A/N: In this prompt I'm deviating from the pilot just a smidgen but I think you will like it all the same.

The Lost World

Prompt: The explorers and Snow go on a rescue mission to save Rubi from the Ape-men. (Rated T)

As soon as they gathered their weapons and torches, all five explorers plus Snow left the tree house in search for a trail that will lead them to her friend.

The tension was rolling off Snow's shoulders, fearful for her friend, as she led the way, never once slowing down once she found the Ape-men's trail.

Belle wished the jungle princess would ease up on them. They weren't used to the terrain and she was exhausted and wanted to crawl into bed and hibernate for the next week. Moreover, there was a chance that this was a wild goose chase. Yet, the men didn't utter a word of complaint and one look from Rumpton had Belle biting her lips to refrain from commenting. But her silence didn't last as she finally exclaimed:

"Why are we rushing? I'm sorry Snow but you might have to face facts that your friend is already dead—Ow!"

Rumpton jabbed her in the side with the butt of his rifle, not hard enough to cause harm but enough to stop her from saying anything else. Snow, wisely, ignored the heiress. Dawn began to break just as they came to the end of the trees edge to an open field where there was a small range of mountains and lots of rocks scattered around.

They found Rubi tied to one slab that was some kind of makeshift altar. The chief of the Ape-men (assuming of course) held up a club and danced around the imprisoned native girl as the others howled and grunted, banging their chests with their hairy fists and stomping their feet.

"I count forty, maybe fifty of these devils," the hunter whispered. "Hate to say it but we don't have enough ammo to take down these buggers."

"No… what we need is a distraction," Nolan said, a plan brewing in his head.

"A distraction?" Belle hissed. "If you haven't noticed Nolan, there aren't any bananas lying around or are you planning on dressing up as one of their females?"

"Better," he smirked. Turning to Snow, he asked, "Is there a T-Rex nest nearby?"

Seeing where he was going, Snow nodded. "Yes about a couple of miles from here. Can you run that far?"

Nolan puffed his chest with pride. "I came first in my school's track and field team."

"How charming," she drawled but it was obvious she was impressed. "You'll need to run fast. The rest of you—stay here and when you hear the signal—grab Rubi and run like Hell."

"Got it," Hopper said as Mills and Rumpton nodded in agreement. Only Belle rolled her eyes but she nodded just the same. After all, she didn't have a better plan than that.

With Nolan and Snow gone, the others turned and watched as the ceremony progressed. If this plan fails, then they prayed the bullets would last.

xxXXxx

Twenty minutes passed and still no sign from Snow and Nolan. Time was running out for Rubi so the explorers had to act quickly. Before the chief could bring his club down, Rumpton took aim and got the bastard in the chest. All Hell broke loose as the four came charging out with guns firing and the Ape-men running towards them.

Rumpton warned the three to use their guns sparingly and only if they had to in order to save their ammo and focus on using other means of combat.

Mills was slamming his rifle in the stomach and head of his assailants, knocking them out. Hopper did the same but he looked quite uncomfortable doing so. Sometimes his hits weren't as effective to keep his attackers down as the Ape-men continued to fight.

Belle saw one jumping up and running full steam towards the botanist. Without hesitation, she raised her weapon and fired once, taking the Ape-man down. Hopper quickly lifted his hand in thanks and as Belle grinned—a look of horror came over his features and Belle was suddenly face-planted on the ground.

She screamed as she felt something clawing at her back and as she waited for death to take her… the Ape-man was lifted off her and immediately rolled to get away and looked up in time to see Rumpton's fist smashing into the Ape's face.

There wasn't much time to thank him as a welcoming roar of the T-Rex could be heard. Belle scrambled to her feet and ran to the altar just as Mills was cutting the ropes off Rubi. Hopper was by her too and soon Rumpton joined them as he grabbed Rubi's arm, yelling, "Let's go! Let's go!"

They almost made it to the safety of the jungle as soon as the T-Rex burst through and began chasing the frantic Ape-men. No one looked back as they kept running and eventually found Snow and Nolan—the latter completely out of the breath. But Snow was happy to see her friend alive and unharmed as they embraced.

"Well, what was it that you said earlier?" Rumpton gloated, coming to stand next to the heiress.

"She had a lucky break," Belle retorted. Then looking at him out of the corner of her eye, she murmured, "Thank you. Back there… You didn't have to…"

"No I had to," he interrupted her as a slow smirk took over his features. "Now you owe me Ms. French."

Belle scowled but he let out a hearty chuckle as he joined the others to head back to the treehouse.