Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Wow…”

“Uh-huh.”

“Wow.”

“Mhmm”

“Wow!”

“Yes Wukong, I see it! It’s beautiful”

“So Sanzang, when you said you wanted a mountain view, ya didn’t think I’d get ya the whole mountain view.” Wukong stepped forward and inhaled the view. Today was a special day. Today he showed his beloved mate and master the area and housing where their baby monkey would grow up. Sanang requested their child live in a peaceful safe place with beautiful scenery and view. And Wukong took that as his mission. He built a house, a hut, and decorated a perfect spot in the mountain, just for his family.

“The cool breeze, a monkey can surely breathe out here. Now tell me, dearest, did your man deliver? Or did he deliver?” Wukong prompts his chest in pride.

“My man delivered.” Sanzang rolled his eyes. He stood formally in the middle of the area, examining and taking in his husband's work. 

“And why is that?” Wukong continued with his pride.

“Because the other monkeys had their eyes on this place.”

“You bet they did, every single one of them.”

“Uh huh,” Sanzang took Wukong's hand and guided him to the near wooded fenced edge cliff, overviewing the mountain below. “And the view is breathtaking.”

Overlooking the view, the two saw the beautiful waterfalls and scenery. As well as the little monkey village below, seeing all their little monkeys climb and run around on the roofs and streets. The two smiled at the scenery, but Sanzang's smile soon faded to an expression of skepticism. And his husband noticed. 

“You don’t like it?” Wukong asked, worried his mate no longer liked it.

“No, No No! I do, I do, I really do like it!” Sanzang reassured the simian, “But Wukong,” There it was, the “but”. “Do we really need this much just to raise our little monkey?

“Come on my love, this is our kid we’re talking about. Check it out!” Wukong ran inside the house, running upstairs to a front window. “They’ll wake up!” He shouted from inside before opening a window, “Poke his little head out and see the beautiful sunrise! Waking the world and our mountain!” 

Sanzang laughed, trying to maintain a good laugh. That was until the two heard an echoing hollow wail. “Oh Wukong! You scared him!” Sanzang quickly walked to a small hut not far from the house. Wukong jumped off from the window and ran over beside his mate. 

The two entered and walked to the end of the room. In a protected glass box, was a small stone egg covered and warmed by blankets. A golden light slowly flickered as it hummed. Tripitaka waved his hand over the glass box, unsealing its protection, allowing them to properly see the stone egg. 

It was known that stone eggs, consumed by a demon with a broken or corrupted mind or soul, would not only strengthen them but give them eternal life. Ever sensed they were blessed with the stone egg, the two made it their main priority to protect and care for it. 

The two carefully placed their hands on the stone egg, soothing and calming it. The wailing sound as well as the slow flickering light slowly faded back. The stone egg returned to silence. 

“Aw look,” Tripitaka soothed the egg, “they’re dreaming.” An idea popped into Sanzang's mind, “We need to name them.”

“Wait now?” Sanzang nods. “Uh ok, if it’s a boy, Wukong Jr-” Sanzang shoots a side-eye glare at Wukong, “OR Qiao if you’d prefer. Then again you did say if it’s a boy, I get to choose his name. And if it’s a girl, Xiang, or whatever name you wanna put her. Ok, we're done!” Wukong brushed it off. Name-picking was something Wukong wasn’t entirely good at. 

Wukong got up, stretching his arms up as he had them to his neck, turned around, and headed towards the door. Sanzang however didn’t leave. Instead, he stared at the egg, staring deep into it. 

“I like… Qi Xiaotion.” Wukong stopped in his tracks. Taking a moment to taste the name. Qi Xiaotion…Qi Xiaotion…Qi Xiaotian… He kept repeating to himself. 

“Qi Xiaotion…” Wukong said out loud. “I… kinda like it.” He walked over back to the monk who was still staring at the egg. “We can give them that name but I’m gonna nickname him Mk, short for Monkey King. It’s like Wukong Jr, just in a tricky way.” Sanzang moved up, closing the glass box as he prepared his protection spell.

“Just think! In a few weeks, we’re gonna be parents!” Sanzang exclaimed, full of excitement. 

“Yeah… What if they don’t like me?” 

“Wukong!” Sanzang groaned out, dragging his words. The monk walked out of the hut, eyes rolling with the simian’s words. 

“Come on! I’m serious!” Wukong ran after his husband, the two leaving the hut. Unaware the protective spell wasn’t finished as it faded off… leaving it vulnerable. 

Sanzang walked towards their house, a crowd and groups of monkeys seemed to arrive as they too looked around the place, admiring their king’s work. “I-I mean, what if they hatch and he likes you more than me?” The simian followed his mate to their new house.

“Wukong,” Sanzang stops at the door, “our child is a stone monkey just like you. And monkeys are known to be very physically affectionate, especially stone monkeys. Besides, he needs to learn how to use his mystic monkey abilities. Odds are he’ll have to learn to love you too.” Sanzang entered their house, halfway closing it, allowing Wukong to come in. 

The simian enters but stops before the living room. He watched as the monk removed his headpiece, revealing his short hair that now covered his once bald head. He settled his headpiece on a mannequin head, adjusting it so it doesn’t wrinkle. He felt the long gaze from the simian as he turned his towards him, seeing a deep loving stare from his husband. 

“What?” 

“Remember our first kiss?” Wukong asked with a smile, a tricky smile. 

“No, I’ll try not to,” Sanzang quickly moved from his spot. 

“Well, I do. Excuse me, master-”

“No!” Wukong tried coming close to his mate but the monk moved away, using the couch table to keep them separate. He knew what the simian was trying. He always did this. He did it then and even now. When he wanted kisses, he would trick his master into a simple act, then attack him with kisses, ending with the simian giving him kisses for nearly hours. 

“Master! I couldn’t help but notice something on my cheek! Could you see what it is?” Wukong exclaimed.

“Wukong!” Sanzang giggled, desperately to get away from his loving, charming, TRICKY husband. “No! Don’t! I won’t fall for that.”

“Oh but master, please! It will only take a moment!” Wukong jumped over the table but the monk beat him into getting behind the couch, using it as a border between them. 

“Don’t run off my dearest master.” Wukong climbed the couch, getting in the monk’s face. “Do you need a closer look?~”

“Nope!” Sanzang uses this opportunity as he pushes the cushions down, making the simian fall forward, landing on his face. He moves his face as he sees his mate in the hall leading to the front door. “Catch me if you can!” Sanzang teases at his love with a beautiful smile and a burst of breathtaking laughter, running out the door. 

Wukong nearly felt he fell madly in love once more. He chuckled as he got up off the floor. “Oh ok!” Wukong runs towards the door. “Here… Come…” He burst the door open, “Monkey King!” He exclaimed with expiration. 

Silence…

…just…

…pure…

…silence…

Wukong held his smile as he looked around. The monkeys were gone. The birds were silent and the breeze stopped. He slowly moved down his arms. 

“Where did everyone go?” 

“...wukong…” 

Confused by the whispering voice from his mate, Wukong turns towards the voice to see a horrifying scene. 

In front of his dearest master, just above a tree, was a warp. The creature was large, with patches of fur covering his body. Its face was deformed as a long wolf-like face, half bone, and skin. Drool poured from its mouth as it growled at the monk. The monk froze in place, staring deep into the demon's soulless eyes. 

Wukong tried to make an effort to get closer to his mate but the sound distracted them. More appeared. Climbing into the roofs and near large boulders. The two lovers heard the sound of loud sniffing. One was sniffing around the ground, coming closer to the hut. 

“...qi xiaotion…” Sanzang's breathing began to escalate. He took a step and alerted the warp in front of him. The beast crept closer to Sanzang who froze back into place. 

“Sanzang… get inside the house,” Wukong whispered to his master. 

The warps began growling as they crept closer toward them and the hut. “Wukong… the egg… our child…”

“I-I know! I’ll handle it. Just get inside the house.”

“I’m going to save my child.” Sanzang moved his hand, reaching behind him, getting the warps' attention. 

“No-No! Don’t you dare move!” Wukong demanded him.

“We are a family.” Sanzang slowly turned his head, side-eyeing his husband. “We protect each other.” Wukong knew he could no longer try to convince his mate to go back into the house. “You take care of the warps. I’ll protect our child.”

Before Wukong could even argue, Sanzang summoned a charm and tossed at a warp, paralyzing the creature. It gave a roar that hissed their ears and shook the mountain. The rest of the warps began attacking. Sanzang ran directly towards the hut. A warp pounced and launched towards Sanzang, but was met with a wack in the face by a long, red staff. It sent it flying and crashing against the ground. Wukong blocked the warp's path as Sanzang was near the hut. At the same time, the warps charged Wukong, he swung his staff, hitting a few, but one got past him. Before he could catch it he continued to fight three ambushing him. Wukong caught a quick glare of the beast nearing Sanzang.

“Sanzang! Look Out!” He shouted. Just in time as the monk caught sight of the beast, he sent another charm in front of the beast, releasing golden spikes, and blocking its path. The creature crashed against it, breathing through. Sanzang was hit with a spike, leaving him with a bleeding wound. The rest of the warps smelled the human’s immortal blood and bolted toward him. Wukong continued blocking them but they were too much. He watched as Sanzang came inside the hut, with a warp trying to fit inside through the door. A terrified shout was heard from inside the hut. It was his mate!

“Sanzang!” He called out and before he could blink, a warp, with its long boney claws, hit the simian and sent him crashing against the mountainside, hitting his head, and knocking him unconscious. The faint echoing sounds of the beast's roar as well as his name being cried out rang in his ears… as he slowly drifted… into darkness…

The faint echoing sound of ringing in his ears. As well as the faint sound of the wind and birds. 

Poke…

He felt a poke on his cheek but couldn’t wake. 

Poke poke

He scrunched his face as he began opening his eyes. The once bright sunny blue sky was now a night sky, with great clouds covering it. The thunder in the distance. His vision adjusted as he saw… the monkeys. A group of them in his field of vision. They all look worried… and afraid. 

They cooed and seemed to try to tell him something but… they just couldn’t. Wukong put his hand on his head, feeling a shooting pain in his skull. He tried to remember-

The warps… Laughter… Fear… The egg… his child… his mate-

“WUKONG!!”

“Sanzang!” Wukong shot up as he shouted his mate’s name. The monkeys quickly scattered, making a path for their king. He tried getting up, limping from his wounds. He limped towards their house and hut, seeing the sorrowful expression on the monkey’s faces. He made it to where the fight happened.

A blood bath…

The unlived corpses of the warps lay and scattered their lawn. Golden spears pierced through their corpses. His mate put up one hell of a fight. He sniffed the air, all he could whiff was the salty blood of the warps. 

“Sanzang?!” He called out his mate’s name once more. Coming near the hut, the entrance was destroyed. Wood planks scattered the entrance. He smelled more blood. But it was different…

It was Sanzang’s…

“...Sanzang?” He called out gently, hoping- no praying , that whatever is inside… isn’t what his nose smelled. Inside… in the middle of the room… with blood on its back… was the body of his mate… Sanzang…

“Sanzang!” Wukong ran to him, getting on his knees, and carefully putting his hands on him. “Sanzang… hey are you…” He shook his body… lifeless…

“Sanzang… Master, come on, get up, please!” Wukong turned his mate’s body. Eyes closed… and with blood stains…

“Master…” Wukong quickly looked up at the glass box. Nothing… it was gone… the egg… his child… they were gone…

“Oh… my love…” Wukong's voice cracked as he began to weep, he lifted his mate’s body, holding him in his arms tight. Bracing their last moments. He held tight, fearing something would take him away. He wept and screamed in agony. The monkeys outside shuttered and backed off, knowing their king… would never be the same again… not without their mate… or unborn child. 

Wukong buried his face in the monk’s neck, taking in their faded scent that he hopes to remember and never forget. The sound of a large object hitting the ground. Wukong halts his cries, figuring out if his ears deceived him. He sees it. Something wrapped around Sanzang's clothing. He reached and touched it. It was solid. Rock solid. He quickly reached and uncovered it. It was the egg… his child!!

He grabbed a hold of the egg, seeing it had damaged an unnatural crack that came from the center. He stared at the egg, this hand outlining the crack. Was the egg… dead?

His worry washed away when he heard the egg begin to wail, echoing cries from inside. And this time, he could hear them so clearly. The sweet sounds of a baby’s cries come from the egg. Wukong grabs it and holds it in his arms. He now held his family in his arms. His heart broke, knowing his family would never be all together again. 

“Don’t worry my love,” Wukong pressed a kiss on the monk’s forehead, feeling the warmth slowly leave his body, “I’ll protect our child with my life. I won’t let him forget you and how much you loved him.” He pressed his forehead against his mate’s. He looked down at the egg in his arms. 

“I won’t let anything or anyone hurt you again…” He embraced his family once more.

“... Qi Xiaotion…”

Chapter Text

The bright sunlight pierced through the blinds. The breeze swayed the blinds side to side. Birds happily sang the morning sun. The sleeping snoring chirps filled the sound in the room. 

A small brunette stone monkey slept in his soft bed. The large bed sheets nearly covered the entire simian. A monkey jumped through the window and pounced on the bed. It poked at the lump, cooing and chirping as it called to it. 

“Mmmmm five more minutes…” the small simian groaned, rolling away from the monkey.

The monkey continued to poke. “Come on! It’s the weekend! I get to stay home with no chores!” He groaned. 

The monkey cooed. The sudden shuffling startled the monkey. “It’s… the weekend… 10 days… after I turned 12… which means..” The brunette simian sat up. His face was full of pure excitement, “I GET TO GO TO THE CITY!!”

Mk jumped off the bed and ran down the hall. He ran towards the other bedroom, about to knock when he stopped himself. He needed to tell his baba first. He walked over to the room across from him. He carefully opened the door. He walked over to a small altar before kneeling on a pillow. 

“Morning baba.” He greeted. “It’s me Mk! Today is the day! Papa promised me on my 12th birthday and 10 days later, he would take me to the city for the first time. Means I finally get to leave the mountain! I always wanted to see the city, since the only thing I’ve seen in the city were fireworks. I’m so excited!” Mk’s smile soon lowered. 

“But… I really wished you could come with us too.” He hung his head low, “Papa tells me you liked the city. How you used to say you couldn’t wait to see me play with the kids in the playground. Or go to toy stores and restaurants. How you wanted… to see me have so much fun…” 

Mk looked up at the altar. Small statues and candles decorated the small altar. Little flowers that Mk had placed days prior had also been decorated along with small origami figures. In the center was a picture frame. It was a picture of Sanzang, the young monk. He stood beside Wukong who had a bright wide smile on his face. The two hugged as in between them they held a stone egg, Mk’s stone egg, it was Mk, far before he was born. 

Mk never had the chance to meet his baba. But his Papa never let him forget him. Every day Wukong would remind Mk how much Sanzang loved him and how he protected him, then and now. Wukong says Sanzang’s spirit lives on as he watches over Mk every day. And Mk would always come to the altar room, telling him good mornings and talking about his day before bed. 

MK looked back up at the picture. “I will be happy! I’ll make so many friends, go to the toy store, and buy the best cicada plush. Papa says cicadas were your favorite. Maybe he’ll let me bring one.” MK reaches out and grabs the frame. He brings it closest to him into a hug. Pressing a kiss on the frame as he placed it back. He bowed and left the room. 

Wukong slept soundly, snoring with the huddle of monkeys on his bed. He slept soundly, not disturbed or bothered. Until… he felt the monkey scatter off of him, the sudden lack of weight on him made him groan. When he hears the door open and a quick pitter-patter of feet on the floor.

“City Day! CITY DAY! Wake Up! Wake Up!” He heard the excited shouts of his offspring call out to him. The young simian jumped on the bed, bouncing beside Wukong. He felt his small hands tug at him, trying to get him to wake up. “Come On!! Get Up! It’s city day!!”

“UGH! It’s the weekend!” Wukong groaned. “Go back to bed!” Wukong tucked the blanket, sending Mk rolling off the bed as a thud followed. An “ouch!” and a giggle followed. 

“Come on! 10 days later remember! Get Up! ” Mk climbed back up.

“10 days? I have no idea what you're talking-OHFF!” Wukong felt the pound of weight as Mk jumped on his stomach. He opened his eyes to scowl at his child but was met with a familiar pout face. The same his mate used to make . 

“You promised!” Mk crossed his arms as he pouted. Wukong now remembered what he meant. Back before Mk was hatched, Wukong and Sanzang said that once Mk came to an appropriate mature age, they would go to the city. To Sanzang, he meant it when he was 8. But… with him gone… Wukong thought it would be better to add 5 more years. Just in case.

“Ok Ok, I’m up.” Wukong rubbed his eyes as he yawned. 

“YAY!” Mk hugged Wukong tight, “Thank You, Papa!” Mk quickly scatters out the door. 

A smile grew on the king’s face. And yet felt frowned. This was a day he hoped to avoid. But yet, it caught up to him. Making him realize, Mk had grown up so fast. 12 years old. Wow. 12 years… since his mate passed away. A day he feared. There was no use avoiding it now. He gave a big stretch with a wide yawn, his sharp teeth scaring any who looked at him. He scratched his ears as he got off his bed and headed to the kitchen. He began preparing breakfast, which was cereal, nearly always. He took out his peach flakes and Mk’s favorite honey combs cereal. 

“Mk! Breakfast!” 

“Coming!” He ran up to the dining room, pulling out his chair as he climbed up and began munching on his cereal. 

“Easy Bud! You’ll choke. The cereal isn’t going anywhere.” Wukong pulled the bowl away.

“If we eat breakfast fast, we can spend more time in the city. The more we can look around!” Mk spat with his mouth full. 

“Don’t eat with your mouth full. And relax, we have plenty of time today.” Wukong assured him, bringing the bowl back to him. 

Mk nodded as he munched on his cereal, this time slowly. Soon enough they finished breakfast, Wukong put the dishes up as Mk ran up to his room. 

“Brush your teeth! It stinks!” Wukong shouted at him.

“I will!” Mk called out from his bathroom. The sound of humming as he scrubbed his teeth. Mk spit into the sink as he washed his mouth. Getting a rag to clean his mouth, he ran out only to run back to leave the rag. He quickly got dressed, getting his usual shirt and red pants. 

Wukong was also finishing getting dressed, taking his hoodie. He was about to go help Mk with his hair when he stopped. Looking back at his nightstand, he opened the first drawer and he pulled out a photo. It was him, with Ao Lie, Piglet, and Wujing. And in the middle, with the sun shining behind them, was Sanzang. His one dearest love. A smile came on the king’s face. 

“Today’s the day my love…” Wukong pressed a kiss on the photo. “I hope you're watching over us now. We’re going to need it.” 

“Ow!” A yelp of pain came from the bathroom. “Papa! My hairbrush broke again!” Mk called out. 

“I’m coming, bud.” He tucked the photo in his pocket as he came into the bathroom to help his son. 

The two simians stood before the cliff. In the far distance, if you cover the sun’s rays of light in your eyes, you’ll see tall skyscrapers and buildings in the distance. There it was. The city. A place Mk had fantasized about and stared at from this cliff for as long as he could remember. And now he’s finally going to see it. 

Mk held his father’s hand tightly, his tail wagging and squealing. Excitement couldn’t be contained. For Wukong however. He was a nervous wreck. He thought about the dangers there. Strangers, Cars, Kidnapping, Accidents, Public Displays. Worst if he got recognized. What if he ran into an old friend? Oh, he couldn't handle it. He shut the world out after his dearest love was killed. None of his friends were allowed to see him, or Mk. He just… couldn’t face them. He feared what they would think of him. He failed him, his master. Would they blame him? Would they hate him? Would they-

“Papa?” His cub’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts, feeling a squeeze in his hand. He looked down beside him, seeing a worried, and adorable expression on Mk’s face. “Are you ok Papa?”

A soft smile came on the king’s face. “Yeah Bud, I’m ok. Just… a little scared.” He reassured me. “You sure you wanna go today? It might rain, and well what’s the fun going if it’s going to rain.” Wukong squinted at the sky. An EMPTY sky. 

“Papa, there are no clouds in the sky.” Mk pointed it out.

“You might never know, besides, it’s the weekend. I’m sure it’s gonna be boring. Why don’t we sleep all day in hammocks like we always do huh? Yeah, that sounds fun.” Wukong tried convincing Mk but to no success.

“Come on Papa!” Mk groaned. “You promised me on my 8th birthday! I remember it correctly. You said, hey Mk, you’re growing up so fast. Say, would you like to go to the city on your 12th birthday? And 10 days later just to make sure?” Mk pounted. He had a point. That is what Wukong said. 

“Alright…” Wukong summoned his cloud. “Let’s do this-”

“Wait!” Mk let go of Wukong’s hand and ran inside their house. He heard some things shuffling before Mk ran back out. Holding something in his hands, a piece of paper. He stuffed it into his pockets before reaching Wukong. “Ok, we can go!”

“Mk,” Wukong crossed his arms. “What do you have there?”

“...nothing?” Mk gave an unbelievable smile. 

“Show me.” Wukong extended his hand out. Mk hesitantly took out the paper. It was the photo on the altar. Mk took it out of the frame and planned to take it. 

“I want Baba to come with us…” Mk admitted holding his hands behind him as he kicked the ground. Wukong nearly felt his heart get stabbed. Oh, his poor cub. He pulled Mk into his arms, holding him tight. 

“Oh bud, he’s already with us. Watching over us and in you.” Wukong reassured me. He cupped Mk’s cheek, “You baba loves you so much, he’ll never leave your side. You don’t need a photo to feel him with us.”

“But you have a photo too.” Mk pointed at the king’s pocket. Out peeking from the corner, was the picture. 

Wukong simply chuckled, “Ok you got me,” He pulled the photo out, “Maybe, we both keep these photos. So he’s with the both of us.”

Mk happily nodded. The two put the photos in their pockets as they hopped on the cloud. “Bye Mountain! See you later!” Mk happily waved at their home, their mountain. 

And with that, the two sped off to the city. 

… unaware of the great dangerous adventure they’ll soon venture to. 

Chapter Text

The city was… much bigger than Mk had ever imagined. From the mountain, it looked like any other small village his father had at times taken him to. But here, loud sounds, big crowds, and vibrant colors surrounded him. At every corner, up, down, and to the sides new life sprang. Mk simply admired the enormous towers towering above him to notice his father calling to him. 

“..Mk? …Mk? Kid!” His father's voice called out to him. Mk looked to his side up as his father looked at him uneased. “You doing ok bud? If it’s too scary we can wait another 12 years.” 

“No Baba! I’m ready! I wanna see the whole city! The whole world!” Mk exclaimed in joy. 

Wukong gave a weak, nervous smile. “Uh… ok. So! Let’s go to the playground!” 

--

Compared to the big city, where every corner is a roll of a dice. The playground seemed… scarier. Parents and families filled the playground plaza as kids ran around the playground, playing tag, hide in seek, and thousands of other games. Lots of kids… just like Mk. Around his age, older and younger. And yet, Mk was afraid. He hid behind Wukong as he watched the kids play around. Wukong kept a hand on his head, reassuring Mk everything was ok. 

Wukong himself was nervous. So many people, a large crowd if you will. Any could be enemies, looking to harm his cub. He kept glaring at any who simply walked by, giving them a nasty chill. Maybe the playground wasn’t a good idea. There were too many people. He could easily lose track of Mk. And he made a promise to his mate. A promise he won’t break. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe another-

“Wukong?...” A voice stiffed the simian as he froze into stone. Mk looked up at his father to see him wide-eyed in disbelief. He looked over where the voice came to see… a near comforting face. Wukong slowly turned his head to the voice only for his eyes to water when he saw the 

host of the sweet voice. 

There, they stood. His younger brother, the dragon of the West. His companion on his journey, his wingman, and his best man at his wedding. Ao Lie. He recognized his long white hair with streaks of green on the sides. He still, to this day, wore his usual robes. The long robe and sleeves seemed never to bother the dragon. 

Ao Lie stepped forward, his look of disbelief soon came to a smile. “I knew I recognized that hoodie…” 

“..A..Ao... Ao Lie!!” Wukong, for a moment forgetting his cub, ran up to the dragon and embraced him in a hug. He held onto the dragon with his dear life, his hands gripping his clothing as if he could simply rip them. Mk quickly followed his father beside him. He watched for the first time as his father burst into tears, saying mumbled words as he cried his heart out on this stranger’s shoulder. 

“Oh, brother! It’s been forever!” Ao lie didn't mind the tears staining his robes as he simply comforted his eldest brother. Ao Lie hadn’t seen the great Monkey King since… well since the funeral of his master. He remembered last as he watched the emotionless king walk back home with the stone egg in his arms, a dead expression on his face as he lost all emotion. But now, in his arms was the simian he remembered. 

“Oh, Ao Lie! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to be gone for long! I-”

“I know brother,” Ao Lie, hushed the simian’s apology while embracing back in their hug. The simian regained back to his state. 

“Papa…” Mk called out to Wukong who immediately let go of Ao Lie to look down at his cub who hid behind his legs once more. 

“Oh!” Ao Lie kneeled, “And who is this little…” Ao Lie's smile came down as took a good look at the boy. The eyes… His eyes… reflected his master’s eyes. Ao Lie was speechless for a moment. He gave a hesitant wave and smiled at the kid. “..Hello..” 

“Hi…” Mk waved back with a smile. 

“He had his smile…” Ao Lie thought to himself, “The same warm… comforting smile…”

“Ao Lie,” Wukong kneeled as well, “This is Qi Xiaotian. My son. Our… Master’s child..” Wukong rested his arm on Mk’s shoulders. “This is Ao Lie, Mk. This is my sworn brother, your uncle.” 

Mk nearly squealed at the reveal, he always wanted an uncle. It was always him and his father. Of course his baba and the monkeys. But.. real family on his papa’s side. Like those he mentions in his stories. 

“Hi! Hi!” Mk re-greeted him. 

“Hi! Look at you! You’re all grown up! I haven’t seen you since you were an egg.” Ao Lie giggled. “Oh, which reminds me!” Ao Lie turned to the playground where he made a sudden growling chirp. “Mei! Come here, girl!” He called out. 

A moment of wait came through before hearing a chirp back in reply. “COMING!” A young strong voice called back. In a flash, they watched a little girl, around Mk’s age, running towards them with a backpack and a wooden sword in her hands. She looked alot like Ao Lie, only with pigtails, black hair, and green streaks. He ran and joined her uncle by her side. 

“I’m here!” She nearly shouted at the top of her lungs. Wukong instantly knew she was full of life and hyperactivity. Like Mk!

“This is Mei, my great-grandchild. Mei, this is Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, my sworn brother. 

And his son Qi Xiaotian. This is their first time here in the city.” Ao Lie introduced the two in a calm voice, opposite Mei. 

Mei looked up and down at Wukong and waved rather rapidly at him. “Hi, Mr. Monkey!” She looked down at Mk with a smile. “Hello, Qi Xiaotian!” Her loud voice spooked Mk as he hid behind Wukong. “ I said Hello!” 

Wukong looked down at Mk, “Well? Aren’t you gonna say hello?” 

Mk shook his head. 

“You’re not afraid of her are you?”

Offended by his father’s words, Mk shakes his head, denying any fear (that he had) towards the dragon girl. 

“Well then go ahead!” Wukong’s tail pushed Mk towards Mei who still had a strong smile on her face. Mk looked like a lost puppy, his head down and tail between his legs, wrapped around them. “Go on, say hello Mei.” 

Mk took a deep breath, looking down at his feet, nearly bowing down. “...Hello Mei.”

A sudden burst of squealing as Mei jumped up and down in pure joy. “He spoke, He spoke!” She 

pointed at Mk, “Uncle, He spoke!” 

“Yes, he did Mei. Now remember my snapdragon, control the hyperactivity, take deep breaths, and most importantly…”

“No dragon.” Mei finished the Ao Lie sentence, knowing well she needs to say it to remember it. 

“Atta girl. Now, why don’t you show Qi Xiaotian around the playground?” 

“Ok!” Mei turned to Mk with a wide smile. “Come on Monkey boy!” She grabs Mk’s hand and 

nearly yanks him away before Wukong pulls him back.

“Woah! Hang on a moment.” Wukong pulls his son to him. He turns him as he faces the young monkey. “Hey bud, do you want to go play with Mei?”

“Um…” Mk turns to Mei, still welcomed by her wide smile. “She’s kinda scary… I like her!” He smiled with a nod. “ I wanna play!” 

“Ok, bud… be careful. If you ever wanna leave, tell me and we’ll go back home. Ok?” 

“Ok! Bye papa!” Mk ran off with Mair towards the playground. 

“B-Bye Mk! Be safe! Love you! A whole lot!” Wukong called out to Mk even though the cub couldn’t hear him anymore. 

“Worried?” Ao Lie rested a hand on Wukong’s shoulder, seeing the worried expression on his face. 

“Yeah…” He took a deep breath, “But Sanzang would probably tell me-”

“Oh Monkey, you worry too much.” The two said in sync. Wukong turned to Ao Lie and was surprised. The dragon simply smiled at Wukong and led him to a bench. 

“Come on, let’s sit here. We have lots to catch up to.”

--

Mei and Mk ran towards the playground. Mk was mostly nervous rather than joyful, so many kids. Friends? Enemies? He was stopped as Mei jumped in front of him, pointing her wooden sword at him. 

“Stop!” Mk halted. “Before we go to the playground, you need to know some rules.” Mei marched around him. “First rule! The playground is a jungle, filled with all kinds of animals, monsters, and dangers. We are two explorers who wandered in, looking for treasure, saving the innocent and damsels in distress. Are you willing to take such an adventure?”

“Uh, I think so?” Mk shrugs his shoulders. 

“Can you do as you’re told?”

“Not really..” A look of shame comes across the boy’s face. “I have a hard time staying still or not getting distracted. My papa says it’s cause I’m hyperactive and-”

“STAND UP STRAIGHT!” Mei shouted at Mk. Mk obeyed and quickly stood tall and straight. “TURN!” He turned towards a direction. “MARCH! HUT HUT HUT HUT!” Mei makes Mk march in a circle, one leg after another, “STOP!” He halts. “SALUTE!” He puts a hand up as he stands still for the next order. Mei squints her eyes at Mk, examining him. 

“Yeah, you can play.” Mei shrugs the backpack off her back and takes out another wooden sword. “Here!” She hands Mk a wooden staff. “We are noble warriors on an adventure. Saving the innocent and damsels in distress. To one day become HEROES!” She raises her wooden sword. Mk stares at her, feeling inspired and amazed by her courage and determination. 

“Yeah! Heroes!” Mk cheers with her.

“Oh yeah, also no biting, no scratching, no hitting, and no pulling hair. My uncle tells me rule number one… but I like the adventure rule to be first.”

“Do you bite people?”

“Only if they mean to me. Or they look yummy.”

“Do I look yummy?”

Mei looks at Mk up and down. “Do you shower?”

“Yeah, I use peach-scented shampoo.”

“Yeah no, I don't like peaches. Plus you have too much hair.”

“Oh…” Mk looked at his arms, he did start growing extra hair. His papa says is shedding old and growing new hair. 

 “So… how do we become heroes?” 

“First, we need to look for danger. Defeat nasty bullies and save those in need!” Mei runs off 

with Mk behind her. 

--

“12 years old… wow, I gotta hand it to you Wukong, you did an amazing job.” Ao Lie commented Wukong, smiling as he watched Mei and Mk run around the playground. Mei was also 12 but soon turned 13. 

“Yeah… maybe better if… he was here…” Wukong shrugged on the bench. His hands in his hoodie and his hood is up. 

“Wukong, it wasn’t your fault. Things happen.” 

“I know but… I still feel like I… let him down.” Ao Lie scooted closer to his brother, removing his hood and caressing his tufts of hair. 

“You didn’t let him down. You love and care for Qi Xiaotian with your life. He’d be proud of you now.” 

“And you. Raising Mei with… her parents gone.” Wukong sat up.

“Oh, she was a tough cookie. It was like raising a kid who had that caffeine in her bloodstream.” Ao Lie sighed, nearly exhausted thinking about it. 

“You and I both. Mk has been like that since he was born. Not even a week after being born, he was already climbing trees!” Wukong exclaimed. 

“Mk?” Ao Lie looked at Wukong with confusion. 

“Huh? Ok! Mk is his nickname. Qi Xiaotian is his real name… the one master picked for him.”

--

“Why does your papa call you Mk? Isn’t your name Qi Xiaotian?” Mei asked, her legs dangling off from below the bars. 

“It is, but Mk is my nickname. My real name is the one… my baba gave me.” Mk laid his head on the bars as he leaned against them. 

“So… your baba died protecting you?”

“Mhmm.” Mk nodded. The two previously played around when they began asking questions. Favorite color? Favorite food? Favorite parent. Mei revealed about her deceased parents and her great-grandpa, who she calls Uncle Ao Lie, who took her under his wing. And Mk told her of his baba’s death.

 “Looks like both our parents died heroes!” Mei tried to cheer him up. “Ao Lie says it’s important to remember those who we lost. And to remember to love them.”

“Yeah, my papa said the same thing!” The two chattered once more. They just have so much in common. Hyperactive, restless, determined, and courageous. They were meant to be the best of friends. 

“Now then!” Mei pulled out a pair of toy binoculars. She hands Mk a single-eye binocular. Which was a Kaleidoscope. All Mk could see were shapes and colors. “Do you see any who need saving?” The two searched and scanned the playground for any who needed saving. A kid who was pushed off a swing. Bullies who clogged a slide. Older kids stealing candy. 

Mk’s eyes scanned their best through the playground with the Kaleidoscope. His eyes scanned till they were met with some rather bright red and purple colors. He squinted his eyes and upon removing the Kaleidoscope from his eye, nearly lost his breath.

There, sitting on a bench, under a large tree and its shade. With a rather large book in their hands. Was another kid, just maybe around their age. With long beautiful, frizzy red hair. They wore a black sleeveless shirt with a red coat on top with a puffed purple skirt and traditional slippers. Floppy calf ears flickered through their hair and their puff-tipped tail swayed around. Mk… had never seen such a beautiful demon. Mk could nearly see heart shapes float around his vision as all his attention came to the bull demon. It shut out any sound as he couldn’t hear Mei calling him.

“Mk? Mk?! MK!!” Mei shook Mk around trying to get his attention. “You good? You spaced out for a second.” 

“Y-Yeah, I’m ok. Uh… who's that?” Mk pointed at the bull demon on the bench. 

Mei looked over at the bench. “Oh, that’s Red Boy!” 

“Red Boy?”

“Red boy is the nickname I gave him. Her real name is RedSon.”

“Uh.. wait you said him then said her. Are they a girl or boy?”

“Well, I thought she was a girl. But then they told me that they were going to be a prince when they grow up so they wanted people to call her, him.” Mei shrugged. 

“Wait, you know them?” Mk questioned.

“Not really. Last week, I saw them come to the playground for the first time with what I think was his mom. Some fancy cars came in. Some kids were teasing him and I went over to save him. Ya know, like a hero. But she chased them off with her hair.”

“With her hair?” 

“Yeah, his hair lit up on fire! Scared everyone away. I told them their hair was so cool. But then he started telling me my fighting skill was unbalanced and I was reckless. Even called me a peasant!”

“Woah! Really?”

“Yeah, he said, ‘Salutations Peasant’. I don’t know what stratation means but sounds mean with peasants.” She crossed her arms with a huff. “He calls everyone that when they greet them.”  

Mk knew what Salutations meant. It was a form of greeting. His papa uses it when addressing others. Said his baba used it alot. Red Boy probably didn’t mean it rudely. He was greeting those who came up to them. The peasant part… he wasn’t so sure. 

“And to make things worse, when I asked them to play with me. He said he would rather kiss a frog than play with a reckless dragon girl like me! Reckless Dragon, I’ll show him recklessness!” She huffed with a growl. 

Mk kept staring at the demon. “I’m gonna say hi.” 

“Wait what?!” Mei shouted as Mk climbed down the monkey bars to the gravel below. “Mk! Don’t! He’s mean!” 

Mk ignored her as he walked towards them. “She’ll insult you to death!” She cried out.

Mk felt his heart beat faster as he walked closer and closer to them. Mk stopped a few feet away from them. Much closer, he could see some fore features. A red dot was displayed on their forehead, They wore some small black glasses. They also had a rather large X scar on their cheek. 

“Ahem!” Mk cleared his throat. The demon bull looked up at Mk, with hypnotizing magenta eyes. The bull looked at the simian up and down, nearly judging his appearance alone. 

“Salutations Peasant.” RedSon looked back down to their book, already expecting him to leave. 

“Salutations!” Mk replied.

RedSon looked up, surprised he didn’t run off or get angry. “You… you know what salutation means?”

“Yeah! My… parents use it in greeting.” Mk smiled. 

--

“Hey Sunny, look at your boy!” Ao Lie exclaimed, pointing at Mk as he stood in front of a girl. 

“Looks like your kid has already soothing out with the girls.” He nudged his shoulder. 

“That’s my boy!” Wukong smiled, squinting at who he was talking to. “Hey is it me or does that girl look familiar?”

“Oh?” Ao Lie squinted with him. “Red hair, a fancy dress…”

“With a skinny tail and… cow ears…” Wukong's face dropped when he realized who it was. The two brothers looked at each other.

“Ah oh…” The two quickly stood up and ran towards Mk. Hoping to stop him from making a BIG mistake.

--

A smile grew on the bull’s face as he closed the book. “Finally, someone who nearly understands me.”

Mk took his hand out in greeting. “My name is Qi Xiaotian, but my friends call me Mk.”

“Well nice to meet you, Qi Xiaotian. My name is RedSon, son of the legendary Demon Bull King and soon heir prince of the Demon Bull Family.” RedSon presented himself in a formal greeting. 

“A prince? Aren’t you… a girl?” Mk looked at RedSon up and down in confusion. 

“For now, I’m a girl. But once I’m older, I’ll be a boy and a prince.” 

“Oh… cool!” Mk shrugged with a smile. “Wha ya doing here alone?”

RedSon looked at Mk a bit skeptical. His slang language made him nearly lose respect for the simian. He assumed he was proper because of his greeting now, he was just like these other undisciplined children. And now that she looked at him, the boy was a demon monkey. A simian. 

“Where are you from?” 

“Uh… Flower Fruit Mountain.” Mk replied, not thinking much about it.

“Flower Fruit… wait, are you the son of the Monkey King?” 

“Yeah! You know him?” A great frown grew on the princess-prince’s face. With a huff, she stood up from the bench and with a bit of a hit, whacked Mk’s on the head with her book. “OW!!” Mk exclaimed, rubbing his head. 

“That’s for MY DAD!” RedSon quickly ran away, leaving Mk hissing his bump. 

“Mk!” Mei came running towards him. “Are you ok? Did he insult you so much it hurt?”

“Kid!” Wukong called out. The two adults ran over. Wukong got on his knees and felt around Mk’s head where he was rubbing. “Bud! Hey, you ok? Where does it hurt?”

“She hit me! She hit me with her book!” Mk exclaimed. 

“Did you call her a peasant?” Mei asked, oblivious. 

“No, she asked where I was from. And I told her from the flower fruit mountains and that I was your son, papa.”

An uneasy look displayed on Wukong’s face. “Oh, bud… you didn’t do anything wrong. Ok? It’s just-” Wukong tried to find the words but couldn’t. “Look bud, I think we spent enough time here. W-Why don’t we go get something to eat?”

Wukong needed to get out of here. Before, he knows who sees him. 

“Yeah!” Ao Lie helped Wukong, knowing best he came along with his brother. “Come on Mei, let’s go with them. We can show them that pizza planet place you love so much-”

“SUN. Wukong.” A cold, terrifying woman’s voice called the simian’s name. He nearly yelped when he turned around. A tall, proper woman, with long black straight hair and two wrapped hair buns that seemed like bull thorns. A gold-red headpiece wrapped around her head. She wore a long red and old hanfu dress. A look of anger came to her face. Beside her was RedSon, holding her hand and giving a nasty glare at Mk. 

“Isn’t… pleasant to find you here. After ALL this time.” She snarked, raising up her sunglasses. 

“Iron Fan! Hey!” A weak smile and greeting came across Wukong’s face. “Ho-How’s wha-What’s… up?” He snapped his fingers at her. She didn’t share any joy.

“My child tells me your… son , came up to her and spoke with her.”

“O-Oh well,” Wukong pulled Mk close to his side. “We didn’t know you were here! If we did he wouldn’t have stepped 30 feet from her.” Wukong hesitantly bowed, “S-Sorry about that, it won’t happen again!”

“It better not!” She scowled. 

“But I didn't do anything wrong!” Mk exclaimed.

“Bud-”

“All I did was say hi. I wanted her to be my friend!” 

“Mk-”

“Friend?!” The woman laughed out loud, spicing lime to the insult. “Your child, and my beautiful RedSon, friends?! Oh, don’t make me laugh.” Her laughing smile returned to a frown as she stepped closer to Wukong to his face. “If your son EVER comes near my daughter again, MY HUSBAND will hear about this.” 

Wukong quickly nodded. “Come along RedSon, let’s leave this ratchet place.” Iron Fan turned her back on them. RedSon exchanged a look with one another. Mk wanted to keep talking to her. But RedSon simply blew a raspberry at him as she walked away from him. 

“I… just wanted to talk to her…” Mk lowered his head. 

“Oh bud,” Wukong put his hand on the boy’s shoulder on his knee. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just… I have some… bad history with their family.”

“Pretty bad.” Ao Lie commented. 

“This doesn’t involve you, kid, ok?” Wukong tried comforting his cub.

“I.. wanted to talk to her…” Mk repeated, kicking the ground below him. Wukong quickly connected the dots on what Mk meant. So did Mei.

“Ohhh!” Mei exclaimed as the light bulb lit but, but a disgusted face. “Ew! Do you like her? She’s mean! She hit you with a book!” 

“Mei!” Ao Lie hushed his grandchild. 

“What?! It’s true!”

“She was really pretty. And pretty nice… before she hit me with her book.” Mk crossed his arms, seeming gloomy after losing his chance to talk to his first crush. 

“Mk…” Wukong tried to say something, to comfort his son in his first crush, and first heartbreak. 

Before everything went wrong…

A sudden loud thunder sound alerted and froze everyone in place. The sky began dark as clouds circled around and turned day to night. And flipped this happy day, to a day Wukong prayed and begged never had happened. 

The day… when his son Qi Xioation was taken from him.