Monkie Kid: Mommy Dearest

A Midnight Message

After a few days, they were back in the air. It was midnight, with the moon high in the sky and the stars out while everyone was asleep except for Wukong. Wukong looked at the midnight sky directly at the full moon, returning him to a memory.

Wukong and Tao were lying on the roof of their home looking up at the moon and stars. Wukong was retelling one of the many adventures he had centuries ago. 

"Dad," Tao turned to his side, "do you think when I'm older, they'll tell legends about me."

"Maybe," Wukong looked at him, "you never know what the future has in store for you."

Wukong placed a hand on top of his just. "Just take my stories as advice on what not to do when adventuring. I may be a fool, but I don't want people to think I've raised one."

Tao began to laugh as Wukong started ruffling his hair. 

Wukong looked down at the Wukong doll he was holding with a sullen look. With every day that passed, Wukong missed his little boy. After all this was over, Wukong wanted to hold his cub.

"The love of a father truly speaks volumes," the voice hummed.

Wukong turned around to see Messenger standing behind him with a smug look on their face. 

"What are you doing here?" Wukong clenched his fists. "First you take my son, now you've come to taunt me."

"The opposite in fact, " Messenger was still smiling, "I thought you should know that the child is in good hands. However, he did something he shouldn't have, and My Lady punished him accordingly--ARGH!!"

Wukong hand took hold of Messenger's neck and held them above him. Wukong bared his teeth as he pushed down the urge to erase them, right then and there.

"Listen here," Wukong spat out, "you tell the witch of a woman who is your master that if she harms my cub, she and the mountain will be leveled to the ground."

"You have it all wrong Sun Wukong," the smirk returned, "My Lady would never hurt the child, he is her son as well after--"

Wukong threw Messenger, having them skid across the deck. Wukong walked past them, leaving Messenger to pick themselves up.

"Tell your lady she has no right to call Tao her son." Wukong turned back to look at them.

"You still don't get it," Messenger stood up, "with that brat, My Lady will finally erase you, your successor, and the rest of those mortal ruffians of this world, and I'll also get my revenge on that vile Six-Eared Macaque."

"What does--" Wukong turned around.

Messenger had disappeared, it was just Wukong on the deck. 

"What are you doing?" Macaque walked outside, in his pajamas. "I've been hearing you for the last five minutes."

"Macaque," Wukong turned around, "I never thought I'd be so glad to see you."

"Gee, thanks," Macaque spoke sarcastically. "You always knew how to make someone feel special."

"There's something, you need to know." Wukong ignored Macaque's retort. "I have a bad feeling about what's to come."

Back inside Macaque made tea for the both of them as Wukong sat at the table.

"Talk." Was all Macaque said as he placed down Wukong's cup.

Macaque listened closely and quickly as Wukong retold his interaction with Messenger moments ago, including what they had said about Macaque before vanishing into thin air. 

"This isn't the first time, something like this happened," Macaque muttered.

"Are you referring to the incident in the woods a few days ago?" Wukong took a sip of his tea.

"Nothing gets pass an old fool like you," Macaque dryly chuckled. "So, what are we going to do?"

"I'm not sure," Wukong muttered, "but I'm starting to realize that The Messenger is much more than Lady Thorn Rose's lackey."

A storm surrounded the mountain that Lady Thorn Rose's temple and hide out was located in. She was unbothered by the loud cracks of thunder as she read the old, slightly torn and yellowed with age papers in her throne room. 

"My Lady." Messenger bowed.

"Are the preparation almost done." Lady Thorn Rose continued to look at the papers.

"Yes," Messenger nodded, "in fact, we're ahead of schedule."

"Excellent." She looked up with a smirk. "What about the child?"

"He is locked up tight in his chambers, he won't try to escape again." Messenger assured. 

Lady Thorn Rose chuckled to herself before making her way toward the doors. "If that's the case let us be off."

"Where are we headed?" Messenger followed closely behind Lady Thorn Rose. 

"I just have no last thing to pick up before my son's coronation." Lady Thorn Rose looked back down at the papers with a smile.

 On one of the old pieces of paper in her hands was a semi-faded drawing off of a raw grey crystal. 

The sound of banging echoed through the temple's dim hallways. Tao was banging repeatedly on the door of his chambers hoping for someone to open the door.

"Let me out!" Tao cried about as he repeatedly pounded on the large wooden door. "Somebody, help!"

Tao hit the doors as hard as he could one last, before giving up. Tao dropped to the floor, hugging his knees.

"Why won't anyone help me?" Tao whimpered.

He didn't like being trapped, he didn't like the people, he didn't like being here. Tao wanted to go home and go back to the normal he was used to. He wanted to walk to school with Daiyu, he wanted to have fun with MK and Mei, he wanted to enjoy noodles with everyone at Pigsy's, he wanted to hear Tang tell old legends, he wanted to go back to Flower Fruit Mountain, he wanted his friends and family, and he wanted his dad.

Tao buried his face into his knees and started to cry. In a time and place where he knows should be brave, he can no longer be that. This is all too much for him, he wants to go to sleep and hope when he wakes up it's all a bad dream.  He's scared and alone.

"Dad." Tao sniffled out, "I'm scared, please come get me."