Chapter 9.

"Claude, maybe we should followed John," the coyote says to the butterfly.

"Yeah. Maybe we can help out," the butterfly said.

"Do you boys want to happen to John what happened to us?" the giraffe said. "John might be able turn things around for the better, for himself, his family, and their town. 

"Sarah," the coyote said to the giraffe. "What does us supporting John and helping out have to do with him facing a terrible fate.

Giraffe looked serious. "The witch sees everything. Did you two forget? If we interfere, she'll come after us again, and make John’s life miserable."

"I'm tired of being scared of that ugly, old, mean witch," the coyote said. "I'm tired of roaming around, drinking stream water, and munching on grass."

"I'm tired of flying around in circles to escape animals that want to pick on me," the butterfly said.

"...Are you both, also tired of the reflection you see when you look in the stream."

"Yes!" Butterfly and coyote shouted.

"Do you want things to get any worst?" Giraffe asked.

"No!" Butterfly and coyote shouted again.

"Then, Gerald and Claude, please promise me that you won't intervene. John will have to figure out things on his own."

. . .

As John made his way back home, he noticed a large army of the Cruel Nation soldiers blocking the front gate entrance and all other entry ways to the Copeland Castle. Their belts and vests were saturated with a variety of weapons, fire-smoked bows and arrows, spiked swords, bomb balls, and of course, their bare fists. They were ready to fight, but the Copeland militia was not. Where were they?...

John quietly snuck around, hiding himself behind nearby trees, bushes, and carriages. Soon, he noticed a loud scream, “help!” John followed the sound, which was in the opposite direction, until he came across a man-made cage in the middle of town square. Inside, were the Copeland Nation soldiers, held captive. Mustacke, was guarding the lock.

John puffed out his chest, clenched his claws, and arched his eyebrows. He ate his might, and pulled in his courage. He flung his monstrous body onto Mustacke, attacking him. Mustacke fell to the floor. Scared and frighted, by the beast, Mustacke ran away, crying for help from his men.

John used his left claw to hold the lock and his sharpest right finger nail to unhing, and open the lock. His soldiers were free. They ran out and started the fight. It was war time. 

The Cruel Nation army had a lot of force, aggression, and impact, but the Copeland Nation military had quick thinkers, speed, stamina, and a lot of undefeated motivation. John rushed in, punching with his claws, striking with his hooves, bumping into men with his antlers, and using the strength of his purple deer-head monsterous body to defeat his enemies in large numbers. John was a lot stronger than he though he was. 

Two hours passed, and the Cruel soldiers were either deep breathing to catch their breath, scared by the strength of the beast, or passed out on the ground. The Copeland soldiers stood boldly and proudly, as they handcuffed their enemies, walked them to their prison cells, and released their remaining citizens from chains, cages, and bondage. The last chain to be broken, was the one, holding Queen Viola captive. John looked over to his left, and was ecstatic to see his beautiful mother once again…

The town leaped for joy. The once silent town was once again filled with grand music, delicious food, and mesmerizing dance. Today was the third week of July. With happiness on their faces, they leaped, skipped, and twirled their way to the Copeland Castle Ballroom to celebrate the “Grand Fellows Ball,” again, and again every month on forward, as they usually do.

… John ran to go hug his mother, but the Copeland Nation soldiers had finally noticed the purple deer-looking monster. They didn't know who it was. They hovered around him, before he could get any closer to the queen. The queen was shocked by the sight of the creature, and froze.

“Who are you?” The first sergeant said, as he was struck with confusion.

“I am John,” John calmly muttered.

“John, who?” The second sargeant spoke. He was eager to hear more.

John took a deep breath, as he was unsure if he should keep speaking or just run away.

“Speak! Don't you hear us talking to you?” Carter, John's practice battle opponent yelled. “You saved our lives. The least you can do is explain why… “Oh, and you might look like a freak, but thanks,” he amusingly said.

The Copeland soldiers laughed at John's odd appearance, but nodded their heads in unison. As a brotherhood, they all thanked the purple monster for being a part of one of their biggest victories.

John spoke again. “I am John Copeland.”

Carter said, “You can't be. The Cruel Nation went after him, and he disappeared. We search high, low, and afar for him. That's how the Cruel soldiers caught us. We were roaming around, right before we had the chance to cross through a grassland area, and they took us captive. 

“The guy disappeared months ago,” the first sergeant said. “I don't see how mother nature can just resurrect a human back to life, after being gone for so long.

“Don't play with our hearts,” the second sergeant said. “We have emotions, and John was like a brother to us.”

“Yeah, and he has a match to finish with me. I'm going to be high rank some day,” Carter spoke with confidence oozing from his bones.

The Copeland soldiers laughed. 

The first sergeant, reassuringly patted Carter on the back. He said, “Why don't you just graduate from training, first.”

“Why don't any of you, let me see who this beast is!” Queen Viola shouted and glared into the sargeants’s eyes.

The sargeants gestured for the men to make way for the queen. The men moved back, making an entry way to the purple monster. Queen Viola looked at his calmed but bold disposition, saw his worn out embroidered garments, and stared into his large and sparkling, deep brown eyes. She saw the mannerisms of the late king. She saw the fittings fit for a royal. She saw the eyes of her child…

“John,” the queen said.

John ran up to hug his mother. Tears fell down their eyes, as they hugged each other filled with the spirit of joy. The Copeland soldiers joined in, as they group hugged Queen Viola and John with tears of joy streaming down their raw beards, muscled physiques, and tough faces. 

Today, was a day to be enjoyed with happiness.