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Ch. 160 The Fantastic Four Preparing for Action
🕑 Added 2023-11-20 16:01:01 +0000 UTCWearing Endosymbiotic Battle Armor, Russell and Grendel landed on a nearby island.
Once they touched down on the beach, Grendel, with a demeanor resembling that of a pet dog, displayed a pleasing expression, its large white eyes fixed on Russell.
Russell removed the helmet of his armor, looking at Grendel, whose head alone was larger than his own.
"As a first-generation Symbiote, you can move freely without the need for a host. I want to know if, after possessing a host for some time, you can take on the appearance of the host?" Russell inquired.
First-generation Symbiotes were different from other Symbiotes in several ways. Unlike other Symbiotes, they could move freely without a host, whether on their home planet, Klyntar, or elsewhere. Additionally, first-generation Symbiotes appeared to have the ability to actively choose a form they liked.
While shape-shifting was a shared ability among Symbiotes, the forms taken by first-generation Symbiotes were distinct from those of other Symbiotes. For instance, the form taken by a Symbiote when it possessed a host was likely determined by the host's original form. This rule didn't apply to first-generation Symbiotes, which could freely choose their preferred forms.
"Of course, I can. This is one of the biggest differences between first-generation Symbiotes and others. We can choose our preferred forms according to our likes," Grendel quickly responded.
"What is the limit of your size transformation?" Russell continued.
"Without a host, the size transformation limit doesn't exceed three times my original size. However, with a host, it's not so clear. Different hosts may have different effects," Grendel answered without hesitation.
Upon hearing Grendel's response, Russell quickly compared Grendel's size to that of Godzilla in his mind. Although different versions of Godzilla had varying heights and weights, Godzilla's height and weight had remained relatively stable within the MonsterVerse.
When Godzilla first appeared, he stood at 108 meters in height, weighed 90,000 tons, and had a tail length of 167 meters. Later, when he contended for the title of King of the Monsters against King Ghidorah, his height increased to 119 meters, his weight to 99,000 tons, and his tail length to 177 meters.
Grendel's size wasn't much smaller than Godzilla's. Excluding the fact that he didn't have three heads and had only one tail, Grendel was only slightly smaller than King Ghidorah.
In terms of size alone, Grendel was fully qualified to compete for the throne of King of the Monsters. Adding his Symbiote abilities, Russell believed Grendel wouldn't be inferior to Godzilla and King Ghidorah.
Grendel didn't know Russell's plans for him and looked at Russell with an ingratiating expression.
"Do you know where Hawaii is?" Russell asked Grendel.
"Yes!" Grendel nodded, responding promptly.
When Knull, who controlled Grendel's body at the time, read the memories of five or six S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and Hydra soldiers, he learned about Hawaii and its location.
"I want you to go to Hawaii first. There will be two Earth-native monsters appearing there. Try to engage them in a fight when the opportunity arises. You don't need to win; just test their strength," Russell instructed Grendel.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Grendel responded with utmost seriousness.
"That's enough for now. You go ahead, and I will continue to contact you through the communicator," Russell said. Afterward, he put his helmet back on and ignited blue-white flames from his feet.
Under Grendel's watchful gaze, Russell flew at high speed in the direction of New York City. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from Grendel's sight.
After Russell's figure completely vanished, Grendel flapped his massive wings and headed towards Hawaii.
New York City.
Baxter Building.
Mr. Fantastic Reed and the other three members of the Fantastic Four gathered in their laboratory, observing the radiation signal they had just detected.
Although Mr. Fantastic Reed hadn't arranged spies like Russell did within S.H.I.E.L.D., as a highly intelligent superhero, he had his own sources of information. In simpler terms, he had invented a special signal collector that could capture unconventional abnormal signals worldwide via satellite.
Godzilla and MUTO, these enormous life forms emitting strong radiation, couldn't escape detection.
"Last night, there was an unusual nuclear radiation signal and electromagnetic pulse signal detected at the abandoned nuclear power plant in Japan."
"I initially thought it might have been a secondary leak caused by an earthquake at the nuclear power plant. However, after conducting more detailed satellite scans, I discovered this."
As he spoke, Mr. Fantastic Reed displayed a holographic screen showing a massive signal source.
Just as Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, was about to ask what it was, the signal source on the screen gradually became clearer. Soon after, an enormous creature, resembling a heat signature observed through infrared imaging, appeared on the screen.
"What is that?" Ben Grimm, the Thing, rumbled.
"I don't know. What can be confirmed now is that this is a massive creature, nearly a hundred meters tall."
"More importantly, this massive creature is currently heading towards the United States."
Mr. Fantastic Reed stated while displaying the creature's movement trajectory on the holographic screen. Although the creature's path wasn't entirely straight, it was evident that its destination was Hawaii.
"I contacted a friend who works for a secret government agency. He told me that this creature is highly likely to be a prehistoric giant that existed before human civilization."
"In simpler terms, this massive creature, which emits strong radiation, is likely to have been Earth's ruler before the appearance of humans."
Mr. Fantastic Reed's tone was calm, but his expression was incredibly serious and earnest.
A prehistoric giant suddenly appearing was an unbelievable piece of news, even in an era of emerging superpowered individuals.
"As a superhero team, I think it's necessary for us to go there, find out the truth of the situation, and prevent this unknown prehistoric giant from harming the people of Hawaii."
"I've prepared an aircraft. If everyone agrees, we can depart in half an hour."
Mr. Fantastic Reed finished speaking and locked his gaze onto Johnny Storm, the Human Torch.
"Why are you all looking at me?" Johnny asked immediately.
However, just as he finished speaking, he saw both the Thing, Ben Grimm, and his sister, the Invisible Woman Susan, looking at him simultaneously.
"Alright! This is a team mission, and I will absolutely follow the team's arrangements without taking unauthorized actions. Is that okay?" Johnny surrendered, raising both hands in a resigned manner.
Upon hearing his response, Mr. Fantastic Reed and the other three turned their gazes away from him.
Just as they were about to leave the laboratory, the Invisible Woman Susan suddenly suggested, "Shouldn't we inform the Justice League? If this massive creature is indeed a prehistoric giant that existed before human civilization, we may need to coordinate with more forces."
