Disclaimer: I don't own Tarzan, Tarzan 2, The Legend of Tarzan, or Tarzan and Jane or any characters or materials taken from the cartoon movies, series, or books, etc. No copyright infringement intended.
Author's Note: I've kinda fallen in love with The Legend of Tarzan cartoon series and Disney's canon in general, so I've set my story a few months or so after Disney's Tarzan and Jane movie. Also, I've set the time frame to be in the year 1920, since it looks to me like The Legend of Tarzan takes place just after WWI.
Chapter 1: New Arrival.
The steamer ship plowed through the waters of the Atlantic Ocean like a tractor plow through earth, it's great prow throwing up large sprays of water on either side of the massive ship. It was an American cargo ship headed for Dumont's Trading Post with fresh supplies; and a stowaway.
Kira Thunderfist was a young mutant woman who had been driven from her home in America by the prejudice and persecution mutants suffered at the hands of ignorant normals. So she had snuck aboard four months before, hoping to make a new life for herself in the dense jungles of Africa, far away from normal interference. Or so she thought.
Tarzan and Jane were engaged in a game of 'tree top tag' and having a blast! Jane was 'it' and chased Tarzan from branch to branch and vine to vine. She couldn't quite catch him though, for she spent more time in the treehouse than swinging on vines and climbing trees. Tarzan could see she was getting tired and stopped on a large branch long enough for her to catch him.
"You… let… me… win," said Jane in gorilla speak between huffs, for she was quite out of breath.
"So? It's just a game. All that really matters is we're together," Tarzan answered in kind, taking her in his arms and holding her close like he loved to do.
Jane melted into his embrace and entwined her own arms around him. Ever since she and her father had decided to stay in the jungle with Tarzan, they had been learning to speak the animal tongues of the jungle. They still spoke English and Tarzan's had dramatically improved, especially with the trading post, run by Monsieur Renard Dumont, being on the coast, but they mostly spoke gorilla. They had also had many adventures and run-ins with other humans over the past year. Some were good, many were not so good, but all in all, everything was well and right with the world today and that was all that mattered.
Back on the steamer, Kira waited patiently in a dark corner of the cargo hold for the ship to dock. She could sense that they were close to land and closing her eyes, listened to the activity above.
"Full stop!" the captain bellowed as he steered his massive ship into the bay. "Drop anchor!" was the next command and Kira's cue to abandon ship.
She climbed out of a port hole onto the anchor chain and rode it down into the water, completely undetected by the sailors. Taking a deep breath, she dived and swam down the coast a few miles before making landfall. Kira crawled out of the ocean and onto the beach several feet above the high tide line and lay on her back, drinking in deep breaths of air. This had been the longest underwater swim she had ever done and it had pushed her to her limits. But the fresh breeze soon refreshed her and being hungry, she decided to hunt.
Kira stood, stretched, and ran off into the jungle. She soon caught the scent of an antelope and tracked it to a stream. Lowering to all fours, she crept silently towards the unwary creature. Kira crouched low under a bush, her weight balanced on her hands and the balls of her feet. Her stomach rumbled softly and her mouth began to salivate as she extended her retractable claws and dug them into the ground, preparing for her lunge.
With a roar she lunged forward, leaping onto the panicked animal and sinking her claws into her prey. The small antelope screamed and thrashed, trying to throw her off, but Kira simply held it down. In a flash her jaws latched onto her prey's throat, choking it. After that bite, it was over in moments. The antelope soon stilled and moved no more.
Kira quickly skinned and gutted her kill with the knife she always carried with her, then settled down to eat. Being a carnivorous mutant, she didn't much care whether her food was cooked or not, so she usually didn't bother. She soon devoured the entire carcass excepting the hide, head, hooves, and guts. As she sat crunching the last bone, Kira leaned back against a tree and sighed in absolute contentment, just relaxing and enjoying the sounds and smells of the jungle.
After her meal, Kira bestirred herself and stretched out the antelope hide in a frame of branches she cut, in preparation for tanning it. She also collected the horns for use as tools, weapons, etc. Once this was done, she struck off into the jungle.
Unbeknownst to her, a little green cape parrot had seen all that she did and flew off to tell Tarzan about the strange new predator in the jungle.
Tarzan and Jane were reading in the tree house when the parrot arrived.
"Tarzan! Jane! There's a strange new predator in the jungle!" exclaimed the bird in its native tongue.
"What did you see, Nani?" Jane asked in the parrot language.
"It looked like a human and yet not human. It had claws and teeth like a leopard, pointy ears, and red eyes like rubies. It moved upright on two legs one minute, then prowled like a spider or a leopard on all fours the next. It killed and ate an antelope, but it peeled the skin off and took the guts out and the hooves and horns off. It buried the guts, head, and hooves, but kept the horns and stretched the skin in some sort of 'frame', like what Jane puts her pretty pictures in, yet not quite the same. It's headed for the southern side of the jungle," replied Nani.
"Thank you, Nani. I will look into this," said Tarzan.
Nani flew away, confidant that Tarzan would find out all about this strange creature and get rid of it if necessary.
"Jane, do you have any idea what this creature could be?" Tarzan asked.
"From Nani's description, I'm pretty sure that what she saw was a mutant," said Jane.
"A mutant?" Tarzan asked.
"A human that has unusual abilities, beyond what is normally possible. This one would have animal-like abilities and characteristics," Jane explained.
"Oh. Are mutants dangerous?" was Tarzan's next question.
"Many people believe so, but I think they are neither more nor less dangerous than a normal human," said Jane.
"I'm going to find this mutant and see what it wants," Tarzan declared, swinging away on a vine.
Tarzan quickly traversed the jungle by a combination of vine swinging, branch surfing, and climbing through vines and branches, all the time looking for the mutant. After traveling for some time, he spotted the mutant drinking from a stream in a meadow. He perched on a wide branch, concealed by leaves and vines, to watch the mutant a while. She was as Nani described her, human looking with shaggy black hair that fell to her shoulders, large pointed ears, ruby red cat's eyes, and leopard-like fangs. She was wearing a tattered green shirt that once had sleeves and black trousers that came roughly to her knees with only a few ragged tatters hanging below. She was barefoot. There was also a leather belt around her waist with a large hunting knife in a leather sheath and a leather belt pouch that she could carry small objects in. She put the antelope hide in the stream to soak after she drank.
Kira sensed the presence of another creature. She scented the air and detected a human, but this one smelled strongly of the jungle, like one who had lived in it his whole life. This puzzled Kira. Scanning the trees, she spotted the very faint, shadowy outline of Tarzan.
"Come out, Jungle Man! And tell me who you are!" she called out in her strong voice, which was somewhat deep for a girl.
Tarzan dropped out of the tree and taking a defensive gorilla stance approached, stopping several feet away from Kira, who was crouched in a defensive cat-like stance.
"Who are you and why have you come here?" Tarzan asked in English so that Kira could understand him.
"I am Kira Thunderfist. I came to the jungle to escape from the persecution we mutants suffer at the hands of ignorant normals. Who are you?" said Kira, still wary.
"I am Tarzan. This is my jungle. You killed an antelope, you move like a leopard. Are you going to be a threat to my family and friends?" Tarzan asked.
"I am indeed a carnivore, but I do not hunt gorillas if that is what you mean. My abilities are that of the spider, the wolf, and the wildcat rolled into a human. I have other abilities as well, but you will learn of those soon enough," said Kira, noting Tarzan's gorilla-like stance and inferring much from it.
Something in the look of Kira's eyes spoke to Tarzan. Her eyes, the way she carried herself, everything about her spoke of a life in the wild, in a language not of words but that all creatures understood. Tarzan knew this young woman spoke the truth and further more, that she belonged in the jungle. He smiled, stood upright, and walked over to her with confidence.
"Welcome, Kira Thunderfist. Welcome to the jungle," he said holding out his hand to her.
Kira smiled, stood, and shook his hand saying, "Thank you, Tarzan of the Jungle."
"Come, I'll take you to my home," said Tarzan, swinging up into the trees.
"I would be honored," replied Kira, collecting the antelope hide and web-slinging after him.
On the journey back, Kira easily kept pace with Tarzan. She was an accomplished web-slinger and her strength, reflexes, and endurance were superb. Tarzan was impressed with her skills and fitness, and was pleased to have someone who could keep up with him so easily. Kira was likewise impressed and pleased with Tarzan's skills. She wondered if he was as good at combat as he was at vine swinging.
They soon reached the treehouse, where Jane was waiting for Tarzan to return. She wasn't expecting him to bring the mutant with him and was rather surprised to see that it was a woman and a rather attractive one at that. With her brown tanned skin, rippling muscles, and lithe, lean figure, Jane was rather jealous.
"Jane! This is Kira. She's the mutant. She came here to get away from the persecution of normal humans," said Tarzan, looking pleased.
Although his arm was around her, Jane couldn't help but fancy that there was a bit more affection than there should be in the look Tarzan gave Kira.
Kira bowed and smiling genuinely said, "So you have a mate, Tarzan! That is very good. What might your name be, Madam?"
"I am Jane Porter and I am Tarzan's wife," she said, putting emphasis on the last word and giving Kira a warning glare.
Kira laughed. "Oh, Jane Porter, you need not fear for your claim on Tarzan. I have no interest in him as a mate. I could never marry a normal because of my longevity. If I did marry a normal, I would outlive him by a few thousand years and the idea of taking a new mate every century or so is very depressing to me. No, if ever I marry, it will be to another mutant, but I doubt that will ever happen."
Tarzan looked at Jane with concern. "Jane, you thought I liked Kira better than you?" he asked seriously.
Jane knew she had made a mistake and said with a bowed head, "Yes, Tarzan. I saw the way you looked at her and I thought you liked her better because she can vine swing and run around the jungle as well as you can, if not better."
"Jane is best," Tarzan said simply, tilting her head up and looking into her eyes with the same loving devotion he always did and that she could never have any doubts about.
Jane smiled and throwing her arms around him, kissed him deeply. Kira smiled, happy (and relieved) to see them so in love with each other.
"Oh, Tarzan. How could I ever have doubted you?" Jane murmured in gorilla as she laid her head on his strong shoulder.
"It's ok, Jane. I know you love me and that sometimes makes you jealous," Tarzan responded in kind.
"You two might want to consider taking this 'discussion' inside," Kira said in perfect gorilla, surprising Jane and Tarzan.
"You speak gorilla!" they both exclaimed at once in said language.
"Of course. No language is unknown to me. Whether it be animal or human, all tongues are known to me," Kira smirked.
"That is amazing! Is there anything you can't do?" Tarzan asked.
"Many things are beyond my power. But that is irrelevant. I must begin looking for a home at once," said Kira turning to leave.
She was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She turned and was surprised to find it was Jane's.
"You could stay with us. At least for the night," she said somewhat shyly.
Kira smiled. "I would be honored, Jane, Mate of Tarzan, Queen of the Jungle," she said bowing low.
Jane blushed at the honor Kira did her by calling her that, especially in the gorilla tongue.
"So, it's settled. Kira will stay the night and tomorrow we will all help you search for a home," said Tarzan, well pleased that Jane and Kira were becoming friends.
Kira smiled but dropped off the deck. Tarzan and Jane rushed forward and looked over the edge. They were quickly relieved to see that Kira was unhurt and merely beginning the hide tanning process. They smiled and went inside.
Kira joined them inside a few minutes later and spying the chess board asked, "You play chess, Tarzan?"
"I'm not very good. I'm still learning. Jane is a good player though," said Tarzan, looking proudly at his wife.
"Oh, I'm not that good and you're getting better. Why don't you play a game or two with Kira while I get dinner?" Jane suggested.
"Alright," said Tarzan taking his place behind the black pieces.
"I typically play black myself, but I could use the change," said Kira sitting behind the white pieces.
"Uh, you go first," said Tarzan.
"Yep. Let's see…" Kira rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
She picked up a pawn and moved it two squares forward.
"The pawns can only move one square forward," Tarzan 'corrected' her.
"Actually, they can move two on their first move and if a pawn does that to escape capture by another pawn, the opposing pawn can capture it by moving one square diagonal as though the pawn had only move one square. And that is called 'En Passant' or 'In Passing'," Kira explained.
"Jane, is that right?" asked Tarzan.
"Yes, dear, that's correct," said Jane as she got out three plates and cups to set the table.
Tarzan picked up a pawn and copied Kira's move. Kira smiled and moved a knight over the first line of pieces. Tarzan made a similar move. Thus they went back and forth for a few more moves, then Tarzan captured one of Kira's knights and she one of his bishops. After that, they continued in a battle of strategy, occasionally capturing each other's pieces, until Kira left her queen out in the open.
"Ah-ha! You've left your queen unprotected!" exclaimed Tarzan as he captured the powerful piece.
"And you have fallen for my trap," said Kira, moving one of her rooks into a check position on Tarzan's king. "Check and mate, my friend," she said smiling.
Tarzan looked and saw it was indeed a checkmate, for his king was pinned down by Kira's remaining knight on one side, the two bishops, and the rook.
"But, how?" he asked, somewhat frustrated.
"Simple. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist capturing my queen. Few can resist that. Losing is nothing to be ashamed of, Tarzan. You just need more practice," said Kira smiling kindly at Tarzan.
Tarzan smiled and asked, "Wanna play again?"
"I think that's enough for one night, my friend. Another day. Right now, I'm most curious about how you two got married," said Kira, leaning back in her chair expectantly.
"I'd be happy to tell you all about our wedding, Kira," said Jane setting a plate of freshly cooked fish on the table and sitting down next to Tarzan. "Now let me see…"
