Work Text:
Nezha has always been dedicated to his position, loyal to the jade emperor.
He was after all a guardian of heaven, one of the gods above, and he prides himself enough to acknowledge that he’s also one of the few who took their jobs seriously too. He was looked up to, people ran to him for advice on matters small or big, he was the most called upon by the Jade emperor to his throne room, and he was usually chosen for most quick missions because of his speed and efficiency.
So it was no surprise that Nezha felt a bit detached from everyone around him. Maybe because he took this position in the ripening age of 8, achieving godhood in such a short notice unlike his peers.
He’s hit adulthood decades before some of them joined the celestial realm. but his older peers seem to still view him as this chubby cheeked child who was their newest addition to their courtroom.
Or maybe that he’s been in the celestial realm for so long he ended up blending in the surroundings of it, melting in its golden walls and luxurious buildings. being seen as something a part of heaven, rather than someone who lives there.
Nezha doesn’t like thinking about how people perceive him much, but it’s hard not to when you feel like everyone around you shared a huge secret without you. or had one intertwining script of sorts that you weren’t given.
But to him precisely it felt like they all had strings attached to each other, connecting them all together, while he didn't have a string at all. They’d pull on these strings, they’d push and prod and Nezha would simply stare. in fascination, confusion and a tint of envy.
How did they acquire these strings? Why did he not have one?
When he was a mortal child Nezha was aware of how different he was. more powerful, more intelligent, and more difficult.
People spoke to his parents about him, some referring to him as a “blessing” others as a “huge responsibility” only a few were brave enough to use the word “curse”. And cursed was exactly how his parents made him feel throughout his mortal life.
When he joined the heavenly realm the possibility of still being viewed as different never crossed his little brain. He was aware of the age gap between him and his peers, but considering how powerful he was and the high rank he’d achieved with relative ease. He believed he’d be seen at least as an equal.
He was soon disappointed.
It took time to notice how they treated him differently, a long time indeed. It was hard to ignore the signs that toppled over each other one by one, to reveal the entire picture. Small patterns he picked up but didn’t fully comprehend until it all made a clear image for him. The small twitches in their facial expressions when he started feeling comfortable around them. The looks they’d give him when he’d loose control of the volume of his voice. Then there were the ones who’d scrunch their face in disgust when he’d move his little hands a certain way or hop in his place unconsciously.
He blamed those all on being a child in their eyes, fully believing all those little unspoken thoughts people had about him would diminish the day he becomes an adult, the day they’d all view him as an equal.
But that day never came. He’d turned 100, then 500, then 1000, then 2000, and then he stopped counting. He turned into an adult a long time ago but it seems that no matter how much he’d age, they still treated him like an outcast. He’d come to terms with it after that, it felt like this role was assigned to him by the universe itself, unchangable.
he’d gotten used to it so well that he’d forget the position he plays socially around here. rest assured, cackling sounds coming from drunken immortals during a banquet would be an immediate reminder of what he doesn’t have. and he’d take that black hole in his heart, embrace it and than hide it as he sips on his own heavenly alcoholic drink, sitting on his fancy chair and wishing for the soft cushions to swallow him whole. Maybe then he’d be where he belongs.
a thing in heaven.
Yes, he’s an important figure in the jade emperor's court but that’s all it was, and all it’ll ever be.
And the others still held strings that tied them all together while he held no string at all.
——
Years blended and he’d blended in heaven with them, being viewed as nothing but the third lotus prince. That was until heaven got it’s first ever stable boy, one they hadn’t been needing at all. A monkey from Mount Huaguo. He remembers being called to the throne room and hearing about the horror of what that “wretched ape” has done. Setting the horses free, throwing a tantrum and destroying the stables in an immature manner, and then storming off in anger. Some gods tried to cease the anger of the jade emperor by stating that the monkey was an irrational and ignorant creature. And him abandoning an opportunity to be a part of heaven was no loss to anyone but himself.
“No worries my lord, do not fret over such a lowly creature!” They cried “for he’s merely an animal, and his addition to heaven is no loss or gain to you.”
The state of their horses for the past month- happy, full and healthy in weight crossed Nezha’s mind but he kept his mouth shut. He’s no fool, Nezha had known these horses for centuries albeit he’s never seen them this healthy before.
Later that day, He and his father the Pagoda Bearer Devarāja Li Jing were summoned to the jades emperors throne room. There, kneeling on the heavenly marble It was revealed to them that the original plan was to make that monkey stay here for the sake of being supervised, for he’s no ordinary monkey but a celestial primate, and a powerful one at that. He’s a creature made by heaven and earth and has misterously learned how to achieve immortality. a while ago they’ve received complaints of him harassing the Dragon Of The East and the underworld.
Nezha finally understood where their worry came from. They were then tasked to subdue the stubborn creature taking a small troop and a couple of lieutenants with them. Nezha wished to complete this mission as quickly as he can and retrieve to his own temple. though he’d matured, he’d gladly take any opportunity to be away from his father as much as possible.
——————————————
The first to be humiliated was one of the lieutenants they’d brought along. It took only 30 mins and 14 seconds for him to scurry back to the spot they chose a bit far from flower fruit mountain. His nonexistent tail between his legs seething and complaining. His report was short, for the state of his body spoke of the power their opponent held. Li Jing stared back at the troop they brought with them, deciding to not waste their army knowing they’d not come back victorious.
All that was needed was a glance from his father and Nezha’s figure blasted its way out of their hidden space and to the entrance of the water curtain cave, locating his target with his guard down assuring his monkey minions back to their earthly paradise. He aimed at the ape in intense speed that no other being can muster. but before he toppled the king down, the monkey was able to sense the incoming danger, immediately turned around and delivered a powerful kick to his chest, sending his figure blasting back. the kick was so strong Nezha hadn’t planned for it and nearly lost his balance but twirled his body and crouched down before slamming on the greenery. His impact made a massive dent on the ground under him and sent some nearby critters running off in fear. The prince then floated slowly in the air where the primate could see him.
There he stood, high and mighty in the sky, as gracefully and elegantly as a lotus. his hair- now red from where it’s highlighted by the sun- flowing with the motion of the wind. his armour bright and pink, reflecting the sunlight that hit from behind him casting him in a halo effect, and his face, soft and forever youthful, was scrunched up in determination.
As the king gaped up at him, the mountain was silent.
everything around them ceased its movements as the mighty Sun Wukong took the Prince’s features in. the red ribbons flying around his body, the flaming wheels and the deadly weapons he clutched, promising no easy fight. Wukong’s mouth shut in an uncanny speed. His figure tensing, no doubt realizing who he’s dealing with was no mere guard of heaven. But an important figure, a mighty god.
Nezha allowed his gaze, giving him a merciful time to process who exactly came for him, before destroying his humble abode. But the king snapped out of it and quickly turned to another black simian a couple of feet behind him that Nezha failed to notice, he whispered a command to him and the black furred one quickly melted on the grassy land, becoming one with its shadows..
Impressive.
Nezha tucked the information of the possibility of other celestial primates in the back of his mind, something he’ll certainly be adding to his report later.
A cackle drew him back to its owner, all the tension that was previously on the monkey’s shoulders were gone, as if they’d melted with the dark furred ones in the shadows, no doubt taking shelter. “HAH- you caught me off guard there! You're fast!” This was not something he’d expect to leave the enemies mouth, making Nezha raise a questioning eyebrow but the expression didn’t stop the creature from running his mouth.
“ you know despite my small time in heaven I’ve befriended everyone up there! How come I never met you?” Nezha didn’t let his stance falter, clutching his spear he announced his title, speaking it off of an illusionary script tucked in the back of his head “ I am the third lotus prince Nezha! Son of the Pagoda Bearer Devarāja Li Jing. A celestial guard and an important figure in the celestial realm. I have been sent by the Jade Emperor himself to sieze you for your crimes. come back with me willingly or I will not make this easy-” But before he even finished he was rudely interrupted “ listen flower boy, I don’t want to hear your speech nor do I want to fight you.” He than pointed with his arm at a huge tapestry hung nearby, in it was written with messily strokes yet still readable.
‘ The Great Sage Equal to Heaven’
“ just tell that lawsy green emerald that I deserve a title and a position fit for a king like me! Now off you go.” He turned around walking calmly back to his -not so- humble abode, rudely and dismissively that Nezha almost gasped in offense. almost, although he still allowed himself to snarl in disgust.
How dare he?! How dare he speak about the emperor in such manners?
How dare he declare himself equaling to all of heaven, despite refusing to fight him?
But most importantly how dare he act so calmly around him?
Does he not realize how important he is? Does he not see that Nezha is a GOD!?
How dare he treat him like- like he’s insignificant!!
Nezha was done with being merciful. he launched himself at the ape, deciding to be the first to land a hit. This made the king turn around and quickly scramble to dodge, than preceded to launch himself back, attacking with equal force making the trees nearby move from the impact of their fists together.
Face to face the king chuckled whispering in mockery “heh- hit a nerve there didn’t I.” This made a fimiliar pit in Nezha’s heart make itself known. the black void that he’s learned to hide throbbing in his chest, noisly whining and making the prince see red. He took the advantage of the close approximaty, sending an uncalculated yet powerful kick to sun wukong’s abdomen resulting in him reeling back, groaning in agony. Unfortunately the pain didn’t make sun wukong stop speaking nonsense “i did!” He cackled “ so defensive! Did your high status make you unused to being spoken to in such a manner?! Have you grew up so spoiled as a child protege in heaven, that not being worshipped by everyone all the time triggers you?” Each sentence he’d utter we’re met with powerful hits. No matter how many blows Nezha sent , how many successful hits he threw-
the ape would not stop talking!
“I mean I can’t blame you, being doted on by everyone throughout your childhood sounds nice.” The king shrugged, although he didn’t seem genuinely understanding but mocking “ but you gotta learn to be humble” he spoke to him in that melodic disgusting tone again! Like a teacher explaining to a clueless kid! Like a CHILD!
“ whose little brother are you! If I haven’t heard of your story since I was young I’d have mistaken you for an immature kid with your current behavior!”
Nezha had enough of this, he zoomed up in the air and away. Making the monkeys previously smirking face full in confusion. When Nezha reached a higher level that satisfied him, his body released pink flames that hungerly engulfed his entire being, eating and eating until he was nothing but a flame in the air, red and pink in anger. and then that flame burst away from him, flying in every direction sending wisps of heated wind to any living thing close to their battle. Revealing six arms, a deadly weapon in each. And three heads.
“Woah…” was all wukong was able to say before Nezha came down at an unimaginable speed, screeching as he prepared to smash that noisy monkey to the ground and make him a part of its dirt.
When he hit his target he felt the earth under them break from the power of his blow. It sent their toppled bodies six feet under from the empact, and created a giant hole in the process. heavy dirt and debris flying around them, shielding them from the outside world. Although he had his target under him caged, the dust hid them from each other. When it finally cleared Nezha was taken back by the three pair of eyes under him, staring at him with uncontainable excitement and a hint of mistchieve.
“ what-” Nezha stumbled back confused as the peach colored figure slowly got up, wearing two extra heads on his shoulders and now six skinny but strong arms. Panting, he chuckled under his breath “I shouldn’t have underestimated you because of your temper” Nezha was left speechless, despite the limited facts he was given of his target he’d expected to face a strong foe, but not an equaling one, the monkey was able to summon a form similar to his! And for the first time fear started creeping on Nezha’s heart.
Just how powerful is this creature?
——————————————
Nezha has never felt this humiliated in his life and after life.
He’s been fully deafeted, by a lowlife animal nonetheless! And all it took was a strong hit by the monkeys golden staff straight at his shoulder blades sending his nerves and bones burning till he saw hot white. He couldn’t tell what was more embarrassing, sun wukong landing a hit or the way Nezha scurried back mid-battle like a wounded cat.
His father seems to not have taken his miserable form nicely, disappointment clear in his eyes as he stared at his offspring in distaste, but a hint of surprise. After all it’s not everyday a low life defeats the Third Lotus Prince.
Their report to the Jade Emperor was quick and clear, informing him about how powerful the enemy actually is, how he defeated Nezha and was able to copy his full form without difficulty whatsoever. Although the existence of the other shadowy simian was not uttered, something in his gut told him it’s better left unsaid.
——————————————
The second time he’d heard the deity’s cursing Wuk- that ape again was during the banquet for the peach festival, or what it could have been.
Rewindng,
After their first battle and Nezha’s report to the Jade Emperor, the court had come up with a better plan with the intervention of the golden star of Venus. They’d keep him under their noses while following his greedy demands in hopes he doesn’t harass anyone else.
That was a year ago. During that year a sense of peace settled with heaven and Sun Wukong as they gave him his insufferable title and sent him off to pounce around and harass his new peers in heaven, calling everyone brother and lazying around day and night. Nezha has tried his best to avoid him, making sure they aren’t in the same building and declining all invitations to any banquet sent to him. because surely that monkey would be there smuggling the alcohol and acting all buddy like to anyone 5 feet near his proximity.
Nezha had seen the same expressions his younger self was given, now directed at Sun Wukong. Yet it didn’t falter his excitement or stop him from approaching these people. Like he never noticed the looks they’d give him.
It was a pitiful sight to Nezha’s eyes.
He still considers himself lucky that Wu- Sun Wukong hasn’t paid his temple a visit or else Nezha would’ve had no where else to hide. It doesn’t help that he was too humble to take in any maids or celestial creatures to guard the entrance or report to him of a visitor. insisting to choose seclusion and his own house labor over protection, never believing he’d need it up in heaven. Now, paranoidly cleaning his - dirty for unknown reasons- front yard from fruit litters and glancing left and right, making sure his existence isn’t sensed by that wild headed ape. he regrets his early decisions. Again the word “lucky” seems fit for his current situation.
But after a while people started complaining to the emperor about Sun Wukong. that he does nothing around but relax and bother them with his constant movement. Which wasn’t a surprise to Nezha at all.
So to settle down peoples frustration the emperor decided to make Sun Wukong the head of the guards protecting the holy peach garden, believing who better to take this task than a monkey from a mountain named flower fruit mountain.
Looking at the present
It all was a disaster and the esteemed guests for the peach festival hadn’t even arrived yet.
some servants were unconscious on the floors, meals and desserts missing from the tables, and all the immortal wine was gone. The culprit’s name was being tossed around despite his absence.
Everyone was cursing “Sun Wukong” in the palace. In and out the emperors court room, the people who witnessed his thievery reported it whilst the maids and guards whispered it between one another. But what made the emperor snap was when the daoist immortal Laozi entered complaining about missing jars of elixirs that were made specifically for him, and a day supposedly for celebration becomes the beginning of a war against a bunch of prideful demons.
Whatever “brotherhood” the ape made here was tossed aside and burnt to ashes.
Nezha and Li Jing were sent down with a bunch other gods and goddesses taking with them army’s upon army’s. They swarmed the land and put a seal around it with the mountain being in the center of it, so no creature can escape.
as Nezha’s wheels touched the familiar earthly land again, the tension didn’t quite cease his figure but having a slight understanding of his aponents land brought some relief. He’ll preform better like this.
He looked up at their armys floating above him slightly covered by clouds. noting the anxious expressions downing on their features. He couldn’t blame them, they were walking into the enemy’s territory unprepared. The decision of this war was made in the emperors fit of rage, he’d wished some thought was put on the messy strategies they’d made. But alas.
Lost in thought Nezha had failed to notice the quietness of the mountain, it was easy to not pick up on it when the mountains neutral state is calmness. Slowly though his attention was brought back by the dark figures emerging from the mountain’s entrance, and the first thought that came to mind was
He’s not alone
Nezha’s eyes roamed these creatures when their features became clearer. He’d recognized the other ink furred simian, standing bravely on Wukongs right side. But he didn’t recognize the others. A blue lion, a light feathered bird, and a white elephant. A full group stomping out and bravely facing him.
’He’s not alone’
and suddenly Nezha felt that same black void he’d done his best to hide, flaring up and burning again. Hot and angry, whaling in his ears with envy.
Suddenly he felt like the pitiful one.
Seeing them take a stance and ready to fight for each other till the end.
He felt ridiculously alone in this world
————————