Monkey Fist was growing more irritated by the minute. He had been, for the last three hours, attempting to teach the newest and youngest batch of monkey ninjas the mystic monkey slam – one of the simplest moves in the current sequence. Very far from getting his gist, the creatures were now performing something that hideously resembled a poorly-funded circus display. Monkey Fist began to shake with rage, until he closed his eyes quite abruptly, falling into a cross-legged sitting position on the floor.

He took a couple of deep breaths, trying to find his center – trying to find the last string of sanity he had – before he lost his temper completely. He couldn't let that happen. If the monkeys got too fearful of him, they would regress…and that would infuriate him to an even greater degree.

No, he could do this. He was destined to be the Ultimate Monkey Master. Teaching some reluctant little monkeys a few moves was cake compared to the rest of the journey to Mastery.

Sighing and feeling a bit less tense, Monkey Fist returned to the outside world, opening his eyes to the chaotic training room.

"Stop this at once," he commanded, still unable to keep the underlining rage from his voice. The little things sensed his disapproval, chattering amongst each other nervously; unsure of whether they should be running from their Master. They cautiously gathered around him, sure to keep a safe distance in case their Master got angry again. Seeing his mistake, Monkey Fist forced a smile onto his features. "Allow me to demonstrate it again. Now…pay very close attention – it's not that difficult, really…"

He performed the mystic monkey slam perfectly; running and leaping into a spinning tornado slash, connecting it with an immortal somersault. He landed before the monkeys, feeling quite accomplished. This time, they would get it for sure. He'd practically given them the display in slow motion! There was no way they could get it wrong, now…

Monkey Fist looked to the monkey in the back of the small crowd, confident that this time he would succeed.

"Chippy," he said smoothly, careful to keep the tone of his voice level. The little monkey whined something in return. Monkey Fist's left eye twitched with the force of hold back an angry exclamation. "Of course, you can do it, Chippy. Don't speak such nonsense. I've just showed it to you for what has to be the fifteenth time – I'm sure that's enough. Go on, don't keep us waiting."

Chippy slowly made his way to the center floor. He had no idea how his Master had gotten it in his head that the move he had showed them was easy. It had been the most complicated thing he'd ever seen. He crouched into a weak horse-stance, trying his best to mimic that of his Master. Chippy took in a deep, shuttering breath, readying him for the disappointment and anger he would receive soon…

However, just as he was about to leap into his version of the mystic monkey slam, there was a controlled knocking at the doors to the training room. A wave of relief pushed through Chippy, and he quickly returned to his original standing position. He sniffed the air and recognized the scent of the short, chubby man who fed them. He hopes leaped - perhaps, he would get a snack and not have to perform the move. He and his companions hurried to the doors, eager to be fed, for they had also caught the scent of the Feeder and…

"Hello there," mumbled a low voice from slightly behind the short man.

Immediately, the monkeys drew back in caution. This was a new person, a new scent that they didn't know. As Bates stepped into the room with a large serving tray that was nearly overflowing with bananas and other assorted fruit, another figure stepped in behind him. The second person was taller than Bates, but not as tall as their Master. It was lean, but wrapped in clothing that seem far too large for it. Chippy, curious, leaned in to get a better look.

Monkey fist sighed, regaining some of his composure. When he had seen the start of Chippy's mystic monkey slam, he had started to get very angry when Bates arrived. It was a good thing, that. If there hadn't been such an interruption, he would've lost his temper for sure. A slow half-smile was allowed onto his features. Bates seemed to know just what he needed.

Monkey Fist approached the entrance of his training room and was a bit confused when he saw two people there instead of one. There was Bates…and a young boy, too.

"Who's this, Bates?" demanded the Lord, standing slightly behind the small crowd of monkeys that had begun eating their snack.

Bates cleared his throat officially. He gestured to Evelyn and said, "M'Lord, this is-"

"Lyn, sir. Lyn Porter," spoke the low voice from behind. Monkey Fist quirked an eyebrow and stared at the boy. There was something…strange about his voice. He seemed to recoil in response to the staring and retreated further behind Bates. Suddenly, Monkey Fist remembered something.

"Oh. It must be the new servant boy," he said, more to himself than to Evelyn. It was then that he realized that the boy must be taking in his bizarre appearance. Monkey Fist straightened up to his full height as if challenging the boy to say something.

Evelyn was confused. Bates had told her that the Lord Fiske was…odd…in appearance, but Evelyn had not expected something like this! She looked from the crowd of monkeys in the black pajamas to the man standing behind them, her mind working furiously to help her comprehend the sight. This…Lord Fiske…had what looked like monkey hands and feet. He had monkey hands and monkey feet. Monkey…hands…and…monkey…feet.

"And…what, may I ask, are you staring at, boy?" questioned Lord Fiske. His voice frightened her. It was dark, just like…- Evelyn gulped. She couldn't risk her new employer getting angry or offended.

"N-nothing, sir," she mumbled, attempting to keep her voice low. She averted her gaze to the curious monkeys at the floor. She wouldn't let him know he'd made a mistake in assuming her gender. She had a feeling that it would only make him angrier. Racking her brains, Evelyn answered his question, "I was just…admiring your unique clothing…and…wondered if I would wear something like it here."

Evelyn shrunk away from his gaze, pretending to gaze around the room in awe. The monkey man seemed to relax – or force himself to relax. Evelyn was relieved.

"No. You won't have to wear a gi. You are not that type of worker. However, you will do everything I say…when I say it. That is my only rule, Len."

Evelyn did not dare to correct him on her name. She bowed her head and nodded in the picture of submission. Good little servant boy. Good boy. Apparently bored with her, the monkey man turned to Bates haughtily.

"You have a long way to go with this one, Bates. I don't quite approve of his attitude, but I'm sure you'll remedy that soon enough," he said slowly. Evelyn couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger at the fact that he was talking about her as if she wasn't there. She glared at a monkey who was staring curiously up at her, a half-eaten banana in his hands. Instead of shrinking away in fear, the monkey grinned toothily at her. Evelyn's expression softened.

Before Evelyn could gawk at the monkey man any longer, she was shoved none-to-gently out of the training room by her ward. Bates, who looked beyond angry, turned to her with such a look of disappointment, Evelyn actually averted her gaze.

"He seems…nice," commented Evelyn, as they started to walk back to the kitchens to make dinner. Bates made a noncommittal noise in the back of his throat, his little legs working furiously. Evelyn struggled to keep up. "And…he calls me 'Len'."

"Lord Fiske thinks that you are a man," said Bates. Evelyn swallowed at the mocking tone in his voice. "So…you are a man."

"Wha-? Now, wait just a minute, sir. I didn't-" Evelyn was silenced at Bates faced her again.

"It doesn't matter what the true facts are, Porter. Lord Fiske believes it. He is never wrong. Never," he trailed off, turning back around slowly. Evelyn was vaguely aware that the people who inhabited Castle Fiske were insane. Bates, seemingly guilty about his outburst, spoke again in a softer voice. "Now…let's get started on the supper."

Evelyn followed close behind, the sound of chattering monkeys and Lord Fiske's shouts echoing in her wake.

Author's Note: So…Monkey Fist finally appears! Chippy's still there so…I guess you can gather which point in the timeline this takes place in (somewhat).If there are any errors, I'd appreciate any comments on that.