▪ "𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐛." ▪

You propped yourself up with your tails as you sat next to Wukong in front of the warm fire. You glanced at the sound coming from the television Pigsy had his eyes glued on. Tang was studying the first Ring of Samadhi. You looked over at Wukong, who was happily eating a roasted marshmallow on a stick. He noticed your gaze stared back, pausing his chewing to stare at you. After a couple of seconds staring at each other, he reached over and grabbed another roasted marshmallow. He held it in his open palm, smiling as he extended his hand out to you, alluding for you to take it. You blinked, before awkwardly smiling and shaking your head. Just as you were about to speak, the marshmallow was shoved into your mouth, catching you by surprise. You stared at Wukong in shook as he chuckled. "Cmon, cheer up! Have some food! You haven't eaten in a while." You frowned, before looking away and chewing on the gooey marshmallow, making Wukong's smile widen. 

"Okay, so whoever made this map needs a lesson in how to draw good." You heard MK point out, staring at the map with confusion. "One, judgy much? And two, what do you mean?" Tang asked, cocking an eyebrow. You nodded, and MK began to point to each fire symbol while explaining. "None of these landmarks look like anything! Like okay, debatably, this one where we got the first ring looks like DBK's fortress. And this beautifully rendered mountain range looks like some sort of Lantern City. But tell me, what the brick is this one supposed to be?!" MK shook, while pointing to a symbol that had the fire ring on a cloud with a bunny and a large circle behind. It looked like a moon to you. You let out a loud hum, putting your hand up to your chin. "I think I recognize that one..." MK blinked at you, as Tang tilted his head in your direction. You suddenly snapped your fingers, making MK flinch. "I know! It's-!" "Would you guys shush?!" You glared at Pigsy, who had his head turned away from you and looking straight at the television. You huffed and took a quick peek behind him to see what he was watching that was so important that he had to cut you off. "Hello, everyone! It's wonderful to see you down there! I've missed you all so much! Welcome to my home for another night of Cooking with Chang'e, where I always say: Cooking is life and-" "Life is cooking!" Pigsy yelled at the same time as the woman on the TV. 

You smiled, seeing Chang'e on TV. You missed her. You two were great friends before you disappeared. "Tonight, I'll be revealing the secrets to making the perfect moon cake." You leaned in closer, your eyes focused on the screen. "Huh, not gonna lie. She's uh... younger than I thought she'd be." Mei inquired, curiously watching the television as well. "Uh, does that thingy look kinda familiar?" MK asked, making you look at him questionably. "What thingy?" MK glanced at you and pointed at the television. You narrowed your eyes, leaning closer to find out what he was pointing at. Pigsy aggressively shushed him with a glare before going back to watching, taking notes. MK gasped and ran over and shoved Pigsy out of the way, holding the map in his hand. He grabbed Tang's hand and held the ring up to the television. "Whoa, whoa! H-H-Hey!" You went behind MK and saw what he was doing. Your eyes widened as you finally understood. "No way." You muttered, staring at the ring in Chang'es kitchen. Looks like you're going to pay a visit to another old friend. "Guys, look! There! It's one of the rings!" MK screamed excitedly, making you chuckle and ruffle his hair. "Great job, MK! You found another!" MK blushed, and leaned into your touch, giggling like a giddy child. Mei saw this and pouted, before going up to your side and wrapping her arms around you. You glanced at her questionably, but only got a smile in return. 

"The Second Ring of Samadhi is in Chang'e's kitchen?" Pigsy said, rubbing his sore area where he had been shoved. "You know what this means!?" Tang yelled, looking up. Everyone followed his actions, staring at the sky in wonder. "We are... going to-" "The Celestial Realm!" MK finished, with sparkles in his eyes. The others groaned, facepalming. You pat his shoulder, seeing his disappointed expression. "So close, bud." You muttered, as he leaned on you while pouting in disappointment. "It's space!" MK realized, as Mei and Tang watched Pigsy speedily pack his bags. You nodded, laughing at his happy face. "We're really going to space this time?" "I can't believe it! We're going to Chang'e's kitchen!" Pigsy yelled, not able to contain his excitement. A heap of items were in his open suitcase, as you question how he was going to fit all of that. "To the moon!" The two yelled simultaneously, glowing with exhilaration. "Hey, so... MK, I know you're big brain boy and all now, but how exactly are we supposed to get to the moon?" Mei asked, propping an elbow on his shoulder. MK was about to answer, but frowned when Monkey King did first. "In a rocket." MK and Mei made a confused noise, turning to Monkey King. 

You hummed, scratching your chin. "That would probably work best. Great thinking Wukong." You said, as your former friend's eyes widened at your praise. He then smiled brightly and winked. His attention then went back to the two, as he munched on his peach chips. "Yeah, just use your powers-" He took a chip out of the bag and pointed it towards the van. "-build a rocket outta the van, and we'll just flyyy up there!" He pretended his chip was a rocket, as he pointed it to the moon and made the noise of a rocket taking off. You chuckled at his childish behavior. "Oh, you mean the powers that I don't have anymore?" MK deadpanned, crossing his arms with a frown. "Come on, bud. Believe in yourself. The way I believe in you." He threw another chip in his mouth as MK's expression turned into one of surprise. "Yeah, you got your Gold Vision back cause you need to save your friends. Now, you need to get to the moon so chop-chop! Don't think, just feel it." MK's expression lit up with a small bit of confidence in himself. He could do this. For his friends. But most importantly, for you. 

"Yeah!" MK stomped his foot on the ground, looking towards the van. He rolled up his sleeves, preparing to transform the van into a rocket. "Here! Comes! Monkie Kid!" An electrical static flickered around him as he glowed gold. He held out his hands in front of the van, trying to tap into his powers. The van started to float, glowing gold as MK groan while sweating. From the corner of your eye, you could see Mo scramble out of the vehicle. Tang was wildly writing in his book while still looking up at the floating van. "Can he just do that? Just get new powers whenever he wants?" He turned to Mei, who only slapped him with her index finger as she shushed him. MK held his breath. He could do it! He just had to believe! Still holding his breath, he used more of his power to finish the transformation. The van started to shake, and wildly. It then shrunk and fell to the floor. "Hmm, the Monkie Kid's powers continue to be... elusive." Tang hummed, writing in his book again. You gave him a side glare, which shut him up easily. MK groaned with frustration. He blew it! He wanted to impress you with his power but instead got a mini version of the van and not a rocket. 

Wukong put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "Don't worry about it, bud. I still believe in you. Maybe you just need a stronger motivator. Here, let me handle this one." Wukong then turned to you, smirking. "Mind helping me, partner. Just like old time." Your eyes widened for a moment, before sighing and grinning. "Sure." You stood next to him holding your hand out towards the van. You both started to glow, as the van floated into the air and transformed into a rocket in the matter of seconds. Everyone let out a series of cheers. MK and Mei simultaneously beamed. "Wow!" They both said. You were so cool! They both wished they could be like you one day! Or maybe be with you in the future. They ran up to the rocket, but the doors opened, revealing a small Sandy. He stepped out, yawning and looked at every one's shocked faces. "Hey, you guys feel a little light-headed? I think the van's a little funny." He noticed their expressions and said confused. "What? Is there something on my face?" Mo purred, rubbing himself on Sandy. You sighed, glancing at Wukong who only shrugged with a bead of sweat going down his face.

∘ - ✩彡 - ∘

Mei and Tang had cartoonish tears flowing down their faces as they watched you, MK, Pigsy, and Wukong stand in the rocket. "Have fun, guys! It's fine. We'll just stay behind and go on no adventures whatsoever, and just babysit Baby Sandy or whatever." Mei flopped on the floor and lay in a puddle of tears. "Yeah, not like we wanted to go to the moon or anything anyway!" Tang did the same, but both of their faces lit up when they heard MK speak. "You know what?" He wore a confident smirk and held a clenched hand. "We will have fun."

...

"Okay, bye!" MK waved happily to them, as their expressions fell, and they then continued to cry. You deadpanned at MK, before the doors shut, and you all went to find your seats. Wukong quickly claimed the front seat, with you taking the seat behind him. MK sat on your right while Pigsy sat on your left. Fastening your seatbelt, you heard a repeated clicking noise and glanced over to see Wukong fooling around with the buttons. Pigsy sweat nervously and looked at Wukong. "You, uh, you have done this before, right?" Wukong pulled down a lever that seemed to start the rocket's engine. The rocket started to shake while the loud whir of the engine rang in your ears. "Nope." Wukong casually replied, looking back at Pigsy. "I've never even made a rocket ship before, you believe that?" Pigsy, slightly shaken, pulled on his seat belt tightener. You pat his shoulder, still looking at Wukong with worry for you all. "Hey, what's that button do?" He pressed a red button, and you all screamed as you all were launched into space. 

In space, the rocket mindlessly drifted into space, giving you all an amazing view of pace. You looked around wondrously at the beautiful sight. The stars wandered all around the area, complementing the shining moon in front of you all. You heard MK mutter a sound of amazement next to you, as he gazed at sights. After a moment, the rocket headed towards the moon. As the rocket reached closer to the surface of the moon, it started falling faster and faster. Everyone was thrown out of the rocket as it crashed into the ground. MK and Pigsy face planted into the floor. You and Wukong landed perfectly on your feet. Wukong scratched the back of his neck. "Sorry, guys. Like I said, I do not know how to fly a rocket." You glared at him and elbowed him in the back. He playfully chuckled and tilted his head innocently. "What?" He said with a laugh, making you huff and instead focus your attention on your surroundings. Monkey King pouted as soon as your eyes were off him. 

Lately he had been craving your attention. When he had finally got you to talk to him at the camp, he was overwhelmed with joy, which he managed to hide. It took a lot to not to look so ecstatic. Back to you, it looked like you were in some kind of garden. Trees and plants were littered around the area, with a stone path that led in multiple different directions. "Oh, I can't believe it! This place is even more beautiful in person! The masterful cultivation! Such perfect parallel planting!" Pigsy decided to wander around on his own, gushing at all of the gardens and plants in his sight. "Remember, in and out. No distractions! Right, Pigsy?" MK reminded. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, I know." The two then snuck around the garden, hiding behind a large radish. He and Pigsy peaked their heads out, making you and Wukong do the same. MK looked up at you both, realizing neither you nor Wukong were wearing space suits. "Hey, don't you need a suit?" He asked, and Wukong scoffed loudly response. "No, space suits are for dorky mortals." You just shrugged, as he let out a small hum. Pigsy gasped, taking the helm of MK's suit and pulling it down, dragging MK into a crouching position. "Get down!" He yelled, backing away further behind the large radish. You managed to peek your head out from the top to see what was going on. 

A huge bunny shaped robot was stomping around the garden, keeping watch. Its eyes glowed red as it looked around, scanning the area. You quickly ducked down before it could see you and let out a sigh once it left. That was close. Too close. The four of you looked out from behind the radish again. "OMG. That might be the cutest thing I ever saw." Wukong whispered quietly. You gave him a blank stare, before turning your head to the small house not too far away. Yep, that was probably her house. "Guys, look!" Pigsy charged to the house. You all snuck your way behind the front door and peeked into the cabin. MK immediately started rummaging through the house. "Okay, it should be right around here somewhere. Ring of Samadhi, Ring of Sam- Oof! Hello? Ring of Samadhi?" He tossed things into the air and continued to search the kitchen. You managed to catch each thing he threw and put it back in its original place. "MK! Don't just-" A vase coming straight for your face interrupted you, making you catch it and put it on the floor. A yawn caught your attention, and you looked over to see Wukong sitting on a chair in a relaxed state, practically about to fall asleep. You grunted, focusing on catching the airborne items MK kept throwing towards you and addressing Wukong. "Wukong, a little help would be appreciated." You said, still catching items and placing them in their original spot. 

"I'm here. I'm really here!" Pigsy gasped, before a book MK threw slipped from your grasp and fell on Pigsy's head. "Chang'e's recipe book." He beamed, opening the book and looking inside. MK got up in his face, just as you caught the last thing he threw. You put it back in the fridge and sighed. "Pigsy! Pigsy! Put down your book and look over there!" MK turned Pigsy's head to look above the fireplace, where the ring was. There was a red-light alarm right above it, but MK didn't seem to give it any thought. "I found the ring!" He bounced from the table to where the ring was and slammed his face on it. He pulled it off with his teeth. "Yes. Got it! Y/N look! I got the ring" You gave him a thumbs up with a smile, before an alarm blared off and the red light above the ring glowed red, illuminating the room. "The old ring-triggers-the-alarm-system trick." Monkey King said in a strange voice. He clicked his tongue, sitting back on his chair. "Alright, guys, let's get outta here." The bunny mech crashed in through the building. 'Scanning parameter.' "Oh, what are we going to do?!" You put a hand on MK's mouth and shushed him, but it was too late. 'Intruder detected.' The mech summoned beams from its mechanical arms and was about to blast you and MK. "Come on, bud. Gold Vision." Monkey King groaned, looking at MK. "Oh, yeah, I keep forgetting I have that." MK looked around and saw a small vent outlined in gold. "Ooh! That way!" He grabbed Monkey King and Pigsy and shoved them down the vent, before squeezing himself through. 

You noticed the beam was about to blast him and used your chains as a shield to cover him. He called out for you, before he finally slipped down. As the beam blasted through the chains, you managed to slip out of the house and into the garden. You got into a fighting stance, before a loud explosion came from afar and MK, Wukong, and Pigsy landed next to you. A large bunny mech landed behind you all, making a large dent in the ground from the impact. 'Surrender, intruder!' "Monkey King, do something!" Wukong laughed. "Sorry I can't, it's just too gosh darn adorable!" He beamed, his tail curved into a heart. You hit him upside the head. "Get it together!" MK stepped in front of the mech, just as it was about to blast all of you. "Kid, what are you doing-" "Here... comes... Monkie Kid" Gold sparks flew around MK and shrank the bunny mech. 'Alert! Intwuder! Intwuder!' MK, you, and Pigsy stood over the small mech in confusion, before Wukong jumped on your back and put his head on top of yours. "Okay, I take back what I said. That is the most adorable thing I ever saw!" He chuckled, as you huffed. 

"Ahem. Hey so, what do you think you're doing?" You glanced over to see the one and only Chang'e, staring at you four with narrowed eyes. "Chang'e?" You all yelled. "Sun Wukong and MK, the Monkie Kid. Not to be the gal, but I'm a huge fan! Do you have a moment?" She pulled out her phone and snapped pictures of them with her before they could react. She popped off MK's helmet and took another picture. MK pretended to choke from the lack of air, then realized he was fine. He got rid of the rest of the suit and deadpanned. "Yeah, this is gonna be great! Save!" You cleared your throat, grabbing her attention. She gasped loudly. "Y/N?" "Heh, long time no see." She ran over to you and tackled you into a hug, almost knocking you over. "Nice to see you again too." You said, hugging her back. She then let go of you and took pictures of you both. It's been so long! You've gotta tell me where you were!" Scratching the back of you neck, you chuckled and replied. "It's a long story." Wukong and MK glared at Chang'e why was she stealing all your attention? 

Chang'e started looking through her pictures, and arm still around your shoulder. "Where was I? Oh, yes, I believe you have something that belongs to me." "I'm sorry, Chang'e." MK said guiltily as he pulled out the ring from inside his jacket. He knelt in front of her. "We needed to find this ring in order to save the world. After we were done, we were gonna return it. Honest." "Oh, that old thing? You can keep it!" "What?" "Really?" You asked, making her turn to you and smile. "I've been up here a long time. All sorts of things make their way to my garden. However, the day that arrived, I knew there was something special about it. That it didn't belong. So, I gave it a home until it's time for it to leave this place. So yes, you may have the ring, in return for my book." You tilted your head and looked at the other three in confusion. MK seemed to be thinking the same thing as you. "Book? Yeah, I kinda just took this. So..." Out of nowhere, Pigsy coughed, and MK and Wukong turned to him. "Pigsy! What did you do?!" Monkey King crossed his arms. "I'm gonna put my money on him stealing Chang'e's book." "What? No, I-I just kind of..." Pigsy sighed and took off his spacesuit and pulled out the book. MK gasped in horror, acting appalled. "Why, I never! Oh, you better believe we'll be having words when we get home, young man!" You gave him a weird look, before looking back at Pigsy who had a guilty expression. 

You felt bad for him as tears formed in his eyes while he spoke. "I was gonna put it back! I just, you know, you're such an inspiration. When I saw your book, I guess, well you know, I just— I wanted to leave you with a parting gift-" He handed Chang'e the book, and she looked in it. You peeked in the book behind her shoulder and saw Pigsy's own recipe for his famous noodles. You pat