EPISODE 9: MYSTERY ADVERSARY REVEALED!

               Crystal blue waves crashed against the beige sand beach that lined a lagoon on the largest island of the Ogasawara reserve. It was clear sunny day with barely a cloud in sight. Past the sand was the start of a lush tropical forest where birds and insects were chirping and buzzing as they went about their lives. About a quarter of a mile inland, was a small freshwater lake roughly a mile in diameter, on the edge of one side of the lake, a large monitor lizard was emerging from the forest; tempted by the crisp sent of fresh water. As the meter-long reptile crept up to the water’s edge, it took a quick watchful look around the area. With all seemingly calm it took the opportunity to have a drink.

               The big lizard was able to spend a few seconds drinking before suddenly a flock of birds suddenly erupted from the forest to its rear. Its head perked up, its left eye watching as the flock flew overhead and scattered to the opposite side of the lake. A second later, it could feel the ground trembling beneath its scaly clawed feet. It slowly shifted to the right a little bit as the tremors grew more intense. Just over the treetops a pointed object began to appear, bobbing back and forth and getting larger. It was soon joined by two fin-like appendages on either side.

               Knowing what was coming, the monitor quickly scurried out of the way. Mere seconds later, a massive pair of reddish-brown clawed feet appeared from the forest. The kaiju’s skin had thick armor-plated texture that resembled a crocodilian. It moved up to the edge of the water on four legs sporting a thick and powerful tail and heavily armored back with massive thick, overlapping rose pedal-shaped scales. The Kaiju’s head was 35 meters off the ground, rounded and stocky like a pit bull’s. The main distinguishing features were the massive yellow nasal horn that sprouted from between its eyebrows and large crescent shaped ears that flapped upright upon reaching the water. 

Like its punitive predecessor, the kaiju got a look around the area, listening with its large ears and scanning the area with its fiery red eyes. Not sensing any of its rivals nearby, the beast’s ears laid back flat against its head before lowering its head down to take a drink from the freshwater lake.

               Unbeknownst to the kaiju, it was being watched from afar. From an observatory-like office, built into the hillside, Miki was watching the red behemoth going about its life. For her it was a relaxing pass-time to observe the titanic beings that everyone labeled monsters in their day-to-day activities.

               The kaiju continued to drink peacefully at the water’s edge for about a minute when suddenly it paused. Its large ears quickly stood up. Something unseen caught its attention as it raised its head and began scanning the area. Miki could sense it too, but she already knew the source. She had felt it so many times periodically the last few days that by then it had become noticeable but only mildly distracting. She continued to watch as the kaiju continued to scan its surroundings with its ears raised until eventually it directed its attention towards the lagoon. It could not see the source of its uneasy feeling but sensed full well what it was. The kaiju could tell that the source was not necessarily a threat to it, but it still did not like the uneasy feeling that it was giving off.

               After a few moments of staring off in the direction of the lagoon, the red kaiju turned away from the lake and proceeded to venture to a different part of the island. Miki watched the red behemoth until it was out of view.

               “Baragon.” A light female voice suddenly said.

               Miki’s eyes widen in surprise by the sound of the voice.

               “Yes, that’s what you all call it.” A second almost identical voice said.

               The sound of the voices, though familiar and relief for Miki to hear, were also a surprise to her. She quickly turned around to her desk. For the first time in a long while, Miki smiled from ear to ear with delight. Standing on her desk were two small Asian women, only 30 centimeters tall; twins dressed in matching red and yellow dresses with braided ponytails and wearing small necklaces that bore a pendant displaying small cross symbols emitting wavy lines.

               “Shobijin…” Miki said. “It’s been far too long.”

               The twin girls, holding each other’s hands, bowed slightly and pleasantly in a friendly greeting.

               “Hello, Miki.” Said the left.

               “A long time indeed.” Said the right.

               “Almost 20 years since we last spoke.” The twins said in perfect unison.

               Still unable to let go of her smile, Miki said. “Even just two years would be too long. It is so great to see you two again.”

               “As it is great to see you again as well Miki.” The pair said.

               “I’m afraid to tell you that we have come with grave news.” The left one said, causing Miki’s happy expression to turn concerned.

               “There’s a dark force coming that threatens our world.” The right added.

               “I know.” Miki said. “Do you know what it is?”

               “We regret to tell you that we do not know.” The Shobijin said in unison.

“Our gift of foresight is too clouded to tell what this dark time holds.” The left one said.

“However, it is clear that this force aims to cause great destruction for our world.” Said the right.

“That must be what junior can sense…” Miki said.

“Gojira can sense it too.” The twins said. “As does Mosura.”

“Mosura…” Miki said. “Can Mosura help us?”

“So long as you remain on the side of good, Mosura will always be your ally, Miki.” Said the twins.

“Do what you can to uncover the identity of this force Miki.” Said the left

“We will do what we can to aid you as well.” Said the right.

“Thank you.” Miki said regaining her smile. “Your assistance is always more than welcome, and I will do everything in my power to help as well.”

                Meanwhile in Port Moresby, New Guinea. Ken and his two colleagues were accompanied by Sergeant Sanchez in civilian clothes, hot on the trail of the coin that Akira located on the internet. For a full day, they tracked down the location of the person who listed the coin online. The trail led them to an apartment with a somewhat shanty door.

               Ken knocked on the flimsy door which shook profusely despite not much strength being put behind each knock.

               “Something just occurred to me.” Paul said.

               “What’s that?” Ken asked.

               “Shouldn’t we have an interpreter?” Paul asked.

               “The page posting was made in English.” Ken said. “We can only assume that-”

               Suddenly the four of them heard what sounded like glass breaking. They all snapped their attention towards the door.

               Ken, out of concern, knocked on the door a few more times and called out, “Hello! Is everything alright?”

               The men waited for a few seconds, but there was no response.

               “Maybe a cat knocked something over?” Dakota asked.

Suddenly the door flung open. A Polynesian man in his early 30s suddenly stumbled from the doorway and fell right at the 4 men’s feet. As soon as he fell forward, the group became instantly aware of a stab wound on the man’s back where blood was gushing through; progressively turning his turquoise tropical themed shirt, red.

               While Paul, Ken, and Dakota attended to the victim, Sanchez drew a side-arm from his back-waistband and immediately went about clearing the house. He first made sure the main entry way was clear before proceeding on. All the while his weapon was aimed everywhere he was looking; moving with the assert professional and sharp manner of a wolf sniffing out its prey. While coming around to the kitchen, he took notice of glass on the floor and a few trails of blood. Immediately to the right of the debris was a sharp object resembling a spear-tip; the point covered in blood.

               Seeing where the debris lied, Sanchez was able to figure out which window the spear tip came from. Very carefully, his hands tight on his weapon, he peered around the corner to get a look out the shattered window. He saw a building opposite from the window, about 50 yards away. Its rooftop was in line with the window giving the shooter a clear shot. However, there was no one there now.

               Sanchez lowered his weapon and caught his breath before calling out to the others, “All clear.”

               On the man’s front door, the group were helping him back into his apartment. It was as they helping him back down onto the floor that in his last conscious moment, he suddenly forced something into Ken’s hand. It was the coin.

               Ken looked at the coin in his hand then back at the man. His eyes started to roll back. Though Ken’s ESP could not pick up any specific words, he could feel the man’s desperation and his fear as he faded.

               “Hang in there, buddy,” Dakota said. “Help is on the way.”

               The man’s head fell unconscious against the floor.

               “It’s too late.” Sanchez said, appearing in the hallway with the spear tip in his hand. “He got hit by this.”

               Sanchez handed the object to Paul, who remarked, “This looks like the end of a spear or a kunai.”

               “Whatever it is, they laced it with Acrylonitrile.” The soldier said. “It’s highly toxic.”

               “Jesus.” Paul said.

               “They probably didn’t know we were here though.” Sanchez added. “Whoever it was, took off after hitting him.”

               “They should have made sure that they got the coin back from him first.” Ken said; opening up his hand to reveal the coin.

               Everyone’s eyes glazed open at the coin while the sound of sirens began to close in.

               Back on board the SS Venture, Akira was doing more research on the various cultures that Manda’s likeness was used. He was busy compiling a virtual map of all the different locations that the kaiju’s statues appeared; the majority of the locations were all along the pacific rim. Just then a notification popped up on the right hand side of his laptop’s screen with the words NEW MAIL.

               Upon clicking the notification, a window opened up displaying his email. The newest message was titled SARA WISE INFORMATION; the sender was listed as M. HOLMES. He clicked on the message.

               Doctor Sahara,

               Attached to this message are documents recovered from Sara Wise’s computer, as you requested.

               I’ve already gone through them as well.

               -Holmes.

               Akira scrolled down to see that there were no fewer than 50 files attached to the email; most of which contained the word Mu. He clicked on the first document; titled MU ACCOUNTS. It was a PDF of various reports of detailing lore passed down over the years in various Pacific territories about the lost continent of Mu.

               Akira would spend over an hour combing through the pages upon pages of documents that Sara Wise had collected on the lost continent. Most was only speculative information, however. He eventually came to another file called MU ARTIFACTS. The first couple pages made his eyes widen as he discovered it contained photos of the same statues of Manda that he had found during his own investigations.

               The captions read:

               By all accounts, the mythological sea dragon known as Manda dates back hundreds of years. However, through the course of my research, I have discovered that Manda is tied closely to Mu as well. Likely worshipped as a benevolent being by the lost culture, Manda’s image has been passed down and modified through the ages to other cultures as well. It is my firm belief that remnants of Mu’s belief system survived the continents destruction and became diluted in the various pacific cultures over the centuries.

               Akira scrolled further down until he suddenly came across a photo that caused his eyes to widen in shock and his mouth to slowly dangle open.

               He whispered in a hesitant voice, impossible, in his native dialect, “Fukanou…”

               Back at the reserve, Miki was in the middle of a meeting with General Kuroki and Master Chief Barnes.

               “We can expect the Venture to arrive with Manda in the morning.” Barnes said. “Ground team has already prepped an area on Anijima.”

               “Good.” Miki said. “Titanosaurus should make a good co-habitant for Manda.”

               “Have there been any developments in New Guinea, ma’am?” Kuroki asked.

               “Nothing substantial yet.” Miki said. “I trust Ken and his team will uncover more soon.”

               “Moguera Squadron is on standby, as well as the 2^nd Maser Battalion and the rest of the 1-175 Infantry Battalion.” Kuroki said.  

               “Very well.” Miki said before sensing something weighing on Barnes’s mind, “Something is troubling you, Master Chief?”

               “Godzilla.” Barnes said.

               “Why?” Kuroki asked.

               Barnes didn’t know how to explain for a moment as his thoughts were still a little chaotic.

               After taking in a breath, he then said, “With the way he stayed dormant all this time I just knew that it was going to happen one day, but I hoped it wouldn’t. I’m concerned about the implications this will have.”

               “You’re afraid Junior is going disrupt the natural order of things?” Miki asked.

               “That and more.” Barnes said. “We have plenty of data on the habits and abilities of every kaiju in this reserve. I’m confident of being able to keep them living here peacefully. I’ve done more than my fair share of research on the Godzilla line, and from what I’ve seen there is no limit to what Godzilla is capable of. The first one was almost literally birthed from the ‘54 Bikini Test and decimated Tokyo; all the while, strolled through massive bombardments and electrical defenses that should have fried him to a crisp. The second one should have died from its wounds after the futurians sent it to the bottom of the bearing sea, but instead survived until a nuclear sub made it into a larger, more powerful version of its predecessor. That one was hit with cadmium, anti-nuclear energy bacteria, and even came back from total paralysis. When it finally died, it was from its own power and nearly took the planet with it. What could we possibly expect from this new Godzilla, let alone what could we possibly do to stop it should its intentions be like the first two?”

               “I understand your anxiety, Master Chief.” Miki said. “The honest answer is, I don’t know what to expect. Junior grew up in a more peaceful life than his father and one with better human interaction. It’s my hope that he hasn’t forgotten the good we showed him in his early life, but who knows how his transformation into an adult effected his mentality. We won’t know until finally awakens.”

               “It’s true.” Kuroki said. “The only thing we can do about our uncertainty is hope for the best and be prepared for the worst; to the best of our ability, anyways.”

               Barnes felt a little remorseful about expressing his worries and replied to both, “Apologies Director and General.”

               “It’s alright.” Kuroki replied. “We all are in this together. You are not the only one feeling anxiety about the situation.”

               Just then there was an incoming call from Ken on Miki’s computer monitor.

               “It’s my nephew.” Miki said clicking on the icon.

               “We shall leave you to the call then ma’am.” Kuroki said as he stood up.

               Barnes followed the General out.

               Once the room was cleared, Miki answered the video call which produced a feed of Ken slightly out of breath going, “Hello? Aunty? Am I coming through, ok?”

               “Yes, I can see and hear you just fine.” Miki said. “What do you have to report?”

               “Ah good,” Ken replied with a heavy sigh of relief. “Aunty, we found evidence linked to a human faction at work here in New Guinea as well as a Kaiju. Akira gave us a lead to something you need to see.”

               Just then another video call was coming in on Miki’s screen with the name Doctor Sahara.

               “One moment Ken,” Miki said. “Akira is calling as well.”

               Miki clicked on the join call option listed below Akira’s name. A second video feed opened next to Ken’s video. The same happened on Ken and Akira’s screens as well.

               “Miki-Sama!” Akira said excitedly. “Oh, and Ken-san too! Perfect!”

               Ken and Miki calmly yet assertively said to Akira in almost perfect synchronism, “Calm down.”

               Akira blushed and he said in a lower and embarrassed register, “Sorry, I just discovered something you both should see.”

               Miki replied, “We’ll get to yours in a second then Akira. Ken what have you found?”

               Ken held up the coin so that Akira and Miki could see it. Miki’s gaze became more inquisitive while Akira’s eyes widened.

               Ken explained, “Thanks to Akira, we were able to track this item down in Port Moresby. When we got there though the owner was assassinated by an unknown assailant. He was also killed with an unusual weapon too.” Ken held up the spear-tip. “We haven’t been able to identify the alloy this is made from, but it appeared to be launched from an adjacent building through the owner’s window and it was also laced with a toxin known as Acrylonitrile.”

               “Are there any signs of the other team?” Miki asked.

               “None.” Ken replied. “It would seem they stumbled onto not only a new kaiju but this human faction as well. Whoever they are is not clear, but the team was investigating a creature referred to as the Ropen by locals when they also found evidence of a lost civilization in a cave system nearby. Doctor Yamane’s notes revealed they may have stumbled onto something that was more than they were prepared to handle.”

               Miki sat back in her chair, concerned by the evidence uncovered.

               Miki then asked, “Doctor Sahara, what have you found?”

               “I sent a request to our representative in the Ministry Defense, Mr. Holmes, for information found at the real Sara Miles’s home.” Akira explained. “What he sent back was most startling.”

               Akira began displaying the photos in his video feed to Ken and Miki, both became more intrigued by the photos of the artifacts pertaining to Manda.

               He went on to explain, “The real Sara was doing a lot of extensive research into the lost continent known as Mu. As you can see, our new friend Manda appears to be linked rather closely with the Mu culture; she even theorized that the kaiju was seen as a benevolent deity because of all the artifacts left behind. The most interesting item, however, I think you 2 will recognize.”

               A picture appeared on Miki and Ken’s screens which made them both widen their eyes in shock. It was another coin almost identical to the one Ken tracked down in New Guinea, but older.

               “This is indeed another coin like the one I sent Ken after, however the estimates put this one at roughly 800 years old.” Akira said. “And it was found in Guam.”

               “Impossible…” Ken said.  “This one is virtually brand new!”

               Akira then added, “Furthermore, Sara put in her notes that the person who found the older one also turned up dead and the coin itself became lost as well.”

               “Ken…” Miki uttered. “Return to Ogasawara as soon as you can.”

               “I will.” Ken said. “But none of this adds up though, who’s behind all this and what does it have to do with Manda, and this lost continent?”

               “Mu survived.” The voices of the Shobijin interjected.

               “What?” Ken asked.

               “Did you say something, Miki-sama?” Akira asked.

               “No.” Miki said with a slight smile. “Some old friends have returned.”

               The Shobijin then appeared before Miki; doing a pleasant bow to Ken and Akira. Ken’s mouth dangled open. Akira’s did as well but he also smacked himself in the face a few times believing he was dreaming.

               “The…” Akira then said. “Are you the Shobijin!?”

               “We’re pleased to meet you both.” The twins said.

               “You’re real...” Ken said. “You’re the familiars of… Mosura…”

               “You know about Mu?” Miki asked.

               The small women stood off to the side so they could speak to both Miki and the video chat.

               “The Mu Empire existed long ago.” The Shobijin explained. “They were a powerful and advanced people. Despite their power, they lived in peace and kept mostly to themselves, living under the watchful eyes of their protectors. One was known as Ropen, winged guardian of the night.” The name caught Ken’s attention. “The second was the daylight protector known as Salunga. And their most sacred defender was the eternal dragon known as Manda. For several hundred years the Mu Empire prospered until a great calamity befell them.”

               “What calamity?” Miki asked.

               “It’s name was Red Moon.” The left Shobijin said. “It was a powerful demonic beast that appeared in the skies above Mu.”

               The right one immediately added, “It was so named because it appeared during a Lunar eclipse. No one knows where it came from, but it ravaged the continent.”

               “Did Mosura battle it?” Ken asked.

               “Yes, she did.” The left one replied. “However, Mosura had just given birth to the next generation and was too weak to defeat it.”

               The Right one then said, “Before the newborns could help, the Guardians of Mu engaged in a desperate battle with Red Moon.”

               “In the end,” The Shobijin said together, “Red Moon was overwhelmed and in a final desperate act, it formed a cataclysm that caused the Mu Empire to sink into the ocean. The Guardians of Mu, were able to subdue the demon but were unable to save Mu from the great sinking.”

               “So, Mu was completely destroyed?” Akira asked.

               “Thankfully no,” The Shobijin said. “Before it was too late, our ancestors, though not strong enough to prevent the sinking, were able to aid the empire by protecting it as it sank. Preserving the empire in a pocket below the Earth’s surface.”

               “Did they manage to flee for the surface?” Ken asked.

               “No,” said the left. “The Mu Empire chose to remain underground, as they found more peace and resources in the world below than they would have on the surface.”

               “Being as advanced as they were,” The right one explained, “they also faced a lot of conflict from the other civilizations on the surface. Though there were some who remained above, they were strongly devoted to keeping their homeland’s survival a closely guarded secret.”

               “That would explain the disappearances and assassinations of those who find their artifacts.” Akira said.

               “So why have they been resurfacing now?” Ken asked.

               “We do not know.” The Shobijin answered. “For several millennia they have remained peacefully isolated below. We hope that these actions they have been taking do not continue to escalate though.”

               “Is there any way you can find out?” Miki asked.

               “We intend to.” The Shobijin replied. “Our kind have been the only ones allowed to visit their kingdom. We will do so and speak with their leader.”

               The Shobijin put their hands together in a prayer like gesture and began to emit a soft glow. The glow grew brighter until they became a single ball of light that hovered above Miki’s desk for a moment before quickly floating out her open window and off to the distant horizon.

               Meanwhile, several miles below the earth’s surface another meeting was about to take place…

A hall with red flooring and lit by burning lines of charcoal on either side, echoed with a single pair of footsteps. At the end of the hall, a bronze double door sat; guarded by two men in white uniforms with gold-lined colors and red stripes going down the sleeves of the arms. The guards stood with bronze spears at port in their right hands and black circular shields in their left.

               The source of the footsteps drew closer to the guards. It was revealed to be a woman wearing a similar uniform, albeit with a yellow skirt instead of white trousers. Her hair was braided and wrapped around her scalp in a crown-like manner. It was the imposter Sara that had fled the monarch team.

               She halted her march just beyond the two guards and announced to them, “Priestess Luna here by a summons from the Empress.”

               The guards, in a quick and smooth motion, stood aside like robots. The sounds given off by their sliding feet and the butts of their spears planting against the floor were in almost perfect sync. Luna proceeded to walk past the guards and through the bronze doors. The doors opened with a heavy metallic creak and closed with a deep bellowing clang. Immediately upon closing, the guards slid back to their original positions with the same robot-like synchronized movements.

               Inside the room, a large window stood on the opposing side. The window overlooked a city under a sky that appeared to be made of solid rock and lit by strange glowing streams of energy embedded within it. The city seemed to be a hybrid of advanced technology with ancient architecture as most of the buildings resembled ancient Cambodian and Aztec structures in appearance. Some even appeared to be pyramid-like in nature.

               As Luna stepped into the center of the room, she found herself standing a few feet from a finely carved marble table where, on the other side, sat the back of a geometric chair with a few of Manda’s scales forming a fan-like pattern on the back. On either side of the table, facing towards the doors, were two more guards.

               A female voice, with a commanding tone but calm delivery, greeted her, “Thank you for coming Priestess.”

               “It is an honor to be graced in your presence again your highness.” Luna said. “These months away from home have been long and arduous.”

               “Your labor was not in vain though.” The voice said. “Madam Libra has been advising us on many activities of the surface dwellers, however, I needed to hear the truth from one of our own before I choose to make a move against them.”

               “I understand, your grace.” Luna replied. “I trust my report has been of great help then.”

               “Yes, it has.” The unseen royal figure said. “Our benevolent protector has indeed been taken hostage by them?”

               “That is correct.” Luna said. “They claim to have some sort of containment zone where they hold titans.”

               “A blasphemous move, without question.” The voice said with more aggression in her tone. “These surface-dwellers have lived a history shrouded with nothing but heresy.”

               “My apologies for being unable to locate the area where they’ve taken Lord Manda.” Luna said. “I received word that my identity was compromised before I could.”

               “I understand Priestess.” The voice said. “You will make up for your shortcomings by seeing to it personally that Lord Manda is returned safely to us.”

               “I will.” Luna said. “I did not have time to mention it in my report but, the surface dwellers appear to have titans of their own.”

               Suddenly the chair rotated towards Luna. The revolving throne revealed a beautiful woman in white ceremonial robes. Her hair was long and black around the scalp, giving way to a bright red that started around her ears. She had two red braids that draped down from either side of her temple while another red braid wrapped around her scalp; perfectly nestling a tiara of gold leaves that was adorned with two heart-shaped sapphires stacked at the front. Her eyes were sky blue and decorated with orange and black make-up that fanned out in an exotic but aggressive wing-like pattern.

               “Well then,” The Empress said. “We will see whose titans are stronger then.”