"We're alive? We're alive!" Tang cheered.

"Maybe hold that thought," Mei suggested.

The water level rises as more gush through the cracks gained from the deep sea's pressure. The aircraft once in the sky plunged into the ocean. As it sank, you took shelter inside the cockpit. In retrospect, it was a mistake to assume it would be safer, or at least there was a backup. You lean against the wall internally panicking as you unintentionally sense the fear in everyone. Their voices become muffled by the sound of your heartbeat. You pant heavily trying to keep it together. The only person calm is Sun Wukong. You needed to reach out to him, and connect in some sort of way to ease up. Unfortunately, your legs refused to make any sudden movement as though glued to the floor. As if things weren't bad enough, your defect activates.

You can hear the cracks not only from the ship but from your skin. Your forearm glows a white color. As you tug the sleeve of your jacket, you spot the cracks on your arms. You freak out and hide your arms under your armpits then shut your eyes to shut the world away.

'Stay calm. Stay calm. Nobody saw anything. It's just you. Fuck, this is all too much. They can't see me this way.'

The ship rocks more than it should in the depths of the ocean. You missed something for everyone is gawking at the glowing purple eyes peering through the window.

"Relax everyone. I'm pretty sure it's an old friend coming to help." Sun claimed. It is indeed a relief to learn there are allies in the water, but it was merely a nice afterthought when Sun specified further. "Actually friend might be stretching it a bit."

'Great.'

The turtle guardian drops what's left of the drone into an underwater fortress. You cautiously exit the airship as soon as you realize you can breathe. The others follow in tow dusting themselves off. You gape in awe of the marble palace. Marine life swimming around in their habitat. It was like being in an aquarium minus the Atlantis part.

Mei is the first to recognize her location. She holds MK's arms ecstatically. "We're in the Dragon Palace of the East Sea!" She squealed.

"Yeah, this is my kind of, sort of, old buddy's house," Sun said. "Where I got my staff."

"Got or..." Pigsy insinuated.

"Took, right? You took it? Oh boy..." MK runs a hand through his hair in distress.

Somehow you're no longer surprised by Sun's mischief in the past anymore. You're disappointed and numb to the point you want to rattle that head of his.

"Oh, Sun." You sighed.

Said simian flat out ignores the critics and points out the doors opening. "Ooo! Here they come. Smiles everyone. Smiles."

You shake your head at the goofball. A bearded man in white, satin robes personally greets the team. What you assumed was a welcome was the opposite. Sun nonchalantly puts on the charms to smooth talk his way into his "friend's" corner. It annoyed you and even made you wonder if his interactions we caused by his silver tongue. A stress crack stretches from your brow down to your cheek.

"Hey, Ao Guang~! Long time no-"

Ao Guang stares daggers at the Monkey King. "Wukong!" You're startled by his bellowing outburst. "You dare return to my domain after humiliating me, tricking me?" A white sea dragon spirit manifests. Sun feigns offense and jumbles his words for an explanation. "And now I've heard that it has been lost? You have given the evil Lady Bone Demon exactly what she needs to destroy us all."

You watch as Sun furrows his brows knowing the severe consequences of his actions. His change in demeanor made you feel sorry for him. Perhaps there is a bigger picture that you're not seeing because you're starting to imagine the world is hanging on his shoulders as he said. Currently, everyone is against him for the actions he's taken. Including you.

"I should execute you where you stand."

"I thought you said he was your friend?" Mei whisper-shouted.

"He knows about the lady Bone demon?" MK joined in along with Tang's unnecessary commentary.

"What are we gonna do?"

"Relax, I got this," Sun assured putting on a great, big smile for his facade. "Maybe you've forgotten? I am the great Sun Wu-"

The white dragon headbutts the Monkey King into the ground. You gasp as your body moves on its own to his side and kneels. He squeezes your hand, assuring you he's fine.

"Do not try to fool me a second time, trickster! I can sense your weakness. Your power is all but consumed." You turn to Sun concerned. He confessed that his powers were weakened but to learn he was drained to the point of being mortal?

The turtle guards surrounding you and the crew using their spears as an alternative for attempting any fishy business. Alas, Mei being the rebel was unwilling to stand by. She pulls out her jade sword high into the sky for all to behold. The guards suddenly halt at their King's command.

"Where did you get that?" Ao Guang's question was deemed more a shock than a normal question. All eyes landed on Mei.

"Um...it's mine? My family's?" She replied.

"I know this blade. It belonged to my brother, the dragon of the west." He elaborated. "You mean to tell me you are a descendant of Ao Ji?"

Before Mei can answer properly, MK interjects, "sorry to interrupt this whole family moment, but you know about the lady Bone demon." He said matter of fact. "What she's capable of." He shows Guang the map. "We can stop her. We just need to-"

The scroll is swiped by the ghostly dragon, now in the hands of Ao Guang. "You would tell me how to protect my people when you have unleashed this blight back into the world!" He growled.

MK wipes away his pinpricks. "Wow, ok. Fresh wound. I'm just gonna let that bounce off of me." He said. You wanted to give the uptight dragon a piece of your mind for upsetting MK, but you knew you were on different levels.

Ao Guang orders his guards to bring the Mei and Imprison the rest while cooly walking away. The guards begin herding the boys to their cells, separating them from Mei. She promises to find a way out distraught to be torn from her friends. A wave of energy courses through you. You search for the cause, Sun Wukong. His golden eyes are glowing as he stares at Mei. You understand there is a brief connection. She nods in affirmation and then cooperates with the guards.

"What was that about?"You asked.

"Ah, nothing. I just gave her an assignment." He smirked. You glare at him, irritated.

"Are you ever going, to be honest?" You mumbled under your breath. Sun catches and looks at you confused.

"What? What's that supposed to mean?"

You stare into his eyes then glance away vexed that he doesn't understand what he's doing. Your silence worries the simian. "Sweetheart-"

"Not you." You turn to Sandy and the guard. "You're on clean-up duty." The turtle points to the shipwreck falling into pieces. You use the moment as an excuse to be separated. You look back on Sun then step away from him.

"Hey, do you mind if I join him? I'm his assistant mechanic." You volunteered. "I mean what's the harm of having another pair of hands for clean up? I'm gonna be executed anyway." You shrugged. The tortoise squints in suspicion then reluctantly accepts.

"(Y/n)?" He hollered only to be shoved with the others to his cell. He looks over his shoulders hoping you'd turn around and face him. You didn't. His heart throbs. There was nothing left to do but sit and wait.

For three hours you've been diligently helping Sandy to preoccupy you with the thoughts daring to flood. As usual, Sandy is no fool of the choice you've made in assisting. Simply letting you be is enough to bring up the topic, but for now, you're slowly breaking focus.

"We're pretty much done with the exterior, (Y/n). All that's left is decorating the inside. I was thinking of bunk beds while on the go. We can only fit four though." Sandy informed.

"That's fine. Some of us can take lookout shifts while the others rest." You advocated.

"Brilliant! Of course, we do have furnishings in a compact. Why don't you do the honors? I'll be installing a program into the automobile." He said.

"Me? Oh...sure that's fine." You said.

"Great!" He pats your back hard nearly knocking the wind out of you. "I'll leave you to it. If you need me, I'll be outside."

As you approach the back, you rub the back of your head unsure where to start. "The beds would be easier." You murmured. "Colorful ones or maybe plain?" You become engrossed in designing the truck from head to toe. Once you're satisfied with the outcome, you take a seat on the lower beds to relax. "What now?" You were afraid to answer when it was under your nose.

In an instant, Sun crawls his way into your mind. Ever since Macaque spilled his vendetta against Sun, it left you wondering. Sun's absence gave you a chance to break out of his spell regardless of your craving for the monkey. Leaving MK to deal with an enemy out of his league and then forfeiting the city into Lady Bone Demon's hands. From what Sun has told you, it could have been avoided if he were honest which is a difficult thing for him to do. It's scary to see a different perspective of the ape and everyone is following him blindly because he is giving false hope.

"Maybe Macaque is right." You whispered.

Your replay the memory of Macaque. His abrupt kiss and his confession left you dumbfounded. You wanted to know how it came to be when all you did was show him kindness. I'm the end, it didn't matter. Much like Sun, your inability to persuade failed at a cost that could have been MK had Mei not been there. You're weak and helpless to do anything against powerful monkeys. You have them hooked, but they're not listening to you.

"They're selfish and stupid. I'm an idiot for thinking things would change." You grip your arm as your defect activates. The cracks on your arms stem out, stretching at a rapid pace. I don't understand. I'm smart. I thought I knew better about how to stop getting hurt. Why do I keep acting so dumb!" You fall to the ground weakened by the overflowing emotion. Tears run down your face.

Amid your episode, Sandy enters the room to find you covered in glowing markings. "(Y-Y/n)?" He stuttered. You're caught red-handed, forgetting to keep your episodes under wraps.

"S-Sandy. I can explain." You start rambling your words incoherently. The redhead holds your shoulders.

"Take it easy. Deep breaths." He demonstrates his breathing. You mimic finding your equilibrium. The markings disappear.

"Thank you." You sighed in relief.

"What...was that?"

You rub your hand soothingly. "You can't tell anyone what you saw Sandy." The brute is baffled that you would ask him to do such a thing.

"What? You know I'm good with keeping a secret. Besides, if this is causing you real harm, you can't keep hiding. Someone will eventually find out as I did." He lectured.

"I know that! I'm just begging you to keep it to yourself as best as you can, Sandy." You implored. "I'm not ready to tell anyone when I don't know what it is. There's too much on everyone's plate at the moment. I don't want to be a priority over the entire world." Your puppy dog eyes were sufficient for him to agree. "Thank you."

"Sure, but you're going to have to tell me everything." He glares at you sternly. Although you could reject him, he's saved you countless times from your mind.

You take a deep breath and start from the beginning. You fill him in on every possible detail. How your defect is triggered, how to keep it in check, and the people who know.

"So Macaque is the only one who knows?" You nod in acknowledgment. "That's a little odd. Why did he show up at your place?"

"I don't know." You admitted. "But I'm grateful he showed up to take care of me."

His brow quirks with interest. "Is that why you wanted to save him? You're close with him?" You blush seeming guilty that you had been found out. "MK did say he's not all that bad. He released Pigsy, Tang, and Mei from the theater for no reason, now I hear he took care of you? He sounds like he's trying to figure out where he fits in."

You raise your head intrigued. "You believe he's good inside too?"

"Well, sure. Everyone deserves a second chance if they want to better themselves." He chimed. "I know a thing or two." Sandy drops his gaze into a melancholy tone. You lean into him and place a hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry for your past, but I'm glad you changed, here to help anyone in need, big guy." You hummed.

"Thanks. Me too." He pats your hand. "We're not done talking. There is still the matter of going berserk. You've been acting strange."

"It's Sun Wukong. He's starting to drive me insane. I've noticed the flaws I didn't see before. It's like he's dragging us to our doom without realizing he's hurting us. He's been making a mess at every turn. Ao Guang even pointed this out." You hold your head. "I can't be mad at him either because he's dealing with his issues. It's just irritating that he's reserved about everything. When is he gonna learn that he's not alone anymore?" You huffed. "On top of that, there isn't a good time to talk about it. Not right now and it's difficult having to keep my composure for my health or my defect will go awol."

"That's rough, but at least you can officially count on me. One person that knows your secret can be a weight off your chest, right?" Sandy stated.

"Yeah, it is." You smirked. "I'm glad it was you that found out."

The screeching sound reverberates throughout the halls grabbing your attention. Before you know it, you're reunited with Mei.

"Guys! I'm so happy to see you." She chirped. "I got the map."

You tilt your head for a minute. "That's great. How on Earth-"

"Monkey King told me to get the map no matter what." She revealed. You recall when he telepathically sent her on an errand, but the secrecy was pointless.

"Nice. Now we can save the guys using my new invention." Sandy motions to the automobile. Mei is easily dazzled by his work.

"Sandy it looks amazing~" Mei complimented. "Let's go." She drags you into the truck while Sandy takes care of the guards first before taking up the driver's side.

"I get that we're in a hurry, but do you have any idea where they keep prisoners?" You reminded.

"Nope, but we have a cool car to drive us around. Hit it, Sandy!" Mei commanded. You stumble backward thrust by the momentum.

Crash!

The truck magically breaks a wall. The jailbreak is a success. All that is left is to make a clean getaway. As the boys join you, Sun's smile deflates the moment you meet. He takes a seat next to you. You peer away.

"Hey." He started.

"Hey." You replied in a somber tone.

"(Y/n)..."

"Can we not talk about it right now? We're not exactly alone." You whispered. He sighs heavily giving in to your demands.

The truck comes to a hard stop. The hatch opens and in comes Ao Guang, furious as ever. "I will not allow you to leave with that map." He growled.

"What are you not getting?" Sun speaks up, annoyed by the old man's stubbornness. "Using the samadhi fire is the only way we're going to stop the Lady Bone Demon."

"The Samadhi fire cannot be contained," Guang argued. Mei and Mk bow, pleading with the dragon lord to let them go. Their endeavors are for naught. Ao Guang's expression softens toward Mei. He second-guessed himself.

Both Ao Guang and Sun sense Macaque's approach. Coincidentally, you feel his presence and every emotion of his. You don't know how you can read him clearly, but you know how close they are.

"He's coming," Sun announced causing a panic. "If he catches us...the map...

"All hope truly will be lost." Ao Guang finished. He hops out of the vehicle to his dismay. "I'll hold him off. Go!"

Mei gives her final farewell to her great uncle. It's Nobel yet sad to leave him behind and fight off Macaque. You ball your fist tightly.

'Damn it Macaque. You're such an idiot! It doesn't have to be this way.' You growled low. 'What's going on with you? What did she do to you?'

You feel a hand clasp yours. You relax finding it to be Sun. He wanted to say something to comfort you but assumed speaking wouldn't be wise. Instead, he shoots you an apologetic look. You respond by holding his hand back and leaning into him. "I don't understand. Why does it have to be this way?" Sun's tail coils around your waist.

"I don't know." That is all he said. You listened to the hum of the car as you ride through to the next destination.