“We have two options,” Dian says serious sitting at a table inside of the warehouse in front of her laptop. “Option one would be to use Repi’s slinky body to run around the battlefield and tire out the enemy, or to blast them early on and overwhelm them with hit-and-run tactics.”

Kenji stares at Dian with Repigigas lazing about inside of the warehouse as the three think up a strategy. Kenji fumbles around in his chair unable to sit still with various ideas running through his head.

“But why though?” Kenji asks.

“Because Repi’s body is light and slinky, he’s not able to take on so many attacks and has no choice but to dodge attacks,” Dian says. “Because most Kaiju are rather bulky lighter Kaiju have no choice but to use their smaller bodies for speed.”

“Yeah, your right, but do we need a hard strategy?” Kenji asks.

“What?”

“I mean in the middle of a battle the enemy could use some skill that makes our strategy invalid, so if that happens the strategy would fall apart,” Kenji says seriously. “I say we should just rely on instinct and go with the flow.”

Dian slams her hands on the table and glares at Kenji. “Listen! We need to take this seriously if we just go in half-cocked!”

“But it’s not half-cocked. Repi has great combat instinct, so if we follow his lead then we’ll defiantly be able to pull a win.”

“Every Kaiju has battle instinct, what we need here is more than that. On top of that, we lack the experience, this will be our first match as a team against others who have way more experience than we do.”

The pair glare at each other reaching an impasse as Repi lifts up and stares at the pair. Dian sits down and turns away from Kenji as for his part Kenji sighs and leans back in his chair.

“Your always stressing strategy, and I understand that, but we need to be more flexible.”

“I can understand where you're coming from,” Dian says taking a deep breath. “I know I can be a little rigid, but we need to think critically about this.”

The pair stares at each other with less hate in their eyes. “We’ll never be able to reach an agreement on this, huh?”

“It looks like it. But don’t take it to personal, this is just what I believe is the right path.” She says confidently.

“And that’s your problem.”

“What?”

“You’re too foolhardy, you need a bit more humility.”

“I don’t need a lesson on humility from someone like you!” She yells out bright red with anger.

“What does that mean?”

“You always go off about how you’ll be the Kaiju King and this and that. If anyone needs humility, it’s you!”

The angry scowls return as they turn away from each other annoyed by the other’s presence.

“You know if the team isn’t able to work together then we’re doomed from the onset.” A voice says coming from the doorway.

A scruffy man in a trench coat with stubble on his face walks up to the pair with a wide smile on his face. “How’re my precious children doing?”

“Dad!” Dian yells out leaping up. “Tell him to listen to me!”

“No Boss, tell her to calm down!” Kenji yells out.

He shakes his head. “Come on. I thought you two would’ve stopped this already. It’s been two months and you’re still arguing like children.”

“Well, she needs to listen to my input without shutting me down,” Kenji says.

“And he needs to take me seriously instead of passing everything I say aside.” She says annoyed.

He smiles. “This takes me back when I first started out. First match nervousness is pretty strong but don’t let that overcome your normal thinking.”

“I’m not nervous!” Kenji yells out. “I’m excited, I’ve been researching so many matches hoping to glean some more info from the pros.”

Dian smirks. “On my end, I’ve actually been doing something worthwhile. Understanding the capabilities of Repigigas is the only thing that will give us a chance at victory.”

“Ah yes two different approaches, neither of which is wrong mind you, but it’ll only be effective if you bring them together.” He says walking forward. “I know the match tomorrow is on both of your minds, but you can’t let the fear or nervousness get to you.”

Kenji and Dian look at each other and lower their heads. Suddenly Repi lets out a loud bark echoing across the warehouse as it looks down on the pair with a wide grin.

“Repi?” Kenji asks curiously.

“It looks like even Repi wants the pair of you to get along. You better listen to him, you have to remember he’s also a member of this team so you should listen to his opinion too.”

“Alright Repi, who do you agree with?” Kenji asks.

Repi lowers its head and licks Kenji with a long black tongue. It then hurries over to Dian and licks her face as well lifting its head up and smiling happily. It wags its tail excitably and looks over at the man.

“I see, I think he’s saying both of you have valid ideas.” He says happily. “So, we should go along with what he thinks and come up with a solution where the both of you are right.”

Turning to each other Kenji lowers his head and Dian walks towards him wiping the saliva off of her face. “Okay, we’ll come up with some balance between us.”

“Yeah.”

“So where should we start?”

“Well let’s start with the power Repi can pump out,” Kenji says.

She smirks. “Alright, I have a few charts on my laptop, from there we’ll get to work.”

“Okay!”

He smiles. “Don’t work too hard kids. Remember we have to get to the stage before noon tomorrow.”

He walks away into a back office with a slight grin on his face. “It’s hard to believe that they’ve come so far in just two months.”

Two months ago, Dian stands in the middle of the empty field behind the warehouse, looking out into the distance. Watching her he walks up to her side staring at her nervously as he reaches out his hand. As the two stand around a loud rumbling comes from the distance as a figure appears in the distance.

“Dian, get back to the warehouse!” He yells out panicking.

“Dad?” Dian turns towards the noise. “Maybe it’s….”

“No, it's not get over here!” He yells out.

As they stand around a large lizard-like figure emerges from the tree line looking down on both of them. “Toshiro Saegusa!” A voice cries out from the top of the Kaiju.

“A Kaiju that can talk? And almost perfect English at that?” Dain says confused.

“No, it’s not the Kaiju, there’s someone on its head,” Toshiro says seriously pointing towards a figure on top of its head.

The Kaiju lowers its head and Kenji leaps off of its head onto the ground. He stares up at Toshiro with a grin on his face and excitement in his eyes.

“Toshiro, I have come to challenge you!” Kenji yells out.

Toshiro tilts his head. “Huh?”

“Dad, what’s going on?” Dian asks.

“No idea, but we should probably at least get this Kaiju hidden away,” Toshiro says. “Why don’t we try having a conversation inside of our warehouse.”

Kenji smiles. “Of course. Let me get Repi inside.”

“Repi?” Dain asks.

“It’s short for Repigigas, my trusted partner!” He yells out pointing towards the Kaiju who barks happily.

Inside of the warehouse, Repi looks around the area scanning about as it checks its surroundings. Toshiro sets a table on a higher floor with Dian sitting in a chair observing Repi. Kenji sits down staring at Toshiro nervously barely able to contain himself.

“So, what’s your name?”

“My name is Kenji Yamane!” Kenji yells.

“Where are your parents?”

“I’m an orphan.”

Toshiro lowers his head. “So…”

“Where did you get the Kaiju?” Dian asks still staring at Repi.

Kenji smiles. “I followed the path of destiny and I found him when I fell down a hole.”

“What!?” Both Toshiro and Dian yell out.

Kenji lowers his head. “Well, I was wandering around after I snuck out of the orphanage and fell into a hole.”

“Where did you come from?” Dian asks.

“Japan.”

“What!?” Toshiro yells out. “You and your Kaiju swam all the way here from Japan?”

Kenji lowers his head. “Yeah, it’s been a while since…”

Toshiro stands up and stares at Repi. “Dian, get some food and open the old food stores.”

“Father?” Dian asks.

“Both of them need something to eat and drink right now!” He yells out.

A while later Repi eats a large pile of pellets and laps up water from a large bowl as it sits in the middle of the warehouse. Kenji shovels down scraps of food and gulps numerous cups of water as Toshiro looks on him happily.

“Thank you for that,” Kenji says as he looks around. “Wait, where’s your Kaiju.”

“You must not be up to date,” Toshiro says sitting down. “I’ve long retired, my partner ran off and left me high and dry.”

Kenji lowers his head. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be, it was about time. When Kaiju reach a certain age, they’ll lose their interest in combat and try to settle down somewhere. As a Brawler, you should understand this.”

“It’s still sad. I can’t imagine losing Repi.”

“Hey Dad, I’ve never seen a Kaiju like this one,” Dian says happily. “It must be uncategorized.”

“Most likely. And considering our friend here is able to somewhat control him, the two of them must’ve formed a Bond.”

Kenji smirks. “That’s right. That’s why Repi is my dear partner.”

“So why come here?”

“You’re the one likely to become the Kaiju King, or at least you were. So, I came here and decided to challenge you for your position.” Kenji says nervously.

“Well, that’s not going to work. Even if I had my old partner, you wouldn’t have been able to achieve your goal that way.” Toshiro stands. “Kaiju are all monitored and organized by the Brawler Association unless they recognize you as an official Brawler then there’s no just randomly challenging someone.”

“Then I’ll go there and then find someone strong to beat down.”

Dian stands up. “No way! There’s no way I’m letting you get that innocent creature hurt for your mad rush for power!”

“Repi is my partner. And the two of us share this dream.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, isn’t that right Repi?” Kenji asks Repi as it lifts up and licks his face. “See, Repi agrees with me.”

“What really?”

Kenji stares her down. “Who are you anyway? A student?”

“I’m his daughter,” Dian says pointing to Toshiro. “Dian Saegusa!”

“But you don’t look like…”

“I’m adopted!” She yells out annoyed. “Anyway, enough of all this, you can leave and go back to where ever you came from.”

“But I have to win the power of the Kaiju King. I have to get stronger and…”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

Toshiro stands with a wide grin on his face. “Excellent.”

“What?” Dian asks. “Dad, you’re not thinking...”

“Hey, Kenji, why don’t we form a team?”

Kenji stares at him nervously. “A team?”

“In the Brawler Association, every Brawler has a team. There’s the Kaiju, of course, the Brawler obviously, the Minder, and some support staff.” Toshiro explains. “The three, no four of us here are enough to make a team.”

“But Dad, what if she…” Dian says.

“What do you say?” Toshiro asks putting his hand out towards Kenji.

Kenji stares at him and then looks at Repi. After Repi nods, Kenji reaches out and grabs Toshiro’s hand. “Alright, I’ll go along with you two. And I’ll follow your lead Boss.” Kenji says.

“Dad!”

“Dian, this is just what we need a nice cool breath of fresh air,” Toshiro says with a wide grin. “Now we just need a team name.”

“Team Saurian!” Kenji yells out.

“What?” Dian asks. “Why? Repigigas isn’t even a dinosaur.”

“Yeah but it sounds cool, and he’s a reptile so it still works.”

“No, it doesn’t!”

Toshiro claps his hands getting everyone’s attention. “Okay everyone, let’s calm down. We have a lot of things to figure out and little time to do it.”

“Little time?”

“The registration battles!” Dian yells out. “It’s a series of battles where a select number are chosen to become official Kaiju Brawlers. The only way to get into the battles is to do well in the registration.”

Kenji looks up at Toshiro. “How long do we have?”

“Two months.”

“Well let’s do this!” Kenji yells out. “This is just a step, I promise I’ll become the Kaiju King with Repi by my side!”

Repi lets out a loud bark as Dian shakes her head and Toshiro smiles.

In the present Toshiro sits in his office with a wide smile on his face as he puts the photo down. He peeks outside as Kenji and Dian look over her laptop and Repi stares at the pair curiously.

“It’s only been two months, but we’ve come so far already,” Toshiro says. “Our odds are still slim, but we might have a chance.”

“Alright kids, tomorrows show time so let’s show the crowd just what we can do,” Toshiro says happily.