AN: Here's chapter 2! Hope you all enjoy it!
A group of fishermen boarded the Oki Mariner. "Thanks Heroes!"
"You're welcome," Sirius said. "Selkie, that's all of them!"
"Good," said Selkie, taking a long look at the damaged fishing trawler. First a giant radioactive dinosaur in Tokyo, now a giant lobster that could only be chased off by yellow fruit juice fired from military jets. What next?
"Let's get these people to a bigger rescue ship, then we can get their ship to the nearest port," Selkie said.
"What about our fish? We just pulled in a full load!" one of the fishermen said.
"Don't worry, we'll do our best to make sure that-"
Sirius' eyes widened. "Wait!" Selkie fell silent allowing Sirius to focus her hearing. She heard something in the air, some sort of…whistling? Like something was- She looked up. "GET DOWN!"
She threw the sailors to the ground as a giant pair of red talons plucked the fishing boat, and its catch, from the sea and flew off. A gust of wind nearly capsized the Oki Mariner, forcing everyone to hang on for dear life.
When it was finally over, they were alone on a seemingly empty sea.
Gravityfanboy: Footage of Uravity in the Battle of Tokyo! Watch her go!
HeroesRCool: I saw that! I heard she was even part of the final push to get that thing in the ocean!
Gravityfanboy: I heard about that! Sadly, I haven't found much showing it.
UravityStan: What about this picture?
Gravityfanboy: There is that one! Dynamight, Froppy, and Uravity along with one of those military guys.
UravityStan: AMF, but yes. Hold on. Guys, that's not who I think it is, is it?
Bugsprayer: UravityStan Isn't that Midoriya? Wrench_Monkey?
Wrench_Monkey: Holy shit it is! I'd recognize those curls anywhere! Hey dinosaurhater, Oppenheimersucks, deadmanwalking! Look! It's the Emerald Madman himself!
Oppenheimersucks: You couldn't keep that idiot from Godzilla if you ordered him to! Him or the Raging Demon! Frankly, I'm surprised he isn't in that picture…
Metalheart: Haruo's dead.
Oppenheimersucks: Seriously?!
dinosaurhater: Yeah, even the Raging Demon got killed in that shitshow. At least he died doing what he loved: Shooting Godzilla. Not to be insensitive, but I'm surprised one of those two didn't die sooner.
Oppenheimersucks: Everyone is. Fate can only give them a pass so many times. I wonder if the guys with the betting pools will pretend they don't out of respect…
deadmanwalking: A moment of silence for one of our nutjobs. And a round of drinks for the other one, fighting side by side with his partner once again!
Uravitystan: Our queen and nutjob! Speaking of, I just found this image of him facing Godzilla alone. I don't know whether to buy him a drink or life insurance…
Gravityfanboy: Hold on, whose Midoriya? Who's the Emerald Madman and Raging Demon? They don't sound like Heroes, so I think I'm missing context.
Uravitystan: Izuku "Emerald Madman" Midoriya was Uravity's partner when she as AMF. He's insane but also one of the best.
Gravityfanboy: Those two were partners? And what do you mean by insane?
HeroesRCool: Yeah! You've got to explain!
Uravitystan: Oh have we got some stories for you…
Over a thousand notes already.
Rando looked up from the social media page he'd been observing as the door opened. He stood as Toshinori Yagi, the former Hero All Might entered the room along with Commander Tachibana. "All Might, Tachibana," he said with a bow.
"Director Yaguchi," All Might said. "I hope you're doing better than me."
"I'm still able to work. However, none of us have gotten much sleep." He'd gotten a shower, but that was only when his staff forced him to.
All Might nodded. "I can relate. So what happens now?"
"Most of the HPSC's leadership are dead. With them gone, there's a power vacuum regarding the Heroes." Not to mention a shortage of easy scapegoats.
"I'm aware," All Might said. "What do you propose we do?" After a brief pause he added. "Don't even think about nominating me."
"I was thinking that. Temporarily, until we find a suitable replacement. You're the most respected man in Japan after all. You can calm the public and make some necessary reforms."
All Might gave a weary smile. "You mean make them work better with you?"
"I don't deny that. But given how the Tokyo affair was handled…"
"Fair point. I accept."
Rando nodded. "Good."
"There is another issue. Perception. The Heroes were beaten into the ground by a giant monster who spent hours burning the city. Everyone saw it. It'll take a lot to restore hope. I don't even know where to start…"
"What about here?" Rando turned his computer around, showing the news article to his guests.
All Might narrowed his eyes at the cover photo. "Takada. Good journalist." The picture showed the backs of Froppy, Dynamight, Uraraka, and Midoriya watching Godzilla retreat into the sea.
"He was trapped under rubble and saw the end of the battle. He got another image of Midoriya." Rando showed the image, composed from several simultaneous photos courtesy Takada's quirk. It showed a defiant Midoriya facing Godzilla with nothing but a pistol.
"He's as stubborn as the rumors say…" murmured Tachibana.
All Might looked up from the image and said, "So we use the AMF to calm people's minds? It's possible, you are the soldiers who regularly fight these monsters."
"But we also lost them," Tachibana said.
"And then saved the city along with several towns from them," All Might said. "Those things can stick in people's minds. If we use that right, your heroics will be what sticks."
"What about why Godzilla came here?," said Tachibana. "What do we say?"
The other two paused. Rando looked down in thought. On the one hand, informing the public might give them a lead. On the other hand, it would also cause a panic and give many kaiju researchers a very bad idea.
"I say keep it quiet for now," Rando said. "People will panic unless we come to them with answers. Right now, we have no idea who did this and why. Let alone how to stop it. Until we do-"
"Telling them won't accomplish anything and will only give us problems," All Might said. "Much as I hate this kind of secrecy, it has served me well in the past."
Likely referring to his secret war with All for One.
Tachibana said, "I agree. There isn't anything the public can do right now. Besides, if we announce it now, they'll be seeing transmitters in every garbage can."
"Then it's settled," Rando said. "As for promoting the AMF, the internet has already begun. Many Hero fansites were celebrating Uravity's part in the battle, which led several AMF members to talk about her history. They were helped by a very informative article published by a normally tabloid news site. One who's author was very good at getting information from our soldiers."
He glanced at Tachibana. Tachibana said, "Don't look at me. She writes what she wants."
All Might siad, "But if we are going to promote them, perhaps a symbol could help. Someone to look up to?"
Rando said, "There's our founder. Several of our members who died might work. However," Rando glanced at the photo on his phone and thought back to those social media posts. "I have an idea…"
In an undisclosed location
After finishing is breakfast, Mifune strolled down the hallway toward the main room. Before entering, he took a moment to look at his locket. His hand trembled slightly as he opened it, kissed it, then closed it again. He entered the main room.
X was watching the television, watching the devastation with an unnerving intensity. There was a small smile on his lips.
Mifune cleared his throat.
"Yes Doctor?" X said.
"Have you done the…other work?"
"Yup. The other transmitters are prepped and ready. I just have to get buyers. But, somehow I don't think that'll be a problem."
"We shouldn't release them too often. Right now, one kaiju attack is a calamity. But if there are too many at once, people will grow desensitized. A genius academic who publishes once a year is worth waiting for. One who publishes weekly has a blog."
"Not wrong professor. Though, that requires them to respect that genius"
Mifune's fist clenched. "I suppose so."
"It's funny. Your old employers had no idea how valuable your work was."
"Or perhaps they did, and were afraid of it. The nail that sticks up gets hammered down after all. The inferiors don't like to look up."
"Very true. We'll just have to make them."
"Indeed," Mifune said. "Especially when I finish my current project."
"What is it?"
Mifune smirked. "Something that'll make the psionic transmitter outdated. Up until now, I have imitated Deverich. Now I surpass him.
X's smile grew. "I can't wait."
Mifune's face grew serious. "Any news from the Meta Liberation Army?"
"Oh they have a hit on us. Good luck finding us though. I'd love to be a fly on that idiot's wall when he says-"
"What do you mean you can't find them?!"
"W-well sir," Skeptic said, "We've searched every database, but we have no idea who either of them are. The old man's file was clearly somebody else, and the young man doesn't match anyone at all!" Next to him, Trumpet nodded.
Rikiya took a deep breath. And another. And another. He couldn't find them. Those two had played him for fools, caused his well-woven plan to backfire, and now had everyone trembling before that filthy relic of a lizard again! Worst of all, the Heroes he sought to elevate had failed, while one of the key AMF personnel in the battle was quirkless!
One living relic to fight another one. Wonderful. Perhaps they can do everyone a favor and make each other extinct.
No matter. He couldn't dwell on lost opportunities. He had to deal with the present. First, "We need to hide our involvement." Rikiya began to pace. "The transmitter was destroyed and the technology used were standard Detnerat parts, easily obtained on the black market. Easily contained. What about your part?"
Trumpet said, "I worked primarily with General Mashira. We convinced the HPSC to support our bid to give the Heroes and military control of the battle."
"The HPSC, most of whom are dead?"
"Yes."
"Who knows that this was your idea, not the general's?"
"Only the general himself."
"That can be handled. I want you to prepare a full apology, claiming that you were convinced by the decorated general to back his plan. Prepare a resignation if necessary. You may need to temporarily move away from the public sphere. I will have Curious help you."
"Yes sir."
"In the meantime those two backstabbers are loose ends, they must be silenced." He turned back to Trumpet. "You go and-"
His door opened. "Sir?" his secretary said.
"What?!" Calming himself, Rikiya said, "What?"
"Jackdaw is here, as requested."
Right. He'd scheduled a meeting. Just when the day had already been ruined. "You go and do your job," said Rikiya. He typed an order into his phone. "The general will be convinced to follow our narrative."
"Yes sir."
Trumpet exited, and Jackdaw entered. With his fakest smile, Rikya said, "Hello there, Haru. It's been too long."
"Likewise Rikiya," his organizer said, with a smile Rikiya knew was equally fake.
Eijiro got up, got ready, and got suited up. He walked into the command tent with his head held high. "I'm ready!"
Iida stepped forward. "Kirishima, excellent."
Eijiro looked from side to side, "Where is Momo? Or Kendo?"
"They both left with an AMF analyst for Tokai."
"Tokai? Why?"
"Godzilla landed last night and attacked the nuclear plant. We lost contact. We're waiting for more-"
"I'll go and find out! Hold the fort!" Eijiro ran out of the camp as fast as he could without knocking everyone over from just the wind his speed generated. The moment he cleared camp boundaries, Eijiro took a massive leap into the sky. If that monster was still there he'd bring it down. Big or not, he still had all the strength of All Might and more. That thing was tough, but he'd fought tough things before. He would grit his teeth, go beyond, and smash through this monster, even if he had to surpass his limits. He had to.
With a few leaps he arrived.
Kenji sifted through his files on past attacks. While there had been a dearth of recent attacks like this, the older notes were exhaustive. Witness testimonials, behavioral records, biological theories, it was all there. I'll never mock Izuku for reading these again.
Kenji already had a prediction for exactly what Godzilla did, from landfall until his return. Now he just had to see if his predictions were right. This was his first chance to get firsthand knowledge of an attack like this after all.
To Kenji's right, Creati and Battle Fist examined what little intel they had. AMF jets had already confirmed that Godzilla was gone. Now those two were going to study the aftermath, figure out better evacuation plans for the future.
Kenji paused, then opened a special file of notes. Grandma Miki's. Nobody understood their enemy like her. He'd let her probe deeper into his mind than Kenji dared to even try, without any hostility or defensiveness. Kenji wished he had her skill. It would be invaluable to actually beating that thing.
Of course there was also his work with Ogashira when he got back. They'd spoken this morning.
"I'm heading out," Kenji said, inspecting the last of his equipment.
Ogashira nodded. "When you're back, help me look through these files."
"Leads?"
"Yes. I'm investigating everyone who might have been connected to this man." She opened to a specific file.
Professor Shinzo Mifune. Status: Deceased.
Eijiro examined his surroundings. Godzilla had come and gone like a miniature typhoon, leaving only crushed buildings, fires, and concrete footprints in his wake. However, one detail made even Eijiro feel a tremor of fear.
The main reactor building had been torn wide open, exposing everything inside to the open air. Eijiro checked his geiger counter. Too low for the core to be opened. Either his reader was busted, or they'd all dodged a massive bullet.
Touching his earpiece, Eijiro said, "This is Red Riot, I've arrived. Is anyone there?"
His earpiece crackled. Momo said, "Red Riot come down to the north side of the reactor building. We're making our way there."
"What about the radioactivity?"
"Levels should be safe as long as you're wearing that hazmat suit I gave you."
"I am, Iam." Eijiro leaped to the spot Momo had said, creating a cloud of dust as he landed.
"Hey!" Someone shouted. "Could you try not to create more damage? Some of us are trying to work here!"
"Sorry," Eijiro said. The dust cleared. Momo and Kendo stood in front of him, along with Saegusa, who was photographing the rubble.
"First time I've been to a site like this," Saegusa said. "But a lot of it's what I expected."
"He's gone?" Eijiro said.
"Yes. It's still good you're here. Some of the workers are trapped in a nearby bunker," said Kendo.
"I'll get them out. What happened here? Was it the transmitter again?" It would fit a terrorist attack. First hit the capital, then a nuclear plant. It would throw the nation into a mental spiral.
"No, no," Saegusa said, "This wasn't them. Everything points to him coming on his own. You can look for a transmitter if you want, but I don't think you'll find it."
"Then I don't understand," Eijiro said," Why come here?"
"Same reason the radiation levels are so low." Saegusa pointed.
Eijiro gasped. The destroyed wreck of a reactor lay in front of him. This should have flooded the area with fallout levels so high that their suits might as well not exist. Yet, the Geiger counter in Momo's hand was still only registering moderately high levels. It was impossible, yet here they were.
"What reason is that?" Eijiro asked.
"He got hungry."
And for the first time since that day in Middle School, Eijrio felt truly small.
That moment when you learn the only reason you aren't facing a radioactive disaster is because the unstoppable monster also eats radiation. This is turning into a borderline cosmic horror for these guys…
That bit at sea was added just yesterday, to let us see some of the other kaiju. This is the last chapter of the immediate aftermath, after this we get into the main plot of the story. However, I've tried to set up several elements of said plot here.
I originally had some more, but decided to hold it.
Hope you enjoyed! Reviews make me smile!