Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“A what festival?” Wukong said in confusion, staring at his successor with a mystified expression. The sage was lounging on top of his cloud, in the middle of munching on his iconic peach-flavored chips.

Mk replied back, rolling his eyes with a grin, “The lantern mooncake festival! It usually happens around this time of the year! Wait, you’ve never heard of it?”

Wukong silently shook his head, shoving another handful of clips in his mouth, crumbs sprinkling everywhere on his shirt and even his cloud. “Nope! I didn't even know we had festivals other than new years!” He replied nonchalantly as usual, his tail swaying curiously. 

“How could you not know?” Mk deadpanned, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve been around this city longer than me!”

The sage simply shrugged, crossing his arms and replying back, “I’ve also been sitting pretty and comfortable in this cave and on this island for centuries!”

“And who’s fault is that, Mr. Hermit king?” Mk teased with a wide jovial grin. 

Wukong grumbled, “Watch it, buddy. Besides, I was too busy venturing and doing my own thing to keep track of that city. Just popped in, stopped a demon attack, and popped out. Then I lounged here for years until I finally found you! My determined, hardworking, and very loud successor!” He murmured that last part, but it was still loud enough to be in earshot. Mk grumbled an inaudible remark. 

“In any case, It’s happening later this week, and I’m taking you with me!”

Wukong gulped down the rest of his chips, a hint of disappointment in his eyes when the bag produced nothing but micro crumbs and dust. In the same motion, the monkey threw the empty bag out of his sight and brought out another brand new bag, bursting it open and digging in. “Me? Ah, kid, you know I’m not too much of a fan of being around…well…people. Especially so many. What if they recognize me? Then I gotta do autographs and pictures and—ugh.” Wukong quivered at the thought. Sure, he liked to be acknowledged and praised for his heroic efforts and wonderful captivating features, but after his prime, the monkey would do the good deed and vanish before anyone had a chance to approach him. It was nothing personal. After all, he loved the regular citizens of the world. He just had more comfort in coming home to his island filled with fruit and happy monkeys. No constant social stimulation. No traffic and crowds. It was paradise. 

“You can just throw on a glamour or something!” Mk said with a smile. “And I’ll be with you, so it’ll be no worries having friends there, too!”

Wukong nervously scratched the back of his head with a slight frown, thinking of the decision. “Well..maybe if it's just for a day then—” He paused. “Wait. You said ‘friends’. Is anyone else coming?”

The kid seemed to tense up almost instantly like a deer in headlights. Immediately, Mk’s forehead began to bead with sweat, and the kid started to fiddle with his now trembling fingers as he bowed his head with embarrassment. He replied with a quieter voice as if he shrank a few sizes down. “Well…everyone else will be there. Y’know, Mei, Sandy, Pigsy, Tang…and uh…well…”

Wukong’s golden eyes narrowed. “You’re a terrible liar, so don't even try it, Bud. Spill.”

Mk took a deep breath, clutching his hands together, and quickly rambled out, “Macaque will probably be there too…” 

There was a beat of shocked-filled silence. Then Wukong’s voice rang out like a siren, “ Macaque!? You’re inviting that loser!?”

“Well, I didn't invite him yet!” Mk anxiously protested. 

Wukong huffed out, “Don’t bother if you want me to go. If he comes, I'll stay put right here in this mountain.”

Mk frowned and said, “Please!? You won't even have to talk to him much! Everyone else will be there, remember? Including me!”

As stubborn as he was for years, Wukong angrily shook his head. “Sorry kid, but you know what happens when Macaque and I are around each other for too long. We can barely stand to be in the same room together for a few minutes, and you want us to be together for an entire day?”

“Well, it'll only be for about five hours, actually. B-but what about when you two fought Lady bone demon?” Mk protested. Wukong’s expression darkened with grimness. The golden monkey turned away for a moment, contemplating as if he was choosing his next words carefully. Then, like he had been holding his breath, he let out a deep sigh as his gaze ever so slightly softened. But that shadow in his eyes never faded.

“Look kid, we only did that because many lives were on the line, including yours. It would've been more beneficial for everyone if Macaque and I tolerated each other to make everything smoother, and it did. I know you wanna fix things between us but…” He sighed, defeated. “Just…not right now, okay? I’m sorry bud. If Macaque is there, I’m not. That’s the end of it.”   

Mk frowned, disappointment shimmering in his large eyes. Wukong deflated, letting out a long sigh and softly stating, “You go have fun at the festival with Macaque and the others, kid. Okay? Class is…dismissed for the day.” 

With a single slight nod, barely a dip of the chin, Mk weakly replied, “Okay.” The teen slowly turned on his heel, and practically dragged his feet on the way to the exit. 

-------

Usually, Wukong slept like a baby at night, dreaming of peaches and clouds. But tonight, many things were plaguing him and denying him of his much-deserved beauty rest. Wukong tossed and turned on his couch inside his hut, groaning and moaning slurred words. His body feigned sleep, but his mind’s thoughts were moving a mile a minute. The sage finally pried open his tired eyes, restlessness immediately taking over and forcing his eyelids open completely, staring at the dark ceiling. The monkey frowned in the quiet space, his tail actively swishing around. He would love to go to the lantern festival and get to see all of the crew. They’d hang out, get some food, share some laughs, and watch whatever events the festival had to offer (hopefully, fireworks were included.) It all sounded wonderful, except for that one little problem.

Macaque would be there.

Wukong groaned, tossing his pillow over his face and breathing in the thick scent of peaches and other fruit. He laid there deep in thought about Mk’s words; contemplating. Maybe Macaque might not even come, especially if Mk told the monkey that Wukong would be there. But the only way to know for sure if he wasn't coming was…to go to the festival and play out that 50/50 chance. The more he thought of Mk, the more he felt a sinking pit in his stomach at the mere thought of his successor frowning or being disappointed. 

Guit.

But Mk had to know that Wukong would love to hang out with the boy! Maybe he could just go and focus on Mk and his friends only. But he would hear Macaque’s voice too. The golden monkey sneered, shooting up from the couch and sporting a deep frown and heavy bags under his eyes. One night. It was one measly little night. After that, Mk wouldn't be sad anymore and Wukong could get some sleep. Because he knew that if he didn't go, this wouldn't be the last restless night. He also really didn't want the kid to be moping around after everything that’s happened, he deserved to be happy. Wukong would make sure of that. Even if it meant spending a day around Macaque.

With a deep sigh, Wukong came to a very difficult decision. He had been around and dealt with Macaque for centuries. One night with the shadow warrior wouldn't hurt. 

-------

Mk sat in his room, curled up on his bed and slowly slurping on his noodles as his eyes were locked onto the tv. He watched the bright images flash and move, listening to the voices that blared through the tv. He felt stuck and very disappointed. Maybe if he had tried harder to convince Monkey king, his mentor would accept and come along. But that was wishful thinking. Monkey king was as stubborn as a person could be, and there was almost no changing his mind. Mk snuggled deeper into the blanket that draped over him, basking in its plush warmth and hugging sensation it offered. He slurped on more noodles, letting the thick steamy broth clear his head and fill his hungry stomach. If Monkey king wasn't coming, there would be no point in mentioning it to Macaque. But Monkey king had to come! That was the whole point of this master plan! He remembered telling Mei all about it. He would invite Monkey king and Macaque to the festival, and the three of them would hang out. And maybe, just maybe, the event would trigger all the friendly and endearing memories the simians had with each other that they hid deeply in their minds. Then, they would start the road to rekindling their friendship. It was worth a shot. A shot Mk felt like he was obligated to take. He was the Monkey king’s successor! And Macaque’s favorite student! He had to try something. 

Just as Mk was about to increase the volume on the tv, a nonchalant and curious voice echoed, “Hey there, kiddo.” Mk choked on his noodles coughing and hacking as the teen looked around the room, only to see the shadow monkey perched on top of Mk’s tv. The warrior grinned while Mk rolled his eyes.

“Hey Macaque, you mind moving? You’re blocking the best part!”

Macaque peered down at the tv, scoffing when he saw Wukong on the screen before jumping off. “Ugh, you’re watching this again? I swear, kid, you’re the main thing that currently feeds Wukong’s already inflated ego.”

“Hey, I’m also watching this for the action scenes, I'll have you know!” the other argued, pointing his chopsticks that dripped with broth at the monkey. “What brings you here, anyway?’

The shadow monkey gave a dramatic sad frown. “Can’t I just drop by on my favorite student?” 

Mk deadpanned, eyes glued to the tv screen, “I’m your only student.”

A portal on Mk’s bed suddenly formed, spitting out Macaque. The monkey landed perfectly next to the boy, leaning back as his dark tail swayed lazily. The shadow monkey had on his usual mischievous grin, rummaging around one of Mk’s drawers and pulling out a bag of plum-flavored mini cakes. Mk scanned the monkey and the snacks, gulping down the rest of the noodles and concluding, “That’s why those snacks were in my drawer!? I was wondering why I had those!”

Macaque—his face full of the plum cakes—chuckled before gulping them all down and licking his lips. “Surprised you never guessed it was me. These, my student, are sweet and savory snacks I used to eat all the time back when I was younger. Wukong had his precious stone fruit and all, but these bad boys were to die for!” The shadow monkey and successor paused at that, contemplating the words in their heads. Mk drew in a deep, long breath, wide eyes falling on his second mentor. The gears began turning in Macaque’s head, and the shadow warrior gave a nervous grin and began munching on more of the delicious treats. 

“Oh yeah,” Mk said, setting his bowl down. “Hey uh, I have an invitation!” 

The warrior gave Mk a curious look and said, “Invite to what?”

“The lantern mooncake festival!” Mk exclaimed, already taking note of Macaque’s confusion growing. Though, he wasn't surprised. The shadow warrior hadn't been around cities much in years, so this was to be expected. Mk happily gave Macaque a quick summary of the festival and its activities, and the dark-furred monkey tapped his chin in thought as Mk impatiently waited for his decision. 

Then, Macaque blurted out, “Will Wukong be there?”

Mk tried his best to hide the frown that threatened to form on his face. The successor slowly shook his head, saying, “No, Monkey king said he didn't wanna go.”

“As usual,” Macaque said, bitterly rolling his eyes. “The guy is a big hermit.”

Actually, you both are. Mk thought to himself but deemed it best to shut his mouth for the time being as he waited for the warrior’s decision. Macaque was stuck in a thinking pose, his eyes peeking upward like the heavens would send him the answer. Finally, Macaque grinned. “Yeah, why not.”  

Mk threw off his blankets in delight, happily saying “Awesome! It starts in a week!”

Macaque scoffed at the successor’s enthusiastic nature. “Alright kid, I’ll see you then.”

-------

The time had finally come! The sky was bathed in evening hues, and Mk glanced at the clock that displayed 5:30 pm. Mk sat on the bench near the entrance to the festival—which took place in one of Megapolis’s biggest parks that oversaw a beautiful river—anxiously kicking his feet. He was staring at his phone, secretly wishing all of his friends could’ve actually accompanied him. But, Mei had a family event to attend, Pigsy was too busy taking care of Tang—the scholar had caught a bad case of food poisoning, Sandy was on a water adventure delivering cargo to one of his long-time buddies, and Monkey king was…well…just not coming. The boy didn't mind hanging out with Macaque though, having been with the dark-furred monkey long enough to be comfortable and hold a conversation. He supposed it would be a pretty good bonding time to explore their friendship more. 

The soft chatter of the festival attendants hung in the air, along with the thick scent of pastries, food, and streams of smoke from sparklers many children ran around carelessly with. Mk slumped on the bench, glancing at his phone as many people passed by. Sometimes he’d peer up, looking for a celestial monkey or someone with a teasing grin and keen eyes with a purple twinkle. Unfortunately, no matter how many demons passed by, Macaque was not among them. The thought of simply calling or texting Macaque crossed his mind, and it seemed like a good idea! Until he realized that the monkey possessed no phone. Mk groaned under his breath, shuddering and pressing himself further against the bench. He waited and waited and waited.  Annoyance began to bubble in his chest realizing the festival had started nearly twenty minutes ago. Maybe Macaque also had better things to do, Mk figured. The two celestial monkeys always had something better else to attend to. They saw him nearly every day. Perhaps he would just enter the festival alone, or go to the arcade…or just go home and lay in his bed and wait for the next morning. Maybe this was karma for trying to lie to them and stick his nose where it didn't belong. But he just wanted his two mentors to be more tolerant around each other since Wukong (begrudgingly) agreed to let Mk be trained by Macaque on rare occasions. He sighed, beginning to stand up and walk out, tears pooling in his eyes. That was, until, a stream of blue, red, and gold colors invaded his vision, and he collided with something solid. Jumping back, Mk gasped. “M-Monkey king!”

Wukong stood in front of his successor, a wide and jovial grin on his face. The monkey was in an ‘acceptable’ disguise. He still had the same face and features, but his usual attire was gone. The monkey now wore the same yellow jacket with its hood over his head and red pants, hiding his golden brown tail underneath. That outfit did always look cozier than his usual attire, Mk always thought. “Hey, bud!”

“You’re here!” Mk exclaimed, before hesitantly drawing back and adding, “but I thought you weren't coming.”

“I thought about it and I figured one night with Macaque isn't gonna be the end of the world,” the sage brushed off, ruffling Mk’s hair and laughing at the teen’s small protest. “Sorry I’m late though, I lost track of time getting ready. So, where’s the six-eared menace?” 

Mk looked around the crowd of people passing by, before shrugging. “I don't know, he was supposed to be here sooner.”

Then, as if on queue, Mk caught a figure a few feet away wearing black and red robes. He recognized those robes, remembering Macaque’s disguise he wore in the shadow play. The teen’s gaze flicked up toward Wukong, who was distracted searching around the crowd. Mk began feeling a nervous pit form in his chest again. He failed to tell Macaque about Wukong’s arrival since he thought the sage wasn't going to attend. It was a giant anomaly and shock that Wukong actually changed his mind and gave in. But, a sense of determination came over him, realizing his plan could be set into motion once again! He gulped, cupping his hands over his mouth and yelling, “Macaque!” 

The figure perked up and immediately looked at Mk, the boy waving his hands obnoxiously, catching many other people’s attention. It was definitely Macaque. Mk could tell from the way the monkey’s eyes widened, flickering purple before he quickly melted into a shadow a reformed next to Mk, a forced grin on his face. 

“Hey, kiddo…!” Macaque bit out, eyes glancing at Wukong, his expression dropping. “Wukong.”

“Macaque,” Wukong deadpanned, trying to sound as casual as possible. But it wasn't hard to miss the venom mixed with his tone as he addressed the other monkey. 

Macaque harrumphed, laying a hand on Mk’s shoulder. The boy jolted softly at the touch, looking up at the monkey as Macaque whispered, “Kiddo, a word, please?”

Instantly, Wukong’s eyes narrowed, already suspicious. However, the shadow monkey made sure to indirectly let the sage know that his suspicions were being carefully ignored. Mk shot a nervous smile at his mentor and said, “I’ll be right back, Monkey king!”

Wukong said quietly. “Just don’t go too far.”

Mk nodded in understanding, before being practically yanked away by Macaque. Mk already noticed the growing fury in Wukong’s eyes as they trailed away. When they were at a safe distance, Macaque said in a stern and angry voice, “What is he doing here?! I thought it was just gonna be you and me!?”

“Well, it was actually supposed to be me, you, and monkey king from the beginning! But he told me he wasn't coming, remember? I’m as surprised as you!” 

A labored and irritable groan escaped Macaque, the shadow monkey briefly glancing at the sage—who was currently staring daggers at the two. If the successor could guess, Wukong was probably waiting for Macaque to slip up and try to hurt him. Luckily, Mac and Mk’s relationship was much healthier. Mk asked worriedly, “You’re not gonna leave are you?”

Macaque replied, with his hateful gaze still locked on Wukong, “I just might.”

Mk frowned, grabbing Macaque’s sleeve and prying the monkey’s attention away from the sage. “No! It’ll be fine, I promise! Do you two really hate each other to the point you can’t even be together for one night? Even if I’m with you guys..?”

“It’s not like that, kid. I don't mind spending the day with you but…ugh, Wukong is just…” he trailed off, running a hand down his face. 

Still, Mk pressed on. He would not let this plan collapse a second time. “Please? I just wanna hang out with you guys…”

Macaque thought for a moment, crossing his arms and grumbling something. If his tail was out, Mk knew it would be thumbing hard on the floor right now. The silence stretched on and on, before finally becoming thin and snapping. Macaque pinched the bridge of his nose and grunted out, “Fine. But I’ll make no promises that I won't say a snide remark or two.”

Mk gave the monkey a bright and hopeful smile, and a grin trailed back on the warrior’s lips. Macaque said, “Alright, let's go back. I can feel Wukong’s eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.” 

The two returned back to Wukong, the golden monkey a bit more visibly released now that Mk was in his sight and close enough again. Mk gleefully pointed at the entrance, brimming with excitement and anticipation. “Alright, let’s go! Festivities await!” he hopped and skipped toward the entrance, the teen already exclaiming coos of wonderment at the decorations and game booths that were lines on the pavement, bursting with colors and prizes. 

Wukong and Macaque trailed behind, silently admiring the setting while making sure to stay as far away from each other as possible, and simultaneously making sure they were both close enough to Mk. Mk glanced back and noticed the pair’s vacant expressions. At some point, the monkeys briefly locked eyes, earning a sneer toward each other before they both huffed and angrily turned their heads away again. Mk sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He had four hours to make this work. Even after defeating DBK and LBD, the successor knew this would be his hardest mission yet. 

Operation: Salvage the king and warrior’s friendship had commenced, and Mk couldn’t be more terrified. This was going to be a very long night. 

Chapter Text

A wide colorful arrangement of yellow and red lanterns hung on strings, suspended in the sky, strung with trails of twinkling fairy lights. A large float of a dragon snaked around the lights, opening its mouth as if shooting a furious fire trail from its jaws. Noisy chatter of attendants and music blasted in Mk’s ears as he walked along the path, trying to keep his step as happy and skippy as he could. Even with the clamor of the festival, Mk could feel and hear the silence between him and the two monkeys stretching on and on, showing no signs of snapping. Mk kicked a rock that happened to sit in his path, watching it tumble and skid ahead and eventually stop in front of a booth. His eyes trailed up, and immediately, he gasped excitedly. 

A dart-throwing game! Mk looked back with a wide grin, gesturing toward the monkeys to follow. Wukong and Macaque both perked up, quickening their pace in sync before arriving toward the teen with curious looks. Mk pointed at the booth saying, “Let’s play!” 

“Sure thing, bud!” Wukong agreed brightly, grabbing a dart and taking the extra few seconds to aim. The golden sage tossed the dart, and all three of them watched as it completely went past the target. Wukong gulped, shrinking sheepishly while Macaque held down a chuckle. 

Mk gave a soft encouraging smile, patting his mentor’s back. “It’s okay, Monkey king, first time usually doesn't go as—”

“Congrats!” The booth keeper exclaimed with a grin, snatching the words from Mk’s mouth. He looked over to see Macaque’s peaceful and smug expression, and a dart caught on the bulls-eye. Mk cringed internally for Monkey king’s sake, already guessing the Sage was even saltier. But, being the good sport he is, Mk congratulated Macaque on the good shot. 

“Nice job, Mac!” Mk said. “That means you can pick a prize!”

Macaque’s tail flicked, the monkey thanking the kid before he leaned deeper and examined the prizes the booth had to offer. He pointed at a black monkey plush. “That one.” When the booth keeper gave it to him, Macaque immediately turned to Mk and held out the plush. “For you, kid.”

The soft rumbling growl of jealousy that came from Wukong was hard to ignore, but Mk was too excited and shocked to acknowledge it. Macaque had never given him a gift before. He happily took the plush, admiring it and feeling its softness. “Whoa! Thanks, Macaque!”

The darker monkey had a smile filled with nothing but satisfaction, while Wukong looked like he wanted to tear the entire festival down. Mk meekly said, “H-hey why don’t we go ahead and look at the other games?” 

Macaque replied enthusiastically, “Sure, why not!” The monkey had already begun to move forward, with Mk and Wukong trailing behind. 

“Hey, it's okay, Monkey king,” Mk said softly toward his clearly annoyed and fuming mentor. “I’m sure you’ll have more fun with the other games!” 

“Oh I will,” Wukong replied, staring daggers at Macaque. “And I’ll definitely win more prizes.” 

The last sentence was spoken louder and more confidently, and that seemed to grab Macaque’s attention. Continuing his stride, the darker monkey shot a look that could kill toward his rival. Mk felt the tension build in the air, gulping loudly at the two’s gazes. The poor successor had the sneaking suspicion that Wukong wasn't saying that in a friendly manner, but one filled with a competitive intention. 

As if the night couldn't get any worse, the two monkeys silently declared war on each other. 

------

Most of the festival mini-games were extremely easy, but that made the unspoken war between the two monkeys even more intense at how quickly the win could be earned. Suddenly, Mk wished every game was rigged and impossible to beat without downright cheating or just giving away money to buy the prize. He watched his two mentors with aggressive frowns and focused brows, shooting at the fast-paced moving targets with their spray guns. The points at the top of the screen were flying up, up, up. Mk watched helplessly at the two’s battle, already knowing that trying to talk the two monkeys down and pry them off the game would be futile. So, he carefully watched every moving target get shot down and listen to the sprays of water jetting out from the barrels. Macaque and Wukong were both very good shots, with amazing aim and precision. It was like the monkeys knew how to use a gun! Which was weird to imagine.

Another target was shot down, and Wukong sneered at Macaque, “That was my shot , asshole.”

Macaque breathed out, “Oh, I’m sorry monkey king , you were taking so long to shoot the target, I went ahead and got it for you.”

Mk could practically feel the rage and anger radiating off the two monkeys, and after a few more grueling minutes, the bell struck and a high-pitched ring screamed out. Macaque cried out in pain, holding his ears and glaring at the scoreboard. Wukong, however, laughed at the other’s pain with an evil grin. 

“Player two is the victor!” The machine announced. 

“Nice job, Monkey king!” Mk congratulated, making sure both monkeys were aware that the boy was completely unbiased on who won. It didn't matter, after all. 

Wukong laughed, “Thanks, bud! Now to pick my well-deserved prize!” He scanned around, humming to himself cheerfully before exclaiming “Ah ha!” and grabbing the according prize. Wukong held up a glowing LED stick that flashed a bunch of different colors, and like Macaque, immediately handed the prize to Mk. “Here you go, kid!”

“Tch, lame,” Macaque hissed under his breath, earning a glare from the golden monkey. “My prize is ten times better.”

“At least my prize keeps the kid entertained! All you did was give him a cheaply made plush that looks like a knock-off of you! But I’m the one with the ego, huh?”

Macaque shot back, “Yeah, you are. Seeing as how you’re getting competitive cause you didn't win the first time at something! Typical Wukong, can’t handle it when someone is better at something than him.”

“The only thing you’re better at is being a pain in the ass!” Wukong sneered, beginning to bare his teeth. 

“Yeah? Well, I learned from the master!” 

Mk nervously blurted out, “Guys!” 

Both monkeys immediately clammed shut, turning their twitching and irritable gazes at Mk. The successor’s eyes were filled with a desperate plea that made both the monkey’s glares soften. Mk gave a genuine smile and announced, “I like both gifts, really.”

The two fell silent before Wukong crossed his arms and said, “Well, as long as you like them, kid. But,” he trailed off in thought. “I do agree, I could do way better than some flashlight and boring and cheap stuffed animal.”

Macaque scowled at the last remark but thankfully stayed silent. Wukong eagerly asked Mk, “So, where to next, bud?”

Mk was hesitant now on selecting another game, trying to search for one that might encourage teamwork instead of 1v1. Unfortunately, many booths didn't have it, which made Mk deflate. He began to become restless about what game to pick next. His decision was cut short when his stomach rumbled and growled. “Actually,” he started. “I’d like to get some food.”

“Not a bad idea, I’m hungry too,” Wukong agreed. 

Mk guided the two monkeys to the food section, the thick scent of meat, veggies, and sweetness hitting his nose. He had already begun to drool as soon as they entered, and the successor began frantically looking around for what meal to pick. Eventually, he settled on a bowl of wonton soup. Before he could pay, Wukong blocked Mk’s path and proudly said, “I got this one, bud.”

Mk tried to protest, but the register chimed happily, and Wukong already had a steaming bowl of wonton soup ready in his hands. Mk smiled gratefully, “Thanks, Monkey king.”

The cooks were courteous enough to give them two free mooncakes as well with their meals, which made Mk so delighted. Mooncakes are delicious. 

Macaque was already seated, eating a few eggrolls silently as Mk and Wukong took their seats. Wukong stared longingly at the sky, “When are they gonna release the fireworks…” he whines. 

“I think the fireworks will be released near the end of the festival,” Mk said, chuckling when Wukong obnoxiously groaned in reply. In the middle of the king’s groveling, Mk turned to the shadow warrior and asked with curious innocence, “So, how do you like the festival, Macaque?”

“It's fine,” Macaque deadpanned back. The answer was rushed and sounded forced, making Mk feel uneasy. He knew both monkeys would hate being around each other, but Mk had at least hoped his presence would help ease the tension a bit. How wrong he was, he soon realized.  But, he took in the stillness between the three of them all quietly eating their food, enjoying the savory meal and sweetness of the mooncakes. 

Macaque let out a soft groan when he bit into his pastry. “This is…so good.”

“Yeah…” Wukong quietly agreed, staring at his half-bitten mooncake in awe. Mk brightly smiled, looking between the two and gathering hope in his heart again. They had finally agreed on something! And what better way to bond than through the beauty of delicious food? This was a good start! 

When the three finished their meals, Mk wrapped up his last mooncake, deciding to save it for later. Before he could decide where to go next with the two monkeys, he deemed it best to try and call his backup for advice. So, Mk excused himself to go to the bathroom before running off and hiding behind a booth, dialing Mei’s number. 

The phone rang and rang terrifying Mk it would just go to voicemail. But as if the heavenly court blessed him, Mei answered in her usual chipper tone, “Hey Mk!”

“Mei!” Mk exclaimed, relief shrouding his voice. “I’m so glad you answered. Look, I need your help.”

Mei, now interested, asked, “With?”

After explaining the situation, there was a beat of silence before Mei said, “Yikes, sounds like you’ve really got your work cut out for you.”

Mk nodded, slumping against the booth. “I just…I really want them to get along and be friends again! It's been months and well…I wanna help.”

“Aw, Mk, I understand your concern but have you ever considered that maybe Monkey king and Macaque wanna take it slow?” Mei asked gently. “What you’re doing isn't bad, but you can't forget they have a lot of history together. You’d think that history would make it easy for them to make up but there’s probably more to it. So I’d say, instead of solely focusing on their relationship, just spend time with them and have some fun! And more importantly, relax. Those two monkeys will eventually figure it out.”

Mk smiled, already feeling himself begin to be at ease. Mei spoke the total truth. “Yeah…you’re right Mei. I’ll try to focus on the aspect of just hanging out with them. They are kinda tolerating each other right now just for me.”

“There you go! Plus—” Mei was cut off by her mother’s voice yelling something inaudible. With a tired groan, Mei said, “I gotta go, Mk. Uh, text me how it all went okay? Oh! And send lots of pictures!”

Before he could bid his goodbye, Mei screamed to her mother, “I’m coming!” before hanging up. Taking in a few deep breaths and calming his nerves, Mk reemerged from behind the vacant booth and made his way back to Macaque and Wukong. 

-------

Mk tried his absolute best to spend the rest of the night relaxed and focusing on having fun, just like Mei advised. The advice would've been put to good use, had it not been for the arguments between Wukong and Macaque getting gradually worse. Dart games turned into them firing darts at each other, ring toss ended up becoming weapons for the two simians to choke each other with, and karaoke turned into an exchange of…interesting insults. But, after each win either monkey received, they instantly passed their prize to Mk, both simians not only fighting each other but fighting for Mk’s affection as well. He was grateful Macaque was kind enough to hide all of his prizes in the monkey’s shadow portals so he wouldn't have to carry around so much. But dealing with the two celestials was not a walk in the park. It all eventually exhausted Mk to the bone, the teen practically dragging his feet through the yard while the two monkeys walking ahead completely ignored him, too busy bickering and shouting insults. 

“Shit-head,” Wukong sneered. 

Macaque hissed back, “Shut it, asshole.” 

Mk’s eyes aimlessly wandered around the booths, many of the games he already played. Or rather, games the two monkeys had already played while he stood on the sidelines spectating. However, a particular booth caught his eye, and he mistakenly gasped so loud it caught the attention of Macaque and Wukong. 

A shop stood a few feet away, and in the windows, Mk noticed a poster displaying a red-as-blood scarf. Just like the one's Monkey king and Macaque wear! Without saying anything, Mk made his way toward it. He burst through the entrance, bouncing with giddiness and asking the clerk, “Excuse me, is that red scarf still for sale?” 

“It sure is!” She replied, leaning over the counter. “However, our shop unfortunately ran out. But I can call another booth that sells it to see if they have any in stock!”

“That would be great, thank you!” Mk said before noticing Wukong and Macaque were standing behind him. 

Wukong asked, “Something caught your eye, bud?”

“Yeah! A red scarf! I've always wanted one! So I can match you two!” Mk replied. 

“Match…us…?” Macaque trailed off, both monkey’s briefly flushing upon remembering their matching accessory. Wukong drew up a bashful smile. 

“Y’know bud, I can just make you one with my hair,” Wukong said. 

Mk thought for a moment, before shaking his head and replying, “No thanks, I kind of wanna have a scarf that won't disappear on me.”

Monkey king seemed to silently agree to that. The clerk returned to the desk, announcing to Mk, “Alright, the booth I called has the scarf in stock! But, there’s only one left.”

Mk’s heart sank. “Uh, any idea where that booth is?”

“Yeah! It's on the other side, right where the main courtyard is! You’ll see it, it has a really bright yellow sign that says “ highest quality knacks”

Mk felt it, he knew he did. The competitive aura of the two celestials radiated in the air. He already heard the ruffle of clothes behind him, and before he could yell at the two monkeys to stop, they bolted out of the store. Mk yelped, immediately chasing after them, but not before he said thanks to the clerk. He flew out the doors, running as if his life depended on it toward the trail the two monkeys were following. It was easy to guess where they were, their speed leaving behind lines of destroyed merch thrown out of their respective booths, food from many of the festival patrons on the floor, and a few more pieces of litter and trash on the pavement. 

The bright light shone in Mk’s eyes, and the soft bounce and jingle of the fairy lights and lanterns that hung in the air guided him toward the monkeys like beacons. In hopes of his distressed and labored voice grabbing their attention, Mk breathlessly screamed out, “Macaque! Monkey king!” 

There was no answer, and that only made Mk worry more. Finally, he rounded the corner. Anxiety clawed up his core when he saw the two monkeys—teeth bared and snarling—playing tug-of-war with the scarf. The fabric was stretching thin, Mk could hear the seams begin to rip and tear despite being a few feet away. Both the dazed patrons and booth clerk looked utterly terrified, some cowering in fear and shivering. Some had slowly backed up from the scene, eventually bolting away. Both simian’s hoods were thrown off, revealing their feral snarls and furious glares toward each other. 

Mk hurried toward them, screaming, “Guys, stop!”

The monkeys—hard headed and stubborn as they were—showed zero signs of calming down or yielding. Mk’s panic and fear gripped his stomach and throat tight, choking up as he frantically drew in closer. “Stop!” he exclaimed once again. “Monkey king, Macaque, you’re gonna rip—”

The loud and ghastly sound of the fabric ripping filled the air, the scarf no longer able to take the strength of the celestial monkeys. Wukong and Macaque fell to the floor, both of them holding a piece of the mangled cloth. Mk’s breath hitched, his broken-hearted eyes falling on the red scarf both monkeys possessed. As if he was never there from the beginning, the two broke into another heated argument.

“Look what you did!” Macaque screamed. “You ruined it, just like you ruin everything else! Way to go, Wukong, ruining something for Mk once again!”

Wukong sneered, “ I was going to give it to him, I’m his real mentor! You always try to do this, Macaque. Every time I have something good, you insert yourself and try to one-up me! The kid was fine without you! I was fine without you! You don't even deserve to be around him!”

Macaque let out a humorless laugh. “Me!? Are you serious!? This coming from the same guy that abandoned his successor and still keeps secrets! Mk deserved a gift from a person that actually is honest with him!”

“When are you ever honest with him!? All you do is hide! I’m surprised you didn't crawl back into your shadows as soon as you ripped the scarf like the spineless rat you are!” 

Macaque spat out, “Dumbass!”

“Stupid vermin!” Wukong shouted. “Go crawl back wherever you came from and don’t come back! I can’t believe I was able to stand seeing your face for so many years.”

“Likewise..!” Macaque bit out.

“ Would you two stop!?” Mk’s screeching echo ripped through the air, silencing the two bewildered, wide-eyed monkeys as if a spell had been cast over them. Crushing silent guilt was written all over their faces when they both saw hot tears trailing down Mk’s scrunched-up face with frustration and sadness written all over. His tightening fists were shaking violently, red spots doting his vision. He couldn't stand this sight anymore. He couldn’t stand seeing the ripped red fabric or hearing the two monkeys speak such harsh and horrible words toward each other. So, maybe it was best he left and just went home. Mk turned around and walked away, signaling the monkeys to scramble up and run after the saddened teen that began choking on his sobs. Mk was outside the festival booth path, the lanterns illuminating glow not reaching, leaving him to merely bask in the cool darkness of the night as he stood at the border of the park’s forest.

“Kid!” The monkeys shouted in unison, their tones of worry and dread so perfectly synched, Mk couldn’t tell who was the shadow or the king. Before they could say anything though, Mk whirled around with angry tears still running down his face.

“I was so happy when you two agreed to come!” He exclaimed. “I thought maybe you two could get along for just one stupid night but apparently I underestimated how much you two hate each other! Maybe it's my fault for being so dumb! I was just being the same stupid naïve Mk, wasn’t I? I was an idiot to think this would work, but I just wanted you two to have some semblance of normal with each other. Training is awful when you’re both around, fighting about how to teach me and what I'm doing right or wrong. I hate it! It hurt seeing you two fight. And now I made it worse…”

“No, no, no, kid,” Wukong soothed. “You didn't make anything worse!”

Macaque agreed, “Yeah, it was on us, kiddo. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Mk frowned, “I just wanted you two to finally get along and spend time together…”

Without thinking, Wukong blurted out in realization, “Wait, is that why none of the others came with us?”

The successor blushed in embarrassment, blinking away more of his tears. Without saying another word, only letting his impulse take over, Mk turned and bolted into the woods. The two monkeys called out to him, but the boy refused to pay any regard to them. Wukong cursed the slip of his tongue, chastising himself. 

“Come on, we gotta find him,” Macaque ordered, making his way toward the forest. However, the sage seemed…frozen, his eyes devoid of their brilliant shine. Then, Wukong attempted to take a wobbling step, before collapsing on his knees, breathing shallow breaths. He looked at the shadow with a half-witted grin. 

“Whoops,” he skittishly chuckled. “Got the jelly legs feeling again.”

Macaque could see tears pricking at the golden monkey’s eyes, but he chose to ignore it along with the twinge of sympathy forming in his heart. He said, “Stay here then, I’ll go look for him. He couldn't have gone far.” As he moved closer to the forest’s border, Wukong called out Macaque’s name. It sounded so desperate and…pleading. Somehow, it made the shadow monkey stop for a moment.

“Macaque,” Wukong began. “I-um…I’m so—”

“Don’t,” Macaque hissed, feeling a rush of stinging heat in his eyes and a tightness in his throat. “No, I don’t wanna hear that from you right now. I’ll be back with Mk. Just stay put, while I go do your job…”

Bitterly, Macaque walked deep into the forest, ignoring Wukong’s soft sniffles while making sure to wipe away his own tears before they had a chance to fall. 

Chapter Text

The gentle breeze kissed Wukong’s fur, the monkey’s cries dying down ever so slightly. The wind had aided in burrowing the incoming tears for a moment, but the guilt and shame would not leave upon the realization he did it again, he hurt Macaque and Mk again. He sat on the grass field, bloodshot and shiny red eyes flicking up to the forest’s border, hoping to see Macaque and Mk emerge unharmed. It had been a few minutes since Macaque left, leaving Wukong to bask in his own sorrow. He deserved it. He deserved every bit of this shame in his heart. 

He began to wonder what Mk would think seeing Macaque comfort him instead of his mentor. The same mentor that kept running away from everything. The mentor that was too scared to see his successor and witness that brokenhearted stare. Another breeze blew as if the sky and earth were trying to grant the sage comfort. A small string of red involved his vision, grabbing Wukong’s attention toward the torn pieces of the red scarf Mk wanted. 

Macaque had dropped his chunk of the scarf before entering the woods, and Wukong felt the pang of guilt slap him across the face. He was too much of a coward to face Mk and talk to him. But, there was one thing he could do to make up for his mistake. 

With a silent nod to himself and an internal promise, Wukong plucked a piece of his hair off. Gold smoke surrounded him for a moment, and in his hand sat a needle and thread. It had been a while since he stitched up a cloth on his own, the monkey usually had his other fellow simians on the island repair his clothes for him or…Macaque did it for him. He shook the thought away, mustering the courage and skill back as he sat the two chunks of cloth together in his lap and began sewing. 

-----

Twigs and leaves crunched under the cool air of the night that dwelled in the sky above. Macaque loved the night, his shadows basking in the umbral feeling. His body morphed and melted into the night’s gaze, moving faster than the eye could see, climbing up trees and scurrying across the smallest puddles. Macaque’s six ears were revealed, his glamor had temporarily fallen so he could hear any sounds around him. His fur bristled as he honed in his senses for Mk, getting back nothing but the wild calls of an owl and the chipper chirp of crickets in the bushes and trees. He cursed, moving on deeper into the words where more woodland creatures dwelled. Bunnies and small snakes scurried away from the monkey as he re-emerged from his shadows, looking around keenly once again. Frustration and worry began to flicker in his gut like the start of a wildfire, and Macaque could feel the violent palpitations of his heart thundering against his chest like a storm. He drew in a breath, sitting on the grass cross-legged and focusing. His mind and soul merged with the darkness around, feeling his shadows melt off his body, trailing forward and scaling the entire area of the forest. Energy swirled around him, the monkey’s six ears twitching and flicking at every semblance of noise.

Eventually, he heard breathing that was not his own or an animal's. It sounds forced and ragged. Macaque breathes, calling back his shadows and making his way toward Mk, the devastating melody of his sobs never stopped ringing in the monkey’s ears. Mk was leaning against a tree, face buried in his hands and sobbing. Macaque frowned, drawing his glamor back up before stepping out to present himself. 

As if he had a sixth sense, Mk’s hushed sobs died down, and the boy peered up at Macaque. Through the moonlight’s glares that shone through the tree leaves, Macaque saw the shiny and trembling eyes the boy possessed. The monkey sighed, taking a seat next to Mk. The boy visibly curled up further, drawing up his knees and hugging himself tightly for comfort. 

“Hey, kiddo,” Macaque mused, shooting the softest smile he could muster. It seemed to work, the monkey noticing Mk letting down his guard slightly. 

Mk glanced at Macaque, looking as if the celestial had caught the other doing something bad and was about to be punished for it. Sometimes Macaque would get overwhelmed by Mk’s usually bright and very hyper personality, but the warrior absolutely hated seeing Mk so clammed up and withdrawn. It looks so foreign and wrong. 

Mk sulked out, “I’m sorry I made you come here…”

“You didn’t make me do anything, bud,” Macaque reassured, staring up at the star-lit sky. “I came here 'cause I wanted to hang out.”

Mk slightly perked up, his shiny eyes falling on the warrior. “With me?”

“Of course,” Macaque confirmed. 

“Monkey king?”

Then, Macaque sighed, rubbing the back of his neck and shifting his gaze to those big hopeful eyes. It was no wonder Wukong would make the stupidest decisions for this kid. At first, Macaque judged it. But now, he saw why the golden sage could barely resist. He piped up, "Here's one thing you gotta understand, Mk. I know you want to help but… what's going on between me and Wukong, it can't be fixed with just a simple few talks. At least…not right now. After all this time, I'm still not ready." He flexed his hands, picturing himself squeezing a stress ball to ease all of the tension in his body. His nerves felt like they were on fire again as the memories of that day flashed in his head gradually, pummeling against his brain like waves.

“It was that bad?” Mk asked meekly. However, the tone of voice did nothing to keep a portion of Macaque bitter anger and resentment from spilling out like boiling water.

“Of course it was! He killed me, Mk! For a couple of chumps he didn't even know that well!” 

The outburst made Mk shrink further as if he was trying to become one with the tree and disappear. He regretfully replied, "R-right, sorry. That was a dumb question, I'm sorry." 

Macaque’s fuse instantly snuffed itself out. No, it wasn't fair to the kid to outburst like that. It wasn't his fault. He might be his successor, but Mk is not Wukong.  His furious gaze dissolved into a hollow one. The monkey sighed, landing a hand on Mk’s back and reassuring him, “It’s okay, kid. I guess it's still a pretty sensitive topic for me after all these years…” he said, keeping his eyes glued to the ground. “You know, sometimes when we're all together, I think maybe I can be around Wukong normally. Sometimes we even have small talk or arguments that mean absolutely nothing. Just fun little scuffles…But then I see him use his powers. I see him fight demons or train you. Then I remember why I can't let go of these feelings. Then I ask why. Why did he do that to me…? I was supposed to be his best friend...his other half…his moon. And he just…threw me away like I was nothing . I was begging for my life and he still wouldn't stop until I saw pitch black for centuries—” a labored choked sob escaped from Macaque, his form trembling so violently he felt the ground underneath him shake and rumble. His head became muddled and foggy, only seeing the redness of his blood, the cruel shimmering gold in Wukong’s deadly eyes, and the black stillness.  

Then, arms embraced him and pulled him close. Macaque felt the firm and careful grip of Mks hugs. The monkey trembled and shivered, trails of tears profusely running down his face without any signs of stopping. The monkey tried to calm himself and his heart, but his breaths were too quick and shallow, he felt like he was drawing and suffocating in his own body. He held onto Mk like a lifeline, his glamor had broken, revealing his full form as he sat there, frozen and terrified again. He felt alone and scared, with only this equally shaken boy to hold on to.

“P-please don’t leave…” Macaque blubbered. 

“I won’t,” Mk croaked out. “I’m sorry Macaque I-I had no idea that…I’m so sorry…” 

After a few deep breaths, Macaque’s heart slowed back to its normal pace, and the tears dried. He was still holding onto Mk, murmuring to himself, “I was supposed to be the one comforting you. Kid, I’m sorry for making this night a mess. I’m sorry for not just biting the bullet and dealing with Wukong like I was supposed to. I’m sorry for ruining the scarf…”

A beat of silence passed by, before Mk said, “It’s alright, Macaque. I know you and Monkey king didn't mean to do it. You guys just wanted to win my affection or whatever! But, I’ll always like you both!”

A faint smile trailed on Macaque’s lips at that. He fondly ruffled Mk’s hair. “And you’ll always be my favorite student, bud. We should get going, Wukong’s been waiting for a long time.”

He stood up slowly with Mk, the teen seemed brighter now and more content. Macaque turned to guide the rest of the way, before he looked back and said, “Hey uh, Kid. Listen, me and your mentor have our issues and reasons for doing what we did to each other. I just wanted to tell you that no matter what we did in the past, please don't hate Wukong, okay? That’ll break the guy more than anything in the world…”

Mk smiled. “I wouldn't hate monkey king! As long as he’s trying to be better, that’s all that matters to me.” 

Macaque grinned, before leading Mk out of the forest and back to the golden sage. 

------

The bushes bordering the forest rustled, and Wukong prepared himself for a potential attack out of pure instinct. But when he saw the shadow and successor emerge, smiles renewed, Wukong’s heart swell. He nervously stood as still as a statue, watching the pair approach him as he cradled the red bundle in his arms like a baby. “Hey bud,” he forced out as Mk approached him with a smile. When he was close enough, Wukong gulped down his anxiety and croaked out. “I’m sorry for how I acted today. I didn't mean to make you sad… you just wanted to spend time with Macaque and I, after all. So, as an apology, I did this for you.” 

In a grand reveal, Wukong wrapped the scarf around Mk. The kid squealed at such a high pitch, all that came out was a chirp-like sound. Mk bounced on the balls of his feet, giddiness overtaking his entire being and face as his hands trailed the soft fabric of the scarf, his eyes twinkling like the stars. Wukong and Macaque both chuckled at the wholesome reaction, exchanging a glance at each other filled with nothing but delight for the kid. But Wukong felt aloof looking into Macaque’s eyes and not seeing a twinge of hatred or surprised anger, even if it was just for a small spec of a moment. 

Wukong turned his attention back to his ecstatic successor and excitedly directed, “I also added a little something to it. Here.” He gently held onto Mk’s shoulder, signaling the boy to hold still as the golden monkey reached behind the other’s head and pulled a hood over Mk’s head. Instantly, the scarf grew a few inches, seamlessly transforming into a long cloak. Mk’s eyes grew so wide, they may as well pop out of his head. He stood there for a second in shocked silence. Then, he exploded into shrieks and cheers of excitement, spinning around and stumbling on his feet like a newborn. “Wow! Look at— wow!”

Macaque and Wukong were adoring his reactions, watching Mk marvel at the sight of his brand-new accessory. “Now you have a scarf cooler than me and Macaque’s!” Wukong said happily. 

Mk was at a loss for words, practically hyperventilating before he screamed, “I love it! Thank you, Monkey king, thank you!” 

“It’s no problem, bud. It’s the least I could do.”

At that moment, Mk threw his arms around Wukong, squeezing tight like he was trying to make the monkey pop like a balloon. Wukong accepted the bone-crushing hug, nuzzling his face in Mk’s soft hair that smelled of fresh dirt and leaves. The boy had gone from a deflated sack to a bouncy ball of ecstatic energy. Mk’s eyes glinted as he looked at his phone, announcing to the two monkeys, “Oh! The fireworks are gonna start soon! Come on guys!” the boy rocketed past, leaving the two monkeys in the dust. They stayed for a bit, watching Mk race across the field like a track star. 

Macaque chuckled with a smirk, “Alright, I’ll admit defeat when I see it.”

“Ha! I truly am the best gift-giver in the realms!” Wukong triumphantly huffed. 

The shadow monkey rolled his eyes half-wittedly, feeling a genuine smile begin to bloom on his face like fresh flowers in the spring. “How’d you do it, anyway?”

“Nothing a little magic can’t accomplish,” Wukong replied with a silly grin, doing jazz hands. 

Tranquility began to blanket the two simians, creeping up ever so slowly. Mk was at one of the festival stands, showing off his wonderful cape to one of his fans. The kid was pretty well known after saving the city countless times. It was nice hearing him talk so much again, shrill waves of laughter filling Wukong’s ears. He spared a glance at Macaque, the best friend he once cherished. Macaque continued to stare ahead, his eyes seemed like they were drifting like the monkey was thinking of something else. Wukong released a low breath, turning to Macaque and saying, “I know I can't take back what I said to you. At the store…or in the past. And I know I can't erase what I did, no matter what I do or how many apologies I say. But y’know, I’d be lying if I said I didn't miss our stupid arguments. A lot of things have changed over the years. We changed over the years, and we still are. I’m not asking for forgiveness, and I never will. That’s your choice to make. But I wanna say to you, I’m sorry Macaque. Right now we aren't in the best spot with each other and that’s okay. As long as we find a common ground to stand on and tolerate each other right now, I think that’s a good start. And right now, the kid is the closest thing we have that would make us talk again, at least a bit more normally. Maybe we can let him be the reason we try. We both wanna spend time with him and make him happy, right?” He watched Macaque’s eyes glisten at the thought. Wukong smiled, holding out his hand like a beacon of light. “So, what do you say? Truce, for now?”

Macaque stared at the hand, before scoffing and letting the sincere grin finally show itself on his features. Like years before, Macaque’s smile felt like a soft beam of wonderful, airy light. He took Wukong’s hand in his, both monkeys ignoring the rumbling heartbeat in their chest. “Truce.” 

“Good,” Wukong said, elated. “Now, let's go get the kid and watch some fireworks!”  

------

The loud cries of fireworks laced with excited ‘oohs” and ‘ahhs’ filled the air. The smell of fresh savory food was in Mk’s nose again as he held a bowl of delicious wonton soup with Macaque and Wukong at his side. The three of them sat in awed silence, watching the wide arrangement of bright colors the fireworks exploded into. The floor rumbled at each burst, rattling Mk’s bones with excitement. Macaque was relaxed in his seat, his face full of contentment since he had slipped on his soundproof headphones. Wukong, on the other hand, was cheering and screeching with the crowd. The golden monkey was out of his seat, bouncing and throwing his hands up at each firework boom. Both Mk and Macaque couldn't help but laugh, it was always so funny to see Wukong’s childish side that seemed to brim with innocence. 

Eventually, Wukong sat between the two, relaxing in his own chair with his arms spilling out the seat and lazily wagging tail. Mk perked up, digging in his pocket and pulling out his special mooncake. He originally saved it as a snack for when he returned home after the night. But then, he realized, doing this was better. Mk broke the mooncake into three pieces, handing the remaining over to Macaque and Wukong, both monkeys immediately chowing down after giving the boy a quick thank you. Mk chuckled. The two monkeys were more similar than they would like to admit. That was why Mk knew that eventually, no matter how long it would take, the sun and moon would join back together again. 

The festival had concluded, and everyone began to pour from the entrance tired but full of satisfied happiness. Wukong stretched and said, “That was amazing! I need to go to more festivals!”

“Yeah, you really do,” Mk agreed with a smile, softly clutching onto his new scarf. “But it really was fun hanging out with you guys!”

“Likewise, Kiddo,” Macaque said, ruffling the other’s hair. 

Wukong asked, “You okay going home on your own, bud? We can take you there.”

Mk shook his head. “Nah, it's cool. I’m actually gonna go to the arcade to meet Mei for some late-night gaming!”

“Your social stamina is amazing, kid,” Macaque scoffed. 

“Don't stay out too late,” Wukong huffed, his voice laced with worry.

“I won't,” Mk promised, beginning to walk ahead of the two, his new scarf trailing behind like a red tail. “We should do this again soon! Bye guys!”

The two bid Mk farewell, watching him practically vanish into the crowd. Wukong let out a long sigh. “That was an interesting night,” he said, yawning. “Now to go back to my mountain for uninterrupted sleep.”

Macaque gave the golden monkey a half-hearted smile, watching Wukong turn his back and begin to walk away. Before the warrior could muster the courage to bid him farewell, Wukong stopped and turned his head. What the Sage said next made Macaque think he was in a hazy dream. “You coming?"

“U-uh…” Macaque stammered out, his face growing warmer when he noticed Wukong smirking. “Sure…yeah, I’m coming.” 

Wukong nodded, and the two monkeys walked side-by-side through the city, feeling closer than they had ever been in years.