Wow! Have I been doing this weekly for over a year?! To everyone who's been reading, no matter when you joined, thanks! It's been a blast! Now let's get this show on the road!
Enjoy!
Inko sat in the dark room, Uraraka's next to her. That didn't matter. All that mattered was the television displaying an endless cavalcade of disaster inflicted by that thing, Godzilla.
Yet none of them could look away. The Urarakas' baby was in there. Inko's baby was in there.
Come on Izuku, Inko thought. I didn't believe in you in the past, but if it will bring you home, I'll do it now. You can do this Izuku. Please.
Izuku picked up a launcher, testing its weight. He slung it over his shoulder, just like he'd practiced.
Izuku glanced at the Heroes, clamping down the hints of resentment. Alien Queen turned over a launcher in her hand, while Ingenium imitated the AMF soldiers grabbing theirs. Several soldiers threw dirty looks at the Heroes, but none said a word. Tchujimori kept her word.
"You really expect the others to fight with Heroes?! Especially tonight.? That's a lot to ask, even for you."
"I expect them to listen to me. I don't like it either, but it's the only way. I'm not asking. I'm ordering."
She nodded. "Yes sir. I'll make sure the others know."
Most of the Heroes coming with them had mobility quirks, so they could better evade Godzilla's attacks. A few had aiming quirks, like Snipe (who Izuku had thought retired).
The ones raiding the warehouse were a mix of heavy hitters and brawlers, like Jack Mantis, Battle Fist, Chargebolt, Earphone Jack, Vine, Tailman, Grand, Ochako, and Rocketti. Heroes who knew how to fight, even in enclosed spaces. They'd be backed up by what police they could get, along with the AMF members who couldn't fight in the field.
Creati had been reluctant about letting them join at first but soon saw reason.
"Besides, do you people even have the proper weap-"
Izuku and every AMF soldier in the room pulled out their side arms.
"Oh…Why would you even have those when you're fighting Godzilla?"
"Would you believe literally this exact situation?"
"Wha-Actually I don't need to know. Choose your people and I'll have them briefed with the police."
"The mainlanders should have some shotguns, meant for smaller kaiju," said Tchujimori. "I'll have them get those out to use. Also, if you're giving me some of your best, I'll give you one of mine."
"Very well."
It seemed everyone was compromising these days.
Izuku filled his pack with two extra rockets, then got an extra ammo case to put on the motorcycle they gave him.
Now he just had one place left to go.
Godzilla roared at the robot, accepting its challenged.
His spines flashed, but he ASTOLs shot him in the face, briefly blinding him. The robot to blasted forward with its thrusters. It rammed Godzilla and grabbed his head, wrapping one arm around his jaw, then repeatedly punched him in the face.
Godzilla grabbed the arm around his snout, but the other arm activated its maser cannon, shooting him in the face at point blank range.
"Ours can't do that!" said one of the military officers.
"Yours is a stripped-down version, intended for limited situations and weaker opponents," said an AMF officer. "Ours is the real deal, built to fight kaiju!"
"Class 3 kaiju like Gargantuas," Ogashira said with a cold glare. "Not Godzilla."
She focused on the display, hoping their Alpha could resist the inevitable long enough for the Super X-2 to take to the air again.
Godzilla swung the Alpha into a tower, breaking its hold. He slashed it in the chest, leaving several gashes in its hull. He fired his atomic breath, but the mech used its thrusters to duck behind the tower.
Godzilla circled the tower from the other direction. His tail swayed as he rounded the corner.
Nothing.
Before Godzilla could move, something grabbed his tail and pulled.
Godzilla staggered backwards, turning enough to see the Alpha dragging him by the tail. He tried to blast it, but the mech stayed out of his aim. It electrified its hands, sending waves of electricity into Godzilla.
Godzilla let out a fierce roar. After much struggling, he yanked his tail free. Godzilla then swung it back and slammed it into the Alpha. The Alpha's side bent inward, but unlike the others it did not fall. Instead it grabbed his tail and shocked him again.
Godzilla backed up, slackening the tail just enough to turn his head and fire. The mech rocketed sideways, but the blast grazed its side, sending it to the ground. Godzilla stepped forward, fangs bared. Then something came whistling through the air.
"Guess who's back you pompous-"
The Shirtless Villain, Oogami careened toward Godzilla feet first. Godzilla leaned to the side, letting him crash into the tower.
Godzilla looked around and sure enough, there was the Shark Villain, Jaws, roaring at him. "Didn't you know sharks can replace their teeth?"
"Creati? I found those two Villains!"
"What? Wher-MOTHER-"
"Eh don't bother," an AMF officer said, cutting her off. "We need time, so why not let 'em buy it? Besides, it's not like they'll last long enough to be rescued."
Godzilla curled his lips. Clearly, he'd been too merciful.
Godzilla grabbed the Oogami's throat and squeezed.
The Alpha mech slowly got to its feet. Godzilla turned to it, still strangling Oogami.
Izuku and Ochako parted the flaps to the medical tent. Ochako made a beeline for Nejire-chan while Izuku focused on another person.
Kacchan, still out after his "fight" with the Big G.
A teenage girl in a Hero costume with white hair and a stubby horn approached Izuku.
"How is he?" Izuku said, pointing.
"His body is mostly healed. He could probably even to return to duty if he woke up.," the girl said, "But we don't know when or if that'll happen."
Izuku nodded and turned back to Kacchan. "Wake up Kacchan. I didn't come fight Godzilla in the same city as you just for you to sleep through it. You're no quitter, right? I expect to see you out there."
With that, Izuku walked outside. He found Kenji waiting.
"Good luck Izuku," Kenji said. "Show them what we quirkless can do!" he added with a grin.
Izuku nodded. "I will. But Kenji?"
"Yeah?"
"You don't count."
"Come on! I have the toe joint!"
"You're psychic! You know what I would've done to read minds in Middle SchooL?!"
Kenji laughed. They'd had this dance before. "Touché. Now go kick Godzilla's ass back into the sea."
"I will. Try and wake Kacchan up if you can. Imply he's a wimp if he doesn't."
"Wait, why?"
"Because it gives him a personal reason to do it. Because nothing motivates Kacchan like the risk of being one-upped. Especially by me."
"I thought he mellowed out."
"That doesn't make him less competitive, just less of an asshole."
"Fair enough."
Ochako kneeled by Nejire. "Hang in there," she said. "I hope to see you again when this is over. We all do."
She rose. "How will she be?" she said to the teenage boy with curly brown hair.
"She'll live. Eri and I can heal her cellular damage and physical injuries but…Even if she fully recovers she won't be the same. Her career might still be over."
Ochako nodded. "Just make sure she lives. That's enough."
She stood and exited the tent. Midori and Kenji were waiting.
"Ochako," said Kenji. "You're fighting the Villians?"
She nodded "I am."
"In that case take care. It won't be as dangerous as Godzilla, but…"
Ochako nodded. "I know. I'll do my best!"
He nodded. "I hope we see each other again. Good luck. Both of you." Kenji returned to the analyst's tent while she and Midori walked to the spot where everyone would be meeting.
"You ready?" she said.
He nodded. "I think so. It's weird, leading scares me more than Godzilla…" He shivered, looking for a moment like that shy nerd she met back way back when she first joined.
"You'll do fine," Ochako said. "In fact, you'll do great. People trust you for a reason, Madman. It's why I followed you to G-Force."
"I thought you said it was the money?"
"Well it was, but I also trusted you."
Midori looked relieved. "Thanks Ochako."
Togashi approached them, "Midoriya, Uraraka". Ochako snapped attention and saluted. "Sir!"
Togashi and Midori gave her a look. Ochako flushed and put her hand down. "Sorry. Old habits."
The corner of Togashi's lip quirked up while Midori struggled to contain his laughter. (Jerk.)
"Anyway," said Togashi. "Midoriya, the masers are ready when you are."
Midori nodded. "Good. Lead them well. If something happens to me, you're in charge."
Togashi saluted. "Understood. Thank you sir." He walked away.
Ochako smirked. "Weird to hear you called sir."
"Weird for me to hear it from him."
They continued walking toward the out-of-power maser where the Heroes and soldiers were gathering, slipping into step alongside Rocketti and Phantom Thief.
Rocketti turned. "Hey, you're the AMF leader! Cool!" she said in fluent, but accented, Japanese. "And you!" she pointed at Ochako. "Is it true that you're former AMF?"
"Yeah?" Ochako said.
"Wow! My big brother's in the American AMF! He even flew against Godzilla tonight!"
"Really?" said Ochako.
Rocketti nodded. "It's a family tradition! That and Heroes. Grandma was happy when me and Auntie chose the latter because we had the 'safe' jobs and she could watch us on the news. Dad was AMF but retired. His brother used to be AMF, but not anymore!"
"What happened to him?"
"A giant alligator ate him!" Rocketti said cheerfully.
Midori and Ochako nodded while Phantom Thief threw her a baffled stare.
They reached the crowd. Ochako stood by Phantom Thief and Rocketti while Midori went around the back of the tank.
A few seconds later, Creati climbed atop to give her speech first.
Mina watched as Momo stood atop the tank and cleared her throat.
"This is a dark moment," Momo said. "For hours, Godzilla has carved a path of destruction through the heart of Tokyo. He's killed countless colleagues, mentors, and friends. Many of us look around now and see nothing but despair."
"However, we cannot lose hope, and we cannot give in! We've discovered the key to driving Godzilla out of this city, of saving everyone still in it. It will be hard, but when you feel the crushing weight of the task at hand, you remember the people counting on us! Think of the civilians hiding in the bunkers, hoping for rescue! Think of the civilians around you without hope! Think of any loved ones you've lost! We cannot let them down! We will not let them down! If we stand our ground, if we don't show fear, and if we put our lives on the line we've already won!"
The Heroes burst into applause, a determination buzzing through them. Mina threw up her arms and cheered.
Then she turned the AMF.
They were pale, staring with with a mix of horror and resignation. "We're all gonna die," one muttered.
Momo got down, switching places with the other guy. Ochako's friend, Midori.
Izuku quaked in his shoes. All those eyes on him…it was definitely worse than Godzilla. At least there he could just shoot him. Nevertheless, Izuku kept his poker face, mentally going over his speech in his head. There was definitely some Haruo in it.
Izuku cleared his throat.
"Most of you in the AMF know me. I have fought Godzilla more than anyone currently alive. I've studied his history. I know his power. You think this is a suicide mission. You're not wrong."
The AMF soldiers looked uneasily amongst themselves.
"In 1954, in this very city, Ota Murakami and Kentaro Yoshihara faced Godzilla with nothing but a Sherman tank. Wasn't that a suicide mission? Shortly after, they joined the AMF. We had no masers, nor any special technology, wasn't that a suicide mission? In the decades after, the AMF chased him through the jungles of Vietnam to the kaiju hell of Accra. But they didn't stop. No matter the odds. No matter how suicidal the war seemed, they refused to roll over and let the kaiju have their way. Even when King Ghidorah himself came down from space, they made a last stand!"
He pointed at the crowd. "Do you really think you have it worse than them?! You volunteered for the AMF, for this war! We have never backed down before! Are you going to back down now?"
He clenched a fist. "This is our city. We've defended it seven times before, and we'd do it seven times again! I don't care about the cost. Either we win or we all die! Even if we're reduced to one soldier, I EXPECT THAT SOLDIER TO TAKE THE SHOT! Tonight, we're kicking Godzilla out of Tokyo!"
Midori climbed off the maser, launcher in hand. The AMF gave a roar, following him with new vigor.
Mina nervously laughed. That inspired them? Seriously what is wrong with these people?!
Godzilla charged his breath. The mech rocketed into him, grabbing his snout and redirecting the blast. Godzilla's readied to slash the mech, but Jaws jumped on his shoulder while Oogami kicked at his front. How do you like them apples? Oogami thought.
The mech took advantage of the distraction, letting go of Godzilla and climbing onto his back.
Godzilla kicked Oogami away, sending pain exploding through his chest. It then bit down on Jaws' leg and yanked him off of its back. It moved for the mech, but the mech sent torrents of electricity into his skin. Godzilla thrashed, trying to get it off of him.
Finally, Godzilla got hold of its arm, and swung the mech over his shoulder. The mech slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. He charged his atomic breath, but Oogami leaped at him again. Go to-
Enough.
Godzilla opened fire, blasting Oogami in the shoulder. Oogami screamed as he crashed back into the tower. Jaws came at Godzilla from behind, but Godzilla knocked him away with a flick of his tail. He marched up to Oogami and slashed him twice in the chest.
Oogami felt them dig into him. Everything hurt, but the shoulder and chest were worst of all. Oogami lifted his arm. It fell back down. He sucked in air, trying to breath.
Godzilla charged his breath, but just then, Jaws came at him with a mighty roar.
Godzilla whipped around and sent the beam straight into the Jaws' mouth. One explosion later, Godzilla had one less thing to worry about.
Godzilla turned back to Oogami, as he pushed himself off the tower, only to fall at Godzilla's feet. .
Oogami looked up at Godzilla glaring down at him. "You mad, ya dumb brute? What're you gonna? Huh?"
Godzilla raised its foot above Oogami's head. Oogami had just enough time to wonder if this was a bad idea before Godzilla slammed it down.
As Godzilla stood there, either basking or relaxing at removing two annoyances, the tell-tale sound of the Alpha's thrusters went off.
Godzilla whipped around and fired his atomic breath.
The mech raised its arms, letting the beam crashed into them. The arms held, not buckling even as the beam pressed down on them. The Alpha fired its thruster, using them to help it walk forward. Finally, the Alpha ducked beneath the breath and barreled into Godzilla's stomach.
Godzilla braced against the impact, refusing to be moved. The mech's charred arms grabbed Godzilla's snout while Godzilla's claws grabbed its head.
Electricity coursed into Godzilla while the King of the Monsters squeezed. The head of the Alpha groaned and slowly caved in.
Godzilla fired his atomic breath point blank. A few seconds later, the Alpha exploded in a brilliant fireball.
Godzilla tossed his battered foe to the ground.
It was over.
Izuku and the rest of the assault team readied their vehicles.
"Wait! Young Midoriya!"
Izuku turned around.
"All Might?"
All Might limped forward with his cane, moving as fast as he could. Finally he stopped and panted.
Finally, All Might straight and said, "In case you don't come back, I just wanted to say…If I could go back to that roof, and was asked that question again, I would answer very differently."
For a moment, Izuku was still.
Then he smiled. "Take care of yourself All Might."
"You too, Young Midoriya."
"You still think I could be-"
"You already are Young Midorya. Good luck."
Izuku felt some water in his eye. "Thanks."
Izuku turned away from All Might, facing the reddened skyline. He started his engine.
Once more into the breach.
Hope you liked!
For the speeches, I wanted to show the different culture and mindset of Heroes and AMF. The Heroes think in superhero terms, being roused by talk of overcoming a powerful foe and good triumphing. Meanwhile the AMF feel they're in a borderline cosmic horror story with Godzilla as an unkillale bringer of death, so Izuku needed to rouse them for what many feel is a suicide mission.
Funnily enough, Momo's final line is a direct quote from Haruo in Planet of the Monsters. I felt the words "We've already won" were the sort of thing that should NEVER be said about fighting Godzilla, so I gave it to her instead.
I've wanted to have those two villains get killed by Godzilla post-atomic breath reveal since their first fight, but I sorta forgot about them. I figured this would be a good spot for it, so I added them here for my second draft! They lasted longer than expected (mostly due to the Alpha). Poor Godzilla was just trying to fight this robot but they kept getting in the way.
(Momo's reaction to those two here was originally written as "For the love of-" before I decided the implied curse was funnier. She's had a long night.)
