Land of Confusion (Unmaking Quest - The Fleeing Masses)

[Jason Lee Scott]

It had been a few days since the two Rangers made their escape from the Temple of the Mastodon. While Jason had managed to sneak in the rescue Zack, their exit had been far more explosive and dramatic. While their superhero experience revolved around fighting evil space aliens, they certainly were no strangers to being on the receiving end of small arms fire, even though if they had a choice they would rather it be within their protective Ranger suits. The part of the experience that really concerned them was an encounter with an Unmade Mastodon as they made their final escape. Jason had experienced visions of the Unmaking shortly after his arrival in the Crossroads, and a plea from a dinosaur spirit known as Chomper for help, but to actually face the might of the Unmade was another ordeal entirely.

It had been a quiet couple of hours between the two as the shell shock from the arrival onto Kraw settled over Zack now that the adrenaline had worn off. Beyond picking a trail at forks in the road or pointing out obstacles in the road, the Black Ranger had been uncharacteristically quiet. Jason had been much the same, feeling the urgency of their new call to action, but also worry for the missing three Rangers. They had a lot to do, and driving down jungle roads didn’t feel too productive. With that nagging at him, Jason slowed the stolen M12 Warthog to a stop in the trail. The vehicle was running low on gasoline, but fortunately they still had some reserve fuel tanks strapped to the back they could use. It was a good excuse to get out and stretch their legs as well.

“Jungle, man. Nothing but jungle,” Zack mumbled in aggravation as the two of them exited the vehicle, and walked around to the back. “Never thought I’d miss things like that liquor store with the busted lights back home.”

“Just be glad we’re driving,” Jason commented as he grabbed the gas can and began to fill the tank. “I had to walk the whole way to get you.”

“My hero…” Zack trailed off sarcastically, his hands on his hips as he looked to the tree covered canopy above them. It was a miracle as much light got through as it did.

Zack’s eyes narrowed at what sounded like crying from in the woods. He listened for a minute, and it was clearly the sound of a woman sobbing. He glanced back to Jason, who was finishing up with the gas, and strapped the fuel canister back into the storage area.

“Hey, you hear that?” Zack asked his friend.

“What?” Jason asked, but stopped moving, sure enough, he heard it too. “Is someone crying?”

“Guess we ought to check it out,” Zack suggested, somewhat reluctantly.

Jason nodded in agreement, and the two Rangers quietly moved off the trail and into the woods. They moved closer to the sounds before they came upon a small ledge. Below them was a small creek, barely wide enough that it couldn’t be jumped over. What really caught their attention was a woman in ruined, dirty clothing sitting by the side of the creek, her head in her hands and sobbing uncontrollably. Zack looked to Jason, and already his short time on Kraw was affecting his judgment.

“Well, that’s a trap,” Zack matter-of-factly said as he looked back to the woman.

“Maybe not,” Jason slowly said, looking down to her as well. He’d encountered very few people he could trust on this planet, but it was still hard to resist someone in need. “We should probably find out.”

Zack let out a heavy sigh. Of course Jason was right, but the odds were that someone was lying in wait for them to be distracted. They weren’t in the best shape to fight off an ambush.

“Alright, I’ll go down there,” Zack nodded, starting to look for an easy way down.

“You sure?” Jason asked, looking over to his friend.

“Yea, yea,” Zack waved his arm as he started to climb down. “You’re always a sideways glance from whooping some ass, so I’ll be the nice one and you just don’t let anyone jump out at me.”

Jason nodded with a slight smile, but still went to surveying the area. There was always somewhere someone could hide in this jungle, so it wasn’t the easiest task to watch someone’s back out here. Especially when, other than the mounted chaingun on their vehicle, they lacked the firearms it seemed every other damn person out here had.

“Hey, you alright?” Zack asked as he slowly approached the woman.

She spun in a hurry, gasping and falling back into the water in pure terror.

“Hey, hey! It’s alright!” Zack shouted as he held both hands forward and stopped. “I’m not here to hurt you!”

“Please, I don’t have anything, it’s all been taken from me!” the woman begged as she scrambled to get out of the water.

Jason frowned and furrowed his eyebrows. If this was a trap then she was incredibly well experienced playing the role of bait.

“I don’t want anything, I’m here to help,” Zack continued to attempt reassuring her.

The woman paused, calming down a little bit but she didn’t appear anymore convinced. “No one’s here to help on this horrible planet.”

Zack wasn’t able to stop himself from laughing out loud. “I’m learning that, but we’re the good guys. I’m Zack, and that’s Jason up there.”

The woman looked upwards to Jason, then back to Zack. She was still twitching and panicking, but something about Zack’s words and voice did reassure her a little bit.

“Anya,” the woman answered.

“Anya, are you with someone?” Zack asked. “We heard you crying, and this jungle is no place to be lost and alone.”

“Yes,” Anya answered as she nodded. “Yes, I just came to get out for a minute. I’m staying at the community near here. We’re all refugees from Cevanti and Govermorne, and we ended up on this horrible jungle world when we fled.”

Zack turned around to look back up at Jason. He silently mouthed the names of the two ravaged worlds to his friend out of curiosity, but Jason could only throw up his hands in confusion. Those names meant nothing to him, but use of the term refugee explained enough.

“We’re new to Kraw, too,” Zack admitted as he helped Anya to her feet. “Would they welcome us? We’re trying to get our bearings and could use some help.”

“I would think so, this camp is run by natives. They are kind and caring, and have protected us from the bandits that have been preying on all of us,” Anya answered as she looked around. “What world did you come from?”

“We’re new to the Crossroads,” Zack answered. “We don’t know a lot of these words and terms, but we want to help.”

“I don’t think anything can be done,” Anya answered. “I fled my home planet of Cevanti when the Unmaking arrived. We heard what they did when they turned Govermorne into… nothing. But they’ll even be here. They attack and kill everything.”

Jason let out a deep sigh as he heard her terrified response. More talk of the Unmaking, and more victims of this dark force. Those worlds had to be the visions he saw. It was nothing but death and destruction. They were so brutal it looked like even Lord Zedd had been fighting against them. Of course, if all those other visions had been true then clearly the sight of Zedd alive and well in the Crossroads was true as well. They really didn’t need to deal with two enemies at once.

“We met one not long ago,” Zack replied. “We want to help, however we can.”

Anya didn’t seem convinced, but she pointed into the jungle just the same.

“Then we should head back,” she suggested. “They’re probably worried because I’ve been gone so long, too.”

Zack looked to Jason, who simply nodded. This wasn’t a battle the Rangers could win on their own, even at full power. If there were others willing to fight, they would need their help.

 

[Jason Lee Scott]

Jason and Zack followed Anya into the small camp. It wasn’t very impressive, mostly consisting of tents and makeshift shelters. Yet even as low tech as the camp was, they were able to tell how much of it was put together more recently, and with an absence of materials. The population suggested much the same. There were some tribal styled warriors loitering about the area, complete with warpaint and spears, but also just as many, if not more, people dressed in tattered, yet more modern clothing. They were huddled around campfires or tending to menial chores, between various breakdowns between them all. The atmosphere felt overwhelmingly desperate, and Jason and Zack quickly understood Anya’s mindset. They couldn’t say this was too unfamiliar to them, either. After the alien invasions they’d experienced in their homeworld, they’d seen more than one refugee camp like this one. It never became easy to see people at their worst.

One of the natives stepped up to the three as they returned, placing his hand on Jason’s chest to stop him. Anya looked nervously between them, while Jason and Zack exchanged quick glances of their own.

“Halt,” the warrior demanded. “Who are you?”

“We’re here to help,” Jason answered, showing no resistance. This didn’t have to be a fight.

“I see your vehicle. It is one of the mercenaries and invaders,” the warrior replied. “You are no refugee, you only create trouble. You are not welcome in this village.”

“Please, at least let them speak with the elder!” Anya interjected. She didn’t see how they could really help anything here, but there was no sense in casting them into the jungle. Besides, they clearly weren’t the bandits that truly plagued this land.

The warrior looked between the two newcomers sternly as two of his fellow natives joined him. Jason and Zack both watched as they discussed them in a language neither understood, so they could do little more than wait. It was hard to even get a read on them, so they were relieved when all three turned back to them.

“Very well, you may speak with our elder, Chief Tochtem,” the warrior said. “It is a courtesy extended to all travelers. But know that if you bring us any harm, you will never leave this village.”

“We understand,” Jason replied stoically.

Zack turned to Anya. “Thank you for your help.”

“Thanks to you, too,” Anya replied. “Please take care.”

As Anya departed, the three tribal warriors walked further into the village. Jason and Zack followed after them, looking around as they trailed their escort. The scenes of loss were difficult to stomach. There were crying children, shellshocked parents, and people that were utterly broken and devoid of hope. Both Rangers silently shared a feeling of hopelessness. They wanted to be able to help these people, and for the first time were without their powers to do so, and no idea how to track them down. It was a stark reminder that they had much work to do, with little time.

They arrived at a large hut, and the warriors entered. Seeing no reason not to, the two Rangers followed them in. The tent was filled with lavish decorations, or at least what passed for lavish on Kraw. Mostly spoils of battle decorated the area, but at the middle was a small fire, and an old man sitting before it, calmly stoking the flames. He looked rugged, experienced by years on a harsh planet. Though he was past his prime, he still had an aura of strength.

“We have brought travelers from the jungle,” a warrior announced.

“Yes. Yes, I see,” the chief said as he looked up. “Come, sit by the fire.”

Jason and Zack both moved forward, sitting on two broken logs that were clearly meant to serve as benches. The old man gave them a kind smile, and they returned the gesture, though with a bit of uncertainty.

“I am Chief Tochtem, and I am the leader of this tribe,” the old man said. “I welcome you, as peaceful visitors I hope.”

“We don’t mean any trouble,” Jason confirmed. “My name is Jason Scott.”

“Zack Taylor,” Zack added on his own greeting. “It’s really kind what you’ve done to help these people out.”

“We are natives of this land. We have seen the horrors Kraw can bring upon those that do not understand it,” Tochtem explained. “These people, they are refugees who have escaped a horrible fate, but they did not know what awaited them on a world like Kraw.”

“Escaped Darkseid,” Jason confirmed, nodding his head as he did.

“Yes. You seem to know his horrors, yet you don’t strike me as refugees like the others,” Tochtem said, tilting his head as he studied them. “Tell me, are you from one of the worlds lost to the Unmaking?”

“Neither,” Zack answered. “We’re not from here at all.”

Jason nodded. “We showed up here through means we don’t understand, from a far away world called Earth.”

“Ah, yes. Planet Dirt,” Tochtem nodded in understanding. “Many people come to the Crossroads from various versions of that world. Tell me, what makes your version special?”

Jason and Zack looked to each other. History was littered with countless wars, unlikely stories, nations that rose and fell, and countless feats of both human brilliance and depravity. Earth was truly a unique world because of the humans that inhabited it. Still, the answer was obvious.

“Probably the aliens,” Zack admitted.

“Definitely the aliens,” Jason agreed. “Our world was invaded by an alien empress when we were younger, and we were summoned with three others to be… superheroes.”

Jason paused. It felt weird to look back on his life and say something like that even now. He hadn’t been much of a comic or cartoon guy growing up, though he remembered Billy had been. Meanwhile, his heroes had been martial artists and sports stars. He sometimes struggled with the direction his life had taken, but mostly relished how it was everything he wanted to be. It had true purpose.

“Go ahead,” Tochtem said with a nod. He sensed Jason’s hesitance to continue, but clearly understood wildly different realities.

“We won, but ten years later it happened again,” Jason continued. “We got back together, gained our powers again, and in the middle of the battle we ended up here. We’ve been trying to find our friends ever since. And not only do we think our enemy, Lord Zedd, is here, but we ran across this Darkseid and his minions.”

“The Unmaking has sent these desperate refugees to Kraw, as I said,” Tochtem answered. “Yet even this world and its ravenous hunger are not enough to stop his might.”

“Why have you taken them in?” Zack asked. “I’m sorry, you guys just didn’t strike me as the…”

Tochtem laughed as Zack trailed off. “There are refugees everywhere. New Abraxas has taken most of them, but we will not abandon the innocent to this jungle. This is our way of life, not theirs. We will help them survive and recover, so long as they do not ruin our home.”

Jason nodded, with a faint smile.

“We’ve lost our powers, and our friends,” Jason admitted, deciding to pour their desperation to this elder. “We’re going to get them back, and then take the fight to this nothingness, whatever it is. Beams of light should have touched down across the jungle. We were the red and black, but there were also blue, yellow, and pink ones. Anything you know about these would help us find our friends, and maybe our powers.”

Tochtem stood up and ventured away from them, surveying the various artifacts that adorned his walls. He smiled as a found an old wooden horn, and slowly picked it up in both hands. He turned back to the Rangers, gently holding the relic.

“I sense a great determination in both of you, and your words,” Tochtem explained as he looked between them. “You come from a life of both privilege and hardship, and have seen struggles of many shapes. Still, this is a planet that will test you beyond your wildest expectations. You cannot hope to reclaim what you have lost in this jungle without the help of the land itself.”

Jason stood up, with Zack doing the same, but both looked unconvinced by that statement. They didn’t interject, though, allowing Tochtem to continue as he walked towards the exit.

“Come,” Tochtem instructed, and the three exited the tent, with a band of warriors following them.

They both started to feel a little uneasy as they were flanked by the armed spearman while Tochtem led them to the edge of the village. Had they said something to wrong them? They exchanged quick glances to confirm silently that they might be about to get into a brawl with a bunch of spear wielding brutes, and continued to look uneasy as they stopped in the jungle away from the town.

All that happened next was Tochtem offering the wooden horn to Jason. He looked down at it, and hesitantly took it in his hands, looking it over with gentle respect.

“Kraw is home to many species. People fear the greater of them; they call them monsters and beasts, but so many of them only wish to protect their home,” Tochtem explained.

Jason dropped his attention on which guard was getting a fist to the throat first, realizing this wasn’t an ambush or an execution. Instead he looked over the horn as Tochtem talked.

“If you believe yourself worthy, use that horn,” Tochtem calmly instructed. “It is used to summon a giant kaiju beast. One of the last of his kind that lurks this jungle, protecting it from all threats to this land. He will judge your worth, and aid you if you are deserving.”

“And if we’re not!?” Jason was quick to ask in bewilderment.

“Look, when he said superheroes, he meant the type that jump into giant robots and punch giant monsters in the face,” Zack explained just as fast, turning to face Tochtem as he explained. “We might not find a common ground, here.”

Jason continued to stare at the horn, then looked out at the lush green jungle before him. He had to think of the various species and the wildlife before him. Though it had been harsh to him in his short time on this land, he understood that every ecosystem was delicate. If they could prove to the apex predator of the land they were allies, and not enemies of this jungle like the greater threat, they would stand a better chance. The mantra of the Power Rangers was to help all in need. So what was the difference between a ruined hometown and a burning jungle?

“It’s alright, Zack,” Jason said, raising the horn.

Zack watched Jason, but didn’t say anything. He trusted his leader, and his best friend’s judgment. It was why he was given the role above the others, and Zack never argued it. Yet he recognized that Jason paused to allow him enough time to interject if he truly felt the need. He didn’t, so Jason blew the horn. The wooden, triumphant theme that rang from it was all too familiar to the Black Ranger. Jason had played the tune used to call the Dragonzord. It sounded far different coming from a wooden horn, but Zack had to laugh.

“You're kidding me, right?” Zack asked with a forced, nervous chuckle. Despite the humor in giving the Red Ranger a musical instrument, there was no telling what was coming towards them now.

“I only know two songs,” Jason sheepishly answered, watching the jungle for movement. If Tochtem was right, something incredible would be coming shortly. He didn’t want to miss a bit of it.

“Tell me,” Tocthem interrupted their banter. There was a single, burning question on his mind, the crux of all of this. “If the kaiju choses to aid you, you find your friends, and you recover your powers. What will you do then?”

Jason closed his eyes for only a moment. The question took him back to the desert outskirts of his hometown of Angel Grove, all the way back in the year 2006. To a moment he held close forever.

Remnants of clay bodies littered the area, the first wave of countless more to come defeated. The newly minted, and freshly morphed Power Rangers had overpowered the first wave of putty patrollers in their first morph, and though the battle wasn’t over, they couldn’t help but bask in the moment. Five teenagers clad in cosmic armor took in their victory, and their new looks within these alien suits. They hadn’t been given much time to do so after Rita Repulsa’s first assassination attempt.

“Yea baby!” Zack Taylor shouted, high fiving the Pink Ranger. “Did you see that!? We kicked ass!”

“For this power, I can even get used to these boots!” Kimberly Hart agreed, looking down and over her shoulder at the diamond design on her armored feet.

“This power is incredible, I feel like I can do anything!” Billy Cranston remarked as he paced around. As the least experienced combatant, he’d expressed the most worries, yet overpowered the putties just as easily as the others with his new strength, speed, and abilities.

Throughout everyone’s celebrations Jason stood clad in the armor of the Red Ranger, staring at his hands. He’d thrown a million punches at opponents or targets with them, and knew his limits and capabilities well. At least, he thought he did. He’d just complimented his own abilities with an extraterrestrial power, and gone beyond his wildest expectations for himself. It was truly intoxicating, but he only viewed it as an opportunity to do what he was born to do. He could help those that needed it like never before.

“Look!” Trini Kwan shouted as she pointed to the city they called home in the distance. A giant golden beast was rampaging through the downtown district, with little care for the skyscrapers and those unfortunate enough to not have evacuated. “We’re not done yet!”

No sooner than she had spoken, the Power Rangers began to feel light. Their armored bodies flickered with their respective colored energy, slowly at first before picking up in intensity. Billy was the first to recognize the second instance of this phenomenon, and that their alien mentor was sending them to the next battle.

“We’re teleporting again!” Billy shouted as he looked over to his teammates.

“Where are we going!?” Kimberly yelled across the group, her voice teeming with trepidation.

Jason finally looked up from his morphed form, and to the city before him that needed his help. Behind his black visor he narrowed his eyes on the invader that was ravishing their city unopposed. He spoke with more determination than his lifelong friends had ever heard from him.

“We’re gonna save the world.”

 

[King Kong]

The roar of mighty Kong echoes throughout Kraw's vast jungle, spooking small critters within the vicinity. Tropical birds fly off the branches away where adolescent Kong is present. He remains standing on the rock high and almighty, looking out into the dense forest. Suddenly, a familiar horn calls out to his presence that captures his attention. A monkey grunt leaves his mouth, curious of the native tribe that signals for Kong.

Without hesitation, Kong leaps off the rock toward the direction where he hears the horn crying out. His strong furry yet leathery gorilla hands grab hold to a long thick vine that's strong enough for his weight to hang. He swings and continues to the next vine, entering a dense flora jungle of tangly vines. The primate titan navigates effortlessly through the many vines that help him traverse fast in the tropical jungle. Whenever the tribe uses this horn, Kong always gets a feeling he must sort out some problem.

Whether defending the helpless tribe against Kraw's predator monsters or helping with a natural disaster, Kong does not turn away from them. They have for many generations been peaceful to his kind, giving land for the kaiju apes to live significantly. Unfortunately, the natives couldn't help to keep the skullcrawlers at bay that wiped out Kraw's natural Kaiju Gorilla population. Luckily, natives saved and helped raise the orphan ape throughout most of his infant years. Kong and the natives formed a well bond together, always benefiting each other in the unforgiving wild.

Instincts rush to his mind, thinking of how this call will go down, whether it be standing up for the village that can't defend itself well against a monstrous predator or helping to do simple chores for the tiny humans. Nonetheless, this doesn't agitate the monkey; it only makes him determined to be there for his caretakers. He moves elegantly across the monstrous jungle, showing how capable he can traverse in this lush green maze. His hands grab onto a big branch that's able to stay sturdy with his hanging weight; in one swift movement, the giant gorilla swings to another tree limb toward the native village's direction.

The two earthlings back at the village's edge wait for almost fifteen minutes in the hot tropical jungle with mosquitos buzzing in their ears nearly every ten seconds. Zack, the black ranger, seemed unsure how this would work once they stared eye to eye with this beast they just now summoned. Due to some predictable situations, there will always be danger lurking when he comes across a monster. No turning back now for the two newcomers to the ancient tropical jungle planet of Kraw. Jason, the red ranger, stood confidently, not regretting his decision to sound off the wooden horn.

To them stood peacefully, waiting to see how this interaction with their monstrous protector would pan out. The armed native warriors and their elder stands behind the two outsiders from fifteen feet away. Silence in the jungle breaks when they hear rustling in the trees far ahead of them. The treetops shake back and forth, giving off a signal that something resembling a behemoth is coming this way. Birds scatter in panic when this mysterious kaiju touches their tree. A slight unease settles upon earth's mightiest heroes on what kind of natural monster they'll face.

Movement in the trees stops for a solid second, causing the stillness of the jungle to return. The anticipation felt as if it dragged on for eternity for this natural titan's reveal. It lasted for three seconds, and the behemoth primate leaps out from the treetops, sticking a clean landing on all four furry limbs. Upon impact, the jungle floor beneath their feet shook slightly, caused by the monkey's massive weight. Jason and Zack slowly gazed toward above their puny height compared to the kaiju's mighty body.

The furred primate titan stands erected upright on both his feet with his long arms hanging freely. Although both earth's mighty rangers have started to get familiar with how Kraw's wildlife is more exotic than their home planet, the fact that a gorilla species on Kraw is the size of an average two-story house blows their minds beyond. Man and beast had at least fifty feet between where they stood, locking in an intense gaze with their eyes. Bravery remains in Jason and Zack even when knowing that a monstrous gorilla can crush them easily like insects. Kong's eyes gave off heavy judgment while staring back at the two rangers.

His eyes read them comparable to a book, attempting to get an explicit knowledge of the newcomers. The elder of the village and his guards remain respectfully silent while the encounter happens. Kong's nostrils sniff the air and exhale them while examining the rangers. Before Jason and Zack think to turn their eyes away, the kaiju monkey pivots away from them and walks toward an enormous tree that hangs massive branches above them. Kong reaches to pull down a tree limb packed with green tropical leaves toward the ground while he sits at ease.

The wild kaiju acknowledges that the two power rangers had courage, heroism, and respect about doing the greater good for existence.

Jason breathes in relief that the wild beast remains peaceful to him and Zack. Tocthem smiles proudly at the two boys on how Kong received them.

"So… did we pass?" Zack speaks up, unsure how this enormous monkey thinks about them.

"Indeed, you have. He senses the good in the two of you." The village elder walks steadily closer to the rangers, gazing at the jungle titan's greatness.

Jason becomes glad how this interaction between him and this untamed primate remains calm. While they come together examining the monkey's nature at a distance, the titan gorilla begins to eat from the branch of nutritious leaves. Curiosity sets on Jason's mind on what the villagers call the creature's identity.

"What do you call him?" The red ranger looks back at Tocthem but still tries to keep an intrigued eye on the monkey.

"His name is Kong."

 

[Jason Lee Scott]

“Don’t smile at him.”

“What?” Jason asked as he looked from Tochtem to Zack, wondering where the hell that random advice was coming from.

“Don’t smile,” Zack repeated, looking from the massive beast to his leader as he pointed to his own mouth briefly. “If you bare your teeth that’s a sign of aggression. They take it as a challenge.”

Jason looked skeptical. “I think that’s just regular gorillas.”

“Man, don’t call him weird, either!” Zack said in disbelief as he threw his hands up.

Jason gestured for Zack to stay where he was with a small chuckle.

“You’re freaking out a little bit,” Jason soothed his friend. “Let me take care of this, alright?”

“Alright,” Zack shrugged, not arguing he was a little shocked by their gargantuan new friend.. “But I wouldn’t smile at him.”

Jason rolled his eyes as he stepped away from Zack and the warriors, gently holding a hand out as he stepped towards the kaiju gorilla. It munched contently on leaves, hungry after the journey through the jungle. Jason made sure it could recognize that he held the horn, and that he was the one who had called upon him for help. Looking up at the massive beast, it was clear why Tochtem had referred to assistance from this incredible creature as aid from the jungle itself. He didn’t doubt that there might be something bigger than it, but there couldn’t be much. Through all of his confidence and bravado, though, Jason still wasn’t sure how to approach the creature. So he took slow and deliberate steps, while he kept his hand out. The kaiju looked up, and when they made eye contact Jason couldn’t fight his own instincts. He smiled.

Oh shit.

Jason’s face dropped to a serious expression as soon as he caught himself. Thankfully, he wasn’t turned into a red mist, as the kaiju gorilla merely snorted it what sounded like amusement.

“Kong…” Jason repeated the name Tochtem had uttered aloud.

Kong acknowledged his name and loudly grunted, setting its meal aside as Jason approached. The incredible creature rolled to his feet once more as it towered above Jason. Clearly, Jason’s approach interested him, and he showed no sign of aggression towards the Ranger. Jason, meanwhile, felt himself grow more concerned with every step, but he refused to stop. In all of his battles he had encountered all sorts of fantastic creatures the size of buildings just like Kong. Yet, every time he faced down one of Rita or Zedd’s goliaths he was in the cockpit of a war machine or while enhanced far beyond his bodily limits via his Ranger powers. Those benefits were absent now, and he approached Kong as a mere human. If this encounter went wrong, Jason would have no say in what happened next.

And that was why he refused to stop. What good were the Ranger powers and the Zords if he was afraid to act without them? Jason was a strong believer that strength was useless without purpose and courage. By the time he had to crane his neck to look up at the creature, he was hoping Kong thought the same.

“This feels like something Kimberly should be doing,” Zack suggested. “I get the feeling he likes pretty women.”

“Would you shut the hell up, Zack?” Jason muttered softly as he continued to look upwards at Kong.

Another snort. Was it amusement or impatience? Jason wasn’t interested in exploring that as much. Zack obliged by shaking his head and holding his hands up briefly in mock surrender.

“My name is Jason!” Jason called to the beast as he patted his chest. He gestured over to his companion afterwards. “That’s Zack. We’re the Power Rangers. At least, we were. We have three more friends somewhere out there, as well as our lost powers. We need help to rescue our friends, and save this world from the Unmaking.”

The mere mention of the Unmaking seemed to make Kong restless and impatient. He paced and flailed like one would expect of an angry gorilla, yet his anger was clearly not directed at Jason. The Red Ranger didn’t know how much of his words Kong truly understood, but it was without a doubt that Kong knew the word “Unmaking” as clear as if it had come from his own mind. That was enough.

Kong suddenly slammed both of his fists into his chest, causing a powerful echo that reverberated across the jungle. The sounds of the jungle quieted once more, and unlike when Jason had first arrived he now recognized the significance of a silent Kraw. By then, villagers and refugees had gathered on the town’s edge, wandering closer to see the arrival of the incredible kaiju and the two men who dared to call upon it.

Jason glanced to the approaching villagers, then back to Kong. The kaiju was gazing upon the lost and displaced that wandered to see the spectacle. He clearly recognized those that were not of the land he called home. Jason watched Kong study the forlorn with the same penetrating gaze he’d already experienced. He knew Kong wouldn’t sense heroism, only desperation and sorrow. Yet, it seemed to hit the right nerve all the same.

“They lost their homes,” Jason explained. “They fled here, with nowhere else to go. We can fight it, but we need your help.”

Kong’s eyes snapped back down to the Red Ranger, who stared back up.

“Will you join us, Kong?”

 

[King Kong]

The sight of more humans gathering near the area where the last known Kraw native kaiju gorilla stood makes the creature uneasy with all the attention that's happening. The titan stands up tall, towering over all the villagers and refugees that dare to witness one of Kraw's wonders. A snort escapes his nostrils, breathing in at all the eyes that stare at him. Both rangers see the uneasiness in Kong's eyes, but the ape fights back those defensive instincts he built all in the years of living in the unforgiving jungle. The words Jason spoke of earlier gain a hold of Kong's senses on what is on the line for their living.

These people have nowhere to go now, their homes decimated by these foul, unmaking forces that devour the weak that can't fight for themselves. No one couldn't stand up in time to protect those in need. Now, they must rely on Kong's home to live once again in peace until the Fallen Arbiter forces find a haven that hasn't become dismantled yet. Not in Kong's house will this be allowed. He will have to fight to the death for Kraw's survival.

Luckily, the two rangers will have his back, but Jason mentions that more of his friends are somewhere, waiting to restore their team. Over time, the monkey's behavior calms down after no one else speaks out the fallen arbiter's army's name. Kong remains on both feet, looking down at the ranger duo awaiting how Kong will react to their alliance proposal. Only silence is how the gorilla titan responds but what surprises Tocthem next is when Kong shifts to stand on all four limbs and lean closer to get a better look at Jason and Zack. It was a breathless scene seeing the monstrous kaiju and two of earth's mightiest defenders facing each other.

Jason's friend remained frozen in place, unsure to make sudden movements to startle the wild beast that can rip them in half easily, but Jason was still fine facing one of Kraw's monsters eye to eye. The emotions filling in Kong's eyes can be readily noticeable. It was not violence to announce upon everyone surrounding him but desperation for not losing this world that creates the one purpose for him while living and breathing. The ape's face remains in reaching distance where Jason stands; deep down, the two protectors, man, and beast, feel a connection between their spirits. Something tugs at the red ranger's consciousness, telling him to let Kong know that together in these darker times, they share a bond that makes them whole.

His hand reaches out, drawing closer to the wild gorilla's enormous face while Zack is unsure if it's wise to touch this wild creature they just encountered now. He wanted to reach out and tell his other fighting friend, Jason, that it's not a clever idea to touch a wild animal that can bite your hand clean off, but, in these specific moments, he knows to trust his leader's decision. Jason slowly moves his palm closer, almost inches away from touching the gorilla titan's face that remains staring at them. The hand lightly contacts the leathery nostrils' surface calmly. It felt warm and different from what his mind was expecting it to handle, and in return, Kong didn't flinch or move away in denial to a human touching him.

In that fleeting moment, Tochtem was surprised again by this interaction and the whole village witnessing this historical second. He has never seen an off-worlder able to touch this untamed kaiju in his life. That bond Jason felt earlier dwells deep in Kong's consciousness, too, accepting this relationship that will benefit them when it comes to defending against all odds thrown at them at once. ]This bond is the way to make sure Kraw will still thrive while the fallen arbiter's work will loom over everyone. They will not be alone keeping the unmaking away from this rock since anyone can awaken to be a hero.

Kong begins to stand tall on both feet, moving his head further up away from Jason's calming hand. The enormous ape sees all the villagers and refugees gazing at his monstrous appearance. Some thought this wild titan was breathtaking or terrifying, but Jason and Zack remain thankful to know that Kong, the 8th wonder of the world, is on their side. A roar erupts from within the courageous gorilla to ensure that bravery is here to stay and everyone won't lose hope on this wild-infested inhabitant planet.