19
*With Po, Monkey, and Viper...*
Lacking in pit-stops, their trail was proven a slight issue. Breathless and exhausted, Po, Viper, and Monkey could feel themselves slowing down. They dumped their bags, and actually hit the ground. "Pit stop?" Po huffed out, peeling his face away from the ground.
"Yes!" Monkey and Viper shot back. They all sighed in unison, and scattered around the area in silence, catching their breath. "I have an idea." Monkey said out of the blue.
"Let's hear it." Viper pulled herself up, and ushered enough motivation in herself to pull out some food for them to eat.
They all sat in triangle, the panda and serpent eager to hear what he had in mind. "Once we split, we should grab what we need, and send it back via messenger." Monkey pulled out three whistles as he spoke.
Things were made easier for them when they realized a lot of the stuff they needed could be found back home; a pound of summer herbs, one wild chrysanthemum (avoid the white ones), half a peach, and grounded Jasmine... these could be found at home, already in the Masters' hand, or in the Market. It's self-explanatory- they had a peach tree, the herbs and grounded jasmine were found in the Markets, and Po and Tigress' home, after the annoucement of baby number three, was filled to the brim with chrysanthemum of every color that wasn't white. Many children asked why they couldn't give a white one, but soon learned that white was a signature color for death...
Brushing that awful thought aside, Monkey's plan was well thought-out; "Zeng gave me these; our trusted duck will come once any of us sound off a call, and take the stuff home. Maybe Shang could make a head start on the antidote while we gather the rest..."
"That's a great idea Monkey!" Viper declared, her heart leaping at every word that left his mouth. Po said nothing, and just smiled at his simian friend with a grateful smile.
"Thanks..." Monkey smiled back at him, before turning his attention back to his food. "Now let's eat up-" Po glanced up at the sky that was once painted blue, now painted a deep red as the sun sank beyond the line the earth and sky. "The sooner we gather the closer ingredients, the sooner the trip to Gongmen City is in sight."
By the time the sky was a shimmering twilight, Monkey made it to the first stop; the Li-Wao village. There he could find the following; four Golden Fire Tea Leaves, and one Purple Iris. Shang went in depth in his list, letting him know that the flower could be purchased as a full flower or crushed- either way it made no difference to the medicine. There wasn't any Iris' in the Valley of Peace from what he saw.
Viper was heading back to her hometown to get two ounces Green Star Anise, and a red serum that only her father knew where to get, and then Po made a start towards Gongmen City to get four teaspoons of Black Honey, and three coal beans. They all agreed to meet halfway at some point, to make sure they didn't forget anything, but that part wasn't on his mind right now; what was on his mind, was that of the ingredients he needed to get.
He took time to catch some air once more, before casually strolling into Li Wao, looking at the exterior. Lantern hung like mini moons almost everywhere he turned, and there were voices echoing from every corner. Li Wao was small compared to the Valley of Peace; but hospitality here was almost competitive to what the Masters experienced back home; as soon as he entered, many of the citizens welcomed them with positive messages, full of pure delight;
"Welcome Master Monkey! Welcome!" Everywhere they turned, more villagers plagued their vision.
"How is the Dragon Warrior's wife keeping? We all eagerly await for the child's arrival!"
"She's doing fine." Monkey frowned slightly at the words that came from his mouth. "And as do all of us madam," he said bluntly, before looking around for an exit, a clear path to continue his mission. "I need to go-"
"I hope all is going smoothly for mother and child!"
Hearing that one caused his heart to twist a little, and Monkey had to hold his tongue from releasing the information that no one here had any business. He, however, smiled sweetly, and responded through gritted teeth; "All is going well... now we need to get Golden Fire Tea Leaves, and a Purple Iris, mind if you guide us to where I purchase these?"
"Oh course!" Cried a random village wallah. "Must you need these immediately?"
"Yes!" Monkey said enthusiastically, looking around for the one who spoke. It was a stout pig, brown eyes, body painted pink with beige overalls on his back. He gladly ushered the primate along to a selective tea shop, much to the disappointment of the other villagers, who soon went off on their own business once more, slightly more huffy than usual.
Stepping in, he was hit with an over powering smell of all kinds of different teas. Monkey could catch the scent of green tea right away, then he sensed Viper's favorite berry tea, before it all got so strong he had to take the opportunity to close his eyes, try to relax, take in the suddenly comforting smells, and think the better side of the situation. I'm going to get Tigress better, I'm here to get what she needs... we won't lose her...
"Only the finest of those who live among us shop here," the pig sang his tune gloatingly as Monkey's eyes reopened. He pranced around his shop gleefully, searching for the tea leaves. As his eyes scanned the various labels that littered the infinitive drawers on all four walls in the shop, he hummed to himself. "You can find the Iris in a flower shop across the way," he sang, before declaring 'aha!' when he found the right drawer. Pulling it out slowly, he delicately handled the tea leaves like they were the most fragile things in the world. Placing them in a secure box, he smiled at Monkey. "Here you are, Master," he placed it on the counter, patting the top as he spoke. "I'll charge you only ten yuan for that, reduced from twenty-nine." The Monkey blinked slowly; he had never lost his touch in poverty thanks to what ways he was brought up to know. Raising an eyebrow in slight shock, he slowly handed over the money, and swiped the box off the counter top before the pig could change his mind.
"Thank you," the simian replied, bowing respectfully, and made their exit, moving towards the flower shop. There he was given a crushed Iris for free, even though he insisted on paying for it.
"I sense you are in desperate need of it, my dear," said the elderly woman as she pressed the flower into a case. "I won't charge you... and do pick another flower of your liking to give to someone special."
Monkey had to grin at her. "How special?" He asked.
"Oh you know, a girl you could be courting, a good friend... anyone who is in need of cheering up." She gestured at all the flowers she had available; Plum flowers, Peonies, Chinese roses, Camellias, and of course... a single pink Lotus, loitered the shelves. Monkey stared at the Lotus for a while, before pointing at it slowly.
"I'll take that one please." He said softly. With a consenting nod, he picked up the lonesome flower, and once he was out of the village, he took out the whistle, and called out for Zeng in one pitch. It took some time, but as soon as the huffing bird came, Monkey had written out the note. "Here's what I have, I'm going to make my way to Viper's hometown in the morning." He ordered hastingly, placing the items into the bird satchel. "I'm going to send a notice to Viper once I find the messenger here, and tell her what I'm doing next."
"Do you have enough to get a room here?" Zeng asked. Monkey nodded, before the bird took flight. Once he was out of Monkey's view, the primate made his second mission alive. Going from Inn to Inn, he asked for a room. Many were full, until he finally found one where a room is available. He paid the charge, and was brought to his room. It was very simple; a bed mat, washing bowl and jug, a pile of scrolls... very modest, nothing fancy. He asked for the village messenger to be sent to him, and while they called him, he quickly scribbled his note to Viper;
Viper,
I got what I needed in Li Wao, and I sent it back home. I'm staying at an Inn tonight, and I'll see you as soon as possible. Don't leave without me. Let me know where you are as soon as you get this message; I'm assuming you're staying at your family's house, but I just want to make sure.
See you in the morning,
Monkey.
And then one to Po;
Hey big guy,
Got what I needed in Li Wao, and I sent it back home. I'm staying at an Inn tonight... and I'll meet Viper in the morning. After we get what we need in her Hometown, Vi and I will see you as soon as possible.
Let us know as soon as possible where you are, and send that message to Viper's house, we'll catch up...
~ Monk.
The village messenger arrived just as he signed off. He gave the same instructions as Zeng, but telling him where they should be found in the precise time. He left, letting Monkey begin to relax, to the extent he body would allow him. Then, prior to the point where sleep overcame him, he reached into his pocket, and pulled out a picture of Chang and him smiling up at one another. He smiled too, before holding it to his chest, letting his heavy eyelids close, and take him away into a world where his son remained, although they were temporarily apart. That world being his dreams...
This night brought a scene of Chang, Tigro and Lotus watching a small bundle in Po's arms, looking down at him... or her, in bewilderment. "Is this..." Chang began, before Monkey nodded.
"This is Po and Tigress' new baby..." Monkey told him softly, before looking around to see the ecstatic faces of every other Master... while Tigro and Lotus were glowing with pride. "We gotta make sure it becomes the best warrior it can be..." He noticed an image that cause his heart to race a little faster than it's usual rhythm... but with a sense of hope. Tigress was lying in the sick cot, but she was watching everything unfold around her, smiling tiredly...
Her smile was still there when he opened his eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun crawling along the bed sheet, fueling more motivation in him to get up, and make his way towards the next stop that morning.
Hope you like it guys!
New collection of stories coming out! Be sure to read them!