Chapter Text
Chapter 1:
“Ughh…can I just have one day without having someone trying to bite me?”
MK ducked beneath a set of gleaming fangs, his honey brown tail flicking behind him as he rolled across the bloodstained arena floor. Dust kicked into the air beneath his feet as he sprang back up, landing lightly a few paces away from his opponent.
Across from him stood a snake demon, the demon had a long green serpent tail that flicked back and forth as he moved across the stone and dirt arena floor, above the serpent’s tail rose a humanoid torso with broad shoulders and muscular arms. A cobra-like face stared down at him, striking purple eyes locked onto MK. Two long white fangs framed a pink forked tongue that flicked lazily between them.
The snake demon grinned, sharp teeth glinting beneath the harsh arena lights. He looked excited and was standing tall staring at MK as though he was a little mouse that he could swallow in one bite. MK barely stood above his waist. “Why does everybody have to be so tall?” He thought to himself annoyed as he dodged another strike from the demon. His tail flicked in agitation.
Sometimes he hated being so tiny, even though he knew demons aged slowly, it's just getting ridiculous at this point. He still only looked like a 7 year old human child. When in fact he was much, much older than that. He thought to himself as he flipped over the snake demon that was charging at him.
Even though he doesn't know his exact age he stopped counting after… well anyway he knows it's been over 400 years at least and yet he still looks like a 7 year old human child.
But well you know who knows maybe this is normal for a monkey demon not like he knows after all he's never met another monkey demon. MK sighs to himself “well hopefully I won’t stay this small forever.” He thought annoyed, kicking away the claw that was heading towards his face “though knowing my luck I will end up looking like this for the rest of my life…hmm maybe I can convince one of my opponents to stretch me out and that will help me grow at least a few inches… Though it will probably just break my back…right now that actually doesn't sound like a bad thing it may give me some time off of these stupid fights and these stupid monologs” Finally turning back into the match where the snake demon was still monologing.
How can he talk that much? MK thought to himself incredulously. Not that he had been paying attention. All he knows is that this match started ten minutes ago and he had been talking for nine of those minutes.
“Come now, MK,” the snake demon hissed as he lunged again. “This time you’ll lose… this time I will be victorious.” He said laughing manically.
MK barely managed to sidestep the attack as the demon quickly turned around to once again face MK. MK sighed as he turned around to face the demon. “Seriously Quing…” MK thought to himself deadpanning “why does he always act like this in the arena–he acts like some big bad villain. Though he really sucks at it.” MK thought, looking at Quing who was still monologuing about being able to win this round if he were to just get a hit on him. As if a hit would stop him.
“You and I both know that is never going to happen, Quing.”
He folded his arms for only a second before dropping back into a fighting stance
Especially not with him watching… MK thinks grimacing
After all, you only need the punishment to happen once for the lesson to stick
The thought had barely crossed his mind before Quing struck again. Claws raked across MK’s forearm.
He hissed through his teeth, instinctively grabbing the fresh cut as warm blood trickled down his arm.
The crowd above him explodes into deafening cheers. He winced at the loud noise.
Seriously…?
His golden eyes flicked toward the iron bars surrounding the arena. Hundreds of spectators screamed, laughed, and placed bets as if they were watching a festival or a performance instead of clearly watching two prisoners fighting for survival.
His four ears twitched.
A heartbeat
A brief crumbling of dirt. Was all the warning he got but it was more than enough.
MK threw himself sideways just as Qing’s tail whipped through the space where he’d been standing.
Focus MK.
Don’t get distracted.
I really don’t want Havoc getting angry.
As he flipped backward, landing in a crouch
Though that might be a little late he mused glancing at his bloodied arm
Quing laughed, clearly pleased with himself.
“Ha! I finally hit you!”
MK once again glanced at the blood running down his arm before looking back at the snake demon.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
“Congratulations.”
“It only took you…” He pretended to think for a moment. “...How many years again?”
Quing scoffed
“Oh, shut up you little brat.”
MK chuckled quietly
It has been a while since someone managed to make me bleed.
I’m actually surprised, Quing’s never landed a hit before.
Maybe we can drag this out a little longer…
His smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared as he glanced up where high above the arena, seated within an ornate viewing box, Havoc sat watching him.
The massive green demon rested his chin on one hand, smiling.
That smile chilled him to the bone.
MK immediately lowered his gaze not wanting to see that cold smile that only ever promised pain.
Right.
What was I thinking?
Without another moment’s hesitation, he launched himself forward toward the snake demon.
The rest of the fight became a blur.
A punch.
A dodge.
A kick.
The crack of stone beneath their feet.
Then… it was over.
He stood a few feet away from Quing who lay unconscious on the floor of the arena, blood dripping slowly from his nose. MK just stood staring at him with a growing buzz in his ears.
When MK’s thought finally caught up with reality again, the referee—a light brown meerkat demon was standing beside him with one arm raised high.
“And here’s your winner!” he shouted, his voice echoing throughout the arena. “The undefeated champion of the Underground… MK, the Monkey Demon!”
The audience erupted.
MK barely heard them.
His attention remained solely on Quing who lay unconscious a few feet in front of him, blood still dripping from his nose.
MK winced.
Hopefully I didn’t hit him too hard.
“And that’s it for today’s matches!” the referee continued excitedly.” Join us tomorrow for another spectacular battle between our very own Cat Demon and one of our honored audience volunteers, Zev the Wolf Demon!”
A spotlight swung across the stands and landed on a young grey wolf demon who laughed as his friends slapped him on the back and cheered.
Must be nice…
To have a choice.
“Place your bets!” the referee called. Causing the crowd to roar once again.
MK’s ears flattened and he winced at the loud noise. Having four ears tends to make you more sensitive to sounds after all. He sighed looking at the cheering crowd and an angry look crossed his face.
How can they cheer for this?
Can’t they see that we don’t want to fight?
He watched as the audience slowly filed out of the arena.
Laughing.
Talking.
Arguing over wagers.
Free to go anywhere they wish.
As though they hadn’t just watched prisoners beat each other bloody for entertainment
MK scoffed “of course they don’t care after all they’re not the ones forced to fight,
they get a choice,
they get to go home to go anywhere they want,
they’re free” with that thought his face fell and a look of sadness replaced the anger.
Lucky them.
Soon the last demon left and the stadium fell silent.
And as always only MK, Quing, and the referee remained
MK stood beside Quing, his fist still clenched at his sides looking at the stadium with a sad look.
“Well, kid, it seems like you’ve won once again.”
The cheerful voice made MK sigh. He slowly turned to face Kuro, the meerkat demon who served as the arena’s referee, and one of Havoc's underlings. MK narrowed his eyes at the demon as he came closer to him. He truly hated Kuro. He was so annoying acting like he was friends with MK and the rest of the prisoners calling them contestants as though they were on a game show instead of a death ring. Acting as though they chose to be here.
Well to him it may as well be a game show after all he’s not the one fighting to survive like the rest of us are.
His tail flicked behind him in agitation though of course that did nothing to dissuade Kuro from striding over with a big fake grin plastered across his face. Before MK could step away, Kuro slung an arm around his shoulders and ruffled his hair.
MK flinched.
This was another reason MK disliked Kuro. He always touched him even knowing MK disliked it greatly.
Can this guy ever keep his hands to himself?
He carefully slipped out from beneath Kuro’s arm, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder.
Crossing his arms and staying far out of Kuro’s reach.
“I always do, Kuro.” MK responded snidely with a slight smirk
Kuro laughed not seeming to realize the tone of MK’s voice
Is this guy completely oblivious on purpose or is he just a moron?
“Right, right. You’re our precious champion after all.”
MK’s smirk stiffened
He hated being called that.
“Our champion?”
A deep voice echoed across the arena as slow heavy footsteps came closer and closer.
“I believe you mean my champion.”
The entire arena seemed to freeze.
Even Kuro’s grin faltered.
MK’s stomach dropped and his shoulders stiffened.
No…
Not him.
Not now.
Can’t he just leave him alone for once.
He didn’t need to turn around. He knew that voice far too well. It was one of the many that haunted his dreams after all.
“Isn’t that right, MK?”
The footsteps stopped, the words coming from directly behind him.
MK stared straight ahead, watching Kuro’s nervous expression.
“O-Of course Havoc sir” Kuro stumbled the words out.
MK wanted nothing more than to continue looking at Kuro if it meant he wouldn’t have to face the awful demon behind him but he would never be that lucky and knew ignoring him will only make him even angrier, so slowly MK drew a breath and forced himself to turn.
Towering over him stood a massive green demon whose broad frame resembled more of an ogre than anything else.
Havoc.
The Demon of Confusion
Known to many as the supreme leader of the Night Market, an illegal underground operation where demons could find anything and everything selling many illegal products one couldn’t find anywhere else.
He was also the owner of the Underground, the fight club where MK and many other demons and humans were either sold by others to pay off a debt, bought from other demons who considered them their property, or in MK’s case caught and forced to fight for the entertainment of others.
Owner of every fight…
…and also the owner of MK.
MK stood a little below Havoc's waist which meant he tilted his head up to get a good look at his face.
MK met his gaze without speaking
I don’t belong to you.
He’d said those words once before.
The scar that had earned him still stretched across his back, an eternal reminder of saying something Havoc doesn't like.
He wasn’t stupid enough to say them again.
Before he could react, Havoc’s hand shot forward, grabbing MK’s chin and forcing his head upward.
Great.
He’s in a mood.
“I asked you a question, monkey.”
MK grit his teeth.
“...Yes.”
Havoc smiled
“Yes… what?”
MK’s jaw tightened.
“...Yes.”
The pressure on his face increased.
“What.” Havoc’s tone took on a hint of annoyance
“...Yes.”
Havoc’s thumb dug painfully into his jaw.
“What.” His tone turned from annoyance to slight anger
MK squeezed his eyes shut. He knew that Havoc was losing his temper and he shouldn’t push it any longer but this was the only defiance MK could get away with minimal consequences.
“...Yes.”
The grip became almost unbearable.
“What.” Havoc's tone had turned cold and dangerous promising pain if the answer was anything he didn’t want to hear.
“...Yes…”
MK’s voice came out barely above a whisper knowing when to stop pushing his luck.
“...I am your champion.”
“There we go.”
Havoc's tone did a complete 180 as he chuckled, patting MK’s cheek with mock affection.
“See? You do know how to behave.”
For a moment MK thought that that was it it was really his own fault after all he should have known better. The moment lasted barely a heartbeat.
Then—
CRACK.
Pain exploded across MK’s face.
He hit the ground hard, one hand flying to his burning cheek.
His ears rang.
He kept his eyes fixed on the floor.
Looking up only made things worse.
He had learned that lesson years ago.
His tail instinctively curled around himself as he waited. For what he wasn’t sure anymore perhaps in the past he would care but now…well now be it pain or yelling neither really affected him anymore he was used to it afterall.
“So…”
Havoc’s voice had become sickeningly sweet.
“What exactly were you doing out there?”
MK swallowed. He knew what he was really asking: Why did it take you so long? Why did you get hurt? Why did I lose bets? MK knew what he was asking and he knew how to answer to placate the demon but he wouldn’t give the demon what he wanted even if it led to more pain.
“Oh, you know…”
He forced a shrug.
“Fighting.”
“It’s not like that’s what I do every day.”
Havoc’s smile disappeared.
“You know that isn’t what I’m asking.”
MK finally looked up, anger flashing through his eyes. So what if he knows what he’s asking it doesn't mean he won’t be angry that MK lost him money no matter what he says Havoc will be pissed and when Havoc is pissed that means he will take it out on MK. MK knows the routine no matter what he does is his fault and besides he doesn't really care that he lost Havoc money in fact he’s glad. Even if it gets him punished, it's worth it to inconvenience Havoc even just a bit. Though maybe he should have rethought his next words.
“What do you want me to say?”
“I fought like I always do.”
“Quing got one lucky hit in, that's all.”
The instant the words left his mouth he regretted them. When he saw Havoc’s expression darkened.
A heavy boot slammed into MK’s stomach.
The impact knocked the breath from his lungs as he was launched across the arena.
Stone cracked beneath him as his back slammed into the wall.
His head struck the stone with a sickening thud.
The room spun as he tried to regain his bearings.
MK eventually groaned once the room stopped spinning, forcing himself upright.
Havoc was already standing over him.
“Now, MK…”
“You should know better than to lie to me.”
He grabbed MK’s face again, forcing their eyes to meet. Havoc’s eyes held a wild craze to them that made MK want to look anywhere but there.
“I know what you’re capable of.”
“My Champion”
MK shivered
There was that awful word again he hated it.
Champion
Another voice echoed through his memories.
“Don’t forget, MK.”
“You’re my precious champion.”
“It’s your dest—”
No.
Don’t think about her.
“I saw it.”
Havoc continued.
“You were going easy on the snake.”
“His name is Quing.”
“I don’t care what his name is.”
Anger welled up inside MK “Of course you don’t, you probably don’t know any of your prisoners names why would you when they belong to you.”
MK knew that the only reason Havoc knew what his name was, was simply because of how valuable MK was to him as well also the fact that he had been their for a very long time kind of hard not to learn his name after so long though it did take him a good 90 years before he got it.
“I don’t care what his name is.”
“I care that you cost me money.”
“I wasn’t throwing the fight.”
Havoc squeezed MK’s face harder and spat out in his sickly sweet tone “Oh so then what were you doing…because from where I sat I saw you holding in your punches you could have finished that fight in two minutes but you didn’t.”
“I wasn’t throwing it, I just got…” MK glanced toward Quing’s unconscious body “...distracted.”
“ Oh?”
Havoc laughed
“Distracted?”
Without warning he sized a fistful of MK’s hair and yanked him up in the air to be eye level with him.
MK hissed through clenched teeth.
“Take this as a lesson.”
“I’ve been very understanding of your little rule about not killing your opponents.”
Internally MK scoffed at the comment
Yeah, understanding if that’s what you can call beating, starving, and contributing to 50% of the scars on me when I refused to kill my opponents as “understanding”.
The only reason he had even stopped trying to get MK to kill his opponents is because more and more people began to volunteer from the crowd to fight MK knowing they didn't have to fear death from him which brought loads more money and audience not to mention how it ended up contributing to him being known as the Undergrounds unbeatable champion.
“But know this monkey my patience has limits.”
He leaned close enough that MK could feel his breath
“The next time you get ‘distracted’...”
“There will be consequences.”
“Am I understood?”
MK looked away.
Havoc immediately pulled harder on his hair causing MK to grit his teeth in pain.
“I asked… am I understood.”
“...Yes.”
“Yes what?”
MK’s shoulders trembled.
“...Yes.”
Another painful tug.
“...Yes…”
He forced his words out through gritted teeth.
“...I understand.”
A smile spread across Havoc’s face.
“There, now was that so difficult?”
He released MK’s hair and MK fell to the floor right on his shoulder and winced.
He silently got up rubbing his shoulder to ease the ache.
For one hopeful second, MK thought it was over.
It wasn’t
Strong arms wrapped around him as Havoc pulled him into a tight embrace.
Too tight.
Far too tight.
MK froze.
He hated this .
This fake warmth
The fake kindness
The false affection.
He despised all of it.
He would have preferred another punch.
At least the bruises healed and he had plenty of them from this conversation alone.
Havoc leaned close to his ear.
“That’s my good champion.”
MK’s body went completely still.
The world around him blurred and his breathing became distant. Everything felt muffled…Like he was sinking underwater. He preferred this at least then he couldn’t feel what was going on around him. He simply stared ahead. Waiting… always waiting for it to end.
Finally, Havoc stepped back, keeping both hands possessively on MK’s shoulders.
“I know you won’t disappoint me.”
“Your next fight is in two days, one of our audience members, a jaguar demon, he seems quite eager to prove he can tame the wild monkey.”
MK didn’t answer, he only nodded blankly and hoped it was enough to pacify the demon, he just wanted him to go away. Luckily he seemed to have had his fill with punishing MK today and just smiled and said “Excellent.”
“Kuro I need you to meet me in my office. There are certain things we need to … discuss.” Havoc spoke up, still staring at MK.
MK looked over to the now very nervous looking Meerkat demon “Huh I forgot he was even in here.” He continued to just look blankly as the demon forced out a stuttered “O–Of course sir.” and quickly fled the arena, presumably heading to the office. MK started after eyes full of envy at the fact he got to walk away.
“Well then, I best be off, Ren, Jax.” Havoc began causing MK to refocus on him. Two guards immediately stepped forward—a massive rhino demon and an equally intimidating hippo demon.
“Take them back to the cells.”
Without another glance, Havoc turned and walked away.
And MK just stared at his retreating form as the guard approached.
That’s all MK really did.
Watch as everyone else moves forward.
While he stayed behind.
And somewhere deep down, he’d long since accepted that was how the rest of his life would be.