Chapter 8: Aftermath

The next day, Kong set out to work, climbing up the side of the Empire State Building to get a look at where the prehistoric beasts had taken up residence in the city. He saw some pteranodons fly by him as he roared. He took a moment to rest on the side of the iconic tower, reminiscing about times long past. About how a version of himself had died up here, shot down by airplanes on a morning much like this. But this time was different. Instead of the city ridding themselves of him, Kong had the unenviable task of saving it from his subjects. He reached the top and let out a mighty roar as he beat his chest!

Below him, as the herds of mammoths and dinosaurs grazed in Central Park, they looked up to see Kong roaring above them. The beasts let out their own roars before running after Kong as he slid down the side of the Empire State Building. He leaped off near the bottom and swung after the animals as they stampeded down the street. He ran along the rooftops before leaping down and stopping the animals in their tracks! He roared, forcing the animals to turn towards the docks with Kong and Chon-Dar in hot pursuit!

"You sure this is going to work?", asked Mayor Mitchell. "Positive", said Dr. Jenkins, "Just be ready with those tranquilizers". Mayor Mitchell nodded to a clean-shaven Army colonel, who gave the signal to some soldiers perched up in the buildings. As soon as the stampeding animals ran over, they fired, knocking all of them out! "Good work, Colonel Wilson", said Mayor Mitchell. "All in a days work", said Colonel Wilson, "Now we just need to get these guys into their cages for the return trip home". At once, Kong hoisted two bull mammoths onto his shoulders and gently put them in their cages. Mayor Mitchell and Colonel Wilson shared a look. "Get the ropes and follow the ape's example", ordered Colonel Wilson.

Soon enough, cranes were brought in to haul the brontosaurs onto a ship. Other soldiers sprayed knock-out gas into the air to catch the pteranodons, who all fell softly onto nets that were carried aboard the ship, along with cages holding the styracosaurus and triceratops. Kong, meanwhile, was able to capture the resting T. Rex and haul him aboard. "That's almost all of them", said Jason, "Any sign of Tiger Lucy?" "None", said Mayor Mitchell, "Her bank accounts were emptied before we could freeze them. I honestly doubt she's even still in the country. But don't blame yourselves. We'll do all we can to find her". Just then, Kong grunted as he pulled in the giant anaconda. "After this, of course", said Mayor Mitchell, "Priorities, you know".

Elsewhere, a mysterious woman in red walked into LaGuardia Airport and showed her papers to the desk attendant. "Visiting the country of San Theodoros, I see", said the attendant, "Might I ask why?" "I just want to see some old art pieces from an ancient tablet and visit an old friend", the mysterious woman explained, "I have a history with such things. Plus, New York is getting a tad chaotic". "True that", said the attendant as she updated the computer, "Though I'm not sure San Theodoros is any better, even with General Tapioca's recent passing. You stay safe over there". "I'll do my best", said the woman as she put cash on the desk and took her ticket. "Nice lady", said the attendant quietly as she left, "But there's something familiar about I can't quite place".

Tiger Lucy took one last look at New York City before taking a sigh of relief. "Glad that's over", she said as she counted her money. Knowing it would be a five hour flight to San Theodoros, Tiger Lucy took out a pamphlet on the country, or more specifically, the museum she was hoping to visit. When she saw the headlining attraction, she knew exactly who would be interested in it. The attraction was a repaired tablet from an ancient temple, one that Ramon de La Porta had hired her to steal some time ago. By pure coincidence, it was repaired and displayed in the same country where de La Porta was being held in a clinic, with doctors hoping to revive him from his coma soon. Just then, Tiger Lucy caught sight of the news showing Kong working with the army. "As for Hunter Stag III", said the reporter on TV, "His funds will be used to repair the damage from his so-called hunt". "So much for not letting revenge distract from what needs to be done", mused Tiger Lucy, "Suffer well".

Later that day, a grand ceremony was held in Kong's honor. "As a show of gratitude", said Mayor Mitchell, "I present to you, Kong, the key to the city!" The audience cheered as Kong was handed the key to the city, which was so big, four people were needed to carry it. Kong simply held it between two of his fingers and grunted happily. "What will you guys do now?", asked Mayor Mitchell. "We're going to lay low for a while", said Dr. Jenkins, "Too much excitement for my tastes". "However", said Jason, "If anything like this ever happens again, we'll be more than happy to help". Kong nodded confidently. "I wouldn't worry about it, though", said Tann, "After all, what are the chances more monsters show up out of the blue"? "As we say back on the farm", said Colonel Wilson, "better safe than sorry. We'll keep in touch". Kong then snarled at the armed soldiers, causing them to jump! Colonel Wilson chuckled as he walked past. "At ease, men, he's on our side", he laughed.

Some time afterward, the ship arrived on Kong Island and began releasing the animals. Kong grunted happily as the woolly mammoth herd stampeded back into the jungle. "Ah, it sure is good to be home again", said Jason. "Are we certain that skeleton crew won't find their way back to Kong Island?", asked Lua. "I wouldn't worry about it, Lua", said Dr. Jenkins, "I took the liberty to erase any records of our journey here as well as scramble their satellite networks. No one is coming to Kong Island without us knowing about it again". "Fine with me", said Tann, "Between car chases and ceremonies, I'm wiped out". "So, where does that leave us now?", asked Jason. "Over the years I've lived on Kong Island, I've made countless scientific discoveries", said Dr. Jenkins, "Now's as good a time as any to publish them." "Is that wise?", asked Lua. "Nothing on Kong Island can stay a secret forever", said Dr. Jenkins. Just then, the T. Rex roared before walking onto the shore. "I can't believe Kong didn't dump that giant pain at sea or something", said Tann, "I mean, if I was him, I sure wouldn't let my worst enemy back on Kong Island". "Yeah, but Kong isn't like that", said Jason, "It's what makes him a true king".

Kong and the T. Rex stared each other down. Their eyes failed to hide emotions of rage and animosity, but Jason and Lua noted there was something else there too: respect. Kong growled before racing into the jungle and climbing up the side of the mountain. When he reached the top, he let out a mighty roar as he beat his chest, a warning to anyone who would dare attack Kong Island again.

Epilogue

"So, that's that", said Tann. "That was quite a story", said Tintin. "I'll say", said Tann, "I'm surprised you didn't hear it until now". "It was a crazy week for us as well", said Tintin. "You can say that again", said Captain Haddock, "Thundering typhoons, my shoulder aches just thinking about it". "I guess that leaves only one question", said Professor Calculus, "What ever happened to Hunter Stag III?" "Yeah, he seems like the type to come back for some more, the mongrel", said Captain Haddock. "He wishes", said Tann, "Even if he could escape from Sing Sing, he would have nothing. I think he's had enough time to know a lost cause when he sees it". Just then, everyone heard the roar of Kong in the distance. "Hunter may have been right about others seeking to plunder the secrets of Kong Island", said Tintin as he looked out into the distance, "But that doesn't mean you have to face them alone. One day, we'll look out for Kong like he has for us". "Glad to hear it", said Tann, "They'd have to be fools to mess with the combined might of Tintin and Kong."

The End.