Catherine’s chopper landed on the top of the skyscraper in LA. It was cooking today, and most people wouldn’t want to be out on top of buildings to get scorched. Catherine turned off the engine and stepped out of the chopper. At this rate, I’m gone get tanned she thought. She walked to the elevator that was at on the roof for convenience of getting to the helicopter pad. She took her key card and swiped, with the computer acknowledging the code and opening the door. Catherine stepped inside, and the elevator doors closed, beginning her descent.
Catherine took of her pair of shades and took out her blackberry. On it was a map of the Pacific, where she had been tracking Gillas. From what she could tell, he had been all over the Pacific. The elevator stopped with a jolt, and she put away the blackberry as the doors opened. She knew Jim would hate to see her working.
Catherine walked through the desks and cubicles where lots of work was being done by the MDF. After Ukania, the MDF had moved backed to Seattle, but funding let them get a building down in Los Angeles and more staff as well. From simply being a small branch in the government, the MDF had truly gotten to high status, thanks to Jim.
Catherine finally came to a door that had a sign that said Jim Smith, MDF Director. She knocked on the door, and got the call to come in. Jim was looking up information on his laptop on his desk. He had the proper attire, with a white shirt, red and black striped tie, and black leather shoes with proper tan dress pants. He looked up and said “o Catherine, sorry. I wasn’t expecting you right away. It looks like my secretary is slacking a bit.”
Catherine giggled a little and said “unless you have a secretary on the roof, don’t bother. I parked on the helicopter pad up top.”
“I guess good old taxis just aren’t a grand enough entrance” Jim joked. “Well, either way, you’re here. The company party is going to be good. It’s nice that you could take some time off work to come and join the fun.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately” said Catherine. “Life has been like hell. The government has been biting there nails with Gillas attacking Ukania, and are absolutely scared shitless he’ll attack another city. They know that Ukania just barely survived, and are afraid they won’t be lucky a second time.”
“Well while you’re here, you don’t have to worry about it” said Jim. “By the way, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Jim put a finger on his PA and said through it to his secretary “could you please send up Mr. Harvin to my office? ...Thank you Rachel.” Jim turned back to Catherine and said “he’s the lead scientist around here. I hired him on when we moved here. He has degrees in physics, biology, and chemistry. He’s a ruddy good scientist. He’s gotten a few cases with monsters that don’t even top 50 feet, but he’s done well on all of them. I think you’ll like him.”
The door opened as Harvin walked in. He was a tall kid in his early twenties, with long black hair, blue eyes, and a white lab with jeans. Jim said “thank you Alex. Catherine, this is Alex Harvin, the top scientist working at MDF, and Alex, this is Catherine Ridley, the world’s leading expert on monsters, especially Gillas.”
Catherine shook hands with Alex, who smiled and said “it’s a pleasure to meet you doctor. I’ve read your work on monster evolution and mutation, and I’m a great admirer of your work.”
Catherine smiled back and said “it’s nice to meet you Alex. Jim speaks very highly of you; tells me that you’ve had a few cases, with a job well done each: very nice indeed.”
Alex chuckled and said “thank you doctor. There small ones compared to what you do, however.”
“Call me Catherine” said Catherine. “And at the rate you’re going, and from what I’ve heard about you, you’ll be tackling the larger monsters soon.”
Alex nodded his head in acknowledgement. “I’m afraid I have to get back to the lab. It was a pleasure Catherine.” Alex went through the door and out of site.
“So what do you think” asked Jim.
“You’ve definitely got a good person working for you” said Catherine. “I’m surprised a kid his age knows so much.”
“The study of provectuszoology is a recent field indeed” said Jim. “It’s only recently been acknowledged, and courses are only just being set up in universities. It’s not easy to find people like him.”
“We now have a field of science dedicated to monsters” asked Catherine. “What does that mean, anyway? My Latin is a little rusty.”
“Provectuszoology,” said Jim, “is combining provectus, which means advanced, with zoology, the study of animals, making provectuszoology, or the study of advanced animals, which is what these monsters are. Now you should go and get ready for the party.”
Catherine got up and said “I’ll see you tonight at….”
“8:00” said Jim. “I’ve rented a hall just down the street. And Catherine”- Catherine turned around and looked at Jim when she was leaving- “try to look your best. Sometimes, socializing is good for people.”
Down by the border of Mexico and California was a ranch. The rancher’s name was Antigo Compodre. He was an old Mexican man with grey hair and a grey mustache, a cowboy hat, a checkered shirt, and a pair of trousers. Antigo was in his log cabin, sipping a beer and watching the news. The Mexican anchorman said “temperatures are at there hottest, people. Record breaking heat is scorching the south, and they say it’s going get even hotter, so slap on that sunscreen or you’re going to burn baby burn.”
Suddenly Antigo heard the horses begin to neigh like crazy. He looked out the window to see all the horses running around like a devil branding there asses. Probably some god-damn coyotes he thought. Antigo went to his shelf and opened it up, taking out a 12-gauge shotgun. He started to load the slugs in and pumped the ammo, then went right out the front door.
Antigo kept the shotgun ready as he walked over to the horse pen. He looked between the horses, but couldn’t see anything. Strange, but he also knew the horses didn’t act up over nothing. He circled the pen, trying to find something like tracks. There was not a single trace. Antigo turned to the horses and yelled “what the hell are you guys acting up about?”
As if to answer him, the ground behind him seemed to erupt as dirt flew in the air, covering Antigo. Antigo coughed and spluttered from all the dirt and dust, and looked up. The head was long and like an alligators, with teeth sticking out of the mouth. The scales were as black as onyx, and the horns surrounding its head like a halo, except for a nasal horn that curved forward like a talon. And the eyes had no pupils and glowed eerie, neon green. As the whole body emerged, it passed over Antigo, apparently not noticing him. The body was armored like an alligator, as was the walk. The tail was long and strong, with what appeared to be a spiked club on the end. As the creature moved towards the horse pen, it stood up on its hind leg, standing hundreds of feet in the air. Then it dropped on all fours and started to devour the trapped and spooked horses.
Antigo began to crawl away, still with the shotgun in his hands. He used all his will to make is trembling limbs move him away from the grim spectacle. Five minutes passed, and he was halfway to the house. Then suddenly a hot gust of wind went over him. Then another one and another one. He shook all over, but managed to turn around and lay on his back. The monster’s head was just above him, with the glowing green eyes staring at him. Then it growled and reared its head to gobble him up. Antigo fired the shotgun as the head came down. It did him no good.
Jim had rented a fairly large hall, with the company and other guests coming. The hall was about as large as a high school, with plenty of space. It was a good thing too, since hundreds came in. Jim adjusted the bow tie on his black tuxedo, and welcomed the different guests who came. Most of the people he didn’t know, but as host, it was his obligation. Then Jim saw someone he hadn’t expected. The man was in his forties, with graying hair and a trimmed beard. The man came up to Jim, with a couple other guests, and said “well Jim, quite the get-together I see.”
Jim got out of his moment of shock and said “Mr. Secretary of Defense, I wasn’t expecting you. You came all the way from the Pentagon?”
“Actually I was visiting my father” said the man. “And please call me David. The whole “secretary of defense” should only be needed to be used at meetings. I’m sorry for the sudden appearance, by the way.”
“No, not at all” said Jim. “I’m glad you could make it. Please, enjoy yourself. I’ll be with you in a minute once I’m done with the greeting.” Then David walked off with his other guests.
Soon almost all the guests were in, and Jim checked his watch. It was 7:59. Jim wondered where Catherine was. She said she would be here he said to himself. Then he looked up as another guest arrived. His jaw dropped and is eyes went wide in total shock.
It was Catherine, only unlike Jim had ever seen her. She was wearing an elegant black silk dress that fit her perfectly. Her hair was no longer in a ponytail, now going down her back and wavy brown hair. She had all the makeup on, with red lipstick and black eyeliner. She had a beautiful jade pendant around her neck and a diamond bracelet. She no longer wore shoes, but now slip-on high-heels. At her side was a black leather purse.
Catherine saw the shocked look on Jim’s face and said “what’s the surprise Jim?”
Jim finally got the look of his face and said “where did you get all of that Catherine? I said dress up, and you went model.”
“Well I may work hard”, said Catherine, “but I get paid pretty well. I needed a new outfit, and I had excess money.”
“Well I was expecting Catherine Ridley, ma’am, so may I ask who you are” Jim joked. Then he checked his watch. It was 8:00. Jim offered his arm and said “shall we go in now?” Catherine gave him her arm, and the two walked into the party.
Jim and Catherine were at a table eating there dinner. It was a round table, and at it were them, the Secretary of Defense, his wife, and Alex. The food was done and dessert finished. Soon the conversation began when David said “how has the investigation with Gillas gone, Catherine?”
“Things seem to be going very well” said Catherine. “He hasn’t hit the coast for a long time, and he seems to be quiet for now.”
“I’ve something to tell you Catherine” said David. “Right now, there is a huge discussion in the UN. Many want to use a nuclear bomb to kill Gillas. The president is right now under a lot of pressure, since he and Korea are the only ones with nuclear warheads on the Pacific.”
“So what are you going to do” asked Catherine. “You’re just going to kill him? If you haven’t noticed, he’s saved the world and the United States as well.”
“But what about his attack on cities” asked David? “We can’t simply let him keep doing it, and nothing else can stop him, not even mechs. What options do we have?”
“I’m sorry sir“, said Catherine, “but that could be your worst mistake ever. Gillas’ M-gene means he can absorb nearly all forms of energy, and I fear that this not just anger him and not kill him, but make him more powerful.”
“We still haven’t come to a decision yet” said David. “I don’t want it to have to come to that. Still, are options are running out. Now if you can come up with another idea, then that’ll help the issue.”
A young couple was hiking up a mountain north of San Francisco, in the early morning. The boyfriend was barely out of breath, meanwhile the girlfriend was just panting for breath. Still they trekked. Finally she said “Damian, are sure that we can’t take a break? We’ve been hiking for so long. I’m so tired.”
Damian looked back and sighed. He may have been military, but his girlfriend wasn’t. “Ok, we’ll have a couple minutes of sitting so you can catch your breath.” He sat down beside his girlfriend, Adrianna, and the two had a couple sips from there water bottles. “I’m sorry I took you on this” said Damian. “I don’t think this is how you exactly wanted to spend my time back from the battlefront in Iraq.”
“Nonsense” said Adrianna. “I could use the exercise, and it’s been a while since we’ve done something together. I’m just not quite the soldier that you are, is all. I don’t mind hoofing it out here with my boy scout of a fiancé.”
Damian was about to kiss Adrianna when suddenly there was a loud sound; a thump that seemed to go through the air. “What the hell is that” asked Adrianna. Damian told her to be quiet. He looked all around the forest, but saw nothing. Then he looked, and his eyes went wide. Damian pulled Adrianna into the underbrush. Damian had a hand over her mouth so she wouldn’t make a sound. Adrianna looked puzzled, but Damian solved her confusion when he pointed up. It was a good thing Damian had a hand over Adrianna’s mouth, or else she would have screamed.
A giant black winged reptile landed. It stood hundreds of feet into the air, and its black hide blended in with the night almost perfectly. The head was long and narrow, shaped almost like a spinosaurus. There was a horn curved like a talon that sprouted out from the nose. The eyes glowed eerie neon green and had no pupils, showing true evil. Where the head and neck joined was a halo of long horns. The neck was long and serpentine as it grew from the body, with neck spikes sprouting out. The body was muscular yet slim, and its arms were leathery wings, with two fingers growing at the hand joint in the wing. The tail was long and like a whip, except for a wicked stinger on the end.
Damian hoped to God that it hadn’t noticed them. The wyvern moved its head as it scanned the area. Then it started to sniff for scents, and its head turned in there direction. Damian thought fast, and then he took out a can of what looked like body spray. He sprayed it all over him and Adrianna as fast as he could, not hoping to draw attention. His plan worked, as the creature then turned its head as it lost the scent. Then the wyvern opened its wings and took off, brushing the couple with gusts of air as it sped off into the night.
Adrianna looked at Damian and asked “what did you just spray on me?”
“Cedar scent” said Damian. “Hunter’s use it when hunting so there prey can’t get there scent. I saw it was starting to sniff us out, so I had to think fast.”
“And what exactly was it” asked Adrianna.
“I have no idea” said Damian. “But we have to warn the city. Let’s head back to the truck.”
That morning, Catherine didn’t get awoken by the alarm clock, but by her phone. She answered the phone and asked “who’s calling me at this time in the morning?”
“It’s me” said Jim “I take it from the way you’re sounding; you had a fun time last night.”
“Just remind me to go a little easier on the champagne next time” Catherine mumbled. “Did you phone me just to say that?”
No, actually” Jim replied. “I phoned you because we got a new monster case.”
“Why don’t you send Alex or someone?”
“Catherine, you’ll want to be on this one.”
“And why is that?”
You’ll see when you get to the office.”
“Fine, fine, just give me a bit of time to get changed.” Catherine hung up and started to get dressed. Always on the move and always busy.
Catherine reached the apartment building by cab and entered the lobby. From the look on the employees’ faces, they were in the same kind of shape she was. She sighed and walked into the elevator. One elevator ride later, she was on the top floor and in Jim’s office. Jim was in the same kind of state as everyone. “Now why exactly did you get me out of bed” Catherine asked.
Jim took a remote control and turned the lights off, then turned the projector on. “Take a look at the photo of these monsters. The one on the left was sighted in the mountains north of San Francisco, and the one on the right was near the border between Mexico and California.”
Catherine looked at the pictures closely. One was the giant crocodilian dragon that ate Antigo, and the other was the giant wyvern spotted on the mountain. “When did you get these pictures” asked Catherine.
“They were emailed to me this morning” said Jim. “Each one was taken last night, around the same time. But that isn’t the part that worries me. Look at there details, then tell me what they remind you of.”
Catherine looked at the details: a curved nasal horn, black hide, glowing green eyes. Catherine got this shocked look on her face. She turned to Jim and asked “you think this could have something to do with Veranigor?”
“I can’t say for certain” said Jim. “As you can see, they share many common features with Veranigor. Also, they appeared around the same time. What brought them out of there sleep, I don’t know. They might have only just sensed the death of Veranigor, and so that was they key to wake them up. I honestly don’t know. That’s why I need you and Alex. I’m planning on sending Alex to Mexico to cover the monster which we’ve named Veraniwyrm, and you’re to go north to San Francisco to cover the other one, Veranivern.”
Jim’s office phone began to ring, and he picked up and said “Jim Smith, Director of Monster Defense Force speaking…..excuse me....Why wasn’t I notified beforehand….tell them to call it off….very well, then get me on a line with the president immediately.”
Catherine asked Jim while he waited “what was that all about, Jim?”
“You’re not going to like this” said Jim. “Gillas has been sited back on Gillas Island. There going to drop a nuke on him.”
“What” yelled Catherine? “Tell them to call it off!”
“That’s what I’m trying to do” said Jim. “Is this the president…sir, you have to call of the attack……sir, I don’t care what the UN says. This is only going to make the whole thing worse….you can’t seriously be thinking about it.”
Catherine walked over and grabbed the phone, saying “Mr. President, this is Dr. Catherine Ridley. Trust me when I say this is a big mistake. You’re not going to kill him; you’re only going to make him stronger.”
“I don’t have a choice” said the president. “You don’t know for sure, and the bomber is just about to drop the nuke. I’m sorry, but it is done.” Then the phone hung up on the other end.
Catherine at first just stood there with the phone, not doing anything, and just keeping that stunned look on her face. Five seconds later, she screamed at the top of her lungs and threw the phone at the wall. She then stormed out of Jim’s office and down the stairs, not wanting to wait for the elevator.
Days passed as Jim waited to here back from Catherine. He didn’t want to caller, hoping she would call him so he could no she was better. Finally, a week later, he decided it was time to take up the initiative. He grabbed his new phone and started to dial the number. He stopped midway, thinking is she ready? Then he finished dialing and put the phone to his ear. On the other end, he heard “Catherine speaking.”
“Hey Cathy, its Jim.”
“Hey Jim. Sorry about breaking your phone.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m sorry about Gillas. Then again, according to you, you said he would survive.”
“That was a theory. I wasn’t sure. It’s been a week, and he hasn’t been sighted.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.”
“You did what you could Jim and I thank you for it.”
“So…do you feel ready to come back to work?”
“I’m sorry, I forgot about those monsters. Has anything happened while I’ve been gone?”
“Nope, just some more sightings.”
“Then I’ll start packing for San Francisco.”
“You sure about it?”
“I need to get back to work if I’m to keep sane.”
Alex and the research team were in the personal jet on there way to Mexico to cover Veraniwyrm. Alex was nervous, since this was his first big case, and indeed it was a big case from what Jim had said. He had a habit where he would twirl a coin in between his fingers when he was nervous. Alex’s attention was caught when one of the colleagues said “I wonder what it is, anyway.”
“A good question” said Alex. “What do we know about it?”
The colleague turned to him and said “as far as I know nothing. Do you know something we don’t?”
“Well look at Veraniwyrm’s appearance” said Alex. “I note that he and Veranivern bare resemblance to Veranigor, which they get there namesake from.”
“So what exactly do you think they are” asked the colleague.
“That’s the real question, you see” said Alex. “We know they’re related to Veranigor, but how? Tell me, what do you know about bio-fusion?”
“Not much” was all the reply Alex got.
“It is when two living things join into one” said Alex. “The theory is that a biological specimen that is riddled with energy can merge with another specimen with similar condition.”
“So what do you think will happen if the two join” asked the colleague.
“What would happen if the two joined” asked Alex. “I believe if they merge, then we’ll have another Veranigor to deal with.”
The second MDF personal jet touched down at San Francisco Airport. As Catherine got out of the jet, there was a score of people who came out to greet her. She guessed they were wondering what she knew about the monster, which was little. As she got down the steps, there was a man woman waiting for her. She had short puffy hair, heavy makeup, and a navy blue suit. “Welcome to San Francisco Ms. Ridley” she said. “I’m Mayor Dorothy Webber. I’m glad the MDF sent someone immediately, since the locals are nervous as you can see.” Catherine walked with the mayor through the crowd while security guards moved the civilians out of the way.
“It’s our job to be at quick response” said Catherine. “We’re sorry that we didn’t get here sooner. Has the monster done any attacks on homes?”
“The monster has raided some herds and flocks”, said the mayor, “but not on people or homes. We’re getting worried because it is generally getting closer and closer to the city. What do you think we should do?”
“Call in the national guard” said Catherine. “While it may not have attacked yet, we can’t say if it will or not. It’s better to be safe then sorry. Have the National Guard keep some forces outside the city to keep it out of the city, but some forces inside if it does pass the city’s perimeter. In the meantime, I’d like to take a visit to Alcatraz to pay someone a visit.”
Catherine waited behind a booth as she waited to talk to the person. A desk with a window of plastic and a phone on each side separated her and the prisoner when he arrived. Finally on the other side, the prisoner sat down: Franklin Robertson. He was no longer in a military uniform, now a prisoner outfit of bright orange. He looked at Catherine and said “I wasn’t expecting you here.”
“I didn’t come to see you because I missed your face” said Catherine. “I am personally glad to see you where you deserve to be, don’t get me wrong.”
“Then what are you doing here” asked Robertson.
Catherine sighed for a second before she began. “I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but there is a monster north of here in the mountains. It’s attacked some livestock, but I’m worried that it might attack the city.”
Suddenly Robertson started to laugh. Catherine wasn’t sure if he thought this was amusing, or if the time in Alcatraz had made him nuts. Finally he stopped and said “are you telling me you want me to help defend the city? Is that it? The last time I did that, I ended up getting arrested.”
“That was your fault” said Catherine. “You were told not to use the Hyper Acid, yet you did.”
“Why was that a crime” said Robertson. “I had both monsters down for the count, except they recovered. I took the proper action.”
Catherine leaned her face as close to Robertson’s face as she could get without touching the glass. “You attacked the head of the Fire Bringers and killed some as well. You also were ordered not to use it. That was your stupidity.”
“You mean because Gillas was hurt by it” said Robertson, now moving his head closer. “Why should I help when you and your people let your emotions get in the way for the good of the people? All you do is let Gillas destroy and trample homes. Why should I help a cause like that?”
“I’ve had to make sacrifices” said Catherine. “After your first attack on Gillas, you triggered him and he attacked Yokohama. I was the one who had to call Arcadias to fight him. Think about that.” Catherine got out of her seat and turned to leave. Before she did, she turned around and said “just so you know Gillas is dead. I hope you think about that before you come to a conclusive decision.”
Damian was in a small military camp outside the city. I was suppose to behaving vacation he thought. With the military entrenchment around San Francisco, Damian had been recruited. While he was unhappy, he knew Adrianna was the one that was going to be mad.
Damian reached the mess tent and went inside. He had to wait in a line before he could grab a cup of coffee. When Damian went out again, there were a couple soldiers around a barrel fire, trying to keep themselves warm in the morning. This really was a disappointing way to spend his break.
Everybody dropped what they were doing when they heard the alarm begin to sound from the speaker system. Damian and other soldiers rushed to the communication tent to hear the report. Damian was lucky to reach the front, where he heard “Veranivern is approaching! Repeat, repeat, Veranivern is approaching! All hands to battle stations!”
Damian turned and yelled out to the camp “lock and load, boys! Bogey coming in! I repeat, lock and load!”
Everyone started rushing around to get there equipment. Damian ran through the mesh of running soldiers to get to an armory. He got inside a tent and got a good old M16 with a grenade launcher off the rack. When he came out soldiers were still rushing around trying to get ready. “All bodies to the frontline” blurted the speaker. Damian got on the back of a hummer and got into the machine gun turret. Soon the hummer was off with other hummers and tanks that rolled down the city street until they reached the city defense perimeter. Men with rocket launchers and soldiers setting up machine guns on roofs waited for the oncoming terror. Then they saw it.
Veranivern looked like a dark and ominous figure on the horizon. The wings stretched across the sky as it glided forward, its head surveying the land. It came closer and closer, like ominous death. As soon as it was in range, the tanks began to open fire. The air boomed as the shells flew. Yet tanks weren’t made to shoot at flying targets, and only a few hits landed, which didn’t seem to slow it down. And then Veranivern was in rage for everything else, and Damian pulled on the triggers. The mounted turret blared as it fired shell after shell at the dragon, canceling out all other noise. While Damian fired the turret, other turrets and machine guns opened fire, along with rocket launchers and the tank fire. The air seemed to explode around Veranivern as it still approached.
As Veranivern approached, a blast of electricity came from its nasal horn that wiped out a line of tanks only meters away from Damian. Damian didn’t stop his firing as the monster swooped overhead, the wind gusting up the debris and clouding Damian’s vision. Damian got on the radio and said “all available units begin pursuit of the target. Try and keep it away from civilians.” Damian’s call was answered as his hummer pulled out and began to follow Veranivern down the street. Damian opened fire on the flying behemoth again, but it only lasted for a short bit before Veranivern moved out of range. “The target is now moving towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Repeat, target is moving towards the Golden Gate Bridge.”
Damian’s hummer zoomed between cars and trolley, people dodging out of the way to avoid the vehicle. The hummer finally got out of the main part of the city and got a good look at the bridge. Veranivern was sitting on top of one of the towers. Its tail was entwined around and it screeched into the air. “We’re going to need some air support” said Damian into the radio. “I repeat, the San Francisco force is going to need air support to take out the target.” The hummer pulled onto the bridge, with others behind, and zoomed across the bridge. “Do not open fire” said Damian into the radio. “Do not open fire until the air support comes.”
Catherine was in her hotel as Veranivern was attacking the city. She watched from her window as Veranivern landed on the Golden Gates Bridge. The mere sight of the monster sent shivers down her spine, as it brought memories of her capture by Veranigor back. She was instantly on the phone, reporting to Jim. As soon as she heard his voice, Catherine said “Jim, Veranivern is attacking San Francisco right now.”
“We know Cathy” said Jim. “It’s not just Veranivern that is attacking. Veraniwyrm just popped up and began attacking San Diego as well.”
“What are you thinking Jim?”
“Veranivern is flying south, and Veraniwyrm is traveling north. If they can sense each others presence, then they’re going to converge. We have to stop them, or else things will get worse.”
“Right now we’re trying to stop Veranivern. Our weapons are seemingly having no effect on it. They can’t seem to penetrate the hide. It’s like trying to take down an elephant with a bibi gun.”
“It’s the same situation down in San Diego. I’ve done some calculations, and at the rate they’re going, they’re going to meet in Los Angeles. I’ve told the mayor to start evacuation, but it’s taking some time.”
Catherine then got a call on the other line, and quickly said to Jim “I’ve got a call coming in. Wait one second.” She switched the line then said “Catherine Ridley here.”
“It’s Dorothy” said the mayor. “The group called the Plain Warriors has escaped Alcatraz.”
“How the hell did they do that” Catherine yelled accusingly.
“With that monster landing close by, the guards were caught off guard and a rise up happened. They took away in a couple boats.”
Catherine put a hand over her face and sighed. “Thank you Ms. Mayor” she said before she switched over.
“What was that about” asked Jim.
“The Plain Warriors got out of Alcatraz” said Catherine.
“You’ve got to be shitting me” said Jim. “First the monsters, and now this?” At first it was silent, then Jim said “Catherine, get back down to LA. You’ve done all you can, and we need the help down here. Alex is on his way as well.”
Damian sat with the turret of the hummer pointed up at Veranivern, waiting for the beast to make a move. Not a single soldier’s eye left that creature, and no gun was not pointed at it. Then they heard the jets coming. On the radio, the commander called “Fire, fire!” Just as everyone opened fire, the rockets slammed into Veranivern. Rubble fell from the explosions, and Veranivern roared in surprise. Yet the bombardment had done no good, and now Veranivern was agitated. The beast turned its head to the end of the bridge and fired a bolt of lightning at the end of the bridge. The hummers tried to get away, but as the suspension bridge fell, so did all the vehicles, including Damian. Then Veranivern took off.
Everyone back at MDF Headquarters was on edge. They were in the bunker, which had all the equipment they needed to monitor the situation. Jim was working at a keyboard, punching in code into the computer. “I’m setting up the visual system right now” said Jim. “It’s a hot air balloon tied to a cable that can reach an altitude of 40,000 feet. We’ll be high enough to be out of danger, but the camera is powerful enough to catch everything.”
The hot air balloon went into the air, floating up and up, until it finally stopped. With the camera’s zoom at the moment, LA looked like a landscape below. You couldn’t tell the people all evacuating as the threat approached. It was afternoon, and everyone was worried. Then the camera picked up an object coming from the north. They didn’t need to zoom in to know what it was: Veranivern. The creature passed the hills and finally hit LA. The dark monolith flew over as frightened civilians screamed at the sight of it. The dragon fired its lightning blast from its horn, frying nearby buildings and starting a fire. It circled LA like a vulture, looking down on its prey. As it passed Disneyland, it flicked its tail and toppled the once glorious castle. People ran for cover as it flew overhead. Then when the beast was done its fun for the moment, it landed on the Hollywood sign as a last act for now.
“Jim, are there any more of the National Guard left do help get the civilians out of here” asked Catherine.
“Not for another six hours” said Jim. “We threw what we could into trying to stop Veranivern and Veraniwyrm at San Francisco and San Diego. We’re helpless right now.”
Everybody was quiet as they watched the carnage unfold. Never had they been so helpless. It was a grim moment. Then Alex said “Jim, point the camera towards Long Beach.” Jim punched in few keys, and the camera turned. Off of the beach, a small bit of water began to froth.
“I’ve only seen that when large objects in water are surfacing” said Alex. “Could it be a submarine?”
“I’m not sure” said Jim. Then everyone was quiet as the speakers picked up a sound: a mighty roar. Then the water exploded as the head of Gillas popped out.
No one said anything for the first thirty seconds. It was as if the whole room had lost its oxygen and everyone was holding there breath. Then Alex said “I thought he was dead. How is he alive?”
“Of course” said Jim. He turned to Catherine and said “remember how you told the president that Gillas would absorb the radiation and grow stronger? This is it. Alex, focus the camera on Gillas’ sail.”
Alex punched in the keys, and the camera zoomed in on Gillas’ sail. Gillas’ sail, which was usually the same color as his skin, was now a bright red, as was his earflaps. “I’ve never seen this before” said Alex.
“We have” replied Jim. “When Gillas fought Komodogater on Gillas Island, he absorbed thermal energy from the Alphaship. The change in sail color means a change in Gillas’ energy level. In this case, it’s increased.”
Suddenly a computer began to sound off from a scan. Alex walked over and checked the screen, then started saying “this can’t be right, this can’t be right.”
“What can’t be right” asked Jim.
“Gillas is measured to be in at 70 meters” said Alex. “The computer is measuring Gillas at 110 meters!”
“That bomb has done more to Gillas then I’ve ever seen” said Jim. Then he turned back to Catherine. She had not said or done anything, she just stared up at the screen. Jim didn’t say anything: he knew the one this would shock the most would be Catherine.
Gillas looked up at Veranivern who sat on the hill, on the Hollywood sign. The dragon screeched from its perch, trying to intimidate Gillas. Gillas was not frightened at all, and he roared in return. Then Gillas opened his mouth and fired. It wasn’t the aurora colored flame that came out, but the solar flare colored flame. It wasn’t the Solar Flame; it was the Corona Flame. Veranivern just took off in time as the Corona Flame obliterated the hillside he was just on. Veranivern shot towards Gillas as he just got out of the water and onto Long Beach.
Veranivern fired blast after blast of lightning at Gillas, with one out of two landing. If the lightning did hit, it did little or no damage as Gillas moved forward. As Veranivern passed, it flicked its tail and nailed Gillas in the shoulder. Gillas stumbled and roared in frustration. Gillas turned around just in time to receive Veranivern flying straight into him and tackling him over. Gillas fell over and struggled back up, with Veranivern going for the same attack again. This time Gillas fired a blast of Corona Flame from his mouth point blank at Veranivern. Veranivern took the hit and went flying back. Gillas got in one more blast before Veranivern went skidding through some buildings.
Gillas went to attack when the ground behind him exploded. As the dust settled, Veraniwyrm poked his head out and fired a blast of green flame from his mouth and hitting Gillas in the back. Gillas roared and fell over from the unexpected attack. Gillas scrambled back up as Veraniwyrm emerged from the burrow standing bipedal. Gillas and Veraniwyrm gave one roar each before they lunged at each other. Both began to rip at each other with claws, trying to turn the other into confetti. Gillas got through Veraniwyrm’s defenses and bit onto Veraniwyrm’s collar. Gillas stepped back to wait for the poison to do its instantaneous work, but Veraniwyrm didn’t even flinch and the two were scrapping again.
Veranivern was up and flew behind Gillas. The wyvern snuck its tail around Gillas’ neck and flew back, dropping Gillas and dragging him behind. Gillas dug his claws into the ground and stopped. But as he grabbed Veranivern’s tail, Veraniwyrm blasted him with the green flame, and Gillas was on the ground again. Then Veranivern and Veraniwyrm both began to attack again, Veranivern with the lightning and Veraniwyrm with the green flame. Gillas tried again and again to get up, but was blasted down to the ground each time.
Catherine, Jim, and Alex all were back at MDF Headquarters watching the battle. No one said a thing as Gillas was hit again and again. They were shocked that Gillas had been powered up, yet he wasn’t winning. Jim and Catherine were surprised that the Corona Flame hadn’t killed Veranivern, as it had Veranigor.
“I just don’t get it” said Jim. “These are supposed to be lesser forms of Veranigor. How is it that they can hurt Gillas like this?”
“Because the last Veranigor was an imperfect specimen” said Alex. Jim looked around at him with a confused look on his face. “When the people who made the Veranigor saw there creation”, said Alex, “the made a creature that was created was powerful, yet not as powerful as it could be. So they began to make Veranivern and Veraniwyrm to make the ultimate Veranigor. We always thought that there was only one Veranigor, but there were two. The first went into hibernation when it destroyed the enemy civilization, and the second Veranigor destroyed the creators. Then it split apart and went into hibernation as well. Then when Veraniwyrm and Veranivern awakened after the former Veranigor died, they sought to reunite.”
Jim was looking at Alex with pure amazement at what had just come out of his mouth. Alex had such an understanding of monsters, and that was why Jim had picked him as his assistant. Then he looked over at Catherine. She still looked at the screen, with those almost blank eyes. Then she closed her eyes, and inside her head, she prayed.
Gillas had finally managed to get up, but it wasn’t over yet. Veraniwyrm charged forward and began to claw at Gillas, getting Gillas on the defensive. At the same time, Veranivern attacked behind with its talons and its stinger on the end of its tail. Gillas’ scales were finally punctured, and he began to bleed down his back as the stinger stuck in. The venom had no effect on Gillas, but it still hurt.
Of the shore of the city, thunder clouds began to gather. The sky went instantly from sunset to dark as the clouds rolled in less then a minute. Suddenly bolts of lightning burst from the clouds, making contact with the ocean below. Then the bolts began to merge and shape, and soon there was the shape of a bird. Then it materialized into Thundara.
The great golden eagle flew a circle behind the combatants, who didn’t notice her flank behind. Then Thundara blasted Veranivern in the back, sending the wyvern flying backwards off of Gillas and through a skyscraper. Gillas took the moment and blasted Veraniwyrm back with a point blank shot of Corona Flame. As Gillas fired another blasted, Veraniwyrm let loose a torrent of green flame. The two beams collided and the explosion rocked both of the combatants of there feet.
Thundara circled above as Veranivern took off, shooting straight for Thundara who began to dive. The two collided midair and began to scratch at each other with there hind legs. Thundara dodged a bite from Veranivern and started pecking at Veranivern’s head and face. Veranivern countered by sticking his stinger into Thundara, beginning to inject the poison. In a desperate attempt to stop it, Thundara sent a shock through her body that went through Veranivern as well, with the crack of the spark and the two went flying apart from the surge of electricity.
It didn’t take long for Gillas and Veraniwyrm to be up and at each other again. Veraniwyrm looked at a skyscraper at Gillas’ side and fired at the base with its green flame. The supports for the structure failed and the building toppled on Gillas, completely covering him in dust and rubble. Veraniwyrm roared at its victory over its opponents. The roar of victory turned into a screech of pain as a ray of Corona Flame blasted from the rubble and blew Veraniwyrm into a building. Gillas shook of the rubble and roared his triumph into the night, now that the sun had set.
Veraniwyrm got up, but it didn’t charge to attack Gillas. Instead it turned its head to Veranivern who was sailing towards it. Both Veranivern and Veraniwyrm began to glow neon green all over there bodies. Then Veranivern entered Veraniwyrm, and the body began to shift and change. The neck elongated, two wings sprouted from the back and it went to four legs. When the light stopped, it was no longer Veraniwyrm of Veranivern standing there: it was Veranigor.
Gillas roared at the new opponent and charged forward to fight the new enemy. Veranigor took off and flew over Gillas, lashing out with its tail and knocking Gillas through a house complex. Thundara flew at the dark dragon and fired bolts of lightning at Veranigor, but the electric voltage had no effect and Veranigor didn’t even flinch. The two collided in midair, but Veranigor had more mass and took Thundara down, landing with its two front feet on Thundara’s wings, pinning the thunderbird’s to the ground. Veranigor bit down on Thundara’s shoulder and lifted her, with Thundara flailing her wings and legs to try and force Veranigor to let go. From behind Veranigor, Gillas fired a blast of Corona Flame at Veranigor’s back, and Veranigor let go. Veranigor wasn’t hurt at all, but annoyed at Gillas’ interruption. Veranigor took off and flew at Gillas, with Gillas retaliating with blasts of Corona Flame, but it had no effect. Veranigor landed in front of Gillas with a great crash and bit down on Gillas’ shoulder. Gillas roared and bit down on Veranigor’s neck, clawing and flailing to try and get Veranigor to let go. Thundara was back on her feet and she shrieked in anger, taking off and darting towards Veranigor. Veranigor let go of his bite on Gillas, but he wasn’t done. The dark dragon stuck its stinger-ended tail into Gillas, impaling him, and then it twirled around and sent Gillas flying into Thundara. Both monsters dropped to the ground below, and Veranigor launched from the ground into the air. Thundara recovered first and took off, but Gillas was still on his back, stunned by the stinger. Veranigor fired bolts of electricity, frying Gillas’ hide where hey hit. Gillas fired off blasts of Corona Flame into the sky, but those that did hit had no effect on Veranigor. Then Veranigor opened its maw and bathed Gillas in a steady stream of its green flame, encompassing the area around Gillas in a blanket of green flame. When the flames receded, there was the charred corpse of Gillas.
Thundara circled around and came behind Veranigor, trying to attack stealthily. As it was about to land on Veranigor’s back, the barbed tail came up and impaled her through the back. Veranigor gave a whipping motion of his tail and sent Thundara flying into a street. Veranigor turned around and once again opened its maw and bathed Thundara in green flame. He kept it up for thirty seconds straight, leaving nothing. When Veranigor was finished, a bolt of lightning flew from the ground up into the sky and beyond. Veranigor roared in the victory it had achieved.
Back in the bunker, not a single person moved or breathed for minutes. It was as if the air had been sucked out of the room, having no sound other then Veranigor’s roar coming from the speakers. Pure shock was on the faces of Alex and Jim, but Catherine was absolutely shattered. Her mouth was wide open, eyes looking up at the screen to a nightmare.
An alarm began to beep on the computer, but at first no one went to answer it. Finally Alex walked over and looked at the computer screen. Suddenly he started whispering “that’s impossible….it can’t be right.”
Jim turned around and yelled “what the hell are you muttering about?!”
“Jim, there’s a hole in the Earth’s magnetic field” Alex answered.
Jim snapped out of his shock and walked over to the computer. “That is impossible” he said. “How can there be a hole in the Earth’s magnetic field? There’s nothing that can do it.”
“That isn’t the worst of it” said Alex. “There is a solar radiation storm coming in, and the hole is over LA!”
“What the fuck is going on?” Jim yelled.
And then the two heard “it was Thundara.” The two men turned and looked at Catherine. It was the first time they had heard her talk. “When Thundara was incinerated, she created the hole in the magnetic field.”
“But why” Alex asked. “What’s the point of it?” There was not answer from Catherine, but instead she ran to the computer and changed the direction of the camera to look at Gillas.
The solar radiation entered through the funnel in the magnetic field, allowing a small bit to spill onto LA. It came in a great flash of orange as it went across LA. Veranigor shrieked from the uncomfortable light as it passed over him. But in the center of where the radiation had spilled out was Gillas. When it was over, Gillas’ flaps changed to a bright purple, and his scales turned scarlet and began to glow orange. Then the eyes opened, followed by a roar that announced the rebirth of Gillas, now more powerful then ever.
Gillas got up and roared a challenge at Veranigor, who stood a kilometer away. Veranigor’s eyes focused on Gillas, and then it began to flap its wings, with black smoke coming out like gust of winds that slammed against Gillas. Super Gillas shook his head, still shining brightly through the smoke like a torch in the darkness. Veranigor took off and flew towards Gillas, unleashing a torrent of green flame and a bolt of lightning from its horn. Veranigor thought Gillas would topple from the attack, but he didn’t drop. Up came Gillas’ tail at the oncoming Veranigor, slamming into its side and dropping the dark dragon to the ground. Veranigor shook off the dirt and looked up, only to be scratched in the face by Gillas. When the claws made contact, it was like a small explosion hit Veranigor.
Veranigor got up and slammed into Gillas, engaging in a grapple. Veranigor at first was pushing Gillas back with his greater bulk and strength. Gillas dug his claws in to try and stop, but it was no good. Suddenly it seemed as if Gillas lit on fire, as a fiery aura suddenly surrounded him. Veranigor peddled backwards, screeching and smoldering from the attack.
“Is Gillas on fire” Alex asked incredulously
“Of course not” said Jim. “It may look like fire, but it’s really actually solar radiation that is leaking through Gillas’ skin. Though to Gillas, he feels like he is on fire. The difference is that he does not have the embrace of death to save him from the pain.”
“He’s still moving and fighting” observed Alex.
“That is one of the things about Gillas” said Jim. “He has a fighting spirit that is unlike anything we know. He can get beaten, roasted, or even killed, yet he will get up to fight. Even though he is going through this excruciating torment, he will still do battle.”
“But why does he do it” asked Alex.
“Who knows” replied Catherine. “It could be that Gillas has a will that cannot be broken and dominated or simply snuffed. Maybe Gillas fights for things that he considers sacred to him such as his home. Who knows? All I know is that Gillas will not stop until either he is dead or Veranigor is dead. Let’s hope it is the latter.”
Veranigor took off from the ground and flew backwards, trying to get away from Gillas. He landed about a kilometer away from Gillas and opened fire again with lightning from his horn and green flame from his maw. Like before, it did nothing to Gillas. Then Gillas’ maw opened, and he fired what appeared to be a great fireball that sped towards Veranigor, hitting him in the chest and both burning and knocking Veranigor over. Veranigor writhed on the ground in pain, a huge burn on his chest. Gillas approached as Veranigor got up, claws and fangs coming in. Then Veranigor came in and started snapping his jaw at Gillas, trying to keep the solar monstrosity away. It was all in vain, however: Gillas would not abate or stop. Then Veranigor grabbed hold of Gillas, ignoring the radiation leaking out and then taking off. The pair gained altitude, in above the whole city.
Gillas now shone like a miniature son, hanging in the air and giving off blinding light, with only the silhouettes of Gillas & Veranigor. The two clawed at each other and Gillas bit down onto Veranigor’s shoulder. Gillas released his grip when Veranigor’s tail impaled Gillas through the chest, coming out Gillas’ back and creating a cry of pain from Gillas. Veranigor was not finished as its jaws came down and bit onto Gillas’ throat. Gillas let out a final roar that could be heard across the remnants of LA, followed by an explosion that swept across and rocked LA.
Back in the shelter, ceiling panels and beams fell on all three heads from the strength of the explosion. Computers smashed and glass shattered as the scientists were buried alive in the rubble. A beam hit Catherine’s head and all went black.
When Catherine awoke, she was in a stretcher covered in a blanket with a bandage around her head. She looked around and saw two people carrying her and a host of other men, some in white coats and others in suits, in the ruins that were LA, which looked like pictures of Hiroshima after the bomb.
A familiar voice said “looks like your awake.” Catharine turned her head and saw it was David, the Secretary of Defense. “When I heard you, Jim and Alex were being rescued, I came directly down here. It was a close call Cathy. You’re going to the hospital where you’re going to be treated for the concussion and the radiation.”
As David turned to walk away, Catherine’s hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. In a week voice she asked “what happened to Gillas & Veranigor?”
David let out a long sigh and slogged his shoulders. “There nowhere” David said. “It looks like they were completely and utterly engulfed by the explosion which we believe came from Gillas.” Then Catherine went to sleep as her energy just left her.
