Chapter Text
“Get back here!”
“Sorry!” He shouted at a gaggle of demons trying to pursue him. He runs as fast as he can till his lungs wheeze with every breath and his legs burn with every step he takes.
It’s a feat on its own how MK managed to land himself in this situation.
Granted, it wasn’t technically his fault. That honor goes to Mei, his best friend and partner in crime.
It all started with a demon–another bad guy, if you will–who stole some powerful artifacts (taking some inspiration from Jin and Yin’s usual flare of evil) and after beating said bad guy relatively easily, Mei and MK ended up looking over the stolen goods. Various cursed objects, ancient vases, powerful weapons, but one specific item caught their eye. Or Mei’s eye, at least.
“Hey Monkey Man! Look at this one, it's shiny!”
He peered over her shoulder and saw a jade Guanyin pendant, its straps looking worn down, practically ready to snap with the slightest pull. It looked relatively harmless, nothing really out of the ordinary compared to the other items that they’re sorting through. The smartest thing to do was to scoop up all the items and take it back to Monkey King’s vault where it would never see the light of day ever again (till they need a magical item that’ll let them save the day). But this is Mei and MK. A total of one brain cell among the two, and it’s nowhere to be found amongst all the clutter.
“They’re all shiny, Mei.” He said blandly.
“Yeah, but this one’s neat lookin’.” She didn’t even deign him a look before putting the pendant on and started taking pictures with it. Striking several exaggerated poses that got MK to at least chuckle.
“Ok. Ok. I gotta get all these back to Monkey King so-”
Before he could even finish his sentence, the pendant suddenly glows a bright green shining light that he had to cover his eyes. Once the light had at least dimmed, he uncovered his eyes and suddenly dread pulled at the pit of his stomach.
A swirl of green and orange pools at Mei’s feet. Getting bigger and bigger.
She started sinking.
“Mei!”
He instantly grabbed her hands, grasping at her in a desperate iron-clad hold. He can feel himself sweat as Mei also tries to push herself up but the portal keeps sinking her more and more into the bright gradient pool of colors.
“MK…” She gasped, her head and arms were the only thing visible with most of her body stuck inside the portal. He can feel his strength slowly draining from him, this wasn’t an ordinary portal. It was one that was meant to take and take. And it was taking something from him. Mei’s eyes were glazed over, but she didn’t even have to say anything as her eyes, her eyes were pleading with him, not to save her- no, it was to let her go.
And something snapped in him. A brief flash of fire that singed and melted his skin. Scarred him in a way that was both physical and mental.
He was not letting her go.
“I’m. Never. Abandoning. You!” He pulled out his staff in one hand while the other was holding onto her for dear life. He slammed the staff onto the ground and extended and extended and extended it till he could basically toss Mei out of the portal and out of harm’s way, and unto the pile of weapons and artifacts. She raised her hand, giving him a thumbs up, signaling that she was ok…for the most part.
He took a breather, smiling to himself that it was all gonna be ok. But what MK didn’t see was the portal swirling and gurgling, unsatisfied with no victim for it to take. So it took the nearest thing–or rather, person.
“MK!”
MK’s sight dipped and flipped, he could feel himself falling backwards, into the pool of orange and green, his vision being met with shimmers of iridescent colors and flashing light, and all he could hear was his best friend screaming for him.
That was the last thing he heard before he landed in a shop. Full of breakable vases and an angry cat demon owner.
And that’s how he ended up here, running away from something he probably should apologize for but looking at the owner’s metal string ready to strangle him, a simple sorry isn’t gonna cut it.
He bumps into people left and right in this busy market that he can’t for the life of him recognize, then–as if the gods finally granted him mercy–he sees a familiar sight, a bright red flaming sight that has him laughing hysterically.
“Red Son!”
Red Son doesn’t bother even looking at him as he’s too busy looking at some machinery or doohickey that MK can’t care enough to recall, but that didn’t matter as he tackled his friend down to ground as Red Son lets out an, “oof-”
“Y’know, I may be vengeful but not vengeful enough for this.” MK hears the demon owner announce as they slowly back away for some reason. Which is odd enough because Red Son was a reformed bad guy! I mean c’mon the guy may have a temper but he’s good now! MK thought as he peers over the now busy street circling around the two like they were some sort of entertainment.
“Oh man, I'm glad I found you!” MK turns to Red Son, still hugging him, “Or else I would've- woah, hey! What are you doing!”
Bright hot flame bursts from Red Son’s form, forcing MK to let go of his hold on the demon.
Red Son growls pushing himself up from the ground, and violently dusting himself off. “How dare you touch the prince of the Demon Bull Clan like we’re mere acquaintances, peasant!”
MK tilts his head. “We’re back to the peasant nickname? I thought we were at least besties after the whole Lady Bone- Ah!”
A spear flies through MK’s head if he didn’t duck in time to miss it.
MK chuckles nervously, “That was a close one, Red-”
The spear once again returns to Red Son’s hand as he readies to throw it, but not before fire bursts at the golden tip as its red tassels sway with its sheer force making MK gulp at the sight of it.
That’s…So…Cool!
He hasn’t had a chance to spar with Red Son for a while now, especially with his new weapon that MK could only guess that he was building in his “secret” lab of his. So now with stars in his eyes, he feels his body automatically shift to a fighting stance as he dodges an incoming swing from Red Son.
The crowd watching them backs away with several shouts and yelps as the spear almost hits them.
“Red Son, be careful! Don’t hit anyone!” MK yells,
Fire erupts from Red Son’s hair as his spear too bursts with more flames. “Who are you to tell me what to do!”
“Ah-” he spins himself to dodge an incoming attack. “Red, please! I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Hurt me? Hurt me?! I’d like to see you try, mortal!” With ire in his eyes and fire at his fingertips, Red Son swings and stabs harder and faster; with every throw, every swing, MK barely manages to dodge and flip and turn which only angers Red Son even more.
And in a moment of desperation, he finally pulls out his staff once more from his ear and with a twirl and great strength, he manages to pin Red Son to the ground. He raises his staff up high above and Red Son gasps; at the sheer strength, at the sheer power that this seemingly mortal held. He closes his eyes, waiting for the final strike as his thoughts race that at least he was able to witness something beautiful before his final moment.
And then slight pain blooms at his forehead as the mortal flicks his finger at Red Son’s forehead, making him let out a tiny yelp. He opens his eyes and stares at the other on top of him in bewilderment.
“You’re lucky I was holding back.”
“…You were holding back?”
“Duh. Now I'm gonna get off, but you have to promise to not murder me, ok?”
Red Son nods tentatively, his eyes lighting up in a way that MK only sees when he’s looking at a new working machine that he has been slaving away for months. Weird.
MK pushes himself up, and offers a hand towards Red Son which he hesitantly took with a slight blush on his cheeks and braided hair now loosened up from their spar. Fighting must’ve really tired Red Son out if he managed to look this flustered.
Huh. Now that he’s properly looking at the other, when did Red Son start braiding his hair? To be fair, it is a nice look on him. Maybe, Princess Iron Fan helped him out? Maybe, Red Son learned from himself? Or maybe-
Lost in thought, he didn’t see the snappish looks that Red Son was throwing at the mechanical bull guards that were previously attending to him before MK bumped into Red Son.
So with a snap of a finger from Red Son, ropes suddenly tightened around MK at lightning speed that he didn’t even process it till he flopped on the ground and started squirming like a worm. Shit. He tried once again to summon his staff but was immediately zapped with electricity from the cables binding him. Uhg, magical ropes. The worst kind of ropes.
“Uh, funny joke, Red Son. now, let me go- oof-”
Without much as anything to say, the great heir of the Demon Bull Clan throws MK over his shoulder like he was some sack of rice.
He hears the crowd in the background cheer at the display of it. He almost forgot they were even there but to add insult to injury, Red Son proudly pats his butt like he’s some sort of war prize and that causes more cheers to erupt from the crowd. Embarrassment flares at his cheeks. What is Red Son doing?! Gods, he knew Red was a sore loser but this is getting too far! Then amongst all the loud cheering he distinctly hears-
“Was that the Great Ruler’s staff?”
“It can’t be-”
“But it must be! Who else can take on the heir of the Demon Bull Clan just like that?”
“But, the empress-”
Interest instantly piques MK as he tries to stretch himself as far as he could to hear more then he feels pin pricks at the back of his thighs. “Don’t move,” Red Son practically growled, warning drenched in his tone.
Before he could even utter a retort, fire engulfs the two; whisking them away.
The once empty desert was sprawling with life. A bustling capital with market stalls selling food and machine parts, children running around with toy gadgets, several automatons accompanying demons, the Demon Bull Family banner whipping through the hot breeze, and most importantly the palace. It looked the same as ever with its multiple lava pools, lava falls, and metal horns on every building, but only it was somehow grander with its billowing smoke and gold etchings on each roof as it shines every time the sun catches its light.
MK would’ve marveled at the beautiful sight if he wasn’t tied up!
“Can you stop squirming already?” Red Son snaps but the way he gently lets MK down on the carpeted ground betrays Red Son’s soft spot towards him. This guy really is just a big softie deep down!
Although, MK couldn’t help but glare at Red Son from the floor. He tries to scan the great hall that he was in but only manages to see three thrones at the end of it. He knows instinctively which belongs to who just from the sheer size of it.
And as luck isn’t on his side, a familiar powerful duo enters the hall. Strong gales push through the huge entrance doors just as Princess Iron Fan and the Demon Bull King make their way through the hall, stunning MK with their presence. They stopped just a few feet away from the two, Red Son bows dutifully and mutters in acknowledgment, “Father. Mother. I hope that you are well.”
They nod towards their son, right as their eyes shift towards a still binded MK on the ground. MK’s honestly note sure if it was a good or bad thing to get their attention.
“Oh, what do we have here?” The Demon Bull King picks MK by the scruff of his collar and dangles him like he’s some sort of kitten. “Dinner?” Ok, definitely not a good thing to get their attention!
Then, the Demon Bull King lets out a gasp as if he saw something while inspecting MK, dropping his hold on the mortal which forces Red Son to catch him in a bridal carry with a great huff.
He huffs once more, fire blowing out from his nostrils as he turns his attention to the Demon Bull King. “Father! Careful! I’d rather you not scare away and break my new betrothed!”
MK chokes on his saliva.
Betrothed?!
Princess Iron Fan steps in, handing a letter to a mechanical servant as she focuses back her attention to Red Son. “Darling, you do realize you’re already engaged,” she said calmly, placing a placating hand on his shoulder.
“You’re engaged?!”
Red Son rolls his eyes. “That's besides the point. Me and the dragon girl already talked about this and it’s fine between us.”
“dragon gir- MEI? YOU’RE MARRIED TO MEI?” MK yells out, making the family wince at his loudness but he couldn’t bring himself to care because both of his best friends were married to each other?
Hold the fucking phone ‘cause when did that happen?!
“Engaged,” Red Son corrected as if that made the situation any better, “but I've already settled on courting you.” Red Son hooks a finger on MK’s chin, bringing his face up to Red Son’s own grinning face.
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
Iron Fan lets out a cough, ruining Red Son’s moment as he sends her a scathing look. “Normally, I'd disagree with this kind of union. But since your new intended is not actually a mortal, we’ll allow this.”
It’s MK’s turn to now cough as he lets out a nervous chuckle. “Sorry to interrupt, but I really am just a mortal.”
Red Son raises his eyebrow in disbelief. “A mortal with an immense amount of power and strength that can rival high ranking powerful demons?”
“Well, if you put it like that, I guess?” He shrugs, deciding to not think about that way too much when so much is already going on.
The prince sighs, looking at him in disbelief. “Y’know if you weren’t so adorable and strong, i would’ve chucked you out of the window already.”
“Uh, thanks-? Wait, you’re distracting me. I’m telling you I'm a human, a mortal human!”
“I don’t ever recall a human ever wielding my staff,” a familiar but booming voice echoes throughout the great hall. This only makes MK squirm even more as he struggles to locate the voice when suddenly shadows envelop the hall and something drops in MK’s stomach at the echoing chilling laughter accompanying the writhing shadows.
And as quickly as it appears, the shadows start receding into the center, slowly forming a huge puddle of inky black till from it emerges two beings. One clad in black silk embroidered with gray tiger stripes and gold trimmings, one sleeve cut to show a golden armband who’s hand proudly holds a similar staff that MK possesses while the other being is simply covered with a black and red hanfu who’s skirt bellows out in a gradient color of the sunset sky with golden flowers embroidered into it.
MK couldn’t help the loud gasp he let out.
It’s Monkey King and Macaque!
But…what’s with the fancy get up?
“Really, Mihou?” Princess Iron Fan exasperatedly says with a roll of her eyes.
Macaque laughs, his jewelry adorning his six lotus ears jingles with each shake. “Well, what can I say, I have a taste for the dramatics.”
MK from the corner of his eyes, sees Princess Iron Fan huffs but from the way her mouth curves into a smile tells him all he needs to know of her fondness for the shadow warrior.
He doesn’t ever recall a moment where Macaque and Princess Iron Fan seemed so friendly with each other. Or even interacted at all!
Before he could assess any further, Demon Bull King once again picks him up but not before slicing the ropes in one fell swoop of a single claw, and pushes him towards the two beings exuding power and high status. “Brother, I believe we have found your cub.”
Monkey King brows furrow at the sight of MK, his jaw tensing in an obvious show of anger that he was trying to hold back. Which in itself is odd. Because Monkey King rarely gets mad- well at least if it's towards his successor. His eyes shift, wondering orbs trying to assess MK as he tries to not move a single muscle. Then, his eyes widened.
“ …Cub?” Monkey King finally mutters out.
MK practically jumps at the hand that clamped on his shoulder and sees Macaque’s sharp, forced smile as he leans in and loudly says, “Ah bud, so this is where you've been. You gave me and your Baba quite a scare.”
Confusion etches on MK’s face. “What- Baba-?”
“You see, we've been keeping our cub a secret,” Macaque shifts his attention towards the demons around them, posture upright and voice booming–a picture perfect actor playing the role of a diplomat. But before MK could even refute such outlandish claims, claws tightly dig into MK’s shoulder, telling him to play along. He clamps his mouth down, “'Cause peaches here is too paranoid of what will happen to our dear cub. Trained him ourselves as you can tell.”
Macaque removes the tight grip he has on MK’s shoulder, finally letting him breathe.
“Well, you should’ve told us sooner, Mihou,” Iron Fan says, stepping further to the two, her soft smile now turned into a sharp grin. “We could’ve arranged a marriage between our children. My darling here is already smitten.”
MK’s brain stops for a moment. When did he even agree to this marriage in the first place?! Doesn’t he at least get to have a say in this?
“Wait. Hold on-”
“Isn’t your kid already engaged?” Sun Wukong cuts him off with a raised eyebrow toward Iron Fan.
She lets out a huff, crossing her arms. “You can’t really stop love, can you? Great Sage?”
This puts a frown on Wukong's face. He opens his mouth but is cut off by Macaque stepping in with a sweep of his long flowy sleeve. “Now, as much as I'd like to discuss a political marriage and benefits for both our kingdoms, I'd rather get our cub back to the palace.”
Macaque’s claws clamp at his wrist, already pulling him to the entrance of the great hall when Red Son sweeps in, tugging at MK’s arm like some sort of toddler being told that he can’t have his teddy bear anymore. “I'm courting the prince,” he growls, “He stays with me.”
Macaque huffs, exasperation clearly gracing his face but holds back any snide remarks he undoubtedly wants to say. Instead he calmly puts on his facade once more and calmly says, “Little prince, you'll get a chance with our cub but first we need to…talk to him. It's his first time outside our territory so we're just gonna… establish some rules.”