CatFly in the Cradle: A Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 Story.

[Baby Jemma]

(If anyone knows what Dragon Quest is, this is basically what it was called in America. This particular one is Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Tara's Adventure, so I hope you enjoy it, even if it's difficult to pick up.)

 

Tara was relaxing on the ship, her dark-brown hair in a long ponytail, covered by a cap and fluttering in the wind along with her ankle-length green dress.

She watched the sailors going about their business, a few farm monsters (an affable DrakSlime, an old, grumpy ArmyAnt, a CactiBall who only wanted to talk about something called a "Dream Egg", and a cocky Slime) in the cargo hold in peaceful slumber, the vastness of the ocean lapping at the ship’s hull. Her parents and older brother were having a heated discussion that she wanted no part of; all she wanted was to relax and be calm…away from her nightmares.

 

It came back in an instant. The wrinkly orange face like a giant rotten tangerine, framed by two hooded jet-black eyes with milky-white sclera; the fat pink lips the color of faded blood, hiding a blackened maw; the huge horns, curled and curved inward; the clinking of jewels upon jewels, wealth beyond measure. The face spoke to her, laughed at her, taunted her.

 

“I’ll see you sooner than you think, Tara!” The voice was rough like sandpaper, fouler than poison. “Sooner than you think! And when I do, I’ll be the last thing you ever see!”

 

“Tara?”

 

Tara opened her eyes to see her big brother, Cobi, looking at her with concern in his blue eyes. His sandy-brown hair was covered by a floppy blue hat, but the wind still tickled it.

 

She looked at Cobi and said in a listless tone, “Hey, big brother...”

 

“Another nightmare?” he asked sympathetically.

She nodded.

 

“Are you going to be okay?”

“I’ll be fine.”

 

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

 

He let out a sigh. “Mother and Father wanted to talk to you,” he said before patting her head. “Are you sure you’re-”

 

“I’m fine. Honestly.”

 

He looked at her and sighed. “If you say so.”

 

She walked away from her brother. He was very overprotective, sure, but…

 

She heard a man in a floppy hat say, “Hey, girl. You a fan of seafaring?”

 

She turned to face him. “Um, yes?” she responded. What am I going to say: that I hate it, and would never do it again? I'm seasick, you jerk!

 

“That’s good. You have potential.”

 

“Okay…” she walked away from the weird man, over to her mother and father.

 

“Hello, Tara,” her mother said. “We’re finally going to GreatLog Kingdom. Isn’t it exciting, my child?”

 

“Yes,” Tara said, not believing her own words.

 

“Well, the king of GreatLog seems to recognize our worth!” her father said with a boastful laugh. “Anyway, we’re going to need you to start earning your keep, Tara, so you can’t be a baby anymore.”

“When was I ever?” she muttered underneath her breath.

 

“What was that?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

“Go talk to your brother.”

 

She walked away, fuming. Her parents had never really taken to her wanting to follow a different dream than monster farming. No, she wanted to be a tamer herself. Her brother understood her dream and he at least…well, at the very least, seemed to care. Still, he was a year older than she was, but his overprotectiveness was…annoying.

 

Speaking of him, Cobi stopped by. “Hey, little sister. Seems Mom and Dad grilled you.”

 

“I’m eighteen years old, Cobi. I can handle a little anger from our folks.”

 

“Sis, by the way, do you need to be-”

“I’m fine, Cobi,” Tara said, her face flushing.

 

“Okay. Anyway, the crew member said-”

 

“Land ho!” a sailor cried, causing both siblings to jump.

 

“It’s GreatLog, sure as she stands!” another echoed.

 

The palm tree was the first thing she saw in the nearing distance. It was an impressive sight, to be sure; a giant palm tree on an island in the middle of the ocean tended to be impressive. Tara truly believed that such a place could support a giant farm for monsters.

 

It was then that…it happened. First there was a only a trickle, barely registering. Then the dam broke loose, as she froze up.

 

Cobi was the first to notice. “Okay, I think you do,” he said quietly, leading her away to Mom and Dad, as tears poured from her eyes.

 

Tara hated being incontinent, hated being treated like a baby. It had all started with those stupid nightmares she had, starting at age seven. Thank the gods it was only pee this time.

 

“Tara, you can’t keep being a little baby,” her father said with a sigh as Cobi explained to them what happened.

 

“I’m not,” she muttered.

 

“Your diaper says otherwise,” her father said loudly, causing some of the sailors to look their way.

 

Why did you have to do that, Father? Does everyone have to know?!

 

Her mother was more sympathetic, quickly moving to get the supplies. Her father and Cobi gave the two privacy, as her mother quickly changed her with the technique of an expert, a loving look in her eyes. Tara had tried herself before, but her mother seemed to insist, and it made the girl feel like a child. But at least she was clean now.

 

I hate this. Why did I have to get these nightmares? Why?!

 

Little did she know that the answer would appear…sooner than she wished. Sooner than she thought.

[smilekat414]

Ok interesting, I'm a DQ fan but I never played this specific game, interesting to see where this goes. 

[Baby Jemma]

@smilekat414Hey, thank you for the reply! It's a fun little game (a Game Boy Color game, to be precise), and a huge part of my childhood. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

And now, without further ado, the next chapter!

-

They had set up the farm in seemingly record time.

 

DrakSlime - a female golden slime with dragon wings and a tail - had wandered outside, and many people had given her weird looks; they weren’t used to dealing with monsters. But other than that, the little farm was set up and ready without any distractions, and Tara and Cobi were playing tag.

 

“HEY!” Father yelled. “Quit your horsing around and go help your mother!”

 

Tara and Cobi sighed and said, “Yes, Father,” simultaneously; it was a common practice in their household.

Father was…difficult. He obviously had a dream about something, but never got to realize it. He was moody, difficult to talk to, got easily annoyed…but he would always stand up for them when the chips were down.

 

There was a blue Slime with a cocky grin next to him, and Tara walked over to them, Cobi following.

 

“Hey, there!” the Slime said, the trademark grin on his face. “Name’s Slash, you could consider me the ‘boss’ around here.”

 

“You’re the boss?” Cobi said skeptically. “What do you even do?”

 

Slash’s grin grew as a DragonKid - who had somehow appeared on the farm without anyone knowing - started playing all sorts of instruments. “Well, the first thing I do is,” Slash began before launching into song (with DragonKid adding the second lyrics):

 

“Talk to Father - Like a Boss,

 

“Approve parties - Like a Boss,

 

“Read the farm jobs - Like a Boss,

 

“Remember hatchdays - Like a Boss,

 

“Direct workflow- Like a Boss,

 

“My own latrine - Like a Boss,

 

“Micromanage - Like a Boss,

 

“Promote synergy - Like a Boss,

 

“Hit on DrakSlime - Like a Boss,

 

“Get rejected - Like a Boss,

 

“Swallow sadness - Like a Boss,

 

“Do my taxes - Like a Boss,

 

“Call a breedline - Like a Boss,

 

“Cry deeply - Like a Boss,

 

“Demand a refund - Like a Boss,

 

“Eat a Sirloin - Like a B-”

 

“STOP, SLASH!” Tara and Cobi both shouted, startling DragonKid out of the last “Like a Boss” supporting lyric and causing the Slime to give them a smirk.

“Fine, fine, but if you need me, I’m the one!” Slash said, bouncing over to their father.

 

“Let’s just see what Mom wants,” Cobi said calmly as he led Tara to the house.

 

Their mother was busy with laundry.

 

“Oh, Cobi, Tara,” she said with a chuckle. “Your father sent you to help me, didn’t he? He’s like that. We got a pecan pie sent by your grandparents in GreatTree. It should be at the Vault. I can trust you two to get there safely; after all, you aren’t children anymore.”

 

“Of course,” the two chimed simultaneously.

 

“I knew I could count on you both. The vault should be on the far northwest of town. Just make sure not to go into the well; it’s unsafe.”

 

“Yes, Mother,” Tara said first.

 

She walked with Cobi over to her father, ignoring Slash’s call for more of his song, curious about something. Her father was busy talking with ArmyAnt, who was moaning something about it being “lonely for an ant like him”.

 

“You mentioned something about Monster Masters, but I haven’t really heard of the term,” she half-asked, half-lied, earning Cobi’s questioning gaze.

 

“Well, Monster Masters are those who commune and fight with monsters to help them grow,” her father said, his eyes lost in long memories. “They use this farm to keep their monsters healthy and happy, you see, and they learn new skills.”

“Hah! Tara wouldn’t last a day with monster taming,” Cobi said with a snicker, earning a nudge to his ribs by her elbow.

 

“I aspired to be a Monster Master at one point,” her father said. “But that’s enough talk. Is your diaper dry, Tara?”

“Yes, Father,” she said, a flush coming over her face.

 

“Then go help your mother.”

 

The two walked off of the farm, only to see a young man with expensive robes and a golden crown on his head with an obvious monster: a purple-furred fae.

 

“You really wear diapers?” the young man snickered. “Aww…does the little baby need a bottle too?”

 

“Shut up,” Tara growled, her hands balled into fists.

 

Great, now all of GreatLog’s going to know. This could not get much worse.

 

“Aww, maybe she’s a bit of a brat that needs a-”

 

“Shut up! You don’t insult my sister,” Cobi snarled.
 

“Do you have any idea who I am?” the young man sneered. “I am Prince Kameha, the only son and heir to the King of GreatLog! You are but grubby little peasants, and I can insult you and treat you however I please!”

 

“You want a black eye, Kameha?” she asked, a dangerous look in her eyes. “I don’t care who you are; princes bleed just as much as us peasants do. Back. Off.”

 

“Hmph. You newcoming farmers, thinking you mean anything. This is going to be fun.” He turned to the purple-furred fae, who was looking a bit annoyed at the prince’s antics. “C’mon, Warabou.” They walked away…towards the northwest.

 

“Great, that means we’ll be seeing them later,” Tara mumbled.

 

“Just ignore them, Sis,” Cobi said…although he looked a touch worried as well.

 

They had only walked a short distance, before they saw Kameha and Warabou again, spinning an older woman like a top before running off and laughing.

 

“You horrible elemental and pr-blaaargh!” the woman yelled before puking all over her dress.

 

Tara’s nose wrinkled with disgust at the smell, as she picked up her skirt - only a little bit off the ground; she didn’t want people to see - to make sure the vomit didn’t get on her own dress.

 

The marketplace was bustling with many people, all whispering with excitement over the day, or whatever it was the locals talked about.

 

“I hear we’ll have to post lookouts for Kameha and Warabou,” an older man said.

 

“It’s about damned time we did,” a young woman said. “Those two…what a pair.”

 

“Warabou really should know better; he’s the elemental spirit of GreatLog.”

 

“Sure, he found Milayou - probably by luck - but she lost and left us a long time ago. And now he’s claiming all sorts of outlandish things.”

 

“Like a Demon Lord of wealth, who knows with that one?”

 

Tara’s mind almost flashed back to the nightmare, before a pinch on her hand brought her back to reality.

 

“Let’s just ignore the-” Cobi began before he saw a young merchant yell at the prince and elemental to drop his merchandise…which they did before scurrying off to the north.

 

“Ugh, I’m still trying to set up shop,” the merchant grumbled, as the two siblings passed him. “Damned elemental is costing me a bundle, he is…”

 

“Do you know where the-” Cobi began before the merchant snapped, “Shoo! I have nothing for little children!”
 

“We’re just asking where the vault is,” Tara interceded gently.

 

“I have nothing for little brats like you! Nothing!”

 

“Sis, let’s just go,” Cobi said. “Shouldn’t be too far.”

 

Her brother’s words proved true; the vault - with a Monster Master next to it talking to them about having to use the farm eventually - was close by, and when they entered it, the smell of pecans and nutmeg tickled their noses.

 

“Ah, the farm kids,” the vault manager said. “We’ve been expecting you. This smells awfully good.”

 

“Thank you,” Cobi said gratefully. “Let’s…go…home…”

 

She looked at her brother curiously before seeing Kameha and Warabou.

 

“Wahey, dudes, I’m Warabou!” the elemental said cheerfully. “You, dudette, have you considered becoming a Monster Master, ‘cause that smell I got off you-”

 

“It’s the smell of dull peasantry. You may not pass, peasant bumpkins!” Kameha declared before smirking at Tara. “Well, maybe you could pass, if you could do me some favors.”

 

“Not interested,” Tara growled, moving away from the two, as they followed them to an old dilapidated well.

 

“C’mon, maybe you could prove you have a diaper, use it in front of everyone. I could use a laugh,” the prince sneered, as he walked with them to the east along with Warabou, who was obviously curious.

 

“Mmm…something smells awfully good,” he said, before he noticed the box. “Oh, wahey, perfect! I was hungry, eh!”

 

He snatched at it, Tara immediately held on - with Cobi and Kameha grabbing their respective companion - and a tug-of-war ensued before all four fell into the well to the scream of a young woman shouting after them, telling them that she’d get help.

Cobi was stunned from the fall, coughing. “Tara, get the pie back,” he groaned.
 

“But brother-”

 

“I’m fine, just, get the pie; I don’t want to have Father and Mother upset at us!”

 

She walked over to the center of the well. It was a lot larger than she expected it to be, with a giant white object covering…something odd, that almost spoke to her. Kameha and Warabou were having their own tug-of-war.

 

“C’mon, just one bite?” Warabou begged. “I’m starving here, wahey!”

 

“No, it’s mine!” the prince snarled. “You just ate, anyway, you grubby little elemental!”

 

“You gave me a BadMeat!” the fae snapped. “C’mon, warou, dirty mouthed excuse for a prince!”

 

“HEY!” Tara snapped, grabbing onto the pie. “It’s our mother’s pie, you jerks!”

 

“ENOUGH, PEASANT!”

 

Kameha backhanded Tara, and she stumbled over to the white object…which immediately exploded in lights and stars. She saw the lights and stars herself, before everything faded to black, a laugh in her ears before it screamed, “Sooner than you think!”