VS.
Arena:
Author: UltimateDitto
Word Count: 3,664 words
Posted: August 19th, 2017
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In the secluded military base known as Area 51, far beyond the barb wire fences and into the mountains of the Nevada desert, two people rested against one of the large mountains, staring into the starry night sky. From afar they looked like normal people, a man and a woman, however, a much closer look showed that they were far from normal. Giants, that's what they were; humans who once lived a normal life before experiencing an event that would change those lives forever.
Nancy Archer, a woman who encountered a being from outer space and was forced to adopt a new lifestyle, life as she knew it crumbled around her, being backstabbed by her “husband”, and ending the lives of the people she despised. The military soon got their hands on her and managed to keep her secure in a large containment area, there she recollected her thoughts and became mellow once again.
One year before Nancy's encounter with the extraterrestrial, the military's very own Colonel Glenn Manning was at a test site for the world's first plutonium bomb detonation right in the Nevada desert. He and his men were ordered to stay in the trenches, however, a civilian plane crashed by the test site and Manning went to save the pilot inside. The plutonium bomb detonated, vaporizing anything outside the trenches, except for Glenn. From then on he became the giant he was today, captured by the military and forced to regain his bearing.
“Oh, how I would like to go for a couple gallons of cold beer right about now. How about it, Manning? Let's make a special request,” Nancy chirped happily.
Glenn continued to stare into the sky, looking at the moon shining down on the gargantuan duo, he then answered sternly.
“No amount of beer in the world can take my mind off of the fact that I am nothing now except a monster.” Glenn noted, shifting his gaze.
Nancy turns her head to face Glenn. “I didn't want to drink to forget. I wanted us to have a little fun. Two giants under the moon, drinking to our heart's content.” She replied firmly, not wanting to argue with Manning. Those tend not to end well.
“Even if I said yes, do you honestly believe they would give it to us? Especially with your drinking problem? Not a chance.” Manning said.
“It isn't that bad, besides, I haven't had a drop in ages! It's terrible.” Nancy humorously responded, smiling at Glenn.
“The only thing worse than a giant is a tipsy one,” Manning chuckled. “I do admit, water gets old after a couple months, at least the food is decent.”
As the two continued to chatter, a jeep made its way to the duo, there a soldier stepped out and used a megaphone to project his voice to be heard better. Nancy and Glenn ended their conversation and looked down on the small man.
“Well, hello there handsome, what can we do for you?” Nancy asked in a flirtatious manner and waving her hand.
“What do you want?” Manning replied coldly.
The young blonde soldier’s cheeks turned red in embarrassment at Nancy's compliment, but also felt pressured as if Manning's glare was crushing him.
“Ma’am, sir. The General would like for you two to report back to base. He says he has a mission for you two.” The soldier said.
The two look at each other and follow the jeep, deeper into the desert. Once in position, the two stand beside each other with the soldier behind them. Carefully, the wind blows the sand away, revealing a large circular platform that descends slowly. Archer and Manning remain still, their grim faces looking forward. Lower and lower the three descend, lights flickering for moments at a time. The soldier sneaked peeks up Nancy’s bed sheet skirt every chance he got. As they reached the bottom, a large door slid open. Light enveloped the dim elevator, and the two giants made way for the vehicle as it drove past them. The young soldiers face completely red as he drove forward, workers staying clear of the vehicle as they do their work. The two giants step onto a platform that begins to move them down a huge corridor. Everyone stops to admire the enormous man and woman standing before them. People on balconies look up from their papers as they stare in amazement, and those on the higher balconies were lucky to make eye contact with Glenn and Nancy.
As they travel onward, a small plane hovered close to Glenn Manning, mildly annoyed by the whirring sound. The man piloting the miniature drone was a General with a silver handlebar mustache and silver hair slicked backwards.
“Hello, Colonel, what do you think of my new antigravity personal aircraft? It's amazing what a trade with aliens can get you,” The General cheerfully stated.
Nancy was very impressed with the hovering mini-plane, looking at the nifty neon blue rings pulsing from the bottom. “Holy cow, it looks like the future has arrived early! That is absolutely fantastic, General!” Archer chirped happily.
The General smiles. “Thank you Ms. Archer. Cheer up Manning, you look like someone spat in your oversized cereal bowl.”
Glenn growls but seems to have forgotten that people could hear him plenty of yards away. Catching his mistake, he immediately goes silent. The General stares the man down, not intimidated by Manning's big, amber eyes. Making a right turn, another door opens revealing two humongous airplanes, the two giants eyes widen, looking at each other.
Nancy asks the General hesitantly, “Sir... Are we being r-released?”
“Well, not exactly,” the General retorts, “Let me tell you a story. A few years ago, a large marine dinosaur was spotted in the waters near New York. Attempts to kill the beast we're futile. The only thing we succeeded in doing was releasing an ancient virus from within the monster’s blood; a virus humanity had no way of fighting. Those unlucky to catch the virus, there was no chance of survival.”
“Why are you telling us this?” Nancy spoke softly as her hands covered her mouth.
“I think I see what you want us to do. You want us to try to put it down. A helicopter can't lay hands on such a beast, but we can.” Glenn Manning said, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple.
The General turned towards the planes and began speaking again. “Over the years, our scientists cracked the code and created a vaccination for said virus. We gave you the shot last month in preparation for this day. You two are safe, as well as people around the world. The president of the United States has requested for your help and you two are going to give it to him. What do you say?”
Glenn was contemplating the idea of saving lives. That was the reason he became a hulking monster in the first place, the reason he lost his fiancé and career in the military. Now he was confined to the same place that ruined his life, and he grew bitter and depressed with every passing day. That was until Nancy came into his life. Although she had not been blasted with plutonium, whatever happened that night caused her to grow rapidly, much like himself. She too lost many people, her glamorous life coming to a screeching halt, something they conversed to each other about often. When the weeks flew by, they felt one another build each other up again. She wasn't perfect but it felt good to have her by his side, even when they argued over trivial things, it felt like it was just him and her against the world.
As soon as the General finished his question, thoughts began to race through her mind too. Fighting a living dinosaur? She couldn't deal with a stray cat, let alone a towering titan. She started quaking, but remembered that she was no ordinary woman. She glared at the floor, remembering that she had strength that only her and Glenn possessed. Perhaps this was a chance at redemption, saving many lives to make up for the ones she took. Nancy looked up at the General with intense eyes, refusing to let her fear take control.
“Count me in General; I’ll do what I can to help those poor people.” Nancy said with a powerful voice.
“I’ll stop this monster sir, for New York and every soul in it.” Glenn said proudly.
“In that case, let's load you two up and ship you off to New York!”
The people of New York we're going about their daily lives, people eating in cafe's, driving in taxis, and of course working like there was no tomorrow. However, it seems that a force from a time long forgotten was about to rear its ugly head and bring New York to its knees.
Sharp spikes break through the water as they slice through the waves toward New York, boats are pushed effortlessly as large brownish green claws slam atop the harbor, pulling itself out the waters. Rhedosaurus rears its head into the midday sky and unleashes a hellish roar that caused people near the area to freeze in terror. Scouting the area, Rhedosaurus drools at the prospect of dining on humans. Seeing some prime candidates turn a corner, the beast gives chase like a raging crocodile, shaking the ground with each step.
The General's static radio voice is heard through each plane, Archer and Manning staring at the ceiling. “Our scientists have given this fossil the name Rhedosaurus. Don't show this thing any mercy, it must be taken out at all costs. Understand?”
“Yes sir!” Both giants barked, trying to envision the beast that they were shown photos of.
“Good. Be careful you two, I still might need you in case another threat rises. God forbid.” The General hangs up leaving only the sound of the plane to fill the duos ears.
“Okay sir, we are overhead New York City, we are going to drop you two off in the ocean. It’s safer that way,” the pilot said to Manning as he prepared to open the hatch. “Can't even drop me off on land? I sure do love being a damn giant!” The Colonel mumbled with sarcasm and irritation.
Soon after, Manning is sucked out the plane and land feet first into the waves like a bullet, reaching the bottom and propelling himself through the lukewarm water. Pulling himself out if the waves he breaths in the salty air, thinking to himself that maybe killing the monster will rid him of his frustrations, knowing that he had saved lives, like he had originally intended to do.
Not too far away, Glenn sees Nancy come out of the waves, holding onto her clothes as she sits atop the harbor, her hair had lost some of its curly fluff, but managed to save most of it. Looking around, she spots Manning and jogs towards him. The two meet halfway and begin their game plan.
Screaming crowds of hundreds are drowned out by an even louder roar. The giants look down the large street, the golden sunset shining in their eyes. Glenn runs to the harbor and pulls a freight boat out of the water and drags it along the ground. Nancy follows Glenn's lead and the two make off with their boats. Rhedosaurus wastes no time in turning the defenseless people of New York into quick snacks. Purring with delight, the beast prepares for another swoop of his mouth to crunch on meat and bone.
The monster’s concentration is broken as a sharp pain shoots through its back. Roaring with a jolt of surprise, the dinosaur turns around and spots Glenning quickly backing up, holding the boat in his hand like a baseball bat. Confused at the sight of a large human, Rhedosaurus gives off a warning to leave him alone. Glenn doesn't budge. Rhedosaurus, taking Manning up on the challenge, charges the big man on all fours, ready to tear into the Colonel.
“Come on you oversized gecko, make my day!” Once the reptilian was in range, Glenn swung his boat and smacked Rhedosaurus directly in the temple. Staggering around, the big lizard stared, dumbfounded at Manning. Snarling at the oversized man, Rhedosaurus raises itself on its hind legs, wanting to pin Glenn to the asphalt. Acting swiftly, the Colonel dashes for the large dinosaur and thrusts the boat into its gut. Using all his might, he manages to topple Rhedosaurus, planting him firmly on his back. Manning beats Rhedosaurus like a piñata, large welts forming along the belly of the beast. Putting as much force into the last blow, Glenn Manning strikes the head if the monster, the boat snapping in half. Rhedosaurus groans in irritation as he felt the discomfort along his belly, flipping himself over. His golden eyes glare at Manning with intense hate. Now he was determined to not only kill this being, but also make a meal out of him. Glenn throws the remains of the boat at the snout of the living fossil, bouncing off and hitting the pavement with a thud. Glenn puts his fists up and preps himself for combat, ready to use his military training to deal with the monster. Rhedosaurus rises to his hind legs again, swinging its right arm in an attempt to claw off Manning’s face. Ducking, the swing misses and the Colonel strikes a large welt with his right fist, Rhedosaurus groaning in frustration and agony. Using that to his advantage, Glenn beats the dinosaur with a flurry of fists, making sure to strike each welt, each contact point bursting with the creature’s blood. Going for a left swipe, Rhedosaurus brings down his clawed hand. Seeing the incoming strike, Glenn grabs onto the reptilian’s wrist and slows down the attack. But now unable to counter the next one, a right claw tears into Manning's back. The giant yells in pain, retorting with a firm kick to the monster’s stomach with all of his might. Rhedosaurus stumbles back, landing on all fours, waiting for his foe’s next move.
A few blocks away, Nancy watched as Glenn tangoed with the beast. Nancy saw the opening she was waiting for and threw a handful of cars at Rhedosaurus, bouncing off his hide. He shifts his gaze at Archer, with her boat bat ready for the offensive. Rhedosaurus, recalling his last beating with the bat from moments ago, let out a blood curdling scream that stops Archer in her tracks. Taking the hesitation as an opportunity, the dinosaur crawls to her. But Nancy stood her ground, lucky that the plan was working. Rhedosaurus had taken its attention off of Manning and was now fixated on Nancy. Glenn swiftly scales the living fossil and wraps his arms around the neck, attempting to choke out the lizard. Rhedosaurus retaliates by slashing at Manning, drawing blood. Gritting his teeth and pumped with adrenaline, Manning temporarily relies on his primal instincts and bites into the loose skin around the beasts neck. Roaring in discomfort, the dinosaur claws into Manning's arm again, this time coming dangerously close to bone. Contaminated blood started oozing out of the neck as Manning continued to bite deeper into wound. Nancy closes the gap between her and bashes the skull of the reptilian repeatedly, staying clear if the sharp claws, thinking of a way to be free its assailants. Rhedosaurus rolls onto his side, allowing its weight to freely crush the man suffocating him.
“Oh no, Glenn!” Nancy cried as she saw Glenn disappear beneath the mountain of flesh that was Rhedosaurus.
Rolling over Glenn, Rhedosaurus makes it back to his feet trying to regain its bearings. Nancy relentlessly beats Rhedosaurus with her boat, blood trickling down the monster’s head, until the makeshift bat finally snaps. Using her fists, she strikes the face of the beast, trying to lure it into attacking her head-on. The dinosaur had a different plan, however. Snapping forward, Rhedosaurus twists his head and clamps down onto Nancy's sides, sharp teeth sinking into her flesh, blood spurting out of her wounds. Her giant body was tough and difficult to tear apart, but the agony was initially overwhelming. Instinctively, she bashes and pummels Rhedosaurus in the snout with her bare hands.
Not working in her favor, Nancy stretches her hand out, hoping to gouge out the right eye of the deep-sea beast. Slipping her feminine fingers between the armored eyelids and gelatinous eye, she shoves it deep into its eyesocket, stabbing it with her nails. With a series of animal-like yelps, he releases his grip on the giant woman. She backs up a bit and clutches her sides. A terrible wound that hurt like hell, but she could still fight. She scans to see Glenn rise back to his feet, seeing the horrible gashes he was inflicted with. Meeting together, the two watch Rhedosaurus put its right claw down, showing that blood was leaking from the eye that Nancy punctured with her nails, blinding the right side of the dinosaurs face.
Glenn gets into his stance. “How are you feeling, Nancy?” Asking as he stares down Rhedosaurus.
“I’ve felt better. My wounds are starting to heal now.” Nancy replied as she smeared her blood on her skirt.
“Grab his tail; I’ll deal with his mouth.” Glenn responded.
“You got it. Please, be careful.” Nancy replied as she strikes a fighting pose.
Rhedosaurus roars and charges once again. Nancy jumps out of the way, allowing Glenn to charge Rhedosaurus head on. The amazing, colossal man swings a heavy right uppercut into the jaw of Rhedosaurus, and then follows up with a quick jab to its snout with his left fist. The enormous reptile was about to bite down before it felt a tug on his tail. Nancy, calling upon every ounce of strength she had, hollers her battle cry and lifts the massive dinosaur off the ground, spinning him around as if she was doing the hammer throw in the Olympics. Manning watched in awe, impressed by the feats of his frailer partner spinning the fifty-thousand ton monster. Finally letting her grip go, Rhedosaurus groans as he flies into a nearby building, the structure crumbling and burying the monstrosity.
Nancy stood staring at the pile, panting and sweating, with veins bulging from her tan arms. She looked on and began laughing in amazement at what just accomplished. Her laughing ceased when a snouted head poked out of the rubble and let loose an awful roar. Slowly, Rhedosaurus clawed his way out of the rubble. Glenn looked at the monster, amazed at its stubborn tenacity and persistence. He stood beside Nancy and the two prepare for the inevitable. Rhedosaurus detects a hefty tanker truck and picks it up with his maw, teeth puncturing the tanker, seeping oil through the container. Rhedosaurus stares the duo down and tosses the whole vehicle at them.
Glenn reflexively pushes Nancy out of the way, scraping against another nearby structure, as Manning takes the brunt if the explosion! Unable to react in time, his whole upper body goes up in flames. The blast spurs a massive fire around him, even burning Nancy's back side as she felt the stinging sensation radiate. She rises to her feet and gasps, seeing Glenn stumble out of the explosion. He managed to block part of the left side of his face, leaving the right side horribly disfigured, his right eye completely vaporized from the eyesocket of his exposed skull. Nancy’s eyes started to well up with tears as she held Glenn in her arms. She watched as Glenn succumbed to unconsciousness, both falling to their knees.
“Oh God please no! Glenn, stay with me please!” Nancy wept as she pulled the burnt giant’s face close to her heart.
She watched the flames dance in front of her; it looked beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Reality made itself known when she heard a baritone war cry coming from the other side. Rhedosaurus was avoiding the flames, staying clear of the fire. Nancy moved Glenn to a safe spot away from the fight and looked for some sort of weapon to use. She noticed a large, rectangular billboard and pulled it off the building it came from. Rhedosaurus came into full view, its body charred. It didn't anticipate that the thing it threw would combust, nor that it would be caught up in the flames. Nancy felt no remorse for the monster anymore, as she ran and swung the billboard at the burnt neck, trying to decapitate the dinosaur, or at least inflict some damage. The billboard was not sharp enough, but did manage to scrape open the wounds on the frail, charcoal-colored neck, causing more blood to spray out of the wounds. Lifting the board up, she slammed it down on the head, cracking its skull and spewing more blood from the wound.
The monster finally dropped onto its stomach and stared at Nancy with hateful eyes before finally breathing its last breath, closing its eyes and awaited death. Nancy stared for a while, her rage subsiding as she started feeling empathetic for Rhedosaurus. It wasn't his fault, it was brought into the modern age against its will. If it was just left alone and never bothered with in the beginning, none of this would have happened. Focusing her attention on Glenn, she carefully inspects him.
Still alive.
A wave of relief washes over her.
Soldiers watching from afar contact the General and inform him about the events that transpired.
“Got it, bring in some air support and pick those two up, and I want medical assistance for Manning ASAP! Understood?”
“Yes sir, understood.” The soldier replied.
“Don't you worry Glenn, I know they’ll fix you. Please you're all I have left; I don't want to lose you too.” Nancy said softly as she lay beside Glenn, waiting for their pick up.
Spoiler:
