The Russian Giant's Return

    By Kevin1230san Stewart

    The Russian Giant's Return cover image

    28 Aug, 2023

    John Marston, a rough and rugged cowboy, was sitting across from Momo Kawashima, a young Japanese high-school girl, in a bar. They were enjoying their drinks until the bar's door burst open startling them.

    A hulking figure in prison garb towered in the doorway. It was the infamous Kirk Sokolov, the Russian Giant, back from prison. His menacing grin sent shivers down their spines.

    "I'm back, bastards," Kirk's voice boomed through the bar. The customers gasped at his audacity, but the barkeeper just sighed and continued cleaning his glasses.

    The barkeeper, a middle-aged man, in a stern Japanese accent stated, "No fighting in my bar. Fight outside". The warning seemed to bounce off Kirk's broad shoulders.

    Kirk, ignoring the barkeeper's command, lunged at John and Momo. He swung his arm wide, giving them both a clothesline. They were knocked over the bar stools.

    As chaos erupted, the door slid open again. Two Japanese soldiers, in crisp, army fatigues, entered the bar. Their commanding presence momentarily silenced the crowd.

    “What’s going on here?” one of the soldiers asked. His stern gaze locked onto Kirk, who was standing tall amidst the chaos. The bar fell into an eerie silence.

    John, recovering from the sudden assault, picked himself up and glared at Kirk. He said to the soldiers, "Kirk Sokolov, straight from prison to wreak havoc again".

    The soldiers tightened their grips on their batons. "That's a serious accusation, Marston," one soldier responded, "We need to verify this." The tension in the bar was palpable.

    Momo, trying to break the tension, stepped forward and spoke to the soldiers, "There's no need for verification. This man attacked us without provocation".

    The soldiers looked at each other, then back at the towering Russian. "All right," one of them concluded, "Sokolov, you're coming with us.".

    To everyone's shock, Kirk laughed. "I'd like to see you try," he said, cracking his knuckles. Battle lines were being drawn in the bar, and the air was thick with anticipation.

    "You were warned, Sokolov," said the soldiers, moving towards Kirk. John and Momo could only stand back and watch. A dangerous confrontation was about to start.

    As the two soldiers closed in, Kirk lunged at them. Despite his size, he moved quickly, catching the soldiers off guard. The fight had begun in earnest.

    Amidst the chaos, John and Momo slipped outside the bar. Their shoulders brushed against each other as they moved swiftly and silently into the night.

    Kirk was left fighting the soldiers while the duo plotted their next move. They couldn't just stand by—they needed to do something about Kirk.

    Momo turned to John. "We need help," she stated, her eyes filled with determination. John, looking at her, knew she was right, but couldn't figure out who to call.

    Suddenly, an idea struck John. "I know someone who can help—the cavalry," John said, pulling out his cell phone. He dialed a number and waited for the person to pick up.

    "We're in trouble. We've got Sokolov on our tails," John said into the phone, his voice tense. There was a pause, and then a reassuring voice came from the other side.

    While John was making the call, Momo kept watching the bar. She saw the two soldiers getting overpowered by Kirk. She clenched her fists, feeling helpless.

    "Help's on the way," John finally said, closing his cell phone. Momo turned to look at him, hopefulness returning to her eyes. They just needed to buy some time.

    Suddenly, Kirk burst out of the bar. He was bruised but still ready to fight. John and Momo froze, knowing they were in for another round.

    Just as Kirk charged towards them, the sound of sirens filled the air. A flurry of police cars appeared, surrounding the area. The cavalry had arrived.

    The police's arrival evened the odds. They quickly subdued Kirk and took him into custody. Relief washed over John and Momo as they watched from a safe distance.

    As Kirk was taken away, he shouted promises of revenge. John and Momo didn't waver. They stood their ground, knowing they had come out on top.

    Later, back in the now quiet bar, John and Momo raised their glasses. "To prevailing against giants," John toasted. Momo smiled, clinking her glass against his.

    They were not just survivors but unlikely partners, brought together by circumstance. They had faced the Russian Giant, Kirk Sokolov, and lived to tell the tale.

    And so, their night in Oarai, Japan, became a story of endurance and bravery. A story of an unusual alliance and a common enemy, the Russian Giant's return.

    As they sat in the quiet bar after a long, eventful night, John and Momo found solace in each other’s company. They had survived a challenge and had come out stronger.

    In the end, they were content, knowing they had helped put a menace back behind bars. They were ready for whatever new adventures the future might bring their way.

    With the Russian Giant back in prison and peace returning to Oarai, John and Momo knew they had made a difference. They had stood up against a threat, and won.

    As the dawn broke, they finally stepped out of the bar, leaving the ruins of the past night behind. Their story of bravery and resilience was etched in the heart of Oarai.

    And so, as the sun rose on the small town of Oarai, a new day began. For John and Momo, it was a day of victory, resilience, and newfound camaraderie.

    Their story was a testament to the power of unity in the face of a common enemy. A story of an unlikely friendship between two very different individuals, a cowboy and a schoolgirl.

    As they walked away, their silhouettes against the rising sun promised many more adventures. The town of Oarai, after the Russian Giant's return, would never be the same.

    The Russian Giant's Return