A Lifetime of Mistakes

**A Lifetime of Mistakes** is the first part of "The Emperor's Wrath" and the forty-fifth episode overall of *Monkie Kid*.

## Synopsis

Short Description
With the fate of the universe in the balance, the team's only hope lies in someone who stood up to the Jade Emperor before and survived: Monkey King.

## Plot

As Azure Lion endeavors to maintain the integrity of the Celestial Realm, Yellowtusk observes him with a sense of apprehension.

In Flower Fruit Mountain, Mei, Pigsy, and Ne Zha observe the formation and disappearance of cracks in the sky. Mei comments on the beauty of the phenomenon, but Pigsy notes the ominous feeling of impending doom. Ne Zha agrees, explaining that Azure has underestimated the responsibility of wielding the Jade Emperor's power, and if left unchecked, it will destroy the universe. Ne Zha asked if Tang had repaired the magical bamboo slip. Tang responded by presenting the two halves of the slip, which were wrapped up in tape. Ne Zha expressed his disbelief that the tape would hold. Sandy, however, believed that tape could fix anything. MK then announced that it was time to jump in and find Monkey King. Mei inquired about Monkey King's survival, to which MK confidently replied that he is immortal. However, Ne Zha expressed concern about the unknown dangers inside and the reliability of the tape. Sandy corrected that it was not magical tape, but Tang quickly hushed him. Despite the risks, MK urged them to try and save Monkey King, and Ne Zha agreed that it was worth a shot. Macaque was frustrated that he had to once again help Monkey King. MK was surprised to learn that Macaque would be joining. Macaque defended his decision, citing his past experiences as the reason he was the best candidate to rescue Monkey King. Additionally, he points out that MK's understanding of the Journey to the West is limited. Although offended, MK recognized Macaque's point. Tang then used his powers to transport MK and Macaque into the scroll.

MK and Macaque stand before the entrance to Shuilian Cave, which was almost destroyed. Macaque questions Monkey King's actions, to which he later suggests that Monkey King was searching for MK, prompting them to search for him. As they turn to leave, MK spots a memory of Monkey King. Macaque clarifies that it is not the real Monkey King, but a broken memory. They continue their search, and a monkey runs up to them. MK recognizes the monkey and approaches it, but it runs off to Macaque. Macaque gestured to move forward, taking the monkey off him. As he walked away, MK observed the monkey's attempts to get their attention. Macaque was about to respond when MK shushed him and suggested that the monkey wanted them to go towards the waterfall. Macaque then asked if MK was ready to become the King of the Monkeys, to which MK was confused. Macaque explained that Monkey King had become the king after jumping through the waterfall, and advised MK to read the book. They then jumped through the waterfall into another memory.

Upon arrival in Chang'an, the monkey spots one of its friends. Macaque inquires the number of monkeys present in the scroll, to which MK responds with a playful remark. MK soon sees the Monkey King boasts about his ability to speak human language, but Macaque dismisses it as another memory. MK, Macaque, and the monkeys found themselves in a memory of the Temple of the Tilted Moon and Three Stars, which they saw Monkey King with Master Subodhi's students. Monkey King's playful nature was endearing to MK, who was confused as to how Monkey King could have ever garnered so many enemies. Macaque reminded MK that they were only in the first chapter and urged him to read the book. Suddenly, a crack appeared behind them, and MK, Macaque, and the monkeys arrived to the beach at Flower Fruit Mountain. MK and Macaque see Monkey King inquiring about Memory Macaque's well-being, addressing him as "Bud". MK was taken aback to how Macaque was once called "Bud" before. MK and Macaque observe Monkey King and Memory Macaque getting along. MK questions why Monkey King didn't stop at his already impressive strength. Macaque explains that Monkey King was always striving to be stronger and more immortal since he feared mortality. Until one day, he was imprisoned inside Five Phases Mountain because of the assault on the Celestial Realm.

They see Macaque offering a peach to the Monkey King, who pretended to be surprised and grateful. Despite Macaque's attempts to ease the tension, Monkey King continues to mock him. Macaque expresses his willingness to help, but the Monkey King remains doubtful. As Macaque prepares to leave, Monkey King bids him farewell with a sarcastic comment, saying go run off like always. Macaque and Monkey King began to have an argument. Monkey King expresses regret to Macaque, stating that everything he did was for their benefit. Macaque disagreed, accusing the Monkey King of becoming an obsessive demon and ignoring his warnings against going against the Jade Emperor. Macaque crushes the peach and departs through a portal, leaving Monkey King on his own. Monkey King expresses frustration at the Macaque's departure and his lost opportunity to enjoy the peach. MK asked if Monkey King was truly a bad person, to which Macaque confirmed that's what he thought until he saw Monkey King's allegiance to Tang Sanzang. Macaque explains that after meeting Tang Sanzang, Monkey King's self-destructive path was altered. MK commented on Monkey King's good path, thinking that he was making better life choices than before. Macaque responded by stating that every choice has consequences, which affect everyone. MK questioned about the root cause of the animosity between Monkey King and Macaque. However, Macaque chose to remain reticent and proceeded to another memory. MK pursued Macaque, expressing his vexation at the lack of answers.

Upon arriving at Camel Ridge, Macaque mentions that the home was created by stealing energy of the reigon around it and the life-force of animals. MK was confusion, as he believed Azure wanted to be a hero. Macaque explains Azure is likely to think of himself as the hero in his story, a common tendency among people. Soon, a giant crack appears in front of them them, and they realzied that the next one leads to the real Monkey King. MK and Macaque traverse to find Monkey King perched on a cliff, surrounded by memories flashing around him. Upon noticing their arrival, Monkey King expresses his relief at being found and confesses that he lost sight of his purpose while trying to protect those he cared about. MK reminds him that he is immortal and has ample opportunities to make amends. He also shares the lesson that Monkey King had imparted to him earlier, emphasizing the importance of leaving things better than they were found. Macaque joins them, and MK requests Monkey King's assistance in stopping Azure. Monkey King accepts the offer and grabs the Golden Staff, and they are transported out of the scroll

## Features

### Characters

**Main:**

* MK
* Macaque
* Monkey King

**Supporting:**

* Ao Lie (**memory**)
* Celestial Armies (**memory**)
* Demon Bull King (**cameo**)
* Ink Ne Zha (**memory**)
* Jade Emperor (**memory**)
* Master Subodhi's students (**memory**)
* Mei
* Ne Zha
* Pigsy
* Sandy
* Sha Wujing (**memory**)
* Tang
* Tang Sanzang (**memory**)
* Zhu Bajie (**memory**)
* Acolyte (**memory**)

**Antagonists:**

* Azure Lion
* Yellowtusk

### Locations

* Celestial Realm
	+ Celestial Palace
	+ Heavenly Orchard (**memory**)
* China
	+ Camel Ridge (**memory**)
	+ Five Phases Mountain (**memory**)
	+ Flower Fruit Mountain
		- Beach (**memory**)
		- Monkey King's house
	+ Flowing Sands River (**memory**)
	+ Temple of the Tilted Moon and Three Stars (**memory**)
* Underworld (**memory**)

### Objects

* Book of the Dead (**memory**)
* Crescent Staff (**memory**)
* Golden Staff
* Khakkhara (**memory**)
* Ne Zha's spear (**memory**)
* Peaches (**memory**)
* Rake (**memory**)
* Scroll of Memory
* Tape

### Abilities

* Magic cloud (**memory**)
* Shadows
* Shapeshifting (**memory**)

### Species

* Cats
* Deities
* Demons
* Dragons (**memory**)
* Humans
* Monkeys
* Mystic Monkeys
* Pigs

### Mentioned

* Assault on the Celestial Realm (**memory**)

## Names in other languages

 **Mandarin** | **寻找美猴王** | Translates to **Looking for the Monkey King**.

## Trivia

* This episode reveals that Azure Lion is overwhelmed by the Power of the Jade Emperor as he tried to keep the Universe from breaking apart, something that the Jade Emperor can do without any problems. This was actually first hinted by Ne Zha when he talked about the Jade Emperor and the title in the previous episode, in which he noted to Azure that "the Jade Emperor has a greater role in this world than [he] can comprehend".
* The scene in Five Phases Mountain may be a reference to the 1960 anime film "Saiyūki" (dubbed into English as "Alakazam the Great"), which has a similar scene where Monkey King rejects the fruit brought to him by his love interest Lin-Lin.

## Characters' roles

### Protagonists

* MK and Macaque are the main protagonists of this episode.
	+ They went into the piece of the Scroll of Memory to find Monkey King.
	+ MK convinced Monkey King to return with them.
	+ Macaque educated MK as they went through all of Monkey King's memories from *Journey to the West*.
* Tang and Sandy are supporting protagonists.
	+ They tried to fix his piece of the scroll with tape.
	+ Tang sent MK and Macaque into Monkey King's piece of the scroll.

### Antagonists

* The Brotherhood are the main antagonists of the episode.
	+ Azure Lion struggled to keep the Celestial Realm together.

## References

1. ↑ Roku (2023-07-08). A Lifetime of Mistakes. Roku.