In 1965, a plane of unknown origin or intent was carrying a nuclear warhead, when it suffered engine failure and crashed in the Arctic, its cargo detonating. While a calamity in and of itself, the immense blast stirred something. From the ice, an ancient beast of incredible power awakened. Tales passed down through generations of the indigenous people of the north told of such a beast...GAMERA.
While it was assumed Gamera would succumb to radiation poisoning, it had instead absorbed the otherwise lethal radiation unharmed. Consumed it. After disappearing beneath the waves, the monster surfaced in Japan, seemingly targeting heavy industrial structures. He caused explosions as he tore through the air-choking complexes, scarfing up the fires that ensued. The more fire he sparked, the more he consumed, the stronger he became.
Artillery fire had little effect on the walking fortress, but with a few precision strikes, Gamera was toppled onto his back. Even with his articulated shell and bipedal anatomy, his struggles could not put him right. The collective sigh of relief that he was defeated was cut short, as the kaiju pulled in his limbs, head, and tail. From the "spurs" on his arms and legs, he emitted intense jets of fire, causing his large form to right itself, then ascend into the air, spinning faster and faster - Gamera was capable of flight! The onlooking soldiers and scientists were left in complete awe as Gamera disappeared into the sky.
Elsewhere, as evening drew in, Toshio pedaled his bicycle to the old abandoned lighthouse. He frequented this place, always catching glimpses of the distant ships as they headed to and from the wide open ocean. This time, he was secretly hoping to catch a glimpse of Gamera.
Much to his shock, his wish was answered, as the massive turtle rose out of the water, with thunderous crashes as its feet struck the shallows of the beach. The old lighthouse, even in its decrepit state, had withstood many a crashing wave and roaring wind in its time. But most assuredly, it was not designed to withstand THIS. The boy knew this too, as he began to turn and run as Gamera's thundering footsteps grew closer. Finally, the structure had enough, and it began to yield to the monster's presence. Toshio clung tightly to a handrail, which broke free and swung out and dangled him over the edge of the rocky shore the lighthouse was perched upon. There was little he could do aside from cry for help as his grip gradually weakened...and failed.
He most assuredly would have perished had not a giant, scaly hand splayed below him and cushioned his fall.
Gamera...saved him...? Or perhaps found his next meal? For a brief moment, their eyes locked.
Instead of being devoured in a single gulp - as anyone would have anticipated upon finding themselves in the clutches of a such a behemoth - Gamera gently set the boy down. With what felt like a stern, but reassuring glance, the beast turned and calmly slipped back into the ocean. Regaining his composure, the boy noticed a glowing, comma-shaped object in his hand...
As he watched the massive carapace submerge under the blanket of waves, Toshio hopped on his bicycle and rushed home.
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