Kaiju Revolution: GODZUKI

Godzuki

Intro:  Many of Skull Island’s megafaunal super species, as learned during the first scientific documentation of the island in 1973, and at great cost, are highly dangerous.  It seems the kaijufication process has ingrained hostility and viciousness to an almost overt degree into many of this unique biome’s predators.  As with all things, though, there are exceptions.  Some species were observed with far fewer aggressive tendencies.  One of the most common of these species has been labeled by FATHOM as Avisaurus trepidis.  The natives call them “Go-zo-kii”, roughly meaning “lookouts”.  A romanticized version of this name has since been used to designate a particular member of the species:  Godzuki.

Story:  The Avisaurs, it seems, have a long history of interaction with the Iwi population of Skull Island.  The 1973 expedition witnessed a large colony of the creatures foraging around and within the Iwi Village.  Many stayed because of the Iwi’s offerings of food, which they would repay by keeping an eye out for major threats and providing the people with an early warning security system.  According to the Iwi, this relationship had existed for millennia.  But despite first impressions, the native people insisted that these were not domesticated beasts.  They were free to come and go as they pleased.

Among these creatures, there was one that seemed friendlier around humans than most.  This Avisaur acted especially close to a marooned pilot, Hank Marlow, whom had named him “Godzuki” after the locals’ term for the species.  Even as the expedition left to escape the island, Godzuki followed.  Though often cited as more of a nuisance at first by several survivors, his superior senses and warnings were soon much appreciated.  So dedicated to the human pilot was the little kaiju that he would track the expedition off the island completely, following them back towards FATHOM’s main oceanic research vessel; the Calico.

Here, Godzuki made himself at home.  One of the more spacious labs was converted into containment area, though the creature’s docile nature soon allowed him mostly free roam of the ship.  Though Marlow would resume his civilian life after being thoroughly interviewed by FATHOM, he was allowed to pay the occasional visit, much to Godzuki’s delight.  The old pilot would, unfortunately, pass away after over thirty years.  The Avisaur seemed to exhibit mourning behavior for about a year afterwards.  He pulled through largely thanks to Dr. Pete Darien, FATHOM’s chief kaiju behaviorist whom had practically grown up with him.

Things were quiet for about a decade…until Godzilla reappeared.  The Avisaur seemed to possess a nervous awareness of the Monster King whenever he was relatively near.  This came to a head when Godzilla was lured to Skull Island, passing close by the Calico.  Godzuki broke free of his containment and flew directly towards the island himself.  He managed to arrive just before Godzilla, and provided Mothra and her twin Larvae a warning that proved invaluable, as they would’ve been caught off-guard otherwise.  From there, the gods of Skull Island mobilized against and eventually defeated Godzilla.  Afterwards, and against expectations, Godzuki returned to the Calico, choosing to stay at his new home after having done his duty to his old one.

Abilities:  Due to his long-term presence, Godzuki is one of the most well-studied kaiju.  Physiological analysis indicates a common ancestry with an ancient dinosaur species called Yi qi, a small gliding theropod with bat-like membranes between its’ fingers, wrist bones, and body.  The Avisaur species, it seems, is a hyper-evolved descendant of this animal, capable of fully powered flight.

Godzuki has indeed proved to be swift and agile flyer.  He is also a skilled climber, using claws on both hands and feet to scale vertical surfaces and even hand upside-down.  He has also been seen to dive into water and propel himself with semi-folded wings and fanned tail.  Avisaurs seem to have developed such maneuverability in order to better explore and search for possible food sources.  Godzuki has shown a preference for fruits and fish, but has also consumed many otherwise inedible objects such as watches, calculators, staplers, trash bags, computer mice, potted soil, make up supplies, books, DVDs and their casings, cellular devices, hand guns, and even lumps of radioactive ore.  How his digestive system is able to break such materials down and distribute them is an ongoing study.

Avisaurs, as a whole, seem to be gregarious yet flighty animals.  Godzuki’s first response to a threat is usually to bolt away.  It should be remembered, though, that the specimen is still a kaiju, and will strike with serrated teeth and talons if pressured.  By utilizing energy gained from ingesting radioactive materials, he is also able to briefly superheat his breath in a microwave-like blast of energy.  This, though, has very rarely been observed, and so how it works is still poorly understood.

Godzuki’s species possesses a highly-developed vocal system that enables them to produce a wide variety of calls.  He is also able to mimic other calls, noises, and even human speech with great accuracy, similar to a parrot.  When threatened, he will also emit a very loud, high-pitched screech that can momentarily disorientate opponents.  This call, on Skull Island, can often attract the attention of larger predators, which will then engage and even consume the Avisaur’s enemy, as the agile little dinosaur kaiju are often too quick to catch.

Character:  Godzuki is the first kaiju to undergo captive intelligence tests.  These have, for the most part, been inconclusive, due to the specimen’s natural hyperactive behavior.  It is often unclear whether he is failing to comprehend the tests, or is he simply has no patience or interest in them.  What can be gathered is that Avisaurs are relatively intelligent creatures with distinct behaviors and personalities.  Godzuki in particular is typically flighty for his kind, perhaps a bit more so, as he is easily agitated among strangers.  He is also quick to warm up to said strangers, however, before moving on to whatever catches his attention next.  Indeed, Godzuki seems far more amicable towards humans than others of his kind.  According to the late Hank Marlow, this may be because other Avisaurs rarely interacted with him.  Why he was seemingly ostracized is unknown.  His smaller size and higher-strung nerves have been speculated as a possible reason.

Godzuki is most comfortable fluttering and clambering about the Calico, occasionally chasing fish below the hull.  He rests in his living quarters, which is filled with a variety of accumulated memorabilia from Marlow, Dr. Darien, and other members of the crew, including several chewed sofas and chairs, a television, large ropes, various toys, a few pinball and arcade games, and a vending machine which he has remarkably learned to operate.  Before his passing, Marlow also discovered that marijuana is a reliable way to calm the Avisaur down, and the plant is often used as a positive reward.  Due to his sophisticated digestive system, it is unknown if Godzuki undergoes altered psychological states similar to humans, though he does seem to enjoy blowing smoke rings with his breath.

Though he is familiar with the crew of the Calico, Godzuki nonetheless occasionally seems to shown signs of loneliness.  This would make sense, given that Avisaurs are highly social.  The possibility of obtaining another Avisaur as company, though, has been denied due to the possibility of a containment breach or unwanted breeding.  Since Mothra’s reawakening, though, the Calico has also served as the primary off-island home for the Shobijin and their Fairy Mothra escort as well.  Their visitations are received by Godzuki with much enthusiasm.