Skullcrawler:
Not much is known about these bloodthirsty predators, but their evolutionary purpose is abundantly clear: The Skullcrawlers exists to devour, destroy and dominate. Subterranean in nature, the Skullcrawlers spend most of their time deep underground, but regularly resurface to hunt and feed. The Skullcrawlers have an extremely fast metabolism; just as a shark must keep swimming to survive, the Skullcrawler must keep feeding, dislocating its own jaw bone in order to maximize its ability to swallow anything that crosses its path. These predators also have a long, prehensile tongue that they can use to snatch and devour small prey quickly, or use it to constrict and choke larger prey. And just like some species of snake, Skullcrawlers have an ability to sense the heat of hot-blooded creatures over long distances. Once the Skullcrawler has picked up the scent of prey, the warm blood in the creature's veins is like blood in the water. The Skullcrawler's nostrils resemble eye sockets, a tactic designed to threaten prey, suggesting a sadistic nature of these creatures.
Already two days have passed, and Rapunzel, Eugene, Cassandra, Lance, Hook-Foot, Pascal, Maximus, Fidella, and Shorty had spent those days in the Iwi village. They were accompanied by a priest named Angeal and his gentlemanly Sker Buffalo, named Jim. Angeal and Jim showed the heroes and heroins their way through the village, they showed them the ways of the Iwi and how their society worked. Frankly, the heroes/heroins were more or less impressed by the fact that the Iwi were able to thrive in such a dangerous ecosystem, filled with countless dangerous predators that would love nothing more than to make light snacks of them.
Rapunzel already explained to Angeal of how she spent 18 years of her life in a tower, and used by Gothal to selfishly keep herself young, and how Eugene rescued her.
Things had also gotten surprisingly better for them, as the heroes/heroins were able to interact with the Iwi more often, and with positive results. They showed the Iwi people their own weapons and culture, and how to defend themselves better. Some of the tribe people even began occasionally speaking to them. Rapunzel showed Pascal to some of the Iwi children, demonstrating his color-changing ability to them, much to their amazement and joy.
At night, the Iwi people would often do a ceremony dance, as a way to honor Kong. Rapunzel even occasionally joined them in their dance, as he had also saved her from the Skullcrawlers. Of course, Eugene, Cassandra and pretty much everyone else passed on that.
...
Later the night after the last dance was over, everyone went to sleep. The Iwi led the heroes/heroins to their own personal huts for the night; Cassandra had her own personal hut, Lance and Hook-Foot had to share one with each other, with Shorty sleeping above their hut. Maximus, Owl, Fidella, and Jim slept outside, and finally, Eugene, Rapunzel and Pascal slept in their own personal hut.
But something was now quite right with Rapunzel, as she was unable to sleep due to having some nightmares about her past. Deciding that she needed some fresh air, Rapunzel quietly got up and made her way out without waking up anyone.
Once she was out side, Rapunzel looked at the star-filled night above her in wonder — the most dangerous places in the world were also the most beautiful.
"Having trouble sleeping, Rapunzel?" The young Princess jumped back in fright, and sees Angeal standing behind her calmly.
"Don't scare me like that, Angeal! You almost-" Rapunzel paused before realizing something. "Wait. Why aren't you asleep." She asked curiously
"Because I heard you getting up." He said as he walked up to her. "I am a priest, it is my duty to offer confessions to others. You can tell me anything you want."
Rapunzel looked down and hesitated for a moment, but eventually spoke. "I'm... I'm having nightmares about a past sin I did."
"Do tell."
"I had a good friend named Varian." Rapunzel began. "He was a very nice person and helped me out a lot, but then... something happened." Guilt began building up as she continued. "Something bad happened to his father and he needed my help, but I was already facing another problem of my own — one involving my parents. I made a promise to him before, and I always thought when I make a promise, I'd never break it. But boy was I wrong." Rapunzel said quietly. "And when I turned my back on him, he wanted revenge and tried to kill my mother and friend. I know it was his own choice to make, but I think I'm the one to blame for leading him to that dark path."
Angeal stayed calm for a moment before beginning to speak. "Life is not so simple, Rapunzel. When you chose your freedom, you also accepted the dangers and consequences of life, both the physical and mental ones. Life and freedom are harsher than one may expect, they can cause you to make decisions you never thought you were capable of — like breaking promises. The ultimate goal in life is to resist corruption, for the harshness of life can corrupt even the purest souls. You have to be strong-willed Rapunzel, for those who resist corruption will be blessed by God. You have to move on and never lose hope; Kong himself has suffered the harshness of life at a very young age, and he is still strong today. Varian, I'm afraid, has already fallen to the darkness, but there is still hope, for even if one is corrupted, they can still be redeemed and brought back to the light to receive God's blessing."
Angeal then placed a hand on Rapunzel's shoulder and smiled. "You have to be strong, Rapunzel. God will be watching you."
This, in turn, caused Rapunzel to smile back at him. "Thank you, Angeal. This really made my day — or night, in this case."
"Since we're all alone now, I think I should inform you on something." Angeal said as he looked around.
"What's that?" Rapunzel now asked in confusion.
"Come, I'll show you." Angeal said as he wandered off, followed by Rapunzel.
The next day, the heroes/heroins got up, ready to start a new day on Skull Island. The Iwi had already provided them with breakfast in the form of fruit and fish, much to their delight.
"Alright, just two more days and we're out of here." Cassandra said as she stretched herself.
"I now crown you The King of Cuteness!" Rapunzel squealed as she places a leaf-made crown on top of Pascal's head, much to the chameleon's discomfort and embarrassment.
Maximus, on the other hand, was bursting with laughter at Pascal's humiliation — but quickly ceased when he realized that Jim was standing next to him. While the Sker Buffalo was not angry, he certainly was disappointed at Maximus, as he shook his head in disapproval. Pascal smiled, happy to know that the Sker Buffalo still respected him and disliked it when others made fun of him.
"It is time we leave the village to go find food." Angeal said as two Iwi warriors packed themselves, ready to go outside the walls.
"Wait, you actually go outside the walls?" Lance asked with (understandable) fear and worry.
"How else are we suppose to provide the village with food?" Angeal asked. "No reward is without risk."
"Maybe we should go, too!" Rapunzel suddenly suggested, causing everyone to look at her is shock.
"Are you nuts?!" Lance exclaimed in disbelief. "You saw what's out there! With all the giant spiders, flying sword-birds, and two-legged lizard monsters!" Lance momentarily stops when he said the last line, and looks down to see Pascal, who he himself is a lizard, glaring up at him. "Hehe. No offense, Pascal." Lance grins sheepishly, making Pascal roll his eyes.
"I gotta' agree, Raps." Cassandra said. "There's too many dangerous creatures out there, not to mention we have to keep a close eye because these things can hide in plain sight." She said, recalling their confrontation with the Mother LongLegs, when the giant arachnid almost made a meal of Rapunzel.
"I know, I know." Rapunzel said optimistically. "But we have to help them somehow after all these people did for us. Plus, are any of you getting a little bored here?" While many people would agree it would be better to stay in the village in regard with the all the predators outside, Rapunzel was not 'many people'.
"Let's see, go outside and possible get eaten by vicious monsters, or stay behind in this boring but safe place. I'm weighing my options." Lance folded his arms.
"Come on, Lance. Like Angeal said, no reward is without risks." Rapunzel said with playful smile. "Plus, we can defend ourselves pretty well. I mean, we have swords, spears, hooves, frying pans, and a giant buffalo!"
Lance sighed. "I hate it when I'm wrong." he admitted.
The heroes/heroins (with the exception of Shorty) finally left the Iwi village to go find food outside, accompanied by the two Iwi warriors, Angeal, and Jim. Rapunzel herself felt free to finally leave the village after being there for a full two days.
The group ventured deep into the uncharted, dangerous rainforest, but so far, so good — there were no signs of predators at the moment, though letting their guard down may still be a fatal mistake. Finally, after some more searching, the heroes/heroins discovered a pair of exotic fruits hanging from the branches of a very tall tree.
"Can you guys take it from here? We kind of need a rest." Eugene said as he sat on a nearby fallen log, joined by Lance and Hook-Foot.
Cassandra sighed while Rapunzel playfully shook her head before turning to the tree. Using her long hair like a climbing rope, the adventures Princess threw part of her hair and wrapped it around a very thick branch. After pulling on the branch to make sure it's safe, Rapunzel began climbing the tree until she reached the fruits.
"Catch!" She exclaimed as she took the fruits and dropped them on the ground, where they landed right in Cassandra's hands.
"Got'em!" Cassandra exclaimed.
Satisfied, Rapunzel safely climbed back down. "Well, that was rather easy." She said.
"Looks like we're done here." Eugene said. "Now we can-WOW!" The former thief was cut off mid-sentence when the log they were sitting on suddenly began moving and shaking, throwing all three men off of it!
"What the—?!" The handmaiden exclaimed.
As the heroes/heroins turned to look at the seemingly-living log, said 'log' sprouted six long and muscular legs from its trunk, while a head with black eyes and mandibles emerged from one of its ends. This 'log' was no log at all, it was a giant, carnivorous species of insect named the Spore Mantis! Though despite its name, the creature was actually more closely related to the stick insect family. It's body was perfectly designed to look like a fallen log as a way to camouflage itself in order to ambush prey, or evade predators.
The Spore Mantis turned its attention at the trio of men who sat on its back, and starts approaching them while making clicking noises with its mandibles. The Spore Mantis was agitated that they had the nerve to sit on its back white it was sleeping.
"What the heck is that thing!?" Eugene exclaims as he, Hook-Foot, Lance, and Cassandra pulled their swords, preparing to fight the giant insect! But before anyone could take any action, Jim suddenly steps in between the heroes and the Spore Mantis, his massive horns pointed at the carnivorous insect. The Spore Mantis tries to get past the Sker Buffalo, but Jim simply moves his horns, blocking the Spore Mantis from reaching Rapunzel and her friends.
Jim gives the giant insect a stern glare, a clear warning to just move on. The Spore Mantis tries to intimidate Jim with a loud hiss, but seeing how much bigger and stronger the Sker Buffalo was it compared to itself, the Spore Mantis wisely turns around and walks away in search of easier prey.
Everyone sighed in relief.
"Thanks, Jim." Rapunzel smiles, earning a respectful nod from the Sker Buffalo.
"That, everyone, was a Spore Mantis." Angeal said. "One of the many creatures that inhabit Skull Island."
"Even after learning about the creatures of this island, we still fell for its disguise." Cassandra comments, putting away her sword. "Just goes to show how on-guard we have to be around here."
"Man. Surviving on this island is a though job." Eugene muttered.
"Yeah." Rapunzel agrees. "Imagine how much difficult it would be if Kong wasn't here to protect them?"
"I think that giant bug would be our cue to go back." Lance fearfully said.
"Indeed." Angeal nods. "We got what we came for, and I believe it is high-time we get back."
The other couldn't agree more; surviving on an island filled with bloodthirsty predators is though as it is, there is no need for them to push their luck any further.
...
Ten minutes later, the heroes/heroins were making their way back to the Iwi village, still keeping a careful observation of their surroundings for any potential predators that may be hiding in plain sight. If their encounter with the Mother LongLegs and the Spore Mantis was anything to go by, it is that nothing was as it seemed on Skull Island. As they carefully navigated their way through the dense jungle, everyone suddenly began hearing strange sounds coming from an unknown location. The sounds almost sounded something like someone yelling 'rouk'.
This instantly placed everyone on edge, as they stopped in place and were immediately on guard.
"Angeal, you're the expert on this island; what creature makes that sound?" Cassandra asked, quickly pulling her sword.
"If that sounds is what I think it is, it is almost certainly a Death Jackal." Angeal said, pulling his own claymore sword. "And if there is one thing to fear about Death Jackals, it is that they never come alone."
The sounds 'rouk' began to intensify, signalling that whatever creatures were making them are coming closer. Everyone had their weapons ready, and waiting for whatever these 'Death Jackals' were to come out. Then, all of the sudden, the 'rouk' sounds ceased, and everything became quiet — perhaps too quiet. Two minutes passed... until a large creature resembling a dromaeosaur dinosaur suddenly leaped from a nearby bush with a roar, intending to pounce on Cassandra first! Luckily, the handmaiden thought fast and quickly jumped out of the way before the Death Jackal could sink its teeth in her.
"Watch out!" Cassandra's warning came too late as the Death Jackal sent Hoof-Foot flying with a swing from its musculus tail! Screeching loudly, the Death Jackal turns its attention to Eugene and leaps to attack him next. Fortunately, Jim, using one of his horns like a baseball bat, swings his head and smacks the Death Jackal away from his friends, sending it smashing into a tree.
Recovering quickly, the Death Jackal hisses at the heroes/heroins... and that is when even more Death Jackals emerge from the bushes! There was now over twenty Death Jackals in total, and all were hungrily looking at Rapunzel and her friends.
"They look hungry..." Lance gulps, pulling out his sword.
"You don't say." Cassandra sarcastically quips.
The alpha Death Jackal lets out a loud roar, singling the other Death Jackals to attack. As the Death Jackals came charging at the heroes, Jim quickly puts himself between the Death Jackals and his friends, using his massive horns as a shield. While the Sker Buffalo manages to hold of some of them, other Death Jackals went passed him and tried to attack the group.
Maximus quickly turns around and kicks a Death Jackal with his hind hooves, followed by Fidella, who did the same to another one. Rapunzel manages to clamp the jaws of another predator shut using her long and indestructible hair, temporarily immobilizing it. The others, Cassandra, Eugene, Hook-Foot, Lance, Angeal, and the Iwi warriors, all did their best to fend off the attacking Death Jackals with their weapons. But despite their best efforts to repeal the savage beasts, the Death Jackals are proving to be far more difficult to combat than the other denizens of Skull Island.
"There's too many of them!" Cassandra exclaims while using her sword to shield herself from the jaws of a Death Jackal.
"I've noticed!" Eugene comments, struggling to fight a Death Jackal of his own.
As Rapunzel is struggling to fight off the predators along with her friends, Pascal suddenly notices something in the distance - and that 'something' happens to be a very large cave. Seeing this, Pascal pulls on Rapunzel's hair, alerting her to the cave's existence. "Great idea, Pascal!" She pets him on the head with her finger. "Everyone! There's a cave!"
Noticing this, everyone else quickly stops their fight with the Death Jackals and begins running for the cave as fast as they could! Jim uses his horns to swipe as many Death Jackals as he could out of the way, giving the rest of the group a safer access to the cave. With speed and agility equivalent to that of a leopard, the Death Jackals pursued their quarry into the cave relentlessly!
Once inside the cave, the groups runs deeper and deeper, until...
"It's a dead end!" Cassandra exclaims. Much to her and everyone else's horror, the end of the cave was blocked by an impenetrable wall, with the only exit now occupied by the ravenous Death Jackals! The heroes and heroins were cornered, with their only option left being to fight their way through. But even that would be considered a stretch.
"Hook-Foot, in case we don't make it, I want you to know that I was the one who ate your blueberry pie last week." Lance said solemnly.
"Wait, that was you!? You said it was Maximus!" He points at the white horse, who promptly turns and glares at Lance.
Right now, only a miracle would save them. Although, that wouldn't be too far fetched...
Out of nowhere, and without any explanation, a gigantic hand suddenly enters the cave and snatches a hand-full of Death Jackals before crushing them! And just like that, half of the entire pack was gone! Whether it was out of fear or aggression, the remaining Death Jackals raced out of the cave... only for a giant foot to come down and crush them like ants! In as little as 15 seconds, all of the Death Jackals that were terrorizing the heroes were gone, reduced to a white paste.
Although naturally shocked and dumbfounded by what just happened, Rapunzel, Eugene, Pascal, Cassandra, Maximus, Jim and Angeal instantly knew to who those giant limbs belonged. Cautiously, Rapunzel, with Pascal on her shoulder, made their way out of the cave, followed by the rest of the heroes. Words could not begin to describe with what their eyes made contact with once they exited the cave.
Their rescuer was none other than Kong himself, who stood just outside the entrance of the cave! Even if it wasn't their first time meeting him or interacting with him, Rapunzel and her friends couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, amazement, and wonder at the sheer size of the giant ape, who was well over 31 meters tall.
"That's one big monkey." Lance whistled, understandably stunned since this was his first time meeting Kong, much less meeting him this close.
"Heh. That's Kong for you." Cassandra smirks and folds her arms, looking up at the giant ape with respect.
Much to the surprise of the others, Angeal, Jim, and the Iwi warriors kneeled down and bowed their heads before Kong, to show their respect.
"You too, Angeal?" Eugene asks.
"Of course. Kong is a god on this island." Angeal responded, his head still lowered.
"Makes sense." Cassandra shrugs.
Upon examining them closer, the Protector of Skull Island immediately recognizes Rapunzel, the young woman he saved from the Skullcrawlers seven months ago, as well as Eugene, Cassandra, Pascal, and Maximus, along with Angeal and Jim. Although he did not recognize Lance, Hook-Foot, or Fidella, Kong could somehow tell that they were friends with Rapunzel, or at the very least acquaintances with her.
"Hey there, big guy!" Rapunzel calls out cheerfully, waving up at him. "Remember us?"
Kong looks at Rapunzel with a somewhat stern, but peaceful expression. It has been quite a long time since someone greeted him in such a cheerful and enthusiastic manner. Even the Iwi that worship him addressed him formally and quietly whenever they encounter him. But this young woman... she was different. Her soul was like the rising of the sun and the coming of Spring. For a brief moment, a new emotion came over Kong's mind — an emotion that the giant ape thought he had long since forgotten: Joy.
Kong could not remember when was the last time he felt this sense of positivity, but he knew for sure that he felt it sometime before. After gazing at Rapunzel and her friends for a few more minutes, Kong turned around and began walking away. The heroes could feel the powerful vibrations through the ground from each heavy step Kong took, which gradually began to decrease as the Protector of Skull Island moved further and further away from them.
"Well, thanks anyway!" Rapunzel yells out to him.
"I know Blondie said it already, but it's good that Kong's on this island to protect everyone." Eugene said, smiling.
"Oh, Lance..." Strongbow turns to see Hook-Foot and Maximus both glaring at him.
"Let's talk about blueberry pies, shall we?" Hook-Foot cracks his knuckle threateningly while Maximus grunts. Lance gulps fearfully and laughs nervously, knowing that he has some serious explaining to do in light of what he said back in the cave when they were cornered by the Death Jackals.
"I can explain everything!" Lance exclaims pleadingly.
"Oh, I'm sure he is." Cassandra couldn't help but chuckle, which in turn made Rapunzel and Eugene laugh in amusement.
Spore Mantis:
A gigantic precursor to the Phasmatodea order, the Spore Mantis is, in essence, a stick insect the size of a mature redwood tree. The limbs of its bark-skinned body house a powerful muscle system that is a unique interweaving of striated tendons and fibrous structural tissues more commonly found in the stems and roots of trees. These appendages allow the Spore Mantis to scuttle across the ground at alarming speed. The General Sherman tree might have the record in terms of height, but then again, the General Sherman can't get up and hunt you down. The Spore Mantis is not a single organism, though. Located under its vascular tissue is a slug-like parasite. This secondary organism features spiked teeth, giving the Spore Mantis a carnivorous appetite. Able to crush bone, the symbiotic duo would then utilize a digestive system built around sap. This protein-rich sap would not just digest the victim, but encase the remains in a crystalline amber.
Death Jackal:
With the agility of a leopard and the bite power of a great white shark, the Death Jackal is one of the most energetic creatures on the island. The creature's spine is partly exoskeletal, sharpening into a mane of spike fibers that are as sharp as razor wires. Existing in a constant state of rabid ferocity, it will devour its own kind, and even its own body parts if a kill is hard to come by. It is presumed that the Death Jackal's appetite can only be sated by consuming its own species. Its atypical milky white blood is rich in calcium deposits, but given its vicious instinct to harm anything it encounters, it is hard to imagine that anything other than hatred pumps through their veins. Despite its uncanny resemblance to dromaeosaurs, Death Jackals are actually mammals that have evolved to look like dinosaurs as a result of convergent evolution.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It's been a long while since I've updated this story. Anyways, the fourth and final chapter is coming up next.