Here it is. The long-time-in-the-making story that comes after 'The Start of a Blayze' and 'The Panthers' Prodigy.' Here is the story of a friendship that is unique and heartwarming. Enjoy!

Commander ApeTrully slipped out of the base stealthily. He didn't want First Squad to catch him this time. It had been several months since he had last visited his home, and he had to know how things were going in his kingdom. Thankfully, First Squad was otherwise engaged at the moment so he had a pretty clear shot at getting out. As soon as he was out of the vicinity of Big Green, he made a beeline straight for the forest. He'd told Woo the Wise that he was going to be gone a few days, even though a few days weren't nearly enough time to spend in his home.

"It's better than nothing," the disguised monkey sighed as he slipped into the woods.

As soon as the trees surrounded him, his running changed. He sped up then doubled over, placing his paws on the ground to go even faster. With a leap, he was swinging through the trees with ease. He traveled for hours and, mid-afternoon, he reached his home. He climbed swiftly over the buildings and hurried to the castle. He slipped into his room and stripped out of his disguise. He then snuck out and found a purple servant Monkey. For the first time in too long, he spoke his native tongue.

"Hello friend," he said.

The Monkey gasped and bowed. "My king! Whatever can I do for you?"

"You could tell me where Hardwin is. Then you can get both me and Hardwin a banana and strawberry shake."

"Immediately, my king!" the monkey said, bowing low. "And Hardwin is debriefing the scouts."

Blayze thanked him heartily then hurried off. He stood outside the door of the meeting room, off to the side behind a statue. He smiled as the meeting adjourned. Hardwin was the last one out. He walked by and Blayze pounced, pinning his friend with ease. Before Hardwin registered who he was, he licked him in a warm, personal greeting.

"Greetings, dearest friend in the world!" Blayze crowed.

"Blayze!" Hardwin gasped. Every Monkey that had come out of the meeting room spun around and was around him in seconds.

"My king!" they all cried out.

"Hello my subjects! It's good to be home!"

Blayze stood, pulling Hardwin to his feet. Hardwin licked his face then their hands came together and they began to dance. To the Monkeys, dancing was an art form. Each child was taught many styles of dancing. When they had reached a certain level of skill, they were taught how to turn the dancing into fighting. Most adult Monkeys were expert fighters and even better dancers. Fewer Monkeys could sing, but there were still a good number who could. And the best, the absolute best singer, dancer, and fighter was their king. But there was the annoying fact that he was a pacifist. He'd fight for fun, but never to wound.

They spun around, chatting idly about their lives, laughing and cringing appropriately. They only stopped when their shakes got there. They carried them up to the roof of the castle and drank, staring silently over the kingdom. It was lush and beautiful, surrounded on all sides with thick forests. There were orchards and farms, growing all kinds of fruits. There were wide open spaces where dances and feasts were held. There was a sparkling river running on one side of the kingdom, where Monkeys laughed and played gaily. Along with the Panthers' kingdom, it was the most beautiful one that Blayze had ever visited.

"I miss home, Hardwin," he sighed.

"Then stay," his friend replied as he sucked up the last of his drink.

Blayze shifted, weighing his words then finally spilled something he'd been keeping from the blue Monkey.

"I cannot, my friend. My heart is torn. I have two homes. One is here, amidst my people, where I can laugh and frolic freely. The other is with the Humans and other animals at Big Green, where I am their leader. I could never choose between them."

Tears stung the red Monkey's eyes, and he looked away. Hardwin watched him for a few moments then tenderly wrapped his tail around Blayze's, a sign of close friendship that was meant to calm, and scooted closer.

"I won't force you to choose, dear friend," he said, turning Blayze's face to wipe away the tears that were slipping down the white fur. "I love you too much to hurt you so. But you must admit, one day you might have to make the choice."

Blayze shivered. "I hope that day will never come. If they saw me as I truly am…" He hugged himself. "I would be so ashamed, so embarrassed. How could I ever face them again?"

"Wait," Hardwin said suddenly. "Ashamed? Embarrassed I can see, but ashamed?"

"Oh! I, er…I meant…What I was trying to say was…" Blayze trailed off, face warming under his fur.

Hardwin stared in horror at him. "You're ashamed of being a Monkey?!"

"Well…"

"Why?!"

"I…I don't know," Blayze said quickly. Before Hardwin could catch his lie, he stood. "My, my, my! I haven't been here in so very long! I believe I shall walk around and greet my subjects!"

He leaped onto a vine and skittered down, ignoring his friend's cry for him to come back. He had a very pleasant walk, and even played a few games with a bunch of children. The entire time, he was dreading facing his friend again. He didn't want to talk about his insecurities. Darkness settled down on the world and Blayze was invited into an orchard keeper's house for dinner. He feasted heartily on apples and peaches then reluctantly bid them good night and walked home. He snuck up the vines and slipped into his room. He didn't bother lighting a candle and was congratulating himself on avoiding Hardwin when he sat down on his bed and his bed cried out in surprise.

"Damn you, Hardwin!" Blayze spat, leaping up and blushing hard; it looked like he was going to have to talk anyway.

"Damn yourself, Blayze," the blue Monkey growled, sitting up. "You deliberately ran away from me."

They could both see well enough to light the candle on the bedside table. Soon they were bathed in flickering light. Blayze couldn't look at his friend. They sat in silence for ten minutes. Then, without warning, Blayze let out a sob and began to cry hard. Hardwin intertwined their tails then pulled him almost into his lap. He rocked him back and forth gently, licking his ear lovingly. Blayze cried and cried until he had no tears left. He breathed deeply as he held Hardwin tightly. He suddenly felt cold and began to shiver. Hardwin stood them up and took the blanket, wrapping it securely around his king before they sat down again.

"Blayze, why? Why are you ashamed to be what you are? Why does it affect you so strongly?"

"I am afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of what the Human would think of me. Of what you think of me now."

"Well, I don't know about those pesky Humans, but I love you. You're my best friend in the whole wide world. I just want to understand you."

For the first time since the candle was lit, Blayze turned and looked at him, scrutinizing him. To his great relief, Hardwin meant what he said. The red Monkey relaxed, giving a small smile.

"I would be ashamed because they most certainly would not want me to be their leader. They would never want to stay my friends. They would think I was wrong and foolish, and that pains me. So many times I have wished to truly be Human so that they would not hate me, so that I would not have my great secret. That, my dearest friend, is why I would be ashamed. In short, I suppose I've spent so much time with the Humans that I am developing their penchant for insecurities."

Hardwin nodded. "I would agree. Now, it is high time we get some sleep. You had a long run today."

With that said he blew the candle out then snuggled against his friend. Blayze shared the blanket and they fell asleep easily, feeling quite content and safe.