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"You wished to see me my Emperor." Nezha said as he gave a small bow of respect towards the Jade Emperor then glanced at Erlang Shen who was standing aside with a few guards with him and his dog sidekick: Xiàotiān quǎn lying down beside him, Nezha then looked back at the Jade Emperor.
"Yes Nezha, due to recent events. Erlang and other members of the celestial court decided it may be best to relieve you of your duties to let you get back on your feet." The Jade Emperor said to Nezha as he looked down at his shocked face as Nezha looked up at the jade emperor, "My Emperor, forgive me for this, but I simply cannot allow-" Nezha was cut off by the Jade Emperor "That wasn't a request Nezha." The Jade Emperor sternly yet calmly said, like he was ordering Nezha to take a break from his duties in the celestial realm.
Nezha opened his mouth to protest but had to remind himself of who he was speaking to, as he sighed "Of course..." He said in defeat, the Jade Emperor smiled "You are free to leave." The Jade Emperor dismissed Nezha, who walked out shortly after his dismissal.
Once he walked out Erlang and Xiàotiān quǎn followed close behind "Nezha!" He called out to the Lotus Prince, Nezha turned to him “What is it Erlang?” He asked as Erlang had caught up to Nezha. “You, okay? You did not seem too pleased at the prospect of a break.” Erlang asked as he stood tall, but also seemed concerned about Nezha “I am fine Erlang.” Nezha said being vague about finding the sudden news of being relieved of his current duties annoying to him, Erlang let out a breath before patting Nezha’s shoulder “Seriously Nezha, take a break. You will benefit from it.” Erlang told him keeping his face straight before he took his hand from Nezha’s shoulder and put is back to his side, “Xiàotiān quǎn, come.” He then called on his dog before walking past Nezha, Xiàotiān quǎn jumped to Erlang’s side and walked beside him.
Nezha watched Erlang and Xiàotiān quǎn walk away from him, to attend to his own fair share of celestial duties.
Standing there for a second Nezha then went back to his own lavish abode, “How... Long am I supposed to be on “break” for?” He asked no one as he let himself in and wandered around the halls for a minute, not kn0wing what to do now that he doesn’t have anything to guard or any duties to tend to. He couldn’t go down to the mortal realm, he would certainly be recognized through the eyes of mortals, he thought about going to Monkey King but, then again, he wasn’t able to get passed the barrier, and Nezha considered it embarrassing to explain to Monkey King about his situation, Chang’e would be too far away but she would be the most understanding.
Nezha had thought about it for a long time, but eventually decided on taking Wukong to make fun of him about this for a while, while also asking to stay with him for a bit. He sighed and decided to get ready to go down to the mortal realm.
Having arrived at flower fruit mountain in the mortal realm, Nezha walked over to the waterfall curtain, wondering how he would get in to see the Monkey King. He stood at the waterfall curtain for a long time, long enough for Mk to arrive for his daily training session with Monkey King, “Oh, hey Nezha!” The Monkie Kid greeted Nezha cheerfully “Um... Hi boy. Is Sun Wukong here? I need to speak with him.” Nezha said, looking down at Mk, “Yeah, he’s in there. Want me to let you in?” Mk asked as he pointed towards the waterfall while also looking at Nezha from the side “Yes, that would be... Appreciated.” Nezha muttered as he looked away in slight embarrassment “Okay then!” Exclaimed Mk as he walked over to the waterfall and held his hand out, opening the seal, “Come on Nezha!” Mk said as he stepped aside making some room for Nezha to walk in.
“Thank you boy.” Nezha said gratefully as he walked in. Mk followed close behind, as they walked over to the house where Monkey King would usually wait for Mk. “Hey bud!” Sun Wukong greeted Mk before he realized that Nezha was standing a few feet behind the Monkie Kid “And... Nezha? What are you doing here?” Wukong asked, raising an eyebrow confused at Nezha’s sudden arrival.
“Wukong, I need to talk to you about something, alone.” Nezha told Wukong as stepped forward so when he was now in front of Mk. “Uh... Sure.” Wukong answered with slight hesitation as he pulled Nezha forward, so he was now in front of Wukong before he whispered to Mk “Don’t worry bud, I’ll just be a second.” Wukong then ushered Nezha inside the house.
“So, Lotus Prince, why are you here?” Wukong asked Nezha now that they were in private “I... Um... Well, I need a place to stay while I’m on “break”.” Nezha explained which didn’t really help Wukong’s confusion “Break? Place to stay? Nezha, what do you mean? You have a place to stay in the celestial realm.” Monkey King said to Nezha after a series of questions, causing Nezha to sigh “Okay, I should have probably given an explanation.” Nezha crossed his arms above his plated chest “The Jade Emperor has... Relieved me of my duties because of someone’s actions a mere month ago.” Nezha explained with a slight grudge in his voice, “I haven’t been kicked out of the celestial realm exactly but, sitting around in my celestial palace for who knows how long would be rather boring, even for me.” Nezha said before he rubbed the back of his head looking off to his side, expecting Wukong to joke about it, as he has in the past.
A few seconds went by, and nothing from Sun Wukong, no jokes, no laughter, not even a snarky remark from the jokester Monkey King. Nezha looked back Monkey King he was pulling out some of his hair and brought a pillow and a blanket into existence, leaving Nezha utterly confused.
“Um... Wukong, what are you doing?” Nezha asked as he looked at the stone monkey ”Perhaps this was a mistake...” Nezha thought has Wukong continued “Okay so, I know it’s not much, but you can stay on the couch for now” Wukong said as he walked over to the door “I’m gonna go train Mk so... See ya in a bit Nezha.” Wukong mentioned before walking out.
The sun began to set and Sun Wukong walked into the house again. “Hey, I got something for you to eat.” Wukong said he had some peaches in his arm as he used his other arm to open and close the door. “Thank you Wukong” Nezha spoke as he took one of the peaches Wukong gave to him.
“So, how long you going to be here for?” Monkey King asked as he sat down Next to the Lotus Prince.
Nezha thought for a few moments on how to answer before he opened his mouth to speak “A while, until I know what to do now that I don’t have to protect the map anymore.” Nezha said before he began eating peacefully with Wukong, as he accepted the fact that he was now taking a break from everything that’s happened, he might as well relax while he can.