CHAPTER TWO

"Malone, what happened?" Roxton asked as Veronica put a cool rag on his neck.

"I'm not sure. I was walking down the trail to look for firewood and I heard a noise and when I turned to look, someone hit me."

"Roxton," Marguerite said, "look at this," She was pointing to something on the trail.

Roxton knelt beside the mark and examined it. Something had burnt the ground in an unusual pattern. Roxton stood and walked around the area looking for more of these strange marks but found none. They took Malone back to camp and the shaman looked after him. Roxton went to find Challenger and was a bit disturbed that he was nowhere to be found.

After searching for about fifteen minutes Roxton was about to head back to the campsite when he heard voices or more precisely a familiar voice. He quietly crept in the direction he heard the voice coming from and hid behind a large bush, parting it to peer through into the clearing beyond. What he saw almost made him snicker out loud. Challenger was tugging playfully on a piece of cloth and firmly attached to the other end was a squirrel. Roxton straightened and entered the clearing.

"George, you really shouldn't wander off by yourself, old boy," Roxton admonished him with a smile.

"What? Oh, Roxton, I didn't hear you," Challenger said as he finally freed the cloth from the squirrel.

"Yes, I noticed you seemed rather busy,"

"Was there something you wanted?" Challenger asked distractedly.

"Yes, George, YOU. We had agreed that until we find that thing that's been following us we would stick to groups of two or more. You can't be taking off like this."

"Sorry but I finished putting up my tent and this little fellow stole my cloth and I had to get it back," before Roxton could rebuke him further they heard the odd rustling sound in the bushes again.

"George, back up towards me. I don't have my rifle, just my Webleys. We don't know what that thing is or how big it is."

"I think you're right," Challenger replied as he cautiously backed away from the bushes. The squirrel had long since vanished.

They began to work their way back to the campsite when they realized the creature was still trailing them. They didn't want to lead it back to the others so they changed their direction. Roxton handed Challenger one of his guns, which he quickly placed in his belt.

"Think you're up for a bit of a run, George?" Roxton asked as a plan quickly began to form.

"I'll give it my best shot, what do you have in mind?" came the whispered reply.

"We split up. I'll go this way and try to circle round back of it. You go this way and head for the jungle. Find the first large tree you come to and climb it and wait for me."

"And if you don't come back for me?"

"Then I suggest you run like hell, George," They nodded to each other and took off in their respective directions.

Challenger took off as fast as his aching body would allow and Roxton ran in the other direction. He jumped several small bushes and stopped to see if he was being pursued. The creature had not stirred. Roxton scanned the terrain with his hunters' eyes and saw no movement. Suddenly standing tall in the middle of the clearing was the shadow creature. The creature appeared to be looking both ways trying to decide which explorer to follow. Roxton picked up a nearby rock and threw it at the creature. The rock sailed THROUGH the creature!

"George RUN!" Roxton shouted. The creature turned in his direction.

"Oh bloody hell," Roxton griped as he turned and ran.

Tribune had his head tilted at an angle and was listening intently to something when Veronica and Marguerite emerged from Malone's tent. They watched him for a moment then quietly approached him. Tribune put up a hand to silence them, Marguerite frowning in reply.

"I believe That Professor Challenger and Lord Roxton have come across some trouble," Tribune commented as he pointed in the direction the men had gone.

The group dropped what they were doing and ran through the bushes. They came to an abrupt stop when they entered the edge of the clearing. They faced a giant shadow creature about 10 feet tall that appeared to have no definable shape.

Marguerite reached out and caught Challenger when he stumbled as he neared them.

"Thank you, Marguerite. I really don't think I would have been able to out run that thing," he panted.

"What IS that thing, George?"

"I don't know. Apparently it has been following me since I left the treehouse. "

Veronica pulled her knife from her boot and threw it at the creature, which was swarming over Roxton.

"Veronica, our weapons seem to have no effect on it," Challenger remarked as the creature turned to face them. The creature grinned with a mouth that seemed to appear out of nowhere and he started after them.

"So Professor Challenger, we meet again. I have been eagerly anticipating our reunion."

"I believe you have me at a distinct disadvantage. I do not know you. I certainly would remember meeting you," Challenger said as the explorers began to form a circle around the creature.

"Oh indeed we have met before Professor. How soon you forget."

"Lucifer," Marguerite spat the name.

"Correct, Miss Krux. I am back as promised for what is rightfully mine."

"You might as well drop your weapons, you know they will have no effect on me," he flashed an evil grin at the explorers.

"I beat you fair and square. You have rights to nothing that is here," Challenger retorted as he signaled to the other explorers and the scooped up their weapons and headed back to the camp. Lucifer roared and charged toward Challenger.

"When will Lord Tribune return?" The guard asked his partner.

"When he gets back. One never knows when Lord Tribune will return especially when he is involved with those strange humans."

The guards kept up their vigil, constantly on the look out for any signs of movement.

"Look, there in the brush!"

The guards sounded the alarm and picked up their weapons ready to defend their home. The giant creature thundered toward the village its hungry jaws drooling in anticipation. The creature continued on its path of destruction as it reached the village… stomping on huts as if they were made out of paper. The gigantic honey bear reared up on its hind legs and growled sending villagers scattering, looking for somewhere to hide.

The honey bear pickup up one of Tribune's guards and sniffed then opened her large jaws and tossed the lizard in. Her giant jaws clamped down on the lizard and he screamed then became silent. The bear chewed then swallowed the guard. Not waiting to see if she was still hungry, the villagers ran into the woods.

"Challenger!" Veronica screamed a warning as Lucifer began his charge.

Challenger jumped behind a rock and poked his head up to see what the devil was up to. He was greeted by a blast as the rock was shattered into a million tiny pieces. Challenger grunted as he rose looking for the next hiding place.

"Do not bother trying to hide from me Professor. I will always get you. You only thought you defeated me before and you failed. And you will fail again. I own you and I will collect that which is mine!" He bellowed as he began to take on a human form.

"Not if I can help it!" Roxton shouted as the explorers closed in on Lucifer in his human form.

They jumped him and began to hit him with their weapons and fists…anything they could find. Lucifer roared and flung them off like rag dolls. He rose up and turned on Roxton and with a glare he snapped his fingers and Roxton dropped to his knees clutching his throat.

"Roxton!" Marguerite shouted as she tried to go to him but Challenger stopped her.

"No, Marguerite. I have to go," Challenger said as he pushed her aside.

Challenger squared his shoulders and faced his enemy. Trying not to show the fear he felt in every fiber of his being. He walked slowly toward Lucifer, forming a plan as he walked.

Roxton still clutched his throat and struggled to breathe as Challenger rested his hand on his shoulder as he passed. The look that passed between the two was one of friendship and understanding. Roxton tried to reach out to stop Challenger but he was unable to move.

Lucifer stared at Challenger unsure what the older man was up to. He tried reading his thoughts but he couldn't get inside the Professor's head. Slowly Challenger walked toward him his body aching. He wanted nothing more than to go back to the treehouse and climb back into his bed. But he knew Lucifer wouldn't stand for it.

"Lucifer, this is between you and me. Let the others go."

"Professor Challenger you must think me a fool. I let them go and I lose my leverage over you. Mortals are all the same you think you know all there is to know. You know NOTHING!"

"I know that I beat you at your own game once and I will do it again."

"How DARE you be insolent with me. Oh, I forget I am speaking to the great Professor George Edward Challenger. The leader of this expedition of no return."

"Oh I intend to return to London. We all will. As I said before I stopped you once and I and will do so again."

"Why must all you mortals insist on dying before your time?"

"Excuse me," Marguerite interrupted, "but if he as you say insists on dying before his time then why do YOU think you can take him?"

"Marguerite," Challenger reprimanded, "stay out of it."

"No, let the woman speak she intrigues me," Lucifer stated.

"We are waiting for an answer to my question," Marguerite chided, "or are you afraid of this simple man of science?"

"Marguerite, watch what you say!" Challenger admonished.

"My dear Miss Krux I fear no one most certainly not a simple human. I am merely enjoying my victory."

"He beat you before and he will beat you again and that doesn't bother you?" Marguerite snapped.

Challenger realized she was buying him time, time that he intended to put to good use. He reached into his pack and drew out several vials and began to mix the contents making sure to keep Marguerite between him and Lucifer. Challenger had to work fast to make sure he could get the concoction on Lucifer in his human form. Once he had the chemicals mixed, he listened intently to Marguerite's conversation looking for his opening.

"My dear Miss Krux, have you learned nothing in your time on this earth? I never lose. Professor Challenger only won what I let him win."

"Fancy way of saying you lost and ran away with your tail between your legs if you ask me," she remarked.

"You are trying my patience."

"What do you think you are doing to ours?"

"I care not what you think or feel. I care only about winning and as far as I can see I have won."

"You haven't won anything. You have to take on human form just to do battle with Challenger, I think he is the real winner here and you are just a joke."

"Marguerite," Challenger whispered, "you're going to make him mad."

"I don't care George, he's already made me more than mad."

The giant honey bear trudged through the jungle smashing trees as she went. She had a hunger she could not satisfy and no amount of lizard men seemed to fill her ever-growing hunger. She came to a clearing and stopped. There were lizard men milling about. She sniffed the food-scented air and grinned. This would be a feast indeed. The honey bear put out a massive paw and raked in a lizard. He screamed and squirmed as she threw him into her mouth and began chewing. The lizard men scattered and began running wildly. The honey bear batted them with her paws, not wanting her future morsels to get away. Soon there were only bodies lying in the clearing. She scooped them up and began her trek again.

Challenger signaled to Marguerite to keep up her bickering with Lucifer while he finished combining his chemicals, poured them into a pouch, and began to work his way around behind Lucifer.

"Tell me something Lucifer," Marguerite said coyly, "is it really better to serve in hell than to rein in heaven?"

"Oh brother!" Veronica groaned, Roxton and Malone merely looked at each other and rolled their eyes.

"My, my, my Miss Krux, do you really wish to know?"

"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't interested."

"My minions have served me for eons, most without complaint. I can make your life extremely pleasurable or I can inflict upon you such pain that would make you wish you had lived a better life. But in your case Miss Krux I believe you would choose the more pleasurable option," Lucifer sneered.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Marguerite retorted, "NOW, George!"

Challenger threw his concoction onto Lucifer and sparks flew in all directions. He rushed forward and pushed Marguerite out of the way as the sparks turned to flying embers and flames. Lucifer was momentarily stunned and Challenger charged in with Roxton close behind. They threw their ropes around Lucifer to bind him and Lucifer became enraged.

"Do you seriously believe this light show can stop me, Professor?"

"I do indeed," replied Challenger as he looped the rope around his target.

Lucifer shrugged his shoulders and the ropes fell harmlessly to the ground. Challenger stared open mouthed.

"If that is the best you can achieve Professor, I have clearly overestimated you this time."

"Oh that is not the only ace I have up my sleeve, Lucifer." Challenger replied as he brought his fist up and connected squarely with Lucifer's jaw. Roxton followed suit and began to pummel him.

"George, I certainly hope this wasn't the ace you have up your sleeve."

"Hardly, Roxton, we need to keep him occupied for about another three minutes," Challenger replied as they continued hitting Lucifer.

"That's when the sparks really begin to fly."

"George, what did you do?" Roxton asked, not sure he really wanted to know.

"The concoction I made is a volatile substance that puts on a firework display before actually getting down to business."

"And that business would be?"

"Oh, that. Well it explodes taking out anything within 10 feet of it with it."

"And just when were you planning on letting me in on your little secret?"

"Hopefully in time to run."

The fight seemed to drag on forever. Lucifer found it difficult to bring his human arms up much higher than to block the pummeling blows. He twisted free of Challenger's grasp and swung around his fist connecting with the scientist's ribs. There was a bone crushing sound as Lucifer flung him across the clearing and Challenger collided with a large boulder, falling almost lifeless to the ground.

Enraged, Roxton grabbed Lucifer and spun him around and punched him. Lucifer punched back and drew his hand back at the unaccustomed pain. Roxton saw his opening and began raining Lucifer with blow after blow. Veronica and Tribune had made their way over to Challenger who was struggling to get up.

"Challenger, stay down, you're hurt," Veronica tried to hold him still but Challenger would have none of it.

"I have to help Roxton."

"Professor, Lucifer will kill you," Tribune said as he helped Challenger to sit up.

"You don't understand. The chemicals I poured on Lucifer will explode when the flames turn blue. I've got to warn Roxton."

"You're not going anywhere, Professor," Tribune remarked sternly, "I will tell Lord Roxton. Veronica, please take good care of the Professor. I do believe he will one day find the way home," Tribune rose and walked toward the fighting men.

"How's Challenger?" Roxton asked as Tribune lunged at Lucifer.

"I believe he will live, provided you can get him away from here before the flames turn blue."

"What?" Roxton looked at Tribune questioningly.

"That, my dear Lord Roxton is when Lucifer will explode. And I believe that time is almost here."

"Lord Roxton, I will keep Lucifer engaged while you get Professor Challenger and the others away from here."

"And when were you thinking of getting away?"

"You are wasting precious time, Lord Roxton. Professor Challenger and the others need you. Go. I'll be fine."

Roxton released his hold on Lucifer and Tribune dug his sharp teeth into his neck. Lucifer pounded on Tribune's back with his fists but Tribune held fast. The two grappled tossing each other around the clearing while Roxton and the others slowly made either way to safety. Challenger stopped them and turned to look back. Tribune released his jaws and looked at Challenger for an instant. He touched his forehead in a salute and with a fierce growl leapt at Lucifer.

There was a blinding flash of light and an ear-shattering explosion that threw the explorers to the ground and shook the trees. Roxton raised his head and tried to see through the flames, sparks and flying debris but all he couldn't. Challenger tried to rise but the best he could manage was to half roll onto his side and prop himself up on his elbow. Marguerite lifted her head and immediately ducked again to avoid a flying rock and Veronica rolled out of the path of a rolling tree trunk.

"Roxton!" Marguerite shouted and pushed him down as something flew by past his head.

TBC...if there is interest in seeing the last chapter. please read and review if you want it.