“It’s a one-way trip. “

The Doctor’s last words echoed in his mind as he clutched the shattered time machine and got out of the rubble.

He took a deep breath and immediately saw the Great Elder Tree at a distance. The great tree stood tall, with its lush branches stretching to the sky like a beacon.The forest was buzzing with life and energy everywhere.

Molandak’s gaze fell on the shimmering waters of River Valoria, where he saw his fallen fellow citizens laughing by the banks. One tripped and splashed into the river, while the others howled at him with laughter, all while blissfully unaware of the darkness that awaited them. Thinking about this, his heart tightened, and his smile faded. He said to himself:

“Mongrod, you’re not winning this. I’m saving my friends, no matter what.”

He hurled the broken device away and started walking towards the Great Elder Tree. As he walked, a steady beatboxing rhythm drifted through the forest, growing louder with each step.

Curious, Molandak followed the sound, finally reaching the bottom of the massive trunk of the Elder Tree. He rounded the tree and found Chog, a spiky-haired monanimal, spray-painting vibrant murals on the Elder Tree’s bark. The art was epic, heroes battling darkness, monanimals chilling in their habitats, and glowing orbs floating under constellations that seemed almost… alive.

“Whoa,” said Molandak in surprise. “What’s that?”

Chog pulled out an earbud. “Oh, this? It’s art, man.”

“It’s awesome.”

Chog grinned. “Thanks, dude. Not everyone thinks..”. Suddenly, he tripped mid-sentence, face-planting into the dirt.

“MOUUUCHHH!”

A tiny, buzzing blur zipped down from the branches, laughing hysterically. “Gotcha!” Mouch teased, his wings a blur.

“You little… wait till I catch you!” Chog shouted, tearing off after him.

Molandak laughed, shaking his head at the duo’s antics. But then, he felt a strange, pulsing energy crackling around him. The hairs on his neck stood on end. Something was wrong. Before he could react, glowing spheres shot up around him, forming a laser cage. Molandak tensed. Trap.

From the shadows, a figure emerged, calm, but radiating authority. It was Salmonad.

“Who are you?” Salmonad asked, his voice firm. “And how did you get this?”, pointing to the time machine device that Molandak had discarded earlier.

“I’m Molandak,” he blurted out. “I came from a future where the Monadverse is destroyed, and you’re all gone. The doctor gave me that device..”

“What danger?” Chog interrupted, his face serious.

“Mongrod,” Molandak answered, his voice low.

“Mongrod? That outcast? How do you know about him?” inquired Salmonad.

“Him and his evil minions rule Monadverse with an iron fist. He’s corrupted the Elder Tree to fuel his power. Everyone I knew was either captured or killed… I had no choice but to come back and stop him before he takes the Moncore and rules forever.”

He wanted to say more, to make them understand just how much was at stake..

But before he could, his stomach let out a loud, rebellious growl.

Mouch burst out laughing. “This guy needs food. Let’s hit the pub. You’ve gotta try Moyaki’s loaf.”

Salmonad hesitated for a while but deactivated the laser cage. He looked at Molandak and said “Fine. But I’m watching you.”

At the pub, Molandak devoured the warm bread like he hadn’t eaten in ages, barely pausing between bites of soup. Across the table, Salmonad had some soup, while Mouch chomped on a bowl of baby spidernads, making Chog gag. Moyaki, now caught up on the situation, leaned in “So… why should we trust you?”

Molandak looked up, wiping his mouth. “Because this is the only home I know… and I have nothing left to lose. I’m asking you to help me save our home.”

Silence.

“Tell us more”, said Moyaki and Salmonad.

The monanimals exchanged serious glances with each other, knowing the truth that future of the Monadverse rests on their shoulders

Credits: Syprex (X: iam_spyrex)