A/N: As I have mentioned before in the Episodes chapter, the episodes were slightly off so I changed how the episodes will go for this story. You guys can check it out 😁 Enjoy the chapter!

P.S. Super duper long chapter ahead!

In the midst of the jungle, a struggling Terk reached for her lunch. She gritted her teeth in frustration as she couldn't reach any longer. She attempts to get closer but huffed as it was still far away. She yelped as she almost fell off but still held on.

She narrowed her eyes and got closer, careful to not fall. Her jaw dropped as the fruit was snatched from her view.

"Hey! That was my lunch!" she exclaimed.

She turned to see the culprit and deadpanned to see Tarzan taunting her with the fruit. Her eye twitched as Tarzan smirked at her. "You want it? Come and get it," he grinned mischievously, tossing the fruit in the air before catching it.

He grabbed a vine and swung away. Terk moved away from the branch and started chasing after him. "I'll tell you who's gonna get it!"

Tarzan slid on the branches, taunting Terk as she tried to reach for it. She yelped as she spun.  Tarzan kept going and grinned when he twirled on the branches, facing forward.

He wasn't affected as Terk jumped and landed in front of him. In fact, he tossed the fruit under her. Terk gasped, expecting the worse if Tarzan attacked her. But it was the opposite, he jumped over her and grabbed the fruit again, swinging away on a vine.

Terk's eye twitched and caught up to Tarzan also swinging on the vine. "I can't imagine Kerchak pulling this kind of stunt when he was head of the family," she huffed.

"True," Tarzan grinned as he jumped to another branch, sliding away. "But I'm not Kerchak."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

It was a wonderful sunny day. No sign of clouds in sight and the warm breeze was just welcoming.  

Brook sighed as she read the letter from Jane. She took a deep breath and looked around her home. It was quiet, other than the familiar sounds the jungle would give every day. She frowned as she read how the weeping woman was looking for someone. She also mentioned her father. Would that mean her father is alive? What about her mother? Are they safe? Why does the woman want to look for 'them'?

Brook took out the small slip Jane also sent with the letter. Jane went through her home and found a wrinkled photograph of her parents with her. She hardly remembered what her parents looked like until seeing the photograph.

Her four-year-old self wore a navy blue dress with a white bow. She grinned widely holding her doll as her father held her in his arms. Her mother was in a similar dress but had white patterns, removing the white bow. She smiled at the camera, holding her father's arm and her daughter's hand. Her father wore a black suit with a navy blue handkerchief. He didn't stare at the camera, in fact, he lovingly smiled at his daughter and his wife.

Although the camera showed the picture with no color, she could remember vividly what they wore that day. It's been so long. The photograph was old and the picture was almost discolored from the fire, but she can see the memories like it was yesterday.

She grinned and held the picture to her chest, "I miss you."

Walking over to her desk, Brook took out a paper and a quill, dipping it in ink and started writing back to Jane.

Brook will be forever grateful to Jane but she wished the woman would take it easy on herself. Especially when things have now been complicated with Vincent and Oliver. She didn't wish harm on them and just hoped they would be safe. Just as she was about to sign it, her house trembled.

Terk and Tarzan tumbled inside their home, dropping the plants on the ground and bumping into Brook harshly. She yelps as she falls on the ground not too far from them.

Tarzan had the upper hand and tackled Terk to the ground. Terk glanced at the fruit and frowned. "Hey, it's bruised."

Brook chuckles, bringing their attention. She accidentally fell from her chair. Terk and Tarzan grimaced at the mess and how Brook was on the other side of the room.

"I'm in good company," Brook chuckles as she goes to stand up but Tarzan helped her up instead.

"I'm sorry, Brook. Are you all right?" Tarzan caressed her chin.

Brook smiled at him, "I'm fine. I suppose one must expect these kinds of hazards when married to the king of the jungle."

Tarzan grinned at her and blinked as he saw something on the ground and picked it up. He found a letter and found it familiar from Jane's handwriting. But that's not what got his attention. He picked up the photograph and looked at it closely. "Who is this?" he curiously asked.

Brook smiled, "My family."

Tarzan looked at the picture closely and smiled at how small Brook was and smiling widely. He assumed the couple next to her were her parents. He noticed she had her mother's features but her father's hair but it was brighter.

Tarzan pointed at the woman and glanced at Brook. "She looks like you."

Brook grinned amusedly, "Really? I believed I took after my father. But now seeing it closely, I suppose I look like her."

"Jane sent it? Why?"

Brook grinned, "Silly as it sounds, it makes me feel as though they're still watching over me. I wasn't able to have anything from them and this is my prized treasure."

Terk glanced at the picture and pointed at the object in the picture. "What's that?"

Brook lightly flushed, "It was my doll. My mother made it for me when I was younger." She frowned, "Now that I think about it, it most likely burned along with the house."

The three looked at the photograph when the wind harshly blew and knocked over the table, making Brook flinch at the sound.

"Well, that was rather strange," Brook whispered. She glanced outside and noticed how the sky darkened rather quickly.

Tarzan moved next to her and climbed to the highest tree as he suspected something was coming.

"Tarzan? What's up there?" she calls as Terk stood next to her curiously.

Tarzan looked over the horizon and stops as thunder clapped loudly. The sky darkened as the clouds shined brightly from the lightning. He saw the ocean's behavior and his eyes darkened. A hurricane was coming and fast. "Trouble."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook was very familiar with the storm. It blows harshly as some of the trees were ripped off the ground. The rain was pouring heavily as the animals ran for shelter. Tarzan didn't waste time and took her and Terk to the troop. They can't be in this harsh weather and hoped to go to the same cave as last time, but it was far away.

So, Tarzan decided to head to the nearest mountain and guided everyone there, making sure everyone didn't separate. Before they left, Brook hid her photograph and her letter in a little compartment in their room, hoping they wouldn't get lost in the storm.

"Not too much further. Once we're in the caves, we'll be safe," Tarzan calls to the family ahead of them.

Tarzan had Brook in front with him, making sure to check on her.  Everyone caught up with them as they climbed further up to the mountain. It began to be difficult with the harsh wind slapping them constantly.

Tarzan stopped in front of them. Brook walked next to him and her eyes widened as the river flooded close to them. The storm worsened the river, giving no one the chance to cross.

"Are we going to cross the river like this?" Brook frowned in worry.

"Apes can't swim," Tarzan stared at the river, thinking up a plan.

"I see," Brook looked around to find a way around it when they heard a small rumbling next to them.

Tantor leaned against a tree, scratching his back. He leaned back to get where he intended to scratch but the tree fell. They all smiled in relief as the tree can be used as a bridge to cross. "It's not my fault! I thought it was a hardwood," Tantor tried.

Terk grinned, starting to cross. "Good thinking, Tantor!"

Tarzan led everyone to the other side. He made sure to grab Brook's hand when they crossed as the tree held everyone. Tantor was the last to cross and they all walked up further to the mountain.

They reached the mountain and started climbing. Tarzan occasionally glanced back for his family and managed to catch Kala before she fell.

Kala gasped in relief as her son helped her up. "Thank you, Tarzan."

Tarzan glanced up at the mountain and closed his eyes in shame. "Kerchak would have had us by the caves by now."

Kala smiled knowingly at his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You'll get us there."

Tarzan turned away and led everyone further. Brook climbed next to Kala frowning in worry, "Is everything all right, Kala?"

Kala smiled at the girl. "Tarzan's afraid he won't measure up to Kerchak."

Both women glanced at the man as he helped one of his families climb further. "Really? He hasn't said anything to me," Brook saw as Tarzan used his full strength to help his family.

Kala chuckles, "He won't. But I know. I'm his mother."

Brook smiles and grabbed her hand, helping her up further to the mountain. "I'm still getting used to that."

Tarzan climbed up the mountain and spotted a cave. Walking further into the cave, it was big enough for the family to be in without trouble. He stopped as he felt being watched and frowned, glancing at the ceiling but didn't see anything.

He frowned further, walking outside to help his family get inside the cave.

Brook entered the cave and gasped at how amazing it was. It's a perfect sanctuary from the storm. Archimedes turned on his lamp and the cave can be seen to have more space than they thought.

"Whoah! Check out this hole!" Mungo exclaims as the cave had a large hole in the ground.

Flint stepped next to him and grinned, "I wonder how far back it goes!"

Kala, knowing these two very well, stepped next to them and giving them a stern glance. "Don't let me catch you two wandering off into those caves."

Mungo and Flint rolled their eyes, "Yes, ma'am."

Brook glanced at the entrance and spotted more gorillas entering the cave and walked outside to help her husband. Not far from the entrance, a gorilla with her infant climbed but with the muddy tracks, she slipped.

She tried to grab a branch but it snapped, causing them to slide down. She stopped close to a cliff but her infant was unfortunate to fall off her shoulders.

Brook and Kala gasped in horror as the infant was falling close to the river. Tarzan spotted the infant and jumped to go after him.

The infant cried as he slid through the mud. Tarzan grabbed one of the large leaves and used it to slide down. The infant tried to grab whatever was in his way but it was impossible with the speed he was sliding down.

The infant cried harder as he slipped off a cliff. Tarzan's eyes widened and dived after him. He managed to catch him before he hit the river and gently placed him on his back as he climbed.

Brook looked everywhere in worry for the two and hoped they are safe. It was hard to see from the pouring rain but they all cheered when they spotted both of them climbing up towards them.

"You know, I wasn't worried," Terk turned to Mungo. "I knew Tarzan would save the kid. Nobody could get through that storm like Tarzan."

As they conversed, Flint walked back inside the cave curiously. The thunder rumbled, covering his screams as he disappeared further into the dark.

"I tell you. There ain't nothing that guy can't do," Terk grinned at Mungo.

Tarzan landed in front of the group and handed the infant to his mother. The mother hugged her infant tightly and hugged Tarzan in relief. "Oh, thank you, Tarzan. Thank you."

Tarzan glanced at Brook and smiled at her. She smiled in relief and hugged him too. "Are you hurt?"

He shook his head and looked around, seeing as everyone went inside the cave except for Tantor. Tantor flopped to the ground as he finally made it to the top.

"Let's get out of this rain, Tantor," Tarzan smiled and went inside with Brook.

Tantor got up again and followed. "Right behind you, T." He stopped as he couldn't fit through the entrance completely and struggled. His top half fit through but his lower was still outside. "I'm stuck! Couldn't we have picked a more elephant-friendly environment?" he whined.

Terk walked over to him and smirked. "Tantor, my friend. I sincerely appreciate you coming in head first."

Brook and Archimedes grabbed the dry branches they found inside the cave and burned them. The light of flames brightened up the cave. The warm closed environment relaxed everyone present.

Not far from them, Tarzan sat while the infant climbed to his shoulders. Kala walked up to him and slapped her hand lightly on his leg. "See? You got us here, safely. Kerchak couldn't have done any better."

Her words assured him, calming his thoughts. He remembered very well how much pressure he believed he would have when he began protecting his family. He believed he wouldn't protect them well as Kerchak did, but he knows he is doing good so far.

"Flint?"

Their conversation was interrupted as Mungo worriedly walked around for his best friend. "Hey, Flint? Has anyone seen Flint?"

Mungo looked around and saw as everyone shook their heads. Flint was gone.

"Isn't he always with you?" one of the gorillas asked, pointing at him.

"Yeah! He's always with me! So where is he?!" Mungo looked around in worry, knowing something is definitely wrong.

"Mungo, calm down," Kala placed a hand on his shoulder. "He probably went exploring the caves...though I told him not to," she scowled.

Mungo shook his head, "No way! Flint would never go without me! Something's wrong!"

Tarzan carried the infant on his back and placed a reassuring hand on Mungo's shoulder. "I'll find him, don't worry," he smiled and walked towards the holes.

Tarzan smiled at Brook, handing the infant into her arms. He rubbed his nose to her cheek affectionately, leaning his head against hers.

"Be right back."

Brook smiled, "Please do."

Tarzan nodded and ran off to find Flint. Brook held on to the infant tightly as she and the others waited. She knows her husband can handle himself, so she didn't have to worry much as she believed he would come back to them.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tarzan quietly crawled on his fours, sniffing for any trace. But it was too quiet for his taste. Not only that, it was too dark to see anything. He trusted his instincts to go further.

"Flint?"

He stiffened as bats flew over his head, making him duck to the ground. He stepped on the ground and heard a crack. He frowned as he was surrounded by bones.

He frowned further as he now realized that someone stayed in this place for a while. He crawled further as he heard a whiff of air pass him. He looked around cautiously as he went further.

He's not alone.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

With the others, Tantor yelped in pain, trying to move away but wasn't able. He gritted his teeth as he saw how everyone was comfortable around the fire.

"Well, in case anyone's wondering, it started to hail," he whimpered.

The gorillas groomed themselves, including Archimedes as he wanted to participate. He exclaims in excitement as he caught a bug and goes to eat it but Brook walked up to him.

"Mr.Porter, please. Don't eat that," Brook's eyes widened in disbelief.

"But..."

"Give it to them," Brook nodded to the gorilla next to him but he kept insisting. She convinced him as he flicked the bug away.

Brook shook her head and chuckled as she never thought Mr. Porter would try to do such a thing.

They stopped when they heard a gorilla screech not too far from them. It brought everyone's attention and ran to him. The rest of the gorillas screeched and jumped around too.

Brook frowned, trying to get a better look. "Kala, what's going on?"

Mr. Porter lit his candle to get a closer look and saw a footprint. It had four fingers exact but by the pressure it had on the ground, must have come from a large frame.

"Tublat," Kala's eyes widened.

"Who?" Brook frowned, turning to Kala.

"Tublat. He was a member of our family long ago when Tarzan was still a child. Tublat would fight for any reason...and with anyone.

Flashback

The gorillas screeched, running away. Tublat was faster and punched a few gorillas away. They tried to fight back but he was stronger. His eyes were heterochromia of red and brown. His large fangs were yellow as he roared. He grabbed one of their family members and put him in a chokehold.

"Tublat!"

Tublat stopped and turned to see Kerchak glaring down at him from a large stone above him. "Get away from him"

Tublat smirked, throwing the gorilla away and fully facing Kerchak. "Whatever you say, Kerchak. I was looking for a bigger challenge anyway."

Kerchak dropped to the ground and they both started fighting. Everyone had climbed up to the trees as they fought. Kala shook her head in disbelief and worry as they rolled around harshly.

The gorillas screeched out, cheering for Kerchak. Tublat's eyes grew crazier and fought back. Kerchak was stronger and more agile, throwing him off and putting him in a chokehold. Tublat squirmed before surrendering, falling to the ground.

Tublat pants, holding onto a branch as Kerchak's back faced him. Tublat seethed and broke the branch, swinging at Kerchak.

"Kerchak!" Kala cried out.

But it was too late as Kerchak fell to the ground unconscious. Tublat growled and goes to finish him off when a few coconuts were thrown to his face. He winced as his nose ached from the hit.

He looked up, spotting a hairless boy above the trees holding a coconut.

Terk, Mungo, and Flint laughed next to Tarzan. "Nice shot, Tarzan!" Mungo grinned.

"You hairless runt! You broke my nose!" Tublat jumped to attack him but he was tackled by Kerchak.

Kerchak threw him far and roared at him, punching his chest. He huffed, glaring at Tublat. "Tublat. You're no longer part of this family. Leave and never return."

Tublat got up from the ground and glared up at him. "You won't live forever, Kerchak. This tribe will be mine," He ran away, not looking back.

Tarzan crouched next to Kerchak and placed the back of his hand next to his but Kerchak moved away. Kerchak looked down at the boy and narrowed his eyes at him. "I protect this family. You shouldn't have interfered."

Tarzan sadly looked away as Kerchak left. Tarzan's eyes spotted something on the ground and dropped from the cliff, looking at Tublat's footprint.

Flashback over.

Tarzan walked further into the cave and spotted something on the ground. His eyes widened at the familiarity with the shape.

"Tublat," he murmured. He goes to escape and warn the others when a large gorilla roared at him.

Tarzan looked at his situation. Tublat was in front of him and roaring at him in anger. Tublat swung an arm at him but Tarzan jumped on top of his arm and dragged him to the ground as he jumped away.

"Tublat!" Tarzan glared.

"Tarzan?" Tublat got up and got a good look at him. He changed a lot these past years. "You hairless runt. It is you..."

Seeing as Tarzan is here, then that would mean the family is here too. "Where is Kerchak?" he demanded.

"I protect the family now," Tarzan glared.

Tublat scoffed, smirking at the wild man. "You? Don't make me laugh."

Tarzan moved away and cautiously around the dangerous ape. Tublat was large but Tarzan didn't forget Tublat's strength. He knew that if he is going to protect his family, he would have to be careful around him.

Tublat snapped a sharp rock, swinging at Tarzan. He jumped away in time as it hit the ground. He landed on a bone and used it as a shield when Tublat struck him again.

Tarzan moved the bone away, causing Tublat's weapon to fall away. Using the bone, Tarzan tripped Tublat, causing him to fall to the ground. But Tarzan knew how relentless Tublat was. It was proven true as Tublat goes to bite him but he used the bone again.

Except it snapped in half from the bite. Tublat slammed his fists on the ground but Tarzan roll under him. He ran to escape but grunted as Tublat grabbed his foot and threw him away.

Tublat roared, punching his chest. Tarzan landed on his fours and moved away as Tublat attacked him again.

Tarzan jumped away and glared at Tublat. He slammed his hands against Tublat's and fought their strength. Tarzan underestimated his own strength and gritted his teeth in pain as Tublat crushed his hands.

Tarzan kicked his face but exclaims in shock as Tublat grabbed his neck and carried him to a cliff filled with sharp bones below. He tried to move away but Tublat kept a firm hold on him. Tublat glared at him as he lifted him over his head.

" 'Protect the family?' You can't even protect yourself!"

Tarzan tried to hold on to Tublat's arm but it was all for naught as Tublat threw him to the bones. Tublat roared and punched his chest in victory, heading straight to the family.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Tublat's here?!" Mungo exclaimed. "He's got Flint!"

"We got to get out of here!"

The gorillas screeched in fear and ran to the entrance. They stopped as they saw Tantor was stuck at the entrance.

Tantor laughs nervously, "I would love to help you guys right now, I really would but..." he struggled, showing how he was unable to get out of his situation. "I'm having a bit of a problem myself."

The gorillas pushed and shoved Tantor desperately in an attempt to escape but it was all for naught as Tantor wouldn't budge from the entrance. Tantor whimpered as they shoved harshly but it was impossible to move.

"Please! I'm a delicate creature!" he whimpered.

"Stop this!" The gorillas turned to Kala who shouted at them. "You go out into the hurricane and you'll be killed," Kala frowned. 

Terk chuckles, "Oh yeah, you don't want your butts out in that storm."

"I can personally vouch for that," Tantor sweatdropped.

"I'm not leaving," Brook spoke up shrugging her bow and arrows on her shoulders. "My husband is in those caves with a monster. I'm going after him," Brook started walking to the caves when she heard Terk behind her.

"Me too, except for the husband part," she grimaced.

"Count me as well," Archimedes started punching the air. "I'm no stranger to the fisticuffs, you know? Yes, I'll teach this two-block fellow a thing or–"

Brook's eyes widened as some dirt landed on Archimedes' helmet. She gritted her teeth and looked up. She gasped as a gorilla was on the ceiling roaring at them.

She jumped away in time as the gorilla jumped down, landing on the spot where she once was. Tublat growled and punched his chest in dominance. The gorillas whimpered and backed away in fear.

Brook trembled as she had never seen a monster this large. Where is Tarzan? Did this monster do something to him?

Brook's eyes teared up, shaking away the thought that this monster have hurt her husband. She stood straight, lifting up her chin and pointing her bow and arrow at it.

Tublat turned and saw the girl pointing her weapon at him. He smirked as no weapon can harm him. He laughed and crawled to her. "What do you think you're doing with that, human?" Tublat towered over her. "Your hands are shaking in fear," he laughs.

Brook glanced at her hands and just noticed how her hands shook. She held back a shaky breath and glared up at him. "What did you do to Tarzan?"

"The hairless runt? He's gone," he growled.

Brook shook her head and pointed her arrow at him. "I don't believe you. He wouldn't go down this easily."

The gorillas whimpered in fear of what Tublat would do to this girl. They couldn't believe that Tarzan would be defeated by him. He's a monster.

"Listen up! This family is mine!" he laughs and lunges at one of the gorillas but he roared in pain as he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He looked behind him to see an arrow buried in himself.

His eyes seethed in rage and turned to the culprit. He stopped as he saw something in the girl's eyes. Her eyes burned in rage as she deathly glared at him.

"You will not touch my family," she growled as she pulled back another arrow. "If you don't want this arrow to your heart this time, leave and never return."

Tublat's eyes widened.

Tublat. You're no longer part of this family. Leave and never return.

Tublat growled and lunged at her but he was tackled by some of the gorillas as they too will not back down. He fought back and tried to get closer to the girl. He has never been this angry at something.

For a moment, he saw Kerchak in those eyes which flared him in rage to go faster and harder.

"Brook! Move!" Tantor and Terk called but the girl stood her ground and released her arrow.

The arrow flew to a destination. Tublat screeched in pain as his eye burned. Blood pooled on the ground underneath him. "My eye!"

Brook only kept glaring at him and shouted, "Everyone! Tarzan is somewhere in those caves. Go! Run and hide until he comes back!"

The troop gasped and turned to each other. They looked back to the girl in worry but stopped as they saw her not trembling. She wasn't scared at all.

"Come on!" Kala shouts as everyone runs away. Archimedes tried to stay back but he was taken by the troop to hide in the caves.

Tublat heaved as his vision was disoriented. He spotted the troop running away and growled, "Where do you think you're going?!"

He ran towards them but felt a searing pain on his foot, digging to the ground. He screeched in pain and frustration. He looked around but couldn't find the human.

"I'm going to kill her...I'm going to kill you slowly...girl," Tublat looked around and took out the arrows from his foot and snapped them in half, dropping them on the ground.

Tantor whimpered, looking around as he was the only one in the space with Tublat. Brook was gone somewhere but from the direction the arrows flew was hidden deep in the dark.

"Come out!" Tublat shouts.

Brook hid behind the rocks and just hoped Tarzan will come in time to find the others. She clutched her bow desperately, praying to whatever gods out there to save her.

She heard growls behind her and paled. She jumped away in time as Tublat smashed his fists on the ground where she was, cracking the floor.

Brook pants and kept backing up as Tublat attempted to get her but his vision was gone as blood covered his eyes. He only relied on his nose and ears. Brook stayed still and quietened as Tublat screeched loudly and punched his chest.

Brook took that chance and glanced at Tantor. He nodded for her to run away. She hesitated, not wanting to leave him behind but he kept nodding. Brook bit her lip and nodded.

Grabbing one of her arrows, her grip tightened, throwing it across the cave. A loud clatter was heard which caught Tublat's attention and attacked whatever was there.

Brook looked back at Tantor and ran inside the dark caves. Tublat gritted his teeth as he didn't find anything. He rubbed his good eye and chased after her with a screech.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Within the caves, Tarzan lay unconscious on the ground. It was humid as water dipped from the ceiling. A drop of water landed on his temple, making him groan and wake up.

He blinked out of his daze and looked around. He frowns and looks up, now realizing what happened. He gritted his teeth in anger and started climbing up the cliff.

"Tublat..." he growled.

Following the tracks, he ran to find the others. It was too dark to see and was encountered Tantor by himself. The fire was out and it seemed it was still warm. He ran toward his friend.

"Tantor?"

Tantor flinched, "Please don't kill me! I only want to love one more time!" he cried, making Tarzan flinch back at the volume.

Tarzan moved Tantor's ears from his eyes and stared at him incredulously. Tantor blinked owlishly and sighed in relief.

"It's you. Tublat came! It was awful. You must go find the family before anyone gets hurt...or worse!" Tantor tried but Tarzan turned away from him and crouched on the ground, sheltering himself as dark thoughts flooded his mind.

"I...I can't," Tarzan shook his head.

Tantor blinked and cleaned his ear, "I must have gotten something stuck in my ear, it sounded like you said you...can't."

"He's too strong," Tarzan frowned, looking down at his hands. "I can't beat him. I'm not...Kerchak."

"But you're Tarzan! You're the guy who always saves the day! You're the guy who fights leopards with your bare hands! You're the guy who saves babies in the middle of a killer storm! That's what you do!"

Tarzan frowned deeper, not believing himself. He couldn't stop him.

Tantor looked around and spotted one of Brook's broken arrows and grabbed it, throwing it to Tarzan. Hearing the clatter on the ground, Tarzan's eyes opened and widened at the bloody arrow.

'Brook?'

He frowned as he saw a pool of blood not too far from him and thought the worse. He shook his head in disbelief as he saw more arrows on the ground.

"Brook fought him head on," Tantor interrupted his dark thoughts. "She fought back and harmed Tublat three times! She helped the family escape into the caves! If she can do that, why can't you?"

Tarzan's eyes widened hearing his words.

Brook...did that?

His eyes softened and glanced in the caves. Tublat must be going after her for what she did. He clutched the familiar arrows tightly and closed his eyes. His eyes hardened and thought about what Tantor mentioned before.

"Killer storm..." he murmured to himself. He jumped on Tantor, holding onto his husk.

Tantor yelped and glared at the man. "Hey! I know this is an emotional crisis for you but don't take it out on me!" he cried.

Tarzan held on to Tantor's husks and pushed on the wall with his feet. "Tantor...I need you out of this hole!" He kept pushing until finally, Tantor rolled inside. Tarzan held on to the ceiling as Tantor finally got inside.

Tantor sighs as he sees his behind in relief. He stopped as he saw Tarzan glaring ahead in the storm and walked over to him in worry. "You're not going out there, are you? You'll be killed!"

"Someone's going out there...but not me."

Tantor stiffened, "Oh, uh. It's not me, is it?"

Tarzan smirked at him, raising a brow at him. Tantor finally understood what he meant and laughed, shaking his head. "Tublat! Oh, right! Good!"

Tarzan gripped the arrow and ran to find him. It won't be too hard as Tublat's footprints were visible. And where he is, Brook will be there too in trouble. He just hopes he makes it in time.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook pants as she hid in one of the caves. She haven't found the others and sighed in relief to see them hiding well. She stumbled into a waterfall that lit the cave. She heard a whimper below and her eyes widened to see Flint below. Thankfully, the water doesn't reach him as he was away from the water.

"Flint?" she whispered.

Flint stiffened and turned to see Brook above him. He laughs in relief and calls out to her. "Brook! Please! Get me out of here!"

Brook shushed him softly, looking around but no sign of Tublat anywhere. She didn't have anything to help him out. She thought of an idea but that would mean that she would use all of her arrows.

She didn't have many left. Only six arrows left. What if Tublat comes back? She shook away the thoughts and tried to find another way to get him out.

Flint only stared at her in anticipation. His eyes widened in horror to see a shadow looming over the girl. "Brook! Behind you!"

It was too late for the girl as she was snatched from the neck and carried in the air. Her air supply diminished slowly as she stared into the seething bloody eyes, boring into hers.

Tublat's grip tightened, choking her. Brook gasped, scratching his hands but to no avail.

"Found you..."

Brook blinked away the tears that started to well up from the lack of air. She squirmed in his hold and reached for her bow that she accidentally dropped on the ground.

"I'm not going to kill you just yet. You're going to pay for what you did to me. Starting with those annoying eyes."

Tublat slammed the girl to the ground. She yelped as her head and back slammed on the stone. Her vision was disoriented but gasped as Tublat stepped on her arms for her to not escape.

Tublat smirked down at her and raised his fists in the air. Brook's pupils constricts in fear as she shook in fear. She heard Flint screeching below but her eyes never left Tublat's.

Tublat slammed his fists down on either side of the girl's head, making her flinch at the tremble of the ground but she didn't feel pain. At least not yet.

She gasps as she looked up at him. Tublat's sharpened nails neared her face. She gasped in fear as the claws were getting closer and closer to her eyes. Clenched fists tightened to relieve the trembling but she didn't back down.

Her golden eyes glared directly at his red eye. He stiffened as he saw the fire in her eyes again. He gritted his teeth in anger and screeched. "All I want is this family! You won't take it away from me, human!"

He struck down but a voice stopped him from getting closer to Brook's eyes. Brook's eyes widened as she thought she was hearing things. She could have sworn she heard her beloved speaking up and she heard it again.

"No, Tublat. This is Kerchak's family. This is my family. But it's not your family," Tarzan's voice echoed in the cave.

Tublat looked around but couldn't find him anywhere. "Show yourself! You hairless coward!"

Tublat grabbed a broken sharp rock and pointed directly at Brook's neck. Before he could even get a nip of her skin, a rock was thrown and crushed the rock from his hands.

Brook closed her eyes as some dirt landed on her face and chest. Coughing up the smoke, she looked up and smiled in relief as she spotted Tarzan above them. But Tarzan's eyes only glared seethingly at Tublat.

"I'm not a coward."

Tublat's nose flared in anger and picked up a boulder. By doing this, his hold on Brook loosened. She didn't waste time and moved away, grabbing her bow and running to find a way to get Flint out of the pit.

Tublat threw the boulder at Tarzan but he dodged, crashing on the stone. It crushed them, dropping them into the waterfall which caused the waterfall to overflow and fall to the pit Flint is in.

Tarzan jumped away and taunted, "You missed!"

Tublat threw another boulder at him but Tarzan moved away again and jumped to the other side, smirking at him. "Missed again!"

Tublat growled and ran after him. Tarzan glanced at his wife as she went to help Flint. Taking away his attention from Brook, Tarzan ran away.

"Brook! I can't swim! Hurry!" Flint panicked, trying to move away from the water.

Brook ran to the other side of Flint and started firing arrows at the stone wall close to Flint, confusing him.

"Now is not the time for target practice!"

"Climb on the arrows!" Brook calls out, ignoring his remark. Flint blinked owlishly and realized what she did. He grinned and started pulling himself up from the arrows.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tarzan taunted the ape and hid in the shadows as Tublat encountered the elephant. He growled, not seeing Tarzan anywhere. Instead, he walked over to Tantor. "Where is he?!" he shouts.

Tantor flinched but avoided his eye. " 'He' who?"

"Tarzan!" Tublat shouts impatiently.

"Tarzan! Oh right, well. I should have known what was holding ahead of my sleep–" Tantor gasped as Tublat grabbed his trunk, pulling him to his face.

"Less chatter, more–Where is Tarzan?!"

Tantor couldn't speak and pointed at the entrance as thunder rumbled and the light struck, lighting the cave.

"He went out there?" Tublat frowned.

"Oh yeah. He was much too afraid to face you," Tantor nodded and glanced at the ceiling where Tarzan was waiting.

Tublat walked near the entrance and glanced at Tantor. "I knew he was a coward."

Tarzan jumped down and kicked Tublat out towards the storm. He kicked him out and held on to the stone but Tublat grabbed onto his leg. Tarzan groaned as his fingers slipped through the mud and gripped the vine. But their weight couldn't hold them and fell down.

Tarzan caught himself on a cliff and looked down but didn't see any sign of Tublat. That was until Tublat spoke up from atop of the cliff, looking down at him. "You pathetic misfit. I don't know what Kerchak ever saw in you," Tublat raised a fist to smash Tarzan's hand but stopped as Tarzan spoke up.

"You're right. I can't protect the family. I'm not even an ape," Tarzan sighed.

Tublat lowered his guard as he listened to his words. Tarzan's eyes sharpened, glaring up at him.

"But I can swim!" He gripped on the cliff's edge and wrapped his legs under Tublat's arms, throwing him down to the river as he fell too. Tublat screamed as he landed in the rushing waters.

Above them, Brook and Flint rushed out, bumping into the rest of the family. Brook didn't have time to look over them and ran towards the entrance with Tantor. "Where's Tarzan?!" she looked around.

"I don't know!" Tantor replied.

Brook frowned, looking around more until he finally spotted him below, near the waterfalls. "There!"

Tarzan stood up and heaved. He gritted his teeth and let out a cry in victory, punching his chest. Everyone cheered for him as they got rid of Tublat in this harsh weather.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

The next day showed no signs of the hurricane other than a disaster inside the treehouse. 

"It's a mess," Brook whined and started lifting up the furniture. Archimedes nodded, agreeing with her words and helping her too.

Not far from them, Tarzan only observed them with Kala. He frowned, looking at the ground. "I don't know if I can do this mother."

Kala picked up a teapot and hummed. "Do what?"

"Protect the family. I can't be Kerchak," Tarzan closed his eyes in shame.

But Kala smiled at him, "Then don't. Be Tarzan. And know that Kerchak would be very proud of his son."

Tarzan glanced at her before looking over to Brook who finally found her photograph. Brook smiled, "Thank goodness. They're still watching over me."

Tarzan frowned in thought and went deeper into the jungle. He climbed behind a waterfall and started carving up the wall. Taking Brook's example, he started carving the wall in a form of a large ape.

Finishing the last touches, he took a step back and saw his work. His eyes softened as it was now a replica of Kerchak.

"I will protect your family," Tarzan vowed.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Tarzan headed back to the treehouse, seeing as Brook repaired a few of the damages. He sighed, exhausted from the day before and hugged her from behind, nuzzling his face on the crook of her neck.

Brook was used to his touch and her fingers weaved through his tresses. "Sleep, darling. It's been a long night."

"Are you hurt?" Tarzan turned her around, looking for any injuries and smiled as she didn't have any.

"Thanks to you, I'm fine. But I'll admit, I was terrified," Brook softly looks into his eyes.

Tarzan's eyes hardened and grabbed her hands desperately. "You...You fought back into a larger foe. Please don't be reckless next time."

Brook nodded, looking down in shame. Seeing her disappointment, he hugged her to him, kissing her head. "I'm proud of you."

Brook's eyes widened and grinned, hugging him tightly. "I love you."

Tarzan softly smiled at her and glanced at the window. He doesn't like this feeling, but he knows very well that it wasn't the end of Tublat. And next time, he and Brook would be ready by then.

Published: July 16, 2022

Word Count: 6856