Chapter Text
It all started 6 years earlier, back when I was still a naive and childish teenager, back when I lost my father at the claws of Godzilla. The uncaring, evil, destructive and blood soaked claws of Godzilla. It's ironic, really. I once looked at the Queen of the Monsters with such joy and safety, feeling as if nothing could ever happen as long as she was around.
How stupid I was.
The image of her standing over my fathers lifeless body, glorifying herself after she had killed a man that did no wrong, still sits in my memories to this day. My one, and only, Nightmare since I was Three years old. Twelve years of peaceful dreams thanks to Godzilla, now turned into 6 Years of Blood Curdling Nightmares by the that very same Monster.
But now, the time for her to pay is closer than ever before. With the item I received only moments earlier, I can finally perfect what my Father could not. I will remove the greatest threat to humanity from the equation, and establish Humanity as the dominant force on earth, just like my father tried to.
I place my hand on the case in front of me, turning my attention to the camera that has been recording me this whole time. "Once I open this case, it's over." I say to the silent object. "This is highly radioactive, some of the, if not the, most radioactive materials on the planet. One that could sell for so much, but doesn't due to its lethality." I open the case, revealing a small vial of liquid within.
I waste no time in picking up the vial, the label facing away from me towards the camera. I quickly remove the lid and pour the liquid into the pot I have sitting beside me, then I discard the vial haphazardly, not that it matters. I then turn and pick up a syringe laying beside the pot.
Dipping the tip of the syringe into the liquid, I draw in enough to fill the whole chamber. Then, wasting no time, I drive the sharp tip into my own arm, biting on my shirt as a burning feeling rips through my arm and slowly spreads to the rest of my body.
Once I empty the syringe I rip it out and hurl it away. I clutch my arm as I stumble back into another table, paying little mind to the things that fall off and undoubtedly smash off the floor. As I feel this pain, I acknowledge that this is likely what my father went through, it only makes me respect my deceased parents resolve even more than before, and knowing that my father could stand it is enough of a push to ensure I succeed in withstanding this pain.
I slowly stumble forward, clutching onto my work table as I looking into the camera. "It's done. There is no going back now, this is irreversible. I have everything I need to finally achieve my revenge." I look over at my arm, which is now red and extremely swollen. "I will have to let this go down first, or else somebody might try taking me to the Hospital, which will only cause more problems." I mutter. "By the time somebody finds this, the serum will have lost its ability to be used. Only I know how to make this anymore, you," I refer to the camera once again, although I don't look at it. "were merely to express thoughts, there is nothing I have stated that will allow this to be recreated."
I look back to the camera one final time. "End Log. 2190." I then turn off the camera and begin making my way upstairs, my arm starting to ache with every movement I make.
I push open my basement hatch, climbing out into the living room. I then shut it and place two false wooden floor panels over top of it, hiding it from the untrained eye.
Then I hear my doorbell ring, something that catches me off guard. I scramble to grab my coat and throw it on. Nobody can know what I have done, or else it will all be for naught.
I open the door, revealing four people standing there, two guys and two girls. Immediately the guy at the front laughed and smacked me on my thankfully still ok left shoulder. "Dude! It has been literal Days since we've seen you! How've you been?" He says, as energetic as ever.
"I've been fine, Xainti. Simply focused on my work. I'm close to a breakthrough." I explain. They all rolled their eyes, "Yes, your breakthrough, when are you going to admit you're insane?" Another of my friends, Rosie, asks. "When it is true." I state.
James, the most vain of my friends, shakes his head. "Anyway, since we've caught you, we wanted to ask you if you wanted to come with us for some Ice Cream." I raise a brow, leaning against the doorway, an action I quickly regret as my arm explodes with pain, although nothing shows. "Now, how much of that is you five wanting to increase your notoriety by being near a martial arts master?" I ask in a playful tone.
My final friend, Belle, puts on an act, feigning offense as she leans back with her hands on her chest, gasping dramatically. "Thomas!" She exclaims. "How could you say that? You really think we would be so shallow?" She says.
I raise my hands defensively. "Hey! I simply asked how much of it was that. I never said it was the sole reason behind wanting me to go with you all." We all share a laugh. "I'd be happy to get Ice Cream." I say after calming down.
I grab my keys off the stand beside me and lock my door behind me as we start walking into the downtown area.
After walking for a few minutes, something begins to dawn on me, something I'm surprised I didn't think about sooner. When I do this, I'll never see them again. I can't reverse anything after it happens.
Only the more reason to enjoy this day while it lasts, I guess. Doesn't make it hurt any less.
We walk down to our favourite Ice Cream shop by the bay, each getting an ice cream of our desired flavour and sitting on the benches overlooking the water and city on the other side.
It's the last time I'll ever eat Ice Cream, so I take time to savour the delicious treat. It's just a plain sundae with fudge syrup on it, but it's something I have loved ever since I was a child. I would always walk down here with my father and get some.
Just thinking of him only strengthens my resolve to do what I must do.
"You seem even more serious than usual, Thomas. Is something wrong?" Xainti asks, pulling me from my thoughts. "I just started thinking about my Father. You know how I take his death." I reply. "Even to this day I don't believe the story you told us. I mean, yeah, I believe that he died in Godzilla's attack on the Lizard Titan 6 Years ago, but not anything else."
I just roll my eyes and look back down at my Ice Cream only to find that the dish is empty. A brief sigh escapes me, that's the last of the sweet treat I'm ever going to taste. The last of the good memories with my father are left behind as I have to move forward and do what is necessary.
"Hey. What's wrong now?" I spare him a glance and stand up. "I am leaving soon." I reveal as I go and throw away my dish. My friends are all surprised by my statement. "As in, forever?!" Xainti exclaims. "Yes." I state. "What are you doing? So we can keep tabs on your future." Rose asks. "Exactly what I've told you I'd be doing." I reply as I sit back down. "And as for keeping tabs on me, everyone will be keeping tabs on me."
They all look skeptical, which isn't unexpected. But what comes from Xainti next was entirely unexpected, and leaves me furious. "So, you're father dying was a massive joke? And now you're going to go off to whatever nuthouse he's established?" Instantly I stand up and grab Xainti by the shirt, dragging him off the bench. "What did you just say about my father!" By the look on his face, I must've looked pretty menacing, as everyone starts jumping on me to try and pry us apart, to no success.
"My father was a great man! I've never told a single lie about him before..." I pause and reconsider that, "Outside of one. But I only just learned how right he was in that case." It's silent as they wait for me to finish. "I said my father was stupid to think you were bad friends. Now I understand that was an unintentional lie on my part." With that I let go of Xainti's shirt, allowing everyone holding onto him to all go crashing to the ground.
"You all believe I'm crazy. But I'm not. However, I do not need any people like that in my life." They all seem completely stunned, having highly doubted I would take it this far. "So, consider this the formal end to all relations. If you have any complaints you would like to file about our past friendships, bring them up with my secretary, Ms, Fuck You." After that I walk away.
As I exit the park, I take note of how much stronger I am. Able to hold onto Xainti, despite everyone else trying to pull us apart. My growth has already started, and nobody, not even Godzilla will be safe from my wrath. She'll regret her actions of killing such a great man!
I return home and walk upstairs to my bedroom, where I change into my pyjama pants and discard my shirt. My arm has gone down a lot, but it still is tender, so I'll start my journey tomorrow morning. I go through my evening routine, where I swear I see my father every single time. Showering, I look down and see my father helping a young me take a bath. Brushing my teeth, I see my younger self getting help and teachings from dad. I then go and lay down in bed, not before seeing my dad help me get dressed in my pajamas. And then me and my younger self are in the same place as my father starts reading a story. I can still hear the words as he goes through the story again and again.
I feel enraged as I finally fell asleep, and I enter the Nightmare with that same rage.
I'm staring out at the destroyed city of San Francisco, Godzilla standing at the dead centre of the destruction, looking down at the Titan she just killed. A lizard with two massive horns. Dad. Normally this is where I would run away for an extended period of time, as Godzilla chased after me, but today is different. I can fight back now.
She turns and unleashes an Atomic Blast at me, but I merely launch an attack back at it, causing her blast to disperse as the attack continues and hits her in the face. I then leap off the building, my body enlarging to a size far larger than Godzilla. I then charge her and launch a fist at her.
I wake up just as my fist connects. It's morning already? I expected that to be longer, but I'm not complaining. Any last traces of fear are gone after that dream, I know that Godzilla will eventually be powerless before me, and I will not back down at all in my life. I take some time to wander around the house and through the basement, multiple cameras line the wall on the right, my father's many cameras.
I've never watched anything on them, it's just too painful for me to do so. I walk back upstairs and hide the trapdoor again, preparing to finally leave.
Just before I leave the house, I touch a photo of my father, feeling even more determined. "This is for you, Dad. I'll succeed where you could not."
Then I walk out and lock the door, destroying the key to ensure nobody goes inside. Then I walk away towards the actual metropolitan area of San Francisco.
What Thomas was unaware of, that dream had actually alerted somebody else to the change in something. Godzilla.