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: Broly's internal struggle comes to a close. Lemo, Cheelai, Weaver and Conrad all come face to face with the protector of the island. And Packard gears up for a fight.
Side A/N: And I'm gonna give this chapter as this year's Christmas gift for you guys. Merry Christmas, you guys!
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Chapter Seventeen: Prelude to Comebacks
Taking the detour around the boneyard appeared to be a mistake for Conrad's group. The sun was starting to set in the west, meaning that the second day would be over and only a few hours remained on the clock to get off the island. The tracker kneeled down and touched a log that had a few mushrooms growing on it. 17 looked to him and asked, "Are you sure that you should be touching that?"
"Well, the moisture on it does tell me that there's water close by." James said with a shrug. Brooks looked to him and asked, "Are you sure you're not lost? Which way?"
"Hey!" Cheelai said, "Have some confidence in the man. He's kept us alive so far."
Conrad appreciated her words, but kept focused on trying to figure out which way to go, "Hang on for a moment."
The tracker looked about to see which way they needed to go while everyone waited for him to say something. A roar sounded somewhere in the distance. Everyone looked about and 17 asked, "Lemo?"
Lemo pressed the button on his scouter and waited for a moment. The little machine beeped for a moment or two before not showing him anything. He sighed and said, "Too far away for me to pick up."
"Wait here." Conrad said as he stood back up. Then he said, "I'm going to go and scout ahead. I've got to get to higher ground to try and find the river."
The tracker started to walk off into the woods. Lemo, Cheelai and Weaver all looked to each other and knew that it wasn't a good idea to be out here alone. They started to follow him and Weaver shouted after him, "Hey! Hey, we're coming, too!"
"17, stay with them until we get back." Cheelai said as they disappeared into the wilderness. 17 nodded and said, "No problem."
The sound of a gun cocking made the android and the other two look at Marlow. The man was now holding a pistol in his hand and he said, "We'll be right here, waiting."
The four were soon out of sight while the other four sat there and waited. Marlow then warned them, "Keep your eyes open you guys." They nodded in understanding, and with the pistol he pointed upward and added, "Up in the trees, too."
"Why?" Brooks asked and looked to him, not understanding. 17 then answered, "Sometimes a tree isn't a tree."
Marlow nodded in agreement and said, "Ants. Really big ones."
The sound of a bird made them all look up. But Marlow shook his head and said, "That sounds a lot like a bird, but it's not. It's a freaking ant."
"I think we ran into one of those yesterday." 17 recounted. Marlow seemed a little impressed and said, "Oh, really?"
"Yeah. But then again it was probably some kind a spider." 17 said and looked to the ground. He didn't look too happy as he said, "Neither us nor the ant walked away without losing something."
The three humans looked to the android but didn't say anything. They were unaware that they were being watched by someone from a distance.
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Geras and Chapman stood on a ridge not too far from the group. While the two didn't say anything, Chapman did glance to Geras and wondered what was the truth with this guy. Chapman then decided that the first chance he got, he would go and find his friends, no matter what questions would come his way. But when he looked back to Geras, he found the observer gone. Chapman looked around for Geras, but couldn't see any sign of him.
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Packard and the soldiers finally made it to the Sea Stallion wreckage and found that the craft was somewhat intact as were the weapons inside. The radio was dying as it had been left on. They surrounded the Sea Stallion and Packard ordered, "Gather up everything that you can, including those seismic charges. They got his attention the first go around. They'll bring him right to us."
Packard kept a lookout while the soldiers and Woodward went about the Sea Stallion to collect the weapons. Packard sighed as he removed the covering from his mouth and looked about the area to keep an eye out for danger. But as he looked to his right, he saw a familiar figure hiding in the trees.
Packard glanced back to his crew before carefully making his way over. He found Geras hiding under the shade of a tree. Packard then said, "Well, if it isn't my old buddy, Geras."
"Greetings, Colonel Packard." The observer returned and looked to him. The colonel then asked, "How and what are you doing on this island?"
"How is not so important." Geras answered that part, unwilling to give any information. Then he said, "The reason I am here is the same reason I told you back at the hangar; a clearer future."
"Doesn't look like it much now, does it?" Packard sarcastically asked. Geras then said, "I see that you no longer trust those you came with."
"Are you talking about Conrad or Broly and his group?" The colonel questioned. The construct looked to him and asked, "Which do you think?"
Packard just shook his head as it wasn't being made clearer to him. Packard then asked, "So how does my future look now?"
"It is uncertain at this point." Geras told him. He started to turn away and said, "I wish you luck on your mission, Colonel."
Packard watched as the observer disappeared into the jungles of Skull Island. He was brought out of his thoughts when he remembered to get back to his men.
Slivko, Mills, Reles and Cole all stood at the back of the wreckage and stared at the weapons inside. Even with having enough fire power to fight against Kong, they were all starting to doubt the plan. Cole started walking around the chopper again while Mills followed him, removed his helmet and said, "This is a really bad idea."
"Let's just get on with it, man." Cole said as he started to remove the weaponry from the wreckage.
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In his mind, Broly looked to where he could sense his infected self. He could see the younger version getting up and rear his head back. The infected Broly then let out a holler as his power once again exploded. Broly braced himself against the intense winds coming from his younger self. When he looked to the smaller Saiyan, he could see that the younger version of himself preparing to attack again. Remembering his father's words to him, Broly readied himself to finish this, his way.
(Cue Blizzard by Daichi Miura from DBS Broly)
The younger Broly shot towards him and Broly made sure to be ready. When the younger Broly was but a few inches from him, Broly disappeared from the younger version's path.
Daichi Miura: Monochromatic mother earth
Too dark to see the morning
A tension in the atmosphere
It's cold and never thawing
The younger Broly became confused when he lost track of his older self. But when he looked behind him he could see Broly floating in the air. The smaller version of Broly then blasted towards him with a fist reared back. Broly was able to catch the fist and held the younger version of himself there for a moment. The smaller Broly then launched a flurry of punches that Broly was able to either counter or dodge.
Daichi Miura: Follow common sense
In the way that I've been told
But will it really make me happy?
Now I realize my breath has started to freeze
The younger Broly became more and more frustrated with each strike. Broly then grabbed his younger version's arm before flinging him high over his head. The younger Broly spun as he sailed through the air before stopping himself. He looked back down to Broly with a glare before speeding once again towards him.
Daichi Miura: I'm in the middle of a blizzard
I can feel the pressure
Got ice encased around my heart
The beats the only measure
Broly jumped out of the way and the younger Broly's fist struck the ground, creating a large crack in the ground. The two the entered a flurry of blows but it was mostly the younger Broly issuing the attacks. The younger Broly continued to glare while Broly remained passive as he was able to dodge or counter the attacks.
Daichi Miura: Of even knowing I'm alive
Come turn this pain to pleasure
Before I shut right down and
shut the door for good
The two Broly's leapt away from each other and prepared themselves for what came next. Broly then took a deep breath before exhaling it and letting a frosted breath escape him. The younger Broly became confused by this before glancing down at the ground. The rocky terrain had turned into the frozen lands on Earth.
Daichi Miura: There's a wall that's towering over me
If I try to climb it will I succeed?
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
The younger Broly looked to his older self and Broly didn't say anything as snow started to fall around them. He just smiled as he tapped his head, indicating that it was all in the mind. The younger Broly growled in irritation to this before bringing his hand behind him and prepared a Gigantic Full Blast attack. With a yell he threw the attack at Broly.
Daichi Miura: I'll find the truth deep inside
Life is in my hands, so no need to pray
Coz I'm ready now for the judgment day
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Broly got into a his stanch and readied his hand. When the sphere came right at him, the Saiyan smirked as he back handed the sphere away. The green orb of energy sailed across the mountains before landing somewhere in the distance and a large explosion went off.
Daichi Miura: It's gonna be mine to claim
No one else gets to decide
Coz the futures only made for you and I
The younger Broly then launched sphere after at his older counterpart. But Broly would either move or deflect the attacks. Younger Broly then rushed forward him again. But this time Broly went on the offensive a little and rushed forward as well.
Daichi Miura: Such a narrow world
Full empty dreams
Poison ivy twists
Like my haunted screams
The two entered another frenzy of rapid blows. The two then disappeared before reappearing and a crater formed in the ice around them. When they finally separated, younger Broly rushed forward and tried to land a high kick. But Broly was able to catch the leg before spinning around and flinging the younger Saiyan away.
Daichi Miura: Staring through the fog
I can finally see
I'll blow it all away
Like a blizzard
Younger Broly's hands created long grooves in the ice. He stood up right but became shocked to find Broly standing right in front of him. Younger Broly lunged forward with a fist, but Broly caught it just in time. The two versions of Broly stared at each other, one wary of what the other would do and the other knowing exactly what to do.
Daichi Miura:Ayayayayayayaya
Break the ice
Break the ice
Break the ice now
Broly then kneeled down as he pulled the smaller Broly closer. The younger Broly then became surprised as two large arms wrapped around his person. The smaller Saiyan and the infected looking Broly looked to Broly in shock and surprise. But Broly said nothing and closed his eyes.
Daichi Miura:Ayayayayayayaya
Break the ice
Break the ice
Break the ice now
The infected outline of the younger Broly's power roared as it started to drift away from the two. Younger Broly's anger seemed to disappear as his power died down. The younger Broly then started to fade as he released all his anger and hate at that moment.
Daichi Miura: There's a wall that's towering over me
If I try to climb it will I succeed?
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
I'll find the truth deep inside
As the younger Broly faded away, Broly opened his eyes to see the infection itself starting to take on its own shape and the world changed back to Planet Vampa. Soon, the younger Broly vanished completely and Broly stood up to his full height. He turned his gaze onto the infection as it soon took the form of the Legendary Skullcrawler.
Daichi Miura: Life is in my hands, so no need to pray
Coz I'm ready now for the judgment day
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Broly glared at the inky monster before taking a deep breath and a golden outline formed around the Saiyan. The outline began to expand around Broly and took the form of Kong. Broly then let out a holler and the Kong outline let out an ear-piercing roar that reverberated for miles. The opposing monster made a rush for Broly, but Broly and the outline of Kong prepared themselves. When the giant monster was but a few feet from him, Broly swung his arm out and the outline of Kong's fist was the one to connect. The blow sent the infection flying to Broly's left. Broly and the outline of Kong's head turned to the infection as it started to get up. Then placing his right hand back, he started to gather an orb of green energy.
Daichi Miura: I'll be the one to decide
It is m right to be free
"Begone." Was all Broly said as he threw his hand forward and unleashed his Omega Blaster attack. The infection roared as the blast collided against it. It roared in pain as the blast started to destroy it.
Daichi Miura: Coz the futures only made for you and I
The infection gave one last roar before the blast completely obliterated. Broly watched as the infection was completely destroyed. He stopped his attack and looked to where the infection once stood and couldn't feel a trace of it.
Daichi Miura: And the story will last forever more
Broly let out a peaceful sigh as he could no longer feel the effects of the poison. The outline of Kong faded as well when the air around him felt peaceful once again. Broly closed his eyes and knew that this part of the struggle was over, and could focus on the upcoming battle. He and the world around him vanished in a flash of white.
(End of track)
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The sun was starting to set over the peaks near the Iwi village as the elders and most of the villagers all stood outside of the hut where Broly was resting. The sound of shuffling made them all look towards the flaps. They watched in silence as two hands carefully emerged from inside the hut before Broly gently pulled them away. The Saiyan was now standing tall and proud as he took his first few steps into the world. He saw that the entire village was gathered around him before glancing down at his leg. He saw that where the wound once sat, pulsating from the poison, was no bare of both the injury and its venomous contents. He had done it. Broly had successfully defeated the venom in his system.
Broly looked to the Iwis, to each and everyone of them, before bowing his head and said, "I thank all of you."
(Cue Prelude to a Comeback track from DBS Broly)
The Iwis all bowed in return to accept his thanks. Two of the Iwi elders both came up to him with a couple of villagers behind them. They were both women, wearing red tribal dresses, yellow paint on their bodies and had their hair tied in ponytails. The two villagers had something in their arms. The two women stood in between the two elders and presented Broly with gifts. In the woman to the left's hands, she held a necklace that the warriors of the island wore and in the other's hands held a tunic of orange, yellow and red. Broly looked up to them and asked, "Are these for me?"
The four nodded and the two women moved around Broly. The Saiyan remained still as the woman with the tunic threw it over his shoulders. The fabric felt soft and smooth to the touch, but it also felt like armor somehow. The woman was able to fasten it around the Saiyan while also leaving the fur around his waist visible. He slightly leaned forward so the other woman could place the necklace around his neck. Once it was clasped on, Broly stood at his full height again. The women backed up to the elders again and they all bowed in respect to the Saiyan. Broly bowed back and said, "Thank you, good people of the island."
"And thank you, Broly." Two people said into his mind. Broly was surprised by this, but knew that he couldn't dwell on it. All the villagers started to move out of the way and formed a path for him. Broly walked down the space between them and followed it through the village. It came to an end at the dock of the village. Broly stood at the edge of the dock and gazed out to the island. But before he left, the Saiyan took one last glance back to the villagers and nodded in respect. He jumped off the dock, but took to the air and flew off to catch up to the others.
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The sun was nearly gone when the soldiers all went to work on laying a trap for Kong. Small louds also rolled in as it continued to set. Packard ordered, "Mills, Cole, let's prep this ordinance."
A soldier prepared a machine gun as the chain of bullets clattered against boxes and such. Seeing a few red barrels, Packard then said, "Let's give him a special gift out of that napalm."
Another soldier dumped the contents of the barrel onto the ground while Mills got to work with the seismic charges. The soldiers kept preparing themselves as they readied all that they had for the upcoming fight. When the napalm had been completely poured out, Slivko lit a match and looked at the tiny flame before tossing the match into the napalm. The stuff instantly caught fire and Slivko watched the flames grow.
(End of track)
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(Cue An Unexpected Bounty track from DBS Broly)
From under the cover of night Geras and Chapman both stood in the darkness of trees. Even from where they were standing, Chapman could see an orange glow coming from his crash site. Without looking to observer he said, "I guess that the colonel's going through with that plan of his, huh?"
"Indeed." Geras said, watching the growing glow from afar. Jack Chapman started to think about the Colonel's plan. And then he remembered how the ape hadn't attacked him when he clearly knew that Chapman was there. The soldier did want to avenge his fallen comrades, but then thought about how the ape was probably defending his own territory. And that killing the ape wasn't the solution. Deciding to take a chance, Chapman then said, "I'm going."
"That would be unwise, Jack Chapman." Geras said and turned to the soldier. But Chapman shook his head and said, "You can't stop me. You said it yourself, that you're mostly an observer."
"If I was merely an observer, then you would be dead by now." Geras argued. Chapman shook his head and said, "While I am grateful for that, I have to stop the colonel from making a big mistake."
The soldier started walking towards the orange glow when a barrier of sand formed around them. Chapman looked to Geras and said, "Let me go, Geras."
"Your presence would disrupt the timeline. All my efforts to keep the timeline straight will be for naught." Geras argued, not realizing what he had just let slip out. Chapman then asked, "What do you mean by 'efforts', exactly?"
"That you were destined to die on this island. Something that I was trying to avoid." Geras said as he narrowed his eyes. Chapman then asked, "What exactly did you do with that lizard thing from yesterday?"
But suddenly it dawned on him that Geras must have some how made it seem like he had died to his friends. Quickly whipping out his pistol, Chapman didn't hold back as he unleashed a few rounds on Geras. Though the bullets didn't hurt him, it was enough to distract him. The barrier of sand stopped and Chapman made his move by running towards the orange lights. Geras looked to the departing soldier before slowly following after.
(End of track)
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(Cue Birth of Gogeta track from DBS Broly)
Broly flew along the river to make it to wherever the others were. The Saiyan was greatly relieved that the wound was gone and he didn't have to worry about his power going berserk anymore. And as he flew on, Broly felt as if a weight had been taken off his shoulders ever since making peace within himself. He just hoped that wasn't too late to save Kong and his friends.
(End of track)
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Elsewhere, Conrad, Weaver, Cheelai and Lemo began climbing up a hill in the dead of night. They had to be really careful incase there were Skullcrawlers or other predators skulking about as they made their way up. They soon made it to the top of the hill surrounded by a thick layer of fog and Lemo spoke up, "Hey, you guys know about that supposed skull from the boneyard?"
"Which one?" Cheelai asked while standing at her full height. They all looked to him as he shook his head, "No. I mean, Chapman's."
"What about it exactly?" Weaver asked, not sure where he was going with this. Lemo then said, "Well, before we were attacked by the Skullcrawler, I got a good look at the skull and it had flecks of sand on it."
"Sand?" Conrad asked, somewhat suspicious. Lemo then pointed out, "Most of the places on the island mostly have dirt, right?"
They nodded and he continued, "And the only places that have sand would be around bodies of water. But the vents where the Skullcrawlers dwell and the Sea Stallion aren't anywhere near water. So…?"
"Where did that skull come from?" Conrad finished the question. Cheelai then questioned, "So, the skull and the tags had been planted together to where they were eaten by that Skullcrawler?"
"That would be my take on it." Lemo said, "And I'm willing to bet that whoever planted the skull is also in league with whoever made the clone."
"But wouldn't that also mean that Chapman might be still alive?" Weaver asked. Lemo shrugged and said, "Maybe so."
But before they could dwell on it, Conrad noticed something at the bottom of the hill. They all looked to see the river and Conrad said, "The boat must be around that bend."
"Now all we got to do is find it." Cheelai added. Lemo then asked, "Do you guys feel something?"
They all suddenly felt the ground starting to shake beneath their feet and they looked about the area. They gasped when they saw a large silhouette approaching them through the thick fog.
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Author's Note: I'm gonna stop the chapter right here. Hope I made it entertaining enough for you guys. The final battle begins in the next chapter and I got some crazy stuff planned. Answers will come to light and the fate of future of Thirteenth's Earth will be decided in the upcoming chapters. 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.
