Young Mongrod finally reached the cave where the orb was hidden. He looked at his map and stared into the dark opening.

“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)