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Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: Kaiju in Japan (4)

[Third person POV] 

Helicopters swarmed the skies above, their rotors chopping the air as cameras zoomed in on the sight below—Superman locked in a titanic struggle against the towering Kaiju.

On the ground, news vans lined a distant perimeter, their satellite dishes pointed skyward. Reporters shouted into microphones, trying to capture the chaos for a country glued to their screens. Just beyond the barricades, a group of displaced citizens stood in shock, having been carried to safety mere moments ago by Superman himself.

Across every channel in the nation, "Breaking News" banners flashed as anchors narrated the unfolding battle. Interview segments began airing—raw, unfiltered voices of those who had been rescued.

"One moment I was having lunch with my family, and the next… I'm standing here. I don't even know where 'here' is. And I don't know a single person around me except for my family."

"I was in the shower when it happened. I mean—look at how I'm dressed! I have no clue what just happened, and honestly… I'm not sure I want to know."

"Man, I'm just thankful he was kind enough to bring my pets too. If I'd lost them… I don't even want to think about it."

"What's going to happen to our homes? There are memories in those walls. You can't replace that."

In living rooms, in crowded bars, in busy airports, the nation watched—families clutching one another, strangers leaning over counters, all eyes fixed on TV screens showing the Man of Steel in combat.

The broadcast feed zoomed in on the Kaiju's massive midsection where a cratered imprint of Superman's fist was visible, proof of the blows he had already dealt. Clark and Krypto streaked through the air, weaving around the monster as they attacked from different angles.

Suddenly, the Kaiju's jagged dorsal spikes flared with a menacing blue light. A moment later, a beam of atomic breath lanced through the air. Superman and Krypto responded in perfect sync, releasing twin streams of searing heat vision, the beams colliding midair in a blinding explosion of light and energy.

The Kaiju lumbered forward, closing the distance, and with shocking speed, snapped its enormous tail toward Superman. The whip-like appendage coiled around his torso, constricting with crushing force before slamming him into the ground. The impact boomed like thunder, sending a pillar of dust skyward.

Krypto barked defiantly and surged forward—but the monster's atomic breath slammed into him, driving the super-dog deep into the ground in a shower of debris.

Then, from within the swirling dust, Superman erupted—flying upward with the Kaiju's tail clutched in both hands. He roared with the effort, muscles straining, and to the creature's visible shock, lifted it several feet off the ground.

In a blur of motion, he spun the beast in a massive arc before hurling it downward. The Kaiju struck the earth with such force that nearby buildings trembled, their foundations sinking into fractured streets.

But the creature wasn't done—it lashed out wildly, swinging its tail again. This time, it caught Superman mid-flight, smashing him into a collapsing block of buildings.

Far from the battleground, in the quiet of a living room, Lala's eyes narrowed as she watched the broadcast. She sat beside Momo and Seiko, her hands tightening on her knees.

Seiko leaned back on the couch, exhaling heavily. "A lot of people are going to be left homeless after this," she said, her tone somber. "And rebuilding… it's going to take months, maybe years."

Momo tilted her head. "You think Clark will stay and help? With his speed, it could be done in no time."

"He might," Seiko replied, "but… it still won't be the same. You can rebuild walls, but some personal belongings… some things are gone forever."

Without a word, Lala rose to her feet. Both Momo and Seiko turned to look at her.

"Where are you going?" Momo asked, puzzled.

Lala's voice was steady, but her eyes burned with determination. "I came here because I wanted to help Superman. Lately… I haven't been doing much of that. I want to change that." She took a deep breath. "I might not be able to fight a Kaiju, but if there's one thing I can do, it's invent. And I'm going to create something that will help rebuild the city."

Momo's lips curved into a grin. "Cool. Can I come watch?"

"I don't mind. Let's go." Lala gestured, and the two of them headed upstairs without another word.

Seiko watched them go, a faint, proud smile tugging at her lips. She took a slow sip of her drink, her thoughts warm despite the devastation outside.

'And he worried about whether he was really a hero,' she mused. 'But this is what heroes do—they inspire others to act. And I have no doubt she won't be the only one he inspires today or tomorrow for that matter' 

Elsewhere: 

In the next town over, Lois Lane sat on the edge of a bench, her phone flipped in her hands, the screen showing live footage of the battle raging just one town away. Beside her stood her father, Samuel Lane, his jaw tight as he watched Superman go head-to-head with the colossal Kaiju.

They weren't the only ones following the fight. All around them, people clustered in anxious groups, each glued to their own devices—phones, tablets, even portable radios—faces pale with worry. The hum of whispered speculation and gasps filled the air. Yet, despite the growing tension, almost no one paid attention to the strange, towering object just a few feet away: a massive egg resting on a polished pedestal.

They all watched as Japanese Self-Defense Force had arrived, sleek fighter aircraft cutting through the clouds before diving toward the Kaiju. Their formation broke apart as they unleashed a barrage of missiles and machine-gun fire.

Explosions rippled against the monster's armored hide, flashes of flame and smoke obscuring its head. The sky erupted in thunderous booms, shrapnel showering down. But instead of aiding Superman, the interference threw him off his rhythm. He darted sideways in midair, glaring toward the incoming jets in clear frustration.

Through the rolling curtain of black smoke, a high-pitched whirring sound cut through the chaos, followed by a sudden flash of electric-blue light—the telltale build-up of the Kaiju's atomic breath. Superman reacted instantly, bolting forward, intercepting the deadly beam before it could strike. Wherever that atomic breath hit, aircraft were shredded and swallowed by blossoms of fire, their wreckage raining molten fragments onto the streets below.

When the smoke cleared, Superman hovered in the air, both hands gripping unconscious jet pilots by their flight jackets. Several more wrapped the folds of his cape. Off to his side, Krypto soared proudly, dangling another pilot upside down by his ankles.

Without pause, man and dog veered away from the monster, ferrying the pilots to safety. The Kaiju, momentarily unchallenged, straightened to its full height, its jagged silhouette cutting a monstrous figure against the city skyline. It scanned the horizon as though locating something.

Then its head tilted back, and it unleashed a roar—deep, primal, and resonant enough to rattle the air.

"AWRRAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

The sound blared so loudly it vibrated through every phone speaker in the crowd, making several people wince and clutch their ears.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lois caught a flicker. She turned her head, eyes narrowing. 

The egg.

It pulsed faintly, a soft blue light shimmering from within the smooth shell. The glow was subtle, almost imperceptible—but it was there. Lois's brow furrowed. She glanced back at her phone, then at the egg again. Her heartbeat quickened.

"The egg…" she breathed.

"What?" Samuel asked, his eyes still locked on the phone screen.

Lois turned sharply to him. "That's why it's here. That's why it's attacking! They took her egg—she's here to get it back. Look!" She sprinted to the pedestal, phone still in hand, and angled the camera so her father could see the way the light within the egg pulsed in sync with the Kaiju's cries.

The glow intensified. The egg trembled.

Samuel's eyes widened, the color draining from his face.

Without hesitation, Lois shoved her phone into her back pocket, reached up, and yanked the egg from its stand.

"Lois, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Samuel demanded, scanning the crowd nervously.

She met his gaze with steely determination. "Dad, we have to get this egg to Superman. It's the only way to stop the Kaiju before there's more collateral damage"

"We can't just take it!" Samuel's voice was low but tense, glaring reproachfully at her.

"Oh yeah?" Lois shot back, smirking with dangerous confidence. "Watch me."

"STOP THEM! THEY STOLE THE EGG!"

"THIEVES! GET BACK HERE!"

"DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!"

Lois and Samuel burst through the front doors at a full sprint, armed guards pounding after them. Their faces were a mix of panic and adrenaline.

"LOIS, YOU'RE GROUNDED THE SECOND WE GET HOME!" Samuel barked as he vaulted across the hood of his car and yanked the driver's door open.

Lois dove into the back seat, clutching the egg like it was the most precious thing in the world. She gently set it beside her and buckled the seatbelt around it.

"Don't worry, kid," she whispered, stroking the smooth shell. "We'll get you back to your mama."

"Dad! Hurry!" she urged, slapping his shoulder as he slid behind the wheel.

The guards burst through the entrance just as Samuel slammed the gearshift into drive. One particularly bold guard leapt onto the hood, clinging to the windshield wipers.

Both Lois and Samuel screamed in surprise, he took off as he swerved violently, the car jerking left and right. With a final sharp turn, the guard was flung off, rolling and tumbling across the pavement until he came to a stop.

"Wooo! What a rush!" Lois laughed, grinning like a madwoman. "Hahaha!"

Samuel shot her a look through the rearview mirror, his lips twitching in disbelief.

'What is wrong with this girl?' he thought.

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