“In an unprecedented and devastating event, the supervillain known as 'King of the Sea' has unleashed a catastrophic attack on Tokyo, resulting in widespread flooding and seismic activity that has effectively sunk the city into the ocean. The aftermath of this calamity has left the world in shock and mourning, as the bustling metropolis now lies beneath the waves.

The assault began with a series of powerful underwater tremors, which experts believe were artificially induced by the supervillain's advanced technology. These quakes, measuring up to 9.0 on the Richter scale, caused massive structural damage to buildings and infrastructure across Tokyo. As the ground shook, fissures opened up, and entire neighborhoods were swallowed by the earth.

“Simultaneously, 'King of the Sea' unleashed a colossal tidal wave, towering over 30 meters high, that swept across the city. The sheer force of the water obliterated everything in its path, from skyscrapers to residential areas, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos.

“The human toll of this disaster is staggering. Initial estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, with many more injured or missing. Emergency services are overwhelmed, and rescue operations are ongoing, but the scale of the devastation has made it incredibly challenging to reach those in need. Survivors are facing dire conditions, with limited access to clean water, food, and medical supplies. Temporary shelters have been set up, but they are overcrowded and under-resourced. International aid is pouring in, but the logistics of delivering assistance to a submerged city are proving to be a monumental task.

“The environmental consequences of this attack are equally severe. The flooding has caused widespread contamination of water sources, leading to concerns about waterborne diseases. Marine life in the surrounding areas has been disrupted, with many species facing immediate threats due to the sudden changes in their habitat. The long-term impact on Tokyo Bay's ecosystem is still being assessed, but experts warn that the damage could be irreversible. The introduction of pollutants and debris into the ocean has created a hazardous environment for both marine and human life.

“Tokyo, a global financial hub, has suffered catastrophic economic losses. The destruction of infrastructure, businesses, and homes has brought the city's economy to a standstill. The Tokyo Stock Exchange remains closed, and major corporations headquartered in the city are grappling with the aftermath.

“Insurance companies are bracing for an unprecedented number of claims, and the Japanese government is facing the daunting task of rebuilding one of the world's largest cities. It is unlikely to happen soon. Honshu as whole has split into pieces with some parts more underwater than others. The economic ripple effects are expected to be felt globally, as Tokyo's role in international trade and finance is significant. They are expected to deny all claims that don’t have specialized insurance for large scale villain attacks.

“The attack has also sparked a political crisis in Japan. Questions are being raised about the preparedness and response of the government and security forces. There is growing public anger and demand for accountability, as many feel that more could have been done to prevent or mitigate the disaster. While heroes were quick to the scene after a few minutes, it took much longer for them to deal with the villain. Ultimately ending with the man diving deep into the ocean. Efforts to apprehend 'King of the Sea' are intensifying. International law enforcement agencies, including Interpol, are collaborating to track down the supervillain. The attack has highlighted the need for enhanced global cooperation in combating supervillain threats.”

0-0-0-0-0

Starting to build a suit was fairly easy. I already had the jumpsuit stored away. It did a great job of copying the tights of comics. All I had to do was give a manufacturing company my size information and they quickly had the underlayers I needed in a week.

The other parts of my suit would require more time and more self-assembly. That also meant more time working to pay for it all. It was nice when work used to cover all of my expenses, but we had both moved on to other things. I didn’t think it was for the better, but it wasn’t my decision to make. For now, while I estimated costs and searched for suppliers I would have to wait for a paycheck and do my best to design a suit that could withstand the kind of travel and work I would be putting through. I would not only be traveling to untouched lands to build myself a home and base, but I would have to do it myself as well. The suit would have to be sturdy and able to deal with the construction I expected to work on. The base also needed to be designed and priced out. It would probably be a bit small but fit for everything I needed it to be.

I spent the next few days scouring the internet for suppliers and manufacturers that could provide the necessary components for my suit. I needed durable materials that could withstand the harsh conditions I would encounter during my travels. I made a list of the essential parts: a helmet with a reliable oxygen supply, reinforced gloves, a utility belt, and a backpack capable of carrying all my tools and equipment.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

After hours of research, I finally found a few suppliers that could deliver what I needed. I placed orders for the materials, making sure to specify the exact specifications and deadlines. The total cost was substantial, but I was determined to make this work. More courier shifts were added to the schedule.

While waiting for the materials to arrive, I turned my attention to finding a place to live. I needed a location that was affordable, accessible, and had enough space for me to work on my suit. After browsing through several listings, I came across an older apartment building that seemed to fit my requirements. The rent was reasonable, and the landlord was willing to negotiate a short-term lease.

I visited the apartment and was pleased to find it had a decent-sized living room that could double as a workshop. The kitchen was small but functional, and the bedroom was cozy enough for my needs. The building itself was old, but it had a certain charm to it. I could imagine myself living there, surrounded by the tools and materials I needed to build my suit.

I signed the lease and moved in immediately. The first few days were spent unpacking and organizing my tools and equipment. I set up a makeshift workshop in the living room, using a large table as my primary work surface. As the materials began to arrive, I started assembling the various components of my suit. I of course wouldn’t be assembling it at the apartment, but most of the supplies were shipped to the apartment if I couldn’t buy it directly from a shop. Being able to easily travel to find cheaper suppliers of materials did help drop the cost.

The process was slow and meticulous, but I was determined to get it right. I worked late into the night, fueled by coffee and my determination to make this dream a reality. As the days turned into a week, my suit began to take shape. I could see the progress, and it motivated me to keep pushing forward.

My next stop was purely sentimental rather than for a real function. Anything I needed could be bought or stolen. I teleported to the old neighborhood in an out of sight spot and walked down the street toward the house. Knocking on the door my mother answered shortly after.

I stood at the door, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. It had been a long time since I'd seen my mother, and the familiarity of the old neighborhood was both comforting and unsettling. She opened the door, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in my appearance. I could see the questions in her eyes, but she didn't ask them. Instead, she smiled and stepped aside, allowing me to enter.

"Naomi, it's been so long," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "Come in, dear."

I stepped inside, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me. The house looked exactly as I remembered it – the same furniture, the same decorations, the same smell of fresh-baked cookies wafting from the kitchen. It was as if time had stood still.

"Hi, Mom," I replied, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil inside. "I just needed to grab a few things from my old room."

My mother's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't press the issue. "Of course, dear. You know where everything is."

I nodded and made my way upstairs, my mother following close behind. As I entered my old room, I was struck by how small it seemed now. The bed was still in the same place, the desk was wiped clean but still held pictures in frames and old knick knacks. But my eyes were drawn to the window, where an old, fancy telescope sat perched on a tripod.

My mother noticed my gaze and smiled wistfully. "Your father got that for you, remember? You two would spend hours looking at the stars together."

I felt a pang of sadness at the memory. My father had been a kind and gentle man, always encouraging my curiosity and sense of adventure. His death had been a blow, and I still missed him dearly.

"Yes, I remember," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

My mother continued to reminisce, telling stories about my father and me, about the times we'd spent together as a family. I listened, trying to be polite, but my mind was elsewhere. I had so much to do, so much to prepare for. I couldn't afford to get caught up in the past.

As she talked, I began to gather the few things I needed from my room – some old clothes, a few mementos, and a small box of keepsakes. My mother watched me, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and concern.

"Naomi, what's going on?" she asked finally, her voice soft but insistent. "You're not telling me everything, are you?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. I didn't want to worry her, but I couldn't lie to her either.

"I've had to move, Mom," I said, trying to be vague. "I got a new job, and it required me to relocate. That's all. It’s what I do."

“You’re right. As long as you are doing alright. That is all that matters.” My mother's eyes narrowed, but she didn't push the issue. She nodded and continued to chat, asking me about my new job and where I was living now. I answered her questions with mostly true responses, trying to deflect her concerns. She might have thought I was driving a truck instead of teleporting and working with a thousand boxes at a time instead of one, but the gist of things was accurate.

As we talked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. I was lying to my mother, hiding the truth from her. But I knew I had to protect her, had to keep her safe from the dangers that lurked in my world. Maybe in another lifetime it would have been her I had to finally confess my powers to instead of him, but now he was dead, and my secrets kept in a government vault. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I finished gathering my things. I hugged my mother tightly, trying to convey my love and gratitude without revealing too much.

"I have to go, Mom," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "I'll come back and visit soon, I promise."

My mother nodded, her eyes shining with tears. "I love you, Naomi," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I love you too, Mom," I replied, feeling a lump form in my throat.

I grabbed my box, not forgetting to put the telescope on top. I collapsed the tripod and held the simple tool in my hands for a few moments. My exit didn’t stretch on much longer. My mom watched me leave. I walked down the suburban street for a bit longer as I reminisced over the memories of the neighborhood and my first experience as a superhuman in that old room. Only a bit longer and I would be able to recreate it.