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Chapter Text

  There must’ve been some connection between being Monkey King’s successor and getting into trouble because seriously, why wouldn’t a day pass without at least something. Thus, now that Monkey King was absent the trouble was more frequent, to be honest. MK was always for kicking some demon butt but this was getting ridiculous.

  Speaking of ridiculous, this situation right here, was far beyond that. One moment Pigsy is telling him to swipe the floor of the shop and the other all electricity goes haywire, leaving them in night. Tang yelps in surprise but distinctly, does not drop his noodles while mildly annoyed Pigsy complains about paying the electric bill this month. He finishes with the thought that MK brought another trouble to the door. Turns out he is right. A big right. Because a moment later, from the shadows, two glowing purple eyes look at them.

  “Macaque!” he says reflexively as he pulls out his staff, ready to battle. As if something snapps back in the place, electronics turn back on but the shadows they cast do not return. Instead the shadows withdraw until all of them are gathered by the feet of said black monkey, almost like they were crawling on him. “Swallowing him?” The black monkey who is most definitely just… standing there, blending into (or slipping into) the wall. There is something very odd about it, not even creepy, just… odd. Macaque always gloated, laughed and got on nerves of everyone in close proximity. He was not still. The odd monkey finally faceswith a glint of teeth, a smirk on his face.

  “Miss me, bud?” he asks, chilling the air to about twenty Celsius colder. In meantime, Tang and Pigsy moved by MK’s side. Pigsy had the spoon in his hand, as if that would do anything. Tang on the other hand, wasn’t even trying. He was writing and muttering, hiding behind both of them.

  “Definitely not!” he replies, as if firing the cannon.

  “Ouch.” Macaque says, a chuckle passing his lips.

  “Kid, is this that guy from other day?” Pigsy asks, low. Macaque’s ears twitch and his smile grows, he definitely heard it.

  “And what if I am?” comes from behind them. Pigsy turns on instinct but MK refuses to do so, even though chills pass his spine all the way to his hair. The real Macaque is in front of them, that was only one of his numerous shadows.

  “Why are you here, Macaque?” MK asks, tightening his hold on his staff. If they fought here, Pigsy’s Noodle Shop would definitely receive some damage and so would his room. “Property damage” was by now their middle name but Tang and Pigsy couldn’t deal with Macaque at all. Although, if Macaque wanted, he could’ve attacked them already. To the contrary, he didn’t move from his spot near the wall. Than again, he was kind of over- theatrical, so this all could be just something (like an intro!) before the main act.

  “Dammit MK, you are just confusing yourself!”

  “Can’t I check back on my favourite student?” he shrugs.

  “No.” he than adds, “Besides, you saw me few days ago. Do you even have any other students?” Macaque lets out something resembling a laugh. It is a bit scratchy, as if grinding on his throat.

  “Listen, kid-” abruptly, he stops, eyes widening and mouth freezing mid word. One of his hands, almost clumsily, goes up to his ear and covers it. No, grips it tightly. The other hand is somewhere between the wall and himself, as if mid- escape to the shadows. Again, that makes no sense as he can just slip into the floor and- he falls. Macaque hits the floor as if someone cut the puppet’s strings in a dead faint. For a confusing second, none of them know what to actually do. Shadows disperse from his side, mostly returning to their original places.

  Two things become pretty apparent in that moment.

  One, that fall was gonna leave a bruise.

  Two, the wall of Pigsy’s Noodles wasn’t supposed to be streaked red.

  Clock ticks away.

  “Macaque isn’t getting up.” is the first though that hits him like a ton of bricks. For a moment, his mind reasons, it must be an illusion. With each ticking second he hopes the other would reveal the trick, gloat and leave. Or fight or just- do something. The ticking echoes, nobody moves. Nobody moves.

  “Is he dead?” Pigsy is one to break silence. In response, Tang is the one to poke said monkey with a chopstick. Macaque doesn’t do as much as twitch to that and Tang only shrugs.

  “What do we do, MK?” Tang proceeds to ask, looking t o the at Macaque. Feeling the eyes on him, MK straightens up.

  “Let’s get him upstairs.” he finally answers, putting away his staff. Than he remembers and he turns towards Pigsy for a moment. “If I can.” Pigsy in turn sighs.

  “Look kid, last time we were involved with this guy-” he casts a glance at Macaque. “We were stuffed into a lantern.”

  “He is pretty docile now.” he looks at Macaque. “And the lantern is gone.”

  “He is also, out of commission now. What when he gets up? Are we going to make him tea and pretend nothing happened?”

  “It did work for Red Son.” MK says, “And we won’t, Sandy will.”

  “Kid all I want is for you to be a bit more careful is all. I can’t-” Pigsy massages his temples before seemingly giving in.“But if there is a single sign that he wants to harm anyone-”

  “He is out, I know.” pulling up dead weight Macaque is kind of hard and not even because he is heavy. He is lightweight, almost as if he is made of shadows themselves. They bled and gathered, as if only by instinct, near Macaque’s feet even if said monkey as completely out of it. Somewhat creepy.

  “Definitely creepy.”

  Back to the problem at hand, however, the monkey is taller than him so he had no choice but to position him on his back. Like he carried a toddler. A mildly annoying toddler that attended drama class. Even then, it was awkward ride. Even more awkward in case Macaque was dead and he really couldn’t feel or hear his heartbeat and- “I will clean up later!” he shouts as he climbs the steps, Tang moving closely behind him.

  Pigsy can only sight, eyeing the bloody streak that Macaque left on his wall. This was going to be a bother to clean…

  Might as well paint whole thing red.

  MK stood by as Tang put two fingers to Macaque’s throat. For few tense moment, he just waited for the verdict. Tang nods a few times before he brings his fingers back.

  “Well, for better or worse, he is not dead.” MK lets out a gulp of air he didn’t really recall holding. “He seems to be still bleeding, though.” they both look down on the messy black fur only to realize that they cannot see anything. Seriously, the monkey is jet black. Only sight of anything was slight glow of fresher blood. That was about it. Clothes on his upper torso are bloodied but they do not seem thorn or damaged at all, maybe a bit scuffed but- the scarf! Or was it a cloak made to look like it? No, Macaque wore red cloak. That thing was certainly not present.

  “If I had a cloak and was injured I woul-”

  - The cloak is tightly wrapped around Macaque’s right leg. Somewhere in MK’s mind it registers, the shadows were completely hiding that leg while he was standing. If he wanted the help, why hide the wound? He could persuade them easier if he just showed it. Nevertheless, MK cringes as he unties the said cloak, finally earning a sign of life from Macaque in form of nearly getting hit by the offending limb. It is a feeble movement, more like a knee jerk reaction but hey, at least he responded. Underneath it is a lengthy gash, from Macaque’s knee, nearly all the way to his ankle. It’s jagged and ugly but it doesn’t seem to bleed any more. A chill passes MK as injury is brought to the light. It is not caused by disgust, however. MK had a catalogue of injuries he saw during his adventures (some came with pictures!) but rather, by feeling it gave. Writhing and sloshing, calling in a whisper from depths-

  “Ouch, good thing that he is demon.” Tang commented on side, breaking his chain of thoughts. He had to agree with him, demons did heal a lot faster than humans. And while Mei was their resident wound bandager (contrary to what most people would think), MK believed his limited skills would probably be fine for this. Thankfully, to distract himself from the fact that he was patching up a likely mortal wound on any other creature, he had Tang to keep him company. Company of a musing writer that is. “Macaque you said, right? Would he be by chance Liu’er mihou, The Six Eared Macaque? Six Eared Macaque is usually just a stand in for Monkey King conquering his own mind.” he leans over Macaque as if he is inspecting him. “He certainly doesn’t have six ears… And if he was real, all according to The Journey To The West, he should be dead.” Tang’s brows furrow. MK, the fanboy he is, knows what Tang is shooting at. The Six Eared Macaque, killed by Sun Wukong after impersonating him, stealing from and harming his companions.

  However, since MK kept the earlier encounter vague from others, he knew that Macaque’s story implied much more to him than just that. A Hero and a Warrior. Money King and Macaque. It never added up. What could happen to them for only mention of Macaque would be his attack and death? And how would Macaque still be alive if Monkey King killed him himself? Would Monkey King even do that? Was this only alias Macaque made?

  “He introduced himself as Six Eared Macaque that one time. Where are his six ears?” MK thought as he stood back, looking at his handy work. He still had few scraps and scrapes but those were already healing. Besides being dusty, banged up and a bit pale he looked alright. Although, his brow was furrowed as if he had a nightmare. Which is a bit unsettling? Just the thought of usually smirking Macaque making such a… vulnerable face was really unsettling. “What caused him do be in this state, anyway?”

  “Will you tell Monkey King about this since he is on vacation and all?” Tang asks as he finishes scribbling something in his book.

  MK’s mind blanks out.

  He indeed, forgot.

  Sun Wukong breaths a sight of relief for a moment. This “vacation” was taking a toll on him and he seriously needed just half a minute to take a breather. Just a moment. A small-

  “Um, Monkey King.” and he is greeted by his successor or rather, his projection. Sun Wukong can’t help but think how the kid has that immaculate timing. Still, he puts on a brightest smile he can manage.

  “Hey bud, how’s it going?” he finds himself asking, mentally noting the time as it slips by.

  “Well, good. I mean- I am sorry to bother but-”he watches him stumble awkwardly around the words before he stills himself. “Macaque is here.”

  “What do you mean bud? Is he attacking or-” his words come faster, with way more panic he intended to show. Macaque is bad news. Majorly bad news.

  “No. I mean- he just appeared out of blue injured and now he is now out cold.” MK clarifies. “I treated him.”

  “Look bud, I know you like to help demons and people alike but Macaque is really dangerous. You know that.” he tries to reason. He could count on one hand the demons strong enough to injure Macaque and that was including himself. That was worrying by itself. More worrying would be why Macaque came to them. It could very well be a trap or by off chance it wasn’t, what demon follow him to MK? “If there is one person you shouldn’t shelter, it really is Macaque.”

  “He is injured.” MK repeats, emphasizing the word. Now the kid is reasoning with him, clever. “I couldn’t just throw him out while he was bleeding.” Wukong’s brow furrows against his will. Could he do such a thing if Macaque came to him for help? Given their history though, he doubted Macaque would come to him, even if Lady Bone Demon came for him herself.

  “Look-” he stops, sighting “Fine. But keep him in sight at all times. Remember, he is tricky.” with a nod, the connection cuts. Wukong stares for a few more moments to the spot MK “occupied” a moment ago. This did not bode well in any sense of word.

  He needed to find that map as soon as possible.

Chapter Text

  It’s cold.

  Is what comes first to Macaque’s mind. Duly, he wandered how is he not shivering. Or was he just… cold internally? Did Lady Bone Demon do something to make him feel like a wet rag? Oh, right, the leg. That. What even… he thought for a moment, only to be warned by a sharp pain in the temple.

  “The plan is, my dear Macaque…” it whispers inside his head. “…” The pawn without it’s own will in service of a queen. Disgusting. Revolting even. He hated him but he hated her more. That much was crystal clear to him.

  Next thing that becomes apparent is that there is too much noise. It stacks and distorts, yell and overwhelm to the point even his ears cannot keep up. The only thing the noise provides is temporal release from whispering in his head, which is still present, only drowned out. Even with that relief, the sounds were really too much so he decided to open his eyes. The sound immediately quiets. Whispering returns fully. Peachy.

  While he can’t remember much after he blacked out, he was pretty sure someone poked his leg at one point. Or bandaged it? Or something. Given that, he should probably be at bed or in some alley, it really depended. Did Monkey King come back? Because if he did, he definitely will end up in some alleyway. That is kinda funny actually, now that he thought about it. A chuckle passes his lips and in response there is shuffling. Deciding to tear that torn out, Macaque goes for sitting position. He shuffles enough that he is sitting up and as a bonus, enough that his leg pangs with dull pain. Looking at the said offending limb, Macaque thinks that who ever dealt with it did a good job. Although, his cloak was missing which was something he needed back.

  “Woah, there. Nice room…” Macaque turns to his left. “MK.” the guess is correct. MK stand his guard with the staff, somewhat terrified looking but putting on brave face. On the other hand, by his side is a girl with a sword? Oh, the Dragon Girl. She actually looks brave rather than putting up a mask. “Is that how you take compliments?” he smirks in response.

  “Taunting someone who offers you a bed is a bad move, my guy.” the girl speaks. A chuckle passes his lips. Indeed, he was in the bed, probably MK’s. He was touched by gesture, all according to someone else, he could’ve just dumped him on the floor and call it a day. But nope, not MK. Such a good kid. Too good. Too good for him.

  “We don’t want to fight Macaque.” MK finally speaks up.

  “Maybe you don’t kid but the others…” he trails off. He can feel that the girl is on edge. There is also the presence he felt before, familiar yet subdued. That demon. His tail flickers, thumping on the bed. The whispering drowns just a tinniest bit.

  “Mei, put the sword away.” MK than says, putting away his own staff. The girl is suspicious, sure, he can see it in her face. She does, however, as she is told. However, she makes the gesture that can only be described as “I am watching you” before she leans over the corner of the room.

  “He is up!” Macaque’s ears ring and he he flinches sharply. Suddenly, there is thumping and out of the corner, blue peaks. Macaque’s fur bristles on instinct.

  “I brought the tea.” he says in friendliest face Macaque ever saw in a demon, period. His tail swishes as the other exchanges the beverage to him. “Ah, I apologise. My name is Sandy. I hope we can be friends, at least over tea.” Macaque makes no movement to take it, however. It smells nice and calming but also, he knows that smell. It’s that of peaches, peach blossoms to be particular. They probably thought, if Monkey King gulped everything that was slightly reminiscent of peaches, he would do as well. A+ for effort.

  “How do I know you won’t poison me?” he asks and the big guy, Sandy, withdraws a bit. Well, now he looks down now.

  “For love of- Why would I treat you if I wanted to poison you?!” MK asks.

  “I don’t know? Maybe to get kicks out of it?” Macaque cracks a smile.

  “MK I am going to smack him.” Dragon Girl speaks up.

  “Woow, way to treat an injured person- or a monkey.”

  “I am really going to smack him.” she takes a step towards him but MK reaches to her and reverses her course in a way that she is stomping towards the floor below. This was definitely some comedy routine they predicted, Macaque thought.

  “If you change your mind, I will leave it for you here.” big guy says, turning as well, following her downstairs. This only left MK and him, looking at each other.

  “Why are you like this?” MK finally asks.

  “Like what kiddo?”

  “This.” he says, outstretching his hands as if to emphasize the point. “This, ‘Getting under everyone’s skin’,act of yours is getting real annoying. Especially after you came to us for help.”

  “Don’t get the wrong idea, bud.” the tone is sharp, biting. “You were just the safest bet at the moment.” MK takes a breath and visibly struggles to let it out peacefully.

  “Would it kill you to be more friendly?”

  “Dunno? Probably? I didn’t try that recently.” MK lets it out In one angry huff. Like an inflatable frog. Terrifying.

  “Look…” he claps his hand as if to calm himself. “You can leave if you feel up for it. We won’t stop you.” his tail swishes again. “Or you can stay until you feel a bit better. Just… no harming anyone.”

  “Next to that guy and in my condition? Kid I might be a tad off but I am not that off.” MK sights, shuffling a bit closer.

  “Also-” he takes the cup, sipping a small gulp from it. “There, it’s not poisoned.” he puts it back on the desk. It takes him back a notch. “I am going downstairs, you can join us or shadow teleport or sleep or whatever you do if you want.” just as MK turns, Macaque’s feels his tail thumps harshly on the bed.

  “I don’t like peaches.” and MK sharply faces him.

  “Was just that the problem?” to which Macaque just, shrugs. MK scoffs and turns again, this time taking the cup with him. “I’ll tell Sandy to make you something else. Are you hungry by any chance?”

  “I am immortal, kid. I don’t really need anything.”

  “I asked you if you were hungry, not if you were immortal, you know?” he leaves and from the stairs, Macaque hears the quiet sound of grumble: “And I thought you had good hearing with six ears.” Macaque fees just a tiniest smile touch on his face. Everyone was so suspicious of him, besides Sandy, but that was probably because he seemed harmless at the moment. Pure contrary MK was kind to a t. Must be the side effect of being abandoned by his mentor because Macaque couldn’t fathom, even with how good MK was, how somebody could just get over what very well might’ve been attempted murder and abduction of friends. And all that without a question of why he was here in the first place? Unbelievable.

Speaking of which, Macaque tried gathering his shadows to him, just to get a feel for how well he actually was. He watched as shadows crawled and stained, gathering around him as if they were young monkeys, begging for attention. A moment later, he released them and they returned back to their places as if light chased them away. To conclude, the injury didn’t interfere with his magic, which was perfect. He did need to keep it a secret for a bit thought, since he enjoyed the hospitality. His leg did too since it didn’t stop the dull throb from the moment he sat to now. It must’ve been something about her magic that just prearticular was bad for his body. Or anybody for that matter.

Macaque eyed the leg. For now he decided against testing the limb. Instead, he focused on hearing. Those below were definitely talking about him or arguing or both. Dragon Girl, Sandy, the pig demon, their human companion, a… cat? MK. Definitely MK. No Wukong. Good. Vacation, right.

“What a liar.” he thought. If he knew Sun Wukong, and he did once long time ago, he was off in search of something. What through?

In the same time, he feels the whisper crawl into his head a bit louder. His tail thumps louder yet again, to provide a distraction. It is continuous, it just lets up from time to time and as Macaque was finding out, the conversations with others drowned it out. Now, however that he was alone, it resonated in his head as loud as an oncoming traffic. The thumping provided some relief tho’, so he continued to do that, even as he laid back down.

“Get out of my head.”is what he wants to say but it never leaves his mouth. The crawling echo intensifies and all he can do is cover his ears.

  “All I am saying is, that he annoys me.” is what Mei repeats for fourth time during the conversation. “And he deserved to be smacked.”

  “At least wait until he is healed?” MK offers.

  “No.” is all he gets back. Tang is sitting by the bar, eating noodles as per usual but he seems to be listening in. Sandy brought back his tea collection, trying to pick up something for Macaque while Pigsy was cooking. Mo was there as well, batting the tea bags that Sandy would eventually pull out.

  “Is he alright?” Tang finally asks, probably writing his way to another book chapter.

  “Fine enough to get on the nerves of three people.” Mei speaks up as MK takes another sip of the tea.

  “Hey, he didn’t get on my nerves.” Sandy says, looking up from his tea collection. “Did he tell you what kind of tea he likes?”

  “Only that he dislikes peaches.” Tang frowned.

  “I really doubt that. Since Monk-”

  “Don’t talk too much about him in front of Macaque. It’s his sore spot.”

  “Everything is his sore spot.” Mei adds.

  “That too.” MK agreed.

  “So are we kicking the fellow out or what?” Pigsy joins the conversation. “If he is such a pain who says he won’t leash out when someone steps on his ‘sore spot’.”

  “He won’t lash out.”

  “And how do you know that?”

  “Macaque told me we were his safest bet, chances are he is probably hiding from something.”

  “Hold the phone. The Six Eared Macaque, equal to Monkey King, is afraid of something?” Tang raises his eyebrow. MK just shrugs his shoulders in return. He knows though, definitely knows what Macaque could be afraid of. The coiling and whispering…

  “The tea is ready!”

  MK gets nominated to take the tea upstairs while Mei waits on the staircase, if Macaque would try anything. MK would’ve preferred if she waited downstairs but hey, halfway was a good compromise. He half expects that Macaque is gone, just puff! And into into the shadows. It would be a perfect ending to the evening. After all that arguing over him staying him just puffing would be a peach on the cake. As he rounds the corner, he is proven wrong.

  Macaque stayed where he left him, albeit he was now laying on his side, away from doorway. MK dully noted that he needed to give him new clothes tomorrow and definitely clean up the bed from all grime he left. For a moment, he wandered if said monkey was sleeping but that was quickly answered by tail thumping on the said bed. From the shadows, you could see the lazy thump of the monkey’s tail.

  “Can’t sleep, huh?” Was that some tick Macaque had? He couldn’t really remember that Macaque ever thumped with his tail or did anything in similar manner in their previous encounters. He did thump with it earlier today though.

  “Macaque?”his ears twitch but otherwise, he doesn’t turn around. “I’ve brought you camomile tea, it’s supposed to help you relax and sleep and stuff. I can taste it if you are suspicious?” he still doesn’t turn around but MK guesses he can see him from shadows. Even if he receives no response, he sips on it, loud enough to make Macaque’s ears twitch. “I also brought some cookies but don’t tell Pigsy, I kinda- sorta raided his cabinet.” he smiles as he puts the said item down. “I made sure they are not chocolate, those are poisonous to monkeys… I think.” and now, in silence, Macaque final answer is chuckle.

  “Immortal, kid.”

  “Well, excuse me for making sure you don’t poison yourself.” Macaque turns just a tinniest bit, enough that he can see the way his eyes glow from shadows cloaking him. For a moment, however, the darkness shuffles, coils and whispers.

  “Do I look as dumb as him, bud?” there is venom in a way he says that.

  “First of all, I didn’t even imply that I thought you are dumb.” MK says, taking a step back. “Second, excuse me for caring than, Macaque.”

  “Wow, caring? Already?” Macaque’s shadows grow, tinting the good chunk of room in black. “I will give you an advice MK, caring for someone who can turn their back to you at any time, is doomed to fail.” his words are intended to hurt, MK can feel it right down to his core.

  “Macaque…” he stops himself mid- sentence. “Just get some rest. See you tomorrow.” he expects some more taunts to be thrown his way but there is nothing but silence. Even as he rounds the corner, there is still nothing. Nothing besides the eyes of the monkey. But… For a moment- only one shines at him. The other is dull, swallowed by darkness. As if it was a trick of the eye it vanishes just as he rounds the corner.

  “Did the Drama King chill?” Mei asks him as she follows. As he doesn’t answer, Mei quietens. “MK-”

  “It’s fine.”

  “Befriend them…” whispers in his head. “And then-” Macaque shakes his head. Cursed witch.

  It was in his interest to stay with them. It was, also, in her interest to stay with them. If he alienated them completely and did his own thing, who knows what Lady Bone Demon would do to him . If he didn’t, again, who knows what Lady Bone Demon would do to them using him. He was cast to the shadowy corner he couldn’t simply couldn’t get out of. Someone could play the middle guy only so much.

  And the kid, MK, was already persistent. It was only first day and he even told him he cared. Such a stupid thing. A hero that cares for someone like him? Doubtfully. They probably just wanted to keep an eye on him in case Lady Bone Demon made her move. But than again, they didn’t seem to know about her. MK though… might’ve picked up more from Wukong than he originally thought.

  His tail thumps again. At this rate he will turn into a cat demon with all that thumping. Which maybe, would marginally be better than the horrible noise that assaulted his ears. Even when the whole day passed and night clothed him, he couldn’t escape it. It wasn’t like he could do anything but follow. Embrace the kid’s kindness? The same one he thrashed everything he had on and put him down in any way he could just to get to Wukong ? Be willy nilly and use him?

  “Really?” Macaque sneers. “Disgusting.” the blue flashes before his eyes.

  “My dear pawn, that is right, you are just a hideous shadow of Monkey King.” his tail thumps louder.

  “Even if your destiny wasn’t to betray them, they would never forgive you.” louder.

  “You are nothing but rouble beneath everyone’s feet.” with a jerk, his tail slams n a particular bad way against the bed. He hisses and brings it his arm as he jerks up into sitting position. Smell of chamomile tea hits his nose like a truck. How didn’t he notice it sooner? Now Macaque wasn’t too fond of tea, actually, he wasn’t fond of it at all. Wukong gulped that in waterfalls but Macaque drank maybe one cup in three weeks. However, this tea smelt pretty good, as if all calming aroma was carried from back when. It was tempting to stand up so he could taste it.

  He hated idea of using his powers and tiring himself out but he hated the idea of using his leg more. That is why he lets shadows swallow him from his spot, pull him under like a sea like a sacks of potatoes. Immediately, he resurfaced though, standing or rather, leaning on the desk. The cup is somehow still steaming as he takes it, giving it one more sniff before seeping on the tea.

  It’s fragrant tea suited for knocking someone’s lights out. They didn’t add any sugar to it, which was something Macaque was grateful about. And the cookies, were classic tea cookies, no special taste or anything.

  Laughter and light reached from downstairs, even though it was late, the shop was open. Or rather they were having a sleepover? Obviously, since this was MK’s room they would sleep somewhere else and strength was in numbers, right? Well, not really, even like this Macaque was sure he could take them all on besides maybe that blue demon thing. Yawn escaped his mouth. He didn’t exactly need to sleep but- now that whispering quieted down a bit, he felt a nap was appropriate.

  Settling down now empty cup, he took one more cookie before melting into the shadows and hitting the bed with grace of Monkey King sleeping off the Heavenly Wine.

Chapter Text

  MK wakes on the floor of Pigsy’s Noodles. Next to him, Mei continues to sleep. What even- Ah, Macaque . Everyone stayed up late into the night together, talking about whatever someone felt like talking about . Before they separated, MK remembers, he checked on Macaque. This time he was sleeping so they all took that a sign of yes, this is fine . Sandy went to feed the cats but not before leaving few bags of chamomile tea in case Macaque wanted them. Tang went home with promise of returning tomorrow and Pigsy… They barely managed to make him go home. Between fretting over Macaque and fretting over the store, MK wasn’t sure if he would leave but he did… eventually. Mei stayed as a backup in case there was trouble. They didn’t have much to do, confined to Noodles instead of his room because let’s be real, who wanted to wake Macaque up? Which is why they played few games, rummaged Pigsy’s kitchen and finally went to sleep.

  For a brief moment, MK thinks that alarm went off and that was why he was awake. Well, he was off by about an hour from the alarm. Mei was mumbling something close to: “Five more minutes…” so MK got up from makeshift bed himself with a stretch. Now, why was he awake? First rays of sun were just appearing and birds were not even chirping and just… why ? As if to answer, a loud thump sound was heard from above. Now, MK weighted his options. Either Macaque was fighting something, tried to walk or fell off the bed. Third option sounded absolutely hilarious so he picked up his phone with him, not in case he needed blackmail or anything. Nope.

  He climbs the stairs absently, deciding over knocking because hey, it was his room. There he finds… the third option Macaque is up and about or rather, not. He is face first in the floor, blanket tangled around his legs. They share a look for a moment or two before MK pulls out the phone which is seconds later, only after taking one measly picture, snatched from his hands. Macaque is apparently well enough to teleport now which, while a good thing, is also a bad thing.

  “Hey!” MK moves as fast as he can to snatch it back but Macaque is already melting through his own shadow only to re-appear a few paces back, right on the bed. “Give it back!”

  “Good morning to you too, MK!” is the reply he gets as said monkey taps on his phone.

  “Hah! You don’t know my password!” Macaque rises his eyebrow. He then taps on it a few more times before the said phone clicks, now unlocked. “How did you know!?”

  “‘Monkey King’ is about everything you talk about.” he tosses the phone back with satisfied grin. MK catches it, finding the last picture erased. He faces Macaque again, the latter sitting on the bed while his tail swishes.

  “Glad that you are feeling better.” MK says, collecting himself. “Why were you even on the floor?” Macaque looks to the side, left and right and than back at MK.

  “I wasn’t.”

  “Dude.” MK points to the blanket that was still on the floor. “You literally woke me up when you thumped first time.”

  “You can’t prove that.” in response MK crosses his arms. What a stubborn magical monkey.

  “Look, you can push as much as you want, I am persistent. Like mega persistent.” MK sits on the floor. “Extra persistent.” for a few moments they stare at each other. Macaque’s eyebrow twitches in what is presumably annoyance. Good. Now will Macaque admit he tripped or will his persistence fail first, he wondered. “Was the tea good? Sandy left few more bags if you want more.”

  “If you didn’t sip it first, I would guess it’s a highly proficient sedative, kid.” Macaque moves from siting, back to laying down on his side. Neither wanted to back off. Incredibly stubborn. “Otherwise it’s pretty good for a tea, I am sure Wukong would gobble up all of it.”MK cracks a smile.

  “You sure are in better mood today.” Macaque just shrugs to that. Two stare at each other, as if holding the tenses competition ever. Unluckily for him, MK was known for his patience and persistence and- Well, how was he kidding? Persistence, yes. Sitting still? Nope. A minute later, he already itched for action while unbothered Macaque just continued to smirk at him.

  Two. Three… And-

  “Ah, fine.” MK gets up in frustration. “Do you need any new clothes since those you have are all grimy and stuff?”

  “You know I can change my disguise on will, right?” oh… Now that he mentioned, he did shape shift quite a lot.

  “I knew that!” Macaque raises an eyebrow in question. “Can you than change it so I can change the bed sheets?”

  “Nooope.”

  “And why not!?”

  “First rule of shape shifting kid.” Macaque smirks. “You don’t change your shape with big injuries. Honestly, I thought Wukong would have taught you that already.” MK’s eyebrow twitched.

  “Ignore that jab MK, just relax...”

  “So, you cannot change your clothes to make new ones BUT you can melt completely into the shadows without consequence? Did I get that right?”

  “To spare you the details, that’s right kid.” Macaque shrugs. MK let’s out a breath.

  “Do you want new clothes than? We washed your cloak-scarf thing, you know. Wait- did we wash like a shadow or something if that’s part of your disguise?” Macaque just shrugs in response. “Can you at least go wash yourself a bit? Brush that fur or something?” assuming that Macaque had enough of teasing, MK asked. He received no answer. “Or can’t you still stand?” MK’s eyebrows furrow. “Sorry, I just assumed since you were good enough to teleport you would be fine with standing.”

  “I can stand.” MK realises a moment later he probably pushed his nerve. For what reason, though, he did know. Although that stubbornness was really like Monkey King’s, wasn’t it?

  “Without tangling yourself into the blankets?” Macaque absolutely sneers as he melts into the shadows. For a moment, he thinks that, yes, he finally stepped on Macaque’s nerves a bit too much and said monkey was probably going to choke him with something. There is a tap on his back and he by instinct jerks away. To nobody’s surprise but MK’s, Macaque is standing behind him with an expression of a cat that broke into the fridge and got away with it. However, his tail swishes around like he was the most unhappy monkey ever. As moments passed, he looked progressively more uncomfortable standing like that, acting out his confident pose. For someone who can make himself look whatever he wanted, he did a pretty bad job. “Uh-huh.” in a swift moment, he pushes a chair so it practically lands in front of Macaque. “Sit before I fetch Mei and she ties you to that chair.” A chuckle passes Macaque’s mouth but he, surprisingly, obeys, sitting down with crossed arms. “You really are annoying, you know that?” MK asks as he rummages his wardrobe for new sheets for bed. “I- We don’t know a single thing about you and yet you constantly step on everyone’s buttons because you have beef with Monkey King?”

  “Don’t talk about things you don’t understand, MK.” his fur bristles in warning.

  “Well, I might know what I am talking about if anyone told me about anything.” MK grumbles. “Monkey King goes off to a vacation of all things, Spider Queens underlings gather random stuff for whatever purpose, you just drop half dead here and hang around just because you supposedly need protection… Even though you can just quietly sit around in shadows, you show yourself and mess around with everyone. Before, even, you warned me about something. I just don’t get your deal. Or his. Or anyone's.”

  “Dude, am I just someone you will vent to in any situation?” Macaque asks and than laughs. “You should tell that to your precious friends rather than me. And maybe- maybe before whining about not being told anything, you should tell them everything.” MK knows that and yet- he cannot bother them about it. Lady Bone Demon, Monkey King, all of this is his responsibility as successor. “As long as you don’t abandon them, they won’t abandon you, remember that MK.” Macaque adds. “But that’s just my two cents on that matter.” as MK takes his eyes from his freshly changed sheets, Macaque kicks back in his chair, closing his eyes and folding his arms.

  “Macaque?”

  “Hm?”

  “You know about her right? Was she the one that attacked you?”

  “Ugh, can we move past this emotional episode, kid?” Macaque levels his eyes with him. “Besides-” he looks back where footsteps were just now hearable, at least they were to MK. Mei shows up at the top of stairs, rubbing her eyes.

  “Why the rumble?” she asks, half asleep. MK sees Macaque open his mouth but before he can speak up, he cuts in.

  “We are having our morning chat about not harming anyone, right Macaque?” in turn, macaque frowns.

  “Come on, work with me here you…”

  “Sure?” Macaque’s eyebrow twitches…. Again.

  “Right…” is all Mei says and the continues: “How are you feeling, Mac n’ Cheese?” Macaque turns in like, a split second to her. Mac n’ Cheese… that’s pretty hilarious actually.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know, Dragon Girl?” his fur bristles but his tone is jokign. Maybe Macaque juts likes dissonance of body language and voice tone. Before two can escalate, MK cuts in.

  “Can you take care of your leg by yourself or-”

  “Just give me the bandage MK.”

  “And there goes the good mood.” MK sighs, fetching the bandages and antiseptic he and Tang purposely left in his room. Definitely. He hands them to Macaque and walks to Mei’s side. Halfway he notices, tea cup is empty and cookies are gone, so that’s a plus. He takes the empty cup and bowl as he moves to Mei’s side.

  “Do you want more tea?” to that Macaque just waves his hand. With another in his stacking catalogue of sighs, two take the stairs. “Mac n’ Cheese?” he asks Mei, laughing a bit.

  “It was either that or Macaron.” Mk snickers. “How was he anyway? He didn’t cause much trouble?” somewhere in his skull, Macaque’s words flash through his head.

  “Nah, just a grumpy magical monkey.”

  Macaque waits until they are the bottom of the stairs before he decides he is in the clear. Mac n’ Cheese , Macaron… his tail swishes against his will.

  “Liu’er mihou and Six Eared Macaque are kinda long, ya know. Do you want to be called Mac or Mango?… No, neither is not an option… Mac it is then!” echoes in his head- the cheerful voice that assault his ears. A moment later, cheerful voice melts, distorting to that voice of hers. “You will be my champion, Mac.” He hates his voice but what he hates, even more, is her using it.Sharply, Macaque shakes his head.

  And that kid. That stupid kid. Of course he managed to do something stupid that would make him show that he could use his powers. And of all things it was just a picture of his attempt to walk. He would’ve never heard the end of it from any of them, including but not limited to Wukong himself as well. Good luck with looking threatnening when you trip over your own feet. To top that off, of course he vented on him as well. This was second time already that kid decided to tell him something personal so in anniversary to that, Macaque told him something of his own. Not like kid listened it or anything. He just cut him off and expected him to follow through. Of course, Wukong was his teacher after all. At least, out of all that, he got confirmation that MK knew about the Lady Bone Demon. He didn’t want to confirm or deny it for a simple reason- Giving the kid and himself a common enemy to unite over only to backstab him in the end was not something he planned to do. Or at least not by his own will.

  Macaque eyed his leg, now came the worst part. The bandages weren’t tidy which was why Macaque dreaded unbandaging them. They were good, for a first aid but bad for removal. They went all around so he needed constantly pick angles and move his leg which just caused dull pain to rise across the limb. When he undid it, finally, he was surprised. The thing, gash, that Lady Bone Demon left him with closed just a tinniest bit around the edges. Mabe a bit to centre but that was about it. Surveying it quickly, he found it was not infection, thankfully kid did the good job cleaning it. Stitching wasn’t needed, given the fact he was a demon. It was just as he thought, his body didn’t like having a wound by Lady Bone Demon at all. A slow healing wound that was meant to incapacitate him. Peachy. He cleans the wound again, for good measure, and neatly wraps the bandage around the wound.

  “Come on Mac, it’s not like I will die, I am like- twice immortal by now... Or thrice?” echoes in his head by a voice that definitely wasn’t his. It seemed like she was  tired of whispering insults on him and just moved to digging up old junk. Such a disgusting trick.

  “You are a the disgusting trick, anyway. Do you think you, of all people, deserve better?” she taunts in his head. The thumping starts again, he will bruise his tail, surely. Macaque thinks, just for a moment, maybe he should deal with MK now? Before any betrayal can happen, before he can shatter what Wukong left. In response, sharply, his head thumps. That is not what Lady Bone Demon wants. She wants him alive, he knows that. She wants him to betray them, hold everyone off while she finishes the kid and than at the end, he could get his showdown with Wukong.

  “Oh, my dear Mac, you don’t know what you want yourself.” the mocking voice speaks. “Such a shame.” Macaque’s fist tightens. For a moment, Wukong flashes in front of his eyes, those golden eyes. His hand goes to his head and squeezes, that demon wouldn’t stop whispering to him as soon as he was alone. Fine.

  He melts into his own shadow, drowning into darkness where he couldn’t hear a thing but other shadows. They whispered comfortingly, all human and demon alike. He could hear everything here, from West to East, the remnant of what was Six Eared Macaque. MK and Dragon girl, Sand y , the scholar, pig demon…. Wukong? In celestial realm? His ears twitch but Macque refuses to listen. If he knew why Wukong left the Kid, so would Lady Bone Demon. To be quite honest, he didn’t know how much of an influence she had on his head or how much she could read from it. It was certainly, b etter safe than sorry. And if MK knew about Lady Bone Demon, than Wukong must as well and who knows what he was doing on his so called vacation.

  Macaque emerges from the shadows on the small balcony by MK’s… window? Kid really had a weird sense of design. Sun is high already, looking down on the people. The town is bustling and bright, a melody that drowns out some of whispering. Unfortunately, it hurts his ears as well. Spiders coil beneath the surface, dancing to the tune of whispers. What exactly those whispers said, who knew?

  M K is borderline listing, looking at all the orders he was to carry for today. Pigsy came almost as soon as they walked downstairs. Of course, he started with “Who went through my kitchen?” rather than asking anything else. Now the orders were piling up so that he could deliver them all at once. Of course that came with some other problems. Like, who would keep an eye on Macaque? Sandy couldn’t be here all day. Mei was already here whole day and night, she certainly wanted to do something else as well. Pigsy wouldn’t agree to watch M acaque. Tang was the last option but that…. No way. With all his beautiful knowledge of Journey, there was no way he wouldn’t step on something. There was a chance he could invite Macaque to go with him but the chances he would go were… they weren’t.

  A chill crawls up his spine so he turns sharply in response . Macaque is there, sitting on the chair, legs kicked up. As if feeling eyes on him, Macaque’s own open, returning the look.

  “What?” he sounds… offended actually. “You invited me, didn’t you MK?”

  “Yeah?” MK find himself answering.

  “I’ve got a question.” Mei asks, raising her hand for a moment. “Do you actually have six ears? By the way, I am Mei, just so you know.” Macaque blinks.

  “Aren’t you curious?” he counters with a flick of a wrist. “I can change my shape.”

  “Does that mean you have them or just change your shape not to have them or-” MK spaces out.

  “Kid, the orders won’t take themselves, ya know.” Pigsy cuts the sounds.

  “Right!” he gets up, only for a chill to pass his back again.

  “Hey, he escaped into your shadow!” Mei is on the floor, measuring his shadow and poking the floor. Only now did he notice, Macaque was gone from his chair. So whenever Macaque used his shadow to pass, he would get a chill. Neat and also, terrifying. His own shadow gains a purple smile and eyes just for a split second, enough to make Mei flinch away.

  “We going or what!?” comes from the tuk-tuk. Apparently, Macaque will go with him on his own accord. The said monkey positioned himself on the top of the tuk-tuk, sitting on top of Pigsy’s chef hat. Which would be, honestly, last place he expected Macaque to be since his whole gimmick were shadows, that was most sunlight place he could’ve picked. Nevertheless, MK thought that as a bonus, loading the cart while Mei could be heard:

  “You still didn’t answer my question!” from his spot, Macaque tilted his head.

  “I can’t hear you.” he just mouths and kicks back. The two were going to get along...eventually, MK thought. MK waves as he leaves, throttling the thing into full speed. It probably surprises Macaque because he can hear something akin to hitting a bird on the top of it. “Dude.” Macaque seemingly leans over the roof to look at him. “I hope Wukong didn’t teach you how to drive.”

  “He didn’t, why?” Macaque just let’s out a sight and disappears over the edge. “Why did you come with, anyway? You have more chances to encounter trouble with me than without me.”

  “Well, to be honest kid, your friends are too much for my ears.” is what he hears, from his own shadow. “And- I can’t stay in the room whole day. You know what they say, monkey’s virtue isn’t patience.”

  “That is definitely not a proverb.”

  “Buuut it should be.” Macaque had a fun side, when he wanted to show it. He was snarky and sarcastic, a perfect counterbalance to Monkey King. Not to say Monkey King didn’t have some of his moments but Macaque was just- sarcasm. He could see how two, if Macaque said truth, were partners a long time ago. He was needlessly aggressive through, something MK never saw in Monkey King. If he deflected, he did so with a smile and a joke. Macque deflected completely different, he leashed out. He wanted to hurt other person into dropping the subject. There was no limit to it, he just said things that would, in the end chase someone from him- or, some other case, attack him. Whether he believed what he said though, remained to be seen.

  “How’s your leg?”

  “Peachy.” oh, there it goes. One more common thing Macaque had with Monkey King that none would dare to say out loud. “It will heal in time for your mentor to be back, trust me.”

  “Because you need it to run from him?” MK snickers, taking the chance to poke Macaque just a bit. Macaque doesn’t answer that and the ride turns to silence. Any ride is kinda awkward if it’s silent to MK but the way they were driving now, it was fine. Macaque was presumably resting, which was good. He was kept under a watchful eye as well, which was even greater. And the best was that MK had at least some company while he drove to seventy- two houses consequently. Although, he was only waiting for someone to notice said monkey on the top of the tuk-tuk and ask questions which would undoubtedly be a disaster. Nobody asked. Huh. He guessed the people saw enough of their shenanigans that they were probably numb to seeing a monkey. And dragons. And demons. And… lots of stuff.

  By the seventy- second house, MK is rolled. If he started in the morning, it was past noon now. And a quick check, yep, Macaque was still on the cart tail lazily thumping on the roof of it. He looked like a cat enjoying a sunbath. Out of corner of his eye, he notices a flyer.

  “Meat ball eating contest?” he reads out loud. “Today, huh?”

  “You should, probably, stay away from that.” Macaque says, not even opening his eyes. “But hey, I am not your dad or anything.”

  “Do you want to go, Macaque?”

  “I’d rather di-” he stops himself. “Never mind. No.”

  “Oooo- kay. I ‘ll invite Mei.” he quickly types and sends her a message. It was concerning to leave Macaque alone with bunch of people but maybe with Pigsy and Tang only it would be fine? He seemed fine, no trickery. Besides, Mei and him would be home by the time Pigsy would leave the shop. In that exact moment-

  “Hey bud!” he nearly drops his phone.

  “Oh, hey Monkey King!” he smiles once initially shock is gone. “How is vacation doing?”

  “Oh, you know just peachy.” the way he says it so akin to Macaque. Unconsciously, his eyes go to the roof of the cart. Macaque is gone. He must be in some shadow around, however, he must know Monkey King cannot see him anyway so why bother hiding? “I was just curious, how are thing going with Macaque?” Monkey Kings leans in as he says that.

  “We are getting there.” MK answers, with a smile. He shivers, already knowing what that meant. Macaque was stalking through shadows, definitely not happy about anything that was happening now.

  “Good.” Monkey King sighs a relief. “If anything happens, tell me kid, alright? I need to go but if anything-”

  “It’s fine, Monkey King.” Monkey King nods before the connection cuts. The golden projection disappears ad it’s back to only MK and Macaque. The dynamic duo. MK turns around, finding Macaque back on the roof. His tail is swishing now, like that of an angry cat.

  Well, now it was an awkward ride.

  “Dadsy, I am going to meatball eating contest today.” MK announces as he comes in. Through the shadows, Macaque can hear it. He decides to come out of them, sitting himself in the same chair as earlier. The human, is still sitting and eating noodles without a blink to his presence.

  “Not under any circumstance.”

  “Yeaaaah, I kinda already have it planned sooo…” MK turns, as if to leave. Before he does, he however looks at him. “Don’t cause tr-… too much trouble.” smirk climbs on his face.

  “When did I do that?”

  “Dude, almost every time when we saw each other.”

  “Ouch.” with that he is off. Results of that will be interesting, especially since it was cursed contest to begin with. It was a shame MK had no clue. Well, it was not like he was not warned. That left him the human and pig demon who was… washing dishes?. The human had a weird glint of his eye, he was a scholar, he got that much from the last time. Pig demon was MK’s caretaker, how that worked, he didn’t know.

  “Soooo, I believe, introductions are the correct procedure here.” the human speaks. “Piggy you go first.” the pig demon looks angry for a moment before sighting.

  “Pigsy, MK’s guardian.” he doesn’t exchange his hand, rather, he crosses them. Macaque studies his expression. Contempt. However, he quickly irons it out into more neutral look. “As long as you don’t bring any more harm to the kid, we will be on good terms.”

  “It’s a wonder you let him hang with Wukong than.”

  “It’s not like he asks me for permission at this point.” Pigsy answers and returns to the dishes. Ooof, even Wukong had some contempt aimed at him.

  “Oooookay, Mr. Six Eared Macaque, I am Tang.” he does extend his hand but Macaque doesn’t offer his.

  “Just Macaque.” he replies. The human, Tang, drops his hand rather slowly.

  “Well, Macaque, I was wondering if you are willing to answer few answers?” he is almost laughably nervous.

  “I believe, you wanted to say ‘answer few questions’.” Pigsy chimes in. Macaque really doesn’t want to. He is quite curious though, what would a scholar want. Probably just something about his past or something. Or maybe the Journey? Whichever it was, he wouldn’t answer anyway so he let him continue.

  “Right, sorry.” taking his silence as confirmation, the human pulled out his book and pen. From a quick glance, Macaque though it was some kind of diary. Or recording? “Well, for the starters, I was wondering about your ears.” he feels his eyebrow twitch. This again.

  “For love of- He changes forms. Mei asked him that one already.” human scribbles in his book, nodding.

  “How do your powers work exactly?” two share a stare. “Alllllrighty, next one. About your origin? Were you born out of a stone egg or-” Macaque’s tail swishes a bit. “Are you impersonator of Six Eared Macaque?” Macaque almost laughs, him impersonating Macaque from the Journey? Impersonator of impersonator? His teeth bare unconsciously and the tail slams a bit harder against the chair. Tang seems finally to get the message. He shrinks on himself, as if escaping a rabid animal.

  “Calm down.” the pig demon says, strict. “As for you, he never told you he would answer so read the mood already.”

  “Uh, sorry. I just love the Journey and can’t help but-” Macaque doesn’t want to hear any of it. He is already sinking into shadows behind the chair.

  “Neither.” is what he says, before disappearing from their sight. The shadows whisper, Tang’s is quivering as if it saw the death itself. Pigy, the calm one, his shadow is the same, collected, calming to others. Shadows whisper and flow, lightly between his fingers. Calming.

  When he opens his eyes, he is on the balcony, by MK’s window. The town is buzzing with energy, loud. Today, he made some progress, regardless of days end. Daring to think, he even enjoyed the day. From the morning talk with MK to lazing about during noon. It was balancing act of being friendly and aggressive. The worst thing was that he actually liked MK as a person. He truly meant it, he was kind kid.

 His ear twitches, with a knock someone enters the room. Macaque stays by outside of window, cloaked in the shadows. The human, Tang, brought the tea.

“Um, excuse me, Mr.- Macaque.” he is shaky, as if afraid of shadows lurking about the room. “I am sorry if I offended you.” he puts it down, looking frantically around the room again. “And thank you for the answer.” it seems to take all of his willpower not to run back down. Pigsy is strict and collected. Tang is cowardly but willing to make it right. Or at least he thinks so.

  All of them are a really, really weird group of people, huh?

  When MK returns home, he finds his bed empty. Before he can panic, he looks to small balcony. Macaque seemingly snoozes there, tail rhythmically swaying over the edge of it. The answer? It’s the empty tea cup, again.

  Definitely A grade sedative.

Chapter Text

  “Morning, MK and the rest.” Macaque calls from his spot. MK can only let out inside groan, that monkey was just too much, all the time. He is only few steps from them but they haven’t even noticed him until now, too wrapped in their plight. “It looks like you’ve had a fun time yesterday.” Now that he revealed himself, most of eyes fled to him. Or from him. Mr. Tang in particular, moved one chair away, closer to the entrance. What’s his deal?

  “MK and the rest.” Mei repeats after him. There is murderous intent in those words but in response, Macaque just smirks more.

  “First of all, rude.” MK says, shaking the building with a hiccup. “Second, morning to you too. Meatballs were delicious, just so you know.”

  “Deliciously cursed, you mean?” Macaque laughs. “I warned you, kid.” Mei’s rage turns to him.

  “He warned you and we still went?”

  “Hey, in my defence, he said ‘probably’ and not ‘certainly’.” MK feels a light smack across his head. Pigsy is sighing, massaging his forehead.

  “Kid, you ought to listen to people.” he scolds. Jeez, thanks for not picking my side. “Do ya know any way to cure him of this?” Well, in a few days, he could except Macaque and Pisgy become friends, apparently. What a weird combo for friendship. Pigsy and Macaque.

  “Unfortunately, the curses I used to encounter would rather kill me than make me hiccup so-” Macaque flinches, interrupted by sudden appearance of Sandy. Even he didn’t notice Sandy by looks of things, flinching in his chair and bringing a hand up, almost in self defence.

  “When I am not feeling alright, a special brew tea perks me right up!” how did he even appears without Macaque, out of everyone present, noticing him? What, did he just warp in here or something?

  “Oh, Sandy is in this one I see.” a hiccup shatters the weird scene, again. He watches as freshly calmed Macaque gets flunked off the chair and on the floor. His expression is between bewilderment and amusement.

  “I don’t think that a few leaves are going to be of help here, Sandy!”

  “Do not underestimate the power of tea!” he reaches into his beard, pulling out a book. “Besides, not any old tea but the tea from wild Crimson Jimson. The ancient flower that is said to have power of immortality itself! In the wrong hands, deadly. In the right hands, deadlier!”

  “Woah there, big guy. That stuff is poison.” Macaque speaks up. Makes sense, who else than Macaque would know of something proficient enough to kill Monkey King’s successor.

  “Uhhh, Sandy we are not trying to kill him.” Tang affirms, thank God. “We are just trying to cure his hiccups.”

  “Cure, kill, you say potato I say potato. However, Crimson Jimson weed grow...” MK vaguely listens. Out of corner of his eye, he sees the moment Sandy started to speak of flower’s location that Macaque’s ears twitch. Aaaandd… he is gone. He dipped. Just like that. Being better apparently meant that once Macaque was better, he just choose where and when to hang. Still, why he choose to hang in the groups, instead in solidarity of the room or balcony was beyond him. A hiccup snaps him out of it.

  “- and it only glows during the Crimson Moon.”

  “That’s tonight!” MK chooses to be rather dramatic here, it is not like these coincidences just… happened. Or did they?

  “By the Gods of plot convenience! Let’s go!” aaand there goes Sandy as well.

  “Okay, bye Sandy!”

  Mei starts patting his back, that is at least comforting. Tang goes back to eating whatever hasn’t get spilled out yet and that is a miracle by itself. That is when Macaque chooses to resurface. He is back at his chair, as if he never left. Mei and or Pigsy probably didn’t even notice. Tang did, in a form of scooting away a bit. MK might be a bit bad at reading the room but that bad, he is not.

  “Did something… happen between you two yesterday?” a hiccup shakes the house. Macaque averts his eyes, looking rather at his tail. “I knew it! I shouldn’t have left you two togeth-”

  “It’s fine.” Macaque says. “Just drop the subject, kid.” MK frowns in response but doesn’t voice his concern. Picking at something Macaque obviously didn’t want to talk about would just cause another argument and that was not in his catalogue of plans for today. Well, nothing of this was really but that was besides the point.

  “Sooo, since today is the ‘plot convenience day’, should we look at that Crimson Moon?” Mei asks.

  “The Crimson Moon is unanimous with bad luck.” Tang chimes in as he is launched in the air, just a bit by MK’s hiccup.

  “It sounds pretty cool to me.” MK says.

  “Ya know what sounds pretty cool to me, kid? Me being able to finish the order and than someone delivers the said order.” in overdramatic fashion, MK point to himself.

  “I appreciate you, my dear Pigsy, but now I can only deliver myself in the stratosphere.”

  “I can take some orders, I think?” Mei offers. “In how many pieces the orders will arrive thooough…”

  “And what do we do about his hiccups until the tea arrives?” Tang asks, finally finishing his noodles. “You know, the whole city will be rouble until Sandy returns.” everyone turns their heads unanimously to Macaque who looks pretty confused by sudden inclusion in the conversation.

  “What?”

  “Do you know any safe place to store MK until Sandy comes back?” the girl asks.”Like, away from the city.” well, that phrasing. Store him away...

  “Nope.” he shrugs his shoulders. “I do have a dojo and the theathre buuut that is not exactly a safest place to be.”

  “Why not?” it’s MK’s turn to ask. He tilts his head, hiccuping and making the house jump, again. Macaque in turn, furrows his eyebrows in annoyance while his tail thumps against the chair.

  “Look, MK. If I were a demon looking for someone, I would look first at their house, capiche?”

  “Macaque is right, that wouldn’t work.” Pigsy, the voice of reason apparently, says. “How about Meis’?”

  “Please no.” is all MK says to that. SO many valuable things that could get broken… again. He would rather not dance that dance. Hiccup arises again. At that point, MK notices that Macaque started to look, for a lack of better word, a bit green around his gills. He had closed eyes and relaxed pose but his face was frowning, ears twitching. Previously, the thumping tail now turned to swishing tail. Thoroughly, it looked like he was uncomfortable. Probably, the reason why he let that emotion on his face was because he thought others were engaged with something else.

  “How about your place, Mr. Tang?”

  “My mother would certainly, kill me.” a sigh passes his mouth in coordination with Mei.

  “Well, than just stay here, I’ll deliver anything that Pigy manages to finish.” Mei shrugs, deflating in her chair as she sits.

  “I’ll just go watch TV or something.” MK moves to the stairs, hiccuping and shaking his way there.

  “That kid, all he finds is trouble.” MK turns on his axis.

  “Hey that-” before he can finish, he hiccups. By his side, Macaque just thumps on the floor. This was the second time today and third day if you counted previous day, so MK would’ve opted to laugh. However, this time Macaque stays down just a beat more, eyes closed. It is actually long enough for Mei to lean over him. The moment she does however, his eyes snap awake as if feeling the her presence.

  “You good, Macaron?” his eyes widen just for a moment, a split second.

  “Macaque?” he asks, taking one step forward. That… apparently is a step too much because his fur bristles a moment before he just… melts into his shadow. That was.. weird. Even for Macaque. Not to mention, he looked genuinely terrified for a moment.

  “What’s his deal?” MK can’t find words to answer.

  Macaque’s head hurts more than it hurt when he was hit by Wukong . Why did Lady Bone Demon just decided to flood it with whispers and memories all of the sudden, even though he was with others , he couldn’t quite know. Maybe, his earlier hypothesis was right and she was listening in and was apparently really not happy that he just disappeared himself when they talked about the flower. It was not even a rare flower by any means, most demons knew about it. In what world, does a demon like her not know about that proficient poison?

  “You good, Macaron?”“You good, Mac?” blends into each other and than back into his memories. It is just like vilest… smoothie. Yeah, that was good word. Macaque snickers to himself. MK was starting to rub on himor was just being with MK bringing Macaque out of what he became? That was… certainly strange thought to consider.

  Before he can muse to himself more, his ears twitch, alerting him to the window below opening. Now what would follow, was probably more caring speeches, more kind words and more concern. All of it just wasted on him. Stupid kid.

  “Macaque?” MK calls from the balcony.

  “One and only!” he calls back, leaning over the roof. “So, what brings you here?”

  “Really?” MK raises his eyebrow. He than extends his hand, revealing the fabric of his cape. “I told you we washed it. I mean, Pigsy did but you know.” Macaque takes he thing, wrapping it hurriedly around his neck. “Listen, about-”

  “Drop it, MK.” he says immediately, without much of space to object. There is hurt in kid’s eyes but he the look he has is persistent, holding it even as he hiccups.

  “Look, I know you don’t want to be buddy with me. That’s fine. I didn’t forget what you did to my friends either.” he feels his fur bristle on the edge. “I want to help you either way. So, if you need help, any help, just tell me.” Macaque weights his options. Opting for what he knew best, he snarls. The kid doesn’t withdraw, his words are completely honest. If anyone could tell so, Macaque could.

  “Sometimes, you really are too much like him.” he chooses to say, tone betraying the hurt underneath the anger.

  “That is, like, second time you told me that. And I don’t even know who you are referencing, you know?” MK jumps with a hiccup. Or the whole house does so, including but not limited to himself. His anger dips just a tinniest bit, giving a way to a chuckle.

  “Well, maybe I was wrong. You are a dense kid.” in response, MK crosses his arms. “How is even possible for a human to be as dense as this?”

  “I will take that as offence, thank you.” MK’s face, too, betrays a small smile. “Sooo, will you tell me?”

  “Care to guess, MK?” fur no longer bristling, tail just lightly swishing in curiosity, he asks. He really wandered, was the kid just so dense or he had some clue but masterfully hid it. What are you exactly, MK?

  “If I had to guess, since you have only history with Monkey King, I would guesss it’s Demon Bull King?” a beat passes. For a moment, Macaque can’t tell if MK is so stupid or if he is joking. “Alrighty, alrighty, it’s Monkey King, right?”

  “Bingo!” he mock- claps. “Sometimes, you are just like Wukong.”

  “I kinda doubt that, Monkey King-”

  “Was reckless, impulsive, deaf to room, impatient and annoyingly persistent. See? You fit each other.”

 “First of all, ouch. Second, do you fit in any of that, Macaque? Since you know so much about him.” in response, a hum leaves his mouth. Feeling his tail swish just a tinniest bit more, Macaque braces for another hiccup. Which, it sure does come. And it does make them both jump. The kid is holding himself to the railing, looking thoroughly done with everything. “Well?” he asks, as he straightens up. Hurt crawled back up but Macaque shoved it back down into his throat, into his shadows, somewhere where it wouldn’t touch him again.

  “Oh poor Macaque, he belongs nowhere, does he not?” the voice of the witch whispers into his head.

  “Not by MK’s side… Not by his friend’ s side… certainly, not by Monkey King’s side.” the thumping echoes.

  “But by my side? You are my champion, Macaque.” he shakes his head to clear his thoughts. It does nothing to ease the whispers that just wouldn’t quiet down. He feels his fur bristle again, as if reacting to cold that comes of her words. MK was standing, for once patiently, waiting the answer. Come on, Macaque, answer to the kid..

  “Maybe you should ask your mentor about that.”

  “But I am asking you, not the Monkey King.” his eyebrow twitches with raising feeling of annoyance. Persistent, huh? “I know the whole Hero and the Warrior thing but what exactly you fitted into?” he muses out loud. “Were you Monkey King’s friend?” A friend, huh? That’s a funny word to call him. Wukong’s friend no less. Before Wukong ever saw anything but his heroic journey, yes, they might’ve been friends. So yes, maybe once, years ago, they were friends. Answering that was tricky though, because after that followed the question of fallout. That was something, Macaque was certain, he wasn’t touching with ten foot pole.

  “Who knows kid?” he puts on his best smile. “Continue like this and you will be Goro Akechi in no time.”

  “You mean Sherlock Holmes, right?”

  “So, that is what kids are into right now?” he says, faking enthusiasm to a t.

  “You are just avoiding my questions.” MK crosses his arms again. It’s so akin to pouting infant, Macaque almost laughs. With a shrug, Macaque sinks into the calming sea of shadows before re-emerging in MK’s own shadow.

  “Nope.” and with that, he concludes their conversation by sinking into shadows again. He can see MK’s shadow, confused thing, turn around and towards him. Macaque’s ears are sharp enough to follow the movement the shadow made. It opens his mouth and closes, almost as if using astral projection but not quite- The message the shadow told was clear. The feeling the message brought was a just a smoothie. Peachy.

  “You are just like Monkey King.”

  By time that Macaque decides to actually dive out of his shadowy tomb, the red moon is already colouring the city. He can definitely hear M K ’s hiccups below as well as words of awe he holds towards the event. Mei and Pigsy too, below by the entrance. Tang inside because apparently, moon was going to give him bad luck? The event isn’t even that rare, like once few years or so- Or… Was it because he was immortal and all the time he perceived was corrupted a long time ago? Well, whatever.

  Macaque sits on the roof, looking at the Crimson Moom, his tail lightly tapping the surface.

  “Mac!”

  “Ooo what honour I have to watch the Crimson Moon with you, o’ Great Sage Equal To Heaven?” he can almost feel Wukong’s weight press against his back as he leans onto him, away from the moon. “Or was it that you tried to poison yourself with Crimson Jimson again?”

  “Oh, stop it Mac. It happened once. Besides, I heard it makes a great tea, you know?”

  “Well, it was probably to die for.” Wukong’s laugh echoes in his ears, even if there is no source.

  “Good thing I am immortal than.” he snickers, leaning further, giving more weight to his back.

  “Completely normally, by all accountable means.”

  “What a smart-ass you became.” Macaque remembers the tone he had, it was as light a breeze. “I wonder how many time we will watch this moon together.”

  “Well since we are both immortal, I would say endlessly. Or not. Since you screwed it up now, you know.” the weight lifts, as Wukong positions himself in front of his eyes. The mirage leans into him, hands on hips.

  “Oh come on Mac, asking a rhetorical question won’t undue years of knowing you.” he remembers, Wukong said it with so much offence, it made him laugh. “Hey!”

  “Woah, there! Personal space Great Sage.” Wukong only leaned closer into his face. “What? That is title you want, right?”

  “Well I would prefer if you didn’t call me by it.” he distinctly remembers Wukong cross his arms, pouting like an infant.

  “So, that ego of yours has limits?” he snickered. “Fine, what do you want me to call you than?”

  “It’s unnerving seeing you call me that.” Wukong finally straightens up, bathing Macaque in full glow of his image. “You should call me the same like you did before.” at some point, under all that light, all that anger that Wukong’s constant growth of ego bred was forgotten. Vividly, he thought, that he could stay in the Wukong’s shadow for about forever, as long as he felt joy looking at his face.

  “My dearest bri-” he couldn’t finish the joke before Wukong smacked him on the head at the time. Later, by the bruise, he would find out he actually used his weapon, the madman. He was laughing though, so strong that the celestial realm must’ve heard it. He remembers laughing too, Wukong’s laughter was infectious after all.

  T he memories fade with the moon’s red glow. That laughter that echoed turns and blends, into nothing. Well, not exactly nothing. It echoes through laughter of the people below. It continues long past the memory, into the wind.

  “You done being a lone wolf?!” his ears twitch. Switching his eyes from the moon, he finds MK standing there, casually causing another earthquake. The cars jump, the people jump, alarms go off-

  “Do you want tea, Macaron!?” the girl yells, from his side.

  “You two do realise I can hear perfectly without yelling, right?” he finds himself asking.

  “What!?” two yell in union, leaning with their hand besides their ears.

  “I said-” he cuts himself off, turning into their own shadow, appearing behind them. “I can hear you perfectly.” the girl flinches a good step away. MK doesn’t, he just turns with a face of cat that stole the milk and got away with it. So, he finally got it, huh? He did have a knack that MK could feel when he was in his shadow earlier but this was probably, the confirmation they both needed. After all he was fastest learner, next to Wukong, Macaque ever witnessed.

  Macaque smirks and puts his hands in the air.

  “You caught me kid.” MK made the face, that must’ve been the proudest face he ever saw anyone make.

  By the time the rein of hiccups came to an end, it was morning. The poisonous tea was, as it turns out, not that poisonous. It was rather tasty, MK had to admit. It would be even tastier if he didn’t get nailed into the head by one of cups but hey, he did kinda ask for it sooo… Now everyone was discussing what Spider Queen needed the Jimson for. Which while inherently wasn’t a bad theme, it was super boring. He almost envied Macaque, guy was sleeping in his chair, hands crossed, tail lightly swishing, leaning on the chair. Than again, that will be on really painful neck later.

  “See, Sandy? He likes your tea.” he points at Macaque.

  “I am glad to hear that!” Sandy nods to it. “Maybe he would enjoy this tea as well!” MK looks at the lone cup. Well, no harm in doing it. He takes it and practically shoves it under monkey’s nose. The other’s face scrunches up. In his sleep, he waves his tail to the cup, pushing it away. Huh. He didn’t know monkeys could do that in their sleep. Well, it was probably like having an extra hand to swat stuff away.

  MK hears something low over the voices of his friends. A mumble. A grumble? Something. And it comes from Macaque of all people, sleep talking. He leans in a bit, because he is curious, of course.

  “Stop trying to poison me, Peaches-” is what he hears. A beat passes. Peaches?

  First, who?

  S econd, he will get a lot of mileage out of that one.

Chapter Text

  That day, Macaque hovers around MK, mostly. The kid does deliveries and Macaque stays on the roof of the car, enjoying the ride on the warm sunlight. All the buzzing drives away most of whispering and he gets to be out of a house. A win and a win. The con to all that however, was that his ears started to hurt. Well, they hurt previously as well, mostly from the whispering. Now they, like, double hurt. Which was also, a reason why he didn’t like to stay in the city for prolonged amount of time.

  “Hey, Macaque?!” lazily, Macaque stretches and opens his eyes. The sky is still moving which meant they were still driving which meant-

  “Keep your eyes on the road, MK.”

  “They are on the road.” grumbles the voice from below. “Would you help me with something later? If you feel like it? By the way, how are you feeling anyway?” Macaque groans, covering his ears for a moment.

  “Ask one of your friends.” he says, rolling onto his side.

  “Oh, come on! I want it to be a surprise or… something?” he sounds, genuinely confused. “You still didn’t answer me how you feel, you know.”

  “Peachy.” which while true, it isn’t completely true either. His leg still dully throbs when he stands, thumping with beat of of his heart. The wound which by all accounts, should be gone by now, continues to be an open nuisance. It refuses to heal, stubbornly closing just the tinniest amount, bit by bit. Damned witch.

  “Ooo, that reminds me! Who is ‘Peaches’?” he bolts up, ears twitching. Did he hear MK correctly? “You mumbled in you sleep, you know? And while I do expect a handsome amount of whatever you offer to not tell anyone about it, I am a very curious boy.”

  “Curiosity killed the monkey, kid.” Peaches…

  “You really have to read up on those proverbs.” MK chuckles in response. “Or maybe that was just a nicer way to say that you will kill me, in which case, dully noted.”

  “You should call me the same like you did before.” Wukong’s voice echoes in his head.

  “Traitor!” it calls again from whispers, temple hurting with dull pain. He was really, really tired of her already.

  “Earthhh to Macaque!” MK repeats, Macaque figures, for about fourth time. “Man, did I send you into a coma or something?” he mumbles.

  “You wish kid.” he answers finally, massaging his temple. “What do you need help with?” somewhere in his head, him going along with MK’s request must be what he wanted in exchange to keep quiet. Although, even without that, he would probably go with MK since he was actually interested what he needed specificity from him help with.

  “I’ll tell you when we get there.” Macaque can only groan in response. “That after abouuut, forty four more orders. Give or take.”

  Vaguely, Macaque finds himself counting the amount of people MK visited. For not driving like a maniac, the kid is pretty fast. Or maybe he doesn’t drive like a maniac because he is on the roof? If that was the case, thanks MK. Finally, they pull over at Pigsy’s Noodles. That would be… forty-forth?

  “Come on Macaque!” he calls as he uses the car as a platform to reach the roof. Barely opening an eye, he feels his lips form a smile as he sinks into the shadows. Once he is at the roof, he exits.

  “So, MK what do you need me-” he stops as he sees MK pat the spot next to him. Kid was already munching on one of noodle portions by himself. The other alongside with chopsticks was besides him. “Seriously?” he finds himself asking but his words lack the usual tease.

  “You didn’t eat since you came here, so I figured, I would get you to eat something!” the kid cheers, mouth fool of noodles, brain spaghetti. “And, I do have something after that, that I need help with. So don’t go all shadowy on me.” a chuckle passes Macaque’s mouth.

  “You really are a weird kid.” he takes the spot, sitting next to MK. Smelling first, because how else are you going to judge whatever rubbish Wukong managed to cook, he found the aroma pleasant. After that, he found himself confident enough to try, but first, he paused. “How do I know it’s not poisoned?”

  “Macaron, I have only so much patience.” is the swift answer he gets. In response, he laughs.

  “Just kidding MK. I can tell by smell it’s not poisoned.”

  “Well, why were you picky about the tea then?”

  “To mess with you, obviously.” satisfied with MK’s sigh, Macaque digs in. The taste is spicy, leaning a bit on the sweet. Tasty, fresh and homey. Weird thought for something he would never taste back home but hey, he will take it. By the time he is on the half of the bowl, MK is already done with his, because he is savage. Compared to Macaque who was definitely peak of manners. Sure. He sure did, however, enjoy the silence.

  “Ah, that was good.” MK stretches next to him. “I take yours is good as well, Macaque?”

  “Compliments to the chef.”in response, Macaque smirks. As he finishes, he stretches as well. “So, what did you need me for?”

  “Well, I wanted to learn 72 transformations. And since you can shape shift, I figured, you must know something about that.” his eyebrow goes up. Multitude of Earthy Fiends or more commonly, 72 Transformations. Theoretically the skill was similar to his shapeshifting, sure. But in practice? Completely a different beast.

  “You know kid, our powers don’t really work the same way. You saw that during the brief scholarship under me, right?” MK crosses his arms in thought, or seemingly thought. Whatever went on in that noodle brain of his.

  “Yeah, but you can still shape shift. There must be something in common?” now it’s his turn to sigh.

  “Look, I use shadows to turn my form into a tiger. Wukong uses himself to turn himself into a tiger. It’s fundamentally, completely different.”  

  “Like, by merging shadows you can change your shape? Just like you can fix your look? Did I get that right?”

  “Bingo!”

  “And if I wanted Monkey King’s way, I would need to use my body.”

  “Yep. To be honest with you kid, you should ask Wukong about this.” Macaque shrugs. “Or don’t you want to bother him with his vacation?” MK seemingly, ignores his jab, still deep in thought. In turn, Macaque feels his tail swish. If the kid only asked him because his mentor was not available, he was going to clobber him with his staff.

  “You must’ve learned it from Monkey King though?” Macaque’s ears twitch. Well…

  “I didn’t. I overheard the teaching he did with Master Subodhi. You know what they say, no secret is safe with six ears present.”

  “The great Master Sudobhi? You were there!?”

  “I was always there, kid.” he watches as kid has, for a lack of better word, a mental breakdown.

  “I knew you and Monkey King went back far but that far-”

  “Surprised?” his tail swishes lightly before he chuckles. “I copied the technique to suite my powers. Otherwise, I’ve got no clue what it is about.”

  “Can you show me?” suddenly, MK is in his face. He can’t really determine what kid will get from this, since their skillets are that much different. In the same vein he couldn’t do much, transformation with a wound was dangerous and risk bleeding. Than again, if he told him that, MK was going to know he was still unwell. The thing about him and regrettably Wukong was, they hated showing weakness. So while it was okay to show some on day one or two now it was completely different dance, at least in his head. He summons the shadows, they wrap around his form, twisting it and his leg throbs- Unexpectedly, the transformation is broken. MK is holding his shoulders, forcing him to look at him. “First rule of shapeshifting, don’t shape shift with an injury.” those words barely touch his ears over the fact that MK is actually grabbing his shoulders.

  “What?” makes it past his lips as MK shakes him a bit before letting go. The sudden shift in balance makes him tumble just the tinniest bit, prompting a hiss and a swish of the tail when he leans heavily on his leg.

  “You should remember your own teachings, Macaron.” now he got it, MK actually was just looking to see if he was alright to shape shift. That all though, just echoes by surface of his brain, because he can still feel arms on his shoulders. Nobody but Wukong touched him for… centuries? It brought goosebumps to his skin, making his fur bristle. “Woah, you okay there? I didn’t shake you that much right?”

  “Peachy.” MK grumbles, hand slapping his forehead a bit.

  “First of all, you told me that, like, half an hour ago. Second, I had a sneaking suspicion you weren’t telling me everything.” he crosses his arms. “Although I did forget you were injured for a moment, sorry about that.” sheepishly, he scratches back of his head. “Seriously though, shouldn’t your leg be healed by now?” he leans forward, as if expecting to see something besides his pants.

  “So, if you need help, any help, tell me.” unfortunately for both of them, he was too headstrong to ask for anything. Especially from someone who, in the end, will hate him anyway.

  “It is healed, just tender.” he answers, low even for his own ears, goosebumps finally calming down. “Well, if that is all kid-” sinking, he teleports just a bit further so he can lean on the wall. He sits by the said wall, throwing his hands back. His fur crawls. Is it from insistent whispers or from the warmth MK offered? Both? “Friendly advice or rule number two if you will, never loose sight of your original form!” he shouts to MK, who is currently sitting cross- legged on the roof.

  “What does that even mean!?” Macaque only shrugs in answer before closing his eyes and kicking back. He would figure it out, Macaque knew that. It was just a matter of time he would do so. In meantime, Macaque could keep watch. Or by keeping watch, he meant thinking something in lines of:“I got attached.”. To MK. To banter with his friends. To jokes. To everything he would betray in few days. Disgusting. That was probably what she aimed at, just a cherry on the cake. Macaque gets attached, has to betray everything and is left alone again. Strike and it’s a wrap! Than he and Wukong can settle their differences once and for all. And whatever left of them is just scattered on the destroyed Earth that Sun and Moon were supposed to protect. It’s so poetic that Macaque chuckles. He, after all knows, death is anything but- It’s fast and drowning, with no room left for poetry.

  His ears twitch with MK’s sound of frustration.

  “He will get there in no time.”

  Time passes by quickly and by the time MK’s cheers reach his ears, it’s definitely nigh time. And definitely, there is something slithering around the streets. “The spiders?”

  “I did it Macaque! I did it!” opening one of his eyes, Macaque sits up. MK is in front of him, eyes bright as if he solved the eight mystery of the world. “Oh man, I can’t wait for everyone to show so I can show you all!” he turns, pulling his phone out to probably text others in… 3 am? Oh boy. In any case, Macaque chooses to get up, thumping MK with about quarter of his strength on the back. Said kid still gets his air knocked out.

  “Good job, kid.”

  “Okay, okay, are you ready?” he says, positioning himself in front of everyone. In front of definitely dead Pigsy, half asleep Sandy, probably dead Mei, overly excited Tang and surprisingly, alive Macaque. Said monkey was just sitting there, tail wagging left to right which was probably because he was only one who didn’t need to sleep and- ah whatever! “This new, super-cool transformation will blow your minds! Behold, the power of 72 transformations!” with a flash of a gold and gasps of crowd, he realizes his transformation. “Tada! It still needs some work but-” he is cut off by what is distinctly, Macaque’s laugh.

  “Ooh, it’s so cute! Aren’t you little pup!?” Mei is already by his side, patting the dog-hand.

  “More of a… medical emergency.” Pigsy says as Macaque rolls with laugher.

  “No, he is cute!” the dogs continues to lick him. “Okay maybe a bit gross. Definitely gross.”

  “Well, kid, gotta hand it to you, that is pretty slick for a first transformation.” Macaque manages to tell him.

  “Oh, shut it you-!”

  “MK, are ya hiding your other hand?” Pigsy asks.

  “Well, no, I mean yes- Ah, just be aware that fifty percent of my job is cleaning.” the other hand he shows them is- a mop. The group, in synchronicity, throws up. Everyone but Macaque who breaks into laugher again. “Well there are some kinks but- Isn’t it cool? Plus, the mop is really handy for cleaning up after this little guy! This is a good day!”

  “Oof, you might want to train a bit more.” Tang says.

  “Train to make more fluffy hands!” the dog-hand starts to bark, suddenly. As it drags him to edge of roof, so does the Macaque’s laugh stop. The spiders were taking Pigsy’s sign. Why? Why must it be spiders?

  “When will the season of spiders be oveer!” and off the dog-hand goes, face first into the road with him. “Why do I have to always land on my face?” he mumbles, peaking out of the rouble. There! The spiders took Pigsy’s sign to sewers! “You are not going to take Pigsy’s sign!” without the second thought, he turns small and dives after the assailants.

  He falls. Down and down and- this might’ve not been such a good idea- he lands on the pipe, just over the giant… waste pile? A shiver passes him.

  “Macaque?” he asks, as quietly as he can. He doesn’t know if the robot things can hear but Macaque sure can hear it. For a beat or two, there is silence.

  “You shouldn’t be here, kid.” comes the answer from his own shadow. “We shouldn’t be here.”

  “What, are you afraid of Spider Queen of all things, Mr. Mango?” he didn’t know when Mei’s way of calling Macaque whatever started with “M” passed on him but hey, it worked.

  “There are worst things in sewers than spiders, MK.” the tone he uses is ominous and Mk knows what he implies with it. Her. In that moment, Spider Queen and her goons appear out of the pipe. So that-

  “They are going to rebuild the mech.” he whispers to nobody in particular. “Macaque, we can’t let them take over the city again.” he can almost see Macaque’s annoyed look. “We are going to sneak in undetected, destroy the mech and take Pigsy’s Noodle sign.”

  “There is no way we can do that while the spiders are present. One of us needs to be a decoy.” he can almost hear him smirk. “Or, we could always spare them the trouble of appearing ever again.”

  “Macaque-”

  “I know, I know. Hero stuff.” his shadow separates. “See ya later, kid.” with that, Macaque takes form on the floor. “My, we have quite the infestation here.” the four spiders turn their attention to him.

  “Who are you!?”

  “Monkey King-” the Queen starts but gets cut off by Macaque.

  “Yeah, I get that a lot.” he smirks. “Unfortunately for you, I am not Wukong.”with a snap of fingers, small explosions are heard around the cave. Oh. The clones are destroying small robots.

  “What are you-”

  “Crashing the party, my Queen.” he mock-bows.

  “Get him!” the Queen orders but Macaque only chuckles.

  “Come and get me.” he disappears into the shadow of the floor and into the pipe. The spiders are confused only for a moment but they follow, even the Queen. Man, Macaque was really good at pissing everybody off, huh? Well, onto the plan. First step, getting down.

  Macaque leans onto the wall, panting. Now that he was actually down here, the whispering increased tenfold. It felt like somebody was repeatedly stabbing his brain with a needle, wedging it there. Pretending to be fine in front of MK was the last straw because even he had limits. And that limit was broken when upon entering the tunnels came a distinct whisper of:

  “Separate them for picking, my Champion.” she was definitely aware of him being there. Therefore he made more of his clones, three to be precise, to lead the spiders in separate ways for what he presumed, would be Major. All that evading of killing them hen they would die anyway, as food to Lady Bone Demon. Spider Queen herself was haunting him but at some point, she broke off the chase. Which left him here, in one of the tunnels, clutching at his head while he vaguely wondered, would death be better?

  His tail leashes out, thumping at the hollow wall. If he could just focus on anything else than- a loud crash.

  “Good job, MK.” he thinks. However, there is more sounds and- So that’s where she went. Macaque tips, head first into his own portal. The shadows aren’t calming any more. They wither and gasp underneath, pulling him down. Luckily, his objective is far too clear for him to allow to be drowned by them. He re-enters the fay, wielding his own staff and pushing off the Queen’s appanage of MK. Kid falls with a gasp on the ground as he stands between them. Given that his head threatens to explode any moment, the easiest solution would be to kill her right now before he keels himself.

  With every intention to do so, Macaque takes a step, only to be stopped by MK’s hand to his shoulder.

  “Wait! She was making it to beat her, The Lady Bone Demon!” Macaque freezes in his tracks.

  “What?” leaves his mouth with no consent of his own. Sweat beads his forehead as if he spent a thunderstorm outside of his own home.

  “I was thinking, maybe we could team up and-”

  “Me, teaming up with you! Hah! I am born to rule this world!” she cackles, raising one of her appendages. “Not even some Ancient Bone Demon will stop me!” it’s almost like slow motion, Macaque thinks. His body refuses to move or work, magic heeding no call, legs spaghetti and- it stops mid air, a giant hand holding it.

  “Ah yeah! Finally, something I can use!” an ape. He finally did it. Good job, kid. He hurls the Queen away, following up with what might be a final blow- only to stop.

  “I was- I would’ve been a good Queen.” his ears twitch, dispelling the weapon. To be honest with himself, he could barely keep his glamour on as he stumbled his way to MK.

  “Now that is definitely a lie. You were a queen for one day and it was bah, just awful. Blah.” in response, the Queen snorts.

  “I was just a pawn in the game, like you.” MK sighs, dispelling his transformation. To show a mercy like that… Out of corner of his eye, Macaque notices Pigsy’s Noodle’s sign. Stupid thing that got them into this mess. With a quick movement of his tail, he fishes it to his hands because, judging by ever so increasing pain, that thing and the kid will need to leave in a minute at most.

  “It’s not too late, you can run.”

  “Haven’t you figured it out already? There is no running from what she is!” an increase in volume, hand going to his ear, gripping it. An explosion. From dust and ashes, her body emerges. Macaque through all of it feels his tail swish, ears pulling back in a grimace.

  “The Spider Queen is right, destiny always catches up.” The Queen is saying something but he can’t hear that over the drum in his own eardrums. MK is stumbling as well, hands over his ears. So, she affected him as well? Peachy.

  “Boy, run!” the fool of the Queen jumps into fray. He takes this as his cue too, creating a shadow portal behind MK.

  “Macaque-” before he can say anything else, he shoves the stupid sign in his arms and pushes him in. The look kid’s face holds is unreadable. Several emotions flash across his eyes but hurt is the most striking. His hand is outstretched towards him as he falls. However, Macaque only turns, his eyes towards Lady Bone Demon.

  “Sorry, kid.” right about now, he would love to just go with MK but- a chain is wrapped tightly around his injured leg tying him to floor. He watches as energy engulfs Spider Queen but she doesn’t kill her, she freezes her to the spot. With the thump, the sculpture falls, eyes of the Queen still moving underneath it. Macaque’s blood freezes. That.. was probably what was going to happen to him? More chains bid him, pulling him to ground. His instincts take over and he pulls at them, only to be stopped by what was probably equivalent to getting his by a Wukong’s staff to the head. He groans, folding on himself.

  “You did good, my Champion.” she whispers, now only few hairs in front of him. “Do you enjoy the gift I gave you? Oh, you must be enjoying it.” somehow, somewhere, he finds the snark to be defiant.

  “If you are talking about the Bone Radio, I am not that big of a fan.” she only chuckles in response.

  “My dear Mac, you are doing so well.” it echoes to his head like sun. “Be ready, the promised day will arrive sooner than you think. I know you won’t betray me, will you?” Macaque snarls in response, at the voice she used. As he glares, in front of his eyes, shade of Wukong stays, eyes glowing blue. “Right, Liu’er mihou?” with the last letter, the whole scene disappears into puff of smoke. There is no Spider Queen or Lady Bone Demon or Wukong or anything. Even the whispers calmed to something more manageable.

  Macaque doesn’t do anything but list on his side, taking solace in the fact, that his breath is the only thing that is echoing.

  To say MK was nervous, was understatement. He paced back and forth in the lobby.

  “Come on MK, you know he comes and goes now.” Tang speaks, as if to quell the nervousness.

  “Yeah, Macaron will be fineee…” Mei ads.

  He knows that Macaque is strong, he really does. However, the look on his face he held when he pushed him just… irked him the wrong way. Even without that, he covered for Macaque and himself, the others didn’t know anything about Spider Queen or Lady Bone Demon. Courtesy of him. He just asked for a training spot which, would be the best to get ready for Lady Bone Demon. All of that was null however, if Macaque died in sewers.

  He couldn’t be a viable successor to Monkey King.

  He couldn’t save Macaque.

  He couldn’t do anything-

  A thump and- Macaque is in his chair. Before any other thought, he scans the monkey. He looks pristine, almost as if nothing was wrong and he didn’t MIA for hours. Said monkey cracks one of his eyes open, smirking in what seemed to be delight.

  “Macaron!”

  “Where have ya been?” Pigsy is the one to break the ice.

  “Doing the monkey things, scheming and such.” answering, Macaque leans forward. “What about you?”

  “See? No worries, MK.” Tang affirms.

  “We were discussing where we would be training and such.” Mei answers.

  “Oh? For what?” he tilts his head, like a mischievous cat.

  “For the next challenge!” Sandy is the one to cut in this time. MK refuses to break the eye contact with him. Those eyes, slanted from smirking are accusing him. He knows it. Macaque can tell he didn’t say a word to them. He knows Macaque is not telling them truth about him either. It’s a really really awkward stare off neither are willing to break.

  “Can I talk with you for a minute?” not looking behind to see if Macaque follows, MK goes upstairs. For a moment, he is alone. Than, a chill crawls up his spine and he knows he is no longer alone, whatever it seemed like. “What happened there? I thought you-”

  “Died?” the voice echoes. It has a crawling quality, giving him goosebumps. “I am pretty alive, kid.” he steps out behind him, presumably from his shadow.

  “Then what happened? Where were you?”

  “Hiding from her. If anything you should be thanking me for being a distraction.” he scoffs and MK turns to him, finally seeing his true look. His clothes are torn and battered. The complexion he just got back a day ago, turned to pale again. And he really was a monkey if anybody told him that Macaque was putting any weight on his injured leg.

  “Macaque, sit down or Monkey King help me-” he pushes the chair to him, in what feels like a worst case deja vu. The said monkey obeys but crosses his arms. MK rummages through his room, looking for what was left of bandages and disinfectant. When he finds the said things, he dumps them next to Macaque before moving to untie the dirty bandage. Underneath it is, thankfully, clean injury. What is not good is that, the thing wasn’t even close to closing. Like at all. It was smaller but at the same time, it was just a tiny bit of progress. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he says, almost under the breath.

  “What? That little thing? It’s miles better than before.”

  “That’s not the point Macaque!” his voice raises just octave more. In the same time, Macaque winces but MK is not sure if he is reacting to the sound or him re-wrapping the bandage. “You are hurt and you hid it-”

  “I really am not in mood for a lecture, kid.” he hears the snarl in his voice. Followed by a swish of tail and bristle of the fur. “Besides, if anyone needs a lecture it’s you.” he faces Macaque. There is true anger to his face, no overdramatic smirks or teases. “They should know, MK.” MK in response, shakes his head.

  “I am Monkey King’s successor. It is my duty to deal with her.”

  “Given how often you are with them, I hate to break it to you kid, they are probably going to get involved either way.”

  “Monkey King would’ve-”

  “To Underworld with Wukong!” Macaque gets up, seemingly too fast because he stumbles just a step back. “You are MK, not Wukong!” for a moment, he thinks he sees six ears, three on every side of the head and one glowing eye but it disappears as fast as he blinks. The tense silence stretches. He knows, Macaque was right, there was no doubt with that. They could get prepared better and work on the strategy and- “Look kid, to be his successor, you don’t need to be him. You need to realise that.” MK takes a deep breath, Macaque doesn’t seem angry any more. His ears are drawn back but he looks only tired.

  “The problem is, I don’t know how to do that.”

  “Fine.” he finds himself saying. “I’ll tell them tomorrow, alright?” Macaque nods, flopping back into the chair.

  “You won’t be a failure for telling them.”

  “Funny enough, you are quite a good teacher that doesn’t follow any of his teachings, Macaque.”

  “Well, you are a good kid that follows all the wrong teachings.” the way Macaque crosses his arms makes him look like pouting child. He almost laughs, opting to just chuckle instead.

  “What about you? You were unwell the moment you returned from distraction. I was one that had to defend you.” he studies Macaque’s expression but other stays seemingly neutral. “Was she the one that originally attacked you then? You didn’t give me the answer to that one either.”

  “You guessed it, kid.” unexpectedly, Macaque answers with a shrug of shoulders. “She cornered me and gave me, well, that.” he lifts his leg just a bit to emphasize the point. “It’s her magic that’s probably keeping it from healing properly.”

  “That’s probably… pretty bad.”

  “Tell me about it.” Macaque gives him a small smirk. All the tension from the air drains, turning back to rather comfortable banter.

  “Would it… be too early to ask you to join forces?” MK scratches back of his head. “I mean, I know it backfired already today and we just had a fight but-”

  “That a fight? MK, you know nothing of how two celestial beings fight.” he chuckles a bit before continuing: “Sorry kid, I prefer to work alone.”

  “Batcaque.”

  “Dude, I’ll show you how fight between celestial beings looks like if you don’t stop with the nicknames.” in turn MK laughs because as soon as that sentence ends-

  “Mac n’ Cheese, do you want tea!?” comes from downstairs, prompting Macaque’s tail to nearly break the chair.

  “Yep, everything will be alright.”

Chapter Text

  Macaque knows how it feels like to be watched. Well, being watched in understatement. It’s more of being kept an eye on . And surprisingly, it’s not even Lady Bone Demon. T he obvious plotwist is , MK. The kid’s persistency was definitely unmatched. From their little “fight” of yesterday to today, he would cast glances at him as if he didn’t notice. Which was funny, really, as he was always more attentive than Wukong and thus, noticed the attention immediately. After all, he liked attention. Wukong? Not that much. At least not that kind of it.

  Although, it felt a tad weird for someone to be this attentive when he didn’t receive that attention for at least centuries. The one he did have now, as a bonus, was corrupted by him lying to the poor kid. Distraction? How would he even distract her? By provoking her until she snapped and killed him?

  He really hated to lie to the kid, so he tried to counterbalance it by telling him the truth about the injury. That itself was the cat in the box. Trying to actually get in some truth so he wouldn’t feel so awful about lying to him. He lied as easily as he breathed, even his appearance for most of the time was well crafted lie- So to actually care about lying? First news to him. They really got that deep under my fur, huh?

  And the kid, a bag of self doubt himself. Mirroring Wukong so perfectly that he repeated all of his mistakes. The lone caring protector that at the end would push everyone away, leaving them. A Hero. His face scrunches up unwillingly, tail swishing back and forth. Wukong… was still in celestial realm? Was he even aware how much time passed in earthly realm?

  With a sigh, Macaque choses to focus on something else, mainly the commotion downstairs. They were packing up for the training session they planned to partake in for a few days. This time, instead of the city, desert was chosen as if that would help “Property Damage is my middle name” MK. H owever, he listened for MK to announce the true intention of the excursion. If they could come up with some plan, maybe they could delay Lady Bone Demon and him until Wukong showed up. Wukong certainly was enough to take her out of the vessel but what than? It’s not like she can be sealed again. She will just continue the cycle, using a new host as old one burns up. Would she try to take over him? Or Wukong? MK? At least, knowing the enemy, would bring up their survival rates up and ease the burden of MK at the same time. T hey only could know only for about half the threat since he couldn’t really reveal himself. Or maybe-

  “Guys, I have something to talk about.” Macaque’s ear twitches. With a fluid movement, he sinks to the floor below, right in his chair. MK I standing in front of everyone, his wacky friends, perhaps feeling his seriousness staying quiet. “I- I didn't tell you but- There is this one demon, Lady Bone Demon. She is the strongest demon we ever faced. She was to one that managed to take over Demon Bull King and harm Macaque. I wanted to train so I could take her on.” he finishes, looking for reaction from his friends. Pigsy is one to break the stalemate.

  “Why didn’t ya tell us sooner, kid?”

  “I thought, if I kept it a secret, I could protect you easier. But-” he is stopped by Pigsy’s hand on his shoulder.

  “Kid, we are here for ya. You know that right?” Macaque swears he can see tears glint in MK’s eyes. The first one to jump on him is Mei of course. After that, well, a group hug was in order. Pigsy followed by Tang and finally Sandy who just hugged all of them at once. Macaque felt a smirk form on his face.

  “Thanks, guys.” with a sniff from MK, they separated.

  “Let’s train so we can kick Lady Bone Demon’s butt!” Mei announces, pumping her fist into the air. They step towards sun outside. MK pauses then, turning towards Macaque. The expression he had was the one of happiness with a tiny drop of gratitude. It is an honest expression Macaque can’t find the fault in.

  “You coming with?” MK asks, a bit hopeful, if judging by his tone. Ah, I did tell him I work alone, didn’t I?

  “I still need protection, MK.” with that, he sees kid’s next move from a mile away. Which is why, he sinks into the floor, right about the moment he was to make contact with MK, causing him to stumble onto his face. He appears a meter farther, moving towards the exit, ignoring the stinging in his leg.

  “Hey!” the kid says, sounding fairly offended that he avoided a deadly hug. Macaque only smiles to himself, before turning around and crossing his arms.

  “You going or what, kid?” MK sighs, clear as a day to his ears. He passes next to Macaque, setting into the sunlight. For a moment though, in the shadows where he fell, Macaque thought he saw Wukong, eyes blue and staring. However, his prowess was hearing, not seeing and apparition dissipated within seconds. This was second time this happened and two times, for someone like him is far too much to be coincidence. Was Wukong Lady Bone’s target? Or was it MK?

  “Are you going or what?” he finds himself looking at MK and the gang, waiting for him.

  “Come on Macaron!” with a click of the tongue, Macaque chuckles.

  “I can just teleport there, you know?” his tail swishes but this time, there is absolutely no anger backing it up.

  “Maaac, come onnnn!”

  “I can just teleport there, you know?”

  “Oh, don’t be an ass, Macaque!”

  “How is that even- Wukong!”

  MK kicks back on the Dronecopter, looking at the scenery. In a few minutes they would be in desert where MK hoped he wouldn’t miraculously still raze the city. The newfound lightness after telling his friends was almost cathartic. Nobody rejected him. Nobody hated him. Nobody thought of him as inadequate. Besides, maybe, Monkey King? After all he might be searching for new successor right now. Or whatever. Whatever.

  MK shook his head. Once Monkey King was back he had to settle it with him as well. And maybe he needed to try and help smooth over what Monkey King and Macaque had a conflict over. After all, Macaque helped him and MK wanted to help him too in return. Speaking of which, the theatre monkey was currently leaned on the railing, in the sun. His tail lightly thumped on the hull in a way it reminded him of the cat that lazed around on the sun. Macaque probably was more of a cat than monkey, now that he thought about it. The hearing, the tail thumping, the growls that made a way in his tone when he was angry, it all made sense.

  By the miracle as if Macaque heard him, given away by twitch of the ear, he opens his left eye lazily looking at him. His tail in sync, swishes lightly, eyebrow rising. MK shrugs in response, only for said monkey to crack a smile and close his eye again. He looked quite a bit better than yesterday, complexion returning to normal, not quite tired but not well rested either. Well, he couldn’t really comment wholly on his look, couldn’t he? After all, Macaque was probably disguised like hundred and ten percent of time. Well, anyway-

  They needed a plan. A plan that involved everyone’s strong suits. Macaque was not a match for Lady Bone Demon so they needed to work together. Mei could be their support, given her dragony video gamey form. Tang was a tome of knowledge for dealing with just about everything. Sandy could always operate or repair vehicles since he wouldn’t force him to fight. And Pigsy… well, he hoped Pigsy wouldn’t be involved when It happened since he was the most civilian out of all of them. Maybe he could play ping-pong with her? Maybe? Nevertheless, farther from city they were when it happened, the better. However,it’s not like he wanted to be ambushed while training, they weren’t nearly as ready as they could be. Heck, if Monkey King came back until then, it would be absolutely amazing. Because than definitely, they had enough fire power to beat her. When would Monkey King be back however? He could always ask him but he didn’t want to interrupt whatever he was doing.

  “That should do it!” he hears Sandy as the Dronecopter lands. They are pretty far from city. Good.

  “How do we go about this, MK?” Tang asks and he turns towards him. Turns out everyone is standing in front of him, besides the lazy monkey who just continues to lean where he was before.

  “Yea, how do we go about it, kid?”

  “Well, I am glad you asked, my dear Pigsy.” he assumes the most confident pose he has. “I have no clue. I mean I do but it’s probavly not as simple.”

  “Well, let’s hear it.” MK clears his throat.

  “Mr. Tang looks for information in the Journey, Pigsy makes food and Sandy protects them. Meanwhile Mei, Macaque and I-” Mei grabs his shoulder.

  “Will kick the Lady Bone Demon’s butt!” Mei finishes.

  “Before that, we three train.” Macaque’s ears perk right up. “If we are fighting together, maybe we should train together a bit to get to know how everyone moves, I think.”

  “Hey kid!” Macaque calls. “I thought I told you I work alone.”

  “Well, since you are here you might as well help out. Think of it as rent.” Mei says, leaning on his shoulder.

  “Leave Macaque be Mei, he knows he can’t match us anyway.” he can see the way Macaque’s eye twitches. He took the bait.

  “Not to be a bummer but that is very simple.” Tang notes. “I mean, I in Journey the Lady White Bone Demon is pretty weak but if she could take on Macaque-”

  “Than she is pretty tough opponent for us, MK.” Sandy finishes.

  “Let me get you a sound advice.” a chill forms on his spine. Why does he always use his shadow? “Physically? Any of you can beat her. It’s her magic that can’t be outclassed easily.” Macaque clicks with his tongue. “Besides, she is a spirit using a vessel, bonking her on the head with stick won’t kill the spirit but the host.”

  “So that girl-”

  “Right on the nose buddy.” which meant that even if they trained they couldn’t do it. He would have to… kill the host if he wanted to get her in the open where he would do, what exactly? The answer was nothing because MK couldn’t even stomach the first step of the given instruction. Kill an innocent person? No way. There was absolutely no way. That is not what heroes do.

  “That does seem like a problem.” Tang’s brow furrows in thought.

  “So what you are telling us, is that we can hold her off at best?” Pigsy asks, crossing his arms.

  “What I am saying is that without a miracle you can be a distraction, at best.” Macaque in turn crosses his arms as well.

  “I am sure MK can figure something out! Right, MK?” Mei turns to him. Everyone turns to him. Everyone looks for an answer in him. He cannot give it to them. Really, what was he supposed to do? Say: “Kill the girl and hope she doesn’t use Macaque as next vessel!” Or maybe-

  “Why the long face kiddo?” Macaque asks, hitting his shoulder. What? “You are Wukong’s student! There is no way he would let you fall to Lady Bone Demon of all things.” the smirk he has on his face is part mocking- part reassuring. In a contrast to his face, his tail swishes behind him as if to betray the lie. Of course he knew Macaque had a dislike for Monkey King but-

  “Well, if she attacks we need to hold of her until Monkey King arrives, right?” Tang speaks up again.

  “We can do that!” Mei confirms, pushing herself between Macaque and him. The said monkey looks half offended for a moment before shrugging. “And Piggy can make us some good noddles in meantime!”

  “Hey!” the scene melts into comedic banter before MK’s eyes. The tension and attention is off of his shoulders in almost n instant. Mei is already pulling him away, towards the desert to train. Everyone is smiling. Everyone is- Out of corner of his eye, he notices Sandy and Macaque, standing opposite of each other. Sandy speaks but he can’t hear what and in response, the tail swishing back and forth-

  “Let’s go MK!” Mei pulls his face back.

  “Yeah!”

  Macaque watches with mild interest as Mei and MK exchange blows. Good news is, they are not pulling back. It was quite common for people or demons, for that matter, when they trained they would just not go with all their strength. They seemed well versed in each other's style. MK was the classic Wukong, a mix of fast changing powers and close combat. He could pin you in a spot without you even noticing. He just lacked experience is all. The Dragon Girl was a mixed bag of close combat and long ranged dragon powers. If anything a bit predictable with a wind up for dragon powers. They would probably work be better as a team- up rather than opponents.

  He watches as Mk turns small to avoid the blow, turning to her blind spot, going big and slamming into the dragon form. Not bad.

  “Not bad at all.” he mutters under his breath, slipping into the shadows and appearing behind MK. “That was pretty monkish display of technique, MK.” he smirked and MK, who was aware of him the moment he appeared, in overdramatic turn, pointed a finger at him. For a moment, Macaque was confused but he saw where it all lead.

  “So, have you came to pay your rent, Macaque?” Macaque can’t help but feel his smirk widen.

  “Don’t go crying later to Wukong kid.” in a smooth movement, his purple staff appeared next to him. He certainly did not forget that jab from earlier. Mei takes a few steps back, apparently not in this one. Good. “Don’t you dare to hold back, MK!” with that he is off on the offensive. Purple clashes with golden in nothing but moments. Sparks fly, a shrill sound of staff against staff. With a sharp jerk, Macaque feels his offensive slipping but-

  A clone of his crawls from MK’s shadow, attacking with a copy of his staff from behind. Kid has his wits on himself, turning small. The action would surprise Macaque if he didn’t watch the earlier display. Which is why, as soon as he transforms, he takes more than a few steps back, dodging the possible size switch. For a moment, all is quiet, of course until he feels himself slam face first into the floor.

  Ah, the small clones . Smart move kid. A good strategy to turn tables. Real MK now in regular size, walks towards him. Unfortunately for him, Macaque sinks into the floor, releasing himself from the clones and using MK’s shadow again. From it however, he doesn’t spring up alone b u t with several of his shadow clones, each taking one of MK’s clones for a spin. In turn, MK turns into gorilla form of his, slamming his fists against Macaque’s staff. He feels himself sink into a sand by centimeter, leg twinging for a moment. Good thing it did because he was about to shape shift and that wouldn’t have been pleasant to say at least.

  “Good job kid!” he praises as MK pushes his fists against him. “But-” Macaque, in one swift moment, side steps the fist by de-summoning his staff. In turn the fists slam into the sand, creating a dust cloud. That will be a problem to get out of the fur. He dully thinks as he summons the staff again. Based on hearing, since you couldn’t see into the sand cloud, MK took to the ground, using 72 Transformations. In turn, by usage of his own shadow he uses a clone that turns into fox and unleashes it on him. The fox clone digs until he hears a sharp cry of MK and said kid turns back into himself, slamming the clone with his staff. Taking it as a sign to go, Macaque slams his staff at MK who does defend but is just a moment too late. In this situation he is a bit more capable than an infant and Macaque is in his own element. With a simple movement, a clone takes MK’s leg from his own shadow, making him trip on his back. Taking this as the prime opportunity, Macaque swings the staff strongly, enough to blow all the sand away with air. The result is, Mk spawned on his back, purple staff inches from his face and triumphant looking Macaque. There is beat of silence as two look at each other.

  Just as Macaque de-summons the staff and goes to give MK his hand, a roar reaches his ears. With one swift duck, he avoids the dragon laser fired at him. When he looks towards where MK was, he was gone and according to his ears, went to Mei to gain some distance. Double teaming, huh? Macaque feels a smile creep onto his mouth.

  Golden and purple clash again, staff against staff. Green joins, slashing the spaces between. Sometimes, he dodged by the hair, sometimes he goes on the offensive, using her shadow instead as she can’t detect him, unlike MK. The dance is repeated, with his staff being slammed by gorilla MK now and from the back Mei charges the laser, negating his earlier advantage. Although, Macaque just smiles as he watches. In their dance, he exchanged his place with a clone and now he was in behind the dragon, in it’s shadow. Therefore-

  He jumps out of it, swinging his staff into downward motion. Mei notices him and brings the blade up, not fast enough for counter-attack but good for defence. In instant, Mei is hurled into the sand below, slamming in it maybe a bit harder than Macaque intended. The huge dragon melts into air with a shriek. While he is still in the air, MK surprises him by lounging at him. In the air, Macaque can’t do much in particular so he brings his staff up in defence, golden slamming on his. What is next for him is rising from sand, spitting some he swallowed. MK got a good hit in, good . For a moment, as he gets up, his leg sinks but he catches himself, defiantly.

  MK is few steps opposite of him, golden staff in tow and ready. From behind, the girl is rising from the sand, surely rubbing the b ump she will have. Before they can decide to clash once again, a voice calls out.

  “Lunch time!” it’s Pigsy’s voice. Golden staff gets smaller, put away. Macaque, not trusting himself to walk, goes to MK via his shadow.

  “That was not bad at all, kiddo.” he says with a “thump!” against MK’s back. “You too, Dragon girl!”

  “I take it was 1-0 for us than.” she says, walking towards them.

  “I will take a draw, if you don’t mind.” he smirks in the response. “Although, if you want more of being a speck of sand, I will happily oblige.” now he feels a light punch against his own shoulder. MK.

  “Don’t you mean, a speck of dust?”

  “It’s called artistic freedom, kid.”

  “It’s called, you need to read up on your proverbs, Macaque.” with a swish of his tail, Macaque leaned onto MK’s shoulder, a smile playing on his lips. “I am sure Mr. Tang can get you a book about them.” laugher passes Macaque’s lips. Pigsy calls again.

  “Welp, that’s my cue.” he sinks into MK’s shadow and back onto ship. From than on, he sinks into the shadows of it, keeping out of sight. MK lacked experience but as soon as Mei joined him, they became a deadly duo. And the fact he couldn't change his shape freely or still move quite brazenly on his legs, Macaque hated to admit, in drawn out fight they would’ve won. Somewhere, in the back of his head, it reminded him of Wukong and him. Wukong was short fuse that needed the cover which he was willing to provide.

  He massages his temple, looking at the refusing leg. The writhing mass of whispers lurks just beneath, distorting his houghts and Wukong’s voice, all of it a garbled mess. Doesn’t she have anything better to do?

  “Macaque!” the voice calls out. With a chuckle, he raises his hand, catching the well aimed bowl in mid swing. His tail catches the chopsticks in turn. When he looks to his left, he sees MK giving him a bright thumbs up. He offers him a smile before he sits down, taking the chopsticks into his hand and starting to munch on the said noddles. As he does so, a shadow leans over him, raising goosebumps on his tail. When he will get used to Sandy’s presence, he wondered.

  “I brought you tea, Mr. Macaque.” he leaves the cup next to him. “If you want more, stop by us.” he couldn’t quite get a read on that guy. He seemed a bit simple minded but-

  “Mr. Macquack.” his tail swishes wildly against the hull of the ship.

  “Macaque.” he corrects, watching the others disperse after their impromptu plan.

  “Uhm, sorry. Mr. Macaque, you know more than you let us on, right?” for a moment, his tail stops mid swish, looking at Sandy. “I know it is not place place to talk and I am sure your intentions are good but- I would rather not fight you. For MK’s sake.” the words of blue giant are genuine, Macaque can tell. “The kid likes you and the rest started to get used to you as well. All I am saying is-”

  “I expect you to deal with me, big guy.” Macaque turns around, towards the railing, with intent to watch the training. For a moment blue lingers before he withdraws, leaving Macaque alone in silence.

  He watches as Sandy goes back to the group, chatting vividly. His tail curls up around the cup, bringing it o his nose first. Chamomile. The A grade sedative. He needed to go slowly with that, otherwise he would end up all fours in the air before Mei and MK could do the next match. As for now, that in percticular would be his hobby for afternoon, just watching the training as if it was any other day.

  By the evening, MK is ruff and exhausted. Macaque didn’t join them any more, which was expected somewhat. Said monkey looked like he needed a nap. Which he was doing now… on he hull of ship instead of inside. It was closing in on nigh time so it would be getting colder. Which is why MK does a brave move of getting on Macaque’s side and poking his shoulder.

  “Macaque?” he ass but the said monkey doesn’t even twitch. “Mac n’ Chesse?” again, no answer.

  “Is he dead?” comes from his right.

  “I don’t think so?” he answers to Mei, looking at Macaque’s still form. Not even is his tail thumping. The empty cup of tea rests by his side. “Sandy are you sure you don’t put some sleeping drugs into his tea?” he asks, with a slight hint of laugh.

  “Do not underestimate the power of tea MK.” Sandy says as he leans over sleeping Macaque. “He probably doesn’t sleep enough, which is why tea relaxes him enough to knock him out.”

  “Um, Sandy. He is immortal. He kind of doesn’t need to sleep?”

  “Nonsense.” Sandy replies with a laugh. “Everything needs to sleep. Even if you are immortal you get tired.”

  “Is that the reason Monkey King lazily lounges around?” Pigsy follows up.

  “Precisely.” Sandy replies, pulling the monkey on his back.

  “I don’t think that is a great idea, big guy.” Mei is first to say. “Won’t he like, bite you if he wakes up?”

  “He is sleeping as soundly as baby monkey, there is no reason he would wake up.”

  “Press X to doubt.” Mei whispers to him and MK barely contains a laugh. No matter how silly the plan was, Macaque didn’t wake up. Not when Sandy carried him into their bunker base and neither when he put him down by the wall, a pillow carefully put behind his back.

  All of them bundled up closely to him (not too close bacuse nobody wanted to be bitten), going to sleep in ma keshift beds. Not even that woke up the sleeping monkey. Dude slept like a rock and that was, in the end, okay.

  “This is meaningless, Wukong! We are equally matched!” Macaque hisses as he dodges Wukong’s fist.

  “Shut up, Six Ears!” this time, the fist connects. Macaque stumbles back, only to be swept off his feet, hitting the ground below. “We were never equally matched.” Macaque bares his fangs as he pushes himself up, slipping on the the mud.

  “You are right,that ego of yours, was never equally matched.” a shadow clone catches Wukong by leg, slamming him into the mud below. Now, both find themselves going up, defiantly standing opposite of each other.

  “Same can be said about your jelousy!” Wukong bares his fangs on him. “What gives you the right to impersonate me and attack my Master, Six Ears!?”

  “What gives you the right to abandon your friends and replace them, Wukong!?”

  “I never abandoned anyone!” Macaque scoffs, his fur bristling.

  “You abandoned everyone in your pursuit, o’ Great Sage Equal to Heaven! The monkeys and your kingdom, everyone!”

  “I was captured under mountain and then taken to the journey, what makes you think I had a say in any of that!?”

  “And what caused you to be captured in the first place!? The ego, Wukong! That’s all you ever was!” he sneers and continues: “Now you can leave the Master that imprisoned you and yet-”

  “Do not talk about him like that.” Wukong’s eyes are fire, he can tell he is beyond angry. It only makes Macaque angrier.

  “Or what, o’ Great Sage? Will you claw out my other eye as well?” the said monkey pauses for a moment, tail wildly swishing in what is more akin to panic rather than anger. It is only momentary however, before Wukong glares daggers at him. That was the limit. Macaque knew he went too far but now, he didn’t plan to back down.

  The clouds cover the moon, leaving only streaks of white light to reach the forest.

  At one point, they were brothers.

  At another, they were friends.

  A t the end, they were enemies.

  Macaque’s eyes open, adjusting to the darkness. Erasing the memories of the dream, he looked around. So, they carried him in. Bold move. Something smacks him on his left side and Macaque nearly lists to the right. Of course, MK turned in his sleep and nailed him in his face. Sure. He would really like to be nailed a few more times in the face, however, he had job to do.

  Sinking into shadows, he comes out on the hull of the ship. His fur brisrtles, it’s cold. Taking a calm breath, because he was going to regret this minutes later, he steels himself. A moment later, Wukong is tehre, briskly going through air. A cloud then? Nevertheless, he opens their connection or astral projection or however he called it now. Wukong immediately pauses, fur bristling.

  “Macaque?” he asks.

  “One and only.” he replies, casting just a quick look over Wukong. It’s warm. “Listen to me, Wukong. You need to come back, tomorrow noon at worst.”

  “What? The kid- Did you do anything-!?”

  “Wukong!” he sneers, almost growls. “Kid is fine. However, if you continue to wander god knows where, he won’t be.” Wukong’s brow furrows.

  “Tomorrow noon? Is it a trap or-”

  “Wukong, would I ever be contacting you willingly without a reason?” a beat passes. “See you tomorrow, o’ Great Sage.”

  “Wait-” he cuts off their connection as violently as he knows how to.

  Cold creeps up his fur.

Chapter Text

  Macaque was restless, MK concluded. Everyone picked up on it. For example, said monkey was up before everyone, standing on the hull with a for the lack of better word, helicopter tail. It swishes continuously, like it was batting a fly only it could feel. And by now, MK knew, if something was wrong, Macaque’s tail told no lies. Which was why he tried to talk to him immediately. Key word was tried because when he did, he got shut down immediately . No joke no anger, just a complete “no” and end of the conversation.Even poor Sandy tried to apologize for carrying Macaque down but he got competently ignored. This definitely required intervention of some kind. Which kind though?

  It was a break in their spar, maybe two hours before noon, when MK decided to try again, bitten be dammed. There is a slight twitch in Macaque’s ear that acknowledges he is there.

  “Nice weather we are having?” Dang it MK, small talk was stupid idea. “Hey-”

  “Don’t you learn, bud?” he deepens his voice, seeping into venom.

  “You know, after spending few days with you, that tone just doesn’t go with your face Macaque.” MK shrugs. “Mei brought cards. I wanted to ask if you wanted to play.” silence stretches as if endless. “Just to take your mind off things, since you are...” he scratches back of his head, wondering if he stepped over the line. He is looking for any answer Macaque wants to give but nothing happens.

  “You ready MK?” cuts the silence.

  “Ready for… what?” there is something weird in his tone. Suddenly, the tails stills.

  “Kid- ” he starts, turning just slightly around. “Golden vision.” for a moment, MK is confused as to what Macaque actually wants. Why would he want that now? However, he obeys. As the world is coloured gold, Macaque turns completely to him. There is nothing off for a moment or two before shudder passes him. Blue… specks, like snow hover around Macaque, his face with no emotions to be read. In a sharp moment, a skeletal face flashes before his eyes, head splitting. As he rightens again, a gust of wind washes over them, blue spilling from the city into the skies.

  “Macaque!?” his name leaves his mouth with much more hurt than he wanted to. Did he-

  “Your teacher is too late, kid.” a smile paints his lips. Monkey King was right, Macaque was the traitour than. He worked for Lady Bone Demon whole time. That meant that all of it- All the conversations and jokes, everything… It was a-

  “A lie. You tricked us, Six Eared Macaque!” MK finds himself yell. In a flash, his friends find his side.

  “MK, MK, MK…” Macaque, opposite of him smirks. “What can I say, I am the trickster after all. You were so kind to me, after all, I couldn’t resist.”

  “How can you- MK trusted you! We trusted you!”

  “Sure you did.” Macaque scoffs. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” a purple staff. The rumble of the Earth. A giant mech, similar to a spider appears, single red eye. “What are you going to do, MK?” Macaque asks, eyes narrowing. MK can’t get a clear thought out of his head. There was no way everything can just go bad that fast.

  “Kid! What do we do!?” Pigsy’s words reach his ears. Why didn’t Macaque attack yet? Or that mech? Or-

  “MK.” he feels Mei’s hand on his shoulder. One breath in, one out. Repeat. With a quick look and a nod from Mei, two charge in union, right down to Macaque’s waiting staff. Mei collides but MK continues his attack, right at the mech. He only hoped Mei could hold off Macaque for as long as it took to beat the mech. Than again if Macaque followed him, their plan was null, void. He didn’t however, he engaged Mei wholeheartedly, barely paying any attention to him. Which meant either he was confident the mech would win or- Too much thinking MK, more action!

  He uses his power, the Flaming Fist of Fury to punch the thing. It hits, square on, breaking it as if it was a toy. When he does however, a twitch , a sprain, like a chill passes up his spine. The strength of the punch, the flames fade as if someone cut it off the existence.

  “What-” he doesn’t have too much time to think however. A dragon shriek fades through the air and MK turns on his heel. The green fades. Mei! Just as he wants to take the step, red eye emerges from the sand once again. Golden vision tells him that the red eye must be the weak spot, the source of whispering. Therefore, in a preferred shape of gorilla, he slams his fists into it. For a moment everything is still. The mech crumbles and twists but the blue chill cuts into him again- dropping him in his human form to the sand below. The blue circles tightens, as if to mock him. That thing was not normal. Not a tinniest bit. Did it steal his powers? Or sap them? Or-

  Mei! With a tinniest leap, he finds himself on Dronecopter. Nobody is there. Not Mei. Not Tang. No Sandy. No Pigsy. Absolute dead silence. It crawls up his spine like a ton of bricks. Before his insecurity can even dare, there is a sharp sound. The mech. Before his eyes, the thing is slowly pieced back together, bathed in the blue light. Just as he is to jump to it, ice holds him down, his feet unable to make a simple jump.

  “It seems you are ready to meet your destiny.” the voice creeps up his spine. “Do not worry about your friends, my champion will grant them eternal rest.”

  “What did you do to them!?” MK sharply turns, even as cold creeps over his spine. Those skeletal features mocked him. Even if she takes everything from him- he wouldn’t let her.

  “Me? Nothing. As for our dear friend, well- I am truly sorry for this has to happen, child” he jumps off the Dronecopter, closer to her. Right to the renewing mech. To the- Destiny? If he was correct in that Lady Bone Demon was taking his powers he still had cloning, the the staff, maybe the size changing and in dire situations the mech. The mech was only if it was last resort, he couldn’t afford losing it in vein. Monkey King was yet to show up, if Macaque was to believed in. Which meant that even if they were just trying to delay her until he arrived, the new quest was to beat her if possible. Because he was only one that could.

  MK shakes his head. In a flash, the robot takes the form of scorpion, bigger and stronger than before. She mocks him from the red eye, monstrous form of the White Bone Demon. Swallowing down his panic, MK takes a handful of his hair and throws it into the wind. In a moment, a bunch of him appear. Even the “The partying MK”, “The artistic MK”, all of them.

  “It’s porty time!” one yells, he can’t quite focus, which one does. Jumping into air, he goes full speed, followed by his clones. Before impact, however, he changed his size, as big as he can think off. The action is closely followed by his clones who do the same. There is horrible sound of twisting steel as the impact is solid and made but- It just caves in the monstrosity before his clones puff too dust, unable to even hit it. The tail hits him, knocking the staff out of his hands. Well now he gave her a some new powers. Perfect. What a failure-

  The cold claw snatches him from the air, slamming him into the sand below. For someone who was no longer invincible, MK thinks with what might be a dull laugh, that his body really could withstand some beating.

“Now that you used all your powers in hopes of defeating me, there is nothing you can do. So, just stay quiet child.” her voice creeps up his neck, almost as if she speaks to his ear. Out of corner of his eye, he notices the Golden Staff, within the reach. Nobody was coming to save him. Not the Monkey King. Not Macaque. His friends…

  “I won’t let you win!” he outstretches his hand, grabbing the thing by nick of fingers. “Here comes Monkie Kid!” the brilliant golden explodes. In the flurry of it, the mech is assembled. The Monkey Mech, the avatar of victory. One and full-proof way he won time and time again. However, with laughter, Lady Bone Demon is unfazed. Even as her mech crumbled to pieces of dust.

  Blue shines, only for a moment, before the even bigger mech, bound by chains appears. Dronecopter is pushed back, MK dully notes. Everything he did just melted into nothing. Just as it outstretched it’s hand towards him, the form of Lady Bone Demon, mockingly hovering near the mech, there is a flash of green. The said flash, a laser comes from behind MK, hitting the Demon’s mech square on. In the same time, a purple staff hits so very close to Lady Bone Demon. Which is both good and bad, now that he thought about it. Shew looks furious for a moment. To a thin veil, she almost cannot hide it but with flash of blue magic, she pushes the staff away. It’s a shadow.

  “Has the madness consumed you whole, Six Ears?” she asks, voice hollowing and hissing.

  “MK!” comes yell from Mei, who is now standing on his mech’s shoulder, Dragon form of hers wrapping around it. It’s very cute, he can only think thought the surprise. By his left side, however, he notices other oddity. The smoke monster, the one which Macaque controlled is standing there. The thing is unerwing just as day one, a crossed out purple eye and wild bandages-

  “Let’s go!” he hears Macaque’s voice yell out.

  “You got it Macaron!” Mei yells in succession. As confused as he was, MK bites it down.

  “Thanks guys.” he says, quiet as he can. “Let’s do this!”

  Macaque dodges the blade from Mei. Twisting metal grinds his ears but at least, the whispering stopped. Probably because all of her attention was on MK. Good. That was the opening he waited. He opens few shadow portals, snatching all of the friends of MK, including Mei and dropping them into the sleeping room of Dronecopter below. The Dragon’s shriek still reaches his ears, even as he sinks into shadows.

  He appears in front of them and they move back. In this tight space, they can’t do much without destroying their way to escape. However, Mei and Sandy stand on the front lines, followed by Pigsy and lastly Tang. He de-summons his staff, in an effort to show he doesn’t want to fight but the other side doesn’t ease back. Good.

  “To fool your enemy, you first must fool you allies.” is what he chooses to say. “I don’t plan on fighting you. If you don’t want to cooperate, I suggest you stay here.” he gathers the shadows around himself so that his eyes are barely visible.

  “That’s why you were restless. Your master showed up to pick ya by the leash.” Pigsy says, his words full of the same contempt he witnessed before.

  “She is not my master.” he growls, words spitting venom.

  “Explain yourself.” is simple order Mei gives, green energy cackling around her. She cannot match him alone but it is a pitiful attempt to make him surrender.

  “Mr. Macaque, I said before, we don’t want to fight you.” Sandy tries, again so contradictory. Macaque can tell however, with threats he won’t gain anything. At best, he would be going outside and dying with MK. They at least needed Mei to delay her, if they were to meet Wukong. “So tell us what you know and than we can together help.”

  “What is there to explain?” he says with a chuckle. “I owe her. The witch gave me a task to infiltrate the group and when she attacked MK, to distract you lot. That’s all there is to it.” he choose to say. “I don’t plan to do her bidding. If there is a monkey besides Wukong that hates her equally, it’s me.”

  “You know, it didn’t make sense.” Tang says. “You tried improving our plan to deal with her in the first place and trained with Mei and MK. You never planned to follow the purpose she set out for you in the first place then, did you?” he pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

  “Suddenly brave, aren’t we?” he mocks. “It doesn’t matter when or why I decided not to. At this point, it is better for us to join forces until Wukong arrives. After that we can go our merry ways.” his tail flickers. He can hear it, the mech rebuilt itself. Not yet. She didn’t play her cards yet.

  “So you can back stab us again, is that it!?” Pigsy’s harsh tone grinds his ears. “And who says Monkey King’s going to appear anyway!? All he did is leavethe kid alone!” Mei is still watching him, sharp with green energy. She is probably waiting before she decides whether they with continue the fight or not.

  “He will come.” no metter how he denies it, there is still a speck in Macaque that believes into Sūn Wùkōng, The Monkey King. Not into the Great Sage Equal to Heaven or whatever he went on by week to week. Would he be able to deal with Lady Bone Demon though? That was another question entirely. “Although, he really should work on his pattern on leaving allies. Anyway, I would like to chatter more but- We don’t have much time.” the silence folds like waves over the room.

  “What’s the plan?” Mei’s voice breaks the silence.

  “Big guy, if I go out of the line, I still want you to deal with me. Otherwise, protect the others and fly this hunk of metal away to safe distance. Dragon girl, we will fight by MK’s side.When she lays out all of her cards on the table, we come in.” shadows disperse slowly. There was no longer need for intimidation and it was slowly draining his power anyway. “It seems like she can absorb the power used to attack her but- When we attack that will be out of our hair. MK will be severally weakened so, support him as much as it can go.”

  “Wait, wait, wait- What’s that about ya going out of line?”

  “I am glad you asked! Unfortunately, we are out of time for that. You will know when you see it.” he opens a shadow portal behind himself, waiting for few moments. “Let’s go.” the girl hesitates for a moment or two before nodding and sprinting through portal.

  “I can’t believe it! She will blindly trust him, again!” he hears as he follows her.

  “I don’t think he is lying, Pigsy.”

  “If anything, I think Mr. Macaque is the most honest right now.”

  Something inside of him twists but he decides to ignore it. By the other side, he is greeted by golden light. MK’s mech. The blue light quickly overhealms it, however. Giant mech, bound by chains. Mei is already in action, firing one of her lasers. Macaque calls for his shadows to gather, into the smoke monster. One of the shadows he sends to attack her form, knowing too well it will not hit. The magic scatters it into the wind.

  “Has the madness consumed you whole, Six Ears?” Six Ears. Funny she choose that nickname, actually. She probably had a blast in his memories. His leg twinges, whispering returning to painful volume. One of his hands grips at his ears, usleslly, but his eyes stay focused on the demon before him.

  “Let’s go!” he finds himself yelling as the shadow monster moves with him, right into the face of demon.

  “You got it Macaron!” the girl follows, readying one more shot.

  “Thanks guys.” reaches his ears and Macaque, just for a moment thinks that he shouldn’t be thanked. “Let’s do this!”

  The mech collides first, it’s staff leaving not a single scratch upon her mech. She stole that as well, was only conclusion. What MK drove now was a shell powered by his hopes. The dragon projection loops around the Bone Demon’s mech, finding the footing and firing at the head. In response, Macaque, inside the the monster, ducks into its shadow for a moment. It’s a painful moment where whispering nearly splits his head apart. As he re-emerges, monster by the side, he goes for the head of the chained mech.

  “Foolish children.” echoes around the landscape. For a moment, a skull flashes into Macaque’s head, before he feels the talons of the mech dig into his fur. It lasted only a moment however, before he felt himself collide with another hunk of metal and hitting what might’ve been another person.

  “MK! Macaque!” it reaches his ears as a voice of the Dragon Girl over harsh static that thumps into his ears. Well, she final used his nnormal name, huh? There is another rumble, a shriek of the Dragon and she falls as well, presumably somewhere to his left, into what remains of the mech. The moment ice creeps up to his ears, Macaque in on his feet. He is balancing himself on what is by all accounts, primary the un-injured leg. His ears ring with whispering but he locates Mei, helping MK up on his left. Lady Bone Demon’s form mockingly faces them, true in appearance. He feels himself growl, tail swishing rapidly. The tickle on his brow is a big giveaway that he probably has a some neat sort of a concussion in tow now as well. Peachy.

  “The destiny cannot be avoided, Liu’er mihou. You should know that perfectly.” his fur bristles. “As for you, lament the same children.” in last ditch effort, MK pulls out his staff, putting Mei behind him. He jumps from the front and- with a growl, Macaque uses the shadow of hers, swinging his purple staff in tendon with MK. Both staffs faze through nothing, the bone face of demon appearing next to them. “I admire your effort.” the spell crashes into them like a truck. They roll back on the metal, hitting it with envious force. The Dragon calls again, but before it can even finish the roar, it quietens, crushed under her magic.

  Macaque lifts his head to see ice eating away at the Golden Staff, gluing it to the surface of the mech.

  “Let go of it!” he finds himself yelling but kid is in the wild panic. His words stumble and scramble all over, mixing and matching into streams of garbled mess. He wants to leap himself and get him away from it but- his eyes find with muted horror the previously injured leg covered by a piece of ice. The limb doesn’t even obey his command. Thankfully, Mei has sense by herself so she yoinks MK away.

  Now that the three are by each other's side, Macaque can gauge the situation. As much as he could over the garbled rage in his ears, that is. MK was having a panic attack or something in that vein. Mei was in the best shape out of three of them, looking as if she was still ready to fight. He was… well- There was no nice words for his defiant standing. Maybe a… dead man walking? Dead monkey walking?

  His ears twitch. Wukong? A lot weaker and a lot slower but- Priorities. First, the kids needed to be away. That is exactly why he picks them both up by their arms.

  “What are you-?” she can’t finish because he uses his strength to throw her, exactly to where he felt Wukong was. He was closer than Dronecopter and it was safer. Given that she decide to off him now, it would stop any kind of teleportation he did.

  “See ya around, MK!” he doesn’t wait for kid to process the situation. He is still teary, still muttering, still a mess. Well, Wukong would deal with that later. The kid’s flight was pure success, he can tell. Practically he can hear them both thump into Wukong, the surprised off balancing act of them holding onto him so they don’t sink through the cloud. With that settled, he faces Lady Bone Demon, standing between her and the staff.

  “My, didn’t you become quite a hero, Six Ears?” she mocks. In return he bares his fangs. “Unfortunately, that is not your destiny, is it now?”

  “Enough about the destiny already.” with that, he jumps of the mech, ready to punch her smug face. Distraction. Distract her until Wukong gets the staff. That’s all there is to it. He won’t be enough to stop her, there was no way. Whatever he looked for he either didn’t find or failed to find. What was important now was that she didn’t gain the staff otherwise- His clones jump out of the nooks and crevices, all in sync with him. The horrible witch smirks, using her magic to push them away. Macaque avoids it however, simply by turning his shape for a moment, feeling ice pull his bird form down. Well- No time to think about it! He takes his shape back, swinging the staff in downward motion. She is caught by surprise, the staff catching just a corner of her sleeve. He got the first hit in. Suck it, Wukong.

  The joy is short lived though, as in next moment, he finds himself back onto familiar steel mech, rolling until he hits the wall of it. He goes up, again, lips pulled back into a snarl. When he goes to lift his injured leg, however, he finds it firmly glued to the the hull of the ship. The ice creeps up his tight, his other leg, all the way to his stomach. It is ten times worse than those stupid chains. But-

  Before she can gloat, brilliant golden light explodes. The ice shatters immediately on impact. Figure bathed in gold stands before them. Macaque senses he is not fine, not even close. The staff, the stupid thing, is quickly taken away from their reach, to Bone Demon’s side. Wukong can’t stay to face her to retake the staff. If only he was just a bit faster than-There is no way. Her target was either MK or Wukong so-

  “I hate you.” is what he wants to say but as soon as his icy prison cracks, Macaque creates a portal behind himself. With momentum he has, he starts falling back into it. In a split second, he decides to hate himself too. His tail reaches for Wukong’s hand. The pure confusion on Wukong’s face is almost laughable. By Macaque’s momentum, both fall backwards, into the portal.

  His back hits the hull of the ship, knocking his breath out. He hears Wukong hit the same hull few centimeters to his right. Hurried voices flooded his ears, mostly aimed at Wukong, of course. Which is why, Macaque stumbles to his legs like a drunkard and faces Wukong who is supported by Sandy.

  “Wukong.” he grinds out. The said monkey turns his head to him as if in a daze. “The staff Wukong. Why didn’t you get the staff!?” his brow furrows, fur bristling. Wukong narrows his eyes. 

  “Excuse me for saving you, Macaque.” he answers, a tiny bit of a growl colouring his words. “And I am sorry if I am not in the condition you expected me to be in.” a scoff makes out of Macaque’s mouth. “I got a plan. So even if the staff was taken, we can still do this.”

  “Good thing we nearly died protecting the stupid thing, right?” a chuckle passes his lips, sinking. The whole world starts to twist and turn. That’s right, he forgot that he got injured in all the commotion.

  “Well, if you explained me anything I might’ve-”

  “You might’ve what exactly, Wukong?” Macaque bares his fangs at him.

  “Enough! Both of ya need to explain yourselves.” Pigsy’s voice cuts through the air. Macaque clicks his tongue.

  “Forget it.” he finds himself saying, turning his back. “I’ll be on my merry way, just as we agreed.” he takes one step with this bad leg, one single mistake and sinks, right on the hull. Head smacking for whatever time today, Macaque can do nothing but watch his vision dim to nothingness.

  Wukong watches Macaque sink like a rock. Kid is by his side immediately, turning him around while Tang checks his pulse. They must’ve gotten pretty close over time. Once his brother, now an enemy looked horrible, in some ways even worse than himself. Good thing they shared the common trait of being a demon, Wukong noted.

  He pushes himself of Sandy, much more limping than walking.

  “Careful.” is all the giant says and he is grateful for it. He hovers between wanting to help the said monkey and just do... nothing. They were not close for centuries after all. From head to toe, he probably sprouted a concussion, various cuts something probably broken and-

  “Kid.” MK’s vision follows his. On his leg where a bandage stood from which injury, Wukong didn’t know, was shard of ice, encasing the limb. It’s horrible and jagged, invasive and just flat out… wrong

  His fur bristles unwillingly.

  That wretched witch.

Chapter Text

  “Why did you do that, Mac?” Wukong asks as he brushes twigs and leaves out of his fur. Falling through treetops nose first was as fun as he remembered. Macaque, who pulled him through the portal with his tail no less, currently resided on a branch, looking at him with what was pretty annoyed look.

  “To stop you from going all ‘heroic sacrifice’ on me.” he crosses his hands.

  “What kind of sacrifice, Mac!? I had it handled.” Wukong picks pout a small branch stuck by resin in his fur. That will be a pain to clean.

  “Even if you did, I don’t plan to fight armies of Heaven for thirteenth time in the month just because you pissed them off, o’ Great Sage.” the monkeys that gathered around them look to each other. Wukong’s fur bristles.

  “Who said you have to fight with me!? My title doesn’t even matter to you!” a chill up his spine and a smack on the head later, he is faced with Macaque.

  “Because it doesn’t matter to me precisely, you idiot!” he snarls. “I am fighting for the Monkey King, my friend, Sūn Wùkōng! Not the Great Sage Equal to Heaven!” Wukong is taken a bit a back as his head blanks. Macaque’s tail swishes wildly, fangs pulled in a snarl. The other demon monkeys around them search for direction, wait for his orders. His tail swishes accordingly, eyes looking into Macaque’s. Macaque, the once equal to him. Macaque, the weaker of two. Macaque who hated what he became. Macaque who he can’t allow to go on.

  “Then as the Monkey King, I order you to stay put.” he squeezes through his teeth. Macaque pauses for a moment, as if unsure what he heard with those six ears of his.

  “Are you serious? Wukong-”

  “That’s what you wanted right? You won’t be fighting anyone, Liu’er mihou.” he pushes past Macaque, the monkeys follow. Wukong had his duty to them as well. Even if Macaque tended to ignore the orders but now, he seemed to stay put. That alone told him how much his words stung him. He knew they occasionally butted heads, they were pretty headstrong after all. That’s why he decided, after the fight he would have to make up to him somehow.

  Wukong however, never returned from the fight to make up to anyone.

  Even then, Wukong knew he was one in the wrong, Macaque’s hatred or not. Macaque cared for his well being and he rejected him completely. It didn’t even matter that he was weaker. He still made up for it strategically in ways Wukong couldn’t match him. However, Wukong was one who strived for Heaven, without a care for others who he angered or not. In the end he would net everyone around into his mess. The monkeys, the demons… Macaque. The arrogance of a young King was his downfall.

  By some cruel play of events, Wukong wouldn’t see Macaque until he was journeying by his friends. However, at hat point their bond couldn’t be salvaged by anything on Heaven or Earth.

  Wukong opened his eyes as Mei wrapped up his tail. On the other side, Pigsy was looking over MK, putting occasional bandage on a bigger bruise. The one with most work was however, Tang, believe it or not. He was wrapping Macaque’s head. They concluded that said monkey was just bruised like a peach that took a tumble. Some scratches he sustained were pretty minor but the most striking was the leg which they decided to leave alone for now. Even if Wukong knew exactly what it was, he wanted Macaque’s word about it first, before they even addressed it.

  “Sooo, do we chop that leg off or-?” Mei asks, pretty casually as she wraps his head. Wukong can’t sustain the laugh that quite honestly, hurts his ribs in a “please stop” kind of way. Invincible his ass.

  “We won’t be cutting off the legs of anyone.” Tang says with a frown. He is focused on not wrapping himself too which too, is frankly funny.

  “Well, maybe he can grow them out new, he did mention this was just a form of his.” Pigsy is one to call out.

  “He did mention that changing his form while injured would hurt him too though.” MK tilts his head.

  “Are… Are we really debating if we are to cut off someone’s leg just now?” Tang looks at all of them, receiving no denial. While it is funny seeing them debate Macaque’s powers, this was quite enough.

  “He is a monkey, not a salamander you know?” Wukong says, with a slight smile. “Besides, he would probably not appreciate waking up with one leg less.”

  “Well, we didn’t appreciate being crossed either.” Pigsy grumbles.

  “I think Lady Bone Demon didn’t appreciated being crossed either.” Mei adds to that.

  “Working with Macaque, you need to expect to be crossed once or twice in a lifetime, to be honest.” Wukong shrugs, earning a look from Tang and MK in particular. “What?” As if by God of Comedic timing, Macaque stirs from his spot. Tang takes that as a sign to nope out of there and by Pigsy’s and MK’s side he goes. Macaque’s eyes open and promptly close, hand going to his head, presumably where he bonked it. It really reminded him of the hangover from Heavenly Wine that he had once. Wukong gets up and kinda, maybe, sorta limps his way to Macaque’s side.

  “I am not going to teleport away if that’s what you are aiming at, Wukong.” he grinds out, not even opening his eyes.

  “You better not or that mush of a brain that’s left is going to melt, Macaque.” one of his eyes open to a slit with a biting anger. Well, if he had strength to be angry, he was just about fine.

  “You are so pathetic.” and that is ladies and gentleman, false intimidation. Not to say he didn’t mean it but the tone was all bark and absolutely no bite.

  “Right back at you buddy. Alright, gather around everyone, now that Macaque is awake we can start.” everyone gathers in a circle, leaning in while Macaque just leans on the railing but obviously listening.

  “Which one of ya is going to go first?” Wukong looks at Macaque out of corner of his eye. Yep.

  “Weeeell, I was not actually on vacation. The truth is, I was trying to reach the weapon to beat Lady Bone Demon.”

  “And did you find it?”

  “Nope. Buuut I did get this map to this, most powerful, uncontrollable force in known the universe, called Samad-” he shoves the map in the middle but gets interrupted by Tang.

  “The Samadhi Fire!” Tangs voice pierces his ears. “The most powerful force! Legends say that nothing can put it out, not even the Great Sage himself!”

  “Well yeah, which is why we split it in three pieces so it can never be reforged.” he looks, again, to the side. Macaque must know about it but he doesn’t react in any particular way. “That way it is harmless.”

  “Question.” MK raises his hand and Wukong nods to him. “Why make a map to pieces? If they are so uncontrollable together, I mean.” Wukong blinks as all eyes turn to him. “It just seems really stupid.”

  “Now the kid has you, Wukong.” he can hear Macaque smirk through his words.

  “Well, I don’t know who made it actually. But- Nezha was actually guarding it so maybe you should ask him when he won’t be mad at me in abouuuut few thousand years?”

  “Nezha, The Third Lotus Prince!?” again, Tang, who was furiously writing in the diary. “Did you fight him?”

  “Yeaaah but I will tell you about that stuff later. What’s important now is that, since Lady Bone Demon has all of MK’s powers and the staff that we find all the pieces and reforge the fire of Samadhi to beat her.”

  “You said that the fire is uncontrollable, though?” Wukong nearly gets a heart attack because when did Sandy come here?

  “Guys if Monkey King thinks we can do this than we can-”

  “Wait, MK. Don’t let him off that easily.” Macaque final opens his eyes fully. Great. He was always that way. “That’s the fire that even burnt Wukong. There is nothing on mortal realm or Heavenly realm that can control it. How can we do it? And even if we do, don’t forget she has a host.” Typical Macaque, no matter how much time passed, he saw through him like a thin piece of rice paper.

  “Well, Monkey King?” Pigsy is one to follow up.

  “Look, everything will work out. I don’t have all the answers now but-” there is a hint of doubt in Mei’s and Pigsy’s features. Macaque on the other hand has a huge hint of “you are lying and I know you are lying”. “Anyway, yesterday in mortal realm time, Macaque contacted me to be here by noon but he didn’t tell me anything else.” the focus shifts on Macaque, good. Peachy.

  “You have contacted Monkey King?” Mei asks, skepticism in her words in tangible.

  “Sure did.” he answers with a shrug. “The reason why I didn’t tell him anything is because I can’t tell when Lady Bone Demon is listening and when she isn’t. It was just a wild guess she can’t listen on astral projection.”

  “She listens in? Did she hear all of it or-”

  “I don’t know, MK.” he says something akin to a snarl but softer for few octaves. “She would continuously whisper inside my head so I guessed she can hear at least some of it. She is preoccupied with freezing the world or something so currently, she isn’t.”

  “How did you even come in debt to her, if you don’t mind him asking?” Good question, Tang. That one even he didn’t know. Why would Macaque serve Lady Bone Demon? However, the question did strike a nerve immediately when it landed on all of his six ears, if judged by his tail.

  “Does it matter? I came in debt and ignored it. She used that as a leverage to get me to work for her.”

  “Just the debt? I kinda doubt that Macaque.” he finds himself thinking out loud.

  “Fine, Wukong. She threatened to erase my existence and well, I can’t have her doing that before I slam your mug into the dirt.” the threat goes largely ignored because Wukong is curious. Existence? How would she even do that? She was powerful sure but that powerful? “Satisfied?”

  “Yeah, sure. Continue.”

  “I agreed to infiltrate your group on the condition that I betray you in the end.”

  “So you decide at some point to switch sides but can’t tell anyone because of Bone radio?”

  “Yeah, the Bone radio! I thought about naming it that way too MK.” MK puts a thumb up for Macaque. “At first I thought we could hold out until Wukong arrived so I contacted him. When he was late and all went to bananas, I decided to hold her off so Wukong could get the staff back. The idiot however freed me instead.”

  “That idiot was aware staff was a lost cause, Macaque. Besides, the kids were asking for you anyway, freeing you was top priority.”

  “The staff was the top priority Wukong. I am done for anyway.” Macaque spits. “Did the same idiot tell them he only got off the battlefield in time was because I pulled him through the portal?” his words are heating up. He can feel genuine anger from them, similar to when they fought.

  “Wow, wow, hold up. You are done for?” in response, Macaque lifts the limb. The jagged ice that was invading it, covering the wound and the foot below. MK leans to it but recoils, he must’ve felt her.

  “We were thinking about cutting that off, you know?” for a moment Macaque looks almost offended before he starts to laugh.

  “Dude, your ideas must be inspired by the same idiot.” he says through laughter. “It’s a curse. The thing will either freeze me or take control of me. Even Wukong could’ve felt it before he freed me. Which is why you should’ve gotten the stupid staff.”

  “What about the fire? Couldn’t it be used to cure the curse?”

  “Good one Pigsy.” Wukong winks to him. “That’s the idea. Until then, we have an ally more.”

  “Yeah, that’s the thing.” Macaque smirks. “I don’t plan to fight with you guys. Don’t get me wrong but one magical monkey by the group is more than enough.”

  “At this point, I think it would be better if you stuck by us, Macaque. You pissed her off quite good, you know.”

  “Not to be a bummer but with you is not safe, o’ Great Sage.” there he goes off. Wukong’s fur bristles just on the mention, just the tone he uses makes his hair stand on it’s ends.

  “You are just afraid you would attack others, isn’t that it Macaque?” Wukong’s teeth bare. If Macaque was free to call out on his lie than Wukong was free to call him out too. Macaque’s eyebrow twitches, followed by a sweep of tail.

  “No, I just can’t take that much of essence Wukong if you get me.”

  “Will ya two knock it off already? You act more like children than the actual children.”

  “That aside, what was that about Monkey King only leaving because of you, Macaque?” Tang asked, flipping a new page in his diary.

  “Once the staff was hers, she freed the mech, freezing everything around her. The idiot would get frozen as well.” Macaque answers. “She was probably looking for a new host anyway so him being there would’ve been like you served her a three course- hey!” Wukong notices MK tying a robe around Macaque. It seemed like Macaque himself only now just noticed it as well which was curious. “The all hearing Macaque” relaxing to a point where he didn’t hear anything? No way. At least not with him present.

  “Think of yourself as a prisoner, if that helps.” MK said with a smile, finally tying the rope to railing of all things. Mei snickered to his side.

  “Why do I get the feeling it was not your idea kid?” he glares daggers at Mei. It was… kind of endearing to watch. He knew Macaque could just slip into the shadows and back even with that head bump of his which in turn would get rid of the ropes. However, he just let the kids mess with him. It was super reminiscent of that bygone time when Macaque would mess around with young monkeys and-

  “Be careful, Sandy! He bites.” Mei laughs.

  “So, in conclusion, we get the three pieces assembled, cure Macaque and get save the world from Lady Bone Demon?” Sandy asks, patting Macaque absently on the head.

  “Exactly!” Wukong smiles. “This is the beginning to our Journey to the West!” everyone strikes a pose, a group pose. With their cast, Wukong is almost too vividly reminded of his own Journey. The only thing out of the left field was Macaque but-

  “By the way, who is piloting the Dronecopter now?” is MK’s question. He looks at Sandy who looks at Mei who looks at MK again. As if in tendon, the said thing slams into a piece of a mountain, rattling the whole it. The map, which they brazenly left on the floor (woops) nearly rolls off. Luckily MK is there one to catch it. Macaque is tied to the railing so when the thing leaned, he was just… dangling there.

  Sandy highs tails to the steering wheel, rightening the Dronecopter. Macaque thumps with his head into railing again, letting out a string of pretty kind words. Ouch .

  “So where exactly is any of this?” Tang asks, pointing at the map.

  “I’ve got no clue buddy.” he replies. “Well, I do know where mine is but for the rest, I am open for ideas.”

  “Oooookay. So where is yours?” MK to his left asks.

  “Somewhere.”

  “What?”

  “Well, you see, when you travel on a cloud you kinda forget to look down. It is to the West buuuuuut where exactly that village is, beats me.” MK lets out what can be either described as a sigh. Man did he spend too much time with Macaque. “Relax, everything will be a-ok.” he pats MK’s shoulder to which the other immediately perks up. In the same vein however, he goes back down.

  “I am sorry for losing the staff Monkey King, I-”

  “Aw, don’t worry kid! As I said, once we get the fire it’s going to be alright.”

  “And Macaque? He is cursed right? What if she takes control over him?”

  “Him? Trust me, if she still didn’t take the control than I doubt she can stand being in his head that much.” MK cracks a smile.

  “I heard that Wukong.” Macaque mutters from off the side.

  “See? Really cranky.” he snickers and this time MK laughs. The truth was, if Macaque was to be taken over that would mega suck. MK without powers and taken over Macaque would probably mean the end of the journey. Not that he couldn't beat Macaque, but given his weakened state now and possible power burst from Lady Bone Demon… Let’ just say it wouldn’t be a fun ride. “Say, you didn’t get mentored by him any chance?”

  “Are you, the Monkey King, jealous?”

  “What- No. I was just wondering if he taught you anything like before.”

  “Well, he told me not to transform with an injury?”

  “Huh. I forgot to tell you that, yeah. Good advice.” the look he receives is about as annoyed as he can look.

  “Annnd that’s it? Oh, he did convince me to tell the others about Lady Bone Demon.” Huh.

  “Theater monkey didn’t do anything to the kid you wouldn’t, Monkey King.” Wukong looked away. That kind of… stung. He was well aware his stunts brought all sort of trouble to people around him but- “By that I mean, he was well behaved, for the most part.”

  “Oh- okay!” he fakes enthusiasm to a t, flashing a smile at Pigsy who just continued to cook. Looking around, he found Tang there as well, scribbling into his diary. And yes, I noticed that sneaky glare Macaque, thank you very much. “How are you feeling in general kid? Not like mentally because yeah, this super sucks.”

  “Like a ping pong ball Pigsy used to play pong with. How are you feeling?”

  “Oh you knoow- Peachy.” which was definitely a word to describe feeling of bruised ribs, crammed tail and killer headache.

  “Man, if I had a nickel every time I heard that one-” Mei appears by their side.

  “If would have three nickels which isn’t much but it’s still weird it happened.” MK finishes, giving her a high five. Wukong just… stands confused there as per usual. He was really not knowledgeable about today’s culture enough. “Macaque says the same thing when he is unwell.” MK explains with a shrug. “Are you sure you are alright?”

  “Yeah, everything is fine kid.” Mei looks unsure but let’s go of it. MK, bless his heart, doesn’t question it further. He just goes to the map, turning it on all sides and studying it with Mei. With every right they should be confused because whoever drew the thing was so vague it even made him blush.

  With a sweep of the tail, he steeled himself. There was one more person to talk to. Or a monkey.

  Macaque nudges himself into a more comfortable position. Sure, he could slip off the ropes at any given moment but given how his head rang, he was not sure where he would slip off. Maybe to the void of shadows? Even that must’ve been more pleasant than cold that was spreading through his limb, as if it was some sort of infection. Where was Mei with that sword again?

  And to top all of that he needed to deal with constant stream of lies from Wukong. The guy lied left and right and all between and that was saying something, since Macaque lied as naturally as he breathed. The quality of lies was variable and he was lucky that the kid believed almost everything that came out of his mouth. Firstly, the brilliant idea of Samadhi fire being actually reforged and controlled? Into who? Macaque wasn’t dumb by any stretch of the word and only suitable vessel he could think of that Wukong’s heroic act was implying, must’ve been him himself. Which in itself was a purely wild card since Samadhi fire burned him before. Secondly, stupidly jealous monkey was stupidly obvious. Thirdly, him lying about his state so badly that he was lucky that the kid lacked powers to detect it.

  Yet, he didn’t feel that he needed to expose him- At least not now. The plate of unfortunate events was full enough already without a magical monkey to turn it upside down.

  Speaking of which-

  “Hey.” Wukong’s words reach his ears on his left.

  “I hate you.” is what he says back, summarizing all his previous thoughts into one.

  “Yikes, you really turned into one cranky old monkey.” he says as he leans onto railing next to him. “How are you?”

  “Why would you care, Wukong?” the other’s eyes narrow.

  “Because you are my ally, dumbass.” Macaque scoffs, tail swishing beneath his feet.

  “I am their ally. At least much more than you are for the time being.” the way Wukong’s eyes widen just a tinniest bit reveals how much that jab actually hurt him even if by next sentence, he refused to address it.

  “Funny how that changes. I thought you hated the kid.” Macaque spots MK and Mei, turning the stupid map in all directions as if trying to understand some impossible puzzle. “In the end, you just hate me. Typical of you, Macaque.” somewhat akin to growl raises in his throat.

  “He is a good kid.” is what he chooses to say, Wukong’s jab be damned.

  “He really is, isn’t he?” Macaque’s tail swishes. “Why do you keep that rope on yourself anyway? You are not amongst infant monkeys, you know? Or did you bonk your head too hard?” his teeth bare on instinct.

  “Hey, Wukong, did you decide to copy me?” Wukong raises an eyebrow. “Although, you won’t have anything permanent, will you?”

  “Stop that.”

  “Typical Wukong, it’s all fun and games until somebody brings up what he did in the past.” a snarl escapes his mouth with it.

  “Macaque-”

  “And when they do, the mighty Sage moved on from it.” his eyes flash purple with hate. “Regardless of how others feel about it.” silence sinks like a rock. Wukong refuses to look at him, staring somewhere off on the ship. With a click of the tongue, despite the pain in his head, Macaque sinks into the shadows, clawing his way back to the spot besides him. That was definitely, a vile smoothie. The ropes, discarded stay on the hull. He stands, leaned on the railing. He can already tell, that leg is going to be a pain, even more if there was a fight to happen. “I hate you, Sūn Wùkōng, the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.” Wukong still refuses to look at him or acknowledge him. It just makes him angrier. The shadows gather and thrash, a sickening mix with a dull cold climbing up his limb.

  “You two good there?” comes MK’s voice, looking up from his map. Before Macaque can get a word out Wukong steps in-

  “Sure thing bud! Just a bit of catching up!” Wukong winks to the kid who seemingly, let’s it go. “Are you planning to leave?” Wukong asked, gesturing to discarded rope. He thinks for a moment, looking at his foot. “It doesn’t seem like a fast acting curse if you are concerned about that. Plus, now that we know she could be listening in, she won’t do it so brazenly.” his ears twitch, a sight coming from Wukong. “I won’t bother you any more. Just know this, I don’t hate you Liu’er mihou.” with that, Wukong leaves his side, right down to bothering the pig demon. Macaque is taken a back for a moment before almost chuckling to himself.

Wukong was a fool if he thought he cared how he felt. He wasn’t the one who was killed, after all-

The Great Sage stood over him, eyes narrow, teeth gleaming. He couldn’t do as much as move from his spot, shadows wrapping over his limbs, clawing at his fur. The hard ground gave no relief to all the red around him. This was, somewhere in his head, vaguely weird. For someone immortal to feel death, that is.

The shadows clawed and pulled, rough ground stabbing him and pulling. Finally, he pulls on the shadow, finding the strength to fight the inky tar.

“Wukong!” he yells, a plead for help. His hand outstretches to the sky, towards the sun. Towards Wukong. The hate he had, all of it, seeped back into his thoughts. He was pleading for help from one he hated the most. Or maybe- Was he pleading to his former friend, rather than what he became in his eyes? For that string of thoughts died instantly when the void below caught his head. His good eye was swallowed, seeing nothing more. Hearing nothing more. No more sun or warmth.

Death was cruel and twisting, cornering and drowning. It smothered him in endless darkness and refused to yield. Muffled by no sound and surrounded by nothing. Not poetic or melodramatic as some would led you to believe.

Yet he clawed at the darkness for how long? How long did the hate for Wukong kept its shape even though Liu’er mihou was long dead?

Until the blue light seeped into his eyes and called his name.

  “Hey can you make any sense of this, Macaron?” Macaque flinches. The map is literally showed into his face by Mei and of course, MK. There was a line and another… squigglier line and some mountains maybe? A volcano? And a tower?

  “We thought it Monkey King maybe exchanged our quest for some kind of hobbit quest?” MK says, jabbing a finger at the volcano.

  “I don’t know what I am seeing or hearing, kiddo.”

  “Dude you need to watch that if you didn’t-”

  “The book is better.” Mei deadpans.

  “Oh no no, we are not having another argument about that.” Macaque chuckles to himself, studying the map a bit more carefully. A desert maybe? A forest and- ah. It’s that village to the West. The one that really really likes Wukong. However, if he listened closely for it, it seemed to be really really darn far. The closer sound was, actually, the volcano? Volcano was on the map right? There is… Demon Bull King? Interesting.

  “The volcano is the closest.” he deadpans. “Demon Bull King lives in it. We need to pass the sea for it.” Wukong was looking their way, seemingly interested in the topic. “There resides a friend of Wukong’s.”

  “Is it who I think it is!?” the monk moved by their side, in a speed that was probably unmatched by Nezha himself. “The Great Dragon of the East, Áo Guāng!?”

  “Um, yeah. That guy.” Macaque shrugs.

  “Is he really your friend, though? You stole the staff from him, didn’t you?” Wukong stumbles over a bite of noodles he was showing into his mouth.

  “Uh, yeah, sure! He would be fine with us passing through his domain, I think.”

  “Ya think?” Pigsy accuses, looking at Wukong from the corner of his eye.

  “Sooo, if it is safe to say that our course is over the sea and towards the Bull Family?” Sandy asks, the said giant really had a gift of popping around the place. Everyone’s gaze turns to Wukong who is currently, stuffing his face. He stops, dropping his chopsticks to the food.

  “Well, if you guys think that is correct idea.” Wukong mutters, quickly looking to MK. “What do you think, MK?”

  “It’s closest and we might be able to persuade the Bull Family to give it to us?” Macaque unwillingly chuckles. The Bull family giving up a ring of Samadhi? Doubtful at best. If it was in their possession anyway. Which, given Wukong’s lack of interference, probably was. Which again, probably meant he was hiding something. “Hey, Macaque?”

  “What is it kid?”

  “Why don’t you just… teleport us there? If Dragon King is that much of a problem?” MK asked and Wukong was back to absently eating while he looked on the scene.

  “Look kid, teleportation that far without a clear head-” he pointed to bandage around his head. “Is like driving blind. Even that stunt with the rope was pretty exhausting.” a cross of hands. “What I mean is, you would probably dive out in much more pieces than what you came in with.” Tang in particular shudders.

  “Oh.”

  “Well you can always be our compass, since you hear that good.” Mei shrugged. “I am sure Sandy would appreciate some actual directions.” Wukong avoids her gaze in pure comedic timing.

  “No more nicknames.” Macaque finds himself smirk.

  “Well, that’s settles it than! We are going to the West!” Sandy proclaims. “I am counting on you to give me directions Mr. Macaque.”

  “As long as you hold on your part of the bargain.” the blue giants looks questioning for a moment before seemingly understanding and nodding.

  A rancid feeling climbs up his fur and out of corner of his eye, he sees the ice move, minimally, almost macroscopic. His teeth bare on instinct. If the fire of Samadhi was the solution, he needed to act fast and help them as much as he could. Otherwise-

“I shall return you to life Liu’er mihou, under one small condition. Release me when the time comes, my champion.”

  MK watched as everyone dinned together as Monkey King talked about his fight with Nezha. Well, at least something positive. Actually, besides Monkey King and Macaque butting heads it went almost too well. They got a target with few… minor inconveniences but- he was sure it would be fine. At least as fine as it could be since he lost all his powers and the staff and Monkey King, Macaque and him were injured and-

  He stops his thoughts. There wasn’t time for wild panic now. They would be fine and they would win. They would cure Macaque, save the world and get to have some darn sleepover at end of this because everyone will need sleep, probably. Also a “Get along shirt” for Monkey King and Macaque. Maybe therapy. Definitely therapy.

  As for now, instead of therapy they had Pigsy’s noodles and hey, that according to Tang, was some sort of therapy by itself.

Chapter Text

  MK feels a hand catching him mid air. His eyes find the golden ones almost immediately-

  “Monkey King?” with a quick look, he pulls his limbs towards himself. He was dangling from Monkey King’s hand over the cloud and right over the desert. On    Monkey King’s other shoulder, dangled Mei, holding for dear life.

  “MK!” he spares her one look before switching his eyes to Monkey King’s. He was forgetting something. He was-

  “Macaque!” he yelps, turning his head to the Lady Bone Demon’s mech. Monkey King followed his gaze. “Macaque stayed with the staff!” Monkey King takes a sharp turn with cloud, gaining distance between. “Monkey King, we need to help him!” in mere moments they are by Dronecopter. MK, held up by Mei and Pigsy, now can observe Monkey King. He is in bad shape too, battered and bruised, a cut above his left eye... a mess.

  “Watch them.” is all he says as he hopes back onto the cloud, lighting fast, takes off. Leaving the useless MK-

  “Kid!” he raised his arm, guarding from a hook to his right. The mock battle pauses that MK asked for, as some sort of training that he wanted to do with Mei pauses. Mei’s brow furrows. Good thing Monkey King was watching, huh?

  “You okay there MK?” she asks, taking a step towards him.

  “It’s fine Mei, really. I was just… thinking about nickname for Macaque is all.” he forces a smile.

  “He would probably bite you, for real this time.” she hits his shoulder, a dull pain on the limb. “Sorry, sorry.” she quickly apologises. “Seriously, what was that MK?”

  “Nothing, it’s fine.” MK pauses, eyes finding his mentor who sat in suspiciously loose pose of meditation. After all he was the one that warned him. Judging by his body language he was listening, if he would base it off Macaque. So he was just pretending then? Sneaky. Just the way his tail wagged was a dead giveaway.

  “MK...” GG MK, now you hurt her.

  “Sorry, it’s just…” his arm flail in a way that can only be funny but Mei doesn’t laugh. He swallows his words back down. Telling them about Lady Bone Demon was one thing but telling them about his insecurity? No. What was he even supposed to say? Yeah, I was just thinking about how useless I was there. How I couldn’t protect anyone. How we could’ve all died. How I failed Monkey King. How I failed everyone. How even by following Macaque’s advice it still didn’t matter- “Fine, swear it.” Mei doesn’t say anything to that, for a few moments before putting up a smile.

  “You had me worried for a moment, MK!” she punches the shoulder again, and ow. “You want to spar some more?” he kinda doesn’t. It was really obvious he couldn’t keep up with Mei. Maybe Pigsy? No, even he was out of his legue. Tang? Nah, he was writing in his journal like a madman. But refusing would worry Mei, so-

  “Yeah, sure.” he sticks his thumb up. Before they do continue however, he notices, out of corner of his eye that Monkey King is looking on the off spot besides him, listening judging by how his ears moved. That was all he had time to process before he doges a well timed hook. This will be a long day.

  The training was exhausting. MK concluded after about thirty minutes top. He barely kept up with Mei normal speed and all. He wanted to ask for a break when-

  “Sea!” it’s Sandy who announces before skidding back to steering wheel. Mei pulls him by the arm until they are by the ledge, Tang by their side like a zooming car.

  “Watch it will ya?” Pigsy grumbles from behind. Right there, behind the hills, the first smell of salty air hit their noses. The sea seemed to stretch on endlessly behind the mountains, merging with the sky in canopy of red. Just to spite him, however, the majestic scene was broken as quickly as it came. For a moment, the craft rumbled and tilted, making everyone to go for railing. Monkey King was in front of him in matter of seconds, one hand outstretched in front of him, features pulled into a snarl.

  “Monkey King?”

  “Stay sharp, kid.” his reply is serious. From one of motor, a mirage, image appears. It is blue, bright blue outline of the Spider Queen. The eyes, bright blue, smile wide. By her side are the other two outlines of blue, three of here minions. Syntax and Huntsman and what was the third… Strong Spider? So that’s what- Why spiderrs? They wildly charge, as if pulled by invisible string. The whispering cuts into his head, vile and malicious. It is thankfully, only momentary blackout. Funny. What he sees Pigsy wielding a fork is standing in front of him, Mei and Monkey King engaged in a fight.

  The outlines have some solidity to them as they can exchange blows and defend but- Monkey King is faltering, wincing. Mei is holding her own, but against four she is pretty unevenly matched. Which is why-

  The Spider Queen is pushed away with a flash of what can only be described as murderous monkey rage.

  “About time you showed up! What were you doing? Waiting for a perfect dramatic entrance?” Wukong responds by pushing one of the minions in the Spider Queen.

  “Thank you, is more than enough, Wukong.” Macaque holds his purple staff as he swats at the one of two remaining minions, pushing him away, right into barely recovered Spider Queen.

  “You are such a theatre brat, Macaron.” Mei as she pushes the other minion into the rest of pile. All the while poking at the already, obviously, angry monkey. “Thanks by the way.” MK takes a step forward, fully intending to join the fray because he doesn’t need- He is stopped by Pigsy’s hand. Why… why was he the one who was protected? Why not Monkey King, he had the map after all. He was hurt too, so why-

  The Dronecopter shakes once again, lurching to the side. The apparitions of their former enemies do as well but only a moment later does MK realise, it’s Macaque’s shadows crawling from the ground that trip them. With an open mouth but no sound, creepy , they fell to the last mountains below. The sea, which was now closer than before because, oh - They will crash.

  They will crash. Panic claws at him just a tiny itty bit- Nope. Actually, he is going off the rails. Everyone is holding onto something, even the Monkey King and- Where did Macaque disappear again?

  “Get into the cockpit!” Sandy calls. MK final decided that he could do something so he pushed Pigsy and Tang from their spot to the cockpit. In a dash, he couldn’t quite get who was where but he could see Monkey King entering the last, Sandy closing the doors. They all huddled to a corner, Sandy hugging everyone, besides Monkey King who, despite everything tilting was casually standing. His tail twitched left to right as if obvious to their situation.

  “What are ya doing!? Get together stupid monkey!”

  “You know he can technically just stand there. He is a bit too immortal to die.” Tang notes and Pigsy looks about ready to bite his head off when a crash resounds. It’s fast and chilling, strong enough for MK to close his eyes and-

  Nothing.

  Nothing but the biting cold.

  It is not wet cold though and that is exactly what makes MK open his eyes. First thing he sees is, his breath as it whips into the air. Next thing his eyes do notice is that the ship is halfway into the water, one of windows looking into murky below. Even the weird fishes looking back at them from depths were present. However, the other part of it is still on the surface.

  “Is that… ice?” Sandy asks, standing up and touching the apparent icicle on the roof of the room.

  “Seems to be?” Pigsy looks around. “Where did it come from?” just now, he notices, Monkey King is gone, the door to the cockpit open. Oh boy that’s a bad feeling. It prompts him to poke his head around the door, looking for any sign of Moneky King or Macaque. His eyes find Monkey King quickly, standing in the middle of platform, right in front of pile of ice which- 

  Macaque stands on. He is… creepy . His left eye shines unnatural blue, crossed over by one single line that too emitted the glow. Was it a scar or something? The ice too, crawled up to his hip, standing there like some sort of a hungry animal, nipping at him. The shadows coil and thrash around him, as if they were angered. He just stands there… menacingly .

  “Ya good Macaron?” Mei pokes her head out of the room as well. Macaque’s ears twitch, look switching from Monkey King’s guarded form to them. That was probably not good.

  “Macaque?” well, he might as well call out to him. For good ten seconds Macaque does nothing but stare at them. The quiet stalemate is broken by arrival of Sandy who stands in front of them. He says nothing and MK thinks, that’s the most serious he ever seen Sandy look. That’s when an odd smirk finds it’s way on Macaque’s face. It turns to laugher as his eyes close with force of it. When he opens them, however, they are back to gold that mimicked Monkey King’s. Even the seeming scar was gone without a trace.

  “Relax, big guy. I am still not done.” Macaque finally says, jumping off his ice tower. Monkey King crosses his arms in front of him but gets pretty much completely ignored as Macaque passes by. MK can’t hold it any more.

  “I thought you got possessed!” he trots over to Macaque with full intent to hug the stupid monkey. In return he kisses the ground and skids along the ice to the first bump in the ice. Ouch. Rude.

  “What was the deal with that anyway?” he hears Mei ask as he sits up, arms crossed.

  “The deal with that is that this idiot used Lady Bone Demon’s powers without our knowledge.” Monkey King absolutely seethes, surprisingly not melting the ice beneath him, tail thrashing wildly.

  “Ya did what?” Pigsy is next on the ever growing list of the “I am angry with Macaque” list.

  “If it matters, Mr. Macaque used it to stabilize the ship first. If he didn’t we would’ve crashed back there in the mountains.”

  “Oh, so he used them twice.” Tang notes as he writes down on his book.

  “Anything to say for yourself?” Monkey King leans towards still quiet Macaque.

  “Thank you, is still more than enough, Wukong.” is what he gets for an answer with touch of growl. Monkey King responds to that with a thrash of tail, face pulling in a snarl.

  “We would’ve been fine anyway.”

  “Not everyone is immortal and invincible, o’ Great Sage.”

  “Why are you-” before two can speak another word, Pigsy point a spoon at both the of them in the same time.

  “So lemme get this straight. We get attacked, nearly crash land, definitely crash land and here ya two decide to be children again?” Monkey King hangs his head but Macaque keeps it high. “This idiot here uses unknown power of the enemy to save us while the other idiot is too afraid to tell the first that he is worried about him? What are ya, children at playground?” both Macaque’s and Monkey King’s tails stop as soon as “worried” left Pigsy’s mouth. Monkey King’s eyes widen just a bit and suddenly, he is looking away. Macaque on other hand stops just for a brief moment, enough for Pigsy to finish before chuckling. During all this, MK sits quietly, cross legged, without a sound to tell.

  “Don’t you know how the story goes, Pigsy? The Great Sage killed The Six Eared Macaque and everyone lived happily ever after.” he waves his hand. “If he worries now, than he is more of a fool than I thought.”

  “What are you-? You know I would never-”

  “Not one of my ears cares for what you are about to say.”

  “We are not don-”

  “Save your breath Wukong.” with that prompt shut down, everything quietens. Macaque moves to the corner of the platform, sitting down. Monkey King stays to the centre however, as if frozen.

  “Sooo, how are we gong to get off this?” Tang is foolish enough to break the silence.

  “I will look for parts I can salvage and turn it into something new! Do not worry friend!” and off Sandy goes, gathering the metal. Mei goes off with him, her knowledge of well, stuff to drive would probably help. Pigsy looks on the magical monkeys once more, with a look of disappointed parent no less and sets off to probably start a fire. Tang, in the mid of this, mutters to himself, writing down everything from the look of ship to the sea to everything. MK steels himself, takes a big breath. Going to Macaque immediately was a death sentence. That’s why he choose Monkey King first. Unmoving Monkey King. Well, everything is better than being left in silence. Today was the day of creepy monkeys.

  “Um, Monkey King?” he tries to get his attention. “Monkey King?”

  “Um, yeah, what’s up bud?” he finally faces him with a mock up of a happy tone. The right expression for that is, nobody is home.

  “Are you… alright?” that’s kinda stupid to ask, he thinks. They were in the middle of the sea, stranded. As a bonus they were sitting ducks. And as a bonus of a bonus, Macaque really subtly accused him off killing him. Very neat set of circumstances. He wants to ask Monkey King if he did it. MK was trusting, he looked up to Monkey King completely but Macaque didn’t sound like he lied, at least not to his ears. If he does ask though, Macaque would hear it and just get angrier probably. Which was a bad thing to do in the middle of the sea, chased by spiders. Than again, Macaque heard everything everywhere if he put his mind up to it so-

  “Yeah, sure thing bud! Don’t worry!” Monkey King sticks a thumb up. MK sees completely through it, Monkey King was far worse liar than Macaque. There is a weird sense of deja vu but he stuffs it down his throat.

  “What happened between you and Macaque?” MK asks, quietly. Monkey King pauses before sighting. “He told me you were warrior and hero, sun and shadow.”

  “Look, buddy, it’s a really complicated story and-” he stops abruptly, seemingly gathering his thoughts. “Once we are somewhere safer I’ll tell you. How does that sound?”

  “Promise?” while he looks in Monkey King’s eyes, he also keeps watch on his tail. If he learnt one thing is that monkey’s tail told no lies. Monkey King’s was calm now, not even moving with wind.

  “Promise.” suddenly, he is in hold by Monkey King who is ruffling his hair. For someone exhausted he still had a lot of strength. “Maybe grumpy monkey there could use some cheering up?” MK snorts.

  “Why don’t you go?” Monkey King releases him.

  “I know you mean well bud but I think I would rather keep my limbs today.” he smiles and MK chuckles. “Besides, I think he will appreciate your company more than mine.”

  “I think he would appreciate yours too.” MK chooses to say, taking a deep breath. Steeling himself for Macaque’s seething anger, he leaves Monkey King’s side. One grumpy monkey off the bucket list. One more to go. At least he was good at something. Macaque doesn’t do more than twitch of the tail as MK approaches him. That is actually… worse than seething anger. That was brewing storm.

  He chooses to drop by Macaque’s side, a bit away from the maw of the monkey because you never know. Macaque was volatile if you pushed the wrong button. Which is why MK doesn’t speak a word for a moment or two, inspecting closely the ice that wrapped on Macaque’s left leg. It really looked jagged and unnatural, crawling all the way to the hip. Briefly, MK wondered if he will get fully encased in it but he chases away the thought.

  “You doing good Mac n’ Cheese?” he asks, not really expecting an answer. He doesn’t receive one either. “You really got us there, being all glowy and stuff.” he chuckles, leaning on his knees. Macaque still doesn’t do anything, eyes firmly closed, arms crossed. He is not sleeping, he can tell that much so he just continues. “Thanks for a save by the way, I don’t think we would appreciate drowning in the early morning.”

  “Did anyone tell you that you talk too much, MK?” he finally receives a sign of life from Macaque and hey, he didn’t sound half as pissed as before. Wohooo!

  “Several people, actually.” he answers, continuing: “Should I be offended by that or-?”

  “Beats me kiddo. Ask your dad over there.” Macaque nods towards Pigsy.

  “Pigsy actually, was one of those people.”

  “Oh, I don’t doubt that.” Macaque smirks, first time opening his eyes to look at the sky. “So the idiot sent you here, huh?”

  “Well, I meant to come by myself but yeah. Out of curiosity, did you hear all of that?”

  “Sure did, kid. I look forward to that shadow play once we get somewhere safe-ish.” he chuckles. “Friendly warning though, don’t corner him too much. He will start stuttering.”

  “No way! Is Monkey King afraid-”

  “You got it, class A stage fright! A real scary cat in front of an audience!”

  “Macaque!” Monkey King turns around his axis, some food stuffed in his mouth.

  “What? I didn’t lie, did I?” he shrugs, leaving fuming Monkey King to turn back to Pigsy. “What an idiot.” he says, somewhat under his breath.

  “How come you two just casually switch between wanting to murder each other to joking like bickering siblings?” before he gets what he says, he sees Macaque’s eyebrow twitch.

  “MK, buddy, no.” he looks at him with a stare of thousand suns. MK quickly nods in response, deciding to drop the topic.

  “So, how are you? Besides peachy, you know.”

  “Peachier.”

  “I will unleash Mei on you.”

  “Ouch.” Macaque mocks. “Like a fruit salad.”

  “What does that even mean?” Macaque just shrugs in response. MK just groans in response. Before he can get another word out, Macaque’s ears twitch, face taking a rather serious expression. Sea stirs, waves hitting the ice island they made. A low… grumble? Makes way through the air. It is low-key terrifying and all hairs on his head stand up to it. Macaque flinches because if that sound was loud to him, he wondered just how loud it was to Macaque. With a quick scramble, he gets behind Monkey King, towards the others.

  “That your friend?” it’s Pigsy who asks Monkey King who kind of waves his hands and shrugs. Macaque pulls out a snarl, moving into fighting stance.

  “Oh come one, we already crash landed!” Mei pokes her head out of the cockpit she and Sandy were inspecting.

  “The luck of carrying a scholar around.” Macaque growled which was promptly followed by “Hey!” from Tang. From the giant sea wave, rises a head, a dragon head to be exact. First, neat. Second, heck. It growls, a low unnerving sound. The same that came from the sea moments ago. MK notices few smaller waves circling the island as if… sharks? Were they surrounded?

  On the head of the dragon, however, a person stands. Person with horns and a tail. Awesome but also, not good times two.

  “Áo Guāng, buddy! How have you been-”

  “Silence!” the voice echoes, shutting up Monkey King almost immediately. “You dare enter my domain after stealing from me and humiliating me, trickster?” his eyes go over the party. “And now what you have stolen was stolen from you too and given to Lady Bone Demon no less!? Not only that but you bring the Six Eared Shadow who serves her in your company! I should execute on the spot!”

  “Can… can he even do that? Isn’t Monkey King immortal?” Tang whispers and Pigsy hits him on the back in famous gesture to “shut up”.

  “That’s not good.” whispers Mei behind the Monkey King.

  “Maybe you have forgotten but I am S-” the projection of another dragon, this time white appears to them, snarling mere breath in front of Monkey King.

  “I can smell your weakness, Sun Wukong the trickster. Your power is all but depleted!”

  “Look, I hate to interrupt this, whatever it is but-” Macaque slams his purple staff in front of the dragon, effectively putting himself between the dragon and Monkey King. “I take offence to the implication.”the dragon’s snarl strengthens before dissipating into the wind.

  “Either you surrender or be taken by force.” from the circling, arises a small army of armored turtles of all things. All of them wield a weapon, unmatched in numbers. There was at least fifty and still counting, jumping onto the ice island and tightening the circle. One has unfortunate circumstance of stepping too close to Mei, earning a well balanced disarming with her sword.

  “Stop!” the turtles stop but do not waver. “Where did you get this blade-”

  “My family’s?”

  “The blade of my brother, Dragon of the West? You mean to tell me you are the descendant of Ao Ji?!” MK thought this was perfect time for leverage, after all if they shared common enemy, could Dragon of the East help with Samadhi Fire? After all map was till on him. Just as he was to speak up however- “Bring the girl, imprison the rest.” and while that was a good scenario, he found that Macaque didn’t seem to want to do that. Like at all. As circle got smaller, he growled louder, tail swishing wildly.

  “Wait, Áo Guāng!” he hears Monkey King call. “Take the girl, Macaque and me. These guys are imprisoned by themselves, anyway.” he smirks. Mei nods to Monkey King, obviously two communicating on some special wavelength. From there, he switched his eyes to Macaque. Said monkey’s tail thrashed once or twice before he dismissed his staff but looking about as happy as a child eating a sour lemon. Dragon King seems to consider the thought before nodding.

  “Take the monkeys and the girl. Leave the rest.” the turtles circle around Monkey King and Macaque, pointing the weapons at them while Mei gets escorted towards the edge of island. Dragon’s head lowers, allowing them to climb on it. Huh, it’s more like Dragon- Turtle-Machine.

  “Keep the scroll safe and get going. We will catch up to you later.” is what echoes in his head in words of Monkey King. Didn’t he have the scroll? Wait… His hand goes to his back pocket and yeah, the scroll is there alright. With one final guttering growl, with all passengers in tow, the Dragon turns, diving into depths and away. As soon as it’s gone the turtles too jump of the ice island, leaving them alone.

  “Well what do we do now?” Tang asks over the silence.

  “Well what do ya think? We get some way off this stupid island and go and fetch the stupid monk-”

  “No.” MK says, cutting into Pigsy. “Sorry. Monkey King contacted me. He told us to keep the map safe and go ahead.” he pulls the said map out of his pocket, laying it for all of the group to see.

  “So he is providing a distraction?” Tang musses. “Clever.”

  “Well, that’s the first ‘clever’ thing he did since he came back. How’s it going there Sandy?” Sandy, who was already gone from the scene was already hammering away with Mo on the helm.

  “Few hours at most!” Sandy proudly proclaims.

  “Alright boys, let’s get to work.” Pigsy pulls his sleeves back, picking up Tang by his shirt with him and off to Sandy to ask what they needed help with. MK casts one more look at the map before pocketing it. With a glance he looks to the now quiet sea. Mei was going to be fine with Monkey King and Macaque by her side. After few hours she will probably tire the Dragon King out completely. And he will probably be forced to let her go. A smile climbed to his face and fell just as fast because- Please don’t put Monkey King and Macaque in same jail cell.

  Well, that was problem for future MK.

  “You will honour our deal trickster.” the Dragon King growled as he led a party of couple soldiers between which he and Macaque were sandwiched. They didn’t even bother tying them which was definitely wise choice since well, it’s not like he or Macaque couldn’t break out of those bounds. As for Mei, she was led by a woman in formal clothes so she was probably okay by the status alone.

  “Does that include me? I never agreed to this, you know.” growls Macaque behind him.

  “Silence, Six Ears! The jury on your execution is still out.”

  “Why don’t you try me then?” oof, Macaque was seething.

  “Guys, guys, calm down. Nobody is trying anyone.” Wukong waves his hands, throwing a look at Macaque. The monkey has the nerve to click his tongue and look away. Nobody speaks a word. As the luck would have it, they find a cell rather quickly. They are not thrown into it, thankfully, but led into it. As soon as they are in, about like, ten doors close, sealing the entrance. Good for those ten doors but didn’t they get the walls were made only out of brick?

  More importantly, mission “Don’t get in fight with Macaque” started now. They were buying time after all. Just not as much as that skeleton guy on the wall, or at least he hoped. That being said after few hours, Wukong is Wukong so when he plops onto the floor by the wall and he tries to trike up some kind of conversation.

  “Man I would really go for noodles right about now.” Macaque, who is leaning on the opposite side of wall raises an eyebrow. “Or for some meditation, actually.”

  “Afraid?” Wukong raises his eyebrow in return.

  “I am going to go with no, since, you know. Like five different immortalities.”

  “Seven.”

  “Well, aren’t you a fanboy?” Wukong smirks but Macaque just clicks his tongue and looks away, tail swishing. “We are buying time in case you are wondering so help me waste some time.”

  “How do we get out?” Wukong clears his throat, intending to speak super quiet so only Macaque could hear.

  “You are good to teleport on short distance, right? You get us to Mei, Mei uses dragon and we swim or fly away.” Macaque’s ear twitch in response.

  “That has to be one of stupider plans, Wukong.”

  “Buuuut it will work. Also, the next time you get Bone radioed for more than ten seconds, you are getting smacked.” Macaque sights, dropping to sitting position. “By the way, why did you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Stand between Áo Guāng and me.” he waits patiently for the answer as he watches Macaque’s tail thump softly.

  “Because the kid likes you and-” he faces him with that snarl of his. “Because you are pathetic.”

  “You should snarl less, you will get wrinkles.” Wukong shrugs. “You know this reminds me of that one time we got captured-”

  “One time? Is your memory fading old monkey?”

  “Shut it, I am reminiscing.”

  “You can reminisce quieter.” Macaque decides to growl this time but Wukong decides to continue.

  “We stole something… what was it? Something from a local demon. Staled until monkeys robbed the whole place before just noping out of it.” it was a really fond memory of theirs. He remembered how tricked demons ran in circles as they watched from afar, eating their food and laughing with the rest of monkeys. It was one of only times he heard a normal, genuine laugh from Macaque. “I asked you if you would remember the heist, because it was one of our firsts and we were children back then and-”

  “It was close to Flower Fruit mountain.” Macaque finishes.

  “Yeah, you got it!” he sticks a thumb up but Macaque’s face stands unflinching. There is however, some faraway light in them.

  “Those memories mean nothing to me any more, Wukong. After all that monkey I knew, doesn’t exist any more.”

  “First of all rude. Second, dramatic. Third, yeah you are probably right.” he leans on the wall. “That goes for both of us.” fidgeting with his hands behind his head, Wukong swallows the lump in his throat. “When I I tell the kid, will you tell us what happened to you?” tense silence follows for few moments.

  “You know what happened to me. It’s written in your little book.”

  “Look, Macaque, I get that you don’t want to listen to me.” he tries to find Macaque’s eyes but the other is avoiding his eyes. “But I really don’t have a clue what happened to you. You shouldn’t have been able to die in the first place, your name is off the list since I went into the Underworld. I would know, I scribbled it over.”

  “Wukong.” Macaque warns, fur bristling.

  “Macaque.” in response his own fur bristles. “I don’t hate you. I won't push you. You can hate me all you want. I know what I was, was not a great King or friend. But there must be more to that hatred than that.” Macaque’s eyes wander around the room, not out of anger but more like he was weighting his options. Finally, he faces him, face like stone.

  “If you are lying, Wukong. I swear to you, neither of us are going back.”

  “You have my word, as Monkey King, Liu’er mihou.” Macaque stills, taking a calming breath but despite it, his fur continues to bristle.

  “The day you beat me, I was killed.” Again, how? Underworld laid no claim over his soul so- “You looked from above as the shadows swallowed me.” Wukong pauses, flinching. His eyes widen, tail dropping like stone. That can’t be true. He checked if Macaque was alive and left. Surely, there was no way- “You stared as I was dragged under, Wukong.”

  “Last I saw you, you were unconscious Macaque. I checked if you were alright and left. When I returned, there was nobody there.” it’s Macaque’s turn to flinch, his tail dropping. He gets up, taking a step, towering over Wukong.

  “You are lying.”

  “I gave you my word, Macaque.” he feels his own teeth bear in anger. “Someone set us up. Macaque someone killed you and turned us completely against each other.” a growl passes his lips.

  “How did it get written in the book Wukong?”

  “That- I did it. I told them I killed you. That way nobody would come after you or looked for you.” he swallows what feels like glass against his throat. “I returned to help you and explain to you but- you were gone. Dammit.”

  “Language, Great Sage.”

  “And how are you so calm?”

  “Eh, shock, probably.” Macaque cracks a smile. “Or anger. Both.”

  “I swear, when I find whoever impersonated me, I will-”

  “Lady Bone Demon. She used it as leverage. She revived me, that was the favour.” Macaque smirks to himself. “That wretched witch.” Wukong’s own eyes widen. That made vague sense, she impersonated him, killed his sworn brother and blamed it on him to make their bond unsalvageable. How did she revive him though? Was she that powerful? Was she-

  Out of corner of his eye, he sees Macaque turn around, shadows gathering and wreathing. A chuckle passed his lips, low and threatening. He knew what that meant and he was not fond of stopping it. But- Wukong finds himself bolting forward, hand on Macaque’s shoulder to ground him.

  “Don’t you dare go alone!” he snarls at Macaque.

  “What makes you think you can order me around!?” Macaque snarls back, making him stumble a step away. “Me hating her more than you doesn’t automatically mean we are friends again, Great Sage!”

  “Be reasonable Macaque! I told you, the only way to kill her is to use-” he cuts himself off, mindful of place they are in. “Besides, remember the plan.”

  “She killed me, Wukong.” he growls, hand somehow making its way to Wukong’s shirt. “She used my dislike of you to get what she wanted. If this was your old self, we would be already there!”

  “Well I am not my old self! Get that to your skull you grumpy monkey!” Macaque flinches, letting go. Some of the shadows leaving his side. Good. “After we reach our goal, we can safety do it. She will get what she sow, I promise.”

  “I hate you, Wukong.”

 “I got it on the second mention, I think.” the tension eases, air becoming light again. The shadows that coiled disappear into the sea floor, calm again. The silence is interrupted by the sharp sound of opening doors. As their luck would have it, it was Dragon King with his guards.

  “I heard rather interesting information from th-”

  “Crap! Macaque, book it!” for a moment, Macaque is confused but a moment later, he opens a portal beneath their feet. They fall before the Dragon King even has a moment to say anything. Wukong, of course, has a moment to stick his tongue out to the imminent threat to his life before disappearing.

  Portaling is just as nauseating as he remembered. You go in falling down and end up falling up. It’s the wackiest thing ever. Also cool but don’t tell Macaque that. Which is why when the two end up at a banquet of some sort, Wukong has to take a double take because he ended up on his nose, on the table.

  “Guys!” the happy voice of Mei greets them. She is dressed in some sort of royal garb with a hole made for a sword. It makes him snort as he stumbles out of what was soup. To his left, Macaque seemingly landed better because he was tying a nearby turtle guard in a knot.

  “Hi to you too! Listen, we have to book it. Right away.” Mei looks at him with biggest question mark. “The Dragon you can project, it has a form that can interact with objects, right? Carry us out.” Next to him, Macaque’s ears twitch.

  “I never did that?” Mei asks, definitely unsure.

  “Hey, you can do it kid! If you can fire a laser at Macaque, you can carry us out of here no problem.”

  “I heard that Wukong.”

  “That was the point.” he smirks. “Just… try not to look at the palace as we go.” he scratches back of his head. Mei frowns but summons her energy to her. A Dragon appear, or just it’s head since nothing else fits. Mei quickly jumps to it, testing the solidity of it. She jumps once, twice on it. Thrice.

  “Come on! We are Never Ending Story out of here!”

  “Macaque!” he yells as he high tails for the dragon. Macaque does the same, landing on Mei’s right while he goes for left. The lift off is successful in line of “that palace went like domino castle”. Now that full dragon’s length is revealed, Wukong is kinda glad nobody looks back to the palace. “Hold your breath!” they break the bubble, surprisingly, without encountering the dragon turtle.

  Which they did, just a moment later, it was seemingly returning to the palace. Well now it was honing on them, readying a laser. Fortunately, Mei notices it too, speeding up and breaking the surface. Wukong vaguely wondered why Dragon King wasn’t chasing them himself but the domino palace and yea. Laser speeds by them from the dark murky underwater so Mei absolutely floors it.

  “Left!” Macaque yells over gushing wind. Directions. Yep. Smart.

  In moments they can see the ice island, a simple, Mo themed truck on it. They seemed packing the last stuff on it.

  “Mei, pick them up and floor it towards where is land!”

  “You got it!”

  “Get in the truck, all of you!” the specs gather around truck and into it, just on time so claw of the dragon catches the structure, carrying it off ground mid flight. For someone who was using their power like this for the first time, Mei was remarkably good at driving. Than again this was probably the last time they did this stunt since she would probably sleep off a half a day at least.

  It takes them about five minutes to cross the sea, the dragon throwing the truck to the scorching desert floor in ten seconds and Mei to drop already half asleep about two. Well, this was camp apparently. From the back burst MK, Tang and Sandy with so many questions that Wukong can’t even process a quarter. Pigsy however, the voice of reason cuts in-

  “Ya see they are exhausted!? We will hear it over nice bowl of noodles.” out of corner of his eye he sees Macaque, stills tearing off into the sea over the hill. He must still hear the dragon’s roar over it.

  “You coming or what!?” he yells at the said monkey.

  “Do not order me around!” the other retaliates but still turns, walking towards them. MK meanwhile, pokes Mei’s cheek with a stick. Cute.

  “Come on, I need a good puppeteer for a story.” after all, he had a promise to keep.

Chapter Text

  Wukong looked at his audience, a drip of nervous sweat on his neck. Around the fire, MK sat. Leaning on his shoulder was Mei who was more sleeping than listening. Pigsy was occasionally looking from the bowl of food, mixing it absently. Sandy was waiting in an excited heap, Mo nestled on his shoulder. Tang was ready in every sense of the word, two notebooks, few pens and all. He choose to tell the story on the side of the van, where light hit it. Macaque’s job was to support what he was saying with shadows, his speciality. Although Macaque too was resting, just against the van, not giving a lot of mind to what Wukong was doing or saying. Rightfully so, he had on his platter enough for one day. They both did.

  However, the promise is a promise and when will they get some more downtime was a pretty good question. Especially since he had to go and meditate to regain his strength so he could deal with Lady Bone Demon properly.

  “Alright, so I see you turned this into a party night MK. Nice going kid!” in return, he gets a thumbs up from him. Sneaky little guy. Macaque positively snickers by his side. “Where do I start though? Like, there were once two monkeys-” MK snickers, prompting Wukong to look at the side of the van. A monkey with six ears and a peach. Wonderful. There was also a faint sound of “Six ears!” from Mei as she pointed to the van.

  “I wasn’t given a script you know.” Macaque responds to his growl.

  “You are going to be telling this.”

  “Nah, your promise.” Macaque just buries himself a bit comfier to the van.

  “You are an idiot.”

  “Takes one to know one.” Wukong growls under the breath, facing his audience again.

  “Anyway, as I was saying- The two monkeys. They were sworn brothers, tied with bonds of friendship.” he peaks at the van, finding two shadows of monkeys, side by side. It brought back memories. “There was nobody on Earth or Celestial realm that could stop them. With the time, however, one grew stronger and bore name of Hero. The other still fought by his side, he was Warriour. The Warriour grew bitter towards the strength and arrogance of Hero.” the shadows darken the light, casting a glare at two monkeys. “They got into the fight, one which the Hero ordered the Warriour to stay behind. The Hero was captured and he never got to apologize for compromising the friendship they had over his arrogance.” in the shadows of the van, a monkeys shadow trapped under mountain awaits as the other sits, presumably far away. He nudges Macaque. “I can’t tell them what I don’t know, you know.” Macaque looks at him, rather lazily. One would say he didn’t pay attention at all but you could tell by the way his tail swished, that he did. Wukong knew he did.

  The shadows twits and turn to imply the passage of time. Macaque obviously wasn’t in the mood to tell his side of the story but that was expected. Well, at least he tried. It’s not like Macaque promised to tell him his side of story anyway. Actually, he never answered to that, after all he only told him he was killed. Sneaky monkey.

  “The Hero was freed and taken to the Journey where he established friendships and bonds. Then the Warriour appeared. He tried to harm Hero’s friends. Although, Hero was free, he insisted he was held hostage. After the Warriour revealed what he intended to do, they fought. In their fight, the Hero-” he turns to the van, out of dumbassary because he wanted to actually look at Macaque. He sees one of he shadow’s eyes split, leaving it with a mark. What cannot be spoken of, the shadows have shown. “Hurt his former friend. He attempted to apologize but the Warriour was long gone. They didn’t see each other for a long time, the journey was over. The Warriour came to him once again, demanding on his return now that he was free. The Hero refused and two got in the fight once more, this time to one of their bitter ends. The Hero left to gather the supplies but once he returned, there was nothing but dust.” he takes a deep breath as reflection on the van morphs from the figure standing in the empty valley to flames. “Well, how did I do?” he asks, smiling.

  “Macaque is a better storyteller.” Mei mumbles, rubbing her eyes.

  “One to zero for the shadow, Wukong.”

  “Kid, help me out here.” he looked at MK who was frowning.

  “Mr. Tang is the best one though.”

  “Oi, kid-”

  “One to one to zero, Wukong.”

  “Do we get a QnA now?” Mei raises her hand. Wukong looks at her with question marks in his expression. “Questions and Answers.” she clarifies.

  “Sur-” before he even finishes, Tang is raising his hand in the air while Pigsy jerks away. “Tang?”

  “I have few questions, actually. Um- How did Macaque come into being actually? How did you two become sworn brothers? Why didn’t you return to the monkeys? What happened to the Macaque, at the end?”

  “Oh boy that-” he steals a look at Macaque whose tail is now sweeping at the floor.

  “Wukong-”

  “I won’t tell them.” he reassures Macaque. “I don’t want everyone’s judgment to be clouded by revenge. After all, they all came to care for you, didn’t they?” Macaque looks away, avoiding his gaze. “Aw, look how soft you became. Like a tofu or something.”

  “Idiot.”

  “From shadow of my stone egg or something? I dunno. We didn’t question it that much to be honest. One day there was a report of some monster repeatability eating our supplies so I went to investigate. And there he was, biting my hand next.” he scratches behind at his neck. “As for sworn brothers…” for a moment, he is back on that cliff, first rays of sunrise touching the grass next to them. They are covered in cuts and bruises and Wukong hopes he isn’t feeling a broken leg but they are laughing. They are laughing because the demons beneath the cliff are running around confused and funnily. They are laughing because-

  “You are reminiscing loudly again.” comes from Macaque who is now leaning his head on an arm propped by his frozen knee.

  “Will you get off my case already?” he replies, crossing his arms and looking back at Tang. “We just worked the best together, that’s all. As for the why I stayed is because, well at first, the circlet, obviously. I did come to like the companions though and well, I thought monkeys were in good hands.” he sneaks a look at Macaque. He is met with a neutral look. “As for what happened after the second fight, I can’t say. I was not there.”

  “While he was out doing whatever, I just teleported away.” Macaque adds to his lie, shrugging.

  “Since than, we can’t really get on a good foot.” Wukong shrugs with a smile.

  “Well, you seem on a good foot now.” Sandy points out, causing Wukong to look at Macaque.

  “Well, he is my ally for now. Aren’t you Macaque?”

  “In your dreams Wukong.”

  “Wait wait, I thought it was written that Monkey King killed ya?”

  “Well, it was sorta kind of my idea. I was hoping that nobody would go after him it was written he died.” he shrugs.

  “But you crossed out his name?” MK asks, eyebrow raising.

  “You know buddy, that sorta thing wasn’t a common knowledge back then.” he smirks. MK makes and “oh” face and quickly nods. “Nobody had time to actually count all those immoralities.”

  “Well, still… Macaque, you implied that Monkey King killed you. I don’t think you were lying.” Wukong pauses after MK finishes his sentence. The kid was sharp. He steals the look at Macaque but the said monkey is just looking into MK’s eyes, offering a stare down. Thankfully, Mei decides to cut in.

  “Is the scar that we saw today when you got all The Exorcist on us, from your fight with Monkey King?” the problem is that it’s even worse cut in than previous observation. Anddd there he goes, fur bristling completely. Suddenly, however, his eyes flash to Wukong’s. He doesn’t want to say it. Macaque probably wants him to say it. The shadows do not want to repeat the scene once more. Wukong really thought he could swallow down the first fight, to look at Macaque and ask him to forgive him but- the moment the scar is revealed, all he can do is back up from it. Because that was something both he and Macaque knew for the fact he did. The claws against flesh, the blood on the earth, the scream. The One Eyed Macaque. The Six Eared Macaque.

  The hero hurt his former friend . The hero blinded his former brother. People around them still expect the answer but he can’t force his tongue to work.

  “Wow, good job kids. You actually broke The Great Sage!” Macaque is suddenly up from his spot, snickering. Wukong blinks a few times, wondering when that actually happened.

  “Oh yeah! Monkey King has stage fright!” MK resounds, giving the information to everyone in the circle. “Which is probably a secret, right? Sorry.”

  “The Monkey King, The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, has stage fright?” Tang asks, noting it down into his book.

  “Well since Macaron is bent on being opposite of Monkey King, and he is theatre kid…” Mei trails off.

  “What can I say, I like being dramatic.” Macaque shrugs next to him.

  “We noticed.” Sandy nods, sticking a thumb up, apperently in support.

  “Well, if we are done for theatrics for today-” Macaque moves away with a bow from the fire, going towards the small cliff that overlooked the sea they escaped from.

  “Won’t you stay with us?” MK is the one to ask.

  “Don’t get me wrong MK, that was just about enough of company for today.” and he is gone, swallowed by darkness.

  “And there he goes off again.” Pigsy sighs. “Ya know, you really should stop probing monkeys who don’t like talking about their past.”

  “It was a QnA though.” Tang frowns.

  “For Monkey King. Not Macaque.”

  “Speaking of which- you good Monkey King?” MK looks at him. “You are really quiet?”

  “Who me? Pfttt, all good kid.” he waves to him. Even though the scene rolled behind his eyes, the wet against wet, claws against flesh- “I’ll keep watch today!” he says.

  “Okay.” MK doesn’t buy it.

  Macaque felt his tail thump against the sandy cliff. Somewhere in the back of his head, he knew sand would be a pain to get out of his fur. That being said, he had much more on his mind. His eyes went to him limb, covered to the hip by ice. Occasionaly it burned, as if it was not the ice but a hot fire. It weighted him down, like an anchor.

  Like the knowledge that what kept him alive was actually a lie. The one who he should hate the most is Lady Bone Demon now. Logically, she killed him, she was at fault. And he hated her, hated her to death. He hated her so much that in a moment, he forgot about her vessel, about everything and just wanted to draw an end to her. But- Wukong stopped him. It hurt. He wasn’t willing to go after her immediately to avenge his death. He understood it, they hurt each other so much that at this point, they were nothing more than enemies tied by circumstances. Although his plan was crazy, it was still probably better shot than blindly charging her in rage which he intended to do. Distantly however, that knowledge did nothing to quell the feeling.

  Wukong who wanted to apologise. Wukong who went for supplies after their fight to find him gone. Wukong who couldn’t tell the others what he did. The Wukong who never apologised but again, neither did he. Was it the ego that prevented them from apologizing? Or maybe the pride that kept him from telling it in front of his pupil? The first time he let him go, let the shadows speak for him but the second- he should’ve left them to question him to death. He should’ve-

  Macaque shakes his head, inhaling the smell of the sea. Dragon King of The East still called from the depths, he searched for them. The sound of whispering ice was closing around the world. The chatter at the camp was meanwhile, replaced by soft breathing. The mumble of dreams.

  With a twitch of the ear, Macaque gets up, walking back to the fire. He was done with people for today but it didn’t change the fact that they were safer together. Which is why he waited for people to go to sleep. Wukong was probably still up but that was risk he had to take.

  Surprisingly though, when he entered the glow of fire, he found all participants sleeping. The van was partially open, Mei and MK sleeping in the back by the entrance, leaning on each other. Pigsy sat by fire, crossed arms while Tang was sitting in beach chair, wherever he found the thing. Sandy was, apparently, inside by the steering wheel with that weird cat thing. Wukong was… actually leaned on the back entrance as well, mumbling in his sleep. Or was it not sleep? Maybe he got knocked out from sheer tiredness, Dragon King was right after all, he was weak.

  “...Mac…” his ears twitch sharply. Ah. It was about them. Macaque takes a nearby wood they gathered, throwing it onto the pile. There goes one more thing Wukong owned him a “thank you” for. Out of corner of his eye, he noticed a teacup in Wukong’s hand. It smelled vaguely like- they knocked him out on purpose. It made him chuckle. Now that the smell however, reached his nose, he noticed one more cup standing on the entrance to the van. There was a hastily written note by it.

  “Drink whenever you feel like. Sorry if we offended you.” it was MK’s handwriting. Of course, the kid was considerate to a t. Taking a cup, Macque sank to shadows and re-emerging at the top of the van’s front. This time it didn’t make his head split in two which was a win in his book. Setting the cup besides him, he watched the horizon of stars.

  Someone had to keep watch until the idiot was up.

  That was fourth “thank you” he was owned.

  The morning sun was lighting everything from the top to bottom of the valley, in a brilliant shine. The tips of blades of grass yellow with it’s glow. The birds chirped peacefully as they passed, luring more sunlight to them. Even the laughter of two young demons wasn’t out of place.

  What was out of place however, was the ruckus they caused below them. Demons running around, their stuff a mess of ropes and shreds and weapons. A garbled sound of “Where are they?” and “Damn monkeys!” while two offenders were just sitting on the cliff above them, laughing their asses off was pretty chaotic in itself. They were not without a sign of scuffle, cuts and bruises, torn clothes, a bent leg but they still laughed.

  “Look at them!” Wukong smiles as he points towards the demons below. Macaque snickers once more, calming down his laugher. “We are a really good team, Mac.”

  “Are we now?” Macaque asks, eyers wandering over the demons below.

  “Yeah!” Wukong replies. “I was like ‘ Pow!’ and you were like ‘Bam!’!”

  “More like, ‘Macaque get me out of this mess but not because I am in danger but because they are!’” Macaque pokes his shoulder, chuckling. Wukong swipes at him but misses, damn him and his cool shadow powers. That was when, young Wukong, got a brilliant idea given to him by the destiny itself.

  “Why don’t we be sworn brothers?” the bond that was actually a big deal in world of demons. Up until now they were friends, best of friends even but now-

  “Don’t you have a few of those?” Macaque raises his eyebrow while he leans on one of his hands. Macaque does what is best described as scanning Wukong’s face.

  “Well yeah, but those are more like alliances?” Wukong scratches back his neck. Before he can say more though, Macaque leans towards him.

  “Are you asking for my hand?” Wukong scrambles away in a flash, right up, ears burning, legs spaghetti. “Only if you will be the bride, Peaches.” he freezes, completely. The next thing he feels is hand slamming against his shoulder, laugher echoing. “Messing with you.”

  “You are the worst.” Wukong slams his shoulder back, debating whether to use his hand or staff (he settled on hand) while still recovering from the sudden heart attack. Satisfied with Macaque’s false wince, he sits back down.

  “What were you thinking then?” he sees Macaque follow him down on the soft grass, leaning on his hands.

  “I thought about making a promise, since we are both immortal.”

  “An oath?” Macaque is looking at him. Wukong just blankly stares back, he just didn’t expect he would get this far with the proposal. Proposal. Get your mind out of the gutter Wukong. “I see. Than I swear to you, I will fight by your side until my end, Monkey King.” it echoes over the meadow so much that Wukong almost cannot hear the panicked demons below. Everyone was in alliance because they feared him, he was stronger and thus they kept by his side. Macaque though, was his friend for centuries, someone akin to a brother he never had. He cleared his throat, before speaking up.

  “And I swear to you, Liu’er Mihou, I will stay by your side until the end.” he outstretches his fist to Macaque who knocks his against is. A fist bump. The two share a quiet, tender moment before Wukong, the gremlin he is, pulls out a seed out of his pocket and proceeds to dig between them with his hand. Man he needed to work on his impulses.

  “What are you doing?” he saw Macaque look from the corner of his eye, tail forming a vague question mark. Man, he was a feline or something, surely.

  “Sealing the deal with a peach seed!” he quickly covers the said seed with dirt, patting the earth. For a moment, he admired his work before announcing: “The deal is sealed, Mac!”

  “I hope you will remember to water it.” Macaque chuckles o his side.

  “I’’ll just employ one of the Dragon Kings to do it!”

  “You are a menace, Peaches.”

  “Yeah but you love me.” he faces Macaque who is looking at him with a natural face before he cracks a smile.

  “Keep telling yourself that.” he gets up, sun shimmering on his fur. Man, his dark fur even shimmered! That stuff along with his shadow powers made him definitely cool in Wukong’s book. Not that he was going to ever tell him that in the face because that was just a death sentence if you are dealing with Macaque. “If you continue to stare, I’ll assume this was all a front for asking for my hand.” just like that. Macaque is leaning, outstretching his hand towards him.

  “Oh shut up Mac.” he replies, taking his hand. Just as Macaque pulls him up, a bucket flies their way. Both dodge in union, hearing a scream of rage from demons below.

  “There they are!”

  “Book it Mac!” a portal opens below their feet and with one last show of gremlin’s tongue-

  Wukong wakes from his spot around the fire with a jerk. With a blink, he looks at the cup in his hand. So that’s how they kept Mac civil. Mac? He didn’t call him that in ages. Centuries? Was it that the cup hit something and woke him up? The mist of the dream still lingers, crashing into waves with a smell of morning, as Wukong looks around. Everyone is still sleeping, even as sun peaks beneath horizon. Oh shoot, he was supposed to keep watch. Well, he thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep after s emi maybe sorta panic attack. Apparently MK had different idea since he was one who gave him the tea. They even left one for Macaque with a note which… was nowhere to be found. Wukong knew Macaque hated tea though, so he advised them to not let it out. Apparently, contrary to his belief, Macaque drank it regularly. Speaking of which, where was he?

  Ah, on the top of the van. He saw his tail, resting and lazily poking over the edge. He was… Maybe more asleep than awake, judging from his tail. Deciding to keep quiet, Wukong watched as the sun shone. The memory bit his mind, refusing to let go. Out of corner of his eye, he watched the tail. It didn’t shimmer. It wasn’t like his memory. It was a deep, dull black.

  Vaguely, he remembered, when Macaque was off with his health, his fur was dull. It was a pretty rare event since he was so meticulous with his cleanliness and overall health. After all he was their medic-to-go. Or a mother hen, dare he say. On the first sign of dull fur, Macaque would look any monkey head to toe, including embarrassingly so, him more than couple of times. The words and warnings, the childish scolding that ultimately only fell on deaf ears and the whole thing would be repeated.

  The tail he observed, twitched once- twice almost as if he was dreaming. What would he dream about? Surely something embarrassing. Or maybe some theatre performance where he was the one in the lime light. Maybe about some joke he could tease Wukong about. Now, Wukong was The Monkey King but he was still, a monkey. A prospect of having a look into whatever Macaque was scheming or something to tease Macaque about, was too tempting.

  With more effort than Wukong would admit, he moves the spare chair they left for Macaque if said monkey wanted it, and stood on it. From his view, he sees Macaque lying down, cup discarded by his side. The only thing that reflected the morning sun was the hideous ice encasing his right limb. As his eyes trailed up, he finally got the picture. The monkey slept on his back, spread eagle. The cup was discarded because he probably fell backwards when he drank the tea. What probably happened was that, Macaque kept watch until he heard him steer at which point he probably drank the tea and knocked himself out. And when the cup clanked it woke Wukong up.

  He needed rest just as anyone else, especially now. And there he was, apparently, taking watch for him. And all that claiming he didn’t care the least about him. Really, a home-grown dumbass. And- huh. His ears were see able. All six of them. It was rare for him to drop his glamour even if he slept, which was why it was all the more concerning that he showed them now. And judging by reactions at the play, he never dropped it when he slept at MK’s. He wondered, why did Macaque hide his ears anyway? It was just an energy drain and while, in the beginning other monkeys teased him, Wukong solved it quickly. And yet- Macaque refused to show his ears, even to him afterwards.

  Nevertheless, it showed how off he was if he dropped it. Which made his decision to keep watch even dumber by extent. Sighting, Wukong stretched, deciding to leave Macaque’s mumbling alone.

  “You are a dumbass.” he finds himself saying and surprisingly, Macaque doesn’t even twitch. “And thank you.” he says finally, conclusively, turning on his heel and off the chair. Now, he had to get himself back into gear. There were many more challenges to face.

  MK currently, sat in a hot oven. The AC was on the full and it was still baking hot. On the helm were Pigsy, who was currently driving and Sandy who was in the co-driving seat. Two would change places occasionally. Meanwhile, Tang was still trying to make sense of the map while Mei and he, baked on the floor. Monkey King was, apparently in deep meditation that took a hundred years. Wonderful. He was like living statue, just chilling.

  Macaque was… all about. Mostly on the top bunk, occasionally saying to righten the course or something. Over the course of the drive, he leaned over the bunk however, looking at him. The monkey wasn’t even sweating even with the catalogue of fur he had which made him like, super jealous. A glare.

  “Yo, MK if you can’t take the heat now, how will you take it when we actually make it to volcano?” he snickered. “Maybe we will eat cooked pork chops or something.”

  “Or maybe cooked monkey soup?” Pigsy shot back.

  “Take the one down there, he is immobile.”

  “I heard that.” comes from Monkey King who is his “deep sleep meditation”.

  “Seriously, how are you not dying with all that fur!?” Mei yells from her puddle on the floor.

  “Seriously?” Macaque lifts his right side, showing the ice that doesn’t seem to melt a droplet. “I mean, I get MK but you?”

  “Hey!” he finally includes himself into the banter. “Can you pass that leg though like through portal or something?”

  “Look kid, you lost your place as a muscle of the group and you are repeatedly losing the competition spot as the smart one as well.” Huh.

  “Wasn’t that Mr. Tang?” Mei asks. “Also, rude.”

  “Well, I might not be the brightest tool in the shed but I can string up some plans.”

  “With hot glue and tape?” Macaque cocks his head to the side.

  “Precisely!” he earns a chuckle from the said monkey.

  “Than glue together an infiltration plan, kiddo. We are pretty close.” with that, Macaque throws himself on the bunk again, only his tail visible.

  Alright MK, you got this. He thinks as he faces notebook and pencil. Mei looks tense from his side. It is then that he comes to the realization.

  No, you don’t got this MK.

Chapter Text

  MK sits, tapping pencil on the piece of the paper. Others have long before gave up on living, everyone in their own corner, like fish out of water. MK though, the brave hero was- Oh who was he kidding? It is too stinking hot to think! Much less to formulate a coherent plan. What he got down were few scribbles resembling a monkey, Mei and himself and that was about it. He didn’t have a clue to how they could infiltrate a volcano. Couple that together with how his previous plan with Macaque went and well, yeah. Speaking of which-

  “Macaque?”

  “Hm?” is only acknowledgment he gets. That monkey was just about only thing that looked comfortable in the scorching hot van.

  “Is your head any better?”

  “If you are thinking about teleporting there, that’s a bit of a stretch kid.” Macaque peaks over the bed. “I can teleport in the same room if I can hear the someone. That being saaaaid, since Bull King and I know each other, that wouldn’t fly by him. Also, an unexplored room is a ticket to smashing your head into a trap. I would need the location of the thing too since I don’t have Golden Vision.”

  “Um, yeah I only asked to check in on you? Although that is pretty useful information too, I guess.”

  “It’s better kid.” well at least it wasn’t “peachy”.

  “Good to know.” MK sticks his thumb up before returning to the paper. So, their entrance was through Lady Iron Fan’s or Red Son’s shadow. Demon Bull King was no- go. A chill crawls up his spine, making a pretty stark contrast to drowning in his own sweat. Macaque is somewhere behind him, probably looking over his shoulder to steal a peak at the plan but he did his best to ignore him. So, if they infiltrated the castle on such a close level, a big group was no- go too. The less the better, right? Macaque needed to go and Mei would probably good for any encounters. He… would like to go but he was useless. Not even Golden Vision under his belt to spot the darn thing. Monkey King was also no- go, he was in his meditative state. Okay so, Mei and Macaque. A terrible combination really but at least they no longer wanted to choke each other. Will they be able to find the piece of the fire alone? How did that even look like? Oh well, they would figure it out on the way. Macaque and Mei were smart cookies.

  As for the rest of the gang, including himself, they could do the “book it” part of the plan. Which really isn’t my style but I am the useless one in all this so- He taps himself on the cheek, reversing his attention back to the plan.

  “Ladies and gents and demons, we have a plan!” MK finally announces, standing up, regretting it as it was tenfold hotter and dropping right back down. Mei looks from her puddle, immediately jumping up but repeats his reaction, falling down.

  “What’s the plan MK?”

  “Well, I figured, you and Macaque could infiltrate the volcano. I will stay behind with the rest of the gang to provide a little gateway action.” he winks though it is a bit forced.

  “Annnd how do we actually find the thing?” Mei asks, tilling her head.

  “Well, I don’t reaally know but I am sure you two will figure it out!” he sticks a thumb up. “Orrr maybe we could ask Demon Bull King to give it to us.”

  “Somehow I think that is not a good idea, kid.” Macaque shut the brilliant idea, darn it, down so Tang follows it up.

  “Well given the circles are on the map, maybe it’s something circular?” Oh yeah! It was marked with a circle.

  “Well if it is, ya might as well look for needle in hay. Probably has a wardrobe full of nose rings.”

  “Never struck me as the kind of guy to care for fashion.” Macaque shrugged with a chuckle.

  “So we can say that the nose ring is probably the ring we are looking for?” Sandy asks, diverting his eyes from the road just for a moment.

  “Good one team!” Mei and MK give each other high five. That was one mystery down, now only to how would they steal it. Turning, he sees the previously mentioned monkey poke Monkey King with a smirk on his face. Monkey King on the other side doesn't even flinch. Deep meditation, huh?

  “I could always try grabbing it on my own, if you want kiddo.” Macaque says, throwing his hands back. “But if we are off on which or what the ring is, our element of surprise is gone.”

  “Yeah, you mentioned he would knew you?” Macaque chuckles to Mei’ s question.

  “Way more than either of us would like.”

  “Oookay.” he weights his options. On one hand, only Macaque could do with infiltration better. On the other, if they were wrong, they would not get another chance without actually fighting Bull Demon King which in their state, yeah, nope. Also, Macaque was still limited in what he could do because of the curse and if he got competently possessed or worse died-

  “Ya good kid?” Pigsy is looking at him from his seat, about ready to spring up.

  “Fine, fine! Just thinking.” he paints his face with a brightest smile he can. Pigsy… doesn’t approve but sighs.

  “Don’t ya fry something in there kid.” with that, his eyes are back on the desert.

  “I- I think that in any case, you should go with someone.” he tries, continuing: “Mei would be the best choice, she can fight if you get in scuffle or bail you if your teleportation gives.” Macaque is eyeing him, head to toe, as if observing him. Finally, he shrugs which probably meant… he passed? “Two of you can sneak in when Bull King is absent, wait to see which it is, steal the ring before he senses you and get out.” MK points to his drawings. Mei looks at them before nodding approvingly. “We still have truce with them so no harming anyone, please.” as he says that, he looks hopefully at Macaque who only shrugs with a smirk of his.

  “Wouldn’t it be fine if Macaque stayed here than and just opened portals to Mei if she needed them?” Tang asks, which actually, yeah. Good suggestion. Macaque clicks his tongue though.

  “A portal there and here? Maybe. I was never there though, so I couldn’t teleport her around the lair. Besides, think about her missing the timing on the portal. Without a visual everything can go wrong quicker than this idiot stacked his immortalities.” he nods towards Monkey King. Oh...

  “Well it looks like it will be only you and me, Macaron.” Mei hits his shoulder lightly while Macaque mock flinches.

  “Lucky me.” with that smirk of his, the ears twitch. “Stop here.” Sandy slams breaks hard enough for whole van to reel, Monkey King falling to the side like a discarded vase. Nevertheless, he doesn’t even flinch. Unhealthily deep meditation. On the front of horizon, fairly far but not too far, the volcano raged. Surrounded by the lava and mountains, the air was stuffier, even on this distance. MK flopped like dead fish on his side. Macaque’s ears twitch again. “He is not home. ‘Went to hunt.’ Neither is the Princess. Perfect.”

  “That is some serious plot convenience right there.” Tang notes.

  “Recon time!” Mei cheers next to him.

  “Whatever you do, don’t wake the idiot up.” MK proceeds to shoot up, grabbing the shadow monkey by the shoulder. The other flinches against it and turns to him, tail swishing like a grumpy cat.

  “Be careful.” the other recoils a bit, something unreadable in his eyes. In a moment however, he puts on his normal facade back.

  “Hold the fort kiddo.” Macaque pats him on the shoulder once, twice before opening a portal.

  “Do I get, ‘Be careful’, MK?” Mei bumps his shoulder with a smile.

  “Nah, you are always careful.” he smiles to her in return, earning a laugh.

  “See ya later guys!” and with that, two step through the purple portal, gone with the wind. He holds his eyes on the spot for few moment before turning to the rest of the gang.

  “What do we do while we wait?” he asks and really, the only reaction he gets is a groan from Pigsy. Even though his thoughts were a mess of poorly glued confidence and insecurity, he could still be joke with others.

  “Look kid, to be his successor, you don’t need to be him.” whispers on quietly.

  Currently, Macaque was against wall, hand over Mei who too, pressed herself to the wall. Strategically, he choose the room where the son of the Bull King was near. Tricky thing was that since he couldn’t just teleport around from memory, instead, he needed the voices to guide it. That was unlike the city, where he knew all the nooks and crannies.

  The location they were at was- Well, they were unmistakably, in the pantry. A closed off, cramped food storage with no exit. Very… peachy . So judging by the location and sound, Red Son was probably chopping vegetables for a salad or something. It almost makes him chuckle. The destructive force behind Samadhi Fire was just… chopping vegetables? According to what he heard, whoever spoke his name didn’t fail to mention “wildfire” or “explosion” in the same sentence which was utterly hilarious about now. Maybe he should’ve asked about him beforehand. Then again, boy repeatedly lost to the group so he couldn’t be that much of a problem.

  Speaking of which, chopping stops and foot stapes get closer. Just as the door knob starts to turn, Macaque does what is ultimately as reckless as Wukong himself and teleports them to other side of the wall by creating a portal behind them. Well, good thing is that they didn’t end up in wall or a trap.

  “Talk about escaping by the hair.” Mei mumbles from her spot on the floor. Apparently, the teleportation surprised her enough to fall backwards, right on the hall floor. “I suppose you are lucky because you are monkey. Monkey’s paw and all that.”

  “Monkey’s paw?” he allows himself to ask as he listens for any traces of Red Son following. More chopping. Good.

  “Remind me to grab you a book or two after we are done, dude. Basically it’s a grant wishes thing with terrible consequences.”

  “Sounds pretty accurate.” the girl is getting up, dusting off her clothes. Macaque in turn sinks into the shadows, looking at the position they are in. Given how it usually went with egos and demons, the Bull King’s room would be somewhere to the top of the lair. Even if the thing was a ring, they still needed to triple check if there was some other conspicuously ring shaped things to narrow it down. Armoury it is then. Diving out of the shadows, he quickly finds Mei waiting for him, hands on hips. “What?”

  “Maybe give me a heads up first?”

  “Your complaint has been forwarded, please wait further notice.” he adds: “Watch your step.” because there was no way there weren’t traps in Demon Bull King’s lair.

  “Annoying magical monkey.” Mei mutters and Macaque chuckles. He waves for her to follow as they move down through the lair or- a castle maybe? Whatever. “I thought we would be teleporting around like ‘woosh’ and ‘shoosh’.”

  “If it was a place I knew, didn’t need to depend on the sound for location and wasn’t cursed, sure. For now, only place I can take us is inside some random wall.”

  “Ooo did you ever end up inside a wall? How does it feel like?” to that “More than once and awfully claustrophobic.” was appropriate answer but giving her a fuel for nicknames or teasing was just a… bad idea. Therefore he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to badmouth Wukong instead.

  “You need to ask Wukong about that.” Mei laughs behind him.

  “Figures.” she moves slightly so she walks a bit closer to him. “Hey, do you have any material to mess Monkey King with? Like an embarrassing story or something?” Macaque can’t contain a smirk. Adding some fuel for messing with Wukong was his dream job. Especially if kids teased him for it.

  “No infiltration mission started without Great Sun Wukong announcing himself to the enemy. Once, a demon took him as a pet because he thought he was neat. If there were no peaches he was as depressed as a weeping willow. Regularly, he would get poisoned by trying everything and anything on both realms trying it as a tea.” he started from the top to the bottom. Whatever fell on his mind. “Got so drunk he wanted to fight his reflection in the water.”

  “Uuu that one sounds neat!”

  “Oi, that monkey is looking at me weirdly.”

  “That is your reflection Peaches.” a beat of silence.

  “Am’ going to fight it.” Macaque looks as Wukong gets up, squares up to his reflection in the shallow water and promptly, actually, dives at it. Water slashes everywhere, some at the nearby monkeys, some at him. However, he can’t care less as Wukong dives out of the shallow lake, fur full of mud since he hit the bottom with his skull, grinning like a madman. “I won.”

  That is when he erupts in the laugher.

  “Oh, you are smiling Macaron.” he can hear her tease and immediately pulls a frown on his face.

  “You are imagining it Dragon Girl.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” the tease is not going out of her voice. “Hey, Macaron?”

  “Hm?”

  “Do you get a feeling that there is something wrong with MK?” his ears twitch as they round the corner. “Like, he is not completely himself. Piggy noticed it too. He just spaces out and is like… blegh? Dunno.” well, well, at least his friends weren’t completely oblivious to MK as much as his mentor was. Of course he knew what the whole problem the MK was, his insecurity and burden of following Wukong’s steps was almost tangible. Not to mention the loss of powers which didn’t help at all. Definitely didn’t need an upcoming reprise in MK to what he had when he fell out with Wukong.

  “You kids really go on about your emotions to everyone.” he mutters under his breath. “You are aware you are asking an immortal who fought to death with his former friend, right?” Mei sharply nods, prompting Macaque to sigh. “Ask him.”

  “I did! Multiple times and he just keeps repeating he is fine and stuff. He is just as frustrating as Monkey King sometimes.”

  “It comes with job description.” Mei pauses as if she reached some kind of revelation.

  “Oh, I will kill him when we get back. Actually, can you teleport me there so I can smack him and then I will get back?”

  “As amusing as that sounds, I need the magic.” he opens a portal though a wall, which actually has handprint lock, poking his head through. If it did get stuck in something, at least Mei could pull him out. Good thing was that, he didn’t end up in some dusty cupboard. A plain room with a bunch of different weapons around. He motions with his hand to Mei as he slips completely through the portal, followed by her.

  “Clear.” Mei whispers next to him as if in some buddy cop movie. “So anything circular goes? How do we know it’s the ring?” she asks as she leans over one of the weapons on the stand. It was some sort of gun, like thing. He decided to look on the other side of the room, where oversized weapons, armour and other junk was stored. Obviously, they were Demon Bull King’s weapons and did he have a collection of the axes with his own symbol. It was like if you went into Wukong’s treasury and just found a collection of sticks with Wukong’s face. Which, to be fair, occurred once sooo… There was however, nothing circular on his side. Nothing even vaguely. Definitely not even feeling like something containing something important.

  Mei on other hand seemed to marvel at the technological weapons and a car on the other side. Bull King probably didn’t use any of those so the answer was the boy. Also a race car? Was that the boy’s? Speaking of him, he was… close? How did he get here that fast? Some secret passages perhaps? There was a purpose to his steps, as if on mission rather than a light walk.

  “Mei.” to it, she quickly nods, taking a cover under car. Macaque just slips into the shadows of the nearby stand, waiting. He could go back to the previously visited halls but using that much on teleportation was not something he wanted to do, at least not if they had a choice.

  By the door appears a mostly humanoid demon, obviously he got his looks from the Princess rather than his father. Which probably meant he was more proficient in magic than raw strength which in case there was fight, he could use to his advantage. The boy takes a step in, seemingly relaxed.

  “Come out Dragon Horse Girl!” a bit of flame spreads around him, completely different from his demeanour. “Only a noodlebrain like you would think I wouldn’t have a camera at least in the armoury.” well woops. That wasn’t something he got in account, at least not since no halls had any cameras either. He did a quick scan when they entered, there was no camera. Must be something on the weapons from Mei’ s side. He didn’t mention him though so he probably still had that going for him. “Perhaps Noodleboy is also here? I suggest you come out on your own volition.” in his hand flicks fire for a moment as if a threat. What was his deal with insults that are noodle themed? Probably salty over MK and gang. Nevertheless, unfortunately for him, the more shadows he created with that flame, worse for him.

  He takes this opportunity to take a hold of his shadow, using it in a moment of surprise to tie his legs with it. The boy falls with a surprise which Macaque gladly takes advantage of, further tying his arms with a shadow.

  “What the-! Who are you!?” the kid blazes for a moment before the flame quietens.

  “Wow, I can see why everyone calls you a wildfire.” Macaque chuckles as Mei gets out of her hiding.

  “Um, hi Red Boy.”

  “It’s Red Son!” he is struggling to turn around, flopping like a fish. It’s fairly amusing but also pathetic so Macaque uses his leg to just slightly nudge him so he is on his back. “Who- Six Ears-!?” before he can finish, Mei is already clamping his mouth shut. A wise choice.

  “Well, nice to meet you too Red Brat.” he kneels by him. “If I knew you would be so weak, I would’ve taken you out in pantry.” Mei takes the hand off the kid’s mouth because it probably burns. The kid is seething like a bunch of coal.

  “What is the meaning of this!? Did he capture you, Dragon Horse Girl?” A spike of worry in tone? Interesting.

  “Actually we are sorta working together?”

  “With him!? Don’t you know who this brute is!?”

  “I am pretty sure that people I live with know who I am, kid. MK asked me not to hurt any of you since you have a truce but that doesn’t apply to me, does it?” before he can do anything else, water hits him square in the face. Apparently, Mei pulled out a water gun and sprayed him and the Red Son with it. The water evaporates as soon as it hits Red Son and he seems to take a mildly huge offence to it.

  “Down both of you.” she crosses her arms. Macaque’s tail swishes once- twice but the kid is now steaming, apparently more angry than even him. “We don’t want to fight, we just want something and we are out.”

  “Oh right, you don’t want to fight but want to steal something from us. That makes it a ton of better!”

  “I say we cover his mouth and leave him under the car.” Macaque feels his teeth bare, patience running thin as it was.

  “That’s preposterous! My parents know we are having a banquet! They would know I am missing… I think.” the boy frowns, looking over to the side. For a moment he looks about similar to MK when he gets into his thoughts and as such, Macaque feels his anger soften just a bit.

  “There, there.” Mei pats his shoulder before Red Boy snaps his head around, as if trying to bite her. “How abouuut we let you go and you tell us about the thing we are looking for.”

  “Interesting. And how do you know I won’t report you to my parents?”

  “Well, I kinda doubt that you would tell your parents that enemies captured you during a truce inside your own home and let you go in exchange for information.”Mei wasn’t half bad at this, she had a talent of extorting people. He sees Red Son’s face fall faster than a balloon with a hole and lights up a moment alter.

  “I’ll just tell them I found you for the first time!”

  “Dude, we can talk too you know?” and deflates again.

  “And why do you need… whatever you need?”

  “Aren’t you a curious one?”

  “If I am planning on considering your little deal, I need to know what you are planning to do with the thing you plan to steal.” Red Son argues in return. Mei looks for approval from him before she speaks up. A nod is what she gets in return.

  “The Lady Bone Demon. We plan to end her once and for all and cure Macaron over here.” just now the boy’s eyes look at his limb, seemingly surprised by the ice. “If we don’t stop her, the whole world is just going to be one chunk of ice.”

  “I highly doubt there is an item in my Father’s or Mother’s possession that can help with that.” he wasn’t faking ignorance from what Macaque could tell. Still, there was no way he didn’t know anything.

  “Does Samadhi Fire ring a bell to you?” he asks but all he receives is silence for a brief moment before Red Son spits out saliva.

  “Samadhi Fire!? Have you lost your mind!? There is no single item that can contain it!”

  “But there is. Well, at least to Monkey King there is.” Mei shrugs. “We are looking for a circular… item? An artefact? That contains like a piece of it or something? Monkey King was very vague with that one.”

  “Look brat, since you are its creator, forgive me for not believing you.” Macaque manages to lean away in time to avoid spit, now coming from two directions.

  “I am/ He is a what?!” in response he blinks. Both of the participants look equally distraught at the revelation which Macaque thought, was a common knowledge. At least amongst demons, maybe even humans, Journey being a book and all.

  “There is no way I am falling for that.” Macaque crosses his arms, tail swishing. “Wasn’t it written in that sorry book of Wukong’s?”

  “Um, dude, no? At no point during countless of MK’s happy rants I heard him once mention that. Something about fire being from a demon but never particularly Red Boy.”

  “Oh for love of- Red Son! Can you tell me, perhaps more, Six Earsssed Macaque?”Macaque’s eyebrow twitches in mild annoyance.

  “I wasn’t there. I heard it. Wukong, Demon Bull King, The Third Lotus Prince and Wukong’s clown party were there with you as an infant. They separated the uncontrollable flame and sealed it into three rings.” his tail taps on the stone floor as Red Son looks away, seemingly in thought. “According to the map, one of the rings is here. Knowing The Bull King, he kept his.”

  “If and I repeat, if, an item like that is in my Father’s possession I can’t see it being randomly hidden in some stupid place like the armoury.”

  “We were thinking it is his nose ring. The armoury was actually just a check in case we missed.” Mei scratches the back of her head. “Do you know if he has like, more than one?” Red Son in response raises his eyebrow.

  “Why would I even know that?” the kid is glaring at them.

  “I hoped Demon Bull King’s son would be more useful than a red mop but, oh well.” Macaque smirks as fire erupts from the boy below. Mei seemingly goes for a pat on the shoulder but as she does, she moves as if something burned her. Strangely though, in that moment, there was no fire. Two look at each other with a weird expression, surprise most prevalent. Interesting times two. “Since you don’t have anything useful to say... Bye brat.” with a single snap of finger, Red Son drops through a portal that closes immediately after.

  “Why did you do that Macaron?”

  “Nerves don’t grow on the trees kiddos.” he shrugs, turning their direction. “Let’s go for that nose ring.”

  They set a brisk peace toward the top, now that armoury was clear.

  “How do we know Red Boy won’t like, set everything ablaze?”

  “Don’t worry. I am sure he is enjoying his timeout in the shadows.” sure the shadow was always chased away by the light which was good for Red Son. However, being cramped into a small pantry meant, the bigger the flame, the bigger the shadow. Which was why Macaque felt no problems in encasing him in shadows, effectively putting a wall around the fire and isolating him. If anything, boy was persistent, he had to give that to him. His vocal cords were to be highly commended. A thought that ran with a smile. Just as everything was looking up, the girl stood on the button and in one smooth swipe, the floor was no longer under their feet. In the same time as spears erupted from the wall they were trailing by. Underneath there was no scorching heat but probably, mostly, it was spears. No time to look into that however.

  Quick to react, because you need those reflexes to deal with Wukong’s stupidity, he opens a portal so she falls in it and is spews her on the other side of the hole, face first hitting the bricks. On the other hand he chooses to grab a spear and dangle from it. He does that with as much of a grumpy face as he can make. Mei literally jumps from her spot, awkwardly laughing.

  “Sorry.” in response, he only sighs, swinging one and twice and- he is on the edge. He still had it even with a block of ice on his leg. Suck it, Wukong. Continuing his brisk peace, he hears: “Are we forgetting that happened? Cool? Cool.”

  It doesn’t take them a lot of time to find Demon Bull King’s and Princesses Iron Fan room. It is the top room with one of those touch opening doors. Macaque obviously slips by them first, eyes scanning for any other stray cameras. There is none as far as he can see. Than again, he was Six Eared Macaque, not Six Eyed Macaque. Mei follows through the portal. The room is not… what he expected. It is quite ordinary, a sofa, a king sized bed, and a TV. Nothing really screamed The Demon Bull King.

  “Man, this feels like at least some kind of invasion of privacy.” Mei noted behind him. You didn’t see half of it. He can still recall how many times he broken in some room to sniff out something before Wukong went in for a head first beating. The answer of how many times? A lot. Answering with a shrug, two went to sniffing around the room. Macaque looked through night stand by the bed while Mei went for the sofa and table. Demon Bull King apparently, didn’t have a wardrobe either so that was a thing. And while he did find a couple of rings, good guess Pigsy, those were completely regular pieces of metal, nothing giving away that they were rings. “This is a dud.”

  “Figures.” he noted, ears straining to hear anything over the boy’s constant angered yelling. Demon Bull King was definitely closer but he was not coming from front entrance. Probably behind the lair. He went hunting. Most logical would be somewhere close to the pantry or kitchen. “Here’s how we will do it, kid. I’’l open a portal in the corner of the room by the celling, use momentum to take the ring. On the other side down I’ll open the one that leads to MK and the rest in which you just dive in. After that I’’l follow. Got that?”

  “That’s nice and all but didn’t MK put us together in case something goes wrong? What if-?”

  “Look, I appreciate the concern.” he crosses his hands. “Which is why I didn’t object to the plan but- This is not a situation where kids stay and others hightail it. I don’t plan to be like that teacher of his.” he bares his fangs for a moment. The girl looks as if she wants to say something but in the end gives up, looking to the floor. “Let’s go.” he chooses to go for the portal. Two end up at the wall they used to escape Red Son since that was the closest point Macaque actually visited.

  Mei had the right idea, he couldn’t last in a prolonged squabble with Demon Bull King, no matter how much he denied it. Even now, his head was starting to spin from just jumping around and portaling about. Which sure, usually did make him tired afterwards if he overused it but this was hardly overuse. Overuse is when you are on battlefield, shuffling enemies and allies around while keeping yourself on safe distance. This was just a casual Sunday. Apparently, not for Six Iced Macaque though. However , he was still sure he could chain Demon Bull King to make sure they wouldn’t be followed. Maybe even explain the situation a bit so they didn’t get tailed. That he could easily incorporate in his “villain speech” to Demon Bull King, it was after all, something he was quite good with. Reunions though? N ot really an expert.

  Across the pantry wall, they find the banquet room, a suspicious flow of lava behind it.

  “Bingo.” he can hear a light draft from behind, meaning that back entrance was there. To confirm it, he crates the portal and sticks his head through. It’s a backroom entrance alright, a cave at that. His ears twitched. Heavy steps. With a smirk, he motions Mei to come.

  “Showtime?” she asks, putting on a brave smile.

  “Showtime.” he confirms, melting into the shadows, to the space where he saw everyone’s shadow. There he would not be noticed, at least not until the portal was open and by that time, if they timed it right, Mei would already be gone. And the moment he is noticed, he needs to be quick before than he would need to dance with Princess Iron Fan too. Which reminds him… a clone to deal with that race car was off… Demon Bull King rounds the corner and he uses her shadow, just for a moment. “Now!” it’s perfectly timed, the girl uses the momentum to quite literally, launch herself. It’s kinda funny as she grabs it perfectly, before the Bull Demon King can even mutter the word. As she flies, she even gives a thumbs up as she is mouthing “Sorry” to the guy which is downright hilarious. And just as quick as she is there, she is gone with the wind and the ring, off by courtesy of other portal. He hears her hit the deck of van, surprised gasps of others as she appears and that’s his sign.

  Demon Bull King roars so much that the whole lair shakes. That is why when he breaks through lava, fuming, Macaque decides to wait for him in his chair, lazily sitting.

  “Six Ears!?”

  “One and only! Miss me, Brother Ox?” his nostril flare to that. “Still salty over that?”

  “How dare you brake into my domain and disturb our peace?!”

  “Great going with that peace by the way. You have like what, few days until that ice gets to you? Better enjoy it while you can I guess.”

  “What do you need that ring for?” his words are full of anger and venom. Perfect.

  “To stop the Lady Bone Demon. I mean I get why you wouldn’t want it out, the fire that burns everything including the universe is pretty dumb strong but well, somebody has to do something.” Bull Demon then chuckles, changing a stance to fighting.

  “Never struck me as a hero, Six Ears.”

  “Never struck me as a coward either, Brother Ox.” he launches himself forward but sharp ice erupts from the front and behind him, immobilizing him between two wedges of sharp ice. It is hard to get out if you are enraged, sure, but it is escapable. Macaque made sure of it, after all, he hated that ice too. With a beat to the head, whispers return, if only for a split moment. It’s like when he used it to break the crash where it lasted for few moments, sharp whispers invading his mind. Thankfully this one didn’t decline possession.

  “You- You are using her power!?”

  “As perceptive as your son, I see. Although I want it gone as soon as it can be, it’s pretty useful sometimes.” he chuckles. “Tell the lady that I said ‘Hello’. Oh, and tell your son that with those vocal cords, he could be a great opera singer.” with that he sinks through floor, out on the top of the bunker bed. Man, would he pay to see Red Boys face when he spots the car. “What did I miss?” he asks, nobody in particular. MK’s face is first that peaks from side of his bed, looking a mixture of worried and relived. Than there is Mei, ready to wack him with something.

  “Floor it Sandy!” that’s unmistakably Pigsy.

  “You had us worried!” MK flails besides him and in fear of incoming hug, Macaque sinks through that bed and lands on the one below.

  “Calm down kid.”

  “You really are an annoying monkey, you know that?” it’s Mei’s turn to ask as she let’s go of top bed and climbs down stairs. MK though, just let’s go, landing on the floor of vehicle.

  “Look, Macaque!” MK pulls a circular ring out of his… pocket? He guessed. It had small fires inside, three to be exact. Just like the symbol on the map. “Two more to go!”

  “Where is our next one exactly?” it’s the scholar, Tang’s voice. Macaque focuses on hearing, ears twitching. That village was still pretty far and the other was on… oh. So that was what that thing in the corner meant.

  “On the moon, actually.”

  “The what now?” and everything erupts in instant chaos. The only thing blessed by some deity to not hear it is the broken vase Wukong who just continuously lists, depending on the direction.

  Which actually, was really good as distraction wise since well, the ice now clawed to his chest, burning with renewed flame.

  We were always reckless, weren’t we, Wukong?

Chapter Text

“What happens to the moon when the sun is gone, Mac?”

“I guess it stops reflecting its light and goes dark?”

“And opposite? Like what happens to the sun when moon is gone?”

“Nothing? What should even happen?”

“Dunno.”

“… Who keeps putting liquor next to you, Peaches?”

“Why is that your first thought?! It’s not like I drank something… maybe. Hey, what happens when I-”

“- Nothing.”

“But I didn’t even finish, Mac.”

“Shut up.”

“Mac?”

“Hm?”

“I would miss you for as long as the petals fell from the peach.”

  Macaque opens his eyes, vaguely feeling the warmth of the newly lit fire. They decided, for the night, they would take a break underneath a mountain. Not that he thought they should take a break. This is a race against time. However, the kids insisted that he should rest which he would never accept, even if he knew it was true. At least it was cure for eyes that stared at the desert for about two thirds of the way.

  Wretched ice burned, his limbs hurt and his head pounded with his heartbeat. The thing was no longer uncomfortable but downright vile. Wallowing in his own misery was always he was good at, away from the gang to prevent going rogue and hurting them. That was why, he sat a bit further from the gang and fire, from the chatter. It was just easier to mask his discomfort and if something changed on the possession subject, he could probably keep sound mind enough to bail it.

  MK doesn’t get the memo though. He never gets the memo.

  “Man, you look beat. Do you want something to eat?” he asks, from the spot on his right. He wavered between, talking with his friends and than returning for few minutes to him and back.

  “I want to sleep, kid.”

  “I thought you didn’t need sleep.” MK says, smug in his features. “I guess you got ‘tea addiction’ to sleep now.” his tail moves in amusement, thumping lightly against the log they sat on. “You know, when we beat LBD, I want to have a sleepover with everyone. Like, I’ll even let Red Son in the house.”

  “Better fireproof the house or get some demon insurance.”

  “Nah, Mei told me you can fireproof it or something.” MK pauses. “You know that ‘everyone’ includes you, right?” his tail swishes at the thought. Given his current state- “I mean, I know you don’t do well with crowds buuuut it willl be fun! Plus there will be a lot of people you can mess with and-” the kid rants on and on, overtaking the chatter in the background. Reassuring to everyone but himself. “Oh, and don’t forget snacks and tea!” he finishes. “So, you know, if you feel like, come by Mac.” his ears twitch sharply at the nickname. For a moment, he sits on the log, watching the sunset with Wukong, smell of peach trees in the air. The memory however, dissipates as quickly as it comes. Wukong’s face gets replaced by MK and he has to do the double take to make sure he is still in mortal realm.

  When they first started to use the god awful nicknames, Macaque hated it. It would constantly remind him of a that one idiot who called him by a nickname as well. However, they continued to call him as such, to the point he didn’t get angry any more when the girl found a new way to call him. So, now, that nickname that reminded him of the past he claimed meant nothing to him, he finds himself weirdly happy. MK took one thing that was special between himself and Wukong, the stupid nickname, and gave it something new. It would no longer be a reminder of failed friendship he had but of new one he could get with MK. And if there was someone Macaque could trust wouldn’t betray his trust, it was definitely the goodie shoes that MK was. It’s almost laughable. He came in the situation with burning hatred Wukong and not wanting to get attached to MK and the gang. Now, his hatred for Wukong was just partly justified and with MK in tow as a somewhat of a friend. Really I need to say Lady Bone Demon “thank you” before we end her.

  “...Did I break you again!?” he chuckles in response as he notices MK’s panicked face. He outstretches his hand, ruffling kid’ s hair.

  “Nah, you are just not the first one to call me by that nickname, kid.”

  “Oh..” MK sinks into thoughts for a moment before brightening up. “Was it a lover?” he nudges him in the rib. A laugh makes past his mouth before he can stop it. Pretty sure others turned to see what’s up but oh well. “Although, I don’t believe anyone could take that much of your charming personality.” kid smiles as well, as soon as he gets over his shock.

  “Ouch.” he fake winces. “You know, everyone falls for cool powered villains at some point.” crossing his hands, he smiles. “But nooope, don’t be a dumbass kid.”

  “Hey!” he mocks a hurt response before continuing. “Was it Monkey King?”

  “Ask him when he gets out of his beauty sleep.” he cocks his head towards Wukong who was effectively, leaned on nearby cactus.

  “Buuut I asked you. Besides, it would be nice to hear your side of the story for once.”

  “Why? You treat Wukong’s words like gospel anyway.” he now tilts his head as he looks at MK. The kid raises eyebrow and than crosses his hands in quick succession.

  “Well, yeah. He is my idol. He knows stuff I can’t even wrap my head around.” before Macaque can even open his mouth to protest and boy did he want to, MK continues. “But you are our buddy. I mean, I guess? I know you didn’t want to be our friend and buddy but even a two eared human can hear that you are attempting some kind of connection.” owlishly, Macaque blinks. “Which is why I want to hear from you too.” before he can stop it, he laughs, second time for the day. The kid implying he is reaching out? Nah kid, you are reaching out to me. Or maybe they are reaching out to each other? that particularity, wasn't something he would quite admit. Leaning on his hand, he looks at MK.

  “Alright, you got me kid.” with a smirk, he continues: “I’ll tell you a story.” MK brightens, tucks his legs under himself and holds eye contact. Infant. Taking a breath, Macaque starts:

  “The flowers blooms, dragon passes on the rainy cloud, a laser splits the Jade Palace and the shadow is born. The shadow demon that is born has no family or character, the only thing it does is have a vague shape of a monkey. But the shadow is hungry, so it follows the monkeys to their hideout where it eats all of the fruits and meat. The monkeys, confused, call it:

“Six Ears!” because the only clear feature is the six ears he has. At the time, he hears, one of the monkeys becomes their King. By the next day, the King is called. He acts like in a regal childishness, demanding for the shadow demon to show his true form before him. The shadow knows he is strong but something about his attitude irks him in annoyance and so in protest, it bites his finger from darkness.

He is then, pulled from the shadows and into the sun, right in front of the King who looks only for a moment or two at him.

“This is the guy? Can’t you see he is a monkey?” and true to his words, when the shadow looked on itself, it looked similarly to the King. The King looks away from his minions, leans forwards and the shadow waits for its punishment that never comes. “Oh, man am I glad someone is there like me. Are you the stone monkey too? What are those powers you have? How should I call you? I am the Monkey King by the way!”the hero’s glow shines so foolishly above the shadow.

“Six Ears.” but the King frowns.

“But don’t you have some… title? What family do you belong to?” the shadow keeps quiet, looking at the King who snaps his fingers. “You can be part of our family! Six Eared Macaque, Liu’er mihou!” he exclaims, proudly nodding to the monkeys waiting on the entrance. The shadow cannot speak. “ Liu’er mihou and Six Eared Macaque are kinda long, ya know. Do you want to be called Mac or Mango?”

“Neither?”

“No, neither is not an option… Mac it is then!” Monkey King outstretches his hand to the shadow. “Welcome to the family, Mac!”

That is how the six eared shadow, became the warrior.”

  Macaque finishes, looking at the log because he dramatically closed his eyes while telling the story. Anddd it turns out that MK found more audience. Mei, Tang and even Sandy joined to the listening group. How did they even sneak in? Or did he just kinda, turned off his hearing for the story? Whatever. Only Pigsy was off a bit but he was too listening, just watching the food in the same time. Wukong was still… cosplaying as a vase.

  “You really are a better storyteller, Mr. Macaque.” Three to none, Wukong.

  “Monkey King sure sucks at naming things. I mean that’s like calling a dragon ‘Blue Flying Snaket’ or something.” Mei chuckles.

  “Now, now, you can’t tell someone’s name just ‘sucks’.” MK snickers.

  “Now, calm down Monkie Kid.” Mei pokes back, hitting his shoulder a bit. MK mocks hurt, crossing his arms. Macaque, despite annoyance of the others listening in, feels a smile pick at his lips.

  “Well who would’ve known that ya are just Monkey King’s little brother?” Pigsy says, clearly a jab and a joke. “Explains your tendency to cause problems.”

  “Might want to tone it down a notch piggy. I am not exactly in a good mood.” a smirk forms on his lips. “Also-” he switches his eyes to Tang who was writing in that diary of his. “Who said you can write anything down?” he pulls his shadows, just a tinniest bit to not anger his head any more than it already hurt. Predictably, the human stiffens, showing his diary somewhere and putting his hands in the air.

  “No one- I mean- Sorry, Mr. Macaque.” what makes it so amusing is how much he scrambles.

  “Knock it off, you will give Mr. Tang a heart attack, Mac-” MK stops and scrambles himself. “-Shoot, do you mind me calling you that Macaque?”

  “Well you didn’t ask for permission to use any other nickname, did you?” he crosses his arms as the kid absolutely beams. “Now that is out of the way, am I allowed to sleep kid?”

  “...You could’ve from the start?”

  “MK, you are a menace.” with that, he buries himself in the side of the van, closing his eyes. He hears the kids quieten, whispering under the starlight sky. The air mellows, cracking of fire upon wood lulling him to sleep.

  Before he can even realize it, lights out.

  Macaque wakes in the same position he fell asleep in after indescribable amount of time. Although, now he was accompanied with a strained neck amongst other things. His ears twitch with sharp rumble of the earth, eyes immediately snapping open. What he finds is nothing but sleeping bodies around the campfire. Nobody heard a thing. Alright maybe it was just earth shaking? Even the only one that was awake the Pig Demon, was remarkably, watching the TV they probably set up after he fell asleep. Girl’s voice comes from TV, talking about a recipe for… something. Watching Pigsy, he notices he has this sort of faraway look, the one that Macaque didn’t want to admit knew.

  He stretches, too alarmed by the shake to actually do the sensible thing and go back to sleep. Pigsy immediately notices him, covering his mouth with a finger as he returns to TV. Now that he focused, actually, he knew that voice. Getting up he rounded around the corner to look. Needless to say, he was right. Chang’e. Who knew she had a cooking show? Well, he definitely didn’t. Making food wasn’t his strong suit after all. However, what gets the bulk of his attention is actually, the ornament she has hanging in the kitchen. I was right.

  When he heard a girl reading a question from a fan connected to a strange ornament through a TV from a random village while they were making their escape, he only guessed it was the moon. After all it somehow connected to his brain that it was the rabbit in the corner of a scribble that they called a map. Before he can speak up, Pigsy starts-

  “Can’t ya sleep? Kid saved you some noodles, ya know.” he says while his eyes don’t move from the TV, writing down the recipie that Chang’e was saying.

  “Quite a fan, aren’t you?” that in itself is followed by ‘Shhhh!’ from Pigsy but Macaque only shrugs. “You know, we will have to visit her to fetch that Ring of Samadhi that she keeps there.” Pigsy blinks once, twice.

  “What did ya say?” Macaque’s tail swishes, eyebrow rising.

  “We need to get to the moon? Weren’t you supposed to discuss that?” behind them MK steers, yawning loudly.

  “What’s the ruckus?” he yawns again, in quick succession as he rubs his eyes.

  “Dude, did you get anywhere with how to get to the moon?”

  “Ye- No. You dipped on us. Annnd do you expect us to make rocket ship or something?” MK leans on his hand, eyebrow raised. “What’s Dadsy’s deal?” he asks, as he leans t see past Macaque at Pigsy who is gathering his stuff in the pile. To that, Macaque promptly lifts the sleeping boy, dumping him in front of the TV. “Look, Mac, I don’t know what you are getting at but- Is that what I think it is!? We ACTUALLY need to get to the moon!?” now MK is on his feet. It’s like a chain reaction. The moment MK spirals is when Mei awakens. She sees it, spirals, Tang wakes, sees it and goes off charts. The only one acting normally was Sandy who seemingly just continued sleeping with his cat companion.

  “We are going to the moon!” is wat the scholar, Tang proclaims.

  “And with what exactly?” is first question that comes from him as he watches the circus grind to a halt.

  “Well we were hoping maybe you could teleport us there? Or maybe you could just jump in her shadow and take it?” Mei asks, putting on as innocent face as she can.

  “I need a voice for that, it’s not like I’ve been to the moon before.”

  “Well you have the voice here.” MK flicks to the TV and well, Macaque once again questions himself if all the cogs in the kid’s head work right.

  “Do you want to be teleported in the TV?” the kid pauses, raises a finger and puts it down.

  “Additionally, I can guess you can’t hear her from the source since no sound travels through space, correct?” Tang is the one to ask.

  “Bullseye.” he shrugs.

  “Sooo what do we do now?” Pigsy is one to ask, pausing his stacking of stuff. Macaque’s ear twitches. It’s the rumble again, closer this time. Nobody bats an eye. Huh.

  “MK has experience with making stuff? Maybe his powers could work with it? Or Macaron?”

  “Creation magic isn’t my strong suit.” is what he chooses to say. Conjuring shadows into a shape? Sure. Making actual functioning rocket or something? Count him out. That was the suit of reckless Wukong and not calculating Macaque.

  “I can try!” smile that he puts on isn’t convincing. As he stand between himself and the van, however, the earth shakes much more prominently. For a moment, he curses himself, not considering that actual demon might be present instead of just rumble of the earth. It is short lived though because from the ground burst out what seemed to be some kind of a giant scorpion. With a quick step, he manages to push MK to the ground so the kid doesn’t end up with a headache. The smoke clears rather quickly though, leaving them with nothing more than dusty clothes and ruined campfire.

  Macaque’s ears twitch, the rumble is going away- ah . Macaque sinks into the shadows, just to dive out moments later alongside the scorpion into the mountain path. The demoness stands on the opposite side of him, fighting stance in tow. Macaque’s tail swishes in annoyance. Of course, he wouldn’t give chase for a cowardly demon who as soon as it attacked scrambled back but- on it’s stinger rested the Tang. In all confusion she just yoinked the guy who was promptly out by now. Vaguely, he can hear panicked noises at the camp too which is mildly concerning but the big guy is there as well so he might as well deal with the demon.

  “I don’t particularity care if you give him back but the kid care so-” he ends the sentence, drawing the shadows towards himself. “Give him back.” he is mid lounge, reckless as Wukong when he ends up being slammed into a nearby tree. For a moment he can’t process the newfound situation. Only thing he sees is the starts and then the sun- Wait. Everything just floods at once, Wukong’s face above his, the stupid smile, the rambling-

  “Mac! Am I glad to see you! I didn’t know you wanted to join our travels as well! By the way did you see the Master!? It is of vital importance that we find him and-”

  “What are you on about Wukong?” he hears himself growl. “Where is-” he snaps into sitting position, eyes scanning the darkness. The scorpion is gone. Tang is gone. Reflexively, he tries to sink in the shadows again to find them but he finds himself unable. It takes him a moment-two to figure out why. Wukong’s face wears a frown as he holds him by the arm, away from the shadows. “Let me go.” his tone edges to a snarl. However, Wukong doesn’t let go. There is something commanding in his presence Macaque didn’t feel in a long time. There is- Master.

  “You don’t seem well, Mac. You should let me handle our Master.” that confirms it. His brain short circuits. He probably got hit by some nice looking piece of ruble as the scorpion dived out. Sharp waking up from deep meditation could cause scrambled memories or memory loss. It was one of few rules he etched in his brain to remember since it happened before. Judging by the way he was now, it was before Macaque returned that his memory was at.

  He can’t stop wrenching his arm away from Wukong, standing opposite of him. The monkey in question raises his eyebrow, looking kind of under an angle, like a confused dog. Confused dog. That’s what he was, actually. Or at least what Macaque saw his as at the time. Tenseness in the air is almost palatable because at the moment, Macaque’s brain blanks, completely devoid of what he should do.

  “Listen-” before Wukong can finish though, the van screeches to a halt besides them. The gang rush out of the van, somewhat comically tripping on each other before getting up and standing between them. Somewhere, in Macaque’s mind must’ve registered, they must be training this skit somewhere.

  “Please don’t kill each other!” the kid speaks, getting full Wukong’s attention.

  “Us? Don’t be absurd little monkey, Liu’er and I would never.” Wukong smiles, hitting MK’s shoulder. Little monkey? So was he just assuming MK came with him or-“When did you exchange walking for a vehicle piglet, Shā Wùjìng, Ao Lie?”

  “Piglet!?”

  “Uhm, Monkey King? We are not those guys, ya know?” Mei tries to the side.

  “Finnne,Zhū Bājiè. And of course you are. Did you lose your memories or something? Or did demon take them away? Nevertheless, worry not, Sun Wukong is going to save you all!” with a smile, he looks around the floor, finding a branch. With a smile he takes it, twirls it, tests it. Seemingly satisfied, he carries it leaned on his shoulder. “Come on!” and there he goes, walking up the mountain path.

  “What just happened?” Pigsy is one to ask.

  “I think Monkey King believes he is still journeying to the West.” Sandy answers.

  “He called me a little monkey-” not even pats provided by Mei can help the waterfall that are his eyes.

  “Hey, Macaron? You good there?” the previous conversation just flew by him, like a static. Liu’er and I would never. His face scrunches up, fangs bearing for a moment.

  “We should just fetch a rock and twack him on the head again.” Pigsy grumbled to the side.

  “Not recommended.” he finds his voice. “Given his state now, he won’t be happy until he finds Tang and getting him occupied enough so you can wack him would be-” his hand goes to his right eye unconsciously. “Hard.”

  “Should we at least try to explain what is going on here, Mr. Macaque? I mean-”

  “Don’t try big guy. It will just make him suspicious.”

  “Are you coming guys!? Come oooon! Master is our top prioriiity!” the yell from down the path is unmistakable. Macaque wants to go away. Somewhere. Anywhere. However, he knows vigilance of Monkey King. The moment he tried, stupid monkey would just grab him by the arm again and they would just repeat the previous dance. And his stupid dog like face. Just an animal on the leash, under the lead of Master he adored. It never changed. His thoughts towards the Master Wukong loved never changed. Not when Wukong clawed his eye. Not when he stood in the dirt and neither in the depths of shadows. The man Wukong loved to the end of his life, Macaque hated until the end of his own life.

  A step.

  Sūn Wùkōng, The Great Sage was feeling pretty good about himself. Sure his memories were a bit hazy about all of this and Master was kidnapped but that was Saturday morning for him! Heck, even Macaque and a little monkey were present through the thing! How he wished Macaque would show up so he could introduce him to others. Because finallly, finally, Monkey King had other friends, people and demon alike to introduce Macaque to. Sure the other would hate the process buuut it would be fun. At the end he could deliver him the apology he predicted as well because last time they saw each other… yeah.

  Although, his friend seemed a bit under the weather. Those weird icy tendrils gave him chills in a way that made his fur bristle. Coiling and reaching, almost up to his shoulders. And his eye… Whatever he used to hide its white appearance wasn’t fooling him. Meticulous Macaque in that condition was… worrying to say at least. Speaking of which-

  “We should ask Local Tudi for direction!”

  “A what now?” the little monkey asks, tilting its head.

  “A local mountain god, silly.”

  “I can dive into shadow and fetch the monk Wukong.” Macaque to his side more so grumbles than growls which was proobably the intended tone.

  “That’s not how we do it now, Mac!” he answers, knowing that bringing up Macaque’s condition wouldn’t do any good to the atmosphere between them. “Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion he might be helpful in more ways than one.” to that one, Macaque just rolls his eyes. “Tudi! Tudi! Tuuuuuudiiii!” with a quick shake of the eart, from the dirt dives out a small mountain God to heed his call. In response, he clamps his hands and leans towards Tudi. “Oh Great Tudi, the demon has captured our Master and we fear for his safety. Did you hear anything about that?” the Tudi responds immediately in a string of sentences that probably nobody in the party cannot keep up but maybe Macaque. “You don’t say? Interesting.” it continues for a while, information after information, story after story before-

  “Wukong!” now that was certainly a growl. “We don’t have time to waste!” Zhū Bājiè, Shā Wùjìng, Ao Lie and the little monkey move away at the outburst Macaque shows. Huh, so he did understand Tudi.

  “I am immeasurably sorry to cut this short, o Great Tudi. Thank you for the knowledge.” he bows to the God once more, before turning to the companions.

  “Soooo, what did you learn?” Ao Lie asks, in his shape of a girl. Well, he probably got cursed by something to look like that. One more on the list to fix.

  “Well, the demon that took our Master is in that castle!” he answers, turning on his heel and pointing to the, really, only castle.

  “You don’t say.” Macaque crosses his arms, tail swishing.

  “So why did we wait for that obvious information for at least an hour!?” the piglet speaks, tone fiery.

  “Because Wukong would rather listen to his stories than get a move on.” he feels his tail swish at the tone.

  “First of all, Tudi has really interesting stories. It’s remarkable how much the guy knows. Second, if you heard it Mac, you know too it’s a fairy harmless demoness, there is no need to rush.” now he crosses his arms, mirroring Macaque. “Besides, what is up with you anyway? You are just-”

  “Wukong-”

  “And why do you call me like that?” his own teeth bare. “As far as I know, the fight we had didn’t earn this level of contempt I hear in your voice.” the others just take a step back, now they can look at each other proper. Seemingly, his sworn brother’s eyes shine with purple glow, as if that of a cornered animal. Tail swishing, ears twitching, fangs bearing-

  “Sūn Wùkōng, The Great Sage Equal to Heaven-” he starts but just when he expect the other to snarl but his voice never raises past a quiet growl. “I was willing to dance with you the first time. Forgive me for not willing to do it second time.” his ears hear correctly, the words drip venom. Whatever happened beforehand that Wukong hazily remembered, must’ve been a kick.

  “Alllright, that’s enough of you two.” the little monkey stands between them.

  “I appreciate your efforts small monkey but this is between Liu’er and me. You ought to know your-” he takes a step but Shā Wùjìng stops him.

  “Monkey King, it would be wise not to bicker. Our Master is in trouble.” Sūn Wùkōng considers it for a moment before turning on his heel, throwing his hands back.

  “Yeah, I guess you are right. Let’s fetch our Master.” the truth behind the gesture is that he cannot bear to look at the eyes of his friend but hey, nobody needed to know that. Even if he didn’t know what had happened, he was certain they would make up somehow. After all, Sūn Wùkōng loved Liu’er Mihou as if he was his own blood.

  He can hear foot stapes following him absently, moving through grass. And so they did, arriving underneath the castle.

  “Uhhh, how do we get inside?” the piglet asks. Always the one.

  “Well, isn’t it obvious?” he grabs him by the shirt, nodding to the little monkey and Ao Lie. In a moment, they jump towards the castle. He is the first one, of course, to break the wall. Ao Lie jumps besides him, carrying the small monkey and Shā Wùjìng follows them. The landing they manage is pretty darn cool if he said so himself, besides the piglet who ended on his rear and the little monkey who, when Ao Lie’s form dispersed, sank to the ground. Mac was… a smile climbed on his face. “Unhand my Master, evil demon! I am Sūn Wùkōng and the monk is under my protection!”

 “Protection from what?! A beautiful queen?” the demoness speaks.

  “Look, Lady, we are not letting you eat our friend.” the piglet says to the side, followed by decisive yell of “Yeah!” from the others, confirming it.

  “I would never eat him!”

  “Oh really? Than why all the illusions!?” with a snap of his fingers, the beautiful castle turns to nothing more than a rundown shack. Oh and scorpions, scorpions crawling everywhere. The demoness reveals her true form to be that of half human half scorpion.

  “Alright! It’s true! I am a demon! Happy!?”

  “That’s all I needed to hear!” Sūn Wùkōng gets through chewing of a chicken leg he found. “Mac!” the shadows gather by demoness feet or maybe like… knuckles? Or something. Master has the time to scramble away from her and move to their side.

  “Wha-” before she can utter a word, the shadows pull her towards the ground as if some magical rope. She couldn’t move from her spot on the floor, no matter how much she struggled. From one of the tendrils, sinks out Mac, face contorted mid growl.

  “Don’t order me Wukong.”

  “Pfttt, it was audio cue not an order.” he waves his hands as Mac rolls his eyes.

  “You guys came to save me!” his Master goes for a starry eyed look as he switches his eyes between every participant of the group.

  “Of course we did Master!” Wukong goes for a hug that the monk accepts but also seems to be confused by. As soon as he let’s go however, he takes a step back.

  “What’s up with this guy?”

  “Welll…” Ao Lie starts but Wukong slices him off.

  “Don’t you remember!? Have you lost your memories as well Master!?” Not him too. Add that to his ever growing list of fixing things. However, this was beginning to give him some sort of weird pattern that was somehow too wild even for their journey.

  “If you are done with introduction, what do we do with her?” Mac asks to the side, his staff in his hand, pointing towards the demoness.

  “For so long I’ve been alone! Can’t you see? I saw you being so close together by campfire and I thought- I would love to have someone like that! That’s why-”

  “Lady, someone forcing their friendship on somebody, means nothing to me.” the tone Mac uses here is so particularly venomous that Sūn Wùkōng’s fur bristles. He would-

  “Mac, wait-” before the staff can find a mark, their Master stands between Macaque and the demoness. The staff bounces off, like some kind of magic bubble. Neat. Macaque seems surprised as well, dismissing his staff and looking at the scene unfolding.

  “Look, I get that you are alone but, like this monkey said, forcing your friendship on someone is not the way to go. Friendship is earned.”

  “Yeah, just look at us!” he smiles, pulling his hands over the Master and piglet while he uses his tail to pull the little monkey, Ao Lie and Shā Wùjìng closer. He even manages to get Mac but the guy, as soon as he is caught, sinks into the shadow, away from him in record speed. Cheater. “We are friends because we choose to be!”

  “We are friends?” he hears piglet’s voice but decides to ignore him.

  “Besides, without friends I would probably turn into some brooding, manipulative jerk!” he laughs at his own joke but a shiver makes it’s way on his spine, signalling that a certain monkey was a fan of the jab. A jab to who though? He didn’t know. Or at least… couldn’t remember.

  “But… where do I find someone like that?”

  “Oh I just have the guy.” of course piglet’s idea is Tudi. Not a bad idea but a textbook one. And that is how they bid goodbye to the demoness and Tudi, unquestionable that they will have more great stories together. Now, about everyone’s memory loss… Or maybe his? Nah, Great Sūn Wùkōng wouldn’t loose his memory. Or would he? Huh.

  Oh yeah…

  He slowed his step, so that he would walk in line with Mac who kept himself behind the others. The other noticed him but didn’t acknowledge him. Basically, it was very uncomfortable and his own tail swishing was a give away to it.

  “Sooo, Mac…” he starts but stops, not knowing how to continue. Scratching the back of his head, he looks towards the morning sky. “Look, I just- I don’t know. I can’t really remember how you joined us or why you are like this or why your eye is like that.” he frowns to himself. “I wanted to apologize for years for the fight we had and now I can’t find the words, you know?” chuckling to himself, he thinks, Mac always knew. Even before he knew something, Mac knew it. “I guess I want to apologize. For everything.”

  “A simple apology doesn’t mean nothing happened, Wukong.” the growl in his voice is unmistakable.

  “Yeah, I guess you are right there.” he what feels like a rock swallows. “You can always reject it, you know. It’s fine.”

  “You are an idiot.” that didn’t get a pass.

  “But I am your idiot.” the silence stretches. Sūn Wùkōng dares to look at his companion, jut to check if he is even walking still. He is, it turns out. He didn’t escape to some shadow or teleport away, he just quietly walks, peace in sync with his.

  “That peach tree has died long ago, Wukong.” is all he says before sinking into the shadows. Seems like he hid into small monkey’s shadow judging by how he shivered. Peach tree?

  “Sealing the deal with a peach seed!” echoes numbly through his ears.

  Shaking his head, Sūn Wùkōng paints on a false smile, jumping on his Master from behind.

  “Will you show me that vehicle from the Celestial Realm?!” the excitement he colours his words is, nothing but hollow.

  The vehicle is something pretty unnatural to him. It has everything from top to bottom. Weird machine that spits coffee. Stacked beds on which Mac made his nest. A button to start or stop. Just remarkable! Even the shape of it, probably in some mighty Celestial Beast it bore. The ride is short lived however, as they stop under the steep cliff.

  “We will get right back Monk- Sūn Wùkōng. You just wait with Pig- Zhū Bājiè right here.” his Master says as he, Ao Lie, little monkey and Shā Wùjìng dart out of his vision. Mac actually stays with him and piglet, although he is lazing around on the vehicle, as if he was the cat.

  “Look, before you turn into your usual dismissive self I just wanted to tell you-” Piglet speaks as he takes the book that his Master kept. “Keep him safe. He is a sensitive kid and-” he turns the page. It’s him and the Master. Ao Lie. Shā Wùjìng. Zhū Bājiè. Someone commissioned really good painter for these. Wait- Did they finish the journey? “I just want him safe, alright? With everything happening and three rings-” his ears perk up.

  “Four.”

  “Wait- You never mentioned four-!?”

  “But you were there, weren’t you Zh-” there is an impact he didn’t see coming, lights out for Sūn Wùkōng.

  That is when the Monkey King wakes, summoning his powers and blasting away the debris. He gets into fighting stance, a battle on his mind. However, he finds exact opposite. Sandy, Pigsy, Mei and MK are all looking at him with a weirdest expression.

  “Wow, what happened guys? It feels like Macaque nailed me in the head with his staff.” suddenly, he is pulled into a group hug. “Why are you hugging me?”

  “You called me a little monkey!” MK screeches through tears.

  “Um, you good, bud?”

  “He got his memories back wooo!” Mei cheers next to him.

  “Time out, time out.” he wiggles out of the group hug. “Can somebody tell me what I’ve missed?”

  “Well, you see-” Sandy starts. Scorpion demoness twacking him with debris. Waking up without memories. Calling everyone with names of his long passed companions. A scuffle with Macaque. Walking back. Getting twacked again. Uf. Did he apologise for something or- Double uf.

  “Sorry bud for calling you a monkey.” he pats MK’s teary eyed head. “And sorry to you too guys.” he smiles.

  “No probs Monkey King. Just don’t let it become a habit.” Mei gives him a thumb up. Pigsy was one more note of concern, guy didn’t really look in his way. Like at all.

  “You good, Pigsy?”

  “You are lucky to even talk to me after calling me piglet, Moneky King.” he gives him an awkward chuckle.

  “Sorry.” he stops. “Did I push any of your buttons Macaque?” he tries, addressing the lazing monkey above.

  “Not any more than you are pushing now.” cranky.

  “Aaaalright. So where are we?”

  “First ring got. Two more to go.” Tang answers. “We found out second one to be on the moon, so we are not really sure how to proceed.” Huh. Chang’e?

  “Alright, next station, the moon!” he cheers, getting the others as hyped as he could-

  Out of corner of his eye, he notices Tang’s open diary. It’s open on picture of his companions during the journey. A certain type of melancholy washes over him. It courses, like a spreading fever, all to the moment where Tang picks it up and joins the others. For a moment, Wukong collects his thoughts, shaking his head. They had no time for that.

  Just as he is to take the step, a shiver passes his spine.

  “Would’ve you apologized to me if I didn’t attack your Master, Wukong?” Macaque’s voice is as low as the morning wind. So he really did it, huh. The apology he never get to speak for himself even if he repeated it to his own reflection. The moment Macaque attacked it all went down the hole, to the depths of Underworld. Try as he may, he can’t think what to say to Macaque that had meaning. A simple ‘yes’ he couldn’t bring himself to say, even if Macaque was only confirming what the amnesiac him already said. More simpler ‘no’ was a lie. Which is why he chooses to say something he remembered vividly.

  “As long as the petals fell from the peach.” is what he says. Macaque’s presence fades from his mind, from his shadow, replaced by the lazy monkey thumping his tail on the van, completely ignoring him and-

  “Monkey King!”

  “Right there, bud!”

  Two more to go, four to unite, they could do this.

Chapter Text

  “I am telling you, if he uses the van, it is that much easier,” Monkey King sights, waving hands to emphasise the point.

  “Wukong, how would others escape anything while you three are on the moon if you take the van?” Macaque asks, tail swishing in annoyance.

  “Nothingggg will happen. Besides, they got you with them,” he answers with a smile. Macaque in return, classic Macaque, frowns harder. There is something off with his body language, he noted. Just a bit too stiff. Than again, he would be stiff too if someone who nearly killed him reverted to younger self where they were brothers and than again back to present self. At least the ice was still buzzing off, up his hip like it was back before he infiltrated DBK’s palace. Monkey King seemed fine too, joking and trying to get him to use his powers to transform the van into spaceship. Which was really a big big biiig biiiig miss.

  Both from Macaque actually reminding him that the rest had no clear escape plan annnddd that he, in his all useless glory, couldn’t use his powers for anything. He was excited to try for his mentor but both of them knew, he couldn’t do anything. Stupidly and painfully, he was completely useless. No time for self pity MK, the van. Spaceship. Moon.

  “Mr. Macaque is right though. From much we have gathered, his powers can’t guarantee safe escape.” Tang chimes in.

  “Well, I could use that dragon form, I guess? Sandy is here too so adding Macaron too, we are a dream team!” Mei countered, looking at Macaque. The monkey in question makes a rather displeased sound.

  “Look, there are servants of hers I can’t take down,” he snaps, “And you can’t even beat me.” well, Macaque sure is pissed today. Remember not to get in his fur.

  “Maybe Mac could go to moon with us then?” MK tries, cutting into the conversation. This wasn’t going to settle in anyway, he knew that. Macaque was stubborn, especially if he thought the plan wasn’t good. After all, he demonstrated it a couple of times already.

  “Hold up. Can’t he do much on moon either? Since he can’t hear and stuff.” Dadsy is kind of suspicious when he says that. Something about that tone just… doesn’t seem entirely right. And maybe he imagined it but he thought, he saw what was a quick exchange of looks between himself and Macaque. Which was… weird. Everything was just plain… weird.

  “Pigsy here has the right idea. My powers regarding hearing are kinda a null there.” that’s where conversation stalls. Both monkeys have crossed arms, staring down each other with complete annoyance. Although good point, they seemed a bit mellower, not outright shinning with hatred towards each other. More like a sibling squabble. Which, given their previous situation, was strangely accurate. And funny. The stare off continues for a moment- two, before well… they both just sink into ground. A blink or two later and a panicked yell from Mr. Tang.

  “Dude-” Mei is pointing to the ground where Monkey King stood before.

  “Mac teleported them away, I guess?” he scratches back of his head. “Man, he is really bad at asking things from others.”

  “Mr. Macaque should work on his conversation skills.” Sandy noted, nodding.

  “Batcquaqe.” both he and Mei snicker.

  “He probably gets his life-force by being a pain.” Mei shrugs.

  “Sooo should we just wait for them orrr…” Tang trails off.

  “And what are we supposed to do without them exactly?” Pigsy crosses his arms. “Fly to the moon on the wings of eagles?”

  “Yeah, alright. Good point.” Tang sinks on the log, writing off something in his diary.

  “Want to try sparring again? Maybe it would get you powers a bit of a wake up call?” Mei nudges him in the shoulder. Now, MK’s mind panics. The last session didn’t really go according to the plan but he still didn’t want to reject Mei. His powers just weren’t coming back. They weren’t magically returning to him. They were straight up gone. Along with the stupid staff. No matter how much he sparred with Mei or tried to make an airship or whatever wouldn’t change the fact that he was-

  “Yeah!” he still answers her. They start off simply, just exchanging a few punches, mixing it with kicks and dodges. It didn’t take a genius to see Mei was holding back, after all, she was speedier than him when it all came down to basics.

  “You know, Macaron told me something interesting while we were on that super cool mission you planned.” she says as she doges his fist. “You are a dumbass MK.” she says, playfully hitting his shoulder on the hit he couldn’t dodge.

  “Ouch?” he raises eyebrow in question.

  “Talk to me.” with that she throws another punch, this time slow enough for him to dodge. “Like you don’t need to tell me everything.” she adds, “Even thought it would be preferable.” she winks at him, chuckling just a bit. In response he trades one of his own, dodging hers. This time, he can tell Mei won’t let him get out the conversation easily. Which would’ve been preferable, by the way. Also, personal offence towards Macaque, what a traitor.

  “About what?” he feigns ignorance, knowing full well he can’t really get out of this one.

  “Oh you know? The whole, being like Monkey King stuff?” he can’t get a read on her expression really, since they are in fact still sparring. “Bottling up stuff?” MK weights his options. Neither option felt by any criteria right. Dumping all on Mei? Nah. Dumping partial stuff on Mei? Hard nah. Lying to her, well, since Macaque opened his mouth was just pointless. So what exactly is he supposed to do? Slapping together some courage he didn’t know he had, with one look cast to make sure nobody looks, he starts-

  “It’s like- Just- I don’t know. I feel useless alright?” the words are like razor across the windpipe. “Everyone is doing something. Mac and Monkey King are hard on planning ahead and they both are kind of under the weather. You are fighting with them, Sandy is doing the technical side, Dadsy is cooking and even Mr. Tang is recording something in the diary of his. But I- I can’t even hot glue a plan together?” he throws a punch, not really expecting to connect to anything. “It’s just… stupid.” there are tears threatening to escape his eyes but he holds them back stubbornly.

  Suddenly, there are hands around him, firmly holding him in place. He feels small, right down to s.

  “Thanks for opening up, MK.” is what he hears to his left.

  “But it’s-” Mei pulls away, forcing him to look at her eyes. Well, great, now he feels even smaller.

  “-fine. Really, it’s fine, MK. You are gluing this whole party together, you know that?” he tries to look away but she shaked him a bit, which first of all, dizzy, Second, he looks at her eyes again. “I think that without you, all of this-” she let’s go for a moment to flail her arms before grabbing him again- “Would never happen. Monkey King would just go monkeying around by himself. The grumpy theatre Macaron would still be an enemy. I mean, who knows what would be up with us too? Maybe some ice pillars?” she cracks a smile. “Besides, you will get your awesome staff any minute now and kick some bone demon butt!” MK can’t help but feel a small smile on his face. Mei was really, really an amazing pers- A big slap on his back, courtesy of her. “Chin up MK!” Ouch.

 “Yeah.” he wipes the tears that got to his eyes, only because she hit him on the back, definitely. “Hey, Mei?”

  “Hm?”

  “Do you think those two will kill each other?” he can’t help but smile.

 “Well, stuff still isn’t still blowing up so-” she chuckles and MK can’t help but laugh.

  Macaque’s eyes bore in Wukong’s as the said monkey sat on the branch. It was kind of poetic actually, even when he teleported him, the monkey ended up on the branch, basking in the sun. Macaque however, dove out of the trees shadow, underneath sun’s rays.

  “I am waiting, Macaque.” the King was annoyed. It made his smile curve up, he was like a really big infant with his patience.

  “I am waiting for you, Wukong.”he bites back.

  “For what exactly? Seriously, Macaque cut it-” he stops abruptly. Suddenly, Wukong is in his face, with a speed even Macaque didn’t foresee. Seeing how Wukong’s tail wildly swishes, Macaque’s does too as if doing it in sympathy.

  “Personal space, Wukong.” he feels himself growl, small under the golden eyes of Wukong. His fur bristles but more so because of how much he is uncomfortable with Wukong’s sudden closness. He is being scanned head to toe, under Golden Eyes of Truth no less. If it was MK or any of his friends, he would already slip into shadows to put distance between them. Wukong on the other hand… his eyes are commanding, clearly signalling, “Stay put.”. As much as he loves to defy Wukong’s petty orders, as if he was Monkey King to him any more, he stayed incredibly put. The thing was, he wanted Wukong to get it already, why he was adamant to that they shouldn’t be left alone on the earth while he went on space journey with his buddies. Even younger, amnesic him, got it. Not to mention, he needed a nice starting point to yell at him for that fourth ring he mentioned.

  “You are unbelievable, Macaque. When?”

  “Demon Bull King’s ring.” Wukong in response clicks his tongue, finally offering some distance. “To make sure he doesn’t follow us.” he offers further explanation, last thing he needs is Wukong thinking he killed the Demon Bull King. “He was very happy to see me, you know.” his smile picks up, prompting a response from Wukong.

  “I can imagine that.” he crosses his hands, seemingly in thought. “Are you feeling alright?”

  “Peachy.” he chooses to answer. “What is important is that at this point, she will send someone after us and leaving me unattended with MK’s friends is a liability. Besides, you opened your blabbering mouth Wukong.” the said monkey raises his eyebrow. “The fourth ring.” well now his tail thumped, eyes widening. A familiar sight really. Wukong was always a pathetic liar if you looked past his confidence and even poorer plan making. “To spare you the details, in front of Pigsy and me, nobody else heard it.”

  “So that’s why…” Wukong trails off. Macaque could guess his gears turned, explaining Pigsy’s suspicion towards him.

  “What’s the plan here Wukong?” he let’s some contempt slip into his voice. “Lie until the curtains close? Tell them truth while you burn up?” Wukong’s face remains stone, not a reaction. It makes him just a beat angrier. “My job was to make plans for you. Do you think so little of me?”

  “Of course not.” a sigh. “I could tell you saw through me from the very beginning, Macaque.”

  “What gave me away?” he asks, intending to tease Wukong while biting into his facade.

  “Your shitty glares.” somewhere in that sentence was an unmistakable trace of a chuckle. One that nearly made him chuckle himself. Not that he would ever admit that, amongst other things. Wukong was not a friend or an ally, after all. Or that is what you keep telling yourself? “What do you want me to do than, Macaque?” now he takes him back as he looks at him. It’s a genuine question he is getting.

  “A lot of things, Wukong.” is what he chooses to say. “Talk to them. Talk to the kid. They won’t despise you anyway. Those guys will believe if not for you, they will do it for the kid.”

  “And what? Get them further into this mess?” his tone rises. “Besides, it was us who started it by sealing the Bone Demon away.”

  “Dude, I am getting weirdest MK flashback right now. It’s no wonder the kid is such a mess.” his tail flickers. “You know, he didn’t want to tell his friends either even though he knew about LBD. Wanted to protect them.”

  “Where are you going with this?” his brow narrows, tail swishing.

  “To you both being idiots.”

  “Look who is talking, Mister Let’sMakeAPlanButNotTellAnyone.”

  “Are you an infant, O’ Great SelfSacrificingSage?” he bites back before he crosses his arms, mirroring Wukong’s. Wukong clearly wants to tease back so Macaque decides to cut him off. “Where is the fourth ring, Wukong?” the King looks back and fourth, towards the ground and all around. It’s almost funny, you can hear him thinking. Almost is the word though, because anger prickles from the inside. He, The Six Eared Macaque, was trying to help and the stupid monkey still refused to talk to him. His tail swishes, scrapes on the earth, betraying that particular prick of anger. However, Macaque refuses to let I get better of him. He might’ve done so in past but he refused to do so now.

  In some ways, he finally wanted the chains of the past that bore on him to be gone. He wanted the a new start, something to look out to. And yet, he could never forget what once was. It always pricked, the hate and the memories, the love and the fights, the smell of the flowers and the stench of blood. It was all intertwined in what he got revived as- into a shadow of a Macaque. He might’ve been chained by Lady Bone Demon but those chains were nothing in comparison to the past. It could not be forgotten, even if he tried. Because the universe would bring something to remind him, courtesy of amnesiac Wukong.

  He stills his tail, taking a deep breath and looking at the stupid fidgeting monkey.

  “Talk to me, dumbass.” the monkey in question stills. He is not a King any more, mocked by him. Just a stupid monkey, in a sense alike. They share a look a moment or two before the words do the trick.

  “When the ritual happened, we separated it into three pieces. One belonged to me, other two to Nezha and the Bull King. However, an itty bitty piece broke off and ended up in one of my dear friends and by that extent into his descenders.” Wukong finishes in a breath. “Mei.” that was… about right.

  What was better vessel for fire of Samadhii than a fire breathing dragon? Actually, for just a descendant of the dragon, she had quite array of abilities which should’ve nicked him in the direction. When she touched the Red Boy she flinched too, if he recalled right.

  “The Grand plan is then, to withdraw that fragment of the fire into yourself and fuse it with rest of the rings inside yourself, right Wukong?” Wukong answers with a short nod. A beat passes. “That is the stupidest thing I heard from you.” he fights the urge to hit the monkey.

  “Hey!”

  “Don’t ‘hey’ to me you moron!” his fangs bare. “Do you have any idea how stupid it sounds?”

  “Well, now that you say it out loud…” Wukong scratches back of his head. Macaque feels his lips curl back in response. Wukong, always the comedian. And so blatantly, disgustingly obvious. “Look, it’s a high risk plan, I know that. It needs to hold just a minute, until I get to her and finish her off. After that we can seal it or-”

  “I won’t help you kill yourself, Wukong.” he hears himself snarl. Beating Wukong with his bare hands? Sure. This? No. Wukong on the other hand, looks like he wants to say something but promptly shuts his bin. “You are the stupidest simian to ever walk the Earth or Heaven if you think there is a time I would be willing to help you with that.”

  “Wellllllll it’s not like you need to kill me yourself? Or is it actually the problem that you won’t get to kill m-” Macaque allows his anger to boil over, all tries to quench it forgotten, a shadow emerging from the tree and knocking Wukong square off his feet. The other yelps as Macaque towers, switching the places of sun and moon. He locks his eyes with Wukong, piercing daggers at him. “I was just joking you know-”

  “The kid loves you. These guys are vary of you because they equally love the kid but still like you. They want to help. What part do you not get Wukong?” he squeezes through the snarl. “You should get your ass out of whatever cycle of self pity and distancing you are trapped in and look in front of yourself.”

  “And see what exactly Macaque?” Wukong glares back, a hint of red to his golden eyes. “Do you think I don’t like them? That MK’s pure adoration doesn't reach me? Or that the group that is eerily similar to my travelling companions doesn’t strike me?” Wukong’s fur stands up, ears down but he doesn’t attempt to stand from his spot. Macaque on the other hand, reflexively, almost not even noticing, takes a step back. “We are immortal, Macaque.” a lot of thoughts hurry through Macaque’s head at the time. It did make sense in a sense, if Wukong really wanted to stay out of everyone’s fur. After all he, and by same extent Macaque, would outlive everyone and anyone. Less so Macaque because he was not invulnerable, unlike Wukong. Nevertheless the point still stood. Wukong lost and saw, just like Macaque did. “I’ve made my peace with the possibility of fire killing me, Macaque, if it is to save the kid and the world.” his lips pull back, anger again pricking him on the inside. Liar.

  “You seem to forget, I was dead. It’s not as if all your problems will just disappear in the thin air, Wukong. You claw at the darkness and cold, holding memories together by a hair. Don’t you remember? You were punished similarly, weren’t you?” Macaque let’s out a well trained chuckle. It’s not funny. He hates it, his former King looking like a deadbeat pelt. A shell of what he was. “Any slight regret you have keeps you from moving on, trapped in the dark. And don’t you dare tell me you have no regrets, Wukong, I can see them clear on your face.” before the other has a chance to cut it, Macaque takes the step forward even if his instincts tell him to flee right this instant. “Pick up your pride and tell me why I ever called you a King. You are the proof those so called friends of yours lived just as I am the proof that a certain golden simian lived.” he swallows, continuing, “You might’ve felt alone for thousands of years of your life but right now you can choose not to be, Sūn Wùkōng.” Wukong averts his eyes, seemingly in thought. His fur is no longer bristled but he might be a touch angry still. Good. Stupid bastard. Finally, Wukong has the nerve to chuckle.

  “Seriously? You scold me out of everyone?” he takes a breath between scratchy laugh and continues, “Did you take that speech from some old western play?”

  “Consider it a return to form.”

  “Those guys really rubbed on you, huh?” Wukong faces him with those golden eyes of his smiling. “You are finally free of me, aren’t you Macaque?” before he can question him, Wukong outstretches his hand towards Macaque, waiting. All thoughts escape him for a moment as Macaque thinks he is mocking him. Can’t the idiot stand up on his own? However, as the meaning of gesture strikes him embarrassingly late, he extends hand of peace they did not agree on- It feels familiar. Without missing a beat, without a though more, he grabs at the others hand and pulls him to his feet. “Jeez took you long enough! I though I was going to turn into stone monkey again.” Wukong smirks, cleaning his outfit from dust, while Macaque just stands a step away, not really knowing what to do. “Well, I am all ears. What’s your plan Macaque?”

  Not one of his six ears misses the trust that reaches him.

  “Here is the plan!” it’s Monkey King who announces it. Surprisingly both of them came looking spotless, not that MK wanted them to get in the fight or anything buuuut…. “Kid, Pigsy and Mei will got to space! The rest of us will be staying on ground patrol.” Now that he thought about it, Macaque was looking kind of detached, to the side. Maybe they did have an argument- “After the mission is done we will reunite at the location of third ring. Annny questioons?”

  “What is locations of third ring anyway?” Dadsy is one to ask before Mr. Tang can have his turn.

  “It’s a village West of here. Chang’e will point you there. The ground squad is going to be teleported there today, probably. Right, Macaque?” the monkey in question just shrugs. In that moment though, Macaque catches his sight and does a… motion with his hand. That’s… ah! Probably something like “Come with me.” Monkey King starts to ramble again, something about the village, so nobody is noticing the exchange. In any case MK points to himself, just to be sure he got the message right. What he gets is a turn of eyes and a point to him and- Mei? He points to her and Macaque prooobably s a step away from melting into his shadow and chocking him to death. Therefore, he obliges, bumping his shoulder into hers a bit. As Mei looks at him, he quickly points to Macaque who was already turning corner around the van. The two of them sneak, discreetly, away. Keep telling that to yourself MK.

  Behind the van, into the shrub and a subtle chill-

  “Not fluent in a sign language?” before he can speak up, Mei comes up with a comeback.

  “Not fluent in secrecy, Macaron?” Macaque appears next to them with a chuckle. “What’s up?”

  “Some secrecy and scheeeming.” is what Macaque’s wide grin answers. “There are few parts of the plan we can’t have your friends know.”

  “Why?” MK asks, with a tilt of his head. “Didn’t we have this whole talk about keeping secrets from friends?” Mei playfully hits his shoulder. How many talks about secrets they had, again? Too much.

  “Making them liable for possession isn’t something that should happen while we are on a really thin ice already.”

  “Okaaay then Mac n’ Cheese, let’s hear it.”

  “I will act out the role of bait and freeze Lady Bone Demon’s minions with me. That way neither can interrupt you from getting that stupid fire.” before MK can voice his concern because they are not going to leave Macaque to deal with them on his own, Macaque’s eyes bore from shadows and- When did they go that far in the forest? Macaque probably teleported them away, sneaky, scary monkey. “In the meantime, Wukong will fetch the fire brat to help with fire, once you re-forge it.” with a swish of his tail, he is out of the shadows. “The problem is controlling it. Which is why it will be re-forge inside a person.”

  “Red Son?” Macaque answers with a shake of head.

  “Good shot kiddo but nah. Mei.”

  “Me?” comes from his right. What? “Oh, good one Macaron. You can’t expect me to believe-”

  “Out of all of us you are only one suitable for the fire since you already have the fourth piece inside of yourself.”

  “Wait Mac. What do you mean by fourth piece?” Macaque shrugs.

  “Just like I said. A piece got into one of Wukong’s fools and passed down the generations. Wukong knew but decided to not tell anyone so he can go ahead with his own plan which we since canned because you know, really the most stupid plan I heard.” he swishes his tail in telltale sign of frustration. “If it goes wrong there will be one less dragon in the world, if you get me. You in kid?” met with silence, macaque continues: “You don’t have to answer immediately, there is another bit of the plan. MK?”

  “Y-yeah?” he flinches, not really processing what he heard up to that point.

  “She will still be able to use a part of my powers while my form is frozen in the ice and will probably try to go after you. Wukong will be occupied with Nezha. The scholar will do the re-forging. You will act out as a bait and allow yourself to be taken, at worst possessed.” he leans in the tree as he says. “She can’t be allowed to get the Red brat or Mei. If she uses you then she will have to return at least some powers to you which puts us into advantage when we get you back. We play our cards right, Mei can free me and the minions of her control. Within days this whole ice age nightmare can be over.”

  “But if we don’t, the whole world-” he starts, dread settling into his bones.

  “Is gone.” Macaque finishes. For a moment, there is static, only chipper of birds and slow gust of wind. MK throws a look at Mei, who is seemingly thinking it over, lost in her own thoughts. Possessed by Lady Bone Demon? Weren’t they trying to avoid it the whole time? And sure he wanted to help, get his powers back and kick some butt, really wanted to but- The feeling of that crawling ice that he felt those times made him want to vomit more than ever. Suddenly, Macaque’s face takes a less dire look, something more relaxed. For a moment, he looks as carefree as Monkey King.

  “What was Monkey King’s plan? If it was more risky than whatever this is?” Mei wildly gestures next to him. She is not angry, he can tell that much.

  “If at any point his plan failed, the world was gone. Just not frozen over. More like ashen or something.” Macaque shrugs. “You guys will do better than that idiot.”

  “How do you know that?”MK finds himself asking, raising his eyebrow in tow.

  “Hearing the past and present and all that.” he smirks, followed by a chuckle. “I trust you, that’s all.” from the tone he uses, MK knows Macaque isn’t lying. It’s somewhat uncanny, he got to know Macaque just weeks prior and yet- The monkey that tried to kill him showed more trust to him than Monkey King. Not to be confused, he knew Monkey King trusted them but refused to show it. he did everything as if he didn’t which frustrated him to no end. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking that he trusted them? Whatever. At this point they had enough on the platter without him which-

  “How about me?” Monkey King’s voice rings as he rolls out of bushes. “Woops, sorry, got here a bit late. Macaque got you like, really far into the forest. Where are we?” Macaque rolls his eyes but this time, his tail doesn’t swish. It’s… weird. “Well, guessing by the silence, the monkey is out of the bag.”

  “Can’t you be serious for a moment?”

  “Well, eeexcuse me you grim monkey.” Wukong sticks his tongue out before straightening up. “Macaque here came up with this plan. We are not forcing you to use it through!” Monkey King pulls his hands up as if he is being accused by something. Maybe by way Mei looks at him? Yep. It almost makes him laugh. Almost. “I am serious, this worrywart here made like a billion backups.” he leans in, as if whispering a secret to them. Suddenly, as if on cue, he looses the balances, landing on his face between him and Mei. There was a shadow, blink and you miss it, that tripped him.

  “Dirt monkey.” he hears from Mei and can’t stop a wheeze. There is something oddly warm about the situation. Something about Macaque and Monkey King unmistakably changed while they were away. It threw the whole atmosphere from deathly grim and heavy to lighter than air surrounding them.

  “Rude.” Monkey King says spitting some dirt. He than proceeds to hook both Mei and him around their shoulders. “Do you remember what I’ve said about a smidgen of confidence buddy? Just a tiny speck makes the difference. I mean, see where it took this guy?” he nods towards Macaque who found his spot leaning on the tree again. He is looking rather… less pleased than before. MK can’t really blame him though, Monkey King keeps poking at him. Maybe they switched places or something? “The point is, if you guys believe we can do it, we will do it.”

  “Well… We are in danger of dying like, every Tuesday.” Mei finally smiles. Something moves. Something… Something… Well MK isn’t sure exactly what happens but he feels they can make it work. They could do it. With a defeated sigh, he smiles too in direct response.

  “Alright, I am in.” the weight disappears off their shoulders off their shoulders and as if by magic, which in hindsight it totally was, with a blink they are back by the van.

  “And where did ya disappear off to?” is first think he is met with. Worried Dadsy of course is waiting for him.

  “We were-”

  “Yeah yeah some part of plan h can’t risk to tell us.” he continues and- “I sure hope it is not life threatening.” glares daggers at Monkey King who is currently avoiding his look, whistling on the van. So, Monkey King told them? That’s definitely new.

  “Monkey King informed us about third ring and our part of the plan.” Mr. Tang says. “I too hope it is not life threatening.” Dadsy throws him a look too, for good measure.

  “I am sure everyone will do great!” Sandy puts a thumb up.

  “Alright alright, everyone gather around!” Monkey King called, jumping off the van. “I know everyone is looking forwards to some big speech from Monkey King himself but really, I’ve got just one thing to say.” MK catches confidence in Monkey King’s gaze as he balls his fist and puts it forward. His and Mei’s hand follows Monkey King’s, full of same confidence. He is followed by Sandy, his fist bigger than all three combined. In turn he is followed by Dadsy and Mr. Tang. Surprisingly though, directly between his and Wukong’s fist lays that of Macaque. He steals a look at him but the guy is looking to the side so his expression is clear only to Monkey King.

  “Let’s do this!” in the combined shout, all the hands soar through the air

  That is the exact moment MK knows without a doubt, they will succeed.

  Wukong waves as the rocket, he made with not at all effort totally, took off like an arrow with MK, Mei and Pigsy. Well, now they were a van down. Which also meant the grim monkey was out of his favourite spot to bask in the sun. Tang was meanwhile, writing stuff down, probably something to do with the plan they made while Sandy was mostly playing with his cat thing. It was probably good that two were calmly waiting since they had the task of stealing the third ring once Macaque teleported them. It was definitely tight plan, something that they had to stick to with least deviations they could. Most of Macaque’s plan were once, like that. Tight with so much backing up that even if all his sworn brothers fell, Macaque would just come up with something. It was kind of fitting that once he didn’t have his planning and worrying by his side he got captured, huh?

  Well no time to delve on it. He had to get rest too, after they capture the minions he needed to fetch Demon Bull King’s son which given his temper would be… fun. Also considering Macaque actually froze Demon Bull King and trashed their car… yeah. Not looking forward to it. Anyway-

  “Thanks for playing along earlier Macaque.” he notes to the shadows of the trees. After all, if Macaque was resting somewhere, it must be in his little shadow. “It was probably uncomfortable for you to act like that, sorry.”

  “Can’t say I didn’t enjoy it a little.” comes from his shadow in the tone he would pair with that smirk of his. “After all, you have a habit of making a fool of yourself.”

  “Hey now…” a smile makes way to his face. “You sure about this?”

  “Don’t ask stupid questions.” shadows form Macaque’s sneering form, his back turned to him.

  “It’s not really a stupid question, more like- I don’t know. Caring question?” he looks away, more so to embarrassment than anything else. He can practically hear Macaque raise his eyebrow. Well now was time for Macaque to berate him, how would he dare to even ask that since he- a chuckle. A bit of a laugh. “Hey!” he promptly, gets offended.

  “You are an idiot.” for a moment, what he sees is younger Macaque, laughing at him while proclaiming him to be stupid. For a moment, there is something of affection behind his tone. If Wukong knew something it was Macaque. It was definitely Macaque. Or rather, what Macaque claimed he was before his rebirth. It prompts him to move by other monkey’s side but as soon as he is there, the shadows melt into nothing once more. “I mean, literally.” anddd he is back.

  Wukong was no fool, despite what he seemed to be. He knew that what they had could never be back. It was just an additional chain, something that kept both of them back from moving on and accepting the other as they were now. There was still no true forgiveness between them after all, they both were sure what they did was in the best interest to each other. After all, Macaque claimed he was not entirely himself either. And yet-

  “Well, here I am! I am no longer chasing the Heavens! I-”

  “And all it took was a human you knew for few months, a dragon and two demons! Not your blood brothers you knew for centuries! They were not enough.” Macaque’s fangs drew back into a snarl. “And neither was I. Figures, Great Sage Equal to Heaven Sun Wukong always wanted more, didn’t he? You never had enough. There is not one selfless hair on you!”

  “What are you-”

  “And to think I actually thought you were controlled.” his tail swishes at his feet, dropping like a defeated animal. The face he is met with looks… competently devoid of anything. “Fine, Wukong. I will kill your Master and all other companions that pose threat to the demons.”

  “Macaque-!” he snarls but his brother refuses to flinch.

  “Get out of the way Wukong! I have no business with you.” Wukong finds himself glued to the dirt, facing Macaque with a monstrous snarl. The shadows coil at his feet, suffocating him. It is murderous intent Wukong feels, down to the tip of his tail. If he is to move, Macaque will do what he said without hesitation. “Move Wukong!” even as he says so, he can’t feel any of the intent pointed at him. His former brother- No, his brother still didn’t wish to fight him even as he threatened lives of his friends. Macaque moves, walks, he intends to just pass him as if he didn’t exist.

  “Six Ears-!” worms out of his mouth, venom dripping.

  Wukong draws a blank. His fur is standing up. He is torn. No thoughts form. He can’t-

  There is warmth on his hand, fur wet. He barely forces himself to look. Look at it. At yourself. At him. Just look somewhere Monkey King for sake-

  His hand covered in blood all the way to his fur.

  His brother standing opposite, hand on one eye, red tickling down his face.

  Words don’t form.

  For a moment only thing he can hone onto is the snarling look of frenzied Macaque before that too, fades away.

  “Dude did you get a stroke or something?” Wukong recoils as a shadow of the monkey waves over his eyes. The shadow dissolves and he faces with Macaque, standing opposite of him, hands crossed. “Earth to Wukong.”

  “Uhm, interference?” Wukong shrugs, scratching back of his head. Macaque sighs, looking rather not pleased.

  “I can hear them.” it’s like a splash of cold water.

  “How close?” he straightens up, flexes his fingers, shudder passing him like a leaf.

  “Close enough. Big guy!” in a moment, Sandy is there, Tang on his shoulder, grasping at the giant as if he was a frightened cat. Ironically, the cat thing stays on the other shoulder completely calm. All three nod though, even the cowardly Tang. “Don’t die.” is only thing Macaque offers so Wukong swiftly cuts in.

  “Good luck.” he gives a thumbs up.

  “Good luck to you too.” and waves.

  “Yeah, good luck to you immortal monkeys while not immortal humans will-” they sink through the floor. Wukong sure hopes so that they didn’t end up in some random wall but judging by Macaque’s smirking face… Yeah, they probably ended up in a wall. Now on the fun part. Macaque was the bait, Wukong had one role and that was to herd the enemies to one spot with minimal strength wasted. For that they needed element of surprise which while it was not his expertise it sure was Macaque’s. He notices the uncomfortable swish of Macaque’s tail by use of powers or by the whispering only he heard, he couldn’t discern. Which is why he offers up at least something that might seem comforting.

  “See you on the other side?” in return Macaque pauses, snorts and promptly rolls his eyes.

  “We are not dying dumbass.” the cold prickles at his fur, it’s familiar. “Don’t get lost.” is what is offered before he sinks into the ground as well.

  Now, this was not the only time Wukong was captured in the Macaque’s little void. Well, little void was weird thing to say, at least now. You see, Macaque could hide stuff in the shadows before, when they were young. He would shove you into the trees shadow where you couldn’t be seen but you could see around. This was like that but… It was not. It was it’s own space in some sense, purple and vivid, full of muffled sounds and yet eerily quiet. Shadows crawled eerily around him, as if seeing ghost themselves. He couldn’t discern their murmurs. Maybe that was something Macaque could? After all, he was foreign element in a place which clearly wasn’t his domain or anyone's but Six Eared Macaque’s.

  It was not the world of the living or the dead, it sat eerily between, just existing. Heck, Wukong wasn’t sure what would’ve happened if you shoved a mortal in here. It was probably something Macaque himself didn’t want to test either, given how cautious was with sending even him there for any extended period of time. Time, huh? He was there for maybe couple of minutes and he lost the sense of it. Not in “I’ve procrastinated the day away” way but more like… “I’ve lost the day in drunken stupor” and the weightlessness definitely didn’t help.

  It somehow strikes him just then what current Macaque was, or what he seemed to be. In his time, he would be called something in margin of a vengeful spirit, tied to form. Regrets and hate just wrapped in one package. Something to be used and influenced, something lady Bone Demon could erase if she so wished. Something similar to those spiders she used. It made sense now, what Macaque said, why he was afraid of her.

  Wukong can’t help but snicker. She probably… revived a wrong person for it than. Six Eared Macaque was a good friend but he was incredibly headstrong in his own right. If she tied those vengeful feelings to a form with an exchange it was bound that he would ignore it. After all, even if she just brought back the spite and hate, if anyone could retrieve himself from pits of death besides himself, it was definitely Macaque.

  What snaps him out of the thought is the cold that creeps on his fur, light blue cracks of the realm. Macaque said even Lady Bone Demon’s influence couldn’t spread there but she could still be felt in presence. The spiders and one freakishly long possessed guy. What did Macaque call him? Mayor? He was apparently a problem. Well not for Great Wukong he wasn’t or at least not when using full strength. Nobody was a problem form him then when he thought about it. Except maybe-

  His cue is up, light peers and he sends himself hurling to the battlefield. Now that was something he could get behind, he thinks as he hits the imposing figure from the sky, into the piling spider demons below. For a split moment he got to look at the guy, he looks about as normal as he could, save for wide icy blue grin. Creepy.

  “Wukong move!” his order he obeys completely, using his cloud to just move out of vicinity of the blast zone. Dead silence for a moment before a sharp ice rises from the earth. It’s really intruding in the lush forest like this. Invasive. And so was the silence it brought with it.

  Wukong lands to it, looking into the ice. The glowing spiders were inside, eyes moving to him but not breaking free. The possessed human was a step of the ground, hand reaching, glowing smirk glowing with the light. Macaque a step away from him, a pose of moving back. His eyes however, now shone the same icy glow. A mural is the first thing that falls on his mind. It is also the last thing as it hits him.

  Macaque was right. Not even her possessed lackeys could break her own ice. Her powers scattered but useless until she got to control Macaque fully.

  Alright-

  “Hang in there.” is what he says before climbing on his cloud, setting course for Demon Bull King’s son.

  "Red Brat won't be far behind, he is following us. Just pull him by the shirt and fetch him or something."

  Easier said than done, Macaque.

  “You still wish to defy me!?” echoes loud and clear in Macaque’s head. However, it brings him no immediate fear. Maybe some dread. Maybe.

  “You killed me.” his thoughts spit with as much venom as he can and he can’t even hear them over the whispering. “I won’t let you control me as you please any more.” silence is defeating for mere moments.

  “Oh but you are mistaken my dear champion. Everyone says that but in the end it won’t matter because-” he surpasses the itch to chuckle. She still believes she won. Fitting.

  “Look, lady, if you are going to say destiny, that monkey is out of the bag.” now he does allow a chuckle. “Your destiny finally cough up to you.”

Chapter Text

  Macaque feels happy just loafing around with Monkey King. He is fine like this. Monkey King? He is not. He can say he is getting restless. Prickly. Almost jumpy? However, Macaque finds it is not his to ask what is up with him. He is the King, Macaque is just another monkey amongst the mist. Turns out he doesn’t need to ask through as one day, while they walk to their usual basking spot, Monkey King promptly stops, nearly making Macaque walk straight into him.

  “I want to go.” is what he says, looking at the sunset. Macaque frowns, feeling his hair stand on the ends.

  “Where?”

  “Dunno. Everywhere I guess?” the King scratches back of his head as he turns. “We live crazy long you know? But we will die once, right? Just like that one little guy other day.” Oh.. That’s why he wasn’t himself. Macaque never thought about it, mortality, so to say. “I want to find the way to live forever.” Looking back, maybe that was the first sign to him that was Monkey King had could never be enough. Maybe if at that moment he called Monkey King stupid for wanting to escape natural order of things, they could’ve lived their life out happily, eating fruits until the day they died. However, back then, Macaque did nothing but nod.

  He was saved by the Monkey King. He was indebted. He did nothing.

  “Since you are my second hand, that leaves you in the command, Mac.” he smiles brightly. “I won’t be long so just keep a close watch on them.”

  “If I may, you might want to give that task to some older of the monkeys, my King?” Monkey King in turns just smiles wider.

  “First of all, pleaaase stop addressing me with that ‘King’ stuff alreadyyy.” again with the same request. Again, Macaque nods to the things he cannot agree with. “Besides, you will be perfect.”

  “That in the end was a lie.”

  It turns out that Monkey King was gone for years. Macaque would listen in occasionally to the dreams, hearing the art of 72 Transformations amongst other things. He however never learnt the secret to the one thing his King longed for. The time was but a blink to their lifespan and yet, Macaque felt it lasted for eternity. He was never a carefree leader so he couldn’t lead as the other did. He couldn’t even act out the same friendly facade his King did and so, the carefree monkeys didn’t really like him too much as their leader. Well, to be expected, they didn’t like him originally that much, he was like a befriended shadow under the bed.

  They did not question him though, he was after all to them, equal to their King.

  And then, the Demon arrived to their door, stole the monkeys as he pleased. They weren’t an army and neither was Macaque as strong as Monkey King was. And so-

  “I am back Mac!” the Monkey King waltzes back into the cave as if he never left. Macaque vaguely remembers tearing himself from the shadows and walking to him, angry for first time. “You should brush your fur more often, you look like you got run over by a Demon.” as he looks onto the sun, it outshines his anger. “Ouch, poor choice of words.”

  “Do you have any idea what even-”

  “Oh that guy? Already took care of him. No worries. Although we should really arm the monkeys or something, this kidnapping stuff is annoying.” it boils over, black like tar.

  “Wukong!” “Where were you!? We needed you! You rash, stupid, imbecile-”

  “Oh there it is! You finally ditched the title.” he overstepped his boundary, he thinks. And while he waits for punishment, Monkey King leans over him like a hawk. “Were you hurt? Sorry for not coming in sooner.” a hand touches his shoulder. “You did well. Although, you will need to tell me how you got the guy to steal so many clones. Was he blind or something?” Monkey King chuckles, like a spring dew in the mountain morning. “Now, about getting that armour… Do you think there is stuff like that that Ao guang might be willing to borrow?”

  “Willingly or unwillingly?” Monkey King thinks for a moment before frowning.

  “Does it really matter?” in the end it really did not matter to Monkey King.

  “Wukong, I am telling you, stealing from Dragon Kings is going to result in disaster.” a couple of days after he says, sitting across him. Other just frowns, not really getting any warning seriously.

  “Relax, Mac. They can’t match us together anyway! Not even the Court of Heaven could probably. I say bring it on!” flattered he was as Monkey King thought of their partnership that highly but he was no idiot.

  “And I say you are being a fool.”

  “Man you really got some bite to you while I was away.” Macaque’s tail swishes against the stone. “Hey now, that’s great news! We will balance each other out! Especially with those new powers of yours! Do you really think a measly Dragon King stands a chance?” he proclaims as he winks but Macaque only finds himself sighing.

  “Whatever you say, Wukong.”

  “Such a good friend, were you not?”

  Soon enough, those who heard of Wukong’s strength gathered by his side. The fierce Demon Kings who only searched for battle and bloodshed. They wished for strong leader and Wukong was such. They praised and voiced him to Heavens in way Macaque could never say. The ego Wukong grew could not be bound by anything on Earth or Celestial realm.

  “I wonder, brother Macaque, why do you cling to Brother Wukong as if flea to dog?” one said.

  “I want the best for him.”

  “He might as well be a flea, for someone who matches the King, he cowardly hides in the sidelines.” the other.

  “Someone has to coordinate or you will just blindly charge to slaughter.”

  “Do you not enjoy wrecking havoc, brother Macaque?” second.

  “What you do, no longer is wrecking havoc.”

  “It is true you fight well for Brother Wukong, but do you not want your own Kingdom as well? Macaque King?” another.

  “I don't want kingdoms.”

  “I can see that your love for him is far beyond us. So why do you hinder him so?”

  “I-”

  “What is exactly that you want, Brother Macaque?”

  Macaque never had time to think about that. What did he want? What did-

  “Look, look loook, just this one thing. This oneeee thing. They insulted me. They insulted us. We will show the Heavens who is the boss and whey they acknowledge it, we can, dunno? Maybe chill? Stay on the mountain forever and just do nothing. Maybe eat some peaches? Oh shoot you dislike them. Maybe we should-”

  “Your blood brothers won’t allow it, Great Sage.” he shoots back. “Besides, do you not like the thrill of the battle?”

  “Do I look like I need their permission?” Wukong’s smile is as bright as the sun. “We will prove to them they cannot mess with us and than they will be forced to leave us alone. As for the thrill, I can enjoy it as long as it is amusing. Seriously, Mac? Look who and what they send against us. Don’t you think it’s funny? The whole Heaven mocks us!” it is as if he cannot see Wukong any more besides harsh sunlight. “As long as their mocking ends we can dip to the monkeys, enjoy the days with nothing but a good fruit and a raid here and there, just for good old times.” but still, it is Wukong after all.

  “I want to spend forever with him.” That’s all he needed to say. All he ever wanted to say to Wukong. And yet, some things not even the ground would tell.

  "I do wonder, whatever you saw in him that made you so foolishly loyal?”

  “Macaque!” scream echoes into all of his six ears. “Mac! Mac come on!” pulling to the feet and blur of sky. When was this? Ah, he knows. They stole the staff. They came for Wukong. Erasing their death. Alliances. Wukong made a ruckus as he always did. Got into the fight with some...Demon? Celestial being? Did it really matter? It never did. Wukong was careless. Wukong got careless. None of those blood brothers he formed alliances saw that far from their own tail. They required a strong leader to get what they wished. Even if it enabled Wukong’s more… repulsive tendencies, his stupid ego. Macaque was not them. They were not his blood brothers. Wukong was only one who he cared about.

  And that by itself was weird. When did he start to think so too? After their talk and the promise they made? Or before even that? Wasn’t he just the subordinate of The Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal? Was he?

  “Open your eyes or I will slap you with my staff.” is ground out as if a threat.

  “You mean hit?” words roll sticky out of his mouth. He is looking… somewhere. Somewhere through dirt and grime, towards the sun which- nope. Not sun. Just Wukong’s eyes. Golden. He was sitting again, a bit further from the battlefield.

  “How dare you take a hit for me? I am invincible and immortal Mac! You are not-”

  “Cut it out, Wukong.” he forces his eyes to shut and open. His head feels clearer. Well as much as it can while you are promptly bleeding. “We have to get back.” he can hear their army. He can hear those blood brothers of Wukong. They are already questioning to where he was.

  “Don’t you dare.”is the order he receives. His body stills. “Talk to me through this because I frankly have no idea what I am doing Mac.” there is panicked edge to his voice.

  “Just tie something to the wound, demons heal fast. You should’ve listened during the first aid.” he slurs and adds, “They are panicking without you.”

  “If they cannot hold out while I am patching you up, they don’t deserve to remain sworn brothers of mine.” is the court response he gets.

  “You flatter me.” is what comes out of his mouth. He can hear Wukong snort as he pulls him to sitting position. A moment later, there is a spark that brings him some clarity back. Wukong used his cape to tie up the wound. “How will I wash that out, Peaches?” Wukong ignores the jab, Macque hates it.

  “Stay put.” he orders once more and so Macaque does. He hears screaming, blood curling and sharp. Wukong went for a vengeful fight that day. It is well past noon when he comes back, his sworn brothers in tow.

  “So that’s where our brother Macaque was hiding?” one of them says. Something seethes beneath.

  “Enough.” is what comes from Wukong as he kneels to him. “Are you good?” Macaque shakes off the exhaustion bound to his bones and briskly takes to feet. One of Wukong’s sworn brothers snorts. His lips draw back. “Enough.”Wukong repeats and Macaque has to avoid his gaze. “Do you need help-”

  “No.” he cuts him short. He knows Wukong means well. He knows it. He can’t stand it. Those who Wukong carried around. Those who only sought to fight with Heaven in endless cycle of fun. Fun… It was fun to fight side by side. It was fun to wreck havoc once in a while. It was not fun when armies clashed daily in smoke and fire only to be repeated again and again and-

  The shadows are ones that seethe and swallow him.

  “Mac? Look, Mac I-”

  “Everyone gets injured, Wukong.”

  “I don’t want you to get injured, Mac.” he speaks, beneath the tree. It’s absurd. All in his armour and artifices, just sitting under the tree.

  “And do you think I want to see you injured? Do you want to be perceived as weak in front of the others?”

  “That’s.. not what I meant? You can die.”

  “Everyone can die.” in frustration, he finally looks from the moon to the sun. “What do we know if you can die? Nobody brought you even close to death so you just assume you can survive anything with blunt force of a dumb dog chasing it’s tail.” he finds himself in front of Wukong, pointing his finger defiantly. “I don’t care what your sworn brothers say! This no longer is Havoc in Heaven, the carefree fun of demons! This is a war with Heaven! Do you intent to beat the Jade Emperor and take his place, Sun Wukong?” he grinds out.

  “Mac, I hear you. I really hear you.” he puts hands on Macaque's shoulders. “And it might’ve went a bit too far, I admit it. However, we need to finish it now, we can’t just leave it half done. And after that, I promise you with our bond, we will forever rest on the Flower Fruit Mountain.”

  “That too was a lie.”

  Liu’er Mihou watched with dread as Sun Wukong was taken away. The brothers laughed when he did however, they claimed he would come back soon and strong. Except he did not. A year or two left their eyes and he would not return. Ten as well. Twenty? How much would pass before Macaque final heard of Wukong being trapped beneath the mountain none could escape?

  He could simply not listen to all they said. They still fought on, like senseless goose. Macaque wished no part in it. As soon as Wukong was gone, he found no wish to listen or cooperate. Stopping coming to meeting Wukong’s sworn brothers held, being called a coward be damned. For some time, he alone tried to look for a way, any way to free Wukong but alas, it was not meant to be. Therefore, he took the monkeys back and again, to the Flower Fruit Mountain.

  The army of fierce demons monkeys was nothing more than peacefully living their life. Macaque through? No way. Fate wasn’t looking at him like that. He tried to stew of any and all problems at the core. Cut them in the bud. Always and always, long after forever-

  Wukong was free, in service of the monk is the first thing he hears. The blood brothers, still united in some vein, call out to him, ask him to join against Wukong. There is not a hair on him that could turn on Wukong. Just as he knew Wukong would never turn on the him. Not even when those who he called sworn brothers named him traitor and wished to go after him.

  “There is nothing to discuss, Liu’er Mihou.” they spoke. “Wukong is a traitor to all demon kin.”

  “Speak of him once more like so and you won’t have chance to see Wukong, let alone fight him.” the shadows coil.

  “There is some tooth and fang in you, Six Ears. Perhaps you should’ve stopped leeching off Wukong sooner?”

  They fought, once. Twice. Thrice. Wukong was gone. And so, Macaque moves with the facade of Monkey King. They snared Wukong, as if wardens. They punished him for protecting them. They must’ve forced his hand too. That bond was not friendship. That was all he thought. So to say, he tried to end the monk right there with a disgusted sneer. Before he could finish the job though, the blue demon was one to stop him. He spoke, soothingly, of the understanding of anger over exile but Macaque heard nothing of it. The Pig Demon made no such move but sneered at him with daggers colder than ice. The fate sneered back.

  Monkey King was back, anger fuming in eyes Macaque could not remember as red. The moment their eyes met he could tell Wukong recognized him and so- he disappeared into the shadows, inviting him to a spot only they knew. He met his eyes again, red as settling sun, moments later and so-

  “Why did you attack my Master, Mac? He offered no harm to you or the monkeys.” steel cold in the voice. There is no greetings or hellos, not the way he imagined or saw.

  “I am glad to see you too, Peaches.” is what comes out of his mouth. “He harmed you. That is all to it. Do not lecture me on punishing people.” anger bubbles up his throat, like sort of tar.

  “I was hurt, sure.” he continues, “But that is no reason to kill him, Mac. I understand why he it did and forgave it.”

  “You have forgiven him for snaring you like an animal?! For constantly causing you harm?!” his fur stands on the ends. “You must be under a spell.”

  “I assure you Mac, I am not under any spell. I am here because I want to be.” Wukong’s bright eyes dull to their golden colour. “I am really glad I saw you. Even more glad that you are well and taking care of the tree.” he nods behind them, at the peach tree growing at the cliff. “My companions need me. Please stay out of the way, Liu’er Mihou.”

  “Don’t you dare Wukong.” his fangs show. “I grieved for you.”

  “I missed you too.” the sentence ends with a smile. “I wished I could take it all back, not get trapped under the stupid mountain. And when I got out of it, I got taken to a journey. It’s not like I didn’t try to speed off.” shrugging, he continues, “These guys are great, when you get to know them. Just like you are. I was always the problem anyway. Rash and impulsive, right?”

  “What are you saying?” his ears become numb.

  “What I am saying is that I am searching for the answers with these guys. Once I find them, I will give them to you.” Wukong sighs, his tail moving left to right. “I was… a really bad friend. There must’ve been times you wanted to twack me in the head with a log.”

  “I- I never minded that Wukong. As long as I was with you it was fine. It was fine as long as-” I could see the sun.

  “You weren’t fine through.” is what Wukong replies. “That shadow is your cage, Liu’er Mihou.”

  “You are-” what I’ve always wanted you to be. “I hate you.” he grinds out between the teeth. Wukong seems to be hurt by those words even if he would claim otherwise. Macaque? He meant them as soon as they left his mouth, dripping to the ground with the light of moon. “As much as I hated your growing ego, I did so only because I wanted to be your shadow. Yours. Nobody else.”

  “You never had choice either, all you knew was me.”

  “I had the choice and I choose you, you imbecile.” his emotions cloud the words. “Never for once did I want to be anywhere else but your side. Not when we were young. Or when the Heavens rained down on us. Not even when I could no longer see you from the light you gave out.” his lips turn to snarl again. “Even if you never changed to my words I would’ve been fine but now- Did you even change, Wukong?”

 “What?” it echoes hollowly through the night.

  “You are on quest of true immortality aren’t you? That’s why you returned to him before.” his words cut the canopy of leaves. “I once asked you, do you plan to overthrow the Jade Emperor. You never answered. So tell me than, Great Sage Wukong, what do you want? Learn the fault of your ways? Be the forever you asked for? Build a friendship? What is it!?” he hates those words as they trickle from his mouth. “What is it Sun Wukong!?”

  “I told you, I don’t have the answers now but-”

  “- but you will find them with your lot, won’t you? Not with them. Not with me. With people who are nothing but glorified guards that snare you.” it’s not tar that tickles, it is swallowing him. “You did not change. You are just wearing the skin of glorified King but under that ‘wise’ speech of yours I see nothing but void.” a chuckle passes by his lips. “When you die, the moon goes out with you. That is the answer Wukong.” he stills his breath and a quiet mummer passes. “I wanted you to change, huh?”

  “Well, here I am! I am no longer chasing the Heavens! I-”

  “And all it took was a human you knew for few months, a dragon and two demons! Not your blood brothers you knew for centuries! They were not enough.” they cut through meat and bone. “And neither was I. Figures, Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong always wanted more, didn’t he? You never had enough. There is not one selfless hair on you!” Wukong’s eyes, dreadful sight to see, darting in the darkness.

  “What are you-”

  “And to think I actually thought you were controlled.” it all stills. The tar and rush of blood. Malice. Pure malice he cannot allow himself to aim at Wukong for if he does so, everything would end. “Fine, Wukong. I will kill your Master and all other companions that pose threat to demons.”

  “Macaque-!” a snarl echoes like that of a wild beast.

  “Get out of the way Wukong! I have no business with you!” it’s jealousy, he feels. It clings to his fur so strong that even the vilest snake would not touch him. He is a mess of everything and nothing at once. Of years and years of beautiful suns and darkening moons. “Move, Wukong!” he moves, pulling at the tar.

  “Six Ears-!” the insult to his being. The hurt comes mixing in, blinding him for a pure moment-

  Colours explode, brightening the night. His own scream echoes his ears, overwhelming yet underwhelming.

  Something had to give, he knew that, from the moment he let those words echo but alas-

  A sneering shadow glares at the light, wild in its own right, before that too fades to night.

  “That too, was your own doing, Six Ears.”

  The sound kept away the memories. The darkness kept away the sound. For how long was it? Weeks? Months? Years? How did he even end up back at the torn down place he called home? The monkeys, poor things that reached out, were chased away by the demons. Who tore their kingdom down? Was it him who tore down the cave? Was him that left bloody prints on the broken wood? Oh, but you know, don’t you?

  Wukong retaliating was the only way that situation could allow and yet- and yet he was furious at him. At himself. Furious or- Frightened? An unhealthy mix of betrayal, sadness and anger brewed. The cold walls and reflection of the moon. Shadows grew with the settling sun.

  He didn’t stay. He went about, turning to shadows and darkening sun. He knew he could not kill the monk once he finished the journey. He knew he couldn’t kill Wukong either. He knew all that but turned tail- he would try once more, once Wukong’s chains were severed. Maybe under all that he still trusted Wukong wouldn’t choose his master over him. Maybe. Or at least that is how story goes. Because-

  The rain pelted down on his fur, washing away the blood, soot and dirt. He did it again, huh? This time however, the monk stopped him with his magic… bubble? Stupid but- One more bounce of staff cracked with lighting. Thorns claw up his arm, numbness to set in.

  “How dare you!?” Wukong’s words glow with the searing heat.

  “There is a list of things, you need to be more specific!” the shadows emerge, glistering in the rain.

  “My friends! Monkeys! Our home!?” with one shoot of his staff, the clones are vanquished. The gleam of red streaks in the night.

  “I have no home, Sun Wukong!” his words bite, just as his form changes, tackling Wukong to the ground. The predators of night, the birds of prey and scarlet night. “There is nothing for me to return to!”

  “There is always something to return to!” the tress splinter. “I-”

  “Spare me Wukong!” it coils. “Would you return when your friends kicked the bucket so I can get your precious recognition? I don’t care any more!” his fist connects, freeing himself of King’s grasp. “You made yourself loud and clear, Great Sage!” fur bristling, Macaque stands his ground, facing the red eyes of his King. His whole fur crawls, completely aware that what he is doing is going to end him. He is pushing everything, everything he wanted to tell Wukong into a long stream of curses and hate. His own hate and despair, everything that stood silent for years erupted with the force of volcano.

  As long as the sun brightens, the shadows lengthen or so they say.

  It eats him from inside up, slow and painful, even as cold ground clings to his fur alongside sticky blood. He barely can take a breath more. It grinds against his throat like a sharp piece of glass. Wukong was the brawn, Macaque was the wit. Once Wukong lost his cool, he could overpower anything. When Macaque lost his wit, he had nothing left to himself. And so it was, he thought, he was going to be put down. Yet he clawed at the dark mud, even if his body would not answer his command. The tar would not leave him alone and so-

  “What? Won’t you show me how you killed me?” Macaque growls from his spot. He expected this, Lady Bone Demon did it before, just in much lesser form. “Or does that not fit the agenda?” he pulls at the chains binding him in darkness. Vaguely, he felt like she recreated underworld in his head, waist up to in black tar he could not escape from, all the while he was bound to nothingness. The only exception was “The Bone Radio” that fluctuated with intensity, which was actually, the worst damn part. “Or the fact that Wukong went for supplies to patch me up?”

  “Well, my Champion, would’ve you cared if he supposedly helped you then?” she whispers without a form. She was right. He wouldn’t. He would still be angry, he would still trail him around and bite at his leg. Still, maybe it would change the things down the line. How? That is not for anyone to tell because well, it didn’t happen. After all, only reason he was still clawing at the muddy tar, is because he thought his only friends in the history indeed put him down like a rabid animal. “For someone supposedly free of Monkey King, you still awfully regret, don’t you? Poor, poor Macaque.”

  From the tar raise the dead. Literally. The figures of him, made from the dark ground and soot, eyes glowing blue and accusing.

  “Not one of them looks quite as me, you might want to look at the memories again you-” one of them grabs him by the throat, lips pulled into a snarl. Ah, so that was what Wukong saw when they fought last time? A monster. The shadow of the past is there only for few moments before it melts back into the sludge, replaced by lady Bone Demon standing in front of him. She stays on the top of the soot. How poetic. “You know, I thought you would’ve gotten a bit more imaginative from the last time you tried to this.” he picks himself with a smirk, defiantly standing.

  “I told you already, dear Champion, if I wanted to you would’ve been long gone under my heel.” Macaque snorts, maybe even laughs a little.

  “I don’t belong to you any more.” he spits, “Even if all of the Courts of Hell claim me, I won’t bow to you.”

  “So confident, Six Ears.” she mocks him. “Where was this confidence when you loved your King so dearly, cowardly Macaque?” with a smirk, she kneels to his level. “Or is it that you found another person to put all on the pedestal?” There it was. He wondered, how long until she brought up the newfound group of ragtag dumbasses into the mix.

  “Those guys? Hardly worth it.”

  “And yet you betray yourself for them. How particular, Six Ears.” with a swift turn, she disappears into the mist. The tar figures of him change shape, deceit to the figures of Wukong’s long gone group. “Do you just wish to grasp what Monkey King had?” she claws at his mind, like a rat trying to escape. “You even earned the favour of Monkey King’s student. It is a sort of ultimate revenge isn’t it? Inserting yourself into the group like a cuckoo.”

  “Listen, lady-” he grinds out, beneath the thunder of his ears. “For someone who can spread like a disease into minds, you are awfully bad at this.”

  “Such a shame, Liu’er.” she says, dropping her voice to match Wukong’s. “I could’ve given you everything.”

  “Priorities change.” is what he chooses to say.

  “They do, indeed.” the figures burst into inky darkness. The whispering continues, harsh and unpleasant. He almost regrets not having those clones of himself stare at him with those eyes, at least they made nice lamps. She would be back, after all, she needed to break something in to try and use his powers. Alas, she probably smelled the blood like a shark to prey. Just a brief respite to gather the thoughts, maybe to sift through memories he kept hidden before she came to bite him in the ass. And hey, who doesn’t just love being reminded again and again of events that lead to their death?

  Maybe she would try for something newer? Maybe MK and his group. Maybe not. Whatever… not really. It was going to weight down on him eventually, the whispering or the memories. Eventually. That was not far but it was not right now, so he supposed that was good. As long as she doesn’t get her fingers on the plan.

  The only true regret he has thought, is that he can’t occupy himself with thumping his tail.

  MK does his best to relax as he watches Dadsy and Chang’e film the episode. First of all, they got attacked by giant mech bunnies of all things. Mei found those cute as they fought them off somehow. Then they grab the stupid and ring and guess what? Get chased around by the same bunnies. To top it off the bunnies don’t even want the ring, Dadsy stole the cookbook. In brilliant plotwist to this tale, he stole it to leave the recipe for noodles which by the way, lucky Chang’e, that stuff is awesome. Mei nearly left right there and then, which he couldn’t really blame her for. Also! Lucky him. Chang’e was a fan… apparently. Now she had a picture with him on the show which when you are trying to do incognito mission… yeah. But hey! They could stuff themselves with food as much as they liked. That’s a plus.

Absently, his grip tightened on the Rind of Samadhi in his pocket. They were in a hurry, sure but Macaque probably counted in for some fun stuff when he made the plan. The guy probably counted in extra time for a world trip, considering how actually perceptive of their frequent sidetracking he was. But hey, he trusted Macaque. This will work.

“If she manages to try to posses you or actually gets in your mind, you are plainly, screwed kiddo.” Macaque says, shrugging. Monkey King stays by his side as well, giving a concerned glance at Macaque. “You can fight back as much as you want but that’s all to it. Eventually you give in.”

“Oh.” is all he can say, getting some of the enthusiasm just squeezed right out of himself.

“Buuuuut she can’t like completely posses him or something if he fights back? Riiight?” Monkey King nudges Macaque with a really not so gentle hit on the shoulder. In return, he actually thinks, Macaque might bite off his hand.

“It’s gradual, Wukong. Like being swallowed but aware in same time.” Macaque taps his tail once- twice. “It’s like drowning. Except you are not in the water and she tries to sway you with regrets.” oh… so now he gets to drown too. That’s… nice. Macaque probably notices a down in his mood because he clears his throat.

“Don’t worry bud, if that happens we will drag you out.”

“Just don’t count on Wukong for that, he swims worse than a camel.”

“Hey-”

“Sooo, what are you thinking about?” Mei asks, leaning from one mechanical bunny she sat on. Getting possessed, no biggie.

“Stuff.”

“Uh-ah. That’s definitely face someone makes when they think about stuff.” she smiles. “About being turned into popsicle?”

“Yeeep.” he leans on his hand. “And you? Do you think about, well you know-”

“Being turned into ash? Yeeeeeep.” with a jump, she is by his side. “We will match at least.” with a ‘wack’ on the shoulder, she laughs. “Hey, did you ever see Piggy so nervous? It’s kind of funny. He is usually this no nonsense kind of dude.” she chuckles. “Hey, you think Monkey King would even worse?” two of them pause before speaking in the union:

“Yeeeeeep.”

“For the last time, unhand me you- you simian!” Wukong sighed for thirteenth time in about… twenty minutes. Currently, he held Demon Bull King’s son by the shirt, with his tail and off the cloud because the guy just continued to repeatedly burst into flames and burnt his sleeve off. He even bit. Seriously who, besides Macaque, bit people in self defense? Nobody. That’s who.

“If I unhand you now, you will end up like twenty meters of the ground.” he turns to the guy. “Do you really want that?” that shuts him up for about five seconds before he speaks up again.

“Than unhand me down there!”

“You will just try to run away again!”

“I never tried to run away!” fresh in the mind, Wukong remembers him stepping in front of slightly wrecked car only for the person he was addressing to boldly try to flee about 0.005 seconds into their conversation. Guy had the courage to just, go in reverse. There had to be joke somewhere in all that. “When my Father gets to know about this-”

“Look, listen. The best bet you have to freeing him is to help us. After that you can tell your dad that evil monkey stole you or something.”

“I would never tell that to Father!” fourteenth and counting.

He was starting to see the appeal of being Macaque.

Chapter Text

  “Tang, Sandy, you will get teleported by Macaque. It’s your job to take the third ring.” the Monkey King speaks and follows, “There is a itty bitty more to it but that’s up for later, for now that’s it.”

  “Um, Mister Monkey King, don’t you think that just putting two of us on the mission that can completely break the plan is youuu know… a bit reckless?” is what Tang asks, worry evident in the tone. After all he was sidelined for more dangerous stuff, in no way would he be capable of stealing something of that scale.

  “Nah, you will be fine.” Wukong shrugs. “Besides, it’s Macaque’s plan, I am here just to deliver the news!”

  “Don’t ya question the guy?” it’s Piggy who asks and promptly gets his answer.

  “There wasn’t a time that I followed Macaque’s plan and failed so yeah, ‘I don’t question the guy’.” the tone he uses is somewhat mocking which just manages to et Piggy to fume more.

  Precisely when they fell out of the portal and slammed into nearby wall, Tang thinks that Mr. Macaque could be still holding a bit of a grudge. He did side with him that his powers were a bit unstable earlier so that too counted for something. Still, he didn’t get that the shadow monkey like him even a bit. Again, granted, it was a bit of his fault but well… Yeah, it was his fault. He poked the shadow monkey as much as he could since well, he was a fan- but he did apologize! At one point. Sometime. Huh. But but, Mr. Macaque still persisted at being hostile so- Tang clears his throat as they walk through the brightly lit streets of the brightly lit village.

  “So, uh, why do you think Mr. Macaque gave us this mission?” Sandy looks at him, frown and than puts hand under his chin.

  “Probably because in human village it would be easiest not to draw attention to yourself. Besides, it is the safest task out of all of them.” Was it? One was going to the moon other was holding back Lady Bone Demon’s minions and third was fetching Red Son. So, if he did think about it, it was safest. Suddenly, Sandy snaps his fingers. “Are you asking me because Mr. Macquack bothers you?”

  “What?! No!” he reels back, offended for a moment before crossing his arms. Sandy nods in return, offering a smile.

  “I don’t think he harbours any hard will, just dislikes your… pushiness. And since you are openly afraid of him, he teases you.” with one more thoughts, Sandy speaks again. “Mr. Macquack is… more like a cat.” to emphasise the point, he pats Mo on his shoulder. “When he feels comfortable he approaches you.” Mo purrs loudly. “In any case, if he didn’t trust us, he wouldn’t plan us for stealing the third ring.” Tang’s eyebrows furrow. Yeah, he can agree to that. He wouldn’t sabotage everything just to get back on him. After all, he seemed to have a soft spot for MK. Besides- Tang halts the thought, looking at the giant lantern in the middle of the town.

  “That must be where the ring is.” Sandy turns to the spot and nods. “Okay, let’s think about this carefully and-” he gets picked up without hesitation. “Wait, Sandy, wai-” and in a leap they are on a nearby roof. Perfect. No plan in but perfect. Sandy promptly sets him down, looking at the lantern. Tang decides to clear his throat. “As I was saying, let’s think about this carefully and-” this time Sandy pokes his shoulder. With a defeated sigh, he turns around to see what is happening. And well-

  Sandy’s shadow got… elongated and Mo was currently scratching at it and hissing. Thankfully, Sandy snatched the cat from it. His own shadow wasn’t doing the same thing so it was-

  “Um, Sandy, I don’t think it should be doing that.” as if it heard him, the shadow coils and well- At first what rose from the shadow looked like a regular shadow clone or some other creature Macaque would spawn out but nope, not their luck. It trudged out like it rose from some sort of tar, body fused with the same tar. From it’s tarry inside protruded maybe bones, maybe ice spikes, Tang couldn’t really say. The arrangement of same was wildly confusing, he couldn’t be sure if they were sticking in the body of the creature or came from inside of it. The face of the creature mirrored that of Sandy’s but sunken in, bone and dry. For the cherry on top it’s eyes, which if Macaque had anything to do with it would’ve been purple, were icy blue and wild. The figure stood opposite of them, ominously staring, still connected by elongated shadow to Sandy. The moment of the stunned silence was broken however, when the thing raised it’s arm with a cracking sound of bones towards it’s face, seemingly testing it’s movement. Before Tang can even blink, the monster is hurling towards them with a wide blue grin and he won’t be able to dodge any of that and- Sandy tosses him behind. Tang has to scramble to catch the rope he got tossed at. As he hangs there, he turns face towards Sandy. The two clashed, Sandy holding back the tarry creature.

  “I’ll catch up, go!” is what he hears from Sandy, sharp and resonating. Prompted by this, Tang grips the rope tighter, setting course for lantern. He wasn’t equipped for this. His grip strength wouldn’t allow him to get him to half point even but he had to at least try. That was too better than just letting go of the rope and to be quite honest, the idea of dying from fall because his grip failed? Not a fan. Luckily for him, the universe heard him and so the rope was cut from behind him, sending him into a full swing and right through the wall of the giant lantern.

  Taking only a moment to nurse the newfound bump on his head, Tang sprung to his feet and sure enough, the ring was in the middle of the lantern, giving off the light it shone. It was intriguing to say the least and to say more… his shadow on the floor was long now too. That was not good…

  As if on cue, a shudder passes him and from the same shadow emerges his copy, down to glasses. It too possessed the white bone or ice purporting from dark tarry substance it used as a body. This one however, cackles and laughs with a smirk, something really unnerving when seeing an exact copy of yourself do. Through its icy grin it finally spoke, resonating in Tang’s ears as low yet grating whisper, a mix of his own voice, Macaque’s voice and what must’ve been Lady Bone Demon’s.

  “A demon and a scholar, I do wonder what you two are doing in this village all by yourselves.” it hurts his ears in a way he can barely describe. If this is what he feels, what did Macaque feel with those six ears of his? Tang flinches but finds his feet tightly glued to the ground by simple fear. “Since my dear Champion is being stubborn, you wouldn’t mind me looking at what you are doing here, right monk?” the sound increases with an every step of the creature and he barely registers how much spite is put into the word “monk”. It moves, nauseating, closer and closer, louder and louder until Tang squeezes his eyes shut, because what could he do? What could he even do- “Oh but nothing, you are useless as you are.” the whispering stops momentary so Tang opens his eyes.

  One of Macaque’s clones, eyes distinctly purple, jumps out of the shadow cast and uses a staff to bat away the creature. It stands for a moment or two, back turned to him, tail swishing before a low chuckle rumbles the air.

  “I must say, I am impressed my Champion. To think you would be willing to even attempt to save a scholar wearing his face.” the clone flinches before it vanishes into mist and shadow. For a moment, air freezes, creature back to just mere centimetres from his face as it whispers: “What a pathetic display for you, a scholar in the shade of the Golden Cicada.” he can’t quite think about what is said but being protected by everyone, it just strikes a cord. He wanted… to be someone who didn’t need to be protected. Someone that can be trusted. By his friends. By Macaque even. Something resonates.

  When Tang opens his eyes again, he is in golden circle, shadow monster thrown a couple of meters away. It seems surprised for a moment or two before cackling.

  “I see…” only then he notices that where the bubble ends, the shadow gets severed off, shrinking on itself before it returned to a normal form behind him. In the same time, the end that met the creature was shrivelling up like a dry leaf. “Do not take this as a sign of hope, monk.” Tang put his foot down, finally finding some voice.

  “There is always hope. As long as they are by my side and I am by theirs, we won’t lose.” he says firmly. The creature continues to shrivel, up it’s legs and torso and-

  “I do look forward to crushing you all, slaves to your destiny.” and it’s gone. Alongside with it, the air warms again, the heavy oppressive whispering dialling to a null. The golden bubble disappears as well, leaving Tang in the stunned silence. Couple of things came to mind he needed to write down. First, the feeling of her using his shadow was vaguely familiar, as if it happened before but he couldn’t put his thumb on it. Second, he had some protective power that rendered Lady Bone’s Demon powers useless. Third, he had some powers! Fourth-

  “Oh, shoot Sandy!” with a dash to the hole he made in lantern, he looked outside. “Sandy!” he searched and searched and- He relaxed instantly. Sandy was on the building, showing a thumb up. His shadow too, was now normal so it must’ve been that she retreated it too.

  “Are you alright!?” is Sandy’s question. Tang takes one more deep breath before sighing in relief and pointing his own thumb up.

  “Do we just… wait here?” Demon Bull King’s son spoke as they situated themselves on the cliff, overlooking the village.

  “Yeeep.” Wukong drags it out for the third time already, leaning on the nearby rock, arms crossed. He would prefer to sit down honestly but, he needed to be up in case the kid decided to bolt again. He sensed something wrong, whispering, with the village just a moment earlier but now, it was fine. It was normal. Only thing that did happen was light of central lantern dimming and that was probably because the Ring was gone. If anything else went weird, he would move but for now, he waited. Red Son looks uncertain for a moment before crossing his arms too.

  “Do I get the privilege of knowing the plan now?” Monkey King tilts his head. Demon Bull King’s son was remarkably formal for, you know, being a demon’s son. Must be coming from Princess iron Fan. He is, however, sarcastic just much as Macaque.

  “Nope.” is what he answers. The guy, absolutely fumes, apparently not satisfied with answer given.

  “You break into my home, thrash my car, imprison me and kidnap me only to have nothing to tell me!?”

  “Well, first of all, three of those thing were done by Macaque.” he offers as a matter of facility before continuing: “For the fourth one, we can’t risk it until everyone is here.” Red Son let’s out another frustrated noise with a breath of fire.

  “Can I at least get to know what we are? Last I heard Noodle Boy and his gang of peasants were collecting the Rings of Samadhi to stop Lady Bone Demon.” Oh, so they caught him up to speed. Sweet. “And Six Eared Macaque told me about it’s… ahem, origins.”

  “Yeah? Man, Macaque is really talkative recently.” he stretched, feigning disinterest. “But nah, dude, there is nothing more to it besides what you already know.” the fire guy just sighs, hand on forehead. He looks… almost defeated. Poor guy. Who knows when he slept last, running away from all the ice. “You know, you can grab a wink if you want.” to that, he gets a suspicious rise in eyebrows. “Or you know, take a nap.”

  “I know what you meant.” well, look at that. Demon Bull King’s son actually listened and sat down. Definitely, manners from his mother. “Don’t get any funny ideas, simian.”

  “Honestly, do you think I would go through all that trouble for it?” Wukong grumbled in return. “Besides, I wouldn’t do ‘funny ideas’ with Demon Bull King’s son.” this time Red Son snorts.

  “So that’s where you drawn the line.” in return Wukong chooses not to say anything. He had enough of the demon for today and the prodding wasn’t something he was willing to engage with. “Why did you help Father take away- ah, my fire?” Wukong blinks once, twice at the question. Man, is he fidgety when it comes to asking about his parents.

  “It was a personal favour.” he takes a look at the guy who definitely wasn’t as depressed as a wet rag. He did somewhat loose his parents days prior didn’t he? “Your parents nearly asked the Court of Heaven for help. My fr- Group I was travelling with and I agreed to help. Nezha volunteered too, you know.”

  “Really?” there is a hopeful glint in his eyes.

  “Oh, for sure. I mean, it was in Heaven’s interest for the fire to be contained anyway.” he shrugs. “Anyway, it was really, just a personal favour for me.” Red Son was seemingly satisfied with the answer so Wukong stopped talking. There was no reason to speak how technically, he was sort of kid’s uncle since he was Demon Bull King’s sworn brother at some point. Neither did he need to know how he tracked down Nezha in order to ask him for his help. There was a time and place for everything. For this? It was not here.

  Silence finally sets on the cliff and somehow Wukong dislikes it more than Red Son’s constant complaining. The kid was resting, face on knees to him, still on guard as if expecting an attack. He was however, more relaxed than before which was a plus.

  After some minutes, soft sound of foot stapes and meowing breaks the silence. Red Son is immediately on his feet on the offensive but Wukong stays planted by his rock, smirking to himself. They did it.

  “Woah there!” comes from Sandy who puts his hands up but still somehow nearly gets his beard burned off. Mo on his shoulder hisses.

  “Is it another one of those!?” now comes from Tang who was probably dragging himself behind. Another one of...who exactly? However he gets no answer as Tang peaks behind Sandy’s leg only to immediately relax. “Oh, it you.”

  “Of course it’s me!” is the instant fiery answer he gets. Tang however, passes by the kid as if nothing was happening which is, odd display of courage. Sandy decides to play with fate and tries top go for a pat on the head, which he immediately withdraws as Red Son decides to try to take a chunk of his finger too. He chuckles for a moment, before the Ring of Samadhi gets shoved in his face by pretty proud Tang.

  “See guys? I knew you got it in you.” taking the said ring with his tail, he quickly pockets it. All in place now, now the kid had to arrive and- Tang looks around, almost fidgety. “Who are ‘those’ anyway?” that gets his attention and he pushes his glasses up. Oh boy.

  “Lady Bone Demon got to us but Tangy here got us out safe and sound.” Sandy speaks up first, earning a questioning look from Red Son. Tang meanwhile looks shy, as if embarrassed by sudden praise. Huh.

  “What happened is-” Tang starts but gets promptly cut off.

  “I doubt this… weakling could fight off a paper bag, much less Lady Bone Demon.” Wukong shoots him a tiny bit of a glare, just to get the message across. Irritability, the child of Demon Bull King just crosses his arms in annoyance.

  “As I was saying, what happened was that we were attacked. It wasn’t clones or something like that, she took control of our shadows, gave them ice and attacked us with them. They were connected to us though so when I- Not really sure, cast magic I guess? It purified the one tied to me and she withdrew.” Wukong’s eyebrows furrow. First of all, Tang could purify things? Well, that was just one more in list of similarities. Second that wasn’t definitely possession. It was probably more of usage of Macaque’s powers if anything which was to put lightly, bad. Tang too seems to have a similar idea as he continues. “It reminds me of time that Macaque used a lantern to turn us against MK. Sort of similar feeling. Buuut Macaque got a normal clone in when she first attacked. Lady Bone Demon confirmed it was him so that’s good, right?” Wukong weight it out in his head. It could be that she was pretending Macaque had some control to trick them. It could be also that Macaque did still have some control. It was… not a very easy thing to discern. Which is precisely why Macaque was the brains. However, he was here and not Macaque. “How about you? Did you see any of those shadowy things yourself?” Tang turns shoulder to Red Son.

  “No. Our home got overwhelmed by ice. There was no these shadowy ice creatures you speak of.” Wukong takes a breath.

  “Alrightyy, let’s just keep our eyes peeled for now and wait for the rest.”

  “She probably won’t be able to use my hearing to her advantage or at very least, she shouldn’t be able to hone in on a specific person to listen in.” watching as others settled- Sandy patting Mo. Tang was looking over some writing and Red Son was leaned on the rock, uneasy again. Wukong feigns aloofness, relying on his hearing as much as he can. One sure sign for Lady Bone Demon’s presence was that awful whispering that emitted so he kept his ears extra peeled. Again, Macaque was better at that. And again, he was only one here sooo…

  It is only few moments of relative silence before a wheezing sound and an explosion echoes behind them. Red Son jumps on his feet, a curse in tow.

  “Relax, this is just average Sunday.” is what Sandy tells him.

  “Wha- How- What do you mean relax!? We could be under an attack!” he gestures behind Wukong who can barely hold back a snort. Leaning back, he looks over the edge of small cliff.

  “You good bud!?”

  “We are good!” comes MK’s voice from wreckage below. Wukong feels no need to even look down as he smirks, turning back to Red Son.

  “See?”

  “You all are absolutely incomprehensible.” with that, he sits back, hands crossed. In the next moment, all is full of green before MK, Pigsy and the wreckage gets unceremoniously dumped in the middle of their cliff. Gracefully, followed by Mei, dissolving her dragon form and proceeding to poke the other two with her sword.

  “We are back!” is what she announces next with a smile, seemingly deeming the other two alive although Wukong would like to disagree, considering two still lying in the dead heap. She seems to find Red Son next and just… smiles one of the most awkward smiles. Like jeez. “Hi to you too, Red Boy.” in response, the guy’s brow twitches.

  “Hello to you too, Dragon Girl.” taking a breath, seemingly ready to grace them with more screaming. Instead he gets square hit with a piece of debris that rolled off the heap, ending in a dead heap. As if on cue, MK is up on his feet with a bump on his head and right in front of his face.

  “Monkey King we got it!” the third ring shines in front of his eyes. The enthusiasm is contagious so he does a quick ruffle of kid’s hair before taking the ring.

  “Good job bud!” he pockets the last ring just as he calls to everyone. “Alright, gather around!” they knit a tight circle and wai- Right, he was leading the talks. “Here is the plan. I will go separately on the cloud so I can bait Nezha into some understanding. You guys take the public transport and lay low as long as you can. Don’t attempt to wait for me when you get there, knowing Nezha, it won’t be a quick talk.” he sees Red Son take a breath so he cuts in before him. “Mei will be our host for it. Red Son, I am counting on you to teach her to control it.” he keeps it as vague as he can, since he can’t rule out Lady Bone Demon listening through shadows, he can at least make it stupidly annoying to figure it out. Two share a… weird look. “You can back out still, if you want to.” he refers to both. Mei shakes her head and gives a thumbs up.

  “I’ll do it.” is awfully off key serious response from Red Son.

  “Ya mean the fire will be-”

  “Precisely. Tang you will keep the map and the rings on yourself. You, Red Son and Mei are top priority.” he takes a breath. “You will activate the ritual too, just use your guts and it will work out fine. Everyone else will be defending you guys until it’s complete or I arrive, no matter the cost.” he casts quick glance at MK who dispels most of his worries with a confidant look. “Some shadow connected Lady Bone Demon goons attacked Tang and Sandy so be extra careful of them. Choose your fights wisely.” turning to Tang, he hands over the mentioned items.

  “Are you sure they would be safest with me, Mr. King?”

  “Look, buddy, you have purification magic, you will be fine.”

  “Mr. Tang has a-what-now?”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot, go on Tang, tell them how you beat the Lady Bone Demon single handedly.” he smirks, pushing Tang with his tail just a bit more to centre.

  “I mean, it’s not single handedly and-” Wukong turns from the circle, grabbing a few strands of his fur. With a simple trick, Rings of Samadhi now rested in his hands. Stretching, he pocketshis newly formed rings and looks over the gang. Sandy took part of telling how suddenly the shadow monster started to melt while Tang narrated how he used magic to beat his own shadow. MK and Mei were absolutely glued to retailing. Even the usually grumpy Pigsy was paying more attention than usual. Which meant only one missing was- Oh yeah. The guy standing a bit away, hands crossed and in thought. Wukong in his Wukong fashion wants to know what bothers him just a tiny bit so he moves a bit closer.

  “Look kid, if you have any complains, I’ll forward them to Macaque once we get him out.” he says with a swish of his tail. “Besides, you seem prideful enough. You got a pretty big role. When we save the world you get to brag to your dad.” the kid still silently fumes. “Orrr are you worried about the peasants?” at that he finally snaps out of whatever he was thinking about.

  “Of course not!” is the court answer he gets. Wukong snickers at his worry- anger- guilty mixed expression. “Stop laughing simian!”

  “Ohhh I didn’t hear that one a long time!” Mei turns to them, grabbing MK’s attention too.

  “Whatcha doin?” the kid asks and Wukong gets a pleasure of seeing Red Son scramble for an answer.

  “As if it concerns you, Noodle Boy.” he grumbles and leaves the spot, apparently just switching this rock for another one a bit further. It makes him snort.

  “Rude.”the kid says, plopping on the ground. “Hey, Monkey King?”

  “Yeah bud?”

  “Good luck.” his gaze softens.

  “You too kid.” he switches his eyes to the rest of the gang as he jumps, landing with some grace on his cloud. “Guys, see you there!” with that and a smile he turns his cloud into distance, towards the not-really-far mountain but also not over the train. He didn’t want Nezha to look through him being a bait since him just barging in at the ritual would be a literal mess.

  He didn’t actually think how he would get Nezha to trust him. Well, it was Nezha’s fault anyway. They were allies so he should’ve trusted him from the start. Weeeeelllll…Wukong shook his head, looking at the snowy peaks below.

  From the distance he could see glimmer of blue eyes and bone, lowly creeping upon the horizon, mocking at them.

  “I thought he would do some heroic speech or something.” Mei notes by his side before stopping. “Stage fright, right.” MK snickers. Stretching, MK gets up and casts a quick look at everyone. Everyone is in high spirits besides, Red Son, no surprise there. That guy had a stick in his entire maniacal existence.

  “Alright guys, let’s kick some Lady Bone Demon butt!”

  It’s kind of funny actually. Kicking of Lady Bone Demon’s butt. Because that’s precisely what he thought they wouldn’t be doing on a train, standing in relative silence in a mess of of other people. Red Son suggested that he and Mei should get away from the noise to train. He, of course in true MK fashion, wanted to see it so he suggested luggage area. Red Son, again of course, thought that was stupid but emotional support Mei supported him which resulted in- Reminder: Thank Mei.- MK sitting on the box while the two of them stood opposite of each other in the luggage room.

  “Listen, Dragon Girl. Fire is like a living part of yourself, to control it you need to be calm.” showing her a small flame, Red Son continued, “After you have the complete control over it, it can be used to smelter your enemies to cinders.” as if demonstrating the point, a flame flickers so much that MK thinks that he would set the cart on fire. Which thankfully isn’t the case but somebody’s coat did just loose good twenty centimetres in length. Woops. “But until than, focus and calmness are your friends.”

  “Sooo, fire is tied to your emotions, Red Boy?” Red Son’s eyebrow twitch.

  “If it wasn’t already obvious, yes.” he crosses his arms. “As I said, it is a part of yourself. Like a wildfire, as long as you don’t fight it and accept it as yourself, it can’t overwhelm you. Take Noodle Boy for example-” MK points to himself only to get a sigh for a response. “As much as I hate to admit it, as soon as he puts fate in himself there isn’t a way to beat him. However, as soon as he doubts himself, his powers weaken and everyone can crush him.” well now, MK didn’t sign up for deconstruction of his character, did he? “If he isn’t working in tandem with what he is feeling, he losses to a third grade demon and not to even mentioning to first grade like myself. The same goes for me and the same will go for you. Although your consequences would be much more… bombastic so to say.”

  “Like turning into bunch of ash?”

  “Well, yeah but I was thinking more as in razing the whole planet to ash. Combined with your dragon ancestry if the fire went berserk, Lady Bone Demon would be the least of anyone's worries.” and Mei deflates, majorly. Before he can get a word in, Red Son speaks again. “But that won’t happen. You won’t let it happen. Right, Noodle Boy?”

  “Yeah! We believe in you Mei.” in moment of excitement, MK hooks his hand around Red Son’s shoulder and leans towards Mei. This last only like, a millisecond before MK ends up in the nearby crates.

  “Don’t touch me you imbecile!”

  “Aw, you are so sweet guys.” with that, Red Son turns a heel towards crates to calm himself, away from both of them. MK didn’t quite get his expression but it certainly was something in the lines of “embarrassed”. With a snort he can’t contain, MK gets up and plops himself back to his sitting position. “Sooo, what’s the first lesson Red Boy?” that gets him back. Again on his heel, he turns, clearing his throat in process.

  “Sit down.” she plops. “Cross your legs, eyes closed, hands in the middle. And before you ask, it’s meditation. Also, no, Noodle Boy I can tell you won’t be able to do it. Focused?” huh, so Red Son actually knew what he was talking about. Maybe. Sort of. Also, rude. In response, Mei nods. “As for now, since you don’t actually know how it is to have any sort of fire, I can teach you the general calming techniques in preparation for it.” with that Red Son leans on the crate, looking in Mei’s way. He motions to MK which he… isn’t really sure what he wants him to do. With a groan, he shows him his feet and mouths “up”. Then he motions, like a spinning, turning motion? Something? MK settles with walking around Mei.

  “What are we doing?” he asks, turning about second circle around Mei.

  “You are doing what you do the best. Being a distraction.” discreetly MK takes a clothing hanger and throws it towards Red Son in tandem with his circling movement. The guy has the nerve to just slightly lean left to dodge it, not even moving from the spot. Deciding to choose violence, MK does the “I am watching you” movement which Red Son answers with a roll of his eyes.

“What are you guys… doing exactly?” oh… Mei was watching them.

  “The point is not to get distracted, Dragon Horse Girl.” massaging his temple, he continues, “Because if some bickering distracts you, I dread to see what will happen on the battlefield.” moving from his spot, he summons a small flickering flame in his hand. “Do your thing Noodle Boy.”

  “Like… what?” Red Son raises his eyebrow. “Seriously dude, you are freaking me out by being this… dunno, friendly. Go back to yelling n’ stuff.” the flame flickers to life more, turning from small flame to a bigger flame. “Should I get fire extinguisher or something?” Mei turns to him and shrugs. The fire swells before Red Son clenches his fist, putting it out.

  “I was not being friendly, imbecile! I was proving my point! Distractions lead to disaster which is why she needs to learn to tune them out!”

  “Shouldn’t you already have that in a bag, then?” with that MK says bye with top of his hair which promptly does get, burned off.

  “I never said she should copy me, dumbass!” clearing his throat, “Let’s try again, eyes shut, legs crossed and- Noddle Boy stay here!”

  Oh boy…

  “I found you, Sun Wukong!” he sharply turns his cloud to left sharply, barely dodging Nezha’s spear. “I won’t let you forge the Samadhi Fire and doom the world!”

  “Actually, Nezha, I would rather talk!” is what he calls back, looking at the Third Lotus Prince above him.

  “Great Sun Wukong talking about something?! Doubt it!” the spear returns from the snowy plains below, this time fast enough to nick a miniature cut on his shoulder. Well, good thing is, Nezha isn’t aiming for the vitals otherwise he would probably get skewed.

  “Will you just listen up for a moment!?” no answer is given as the said Prince rushes at him at which point yeah, this will be a fight again. Ditching the cloud, Wukong gets a hold of Nezha’s spear, effectively putting a forceful stop to his attack. Because of sharp stop of the momentum, poor eternal twelve year old ends up in a mountain peak behind them. “The fire is the only way to end the Lady Bone Demon for good!”

  “Or for a certain monkey to burn the whole world down!” before Wukong can even register the sound, the hit comes from behind. Only reason he manages to block it is because his instincts told him so, otherwise he would be knocked in the mountain with few bones less. “Either way leaving the rings with you posses too much of a risk!” the following exchange of flurry of kicks and dodges is something Wukong is not too much of a fan of. Nezha was fast. Like really fast. And he was still not one hundred percent either so following his moments was a hustle at least.

  “Which is why they aren’t even here!” he replies when he gets a chance, catching the guy by his ribbon and landing a clear hit. By letting him go, he offers Nezha a pleasure of once more hitting a mountain peak.“I really do hit stronger, don’t I?” Pulling out the three rings, he waves them in front of the Prince’s face, catching his attention. Next moment, he breaks them, sending the fur flying.

  “What the-”

  “I used them to lure you here. Those aren’t the real Rings.” suddenly, he finds his back in a mountain cliff, pinned by lotus petals as if a butterfly mounted to some stupid kid’s wall.

  “And I am faster.” Nezha leans over him. “Explain yourself Wukong.”

  “And dumber.” Nezha’s brow twitches. “Seriously, how long until I can get some peaceful conversation from you? I get that you don’t like me but come on dude.”

  “I won’t ask again, Sun Wukong.”hearing him this serious makes at least one of his hairs bristle. Not that he would confess that to anyone.

  “Jeez… Look, the real Rings are with the gang. We have a host that is compatible with the Fire and it won’t destroy the world. However, Lady Bone Demon has some new shadow minions and the longer we dabble here, the higher chances is for her to figure out the plan and disrupt it.” Nezha looks away in the thought. “Look, my plan was like thousand times worse than this. And I did sorta steal the scroll but- I am not acting alone now. We can beat her. So cooperate with me a bit, will you?”

  “Are you completely certain that involving mortal realm and the Fire is necessary to beat Lady Bone Demon?”

  “On my life. Or seven of them. Or-” suddenly, lotus petals give away and he nearly ends up slipping on the rock.

  “You better be right Wukong. Lead the way.”

  “Oh, Nezha, you will joi-” he barely gets in the words before he takes Nezha’s spear and blocks a punch. For a moment, Wukong is not sure what he is looking at. The creature is a mess of shadows, jagged bones and ice, seemingly attacking out of his own shadow. Only when it opened it’s eyes, Monkey King recognizes a reflection of himself smiling at him with an icy grin. So those were creatures Tang spoke about. And if they were active here than they could already be back at the other group which- “Go! The ritual site!” moving the spear to the right, he manages to put some distance between himself and the creature.

  “What about you!?” Nezha receives his spear back but pauses.

  “You are faster! Go!” without looking back, he feels a tingle on his spine. It’s a familiar but completely wrong tingle which prompts him to face the mountain cliff again. The shadow he cast came to life again but without familiar purple glow. Like a liquid spilling from it, the eyes of a monster stared back, blue as the sky.

  “Such a shame, Sun Wukong, Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal.” it spoke to his thoughts, an unhealthy mix of his, Macaque’s and Lady Bone Demon’s voice spilling from it’s lips. The whispering dully echoed. Barely, he can hear a growl emerging from his own lips. The shadow emerges fully, sharp bone protruding from it’s muddy body. The ice mimicked his armour in his golden days, covering him from head to toe while in it’s hand a blatant copy of his staff, sharp and jagged. Conspicuously, the creature's mouth was covered in veil of ice which explained why it’s voice sounded like an echo hitting his head instead of hitting his ears.

  For a moment it stands still before speaking, this time to his ears in his own voice.

  “For your life will end without your bud seeing it.”

Chapter Text

  MK climbed the thirteenth row of stairs, getting slightly less and less alive with every step. The mountain was huge. Mr. Tang and Pigsy were carried by Sandy so they were doing great but- He had no idea how Mei and Red Son were still climbing it. Maybe from all that “meditation” she got “tired”. Unlike himself who had the task of making circles around her while juggling some random umbrella Red Son found. Half of time it fell on his head and Mei threw a fit of laugher, angering Red Son in some deep who hurt you kind of way. That was actually a question he wanted to ask Red Son. “ Who hurt you?” At least they would be warmer from Red Son’s fum-

  His sight glitches. With a jerking reaction, he misses a step, nearly tumbling down. For a moment, he s ees only blue and white, icy glares from the shadows and wispy breath on his neck. It reminds him of her . F or a moment, it was like a dog chewing a toy. His brain being definitely the said toy. With a weary look, he actually looks up, just to see what stopped his tumble. Mei with concerned face is holding him by the hand and apparently for some time because everyone, including Red Son, turned towards them.

  “Wow, you okay my guy?” echoes dully in his ears, barely there over sudden urge to just… flee.

  “MK/ Kid?” more concerned voices reach his ears. He turns attention from them and towards the bottomless dark behind them.

  “Noodle Boy?” oh, even Red Son cared. Somewhat. His sight sharply glitches again, relaying to his brain that yes, there is a dark chasm behind them and yes it’s filled with some…. black mud. Yes, definitely yes, he was staring at smiling grins dyed blue from it’s depths.

  “Am I only one seeing this?” is what worms out of his mouth in the most pathetic voice he ever heard his mouth produce. His head snaps back to the concerned faces. With a new burst of energy, he pulls Mei a couple of steps up.

  “MK, are you alright?” he registers Sandy’s voice but can barely hear it over thundering in his ears. The mishmash of voices graze his head, the whispering of the demon and low laugh of Macaque, mixing over the darkness. Out of the corner of his eye, which still saw the endless darkness, he sees purple eyes which in a sharp glitch turn to blue. Well, there goes Macaque. Icy fingers ghost over his neck, chocking him with nothing. A sharp breath. Mei is holding him by his shoulders, saying something. Pigsy too, is by his side. Everyone is by his side and so are the shadows, closing in on him. Chocking and squeezing, dragging and whispering all the while-

  Red fire invades his vision, chasing away the darkness long enough that he can take some air.

  “That won’t hold her off for long. I suggest we hurry up, peasants.” first thing that he can hear clearly over the whispering is Red Son’s stupidly egoistical voice. “Isn’t that right Noodle Boy?” eyes darting to the bottom of the stairs, he sees a fire hazard. He set the whole set of stairs on fire. Which yeah, thanks. But also, property damage in billions. With a shiver, the blue still leaks through the flames, laughing and whispering. Swallowing down some courage, MK turns to his friends.

  “Let’s hurry up.”

  “Ya sure kid? You just- Maybe Sandy over here can carry ya?” Pigsy hovers, clearly distressed.

  “Or I could use the magic so-”

  “No guys- I can do it. Mr. Tang, save the magic for later, we might need it more-” Sandy scoops him up and suddenly he is next to Mo on his shoulder. On the other is Mr. Tang, looking at him, still mildly concerned. “Seriously, guys-”

 “No can do MK.” and up they go up with considerable speed. All he can muster up is a sigh of annoyance and maybe a small smile. Maybe. He really had… amazing friends. And Red Son. Whatever he classified as.

  Sooner than later, they came to one, huge arch, with a picture of cicada? The Golden cicada? Sandy let him off alongside Tang. The site inside was circular with many pillars, inscribed in words he couldn’t recognize. Overall, the whole place felt warm.. and vaguely familiar. Alien in the same time. Did that make sense?

  “Hey, guys? Don’t you think this place feels familiar?”

  “Yeah. Like we have been here before.” Sandy looks around in thought.

  “You were here, weren’t you Red Guy?”

  “First of all, Red Son.” he fumes for a moment, with half of mind since he too, was taking in the scenery around him. “Second, I have no memory of this place, regardless of me being here.”

  “Well, what are we supposed to do here?” Pigsy is first one to ask.

  “Well, Monkey King said Mr. Tang should follow his guts? I think?” MK switches his eyes to Tang who was just… looking around. “Mr. Tang?” the guy walks on, towards the steps as if possessed. Which given their situation was mega not good to be put lightly. “Tangy dude, you are freaking me out.” he takes a step, following him. With a turn and flash of glasses, Tang looks at them from the top of the stairs, where small altar like thingy was.

  “Guys, I know how to do this!” is what he proclaims, almost triumphantly. Giant weight falls off MK’s shoulders because yes, finally something goes their way and yeeeees Tang wasn’t possessed.

  “Well, all is well that ends well.” in contrast to Sandy’s pacifist conclusion-

  “You creped us out ya stupid bookworm!” in reply Tang scratches back of his neck as if embarrassed. In return Pigsy sighs but MK cans see, that beneath that tough exterior, he is glad Tang is fine.

  “Yeah, Red Boy here was ready to flambé you!”

  “For crying out loud will you sto-” the air weights down on them tenfold. The cold sinks claws into the bones. Scratching and tearing and- golden glow chases it away. So this was Mr. Tang’s magic? A brilliant golden circle, protecting the ritual site and all the gang. It’s warm, almost like sunlight. Or Pigsy’s grill. Or both? Whatever. Focus.

  “Mr. Tang, you need to focus on the ritual.” he finds himself saying. “Just like Monkey King said.”

  “MK if I would do that, all of you will be in danger.” the worry in Tang’s tone is apparently, contagious.

  “Tang here has the point kid.” Pigsy shrugs and continues, “Maybe he can do the ritual without the rest of us being in danger.”

  “I get that you are trying to protect all of us but if it fails, it won’t even matter anyway. We are here to protect them no matter the cost.” he argues back. They can’t afford deviate from the plan too much. There was the purpose in holding off Lady Bone Demon for the ritual. They needed Mr. Tang, Mei and Red Son full time focus. The tenses in the air is cut by the clearing of the throat from certain demon.

  “If I may interrupt this pointless argument, Noodle Boy is right. It would be stupid to just think you can hold of Lady Bone Demon and do the ritual in the same time. You don’t know your limits. If it fails, the whole world is doomed. Regardless of how it feels to you this is the safest bet.” well now. Thanks for backup Red Son.

  “Yeah, we will do this extra easily and save you guys in like, a flash.” Mei too backs up Red Son.

  “Well extra easily is just… pushing it, Dragon Horse Girl.” adjusting his glasses, he sighs.

  “...Stay close to us kid.” is what Pigsy settles on. “And don’t ya dare mess this up!” he yells at… Tang? Red Son? Mei? All of them? None of them? Who know. Conformation is conformation so everyone nods in union with renewed will to fight. Which you need because here you had a big blue demon with no weapon, Pig demon with sausage nunchucks and himself with… well he did grab a stick? Sure.

  “Good luck guys!”

  “Don’t you mess this up either!” is what sends them off from the glow of the brilliant light and tumbling right into the abyss. The moment, the exact moment the light withdrew, all wreck broke loose.

  Now that MK thought about it, he wasn’t really ready for a way their shadows twisted on the floor, unsettling to everyone and everything. Neither was he ready for the shadow creatures to look at them with that awful grin he saw when he encountered her. The shadows that possessed the exact same visage as them, tarry a n d dark and cold-

  “Miss me, kiddo?” came from all three bony creatures, completely imitating Macaque’s voice. “Or have you already forgotten about me, hero?” She used Macaque’s likeness to mock him while using him like a puppet. She wanted to provoke him. And you know what? She did.

  “You are not him.” the answer is decisive but it only earns him a laugh. A crude, mocking laugh that got him right by the ear.

  “What a pointless way to escape. I see now, MK.” their voices melt to one singular voice, that of Lady Bone Demon herself. “Fortunately, all your effort will be a guide you to your destiny.” without the chance for either to answer, MK finds himself raising the stick he had on the pure instinct, just as his double slams the icy staff against it. The staff can’t hold off the creature for long so as it breaks, MK manages to dive to he left, rolling away from the danger for a singular moment-

  He rolls again, to his right this time, barely escaping from the jagged edge of the staff. This time, he cannot escape completely as the creature grabs a hold of him by the leg and raises him in the air. Up close it’s even worse, under the mud, shinning was the white bone and blue tendrils. A particularity thick part of ice encased the clone’s eyes and yet they pierced underneath, as if staring into car lights or something. Held up by it’s tail- Wait a minute, why did his clone had tail? Before he even has a moment to think about that one, his back kisses the stone wall in particularity bad kind of way, knocking air out of his lungs. The tail still doesn’t let go. In fact it only forces him off the ground again, into the air. Barely, he feels the warmth behind him.

  “Kid!” he manages to blink some consciousness into himself again, just in time for the creature to grab a sausage nunchuck aimed at it’s head. Points for trying to Dadsy, is what he decides to think about with an omelette of a brain.

  “Pathetic.” the other him speaks, much less in the tone of her voice than before. “I thought you would prove to be more of a challenge but you in the end, are just a kid.” if he didn’t do something, anything, they would all get- No, he couldn’t think like that. They needed to bounce back, somehow. Something. The creature just chuckles. “Time for your destiny, kid.” Anything.

  Just like that, he is on the ground with a bump on his head in tow. Taking it as a chance to do something, he bounces on his feet only to sway on the spot. Clearing the annoying dots, he finds that, nope it wasn’t his powers returning to him in the moment of need. Nope. In reality in front of him stood.. someone? Although the hair, the spear and the fire roller-skates were immediately registered in his mind as something familiar at the same time he had no clue who .

  “You will not harm the boy or his companions no further.” well, he had a pretty commanding voice.

  “The Third Prince decided to show.” His double, the creature snarled from the shadows it got thrown into. Now it definitely didn’t sound like Lady Bone Demon. It was… deeper? Well, whatever it was it didn’t exactly matter because by his side was Pigsy, asking million questions at once.

  “I am fineeee, Piggy.” he earns a hit on the shoulder by the sausage nunchuck.

  “Do you have any idea-”

  “This is still a battlefield mortals, don’t take your eyes off enemies.” Nezha speaks, stopping Pigsy’s bombardment of questions. “I will not command you again. Your tricks won’t work on me.” well now that he mentioned, Lady Bone Demon didn’t make a copy of him did she? Maybe because he was from the Celestial Realm?

  “You surely do talk high and mighty for someone beaten by Monkey King, don’t you?” the voice morphs again, bending with the sound. Sandy, who was guarding their back (Thank whatever for Sandy) moves just a bit closer. “You too will meet your destin-”

  Nezha is gone with a thundering sound and a crash. Above them stands a familiar shape and MK’ s hopes get up only to plummet to the Earth’s core once again. It was a Not Monkey King. A creature just like the rest, grinning form the skies. Which meant that the real Monkey King was-

  “Must you ruin this for me as well!?” Nezha gets up from rouble, discarding the Monkey King from his leg because apparently, he was the cause of the crash. The said Monkey is hopefully alive- yep there he is groaning.

  “Oh sorry, I completely intended to fall on you.” the sarcastic remark takes just a bit of tension of the air. Suddenly the panic melt into the tone. “Bud!” and he soars. And by soars, he means falls through the air, few steps down and on the hard stone.

  First of all, how he didn’t die was beyond him. Second, he should’ve listened to Nezha more closely. Not that it would matter, since he had the strength of a random toddler at the moment but hey, it would be less embarrassing than just being thrown off the mountain. With a groan, he pushes himself up and yep, he is definitely a good couple thousand steps down. Perfect.

  “You do lack attention. Perhaps you should visit a doctor?” the sound that he recognizes as his shadow speaks. Before he can gather the thought, the creature once again kills any balance he had by pulling him up by leg. “Interesting.”

  “Are you really the Lady Bone Demon?” that much he can gather from his murky thoughts. It spoke differently, it’s mannerism completely different. If they had another foe in all this, he would scream. The creature looks at him quizzically as if he asked what was ten plus two and not a simple who are you question.

  “Perhaps. Perhaps not. In any case, let us continue where we left off-” underneath their shadow, the mud bubbles. Oh boy. “See you soon.”

  The last thought he has is that, that mud definitely wasn’t mud.

  Wukong curses himself as kid goes right over the edge of the mountain, his warning apparently not fast enough. The shadow creature at fault resembled MK but it… sprouted a tail? What if- Stops the thought and rushes at it with recklessness he would never admit. In return it’s eyes shone something fierce and wild, something vaguely familiar. Not like Lady Bone Demon familiar. Not Macaque familiar. Something… unsettling to say the very least. Although his charge is forceful enough, it comes to a halt, just in time for his own shadow to land in front of him. It lunges back but the flurry of petals makes it stop, giving the time for himself to be pulled back.

  “Stop charging blindly Wukong!” Nezha. It’s him that pulled him by the tail and back to his side. As he gets ready to bite at Nezha, some anger subsides, “We can only make it worse so quiet your rage.” so Nezha is angry too. Well, he was the guardian of kids, wasn’t he? He was right too, MK was supposed to divert the attention to himself anyway. However, now that it actually happened, it stung him way more. Well, it didn’t mean MK was gone just yet and maybe they could still avoid worse case scenario but-

  A wave of shrieking warm washes over them. Or- softly burns through them. Casting a quick glance to the side, he sees the radiant glow of yellow melt in shades of red, the Rings floating in the air. It was steady, didn’t look comfortable but they didn’t burn into a crisp so hey, at least it was going according to plan. Probably . His shade moves towards the barrier and Wukong moves to intercept it, pulling back his hand and striking against the staff. Hopefully Nezha got the clue and moved to stop the other two shades. The creatures lips turn to snarl as it’s staff breaks to shards. Wasting no time, Wukong pulls back his fist once more, slamming at the guarding creature and into the stone below.

  They… really needed to be more careful with this. Hopefully the stones weren’t having a major role in the ritual. Hopefully. After all, it wasn’t him that made them. Not the time. Focus. It lunges at him again, a flurry of kicks and punches. He could tell that the shade worked on autopilot, without Lady Bone Demon’s input which meant her focus was elsewhere. Both good and bad thing in itself really. Although he didn’t expect for the shades to use somewhat equal strength to what he had which was probaaaably why they were connected. It was practically feasting on his strength which wasn’t a good thing. A t all.

  The fact reared it’s head because of course it did, when from the darkness between them jumped few more monkey like shadows, forcing Wukong to jump back so he could have some distance between them. Some of his fur stood on it’s ends. Looking at copy of himself in his prime with shadow creatures that resembled Macaque b y it’s side just brought a chill.

  “What is the matter Sun Wukong? Do you not enjoy the sights from the past?” echoes in his own ears. Well, he got her attention back to him alright. “Or is that you cannot stand it?” he dodges first, second he gets in by a curtsy of a kick and third vanishes with smoke once his fist connects. From the same smoke, a staff slams on his hand but fast as he is, he manages to manuvers it in a way that he can pull on it by his tail. He expects his shade to run into his fist but he doesn’t get what he wants. Instead, in front of him appears the exact copy of Macaque, from years gone by. It mouths a phrase, simple yet overwhelmingness at same time, and his mind hesitates.

  T hat simple yet insulting moment of hesitation is all she needs for his shade to appear behind him and slam him into the stone with force of Jade Emperor. When the smoke clears, he is pinned by the staff, held by the grinning copy.

  “So you still care for little old Six Ears? You are a treasure, Monkey King.” she speaks to his mind. All he can do is snarl back, focusing his power to his legs so he could escape only to be pushed further in the stone. Where was Nezha to bail him out? Did he get beaten? If so bad but also, a lot of teasing would follow. “You will serve me well.” continues and his back is suddenly… Wet? Damp? What- The tar like substance the shadows risen out of creeps beneath him. Nice. Now he could get possessed too. The cold spreads from the back of his body, as if touching ice. It spreads, creeping up his arms and limbs, back to his head and all the way to toes.

  It last for long couple of minutes before it just… stops. He is no longer cold. He is boiling. The air stuffy and heavy, the mud long gone. It prompts him to push away from the ground a bit, to look at his right where the shade was looking. The flames were of magenta colour, wild and invasive. The herald of it was of course, a giant dragon, dyed in deep red and snarling to all around it. It’s vessel, Mei, satin the middle of the flames, almost like she got swallowed by them. Red Son stand between her and Tang, speaking something barely over the roaring of flames. And… Nezha. Nezha was protecting Sandy and Pigsy. Good. Absently, he notices that MK’s shadow is gone from the picture.

   The grip of the creature with staff started to fade which also meant that Wukong leapt to his feet, pushing the assailant away with a swift kick to it’s chest. It snarls at him but with one more wave of smoldering fire, it’s feet melt mid step, right into the ground. With a quick scan, he finds other shadows on the ground already, a mess of goop and whispering. Before he can finish it though , the concentrated fire burns his shade to the molten stone and nothingness. It takes the tops of Wukong’s hair with it . The dragon, snarling creature, brought here by Mei growls. It doesn’t withdraw, still shinning with heat of thousand sounds. Mei definitely had some control over it but how much and for how long would that last?

  Without a second thought, Wukong takes off, pushing through the intense heat that burned him before. How did even Red Son withstood that so close? Even Nezha is having trouble keeping up with it for so long, withdrawing to protect Sandy and Pigsy completely. Nevertheless, Wukong pushes past him.

  “What are you doing Wukong?! We need to go!”

  “Taking your place as a hero, obviously!” he laughs, pushing further into the inferno. It takes him a few moments but he is by Tang’s side, in relative safety before using his own magic to protect Red Son in front of them. “You good guys?”

  “Mr. Monkey King? I don’t know- I think the ritual went right but-” well, there Tang goes.

  “It’s fine. Just wait here, we will do the rest.” with that he takes steps towards Red Son.

  “Dragon Horse Girl, it is imperial for you to withdraw that creature! Otherwise everything will be-!” he stops him by putting his hand on his shoulder.

  “Do your best, Red Son!” Wukong pushes with all of his magic against the fire. It gives them space to come closer to Mei which in turn makes Red Son’s words that much more effective. The guy who will get slapped with a staff next time he even dares to utter that he isn’t a hero, runs towards the centre of the magic, grabbing the girl by her shoulders. That must be quite the ordeal since even with his own magic on this distance, Wukong can feel the licking heat.

  “Contain the anger, girl! Noodle Boy believes in you to get him out of this mess!” a fiery gust emerges, weakening his own magic. “Look, I know you have some control of it, now bend it, channel it. Like I said, it is a part of you, not a force that can take you over and do as it pleases! Take it under the control so we can save Noodle Boy and kick Lady Bone Demon out of this realm!” it’s instantaneous, the oppressive energy fades with a blink of an eye. Mei’s clothes are a bit scuffed sure but otherwise she is quite unharmed which cannot be said for Red Son who seems to be sprouting at least one burn on his hand. The guy still looks her in the eyes through. “Good job Dragon Horse Girl.”

  “Way to go Mei!” is the collective cheer of MK’s gang that reaches him alongside the voice of pretty flabbergasted Nezha.

  “She… controlled the fire? How can that be?” Wukong snorts, briskly walking to Red Son’s side.

  “You could at least call her by her name, you know.” is what he says to him, dropping the bandage on his head. Where did he get the bandage? Nobody needed to know that. “Good job Mei. You too Tang!” as she peaks at them, Red Son withdraws his hands from her shoulder as if they still burned. The guy was absolutely clueless.

  “I… did?” she tilts her head, scanning over bot him and Red Son. “What happened to your-”

  “Nothing mayor Dragon Girl. Compared to you, I look positively perfect.” this earns a small chuckle from Mei. “Just no more emotional outbursts for now, I beg of you.” there is some happiness behind sarcasm in his voice. Mei then takes to her feet, looking around.

  “Is MK…?” she starts, leaving off the question in the air.

  “Yea, we need to go get the kid!” Wukong has the sneaking suspicion that the answer was already there but he didn’t want to be one to voice it.

  “Nezha, will you go and check the mountain for him?” he asks instead which earns suspicious look from Pigsy.

  “Now hold on a minute! If ya think-”

  “Nezha is the fastest, he can check for the kid. We need to go.” as much as he wanted to high tail it to MK right this moment, it had to wait. They needed to free Macaque first and then they could get to that.

  “What are you going to do, Wukong?” Nezha promptly and ever-so suspiciously voices his concern to him.

  “I need to get Mei and Red Son to Macaque’s location so we can end this shadow business. Meanwhile, Tang keep up the magic and protect everyone.” Tang nods to the request, already putting up the golden bubble.

  “Wouldn’t be The Third Prince faster in getting them to Macquack?” Nezha is already gone, as soon as he heard the explanation so he isn’t sure why he is questioned but alright.

  “Well, you see, he would. The problem is that only I know where he got frozen.” summoning his cloud with a dismissive flick of wrist, he faces Red Son and Mei. “Sorry guys, you will need to hold out a bit longer.”

  “No problem Monkey dude, let’s do this!” with a cheer from Mei, so too comes the magenta fire. It sets Red Son’s hair on fire so Mei throws some snow at him. “Sorry!” with a sigh, Red Son wipes the snow from his face.

  “As long as I don’t get to hang off the ride.”

  “That’s the spirit!” he hops on the cloud, waiting for the others to climb on. “You need to hold on me so you don’t fall through sooo…” Red Son grabs his shoulder as if his life depended on it while Mei sits down, grabbing his tail which… he wasn’t a fan of really but hey at least she was comfortable. “We won’t be long!”

  He doesn’t bother to look at their reaction, surely he was scorned by Pigsy anyway. They dart through sky, a bit less fast than Wuukong would’ve liked too but he can’t do much with two more people on the cloud. Down below, he saw the village that adored him, the ice clawing at it, swallowing all of it’s brilliant glow. Well, that was that to it, they had no more than days to save the world. This was do or die.

  “After this is done, we will have some moment to regroup. I don’t think Macaque will be in condition to fight at least half of the day. We will work out the last parts of the plan then.” he finds himself reassuring the other two. It’s not like he was best at it but he probably got some points for trying, right?

  It’s not a long journey with the cloud by any means, obviously but by the end of it he is tired. Like bare bones tired. Wukong didn’t even want to imagine what Mei and Red Son felt like. Or what Macaque is going to feel like in couple of minutes. Lowering their altitude, they stop in front of an ice pillar, sharp and jagged high into the sky.

  “The spider ghosts are in there, as well as the guy called ‘Mayor’ or something? Frankly I don’t care what you do with them but I thought you might want to know.” Wukong crosses his arms. “Just-” he is interrupted mid sentence by the whispering chaos around them. “Be quick.” taking a fighting stance he puts himself between shadows and the other two.

  “Remember, you won’t hurt anyone because we believe you won’t.” not sure that he agreed to the reasoning but Red Son left Mei’ s side and joined his. The mass of blue eyes stares at them from the darkness, cackling to some unheard joke. Before they can come closer and thankfully, before Wukong decided to charge them, Red Son sets the surroundings on fire. The shades still cackle but take a step back, seemingly hesitant. Well, good thing tha- He raises his left to block a kick. His instinct is right as he gets pushed to right. Red Son is not as fast through and he gets hit with… ice? He does manage to roll of the path, dodging the doom of being captured by it. Of course, it’s a shade. This time, it’s Red Son’s but instead of fire it wields ice. Very original.

  I n a moment it becomes obvious who it’s real target is as it aims a perfectly sharp shard at sitting Mei. Wukong bites the bullet, hitting the projectile with his fist and shattering it on impact. Mei tries to turn her head to see the battle, because of course, he would do the same but still he finds himself saying something entirely else.

  “Focus! We will deal with this guy!” now that it’s attention is on him, Red Son fights back, flame in his hands and yeah, he is pretty good at it. Nothing like he described with calmness. More like explosive and unhinged, an array of wide blasts. Deciding against his better judgment, Wukong joined as well. There was no way that Red Son’s shadow could match both of them at the same time and even if it did, it wouldn’t last long. The thing was that he never fought with Red Son as a team and well, his tail got burned. More than once. Red Son also got hit… a couple of times by yours truly. He really really really needed to work on his teamwork.

  Thankfully and mercifully for his tail, the battle is only a minute or so long before the shadow splits and spills. Blue whispering trails from it and all is suddenly quiet. Turning, Wukong saw a suspicious lack of snow and plants in front of Mei’s wake which meant that- he took off. Casting a quick look at Mei, yeah she was fine, no injury there, he passed her to the front of the blast.

  There he found his shadow, sitting on the ground leaned on his hands. Yeah, he got frozen mid step back so he probably tumbled on his backside when he got thawed out. That would’ve been downright hilarious if it weren’t in presence of all six ears which meant something wasn’t right.

  “Good morning, you permafrosted rug.” is what he opens up, trying to ease the tension. It does nothing but make some of the ears move, acknowledging his presence. And still they lingered. Rounding Macaque, Wukong squats next to him, trying to got a look at his face. It’s a really really bad mix of shock, surprise and panic that he gets to witness. Not to mention his right eye which... Wukong can’t even force himself to look at. There are no other visible wounds on him besides, yeah, that leg that didn’t want to heal. Good news was that, hey, the ice was gone! Bad news, it was an open wound again. Great. You would think that he would learn first aid by now but nooope.

  With a sight, Wukong takes off his cape and manoeuvrers himself in front of Macaque, just for good measure.

  “I am not going to harm you.” is what he says, pulling the cape underneath the other’s and tying the wound. Good as newiiiiish. “This is not a dream, if you think that. We got you. The plan worked.” deciding to cover all his bases, he continues, “I suggest you pull your magic over yourself if you don’t want others to see. I can do it for you, if you want.” he earns a blink of the eyes. Well, he was definitely coming to from whatever he got caught in. In a blink the ears are gone, the scar is gone but Macaque still sits, seemingly remembering that he could breath. Savouring the breath.

  “As if, you decrepit pelt.”

  “There you are.” he masks worry under the layers of happiness. “I thought your brain turned to ice cream.” he gets up, tilting his head. There is a low chuckle, just a bit further. Macaque’s fur seemingly bristles as he moves to get up, overlooking the insult. “Yeaaaah, you might want to stay down for a bit. Ill check up on it.”

  “Wukong!” is the warning he gets as he moves away. Jeez everyone was screaming his name lately. Soon, he finds the source of the chuckle. A strange man. Mayor? Is there on the ground absolutely ecstatic about his situation. Without words, Wukong uses some of his hair which he turns to rope which in turn serves to tie the guys hands behind his back. Creepy guy keeps chuckling though so instead of carrying him on his shoulder, he pulls him with his tail in definitely not disgust.

  “Well, good thing is he is harmless. Just creepy.” he announces to Macaque who did managed to get to his feet but looks unsteady as a fawn. “Told you to stay doooown. Why don’t you ever listen?” he earns one full annoyed sweep of the tail. “Glad to have you back.” is what he offers in return. Before he can get a spiteful insult, Mei appears next to him, promptly making him flinch away and nearly back to ground he goes. He does save it with a bit of shadowy magic.

  “Macaron! Are you alright!?” he is definitely… uncomfortable to say the least. His face is shell shocked for moments as Mei looks over him from head to toe, probably searching for burns, before it takes a smirk.

  “Fine kid. Got the hang of the fire already?” Mei gives him a reluctant thumbs up. “And hello to you to, Red Brat.”

  “Once we are done with this, I ought to smite you.” is all he gets to that.

  “I would welcome you to try.” Macaque chuckles and continues, “So, where are we?”

  “At the part where we find MK and kick some butts?” despite herself, Mei still yawns. Yep, they definitely needed a nap. That seems to be Macaque’s consensus as well because a moment later they sink through the floor and right on the ritual site.

  Now, all would be well and good if they sank through and landed gracefully but nooope.

  They landed from some height, right into group number two and on the floor.

  “Well, look who is feeling better.” he grumbles from mess of limbs towards Macaque who is gracefully stranding on the top of the pile.

  “Well what can I say, I-”

  The floor of comedic timing gives in.

Chapter Text

  The taste of cold…. Whatever that was, doesn’t disappear when the fire burns away Lady Bone Demon’s influence, it turns out. Inside out, that tar clings to his fur, to his bones, to his… well everything. Shivers passed him from head to toe once he was no longer freezing but burning hot, suffocating. As if thrown from the icy water into scorching one, his brain barely caught up to it. Which is why he got embarrassing moment of Wukong checking up on him.

  “Good morning, you permafrosted rug.”he registers the sentence vaguely. It’s like a quiet murmur in the back of his head, nothing more. And suddenly, Wukong is next to his face, looking him with a slightly worried expression but distinctly refusing to look at his right. Pathetic but- He is fine, is what he wants to say. Unfortunately not one of his muscles work. The idiot at hand frowns, stripping his cape off and moving to be completely in front of him. It was probably some attempt to show no harm yet to his brain he might as well brought down his staff on his head and it wouldn’t matter. The truth was, he wanted anything to distract him from the weight of the air around him. Even MK’s overly touchy and friendly attitude would be welcome. You must’ve gone mad. “I am not going to hurt you.” is what Wukong says as the feeling of the fabric brushes against now free leg. It’s a welcome thing, something to think about rather than the fact that his body wasn’t listening anything . “This is not a dream, if you think that. We got you. The plan worked.” “We got you.” past that, he barely hears anything. It makes the world move again past it’s frozen strings. First time, he feels like he breathes again, past all the smouldering air. Some distant stupid part of him wanted to grab Wukong’s hand, just so he could get grounded more. That same stupid part of him got put into timeout really quickly. “I suggest you pull your magic over yourself if you don’t want others to see. I can do it for you, if you want.” Ah, so… Yeah, no. Summoning some power to himself, he pulls the glamour on himself. It’s harder than ever, he feels.. While his power is back at his fingertips, it feels foreign, tainted by her- . Wukong is still looking.

  “As if, you decrepit pelt.” masks his discomfort decently.

  “There you are. I thought your brain turned to ice cream.” that poor masking of emotions must’ve run between them. As if on cue, a low chuckle reaches his ears and his fur bristles on instinct. Stuck between flight and anger he tries to get to his feet. “Yeaaah, you might want to stay down for a bit. I’ll check up on it.” briskly, Wukong turns on his heel.

  “Wukong!” his warning falls dead silent on Wukong’s ears, even through, first time in years it was truly an honest attempt. The monkey just keep his gait and moves away until he is a good distance away. With a growl of pure frustration, Macaque pulls himself to his feet, moving his frozen legs. It works, not flawlessly but he is up. Just in time for Wukong to return, dragging the chuckling Mayor with his tail. That is kind of… amusing actually.

  “Well, good thing is he is harmless. Just creepy. Told you to stay dooown. Why don’t you ever listen?” Speak for yourself Great Sage. “Glad to have you back.” for a moment Macaque doesn’t know what to reply. He settles the train of thought on me too . Before he gets a chance through, the girl appears next to him, promptly destroying his balance. In defiance he summons some of his shadows, steadying himself because he won’t just fall over.

  “Macaron! Are you alright!?” the closeness is nice but… weird. It grounds him more but in the same time it feels vaguely off. Although, he can recognize that something bothers her through so he pulls his mask back on.

  “Fine kid. Got the hang of the fire already?” she gives him the most shaky thumbs up possible. Weird for someone with that much confidence. Speaking of which- “And hello to you too, Red Brat.”

  “Once we are done with this, I ought to smite you.” Macaque finds himself chuckling.

 “I would welcome you to try.” he is challenging the kid, earnestly. “So, where are we?” he can’t see MK so that would mean they got worst case scenario. Mei was alive and well, so the fire was contained. Others… he heard the whole gang including but not limited to Third Lotus Prince. They had firepower now that Lady Bone Demon got cut of his powers. Which was a double edged sword really, since she too was stronger. There was one more strange shade through, the one she used against MK. Slimy and weird, barely something he could remember.

  “At the part where we find MK and kick some butts?” despite some drive in those words, the girl yawns. Wukong looks a bit shabby too and not mention Red Son. And- well himself, he too feels like a discarded dead fish. Heavy, unresponsive and muddy. If they delve longer, he would probably go off the count of conscious parties. That is why he opens the shadow portal, big enough for all of them. By the nature of his headache, he goes for a spot that is above where he hears the gang below, just in case so they don’t end up smacking into floor. In the end the result is nearly the same because they smack in the said gang anyway. By they he means Wukong, Red Son and Mei since he uses the shadow of one of them to pass on the pile. Something vaguely cracks but Macaque pays no mind to it, barely holding off some amusement.

  “Well, look who is feeling better.” Macaque chuckles at the whinny tone Wukong produces.

  “Well, what can I say, I-” the floor gives so they give fall to abyss. Which is why he does the most stupidly reflexive thing and straight up hides into Wukong’s shadow. It’s not his finest moment but everything was better than falling endlessly into the darkness again.

  The pile lands, hard onto the floor followed by different groans and colourful language. Which, wow, he didn’t even know MK’s gang could produce. Impressive. Diving out next to pile, he squats next to Wukong who ended up on the bottom of the pile.

  “Of, that’s rough buddy.” Wukong glares.

  “Six Ears!” the pile explodes, so Macaque sidesteps, enough to dodge flying Red Son. Entanglement crisis done. Third Lotus Prince crisis start. “What are you scheming!?” ever so dutiful Third Lotus Prince. Before Macaque can get a word in, Wukong somehow drags his flattened head between two of them. “Wukong, explain yourself.”

  “Look, I don’t need Wukong to be my spokesperson if you get me?” his tail swishes against his will. “Didn’t this idiot tell you we are following my plan?”

  “What!?”

  “Yeaaaaah, I might’ve forgotten that.” classical Wukong. One information he explicitly told him to tell The Third Lotus Prince he just… forgot about. “Relax, Nezha. He is practically harmless.” Wukong tries to lean on his shoulder which Macaque promptly sidesteps. Just so he could watch watch Wukong’sface as he leans through the air which yeah, is amusing. “Oh come on, I am trying to help.”

  “I don’t need your help, Wukong.” in frustration, Wukong moves his arms similarly to a posturing bird. Macaque answers it with a snarl. Before he can follow it up with anything, he gets distinctly hit on the shoulder. Oh right. The rest.

  “Macaron here isn’t so bad, Mr. Third Prince Sir.” of course it’s the girl. Followed by a distinctive whisper: “Chime in, Red Boy.”

  “What are you looking at me for!?” there is a rather, defeated sight.

  “And all of you from mortal plain are aware of what he is?” Macaque raises his eyebrow.

  “Well, he did try to kill us a few times sooo-” thanks Tang. “Still he is our ally.”

  “Yeah, Macquack is a friend.” Sandy chimes in, for some odd reason standing behind him alongside Tang, Mei and probably dragged Red Son. It’s foolish. No, it’s downright stupid. Yet he can’t brush those guys off. Instead, he takes a few steps to the side, still purposely glaring at the Third Prince.

  “None of you make any sense.” he crosses his arms. “I suppose you don’t need to make any when you hang out with Wukong.”

  “Nezha, buddy, you are with us too now. You know that right?”

  “Will you stop that!?” the tension drains from the air.

  “Will ya all stop yappering!?” finally Pigsy had enough. Of course. Macaque knew what followed, and no it did not involve resting his ears anytime soon. “Aren’t we forgetting that MK is missing?!”

  “Well, he isn’t really missing. We know where he went so-”

  “Well, if we know where he is, why aren’t we getting off our butts and getting him!?”

  “Well-”

  “Because he was the bait.” he cuts in before Wukong can finish the sentence. “The kid knew the risks. That was the thing only he could do. If Lady Bone Demon plans to use him as vessel, she will need to use his powers. Those powers are the ticket to beating her. If the kid couldn’t find a way to make them work, she will force them to work.”

  “Wait, wait, ya knew about this plan Monkey King?” Pigsy’s focus switches to Wukong,

  “Look, I didn’t want it to go that way, trust me. But if MK’s powers weren’t coming back regularly, it must be some mental block or something that we can’t quite overcome.”

  “Which is why you put him in a deadly situation where he can either a) get his powers back. Or b) be possessed or killed. Is that it?” ah there it is again. That spite the pig had towards Wukong.

  “Wait, won’t he get his powers back when he gets the staff?” the Tang reasoned. Unfortunately for Tang, Wukong shook his head.

  “That is only a big stick. Nothing more. The reason his powers don’t work correctly is within himself. It’s not something that can be fixed with a snap of fingers. Look, guys, there really wasn’t other way. If Lady Bone Demon got anyone else we would be in a deeper mess. Think, if she got any of us the plan would completely leek to her, if she got me or Nezha, we probably wouldn’t be able to get Macaque back either.”

  “So that’s why you didn’t want to tell us? To make us less of a target for Lady Bone Demon?” Sandy questions.

  “The only ones who knew were me, Macaque, MK and Mei. Anyone else, it would’ve been a risk.” the silence that takes over irks Macaque in worst way possible. It’s hollow and defeating, causing his fur to bristle and ears to hear things that are not there. It booms in his ears, reminding him of the endless quiet in his own mind as-

  “Well, look alive everyone.” he speaks, getting overly theatrical to draw attention. “Kiddo believes you will get him. Let’s not prove him wrong, right?” it’s all it takes to reignite the passion of the gang. Pigsy still seems on the fence but let’s it go, for now at least.

  “So what’s the plan Macaron?” Mei asks him, appearing by his side. She shines heat, now that he thought about it. Strange. Yet, somehow comforting.

  “I’ll get to it. First, we need to regroup and rest.”

  “But the kid-”

  “Won’t go anywhere. The only unforeseen consequence is that weird shadow of MK’s but it’s also the last one in her possession. This place has some magical charm to it, she won’t be able to reach us here.”

  “Macaque is right, we need to take a breather. If we are not at our hundred percent we will loose.” Wukong backs him up.

  “You should listen to them mortals. As much as it pains for me to admit, those two probably have most experience in this kind of thing between all of us.”

  “Finally, you admit my superiority, Nezha!?” Wukong pokes the Prince’s shoulder. Repeatedly. It all culminates with an outburst that sends Wukong skedaddling away.

  “Must you be always like this!?”

  “Oh relax Nezha, you will die young. Probably of heart attack or something.” absently, the guy chuckles which prompts Third Prince to sigh. Somehow, that is the end to their argument. And somehow, the quiet murmuring amongst them is ten times more comfortable than the previous crawling silence. Looking around, he found that he actually hated this place. The only thing it had going for it was the charm protection from Lady Bone Demon. The rest was a null. The written scriptures and magically burning candles. The statues . Those figures of Wukong’s “so called friends”. It reeked of magic that the monk used. Distantly, his ears twitched.

  “Don’t you think we look a bit too close to these legendary heroes?”

  “Yeah, I’ve got some theories about that-” Macaque tunes them out. That is not the conversation he wanted to be a part of. The Prince was leaning on the wall, away and presumably resting. Mei and Red Boy were off to the side with Mei practising the concentration by juggling something. Probably some ancient, invaluable artefact. Which left him with only one choice for lurking around. Now, it’s not like he wanted to keep Wukong company. It was just that… well- It was that. It was the monks protection he hated. It was the cold and Wukong- Wukong was always warm . Banishing the thought, Macaque took a shady corner to be his base of operations. After all, he had to think about how to deal with that Shadow MK thing that he only vaguely felt. There were many things to consider. MK, Shadow MK, Lady Bone Demon... The cackling Mayor that Wukong disposed in the far part of the room. Maybe he could take some information from him?

  Taking a quick dive and emerging from the shadows, immediately he snarled at the guy thrown into a heap on the floor. The moment Mayor took a notice he began to cackle louder, irritating him further.

  “Oh nothing but how my Lady shall bring you defeat puppet.” Macaque’s feels his tail scrape the ground. “Raze this world and turn it to clean state. One that shall be free from mortal and Celestial sin.” his teeth bare. “You must’ve seen it! The glorious world of sole peace and quiet! Oh, how we shall marvel at it and sin-” the speech is cut short by Wukong taping his mouth shut. Literally.

  “Come on guy, you are turning the whole atmosphere glum.” he pats the tape once, twice before raising to his feet. “Man, he really grinds on the nerves.” Wukong than proceeds to clean his ear in annoyance.

  “Did you stuff his mouth with your fur?” Macaque raises his eyebrow in suspicion. Wukong, in turn, looks left and right in rather obvious guilt.

  “Welllll, yesn’t? Otherwise, Red Kid would’ve burnt him to smithereens.” with a disgusted face, Macaque turns on his heel away from Wukong.

  “I heard that!” Wukong seems to follow his steps, ever so persistent. It was just a matter of time before he ran his mouth off. Figures, Wukong’s last name wasn’t stealth for a reason. That is why, Macaque decides to cut in before he can.

  “Go bother a statue or something.” he grumbles, deciding that yes, he enjoyed sitting in his dark shadowy corner. “I am not in the mood for your stupidity.” the ever-so persistent monkey hums in response but still leans on the wall next to him. Like a flea you simply can’t get out of your fur.

  “Yeah, yeah, grumpy grump monkey.” Macaque snarls. Just a bit. “Not a fan of being here?”

  “Really?”

  “No, not really. Just checking if you’ve got a pulse.” Wukong’s eyes wander over the room. “I am not fan of it either.” Macaque chuckles at the tone.

  “Oh, The Great Sage hates seeing himself immortalized as a statue?” he grinned, poking fun at Wukong’s apparent dislike of the setting. Rather, he knew that was distinctly not really “the problem” Wukong had here but it was just too precious of a chance not to take it.

  “Yeah, I think they missed the angle.” ah classic Wukong, deflection with a joke. Macaque looks at the statue, it reminded him of- well, that. “Are you feeling okay?” the added concern is something Macaque could not ignore. It’s new. That Wukong’s worry doesn’t irritate him as much, that is. Very weird and very… mushy. Blah.

  “Take a wild guess.” is what he settles with.

  “Point taken.” he pauses before continuing, “Maaan, why is this stuff easier for MK to do?” Wukong stretches, sinking against the wall.

  “Because the kid is naturally empathetic unlike you?” with a flick of the tail, Macaque faces Wukong just in time for his temper to show head of what he presumes would be a temperamental outburst.

  “Grumpy grump grump.” he mutters somewhat of a growl. It’s not even suppressed anger, more of an annoyance really in his tone. “Go to sleep already.” so the true intention was revealed. Wukong was there to reassure him of safety which yeah, he could guess as much.

  “You are too noisy.” the small snarl makes it past his lips. Wukong looks just a tiny bit offended by the sentence. “And annoying.” he adds, looking to poke fun at him just a smidgen more. Nevertheless, he does close his eyes, leaning against the wall. Without the visual, he hears much more. The reincarnation conversation is still ongoing affair. The Prince is still the brooding child of the wall. Mei and Red Brat continue to break priceless artefacts and Wukong is still close by his side. So that’s how they choose to spend their time to rest? At best they had maybe a half of the day. At best. Macaque couldn’t risk getting kid too deep into Lady Bone Demon’s grasp and yet he couldn’t risk getting there with half of the firepower dead on their feet. Doable without shadow MK in picture. Less doable with him. Whatever that guy was. There was no way he was only a shadow, those things were controlled through him, of his fingertips and limbs. This was definitely not that sort of thing. If anything that creature felt like it was similar to him. A shadow, maybe a memory or emotion, tied to a form and if that was the case, who knew what she unearthed to fight Wukong. Or maybe- to keep MK from breaking the possession since she would anticipate them to just use Samadhi Fire again. A glorified guard dog. If that was the case, he needed to break the connection between two via shadows first. After that be it kid’s willpower or Samadhi Fire, it didn’t matter.

  Macaque opened his eyes again, assaulted by the sight of Wukong looking at his face. His lips twist into snarl by the habit. Wukong answers it with an eye roll and a hand gesture that clearly spoke frustration. Did he… actually think he went to sleep?

  “Look, you will go to sleep or-” he gestures to one of the pillars holding the place up. That would be actually kind of funny, Wukong just yanking a pillar out and thwacking him on the head. Wouldn’t be the first time that scenario happened. A snicker escapes his mouth which turns into chuckle sooner than later, erasing the snarl into the past.

  “Alright, alright. Wouldn’t want the Great Sage of Pillars to get angrier.” he raises his hands in mock fright, looking at the even more frustrated reaction that Wukong exhibits. He does need some shut-eye, that much is true. The whole… possession deal was draining to say the least. The need to formulate a coherent plan through, outweighed the need to sleep. Than again if MK was here, he would probably be the one forcing him to go and rest. Which again made sense, the clearer the head, the better the planning. Which also made no sense, he was immortal, he went without sleep much longer. Only time he was indulging in full blown sleep since who knows when, he was at MK’s place. Than again, most of the time he needed to plan was when he was with Wukong and they slept for… hours really. So-

  A bundle of fabric nearly hits him in the face but he catches the thing with his tail. The thing that gave it away was a quiet whistling as it was clearly thrown at him. The culprit is of course, Wukong, hand still in mid throw. His expression wasn’t smug, something like worry mixed with something else. Pity? No, Wukong knew better than to pity him.

  “You are still shivering.” Wukong cuts in, gesturing to him. This place wasn’t really warm but- He looks at his hand and sure enough, it trembles. Huh. Didn’t even notice that. And it’s not even just his hand. His leg is trembling too, tail swishing back and forth against the ground. So that’s why Wukong followed him like a flea, in addition to other things. “I thought you were messing with me and not actually not noticing it.” the tone is quiet, something most of the room probably didn’t even hear. Soft and close, almost too close for his comfort. Almost . Wordlessly, Macaque uses the given fabric to cover himself and turns himself on his side, away from the sound. It’s all... blah. Or actually, a vile smoothie. A mess of emotions. That’s what he always was anyway. That was what he always was going to be. At least Wukong closed his maw so he could actually get a wink of sleep. Although-

  Mei pops up in his ears, rambling… something non specific to Wukong before getting shushed. Funny.

   Macaque gave a stern look to the worried monkeys that gave the fuss. Currently, Monkey King laid on his knee, sleeping blissfully and completely ignorant to the world. It was only natural that he was sleepy after busting his way back from Underworld and announcing the immortality to all. Just didn’t need to fall asleep on him instead of his own bedding. That’s all.

   Or at least that is what Macaque would tell Wukong. The truth was that he savoured the moments of the downtime, where they were like family again. It was much… simpler before. Just two fools promising to engage in stupid stuff together until their lives went by. Stupidly through, they were both immortal. Immortality. They would never grow old. Not that Macaque expected either of them to live until old age, to be honest, with Wukong’s antics and all that. Still, it felt… odd. This way, he was certain they could not be forever together. Not with their disagreement over brotherhood. Not with their disagreement over picking fights. Not with them… being themselves. Still, he didn’t voice that fate or entertained the future he heard . He adored Wukong from the moment Wukong reached out to him to now, despite whatever happened between them. And he knew, he knew that even if Wukong were to kill him, he would still somewhere deep, adore him. Just rotten luck that dealt it to them, loneliness with loneliness.

   And yet, if Macaque could selfishly choose one moment to last forever, it would probably be similar to this one. Surrounded by the monkeys and with Wukong, looking at the sunrise on the mountain they called home. That was his forever. That was-

   Wukong stirred from his sleep, looking still rather asleep from his spot. That’s right-

  “Mornin’.” is all he offers and all he gets to offer, before monkeys crowd him, cheering in relief. Macaque feels a smile climb on his face, dusting his pants and standing up, looking at the pile of fur and stupidity that Wukong and the monkeys became. “What are you grinning about?! Help out Mac!” is what comes from the pile, amongst reassurance and soft words.

  “I’d rather just watch you like this, Peaches.” -I was…

  - Happy.

  Wukong can’t help but fondly sigh as he watches the pile of sleep in front of him. Macaque finally caved in, the cloth raising and falling with even breathing. It was… comforting, almost made him sleepy. Well, it certainly made Mei sleepy. She decided to join Macaque’s grumbling ways as soon as the said monkey turned his tail. By that, he meant that Mei lay down and deadbeat fell asleep. She also took a victim with her in form of Red Son which, he, was pretty sure she dragged against his will. Still, he leaned by the wall obediently and at some point fell asleep. Sandy brought Tang and well, there they were. Only thing it missed was MK and it would a framed sight. Maybe Nezha too? If he could get the Third Lotus Prince to drop his dutiful attitude somehow. MK through- His fist tightens, snarling to himself a tinniest bit. They are getting him back.

  A throat clear and Wukong’s ear perk up. Oh, right. Pigsy. He didn’t sleep. Dude cooked for everyone so when they woke up they had food. Although- He was now motioning him to come closer. Now, Wukong was rational monkey to an extent. Which is why he knew why Pigsy would want to talk to him about MK presumably. Part of him however just wanted to book it, ignore him and wave him off with a joke. After all he wasn’t a fan of scolding which would surely follow, since Pigsy and him weren’t exactly...friendly.

  Then again, if he would just turn tail he wouldn’t have learnt anything, not from MK or his talk with Macaque. If anything he needed to prove, at least to himself, that he was different. That it wouldn’t happen again. Which is why-

  He takes of and sits obediently next to Pigsy. The other guy hands him noddles first and only then they settle into a… frankly uncomfortable silence.

  “Sooo…” he starts, hoping to at least chip away at the tension. It didn’t, unsurprisingly. The suffocating feeling made his fur bristle. He hated silence. It was always a sign of trouble be it for him or someone else. Not to mention Pigsy’s narrowed eyes made Wukong remember stuff he would rather… not remember. “I know you don’t like me.” is what he says ultimately. “I really missed my luck with pig demons since, apparently, I can’t get one of them to like me.” kind of a chuckle manages past that sentence. For a brief moment, he looks at the statue of his friend but averts his eyes almost immediately. “I guess you tolerate me because of MK. I mean, you really like that kid.” 

  “I grew him as my own.” is first thing Pigsy says which prompts Wukong to look at him, finally properly. “I told ya already, I just want him to be safe. ” it’s familiar, although Wukong is not sure where he heard it already. “But all that happens is opposite.” he can’t quite get the look In his eyes. Are they accusatory? Worried? Angry? Nah, more beaten down. Kinda- yeah. He knew that feeling.

  “Look, my guy, I can’t lie to you-” he scratches back of his head absently. “That won’t get better. Like at all. There is a lot of… stuff I did wrong.” he tries, moving his hands in attempt to better illustrate what he wanted to say. “And a lot of stuff I need to correct. I am not really… that good in correcting or comforting things. This situation is what it is but Macaque knocked some sense in my head so-”

  “Get to the point, Monkey King.” rude . Also, he really didn’t know how to illustrate his point. Alright. Deep breath.

  “Sorry.” it feels foreign against his mouth. “And, if it helps, I am not signing up for role of MK’s dad or whatever. I watched him for a looooooong time and, trust me, the only dad he really needs, is you.” he is not a blind monkey or a clueless one. Something something wise monkey something. While he expects some answer from the pig demon, he gets nothing. Not even a denial over basically calling Pigsy jealous. The silence of nothing until something-

  “Ya know something Monkey King?” his ears perk up at sudden break of silence. “When ya are not lying, you are actually a good monkey.”

  “Thanks?” he can’t quite get if that is insult or a compliment but heck, he decides to take it. Maybe he hears Nezha snicker just a bit over it but nope, ignore that . It’s the best conversation he had with Pigsy until now and he was going to savour it. “You should go to sleep. I mean I get it if you don’t want to but-”

  “And leave all worrying to ya? Not a chance.” Wukong finds himself humming in the response, smell of soup getting to his nose.

  “Hey, Pigsy?”

  “Hm?”

  “Can I get some of the noddles early?”

  “Ya good there?” is first thing that hits his ears as his consciousness hits him like a ton of bricks. First of all, freezing. Second, uncomfy. Third why did his inner voice sound so monkeyish - He snaps awake. Like a twig or… something. He finds himself in pitch black, nothing to see, nothing to smell, nothing to well… anything. The only thing that he can confirm is that his hands are tied somehow behind his back. That’s all and really, it’s nothing too.

  Pulling at the binds, he gets nothing but unnerving silence. Still he persists. His friends still needed him and granted, he might be a distraction, but he was not going to go the Old Yeller way without a fight. Which-

  “You know, you do really should go to the doctor.” the voice speaks up and frankly, hearing himself talk in that manner? Yeah, no, let’s go back to silence. Although, curiosity too was eating at him so he starts with a classic.

  “Um, hello to you too?” to that, surprisingly, he is met with a thunderous chuckle. “What’s funny?” trying to look a bit intimidating, he frowns. Well sure MK, he will definitely get scared by a tied up guy lost in the dark.

  “You, my guy.”

  “Look dude, a spot of shadowy trickster kind of guy in the group is already taken so how about letting me go and getting Mei-ed?”

  “What gives you the idea I have anything to do with your current predicament?” well- “Besides, I am no less a prisoner here than you are.” wait what? “Don’t you remember what happened to you after you came here?” now that the “Suspiciously Same Looking But Not Really Him Guy ^TM ” mentioned, even if he racked his brain he could not get an answer to how or why he got here. “You got possessed immediately, the Demon made haste to do so. Currently, we reside in something between awake and asleep, if that makes any sense. As for me, I am to guard you from any otherworldly influence that would obscure her plan.” now that he listened, the guy sounded pretty chill. Almost kind. A bit youngish. No time for captor sympathizing. You’ll get another Macaque. Focus.

  “Waaaaait, wait, wait a minute.” he would wave his hands if he could. “Are you really the same guy? Like my shadow or something?”

  “Did I not already answer that?”

  “Yeah, no.” his voice bounces off the darkness. “Besides, you didn’t speak like this before. Are you even the same thing?”

  “Maybbbe that form was a mix of mine and Hers?”

  “Dude, you sound not so sure yourself.” he grumbles, pulling at the restrains once more. No budge.

  “Easiest way to explain would beeeee, a save slot, I guess?” the shadows gather slowly, as in thought. “Like, an impression cast with iron.”

  “Huh.” is only thing he gets out. SO okay, Shadow thing with a freaking tail was him. But the talking part was done by this guy, whoever he was and Lady Bone Demon together? Man that was… confusing and… complicated… and way out of his league. Also what was that analogy with iron and stuff? What even- “Why do you talk so weird? It’s like hearing Mei and Macaque talking in the same time and I am not here for that.”

  “Some stuff gets muddled.” MK’s face falls. He was getting sick and tired of this youngish mokeyish guy. “I wonder, will your friends come for you?”

  “Of course they will!” he shoots like a cannon but-

  “Really?” it feels way too close, almost to the ear close. However, when he turns to the sound he is met with pitch black. “You amassed quite a group. A found family, a friendly neighbour Nezha, a firecracker, Mac and The Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal himself.” the tone is no longer of that weirdly kind guy. It’s off-putting, like too close, resonating in his head instead of his ears. Also, Mac gets called… Mac ? He was pretty sure only one who called him that is Monkey King and… he did too? Also, Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal instead of “simian” or “Monkey King”? Weird if it was some demon with a grudge.

  “I have a hunch that you don’t like them.” he starts. “You do seem to like Mac which is… you know, frankly, concerning.” the voice again sounds a short laugh.

  “I have no qualms your friends. You on the other hand-”it drifts, almost too close again. Neat. An enemy. Suddenly, something shifts and MK finds himself cheek to the freezing floor. “You are an interesting kid. So much yet so little at the same time.”

  “First of all, ouch. Second, are you some random demon whose house broke? Look sorry dude but we mess up a looot of houses-” he grumbles, moving his head to the side so he could stare into darkness again.

  “Don’t be naive kid.” it answers- “I don’t want to fight you.” Well, now colour him surprised. Than what the heck was that moments ago? “It is necessary for now is all.” before MK has time to even bonk his head against that one, the voice speaks again. “Look in the ice. Some things become clearer.” for a moment, MK has no clue what the voice asks him to do. Of course, that’s when he is remained that there was a hard surface underneath his chin that was stinging him right about now. Well, no matter how hard he stared at the surface it gave off no light, no glow. No… transparency? Nothing? Scrunching his eyes a bit more, again, nothing could be seen but darkness. But… there was a feeling? A cold and chilling, bone freezing cracking. Haunting. “While you might be talking with me on friendly terms, do not forget what you cannot see.”

  “And what does that mean!?” it’s just frustration speaking really. Pulling at restraints yields no result and neither does his outburst provides him an answer. The voice quietens, leaving only to cold air and dragging darkness. Calm down MK. Focus. You are possessed and there is another creature in your head besides you and LBD. Neat. Great. Sure. Some demon that Monkey King wronged or something probably. Double neat.

  Okay. Focus. Seeing but not seeing. Forgetting to see. What was he forgetting? Was the guy just saying stuff like: “Don’t get too chummy with me while you are killing your friends outside you-” Nope. Don’t think about that. Focus. Maybe the answer was really easy? Like maybe “close your eyes”? But nah, that would be too easy. Right? Riiight?

  MK does just that and suddenly, he scrambling at the darkness. With a quick and regretful look, he finds himself in the free-fall through really, really freezing air. He thinks for a moment that he should maybe, you know, do something but he slams into ice below too fast. The ground is cold and twisted, soft and hard at the same time. Ew. Picking himself up, surprisingly, he sees nothing when he opens his eyes. He is in the darkness again. Just this time with unbound hands and colder temperature. Great. Good thing no concussions this time.

  “You know, you could’ve just told me to close my eyes.” he grumbles, not really expecting an answer and well, he gets none.

  Everything was so… off. Even without seeing, he knew. Under his feet, it felt as if he stood in freezing muck, trapping and sticky. At the same time it felt like… ice? Or water. Quicksand maybe. Nope. He wasn't sinking. He did hug himself though, because it was cold. Really cold. The world tilted unnaturally at the axis since he didn’t really knowing which way way up or down or left. Dizzying. Okay, maaybe concussion. Suddenly, a pair of footsteps sound the darkness but as soon as he turns his head to it, it’s gone.

  “Hello?” nope, no answer. Clearly, he was wrong when he said that the voice was worse than no voice because now his ears heard stuff that wasn’t even there. A shiver passes him by and he jerks to the side. Again, he is met with nothing and again, his hair stands on its ends.

  The sound comes again, light and tapping. Those… were not footsteps? Vaguely he faces towards what he presumed was up or rather, where he thought he fell through. Following the sound, he found it to be some sort of…. Something dripping from the top. Although if he strained his ears just a tiny bit harder, he could hear, behind the drip a vague voice. Welp, there goes nothing.

  He closed his eyes, focusing on the sound and-

  “Coward.” it speaks, loud enough for his eyes to snap right back open. It’s… his voice that speaks. As a droplet falls again, it lights the room when it hits the surface of unsteady ground. For a moment, he sees an outline of a shadow creature in blue glow. Purple eyes light and fade again. “Coward.” it speaks with the echo of the droplet. Now, it might look like Mac but he was like 100% it was not him. Mac could mimic the voices but… well- that definitely wasn’t him.

  One more droplet echoes, again lighting the room with an impossible light source, revealing the green and purple, fading in moment as if they were a dimmed flame.

  “Indecisive coward.” he hears himself speak. What was-

  “Weak, indecisive coward.” it adds with shine of blue.

  “Stupid, useless, indecisive coward.”

  “Irresponsible, stupid, useless, indecisive coward.” now that the light lights up the room, he sees a mass of eyes, staring at him from the dark. Those shapes, were familiar somehow somewhere in his head although his bodies only reaction was to violently jerk away from them. As the light fades, this time the eyes stay, burrowing into him, accusing him. He knew the eyes. He knew the shapes. He also knew those shapes weren’t his friends but at the moment, in the knee jerking reaction, it only made sense.

  The muddy ice gives in under his leg, swallowing it before he can pull away. Somewhere in his frantic mind, he pulls at it in the dark but to no avail. The droplet falls once again, eyes dispersing with the light. The relief lasts like, a moment, because as soon as dark falls the mass of eyes comes closer prompting him to pull at his leg in more panic. They continue to whisper, his voice and all, scrambling against the skull as if Lady Bone Demon herself was there. They pressed against his ears, suffocating and clawing-

  “Just close your eyes.” he whips his head around but finds nobody. Pulling his leg again, he finds it won’t move an inch. Which is why- “Close them.” it bounces again with the same tone. It… somehow reminds him of Monkey King. Somehow. Yeah whatever. Those eyes were like a finger away and the forms he could see now were definitely of his friends end- he takes a deep breath. Whatever the light was still there, it went away.

  Whispering was still there, louder, pressing, drowning- Whatever adjective you could add to it. But now, face in face with those voices, he did not find the outlines of his friends. Instead it was just… him. Five versions of himself. Swallowing a lump in his throat, he speaks up to all of his copies.

  “Didn’t we go through this already?” they stare all at him for a moment. In tendon, they coax their head to right and speak, all in one voice.

  “Than why do we still feels this way?” it’s icy, up to neck in cold water and freezing. His eyes snap again to be greeted by no shadows or darkness but to over helming whiteness of the room. His leg in no longer stuck in anything by the looks of it but as soon as he tries to hop on his feet- yep - his legs part like of small deer or something. Ice. Nice.

  “You still don’t get it do you?” the repeating voice rings from behind. With a slow tilt of his head, he finds the shadowy boney icey monkish thing that looked like him, standing with- a staff!? The golden staff easily rested in it’s… tail like thing. The thing is the creature was lit up, uncovering all the tarry black, sticking bones and frozen ice.It even seemed to have a muzzle, like a monkey which plastered on his face was very very weird. Noticing his look, the creature leans so he is looking at it’s weird, ice covered eyes. “Buddy, you are acting stupid.” this time the voice sounds closer to the one that attacked them, in the tone that is.

  “Hey, you are that voice!” even as he jumps to his feet, his legs skid on the floor, almost comically making him do a split. The creature snorts, letting out a small chuckle from it’s… mouth? Snout? Whatever. It’s form glitches for a moment, to the shadow one akin to others but it’s eyes were glowing golden light, almost too fast for him to notice. “Are you Monkey King’s copy or… something?”

  “Dummy buddy-” the creature sighs softly with a mannerism he is pretty sure he saw in Macaque. “We are you. ” with a voice of other five copies ringing through the room. “How can you still not get it?” the creature moves a step closer to which MK takes a step back.

  “Give me the staff.” he presses firmly against the creature. Ask questions later. He needed that thing. With annoyed look the creature takes the staff in it’s hand. It looks up and down, as if measuring it.

  “And what will you do with it?”

  “If you were me, and I am still not on board with that, you know we need it to beat the Lady Bone Demon.” the creature tears it’s eyes from the staff.

  “Yeah, LBD.” with an uninterested look it throws the staff in the middle of the room so that it skids to a halt between them. “This thing doesn’t belong to us. ” with a throw which MK would describe as probablyyy bone shattering, the staff gets yeeted behind it where it sticks landing in the wall and budges no more.

  “Dude we need that!”

  “No we don’t.” it snarls back, showing the teeth similarly as if some animal. “What we need is far from the staff!” what did he need -

  “Jeez, alright maybe some therapy with Mac or Mei or something? When we beat the Lady Bone Demon-”

  “- We both know it’s not true.” the creature finishes the sentence. “All those lessons and you still don’t get it. Fine.” it’s hostility drops down a notch. Maybe. Not completely. It simmers. “Prove to us that you see no evil.”

  “Alright! Hedgehog gang, Support gang, Super Secret Infiltration Gang and Kick-ass Gang, move out!”

  “Your naming of plans is as awful as ever.”

  What Macaque gets as answer is a prompt, sticking of tongue.

Chapter Text

  From the far off icicle, Wukong watched a distinctive explosion under the giant looming mech. With a whistle golden light spread out, stark against blue with a familiar yet far away magic. Probably Tang’s doing. Alrighty, they had their distraction of team Hedgedhog and Support Team. Now they only needed to do frontal attack and free MK. Easy and in a bag. Hopefully. With a turn on the heel, he smirks, facing his reluctant companion.

  “You ready to do this Macaque?”

  “Certain I won’t stab you in the back, Great Sage?” he feels familiar chill in the spine. Somehow, he can’t stop his tail from flipping in amusement.

  “I am pretty sure I am safer one here.” with a brisk hop, he finds himself on the cloud. “Besides, I trust you.” it comes so naturally off his tongue that he barely notices what he said. It’s also something, he momently regrets. Not because he lied or something but rather because well- “Shoot. Sorry.” What’s gone cannot be returned. He is ready to be growled or snarled at, whatever Macaque felt was right. Maybe even being tossed into silence would be alright. Grumpy monkey however, decides to continues to surprise him.

  “Don’t die.” is what he gets back.

  “That goes both ways.” he keeps his tone quiet, frown deepening as they pass on the distracting strike. Macaque was right, she did have some spirits swarming beneath the mech. Low and desperate, clawing at the ice and mud. If nothing, Wukong trusted that Nezha, Pigsy, Sandy and Tang would give them swift and peaceful rest.

  Jumping off his cloud on the summit of the ice, face to face of her mech, immediately scanning the surroundings. She stood smiling in front of the mech, still in the body of the vessel. A human girl, not much older or younger or older than MK. MK. Right.

  “So you have chosen to show your face, simian.” she speaks, a thousand whispers echoing it into the night.

  “It’s time for you to give back what you stole.” his voice is low, snarling even.

  “I do wonder what have I stolen from you?” his tail flickers. “Are you referring to the things you stolen from yourself? Such as your future with Six Ears? Or perhaps good relationship with MK?” before she can even chuckle, he finds himself charging at her. His fist never finds the mark however, slamming into quite a forceful shield. Actually, maybe, it was a hand that stopped him. They counted on that, she would definitely use MK as a living shield. MK who was not even the least bit immortal. That was the point. Two barging chips against two monkeys who usually fought with… not much of hesitation. “Which reminds me, did that coward of Six Ears turn his tail once more? I must say, it is not surprising at all.” Wukong has the sense to dodge as icicles burrow from the back into ice where he stood before.

  Even before he recovers his footing, what he presumes is MK charges and slams into his guard. As he catches his hand- paws? He gets to look past smoke and anger to a form his student is in. The kid is covered in… ice and a bit of tar? Vaguely he connects in his brain that he saw that tar before, in the Underworld of all things. The same muddy substance those restless ghosts were covered in between here and there. Both bad news but both accounted for. The rest of its form was, monkeyish to say at least. He had the tail, he had the snout and claws all made from same tarry substance. The only thing that stood out were his completely blank blue eyes. They outright glowed which would be absolutely funny if it wasn’t downright terrifying.

  The strength kid used was definitely tapping into his powers because ouch , that punch actually hurts . I have to be careful, not my best suite, but I have to be. That was all that got through his head as he pulled the other’s arm and slammed him into ice under his feet.

  “It’s still MK’s body. Don’t under any circumstances go all out.” yeah sure, easy for you to say an echo of Macaque. That thought didn’t linger for long because well, he had a punch to block. And yeah some ice magic on his left. A bit on the right. A smidgen of the kick down. Andddd putting a bit of distance between two. A wrap for now.

  She stood behind the creature that was MK while tar fell from his students body. Eeew but also worrying. Really worrying. The way his body swayed, arms limp, eyes looking but not seeing anything- If anything he looked like a puppet strung on strings or-

  Looking down through the rainfall, he only saw unmoving body covered with mud and blood. Hand shaking, barely feeling tips of his own finger, reaching down to the muddy and bloody- cold. Alive but cold. Bleeding. The one who did it was hi-

  His reflexes gave way for him to dodge the encasing ice she summoned, only to raise his hands to defend himself from a kick to the head. Or few. Yeah a few of tarry creatures. Actually, this could work. A split second he gets before getting throw absolutely who knows where he takes to wrap his tail around real MK’s leg, using the force to throw them both back.

  Man did they fly through the air. However, they slammed into vast nothing. There he stopped his weightless trajectory, pulling MK with him.

  Exiting back through the different exit, the other onehe made, he found himself back to square one, face to face with Lady Bone Demon.

  “Six Ears still lingers than? His little trick will never work.” she smiles confidently, toothy grin of a skeleton pulsing behind her. “Such a shame he won’t show his face, I have much to tell him. Now than, where have we left off simian?”

  He chooses not to answer that. Lady Bone Demon finds no flaw in that, as much as bragged of knowing destiny of everything. Yet, she just did not know, what stood in front of her was Wukong no more.

  The other him, guy, just stood in front of him, menacingly. It’s not like he is threatening him but it’s not like he is exactly letting him go. And what did the guy even want? See no evil? What was that about? Sure, he did have a theme about covering his eyes and the guy had ice over his eyes and-

  “It’s a metaphor, MK. Some say it would roughly mean something like:“Think kindly, speak nicely and do good deeds.”. However in modern terms it’s usually referred to cowards and villains who avert their eyes from evil, close their ears from evil and speak evil. Basically it is a critique of turning the blind eye, ear and causing evil.” Mr. Tang speaks clearly in his own head. So what exactly would he need to prove to himself at this point? After all he needed that staff back, kick LBD and get his friends sav-

  “Have you racked your pea brain for answer kid?” the creature speaks.

  “Well if I have a pea brain so do you.” is the best thing he shoots back. “Besides you would know what I am thinking!” the other him seems to take little offence to words being said.

  “That this is all stalling you from taking staff? That we are some kind of LBD’s trick? That she is using you to beat you friends? Which one of those?” the other him legit snarls. Full on “stop messing with Macaque” snarl. “Doesn’t it ring in the head that I want the exact same thing as you do!?” the Monkey King’s visage breaks into a form for a moment before fading just as fast as it came.

  “Well why are we going over this than!?”

  “Because without we are done.” a shiver passes him. “The whole world is done.” this won’t go anywhere. MK takes a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut even if his hair stands on it’s ends. The five copies still stand early around the copy of his. They still looked and whispered the same old stuff he heard before, sending shiver up his spine. Even him that wasn’t him looked just like his reflection. Maybe too normal to what he got used to now. Well, opening his eyes corrected it, back to shadowy creature copying him.

  For a moment, he shifts his weight, thinking of taking the step back but his leg sinks through icy mud again. With a tug and a bit more panic than he wanted, he tries to pull it out but to no avail. When he gets his attention off his leg, the monkey him but not him is maybe like a meter away from him which promptly makes him recoil and- his other legs breaks the surface and s inks too. Man this is how characters in quicksand in video games must feel huh.

  “She is using our body again.” with a swish of a tail, the guy continues: “They have come to save us.” MK pauses his frantic pulling. “I see, Monkey King.” with a smooth turn to their left, he saw a wall of white room crack. And a bit more. The purple glow penetrated the cracks while some blackish liquid spilled over them. And MK had just a moment to think before the wall collapsed with a mess of blackish disgusting mud and purple glow. Even his counterpart recoiled at the mass, looking definitely disgusted. For like a solid minute nothing more happened before a stir.

  “Man, this is disgusting. Next time Macaque is going through this-” and there is his mentor, rising from the vile pile casually, back to them. “Aw maaaan, my fur is- Why is there six of you bud?” he finally looks from himself to them. MK thinks he can cry of happiness or maybe, he actually does cry a bit. Other him is not really as pleased, snarling.

  “Monkey King!” forgetting he is still glued to floor, he promptly ends up on his face. When he picks himself up, he does not find Monkey King looking even remotely as happy. Rude. He is looking at the other him through, face between worry, confusion and something else. “Monkey King?” with a blink and a jolt, the world shifts, maybe he sinks. Well, he is not really sure about what exactly happens but-

  He is not facing Monkey King any more. Blinking once- twice, he finds himself in familiar and repetitive dark place.

  “Buddy- I-” the sentence echoed his ears pretty soundly. The problem is that he literally cannot see. Again.

  “Dude I am so glad you are here Monkey King! And look, look, I found the staff, with it we can beat LBD!” it’s weird and weightless feeling, being turned around without having a say in it? Like seriously how did this even work-

  “Bud, that staff is just a big stick, besides size changing I guess.” well than why-

  “Oh…” did he even try all that time? “I didn’t- I still don’t have my powers back.” it’s not really a thing he wants to say to his mentor by the long shot. It’s not like he has a choice either. Because no matter how loud he yells nothing really goes through, at least not in the dark- wait a minute.

  Closing his eyes, he kind of freaks because well, he got it now. What he sees is Monkey King and all. Well, there it goes, he kinda got it. Maybe.

  “So-” leaves his mouth. Because whelp, there he was, that shadowy copy was himself. The whole time he was arguing with himself. There was literally nothing more to it. Kinda stupid he even thought there was. It was always him. Funny actually, maybe he convinced himself that it really wasn’t him himself that was just being monkeyish ass. Whatever it was, well, it didn’t really matter now. “Are you disappointed Monkey King?”

  “Kid, I was never disappointed in you.” of course he would say that. “I am seri-” he hesitates-

  “Than why don’t you trust me with anything.” clearly, he feels his “tail” swishing. “I bet only reason you let me be a bait is because Mac forced you to agree.” the frustration boils just beneath the surface, mixing with happiness and anger and sadness, just… everything. Everything and nothing.

  “That’s not your fault kid. I can’t-” he can see frustration in that strange hand gesture he gets. “When I travelled with my companions- no even before that, when I was with Macaque- I told them everything.” MK feels his head tilt. “Everything.” regret. “Once, I was afraid, like super afraid, of dying so I erased the names of monkeys yadayada you know the story. But I- still lost Macaque eventually. And my mortal companions too, eventually I lost. It’s just- I can’t loose anyone any more.” the sadness must be contagious, because it scrapes against his ears. “I wanted this to be my final time but in closing myself, all I did was hurt you. Just threw all of the weight on you regardless of how you felt. Sorry, kid.” somewhere in his head it registers vaguely what actually Monkey King meant. The immortal Monkey King was willing to sacrifice himself and erase his own guilt.

  “You-?” form glitching into Monkey King’s in the ice and back to his own while Monkey King cuts in.

  “Yeaaaaah but Macaque decided to beat some sense into me.” he sighs. “The thing is kid, I am not going anywhere again. I mean, I can’t guarantee it. Like maybe someone kidnaps me or something but under my own volition, I won’t go anywhere. I promise.” Monkey King takes a step forward. “And all that stuff you are feeling is important. It’s you. That’s not something you can escape from.” Monkey King bites his tongue before breathing out once more. “I… am sometimes cowardly and reckless and irresponsible and stupid and indecisive and, forbid Macaque hears this on Celestial realm or Earth, stupid. It’s just how things go with people and.. monkeys I guess? The point is, what is important that you learn from it and- become better in the end. With time yo- we will get better at it. Together. Alright, MK?”

  It click a bit too abruptly to him just as Monkey King calls him by the name. He didn’t see Monkey King as perfect person- monkey guy but he held him in high regard, higher than himself. Yet the guy was really really flawed. Someone who really shouldn’t be completely idolized and someone who closed himself completely off. Someone who just needed help as he did. Thaaaat was probbaaably what Mac wanted to show him originally and why he got him to speak to his friends, huh? Great foresight there, Mac. Meanwhile, Monkey King was still in front of him, moving hands as if trying to explain some complicated two plus three mumbo jumbo problem to him. Well, shouldn’t leave the the world, no, himself waiting.

 “Alright, Monkey King.” the nice peaceful and quiet moment gets shattered almost immediately. The room cracks and breaks, leaving him without footing. Which wooo he was free but also, nope because he was falling to the muddy blackish tar below. In time however, Monkey Tail gets him, off all things so he is no falling, just dangling. If only he could get his powers back tha-

  “Remember, the staff is just an old relic!” somewhere over the rubble he hears him. “What really matters all along is you, MK!” That’s the thing. That was the answer to the riddle! Big brain MK time! And with tip of the finger and call to it, he felt the warm energy back, transforming into a bird. In the same vein, Monkey King followed with a smirk, two flying up and up, towards where he first fell and out of the dream.

  Macaque hated this. Not really because he was right now, playing the part of the hero but because even if he wanted to make a move he really couldn’t. Not with the girl being used as a vessel and definitely not with how limited his powers were as Wukong. He couldn’t copy his full power anyway and being limited to not using shadow were not his forte. Still, he could play the role of dimwitted idiot long enough for those two dumbasses to get back.

  Dodging another icicle his way, knocking the other with a punch, it was a tiring dance while the demon just smirked, looking down on him. As if she had the control with that destiny of hers and yet, she did not even know who she was fighting with. Vanity. Unfortunately for her, she might be able to see the destiny but not hear the present. So he is finally opening up, huh?

  “You must be growing tired of this charade, Monkey King.” the awful whispering she brought back increases, making him stumble just a bit. Of course, as vultures do, she took the opportunity to try and nail him with a blast of ice. He is bird before she even notices and rushes at her, only to meet an icy shield. The thing is, the thing cracks as his fist meets it and breaks, forcing her to move back. “My, still ferocious I see. No wonder you were able to kill poor Six Ears even after day turned to night.” his fur stands on it’s ends.

  “I think you got it wrong demon, you were the only that killed him.” to add something for extra Wukong anger, he lunges again, well knowing he will either be deflected OR be forced to dodge something. The answer is a, as he gets promptly smacked back by whatever was that, bone or ice flying at high speed. Not that she really hurt him, more grazed but being an actor kind of guy, he did know how to fake being injured.

  “Do not be absurd, Sun Wukong. We both know that you killed him as soon as you hurt him, the destiny of death was sealed at that moment. The only responsible was you.” at some point Macaque thought the same. Liu’ Er died the moment claws met his face and there was nothing more to it. He was a shadow, after all, nothing more and nothing less. Yet, the one who ultimately dealt the blow was he himself, destroying their home in rage and seeking the monk for the last time out of spite. “And the same will be done to your student.” his teeth bare in response, tail swishing and ears pulling back.

  “Keep the kid out of this.” the snarl comes out naturally out of his mouth, no acting needed.

  “Or so you might’ve kept him out of this yourself. Such a shame, he seems like such a good child.” the smirk in her words makes him ill. “No matter. The world will soon become the blank state and none should worry-” she stops, face turning to surprise. Well, well, there go the clones.

  “It seems your destiny is not proceeding as planned.” he allows a smirk into his voice. THAT gets her attention. “And all that talk about destiny.” his voice barely sustains itself from letting it seep into his normal one.

  “If we plan to attack her head on, I need to be diversion, you need to get the kid back. She won’t try to attack me carelessly if I wear your face and neither will her mind tricks work. Plus I won’t run in  the trap as easily as you, peach brain.”

  “Peach brain!?”

  Just as he thought, the realization hits her a moment too late. That moment in which she charged was all too much too late because when he finally opened his portal back into the world, golden light slammed between them, on the spot where the staff was frozen to the ground. When the golden light cleared, Macaque snorted. Of all looks, the two were covered in mud, torn clothes and all. The funniest thing was that they held heads high as if they arrived on some white horse. The staff that rested into the cold ground below was now in both of their hand, one held under the other. At least they got something settled. Lady Bone Demon on other hand got thrown into ice behind her, face to frame.

  “Kiddo, Wukong, pleasure to see you.” he says, appearing behind them, from their joined shadow. “You look flawless.”

  “Mac!” kid nearly turns his head into his face. “Oh man am I glad to see you!” the way he grins while mud just… plops off his face is definitely a sight.

  “Seriously?! Next time you are diving into mud.”is the answer he gets from the other side. He doesn’t look at him on purpose, safe from reaction to kid actually calling him “Mac”.

  “Oh, Great Sage you will need to lounge with monkeys for day or two so you can get cleaned. The nightmare.” the damage his jab makes Wukong’s brow twitch. “How are you doing kid? Everything on it’s place?”

  “Wellll, besides a concussion or two pretty cool. Ohhh, I have to tell you about-” he uses his hand to turn MK’s face towards Lady Bone Demon. “-Oh.”

  “How could the three of you insolent simians even achieve such a thing?!” freedom from the power probably meant that well, Lady Bone Demon was back to her full strength. And if she was at her fullest strength than it probably meant that-

  “Wukong!” with a growl he sinks into shadows, diving in time to catch the vessel of a girl that she ditched.

  “On it!” and they are both off the icy platform. He has the girl and Wukong has MK and both will land to the icy battlefield below. Well, previously battlefield, he guessed since those ghosts were no longer to be seen. Apparently, Hedgehog and Support Gang won their battle. Landing to hurt the unconscious girl as little as he could, Macaque turned to the robot. The thing was whirring to life alongside with the disgusting ghost above it. Pulling his lips into a snarl, he backed up a step.

  “Kid!” comes from behind followed by quick “Dadsy!”. Alright coast clear. Turning to his right, he quite frankly stored the girl next to a stone, where the scholar stood. With a quick nod, Tang seems to get the message and nods, activating a small yet interesting circle of magic around the girl. Thereafter he joined the front line, right by Wukong’s and MK’s side.

  “Alrrriight, Monkey Dudes, what’s the plan?” is what comes out of MK’s mouth.

  “There is no plan after this MK.”

  “Okay than we- What do you mean there is no plan!?” Mk screams to his left, putting all but three of his ears out of the commission.

  “You creatures, have you forgotten!? The one who will save this rotten worl-” the side of the robot explodes open with green flame. Macaque feels his smirk picking up. There goes Super Secret Infiltration Gang. With what was probably banshee scream the dragon roared and moved, right by their side and looming over them, it’s body protectively curled around everyone. It radiated heat, warming up the frozen battlefield.

  “Mei!” that kid, was vastly easily impressed. In response the dragon grumbles and spits with a force of a meteor another person. The same person ends up next to recoiling Wukong who does endinfg up picking up the guy with his tail and setting him to his feet.

  “Seriously, your driving is atrocious!” the blob is screaming already to dismay of everyone with nerves.

  “Sorryyyy Red Boy!” comes apologetic answer from upwards. “Also Monkie Dude, you are alright!” MK sticks his thumb up in approval. He thinks he hears Nezha mumbling distinctively behind them, towards Sandy:

  “Are… they always like this?” to which he guesses Sandy promptly nods because there is a sigh.

  “Give it up Lady Bone Demon! Your mech is nearly destroyed done. We beat you!” turns MK in apparent strike of heroics. At this point he thought, he would open his mouth and curse the witch from depths of his soul. Maybe beat her, steal the last move and laugh it off. Yet, he felt nothing more than a sting of pride when the kid spoke up against the enemy. His tone was sharp and commanding, something he thought the kid firmly lacked. It didn’t seem like hand of peace but a firm last chance to cease. If he did spare her he might’ve done with her himself. Att this point, it seemed, even to naive MK, probably rang that some things cannot be forgiven.

  “This is but a minor setback. What are you going to do!? You are just a delivery boy that needed to be saved from a problem he created by himself! Nothing but a cowardly simian!” MK does not bear his teeth to her but defiantly steps up, staff in the hand. Pigsy looks ready to make a move but Wukong stops him.

  “There are things besides worst quality of someone!” it echoes with a thump of staff. The monkey robot thing. “Mecha” is what Mei would say.”You can’t judge things on their worst qualities!” resounds even louder. That was kid’s resounding no to whatever she was selling.

  “Don’t be absurd child! This rotten world- Should be remade! The future with no suffering is in your hands yet you throw it away!?” it’s hand transforms into a sword, intended to swing at MK’s mech forming. That was last ditch effort she had. Pathetic. Before it can even reach him, it’s caught in the mouth of a looming green beast.

  “Even so, this world is one that we are willing to protect!” with a flash of golden, the magic circle spreads around their feet. Above too. All around. The monk’s magic- is what a chill up his spine tells him. It’s beaconing, calling. Wukong and Nezha must feel it too, right down to tips of their fingers. The other hand of the mech turns to blade too but this time, Third Prince makes himself useful and full stops it, holding it off with mild effectiveness.

  “Even the best dish has some minor imperfections, that’s what makes them special!” the pig demon runs his mouth too. Even the cat meows in approval, prompting the giant to talk too.

  “We stand together to shine, no matter how world dark might be!”

  “I will not indulge you all in speeches but- Let’s melt some ice already!” that’s manic cry of someone over the edge and definitely a step away from the Red Kid.

  “Stop with your childish notion! No!-” the golden light reaches into the mech, spreads into it’s very cracks. Not one of his friends doesn’t seem to completely understand what’s actually happening. That… He catches a look from Wukong. They just nod in union, there is nothing more to it. He reaches into his core, the shadow and magic, lending it off his fingertips and to the kid. Nothing more and nothing less without a second thought. So be it. If he was to disappear from the lack of it, it should be by this.

  “The world is what YOU make of it! And this world, surrounded by my friends is PERFECT!” in just a blink, there is an even larger golden robot. Somehow somewhere, Macaque thinks, maybe kid achieved enlightenment or something. And look at that, allhis friends are with him. In the same time, the swords clearly crack, freeing the dragon’s flame onto the air around them. Probably freeing a tantrum from eternal teenager too. It’s all distinctively floaty, maybe he overdid it. Maybe he was going to disappear. And maybe- He gets nudged on a rib by Wukong of all people. The monkey is holding his hand to the giant stick mech holds. There is something in his face, a big grin. Like a cat that stole milk, he proudly says with no words, just how he feels about all this.

  “You will not take my destiny from me!” it’s a last ditch effort of the broken mech that puts up the barrier between itself and MK. With a sigh, he moves himself to the staff all the same, right in front of Wukong. He has a little less than a moment to realize how for the first time in centuries, his fur doesn’t stand on its ends at the mere thought of leaving himself open, especially to Monkey King. The warm flame that glows green covers the staff too, protecting them all from the magic.

  “Here. Comes. Monkie. Kid!” it echoes from the back, the staff moves and-

  The world turns silent.

  MK finds himself in a world not so different from before. All that white glow and sterilized background and- blah . Turning on his heel, he does see the true look of Lady Bone Demon, floating there.   How did she do that? Nope, no idea. Before he gets a chance to speak, she does but no chill is found in her voice.

  “Save the heroics, I’ve lived long enough to know it’s done.” She seems oddly… human yet something more. It’s really positively weird. “By you no less, the child that could not see past it’s own flaws.”

  “Well, you did help me with that, so you know, thanks? I guess?” there is a weirdly eternal chuckle to all that. “You saw the bad in everything but yourself while I saw bad in myself and nothing else. Blah, I try not to think too much but we are weirdly-”

  “The same?” he recoils when her face appears right next to his. “We both fight for what we believe is right, no matter how others look at it, isn’t that right?” if she expected him to answer, he gets like no time to do so. “Do know this monkey, the path you’ve taken leads to nothing but-”

  “The destiny?” he tries to finish her sentence but that only elicits a smile of amusement.

  “To pain.” with that Lady Bone Demon fades from existence, leaving him frankly, a bit bummed out.

  The next time he blinks however, he is out of that whitey place and standing on the firm ground, overlooking the hole in which bone mech stood. There are no traces of it or the ice, everything back to it’s place. The birds chirped for like, first time in days and sun, theeeee suuuuuun. Turning on his heel, he faces his friends. Those guys… He smiles, probably a bit like an idiot.

  “MK!” Mei runs to him like a hunting dog, gets them both knocked to ground. Laughing he manages to wrestle the dragon’s grasp and get to his feet.

  “You were awesome Mei!” they share a fist bump as he turns to other guys. “You guys too! We kicked some boney butt!” with that the others rush him, apparently time for a group hug. Man, did I miss a group hug or two. It’s all warm and mushy and nice, all of them together again. As they let go, another voice speaks up but surprise it’s not actually Nezha who is cosplaying a loner off to side.

  “You did well too MK. Really kicked her butt.” he finds voice of Monkey King in front of him, smiling brightly. Nah, you old monkey you are not getting away from it. Before his mentor has the time to even flinch he pulls the guy into a hug. For a moment his mentor is stiff as a board. It takes a moment but eventually he does return the hug. Well maybe not really, more like awkwardly holding him but hey, he will take that too. “I am sorry for-” it’s quiet, probably only Macaque could hear that.

  “I know.” before Monkey King can finish, he answers. In total he managed to hug Monkey King for maybe fifteen seconds tops before he let go so he wouldn’t push it past his mentor’s limit. Monkey King probably had a heart attack already, no need for aneurysm or something. Now that he looked around though, where was… “Where is Macaque?”

  “The lazy guy? On the van, enjoying the sun per usual.”as if something clicks, Monkey King marches to the truck. “Come on already, you doormat. Some physical contact won’t turn you to salt!” from the shadows on the truck, two glowing purple eyes appeared. All through… Yep, that confirmed. That was not even the real Macaque. With a slight shiver, he gets where the monkey is.

  “Good job kiddo.” the shadow whispers than continues: “I would love to stay to exchange pleasantries but you know, it’s not really my thing so-”

  “Well, this earns a good hardy meal so that we can replenish the nutrients for a hearty soul. Pigsy?”

  “Yeah, yeah, ya wait just a bit.”

  “Well, on second thought, I might not pass up on a free meal.”he pops out of his shadow, tail flickering, wearing a smirk. “And Wukong? How much will you bark up the empty van?” with that Monkey King turns on his heel, positively furious. Like some bickering siblings. Well, whatever, he was getting repaid what was due now.

  With a swift turn and lighting speed, he turns back to Macaque, ready to get that promised hug! Only thing is that MK slips through the air, shadows dissipating before he could ever reach them.

  “Oops, you still have to train a bit kiddo.” the guy IS this time on the van, lounging and smirking.

  “You are an absolute pain!” he finds himself yelling but that only gets the shadow monkey smirking more.

  “Thanks, I try.” oh now he wanted to smack him. Absolutely without question.

  But the stupidest thing about all this, is that MK wouldn’t have it any other way.

  “So Mei and Red Son sabotaged the mech from inside, Mr. Tang, Dadsy, Sandy and Nezha fought a small army. Mac and Monkey King were to free me and there was the end of it?”

  “Yeeep.” Monkey King nods but MK pauses.

  “Wait wait waiiiit you didn’t have ANY plan after you freed me? Seriously!? What was the master planner doing? Sleeping?” he jabs Macaque who surprisingly, joined them for food by the fire. Granted a bit further but hey, he still sat by them. He would take that.

  “Nah, once we got you bud, there wasn’t any doubt we would win sooo- I let the guy sleep a bit more.” Monkey King speaks, mouth full of food. Macaque only snorts at the notion but doesn’t speak anything back.

  “I still don’t get why we were ‘Hedgehog’ Gang.” Nezha spoke from the side.

  “Oh come on, it’s like one of most popular characters evvver. Like a speed guy? Hedgehog?” Oh, Nezha is fast. Hedgehog. Yeah, good job Mei. Nezha still looks eternally confused. “My guy, these dudes don’t know anyyyything.”

  “Well ‘Super Secret Infiltration’ Gang wasn’t the best name either.” to answer Red Sons complaint, Mei just nudges the guy on the shoulder. That surprisingly does the trick.

  “Mei wasn’t the only one naming the groups, you know?” Mac speaks up from his spot, shooting daggers at Monkey King who was just- avoiding his gaze stubbornly.

  “Oh by the way, Mr. Tang? What was that magic you used?” MK tilts his head while the guy in question stops mild slurp of the noodle.

  “I- Hm. I don’t know actually.” and that’s a wrap. “It just came to me.” holy Monkey King they could’ve died really easily. Really eassssily.

  “And what was that shadow guy that looked more like a Monkey King than yourself?” ah shoot. Dadsy goes straight to the point.

  “Yeah who was that dude?” not you too Mei. For a moment he looks around, looking for any support against the idea. Macaque is still absently eating but he can tell that he is listening with those ears of his. Traitor. Monkey King on other hand vaguely gestures him with his hand, as if saying “Go on.” or something. Taking a breath, a pet for Mo and here we go:

  “It wasn’t some spirit or something. She just used well, things I thought about myself, and gave them more power. It was me the whole time but it being well, me it wanted to beat Lady Bone Demon as well. It just had, ah, weird way of motivating.” he scratches back of his head. “Once I got it was me, there wasn’t an enemy to fight. Monkey King bailed me out so everything turned out oookay.” silence turns a bit awkward and MK turns his eyes to noodles. Okay so- He could stop there but than what really he learnt from everything? Nothing. Settling down the bowl, he clears his throat and speaks against the resounding silence. “I guess, without powers and with them, I felt inferior to you guys. Mac always said before that I acted like Monkey King, someone he clearly didn’t like at all. Shout out to Mac and Mei and you guys for talking about it with me, but it didn’t stop things from just hanging out in my thoughts? I guess?”

  “Aw Monkie Man.” Mei touches his shoulder, looking at him. “Thanks for telling us.” in response MK can only sniffle a bit.

  “If ya feel anything like that ever ever again don’t feel sorry or afraid to tell us. We will listen to ya.” Dadsy puts a hand on his other shoulder.

  “Count me in too, after all what are friends for.” Sandy smiles, just moving closer to him.

  “We could use a story or two to cheer you up, right?” Mr. Tang smiles at him.

  “It’s not like I would be too interested but I guess I wouldn’t mind talking to you sometime.” Mei snorts and pulls the Red Son, ending up in another group hug.

  “As your local deity, protector of children, I wouldn’t mind listening to your quarries either.” even Nezha even through he doesn’t seem to be huggable kind so he stays at sidelines.

  “Thanks guys.” on the same sidelines he sees Monkey King, holding a sneaky little thumbs up for him while Macaque holds off his thoughts if he had any. Although, something about position of his tail reminded him of a happy cat.

  It’s close to sunset when they decide to pack the things and get their butts back to the city. Macaque and Monkey King however, took no part of time, just staying on sidelines, looking at the sunset. Heck even Red Son decided to help. That’s why MK does what he does best, scout out that two didn’t rip off each other's fur while nobody was looking. Easier said than done.

  It seemed like the two monkeys weren’t on guard, just lounging. Even the air was like, trillion times less heavy than it was before between them. That was a good step forward, he thought. Sometime, maybe, he could ask them to tell their tale completely so he could understand just why they grew so far apart.

  “Are you guys coming with orrr…” he decides to voice between them. Neither really pays that much attention to him but Monkey King, makes a bit of more space between, prompting him to sit besides him.

  “Look kid.” he points towards the bustling city in the view. “That’s what you did.” for a moment MK gets to think what he means before it clicks.

  “Nah, we did.” Monkey king next to him just… bursts out laughing before ruffling his hair.

  “It would be a shame if someone schemed his way into it.” Monkey King pauses, his tail thumping softly on the ground below. When MK turned to other monkey he found him with a teasing smirk, the way just Mac did it.

  “Can you wait for at least, I dunno, a week?” to a wider smirk and he just… sighs. “Where will you go anyway? That decrepit dojo of yours can’t be the place you live at.” Mac snorts in return, looking at Monkey King as if he was searching for… something. Meanwhile Monkey King just kind of acts… confused to say the least for a moment before a thought seems to strike him. He is up from his spot the same moment, pointing at Macaque.

  “So that’s where all my fruits ended up!?” MK blinks. “You don’t even like peaches!”

  “Wait, Mac was always crashing at your place?”

  “Apperently!?” Mac smirks with that petty smirk of his and a bit of chuckle. “Oh, don’t you dare-”

  “See you around MK.” comes by his ear as the shadows melt ad disappear.

  “Argh, him and his cool powers and his attitude-” MK can barely hold the laugh at the frustration Monkey King exhibits. “I can’t believe other monkeys still like him enough that they wouldn’t tell me he was munching off us for who knows how long.” with a cross of hands and a pout, Monkey King sits back down.

  “Can’t blame, he is actually fun monkey to be around.”

  “Yeah?” a faraway look, maybe remembering something? “I didn’t tell you before but- when I said we were sworn brothers? That was a lie. Truth was that we became that way later, and even then we swore oath to only each other, Macaque was never part of the brotherhood. Before that we were more like… A family, I guess?” Monkey King pauses scratching back of his head. “The brotherhood were my friends and liked them but I- Sorry MK. I guess I am just dumping things on you.” there is some guilt to his tone.

  “Actually, I am glad you are opening up, Monkey King.” MK shifts his look back to horizon, looking at the sun again. “And I am sure Mac is glad too.” he doesn’t get to see Monkey King’s reaction but he does hear him say:

  “Thanks MK.” with a shuffle, he finds Monkey King on his feet. “Well we should stuff that stuff in the van already. Up up calls the duty.” with a chuckle, MK gets to his feet.

  “You know, I do that too.”

  “Hm?”

  “Lighting the atmosphere with jokes. I do it too.” to that, Monkey King just smiles a tiny smile which he, of course, returns. One though does remain:

  "Now how about planning that sleepover."

  Macaque keeps himself close by, on a stone peak until the van whirls to life and takes off for the city. Red Son get a lift from Nezha of all people. Demon Bull King is going to have a stroke. Shame he wouldn’t see his face. He definitely didn’t stay because he enjoyed the company but because weakness still clung to him like water. At least that’s what he was telling himself. At very least, he wasn’t outright lying to himself either. He was tired, side effect of giving a thing that sustained him to MK. How much did that shorten his existence now that Lady Bone Demon wasn’t sustaining it any more? Well, it’s not like that bothered him much. After all, only one insane over immortality was Wukong, not him.

  Speaking of which, the cape on his leg still stayed. Maybe he should dye the thing before returning it to him. Maybe to puke green. No, there is a better idea that wormed it’s way into his mind, prompting him to grin. Not only that. Two idiots finally opened up to each other and others. Maybe now they could break the cycle of whatever he and Wukong had going on. A family huh?

  That one still needed pondering but for now, he needed to teleport to his cosy spot on Wukong’s mountain.Courtousy of Wukong not finiding him.

  Ironic, with all the freedom he gained, in the end he still turns to place that was once his home.

Chapter Text

  Macaque doesn’t have a particular thought in mind as he lounges on the tree nearby Wukong’s cave. Monkeys of Wukong hung around him like fleas, not that it mattered but he had to give it to them, those guys either had short term memory or their forgiveness had no measure. Absently, he passes through one of the monkey’s fur with his hand. In their days, you couldn’t do that to a monkey since well, those guys were actually good warriors. Just goes to say, how much lunging whole days off your lifespan can soften up a creature.

  Today, was just normal post- Lady Bone Demon day that he in particular, wanted to enjoy in sun. After all, the possession left him with a periodical chill that wouldn’t leave him alone at times. Therefore he solved it by being in the sun when it came by. Well aware as he was that she was gone and that he didn’t need to do a thing. Yet, it lingered, somewhere deep in his bones, under layers of warmth. Annoying to say the least. Maybe he should ask MK if he got those chills too? Speaking of him-

  “Mooonkey King!” came from below the path leading to the cave. In response Macaque rolled over from his spot, lazily looking downwards. Throught leaves he saw kid arriving with his tuk-tuk completely deaf to eternal silence of the island. “Mooonkey King!” and the guy is gone, off through the waterfall. It would solve everything if Macaque didn’t vividly remember Wukong leaving on his cloud for today. That being said, he liked seeing kid get frustrated with Wukong like any other creature so he just kicked back and watched. Kid pops up a moment later, dials his phone and puts it to his ear. To absolutely no surprise of anyone alive or dead, the phone rang back behind the waterfall. The kid looks about done as anyone, pocketing his phone and crossing his arm. Well, good time as any. He decides against using the shadows this time and just drops off the tree, landing right next to the kid. The same kid who recoils in absolute terror.

  “What are you doing MK?” he tilts his head with a snide smirk. It’s a moment the kid needs to recognize him but after that he absolutely beams.

  “Mac! Just the guy- erm, monkey I needed!” without explanation he is off to the tuk-tuk and back, handing him two folded papers. He would feel bad to refuse the absolute happiness the kid displays so he takes the papers, opening one in the process. There written with crayons of all things states the following: “You are invited to the sleepover of one and only, MK’s house! The time: Today at about whenever. Come by, we have cookies!” The writing is followed by childish drawing of MK himself and Pigsy’s shop.

  “Um, MK? You know I am not that kind of monkey, right?” he raises his eyebrow and looks at the happiest face know to man.

  “That’s what Mei told me too buuuut there is free food and some games. I also got-” MK stops in tracks and pulls out of tuk-tuk one more item. “Headphones! I mean, it should technically be like six of them but one for two ears is good too? Maybe?” Macaque sighs. “Besides, you already slept with all of us present. Besides maybe Red Son? No wait, he was present before you saved me right? You should be okay?” MK tilts his head. Somehow, somewhere, Macaque knows he is losing this battle. He liked the kid and didn’t have qualms with spending time with him. The noisy thing of his friends however- “Pleasse. You can leave whenever it’s too loud or overwhelming or uncomfortable. I don’t want to force you or anything but it would be nice for all of us to just… hang out a bit you know?”

  “Come onnnn if you hung out a bit with my sworn brothers, I think you would like them more. How about it Mac?” with a soft sigh, he looks at the letter again and then at MK.

  “You won kiddo.” and the kid is happy as a pig in the mud. “But… why did I get two?”

  “Well, you know since you hear everyone in the world, you should be able to find Monkey King, right? I told him to carry his phone but he just doesn’t listen and I have more invitations to send-” he gestures wildly with his hands.

  “Wait, back up. Why don’t you just astral project your way to Wukong?”

  “Because he needs to get the invitation too.” more gestures that probably indicated that he was dumb in some way. Macaque decides to sigh… again. “Pleaseeeeeee.” those puppy eyes of his and invasion of personal space. With a twitch of an eyebrow, Macaque takes a step back.

  “I’ll throw it in his general vicinity.”

  “Alright, I’ll take it! Thanks! Byeeee!” anddd he is gone in a flash. Delivery boy delivers invitations today huh. Pocketing the invitation, he focuses on hearing. He can’t quite hear him speaking but to be honest, he doesn’t need that to know where Wukong is. As embarrassing as it is, he could probably know where he is by his beating hear but, really, nobody needed to know that. So when he hears the sound, he dives into shadows the moment later, quite unexpectedly ends up in a familiar place.

  First thing that hits him is that this cliff is really familiar. The familiar view of the meadow, forest below and the tree on the cliff. Well, broken tree now. Now. That’s a fun way to say for: “Nobody knows how many years.”. Wukong is meanwhile, seated next to tree, probably not oblivious to his presence but not giving it that much of thought either. Macaque meanwhile, just stands, watches the view before taking a seat on the other side of the tree, joining Wukong.

  “Oh, it’s you.” Without a word, he pulls the paper out of his pocket and hands it over to Wukong who promptly takes it. “Ah, yeah… What do I do with that?” taking the view off the forest, Macaque watches Wukong turn the paper about, squinting at the letters.

  “You were travelling with a monk… and never learnt how to read? Seriously?” his tail flips lightly on the ground, equals in amusement and annoyance. He doesn’t even want to wait Wukong to spit out some excuse, “Kid is inviting you to a sleepover.”

  “I knew that!” with a narrowed and turn of the eyes, Macaque looks at the horizon again. The treetops below swayed ever so softly, giving no real evidence that a fight ever took place here. “Did you get invited too?”

  “How does it concern you?”

  “Not much. Just so I know if I should bring armour or casual clothes.” distinctively ignoring that jab because he was not having it today.

  “Why are you here, Wukong?” he decides to ask, actually genuinely curious of him. It wasn’t every day that Wukong decided to get his ass at the place where Macaque got off this Earth.

  “Do I need a reason?” he gets for an answer, “But if you insist, I came here every year before we fought.” his tail taps against the cliff, eyes narrowing. “I was hoping… maybe you would come here after you heard that my journey was over. Which is why you found me here on that day, years ago. On the side note we are olllldddd, jeez. I feel like a grandpa.” with a stretch, Wukong lies down so his feet are dangling over the edge. Macaque meanwhile withdraws into himself, to the shadow of the stump that once Wukong planted.

  “You are being sentimental as one too.” to that one, he distinctively hears Wukong chuckle.

  “Can’t help it. I really liked the time we spent together even if there was… well, me in the way.” now his own eyes narrow. “You were so cuddly before you became shitty glaring shadow. Don’t even deny it, the monkeys back home agree too. I asked them.” Wukong continues, “Yet they still love you as if you never did… well what you did.” the memory narrows his mind.

  There was one demon who pillaged the cave Wukong lived in. There was also just one demon who finally broke down, only for monkeys to try to help but it harmed them too. That was always undeniably him. The sound of monkey’s cry and thud against the wall. The way he reminded himself of Wukong in that exact moment, under all layers of emotions. It was all the memory that made him flee their home and resign himself from ever being in Wukong’s presence.

  “Sorry.” what was he being sorry for, Macaque couldn’t really get. “Do you still hold it all against me?” Macaque watches as wind ruffles the grass they sit on, giving the scene tranquillity it should not posses. “Dumb question. What I mean is, you don’t have to be tied for eternity on that grudge any more. You can have good friends that won’t ignore your pleas. You can have the world you wanted. You are free, Macaque.” and he knew that. He was free to do as he pleased. There wasn’t anything stopping him from attacking the mountain, the city, going around the world, saving the monkeys, fighting the demons, it was all a vast possibility. Still, he couldn’t exactly go and leave his previous life. His past that weighted heavier than Lady Bone Demon’s chains ever did. After all, everywhere where he went, he would always be Six Ears, once an ally to Great Sage now the monster that tried to kill him and his student. The student and friends that he has grown to have soft spot for, of all things. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thinks this might be a mistake, an awful one, to let him live. A cuckoo that does not deserve anything he could have, courtesy of Lady Bone Demon. Still, he speaks:

  “Do you know, Sun Wukong, what I wanted when I served under you?” Wukong turns his head towards him, tilting it as if confused puppy. “Eternity. I wanted to spend eternity with you eating those awful peaches you like so much.” he said, a millennia too late. “No matter how we fought and no matter how aware I was that we could never obtain it, not with what we were, I still wanted it. Even when those feeling turned to hate, I still, somewhere wanted to return to it.” it feels somehow bad against his tongue, bitter and tart.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” it’s Macaque’s turn to chuckle at the shaky tone Wukong uses.

  “Because I didn’t believe it would matter. You constantly spoke how you would like us to spend eternity eating peaches and yet, you never stopped with senseless fights. Your words spoke one thing and actions spoke other. It was always “one more thing” or “something came up” or “I still want to get stronger” and still I believed you, time and time again.” with a laugh, he takes to his feet, tail swishing wildly. “You were right, I tied my existence to yours. That shadow was all I knew and so was my cage. You were wrong through, whenever you would look at me, I was not in the shadows.” he was about ready to bail on the scene. Opening up to the… acquaintances at best wasn’t high on his priority list for today. The moment he gets the magic to his fingertips is however, the moment he hears the rough sound of getting to feet. When he turns back to Wukong, he finds that the said monkey was about ready to dive after him. There they stood, as if ice froze over Hell, neither moving nor speaking. The magic leaves his fingertips absently, as if it never was there. Wukong composes himself, suddenly aware of him and himself before speaking up.

  “Yesterday cannot be changed no matter what but today, today is at the fingertips and tomorrow is to look forward to.” is awfully thoughtful to just go ahead and leave Wukong’s mouth. For a moment they stand there motionless before Wukong scratches the back of his neck. “It’s one of the answers I got travelling with my companions.” and so it dawns on him. “I won’t forget what happened before and I am not expecting you to do either. I want to see what we can crate together, with MK and his companions.” there is an awkward pause in line of thought. “I mean just tolerating each other, we don’t have to be friends or anything.” he back pedals very hard and very fast it’s almost laughable.

  “Aren’t we already tolerating each other Wukong?” Macaque raises his eyebrow, looking at Wukong. Searching Wukong’s face for.. anything but baffled wide look in the eyes he is giving.

  “We… are?” the answer he gets is questioning to say the least. As if the idiot couldn’t see they were way better at just existing in each other’s presence now than ever after their first fight.

  “You are an idiot.” he crosses his hands, still looking for a flicker of gears turning. Deciding that that is not going to happen today, his vision turned to smashed peach trunk. “And you should employ a Dragon King to water that stump again.”

  “First of all, heeey! Second, why?” with annoyed flicker of tail, Macaque squats next to the tree. In a motion, he pulls Wukong by helm of his shirt too, showing his face next to the trunk. There, a young peach tree was growing, probably from the roots of long forgotten one. The young tree was almost overtaken by grass at this point, shorter than his knee. Letting go and leaving Wukong to mercy of gravity, Macaque takes to his feet, briskly walking away.

  For a moment, he does turn, watching Wukong kneeling to the peach sapling. It’s a weird sight, seeing The Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal with such a vulnerable face. Eyes focused on the sapling itself, unblinking as if he saw something more valuable than the whole turning Earth. With a sigh, he turns to the shadows, stubbornly avoiding the feeling that rises under his fur. All the hurt they did to each other, all the love to each other they did, nothing could really erase from the past. It stood, just like that stupid peach oath they made, in form of a broken stump. Even after so much time, his younger self was right, there was always going to be a part of him that hopelessly wanted to be with Wukong. Now, that feeling didn’t put Wukong on pedestal, not by long shot, like it did in the past. It stung and criticized, both Wukong and himself for their actions.

  But- He wouldn’t mind it if one day, they could see each other eye to eye again, with no adoration of past but a newfound trust.

  That’s the conclusion Six Eared Macaque could offer to the past and present.

  Speaking of present, Macaque came usually dressed, sneaking through the shadows and watching. Since Mk’s room was claustrophobic, in his opinion, it seemed MK was holding a sleepover in Pigsy’s shop. Who knew how he sweet talked Pigsy into allowing him to do that. The people which were present from top to bottom were Sandy, Pigsy, Mei, Tang, MK and… Red Son? He hoped MK or Pigsy got some demon insurance on the property. There was the girl too, the once that survived Lady Bone Demon’s possession, Bai He he thought her name was. Although he never official got to know her since well, she kind off slept off the whole hanging out after Lady Bone Demon’s defeat.

  All of the aforementioned characters already set up futons on the floor, camping on spots. Mei and MK close like fleas, of course. One had obviously NotMonkeyKingMerch ^TM as a cover while other had the green dragon, green dragon stuffed animal combo. Not to mention their sleepwear, matching the beds. Pigsy was doing his usual routine of cooking dinner, dressed in sleepwear too with noodle bowls scattered over it. Sandy was brewing tea but looked not really ready for bed, maybe he slept like that? Moe on other hand enjoyed through petting from Bai He who had cat themed sleepwear. Tang must've slipped out of Wizard of Oz with that stupid sleep cap of his and Red Son, well, the guy looked more training ready than sleep ready. Which… considering they jumped him last time before dinner, was quite appropriate.

  “Alright dudes, who is betting on Macaque coming or not?” Mei announces from her spot on the chair. Well, that is a bit foul? Although it prompts him that the reveal he actually came will be more than satisfying so he watches from the shadows.

  “Oh, he will definitely come.” MK confidently announces, fighting his way against another futon. That… was probably intended for him, wasn’t it? Not that he minded sleeping in the building but if he had choice, he would go rather for roof. He was monkey after all. “I mean, he told me he would.”

  “Yeah but you know Macaron, not the most social monkey we know.”

  “Well neither of them are. Macaque doesn’t want to pass up on free food through, ya know.” Pigsy reasons for him of all people. Subtly, Macaque outreaches his hand from the shadows, stealing one of the cookies that was promised before darting back.

  “And the tea! Don’t forget the tea!” Sandy turns, familiar smell hitting the room as he pours the tea to the girl seated on the counter.

  “Mr. Macaque turned quite mellow since last time he spent time here, didn’t he?” that was Tang, the guy still watched what he said about him. Charming.

  “We-” Mei stands up, flailing with her arms as if she was to fly away. “Domesticated him.” she is met with a resounding chuckle from MK and Bai He.

  “You are getting dumber and dumber I see.” Red Son opens his mouth, causing Mei to turn to him.

  “Oh shut up Red Boy, you got domesticated too.”

  “Excuse me-!?” before there is a fire hazard, Red Son gets a bucket of water throw at him, seemingly purposely filled just for the occasion.

  “No fire in my shop.” offf, he got handed by Pigsy of all demons. Well, bye bye ego and dry futon. Red Son looks left and right but promptly gives up which is really hilarious sight.

  “Sorry.” is so quiet he might be straining all of his six ears to hear.

  “Awwww Red Boy. We can share if you want.” Mei moves a bit, mouthing “domesticated” to MK before showing the space on her futon to Red Son. The guy is gone in about two milliseconds, red as an apple.

  “You DO realize what you are suggesting, right?” he looks at her somewhere between his fingers, still turned away, still red.

  “Uhhh, sleeping on dry and comfortable futon?” and the guy just sinks further into embarrassment. Offf times two, now he felt bad even for Red Brat. While others were preoccupied with a quarrel, Macaque decides to sink out of the shadows and seat on one of bar seats, closest to cookies and tea. The girl notices him first, shy to a t and doesn’t speak a thing. Pigsy and Sandy don’t notice either, even if they are earshot away, engrossed in their cooking apparently.

  “Six Eared Macaque.” he offers over resounding laugh of the rest of the room. “This guys are usually like this so better get used to it.” with a smirk and a stretch of the tail he takes one more cookie.

  “Bai He.” is all the girl offers. Well, she was really shy. Such a different personality to the rest of the room. Tang turns to his left just than, recoiling so he ends up on his back. Macaque in turn raises his eyebrow and tilts his head.

  “You okay?” when the scholar doesn’t show signs of moving from the floor, even after being poked by the tail he announces, “Yo, MK I think I killed your friend?”

  “Mac! You cam- Wait, what?” MK turns sharply on his heel and promptly speeds to Tang’s side. “Nah wait, he is okay. He kinda feints like those goats, you know?” with a jerk up, Tang is back at his chair, blinking as if just kind off fell asleep which prompts him to laugh his ears off.

  “Macaron!” now Mei speeds to their side. “Aw, I though you would get here in pyjamas or something?” with a smirk and tilt of his head, Macaque uses her shadow to teleport behind them, facing Red Son.

  “Well wouldn’t you like to tease me about that like you did to that guy.” he points at the demon in question who STILL didn’t settle down.

  “I just offered him a place to sleep?” she is either oblivious or innocent or she knew exactly what she was doing. Whichever it was it really didn’t bode well off for Red Son, the guy would probably have a meltdown today.

  “Monkey King told me you two slept together in the same spot all time through?” he pauses, tail flickering. Promptly, he erases MK from the room, teleporting him away to his room above them.

  “Struck a nerve?” he get a light elbow to the ribs from Mei which he chooses to wholeheartedly ignore. With a speedy step and lean over the railing, MK is back, eyes full of adoration.

  “Dude, Mac, you gotta teach me how you do this shadowy stuff”

  “You would need to die first MK and I don’t think your mentor would approve.” the sound of wind swishing loudly makes his ears twitch. “Speaking of which-” with a resounding sound, the door opens.

  “Man I am sorry I am late I got to-” the moment pyjamas Wukong faces him, he freezes. Not because of his presence through, not really. The guy wore pyjamas, the same he would centuries ago. The tiger stripped, dumb not really even bottomed up pyjamas. “You know, on second though I forgot some-” before he can bolt, Macaque uses the shadows to close the door, promptly sealing off his exit.

  “Well, what do we deserve to see you, Monkey King, dressed so occasionally?” he snickers from Wukong’s left.

  “At least I wear pyjamas! Look at you!? You don’t even have those? What do you sleep in?” with a small laugh, Macaque takes his spot by cookies again. “Argh, kid do you think these are cool or what?” Wukong promptly takes part of the said clothing, showing him to MK. The poor guy looks stuck between two fires, before Pigsy breaks up the teasing match.

  “Settle down all of ya, the dinner is ready.” from that point onward the house was full of laugher. Not the over annoying one, just warm. Warm as soup and tea. The kids even played board games, board games. Who did that? Usually now he heard video games being a hit and not, money stealing gameor whatever. They even roped Wukong into playing, poor guy stood more time in jail than he did anywhere on the board. When he finally got out though, Red Son got the guy in bankruptcy in maybe two board pieces. And so, Wukong fell.

  Now, the stacking wood pieces game was something Macaque could get behind. Not only was he well, a monkey which meant he was perfectly capable of moving the pieces with as much precision he wanted. Heck, he didn’t even need to do that. Using the shadows of small pieces of wood, he could move them without ever needing to touch them more than that. This promptly, got him kicked for cheating. Wukong on the other hand got kicked for knocking it down too much. He was monkey. He was precise. He also had patience of a badger. Not a thing you would want. The game ended with Red Son making a campfire of the said game.

  He didn’t like to admit it but there was one thing Wukong was definitely better at than him. The previously mentioned video games he observed them play. Good enough to beat Red Son and Bai He but absolutely sucked compared to Mei and MK which took his name, dragged it into dirt and strung it like a flag. All of which was pretty hilarious on its own, not going to lie.

  Thought it all, he kind off felt bad for the kid because, in the end, he didn’t even need the headphones. Not when Wukong loudly whined about losing, not when the manic of Red Son proclaimed his superiority or when MK, Bai He and Mei decided to laugh. Not even Tang’s tangent, Sandy’s good nature or Pigsy’s scowling came through. It was loud and daunting but it wasn’t something that got on his nerves. Strange.

  Late into night, MK and Mei ended up in same futon, apparently having no qualms with sleeping together while Red Son got MK’s futon. Wukong being special nutcase, hung his like a hammock because well… monkey? The others went to sleep with no problems. Only one to remain was him, perched onto the roof, now cold tea in his hand. He watched the quiet city, the stars and the moon. Felt the chilly breeze against his fur. Unlike the actual nutcase that was Wukong, Macaque liked the group ground sleeping offered by monkeys. The thing was through, that those weren’t monkeys and falling asleep last just cuddling up to someone wasn’t his thing. He had the reputation to maintain after all. So either he fell asleep first and others piled around or he was away from the group. The only one that prevented this habit was of course Wukong who would hold him so tightly, not even he would move away.

  His ears twitch at the sound of footsteps, followed closely by opening of the window and peaking of the kid’s head through the same window.

  “There you are.” with an awkward shuffle, the kid is out on the roof next to him. “Can’t sleep?” and he plops just next to him, stretching on the spot.

  “It’s fine kid. You should go back to sleep.”

  “And leave you here alone? Nah.”his tail thumps against the roof. “Did you enjoy yourself? I mean, I kinda forgot about headphones so- sorry about that.”

  “Didn’t even need them.” with a shrug, Macaque settles the cup besides himself, on the edge of the building. The silence is weirdly comforting between them, along with the breeze and night sky.

  “Hey, I really like what you did with Monkey King’s cape. He will flip in the morning.” well he better do. After all, the cape was purple now with his signature on it. The thought is enough to make Macaque chuckle. “How is-? You know.” Macaque raises his leg to kid’s sight line. The wound completely healed but left a nice tidy scar, something he wasn’t really thrilled about but at least he had something else than that one over his eye.

  “Good as new.” settling it back down to dangle over the roof, Macaque faces MK. “How are you doing after all that?”

  “Oh you mean possession thing? It gets a bit cold sometimes but otherwise, pretty alright. No weird ‘Bone Radio’ shenanigans.” with a nod, Macaque leans against the sign. “Dude just don’t fall asleep here, I don’t even want to think how I would catch you if you slipped.”

  “Monkeys don’t slip from high places.” he offers in return, crossing his hands and closing his eyes.

  “Well you say that but Monkey King fell for about three times already from that hammock bed thingy of his. Seriously, what’s that even about?” the genuine question in MK’s voice makes him chuckle.

  “Usually, he dreams of climbing Immortal Peaches so it’s not recommended to sleep next to him. Or under him. Or anywhere around him to be honest.” he settles a bit more, tail resting lightly at the edge.

  “Jeeez, you need to write me an encyclopedia for dealing with him.”

  “Sun Wukong for Dummies?”

  “Hey now-” a light punch on the shoulder. “I wanted to ask you, Mr. Tang said that you could hear the past, the future and present? Can you like, hear if there is going to be trouble in future? I just… don’t want the days like these to end.” Macaque opens his good eye to look at the kid. He doesn’t look sad at all, accepting and confident would be a better word. No comforting needed here. He really was, a different person to what he started as.

  “Nooope.” he drags out the syllable. “I can’t hear it or maybe, I can’t hear it any more. Otherwise I wouldn’t come to you since all I got was family gatherings from it.”

  “Hey- Don’t forget food and tea!” the tease in his voice is answered by his own chuckle before he closed back his eye. Breath steeling and relaxing, under the stars he thought it was the most comfortable place.

  “Mac?” to his sleepy head, it was more of a background noise than anything else.

  “Hm?”

  “Thanks for coming by.” he doesn’t really know what happens, did he answer that or not. Maybe he only thought about it, reflecting on what came previously or maybe he mumbled it out. Nevertheless he didn’t really care at the moment. The future could worry about that.

  “Thanks for having me, kiddo.”

  And all the world turns silent besides that one kid who can’t really believe what he hears from the monkey next to him. He would probably have a meltdown in excitement if everybody wasn’t sleeping, including the monkey in question. Anyway, barely containing his excitement, the kid would stay by, watching the stars until he too fell asleep, next to a monkey who would probably end up catching him when he inevitably fell off.

  Probably.

  Well, anything past that anyway, is just a story for another day.