witch

THE WITCH AND HER WARRIORS
by Lenell "Ultra" Bridges, Gertrude Smith and Robert Dagg

Chapter 1 : The Attack Begins!
(originally published in KAIJU-FAN Magazine # 10)
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch1.html )

At her secret island of fire and ice, the evil witch Surturna sits on her throne and discusses her plan for world domination with the allies she has brought together.

"Hee, hee, hee!" Surturna laughs wickedly. "Soon the world will be mine! Nothing will stop what is about to happen. If mankind does not meet my demands for complete world rule, I will destroy everyone with my army."

The witch has issued an ultimatum to all of Earth's leaders: either accept her terms of unconditional surrender or watch their countries be destroyed. Her threat has created panic and chaos among the people of the world and the governments of many nations have called emergency meetings to decide how to deal with this grave situation.

After many days of talk, the world's leaders have come to an agreement. On CNN and every broadcast network around the world, President Clinton of the United States addresses the people of the world on behalf of all the nations.

"To the American people, as well as all citizens of the world..." President Clinton begins the message. "Our government and the rest of planet Earth have made the decision that we will not surrender to this mad witch. We of the various nations of Earth do not believe that Surturna can carry out her threats and think that the entire matter is a hoax. If this evil witch does try to carry out her threat, then we will fight her to the end!"

Back at her island lair, Surturna watches the President speak from her crystal ball and grits her yellow-stained teeth in anger. "So, you foolish mortals will not surrender to me, eh? Very well, then! You all will be punished for your defiance! Prepare yourselves to die!"

Waving her hands over the glowing sphere, Surturna screams, "Go, my warriors and monsters! Kill... kill... kill them all!" Lightning from the evil witch's hands shoots into the crystal ball and streaks up to the sky above the island, going to all parts of the Earth.

Five minutes later, in the Brentwood suburb of Los Angeles, California, which is home to many Hollywood stars, actress Pam Dawber and her two sons Sean and Ty are out for a walk in the usually quiet neighborhood when they suddenly hear a strange roar. A man runs by and shouts, "All hell is breaking loose! It's the end of the world!" Suddenly, they see more people, running in terror. "Run! Run for your lives!" screams a fleeing woman. Loud explosions boom ahead of them. Pam looks up and sees the reason for the panic; she gasps and screams, "Oh my God!" and begins to run, pulling her children along with her. The skull monster Red King has appeared and is destroying the lovely community. Red King roars as he brings his giant foot down on O.J. Simpson's house, killing everyone inside instantly. As they flee the destruction, Pam wonders, "What's going on? What the hell is happening?!"

In Seattle, Washington, King Ghidorah has appeared and is using his anti-gravity rays to devastate the city. Canada is attacked by three monsters; using their freeze weapons, Barugon, Iggonog and Gunder have begun to turn the entire country into a frozen wasteland. Near Chicago, Illinois, the Itasca area is struck by a huge earthquake originating near the Wyndham Hotel. The structure breaks apart and drops into the Earth. A clawed hand appears and the monster Telesdon rises out of the ground. With his fiery breath, the subterranean creature destroys a few more nearby buildings before commencing his rampage.

Other monsters and aliens are appearing all over the world: Gyaos in Moscow; King Satan in Las Vegas; Kono appears in Hong Kong, while Yongary returns to Korea after a 30-year absence; Destroyer attacks New York, as Ultraman Shadow lays waste to Detroit; Snake King devastates England; Gigan assaults Germany, while Jiger threatens Paris. Various aliens from Baltan, Yapools, Lugos and Planet X have combined forces and now launch their attack against the Earth from a secret base which has been constructed by the Kilaaks on the far side of the moon. Alien Benzen and Goudes combine forces to attack Australia. In San Francisco, the space monster Dagora hovers above the Golden Gate Bridge; the jellyfish-like kaiju grabs the structure with its tentacles and lifts it up into the sky like a toy. Hundreds of motorists are killed as Dagora drops the huge bridge into the water far below.

More monsters and aliens appear as Surturna watches the destruction in her crystal ball. She smiles wickedly as her allies cheer. Dr. Gori, the space ape, with his sidekick Karas nearby, speaks the sentiments of all those present: "It was a good idea to combine our forces! Thank you, Mistress Surturna."

"Gori is right!" Rodak adds quickly. "Separately, we failed in our attempts to conquer this planet. But now, with all of us working together, we are invincible! Ha, ha, ha, ha!" Sitting nearby, the aliens Z-ton and Dada make their distinct sounds of approval.

Surturna smiles evilly as she and her cohorts watch their diabolical plans unfold in her crystal ball. "First the Earth, then the Universe! There will be something for all of us. If you continue to follow my commands to the letter, we all will get what we desire. Remember, I was the one who brought you into the real world; using my magic, I summoned you from the genre of Japanese science fiction and fantasy to be my soldiers. I have decided not to attack that country at this time. When the rest of the world is under our control, Japan will quickly and willingly surrender to me! Besides, why should I attack the country that has so graciously supplied me with the army I need to conquer the entire planet?" Surturna is very pleased with how everything is working out.

"Hee, hee, hee!" Rita Repulsa is sitting nearby, gleefully clapping her hands as she adds her approval. "Oh, I have waited for this day for so long! Look at those fools, running in fear from our army! Those accursed Power Rangers stopped my every move in the past, but since teaming up with the rest of you, this planet will easily fall under our feet!" Baron Garoga, who is sitting next to Lord Zedd, agrees with a nod and a grunt.

Just then, one of Surturna's guards rushes up to the witch and whispers into her ear. "What? He's escaped?! Find him, you fools! And put those two idiots, Bulk and Skull, to death for this! They were in charge of keeping him imprisoned. Now he could be a threat to my plans because of this blunder. If you fail to find him and bring him back, it will be your hide, too!" The guard hurries out, fearing for his life.

"Calling Emperor Guillotine...," Surturna speaks into her crystal ball. From his space saucer, Guillotine responds and awaits her command. "Order your Gargoyle gang to begin their attack on Washington, D.C. I want the city destroyed and the American President captured and brought here in chains! He will be an example to all of Earth's leaders who wish to defy me. If anyone else gets in my way, they will also be punished! Launch your attack now!"

"Yes, at once, witch Surturna!" Guillotine issues his orders to the Gargoyle commander: "Spider, prepare to attack!" As soon as Guillotine's ship lands in the heart of the city, Gargoyle soldiers rush out, shooting at anyone in sight.

Spider grins meanly as he fires his pistol. "We're going to win! Keep up the attack!" Beside him, the evil Shocker and his army of man-monster mutants are more than willing to attack the residents of the capital city.

Shocker sneers as he and his troops march with Spider: "That motorcycle-riding fool, Kamen Rider, stopped me from taking over Japan. Without his interference, conquering the entire planet will be easy!"

His ally is not amused by this nattering. "Hey, Shocker! Don't forget you have help now, thanks to the witch Surturna," Spider quips. "She brought all of us together. And you are not the only one who has had problems trying to take over Japan; that blasted Unicorn kid, Johnny Sokko, and that Giant Robot of his foiled my every scheme."

As these forces of evil move through Washington toward the White House, the robot monster of the aliens of the Fourth Planet of the Black Hole, MechaGodzilla, is battling the National Guard. It looks up just as a squadron of Air Force jets arrives, firing their guns and missiles. Suddenly, MechaGodzilla's eyes blast forth two twin ray beams, disintegrating the planes before the pilots can even eject.

Back at her island, Surturna sits on her throne, smiling her wicked smile as she watches the events she has orchestrated unfold in her crystal ball. Her allies cheer her and laugh at how easy their victory will be.

Chapter 2 : Enter the Good Witch
(originally published in KAIJU-FAN Magazine # 10)
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch2.html )

Meanwhile, in a small town not yet affected by the monster invasion, Rupert Brown has invited his schoolmates, Amelia Daly and Tetsuya Sakawara, over to his house to watch television. Events happening around the world are being reported on the local news.

"This is horrible!" Amelia cries, putting her hands over her face. "Can anything stop them?"

"These aliens and creatures are from my homeland of Japan," Tetsuya gravely informs his American friends. They look at him in astonishment, but are drawn back to the TV screen and its reports of ever-increasing devastation. "They come from our Japanese science fiction and fantasy genre. But how did they get into the real world?" Tetsuya ponders as he continues to watch in disbelief.

"If they are not stopped, they will destroy the world!" Rupert exclaims. Just then, there is a knock at the front door. He looks out the window and what he sees is a complete surprise. "Hey! There's a strange creature out there!" The children rush downstairs to investigate.

"It's Pigmon!" Tetsuya exclaims, recognizing the tired-looking little monster. They help Pigmon into the house and place him on Rupert's bed. Amelia hurries to rhe kitchen to get some water as Rupert looks at him with grave concern.

"He must have come a long way," the young scientist surmises. "But why would he come here and especially, look for us?"

Amelia gives Pigmon some water. As he drinks, the monster looks at his surroundings and sees a drawing that Rupert has made with Surturna's likeness on it. The little monster begins to yell most fearfully! The children try to calm him down as he wildly gestures at the picture Rupert has removed from the corkboard and brought over to the bed.

"It's Surturna! She must have something to do with what's happening all over the world," theorizes Rupert.

Amelia coaxes Pigmon to lay back down and assures him that he is safe before asking, "But how, Rupert? I thought Miss Switch imprisioned her in ice on an island. We left Surturna there when she tried to get revenge against Miss Switch and us after the first time we foiled her plans."

"Who is Miss Switch?" Tetsuya asks. His friends tell him how they had two previous adventures with their school teacher who turned out to be a good witch in disguise. In the first adventure, they had helped to save Miss Switch from banishment at the hands of Surturna. In the second adventure, they had unknowingly freed an evil warlock from his prison ship; it turned out that he was working with Surturna, helping her to get revenge against Miss Switch and the children. Of course, the evil witch was foiled again.

"Maybe Miss Switch could help us, but I don't think she would stand much chance against all those aliens and monsters," Tetsuya figures.

"Wait!" Rupert exclaims all of a sudden. "Why not fight fire with fire?" He smiles at his two friends. "I have an idea. Tetsuya, don't you have a magazine of heroes and monsters that fight for good in the Japanese science fiction genre?"

The Japanese boy understands what Rupert has in mind: "Yes! I have a copy of KAIJU-FAN in the backpack on my bicycle downstairs! I'll go and get it!" Tetsuya hurries off.

Amelia has finally calmed Pigmon down and comes over to Rupert. "Tetsuya is getting his magazine," Rupert tells her. "We now have to call Miss Switch."

The children join hands and close their eyes to summon the good witch. "Miss Switch!" the two children chant. "Come in, Miss Switch! Your enemy, Surturna, has returned and she is trying to conquer the Earth! We need your help! Please come in, Miss Switch... WE NEED YOU!"

Tetsuya returns with the magazine and sees his American friends behaving quite oddly. Suddenly, right in front of the children, a stream of magic light appears, growing bigger. Amelia opens her eyes and happily claps her hands. "It's her, Rupert!" she exclaims. "We all have a chance now!"

Tetsuya is stunned by these events. "I have heard of the ancient legends of witches," he says, "but I never thought I would meet a real witch!"

The swirling particles slow down and the good witch Miss Switch, along with her sidekick, Bathsheba the talking black cat, appears, hovering on her boomstick in front of the three children.

"I am here, Rupert and Amelia, and I know why you have called me," Miss Switch says, in her normal witches' tone. "We must stop Surturna or she will destroy the Earth with her army of monsters! What we have to do could be dangerous; are you willing to take the risks necessary to save the Earth?" The three children solemnly agree, nodding their heads.

Miss Switch makes a magical gesture with her right hand; the KAIJU-FAN flies from Tetsuya's grasp and hovers above them. With both hands raised, the good witch calls out: "Go, my warriors of good! Stop Surturna and her evil warriors! You have defeated them in your world of fantasy many times and now, you must defeat them in our real world. Go! Go! Go!" She shoots magical dust at the hovering book and it streaks out the open window, vanishing high above the little town. As it soars away, its magic spreads across the sky, covering the Earth.

"Will that do it, Miss Switch?" Rupert asks. The good witch is exhausted from the intense spell she has cast.

"It's up to our heroes now and we can only give them hope and encouragement," she tells them. "The four of us must go to Surturna's island fortress and stop her while our warriors battle her monsters. Are you children brave enough to face Surturna?"

They look at each other and step toward her. "We came this far with you, Miss Switch!" Rupert says. "We are with you all the way!"

Amelia stands up proudly; "I'll take any risk to get rid of Surturna once and for all!"

Tetsuya also wants to save the world from the evil witch. "I can help in case there are aliens and monsters you don't know about that Surturna may have guarding her." Pigmon, now recovered from his ordeal, begins jumping around and speaking his monster talk. "Pigmon wants to go, too!"

"Fine," the good witch assures him. "You can guide us back to Surturna's fortress. Pigmon, we are counting on you!" The little monster nods his head. "There is no time to lose! Hurry, Bathsheba!" she calls. Miss Switch's broom, with her cat aboard, flies through the window. They all climb aboard and take off for Surturna's island. High in the air over the Great Plains, Amelia says in a tiny voice to Tetsuya, "I hope your heroes can stop them. Unless they succeed, it's the end of everything!!!"

Chapter 3 : To Those in the Shining
(originally published in KAIJU-FAN Magazine # 10)
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch3.html )

Around the world, the shimmering magic dust that Miss Switch had scattered toward the heavens has spread over every plain, valley and town. Most people don't even notice the ever-so-slight brightening of the sky as the pulsating aurora hangs over their heads, waiting for an answer.

Over by Watertown, NY, every kaiju fans' wildest dream is coming true for a handful of talented folks. After three years of planning and hard work, they are finally filming their own version of DESTROY ALL MONSTERS when the real Barugon suddenly appears in Dana Foreman's viewfinder. He quickly swings his camera off Scott Walker, who is stomping across the open field in his best kaiju performance to date. Stopping in mid-stride, Goji-Scott waves a claw at the cameraman: "Hey, Speilberg! I'm over here!" Dana continues filming and points behind and above his star, too amazed at what he sees to be able to say anything. Swinging his tail around, Scott follows the camera and sees Barugon pushing through the trees on the other side of the clearing. "That ain't no Jersey Devil!" he yelps and charges for his minivan. Still in costume, he dives head first into the open cargo area.

The rest of the Kaiju Productions crew has also seen the real monster approaching and break cover from where they were hiding in the treeline, waiting to do their solo scenes. Dennis Lancaster, who is wearing his Gamera costume, gets to the van at the same time as Scott and grabs Godzilla's tail. With a yank, he corrals Scott just as he is about to reach the driver's seat. "Hold still! You know you can't drive with those back plates on!" Scott squirms back over the seats and crouches down in order for Dennis to remove the Velcroed fins and undo the zipper of his monster suit. As Godzilla and Gamera are about to turn back into humans, the platform truck goes flying past with Rodan hanging onto the back for dear life. Dale Pople had always wanted to do a suitmation film, but this was turning out to be more than he had bargained for!

August Ragone, who had been directing the action from the the opposite side of the field, raises his bullhorn: "You're going the wrong way!" Bob Johnson has also jumped on the truck and is trying to get his alien mask off. When he finally succeeds and sees that they are headed towards the monster instead of away from it, he pounds on the cab to get the Space Ranger behind the wheel to turn around. Instead, the driver gives him the finger.

Ed and Mariko Godziszewski are watching Evan Baker film their daughters Chris and Cindy, playing the part of the Cosmos when Mark Duckworth, the company publicist, wheels up in a stationwagon. Evan keeps on shooting as Barugon comes ever closer to them. "This ain't G-FEST," Ed warns, trying to convince him, "this is a real monster!" Momentarily lowering his camera, the young cinematographer sends them on their way, not wanting to miss the biggest thing so far in his budding amateur film career.

From the opposite direction, Chris Nickerson is fast approaching center stage in the Rent-A-Truck they've been using as both field headquarters and wardrobe department. August sees his security deposit going down the drain each time the big truck goes airborne, crossing the hard-packed ground and hitting melon-sized rocks left over from the last glacier. MechaGodzilla Paul Gavins and Cyber-G Eric Yee are also none too happy with the beating their costumes are taking in the back of the truck, as they themselves struggle to stay on board.

Dana is finally persuaded to get in the straight truck just as Barugon shoots a frigid blast in his direction. The freeze ray would've caught them if Paul didn't yank the overhead door down as soon as Dana was unceremoniously hoisted in by his battery pack. With the door closed, they have no light to see exactly who stepped on who's rig or landed on top of any prone crewmembers. And Dana wouldn't be banging on the bulkhead if he saw what Chris was seeing in his rearview mirrors: Barugon is hot on their trail as they make it back across the field and try to find some cover in the thick trees.

August takes advantage of the distraction to head toward the pick-up truck which is coming at him way too fast, in his opinion. Gertrude Smith doesn't think so and just locks the brakes for a power slide on the hard ground. The top-heavy pipe-frame shooting platform slips out of the stake pockets and goes flying, along with alien Bob, who happened to be standing up and hanging on to it. Rodan Dale wised up as soon as the truck started moving and the air stream caught his wings: he conveniently ducked down and avoided the dislodged superstructure.

In his 24 years of making films and publishing Japanese sci-fi genre magazines, August has never seen a production go as badly as this one. Evan wants the truck to make an extra pass in front of the camera before leaving the huge, open field. August figures that he's lucky to have gotten the pretty spectacular 360-degree turnaround on the approach without having been run over in the process. With a deft leap that would look convincing in any amateur sentai production, the daring cameraman jumps in the back of the truck and takes a kneeling position to film Barugon coming after them. Bob, the bruised and cussing alien, gets in the cab with his Space Ranger counterpart before the pick-up quickly disappears down the path the monster had come, dodging broken tree trunks and giant claw holes.

With the height advantage he gains by standing on his back legs, Barugon looks over the trees to see what might be moving - namely a bright yellow rental truck. Making his own path, he sets out after it with a mighty roar. Chris has made it onto the paved road and is pouring on the speed as they dash for safety. The monster turns and charges after them, crashing through the forest. As Barugon fires a freezing blast, they disappear into a tunnel carved through a convenient mountain. Soon, the ground shakes from the weight of the beast's final approach. Luckily, the truck is already heading full tilt for the opposite end of the tunnel as Barugon's super-chilled ray fills the space behind them with ice.

Scott and Dennis have also been able to put some distance between themselves and the monster. Not noticing which direction they are headed in, they soon arrive at Lake Ontario where Manda is wreaking havoc on the Seaway traffic. "There is a lake monster after all!" Scott exclaims. Stepping out of his costume, he digs amongst the scattered props and equipment for his laptop computer. "Wait until the gang hears about this!" he shouts hysterically.

"Forget about it, buddy!" advises Dennis. "You want everyone to know that the mighty Godzilla and Gamera were run off the lot by Barugon and then got lost in the boonies? We'll never live it down!"

"Don't worry!" Scott laughs about the near disaster. "Nobody will hear about it from me!" Little do they realize that between Dana, Evan and every member of the crew who had access to a camcorder, their misadventures are most likely on someone's video. With a little editing, one of several entries in the next G-CON film contest should prove to be a winner.

Scott flips his computer screen up and is surprised to see Miss Switch's message. "How can this be?" they both wonder. Stuck to a corner of the case is a Kaiju Attack Alert. Sold as a gag gift for giant monster fans, no one ever expected the small round metal disc to do anything besides illicit smiles from fellow fans and odd looks from non-fans. "What if that thing works?" Dennis asks.

"If it works, I'll be able to contact G-FORCE," Scott figures.

In Snipetown, Missouri, Aaron Smith has been trying to establish contact with any G-fan who might be near a computer. Surturna's monster invasion has set off the Kaiju Attack Alert system that every true fan of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy monitors faithfully. "Where's the G-FORCE when you need them?" he fumes.

The whole mid-America area of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee trembles with the pent-up energy of the New Madrid Fault, set loose by Telesdon's tunneling. Ultraman Shadow has also been using his force beam along the fault line to rip the continent in half. Roads and bridges are buckled and twisted into impassible tangles, isolating people and military units into manageable little clumps for Surturna's legions to conquer. Only backup power supplies and portable generators make it possible for humanity to remain in contact with associates scattered far and wide.

As an Xian spaceship hovers over his storm cellar trying to locate the source of his sporadic transmissions, Aaron wonders how the widespread fanbase is dealing with their local monsters. The Xian's alien technology doesn't seem to be able to penetrate his underground concrete bunker, so the craft finally leaves to destroy the familiar Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Further south in Arkansas, terrestrial terrors are taking a more personal approach to overpowering the human race. A clutch of young, raptor-like Deanzillas is roaming the Delta, attacking everything that moves. The rural towns aren't receiving any help from the federal government with their "little problems" as long as giant monsters threaten the major cities. Surturna hasn't overlooked the country's vast hinterlands and her monster breeding program has paid off handsomely.

When the military and vicious G-fans attacked Deanzilla in New York, Surturna saw an opportunity and had her minions secretly rescue some of the beasts' eggs. They were quickly moved to a facility built by InGen down in Mexico, where Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich were more than happy to oversee the care and training of the newly-hatched lizards.

"Revenge will be ours!" Dean posted to the Centropolis Internet bulletin board. "Thanks to Surturna, my name will go down in history as the greatest monster maker of them all! People in rubber suits will be a thing of the past and if you don't like it, TOO BAD!"

His boasting was laughed at by movie fans and ignored by kaijuologists. "Impossible!" replied Dr. Jim Walsh of the Ogasawara Island Project. "History will show that Mr. Devlin doesn't know the first thing about these creatures or even making movies about them, so there!"

The war of words will have to wait, however, as dozens of the huge reptiles calling the Big Lake Bottoms home respond to Surturna's commands and set out on their mission. At the the western end of the Big Lake Bridge, Dave Guyer mans the .50 caliber machinegun that he retrieved (along with other handy goods) from a retreating National Guard unit. When the sudden appearance of the lizards was reported to the Flatline County Sheriff's Department, deputies Medford and Wesson volunteered to check it out. No sooner did they pull onto the bridge when it started to sway from the earth tremors and the creatures broke cover from the cypress swamp below. With their automatics blazing, the two deputies dash over the disintegrating roadway toward Dave's position on the other side. Sliding across the Sportsman's Inn Bar & Bait Shop parking lot by the highway, they wheel about and take up positions flanking Dave 's Cherokee with the artillery on top. "Now I know how Davy Crockett felt at the Alamo!" Mike Medford fumes as he looks the situation over. Gary Wesson is more concerned with digging Dave's laptop computer out of the cache of rations and ammo in the back of the Jeep. Reaching the passenger compartment, he asks his fellow science fiction fan just how bad it is in their neck of the woods.

"I don't have the foggiest!" Dave admits. "These critters just started coming out of the lake and strange UFO-type thingies are all over the skies strafing folks. One of them even zapped Verlin's Video & Salvage Yard!" That would definitely be cause to get his hackles up and give him an excuse to take target practice on any scaly reptilian lifeform over four feet tall. The eight-foot Deanzillas fit the bill nicely, even if they are usually smart enough to keep cover from his well-placed gunfire.

The computer is finally located and is beeping a distinctive signal: the Kaiju Attack Alert! Flipping it open, Miss Switch's call to the Warriors of Good is on the screen. "Hello, G-FORCE!" Gary exclaims, showing it to his comrades. They stare in awe at the dire message.

"This can't be real!" Dave exclaims. Just then, Mike turns around and opens fire on two Deanzillas sneaking up behind them.

"It's as real as these ugly iguanas, I'll bet!" Mike figures. He notices the collar that one of the lizards is wearing and cuts it off to examine it. "What could this be?" His comrades just shake their heads, but Gary has an idea.

"Let's log on to the G-FORCE Net and see if any of the other fans might know." They have established a cyberlink over the years to keep in touch about all things Japanese science fiction and fantasy. The Kaiju Attack Alert was devised by none other than Rick Martin of the Ohio-based UltraCenter in order to warn fans when there is giant monster activity anywhere in the world. No bigger than a miniature battery, it can be placed in computers, belt buckles, toy Beta Capsules or wherever a devout fan chooses. The online window of G-NET only shows Aaron's connection and his request for a roll call of fans. No one else has responded yet.

"Probably busy fighting monsters," Dave suggests. "Log on to let him know that we're okay and doing our part to stem the invasion."

Gary keys it in and there is an immediate response from Aaron: [Good to hear. Save me a Deanzilla hide and I'll trade you for a new Trendmasters Megalon.]

[No good. Make it a Bandai and we'll think about it.] With those formalities out of the way, the Arkansas group wonders how to get in touch with the mysterious Miss Switch. They inform Aaron: [We must have received her message with the help of the Kaiju Attack Alert. It somehow got on the screen, even with the power off.]

[Let me check something. I left mine in the house when the television announced the President's decision not to surrender.] He cracks the door to his shelter open and, not seeing any monsters, dashes for his earthquake-ravaged home. Finding the television, he sees Miss Switch's message. Aaron has fashioned his Kaiju Attack Alert into a medallion around the neck of his magnificent Kaiyodo Bio-Goji, which has somehow managed to remain standing amidst the wreckage. There is no electricity, but the call to arms pulses brightly in the gathering dusk.

Returning to his computer, Aaron tells his friends what he has seen and finds that Scott has logged on from somewhere south of Lake Ontario: [It's got to be magic!] is his contribution from the far north.

In the meantime, Saiko Genso has also signed on from Holland and reports that Reptilicus has reappeared.

[Probably to get revenge for being excluded from our MONDO BIZARRO Godzilla exhibition!] he jokes. Even with his beloved Amsterdam under siege, Saiko can still offer up his own particular brand of humor.

[We need to find out how we can help our heroes save the Earth from Surturna's mad plan] the Arkansas fans post.

[Yes!] the others respond quickly, although no one has any idea how to go about doing it.

In Kansas, Birdaurus has been using the expansiveness of the Great Plains to his advantage. Soaring high above the vast flatlands, he can dive down at his leisure and pick off unsuspecting humans. The Air Force is ineffective against his devastating smoky breath weapon and great flying speed. Knowing that the people of Earth do not appreciate her scheme for world domination, Surturna has thought out in detail how to neutralize any military resistance. The skies have been crisscrossed by alien spacecraft since the invasion began, seeking out bases and airfields that could interfere with her plans. What the saucers have not destroyed, her invading kaiju and mutants will!

Overton Park has never seen the destruction that it now suffers as Birdaurus lazily circles overhead. Even the Santa Fe Towers is a pile of smoldering rubble. As the Shawnee Mission High School students and faculty tried to evacuate, the monster attacked the fleeing school buses with its claws and beak. The ones that were carried aloft and dropped like so many clams lay shattered in the lush surrounding wheat fields.

People had sought refuge in houses of worship as they have done for centuries, but soul-less monsters are not deterred by crosses or hallowed grounds. The Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church was half-demolished when Birdaurus landed on it, barely missing the sanctuary and the congregation within. His next stop would be the Lenexa Christian Center.

At the Museum of Radioactive Reptiles, Connie Goodnow and her three children have taken shelter in the basement of their converted suburban home. When her Kaiju Attack Alert went off, Connie quickly gathered her children and told them to stay in the reinforced sub-level, originally designed to withstand the fierce tornadoes that often ravaged the area. With no monsters yet in sight, she also moved her computer downstairs.

Mike Miller in California has come online to see what is going on in the rest of the world and had hoped to contact other kaiju fans for advice. This is a totally new situation for him and a lot of people in America. Japan has regularly been stomped by rampaging kaiju, but the United States is devoid of such things, at least until now.

[Maybe it's payback time for what happened to Deanzilla in New York] Connie offered.

[You think that these monsters are avenging him?] Mike queried.

[Not really. Look at the sky.] Connie had noticed an unusual silvery haze high in the atmosphere just before her Alert started beeping so insistently.

Mike peered out of his demolished office building and saw nothing but smoke from the many fires caused by Titanosaurus' whirlwind attack on Sunnyvale. [Nothing but smog here] he reports. [Wish I had a ray gun or at least a phaser. I'd show that refugee from Davy Jones' Locker who's on top of the food chain around here!]

[We are under attack by Birdaurus] Connie advised him. [It would take Atragon to save us from this monster.]

Her daughter, Ashli, saw the message on the screen and asked, "But, Mom, Birdaurus is only one of Rodak's monsters! Remember when we were putting up the Space Giants display?"

Connie was surprised she remembered so much about the huge beast. "Yes, dear, but now he has come into our real world, destroying our hometown and hurting people. He has to be stopped, but how?"

"I know!" piped in young Jack. "We can use Ichiro's radio to call Monster Island and get Godzilla to save us!" One of the items they had on display in the museum was a replica of the vacuum tube device the little boy had built to call his giant friends across the ocean from his home in Japan. Powered by imagination, he could talk to Minya, Godzilla's son, when he was lonely or just wanted to visit his special monster friend. Connie had her doubts about the electrically-powered display with its interactive sound system that was usually manned by a museum volunteer playing the part of Minya, but at a time like this, what harm could it do?

"Let me sign off to Mike and we'll see if we can dig it up," she promised. But before she could complete her message, the two older children had run upstairs to retrieve the device, leaving little Ember behind as usual.

"Will Mothra or Gamera come save us, Mommy?" she asked. Connie looked at the gleam of hope in her youngest child's eyes and somehow knew that everything was going to be all right.

Chapter 4 : The Battle For the Earth Begins!
(originally published in KAIJU-FAN Magazine # 11)
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch4.html )

In the remains of Atlantic City, Keith Sewell and the A.C. Kaiju Club desperately watch the skies as a giant Baltan alien aims its claws at a row of apartment buildings; a ray erupts and the structures explode. People flee in panic as the creature emits a strange laugh, triumphantly raising its deadly weapons skyward.

"If Japanese science fiction and fantasy fans are able to receive Miss Switch's message, then surely our heroes can, too!" Keith tells his comrades.

When the Baltan began its attack, they could only hope the call to their heroes was heard. Now, as the alien continues to lay waste to the area, the good witch's magic drifts overhead and shimmers down right in front of the monster. Red heat rises from the ground to the familiar cry, "Fire!" The alien is knocked off its feet as its challenger fully materializes.

"Fireman!" the creature exclaims. "But how?" The Baltan stares in amazement.

"The good witch Miss Switch and our fans called us, Baltan scum!" the large-eyed, red and silver superhero replies, as he takes a fighting stance. "We refuse to let you and your cohorts destroy this real world!"

The evil creature just laughs. "You fool! Ultraman may have stopped us before, but this time, many kaiju and aliens have joined together! We will win!"

It fires a ray from its claws, but Fireman easily dodges the powerful blast. Running at Baltan, he delivers a mighty punch that knocks the creature down, crushing more nearby buildings. Residents who had been fleeing in terror of the huge monster, cheer wildly as Fireman soundly thrashes the invader.

"We have a chance now!" Keith shouts. "Let's hear it for Fireman!" The A.C. Kaiju Club has come through for their hometown.

In Blytheville, Arkansas, Baragon and Eleking are sparring viciously. Baragon tries to grapple with his opponent but Eleking uses his twirling sensor antennas to keep the horned kaiju at bay; before Baragon can latch on, Eleking wraps his long tail around the monster's neck to electrocute him. The great kaiju roars in pain as the powerful charge flows through his body. A heat ray from Baragon's horn momentarily strikes Eleking's head, causing the yellow and black creature to loosen its deadly tail grip. They both scuttle backwards to take new positions, as Angilas and Varan appear. Just as Baragon is about to receive some help from his Monster Island friends, Eleking is joined by Blacking and Twintail. Mayor Goode looks on as the six monsters circle each other, screeching defiantly. The new industrial park has been flattened by the huge beasts and Varan's airborne approach has levelled the main part of town, including City Hall. The irate small town official shouts and waves a puny fist at the offending beast.

"You overgrown flying squirrel! Who's going to pay for this mess?" The few remaining townsfolk just glare at him coldly.

In Boulder, Colorado, Space Sheriffs Gavan and Sharivan, the cyborg heroes, have arrived to fight hordes of Lizard Men. "They must not defeat us! The fate of the Earth is at stake!" Gavan proclaims, as he and his partner are all but overwhelmed by the villains.

"We won't let Miss Switch and the children down!" Kikaider promises, as he arrives to fight alongside his genre allies. "We will answer her call for all humanity!"

Heroes and monsters are now appearing everywhere as Miss Switch's magic and the desperate pleas of the fans summon the stalwart defenders of all that is good.

Back at her island fortress, Surturna and her allies watch the sudden turn of events in her crystal ball. "Damn that Pigmon and Miss Switch!" the evil witch curses. "But no matter... I will show them all how great my power really is. This world and the entire universe will soon be ours!"

She speaks into the crystal ball and issues new orders to her army: "Kill them! Kill them all, my loyal warriors!"

In Chicago, Neal Cox, Joe Kwit, Rob Moore, Larry Wauchop, Randy Giesey, Dave Hallahan, Lenell "Ultra" Bridges, Kathy Corcoran and Hallett Bladen of the Kaiju Fan Club watch from a safe distance as the giant alien squid Viras destroys the downtown district. The ill-tempered monster sports a spear-like head powerful enough to penetrate even Gamera's shell and since Virasians can inhabit human hosts in order to disguise themselves, no one is looking forward to having this creature around. Suddenly, a mighty "Eighty!" reverberates from the sky where Miss Switch's magic dust faintly shimmers. The alien kaiju looks up from its deadly work just in time to be toppled by a flying Ultra Kick. "It's Ultraman 80!" Lenell shouts.

Viras gets up and attempts to throw its tentacles around the M78 warrior who uses his tremendous agility to cartwheel away. The creature rips a chunk off a building and throws it at the Ultra hero, catching him on the right leg as he charges forward.

"Argh!" 80 yells in pain as he falls. The monster picks up another mass of debris and heaves it toward the wounded warrior. 80 crosses his hands and fires his Sackasium Ray, pulverizing it in mid-air. Bounding to his feet, he sees his girl friend, Princess Yullian, fighting the American monster Zarkorr nearby. Evading its deadly eye beams, she drops on her back, delivering a mighty double kick to the creature's gut. "That's some Ultra-woman!" Rob exclaims in admiration.

Not far away, Roy Ware, editor of BLACK SUN magazine, watches from the window of his Elgin office as Kamen Rider and Lion Maru battle hordes of Reptile Men. Even the evil Tanaka and Mel Fujitsu have come from their underground ship to take an active role in Surturna's plot. Roy sees the new heroine, Masked Angel Rosetta, fighting the female monster Oni-Yuri who has her in a vicious choke hold.

"Tighter, tighter, squeeze her tighter!" shouts the evil Lady Benzen. Rosetta seems doomed when her partner, God Mask Pharaon, smashes the evil kaiju in the face. The monstrous being stumbles backward and explodes into a million pieces.

Rosetta runs up to cover his back. "Thanks, Pharaon, but watch out behind you!" she warns him. Both heroes take their fighting positions as other villains quickly surround them. The Japanese Spiderman and the Dairanger team now join the beleaguered duo, ready to fight on behalf of mankind.

In Texas, Gorosaurus arrives to take on Baronsaurus who has destroyed much of Fort Worth. Edward Holland and Micheal Keller have even had to flee their MONSTER ATTACK TEAM headquarters.

"If Baronsaurus is here, where the hell is Spectraman?" Captain Ed wonders as he uses his laptop computer to call for help.

From far off Malaysia, kaiju fan Soo Lee Min reports back that the mighty hero is there, battling Megalon. The Seatopians have allied with Surturna and look forward to taking over his beautiful island home.

Back in San Francisco, the silver superhero Mirrorman is battling the ancient monster Gomora. "Mirror Knives!" the great champion shouts as he tries to vanquish the horned kaiju. Gomora just shrugs off the attack and strikes Mirrorman's head with his long tail. The hero is stunned by the terrific blow. Gomora grabs his enemy and throws him into some nearby buildings, but Mirrorman quickly recovers and shouts, "Slicer H!" This weapon cuts off the monster's tail and it falls, writhing to the ground. Gomora roars in agony and charges, only to be met by a quick, leaping kick. "Mirror Kick!" the defender shouts, as his feet turn red-hot with burning energy. He hits Gomora in the neck, cutting off his head. As the monster's lifeless body collapses and explodes, the people cheer their savior. "Great job, Mirrorman!"shouts David Morganstern as he holds up his daughter, Bernadette.

"Daddy, will our favorite heroes and monsters save us?" she asks.

"Yes, my child!" her father replies. "As long as we believe in them, they'll come to beat the bad guys!"

Mirrorman looks down from high above them and nods his head in agreement. But now the monster Tyrox has appeared and the mighty hero turns to face this new foe as David and his daughter rush to safety.

The battle for the Earth has brought monsters and aliens to places that have never had to deal with such beings before. Zone Fighter again confronts Wargilgar, this time in New Orleans. He had once before defeated the long-necked kaiju and with the help of Zone Junior and Zone Angel, vows to do it again. As she watches the fierce battle from their spaceship, Smokey, Zone Angel wonders, "There are so many villains! How can we possibly beat them all?"

"We have to win!" Junior reminds her. "We can't let the fans lose faith in us. Go Zone!" he shouts,as they fire Smokey's laser cannon at the monster below.

Detroit sees the return of Ultraman Shadow, as he now challenges the heroes many Americans have adopted as their own; after nearly splitting apart the New Madrid Fault, evil incarnate now takes on the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. Not far away, the resourceful robot, Jet Jaguar, lies mangled and inert at the bottom of Lake St. Clair, having been unable to stop this deadly alien force. Shadow shoots forth his Brass Knuckle Punch at the Ranger's Megazord, hitting its right mid-section. The impact sends sparks and shockwaves through all the command sections.

"He's too strong, Billy!" Zack exclaims. "We can't take much more of this!" The Black Ranger struggles to keep his compartment from overloading. From the corner of his eye, he spies the five warriors of the Zyuranger team as they rush towards the ensuing battle. "Who are those guys?" he wonders.

"Never mind that," Jason replies. "Time to use the Power Sword against this joker!"

"But, Jason, the controls are overheating!" Kimberly the Pink Ranger reminds him, as more indicator needles bury themselves in the red zone. "We have to retreat!"

"Not a chance!" Jason shouts. "We won't let this creep beat the Rangers! Form the Power Sword!"

The giant robot streaks into the sky and draws out the Rangers' mightiest weapon. Shadow crosses his hands and fires the Shadow Beam, hitting the robot squarely in its chest. The roar of the explosion drowns out the Rangers' dying screams. Pieces of the giant zord rain down in fiery chunks as observers on the ground wonder if this is the end of America as they know it. Ultraman Shadow coldly looks down on the silent, huddled refugees before leaping into the sky to resume his mission of destruction for Surturna.

As Rob and Lauretta Dagg report the battle's tragic outcome from the basement of their damaged home, the heavy traffic on G-Force Net comes to an abrupt halt. Their short, solemn message relays around the world that the Power Rangers are no more.

Deep in the peaceful forest two Great Lakes over, Scott Walker and Dennis Lancaster read the news in silence. Without a word, Scott sends forth the first of many eulogies:

TONIGHT, THERE WILL BE FIVE MORE STARS IN THE HEAVEN ABOVE THAT SHINE BRIGHTER THAN ALL THE OTHERS, FOR THEY ARE THE SPIRITS OF THE WARRIORS WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US. MAY THEIR DEATHS NOT HAVE BEEN IN VAIN.

Everyone online salutes the fallen heroes and pledges their best efforts against Surturna's attacking hordes in honor of Jason, Kimberly, Zack, Trini and Billy.

In Honolulu, Hawaii, a strange meteor has crashed into a nearby hillside. G.U.T.S. team member Daigo and his partner, Rena, who are staying at a local resort, radio their headquarters that they will investigate. Just as they arrive at the crater, the meteor cracks open to reveal the Bullton Alien, a strange creature that can manipulate time and space. Native Hawaiians and tourists alike flee wildly as Air Force fighter planes arrive to destroy the dangerous beast. Bullton extends some sort of metal weapon from its shell and freezes the jets in mid-air before causing them to collide with one another or crash into the ground.

"Rena, get these people out of here!" Daigo shouts as he reaches for his gun. His partner leads everyone to safety as he fires at the alien, but with little effect. Cursing his puny efforts, Daigo wishes he was Ultraman Tiga again. Suddenly, some of the magic dust sent out by Miss Switch settles on his right hand and a familiar object materializes. "The Spark Lance!" he exclaims. Pointing it upward and pushing the flash button, he transforms into Ultraman Tiga! The mighty hero runs toward Bullton, but is frozen stiff in mid-stride by another of the alien's strange rays. The ground cracks open and swallows him into another dimension! Tiga quickly changes into his "Strong Type" mode and returns to the present. Blocking Bullton's multiple ray attacks, he grabs the creature and throws it into the ocean where the salt water begins to dissolve the meteor monster. As he changes to "Multi-Type" to finish Bullton off, an energy beam hits him in the back. Tiga falls, but recovers quickly and realizes this new enemy is none other than Evil Tiga! Taking their fighting positions, the Ultras face off.

"Yes, my brother!" the villain snarls. "This world will soon be ours. Surturna has thought of everything! The evil doppelganger laughs at the surprised Ultra hero.

"Miss Switch and the fans believe in us!" Tiga shouts, grabbing his dreaded foe in a powerful bear hug. "You villains and your witch will not rule this real world as long as one true hero remains standing!"

He throws the malevolent twin viciously to the ground, but Evil Tiga changes into "Sky Type" mode and flies off. The true Tiga does likewise and pursues his nemesis south towards Antarctica.

As the ultimate battle between good and evil continues to be fought around the world, Jan Nadal posts that Gallion and Little are destroying the Philippines. [What hero will save my country?] he posts to the G-Force Net.

[I don't know, but I don't think your heroes will let you down] Ed Holland replies from America. [No matter where you are, if you believe in the heroes of good, they will be there for you.]

Chapter 5 : Friends and Foes
(originally published in KAIJU-FAN Magazine # 11)
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch5.html )

Surturna doesn't just have giant monsters and aliens to assist her in taking over the world. There are also humans who would like a bigger piece of the pie and gladly jumped at this chance to ally with such a powerful witch. Unknown to the fans of the genre, there is an evil plot afoot to do away with traditional kaiju eiga. Even G-Force doesn't realize that a major American movie producer has aligned with the evil Surturna!

It is part of Dean Devlin's plan to destroy G-Force once and for all. With Surturna's backing, he and Roland Emmerich have raised and trained hundreds of Deanzillas to be their "enforcers."

"Fans did not appreciate the new Godzilla, my greatest creation ever!" Dean tells his partner as they prepare to leave for Japan. "They just want to see humans in suits as movie monsters. Our computers make the best monsters!"

"Yes!" Roland agrees. "Digital monsters are so much easier to work with! They don't complain, trip over their tails or want days off when production is behind schedule. Actors want to put personality in their roles. Monsters don't need that!"

"We write the scripts and know how a monster is supposed to act," Devlin agrees. "What would an actor know about monsters?"

"And what about their heroes, like Ultraman?" Roland asks. "We also need to make new AMERICAN heroes!"

"We can do that, too!" Devlin is happier than he has been in a long time. "Thanks to Surturna, all the fan favorites will be a thing of the past," he declares. "Our monsters and heroes will replace them all. Everyone will call on their kitschy warriors to save them and they will be destroyed once and for all!"

At Daikaiju World in New Jersey, Jim Cirronella, John Rocco Roberto and J.D. Lees are trying to figure out how the fans can help save the real world. Just hours ago, this eastern stronghold of American fandom was attacked by Legion when the A.C. Kaiju Club and Jay Johnson, who had the time of his life piloting the Super X-III, showed up to save the day.

"Hey, dudes! Wanna kick some more monster butt?" Jay asks the tired, but triumphant defenders.

That has been the one thing on everyone's mind since the invasion began and now they have their chance, thanks to Jay and Toho Co., Ltd. John is busy thinking and wishes the hotdog Southerner would quit jumping around, sparring imaginary opponents. He finally comes up with an idea of how they can salvage something from Surturna's attack and unite the fandom once and for all. "And Super X will make it happen!"he exclaims.

John begins outlining his plans for the great craft and its crack pilot. Toho sent the super weapon to be used as the United States government saw fit, but no military crew was willing to fly it. The Air Force had no intention of pitting such a strange craft against giant monsters and aliens. When Jay learned of its availability, he had them deliver Super X-III to Huntsville, although aside from one measly Xian saucer, there didn't seem to be all that much action in Alabama. So he headed back east where things were a little more challenging and being able to blast Legion back into little crab parts has left him wanting more.

"This is a great opportunity to rally the American kaiju fans AND unite everyone into the best fan club ever," John explains. "We're going to do Toho proud! Hey, they might even put us in their movies!"

"How can we do that with people scattered all over the place?" Jim asks.

"Aaron has been keeping in touch with everyone over the Internet," John replies. "It seems that when kaiju fans saw a monster attacking their hometown, they were able to summon their favorite heroes to fight back."

"It sure worked for us in Atlantic City!" Keith adds.

"What if there were a real team of Earth defenders, just like in our favorite Ultraman and Super Sentai legends?" John proposes. "They could watch out for invasions and monster attacks like the Science Patrol and Monster Attack Team. And even have a spiffy headquarters right here at Daikaiju World."

"Could we have neat uniforms like the Power Rangers?" Jay asks hopefully.

Keith looks around at the assembled fans, most of whom are either skinny, pudgy, short, balding, in need of a haircut or just plain don't fit the heroic image of the genre's icons. John looks down at his own considerable girth, covered by a Persian cat T-shirt which reads, "I'm Not Fat, Just Fluffy." It's Jay, however, who finally dashes everyone's doubts.

"Don't worry. Just keep your helmet on and no one will know it's you!" he offers.

Striking a Superman pose, John finally agrees. "If not us, who you gonna call?"

"G-Force? Ghost... er, KAIJUBUSTERS?" J.D. offers. "We should have a distinctive name, I would think. One that will strike fear into the heart of any would-be disrupter of everyone's enjoyment of Japanese sci-fi and fantasy."

"Isn't G-Force what the Internet fans use?" Keith asks.

"We can keep that for our online identity," John figures. "I'm thinking of something like, well, KAIJUBUSTERS. Keith, you belong to the Atlantic City Kaiju Club. Rob Moore has the Kaiju Fan Club in Chicago. There is Jay's Radio Tokyo group and the Flatline County Sheriff Department's Sci-Fi Channel. Cleveland has the Cuyahoga Kaiju Club and don't forget G PROJECT and Barry Schwartz and the Monster Island Amateur Radio Association. What we need is a core group that everyone can be associated with."

"And Goji-Kids!" J.D. agrees. "We can't forget the children. They are the next generation of fans. Without new people to appreciate Japanese science fiction and fantasy, it would surely die off." Everyone solemnly agrees.

"Jim, get on the computer and see what G-Force thinks about our ideas," John suggests. "In the meanwhile, there's a costume shop nearby. Wonder how I'd look in a cape."

"Simply dashing, I'm sure!" Jay declares.

Following their raid on the devastated costume shop, Jay sets out to make contact with the various groups of fans spread across the country. He cuts a striking figure in his Kaijubusters uniform and wouldn't mind being Captain Marvel if given the chance. Back in Alabama, Jay's band, the Southern All-Stars, is helping their hometown get back on its feet after that Xian saucer did a number on the place. They were most pleased to deliver the alien crew to the county lockup and figure that the captured spacecraft will make a great barbecue restaurant once they get it out of the middle of the road. Thanks to these ingenious musicians, Earth now has a way to disrupt the Xians' computer control system via a high frequency "fragger" signal which can be generated by a common musical synthesizer. This defensive manuever is quickly announced to fellow musicians everywhere via Michael Keller's Kaiju Bandstand mail list to neutralize the Planet X forces terrorizing the world.

Surturna is none too happy with all the red blips on her status screen, which show where her allies have met defeat. "Curse those humans and their loud music! Look what they are doing to my plan!" She glares at the Planet X Controller who sits at her long table of allies. "How do you explain this? I thought your computers were infallible!" she screams.

"They are. It is the Earthlings who are interfering with your plans. I will rally my forces and terminate them." He rises and bows to his colleagues. "I go now to personally take command of my fleet and seek out the G-Force who has turned technology against us."

The Controller boards his ship and heads for America. On his viewscreen, he sees many monsters and aliens being challenged by heroes and fans alike. He picks up a distress signal from Alabama where the Xian saucer has been brought down and its crew captured.

"How dare those humans interfere with our mission! I would rescue my fellow Xians from those savages, but it is not in my directives. My tracking beam has detected computer activity below." The emotionless Xian barely smiles as he heads toward Cooter, Missouri.

Jay has picked up Aaron Smith from what is left of Snipetown and they are now flying along I-55, looking for signs of any rampaging monsters. Below, Angilas and Baragon rear up and salute them with a friendly roar. Varan glides alongside, also looking for more action. "Guess we'll have to wait until we get to Big Lake," Aaron frowns. "And those are only mutant iguanas!" He has no use for the spawn of GINO and would sooner take on a REAL kaiju. He radios Dave Guyer and his crew who welcomes them to join their turkey shoot.

Flatline County deputy Mike Medford adds, "Stay off the mutual band and park it. Where were you guys when we needed you?"

Signing off, Jay hopes the Arkansans join the Kaijubusters. "Besides, we got us a neat aircraft to fly!" He figures no one would pass up an opportunity to fly Super X-III.

"Yep," Aaron admits. "Membership does have its benefits." He is busily adjusting his helmet to better receive his favorite rock station out of Memphis.

"Stand by for final approach," Jay cautions as they bank west along Highway 18 toward Jonesboro. "It could be tricky finding a parking spot out here."

On the ground, Dave and deputies Medford and Gary Wesson are keeping a wary lookout for lizard activity. The sudden appearance of the strange craft and Varan nearly draw their fire as Aaron forgot to mention their mode of transportation, or any company they might be keeping, as well.

"Hold your fire!" Gary shouts. "That looks like Super X-III. And the flying squirrel critter is bobbing its head as a greeting."

Jay's voice comes over the deputies' radios: "It's me, Jay Johnson! From the looks of things below, y'all did okay for yourselves. Why, there are enough dead lizards lying around for even a big guy like Varan!" The flying kaiju does indeed find the young Deanzillas to be a tasty snack food.

Having landed, Jay and Aaron step out of the craft, but once again nearly draw fire. "Aliens!" Dave shouts, as he brings up his .45 at the two strangely garbed visitors.

"They've got Aaron!" Gary draws, drops and rolls behind a cruiser, coming up with his automatic pointing at Jay over the fender.

"Let us get these stupid helmets off," Aaron asks, not daring to move.

"Okay, real slow and easy," Gary agrees.

Realizing it is indeed their fellow fans, the Arkansans holster their weapons. "Where'd you get the weird outfits? You guys look like a cross between a Power Ranger and that alien Gary came up with for Halloween." Medford sometimes wonders about his partner.

"We're the Kaijubusters," Jay informs them. "Hey, nice moves there, Mountie! Jay Johnson here!" He compliments Gary and sticks out a big gloved hand in introduction.

"No 'county Mountie' jokes and I won't razz you guys on your choice of colors for monster fighting uniforms," Gary says, taking his hand. "You two look silly in pink."

"It's all they had back in Jersey!" Jay protests. "Want to join us hunting monsters?"

Their little repartee is suddenly interrupted by the appearance of the Controller who fires a blast from his saucer's ray cannon that nearly hits Dave's Cherokee.

"Another Xian saucer!" Aaron exclaims. "They've been bugging me all day!"

"Get aboard!" Jay shouts as he dashes for the Super X-III. "We'll show this E.T. some real southern hospitality!" Dave gives the Xian ship a quick spraying with the machine gun before sprinting aboard.

The monster fighters lift off and get right on the saucer's tail, scorching a blast of energy across its topside. The Controller quickly phases into the future, leaving no target for the enthusiastic rednecks. "They will pay for this!" he vows.

Jay is disappointed they have no adversary to fight but does a barrel roll in triumph while anyone who hasn't fastened his shoulder belts hangs on for dear life. "So who all wants to be a Kaijubuster?" he asks again.

"Not me!" Dave declines. "Just drop me off at my Jeep and I'll plug monsters on the ground! If you guys want to go, then do it," he tells the deputies.

"Why not?" Wesson agrees. "Not every day you get to fight monsters and aliens and have decent equipment to do it."

"I'm too old to be a Power Ranger!" Medford grumps.

"Come on, partner!" Gary chides him. "You just don't have no sense of humor like ol' Jay here does."

"Yeah, I bet you don't bust many monsters out here in the sticks," Aaron chimes in. "Besides, you two have had a lot of practice breaking up river rat fights and would make a top drawer Super Sentai." The deputies look at each other and start laughing as they imagine each other in Spandex.

"We're in," they quickly agree. "We'll get the rest of our gear from the cars. Our SWAT uniforms will do for now," Mike adds. "Someone can come pick up the cruisers first chance they get. Hopefully, Sheriff Leroy won't be too mad at us for going off on a little temporary duty with the Kaijubusters."

"I'm sure he won't mind us taking out a few more monsters after what happened in Blytheville," Gary figures. While the deputies get their equipment together, Aaron uses Super X-III's powerful computer to re-establish contact with other fans online. He quickly realizes the Kaijubusters have their work cut out for them.

Since 1995, Barry Goldberg had kept giant monsters in the American consciousness on a continuing basis. While Godzilla's popularity alone had spawned countless websites on the Internet, fan-published magazines and even programs on independent and public access TV channels, Barry's idea of hosting a daily radio call-in show expanded Godzilla's influence further into mainstream America than any other kaijuologist had ever dreamed of. Most listeners found his responses informative, humorous, entertaining, and sometimes even enlightening, so as such, his answers to monster questions were pretty much considered the final word on the subject by many fans. Barry soon learned, however, that people tend to look for anyone on the supposed "inside track" to blame for their own problems and he became a handy target. The reason that he was currently receiving so much heat for Surturna's deeds had a lot to do with his broadcast of February 20, 1998, a day which will live in infamy.

It seems Barry had received a call from a young boy named Stephen Kwietniak from Kenai, Alaska, who asked, "What if monsters came into the real world?" Barry didn't hesitate to tell him that was impossible. And even when kaiju DID begin appearing and destroying local real estate, he still stuck to his beliefs. As Hedorah came ashore near his studio overlooking Boston Harbor, Barry stayed on the air and told his listening public, "There are no such things as monsters! You are letting your imaginations get the best of you," he raved. "All this fantasizing about 'What if turtles could really fly' and 'Could King Kong kick the Incredible Hulk's butt' has gone too far! I don't have an explanation as to what is currently going on in California or Owl Hollow, Louisiana and needless to say, I am deeply saddened over what is happening. But how many times do I have to tell you there's no such things as monsters?!"

With their van stuck in a mudhole somewhere in upstate New York, Scott Walker and Dennis Lancaster couldn't think of anything better to do than listen to BARRY'S KAIJU CALL-IN HOUR. After hearing the noted personality repeat his non-belief in monsters, Scott pulled up a handy rock in order to e-mail this so-called "expert in his own mind" a piece of his.

[Where do you get off telling a little kid and the whole world that there's no such thing as monsters? We saw two ourselves and nearly got squished!] he typed.

This was the kind of messages Barry had been receiving all day and led to his unusual outburst on the air. [Welcome to the club, bucko!] was how he responded to Scott and many other belligerent computer "guests", although his response didn't go over too well with the besieged fans who were contending with fact and fantasy colliding in their own backyards.

As Scott was keying in a particularly scathing commentary, Barry continued his broadcast. "I have just received word from my respected colleague, Connie Goodnow of the Museum of Radioactive Reptiles, that this manifestation is really the work of a witch known as Surturna. She plans on taking over the world and is using the monsters from Japanese science fiction and fantasy to carry out her scheme. World leaders have ignored her threats forthwith and I commend them for that, especially our own President who so eloquently defied her on behalf of all nations."

Scott wasn't put off in the least and e-mailed, [So tell President Clinton to send his limo out here and give us a lift, so we can have a little chat with the Lizard of Oz.] He hadn't noticed the big guy with the big gun on his hip standing over him, smiling at what was on the computer screen.

"You friends with the big cheese back in D.C.?" Greg Gillham asked.

Scott looked up and saw the biggest constable he'd come across in a long time. Behind him was an equally impressive four-wheel-drive, black and white Explorer with a full complement of police and off-road equipment. Surprised by the sudden appearance of the officer, he leaned back and slipped off his rock, much to Gertrude's amusement. Scott was also disappointed in seeing her raggedy truck right behind the Ford while his own transport occupied a mud hole.

"What's the matter, Scott?" she joshed him. "You have an unpaid speeding ticket back in Jersey?"

He vainly tried to get the mud off his britches and reminded his fellow ham that if he did, she probably would have served him personally with an alias bench warrant by now. Seeing the U.S.S. Enterprise hood ornament on the mini-van, Greg promised not to cite him for failure to maintain control.

"Professional courtesy," Gertrude explained when Scott's jaw dropped open at the thought of being cited for skidding off what was at best, a primitive roadway. Dennis could only thank the friendly officer who would serve as their guide back to civilization.

"We've got most of your crew accounted for, so if everyone's keen on heading for Ogdensburg, y'all should be able to find your way home from there," Greg said. Having a deputy sheriff from Arkansas along with this diverse crew from all over the country would certainly make for a most interesting evening, despite any threats of Barugon and Manda showing up to disrupt the rural ambiance.

When they arrived at the huge log hostelry, the rental truck was already there, minus most of the paint from the back end. "Barugon must have done it," Chris Nickerson explained in response to August's very concerned frown. Mark Duckworth and the Godziszewskis had also made it back to civilization, but Eric Walker, James Thompson, John Woodard, Alan Winterrowd and James Babbo still hadn't been heard from. They were last seen heading into the woods in their converted bus when Barugon decided that he wanted a starring role in their little production.

"How can anyone lose a psychedelic school bus?" Ed Godziszewski wondered. August was more concerned about the monster suits on the bus not being available for the scenes they still needed to shoot.

"Maybe they took a wrong turn and ended up in Canada," Greg suggested. "I'll get on the radio and see what I can find out." Before he had a chance to make his inquiries, however, the RCMP notified the New York state police that the vehicle was indeed up in Canada, just outside Montreal and being pursued down the Quebec AutoRoute by the monster, Guiron.

When things began getting crazy at the filming site, Alan and his gang figured a monster would find John's custom paint job on their bus mighty attractive and headed into the woods. No one had the slightest idea where they were going until they ended up across the St. Lawrence River in the province of Quebec. Since they were in the area, this seemed as good a time as any to pay a visit to Andre Dubois. But before they could properly appreciate the great city of Montreal, they found that Guiron also had plans for the area. The alien cannibals Florbella and Arbella had dispatched the knife-headed beast to soften things up for Surturna, who was becoming a little weary of her remote island. So when the Americans saw the flying saucer approaching, they did what was fast becoming more and more typical of fans everywhere: give these invaders a run for their money. Bidding Andre a hasty adieu, they took off to where Guiron was last sighted, just outside of town.

"It could be very dangerous!" Andre insisted, but the Yanks refused to stand by and let his town get trashed by "some alien spaceballs," as Alan so quaintly put it.

"Sorry, amigo," John apologized, as they made their hasty departure. "We just have a thing about keeping monsters in their place - namely, on the movie screen." Andre could only watch as the oddly-painted Monster Bus roared off into the night, leaving him wondering what he could do to help the brash Americans and his fellow countrymen. Figuring that his home would soon he destroyed by the rampaging monster, Andre fondly took a final look at his collection of memorabilia. Prominently displayed in an acrylic holder were two Ultra Rings. "Lovely reproductions," Andre mused as he put them on his fingers and raised his fists in the air.

"Alan, you're out of your ever-lovin' mind!" John exclaims as their bus speeds west, hoping to find an alien or monster to harass.

"It's worth it if we can keep that thing from reaching the city," James Babbo figures. "Besides, that's what Gamera would do."

When the media announced that Montreal was under attack, Canadians took cover, leaving the broad Quebec AutoRoute as an excellent approach for giant monsters. The occupants of the escorting spacecraft were most surprised, however, to see a small bus motoring along, flashing its lights and blaring assorted horns. While it has never been established that playing "Dixie" on an air horn will attract flying saucers, it seems to work with Guiron's cohorts. James Thompson also helped to encourage pursuit when he pulled out his deer rifle and opened fired on the craft from the rear sunroof of the bus. Florbella involuntarily winced at the gunfire, but descended to just above the road lights to check out this lone Earth vehicle that was so boldly challenging her interstellar spacecraft. With great maneuverability, the saucer swung behind the bus and followed its wildly zigzagging course across the highway's four lanes. Even with James shooting at the saucer, no one aboard the bus was very confident they would ever live to see another G-CON. When a blast of pure energy hit the road beside them, they knew they were in deep trouble. Closing his eyes and praying, Alan steers for an underpass just as Ultraman Ace materializes overhead, breaking the sound barrier. The shock wave gets Alan's attention and he brakes hard to see what had strafed them. Wheeling about, they see the red and silver hero atop the spaceship, punching and ripping at the propulsion unit; an Ultra Barrier will keep the aliens out of mischief while he tends to Guiron.

"Now there's a real hero!" John marvels as the Ultraman places the saucer beside the roadway; its propulsion system has been shut down, but there is a faint booming sound in the air, as well as a distinct vibration from the ground. Guiron is running full tilt to avenge his allies! Ultraman Ace approaches the bus, stopping short of his very relieved welcoming committee. They figure they had better get out of the way and leave the AutoRoute for the 40 meter Ace to defend against Guiron. Very quickly, the kaiju appears and charges towards him on all fours. With a sideways swipe of the monster's head, Ultraman Ace goes crashing into a row of warehouses on the opposite side of the highway. Before he can recover, Guiron is on him, slashing and beating the fallen warrior with its formidable cranium. Ace finally rolls clear and grapples his foe around the midsection for a mighty backwards body slam. Even upside down, its sharp claws present a challenge to the agile warrior. Leaping high, he manages to land on the underside of the monster's wedge-shaped head in an attempt to break its weak lower jaw. Surprisingly limber for such a huge beast, Guiron rolls forward and brings its rear claws down on the Ultraman's back and its front talons grab him by the neck from behind in a stranglehold! James T. empties his rifle into the monster's backside, calling the beast every bad word he can think of as Alan lays on the air horns again. The distraction is enough to make Guiron turn its head toward the bus and roar a challenge. Ultraman Ace takes this opportunity to buck the monster off and fire his Metallium Ray. A spectacular explosion sends monster parts flying in all directions, much to the relief of the plucky Americans.

Shrinking to human size, Ace bows to his new allies and bids them to follow him. At Andre's home, their recent host is raptly watching a video replay of the battle while still wearing the Ultra Rings. Ultraman Ace approaches him and offers his hand. Totally surprised, Andre takes it, feeling a little ashamed of his action with the rings. Ace looks at them and they glow brightly, startling the assembled fans. When the artifacts return to normal, Ace bows again and quickly flies away.

Not everyone is taken by surprise when monsters and aliens begin appearing and destroying everything in sight. Surturna's plans have been carefully nurtured since she was defeated by Miss Switch and banished to her island of fire and ice - in actuality, the perfect place to plot world domination. Starting with a list of villains, aliens and monsters from all over the universe, Surturna contacted them directly or sent her loyal emissaries to deliver the invitation to be a part of her grand scheme. Some joined the witch as a way of getting revenge for past defeats at the hands of various heroes, while others just wanted to get in on a prime opportunity to trash a city or two and move in after all the pesky humans were either killed or evacuated. Of course, hostile aliens never need an excuse to colonize new territory no matter what their home planet may be like. Humans, however, can be the most evil, vengeful, greedy, jealous and power-hungry of any sentient species, and those who are best at villainy can also influence others to assist them in their nefarious schemes. Hence it is little wonder that the infamous Doctor Who would offer his services to Surturna and she eagerly accepted his proposal to put the vanquished American industrial base to good use. Smiling wickedly, the internationally-despised scientist headed for America on a "recruiting" mission.

Todd Torres was at home in Port Huron, Michigan when he received a phone call from Dr. Who. More curious than anything, Todd accepted the request to meet him up the road at Port Austin. Following the single route to the remote area, he hadn't noticed the black limousine behind him until they had reached the end of the promontory jutting into Lake Huron. "Please join us," a deep voice spoke from Todd's car radio, which wasn't even turned on. Nearly skidding out of control in surprise, he looks back to see the limousine for the first time. Pulling to a stop, Todd gets out as Doctor Who steps from his ominous car. Gaunt and distinguished, Who makes an impression on Todd like few people ever have before. His hypnotic gaze greatly adds to the effect of power his evil mind can draw on.

"So what do you want of me?" Todd asks when formalities are out of the way.

Dr. Who smiles as he compliments him on his great knowledge and intelligence. "You also deeply care about your community and the direction in which your leaders are guiding your country."

"How did you know?" Todd wonders. Sure, he follows politics, but he doesn't hold office or anything influential like that.

"I know what I need to know," Who assures him. "But I'm impressed by your other talents, as well. Your scientific knowledge is outstanding for someone who is only not working at it as a hobby." Todd indeed does dabble in science a lot, from studying weather patterns to experimenting with new computer graphics programs. "Have you thought much about artificial intelligence?" Who asks him.

"Of course!" Todd quickly replies. "Who hasn't in this day and age, no pun intended? Everyone with half a brain wants to create a robot or computer that can think for itself."

"Good!" the evil doctor smiles, having to restrain his inner glee at finding such a willing associate so easily. "I believe that I have something you would enjoy seeing. If you would care to enter my vehicle, I'll show you my latest project."

"What about if I follow you instead?" Todd suggests. "I'd hate to leave my car out here."

"I'll leave one of my assistants with it," Who offers. "Besides, I don't think your vehicle can SUBMERGE."

Surprised and amazed that the doctor's big black limousine can, Todd quickly gets in. He has never imagined the likes of the amazing vehicle that is soon taking them to the bottom of Lake Huron. The car is indeed a mini-sub and the strange doctor also informs him it can fly, thanks to his secret Element X Drive. "Everything at my base is powered by this wondrous compound, but like all great things, it is in short supply. And that is where you can be of great assistance to me and all of mankind," Dr. Who assures his astonished guest.

Arriving at the doctor's huge underwater complex, they enter an airlock and soon stand within a fantastic scientific environment. Todd finds himself thinking that if Area 51 does indeed exist, this is how it would look. He is ushered to a computer lab unlike any other on Earth, but he recognizes the powerful Crays and other state-of-the-art equipment.

"This can all be yours to use as you see fit," Who offers. "With such resources, you will no doubt be the one who is finally able to perfect artificial intelligence." Todd gapes in amazement at such a thought. "I have no time to work on the project myself right now, but most of the groundwork is out of the way," his benefactor explains. "Mechani-Kong is at your disposal and has rudimentary programming already in place. My robot has been busy sampling these polluted lakes for various elements that may be of use in future projects. If large scale recovery is feasible, I would like to establish processing facilities nearby. I'm sure that your fellow citizens could use the employment opportunities this could offer." The doctor has done his homework in regards to the economic plight that many of the older industrial areas of America now face. With all his own ambitions encompassed right here in one place, how could Todd refuse such an opportunity to work with the strange Doctor Who?

Chapter 6 : Chaos!!!
(originally appearing in KAIJU-FAN ONLINE)
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch6.html )

"Only a matter of hours have passed since this war began. Mankind is involved in a life and death struggle unlike any crisis we have ever faced before." With his usual calm tone, Ted Koppel is on the air with a special report. Seeing this respected newscaster on their local affiliate stations is comforting, despite the gravity of his news from around the world. This broadcast is coming from a deserted New York street. Mr. Koppel is out in the open with the rest of the ABC News staff; refugees who had to evacuate their offices and studios when the kaiju Destroyer began attacking the city.

"This will probably be the biggest story in history," he continues. "But it is also the most tragic. At 12 noon, Eastern Standard Time, an evil witch who calls herself Surturna unleashed a terror on this planet the likes of which nobody could ever imagine. Dozens of monsters that normally exist only in the realms of Japanese science fiction and fantasy have appeared in every part of our real world, destroying everything in their path. For some unknown reason, Japan has remained untouched by this wave of destruction. The Japanese government and scientific experts are confounded as to why that country alone has been spared this worldwide onslaught.

"Military action has been ineffective against the attacking giants and alien spacecraft. Many people think this could very well be the end of the world. However, we are receiving reports from all over that heroes and monsters who fight for good in the fantasy genre are also arriving to challenge these invaders. According to our affiliates, these unlikely saviors are being called upon by their fans."

As Mr. Koppel speaks, the video shows battles taking place around the world. In the Philippines, Ultraman Leo and his partner, Astra from L-77 of the Lion Constellation are fighting the new brother monsters Red Giras and Black Giras who were sent by the evil Magma aliens when Gallion and Little failed to gain control of the islands. Surturna will not let these jewels of the Pacific slip out of her grasp that easily!

The superhero Aizenborg is trying to stop the catfish monster Magatron, whose burrowing has destroyed much of the Arabian countryside. Brasilia is becoming a barren wasteland as the evil plant Satan Rose (also known to fans as the Gargoyle Vine) has overrun the great city with its long creepers. Strangely enough, another plant monster believed to have dispersed into outer space has also appeared. Biollante sprouts giant, snapping vines of her own that spit green acid at the invader. The Gargoyle Vine retaliates by shooting blasts of thermal energy from its head.

The scene switches to Milano, Italy, where Mysterian space saucers constantly fly overhead. Ted describes how a group of fans led by Max Della Mora and Martin Sitzwohl destroyed the ground invasion force and the robot monster M.O.G.E.R.A., with a little help from their fantasy counterparts Kamen Riders ZX, Black and the task force of Blue Swat. It is also reported that an evil organzation called the Orange Order, led by the criminals Horonda and Snider, attempted to blow up the United Nations Building with a truck bomb and assassinate the Central Committee. "It now appears that this was another part of Surturna's plan to disrupt world affairs. Her scheme would have succeeded if not for Starman from Planet M. This intergalactic fantasy hero managed to guide the truck and its deadly cargo away from the U.N. and into the Hudson River. He then soundly defeated the villains with the assistance of a group of local citizens. WIDF cameraman Victor "Animal" Palotti reports that this well-armed band also saw fit to protect the U.N. delegates from any other assaults. When he attempted to film them in action against the Invaders, his tape was seized and he was advised they wished to remain anonymous. Mr. Palotti believes this is a group of fans operating on their own, possibly the mysterious G-Mafia. That shadowy organization is sometimes mentioned in fan circles as being responsible for the failure of Dean Devlin's attempt to recreate the Japanese Godzilla legend here in the States. Whoever or whatever these heroes are, we can only be thankful for their efforts in this time of crisis.

"It is now apparent that not only the Earth is threatened by Surturna's plans for conquest. Captain Ultra has joined Starman and another hero known as Prince of Space. They will be teaming up with Terror Monster Attacking Crew, Zaribra of All Territory, Protective Attack Team, Monster Attack Crew and Utility Government Members before heading for the far side of the moon where a secret base has been established by Surturna's alien invasion forces. All I can say to them and everyone who is trying to save us from this insane witch is that the entire world is praying for your success. The fate of the universe is in your hands. Local affiliate stations will be advised when ABC News will return with further updates on this crisis. As you can see, we have had to evacuate our usual broadcast facilities and are operating under emergency conditions. As long as we are able to

keep our uplinks, we'll try to keep you informed on this extreme situation as it develops. Thank you, and may our heroes always be here for us." Ted Koppel signed off and the world seemed a little bit more normal for the first time all day.

*****

In upstate New York, the diverse crew of Kaiju Productions has also been watching the broadcast, hoping to see reports from their home towns. Everyone pretty much accepts the fact that giant monsters and aliens are everywhere but the news from Jonesboro, Arkansas takes them completely by surprise. Ed White had started out for Blytheville in the KAIT-8 news van to report on the destruction caused by the earth tremors and six giant monsters using the town for a battlefield. When he reached the Big Lake bridge, Dave Guyer was still manning his machine gun against any more Deanzilla attacks. Varan had conveniently devoured the dead ones so he had a little bit of a creditability problem explaining to Ed what was going on out there. The newsman discounted his tale and continued on, putting more stock in Mayor Goode's frantic call about Blytheville being devastated by much bigger monsters. The lame brain politician also seemed to think his town would fare better at getting disaster relief if he appeared on network television.

As Ed tries to navigate the crumbled blacktop in the dark, he hits a deep break and blows out the right front tire, as well as breaking a tie rod. He calls Jonesboro on his cellular phone but it would be a while before anyone can come pick him up. Getting a wrecker for the van is out of the question as they are all tied up with rescue work after the many alien saucer attacks the town has sustained. Surturna has ordered her interplanetary allies to keep up constant air strikes against all population centers until the world's leaders surrender to her demands.

Ed sits in the dark waiting for a ride back to civilization and soon gets a funny feeling he is being watched. Sure, there's that crazy militiaman back on the other end of the bridge but the cause for his unease is closer at hand as eight golden eyes glow in the brush below the twisted roadway. Four Deanzillas suddenly leap onto the bridge and surround the news van. Ed stares in disbelief before finally grabbing his minicam. He also raises the hydraulic microwave dish on the roof and prepares to report live back to the studio in Jonesboro.

Diane Snowden sees the blinking light on the control board that indicates an incoming signal and switches on a monitor. She gasps as the head of an ugly reptile with long, gleaming teeth fills the screen. Quickly hitting RECORD, she hopes Ed can keep on shooting until she patches into ABC. Ted Koppel's remote unit takes the feed and the New York engineer is as shocked as Diane was. Advising Ted of what he is getting from Arkansas, the anchorman prepares to go back on the air. Ed keeps on filming and describing his situation, not aware he is no longer alone in his terror. The lizards haven't been able to get into the van but one tries to kick in the windshield. As it crouches to jump feet first, Ed leans on the horn, hoping to startle the creature into changing its mind. The four lizards leap off the bridge but eye the feisty human as hungrily as ever. Knowing his stunt probably won't work a second time, Ed slams a casette into the tape deck and turns on the PA system they use for live remote broadcasts. As soon as a scaly body jumps back onto the roadway, a commercial for Smoot Mobile Homes blasts from the roof mounted speakers and across the ABC network. Deanzillas run off in four directions as the noise stops as suddenly as it started. Ed plays his tape again when the creatures try another attack and attracts some welcome attention. Looking through his infrared rifle scope, Dave Guyer sees the news van and the cautiously approaching lizards.

After the fifth blast of audio with a Country Catfish jingle, the beasts attack with a vengeance. The window in one of the rear doors is shattered by a heavy foreclaw and Ed's camera whips around for the world to see a Deanzilla head poking in. A crash at the front of the van is followed by a quick shot of a scaly body coming in the passenger door. Ed drops the camera and loses his feed but whacks the lizard with a folded tripod. As the Deanzilla pulls back, a .30-06 slug goes in one side of its skull and out the other. Dave casually dispatches the other three and surveys the damage. Declining to go on camera, he offers to give Ed a ride to Blytheville so he can get his news story. The Jeep can't carry all the satellite equipment so Ed will just have to wait and uplink when Dave brings him back to the news van.

Back in New York (and around the country), Ted Koppel and about 35 million ABC News viewers fear the worst has befallen the Arkansas news man. They also wonder what new species of monster did him in. Nothing like the Deanzillas has been seen since the Late Cretaceous, except possibly by science fiction movie fans. The Kaiju Productions gang immediately sees the similarities between the Arkansas wildlife and the so-called American Godzilla's offspring. Retrieving his laptop, Scott hopes to find out if other areas also have a sudden Deanzilla infestation. [Maybe there is more to this than just a hapless newshound ending up as a raptor Happy Meal] he posts to the G-FORCE NET.

His query about other sightings goes unanswered until Norman England and Brant Elliott check in. Toei in Japan and Centropolis in California also have the beasts in large numbers surrounding their studios. "Awww, man!" Paul Gavins grouses. "Who wants to see those turkeys?"

"Yeah," August agrees. "But what are they doing in Japan? There is supposedly no monster activity of any kind there. And where are the heroes from Toei?" Norman does not know and posts that he has not seen any monsters except the Deanzillas.

"Could every single hero in the genre be busy fighting Surturna's evil forces?" Dennis wonders.

"If that's so, it looks like the fans are going to have to take up the slack," Constable Gillham figures.

*****

In Dearborn, Michigan, kaijufans Jim Figurski and Rob Dwyer are riding down Michigan Avenue when violent tremors rock their Jimmy. At the Ford World Headquarters, the ground moves in waves as if something is burrowing under it. "What the hell is going on?" Jim yells as Severe Weather Warning sirens pierce the air, alerting citizens to take cover. Motorists hastily pull over and take off running on foot, leaving the street an impassable parking lot with vehicles scattered among the cracks and holes in the road. Rob points over to the Ford Headquarters as they get out of their truck.

"Look! Something is going on over there!" The windows of the building shatter as the huge structure lights up with a strange yellow glow. "We better take cover and get the hell away from here!" Jim exclaims.

"Good idea," Rob agrees as they start running toward the Dearborn Police Headquarters. The building has reinforced walls containing a special metal alloy to resist attack from most known weapons. Just as they reach the station, a horrific, yet familiar roar comes from the Ford Building.

"It can't be!" Jim murmurs under his breath. "We're in big trouble now!" Three yellow energy bolts blast through the top of the structure, totally destroying the roof and sending steel I-beams, wood, glass and metal high into the air. There is a huge fireball as Death Ghidorah surges upward, sending walls tumbling to the ground in a cloud of dust. "Get inside, Jim! It's our only chance! Death Ghidorah is going to destroy everything!" Rob yells as he charges into the main entrance. Death Ghidorah fires bolts of energy at the Fairlane Town Center Mall and incinerates it easily. Other residents arrive, seeking shelter from the creature's attack.

"We're calling in the Air Force from Selfridge Air Base now," a harried police dispatcher tells the panicked crowd. "Just try to remain calm! They'll take care of this monster."

"Our attack jets will be like flies compared to Death Ghidorah!" Jim informs the over-confident officer.

"Yeah," Rob adds. "Even Mothra had a hard time defeating him!"

A burly truck driver glares suspiciously at the two fans. "Well, guys. Do you have a better idea?" Jim and Rob look at each other and the now silent crowd. A local station is providing a live remote broadcast on a small television the officers use to watch Tiger baseball games. The tension eases as Death Ghidorah heads toward the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. It crushes the main museum as people run everywhere. Thick clouds of smoke and dust fill the air, almost blocking out the sun. The reporter gags and coughs, hardly able to see or breathe, much less keep up his commentary on the destruction. Death Ghidorah lets out a tremendous roar and continues its advance. The three heads align and fix their eyes on the steamboat that is anchored in the lake. A barrage of yellow energy bolts erupts from each mouth, totally destroying the historic attraction and sending geysers of water high in the air. Through the smoke and fire, a light, brighter than the sun, suddenly fills the sky. Miss Switch's magic still hovers high above the Earth as a strange phenomenon takes place in front of Death Ghidorah.

Back at the police station, Jim and Rob intently watch the television report. "Please! Help us, whatever you are!" Jim prays. A humanoid figure appears, shining with the intense light of the Land of Light, M-78. "IT'S ULTRAMAN GAIA!!" Jim and Rob yell, leaping to their feet. "We've got a chance now!" Jim shouts, encouraging the crowd to cheer their hero on. Gaia quickly attacks, running toward Ghidorah and flipping over a barrage of energy bolts which destroy more buildings. The hero jumps on Death Ghidorah's back and grabs its three heads, trying to tie them together and strangle the monster. Ghidorah bucks him off but two of its heads have been tied together, strangling each other. The monster starts jumping around, trying to untangle its writhing necks.

"That reminds me of Ultraman fighting Dodongo!" Jim exclaims as they watch this most recent Ultra hero in action. Death Ghidorah fires an energy bolt from its free head, hoping to rid itself of this powerful warrior. Gaia forms his Ultra Barrier and deflects the blast harmlessly away. Crouching down, he fires his Spacium Disc Attack, cutting off Death Ghidorah's functional head, which goes flying through the air. Gaia then changes to strong form and grabs the huge beast. Flying into the air with the monster, he throws the creature back to the ground, trying to kill it. Ghidorah slowly gets back to its feet, the two remaining heads still tied together. Energy bolts start to form in the throats but can't get past the obstructing knot. Gaia summons his remaining energy and blasts Death Ghidorah with his Spacium Ray, blowing the creature into millions of pieces. With a final look at the damage Death Ghidorah has caused, Gaia leaps into the air with an echoing "SooooooWatttcccchh!"

Back at the police station, the crowd erupts in wild celebration. "Ultraman Gaia has saved us!" Jim exclaims, as giddy as the next person.

"Yes," Rob replies, much more somberly. "Our heroes and monsters will try to save the world but is there no end to Surturna's evil scheme?" Everyone's attention is drawn to the television which is now flickering and zapping as though possessed by some electronic demon. The electricity goes off and emergency lighting clicks on around the receiving area. Even without power, the television continues its psychedelic display.

*****

At her secret island, Surturna caresses her crystal ball. "This isn't over yet, you foolish mortals! I have only barely begun!... Ha! Ha! Ha! Hee! Hee! Hee! she laughs wickedly. Her eyes glow like burning embers and blue-white electricity courses down her arms to the now pulsing globe. With a loud CRAKKK!! her evil magic radiates into the air and across the heavens. She cackles wickedly from the strange aura surrounding her throne. Her cohorts cautiously peer over the table top at their leader as the smell of ozone fills the air. They are duly impressed and even the most ruthless of them are surprised at this display of raw power. Lord Zedd speaks for them all when he regains his composure.

"Truly awesome, Mistress Surturna! Nothing can stop us now!"

Chapter 7 : Enter Godzilla and Ultraman
(originally appearing in KAIJU-FAN ONLINE)
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch7.html )

In the Atlantic Ocean, the newly christened RMS TITANIC II is heading for New York City. Passengers are enjoying a pre-landing party on the main deck of this splendid ship making its maiden voyage from England. Jack Dawson and his wife Rose look warily at the leaden sky. "Honey, was it really necessary to take this trip?" Rose asks, very concerned about what is happening everywhere in the world. Her husband lovingly puts his arms around her shoulders, wishing he could be more comforting.

"I'm scared too, dear," he admits. "I just got a telegram from Neal Murphy. England was attacked by Snake King but Gorgo returned after all these years to fight the invader." As Jack and Rose embrace, they hope the world can survive this terrible onslaught of monsters and aliens.

Behind the great ocean liner, some of Miss Switch's magic drops into the dark waters below. Suddenly, the sea begins to churn and a huge cloud of steam forms. The startled passengers can't help but notice this strange turbulence. "What's going on, Jack?" Rose cries out.

"I don't know," he replies, as confused and afraid as she is. A bluish-white ray shoots out of the water, rocking the huge ship. Many people are knocked off their feet as they try to grab hold of deck rails and other secure fittings.

Kaiju fan Diva Velez, who is returning home from a trip to England to visit relatives exclaims, "Only one monster I know has a ray beam like that -- and there he is!" Rising from the depths, the mightiest of all Earth's creatures surfaces with a deafening roar. KRAAARUNKKK!!! "Godzilla!" Diva whispers, amazed at actually seeing the King of the Monsters.

Rose Dawson screams. Jack shouts, "Oh, my God! It's huge!" as passengers scramble to leave the exposed deck. Godzilla eyes the magnificent vessel and the puny humans running about. His jaws open as the plates along his back begin to glow, signaling the end of the TITANIC II. High above, the overcast sky is split by a clap of thunder loud enough to startle the giant monster. Clouds dance with lightning and tumble about themselves like an angry nest of vipers. Amid this turmoil, Godzilla stands perfectly still, somehow sensing what is happening. He knows he must save the real world from Surturna and her evil allies. No less would be expected from the King of the Monsters or the genre he so proudly represents. He seems to look directly at Diva Velez for a brief moment before closing his mouth. The mighty Godzilla will destroy his enemies instead of the convenient target before him. Turning away from the TITANIC II, he heads toward New York City, knowing one of his deadliest foes is there, waiting to challenge everything he has represented for almost 50 years.

Aboard the great ship, everyone is too stunned to realize how they have been spared from certain death. "It's because I believe in him, and the others in our hobby!" Diva tries to explain to her fellow passengers. They can only stare in wonder as Godzilla fades into the distance.

*****

Far out over the Pacific Ocean, Miss Switch, Rupert, Amelia, Tetsuya, Pigmon and Bathsheba the cat are flying toward Surturna's secret island. The trip from America has been surprisingly smooth and uneventful until now. The clear, moonlit sky has become obscured by a roiling mass of ion-charged clouds, as if they were shadows of giant monsters themselves. "My witch's instinct tells me Surturna is not finished casting her evil upon the world," Miss Switch informs the children as she struggles to keep control of her broom.

"How much further, Miss Switch?" Amelia asks.

"I don't know," the good witch replies and asks Pigmon, "Are we going the right way?" He nods. Suddenly, Bathsheba arches her back and hisses loudly.

"Stop a second, Miss Switch." She quickly guides the broom to a standstill high above the water and wonders what has drawn the cat's attention. The talking cat growls, "We are being followed!" Everyone looks around but there is nothing to see but the eerie cloud bank high above and the dark waters below. Suddenly, two huge creatures dive down, coming directly at them!

"MISS SWITCH!!!" the terrified children scream. She wastes no time as her reflexes take over.

"Hang on!" she shouts, rapidly accelerating toward the clouds.

"It's Bemstar and Dorako!" Tetsuya recognizes the monsters from THE RETURN OF ULTRAMAN and the original TV series.

Rupert wonders out loud, "Can we outrun them, Miss Switch?"

She steers quickly to the right, avoiding Bemstar's open navel swallowing membrane. "We can sure try, Rupert!" The brave Earth defenders must elude these two giant monsters if they hope to reach Surturna's island or even greet the next sunrise. They fly blindly into the clouds, trying to evade their monstrous pursuers. Miss Switch turns to Tetsuya. "What heroes are left to save us from these creatures?"

The Japanese boy is at a loss but shouts above the wind, "There are many! We can only hope one of them knows we're in trouble." Still climbing, they break through the clouds and see Mothra battling a flight of Kamacuras. Some of the giant mantises have managed to hang on to the flying goddess' body and are viciously biting her with their mandibles. As new hordes approach, she knocks them out of the sky with her energy beam. Quickly flapping her wings, a cloud of golden dust obscures her and the attackers from view. Bemstar alters course and flies toward her, ignoring the dazed Kamacuras she has shaken off. "MOTHRA! LOOK OUT!!!" Tetsuya shouts. Suddenly appearing in all her brilliant glory, the usually gentle kaiju screams and flies directly at the deadly Bemstar.

*****

Meanwhile in Rockville, Maryland, kaiju fan Patsy Zukav and her mother are watching news reports of the crisis. They still remain at their home but most of their neighbors have evacuated. "Patsy, we have to go to the shelters!" her mother pleads. Patsy goes over to one of the wall displays which house some of her extensive Ultraman collection, including a toy Beta Capsule. She takes this most prized collectible and holds it lovingly. "Mom, I don't want to leave my collection or my home," she tries to explain. "I believe that our heroes and monsters can defeat these villains and save us. We must have faith in them!" Her mother throws up her hands and leaves the room to pack. Patsy idly muses, "I wish Hayata was here so I could meet him..."

Outside, Miss Switch's magic continues to shimmer in the sky overhead. There is the sound of jet engines as the Delta V-TOL air ship prepares to land. Science Patrol members Captain Mura, Ito, Arashi, Fuji, Hoshino and Hayata were heading towards Washington, D.C. but have unexpectedly changed course. "Hayata. We are needed in Washington!" Captain Mura tries to convince his subordinate.

"I know, Captain," Hayata replies. "But I have to stop at this house of a loyal fan of ours. Somehow, I don't have the Beta Capsule with me and Ultraman is sorely needed. Just set down here and go on ahead without me."

Captain Mura finally issues the order. "Arashi, set the craft down."

"Yes, sir!" he smiles.

As the Delta lands on the deserted street, Patsy and her mother look outside to see what the disturbance is. "What is that?" her mom wonders as she stares in awe. Even Patsy is surprised.

"It's the Science Patrol!" she shouts, hurrying to greet them. Hayata climbs out of the craft as soon as it lands.

"Hayata! Be careful!" Fuji calls.

"Don't worry, I will," he promises.

Captain Mura reminds him, "We're going ahead to Washington to assist the Unicorn Organization, the Pollution Control Monster Squad, the Ultra Guard and the International Scramble Troops. They are fighting the Shocker and Gargoyle armies in defense of this country's capital city. See you soon!" They salute and Hayata backs up to give the craft room to maneuver. "Lift off, Ito!" Mura orders.

The powerful engines ignite and the Delta flies away. As it fades from view, Hayata hurries towards Patsy's house. She stands at the door to greet him. "Welcome! I was just thinking about you, Hayata," she smiles. Patsy is almost embarrassed to be talking to her hero but she also feels strangely at ease in his presence.

"And I am most pleased to meet you also," Hayata bows graciously.

"Come in and see my collection!" she finally offers. He accepts and is grateful for her hospitality. Hayata cannot help but marvel at the mementos of so many of Ultraman's adventures. He suddenly spies the object he seeks.

"The Capsule!" he stares at it in awe. Patsy takes the toy Beta Capsule from its shelf and hands it to him.

"But will it work for you, Hayata? It's only a prop but one of the first items I got for my collection after falling in love with Ultraman."

Hayata takes her hand and assures her, "As long as you believe in us, Patsy, it will work." With tears of joy in her eyes, she kisses him on the cheek. Smiling warmly, he takes the communicator pin off his jacket and pins it to her blouse. "This is a little token to express our thanks for being a good fan to us. There are many like you who treat us with respect. Every one of us in the genre is deeply grateful."

Patsy replies, "I am very honored to have been able to meet you. I will always treasure this pin and believe in you, Ultraman. And the other heroes in our genre!"

He again takes her hand and prepares to say good-bye. "You know what I have to do now. I don't want to destroy your house when I transform..." She nods and they both hurry outside. Hayata runs to a clearing and raises the Beta Capsule skyward. Pushing the flash button, a burst of energy erupts and the Science Patrol officer transforms into Ultraman. "HIIAHHHH!" he shouts from high above the trees and houses. Patsy is even more astounded by the appearance of her idol than she was when Hayata suddenly appeared on her doorstep.

"Thank you for bringing me so much joy, Ultraman!" she shouts up to him.

Her hero looks down and nods before leaping into the air. "SHOOWATCH!!!" he shouts as he takes off towards the north.

As Ultraman flies along, he senses that an alien enemy he once fought to a standstill has returned. Surturna has called upon this nemesis to destroy him once and for all. Determined to settle an old score, Ultraman increases his thrust and streaks toward New York. Patsy Zukav watches him fade into the distance as Surturna's spell reaches out across the heavens, blanketing the Earth in an ominous overcast. She touches the pin on her blouse and whispers, "Thank you, Miss Switch! You have made my wish come true."

Chapter 8 : The Battle for Washington
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch8.html )

In the nation's capital, the D.C. National Guard has been routed by Mecha-Godzilla. Amid the shattered white marble that was once the newly restored Washington Monument, another robot valiantly challenges this towering machine of destruction. Aiming its whirling finger missles, the alien mecha lines up on the cybernetic hero Jumborg Ace. The powerful ordnance hits with full force, knocking the defender of good atop the massive base of the once towering American symbol of freedom. Thirty-six years of construction begun in 1848 has been destroyed in less than ten minutes by the dueling titans. Mecha-Godzilla's chest compartment opens and a red beam engulfs its prone target. Inside the head of the cyborg, pilot Naoki Tachibana struggles to maintain control as intense pain racks his entire body. Jumborg's controls are attached to him and he feels everything affecting the cybot. "No!" he screams silently to himself, struggling to withstand the red haze in his brain. "We can't give in, Jumborg Ace! Keep fighting! We must win for Miss Switch and our fans!" Jumborg Ace slowly regains an upright stance and advances toward Mecha-Godzilla. The two robots engage and grapple like speeded up automatons, despite their gigantic size.

Above the struggling giants, the Delta V-TOL of the Science Patrol has arrived and is attacking the acid-spitting white ray monster Ikageras. "Fire!" Captain Mura orders as soon as another high impact rocket is racked. The missiles do little damage as the beast once defeated by Giant Robot shoots its corrosive acid at the airship.

Fuji suddenly screams, "Captain!" There is fire on the starboard side!"

"Vertical engines!" Mura orders. "We have to pull out of this." The Science Patrol hangs on as Ito fires the thrusters.

"It's no good, Captain... We're going to crash!" The Delta spins downward to certain death when the brave crew members are suddenly jolted in their harnesses and the crippled ship stabilizes into an almost horizontal position. Long insectlike legs can be seen through the windows.

"Look! It's Battra!" Hoshino shouts. The giant creature flies its catch to a clear spot on Pennsylvania Avenue and gently sets it down. The Science Patrol scrambles out of the still-burning craft and are stunned at the sight of the fearsome kaiju before them.

"That's the first time a monster saved us!" Arashi exclaims as Battra takes to the air to engage Ikageras. With a mighty roar, it fires its eye beams at the ray monster.

"He is like Mothra," Fuji explains. "He will defend the real world just like the rest of us because it's his home too."

Captain Mura finds this very hard to believe but there is no time to debate the mysterious ways of kaiju. "Come on! We have to help the others trying to save this country's President!" The Science Patrol hurries off on foot as they hear gunfire coming from the White House not far away.

*****

"Batallion...Charge!" shouts Commander Bbina of the International Scramble Troops, which have deployed just outside the White House. His men eagerly respond, firing their weapons at the Gargoyles led by the evil Spider.

"Wipe them out!" Spider shouts to his men. "Victory is within our grasp! For our new ruler, Surturna!" Both squadrons fight viciously to determine the fate of the United States. Will it be the first nation to fall under the control of Surturna's evil power or survive as the Land of the Free?

In the air above, the Ultra Hawk of the Ultra Squad is attacking a giant member of the evil Metron aliens at the Lincoln Memorial. Team members Captain Kiriyama, Furuhashi, Soga, Amagi and Ann Yuri are manning the great craft and its powerful weapons. "We can't let this city fall!" shouts Kiriyama.

Furuhashi mutters, "Where's Dan when we need him?"

Ann Yuri explains, "He's fighting as Ultra Seven with the rest of the heroes to save this real world. But we have defeated many monsters ourselves! We can't just rely on the heroes all the time. We must do our part also!" As the Ultra Hawk continues to fire at the Metron, Dr. Gori's monster Vegaron is being challenged by Chief Korada, Arthur, Otto, John and Kim of the Pollution Control Monster Squad.

"Okay! Blind him...blast him in the eyes!" shouts Korada. The Pollution Team Members fire their laser guns simultaneously at the monster and hit their mark. The kaiju roars in pain as blood gushes from both eyes, going berserk and blindy lashing out at anything and everything. A barrage of rockets strikes the monster as the combined firepower of the Scientific Attack Force, Monster Attack Team and Science Guard Members co-ordinate their human efforts against this giant alien invader. They continue to pound the beast with every weapon available until it is unable to take any more punishment and falls to the ground dead. Almost immediately, another monster appears! It is the screaming, walking, bird-faced kaiju Muruchi. The crews on each warship stare in shock and disbelief. As they destroy one monster, another arrives to fight in its place.

*****

Pierre Corbiel is at the Bloor Cinema in Toronto when a city police car cruises by with its lights flashing. Over his loudspeaker, the officer advises everyone to seek shelter. "The city is under attack! Take cover immediately!" Before Pierre can get more information, the car zips around the corner with its siren going full blast. Not seeing anything unusual, he goes back inside to work on his plans for the next Fant-Asia film festival.

As announced, alien GUTS spacecraft soon appear and begin blasting the city with their ray cannons. The commotion draws Pierre back outside in time to see the monster ARON coming up the road, purposefully destroying every moving vehicle it sees. Screaming crowds of people dodge falling buildings, only to be attacked by the monster. As he watches in horror, Pierre wonders if his friend Andre is in any danger in Montreal. He fondly remembers February of 1997 when they were in Japan together and toured the Hall of Monsters at Tsuburaya Productions. "If only Hiroshi Fujioka was here!" he wishes. "As Kamen Rider 1-Go, he could save us." The great hero actor had met them at Haneda Airport when they attended the Yubari Fantastic Adventure Film Festival. "Ah, Tsuburaya!" he shouts to the sky. "Where are your heroes?"

His call is answered when Ultra Seven appears, flying in just out of reach of ARON. He had lost a battle to this creature once before and certainly isn't going to let it happen again, what with all of Toronto in jeopardy! Even his powerful Eye-Slugger energy blade had proven ineffective against the alien beast. As the Ultraman circles his opponent, small groups of people come out of their hiding places and shout "SEVEN! SEVEN! SEVEN!"

An Ultra will always feel like a stranger in a strange land when he is away from his beloved City of Light but so many people were shouting his name! "How odd that they know of me here!" he wonders. The answer will have to wait as the GUTS aliens close in from above and ARON charges at him on the ground. Even his energy collar will not help in the frigid night air so he must dispose of his enemies as quickly as possible.

The Emulium Ray flashes with deadly accuracy as he shoots down one GUTS ship after another over historic Toronto. ARON repeatedly attacks him to protect his allies but the hero's resolve is mightier than ever. As his warning light begins to blink, Seven realizes he has one last chance to save this magnificent city and destroy the monster that humiliated him once and for all. With a tremendous burst of power, he flings the Eye-Slugger at ARON's head, quickly following with a continuous Emulium Ray. The energy flow is enormous, bringing the warrior to one knee as his cosmic lifeforce ebbs and wanes. Concentrating only on destroying ARON, the monster finally begins to falter, staggering and shaking its head to throw off the effects of the combined weapons. Suddenly, Seven's energy blade comes back to him, ready for another bolt of white-hot ionization. With a mighty heave and the last of his power reserve, the Ultra hero destroys his nemesis! The street is bright as day when ARON disintegrates in a momentary flash of pure energy. As the glare fades, a human-sized figure lies prone on the street.

Pierre realizes Ultra Seven has sacrificed his very lifeforce to destroy the monster and now is but an empty shell. He runs to the fallen hero and tries to shake him into consciousness but the yellow light in his eyes is gone and his sleek red skin feels too cold to the touch. In shock at seeing such a great being dead before him, Pierre can only think to brush his fingers over the hero's energy collar. To his surprise, a flash of light dances across the embedded solar plates! Without hesitation, he firmly presses both palms on the device. A great shock throws Pierre backwards in full arrest, his sacrifice reviving the Ultra sufficiently for him to crawl to his benefactor and return the favor. Pierre awakens to gaze into the glowing yellow eyes of Ultra Seven, whose hand is pointing to his chest timer. It blinks slow and weak, reflecting the condition of its host but he is alive. Scrambling to his feet, Pierre alternately carries and drags the hero to the nearest building with a light showing. The people inside gather coats and bring a portable heater to warm his charge. Seven's eyes flicker weakly but his timer barely shows any sign of consciousness. Pierre again extends his hands toward the energy collar but Seven stops him. Instead, he clasps Pierre's hand and holds it for several minutes, drawing on the human's strength. He is not adversely affected this time and Seven is soon able to stand by himself. Despite the onlookers' protests that he stay and rest, Seven simply points to his now strongly blinking timer and bows deeply in gratitude. Without a word, he walks out the door and leaps into the sky.

Pierre retrieves his coat and goes outside. Seeing the rubble and scattered fires caused by the battle, he figures the human spirit has a lot going for it, thanks to Ultra Seven.

*****

In the White House, President Bill Clinton, his wife Hillary and daughter Chelsea are huddled together in the Lincoln Room. Their Secret Service bodyguards are outside assisting the International Scramble Troops fight the Gargoyles. America's First Family is now under the protection of Unicorn and the Science Patrol. Unicorn Members Commander Azuma, female Members (U-5) Musuko Heno and (U-6) Mari Hatomura stand ready with weapons in hand. Suddenly, the brave agent Jerry Mano (U-3) rushes in to report, "It's hopeful, sir! Commander Bbina is starting to drive them back. Shocker's mutants are slowly losing ground! And Kamen Rider Stronger, the OhRangers and Metaldor are here. But Stronger's partner, Ladybug Tackle, has just been killed." Fuji, Musuko and Mari look at each other as another female heroine has lost her life in this horrible war. Feeling for Tackle, the three hold hands in a short, silent prayer, vowing to avenge her death and that her ultimate sacrifice will not have been in vain. They also remember Rangers Trini and Kimberly who died earlier, battling Ultraman Shadow.

Azuma waits for the women to finish their meditations and asks, "U-3. Where's U-7 and Giant Robot?"

Jerry replies, "Johnny and the Robot are fighting King Joe, commander!" At the destroyed Capitol, Giant Robot is fighting the powerful mecha which almost defeated Ultra Seven. Operated by the evil seizen called Pedans, King Joe is a most formidable opponent.

"Robot! Mega Punch. Now!" Johnny Sokko orders Giant Robot through the control wristwatch on his arm as he flies alongside with the aid of his Unicorn jetpack.

"RUNNCH!" responds the mighty mecha, obeying the orders of his young master. A massive arm strikes its target, knocking King Joe into a tangle of abandoned vehicles. However, the Pedan robot quickly rises. Giant Robot delivers a downward blow to its shoulder, decking it again. King Joe suddenly fires a laser from its face unit, hitting the mechanical warrior in the chest and knocking it off balance.

"Robot!" Johnny whispers as King Joe straddles the fallen mecha and uses both its mechanical fists to repeatedly pound Robo on its chest. Johnny issues another command. "Robot! Use your laser eye ray!"

"RUNNCH!" the faithful warrior fires a searing laser blast at King Joe's face. The alien continues to pound away at Giant Robot, using its great weight to keep him pinned down.

Johnny Sokko shouts, "Robot, don't give up! You can do it!" Robo again tries to rise but the effort is futile. It seems the popular mechanical hero will be defeated amid the rubble of the Capitol dome. Even this great landmark has been removed from the city's magnificent skyline, when it can be seen through the smoky haze hanging over the destruction. Suddenly from behind, King Joe is showered in strands of webbing. The alien mecha stops its assault on Robo and turns to counter its new attacker. Johnny recognizes the giant spider Kumonga. "Now's our chance! Robot! Use your jets to get up and grab King Joe from behind! Hold him so Kumonga's webbing can restrain him and we can finish him off!"

"RUNNCH!" Robot responds to the signal and fires its back rocket boosters to rise up. As it does, King Joe is walking towards the spider from Monster Island fans also know as Aspeiga. Kumonga continues to fire his webbing at the rapidly closing alien menace. King Joe raises its right arm and is about to strike a deadly downward blow to the spider as Giant Robot grabs both of the mecha's arms and gets him into position for Kumonga to apply his webbing. Unable to escape, King Joe is quickly wrapped in the almost unbreakable strands. Giant Robot releases its hold and the villain falls to the ground. Robo walks over to Kumonga and stands beside the giant spider, ready for its next order.

"Robot! Use your hand rockets. Now!"

"RUNNCH!" The great mecha aims and fires at the alien device. It explodes as Johnny Sokko cheers.

"Good work, Giant Robot!" He sees something moving in the wreckage. "Huh? What's that?" From the smoking remains, a small ship emerges. It is the evil Pedans who piloted the machine! Before they can get away, Kumonga fires his webbing at the spaceship. Unable to escape this net, the ship falls back to the ground and crashes. Johnny smiles, "Now that's teamwork!" Kumonga makes a contented sound of victory and raises half his legs in the air as Giant Robot lifts its arms upward in salute. Johnny's attention is suddenly drawn to the White House and he speaks into his control wristwatch. "Robot. Azuma, Bbina and Mura are in trouble! They need you now."

"RUNNCH!" the warrior mecha responds and ignites his rocket boosters, flying off towards the White House. Johnny takes off after him with Kumonga striding along behind them.

*****

The monster Golza lets out a horrendous roar and discharges his forehead ray as he battles the red and silver warrior of fire, Megaloman. The white-haired giant tumbles away from the oncoming blast and jumps into the air to give his enemy a mighty kick to the face but Golza is stronger than ever, thanks to Surturna. The powered up creature barely feels the blow as Megaloman hits the ground and rolls clear to take another fighting position, wondering if he will be able to defeat this foe. Bill Pearson and Jim Cleveland watch from a safe distance as Rochester, New York burns before them.

"Golza almost defeated Ultraman Tiga once," Bill remarks. "I sure hope Megaloman can take him now!" He speaks everyone's concern as the battle appears to be a stand-off.

"I've heard Godzilla was sighted heading towards New York and so is Ultraman," Jim replies. "Whatever monsters they run into, there's going to be hell...Hey, look! There's Megaloman's family fighting the Invaders from Mirrorman's own series!" The two fans watch as Rosemary Shishido, Ran Takamine, Seiji Kurokawa, Heisuke Yuri and the young boy Ippei Mashi battle hordes of the faceless aliens. Not far away, the heroes fans know as Inuzaman, Guyferd and Deathferd are fighting a group of aliens of the Natal Race.

"We'll win yet, Earth fools!" a Natal shouts. "We'll never stop fighting, not while a single one of you lives! SURTURNA WILL RULE THE UNIVERSE!!!" The bounty hunter heroine Iria appears and eyes the mouthy Natal with disgust. A swift kick to the groin sends him tumbling down the street.

"We will stop you, Natal scum!" Iria shouts to the momentarily surprised villains. Angered by the insolent prattle, she turns to see more Natals coming towards her and her fellow heroes. Relishing this chance to rid the universe of their kind, she draws her weapons to pick off the front ranks. "For Miss Switch, the fans and the Earth!" Iria shouts as she fires with deadly accuracy. Paul Haberman joins Jim and Bill's growing group of fans who are now wildly cheering her on.

Philadelphia has been completely overrun by vast numbers of man-monsters from the combined forces of the Jamahi Empire and Mother Meizard, under the leadership of the evil Gaohm and dinosaur general Raija. However, they are also being challenged by the forces of good. Their arch-enemy, Beetle Fighter has arrived to defend this city representing American freedom for over 220 years. B-Fighter Kabuto, Blue Beet and B-Fighter Kubuto lead their partners G-Stag, Reddle and B-fighters Kuwangar and Tento in the fight to save the Cradle of Liberty. As the Beetle forces battle these hordes on the ground, the sentai group Battle Fever J is in their robot, fighting the evil GR 2 known as Torozon. The Battle Team struggles to break free as Torozon grips their mecha by the neck from behind and is on the verge of ripping its head off. Suddenly appearing behind the evil bot, Mach Baron grabs Torozon by its neck. The robot frees itself and Mach Baron gets Torozon into a restraining hold for Battle Fever to finish off. Using its glowing power sword, the good robot strikes a mighty downward blow, rending Torozon almost in half right down the middle. The ruined mecha explodes and falls to the ground as the Battle Team cheers. Both robots hold up their fists in a triumphant victory salute.

Meanwhile at Valdez, Alaska the mutant boy Frankenstein is fighting a losing battle against the evil look-alike robot Inmit Ultra Seven. Frankie valiantly grabs a handy container crane arm and attempts to hit the clone with it, swinging it like a baseball bat. The robot throws its deadly Eyeslugger at the young giant and cuts off one of his hands. Falling to the ground, Frankie screams and writhes in pain as Inmit Seven walks toward him to strike the killing blow. Suddenly, Frankenstein attacks! Charging with all his might at this travesty of the hero Ultra Seven, they crash into a gasoline tank farm. The evil Seven struggles to free itself from the enraged boy-monster's attack and fires a beam amidst the ruptured tanks and volatile fuel. Both combatants are destroyed in the explosion which levels the entire city. Many lives are lost as the conflagration spreads from the port area in all directions, consuming homes and industries alike. The battle for the Earth between good and evil recognizes no boundaries and both innocence and valor can lead to death, be it by accident, choice or circumstance.

*****

Back in Washington, the Pentagon is on high alert after receiving reports that Surturna will no doubt be targeting the White House and other key facilities for special attention. Hundreds of tanks and mobile missile launchers are stationed nearby to defend America's key military headquarters. Inside, the war room is utter chaos as the Joint Chiefs of Staff try to coordinate their beleaguered troops against the varied, multiple attacks occurring in all parts of the United States. "We're spreading ourselves dangerously thin," Lieutenant Commander Steven Michaels of the U.S. Navy realizes as he looks at a huge computerized diagram of the battles taking place across the country. "It appears these creatures are immune to our standard military weaponry. Only the brave heroes of the Japanese science fiction genre can save us now." Suddenly, there is an enormous explosion, knocking everyone in the huge war room off their feet.

"Commander! We're under attack!" yells intelligence specialist Corporal Hayes. "We've picked up a massive object burrowing directly under the Pentagon!"

Commander Michaels gets on the public address system to warn everyone. "Attention, all non-essential personnel! Evacuate the building immediately. The Pentagon is under attack. I repeat. Evacuate at once!" The labyrinth of hallways and offices begins to fill with smoke and fire as multiple explosions rip through the massive, reinforced building. Sirens pierce the air as hundreds of military and civilian personnel scramble for the exits. "What the hell is this thing?" Michaels yells to no one in particular as he tries to make sense of the blip on Hayes' display screen. "It's gotta be massive; maybe it's one of Surturna's secret weapons no one could possibly be aware of," he tries to get confirmation from the just as confused specialist. "She must realize the Pentagon would be tough to attack because of its reinforced structure. If she can take out the Pentagon, our military effectiveness will be severely hampered!"

Corporal Hayes wipes the sweat from his eyes and tries to stop coughing from the smoke long enough to see what his equipment might can tell them. "Sir, the object has stopped moving and is now directly below us! Maybe we should get out of here before it's too late..." Just then, something bursts up through the ground and destroys a quarter of the huge building. A tremendous roar is heard as people scramble into waiting armored personnel carriers. A television news crew manages to catch the attack on the Pentagon and broadcast it live. The President of the United States and his Unicorn and Science Patrol bodyguards watch for a good shot of the monster causing all this damage.

"It can't be!" Captain Mura exclaims. "It took two of Japan's greatest heroes to defeat this monster it is so powerful. It can utterly destroy the Pentagon and anything else it attacks!"

"What is it?" President Clinton asks as he feels the back of his neck tingle in fear.

"It is the ancient monster Grandonzier from Ultraman verses Kamen Rider," the officer replies, looking at the television screen in shock. "We need help at the Pentagon!" he says to the TV as if he is talking to a communications screen aboard a Science Patrol craft. Everyone watches as Grandonzier rears back and swipes down at the structure, knocking off another huge chunk and sending debris flying everywhere. The mobile missile launchers let loose their Tomahawk Wasp ordnance at the creature, temporarily stunning the monster but causing it to become even more violent when it recovers. Grandonzier turns its attention to these tormentors and fires a yellow energy beam from a horn on its nose at the weapons carriers, destroying them easily. Miss Switch's magic comes out of the sky in answer to Mura's call and a familiar hero from the Land of Light appears. "It's Ultraman Jack from the Return of Ultraman!" Mura yells as they watch the hero materialize on live television. "Ultraman Jack can do it!" he assures the President just as Grandonzier charges and knocks him backwards into the central courtyard of the Pentagon. Jack gets up but is soon stunned by the sheer power of this creature's attack. Kneeling, he hurls two Spacium Spinning Discs toward the monster, which are absorbed into its stomach. The hero jumps back and crosses his arms into the Spacium Firing Beam pose. Grandonzier is hit directly in the face with no effect! The monster lets loose a barrage of yellow energy beams from its nose horn which strike Jack directly in the chest, damaging his warning light.

"Ultraman Jack is going to lose!" Mura suddenly realizes. "It took two heroes to defeat Grandonzier. We need another one to help defeat this monster." Grandonzier rushes to Jack and picks up the fallen Ultra and proceeds to choke him while lifting him into the air by his neck. Jack's feet wildly kick back and forth as he tries to break free of the creature's deadly grip.

Suddenly, a familiar call pierces the air. "RIDER KICK!" Grandonzier's head violently snaps forward from the impact of Kamen Rider Amazon's most devastating move. The monster and Ultraman Jack both go sailing through the air, crashing heavily to the ground. Jack gets up as Amazon runs to his side but the Ultra's warning light begins to blink erratically.

"Jack's color timer is damaged," Captain Mura explains to the country's Commander-in-Chief. "If he fights any longer, he could fall helpless because he can't measure the energy he has left." Kamen Rider Amazon and Ultraman Jack look at each other and nod. Making their respective henshin gestures, a brilliant light engulfs them. Their beings combine and form the super charged hero Ultra Kamen Rider! "I can't believe it!" Mura exclaims. "They combined their energy and beings to form an entirely new hero to combat Grandonzier! They will kill that vile monster for good now!" The new silver and green hero stands before the kaiju, glaring at the monster with large red eyes. Antennae flatten against his head as Ultra Kamen Rider kicks Grandonzier directly in the chest, sending the creature flying backwards to crash down in one of the Pentagon's huge parking lots. The superhero runs to the fallen beast and picks it up over his head to smash it into the ground with tremendous force, knocking it senseless. Grandonzier slowly gets to his feet but is stunned. The Ultra Rider steps back and takes a Spacium Beam pose. A brilliant green ray hits Grandonzier directly in the chest, freezing the creature in its tracks. Ultra Kamen Rider then leaps into the air to finish off the monster with a Rider Kick directly to the head. The villain explodes in a million pieces, destroying it once and for all!

"They did it! They killed Grandonzier!" everyone in the Lincoln Room of the White House cheers. A bright light fills the air and the two heroes, Ultraman Jack and Kamen Rider Amazon are once again standing side by side. They realized it would take their combined beings to overcome Grandonzier's sheer power, as well as Kamen Rider Amazon's Ring of Gigi, with its source of ancient Incan secret energy complementing Jack's Ultra Bracelet. The two heroes shake hands and Amazon vanishes as mysteriously as he appeared.

Ultraman Jack leaps into the air as the evil Surturna vows revenge for her vanquished ally. "This war is not over by any means!"

*****

Doctor Who has been monitoring Surturna's battle plans much more effectively than the evil witch herself is capable of doing. At his underwater complex deep below Lake Huron, he can rely on the latest electronic communications and tracking devices instead of the vagarities of primitive witch's magic. His alien allies have also provided many handy devices for his personal use. Ambitious operatives advise him what the Earthlings are up to before they have a chance to interfere with Surturna's plans. With his super computer, he can advise her which monsters can best handle whatever the Earth's defenders can muster against the forces of evil. "It is only by sheer luck that the Warriors of Good have won a few squirmishes so far," he tells his assistant, the evil Professor Gils, whose genius created the deadly robots that challenged the hero Kikaider. "I'm sure what Mr. Koppel has to report will not be good news at all!" He contentedly leans back in his command chair and tents his long, bony fingers, watching his evilly smiling reflection on the huge display screen.

Chapter 9 : CHICAGO
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch9.html )

Over the Pacific, the good witch Miss Switch, her cat Bathsheba, Pigmon, Amelia, Rupert and Tetsuya are trying to evade the flying bird monster Dorako. "We can't outrun him!" Miss Switch must finally admit to the children who are terrified as the huge monster gets ever closer. Surturna sees her chance as she watches the aerial chase in her crystal ball.

"Now you and your little friends will die, Miss Switch!" she shouts before casting a great, powerful spell into the globe and across the heavens. Dorako continues his relentless pursuit of the heroic Earth defenders. Rupert is the first to see the new spell manifest itself as it rushes across the sky straight towards them. "Miss Switch! Watch out! Something else is coming right at us!"

She realizes what Surturna has done. "NOOOOOO......!" Raising her right hand, Miss Switch fires a magic bolt of her own. Both forces collide, causing a huge explosion that knocks them all off the broom. The mighty convergence of energy is also experienced around the world, affecting electronic communications and equipment. "HELP, MISS SWITCH! We're falling!" shouts Rupert. Pigmon screams in almost human-sounding monster language.

Amelia also calls to Miss Switch as she plunges downward toward the ocean but the good witch has been knocked unconscious by the powerful concussion and the energy drain she had to use to cast her counter spell to save them.

Tetsuya shouts as he falls, "GAMERA! SAVE US!" A well known roar answers his plea and the giant flying turtle known as Gamera dives down towards the stricken heroes. With deft agility for such a huge creature, he catches them on his back before they hit the water. Plates at the front of his shell raise up to protect them from the wind blast of his great speed as he continues to softly grunt and slowly circle the immediate area. Tetsuya realizes what their savior is trying to do and tells the others, "Quick! We have to get up front and take cover. Gamera still has to be able to fight." They realize Miss Switch is still laying on his shell where she has fallen and is not moving. Bathsheba licks her face and nuzzles her, trying to wake her up. Gamera rocks back and forth to urge his passengers into safer positions as Dorako sees them and wheels about.

Rupert rushes over to the prone schoolteacher-witch and looks down at her still form. "I think she is just unconsious. That spell she made to save us must have taken more power than she thought..."

"I'll bet it was Surturna," Amelia cries. "She just wants to be mean and hurt good people like Miss Switch. Now what are we going to do?" she wails. Her friends try to console her as Miss Switch stirs groggily.

"Hey, she's coming to!" Rupert exclaims. Her eyes remain closed as she mumbles, "Surturna's... uhhhh magic! Had to use... great power ....stop it. Very weak... Can't fly us on broom until power returns..." She nearly lapses back into unconsciousness but senses something is not right. Suddenly sitting upright, she realizes where they are. "Thank you for saving us, great warrior!" She recognizes one of Tetsuya's favorite kaiju. Gamera bobs his head and utters a soft, contented roar now that his benevolent passenger has recovered from her ordeal.

Tetsuya suggests, "Maybe Gamera can give us a lift to the island, Miss Switch! He's usually friendly towards mankind. Especially us children."

"Good!" Miss Switch replies. "Surturna must be stopped before she can cause any more suffering. There is no telling what she will do next." Tetsuya reminds her they had better get forward to the shelter of Gamera's plates as the flying reptile makes a wide sweeping turn back toward where Dorako was last seen. When everyone is safely seated, the great kaiju streaks towards his enemy. Dorako sees the enraged turtle coming and tries to retreat but Gamera opens his mouth and discharges a plasma fireball. The evil creature explodes into thousands of flaming pieces that plunge into the sea far below. The victors turn again and head toward Surturna's secret island of fire and ice.

The brave Earth defenders are grateful that Gamera has rid the world of another evil monster. "Thank you!" Tetsuya calls from his position right behind his head. "And for saving us also." Pigmon speaks his own monster talk to the mighty terrapin as Amelia keeps a watchful eye on Miss Switch resting beside her.

Their peaceful flight is interrupted by a great golden cloud fanning across the sky above them. "What is that?" they all wonder. A small translucent globe separates itself from the shimmering aurora and drifts toward them to settle on Gamera's shell. The twin fairies Moll and Lora step out of the bubble and bow to the astonished humans. Speaking in unison, they report that Mothra has been killed, along with Bemstar. "Also, the wicked Belvera has gone to warn Surturna that you are alive and coming with Gamera. Miss Switch's magic is now blocking her crystal ball so she must rely on other means to find out what is happening."

"Thank you, your majesties," Miss Switch bows her head to the tiny princesses. "I used some of my magic to save these children so knowing Surturna cannot use her crystal ball is very good news indeed. And if I remember correctly from Tetsuya's monster books, Mothra will be back."

"Yes!" the fairies reply. "She is truly immortal and will always be here for the good people of her land and yours. Many kaiju are timeless." Bidding them farewell, the princesses return to their shining orb and fly away.

*****

In battle-torn Chicago, the Kaiju Fan Club has regrouped at their Mt. Prospect headquarters in Rob Moore's house. "Good thing your mom left when she did, Rob! "Larry Walchup says as he looks out at the ravaged neighborhood. "I just can't believe this is really happening! And we fans are trying to save the world..."

"Yeah," Rob replies. "At least there is good news on G-FORCE NET." He quickly scans the Internet messages. "But look at this! There has been some kind of great disturbance over the Pacific Ocean. "Do you think Surturna is calling up even more horrors?" They can only speculate on what might happen next as Neal Cox continues to stare out the window at the destruction.

"This isn't supposed to be happening!" he declares. "How can kaiju actually be for real?"

Lenell "Ultra" Bridges looks at him and understands his confusion. "Well, I guess it just is, Neal. I couldn't believe it myself. When we saw Viras attacking downtown, I just wished that Ultraman 80 was here and Poof! There he was! Maybe our belief in our heroes is just as strong as Surturna's evil magic. And I am glad we stopped by my crib to get my computer so we can keep in contact with other fans online."

"At least it's been quiet here since Ultraman 80 kicked Viras's butt," Randy Giesey comments. "I tried to call Jim Cirronella at Daikaiju Worls but their phones seem to be out."

Rob has also been trying to make contact with key fans of the genre. "I tried to contact John Roberto and J.D. Lees. So far, I haven't had any luck reaching anyone on the East Coast or up in Canada. I wonder where they are?"

David Hallahan expresses the feelings of all present, "This is crazy! Absolutely crazy!"

Hal Bladen has been watching the darkening sky. "Shoot, man! What's that?" They soon realize it is the Super X-III! The kaiju fans rush outside as the ship heads in the direction of Arlington Heights.

"I'll bet it's going to the Radisson Hotel!" Rob figures. They all get into Lenell's station wagon and race through the deserted streets towards the Chicago G-CON convention venue.

*****

Over the Great Plains, Birdaurus has his wings full as he tries to elude a very deadly challenger. Rodan has materialized from the heavenly stream of Miss Switch's magic dust and screeches at the winged villain for supremacy of the air in the real world. Swooping down, Rodan uses his slipstream to pull the alien Rodak monster off balance. Birdaurus veers suddenly to the right and Rodan misses his target as he returns for a frontal attack. Wheeling upward, the evil kaiju gets behind Rodan who heads toward the west. Like the two supersonic jets called Firefox, the winged kaijus twist and turn through the canyons of the Rockies, alternately chasing and evading each other. Birdaurus fires his smoky breath at Rodan who suddenly turns and uses his wings as fans to blow the smoke back at him. With his weapon turned against him, Birdaurus is temporarily blinded. Rodan senses his advantage and quickly gains altitude to dive back down at tremendous speed, creating a sonic boom that ruptures Birdaurus's eardurms. The bird-monster screams in pain as Rodan swiftly returns, knocking his enemy from the sky by shreading his wings with beak and claws. Birdaurus falls to his death far below as Rodan circles the rocky plateau and gives a screech of victory. He lands nearby and with wings spread, looks to the sky which is still hazy with Miss Switch's magic.

Connie Goodnow smiles as she posts on the G-FORCE NET that Rodan is victorious against Rodak's evil bird monster. Her children cheer happily, asking many questions about the ancient winged warrior who saved them from Surturna.

*****

While she awaits Miss Switch's arrival with the children and Gamera, Surturna has been taking care of some smaller details for her allies. After seeing how mere fans have managed to defeat her forces of evil, she has taken a more personal interest in Dean Devlin's agenda. Television broadcasting hasn't been affected by her magic in the United States and Europe to the extent it is in Japan. Many heroes are on TV almost nightly but now the screens are dark. Monsters and heroes have a special place in people's hearts around the world and even if they are not seen, with Miss Switch's magic, love and belief in them can bring them to larger than life reality. While the monsters Surturna has summoned are at her command, the heroes fight for the Earth and those who believe in them. They have a strength of purpose to draw on that gives them the fortitude to challenge overwhelming odds and very often, prevail.

"This will not do at all," she muses.

*****

"Ladies and gentlemen, we now go live aboard the Super X-III, which was provided by the Japanese government for use by the United States." Ted Koppel and ABC News has arranged to pre-empt all television broadcasting to provide the world with up-to-the-minute news coverage of the crisis. After contacting Daikaiju World for any information they could provide on the current situation, it was decided to let the people of Earth know there was still hope for humanity. Despite the crews' initial misgivings, the veteran newscaster figured a broadcast from the great craft would be just what the world needed about now. Aaron Smith turns on the feed and everyone tries to appear somewhat cheerful, despite the gravity of their mission.

"Command of this weapons system has been assigned to Jay Johnson of Muscle Shoals, Alabama," Ted continues. "This is a most unusual arrangement but apparently Captain Johnson and the Kaijubusters will be this country's primary defense against Surturna's rampaging monsters. I spoke briefly with Captain Johnson before we came on the air and he advised that he and his crew were headed toward a classified location in the midwest. With him are his flight engineer Aaron Smith from Missouri and Arkansas deputy sheriffs Mike Medford and Gary Wesson." As Ted reads off their names, each man briefly nods to the front-mounted camera before getting back to work at control consoles or piles of maps and technical manuals scattered about. J.D. Lees, Jim Cirronella, John Roberto and Keith Sewell occupy the seats around them with their own collections of schematics and reference materials. With introductions out of the way, Ted asks Jay, "Could you tell us what your mission will be with the Super X-III?"

"Negative," is his response. From the way the crewmen are staring at the camera, Ted figures he might as well get back to the more talkative kaijuologists he has assembled on the ground. When Aaron's monitor shows Robert Biondi shaking hands with the newsman, he turns off their prying electronic visitor.

"So much for our 15 minutes of fame," Medford grins at his partner.

"I wouldn't worry about ABC News as much as WIDF back in New York, Mike," Aaron reminds them. Word that a spy was caught at Daikaiju World transmitting details of the Super X's crew and itinerary, which fans are where and other information that could be sensitive during the current situation didn't do much for their dispositions. "Animal Palotti will try to analyze the transmitter set-up and find out who might be interested in what is going on with our resistance efforts. At least Audrey Timmonds is off the air, thanks to Rob Smith."

"Right now, we need to get ready for a real fight, guys," Jay reminds them. "Y'all heard what General Aso said on the tape..." Indeed they had. When Jay first picked up Super X-III in Alabama, there was no mention of the Japanese general's message. Finding the video in the captain's locker by sheer accident, he and the other southerners gave up their monster hunt and returned to Daikaiju World to pick up the rest of the Kaijubusters charter members. They watched Aso's translated address to the new crew and proceeded to follow his instructions. Now preparing to land in Arlington Heights, Illinois, any area residents who remained would be thoroughly surprised to know this strange crew's mission, or what awaited them at the Radisson Hotel.

The place is deserted as everyone had evacuated to supposedly safer rural areas. Punching up a special code on the freight elevator buttons, the lift cab opens to an adjacent shaft that reveals another waiting cabin. With the appropriate code, they rapidly descend to a secret base under the hotel which houses the United Nations Godzilla Countermeasures Command's ultimate weapon: MECHA-GODZILLA. The Kaijubusters stare in awe at the giant mecha, laying prone on its launch cradle. "We're flying THAT to New York?" Keith Sewell still can't believe what he has gotten himself into, volunteering to be a charter member of the Kaijubusters.

"Unless you'd sooner face Godzilla in GARUDA," Jay offers. "And you have been complaining about my flying all the way out here..." Everyone laughs as they remember Jay putting Super X-III through its paces to Gen. Aso's commands.

"You and John and J.D. can handle MechaG just fine," Aaron assures him. "It would be better if you had a fourth crewman but everyone here already has a job to do." They have made good use of their flying time practicing on the simulators conveniently installed in the Super X's cargo area. Now they will be offloaded and the valuable space filled with assorted ordnance designed specifically for taking out rampaging kaiju. As they work, Jim Cirronella seems to be in a world of his own.

"Are you sure you don't want one of us to co-pilot with you?" J.D. asks.

"No, but thanks for offering," he replies firmly. Jim has been in a pensive mood ever since hearing Aso's tape tell them Super X-III, MechaGodzilla and GARUDA were the Earth's last defense against total chaos by the world's kaiju.

"You have been called on to put your very lives on the line or you would not be hearing this message now. I have fought against Godzilla himself and seen Japan destroyed more than once. Even now we see the signs everywhere of his and Destroyah's final battle. To live in fear as we do is not your American way." They know Godzilla is headed for New York and Legion will no doubt reform into its final stage when it thinks Daikaiju World is most vulnerable. If that is not bad enough, Destroyah has overrun Manhattan. At least with sole command of GARUDA, he can look out for his interests. Not only is his wife Cheryl at Daikaiju World, but so are J.D.'s and John's families, along with countless refugees from the surrounding area. When (and if) it came down to it, he would do everything in his power to protect them.

"GARUDA is much more manueverable than MechaG," he offers to support his decision. "I can draw any monsters away from their target and you guys hit them with which ever weapons are most effective. Or, the big iron can concentrate on Godzilla and I will take care of them. It's sad we have to fight what we have admired and loved for so long but if it comes to them or us, we'll just have to take them out." No one looks forward to going up against Godzilla but they all know what he could do to any inhabited area he chooses to attack. From what few reports they are still receiving, it appears he is headed for New York City, probably under Surturna's control.

"I still can't believe some witch can control the King of the Monsters, or any other kaiju," John Roberto declares.

"We all heard her announcement on the news that she's taking over," Aaron reminds them. "And she has proven she can do it in more ways than I care to think about. If it weren't for the good monsters and heroes showing up, our butts would be toast. Like General Aso said, 'Now you must fight back.' "

"And Toho has given America the weapons to do it with," Jay declares. "It's up to us!"

Shaking hands maybe for the last time, Jim heads for GARUDA. J.D., Keith and John Roberto will pilot MechaGodzilla in defense of New York City while Jay, Aaron, Mike Medford and Gary Wesson will fly Super X-III to San Francisco to pick up the Markalite team. "I'm sure glad there's some folks who know what they're doing when it comes to those damn two-legged space mutants!" Medford says as they complete their pre-flight checklist. Gary and Mike have thoroughly grilled John, Jim and Keith about what other folks might be available to corral the hordes of invaders over running nearly every major city that hadn't been blasted off the map by alien spacecraft or stomped by rampaging monsters.

"They're the best in the league," John had assured them. "Between the various police SWAT teams and these guys, I'm sure you can come up with a plan to send the aliens packing."

As everyone prepares to board their respective craft, another town is under siege. Cleveland, Ohio, is the target of the alien Hippolit. "Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" the creature booms. "I will crush your puny city!" Hippolit fires beams of deadly light from his headpiece at a group of houses and they explode before the residents have a chance to escape. And right beside him, the alien monster Berukoron fires laser beams from his clawed fingers at a nearby shopping mall. Sent by the evil Yapool aliens, Berukoron roars as yet another monster comes to join them. The Tyrannosaurus-like monster Aroz fires a red beam from his mouth at a squadron of Air Force fighter planes trying to stop the deadly rampage. The jets are destroyed before their weapons can lock in on the raging kaiju.

Suddenly, three members of the Ultra-Force of M78 appear: Ultraman Scott, Ultrawoman Beth and Ultraman Chuck. All three Ultras immediately attack the beasts as Ultra-Father arrives to once again fight his greatest nemesis, the evil intergalactic villain Juda. The two struggle in hand-to-hand combat as Juda taunts the Ultra guardian. "Does this invasion remind you of when your own planet M78 was almost destroyed, Father of Ultra? Surturna will rule this planet like the evil Emperors who tried to take over M78." Ultra-Father's stance reflects his anger as the hated alien reminds him of long ago when the Emperors attacked the Land of Light which he, Ultra-Mother, Ultraman Zoffy, Ultraman King and the other inhabitants of M78 worked so hard to rebuild. Father quickly grabs Juda and flips him to the ground, leaping on his prone form to physically beat the life out of him.

"Miss Switch called us, Juda!" he shouts as he pounds away. "And our Earth fans Kevin Grays and Kip Doto called us! We won't let you, your evil cohorts or your mad witch destroy this real world as long as Godzilla, Gamera, Kamen Rider and the rest of us have anything to say about it! We'll all die fighting if we must!" Juda finally kicks Ultra Father off of him and quickly draws his power sword as he rises up. Ultra Father regains his stance and looks for an opening.

"That's exactly what we have in mind, Father of Ultra. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Juda is also looking for a strike zone. Ultra-Father makes a swinging motion with his arms and fists and his barbell weapon appears in his right hand. Both combatants clash their weapons together repeatedly as the battle for the earth continues.

*****

John hits the button controlling the overhead doors to their underground hangar. As the parking lot of the Radisson Hotel hinges up and folds to the sides, MechaGodzilla's launch cradle rises upward. John stops the sequence when the Kaiju Fan Club appears in his viewport, waiting patiently at the edge of the great cavern. "Where the hell did you guys come from?"he shouts from an emergency escape hatch in MechaG's head.

"What took you so long?" Lenell counters with a big grin. John sputters in confusion as Rob Moore tries to explain how the KFC discovered the secret hangar during the Radisson's recent remodeling.

"We were going to build a secret escape route in case G-CON was raided for trading videos in the rooms or having too-noisy Godzilla Blood parties and Randy knocked out a wall right into this place. They must have given the contract to the lowest bidder."

"Yeah," Neal chimes in. "We ended up putting it at the end of the hall or we'd have to drop a rope ladder down to MechaG's foot rockets. Did you notice that staircase over by his shoulder on the right?" They hadn't but if they made it back from their mission for another G-CON, they would certainly check it out.

"Just what we need! A bunch of hot dogs tanked up on Godzilla Blood strafing the locals with GARUDA," Keith chastises them in advance.

"Naw," Lenell counters. "I'd just take MechaG for a little hike over to where I work and trash the place!"

John has a more constructive suggestion. "Since you're here, how about taking a little trip with Super X-III out to California and helping the Markalite Squad get some aliens rounded up? Kathy can come with us and man the weapons systems with Keith." Kathy Corcoran hops onto MechaGodzilla's snout and clambers to the hatch.

"Sorry to leave such good company but duty calls, fellas!" she shouts back to her fellow club members below.

"Just drop me off in L.A," Lenell tells Jay when the KFC is aboard Super X-III. "I have a very good friend I need to check up on." MechaGodzilla rises into the now dark suburban sky and its great jets ignite, lifting the giant mecha clear of its launch ramp. GARUDA appears next on its vertical take-off jets and gets in position next to MechaG's head. John Roberto gives a "thumbs up" to his genre comrades as J.D. Lees radioes Daikaiju World, "We're eastbound and down." When the message booms over the public address system back at the eastern fan headquarters, there is a huge cheer as Carol Roberto replies, "We'll keep the light on."

*****

There is one place in North America that would seem to be a most unlikely target in anyone's plan for world conquest. Trendmasters Toys in St. Louis has been under siege almost constantly since the war began. The Xian saucer that blasted Aaron Smith's neighborhood is now wreckage in the employee parking lot, thanks to Jay Johnson's band and their disrupter signal idea. With voice chips from kaiju toys, company president Guy McLimore was able to cobble together a boom box capable of bringing down an alien spaceship. Now, Dino Tank has appeared and wants nothing more than to please Surturna by capturing this wily human and his crew. When she rules the Earth, they will be forced to retool the plant and produce toys of all her villains instead of Godzilla Wars action figures, WuvLuvs and silly cartoon characters for young humans. Plenty of adoptable GINO Babies would also be made available for children around the world. Guy and his beleaguered staff watch the mecha dinosaur advance down 10th Street, wondering how such an abomination could possibly exist, even in their worst nightmares.

Chapter 10 : Hollywood Chaos!
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch10.html )

Heavy tanks rumble along the Hollywood Walk of Fame as air raid sirens wail through the deserted streets. The armor division slows and pulls into formation as fighter planes also arrive to engage the enemy. Group leader Sergeant Wilkes opens his tank hatch to shake his fist and shout at the approaching kaiju, "You're history, monster!...Commence firing!"

The California National Guard challenges Crescent who is methodically destroying this celebrated suburb as the Air Force jets zoom in low behind a barrage of missiles and blazing machine gun fire. Crescent is just annoyed by the puny attack and continues smashing buildings with both clawed hands. Turning toward his attackers, this first monster to fight Ultraman 80 fires red laser beams from his eyes and scores a direct hit on the tanks. Sergeant Wilkes screams as they explode around him. Crescent then looks skyward and opens fire on the aircraft, destroying them also. One pilot takes longer to die as he wrestles to keep control of his burning plane. It spirals straight down to smash into the west coast offices of Ultracom, Inc. The fiery explosion kills nearly all the staff that remained behind. The Director of Public Relations, Kate McMains, gets out the door as the facade breaks off the building and comes crashing down. Her scream is drowned out by the roar of the rubble hitting the sidewalk.

Crescent continues his rampage under the command of the evil witch Surturna and soon arrives at Paramount Pictures. He fires his deadly eye beams at a nearby service station, causing the underground gasoline storage tanks to explode in a wall of fire which quickly engulfs every part of the famous studio. Beside Crescent, Captain Dagger appears in giant form. This arch enemy of Megaloman raises his sword to charge it with lightning drawn from the sky. The first discharge destroys Twentieth Century-Fox.

Warner Brothers Studios, home of such animated greats as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, is soon in ruins as the monster Tyrant uses his fiery breath, spiked mace and long hammer to destroy every structure on the lot. The golden robot space dragon, Nurse, has also wrapped its long coiling body around the Screen Actors Guild building, crushing it as easily as if it was made of cardboard. Not far away, the Motion Picture Association of America office is being attacked by the spiked, long horned kaiju Gymira. He fires his smoky breath and the building explodes. Gymira roars a victory as he violently attacks the wreckage.

Meanwhile, Emperor Guillotine's ninja monster Dragon and Rodak's suction-cupped Bukuma are under orders from Surturna to protect the Centropolis studios from any harm. The remaining army units fire their heavy artillery and Tomahawk ground missiles at the kaiju but they remain at their posts. Dr.Gori's two headed flying monster rat arrives to make short work of the military. A policewoman flees in terror. "We can't stop them!" she screams hysterically as death and destruction rain down on the area from all sides.

From his spaceship, Anti-Gone views the horror below. "Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" laughs the alien villain and arch enemy of the cyborg giant Jumborg Ace. "Surturna wants us to destroy every studio in this city called Hollywood so she and the Earthlings Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich will have the only one on the planet." He raises his staff and gives the command, "Go, Kingjaggeras! Attack! Leave nothing standing." A beam shoots out of the craft and strikes right in front of the Universal studios. The huge monster appears and with a mighty roar, starts to destroy the backlot. Hollywood is high on Surturna's list of places to obliterate, and for a very good reason.

*****

Aaron Cooper and his wife Carreen are leaving Paso Robles which is being attacked by the monster Lordra. This creature came out of the ground right in front of their house and set about destroying everything in a three-block area. Almost as quickly, a hero who defeated it once before, Ultraman Taro, also appeared. Carreen wonders, "Can these heroes and creatures you love so much really save us, dear?"

"There doesn't seem to be any other way of stopping the horrible beasts that mad witch is sending to the real world," Aaron tells her as they drive through the devastated town that was once their home. "I love them as much as I love you, honey. And with that love, our heroes will win!" He speeds up as he sees Taro take his Stoiuim Beam pose, ready to fire at the invading kaiju. Lordra ducks but rises up again to shoot a stream of acid from its long snout, hitting the youngest Ultra as he rushes forward to grapple with the monster. Taro falls to the ground and Lordra pins him down to pound the life out of him. The determined hero finally kicks his opponent away and tries to rise and fight on but is hit by a fireball from behind! The alien spore bird monster Guilala has also joined the fray. Taro is surrounded but despite the odds, he engages Guilala, only to be attacked by Lordra. The two kaiju try to double team the young Ultra as a ray beam hits Guilala, knocking him down. Taro looks up and sees the Gappa family has come to his rescue! The triphibian monsters land and Mother Gappa immediately attacks Lordra as Father Gappa goes after Guilala. The young Baby Gappa lands next to Taro, protecting the injured Ultra who tries to rise but staggers and falls. Baby stays with him as his parents battle Surturna's monsters, who they see as threats to the Earth, which is their home also.

*****

At Disneyland, cars and buses loaded with tourists and school children have jammed Harbor Boulevard, trying to reach Interstate 5 leading away from The Happiest Place on Earth. In one overheating vehicle, kaijufans David McRobie and Greg Shoemaker can hear the loudspeakers from the park warning everyone to evacuate the area. Sirens on park security vehicles add to the din as frightened and irate drivers futilely blow their horns. "We're never going to get out of this jam," David realizes.

From Main Street, U.S.A.'s small town 1900s setting to Tomorrowland, people are fleeing in panic. Instead of coming under the spell of a master showman, Walt Disney has been upstaged by the evil Surturna. The world famous amusement park will just be so much rubble that no amount of Imagineering can readily replace if she has her way! The sky above is obscured by the huge warship Prometheus passing overhead.

"David! Look! Oh my God! It's… It's..." Greg can't find words to describe what is happening and scrambles out of the car. "This place will be destroyed for sure!" he yells to the people near by. "GO! Leave your cars! You have to get out of here NOW!" He and David run to the nearest overpass as the terror above heads for Sleeping Beauty's Castle, the entrance to the magical world of Disney’s animated classics. The powerful alien/machine known as Death Facer, which almost defeated Ultraman Dyna, has arrived to destroy the Magic Kingdom. Smoke and debris fill the air as people flee in panic before the slowly advancing behemoth. Its huge morphing Death Scisssor claws methodically swipe at the beloved structures, cleaving many in half, very often with visitors still inside. The Air Force fighter squadron which has been tracking the alien craft opens fire on the robot monster but their missiles barely knick Death Facer's reinforced metal alloy surface. Silently, the giant cyborg turns to blast the jets out of the air with its optic beams. The flaming remains of the exploding aircraft rain down from the bright blue sky toward the amusement park and the heavily populated surrounding area. Aiming its chest-mounted Neo-Maxima Cannon at the beloved California landmark, massive explosions send steel, glass and masonry flying into the crowds.

Inside the park itself, fantasy has become horrible reality at many favorite venues. The Wicked Queen’s castle holds a special surprise as the Queen transforms into an image of Surturna, who holds up the severed head of the Prince. A Deanzilla has also made short work of the Seven Dwarfs. Outside, Death Facer continues to fire its powerful weapons at carefully pre-selected targets.

Charles Shepard, who has brought several vacationing Toho executives to the park, tries to get away as the killer mecha blasts the Mad Hatter Ride they were on. Their giant tea cup flies off its moorings and cuts through the crowd before crashing into the Dumbo ride. Blaine and Brent Kawaguchi manage to steer their flying elephant away from the deadly missile and come down for a rocky landing beside the 1915 vintage band organ, which is still merrily pumping out circus music.

Death Facer sees people running down the streets in terror and purposefully brings its gigantic feet down on them, crushing them like ants. Workshops and studios which brought Disney's dreams to life are blasted into flaming piles of rubble. The walking machine of death even goes over to the museum dedicated to the Magic Kingdom's founder and fires its cannon at close range. The building explodes in a huge fireball.

The Matterhorn was designed to scare the yell out of the most stalwart thrillseeker but when the 1/100th scale re-creation of the actual mountain is half blown away, the plunge to the ground far below is more than anyone bargained for. Toad Hall at Mr. Toad's Wild Ride sees Fantasyland’s best special effects blend seamlessly with real fire and mayhem. Aboard a pirate ship bound for Never Land on Peter Pan's Flight, the journey over the twinkling lights of London ends in death for more hapless visitors as the attraction collapses around them.

From behind-the-scenes passageways that allow unobtrusive maintenance and control of this magic land, Deanzillas have left their hiding places and appear everywhere. The Pirates of the Caribbean has been a favorite ride since 1967 and features one of the most elaborate uses of audio animatronics figures ever attempted. Visitors run screaming from the Plaza as these most technologically advanced robots of their kind become raptor playtoys and fantasy and reality meet amid burning artificial foliage and elaborate sets. Ian Malcolm once commented that when this ride broke down, the pirates didn't eat the tourists. He didn't miss it by much as Deanzillas replace the mechanical fauna and attack the boatloads of visitors with a vengeance. The quiet oasis of the Disney Gallery, with its l9th-century Louisiana flair showcasing the work of Disney artists on the park is destroyed forthwith.

In Frontierland, the Rivers of America is also the venue for Fantasmic!, the nighttime battle of Disney’s most villainous characters versus Mickey Mouse and friends. The beautiful 84-foot-tall S.S. Columbia, a 10-gun, three-masted full-scale replica of the first American ship to sail around the world is transformed into Captain Hook’s pirate ship for this great show. The pyrotechnics, stunts and laser-projected images can't compare to what is now happening throughout the world famous amusement park.

The Haunted Mansion is the home of 999 spooks and assorted Deanzillas as Doom Buggies become just that for trapped riders. The magnificent organ from "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" in the ballroom won't be recognizable when (and if) rescue workers finally get a chance to search for survivors.

Tarzan's Treehouse, which opened in 1962 as the Swiss Family Treehouse, is a 150-ton structure anchored by massive roots reaching 42 feet into the ground. The 450 branches of this home for the Lord of the Apes is no match for Death Facer and topples onto hapless visitors, sheared at its base by the powerful alien's combined weapons. Costumed characters beloved by millions for three generations run blindly into intricate sets and exhibits, causing destruction that would be comical under different circumstances. Donald Duck crashes through Storybook Land with its one inch to one-foot scale miniature dwellings and gardens that are actually living plants before being electrocuted by a loose power cable in Geppetto’s Village.

The happiest cruise to ever sail around the world with its 436 animated human figures and 169 animals thrilled more than ten million children of all ages at the New York World’s Fair. "It's a small world, after all" has new meaning when Japan's giant monsters make their most unwelcome visits to the real world.

Recently renovated Tomorrowland was designed to blast visitors well into the new millennium, with tantalizing glimpses into scientific imagination and beyond. Before 1966, the entrance to this section of the park looked much different than it does for Death Facer's visit. The Rocket to the Moon told the world Disneyland would always be an enduring part of American culture. The Moonliner had been returned as an icon of the Atomic Age and placed next to the da Vinci-inspired Astro Orbitor which used to be the signature landmark of the theme area. Now they are just burning rubble. Usually, one would go to the "Honey, I Shrunk The Audience" attraction to get "belittled" by one of science’s greatest mishaps when Wayne Szalinski aims his wild invention your way. The total sensory, 3-D encounter is nothing compared to looking up and seeing Death Facer standing beside the rotating landmark Carousel Theatre. Once home to the Carousel of Progress and later, America Sings, the theme song, "There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow," is oddly out of place. Autopia, the only original Tomorrowland attraction left from 1955 when the park first opened, was intended to teach youngsters how to drive safely. Hot rodders of all ages reduced the initial number of vehicles from 36 to six within the first ten days of operation by purposefully smashing into each other. Large bumpers and a guide rail were soon added to increase travel safety and keep the cars on the roadway. Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and Ariel from The Little Mermaid have shed the restrictive parts of their costumes and managed to retrieve one of these vehicles from the staging area to make their escape. Assorted other character actors get the same idea and careen down Main Street, U.S.A., dodging runaway horse drawn streetcars and panicked tourists. The 1894 Fred G. Gurley Louisiana sugarcane hauler and 1925 Ernest S. Marsh lumber mill steam engines miraculously remain intact despite the widespread destruction in the area.

After six decades of neglect at Coney Island for many of them, the 72 white prancing steeds of King Arthur's Carrousel are a magnificent sight indeed. Each was handcarved, most having been made in Germany during the 19th-century. They take about 40 hours each just to repaint, with no two being alike. When Death Facer is done, there will be nothing left of this attraction to salvage except memories.

From off the beaten path, the long-necked Country Bear tears out of his Playhouse, swinging his guitar as he tries to flee the advancing horde of people streaming from Critter Country where the animals are usually in charge. Humans leave the more than 20 audio-animatronics bears behind as Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox of Splash Mountain join them, along with the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes cast members who are fleeing the burning five-story log ride. The passengers on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad find out just how risky digging for gold can be when their runaway train encounters real landslides as the structure collapses on top of them. The Indiana Jones Adventure Temple is an amazing attraction and can be compared to being in the middle of a George Lucas action movie. All the bats, rats, swarms of snakes, poison darts and rolling boulders can't get your adrenaline pumping like a swarm of Deanzillas attacking from all sides. Throughout the mayhem, Mickey and Minnie Mouse cower in the bandstand on Main Street, ignored by the panicked crowds.

As Death Facer continues its rampage, David, Greg and many other people try to flee through the tall, thick grass beside the freeway. Suddenly, a man screams. Greg turns back, wondering what that was all about. A woman's startled cry is also heard and he begins to panic. "What is happening here?!" David stops running also as a low, strange growl comes from the grassy embankment beside them. It is almost the throaty hiss of a large reptile.

"Run! As fast as you can go!" Greg shouts. They dash back toward the roadway as dozens of Deanzillas swarm out of the grass and begin attacking the fleeing humans. One jumps over them and lands on a woman who has fallen down. She screams as the beast's heavy jaws rip her right arm and shoulder off. Not daring to look back, he wonders what those lizards are doing here. They run on in blind panic until they hear a young child screaming. Rushing toward the trees in the median, they see a lizard about to pounce on a little girl. Greg and David both grab sturdy fallen branches and charge. David jams his pointed stick into the Deanzilla's stomach and gives a quick upward thrust, piercing the creature's heart. They grab the child and alternately carry and drag her along as Death Facer continues its destruction of Disneyland. The remaining army units bring their tanks and artillery into position and open fire at the giant robot, but with no effect. Death Facer responds by morphing into a huge armored tank itself and proceeds to roll over them like so many toys. When Greg and David stop to rest under an overpass, the child glances back to see that her most favorite place in the whole world is almost unrecognizable. Between her tears, she sobs, "If Ultraman was here, he'd beat that bad monster!"

David sadly tells her, "Ultraman has to go to New York to help Godzilla fight other bad monsters, darling…"

"Wait! I know who can help us!" Greg suddenly realizes. "Let's use Miss Switch's magic! We can call Ultraman Dyna! He defeated this ugly monster once before and he can do it again. We need help and our heroes are the only ones who can save us!" They encourage the little girl to wish with all her might to bring the great Ultra hero into the real world to save Disneyland. Suddenly, from the aura of Miss Switch's magic dust, a bright light shoots down from the sky. Ultraman Dyna has arrived! As he materializes, three aircraft also appear.

"It's Super G.U.T.S.!" David explains to their young companion. "This is the task squad in his TV series." Ultraman Dyna lands in front of Death Facer and runs towards the giant robot, knocking it off its feet. However, Death Facer can match every move Dyna makes because it still has Shin Asuka's (Dyna's alter-ego) profile data in its computer programming. As Dyna gets a grip on the metallic menace, Death Facer throws him off. Dyna changes into Flash Type mode to use his Solgent Beam but Death Facer factors this threat and computes an effective counter-attack. The killer robot fires its Neo-Maxima Cannon at the hero and knocks him into the Monorail track. It will probably have one of its longest interruptions in service ever as a result of Surturna's desire to wipe Disneyland and many other American icons as we know them from the face of the Earth. The little girl gasps as she, David and Greg watch the deadly battle unfold before them. Dyna quickly recovers and again rushs in to attack, trying to use his speed and agility to overcome the alien's formidible size and weapons. Meanwhile, Super G.U.T.S. has landed on roadway. Motorists cheer as Captain Gosuke Hibiki, Toshiyuki Kouda, Royou Yumimura, Kohei Kariya, Tsutomu Nakajima and Mai Midororikawa rush out of their craft to deal with the deadly Deanzillas.

The battle of the giants continues and the little girl cheers their savior. "Come on, Ultraman Dyna! You can beat that bad monster!"

David and Greg look at her and smile. "Just like when we were young lads, cheering the first Ultraman on." David reminds his fellow fan.

"It sure is, Dave," Greg agrees. "I just hope Dyna can handle this challenge. But I'm still proud to be a part of this genre…Kids like her should have every chance to get to see our heroes in action and be able to appreciate them as we do. It really looks like they are the only ones that can save the world from that crazy witch!"

"Dyna's battle here is probably just as crucial as the one Godzilla and Ultraman will have to face in New York," David figures. They become silent as Death Facer tries to counter Ultraman Dyna's flurry of attacks by morphing into its tank configuration again, presenting a less vulnerable target for the lightning-fast hero. Firing its computer guided missiles and laser beams at him, many barely miss their cartwheeling target who changes to Strong Type. Rushing forward, Dyna finally manages to grab a huge claw arm and rip it from the mecha's body. Using it like a baseball bat, he hits Death Facer with it, knocking the robot onto its back. Jumping out of the way before the mecha can right itself and bring the deadly Nuclear Plasma Cannon online, Dyna prepares to fire his finishing ray. Suddenly, Death Facer unleashes a new beam that surrounds the hero's entire body. The Ultra screams in agony as glowing coils of energy close in and begin to crush him! Death Facer rights itself and resumes its upright form to aim its Neo-Maxima Cannon directly at the trapped warrior whose warning light has started to blink. Realizing his energy level is at a critical stage, Dyna struggles desperately to break free from the crushing coils of light confining him.

The worried onlookers glance upward from the tense battle as a giant mecha robot appears in the sky above. Greg and Dave recognize it immediately as Space Sheriff Juspion. Inside its control room, the metal hero pushes a button and laser beams shoot from the mecha's eyes, breaking the coils around Dyna's body. Dyna quickly does a backward flip over Death Facer and unleashes a barrage of his most powerful rays, staggering the killer machine which has now set its sights on Juspion. As the Space Sheriff's robot marches forward to engage its enemy with all weapons blazing, Dyna leaps into the air to deliver a flying kick to the overloaded alien machine. Juspion's robot delivers a left punch that knocks Death Facer down but not out. A long chain from the galactic guardian puts Death Facer into a restraining hold as Ultraman Dyna changes into his Miracle Type and runs at top speed towards his adversary. Juspion also charges in. Both heroes hit Surturna's engine of death, causing a devastating explosion that finally destroys the evil device. Astonished onlookers cheer the forces of good as Dyna and the victorious robot shake hands on a job well done, thanks to their teamwork.

Meanwhile, Super G.U.T.S. has killed many of the deadly Deanzillas so local and military agencies can evacuate the wounded. David, Greg and the little girl come out of their hiding place to cheer their rescuers. Suddenly, a man and a woman are running toward them. It is the girl's parents. The child embraces them and waves David and Greg over to introduce them.

"She's a very lucky little girl," Greg assures them. "Not that many are, no thanks to that evil witch!"

She smiles at her saviors. "Thank you!" she says softly. Then she looks up at Dyna and Juspion's robot. "Thank you, Dyna and Juspion!" she shouts up to her new heroes who have saved her favorite place in the world. Dyna and Juspion's robot both nod to her as her father and mother wave to them in gratitude. The Ultraman again nods and jumps into the air, taking off to find a new battle to fight. Juspion's robot changes into flight mode and resumes patrol in defense of the real world. The little girl whispers as the heroes fade from sight, "Please save our world. Please?"

Chapter 11 : The Battle of Brentwood!
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch11.html )

Out of the smoke filled skies over Los Angeles, Super X-III descends toward the Brentwood district. The Markalite team is aboard and anxious to get to Surturna's Island of Fire and Ice but there is one more stop they have to make.

Damon Foster still can't believe he's actually on this trip and being a part of history. "I tell you guys, what's happened today is straight out of a C-grade horror movie!"

"You ought to know, Damon!" Barry Evans agrees. "You made enough of them yourself!" Everyone aboard has a good laugh at the producer's expense.

"I wouldn't be too hard on him, Barry," Rajar Shy adds. "Damon can do more with less and a camera than anyone I know. He loves this genre and his works are a real tribute to it."

Gary Wesson agrees. "You guys might not realize it but out in the sticks, we don't have the resources to even get a little ol' video crew together, much less do a TV series like THE ADVENTURES OF MYSTERON."

Amid further gales of laughter, this time at the smalltown deputies for their supposed bad taste in cinema, Jay Johnson calls for everyone to fasten their seat belts. "Brentwood dead ahead, Lenell. All ashore that's goin' ashore!" Lenell "Ultra" Bridges grabs his pack and heads for the crew hatch. Aaron Smith is still concerned why his fellow kaiju fan wants to risk going into the area by himself.

"You realize there's monsters out there..."

"That's one of the reasons I have to do it, Aaron," Lenell explains. "The other is a person I love and admire very much. If something happens to her because of Surturna's mad scheme and I could have prevented it, all our efforts to save this real world would mean nothing to me. I do have a portable radio with me to keep in touch with you guys if something goes wrong..." Aaron still isn't convinced he stands much of a chance against giant monsters like Crescent and Red King. "Look at it this way, Aaron. Maybe they'll take out Tri-Star and save me the trouble when all this crazy stuff is over!"

Super X-III lands and coasts to a stop on a deserted freeway access road. Ahead is the remains of the gate shack to Brentwood, probably demolished by Red King who continues his rampage in the once peaceful community. Before Lenell leaves on his mission, he watches the huge creature and tries to guage its distance. "Jay! Do me a favor and give that dude a little souvenir from Chicago while I get where I'm headed. You rednecks have been itching to see what this bird can really do since you got that first kill mark back in Arkansas." Dave Guyer obligingly painted a UFO silhouette by the starboard gun port to commemorate their run-in with the Controller of Planet X.

"Will do!" Jay promises as the hatch closes and the big engines wind up for take-off. Lenell salutes the ship and sprints off down the empty street. Several blocks away, he sees some people coming around a bend in the road. There is a strange beep, beep, beep-like sound coming from behind them.

"Aw, no! It can't be!" Lenell recognizes the distinctive sound made by the alien robots from the Ultra-Seven series. "U-Toms. This is not good at all..." He falls in behind the running crowd to avoid the walking execution squad firing at anything that moves. He sees famous stars and Hollywood notables also wisely retreating. Clint Eastwood, Micheal J. Fox, Bill Cosby, George Lucas, Steven Speilberg and many others are carrying weapons they had in their homes for personal protection and sport. Every so often, one of them stops and fires at the invaders. Lenell grabs Bill Cosby's arm as he takes a bead on a U-Tom. "It's no good, Bill!" he tries to warn him. "All of you!" he shouts at the thespians. "You've got to get out of here! You don't know how dangerous these robots are!" Director King Wilder ignores him and rushes right up to the advancing line of alien machines, swinging a baseball bat in a brave but naive attempt to be a hero. A U-Tom raises its mechanical arm which has a ray gun for a hand and blasts Wilder, killing him instantly. The other television and film people see this shocking slaughter and take off running, finally heeding Lenell's advice.

As the robots continue their march, Lord Zedd's ship also arrives in Brentwood. Rita Repulsa's goons, led by the evil Scorpina, march out to join the U-Toms. "Kill every star you see!" she orders her minions. "Surturna will rule!" The forces of evil march along as Red King roars in the distance, severely injured by the Super X-III. His distress call brings Gaila, the green Gargantua, to his aid. The brute roars when he sees one of his fellow kaiju hurt and sets out to destroy this suburb of the stars with a vengeance. Lenell doesn't like what he sees and takes off running. "I'd better find Pam fast!" he figures.

Not far away, a Chevy Blazer has overturned in the street and rests on its roof. Inside, actress Pam Dawber is desperately trying to get her husband, Mark Harmon, out as the two monsters get ever closer. "It's caught, Pam! The seatbelt is caught!" he tries to convince her. "Run, honey!" he pleads as their two children, Sean and Ty, look on in terror. "At least save yourself and the kids!" he shouts above the roaring kaiju. Pam continues to try and free him, wedging into the crumbled vehicle to support his weight with her body.

"No, Mark! I'm not leaving you!" she sobs as she struggles to undo the jammed buckle. Her son Ty looks up and sees Red King about to flatten the Blazer.

"Mommy!" he screams just as the seatbelt comes loose and Mark tumbles out. They get clear just as Red King's foot comes down on the truck. The monster kicks at the wreckage and sends it flying over their heads to crash down in the street, blocking their escape route. A door flies off and hits Mark in the foot as they try to dodge away. Pam quickly turns when she hears his scream and has to help him back to his feet. Looking up, they see Red King closing in for the kill. Pam sobs as they huddle together beside a demolished house, knowing this could be the end.

Lenell recognizes Pam's voice and dashes around the corner. "NOOOOO!" he shouts, drawing his UGM laser gun and firing at Red King. The monster is momentarily distracted so the family can find a safer hiding place. "Run!" he urges them on. "You've got to get out of here NOW!"

"Mark's hurt! I won't leave him!" she cries, not believing someone has actually come to save them. She finally realizes how precarious the situation is and helps her husband hobble off as Lenell covers their retreat by shooting at Gaila. Thinking that Red King is attacking him, Gaila goes after the other kaiju. The Skull Monster becomes enraged and strikes back, forgetting about the fleeing humans. A safe distance down the street, Pam and her family take shelter in the remains of a demolished guest house behind what used to be an opulent Hollywood mansion.

Lenell soon joins them and tells his favorite actress, "Thank God I got here in time!" He still can't believe he is face to face with this person he loves, respects and admires so much.

Pam Dawber is also amazed at what all has just happened. "Thank you, whoever you are!" she sobs as she gives him a tearful hug.

Her children also embrace Lenell and Mark takes his hand gratefully, almost in shock from the pain of his broken ankle. "Thank you, mister! I thought we were done for more than once back there." They peek out of their tenuous shelter and see Red King and Gaila still fighting.

Lenell thinks this might be a good time to formally introduce himself. "Pam, it's me! I'm Lenell Bridges, your biggest fan!" She is shocked as realization sets in.

"So you're the one who writes me and sent those magazines called KAIJU-FAN?"

"I'm the one, lovely lady!" he replies, very pleased to know she has received his letters and presents. "I came all the way from Chicago to make sure you were all right. Remember when I mentioned my friend Soo Lee Min in Malaysia? The fan I asked you to send an autographed picture to?" Pam nods and smiles as the memories come back. "He is also very concerned about you. I'm just glad I got here in time or Red King would've nailed you for sure!" He unshoulders his pack and lays out supplies to splint Mark's foot.

"Red King? You sound like you know these monsters," he gasps as Lenell gets his shoe off. At least it isn't a compound fracture and their limited resources will do for first aid treatment.

Lenell assures him as he works, "Yes, Mr. Harmon, I do know them! They are from our Japanese science fiction and fantasy genre. The evil witch Surturna has brought them into the real world so she can conquer it. Her allies even attacked my home back in Chicago." Pam is still amazed that a fan would actually come all this way just to save her.

"But can anything stop these monsters and that mad witch, Lenell?" she asks, still worried about what is happening all round them.

He looks at her and replies, "We're all trying our hardest, Pam. The fans of our genre are fighting alongside our favorite heroes and monsters to save the Earth. Even as we speak, a great battle is sure to take place in New York because both Godzilla and Ultraman are headed there." Mark and Pam are stunned to hear that Godzilla really exists. Nothing that has happened today makes sense to Pam who is against violence as entertainment.

"I really believe such things as monsters on television and in the movies hurt viewers, especally children," she tries to explain. "That's why I limit it for my kids."

Lenell is still feeling the effects of his personal transition from a world of fantasy to deadly reality and tightly grips her shoulders, looking her straight in the eye. "Pam, we are fighting for our very lives here and around the world! We have to use violence to just survive sometimes. If it wasn't for our heroes and kaiju coming to save us, we all would be dead by now and there wouldn't be any debate about what is 'right' or 'wrong' in our own little worlds."

Mark knows what a monster is but has not heard the term "kaiju" before. Pam tells him it is the Japanese word for "monster". "I heard it used when I was in Japan, filming AMERICAN GEISHA.

Her son Sean asks, "Are the kaiju going to save us, Mommy? I know it's the heroes' job to save people but can monsters be good also? Please let there be good monsters, Lenell!" Pam embraces her children and looks at Mark and Lenell.

"Please, Lenell.....you, Ultraman, Godzilla, your fandom and their monsters. Please save us!" she pleads tearfully.

Lenell realizes how vulnerable they all are as he tries to comfort the young lad, "There are good monsters, little guy, just like there are good people in the real world. Rodan, Angilas, Mothra, Baragon and many others are fighting for us right now because we fans love and respect them. Even Gamera, the giant flying turtle, is on his way with the good witch Miss Switch to attack Surturna at her Island of Fire and Ice. And my buddies in our Super X-III are also headed there after dropping me off here. As long as you believe in the good we're trying to do, they will be strong." He reaches to take Pam's hand and seal his resolve as one of Rita Repulsa's goons charges into their hiding place. Lenell and Mark grab him and make short work of the sword-wielding flunky before he realizes just what he is up against. Pam peeks out and realizes there are lots more where he came from. Lenell unholsters his radio and calls for back-up. "Super X-III, come in!" There is a numbing delay in getting a response as the battle craft has run into another situation not far out to sea. "Super X-III, come in!" Lenell tries to raise his fellow fans. "Jay, where the hell are you?" The street is curb to curb with babbling mutants when Jay Johnson finally responds. "Pam is okay," he is advised. "But now we got Rita's goons to worry about! Get your happy little crew of monster hunters back here, dude!"

"Negative, man! No can do." The huddled refugees in their flimsy shelter are stunned before sheer panic has a chance to set in. Jay finally comes back on the air between bursts of static. "We got problems of our own out here in the Pacific," he finally has time to explain between firing blasts from the forward guns and flying his craft. "The Zigrans are trying to destroy a whole flotilla of small boats full of refugees. Ebirah was fighting them off but now he's turned tail and is heading toward Surturna's island. It's up to us to save these folks..." Lenell puts away his radio and watches their enemies huddle around their leader for a new plan of attack.

"Now you see what's happening, Pam?" he tries to convince her. "Surturna doesn't care who stands between her and her objectives."

She sadly nods and embraces Mark. "I'm scared, dear," she whispers softly. Lenell understands, knowing his own family was very concerned about him going off to fight monsters. Rita's goons and the U-Toms are soon joined by the Black Cross Military, led by the evil Generalissimo Blackcross. He gives an order and the guest house is quickly surrounded. Lenell is wondering how they can possibly escape from the combined forces of Lord Zedd, General Blackcross, and the deadly robots.

"It won't take them long to get in here," he realizes and pulls his spare UGM laser gun from his backpack. "Mr. Harmon, can you use this?" he asks, offering the weapon to Mark.

"Yeah, I can use it." He takes the gun from Lenell and glances uncomfortably at Pam. Lenell realizes she is offended that her fan would give her husband a gun, especially when he knows she is against personal weapons ownership. It can't help but remind her how her co-star on the TV series MY SISTER SAM, Rebecca Schaeffer, was killed by an obsessed fan with a handgun. He walks over to her and asks the boys to go sit with their father for a little while. Lenell knows what she is going through and gently takes her hands in his. Quickly collecting his thoughts, he tries to comfort her.

"Pam, please believe me! I know how you feel. I don't like this anymore than you do but we must fight back! I almost lost my sister because of a gun and I got shot saving her from the three punks who were trying to rob her. If I didn't act when I did, she would be dead now. I had to fight then. Now, the danger is to all of us. What about your boys? Think of them! I've seen what those characters out there can do because I'm a fan of this genre. Now, they're in our real world and they will kill us all, even your children. Do you want that?"

Pam looks at her loyal fan and knows he is right. Seeing her children and Mark, who is obviously in great pain from his broken ankle, she makes her decision. "We'll fight them, Lenell." He smiles at her and gratefully kisses her hand. Mark looks on and smiles, not at all daunted by this fan who is risking his life for them and the rest of the world. Pam tells her husband what he already quessed. "Darling, we have to help him!"

"We will, Pam," Mark replies. With a final hug from the boys, he has Sean and Ty go to their mother so he and Lenell can get ready to repel the evil forces massing outside. But before another shot is fired, the sky begins to darken and their attackers stand completely still, looking upward. Lenell, Pam, Mark and their children cautiously peer outside.

"Something's happening. Look!" Lenell exclaims. The clouds take on the appearance of a giant, cruel face, belonging to none other than the evil witch Surturna. Her projected image is visible around the world.

"Greetings, you foolish mortals! It is I, Surturna, who will soon rule your pitiful planet!" Everywhere, people look up at the frightful visage and watch with concern and loathing. "You all were very foolish to defy me. Now I will show NO mercy! If you think your heroes of Japan's fantasy genre can stop me, you are sadly mistaken! My armies will destroy them! You should have met my demands for complete and immediate surrender so now you will pay dearly for defying me!" The witch's cackling laugh fades with her image and beleaguered citizens of Earth prepare for the worst. Over Hollywood, the apparition suddenly returns as she has a special message for the movie capital of the world. "Let me show you people who put such great stock in your film fantasies something." The giant overhead image flickers and seques to a split screen effect. One part shows Ultraman flying towards New York. The other is a spectacular close up of Godzilla who can be seen swimming toward the New York skyline. Surturna again speaks. "Behold your greatest television and movie champions! Godzilla and Ultraman! You think they will be able to save you but you are wrong. They are heading into my trap! They are but two and will be destroyed by my SIX allies when they arrive in New York! Plus, that accursed Miss Switch and her meddling children are coming here with Gamera to try and stop me but they will meet their end as well. I also know that a large group of your so-called 'heroes' are now in space on their way to destroy my moonbase. They will perish as well! The Earth will be mine as soon as all of them are eliminated. I have no need for anyone who defies me! When Godzilla and Ultraman begin their battle with my agents of destruction, you all will be allowed to witness their defeat. They will be destroyed and all hope will be lost for humanity! Hee! Hee! Hee!" Surturna's image fades but the black clouds continue to blanket the Earth.

In Washington at the White House, President Clinton, his family, the Science Patrol and the Unicorn Organization have also heard Surturna's message. Chelsea asks, "Can't Godzilla and Ultraman beat these evil monsters?"

Science Patrol officer Ito tells her, "It is terrible odds for them to have to fight so many monsters. Ultraman and Godzilla might even fight each other if the great monster is under Surturna's control!"

Captain Mura cuts in, "Stop it, Ito! We must hope for the best! We can't give up believing that Godzilla and Ultraman will triumph over any evil monsters this witch has called forth!"

Science Patrol junior officer Hoshino and the young girl Unicorn agent (U-6) Mari Hatomura try to assure the President's daughter, "They are the best in our world, Chelsea!" Our genre wouldn't be as great and exciting if if wasn't for both of them, and together, they would be unstoppable. But with Surturna interfering in the natural order of things..." Hoshino suddenly begins to make some funny faces for Chelsea and she begins to laugh.

"I used to do that for another little girl once," he explains.

Back in Brentwood, Lenell grits his teeth after hearing Surturna's speech and shouts his rage at the ominous sky. "You'll never win against Ultraman and Godzilla, you witch! Never! They will destroy whatever you send against them!" He shakes his fist in the air. "If we're going to die, we'll die fighting!" Mark and Pam stare at him in amazement. They have never seen such devotion like this in a fan before. Everyone is unaware that Lenell's defiance has been heard by the evil Scorpina.

"There's someone over there in the rubble of that building! Kill them, and quickly!" she orders.

The goons slowly advance toward the guest house as the very vulnerable defenders prepare for a final stand.

"Stay with your children, pretty lady. This is it!" Lenell advises Pam as he sizes up the attack force. She takes them into the next room which faces a once beautifully landscaped pool and garden. Huddling with them in a corner, she holds them tightly, trying to ease their terror of what is about to happen. Lenell's parting smile gives her a small measure of comfort as he checks his weapon and returns to the front of the building. He and Mark take their positions as Lenell points out the leaders to try and knock off first. "Let 'em have it, Mister Harmon. It's us or them now!" They open fire as goons and Black Cross soliders charge forward.

"I never thought I would be killing to survive," Mark exclaims.

"Don't think about it, Mark. Just shoot!" Lenell advises the veteran actor. "Your wife and kids' lives depend on it." At the back of the cottage, Sean and Ty hold on to their mother.

"Mommy, I'm scared!" Ty softly sobs.

"Me too, honey," Pam replies. "Daddy and Lenell will stop them." Her voice betrays the hopelessness of their situation, despite her desire to put her life in this super fan's hands. Unknown to them, a goon is sneaking around the back and finds an opening in a collapsed wall. Shoving through the debris, Pam hears him coming and turns around. As he raises his sword to strike, she screams.

"Cover me, Mister Harmon!" Lenell hears her in time to fire around the corner, blowing the goon's head off. Giving Mark his gun, he rushes to Pam and the children. "You all right?" He sees them staring at the still-twitching corpse. Pam can only nod. Realizing their hiding place is not safe, he brings them to their position at the front of the cottage to gather furniture for a barrier. When they have finished their little fortress, he tells them, "You all stay down and we'll try to hold them off as long as we can." Lenell takes his gun back from Mark and methodically goes back to picking off the attackers. Not far away, the monsters Red King and Gaila have finally stopped fighting as another monster enters the fray. The blue foam spitting monster Abolas has arrived and all three turn towards the guest house. Scorpina laughs.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! They will easily crush those fools! Withdraw!" she orders her goons. "We will enjoy seeing if this mere fan and his 'star' friends can survive getting trampled by our allies." The goons and Black Cross Military split up and flank the area to prevent any escape by the stalwart defenders. Lenell and Mark don't recognize this maneuvering from their position but stop shooting.

"Why are they retreating?" Lenell wonders, trying to figure out what they might be up to now. "It's not like Scorpina and Black Cross to chicken out of a battle." Mark looks up and sees the reason the area in front of them is now clear: three huge kaijus are coming right at them, stepping on anything in their way.

"They're going to crush us!" he exclaims in sheer terror. They also realize Rita's goons and the Black Cross soldiers are still in the area. "We're trapped!"

From their hiding place, Pam is still tightly holding on to her children. Sean asks Lenell when he comes to tell them the bad news, "It doesn't look like the cavalry is going to save us, does it?"

Lenell can only answer the resigned boy, "I just wish we had ONE of my live action childhood heroes to save us!" As they stare out the window at the advancing giants, some of the magic dust the good witch Miss Switch has spread across the heavens drifts down toward the wrecked house. There is a blinding light as shafts of the swirling magic begin to form in the center of the battlefield.

"I totally forgot!" Lenell exclaims. "Look out there. I can use Miss Switch's magic! Mark, Pam, kids! We have a chance after all because 'the cavalry' has arrived!" The glare dies down as a line of Japan's greatest heroes materialize. Lady Battlecop, Rainbowman, Space Sheriff Shaidar, Red Tiger, Robo Detective, Barom One; the sentai teams Go Ranger, Jetman and Dynaman; Kamen Riders #2 and V-3 , the police team of Winspector, Kikaider 0-1, Inazuman, the Triple Fighter Team and many others have arrived to save the day. Scorpina and Black Cross stare in disbelief. The villainess curses under her breath as the heroes wait for Lenell's bidding. He knows the one word they want to hear as his celebrity charges stare at him and his rescue party in awe. "CHARGE!" Lenell shouts at the top of his lungs. They respond with familiar battle cries he thought he would never hear again as the forces of good and evil clash in Brentwood. Space Sheriff Shaider personally goes after Scorpina who draws her sword to defend against his weapon.

"You and your accursed heroes won't win, Shaider!" she screams. "Our kaijus will destroy this miserable place called Hollywood! Surturna will conquer all of you!" Shaider parries her savage attack effortlessly.

"Not with people like Lenell, his friends and Miss Switch believing in us, you wretched wench," the metal hero replies. "You won't destroy Hollywood or what it stands for. And our giant monster friends will fight your evil kaiju allies also." Above them in the distance, the orange Gargantua Sanda is savagely attacking none other than Gaila the green Gargantua, his evil brother, while Aboras is fighting the giant hero Silver Kamen. Red King still stalks toward the guest house, unnoticed by the heroes who are busy fighting the hordes of soldiers now converging on them. Lenell sees him coming and realizes they are still in grave danger.

"Damn! I know Ultraman can handle this creep, but he's headed for New

York to help Godzilla. And when they clash with those six monsters, it will really be
World War III." He thinks quickly as the Skull Monster eyes the human staring up at him. "Wait! I have an idea," he tells Pam. "MISS SWITCH!" Lenell shouts. "I NEED MIKO'S WHISTLE!" Almost immediately, more magic dust comes from the sky and settles on Lenell's hand. A white whistle shaped like a rocket with a red stripe materializes, ready for action. "Now you're going to get it, Red King!" he shouts at the monster. Mark, Pam and the boys stare at him and the strange object in amazement and doubt.

"How can that...toy help us against a monster, Lenell?" Pam asks.

"Just watch!" he replies, looking up to the sky just as Miko did. "HELP! SPACE AVENGER!" he shouts and blows the whistle three times. The Harmons look on, bewildered as they listen to the strange sound. Again the magic dust descends from the sky, forming into a golden rocket which streaks towards Red King. "HERE COMES GOLDAR!" Lenell shouts. The rocket lands and transforms into the giant golden robot from the Space Giants series. Pam, Mark and the childeren are amazed.

"You're finished, Red King!" Goldar rumbles high above them. "Fight!" The monster charges and Goldar easily flips him to the ground. Red King gets back up and picks up a chunk of debris to throw at the alien machine. Goldar fires a heat beam from his antennas and destroys the mass in mid-air. With a giant leaping kick, he tries to deck Red King but the savage Skull Monster dodges. Goldar quickly recovers and attacks again. Lenell and the others smile at their savior, relaxing a little after their long siege. However, the mood at Surturna's lair is not as calm as the evil witch sees what has transpired in her crystal ball.

"Curse that kaiju fan! He and those other fool humans will pay for disrupting my plans!" Waving her hands over the glowing orb, once more Surturna issues a command. "Ultraman Shadow and Satan Bizo! I need you now!" she screams as lightning shoots into the crystal ball. Back in Brentwood, Lenell and the others hear a strange sound coming from the sky.

"What was that?" Mark wonders. Lenell looks up, dreading what he knows is about to happen. They watch as a black, shadowy object comes down fast and kicks Goldar as he lands, knocking the huge Golden Robot down.

"Ultraman Shadow! No! It can't be, not him!…God, not him!" Even Lenell, who has displayed such bravery, fears this being.

Pam is confused as she and her boys watch Goldar try to grapple this new opponent.

"I don't understand, you said Ultraman is on our side..."

Lenell quickly tries to explain. "He is, Pam, but this one is evil. He's one of the deadliest Ultra-villains there is…uh, what's going on now?" He can't help but notice a blinding light dropping down from the sky right between Ultraman Shadow and Red King. It also takes on an alien form. "Oh, no!...It's Satan Bizo from the Ultraman Gaia series!" Lenell's concern is well deserved as Goldar is quickly surrounded. "He doesn't stand a chance against three opponents!" They nervously watch as Goldar recovers from Shadow's kick, only to be struck down by a viscious tail swing by Red King that hits him in the face and stuns him. Shadow raises his fists and throws his devastating Brass Knuckle Punch at the brave robot and knocks him into some wrecked houses. Still, the space avenger rises once again but Satan Bizo is waiting with his deadly claw to slash at the golden hero. Goldar manages to dodge the attack but Red King charges in with a head butt to Goldar's chest, knocking him down.

"UNNNNN!" Red King roars in triumph as he grabs the golden defender of Earth like he did Ultraman 80 years ago. Goldar is thrown forward and lands hard on the ground. The hero staggers and falls but tries to get up and fight back. As they watch the battle, Lenell tries to cheer on their savior.

"Be brave, Goldar! Help is on the way! Surturna wants to play rough, we can play rough too!" Pam, Mark and the boys wonder if he hasn't lost his mind in the heat of battle. Again he calls on Miss Switch's magic. "I need Fujiyama Hiroya and Katsuto Asashi. They can save us, Miss Switch!" In answer to his call, magic dust forms two columns before him and the men appear! They quickly assess the raging battle and turn to Lenell. "Quick, you guys! Goldar needs your help. Turn into Ultraman Agul and Ultraman Zearth!"

"You got it, Lenell!" Katsuto replies and Fujiyama nods with a broad grin. They both run outside to get far enough away from the building. Fujiyama whips out his Agulator and Kasuto draws his electric toothbrush.

"A toothbrush?" Mark exclaims.

Lenell assures him everything will be just fine. "I know it's crazy, Mark, but just watch." Fujiyama shouts, "AGUL!" and Katsuto calls out "ZEARTH!" Both devices erupt with blazing energy and transform the Japanese men into Ultraman Agul and Ultraman Zearth! Lenell just smiles as everyone stares in disbelief. Wasting no time, both heroes join the fray. Agul launches a flying kick at Satan Bizo, sending the seizen staggering backwards. He quickly rushes in for a close order attack while Zearth gives Shadow a mighty punch that sends him flying upward from the force. He follows and tackles his enemy around the waist so he can't get away. Up in the clouds, Zearth and Shadow battle as the evil killing machine throws Bass Knuckle Punches at the Ultra hero which Zearth easily dodges, thanks to his training to overcome fear. Shadow fires his Shadow Beam at his nemesis at the same time Zearth unleashes his Space Supula Beam. The rays collide and cause a mid-air explosion that sends a shockwave that is even felt on the ground below them. Shadow suddenly streaks toward the south in the direction of the South Pole. Zearth pursues him, knowing they are heading to where they had their first battle. He knows that Ultraman Tiga and Evil Tiga are there also but has lost contact with his Ultra kin. Could there be a great battle of Ultras when he and Shadow arrive? Meanwhile, Goldar has seen his help arrive and flips Red King off of him, despite the pounding he has been getting and rises to fight on. Turning, he glances back at the guest house.

"Thank you, Lenell!" the giant rumbles.

Lenell shouts up to him, "You're welcome, Goldar! Now fight! You must save the Earth once again!" Goldar attacks Red King as Lenell goes inside to look after Pam and her family. "Even though our heroes are keeping them busy for now, I have to get you all out of here. It's too dangerous. I can also call Gam and Silvar with Miko's whistle." He looks to the sky and blows the whistle once and then twice. Again, magic dust takes the form of not one but two rockets, a silver one and the other white with a red stripe and blue fins. They land in front of the guest house and transform into Silvar and Gam. Suddenly, some goons attack like Rodak's Lugo Men did almost weekly in their heroic television series. They are no match for these two robots as Silvar gives one a good kick and Gam flips another out of his way.

As she watches, Pam remarks, "This is a strange hobby you're in, Lenell."

He grins broadly and repiles. "It sure can be, lovely lady, but I love them as much as I love you. That's why we are all still alive." Outside, Silvar is firing her chest missiles at the goons while Gam uses the heat beam from his antennas. As the goons fall dead before them, Silvar and Gam make it to the guest house. Mark aims his gun at them, in shock from pain and the terror they have just been a part of. Lenell quickly stops him from shooting. "It's all right, Mark! They're friends. Silvar, Gam, we're sure glad to see you both! Pam, Mark, kids, this is Silvar, wife of Goldar and their son, Gam."

Mark asks the strangely garbed heroine before them, "You are the wife of that golden robot out there...?"

"Yes, I am," Silvar smiles and chuckles at his disbelief. Gam introduces himself to Pam and her two boys.

"Hi! My name is Gam," he extends his hand to Sean and Ty. They shake, feeling a little more comfortable now that a boy their age is with them. Pam is pleased that Gam has made her boys smile again after the horror Surturna has unleashed on their young lives.

Lenell extends his welcome. "It's good to see you both again, Silvar and Gam, but where is the wise wizard Methusum?"

Silvar repiles, "He and the Samurai wizard Ekey Suki Muru are protecting the Forrest J. Ackerman mansion. Many of your real world's stars have taken refuge there."

"Ekey Suki Muru from Magic Serpent is there?" Lenell exclaims.

"Yes!" Gam assures him. "And so are Miko and the spacewomen Kilara, Mitan, and Marsha from Gamera's last classic film."

Lenell can only figure that Miss Switch must be calling on everyone in the Japanese science fiction and fantasy genre to save the Earth from Surturna and her monsters. "Can you get this family out of here to safety? I think Forry's mansion will be a very good place for them."

"Yes, we can, Lenell," Silvar replies. "Get set, Gam."

"Yes, Mother," Gam quickly transforms back into a rocket and his mother does likewise. Lenell helps Pam get Mark into Silvar's rocket while Sean and Ty get into Gam's. When everyone is aboard, he tells Pam, "When you all get to safety and Mark's gotten that foot taken care of, tell everyone in Hollywood that Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich are in cahoots with Surturna."

Pam and Mark are shocked at this revelation. "You mean the two from Tri-Star pictures, Lenell?" Mark exclaims. "I don't believe it!"

"Believe it, Mark!" Lenell insists. "They want to destroy Hollywood and rule the television and movie business when Surturna takes over the world. Not only that, they want to completely do away with Japan's T.V. and film industry! Warn all of your friends in the business about them! Tell them to fight for what all the fans believe in!" Pam is enraged that two of their own would try to get them killed. Thinking about how they sold out humanity to an evil witch is more than she can bear.

"Those bastards! We will do as you suggest, Lenell. But what about you?" she asks when she realizes he doesn't have a way out of the area.

"Don't worry about me, Pam," he assures her. "I'll be all right. Just you and your family take care of yourselves. Silvar, Gam, it's time to go. Get them to safety. Don't stop for anything! They mean so much to me..." Lenell kisses Pam on the forehead and closes the transparent canopies of the rockets. Silvar and Gam take off when he is clear, streaking high into the air toward the Ackermansion. Pam looks back down as the remains of Brentwood fade into the distance. She begins to cry that her loyal fan has stayed behind with those horrible monsters in order to save her and her family. Mark reaches back in the cramped cockpit to try to brush away her tears.

"Don't worry, honey. If anyone knows what he's doing, it's Lenell. He wanted us to get away so we can warn the world about Devlin's plans."

Pam continues to crane her head toward the receding landscape behind them and says to no one in particular, "I just hope he gets out okay. We owe you our lives, Lenell."

On the ground, Lenell watches as the two rockets fade out of sight. "Happy landing, pretty lady! Remember, I love you." He finally turns away and makes sure both his UGM lasers are ready for action as he gets ready to repel any more attackers that might take an interest in him. There is the chance he may not get out of there alive but he is comfortable knowing that his favorite actress and her family are now safe. "Come on, you creeps! I'm ready for ya now!" he shouts.

Chapter 12 : THE EASTERN FRONT AND THE INTERVIEW
(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch12.html )

When Ted Koppel came on the air soon after the invasion began, there wasn't much Dr. Who didn't already know about that broadcast. He had been monitoring the news but was surprised at the relatively large number of victories Miss Switch's heroes and fans of the genre had managed to pull off. Surturna was also aware of the unforeseen resistance efforts and demanded he do something about it. "It was your calculations we used to determine which monsters to send to what targets," she railed at him. "Why are these humans able to thwart my plans?" The actions taken by the fans were a variable even his great computers were not programmed to deal with.

"Those fanboys and their heroes will not have it so easy with your next round of attacks," he tries to dodge the issue. Like the Ogasawara Project, Dr. Who has been studying all available data on the Earth's monsters and applied his vast knowledge to designing a computer program to handle the complexities of Surturna's conquest. With the addition of the Xians' and Kilaaks' alien technology, he and Surturna have a truly formidible weapon at their disposal. "Even the best armed Earthlings do not stand a chance against your arriors!" he assures her, despite his grave concerns about the Super X-III being in America.

*****

Back in New Jersey, the Daikaiju World complex are the only buildings left relatively unscathed by Legion's recent visit. It is now a shelter for many area refugees who huddle together crying, hoping and praying for deliverance. Many children clutch action figures of such greats as Godzilla, Ultraman, Power Rangers, Kamen Rider and other heroes and monsters. Fans of Japanese science fiction and fantasy have offered their many resources and services to the needy in this time of crisis. Carol Roberto, Ruth Lees, Beth Tenser, Cheryl Cohen, Jim Kaposztas and Dana Cain are just a few trying to help those who have lost everything. John Ingram and John Marshall were in New York for the Chiller Theater show and came to Daikaiju World as soon as the attacks began. Marc Cerasini sits nearby as a group of children huddle around, listening to him read a Godzilla adventure story from one of the many books he has written. In a corner of the warehouse, artists Chris Scalf, Bob Eggleton, Mark Nagata, Rich Cohen, Mark Jones, Paul Roche and Mark Tannacore are drawing and painting pictures of the greats of the genre for young fans. Rossana Ganuza and Sue Vickers are helping another group of aspiring kaiju artists draw and color their own pictures of their favorite characters. Despite their differences, the fans have come together in this time of crisis to help those whose lives have been torn asunder by this great war.

Carol Roberto and Ruth Lees think back to the interview they did with Audrey Timmonds of WIDF NEWS in New York. What was supposed to be good publicity for the Kaijubusters nearly got the resistance movement destroyed and Earth's defenses sorely compromised, no thanks to the snoopy reporter. Miss Timmonds is probably best known for her reporting on GINO when that diabolical creation attacked New York in 1998.

Dr. Who is at his base at the bottom of Lake Huron, wondering why he has lost contact with his agent at the American fandom headquarters. Rob Smith has done his job well and has taken Audrey Timmonds off the air, thanks to Victor "Animal" Palotti. After taping Carol and Ruth's interview, he went to get some footage of the fans and refugees at Daikaiju World. Cheryl Cirronella was most gracious, showing him around the huge complex. Over the years, a complete video production studio has been added, as well as an inhouse printing operation for producing scholarly and fictional works. From club newsletters to full color fanzines and catalogues, they can now do it all. Amateur video fans have access to top of the line equipment for everything from editing to CGI and other special effects. Animal was duly impressed and wondered what grudge Audrey had against these people. Even before the invasion of the giant monsters began, she was edgy and secretive about checking out story leads involving monster fans. Where she had been keeping her cameraman on a short leash, she often left the studio without him. At the time, he didn't realize that she was gathering information that could very well mean the difference between victory and defeat for the human race.

"Stan Hyde, Robert Biondi and several other fans will be having an interview later tonight with Ted Koppel on ABC News to discuss this crisis," Carol reminds her friend, hoping her faith in journalism can be restored somewhat.

Rob Smith, head of Daikaiju World security, had been keeping a watchful eye on Miss Timmonds since she showed up, about the same time giant monsters were reported appearing around the world. Having his hunch pay off handsomely, he wants to be sure some of his favorite people are all right. "Everything okay with you two?" he asks Ruth, who is exhausted from the long hours she has put in helping set up relief operations at the eastern fandom headquarters.

"I guess I could use a break and go check on my children," she admits. "Can someone else fill in here with the media?" Kevin McHenry immediately volunteers. Ruth smiles gratefully and goes off to join her youngsters.

Rob is still concerned about the hundreds of people, mostly strangers, now occupying Daikaiju World. "Are you sure you don't want us all to leave, Carol? Godzilla is not that far away and is reported heading for New York."

"No, Rob," she replies. "I believe everyone here would rather be with their fellow fans if the worst happens. At least they have shelter and something to eat. We're lucky to have that to offer them." Rob understands and now wonders where Audrey's cameraman has gotten off to. Before he can locate Victor "Animal" Palotti, they are joined by Mike Temple, the owner of one of the largest home entertainment franchise chains in America, Video Dai Kaiju. He has some grave news to report to the assembled fans.

"I just heard from Shigeko Kojima and Takahiko Mamiya in Japan that this crisis is having terrible effects on film and TV production companies over there." Everyone wonders what brought on this dire report. "All productions at Toho, Tsuburaya, Daiei, Toei, all the studios, have come to a halt! No kaijus and heroes and villains are there to film. Not only that, the video and audio equipment won't run! It's like it's been affected by some strange magic or something."

"Whatever that evil witch did to bring the villains into the real world has had more disastrous results than we ever imagined," Carol figures.

"I think this might be one of the reasons why Surturna hasn't attacked Japan," Mike suddenly realizes. "Plus, Shigeko also reports that dozens of young Deanzillas are surrounding every studio in Japan!" There are more looks of astonishment at this strange news. "But they are not attacking anyone," he assures them. "They just seem to be waiting for some kind of signal or something. Norman England is also trying to find out more about this and will keep us updated."

"Does John and the others know about this?" Rob asks.

"I've already radioed rhem on the secure frequency and gave a full report. Whatever else Surturna has in mind for Japan, this proves Dean Devlin is also involved in her mad scheme."

Carol proclaims everyone's belief, "He's sold out mankind because his sorry excuse for a movie wasn't accepted by us Godzilla fans and now he wants to destroy the Japanese studios because he thinks their beloved characters are cheesy!" She is beside herself with rage but hopes his scheme can be thwarted. "I just pray that John, J.D. and the others can stop this from happening."

Mike tries to comfort her. "I'm sure they will try their very best but if they fail, we'll also be ready. We've all spent too many years trying to keep this genre alive here in America to let that low down varmint ruin it for everyone. It's a crying shame there are people who are willing to betray their own kind in order to exert their influence and ideas on everyone in the world just because we don't agree with them." Ruth Lees returns and is accompanied by Steve Ryfle who wants to check with Mike for any late breaking news before heading back to New York.

"How are the children?" Carol asks.

"They're just fine," she assures her. "I've asked the Pagets to watch them for a while. Little Tyrone is really having fun with Payton, telling her all about Godzilla, Ultraman and Gamera. And of course, getting to meet Mr. Satsuma and Mr. Nakajima, thanks to her father and your husband."

Carol Roberto takes her hand and assures her, "We are two lucky women, Ruth. Our husbands have done wonderful things for this hobby we all love so dearly. Now we can only hope they and the Kaijubusters will be able to save us all from Surturna and her evil monsters."

Ruth is flattered by Carol's kind words and embraces her in a tight hug. "They must win! They must!" she whispers.

Steve Ryfle reminds everyone, "Before the attacks began, Daiei had introduced a new villain for Gamera to fight called Irys. This kaiju has also disappeared. Do you all think he will show up if Surturna calls him?"

Mike figures it is a good possibility that he will. "That monster is very powerful, right up there with Destroyer. Only Gamera or Godzilla could take him on." Everyone agrees as Ruth proclaims, "This whole thing is sheer madness!"

*****

In Ogdensburg, New York, the Kaiju Productions crew has managed to settle in for the night and get some well-earned rest. Thanks to the Montreal police, Alan Winterrowd and the Monster Bus got pointed south to rejoin the rest of the gang, bringing with them the heartfelt thanks of Andre Dubois and his fellow Canadians. They also had a most exciting tale to tell of helping Ultraman Ace defeat Guiron and the alien cannibals Florbella and Arbella. Even after the day's high adventure, everyone sleeps soundly at the inn, weary of mind and body. Constable Greg Gillham has stayed over to see them off at daybreak when they plan to head for Daikaiju World and join the beleaguered east coast fans.

The rural ambience of the night is broken by the arrival of a spaceship, sent by the evil Surturna and her ally, Dean Devlin. Not only does he intend to change how tokusatsu movies and television series are made, he doesn't have much use for the fans of the genre as we know it. Permitting even amateur film production with non-existant budgets and home grown effects would be contrary to the spirit of his new regime. He personally provided Surturna with a list of fans he wanted to receive "special" attention from her allies and their hometowns are high on the list of places to be ravaged. The intrepid crew had barely avoided Barugon's surprise visit to their filming site but they wouldn't escape this time. "I might even consider employing these talented people at my studio," Devlin mused as Dr. Who's sophisticated computer finally located them in upstate New York, thanks to Scott Walker's numerous cyber exchanges with the G-FORCE NET and Barry Goldberg.

A brilliant searchlight and loud humming bring most of the fans out of their slumber as the craft settles in the woods. The aliens' plan is to sneak up on the inn and take the fans hostage for Devlin's personal consideration. Kubota, the leader of the Nebula M Spacehunter team, is pleased to have drawn such an easy assignment for their share of the conquered planet. "Disneyland will never be the same when we run it!" he assures his crew.

"I would not underestimate the humans," his lieutenant warns. "Remember, they did not fall for our Children's Land scheme." Kubota is not worried in the least about a group of mere fans.

As the aliens prepare their attack, Gertrude Smith and Constable Gillham are about to break every rule in the B-movie survival guide. "You know what happens when folks go out in the woods at night to investigate strange lights and stuff!" August Ragone tries to dissuade them from their proposed plan.

"Of course!" Gertrude agrees. "But remember, nine out of ten aliens are up to no good. Besides, we're using real bullets and so are you guys." In addition to James Thompson's trusty deer rifle, her Winchester saddle gun in Eric Yee's able hands should be sufficient to hold off even a squad of space apes. After their run-in with Barugon and Alan's little adventure in Canada, all weapons are kept close at hand so no one has to go rummaging behind truck seats when uninvited "company" shows up. They had brought their firearms along to set off powder effects for scenes to be combined later with miniature military hardware and rampaging monsters. "They'll probably be heading this way so if we don't get 'em first, let 'em have it. Now get in position where you can see them coming, front and back. Keep the lights off inside, whatever you do!" With everyone lined up at strategic windows and doors, the two police officers head for the landing site.

The aliens have chosen to take the easy route along the lake shore and march right up the dock road to the hotel. Someone has forgotten to close the back of their cargo truck and the aliens stare curiously at the costumes racked inside. Evan Baker gets an idea that just might save everyone a lot of grief and slips a remote control unit from Eric's pack. Pushing the right buttons, Cyber Godzilla's red eyes light up and a deep voice rumbles, "Halt! Or I will...shoot." The two villains who have climbed inside the van tumble backwards over each other and one discharges his ray gun into the roof. August groans audibly above the stifled snickering of his crewmembers. Hearing them, the four seijin turn toward the building, only to be taunted by the robot. "Stupid aliens...over here." They change their minds and purposefully march toward the truck with weapons at the ready. As one of them takes aim to blast the mouthy mecha, James plugs him from an upper window. Dying, the creature loses control of its "uniform" human appearance and turns into a giant cockroach.

"Yuck!" Scott comments as Eric draws a bead on the remaining three who are just as surprised that their comrade has revealed himself.

"Drop your weapons or check into that great roach motel in the sky!" he shouts as Eric fires a slug at their feet.

"Better do like he says," Cyber G offers as cordially as his voice resonator will permit. They comply dejectedly.

"I told you this was a bad idea," the lieutenant tells Kubota. "We were finally living in peace until our leader decided to join that evil witch Surturna."

"Too late now, bugsy," Alan informs them. "Looks like you came all this way just to visit the local hoosegow. By the way, I wonder what Gert and Greg are up to?" he asks his fellow fans. They soon appear escorting another roach up the road.

"Dummy fell for the oldest trick in the book and left his ship," Greg advises. Seeing the dead alien on the ground and having watched their prisoner revert, he expresses everyone's opinion of the species. "Ugly suckers, aren't they?" When he coldcocked the creature after luring him outside, it changed from humanoid to its true form. A whopping headache from Greg's nightstick didn't do much for its disposition either.

"Surturna will rule, fleshlings!" it hisses.

Gertrude also is getting a little tired of alien mouthiness so when the creature whirls around to swipe its forelegs at Greg's head, they both duck and let loose with their FREEZE tactical spray. "I always wondered what effect this stuff would have on these bugs!" The officers grin at each other and shove the now sputtering Space Hunter over with the rest of his ilk. The astonished lieutenant is selected to "volunteer" to show the humans how to fly the space ship. "Greg, if you can get the local sheriff to see to these critters, we'll be on our way. Scott, you're the techno-whiz so grab a ray gun and let's see what we can do about getting this show off the ground. Everyone else might as well get packed and be ready to roll when we get airborne." The flight crew returns to the landing site and discovers another craft has joined the Space Hunter one, but of an entirely different configuration. Warning Lieutenant Narou to keep quiet and out of sight, they take up positions watching the new craft and its occupants. Amid much confusion, three gaudily clad television heroes of some sort come out.

"It's the Big Bad Beetleborgs!" Scott snickers hysterically.

"Just what we need!" Gertrude fumes. "A bunch of hoodad Hollywood wannabes. And just think: the real B-fighters are over in Philadelphia trying to save this country so we can have the monster and hero shows we really want."

Two of the characters don't even have their complete plastic armor outfits on as Jo McCormick wonders, "Where is everyone? We're supposed to rescue that movie crew from the bad guys..."

"Oooooh! Save ME!" Scott is quietly hamming it up back in the trees. "I think she means it." By now, even the alien is clicking softly in bemusement. Gertrude notices Blue Stinger has at least remembered to bring his sword out of the aircraft.

"Let's have some fun with these clowns," she suggests before they commandeer their shuttle. The two fans and their alien, who is in military uniform, march out to confront the comicbook characters who tentatively line up on the defensive when they see Scott's ray gun and Gertrude's duty belt.

"Halt!" Stinger commands. "Identify yourselves!"

"Why?" Gertrude eggs him on. "We know who we are. Let's see what you turkeys are made of." She unholsters an ASP baton and deftly flicks it to full length. "En garde, you refuge from a toy store bargain bin!" Stinger looks to his comrades and at the huge sword he carries.

"I don't think this is such a good idea," Roland Williams warns, especially since he has left his helmet and G-Stag weapon on the ship. Stinger raises his weapon and immediately has it knocked from his grasp by the shorter steel baton, which has sharply rapped his fingers.

"STAND IN!" he shouts, backing away from the advancing kaiju fan who quickly grabs his arm and rudely flips him on his back. A quick whack to the side of the head and his helmet goes flying. Velcro is no match for a disgruntled fan who has found a handy subject to use as a practice dummy for take-down techniques. A Beetle Borg isn't a pretty sight in a Looney Tunes T-shirt and battered plastic armor. Returning the stunned actor to his team mates, Gertrude orders them all out of their costumes. They nervously assist each other and carry the gear back to their ship when ordered to do so.

Lined back up outside, Scott advises them of their plan. "We have need of that aircraft of yours to get to Daikaiju World in Jersey. You can either stay here or come with us. One of you will show us how to fly this thing."

"But we don't really know ourselves!" the ex-Stinger protests. "It's just a mock-up."

"It got you here, didn't it?" Gertrude figures. "So it flies. That's all we need to know." It probably would be way over their heads to try to explain Miss Switch's magic calling these "heroes" and sending them to the wilds of upstate New York.

"Please, you guys," Jo begs. "It wasn't our idea to do this. We saw on the news about the monster attacks and just used our Beetlebonders to see what would happen and here we are." Gertrude and Scott just look at each other.

"We know we're not real heroes," Roland explains. "We just play the parts of the humans in the show. Stunt people do all the fancy stuff with the costumes."

"If you decide to come with us, you'll get to meet a lot of folks that can tell you all about how to make a great hero show," Gertrude informs them. "You might want to listen up and tell those hacks at Saban how it should be done. Nothing personal, but replacing Daisuke Tsuchiya, Reina Kazuki and Shigeru Kanai with you guys is an insult to the original Japanese actors and their countrymen." They agree to accompany the kaiju fans to Daikaiju World rather than have to find transportation back to California.

Scott looks them over critically and adds, "You also have to fit the suit. You folks may not be cut out for this hero business but most of us weren't either. We're just not going to stand by and let some evil witch take over our little world. You either face this new reality or you're gonna get squished, zapped or otherwise badly inconvenienced. Secure your stuff and get ready for take off while I get with this real alien about how to fly his craft."

"No need," the lieutenant offers. "I will gladly fly it for you if you can guarantee I return to my home world." Scott and Gertrude can't make any promises but Narou figures he will take his chances at Daikaiju World. "I do not like to be on the losing side and I have a feeling Surturna's scheme will fail if all Earthlings are as valiant fighters as you two are."

*****

Audrey Timmonds' future may very well be more precarious than any space alien's as she paces about her makeshift holding cell that is normally a recording booth. She hopes Dr. Who and Dean Devlin have received her last transmission before Rob Smith and his security team so rudely interrupted her. The Fort Lee police advised it would be some time before they can come pick her up because of Legion's sporadic forays into the town. Of course, the federal agencies are finding the possibility of a spy for Surturna a little hard to believe when they have to deal with disgruntled citizens haranging them about ignoring their UFO reports. Instead of just claiming to have seen a flying saucer, now the yahoos are wanting them to come pick up captured aliens. "That would be a local jurisdictional responsibility," these callers are told.

With her crystal ball not working all that well since Miss Switch's desperate energy bolt to save her young charges, Surturna is also quite concerned about her satellite link-up to Audrey's newsvan being interrupted.

Dr. Who and Dean Devlin also advise that they are no longer receiving her signal. "Get one of your operatives over to Daikaiju World immediately!" she orders. "I need to be kept informed what these fans are up to."

Devlin and Emmerich have also been avidly following Audrey's reports, especially since she found out the fans had Super X-III. "I don't like the idea of them having such a powerful ship at their disposal," Roland frets as they secure their California studio.

"That Aaron Smith is on the crew," Devlin adds, rewinding Audrey's last report. "He gave us fits about our Godzilla movie from the start. I constantly think he is looking over my shoulder, ready to pounce on any little tidbit to feed his fans. What does he or any of them know about monster movies? We'll show them all, won't we, Roland?" They both laugh like maniacs as their limousine takes them to their private airstrip.

Dr. Who is more concerned with Audrey telling the authorities, or even worse, the fans, who she is working for. "I will take care of it, mistress," he promises. "You might also want to do something about that Walsh fellow at Ogasawara Island. He knows way too much about our monsters and if his information is broadcast, humans around the world could disrupt your plans."

"I have thought of that, my good doctor!" Surturna informs him. "Gabara will take care of that little problem!"

*****

Two strange craft are soon picked up headed for Daikaiju World with most of the Kaiju Productions crew aboard. On the ground, Eric is driving the pick-up in, Dana Foreman has Scott's mini-van and the Godziszewskis their stationwagon. August vows to not let the rental truck out of his sight until he gets it signed back in. Lieutenant Narou, the Nebula M Spacehunter, has no problems with his human captors, figuring he stands a better chance at repatriation than his cohorts left to the mercies of some boondock sheriff in upstate New York.

Coming in fast from the northwest, they hail on the secure frequency after buzzing the main building. Rob Smith finally gives them permission to land when the fans aboard the Spacehunter ship start singing the Jet Jaguar theme. The off-key unofficial Gamera song coming from the Beetle Borg craft also convinces everyone these must be real G fans and not aliens. Before landing, they do a quick fly-by and notice Legion soldiers gathering off the north wing by the production facility and at the front approach to the complex. In the early morning fog, it is hard to pick out the bugs in the trees and undergrowth. A tentative blast with a ray cannon sends soldiers and bushes scampering for cover. As the craft quickly unload their passengers, Dr. Gori's Weed Aliens take on their human form and press forward, firing their ray guns. Everyone at Daikaiju World who has brought weapons along quickly assembles to hold the attackers off. Airborne again, the shuttles blast away at the huge frontal movement as an aggregate Legion attacks the multimedia center. Luckily, Animal Palotti is back there and calls for assistance over the intercom. Grabbing a fire extinguisher, he hits the monster with a freezing carbon dioxide blast. The creature moves on, knocking massive chunks out of the walls as if searching for something. Animal dashes down the hall looking for another extinguisher as the Beetle Borgs arrive to help. Flashing their Bonders, they are once again in full armor. With Miss Switch's magic, their weapons are as powerful as their Japanese counterparts' but they lack the skill to use them effectively. Legion's mandibles and deadly forelegs make short work of the actors but Animal grabs Roland's sidearm and fires away. The monster backs off and retreats but the Weed Aliens have accomplished their mission of capturing Audrey Timmonds. He hears her scream as several carry her away in their tentacles. The Pollution Monster Squad from the Spectraman series would have been much better assistance in defending against these seijin than the dead and dismembered Saban pseudo-heroes.

The Interview

Back in Michigan, the electro-magnetic interference caused by Surturna's latest spell and Miss Switch's counteraction has finally subsided, permitting the television at the Dearborn police headquarters to broadcast somewhat normally. Ted Koppel has returned to his curbside location in New York with Jim Guy Tucker, Steve Ryfle and Robert Biondi for an update on the worldwide crisis.

"With the assistance of the Monster Island Amateur Radio Association, we are able to bring you this exclusive interview with Stan Hyde in Vancouver, Canada and Dr. Jim Walsh at the Ogasawara Island kaiju research project. We also are in contact with several very knowledgeable fans who may be able to provide some insight into what has happened here on our once peaceful planet."

"Alright!" Jim Figurski shouts. "If anyone can figure out what's going on out there, Walsh can." Ted waits for his video feeds to stabilize and gives background on the diverse kaijuologists.

Stan Hyde comes on the air to describe how the Mysterians and their MOGERA robot have terrorized his home town. "It was just awful! Between the flying saucers and the robot's ray, nary a coastal industry or dock is left standing. I was teaching class when the attack began and all we could think of was getting the students to safety. Luckily, the buses are kept behind the campus and we were able to evacuate everyone to the outlying forests before the city was destroyed."

"Mr. Hyde," Ted interrupts the very shaken mentor who is surrounded by some of his students. "I understand you have made a study of these giant monsters you refer to as 'kaiju'. Do they have any weaknesses or other characteristics that the remains of our military could focus their efforts on?"

"It would depend on which monster you are dealing with," Stan tries to explain. "For instance, the smaller ones, such as the aliens, can often be neutralized with conventional weapons. The likes of Godzilla and King Ghidorah, I could not say."

"Doctor Walsh," Ted directs his next question to Ogasawara Island. "Have your studies revealed anything that would explain Surturna's ability to control these great beasts of fantasy and fiction?"

"No, I'm afraid not, Ted," the eminent kaijuologist responds. "Here at Ogasawara, we use natural and man-made barriers to contain the monsters we are studying. I am sorry to have to report that they are not as effective as we thought they were." When Ted asks what he means by that, Jim explains. "For instance, Rodan was quite happy to remain here and never tried to fly past the electronic 'curtain' we generated a good distance off shore to allow him to hunt at sea. When Surturna cast her spell, he raised a great ruckus and took off. Only Baby Godzilla remains."

Robert Biondi grabs the microphone to cut in. "You mean to say all the monsters have left Ogasawara Island? What kind of an operation are you running out there to let this happen?"

Before Dr. Walsh or anyone else can respond, Ted takes the mike back and tries to get the interview back on track. "I don't think it would be fair to blame Dr. Walsh for the behavior of the few kaiju that had been kept for study at his facility."

From modern American metropolises to primitive tropical islands, good verses evil in many different forms but doesn't get reported in bigtime news updates. In Tahiti, the Tyrannosaurus rex from the movie THE LAST DINOSAUR has devoured many residents of the tropical island. When the giant jungle turtle Kemeba appears to battle the huge meat eater, the loggy Rex tries to sink its teeth into Kemeba's hard, spiked bony shell, only to break the worn ones off. Not being able to get a grip on the bony carapace, he tries to use his foot claws to turn the turtle over onto its back but Kemeba 's body hugs the Earth like a rock. Becoming enraged, the T-Rex again tries to bite this tempting but defiant morsel. Kemeba suddenly extends his long neck under the Tyrannosaurus and lifting with his powerful legs, throws the tyrant lizard over his shell and the high cliff beside them. The rex falls into the ocean and disappears beneath the waves, apparently drowning. Kemeba rises on his hind legs and gives a roar of victory. Natives from all over the island come out into the open and fall to their knees in homage to the great turtle, worshipping him as a god for saving them from the vicious dinosaur.

*****

Back at her island fortress, Surturna has learned from Belvera that Miss Switch and the others are still alive and coming after her with Gamera. "Let them come!" she shouts, clenching her fists in anticipation. "When they get here, I will have a very warm welcome for them! Ha! Ha! Hee! Hee! Hee!" She turns to her control panel with its vast communications and data capabilities. "Curse that Miss Switch! Her counterspell has temporarily disabled my crystal ball. I will just have to use the latest technology to command my legions. Calling Doctor Who...," she keys the microphone. "Doctor Who, come in!" From his hideout in Lake Huron, the evil charlatan quickly responds. "Has your robot Mechani-Kong been refitted as we discussed?"

Who proudly replies, "Yes! Thanks to our new ally Todd Torres, my creation has been programmed to your specifications and is at your disposal, Mistress." Surturna smiles as she gives her orders. "Rodak's ship will be there shortly. He and his Lugo Men will fly you and your robot back here. You are to bring your staff as well. With his ship, you will get here well before Miss Switch and those meddling children. You will then coordinate with the Demon Princess and her army to welcome our 'guests' to my island. I look forward to meeting your new protege also."

Who smiles to himself. "Yes, Mistress! We will be ready." He signs off as one of his assistants advise that Rodak's ship is at the cargo bay. "Excellent! Get Mechani-Kong ready for transport." The minion rushes off to see to it as Who heads for Todd's laboratory. When told his enhancements to the super robot will be put to good use, the young scientist is most pleased.

"My ideas and research will not be scoffed at, Doctor! If I had my way, those short-sighted so-called engineers would pay for slighting me!" Todd shakes his fist in the air, impressing the doctor with his vehemence. Above them, Rodak's saucer is waiting. The Lugos beam everyone aboard with a yellow tracer beam that envelops Who, Gils, Todd, their assistants and Mechani-Kong.

When the transfer is complete, the bat-like saucer streaks toward Surturna's lair. Rodak personally escorts Who and Todd through the great ship to the control room. "It is truly a pleasure to meet you. Unfortunately, my preparations for Surturna's conquest of this planet kept me from attending the strategy sessions," Dr. Who explains as he takes the alien's hand.

Rodak turns on the viewscreen and examines Mechani-Kong. "Your robot looks like you copied it from an original animal. What can it do that my monsters can't?" Who is surprised at Rodak's bluntness and tries to keep his displeasure in check.

"My Kong can do anything that the original Kong could. In any case, we have orders from Surturna to welcome her enemies to her island with it." Rodak suddenly leads Who away from the console which Todd is examining with great interest.

"I have been talking with a few others, such as Lord Zedd," he whispers quickly. "We would prefer to rule this real world ourselves and eliminate the evil witch in the process. She could be too powerful for us in the long run. Think of it this way, Dr. Who....We let her and the good witch battle each other to the death. Then we can pick up the pieces and take over! What do you say? Do you want to join us?" Who rubs his chin as he smiles and thinks. This could be his chance to rule the real world with Rodak and the others as they saw fit. If this plot were to be discovered by Surturna, it would surely bring down the wrath of the evil witch on them all. But what did he have to lose? The world would definitely have need of such enterprising individuals as himself and his fellow conspirators.

"I'm in!" he informs Rodak. "We'll just bide our time and when Surturna is at her weakest, we will strike!" At her fortress, Surturna smiles as Rodak advises his mission has been completed and they are flying back to the island. "Excellent! Come, Miss Switch! You, Pigmon and those silly children will never leave my island alive!" She tunes her locator screen to the Atlantic Ocean and sees Godzilla is waiting in the deep waters just off New York. "So your fans call you the King of the Monsters, lizard? You may be big and powerful but you will get a surprise also!" She then zooms in on another genre great. "And you are Ultraman, eh? The greatest hero of your genre. My ally is already in New York, waiting for you. You and Godzilla will not be able to escape the trap I have planned! Once you two are destroyed, all hope will be lost for these accursed mortals and I shall win! Hee! Hee! Hee!" Surturna raises her hands and lightning erupts from them once again. Her cohorts look on in astonishment at the great power she can exert, even over the very forces of nature. Never have they met anyone as powerful and diabolical as she is!

*****

Ted Koppel has managed to keep his Special Report going for almost two hours but can't pass up a chance to have his next guest on the air. Interrupting Stan Hyde's plea for assistance from the provincial government and especially the dominion itself to provide relief funds to get Vancouver back on its feet, he cuts him short. "I am advised that Barry Goldberg, a popular kaiju talk-show host from Boston is at our affiliate station and would like to add his comments. Due to that city's attack by Hedorah, the Smog Monster, video is not possible but the Monster Island Amateur Radio Association has once again come through for us. Can you hear me, Mr. Goldberg?..."

"Yes, Ted. Loud and clear," Barry answers. "Maybe I can explain a few things to our listening audience. First of all, we have to admit that there are such things as monsters and magic. At least now there is. What had once been simply considered science fiction and fantasy do have a basis in customs and beliefs. Nature has a way of dealing with imbalances, such as weather phenomena. This is when hurricanes and tornados occur. People once believed dinosaurs didn't exist but that has been proven wrong by the fossil record. We also really didn't think monsters were possible until today when they were summoned by the evil witch Surturna. I don't know how she did it but she did. Now we have to take what little we do know about these fantastic creatures and try to cope with them. Short of that, we can only hope that their natural enemies and the heroes who protect the world of Japanese science fiction and fantasy also see fit to save us."

"You mentioned the heroes of the genre, Mr. Goldberg," Ted comments. "Is there anything any of you can tell us about them?"

"Only that they must also have been summoned to our real world," Jim Guy Tucker figures. "To be a hero, one's actions must be highly regarded by his or her peers. At times like this, the world needs heroes." Everyone on the program unanimously agrees.

Ted mentions that the monsters and heroes all seem to have originated in Japan. "Could this have something to do with the Japanese fantasy genre having so many of these characters?"

"I think so," Steve replies. "In America, our Indian legends also have great beasts and warriors. I believe that is also true of the European nations and their people." Again, the widely dispersed guests agree.

Dr. Walsh is suddenly struck with a profound revelation. "I'm wondering, though, if Surturna also didn't figure this out and specifically apply her magic to the Japanese dai kaiju - giant monsters - to carry out her evil plot. If that is the case, we must fight them as the Japanese have in their legends and stories." Viewers and listeners who are beginning to doze off during the wordy broadcast suddenly perk up at the thought of a possible answer to their worst mightmares. "Along with the monsters, we at Ogasawara Island have also been studying the Japanese methods and military hardware developed to defend their nation against frequent monster rampages. We have many schematics and scientific data that we can make available to all nations of the world. Scientific and military leaders are most welcome to visit or contact us for any assistance we can provide. As for the invaders originating from other planets, if they were originally conceived in the realm of Japanese science fiction, I'm sure we also have data on them. The Super-Computer Network maintained by the United Nations Science Committee is accessible by all interested parties through your nearest college or university." Walsh receives a handful of notes from an assistant and quickly glances through them. "I've just received an update on which monsters are attacking what areas. I will now describe how they can be repelled so please listen closely as I read off these locations and kaiju. For instance, Peguila can be stopped with a freezing weapon and Kemular has a weak spot between his shoulders which should be vulnerable to heavy caliber conventional weapons. And of course there is the great success RADIO TOKYO and other musicians are having with their disrupter signals against Xian spacecraft. Many monsters are large but relatively slow moving so you should be able to--" Suddenly, the transmission from Ogasawara Island is lost. Ted's engineer shakes his head that he can not re-establish contact. Gabara has successfully avoided the island's perimeter defenses and destroyed the communications tower. Alarms sound in the underground control room but before the security force can respond, the attacker has withdrawn. Surturna does not want the facility damaged as it will come in handy for her own kaiju related projects. "Maybe I will relocate there myself," Dr. Who muses as Dr. Walsh's informative disertation is cut short.

"I'm afraid we've lost contact with Ogasawara Island," Ted Koppel confirms. As he prepares to wrap up the broadcast, he receives another report. "Ladies and gentlemen, I've just received word that a hero fans call Ultraman is also heading for New York. Can any of you tell us about him?" Kevin Grays and Kip Doto have finally been able to reach the Cleveland, Ohio affiliate station and apologize for not being available earlier.

"Hippolit, Berukoron and Aroz decided to trash the place," Kip tells the audience. "Juda and Ultra Father have also renewed their longstanding war with each other."

Kevin adds, "But with the help of Miss Switch's magic, we were able to call the Ultra-Force of M78 to fight these monsters. Ultraman Scott, Ultrawoman Beth and Ultraman Chuck did away with them in short order and hopefully convinced Juda he wouldn't be doing to Earth what the Emperors did to their world a long time ago."

Ted is rather surprised that they have called on beings from another planet to save the world. Kip tries to explain how Ultraman originally came to Earth while pursuing the escaped criminal monster Bemlar. He thoughtfully leaves out the part about him extending his lifeforce to Hayata of the Science Patrol. "Ultraman can be called when he is needed," Kevin assures everyone. "He will defend the Earth when we cannot do it ourselves. As for being from M78 instead of here on Earth, so what? Nearly everyone in America loves Superman who is from Krypton. I also bet that one time or another, everyone watching his shows probably wished they could be like him and fly and fight bad guys. I guess the charm of the Ultra characters is their ability to give dreams to the fans."

Ted Koppel gets ready to sign off. "If those of you still with us would like to make any closing comments or summon other heroes, please go ahead."

Robert Biondi muses, "I thought the only one who could handle our Destroyah problem here in New York was Godzilla. It's definitely encouraging to hear that Ultraman will also be helping us out." Across the country, fans and dispirited citizens under siege stir from their tenuous shelters to step outside and look to the sky. With prayers and new found hope, they call out to long forgotten heroes of their childhood who they now realize have not forsaken them in their greatest hour of need.

Chapter 13: The War at Sea and The Ackermansion

(Hosted by G PROJECT at http://www.gojiworld.org/gproject/witch/witch13.html )

In Beverly Hills, talent agent and manager Mimi Weber and her assistant Lori Jones are trying to escape the horror around them. Their office building on Arby Drive has just been destroyed and there is a running gun battle between the Beverly Hills police in full riot gear and the Red Bamboo, led by the evil Commander Yamoto. They also have to contend with Gargoyle soldiers under the command of the deadly one-eyed Harlequin and the one-legged, buck-toothed Fangar.

The officers are no match for these combined forces which quickly overwhelm them and slaughter them without mercy. One wounded officer tries to radio for help but Harlequin executes him in cold blood with a shot to the head. Fangar sneers at the dead man. "This doesn't bother me a bit!" Harlequin assures the corpse. "I once shot two of my own men just to get to that rotten kid, Johnny Sokko and that blasted Unicorn. Surturna will rule, you pathetic morons!" The evil villain laughs as Rodak's two kaiju, Taron the fire monster and the magnetic monster Magno, ravage the area. Taron roars as he fires his flaming fire breath at some nearby buildings, causing them to explode while Magno viciously attacks a nearby electric power plant.

Lori and Mimi finally manage to double back to Mimi's car and are about to make their escape when suddenly, they are hoisted into the air by a powerful clawlike arm. They scream as they see the car-eating robot monster Crazygon from the Ultra Seven television series open his sliding doors to shred them and their vehicle. As they are about to meet their doom, another metal-like monster appears and grabs their vehicle from Crazygon's gripper. Windom, one of the Ultra Seven capsule monsters, gently carries them to safety and places their car behind a high leafy hedge. Mimi and Lori scramble out and look up at the curious creature. "Thank you!" Mimi shouts. Windom nods his head and turns toward the mechanized killer, firing his forehead ray beam as the two monsters charge each other. The horned buffalo capsule monster Miclas from the series has also arrived and engages Taron as the triceratops-like capsule monster Agira takes on Magno.

Lori asks her employer, "Are these some of the monsters that fan, Lenell Bridges, tells our client, Pam Dawber about when he writes to her?"

"They must be," Mimi replies. "I sometimes wonder if Lenell doesn't believe in them and admire them as much as he does Pam." They watch the fantastic creatures as other people join them in the street, wondering what the world around them is coming to. "Please help us!" Mimi pleads as the three giants who were summoned to the real world by their fans and Miss Switch's magic battle Surturna's forces of evil for control of the Earth.

To the south, Alien Zam and the kaiju King of Mons are turning San Diego into a blazing inferno as they use their weapons to destroy the many military facilities in the area. At the U.S. Naval Base, destroyers, frigates and cruisers are firing their heavy guns at the deadly battle island robot called Ironrocks. This strange undersea ship fires back with its artillery. Aboard the destroyer JOHN PAUL JONES, Lieutenant Allen Miller spies something else emerging from the sea. "Enemy subs off our port, sir!" he warns Captain Ivey Jackson.

"Prepare to fire!" is his commander's immediate response. Allen suddenly recognizes the craft fast approaching their vulnerable position.

"NO!…." the junior officer shouts. "Get us out of here, sir! We're no match for those subs!"

Ivey looks at his young mate in surprise. "Are you out of your mind!?…This is a DESTROYER! At my command, open fire as they surface!"

Allen tries desperately to explain. "But I recognize those subs, sir! It's suicide to take them on! They are the sarcophagus submarines from the lost continent of Mu, from the Toho movie ATRAGON. Their weaponry is far more advanced than any on this surface world! Please! Just get us out of here!"

The captain considers the young officer's fear and decides to change the order. "About 20 degrees. Head for the open sea. Then, engines full ahead." Allen is very much relieved that his superior officer is taking this danger seriously but the bridge crew has its doubts. Even the captain is wondering if he is doing the right thing but Lieutenant Miller is one of his most reliable and respected officers. "Radio all surviving ships to escape to the sea as fast as they can!" he tells the communications operator.

As the U.S. Navy abandons its base, the Empress of Mu watches her flagship's monitor. "Mu lives again!" she declares. "Thanks to our Mistress Surturna, we shall be avenged for our defeat at the hands of the surface dwellers. Mu will be restored to all its glory when her forces conquer the real world! High Priest! Begin the attack!" she orders. The cranky old priest makes a motion with his hand and a crew member throws a switch on the control console. A stonelike statue of the Muuvian god Manda rises from the sub and a red beam shoots from its mouth. The guided missile cruiser LAKE CHAMPLAIN and its accompanying auxiliary craft explode, not being able to evade the deadly undersea attacker. The statue fires again, destroying the PACIFIC PRINCESS in a tremendous fireball.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" The priest laughs. "They deserve death! They defied Surturna! And this time, that accursed super submarine, ATRAGON, is not here to stop us!"

Aboard their destroyer, Allen and the crew watch helplessly as the Muuvian subs attack every vessel remaining in the Port of San Diego. "Good God!" Captain Jackson exclaims in horror as both civilian and military craft are destroyed one after the other. He again addresses the communications officer. "Notify Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Fleet that we need help out here. Find out if any aircraft were able to get away."

The radar operator advises that at least four Tomcats are airborne. "They had been sent out to search for that evil witch's base of operations," the seaman reports.

"Get them back here!" the Captain orders.

"Bravo one five. This is victor two one zero. Return to port. Repeat, return to port!" the radioman relays the command.

Out over the Pacific Ocean, Lieutenant Sylvia Webb acknowledges the transmission and is about to order her squad to San Diego. As they bank, she notices something on her radar that wasn't there before. "Bandits! At 4 oclock!…They're coming right at us!" she warns her fellow airmen. Suddenly, a monstrous beast comes into view. It is a carnivorous monster bird known as Gyaos! All four Tomcats take evasive action as the killers attack.

A young pilot radios in sheer terror, "Shit! One is on my tail!" He tries to climb and escape his pursuer. "Get it off me!" he frantically yells over the radio, vainly trying to outrun the flying kaiju. The Gyaos screams and fires a supersonic beam that slices a wing off his plane. It explodes as the pilot ejects in the nick of time. His parachute opens and he prepares for a wet landing in the ocean. However, another Gyaos has spotted the tempting target and dives at it. The pilot screams as he is swallowed by the monstrous bird.

"My God!…What are these things?" Lieutenant Webb exclaims. The remaining three jets try to escape their airborne hunters and make it to San Diego where the naval craft can hopefully shoot them down. Sylvia glances over her shoulder and sees a Gyaos is now behind her aircraft. The other two planes have pulled up beside her and are out of position to fire on the monsters chasing them. They appear to be doomed as the Gyaos rapidly close in. Suddenly, the one behind her explodes! Then another is blasted out of the sky. A third screeches as a fireball streaks toward it for a direct hit. Below, they see the titanic form of Gamera soaring towards them on jets of fire from the leg holes of his shell. They can only stare in wonder at the giant terrapin.

"I don't believe what I'm seeing," a wingmate radios. "There's a woman, a cat, three kids and a strange creature on the turtle!" The children are happily waving to the pilots as Pigmon jumps up and down, chattering in monster talk. Lieutenant Webb advises their carrier of the situation but is ordered not to engage the turtle. To everyone's surprise, the President of the United States himself comes on the radio.

"We have received word from Daikaiju World that this is the super turtle known as Gamera. He is accompanied by the good witch Miss Switch and the three children who summoned her to the real world. They are proceeding to the evil witch's Island of Fire and Ice. Follow them as long as fuel permits. If you find Surturna's lair, advise the White House immediately." On the advice of the fans of the genre and the Science Patrol, the President has entrusted the world's future to the Japanese heroes and monsters. "Give them all the help you can," he tells the aviators. Lieutenant Webb acknowledges the message from their commander-in-chief and the Tomcats pull into formation alongside Gamera as the assault on Surturna's island fortress begins.

*****

Meanwhile in Japan, millions of people watch and listen helplessly as their beloved heroes and kaiju battle the forces of evil that Surturna has unleashed from their fantasy realm to destroy countries around the world. Unknown thousands fight for their lives as the terrible creatures wreak havoc in lands unfamiliar with such powerful forces. In the Ginza district of Tokyo, worried spectators, including many children, are watching the giant screen televisions that make the creatures seem almost lifesize. They cheer their favorite heroes and monsters as the battles rage in locales they recognize from previously much tamer newscasts. Since Surturna's disrupter signal shut down all Japanese audio and video production equipment, the Japanese news services are relying on satellite uplinks for these reports.

At the Diet, the government is trying to deal with a crisis that is unique to Japan. Many countries' heads of state have had no other choice but to issue official statements accusing Japan of being responsible for the hellish beasts destroying their nations. The U.S. ambassador has been granted an audience to address the august body and assure them that at least his country is entrusting the fate of America, if not the world, to Japan's heroes. Sergeant Mark Obert and his wife Rebecca, who are stationed in Japan with the U.S. military, are also present to assist him with background on the genre. Mark advises him that there are also many fans in the United States and they are concerned about the Deanzillas that have appeared in Japan. Police and JSDF units are quickly dispatched to every television and film studio to defend the production facilities and evacuate civilians from the affected areas.

At the home of Forrest J. Ackerman, one of the few Americans whose widely read FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine has shown respect to the Japanese sci-fi and fantasy genre, there is also much confusion. His California landmark museum is now the only safe haven for many Hollywood stars who were driven from their homes by Surturna's evil hordes. Hundreds of stars and their families crowd within the boundaries of the Ackermansion. Drew Barrymore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Dennis Hopper, Robert Redford, Louis Gossett, Jr., Sean Connery, Robin Williams, Bill Bixby, Denzel Washington, Muhammad Ali, Ron Howard and Gary and Penny Marshall are there. Also, Richard Crenna, Tony Curtis, Charlton Heston, Eddie Murphy, Sally Field, Elizabeth Taylor, Angela Lansbury, Carrie Fisher, Mel Gibson, Jane Seymour, George Burns, Bob Hope, Richard Pyror, Melissa Gilbert, Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor; Sophia Loren, Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Pauly of ABC News, Susan Miles, George C. Scott, James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Harrision Ford, John Ritter, William Stout, Don Glut, Kim Hunter, Kim Basinger, Leonard Maltin, Bob Hope, Michelle Pfeiffer, Gary Lockwood, George Takei, James Doohan, Patrick and Patrick Swayze; Leonard Nimoy, Barbara Eden, June and Anne Lockhart; Bill Mumy, Bill Murray, Karen Grassle, David Hasselhoff, Charles Bronson, Abe Vigoda, Jan Voigt, Mickey Rooney, Nick Adams, Raymond Burr, Andy Griffith, Greg Evigan, Larry Hagman, Erin Gray, Ken Kercheval, Thom Christopher, Gil Gerard, Stephen King, Dabney Coleman, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Mary Steenburgen, Sean Patrick Flanery, Lance Henriksen, Jeff Goldblum and John Woodly. Joan Rivers, Mark Hamill, Bruce Willis, Lee Majors, Farrah Fawcett, Gina Hecht, Kate Jackson, Larry Storch, Lindsay Wagner, Richard Boone, Sondra Locke, Cindy Williams, Gary Coleman, Charlotte Rae, Erik Estrada, Julie London, Christopher Reeve, Lynda Carter, Florence Henderson, Dawn Wells, Sean Connelly, Roger Moore, Lucy Lawless, Rosie O'Donnell, Melissa Joan Hart, Randolph Mantooth, Catherine Bach, Tom Preston, Morgan Fairchild, John Saxon, Kevin Tighe, Michael Landon, Morgan Freeman, Malcolm McDowell and Treat Williams soon arrive. Miss Switch has even called out to the legends of Hollywood's glorious past to appear for their fans and those who seek to follow their legacy. Oprah Winfrey, who was in Los Angeles for an interview, became stranded there when flights back to Chicago were cancelled due to the invasion. Now she is also at the Ackermansion, interviewing Harrison Page, who starred in ULTRAMAN THE ULTIMATE HERO, a U.S. production not shown in the States. He explains his involvement in the genre and asks everyone to put their faith in this fantastic world of heroes and monsters. Many stars are trying to cope with what all has happened in their lives in such a short time as best they can. It is almost as if the area around the museum is surrounded by a magical aura of some kind.

Among the Hollywood elite, the wise Methrusum and the samurai wizard Ekey Suki Mura and his wife Salnata stand out in their traditional garb, along with the dark heroine Jet Black Freia, who is the counterpart of Masked Angel Rosetta. In the distance, the larval Mothra is guarding the mansion as the twin fairies Shinobin of Infant Island sing their alluring songs. They are surrounded by many children of the stars and the immediate neighborhood as well as numerous celebrities. The elf-like creature known as Haneijiro from the Ultraman Dyna series is making other children laugh with his antics as Miko and Lily from the Space Giants play with anxious youngsters to remind them of happier times. Inside, Miko's mother and father, Ito and Tomoko Mura, are being interviewed by Dan Rather of ABC News. They try to explain their involvement in the genre through their son Miko. Unicorn agents and Scrambil troops, led by Hunter (U-9) and Lieutenant Yazawa, assist the U.S. Army standing ready to defend the famous Ackermansion. At another post, the spacewomen Kalara, Miltan and Marsha stand guard with the Turboranger sentai team. Forry Ackerman is helping committee members, who had come over earlier to plan for the upcoming G-FEST, make things as comfortable as possible for the many visitors. "If it wasn't for you fans, all my life's work would probably be destroyed," the Ackermonster tells Richard Pusateri, one of the convention's organizers.

Richard is humbled by the great man's sincere appreciation. "I'm just glad our genre heroes got here in time when we called them. I hope you don't mind us using your computer to keep in touch with other enthusiasts around the world." The great man has no problem putting anything he has at this team's disposal. When everything is working, Richard explains about J.D. Lees, John Roberto and others on their way to New York City with Mecha-Godzilla.

J. Christian Grymyr tries to assure them (and himself), "I just know Godzilla won't be under Surturna's control! He and Ultraman can defeat any six monsters that ugly witch can throw at them!"

Bill Ferguson, head of the Ohio-based Neptune Media company which is co-sponsoring G-FEST, calls his wife Sotoko Yasimura over to show her an email he has just received. "I'm afraid we have more bad news. Our warehouse has just been destroyed by a deadly bacteria called the Hyodozona." He tabs through the text looking for other details of the attack. "It just ate up the building from the inside out!"

Mark Schultz suddenly realizes what is happening. "That bacteria will eat anything! I'll bet the evil Professor Hydra is working for Surturna."

Sotoko then tells them of the G-FORCE reports that came in earlier from Sean Linkenback, Fabian Medina, Greg Cordaro, Barry Kaufman and Michael Giansanti. "The Hyodozona has also destroyed Club Daikaiju, Showcase Collectibles, Outer Limits, the House of Monsters, Applause, Inc., Kimono My House, Creature Feature Productions and Tokyo Kid. It's horrible!" she cries. Richard suddenly gasps as everything falls into place. Mr. Ackerman is still puzzled as to why all the kaiju-related businesses are being destroyed.

"I guess Surturna doesn't want any Japanese related merchandise in this country," the saddened fan replies. "Plus, I think she wants revenge on the fans for calling our heroes to try and stop her mad scheme. As I see it, there will be no monster toys for children to play with or videos of our heroes and monsters in their greatest moments of glory."

As the prospect of a future without these venerable items that have brought so much joy to so many sinks in, the wise wizard Methusum appears in the room. "Do not despair, friend," he consoles Richard. "Daikaiju World and Trendmasters still stand."

With a wave of his walking stick, the computer monitor shows them the besieged New Jersey and Missouri complexes. Suddenly, a strange craft flies across the screen at Daikaiju World. "What on Earth is that?" Mark wonders. The Beetleborg shuttle loops back and fires its forward guns at fleeing Legion soldiers, sending bug parts flying everywhere.

Its maneuverability is uncanny as it barely skims the treetops in pursuit of its prey. "That's amazing!" Richard exclaims as the craft loops-the-loop for a return pass.

"I see!" Mr. Ackerman laughs. "The whole concept of the Big Bad Beetleborgs was based on a comic book premise. Didn't you fellows read those before you had VCRs and other fancy doodads to play your favorite films?" Richard stammers in embarrassment as Forry pointedly grins at him.

"Uh, yeah. I guess we did. And we also would draw all kinds of pictures of our heroes and make up stories about them. Come to think of it, we would even act out some of the most improbable adventures imaginable."

"You see, Richard," Methusum assures him. "It doesn't require fancy toys and gadgets to fire the imagination if the spirit is there. Your fellow fan Scott Walker is flying that ...how do you say it, Forrest...prop job?" he searches for the right word to describe the mock-up that is now one of the most sophisticated aircraft and weapons systems on the east coast.

The high priest of American science fiction fandom gives the old wizard a knowing wink. "A little bit of magic also can come in handy," he adds. With a nod, the monitor returns to its text messages and the wizard disappears.

Methusum returns to his genre friends Ekey Suki Muru and his wife as some of the stars try to get used to his unusual comings and goings. "I can't believe we are being protected by an old Japanese wizard..." Burt Reynolds whispers to his wife.

Tom Cruise agrees. "I played many heroes myself but I've never seen anything like this! It's so wondrous in its own way but it is also so insane!"

Director Jan de Bont tries to assure those still in doubt about their strange visitors' intentions. "These people and the good monsters know what they are doing. It's their job and I have no doubt they are very good at it."

Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr, Robert Dunham and Robert Scott Field, who have met many of their fans at the yearly G-FEST, G-CON and Asian Fantasy Film Expo conventions, agree with him. "We have worked with these characters. If anyone can save the world, they can but you must believe in them!" Mr. Dunham tells them. "If you don't, they will lose and Surturna will win." There is still some doubt as they see Methusum looking at the smoky sky in the direction of Los Angeles. Suddenly, two rockets appear. It is none other than Silvar and Gam, streaking in for a landing. The old wizard smiles as his two servants land with their cargo of passengers. The onlookers are astounded as actress Pam Dawber, her husband Mark Harmon and their children, Sean and Ty, climb out of the rockets. Silvar and Gam also transform back into robot mode.

The wizard walks over to them as everyone stares. "Silvar, Gam….you both have done well. I observed you both, and also Goldar and the others fighting Surturna's evil minions." As the wizard confers with them, paramedics are called to tend Mark's broken ankle.

Jenny O'Hara, an actress who worked with Pam on the sit-com MY SISTER SAM, rushes forward and greets her dear friend with a big hug. "Thank God you all got out of there!" she tearfully tells her. "This whole thing is so mind boggling. And this is apparently the only place that is safe from those awful monsters." Pam is very glad to see her friend again but she also has come with a message. "We owe our lives to a great fan of mine, Jenny. Is there a television crew here?" she asks anxiously.

"Leeza Gibbons of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, as well as Dan Rather and Jane Pauly of ABC news...why?" Jenny wonders.

Pam is very relieved to hear this. "Good! Take me to them. All of Hollywood and the entire world needs to know what we've found out. Sean, Ty, you two stay with Daddy. I'll be back shortly." As Pam follows Jenny, she briefly looks back toward Los Angeles and thinks of Lenell, who may, hopefully, still be alive after saving her and her family. But she knows she must warn the world as soon as possible about what he has told them. Turning away from the horror in the city, she heads for the media representatives at the Ackermansion.

*****

Off San Diego, Lieutenant Miller's destroyer, the JOHN PAUL JONES and a few remaining guided missile destroyers are trying to escape to the open sea. The Muuvian flagship submarine is rapidly closing in on them. "Don't let them escape!" the high priest yells. He doesn't notice a huge wake of water approaching from the north.

The American radar officer advises the bridge crew of what his sonar has detected. "Another sub is closing in on us, sir!" Captain Jackson lowers his head at the prospect of certain doom. The water begins to churn as this new ship appears.

"It's ATRAGON, the super-sub!" Allen exclaims. "It'll save us, sir," he assures his astonished commander. The great underwater battle craft rises on its jets and takes to the air. The captain is stunned by this marvelous vessel.

"A submarine that can fly? Whoever is the captain of it must surely be proud to command such a great ship," the veteran seaman exclaims.

Aboard the Mu sub, the Empress, her high priest and their crew can't believe their eyes either. "Damn those accursed fans!" she fumes. "However, this time we will destroy that blasted ship! Mu will be avenged! Prepare to attack!" the Empress orders.

The crew of the ATRAGON is also preparing for battle, under the command of Captain Shinguji. His daughter Makoto and Admiral Kosumi are also aboard, along with Yoshito Nishible and Susumi Hatanaka, the two photographers who protected Makoto from the Muuvians during their first encounter. The Captain declares, "We won't let this real world be enslaved by the Muuvians or Surturna! Now ATRAGON joins the fight for our fans, the Earth, Miss Switch and the children! Lieutenant, ready the Zero Cannon!" The weapons team responds as the great sub flies toward the Muuvian flagship. The Empress orders her crew to fire the Manda Ray and a deadly beam shoots out at the super sub but misses. ATRAGON is soon in range to use its most fearsome weapon. Captain Shinguji watches through his periscope and gives the order to attack. A freezing mist shoots out of the pointed drill that is ATRAGON's bow and scores a direct hit. The Muuvian ship is soon encased in ice and unable to move in any direction. The high priest is not concerned about their predicament and issues another order.

"Activate the nuclear heating unit!" Agent 23 throws a switch and the vessel radiates with heat, once again slicing through the water. Captain Shinguji is quite surprised that his adversary has been able to thwart the effects of the Zero Cannon. Suddenly, ATRAGON's main video screen flashes on and the Empress addresses him.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" the evil woman laughs. "Surturna's allies have given us the means of making your cannon useless against us, foolish surface dwellers! We shall rule the land and the sea world and destroy you all!" She also gives the captain a challenge he can't refuse. "Now that the odds have been evened up, follow us if you dare!" The screen goes blank as the Muuvian craft submerges.

Makoto is standing next to her father and sees the concern on his face. "Father, we have to stop them!" she cries out. Admiral Kosumi agrees but realizes it could be a trap. They also know that the mighty ATRAGON has been summoned to the real world to perform a vital mission. The Captain quickly makes his decision.

"If we have to destroy the Empress and her evil Muuvian Empire again to save this world, we will do it! Lieutenant! Stand by to dive!" A klaxon blares as the ATRAGON prepares to submerge. Making a wide turn in mid-air, it streaks downward and into the sea, in pursuit of their Muuvian enemies.

On the surface, the Navy crewmen can only stare in amazement. Captain Jackson also issues his orders. "Engine room! Turn this ship around with all guns on stand by. All remaining ships of the Naval Surface Force are to stand by to attack the rest of these enemy subs."

Lieutenant Miller is very concerned about the risk of this tactic. "But, sir! We will be destroyed for sure!"

The stalwart Captain assures his first officer, "We are the United States Navy, son. We don't run when our country is attacked by anyone. Your ATRAGON should remind us all that we have to fight to keep our nation free and safe for all. And this time, the world itself is depending on us! Let's show your friends on that super sub what we can do!"

The bridge crew gives a resounding cheer as the JOHN PAUL JONES goes to battle stations. Allen is still worried about facing their adversaries but shouts, "LET'S GO KICK SOME MUUVIAN BUTT!" All engines are set at full ahead as they return to San Diego where Ironrocks, the battle robot is also causing much havoc.

*****

Out in the Pacific, a very different submarine is anchored off a deserted island. This is the EXPLORER, under the command of Carl Nelson. A small hovercraft is on shore with Nelson, Captain Jiro Nomura, Lieutenant Susan Watson and several crew members who are searching for something in the jungle. "We were instructed to come here by Miss Switch," Commander Nelson reminds his mates. "I just hope Captain Shinguji and the ATRAGON can stop the Muuvians so we can join up with her, Gamera and the Super X-III at Surturna's island."

Captain Jiro asks, "Do you think Doctor Whu is also on his way there with Mechani-Kong to protect her from Gamera?"

"Knowing that international judas, I'm sure of it!" Nelson replies. "And with Rodak and the others assisting him, Miss Switch and even Gamera will need all the help they can get. That's where we come in."

Susan wonders, "Do you really think King Kong is here?"

Carl assures her, "Miss Switch also called him and told us to meet him and the Izumi god King Seesar here. Susan, see if you can call him."

The beautiful young medical officer walks toward the jungle overgrowth and shouts at the top of her voice, "KONG!….KONG!….KING KONG!" She repeats her call but there is no answer. After several more attempts, she rejoins the little group. "I'm sorry, Commander. I would think Kong would answer me. Are you sure this is where we are to meet him?" she asks.

"I'm sure of it!" Nelson insists. "Miss Switch wouldn't be mistaken about where to find him." Suddenly, a well known roar echos over the treetops.

"It's Kong!" Susan happily exclaims. Emerging from the thick foliage, a giant gorilla appears. Eyeing the rather nervous humans, he recognizes his three friends from many years ago, especially Susan. The mighty ape extends his hand down to her and she climbs in, hugging a huge finger. Kong gently raises his palm even with his face and an expression of happiness fills his deep set eyes. Susan tells him, "Kong, we need your help! The real world needs you. Will you come with us?" She points toward the EXPLORER and the sea beyond. The great Kong is more than willing to accommodate his charming beauty but suddenly, another giant beast appears.

It is King Seesar, the ancient god monster who walks right up to the King of the Apes and stands beside him. Kong gently returns Susan to the ground. Two people have also stepped out of the jungle: the Japanese princess Meimi and her grandfather. Meimi is the royal descendant who can call King Seesar and bring him to life in times of need. Her grandfather addresses Carl. "We have been waiting for this call. King Seesar is ready to fight for Miss Switch and the real world."

Commander Nelson bows to the royal family and thanks them. "Now that we have both King Kong and King Seesar here, we have a witch to fight!" He radios the ship, "Stand by to set course for Surturna's island." Carl, Susan, Jiro, Meimi and her grandfather board the hovercraft and head for the EXPLORER. Kong and Seesar easily follow in the water. When the lander has docked, the sub heads in the direction of the Island of Fire and Ice with the giant beasts swimming alongside.

Tales of Monster Hunters

Bernie Doherty, a freelancer for Directors United Entertainment, wasn't exactly looking forward to his present situation. Sure, he had made quite a name for himself when his plane made an unscheduled stop in Japan and managed to get stepped on by a giant monster. He and a few very lucky fellow passengers managed to escape as all hell broke loose in one of the largest cities in the world. This was two years ago and the Western world was under the impression there had simply been a very localized earthquake that brought such destruction to the area. When the local police reviewed his credentials, he was quickly hustled before the sector chief of the Japanese Self Defense Force and "briefed" as to what he should say to his associates when he returned to the States.

At the time, he was supposed to be enroute to Ireland to film a documentary on the absence of snakes there but his equipment had been destroyed in the ill-fated plane. He also had formed a very close bond with an orphaned little boy from the same flight and a woman he met at the hospital they took shelter in. The JSDF was particularly hard up for volunteers to go monster hunting and he had the background and skills they needed. They would gladly arrange for his visa and housing his extended "family" if he would undertake a secret mission to destroy the creature that had attacked the airport. He was soon aboard a boat with a strange mixture of civilians and naval personnel, as well as a device that had the capability of upsetting the world's tenuous balance of power.

About a year after that little adventure, he flew to an island that was like a lost world. Primitive beasts had also attacked a fishing community and even the mainland. A pilot he became close friends with lost his life because of these creatures. Again, it looked like Bernie's kaiju diaries would have to remain unpublished due to the national security concerns of his resident country. But maybe not, if this movie offer he had received was legitimate.

Benjamin Carr was also a little nervous about this particular film project. He would be bringing together (and hopefully, getting on film) two of the most noted monster hunters in modern times: Rex Summeral and Bernie Doherty. Monster Island Entertainment had finally gotten the break they were hoping for when the Sci-Fi Channel approached them about a television mini-series. Ben had come across Doctor Summeral's journals in G-FAN magazine (thanks to Skip Peel) and figured they would translate nicely to television, with the eminent kaijuologist being a modern day adventurer searching for knowledge and fighting monsters. The tales were the most intriguing he had seen since the Cope-Marsh dinosaur hunts, yet mainstream academia chose to ignore his findings. Luckily, science fiction fans did not and Skip saw to it that the latest additions got proper exposure in the United States.

Rex had taken a keen interest in Japanese daikaiju (giant monsters) at an early age and geared his education toward studying them in depth. He got accepted into the Tokyo University doctoral program of the Kaiju Zoology department and soon became the most knowledgeable American scholar of these mysterious creatures. His enthusiasm also gained him access to many places only rumored to exist in Japanese science fiction and fantasy tales. Aaron Osborne had heard of Mr. Doherty's adventures by way of a mutual friend who kept in touch with him, despite the restrictions of the Japanese government.

Nervously pacing about, the two producers waited for their newest stars' arrival. Bernie showed up first at the Topanga Canyon location they had selected for test footage, looking every bit the part of the gonzo journalist he was going to portray on television. After introductions were out of the way, Ben proceeded to flesh out some of the episodes he had in mind, each dealing with a strange monster or alien giving assorted locals a hard time. Bernie's little underground news service would try to investigate (often to the local authorities' chagrin) while Rex would be an independently wealthy scientist/adventurer simply out to catch a monster for his own agenda. "Like a cross between James Bond and Indiana Jones," Aaron explained so they could incorporate various gizmos to cash in on the toy market.

"Sounds good to me!" Bernie agreed when his character had been explained. As a youth, he and his friends had also dabbled in amateur film making so he was right at home on a set. It would also be a nice diversion from the restraints put on telling about his real life endeavors. Soon after, Rex Summeral and his agent arrived and all thoughts of high adventure nearly went out the window. Older than Bernie, Rex appeared to be the quintessential professor, right down to the leather patches on his jacket and conservative bow tie. He let Skip do all the talking, which he was more than happy to do. Skip had teamed up with Rex in Japan when he was looking for an assistant to handle the more mundane tasks of his research, such as securing transportation, visas, lodging and translators for obscure native dialects. Staying in Japan and investigating reports and writings of giant monsters as if they were a part of everyday life appealed greatly to his sense of adventure. And now being involved in a television series, he was at the top of the world. Bernie had meanwhile gotten with the film crew and was blocking out shots for their test scenes when Ben called him over, a worried frown on his usually cheerful visage.

"Bernie, we might have to change things around a little bit. You see that fellow in the tweeds?" he jerked a thumb in Rex' direction. Bernie nodded. "He's your co-star." The journalist's jaw dropped farther than the producers' had.

"What do you have in mind, Ben?"

"How about you be the hero and Rex the reporter guy? I just hope he can project as well on the screen as he does in print." With the outlays they had made to get these folks together, they would have to find some way to make the project work and get their first episode to Sci-Fi on schedule or the deal would be cancelled forthwith.

"Fine by me. I'm not particular." Bernie swapped script copies and settled down in the shade of a truck to study his lines while the make-up/costuming crewman snapped his reference pics. Ben was rather pleased with his solution and headed over to brief Rex on his character, with Skip paying particular attention and even taking notes. When it was Rex' turn to get his profiles taken for make-up and outfitting, Skip offered his suggestions also. Everyone involved tactfully nodded, but only in acknowledgment that they had heard him. The real test would come when the cameras rolled.

With lights and video cameras positioned in their combination motorhome and location studio, Aaron set up the first shot of Rex supposedly being in his office and getting a report of monster activity from Skip, who would be cast as his eager cub assistant. Rex was to intently study the article from a supermarket tabloid and say his lines. After a few flubs, he finally got the words right and they could work on emoting. It was quickly decided that it might be easier if he just did the lines in the scholarly style he spoke in rather than the more common speech pattern Ben had written. This also added a nice touch of class to the performance. As for Bernie, he had little trouble with his takes and was as talented in front of a camera as he had been behind one. Being able to tell his partner, "Let's go find us a monster!" came from his very soul.

After a trip back to town for lunch, they all assembled at the base of a gorge to get reaction shots to seeing the creature which would be inserted into the footage back at the main studio. Rex and Bernie were walking along, looking for signs of their prey when Surturna chose to interrupt their production. The ground started shaking as if an earthquake were gathering itself for a good shake of the Pacific Plate. Actually, it was a giant Meganuron, rising up right in front of them. Bernie grabbed Rex' shoulder and hustled him behind a scrub oak, hoping the creature hadn't seen them. Rex was so intent on acting out his part he didn't even realize what was going on until Bernie pointed to the creature.

"It's...it's...it's a monster!" he finally managed to whisper.

"You got that right," Bernie hissed, wondering where they could hide, or maybe run to. Their vehicles were back up on the road and the creature was blocking their path.

"Stay perfectly still! Maybe it won't notice us," Bernie whispered. Too bad the cameraman didn't hear (and heed) this advice and took off on a dead run up the slope. His progress dislodged some loose rocks, attracting the kaiju's attention. Turning its head and pulling itself clear of the ground, the giant bug curiously eyes the fleeing human as Rex gets ready to warn him. Bernie clamps a hand over his mouth and proceeds to drag him along the ravine to a huge boulder he has selected for their new hiding place. The Meganuron easily grabs the cameraman and devours him as they dash for the rock. Catching their breath, they settle in to play a waiting game with their next move dependent on the monster. It has also taken an interest in the big motorhome and scuttles up the slope toward it. Other members of its hive surface from the hillside and hunt down the scattering production crew. The largest number of new arrivals just wait for them to finish.

"This is not good at all..." Bernie figures.

Doctor Summeral is staring in shock at the huge creatures. "But how could they have possibly gotten so big? They are a subterranean species native to the coal fields of Japan." The mass of insects soon forms up and heads overland toward Los Angeles.

"We've got to warn the authorities!" Bernie figures. "We'll have to split up and get to a working phone." Rex would sooner remain with his more daring co-star but Bernie sets off at a jog down the road, leaving him no choice but to go in the opposite direction. Possibly because of the monster attacks around the country, no one seems to be traveling the scenic area.

Hours and miles later, Rex is tired and alone, wondering how he ever got himself into such a predicament. "I should have taken my professor's advice and majored in Medieval History..." he mutters, not noticing the rental truck coming toward him. Jim Anderson from San Bernadino had heard about what was happening at the Ackermansion and quickly gathered his Godzilla museum collection from his Little Tokyo attraction together. He figured the Ackermansion would be the only safe place for his family and the artifacts. Seeing a lone figure waving at him in the road, he slows down. Rex frantically pounds on the door, babbling about giant insects. "You've got to believe me, mister! They're heading for Los Angeles at this very moment!"

Jim helps him into the crowded truck cab and tries to calm him down. "You actually saw these things? Where?"

Rex explains what happened in Topanga Canyon. "If they reach the city, they will kill thousands of people!" That is exactly what Surturna had in mind when she sent her operatives to Japan to reopen the sealed mineshaft where the bugs lay dormant. With a little bio-engineering provided by her allies at InGen, the Meganurons would be very useful to her.

The Revelation

Back at the Ackermansion, Leeza Gibbons, Jane Pauly and Dan Rather of ABC NEWS have set up a feed with CBS, NBC, Fox and Turner Broadcasting for a live broadcast. Leeza will conduct the interview with Dan providing the background information. The cameraman gives the cue to start. "This is Leeza Gibbons of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT with a special report from the home of Forrest J. Ackerman, publisher of the science-fiction magazine FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. Here with me is actress Pam Dawber. She has requested this opportunity to tell us all something of grave importance. Pam Dawber..." She relinquishes her microphone to the veteran actress who can't help but show the strain of what she has been through. Taking a deep breath, she begins.

"Thank you, Leeza. Hello. I'm Pam Dawber. My family and I barely escaped when our home in Brentwood was attacked by some of the monsters this evil witch known as Surturna has called into the real world. It was her plan to kill us all. We are lucky to be here, thanks to a very wonderful fan of mine. He is also a fan of the strange people and monsters who saved us. We, and a lot of other people, would be dead if it wasn't for them. I have also learned…that this witch is not alone in trying to rule the Earth. I must warn you all, and especially my fellow actors and Hollywood friends…that two men we considered our friends and associates in the movie industry are trying to destroy everything we have worked so hard for over the years. Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich of Tri-Star Pictures are helping Surturna!" Pam's statement rips through millons of viewer's souls like a sharp, cold knife, especially the many stars at the Ackermansion. She continues. "This is true! These two have joined Surturna to destroy Hollywood and the American television and motion picture industry so THEY can control it. They will eliminate us all if they have to! Right now, they are on their way to Japan to take over their T.V. and movie studios. They must be stopped! The heroes and monsters who saved my family came from the wonderful shows and movies created by these companies! They must not be destroyed by this witch and her evil henchmen! I ask my Hollywood colleagues and everyone in the United States to just BELIEVE in them and encourage their efforts. They and their fans are fighting for ALL of us! It was one of their fans who risked his life to save me and my family. I just hope he's still alive. He also convinced me that if we don't believe in them, Surturna will destroy us all!

"Last but not least, a great battle will take place in New York. Both Godzilla and Ultraman are heading there to fight at least six of Surturna's evil monsters. This could very well decide the fate of our planet as we know it..."

The people at the Ackermansion are silent as Pam has to stop her delivery and collect herself. Steven Spielberg tells James Cameron and Alex Cox who are standing next to him, "We must put our faith in the Japanese heroes. They are our only hope." As the message sinks in, many people hearing the report solemnly bow their heads and offer a prayer for the saviors they do not know, other than possibly through faint recollection of late-night giant monster movies from years ago.

*****

Approaching Japan, Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich are in their private plane, also watching the broadcast. Roland wonders how Pam Dawber could have found out about their plans. Devlin curses the television set, angered by Pam's revelation. "Those stupid fans... I'll bet that's how! And now this bitch tells the whole world. But it doesn't matter...nothing can stop us now! We will totally destroy this blasted Japanese genre and their heroes for meddling in our plans." He angerly throws a bottle at the television, smashing the picture tube. "Surturna will destroy them all!" Devlin shouts at the top of his voice before stomping toward the cockpit and ordering the pilot to hand over the headset to the plane's radio. "Devlin to Surturna!…come in!" he calls on a private frequency. At her secret Island of Fire and Ice, the evil witch acknowledges him. "We are about to land in Japan but we have been found out! Those Hollywood stars must die!" he tells her.

"It will be taken care of," Surturna assures him. "A lot of, shall we say, 'bugs' will pay Mister Ackerman's guests a little visit. The evil samurai Orocoo Muru and Death Murder, leading his kaijin army, will be there also." As the witch signs off, one of her guards advises that Rodak, Dr. Who and his party have arrived at the island. "Excellent! Tell them to proceed as planned with the Demon Princess. Also, order the killer ninjas to stand by along the beaches to repel any possible naval assaults. The giant octopus Gezora and the star sea monster Dagarla will team up with Mechani-Kong. We will see if Miss Switch and her friends can survive a visit to my island now! Hee hee hee!" The officer departs to see to his mistress' orders. Surturna uses her huge global display screen and tunes in on her next targets: Texas and Alaska. "The largest states in this country will soon witness my wrath! And what nice natural resources they will provide for my conquering armies!"

Back in Washington, the forces of good have triumphed, thanks to the combined efforts of Giant Robot, Aspeiga, Jumborg Ace, Battra, Kamen Rider Stronger and many others. The nation's capital has been saved by heroes and kaiju from a land many people consider far away and strange in its language and customs. Aspeiga's webbing has immobilized the attacking Gargoyle soldiers and the kaijin of Shocker. Giant Robot and Jumborg Ace stand guard at the White House. As Aspeiga and Battra were getting Surturna's evil minions in check, President Clinton was hearing Pam Dawber's statement to the world. Calling his secretary, he has an important order to issue. "Advise Attorney General Janet Reno to have the FBI contact INTERPOL in Japan. These two men are heading there. They are extremely dangerous and must be found before their plan can be carried out." Clinton then goes over to Captain Muru, Commander Azuma, Chief Korada and Commander Bbina. Shaking Mura's hand, he thanks them all. "You all have saved this country's symbol of freedom and we are indebted to you."

The Science Patrol captain tells him, "It was teamwork that did it, sir. We all put our various differences aside and worked together for a common good."

In the next room, Chelsea is with Junior Science Patrol officer Hoshino (U-6), Mari Hamtomura and (U-7) Johnny Sokko. She tells the youngsters, "Your world must be exciting to be in."

Johnny replies, "It can be, Chelsea, plus it's a lot of fun! But it is also very dangerous sometimes! We all have to fight to keep our world from being conquered and destroyed by our enemies."

As the children talk, Hillary is accompanied by Fuji and (U-5) Mitsuko Heno. She asks the two ladies of tokusatsu a question of her own. "Are there many women like you who do what you do?"

Mitsuko replies, "Yes. There is Silvar, Yullian, Rosetta, Mother of Ultra, the sentai girls...as well as the women of the various kaiju fighting teams. There are also many more. We are all treated with respect by the men. As you can see, there is Johnny, Mari, Hoshino...and Miko and Gam. They are just children but there are no favorites in our world, Mrs. Clinton. Even the kaiju such as Godzilla, Gamera and the others are treated with respect."

Hillary has to admit, "It must be a wonderful genre! I think television here should have more examples like this."

Fuji tells her, "It was our fans who kept us alive here, Mrs. Clinton...that is why we are here now, trying to save your world. The Ultra Family also had to face something such as this ages ago in our universe. But they triumphed against the evil Emperors just like we will win against Surturna." Hillary takes her hand and holds it tightly. Mitsuko places her hand with theirs as a gesture of friendship and unity, hoping the real world, with their help, can win against this evil witch.

To Be Continued