Chapter 6- The Spider
Hey there guys, gals, and non-binary pals! Tardispilot297 here bringing you another new chapter of Godzilla: New Dawn. Gotta say I am loving the feedback some people have been giving me on this story. It's given me some stuff to think about. Anyway without further ado, LET'S BEGIN!
The sky burns orange as the hours of the evening inch closer to the night. The tall grass of the wide open field sways against the breeze with the only signs of life being a few deer gently grazing peacefully. Suddenly one of the deer lifts its head with their ears up listening for anything nearby. The others follow suit as a noise slowly builds up from a direction in the distance. The noise evolves into a loud roar as a beat up pickup truck charges over the hill briefly flying through the air and landing on the ground causing the deer to scatter.
The truck swerves back and forth to avoid hitting anything and continues to speed off through the field. In the driver's seat Goji keeps both hands on the wheel and his foot pressed firmly on the gas pedal. Sitting next to him in the passenger's seat is Jaime holding tightly onto her seat while looking out her window. In the backseat Angelo grabs hold of the sides of both front seats and pokes his head out to look around.
Angelo: [To Goji] Did we lose em?
Goji: [Looks out at the side mirror] I can't tell. Ask Rodney.
Angelo turns around and unlocks the middle back window sliding it open and poking his head through. Bouncing around in the bed of the truck Rodney and CeCe are both clinging to the sides trying hard not to get thrown out by the constant bumps.
Angelo: [Shouting] How you guys doing back here?
CeCe: [Sarcastically shouting] Great. Just peachy. How about you?
Angelo: [To Rodney] Did we lose em?
Suddenly a large flock of raptor-like birds covered in red and purple feathers charge over the hills and chase after the truck. One of which out in front emits a loud shrieking roar bearing its sharpened beak and teeth-like growths.
Rodney: [Shouting at Angelo] That answer your question? [Readies hunting rifle] Tell Goji to keep his foot on the gas.
Angelo pulls his head back into the truck and turns around back to Goji.
Angelo: Rodney says to keep your foot on the gas!
Goji nods and presses his foot down harder. The truck speeds up with the flock of birds still chasing after them at high speeds. Rodney and CeCe aim their weapons getting ready to fire. As the flock gets closer the two start shooting and killing the ones that get too close. CeCe cocks her shotgun and kills another bird with two clean shots to the neck. Rodney carefully aims his rifle despite the continued bumping of the truck and fires a shot hitting a bird in the head and killing it. Slowly the flock begins to gain on the truck and surround it. Goji reaches down and pulls out his pistol and starts shooting at the first bird that tries to stick its head through his window. He quickly looks to the side and aims his gun in Jaime's direction.
Goji: [Shouts] Get down!
Jaime complies and ducks just in time for Goji to fire multiple shots at another bird before it could bite down on her. It's face riddled with bullets before finally dropping dead. Another bird runs up to Goji's side getting ready to sneak attack him. It gets ready to strike when suddenly its face gets struck by a heavy fist that smashes its way through the back side window. It falls to the ground and gets trampled by others of its flock. Angelo pulls his arm back in shaking off the small shards of glass still clinging to his leathery skin. The flock continues to surround them as they close in for the kill. CeCe's shotgun fires three more shots before making a clicking noise signaling it was empty.
CeCe: [Shouting] Running out of room and ammo here guys.
CeCe pulls out her modified pipe and takes a swing at another bird almost cracking their beak. Rodney fires another shot and quickly dodges a bird that nearly chomps at him. He takes the butt of his rifle and hits the bird over the head a few times forcing it to bump into a few more and causing them all to trip and fall to the ground. It gives him an opportunity to spot a large field of tall grass not too far away. He puts his rifle down and stretches his arms out and unfolds his wings. He jumps out of the truck and glides through the air avoiding the chomping of the surrounding birds. He glides up alongside the truck to Goji's window.
Rodney: [Shouting] Follow me! I spotted some tall grass we can lose 'em in.
Goji turns the truck and follows Rodney into the tall grass with the flock still following close behind. The grass is thick like a small forest with seemingly no end in sight. Jamie sits back up to see if the birds are gone. The truck makes it out of the tall grass when Goji suddenly hits the brakes and turns the wheel to keep the truck from turning over. The truck screeches to a halt kicking up dirt and dust everywhere. The cloud dissipates to reveal another flock of birds waiting for them. Within a few seconds the rest of them pour out of the grass and start to surround the truck. The group look around searching for a way out of their seemingly hopeless situation. The birds slowly close in making a loud hissing noise. Goji checks his pistol to see he only had three bullets left.
Goji: Jaime, Get in the back.
Jaime: Ok.
Jaime climbs into the back with Angelo acting as an impromptu shield. Goji takes out his machete. The sun sets in the horizon with the last specks of sunlight sinking into the shadows stretching out along the ground. CeCe stands up in the bed wielding both her pipe and sawed off ready for a full on fight to the death.
CeCe: Alright then you chicken shits! [Shouts] Come get some!
The flock loudly hiss in response until some of them suddenly lift up their heads. Then all of a sudden one of them starts backing away and letting out a loud roar while looking up at the darkening sky. Just like that the flock immediately retreats back into the tall grass completely ignoring the truck. The group look on in confusion as the last bird vanishes into the tall grass. Rodney lands onto the ground next to the truck as Goji pokes his head out through the window. Jaime and Angelo get out of the backseat to see what was happening.
Jaime: [Shouts] Yeah you better run! [To the group] We sure showed them huh?
Rodney: I don't get it. Why would they just give up?
Goji: [Looking up] Good Question.
Goji searches the sky for any signs of what had caused the birds to run away. Instead all he sees is open sky, a large gathering of clouds, and the rising of the moon which seemed to take on a darker, almost sinister shade of red. Goji looks around at the surrounding area which seems to comprise miles upon miles of open prairie lightly covered with fog. Rodney walks up to the driver's side.
Rodney: So what do you think?
Goji: Whatever it is, something about this place caused those birds to give up their hunt and run away real fast.
Rodney: Maybe we can try going around?
Goji: We don't know how long it would take to try. We can't afford to waste any time.
Rodney: So in other words we either keep going forward or double back and try another route north.
Goji: Yep.
Rodney: [Looking back to the tall grass] Course there's a good chance those birds are probably just waiting for us back there.
Goji: Probably.
Rodney: [Heavy sigh, turns to the others] So how about you guys?
Angelo: I don't know, I think we should probably go back.
Jaime: Aw c'mon Angelo. It doesn't look that bad.
CeCe: Yeah, and besides you'd really rather take on those killer birds instead of going across a quiet, boring prairie?
Angelo: Well obviously it's more than just a boring prairie.
CeCe: I think it's more obvious that you're a scared little bitch.
Angelo: Oh screw you CeCe. You don't know what's across that prairie.
CeCe: [fast speaking] Scaredy bitch says what?
Angelo: Wha… Hey!
Jaime: Come on Angelo. It doesn't even look that scary.
Angelo: [Looks out at the dark, foggy prairie] You're joking right?
Rodney: Alright forget it. We'll settle this the old fashioned way.
Rodney walks over and takes a small bag out of his pocket. The contents inside make a jingling sound as he's holding it up. Jaime looks over and sees what's in his hand.
Jaime: What is that? A bag of coins?
Rodney: Quarters to be exact.
CeCe: Rodney you can't be serious.
Rodney: You guys got any better ideas on how to settle this?
CeCe and Angelo look at eachother and quietly nod in compliance. They both hold their hands out as Rodney opens up the bag and gives them both one quarter each.
Jaime: How does this work?
Rodney: Well you see whenever the three of us disagree on something, we often settle it with a simple coin toss. Tails means for, heads means against. Most of either side wins.
Jaime: Makes sense to me. Mind if me and Goji join?
Rodney: [shrugs] Don't see why not.
Jaime: Cool. [To Goji] C'mon let's do it.
Goji shrugs his shoulders and gets out of the truck. He walks over and receives a quarter from Rodney along with Jaime. All five members of the group gather around in a circle and stand facing each other.
Rodney: [To Goji and Jaime] Ok, we flip on three. Got it?
Goji: Got it.
Jaime: Sure thing.
Rodney: Ok. One, two, three!
The group each flip their coins in the air and catch them on top of their hands while keeping the coins covered. They all hold out their arms and remove their hands to show the result.
Angelo: Five tails! Oh Jesus, man, that's a goocher!
CeCe: [Groans] Come on man.
Jaime: What's a goocher?
Rodney: It doesn't mean anything!
Angelo: No man, a goocher. That's really bad. You remember when Clint Bracken and those guys got wiped out on Weed Hill in Durham? I heard that they were flipping for beers. An' they came up a goocher just before they got into the car. And bang! They all got totalled! I don't like this. Sincerely.
CeCe: Ang! Nobody believes in that crap about moons and goochers! It's baby stuff! Now come on. Flip again.
Everyone but Angelo flips again.
CeCe: You gonna flip or not?
Rodney: Come on, Angelo, we don't have all night.
Angelo caves in and flips again. This time the result is three tails and two heads.
CeCe: Ha ha! You lose, Angelo! Angelo loses! Oh Ang just screwed the pooch!
Angelo: Does the word "retarded" mean anything to you?
CeCe: [chuckles] Angelo, get in the truck you morphradite!
Angelo: Don't call me any of your mother's pet names.
CeCe: God, You are such a sore loser.
Angelo: Shut up!
CeCe: I don't shut up, [Joined by Rodney] I grow up. And when I look at you I throw up! [Immating barfing noise]
Angelo: And then your mother comes round the corner and she licks it up.
Jaime: Oooohhh damn! [Laughing]
Goji: Alright that's enough. Let's get moving.
The group pile back into the truck and push forward across the prairie. After an hour the fog gets thicker as they continue forward. Each person is barely able to make out what is ahead of them. The fog eventually breaks and reveals a large obelisk a few feet away from them. As they get closer they see stone skulls carved out of the rock in an almost ominous fashion. The truck stops allowing everyone to look at the obelisk. Goji looks around and notices a few more obelisks spaced out from each other in one large circle. Almost like they act as some kind of boundary line.
Jaime: Well that's welcoming.
Angelo: Told yall we should've turned back around.
CeCe taps Angelo's shoulder causing him to flinch.
CeCe: Two for flinching. [Hits Angelo's arm twice]
Rodney: Alright knock it off you two.
The truck moves forward past the obelisk at a steady pace. Goji glances in the side mirror to take a last look at the obelisk. His instincts tell him that something feels off. He hands his pistol over to Jaime.
Goji: Reload that.
Jaime: Goji?
Goji: [To the Trio] Same goes for the rest of you.
Rodney: You spot something?
Goji: Just got a bit of a feeling, that's all.
The trio exchange glances and start to quietly reload their guns. Jaime finishes putting in a fresh clip into the pistol.
Jaime: Maybe this time I can-
Goji: [Takes back pistol] No.
Jaime: I'm just saying I could back you guys up.
Goji: It's still no. Just keep your eyes peeled and stay in the truck.
Jaime: [Small groan] Fine.
The truck continues across the prairie passing by piles of rocks scattered along the landscape. Unbeknownst to them, several sets of eyes watch them under some of the rock piles. They immediately close when a few members of the group look over in their direction. CeCe's ear springs up picking up on some sounds not too far away. She taps on the side of the truck to get Goji's attention.
CeCe: Hold up, We got something up ahead.
Goji shuts off the headlights and pulls the truck up behind a large rock. He turns the engine off and gets out to climb up the side of the rock. The rest of the group joins him at the top and lay down on their bellies on both sides of him. Goji takes out a pair of binoculars and looks out onto the landscape.
Rodney: See anything?
Goji: Not yet, but… Wait there. [Hands Rodney the binoculars] Out between those two rocks.
Rodney takes the binoculars and looks through them. In between two large rocks he sees a man carrying a dead boar over his shoulders and walking across the field. The man is wearing ragged clothes and almost resembles a skeleton with skin with eyes darkened with deep circles watching the sky.
Rodney: Jesus. We sure that guy's human? [Hands binoculars to CeCe]
CeCe: Yeesh. Talk about a dead man walking. I'm surprised he can even carry that thing. [Tosses binoculars to Jaime]
Jaime: [Glancing up at the sky] How come he keeps looking up?
The skeleton man continues slowly walking forward while maintaining constant watch up in the sky above. His eyes filled with fear and caution. His breath is ragged and heavy. His malnourished body just barely managing to carry the heavy boar on his back. He takes a few more heavy steps until he suddenly trips over a rock sticking out of the ground. He falls down with a loud snapping sound along with a suppressed groan of pain. He sits up and looks down to see one of his legs dislocated and bending the other direction. He sits there in pain until he hears a subtle screech which makes him immediately return to frantically searching the night sky. Working through the intense pain the man tries using his remaining strength to push the boar across the ground. His efforts only manage to move it a few inches. Back on the rock the group watches the man struggle to continue forward.
CeCe: Damn. Gotta admire his determination at least.
Eventually the man starts shouting and yelling in an almost primal way. Goji grabs the binoculars and follows the direction the man is facing until his eyes fall onto a nearby cave. There he starts to see other emaciated-looking people coming out and spotting the struggling man. When they see the boar he desperately keeps pushing forward they all cry out as well. Suddenly some nearby rocks open up to allow two rusted ATVs spring up out of the ground with the riders wearing old motocross helmets and goggles. They shoot across the field toward the man as he keeps shouting and yelling. He suddenly stops when a much louder screech erupts from the sky above causing both him and the group to look up back at the sky.
Jaime: Uh what was that?
They turn back to the two riders who manage to make it to the man. One of them jumps off to grab the boar while the other goes to retrieve the man. They make it just inches from him when they suddenly get yanked off the ground by a large and swift flying creature. Goji and the group gasp in shock and horror.
Jaime: Holy shit!
CeCe: What the fuck was that?
The other rider quickly drags the boar to their ATV and places it on the back. They quickly try to get on board but get snatched by another flying creature. The people in the cave shout and toss rocks up into the air with no avail. The man crawls along the ground to try to get to the ATV with the boar. Jaime looks to the rest of the group.
Jaime: Hey so we're gonna help that guy right?
Angelo: Are you kidding me? What can we do?
Jaime: Well we can't just sit here and do nothing can we?
Angelo: Did you not see what just happened to those other two guys?
Jaime: And that third guy is gonna end up the same way if we don't help him!
Angelo: This has got nothing to do with us!
Jaime: [To Goji] Goji please! Please say that we're gonna help him!
Goji looks at her and turns back to the man and the people in the cave. Seeing the state of them it's clear that they were starving and had very little food, if any at all. He thinks about the level of determination the man showed even when struggling through intense pain and watching two of his people vanish right in front of him. Despite all that he still continues to try and get food to the others in the cave. He catches a glimpse of a shadow flying through the clouds overhead and heading towards the direction of the man. For most of his life Goji never stuck his neck out for anyone if he could help it. And it's not the first time he's come across others in trouble and desperately trying to survive in this harsh world. However he always waited for the danger to claim its intended victims and move on once it safely passed. Of course that was when he had been traveling alone. Now the situation is different. Now he's not alone anymore. And just like back at the town or at the river, Goji feels a desire to help despite his instincts screaming at him to stay put and out of sight. Goji grabs hold of his machete and stands up.
Goji: [To Jaime] Stay low.
Goji jumps off from the rock and starts running towards the man. The man makes it inches away from the ATV when he sees Goji running at him with a machete in his hand. Believing he wants to take the boar for himself, the man reaches out for the hatchet attached to the side of the ATV. Once he takes it he gets ready to try and fight Goji off. Instead of attacking him however, Goji leaps over him and uses his machete to slash at the flying creature diving out of the sky towards the man. With a screech of pain the creature retreats back into the sky. Goji turns back to the man and quickly grabs him and puts him on the ATV. Goji gets on to get it started but hears another loud screech as another creature dive bombs them with a pair of pincer claws reaching out to grab them. As it's about to grab them a small explosion accompanied by flying metal shards tear into its side forcing it to retreat. Goji looks over his shoulder to see CeCe running up at quick speed with Rodney gliding overhead and dropping another nail bomb at the creature from above.
CeCe: [Shouting] Suck on that you ugly bastard!
Goji: [Shouts at CeCe] Let's go! Quickly!
Goji starts up the ATV and rides off with CeCe jumping onto the other one and following suit. They speed towards the cave with Rodney gliding down and landing on the back of CeCe's ATV.
CeCe: [To Rodney] Heh! They weren't so tough!
Rodney: [Looking up] Look out!
CeCe swerves the ATV to avoid another creature trying to snatch them off the ground. They manage to make it to the entrance of the cave and look back to see the creature retreat back into the clouds. Goji looks to the cave people only to see them snatch the man and boar and rush back further into the cave. Goji, Rodney, and CeCe get off the ATVs and stare into the dark mouth of the cave.
CeCe: [Shouting] Umm. You're welcome!
Suddenly something large drops down behind them with a loud stomp. A large shadow gets cast over them as they hear the sound of growling behind them. Before they can turn around they get smacked aside and slide along the ground hard. All three pick themselves up and finally get a good look at their opponent. The creature looked like a cross between a reptile and a dragonfly with a pair of pincer claws as its front legs. At the end of its long tail houses a sharp stinger poised to strike. A pair of large leather bat-like wings spread out flapping and creating a gust of wind. It has eyes which are a light ember and has a mouth filled with sharp needle-like teeth. CeCe grabs something from her bag and lights it on fire with a lighter. The creature moves to strike when CeCe tosses the object at it, setting it on fire upon impact. The lizard bug flails about screeching before falling to the ground and continuing to burn.
CeCe: Yeah! Burn bitch, burn!
Goji: What the hell was that?
CeCe: Just my very own take at a molotov cocktail. The key is substituting liquor with kerosene.
More screeching is heard as more lizard bugs fly down at them.
Goji: In that case I hope you have a lot more of those. Because we've got company.
Another lizard bug lunges at Goji who sidesteps it and stabs his machete into the back of its skull. He turns around just in time to see another one charging at him only to have its throat punctured by Rodney using a knife tied to a long branch of wood. A third one snatches CeCe off the ground and into the air. CeCe grabs her sawed off and shoots the lizard bug right under its chin and blows out the back of its skull. She lands with her feet on the ground only to get snatched up again. To which she repeats the same action and lands back on the ground running and wielding her pipe weapon. Her and Goji successfully kill a few more lizard bugs when Goji hears a scream coming from the rock. He turns to see a few of the lizard bugs going for Angelo and Jaime as they start to carry them up into the air. Goji immediately runs forward and leaps into the air stabbing the one carrying Jaime in the chest with his machete. They crash onto the ground while Rodney glides over to help free Angelo. He dive bombs one of them with his spear allowing Angelo to use his spiked tail to take out the remaining two and fall to the ground.
Goji looks over to check on Jaime but gets snatched up into the air by a lizard bug that uses its stinger to stab into his back and pump him with a venom that knocks him out. Jaime shouts up at him but soon gets grabbed herself and stung. Rodney gets up to grab his spear only to get snatched himself and dragged across the ground before getting stung. The remaining lizard bugs try to do the same with CeCe and Angelo only to get either smashed, exploded, or shot dead as they approach. Finally they see their friends getting carried off into the nightly fog.
Angelo: They got the others.
CeCe: C'mon! We gotta catch up!
CeCe starts running at top speed after their friends, with Angelo trying his best to run and keep up with her.
Angelo: Hey! Hey, wait for me!
As they run off some of the cave people emerge out of hidden tunnels under the rocks. A few of them cautiously examine the bodies of dead lizard bugs that now littered the ground. One of them picks up Goji's machete and finds the group's truck and goes over it. They find their packs and provisions left behind including extra weapons and ammo. The cave person climbs up onto the rock and looks out to the horizon in the direction Angelo and CeCe ran off in. They look down at the blood soaked blade in their hands and stand in awe of the ones who had saved one of their own and managed to fight back against the nightmare that had been plaguing their people for generations. For the first time in their life filled with fear and despair, they felt the one emotion that was once thought to be lost in this living hell on earth… Hope.
Running at incredible speed, CeCe races across the flatland in the direction the lizard bugs took the others. Thoughts of anger and determination spin around in her head along with images of violent, bloody revenge. No matter what she wasn't going to lose anyone that was close to her. Not this time. In time a tall rock tower comes into view in the distance ahead of her. She stops sliding along the ground at the foot of the tower. CeCe looks straight up trying to find any clues of where her friends might have been taken. Suddenly she spots two lizard bugs flying over her and into the entrance to a cave at the top of the tower. Now given a clear target CeCe cracks her fingers and shakes out her hands before stretching her legs. She crouches down and takes a few quick breaths, tensing up the muscles in both her arms and legs. Without a moment's hesitation she launches herself up in the air and starts running up the side of the tower.
She makes it up a few feet until her foot slips and causes her to fall back towards the ground with a hard THUD! CeCe grits her teeth and gets back up to try again. And again. And again. And again. And again. While getting up for the 6th attempt, Angelo slowly runs up heavily gasping and covered in sweat. He stops and bends down a bit, placing his hands on his knees to catch his breath. CeCe lets out a shout as she drops down next to him. Angelo looks over to say something but CeCe ignores him and gets back up again running at the tower shouting at the top of her lungs in anger. She lunges at the rock wall like a rabid animal and claws her way up the side. She makes it up a few feet before she starts slowly sliding back down. CeCe bites down on the rock to try and stop her descent, leaving a long scratch into the rock in the process as she slides down and falls on her back again. Angelo walks over and looks down at her as she lays on the ground panting and covered in sweat.
Angelo: Uh-
CeCe: [Holds up an index finger] Don't! Say! Anything!
CeCe gets back up and brushes the dirt off her clothes.
Angelo: But I just gonna ask if-
CeCe turns to Angelo with her arm raised to deliver a punch causing him to flinch and move to protect himself. When she doesn't Angelo lowers his guard a bit.
CeCe: Two for flinching.
CeCe punches Angelo twice in the arm making him groan in pain.
Angelo: [Rubbing his arm] Ow.
The two look back up at the cave entrance at the top as two more lizard bugs fly out into the sky.
Angelo: So our friends were taken up there?
CeCe: Yep.
Angelo: Well how do we get up there?
CeCe pays close attention to the two lizard bugs flying above. She quickly gets an idea and drops to the ground like a ragdoll. Angelo looks at her confused.
CeCe: [Whispering] Angelo! I need you to shout really loud!
Angelo: What? Why?
CeCe: To get the bugs' attention.
Angelo looks back up at the two lizard bugs.
Angelo: Ohhh no. No way!
CeCe: Just do it!
Angelo groans but complies with CeCe's plan. He takes a deep breath and lets out a loud yell. The lizard bugs continue flying, paying no attention to the noise below.
CeCe: What was that?
Angelo: Hey I just ran 10 miles. Give me a break.
CeCe: Oh for fucks sake.
CeCe pulls out her pipe and swings the blunt end onto Angelo's foot. Angelo screams out in pain at the top of his lungs. The sound carries up into the sky and finally gets the attention of the lizard bugs who turn their heads back in their direction and fly over. Angelo sees this and starts to panic.
Angelo: Uh CeCe, T-t-they're coming back. Now what?
CeCe: Now play dead idiot.
Angelo: What?
CeCe: [Whisper shouting] NOW!
Angelo drops to the ground and starts twitching next to CeCe.
CeCe: [Whispering] Would you stop twitching!
Angelo: [Whispering] Oh come on. It's the twitching that sells it.
CeCe: [Whispering] Shh!
The lizard bugs fly over, circling them like buzzards. They land on the ground with one of them crawling up to start sniffing them. Its nostrils flared as it went over their bodies like a coyote checking to see if the food is safe to eat. It then lifts up its head and utters out a loud shriek which the other returns and the two proceed to fly back into the air. Angelo and CeCe are scooped up in their insect appendages and carried up to the cave entrance. They are flown in and dropped onto a pile of animal corpses in the cave. The lizard bugs fly off again out of the cave and back into the sky. CeCe cracks open an eye to check if the coast is clear. She sits up and taps Angelo on the shoulder.
CeCe: [Whispering] Ok Ang they're gone. Let's go.
CeCe jumps off the pile while Angelo gets up to follow her. He quickly covers his nose upon smelling the foul air around them.
Angelo: Ugh! God it reeks here!
CeCe: Yeah I imagine that tends to happen when you pile up dead bodies all over the place.
Angelo: No kidding.
They wander through the cave passing by several more piles of dead animal carcasses. They take a few more steps until they turn a corner and stop to look down another large tunnel. Along the tunnel are dozens upon dozens of cocoons made with web hanging from the walls.
Angelo: Oh my god.
CeCe looks around and starts walking forward while Angelo just looks at her with fear.
Angelo: Wait, We're not actually going in there?
CeCe: [Turns around] You'd rather stay here among all the dead animals waiting for those things to come back?
Angelo: Well no but-
CeCe: Then come on.
Angelo: [Groaning]
CeCe and Angelo walk down the tunnel avoiding all the webbing strewn about the place. CeCe starts looking over each of the cocoons, carefully sniffing each one. She stops at one that smells a little like a human.
CeCe: Angelo over here! I think the kids in this one!
Angelo comes over to help tear open the cocoon, Instead of finding Jaime they discover a human corpse seemingly drained of all bodily fluids and reduced to a shriveled husk. Angelo lets out a frightened scream which echoes throughout the cave. Angelo quickly covers his mouth as CeCe gets ready to hit him with her pipe. They both freeze however as a loud roar sounds nearby in another tunnel. They then hear sounds of loud thudding on the ground as something starts coming around the corner toward them. They both turn to see a large spider crawl forward and looking down right at them. It's mostly black body covered in gold stripes and has some tufts of black hair on it, most prominently on its legs. Its head possesses six blue eyes and possesses chelicerae and fangs around its mouth. Its mouth is filled with urticating bristles while its eight legs, each with three articulated joints, spread out in a hunter-like posture. It slowly crawls towards CeCe and Angelo as they slowly start to back away in fear. They eventually hit a wall and stare down the monstrous spider glaring at them as it corners them. Its fangs dripping with a blue colored clear liquid. CeCe stares it down, readying her pipe weapon.
CeCe: Right new plan. I go right, you go left.
Angelo: Wait, what?
The spider roars while opening its mouth and spewing purple webbing at them. CeCe leaps out of the way but Angelo gets caught in it and starts getting dragged towards the spider's maws. CeCe uses her sawed off to cut the strand connecting to the spider's mouth and runs over to free Angelo.
CeCe: What part of "You go left" did you not understand?
Angelo: How am I supposed to know what you meant?
CeCe: Just shut up and fight!
CeCe and Angelo dodge another web attack from the spider as CeCe charges at it with her pipe weapon. She gets ready to swing but gets pinned to the ground by one of the spider's legs. It closes in to web her to the ground but Angelo grabs hold of another leg and pulls it away from her. The spider shrieks and lifts Angelo off the ground and starts slamming him against the wall. Angelo squeezes hard on the leg eventually causing it to bend a bit with a loud cracking noise. The spider shrieks again as it tosses Angelo to the ground, finally getting him to let go, before grabbing ahold of his tail with the pincers at the end of one of its legs.
Angelo: Oh shit.
Angelo gets dragged along the ground and then lifted up and smashed against the walls of the tunnel. CeCe gets back up and looks over at Angelo.
CeCe: Atta boy Ang! Keep em busy while I look for the others!
As Angelo is smashed over and over and over again CeCe continues sniffing at the many different cocoons for the scents of the others. Until finally she catches the scent of them and starts ripping open three different cocoons. She soon finds Rodney, Goji, and Jaime all still unconscious from the lizard bug venom. CeCe tries to wake up each of them by shaking them.
CeCe: Come on! Wake up!
Jaime starts stirring and finally comes to.
Jaime: [Groggy] Uhhh, whas a goin?
CeCe: No time for pillow talk kid. We gotta move.
Jaime snaps out of it and sees the spider still smashing Angelo all over the place like an enraged beast.
Jaime: Holy Shit!
CeCe: Now you're gettin it! Now help me!
Angelo gets smashed against the wall once more until the spider finally notices CeCe and Jaime's actions. They manage to free Rodney completely, who starts to slowly wake up, and focus on freeing and rousing Goji.
Jaime: Wake up Goji! Come on, wake up!
In a last ditch effort CeCe slaps Goji in the face which causes him to finally stir. Before they can celebrate however CeCe gets grabbed by one of the spider's pincers and slammed over and over onto the ground. Jaime pulls Goji to the ground and tries shaking him to wake him up further. Rodney meanwhile fully wakes up and sees CeCe being attacked. He gets up and starts gliding through the air around the spider to get its attention. After a few violent shakes Goji's eyes finally snap open to see Jaime yelling down at him.
Jaime: Goji! Wake up already!
Goji sits up and turns to see Rodney fighting desperately against the spider while Angelo and CeCe lay on the ground seemingly motionless. Goji looks around for a weapon and finds a large rock on the ground. He grabs it with both hands and runs forward to smash one of the spider's legs. This causes the spider to let out a shriek and swat Goji away with another of its legs and send him flying up against the wall. Jaime quickly looks for a way to help when she spots something shining from the inside of a nearby cocoon and starts tearing at it. Inside she finds a human skeleton with a pistol holstered to their belt. Jaime reaches in and starts pulling at it to get the gun out. Meanwhile Goji gets back and dodges another web attack from the spider while Rodney swoops in, dropping a large rock on its head. Jaime struggles to pull the gun out before finally falling back with the small pistol now in her hand.
She turns to take aim at the spider but hesitates as Rodney continues flying around it. Goji looks around for another weapon and spots a large stalagmite poking out of the ground. Goji quickly runs up and grabs hold of it with both arms. Using all his strength he starts pulling at it to break the top part of it off. After a bit of effort cracks start to form along the foot of the stalagmite until finally it breaks free from the ground. The spider uses its webs to finally pull Rodney down out of the air and pin him to the ground. The spider moves in to finish Rodney off with its sharp fangs when suddenly it starts experiencing intense pain causing its blue eyes to start glowing red and cry out in pain. Rodney looks up to see Goji shoving a large stalagmite through the spider's skull causing it to stagger back and forth. It lets out one final echoing shriek before finally falling onto the ground lifeless with its blood flowing from its mouth and head wound and pooling onto the ground.
Goji steps down from the dead spider panting with his hands shaking slightly. He ignores it and goes to free Rodney from the web. Jaime stands still for a moment before quickly tucking the pistol away in the back of her pants and runs over to help Goji. Once free Rodney runs over to check on both Angelo and CeCe.
Rodney: Angelo! CeCe! Come on guys, talk to me! Say something! Anything!
CeCe starts to stir a bit and whisper something. Rodney leans in close to try and hear her words.
CeCe: [Whispering] The Aristocrats.
Rodney's expression changes from feared concern to annoyed anger and proceeds to smack CeCe on the shoulder. CeCe starts laughing clutching her shoulder.
Rodney: You asshole!
CeCe: [Laughing] Aw c'mon it was too big a temptation.
Rodney: [To Angelo] How about you Ang? You still alive?
Angelo turns over groaning in pain.
Angelo: Yep. Though I kinda wish I wasn't right now.
Rodney and Goji go to help Angelo to his feet while CeCe gets a hand up from Jaime.
Rodney: Yeah, looks like you took one hell of a beatin.
Angelo: [Points at CeCe] Yeah no thanks to her.
CeCe: What did I do?
Angelo: "Keep em busy"!?
CeCe: Oh come off it Ang. You did fine.
Angelo: Says the girl who didn't get tossed around like a freakin beanie baby by a giant pissed off spider!
CeCe: Well to be fair you did break one of their legs.
Angelo tries to lunge at CeCe only to get held back by both Rodney and Goji.
Goji: Ok save it for later. Right now we gotta get outta here before this thing's roommates come back.
Jaime: Yeah, about that.
Everyone gathers at the cave entrance where they all start to pick up on several screeching sounds in the distance. Before long the horizon becomes filled with countless numbers of lizard bugs flying straight for them. Goji looks down at the ground below.
Goji: [To Rodney] Think you can fly the kid down?
Rodney: Got it.
Jaime: Wait but what about you?
Goji: I'll be right behind you. Now go with Rodney.
Jaime nods and goes over to climb up on Rodney's back. He spreads his wings out and starts leaning forward.
Rodney: [To Jaime] Hang on tight now.
Rodney drops down over the side and falls a few feet before using his wings to glide Jaime safely down to the ground. Back up top CeCe and Angelo look to Goji.
Angelo: Ok so how are we goin to get down?
Goji thinks for a few moments until he finally gets an idea. He runs back into the cave and back towards the dead spider. He reaches down for the spider's mouth and tries to lift it open.
Goji: [To Angelo] Angelo give me a hand with this.
Angelo runs over and helps him open the spider's mouth. With their combined strength they manage to get the mouth open just enough to see inside.
Goji: [To CeCe] Ok now reach in and grab any webs you find.
CeCe crouches down and reaches her arm into the spider's mouth to feel for any stray webbing for them to use. Outside the screeching swarm grows louder.
Goji: Any time now CeCe.
CeCe: Just gimme a minute.
Angelo: We ain't got a minute!
CeCe: Ok I got it!
CeCe pulls out a long strand of webbing from the spider's mouth and starts gathering it to make a long rope of webs. Back on the ground Rodney and Jaime look up at the cave waiting for the others. All the while the screeching swarm gets closer and closer.
Jaime: Where are they?
Rodney: Huh? There!
They see the others walking back to the cave entrance and tossing something out over the side.
Jaime: What are they doing?
Rodney: Probably something crazy.
Angelo: [To CeCe and Goji] This is crazy you guys know this right?
Goji: You got any better ideas?
Angelo: We don't even know if it'll hold all of us.
CeCe: In that case we'll just have to test it.
Angelo: How?
Suddenly Angelo gets tied up in webs and shoved from behind over the edge and starts falling down screaming. Goji looks at CeCe.
CeCe: What? I'm sure he'll be fine. Now let's roll!
CeCe jumps over next grabbing onto the strand of webbing. Goji follows closely after and the three of them skid down along the rock wall and speed towards the ground below. Eventually the web strand tightens and holds them up a few feet off the ground. CeCe looks down at Angelo.
CeCe: See? Told ya it would hold.
The webbing suddenly snaps above and causes all three of them to fall onto the ground in a pile. Rodney and Jaime run up as Goji and CeCe get off of Angelo.
Jaime: Dude! That was awesome!
Rodney: [To Angelo] Hey you ok?
CeCe: Oh he's fine. Right Ang?
Angelo gets up, tossing the webbing off of himself.
Angelo: You did that on purpose!
CeCe: Uh yeah. Duh.
Angelo was about to say something else until the loud screeching of the swarm catches everyone's attention. The swarm is now moments from reaching them.
Jaime: [To Group] So… Run?
Group: Run!
The group quickly runs for it with Angelo carrying Jaime on his back. Meanwhile the swarm enters the cave and gathers around the dead spider in the tunnel. One of the lizard bugs go up and sniff the spider to confirm that it's really dead. As if angered by its death, the lizard bug lets out a devastating shriek that throws the rest of the swarm into a frenzy and spill out of the cave like a flash flood of death.
Meanwhile back at the cave people's den, the skeletal man holding onto Goji's machete walks up to the entrance to hear a screeching sound that they'd never heard before. He looks out into the direction of it and sees something in the distance. He reaches for the pair of binoculars hanging around his neck and looks through them to see a group of people running in his direction. Upon closer examination they recognize the group of outsiders that had come and saved their comrade. He quickly runs out of the cave and towards the truck hidden behind the rocks. He gets in and starts it up to drive it up to the front of the cave. He then jumps out and holds up Goji's machete over his head shouting to get the group's attention. Goji and the others spot the man shouting at them.
Jaime: Hey isn't that one of those cave guys?
Rodney: And isn't that our truck?
CeCe: Don't question it, just move!
The group quickly run headlong for the truck and jump in with Rodney, Goji, and Angelo in the truck bed, Jaime in the passenger seat, and CeCe behind the wheel and her foot on the gas pedal. As they speed off Goji reaches over and grabs his machete from the man who watches them drive off. He then quickly runs back into the cave just as the angry swarm flies over.
The truck speeds across the prairie as dawn starts to slowly approach. Tailing behind it the swarm closes in from above ready to attack. Angelo looks up at the swarm of claws and teeth.
Angelo: Oh my god.
Rodney: [Shouting] Faster CeCe! Faster!
CeCe: [Looking at the side mirror] Oh great. Here we go again.
The truck engine roars as they pick up speed. The swarm however continues to catch up and fly towards them. One of the lizard bugs screeches before dive bombing at the truck. Its pincers reach out attempting to snatch up its prey only to have its face smashed by the swinging of Angelo's heavy club-like tail. A few more make attempts of their own but are either shot out of the sky by Rodney or sliced apart by Goji. The latter of which gets snatched up from behind by another lizard bug and pulled up into the air. It carries him up a few feet until Goji stabs through its head with his machete. Goji is released and falls down onto the back of another lizard bug, which he immediately stabs through the back of its chest. The others try to swarm him but he leaps off using one after the other as flying platforms, All the while swinging the machete to cut one lizard bug's chest and another bug's wing off, to make his way back to the truck below.
Back on the ground the others fight off one attacker after the next. Rodney and CeCe shooting them and Angelo smashing them. Jaime grabs hold of CeCe's pipe and uses it to smack a lizard bug on the head through her window. She then looks up and shouts.
Jaime: They're swinging around and coming from the front!
Rodney: [Shouting] Angelo! Get on the hood!
Angelo: [Shouting] Right!
Angelo climbs over the roof of the truck and crawls onto the front clinging to the hood with his back facing ahead. When CeCe steps on the gas he braces himself for the incoming impact. The lizard bugs swoop in for the kill, impaling themselves into Angelo's back spikes each with a loud SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! Angelo shakes off the dead remains and gives the girls sitting in front a thumbs up, receiving a double thumbs up in kind. Another lizard bug barrel rolls down towards them only to crash into ground. Just before it makes impact Goji leaps off and lands back in the truck bed. Just as they are about to celebrate another wave of lizard bugs descends on the group, violently scratching and clawing and biting at them and their truck. Rodney and Goji get scratched left and right while Angelo feels multiple stings in his back. While his spikes prevent any venom from completely entering his body, the pain itself is still near unbearable. To make matters worse the truck's metal is being dented in from each bug tackle. If they don't find a way to escape the swarm soon the truck will end up nothing but a ripped apart scrap heap, and the rest of them will become lizard bug food. As all hope seems lost Jaime spots something through the cloud of claws and teeth around them.
Jaime: [To CeCe] Go that way!
CeCe: [Looking in the direction Jaime is pointing] Are you crazy?
Jaime: You got any better ideas?
CeCe: [Grins] Nope! Hold On!
Cece turns the wheel and the truck makes a sharp turn in another direction, knocking away a few bugs and getting clear of the swarm. The truck then speeds straight forward with the swarm still on their tail. Rodney, Goji, and Angelo look in the direction they're heading.
Rodney: [To Goji] Isn't that?
Goji: Yep.
Rodney: Is she seriously considering?
Goji: Looks like it.
Rodney: Well shit. Angelo! Hang on tight!
Angelo: [Bracing himself] OH SHIIIIIIT!
The swarm closes in on them. Their claws inches away from digging into the truck. Their mouths open wide ready to chomp down on their prey. In just a few more seconds they will be feasting on flesh. Until finally as they chase them into a field of tall grass loud screeching is heard. But instead of sounds of victory, they were sounds of surprise and pain. One lizard bug flies up out of the grass, only to be pounced on by a raptor bird and tackled back down into the grass and torn to pieces. Another attempts a desperate escape but is brought back down by two more birds and ripped apart. The two packs bite and claw at each other in a bloody tooth and nail battle. With the raptor birds proving to have the home field advantage. In the span of just two and a half minutes, the lizard bug swarm is completely ripped to shreds and feasted upon by the flock of raptor birds. Meanwhile, the group in the truck continues driving until they speed out of the tall grass and stop to look out at the carnage behind them. Not that there was actually anything for them to see. They all just look on as the sounds of dying bugs and feasting birds are carried in the wind.
Goji: Damn.
Rodney: Talk about a feeding frenzy. Nice move CeCe.
CeCe: Wasn't me. All credit goes to the shrimp.
Angelo: [Climbs off the hood] How'd you know that would work?
Jaime: Actually I didn't. I just went on a hunch.
The group turns and stares at Jaime.
Jaime: [Fidgeting awkwardly in her seat] What?
Goji: Let's just get out of here before those birds start looking for desert.
CeCe: Good idea.
Angelo climbs back into the truck as CeCe starts the truck back up and drives them off in the opposite direction of the tall grass. They go a few miles until they make it onto an old highway and turn to keep driving down it. Everyone lets out a tired breath and tends to their wounds as the sun begins rising up into the sky. Rodney turns his head and looks at Goji.
Rodney: That is the last time we let the kid choose a "shortcut" for us.
Goji: [Heavy sigh] Agreed.
And like that we're done. I hope you guys all enjoyed reading this chapter and are looking forward to what happens next on this journey! Also an important announcement! Rock, care to do the honors?
Rock: [Clearing throat] … [Whispering] We're back!
That's right, Mega-Man: Robotic Hero is returning for season 3! And you won't believe what's gonna happen this time folks. Anyway, look forward to the first episode arriving soon. I'll be posting back to back along with Godzilla: New Dawn.
List of KKs
Goji: Godzilla
Jaime: ?
Rodney: Rodan
Angelo: Anguirus
CeCe: King Caesar
Lizard Bugs: Megagurius
Giant Spider: Kumonga
And now replies to this story.
diospuntoexe: Thanks. Glad you liked them.
So guys until next time, this is Tardispilot297 saying… ALLONSY!