Chapter 4: A New Species
Kong brought his mighty axe down upon the Wart Dog's neck, cleaving it from the body with one swift stroke. He roared in triumph before turning to look at the others. Kong had decided to head out on this hunt himself with Suko and two other apes. It was part of his rulership, joining on occasion and partaking in the now daily rituals of the tribe he came to head. He let the axe relax on his shoulder as the sun glistened off his gauntlet. The gauntlet had remained affixed to his arm over the years but Kong didn't mind. The damage from Shimo's ice breath had almost completely destroyed Kong's nerves and feeling in his hand. The glove brought back functionality in it and so it remained on Kong, keeping his hand as useful as it had once been without it. It was almost as if the glove and axe were a sign of his rule. Shimo came before him, picking up the body of the dog and laying it on a pile with two other bodies. The other two apes, both of them tall with gray and black splotches of fur coating their bodies in various patterns, continued to fan out in search of others. Usually more of the animals could be found all around this area. The hunting grounds that they often trekked to had a series of outcroppings as well as a few narrow canyon areas with towering rock on both sides. The ape tribe would sometimes corner several Wart Dogs in these canyons and drop rocks from above to end their prey. Even with the areas the dogs could potentially hide, there seemed to be so few today. Something was off.
The tremors in the ground caught Kong's attention just as he heard the shrill cry of one of his ape companions. Kong bounded over to him just over the crest of a hill. Dust and dirt were flying through the air as a cloud of it approached them. One of the apes began hooting at Kong and voicing it's concern. Shimo joined Kong on the precipice of the hill watching the growing cloud of displaced debris rise as it rushed towards them. The ground began to shake more and more. Kong looked back down the hill as their other ape was beginning to come up. Kong looked back and saw the storm was upon them. A nightmarish volley dirt and dust assaulted them, taking their focus away before the ground exploded beneath them with a tremendous bang. Suko and the other ape tumbled forward into the storm as Kong went sideways, his body turning from the impact. In the aftermath of erupted earth as he crashed to the ground, he could see a silhouetted shape flying through the air. The ape at the bottom of the hill stopped in awe as the top of the hill exploded and the other apes disappeared. All he could see now was the ground flying through the air, accompanied by a massive ball of spikes. Before it could react, the spiked ball crashed down onto the ape with a thunderous smack, crushing it's body and immediately continueing it's path as it began coming back around. Kong jumped to his feet as the last of the dust and dirt settled and overlooked the scene, axe gripped tightly in his hand. He saw the mangled body of the other ape and the spiked ball that was slowing to a stop.
The ball unfurled into a creature as it jammed it's front feet into the ground to stop itself. The top of it's body was an armored casing of sharp, bony spikes protruding all along the surface. These spikes continued down the length of it's tail to the very tip which had several other barbs of bone sticking out in a cluster. It had four massive, legs holding it's heavy body up as it shook the excess dirt off of it's horn crowned head. There were 5 horns that adorned the head and a singular horn protruding just above it's nostrils. Two excessively long teeth poked from it's mouth on each side as it gave a loud maaaaronk sounding roar. Kong didn't hesistate at this creature's appearance. He struck his chest with both hands and began bounding down the hill at this new beast that invaded his hunting grounds. Kong's momentum picked up quickly bounding down the hill, the great ape jettisoning off the ground, axe high in the air. With a mighty roar ringing through the air along with his axe, the mighty Kong brought the weapon down hard. The armored beast leapt out of the way nimbly as Kong split dirt with his blow. As he recovered, the four legged behemoth charged at Kong, roaring once more with a gaaaaaaoooo. Kong dropped the axe and used both hands to grab onto either side of it's armored back, taking hold of two of the spikes to stop the rampaging monster's charge. He wrestled control and tossed it onto it's left side. Kong took the oppurtunity to go for his axe but was caught off guard once more as the creature showed lightning reflexes and jumping in the way of the weapon. It roared once before swirling around. The barbed tail swung quickly and jammed some of it's barbs into Kong's chest, the force dislodging some of them as he stumbled back and rolled head over feet.
The drone flew through the sky, the crew of the Monarch watching intensely from the monitors as Sullivan piloted it manually. They had gotten it near enough to the cloud the creature had been producing and followed it as it approached the hunting grounds. It had outpaced the drone by a bit. The camera captured a huge eruption just ahead and was nearing the hill as Suko and the other ape were running back over. The drone flew over them and caught the scene of Kong facing off with the mysterious creature.
"What the hell is that thing," Len asked in astonishment.
"Some kind of turtle? Kinda looks like those Gamera comics my kid enjoys," Franklin retorted.
"I'd say it's bodily structure resembles more of an armadillo than a turtle. A horned, spiky, mean looking armadillo," added Diane.
Sullivan shook his head.
"Whatever the hell it is, I'd say he picked the wrong guy."
Kong tried to stand as it felt the stabbing pain in the right side of his chest. Blood began to leak from the wound as he rose to his feet and pulled out the barbs. The beast charged forward again but stopped as several larger rocks hit it from behind. The creature snarled and turned as Suko and the other ape were launching large stones in an attempt to distract the brute. It began bounding towards them, it's feet tearing into the ground with every stomp. Suko and the other ape scattered to opposite sides, Suko tumbling down the hill towards Kong. The creature began chasing the other ape as it made it's way towards one of the rock walls, still chucking stones at it's pursuer. The ape dropped the remaining rocks as it jumped up, hands outstretched for purchase on the wall. The bounding beast jumped into the air, becoming a ball once more as it aimed to crush the other ape. The ape grabbed the wall and used it's momentum to narrowly avoid the vicious assault. Suko grabbed Kong's axe and handed it to him as they watched on. The ape made a triumphant hoot and began running back towards the others. The creature unrolled and dove into the dirt once more. It quickly caught up to the ape as it burst out from behind. Sailing through the air once more it forced the ape onto it's chest, pinning it down as it began to claw and gouge bits of flesh out of it's back.
Shrieks of pain filled the air as Kong and Suko ran towards them. The other ape screamed and flailed as the beast continued tearing into it. Kong shoulder tackled the titan, sending it back once again. Kong held up his axe in his left hand, his gloved fist clenched hard in a defensive stance as Suko began helping the wounded ape away. The four legged Titan snarled and roared once more as it assessed Kong. Kong snorted and growled back. The creature reared itself back on it's haunches and then shot forward once more like an enormous cannon. Kong threw his gloved hand forward, the back of it going into the snarling beast's mouth. Kong's feet dug into the ground as he tried to hold it back. This creature had so much strength to it, it's four clawed appendages pushing it's weight forward as Kong kept being pushed. He lashed out with his axe, looking for purchase anywhere on it's body. The blade kept careening off it's armored exterior, every connection causing it to slip off ineffectively. He tried to strike at the neck but was unable to due to his positioning. Kong bared his teeth and roared as he lashed out and struck a leg, burying the axe into flesh. The beast released it's grip and gaaaaaaooooed once more, this time in pain as Kong withdrew the axe. Some blood began to flow, though not much as Kong readied for a second attack. It reared back once more, it's mouth of impressively sharp teeth on full display before it bounded at him again. As Kong drew the axe back, it suddenly jumped up and over his head. He turned to see it land on it's feet before launching backwards at him. Kong's eyes went wide as a wall of spikes hammered into his body, the spikes puncturing several areas as he was thrown back. Kong hit the ground with a large thud, the wind knocked from him. As he went to sit up, the beast was upon him, it's mouth launching forward at his throat. Kong brought the handle of the axe up to protect himself, the bone catching the titan's slobbering jaws. He once more tried to wrestle it off of him, but it's claws kept stabbing into him as it frantically continued the assault. Suddenly with a loud crack and snap, the bone handle of the axe shattered just below the blade, Kong barely having enough time to grabbed the head of the monster before it could reach him.
Suko climbed onto the beastly titan's back, it's feet slipping between the spikes as it grabbed the horns on the monster's head. He howled and hooted as he wrestled for control of the head with Kong. Thanks to Suko's distraction, Kong was able to bring his feet up and shove the beast off of himself. Suko jumped off and landed crouched to it's side.
The beast righted itself once again and roared, challenging Suko. Kong stood, feeling himself weaken to this unrelenting foe. He looked back at one of the narrow canyons and suddenly had an idea. As the monster prepared to launch itself at Suko, Kong threw the blade of the axe at it's head. It hit the horned crown and caught it's attention. It turned and saw Kong running away. The armored beast began bounding after, Suko following not far behind. Kong rushed as fast as he could towards the nearest canyon, kicking his feet off the canyon wall as he took a sharp right into the narrow space. The beast slid as it tried to stop, careening into the rock's base. Suko took an upper pathway, going to the top of the right side of the rock. Kong neared the end of the shallow canyon, tall rock walls on either side and behind him a large opening where the cliff suddenly dropped. He roared a challenge at the beast, daring it to come for him. Suko watched from overhead as the titan reared itself once more, all four of it's massive legs pushing forward hard and fast. Kong readied for the charge, teeth still bared. As it drew closer, the monster moved began moving to the left. It's speed carrying it as it began running along the side of the cliff walls, going ever higher before launching itself off and into a ball again. Kong wasn't expecting such a display and was nearly caught off guard before throwing it's body against the wall and just out of the way, the heavy ball of flesh and armor and spikes firing off the cliff and down into the valley below. Kong looked over the edge as the the massive body crashed into the trees and forest floor below. The sound was deafening as was the blow it took, it's body unfurling once more as it staggered around, clearly dazed from the long drop. It tried to get it's bearings and gave a maaaaronk before falling onto it's stomach and unmoving. Kong snorted and roared in victory, pounding his chest before wincing from the previous wound it had received. Several new wounds from the claws and spikes had done a number on him. He made his way out of the canyon. Suko greeted him at it's entrance, hooting and mewling at his adoptive father. Kong gave a smile and put an hand on Suko's head before they headed off. they reach the other ape that Suko had aided and Kong helped him to his feet. The ape's pained cries echoed Kong's wounded body and they began heading towards home, leaving the bodies of the Wart Dogs and their fallen companion behind. Suko went back for the blade of Kong's destroyed axe and picked it up before joining them.
"Holy hell," Sullivan said, letting out a sigh of relief. The drone had caught all the action, just as it had kept the attention of the crew. Diane quickly went to her terminal as she began typing something up.
"Can you get the drone down there for a better look at that thing," she called out through the clacks of her keyboard. Sullivan guided the drone down to the lower valley where the creature lay motionless. It settled once more before the great titan's face, the camera recording and taking photos of this new creature. Diane looked up from her terminal and continued typing as she studied it's face.
"Well so much for this one. He just met the king down here and that'll be the last thing it ever does," Len said with a smirk.
"What makes you think it's dead," Diane asked.
Len took a sip of his once hot tea, now cold from the lack of attention to it.
"That thing just took an 800 foot drop after flying through the air. It ain't getting back up," he said. Diane shook her head as she looked back over her terminal. She then paused her typing.
"If it's dead, explain these life signs to me," she retorted.
Almost as if on cue, the monster's eyes opened and it stood up. The drone began to pull off but it quickly disappeared as the creature bit down, ending the technology obsolete. Sullivan gave a sigh with a side of "Dammit". Len looked over at Diane and rolled his eyes as she chuckled.
"That's life in the Hollow Earth. Still rather the drone than any of us. I'm going to finish this report and send it to the surface. And we should probably let Dr. Andrews know that Kong took a hell of a beating."
"Yeah. I'll get on it right away Diane," Len said before taking his seat. Franklin returned to his radar screen once more, his mind still taking in the battle that just unfolded. He was happy that Kong had managed to beat that thing but he was also surprised at how much of a struggle it was. Man, he thought, I hope there isn't a round 2.
The titan licked it's chops, trying to do away with the foul thing it had just tasted. It shook it's head once more, a pounding pain reverberating through it's body. The blow of the fall had been cushioned by it's armor and thick hide. But it was definitely reeling from the fall. It growled once more then licked at it's wounded leg. The blood had already stopped flowing, the thick skin having already sealed it off. A new feeling, one of hunger filled it's body now. It sniffed the air before digging into the dirt wall and pushing it's way back up to where it had first emerged. Despite it's already impressive speed, burrowing still allowed it to travel faster. Within moments it climbed from the rock, emerging from a new hole. It surveyed the scene. A pile of animal corpses lay off to it's right and to it's left the body of the ape it had smashed. No sign of the other threats. It had failed to finish them off but that was the least of it's concerns. It began to crawl towards the ape's body, it's tongue licking at it's jowls once more as it prepared to feed.