MK is starting to feel like Monkey King has been neglecting him while he and his friends go to see a shadow puppet play. However, it turns out Macaque has returned and is using the play to get close to MK and his friends.
Tropes:
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade: In the JTTW, Macaque and Monkey King were simply strangers before the former impersonated him, and was promptly killed by the latter when exposed. Here, things are changed to where they were once best friends, their conflict centuries ago having completely broke their relationship and making them bitter enemies. Macaque’s feelings on the matter are that as Monkey King obtained greater power, he stopped caring about and forgot their friendship - and a brief flashback Macaque has during his fight with MK shows that Monkey King is likely the one responsible for his damaged eye.
- Ambiguous Situation: While the episode confirms that Macaque and Monkey King were once friends and had a big falling out, it’s not clear what exactly happened that caused them to become such bitter enemies, as the whole thing was from Macaque’s very self-biased perspective that Monkey King simply forgot about him when he gained more power.
- And That Warrior Was Me: As MK suggests later on as stated in Internal Reveal, the story about the Hero and the Warrior was based on both Monkey King and Macaque, the narrator of the story.
- Call-Back: At the end of the episode, Macaque leaves MK with a warning for what’s to come, repeating the phrase from his first appearance “You can never have too many teachers” - and while back then it was just to manipulate MK, here it seems to be a cryptic yet genuine offer of his help should he need it in the future.
- Evil Former Friend: MK learns that Macaque is this for Monkey King.
- Failed a Spot Check: Macaque teases MK that the use of evil shadows was an easy sign that he was involved in his friends' abduction.
- Internal Reveal: The Hero and the Warrior in the shadow play early in the episode can immediately be recognized as Monkey King and Macaque respectively, revealing the true nature of their history and rivalrly - though MK, who watched the whole play, doesn’t figure this out till the end of the episode.MK: It was you, wasn’t it? In the story? Monkey King was the Hero, and the Warrior was you, right?Macaque: Maybe you’re not as dense as you look.
- Poor Communication Kills: Monkey King keeping MK in the dark about the threat of Lady Bone Demon and what he’s actually doing on his “vacation” has proven to be a BIG mistake, as MK had to find out all about Lady Bone Demon by meeting her himself, and is now under the belief that Monkey is doubting him as a successor.
- Running Gag: MK and friends spot the "Mayor" at the puppet play. Mei is once more suspicious that he may not be the Mayor of their city.
- Sequel Hook: After seemingly ending his role in the episode, the final scene is of Macaque returning to the theatre to retrieve the lantern he used to trap MK’s friends…only to be captured by the “Mayor”, who tells him that Lady Bone Demon would like a word as well the lantern. What exactly she wants with him is unknown, but it’s clear he has some role to play for her plans in the future.
- Trauma Button: A major one of these for Macaque appears to be pushed when MK is about to strike him with the staff, seeing Monkey King in his place. Immediately after this, he ends the fight and his torment of MK, quickly leaving.
- Villain Has a Point: Even though he's a jerk about it, Macaque isn't entirely wrong on his cynical breakdown about heroism, as it's made a point that MK's desire to become stronger is causing him to neglect time with his friends. He's also right in saying that Monkey King is legitimately quite flawed as a teacher (not that he is much better, but still), and that MK will need all the help he can get for what’s to come.
- We Used to Be Friends: Macaque and Monkey King, turns out.
