The once-proud Zilla Clan had been nearly obliterated by Young Mongrod, full of rage. The sky was a bruised, smoky gray, flickering with the orange glow of raging fires. Buildings crumbled, their frames crackling and hissing in the heat. Ash floated through the air like snow. The stench of burning and death hung heavy. The bodies of fallen Zilla guards were scattered like broken shields across blood-streaked stones. Children cried out for their parents, their voices thin beneath the roar of flame and destruction. Some bystanders who had joined the fight lay still, silent, gone.

Amidst the carnage, a group stood firm: the Monanimals, bruised, battered, yet unshaken. They stood in formation, facing young Mongrod, who hovered slightly above the cracked earth, energy dancing around his body. The atmosphere buzzed with dread. This was it, the final battle.

"Why do you even bother?" Young Mongrod asked, his voice cold and detached.

"You know I'm stronger. Yet you persist, knowing you could die. You're all weak."

"I bet you know what that feels like," Molandak snapped.

"Yes, I do. I was once weak," Young Mongrod said, glancing at his hands as energy surged and sparked like tiny lightning storms.

"But now, with this power... I will remake myself as the strongest being in the Monadverse. I’ll shape this world in my image."

He stepped forward, tone arrogant, eyes glowing.

"I’ll give you a chance. Join me as my elite guards, and I’ll spare your lives from the carnage to come."

"Blah blah blah," Moyaki interrupted, already sprinting forward.

"In every timeline, YOU NEVER SEEM TO SHUT THE HELL UP!!"

He tossed a smoke bomb, smothering Mongrod’s vision in thick gray clouds. Shadows shifted. Chaos erupted. The Monanimals charged.

"Quickly, find a weak point! We need to bring him down!" Molandak yelled, his beam gun lighting the smoke with each blast.

"You pesky little—!" Mongrod growled, hurling a massive boulder. But it phased through what wasn’t Molandak. It was an illusion painted by Chog.

"Gotcha!" Chog grinned, dashing forward with his massive paintbrush.

Above, Mouch hurled blades with deadly precision. Mongrod raised an electric shield. Most deflected, but one slipped through, slicing his cheek. A red line bloomed.

He touched his face. Blood.

Smoke blinded him. Attacks came from every direction. The air trembled, alive with movement, darting shadows, crashing blows, and flickering blasts.

"ARGHHH! ENOUGH!"

Mongrod clapped his hands, releasing a concussive shockwave that cleared the smoke and flung the Monanimals into trees and rubble.

He soared into the air.

Molandak, barely conscious, opened one eye just as Mongrod came plummeting toward him.

Suddenly, Salmonad leaped in the way. His shield flared, absorbing the crushing impact.

"Alright, that’s it!" Salmonad barked, pissed.

"You think you’re the only genius who got bullied? Boo-hoo. You’re not special. I was bullied. I was smacked around. But I’m not out there committing genocide."

Salmonad's fury sparked across the shield.

"Don’t mistake my leniency for weakness."

Quickly, Salmonad slammed a button on his watch. His shield shimmered and expanded. Mechanical limbs whirred and folded out, wrapping around him as his armor transformed into a towering mecha suit.

Young Mongrod blinked, startled.

"Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?" Salmonad smirked inside the suit.

BOOM!💥

A seismic punch sent Mongrod flying through walls like tissue paper.

"Quick!" Salmonad shouted. "Here’s the plan. We hold him off while the trap charges. Same one we used on Future Mongrod. Got it?"

He tossed the time device to the team.

But from the crater, a brilliant blast exploded. Mongrod charged forward, slamming into Salmonad with full force and knocking him through a tree.

The device wasn’t ready. The Monanimals scrambled.

Molandak, coughing and bruised, rose shakily.

"If we can’t beat the corruption out of him... maybe we can talk him down."

He staggered forward, toward the chaos. Mongrod loomed over Salmonad, hammering down on the cracking mecha suit.

"MONGROD!" Molandak cried.

"Look around you. This destruction… this isn’t who you are."

Mongrod paused, but his glare was sharp.

"You think some sentimental speech will change what I’ve become?" he spat."This power made me more than I ever was. You weren’t there when they laughed at me. When they destroyed everything I created."

"You’ve been corrupted by the Orb," Molandak pressed."You were a creator. You tried to fix what was broken. Maybe you didn’t always succeed, but you tried. This path isn't what you set out for."

Mongrod hesitated. His hands trembled.

In the distance, a small child cried beside the limp bodies of their parents.

"You did all this," Molandak said softly."And you’ll do more unless you fight the Orb’s control."

"I believe there’s still good in you. Please, use this power to build, not destroy. Make sure what happened to you doesn’t happen to another kid. Be the guardian you never had."

Mongrod’s eyes flickered. Flashes from his past burst through his mind. The laughter. The beatings. His broken creations.

And then, a tender memory.

His guardian knelt beside him, wiping mud from his bloodied face.

Don’t give up on your dreams, young one. One day, you’ll save the clan with your inventions. Just don’t give up on yourself or them.

The present blurred.

A low hum suddenly vibrated the air. Everyone tensed, pulled from the moment.

Something was wrong.

A portal opened with a deafening

VOOM!!!

Everyone stepped back, weapons raised at what was about to step out of the portal.

……….

From the rift emerged Future Mongrod, eyes glowing, scars crawling across his face like black lightning. Power radiated from him like a storm.

"YOU CANNOT STOP THE INEVITABLE," he roared.

A lone surviving Zilla guard charged at him, only to be vaporized in an instant by a flick of his hand.

"No!" Molandak screamed.

"Oh yes," Future Mongrod hissed, raising a hand toward him.

"It’s time for you to die, Molandak."

But before he could fire, young Mongrod tackled him, locking him in a brutal chokehold.

"What are you doing?" "Get off me, stupid!" Future Mongrod thrashed.

"You were right, Molandak," young Mongrod growled through gritted teeth.

"Get your friends and the survivors out. I’ll stop this madness once and for all."

"How?"

"By overloading my Orb while absorbing his."

"But that’ll kill you."

Young Mongrod’s eyes burned with resolve.

"I guess that’s one way to make up for all the harm I’ve caused. Now go."

Power swirled as energy from both Mongrods collided in chaotic spirals. The sky trembled.

"You fool!" Future Mongrod screamed.

"You could’ve had everything! Let me go!"

"No," young Mongrod whispered.

"This isn’t what I wanted to become. Only I can change this future."

They began to rise, floating, energy blinding. Young Mongrod locked eyes with his future self.

"Now be gone."

The explosion that followed tore the sky apart. The Monanimals ran as a massive blast wave swept through the jungle, Molandak carrying Salmonad as trees shattered behind them.

Days Later

Inside Moyaki’s pub, the Monanimals gathered again. Wounds still raw, but spirits patched.

"So what now?" Chog asked.

Molandak smiled faintly.

"I think it’s time to go home. To see what future we’ve shaped."

"We’ll miss our fearless leader," Moyaki grinned, raising his cup.

"To the future."

"To the future," they all echoed.

Under the Great Elder Tree, the wind rustled softly.

Salmonad handed Molandak a small device.

"This’ll take you home. We’ll meet again. Might be older versions of us, but someday."

"Thank you, Salmonad," Molandak said warmly.

"You’ve been the smartest, kindest person I’ve ever met."

He turned to his friends.

"Mouch. Loyal to the core. You've always had my back."

Mouch nodded quietly.

"Moyaki. Brave beyond reason. I respect you."

Moyaki grinned.

"Chog. You never looked the part, but you turned out stronger than any of us. And funnier too. Thanks for the laughs when I needed them most."

Silence. A mix of pride, sorrow, and peace.

"It’s been an honor," Molandak said.

"But it’s time to go home."

“Goodbye, my friends,” he said, stepping through the portal.

...Molandak arrives into the future.

The future greeted him with hope.

No, wait.

Not hope.

Sand?

Molandak found himself within an endless desert stretched in all directions. Wind howled, kicking up dust. The sun beat down mercilessly. Gas hung thick in the air, sharp and bitter. Ruins of some once-grand jungle city poked from the dunes like bones.

Molandak coughed and staggered forward, squinting.

In the distance, a war wagon sped across the sand, wheels grinding over cracked earth. Spikes and Monanimal skulls adorned its frame. Armed Monanimals in leather jackets and gas masks jumped down, guns raised.

Molandak raised his arms. “Heii! Heiiii! It’s me, I’m back!!”

They opened fire……

Molandak darted, heart pounding, sand flying at every step. Suddenly a hand yanked him into the dunes.

"Shhh," said a voice in the dark.

Dust settled above. Molandak’s mouth was covered. They waited as boots passed overhead.

Then a flicker. An old match lit a dusty lantern.

The glow revealed the face of his savior.

Aged. Wrinkled.

But unmistakable.

"...Chog?"

Final note: Overall, this was a really fun mini project. We enjoyed writing these stories, designing the art for them, and convincing other projects to join with us. We thank Scalds and Kichalu for sticking with us till the very end and working along this project. Gmopo and look forward to more fun campaigns with y’all.

“This is it,” he said.

He lit his torch and strolled into the tunnel. After a long walk, he saw a strange light at the end. It wasn’t just any light — it was purple, glowing with a strange, powerful energy.

He moved closer, carefully. Whispers filled the air.

Pssssp… spspsss…

Then, in the distance, he saw it …. a glowing orb floating above a stone platform. Two giant stone statues stood on each side of it.

“At last,” Mongrod whispered. He thought about grabbing the Monorb.

Suddenly, the statues' eyes lit up with purple light. One of them swung a giant axe at him. Mongrod rolled away just in time.

“Intruder”, one of the statues said in a deep voice.

Still shocked, Mongrod tried to focus. The second statue swung again, barely missing him.

“I’ve come too far to stop now,” he shouted. “Not even giants will stop me!”

He threw small bombs from his pouch. They exploded, but the statues didn’t move.

He ran to hide, but one of the statues kicked him hard. Mongrod hit the ground, hurt and weak. He had no chance, or so it seemed. Right at the instant, he looked beside him and saw the orb voice creep through his mind, not his own, but something older.

“Take it.”

As the statues walked toward him to finish him off, with his last strength, he reached out, and his fingers grabbed the orb.

The world shattered.

A surge of energy erupted through him, white-hot and blinding. His wounds sealed in an instant, flesh knitting together as if time itself reversed. The pain vanished, replaced by something terrifying, exhilarating, like lightning coursing through his veins.

“I feel it!” he screamed. “This is power!”

The statues charged. Mongrod stood and punched one of them in the leg. The stone cracked, and the giant fell.

He looked at the other and commanded. “Kneel!.”

The power of the orb spoke through him. The second statue dropped to its knees.

“You will serve me now,” Mongrod said. “Some pests are coming. Take care of them. I have unfinished business with my clan.”

Just as young Mongrod left, the Monanimals entered the cave.

“No, no, no!” Molandak cried. “He has it!”

“All this… for nothing?” Chog said, sitting down in shock.

“If the orb’s not here,” Salmonad asked, “then where’s Mongrod?”

“In my future,” Molandak said, “he destroys his clan village first. He’s probably on his way there. That’s where we must go too.”

“Then let’s move,” Moyaki added.

“Molandak! Look out!” Mouch shouted.

Molandak looked up as a giant axe was falling toward him. He rolled away just in time.

A giant stone guardian stepped forward from the shadows. Its eyes glowed with danger.

The battle began.

————————————————————-

Meanwhile..

Far away in the time prison, an older Mongrod stood alone in a silent place. He held his broken Time Machine in one hand and stared into the darkness. For twenty long years, he was trapped in this time prison, but to the monanimals it had been mere minutes since their battle. He had not aged, but the loneliness was endless.

Now, he had finished building the machine. He powered it with his own orb, and it lit up with energy.

He smiled, a cruel, cold smile.

“It’s time,” he said. “Time for my revenge.”

————————————————————-

Back in the cave, the Monanimals fought hard. One of Moyaki’s bombs exploded, bringing the titan to one knee.

“I see a weak spot through the eye!” Molandak shouted. “Help me!”

“I have a plan,” Moyaki said.

He placed a bomb under Salmonad’s shield. Molandak stood on top. The explosion launched him high in the air.

He pulled out his gun mid-flight and fired a powerful blast straight through the titan’s eye.

For a heartbeat, the massive stone guardian stood frozen, then, with a groan like a collapsing mountain, it swayed… and crashed to the ground. The team grasped their breath after the victory and again lay on the floor, tired and exhausted.

“How long can we keep doing this?” Chog asked.

“We still haven’t stopped Mongrod,” Molandak replied. “He needs to be stopped!”

“Here,” Salmonad said, handing them healing seeds. “These will help.”

They each ate one. Strength returned to their bodies.

The Monanimals picked up the remaining bits of courage and rushed toward the Zilla Clan village. They could see smoke rising in the distance.

“Oh no,” Salmonad said. “I hope we’re not too late.”

At the village gates, which were now destroyed along with many buildings, young Mongrod held a guard by the neck, then dropped him.

“You just don’t give up, do you?” he said to the monanimals. “Fine. I’ll destroy you myself.”

“Bring it on, Mongrod,” Molandak said.

The Monanimals stood together, ready to fight. The final battle was here.

Credits: Scalds (X)

Molandak rolled behind a boulder, returning fire with his beam gun, but Mongrod's force field shimmered to life, absorbing the shots.

Moyaki flung a trio of spice bombs that exploded into thick clouds. The air turned hot and sharp. Mongrod inhaled deeply, licking his lips.“Tasty,” he smirked. “These are the so-called heroes? Pathetic.”

Meanwhile, 15 mins earlier...

The Monanimals regrouped deeper in the jungle, breathless and shaken..

“So what now?” Moyaki asked, pacing.

Molandak looked around. “Wait... where’s Chog?”

A voice came jogging in from the trees.“Hey! Guys!”

They turned as Chog stumbled toward them, holding his paintbrush like a torch.

“Mongrod caught me... but he let me go.”

“He what?”

“He told me to tell you: ‘You can run, but you can’t hide.’”

Salmonad’s eyes narrowed. “Turn around.”

“Why?”

“Just do it, Chog.”

Chog sighed, turned, and Salmonad yanked a blinking chip from his back.

“He tagged you.”

“We’re gonna die,” Mouch panicked. “He shrugged off our strongest attacks like nothing!”

“I know,” Molandak said, “but this also means we know he’s coming. That gives us a chance for an ambush.”

“Exactly. But first upgrades,” Salmonad said, pulling out a compact gear bag.

He tossed a small pouch to Moyaki. “New spice bombs with hallucinogens, flamebursts, vine seeds. Use them wisely.”

To Chog, he handed a small vial set. “Your brush now holds reactive paints, crafted to shift light and shape. Your skill brings it to life.”

To Mouch, he offered a sleek pair of goggles. “Auto-sensors. Enhanced aerial recon. You’ll be our eyes from above .”

Then, Salmonad held up the fractured pieces of Molandak’s Time Machine. “I’ve restructured parts of the time machine. With a precise trigger, we might trap Mongrod in a time loop away from this reality.”

“Let’s get moving,” Molandak said.

“Mouch, scan the area and tell us how long we have till he gets here?”

Mouch soared upward. Seconds later, his voice crackled over the comm. “He’s closing fast.”

They worked in silence. Moyaki planted explosives under a carpet of jungle moss. Chog crouched in the underbrush, his brush moving like lightning, painting illusions and invisibility cloaks onto the trees, the traps, and everything.

The jungle fell quiet.

And Mongrod arrived..

From the shadows, Mouch hurled his daggers, but before they reached their mark, a magnetic pulse bent them midair and sent them flying back.

Salmonad leapt, shielding Mouch just in time.

“WEAKLINGS!!” Mongrod roared. His voice rattled the trees.

“Retreat!” Salmonad yelled.

Moyaki dropped a smoke bomb, and in the swirling cover, the team made their escape.

But as Chog turned to run, a cold grip seized his arm.

“Where do you think you're going, pest?” Mongrod growled.

Chog looked up, paralyzed. Mongrod's eyes glowed with malice.

He stepped directly onto a buried bomb. A shockwave tore through the trees, flinging him back.

He stood up, cracking his neck. “I see you've prepared.”

A vine exploded upward, wrapping around him like a serpent.

“You think this is enough?”

Molandak emerged from camouflage and fired. The shot deflected. Mouch's daggers rained from above, and one of his Mongrod’s mechanical arms made a spark.

“ENOUGH!” Mongrod screamed, energy bursting from him. The vines vaporized, throwing the Monanimals across the field.

Molandak groaned, barely conscious. Mongrod stomped toward him.

But then Chog stepped into the clearing.

Or rather... many Chog.

Mongrod blinked. He was surrounded by multiple Chog. He fired at one, a rock. Another, a stump. The illusions taunted him.

“Ahh,” Mongrod muttered. “An artist.”

“Where’s the real one?” he snarled.

A sharp pain tore through his side.

He looked down to see Chog. Holding Mouch’s dagger impaled in his stomach.

He had been invisible the whole time.

Mongrod snatched Chog by the neck, lifting him off the ground.

“You’re the first to make me bleed. But it ends here.”He began choking Chog.

His metal hand scanned the wound and sealed it in seconds, while Chog thrashed, gasping.

“Don’t fight it,” Mongrod said. “You’ll see your friends again... soon.”

Chog’s body turned blue from lack of oxygen.

The others rushed forward.

“NO!” Molandak shouted. In a fury, he fired at Mongrod. Mouch descended, launching blades to stop him.

Mongrod threw Chog aside to block the incoming attacks.

Chog hit the ground hard, coughing and trying to catch his breath.

“Mongrod!” Salmonad yelled. “Your reign of terror ends now. We may not be strong enough to beat you, but we can trap you.”

Salmonad stood alone, holding the time device Molandak had arrived with. Repaired, Adjusted, and Ready. He pressed the big button.

A space hole ripped open behind Mongrod, sucking at the world like a vortex.

The Monanimals clung to the trees.

Mongrod spun with panic in his eyes. “What have you done?!”

He lunged forward, trying to grab someone, anyone.

But Molandak stepped up. His beam gun glowed white-hot and supercharged up

He fired at Mongrod.

The blast pushed Mongrod backward into the black hole. He screamed, clawed at the air, and vanished.

The rift sealed shut.

Silence.

Salmonad dropped to one knee.“Checkmate,” he whispered.

Credits: Spyrex (Scalds)

"Look, there’s the capital city up ahead. We can check if Mongrod passed through, maybe picked up supplies or asked questions."

"Do we even know what he looks like?" Mouch asked, glancing at Molandak.

"Well, I met my Mongrod as a cyborg," Molandak replied.

"Great," Chog muttered. "So now we’re asking if anyone has seen a Rilla. That should be easy."

When they reached the capital city, they were greeted by a busy crowd and a variety of Monanimals, including lots of Rillas.

"Whoa," Chog said in awe.

"Yeah, who would’ve thought Rillas might be in a city close to their village?" Mouch said sarcastically.

They stood by the gates, taking in the scene.

"So what now?" Moyaki asked.

"The Rillas said Mongrod was weak. Look for the odd one or ask around," Salmonad replied.

"Let’s split up and see what we find," Molandak said.

Salmonad handed each of them a small gadget. "Take this."

"What is it?" they asked.

"A flare gun. Fire it if you run into trouble. That way we’ll find you faster. But each one only has a single shot, so don’t waste it."

"Alright gang, let’s go!" Molandak called out.

The Monanimals scattered through the city, asking questions and following clues.

Chog ran into a cheerful merchant with a cart full of colorful items.

"Hello, my spiky friend, my name is Flarry, Flarry the merchant. Do you need potions, weapons, traps? This one works wonders and.."

"Sorry Flarry ," Chog interrupted. "I’m in a bit of a hurry. I’m looking for someone."

"Oh? How can I help you?" the merchant smiled.

"I’m looking for a Rilla. This one looks a bit different from the rest. Probably not very strong and somewhat short."

"Ah yes, I know who you mean. He bought nets and bows. Said he was heading into the dark forest."

"That’s him! Do you know which way he went? And how long ago?"

"He’s on his way to the city’s gate right now," the merchant replied, pointing.

"Thank you, Flarry!" Chog shouted, already running. He fired his flare into the sky.

The Monanimals regrouped quickly.

"He’s heading for the gate!! We have to move," Chog said.

They rushed to the city outskirts. Mouch flew into the sky and spotted a cloaked Rilla entering the forest.

"There. I think that’s him," he called down.

The gang followed Mongrod into the dark forest again, keeping low and quiet.

Suddenly, Moyaki stepped on a twig.

"Shhh," Molandak whispered.

Mongrod turned around, spotted them, and took off running.

The Monanimals gave chase, but a trap snapped shut in an instant, launching a reinforced net into the air. They were caught together, swinging from a tree. All except Salmonad.

"Arrgh!" they groaned, struggling inside the net.

"Don’t bother," Mongrod said. "The net is reinforced. Picked it up from that merchant."

"Why are you following me?" he asked.

Molandak looked directly at him.

"Mongrod, you have to stop."

"How do you know my name?" Mongrod frowned.

"I’m from the future. I’ve seen what the orb does to you and to the Monadverse. No matter what happens, you cannot touch it."

"You’re a time traveler?" Mongrod paused. "So I succeed?"

"Yes, but at a terrible cost. You lose yourself. The orb's power corrupts you. It tears the world apart."

"WHY SHOULD I CARE?" Mongrod shouted. "THE WORLD NEVER CARED ABOUT ME! ! I was mocked, beaten, cast aside. So why should I care what happens to it?"

While he ranted, Salmonad worked quietly on the traps buckle. With a loud snap, the net released and the group dropped down, surrounding Mongrod.

"We won’t let you take the orb," Molandak said.

"We’re the same," Salmonad added. "The world may not understand great minds, but that’s not a reason to destroy it. Power is an endless pursuit. You’ll always want more until it consumes you"

"I’ll fight all of you if I have to," Mongrod growled ready to take on the monanimals

KRAK BOOM!!!

A blinding lightning bolt struck the ground in front of them. The shockwave threw everyone off their feet.

Chog opened his eyes slowly, ears ringing, vision blurry. The smoke began to clear.

Through the smoky haze, a massive figure stepped forward.

A larger, cybernetic Mongrod emerged.

Future Mongrod!!

He looked at the younger version of himself.

"Go get the orb. Leave these pests to me. You have an empire to conquer."

The younger Mongrod hesitated, then turned and ran into the forest.

Molandak stumbled up, heart pounding.

"No. No! How did you make it to the past? What did you do to the Doc?"

Future Mongrod turned slowly and faced Molandak.

"Now you’re mine."

Credits:

iam_spyrex

After training, the Monanimals gathered at Moyaki’s pub. The lights were flickering and casting shadows over the tables.

“So, where do we start?” Moyaki asked.

“Do we find Mongrod or the Orb first?” Chog added.

“If the stories are true,” Molandak said, “Mongrod is already hunting it. We either stop him or follow his trail.”

“The Rilla Clan might know,” Salmonad said, pulling out a crinkly map. “They’re tough, but they hear stuff.”

“They’re trouble,” Molandak warned.“Maybe,” Salmonad said, “but we have a map.”Molandak sighed. “Fine. We ask the Rilla Clan.”

The next morning, they walked through the foggy jungle, mist twisting around trees like a blanket. A big statue of roaring Rilla warriors stood tall, marking the village. They could hear laughter, clinking mugs, and shouting from a distance.

“This place gives me chills,” Molandak muttered.“We’re here,” Salmonad said, checking the map.They crouched in the bushes, watching the Rilla village and its guards.

“Halt!”

A deep voice came from behind. A Rilla guard had snuck up on them. More guards emerged behind him, towering over them, spears pointed at their backs. The Monanimals were marched into the village. Rilla villagers watched, their massive frames making the Monanimals seem tiny in comparison.

Inside a skull-shaped temple, the Rilla chief sat on his throne made of bones, gnawing on a huge chunk of meat. His size was even bigger than the other Rillas. The Monanimals were forced to their knees.“Who’s this?” the chief yelled, his voice big and deep.“We caught them spying,” a guard said.The chief grunted. “Who leads you?”

Molandak stood up. “I do. We mean no harm. We’re only looking for Mongrod. ”The chief scoffed. “Mongrod? That skinny runt? Nobody’s scared of him! But we’re bored today—no fights, just beer and tunes.” He gripped his club. “This is the Rilla Clan. Show me your strength or die trying!” The villagers roared in approval.

“So… what now?” Chog whispered.“

“We fight,” Molandak said.

“Wait, what? Have you seen their sizes!”

Chog panicked.“No backing down now,” Salmonad muttered, handing Molandak a new beam gun he’d invented.

The fight started quick. The chief lunged at them. Molandak fired a blast, barely fazing the chief, and so Salmonad rolled in with his shield up, blocking a devastating strike from the chief.“The gun has more power, boost it!” he shouted at Molandak, struggling under the weight of the chief’s impact.

Moyaki hurled spice bombs and boom! - a thick cloud blinded the chief.“Argh! My eyes!” the chief roared.Chog swung his staff wildly, and Mouch cut a massive tree trunk onto the chief.

But with a furious roar, he threw it aside and snatched Mouch mid-air, “This ends now!”

“You’re right!” Molandak yelled, his gun fully charged. He fired a crackling blast, bigger than the one before, and it sent the chief crashing into a hut. The villagers went wild, cheering loud.

“Good job!” the chief grinned, getting up sore. “You proved yourselves. That is our way.”

Molandak turned, panting hard. “Where’s Mongrod?”

“Mongrod’s in the Dark Forests, chasing a crystal. I don’t trust him. Watch out—few come back.”

Molandak nodded. “Then we move fast.”

The Monanimals looked at each other, knowing Mongrod was already ahead. They grabbed their stuff and left, the Dark Forests ahead and danger hiding in the fog.

Chog, the spiky-haired artist, nervously moved his paintbrush between his fingers. “I’m just a painter,” saying softly. “What can I do if danger comes?”

Molandak stepped forward “Your paintbrush is more than a tool, it’s a weapon. With it, you can fight, create, and protect.” He handed Chog a reinforced paintbrush staff, its handle sturdy. “Use it to defend yourself and your friends.”

Chog’s eyes widened as he tested the brush, swinging it through the air with surprising precision. The brush left trails of light in the air, as if there was light dancing in the air. “I can do this,” he whispered, a spark of confidence igniting within him.

Mouch, the tiny buzzing Monanimal, fluttered nervously. “I’m just… small,” he said, his voice barely audible. “How can I help if something bad happens?”

Molandak knelt down, placing a hand on Mouch’s shoulder. “Small, but fast and precise,” he said with a reassuring smile. He handed Mouch a humming blade, its edge vibrating with energy. “This blade can cut through anything, and your speed makes you unstoppable. No one will see you coming, Mouch.”

Mouch zipped through the air, testing the blade on a thick vine. It sliced through effortlessly, leaving a clean cut. A grin spread across his face. “I’m ready,” he said, his voice steady for the first time.

Salmonad adjusted his goggles, his mind already racing with ideas. “I’m no warrior,” he said. “I just tinker and build.”

“And that’s exactly what we need,” Molandak replied.. “Your inventions will be our shield and our escape. You already have an arsenal of inventions. Just use your genius to protect us”, pointing to the Shield generator, a grappling hook, and a series of small, glowing devices.

Salmonad’s eyes lit up and he began assembling traps and fortifications around the clearing to prep for battle. Moyaki wiped his hands on his apron, his expression uncertain. “I’m just a chef,” he said. “What can I possibly do if trouble finds us?”

Molandak handed him a launcher, its surface etched with intricate patterns. “Your spices are more than just flavor,” he said. “They can create smoke screens, disorient enemies, or even knock them out cold. You’re more powerful than you realize.”\

Moyaki’s eyes sparkled as he loaded the launcher with his strongest spices. He aimed at a distant tree and fired, creating a cloud of vibrant, spicy red smoke. “This is going to be fun,” he said with a mischievous grin.

The group trained furiously, each practicing their newfound skills. Chog practiced his paintbrush strikes, leaving trails of light in the air. Mouch zipped through the jungle, working on his humming blade. Salmonad’s gadgets fortified their surroundings, and Moyaki’s spice launcher added an unpredictable edge to their arsenal.

Watching the Monanimals, the Great Elder Tree seemed to glow brighter, its ancient roots pulsing with energy. It was as if the tree itself was lending its strength to their cause.

The sun soon dipped below the horizon, wrapping the jungle in evening colors of red and golden. The Monanimals stood together, their resolve unshakable. “We don’t know what’s out there,” Molandak said, his voice urgent. “But whatever comes, we’ll face it together.”

As the last light of the day faded, a chill crept into the air. It was a pair of glowing blue eyes hidden behind the lush bushes, watching them. Waiting.

“He’s inside, boss,” said a minion soldier who stood guard outside the heavy cell door.

The door creaked open, and Mongrod stepped in, his glowing blue eyes fixed on the figure chained to the wall. The doctor knelt before him, all chained and beat-up. His fur was messy, and blood dripped from his face. He was the one who’d given Molandak the portal device, a small and round gadget that opened a door through time. Molandak had taken the working one, but the doctor kept a broken prototype, fighting Mongrod’s guards to cover the escape.

“Where’d he go?” Mongrod growled.

“Tell me now!” his voice rough like a busted engine.

The Doctor lifted his head, weak but tough. “You’re too late. Molandak’s out of your reach.”

Mongrod stood, his metal legs clanking. “Out of reach? I’ll drag him back!” He leaned close, red eyes glowing. “Tell me how he left, or I’ll rip it out of you.”

The Doctor smirked. “Try it, you failed freak.”

Mongrod’s temper snapped. He raised his claw, and dark energy shot from the Monorb. It was a black cloud with sparks, hitting the Doctor hard. He yelled as it dug into his head, allowing Mongrod to pull out his thoughts.

He was able to see it all: the Doctor giving Molandak the portal device, pressing its button, a bright doorway opening, and Molandak jumping through to the past. The Doctor’s fight flashed too, him swinging a stick until the guards knocked him down.

“So,” Mongrod said, stepping back, “he went back with that little toy to stop me from getting the Monorb. Thinks he can ruin my future?” He laughed, cold and mean. “I’ll ruin his first.”

The doctor exhaled, “He’ll beat you. Look at yourself. This is madness.”

He leaned close to Doc. “Is it madness? Or is it justice?”

“It’s not justice,” he whispered. “It’s revenge.”

Mongrod grinned. “Maybe. But revenge built my empire.” “Now, tell me… Where is Molandak?”

The Doc said nothing.

“WHERE!!” Mongrod shouted. His metal arm sparked with electricity, and with a punch to the gut, he sent a jolt through the Doc. The scientist screamed, shaking in pain.

Gasping, the Doc muttered, “He’s… the child of prophecy. Molandak. He’ll make sure you never find the Monorb in the past….Salmonad, Mouch, Moyaki, Chog. This time, they won’t lose. He’s got the time machine. And I won’t build you another.”

Mongrod chuckled. “Thanks, Doc. That is all I needed.”

Mongrod signaled to his guards. They brought in Doctor’s bag and ripped it open. Inside was the broken time machine prototype with cracked buttons and a faint blue glow.

He turned to the table. The Monorb in his arm glowed. He raised his hand, and the Time Machine pieces floated, snapping back together.

The Doc’s eyes widened. “No… no!”The prototype started looking meaner, more shiny black with red glows, like Mongrod’s own body. The guards tested it, pressing a button. A small portal popped open, dark and crackling, then shut quick, slicing a table in half. Mongrod laughed. “Good. Almost there.”

“You don’t have to do this!” the Doc yelled.

“Oh, I do,” Mongrod said. “And as for you? You won’t die. You’ll stay right here while I go back in time to kill your hero, and end those rebels for good.”

He held the portal device tight. “Time to stop those rebels.” He pressed the button, and the gadget roared. A big, dark portal ripped open, swirling with Monorb energy. The room shook, bits of the ceiling crashed down, and the Doctor ducked as wind howled. With a loud whoosh and a bright flash, Mongrod stepped into the portal, vanishing into the past.

The portal closed, leaving a burnt spot on the floor.

The Doctor fell back, chains rattling. He stared at the empty space, whispering, “Hurry, Molandak. He’s coming.”

Molandak, looking at his new friends, said, “I come from a bad future.”

“Mongrod has destroyed everything. He captured and killed so many friends. Under his control, the Monadverse became a total wasteland.”

Chog tilted his head. “Mongrod, who?”

“Mongrod! He's the sadistic ruler who controls the Monadverse now. Everyone has to bow down to him. He was once a genius… and still is. But he’s also… dangerous.”

Mouch flapped his wings. “I’ve heard about him, the crazy inventor. Isn’t he from here too?”

“He was,” Molandak said. “But something changed in him.”

“He belongs to the Rilla Clan,” Molandak began. “They’re hardened, brave, and love to fight. But Mongrod? He was different. He loved to invent things.”

Salmonad calmly nodded. “I remember him. He was smart, but… his inventions didn’t always work.”

“Exactly,” Molandak said. “He built machines, flying gadgets, and even a robot once. He wanted to help the jungle. But every time he tried to show his inventions… they failed. And not just small fails. Big, explosive fails.”

Chog raised an eyebrow. “Explosive? Like, boom?”

“Yes,” Molandak said. “Like one time he built a flying machine to help Monanimals travel faster. He called it the Sky Glider. He invited the whole Rilla Clan to watch it fly. But as soon as he turned it on, it shot straight up… and then crashed into a tree. Pieces flew everywhere!”

Mouch burst out laughing. “Did it at least look cool?”

“Not really,” Molandak said. “It looked like a pile of sticks and leaves. And Mongrod? He was covered in soot. The Rilla Clan laughed so hard at him, they couldn’t breathe.”

Moyaki shook her head. “That’s so mean. What else did he try?”

“There was the Jungle Cleaner,” Molandak continued. “He wanted to build a machine that could clean up the jungle and make it healthier. But when he turned it on, it started spraying mud everywhere. The Rilla Clan got covered in it, and they were furious!”

Chog snorted. “Okay, that’s kinda funny.”

“And then there was the Monanimal Helper,” Molandak said. “A robot that could carry heavy things and help with work. But when he showed it to the clan, it went crazy. It started throwing rocks and yelling, ‘I AM YOUR KING!’”

Mouch fell off the table, laughing. “No way! That’s amazing!”

Molandak sighed. “It wasn’t amazing for Mongrod. Every time he failed, the Rilla Clan laughed at him. They called him weak and a loser. Even never considered him part of the clan.”

“He disappeared for years, and when he came back, he was… different. He had turned himself into a machine, a cyborg. And he wasn’t alone. He had an army.”

Salmonad’s voice was grim. “What did he do?”

“He started with the Rilla Clan,” Molandak said. “The ones who had laughed at him. He attacked their village with his army of cyber-enhanced Monanimals. They didn’t stand a chance. Mongrod destroyed everything. The Rilla Clan… they were wiped out.”

Moyaki’s eyes widened. “He killed his own clan?”

“Not all of them,” Molandak said. “Some joined him. They were too scared to fight back. But the ones who resisted? They were captured or… worse.”

Mouch slammed his fist on the table. “That’s horrible! How did anyone survive?”

“Some Monanimals joined him,” Molandak said. “They had no choice. Others tried to fight back. But Mongrod was far too powerful. He captured anyone who opposed him. He turned them into his slaves… or his experiments.”

Moyaki shuddered. “Experiments?”

Molandak nodded. “He used his cybernetic enhancements on them. Some became part of his army. Others… didn’t survive. It was a dark time. But even in the darkness, there was hope.”

His eyes shone as he looked at everyone. “In my time, I heard stories about you. Legends, really.”

Chog tilted his head. “Legends? About us?”

“Yes,” Molandak said. “When Mongrod took over, a group of brave Monanimals stood against him. They fought with everything they had. And their names were… Chog, Mouch, Salmonad, and Moyaki.”

Mouch’s wings stopped buzzing. “Wait, us? We’re legends?”

Molandak smiled. “Yes. I didn’t realize it was you until now. But the stories… they’re amazing. Chog, the artist who painted hope on the walls of the jungle. Mouch, the trickster who outsmarted Mongrod’s army. Salmonad, the inventor who built weapons to fight back. And Moyaki, the chef who fed the resistance and kept their spirits alive.”

Moyaki blushed. “Me? A legend? I just make bread.”

“It’s more than bread,” Molandak said. “It’s hope. And in the future, you all gave the jungle that hope.”

Salmonad crossed his arms. “But if we’re legends in the future, why couldn’t we stop Mongrod?”

“Because it failed,” Molandak said. “Mongrod was far too powerful. He had an army of minions protecting him. The only way to stop him and save the Monadverse is to prevent him from ever finding the Monorb.”

“The Monorb?” inquired Chog.

“Yes, the Monorb,” Molandak said. “It’s an ancient, glowing orb. It’s a source of immense energy. But it’s cursed. Whoever touches it is corrupted, their heart turning dark and their mind consumed by power. Mongrod found it in my time, and it transformed him into the monster he is now. He used it to extract energy from the Elder Tree, weakening the jungle and turning the Monadverse into a wasteland.”

Moyaki’s eyes widened. “So, the Monorb is what gave him power?”“Yes,” Molandak said. “The Elder Tree is the life force of the jungle, and while it doesn’t need the Monorb to survive, the Monorb’s energy can be used to corrupt it. Mongrod used the orb to drain the Tree’s energy, twisting its power and gaining control over the Monadverse. If we can stop him from finding the Monorb in the first place, we can prevent all of this from happening.”

Salmonad crossed his arms. “But if the Monorb is so dangerous, why not destroy it?”

“It’s not that simple,” Molandak said. “The Monorb is indestructible. The only way to stop its curse is to keep it hidden, far away from Mongrod’s reach. That’s why I’ve come back. To find it before he does and ensure it’s never found.”

Chog tilted his head. “Where is it now?”

“It’s hidden somewhere in the jungle,” Molandak said. “The guardians of the jungle sealed it away long ago, but Mongrod will stop at nothing to find it. If he gets his hands on it again, the Monadverse is doomed.”

Salmonad stood up, his voice firm. “Then we can’t waste time. We need to find the Monorb and keep it safe.”

The question remained - where is this Monorb ?

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)

Long ago, the Monadverse was a vibrant and beautiful place. The Elder tree was a symbol of life and harmony, its roots deeply connected to the land, protecting and sheltering the Monanimals.

But everything changed with Mongrod. Once a brilliant Monanimal, he was exiled by his community for seeking forbidden knowledge. Angry and alone, he vowed to create a new world where no one could reject him. Over time, his anger turned into madness. He enhanced his body with cybernetic upgrades, conquered the strongest warriors, and launched a brutal campaign to destroy the Great Elder Tree.

The guardians of the tree fought bravely to protect the tree, but they were no match for Mongrod’s power. With the Great Elder Tree gone, the jungle fell into chaos, and the Monadverse was plunged into darkness. Under Mongrod’s rule, only those who obeyed him were given resources to survive. The rest were left to suffer.

But even in the darkest times, a ray of hope remained. Molandak, a brave and defiant Monanimal, led a small group of rebels against Mongrod’s tyranny. Their fight was not easy. When Mongrod’s forces ambushed their hideout, Molandak watched in horror as his friends were captured or killed.

Just as all hope seemed lost, the Doctor, a wise and elderly Monanimal found Molandak, and handed him a strange device.

“This can bend time itself,” the Doctor said urgently. “The only way to stop Mongrod is to prevent him from ever destroying the Great Elder Tree. Go to the past and change the future.”

“Remember, you must stop Mongrod before he finds the Monorb,” urged the Doctor as he made his final stand, defending Molandak against the Mongrod’s cyber minions and buying him enough time to escape.

Molandak, gathering his courage, activated the device and jumped into the past. He swore to rewrite destiny and prevent the fall of the Monadverse.

Can he rewrite destiny? Will he meet new allies on his quest? Or is the jungle doomed to remain a wasteland forever?

Credits: Syprex (X: iam_spyrex)