Speed Is King

"Your father was not born in this world." Monkey King began his story with a bombshell. "He was actually born in the Frosthaven Empire, a mere twenty years after I was born."

Elliot blinked once and steeled his heart for what seemed like a story full of shocking reveals about Wu Kong's identity.

Around him, the others listened with rapt attention, especially Wu Kong, who was hanging on to his new brother's every word.

"But for this story to make sense, I have to start the story from your grandfather. My father is the Patriarch of our clan and your grandfather was my father's trusted right hand man.

Within the Monkey Clan, the position of Patriarch is always won by the strongest fighter of the century, with absolutely no regard for age. For many years, the winners had always been the old fogeys who shamelessly participated in the fight for the position of Patriarch.

But in the last fight, my father shocked the entire Monkey Clan and defeated all the old fogeys at the very tender age of two hundred years old!

It was completely unprecedented and our clan rejoiced at the birth of a monumental genius that could lead our clan into a glorious future.

You could probably imagine the amount of prestige and near absolute authority that my father was suddenly thrust into. His words became law, and all members of the clan were eager to ingratiate themselves to him.

A furious but subtle fight for my father's ear began. Your grandfather won that battle, and became my father's right hand man. He became the second most powerful monkey in the clan, beneath one but above a thousand.

He even married my distant cousin. With that move, he had practically thrown in all of his lot with my father.

Your father was born not long after. He… was like a little brother to me. He would follow me everywhere, and I taught him the basics of fighting. For a few short years, all were at peace.

The Monkey Clan grew in strength, and everything was as it should be.

But alas… the position of being second in power was actually a hot seat. Many coveted it, and an intricate scheme was soon hatched to bring your grandfather down. Long story short, it worked.

Tragically, your grandfather was executed and his family banished from the Monkey Clan.

I was out on a mission at that time, and when I got back, your father was already gone. I tracked your family down for many long years before I finally found them on Planet Earth. But there was nothing much I could do. I could only secretly send in a few bodyguards to look after him.

But alas, his luck was horrible beyond words. Of all the planets he could have escaped to, he had to be sent to the one that would eventually be the site of the Games.

You know the rest of the story… The Armored Kaijins killed him. In the first iteration, as well as the second. The only silver lining was you survived this time." Monkey King said with a sad smile.

"I see. So I am a descendent of the Frosthaven Empire. I am actually a very distant relative of yours! And… I have a blood debt to pay." Wu Kong said calmly.

"Blood debt? Ha, don't look down on your big bro that way, Wu Kong! Of course there isn't a blood debt anymore. I made sure those scheming political bastards paid their debts in full, plus a loan shark's interest." Monkey King laughed with slight derision as he remembered his killing frenzy so many years ago.

"Is my family name cleared then?" Wu Kong asked Monkey King with a grateful smile.

"Ah… that. Well. Although the scheming bastards made up a lot of the accusations, there wouldn't be smoke without at least a little bit of fire, you know. Your grandfather was proven guilty without a doubt on a few counts. Not enough to deserve an execution and banishment for his family of course, but corruption, nonetheless. I am afraid your family name at this point in time is rather taboo in Frosthaven Empire." Wu Kong said with an awkward smile.

"I see." Wu Kong nodded quietly and remained silent. His emotions were aswirl with Monkey King's revelations.

Thankfully, Elliot was there to provide him with light and guidance.

"It doesn't really matter, Wu Kong." Elliot said seriously. "Might is right. When we visit Frosthaven Empire as Hegemons or even as Ancestral level powerhouses, all of their knees shall bend before us. Your father and your grandfather would be revered as ancestors of the most powerful Monkey alive in the known universe.

Their past wrongs would be completely forgotten in their haste to bend their knees before you, and at a single word from you, they would exalt the memory of your father and grandfather into places of extreme honor. Statues of them would be made and spread out throughout the Empire. Might. Is. Right."

"You're right, Master. Might is right." Wu Kong agreed and looked at Elliot with a fervent gaze.

Gone were his conflicting emotions, and replaced with a powerful one.

Devotion.

"And I do not belong to the Frosthaven Empire anyway. I belong to whatever Empire you will create in the future." Wu Kong added.

"Hahahahaha! Yeah! That's the spirit!" Jessica cried out loudly and happily. "My old man always tells me, aim for the stars, and even if you fail to reach it, you will at least get to the moon! It didn't make sense to me at the time because I could easily reach any star I wanted to, but-"

"He isn't "aiming for the stars". He is being dead serious." Aunt Hillary interrupted Jessica quietly.

"Huh?" Jessica looked at Aunt Hillary in confusion, and then at Elliot and Wu Kong who were sharing a serious and determined smile.

Realization of the enormity of Elliot's dream and hunger for power finally dawned on her then.

This was a young man that would not be content with mere survival, nor was he someone who would stop once he wins Earth for himself.

No, this young man had the entire known universe in his sights, and he was hell-bent in aiming to dominate every single thing within it!

A strange but supremely exciting tingling sensation appeared in Jessica's heart at that moment. It was a feeling that she had never felt before.

It felt like ambition, yet at the same time, it wasn't purely hers. It was as though Elliot's passion and hunger had grabbed hold of her soul, and made her a subordinate.

Whatever it was, Jessica could only do one thing at that moment.

"I WANT IN!" She shouted excitedly. "I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT EMPIRE!"