Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of either Dragon Ball Super or Kong: Skull Island nor the song in this chapter, only how the story goes. Dragon Ball Super belongs to Akira Toriyama and Kong: Skull Island belongs to Legendary Studios. I apologize for any errors in grammar and/or if I was not accurate in reference to something.
A/N: We get to the infamous Skull Island in this chapter and hopefully we'll meet Kong very soon. Plus, there might be a few twists when they meet the king of Skull Island.
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Chapter Eight: Destination: Skull Island
(Cue The Adventure Begins from DBS Broly)
The S.S. Athena continued to sail as everyone converged down into cargo hold to hold a meeting. Once below deck, everyone began to file towards their seats. While the soldiers and Packard, and some of the scientists all sat down, Broly, Lemo, Cheelai and 17 stood with Randa, Brooks, another Monarch specialist, Weaver and Conrad at the back. Even though Cheelai and Lemo continued to where their disguises, no one was able to figure out that they weren't human. One of the Landsat scientists stood up and took the podium as he started, "Hello and welcome." He turned on a projector as he introduced himself, "I'm Landsat Field Supervisor, Victor Nieves." Then introducing his team, "This is my colleague Steve Woodward, our data wrangler."
Everyone in the room chuckled from this. Victor flipped through the slides in the projector as he said, "Our expedition takes us to a place every nautical route known to man has avoided for centuries." With another click of the button, he showed that Skull Island was surrounded by huge layers of clouds, "As our satellites show, the island is surrounded by a perpetual storm system, allowing the island to remain hidden from the outside world."
Everyone seemed impressed by what he was saying as they looked at the images. Victor then said, "But with Colonel Packard's helicopter transport, we will be the first to break through to the other side." He then looked over at the time travelers and the Monarch team as he said, "We're also pleased to be joined for the first time, by the resource exploration team, led by Mr. Randa and accompanied by biologist, Miss San, and geologist Mr. Brooks." Then pointing to the four he said, "And they have been accompanied by some extra hands, Mr. 17, Mr. Broly, Mr. Lemo and Ms. Cheelai."
Everyone looked over to the seven before their attention was taken back by Victor, "Our focus will be on the island's surface, theirs, what lies beneath." Then turning to the Monarch team he said, "Mr. Brooks."
"It's simple, really." The geologist said as he moved to take the stand. While Victor worked with the slides, Dr. Brooks said, "We'll use explosives to shake the earth and create vibrations, helping us to map the subsurface of the island." The image changed so they could get a view of what the plan was, "We'll fly in over the south shore and then strategically drop the seismic charges to better help us understand the density of the earth."
"You're dropping bombs?" Conrad questioned, as both he and 17 found it to be a little odd. Everyone turned their gaze to the tracker. Brooks then tried to make him think of something else by saying, "Mmm… Scientific instruments."
"You hear that, boys," Slivko asked as he glanced to his friends. He jokingly said, "We're scientists now!"
This made most of the soldiers laugh. Even all three of the girls slightly laughed. Woodward shook his head as he commented, "You guys are not scientists."
"We'll then land and make base camp for ground excursions led by Mr. Conrad." Dr. Nieves then said while pointing to the tracker. Then handing over the podium to the military personnel he said, "Major Jack Chapman."
"All right." Chapman said as he stood up and faced the crowd. Then he said, "Once we're on the island, the storm's interference will block off all radio contact with the ship. That means we'll be by ourselves." Nieves then changed the images again as Chapman told them while pointing at the map, "Three days later, the refuel team will meet us here on the north end of the island." Then he honestly told them, "That may be our only safe departure window for an unknown period of time." He then advised, "So, tip for everybody, don't miss it, please."
Nieves pressed the button one more time to shut the projector off. 17 walked up to Brooks and quietly said, "You or future counterpart said anything about dropping bombs on this mission."
"It's for scientific study, I promise." Brooks assured the android. 17 then questioned, "Oh, yeah? What about local flora and fauna? Your bombs will disrupt their ecosystem."
"You know, that makes me wonder too." Cheelai said as she came up to them. She placed her hands on her hips as she questioned, "What's really going on with those bombs? Couldn't you just do the seismic surveys another way." She looked around before reminding, "Plus, what if your bombs put our mission in jeopardy? You could be dooming the future."
"I assure you." Randa said as he stepped in front of Brooks, "That none of that will happen. Like we said, this is for research only."
(End of track)
17 nor Cheelai could tell that Randa wasn't giving them the entire truth about it. But they decided to go with it for now.
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Up on the deck, Conrad was walking by the troops and scientists as they were preparing everything for their expedition. As he went past a few more choppers as they were being filled with supplies, he did happen to catch a glance to see Broly standing at the bow of the ship. Walking over he asked, "Something on your mind?"
Broly glanced back at him, but didn't say anything at first. Sensing that something was up, James then said, "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine."
Broly's eyes slightly widened that Conrad knew that something was up and began thinking if he should at least tell him. Looking to the tracker of the team, Broly then said, "I messed up."
"What?" James asked in confusion, as he looked to the Saiyan. Broly then said, "Let's just say that I was unable to stop something bad from happening. And you might all die."
James Conrad found that little tidbit to be a little ominous. He then asked, "How do you know that we would we all die."
"Because it's already happened." Broly said, not knowing what he was letting their secret slip. It was at that moment when Cheelai had come out looking for Broly. She saw him and Conrad talking to each other, with both of them staring out into the ocean. When she walked up to them, her eyes widened when she heard Conrad asking Broly, "What do mean that it's already happened?"
"Uh, Broly." Cheelai grumbled as she cursed silently Broly for not knowing the rules of time travel. She ran up to them and she said, "Hey, guys! What'cha talkin' about?"
James Conrad looked to her and questioned, "Who are you four? Really?"
Cheelai huffed before giving Broly an annoyed look, which he wasn't really fazed by. She looked to him, but before she could say anything, another voice behind them said, "I was just wondering the same thing too."
All three looked back to see Mason Weaver walking up to them. She looked between Broly and Cheelai as she said, "When I first saw you, I probably would've bought into that little 'someplace not from here' bit that you told me, but as I spent a little more time observing you, well…"
Then she came closer and quickly lifted Cheelai's hood from her head, slightly surprising Cheelai and Broly and showing her and Conrad Cheelai's true identity to them. When they saw her green skin they gasped. Cheelai quickly pulled it back over her head and checked to see if anyone had seen. Broly then asked, "Please, don't say anything."
"Then you had better answer our questions." James told them while crossing his arms. Cheelai sighed before saying, "Okay, but we can't tell everything. We don't want to disrupt the time stream or whatever."
"Time stream?" Weaver asked as she was confused. Cheelai gestured with her hand as she said, "Follow me. We'll grab Lemo and 17 and explain it to you."
Both Conrad and Weaver started to follow her, but Cheelai quickly turned around and warned/pleaded, "But we'd also appreciate it if you didn't tell everyone."
"Fine." Weaver promised. Conrad nodded to clarify that he too would keep it a secret. Broly, Cheelai, Weaver and James all walked back across the deck of the ship. As they passed by the military's gear, Conrad couldn't help but look at all the hardware that they were packing. Leaning to closer Weaver he said, "Find the other two and meet us in the cargo hold."
"Why?" she asked him. Then he said, "The three of us have a little work to do?"
"We do?" Broly asked in confusion, making Cheelai look back as well. James then said, "Come on, it'll be fun."
The two time travelers just shrugged and Weaver walked off to find Lemo and 17. Broly and Cheelai followed after Conrad as they descended to the lower levels. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, James pulled out a flashlight and shown it around while Cheelai removed her disguise. Conrad stopped it when it shown on a sign that read Restricted Area Authorized Personnel in red paint. Conrad handed the flashlight to Cheelai before whipping out a lighter. As they looked around they saw a lot of hardware from either from Landsat or the Hardware, Conrad didn't look to them as he said, "So what exactly is the deal with you for and the scientists, if I may ask."
"Well, since we're basically alone down here, nor do I hear anyone coming-" Cheelai said before another voice said, "What are you three doing down here?"
They all looked to see Weaver, 17 and Lemo coming down the stairs. The other two time travelers looked in shock to see Cheelai's disguise taken off. Lemo then questioned, "Why did you take your disguise off?!"
Cheelai huffed before coming over and swatting Lemo's glasses off of his face. Lemo clutched his face while Broly took Lemo's hood and gently removed it off of his head. Even 17 was as shocked as the other two when they saw Lemo's face. Cheelai then said, "These two know." She glanced at Broly before adding, "Now."
"Tch." 17 scoffed before looking to the two humans. Then he said, "All right, we'll give you the short version of the story.
"We came here from forty-six years into the future." The android started. Then he told them, "We were fighting a monster of sorts when it somehow was sent to the past, a few days after our arrival. We had come back to stop it from dooming everything with its actions."
"What kind of actions?" Weaver asked, curious to know. 17 then said, "It mostly kills the entire team. Only a few of the scientists survives."
"So you came back to make sure we all live through it?" James asks. Lemo shrugged and said, "Pretty much."
"But that doesn't explain why the two of you are aliens." Weaver pointed out. Cheelai shrugged and said, "Well, we did say that we were from out of town. But we promise that we're not here to hurt you."
Both Weaver and Conrad looked to each other, not knowing what to say. Weaver then promised, "Okay. I won't tell your secret of you being time travelers or aliens."
"Same." James also agreed. Though he didn't fully trust the four, he knew that they had been more honest than what Brooks and Randa had told them.
"Thank you." Cheelai said with a sigh. Weaver then said, "Now, can we get back to another question. Why does a geological mapping mission need explosives?"
"Guess you weren't paying attention in class. The seismic charges are for the geological survey." Conrad lightly chided.
"And you believe that?" Weaver asked as they all continued to move through the crates. Conrad then said, "I didn't say that. But do you think that it's something to worry about."
17 shook his head before saying, "No, she's right about that. In the future, Dr. Brooks didn't mention any explosives on this mission."
"He didn't say a lot about this mission before we left either." Cheelai pointed out. Lemo then suggested, "Maybe the explosives are supposed to serve some other purpose."
"That's one way of putting it." 17 agreed on that much as they started to explore the cargo hold. Weaver then asked them, "Have you guys met Colonel Packard yet?"
"Yeah." All five of them said. Cheelai then said, "Call me crazy, but something's not right with that guy."
"I'll agree on that much." Lemo agreed. Then he said, "Every time he looks to one of us, he keeps giving us questioning looks."
"Especially me and Lemo." Cheelai added. 17 then said, "I think this whole war business has gotten to him."
"The guy's wound pretty tight." Weaver said with a hint of remembrance of how their conversation went. Conrad then said, "Well, the man's a decorated war hero. That's the package they come in." Then he looked to Weaver and said, "Since we know about our little friends here, what about you?"
They all stopped in the middle of a hall way as he asked, "Isn't shooting a mapping mission a step down for a photojournalist?"
"The right photo can help shape opinions." Weaver defended her reasons. James then guessed, "And win you a Pulitzer."
"Hey, a job's a job." Cheelai said with a shrug of her shoulders. Weaver nodded to Cheelai and said, "See." Then turning back to the tracker of the group she asked with a nod, "Okay, Captain Conrad. What about you?" Then she asked while digging into his past, "How did British special forces get dragged into this?"
"Just 'Conrad'." He told them as he looked to each of them. Then he added, "I'm decommissioned."
"Mmm-hmm." Mason nodded, even though she knew there was more. Cheelai then asked, "Is that why you're spending most of your time gambling with drunken halfwits most of the time?"
"They offered me money." James said, talking about Randa and Houston. The photojournalist then said, "You don't strike me as a mercenary." She looked to the others and said with a smirk, "Any more than them saying that their just time travelers."
17, Lemo, Broly and Cheelai all look to each other as they thought she might know. Conrad then shot back, "And you don't strike me as a war photographer."
"Anti-war photographer." Weaver corrected. The two continued to stare intensely at each other while the four time travelers just looked between the two. Cheelai reached into her pocket and pulled out a blast from the past. It caused the two to break their intense stare and look at what she had. 17 then asked, "Cheelai, what is that?"
"Oh." Lemo gasped as he recognized the device. Cheelai smiled as she said, "Oh, this. This is just a piece of mine and Lemo's last job."
Placing the scouter on the side of her head, she pressed the button on the side a few times before she found the right setting. She looked at one of the crates for the explosives and an outline quickly appeared on the scouter. Cheelai's eyes went wide as she said, "These are some high-maintenance explosives." She looked to the two humans and she said, "And this is by Earth standards."
Weaver and Conrad slightly glared at the comment, but they didn't say anything. All six of them felt uncomfortable about the explosives, though they couldn't say much about it. The sound of a door opening made Conrad look to the source before he said, "We should get out of here."
No one argued with him as they quickly made their way back topside.
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The next morning, it was a busy day as things were loaded into a restricted opening. A soldier placed a record on the player, turned it up before placing the needle on the record. A loud rock song could be heard throughout the entire ship. The soldiers just started having a good time as the song played. Some danced to the music, others gave haircuts. And all the while, Weaver was taking photos every chance she got. The camera clicked once she got the shot ready. Some of the soldiers would make crazy poses and faces as she took the picture. The soldiers happened to look to see the passing Saiyan and one shouted, "Hey, Broly! Come over here!"
Broly looked to the three soldiers and walked over to them. When he reached them, Slivko said, "Come get in the shot."
Broly just looked at them with a questioning look, mostly because he didn't understand. Slivko then beckoned him to come closer and said, "Just stand in front of the camera."
Broly did and stood with the three soldiers. They all made muscle poses again and they all encouraged him, "Do this, Broly."
Broly then flexed his muscles as they all stood for the picture. Weaver smiled as she took another. When it clicked, she moved on to take a picture of Cole and Mills. She laughed as how silly they were being before moving on. Jack Chapman sat cross-legged as he was busy writing another letter. Mills looked over his shoulder and asked, "What you writing there, Chap?"
He looked to his friend before saying, "Letter to my boy."
"Hmm." Mills said before taking a look while placing his hands on Chapman's shoulders. Then he jokingly said as if it were coming from Chapman, "'Dear Billy, I know I said I'd be home by your birthday, but I lied straight to your face.'" Chapman slightly laughed on the inside, except when Mills said, "'I'm a terrible dad.'"
Chapman looked back to him as he went on, "'I hope this letter I'm sending you makes up for it.'"
Both he and Chapman started laughing as the latter said, "That's too short."
It caused Mills to laugh out loud as he walked away. But as he walked, neither of them noticed Broly standing not too far, hearing all the jokes but with a slightly unhappy face about it. The soldiers continued to mostly just goof around while Weaver continued to take photos. She laughed as in one picture, one of the soldiers photobombed three others.
The boat continued to sail towards the island while Conrad stood outside the helm, looking down at everything happening on the main deck. He was soon joined by a certain android, which he did not know at the time, as 17 came walking up to him. He then asked the tracker, "Not much of a people person are you?"
"I could say the same about you." James said. 17 then chuckled before nodding, "True, I work as on a reserve for wild life. So I don't interact much either."
"How much of the future do you know of?" Conrad then asked, somewhat wanting to know what the android knew. Though he was slightly caught off guard, 17 didn't show it. He really wished that Conrad hadn't asked that, since he hadn't spent much time here in Universe Thirteen. If only he had 18 come along. Deciding to not give too much away, he said, "All I really know is that the future is that it has its ups and downs."
Conrad narrowed his eyes as he could tell that it wasn't all that 17 was letting on, but the sound of thunder made them both look ahead. They saw the storm barrier that surrounded the island. James then said, "Let's head down and get ready to head out."
17 and James quickly made their way to the stairs. Inside the helm, some of the crew looked at the storm as the ship approached while Nieves talked with Randa and Brooks, "This storm is looking a lot nastier in person." Then with a shrug he said, "Maybe we should consider postponing the mission."
"How far away is the island?" Colonel Packard asked the captain of the ship. Looking down at the map, the captain guessed, "Fifty miles, maybe more."
"Take us closer." Randa requested. The captain then told them, "You wanna launch, you do it from here."
Looking to the leader of his military escort, Randa asked, "Can you punch through that, Colonel?" Then he added, "Our opening is now."
"You mean through this hole right here?" Packard asked while pointing to a spot on the image. Randa nodded, "Yeah, it's a rare low-pressure pocket. It'll be easy to infiltrate through there."
"I appreciate your passion, Randa," Nieves started while Chapman looked back to the storm, but reminded who was in charge of this expedition, "but as Field Supervisor of the controlling agency, I say we abort." Looking to the crew he said, "That's it, we're gonna abort."
Randa, Packard and Chapman all look to the scientist with disbelief. Randa then said, "Wise call." But then he added, "I'm sure the Landsat inspector will be inspired by your courage."
"No," Nieves nodded as he knew what Randa was trying to do, but wasn't going to play along with it as he said, "he'll be inspired by my common sense." Then touching the image he pointed out, "This is only a map survey."
"To one of the last uncharted areas on the face of the Earth. And you wanna call it on account of rain?" Randa said, arguing for the mission. Then he said, "Stay on the boat if you want to." Then he pointed out, "But the rest of us should still do it. It could be years before we get another shot at this."
Turning to the colonel he said, "I'm told your unit is capable of handling inclement weather, Colonel." Then turning back to Nieves he said while Packard and Chapman looked out to the storm, "Why don't we leave it to Colonel Packard to break the tie?"
"For the last time, Randa," Nieves said, now starting to get angry with Bill, "we are going to abort the mission."
No one said anything, but Randa knew that Broly's team wouldn't like hearing it on account of what they told him and Brooks. But he wouldn't have to really worry for much longer as a presence appeared behind Nieves. The scientist turned around as they all looked to see Broly standing behind him. He then asked, "What does 'abort' mean?"
"It means that it's not happening." Randa told him. Broly's eyes slightly widened as he looked down at Nieves before saying, "We're going to the island. We have to."
Though he knew that going into the storm would be suicide, Nieves felt that angering Broly would be even more suicidal. With an annoyed sigh he said, "Fine. The mission will continue." But then he looked to all of them as he added, "But there is no way you're getting me on that helicopter."
This made Randa and Packard look to each other before looking to the Saiyan. Broly then looked down to Nieves who in turn looked back to the Saiyan. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he knew where this was going.
Ten minutes later…
"This is completely unnecessary." Dr. Nieves complained as he looked behind him. Broly carried the smaller man over his shoulder as the Landsat leader told him, "I can walk by myself."
When they reached one of the helicopters only then did Broly set him down. Dr. Nieves sighed before turning to the helicopter and reluctantly got in. As they were about to go in their respective rides, Brooks looked to Randa and said, "We did ask to arm those helicopters." Looking over to the soldiers, and to the four he asked, "Shouldn't they know why?"
"Why?" Bill asked, looking happy that the mission was getting underway, "And raise an alarm?" Then he reminded, "Plus, their mission is to make sure that we all make it back."
Brooks only looked at him with a worried look. Randa shook his head as he reassured, "Purely a precaution, Brooks."
Then with a gentle tap on the arm, Randa boarded his ride. But Brooks had second thoughts as he looked between the soldiers and the four as he said, "Right."
"Two mikes till launch. Troops and civilians board assigned aircraft." A man said over the PA system. Brooks started to make his way towards an aircraft as he was met by Dr. San and Mr. Woodward. Also joining them on the chopper was Lemo as he wore his disguise while taking his seat.
Randa climbed aboard another helicopter that was being piloted by Mills and Cole. 17 climbed in with him as a few other soldiers also joined in. Packard, Chapman and a few others walked across the deck of the ship while making their way to the choppers. As they waited for lift off, Mills looked to Cole and asked, "What's the old man getting us into, Cole?"
"Nothing he wouldn't do himself." Cole said with a shake of his head. Then with a nod he added, "He's taking the lead."
"I mean, doesn't he miss his bed?" Mills asked, still thinking of home. Then he added, "I miss my bed!" Then he asked his copilot, "Don't you miss your bed?"
Cole didn't say anything as he flipped a few switches to get ready for takeoff. When he didn't give an answer, Mills then asked, "Do you even have a bed, Cole?"
Cole smiled as he still didn't say anything. Truly wanting to know, Mills asked again, "You do have a bed, right?"
As they split off to their designated choppers, Packard told Jack, "See you at the rendezvous, Chapman."
"Yes, sir." Chapman acknowledged as he and another soldier continued to speak. Another announcement rang through as the man said, "One mike thirty. Repeat, one mike thirty to launch."
The other soldiers loaded up the choppers with the necessary equipment as the ones heading to the island got ready. Weaver took a few last shots of the activity on the ship before getting into her chopper with James, Cheelai and Lemo. With a small wave of her hand, she silently told James to move his stuff. The tracker slightly smiled as he moved his bag before moving to his left. She too smiled as she climbed on board and sat next to Conard. Lemo and Cheelai both smiled as they turned to watch Broly climb in with Packard.
"Battery?" Cole checked going through a few last minute check-ins. Mills nodded and said, "Check."
"Generator start?" Cole asked and Mills said, "Check, check."
"Engine start?" Cole asked him. Mills nodded and said, "Check three times."
The blades on the choppers started to rotate when the engines started up. Packard turned on his radio and said into the mic, "This is Fox Leader to Fox Group. It is time, once again, for the Griffin and ant show."
Switches were flipped as he finished by saying, "Hold onto your butts!"
Broly found that little bit to be odd, but he didn't say anything. He grunted when he felt his wound act up again. Packard happened to notice the pained look on Broly's face and asked, "Everything alright, friend?"
Broly only nodded as the throbbing subsided. Everyone waited for takeoff as they placed headsets on, took hats off and then just waited for the flight. Everyone's attention was grabbed as the man said over the PA system, "Attention, pilots. You are cleared for takeoff."
All the pilots grabbed the flight stick and pulled back as the man, "Launch, launch, launch."
The helicopters soon took to the air before moving off the starboard side of the ship. Soldiers communicated over the radio as they one by one departed the boat. Once they were all up into the air, Packard then said, "Combat formation. Keep visual." Then with a nod of his head he turned to another helicopter and said, "Fox Five, let me know when you close."
"Fox Five is in the slot." Cole said when all the helicopters had moved into position. Packard looked to the side to see and responded, "Roger that."
The helicopters remained in formation as they flew to the storm. Weaver carefully moved to where she could hang out the side of the helicopter and took a few photos as they approached the storm. As they got closer, Packard smiled as he said, "Let's do this!"
Everyone held onto something as they came closer and heard Packard say over the radio, "Maintain course!" It wasn't comforting as he said, "Nothing we haven't done before."
Thunder rumbled as the team drew closer. Mills started to say something funny, "'Dear Billy. You ever looked into a hurricane and decide, maybe I should fly straight through it? Because that's what's about to happen.'"
Chapman just shook his head from his friend's antics. Everyone braced themselves and the wind from the storm started to rock the choppers. Cole then decided to take a turn, "'Dear Billy. You might wanna hang on."
The soldiers kept communications up as the sun started to disappear overhead while they flew into the storm. Everyone hung onto something as they were rocked again. Alarms started to blare while the storm raged around them. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled as they flew deeper into the storm. The helicopters had to take evasive maneuvers when bolts of red lightning flashed to close. Some of the civilians shut their eyes and wished that it was over. The chopper pilots moved past clouds while trying to make it through the storm. Packard then ordered into the radio, "Fox Leader to Fox Group. Switch to inertial navigation."
Switches were flipped and then he said, "And remember the story of Icarus, whose father gave him wings made of wax and warned him not to fly too close to the sun."
Sitting across from him, Broly found the story somewhat odd and a little familiar as Packard then said, "But the exhilaration was too great," Everyone braced themselves while he continued, "so he flew higher and higher until the sun melted his wings and he fell into the sea."
He sounded confident as he said, "But the United States Army is not an irresponsible father." Everyone hung on for their lives while he reminded, "So they gave us wings of white-hot, cold-rolled Pennsylvania steel."
It didn't really help even when he added, "Guaranteed not to melt."
The soldiers fought to keep their birds up in the air, but all the motion was starting to make Broly feel a little nauseous. He gagged and closed his mouth to keep himself from vomiting. Packard could see that the Saiyan was trying hard not to lose his lunch and let loose a laugh. But soon it was over as all of the choppers broke through the storm.
(End of track)
Everyone's eyes grew wide when they got a good look at the island in front of them. Broly twisted his head to get a good look at the island as well. He could feel a lot of energy signatures coming from the island, but he could feel that one stood above the rest. He knew that he and his friends were about to meet the King of Skull Island: Kong.
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Author's Note: I'm going to stop the chapter right here. In the next chapter, we meet Kong and a huge brawl will go down. I'll try to bring Geras in on the next chapter too. I look forward to reading your reviews. Be sure to leave a comment either about if I've done something wrong or if you want something specifically to happen. See you next time.
