A Royal on Skull Island Ch. 08

Everyone reaches the shore that the Air Ship had been beached on. There, they are met by the sight of a massive crab tearing through the hull of what's left of the ship.

"Help!" Dexter can be heard calling out as one of Doom Crab's pincers leaves one of the holes. In its grasps is the said Charming sibling.

Darling screams, "Dexter!" and rushes to her brother's aid. She gets right underneath and goes to swipe at one of the legs only for it to move out of the way. Just as it was about to come on down the youngest Charming, Apple tackles her out of the way and ducks into a newly made entrance of the capsized Ship.

"Apple!" Ashlynn is there to greet the Snow White along with Hunter clutching his axe. In the corner an injured Kitty can be seen next to Allister trying to keep Bunny safe.

"Yippie!" Faybelle announces her presence, "Now we can all die together!"

Apple was not paying much attention as her mind races to think of a plan. Peeking out, she finds that the hunters are distracting Doom Crab with their spears and arrows. Some managing to hit spots in between the exoskeleton. The princess throws her own spear, and it plunges into one of the joints. Then, she takes Darling's sword, "I'll need to barrow this and this," and snatches Hunter's axe.

"H-hey!" the Huntsman shouts at her as she exists the hiding spot.

Apple rushes towards her spear and uses it to swing up, then uses the axe as an anchor before pulling herself up. The princess then runs on top of Doom Crab and jumps to land on the pincer with Dexter trapped. She japs the sword into the part of the claw with a bit of exposed skin, forcing it to release the Charming as it lets out a shriek.

Dexter lands on the ground with an 'oof' before suddenly being hefted up by Darling and Hunter. "Was that Apple?" he asks.

Hunter nods. "Yeah, and she seems to know what she's doing."

"Or not," the Dark Fairy comments while watching the Snow White getting grabbed by Doom Crab's other pincer.

Doom Crab raises Apple up to its eyes. Suddenly, the princess lets out a bloodcurdling scream. The sound seems to have sent it into a daze. It shakes it off before reaching its free pincer to its prisoner. But Doom Crab ceases movement as a booming roar sends it into alert mode.

"Kong!" one of the hunters announces followed by another.

"Kong!"

Soon, others join in, chanting that same word.

"Kong! Kong! Kong! Kong!"

The trees part to reveal a massive scar covered ape standing up right. It spots Apple in Doom Crab's grasp and lets out a roar before banging its chest to challenge the crab.

Doom Crab turns to the princess who wears a smug grin. "I'd put me down if I were you."

Before Doom Crab could make any movement, a fist meets its face. The Ape then grabs the claw containing Apple and tears it open. Just before the princess hits the ground, her savior's foot grabs her and gently sets her down to allow the princess to get away from the battle.

Apple joins the hunters as well as Raven, Briar, Maddie, Cerise, Daring, and Rosabella. Running up to them is Dexter, Hunter and Ashlynn assisting Kitty, Allister carrying Bunny, and Faybelle.

The Dark Fairy stops for a moment to stare at Cerise's ears. "When did that happen?" The Riding Hood just lets out a growl in response. Faybelle holds her hands up in defense before turning away, "Fine, whatever!"

They watch the spectacle before them. "What kind of Ape is that?" Ashlynn asks. "I don't recognize the species."

"That, my friends," Apple starts. "Is Kong."

Kong swings both fists into Doom Crab. Doom Crab turns in an attempt to flee into the waters, only to be grabbed and thrown further onto the beach, landing upside down. Just as it tries to turn itself right side up, Kong lands on top of it and starts pounding into it. Pretty soon, Doom Crab ceases all movement and the ape stops. Kong then starts poking it and nudging it to make sure his opponent is dead. Standing up right, the ape pounds its chest to declare his victory as the hunters starts chanting his name again.

Turning to the gathering humans, Kong walks up to them. The students from Ever After huddles close together, fearing what this creature might do to them. The Ape then sits in front of them. Apple steps towards the beast, ignoring her friends' warnings.

Kong holds out a hand and the princess grasps a finger. "Thank you, Kong," she lightly kisses it. "I can always count on you to protect me." Apple turns back to her friends and wave them over. "Kong, these are my friends from Ever After. I told you about them." Kong turns to the group of teens who steadily walk up to him. He slightly lowers his head and raises it as if bowing. Apple smiles at the gesture. "Kong welcomes you among us." she then looks past Kong and at the remains of Doom Crab. "Hey, Kong. Would you mind carrying that back to the village?"

Kong looks over at his fallen opponent before turning back to Apple and nods. The ape stands back up, being mindful of the humans and approaches the massive crab. With a simple heave, he lifts the remains over his head and begins his trek through the forest.

Raven approaches her fairy tale heroine. "Why does, uh, Kong need to bring that?"

"It's cultural among the natives here to eat what you kill," Apple explains with a shrug. "Plus, it'll go along way to feed him during the feast."

"Okay, Apple! Hexactly what's going on here!?"

"Come on!" she starts dragging the witchling with her. "I'll tell you the story back at the village."

End