Merry Christmas, y'all. Here's the final chapter. :)
Blayze laughed cheerfully as Hardwin snuggled into Solange's arms. It was a wonderful reunion. His tough as nails friend was actually crying his joy. First Squad stared at the Human. She was pale and delicate, just as beautiful as Mystique Sonia. She was cuddling the blue Monkey, kissing his face happily. They finally settled and Solange looked over to Blayze.
"How's my other Monkey?" she asked, walking over and kneeling down to reach for him.
"I am well, Sol—" Blayze started, leaning forward. He was brutally interrupted by Lin Chung yanking him back via his tail. He found himself behind his Human.
Solange didn't look happy. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Blayze is not your Monkey any longer. In fact, he never was," Lin Chung said coldly.
"Oh really, Báo-haizi?" she asked slowly.
"How did she know who you are?" Mighty Ray asked.
"She's one of the first Humans I met after I joined the Panthers."
"You were very awkward back then," Solange said with a smirk.
"And you were sunburned."
Blayze and Hardwin looked at each other. Hardwin looked amused. Blayze wasn't sure what to feel. He stepped in between them.
"Now, now," he said firmly. "Do not fight. You can share, yes?"
"No!" they both snapped.
"Come Hardwin. Let's leave your traitorous king!"
"But Solange!" he gasped. "I'm sure all you have to do is ask and Lin Chung would be happy to share—"
"No!" she spat and spun around, carrying Hardwin out of the room.
Lin Chung snatched Blayze up before he could follow.
"Lin Chung!" the red Monkey scolded.
"She didn't ask," Lin Chung said sternly.
"She found me first, honestly."
"Keep talking like that and you're sleeping alone for a month."
"Keep talking like that and I'll sleep with Solange," Blayze countered.
"Then you're sleeping with me every night!"
"Oh, this is ridiculous!"
"So…it wasn't appreciated?" Woo asked. He'd been standing in the corner watching.
"Let go of me, Human!" Blayze spat. "Or I'll bite your hand off!"
Lin Chung didn't let go, squeezing him tighter, so Blayze followed through. He didn't bite hard enough to break skin, but it shocked Lin Chung enough to get him to relax his grip. Blayze leaped down and grabbed Woo's hand, hurrying away with him. They got to the red Monkey's room and shut and locked the door. Blayze collapsed on the bed.
"That couldn't have gone any worse!"
"I agree," Hardwin's muffled voice said.
Blayze leaped up and opened the compartment under his bed. The blue Monkey crawled out and sighed.
"Why were they fighting like that? I don't know about the girl, but it's very unlike Lin Chung," Woo said softly.
"It's because she didn't ask if she could touch me," Blayze muttered. "She feels like she shouldn't have to because she believes I was hers to begin with. But Lin Chung was right. I never really was hers. She was always hooked on to Hardwin."
"I'm sorry, Blayze," the blue Monkey sighed.
Blayze smiled. "Don't be. I found my Human at long last. That he's more jealous than Yaksha is just an unforeseen problem."
"I have a solution," Woo said thoughtfully. "But nobody's really going to like it much."
The Monkeys listened, talked it over, then agreed. That evening they were sitting in the mess hall, cheerfully talking with each other. Solange and Lin Chung entered glaring at each other. Solange saw the two Monkeys first and dashed for them, but Lin Chung was quicker. So naturally he was the first of the pair to be hit by a bamboo staff. He yelped and skittered backwards. Solange passed him, going for Hardwin, but the blue Monkey copied the red, slamming a bamboo staff on her shoulder. She backed off and they both stared.
"What is the meaning of this?" Solange demanded.
"Until you two get along, neither of you gets to touch us," Blayze said happily.
"What?" they both gasped.
"That's not fair, Blayze!" Lin Chung growled.
"Since when has life been fair?"
Lin Chung lunged for him and Blayze countered his attempt with ease.
"You know, if you continue on this path, this will be the most interesting fight of your life."
Lin Chung took out his own bamboo staff and settled into position. Blayze smirked, twirling his staff.
"Bring it."
They came together and Lin Chung was shocked to be flung back almost immediately.
"Come Lin Chung," Blayze mocked. "Let's dance."
The Panther boy growled and lunged. Soon there was a crowd cheering around them. But Lin Chung, as skilled as he was, could not defeat the Monkey King. Blayze sent him flying back with a well placed kick. The Monkey yelped as the Human hit his head too hard and was out like a light. He cringed.
"Oops."
"Wow!" Mighty Ray gasped in wonder. "Who knew our Commander could fight like that! That was amazing!"
Blayze ignored him. "Sorry, Rahim," he said as the Panther King walked up.
"Follow," the Panther said as he picked up his unconscious son.
Blayze idly twirled his staff as he obeyed. He calmly explained the problem and Woo's solution. Rahim was frowning.
"I shall have a talk with the boy," he said firmly. "And the girl as well."
"Thank you, Rahim. It is much appreciated. They should not fight over us. We are more than willing to share."
Rahim smiled and nodded. "Now send Solange in. I do believe she is standing outside the door, ready to touch you."
"I believe you're right," Blayze laughed.
Blayze gave her a good smack as she reached for him then sent her in. He went back to the mess hall to find Hardwin eating. He sat down and resumed his meal.
"So is it working?" Woo asked after swallowing his mouthful of noodles.
"Yes, quite well," Blyaze replied, taking a sip of orange juice. "And Rahim is going to give both of them a stern talking to. Hopefully that'll help."
It did, but not right away. It took a week of being hit by the bamboo staffs, along with several more talks with Rahim, before they saw sense. They approached the two Monkeys in the training room, but wisely stayed a few steps away. Blayze took Hardwin down then turned to look at them.
"Yes?"
"We've come to an agreement," Lin Chung said quietly.
"Oh?" Hardwin asked, looking amused.
"Yes. We will…share. But you are mine Hardwin!" Solange said harshly.
"And Blayze, you are mine," Lin Chung said with a sharp nod.
"Agreed," the Monkeys said together then leaped into their Humans' hands.
Lin Chung breathed in deeply, sighing happily. "I missed you," he crooned in Panther.
"And I, you," Blayze murmured softly in the same tongue.
A Human hand trailed up his back that most definitely didn't belong to Lin Chung. He hummed.
"Solange is touching me," he whispered.
"Who cares?"
Blayze laughed. "You know something Hardwin? Life just got a little better."
