A massive crowd of apes filled the room. Some wore sharp black suits, others dazzled in sequined dresses, and one particularly striking galaxy-furred ape in a galaxy-patterned suit appeared to be explaining the nature of wormholes to a bored gorilla in a hot-pink tuxedo. It was a scene of chaos, glamour, and—most notably—impatience.

The knights stood in stunned silence, their pasta bobbing slightly as they took in the sight. “How did these apes pass the same trials we did?” whispered the gray ape, pointing at crowd of fancy dressed apes.

“I don’t know,” replied the green ape, staring in awe. “They look perfect. Their suits are still pressed, their dresses aren’t even wrinkled, and that galaxy ape looks like they just stepped off a runway.”

“Meanwhile, we’re out here with soggy pasta on our heads and a king who’s completely naked,” the black-and-white ape muttered.

Their musings were interrupted when the yellow ape, glowing faintly as always, pointed across the chamber. “Uh, guys? Look at that.”

Near the back of the room, nestled between two marble columns, was a sleek, modern entryway. It had automatic sliding doors, a red carpet leading inside, and a sign that read: “Expedited Path to Silver Monkey.”

The knights stared at it in disbelief.

“Are you kidding me?!” the gray ape squeaked. “There was always a normal way to get here?!”

The green ape groaned. “We nearly died in the jungle, raced a cheetah, and pretended to be pasta, and there was a fancy entrance this whole time?!”

Before they could spiral further into outrage, the Golden Ape King waved a dismissive hand. “Bah! That’s not the heroic way to do it. Would you rather have arrived like common folks, taking the easy path, or forged your destiny with trials and triumph?”

The gray ape folded their tiny arms. “I’d rather not smell like marinara sauce, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Details!” the king declared, puffing out his chest. “This is the noble, legendary way to achieve greatness. We are heroes!”

The knights groaned, but before they could argue further, their attention was drawn to the center of the chamber.

Standing guard in front of the ornate, glowing doorway was a giant gorilla with rainbow grillz that sparkled so brightly, it looked like a disco ball had set up shop in its mouth. The gorilla wasn’t wearing a single thread of clothing, and their unapologetically naked form somehow made the grillz even more distracting.

The Golden Ape King, equally naked save for his spaghetti crown, took one look and whispered, “Finally. Someone who understands true elegance.”

The grillz gorilla, clipboard in hand, surveyed the crowd with a look of weary authority. “Listen up!” the gorilla boomed, their voice reverberating like an earthquake. “The Silver Monkey is a very busy ghost. If you want to see him, you’ll wait your turn. No exceptions. Now get back in line and stop complaining about long waiting time!”

The king returned to his knights, pouting. “Somehow, my genius plan did not work. I did everything right, but yet here I am—back with you lot.”

“What exactly was your plan?” asked the gray ape, arms crossed and clearly unimpressed.

The king sniffed indignantly. “It was flawless. I simply walked up to the door and asked to enter.”

The knights blinked in unison.

“That’s it?” asked the black ape.

“Well, I didn’t just ask,” the king said, waving his breadstick scepter dramatically. “I also mentioned my crown. You’d think that would seal the deal.”

“You just… asked?” repeated the gray ape, their high-pitched voice somehow managing to convey an impressive amount of disbelief. “That’s your genius plan?”

“Yes,” the king said, genuinely confused. “And yet, despite my undeniable brilliance, it didn’t work! I even stood heroically!”

The black-and-white ape shook their head. “Heroically naked, you mean.”

“Exactly!” the king said proudly, missing the sarcasm entirely. “So why am I still here?”

“Yes,” said the gray ape, rubbing their temples. “We all know how unjust the universe is. Now let’s figure out how to get past that… Trial?”

The knights huddled together, their pasta crowns wobbling precariously as they leaned in.

“Alright,” said the gray ape, crossing their tiny arms. “How do we get past a giant, sparkly, naked gorilla who’s clearly taking their job way too seriously?”

“We could try reasoning with them,” suggested the green ape, tapping their chin. “You know, talk about destiny, heroism, and how the universe needs us to see the Silver Monkey.”

The black ape gave them a flat look. “Did you miss the part where the gorilla is literally blinding people with their grillz? Reason is not on the menu.”

“What if we just… sneak in?” offered the yellow ape, their buttery glow flickering hesitantly. “You know, like we’re part of the crowd?”

The black-and-white ape snorted. “Oh, sure. Because nothing says ‘blend in’ like a group of knights wearing pasta on their heads.”

“Well, what’s your big idea, genius?” snapped the gray ape.

The black-and-white ape stood up straight, their striped fur gleaming with an air of theatrical importance. “Simple. We throw an awards ceremony.”

The other knights stared at them like they’d sprouted extra tails.

“What?” the green ape finally asked, tilting their head.

“Think about it,” said the black-and-white ape, gesturing dramatically. “That gorilla is clearly obsessed with their appearance. Did you see the way they were admiring their grillz? We throw an awards ceremony and honor them as the ‘Best Naked Guardian.’ It’s the perfect distraction.”

“That’s insane,” said the black ape, blinking. “How does that even help us get through?”

“While they’re basking in their well-deserved glory,” continued the black-and-white ape, “we slip the king through the door!”

“That’s ridiculous,” the gray ape squeaked, throwing their tiny hands in the air. “It’ll never work.”

“Do you have a better plan?” the black-and-white ape shot back.

The gray ape opened their mouth to respond, hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. Let’s do it.”

The black-and-white ape stepped forward, trophy in hand, clearing their throat dramatically. “Excuse me, esteemed guardian!” they called out.

The grillz gorilla turned, their rainbow teeth flashing like a rave. “What now?”

“We are here to honor you with a prestigious award!” the black-and-white ape declared, holding up the glittering trophy. “For your unmatched commitment to… uh… naked door-guarding excellence!”

The gorilla paused, visibly intrigued. “An award? For me?”

“Absolutely!” the black-and-white ape continued, adding a sweeping gesture for dramatic effect. “Why, your grillz alone deserve an entire hall of fame!”

The gorilla leaned closer, their expression softening. “No one’s ever recognized my dedication before.”

As the gorilla became increasingly distracted, inspecting their reflection in the glittering trophy, the gray ape clambered onto the green ape’s shoulders. “Quick, boost me up!” they squeaked, whispering frantically. “I’ll open the door while they’re distracted!”

Meanwhile, the yellow ape sauntered into the crowd of impatient apes, radiating their buttery glow. “The pasta connects us all,” they murmured soothingly. “Relax. Enjoy my wisdom. Always boil water before adding the noodles.”

The Golden Ape King, oblivious to the chaos unfolding around him, began sneaking toward the door. Humming a jaunty tune, he munched on a breadstick he’d conjured from nowhere, his pasta crown wobbling with every step.

The gorilla, now holding the glittery trophy, grinned broadly. “This means so much to me,” they said, their voice surprisingly tender. “Wait… where’s Naked Weirdo?”

They turned to see the king disappearing into the Silver Monkey’s chamber, the knights hot on his heels.

The gorilla frowned but then shrugged. “Eh, not my problem anymore. I’ve got a trophy!” They flashed their grillz at their reflection in the trophy’s glittering surface. “Best naked guardian in Banarama. Yeah, that’s going on my résumé.”