The ruined waste land of some planet. Gigan surveyed the damage and destruction he had wrought. Another work of art by his claws. This particular city had thrived in the jagged shadows of the towering mountains. The very structures that had once protected the inhabitants were now their tombs. When the monster attacked he used the mountains to corner them. Black smoke billowed into the already dark sky. This planet's star tried to shine through, producing a dirty brown sky. Gigan was alone on this world now. He had completed another mission for his captors, yet this time he did not feel the usual pleasure from a job well done.

**********

In the Nebulan base the atmosphere was filled with mixed emotions. The complex had been sent into chaos when Trajan had escaped his transport. Their most destructive kaiju was lose, his rage unleashed. They had never been able to control him, and now he was flying through space to some unknown destination. But in the midst of all the panic some good news came through. "Sir, Gigan has accomplished his mission." Commander Locon turned to Amal. "Excellent. At last, something's going right. My Gigan has never failed me. If you incompetents were as effective as that kaiju, we could get something accomplished."

"But Sir, there is something..."

"Now what?!" said Locon agitated.

"I've given him orders to return but he's not moving."

"What? Why?"

"His vitals don't look too good. He's fatigued. He's weak. I think we may have gone too far with the enhancements this time. He does not seem to get as much excitement out of his missions as he did before we added..."

"Non sense!" interrupted Locon. "He'll get used to them. He's got more fire power, he's stronger and he's got more armor in case anyone is foolish enough to try to stand up to him."

"But he took to the others right away." Complained Amal. "This time he did not awake from the procedure right away. I really think we may..."

"I already know what you think! He'll be fine! OK. So he's tired. Let him rest, then he can return. Besides everyone needs a break once in a while. He's earned it."

Everyone in the complex was thinking the same thing. They could all use a break form Locon.

**********

Gigan felt the transmission in the back of his mind. He was very glad he did not have to return right away. Everything hurt. Pain raced through him. He fell to his knees. He did not like this new body. What had they done to him? He had always been half cyborg, and he was used to that, but now. Now he was nearly all metal. Why? He was too heavy. He constantly felt the added weight even when supported like he was. Was this punishment? What had he done wrong? Gigan had always had the hope that if he did what the Nebulans wanted, and he did it well, that they would eventually release him and let him return to his family. At least they had always made him do things he enjoyed. Destroying cities was fun and he got much pleasure from it and hearing the natives run for their pathetic lives. The Nebulans rewarded him with food. He loved to eat, but his was too much!

Pain, pain pain!!! What did he look like now? He wanted to know. He wanted to see what they had done to him. He forced himself up despite the agony. Gigan searched. He searched for one of the all glass edifices he occasionally encountered. Crashing through the rubble, he found a mirror building that was still partly standing. The sight he beheld was the one he had feared. In the cracked glass, Gigan did not see himself. At least not his former self. Yes it had happened, he was now a full metal monster.

The creature that looked back at him from behind the glass was horrid. He had a more tapered beak with teeth all the way to the tip of the snout. The pinchers were enlarged and heavy. He still possessed his single crimson eye. His horns were jagged and un-streamlined. His shoulders were rounded and smooth. His chest was heavily armored. More weight. He still had his abdomen saw. Something familiar at least. Gigan's claws now had a sharp bend in them. They were thinner with serrated edges that made them look like mantis claws. The legs had two bends in them just like a bird's. They were similar to those of his mate. Having three toes was new to him. His tail was thicker, but otherwise the same shape. Finally his fins. His poor fins. He had enjoyed flying so much with them, now they just jutted out of his back. They looked boney, and the membrane was torn and filled with holes. Mostly likely damaged when they shoved them through the armor. This decrepit creature was not him! Gigan raised one of his claws and demolished what was left of the structure. An anguished scream escaped his throat. Again he fell.

This wasn't him. This wasn't him! He wanted to go home. Suddenly a new fear gripped him. Even if they released him, his mate Gaiganny, would no longer recognize him. NO! That can't happen. He loves her so much he could not bare that though. For that matter neither would his daughter, Gaiga. She would most likely be frightened of him. He could not stand to have her look upon him with fear. Gaiganny! Gaiganny! He hoped his signal would reach her, where ever she was. He wanted her to know what had happened so she would be prepared. His body began to hurt again. He roared and cried out for help. Perhaps she would hear.

**********

Trajan was free. It had been so long since he last had flown. He had almost forgotten how nice it was. Despite his incredible mass, Trajan was very graceful in flight. Then he broke away from his thoughts. He heard it. The cries, the screams. He was sure it was Gigan. His little brother was calling out for help. It had also been a long time since he had seen his brother. He didn't know exactly where he was, but he headed off instantly in the direction of the last transmission.

**********

Amal observed the screen for a moment. A piece of data came up that made him very excited. "Sir! I have found the problem with Gigan!"

Locon walked over to the screen. Amal pointed to it, "See that? That's what's slowing him down, and weakening him so much. We can repair him when he returns."

"Excellent. My poor Gigan, I don't want anything hurting him." Said Locon.

"Sir?"

"What is it?"

"This is it. We can't enhance him any more. To do it again would be too risky and he would most likely not survive the procedure." Said Amal.

"Yes, yes fine! Just do it!"

**********

Soon Trajan came across the barren planet. This is were his brother was. The blood red sphere that protected him for atmospheric entry rapidly vanished. Trajan landed. Gigan was here, he could sense it. Gigan felt a familiar presence. He staggered to his feet and began walking. Trajan tore though the countryside, knocking over buttes, mesas, and spiked rock towers that got in his way. He wanted to find his sibling now! Gigan heard the destruction and he knew of only one creature that could do such damage. Trajan. A spurt of joy quickly welled through him. Trajan was here! He marched onward towards the sound. Trajan rounded an outcrop, and when he had cleared it a small wretched kaiju stood before him. He would not let anything stand in his way. Gigan held his ground, and looked at his older brother. Trajan was staring at him in anger. The realization gripped him, Trajan didn't recognize him. There was no time to feel anything. Trajan's eye began to glow and Gigan knew better than to be in its path when it went off. Trajan fired his eye beam. Gigan leaped out of the way and tumbled forward head first as the red ray impacted the rocks behind him and ignited. Both kaiju were surprised that Gigan moved so fast.

**********

The Nebulans kept watch over Trajan's movements. They were quite surprised when not only did he alight on the planet Gigan had subdued, but had landed near his location as well. Locon watched the monitor a moment then had a thought. "Perhaps we can use Gigan to lure Trajan back. Gigan seems to have calming effects on him." Amal wasn't too sure. He kept watching. In an instant Trajan fired upon Gigan. Locon became enraged. "What's he doing? Why's he attacking him???"

"I don't think he recognizes him, Sir." Replied Amal.

"Well command him to defend himself, now!!!"

"Sir, Gigan's no match for Trajan, even with his new arsenal."

"Then Command a retreat!"

"I...I...can't."

"Bye the empire, why not?" demanded Locon.

"Because Sir, he's still to weak. He'll have to go on instinct. All we can do is watch."

**********

Gigan quickly regained his footing and hissed at Trajan. The sound was familiar and made Trajan stop. Gigan let out a content roar as a greeting. Trajan! The beast knew him. Trajan became confused and wondered how he knew him. Another roar and a growl as though to say, Trajan it's me! Trajan cocked his head to one side for a different view. Then he reared back in shock and disgust. Gigan?!? This creature was his little brother? He turned his head, he couldn't accept this! The thing shrieked at him once more. This time there was no doubt. This was Gigan. Trajan turned back. What had they done to him? He could see Gigan was hurting. Rage over took him, some of which was directed at Gigan for having the foolish notion that they would some day let him go. The Nebulans had gone too far this time! This is how they repaid him? The Space Hunters were greedy. Gigan was the best, yet they still wanted more. He didn't need any more enhancements. Still they thought they could better him. As always they had fixed what wasn't broken. Gigan finally understood this and felt worse. He turned away, head down. Trajan sensed it and eased off on his anger.

There was still a chance to right the wrongs. He was free! HE WAS FREE! And they were both in the open! Gigan could finally be free too! He gestured with his hand claw for Gigan to join him. He would protect his younger sibling if he was weaker in this new body. They were together at last. They would finally fly together and go home. They could go home. !NO! Gigan bellowed a protest. He could never go home. Not now! Not like this! If his own brother had not recognized him, how would his mate? Gaiganny would hate him now. No. He could not return like this.

Gigan was already in such misery both physically and emotionally that Trajan hated to deal him another blow, but he had to tell him the truth. He had to return the memory of his past that the Nebulans kept erasing from his mind. Gaiganny was dead. The Nebulans killed her when the both of them had been captured. Gigan's fins fell and went limp. The one thing that had kept him going through the years, the one he loved so much and the one he dreamt of one day seeing again was gone. He had been chasing a shadow. A new anguish now preyed upon his mind. If Gaiganny was dead who's been taking care of Gaiga, his daughter?!? Where was Gaiga??? The driving force returned. Gigan would go back after all. He had to find his daughter. Trajan was all torn up inside. Again he had to do it. He just stood looking down. Gigan was shorter and easily got under him and peered up into his face. Gigan's eye was wide. Where's Gaiga? Trajan knew. Trajan did not know. He only remembered her screaming during the attack. She was dead. It had been years and the Nebulans had killed all. There was no way she could have survived. Gigan froze. Then in an instance let out a scream unrivaled by any demon from hell. Trajan was at close range and was knocked back by the outburst. The wail resounded through the canyon walls as if in response to his pain. Once it was over Gigan fell back on his tail, his legs out in front of him, head down. Trajan got up. He had never heard Gigan roar like that, except for when...except for when Gaiganny had been murdered. Trajan made his way over to his brother. Gigan was still looking down. There was nothing left for him. Trajan kneeled down in front of him and put his hand on Gigan's shoulder. He still had him. Gigan ignored him. Trajan didn't know what to do. He wanted to cheer him up, but how? He wanted his little brother to be the hyper energetic little kaiju he remembered. He could see the pain over take him again. Trajan felt he could do Anything to bring him out of this. Anything! So he was different now, so what? He was still Gigan and he still cared for him. At that moment Gigan looked up at him, then slowly got up and stood weakly. It was now Trajan that was looking up to him.

He had an intense look on his face. Would Trajan really do Anything for him? ANYTHING? Trajan didn't understand. Of course he would. He would do anything! Gigan extended his crooked claws and grasped Trajan's hand. He felt the cold on his skin from the claws. Then Gigan brought Trajan's fist up and pressed it against his own chest. Trajan was confused. Gigan repeated the gesture and this time with more force. The look Gigan gave him made it perfectly clear. End it. End it, please. Gigan wanted to be run through by his blade. End the misery. Trajan roared and pulled away. HE WAS WRONG! He would NOT do that! Gigan yelled at him, he couldn't bring himself to do such a thing, but he reasoned that Trajan could. Trajan had killed many. He had killed creatures great and small with no remorse, but his was different. He COULD NOT kill his brother. He WOULD NOT kill his brother. They would go on together. He walked away a little then stopped and waited for Gigan, his back still turned to the smaller monster, claw and blade crossed. He knew his brother would follow him. Sure enough Gigan followed. Trajan knew this because he could hear the screech of metal as Gigan took a step. He turned to look at his younger sibling. He was so pathetic. His spirit was dead. He was empty. There really was nothing left in him. Then Trajan sensed his vitals. Gigan's body would never take to these new enhancements. It was rejecting them. Unfortunately it was his whole body. That explained the pain. It also meant Gigan was dying a slow painful death.

Gigan caught up. He walked around and then in front of his big brother. Trajan was the only one that could end his misery and now he wouldn't do it. He stared up into the larger kaiju's single eye. He thought he would do it. He thought he would do anything. Trajan stared back at him. Gigan's thoughts were whisped away to a time when the two were just fledglings on their homeworld. They were playing in the woods. The two adventurous chicks had ventured into another territory. The two shoved each other around in fun. They hadn't traveled far when a band of older Gigan types ambushed them. These older ones were hunting, and decided the brothers would be their next prey. It was a blur what happened next, but Gigan remembers Trajan taking them on and defending him. His mind shifted to a time when they were fully grown. They were out flying. Flying just because they could. They were over the ocean when an ice storm struck. Gigan closed his fins so they would not be shredded by the ice rocks. The wind picked up and Trajan was quick to shield him by flying over him. He did this until a suitable place to land was found. Trajan had always been there for him. He broke form his thoughts. They still stood before each other. Trajan looked deeply into his face. He saw the pain and suffering. Then a tear rolled out of Gigan's eye. Again he grabbed Trajan's hand and pressed it against his chest. Trajan would do this for him. A tear began to form in Trajan's own visor, for the first time in his life. It condensed and rolled down his beak. Then Trajan did something he had never done before. He pulled Gigan close and gave his little brother a hug. Gigan, I will see you again.

Trajan stepped backwards and drew back his blade. His jaw tightened and he thrust forth his blade straight into Gigan's upper stomach. He felt it pierce through thick metal. The tip broke through his back then stopped. Gigan screamed!!!

**********

"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" Bellowed Locon. "What did he do?!? That wretched beast is going to kill Gigan! I want Trajan! I want him DEAD!!! Why is he doing this? It doesn't make sense!! It's his brother!"

"They can communicate, perhaps Gigan said something that angered him." Speculated Amal.

"That foul creature!!" Locon was about to explode. But what could they do now? Nothing. There was nothing they could do, but stare on in horrified silence at the terrible sight that unfolded before them.

**********

Trajan's eye went wide with surprise. He was still alive! He was making it worse. Why had his blade stopped? He went to pull back and found it was stuck. Then Trajan realized what had happened. The Nebulans had given Gigan extremely thick and resistant armor. He was well protected and this would be no easy task. He had to do something! Now Gigan was suffering more. Trajan placed his right foot on Gigan's shoulder and shoved. His blade at last came free. The anguished screams of the tortured creature resounded through his ears. He promised to end it! Again he lifted his blade and with his hand claw supported Gigan. He rammed it through harder, higher and to his right. Blood cascaded from Gigan's beak. Trajan wondered how much more he could take of this. Each time he ran him through, he felt as if he was doing it to himself. He felt his own blade go through him. This time it exited out the back left, shredding off the upper portion of Gigan's left fin. Bones shattered from their sockets and rained to the ground below. Trajan yanked his arm hard to his left. The claw ripped out Gigan's right side. It exited with great force and with it came flying chunks of metal, ribs, and a fluid that was a mix of blood and oil. Gigan squealed and flayed around madly. Trajan felt his own blade tear through him again. Why Wouldn't HE DIE?!? He didn't want to damage the body anymore than he had, but he still needed to finish it, and that called for a more powerful assault. Trajan stepped back and shot forth his left shoulder saw. Gigan thrashed about, and because of this the saw just missed him, but shredded through his left leg taking out pieces above his knee. When the steel of the leg met with the mighty buzzsaw, the collision caused it to bounce up and sever Gigan's claw. Trajan would not miss this time. He fired his remaining buzzsaw. This one hit right below the neck and exited out the back causing Gigan's right fin to explode into a cloud of splintered bones and pieces of gold membrane. Only his middle fin remained. He fell to all three. Trajan roared insanely. WHY WON'T YOU DIE??? Watching and hearing Gigan's agony any longer would surely do him in as well. This should have been quick and painless. It should have been completed on the first strike. But he knew what to do. This would be the final strike. The screams had subsided and the thrashing had stopped. Gigan's thoughts were no longer on his pain. He thought once again of his beautiful mate Gaiganny. He wanted his last thoughts to of her. He was not angry at Trajan. Neither had counted on the resistance this body had put up to the termination. But Gigan knew Trajan could finish him off. He was ready. Trajan kneeled in front of Gigan and looked down at him. He pushed him by pushing his chest with his left claw. Gigan was on his knees and only supported by Trajan. Trajan stretched out his right arm and extended his fingers. From between them his energy scythe emerged. He extended it to its full length. It glowed a hot deadly white. Then Trajan thrust it straight through Gigan's heart. It exploded out his back taking out the last and middle row of Gigan's fins. Gigan shuttered. He hung forward impaled on Trajan's weapon. He looked into Trajan's face, and a look of relief and gratitude washed over him. He went limp. Gaiganny. Then the red light in his eye departed.

SILENCE

**********

Locon looked on silently. That was his Gigan. He didn't have to die. They could have fixed him. They could have helped him. They never should have changed him. Locon finally understood, but it was too late.

**********

Trajan slowly drew his blade in, and cradled what remained of his little brother. After sometime had passed he looked up into the heavens and released the most sorrowful, earsplitting scream that tore through the fabric of the universe.