*The gang are hanging around the fire for the night. Tang studies the first Ring of Samadhi. Sandy is sleeping in the T.E.A..*
Miwa was lightly poking the fire with a stick, her thoughts going back and forth about Wukong as she would glance over at him a few times.
After getting back with the rest of the gang. Miwa hadn't interacted much with Wukong, but that was a mix of him meditating to get his powers back and her keeping more to herself.
Miwa looked up at the night sky, having noticed throughout their journey that more stars were disappearing as time went. She wasn't sure what that meant, but she was getting the feeling it wasn't good.
She snapped out of a thoughts when a marshmallow on a stick appeared in front of her. "Huh?"
"Staring at the sky isn't gonna fill your stomach, Freckles." said Wukong, being the one holding the stick with the marshmallow.
"I've already had my fill of the marshmallows, Dad." Miwa shoved the marshmallow out of her view with one of her tails.
Getting up from where she was sitting, Miwa walked away from the fire and the rest of the gang. Wanting to be alone as she wasn't sure how could she could hold back from another shock of pain.
Wukong raised an eyebrow, eating the marshmallow before following right behind her. "Sunny, what's actually going on? Does it have anything to do with Macaque when he showed up?"
Miwa didn't look at him, trying to control her emotions even though her tails was already lashing around in anger. "... Dad, if you knew some very important info that could help fix a serious problem. Would you share it with those close to you or keep that info for yourself? Knowing what would happen if others knew about it?"
Wukong stayed quiet for a bit, observing the language her body was giving at this moment. "Depends on what kind of info it is. If I know I can use that info I would fix whatever problem it is by myself. I am the Monkey King after all."
Miwa's gritted her teeth as cosmic energy slowly surrounded her before it slowly faded away as she gave a sigh. "Dad, at least answer me this." She turned to look over at him, eyes close to tearing up. "Do you actually care about me? Am I really your daughter or just a burden from the past that you feel obligated to reconnect with after finding out I am alive?"
"...Miwa." Wukong felt speechless when seeing the look on her face. But even more so when she questioned about what she actually was to him.
Miwa wrapped her arms around herself, struggling to control her emotions in fear of the pain returning any moment. "Please Dad, I'm starting to lose my limit on what to really think of myself. And what you and Pap—"
She was cut off mid-sentence as Wukong had pulled her into a tight hug. "Silly little monkey, of course I care about you. My own daughter, more precious than anything. I would do anything to keep you safe."
Miwa wrapped her arms around him, tightening her grip and hide her face against his chest. Trying to hold back her own tears. "Then please promise me that you wouldn't betray me nor keep anything from me. I need to know... need something to keep me stable."
Wukong understood what she was trying to say, he had had a small idea for a while about what was the actual cause for those painful shocks she was getting. "I promise Miwa, so you can rest assure." He gentle stroke her head, trying to give her comfort.
The two stayed like that for a good while until Miwa pulled away from the hug. Her skin having now changed color along with her eyes being golden once more. A soft smile appeared on Wukong's face when seeing this.
"You are getting closer to your monkey form, just a little more and you have your full form back." Wukong said with a big grin.
Miwa rolled her eyes but a smile did grow on her face. "Let's go back to the others, who knows. Maybe they have figured out something more."
Wukong kept a smile on his face as he followed her back to the gang. "At least she is finally back to her cheerful self. I just hope it can stay that way, until we find a way to fix what Macaque did. Right now, the best thing to do is keep her happy. Seeing that is the only way to keep her stable, and less likely for her to get anymore painful shocks."
MK studies the Map to the Rings of Samadhi. "Okay, so whoever made this map, needs a lesson in how to draw good."
"One: Judgy much? And two: What do you mean?" Tang questioned looking over at him.
Wukong and Miwa returned and sat back down while picking up a marshmallow and put it on a stick over the fire.
"None of these landmarks look like anything! Like okay, debatedly, 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 exclaimed in frustration as he pointed at the landmark that looked like a rabbit or was it a moon of some sort.
"Huh, I see what you mean MK." Miwa leaned a little closer to take a look. "Is that a rabbit?... next to a moon?"
"Hey Mimi! When did your eyes and skin change color?" Mei asked when noticing it.
Miwa looked over at Mei and shrugged. "Not sure, but at least it isn't a bad thing."
"Would you guys shush?!" shouted Pigsy before turning his attention back to the show that was on the TV.
"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—" spoke the person on the screen.
"Life is cooking!" said Pigsy and Chang'e on the screen in unison.
"Tonight, I'll be revealing the secrets to making the perfect moon cake." said Chang'e standing in her kitchen and pulled out a moon cake.
"Huh, not gonna lie. She's uh... younger than I thought she'd be." said Mei while slightly bored.
"Hmmm, I don't know about that. Don't forget my Dad, he doesn't age yet he is already super, super, super, super old—OW!" said Miwa before getting bonked on the head. She turned to glance annoyedly at Wukong while rubbing her head.
"Watch your tone there missy." Wukong warned her.
"...Old baboon." Miwa mumbled, before quickly dodging another hit from him. "Ha! Missed me!"
Wukong simply struck her in the forehead with his stick. Knocking her over.
"Aah!"
"Uh, does that thingy look kinda familiar?" MK sees a ring above Chang'e. Pigsy aggressively shushes him before going back to watch. MK then realizes what he's looking at and crashes into Pigsy as he gets a closer look.
"Enough of that boring stuff, let's get to it! First, the ingredients." said Chang'e already have all the ingredients ready on the table.
MK goes on and grabs Tang. "Whoa, whoa! H-H-Hey!"
MK compares the rings on the map, the screen, and the one they have. "Guys, look! There! It's one of the rings!"
Miwa slowly got up from the ground, rubbing her forehead that now had a red mark from where Wukong had hit her. "Huh, well that makes the landmark on the map make much more sense."
"The Second Ring of Samadhi is in Chang'e's kitchen?" Pigsy asked rubbing his head after MK had crashed into him.
"You know what this means? We are... going to..." said Tang as he was fixing his glasses and then looked up at the sky.
"The Celestial Realm!" MK exclaimed in excitement as his eyes were sparkling.
The others groan.
"Oh, MK." Pigsy facepalmed himself at MK's stupidity.
"Not the Celestial Realm MK, we are going to space." said Miwa shaking her head.
"It's space!" Mei and Tang watch as Pigsy speedily packs his bags. "We're really going to space this time?" MK were a bit in disbelief.
"I can't belive it! We're going to Chang'e's kitchen!" said Pigsy all excited.
"To the moon!" shouted Pigsy and MK.
"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, not seeing how they were gonna get there.
"In a rocket." Wukong answered.
"What?" said Mei and Miwa in unison.
"Yeah, just use your powers, build a rocket outta the van, and we'll just flyyy up there!" Wukong further explained.
"Oh, you mean the powers that I don't have anymore?" MK asked sarcastically.
"Come on, bud. Even I believe in you." said Wukong as he was eating a bag of peach-flavored chips.
"Give it a shot MK, I know you can do it." said Miwa while trying to swap out the peach chips in Wukong's chip bag.
"Yeah." said MK with a bit more confident.
Wukong went on and bonked Miwa on the head again when noticing what she was doing. "Don't even think about it, Sunshine. I ain't falling for that little trick again."
Miwa pouted a little as she rubbed her head, slightly annoyed while thinking she might have to practice more in playing tricks on him.
"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." Wukong explained eating another chip.
"Yeah!" MK braces himself in front of the T.E.A. "Here! Comes! Monkie Kid!" He taps into his powers and tries to convert the T.E.A. Mo wakes up and scrambles out of the vehicle.
Tang looks up while writing in his book. "Can he just do that? Just get new powers whenever he wants?" Mei shushes him. MK shrinks the T.E.A. instead. "Hmm, the Monkie Kid's powers continue to be... elusive."
MK groans in frustration that it didn't went as he wanted it to.
"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 converts the T.E.A. into the Galactic Explorer.
Miwa let out a long whistle. "That's almost impressive."
"What do you mean almost? It was supper impressive, I'm sure your friends would agree." said Wukong with a smirk glancing back at the others.
"Wow!" said Mei simultaneously.
"Oh ho, now you're talking!" said Pigsy simultaneously.
They run up to the rocket but Sandy steps out, he is now small, about the same size as Mo.
"Hey, you guys feel a little light-headed? I think the van's a little fumey." Sandy sees their shocked faces. "What? Is there something on my face?" Mo purrs, rubbing himself on him.
Miwa couldn't help but hold back a laugh when seeing Sandy like this, it was just too funny but she tried holding it in.
*A saddened Mei and Tang are forced to babysit Sandy.*
"Have fun, guys! It's fine. We'll just stay behind and go on no adventures, whatsoever, and just babysit Baby Sandy or whatever." said Mei as she was waving them goodbye while tears were running down her face.
"Yeah, not like we wanted to go to the moon or anything anyway!" Tang cried.
"You know what? We will have fun. Okay, bye!" said MK as they closed the door on them.
"Okay, I'm over it." said Mei having stopped crying and got back up.
*In the Galactic Explorer, Wukong fools around with the buttons.*
"You, uh, you have done this before, right?" Pigsy asked a little hesitant.
"I don't think so." said Miwa sitting in a seat next to MK.
"Nope. I've never even made a rocket ship before, you believe that?" Pigsy straps in his seatbelt securely. "Hey, what's that button do?" Wukong presses a red button and they all scream as they are launched into space.
Miwa takes a look around and notices the four colorful stars once more. Yet even from space they still seemed as far away like back down on earth. "Strange."
"Whoa." MK was amazed by what he was seeing before they crash land in Chang'e's Moon base and go flying out of the rocket.
"Sorry, guys. Like I said, I do not know how to fly a rocket." said Wukong after landing behind them. "Freckles, why are you wearing a suit? You know you can't die right?"
Miwa looked at him a little unsure about that. "I don't know... I might just keep it on just to be saf—What are you doing?!"
Wukong had gone on and pulled the space suit off of her, causing Miwa to panic and began breathing hard. Only to then notice she was breathing fine without the helmet on.
"Oh... didn't think that was possible." said Miwa.
"Told you it was fine." said Wukong smiling at her. "If you didn't have the water trauma, I'm pretty sure you could breath under water too."
Miwa slowly turned her head to him. "Not happening."
"Oh, I can't believe it! This place is even more beautiful in person! The masterful cultivation! Such perfect parallel planting!" said Pigsy feeling like he was dreaming.
"Remember, in and out. No distractions! Right, Pigsy?" said MK, trying to keep everyone but mostly Pigsy focused on the task at hand.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, I know." said Pigsy slightly annoyed.
"Hey, don't you need a suit? And where did yours go?" MK asked looking at Wukong and Miwa who wasn't wearing her suit anymore.
Wukong scoffs. "No, space suits are for dorky mortals."
"Since I can't die and I'm able to breathe in space like Dad. I don't really need it." said Miwa giving a shrug.
Pigsy gasps. "Get down!"
"Scanning parameter. Parameter secure." said the bunny mech that was walking by and scanning the area.
The team slowly looked around the corner as it was walking away.
"OMG. That might be the cutest thing I ever saw. Next to little baby Miwa of course." Wukong whispered with big bright eyes.
"Urgh, Dad." Miwa rolled her eyes while feeling for once embarrassed of having a parent.
"Guys, look!" said Pigsy pointing a building.
"Bingo." Miwa whispered.
They peek into Change's kitchen.
"Okay, it should be right around here somewhere. Ring of Samadhi, Ring of Sam- Oof! Hello? Ring of Samadhi?" MK tosses out Change's stuff as he searches.
"I'm here. I'm really here!" Pigsy gasps as he sees the thing MK tosses on his head. "Chang'e's recipe book." He opens it.
"Pigsy, Pigsy, put down your book and look over there!" MK directs his face to what he's looking at. "I found the ring!"
"I'll get it." Miwa used the shadows and easily got to the ring as she started pulling it out. "Got it, guys. Now let's get out of —" An alarm blares off.
"The old ring-triggers-the-alarm-system trick. Alright, guys, let's get outta here." said Wukong getting up and started leaving only for the bunny mech to crash in.
"Scanning parameter." said the bunny mech.
"We are so screwed." said Miwa while going back into the shadows.
"Uh oh, what are we going to do?! Lulu get out of the shadows and help!" shouted MK in a panic.
"Intruder detected." said the bunny mech when its scanner picked up on the three and got ready to blast them.
"Ummm, I think I'm gonna stay in here for the time being. Good luck!" said Miwa as only the shadow silhouette of her could be seen.
"Come on, bud. Gold Vision." shouted Wukong over at him.
"Oh, yeah, I keep forgetting I have that." MK sees an exit. "Ooh! That way!" He grabs Wukong and Pigsy and shoves them down. "Is this a factory inside the moon?" More bunny mechs appear. "Oh, crud."
"Eliminate intruder!" repeated the bunny mechs.
They make their way out of the factory. "Surrender, intruder!"
"Monkey King, Miwa, do something!" Pigsy shouted.
"Sorry I can't, it's just too gosh darn adorable!" said Wukong gushing over how cute it was.
"...I'm so happy I'm not a kid anymore." said Miwa looking at Wukong unimpressed before jumping out with her spear.
"Kid, what are you doing—" shouted Pigsy when turning his attention over to MK.
"Here... comes... Monkie Kid!" MK shrinks the bunny mech.
"Alert! Intwuder! Intwuder!" said the tiny bunny mech.
"Okay, I take back what I said. That is the most adorable thing I ever saw!" said Wukong with big eyes.
"I have to agree with him on this one. It is so tiny and cute." said Miwa matching the same look as Wukong.
"Ahem. Hey so, what do you think you're doing?" said Chang'e as she finally appeared.
"Chang'e?" said everyone surprised.
"Sun Wukong, MK, the Monkie Kid and Miwa, the Luna Kid. Not to be the gal, but I'm a huge fan, do you have a moment?" Chang'e pulls out her phone and snaps pictures before they can move.
"Um, no?" said MK, a little confused.
"I do not know how I feel about this." said Miwa a little uncomfortable.
"Relax, Freckles, you'll get used to it." said Wukong when placing a hand on her back.
Chang'e pops off MK's helmet. "Yeah, this is gonna be great! Save! Where was I? Oh, yes, I believe you have something that belongs to me?"
MK started panicking when his helmet was gone, only to then realized that he could breathe fine. So he went on and removed his suit. "I'm sorry, Chang'e." He grabs the ring Miwa was carrying. "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!" said Chang'e with a shrug.
"Huh?" Miwa raised an eyebrow.
"What?" MK asked confused.
"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." Chang'e explained.
"What book?" Miwa asked, only to notice Wukong and MK looking at her. "Hey! I didn't steal anything this time."
"Book? Yeah, we kinda just took this. So..." said MK, holding the ring until he heard Pigsy coughing. "Pigsy! What did you do?!"
"I'm gonna put my money on him stealing Chang'e's book." said Wukong crossing his arms.
"Same here, Pigsy how could you?" said Miwa also crossing her arms.
"What? No, I-I just kind of..." Pigsy sighs and pulls out the book.
MK gasps in horror. "Why, I never! Oh, you better believe we'll be having words when we get home, young man!"
Miwa couldn't help but laugh at this. "Of all people I never expected him to steal anything."
"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." Pigsy hands the book with his recipe in it to her. "In exchange for the ring, you know, it's— I'm truly sorry."
Chang'e wipes his tears. "Don't cry, Mr. Pig. I understand. When cooking is life."
Pigsy sniffs. "Life is cooking."
"Eh, I don't know about that." said Miwa with a shrug.
"It's just cooking, you guys." said Wukong.
"Life is cooking!" shouted the two as they glared deadly at Wukong and Miwa.
Wukong and Miwa pantomimes zipping their mouths shut.
"Alright. Now that that's worked out, we should go." said MK.
"You know, it's been a long time since I've really hung out with anyone. Except Bun-Bun anyway. Maybe you guys could just stay a little longer? It would mean the moon to me." said Chang'e giving a soft smile.
"That sounds great, but we kinda got a save-the-world situation and—" Pigsy shoves MK aside. "We'd love to."
*Later, they're back at the camp, they sit around a fire watching TV.*
Tang crosses off another X on the map. "Ooh, shiny."
"Hey, bud. I forgot to mention. Great job really with that shrinking maneuver! You believed you could change that bunny mech and you did. Just like I knew you could." said Wukong while folding out a chair and sitting down and eating a moon cake.
"Aw, thanks, Monkey King. I-I was trying to do something more cool, but I mean it worked out anyways, so let's just move on, okay?" said MK, laughing awkwardly, then began drinking his glass of water.
"Guys, it's starting!" said tiny Sandy.
"Are we just gonna leave him like that or..." Tang questioned.
"Bah, priorities." said Wukong, eating another moon cake.
"You guys can fix that later." said Miwa, grabbing a moon cake from Wukong.
"Hey! I was gonna eat that missy." said Wukong narrowing his eyes at her.
Pigsy shushes them. "She's on!"
"Welcome to my home with another evening of Cooking with Chang'e. Tonight, we have a very special guest, who is sharing with us a noodle recipe that is close to his heart. Introducing my new friend, Mr. Pig! What is that thing I always say? Oh yeah, when cooking is life—" said Chang'e on the TV screen with Pigsy.
"Uh, life is cooking." said Pigsy both inside and outside the cooking show. A soft smile on his face.
Everyone goes over and hugs him.
Miwa had a smile on her face as more of her hair was slowly turning white.
"Interesting, I don't remember her having that much white on her when she was just a baby." Wukong wondered a little confused but shrugged it off, probably nothing to really worry about.