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: And here the two groups are gonna meet up, but it won't be entirely smooth sailing.
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Chapter Fourteen: Meeting Up
The sun started to rise on a new day. Iwi warriors kept a look out for any dangers. The team also started to rise to get ready to leave. When they came down from their sleeping quarters, Marlow headed into the beached boat for something. As they walked by the hut where Broly was, Cheelai looked over to it. She was about to walk towards it when she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. Cheelai turned to see Lemo giving her a comforting smile. But it faded when she asked, "Will he be all right?"
(Cue Broly's Potential track from DBS Broly)
"Hey, this is Broly we're talking about." Lemo assured her. Then his grin grew as he said, "He'll be back with us before we leave."
"Yeah. I hope." Cheelai said as she looked to the ground. Weaver came up to them and said, "Do you think that they'll at least allow you guys some time to see him."
"I doubt it." Lemo shrugged. Then he said, "I had asked Marlow about it last night. And he told me that the Iwis hardly let anyone see the ill when it's this bad."
"Oh." Weaver and Cheelai said at the same time. Weaver then placed the music box into her bag and Cheelai asked, "Are you really going to keep that?"
"Well, Marlow did give it to us." Weaver reminded. Then she shrugged as she said, "Plus, maybe something back in the States will help us to get it to play."
"I still can't believe none of us got it to open last night." Lemo said while crossing his arms. But before any more about the music box could be said, James walked over to them and said, "Marlow's by the grave site of his friend. He wanted to share a few words before we left."
(End of track)
"Okay." The three said and walked with him to where Marlow had disappeared. They were joined by the rest of the group and entered the beached boat. They found Marlow by a gravesite that was surrounded by his friend's things and a katana embedded at the top. Marlow kneeled down next to the mound and said, "This man's name was Gunpei Ikari."
The group stayed silent as they could tell that he was mourning for his enemy turned friend, "But you take away the uniforms and the war…" A smile adorned the old man's face as he said, "He became my brother." He shook his head and started to cry as he was determined to keep his promise, "And we swore to each other that we'd never leave each other behind."
(Cue Marlow's Farewell track from Kong: Skull Island)
Most of the group felt sad for Marlow but watched as the World War II veteran stood on his feet again. Turning to the group he said, "Let's get off of this island."
Then reaching down, he removed Gunpei's sword from the mound as a way to take his brother with him. Placing the blade in its sheath, Marlow was ready to go. They quickly exited the beached boat and made for the Grey Fox. The group all piled in to make the final adjustments on their boat. Slivko was below deck and twisted a few things into place. Above, Conrad and Lemo were both tightening a piece into place. Cheelai and Weaver worked together in jamming some wires to tie the cover. Deciding to help out today, Nieves turned it on but the boat only sputtered and Slivko was in the middle as he felt the heat. He climbed back out as she shouted, "Ow!" When he poked his head through the top he said, "Not yet!"
"Prime the lines." Conrad told the soldier. Slivko waved it off while saying, "Yeah, yeah, yeah." Then looking to Lemo he asked, "Hey, Lemo? Can you give me a hand?"
"Do you still need me?" Lemo asked Conrad as they finished up. Conrad said with a nod, "Go on and help him. I should be able to have this covered."
Lemo quickly ran to the hole and climbed down to help Slivko out. Marlow walked over and started to batten down the hatches. As they were finishing up, Conrad then said, "Wind it up, let's go!"
Cheelai and Weaver turned the crank and the sound of the engine started to come to life. Seeing how it was starting to come on, Lemo and Slivko smiled as the latter shouted, "Keep going!"
"Sounds like it's starting!" Lemo said. Conrad then pushed a lever up and it was about to start but it only sputtered out. Slivko then said, "Third time's the charm. Here we go. Here we go!"
"Let's go, let's go, let's go." Lemo said as they all pushed the necessary components. Marlow hoped and prayed for it to work as he looked at the makeshift boat, "Come on, come on."
The piece next to Slivko and Lemo started to rotate, indicating that it worked. The two shouted, "Yes!" Then turning to the others they shouted, "It's working!"
The engine fired up and kept on going. Even Marlow was happy as the boat roared to life. Everybody started to cheer as their way back was now underway. But they all looked on the shore and were surprised to see that all the Iwis had gathered. Though none of them spoke, the Iwis had a feeling of sadness but also one of friendship about them. Everyone on the boat didn't know what to say. Marlow walked to the end of the boat while the others on the boat watched as the villagers came to the docks. Marlow stood before the two elders and they engaged in one of their silent conversations. He looked as if he were about to cry as he said, "I guess this is goodbye."
The two elders gave him somewhat of a smile. Marlow bowed and said, "Thank you."
"For everything." Cheelai said as she stepped up. The two elders bowed their heads in respect. Cheelai then asked, "Please take care of Broly."
This time the entire village bowed as if to promise her. She smiled before walking back to the boat. Marlow then shrugged as he told them, "If you're ever in Chicago, look me up, I guess."
The Grey Fox started to drift from the docks. Most of the group started to feel a little sad in leaving the villagers after all that they had done for them. Weaver decided to take one last picture of them. The boat started to drift to the wall where the villagers continued to watch them go. Cheelai and Lemo took one last look in the direction of the hut where Broly was at. The villagers working at the wall started to make the opening rise so the boat could pass through. Everyone in the group took one last look at the village before they passed through. When they went under the wall the opening was lowered and cut the group off from the village. Soon they were floating down the river and heading north to make it on time to lift.
(End of track)
Slivko started another record that play another rock song as Marlow manned the wheel to guide the makeshift boat. James, Weaver, Lemo and Cheelai stood at the head of the boat to keep a lookout for any signs of danger.
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Packard and 17's group continued to make their way to the wreck as well. They soon came across a few of Kong's tracks but continued on their way. Finding a river, they refueled their canteens while coming across a little of the wreckage, meaning that they were getting close.
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Walking through the forest, Geras and Chapman didn't say a word as they made their way to their destination. But as they kept walking, Chapman felt as if they were walking away from the Sea Stallion. Looking to Geras he asked, "This isn't the way back to the crash site."
"Yes." Geras acknowledged but kept on walking. This confused Chapman and he asked, "I thought we were going to meet up with the others?"
"And we will. But meeting them at the Sea Stallion is not in the course of the timeline." Geras explained. Then he said, "Once your commander's attempt to destroy the Titan has failed, then we will reconvene with your friends."
Chapman didn't say anything, but continued to follow the observer.
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The Grey Fox was gliding through the waters of the river at an excellent pace. Marlow decided to let Lemo take the wheel while he stood with Conrad and Slivko. The odd flocks of birds flew overhead as they continued to drift down the river. Some of the group decided to have something to eat as San tried to use a knife to open a can. Seeing as she was having some trouble, Brooks decided to help, "Here, no. Let me help."
San laughed as she handed the can to him. Without watching what he was doing, Brooks tried to open it as he said, "Man's gotta do what-" He made a slight mistake when he cut himself and shouted, "Ow!"
Everyone looked to the Monarch scientist as San leaned to him and asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay." Brooks said as he nursed the cut and handed her back the knife and the can. Then she focused on the task while looking to him and jokingly said, "Allow me."
Brooks gives a small laugh as he continued to nurse the cut. Removing his hand from his mouth he then bragged, "You should see me in the library."
"Yeah, I'm willing to bet that you're king in there." Cheelai joked as she joined them. Pointing to his hand she asked, "How's your hand?"
"It'll be fine." Brooks said and she sat down next to them. His smile dropped and he asked, "I gotta ask, Cheelai…"
She looked to him and he asked, "What will you do to Randa when you see him?"
"The nicest thing I could do is just chew him out while we're on the island." Cheelai said and crossed her arms. But with a shake of her head she said, "But I am liable to punch him when this is over."
"And I don't blame you." Brooks said as he looked off the side of the boat. Then he asked, "And what about me?"
"I want to be mad at you for lying to us. Especially since what happened with Broly and Kong." Cheelai said as she looked to the floor. But with a shake of her head she said, "But since you've helped us a lot, both now and later, I think I could learn to forgive you."
"Thanks." Brooks said with a smile. San finished opening can and set the knife down.
At the back of the boat, Marlow took out a picture and showed to the others. Then he said, "I got a wife." Then he thought, "Had a wife. Have a wife?"
With a shake of his head he thought, "Guess I don't know anymore."
"Don't worry." Lemo said and offered some encouraging words, "I'm sure you'll find her once you get back."
"Thanks, Lemo." Marlow said. Then he said, "We got hitched right before I was deployed. And then I got a telegram from her on the day before I got shot down. She said we just had our baby boy." Looking out from the boat he said, "I got a son out there. A grown man that I've never met before."
"Yeah, she definitely thinks that you're dead, man." Slivko said from above. Those below him said, "Hey! Dude!"
"I'm just saying." Slivko said as he held the radio with him. Conrad then said to him, "You don't know them." Then looking to Marlow he said, "You'd be very surprised how long people will wait."
"And think of this…" Lemo threw in, "Now you've got someone else to look forward to seeing."
"Ah," Marlow shrugged, "the truth is, I don't expect them to be waiting for me. I'd be fine either way." He did hope as he said, "I just want one last chance to see them."
Lemo, Weaver and Conrad looked to him with sympathetic faces. He sounded content as he said, "That'd be good enough for me."
"We're gonna get you home." Weaver promised. Then looking to Lemo she also promised, "And we're gonna make sure that your mission will succeed as well."
"What mission is this may I ask?" Marlow asked, still not knowing. Lemo turned to the old man and he started to tell him. It took a few minutes to tell and when Lemo finished, Marlow was shocked, even fore Marlow. He was about to ask a question when the radio turned on and they heard a soldier's voice, "Fox Five, come back. Is there anyone out there? Over."
They all looked to Slivko as he answered, "Hey! This is Fox Five. We hear you."
Everyone looked up as he listened and then told the other group, "Yeah! We're on a boat. We're on a boat headed up north on a river."
"A boat? Where'd y'all get yourselves a boat out here?" The soldier asked in confusion. Slivko then said, "We met this, like, crazy Santa Claus, time-traveler guy from World War II. You'll meet him when we meet up."
"What kind of boat do y'all got?" The soldier asked. Slivko shrugged as he said, "It's more of, like, a boat made with plane parts, really." Everyone chuckled when he said, "Let's just call it a "ploat". We're on a "ploat" on a river."
"We need a location on them, Slivko." James said, not knowing where to find them. Slivko then said over the radio, "Need you guys to send up a flare so that way we can find you."
"Roger that, Fox Five." Packard answered this time. They all heard the commander shout, "Fire in the hole!"
A moment later, they a flare launched up into the air. Nieves sounded happy as he pointed and shouted, "Over there!"
"Yes!" Weaver shouted as they would be reunited with the others. Everyone started to cheer while Slivko said over the radio, "We have a visual. I repeat we have a visual on your location. Two klicks to our north."
"Roger that, Fox Five. Fox one out." Packard said and handed it back to the solider. The group on the boat continued to laugh and cheer as they continued to sail on the river.
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"Rendezvous point, one hour." Packard said to everyone. Everyone looked to him as he said, "Let's mount up and get a move on!"
"Can we fit everybody on your "ploat", man?" Mills asked. Then he noticed that everyone was starting to walk off before following after them. 17 walked up to Packard and asked, "Do they really have a boat?"
"Slivko's a man I trust." Packard said as they continued on their way. Everyone in the group just smiled or thought really hard while they walked. Suddenly the heard a scream in the distance. Cole looked to Mills and 17 and said, "Well, that doesn't sound good."
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"Yes!" Slivko shouted as he put the radio back on the receiver. They all started to laugh as Nieves happily shouted, "We're finally going home!"
But their happy moment turned into horror as one of the odd birds came flying in and latched its talons into Nieve's shoulder. Nieves started screaming as the small bird was somehow able to lift him off the boat. Everyone shouted, "Whoa!"
Cheelai, San, Brooks, Conrad, Lemo, Weaver all joined Marlow as they watched in horror as their comrade was carried off. Nieves' weight was a little heavier than the bird had thought as they splashed down into the river. But soon another joined in and they lifted him into the skies together. Lemo, Conrad, Slivko and Cheelai grabbed the weapons as Conard shouted, "Get down!"
They took aim and were about to shoot to save Nieves when they went too far out of range. But Lemo looked to Cheelai and asked, "Can you-"
"Maybe." Cheelai said as she took aim. It may not have been one of the blasters from the Frieza Force, but she was still able to aim. She took aim at one of the birds holding Nieves and took a shot, scaring everyone. The bullet impacted the bird's skull, making it fall dead and it allowed Nieves to fall and scream a little more. But some of the others in the flock came in and grabbed a hold of him before going higher into the sky. Cheelai aimed to take another shot, but when she saw where the birds were positioned, she shook her head and said, "There's too many of them. I can't shoot without hitting him."
They watched as the birds started to pull before the arm holding the case ripped out of its socket. San, Cheelai and Weaver both cringed at the sight as Nieves was carried off, screaming his head off. Slivko shook his head as he questioned, "What the heck, man?"
"He's gone." Conrad said as there was no hope for Nieves now. Then he said, "Everybody, grab your gear. We have to keep moving."
Everyone was still distraught over what had happened as he said, "We'll go ashore, meet up with Packard, 17 and Randa."
"No. Wait a minute! Wait a minute!" Brooks shouted. Looking to where Nieves was taken he asked, "Is nobody gonna say anything about the…"
"He's gone! And he ain't coming back. There's nothing left to say about it." Marlow said, and everyone knew it. Lemo then added, "We wish that there was more that we could do, but there isn't."
San stood next to Cheelai and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." Cheelai said as she rubbed her shoulder. Hanging her head she said, "I just wish Broly were here. He would have been able to rescue Nieves."
San put a comforting hand on her shoulder, knowing that she did all that she could. Marlow walked so he could take the wheel. Brooks walked to the back of the ship while still upset at the loss of Nieves.
Soon they made it to shore and started to disembark from the boat. Conrad took point while Lemo, Brooks and Cheelai followed up from behind. They walked through the jungle and found a spot to wait. Conard then said, "Their flare was only two klicks north. They should be here soon."
"Unless they were eaten by something that's bigger than us." Weaver said from her spot. Everyone looked to her with mixed expressions. Cheelai then said, "I doubt that they were eaten. 17 would watch out for them."
Weaver shrugged as she knew that her friend had a point. Marlow kneeled by the stream to refuel his canteen when the sound of rustling came from the jungle. They all turned to where it was coming from and waited but smiles came upon everyone as Slivko stood up and said, "Holy cow! It's you guys!"
"Slivko!" Mills happily shouted and the two groups came together. Slivko rushed into the arms of his fellow soldiers as Mills said, "Thought you were taking a dirt nap by now, Slivko."
"Never thought I'd see you guys again." Slivko happily said back. 17 walked up to Lemo and Cheelai and said, "Glad to see that you guys are in one piece."
"You two, man." Lemo replied. Looking around 17 asked, "Is Broly around?"
"We had to leave him with the island natives." Cheelai begrudgingly said. The android was confused and asked, "Why?"
"His wound from the first fight kept bothering him." Lemo explained, "The Iwis had a solution. But it would take a little time for Broly to heal."
"How long we looking at?" 17 asked. Cheelai shrugged as she said, "Maybe tomorrow at least."
"Then hopefully he'll be at the battle. He's the only one to help Kong handle it." 17 said. Cheelai was about to say something when she saw Randa walking up to Brooks. Her eyes narrowed as she walked away from 17 and Lemo as they kept talking. Brooks took his friend's hand and said, "I thought you were crazy."
"I wish I had been." Randa honestly said. Conrad and Packard walked up to each other and the former asked, "What's your count?"
"What you see is what I got." Packard said while looking to the men that were with him. James nodded and said, "We lost one as well."
"Where's the big guy?" Packard asked, wondering where Broly was. Conrad tried not to give too much away and said, "Medical delays. He'll join up with us tomorrow he plans."
"Huh." Packard said as he thought about it. Marlow walked up and said, "Good to see you, fellas!"
"Who the heck is this?" Packard asked when he saw Hank for the first time. James smiled as he said, "We picked up a hitchhiker."
Marlow saluted and said, "Lieutenant Hank Marlow of the Forty-fifth Pursuit Squadron of the fifteenth."
The soldiers and 17 looked to Marlow with surprised glances as Packard then asked, "You've been here since World War II?"
"Yes, sir." Marlow nodded. Then he asked, "Did I miss the parade?"
"Well, I'll be." Packard said with a small smile. Then he said, "Snap to, Lieutenant."
Both of them saluted in respect. Cheelai walked around the groups and came up behind Randa. The Monarch scientist noticed her presence behind him and turned to her. With a small smile he said, "Nice to see you, little lady."
"Likewise." Cheelai said before she glared and punched Randa in the face. Everyone looked to them as Randa fell on his backside. He looked up as Cheelai said, "That's for lying to our faces."
"Cheelai!" Lemo said as he ran up to stop her. Standing between her and Randa he said, "Now's not the time for this."
"He's right." Conrad said. Looking to everyone he then said, "We need to out of here first." Then pointing back he said, "If we follow this river, we'll make it to the boat, and we'll make it to the north shore in time."
"That sounds like a good plan." Packard nodded. But then he didn't go with it as he said, "But we're not leaving just yet."
This confused the others of the group and the colonel explained, "We still got a man out there, Conrad."
(Cue Lost track from Kong: Skull Island)
"Wait a second. You got someone out there?" James asked. Packard then replied, "Chapman. He's with the downed Sea Stallion just west of here."
"West?" Marlow asked, and knew that it was a bad idea. Everyone looked to him as he shook his head, "We can't go west! That's where the Skullcrawlers live."
"Skullcrawlers?" Most of the soldiers asked. Marlow then added, "We have an old saying here. "East is best, west is worst!" You know what I'm saying." He looked to everyone and emphasized it, "That's why we say it!"
Everyone just gave him mixed looks while Marlow said, "You know, southwest… We can talk about that." Then he warned, "But you're probably gonna need a lot more guns or have Broly's help if you're planning on going west."
"Well, Broly's not here now, is he?" Randa asked. Cheelai looked to him and sarcastically asked, "Yeah, and whose fault is that, huh?"
Randa just looked at her with narrowed eyes. Weaver stood up and put in her advice, "I'm starting to think that we really need to listen to Marlow on this." Then she said, "This is crazy."
"They're both right." Cheelai agreed. Packard then looked to Conrad as he was thinking and said, "Hey." James looked to the colonel as Packard said, "Your job is finding lost men, right?" Then looking to 17 he said, "And you probably able to due just as much as Broly can, am I right?"
They both saw the sense in Packard's words. Conrad gave in and said, "Okay, sir." But then he warned, "But should we reach the Sea Stallion's position and Chapman's not here, we don't send out a search party. We come right back here by nightfall, understood?"
Weaver, Lemo, Cheelai, 17 and Marlow didn't like where this was heading as James pointed out, "In twenty-four hours, we need to be on the other side of this island."
"Roger that. Hear you loud and clear." Packard nodded. Looking to his men, Packard then ordered, "All right, you heard the man. We're moving out in ten."
(End of track)
"This is a good group of boys." Marlow commented as they all prepared to head out. Then he was a little morbid when he patted Cole's shoulder and said, "We're all gonna die together." It didn't make them feel any better as he said, "You're a good of boys to die with, I'll tell you that much."
"That's dark, Marlow." Lemo said as he and Cheelai stepped away. Marlow started laughing and said, "You shouldn't have come here."
Conrad walked past Weaver and said, "Don't forget to tell me that this is a bad idea."
"This is a bad idea." Weaver instantly repeated. But she, Lemo, Cheelai, 17 and Marlow all followed everyone as they began to make their way west.
Soon the combined group left the forest and made it to a series of rolling hills. They mostly walked in a straight line with Packard, Conrad and 17 taking point. Everyone all kept a look out for any signs of danger. They soon came into a forest of bones jutting from the ground. Cheelai looked to Lemo and asked, "What do you think happened here?"
"Who knows." Lemo shrugged. But they all noticed that the bones were increasing as they kept walking. Weaver raised her camera to take a few pictures. When they climbed the next hill, everyone's eyes widened at the sight. The sight was horrifying and yet sad at the same time. Marlow looked to both sides of the group and said, "Yeah, you guy smell that?" Looking out to the massive boneyard he said, "That's death."
The group was standing on the outskirts of the final battle of Kong's parents. And unbeknownst to them, they were being watched from two sides. Kong watched from behind one of the mountains while something on the far side of the valley slinked in, thinking that another meal was instore.
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Author's Note: I decided to stop it here because I wanted to get started on Broly's chapter. Not only will it be action packed, but I will include a plot twist that none of you will see coming. I don't know how long Broly's time healing will take, but I will be getting back to the group eventually. I also plan on adding the final History trailer soon as well. 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.
