We're Gonna Need a Bigger Ocean (Part 1)

The Hong Kong marketplace was loud and bustling with morning traffic, hundreds of people shuffling from stand to shop in search of their daily necessities and wants. A dozen different languages floated through the air as storeowners announced their wares as being exactly what you need and definitely worth the stated price. Unless you were willing to bargain that is. Wondrous scents both divine and disgusting melded together into an intelligible mess that assaulted the nose in every moment.

And absolutely none of this detail was noticed by one red-haired woman as she walked down the street, her amused husband trailing behind her chuckling all the way.

"I can't believe you agreed to this," Lauren said as she politely moved around a pair of elderly locals arguing about something in Mandarin.

"Actually you are the one who ended up saying yes, honey," Craig said as he took in the sights his wife was ignoring.

"Because I couldn't say no to Marshall. You are the one thought this was actually a good idea."

Craig patted his wife's shoulder and smiled. "Come on, Laur. It'll be fun, I promise. Haven't you always wanted to do something filled with excitement and intrigue?"

"Not really, no. Especially if it was going to be life-threatening intrigue."

The background noise retreated even further for a moment as a voice echoed in both their minds. As we have stated previously, Miss Faust, we are doing everything we can to ensure you will face no danger in this mission. We have agents no more than 30 feet away and ready to act if we see any threats.

Lauren sighed and looked off to the left, where she could catch a glimpse of sadly familiar dark black hair. "And the fact that one those agents used to work for the people we are worried about doesn't concern you at all?"

So you can be suspicious after all? Taiyou thought over the channel. Surprises will never cease it seems. What's next? Mr. Chou turning out to be a humanitarian?

Be nice Taiyou, Miki reprimanded. And in answer of your question, Miss Faust, we brought her along because she might be able to recognize the minds of some of her former compatriots. While I understand your concern, I have the utmost faith that Taiyou will remain a distinct help on this mission rather than a hindrance.

A faith that is strangely enough not misplaced.

"I would beg to differ on that point," Pat's voice crackled over the tiny earpiece radios the Fausts both carried.

Still think I'm insane Patty?

"Replace think with know and the answer would be yes."

"Focus kiddies," Gondo's commanding baritone ordered. "We still have a job to do, so shut up and place nice."

"She started it," Pat whined.

Amanda groaned at the same time Lauren did, while the animation director said to herself, "How did I get myself into this situation?"

"By being who you are dear," Craig answered. "Come on, its almost time for the meeting. Mr. Chou could be here any moment."

"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."

Lauren practically leaped in place in shock and whirled around towards the sudden voice. Standing there with a golden smirk was none other than Chou himself, wearing a deep red suit coat and gold plated pointed boots. Dark tinted glasses shrouded his eyes yet his amusement was still clearly visible. "Lauren Faust I presume?" He extended his hand to the red head, bright and gem encrusted rings littering his fingers.

"Sorry about that," Lauren said, accepting Chou's hand. His grip was strong and searching but not unpleasant. "Just a bit jumpy right now. Long flights always disturb me."

"I understand. Even having a private plane doesn't do much to counter travel shock. But we're not here to trade pleasantries, are we?"

Craig took the lead almost immediately and stepped up to retake Chou's hand, to the merchant's seeming amusement. "You're right sir. We're here to ask for your help."

Chou held up his hand for a moment. "Before we get to that, why don't you two follow me? Business is best conducted over a meal. Have either of you ever had a real taste of Chinese food?"

Lauren shrugged. "If you believe my fan base I apparently eat nothing but Subway. Outside of the occasional Panda Express, I'd have to say no."

"Then you are in for a treat. There's a wonderful little place just down the road from here, has some of the best noodles you will ever taste. Follow me." With that Chou strode off, people in the crowd immediately parting when they spotted him.

Lauren put on a broad smile on the outside and followed him, while internally she was starting to worry. Is he doing this just to be friendly, or is this part of a gambit to reveal us.

Methinks you are just a bit paranoid, Taiyou laughed.

"Says the ex-terrorist."

Ugh, are you two completely incapable of maturity?

Amanda and Sarah immediately said, "YES!"

Lauren and Craig both had to stifle a giggle at hearing Gordon reprimanding everyone again as they followed Chou through the crowds. Along the way Chou started talking about the area, pointing out several points of interest here and there and giving a deep and involved history for many of them. Lauren actually felt her nervousness fading as she became fascinated with the information, her mind taking notes and starting to piece together ideas for adapting it all to Equestria. Then she recalled that Equestria was a real place and several questions on just how much it shared with Earth percolated in. Were they really parallel universes, or just unnaturally similar? Was she creating a world that just happened to be alike to Equestria, or was some subliminal connection guiding her to depict it with such accuracy? So deep were her thoughts that she almost missed Chou announcing they had arrived.

"What's up honey?" Craig asked. "You've been real quiet for a bit. Whatcha thinking about?"

"Metaphysical questions about the universe and the nature of free will," she said. "How about you dear?"

Craig smiled weakly. "I was just thinking about whether to get chicken or beef with my rice bowl…"

"The chicken. Beef doesn't fare so well around here." Chou gave another golden smirk and walked into the open-air restaurant.

The restaurant was a surprisingly simple place, considering Chou's visibly bright tastes. There were simple bar stools of oak and cotton, some paper lanterns that were bizarrely simple in design, and a menu written on a flag just outside in mandarin and poorly translated English.

The feeling within was one of a sort of tense camaraderie, as if everyone knew everyone here and vaguely trusted one another with a cold caution. Still, the small restaurant was thick with the scent of foods of all kinds, from the types of Chinese dishes one would expect, to far more esoteric traditional dishes, and even a few that wouldn't look out of place on a reality TV show.

Good if unusual food, friendly if ominous company, and a pleasant if paranoid atmosphere made for a generally interesting, if somewhat unnerving, restaurant. Anyone with a working brain could smell trouble around the corner. And that was no different for Miss Faust.

"Um, what did you say this place is called Mr. Chou?" Lauren asked with a hesitant glance.

"The place is called 'Yue Ma'."

"Your Ma?" Craig said.

"No, Yue Ma. It translates, roughly, to 'The Prancing Pony'."

Lauren couldn't help but giggle. "Wow. Bit of a Lord of the Rings fan, huh?"

"I made the suggestion for the name awhile back, and the owner thought it was a good idea. Never had the heart to tell him I was joking. Come on, I've got a special table in the back."

The table in question was underneath a dulled brass lantern, looking almost out of place with its particular appointments. Instead of old bar stools there were a pair of soft benches perfect for extended relaxation rather than a quick meal. A well-dressed gentleman in a black suit, presumably a waiter, was already waiting with several menus in hand. Chou gave a slight glare before relaxing and speaking to the gentleman in an annoyed tone.

"I will never get how you guys keep figuring out I'm coming before I get here."

The waiter smiled, as if it was part of an old joke. "We have our ways sir. Do you have any recommendations for your guests or do they wish to choose their own selection?"

Chou turned the question over Lauren and Craig, who both shrugged at each other. "Whatever you think might be good, sir," Craig said as he let his wife be seated first.

Chou nodded and spoke in rapid Mandarin to the waiter, who nodded at the order and politely bowed before disappearing in the direction of the kitchen. "It'll be a few minutes before he gets here, but service is pretty quick, especially for my guests. Will you be taking anything to drink?"

Craig briefly looked excited and opened his mouth to speak but Lauren cut him off with a glare before he could begin. "Thank you, Mr. Chou, but Craig and I have a rule about not having any alcohol during business matters. As exotic as this is, we aren't on vacation." Craig pouted a bit but acquiesced to his wife's stern look.

"I understand. Business must come before pleasure after all. Speaking of which…" Chou snapped at Chang, who had taken up a place in the shadows just behind the table, and the guard reached into his suit and pulled out a manila folder. Chou took it and set it down on the table pulling out a list with group names marked by different colors and notes. "I'm sure this isn't a surprise for you two, but Somalia really is one of the harshest places on the planet when it comes to outsiders trying to get an in around there. You show the slightest hint of white skin or Western looks, and the militias will tear you apart while the 'civilians' will bicker over your valuables. Trying to provide aid to these people is like trying to give meat to a tiger. You're just as likely to be the meal itself as the one providing it."

Lauren sat up and said with steel in her voice, "They're still people, and everyone deserves a helping hand, even if they don't want it."

The golden gleam seemed enhanced by the dim light when Chou smiled. "There's that famous altruism I've heard about. Might surprise you then to hear that I happen to agree."

"You do?"

He does?

"Chou agrees with her?"

"Chou agrees with her?"

"Man that sounds weird no matter how you say it."

Why the hell did I have to be right about this one?!

"Shut up, you idiots!"

Lauren tried her best to ignore the cacophony of voices echoing through both her ears and head, while Craig thankfully had the presence of mind to keep talking. "Well that's a surprise. I wouldn't have pictured the infamous merchant of death to be altruistic."

Chuckles came from across the table. "I thought the same thing for while, son, but believe it or not, it's the truth. When you see as much stupidity and suffering as I have over the lifetime of my career, you have two options available to you. Either you cut your own heart out and stop seeing people as people, or you try to take some steps to fix the whole goddamn mess. And wouldn't the universe have it, but I happened to be the later. Lucky for you. Happy for me."

The waiter chose that moment to reappear, a well-stacked platter in his arms being laid upon the table and the dishes passed out.

"Double happy for me it seems. I'll let you two have a chance to enjoy the food, then we can talk about specific groups who could help you out."

Lauren bit her lip, a sense of guilt starting to spike within her as Craig dug into his meal. She shook her head and picked up her utensils, thankfully a knife and fork, and started to join in the men's feasting. As soon as the first forkfull of food met her tongue her pupils widened in an explosion of sensation. Her mouth flew open and she waved her hand over her tongue, tears appearing at the corners of her eyes. "Hooot! Hot, hot, hot!"

Ha! Lightweight.

Taiyou…

Craig took a moment to swallow his own mouthful of food before joining Chou's laughter. "You okay there, honey? Not too spicy for you is it?"

"N-no," she struggled to spit out before taking a deep gulp of her (very) sweet fruit drink. "I just wasn't… prepared for it, that's all." Her cheeks were flushed, whether from embarrassment or from the heat of the food she couldn't tell. After taking another few moments to calm her tongue she let out a deep breath and grabbed another bit of the meal. The spicy flavor threatened to overwhelm her again but she toughed it out and focused on the other tastes. Once she did she found the ensemble extremely delicious; a hint of sweet and tangy lurking under the spice that was utterly delightful in its combination. "This is really good," she said in between gulps.

"Some of the best there is," Chou agreed. "Makes Panda Express seem like airline food by comparison."

"Thank you very much for treating us with this, Mr. Chou," Craig said as he put down his now empty bowl. "Best meal I've had in years. Not to say that you're a bad cook or anything Laur."

Lauren merely smiled. "No worries dear, I know this is far better than anything I've ever made." She returned to her meal with supreme gusto while Craig started asking Chou about how he'd found the place.

"Had a deal here when I first moved into town, local trader trying to trick me into working for him, and didn't appreciate it when I disagreed." He gained a nasty grin. "He learned to appreciate my generosity pretty quickly though."

"Generous how exactly?"

"He got to live after he shoved a gun in my face. I'm nice like that."

Lauren and Craig both shared a brief glance at each other, reminded for a moment just who it was they were having lunch with. "That's, um, very understanding of you, Mr. Chou. I'm surprised you didn't… take greater offense."

Chou laughed. "A small fry like him wasn't worth getting offended over. He was barely worth supplanting for his market, but he turned out to be a decent assistant once I'd got settled in. Been working loyally for me ever since."

Lauren's breath hitched as her earpiece crackled. "You think that might be the guy we're looking for?" Sarah asked.

"Only one way to find out. Miss Faust, mind probing this line of thought for us?"

Lauren stifled a gulp before saying, "How can you be sure he's loyal though? What if he still holds some resentment towards you over that and tries to go against you?"

As if a light switch had been thrown Chou's grin changed to a frown and his glasses lasered down onto Lauren. "It's not a question of 'if' he resents me, Miss Lauren. It's whether or not I've made clear to him just how upset I'd be if he tried to do something about it. And I'm not the kind of man you want to upset."

Guess we know the answer to that question.

It's still just a guess Taiyou. We need more information before we can be certain.

"Nice earpieces by the way. What models are they?"

All sound at the table ceased at Chou's question, saving for the rapid beating of Lauren's heart in her chest. Her mouth hung open dumbly, mind paused in place from panic. Craig's face was stern and calm, his hand slowly curling around his utensils. The guard behind Chou already had his hand at his belt, giving off a quiet click of metal. The earpieces and mental links buzzed with activity as the couple's defenders rushed to find a way to protect their charges. And all the while Chou continued to stare down at Lauren, his lenses catching the light in an almost terrifying way.

"I'd guess they're GDF models from the coloration. It's a good attempt at matching skin color, but they never reflect the shadows quite right. I prefer colorless for my guys. Makes the little buggers annoying to find in the luggage, but it's well worth the hassle in my opinion." He took a sip of his drink and tapped the table with his other hand, prompting the guard to relax. "The real question then is why would the GDF send two animation directors to spy on me, when all they have to do is call me up if they want to talk."

Lauren couldn't help but mentally note the irony, which Taiyou seemed to snicker at until Miki sent her a telepathic 'shut up' slap.

"But then I thought to myself for a bit," Chou continued, "I thought 'Must be something big if they're that worried about security. Might as well humor them, see what they really want.' So," Chou paused and pulled out his phone, taking the time to shut it off in front of them. "Mind explaining then?"

Lauren stared blankly at Chou as she let out her held breath, her husband lowering his face into his hands next to her.

Remind me again why we didn't just straight up ask him for the information? Was it cause you guys love to pull this stupid spy shit whenever you can?

Miki mind-muttered a phrase in Japanese that Lauren didn't know, but the tone said a lot.

"Just tell him the truth," Amanda suggested. "It's not like the guy we're looking for is here in the restaurant right now, plus Chou turned off his phone, so I think it's safe to say he's on our side here."

After allowing himself a moment to grumble Gordon gave his assent to the plan, leaving Lauren a twist in her throat as she tried to figure out what to say. "Well… you see sir, the GDF had an… issue lately with a certain group and they think that you could help point us in the right direction…"

"And I would help that how?" Chou asked. "Details, Miss Faust. They are important."

"Well, it's… see most of it is classified, so I don't know how much I can tell-"

Chou growled. "Nothing is classified from me, lady. Anything that goes down in the underworld either happens cause I planned it, or someone tries to piss me off. So I say again: spill."

Craig sighed and interrupted his stammering wife. "Shatterdome got attacked last week by a terrorist group working for an evil alien super kaiju but they beat the attack off and captured its leader and converted her, who is currently sitting outside watching for any of her ex-comrades."

Converted my ass. More like I deigned to side with you lot until I could get back at those lying sons of bit-

Taiyou, what have I told you about focusing on revenge?

It's not consuming me. It's just guiding my every action and thought for the current moment.

"A technical difference with no practical distinction. Excellent denial form there."

"Would you all just be quiet already!"

Restaurant and comm. lines alike fell silent at Lauren's shout, the poor animation director wilting away from her prior anger under the curious looks from the other customers. Thankfully a stern look from Chou sent them all back to their meals and conversations in short order.

"Judging from the one-sided nature of that conversation, I'd say you have a few issues with your mission control," Chou remarked with a smirk.

Craig gave a shrug while Lauren said, "I swear some of the fans I've met bicker less than they do. But yes, what Craig said is true, as insane as it sounds."

Chou went into a thoughtful pose, rubbing one hand through his stubble. "I've heard some pretty crazy shit in my life, you know, but that still ranks high on the list of the craziest. And yet I feel inclined to believe you from the fact that you didn't crack up laughing while saying it. Though that does bring me back to my original question. What does any of that have to do with me?"

Sarah took over the comms for a moment while Gordon could be heard ranting at the others in the background. "Take out that paper I gave you guys and show it to him, should explain everything." Craig did as asked and handed the sheet over to Chou, who removed his glasses and started scanning the page back and forth, his expression growing grimmer every second.

"That son of a bitch," he stated. "Thought he was smarter than this, but I guess not. I see why Stacker didn't just call me, this idiot controls all my out-going calls. This is going to be a problem."

"Can you help us, I mean, the GDF guys get him?"

Chou replaced his glasses on his face, the lenses blocked out by light again as he said, "Not even a question, missy. Once Stacker has everything he needs from him though, he's coming back to me, that clear?"

Gordon said, "You tell him he can have the guy for whatever he wants, but not to kill him. We need him in case he could ID some of his contacts from the Red Dawn."

Craig repeated the statement word for word, ignoring the waiter who had come to collect their plates and wipe away the small spill Lauren had made earlier. Chou gave a grim smile. "Fair enough. Tell the gate guards to expect my helicopter in a couple hours. Now, Chang, how's about we go and deal with…"

A pair of dull cracks sounded off to their left, prompting Craig and Lauren to turn towards the sound curiously. When they did they missed the sight of Chang collapsing to the floor with a pained grunt while Chou froze in his seat. The waiter stood smiling front of the table, the towel that had hung from his arm replaced by a pistol. Pointed directly at Chou.

"So, looks like the game is finally up then. I wondered what it was that would finally give us away, but I never expected an animation director would be the whistleblower."

"Chou, what's going…"

Lauren, Craig, don't panic. Stay where you are and don't do anything threatening. We're coming to get you.

"Really though, the GDF sending you two to do their dirty work for them. I can't tell if that is sad or hilarious. I'd laugh, but I'm much too happy about finally trapping Chou to care. Oh what the hell, I'll laugh anyway." His maniacal giggling sent waves of fear spiraling through Lauren.

"Should have figured your name was more than a joke, Laoshu," Chou growled. "I just thought you would be smart enough not to upset me with this kind of bullshit."

The waiter smiled down at Chou cruelly. "What do expect a man to do when you threaten his brother with death then treat him as a lowly servant for years on end? Or how about the man who has to keep serving the ass who mistreated his family in his own business as if they were a favored friend? Oh no, Mr. Hannibal, I'd say it was you who was foolish for never seeing this coming."

"And I suppose you just expect me to take this sitting down? Not even try to defend myself?"

"Oh I'm well aware of your rumored 'skills' with your precious butterfly knife. But as they say in America, never bring a knife to a gunfight." He gestured again with the pistol, pride evident on his face. "Oh, and before you start thinking those GDF agents are going to save you, I happen to have a little surprise waiting for them."

Gunfire started up outside, followed swiftly by screams from the people walking through the streets.

"Shit!" Pat screamed over the comm., "Where the hell did these guys come from?"

Amanda and Sarah's rifles joined the chorus on the radio. "They've got the street locked down! We can't get inside!"

"Miki, Taiyou, get rid of these assholes!"

"We can't. They're protecting their minds from intrusion. I don't understand, who taught them to do that?"

Taiyou let out a roar and there was the sound of something big and heavy crashing to the ground. "Everyone in the Dawn was taught to protect themselves from a young age. They must have learned it from them."

"Get down!"

A huge explosion rocked the building, sending most of the patrons cowering under their tables. Laoshu grimaced and braced himself against the nearby wall; his eyes never leaving the three people had trapped under his aim. "They're more persistent than I'd thought. Hmph. Oh well, guess I'll just have to take of things myself. My brother will be disappointed he couldn't do it himself, but he'll understand. Goodbye Chou. Enjoy your extended stay in he-"

A bar stool crashed against the man's head from behind him, sending him tumbling to the floor. A hooded figure jumped down on top of him and pressed a gun to his face, knocking the man's weapon away. "Tell those men outside to stop shooting or else I'll vent your brains out on the floor!" When Laoshu whimpered but remained silent the person aimed their gun right in front of his face and shoot the floor next to his eyes. "First warning, you're not getting another. Now!"

"Alright, alright! I'll do it. Just don't shoot me, please. Please!"

Seemingly satisfied the figure grabbed a radio sticking out of the cowering Laoshu's pocket and shoved it in his face, the man immediately stammering out some Mandarin into the speaker. Slowly but surely the gunfire outside disappeared, leaving behind only screams of either fear or pain. Seconds passed before the front door of the restaurant was bashed in and Gordon rushed through the tables toward them, gun up and searching for threats. "No targets spotted inside. Team, secure the mercs then set up a perimeter. Lauren, Craig, you two okay?" he asked as he arrived at their corner of the room.

The couple both nodded, Lauren crushing herself against Craig in obvious relief.

"I'm just fine, thanks for asking," Chou grumbled. He glared down at his fallen bodyguard before turning a hateful gaze to the now cuffed and quibbling Laoshu. "He's not going to be though."

"No, he won't," Gordon agreed. His focus turned up to the still hooded figure, who was now talking rapidly into a phone while keeping their gun pointed at Laoshu. "So who're you stranger? And why am I thanking you for saving my charges here?"

The figure paused in their call and lowered the phone before grabbing the lip of their hood and flipping it back. The hair was the most striking feature, a bright electric blue bob cut. Her eyes were covered by dark black shades that came off next, revealing emerald green eyes with narrowed, calculating irises. The face was a smooth oval shape, suggesting a much nicer disposition than her current demeanor and stance were stating.

"I'm Cassidy. Cassidy McClane, IBI. I was here to try and shadow a growing arms ring that seemed to be stealing from Chou's group for the last few months, with Mr. Laoshu here being the prime suspect for their dealing manager. Now I'm not so sure what exactly I've stumbled onto. Alien super kaiju and terrorist groups? That's a bit above my current pay grade."

Gordon looked her up and down for a moment, then down at Laoshu and got himself a grin. "Not anymore it ain't. How'd you feel about joining the GDF for a special project as our IBI contact for a while?"

Cassidy smiled and laid a hand on her hip. "Sounds like a great shot at advancement to me. What's the project?"

"Saving the world of course."

Cassidy blinked in surprise but then smiled and shrugged. "Eh, why not? Might give me a chance to one-up the old man for once. Count me in."

---

The empty ocean swirled in silence as Gamera, Titanosaurus and Zilla all swam in towards the anomaly together, each silently preparing themselves for combat in their own ways.

Oh this is so exciting!

Well, trying to at least.

Miss White, Gamera began politely, I appreciate that this will be your first ever mission for the GDF and you are, by consequence, a bit excited, but it would be helpful it you could contain yourself while we are engaged.

The small voice gave an equally small giggle. Right. Sorry Mister Gamera, sir.

It's fine. Zilla said. Just try to remain focused on the task at hand.

This is our support? Titano snorted.

"WE are your support, Miss Titano. Try not to forget that,"Captain Clansi said on the bridge of the North Dakota. "Gamera, the Kazan and the Ambush are waiting just on the edge of this sound barrier. If the barrier works anything like the sound shrouds on our subs then we'll lose sonar contact with you once you pass through. We'll have to rely on you to spot targets for our torpedoes until they can lock on for themselves."

How are you going to keep the torpedoes from hitting us? Zilla asked. I may be tougher than my mother was so they won't kill me, but I'd rather not get hit all the same.

A deeper toned voice came on the link. "This is Captain Romanev on the Kazan. Do not worry overmuch about that, friends. We have already downloaded your sonar signatures into our torpedoes. So long as you do not swim directly in their path, they should avoid you without too much issue."

Well, that's comforting.

Oh yes. Now we only have to hope that whatever we're fighting doesn't kill us, rather than our allies doing so.

"Very cheerful, isn't she?" Captain Roderick's Londoner accent remarked. "I can tell you all this much, my monstrous lady. Give the Ambush a target and we'll bombard it into nonexistence for you."

"It's what we're good at," Clansi agreed with a smile. "Solving problems with high explosives. Doesn't get any better than that."

If it means we don't have to be at risk, then I'm all for it, Zilla said.

The trio arrived at the edge of the anomaly, the water's temperature diving to a temp cold even for the kaiju. Zilla shivered as he got his first good look at the barrier, a roiling wall of black pushing away the ocean bearing down on it. Stop me if I'm sounding cliché, but I've got a baaaad feeling about this.

Gamera sighed, coming to a stop with the others just before the barrier. You are not the only one. The guardian kaiju looked at his fellows and said, Zilla, Titano, there's something I need you to promise me. If this kaiju is who I think it might be, this I need you to swim away as quickly as you can. I'll have the subs launch their torpedoes before they retreat as well.

What are you talking about Gamera? You know what this thing is?

Possibly, and if it is that kaiju, then neither of you would be of any help in defeating it. If I tell you to flee, you must do so. Understand?

I guess, but why? What has you so spooked?

Gamera stared at the barrier, his gaze almost intense enough to burn through the sound absorbing energy on its own. I told you once that myself and the other guardian kaiju were created to bring down an ancient evil, one that was a threat to the entire world.

And… this is it, you think? Titano asked. Her tail slowed its back and forth swaying. What, uh, makes you think that?

A feeling. A sense of… wrongness surrounding this place. It is difficult to describe.

You know, if you were anyone else, I'd say you're being paranoid, Titano said. But with you…

Hey, no need to worry guys. Zilla bumped Gamera's shell. We're all the fastest kaiju that exist when it comes to swimming. If nothing else, I'm sure we could outrun this guy. Plus the subs all have nukes, and an unwater nuke is nothing to scoff at. We can take this guy.

Gamera smiled and clapped a paw on Zilla's shoulder. I admire your confidence my friend. Perhaps you are right. After all, his sealing was supposed to drain much of his energy. It might be better to strike at him now rather than later. I just wish that Raiga was here. She would be a great help in this fight.

Am I the only one here who's still hoping for a diplomatic end to this thing? Titanosaurus asked. Which would be next to impossible if that psycho electric were here.

At this point, I'd be kinda disappointed if there wasn't a fight in there, said Zilla, moving into the black mist. All this build up only to do a bunch of talking? That would suck.

You are seriously under estimating the value of talking, Titanosaurus said as she followed him in.

Says the kaiju who refused to talk to anyone but a pile of molten rock for years.

Gamera stared after the two, both bemused and amused at their bickering. With a slight smile he pushed into the darkness after them. The water grew to be deathly cold, even for a kaiju, while what little visibility there had been before disappeared completely. The ominous sense from before increased, but the feel of it changed, the alien nature departing from that which he recalled in the haze of his far off memory. Gamera knew he should be still be cautious, but he couldn't help but sigh in personal relief as he pushed through the blackness.

Seconds of oppressive silence passed before the three kaiju finally made it through the barrier. The moment they crossed over to the other side, the light level increased massively, as well as the temperature. Whatever relief Gamera had before disappeared in an instant as he and the others caught sight of what was before them.

"Gamera, what's in there?" Clansi asked. "Any sign of the target?"

Zilla was the one to answer, his voice becoming near frantic. "There's Rifts! Rifts all over the place. Five, six… too many. Too damn many!"

"Rifts? Like the one the Antversers use?" Romanev roared. "How? That should be impossible!" "Their facility was destroyed by Godzilla years ago."

Yeah, well they're here alright. Seven of the fraking things! Titano shouted as she swam around the perimeter of the nearest one. They were arranged in a huge circle, at the center of which was a glowing hot caldera of molten magma sunken into the sea floor. The bottom itself was broken and jagged, huge outcrops of rock jutting out all over the place in an almost demonic way. Anyone got any bright ideas for dealing with this, cause I'm really not in the mood to be dealing with these things.

Oh this isn't good. This is bad, bad, bad, bad…

"Everyone calm the hell down!" Clansi ordered. "We already know the drill for dealing with these things and we've got plenty of nukes to do it with. Gamera, you and the others just stick together, find one of the Ants, and shove its ass down the hole when we tell you."

Yeah, funny thing about that but there's none of them here. Zilla hovered over the tear in the ocean scanning back and forth for any sign of movement. As in, there is literally no one here but us.

"That doesn't make any sense," Roderick said. "Why would they make so many portals but not use a single one of them?"

To keep them safe, Gamera answered. They know what the weakness is and they aren't give us a chance to use it. So long as none of their monsters come through the rifts are invulnerable.

So what the heck do we do then? Just stand guard until eventually one comes up?

"Not much else we can do right now," Clansi said. "Gamera, how much room is there inside the barrier? Is it safe for us to come through to support you or should we stay outside?"

I recommend you stay outside the barrier for now. There is much less space in this place then the barrier's size would suggest. If you were to enter it would just put you in more danger.

"If you are certain comrade, then we will remain here for now. The instant you spot a target tell us to fire. Given how long it took you to traverse the barrier, it make be some time before our torpedoes could arrive inside to hit an enemy."

Roderick vocally scoffed. "Assuming any enemies actually show up that is."

At the center of the volcano a deep rumbling started, cracks spreading out with jets of flame erupting out. All around the rifts awoke with lightning and spread open to reveal the yawning abyss within each one. The three kaiju all clustered up together, watching as dark shadows crawled up from the rifts.

One popped out of the nearest rift, a small creature roughly a quarter the size of the kaiju hovering above it. The thing was simple and plain, a beast with four equally sized limbs and a over-sized jaw filled with mismatched razor teeth. For a brief instant the trio relaxed, Zilla almost laughing at the creature that pitifully roared up at them.

Then a second kaiju popped out of the hole. And another. And another. Two more over there. Three over there. Five appeared from behind the volcano, followed swiftly by four more. Twelve, fourteen, seventeen. The count was soon lost.

"Gamera, we're reading a large number of unknown contacts on mental visual. What's going on in there?"

The crowd of Anters gathered in front of the trio, roaring and snapping at them.

Zilla gulped audibly on the channel. Guys, I think we're going to need a bigger ocean.

As if by some unseen signal, the monsters all struck forward, barreling towards them with reckless abandon. Gamera shot ahead of Zilla and Titano and shouted, Stay behind me! His mouth opened and out of it poured a hail of blinding red energy, plasma lancing out and covering the creatures in scalding heat. A chorus of agonized screams echoed through the ocean depths as the turtle kaiju swept the last of the little monsters under his flame and cut off the stream. Charred remains slowly sank down to the rocky crags below, what few there were left from the burning power that had stuck them.

Huh, Zilla said. That was actually a lot easier than I thought.

Don't tempt things, Titano snarled at him. Now grab one of the bits and shove it down a hole. The sooner we're done with this the better.

Gamera nodded his agreement with the idea. Quite. It would be best if we could close off these portals before more come throu…

Deep shudders struck the volcano again, the cracks leading to the rifts widening while lava seeped out with a warm burning light. The rifts became active again, opening further than before as more and more of the same monsters streamed out in groups of three or four.

Titano grumbled. You just haaad to say something.

Hey, it wasn't me this time! Zilla defended.

Further conversation was cut off as the monsters began to swarm at them. Once again Gamera lashed out with his plasma breath, but their enemy had learned from their previous mistake and avoided bunching up to provide a good target. Only two of the beasts were felled by the water guardian before the horde was upon them.

Titano was the first they reached, one of them reaching out with open jaws and an eager growl. It never saw the tail slap that smacked it into one of its fellows, Titano following up by sweeping under the Anter approaching her left and upper cutting into its stomach. She screamed in pain when one latched onto her tail before she swung it off and smashed her fist into the thing's skull.

Gamera withdrew into his shell as the Anters attacked him, their bites and swipes doing nothing to his thick hide. An Anter made the mistake of trying to swim into one of the turtle's exposed holes, only to get a ball of plasma shoved right into its face, burning away its whole upper torso. The rest of Gamera's Anters quickly followed suit as he spun rapidly in place, spitting out gobs of molten death at them faster than they could evade.

Zilla saw the attack incoming and zoomed away at high speed, five of the Anters following closely on his tail. That proved to be a grievous error as Zilla flipped around and chomped on the leader of the pack, snapping the thing's spine easily. The rest struck forward to avenge it but Zilla bashed them away with his heavy skull, spitting out the Anter stuck in his teeth. Gah, by Tanaka these guys taste disgusting. Like ten month old rotted fish.

I think we have more pressing concerns than what they taste like, Zilla, Gamera shouted as he shell rushed into another pair of Anters. We need to find a way to close off those Rifts before we are overwhelmed!

"We can help with that," Romanev said. "Our crews are already calibrating the torpedo paths now. So long as the parazity continue to stream out of the Rifts, they should remain vulnerable enough for the payloads to make it through."

Well then hurry up and launch the damn things! Titano turned and gave a sonic roar in the direction of the nearest Rift, stunning the new batch of Anters swimming out of it. A pair of them attempted to sneak up on her from behind while she was distracted but Zilla barreled into them headfirst before they could get close.

On the other side of the barrier the crew of the North Dakota were scrambling back and forth trying to keep track of the fight their allies were engaged in.

"Ron, how much longer getting the nukes primed and programed?" Clansi demanded. His eyes were glued to the screen showing the visual translation of the mental vision Carrie was transmitting for them. Three golden yellow dots were dashing back and forth followed by more than a dozen dull green spots. Every few moments one or more of the greens would disappear after contacting the yellow, but more greens kept following up to replace them. They can't keep this up forever. Eventually one of them is going to be overwhelmed…

The XO swore before turning to Clansi. "Something's wrong with the detonation package on the nuke we have preloaded in the tube. They're having to unload it and replace it manually."

The Captain bit back his own curse. "Well hurry it up then, and prepare to launch the normal torps and get a reload going. Romanev, Roderick, are you two prepared to launch?"

"Affirmative, Clansi. We have one nuke and five regular torpedoes loaded. The Ambush is ready to fire once we see an opportunity."

"Kazan, here. We have two nukes loaded and aimed at the far Rifts, with two more on standby. The rest are conventional. Gamera, do we have permission to fire?"

Affirmative Captains. Fire as many of the normal torpedoes as you can, but warn us when you launch a nuclear one so we can find cover.

Clansi nodded and ordered, "Permission to engage. Clear all tubes. Ripple fire, wide spread pattern."

From all three points of the triangle bursts of high-pressure air were released in rapid succession, a stream of matte-painted steel tubes flowing from each sub in sequence. The metal fish stormed through the deep ocean and straight into the barrier, electronic brains under orders to ignore the lack of input from their sonic ears and ears. Seconds later they reappeared on the other side and immediately locked onto the myriad contacts that came into sight. Their powerful active sonars pinged out and bounced off the Anters, the beasts' only warning of what was to come.

Incoming, Zilla warned as he ducked behind an outcrop to shake loose an Anter trying to gnaw on his tail. Gamera and Titano both took stock of where the nearest torpedoes were coming from and made trails in the opposite direction. By the time the enemy realized what was happening, it was far too late to survive.

The Kazan's torps were the first to arrive, being faster than their counterparts. One Ant made the error of turning to see what was pinging sonar off of it and received a ton of high explosive going off in its face. The detonation tore the creature apart and mashed what wasn't ripped to shreds with the pressure wave. Over the next minute more and more of the torps reached their targets, all but one killing the Ants almost immediately. Clansi watched with bated breath as the field of green spots thinned out considerably while the three golden points hide beneath differing rock formations.

"Thirty one confirmed hits in the first wave," Roderick declared. "I think that makes a new record for most kaiju killed in one minute."

"We're not out of the woods yet comrade. Most Ants are bound to appear, and now we are stuck having to reload. It will be several minutes before can attempt another strike like this."

Clansi felt a poke on his shoulder and turned to see his XO. "Sir, sonar is reporting a new kaiju contact approaching us. It looks like it was the same one from earlier."

The Captain furrowed his brow. "Why would it be heading back this way right now? Strange. Tell Jonesy to keep an eye on it. If it seems like it's going to engage us we'll send a torp in its direction, but ignore it otherwise. We've got more important fish to fry at the moment." The XO nodded and turned back to trying to rush the crew on the reload.

Inside the barrier the waters finally stilled after their massive disruption. Holy crap! Zilla said as he swam out into the open again, smirking at the one Ant who remained alive near him. Looks like the tables have turned, eh little one? The Anter squealed in alarm and turned to swim away, but Zilla easily caught up with it and slammed it into a rock spike, impaling the beast. I've got one body caught right here for an express nuclear delivery, nice and freshly dead.

Gamera smacked away an Ant that was approaching him from behind, his attention on the volcano. That might not be of much help my friend. I have a sneaking suspicion something else is going on here.

What do you mea…

Loud cracks and explosions erupted from the caldera, canyon-like cracks ripping their way through the rock towards the Rifts all around it. When the lines of red magma reached the Rifts the holes in space and time expanded and began to shift inward towards the volcano. As they did, yet more of the half-sized Ants came pouring out of the holes and ambled at each of them.

Oh come on!

Zilla rushed forward to meet the nearest group head on - literally - his square skull bashing through the creatures before zooming off again faster than they could catch. Gamera again retreated within his shell and shot off as a giant circular battering ram. Titanosaurus growled and moved down into the rocky crags near the bottom, shifting through the twisting valleys and using the close quarters to keep the Ants from swarming her on all sides.

While the kaiju were busy engaging themselves with the next wave the sub captains were all sweating bullets as they watched the Rifts edge ever closer to each other.

"What the hell are they up to?" Clansi pondered. A quick check of the bridge showed that the reloads were only halfway done, and their reserves of pressurized air had to be recharged before they could fire again.

"I don't know, but it's nothing good," Roderick replied reasonably. "I think it might be a good idea to save up our nukes until whatever this thing they are doing is done. Then we can take them all out in one swoop."

Romanev grunted. "I'm not sure even that will be enough, but we have little choice at this point. We will have to coordinate our launch down to the second to ensure they all detonate are the same instant. If not…"

"Then we'll only get a fraction of the firepower," Clansi finished. "It's going to be a tricky shot gentlemen, but it's one we're all capable of. Gamera, you will have to let us know when to launch the strike so you can get to a safe range before detonation. Think you all can last until the Rifts are… joined together, if that is what they are attempting?"

There is little doubt of that at this point, Gamera said as he poured a stream of plasma down one of the shifting Rifts, cooking the Ants that had been trying to escape its depths. The volcano is very obviously artificial in it's erupting. Beyond that, the edges of the Rifts are beginning to meld together as they near the center.

"So the worst-case scenario then," Roderick said. "Most excellent news."

"What about yourselves comrades? Do you require aid?"

I'm doing fine for right now, Zilla said as he ripped off the arm of an Anter with his teeth. Another one came up on his side and bit his leg, prompting him to roar and kick the creature off viciously. Ehrg, mostly fine.

Die you piece of kaiju dung! Titano soared out from a valley tossing an Ant into a pair of its fellows and bellowing a sonic roar at them to disorient the lot. She then swam above them and brought her tail around in a powerful strike that sent them down into a stream of magma. Wincing, Titano wiped away some blood from a cut on her face, willing herself to ignore the long gash she had in her side. I'm getting really tired of these little bastards.

Gamera appeared at Titano's side and placed a paw on her shoulder, lending her some of his mana to ease her pain somewhat. We should stick together from here on out. With the Rifts all moving to the same place we can keep the newcomers to our front and deal with them cooperatively.

Sounds like a plan to me, Zilla said as he came up next to them, tail slapping an Ant that came at him from below. The trio gathered up in a triangle, Gamera at the front with Zilla and Titano guarding his flanks. Alright you manufactured freaks, come at us if you dare! Bring it on!

The rumbling sound halted within the caldera, the exposed magma within becoming unnaturally still. The Rifts were now touching each other's edges, small streaks of lightning arcing between them here and there. The remaining Ants, rather than approaching their gathered enemy retreated to the Rifts, flowing back down into the holes as one unit.

"Um… what are they doing?"

I am not certain we wish to find out.

The moment the last Ant disappeared into the Rifts the volcano started up again, this time roaring with its full fury and magnitude. Jets of lava hundreds of feet tall bellowed out of the maelstrom while the edges of the caldera cracked and broke off from the force of the earth around them quaking. The Rifts moved into the expanding circle of fire, then lost cohesion and melded together. The holes combined in the center of the circle, its diameter massively larger than any single Rift that had formed it. At the peak of the volcano's rage the newly formed hole expanded and stretched, a deep shadow tunneling upward into the fiery light.

The creature rose up from the eruption, its armored black skin reflecting the hellish landscape that had birthed it. The monster seemed almost crocodilian, its elongated snout bristling with razor teeth arranged in a devilish smile. Along its back huge red spikes crackled with energy, while its clawed flippers and giant tail swished to lift it to the same height as the trio. Burning red eyes fixed upon the kaiju, the light shining within gleaming with malice.

Upon the bridge of the North Dakota, all Clansi could do was gape at the bright crimson glob that took up the center of his visual screen.

"I'm… I'm not the only one seeing this, am I chaps?"

Romanev let out a sigh. "No, comrade. I believe you are not. This creature… this demon is all too real."

After gulping to try and gain some moisture again in his throat, Clansi asked the obvious question. "What… what is the size of the creature, Miss White?"

Carrie whimpered in her chair but gathered enough courage to answer. "Eig… Eight hundred feet long, Captain. The biggest kaiju on record."

Romanev gave off a curse in Russian, while Rodrick could be heard praying over the channel.

"May god help us all," Clansi breathed.

---

Hello again everyone, and welcome back to Humanity's Stand. Why yes, it only took me two months to push this one out. Yay me! But what's this? Part 1? It ends on a cliffhanger? Oh dear oh dear, looks like someones been taking lessons from old Tarby. (How'm I doing oh Grendelson?) But I say to you my good readers, have no fear, for I have improved my output considerably since the new year started. For example, I actually wrote two chapters since the last one. It's just that the other chapter is one that goes somewhat further on in the future so... no posting it just yet. Oh well. But I promise you, with my full heart and attention, that I will do my utmost to push out the next part as quickly as possible (while retaining my usual quality of course). On top of that, I have in mind a small short that I intend to create and post either by the 14th or 17th of this month (Valentine's day or my birthday respectively), so keep an eye out for that.

Also, we shall soon reach the end of the first Arc of this story (the Prewar Arc to be clear) and with the arrival of the second arc will come a secondary side story that will be written in cooperation with a friend of mine; The Legends of the Langoud. Details on this side story will have to wait for later, but when it goes up I'll make sure to inform you all. The short will give a few hints as to what will be going on there, but for now, secrets must be kept.

As always, reviews and critiques are well appreciated and my message box is fully open to anyone who wants to contact me. Until next time, Blazing Phoenix out.