Just one more year. Just one more year until she's 18. The commander of Big Green thought to himself with a small present in his hand as he stood outside Big Green's cafeteria door, where a birthday party is being held.
Today is Hope's 17th birthday, making the commander know that in one more year, it'll be okay for him to confess to Hope about his crush on her... if he have the courage even when she's 18 years old or even older.
Why must I have this stupid crush on her?! She's three years younger than me! Apetrully thought, criticizing himself about his interest with the pink and white monkey. I mean...Yes, she's very nice and we're only three years apart, but she's technically a teen while I'm an adult at age 19 going onto 20. Also, how would others react to the idea of me falling in love with someone who's younger than me?! Sometimes, I wonder if I'm just infatuated with her instead of being in love with her.
The commander slightly shook his head once he heard the familiar female voice of Lady Green saying, "Commander?"
"Yes?" Apetrully said, turning towards Lady Green.
"Commander, I've saved someone from drowning while I was on my patrol, but this person would like to talk to you for only a moment." Lady Green said.
"Okay... Where is this person?" The commander asked, stuffing his present for the birthday monkey into his shirt.
"I've left him in your room since he doesn't look that dangerous or that strong."
"Alright."
The commander let out a small sigh as he walk towards his room. Leaving his thoughts to himself, Apetrully thinks to himself, I wonder who this person might be. Also, I should really do something about this little love thing with Hope, or it'll drive me crazy!
Upon entering his room, the commander could see a person standing in the middle of his room, looking at the decorative masks that hang on his walls. Apetrully's golden eyes widen when he realized this person was a monkey.
This monkey was obviously male, and have dull grey fur along with a pair of eyes of the same color. He wore a simple brown, hooded cloak that reaches beyond the ankles, and carried a light brown sack. It could be possibly for him to be somewhere between 40-50 years old.
The dull gray monkey slowly turn towards the commander and said, "You must be the commander."
"Yes. Is there a reason why you're here?" Apetrully ask.
"Of course. Sir, my name is Engel Heaven. I would like to ask for a bodyguard to bring me to Monkey Castle." The gray monkey said.
The commander raised an eyebrow and ask, "Why would you like a bodyguard? Is there someone who wants to hurt you?"
"I don't think it's important the reason why. I just want one for protective purposes." Engel ask, slightly glaring at Apetrully.
Apetrully gulped and thought, Maybe I'll try to think of someone especially since it's Hope's birthday- Wait a minute, I think I know someone who'll do it.
"Don't worry, Mr. Heaven. I know someone who'll do the job." The commander said with a small smile.
Just because I may have set off a chain reaction, doesn't mean I deserve to do more jobs than usual! Kowloon angrily thought to himself as he rode on his turtle with the gray monkey by his side, who also rode on a turtle.
Kowloon glanced at the monkey and said with a nervous smile, "So... Your name is Engel Heaven. That's an interesting name."
"I hate my name." Engel said, looking at the ground. "It makes me sound so perfect, and it's obvious I'm not, but I don't really have the heart to change it."
"Oh..." The warrior slowly said as his smile faltered, then thought to himself, Well, he's different from Hope. I mean, he's pretty depressing, and I think she once sang a song like this, 'I have traveled the world, beheld its wonders from the discovered land to the country of Japan, but there's no place like the Hidden Kingdom!'
Engel: No, there's no place like the Hidden Kingdom...
Kowloon nearly had a heart attack when he heard the dull gray monkey sing a part of Hope's song. Placing his hand over his heart to calm himself down, Kowloon said, "Um... Mr. Heaven?"
E: You are young...
Life has been kind to you...
You will learn...
Engel had a distant look in his eyes as he stared up ahead. Kowloon and the turtles were rather uneasy by this once the gray monkey continue on.
E: There's a hole in the world like a great, black pit
And the vermin of the world inhabit it
And its morals aren't worth what a pig can spit
And it goes but the name of the Hidden Kingdom...
Kowloon's turtle slowed down, hoping not to hear much of this.
E: At the top of the hole sit a privileged few
Making mockery of the vermin in the lower zoo
Turning beauty to filth and greed...
I too have traveled the world and seen its wonders,
For the cruelty of others is as wondrous as the great mountains
But there's no place like the Hidden Kingdom!
"Is everything alright, Mr. Heaven?" Kowloon ask, wondering why Engel seemed to be rather depressed about this.
"I beg your indulgence, Kowloon, but my mind is far from easy." Engel said as he could notice Monkey Castle up ahead. "In these once familiar streets, I feel shadows, everywhere."
"Shadows?"
"Is it okay if I tell you a story?"
The warrior nodded as Engel once again had that distant look in his eyes.
E: There was a monkey and his wife
And she was beautiful...
A foolish monkey and his wife
She was his reason and his life...
And she was beautiful,
And she was virtuous
And he was... native
Engel look at the ground, as a small frown appears on his face.
E: There was another monkey who saw
That she was beautiful...
A pious vulture of the law
Who, with a gesture of his claw,
Removed the monkey from his plate!
Then there was nothing but to wait!
And she would fall!
So soft!
So young!
So lost and
Oh, so beautiful!
Kowloon's eyes slightly widen, realizing that this the first time he've seen the gray monkey with this much emotion since when he saw him. Looking at the cloaked monkey, the warrior ask, "The lady, sir, did she succumb?"
E: Oh, that was many years ago...
I doubt if anyone would know
Looking back, Engel said, "I wish I was able to thank Lady Green, Kowloon. If she hadn't spotted me, I'd be lost on the ocean still."
Once the two reach the front of Monkey Castle, Kowloon ask, "Do you think I'll be able to see you again?"
"Don't be so hopeful about it, Kowloon." Engel said, getting off the turtle. "After a day or two, I'll have to leave the castle and continue on with my journey. Goodbye, sir."
"Well, goodbye." Kowloon said.
As Kowloon left with the turtles to Big Green, Engel enter Monkey Castle with a deep frown on his face.
E: There's a hole in the world like a great, black pit
And it's filled with others who are filled with shit,
And the vermin of the world inhabit it...
What the gray monkey doesn't know what's up ahead for him and possibly for others too.
AN: That song was from the movie called 'Sweeney Todd' with a few changes to make it fit with the story. I hope you enjoy reading this story.