Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible™ or any character, location or event from that said show.

Last time on Legend of A Monkey Master

- Renowned Lord Monty Fiske invites Kim to explore ancient ruins. Ron warned Kim the search for the Idol of Yono was a 'bad road.'

- In response to learning Ron's fear of monkeys, Lord Fiske reveals that he too suffers from the same affliction.

- Ron reveals how he was traumatised by a chimpanzee attack during his stay at the Camp he refers to as Wannaweep. Lord Fiske tells the tale of how he was trapped with his leg buried in the rubble of a collapsed monastery. Alone in the dark carrying a creepy monkey idol, his mind began to play tricks.

Ch 5: Temple of Monkey

Ron/Hamlet: "Have at thee cur!"

Kim/Laertes: "Come get me, coward."

Ron stepped forward, thrusting a rubber sword at his friend. Kim knocked the blow aside, following her block by boldly leaping over Ron's head. Her own rubber sword slashed lightly slashed him across the shoulder. Their archaeologist audience, gathered in a circle around the stage ring, gasped then cheered for Kim's amazing athletic ability.

"You cut upon me!"

Aside to the crowd, Kim/Laertes conspiratorially reminded them, "The deed is done. The poison shall have him."

While she was distracted, Ron/Hamlet attacked. The pair scuffled, locking blades. When they finally pulled apart Kim/Laertes looked down at the blade in her hand in horror.

"Mah-ha! Got your sword!"

Ron\Hamlet slashes Kim\Laertes across the thigh. Once again aside, Kim/Laertes laments, "I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery."

Across the stage, Lord Monty Fiske and Mr Bates played the rolls of King Claudius and Queen Gertrude respectively. They were the only ones even attempting to read from the original script.
Monty/Claudius: "Part them; they are incensed."
Ron/Hamlet: "Nay! Bring it on!"

"This is madness."

"This is Hamlet!"

Mr Bates/Gertrude dramatically faints, falling from her throne.

Ron/Hamlet: "Mother? What tis wrong?"
"She swounds to see them bleed," Monty/Claudius offered caustiously. However, Bates/Gertrude contradicted the villain, declaring, "No, no, the drink, the drink,-O my dear Hamlet,- The drink, the drink! I am poison'd."

After warning her son of the danger the Queen promptly expires. The death scene was Mr Bates crowning glory. He heaved. He twitched. He used sherbet to foam at the mouth as per Ron's suggestion.
"Oh mother! Oh villainy! Oh the humanity!"
"Hamlet: Hamlet, we art slain," Kim/Laertes admitted. "No medicine in the world can do us good; there is not half hour of life left in either of his. The treacherous instrument is in thy hand. The king! The king's to blame!"
"The blade! Thou is poisoned! Poison do thy work!"
Ron/Hamlet took advantage of the revelation, running Monty/Claudius through with the rubber sword.
Monty/Claudius: "Oh, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt."
Ron/Hamlet took the poisoned cup his mother but drank of. "Take this thou murdering, um, wife-stealing - evil, evil man."
The contents of the cup are forced down the King's throat by Ron/Hamlet. For the purposes of the production however, Monty replaced the poison with a brand of soft drink. Only slightly less deadly.
Kim/Laertes: "Forgiveness me, noble Hamlet, as I forgive you for my father's death."
It was Laertes last line before she too expired. Only Ron was left on stage. Left on stage in a living capacity in any case. And the time left before he meet the Grim Reaper was fast counting down.

"Well. This sucks. All the characters die? Who wrote this, Quentin Tarantino?"

The audience, for the most part comprised of British academics, were no doubt aware the true author was William Shakespeare. A crowd which recognised and were amused by Ron's tongue in cheek mock ignorance.

Kim winked up at Ron as he knelt next to her. Together they had given a wonderful performance. Now though, Ron was left on stage. It was on him to deliver the final speech without help. She was confident he would do fine. While not the most able Shakespearian, Ron, Middleton High School's own 'Mad Dog,' was a natural performer.

"I forgive you Laertes, as I soon follow thee."

Ron removed Rufus from his pocket, holding him up and turning so all the crowd might see him.

"I am dead, Horatio, my faithful friend," he said to Rufus/Horatio, accepting his fate with bemused regret. This final twist had the audience in uproarious laughter when they realised who held the part of Horatio.

Rufus/Horatio: ("Yeah. They were going to use a CGI mole rat, but it wasn't in the budget.")

"You look pale," Ron paused to allow another a few more follow up chuckles, "and tremble. But let it be. Horatio, I am dead. Live on. Report what has transpired here. And to everyone else, remember revenge never leads to a happy ending. It will only bring harm to all who care for you. The pursuit of revenge is the true madness. Now as I draw my last breath I ask of you all –to tell my story."
He collapsed next to Kim.

...

The gathered academics clapped their approval. It had been a fine show considering the lack of props or actors. A fun performance after dinner to wind down a long week's excavation efforts. Monty even shared his generous supply of marshmallows to cook over fire barrels. A fine treat. The production had been an extract and final scene of Hamlet edited by Kim and Ron at Monty's direction. It had been their assigned task to modify Hamlet in order to accommodate four actors.

The players linked arms and bowed to the appreciative audience. "Ladies and Gentlemen," Monty called over the clapping. "You have just been treated to a scene from Hamlet. Written by William Shakespeare – with a little help from Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable!"

Monty and Bates clapped for the teenagers.

"Don't forget our director and host, Monty Fiske," Ron returned the complement. He kissed a pair of fingers, pointed it at Monty and winked.

"Or our Gertrude," Kim added. The crowd laughed as Mr Bates curtsied.

"Now, please. Your attention please," Monty begged of the crowd. "I have to report to Mr Barkin, at Middleton High School, to update him on our guests progress with this text. So, what shall I report?"

The general opinion, if you accept yelling, hooting and cheering as an opinion, was for an A+.

"Shall I tell him they did – fair."

He received a round of boos. An old lecturer at the rear called out, "Don't be stingy, Monty."

"Let's see if we can assign some extra credit, huh? Working outdoors, that's physical education. Recovery of historical artefacts, so history. And science!"

Ron mentioned aside to Kim, "At this rate I might graduate after all!"

"Triple credit should you find a mummy. I'm sorry I can't do anything to make math less boring."

Another round of cheering.

"I can teach 'em math. I'll start with card counting!" a member of the audience shouted.

"Next week's production shall be Richard the Third. I shall be playing the part of the crippled, villainous Richard, cracking the whip on the dig site. We've had a good first week; clearing forest, identifying promising sites using ultrasonic sensors and satellite thermal imagery, marking search grids. Next week, however, we shall putting our rears into gear and break ground. The holiday is over starting Monday. Enjoy your last weekend."

Grudging sighs, intermixed with some light hearted boo's. The cohesion of the crowd began to break up. Some returned to work. Other disappeared to rest. The remaining majority disengaged from Monty's speech, retreating into private conversation around the fire barrels.

Monty motioned his teenage students to exit stage right. Out of earshot he privately congratulated them. "Fine work, jolly good. But don't slack off yet; I want your essays on themes present in Hamlet by 5:00 next Friday. Mr Barkin wants them faxed to him simultaneous with his collecting of the rest of the class. I also would like cover your history topic tomorrow morning. 9:00am sharp. "

"Class on Saturday?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Ronald. Does that interfere with your timetable? I suppose we can always increase class hours during the week. Let's say, six hours instead of three?"

"Class on Saturday! Yay."

"Good lad. I expect an update on your D-Day presentation. And don't forget the British were involved too! We didn't sit through Operation Overlord drinking tea." "Don't worry," Monty added, holding a hand across his face, pretending he didn't want Kim to hear him. "I once had a young man tell me D-Day was the day Anne Frank and her commandos stormed the beaches of NAZI occupied New Zealand. Better that tripe and I'll pass you."

Behind him, Mr Bates conversed to an unknown party via satellite phone. His expressions deadpan as usual, one would never tell the exciting news he had to rely.

"Mil'lord, Haley has the results of the satellite scan. She requests you view the images she sending at the earliest opportunity."

"Very well," Monty agreed, motioning Bates to lead the way.

"You're welcome to join us," he called over his shoulder when neither Kim nor Ron moved to follow. It was all the invitation they needed.

...

Of the ancient city that once dominated this landscape the dig team had cleared approximately a block. One block to live, work and dig in. Indeed, it would take decades and a great deal more money and manpower to reclaim the entire city. Instead, Fiske directed his limited resources into surveying the landscape hoping to strike the mother load. Having a specialised multispectral thermal imaging satellite alter course in order to take snaps of an uninhabitable jungle was certainly not a cheap option. Especially since the military were the only institution floating above which had the sensors Fiske required. And they were loath to use precious rocket fuel pulling a satellite off its detail spying for underground facilities in the Middle East. Nonetheless, convincing the brass aiding science endeavour was beneficial to their 'public image' would prove cheaper and easier in the long.

The communications tent was the largest on site. Three layers of durable, insulated, waterproof materials to create a pleasant place of work in uncomfortable environments. It was the coolest place in camp during the humid days, and the warmest during the night. The best temperature regulating system in the camp all dedicated to the inanimate computer systems linking the expedition to the outside world. For good reason, Kim warned both Ron and Rufus never to 'T' it.

Mr Bates punched up the image of interest on a laptop screen. "Right here, mil'lord," he directed his employer's attention while reaching for a physical geographical map to compare. Monty leaned in to the screen, examining it carefully. Kim peaked over his shoulder.

"What is it?"

Monty hesitated before answering. "There's an energy signature. See, here," he pulled back to allow Team Possible a view. "Thermal imaging has revealed the outline of a buried structure. It's – quite substantial. Massive. Comparable to the Egyptian pyramids. And in the centre of, here, this blue spot – well something is giving off a huge thermal signature."

"It's warm?"

"Not just warm," a voice joined in the conversation over the satellite phone, giving Ron a jolt. Haley's image, originating from the command centre near the capital, appeared, appeared in the corner of the screen. "The object shows up on every image we take. X-ray, inferred, electromagnetic magnetic – whatever we switch to. Yet, - I don't think its any of these."

"Care to explain?"

"The computer cannot read it. It doesn't know its there. We scan for thermal signatures and computer detects animals and trees, sun warmed earth; but nothing else. And yet when we look at the image visually it is an obvious energy signature. We see a thermal image would indicate a pocket of magma beneath the temple. The computer continues to calculate a temperature of less than 10 degrees."

"It's like - taking a photo of a ghost," Haley concluded. "The computer can't see it. But we can."

"It wants to be found," Monty smirked in triumph.

Mr Bates was more sceptical. "Would you, by chance, happen to have a theory aside from the paranormal?"

"We set the computer to read thermal energy. So it only recognises thermal energy. This is – another kind of energy. We can't pin down its wave frequency. We don't know why it's interfering with our scans."

"Ah. Everyone follow that?"

"So basically what you're saying is - we're now looking for a Ghost Monkey…." Ron squeaked.

"If you don't mind, I'd like Wade to have a look at this." Kim hesitated to ask, Monty seemed so deep in thought. It took a nudge from Mr Bates to gain his attention.

"Hmm?"

"Miss Possible would like to send the results to her computer technician friend…."

"Oh. Yes, yes of course, by all means. Haley, could you send these to Kim's friend?"

"Yes mil'…."

"Where is the temple located?"

"Approximately half a kilometre south."

"Here mil'lord," Bates pointed to a spot on the survey map after comparing it with the thermal imaging.

"I've already marked the position you're personal GPS…."

Monty was hobbling away at best speed before Haley finished her sentence. Now his marvellous discovery was in reach he was beginning to act noticeably more eccentric. Taking less notice of what those around him were saying. No longer patiently talking to the teens, ensuring they understood what was happening. Everything was being systematically blocked out by the discovery. Kim was miffed. She might have been offended but Kim had spent too much time in the company of genius, her father for a start.

"Mil'lord, the sun is about to set. You'll never return before dark."

"Light some torches."

"This goes against your own camp rules. What can you possibly hope to accomplish, searching for a buried temple in the dark?"

"I – I can begin the survey. Maybe part of the upper level is showing above…."

"Mil'lord, as per your own instructions I expressly forbid you to enter that forest after dark."

"Second."

Frustration. Monty looked to Kim and Ron, almost pleading.

"I can't," Ron sincerely expressed. "Not out there. Not after dark, man."

Monty sighed; rubbing a palm over his face. He understood Ron's concern. He conceded temporary defeat. "First light. Volunteer survey party. Tell everyone to be ready and to meet me on the south side of camp."

...

His time thus spent with the expedition had been enjoyable. School assignments, hammering marker pegs into the ground, digging trenches with small paint brushes – alright maybe 'enjoyable' was not the most accurate term. But Ron Stoppable was thriving better than he had feared. He contributed to the camp as assistant camp cook to Mr Bates who credited his fine work. So did everyone else after a long days surveying. In the evenings the old college lecturers would regale him with humorous stories of their adventures. Crawling through a claustrophobic tunnel to reach deep cave drawings. Terrified the two larger students fore and aft would become stuck and leave him trapped. Trailing a band of African hunters stalk an injured giraffe for three days. Filming their technique. Eventually growing bored and shooting the giraffe. Or the adventures of the younger post-grads; building a backyard sauna out of washing machine and barbeque parts or playing pranks such as unscrewing and removing the walls between public restroom cubicles. Ron found it easier to mingle with the University students who had long ago dropped the high school social peaking order. Some of his quirks such as carrying his Rufus in his pocket were even viewed as kinda' cool, if still a little off putting to the ladies.

There were still the monkeys. Ron hadn't forgotten them for a moment. So far he had maintained a tentative truce with the horrid creatures that lived beyond the camp borders. He stayed away from the tree line, never going past the yellow reflective pegs. At night he spread his tiger scent subtly around his tent and made sure to tighten the zip. Should a creature have the cheek to scrounge for scraps he would simply give it a wide birth. These measures eased his fear to manageable levels. As Will Smith of 'I Am Legend' continued to operate in a city of dark seeking zombies, so 'Ron the Legend' continued to survive the nightmarish creatures of the jungle.

Today, however, the peace was broken. The truce was shattered. The primal fear was back. The camp members were striving boldly into their territory, surrounded by concealing foliage on all sides. Into the Monkeys habitat in search of a miraculous find. And Ron was going with them.

'Ron the Legend' was scared as $#%.

He should have been over this. He thought he was. Last time, after Monty's chat, he had firmly believed he had a handle on it. Yet he had been unsettled since the previous night and the images of the ghost monkey. Because the 'ghost' had to be the monkey idol. The prize which was the object of this entire expedition. Monty hadn't said either way but it was obvious what he suspected. Indeed, during today's pleasant outing Ron couldn't care less about your typical jungle variety demon spawn monkey. He couldn't stop replaying in his mind the tale of Monty's first encounter with one of these idols.

Together they delved into the dark jungle; Mr Bates took point, his task to find a way through an increasingly treacherous jungle. Monty hobbled with over the increasingly difficult terrain. Still, he clung to the crutch under his arm and persevered. He would not be stopped. Trailing them were the assembled volunteers including Kim, Ron and Rufus with Wade over the Kimmunicator.

Back in the US, Wade heavily exaggerated leaning back in his reclining chair, emphasizing its comfort. The gesture gave off sarcastic tones of, "aren't you glad you opted to tramp through the South East Asian Jungle rather than stay home like me?"

"I didn't get you up too early, did I?" Kim asked sweetly, though no longer as sincere as she had felt a moment earlier.

"No Kim. In fact, your timing was impeccable. Mom wanted to take me for an early morning jog before class. We're still training for our mother-son fun run."

"You shouldn't dodge your Mom so much. Not cool."

"What do you want me to do? She's an Olympic level endurance runner; I'm an infamous computer hacker! I am not built for this!"

"When I get back, I'm signing you up to aerobics classes with Joe."

"You even try and I'll arrange for a package of anti-fungal cream marked 'Kim Possible' to be mistakenly delivered to the Rockwaller household."

Kim gasped. "You wouldn't!"

"Try me. Ron, you by chance interested in having your old job smuggling pizzas back?"

Ron didn't answer. He wasn't listening. Didn't even realise they were addressing him. He was distracted by a sudden distorted sound. It was quieter than the ambient noises of the forest. He had to strain his hearing to notice it at all.

"Ron, you there? Is Ron there?"

And it was gone. Hearing his name called repeatedly broke his concentration. He was unable to re-tune distorted sound. So instead he gave his head a shake and returned his attention to his comrades.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm here Wade."

"Ron's a little wigged from being in the jungle. He thinks joining the survey team is a 'bad road'."

"I'm serious," Ron snapped. "Note serious face."

"We won't be digging anything up today. The temple is buried."

"Have we forgotten the mysterious ghost images, hmm?"

"Okay," Kim conceded. "I admit there is something a little off, which is why we should listen to Wade now. Wade, what did you make of the pretty pictures we sent you?"

Wade shrugged. "Honestly? I don't know what to make of them any more than Lord Fiske's people. I have to agree with Haley's conclusions until I know more."

"So basically what you're saying is – you think it's a ghost too."

"This 'energy' is visible on every spectrum we choice to look through," Wade continued, ignoring Ron and the ghost theory he clung to. "But so far we've been unable to identify the true nature of this energy."

The hacker dropped his cocky smirk long enough to add a serious warning. "Don't get too close. We don't know enough to have any idea what harm this energy is capable of. It may even be radioactive."

"Radioactive! A radioactive ghost monkey idol? Are you !#&% me?"

"Language!" Kim admonised her friend. "Where did pick up a word like that?"

"The cheerleaders."

Wade allayed their concerns. "I've already broached this with Haley. We agree the fact the temple is buried should provide protection. In the meantime a Geiger counter was included in the Kimmunicator upgrade package Joe and I put together. If you start hearing clicks…."

"Run?"

"Calmly retreat," Wade assured Ron. "Fast clicking is run.

"Look, while we're discussing oddities, you requested I looked a little deeper into Lord Fiske and this expedition. Fiske is burning through most of his fortune financing this venture. Only I can't work out where majority of his funds are going. Get this. The Laotian government has heavy conservation restrictions on clearing forest. To gain permission to clearing forest for his dig Fiske had to make significant 'donations' to the Laotian treasury. Extremely generous donations in the ten's of millions. But the money isn't staying in the Laotian treasury. It's being moved to a third party. Not just some greedy bureaucrat I'm thinking."

"Can you track them?"

"I was preoccupied trying to block them from tracking me. The moment they realised I was snooping they went search and destroy. I had to break off my search and go deep. Whoever they are, they are vigilant, they are not amateurs and they are not using off the shelf equipment. Joe thinks it might be World Empire. Charging third world nations 'protection' is within their scope of operation. He's just surprised they would try it so close to China's sphere of influence.

"Mystery two. When you sent the satellite imagery you mentioned Lord Fiske believed the energy was emanating from a source called an 'Idol of Yono.' I spent some time researching this artefact. After being removed from the monastery it spent ten years stored in the British Museum of Science where it picked up a reputation as cursed."

"Aw, dang I knew it would be cursed."

"A number of researchers claimed it was whispering to them. It remains locked up there today."

"Do you have any more good news?" Kim asked, "Only, Ron would like to begin screaming now." She nudged him with her elbow.

"Not right now. But soon. I've pulled Joe in to help me. He's shaking down some old sources for information on Fiske or any Empire operation in the Laos. I'll contact the Museum of Science and ask some more direct question about the Idol of Yono. "

"Do it. You rock Wade."

"I think you mean Idol.

"…?"

"Because it's made of stone. It sounded better in my head."

Wade signed off.

...

"We're here," Monty announced after double checking his position using his GPS receiver.

The patch of jungle Monty halted the survey team in was no different to any other patch of jungle they'd walked through to get here. There was no temple in sight. Just more trees, more brush and more carpet of decomposing leaves.

"Split into teams of four, codenamed Team A, B, C; so on. The northern edge of the temple is below our feet. We're going to be lining up along it and are going to sweep the ground until we reach the southern edge. Now, while we'll be travelling in parallel rows, we'll be hard pressed to keep sight of each other in all this foliage so stay in radio contact with a synchronised check in every twenty minutes, and keep a wary eye on your GPS. Know your location and that of the closet teams at all times. There may be a danger of collapse so be cautious. Watch for sunken ground. Advance with the use of a pole.

"We'll be planting these pegs," he hefted a large metal stake for everyone to view," which are linked to our satellite around the outline of the temple today. Haley should have already forwarded the positions to your GPS receiver. In addition, we want to know is there any remains of the temple still above ground? Also, how dense is this area of forest? How thick are these trees? We want to identify an optimum spot to clear."

"You two have just been inducted into Team F," Monty advised Team Possible once his instructions had been delivered. "Let us hope this does not stand for 'fail'. Mr Bates and I will help you check your equipment; radio in tune, GPS showing correct position, marker beacons networked, food, water and medical supplies. Then we'll do our row. I'll take point in case we walk run across unstable ground. I'm the only one with experience being buried after all."

Travelling their row they barely caught site of Teams E and G though they were at points less than five metres away. Almost close enough to reach out and touch. Monty led the way as he said he would; probing the ground before him with a pole, taking extra care when passing a large tree. Damaging roots comprising temple integrity was their greatest danger. Juggling both the pole and crutch Monty ploughed ahead. Somewhat ponderously, although keeping up with the other teams. Mr Bates, of course, bemoaned his master's stubborn independence. Really, it was a task Monty had performed before.

They struck up conversation. Monty asked his companions to, "Think of it. From here to back to camp; the entire distance you just walked was thriving city streets not less than 700 years ago. We're standing in Buckingham Palace. Over the way stands Big Ben - but you'd never know it for the trees."

Witnessing his drive to uncover the Yono artefact, Ron had to ask, "You said the monkey idol traumatized you before. Why do you want to find one now?"

Monty snorted. However, in the course of answering he became more contemplative. "I asked myself the same question, believe me. I really did not want to at first. Then I realised how far beyond the idol this mystery goes. Having evidence of a previously unknown link between medieval Laos and Russia? And India, since that is where the map was found. And more, I suspect. This could be new, valuable data on how - ," he paused momentarily, "on a network of cultural exchange we didn't know existed. History is not made by one nation, you see, but by all nations and how they – interact. The history of each nation is nothing but a piece in a larger puzzle. Which is why events on the one side of the world always have consequences at home."

"You're trying to fit the world together," Kim simplified his ramble.

"Yes. I suppose. Ah, let's not get to philosophical. Most people will believe it's all a grand hoax. Eccentric old Monty finally gone off the deep end."

Kim was next to raise a question relating to the expedition. Though on a different tangent than Ron's query.

"Monty," Kim did still feel uncomfortable addressing Lord Fiske by his first name. However, being familiar had its investigative advantages. "I had Wade do some background research on the expedition. Why are you paying the Laotian government so much for the right to set up your dig?"

"They were surprising shred negotiators. They're charging me for the right to dig up this entire city. Never mind it would be practically impossible. I think once they realised how enthusiastic I was for the project I lost all bargaining power. To tell the truth, I wish I'd just paid them the extraordinary amount sooner. The wet season starts in May and it's March now. A fair chunk of our effort this year is going to be ensuring our dig survives…."

He thrust his pole into the earth. It kept going. Monty momentarily lost his balance as most of the shaft dug into the soft ground. Before him, the ground began to fissure and break apart.

...

"Back! Back!"

No need to tell Ron twice. Run was his general all points strategy for whatever insidious trap the radioactive ghost monkey idol pulled. He took Kim's hand when she hesitated and ran.

Mr Bates helped Monty retreat from the edge of the calamity. The fissures follow as they moved. Trees would incline as the soil to which they were rooted gave way. Tremors tore at the ground they treaded. There was an increasing roar like a fast approaching freight train.

An expanding sinkhole developed. Earth and trees were engulfed. Disturbed birds flew the coop. Other life forms were not so fortunate.

Monty lost his crutch. There was no time to go back for it. Instead Mr Bates supported his master, wrapping Monty's arm around his shoulders to support Monty's weight. It was the three legged race against nature in which Monty was less than co-operative. His was determined warn the other teams. Yelling into the radio. As if they couldn't hear the earth crumbling away!

"All teams pull back. Teams E and G, pull back! The temple is collapsing."

"We're gone."

"Team E pulling back."

Kim broke Ron's umbilical, coming back to help Mr Bates. She Monty's second arm and together they carried the lord out of danger. A daring call. She had seen the fissures lapping at their feet. They couldn't. Darting, slithering like a snake, reaching out to nab an ankles….

The fissures lost momentum. The roaring eased to sporadic slips. The tremor abated.

Monty, Bates, Kim and Ron caught their breath. They were speechless for more than a minute.

Finally, Rufus stuck her head out of Ron's pocket. ("What the HELL was that? Did you almost kill us again?")

Hoarse, Monty uttered, "Thank you."

"No big," Kim accepted. "It's what I do."

"You're mother's," he breathed, "going to be cross with me."

Kim winced. "I won't tell if you won't."

"Deal."

He spoke into his radio again. "Everyone retrace their steps. Regroup on the southern edge where we started."

Ron frowned as Rufus continued to berate him. ("Seriously. What did you do?")

...

"Scared the sh-ite out of us Monty, you stupid prick," an elder archaeologist reprimanded Monty. Relieved to see he was unhurt. "Jeez, the ground started quaking - and the roar. What do we do now?"

"Well. I kinda' wanna see what we uncovered!" Monty hooted, laughing hysterically. The elder archaeologist joined in.

"Mil'lord cannot be thinking of going back."

"Yeah, let's not do that," Ron readily agreed.

Someone else added, "Here's an idea. Let's take a look at the crater from the air first. Not the ground."

Monty imitated disappointment. "Aw, spoilsport. Alright. But it may be an hour before the chopper can make a pass."

"Too bad we don't have a robot. Something small and light."

("Please. A robot would just get stuck. You need something that could burrow.")

Her squeaking drew attention of some explorers next to Ron. Rufus suddenly had a premonition of danger.

("No, no. No. You need something that could fly. Like a bird. Catch a bird.")

...

("Bloody bird-brained eggheads,") Rufus cursed as she approached the sinkhole. ("If I had fur I'd shed in their soup.")

In addition to the GPS bracelet she had to wear around her neck at all times, she now had a miniaturised camera strapped to her back. ("Of course one was carrying a miniaturised camera!") she lamented. The extra weight was a strain. The strap was uncomfortable. Oh, and she was marching into an area considered too dangerous for humans. ("What about snakes, huh? Did they ever fucking think of that! Sometimes I hate this job. I really need to find a safer location to nest. Maybe Wade? His mother makes a mean salad.")

("Oh wow.")

Discomfort and potential hazards were momentarily forgotten as Rufus emerged through the undergrowth. The sinkhole crater had indeed partially uncovered the temple. It was a sight to behold.

The temple hadn't collapsed at all. At its epicentre a doorway had been unearthed. It was jewel encrusted. It was two stories high. It was shaped as a massive monkey head.

("Ron is going to freak out when he sees this.")

Author's Note: I really had hoped the story would be further along by the end of this chapter. 50O0 words can go by so quickly. I assure you events will begin to pick up pace next time.