The Two Kings

72 Transformations

A/N: This chapter is for the Gays

Someone was going to die. Specifically, MK, who thought it was a brilliant idea to wake everyone—and their mother—up in the middle of the night for something 'spectacular.' The monkey kids had begrudgingly gathered on the roof of Pigsy's Noodles, all of them bleary-eyed, clad in mismatched pajamas, and shuffling around in slippers.  

"Come on, kiddo. Get up," Pigsy grumbled, nudging Parker, who was slouched against the railing and looking like the embodiment of exhaustion.  

Mei winced at the sight of him, her own hair sticking up at odd angles. "Rough night?" she asked.  

"I haven't even fallen asleep yet," Parker mumbled before collapsing dramatically onto the ground and instantly falling asleep.  

Pigsy sighed, crouching down to hoist Parker up. "Alright, up you go," he muttered before turning to MK with a pointed glare. "Okay, kid, it's three in the morning. What's so important it couldn't wait till mornin'?"  

MK, unfazed by the exhaustion around him, grinned like a child on Christmas morning, practically bouncing on his heels. "Oh, Pigsy, sweet, sweet friend, I'm so glad you asked."  

"I've gathered you here tonight because I've unlocked my next mystic monkey power!"  

"Ooh!" Mei exclaimed, practically hopping with excitement. "What is it? What is it?"  

"Is it teleportation?! Cloud walking?! Is it flying?!" Tang was practically shaking with anticipation, and the rest of the group leaned in closer, eager to know.  

"No! It's better than any of that!" MK declared, flashing a smug, confident grin. "I've begun to learn Monkey King's 72 Transformations!"  

"Can you transform into a white noise machine? That'd help us a lot," Parker muttered groggily, still sprawled on the ground.  

Tang, on the other hand, was wide awake now, practically vibrating with excitement. "The ancient art that has eluded even the wisest masters for centuries?! The ability to transform into nearly anything?! An eagle, a tiger, a gorilla! The power of a god is in your grasp, MK. SHOW ME THIS POWER!!"  

"This might just be me," Parker quipped with a sleepy smile, "but I think Tang wants to see MK's new power."  

"Well, maybe my friend here can show you himself!" MK said dramatically, spinning around with a laugh—only to reveal that his hand had transformed into a tiny bulldog puppy.  

"Puppy!" Parker and Mei squealed in unison, immediately rushing to let the puppy bark, nip, and lick at them.  

"You were right, MK! This is the best power!" Parker exclaimed, giggling as the puppy started to bite him on the shoulder.  

"I know!" MK said with a proud laugh, though the puppy had now turned its attention to biting him.  

"Less of a power, more of a medical emergency," Pigsy muttered, arms crossed and clearly unimpressed.  

"Aw, c'mon. No, I think dog-hand is pretty good," MK said, letting the puppy lick his face. "Aren't you, you pug-shaped baby?" 

Pigsy squinted at MK's other hand, which was tucked suspiciously into his jacket pocket. "Uh, are you hiding your other hand?"  

"Uh...no?" MK replied, his voice pitched a little too high.  

"MK, what are you—?"  

"Okay, fine! But just remember, like, 70% of my job is cleaning," MK said, reluctantly pulling his other hand out of the pocket.