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A pair of red-trimmed off-white butterflies
are found living in the land of Siberia. The
insects are native to Japan, so scientists find
it strange that they would be discovered so far
away from their homeland. In response, an expedition
is dispatched to their habitat, located along
the Kitami River, to discover why the insects
might be living in Siberia. Two members of the
scientific community helm the expedition, but
are mysteriously crushed by something that the
police can only describe as "powerful." The
nearby villagers of the Kitami River insist that
the deaths were a result of the wraith of their
mountain god: Varan.
Further intrigued, a larger expedition is
then dispatched to the area. This time the
investigation is funded by the film company "20th
Century Mysteries Solved", an organization
that seeks to uncover the truth behind the
two deaths to report on it. Staff of the firm
Yuriko and Horiguchi lead the expedition along
with Kenji, a member of the scientific community.
 The expedition travels inland and stumbles
upon a village doing a ritualistic prayer to
their mountain god. The priest of the village
warns the travelers that their presence will
make the monster angry. The warnings fall on
deaf ears, though, and the problem escalates
when Ken, a young local boy, runs out of the
village after his dog. The villagers are warned
not pursue, as the priest explains that such
action would anger the mountain god. Kenji
challenges the priest's warning, asking if
their beliefs are worth endangering the life
of a child. The three members of the expedition
then decide to take matters into their own
hands and rescue the boy. The trio is separated,
however, in the thick fog. Kenji and Horiguchi
return to the village to rally the locals to
help them, telling them their beliefs are little
more than superstition. The villagers, minus
the priest, agree, and head toward the lake
to rescue Ken. Once there, Ken, along with
Yuriko, are discovered. Their reunion is cut
short, though, by the monster Varan rising
from the Kitami River. The villagers flee back
to their homes, but Varan gives chase. The
aquatic monster enters the village, killing
the priest who was guarding the entrance. The
beast then proceeds to tear apart the huts
inside. After the destruction, the monster
retreats to his underwater lair.
Reports of the creature's existence are sent
back to Japan, and the defense force is mobilized
near Kitami River to prepare for the beast's
return. The nearby villages are evacuated, as
tanks and ground artillery units move into position.
Shortly after the evacuation, the military begins
releasing toxins into the river to drive the
monster out. The plan is a success, as Varan
emerges from the water's surface. Phase two of
the SDF's plan is put into operation, as tanks
and artillery units began to unleash their destructive
fury on the monster. The conventional weapons
have no effect, though, and the military is forced
to retreat. Amongst the confusion, Yuriko manages
to get caught under a falling tree, placing her
right in Varan's path. Kenji narrowly manages
to save his colleague, though, and the two seek
safety in a nearby cave. Varan pursues the two,
reaching into the cavern with his claws. Luckily,
the military intervenes, firing light bombs over
the monster's head. Varan becomes attracted by
the light, and climbs a nearby mountain in order
to get a closer look. Once at the peak, though,
Varan raises his arms to reveal hidden flaps
of skins. The creature then leaps from the mountain
and glides off into the sea.
As the next day breaks, Varan's reign of terror
continues as he capsizes a fishing boat not far
from Tokyo's shores. The defense force then remobilizes,
sending a squadron of jets to intercept the creature.
The aircrafts are met with little success, however,
as Varan manages to sink one of them that ventures
to close to the water's surface. Pleased with
his success, the monster submerges and continues
his descent toward Tokyo. The military moves
into phase two of their counterattack, deploying
battleships to the surrounding waters. Unfortunately,
the battleship's artillery has no effect against
the creature. Undiscouraged, the SDF quickly
launches a third campaign to try and stop Varan's
advancement, this time using mine sweepers to
seal off Tokyo. The attack, like the rest, is
met with failure, though.
Out of options, the
defense force again remobilizes its forces to
the area around Tokyo bay, lining the water with
battleships and dispatching a battalion of tanks
near Haneda airport. A large amount of Special
Gunpowder, which they hope will have better success
at destroying the monster, is also readied. Tokyo
is then evacuated, as the military awaits the
appearance of Varan.
 Day turns to night as Varan finally emerges
from the water, ready to attack the Japanese
mainland. The creature is immediately shelled
by the surrounding forces, but that doesn't deter
his advancement on land. Kenji, once again taking
matters into his own hands, drives a truck filled
with Special Gunpowder to the runway of Haneda
airport. Varan advances on the small vehicle,
as Kenji escapes to a safe distance. With Varan
directly over the truck, the detonate trigger
is pulled, causing the aquatic monster to fall
flat on his stomach. The SDF celebrates prematurely,
though, as the beast rises from the attack seemingly
unfazed.
As the battle wages on, light bombs are once again deployed to try and
attract the monster. During this, the defense force
witnesses Varan eating one of the flares. A new
plan is then hatched, as they prepare light bombs
filled with the Special Gun Powder. The bombs
are unleashed, as the monster eats two of them
out of the night sky. Shortly after, the first
bomb detonates, causing the monster to retreat
back to the sea. Varan is too late, though, as
the second detonates just as the creature submerges.
Time passes, and the ocean water is still as
the self defense force declares the creature
dead. |
