Rating: T for slight language, intense action/creature violence, disturbing images, etc.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with King Kong, or anything else for that matter. So please don't sue, I don't have much to give except for six tattered Harry Potter books and a fat rabbit.
Pairings: Ann/Jack, little to no fluff
Author's Notes: Thanks so much for the reviews guys! I didn't expect such a response from just my little prologue! It means a lot to me and I will definitely continue (and try to finish) this.
So here's the first official chapter, I hope you enjoy it, and please keep up the reviews!
Return to Skull Island
Chapter One
"You what?"
"I want to return his body to Skull Island," Ann repeated sternly, straightening up as she looked Carl in the eye. "You legally own the rights to him now, and he's no good to you dead. I think it's the right thing to do."
Carl rubbed his chin thoughtfully as his eyes flickered from Ann to Jack, standing quietly in the corner. "What about you, Jack? You wanna go back to the dinosaur and people-eating bug island to return the monkey?"
Jack glanced up at the smaller man before looking towards Ann, who stared back, a 'Go on, tell him you agree with me' look planted on her face. "Well..." he started, striding forward a few steps to stand next to Ann. "What can you really do with the body of a giant gorilla, Carl?"
"Sell it!" Carl exclaimed, stepping forward. "Sell it to a museum! Get it stuffed and put on display! It'll be worth hundreds!"
"Stuff him!" repeated Ann, appalled.
"Yeah, stuff 'im!" said Carl, his eyes glinting. "Money makes the world go 'round, sweetheart; you gotta make do with what you got! This monkey is going to make me a very rich man!"
"You... you..." cried Ann, striding forward to waggle a finger threateningly in Carl's face. "You're the real monster! You and everyone else that only saw Kong as a mindless beast... just, just a thing to make money from! But he was real, Carl! He had feelings and - and thoughts and you took that away from him and brought him here and made a mockery of him!" Pausing a moment to glare at Carl, Ann stomped out of the office, slamming the door behind her.
Jack and Carl stared at each other. "Carl," Jack started, but the man held up a hand to stop him. "Don't start Jack, she said it herself, I own this monkey and it is not going back!"
"Are you really going to get him stuffed!" exclaimed Jack. "Come on Carl! You've made enough money with your little show," he waved a hand dismissively. "Just give Ann the damn gorilla!"
Carl was on the brink of hysteria now. "No, no, no! Don't you get it Jack? Why would you want to return to that island! That - that godforsaken island," he gave a hollow laugh. "I mean, god man, we could be in this together! Can't you see it? The playwright that risked everything for a taste of adventure and helped capture the beast!" A far-off dreamy look appeared in his eyes.
"That's enough Carl!" snapped Jack, slamming his hand on the desk. "All you care about it money! Don't you have any compassion! Any feelings? Ann is right, that so-called monster was more human than you are!" He strode towards Carl, fixing him with a dangerous glare. "Now we can go and tell the people what really happened. How your hero, Bruce Baxter, was nothing but a coward. How you lied to us and risked out lives just to get your damn movie." He snorted, looking off to the side, "Singapore my ass." Giving his head a shake, Jack looked down at Carl once more. "So are you with us or against us?"
Carl's beady eyes flickered back and forth, his forehead slightly sweaty. "All right, all right," he muttered, mostly to himself it seemed. "This could actually work." Striding past Jack to stand behind his desk, he started to mutter to himself, almost like a mad scientist, plotting his next experiment. "Beast-master Carl Denham shows compassion, bravery, another excursion to the dreaded Skull Island to return the fallen beast."
He looked up at Jack, looking positively mad. "I'll do it!"
---
Ann sighed to herself, squaring her shoulders as she marched up the ramp onto the familiar ship, the SS Venture. "'Evening, Miss Darrow," said Jimmy, tilting his hat at her as she stepped aboard.
"Hello Jimmy," smiled Ann. "Nice to see you again."
Jimmy was one of the only two shipmates from the previous voyage who had agreed on another trip to Skull Island, the other being Captain Englehorn, because, well, it was his boat. Ann felt slightly sorry for the boy as she made her way to her cabin; she supposed he had nowhere else to go.
A knock sounded at her door, and she glanced up from her suitcase, which she was beginning to unpack. Jack stuck his head inside the small room, offering a small smile. "Carl's gathering everyone in the kitchen. He wants to address everyone before we take off."
Ann gave her head a disapproving shake. "I still can't believe you agreed to let him accompany us."
"It's the only way he would let us take Kong back," Jack explained, stepping inside and slowly shutting the door behind him.
Ann sighed. "I know, but still..."
"I know," echoed Jack, coming to place a hand on her shoulder. Ann turned to look at him, their faces only inches apart... Jack leaned forward and -
A knock sounded on the door and they quickly pulled away as Jimmy stuck his head inside. "Carl's calling everyone together, are you guys coming?"
"We're on our way," answered Ann, glancing at Jack.
Once everyone was gathered around the table, Carl stood up, glancing at everyone. "Alright men... and lady," he added, glancing at Ann, who glared in return, still disgusted at his behavior and attitude towards Kong. "I have to warn all of you who haven't been to this island before. Skull Island is home to monsters your eyes have never seen. Dinosaurs, insects the size of houses... this trip holds nothing but peril and danger." He paused, perhaps for dramatic effect. "If any of you are having second thoughts, I suggest you get off this ship immediately."
Everyone glanced at each other, some men looking quite apprehensive, wondering if the pay that they had been offered was worth it. But when no one stood up, Carl grinned, clapping his hands. "Alright then!" He nodded towards Englehorn, who left the room, and sounds of the engine being started soon filled their ears.
"Now, like I said," continued Carl, his eyes flickering to each and every one of the shipmates. "This island - it's like nothing you've ever seen. If you have any questions, or - or need help with anything at all, come to myself, Jack," he nodded towards Jack, "Miss Darrow," he gestured towards Ann, "or, if none of us are around, Jimmy." He pointed at Jimmy, who beamed.
A silence settled over the group. Carl clapped his hands again. "So if there are no questions, I suggest you all get settled in your cabins! It's going to be a long ride!"
---
Kat Warrior1: My first review - woot! As soon as the movie ended, I was just sort of like, "Now what?" Upon arriving home I quickly logged on to to see if there were any King Kong fics, which there were, but none of them really addressed what happened to Kong after the movie. And I've always loved writing action/adventure fics, so it was a perfect opportunity to write a "return to the island" story. Thanks tons for taking the time to review!
Victoria: Aw, thank you! I'm not sure exactly where I'm taking the story, haha. I know how it starts and I have an idea of how it ends, but I think I'm probably going to be making up the middle as I go along. Thanks so much for reviewing, I hope you keep it up, hehe.
The Ventus Alchemist: Thanks! Hehe, glad to know that people like my story and I'll try to update as much as possible!
LordLanceahlot: Yes, I shall! Thanks so much for reviewing, even just a few words to let me know that I have readers, it means so much to me.
pirategirl87: You like my style of writing? Aw, thank you! Hehe. I tried to update quickly, hope it was satisfactory, lol. Thanks so much for reviewing (and reading!), please continue! Hah.