The air felt sharp, biting at my scales as I, Kong, and the humans finally reached the icy expanse of Antarctica. The distant hum of the engines faded into a heavy silence as the ship slowed to a stop, its propellers winding down. I shuddered as I gazed out over the harsh, frozen shoreline. My talons curled instinctively at the sight of it. The icy winds tugged at my wings, sending a chill deep into my bones. It felt strange, almost wrong, to be back here. The memories, dark and cold, clung to me like the snow that covered the ground.

Kong leapt off the ship with a single, powerful motion. His massive feet thudded against the ice, the sound of his landing reverberating across the barren landscape. His fur ruffled in the wind as he stood, taking in his surroundings with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

"Is this Antarctica?" Kong asked, his deep voice a little uncertain as his large hands brushed against the frost, feeling the cold bite into his skin.

I nodded, the cool air flowing over me as I folded my wings to my sides. The wind tugged at my dark, iridescent scales, sending a shiver through my body. "Yes," I said softly, my voice low as my gaze shifted to the horizon, where the old Monarch base was hidden in the distance. "Well, we should probably head to the old Monarch base where Ghidorah was first released." I felt my wings tighten at the thought of the place, the memory of the battle, the terror, and the destruction. It was a place I never wanted to return to.

Kong looked at me, his brow furrowing, concern flickering in his eyes as he spoke again. "You don't have to come with me, you know. You can always stay here."

I shook my wings, sending a ripple of motion through my large, stormy-colored form. The faint sound of the wind rushing through the feathers of my wings echoed around us. I let out a soft sigh, feeling the weight of my decision. "No," I said firmly, my voice steady and unwavering as my sharp claws dug into the ice beneath me. "You are one of my subjects. I will not let you go to an unknown world and possibly die."

I flicked my tail, the silver-tipped end swishing through the air. My eyes met his, a small, reassuring smile curling at the corners of my mouth. Despite the cold, despite the danger, I felt a sense of purpose settle in my chest. "Don't worry about me, Kong. A dragon will do this... and survive."

The wind howled around us, but in that moment, there was an unspoken understanding between us. As my wings stretched wide against the icy gusts, I stood tall beside him, ready to face the unknown once more.

SCENEBREAK

The journey to Hollow Earth didn't take long, but every step felt heavier, like the weight of history itself was pressing down on me. The cold air from the frozen land had barely begun to recede when I saw it—a massive hole in the earth's surface, a tunnel that seemed to beckon with a mysterious pull. The dark, gaping mouth of the vortex promised answers, or perhaps danger. The edges of the hole were jagged, glowing faintly with an eerie, otherworldly light that seemed to pulse with life.

I stepped forward cautiously, my claws scraping against the icy ground as I neared the opening. The air around the tunnel smelled ancient—stale, like forgotten secrets. I sniffed the edges of the hole, my nostrils flaring to take in the heavy scent of earth, moisture, and something else, something primal that seemed to thrum beneath the surface. This was no ordinary tunnel. It was a gateway, an invitation to something far beyond the surface, to a realm hidden beneath the crust of the Earth itself.

I glanced back, and there she was—Jia. Her eyes met mine, calm and unwavering. She took a slow step forward, offering me a soft smile, one full of reassurance. "It's going to be all right," she said, her voice soothing yet filled with a quiet strength. Her presence was a steady anchor in this moment of uncertainty.

I lowered my head, the weight of her words sinking deep into my chest. Despite the unknown that lay ahead, her belief in me, in us, offered comfort. The bond between us, forged in moments of danger and trust, gave me the courage I needed.

I took one last breath, feeling the chill of the air as it wrapped around me like a shroud. Then, with a slight nod to Jia, I dipped my head and moved forward. My wings folded in tightly as I slipped into the vortex, the darkness swallowing me whole.

Everything around me went black, the world around me vanishing as the tunnel seemed to stretch on forever. I felt the rush of air, the pull of the tunnel, as if the earth itself was drawing me in. My heart pounded in my chest, the only sound in the void.

Then, suddenly, there was a shift—a sensation, like falling through time itself. The air grew warmer, the darkness less suffocating. I didn't know how long I'd been falling, or if I was even falling at all. It was impossible to tell. All I knew was that I had crossed into something new, something ancient, and I was no longer on the surface.

I braced myself for whatever would come next.

SCENEBREAK

The moment I crossed to the other side, a loud, ringing in my ears overwhelmed me. My wings felt heavy, disoriented by the abrupt shift in the air, and I could sense the turbulence beneath me as I struggled to regain control. It was like stepping into another world, the atmosphere thicker, richer—yet unsettling. My wings shook violently as they tried to adjust to the new environment, and before I could gather my bearings fully, I felt myself plummeting toward the ground.

But I wasn't going to crash—not if I could help it. My wings snapped open with a powerful thrust, the air rushing past me as I fought to steady myself. The wind whooshed around me, a roar in my ears as I soared in the direction I instinctively knew I needed to go.

Kong wasn't so lucky. His massive form was tumbling down toward the jagged mountains, his body skidding across the rough terrain. I could see his arms flailing, struggling to right himself, the ground beneath him giving way to sharp rocks and steep cliffs.

Without thinking, my wings cut through the thick air as I dove downward. My claws extended as I gained speed, racing toward him with the precision of a predator in flight. With a swift maneuver, I caught hold of Kong's broad shoulders, careful not to hurt him as my talons gently gripped the muscle beneath his thick fur. The force of the pull was strong, but I made sure to steady him as I shot back into the air. The ground was still so close, but we were rising, fast.

I glanced downward just in time to see the large military airships, the Monarch crafts that had followed us into this new world. They had righted themselves in the air, managing to regain control after being pulled off course by the same violent turbulence. The sound of their engines filled the air, but for now, they remained distant, seemingly unsure of how to navigate the strange landscape that stretched endlessly below them.

Kong let out a growl, steadying himself as I flew higher, keeping him secure in my grasp. His eyes met mine, his expression still slightly disoriented, but there was a hint of gratitude in his gaze. Despite the chaos, I could sense his calmness returning, thanks to the strength of my wings and my grip on him.

The wind howled through the vast expanse of Hollow Earth, and I knew this was just the beginning. The world we had entered was ancient, mysterious, and brimming with danger—and we were about to face whatever it had to offer together.