During the Chinese New Year, I challenged myself to write a story about the Monkey King. I called it the #MonkeyKingChallenge and did it with my animator friend, Shelley. Here’s one I wrote on the second day.
“I still don’t think I should come with you,” The Monkey King said.
The Ninth Dragon Princess pouted. “Of course you should. You’re the only person who managed to take his most valuable weapon, and still live.”
The both of them were underwater, and the princess had created an air bubble around the Monkey King so that he could still move freely and keep up with her. The Monkey King could swim underwater, but he’d never catch up. They were on their way to the Dragon King’s palace, and he could tell that the young princess was tense. What could a hundred and twenty year old say to the guardian of the seas for at least eight hundred years?
The Monkey King laughed. “That is true. I get away with nearly everything. But you’re not just going there to ask for a weapon. I’ve been around long enough and I know the annual meeting of the dragon clan is a lot more than that.”
The Princess laughed. “It’s a lot of arguing and fighting, mostly. Pretty much like any family gathering. But this one’s important.”
“That is when the Dragon King assigns each brother to guard the seas,” The Monkey King nodded.
“Two brothers get assigned to care for one sea every year. But no one gives me any responsibility,” she sulked.
They were incredibly close to the palace now, and as they waded through the tall kelp, the Monkey King’s razor sharp eyes spotted a palace that seemed to blend in with the coral. If you’d blinked, you’d miss it, but the palace slowly emerged, a structure of rocks that many colourful coral grew on. The princess strode towards one of the rocks, and raised her palm. The door glowed and she entered.
The palace was as vast as Wu Kong remembered, and it was fairly easy to navigate through the corridors lined with pearl inlay. They shimmered in the sunlight, and eventually, the both of them arrived at the banquet hall. Not everyone was there yet, but in the next few minutes, the princess’ siblings and their offspring had gathered around the table. They transformed into their dragon forms, and soon started feasting. Food was thrown left and right, and eating competitions ensued. The Monkey King joined in, touching only the fruits and vegetables at the feast. Eventually, the table quieted down, and the Dragon King spoke, glaring pointedly at the Monkey King.
“It is good to see family again.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“This year, my first four sons have put in a request to retire, and so, my last four sons will be in charge or governing the oceans. Their sons will follow in their father’s footsteps. They will learn how to control the tides, bestow rain upon the regions, and lay those who have drowned to rest. I will get Mr Gui to draft out the appointments. That is all.”
The princess stood up.
“Father, what about me?”
The Dragon King laughed very loudly. The palace shook.
“Why, my dear. You don’t even come with a boyfriend or a husband, and yet you ask about this!”
“You think a son-in-law would be better suited to this, but not your own blood?”
“It has been this way since the dawn of time, daughter. This is our tradition. And you’d best not be bringing his kind down here again,” he shot another look at the Monkey King.
The Monkey King wanted to open his mouth, but shut it. Instead, he excused himself to the toilet while the princess argued with her father.
“Father, you know that I will never marry. Why use it to blackmail me?”
“Because this is about lineage, daughter. The dragon clan has always given more responsibilities to those who are loyal.”
“And you think I’m not loyal because I do not have a husband? Don’t be absurd.”
“Princess, let’s go. I think we’ve wasted enough time here,” the Monkey King said. He’d returned from the washroom with a glint in his eyes.
“I will convince you next year, father,” she glared as she walked out. The Dragon King merely shrugged, turned to his sons, and proposed a toast.
It took a while for them to leave the ocean, but once they emerged, the Monkey King created a somersault cloud, and they headed towards the city.
“Do you have it?” the princess asked.
The Monkey King took out this orb from his pockets.
“Wow. That was too easy,” the princess said.
“You knew he’d be too distracted arguing with you,” The Monkey King said. “King and their egos.”
“And it doesn’t matter what that stupid decree says. The pearl has all the power, anyway.”
The princess and the Monkey King gave each other a high five.
“Come on,” she said, “drinks are on me.”
Image courtesy of Shelley.