Landfall
CCI HQ, Osaka, 2000
"That is one hideous thing," Yuki mused as her camera flashed and clicked, capturing the corpse of the Meganulon on film. Ever since Godzilla's attack on Tokyo, she had decided to go freelancer. Her old job was full of sexist pigs anyway. Good riddance.
Not anymore, she thought. She had hit her big break taking photographs of Godzilla during his fiery assault on Tokyo. Though a tad morbid, it put into perspective of the power of the beast. She sold the photos to the highest bidder and quit her job, deciding to go freelancer and take pictures of whatever the hell she wanted to. No more being assigned the boring and dull assignments.
She kept in touch with Yuji and his daughter Io, however. After experiencing such a disaster with them, it was hard not to. The Shinodas were a bit quirky, yes, but they had evolved into friends that Yuki could never think of replacing. Not to mention Yuji always called her up when he had something of interest for her.
Discovering the corpse of a murderous insect certainly fit the bill.
"Thanks again, Yuji. This should fetch quite a price," she said, grinning as she placed her camera back in its case. Yuji looked up at her, breaking his trance. He wiped his eye, ridding himself of what Yuki thought for sure was a tear. She frowned, cursing herself for not understanding what he had just been through. That giant bug had killed his sister, right in front of his daughter's eyes! Her stomach turned as she imagined being in his shoes at the moment. Yuki placed a hand on Yuji's shoulder, attempting to comfort him, unsure of what to say.
"Those pictures cannot be released as of now, Ms. Ichinose." Shiro Miyasaka strode in, flanked by a couple of scientists who went to different stations. For the most part, the room was your basic lab. An operating table in the center, with all sorts of tools and electronic equipment spread around. Yuji and Yuki were out of the way in the corner of the laboratory.
"What! Why not?"
"Because, Ms. Ichinose, we do not want to panic anyone. This creature killed two people," he stated, glancing at Yuji who dropped his head down once again. Miyasaka's face expressed grief, before continuing, "and we do not want widespread chaos in Kitamatsu, especially when we don't know what we're dealing with here. The last thing we need is for a bunch of idiot villagers running around with pitchforks. Keep the pictures for now. Once we've taken care of this, you may do with them what you want." Realizing he was right for the most part, Yuki nodded reluctantly.
"Now, if you would please leave, we have some business to attend to."
"Yeah, yeah." Yuki waved to Yuji as she walked towards the exit, who smiled at her.
"Can you check up on Io for me? I think she's still with the American in the waiting area." Yuki gave him a thumbs-up and smiled.
"Of course, Yuji." She walked out of the lab, the door sliding shut and leaving two old-college friends to analyze the anomaly.
"So, what're you thinking, Yuji?" The GPN founder stood up, and grimaced as his legs had fallen asleep due to his prolonged sitting. Tiny needles poked him as he walked over to join his friend by the insect.
"Well, it looks like a bug."
"Real funny. I'm serious." Shinoda smiled, and then looked over at the insect. It was hard to crack a joke, a terrible one at that, in a time of such grief. But it was how Yuji dealt with grief. Focus on the happy and fun things in life, and not on the tragedies and pain.
"It's certainly not any kind of insect I've ever seen or heard about. No radioactivity to be found, so it's not a mutant of any kind. So, I do what I do best: Research." Yuji turned on his heel and went back for a green folder that Shiro had failed to observe. With it in hand, Yuji came back to the center of the room and placed the folder on the table. Opening it, he slid out a photo into clear view. Shiro raised his eyebrow, not completely sure if he was reading the caption right.
"Meganulon monyi. Largest insect ever known." The fossil pictured was almost an exact replica of the corpse that lay before them, minus the armor and flesh and all that good stuff.
"You seriously think this is a possibility?"
"Well, yeah. Pieces seem to fit, and frankly, nothing seems too out of the way when you have a radioactive dinosaur swimming about." Yuji smirked and scratched his chin. Shiro simply shrugged and shook his head.
"But what is bothersome is this…" Yuji slid out another photograph, this time of a much larger, airborne insect fossil, one that looked very much like a dragonfly.
"Meganula," Yuji stated, pointing at the picture, "are what paleontologists believe to be the next step in the Meganulon life cycle."
"Wait, Yuji. You're telling me these things get bigger?"
Kitamatsu Village, 2000
The Meganulon dragged the half-eaten deer carcass into the gigantic chamber, where the rest of its kind gorged on the flesh of other killed animals, some even feasting on a couple of humans. This was the Meganulon way. Kill swiftly and bring the food back to the nest, where they would all consume and store energy.
The Meganulon swiftly finished devouring the corpses and discarded them. Then, as their ancestors had done before them, they clambered onto the walls and through the nooks and crannies of the chamber, spewing a thick, black oil covered substance upon themselves. They clicked in unison as the material hardened, forming a cocoon. The hive began to rest inside the cold comforting interiors of their temporary home. And it was there that the transformation would take place.
He didn't even know why he was here. A top-of-the-line headquarters with advanced technology and experienced personnel all equipped to handle giant monster attacks and he was stuck right in the middle of it all. Was it fate? Or just a simple coincidence? Either way, Robert had been having a downright terrible day. The girl known as Io had walked away to talk with a very pretty Japanese woman. Any other day, Robert would've drooled and stared lustfully, pondering his chances. But as of now, he was too busy silently mourning the loss of his best friend.
"Io…I'm so sorry about what happened." Yuki placed a comforting hand upon the young girl's shoulder. Her shirt was wet with her tears and she rubbed her eyes, trying to get rid of ones that were about to fall. She released a quivering sigh and nodded her head.
"I'll be fine…" Yuki frowned. It was so unnerving to see Io in such a depressed state. In a way, she sort of missed the girl's sarcastic remarks and insults. At least it showed she was normal. She quickly decided to change the subject, hoping to avoid making any more references to the passing of her aunt.
"So, who's that guy," Yuki questioned, throwing a thumb towards the seated American.
"He was there when it happened…he killed the thing." Io restrained her emotions from overflowing and breaking down as she gave Yuki the information. She excused herself, babbling about needing to wash her face and quickly made her way to the restroom, her face already becoming wet with tears. Yuki began to say something, but she quickly closed her mouth. She thought it was best to leave Yuki to her mourning. In the meantime, she thought she'd introduce herself to Io's companion. She took a seat beside the American.
"Hello. I'm a friend of Io's. We haven't been acquainted yet. I'm Yuki Ichinose, freelance photographer. And you are?"
"Robert Kennedy," he began, scratching his head," and no, I'm not a clone of the deceased senator, in case you were thinking that. Dad was just a big fan of his."
"I see. Pleasure to meet you, Robert." Yuki offered her hand out, which Robert gently shook.
"Thank you for helping Io out. If you hadn't been there-"Robert's face grimaced as she mentioned what had happened.
"Then maybe nobody would've gotten killed. It was my fault. My friend and Io's aunt are dead because of me. I led my friend into that stupid shaft and I led that thing to Io and her aunt. I'm no hero," he exclaimed, shaking his head and gripping the seat. The tons of guilt had once again slammed down onto his shoulders, bringing him down. Yuki sighed and patted him on the arm.
"Look, you had no idea what was down there. You all were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, Misato included. You saved Io's life. You can be proud of that." Robert glanced at her, finding her words uplifting in a way. He nodded his head and exhaled, releasing some of his pent up stress.
"Thanks, Ms. Ichinose."
"Oh, stop. Call me Yuki. I don't think I look that old, do I?
"No, you look great", Robert replied, before realizing what he had just stated may have come a tad creepy, and quickly tried to sputter out a correction, "I mean, you don't look old. At all. I'll call you Yuki, no problem.
"Thank you," the photographer replied, raising an eyebrow at his response, which was flattering, yet a bit inappropriate. She waved it off, and continued with her conversation, focusing on a topic that would surely provide some interesting information," So, Robert, you are from New York, correct?"
"That's right."
"Good. Were you there in 1998, when the monster dubbed 'Zilla' attacked?"
"Yes, I was actually," he responded, sitting up in the lounge chair.
"Would you mind telling me about it? Little information was leaked over here."
"Of course," Robert answered. "Now, there I was-"He never would finish the story, as ear-pounding screech filled the air as red lights flashed on and off.
"What the hell is that, Yuki?"
"I don't know…an alarm, I think. But for what?" Io walked out of the restroom, a mixture of fear and excitement etched upon her face. She mouthed one, and only word to Yuki, whose eyes widened in horror.
"We need to exterminate these things, Yuji. I was wrong to not order a complete search of the area!" Shiro ran his hands through his hair, clearly frustrated. The specimen's lifeless eyes stared back at him, while Yuji studied the photos. Their time in the lab would soon come to an end as a shrieking filled the air.
"Now what!" A middle-aged man ran into the room, panting. A headset was still sitting on his head.
"Mr. Miyasaka! It's him! We found him! He's in the East China Sea, heading straight towards Kumamoto!" Yuji nearly spit out his soup as he looked up in shock at the news. Shiro merely grinned devilishly, eager for another go at the big lizard.
"Alert the JSDF and ready the Karyu. Godzilla's in for a nasty surprise."
Mt. Aso, Kumamoto, 2000
Where am I?
The beast's eyes slowly opened. Scarlet orbs drowsily peered about. The creature was encased in a rock tomb, brown stone making up the prison. The gurgling of lava could be heard, its intense heat providing comforting warmth to the monster. Snapping out of his daze, the monster cawed in confusion, before registering he was trapped. With a roar of anger, the beast struck out with his rust-colored wings, easily cracking through the rock wall. A rain of stones pummeled the beast, but the gigantic animal did not pay any heed. With no support, the mighty monster hovered above the large lava pit that bubbled below him.
How did I get here?
The blue membrane of the flying brute's wings flexed as they worked to keep their owner in flight. Looking upwards, his golden beak leading the way, the entity quickly worked out what must be done with an almost human-like intelligence. Flapping his mighty wings, the reptilian monster shot upwards, cutting through the layer of earth with his beak like a hot knife through butter. A spiked plate of armor covered his chest and legs, providing ample protection. Talons lay upon his feet and hands, scraping away rock and other debris.
With a roar, Rodan burst from Mt. Aso, leaving a gigantic crater in his wake. Flora and fauna alike were swept away as the prehistoric monster's wings flapped and released devastating winds. Rodan scanned his surroundings, confused and slightly scared.
Where am I?
Rodan sensed a presence much like his own and turned around. Could it be the one he had hunted so long ago? He opened his beak, showing off his rows of dagger-like teeth and released a scream of anger. If it was, his foe would have hell to be. Rodan jetted off, leaving behind hurricane-like winds to play with the tree and animals. His destination was what the humans would call Kumamoto. And it was there he hoped he would find his prey.
Outskirts of Kumamoto, 2000
The house was crushed beneath the behemoth's clawed foot. Dark green, uneven scales covered the limb, and if one looked up, one would find much of the same covering the furious monstrosity's body. A thick tail rose up and smashed into another group of houses. People screamed in horror as they ran, trying to escape the radioactive being's wrath.
Godzilla bellowed as he made his way through the village, slowly heading inland. Water still trickled from his massive hide, as he had just recently clambered out of the ocean. The afternoon sun provided a spotlight for his destruction. In the distance, the city of Kumamoto could be seen, no doubt unprepared for Godzilla's arrival.
Or so the powerful creature thought.
A barrage of shells impacted against Godzilla's back, forcing a cry of surprise out of the mighty leviathan. He turned around, roaring in anger. A line of tanks had rolled up behind him and ambushed him. Another group of shells slammed into Godzilla, this time right in his chest. Chunks of flesh flew off from the beast. Minor wounds, but they still stung. His rage building, Godzilla took a step towards the tanks, letting out an earth-shaking roar as his jagged spines began to grow an ominous red.
The defense of Kumamoto had begun.