Chapter Six: (Fear Me, If You Dare!)

Neither Jason nor his father Shrek couldn't go to sleep after dealing with their own personal individual issues, other than what had happened back at dinner. To be specific, having confrontations with their companions. Luckily their personal private spat didn't cause either of them to sleep on the sofa as the two were in their own beds with their lovers. Shrek slightly watches Fiona sleep peacefully before glaring back at the bed's ceiling, and Jason looking at Goldi peacefully sleeps in her own little world of dreams. Shrek and Jason have tried to go to sleep but oddly enough their brain doesn't want to turn off.

Time of the night is ticking in every second as neither of them can find anything to make them fatigue faster. Shrek, who is just laying down listening to the custom cuckoo clock run, while hearing a nice soft tune being played from the other room. He can guess that it was his son who is behind in playing the record player. Jason figured that based on one of the books he read about helping you fall to sleep, he decided to play the medium sized record player in the corner.

Jason sadly sighed. "This is not working at all." He sits up and turns his side of the bed to get up.

Shrek couldn't stand to continue to stare at his wife's old signed autograph of some Knight named Sir Justin and he got up out of the bed with a slight quite irritated sigh. "Oh, boy."

Jason sighed before looking at his girlfriend again to see her beautiful sleeping face and sighed again. "I really messed up this time."

Like father, like son, the two literally got out of the bed and went over to the window that showed an excellent view of Far Far Away at the same exact time. Both observing the beauty of the current quiet streets and having different thoughts on their minds. Shrek is thinking about his beloved precious swamp and how he misses it. His mind is on the thought that they have just returned home from their honeymoon and didn't get the chance to sleep in their bed. As for Jason, he was thinking about his humble beginnings. Remembering being a simple employee at the lumber mill and never going any far in asking girls out since his blessed physique makes them not take the next step after the first or multiple meetings.

Then leading up to having to regain the peace of his and his father's swamp in doing a task given to them by the deluded deceased ruler of the now abandoned Duloc. Which has led him into meeting Goldi that special night in the forest that he and his family got lost in and things were something that Jason wasn't expecting he would gain from it. Love. Yes, the love that Goldi has for him is the same as he had for her, and he honestly thought he wouldn't even have a girlfriend let alone being engaged.

"I'm a successful book publishing author. Got the best girlfriend ever in my opinion…." Jason trails off in whatever comes to mind.

As for Shrek, who made his way to the fireplace, kneeled down to run his hands together and get himself warmed up since the castle is a bit chilly tonight. Upon doing this, Shrek takes notice of Fiona's old toys above the fireplace and decides to get up to examine them. When having a good look at them he could see a version of himself being laid down to represent being slain and the knight standing tall and brave. He looks and grabs the princess holding her handkerchief before pressing her button, and then hearing the exact same words that Fiona once told him back at the Dragon's Keep. He could tell that this is where Fiona got that quote from.

Jason sat down on the couch while attacking the coldness head on as it was kinda comforting for him with the mix of the warm fire. He lowered the volume of the record player to hear Goldi's cute snoring as it was kinda soothing to him. So soothing that it is a good aid in letting him relax in writing today's events in his potential sequel of his first published book.

"Doubtful." Jason added a few drawing details of angry food eating at the royal dining room. "But one can hope."

Not expecting anyone to be up at this hour let alone knocking at the door, Jason sets his book open and down to let the ink of the drawn picture dry fully before heading over to see who is on the other side of the door. To his surprise when opening the door he sees his grandfather there. To make things even off, Jason noticed that he isn't in pajamas and just in his royal day to day attire.

"Hey." Harold spoke nervously.

"Uh...hey." Jason slowly spoke before taking in the moment. "Y...You do realize it's the middle of the night, right?."

"Ah, yes, my dear boy, I do know that it's the middle of the night." Harold spoke with an uneasy smile. "I just couldn't go to sleep after the uncalled for confrontation with your father and insulting your girlfriend."

Jason nodded. "Yes, that was very uncalled for."

Harold looked down and looked guilty. "Yes, and I feel very awful about it. I really am."

Jason felt a bit bad about the confrontation back at dinner. "Well, to be fair, you aren't the only person that acted like a barbarian tonight. As for me, I should have seen it from your perspective and understand why this was understanding you."

"Well, I just wanted to make amends." Harold looked at Jason with an honest look.

"Well that is very thoughtful of you, your majesty..." Jason was interrupted by the king.

"Please, call me grandpa." Harold immediately spoke.

Now Jason should have picked up the weird feeling that he is getting off from the king. He is all too friendly so fast in one night. Yet, he didn't catch the big red flags about this whole unexpected conversation.

"Right. Grandpa." Jason slowly said it. "What do you have in mind in making amends with my Dad?."

Oh, it's a wonderful idea. I would like to not only invite him but also you to come join me in my morning hunting. I have my very own private hunting grounds exclusive to me and my guests." said Harold, with a smile that looked nervous and forced.

"Mmmm, I don't know. I already have plans for tomorrow with Goldi." Jason glanced back at the still sleeping teen.

"Oh, I'm sure she wouldn't mind letting you hangout with your dear old grandfather and father." Harold pushed.

Jason gave it a thought. "We had a little spat. Is it the right move to give her some space and alone time?."

"Absolutely," said Harold with an eagerness that was palpable. "It's a chance for you to show respect to your elders and work on your relationship with me. Plus, it's a chance to show Goldilocks that you are mature and capable of handling your family values."

"You make a good point." Jason looks back at him. "I'm in."

"Excellent!" Harold's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands together. "See you in the morning. I'll give the location to your father. Get as much sleep as you can."

"Same to you." Jason closed the door and sat back on the sofa.

Resting his head on his hand while resting the elbow on the sofa's armrest, Jason looked forward to the morning before falling asleep. The crack of dawn arrived like a flip of a coin as Jason is all dressed before deciding to get himself some breakfast. When entering the dining room to see two maids cleaning the table before pulling him a seat in the same spot he was in. The maids didn't say anything to Jason when he sat down to his confusion.

"Uh, good morning." Jason broke the quietness.

"Morning, young prince." The head maid spoke. "Hungry?."

Jason nodded. "Very."

"What do you like to eat?." The other maid asked after dine wiping.

"What do you recommend?." Jason asked.

The head maid gave a knowing smile. "How about some of our royal porridge? It's made fresh every morning and is quite filling."

Jason nodded. "I'll have that. And coffee, please."

"With sugar and cream or black?." The head maid asked.

"Black." Jason said with confidence.

"Very well. Do you like to read the newspaper?. We will give it to you while you wait for your food." said the other maid.

"Yes, please." Jason waited.

The maids left to fetch his breakfast, leaving him to his thoughts. The castle felt eerily quiet this early in the morning before receiving the newspaper and can smell how fresh the printed sheets are. He picked up the newspaper, scanning the headlines for something of interest. Of course the front page had them right center as he went to read what they were saying about them. It went on to say that no one expected to see Fiona return as an Ogre nor be married to one. Jason scanned through as it was a nice long paragraph about the subject before taking a glance at another picture that showed his book. From what the paper says his employer has taken this opportunity to heavily advertise his book in getting people to be informed that the explanation is all in the book. Jason flips to another few pages to continue reading.

"Everyone is fighting to buy a copy of my book?. In every section of the land?." Jason continued reading. "Bookstores that have the young author's books have all sold out and are dealing with a never before seen extreme demand for more, while Bookstores who haven't ordered a shipment for the book are now requesting them. Massive crowds and lines waits out for bookstores to reopen and when shipment comes."

Jason cannot believe that the big incident yesterday with them arriving at Far Far Away has insanely created a buzz of motivation for people to come buy and read his book. The maid brought his food and coffee as Jason took the cup in one hand while the other on the newspaper. Taking a sip, he looks at the last line and immediately spits out his coffee alerting the maid.

"My book sold eight hundred million copies?!." Jason looks hard. "And that's just for this country alone!."

The maids looked at him in surprise as they had never seen him so excited before. "Your book is indeed quite the sensation, young prince." The head maid said with a gentle smile.

Jason looks at her. "You brought one too?."

The head maid nods. "Yes, I picked it up yesterday from delivery. I had a feeling it would be popular before and after the ball."

"Whoa." Jason was in disbelief. Never imagine his book would break and create new records.

"Morning, Jason." Donkey spoke when walking in with Shrek.

"Hey, Donkey." Jason hands the newspaper to Shrek. "Dad, look what it says about my book."

Shrek took the newspaper with a raised eyebrow and read over the headline. "Eight hundred million copies, huh?" He whistled through his teeth. "Looks like you're the new celebrity around here."

Donkey looks at the article. "Whoa, that's a lot of books. How much you're getting off that?."

Shrek looks over. "Donkey, that's not the point."

"What do you mean, Shrek?." Donkey looked at him like he was crazy. "Knowing the grand total of money is the point."

"Donkey, the point is that my son's book is making an impact and changing perceptions." Shrek said, taking the newspaper back and placing it aside. "The last part I hope."

"But still, man, that's a fortune. You can buy a whole lot of onions with that." said Donkey.

Jason resumed sipping his coffee. "That, and never have to stress or worry about financial issues."

Shrek chuckled. "Well, that's one way to look at it." He clapped Jason on the shoulder. "But remember, it's not just about the gold. Don't let money control you or replace your values. Okay?."

"I know, Dad." Jason nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed by his greed. "I just never imagined that my book would be the best seller."

"Well, you've got quite the story to tell," said Donkey, his eyes glinting with excitement. "And now everyone wants a piece of it."

"Tell me about it." Jason quickly changed the subject. "Did you sleep well, Dad?."

"Kinda." Shrek sat down to drink water after a maid set a glass down. "Read your mom's scary little diary that she wrote when she was a kid."

"You don't say." Jason scoops some of his oatmeal. "What did it say?."

"Uhhh..." Shrek rubbed the back of his head. "Let's just say she had such high hopes of being freed and married to a specific prince."

"Specific Prince?." Jason raised an eyebrow. His mind reaches back to that moment when his father asked his mom if she was expecting Prince Charming to save her from the Keep. "Oh, I gotcha. To be frank, Dad, I don't believe that there is such a person named Charming."

"Not according to your mom's diary." Shrek argued.

"Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe she was just playing along with the fairy tales like everyone else." Jason suggested, trying to keep his cool.

Shrek nodded. "Could be. But it's still interesting to see how different she was back then." He took a sip of water, looking thoughtfully into the distance.

After the three had their breakfast and exited out of the castle through the back way to prevent attention to themselves followed the specific instructions that Harold had provided to them. However, they weren't getting anywhere in the deep woods for the past few hours. Jason irritatingly boarded out of his mind, Shrek losing his patience, and Donkey being annoying as usual.

"Face it, Donkey!. We're lost." Shrek spoke in anger.

"Tell me about it. I can't believe I'm saying this but, I really hate seeing trees right now." Jason crossed his arms in frustration.

"Look, we're following the instructions exactly what the king has given us." Donkey argued. "We can't be lost!."

"By all means, please remind me again." Jason sarcastically asked but Donkey didn't comprehend.

"He said to go straight to the second forest, which is the darkest part of the woods..." Donkey began.

"Aye." Shrek agreed.

Jason nodded. "Right, what else?."

"Then past the sinister trees with those scary-looking branches." Donkey walked along.

"Check." Shrek nodded.

"That's a confirmation." Jason responded.

Donkey then happily ran over to the shaped bush that he likes so much. "Yeah, and there's this bush that is shaped like Shirley Bassey!."

Jason finally flipped. "I can't take this crap anymore!."

"We passed that bush three times already, Donkey!." Shrek yelled in anger.

Donkey frowned. "Hey, you were the one who said you didn't want to stop and get directions. Despite the fact that Jason was getting ready to go ask those hikers."

"I shouldn't have to ask because we should at least be seeing some signs that we're close. For example we should be seeing some royal flags or a few knights. But no, we have nothing but sticks, grass, few rocks and freaking trees!." Jason got really upset before kicking a nearby pebble. "I should be somewhere enjoying Far Far Away and get to do things that I wanted to do on my dream list, but no instead I'm here."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing." Shrek spoke to himself before looking at the both of them while walking together. "Oh, great. My one chance to fix things up with Fiona's dad, and I end up lost in the woods with you and a son who doesn't have any ounce of wanting to do this with me!."

Donkey looked hurt. "Hey, come on, now. That's not fair, Shrek."

"Yeah, and I do want to get involved in this bonding with my new grandfather, Dad, but you know I dreamed of being in Far Far Away since I was a kid." argued Jason.

"But this is your chance to be part of the royalty." Shrek reminded him. "I know it's not what you expected but this is your mother's world and your family's heritage."

"By marriage." Jason points out.

"But still." Shrek insists.

"Well, anyways, Shrek, don't go fussing and yelling at me." Donkey looks at his best friend. "You don't have to get all huffy with me and Jason. I'm only trying to help."

"I know!." Shrek stopped walking as the two did as well. Shrek sighed when calming down fully. "I know. Look, I'm sorry alright?."

Jason, who now feels selfish for how he is acting, spoke. "Sorry for my wild behavior, Dad. This means a lot to me as well."

Shrek nods, "I know, I know. It's okay. Sorry for yelling at you."

"Don't worry about it," Jason says, trying to lighten the mood.

"Exactly, Shrek, don't worry about it." said Donkey, having his calm happy attitude back.

Shrek exhaled. "I just really need to make things work with this guy."

"Agreed." Jason followed his father.

Donkey nodded in full absolute agreement. "Yeah, sure. Now come on and let's go bond with Daddy!."

They resumed walking in an attempt to find the hunting grounds where King Harold is supposed to be without any more arguments or fallouts. Doing the moment of being in the woods and repeatedly going in circles, Jason had that feeling within himself as soon as they entered the woods. He couldn't put his finger on it but he has a good deep feeling that they were actually being watched from somewhere unknown. Jason can't even show any signs of evidence to prove his hunch being correct. That is until himself, Shrek and Donkey started to head actual purring.

"You hear that?." Jason looks around.

Shrek smirks and nods. "Aye, son, I do." He looks at the happy Donkey. "Well, well, well, Donkey. I know it was kind of a tender moment back there with me and Jason, but the purring?."

Donkey raised his brow with a look of confusion on his face. "Man, what are you talking about?. I ain't purring."

"We are hearing purring noises, Donkey." spoke Jason who is trying to find the source of the noise.

"Like I say, I'm not the one purring." said Donkey.

Shrek wasn't buying it and went to tease him. "Oh, sure, Donkey. What's next?. Want a hug?."

Donkey shook his head. "Hey, Shrek. Donkeys don't purr. It is not in our genes or nature to purr. What do you think I am, some kind of a…"

Out of nowhere, something jumped down right in front of them at that very moment where Donkey is about to finish his sentence. To all three of their surprises it was an orange furry male feline cat with a spanish hat, a pair of boots, a cape and a sword that he has in his paw.

"Ha-ha!. Fear me, if you dare!." The cat spoke before doing a signature hiss.

"Oh, look, it's a pretty looking cat." Shrek completely ignored what that cat was carrying.

"Wow, look out Shrek!. Jason!." Donkey steps back. "He got a piece!."

"Yeah, no kidding." Jason who was now cautious and looked uneasy.

"Oh, Donkey, it is just a harmless cat." Shrek bends down. "Come here, little kitty, kitty. Come on, little kitty. Come here. Oh! Come here, little kitty."

"Uh, Dad, I don't think it's wise to tempt him." said Jason while watching the cat stick his sword in the ground while removing his cap and hat before getting himself in a pounced position.

"Again, it's just a little cat." Shrek put on the best friendly face he could. "Now, come here little kitty, come on."

The cat chuckled. "Easy prey."

Without any warning or being given a sign to do the deed, the cat leaps towards Shrek and Jason like an animal with rabies. He opens his claws nice and wide for the both of them to see. Shrek's eyes grew wide at the realization that this cat isn't looking for catnip or attention, but instead is looking to make hostile attacks. Jason, with quick thinking and common sense, quickly stepped out of the way from attack range as the cat strikes Shrek and grabs him by the leg with his claws. Shrek hollered in pain.

"Oooo, that has got to hurt." Jason commented while watching.

"Don't just stand there, help!." Shrek winced in pain.

Jason wanted to step in but was too scared of the idea that the cat might jump on him. What he can tell is that this cat is taking his time taking them out individually and not all at once. Donkey watched on in horror when seeing the cat climb his way all up on Shrek and got into his clothes and busted through his shirt before climbing back to the other leg and continued clawing him.

"Come on!. Oh, get it off!. Oh, get it off!. Oh, God. Oh… No!. Ooh!. Aagh!." Shrek hollered in agony.

"Oh, wish I had some water on me." Jason spoke while watching his own father suffer.

Donkey, with quick thinking on his hooves, went to do something about it. "Look out, Shrek!. Hold still!."

"Ah, hurry it up!. Get him off!." Shrek yelled.

Donkey turns around and uses his back legs and kicks the cat with great force. Unfortunately, the cat exited out from being kicked. Instead, Donkey kicked Shrek in his beloved jewels which made Jason hold his and can feel that pain just by the sound of the kick. Shrek hunched over and was on his knees.

"Did I get him or did I miss?." Donkey turned and asked.

Shrek shook his head. "No, you got them."

"Indeed he did." Jason sucked air through his teeth as if the pain transferred to his pebbles.

The cat leaps back over them, cartwheeling in the air, lands back in his boots and picks up his hat and sword and gives that heroic style look.

"Now, ye ogre, that was the appetizer. And as for you, young moor, you're next. If I were you, I'd be praying for mercy from…" He stopped to make his signature mark on the nearby tree that says 'PB'. "Puss!…in Boots!."

"Puss in Boots?." Jason's eyes grew wide. "The Puss in Boots?."

"The one and only." Puss proudly spoke.

"Y.. You're the one that my girlfriend told me about." Jason started to remember back at the swamp to that particular question that he asked Goldi about.

Asking her about her and her family's attempted quest to retrieve Neptune's Trident.