Disclaimer: Yes! I own it! I own it all! That’s exactly why I still have to beg my parents for money and I’m writing this. In case you didn’t get the sarcasm, no I don’t own it. I do own their personalities and stuff. There’s a little of ‘The Lost Empire’ in here though.

Summary: Dwynwen was a young girl who’s only goal in life was to become a reclusive hermit and hide away from the rest of the world. But it seems the gods have other things in mind. With the help of Wukong and the others Dywn must save the world whether she wants to or not.

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CHAPTER 3

After a few arguments, Wukong led Dwynwen down the other side of the mountain, and they had begun their journey to Soku-no-Kumi. But only after 10 minutes, Dwynwen began to complain.

“Aw, man! I’m sooo tired!” she moaned as she fell back on to a rock. There were only rocks and more rocks around them, and Dwynwen was exhausted from climbing over them. She was not an active girl and so became tired very easily.

“Kid. We’ve only been walking for 10 minutes, get a hold of yourself.” said Wukong as he looked back at her. This was to be his student? Why didn’t they just lay down and die? At least that would save them time.

“I was walking for a long time looking for you! Plus getting pulled through a inter-dimensional time portal or whatever, really takes it out of ya! Not to mention I was chased down by a giant pig and almost killed!” defended Dwynwen.

“Excuses! Excuses! If you’re tired now, you’ll never last the journey to Suki-no-Kumi!”

“Which is exactly why your monk should have found a real hero for this!” Dwynwen grumbled.

“Enough! Get up and start walking! I want to get 20 miles behind us before sunset.” Wukong snapped as he started walking. He actually agreed with her though.

Wukong had expected a warrior as his student when he was asked to take on this quest, or at least someone that showed at least a little promise. Not this little brat, who ran away at the first hint of danger and whined like a baby! Whoever raised this child did something horribly wrong! Obviously she wasn’t disciplined enough.

Dwynwen moaned.

“Can’t you just fly us to where it is we’re suppose to go to?” she asked.

“Nope. You’re human, so you’re bound by a thing called karma, so you won’t be able to fly. At least not until you earn true enlightenment, or whatever. Like me!” explained Wukong as jabbed his thumb at himself.

“Funny. You don’t seem that enlightened to me.” muttered Dwynwen.

“Just get moving.” he snapped as he jumped on to a big bolder. While Dwynwen walked(crawled), he was jumping from bolder to bolder like cricket.

“You know, no one ever mentioned that you were a slave driver!” she moaned as she leaned against a rock to help her stand.

“Don’t mind him. He just likes being in control.” said Xuanzang as he floated next to her.

“How did you put up with him?” Dwynwen asked him as she forced herself to walk.

“Well, for one thing I was in much better shape then you.” he teased. Dwynwen glared at him. “But also, I had the help of the Lord Buddha.”

“Oh, yeah. The golden head band thingy. Where is it by the way?” wondered Dwynwen.

Suddenly Wukong sharpened in alertness and he jumped down in front of his student, making her crash into his strong build. “OW! What’s the deal?!” she whined as she fell back.

“Shush!” he said in low voice, eyes narrowed. He held his hand in front of him and summoned a long red staff with golden orbs at the end. Dwynwen stared in awe and shock.

‘Whoa! That is so awesome!’ she thought. Wukong twirled his staff then suddenly he charged forward, jumped in the air and brought his staff swiftly down on a giant bolder like sword. But the bolder didn’t look smashed, or anything.

“Uh... Nothing happened.” said Dwynwen.

“Oh, really?” said Wukong as he leaned on his staff. He snapped his fingers and the bolder split in two. Dwynwen stared in awe.

“Wow! That’s so cool!!” she exclaimed. Wukong smirked, looking cocky. Then he became serious as he held his staff and got into a fighting stance just as six, large wolf creatures appeared.

“Eep! What are those?!” Dwyn cried as she leaped behind her teacher.

“What? You never saw a wolf demon before?”

“De-De-De--”

“Mons. Demons.” Wukong finished for her. “What? Never saw one before?”

“Of course not!” Dwynwen yelped as she clutched his shirt tightly. “There’s no such thing!”

“Well get ready cause we’re about to get attack by your imagination!” the monkey king said as the wolf demons all jumped at them. Wukong grabbed the frighten child and leaped into the air, dodging all the demons. Dwynwen let out a startled cry as smokes and rocks exploded from the area and she covered her eyes in fright. Still holding her under one arm Wukong landed on a large rock so he could look down upon their attackers. The leader of the wolf pack growled up at him.

“This our territory and you’re trespassing, monkey!” he snarled. “But tell you what? Leave your belongings and your cub and we’ll kill you quickly.” Both Wukong and Dwynwen gave him flat glares.

‘“Cub?”’ Wukong dodged another attack and landed on yet another rock.

“Look you pack of fur balls! Let’s get a few things straight: First, she is not my cub! She’s my student, got it? How dare disgrace me by saying she shares my heritage?!” he said.

“What he said!” Dwyn puffed.

“Second: If you want her so bad, come and get her!”

“Monkey say what now?” Wukong set Dwynwen down on the ground away from the demons and told her,

“Don’t worry, I can handle these guys easily. Just wait here.”

“Huh?” Before Dywen could ask anything Wukong vanished and appeared right in the center of the wolves. A violet aura surrounded him and his eyes appeared to be glowing.

“Huh? What’s that?” Dwyn blinked.

“That’s a bit of Wukong’s chakra.” Xuanzang answered.

“Chakra?” Dwynwen blinked. Wukong started the fight by swinging his rod around, sending the wolves flying away from him. As the young girl watched in awe, Xuanzang began to explain.

“Chakra is where your energy and life force are focused into power.” he said. As he did, Wukong caught a wolf with his rod and tossed it into another.

“Cool!” Dwynwen awed. “So chakra is basically magic?”

“In way I suppose.” As Xuanzang said this one of the wolf demons became surrounded in red light and when it let out a loud howl a red wolf formed and it charged towards Wukong.

“Wukong!” Dwynwen yelled, actually concerned. Why was he just standing there?!

“Dwynwen, no! Please stay back!” Xuanzang cried out as she slid down the rock to run toward him.

“But–! What about Wukong?” she asked as he appeared in front of her.

“Don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine. Haven’t you ever heard the stories about him?” the priest said desperately. As he said this Wukong simply waved his hand and his own Chakra made the red wolf vanish.

“You’ve all had your turn. Now it’s mine,” he said as he got into a fighting stance. His violet aura flared and then a powerful wind appeared and threw all the wolves into rocks, knocking them out cold. Dwyn stared in shock.

“That... That was amazing!” she said with large, amazed eyes. She was so distracted she didn’t notice the large wolf demon sneak up behind her.

“Dwynwen!” Xuanzang yelled in warning. “Look out!”

“Huh?!” Dwyn turned just in time to see the wolf right above her. But before he could descend upon her, Wukong’s extended Nyoi-bo slammed him into a rock.

“Nice try.” Wukong smirked as he jumped and landed next to Dwyn.

“That was amazing!” Dwyn said as she looked up at him.

“That? That was nothing, child!” Wukong grinned.

“Did you kill them?”

“Nah. Just knocked them out. By the time they wake up we’ll be long gone.” Then his eyes sharped again and jumped yet again.

“I guess you guys haven’t had enough yet!” he yelled. He charged towards another rock when suddenly voice yelled,

“Wukong! It’s me!” Wukong stopped and blinked.

“Yulong?” he said. A few seconds later a cute man with pearl white hair that covered his eyes came out from behind a rock. He looked a little shaken, but who wouldn’t after almost being hit by Wukong’s attack? Wukong grinned as he relaxed his stance.

“Yulong! Long time no see friend!” he said as he walked over to the man and slapped him on the back. “What brings you here? Aren’t you suppose to be in heaven?” The man who Wukong kept calling ‘Yulong’ muttered something, but it was so low they couldn’t hear what he said. “What? Speak up, man! I can’t hear you! Sheesh! You haven’t changed in 50 years!” sighed Wukong impatiently.

“Who’s that?” Dwynwen quietly asked Xuanzang.

“That’s Yulong. During our journey he turned into a horse and carried me to India. He’s very shy though as you can see.” he explained. “It’s good to see he at least got a little braver.”

“I-I s-said that I requested to Kuan Yin t-to a-ac-accompany you to- to Suki-no-Kumi to help retrieve the lost scripture.” Yulong said quietly to Wukong.

“Really? That’s great!” said Wukong as he swung his arm around Yulong’s shoulders. “It’s always nice to have old friends along on a journey!” Then he turned to Dwynwen. “This is... uh, what’s your name again, child?” Dwynwen gave a irritable sigh.

“And you’re suppose to be my teacher!” she said. “The name’s Dwynwen Stone, you dope! And I’m not a child, I’m a teen!”

“Show some respect to your teacher! And until you grow up a little, you’re still a child.” snapped Wukong. Then to Yulong, who was fidgeting from all the yelling, he said, “Anyway, she’s my student now.” Yulong blinked.

“Your student?” he asked in a unbelieving tone.

“What with the unbelieving tone? Is that so hard to believe?” asked Wukong as he narrowed his eyes.

“N-no! Not at all!” said Yulong. “Well, maybe a little....” Wukong glared a little.

“Oh, yeah? Just watch! I’ll make her the best warrior you’ve ever seen!” he claimed.

‘He better be talking about his other student, cause I’m just here for the treasure!’ thought Dwynwen as she walked forward. She held her hand out to Yulong.

“It’s nice to meet you, Yulong! I’ve read so much about you.” she said. Yulong turned red as he shook Dwynwen hand.

“Ah! I-It’s nice to meet you, too. Y-you must be the great warrior Master sent from the other world.” he said.

“Great warrior? Ha! She doesn’t even have a weapon! Master must have made a mistake.” scoffed Wukong. Dwynwen glared at him.

“Ever hear that old saying, monkey? Beggars can’t be choosers? I didn’t want to come here, ya know! Heck I didn’t even want to leave my house!” she snapped. “And what the heck is your problem?! You’ve done nothing but poke at me sense the moment you saw me! Tell me, what did I ever do to you?!”

“You opened your mouth for one!”

“Look if you’ve got a problem with me, take it up with your goddess! It’s her fault I’m here!” Dwyn snarled. “And you know what?! If your gods chose me over you for this mission, than that must mean you’re not all of that!”

“You were not chosen over me! In you haven’t noticed, I’m going too!”

“You’re just accompanying me! In fact that’s all you ever did! Accompany people! Your gods don’t even trust you to go alone! What does that tell you, you big ape!” At this Wukong stiffened and his eyes darken. He looked away, then turned.

“Fine. If that’s how you feel, then you can find yourself another teacher and go to Suki-no-Kumi by yourself! I’m outta here!” he said. Then he somersaulted into the clouds and disappeared.

“Wukong!” Yulong yelled after him. He sighed. Oh, man! He had just arrived and already all this was happening? “I’ll go get him, in the mean time, could you go wait by the river? It should be just three miles from here.”

“Forget about that monkey!” Dwyn huffed. “He doesn’t want to even be near me and I don’t wanna be near him.”

“You don’t mean that, Miss Dwynwen.” Yulong said.

“Maybe I don’t, but he does! He hates me!” the young hermit said as tears welded up in her eyes.

“That’s true, Miss Dwynwen. I’ll go get him and he’ll tell you himself. But until I get back, wait by the river, alright?” Dwyn just mutely nodded as she stared at the ground. Yulong bent down and looked up at her. She could finally see his eyes. They were a bright red that reminded Dwynwen of a strawberry. “I’m sorry.” he said. “Wukong’s.... Never had to deal with anyone like you before. And he doesn’t know how. Look, I’ll go get him and I hope you’ll give him a second chance as your teacher.” He stood, then jumped into the air and sprouted large white dragon wings, then flew off in a direction.

Usually Dwynwen would be amazed at this type of thing, but not now. Not when she felt lower than crap.

*************

Meanwhile, about 20 miles away, Wukong was leaning against a mountain, thinking back to over 60 years ago when he had first met his master. Before he knew it he began comparing his master to his “student” and came to the conclusion they were nothing alike very quickly.

“There you are!” said Yulong as he landed next to him, pulling Wukong back to the present. “I’m so glad I found you.”

“Nn. Whadda you want?” he grunted.

“Wukong, you have to go back. Miss Dwynwen needs you.” said Yulong as he puled his wings back.

“Ha! The way she talks, she doesn’t! She’s not even trying!” said Wukong, arms folded behind his head.

“You haven’t given her a chance, Wukong. You’ve been attacking her sense the moment you met.” reasoned Yulong.

“Not my fault she’s such a child.”

“She’s the same age as Master when you first met him.”

“She’s nothing like master. Nothing at all.” At the Wukong’s eyes sadden. “It would have been better if he just sent his reincarnation instead of that child.” Yulong’s eyes widen in understanding.

“Is that why you’re upset? You expecting Master?” Wukong didn’t say anything, so Yulong continued. “Wukong, I miss him too, but we can’t live in the past forever.”

“It just doesn’t feel right going on a journey without him.” he said sadly. “I’m used to Master’s personality. I could deal with him, but this... This child... I have never seen anyone like her. Even Baije was more useful than her. And that’s saying something!” Yulong gave a gentle smile.

“But there must of been a reason she was chosen. Master wouldn’t have just sent anyone.”

“He would if he thought that person really needed help. And no one needs more help than that child.” The monkey king huffed.

“Then why won’t you help her? Don’t you think you can you do it?” Yulong asked. Wukong was silent, so Yulong continued. “It’s alright, Wukong. When master died... I too began to doubt. But then I remembered Master telling me that he believed in me. And even now, even now that he’s gone... I know he still believes in me. Just like I know he believes in you. That’s why you were chosen to be Miss Dwynwen’s teacher. He believes you help her get through this.” he said as he put a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“What if I can’t? What if I let her down... Like I let Master down?” he asked. Yulong smiled a little.

“I remember what master used to say about ‘what if’s. ‘What if the sky turned to flames and burned off your tongue? You shouldn’t think about ‘What ifs’. They just make you depressed. Having regrets and worries is part of being alive. Besides... A person without worries and regrets is a boring person. You’re fine the way you are.’ he told me once.” Yulong smiled at Wukong with half eyes. “What would master say if he was here?” Wukong smiled a little.

“He’d smile and tell me that the only way I could let him down would to give up before I even tried.” he said. “...You know something like this happened when we first met, too. But he didn’t get angry. He just said things to make me feel guilty in the end. Even when I did and said horrible things to him... He never got mad. Not once. He never gave up on me.”

“If he had, you wouldn’t be here today. Now you need to believe in Miss Dwynwen like Master believed in you.” Yulong told him. “And don’t give up so easily. That’s not like you at all.” Wukong gave a goofy smile.

“Well, whadda ya know! The journey west did you some good after all! At first you wouldn’t talk at all and then in your human form, you kept turning red and running away. Now if only you talk like that if front of the ladies...” he teased. Yulong blushed.

*************

Elsewhere, Dwyn had finally made it to the river with the help of Xaunzang and collapsed on a rock.

“‘Only three miles’ he said.” she muttered as she stared at the river. As she did a memory of her childhood flashed before her eyes.

When she was young her family was part of a traveling circus that had went all over. Her parents were acrobats while she and her brother were clowns. Jack hated being a clown, but Dwyn loved it. She loved being able to do hilarious stunts and making people laugh, also sometimes she got to work with the animals.

Back then she had hopes and dreams about the future, but now everyone of them were gone along with her life at the circus.

She pulled her knees to her chest. Why her? Why? She never wanted anymore than to hide away for her whole life in her little apartment, so why was this happening?

“Dwynwen...” said Xuanzang gently.

“Shut up! This is your fault! Why did you choose me?! I’m not a fighter! And I don’t even believe in gods, so why? Why me?” Dwynwen cried. Xuanzang eyes saddened.

“Because I believe you can save our worlds.” he said as he bent down.

“Why?! I’m not strong! You don’t know anything about me!” she cried. He bent down in front of her.

“I know that, if given the chance, you can do great things. And so what if you’re not strong? What’s so wrong with being weak?” he asked. “I was actually your age when I started my journey and I wasn’t strong ether if you recall. If you’ve read of me, you know I was weak too. And quite pathetic, really. I was always getting in trouble. If my disciples weren’t there, I never would have made it to India. And to thank my disciples, I usually made them feel bad. I really was... pathetic.” he said with a sad smile.

“That’s not true!” said Dwynwen. “When reading about you... I always thought that... You weren’t strong at all. But... you were always trying your best. I always... admired that about you.” Xuanzang looked surprised, then he smiled.

“Thank you.” he said. “And you ask why I chose you? It’s because you have a very special power that you will need on this journey to obtain the lost scripture. And I know my disciples will help you.”

“Ha! Yeah, right. He hates me!”

“Not really. He just... Doesn’t understand you.” the priest assured her. “Look, you’re his student now, so he’ll protect you no matter what. Even if at times you think otherwise. Please be patient with him. He is new at this like you are.” Xaunzang told her as he looked her in the eyes. “I’m sure... That in time, you two will come to understand each other and come to get along. That or you’ll rip each other limb from limb.” Dwynwen chuckled a little.

“You’re weird.” she said.

“So I’ve been told.” he said with a smile.

Just then Wukong appeared right behind her.

“Well, now that you’ve had your break, let’s get going, shall we?” he said.

“GAAHH!” Dwynwen yelled in shock as she back into the river. “Could you please not just appear out of nowhere! I’m still not used to that kind of stuff!” she gasped as she came back up. She tried to climb out, but the rock was now slippery and so she fell back.

“Eh, heh... Sorry. But anyways, let’s continue our journey.” Wukong said as he helped her out.

“Aww! Can’t we eat first? I’m starvin’!” moaned Dwynwen.

“Oh, come on! Look, with all the bandits here, it’s not a good idea to camp. So we should make it to a town before we camp, alright?” said Wukong.

“But–!” started Dwynwen.

‘It’s like nothing happened.’ Yulong thought with a small smile.

“How about this...” he quietly interrupted, a little red. “I could transform into a horse and carry you to the next town.”

“Really? You’d do that?”

“Yulong. I want her to train! Walking will build her endurance.” frowned Wukong.

“I-it won’t do her any good to collapse while we’re traveling. I think she’s had enough for now, d-don’t you agree?” said Yulong. Wukong glared a little then sighed.

“Master rode you for too long. He’s rubbed off on you. Alright, but I want you to do this too happen often. I want to train her after all.” he said. Yulong smiled as he bent over. Within seconds he became a pure white horse with cute strawberry eyes. Dwynwen’s eyes were wide.

“Well? What are you waiting for? Get on. It’ll be sun down soon.” said Wukong. But Dwynwen stared, clueless. Although her family on her father’s side were cowboys, she had never ridden a horse before. Wukong raised a eyebrow. “You do know how to ride a horse, don’t you?” Dwynwen didn’t reply and Wukong gave a irritable sigh. “I really have my work cut out for me. Come here.” he helped her up on to Yulong who stood still and patiently as Dwynwen settled on him. When she was settled, Wukong started to lead Yulong.

“Your name is Dwynwen, right? It seems I’m gonna have a lot of work to do with you, but in the end, remember this. I will make a warrior out of you yet.” But Dwynwen didn’t hear him, for she had already fallen asleep.

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Note:

In the original story, Wukong and his master was attacked by bandits and after Wukong had killed them he and Xuanzang got into a huge fight and Wukong had run away to visit the Dragon King. While he was away, Xuanzang ran into Kuan Yin who was disguise at the time. She gave him the gold head band, and when Wukong returned, he unknowingly put it on and thus the ring became fixed on his head.

Yulong, also known as Horse or Dragon, was the son of the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea. One day he accidently put the castle on fire and was sentenced to death. His tears started to flood the world below so Kaun Yin came to him and when he told her his situation, she took pity on him and told him that he could repent by carrying Xuanzang to India.

I’m not sure if I got the chakra part down right, but I believe I did. It’s been a while since I did research on that type of stuff.

Meanwhile, if you have any tips for me I would love to hear it, so review