Dedicated to Android-Turret on Tumblr. Special thanks to Teal, Miki, and Althi for reading over this.

I've chopped up a longer fic I wrote into three parts, to be uploaded every Friday. Hope you enjoy.

His house was full of monkeys.

Owen hesitated at the front door. A monkey walked past, holding the vase he made his mother in its paws. Big eyes glanced his way. It jumped in surprise. The helmet on its head flashed yellow for a moment before returning to normal. It shifted its grasp on the vase and waved at him. Owen waved back. What else could he do?

The monkey walked away and Owen stepped into the house.

"I'm home!"

"Welcome back!" His mother stepped out into the living room. She had that glow on her face, and that twinkle in her eye. Everything must be going right. "How was school?"

"It was alright." He went to shrug his backpack onto the couch, but the couch wasn't there. Owen set it on the floor instead. "Same as usual."

"No bullies?"

He almost laughed. "Mom, no one ever bullies me."

"I know, but you're young, and things can change so fast. I can't help but worry for you." But she didn't seem worried. Her mind and eyes focused on the monkeys in the dining room. "Aren't you going to the pizzeria today?"

"Maybe later." He frowned. "Why? Should I leave?"

"It's not that!" His mother waved her hands. "I just wanted to surprise you and your father by rearranging the house while you were gone."

"So that's what this is?" Through the double-wide doors into the kitchen, the monkeys moved their heavy table. Another moved the pig-shaped cookie jar to another counter.

"Mm-hmm! It's about time, isn't it? We've only been talking about it for three months now."

"Uh, yeah." Owen shifted his weight. "They're not messing with my room, are they?"

"Well, do you want the blue bookshelf in your room?"

His head jerked to her. "I can have that?"

"Of course!" Her smiling head nodded. "Lots more room for those detective novels you love so much! But." She pointed at the monkeys pushing the couch against the far wall. "You have to let them move it in there. Okay?"

Owen sagged. "Okay."

Since she brought up the monkeys, he looked at them. They were all over the place: hauling boxes up and down the stairs, moving chairs and rearranging knick-knacks. One of them pulled a floating screen, where a monkey jumped and waved its arms around. When it shrieked all the monkeys turned to look at the screen, but otherwise, they ignored their… what was the monkey? A supervisor?

He looked at his mother.

"So… Why monkeys?"

"Well, they want to help us," she gave her thrilled smile again. "Why not take them up on it? Besides, they helped Carole move into her new home, and she couldn't stop talking about how great they were! So polite, and gentle, and strong! And best of all," She laughed. "Free! Who can beat that?"

Owen frowned. "But, mom… Don't you remember…"

She reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Honey," she said. "I know you're scared. I know you don't believe Specter has changed. And I don't blame you for that. His actions…" she hesitated. "Changed everyone. Especially people growing up during the invasions." She paused. He bit the inside of his lip.

"But, listen." She squeezed his shoulder, and Owen relaxed. "I believe he's changed. He's a different person now that they've fixed the glitch in that, what is it, Peak Point Helmet?" She hugged him. "I think that things are going to get better from here on out. And I'd never tell you anything I don't believe in myself."

She was right. She'd always been honest with him. Honest about the danger they were in, honest about what they could and couldn't do. Honest about the importance of their city, and about how important he was to her. That was something he could always count on her for.

Owen hugged her back. "I know, mom."

"So," she pulled away. "Even if you don't trust them, trust me, okay? Me and your father will keep you safe from anything that happens."

"Mom," he dragged the word out with a smile. "I'm not a kid anymore. If anything happens, I'll be the one protecting you two!"

She chuckled. "What, like the kids in Japan?"

"Well," he looked away. "Maybe not that far, but..."

"I know, honey." She smiled but sad wrinkles lined her eyes. "It'll never get that far. I promise."

Another thing he could count on her to do: make promises she couldn't realistically keep.

If the monkeys noticed their little moment, they didn't seem to care. They'd stopped moving, their big eyes staring the floating screen and the gestures of the monkey on the other end.

"So, what's the screen for?" Owen asked.

"Hmm." His mother frowned as she looked at it. "I don't know. They brought it with them when they showed up to help this morning. Maybe it's an English-to-monkey translator?"

"Not exactly, but close enough I suppose."

The blood rushed from Owen's face. He stepped back.

"Oh my," his mother said, eyes wide. "Was that…?"

"In the fur." The camera turned away from the now motionless monkey to another one. Haunting white fur and a single bright eye stared back at him. Standing alone, dressed in bright red against the metal background. The monkey chuckled. "You've probably already heard of me, but my name is Specter."

There he was. Straight out of the nightmares into reality. Owen clenched his fists and swallowed hard.

"Specter!" His mother's jaw dropped. "I never thought I'd get to meet you!"

"Y-Yeah." Owen shifted. "L-Likewise. W-We've heard of you."

"Then you know how sorry I am for all the trouble I've caused." Specter bowed, and Owen couldn't swallow his gasp. "I truly am sorry and only wish to coexist with you now." He straightened and looked at the crowd of monkeys surrounding the screen. There were a lot more now, all silent. "As is why the Pipo monkeys are now helping you. We wish to repair the damage we've caused and build better relations for the future."

"And this is a great way to do it." His mother's eyes were shining bright, hands clasped together as she stared at Specter. "I am very grateful for the Pipo Monkeys' help. I would've never gotten anything done without them." She laughed and Owen's stomach flipped. "I don't know how we got along without you!"

Specter laughed along with her. "I'm glad to hear it. They tell me you've been treating them well too and are thrilled to be helping you."

His mother jolted. "Oh, really?" She giggled. "I guess I better treat them extra good now, since they've told the big boss about me!" The monkeys around the screen glanced her way. She smiled at them. "Good thing I picked up enough bananas for everyone when we're done."

The monkeys' big eyes grew bigger. Almost as one they squealed in delight. Several rushed towards them. Owen yelped, stepping out of the way as they crowded his mother. They hopped up and down, hands together like they were begging. She laughed. Owen looked at her. Did she think this was cute?

On the screen, Specter chuckled. "Make sure they share them alright? They will try to take them all for themselves."

"Not a problem!" She chirped as she patted one of the monkeys on the head. "Not a problem at all. I'll make sure everyone gets their fair share. They're all working so hard. Right Owen?"

She shot him a look and he nodded his head. "Yeah! They're working very hard – and doing a great job!"

His mother gave him a tight, pleased smile. Specter gave them the same look.

"Perfect. I'll check in another time to make sure they're doing well. I have other monkeys to check on so it's goodbye for now."

The monkey waved goodbye, and the screen went black. Owen relaxed.

His mother clapped her hands together. "That was incredible!" Owen looked up at her. She grinned at him. "Can you believe it? We actually got to talk to Specter himself!"

He chuckled. "Yeah… That sure was something, wasn't it?"

"Do you feel any better?" She glanced at him. "Now that you've seen him for yourself?"

No. Of course not. His heart was racing and his stomach was twisting into knots. But it'd gone better than he thought. Specter hadn't even looked at him.

"I think..." He smiled. "You were right about him changing."

She blinked. Her face lit up, and she reached for him. He hugged her back, tight.

"That's my boy." She squeezed. "You're much stronger than you think."

They separated. His mother looked to the monkeys. Owen flinched. The group was staring at them with expectant eyes. His mother grinned back at them.

"Let's hurry up! There's still a bit more we need to do, but we'll be done soon! And when we are, there'll be bananas for everyone!"

The monkeys scattered, squealing in excitement. His mother shook her head.

"My, they do love their bananas, don't they? Maybe I should've bought more..."

Owen looked at his feet.

"I'm gonna go now."

"Oh?" She blinked down at him. "Going to the pizzeria?"

"No." He shrugged. "Just take a walk. Think about stuff."

"I understand." She waved him off. "Stay safe, Owen. Watch out for cars!"

He dodged monkeys as he went for the front door. "I will!"