Book 3: Heart Strings

Chapter 17: King No More

Turning Tides

Chapter 17

King No More

Wukong wasn't one for snooping, but it would seem that Tyla and Macaque were very talkative about someone that showed up to Pigsy's place. The lights were still on, and it would seem someone was about to leave. Two people in fact.

He landed on the grass near the gate they installed after moving in. It was just a white picket fence and it looked cute, especially with tulips around the border. Tang was quite the gardener.

"I'll come back in the morning Baba, get some rest please." She said turning and stopping just short of the bottom step and then backed up clear into Pigsy who peaked around the tall monk. He chuckled, patting the scared woman.

"It's okay, he won't bite. It's just Wukong, he would rather you cheered then be scared." Pigsy said looking around as Tang walked over to the door. He was supposed to be resting on the couch. Suna giggled waving at the golden monkey. Wukong winked at her. Suna yipped and ran back inside, she was supposed to be getting ready for bed.

"I had to see for myself, see that it was time to let MK go on his journey." Wukong stepped up to look at her. She smelled of the gardens of heaven. Very much like his Tripitaka.

"Yes, I wouldn't like to just snatch him out from under you Master Monkey. I require his aid. Yet, I do not see this new Monkey King." There it was, all of the sudden out of nowhere, he was dethroned. He closed his eyes and sighed. It truly was time, wasn't it?

"I'll bring you to him tomorrow. You three can use the maps that Tang and I used to plot your way. A lot of the places we went to are still there." He said turning and stepping up onto his cloud.

"Safe travels Master Monkey."

Wukong didn't respond, he couldn't stop himself from thinking about what she said. He had been The Monkey King for as long as he could remember. He wished he had time to poise himself to the shock. He was truly just a regular monkey now and free to retire.

But was MK ready for the position he would face tomorrow. He would wake the boy early before he went to fetch Tripitaka.

(0)

MK felt the gentle nudge. It wasn't unusual, little monkeys would climb in the window and wake up. Wanting to play, or eat. He was the only one who could reach the highest fruit. Well he was pretty sure Macaque could too, but he let Wukong or MK do it. He would let Wukong flex for him.

"MK..." MKs eyes shot open to see Wukong. Wukong sat on the edge of the bed. He looked a little sad, and forlorn.

"Dad? What's wrong?" He asked. "Is it one of the babies? Should I go get Mr. Tang?" Wukong chuckled as he watched his successor concerned over an infant that wasn't his. Something a King would do.

Wukong took a deep breath.

"It is dawn, and you are ready. I was informed last night that you will take your journey west." Wukong stood up and opened the door jumping from the tree.

MK's eyes grew wide, he didn't understand, what did that even mean?

He jumped out of the tree and followed Wukong as he picked a few things weaving them together. He seemed to be trying to ignore MK now as he talked a mile a minute.

"What do you mean go west. I can't go west, I have to stay here, there are so many monkeys that need my help! Jules has a roof to mend, Kona has to repair the window, I have to make a bed for Raya's son, he's totally outgrown his crib." He looked and jumped when Wukong turned around and looked at MK.

"All that can wait until you get back." MK's voice caught in his throat when he realized what was going on and who was standing around staring. They had all stopped and stared. It was like the monkeys were paused

Wukong didn't just plop down on the throne like he normally would. He stood beside it. In his hands was a crown woven of banana leaves, and flowers. MK didn't even know he could do that, it looked pretty good too.

"You will go west, King MK." MK stepped back and looked around, he knew this was going to happen eventually, he was the Prince after all, but...wouldn't...he looked around noticing Tyla.

"But...she's older..."

"I am a female that has no hope of reproducing." Tyla told him. "I gave up my mantle MK...I won't pick up and use the staff. These people need protection, the protection you can give."

"I can't do that while I"m gone." MK tried looking at Macaque as he shook his head.

"We'll keep doing our job until you get back. But when you do, maybe you and Red can have that wedding. You're done training after all, life will just have to finish for us...just like it did for Wukong."

"Remember...like an insane amount of demons..." Wukong sighed and shook his head. "Lots..."

MK took a deep breath and sat down on the throne and felt Wukong set the crown on his head. His heart beat faster as he listened to the cheering...a party that would last for weeks, even long after he was gone.