone with flames on the horizon, as she took flight through the air. Leo took a few minutes to wait before returning to the temple, as the Brahmana swooped past the roofs of Little Asia.

Standing across the road, hidden by the news van parked nearby, Gojirama Kiryu stared at the Millennium Tower. A storm was gathering, swirling jade at its peak where clouds cracked with thunder, sparks of lightning like claws reaching over the city. The fortress taunted him with its mirrored facade, a godscraper where a demon sat upon its throne.

This is it, he thought. Three months ago, Tsuchimura's murder led us to Kurasawa's body. Everything's been falling apart since, the Jinuchu trying to kill us...Varan-san, Obara-kun...Aosukawa and the temple. All these bastards have done was unite us together against them. Doi...Gihei...both of you will pay for what you're planning. As for Rai...I'll deal with him once we're done.

With a slow deep breath, he stepped up the walkways to the entrance of the Millennium Tower. He had almost never been inside, the circular rotating door shining white as he took his first step within.

"KIRYU!"

A voice stopped him from above, a pair of wings swooping down to land at his side with a sweeping sari.

"Wha-...Shoji-sama?"

"I'm going with you," she started, "do not try to stop me."

"What, no, you're needed at the temple!"

"Ojha-san is inside on the eighty-seventh floor, I MUST speak with him, I have to stop him-"

"Shoji-sama, no." He put a hand on her shoulder. "This place is full of guards, you can't risk it."

"What gives you the right to refuse me, when you are risking your life?!"

"You are the High Priestess, this city needs you more than ever, creatures look up to you!"

"This city needs you as well!" she jabbed at his face. "How many lives have you saved, how many paths have you altered for the better, not just in helping me but in helping others?! You don't realise how great your shadow is across us!"

"If you die, this city will lose its soul."

"And if YOU die, this city will lose its heart! I am ready to die for our home, Kiryu. I know that you are too."

Her words startled him enough to step back as her blue eyes pierced through his mind.

"I am on a mission to save a dear friend, from the black festering depths of Naraku. You did the same for Roberto, so don't you DARE tell me to step back. We both have no choice, you and I must save this city by separate means, now either you join me, or we fight separately."

"...fine." He sighed gritting his teeth. "We have our objectives. But I won't leave your side until we find him."

"Thank you." She took his hand with a firm grip. "Come, let us save our home...may Sarasvati guide us to victory."

They shook hands and stepped inside to the main foyer of the Tower, a large open space where escalators twisted back and forth. Several floors rose above them, but on the ground floor directly beneath them, a pack of nine guards had been left behind to watch the elevators. They were startled by a sudden intruder, who launched himself over the railing above, to crunch down his fist in front of them.

"WHA-HEY, WHO ARE YOU?!"

"It...i-it can't be, he...he's-"

"Dead. Gihei said he was fucking dead."

"Nope," Kiryu stood up cracking his knuckles, "I'm here for an appointment, with your boss."

Amongst the gaggle of goons he recognised two faces; Ganimura, the bearded lobster; and his white cuttlefish friend Gezorage who looked somehow more pale than usual. Shoji landed behind Kiryu with a graceful flutter, the octopus pointing with a noodly limb.

"H-he,. HE, wh-what, what the FUCK!?"

"Gihei said you were FUCKING DEAD!"

"I got better," Goji shrugged, "now step aside, or I'll send you to the dark shore that I once saw in my dreams."

"...WELL!?" the lobster snapped at the thugs. "K-KILL HIM, F-FUCKING DO SOMETHING!"

A tiger threw up his hands in a "the fuck you expect me to do" kind of way before lumbering forth to do something about it. Armed with a katana of moderate skill, he put his strength in his sword with a deep breath, and roared with a lunging carve straight towards the reptile.

Kiryu waited for him to come close, Shoji wanting to dive in front but he put his hand up warning her back. The longer the feline ran, the more frightened he became of Goji just standing there, waiting for something. Within inches he arrived, and brought his sword down upon Kiryu's head in a desperate scream, right before his stomach exploded with a hot roaring fist.

The tiger dropped his katana, when he flew back across the hall to barrel into his colleagues, after Kiryu had countered with a destructive gut punch mere seconds before the cleaving cut. The cat was unconscious, thrown off by Ganimura who stood up shaken alongside Gezorage.

"Next." Kiryu taunted with beckoning fingers. "Come on, time's wasting."

"UH...UHHH!"

The lobster looked back to his comrades then to the cuttlefish. The haunted look in his deep red eyes told him everything, as both Jinuchu thugs threw up their claws and tentacles.

"Awww FUCK THIS!" They walked off to the stairs. "No, just, no, I'm fucking done!"

"Yeah same here," said the squid, "you guys wanna fuck with him, go right ahead!"

"HEY, WHERE YOU GOING?!" shouted a bear. "We got orders from Gihei!"

"FUCK GIHEI, GIHEI CAN SUCK MY DICK! This motherfucker beat our ass three times, he was SUPPOSED to be dead, he's not a fucking kaiju he's some kinda...HELL DEMON!"

"GET BACK HERE DAMMIT, YOU'RE STILL JINUCHU!"

"THE FUCK WE ARE!" Ganimura ripped off his badge. "You think Gihei's scary, nah, THIS guy I don't even know what he is!"

"And we want no part of that," Gezorage tore off his, "I'm getting a job at the ice cream place, something normal, I'm done with this mob shit."

"GOOD LUCK KIRYU!" the lobster gave a claws up. "TELL MY BOSS I SAID HI!"

As the two departed, Shoji looked stunned even more as Gojirama took two steps forward. The gang of six still armed with bats and knuckles, stood trembling before his gaze but made no move to strike him. One burly hare tried to swing at him, but Kiryu countered once more with a crouching stomach blow that shot the rabbit back, and crunched his spine against the wall near the lifts.

"Five left, keep it moving," said Goji, "I'm running late, and your boss is on a schedule to the morgue."

"...nope!" The bear backed off. "Nope, nope, Doi-sama does NOT pay me enough for this."

"Yeaaah same," said a three-eyed boar dropping her bat, "I got two kids at home, I can't afford to be in hospital again and my mom's getting real suspicious."

"Can we just say he broke our asses and we just, go?"

"That's a wonderful idea," said Shoji from behind, "you know there are some new properties on Zennyo coming in December, you can find new jobs and apply first in the door!"

"Oh shit for real?" the pig rubbed her chin. "Yeah hey, I'll take that, thanks for the tip, uhhhh...here."

She handed a keycard to the Toho member.

"That opens the lifts, I mean...might as well."

"Thank you." Kiryu bowed. "I appreciate it. Have a good evening."

"Uhh, you too!? You better watch out for the guys above, they're way more up the chain than we are."

"Yeah they don't fuck around," snorted the bear, "you hold back at all, they'll kill you for real."

"Don't worry," the saurian cracked his fist. "I won't."

The small gang dispersed, leaving their wounded pair behind as Gojirama chose a lift and stepped in with Shoji. The humming drone of the elevator gave them time to think, the moth looking around at the claustrophobic box.

"So this is what they're like," she muttered, "ugh...how horrible."

"This keycard only takes us to floor sixty," said Kiryu, "we'll have to climb the rest of the way."

"I prefer the stairs over this box, this humming is driving me insane, is this really how it feels to live without wings?"

"Yep...not going to ask about what happened back there?"

"Other than I hope your reputation precedes you enough that other guards do the same? No, not really."

"Hah, I hope so too." The lights drifted past Goji's face. "What do you plan to do, when you meet Ojha-san?"

"Well," she stretched her arms, "try to talk to him, remind him what the city means to us."

"I hope you can convince him. I met him in Yokohama. I was undercover, at this restaurant, Doi was mocking him for the temple incident. Ojha never wanted to harm the temple, he was tricked by Gihei."

"I know," Shoji nodded, "I overheard the call he had, before he left."

"There's something you should know." Kiryu looked to her. "Doi forced him to choose between you or the temple. Under pain of death. He chose the temple."

"What...what do you mean?"

"Ojha has a mission to kill you," he put a hand to her side, "whether it's his choice or Doi's, it doesn't matter. If you can't talk him down, he WILL kill you."

"I...I see." The priestess sniffed back her tears. "But you said...he didn't want to?"

"Yes," Kiryu sighed, "just don't let your guard down. Don't give him a chance to hurt you."

The doors opened at last on the 60th floor, a garish office with faux-balsam wood and curved ergonomic tables. A winding path swept around glass walls and meandered through cubicles, where guards littered the place smoking and drinking. The ding of the lift doors shot them out of their chairs, burly thugs armed with many different weapons and in the finest of suits.

"HEY, WHO ARE YOU?!"

"Your trip to the hospital," Kiryu stomped forth, "I'm here to speak with Doi, I'll see myself in."

"Is that, the temple priestess?!"

"NEVER MIND THAT!" snapped a second thug. "THAT'S FUCKING KIRYU, WHY THE FUCK ISN'T HE DEAD?!"

"Because I ordered him not to die," Shoji wagged a finger, "he's a very good listener you see."

"FUCK IT, KILL THEM! BOTH THEIR ASSES, DON'T LET THEM REACH DOI-SAMA!"

Rushing forth Gojirama took on a polar bear, ducking the swing of a huge club to crack his jaw with a rising uppercut. Shoji dodged past a sweeping katana, a mantis stabbing for her thorax when she spinkicked the back of his head, and shot a string of silk that ripped the blade free from his hands, and tossed it towards Kiryu.

The Toho patriarch grabbed it in time to clash against the bear's mace, then bootkicked him hard for a severing cut that went skin-deep through the chest. Rushing to the next opponent, Kiryu took down a small horde of three suits, striking another blade he twisted from the hand, then slashed through all their knees in a single spin.

Mosurakoto leapt across the desks when she saw four thugs, armed with guns or flame attacks as they fired upon her. Her spindly legs danced off cubicle walls and skipped over monitors to dodge bullets and fireballs, a ballerina in a burning blitz as she twirled deftly through the air, cracked two heads with one foot, and landed to gutpunch with two fists each into the other gunners.

A shotgun click made her roll fast, the wall of a cubicle exploding with a gaping hole as she stared down an armoured croc. Shoji shot out her string when the shotgunner aimed, snapping the rifle upwards to crack her snout when it blasted through the roof and scarred her scaly head, before the priestess snatched the gun away to whack the gator's skull.

"KIRYU, THIS WAY!"

Kicking the door to the next level, the High Priestess called him through as Kiryu's sword would snap, hard chitinous scales raked by a broken katana that he stabbed the short inch into. A screaming beetle clutched his belly, before he was clocked in the mandibles as Goji hurried following his friend.

The first five floors they tried to pace themselves, dodging heavy blows and blocking electric shots from either tasers or kaiju. Any weapon Kiryu found he picked up to batter, carve or rip through enemies with destructive vengeance. Bats were bent over skulls, katanas snapped with shards in bellies, and guns would be emptied either through the air, or through someone's legs.

Wherever he roamed through the office halls, he left a path of devastation. Soldiers of Jinuchu had their legs broken, their arms twisted, and their eyes blackened one after the other. An otter's head was slammed through a wall, a komodo's jaw cracked in half, and a rhino's legs were smashed through a window to be wrapped in shards.

Shoji never picked up a weapon, always with her silken string and bare-handed strikes. She dodged bullets to palm faces flat, parried bats with her wings and flew across cubicles to kick fiends through. Daggers thrust for her abdomen when she grabbed wrists and twisted arms, before back-kicking their skulls

When thugs tried to shoot lightning or ice, Shoji snatched up a PC monitor to shield herself before charging through with a spinkick to one suit, a double-backfist to another, and a scissor-kick to the next. Sometimes a kaiju scored a lucky hit on Kiryu or Shoji, a cut to their clothes or a scar on their faces before the attacker was punished.

But every floor after was even harder. Doi's goons became more powerful, their weapons much sturdier and more savage in their skill. With every battle they survived, more scars would form upon bruises to their features. Kiryu's snout dripped with welts down his chest, whilst Shoji's white face became more yellow with flecks of her blood.

"You alright?" Goji gasped.

"Yes," she sighed, "how about you?"

"Oh this?" he chuckled showing his bloody teeth. "This is just Wednesday for me, hah...you ever fought this many?"

"No," Shoji scowled, "I hope you're not enjoying this."

"Surviving this? Yeah. Fighting more? No."

"Good answer." She clapped her cheeks with a deep breath. "Alright, just...seven floors left."

"HEY, IT'S THEM!" roared more goons.

"STOP THEM! IF YOU FUCKERS FAIL, DOI'S GONNA KILL YOU SONS OF BITCHES!"

Bracing themselves, Gojirama and Mosurakoto took charge against their next opponents. Muscular brutes would fill the halls, whilst slender fiends came stabbing between as Kiryu punched throats and Shoji tripped with her silk. One muscular panther had a cruel odachi, a giant two-handed katana, that he swung for the moth's head as she rolled fast and elbowed him twice in the stomach.

With a mighty kick the cat knocked her back, coming down for her whole body in one ruthless cleave that she dodged, kicking the back of the thug's leg to send him down on his knee. Leaping off the wall nearby, Shoji made a flying kick to crunch the panther's head, but he rolled with momentum to swing his massive blade out towards her, cutting off the sleeve of her sari with the faintest trace of golden blood.

In his mighty sweep the panther was wide open, the moth rushing in with two dozen punches from all four hands, a rapid-fire burst that shone like the north star as she cried with victorious shriek. One last punch she pulled back, a heavenly palm sending tremors through his ribs that sent the cat flying through several cubicles, and rolling beside Kiryu's feet.

Grappled by two thugs, Gojirama stared down a weasel who came thrusting with his katana. Throwing himself onto his back to slam the two down, he clapped his shoes on the sword-wielder's grip before twisting his body to throw the weasel hard to the floor. Standing back up, he smashed his tail on the sword-wielder's skull, before football-kicking the other goons straight through a set of glass windows, a shower of daggers rippling on their faces.

From behind came a baboon with a pair of tonfas, Goji spinning with his tail that was deflected by the sticks. The simian made a vicious combo that the saurian mostly blocked, but two hits cracked his face before a violent strike from above. He blocked with one wrist then headbutted the chimp, grabbing the collar to swing the thug hard towards the next set of doors.

"SHOJI-SAMA, HERE!"

As they ascended higher, their arms would ache truly on the 80th floor. Their bodies became a giant bruise, scars upon scars as they marched ever upwards. In a lounge with a restaurant and tables, a long white bar with kitchen doors at the back, they stared down an even bigger army, a river of suits cracking their knuckles.

Gojirama took the first step, rushing forth as he grabbed a table and tossed it like a giant disc, crushing four of them at once to then grab another table nearby, and ram two into the wall with his battering ram. Grabbing the table's single leg, he made a giant swing that hurled three bodies across the dining arena.

A small group ran towards Shoji, standing by the large set of windows facing south across the city. Lightning struck behind to illuminate her grace, spinning her hands in a quick mantra before shooting out a silken spool that tripped two members of Jinuchu. Another she shot over to a chair, pulling it in front to trip a third member, leaving her to deal with the fourth who came swinging with a bat.

Dodging the first strike, she deflected the second with a flap of her wing before a spinning uppercut with two fists, grabbing the stunned fool's bat and tearing it free from her hand, before hurling it towards Kiryu to arm him. Two more thugs came running with daggers, slicing for Shoji's head in an X-cross as she ducked and crunched two blows each in their solar plexus.

The last goon had grabbed the chair she had tripped on, a kappa who tossed it at Shoji and came barrelling hard to crunch her against the window. With furious scream she clocked Shoji's face, cracking the glass as she drove her knee into the priestess, before the moth shoved her back with a mighty gust of her wings.

The kappa was soon barraged by kicks when Shoji leapt high with rapid-fire feet, thundering down the beak with seventeen kicks to knock the thug unconscious. Looking on towards her companion, she saw one thug peek out from the restaurant bar, a rifle cocked and ready.

"No you DON'T!"

Her string wrapped round the barrel and spun the gun so fast, the butt cracked against the thug's jaw and slammed him into the drinks. Gojirama punched his way through the horde nearby, but when one tigress screamed with a wicked knife, he tripped her up with his tail and sent her running towards Shoji.

"SHE'S ALL YOURS!"

"THANK YOU!"

Ducking low, the moth drove two elbows into the stomach, the savage feline dry-heaving before she collapsed against a table. Kiryu managed to fight off the rest, socking a serpent in the jaw then lifting him up to spin him round and flatten his friends. Two boars jumped for his back, as he elbowed one in the eye then grabbed the other's tusks to crunch his snout into his knee. The floor was now silent, a dozen-and-a-half bodies filling out the dining hall in heaps and tatters.

"Are you...faring well?" Shoji gasped.

"I'm fine," Goji gulped, "need to punch more...with the other arm, my left is getting tired."

"I am too," the moth rubbed her battered face, "gods this hurts more than burpees."

"There's a kitchen nearby, let's catch our breath."

Through the back of the bar, stepping over bodies, they found a small but impressive silver kitchen with the finest sundries in Japan, as well as the most highly-advanced machines in the country. Giant ovens for roasting whole courses, perfect-zero freezers and chilling cabinets better than even hospitals had for organs.

Larders were stocked with the freshest-plucked fruit, the finest cold-cut meats including some which were definitely from endangered species. Spices from every corner of the world filled their senses, their mouths and mandibles salivating briefly. Someone was already cooking a stew, a fresh meaty-mushroom mix that made their stomachs scream.

"Food will help," she muttered, "need fuel for the journey."

"Yeah," Kiryu said, "besides, stealing from the Jinuchu, we're entitled to that."

"Hah, you said it not me."

"AHH, MY FRIENDS!"

They immediately put up their guard and turned to the larder.

"Praise Matango, my spores were trembling with anticipation at your arrival!"

"Wha-...what?"

"Matango?!" gasped Shoji.

"Wait, you know him?" Kiryu gasped in turn.

"He comes to the temple sometimes, we've had some very fascinating discussions, such a lovely creature!"

"But, when did this happen?!"

"Oh come off it Kiryu, not everything revolves around you, you know!"

Her grin was sincere, a small relief from the tension in her chest. Matango stood inside the kitchen larder, a long pale stalk resembling a phantom with bulbous mushroom head. His long beady eyes framed his blue complexion, his staff and his traveller's robe so starkly out of place.

"How did you..." Kiryu pointed at the door, "there are guards all over the place."

"I was called here by Matango," said Matango, "his words infected me with a vivacious prophecy! A tale of thunder in the sky, a battle between a light that burns the earth, and a darkness that shields it!"

"That...doesn't explain how you got past all the guards."

"Oh, a generous soul in Little Asia, a strong bull from Korea with a darkened heart, proffered me a map he had kept from when he helped construct this tower profane back in its early conception!"

"That...huh...yeah that tracks actually." The Toho patriarch shook his head with a smile. "You've made a lot of friends all over this city huh, Matango-san?"

"I owe it all to you," the monk bowed, "your guidance aided me greatly, and I met many wondrous denizens who all showed me a different face that masks this city."

Stepping over to the pot he began stirring the stew, taking a sip with glee before beckoning them close.

"Sneaking in I can understand," said Shoji, "but cooking under their noses?"

"A simple warning in paper does great wonders," said the shroom offering two bowls, "the chef here is rather infamous with a temper, so none would dare upset the broth."

"And you came all this way to help?"

"With the gift of Matango. Please, drink."

Both of them took a gentle sip of the mushroom stew. Kiryu felt it again, that same religious experience that pulled his mind into the aether, a warm beautiful sensation like a child's blanket. His body was restored, he felt all his bruises slip away, and the cuts even stopped bleeding.

Shoji took the rejuvenation better, her antennae stiffening with a sudden flash across her eyes, a dozen mirrors shimmering to life. Her arms stopped aching, her body looked fluffier, and her wings shone like the sun itself to almost blind her companion.

"OHHH! Ohhh goodness that's incredible!"

"This is...better than before!" Kiryu shuddered. "It's like I just had the best sleep in my life, in a second."

"I am glad to hear," Matango bowed, "you will need to be at your fullest strength, for what is yet to come."

The monk pointed his staff towards the rear exit.

"Higher above you shall reach, to find both your last battles. Matango sees many things, but not what our future shall hold. Will one of you die, or will you both survive? Matango knows not, for Matango sees all life the same, no thread too thin nor ever too thick. But I understand now the reason I came to this city, and it was for this very moment. To aid you in this hour."

The mushroom-head swept his hand across the stew.

"My final gift was to restore your power, so you shall face your destiny at the peak of ability. After this, I shall depart the city, and return to Matango."

"It most certainly helped," the moth bowed to him, "thank you Matango-san, you...you've taken a great risk to aid us."

"We're in your debt, Matango-san," Gojirama joined her, "can you get out of here alright, on your own?"

"Of course!" said Matango pumping his fist. "Fear not, Kiryu-san, Shoji-sama, just remain focused on your battle ahead, and fight for this city's future! The fate of this land rests upon your weary shoulders, and I shall be cheering you on from below, along with everyone else! GO FORTH, and strike the evil down!"

Kicking the door open, Matango offered the exit to them as Kiryu and Shoji gave a look to each other. They walked out at the fullest health, their bodies surging with strength as they stepped onto the balcony seats of the restaurant floor. A gasping howl came from the roof that ripped through bushes and tables, their fluttering cloths become banshees in the night.

Along the veranda of faux-wood and sofas, they pushed against the screaming winds where lightning sparked over the roof. Bolts of sharp light struck the tower, lighting the world as they reached another stairway. Climbing further to the 87th floor, the stairwell led them back into the building, and Shoji's final stop was a surprisingly simple one.

A long curved lounge with a bar spread out before them. Several plush ergonomic seats sat beside cosy low tables, and mood lighting tinted the windows in shades of green and blue to resemble the northern lights. Standing with his back to them, was a shadow with deep black wings riddled in red flames.

"Kiryu," she stopped him, "this is where I must leave you."

"Alright." He took her hand in his. "Be careful. I'll see you when this is over."

"Yes." She clasped their hands tight. "Sarasvati, purifier of intellect, let your strength of thy wisdom grow within this creature. Let my offering in Yagnya, strengthen thine wisdom...in you."

Shoji kissed him on the cheek, then gave him one last hug squeezing all four arms round his girth as he breathed on her shoulder. Her scent always soothed him, quelled the flames of his temper, and he hoped after this day that he would know it again.

They parted ways at last, as Shoji walked over to the lonesome bar where Ojha stood, the widescreen above the drinks now switched off. His sari fluttered beneath his wings, an absent wind across the floor as he stared out the window, to the temple far below.

"I must thank you," he began, "for making my mission easier. Here I was contemplating how to bring you out of the temple...but instead you come to me. A divine gift from Sarasvati herself."

Battram turned towards her, his face solemn with deep red eyes and dull golden horns set flat against his scalp. His four hands remained clasped, as he bowed to her which she did in turn.

"Is it true then?" she asked. "You...you plan to kill me?"

"Not by my desire, but by the fate of this land. Do you love the temple, Shoji-sama?" He swept a hand to the city skyline. "Would you not fight for it to remain? Would you not die for its foundation?"

"I would," the priestess nodded, "but it's not a choice between me and the temple-"

"It is. Your guidance is flawed, spirited but flawed. This city cannot sustain such sin and depravity, riddled deep with worms that fester in the loins of our creatures."

"Those creatures you despise are trying only to live in this world, just as much as you and I. You may not like their business, but so long as it remains consent between adults, there is no ill will behind it."

"This is beyond that. There lies a threat to this city's future, and you are too blinded by common foes to see the great evil that sweeps from above."

"What is it then?" she spread her arms. "What would drive you to want to kill me?! I thought we were still friends despite our differences!"

"I do not WANT to kill you, Shoji-sama." The black moth shook his head. "I must make a sacrifice, the Jinuchu demand it and they hold the city in their claws. I cannot fight them. They will leave the temple be, if I become its Brahmana, so for the sake of preserving our creed...I must send you back to your ancestors."

"But WE can fight them! Together, you and me, Kiryu is heading up to fight Doi right now, you don't have to do this!"

"I cannot put my faith in your pet yakuza," he sneered, "the fact you even resort to having a criminal do your bidding only confirms my truth."

"Ojha PLEASE listen to me!" she clutched her breast. "You say this is about more than sex workers, why not prove it then?! Come back to the temple, put your bigotry aside and help me guide this city to a better path!"

"Forgive me." He bowed with a hand in his sari. "The storm has come too close, and Sarasvati herself has ordained me with my mission-"

"NO." Shoji stepped closer with a thrusting finger. "Don't you DARE use her name to justify this murder, you are not a damn terrorist!"

"I fight for the freedom of this city's SOUL!"

His hand swept out showing his katar, a long dreadful knife with a horizontal handle as he took up his stance. The High Priestess gasped with growing tears as she swallowed deep, and took her own barehand stance.

"Your soft heart will be your undoing," said Ojha stepping near, "the roots of sin have burrowed too deep because of your hesitance, and now it is my oath, my DUTY to this land to rip them free and cleanse this earth of depravity! And if I must end you to purify us all, THEN SO BE IT, SHOJI-SAMA!"

The black moth lunged with his dagger aimed for Shoji's heart, the pale priestess dodging fast with a knifehand strike to the back of his head. He ducked before the hit and spun for her abdomen with vicious blade, as Shoji jumped to strike his mandibles with her knee before flapping back to give space.

Battram stepped towards her, his katar glinting from the bar lights as he sliced for her head, then followed with two punches to her gut when she ducked. Shoji countered with a wide leg sweep that he hopped over to scissorkick her face, the High Priestess blocking with two arms then punching another two in his thorax. He grabbed her by the neck in revenge, and hurled her in a backwards roll towards a chair.

Hopping onto the seat, she waited for Ojha to charge with howling wings spread open wide, jumping on the chair head to slam it backwards and make him run into its legs. Staggered slightly, he received a roundhouse kick and spun with painful momentum to slash for her face, Shoji snapping her wings open in turn to parry the cruel blade. Jumping off the chair she made a diving kick for his head, but he grabbed her foot and swung her with three arms to crash in the ground.

Stomping her chest, he came down with two hammering fists that dented her eye, the katar shrieking down for her skull as she pulled her head to the side to feel it scrape across the floor. Shooting out her silk, she wrenched him aside and rolled on top of him, clapping both hands on his face and punching twice before lifting herself off.

"Do you truly despise this city's impoverished?!" Shoji cried. "You would rob all hope from them, just to satisfy your masters?!"

"I have no master but the GODS!" he roared rolling back up. "Sarasvati has spoken to me, for you to RETURN TO HER!"

"STOP PROFANING YOURSELF, THIS ISN'T YOU OJHA-SAN! You were supposed to be my darkness, protecting those beneath the light, WHY WOULD YOU TURN ON THEM?!"

"YOUR LIGHT MEANS NOTHING ANYMORE!"

Rushing her fast, he spun his body to slap her twice with dark wings before kicking the back of her leg, tripping her up enough to double-punch her chest and throw her across a low table. With savage katar he came flying towards her, carving the table in half with screaming tear as she rolled off quick to avoid the knife.

Kicking one half of the table up, she blocked the dagger when it shoved through inches from her face, the white moth twisting the table part to wrench his hand and shove him back before bracing for the next attack. Tossing the wood off his arm, Ojha ducked low for a rising slash that Shoji parried with sweeping wing, turning fast with a jumping kick that cracked his jaw.

Staggered by the kick, Battram grabbed her wrists then slashed open her chest as golden blood spilled from her sari, making her recoil in horror. Fighting the urge to clutch her scar, Mosurakoto countered with two punches to the head, a hard knee to the gut, and a knifehand strike against her former friend.

When he blocked the last attack, Shoji spun to his side, wrapping her arm round his neck before tossing him towards a chair. Battram twisted himself mid-flight, planting his bare soles on the chair to rebound with looming black wings before drillkicking down for her head. From the broken table nearby she grabbed two of its legs, blocking his foot hard before striking both his knees and punching his waist.

Ojha flapped up briefly to grab her neck with his feet, twisting hard to throw her down against the window. Jumping back up with a flutter, she ran sideways across the glass, her wings keeping her aloft, before coming down in a spinning strike to crack the back of his skull with both sticks.

With a roar he shot out his wings in a blasting gale, a hurricane that forced her back against a pillar, before he twirled up in the air and lunged down with piercing strike. She dodged too late, her vibrant scales flew from his dagger and carved a line deep to the bottom of her wing, almost splitting it in half as she screamed.

"Still you refuse to use your true strength," said Battram Ojha, "I embraced it, and learned to control it since our last battle, but still you keep yourself weak."

"Restraint is not a weakness," she shivered clutching herself, "your arrogance will be your undoing!"

"What you call arrogance is embracing your power, now stop holding back!"

"I have had to carry the role of BOTH Brahmanas upon my shoulders! You left me because you couldn't swallow your damn pride and do what was best, for the creatures of our city!"

"I AM DOING WHAT IS BEST, YOU INSIDIOUS WORM!"

The red flash of his horns signalled her to dodge, a violent burst of beams shooting from his eyes to rip across the bar in a dark rainbow. Black, purple and blue clashed with orange, brown and red, a volley of bottles exploding in a shower of flames when the alcohol ignited. Shoji-sama ducked beneath the arcing beams, rushing forth to jumpkick his chest, then roundhouse his head to slam him down face-first.

As he fell to the floor Ojha countered with blasting shriek, horrible bolts that Shoji blocked with her wings as the charge rippled across the scales. The wounded part of her wings however stung even more, lightning digging its claws through to stab into her side. Mosurakoto took a deep breath, focusing her aura and gripping her weapons when Battram rolled back up to fight her again.

Two knifehands chopped for her neck that she blocked with her sticks, punching his eyes with her other two fists before slapping him aside with a full wing-strike. In her grace she spun her arms wide, all four fists like windmills cracking down upon his head. He blocked the last punch with two fists and forced her back, turning with a violent elbow to her thorax before a wild kick slammed her against the bar.

With powerful scream Battram grabbed her throat, bending her backwards over the counter as he raised his katar high. Her silk string yanked his blade to the side, scarring just above her eye until he spun her round to throw her at the windows and crack the glass hard. She jumped when Ojha came running, stopping short of the window as she flapped aloft on her side, with her former friend joining her in a lethal dance.

Running along the glass he chased the priestess down, slashing with katar as she spun behind with blocking guard until Ojha slashed her sticks. At the end of the hall, she jumped to the other side and ran back towards the burning bar, but Battram turned and fired his prism beams with violent stare, blasting one into her abdomen.

She fell to the ground with crumpled tattered wings, pushing up fast to block her opponent's thundering kicks from above with all four of her fists. The moment he landed, Shoji grabbed his arm holding the knife and pummelled him six times across the face, screaming tears from her eyes until Ojha blocked two arms, kicked out her legs, and crunched her thorax with a rising knee.

Her final strike upon him would blind his eye, a screeching blow that shattered the crimson sclera, a lightbulb exploding. Blood trickled yellow from his socket, his head trembling with unholy rage as he slammed her stomach twice, kicked her against the bar counter, and hurled his katar straight into her shoulder. Mosurakoto howled with anguish, her own flaxen ichor trickling down her arms as she was pinned to the counter.

"It...it is done."

Ojha snarled hobbling towards her, his face somewhat darker and his sari tattered with strips of yellow. Shoji-sama had one cut-open wing, bruises dappling her features and scars riddling her abdomen. She tried to pull herself free but Battram stomped her chest, kneeling down to pull the katar free and press it to her chest.

"Do not fear this death," he said, "I promise you...I shall make this land pure."

"N-no," she trembled, "please, B-battram don't...don't do this."

"You beg for your life? How pathetic, your weakness remains even in death."

"I'm not begging for my life I'm BEGGING FOR YOURS!" She sobbed with choking gasp. "Don't...don't let your soul die like this."

"Was I not your darkness? Am I not the one whose hand must stain itself with blood?"

He pushed the blade two inches in causing her to gasp, hot yellow trickling down his fingers.

"You are frightened...that is natural. But I have no fear, I have embraced my duty unlike you. All this time, it was not me who was unbecoming of being Brahmana, but you. Because you would stay your hand."

"B-battram...please...p-please-haaagh!" the blade pushed in deeper. "Th-this is not...this isn't the way, we can work together to restore this city-"

"Shhh." He put a finger on her lips. "You of all creatures would not refuse your great sacrifice. Have you not said to me before, to stand firm to your beliefs, even in the face of death?"

"...your eyes." She closed hers. "They are so different from before. If...if I must die for this city, then I will. But I will never agree that what you did was right."

"Thank you." Ojha braced his hands to push. "You will witness a rebirth, a purification of this land, I promise you. I will meet you in Svargam, dear Shoji-sama."

"She will."

A pair of tentacles wrapped round his throat.

"But you shall go FIRST!"

Ojha went flying with a heavy toss, the katar pulled free from Shoji's body as she watched a large green body in a labcoat loom over her.

"Wha...Biyante...sama?!"

The dark moth came lunging with his blade, as Ukyo Kuribayante stood between the moths. Slipping out of the white coat were several tentacles, their plant-shaped maws snapping towards Ojha who dodged quick to come thrusting. The scientist dodged the blade and grabbed all his arms, wrapping four tendrils round his limbs to wrench them apart and expose his body.

"WH-WHO, WHO ARE YOU?!" shrieked Battram.

"A friend to the city," snarled Ukyo, "of which you are NOT!"

"BIYANTE, STOP!"

Pulling out a syringe full of red liquid, the doctor stabbed for Ojha's heart but he deflected with his wing and kicked them back. Exhausted as he was, Battram struggled against his new opponent who swerved past his laboured punches and kicked him in his abdomen.

Lashing tentacles bit at his face and struck his limbs, as Shoji tried to limp over and shoot her silk in desperation. But Ojha snapped her threads, as did Ukyo pulling them apart as the doctor waited for the dark moth to lunge. One desperate last swing with a throated roar, left his body wide open for the kill.

" NOOOOOOO!"

Ukyo stabbed Battram with the syringe, deep into his stomach. His mandibles chittered in frothing spit, his arms spasmed with violent twitch before he collapsed on the floor.

"NO, NOOOOO!" Shoji screamed limping over. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

"I saved your life!" snarled Kuribayante. "The poison will act fast, he will die swiftly so we can-"

"SHUT UP, SHUT UP YOU...YOU MURDERER!"

Losing herself in a moment of blistering seethe, her body trembled with insolence as her antennae shimmered with holy glint. It took all her strength to hold herself back, the first signs of a beam glinting free before Ojha's cough alerted her.

"BATTRAM, BATTRAAAM!"

"HRRRKH, KHHH!"

"No no no, no, NO, just hang on, I'll get help!"

"You can't save him," the doctor crossed their arms, "you have two minutes before his death."

"SHUT UP DAMN YOU!"

A stray beam shot from her head, blasting Ukyo hard in the chest with a small explosion like a firecracker. Hurled across the floor with a small black stain, Ukyo clutched themself watching the priestess sit beside her former friend.

"Wh-why, why did you DO THIS?!" she trembled through her wings. "What is WRONG WITH YOU?!"

"He was trying to murder you!" Kuribayante coughed standing up. "I just saved your damn life!"

"This had NOTHING to do with you, this was my duty, MINE ALONE!"

"Sh-sho...Shoji." The black moth heaved a painful breath. "Is this how it ends?"

"Battram!" she cradled his head. "I...I-i'm sorry, I never meant...I never wanted your death, I-i was hoping I could...bring you back."

"No...this city is lost, without me...haaah, gods this h-hurts, all my veins are on...f-fire."

"I'm sorry, I'M SORRY! All I wanted was you back, I wanted to save this city but not the way you wanted! You were my friend, I know you tried to kill me but DAMMIT I STILL LOVED YOU!"

"Shoji." His hand slipped to her cheek. "Stop. Stop mourning for me."

"Wh-what?"

"I died for my cause...if I am to be a martyr, so be it. My only regret, was I could not prove to you my vision."

"You...no," Shoji shook her head, "Battram please, you don't have to prove anything, you can just...you......did you truly want to kill me?"

"I chose the temple," Ojha wheezed, "I know...it pains you to hear, but the truth always is. The truth...is you could not carry, the weight of both Brahmanas. But I could have, because I was willing to sacrifice myself...and others."

"No, you're wrong, you're WRONG you, you STUPID BASTARD!"

She thumped his chest weakly, her tears trickling down his fingers as he stared with a deep unflinching eye.

"Why do you hate me? Why do you hate creatures like this, you didn't used to be like this!"

"I grew...stronger," he sighed, "you refused to see it...hoping I would stay as weak as you."

"Is...is that it?" Shoji steeled her gaze. "Is that really to be your last words?"

"Yes."

"...Fine." She wiped her tears. "I can't...I won't hide from your truth anymore. You were wrong about me...but I was wrong about you, Battram. I hope you will see me prove you wrong, in the afterlife."

"Hmm...then I shall watch over you." He struggled to put his hands together. "I shall...witness your peace...in sadness. Namaste."

"...namaste."

He bowed to her as she did the same. His head fell back, his arms drooped, and the froth from his mandibles would cease. The High Priestess would weep for him, a dozen regrets as she cradled his body and made a funeral prayer. Once her tears had stopped, she heard the sound of rustling leaves from behind her.

"I'm sorry," said Kuribayante, "I could not let anything happen to you, I-"

"Shut up." She stood up in trembling rage. "This...was MY battle, you had no right."

"If you had died the whole city dies with you. Just because you're willing to sacrifice yourself does not mean WE are!"

"HE WAS MY FRIEND!"

"HE WAS A TERRORIST!" Ukyo grabbed her shoulders. "I thought you were the smartest creature in Kaijurocho, but even you forget your own truths!"

"What truth is that?! What could you possibly know about him, skulking around in the sewers too afraid to show your FACE?!"

"That the soul is but the truth of one creature. Be that truth of good or evil...it is theirs alone."

Shoji gasped hearing her own words from their mouth, the long green snout of the crocodilian staring down with burning orange eyes. They turned soft with a look of pity, their wide dagger teeth reflecting the fires from the burning bar as Ukyo hugged her gently.

"I know how it is. When those who you thought were your friends betray you, and then show their true face. But there comes a point where it is braver to burn the bridge, then watch it rot in hope they return."

"I just...I just wanted him to be-"

"What you want, was never what he wanted." Ukyo stroked her head. "But all of us know what you want...and we want you to stay, Shoji-sama."

"Why do you care?" she muttered. "Why did you risk this?"

"Because you're my friend. You cared about those whom no one else wanted...including me."

"I...Biyante-sama, I-"

"Even after the Jinuchu fall, there will still be those who need help that society forgets. I need you. WE need you."

The doctor sighed helping Shoji limp to a chair.

"I have to go help Kiryu, can you make it on your own?"

"There's a...friend," she heaved clutching herself, "someone in a kitchen downstairs, I can hide with him."

"Alright...let me heal you first before I leave."

"I...I'm sorry I hurt you."

"Hm...barely felt it."

With a long smile they pulled out bandages and disinfectant from their coat. Shoji struggled not to look back at the body of her former friend, her heart sinking deeper as she clasped her hands, and prayed to Kiryu once again.

On the 107th floor, Kiryu stood before the great golden doors into Doi's sanctum. The opulence sickened him as he stepped through, the shining pillars and marble floors stretching towards a desk with three chairs. Carpets split into different paths for various rooms, as he noted three doors and two archways.

The dining room was empty, as well as the bar, but he heard the sound of clinking glass from two double-doors where the purple carpet ended. Bracing himself, Gojirama came marching with heavy steps and kicked the doors open. The dragon stood before him in his personal study, a glass of wine in his gloved hand with dark indigo suit framing his body before the window.

"Take a look at this tiny place," he began. "To the heart seeking freedom, this island is but a prison surrounded by lights. A prison that I and my brothers were born through, one too small to contain our greatness. And so we sought to escape from our prison, we sought a way to travel to other lands that our wings would encroach."

He turned to face Kiryu, the carpet of Persian demons woven out between them, the books shifting slightly in their locked shelves that Goji recognised from his phone recording.

"I will admit," Doi continued, "I am shocked to see you again. Not only did you survive Gihei's assault, but you fooled even my brother Rai into thinking that you were dead."

"I beat both their asses too," Kiryu snarled, "now it's your turn. I don't care what reason you have for all of this, nobody, especially not you, has the right to decide the death of millions, just for more money!"

"It's not JUST about money," the dragon sipped his wine. "it's about reforging our nation into something greater."

"I know about Atragon," the saurian stepped closer, "I know everything you plan to do, you're nothing but a twisted demon, enabled by his twisted family."

"MY family provided me with everything to reach my zenith. Your family-ohoh, sorry...you don't even have one."

The dragon pulled out a long green cellular phone.

"I suppose you wanted this. I've already activated Atragon twelve minutes ago, meaning it shall be another twenty until it launches. Thirteen minutes after that, it shall delve through the sea then burrow through the Korean Peninsula, whereby it shall reach Pyongyang. And no, I won't give you the cancellation code, even if you somehow manage to wound me."

"So it's true," Kiryu shook his head, "you really are insane."

"Or am I a genius?" Doi placed the phone on his desk. "Both sides of the same coin, so the adage goes."

"You know, the past twelve floors I've been trying to think up a speech for you. But no, you're just greedy. Pathetic."

"What the public call greed is simply envy of the rich."

"Wrong. You're a disease on society, you and every other elitist bastard who think the world and its creatures are your personal toys."

"And that just shows how little that you-"

"SHUT UP!"

Gojirama charged with lunging fist, driving straight into Doi's face expecting to clock him. But to his surprise, the golden reptile had grabbed his fist with a silk-gloved hand.

"Unlike you, I have some manners," said Doi, "at least let me finish my drink."

The dragon savoured his wine, tipping back the glass with an iron grip trapping Goji's fist. Kiryu tried to push against the hand, his muscles straining so hard it caused them to shake.

"Ahhh, there." Doi put down his glass. "Now, let's begin."

Pulling back Goji's fist, Ighorashi crunched his knee into Kiryu's side, then slammed him to the wall with a roundhouse kick. Cracks formed in the wallpaper as the Toho member pulled free, rushing with a wild punch that Doi dodged, then countered with a spinning backhand that slammed Kiryu into the desk.

"I hope you didn't think I was some pencil-pusher," the dragon straightened his tie, "I didn't take over my father's business by just being a demon of finance."

"You're a demon alright, and I'll slay you NOW!"

Turning fast with his own backhand, Kiryu swiped for Doi's head who stepped back quick, taunting with smug fingers as Gojirama straightened his back and walked carefully forwards. When he swung with a fist from above, Goji was blocked by a high kick as Doi stabbed his wrist with the tip of his elegant shoe, before it crunched into his stomach with such force that Kiryu dry-heaved with a cough.

His head was grabbed then slammed backwards onto the desk, an elbow from above barely missing him as Kiryu pulled up his leg with a double kick to Doi's belly, then grabbed the wine glass to smash across the dragon's face. A snarling hiss when he recoiled from the shards, Doi blocked an incoming punch when Kiryu got back up, and slammed his fist in the white suit's stomach before crunching the jaw with his other elbow.

The force sent Kiryu flying against the bookshelves, cracking the glass covers as he grabbed onto the desk and stepped round its side when he saw Doi rush him. Ducking beneath a violent kick, the Toho patriarch spun to strike his tail in the back of the dragon's knee, staggering the purple suit slightly for Kiryu to grab his slender neck, and crunch it against the grand window.

Two slams of the head broke one of the panes before an elbow punched his waist, the saurian gasping from the sharp sting as Doi turned with a graceful karate kick, scarring Kiryu's snout to push him back. When he came down for his head in another kick, Gojirama ducked before pulling the Persian rug causing Doi to fall, then bootkicked his skull against the window once more.

Swinging out his long dexterous tail, the dragon wrapped it round Kiryu's other leg and wrenched him back, pulling himself up to knee the saurian's head, punch his chest, then make two low kicks to both of Kiryu's legs. Gritting his teeth to not buckle, Gojirama guarded his face from the next punch and parried with a backhand strike, jabbing Doi twice before grabbing his horns and driving him hard into the desk.

"YOU THINK THE CREATURES OF THIS CITY WILL BOW TO YOU?!"

"If they refuse, they shall soon LEARN!"

The dragon blasted an aura that cracked like thunder, throwing Kiryu several feet with a rippling shudder of volts seizing through his muscles. Doi stood back up whilst straightening his sleeves, a sharp twitch of anger through his eye as he jumped forwards with a flying kick. Gojirama rolled out its path, the dragon crunching his shoe through a small dresser and ripping the drawers in half.

From the chaos a heavy book had fallen off the desk, a ledger of accounts that Kiryu grabbed when Doi rushed him. Gojirama hurled it to the floor as it bounced with spinning arc, cracking the dragon's jaw back before the Toho patriarch jumped high to grab it, then slammed it down upon the CEO's head.

"Here's what I think of your DAMN BUSINESS!"

With a football kick he slammed Doi against the wall, right beside the window as lightning cast shadows across them both. When Kiryu charged for a haymaker punch, Doi shut him down with a palm strike of shining gold, sparks ripping through the kaiju's skull before the dragon made one single devastating punch to the heart.

Gojirama's soul withered from the murderous strike, his organs clenched with a vile heat from an explosion in Doi's fist, that sent Kiryu flying out the doors of the office. Rolling across the marble hall, a deep black burn covered the front of his white suit.

"Don't think you're any better than us," said Doi, "just because you fought and survived two of the Ighorashis."

Gojirama heaved himself up, staring down the dragon who stepped out his office, his silhouette framed in white thunder.

"My father understood that out of all my brothers, I was the only one capable of controlling that TRUE power of our family. Whereas Gihei has to make do with muay thai, and Rai has deigned to stultify himself with kung fu...I have achieved something greater."

"This the part you tell me you killed your master?" snarled Kiryu. "Because I'm not some karate punk."

"No, you're even less than that." Doi pulled off his silken gloves. "My family, for centuries, has developed its own martial art in order to harness our capacity for lightning, as natural-born kings of this land. My brother Gihei failed to harness it, so weak was he that he must sate himself with the art of savages. But I am not Gihei. I...am the only remaining master of Ighorashi-style Shotokan."

His claws became gold lightning, a smile across his long face as Kiryu noticed his metal hand.

"And you, my dear Kiryu, are so very lucky to watch it first-hand, before you shall PERISH!"

Shooting out his left hand, Doi's wrist became a violent cable that Kiryu dodged underneath, the magnetic punch slamming one of the pillars to recoil back when the dragon rushed him. Barely bruised and full of vigour, the CEO jumped into a roundhouse kick, then landed spinning three more times to hammer Kiryu's body, and send him rolling once again.

Pushing back up in mid-roll, Goji came charging when Doi shot his hand out again to try and taser him, the saurian launching both feet to dropkick the dragon's chest and smash his back against a pillar. Punched across the face several times in a sudden frenzy, Doi's jaw was near-shattered by a rolling uppercut that stabbed his horns back through the column.

When Goji tried to grab him, Ighorashi countered with a deep electric punch to the gut, paralysing him briefly with roaring scream before lighting up his fist with arcing bolt, a screeching haymaker that exploded Goji's cheek. Hurled across the hall, he barely dodged hitting another pillar before stumbling onto his feet, seeing the dragon shoot out his lightning hand.

Dodging the cruel fist that shrieked past his limb, Gojirama felt a terrible shock rip through his shoulder, deadening his arm briefly as he lumbered towards Doi in a building run. Retracting his hand, the CEO tried to make a spinning kick, but Kiryu blocked in time and drove his fist into Doi's eye.

When he snapped back his steel hand, the dragon tried to sock Goji's face but the saurian blocked with his shoulder, still paralysed from the blow as he headbutted Doi's skull. The first drops of blood from the golden kaiju sprayed across their faces, Gojirama grabbing his throat to swing him in a wide circle and crack his back against the pillar.

"I won't let you destroy Kankoran, OR Japan!" roared Kiryu. "THIS IS FOR ALL OF US, IGHORASHI!"

"You...pah." Doi snorted cricking his spine. "It must be so tragic to live your life, without even a speck of my vision."

"Says the punk who resorts to weapons despite his family karate, don't pretend you're better than me, you goddamn coward!"

"I am FAR superior to you, you worthless BASTARD!"

Lunging from the floor, Doi made two savage uppercuts that tore through Goji's suit, the dragon spinning low to kick out the patriarch's legs and trip him with a stumble. In his turning spin Doi followed with a ruthless backfist, cracking the jaw before straight-punching the saurian's gut with a lightning burst.

Hurled once more across the room, Gojirama found himself at the bar with its dark blue lights and black countertop. The dragon shot out his hand again to punch through two bottles, dripping alcohol that sparked alight with sizzling flames along his metal arm. His purple sleeve turned dark with curling burns, but he smiled without a care approaching the intruder.

Grabbing two of the bottles from the rack, Kiryu had an idea as he waited for Doi to come running. Throwing one bottle at his face to briefly blind him, the yakuza rolled the second bottle at Doi's feet, causing him to trip in a stagger. When he tried to correct himself by launching his taser-hand, he swung his body to one side, lining himself up for Kiryu's vicious torpedo kick.

The dragon howled from the boot through his neck, as he poleaxed into the bar feet first to slam his knees against the counter, before Kiryu elbow-dropped his head. A blistering shriek escaped Doi as he burst an energy field around him, repelling Kiryu before sidestepping fast with a roundhouse kick, that crunched his shoe hard into the saurian's spine.

A gasping roar escaped the yakuza as he slumped against the counter, his entire back like a burning forest when the dragon raised his foot high to come down with a cleaving axe kick, and ripped the white suit in half. Grabbing a bottle from the bar, Goji turned to smash it on Doi's blocking hand, glass and vodka dripping over his knuckles to crackle with fire, before Kiryu grabbed one of the bar stools and golf-swinged Doi's face.

Blinded with rage, Ighorashi slammed his fist through the bar counter, a dozen bolts detonating from his claws causing every bottle to ignite. Kiryu had jumped back moments before the blast, a powerful explosion wreathing the dragon's body in gold and sapphire. His face had started to bruise, his sleeves turned ragged with burns, as Kiryu's back was now one deep scar through his plated spikes.

"You...will NOT INTERFERE! _" He turned towards Kiryu wrapped in flames. "_In my new empire, I will put savages like you, UNDER THE AXE!"

"Empire?" Kiryu sneered in his damaged suit. "Who the hell do you think you are, some kind of goddamn emperor!?"

"I...am far more than that. So you have come this far, and still you understand NOTHING! Every creature serves only to be ruled, every creature fears the chaos of this world, from which I their master shall bring ORDER!"

He tore the sleeves off his purple suit, scarves billowing from his hands as he tossed them to the fire.

"Each one of those sleeves, was worth two million yen," he rasped. "I shall make a hundred-and-twenty of those back by next week, when the government falls and my lobby shall induct a NEW government!"

"Just like I thought." Kiryu ripped off his clothes to reveal his bare chest. "All of this, just so you can stay rich."

"No." Lightning crackled from Doi's body. "_All of this, so I shall become your king, as my GOD-GIVEN RIGHT! _"

From around his body, crystal shards began levitating, a thousand mirrors reflecting Doi's twisted smile. Something pulled at Kiryu's pants, an invisible force that caused even the fire itself to bend and twist like grass in the wind.

With a vile shriek the glass came towards Kiryu, who blocked with the bar stool still in his hands as raining shards ripped through his arms, and lacerated his hard scales. Dozens of red slivers filled up his limbs, pinging sparks off the stool legs to cover himself from the worst, before the glass barrage would stop.

Then he saw Doi raise his hands, lifting all the other stools from the bar with a menacing energy. The chairs became electrified by his aura, crackling as he hurled one then the other like giant bullets as Kiryu dodged or parried, his own stool denting from the impacts before Doi ripped it out his hands, and spun it round his own body to slam it in Kiryu's ribs.

Doi rushed towards him and suddenly barraged the Toho member, with three rapid punches, a backfist across the head, a turning kick to the ribs, a vile axe kick crunching his scalp and two low spinning kicks shattering his knees before a vengeful lightning uppercut. His arm turned purest white, and with shrieking tear it gouged across Kiryu's pecs, a raw sulphurous wound that scarred deep to the bone.

The Toho patriarch rolled to the other side of the hall, crunching his head against the dining table where cutlery rattled from the impact. The portraits of the three brothers stared down upon him, as he saw Doi come marching forth with crackling arms of wicked lightning. Then his smile grew with golden fangs, forming a sharp piercing laser that ripped above Goji's head when he ducked, a song of destruction that gouged the walls with deep black.

Grabbing forks and knives from the table, an idea formed in Kiryu's head when he put a small silver spoon in his mouth. The dragon blasted him with electric froth, the patriarch hurling a plate in its path that briefly trapped the laser, before it shattered into pieces.

Everytime the dragon shot his beam, Kiryu hurled more forks and knives to arc the lightning away from him, the violent force shooting cutlery in every direction to bury deep in the walls. Further back he walked to the end of the dining room, a giant suit of armour looming behind Kiryu with three holes at the top, and terrifying limbs.

"_I, WILL NOT FALL, TO YOU FILTHY TOHO SCUUUUM! _"

Pounding the floor with lightning burst, Doi forced Kiryu back and came rushing with a double-punch, before snap-kicking the saurian's face left and right to slam his head on the table. A driving elbow screeched lightning down on his scalp, crushing Kiryu through the wood and snapping the table in half.

Gojirama rolled to dodge a brutal stomp, grabbing a plate to hurl at Doi's face who trapped it mid-air with his gravitational aura. Recoiling it back, it almost sliced Kiryu's neck as he rolled back up, blocking the next four punches the dragon barraged him with, before his guard was broken by a mighty axe kick, that crunched his hands straight through.

Left wide open, Goji suffered a devastating uppercut from Doi, lifting him high in the air as the dragon screeched a powerful golden laser. Violently electrocuted in mid-air, Kiryu felt all of his veins scream and boil, the longest four seconds of intense agony that rattled his brain, shut down his limbs and caused his heart to double in speed, before falling onto the broken table.

On his back he saw the dragon levitate above him, dozens of forks and knives turning slowly towards his bare exposed chest. It was exaclty what Kiryu wanted, a snarl showing the teaspoon he had hiding in his mouth. Imagining it was a cigarette, he spat it for Doi's eye who suddenly recoiled in disgust, dropping all of his cutlery to leave his head perfectly exposed. Launching himself high, Gojirama raised his godly fist, and came crashing down on the tyrant's skull.

Doi went flying back to hit the giant suit of armour, cracking his horns against the hard steel plate. He struggled to charge up his breath for another laser attack, a desperate rattle as Kiryu felt the surge of heat inside himself. This was it. One last shot at the ragged CEO, who coughed and shivered with crackling bolts puffing on his lips. The end was nigh as he took a deep breath, and blasted a mighty beam of pure azure.

" SKREEEEOOOOOO-"

"_NO YOU FUCKING DON'T! _"

Two hands grabbed the back of his head and ripped him hard, cancelling his nuclear fire that screeched across the portraits with a black burning rip to melt the pictures in half. Doi sighed in relief when he saw his brother grab the intruder, Gihei wrenching Kiryu's head and throwing him across the table.

"HEY MOTHERFUCKER, MISS ME?!"

A savage knee crunched Gojirama's jaw, knocking him farther back as Kiryu grabbed both arms and threw himself on top. Hammering the red-suited dragon with desperate wrath, he was headbutted hard before Gihei stood up with a rising kick that threw him hard.

Before Kiryu could rush to attack him, a sweeping leg tripped him to fall before another pair of hands grabbed him from the door, slamming his body against the giant glass window overlooking the table. Rai had also joined the fight in his jade suit, his claws hands pushing Kiryu against the crackling glass.

"We meet again, Kiryu-san. Let us hope it is our last."

"Y-YOU, WHAT?!"

"Do not fear," he murmured, "play the part for now."

Rai punched him with restraint, looking vicious to his brothers but barely a bruise as Kiryu roared for effect.

"GIHEI, ASSIST ME!"

"GLADLY!"

Marching up with gleeful rage, the vengeful scarlet suit cracked his knuckles and grabbed the other side of Kiryu. Both brothers nodded and with perfect precision, pulled back their fists, then punched him through the window in a crystal explosion. Landing on the veranda, Gojirama fell on the model city of Tokyo, somewhere on top of Hannyada Airport as he rolled through small trees and shops the size of his toe.

"THERE!" snarled Gihei. "Is he fucking dead NOW?!"

"He is not," Rai bowed to him, "my apologies. My reports were unfounded."

"Yeah you know what else is unfounded, my fucking faith in your robot brain, so much for being good at numbers!"

"Death and observation do not require numbers usually."

"WOULD YOU BASTARDS COME HELP ME?!" screamed Doi from the other end. "That miserable shit broke my SODDING ARM!"

"Shit, you alright bro?!" Gihei ran over to pick him up. "Fuck even YOU?! What the hell is this guy's problem?!"

"He will NOT live past this day," the purple suit snarled, "we are going to toss him off this roof, and watch his guts smear across the length of Taihei Boulevard."

"Then it is time for our project to begin," the green suit bowed, "Kiryu has become too great a threat, I think it best we utilise Project Emperor."

"Huh...look at you," Gihei smirked at him, "you're finally getting the bloodlust, like a real Ighorashi."

"It is simply logical. An enemy who poses a great enough threat, requires an even greater weapon."

"I agree," rasped Doi, "my body is...ragged as it is and my arm is-AAARGH! You will have to...take over for me."

"Heh," Gihei scoffed, "always gotta carry this fucking family myself."

"We carry ourselves together. We are still family Gihei...I would do the same for you."

"...alright." He turned towards the suit of armour. "Let's give the Emperor the real test run it deserves."

On the outer platform of the Millennium Tower, Gojirama opened his eyes and saw a tiny model of a Tokyo street. He recognised the airport and a few locations, pulling himself up as the winds howled across the 107th floor, rustling the small trees that stood around his feet.

Glass would drip off his back as he groaned and searched for Doi. The model of Tokyo was impressive, almost beautiful in its reproduction. The Tokyo Tower stood proud with red and white, the Millennium Tower was an eyesore as always in a cute little Kaijurocho, next to a quaint miniature temple.

"Hmph...I was right," he murmured, "he does think we're all his toys."

A shadow loomed behind him, as the rumbling thunder trembled over his head. A giant foot kicked him when he turned, sending him rolling across Tokyo to crunch through Ota, Meguro and across Setagaya where his body ripped seventeen blocks of apartments, and four bullet-train hubs.

"BEHOLD!" roared Ighorashi. "YOUR NEW KING, FOR A NEW JAPAN!"

"Nnngh...what?" Kiryu stood up pulling a radio tower out his ribs. "What...the hell?"

"IN THE MOMENTS BEFORE YOUR DEATH, YOU SHALL WITNESS OUR TRUE POWER!"

Standing before him beneath the broken window, a grand towering creature with three golden heads smiled with large steel arms and thick metallic feet. The giant suit of armour wrapped round three bodies inside, that sat on top of each other in a tight but layered space On their right was Gihei with his cruel grin; on their left was Rai with his cold emotionless look; and at the centre was Doi, still covered in bruises.

"LIKE THE NEW LOOK?!" Gihei spread his arm. "JUST A LI'L SUPERCONDUCTOR ELECTROMAGNETISM, BITCH!"

"This...you look," gasped Kiryu, "what in gods' name is that thing?"

"IT LEVITATES BULLET TRAINS FROM TOKYO TO OSAKA," said Rai factually, "IT LEVITATES OUR SUIT, WHERE WE SHALL OBSERVE THE FATE OF THE WORLD."

"AND IT SHALL LEVITATE...ME."

Doi smiled with renewed spirit, the suit lifting up itself to glide with an eerie hum, a bell forever holding a single note as Kiryu charged them. Rai shot him down with a beam different from the others, a white laser that punched him back, to fall on top of Setagaya's ancient castle.

"MY BROTHERS AND I ARE ONLY EQUAL TO EACH OTHER!" said Doi with booming voice. "SO WHY NOT COMBINE OUR STRENGTH?!"

"AFTER X-SAN ATTACKED US," said Gihei, "WE WERE PLANNING A LONG WHILE FOR A BACKUP PLAN, TO MAKE SURE NO ONE WOULD FUCK US AGAIN!"

"SO PROJECT EMPEROR WAS FORMED," said Rai, "OUR LAST BASTION FOR DEFENCE."

"I thought...you guys were just selfish and greedy," Kiryu clutched his chest, "but now I see you're...all...just completely insane."

"AND NOW, YOU'LL JUST BE DEAD!"

Gihei blasted his gravity beam as Goji dodged out its path, the searing line ripping through five schools and an art museum.

"MAYBE I WON'T GET TO MAKE YOU INTO A THRONE, BUT TURNING YOU INTO ASH IS JUST AS GOOD!"

"YOU HAVE SQUANDERED EVERYTHING!" roared Doi stepping forth. "ALL YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR CLAN, FIGHTING IN THE STREETS LIKE SAVAGES, THEY'LL ALL BE DEALT WITH WHEN I HAVE THEM BROUGHT BEFORE US, AND EXECUTED AS TRAITORS TO JAPAN!"

"I DON'T CARE HOW BIG YOU THINK YOU ARE!" shouted Gojirama. "You're still three heads in a tin can, I'll break your skulls in half, OR DIE TRYING!"

"THEN I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TRY, KIRYU-SAN." Rai gestured with his left arm. "TIME IS RUNNING SHORT, FOR THE JAPAN YOU HAVE KNOWN."

"AND WHATEVER HAPPENS, OUR VICTORY IS COMPLETE!" boasted Doi in the centre. "KANKORAN WILL BE DEVASTATED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL FALL, AND MY BUSINESSES WILL SOAR UPON THE PROFITS, UPHOLDING OUR THRONE TO BE THE RICHEST IN ALL THE WORLD!"

"YOU THINK YOU'RE SOME KIND OF GOD?!" barked Kiryu.

"BETTER THAN GODS!" crowed Gihei from the right. "WE'RE FUCKING KINGS, AND THE WORLD WILL KNOW OUR NAMES UNITED! GHI!"

"DO!"

"RAH."

All three heads spoke from right to left uttering a single name, the name of true evil as Gojirama braced himself. Two of the heads would laugh deep, their voices amplified by their suit to form cackling roars that across the roofs. The flames rose from below, dappled spots of crimson growing with each passing minute of violent frenzy. The Toho and Jinuchu would battle on, blood filling the streets, bodies falling to be stomped, beaten or even killed.

But at the top of the world, under the creeping thunder, stood King Ghidorah with arms wide and powerful legs hovering over the model city. Gojirama trembled with destiny, his spirit renewed for the final battle as his bare chest glinted in the sparks of lightning. Destiny was calling, the future of Japan weighing down upon his back.

With a mighty roar Ghidorah lunged, landing with a doublekick that Kiryu dodged before swinging for Gihei's head. The right head countered with his powerful arm, a single blow crunching the Toho member's jaw, to send him rolling through Setagaya. Two more museums flattened underneath, his foot stomping through Tamamowadai Park, and crushing its entire path of little cherry blossoms.

Ducking beneath a brutal haymaker, the swing of Gihei's arm deafened him with sonic boom as Kiryu grabbed for the neck, and pulled it down to pummel twice with his fist. Doi charged up his lightning direct for his ear as Goji jumped back, crushing more parks to grab a large carrot-orange building.

The blast of forked lightning shattered the tiny glass windows, the kaiju running close with his shield before striking all three heads in a mighty slap. Rai grabbed one of his arms and shot his white beam to stun him, leaving him open for Gihei's savage punch through the model building. The patriarch's snout was crushed in a bloody explosion, falling back in a deep drag through the south side of Tokyo.

"YOU COULD BARELY FIGHT ANY ONE OF US!" roared Gihei from the right. "HOW THE FUCK YOU EXPECT TO BEAT ALL OF US?!"

"I should...say, the same for you," the saurian snarled, "you thought you could, t-take on all of my friends...my family? You already lost and you don't even know it!"

"SAYS THE FAILURE OF AN ORPHAN WHO LOST HIS PATRIARCH!"

Doi blasted another bolt as Kiryu wrenched out a shrine, hurling it in the path of lightning to rip it away from him before shoulder-charging the fiend. The armour stood firm, the dragons' legs rooted to the floor with powerful magnets that made him impossible to move, as both hands grabbed his throat with a crushing grip.

Gojirama lifted his body to kick himself away, rushing in again with a double-punch to Doi's face before stepping back to avoid the swing of a huge arm, hulking steel muscles that pushed Kiryu away with sonic force. Dodging under one swing, he made a rising uppercut to Doi's jaw, then elbowed Rai to stop him shooting another beam.

But Gihei lunged with his long neck to tear into Kiryu's shoulder, biting deep with screaming tear and ripping his scales whilst Rai punched him repeatedly. Bloodied scars and blackened dents covered the yakuza's face, before he gouged his fingers in Gihei's eye with a savage thrusting twist.

Howling with pain the right head released him, Goji's left shoulder burning from the bite as he ducked beneath a shocking electric beam. With a sudden rush Ghidorah kicked his head, slamming him back to fall on top of Shibaya Crossing, the kaiju saurian stomping his foot in its grand four-way crossing.

With his heel pressed against a skyscraper, Gojirama kicked the giant Hikarie department store like a football. When it smashed on Doi's head, he grabbed a scoopful of izakaya restaurants to hurl like scattering dust and blind their heads in showering splinters. The patriarch came running with a dropkick that slammed on their suit of armour, the impact causing them to stagger, before he grabbed both Gihei and Doi to crunch their skulls together.

"I WON'T LET YOU TAKE THIS CITY! NOT ONE MORE STEP, NOT ONE MORE YEN IN YOUR FILTHY POCKETS!"

With all his might, he wrenched their necks hard in a giant half-swing, the colossal weight of all three Ighorashis in one suit almost too much for him as he tossed them towards Yokaiba, a small artificial island in the grand Koto dock district. That island was soon crunched under the massive heel of Ghidorah, splitting it in seven pieces as he stumbled back up in the tiny puddle of the harbour docks.

"ALRIGHT FUCKFACE, YOU WANNA TEAR THIS CITY UP?! THEN DIE WITH IT!"

Gihei grabbed a glass cube-shaped miniature of the Telecom Center, tossing it at Kiryu before blasting it with lightning beam turning the model into a shrapnel grenade. The Toho patriarch was blinded by a thousand shards ripping up his face, as Rai shot his white beam hard to the skull and knocked him down.

" DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY YOU'VE COST ME?!" roared Doi. "EVEN THIS MODEL CITY ALONE, COSTS MORE THAN YOU WOULD MAKE IN A YEAR!"

"BUT IF SACRIFICES HAVE TO BE MADE," proclaimed Rai, "THEN SO BE IT. PREPARE YOURSELF, GOJIRAMA KIRYU!"

The three-headed dragon came hovering towards him, powering up with magnetic thrall to levitate higher with a flying kick to Kiryu's head. Landing swift as they shot lightning to his legs, they paralysed the patriarch who fell on his knees, before a hard kick threw him on his back.

A long metal object capsized behind his head, as Kiryu grabbed it when rolling up to hide his weapon when Gihei leaned down to bite his neck. With a wild swing, Goji cracked his jaw with a replica of the Tokyo Tower, that shining peerless symbol of their beloved city. Turning redder with dragon's blood, Kiryu shoved the tower model into Doi's maw, violently choking him as they were forced to stumble back.

The saurian kept stabbing Doi's mouth, whilst backhanding Gihei to knock more teeth from his skull. Rai tried to punch him, but Kiryu swerved around the Ghidorah's body and pulled Doi's head into a tangled stab. Stomping their way through Mizuto, Kiyoda and Bunbukyo, Ghidorah soon tripped on the Tokyo Dome, a giant foot leaving its imprint behind upon the baseball diamond.

Falling back across the northeast of Tokyo, the tri-headed demon crushed the entirety of Akatebara, that grand electric street filled with technological wonders. Now its bright and illustrious model was a flattened smear on Ghidorah's back, as Kiryu climbed on top to plunge the Tokyo Tower down on Doi's neck.

Rai managed to punch the model from his hand, and send it flying over the edge of the veranda, hurtling for the streets below. Gihei followed with another punch, throwing Kiryu off as Doi coughed a gasping heave, spitting volt saliva from his broken-toothed jaw.

"YOU EXPECT TO DEFEAT US?!" he boasted pulling himself up. "YOU CAN HARDLY DENT OUR ARMOUR, LET ALONE OUR INDOMITABLE WILL!"

"I WON'T STOP FIGHTING!" Kiryu roared. "EITHER YOU'LL LEARN THIS CITY'S NOT YOURS, OR I DESTROY EVERYTHING YOU HAD!"

"OR RATHER, YOU DIE," noted Rai, "OF WHICH THAT PROBABILITY IS EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH, DO YOU NOT AGREE MY BROTHERS?"

"DAMN RIGHT!" cackled Gihei. "YOU'RE GETTING TIRED, YOU ONLY GOT SO MANY MODELS TO THROW AT US, BEFORE WE SNAP YOUR FUCKING NECK, AND TOSS YOUR FAT BITCH CORPSE OFF THE FUCKING ROOF!"

"_I WON'T LET YOU WIN! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO TO ME, YOU CAN BREAK EVERY BONE IN MY GODDAMN BODY, BUT I WILL NEVER LET YOU WIN, GHIDORAAAAAH! _"

Lighting tore the sky apart with brilliant white, shining upon the dragons with heavenly evil, against Kiryu's black bloodied scales that shone with a deep darkness. Something charged up inside of him, that burning heat of passion, that yearning to live, the desire of a better future.

Gihei and Rai looked to each other with a knowing look, and clasped their hands together with a deeper focus. Doi saw the rising flames in Gojirama's throat, burning azure trickling off the saurian's tongue as he made a piercing roar, and shot forth his nuclear beam.

" SKREEEEEOOOOOONK!"

In that same moment, both Doi's brothers sparked a magnificent aura of purest gold that surrounded their bodies. Doi caught on immediately and charged his own power with them, strengthening their powerful incredulous shield. Gojirama screamed harder, his head shaking as the barrier remained untouched, impervious like a ghostly sphere as two of the dragons would cackle, with a terrible victorious laugh.

"HHHAHAHAHAA, AWWWW WHAT'S WRONG KIRYU-KUN?!" Gihei snorted.

"DID YOU FORGET OUR POWERS COMBINE?" Rai added. "THE SHIELD I EXHIBITED IS FAR STRONGER, AGAINST YOUR NUCLEAR BREATH."

"HOW PREDICTABLE!"

Doi charged at the screaming saurian, Goji's powerful beam simply withering off the electro-shield before he was clocked with a brutal haymaker. Flying west into Ikuchikuro, he rolled through department stores and flattened local train stations, residences and terminals, before slamming against one of the former tallest buildings in Asia.

In this model Tokyo it would reach past his thigh, as he pulled himself up gripping the top of the Sunshine 60 skyscraper. His throat was an arid wasteland, his lungs burning with fatigue and his legs starting to give out, before a giant fist grabbed his head, and split the model skyscraper in half.

Kiryu's snout ripped through the building, glass shards splintering his eyes before another fist came down to bury him deeper into Ikuchikuro. The dragons kicked his stomach twice, launching him farther towards the replica district of his beloved Kaijurocho, in the depths of Shinjuku.

His head thumped against the stone model of the Airenas Temple, a precious thing rubbing his head as he stared at the Millennium Tower. Even as a model it remained insufferable, his body laid sprawled across Nagamichi, and his feet hitting that small familiar red gate, on a much smaller Tenkaiju Street.

"BETTER START PRAYING TO YOUR MOTH BITCH!"

Gihei taunted as the giant foot came down for Kiryu's head, the saurian blocking with both hands before a lightning charge blasted his chest, and caused terrible spasms to shut him down.

"ALL YOUR LITTLE FRIENDS'LL BE ASH UNDER OUR FEET! BUT MAYBE I'LL KEEP THAT SHOJI FOR MYSELF...UNTIL I GET BORED, LIKE WITH AOSUKAWA."

"REST ASSURED KIRYU," proclaimed Doi, "THERE SHALL REMAIN NOT A TRACE OF ANY LIFE YOU HAD, IN KAIJUROCHO OR THIS EARTH!"

With a brutal kick to the head, Ghidorah slammed Kiryu through the Millennium Tower, smashing his skull through the model to leave a crown of glass upon his scalp. Blood rippled from his cuts all down his chest and neck, rolling onto his back to see the three-headed dragon come floating high above, a demonic deity with six piercing crimson eyes.

Raising themselves higher with electromagnet force, Ghidorah came down with a crushing stomp on Kiryu's stomach. The entire weight of the Ighorashi family cracked Kiryu's ribs causing him to roar with blood spurting out his face.

"YOU REFUSE TO ACCEPT OUR GODHOOD?!"

"_GH-HHRAAAAA AAAARGH! _"

"KEEP YOUR OWN GOD! IN FACT, THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO PRAY TO THEM!"

"_GHH-A-AAA AAARRRGH! _"

"OR MAYBE IT'S TOO LATE." Gihei pulled one foot back to lift it above the temple model. "MAYBE YOUR GOD IS DEAD, AND WE'RE JUST TAKING THEIR SEAT."

One little crunch flattened the Airenas Temple, the replica of ancient stone meticulously crafted, now a crumpling smear of dust beneath the dragon's pearly claws.

"REMEMBER WHAT I SAID, KIRYU? IMAGINE THAT SHOJI'S FACE, UNDER MY FOOT, SERVING HER KING BEFORE I TOSS HER PRETTY LITTLE SARI AWAY."

Another brutal stomp cracked harder in his ribs. Gojirama screamed with heaving coughs as Doi smiled with Gihei, their foot scraping the temple remains down all of Pink Street.

"BUT FEAR NOT," said the central head, "AT LEAST YOU WON'T LIVE TO SEE OUR PURIFICATION OF KAIJUROCHO. YOUR PRECIOUS SHOJI WILL FIND HERSELF...RETIRING SHORTLY."

"AND ALL OF YOUR CLAN IN TURN," continued Rai from the left, "UNLESS YOU CAN MUSTER THAT SAME STRENGTH OF YOUR FRIENDS."

"AND THEY'RE ALL GETTING SLAUGHTERED," Gihei grinned, "FACE IT KIRYU. YOU HAVE NO HOPE, NO FRIENDS, AND ABOUT TO DIE WITH NO GRAVE!"

"Is that...so?" rasped Kiryu. "No friends you say? Maybe I have one...closer than you think."

His eyes glanced over to Rai who nodded quietly, whilst his brothers kept laughing as Doi pushed down on Goji's chest.

"FAREWELL, GOJIRAMA KIRYU...YOU SHALL NOT BE MISSED."

As he lifted his foot high to crush Kiryu's head, a savage fist crunched into his jaw sending him reeling back off the Toho patriarch.

"WH-WHAT, WHO IS-GAAAUH!"

Another punch cracked his chin as he staggered harder, seeing the left hand of Ghidorah hammer his own face. Both heads turned towards Rai with a look of shock and outrage.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!" screamed Gihei.

"CORRECTING THE PATH," said Rai, "YOUR FUTURE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE."

"WHA, WHAT?!"

"I HAVE DECIDED LONG BEFORE, THAT THERE WAS A BETTER PATH FOR THIS COUNTRY. APOLOGIES, DEAR BROTHERS, BUT I CAN NO LONGER FOLLOW YOUR COURSE."

"Y-YOU...YOU!" gasped Doi. "YOU WORTHLESS TRAITOR, HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME!"

Grabbing Rai's neck with their right arm, the Ghidorahs started fighting amongst themselves, throttling the left head whilst the left hand began punching the other two. Gihei swung his neck round to try and bite at his sibling, but Rai reared back to keep socking them with alternating punches.

Kiryu pulled himself up in their distraction, grabbing the sharded remains of the Millennium model like a broken glass bottle. With a desperate stab he tore Gihei's face, blinding glass ripping through his cheek before Kiryu grabbed his throat, wrenched him down hard and crunched his knee between the eyes.

Doi was too focused on his brother's betrayal to even notice Kiryu's fist, socking his head even further back before the saurian dropkicked the metal body to send Ghidorah falling across Pink Street. Rolling up fast, they came lunging with a scream, but Rai stopped their charge with a paralysing beam to Doi, and an uppercut to Gihei.

Ghidorah stumbled and fell, falling towards Goji who made a giant kick straight for Gihei's head, before immediately elbowing Doi beside him. Rai helped with another stun-beam when Gihei tried to punch back, the middle head shrieking with savage fury to wrap his jaws around his brother's neck.

Rai was startled briefly by Doi's fangs ripping into his flesh, pulling back the synthetic fibre to reveal his steel hide and the circuits within. Sparks shot between Doi's teeth as he tore at his left head, Gihei fighting off Kiryu with blasting bolts that the Toho hero dodged, or deflected with model buildings.

"HOW COULD YOU EVER THINK TO TURN AGAINST US?!" screamed Doi.

"I FOUND A BETTER WAY," argued Rai, "AND I KNEW BOTH OF YOU WOULD BE TOO INCENSED BY GREED TO RECONSIDER."

"THIS IS OUR BIRTHRIGHT, OUR DESTINY!"

"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS DESTINY, DOI. ONLY THE STRENGTH OF ONE'S COMMUNITY, CAN SEE THINGS PUT TO RIGHT."

"YOU INSUFFERABLE SOCIALIST SHITSTAIN!"

"HEY, SHUT UP!" Gihei grabbed the middle head. "THIS FUCKER KIRYU'S STILL HERE, WE'LL DEAL WITH OUR FAKE BROTHER LATER!"

"DO NOT SPEAK BACK TO ME YOU FILTHY MONGREL!"

Despite his insolent rage, Ghidorah turned all three heads back towards Kiryu bracing themselves for the next attack. With a lumbering charge the false king shook the model city with each step, pulling back one arm ready to punch Kiryu back. Rai stunned Doi to stop him shooting lightning, as Gojirama waited for the perfect moment just before Gihei's fist came down for his skull. Then he would counter.

All three dragons gasped with shock at the brutal punch, Gihei's fist stopping inches from Kiryu's face. The patriarch's knuckles crunched through their armour, ducking low in a tiger-dropping punch that was so sudden, it shattered pieces of the armour, and sent Ghidorah flying across the roof.

Doi cried out in anguish taking the brunt of this force, Gojirama surging with the will to survive that burned thicker inside of him. Gihei grabbed Rai's head, whilst Doi crunched down on his former brother's neck, and with one brutal twist, tore out half his throat in a screaming binary song

"THIS, ENDS, NOW!"

With Doi's proclamation, both him and Gihei fumed with crackling bolts from their snouts, charging up their most powerful burst of electric fury. Their power incensed their bodies, the crumpled front of their suit turned magnetic as pieces pulled back together from the polarising current. Even the clouds of thunder would gather above, as if obeying the words of their master.

"FOR I BEHELD OUR FATHER, AS HE FELL FROM THE HEAVENS, LIKE LIGHTNIIIIIING!"

A deafening howl tore through the air, the clouds parting once more with a violent crack when lightning struck upon Ghidorah. Charging their body with every electron in the storm, they turned to a blinding brilliant creature of pure incandescent rage. With two heads roaring and one hanging limp, Ghidorah blasted their most powerful electric beam, ripping through the model city with such force that it split entire districts in half, twisting metal bridges and scarring a deep groove through the earth.

Gojirama Kiryu stood opposite him, a smouldering cyan trickling down his teeth when he roared his nuclear blast. Clashing against the demon's lightning, gold and sapphire struck with vicious bolts coiling around his energy beam. Slowly but surely, Ghidorah's power would overwhelm him. Their eyes tightened, piercing red with the malice of indignation, their powers focused upon exterminating the bare-chested Kiryu.

As the light pushed back his beam, Gojirama's head shook with trembling agony to hold as long as he could. His heart turned his chest into a drum, his lungs shrivelling to expel every ounce of his righteous anger. The golden beam crept ever closer, stroking his face with flaxen fingers when he found it at last. That same depth, that well of power he had known facing Danzaki. The apex of his strength.

" SKREEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAARRRGH!"

From sapphire to ruby his beam changed, a violent bloody heat burning towards its climax as Gojirama pushed back Ghidorah's lightning. With one single blast, the sudden power emanating from Kiryu took them by surprise, as the scarlet beam melted through little trees and toy skyscrapers, into a bubbling mulch.

Like a gunshot it ripped through Ghidorah, his armour dripping off in molten chunks but not enough to separate from their body. The dragons were propelled violently back to the edge of the roof, their lightning recoiled to explode in their throats with crackling boom as they rolled through the remains of their model city. In a smoking pile, bereft with blackened scales, Doi, Gihei and Rai shuddered with heaving breaths.

"N-no...NO!" the central head screamed. "I WILL NOT-HA-AAARGH! I WILL NOT LET THIS STAND!"

Forcing themselves on both feet, Ghidorah staggered back closer to the edge, with Doi and the Gihei snarling at the approaching Kiryu.

"I, I'm not DEAD, you SON OF A BITCH!" spat Gihei.

"The longer you last," coughed Kiryu, "the worse I'll make it for you."

"Y-you can't do the same trick TWICE!" roared Doi. "GIHEI, COME, SH-SHOOT HIM AGAIN!"

"M-my...I-i-i...you fucker, you ruined my lungs!"

"Now let's finish this," Goji limped ever closer, "do I walk you down, or do I drag you by the necks to the authorities?"

"Hhhhhaahahahaha, you, you IMBECILE!" Doi rasped a bitter chuckle. "I will simply...buy my way out...n-nothing you can do to stop us."

"You wanna kill us?" sneered Gihei. "Go on...be a big kaiju for once in your FUCKING LIFE, cuz either you kill us here...or we kill YOU, and our worthless fucking brother!"

"Worthless?" Rai's head lifted with pneumatic creak. "That is...the first time...you have ever called me that."

"Because YOU are a vile backstabbing RUNT!" snapped Doi. "I shall deal with you after this...father was wrong to bring you back."

"I never came back. I was never your brother...but a simulacrum."

The body of Ghidorah suddenly lifted itself, much to Doi and Gihei's confusion. Rai clenched his teeth with a burning smoke from his skull, the sound of something overheating inside him.

"Wh-what, WHAT!?"

"What the shit, are you hijacking us?!"

"I designed...Project Emperor," said Rai stepping back, "I installed...a fail-safe...to wrest control from you for a short time."

"W-wait, wait, you gonna, ARE YOU FUCKING KILLING US?!"

"YOU CONTEMPTIBLE COWARD! I'LL KILL YOU HERE AND NOW!"

Despite Doi's threat there was no more strength in them to bite, or shoot lightning from their throats. Rasping and ragged, the two heads struggled to take back control as Gihei found his arm completely locked down, and their feet still walking back. The howling winds of Kaijurocho gasped shrieking up their backs, as Rai stepped up onto the ledge.

"Rai, RAI YOU FUCKER!" screamed Gihei. "I NEVER TRUSTED YOU WHEN YOU CAME BACK, YOU FUCKING FAKE!"

"RETURN CONTROL TO US NOW!" ordered Doi. "SO HELP ME FATHER, I WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER EVEN WORSE THAN YOU ALREADY WILL!"

"Kiryu," Rai looked on ignoring them, "my last request. Let Obara's data be correct. Prove that this world can be better...with those such as you."

"R-...Rai," gasped Gojirama, "you...you really are doing this."

"Farewell...my friend."

He stepped back once more into the abyss. The air would embrace them, the white wraiths of November curling round their shoulders with an icy touch. Doi and Gihei stared towards the blackening clouds, as gravity pulled them down.

Suddenly a shadow loomed above them, a hand grabbing Rai's throat as they saw much to their shock, the battered face of Kiryu reaching over the edge. Rai's face was transfixed in a new emotion, the giant body of Ghidorah dangling over the edge as Kiryu heaved with all his remaining strength.

"Wh-...what?"

"HNNNGH, HNNNNNRAAAAAARGH!"

"What...what are you..."

In Rai's confusion he did not notice his brothers seeing a chance for revenge. They were about to engage their electromagnetics, hoping that enough levitation would break their fall. But now this was personal. They saw Kiryu's face, straining hard to pull Rai back, as both dragons crackled their tongues with the last of their electric fury.

It burned like agony in their throats, but the pain would be worth it. A moment of suffering to destroy that wretched thug, that common creature of the Toho whose very existence was blasphemy to the Ighorashi clan. Charging their aura, they readied themselves to scream and obliterate Kiryu's head with a focused bolt.

Gojirama didn't care, too busy wrenching Rai's neck as hard as he could, the gouging bites of Doi having already weakened its base. The weight of Ghidorah pulled their bodies down hard, as Kiryu screamed with bulging veins turning thicker in his arm. His muscles screeched in a red anguish that filled his mind, as he finally ripped Rai's head free from his body. A sparkling rainbow of steel wires came after, oil dripping from his severed neck.

In that same moment, the two brothers fell. Their bolts misfired, shooting at the sky and missing Kiryu, the last of their energy spent in one failed vengeance. Their magnetic force would not come, their bodies inert as disbelief ran through them. This wasn't real, they thought, this was but a delusion, a dream of fancy from the exhaustion of their battle. Nothing would let them fall to their deaths, not these blessed kings whom surely the world owed to them. But they fell regardless. That same world loomed above them, higher and higher, the Tower with its glass facade reflecting the fires down below.

The last thing they screamed was Kiryu's name, in absolute sorrow at all that had been taken from them, just as he swore. Their body formed a crater in the street, a black cloud draping over their shattered bones in the midst of Taihei Boulevard. A news van nearby rocked from the impact, windows shuddering as creatures cowered thinking a bomb had exploded.

At the top of the Millennium Tower, Gojirama sat with Rai's head in his lap, in the northeast part of the model city. His arms were burning, his throat like the Sahara, and his heart so insufferably tight he almost retched from the adrenaline.

"Kiryu." Rai's head looked up at him. "Why did you spare me?"

"Because," Kiryu shrugged, "I just could."

"That...that makes no sense. You must have had a reason."

"Well...I'm not sure myself." He sat back. "Maybe I wanted you to see the results of your experiment. Maybe I want you to pay back more of the debt you owe me, for turning Danzaki against me. Or maybe it's because...you made Obara-kun happy, and helped push him on to do something better with his life and despite all you've done...you're his friend too."

"Hm. I see." The dragon smacked his lips as oil dripped from his severed throat. "I had predicted this battle to end in sixteen different conclusions. Seven of those had you live, and my brothers defeated. Of those seven...none of them ensured my survival."

"Creatures are more than just numbers. You can't predict what everybody does, no matter how much you try to break us down."

"Perhaps...you are a truly fascinating creature, Kiryu-san. A paradigm...of variable, intangible strength."

"Hmm...thanks." The Toho patriarch stood up clutching his ribs. "I need to check on...the Atragon, can you wait here?"

"I am incapable of doing anything else," the head looked to him, "go, ensure the Atragon is deactivated."

Hurrying back as fast he could with burning chest, Kiryu saw someone already inside Doi's room. Stepping through the backdoor next to the study window, he clenched his breath as Ukyo Kuribayante held the cellular module in their hand, and tapped in the code whilst reciting an odd phrase.

"Les sanglots longs...des violons...de l'automne."

The device suddenly beeped before turning off, its small screen going black as Ukyo turned to Kiryu.

"Atragon has stopped."

"Thank...gods," he slumped against the wall, "how much time did we have?"

"About six minutes before its launch. I would have come sooner, but I had to avoid being spotted by Gihei and Rai."

"I'm glad you did," Goji gulped back his breath, "what was that...that thing you were saying when I came in?"

"A poem my father loved," said Ukyo looking up, "Paul Chevaulaine's Autumn Song."

"Heh, autumn? Is that what your brothel's named after?"

"Correct. Sit down, let me help with your wounds."

Kiryu let the doctor help him with some salves, iodine and burn treatments for the many wounds he had taken. His body wanted to collapse, every muscle become magma that burned his veins. His breaths trembled with fatigue, his eyes drooping and his hands gone limp.

"Shoji-sama is fine," said Ukyo bandaging him, "Ojha is dead."

"Wait...she killed him?"

"No, I did. She is still mourning, we can head down together to see her."

"Thank you, Biyante-sama," Goji wheezed, "you...you've been a big help."

"I was simply making amends," the doctor wrapped his waist with hands and tentacles, "are the Ighorashis dead?"

"Two of them. The third surrendered."

"Do you need help restraining him?"

"No. I got it." Kiryu looked at the model ruins. "We need to go before the police arrive, but I need to carry something discreet."

"I have a backpack," they pulled out one from beneath their coat, "always keep one for emergencies in my line of work."

"Thank you," he sighed, "you go on ahead, let Shoji-sama know I'm behind you."

They parted ways as Ukyo pocketed the Atragon device, whilst Kiryu hurried back out to Rai's severed head and carefully put it in the bag.

"Sorry for this," he muttered, "I'd rather keep your being a robot-"

"Android," Rai corrected.

"-a secret, yeah, it's not going to look good if the police saw me carrying your head."

"Understandable. Please carry me to a safe place, I shall instruct you on how to bring me another body."

"You have spares?" Kiryu stared at the head in the bag. "Gods this is so weird...even after I fought a three-headed dragon who tried to nuke Korea, this is...still the weirdest thing I've ever done."

"I agree this is most unusual," said the dragon's skull, "the creatures of this city must never know, for both your safety and mine."

"My lips are sealed." He zipped up the bag. "Besides, you still owe me."

Carrying Rai in his pack, Kiryu headed downstairs to regroup with Shoji and Ukyo. Far below on the streets, the fighting had ceased from the devastating impact. The broken two-headed body in its giant suit laid in a deep crater, the asphalt cracked around with creatures from all sides surrounding the corpse. Both officers and yakuza, sex workers and acolytes, stood together in disbelief.

"What the fuck happened?"

"Some...some kinda astronaut?"

"No that, dude, that's the head of King Financial."

"S-sir, that...that's Gihei he-"

"Dead. We've lost." A Jinuchu captain dropped his blade. "We've lost the war."

"What...what are we gonna do?"

"I have some ideas." Kin Shisahara approached offering his card. "Why don't we start with some negotiations...after you have surrendered fully? Or would you rather we begin a hostile takeover?"

All the Jinuchu would drop their weapons, slowly but surely losing the will to fight from a mixture of shock and confusion. In the midst of the civilians, a one-eyed bird looked upon his former boss, stiff and broken. Blood formed a puddle in the crater, his eyes rolled up and his teeth shattered. Gen's fingers trembled with hesitant glee, clasping his beak with sobs welling up in his throat.

"H-h-he...he...he's dead. H-he's finally dead."

"Dude, you alright?"

The moment he felt Meiji's touch, Gen turned to hug him tight with tears of joy staining his shoulder.

"H-he's dead! He's dead, we're finally free, we're free Mei-chan!"

"Y-...yeah." The beetle hugged him back with a smile. "We are, Gen. We're free."