2020 UPDATE! Thanks to watashi-desu for betaing this chapter!

I'm trash for Godzilla and garbage at editing.

Normally I plan stories for months at a time and never write them, but this time I'm doing the opposite!

KOTM spoilers! Watch it! And if you have, watch it again!

Diving In Too Deep

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The world was changing. It started years ago when two creatures appeared out of nowhere, creating vast destruction in their wake. Little did anyone know, there was something else—something bigger. The news that day changed everything.

They called him Godzilla. Well, the Americans did. Its scientific name was Titanus Gojira. It was difficult to tell which was more fitting.

The planet was divided by the discovery of its existence. Some called it a god, and others, a monster.

But who was right?

The once secret organization known as Monarch stated that Godzilla was a balancing force. That he was awakened by the arrival of the MUTO's and once they were dealt with, went back into hibernation.

It was easy enough to believe. After all, that was what happened. But others were not so easily convinced, saying it would only be a matter of time before he would be back.

And they were right.

"Still nothing?"

Amara looked up to the woman bent over her shoulder. Her eyes were narrowed looking for blips on the screen.

"No, nothing." Amara shook her head.

"That's so strange. Are you sure you're not just spacing off again?"

"Sorry, Dr. Park. I swear I haven't taken my eyes off it all morning."

Dr. Park's ebony eyes narrowed further. It was hard to tell if it was annoyance towards her semi honest answer, or the fact there were indeed no whales in the area.

"I'm guessing the mass awakening of the titans is causing this," Amara added, her eyes wandered out towards the open waters that surrounded them.

"But there are none in this area, the closest was almost two-thousand kilometers away." Dr. Park put a hand over her eyes and scanned the ocean water. "The whales always come through here this time of year and stay to feed for at least a week before moving on. These titans are really something if they're having this kind of effect so far away."

"Who knows how many more undiscovered ones there are in the ocean alone, though. Monarch even admitted to loosing Godzilla a while ago."

Even as they spoke, anything could be under them, lurking in the depths. Massive and unknown, waiting to drag the boat to the ocean floor and there was nothing they could do to stop it. It didn't matter if it was docile or not, anything of that size could easily capsize their boat if it came too close.

The older woman unfolded a nearby chair and sat down beside Amara. "Why? Thinking of becoming a titanologist instead?"

"That's not a thing."

"Not yet," Dr. Park added. "I'm sure lots of biologists will abandon animals to study these new super species. They defy so many of the natural laws we've established."

"Until they see them in person and go screaming for their lives." An image of scientists pulling out tiny tranquilizer guns and aiming it at a seventy thousand ton animal filled her mind.

Dr. Park nodded, her eyes scanning over the open water. "I can't even imagine what it would be like to see something so massive." A mischievous smile crossed her flushed features. "They wouldn't even see you, then splat," she emphasized squashing her hands together.

"Yeah, blue whales are big enough for me, thanks," Amara said with an exaggerated grimace.

"If there were any to see. We've only come across two your entire internship with me." Dr. Park crossed her arms over her chest. The wind ruffled her coat.

Amara leaned back. "Are we sure Godzilla's not eating them?"

"Scientists are saying he doesn't have to eat at all. Just feeds off radiation…somehow. They're classifying him as bio-nuclear now."

The fact that a biological creature could use radiation of all things as a food source and as a weapon was indeed baffling. According to Monarch, he could even use it for healing. It was a lot to take in. Sure, plants and some microscopic organisms could absorb the Sun's energy as a source of food, but a creature like Godzilla? It seemed impossible.

But then again, everything about him seemed impossible.

"And he proves the theory of evolution," Amara said. "Have you seen the Boston pictures versus the San Francisco ones? He got even bigger and his dorsal plates changed shape."

"I saw the research papers. It's unbelievable."

Amara twisted around in her seat to better face Dr. Park. "Radiation is known to mess with DNA and cause mutations, maybe Godzilla just uses it to his advantage to evolve faster?"

"I want to say that's impossible, but then again he can shoot radiation out of his mouth and heals with bombs if what Monarch says is true."

Dr. Park got back up from her seat and headed towards the steering wheel. Amara followed behind, choosing to lean on a nearby railing while Dr. Park started the repurposed fishing boat.

Dr. Park was an accomplished marine biologist who was known around the world for her research on blue whale behavioral patterns. Amara had been lucky that she was picked to do the three-week internship with her out of the hundreds of applicants.

Then it was almost cancelled when the three headed dragon woke up.

However, Godzilla and Monarch took care of the main problem in a matter of days, leaving behind titans across the world, active but placid.

Already their expedition had shown major changes in whale behavior. The dragon's call must have affected more than just the titans to cause this much change in so little time. Would humans have been able to stop it if Godzilla didn't?

"They also say Godzilla is sapient, which I have a hard time believing," Amara spoke. "I feel like the whole balancing thing he does is just instinctual. When that dragon appeared, it threatened Godzilla's dominance and so he went for the kill. It just happened to be beneficial for us."

Dr. Park looked Amara in the eye. "You really think that's all there was to it?"

"I mean I respect him and the rest of the titans, but I don't believe that they're gods."

"I'm still not sure what to think," Dr. Park replied as she steered the boat further out. "Now can we talk about something else? All this Godzilla talk is making me uncomfortable out here."

Amara's gaze followed the displaced water rushing along the hull of the vessel as it moved. Why she was out here in the first place was beyond her understanding. Much like other biologists, her passion came from wanting to know how the world works. But to do that, she had to overcome her fear.

"Amara, come look!" Dr. Park exclaimed.

Amara was beside her in an instant. Up ahead, a distant shape of a bottlenose dolphin emerged from the water. She grabbled the old pair of binoculars off the nearby table and looked out again.

"Are they hunting or is this social behavior?" Amara asked still watching the pod.

"This is social, see how they're jumping and landing on their sides? Purely for play."

Amara went back to the table in search of her notebook. The edges of the pages were water damaged, fluttering under the leather cover. She propped the book on her stomach as she hastily wrote down notes while Dr. Park spewed various dolphin facts from the top of her head.

Dr. Park cut the engine once they were a good viewing distance. After every few words, Amara lifted her head to watch the frolicking mammals. This was the closest she'd ever been to dolphins. They made all sorts of noises as they played, communicating their glee to one another.

Dr. Park made her way to the lower part of the deck, sitting down with her rubber boot clad feet dangling above the water and resting her arms on the lower part of the railing.

After a moment of hesitation, Amara followed. She stood beside the biologist whose eyes were intently watching the dolphins.

"They won't hurt you. Just try sitting for a moment." Dr. Park patted the spot beside her.

It was silly that something as simple as sitting with her feet dangling off the side was causing her so much stress, but that didn't make it any less frightening. As unlikely as it was, anything could come out of the blue and grab her and pull her down into the darkness. Never to be seen again.

She crouched down, one hand on the railing. Her feet wouldn't even be in the water, just above it. If dolphins were here, then there were no predators around. Nothing to eat her. Nothing to drown her. It was fine. She was fine.

Ever so carefully, Amara readjusted herself into the same position Dr. Park contently sat.

"Don't forget to breathe, Amara," Dr. Park said with a smile once Amara put both feet of the edge of the boat.

Amara opened her mouth to inhale the salty air. This wasn't so bad.

Then she looked down.

Just below her feet was an icy darkness beneath the surface. Darkness that could conceal even the most deadly or gruesome creature. It could be just under them now. Waiting for its moment to—

Cold water splashed at Amara's face, sending her reeling back in surprise.

The dolphins had swum up to the boat. A juvenile breaching the surface had caused the splash. They swam all around the boat, curious and energetic, as if they knew the pair wasn't a threat.

The shape of their pale bodies painted life under the black surface of the dark abyss. They had no fear, freely dancing in the deep ocean. It was unfair.

A sleek gray head popped out of the water, practically underneath Amara's feet. It was almost ironic, fearing what grotesque monstrosity could be lurking under the surface, then something as beautiful as a dolphin to appear in its stead.

The dolphin clucked and whistled, spinning its body in a circle under the water while its head remained above.

"I've interacted with this pod many times," Dr. Park said in a gentle tone. "This is the closest they've gotten yet. Reach your hand out and see if he comes to it."

"Isn't there a rule about not touching wild animals?" It was a rhetorical question.

Dr. Park winked. "Yes, but there's no rule about them touching you."

Amara gazed intently at the dolphin who seemed to be trying to get her attention back from Dr. Park. Taking the glove off her hand, she reached it out, palm facing the surface.

The dolphin predictably disappeared under the water in an instant. Still, she held her arm out.

"Relax Amara, they can sense your fear."

Amara inhaled deeply and exhaled. "Is that actually true?"

"It is when I can feel it too." Dr. Park chuckle.

Dr. Park took exaugurated deep breaths for Amara to follow. Nothing was going to grab her. The dolphins were friendly. There was nothing to worry about. If they were comfortable, then she should be too.

It was a decent day, not hot, but not too cold either. The sky was blanketed by clouds. The only sounds were the gulls flying overhead and the playful chatter of the dolphins. It was peaceful.

The dolphin's head appeared out of the water again. This time just below Amara's hand. It stayed there for a moment, then raised its body further up until its nose brushed her palm.

A wild creature just touched her. Willingly, without fear. Despite not knowing her, it trusted her. Connected with her.

"Amazing," Dr. Park said under her breath.

The moment was short lived as the dolphin dove back under and began to play with the other members of his pod.

"Do you want to go in?"

Amara whipped her head towards Dr. Park. "No!"

She had never dove into water this deep before. Who knew how far down the seafloor was. What lay between it and her.

"Come on, today could be the day you finally get over your fear."

Amara shook her head. "I don't know…"

Dr. Park smiled brightly. "Sometimes you just gotta dive into the deep end!"

This woman sometimes.

"That was a little too on the head, don't you think?" Amara made a show of rolling her eyes.

"I'll think of a better one while you put on your suit."

Despite the bad pun, Dr. Park was right, it was time to dive in. She'd come this far, why stop now? Amara stood and headed back up the steps to the table. Beside it was a container that held her and Dr. Park's diving equipment. Well, it was all Dr. Parks technically.

As she put it on, Dr. Park's voice rang over the breeze, praising the creatures swimming around them. With the body suit fully on, she grabbed the remaining gear and went back to Dr. Park, so she could assist her.

Within a couple of minutes, her Flippers were on and her scuba gear was attached. She was ready to jump in. The sun had found a hole in the clouds and shone down onto the navy water making the darkness less prevalent.

Amara nodded to Dr. Park, the snorkel already in her mouth. It was now or never. She was going to actually do it.

"Remember, you don't even have to let go of the ladder if you don't want. I'll be right here."

Dr. Park's words echoed back and forth through her mind. Amara nodded stiffly and began to climb down the ladder into the water.

She didn't have to let go of the railing. She didn't have to look down. All she needed to do was focus on the dolphins around her. Just the dolphins.

With her feet still planted on the bottom rung, she submerged her head. Thanks to the sun, it wasn't nearly as dark as she'd expected. The seascape was a beautiful shade of azure and quite clear.

The dolphins now swam around her, not bothering to hide their curiosity. Her eyes stayed focused on the ones at her level while the ones that swam below disappeared from her vision. One dolphin came straight up to her before spinning away. The one that she touched, possibly?

As time past, the water became more comfortable. She let a hand and foot off the ladder and even pet some of the dolphins as they approached. It was actually fun. The dolphins were friendly, and the boat was right there behind—

A deep sound filled the water. Impossibly loud, sending vibrations throughout her entire being. It called the dolphins attention away from her and into the distance beyond her vision. They swam away, their bodies disappearing into the blue.

Amara climbed back up the ladder and pulled off her mouth piece. "There's a whale nearby, did you hear it?"

Dr. Park was already at the sonar. "I did," she called back. "I'm turning off the sonar now, so we don't scare it away."

Silence fell over them as Amara and Dr. Park turned their eyes towards the water, waiting for a puff of air or a tail to appear.

The minutes dragged on, then the sound again. Loud and deep, even out of the water.

"It's strange."

Amara twisted her neck around to where Dr. Park was now standing on the deck behind her.

"I've never heard a call quite like this before."

Before Amara could answer, a huge puff of air arose from the surface off in the distance.

"There it is!" Dr. Park nearly squealed. "Dive under and see if you can spot it."

Amara climbed back down the ladder. Even she couldn't argue with Dr. Park. Would she actually get to see a whale underwater?

Back below the surface, the blueness of the water blocked her vision. It was almost darker in the direction they spotted the whale. Maybe…maybe she could swim out just a little from the boat, just to catch a glimpse of it.

Just a glimpse.

She unwound her hand from the ladder and gently paddled out. The surface was just above her body, her eyes trained forward. The darkness ahead was odd, it didn't quite reach the surface, nor did it extend into the navy blue depths of the water either. Whatever it was, it made it difficult to discern the silhouette of a whale.

Why couldn't she see it?

Then, in the area above the dark mass, another dark shape appeared. Long and slender, swimming elegantly up towards the surface. Then another, from below the mass, slowly arching as if it didn't have a care in the world.

As she got closer, more whale silhouettes where illuminated by the underwater sunlight, circling the darkness.

Even the mass itself seemed to be moving as the rays bounced off the top of it, almost as if it, too, had life. Its dark shape became clearer, as if there was head and tail on either side of its mass.

No… it did have a tail. It was moving, ever so slowly. The whole thing was…rotating. Spinning its body in a slow circle while the whales swam around it.

Unmistakably shaped spines came into view under the sunlight, wisps of cyan blue emanating from them.

She stopped swimming.

Why had she left the boat? Why had she come out on this expedition? Why her? Why now?

Why, why, why?

Her body wouldn't move. She was frozen.

It was…he was…

Huge.

The whales lwere nothing more than fish swimming around it.

It could kill her without even knowing of her existence. Open its mouth and swallow her whole, and all she would do it watch it happen, paralyzed. Would it be able to sense it too? Her fear? Her despair?

As if the titan heard her, the shape of its head moved. Two blue dots shone brightly through the water. His eyes.

He was looking straight at her.

This was it. This was the end.

With a bright flash of blue, an audible pulse ripped through the water, physically pushing her back. A whale like moan pieced her ears, louder than anything she'd ever heard before.

It snapped her out of her stupor and sent her swimming back towards the boat. Her legs burned, propelling her faster and faster.

Where was the boat?

...

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