Thank you everyone who's stuck with this story for so long! There is still quite a few chapters I have planned for this, I just need another me to write all the time. Thanks again and please enjoy the next chapter!
Cheetah's words echoed in Tarzan's dreams. Words that threw doubt all over Tarzan's hopes of never becoming one of those creatures he had run into earlier that day.
"You are man," Cheetah had said. "Man is dangerous."
Once again, nightmares of his family fearing him sparked in his imagination, and he tossed and turned all night to escape the images. He woke up repeatedly and shifted against his father, turning and stretching out next to the large ape. Their nest was starting to get a little snug with the four of them, especially as he and Kaphi kept growing, but Kala's solution was to make a bigger nest when it seemed uncomfortable for everyone. For Tarzan, snug was fine as he managed to steal warmth from whoever was next to him, but tonight, he felt too warm, and he shifted around once more, moving away from Kaphi more and closer to Kerchak, hoping one less body next to him might help cool him down.
"Tarzan," Kerchak's low voice grumbled, "for the last time, lie still."
"Sorry," Tarzan apologized even as he readjusted once more, moving so he was closer to Kerchak's head, lying in a way that no one was touching him. The night air quickly cooled him off though, and he shivered slightly before sitting up, now looking back at where he had just been lying down next to Kerchak.
He carefully slinked his way to Kerchak's chest, trying to move slow so as not to disturb his father again, but alas, Kerchak's eyes opened and the ape huffed s he sat up.
"Alright, come with me," Kerchak whispered, jerking his head in the direction he wanted Tarzan to follow him.
Tarzan followed his father out of the nest, leaving Kala and Kaphi to sleep undisturbed by their conversation. Kerchak yawned as he led Tarzan to a space unoccupied by a nest or sleeping apes, and he sat down and waited for Tarzan to sit down next to him. Once Tarzan was settled, he looked up at his father expectantly.
"Is something on your mind, Tarzan?" Kerchak asked. "You haven't been sleeping well at night lately, and tonight, I don't think you've lied still for longer than a couple minutes."
"I know, I'm sorry," Tarzan apologized again. "It's just . . . those strangers like me—what if I become like them? I don't want to but what if it happens anyway? Cheetah said that man is in my blood and if they're dangerous, doesn't that make me dangerous? Maybe not now, but when I'm grown? I don't want to be like that but what if I can't help it?"
"Why would you suddenly become dangerous?"
"Because its who I am," Tarzan reasoned. "It scares me, Dad."
"Don't be afraid," Kerchak reassured his son. "Feeding fear only helps it grow more. Who you are doesn't have to be what's in your blood, Tarzan. We've been over this. You are who you choose to be. You can only become a danger to the family when you decide that you are a danger to our family. Do you feel that you are?"
"Sometimes," Tarzan admitted. He sighed and looked down at his hands, kneading the dirt as he continued. "I'm still not as fast as everyone else, or as strong, and like you say, I get too curious sometimes and wander off too far . . ."
"That's simply what makes you "you," Tarzan. You're different, and that can't be helped, but you've never endangered the family with your differences as of yet, though perhaps you've endangered yourself." Tarzan smiled up at his father, earning a smile back before Kerchak ruffled Tarzan's hair. "Besides, I trust you, Tarzan. And I trust that you have the family's best interest in mind, and you would never put anyone in harm's way knowingly."
"You mean it?"
"I mean it. I would trust you with my life. And I have no fear of you becoming anything like those strangers out there."
Tarzan jumped up into his father's arms, hugging the great ape, who squeezed him back affectionately. They held the embrace for a moment before pulling apart.
"Thanks, Dad. I do feel better now."
"Good. Then let's head back to the nest. Maybe now, you'll sleep without nightmares. And more importantly, without waking me."
Tarzan chuckled as he followed Kerchak back to the nest where they snuggled back in with Kaphi and Kala for a peaceful rest of the night.
The next day, the ape children from all the families were playing games of dares with each other when Sade came running through the trees with alarming news. She panted as she stopped in front of the small group that included Terk, Mungo, Flynt, Bolade, Kaphi and Asha, a few other young apes, and Tarzan. Sade panted before pointing back toward the family grounds.
"Quick," she said, "the leaders are talking about the creatures in the jungle. A scout ape said they're moving closer to us!"
The children gasped before following Sade back to the family grounds. They slowed down as they neared the section where the silverbacks were gathered in a small circle with a few blackbacks and Dola and Kala listening in as well. The children pretended to gather in a circle of heir own while keeping their ears open to the conversation happening a few yards away.
"They are moving deeper into the jungle," one of the blackbacks said. "Headed right for us."
"We must evacuate," Mosi spoke up, "find new safety higher up the mountains."
"I hear Enzi's troop is occupying the higher regions right now," Jaja said, "he has never been one to share anything, regardless of dire times. He will not take kindly to three families treading on his turf. We are running out of territory."
"If they keep heading this way, we will have no choice," Kerchak said. "We cannot allow these strangers to get too close. We will have to risk Enzi's temper to protect our families."
"There are three of us," Jaja added, looking over the silverbacks. "I think together, we could stand a chance in subduing him long enough to explain our intrusion. Hopefully, he'll be understanding."
The kids shared concerned glances with each other before looking back over at the adults.
"Understanding?" Mosi scoffed. "I highly doubt it."
"Do you have another idea?" Jaja asked. "Now would be the time to share."
"I'm afraid not. I cannot risk my family anymore than what has already been done."
Sade gently shouldered Tarzan and whispered, "We can't keep running. They just follow us everywhere we go."
"And our troop has run into Enzi before," a female from Mavuto's family said. "We crossed paths by accident near a river and Enzi pushed Uncle Mosi in. He almost drowned."
"What are we going to do, Tarzan?" Kaphi asked her brother, looking up at him with nervous wide eyes.
Tarzan frowned in thought, remembering his encounter with the strangers. He recalled what one of them had talked about and an idea struck him. With a gasp, Tarzan shot forward, running for the silverbacks, ignoring his friends' cries to not interrupt. The silverbacks hesitated and looked down at Tarzan as he boldly planted himself right in the middle of their conversation.
"I know how we can get rid of these creatures!" Tarzan exclaimed.
"Tarzan, not now," Kerchak said softly. "Go back to playing with the other children."
"But I can help, I know what we can do. I saw them, I saw what they were afraid of."
"You saw them?" Jaja asked with a growl.
"You mean to say you went looking for them?" Mosi demanded. He glared at Kerchak. "You said he wouldn't be a danger."
"No, listen!" Tarzan tried to interject, "we can scare them off. It's this jungle monster thing they don't like. If we pretend to be it, we can chase them out of the jungle."
"He's put all of our families at risk!" Mosi shouted loud enough for everyone to hear as more apes gathered around the silverbacks to check out what was happening. "And he wants to do it again."
"Kerchak, control your son," Jaja insisted.
Kerchak had been a little surprised at Tarzan's announcement of visiting the strangers, but he snapped out of his stupor and stepped forward.
"Tarzan, that's enough," Kerchak said.
"You're not even listening to me," Tarzan said. "I know this will work. Then we get all of our homes back and we can stop running."
"That is not for you to decide, now stop this and stand down." Kerchak pushed himself up to his full height, a dominance move that usually had any member of his family lowering in submission and scurrying along, but Tarzan was either too distracted or simply not heeding his warning. Instead, Tarzan jumped back and glared up at his father.
"You said you trusted me," Tarzan reminded his father.
Kerchak sighed and closed his eyes. He had said that hadn't he? He should have made it clear that the trust wasn't quite placed in Tarzan's crazy ideas he got sometimes.
"No one will get hurt," Tarzan promised. "I just want to help save our family. I know this will work."
"I do trust you, Tarzan," Kerchak said after a moment. But he shook his head as he opened his eyes. "But how can you be so sure that whatever you're thinking will scare them off and not make them angrier?"
"I don't know," Tarzan admitted. "It's just a feeling, I guess. But I have to try before we abandon our home. And I'm going to need help. Please."
Kerchak frowned, then glanced over at Kala, who shared a look with him before taking in a deep breath and smiling at her mate. Kerchak scanned over the rest of his family. Everyone was staring now, even the children, waiting to hear how Kerchak would respond. Honestly, this was completely out of Kerchak's comfort zone, entrusting any leadership in another family member's hands, even if it was his own son. And head on confrontation was supposed to be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Who in their right mind would go directly toward the danger? No, this whole idea was insane.
But Tarzan had had weird ideas before that worked out in the family's favor. While none had been related to predators or strangers like these, Tarzan's ideas weren't all crazy and reckless. With another sigh, Kerchak looked back down at his son and gave him a small smile.
"Alright," Kerchak said. "I will help you. But if I feel a retreat is necessary, you will obey that order. No hesitation. No questions asked."
"Yes, yes, thank you, Dad," Tarzan said, rushing forward to hug his father, who chuckled and returned the embrace. "I won't let you down."
Jaja and Dola shared a long glance before Dola grunted and stepped past her mate, coming closer to Kerchak and Tarzan.
"If you trust your son so much that you're willing to risk your life," Dola said, "then I am too. For my family. You can count me in to your plan, Tarzan."
"Thank you," Tarzan said, jumping free from his father's hold and facing Dola. "I think it will work, we just need enough apes."
"Well," Jaja started, stepping up to his mate, "I am not letting my mate put herself in harm's way like this. Not without me anyway. I am in."
"We'll assist, Jaja," a few blackbacks said, coming forward to stand next to their leader.
"As will we," a few blackbacks from Kerchak's family insisted.
All eyes turned on Mosi and his family. A few blackbacks behind the great ape stepped forward but stared at Mosi patiently, waiting for their leader's okay. Mosi glared at everyone.
"You are all actually putting your lives in the hands of this . . . creature? He is no different from the others hunting us. This could be a trap."
"It's not, I promise," Tarzan said.
"Tarzan is not like that," Kerchak said. "If he says he knows how to get rid of these creatures, then I believe he knows how. And there's only one way to find out if it'll work or not. Are you helping us or not?"
Mosi growled under his breath before grunting his approval, and the blackbacks behind him did the same as they stepped the rest of the way forward, ready to assist in chasing away the intruders. Leaning in close, everyone waited for further instruction from Kerchak and Tarzan.
"Okay, Tarzan," Kerchak said. "Tell us what the plan is."
"Okay." Tarzan grinned at everyone. "Here's what we have to do."
Tarzan peered through the trees at the creatures called man sleeping in their tents just feet away from where the gorillas were waiting to begin. It was the middle of the night, so the nightlife sounds helped cover the gorillas approach, just as Tarzan had hoped. Tarzan ran back to his father, who was sitting deeper in the trees some with Jaja, Dola, and Mosi. They were whispering to each other but hushed when Tarzan came back.
"They're asleep," Tarzan said.
"Are you sure about this, Tarzan?" Kerchak asked.
"Yes, Dad." Tarzan picked up some thorny vines he had carefully intertwined together into a crown like shape. He lifted it up to his father. "Trust me."
"As I've said, I do," Kerchak said as he lowered his head, allowing Tarzan to carefully place the thorny crown on him. "But I'm your father, I'm allowed to worry. Besides, this is very dangerous. Anything could go wrong. They may not run, or we could be ambushed by leopards . . ."
"I know. But we have to try or we'll never know if they leave or not."
Tarzan held up the thorny crown to Dola, who lowered her head and allowed Tarzan to place the crown. Then he did the same for Jaja before hesitantly approaching Mosi and offering the crown to the silverback.
Mosi glared at Tarzan for a second before huffing and lowering his head, allowing Tarzan to place the crown. Once that was done, Tarzan shuffled away so he was standing in front of the four apes. A couple blackbacks returned with an armful of sticks that they dropped in front of the leaders before backing away respectfully.
"Now, pick up a few sticks in your hands and hold them like this," Tarzan said, demonstrating with three smaller sticks grasped between each finger in his hand. He waited until the apes managed to pick up the sticks in both hands like he had before giving them the next instruction. "Now stand up."
The four apes did as he said, holding the sticks out at their sides a bit awkwardly, but Tarzan thought it looked perfect and he smiled.
"Yes! That's perfect." The four apes dropped back down while Tarzan said, "When I saw "go," do just that but let out a loud roar, too."
"If you say so," Jaja said with an amused look. "You really think this will scare them away? They were trying to kill us before. I doubt they scare easy."
"I saw them talking about this animal," Tarzan said. "I don't think it's real, but they seemed to think it was and they didn't seem to like it too much. At least, that's what I think was going on."
Jaja didn't seem convinced with those words, but he sighed and nodded his head. Tarzan moved closer to Kerchak, who put a hand on his son's back and pulled him in close.
"Just be careful, son," Kerchak said. "Don't get too close."
"I won't. I'll be careful, Dad."
Tarzan wiggled free from his father and checked on the blackback gorillas resting deeper in the trees. A few of them from each family had chosen to stay behind to assist Kala in watching the mothers and children. Tarzan grunted softly to them and they rose and waited for instruction. Tarzan directed them to various locations surrounding the camp, creating a circle around the sleeping man. Tarzan told each ape what he wanted them to do before taking off back to the leaders.
"Okay, let's move in closer."
The leaders followed Tarzan closer to the camp until they were just on the edge of the boundary.
"Now, stomp your feet. As loud as you can."
The apes took a deep breath, hesitating for a moment before Kerchak started to stomp his feet, slow and steady. Dola and Jaja followed his lead at an offbeat pace.
"Try to do it together," Tarzan said.
There was an awkward pause as the apes tried to start over together before a steady beat was found, Mosi joining in shortly after, finding the beat quickly. The stomping triggered a wave and all the gorillas in the forest stomped their feet as well, keeping to the beat their leaders had set.
Light appeared under some of the tents before the men inside crawled out, carrying a contained light source in some strange object. They swung their heads around in every direction, whispering to each other and gathering close together, long sticks at the ready in their hands.
"What is that noise?" one of them asked. "It's loud. Sounds like it's coming from everywhere."
"Careful, gentlemen," another said. "This could be a trap. Probably those natives tired of our business."
"I don't think it's that," said another as he moved closer to the trees, trying to peer through the dark thick jungle. A few of the other men did the same, standing next to their friend and peering through the shrubs where the leaders were still stomping their feet just a couple feet away, their fur blending them into the shrubs and night.
"Go," Tarzan whispered.
The four apes stopped stomping, which signaled to the blackbacks to stop as well, creating a sudden dead silence.
The men took a few steps back at the unexpected silence.
Slowly, the four leaders rose on two feet, their silhouettes pitch black, and the thorny crown and sticks added to the strange monstrous form growing before the men, and they slowly backed away some more, eyes widening at the sight.
Then, all four apes roared as loud as they could.
A few of the men screamed and ran for the two cars.
"Jungle trolls!" one of the men shouted as he turned and ran as well.
"Again, again," Tarzan encouraged, and the leaders roared again.
"Fools, shoot them!" a man demanded, growling in frustration as his team scrambled for their things and the cars. That man raised his long stick and pointed it at the supposed jungle trolls.
Tarzan gasped before running through the shrubs to get closer to the man, coming out behind him and running as fast as he could past the man, grabbing one of his ankles and letting go just as quickly. The jolt from his speed was enough to trip the man, however, the spur of his boot struck Tarzan as the man fell, cutting the child, who yelped and jumped aside, pausing to lick the small wound on his arm.
The man groaned and held his head, shaking it briefly before blinking at Tarzan.
"What . . .?" the man began, squinting in the dark at Tarzan, who gasped and backed away slightly.
The man peered closer at Tarzan as he slowly stood up, unaware that amber eyes were peering at him from the trees until a soft growl alerted him to a presence behind him. The man spun around in time to see a cheetah step out of the bushes with a loud growl, fangs bared and eyes narrowed.
"Ahh!" the man screamed, turning to run. Cheetah ran after the man, keeping just at his heels deliberately while the man ran for the retreating vehicles. Cheetah finally leaned forward and snapped his jaws at the man's rear, tearing the fabric of the man's jeans, leaving his white undergarments exposed. The ma yelped and ran faster, waving his arms at one of the cars he was behind.
"Wait for me, you idiots!" the man shouted.
The car stopped and allowed him to climb on the back before it took off through the trees, leaving behind forgotten tents and various instruments. The strangers were gone.
"Yes!" Tarzan exclaimed when the men were out of sight. "We did it."
Tarzan ran to Kerchak, dancing around his father as the silverback dropped the sticks and shook off the thorny crown, smiling at his overzealous son. The other apes dropped the sticks and the thorny crowns as well while the blackbacks charged out of the trees, whooping triumphantly.
"I can't believe that worked," one of them said.
"That was incredible. Did you see the way those things ran out of here?"
"Who wants to do it again?"
Tarzan laughed at the older apes' enthusiasm while Kerchak snorted and ruffled his son's hair.
"You're going to make a fine leader one day, Tarzan," Kerchak said.
"You really think so, Dad?"
"I know so."
Tarzan beamed proudly up at his father before looking back at Cheetah, who cautiously approached the apes, dropping the fabric he had torn off the man.
"Cheetah, you came back," Tarzan said, stepping closer to the great cat. Kerchak bared his teeth at the cat, untrusting of any predatory feline.
"I heard chatter from the birds of the trees of a ridiculous plan to chase out man," Cheetah said, sitting down a safe distance away from Tarzan and his father. "I had to see for myself what Tarzan of the Apes was up to."
"Thank you for your help," Tarzan said. "I wasn't sure what the man would do when he saw me."
"Of course. I've wanted to bite man for a while now."
Tarzan chuckled while Kerchak snorted.
"Thank you for protecting my son," Kerchak said.
Cheetah bowed respectfully, purring softly.
"It is an honor to serve such a legend. You have raised him well, Great Ape." Cheetah stood and trotted toward the trees, pausing to glance back at Tarzan. "I am sure we will meet again."
"Bye, Cheetah," Tarzan said, smiling at the cat who leaped into the trees and swiftly trotted away.
Kerchak lowered himself and Tarzan scrambled up his father's back, gladly accepting the offer for a ride.
"You know, soon I'm going to be too big for this," Tarzan said.
"I doubt it," Kerchak argued with a smirk. "I can hardly tell you've put any weight on since you were five."
"Hey, I've grown. I'm definitely heavier."
Kerchak shook himself gently, and Tarzan had to cling a little harder to his father. He laughed regardless as he grabbed on to his father's shoulders.
"No fair."
"Light as a feather," Kerchak joked, earning a "hmph" from Tarzan as the child settled in on his back.
"Well done, everyone," Kerchak said. "You have all proven yourselves loyal and true to your families. You have helped save us all."
"Yes," Jaja agreed, "Especially you, Tarzan. Thank you."
"Thank you, Tarzan," all the apes chorused, even a begrudging Mosi.
"We will rest together for a couple days to make sure the creatures have left for good," Jaja added. "Then, we head back home."
There was loud cheering from all the apes before everyone started following the leaders back to the shared grounds. Tarzan settled in on his father's back, his arms and legs hanging with just enough grip to keep from sliding off. He was ready to fall into a peaceful slumber for the first time in a few days and his eyes fluttered shut.
A couple days passed, and the strangers never reappeared. As the two families prepared for their journeys home, they gave Kerchak their thanks before leaving.
"I may have been hasty in my judgement of your son," Mosi said, looking down at Tarzan who was standing next to his father. "You have raised him to be a good ape, Kerchak. He truly is one of us."
"I know," Kerchak said proudly. "I am very proud of him."
Meanwhile, Tarzan and Mavuto were having their own conversation.
"You were really brave," Mavuto said. He snorted in wonder before saying, "Not bad, hairless wonder."
"Thanks," Tarzan said. "You're not so bad yourself. I'm sorry . . . about what they did to your mom. I couldn't imagine losing mine."
"Thanks." Mavuto looked down at his feet before smiling at Tarzan. "Maybe we'll meet again?"
"Yeah, that'd be great."
"Come, Mavuto," Mosi said, and Mavuto gave Tarzan one last nod of acknowledgment before following his father to lead the family on their journey back home.
"I must say," Dola said as she stepped up to Kerchak next, "your son is a true wonder. You've done well with him. Tarzan, you keep being you."
"Yes, ma'am," Tarzan said.
"Yes, thank you, young hero," Jaja added. "You've done this jungle a great service."
"You're welcome. I was just protecting my family."
"They are very lucky to have you."
"I'm lucky to have them, too."
Jaja smiled down at Tarzan, and with a final goodbye and words of gratitude to Kerchak for sharing his space, Jaja and Dola led their family away. Tarzan laughed as he watched Flynt and Mungo wave goodbye to Sade and Bolade, asking for the young ladies to visit again, maybe often, while Terk sat back rolling her eyes at them.
"Looks like you've turned them around after all," Kerchak said. "You've got everyone on your side before they left."
"I told you they just had to get to know me first," Tarzan said.
"You did, didn't you?" Kerchak headed for his nest, ready to relax for the afternoon. Tarzan followed him, giving him all the innocent smiles he could muster.
"Yep. So, Dad, do you think this would be a good time to end my grounding?"
Kerchak chuckled as he climbed into his nest and laid back, enjoying the warmth of the sun.
"I'd say yes, but for once, I'm not the one who grounded you in the first place. You'll have to ask your mother."
"Aw, but Dad . . . it's called co-parenting for a reason, right?"
"Nice try."
"You're not trying to get your father to unground you, are you?" Kala asked as she walked up to the nest.
"Oh, umm, no, I was just telling him how much I love you." Tarzan gave his mother an innocent smile.
"Mm-hmm," Kala said with a nonbelieving tone. "Maybe next time, you'll tell me about your crazy adventures running into dangerous creatures and how much you love me at the same time."
"I will, I promise!" Tarzan said. "Besides, I already said I'll never do it again. They weren't very nice. At least to the jungle."
"No, they weren't." Kala pulled her son into a hug before groaning and saying, "Fine, I guess you can be ungrounded now. Go play."
"Thanks, mom!" Tarzan said, cheering as he ran off to find Terk and the others.
"And don't think I'm done with you," Kala said to Kerchak, narrowing her eyes at her mate. "You knew he went off after those creatures and didn't tell me."
"I didn't want you to worry," Kerchak defended himself. "He was unharmed when he came back. And I also didn't want to stir up more trouble with Mosi. He nearly killed Tarzan the first day he was here."
Kala sighed and nodded her head.
"I know. Perhaps it was for the best you didn't. But please, no more family secrets from now on."
"Agreed. I don't like hiding anything from you anyway."
Kala butted her head against Kerchak as she snuggled into her mate in the nest.
"Shall I tell you about what a fine hero our son is turning out to be," Kerchak asked, smiling in amusement.
"That is a story I would love to hear," Kala said.