The large barrels of beer clink as the crowd chatter. It was a dark eerie night for the customers in this tiny pub here in London. In the corner of the small pub remained undisturbed as a menacing interview took place about a certain couple. 

"Tell me more about...Tarzan," the woman underneath her crimson cloak spoke to an old man in front of her. 

"You want to know about Tarzan?" The man raised an unimpressed brow. "It'll cost you."

The man glanced at the butler next to the man, seeing him pull out a gold coin from the bag and handed it to him. The old man smirked, "What do you want to know?"

"Is he really as savage as they say?" the woman asked. 

The old man nodded, "Aye, milady. He's every bit of savage as the fiercest ape. It's all in the eyes! Cold-blooded and hungry like a beast."

The woman wasn't affected by the old man's threat. "Now when I get to the jungle, how will I recognize him?"

The old man leaned back on his chair and smirked as he tossed the coin into the air before catching it, giving a glint in his eye at the bag. The woman turned to her butler and nodded. The butler did just that, sliding another gold coin to the old man. 

The old man hummed, "Depends..."

"On what?" the woman asked but the old man only glanced at the bag again, irritating her more. She snatched the bag from her butler and roughly smacked it against the table. "Oh heaven's sake! On what?! How will I recognize him and on what does it depend?"

The old man greedily grabbed the bag and stood up. "Depends on how many other long-haired blokes in loincloths are swinging through the trees!" he laughed, about to leave but turned back to give her a warning. "But be warned, milady. I'd take care if I was you. It's not a bloke you want to underestimate."

The woman grabbed her cane and lifted his chin before dropping her hoody. "My friend, it is Tarzan who should not underestimate me."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook hummed, attaching a few of the last pieces of leaves to the table. It was a nice afternoon and Tarzan wanted to tag along, holding the table sideways while Brook worked. They were currently at Professor's camp as the man had few of the tools she needed. 

 "There," Brook smiled up at her husband. "All done."

Tarzan smiled, raising the table and setting it down. He looked at it closely, before wrapping an arm around Brook's waist and kissing her head. She chuckled, wrapping an arm around his waist too. 

Just then, a large mosquito buzzed and landed on top of the table. Brook grimaced and turned back as the professor was still looking around. 

"Aha!" the professor crouched to the ground and lunged at the mosquito. "You little–Gotcha!" He landed right at their table, breaking through the leaves. 

Unfortunately, he didn't catch it as the mosquito flew freely. 

Sorry about that, old chap," Professor apologetically looked at Tarzan who was visibly upset at the project being ruined. "I should have been a bit more careful about my landing."

Tarzan didn't utter a word as he removed the table from the man and placed it aside. Brook sighed, knowing how much the Waziri tribe has been teaching Tarzan all sorts of projects. They even taught her how to make clay pots which she's deeply grateful for. 

But her husband wanted to try adding something for their home as it was mostly from Miss Jane's gifts but...The professor's dilemma usually gets in the way. 

"Mr. Porter," Brook walked over to the man. "You've been chasing that mosquito for hours. I do believe he's becoming your white whale," she chuckled at her joke as the professor looked around for the beast. 

"White whale, yes indeed," the professor spotted the mosquito flying in the air and ran after it. 

Tarzan frowned, walking back to Brook in confusion. "It doesn't look like a whale."

Brook chuckled, turning to him, and shook her head. "Oh no, you misunderstand me, darling." She walked over to Professor's bookshelf and looked through the spine of the books, smiling as she spotted what she was looking for and brought it out for Tarzan to see. 

"I was referring to Moby Dick, the whale in this book. You see, Captain Ahab loses his leg to the white whale and becomes so intent on revenge that his hatred becomes an obsession."

Tarzan frowned, grasping the book, and looked at her in disbelief. "Obsessed with hatred?"

Brook nodded, "Yes. And in the book, Ahab's hatred costs him his life." She placed the book back on the bookshelf.

"Incoming!" Professor shouted as he lunged towards the mosquito once more, resulting in him pushing his glassed beakers to the ground, breaking them on impact. 

Brook chuckled, "Looks like Mr. Porter's obsession cost him his beakers."

Tarzan chuckled, kissing her head.

"Oh dear," Professor's eyes widened. "Look at this mess." He stood up and yowled as the mosquito flew over to his bottom and stung him before flying away. 

"He got me again!" he glared at it. "You may have won the battle, my friend. But you haven't won the–"

Brook stepped over the glass and grabbed the man's shoulders gently. "He won the battle, sir. Let's just leave it at that, shall we? Now, what do you say we go to the Trading Post and get you some new beakers?"

"Splendid idea," Archimedes nodded as they both started walking away.  

Tarzan goes to follow but stops, feeling watched. His eyes narrowed, and looked around through the shadows. It was quiet. The birds singing and the grass dancing. It was normal. 

Tarzan looked behind the bamboo wall and sniffed, finding nothing peculiar but felt eyes watching his every move. 

"Darling, are you coming?" Brook walked over to him with a smile. 

Tarzan stopped turning to her with a nod. With that, he grabbed her hand and led the way, more alert than before.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Anything else?" Dumont turned to the beautiful woman, placing her belongings in the inn she would be staying at. The woman only looked out the window, holding her cane. 

"There is...one other thing," the woman turned to him. "I'll need a guide on this safari. I've heard of a man named Tarzan who's perfectly suited for the job."

"Tarzan?" Dumont blinked before chuckling, shaking his head. "A safari guide? I'm sorry, madame. Tarzan will not help you shoot animals."

The woman chuckled, walking over to her bag and pulled out a box. "Sure, the only thing I plan to shoot animals with, is this." She demonstrated the box as the lense opened, revealing a camera.

"Ahh, a photographic safari, is it?" Dumont nodded. "Perhaps Tarzan could be persuaded to help after all."

Dumont raised his hand and gestured for her and his butler to follow him outside as the men continued to unload the woman's belongings. The woman wrapped an arm around Dumont's as she listened to his tour. 

"Everything you see, I built it myself," Dumont explained. 

The woman was unimpressed, "Is that so?"

"Indeed," Dumont encouraged, unaware of the boredom in her voice. "Before I came along, there was nothing here but a wild, savage jungle."

The woman looked around, her eyes widening to see a long-haired man in a loin cloth swinging a vine and landing near the post. 

"Is that him?" The woman asked, her eyes not wavering on him as he smiled and walked over to them. 

"Ahh yes, I suppose you'd like to be introduced–"

"Look out!" one of the men screamed. The metal barrels being carried by a crane snapped as they tumbled to the ground. They rolled towards them, causing everyone to run to the sides. The butler gently rushed the woman to the side as Dumont stayed on his spot, dodging the incoming barrels. 

Tarzan rushed forward, jumping over the barrels and tackling some of the men away. Seeing Dumont was about to get trampled, Tarzan swung the pulley and smacked the barrel away from him. 

Glancing at the woman, seeing as her butler was shielding her, Tarzan grabbed a wooden staff and stabbed the ground in front of them, deflecting the barrels going into them. 

The woman loosened her hold on her butler and looked around, seeing as the commotion stopped. 

"Are you all right?" Tarzan turned to them. 

Not long after the commotion, Brook and Archimedes arrived at the trading post, eyes widened at the mess inflicted here. Terk and Tantor followed along, gasping at the mess too. 

"Would you look at this mess?" Terk gasped, sitting on top of Tantor's back. "It looks like an elephant stampede came through here!"

Tantor gasped in offense, "Oh, why are you always quick to blame elephants?"

"I call them like I see them," she grumbled. 

Brook gasped, looking around as some walls and floors were broken down by the metal barrels. "Good heavens," she murmured in worry as she spotted her husband standing next to Dumont and walked over to them. 

"I say," Archimedes agreed, following her. "Is everyone all right?"

The woman sighed in relief, "Not to worry, we're all quite safe." She stopped, stiffening as she recognized the young woman walking forward with the blue scarf around her head. She didn't mistake those golden eyes before. 

The woman saw as she walked over to Tarzan and checked for any injuries. 

She doesn't recognize her...the woman's eyes narrowed, seeing how close she is to the wild man. 

"Thanks to our dashing hero," the woman smiled at them. "Tarzan, is it?"

Brook and Tarzan turned to her, seeing how elegant she was in her safari clothes. Tarzan frowned, "Yes."

"Oh, Tarzan, my friend," Dumont walked over to them. "Thank you once again. Ironically, Lady Walthom and I were just looking for you," he introduced as the beautiful woman stepped forward. 

Brook blinked and looked at the woman closely, "Waltham," she murmured. "I'm sorry, but have we met before?" she asked as Waltham smiled. 

"I'm afraid not, dear. I would recognize a beauty like yourself," Waltham chuckled as Brook lightly flushed at the compliment. 

"Lady Waltham has traveled all the way here for a photographic safari," Dumont finished. 

Brook beamed, "Photography, how interesting. I recently took an interest in art as well. I hope to see your work one of these days."

"Of course," Waltham looked at her and nodded, a hidden glint in her eyes sparked.  

"She personally requested you as her guide," Dumont turned to Tarzan who frowned. 

"Me?" Tarzan asked. 

Brook smiled, hugging his arm. "Tarzan is the best guide in the jungle. He'll give you an excellent tour."

"Oh, I know," Waltham stepped closer to see Tarzan. "He came highly recommended."

"What do you want to see?" Tarzan smiled. 

Waltham smirked, "I don't know. Everything."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Waltham yelped, stiffening up as Tarzan helped her climb higher to a tree. He picked her up by her hips and placed her gently on a branch as she held onto it with dear life. She looked up at him, gasping in awe as Tarzan moved away for her to see. 

She was met with large greens around her. A majestic waterfall splitting the stream as a large boulder was in between. "It's so beautiful," she gasped. "Oh, Africa. I can see why my brother loved it so..." she stopped, turning away as tears welled up in her eyes. 

Tarzan frowned, "Is something wrong?"

Waltham shook her head. "No, nothing. Nothing at all. In fact, this is all going exactly as I'd hoped," she smirked away from him. 

They traveled for longer hours, climbing to other secure areas while taking in the beauty of the jungle. The woman will admit, it is beautiful yet dangerous indeed. 

What she can't stop thinking about in the entire process is why the young woman was here. How is she still alive? She's not entirely naive when it comes to business. Her family is wealthy and important in London. She knew exactly about the Night the Witch was Tamed and how fond her brother was of the girl. 

She was fond of her too. Except, she was kept most to herself and tried to change the subject or leave quickly from the situation. It took time to hire private investigators to know about her and it came to her as a horrifying shock to know who the young woman was and was appalled to see how her brother was still fond of her. 

But the woman she paid off the investigators, her brother had an unexpected visitor. Being a hunter and all, he gladly accepted the invitation to go on the safari and kill the girl. It's the jungle, people die without a trace. And so, she prepared a poison strong enough to paralyze anyone who takes it and takes immediate results. 

But to hear her brother is dead and to see the young girl alive, she'll swear to finish the job. Not for Vincent, she doesn't care about him. He didn't care about her brother. But for choosing a man who killed her brother in cold blood and lives. 

Walking up a small hill, Waltham took another picture of the jungle, sighing in contentment. It won't be long for the plan to go into motion. 

"Tell me, Tarzan," Waltham started, knowing the man was behind her. "Living in the jungle must be quite an extraordinary experience. The adventure, the excitement, living by the brutal laws of the jungle."

"Brutal laws of the jungle?" Tarzan frowned, unsure what she was talking about. 

"You know," the woman glanced at him before taking a picture of the jungle. "Survival of the fittest. An eye for an eye, that sort of thing."

"An eye of an eye?" Tarzan frowned further. 

"Revenge," she smirked at him as the glint in her eye brightened more but the coldness wavered. "No, you must have learned all about that from the animals."

"Animals don't understand revenge. Only humans do," Tarzan frowned at her, not liking how she interpreted the animals around him. 

"Of course," Waltham turned to him and took a picture of him. "And we are humans, aren't we?" Grabbing her time, she clicked it open and smiled. "Tarzan, don't you think we should, uh, take a little break? It's tea time, you know? Surely, Brook Quinn taught you all about tea," she chuckled. 

Tarzan smiled fondly, thinking about his wife. "Yes, Brook likes tea."

"Well, naturally. She's English," Waltham contained the eye-roll and smiled at him. "I say, why don't we collect her and all take tea together?"

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tarzan rushed ahead, making sure Waltham was behind him as they climbed up the tree. He didn't find it odd at first to see the front door open. He walked in fours and opened the door wider, looking around at the quiet house. 

"Brook?" Tarzan frowned, looking around. He stopped, seeing most of the living room and kitchen trashed over. He crawled closer, stiffening to see blood spots on the floor with Brook's spearhead.  "Brook..." he narrowed his eyes and ran towards their shared room as Waltham entered the small home and sat on the nearest chair. 

"Is there something wrong?" Waltham smirked. 

"Brook's gone," Tarzan narrowed his eyes, seeing her bow on the floor with her arrows scattered around. Something happened and she didn't go down without a fight. That was when he remembered being watched earlier and gritted his teeth. 

He should have been here. 

"Yes...and I'm afraid she's in grave danger," Waltham informed, making Tarzan turn to her.

"How do you know?" he asked as Waltham smirked widely. "Because I put her there. Or rather, my valet did. He's also kidnapped the professor and your animal friends, that elephant and the gorilla."

Tarzan's eyes widened before glaring at her. "But why?"

Waltham pointed a finger at him, "And eye for an eye, Tarzan. You killed someone who was very close to me."

Tarzan's eyes widened, "What? I-I have never killed anyone!"

Waltham scoffed, standing up from her chair, and going through her vest, pulling out a locket for him to see. "Oh come now, think back. Jane, the professor, and Brook Quinn didn't come to Africa alone, did they?"

Tarzan frowned, grasping the locket from her hand and looking inside. He paled to see a picture of Waltham with William Cecil Clayton. "Clayton..." he murmured as flashes appeared in his mind, recalling vividly how Clayton was vicious and cut every single vine, causing his demise. 

"You knew Clayton," Tarzan looked at her but she only heavily glared at him, snatching the locket from his hand. 

"He was my brother!" she seethed. "And you killed him."

Tarzan shook his head. "I didn't kill Clayton. It was an accident," he tried. 

"Really," Waltham looked away, not believing his words. Preposterous. "You know, during all those wretched months following Clayton's death, my only comfort was planning your demise. Right now, somewhere out there in your lovely jungle, each member of your family is in a trap. If you hurry, you might be able to save...most of them."

Tarzan gritted his teeth, stormed out of the house, and jumped to the nearest tree before glaring down at the woman who followed him. "Your fight is with me, not my family. Let them go."

Waltham chuckled, "Over the point is to make you suffer the way I suffered. Right, well, we really should wrap up this conversation because frankly, Tarzan, time is of the essence."

Tarzan growled, climbing down and storming up to her, grabbing her arms roughly. "Tell me where they are."

"Kill me and they die too," Waltham glared at him as he let her go. 

"I'll deal with you later," Tarzan turned away, heading over to the nearest vine but Waltham smirked, pulling out a straw blowdart. "Oh and one more thing. Just to make the game even more...interesting."

She blew on her blowdart, causing a dart to fly to his back. Tarzan grunts, dropping to the ground. Pulling it out, he glared up at the woman. "This is–"

"Poison?" Waltham smirked. "I feel you would know that poison specifically. After all, I manufactured it myself to get rid of the Crimson witch you call wife."

Tarzan's eyes widened in horror.

Tarzan's eyes widened. "Professor is getting her an antidote."

Clayton laughed harder, confusing him. Clayton went to his pockets, "He won't find one because there is only one. My sister made this poison for me. How unfortunate for Brook. I requested to save her if she marries me. How unfortunate..." He showcased a green vial.

"I'm sure you remember," Waltham chuckled. "In fact, it surprised me so much to see her alive to this day, living her life freely when she should be burning in hell," she gritted her teeth before composing. "But no matter, I made sure to give her the same poison as you, Tarzan."

Tarzan growled, gripping on the dart tightly and crushing it in his hand. 

"Oh, and the antidote is um..." she hummed. "Over there," she pointed to the largest mountain. "A place I've christened Clayton's Peak. Now, you can either save yourself or save your family. It's very doubtful you could do both. So you see you have a choice: suffer the way I did, or suffer the way my brother did. I think it's quite fair, really."

"This solves nothing," Tarzan glares, feeling his body growing numb by the second. 

Waltham only clicked her tongue, "Tick-tock, tick-tock."

Tarzan growls, jumping away to find his family while Waltham smirks, placing a hand on the antidote in her vest. If only he knew, there's only one antidote for one person. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Terk groaned, feeling a headache coming in. She frowned, noticing she was in a dark part of the jungle. Not only that, she noticed how large in comparison it was from before. Getting used to her vision and moving her body, she stiffened. She tried moving her body again and gasped, snapping out of her daze.

Her body was completely buried on the ground, leaving her head out to breathe. She grunts, trying to move but is horrified at her situation. 

"I don't know whose idea of a joke this is, but I am not laughing!" she shouted and huffed as a bird flew over and landed on her head. "Do I look like a nest to you?! Hey! Shoo! Move it!" she shouted as she shook her head, successfully scaring the bird away. 

However, a loud rattle sounded behind her, making her throw her head back to see. Her eyes widened in horror to see a black mamba slithering towards her and slowly wrapping its body around her head.

"Listen, buddy," she gulped. "You gotta believe me, there's a whole body attached to this head."

She yelped as the mamba hissed at her. "Help me!" she screeched. "Somebody! Help me! Help!"

A little farther away from him, Tarzan stopped in his tracks and listened closely, recognizing Terk's scream. "Terk," he bolted, getting close and seeing the black mamba slowly wrapping its body around her head. 

"Have you ever had ape?" Terk tried. "We're awfully hairy, you know."

Tarzan dropped down, grabbed the black mamba, and threw it away. Terk sighed, "About time."

Tarzan crouched to her head and started digging her out with his knuckles. "Do you know where the others are?" he asked as Terk's eyes widened. 

"Others?" Terk blinked. "I'm not the only one?"

Tarzan stopped, hearing a hiss behind him. Looking back, he sees the snake hovering over him with hunger in its eyes. It lunged at him, wrapping its body around him. Tarzan growled, grappling the snake by its neck and glaring at him. 

Terk saw his struggle and squirmed underground, successfully pulling out an arm. Seeing the snake's tail in front of her, she grabbed it and bit it down harshly. The snake hissed and let go of Tarzan. 

Tarzan growled, grabbing the snake by the tail, he threw it against a tree. The snake's body rapidly wrapped around a branch, leaving them be. Tarzan panted, turning to Terk and pulling her out of the hole. Terk sighed, patting down her fur. 

"Oh, you're a lifesaver, bu–" Terk turned but blinked to see no one with her. "–dy."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tarzan slid down the branch and jumped, grabbing a vine. He swung through the trees before going after another. 

A little farther ahead, Tantor was stuck in the most dangerous situation too. He was unfortunate to be caught in a net and hanging on a small branch, hovering over the hungry crocodiles. 

"I should have known better," he whimpered, wincing as the net was hurting him from his weight. "Mother taught me three basic lessons: Look both ways before crossing the plane, don't slip the river water, and never follow a stray peanut!"

Tantor whimpered more as the branch slowly broke from under his weight and the hungry gazes of the three crocodiles made his worry grow worse. 

He yelped as two crocodiles jumped and attempted to grab his tail but he moved it away. "All in all, it's not the worst way to go. Being torn apart by angry crocodiles it's-it's much–" he stiffened as the branch was rapidly breaking. 

"What am I saying?! Help! Help! Help" he screamed as his body was rapidly going down for the crocodiles to reach him. He cried, shutting his eyes for his demise, and screamed as he suddenly felt roughly pushed aside before landing into the water. 

Resurfacing, he screamed bloody murder while moving his body around to avoid the crocodiles. "Get them off of me! Get them off of me!" he screamed. "They're eating me alive! They're tearing me from limb to limb!"

He stopped, peeking an eye open to see Tarzan in front of him. 

"You're safe now," Tarzan smiled. 

Tantor whimpered in relief, pulling the man into a hug with his trunk. "Tarzan! Thank goodness you're here! Cause I-I really need to share my feelings right about now." Tantor carried Tarzan off the river while the man shook his head. 

"I'm sorry, Tantor. I have to find the others," Tarzan stated as Tantor put him down. Tarzan turned away to leave but his breathing suddenly collapsed on him, making him kneel on the ground for a moment. 

Tantor frowned, never seeing him so exhausted like this. "Woah, woah! Tarzan. Are you feeling okay?"

Tarzan panted, rubbing the daze from his eyes. If he's feeling weak at this rate, he just knew Brook would be in more trouble. He has to keep going. 

"Time's running out," Tarzan panted, running away. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook coughed, gripping on the bars that held her inside the cage in a cave. She gritted her teeth as she she can feel the harsh cold water slamming into her as she tried to hold on. She couldn't believe she let this happen. 

No wonder that vile woman seemed familiar to her. It was Clayton's sister. She's only met her once and she forgot about her! Brook grunts as the cold harsh water hits her once again, making her cough up the water. 

Looking down at her situation, she just knew the water wouldn't take long to fully take her whole. Not only that, the small bruise on her knuckles is becoming noticeable after Waltham's butler grabbed her earlier. She tried to fight back and used her spearhead but only managed to cut his palm before being knocked unconscious. 

How useless can she be?

Looking around, she pulled on the cage once more and huffed as she couldn't get anywhere with it. 

"Help!" she screamed. "Anybody! Does anybody hear me?! Help!"

Brook flinched as the water hit her once more but used that chance to swim up to the roof of the cage and grab on the lock. She pulled on it with all her strength to no avail. 

She pulled on it more and yelped as she sank into the water again. Brook desperately reached for the bars and swam up, gasping for air and leaning her head against the metal. 

She cursed, looking around to get the lock but stopped as she heard a splash not far from her, making her snap her head up. She frowned to see no one there. 

"Hello?" she calls, swimming back to center herself in the middle of the cage and gulping nervously. "Oh goodness..."

She screamed and turned around as she heard a pang behind her and paled to see no one there. Slapping her hands to her mouth, she trembled not knowing what was going on. 

She trembled more as the water started to surface more, her head barely touching the ceiling of the cage. Brook swam to the bars and tried to look up as she heard the lock being fidgeted. "Hello?" she trembled, feeling the goosebumps getting to her. 

She heard a curse above her before a splash behind her. Turning around, she saw the figure swimming back down into the water and later climbing up the cage. Brook tried to get a better look at them but the figure now started banging something on the lock, breaking it successfully. 

Brook's eyes widened as the cage door lifted, releasing her. Brook didn't waste time and dived into the water, swimming as hard as she could towards the exit. She flinched, feeling a large calloused hand hold hers. Brook held on, gripping their hand desperately as they swam to land. 

She coughed, eyes tearing up as she was hunched over to the ground. Brook panted, feeling the exhaustion getting to her, and looked up to see her savior. 

"Thank yo–" Brook stopped, feeling all the air leave her lungs. Her body grew abnormally cold to see the familiar dark red hair. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

The professor sighed, his body completely wrapped with ropes and being completely under the hanging rock. 

"Well," he sighed. "This is a bit of a spot now, isn't it?" He looked up, smelling the smoke coming off of the rope holding onto the boulder that was being slowly burned with the magnifying glass reflected by the sun. 

"I'm afraid I'm done for this time," he gulped. "No Tarzan to save me now. Besides, I'm probably just an annoyance, the meddling father-in-law–"

"Professor!" he heard Tarzan shout, making him turn his head. 

"Tarzan!" he laughed in relief, seeing Tarzan standing near him. "I knew you'd make it in time. I never doubted you for a moment."

Tarzan weakly walked over to him. "Don't worry. I'll have you free and–" he dropped to his knees, panting as all the strength was slowly leaving him. 

"Tarzan," Archimedes gasped. "What's the matter?"

"I do believe our hero's starting to feel the poison," Waltha spoke up, following all this time with her butler, watching everything in amusement. "It won't be long now, Tarzan," she leaned against a tree. 

Tarzan panted, looking up at her with a glare. "This won't bring your brother back. And it won't make you feel any better."

"Well thank you for your concern but let me be the judge of that," she smirked. 

Tarzan gritted his teeth, painfully standing up and grunting as he took a step while the rope was closely being cut off. Archimedes noticed as the boulder slowly lowered on top of him and turned to Tarzan in worry. 

"Tarzan, this boulder is about to fall. Get out of the way!" he shouted. 

Tarzan slowly neared closer to the man, falling back to the ground. Waltham hummed, "He's stronger than I'd anticipated."

Tarzan crouched on the ground, coughing his mouth dry as he completely felt dazed and dizzy all around. With a grunt, he tackled Archimedes out of the way just as the boulder fell where they once stood. Waltham walked over to the other side and smirked, "There's still Brook, Tarzan. And of course the poison in both of your veins, you're not that fast."

She peeked the other side and stopped, noticing they weren't there anymore. 

Meanwhile, Tarzan ran through the jungle with the professor on his shoulder. Archimedes looked down at the man in worry, seeing him grow abnormally slower than before. 

Stopping a little far from Waltham, Tarzan gently lowered the man to the ground and started unraveling the ropes. "Stay here," Tarzan pants. 

Archimedes nodded, unraveling the rest of the ropes. "Yes, yes. Don't worry about me. You go find Brook."

Tarzan coughed, rubbing his eyes from exhaustion, and looked at him. "Do you know where she is?"

"I wish I did," Archimedes sighed guiltily. 

Tarzan turned around, "I have to find her. Before it's too late." Grabbing a vine, he swung away while Archimedes looked after him. 

"Good luck, Tarzan! I'm sure you'll succeed. You always do."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tarzan didn't know where to find Brook. For all he knows, the poison could have gotten to her too late. He rushed faster, hoping to find the familiar red hair he loved but nothing. 

He grew worried by the second as his body was growing weaker too and his vision was getting blurred along with having a hard time breathing too. Running to the ocean, he coughed and called out. 

"Brook!" 

But nothing. He gritted his teeth, jumped on the rocks, and looked around. He stopped, his eyes narrowing as he could see a cage inside the cave. 

"Brook!" he shouts but no response comes from her. 

"Oh well done, you almost saved them all," Waltham spoke up from above the cave, looking down at him. "Good show. But can you save yourself?" she smirked as the water barely hit him, knocking him over. "Let's face it. You have no more than a few precious minutes of life yet." She then pointed to the mountains with her cane. "But there it is, Tarzan. Clayton's Peak and the antidote. All you have to do is go and get it. Oh! But then Brook dies. Oh...dear. Tough choice."

Tarzan seethingly glared at her, "No choice at all." With a last glare, he dived into the water, letting the current take him to the cage. Grasping the cold bars, he looked inside and frowned. 

"Brook?" he frowned, swimming up and frowning further to see the lock broken. His eyes widened, and he turned back to the empty cage and sighed in relief. She's out. 

Diving back into the water, he climbed on a rock and coughed. If Brook wasn't there, that must mean that she got out. He could feel how Brook was strong and didn't give up, so he wouldn't either. 

He looked up the mountain and panted, knowing he didn't have enough time, and started heading there. 

Waltham also started walking up the mountain, blinking as she spotted Tarzan hurriedly walking towards the mountain. She smirked, "You're a tough one, all right." She shook her head in amusement and pulled out the singular antidote, seeing the green liquid in the tube. 

"Too bad it's all for naught, Tarzan. What, with the antidote being right here in my hand–" Waltham stopped as a loud yowl and growl was heard behind her. 

She hurriedly turned around and paled to see two panther growling at her and slowly stalking towards her. Her eyes widened in horror as they start closing in on her. Gripping her cane, she swung it at them but they kept their distance. 

Their sharp green eyes stared intently into hers, making her tremble. She yelped as Tarzan swung on the vine and grabbed her, swinging away. Placing her on the ground, he turns to the two panthers and growled at them. 

"Tarzan!" Waltham gasped in surprise and hid the anitdote behind her back. "What are you doing?"

"Saving you," Tarzan looked back at her and grunts as the panthers tackled him, knocking her to the side. 

Tarzan sat up and growled, noticing the two panthers landing on his sides. Wasting no time, he ran away as they followed. Tarzan neared close to the water and grunts as one of the panthers swiped their claws under his feet, making him fall to the ground. 

Tarzan sat up and growled threateningly at them as they started circling him. His vision wasn't getting any better as one of the panthers lunged at him. 

However, a flying arrow pierced through the air and through the panther's neck. Tarzan's eyes widened and stepped aside as the panther fell to the ground, dead. Finding the familiar arrow, he snapped his head back up and pants in relief to see Brook storming towards him with the most darkest glares he's ever seen. 

Tarzan fell to the ground, feeling the exhaustion getting to him and looked back as the second panther lunged at him and scratched his chest. Brook saw this and kept running towards him. Tarzan fell back and held onto his chest in pain. 

The panther lunged at him again but Brook was faster, stepping in front of her husband and digging the arrow deep into its chest. The panther yowled and thrashed as she kept a firm grip on it. Her glare didn't waver as she grunts and pushes it off the cliff and to the water.

Brook pants, turning around and seething as Waltham ran towards them and started giving Tarzan the green substance. Grabbing the woman by her hair, she pulled her back and threw her away. 

Waltham yelped, falling on the ground and looking up at the girl in pure horror. Brook glanced back at Tarzan in worry as he lay unconscious on the ground. Her eyes teared up and crouched next to him, placing her hand against his chest. 

"Darling, please," she whispered and cupped his face. She shook her head in horror and placed a hand on his chest, feeling his pulse.

"What did you do to him?" she growled, glaring at the woman who kept her distance. The woman didn't utter a word. Brook tearily looked down and blinked to see the tube next to her husband. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tarzan groaned, feeling a slight headache as he woke. His vision blurred and slowly focused to see Archimedes putting his medical kit away. Glancing to his side, seeing the familiar vibrant red hair he blinked himself awake. 

"Mr. Porter, he's waking up," Brook smiled in relief, seeing his blue-green eyes staring at hers. She gently grasped his hand and squeezed it comfortingly. 

"What happened?" Tarzan croaked as Archimedes leaned close to him and inspected his eyes, seeing them dilate to the light. 

"You're getting better, that's what happened," Archimedes grinned, stepping back. "You're going to make a full recovery."

Brook tearily smiled and hugged him as he closely hugged her back. "You're going to be all right."

"But the poison," Tarzan looked up at her and cupped her cheek, seeing no signs of exhaustion from her. Brook noticed and kissed his hand. "My love, as much as I would hate to say it, but I'm thankful for Queen La's poison that was stronger to this one. I was practically immune to it."

Tarzan's eyes softened but was still confused. He doesn't recall having an antidote. Brook saw this and she clenched her jaw, still furious about what happened. "Someone gave you the antidote in time."

"Who?" Tarzan frowned. 

Brook and Archimedes turned, gesturing to Waltham who stood quietly. Tarzan's eyes widened in disbelief. "You?"

"You would have sacrificed yourself to save me," Waltham walked towards him guiltily. "I now know you couldn't kill Clayton. And if I hadn't been so wrapped up in my own hatred, I would have seen that."

She griefly turned away, covering her face with her hands in shame. "There are no words to express how sorry I am."

Tarzan's eyes softened. He got off the cushion and walked towards her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Those words...will do just fine."

Waltham smiled, thankful for this man. But she guiltily looked up and walked towards the girl whose eyes narrowed on her. Waltham shamefully looked at her and bowed her head slightly. 

"I am sorry. For what me and my brother have done to you," Waltham spoke as Brook stayed quiet. "I have no words to describe how deeply sorry we are for what we've done to you. We were following Sir Vincent's orders and for that I am truly ashamed for our actions. I hope you find it deep in your heart to forgive me."

Brook hesitated. She wasn't sure what to say. They have caused her and her family harm. She could have lost her husband today. Glancing back at him, she saw the soft look in his eyes. She sighed, seeing the woman truly meaning her words. 

Brook gently grabbed the woman's hands and squeezed them. "I'm sorry. I...can't find it in my heart to forgive you for what you've done to my family."

Waltham nodded, understanding her words truthfully. But she looked up as Brook squeezed her hands for a moment. "But I know that I can thank you for saving my husband. It will take me time for fully forgive you."

Waltham smiled, squeezing her hands back. "Thank you, Brook. You truly are gentle."

With a last squeeze, she let go and walked out of the treehouse. The three watched her go and exit their home. Tarzan walked over to Brook and hugged her side, kissing her head. "You saved me," he murmured in her hair. 

Brook flushed, looking up at him. "I did no such thing," she tearily gasped. "I truly thought that you would be gone."

Tarzan softly smiled, kissing her tears away as she tightly hugged him. Archimedes' eyes softened, packing his things before silently stepping out of the house. However, a pair of black boots stood in the entryway, making him stop. 

Tarzan stopped too, smelling a new presence. His eyes narrowed as the man looked at him...more directly at Brook. He stiffened, holding Brook tightly but Archimedes noticeably paled by the second, dropping his bag in shock. 

"G-G-G-Gr-Gray Qu-Qu-Quinn," Archimedes gasped, as the bag opened and cluttered over the ground. 

Brook looked up to the door and ran towards the man as he opened his arms wide for her to jump on them. Tarzan can only watch with confusion as Brook snuggled to the man's chest as he hugged her tightly to him. 

Published: August 31, 2023

Word Count: 6690