A New Age

Chapter 4

The crew was camping while trying to navigate and make sense of the map. Mk complained about the person making the map, saying, "OK so, whoever made this map needs a lesson in how to draw good.", Tang was about to question Mk before Michael cut him off, "Are you sure it isn't just you?", Michael said in annoyance. "You know, back before you kids had your smartphones and your navigating apps, people only had to use maps. Heck, if they didn't have a map, they had to use landscapes or natural landmarks to tell where they were going."

Mk felt scolded when Michael spoke. Mk explained his complaint by saying that two landmarks on the map made sense except the one with the rabbit and moon. Michael asked if he could look at it, and Mk reluctantly gave him the map. Michael examined the part Mk complained about and said, "Ok, I get your point, sorry, but the landmark with the rabbit and moon indicates very clearly that the second ring isn't on Earth.", when Michael said that it seemed to intrigue Mk, but Pigsy shushed them so he could watch his cooking show.

Michael was about to scold Pigsy for his rudeness till he saw a very familiar Ring on the TV. "Huh, I guess we found the second ring.", Michael said, "What do you mean?", Mk questioned him. Michael only pointed at the TV. Mk then connected the dots that the second ring was in Chang'e's kitchen, which means the second ring is in space. Both Pigsy and Mk were excited, Pigsy because he would be in the kitchen of his favorite chef, and Mk because he visits space.

Mei questioned Mk how they would get there but before Mk could reply, Wukong interrupted, saying that they could get there with a rocket by using his powers. Mk argued that he didn't have his powers, and Wukong only said to believe in himself. Michael didn't know what to feel about this. Encouraging your students isn't wrong, but there is so much more to it than buttering them up. Mk failed and ended up shrinking the van, which was unsurprising to Michael. Wukong stepped in and completed a perfect rocket.

"You couldn't have done that before Mk shrunk that van? Gosh, you're getting lazier each second.", Michael spoke plainly, "Hey, shut it, Michael.", Sun Wukong warned. The crew was about to enter when Sandy stepped out of the newly made rocket, but the problem was, that Sandy was tiny, Mk accidentally shrunk Sandy! One of Michael's eyes twitched, "Wukong, MK.", Michael said in a sing-song voice, but it was clear to anyone that Michael was mad, he was mad that both Wukong and Mk used their power very irresponsibly.

"Mike, Mikey, buddy, it was an accident!", Wukong said with a trembling voice as Mk hid behind him. But it was too late as Michael smacked Mk's head with a spoon and started to strangle Wukong. Tang, Mei, and Michael were the only ones to stay and not go on a trip because they had to stay and look after the now-small Sandy. Tang and Mei were pretty bummed out by this and as Wukong, Mk, and Pigsy took off to space they continued to mope, Michael was unfazed and started to cook.

As Mei, Tang, and Sandy sat around, they couldn't help but notice there was tension between Michael and Sun Wukong. They know from Sun Wukong that he and Michael had been friends before, but it seemed like something had gone wrong between the two. "Hey Michael.", Tang said, breaking the silence. "Can you tell us why you and Sun Wukong are on bad terms?", Tang asked, Michael sighed and set down his knife.

"I guess I could, what do you want to know?", Michael asked, Tang was about to speak when Mei interrupted, "Everything.", she said firmly, Michael looked at them for a moment before sighing, "All right, I'll tell you.", he said, "Me and Sun Wukong used to be close friends, but things started to go south when Sun Wukong became obsessed with his dead friends, and since I was used to be an angel I had access to all souls dead or living.", Michael said.

"Hold up what do you mean by "used to" Mike?", Sandy asked, Michael was silent, "I mean that I'm mortal now.", Michael finally said, everyone was shocked, "What do you mean?! Monkey King never mentioned that he said we needed your help because you were strong enough to defeat the lady bone demon! Why didn't you say anything?!", Mei yelled feeling lied to by both Wukong and Michael, "I know I should have mentioned that, but let me explain. Please!", Michael pleaded.

"Fine!", Mei huffed, "Thank you, I'm, sorry, I never meant to deceive you, but strange things have been happening I think that the rising of the Lady Bone demon was not an accident", Michael said confusing everyone, "What do you mean?", Tang asked, "I mean that I think it was a setup, by someone more powerful and dangerous, it's the only reason I decided to join in the first place.", Michael explained shocking everyone to their core, "Then who is it?", Sandy asked.

"I have my theories, but I can't say for certain, I sorry.", Michael said, "It's okay.", Mei said but it was relevant that she was not okay, Tang cleared his throat, "May you continue?", Tang asked, "Oh, right, sorry. As I was saying, I am now mortal. A few centuries ago, I was taken away and suffered from amnesia, thankfully, I regained my memories, however, my immortality has faded. I still possess some remnants of my angelic powers; otherwise, I am completely useless. That's when things began to unravel. Our friends started passing away one by one, and Sun Wukong began losing himself. He demanded that I bring our deceased friends back to life, but I refused. Even as an angel, I cannot do that. Unfortunately, Sun Wukong refused to listen, so he left, and we haven't spoken since." Michael explained.

As Michael finished his story, the room fell silent. Mei, Tang, and Sandy all looked at each other, trying to process what they had just heard. Finally, Tang spoke up. "That's tough, Michael. I'm sorry you had to go through that." Sandy nodded in agreement. "It's never easy losing a friend, especially one you've known for so long." Michael was shocked; he didn't expect them to forgive him or their kindness.

As looked at them he thought, 'Don't fuck up with them as you did with us Wukong.', he smiled sadly. "Thanks. I appreciate this, and sorry again.", Michael said, "It's fine.", Mei said as she smiled. They went back to cooking, the tension in the room slowly dissipating. Once Pigsy, Wukong, and Mk came back from their trip to the moon, they decided not to mention the conversation they had with Michael since Pigsy seemed so happy when he got back, and bringing up the conversation would probably ruin Mk and Sun Wukong's relationship. As the crew was sleeping Michael remained awake, he looked up at the stars he thought, 'I wonder how Tripitaka is doing.'

Meanwhile, the village was suffering from a decrease in crops and animals, and everyone was getting badly sick to the point where the sick had to be isolated in one building, it was so bad. As Tripitaka was healing a sick person with powers she obtained from the golden cicada, she thought, 'Michael hurry the Fuck up!'.