Final chapter. Only three for this one. :)

They were all lined up outside of Big Green waiting for them. Blayze had sent for the turtles two days before, and now he, Hardwin, Bing Yan, Woo, and several other Monkeys were stopping before Turtle Castle in front of the great crowd. Blayze wanted to disappear as every gaze settled on him; he was the only red Monkey in the entirety of Monkey Kingdom, let alone the group, so it was obvious who he was.

"Commander?" Lin Chung asked cautiously. Everybody leaned in as Blayze stood straight and answered.

"Yes, Lin Chung. 'Tis I, if you will have me."

"Why wouldn't we?" Mr. No Hands said.

Blayze glanced away, feeling embarrassed. "I am a Monkey."

"So? You are not Severne," Makani said.

"No. I am his son."

The animals did not make a single noise for about a minute. Jia finally spoke up.

"How are you allowed to be here then?"

"I am the king. My father is long dead."

"If your father is dead, why did you not try to fix ties with anybody?" Hua asked reproachfully.

"The first two years, I was learning how to run my kingdom. The last five I have been busy running Big Green."

"I didn't know that the Monkey King and Queen had any children," Huan said with a shake of his head.

"They didn't."

"But you just said—"

"I said Severne was my father. I said nothing about Anxi."

The implied statement floored them and they didn't know what to say. Mystique Sonia finally closed the distance between them and smiled.

"You're rather cute as a Monkey."

Blayze blinked at her for a moment then smiled. "Thank you. I assume you are still getting many love letters?"

"Of course."

"…Mystique Sonia, Alpha Girl?"

"Yes, Commander?" they asked.

"Come here, Alpha Girl."

The two women stood in front of him and he turned and gestured at the white Monkey standing silently behind him. She walked over and stood to his left.

"I would like to introduce to you one of the finest warriors under my command as king of the Monkeys. This is Bing Yan."

"It is a pleasure to meet such esteemed people as you," the female animal said, bowing low.

Nobody moved from the shock of it. A female animal warrior that wasn't a queen? It was too strange.

Mystique Sonia and Alpha Girl looked at each other then smiled broadly.

"Well, finally, an animal king with some sense!" Alpha Girl said haughtily.

"Yeah, I mean females can be warriors, too!" Mystique Sonia added.

"I hope you will become friends."

"We'll try!" both girls exclaimed excitedly, making the white animal smile.

"Good." Blayze paused. "So is my kind welcome at Big Green?"

"Of course you are!" Lin Chung gasped. "Big Green welcomes all animals! Those are your own words!"

"But am I still your commander?"

There was another long pause then, in a voice full of confusion, Lin Chung spoke.

"You really believe that we do not want you as our leader, don't you?"

Blayze studied him as he replied, "Yes. Nobody wants a Monkey around, let alone leading them."

"You are wrong. If it was any other Monkey? We probably would not follow him. But you? You have proven yourself a thousand times over. And more."

"Is this a consensus or your own thoughts?"

"All in favor of Commander ApeTrully leading us?" Lin Chung called.

Hands, paws, wings, and trunks went up as everybody called out, "I."

Blayze studied the kings and queens under his command, then looked to the Human leaders and their soldiers.

"It looks as if it is unanimous, commander," the secret Panther said with a nod.

Blayze nodded and looked at Woo, sharing a smile with him before turning back. "Then I shall stay. However!" he called over the beginning of cheers. "I am no longer ApeTrully. I am Blayze. I do not want to be called ApeTrully anymore. Understand?"

There was a chorus of agreement then they headed inside. Blayze showed the Monkeys to their rooms. Besides Bing Yan, they were split into pairs. Hardwin was rather jealous that he didn't get to room with his king, but he stayed silent. The Monkey King then went to Woo's room and knocked on the door. Woo opened it then smiled.

"It is nice to be back in Big Green. I've missed my notes and inventions."

"I am glad to see you happy. How about some of Mystique Sonia's buns with fried rice?"

"Sounds delicious."

"Am I allowed to come and enjoy this meal?" asked a slightly bitter voice.

Blayze turned to see his blue companion. "Of course Hardwin. What is wrong? You seem upset."

"It does not matter, Blayze."

"Yes it does. You are hurting. Why?"

"Well…it is just that you introduced Bing Yan, but you did not introduce me. I thought I was your best friend?" It was a question filled with confusion and hurt.

"You are my best Monkey friend, Hardwin. I love you. I just didn't think to introduce you. I was rather scared they were going to throw me back to Monkey Kingdom."

"Oh…Okay!" Hardwin said, immediately brightening.

They walked to the mess hall and got their food, sitting off in a corner. Woo looked as if he was thinking, so the two Monkeys conversed softly in their native tongue. There was a cry and suddenly Blayze was wearing a bowl of noodles. He yelped and stood, shaking the pasta off of him and turning to see Mystique Sonia looking embarrassed.

"Nice going, banana brain!" she spat.

"Me?! I can't help it if you don't know how to walk!"

"You tripped me!"

"I did not!"

Hardwin was the only one at the table who watched with interest. Five minutes into the argument, he shot out a comment that made the whole room go silent.

"Why don't you two just mate and get it over with?"

After ten agonizing seconds of shocked silence, there was raucous laughter from every person except for Mystique Sonia and Mighty Ray, who were both red. Blayze couldn't stop his own laugh, but he touched Hardwin.

"Comments like that are generally discouraged around here," he chortled.

"You say that about me and Bing Yan all the time."

"That is because it is true."

"And this is not?"

Blayze chose not to answer, simply shaking his head in amusement and smiling. "I must go bathe. I am getting sticky."

"You know I am right, Blayze!" Hardwin said in a sing-song voice as he exited the room.

Blayze giggled. Hardwin was right, as he usually was. But he wouldn't give him the satisfaction of telling him.

He scrubbed himself off in the showers then returned to his lunch. The room was empty save for Woo, who was sitting calmly beside his half eaten food. The Monkey sat down and resumed eating. The food was still warm, which was pleasant.

"Where did Hardwin go?" he asked as he sipped his grape juice.

"In his own words, to argue with Bing Yan some more," Woo said. "What's the story between those two?"

"Hardwin was correct in saying that I say he and Bing Yan should mate. Do not tell him this, but I feel the same thing would help Mighty Ray and Mystique Sonia."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"Yes it does. Watch my two Monkeys, and watch the two Humans. You will find they are much the same, which is why I have never minded Mystique Sonia and Mighty Ray fighting. Because I knew two Monkeys who have been at each other's throats since childhood."

Woo nodded as Blayze finished his explanation and his meal. They walked to the training room to see First and Second Squads watching the Monkeys train. Woo and Blayze observed the precise, calculated movements of Bing Yan and Hardwin. They were taunting each other in Monkey, saying things that the red Monkey would have screamed at them for if it had been Human-speak. Or if Latimer were in here. Actually, Blayze thought in amusement, Latimer would have no trouble whatsoever getting onto them for their language.

"Something funny?" Woo asked softly.

"Do you want to know what they're saying?" Blayze whispered back, eyes twinkling in delight.

"It's bad, isn't it?"

"Quite."

Woo tried to be nonchalant about it, but Blayze could tell he desperately wanted to know. Seems like his closest Human friend was interested in curses as much as him. Blayze glanced around then began to whisper in Woo's ear. The Human's face turned red, but he couldn't stop smiling, and even tittering at some of the odd ones. There was a noise and Blayze stopped talking and turned to see Latimer staring at him evenly.

"Brawk! And what exactly are you whispering about there, Monkey King?"

"Oh, this and that," Blayze said guiltily.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"You know how I feel about that kind of language, Blayze."

"Er, you must admit, some of them are quite creative…" the Monkey prodded.

"True. Very true. How old are they?"

"Bing Yan and Hardwin? Let's see…They're both three years older than I am, which would make them twenty-one."

There was a pause. "You cannot be eighteen already."

"Four months ago."

Latimer looked sad. "I saw you grow up from the time you were four. Brawk! You have grown in so many ways. I am pleased to have known you for so long."

"What was he like as a child?" Woo asked.

Latimer studied him then looked to Blayze for permission. The Monkey nodded. "There is nothing I wish to hide from Woo. You may tell him of anything."

"He was a very studious child, Woo. He studied language like no student I had ever seen before or since. And he absorbed it like a sponge. Within a year he could speak the ten language bases with ease. He expanded upon that greatly and now he speaks every known language better than I do."

"That's even smarter than me," Woo muttered in disappointment.

"No it isn't. I don't come up with new things. I speak old ones," Blayze said. "There is a difference."

"Anything else about him?"

"Well…it has to do with Severne."

"You may tell him," Blayze said tightly after a few moments of tense silence.

"He was a bright Monkey. Bubbly and fun and joyous all the time…except for when his father was there. He grew quiet and depressed. Rarely spoke. Never laughed. Cringed at every gesture from the black Monkey. He was quite different. I hate what his father made him become."

"I do not have to worry about him anymore, Latimer. He is seven years gone, and nobody is missing him."

Latimer smiled. "I agree completely."

"My king!" Bing Yan shouted.

"Yes, my dear?"

"Lin Chung says he can beat you in a fight!"

Blayze frowned. "Twenty bananas say that I am about to have to face off with Lin Chung," he muttered under his breath then walked over to the group of Humans.

"You think to beat me? That does not sound like you, Lin Chung," Blayze said cheerily.

"I never said that, Commander."

"I am guessing it was them?" he asked, gesturing at Mighty Ray, Mystique Sonia, Jumpy Ghostface, and Mr. No Hands.

"Yes."

"Come on! You don't even fight, and those Monkeys are talking like you're the best fighter in the kingdom," Mighty Ray growled.

"Well, I do not like to brag, but I can handle myself in battle when not in costume."

There was laughter from the assembled squads, save Lin Chung. The red Monkey frowned and rolled his eyes.

"Fine. I shall fight Lin Chung. But this is not a real fight. Understand?"

"Yes, Commander," said the squads.

"Yes, sire," the Monkeys chorused.

Blayze took his sweet time picking out his sparring stick then walked over to Lin Chung. They bowed low, keeping their eyes on each other then straightened and slid into defensive positions. Blayze twitched to provoke, and Lin Chung started the dance.

How long they ducked, spun, weaved, struck, and parried, they were not sure. But by the time they finished, they were trembling from exhaustion. It was a draw. There was thunderous applause from all assembled. They turned and were surprised to see what looked to be all of Big Green watching. Glancing at each other, they smiled.

"You fight well, Commander."

"You do as well, Lin Chung. It is an honor to fight such a worthy opponent."

"I think I need a shower."

"Agreed."

Once they got through the crowd, which was a task in and of itself, they headed for the males' bathing room. Lin Chung stripped off without a second thought while Blayze slipped under the spray of water. They relaxed there before they started bathing. Lin Chung looked at the Monkey.

"I have a question, Commander."

"Yes?"

"Are you the one who leaves the water running when I come in to bathe late at night?"

"I have no time to turn it off. You insist on seeing my Monkey form, I swear to you."

Lin Chung nodded thoughtfully. "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore."

Blayze paused. "You are correct. It will be nice to not panic whenever I think somebody has seen me."

They finished bathing, but the Báo-haizi stopped him before they left. "Would you help me to open up about my own heritage?"

"Certainly!" Blayze exclaimed. "I would be honored! And may I make a suggestion to begin with Woo?"

Lin Chung smiled. "Sounds like a good place to start. Now, may I interest you in a drink?"

"If we can include Hardwin and Woo, yes."

They walked out, both of them pleased with how things were going. It wasn't going to be easy to integrate, not by any stretch of the imagination, but they had their friends to help them. And that thought bolstered both of them as they sat down with Woo and Hardwin to eat and talk jovially. They were quickly joined by First Squad, who were talking about the fight. Blayze met the Panther boy's eyes and nodded encouragingly.

Lin Chung took a deep breath then began to tell them about his family. As Blayze listened, the Monkey could hear the fear that he would be rejected. But he now knew that the members of Big Green were more understanding than he ever dared hope for, and he was one hundred percent sure that they would show the same thing for Lin Chung. And they did.