Sparks flew, falling embers sparked fires all around the clearing. Trees splintered like toothpicks and rocks melted like butter on a hot grill. After what seemed like an eternity everything suddenly quieted and the explorers looked at the devastation around them. Veronica and Roxton helped Challenger to his feet while Marguerite went to the middle of the scorched and seared clearing. She bent over a small pile of rubble and carefully sifted through it.
"John," she called softly, "come look at this."
"What is it?" He asked.
"I think it's Tribune's body armor," she replied as she held the melted and mangled object up with a stick.
"If that is Tribune's armor, then…"Challenger started then paused.
"Then where is Tribune?" Veronica finished.
"You don't think he's dead do you?" Marguerite asked rhetorically.
"I don't know, Marguerite, that was some explosion."
"Let me see," Challenger tried to force his way to the center.
"There's nothing to see, George," Marguerite tried to hold him back.
"Let me by!" Challenger barked.
He staggered more than walked to the dark pit and sifted through the remains. He bent over to retrieve some items and nearly fainted. Veronica was instantly at his side, holding him tight. She reached down and picked up the items Challenger had uncovered and handed them to him. Challenger held them up to the light and examined them. He lowered them and the group waited patiently for him to speak. Challenger's face was pale and sallow; he had a look of self-reproach on his face as he turned to face his friends. Marguerite thought he looked like he had just run over the family pet.
"I don't think Tribune will be coming back this time."
"It's not your fault, George," Roxton said, "Tribune did this of his own free will."
"My God what have I done?" Challenger asked no one in particular; Veronica caught him as he passed out.
"We've done all we can do here, let's get George back to camp," Roxton said as he helped Veronica carry her burden.
They walked slowly back to camp. Roxton and Veronica carrying Challenger, cradled between then, no one wanting to break the somber silence. Off into the distance a mighty roar shook the jungle.
The bear felt emptiness inside and was consumed with rage. She tore through the jungle flinging trees left and right. She stumbled, blinded by her tears. If she only knew why, then she could stop the pain.
"I'm fine, let me up!" Challenger growled.
"No, George," Roxton stated, "The shaman said you broke some of those ribs again and we can't risk you getting hurt worse."
"Why does everyone put so much stock in me? Lucifer was right, I am a nobody."
"Enough of that kind of talk old boy," Roxton admonished.
"Without me you would all be safely back in London and Arthur wouldn't be dead." Challenger spat as he tried to sit up.
"Professor Challenger," the group turned to look at the Shaman, "you have done everything as you were supposed to so that you could be here to fulfill your destiny."
"You keep talking about my destiny, what about theirs? I drug them halfway across the world and I can't get them back."
"You will when the time is right. That time is not now."
"Then maybe you could tell us just when that time is," Marguerite asked.
"How much more punishment does George have to take? It's not like he's Malone's age anymore."
"Marguerite!" Roxton reprimanded.
"It's ok, Roxton," Challenger replied.
"Professor Challenger must defeat the greatest evil that walks this land."
"But he did that and Tribune paid the price," Malone said.
"No, Lucifer is an eternal evil but that is not the final battle."
"Lucifer will be back?" Challenger asked weakly, "I do not want to have to face him again." Challenger sighed.
"You will not. I believe Lucifer has had his fill of Professor Challenger for now."
"Well that's a relief." Challenger retorted snidely, "if I had to fight him one more time I just might have let him win."
"GEORGE!" Marguerite scolded.
"Professor Challenger, the evils you have yet to face will seem greater than any you have faced yet."
"What could be worse than these last two run ins with Lucifer?" Veronica asked.
"Do you think it could have something to do with the story Tribune told us?" Malone wondered.
"I hope not, or we are in big trouble the rest of his story died with him."
"Not entirely, Tribune and I talked for a long time but I do not know how much truth he told." Challenger remarked.
"I believe Tribune knew his fate Professor Challenger and spoke the truth."
"Then I had better get going I have a lot to do before that beast gets here." Challenger tried to rise but fell back.
"Night is here. Professor you must rest. Sleep tonight and tomorrow you can begin your quest." The shaman rose and beckoned Roxton to follow. They left the tent and stood by the fire.
"Shaman, why do I get the feeling there is more to this."
"There is. The great evil Professor Challenger must face is on its way to find him."
"What do you mean?"
"The Great Bear has felt the loss of the one called Tribune and is searching for the cause of that loss."
"You mean Challenger," Roxton finished.
"Yes but for Professor Challenger to be ready to face this challenge he will need you all. He will need your support like never before."
"Whatever George needs I intend to see that he gets it." Roxton said determinedly.
The giant bear rested her head on a large boulder and tried to sleep. She felt the rage and frustration as well as the extreme emptiness. She dug her claws into the ground as she remembered the green skinned lizard man who had been her friend. Soon she drifted off into fitful sleep thoughts of revenge filling her mind.
The next morning dawned bright and clear, the air smelled fresh as Roxton stretched and breathed deeply. He pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and headed to Marguerite and Veronica's tent. He peered inside and smiled. Veronica was already gone but Marguerite was still sleeping, her hair cascading around her small, shapely face. Roxton nudged her with the muzzle of his rifle and quietly laughed when she swatted it away. He pushed harder and Marguerite opened her fury filly eyes.
"Whatever it is John, it had better be good," she snapped.
"Sorry to wake you princess, but you are the last one to wake up. Even Malone is up and ready to face the day," he playfully slapped her with the rifle.
"Just as long as you get up, we don't want Challenger getting ahead of us again do we?"
The giant bear woke and surveyed her surroundings. She quickly ate and set out on her quest. Finding the one responsible for ending the life of the green-skinned one fueled her anger, driving her deeper into the strange jungle.
She reached a small village and stopped when the smell of meat roasting floated by. She paused, and then slowly walked toward the aroma. The villagers scattered not wanting to be the bear's next meal. The bear lumbered on as if unaware of the scurrying villagers. Only one dared to stay by the fire. The shaman with his staff in his hand stood by the fire as if he were waiting for a friend. He used his staff to beckon to the bear. Confused, the bear stopped and the shaman inched closer.
"You must listen to me oh Mighty Bear. The man whom you seek did not harm the green-skinned one on purpose. Tribune placed himself in danger to save the life of the one you wish to kill," the bear tilted her head as if she had heard and understood.
"You MUST not kill the red-haired one. He is the only one who can save you," the shaman wasn't sure he was getting through to the beast.
The bear sat by the fire eating the roasted meat, listening to the shaman's pleas. After what seemed like hours, the bear rose and gave the shaman a parting glance and once again set out on her way.
"George, refresh my memory, why do we need to scale this bloody cliff?" Marguerite asked when the group was climbing.
"I need to Marguerite, the rest of you came along to baby me. I do NOT need a baby sitter," Challenger retorted, just then his foot slipped and Roxton pulled hard on his tether to keep the scientist from plunging to his death on the rocks below.
"Thank you, Roxton," Challenger said glaring, daring him to say something.
"You're welcome, George. Strictly as a fellow traveler not a babysitter," Roxton smiled.
"John, can't we just shoot Challenger up there?" Marguerite panted.
"Patience Marguerite, or you just might give the old boy ideas."
"The only idea I am working on at the moment is how to get rid of several annoyances," Challenger retorted as he threw his hook over the top of the cliff.
The group pulled themselves up, with Roxton helping Challenger, and Marguerite dropped to the ground, thankful for a small respite. Challenger checked his compass and chose the path. He stopped only when Roxton and Veronica refused to continue until their visibly weakened and weary friend rested.
"Challenger, there isn't much light left, we're all tired after that climb and you don't look like you can go much further tonight," Roxton said softly, as he placed a warning hand on his friend's shoulder.
"John, the more time we take away is just that much longer it will take me to complete my mission."
"Just what IS your mission, George?" Marguerite asked.
"I cannot tell you."
"Dammit, George, you are almost as bad as Marguerite and her bloody secrets!" Roxton shouted, then he turned and stormed away.
"I wish I could tell you John, but then you'd only want to help and I'll not have you getting hurt or killed on my account. I am not worth it," Challenger whispered to his friends retreating back.
Challenger turned back to his work a frown on his face as he worked quietly, unaware that his test was closer than he thought.
The giant bear stopped at the base of the cliff starring picking her route. She sniffed the air with her nose raised high. She could smell her quarry getting ever nearer. She searched for the best path. When she found it, she continued on her way with a smile on her face
Challenger carefully and methodically set up his supplies while he tried to devise a way to get his friends out of his hair. The shaman appeared to read his thoughts and gathered them together and asked them to go out and look for some special things Challenger would need. When they had left the shaman looked at Challenger for some time before he spoke.
"You should tell them."
"You know I can't. I will not expose them to this kind of danger."
"That is their decision to make not yours."
"Not so long as I can help it."
"You cannot change your fate. Fate is a preordained fact of life. You accept it and act accordingly."
"I have accepted MY fate but I will NOT subject my friends to it."
"Do you not yet see, Professor Challenger? By not allowing your friends to chose their paths as you have done, you ARE choosing their fates for them and not allowing their paths to take their preordained routes."
"I have a duty to my friends, to protect them if I can and see them safely home. And I intend to do just that."
"I understand your desire to protect your friends, Professor, but what do you think will be the outcome when they find out and they WILL find out."
"What exactly is it what we will find out about, George?" Roxton asked, "And why do I get the feeling we aren't going to like the answer."
"Roxton, you shouldn't go sneaking about like that." Challenger admonished.
"Perhaps not, George. But that doesn't answer my question."
"Out with it, George. Whatever it is we deserve to know. Maybe we can help."
"I don't want your help. You don't deserve this."
"George, why not tell us and let us decide for ourselves?"
"Yes, George, we are quite capable of making decisions on our own," Marguerite chimed in as she sat on a log by the fire.
Challenger glared at the shaman, then resigned himself to his fate and allowed Roxton to help him sit by the fire. Then he began to speak soft and low. His tale mesmerized his fellow explorers as they gazed open-mouthed at him. When he finished they sat quietly. Finally Roxton broke the icy silence.
"George, what must have been on your mind? You could have come to us with this. There was no need to keep something like this to yourself," Roxton said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"He's right, Challenger," Malone commented, "we are a family and family helps each other."
"Family sticks together no matter what," Marguerite put in. All eyes turned toward her.
"What?" She asked looking shocked.
The giant bear pulled herself up over the cliff edge and put her nose in the air, searching for her prize. She was close, so close she could smell her prey. The shaman's words were reverberating through her mind. She shook her head to clear it and then went on her way. She was getting closer. She could feel it. She dropped down and looked around for something to eat. She saw a T-rex stalking a herd of raptors and she inched her way around behind him and down-wind of the T-rex.
Before he knew what hit him, the giant bear swung her massive paw and felled the huge animal. As the T-rex tried to rise, the bear tore at him with her gigantic claws and razor sharp teeth. The bear took great joy in hearing the bones crunch and crack like candy when she chewed, spilling T-rex blood and body parts in all directions. She envisioned doing the same to Challenger when she finally found him. Finally she had found a meal worthy of her voracious appetite. The bear continued ripping away at the T-rex's flesh, her fangs dripping with blood. She tore her way savagely through her catch. When she had finally eaten her fill she lifted herself up and trudged on leaving evidence of her carnage behind her.
"You do not know what you are getting yourselves into. I can not ask you to join me."
"George, you aren't asking we are volunteering, old boy," Roxton said.
"Yes, Challenger we want to go of our own free will. You need us and you yourself said that we solve problems together as a family. Besides, we are going and you can't stop us." Veronica stated.
"Didn't your mother teach you it isn't polite to throw one's words back at them?" Challenger retorted sarcastically.
"Yes and my mother taught me never to let a friend do something stupid they night not live to regret." Veronica said as she tussled his hair.
"George," Marguerite chimed in, "just tell us what you need us to do and consider it done."
"My friends what I need you to do is follow me to hell."
"Well I did make you that promise, George," Roxton stated.
"Yes my friend you did, but this is a hell of a way to collect."
The giant Honey Bear sniffed the air and knew her prize was within her grasp. She shook her head to clear the shaman's words from it but they seemed to resonate from every corner of her mind. You mustn't kill the red haired one. What did he mean by that? Wasn't the red haired one the one responsible for the death of her friend? She wanted to tear him limb from limb with every fiber of her being. She wrestled with her thoughts as she wandered into the clearing and stopped dead in her tracks.
There in the middle was the burned and charred remains of her friend's encounter with Lucifer. The Honey Bear stopped and sniffed the ground, growling her displeasure. She raised her head and released a ferocious roar, bearing her large fangs. The trees shook as though in a hurricane and small animals scurried to find shelter. Again and again the bear bellowed its mighty cry the sound carrying far into the jungle.
The explorers' heads all turned toward the clearing as they heard the forceful yet pleading cries. Challenger quickly packed up his things and was about to hoist his pack when Veronica reached over and took it. He looked at her for a moment, their eyes locking, speaking without words and he released his hold on the pack. Veronica put it on her back and helped him head back to the clearing and the fate that lay before them.
Roxton took the lead and cautiously, with rifle drawn, went down the path followed by Marguerite, Challenger and Malone with Veronica bringing up the rear. They walked silently, not wanting to bump into whatever was making that noise any sooner than they had to. Roxton held his hand up and halted the group. He listened intently for several seconds that seemed like hours.
"Something very large just up ahead. We should split up and surround it."
"Good idea," Challenger said, "I'll just…"
"You'll just stay behind me, George," Roxton glared, daring him to object.
"I'll just stay behind you and look out for your back," Challenger replied bitterly.
As they neared the clearing they broke up and made a semi-circle around the small clearing. When they approached the perimeter they stopped and stared. The creature before them was enormous. Larger than anything they had ever seen before. Challenger stared in wonder and awe as the magnificent creature reared up on its hind legs and sniffed at the air.
"Just look at that creature, Roxton. It's like nothing I've ever seen before," Challenger whispered reverently.
"George, I've seen that look in your eyes before and the answer is NO."
"What?" Challenger said innocently.
"That thing is looking for you and it wants to make you lunch. You will NOT try to examine it, talk to it or anything else is that clear?"
"Yes father," Challenger quipped.
They crept closer toward the clearing, Roxton signaling the others to close in. Suddenly the bear turned her head and looked in Challenger's direction. Roxton pulled his friend beneath the bushes and tried to maneuver around the awesome creature. The bear turned slowly until she was facing the bush Challenger was hidden behind.
"Here we go again," Challenger said as he rose to find new shelter, wincing as his ribs reminded him of his injuries.
"Stay put, George, I'll draw that thing away," Roxton said as he started forward.
The lumbering mammoth appeared not to see Roxton or the others as it made its way toward the prize. She raised a massive paw and swept Roxton aside like a child's toy, paying him no mind when he slammed against a tree and slid to the ground. Veronica motioned for Marguerite and Malone to stay hidden as she climbed a nearby tree trying to get above the creature. Challenger took a vial from his pocket and fumbled with the cap trying to open it.
Roxton rose quickly and came to stand between the behemoth and Challenger. Disgruntled, the bear snarled, again pushing him out of the way. Nothing was going to stop her from confronting her prey. Roxton clambered to his feet holding his chest. He pulled his hand away and stared at his blood. The beast had grazed him with her claw. Roxton glared and raised his rifle when Challenger motioned to stop him.
Challenger threw the contents of the vial at the bear and dove for cover, waiting for the concoction to work its magic. The bear continued toward him seemingly unaffected. A look of abject horror crossed Challenger's face, as he stood transfixed watching the advancing animal. From her perch high above the clearing Veronica made ready to jump on the bear. Without warning , the bear hit the limb and knocked Veronica back into the tree. She turned again toward her prize. FINALLY she had him within her grasp. There was nowhere for Challenger to run, nowhere to hide.
She struck him with her paw and sent him flying toward Roxton. Roxton quickly slung his rifle over his shoulder and reached out in time to catch the airborne scientist. Roxton was puzzled by the look on his face and at the same time worried.
"George, I don't like that look on your face, what are you up to?"
"Just letting the old girl work out her frustrations."
"George! She'll kill you! Look at yourself you're bleeding from who knows how many places already."
"John, it's all right. I have things under control."
"Well if this is under control I'd sure as hell hate to see chaos."
"Just tell Marguerite to get ready. If the shaman is correct we will be needing her talents very soon."
Challenger struggled to stand and walked out into the clearing stopping when he reached the seared spot. He turned to face the bear and held his arms out stretched. The bear looked at him quizzically and charged him again, this time head butting the battered scientist and forcing him down. She pinned him with a massive paw and bared her teeth and growled. She had her prey right where she wanted him. But the words of the shaman kept repeating and she stopped, her paw resting on his chest. Challenger, struggling for breath whispered to where Malone and Marguerite crouched hidden.
"Marguerite, I'm going to try to talk to this beast. Pay close attention to whatever you might hear."
"Ok, George whatever you say."
"Uh…hello…" Challenger began.
"Hello, George?" Marguerite said.
"Would you like to do this?" Challenger quipped.
"No, thanks, George, you may continue."
"I realize you think I have harmed you, taken something from you but that was never my intention. Tribune did what he did trying to save us so we could help you. I believe you want my help and believe me I want to help you." The bear made some indescribable sounds as if she were trying to talk back.
"Marguerite, did you get any of that?" Challenger asked his chest heaving under the weighty paw.
"Not nearly enough I need more."
"I'll see what I can do." Challenger turned his attention back to the bear.
"I think you understand that I mean you no harm. My friend here," he motioned for Marguerite to emerge from the brush, "can understand you and she can act as an interpreter. She means you no harm." The bear looked at her carefully and began to snarl and growl.
"I don't believe it." Malone whispered, "She's actually talking to that thing!"
"Yes, Malone, and let's hope she gets through to it. I do not know if I can take much more of this paw on my chest."
Marguerite edged closer to the bears giant paw and as she continued to talk to the bear she slowly lifted the paw off the scientist and Malone reached out and pulled him into the brush. The bear snarled and snapped her teeth and Marguerite tried to calm her.
"Calm down, if you kill him you can never have what you want. Challenger is the only one who can give that to you," The bear appeared not to hear. Marguerite cuffed the bear, receiving a shocked look in return.
"Look, you can't just go around killing people because they make you mad. It just doesn't work that way. Listen to me and listen good! Challenger, the red haired one can help you but you must not hurt him anymore. Do you understand me?"
The giant bear scowled at her and again communicated in her guttural growls and snarls. As Marguerite kept her conversation with the bear going Malone helped Challenger to his feet and they rushed over to Roxton, Challenger excitedly talking. Roxton's eyes were transfixed on Marguerite and the bear.
"Roxton, pay attention, we haven't much time," Challenger warned, "You need to get this vial into that bear's mouth."
"Roxton!" Malone shook him to regain his senses.
"What vial, George?"
"This vial," Challenger pushed the vial into his friends hand, "you need to somehow get it into her mouth. There must not have been enough in the first one."
"What is this stuff? Can't I just throw it on her?"
"No, John, I'm afraid not. The fastest way to get this into her blood stream is for her to ingest it."
"What does it do?" Roxton asked as he formed a plan.
"If there is enough left in that vial it should bring her down to size."
"And if there isn't?"
"Then we won't have to worry about head hunters anymore."
"Very funny, George." Marguerite kept talking to the bear as Roxton maneuvered around to the bear's head. A rustling sound in a nearby bush gave him an idea.
"George, what if I were to pour this stuff on something and feed it to her would it still work?"
"Yes, Roxton I believe it would." Challenger replied, seeing where Roxton's thought was taking him.
Roxton crept over to the bush, used his rifle to part the branches and quickly snatched the squirrel he found hiding. He removed the cap from the vial and poured the foul smelling liquid on the squirrel. Holding the squirming rodent he cautiously approached the bear. Her head turning she sniffed the gift Roxton offered.
"Marguerite, tell her this won't hurt her." Roxton extended his arm offering the animal.
"John, she doesn't trust you." Marguerite whispered as she tried to convince the bear.
"Then get her to trust me and quickly, Challenger says we are running out of time."
As if on cue the bear opened her mouth and roared. She reached forward and clamped down on Roxton's arm causing him to cry out. He felt her sand paper tongue as it slid down his arm. Roxton cried out as he felt her razor sharp fang cut a gully down his arm. He released his hold on the squirrel and wrestled his arm free. He backed away, his injured arm dangling useless at his side. The group gathered around the bear waiting for the medicine to take effect. Challenger quickly put some herbs on Roxton's arm and began to apply a bandage when the others gasped.
The bear reared up on its hind legs and began pawing at the air. With a mighty roar she dropped to all fours and charged into the jungle, Challenger close on her heels. The others rushed to keep up. The bear tore through the dense jungle foliage as if it were paper. The explorers had a hard time keeping up as they continually dodged flying debris. After what seemed like an eternity they came upon a clearing.
"Where the devil is that damned beast?" Marguerite wondered.
"I believe she is over there," Challenger said as he pointed to a cave.
"George, that monster couldn't possible fit in there," Marguerite replied.
The explorers cautiously moved to the far side of the clearing and peeked into the cave. Malone lit a torch and entered first. The rest of the group followed quietly. A few feet in the cave opened up into a cavern. They couldn't believe the sight that met their eyes. Lying in the middle of the cavern curled into a ball was the bear. No longer the giant mammoth monster they had battled outside. This bear was small, almost cute looking. When the explorers gathered around her she lifted her head in acknowledgement and appeared to smile. She spoke to Marguerite and the others waited for her to translate.
"She says she's sorry for all the trouble she caused. She didn't want to hurt anyone but she was scared."
"Tell her we understand and we hold no grudge." Challenger said.
"Don't hold a grudge if you like, George, but I for one am bloody well not pleased," Roxton said as he gestured with his injured arm.
"Roxton, you can't blame her for something that was out of her control. It's not like she wanted this to happen to her it just did. You just have to accept it and move on," Veronica said as she rested her hand on his shoulder. She glanced at Challenger as if she had just discovered something important. Marguerite turned to them.
"She says she is very sorry, Roxton. She says she will go back to her valley and never bother us again."
"Well, now that she has been knocked down a peg or two she really isn't that bad," he replied.
"Well now that this little mystery is solved what do you say we pack our gear and head out for another adventure?" Challenger asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
"GEORGE!" they yelled in unison, this time it was his turn to act shocked.
"What?" he did his best to look innocent.
"First thing we have to do is get you and Roxton back to the treehouse. You both have some mending to do." Marguerite and Veronica took up positions next to the two men.
"Marguerite, must I remind you I still have something to accomplish." Challenger protested only to be cut off.
"Professor Challenger…" The startled group noticed the sudden appearance of the shaman.
"Have you not realized it yet? You HAVE completed the task you set out to do."
"I have? But what have I done?" He asked quizzically.
"You have taught Veronica the most valuable lesson she will ever learn."
"Me? But what…oh I understand." Veronica said as she hugged Challenger who winced.
"Well, would you care to enlighten us then?" Malone wanted to know.
"All the guilt I've been carrying since his accident was totally unnecessary. Challenger did what he did because he cares for me for all of us. I didn't need to feel guilty or treat him any different. I just needed to accept the fact that I have people around me who care for me and learn to deal with it."
"THAT is what this whole bloody experience has been about?" Marguerite demanded to know. "All this just because blondie over there wouldn't listen!" she glared.
"Now calm down, Marguerite. All in all I think it was a lesson worth learning it has taught us all something useful and we should be grateful."
"The only thing I will be grateful for will be a nice warm bath back at the treehouse, what do you say we get going?" Roxton interjected quickly.
"Oh I have something in mind for you when we get back." Marguerite smirked.
"Why do I get the feeling I may not like it?" Roxton rolled his eyes.
"And as for YOU…" Veronica pulled playfully on Challenger's sleeve.
"Me? What did I do?" Challenger stated.
"Oh nothing much just went off and got yourself all torn up again, nearly got us all killed and you'll be laid up for at least another month, making us do your chores."
"Uhm, well, er…"
"Trust me, George, just give up now and go quietly. It will give them less ammunition once they get you back into bed." Roxton chuckled.
"On the way back, Challenger, you can tell me about my birthday present."
"Not to burst anyone's bubble but what about me?" All heads turned at the new voice.
"Tribune!"
"Where the bloody hell did you come from? We thought you died back there." Roxton said astonished.
"I do have a trick or two up my sleeve, Lord Roxton. It will take some one far more evil than the devil to rid you of me." Tribune replied.
"Now why does that not surprise me?" Marguerite intoned. "But just one question…how did you hook up with this bear in the first place?"
The explorers sat on rocks in the cave, listening to Tribune's tale while Veronica made Challenger lie on a makeshift stretcher and Roxton allowed her to check the bandage on his arm. Tribune told them of scouting the valley next to his looking for food for his village, Yeah like we buy that, Marguerite thought, when he came across this enormous trap Inside was a bear of great size. The bear saw him and somehow he knew she was begging for him to free her.
"Well, something inside me told me to set her free. She might prove useful to me at a later date so I set her free."
"And after you set her free you decided to keep her for a pet?" Malone asked.
"Not quite. She seemed to be rather fond of me…"
"Go figure." Marguerite groaned and rolled her eyes.
"She followed me back to my valley. "I noticed scars and marks where it looked like she had been either abused or experimented on and I find that so distasteful. I had her carefully hidden until the people from her valley came looking for her."
"That's when you decided to involve Challenger." Roxton remarked.
"Yes, well, he IS a great mind for a human."
"What will you do now, Tribune?" Challenger asked trying to get up, Veronica held him back and glared.
"I will take Honey Bear and return to my village and repair the damage she caused. With her back down to her normal size I believe she can be handled." He chuckled.
Tribune stood and motioned to the bear and she obediently followed his lead. They set off for his village amid his promise to allow Challenger to visit and examine things more closely after HIS handlers had decided he was fit enough. The explorers emerged from the cave, shielding their eyes from the bright sun and headed toward home smiles on their faces content in the knowledge that once again all was right with the world.
THE END (I THINK)
