Kingdom Hearts

Ch. 36

Deep Jungle

Everyone vs Ralum

Back at the landing sight, Cloak dropped Jane and Dagger off near their ship. Jane went on ahead to warn everyone what's going on. Dagger did not follow. She remained stagnant trying to think of something to say to Cloak. She turned to her friend thanking him. "Cloak, what are you going to do?" she asked quickly.

"I can't leave. That boy needs my help. He-I need him." Dagger's head tilted a bit before smiling. She nodded back before turning around to reunite with the others. But something stopped her. She stood for a few moments idling. Her legs crunched together. Fists clenched tight. With not even a moment later. She quickly turned back to Cloak and powered walked towards him. She made her way close to him standing in front of his broad chest. Her face was blank her toes stretched out. She then got on her tippy toes allowing her to reach his lips and kissed him passionately for no more than 3 seconds. She then turned back around and dashed off without saying a word. Cloak lifted his hand about to say something to her. But for some reason didn't. He backed off into the shadows not to be seen again.

The gummi ship made its way over the vast jungle. The 5 friends slowly began preparing for battle. Sora and Tarzan were in the living room. Tarzan was sharping his spear, Sora was practicing with his keyblade, and Donald remained on the controls to keep watch if anything happens. The gang heard a bell ring. "Lunch is ready!" called Goofy.

"Lunch?" said Sora confused. "It's only _3AM," he shouted. Sora realizing what time it was suddenly began to feel woozy. As reality caught up to him he realized he hasn't rested let alone slept in almost 24 hours. He mugged around trying to keep his eyes open. He yawned and scratched the wall that he was nearest too. He made his way after Tarzan to the kitchen. Tarzan was not familiar with the notion of lunch.

Goofy set down four regular size tuna fish sandwiches and a tiny one for Jiminy. Seeing the abnormally small sandwich reminded Sora to ask, "Hey, you've seen Jiminy?"

Goofy thought for a moment remembering the last time they talked. "Aw he said he was taking a nap." Goofy looked at the clock and just like Sora his body soon caught up to his brain. He was exhausted. Both he and Sora struggled to eat their food while Tarzan continued without haste.

There was only one sandwich on the plate left. Goofy touched the plate and moved it forward to Tarzan. "You mind giving this to Donald he refuses to come down." Goofy then took a bite out of his sandwich. He bit it off and chewed slowly. After Tarzan was done. He grabbed the plate and headed towards the control room. Goofy gulped his food down his throat and was prepared to take another bite. He sank his teeth into the sandwich and then fell asleep mid bite. His head fell over on the table conking out with the sandwich in his snout. Sora ate his sandwich in one bite and swallowed it whole. He then passed out snoring loudly as drool dripped out of his mouth trailing down his face. He sat up in his chair while his head tilted back as he snored.

Tarzan made his way across the ship to the control room. He passed the bedroom area. He saw Jiminy sleeping soundly in his match box. His hat, shoes and coat were skillfully placed next to him. Tarzan quietly left him the small sandwich to eat next to his bed. Tarzan came to the ladder climbing up holding the lunch plate in his hand. He came up to see Donald sitting in the Captains seat keeping a close eye on the jungle. The ship was just hovering in the air not moving at all. Before facing your enemy it's important to get a good night's rest. Tarzan came over to Donald to find him with his hands folded snoring. He was asleep. Tarzan breathed softly. He looked out the cock pit to see what has become of his jungle now.

When he did all he saw was a glowing oval shaped object heading right towards them. He dropped the plate causing a loud crashing sound. Waking Donald up. He flashed his eyes as everything came back to focus. Tarzan quickly grabbed the steering wheel and moved the ship out of the way.

The others downstairs were thrown for a loop as their sleep was abruptly cut short. Sora was flung from his seat slamming on the ground loudly. Goofy slept through the whole ordeal dozing off mumbling in his sleep. Sora ran up to the control room to see Donald jolt the ship back and forth.

"Where's Goofy?" shouted Donald.

"Sleeping," he replied trying to keep his ground.

"Now of all times," said a disarranged Donald.

"Sora listen carefully I need you to go take control of the weapons systems and fire back. Tarzan was holding on to Donald's chair for dear life.

"Donald I," mumbled Sora not knowing what to say.

"Sora now's not the time. Start up the system and be ready to fire!" Donald screamed.

Sora quickly ran over to the weapons system. A place where Goofy would sit normally. He turned on the screen starting the system. With a blue tint the screen displayed the front view of the ship. Sora saw what they were up against. Orange and pink glowing projectiles were heading towards them like cannon balls. He grabbed the controls. A double joy stick each with its own button. "Sora, the left stick shoots regular shots while the right one will charge up the cannon," said Donald. Sora maneuvered the controls around like an arcade game. The cannons fired on the incoming targets destroying them.

Back in the bedroom, Jiminy was awoken from the ship shaking. He got dressed and made his way up to the cock pit. "Is it Ralum?" shouted Jiminy.

"Yeah get down," shouted Donald. Tarzan ran to Jiminy and laid out his hands. Jiminy jumped from his palms to the shoulders. Donald did his best to maneuver the ship as they continued blasting incoming projectiles. In no time the ship made its way to Ralum's fortress where the projectiles were being shot from. Flower like canons were being used to shoot down the gummi ship. Sora aimed carefully at the spores and launched a counterattack. The blasters from the ship hit the flower petals destroying them. The firing seized as the ship finally made it to the great bean stalk fortress. The ship came close enough to land. The ship hovered over a large green vine and descended on it.

"Fhew, we made it," said Jiminy holding on to Tarzans long brown locks.

"Hey-ya guys how it hanging. Did you both do okay?" said Goofy popping his head through the cockpit door.

"What you were awake the whole time?" they all shouted.

"Hauck," giggled Goofy.

Donald threw his staff like a club at Goofy's head. "Ugh!" he shrieked falling to the ground after being knocked in a daze.

"Serves you right," shouted Donald angrily clenching his fists in the air. He let down his arms and breathes silently. "Sora," he speaks softly without turning to him.

Sora spined the chair around towards Donald listening to what he had to say. "That was some pretty good shooting out there."

Sora touched by his friend's complaint. Got up and walked towards him apologizing. "Listen sorry about earlier."

"I'm sorry too," responded Donald turning to his friend giving him his hand. Sora smiled shaking it.

"Yeah all for one and one for all," said Goofy who made his way back up. He climbed into the room and walked to his friends patting them on the back. The three laughed together quite gleefully.

"Ahem", said Tarzan reminding them that he's still there.

"Tarzan, guys I think it's time now," said Sora. They all nodded their heads in agreement. The four friends headed towards the hatch of the ship where they exited. They walked into a fortress of plants and darkness. Jiminy was tucked safely in Sora's hood. The gang brought out their weapons expecting an ambush. Being as how dark it was heartless could appear out of nowhere. Tarzan led the pack not fearing anything. He walked like an ape holding his spear out a few feet in front of him. Sora tilted his head trying to see if anything was out there. The fortress of vines stretched on like a hallway. The roots were spread out as flat as a floor. Lights soon began to appear. This caused a shock among the gang. They were the pink flowers from before. They lit brightly like lightbulbs in the dark. They shined down the path heading in a certain direction.

"They want us to follow them," said Sora bluntly.

"I don't know Sora maybe it's a trap?" said Goofy bending over a bit near Sora's ear. Sora clenched his keyblade and dashed forward.

He ran a few yards ahead before turning around to his friends running backwards. "C'mon guys." He turned back around and ran off again.

"Sora!" Donald shouted. He, Goofy, and Tarzan ran after him trying to keep up.

"Wow, Sora's really fast. Even for a twelve-year-old," said Goofy huffing.

"Yeah, now that you mention it. He is quite energetic," answered Donald recognizing Sora's physical skills despite his age. Sora still far ahead of them ran as fast as he could following the pink lights. He came to a quick right turn in the hall and stopped in his tracks. His feet slid on the ground till he came to a complete stop. He turned his head to the right to see what's down there. When he did there before him was a long hallway that led to a giant room. At the end of the hall there was a throne built of roots. With a red haired man holding his scythe on his shoulders staring directly at Sora. His arm was benched on a root resting his head on his palm. He looked at Sora without blinking.

The young key wielder twisted his keyblade to his side. His eyes locked with the proclaimed King of the Jungle. After the silence was too much to bare, he dashed towards his enemy with incredible speed. He watched Sora run towards him in a straight line. This would normally register as a chance for an attack. But Ralum did not take advantage of this. He stood up and let his scythe down. He raised it past his left shoulder. His eyes glistened with delight. The pink flowers surrounding the throne room grew even brighter. The King of the Jungle will play with his prey.

Sora entered the throne room jumping into the air. He lifted his keyblade over his head and spread his legs out a bit. He flew towards Ralum with blinding speed about to attack.

"Key Lop," he sounded thrusting his blade over his head. Ralum swung his scythe just at the right moment. Clashing with Sora's weapon. Round Two has begun.

With the strength of one hand he was strong enough to repel Sora's whole body. He knocked Sora back a few feet. Sora managed to catch himself on all fours while keeping his weapon in check. His hand grasped the floor his knees twitched. He grasped his keyblade even tighter in his other hand. He stared at Ralum till their eyes locked again. When they did, the battle continued.

The two warriors fought hard to land a hit on each other, but nothing worked. Ralum was talented with his scythe. A weapon regarded as clunky and unreliable in battle. But the red haired man wielded his scythe like an extension of both his arms. With one scythe. He effortlessly switched his weapon between hands as he struck Sora. If it wasn't for Sora's agile and speedy reflexes he probably would have been cut in half by now. The two struggled to land a hit until Ralum had enough. He flipped the scythe pointing it to the ground in Sora's direction. He thrusted his spear end into the floor sounding "Vine Web."

Sora lifted his keyblade preparing to block the attack. But instead Ralum hit Sora with an attack too strong for even him. The moment the floor cracked. Vines of all different sizes burst out of the ground throwing Sora off his feet. The vines grew like hundreds of fingers wrapping around his body. He screamed as he tried to get loose. The vines continued growing in a 45-degree angle until they reached the wall. The vines slammed Sora's back hard on the rock-hard trunk.

"What the?" he said wiggling the best he could. He was trapped. The vines have him pinned. He tried using his keyblade to break free, but his arms were pressed down by the vines. Ralum giggled in amusement. Sora wouldn't give up he yelled and screamed not showing any signs of wearing down.

"Hey what the hell do you think you're doing? Come on, fight like a real warrior," he shouted.

Ralum didn't say a word. He pointed his scythe at Sora. The edge of his weapon was sharp. His scythe had three blunt edges. The giant razor stretching out from one end. On the other side of the handle the end was sharp like a spear. And finally, another blunt edge pointing straight at Sora while the razor pointed down. Ralum sounded, "Petal Thrust." He gripped his weapon with both his hands. He bent his knees and launched towards Sora. The third blunt edged scythe was meant to crack open Sora's skull.

Sora stared blankly still trying to break free. He closed his eyes not knowing what to expect. While he closed his eyes, he heard a clang against metal. He opened his eyes to see a butt stretching right out in front of him. "Ugh," said Sora. "That was the last thing I expected to see" he thought.

Standing in front of him was Goofy. He had his shield out blocking Ralum's attack. Ralum grunted and backed off. He jumped down to the ground.

"Spear Shot," sounded another of Sora's allies. It was Tarzan. He grasped his spear lunging it at Ralum. The red haired assassin quickly tried to dodge but he wasn't fast enough. Tarzan's spear pierced through Ralum's shoulders causing him great pain. He jumped away trying to get his footing. Ralum clenched his wound tightly. He looked down to see a trail of blood from where he stood. It lead back to Tarzan with blood covering his spear.

"Goofy Slash," sounded Goofy. The royal knight used his shield to shred the vines holding Sora. The keyblade wielder was free. The plants withered away as the two friends fell to the ground.

"Sora," shouted Donald. The duck ran over to them checking on each other.

"Sora are you okay?" asked Goofy.

Sora smiled and responded, "Aw guys you didn't need to do that I had everything under control."

"Oh sure you did," said Donald playing to Sora's remarks.

"But I did," demanded Sora.

"Sure we believe you," giggled Goofy softly.

The three friends bickered for a moment until the ape man reminded them of why they are here. Tarzan banged his spear on the ground getting their attention. They all looked to him then Ralum. The red haired man looked at his foes as he covered his wound. He breathed softly thinking of a plan. "Though they are lesser creatures, it will still be hard to beat them four on one," he thought.

"Hey Ralum, what with the plant powers? Dagger said that you didn't have any before," shouted Sora. The others stayed quiet and listened to see what he'd say. Ralum smiled and stood up straight still covering his wound as blood leaked down his left arm.

"These powers were a gift. After I was defeated by a beast of all things the clerics took me to the nursing tents and began caring for me. I soon became conscious after the doctors applied healing magic. They set me down and gave me some time to rest. Still trying to come to terms with my loss to a good for nothing ape. After about an hour trying to hold in my anger. A strong force came over me. Darkness soon covered my body and I couldn't move. I tried to call for help but the darkness seeped over my mouth as well. I searched around my surroundings to see what's going on. As I turned to the entrance someone was standing there. A dark being with black skin and a demon like appearance. He had long horns and large wings. His eyes were bright yellow as flames poured from his mouth. The darkness that pervaded over my body was coming from it no doubt. The demon looked at me with its soulless eyes and smiled. It spoke in a menacing voice its tongue was yellow like its eyes as it wisped out of the demons mouth. It empathized with me and understood my goal. He told me that there may only be one who wields the key only one who could open the door. And it must someone who is worthy. Someone of a higher world. Our Prince is the only one worthy to wield such a weapon."

He pointed at Sora's keyblade. Sora lowered his head not looking at his enemy as he breathed quietly. Ralum went on with his story "The demon showed me what the power of darkness was capable of. Of how one could grow a person's strength immeasurably. He taught me to use the power of darkness to control plant life which I'm sure you had more than enough demonstrations. After showing me this power the Elder Cleric and her assistants walked in and witnessed the demon in all his glory. Instead of learning the masters knowledge. She attack him out of fear, and he ended her life. Such a poor tragic end for her. After he choked the life out of them it looked at me one more time then disappeared. Knowing the state of the clerics it be best if I lay low for a bit. But I did not forget my mission. That I would end all those who are-ahhh."

Ralum was thrusted back ending his long monologue. He was struck in the head by the keyblade. Sora threw it at him when he made himself open. Sora dashed forward at Ralum who still managed to stay standing to feel the full force of Sora's incoming attack. At a close enough range Sora lifted his leg up and threw his keyblade horizontally striking Ralum's stomach causing him to fall down. He wailed as he fell landing on his butt scoffing at the blow he had taken.

He looked up at Sora. Eyes burning of pure anger and fury. "Why did you let that woman die?" he shouted as loud as he could. The rest of gang watched the argument as the two butted heads once again. Ralum cocked an eyebrow not knowing what he's talking about. "The clerics, you said that she was killed. And you sat by and watched as he killed her. Someone died. Died right in front of you and you don't even care."

Ralum grunted again and shouted back, "Who cares she was already old and weak. She wasn't strong enough to."

"That's enough. What about the other two lives lost?" said Sora screaming at the top of his lungs. "Nothing is more important than a human life. No matter who or what. That is what we are taught on my world. What kind of cruel and sick world doesn't teach the importance of life? You have the nerve to talk like you were born above other people. That you are good and everyone you approve of is good. But for everyone else you think are bad. You take their lives for granted. Even though it's one of your own people. And you still talk about being superior. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

After Sora was screaming a thorn covered vine burst out of the ground hitting him in the same spot as his enemy. He coughed up some blood being thrown back. The thorns cut his skin hard.

"I have had enough of your worthless lectures. Don't you get it I'm fighting for the greater good of the world? Because you can't understand our vision just proves how lesser creatures you all are." Ralum jumped up applying healing magic to his shoulder. A red flower grew on his shoulder and fell off reveling the wound Tarzan have given him has healed.

Donald and Goofy ran to Sora to see if he was alright. "Sora," said Goofy worried.

Sora grabbed his friend's shoulders and began to lift himself back on his feet. "They are the worst kind of people. The only way to teach them a lesson is to tear them down. Help me beat him. He has to learn." Sora got on his feet panting he summoned his keyblade pointing it at Ralum.

"We will defeat you!" he shouted again. Sora dashed back towards Ralum again hoping to hit him.

"Typical same strategy as before. He brought out his scythe preparing to cut Sora in half. Before he did a projectile flew through the air cutting Ralum's cheek. It was Tarzan's spear. Tarzan had thrown it while Ralum was focused on Sora. The slight distraction keep Ralum from attacking Sora.

The young keyblade wielder took advantage of this opportunity and leaped at Ralum. He took his keyblade by two hands and launched the blade into Ralum's chest. "Key Buster," he sounded. Ralum was forced back as Sora's buster technique was meant to create distance between enemies and cause a great deal of damage at the same time.

Ralum was thrown 10 feet from where he was standing. He looked up to see Tarzan starring at him with an angry and fierce look. His nostrils flared as he frowned in pure resentment. "Never hurt Tarzan's friends!" he shouted. The ape man jumped down howling. He raised his arms over his head preparing to slam Ralum with his arms. Ralum dodged the attack before Tarzan hit the ground.

With full might Tarzan hit the ground so hard it caused a loud rumble throughout the entire room.

"Fira," sounded Donald shooting the 2nd gear fire spell. Ralum looked back to the others. It launched at incredible speeds towards Ralum like a comet. With only a split second to dodge he bent his back just enough for the fire ball to miss his body. He flipped back 3 times before landing on his feet.

"Goofy Shot," sounded another. Goofy aimed his shield horizontally at Ralum shooting his weapon straight at him. It was spinning so fast you couldn't even make out the symbol on the front. Ralum swung his scythe at the shield just before it could land a hit. The two weapons contacted each other causing Goofy's weapon to be deflected. The shield flipped up into the air losing all momentum. It flailed as it hit the ground like a metal tray. It instantly returned to Goofy's arm just as before.

Tarzan grabbed his spear and pointed it at his enemy. He snarled at Ralum gripping his spear tight. Sora, Donald, and Goofy faced him from the opposite direction. They stood in their fighting poses preparing to fight. Ralum looked around realizing he has underestimated his enemies. He tapped his fingers on his scythe slowly tilting it near his face and in an instance, he vanished.

"What, where did he go?" shouted Donald as rose petals drifted around the spot he disappeared. The group kept up their guard listening and looking around expecting him to make a surprise attack. But nothing happened.

A few more moments of silence pervaded the fortress till a slight thrust was felt throughout the room. "What did you feel that?" said Sora.

"Huh," replied Goofy as he began to lose his footing.

"Waah!" shouted the group. The room was tilting. They all screamed being thrown off their feet. They flew back falling to the left wall. Tarzan looked around and grabbed a vine before hitting the ground. Sora and the others fell back screaming before slamming on the roots making up the walls.

"Ouch," shouted Donald sitting up brushing the sticks and leaves off his body. Goofy was still in a daze while Sora hit his head. The whole room began tilting throwing everyone in a loop. Donald soon realized, "Everyone the fortress is falling over." The others caught on to what's happening.

At the base of the tree, outside on the ground. Ralum stood slicing the root of the entire tree in one fell swoop. The rings of the vines were bare to the world as the mighty plant that was no more than a day old tumbled down crushing anyone unlucky enough to stand under the trees tilting body. The group waved around trying to figure out what to do. Tarzans vine snapped causing him to fall. Tarzan with incredible acrobatic skills landed on his hands and feet.

"Come to me," shouted a voice from above. They looked up. "Cloak," said Sora waving at him. Cloak descended like a dark guardian angel lowering himself but remained in his bodiless form.

"Come on guys," said Sora smiling. He ran to Cloak jumping into the void disappearing. Tarzan ran after him vanishing without a trace.

"What Sora?" said Donald. His webbed feet began to lift off the ground not being able to run. Cloak rushed over to Donald and Goofy and like a fish swallowing a worm he engulfed them whole. A second before the tree hit the ground. Like thunder a loud smash could be heard throughout the jungle. The empty skies were now filled with frightened birds cawing and flapping about. Animals ran blindly in the dark out of fear for their lives. The tree smashed the ground crushing the already ginormous rainforest trees like shrubs.

Ralum covered his ears to the blistering thuds that echoed throughout the forest. He rested his arms by his sides smiling at the destruction he caused. He picked up his scythe as he measured how clean the cut was. He placed his weapon on the giant stump and backed off. The weapon was perfectly sturdy. The stump was completely 180 degrees flat. Ralum congratulated himself silently before picking his weapon up.

He looked to the sky seeing the mess he caused. His little ploy cleared away many of the trees. The sun began to rise as the light danced around the tropical leaves. He looked on and appreciated its beauty. He lifted his left arm and made a red flower grow out of the ground. "A beautiful specimen," he thought. With five petals surrounding the center. He picked it from the ground and smelled it nicely.

Upon letting his guard down, he heard a loud thump sound from behind. He then felt something breathing down his neck. He heard a familiar growl enticing him to look. His eyes gapped open as he tilted his head to see the thing that stood behind him. It was a giant creature standing over him. He could not make out what it was as darkness shrouded over its body. As the sun rose into the sky lighting up the forest it gave way to the darkness hiding the creature. Ralum stood silently as the Great Ape Kerchak stood before him staring at him viciously.

Behind him in the trees were his family of fellow gorilla's sitting and watching. Kala and Terk were among them. Ralum froze as Kerchak stood up. The great ape that crushed this tiny man roared a mighty roar beating his chests. It raised its right arm up and swung it at Ralum.

"Petal Dance," sounded Ralum disappearing from the earth.

Kerchak slammed the ground with so much force the ground they stood on cracked. Kerchak roared fiercely twisting and turning around trying to find his enemy. The ape family began shouting and screaming like an abrupt chorus. Kerchak stopped turning. His nostrils flared as he listened.

"Petal Raid."

Out from the trees, red petals swarmed spinning like razors dashed towards Kerchak. The great ape lifted one arm guarding his body from the attack. Upon impact the petals burst into tiny pieces around Kerchak's arm. The ape was only irritated by the annoyance. More tiny pieces of petals flew around him till a single piece flew near his back. The petal began acting strangely.

"Petal Slash," a voice shrieked loudly. The flower glowed bright red morphing into a man. Ralum appeared behind the great ape with scythe in hand. He swung the reapers tool with all his might striking Kerchak. The ape wailed in pain running forward yelling in agony. He jumped in the air placing his arms behind his head trying to ease the pain. Ralum made a large gash in the beasts back. The rest of the apes in the trees became silent. Kerchak continued to roar and rampage. In anger and pain, he slammed the ground causing the whole earth to shake. The trees began to shake tremendously. The ape family began to flee not wanting to be caught in the way of Kerchak's fight.

Kerchak calmed down coming to terms with the blow he was dealt. He turned around swiftly to see Ralum perched in a tree smiling with the apes blood decorating the scythe. Ralum stood up on the branch swinging his scythe around. "To think I actually lost to a monster," said Ralum. His smile turned to a scowl. He began walking down the branch like Monday night stroll.

Kerchak snarled at Ralum. "But you can't understand me, can you?" he remarked standing steadily on the giant tree branch. Kerchak running on animal instincts charged at the tree Ralum was standing on. Kerchak dashed towards the trunk with energy swarming around him. With one movement, he lifted his arm and struck the bark with his fist. The entire trunk was reduced to toothpicks. The tree fell over causing a loud crash to be heard from all around. Ralum was not phased. He used his new powers to grow two plants out of the ground rising high into the air. They positioned themselves so Ralum could stand on them. His faced remained vexed as he hopped from one foot hold to another. The roots quickly wrapped themselves around Ralum's feet securing him in his spot.

"Of course, I wouldn't expect that from a lower life form such as yourself. I don't know what that idiot Jane was thinking when she said proclaimed you creatures have evolved to the point of self-awareness."

Kerchak roared again slamming the ground causing the earth to shake. Ralum used his powers to call for a vine for him. He grabbed hold of it while making the roots around his feet uncoil. The vine began moving him to the next tree.

Ralum landed on another tree easily. His boots tapped on the moss-covered bark. He strolled over to the trunk resting his right arm on the bark. He began leaning on it before speaking again staring at Kerchak who has calmed down a bit.

"Our race is the key to survival. We will live on for generations improving the universe with our accomplishments. We will educate the lesser creatures and we will bear the solemn duty to eliminate all those who are holding society back. People like that Sora. People like the ape man Tarzan. It's so tragic what happened to him. There's a man who could have been so much more. But his hopes for being a member of our higher race were dashed after being taken in by a filthy creature like you. But I'll show them. I'll show them all. I will kill you. And skin you and bring back your coat to the crew to show them that I will not be shown up by a damn dirty ape." He shouted from the tree as loud as he could.

Kerchak remained silent. He breathed heavily staring at the red haired man. Ralum stared back. His eyes gaped wide open.

Kerchak stood on his hind legs and beat his chest roaring as loud as he could. Energy began surrounding him. The apes' hairs began to rise, his eyes turned blood red as the energy coursed through his body. With one swoop Kerchak swung his arm with great force in Ralum's direction. Ralum not worried by the act of aggression remained still folding his arms while smiling. After swinging his arm a strong force headed towards the red haired man. Choosing not to defend Ralum took the attack at full force.

The hit knocked Ralum out of the tree. "Gaaaagh," he gargled with a bloody faced falling from the tree like a rag doll. He slammed the ground at full force with leaves falling on his body. Ralum coughed up blood after leaning up.

"What the, how did?" he muttered to himself. He looked towards the great ape before him. Kerchak roared fiercely before charging at the injured man.

"Petal Dance," he sounded disappearing once again. Kerchak continued charging only hitting some stray red petals. Kerchak ceased his assault and stumbled about. Another red petal fell by Kerchak only this time in front. Like a thief in the night. Ralum spawned again with scythe in hand. Ralum thrusted the spear end of his weapon into Kerchak's body. The ape was forced back releasing the weapon from his wound. Kerchak raised his arm covering the wound. He moved his hand back to see blood covering his palm.

Ralum smiled again that isn't just the only trick I learned. The red haired man swung his scythe over his shoulders. He rested both his hands on the snath. Without so much as blinking giant plants began growing out of the ground. They surrounded Kerchak like bars in cage that would hold back a normal man. But Kerchak with his immense strength threw the plants aside like weeds. Kerchak charged again at Ralum before both his legs were caught by roots in ground.

The 500lb ape fell on his face. Vines then began to move from the trees and wrapping around the ape's arms, waist, and neck. The plants were so strong they began to hold Kerchak in place. The great ape struggled trying to break free roaring loudly exposing his massive fangs which could bite Ralum's face off.

Ralum staring at his helpless prey maneuvered his scythe behind his head. "It's over monkey."

"Petal Dance," he sounded disappearing and reappearing instantly no more than a few feet away from the restrained ape. He pointed the red end of his at Kerchak and began repeatedly stabbing him. Kerchak was completely helpless. Ralum continued his assault. Stabbing with the spear end slicing with the head. Which one was better he didn't care. He began experimenting laughing while he did. Puncturing the stomach, tearing the face off. Kerchak howled in pain as Ralum tortured the poor animal.

Kerchak stopped roaring succumbing to the pain. Ralum too focused on his victory failed to notice a rock being thrown at him. It struck him in the head forcing him to stop his chance for revenge. He rubbed his head noticing the rock that hit him fell to the grassy jungle floor. Soon tons of rocks and sticks came his way hitting him all over. He looked out screaming into the jungle "Who dares insult me."

In the treetops, he saw little black and brown creatures reveal themselves. It was the other gorillas. They soon began to shout and howl loudly. They exposed their fangs drooling to the mouths. Kerchak's family was throwing anything they had around them.

Ralum extremely irritated hollered at the beasts ordering them to stop. He raised his hands in the air bending his fingers abruptly. Ralum used his powers to turn the jungle they called home against them. The ape family shrieked in terror. The Mothers grabbed their children attempting to flee. But Ralum wouldn't let them. "You sub creatures dare try to oppose me," he shouted to the beasts who couldn't understand a word he said.

The screams of his loved ones caught Kerchak's ear. The injured beasts slowly opened his eyes witnessing what is befalling his family. He watched as his loved ones ripped from the tree strapped in a web of vines. Even his mate Kala could not escape. She jumped out of the tree trying to get away only to jump on the ground to find an ambush of roots burst from the ground wrapped themselves around her body confining her to the dirt.

Kerchak struggles to release himself from the organic restraints. Kerchak's eyes turned red once more as the same energy from before surrounded him. The Spirit of the Jungle lay dormant within him and it gave him the strength to break the plants that held him back. Kerchak slammed the ground with such force that the plants that held him back withered.

Ralum felt the shockwave from a distance. He turned around to see the now freed ape snarling out him. The blue lighting like energy coursed over his body. His eyes burnt glimmers of twilight. "Can't you just die already," said Ralum. He called for more plant life to surrounded the great ape. Kerchak stood and beat his chest. He roared a mightier roar then any before it. The eruption was so loud it could be heard throughout the jungle.

Ralum covered his ears as the sound ruptured his ear drums. He screamed causing him to lose focus. The brief moment of disturbance caused him lose control of his powers. The plants that held down the gorillas lost their will to move. The gorilla family was freed, but they would not flee. They stayed to witness the outcome of the battle. The energy and shockwave caused by the great ape's powers were so strong that it decimated the surrounding area. The grass around Kerchek's feet have withered. And the roots Ralum called from the ground have withered away as well.

But Kerchak was far from finished. The energy still surrounded his body. It twisted around his torso at such speeds Ralum couldn't even tell if it was a gorilla. Ralum remained stagnant finding that he can't move. His eyes glistened witnessing the Spirit of the Jungle at its limit. The energy began to rapidly expand. It grew to an immense size that it dwarfed Ralum.

The electric like energy began to morph rapidly. The energy formed a torso with two limbs growing from the shoulders. Finally, with a head that appeared above the body. A gorilla's head. Ralum managed to come to his senses shaking his head. "What you think this little light show is enough to frighten me," he shouted triumphantly. He called for a large root to grow from the ground till it was larger than Kerchak's light show.

He used "Petal Dance" to transport him on top of the tall organism. "You can't defeat me. You are a lower life form. You are the past. You are just an animal. A stupid animal that couldn't hope to understand the world itself. To think you could actually put up a fight with me. Well fine this ends here and now. I will not be shown up by an ape." He called forth more plants to appear pointing at the swarm of energy.

Upon challenging the spirit two red lights appeared towards the top of energy. They formed two soulless red eyes. Standing before Ralum was something that can only be described as a psychedelic dream. The energy has formed into what appears to be the upper body of a gorilla. And near the torso revealed to be the real deal. Kerchak has awakened a power beyond even his understanding.

Ralum grunted his teeth trying to keep himself from looking scared. "This-this power it-it can't be. A-A-A berserker?" thought Ralum in distress. Kerchak roared even louder than before. Ralum quickly turned yellow and called forth a mighty tree to burst from the ground. The jungle tree sprouted up out of the ground in-between Kerchak and Ralum.

This did not phase the great ape. He lifted his arm up causing the Spirit to do the same. Kerchak thrusted his arm with all his might. The Spirit followed. It threw a punch so powerful it destroyed the giant tree separating the two enemies.

Ralum grunted in agony as the Spirit overpowered him. The Spirits giant fist discarded Ralum's protection striking him with everything it had. Upon impact Ralum was thrown back with incredible velocity. His body bruised and bloody slammed into the nearest tree. He hit the tree so hard and at such a speed the trunk was not hard enough to stop his momentum. The trunk of the tree shattered as Ralum continued being launched far away. He was hit so hard he was launched into the skies at a great distance.

Ralum's mangled body flew into the skies. His dead eyes faced the twilight of a new day as the sun lit the black sky blue. Eventually his body began to descend. He fell a great height falling back into the jungle. Crashing down to the jungle floor.

Kerchak began to cool down as the Spirit faded from him. The True King of the Jungle has prevailed. Kala and the others gorillas peered over to see the victor. They remained silent until Kerchak began to move. His body was covered in scares but that didn't stop him. Despite the damage, he took. He defeated his enemy with just two punches. Kerchak rose on his hind legs and beat his chest and roared as loudly as he could so everyone could hear him.

Ralum the red haired man now laid broken and defeated in a patch of grass near a stream.

Kerchak has won! All other gorillas shouted along with Kerchak slamming the bark shaking the branches they stood on. They called out through the jungle signaling the end of the conflict.

"Ralum, Ralum. You are such a disappointment. Never underestimate your prey. No matter how stupid they may seem."

Kerchak heard someone coming. The injured victor turned to see someone walking through the brush. The Great Hunter Clayton has appeared from the jungle. The Elite stepped towards Kerchak loading his hunting rifle as heartless surrounded him. "But I at least should thank you for making my job a lot easier."