Papa's Monsters: Fuchsia

Prologue:

An Unpleasant Dream

Luucer Zrakul by Jarhed

The mooing of my father's cows haunted each step I took, as if they taunted me with their vigor.
I was exhausted. Utterly, distractingly beat.
The night prior, I had failed to go to sleep. I snuck out, past the village borders. Erdenn was no fun, but Ealla was full of music. Better to be an Eallan Bard than an Erdenn Beastmaster in my mind.
Now, I snuck back to my house, one foot in front of the other, quietly. It was in sight. If I could just get in through the back door, my dad would come outside out front and I'd be tucked neatly in bed.
But that cow, it wouldn't stop mooing.
My eyes darted to its feed... it was empty. My father hadn't filled it, and now that became my problem.
It called out to me to help it. My mind couldn't decide what was better, to help the cow or to hide away and not let my father know where I had run off to.
I swore I saw something behind the cow... a deer of some kind. It was small for a deer, but its antlers were huge. It stared at me, and as it did, I felt a strange feeling in my chest. What was this? Was this... guilt?
No, it couldn't be. I shrugged it off, running to get into the house, doing whatever I could to avoid this feeling.
Before I made it past the house, however, the door opened. A green Draconian stood before me. He wore a long robe of red, one which he had told me plenty of stories about. He was bull-fighter back in the day, taming bulls to put on shows. That had led him to cows, and now here he was, a cow farm in the village of Erdenn.
He stood, his arms crossed as he said, "Luucer Zrakul... where have you been?"
"Oh, you know, dad... I was getting an early start," I laughed.
"11:00 at night is early?" My father raised his eyebrows, "I sat by your door last night waiting for you to get home. I can excuse a bit of rebellion, Luucer, but this... this is outrageous."
"Is it my fault that I was born in Erdenn?" I poked the beast. I wasn't sure if it was right, but in the silence of my father (whether he didn't know how to answer or just refused) I continued, "I was born here because you and mom were Beastmasters. You wanted a place to belong with people like you? Does that mean that I should be one just because you guys were? Or should I find people I want to be with?"
"Of course you should," my dad walked towards the cow, gathering some feed, "But you're young. At your age, you don't know what you want yet, you don't know who you are. Your formative years are a time to gain that understanding, how could you possibly think it's within your bounds at that age to know what people you want to be around, where you fit in?"
"I know more than you give me credit for," I shut the door on my father, heading into my room.
On the table was a crumpled up letter from my mother... my dad had been looking at it. I knew he was. He always did in times of crisis, the final words my mom left us before she ran away.
I stepped towards it, but my eyes refused to read it. It was blurry to me, the words were there but they seemed smudged. I wouldn't read this letter... but for a reason that I struggle to rationalize, I crumpled it up and shoved it in my shirt. It was important to me, even if I didn't remember what it said. It was all I had left of her.
When I made it the rest of the way to my room, I crashed. Eallan parties meant no sleep last night, and no sleep last night meant I had absolutely no energy. Arguing with my dad took everything from me, and now my body refused to listen to me. I couldn't lift a finger, I couldn't even turn my head. I lay in my bed, staring out the window as something else stared at me.
The deer.
I felt it judging me. Its brow seemed to furrow, and I heard the moo of the cow once more behind it. I had never seen a beast that could feel emotion, but I understood where this creature was coming from more than I could understand my own father.
My eyelids fell as if weighed down by Fuccium, the last image emblazened in my eyes was the deer as it watched me.
It wasn't my fault... those words echoed through the darkness of my dreamscape. I saw nothing but black, felt nothing but the void of space around me. I felt fear and, for the first time, I truly felt guilt. It ate away at me, tore me apart and forced the parts of me to float away.
It wasn't my fault... I tried to scream but my voice made no sound. I wanted someone to answer me, someone to tell me I was right, that it wasn't my fault, but all I heard was my own assurance. False words that fell on deaf ears.
It wasn't my fault... and that was when I stopped believeing even myself. In a hole of naught but thoughts, I had only myself to blame.

Chapter One:

A Strange Land

I opened my eyes to find no window greeted me, but instead I was met with a wall. My bed seemed more comfortable than usual, but that was easily explainable. I had just had a nightmare, and was it not logical that after discomfort, even the slightest comforts would be amplified?
My surroundings seemed hazy, but as I put on my hat and stepped out of my room, I didn't hear my father nagging or the cow mooing. Peace and quiet.
It was after my morning routine that I decided to step outside. If I fed the cow just this once, maybe I could get that deer out of my head.

Narkster by Jarhed

I swore I saw a deer. Not the same one... it looked exactly the same, but there was something strange about it. Its fur wasn't brown anymore, but instead an ethereal pink, almost fuchsia like my outfit. It seemed to glow, radiantly blocking out its surroundings. I could see only the deer, and I ran towards it. I needed to know its secrets.
The stars that shone in the sky were not the ones above Erdenn. The constellations made no sense, and as I looked down I found that this was not Erdenn. It was an entirely new village. Around me, I noticed a few other people exiting their homes in confusion. Some were already gathered nearby in a semi-circle, as if they were looking at something.
I rushed to join them, but as I got to the circle, one of them pushed me to the ground. A Wood Elf, with tanned skin and a green and black outfit, turned to me and smirked, "What do you think you're doing?" He was around my age, yet he had a confidence that carried him in a way I envied. I could never convince myself to wear makeup around town, yet his face bore lipstick and eyeliner to match his outfit, and his hair was dyed the same colors as well.
"I... I don't know," I shrugged, "I don't know where this place is."
"Let him through," another voice spoke up from behind the Elf. A tall Draconian in a black and red hood stood over him, a hand on the Elf's shoulder. "You will regret fighting with your fists in but a moment, Narkster the Elf."
"How do you know my name?" The elf began to panic.
"I know more than you ever will, and I fear not what can be done with that knowledge," the Draconian now turned to me. She was a woman, older than the two of us, but we were only 16. Most of the people here were older than us. "Luucer Zrakul... get off of the ground."
"Your name is loser?" Narkster laughed.
"Luucer!" I protested, then turning to the hooded woman, "What's your name?"

The Beast by Jarhed

"I am the Beast," she replied.
"Because you're a Beastmaster?" I looked around and saw a pink and white cat poking around behind her feet.
The Beast frowned, "Beastmaster is but a title that separates us from ourselves. We are all but Beasts."
That was when a voice called out, "Narkster and Luucer, you two are the only ones who still must choose."
The two of us turned to see that the crowd had dispersed, and standing before us was the Goddess of Nature, Papatūānuku.
Papatūānuku smiled, "Welcome, you two, to Papa's Monsters, a challenge I extend to a random group of Beastmasters. The goal is to become the greatest Beastmaster of all, the Master of Beasts, a title that will grant the greatest gift of all: eternal life among nature. This is the very first time I extend it to the world of the living, and so you should all feel lucky to be chosen."
I began to hyperventilate. As the Goddess spoke, I saw my father staring at me, angry about how I had run off to Ealla. I saw the deer looking on, judging me for failing to help the cow. The air wouldn't flow to my lungs, words refused to leave my mouth.
"Of course I'd be chosen," Narkster laughed. "I'm already the best Beastmaster."
"How does one become the Master of Beasts?" The Beast asked.
"Grow your bond with your animals, forge your own path to becoming the best Beastmaster. Then, the way to Master of Beasts will be clear," Papatūānuku answered.
"I think there's been a mistake," I interrupted the Goddess, "I'm... not a Beastmaster."
"You are from Erdenn," Papatūānuku answered.

Papatūānuku by Jarhed

"Just because I'm from Erdenn doesn't mean I'm a Beastmaster," I replied. Was this a Goddess or my father? Everyone always had the same thing to say.
The Goddess smiled at me and said, "Luucer Zrakul, if you are not a Beastmaster as the world perceives you, then what are you? Who are you?"
"I..." I racked my brain for an answer. I fled to Ealla, but I wasn't a Bard. I knew no other magical technique. I was hardly smart enough to be an alchemist or caring enough to be a Druid. I wasn't strong enough to be a Bortanni.
"There you go," Papatūānuku nodded, "You do not know. Then let me tell you this, Luucer Zrakul: find your path. Look to Master of Beasts as a goal... it will always be there for you to strive towards. Find the Luucer Zrakul who can become Master of Beasts, and in that you will find who you truly are. Until then..."
Papatūānuku knelt down to a group of two animals by her feet: a purple and brown flying ferret and a blue and yellow rat. She pointed to them and said, "Choose, each of you, a companion. This will be the first animal that you must tame. This is the investment I place in you."
Narkster immediately grabbed the ferret, "I don't want a rat... I'll take this one."
Papatūānuku smiled, "Good choice, Narkster."
I found that the rat was all that remained. I turned to Papatūānuku, "What about the Beast? She never got an investment."
Papatūānuku looked at me, "Are you sure about that? You've been sleeping for some time, Luucer Zrakul."
I saw the Beast was carrying two animals. First was the pink and white cat that I had seen before. Yet now, perched on her shoulders was a green owl. The Beast frowned and said to me, "Don't get in my way, Luucer."
With that, the owl picked her up and carried her into the sky.
I turned to find that the rat had walked up to me. It let out a small sound, and with that some lightning shot out, scorching the grass in front of it. I shook my head, "I don't... this isn't mine."
Narkster laughed, "Not yours, huh? Well, that's too bad! Gerald, fly and claw Loser in the face!"
"Did you name your ferret Gerald?" I asked, but before I could get an answer, the ferret came flying at me, its claws extending to scratch out my eyes. As it flew, I braced myself to be hit... and heard lightning strike. I looked to see the rat shooting lightning at Gerald the ferret.
Gerald was not harmed by this attack, but it had stopped him. Now, he flew towards the rat, which braced itself. Gerald flew into him, his claws piercing the fur of the rat. Narkster then called out, "That's enough, Gerald. Loser won't be able to keep up with us now."
With that, Narkster ran off to the North, out of the town. I was left alone, in this strange land in a competition I didn't sign up for, watching as my bleeding rat sat there, smiling up at me.

Chapter Two:

The Codex

Papatūānuku approached me, placing a hand on my shoulder, "Luucer Zrakul... I can heal your creature. But I charge you with a task if I do so... go to the nearest town to the North, Mildfruit, after I send you away. There is a library there. Ask for the Codex."
I didn't say a word. I didn't know what to do, as this rat sat there, bleeding. It had protected me, and I had tried to ignore it. I held it in my arms, clinging to it tightly as Papatūānuku knelt down and held her hands out. A strange light covered the rat and its wounds closed up.
Papatūānuku smiled as the rat squeaked, "Now, Luucer Zrakul, you must get the Codex in Mildfruit. After that, your journey is your own. Find what you seek, that fame may cry you loud."
With that, Papatūānuku vanished into a blue mist. As the mist dissipated, I saw something through it, staring at me as I held the rat in my hands. The deer, the pink deer that I had seen before. Majestic, shining in the distance.
It was watching me, nodding approvingly. I felt that strange connection with it, like I had felt back in Erdenn. I tried to walk towards it, but as the mist went away, the deer was gone as well.
"What was that?" I looked around, "That deer... it's gone. Was it even here?"
The rat let out a small noise, and I laughed, "Right... of course it wasn't. I'm just seeing things. Let's go find that codex."
As I walked through the forest on the northern edge of town, I looked to the rat that I carried in my hand. He was rolling around, chewing on some berries that I picked up in a nearby bush. I couldn't just leave the rat behind, but could I really take care of him?
After a day's long walk, I found a simple sign for the town "Mildfruit." This was the place that Papatūānuku had told me about.
As I entered the town limits, I noticed that the entire town was outlined with trees. Very few people walked the streets, but there were people here. Were these people living here before, or were they also people brought over for Papa's Monsters?
I approached the nearest building for an answer to this question, as well as directions to the library.

b'Oun by Jarhed

It was a store. In it, they were selling various alchemical mixes, things to heal animals or help you survive out in the wild. I approached the woman behind the counter.
"Oh, hello sir," she smiled.
"Uh, actually I-" I wanted to stop her from saying that. I was never exactly comfortable with being called sir, or anything like that for that matter. Someone else interrupted me, though.
The owner of the store, b'Oun, approached her worker. Her name was on the nametag that was pinned to her vest. She was a young Anuran woman, "Is he giving you trouble?"
"They," I replied.
"Huh?" b'Oun looked to me, confusion engulfing her frog-like features.
"I go by they, actually," I replied, "It's-"
"Got it," b'Oun nodded, turning back to her worker, "What do they want?"
"I don't know, ask them yourself." The worker sighed.
b'Oun noticed the rat in my hand and said, "Come with me to the back, kid."
I looked to my rat, then shrugged and followed b'Oun. We went to a storage room at the back of the store, and here, b'Oun pushed me into a chair, "Are you trying to get yourself killed, kid?"
"What did I do? Is this because of my pronouns?" I wasn't sure what she would do. I heard Anurans could spit poison, but I was a Draconian, so I had the same threat to offer.
"No, what? You don't have to worry about that," b'Oun shook her head, "Whatever you choose to be doesn't matter to me. But the problem is the people around here. The Beast Gang, a mob that's trying to take over this place."
"Is this because of Papa's Monsters?" I asked.
"Of course," b'Oun nods, "That's why we're here. Papatūānuku called all these Beastmasters to this new planet and-"
"New planet?"
"Sorry, it's actually a moon that orbits her planet. The moon is called Kahlto," b'Oun replies, "Slowly but surely over the past two months, more people have been showing up. We were told yesterday was the last day, but that's a new Investment Animal that you've got there. You're new, huh?"
"This was the last one," I held up my rat, "Papatūānuku told me to look for the Codex here in Mildfruit."
"Papatūānuku told you that, huh?" b'Oun sighed, "No one here got any orders but you. Some people spread out, started building up a new life. The buildings were here, remnants of old Grord places but... there was a woman who gathered others together. She rallied them up and said they could win this thing together. But she didn't really mean they'd win. She just wanted to stop others from winning."
"Who is this woman?" I didn't want to be caught up in this whole thing, but it seemed that I was stuck not just in a new town, but on an entirely new planet.
"She calls herself the Beast," b'Oun answers, "She leads the Beast Gang."
"The Beast... I met her."
"What was she doing with the newbies?"
"She was still asking Papatūānuku questions," I answered, "And then she told me to stay out of her way."
"Not a bad idea," b'Oun laughed, "But it's impossible. Unless you find a way off the moon, you're stuck dealing with the Beast Gang. There are people like me who wear colors to blend in, pretend we're on her side. There's others who rebel. What are you gonna do, kid?"
"If they're hurting people, I won't be playing along," I answered, "But I don't want to hurt anyone."
"That outfit of yours is rebellion enough," b'Oun pointed to me black and pink outfit, "Fuchsia is as bold a message as you can make. You stand up now, kid... the rest of us gotta make a living."
"That doesn't sound half bad," I answered.
"Oh please," b'Oun lifted me from my chair, "You ain't a worker... even if you don't want to fight, you're a fighter. Never let someone else tell you what you are. You don't need to fit into what they want of you, whether it's Papatūānuku, the Master of Beasts, or the Beast Gang. Wear your fuchsia with pride... be who you are."
"I don't know who that is."
"Then find it," b'Oun pulled a slip of paper from her pocket, "Here's my seal. Give this to the librarian, you'll get the codex if you can do that."
b'Oun also handed me a map of the town, including a circled location where the library was.
"Thank you, b'Oun," I nodded, turning to leave.
"What's your name, kid?" b'Oun called out.
"Luucer Zrakul."
"Go get 'em, Luucer." b'Oun smiled, "Luucer Zrakul... they're gonna do great things. I just know it."
I thanked b'Oun and left for the library. Here, the librarian stood waiting. When I explained that I was looking for the codex, the librarian was confused, but he quickly relented when I showed b'Oun's symbol.
The librarian came back with a large book, but when I picked it up, it wasn't heavy at all.
"It's yours," the librarian grinned, "Treat it well. If b'Oun trusts you... well, I'd trust it to anyone who isn't the Beast Gang. Do well out there."
I sat at one of the tables towards the back of the library, placing the book in front of me and opening it up. It had a list of various "Investment Animals." I saw many of them were ones I had seen in the crowd. Narkster's ferret, Gerald, was actually called a "Gerlad." How did he know? Was he that experienced with Beastmastery to know Gerlads?
The Beast's owl was an "Elven Owl" that's native to the Elven Forest, and her cat was a Coral Cat from the Great Sea.
My rat ran over to the book, picking up the pages until it got to the end of the "Investment Animals" area. There he was, the rat. Fulmus.
"So, your name's Fulmus, huh?" I smiled, my hand running over its back. It let out a little bit of electricity as I pet it, but for some strange reason it didn't hurt me. I just laughed, "Maybe you aren't so bad after all. What does the codex say about you?"

Bramzakk the Spiteful by Jarhed

I went to look at the Codex entry, but before my eyes reached it, I heard the door to the library burst open. I turned to see an Orcish man enter. He was wearing the same outfit as the Beast, and the people following him wore the same outfit.
"Hey there, librarian," the Orc called out, "The name's Bramzakk the Spiteful."
"I know about you and your Beast Gang!" The librarian called out.
"Then you know what we want. Hand over all of your Codexes," Bramzakk ordered. I saw him reach into his pocket and pull out a coil of chains, which then unfurled into a large chained snake, which began circling the librarian.
I searched through the Codex and found out what this animal was called: Slabhrair. It was pure metal, it could conduct electricity, which meant that Fulmus would be fairly strong against it.
I looked to Fulmus. He wanted to fight, I could see it in his eyes, but I shook my head, "This isn't our fight, Fulmus."
Fulmus tried to pull me towards the fight, but I shook my head. I didn't want to send an animal into battle, I had seen how much he suffered, and I wanted even less to go into battle myself. I was no Beastmaster, I wasn't like my dad, I wasn't like my mom. I couldn't stand up to this Beast Gang.
I grabbed Fulmus and turned to run. As I did so, I heard the sound of quacking. I turned to see a red duck rushing towards Bramzakk. There was no Beastmaster around, this creature was clearly wild and acting on its own. If it continued on, it could be hurt, and with no one to take care of it, it could die.
I looked to Fulmus, seeing its eyes asking to help the duck. I sighed, "Let's get that duck out of here... and protect the codex."
The duck shot flames from its beak at the Slabhrair. As it did so, I tossed Fulmus forward. He propelled himself through the air with lightning, smacking into the Slabhrair. The Slabhrair started to melt from the flames while also being shocked from the lightning.
As the three animals fought, I looked through the codex to find the duck. It was a flaming duck, one that excelled in both ranged flame attacks and karate techniques with its wings and feet. It was called the "Gibzonn."
Fulmus and Gibzonn both engulfed themselves in lightning and flames respectively, blocking out an attack from the Slabhrair as Bramzakk looked to me, "A young Beastmaster, huh? You think you can handle me, kid?"
"You? No," I shook my head, "But I can handle your beasts. I may not be a Beastmaster, but that won't stop me."
"You're not a Beastmaster? Yeah right... your animals are monsters." Bramzakk pointed to Gibzonn, which was holding Slabhrair in a chokehold as Fulmus shocked it. I watched as Slabhrair began to pass out, and Fulmus and Gibzonn turned to Bramzakk.
I didn't want to fight. But I saw that the only way to get the Beast Gang to back off was with the threat of violence. I stepped beside my animals, grabbing Slabhrair and tossing it back to Bramzakk, "Stay away from this library or next time... Slabhrair won't be the only one that has to nurse his wounds."
Bramzakk backed off, looking to Slabhrair, "What did he do to you... damn you, kid! You won't get away with this!"
I turned to the librarian, "He'll be back, I'm sure of it. But I... I have an idea." I looked to Gibzonn and Fulmus, "We've got places to be, but... there are other animals out there. If we can find a protector, one to guard this library, the Beast Gang won't be able to strike again."
The librarian said, "I'm not good at taming animals but... there's this one creature in the depths of the library. It's the guardian of knowledge, a sentient book creature. If you can train it... it will suffice."
I smiled, "That sounds like a plan."

Chapter Three-Nineteen:

The Unfinished Chapters

The following section of the story is not finished, as this is merely a preview of what may eventually be a completed story. We will skip from this beginning to the ending of the story, where Luucer's journey begins to wrap up.
For some of the events of these unfinished chapters, know that Luucer grows closer to their animals, gaining three more along his journey: a cactus (which they keep in a vase) named Jusstus, a walrus named Walros, and a balloon that they use to travel around through the air named Heliup. They have battled Narkster many times, even teaming up with him sometimes to take on the forces of the Beast Gang, including the vengeful Bramzakk.
They've developed a friendly rivalry with Narkster, and made contact with b'Oun many times around her stores across the moon Kahlto.
Luucer grew cocky after winning so many battles, but was humbled after being defeated by the Beast. They are now close to giving up on their journey. They don't know what to do with themselves, but are close to a revelation.

Chapter Twenty:

A Dear Reunion

Around me, my animals lied still on the ground. The Beast was right... that was exactly what she was: a Beast. A monster who didn't care about anyone but herself. I reached for Heliup, knowing she could help me. She could take me somewhere I could get everybody healed... but she was deflated. She wouldn't even rise from the ground.
I turned now to Walros. he was big, big enough that I could get everyone else onto his back. I picked them all up, then saying, "Come on Walros, you can do it. I know you can."
But Walros didn't move either. Jusstus was stuck in his vase, he would do nothing to help.
Gibzonn had lost the fire in his eyes. He lied still, on his back, his face to the sky. Even in defeat, he would not show shame. It was admirable, and I determined that I would not weep for him. He would not want that.
Yet I could not keep that promise as I saw Fulmus. He was reaching out for me, not for me to help him, but so that he could help me. Even in defeat, he wanted me to know he was there for me.
I collapsed to my knees, "I... I failed you all. I'm so, so sorry. I didn't know what I was doing, and I let you all down."
"It's not too late," a voice called out from behind me. I turned, slowly, not wanting to lose focus on my beloved team of animals. But I saw a faint glow in the distance. Not just any glow... it was fuchsia.
My tears continued flowing as a smile crept its way onto my face, "It's you. It's you!"
I picked up Walros, carrying him over my head. On his back were all of my other pets: Fulmus, Gibzonn, Heliup, and Jusstus. They were heavy, but I was not afraid to bear that weight to reach the one I had been seeking all this time. My final teammate. My final pet... no, that wasn't right. None of them were pets. They were all my treasured friends.
At the top of the staircase, I found a clearing. I placed Walros down and stepped forward, "I know you're there! You've been watching me all this time, guiding me down the path I needed to take."
"You aren't at the end yet," the voice said.
"I'm not?"
"There is still something you've forgotten."
"The letter!" I exclaimed, reaching into my robe to find the letter from my mother. I unfolded it, then finally, for the first time, its words were clear to me.

Dear Luucer,

You have done nothing but disappoint me. Everytime I see you, a sharp pain pierces my chest like a thousand daggers, for I see that I've failed you as a mother. You aren't the son I raised, and you are not the Beastmaster I wanted you to be. Whatever path it is that you take, I want you to know that I will never support it. Not until the day you return to the right path, the path I set out for you.
To my husband, Ocas... I will not see you again. I blame you for what our son has become. If you know anything, you'll correct him. It's the least you can do.

Your mother and wife,
Ustuc Zrakul
The Beast

I held the paper in my hands. I couldn't cry... not anymore. I had wept for those I cared for, my friends, my partners... but I would not cry for neglect. I would not cry at the lack of love when I had experienced true care.
I could only laugh, "You're no mother... you never cared about who I was! You only cared about yourself and what you wanted me to be! You wanted me to be a Beastmaster like you, you wanted me to be like you. Always, nothing but you! Guess what? I'm not you, I never was! I'm me! I am Luucer Zrakul, and I am not your son. I am not the little boy you wanted because I am not a boy! I'm nonbinary, and I am my own Beast. Unlike you, though... I've mastered that Beast inside of me. I've found love around me, love that I don't need to force on the world to feel accepted. Because the only acceptance I need is my own. That's where my strength comes from, and my animals, my team... they're but an extension of me."
"Will you quit, then? Your mother wished for you to be a Beastmaster," the voice asked.
"She wanted me to be her Beastmaster..." I replied, "But I will not be just a Beastmaster. I will be Master of Beasts."
"She will not accept that. She will not accept you."
"I don't need her acceptance. I don't need a place in her world, in her society of Beasts. I don't need to be what anyone wants from me, because I can define my own place... with you by my side."
"Is that truly what you wish for? I am not a simple creature like the ones you know," the voice asked, "I am one who was exiled for my power, for the color of my fur, and for what I could do."
"I'll love you just the same, my dear friend."
"Friend... yes. Perhaps that is right. Call me friend. Call me... Amicoa," with that, the voice appeared in front of me in its true form. A radiant fuchsia light that would have blinded all who stared at it, yet to me, it was beautiful. Brilliant beams shot towards my team, and their wounds began to heal as the pink deer named Amicoa approached me, "There is work to be done. But I have a question for you, Luucer. Some time ago, you refused to help your father's cow, instead thinking to hide away was the best way to help yourself. What do you say now?"
"I was young then," I laughed, "But now I know that the only way to help myself is to help others. Foster a good environment around myself... that's what these guys are. The good I want to bring to the world, one step at a time."
"You are a good person, Luucer," Amicoa smiled, "I will happily stay by your side."
With that, all of my animals stood, jumping over to hug me. I felt the prick of Jusstus, the electricity of Fulmus, the burn of Gibzonn, the drain of Heliup, and a chill from Walros. Still, I smiled and looked to Amicoa, "Come on, you're part of the family too."
Amicoa hesitated, but as they saw my smile, they joined, and I hugged all of my animals close, "I love you guys so much."

Chapter Twenty-One

The Beast Unleashed

Atop the back of Amicoa, my team and I rode to the foot of the Temple of Papatūānuku. I found the Beast Gang was gathered here, led by Bramzakk.
Bramzakk looked to me with a smile, "Got a new toy, huh kid?"
"Amicoa is no toy," I replied, "They're my friend."
"Friends are a worthless tool," Bramzakk laughed, "You use them until they dry up."
I was about to say something, but before I could, a ferret flew through the air, clawing at Bramzakk's face. I turned to see Narkster standing atop a building, his arms crossed as he smirked, "Hey loser! Thought I couldn't keep up, huh?"
"Narkster!" I smiled.
"I can handle the Orc," Narkster jumped down, his team of animals joining him.
"There's a whole army of Beast Gang guys! You can't take them all!" I worried for Narkster. We had swore to fight each other before taking on the Master of Beasts, but he'd be in no state to do that if he managed to hold out against the Beast Gang.
"I brought some back-up!" Narkster pointed behind him, and I saw someone leap beside him. b'Oun the Anuran shop-owner, with all of her workers joining her. The librarian from Mildfruit was there with the guardian book of the library. All of the friends I had made on my journey had come to see me off on the final leg of it.
I felt tears welling up, "Thank you guys."
"Go take on the boss," Narkster pointed to the temple, "Then the Master of Beasts if you'd like. Warm him up for me... I'll be taking that crown."
"I'll be waiting for you," I nodded, running up the stairs. b'Oun nodded approvingly, seeing Amicoa, and knowing that I had found who I truly was.
Within the temple, there were multiple other Beastmasters who had already been defeated. The path had been cleared for me and now all that remained was the one standing before the door to the Master of Beasts: the Beast herself.
"I will not say a word, son," the Beast said, "There are none left to say."
"You don't need to," I responded, "I don't need anything from you anymore!"
"That is too bad," the Beast shrugged, "But you have no place on this world after I become Master of Beasts. So I will rid it of you now to make room for the world we all deserve."
"Amicoa... I'll stay on your back for this fight," I told the deer.
"Are you sure?" Amicoa asked me.
"Positive."
The Beast was picked up by her Elven Owl, and now the two of us prepared to battle on our chosen mounts.
Meanwhile, the rest of our animals fought it out as well. My Fulmus found himself chased around by her Coral Cat, racing at lightning speeds to avoid the feline foe. It struck with fast blows to the abdomen of the cat, but not without taking hits from the cat in return.
I looked to Amicoa as I saw the Elven Owl take to the skies, "Can we hit her from here?"
"Of course," Amicoa smiled, then rushing forward to the wall of the temple. They continued running as we got to it, now running vertically on the wall itself. As Amicoa jumped off, the Elven Owl tried to peck at them with its beak, but Amicoa parried the attack with their antlers.
The Elven Owl grabbed Amicoa, pulling them away from me. As I fell off of Amicoa, I grabbed the foot of my mother. Now, as the Elven Owl and Amicoa struggled in mid-air, I hung from the foot of the Beast.
"I can drop you right now. That's it, game over!" the Beast called out.
"You wouldn't dare!" I responded, "As much as you want to say that you're done with me, that you don't need me for the world you want to make... I know that's a lie. You aren't making this world for yourself. All this time I thought you were selfish, but I should've known better. You knew I'd come to Kahlto, so you waited for me where Papatūānuku and Narkster were. You knew I'd be in that forest, so you waited for me there to attack me so I wouldn't charge ahead thinking I could win everything. And you knew I'd make it here. That's why you haven't challenged the Master of Beasts. That's why you were waiting outside of the door... because you want to share your victory with me. But guess what, mom... I'm not the boy you were waiting for."
"That's why this is the end," the Beast said, "My son died the moment he appeared here on Kahlto. I was just clinging to a memory... but I'm finally ready to let go."
With that, the Beast let go. Not of me... but of the Elven Owl. Amicoa was still struggling in the air, they didn't notice as the Beast and I began hurtling to our doom. I saw my mother close her eyes, accepting the end. Not mine... but hers. She was willing to acccept anything but who I really was.
I would die for this too, it seemed. Because someone else couldn't accept me, I would never see the Master of Beasts. I would never reach the goal I had fought to find. I braced myself one more time for impact as the ground came closer and closer...
But the ground never came. A string wrapped around my arm, and I began to float. I opened my eyes to find Heliup floating there in front of me, a smile on her balloon face. I knew she only had one string, that there would be no way for her to save my mother... but I wasn't sad about that. I simply accepted that it was what the Beast wanted... something I wish she was able to do for me.
The Beast's animals dispersed when she hit the ground, no longer having a master to serve. All but one. The Coral Cat began to paw at her corpse, meowing as if to ask her, "What happened, mommy? Why aren't you moving?"
I picked up the Coral Cat and held it in my arms. This animal was my enemy, it had aided the worst person I ever knew... but it did not bear the sins of its mother. None of us did. We carry the blame for ourselves and ourselves only.
I brought the Coral Cat with me, to observe what came next, as I opened the door and stepped into the final room of the Temple of Papatūānuku.

Chapter Twenty-Two:

The Master of Beasts

I had never seen a Grord before. I had heard legends, stories of the lawful people who lioved in the heavens of the Goddess of Nature. I even heard they took journeys to other realms on occasion.
Nothing I had ever heard could have prepared me for the Master of Beasts. He stood atop an altar, where Papatūānuku sat behind him. She was no longer the size of me, but now instead was the size of a true Goddess. I was merely the size of her foot as she towered over us.
Yet the Master of Beasts was unphased. He had bright yellow skin, the face of a cow, and the wings of a fairy. His head was covered in hair, including a neatly trimmed mustache that framed his bovine features. A bowler hat covered his hair, and a grey suit and jeans made him look far more formal than I expected. His red tie almost distracted from the fact that he wasn't wearing shoes.

Jowls by Jarhed

"Luucer Zrakul," Papatūānuku said, "Meet the Master of Beasts: Jowls."
"Howdy there," Jowls tipped his hat.
"His name is Jowls?" I asked, testing if the Goddess was serious.
"Yes. Jowls," Papatūānuku smiled.
"Why?" I questioned.
"Why what?" Jowls looked at me.
"Why are you called Jowls?" I held Fulmus in my hand, waiting for an answer. Jowls stood there, puzzled, but did not give an answer. It seemed even he didn't know.
Papatūānuku shrugged, "This doesn't matter. You came to seek the title of Master of Beasts. You came to end the challenge of Papa's Monsters, did you not?"
"That's why I'm here." I nodded, "I've accepted who I am."
"I know," Papatūānuku nodded, "I'm a Goddess. I know these things... but good for you. The natural order of things is acceptance, and you must always find the way to accept who you are. You found that. Now, is that enough to become Master of Beasts?"
"Doubt it!" Jowls laughed, then turning to me, "No offense, young one. I've been Master for a long time. Master Jowls!"
"Not anymore!" I said, and Gibzonn jumped forward. To meet him on the field of battle, however, was a penguin. Meanwhile, a turtle joined in to battle, intercepted by Fulmus. Walros targeted a crow that was flying towards Fulmus, as Heliup attacked the horned creature that tried to suplex Walros. A giant bear ran towards Heliup, but Amicoa stopped him, shielding the balloon from the bear's claws as Jusstus waited.
Jusstus had been, for most of this journey, the teammate who had helped the least in battle. He was a cactus, what good could he possibly do? That question, however, was answered by a creature that tried to sneak up on me... not a creature, but a spirit. A genuine Ghost, towering as tall as Papatūānuku, faced me, and all of my animals were busy. All but Jusstus, who rolled over towards me in his vase. He stood between the ghost and I, ready to stop it at any cost.
Meanwhile, Jowls and I had a verbal discussion.
"What is it like, to live in Erdenn?" Jowls asked.
"Awful, what about this Temple?" I asked.
"You'll never get to find out," Jowls smirked.
"Wanna bet?"
"I haven't the desire to bet against a child, however I absolutely will do so anyway! Of course I'd like to bet, I'm the greatest beastmaster of all time!"
"Until now!" I corrected him.
I watched as Fulmus defeated his turtle, now jumping onto my shoulder as I said, "Good job buddy."
"What? That rat... it's hardly strong enough to defeat my-"
"Really? Well you see, I don't care how strong it is to you, Fulmus is my partner in crime. He's been with me since day one, and as strong as your bond with your animals are, I can tell that you chose them after all this time because you think they're the strongest you've got. But the real strength comes from what you believe. And I believe that I can win!"
Slowly but surely, one by one, my animals continued to defeat their opponents. Amicoa defeated the bear, Walros defeated the crow. Gibzonn was defeated by the penguin, but was quickly avenged when Amicoa and Fulmus teamed up to defeat the penguin. Heliup was nearly popped, but was saved by Walros as, finally, Jusstus defeated the spirit.
Jowls collapsed, "That's not... possible. A child defeated me?"
"Experience can only prepare you for what you know," I twisted my hat to the side, "And what I know is that people get too cocky when they haven't experienced defeat. I learned that from my mother."
"You're... you're the Master of Beasts now. Congratulations," Jowls seemed shell-shocked to hear it was possible. He ran over, healing all of his animals so they couldn't be hurt further.
I called out to Jowls, "Feel free to come back at anytime. You've learned a valuable lesson... grow from here, Master Jowls."
I sat atop the altar now as Jowls trailed away, muttering to himself in disappointment. Papatūānuku faced me and said, "I am proud to bestow upon you the gift of immortality. You and Jowls, and any who can ever defeat you and claim your title, shall live forever on Kahlto as its Masters of Beasts, protecting and ruling it in my stead. I'm glad you've made it this far... and now, Papa's Monsters has ended. Thank you for playing... truly, it was an honor."
As I sat and stared at my team, I heard the distant sound of animals battling. I wasn't sure who it could be, Papa's Monsters was over, but as a victor was crowned, the door opened, and my final challenger stood to face off against me.
"You know, Loser... I promised you one last fight, didn't I?" Narkster stood, exhausted, but his animals were ready to battle.
I stood up, smiling as Fulmus jumped atop my shoulder, "I'll fight you whenever you'd like... partner."