Part 2: The Transformation

Chapter 20

"Proving Her Will"

Jane stood there trembling as the enormous leopard growled and hissed at her as she tried to run away, but realizing that her chances were slim and as the leopard prepared to jump at her, a loud yell was heard and Tarzan was seen swinging through the trees and got in front of Jane with spear clutching in his hands.

"Well, well," said the beast. "I have been waiting for you all this time, Tarzan."

"He can talk?" remarked Jane, trembling.

"Shitani," said Tarzan. "Why are you after this woman?"

"Because if I can't live without a mate," said the beast. "Then neither can you."

"Who is this?" asked Jane nervously. "And what does he want with me?"

"This is Shitani," whispered Tarzan. "He was the mate of Sabor, the leopard who killed my mother and father."

"And your fellow humans were tasty," he said evilly. "We need to survive as much as you do and that we will do whatever is necessary to sustain ourselves and that includes killing animals like the one who is behind you."

The two foes readied themselves for an attack and Tarzan beckoned Jane to run into the brushes and not come out until he said it was okay.

"You leave her alone," said Tarzan. "Animals like you do not belong in this jungle and what Sabor did to my family was unforgiveable. Now leave and never return."

"Not until I fulfill my revenge," growled Shitani and leapt at Tarzan with his jaws flashing and his claws armed and ready.

Tarzan dodged the attack and lunged at the beast with every bit of strength he had and as Jane looked on from the bushes, she could not help but be amazed at the strength that Tarzan had. At the same time however, she was concerned for his safety and wanted to help him, but she was worried that if she did help him, she would be killed.

Just then, the beast scratched Tarzan's chest and pummeled him against a tree. The blow had knocked Tarzan out and Jane knew that she had to take action. She was starting to remember the moments that Clayton knocked her out cold and Tarzan had to fight him up in the trees. Now, she had to act swiftly and quickly if there was to be any hope of killing the beast that was about to lunge at Tarzan for the kill.

"What am I going to do?" she said to herself and noticing Tarzan's spear, she leapt out of the bush and grabbed the spear as Shitani was about to finish off Tarzan. He was just about to raise his paw and swipe at Tarzan, when he felt a large stick jab into his back, causing him to roar in pain. He turned around to see Jane, holding the spear in her hand as Shitani now turned his attention to her.

"Jane," gasped Tarzan. "Run! Now!"

But, Jane stood her ground as the beast lunged at her and much like Tarzan, she jumped and dodged with every attempted strike and the more times she dodged the beast, the more times she had gained the upper hand on Shitani. Now, the cat was beginning to get frustrated and began to swipe at her and at one point, he slashed at the puffed shoulder of Jane's yellow shirt, nearly scratching her shoulder. But, Jane stood her ground and upon recovering from the near scratch, she jumped up into the trees as Shitani followed and digging his claws into the trees, climbed up the tree and he and Jane continued their fight up in the trees, as Archimedes arrived and was shocked to see his daughter fighting a cat up in the trees.

"My goodness," he thought to himself as he saw the wounded Tarzan lying on the ground and began to tend to him.

Now, Shitani was beginning to get the upper edge as he swiped at Jane's green skirt, trying to get his legs on any part of her body. However, the more times she dodged, the more times Shitani grew more and more frustrated. Finally, they were coming towards a large hole as they climbed further and further into the trees and now, Shitani was about to get the edge again.

"Goodbye, human," he growled. "Sabor, this is for you!"

And he lundged at Jane and the two fighters fell to the large hole below as Archimedes and Tarzan looked on in horror, now beginning to worry if Jane was going to come out alive. Archimedes began to cry as he assumed that his only child was dead and Tarzan was horrified to see that the woman he loved was dead.

Just then, the sounds of grunting came from the hole and the dead body of Shitani came out first, followed by Jane, her clothes torn and several scratches were on her body. Archimedes gasped and ran over to Jane, hugging her tightly.

"Ouch, easy daddy," she said. "I have scratches on me, you know."

"I know, Jane," he cried. "I'm just happy to see that you are alive my child. Thank the Lord you are safe."

So, they hugged and embraced and finally Jane ran over to check on Tarzan.

"Are you all right, my love?" she asked.

"I'm fine," coughed Tarzan. "But what about you?"

"The beast is dead," said Jane. "I took care of him for you."

Tarzan was amazed by this as Jane helped him to his feet. Together, they walked back to the tree house and Tarzan and Jane were both attended to their wounds by Archimedes, who administered bandages and medical supplies to them. Tarzan was amazed that someone like Jane would be able to fight off and kill a leopard single handedly. Now, he knew that the woman he loved so dearly was now able to survive and defend herself in the jungle.

But, there was still the business of asking her hand in marriage to attend to. And to do that, Tarzan would have to wait until nightfall…