Note: The chapter is finally done. I don't know how I feel about it. I feel like I might have made it too long, but I did want to get to some exposition before going further into the story. The main drama will start next chapter. I don't know how long this will be, as there is a lot to go through, and that may take time. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter.
“Bye, Mrs. Cheng,” I say as I pull out of her driveway on my way back to Pigsys. My last delivery is done, and I’m on my way home.
Things have been pretty peaceful in the last year, since the pillar incident: no world-ending threats, no villains popping up claiming centuries-long revenge.
It’s peaceful, it’s calm, there aren’t even any villains of the week to worry about. It’s been nice to fall back into the old routine of deliveries and daily hangouts with Mei; it feels a little like it did before. I still visit FFM every week for training or just to visit. It’s nice to hang out with Monkey King and Maqacue, with no end-of-the-world threats hanging over our shoulders.
Things between Monkey King and Maqacue are still tense; they don’t fight as much anymore, but it’s like they're stuck in some weird limbo. And I have a feeling they both want to tell me something. I often hear parts of a conversation when I drop by or they think I’m not listening… “You need to tell him Wukong.” “What if I’m wrong and it’s something else? I don’t want to add more stress to his life, especially if I’m wrong.” “He still has a right to know…” “ I KNOW, but how do I tell him he might be…”. It’s around this point that I make myself known, or Mac hears me.
I don’t know what they could be talking about, and if I’m being honest, I’m a little afraid to ask.
I pull up to Pigsy’s and walk inside. “Well, look who’s on time for once.” Came Pigsy’s voice from over the counter. I glance at the clock, and yeah, I have been better about being on time recently. “That was the last one, if I remember correctly, and you’ll be heading to FFM soon,” said Tang from his usual spot on the bar.
“Yep,” I say as I walk past to head to my room to change clothes. They both watch me go. Tang follows me to make sure I go into my room. I have about five minutes before they knock and check on me. They have been like that since the incident.
It doesn't take me long to change into my usual clothes. And I walk out as they come up the stairs. They pause for a moment, look at me, and say, “You heading out?” “Yep.” As I make my way to the door, they call out, “Will you be staying the night, and if you are, do you have extra clothes?” “Yes, Dad, yes Papa, you don’t need to worry.” They both flinch at that. I turn and walk out, change into a bird, and head towards FFM. I hear Tang call out as I’m flying, “Call us when you get there!!!
As I’m flying, I can’t help but be a little bothered by the fact that they're both still tense around me. Like I'm just going to up and disappear one day, or I’ll hurt myself, I sigh at the last thought, they’re worried for a reason, I know that, but I just wish they would act normal around me. Like they used to.
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I don’t like this. Just about every Celestial is in the courtroom, even Chang’e was called down from the Moon for this. Whatever is going on must be serious, but no one knows the reason behind the sudden summons.
Things in heaven have been tense since the pillar incident. The elders are having meetings just about every day, talking about the traitor, the scroll, the Jade Emperor, and even MK. A lot has happened over the recent years, and heaven still has not recovered. Everyone is tense, and no one can really trust each other. With the Jade Emperor's power practically gone, there has been the question of who will take over. My father was just containing the power until a new emperor could be found, and with the council in disarray, the celestials are looking for someone to take the position. I assume that is what the meeting today is about; they have finally picked someone, though the answer is obvious to me, and I would bet that many others as well.
“Honestly, how long will this take?” came an irritated voice next to me. “I’m sure it will start soon, Jinzha,” I responded, though I, too, am getting impatient. “Come on, Jinzha, this is the first time all three of us have been together in a long time, and all you want to do is complain,” the calm, reasonable voice of Muzha. Jinzha only tsked at that. Muzha had always been the calmest of the three of us. Often, the voice of reason in the family. But he was right, this was the first time we had all been together in a long time, but in all honesty, we have never really been that close to begin with; they still treat me like a child from time to time.
“Do we really need all this fanfare? Just tell us who the new emperor is so we can all go about our duties; it’s not like he’ll have the power of the real emperor.” If anyone, it should have been you or father, Nezha, at least both protected the power at one point,” said Jinzha.
“Hold your tongue, brother, do NOT speak that way about the successor, we all know who it is likely to be, and he is not someone you want to cross!” I can not believe him. There are times when he can speak like the courageous soldier he is, then he turns around and talks like a child with no filter; it's infuriating.
“Both of you stop this, but I do agree with Nezha, older brother, you should not speak so carelessly.”
“I’m just saying there is no nee—”
Just then, a gong sounded, and all of the previous hushed whispers dissolved into nothing. As everyone turned their heads to the center of the courtroom. There, floating on pedestals, were the remaining council members clad in their robes to the right of them, my father looking as stoic and detached as ever… but there is something in his gaze I do not recognize; those who do not know my father as well as I do would not notice, but there is something off.
To the left of the elders is the goddess Guanyin, bound in her celestial robes, looking as ethereal as ever. She, too, seems to be troubled. It's more obvious than my father, but there is a noticeable frown on her face. The goddess normally wears a smile that would brighten the room, but something seems to have upset her.
And above them all was Erlang Shen.
As proud and as emotionless as always, there he stood above the elders, my father, the goddess, and the rest of the courtroom. Like he knew he was better than all of us. He and Wukong were similar in that Wukong used to think that he was the strongest in any room he walked into. The difference between him and Erlang was that while Wukong was full of himself, he never tried to belittle everyone, only if you made him mad. But in recent years, that seems to have changed.
Erlang, however, is the same as always; he knew he was one of the most powerful people in heaven, and he would never let anyone forget it. If you thought my father and I were sticklers for the rules, we pale in comparison to him.
“We have decided on who would next rule heaven. After much consideration and debate, we have picked Erlang Shen to take command, as we feel he will lead heaven in the ways of the old emperor, and ensure the strength of heaven remains unwavering in these trying times.” The elders ended their speech and looked to Erlang to say a few words.
“Thank you for your kind words, elders. I assure you that your judgment and trust in me will not be questioned, as I have already decided on what my first act as emperor will be.”
I feel uneasy. Many others and I suspected that it would be him, but I would be lying if I said I wish I had been wrong. I do not know what actions he will take, but I do know it will bode well for someone.
“There have been many threats to heaven and the mortal realm in recent years. Demon Bull King was released, and he and his family cause mayhem for quite some time. Then there was the Spider Queen, who we later realized was working under the Lady Bone Demon. The Demon then proceeded to cover the mortal realm in ice and was trying the destroy our world. Then there was the brotherhood, who had been released by a traitor in our midst and proceeded to kill my Uncle.” His voice shook a little at that last bit. “And then our entire reality was almost erased, and a new cycle would have begun. This all ends today. I am putting a stop to all of it.”
A chill ran up my spine as I tried not to think what that could mean.
“Today is the day we bring the ones responsible for these problems and make them face justice.”
He couldn’t be talking about them; they have saved everyone countless times over.
“They will be brought before the court and will answer for their crimes, and will be punished, and we’ll ensure they never act against heaven AGAIN!”
The world was spinning, and before I knew, I was turning around and running for the exit, praying to Buddha I would make it in time. Just as I made it out the doors, I heard Erlang say.
“Heavenly army, go and seize Wukong and his disciple! Find their allies and bring them here so they may face justice.”
Never in my life have I so wished to have been wrong.
