A/N: This last one is based on Season 1 Episode 5 "Cave of Fear." This is one of my favorite episodes and this will give you some insight to Rumpton and Belle. There is a moment of an attempt at suicide.

The Lost World

Prompt: Professor Mills is kidnapped by warriors and ordered to spend the rest of his life with the tribe's queen, the wife of a former colleague of his, unless his friends enter the Cave of Fear to retrieve her husband's remains. Now, it's up to Rumpton and Belle to save the day as they both have to face their darkest fears and demons… (Rated T).

"Can this day get any better?" muttered Belle as she, Hopper, and Lord Rumpton continued on the path thanks to the map given to them by the Lady Coraline Harter. If Mills hadn't been so hell-bound on collecting the sulfur near that burial mound, then they wouldn't be in this life or death predicament. As it were, Mills was being held captive as collateral if the explorers didn't return the remains of Lady Coraline's husband, Sir Henry Harter.

And… thanks to an unexpected raptor attack, Nolan was injured so Snow had to take him back to the treehouse to clean the wound before it got infected.

By the way, they had only until nightfall to bring back the bones or else they were all dead.

Yes. It was turning out to be a marvelous day after all.

"There it is!" Hopper exclaimed, pointing to the taboo sign that led up to the mouth of the cave.

"Charming," Belle mumbled under her breath, eyeing the hand-carved and sculpted depiction of a human skull wrapped around the body of a cobra. "I suppose it does add a touch of flair to the native's décor."

Rumpton checked his rifle to make sure it was loaded before handing it off to Hopper. The scientist looked at him in surprise as he took the weapon. "A-are you sure John?" he asked.

"Well, we need someone to watch our backs," Rumpton remarked with a wry smile. "Belle and I can handle it from here."

"Ms. French?" Hopper turned to ask the heiress and the beauty gave him a reassuring look.

"If we're not back in twenty minutes… call Scotland Yard," she told him.

Removing their packs, both explorers took out their torches and lit them before approaching the narrow oval-shaped entrance. It didn't quite scream "Cave of Fear" as the name would suggest. While it was dark within its caverns, the outside was covered with lots of foliage and vines draping above the mouth.

But at this point, the two knew very well that appearances can be quite deceiving. And after the many strange things they had witnessed so far on this Plateau… nothing could surprise them.

"Did Coraline say her husband dragged himself in here before he died?" Belle questioned.

"Yeah. Why?"

She shrugged. "For a dying man… he sure traveled far in here."

After several more feet, they came upon a fork.

"Ladies' choice," Rumpton quipped.

"Left is where I'll go," Belle said.

"Very well. No more than a hundred yards and come right back here, yeah?"

Belle nodded before she began walking down her pathway as he did with his. Unbeknownst to the two, there was an unusual green goo slowly trickling along the walls in anticipation.

xxXXxx

Rumpton took a slight turn and lost his footing while trying to avoid stepping on a rock. His hand shot out and held onto the wall as he regained his balance when he felt a sticky substance coating his fingers.

Looking down, he frowned at the green goo and tried shaking it off. A little bit still clung onto him stubbornly and he had to suppress rolling his eyes. Belle's trademark droll of "Can this day get any better?" resonated in him as he began to look for something he could wipe the rest away.

Luckily, he heard what sounded like water dripping and found a small pool.

"Thank God," he murmured, dipping his hand into the water and disturbing it as he cleaned the goo off. It was then he caught a quick glimpse of a reflection behind him—and it wasn't Belle—that Rumpton seized his pistol and whipped around...

To find himself standing in the middle of the treehouse rather than the cave.

"What the Hell?" He looked around and yes… it was the treehouse. But it was the sight that was now standing in front of him that had the good hunter spooked.

A young man with an affable countenance with dark hair and blue eyes dressed in khakis… a true adventurer's outfit stared at Lord Rumpton as an amused smirk formed.

"It can't be…" gasped Rumpton.

"Hello John," the man spoke, stepping forward. "Come to murder me again?"

xxXXxx

"Ouch!" Belle paused to rub the back of her leg after she tripped. So far, her searching has been for naught and just as she was about to head back and meet with Rumpton… she spotted another gap.

Figuring it wouldn't hurt to check there for Harter's bones, she ducked so she could fit inside and instantly felt something landing on her hair. Reaching up, she grimaced as she pulled her hand back to reveal this green goop.

"Really?" she said to no one and rubbed her hand against her trousers. Once she was able to stand up, Belle did and continued walking…

…right into a little girl's bedroom.

She did a slow turn, her brow knitted in confusion, as to how she went from a cave in the middle of the bloody jungle to a very fine and luxurious room was perplexing!

And indeed it was fit for a little princess.

Porcelain dolls dressed in many colors and bonnets filled a shelf and all over one corner of the room. There was a dollhouse, books, and a gorgeous looking vanity.

Tentatively, Belle went over to the vanity and gazed down at the silver-handled combs and brushes that she reached out to graze the tips of her fingers to see if they were as real as they looked. The cool touch sent a shockwave down to her core as she gripped the handle of a small mirror and lifted it so she could look. Her eyes met that of an older woman with chestnut hair like hers, styled in a fashionable twist, and two familiar blue eyes peering back at her.

"You're beautiful," she exclaimed softly.

Dropping the mirror back on the table, Belle whirled around. "W-who are you?" she stammered. "Where am I?"

The woman was dressed in a modest and respectable dress that seemed to match her stature. That wondrous and bedazzling smile never once fled her face, but it was the heart-shaped pendant that captured Belle's attention as she looked on with trepidation.

"What is this place?" Belle questioned, tensing as the woman's skirts brushed against her boots as she bent to pick up a small music box.

"Remember this?" the woman continued, lifting the lid as a waltz began playing and a little dancer spun. "Then again… you were awfully young and probably don't. We were vacationing in Vienna that Spring. Ah… I can still smell the roasted chestnuts and almonds in the air."

"This can't be happening. This can't be real!" Trembling hands went into her hair as Belle shook her head. "I must be going crazy. I knew this place would get to me."

"Now, now," the woman chided, gently setting the music box down so she could bring Belle's arms down to her side. "Always a stubborn baby you were."

"Who are you?" Belle pleaded.

"My dear Belle… You know who I am."

Belle couldn't stop shaking her head even as the tears began to well up in her eyes. "No. Not true. You're not my mother."

"But it is true. See?" The woman touched her locket and opened it to reveal an engraving on both sides. "You have one just like this—no pictures but there was something that your father and I had put inside. For our daughter Belle. Forever in our thoughts."

Nothing could prevent the floods from unleashing as Belle immediately clung to her mother in a fervent hold. "I have dreamt this a thousand times! Oh, Mama…"

It hadn't registered to Belle that her mother had stiffened the instant she embraced her.

xxXXxx

"Bailey… This can't be happening." Rumpton couldn't take his eyes away from the man that had been his brother. None of this seemed possible, and yet, there was no denying that it was him! The late Bailey Rumpton, the would be Lord of the Rumpton estate, was standing before him in all his glory. Or he would have if it were not for the ghastly bloody wound where his heart was.

Shifting his gaze to the bleeding injury, Bailey clicked his tongue. "Yes… it's rather gruesome, don't you agree? Not to worry baby brother. My heart did explode immediately when you shot me. Cheers."

Bailey reached for his jacket on the back of a chair and quickly put it on, covering up the sight. "There. Much better, yes?"

"No… This isn't real."

Without warning, Bailey threw a punch and connected with Rumpton's jaw that sent the hunter flying to the floor.

"Well, Johnny, is that real enough for you?" Bailey mocked, his gaze now tinted with resentment.

Before Rumpton could move or speak, his older brother was at his side and sending a swift kick to his ribs. "How's that?" he glowered. "Still real?"

Bailey delivered another quick blow—this time to his stomach. Rumpton cried out but didn't move to defend himself. Coughing, he held his hand out in surrender as he searched for mercy in his brother's eyes. Seeing none, Rumpton managed to say:

"What do you want?"

The older Rumpton grinned. Bending closer, he spat, "Your fear. Now. I believe the trial is about to commence."

"What trial? Bailey!"

Standing up, Bailey looked down at this brother with distaste. "Get up Johnny. It's high time you face the music with your crimes. And, boy, you have a laundry list of sins that needs answering."

"Look… I don't know how you got here but you have to understand! It was an accident, okay?"

Bailey tossed his head back and laughed. "An accident?! Do you hear that gentlemen of the jury? My brother, Lord John Rumpton, from his own mouth states it was all an accident. Indeed. It was an accident that took my life and my rightful title that I would have inherited."

"Stop! Please…" Rumpton whimpered.

"What do you say? Is my brother guilty of murder?"

"I tried saving your life!" the hunter bellowed. "That ape… It came out of nowhere and I shot him."

"Ah, yes. And did that bullet not go through me too?"

"Yes but that wasn't my intent! He was killing you! I had to do something!"

"So you admit it! Let's look at the facts. Who convinced Father I should go on that safari?"

"I didn't—Bailey, Father wanted you to get over your fears. He thought that an expedition would help—"

"'Get over my fears'?" repeated Bailey. "Look at where it got me. You killed me."

xxXXxx

Belle wandered over to the collection of dolls and picked one up in a light powdery blue dress. Hugging it close to her, she smiled fondly. "I knew it. After all these years… Seeing these dolls and the locket… I felt something. I knew someone was there guiding me, protecting me. It must have been you and your love."

"Love?" Her mother scoffed. "No Belle. I didn't love you."

"What?" Belle's voice became tiny as she blinked with bewilderment.

"Sweetheart… How could I love you and give you up? It's not natural for a mother to do that."

"But… you kept all my things. Why if not for love?"

"You must know—we were very happy and excited when we were expecting. Then you came and right then I knew something was wrong. You were different. There was evil in you."

"No! Stop! Please!" Belle sobbed.

"Everything I kept," she continued. "This room… It was to remind me never to have another child."

Dropping the doll, Belle collapsed on her knees as she covered her face and wept. "You don't mean it. You can't…" she said weakly.

"Oh. Don't cry. It'll be all right."

Belle felt her hand on top of her curls and lifted her tear-stained face. "Mama…"

"I'm here now. That's the important thing. I'm right here," she cooed. "I know what will help."

She walked over to the dresser and picked up a folded blanket. Bringing it over to the beauty, she knelt and held it out for her.

"This was the blanket you were christened in. You'll know what to do," she said cryptically as Belle shakily accepted the gift.

Fighting back the tears, she lifted the end and wept anew when she discovered a pistol nestled comfortably inside.

"Why?" she asked brokenly.

"You know why," her mother replied. "All that darkness. It's wrong. I'm sorry Belle but this is not your world. You don't belong here. You know that. Do the right thing."

xxXXxx

"Jury says guilty of your brother's death. Now, what about your other crimes? Let's see… Deserting our mother so you could go gallivanting on this expedition? Guilty! Murder of our father… Guilty!"

"No!"

"That's right gentlemen of the jury. My brother, Lord John Rumpton, not three weeks after he killed his beloved brother in cold blood that our dear father also died. Death by heart attack or heartbreak? Either way, you will find that he is guilty."

No longer wishing to take this abuse or this farce, Rumpton leapt from his spot and tackled his brother. Grabbing fistfuls of his shirt, Rumpton shook him.

"I. Am. Not. Guilty!" he punctuated each word. "Christ's sake Bailey! I loved you! It was an accident and with father… that wasn't my fault. I never wanted this. I never wanted to be the next Lord Rumpton."

"Oh, I think you did," Bailey smirked and pushed him off him.

The hunter barely had time to stand up when his brother quickly climbed on top of the railing and held onto the roof to keep his balance.

"Bailey! Get down!"

"Remember how I was afraid of heights?" Bailey said, ignoring him. "I'm not anymore. Although, I do wonder… Would you save me, dear brother, if I were to jump?"

"Bailey… please… don't do this."

"Whoa!" His foot shook. "That was a close one. Well? This is your chance to redeem yourself. Let's see what happens, shall we?"

To Rumpton's horror, he watched as his brother let go of the roof and fell down below.

"BAILEY!" he screamed, lunging after him only to feel something pulling him back as he tried reaching for his brother. "NOOOO!"

"Rumpton! Snap out of it!"

The hunter opened his eyes and was startled to find Hopper suddenly there with a cloth tied around his nose and mouth.

"H-Hopper?" he sputtered.

"Here. Take this." The scientist handed him a cloth. "Cover your mouth and nose. The fungus in here causes hallucinations."

Doing as instructed, Rumpton tied the cloth around his face and took several deep breaths. "That was a close one old boy."

"You're welcome. Now, where's Belle?" Hopper asked.

At the mention of the heiress' name, Rumpton's eyes widened in alarm. "Belle…" he breathed and jumped to his feet.

xxXXxx

Cradling the gun in her hands, Belle looked down at it. How easy it would be to end it all… To end this pain and suffering, to end this aching feeling inside her.

Who was going to miss her? No one… She made it her life's goal not to have friends or anyone close to her. They would only be obstacles weighing her down, and if the truth was ever uncovered… Well, she knew how that would play out.

No… It was better to do this. Like Mama said, it was the right thing to do.

Slowly, she turned the gun towards her and as her finger began to wrap around the trigger… It was pulled away from her.

Realizing her opportunity to fix everything was taken; Belle began yelling as she beat her petite fists against the chest of the man who ruined it for her.

"It's not real! Belle! It's not real!"

It took her a moment before she sagged against him, her head moving as she groaned, "No…"

Rumpton held her tightly as he looked over to Hopper. "I got her. You get the bones."

"How do we know it is Harter's?"

The hunter held up the gun he took from Belle. "H.H.," he read the initials. "Henry Harter."

Hopper took an empty bag from his pack and picked up the remains. At the last second, he decided to scoop up some of the fungus on the skull before gently tucking it inside.

With the bones safely in their possession it was time for the three to reunite with Mills and the Lady Coraline.

xxXXxx

It was nearly sundown by the time the explorers returned to the treehouse. Mills couldn't believe how cunning Hopper had been, using that fungus against the so-called Queen. Her people didn't take it kindly that she shot and killed some of their men as she "witnessed" her husband in front of her.

"Remind me never to piss you off," Mills said, lifting his glass of brandy in a toast.

"Well, I had a feeling she was going to have us killed when we returned," Hopper admitted.

"You're right. The she-devil wanted nothing more to see us die just like her husband," Mills agreed. "How's your foot doing Nolan?"

The reporter nursed his drink. "Hurts like I had it stomped by a T-Rex. Other than that, I'll live."

Snow giggled and took a bite out of an apple.

As for the other two inhabitants, Rumpton found Belle staring out into the night's sky.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hey," she rejoined softly, but not turning to look at him.

"Back there. In the caves… you, uh, want to talk about it?"

Sighing, Belle cocked her head in his direction. "It's over Lord Rumpton. There is nothing to discuss."

"You sure? I mean you were…"

"I said, 'there is nothing to discuss,'" she repeated, this time with a bit more force. "If you don't mind, I would like to be alone."

Not waiting for a reply, she tossed hair over her shoulder and gazed at the stars. She could sense him standing behind her, but after a second, the floor groaned under his weight as he exited.

Silently, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the heart-shaped locket. Opening it, she read to herself the contents inside.

"For our daughter Belle. Forever in our thoughts."

Perhaps it had been too much to hope that her parents loved her, but why else would they leave the locket behind? There must have been a reason.

Snapping it shut, Belle returned the necklace into her pocket. It only made her all the more determined to find out the truth.

The next four prompts will be based on the movie Strange Magic. I hope you liked these prompts and don't forget to leave a review and/or drop an idea! School will be out soon and that means for free time for me to write. Until next time my lovely readers!