Back in the training temple, Mei stood on one foot, balancing on top of three stacked plates with a stick placed between them, while also holding two buckets full of water outstretched at either side.
"Not bad, it's been about 5 minutes since your last explosion, keep this up and you'll be ready to wield the fire in no time." Red Son commented from his place near the edge of the roof, smiling at her progress.
Then he heard some rustling from the potted plants. The fire demon jumped off the platform and sparked a flame in his hands, getting into a defensive position a person covered in mud climbs over the platform.
"What the?" Red Son said in shock and confusion, he growled and rubbed his face. "For heaven's sakes I thought you were a-"
"A MUD MONSTER!!"
"What? No, don't, it's just-" His warning was short as Mei unleashed a single blast of the fire at the perceived threat. The mud hardened into a layer of clay nearly instantly.
"MK!?" Mei said in shock, surprised to see her here.
"Mei!" MK tackled her into a tight hug. "You're okay! Thank goodness. You're not on fire. What happened?" MK asked looking over her.
"I'm okay, Red Boy here's been training me." Mei said, gesturing to Red Son-who was trying to escape her iron grip.
"Wha- really?" MK asked, surprised.
"Yeah, he's been teachering me how to control my powers real good, and he's been super relaxed and chill about it this whole time. If it wasn't him, I'd probably would have burned up the whole world with Samadhi Fire by now."
"The fire? THE FIRE!!" The duo jumped at MK's outburst, her face began to pale. "The Lady Bone Demon is after it!"
"WHAT?!" The Bull prince screeched angrily, hair momentarily bursting into flames. "And you came HERE?!"
Then the sky turned into a chilling blue as cold winds blows, then Monkey King landed on the balcony of the temple wearing his same armor except Monkey King's fur is less saturated and his eyes glow pale blue. His clothing is varying shades of blue and silver.
The possessed simian stared at them with blue emotionless eyes. "Monkey King?" Mei whispered in horror.
"No, not anymore." MK said putting her hands up in front of Mei protectively.
"It's her. The Lady Bone Demon. She's possessed Wukong," Red Son explained to the dragon girl. "just like she did with my father when we used that magic key to release her from her prison. Haha. Oh, boy."
An awkward silence fell over the theee, as MK and Mei both sweat dropped, "You know, we did tried to warn you and your mom." MK said sarcastically.
"Okay, No need to rub it in..." The fire user grumbled, flinching as another flash of lighting passed over the sky.
"So we meet again, son of the Demon Bull King." the voice of Lady Bone Demon voice rang out sending chills up the three's spine, her shadowed figure was shown through the dark clouds before disappearing and reappearing again. "You're right. I never quite thanked you for freeing me from my prison. Your father was the most fitting host for my power in the time we had. Wukong, on the other hand, well, he's something else."
she mocked him making the fire demon clench his jaw, growling as his eyes shadowed.
"I'm guessing we can't beat him." Son shakily sucked in a breath.
"No, but if the Lady Bone Demon gets the fire-"MK started but was caught off by the bone witch.
"That's one other thing I must thank you for!" Creating the Samadhi Fire. Why, without you, I would never have been able to fulfill my destiny!"
"We have to get out of here now!!" Red Son shouted but the possessed Monkey King appears in front of him.
"But, that is where your usefulness comes to an end."
She finished as the lifeless king rocketed towards Red Son, burying his fist into his stomach. He went flying into the depths of the temple behind them
"Red Son!" MK and Mei cried out.
"There is nowhere left to run! No place you might go that I cannot find you! Why drag this on longer than is necessary? I have waited long enough! Bring him to me now!" She ordered Monkey King as he charges Mei at full speed.
"Monkey King, stop!" MK shouted, standing in her protectively. "You're stronger than her! Force her out!" MK pleaded, Monkey King's eyes stopped glowing as his expression softened a little.
He gently cupped his hand on her cheek, her eyes widened and smiled. "Monkey King?" MK whispered thinking that she got through him, gasp when he grabbed her by the neck tightly.
"It's no use." The Lady Bone Demon's voice said as the possessed simian lifts her the air and tossed her aside.
"MK!"
Monkey King turned to face her and Mei hesitated before releasing the Samadhi Fire to try and keep him away from her. Monkey King skid back a bit shielding his face with his arm as he blankly stares at his her.
"So this is the power of the Samadhi Fire." The Lady Bone Demon's voice cooed.
"Stay back! Unless you want to find out what burning monkey hair smells like!" Mei yelled threateningly, hoping she'd make him back away.
The Lady Bone Demon laughs, not intimidated by the slightest. "You think whatever happens to Wukong is of concern to me? He is a vessel. Nothing more. You would really destroy your own friend to save yourself?" The Lady Bone Demon jest, making Mei clench her teeth in anger.
'Harmonize the wild energies and emotions burning in us, and focus them.' Red's words rang throughout Mei's head as she collected her thoughts.
"Wukong knew the risks. It's what he would do if he had to. That's the hard part of being a hero. Breathe. Calm. Focus." She took a deep breath and calmed the fire as she stored it into a flaming ball in his hands.
"Hero. Please. You're not heroes. You're mere agents of chaos. The very thing I aspire to eradicate in this new world! No more destruction. No more disorder. I will have perfection."
Monkey King grabs Mei's hand as bone crystals began to slowly spread onto the teens hand. MK shakily gets up, clutching her side. "Mei, No!!" MK shouted running after her.
Mei gave her a tearful smile before she is completely frozen in bone crystals in a meditation position. Monkey King stared back at her coldly as the cold winds blew and circled around them before disappearing.
The horrible woman's laughter echoed around MK as she watched on helpless as the dark blue sky returning to normal.
Her mentor, her best friend was gone....she'd failed.
