The Amazing Tarzan Part 22 Riverboat Battle
Makuu snapped his jaws as he practiced his bite in preparation for the upcoming battle. He suddenly perked and looked in the direction where the river meets the bayou, having picked a distinguished sound of engines cutting through the water. The lights gave away the position of the watercraft flotilla heading towards the marsh: the time was coming. His hardened eyes were so focused that he didn't notice the large body of a great cat leaping from the trees until it joined his side in the boat's deck.
"What?" Exclaimed the surprised crocodilian.
"Buenas noches, mi amigo." The Bengal tiger greeted him as a great Indian python uncurled from his shoulders.
"Shere Khan? You can't be here, can't you see the robots are coming?" Makuu said, gesturing to the incoming attackers.
"We see only a brave beast willing to defend what is right; we have decided to join him." The Khan declared with vigor while putting his paw on what should be the reptile's right shoulder.
"But you will be branded traitors. Your hunting grounds and power will be seized!" The crocodile warned his old friend with worry in his voice.
Shere Khan merely slumped at that. "It would have happened anyway before long, that pale-faced doctor is using any excuse to seize power these days."
"But your son..." Makuu said.
The tiger's only response was to grumble. "It will do Mowgli good to be suddenly poor, perhaps it will make a tiger of him at last." He declared, unaware of the knowing stare the snake was sending his way. The Khan then addressed the two of his companions. "Come my friends. We are still Alphas, let us stand and fight for what is right!" Kaa joined his liege's side, standing in front with the crocodile. "Just the three of us."
"Four, Mighty Khan." A familiar voice corrected the big cat. The three predators turned in time to see a familiar human coming down from a tree opposite to the one the first two had used to reach the marooned boat.
"Tarzan?!" Asked a shocked Makuu.
The bare-chested man came to face the trio. "I feel responsible for your troubles Mr. Makuu," He said to the crocodilian before branding his stone-tipped spear. "But if you will let me, I'm prepared to give my life in your defense."
"Tarzan, you have long fought against Injustice and defended the helpless, these are things I believe in, myself," Makuu stated, turning to give his tail for the man to touch with his hand.
"As do we." The Khan and his underling put their paw and tail respectively over the first two limbs.
"So, we would be proud to fight at your side." The reptile told the wild man.
"Then, let's do it!" Tarzan's declaration was followed by the four beasts raising their limbs to the air.
Right on cue, Van Pelt and the Zachbots boarded the riverboat.
"There are the traitors, ATTACK!" Commanded the big game hunter.
The robots advanced. Incendiary projectiles were fired from the enemy vessels into the highest floor of Makuu's home, setting it ablaze. The crocodile gasped at the sight before letting out a rage-fulled bellow and surging full force against the nearest robot, catching its head between his jaws and ripping it off. Tarzan, Shere Khan and Kaa went to assist him. The outlaw kept his opponents at bay with his long weapon. The tiger grabbed one Zacbot with his forepaws and wreaked its body with his hind ones. The python intercepted one who had come way too close to the feline and wrapped his coils around the mechanic limbs before crushing it with his powerful muscles.
"Back into the boat!" Called out Makuu as they fell back to the entrance with the enemies closing in. "We can bottleneck them there!"
"I like it, they are trapped like rats!" Van Pelt snarled sinisterly.
Even as they retreated back inside, Tarzan glared defiantly at the enforcer. "These rats have teeth, come and get us, gatito!"
The hunter turned to the robot minions. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get them!"
The automatons followed the order, hovering their way into the burning vessel; Babar and his elephants joined Van Pelt on the deck and moved after the Zachbots. Back in the dry land, a small group of spectators watched the battle unfold from a not too far distance away.
"They are burning down Makuu's riverboat!" Little John shouted from behind a tree.
"Tarzan spoke the truth, this could happen to any of us!" Louie said to his companions.
"And if Zach has his way, eventually it will." Baloo held up a fist, that idea did not appeal to him.
Inside the half-sunken riverboat, Shere Khan and Makuu fought the automatons from atop the main lounge's staircase, fending off their attacks using a combination of bites and swipes. Tarzan was standing on the Keys of the pipe organ, swinging his spear at the droids; Kaa was coiling in the pipes and delivering powerful thrusts against them. With a single wave of his stone blade, the wild man disarmed five robots in the blink of an eye. Hearing his friend whistle, Tarzan turned to find Kaa pointing with his tail to the two great predators struggling as they fought to defend the stairway from Babar's elephants. Focusing his eyes high above the main lounge, the Ape-Man saw the great chandelier and hopped over the heads of the Zachbots to reach there, once holding onto the hanging light, he gathered momentum to swing all the way across the room and stood defiantly in front of the two beasts, roaring at the pachyderms. That gave enough time for Makuu to move behind a large plant vase.
"Tarzan, get out of the way!" He shouted.
Tarzan did as the croc said. Shere Khan moved to the side before the reptile whipped his tail and hit the vase, tossing it at the elephants and making them crash down the stairs. The Zachbots pushed the organ towards one of the boat's large windows, aiming to throw it out along with the python inside. Kaa made one last thrust to get off and slithered the rest of the way to join the others upstairs, sneaking swiftly under Zach's minions while the flames spread around them. Back on the staircase, the trio continued their exhaustive battle despite having been forced back to the second floor. The Khan found himself clashing his claws in a fight against the polearm of the King of the Elephants.
"Please, Great Khan, surrender!" Babar pleaded, defending from the tiger's swipes with his weapon. "I don't wanna hurt you."
"You are a good person, Sargent." Replied the Bengal tiger. "But you serve a bad master!"
Another strike made the monarch lose his balance and he tripped against the wooden railings, breaking them in the process while seemingly condemning the pachyderm to a fiery death. But then, Kaa's coils wrapped around the elephant, who was shocked to see the outlaw strongly holding the snake so as to not drop him into the fire pit that used to be the lounge. Tarzan assisted Kaa in pulling Babar back to the safety of the second floor.
The King fumbled a bit with his words when he got face-to-face with the one he had been hunting down for months by now "Gracias, Señor Tarzan."
"The boat is on fire, Sargent," Tarzan said to him. "I suggest you and your elephants retreat while you can."
Already feeling the sweat dripping down his forehead, Babar nodded. "Thank you, Tarzan." He called out to his warriors and the droids in his command. "Soldiers, fall back! Let the flames do the fighting for us!"
Proving there was no need for further incentive, the elephants disengaged and ran off to get out of the burning vessel, Babar led their withdrawal. From the second to the first floor, from the pilot-house to the main lounge, the boat was ablaze. Debris fell from above and blocked the entrance from the deck, trapping those still inside. Makuu felt his legs give in and he collapsed on the ground, coughing heavily. Tarzan kneeled down to check on him.
"He is alive." Boat engines were heard from outside. "Listen, the Zachbots are leaving."
Shere Khan wobbled and coughed as he made his way to them. "They think we are doomed," He almost wheezed before tumbling down next to the passed-out croc. "And I fear they are right."
Tarzan was immediately at his side, squeezing both of his shoulders. "There is always hope Great Khan, but you need to have strength."
"I am exhausted, a sad old tiger." The Khan shook his head, his remaining will withering like the wooden frame of the boat. "My only wish is that my foolish son Mowgli could one day be like you, Tarzan."
The Ape-Man stood silently for a moment, then exchanged a look with the python, who nodded at him. He addressed the big cat one more time.
"Then stand up, Shere Khan." He boosted, sporting a familiar smile. "'Cuz it could happen."
The Khan looked at him with confusion, which was quickly turned into surprise when he saw the hero of the people take off his vine-locks, revealing it to be merely a wig, and showing a short, black hairdo. A very recognizable one to the tiger.
"Santa Maria!" Gasped the Khan before he turned to his loyal retainer. "You knew?"
The mute python just offered to his master the closest thing his kind had to a shrug.
Putting back his wig, Mowgli/Tarzan crouched down to support the unconscious crocodile, his eyes never leaving his father. "Now, if I can have your help, we still have work to do."
"I am with you, Tarzan, my son!" Shere Khan declared with a voice full of pride and admiration. With newfound strength the tiger hefted Makuu onto his back, adjusting so the crocodile is riding him full-body.
Tarzan smiled back at his father, then he broke a small hatch on the boat's wall and whistled outside to get his mount's attention. "Kifaru, ven aquí!"
Kifaru moved through the muddy waters of Devil's Bayou to reach the opening where his master called him from. When the rhinoceros was stationed right beneath the window, they all worked together to get Makuu through the broken hatch and onto Kifaru's back. Once they were all safely riding on top of him, the rhino couldn't help but send an annoyed look at his master for making him do the trip through a swamp and for all the extra weight he now had to carry.
"Sorry, Kifaru. It was an emergency." Tarzan's apology served to get him an eye roll before the grey rhino retraced his steps back to dry land and galloped away with the four great beasts on his back.
Cast:
Mowgli/Tarzan as Don Diego de la Vega/Zorro
Makuu as Don Carlos Pulido
Shere Khan as Don Alejandro de la Vega
Kaa as Bernardo
Zach Varmitech as His Excellency, The Governor
Van Pelt as Captain Ramon
Babar as Sgt. Garcia
Kifaru as Tornado
