"Dumplings, get your dumplings here! Very nice today. Hey, I got dumplings for sale, ya! Over here!"
Looking around the old village, Mei grumbled at the lack of cell service, The trio looked around in awe as they were in a chapter of "Journey to the West".
Tàng Sanzáng's chapter to be exact.
"You all made it in safely!" The two twisted around to see a transparent gold and blue figure of Azure grinning at them, "Great! Welcome to 7th Century Chang'an. I trust you've experienced astral projection before?"
"Yep." MK nodded.
"No!" Mei, and the trio stared at them both like they'd gone crazy.
"Are we dead?" Savage panicked.
"Is this what dying is like?" Mei added, also panicking.
"Eh, a little astral projection never hurt anyone." Azure shrugged, "Listen, I don't have much time. Remember how I told you the scroll has a protective curse?"
"And that it'll try to find and destroy us. Uh-huh, yeah. Wasn't really gonna forget that part." MK shuddered.
"Good. Try not to draw too much attention to yourself. The curse will be drawn to any imperfections it detects within its stories. So for starters, we need to do something about those." The lion demon pointed at their clothes.
"New outfits!?" They exclaimed excitedly.
"You betcha. I found some duds about your size over there in that trash pile." Azure gestured at a nearby pile of junk.
"Gross." Bai-He gagged, covering her nose. The other's didn't seem to mind as they cannonball into the pile of junk.
Since their clothing came off as "unusual" to the locals, everyone had to ditch their regular clothes and change into new ones. Their current outfits appeared to blend well in the environment.
MK wears an orange robe with teal trimming and a red belt and red pants. She has white knee wraps around the end of her pants, and her shoes are black with white tips soles.
Mei wears a pale green robe with dark green trim with the sleeves ripped off, and periwinkle pants. She also wears black martial arts slippers.
Bai-He wears a pink and light yellow tunic with a gold collar and cuffs, her red scarf, a black skirt tied with a red ribbon, maroon pants, and black boots.
Rumble and Savage...well--they didn't really had to had to change their clothes since theirs were considered normal.
"Alright, find our friends, defeat the curse, and get back to good old-fashioned story of the week. But where to start?" Mei hummed in thought as they walked around the village.
"Let's just ask around," MK goes towards a random vendor, shooting the man a bright smile. "Hello there sir, I was wondering if you'd happen to have seen--"
"Sorry kids! Closed for today!" Quickly shutting the shutters to his stall, the guy dismissed the group, who just stood there in shock.
"Ooookkkaayyyy...that went well," Nervously biting her lip, MK looked back as her best friend and kids, who both shrugged, neither knowing what to do. "Let's ask someone else?"
Unfortunately, No matter who they asked they all seemed to have the same idea, as each person they went to, all happened to quickly dismiss the kids, much to MK's frustration.
"Ugh! WHAT THE MOTHER LOVING FK IS WRONG WITH EVERYONE!?" She yelled angrily, yanking at her hair, eyes widening as she noticed they were missing a little girl and two monkeys.
"Bai He? Rumble? Savage?!" She cried out, frantically looking around for them, only to spot her walking over to an old lady walking through the street, and gently tugging on her robes.
"Um, Excuse me madam?" Looking down at the little monkey, the lady looked down at the three youngsters, smiled and began cooing over how cute they were. "I was wondering if you'd seen a monk anywhere? It would really help us out, pretty please?" Bai-He asked, batting her auburn eyes, her siblings joining in.
"Aww, aren't you the cutest little munchkins," The woman smiled, patting them on the heads before thinking over what she had asked. "As a matter of fact, One just passed through here a few seconds ago, was headed that way." She pointed over at the entrance to the village, towards the forest.
"Thank you madam!" They said in unison, bowing gratefully before heading back to MK and Mei. "We know where he's going!"
"Where?"
"To the forest, Leggo!" They grabbed onto their wrists and headed towards the forest.
"Augh! This is taking forever!" MK groaned, throwing her head back in exasperation. "How hard is it to find one stupid monk?!"
"Calm down girl, we'll find him," Mei smiled, patting her on the back. "And we'll get our good ol' Tang back!" MK gave her a small smile right back at her.
"Um, MK you don't really seem all that thrilled about meeting the great monk." Rumble noted how irritable the Monkie Kid was, you'd think she'd be excited about meeting someone from Monkey King's past life.
"Oh, Uhh, well.." She trailed off, rubbing the back of her head in an awkwardly manner.
The scene then turn black and grey, indicating that it was paused. MK cleared her throat before speaking to her lovely readers.
"Okay, So it's not like I want to rescue my Bàba, I desperately want him back more than anything! It's just...how the hell am I supposed to feel when we're going to meet the same monk who practically TORTURED Monkey King! I swore If I'd ever meet the guy I'd give him a good—"
MK took a deep breath, calming herself down. "You know what, let's just continue our journey."
"MK? MK!" Mei shouted, snapping her out of her dimensional rant. "Are you okay?"
"Uhh, Get down!" MK yanked everybody down, peeking up from behind a bush, to where a pair of demons appeared to be carrying...
Monk Táng Sanzang??
"We found him!" MK exclaimed happily.
"Uhh, Mr Monk, you do have a way to escape, right?" The dragon girl tried to give the monk the benefit of the doubt.
"Violence is never the answer, if it is here I am destined to meet my demise, then I shall do so with dignity." The monk sagely spoke calmly, as the two demons put him inside a cooking pot.
"What!?" The group deadpanned at the monk's words, like seriously!?
"I got this you guys," Bai-He twirling her spear in her hands, a wicked grin plastered on his face. "Here Comes Monkie Girl!!" She quickly beaten up and scaring off both demons, who ran with their tails between their legs. "Yeah, you better run, you fools!"
Mei grinned, ruffling hey hair. "Wow, Good job sweetie!" She cooed, she grinned, puffing her chest out proudly. "Yeah, I'm pretty great."
"Pretty impatient is more like it." Savage sister grumbled, rolling her eyes, which he glared at her.
"Táng! Oh, thank the Great Sage you're all right! Why didn't you fight those guys?" Turning to face the monk, who was brushing himself off, MK frowned. "I mean, they were weaklings. Even you could have taken them. Am I right?"
"Young ones, although I appreciate your assistance," He had a snobbish look on his face, as if he was upset. "I wish you would've settled the matter without violence."
"Excuse you!?" They shouted angrily. The nerve of this guy, this is the thanks they'd get for saving his life!
"Hey! I just saved your life," The former host huffed, glaring harshly at the rude monk. "You could at least say thank you, you big dumb, dunderhead!" The twins--alongside MK and Mei nodding in agreement, and snickering at the "Dunderhead" comment.
Embarrassed by being called a...whatever she just said, he composed himself, heaving an exasperated sigh, the monk said looked in between each kid, and pointed to each with his staff in turn, "You really should not speak to your elders in such words, young lady. Your outward actions reflect your inner state, you all are filled with torment, aggression, pain and hyperactivity! May you all meditate that you can reflect on your past actions and find inner peace. Many blessings. I must be off." He turned and began walking off.
Pain? PAIN!? After what she'd been through he dared lecture her about pain!?
Bai-He who was quite angry with his response, gritted her teeth and literally had to be held back by Rumble and Savage. "I'll show you pain, you big dumb jerk!!" She snarled, a flash of blue escaped her eyes, but quickly faded away.
"Sis, calm down! Remember what dad said about your, you know what?" Rumble whispers/yelled quietly to her.
Bai-He took a deep breath, before slowly exhaling. "Conceal it, don't feel it..." She murmured quietly.
"So now what do we do?" Mei asked.
"I don't know! Uh, grab him!" MK cried out, They all leaped at him only to swiftly dodge as a stranger appeared out of nowhere, and tried to attack them.
"Oh, no, you don't! Get away from the Monk, demon spawn!" A hunter growled, narrowing his eyes at the group, his face softened when he realized they weren't demons. "Oh, you're just children so you're like regular spawn."
"No duh!" Savage yelled, eye twitched in irritation.
"My apology, O wise Monk. Oh, perhaps you'd like to lodge at my home for the evening to get away from those, you know, fiends." The nice huntsman--who he introduced as "Liu Boqin" offered.
"I would—"
"We would love too!" MK butted in between them, "We're pretty tired, and my poor brother and sisters haven't had a nice hot meal in days..~" She whimpered, picking up Bai-He into her arms, proving her point.
"Please mister, we won't be no trouble ~" She whimpered, giving him puppy eyes.
It seemed to have worked on him, placed a hand over his chest. "Aww~ Well, I don't see why I can't invite you lot to stay the night," Smiling, Liu motioned down the path. "Follow me."
"Alright!" They cheered as they followed the nice huntsman and monk.
"Looks like your dad's acting lessons really paid off huh?" MK muttered, Bai-He nodded, grinning.
"Welcome to my home," Showing the humble cottage before them, Liu walked up the path and smiled as the doors opened, to reveal a middle aged woman. "This is my wife, Jing."
"Greetings, Great Monk, welcome!~" Bowing at the monk, she greeted him with a bright smile, before gritting her teeth turning looking at the children. "And children I didn't know were coming."
After introducing themselves, everyone settled down to a nice hot meal. "This is the best mystery meat stew I have ever had!~" Mei smiled and thanked their hostess, with MK nodding in agreement.
Savage noticed Tang not eating a single food in his bowl. "What's wrong Mr Monk, Not hungry?"
"I'm a strict vegetarian. Eating flesh is an unvirtuous act against the body." The monk informed, in a matter of fact manner.
The shadow monkey scoffed, taking another bite from of his food. "Pfft! You could still eat, you know? You're practically wasting away all ready." He snickered, earning glares from the others for his rudeness.
"Worry not, young sir," An echoey voice sounded from behind Savage, who turned and blinked in shocked at the sight of an old male ghost hovering over him.
"Eeek!" He shrieked in terror and quickly hides behind MK, clinging to her. "G-Ghosts!"
"Allow me to fix you something else?" Unfortunately, when the elderly ghost tried to pick up and hold the bowl, it went right through his hands, and shattered on the ground, splashing soup everywhere, "Oh, dear. Clumsy ol' Grandpa. I'll get a broom"
Knowing the gig was up, both Liu and Jing immediately bow downed before the monk, and apologized profusely, "Forgive us. We've lured you here under false pretenses, O wise Monk."
"The ghost you see before you is my grandfather. He's a sweet old thing, but we asked you here in the hopes you might guide his spirit to move on. Oh, don't get us wrong, he's absolute treasure, but—"
His wife cuts him off, a look of desperation on her face. "This has been going on for years. Hundreds of smashed china sets, wailing at all hours of the night, and floating in unannounced. Oh, we love him, but he's gotta go."
Frowning upon hearing this, the old spirit sighed and bowed his head sadly, "I know I should go, but it's just so hard..."
"Aww, you poor thing old ghostly grandpa." Mei couldn't help but feel bad for the old spirit. "It's—"
"Earthly connections can only weigh us down," Táng Sanzang interrupted Mei, who fumed slightly. "Of course I will help. It's the least I can do to repay your generous hospitality."
They all gather around as Táng Sanzang performs the ritual. They made sure to be careful in moving the furniture aside, sitting down besides the monk, and watching along curiously, as he motioned for the spirit to move to the center, summoning forth one large spell circle, his staff set in front of him as the monk set upon concentrating, "Uhh, you think we can blow through this a little faster?" MK asked.
"Everything in it's right time, everything in it's right place...don't touch a thing." He ordered
MK huffed, crossing her arms looking the other way. "Asshole..." She muttered to herself, hopefully nobody heard that. Staring down at the circle, MK's head began to hurt all of a sudden, as whispers started to sound around her. Whipping her head back, she looked around to the find the source of the noise but could find nothing. Then...they got louder...And louder.
Monkey King was staring down at a stone egg.
Black ink everywhere, surrounding everyone.
Screaming, terrified screaming.
Flashing gold lights, more flashing gold lights.
Blood.
Water--like someone's drowning.
"No!" Gasping and stumbling back, she accidentally kicked the staff, the golden spell turning a shivering blue as the whispers immediately disappeared.
"MK!!" Bai He, Mei, Rumble and Savage all gasped, rushing to her side, worried. "What's wrong, are you okay?"
"What happened?"
"I...I..." The trembling teen didn't get to answer, as a blast of wind erupted through the house, the youths turning around to come face to face with a much different spirit. The old man, having grown and turned to a large and muscular ghost, appearing to be much younger.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry! Uh, my bad! Get on outta here, nice Ghost Grandpa, sir. Go!" She laughed nervously, hoping the ghostly grandpa would move on to the afterlife.
"Go? Go?! I'm not going anywhere." Grandpa Ghost growled, growing larger by the minute. Everyone readied their weapons, and aimed at the ghost.
"No! no violence!" Sanzang shouted in fear.
"Are you kidding me!?" The twins cried out, screaming as they were slammed back, groaning.
"No!" Bai He cried out, worried for her siblings.
"Hey! You gotta' do something!" MK called out, as she struggled trying to reach for the staff nestled in her ear.
"But, I made a vow never to harm another soul!" The male cried out, shaking his head frantically, as he held his staff in fear.
"Will you knock it off with that crap already! Not everything is black and white!" She snapped, as she and Mei were slammed into one another. "Sometimes we need to use our power to protect people we care about!"
"B-but, all earthly connections must be put aside in order to--!"
"It's never easy, okay!" She interrupted him once more, looking down at the shocked monk with a determined expression. "But being there for your friends when they need you, is what being a hero is all about!"
At these words, thousands of memories came flooding into the Táng's head, memories of his ture and current self, a golden aura shooting forth and knocking the hat from his head, showing the man's ebony hair, as the magic forced the spirit to release his hostages.
MK couldn't believe her eyes, her Tang was back. "Bàba!"
The poor scholar immediately began to squint, as he realized he didn't have any glasses on. "My glasses! I can't see a thing!"
MK reached in her robes, as she held out a spare pair. "Oh, thank you," Adjusting the lenses a bit, the male looked around, and paled at the sight before him. "G-G-Ghost..."
"I'm happy you're back Mr Tang, but you can straighten him out please?" The dragon racer pleaded.
"Uh...I suppose I can try," Gulping nervously, Tang took a deep breath and walked forwards, looking up sincerely at the spirit. "Listen, you. Stop holding on to the past. It's time to go! I know that your time with your family was precious, and nothing will ever take that away. The memories we make with the ones we love, they're what lift us up. Your time here is over, but that doesn't mean your story is finished. You're not being cast out or pulled down. You were being lifted up."
Golden magic formed beneath the group, lighting them up as Tang continued speaking, eyes blazing with his own determination, "The next chapter is calling you to start a new adventure. It's time to answer the call!"
The old ghost's eyes widened, as tears spring to his eyes, seemingly resigning and accepting the outcome, "You're right, I can't keep holding on to the past. I can't even hold on to a plate. No bones, no skin...okay then...goodbye." With those final words, he disappeared.
"Bye-bye, boneless, skinless Grandpa~" Mei waved happily as he descended.
Shouting out their thanks as the group left the small cottage, the couple were all smiles as they looked on towards the group as Tang took the staff and gently tapped it upon the ground, golden magic surrounding them in a bubble, and transporting them off to the next chapter.