Heartwarming / The Atomic Time of Monsters

Per wiki policy, Spoilers Off applies here and all spoilers are unmarked. You Have Been Warned.

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As a whole, this story asks the question, "what if kaiju were not only still awesome, but had lots of feelings too?". Sure enough, it provides, along with some very human warmth, the answer.

Volume 1

• Dr. Yamane appointing Lerna to the investigation of Hollow Mountain. He clearly sees the potential in the scientist, having hand-picked her to be a part of the university. After being burned by Dr. Andrews' presence earlier, Lerna is so overcome with gratitude that she hugs him before departing.
  • Much later, Lerna names Yamaneon after him, noting that such a powerful mineral should be named after someone important to her.
• Upon meeting Lerna for the first time, Tyrantis' first instinct is to try and console her. He first lets out a rumbling hiss like his mother used to for him. Failing that, he instead decides to follow a similar scent to her and take her to her "herd". It perfectly encapsulates what kind of a being Tyrantis is, a Friend to All Living Things, and it's just the start of his bond with her.
  • At one point, when Lerna tries jumping off his head and into some water he's drinking, he instinctively rears back, thinking that if she jumps off, she'll either drown or lose her way and not find her herd. It foiled her escape attempt, but it's the thought that counts.
• After dismounting from Tyrantis, Lerna's panic turns into pure excitement when she realizes just how many discoveries she's made in less than a day.
• Upon realizing that Ahuul is out attacking the small defenseless humans, Tyrantis decides to go save them out of sheer altruism.
• Collins forgoing his gender bias and declaring that whether he and Lerna live or die in their gambit against Ahuul, they'll both be heroes. And when the plan fails, he diverts Ahuul's attention from the woman, getting himself killed but borrowing her enough time for Tyrantis to rescue her.
• Tyrantis seeing the possibility of exploring the surface world as a great new adventure. His excitement only doubles when it becomes clear to him that Lerna will be following.
• The speech about Van Gough that Clark gives to Lerna, comparing how they both have immense knowledge and talent despite how everyone saw them. It's the most encouraging thing Lerna's heard up to that point, and it seems quite sincere...until he gives a similar speech to Dr. Rockwell.
• Tyrantis saving the Achillant from Girtabane, disgusted that the scorpion would try to kill already beaten creatures. It's this sense of honor that separates him from the true monsters in the series.
• General Sherman instantly vouching for Tyrantis after he saves his troops from the arthropod menace. From that moment on, he becomes one of the jade giant's biggest supporters, seeing him as another one of America's proud troops. He even calls him a brother-in-arms.
• After his tussle with the arthropods, Tyrantis gets the scent of a being almost exactly like him in the distance. At that point, he realizes with joy that he's no longer the only one of his kind.
• Tyrantis falling head over heels in love with Tyranta even after, or perhaps because of, getting soundly beaten up by her. He makes it his mission to at least be her friend.
• Even when the Terror, Tyrantis' rival for Tyranta's affection, is locked in a losing battle with Tricerak, the heroic kaiju chooses to help his kin out of kindness. Too bad the feeling isn't mutual.
• After Tricerak is driven to despair by the death of his hatchling, Tyrantis takes instant pity on him, and places a comforting hand on his back. Sadly, the herbivore is too blinded by anger to be grateful.
• Tyranta reciprocates Tyrantis' feelings for her upon seeing how he not only can fight a powerful kaiju like Tricerak and win, but also how he defends his downed opponent, demonstrating a sense of honor unlike the cowardly Terror. In that moment, she nuzzles his neck, and leaves knowing that he's going to want to follow. Sure enough, he does, and he's brought to a scenic glade where they nuzzle each other some more and pretty much seal the deal on their bond.
  Though they lacked the words to articulate it, in that moment they pledged endless, unconditional love and loyalty to each other, and the world would tremble at their union.
• The moment Lerna meets Gwen for the first time, it's clear that she's instantly attracted to her, having had no frame of reference for human beauty until this moment. Helping matters is how genuinely grateful the actress is as she hugs her rescuer.
• Tyrantis deciding to build a nest for Tyranta after they become mates. A shame the Terror destroys it.
• Henry telling Lerna that just because they'll seal off the Griffith Park chasm doesn't mean it has to be the end of her work.
• Sherman stating that as a good soldier, Tyrantis deserves to be home with his mate.
• Lerna knowing that with her newfound friends Gwen and Henry by her side, she has a chance at being a step ahead of Rockwell.
• Tyrantis' complete awe at the sight of the ocean. It makes him realize just how small his problems are and how vast and majestic the surface world is.
• Tyrantis managing to save Lerna and her cohorts by catching their jeep as its falling out of the sky. He gives them all a big smile, and places them safely somewhere else. Notably, Lerna later thinks about this exact moment when thinking about how the kaiju is indeed a benevolent creature.
• Tyrantis and Gorgolisk cementing their newly founded friendship with a handshake after defeating Mothmanud.
• Gwen, Henry, Eric, and Laura standing by Lerna's side to support her in the middle of a near-anxiety attack triggered by all of the gathering reporters. Likewise, Lerna throwing her anxiety away when she notices how nervous Henry is in the face of his old colleagues.
• Lerna thanking Eric and Laura for helping them, followed by her offering them letters of recommendation to any university of their choosing. It clearly motivates them, especially Eric, to do better in school.
• Tyrantis meeting Bobo for the first time. He wakes up to find that she patched up his wounds from the disastrous fight with Crustakra. Him nuzzling her shows just how grateful he is. The spider clearly cares dearly about his safety, and tries to dissuade him from going into the dangerous jungle. Tyrantis is clearly touched by the sentiment, and does his best to reassure her that he'll be fine.
• Before he's revealed to be a Mad Scientist, Dr. Murnau is very encouraging to Lerna, telling her to not let the biases of the past blind her from the discoveries of the future, as well as being impressed by her previous accomplishments.
• Gwen befriending and naming Bobo. According to her, it's what Lerna would have done. She even gets to pet its leg.
  • Upon showing a surprising amount of knowledge about spiders to Herny, Gwen explains that one night she nearly crushed a large spider that spooked her, only to realize that it was probably looking for someplace warm to stay. She then did a lot of research on them just to make up for it.
  • Bobo herself is perfectly willing to help her and Henry, giving them shade with her body as they traverse the trail.
  • Gwen brings up the possibility of each of the crew bonding with a monster. She can have Bobo, Lerna can have Tyrantis, and Henry can have Gorgolisk. It's a nice thought.
• Gwen and Henry reuniting with Lerna after she escapes the base.
• The main trio and their kaiju allies relaxing on the beach while they wait for the Ahab.
• Tyrantis manages to pick up the familiar scent of Tyranta while on the island of Green Hell. He goes to the water to follow the scent instantly, and the rest follow.
  • Before they leave, Gwen makes sure to tell Bobo that they'll come back for her one day.
• Upon seeing the splendor of Typhon Island, a place crawling with giant Retrosaurs, Lerna can't help but be completely excited the whole time. As she admits, its a dream come true.
• Tyrantis finding Tyranta in the island jungle. Their reunion is sweet, but there's a special surprise. As it turns out, she laid an egg thanks to him, and it hatches just in time to see both of its parents. Tyrantis nuzzles his newborn son, tyrantor, and holds him close to his chest. In that moment, he's at his happiest.
  • Later, he allows Tyrantor to explore the forest they're in just because he both can't resist his son's pleading eyes and because he doesn't want to disappoint him.
• While running away from the fight between Tyrantis and Ahuul, Tyrantor runs into Tricerak. The herbivore realizes that he could easily get revenge on Paleo Tyrant by killing their kid, but upon seeing how frightened the little one is, it dawns on him how it's just as innocent as his own child was. For that, he saves the kid from Ahuul.
  • After the dust settles, Tyrantor gets in between Tyrantis and Tricerak, nuzzling both their legs to show how they both saved him. In that moment, Tricerak is able to bury the hatchet with his hated enemy, which Tyrantis gladly reciprocates. Afterward, Crocogon apologizes for attacking him as well.
• After Tyrantis disappears, Gorgolisk supports Lerna and scares Clark off, feeling that helping the little ones is something her friend would have done.
• Tyrantis is initially gripped with despair upon realizing that he's lost in the Pacific with no obvious way home, before he realizes that his love for others can be his guide. Thus, he picks a direction and swims ahead, confident that if he keeps swimming, he'll find home again.

Volume 2

• Tyrantis' reunion with Lerna before it's ruined by Old Meg.
• Gwen swearing to Lerna that when all is said and done, they'll go and visit Los Angeles to take in the sights.
• Lerna getting to finally meet another scientist who doesn't act like a braying jackass in the form of Dr. Tsuburaya. Even better, they both have similar pursuits, and coin the phrase kaijuology together. Upon realizing that they're both basically pioneers in their craft, she wonders if Dr. Yamane would be proud. He probably would be.
  • When Dr. Tsuburaya brings up the prospect of Tyrantis being a tame kaiju (using the instance of him catching Lerna and her friends' jeep in midair as proof), Lerna says that there's no scientific proof of that, but on the inside she knows its true, as her mind brings her to when he explicitly saved her from Crustakra.
• Upon realizing that she left Gwen behind to talk with Tsuburaya, Lerna tells the Japanese scientist how great the former actress is as an assistant, especially how she gives her a fresh new perspective on things.
• The Thunder Lizards are not only playing for charity to go to Japan after the war, but they're also huge fans of both Tyrantis, and Lerna's team's work. They offer their services to her instantly, and play a rocking theme song for the jade giant too.
• Lerna and Tyrantis reuniting properly this time. As a crowd of excited people surround them, the good doctor pats his snout with nary any fear.
• Tyrantis instantly befriending Kurokame and Burodon. Later, after the fight with Karamtor, he and Nastadyne make peace.
• Karamtor finding peace within the fiery innards of Mt. Fuji.
• After Gwen confesses her worry about not being worthy of Lerna's friendship (or rather humorously, not "worthy of her grace"), the scientist tells her that she's the best friend she's ever had, and she can't imagine doing anything she's done without her to help support her and keep her company. She outright takes her hand and tells her that she doesn't want to ever be away from her. Gwen is completely taken, and the two embrace. If there was any doubt that those two had a thing for each other, it died here.
  • Later, the two are watching Tyrantis swim alongside them. Lerna makes a move by taking Gwen's hand, and the actress rests her head on the scientist's shoulder.
• The main trio saying their goodbyes to MacCready, saluting him as a fine captain. Even his smile with its horrible dental work has a major degree of warmness to it as he sets off.
• The crew of the USS Defiant being awestruck and fascinated by Tyrantis when he climbs aboard the huge ship. They even try to console him when he gets pissed at the sight of MechaTyrantis. When he leaves without capsizing the Defiant, he swells with pride at how he's gotten the hang of looking out for the little humans.
• Tyrantis and company saving Glypton from Mastemuth. Later, she returns the favor by helping them fight against Pathogen.
• Upon realizing how tortured the Writhing Flesh actually is by its existence, Tyrantis offers it some kind pats as reassurance.
• Despite his rival being overwhelmed by Pathogen, Tyrantis goes in to save MechaTyrantis, unwilling to condemn even him to such a horrid fate.
• Some Reptodites finding Tyrantis after he falls under the earth due to Murnau's earthquake, and promising to lead him home, no matter how far it is.
  • Later, one Reptodite states that it is their moral imperative to reunite him with his friends and family.
• While preparing make-up for Lerna to help her infiltrate Area 51, Gwen notes that she always looks glamorous to her.
• General Sherman's ultimate reasoning for helping Lerna raid Area 51 is so that one day, he and his fellow troops can go home and never have to experience the horrors of war ever again. He may be a temperamental grouch at times, but ultimately, he wants an end to any need for good men to have to fight and die.
• The Myrmidant colony allowing Tyrantis to pass through their tunnel, remembering how he saved their queen from Girtabane.
• Tyrantis joyfully reuniting with Bobo in Area 51, nuzzling her while she checks his body for any injuries. And once more, she's instantly reluctant to have her friend go into where it's dangerous.
• Lerna noticing Tyrantis going through Area 51. Especially nice since she last saw him seemingly getting killed.
• Tyrantis is perfectly willing to put aside his fight from ealier with Girtabane when he meets the scorpion. Sadly, she's not in the mood for apologies.
• Dr. Praetorius developing a fondness for Henry as the latter comes up with better names for the kaiju and compliments his craft.
• Minerva, Dr. Lerna's unexpected giant clone, taking her smaller predecessor's words to heart and standing up for herself when she's told to kill Tyrantis, whom she sees as no threat at all. In fact, after putting Clark in his place, she pets the big lug like he's a dog.
• Despite everything Clark's done, Lerna gives him one more chance to use his knowledge of the coming crisis to help humanity in a more constructive way, offering her hand to him in the hopes that he can see reason and change. Unfortunately, he's too far gone by that point, and he escapes while rejecting her offer.
• As he lies dying, Dr. Praetorius tells Henry to go without him. He tells him that he's a good man that he wished he had met earlier, and that the world needs people like him.
• Gwen's voice alone snapping Lerna out of her doubts regarding how things have gone in Area 51. When she asks her if she did the right thing, the actress reassures her that one way or another, the Spooks had to end. Lerna thanks her while resting her head on her friend's shoulder.
• When the arthropod kaiju march to where the fire is breaking out, it's revealed that Girtabane, Chlorespa, and Mantiresia became something akin to friends during their incarceration, despite their earlier spat. They go together to seek the fire, though Girtabane takes some encouraging. Likewise, Bobo wants to make sure Tyrantis is safe from harm.
• When every kaiju is teleported above Typhon Island, they waste no time helping each other avoid a violent falling demise. Bobo saves the Myrmidants and Minerva with a web parachute while Chlorespa and Mantiresia carry Girtabane to safety.
• After Promythigor is defeated, Tyrantis reunites with Tyranta and his son Tyrantor.
  • Tyrantor is riding on Tricerak, who's no doubt grown quite fond of the child, despite the special difference.
• Every Retrosaur on Typhon Island greeting Tyrantis. When he sees the native kaiju and the Area 51 kaiju wondering what to do, he realizes that he cares about all of them equally, and ushers in peace amongst them by waving his arms in a circular motion like he always has, with every kaiju following suite. At long last, Tyrantis is home.
• Lerna almost cheering when she finds out that Tyrantis is safe on Typhon Island.
• When Herny announces that he's pursuing a full-time job as a reporter, his friends respect his wishes, and bid him good luck on his dream, promising to see each other again as they share a group hug.
• The Martians ultimately deciding to help the humans against the Beyonder menace, calling Earth a Paradise Planet and not wanting its inhabitants (especially their friends the Reptodites) not to lose its beauty like they did so long ago.
  So it was that intellects vast, warm, and sympathetic regarded humanity's world with compassionate eyes, and swiftly yet surely drew their plans to save it.
• Henry leading a successful reporting career well into the Time Skip, and still wanting to reunite with Lerna and Gwen.
• The VERY strong implication that Lerna and Gwen, over the course of their time together on Typhon Island during the Time Skip, became more than just friends and partners.
• Lerna and Minerva, with Gwen's persuasion, resolving the tension between them with a small talk. The giant tells her small counterpart that she thinks she's a brave soul who offers her voice for the kaiju, as well as being the one to give her confidence. It causes all of Lerna's misgivings about her clone to immediately evaporate.
• Kemlasulla being utterly enchanted by the beauty of Earth, declaring it to be, indeed, a paradise.
• Atomoton's A.I. reveals to Isaac that it was created by Dr. Praetorius, and wishes to honor his sacrifice by saving everyone else. Turns out the mad scientist was able to make a good mecha for mankind after all.
• Tyrantis pondering over why Ahuul, the resident Token Evil Teammate of Typhon Island and his original rival, would suddently want to get in his good graces. At first, he theorizes that it's because Tyranta put the fear of God into him (and that is indeed one thing that happened while he was gone). But then he wonders if it's also because he's become more mellow, and doesn't want such a lonely existence anymore. He decides to trust Ahuul from that moment on, deciding that forgiving him is worth the risk.
• Tyrantis and Kemlasulla, over the course of their battle, realize how much fun they're having, and treat it all like a good game before making nice. Tyrantis even lets the alien recover from his previous fight before they begin.
• After Sombarvot nearly gets crushed by a falling skyscraper and starts crying from the distress of it, Gorgolisk and Crocogon forget that he was charging at them earlier, and offer the alien some comfort (Gorgolisk in particular coiling around him in a hug) like one would to a child that got hurt playing a rough game.
• Really, the entire battle against the Martian kaiju is less a fight for supremacy and just a nice friendly sparring match. By its end, Tyrantis and Kemlasulla broker instant peace between the two factions by clasping hands in friendship, and they spend the rest of the time watching the sunset.
  • Isaac stumbles upon that last sight upon getting Atomoton back up, and its A.I. encourages him to just join in and relax. Ironically, it's Kemlasulla who invites him.
• Gwen keeping Lerna from being a Nervous Wreck as the inspection of Typhon Island draws near. They're so much like a married couple, it's almost frustrating that they're not.
• The fact that Eric and Laura not only took Lerna's advice and improved their education, but became her interns on Typhon Island.
• Not only do the reporters, Perry included, visit Typhon Island, but so too do Captain MacCready, Dr. Tsuburaya, and Ludmilla. The big Russian even gets Lerna in a bear hug upon seeing her after so long.
• The "Tyrantis room" is HQ for Lerna's group, and it's full of memorabilia related to her and the green Retrosaur's many adventures together.
• Lerna being happy to the point of tears that Henry's coming over to Typhon Island.
• Tyrantis' first instinct upon getting back to the island is to check if Tyrantor is okay. When he finds him, he, is mate, and his son embrace. Then his closest friends, Gorgolisk and Bobo and Tricerak, join in the group hug.
  It was a strange sort of pack, to be sure, unlike any formed by Tyrantis's ancestors, but it was his family all the same. With them at his side, he could endure anything.
• Ludmilla and Issac meeting with their respective mechs, and instantly getting along.
• Despite being such a vile villain and even helping the Beyonders, Dr. Murnau's last scene isn't him being dastardly. Instead, he takes notice of how troubled Lerna is by the thought of mankind still not listening to her, and offers words of advice.
  Murnau: If I may be bold and access you, you strike me as a woman of principle, Dr. Lerna. You value the truth, and champion it. It is part of what makes you strong. Stick to that principle, and you will not go wrong.
  Lerna: But what if people won't listen?
  Murnau: Then make them listen. You are Dr. Lerna, you of all people know the truth is inescapable and indomitable. Mankind can bury its head in the sand, but the truth will come for it all the same. Champion it, fight for it, even if it means you spend a great deal of your life playing Cassandra. Eventually the world will listen.
  Lerna: That's...good advice. Though I don't know if I trust it from you.
  Murnau: You shouldn't. I could be lying to mislead you. Or I could be telling the truth, in hopes that you do the opposite out of paranoid spite. But the truth is, it doesn't matter what I or anyone says, because everyone who's met you knows you'll stand by the truth no matter what.
  Lerna: Well...thank you anyway, I suppose. I needed to hear that.
  Murnau: Think nothing of it. It's important to me that you stay as you are, strong and principled. It would be so unsatisfying if you died as anything less than what you are!
  • After Murnau ends transmission and Lerna is still unsure what to do, Gwen reassures her, as she always has, and they go to happily greet Henry.
• Captain MacCready and General Sherman show up not long after Henry, and the two have become pretty good friends with the seaman recounting his tales to the military man.
• Grossk the Reptodite reassuring our heroes that while humanity's tampering with nuclear bombs indirectly caused the Beyonders to want to invade the planet, it doesn't mean we're a bad race. In fact, she points out that we made several benevolent scientific breakthroughs her kind were nowhere close to.
  • Later, when debating with Lerna about activating a signal to release all kaiju, Grossk tells the scientist that her kind and understanding heart is that of a true Reptodite, and she would be honored amongst them for choosing to preserve life instead of fight it. It actually moves Lerna enough for her to listen.
  • Grossk then admits that while she doesn't want to be cast as a villain along with Lerna if the plan to release all kaiju goes wrong, she's willing to do it to save the human race nonetheless.
• Lerna's friends coming with her when she races to find Tyrantis as he lays dying.
• Tyrantis could have accepted death and allowed himself peace from all of his fighting. But then he remembers everyone. Lerna, Tyranta, Tyrantor, Bobo, every single being he's come to protect and love. It's that alone that makes him reject death, and the Yamaneon in his body concurs, giving him a Super Mode that not only stands a chance against Pathogen, but heals every single kaiju around him.
  • When he gets up from this, he takes the time to pat his son and nod lovingly to Bobo, both of whom were at his side when he was almost dead.
  • Tyrantis choosing to live instead of die in that moment is far more than just what's in the text. According to Word of God, Cope based this on how he'd make up characters, Tyrantis included, to encourage him to keep living despite the depression from being an outcast amongst his peers. For him, Tyrantis represents the brightness in his life telling him to not give up.
• Tyrantis healing every single kaiju with his waves of Yamaneon energy, even restoring the Terror to his original organic form.
• Kemlasulla, Nastadyne, Gorgolisk, and even Ahuul working together to save Tyrantis from falling into the volcano like Pathogen did.
• Karamtor being reunited with her newborn child, followed by the Beyonder kaiju being accepted by Tyrantis as part of Typhon Island's residents.
• Tyrantis and the Terror finally putting their rivalry away as the blue Retrosaur goes into a cave to rule underground, no longer obsessed with being Tyrantis's better.
• The ending. Against all odds, Dr. Lerna found a way for man and kaiju to live together in peace, and both she, Gwen, and her many monster friends are living in peace on Typhon Island. She, Henry, and Gwen, who might as well be the love of her life, sit back and watch as their kaiju sanctuary thrives, and Tyrantis's theme song plays on their radio. Other highlights of the ending montage include:
  • Crustakra making stone sculptures while the other sea kaiju play.
  • Chlorespa, Mantiresia, and even Girtabane guarding the Myrmidant colony alongside Nastadyne.
  • Gorale and the Writhing Flesh relaxing together, alongside Minerva.
  • Karamtor and her baby sleeping within the volcano.
  • Promythigor getting to play with fire in a safe way.
  • The Beyonder kaiju finally being free of the endless war and violence they were forced to be a part of, and relaxing together.
  • And finally, Tyrantis and Tyranta holding Tyrantor in their arms as they relax, their best friends Gorgolisk, Bobo, and Tricerak with them.
  For Tyrantis, it was what he had always wanted. A home, friends, and a family.