Bob’s back felt painful.

Once the adrenaline wore off, Bob felt the consequences of being sent flying to a solid cave wall. He felt confused as to why he was suffering so much pain. Whenever Michael was sent flying, Bob noticed that his friend continued to move as if there was no pain at all.

Even when Michael suffered an injury, he could quickly recover, something that baffled Bob whenever he saw it. He thought that the same would apply to him.

Bob didn’t know that Michael’s tenacity was due to his current stage in the superhuman evolution tiers. Unfortunately, that was a very complex topic that Michael couldn't easily explain to Bob.

Was Michael immune to pain or was he just resistant to it? That was Bob’s question.

Not able to understand how Michael ignored such high levels of pain, Bob simply scratches his head and moves on.

Despite the pain, Bob still swung from tree to tree. He would never risk walking on the ground. He could walk on the ground but unlike his two friends, Bob was slower when he walked. It was also dangerous but most importantly, Bob disliked walking with his two feet. He’d rather swing from tree to tree or ride Michael’s shoulder.

Bob lands on a tree. He then looks around.

After a quick survey, Bob sees the waterfall in the distance. Focusing on his hearing, Bob hears the sound of rushing water which meant that he was near the river.

Starting to feel hungry from his endeavors, Bob pulls out fruit from his fur bag. He checks to see if it was a rock.

It was not a rock so Bob quickly chows down on the juicy and healthy fruit.

Continuing with his travel back home, Bob hears the voice in his mind again.

Bob…

Bob rolls his eyes, a habit he learned from Michael and Evelyn, to show his annoyance.

He knew that the voice came from the psion stone. It annoyed him because the voice copied Michael’s voice. Despite copying Michael’s voice, the psion stone could not copy the warmth that Michael exuded.

Bob still replied.

What?

The psion stone in Bob’s fur pouch glows ever so slightly.

Use me… your mind… is advanced… not weak… like-

Before the psion stone could continue, Bob quickly stops it.

No. I don’t want to.

The psion stone stopped talking for a bit which Bob appreciates but before the little monkey could enjoy the silence, the psion stone speaks again.

Power… strength… intelligence… I could give it to you.

Don’t wanna.

Why???

The psion stone sounded dejected from Bob’s flat rejection.

Bob… you would give up so much power and potential for what?

Bob imagines doing what Blacky did but better. But he was already happy. He thought of Michael and all of the snacks, drinks, and comfy beds that his best friend could give. Those simple thoughts swayed the monkey away from the psion stone’s corruption.

I like food.

What?

Can you give me food, shiny rock?

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

… No but…

Then you are useless, except to make Michael happy.

The psion stone is quiet at the mention of Michael’s name.

This Michael… Then I shall ask him instead.

Bob stops for a bit. He opens his fur bag and takes the psion stone out.

What do you mean to ask him?

The psion stone seems to vibrate lightly. It managed to hook a part of Bob.

I shall ask him instead. I am sure that if you value him then his mind is either your equal or better.

Bob frowns a bit. He remembers Blacky’s actions and how many snakes he killed. He imagined Michael becoming like Blacky and attacking other animals like him or more importantly, their new friend, Evelyn.

You can’t ask him.

Why not?

The psion stone had no malevolence in its voice. Bob didn’t trust it. Blacky’s voice quickly changed from warm to angry in a second.

Because you can’t.

You will still give me to Michael, right?

Yes.

So, is it okay if I ask him?

Bob felt annoyed again.

Thinking to himself, Bob was contemplating just throwing the psion rock away but after seeing Blacky, he also knew that another animal could just pick it up. If the creature that picks up the psion stone could become as dangerous as Blacky, Michael and Evelyn might get hurt.

They would be endangered because of Bob’s carelessness. He couldn’t let that happen.

But then again, Bob didn’t want Michael to take the psion stone and become like Blacky. Then it hit him.

Aha! Okay, you can ask him then.

The psion stone was surprised by Bob’s sudden change of character.

Okay, I will ask this Michael person if he wishes for power and might.

Bob smiles to himself. He already gave Michael a psion stone before, albeit that one didn’t talk.

The psion stone exuded an uncomfortable aura. It knew that Bob knew something that it didn’t. Bob knew that Michael isn’t weak-willed.

Bob was still in pain but he kept moving. Michael told him that the moment he stopped moving, he would die.

Move as long as you can.

Bob agreed with that sentiment. His heart feels light when he remembers the time Michael saved him. It was a dark day for him but Michael showed him that he could recover despite the loss of all his family members.

Unknown to Bob, the psion stone was slowly looking through his memories and when Bob thought of his family, the psion stone saw that as well.

As Bob got closer and closer to the waterfall, he felt the psion stone start to become antsy.

The psion stone didn’t have a face or body but Bob could feel its emotions through their connection.

Bob!

Bob almost fell off the vine as he heard the psion stone scream in his mind. Thankfully, Bob managed to hold on. He lands on a nearby tree.

What??? I’m trying to get home, what’s wrong with you??

Before Bob could continue questioning, he is suddenly assaulted with a vision, one that he didn’t expect.

Bob was in the waterfall with both Michael and Evelyn.

He was happy.

He felt content, satisfied, and full. Looking around, Bob saw the Draco prostrating towards him. With that, Bob felt magnificent and powerful. He felt larger than life. They didn’t have a problem with food and leisure, the psion stone provided all that they needed.

Then he hears the psion stone’s voice again.

This… this could be all yours.

Bob felt the desire to agree but he also hesitated.

He was already happy with the life he had. He didn’t need or want more.

Bob felt the psion stone get annoyed but it quickly recovers and adds more to the vision.

As Bob was about to exit the vision, he heard a noise.

It was a familiar noise, one that his kind could produce.

Looking at the edge of the waterfall, Bob saw his family.

They were fine and happy to see him.

Bob stopped moving. He was staring at this family, devoid of all the blood and gore that surrounded them when he lost them.

Then he felt Michael pat his back. Looking up, Bob saw Michael give him a kind smile.

“Go. They’re here for you.”

Bob looked at his family and he wailed.

The psion stone felt shocked at Bob’s reaction.

With each wailing, the hallucination started to crack and reveal its flaws.

No! What are you doing Bob?! I am your friend!

Bob wailed once more.

No! Bob! Stop!

Despite the warmth of the vision, he knew it was fake. No power could bring back the dead. Michael told him this.

The psion stone could not keep the hallucination from shattering due to Bob’s immense sadness.

Then the vision shatters.

Bob opens his eyes and finds himself back in the real world. He was laying on top of a tree.

Immediately remembering the vision, Bob opens the fur bag and takes out the psion stone. Without letting it explain itself, Bob screams at it with his mind.

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT! DO THAT AGAIN AND I WILL SHATTER YOU!

The psion stone was silent.

Since it didn’t reply, Bob raised his arm and was preparing to throw the stone.

NO! DON’T!

Bob lowers his arm then he looks menacingly at the stone.

If you do that again, I will shatter you.

The psion stone’s sentience was only awakened when it connected to a creature. To suddenly lose everything, the stone felt terrified. For it to experience the world, it needed a host.

You will not repeat that again. Understand.

The psion stone meekly replied.

Yes.

Bob doesn’t speak. He shoves the psion stone in the fur bag then he silently moves forward.

Eventually, Bob reaches the waterfall. He starts to climb up.

When he reaches the top, Bob sees Michael.

Michael sees him and smiles. He signs at Bob.

+Bob, how was your trip?+

Without replying, Bob climbs Michael’s body and then hugs him.

Michael immediately hugs the little monkey without any questions being asked. Bob felt a bit lighter when Michael pats his back and head.

After a few seconds of hugging, Bob then jumps off Michael’s arms then pulls out the psion stone.

Michael raises his eyebrow when he sees the purple rock.

Bob puts it on Michael’s hand then he walks to his room without signing any words.

Once in their room, Bob takes out his shiny rocks and starts to decorate his bed. After a quick arrangement, Bob plops down on his soft fur bed.

He starts to snore.