The following day, the cast of Romulus and Julianna stood outside the towering gates of the suburban Mind Jungles with Maximilian, the lion mayor and Monkler. The snooty king mayor spread his teeth into a wide boisterous grin. "The play, if I do say so myself, was a roaring success"--he closed his mouth and dabbed at his mane--"though a gentlelion like myself does not roar, only mew with pleasure."

In response, Mena did not speak, only balling up her firsts and grimacing to hold back tears. She muttered, "No play where your boyfriend dies at the hands of one of your best friends is a success."

Stellaris and May put consoling hands on her shoulders, but Mena believed it was only to quiet her down. This only made her more mad.

Maximilian spread his gloves hands apart, presenting the gate. "You thespians (and boys) redefined the word 'tragedy' in this mo-dern take on a Grasspeare classic. And for that, we present you there key to our sacred suburban grounds."

The lion held his paw to his chest and bellowed in an operatic tenor, "Fa-Fa-Faaaaaa!"

The gates creaked open and Maximilian winked. "It's voice activated and the key is F-sharp!"

The lion chuckled like a ham, but Monkler waddled in front of the gate blocking them. There was a look of massive irritation on his face. To Mena, he looked like he was infested flesh eating fleas...or a dirty secret.

"But boss," the butler cried, "Surely these hairless child apes will lead our divine culture into upmost debauchery with their wizget spinners and odious taste in music!"

Monkler narrowed his eyes, his forehead ridging. "Oh how I abhor the likes of Taylor Witch and Mandrake!"

"Oh Monkler," Maximilian sang. "You know what I abhor?"

"What sir?" the ape asked.

Maximilian stomped towards his servant causing the monkey to shiver in his shadow.

"I despise cheeky little monkeys who try to sabotage the greatest play we ever had!"

Monkler gulped so loudly, it was like he swallowed a bag of golf balls from the bourgeois golf course. "Monkler…" Maximilian said, thrusting a claw in his face. "You're fired!"

Monkler grimaced. "You didn't pay me anyway, except in bugs and misery!"

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

The ape howled and began to chimp out. "You may have ruined my scheme, but you will rue the day, all of you! You will all bow before the Master Apes!"

"Guards," the lion mayor ordered. "Take him away!"

Two seven foot gazelles in uniform seized Monkler and hauled him away, kicking and screaming. "Gadzooks!" he gasped. "I'm much too posh to survive in prison. There's a bunch of animals in there."

"You don't say," Mena muttered.

Once Monkler was out of his sight, the lion mayor smiled. "Thanks for informing me of my subordinate's well... insubordination."

"It was Mena and Tal who brought it to our attention," Stellaris said and everyone looked at her.

"Thank you again, Julianna," Maximilian said, and Mena simply mumbled and grumbled unintelligible words beneath her breath.

"Anywho," Maximilian said, "Welcome to our not-so-humble gated community!"

Everyone proceeded inside and marveled at the sights. Hundreds of manors stretched as far as the eye could see. Rather than pave aside the enourmous trees, many were economically built into them.

Many of the school were amazed, but Mena merely crossed her arms, looked aside and heaved a big sigh.

Stellaris and Electra broke off from the group, taking Mena and May with them.

"Mena," Stellaris said with an urgent look. "Now is the most important part of the mission. We have to find the temple of the Bourgebeast's ancestors and a sage."

Mena was silent, but a hostile glare showcased that finding those things were the last thing on her mind. May tried to defuse the situation by asking in her deep voice. "Who did Gemini say was the sage again?"

Stellaris nodded. "Someone with a lot of courage. Now how are we gonna find someone like that?"

Mena grinned sardonically and raised her hand. "I know someone with a lot of courage ...Tal. Oh wait, he's dead!"

Stellaris, May and even Electra had looks of concern on their face over Mena's wellbeing. Stellaris frowned, "Mena honey," but that only made Mena clam up further.

Electra, in a rare moment of empathy spoke to Mena, "Mena. Nobody loved Tal more than I, the headmistress of his school and I know more than anything that he would want us to continue to save the goddess' dream world from Anguish. He may have been dark and withdrawn, but he was a noble soul."

"Good, Electra," Mena said, "You and Stellaris can be the chosen one while I throw myself a pity party with non alcoholic fruit juice and a cheesy romance novel. "

Stellaris and Electra looked at each other. This time, they had no words for Mena. May placed a pudgy hand on Mena's shoulder. "I know what would cheer you up, Mena."

"To sleep for the rest of my life?" Mena shot back.

May quickly interjected. "No! To go see the Lion's Den. Ashlan lives here, remember?"

"Stellaris immediately spoke up, "That's splendid. I'm sure the O'Ryan's would love to see Mena. Do that and then we can proceed."

"And now that we know who the phantom is," Electra began. "Ashlan won't be possessed. I must admit, I was terribly wrong about her, and I hope the O'Ryan family won't hold the vicious lawsuit I waged against me."

"Cue eyeroll," Mena said and she did just that, rolling her eyes very aggressively.

"Well," Electra said, nervously clasping her big hands together."We'll leave you to that! Now if you excuse us, we'll be at the Jungle Breeze, resort and spa!"

As Stellaris and Electra led the class off, Mena ho-hummed loudly. "Well," she muttered. "Time to go see Sunny."

Mena nearly jumped as someone placed a hairy hand on her back.

"Yo Skin-And-Bones, and Meaty Morsel." Leo O'Ryan stood with behind them, towering over them with a beastly gleam in his eyes. "I've got a bone to pick with you..literally!"