#journeytober

[digitalagepulao]

Journeytober: #1 Tree

OFF WE GOOOOOO~! Time will tell if I'll see through it, but we give it the old good try anyways. Gonna try and keep these as grayscale to not fuss with colors, hopefully the next ones are less rendered so I don't burn out. For the Tree prompt, Wukong sleeping by a tree right before the Underworld summons drag him into another immortality lololol

[frostedclock]

Journeytober Day 9/10

Scar / Spider

A mixed two of them together for today. Macaque in any version is such an interesting character and I love him

[lucagray813]

I caught back up! And I'm pretty happy with this one! I went a bit too heavy on the dark blue but I'm happy with it otherwise!

Also does anyone know if there is a platonic duo name for Pigsy and Sandy? I was struggling to find screenshots and I don't think I came across any art of just the two of them - which just feels like a travesty.

While I'm here I may as well plug some of my Sandy & Pigsy fics on AO3: Brothers, Pigsy's Noodles (Also available on Tumblr here), Tea

[vorpaldoodles]

Journey tober day 30! Division!

Wukong and the brotherhood! For some reason I decided to be really really ambitious with these last two days and do multi character pieces. I’m not entirely happy with this but I think parts of it look really good!

[inkiemonkey]

Day 22. Protection

[s0rr3l]

@kaynanarie i made your oc Jen from your Journeytober series 😊😊😊

EVERYONE!!! Please check it out you can find their prompts here!! ITS A GREAT READ IF YOUR INTO OC X MONKEY

@jeminiikrystal @blackknight-kai @marcu-bug

[darrencrissource]

broadwayevolved: DAY 2✔️ • Our #journeytoBE continued with motivational classes, feedback, and advice from our inspiring faculty. We’re loving our ΒΕ family!

August 8, 2018

[kaynanarie]

Journeytober! Master List

Big thanks to @vorpaldoodles for putting together the prompt list!

Day 1 - Trees

Day 2 - Ghost

Day 3 - Fruit

Day 4 - Bear

Day 5 - Lotus

Day 6 - Cycle

Day 7 - Scripture (Fire)

Day 8 - Legacy

Day 9 - Wound/Scar

Day 10 - Spider

Day 11 - Creation

Day 12 - Underworld (Stone)

Day 13 - Pagoda

Day 14 - Lunar

Day 15 - Mercy

Day 16 - Tiger

Day 17 - Weapon

Day 18 - Snake

Day 19 - Chaos

Day 20 - Kasaya/Robe

Day 21 - Bull (Metal)

Day 22 - Protection

Day 23 - Shadow/Light

Day 24 - Brotherhood (Wind)

Day 25 - Temple

Day 26 - Pillar

Day 27 - Family

Day 28 - Soul

Day 29 - Monk (Water) [NSFW]

Day 30 - Division (Unity)

Day 31 - Unity (Division)

Another big thanks to @s0rr3l for the beautiful artwork of Jen!

[kaynanarie]

JourneyTober! Day 23 - Shadow/Light

            The flame of the torch flickered in the evening wind, casting dancing shadows amongst the trees. Night had long since fallen, a quiet chill settling over the forest. Jen kept her light close, following the trail up to the stone formation nearby. She stopped near a rocky alcove, the torch’s warm glow barely illuminating the inside.

            Monkey sat in the center of the floor, still and silent in meditation. The darkness surrounding him was stirred by his soft, rhythmic breaths. A blindfold was wrapped around his eyes, making his usual stoic expression seem deeper, his features sharpened and focused. Part of Jen wanted to reach out and smooth the furrowed brow and slight frown at his mouth.

            Hovering just outside the stone wall, Jen watched but hesitant to call out. After making camp, Monkey had excused himself to practice some new skill, leaving his companions to work out dinner. Hours later, he still hadn’t returned and Jen couldn’t help but worry. While Bajie had waved off her concerns, he did suggest she could fetch him for dinner. And now, she just felt silly, following him all the way to the stones to interrupt his training.

            Before she could turn to leave, Monkey perked up, head tilted to listen closely. Then the corner of his mouth curled just a bit. “Jen?”

            She winced, caught red-handed. “Sorry,” she said, quiet and contrite. “I–we wanted to remind you about dinner. I can go, if you want.”

            Monkey shook his head. “Please stay, I would like your company,” he said, tapping the floor in front of him.

            Warmth bloomed in Jen’s chest, coloring her face in a bashful blush. Leaving the torch outside the wall, she crossed the alcove, sitting cross-legged in front of Monkey close enough for their knees to touch.

            Up close, his handsome face seemed even more intense, cast in shadow and concentration. Monkey seemed to sense Jen’s stare, a knowing smirk lightening his features into something more playful. Biting her lip, she glanced away, thankful he couldn’t see her reddening cheeks.

            “So, what kind of training is this?” Jen asked after a moment, her hushed voice echoing off the stone walls.

            “Learning to rely on other senses,” Monkey answered, tapping at the blindfold. “I may not be able to see an opponent but I can learn to sense them; to see without seeing. Through sound, smell, touch.”

            Jen stifled a gasp when Monkey reached over, taking her hands in his. They were calloused and warm, his large palms dwarfing hers in their gentle grasp. His thumb caressed the delicate skin of her wrist, feeling the jump of her racing pulse. Even while obscured, his unseen eyes were fully focused on her.

            “What can you sense right now?” Jen asked, curiosity overriding her anxiety.

            Monkey sat still, head tilted in thought. After a moment, he spoke, “Would you like to find out?”

            There were a thousand possibilities in his question. And all of them sent jolts of panicky anticipation through Jen, tying her stomach in knots. “S–sure,” she managed to squeak out.

            He pulled his hands away, the loss of his hold sending a pang of disappointment right to her heart. They weren’t gone for long, one brushing the side of Jen’s face before gently covering her eyes, the warm palm shrouding her sight in darkness.

            “Okay?” Monkey’s voice whispered across from her.

            Jen nodded, careful not to dislodge his touch. “Okay.”

            “Take a deep breath, find your center,” Monkey instructed. Inhaling slowly, Jen willed her racing heart and trembling nerves to calm. “Now listen; what do you hear?”

            Without her eyes, the sounds of the cave echoed even louder than before. “The wind outside,” she said, listing each noise that reached her straining ears. “The torch fire crackling. Your breathing.”

            “Good. Now,” he leaned closer, knees pressing against hers. “What do you feel?”

            “The ground,” Jen answered. She reached up slowly, tapping his wrist. “Your hand. And–ack!” she broke off with a laugh. Something fluffy brushed against her neck and ear, tickling a giggle out of her. Jen’s hand flailed blindly in the air until Monkey chuckled, wrapping his tail around her wrist. “And someone making fun of me.”

            “Never,” Monkey assured softly. Her hand was guided forward, palm pressed to his chest and fingers buried in plush fur. Jen could feel his pulse, fast and pounding like a drum.

            “Warm fur,” she murmured, brushing through the soft hairs before smoothing them back down. “And your heartbeat.”

            A nervous twinge froze Monkey under her hand. “We can stop now if–”

            “What about smell?” Jen cut in, feeling cheeky at his sudden shyness. “Isn’t that one of the senses?”

            She didn’t need to see to know he was frowning. “Now who’s making fun.”

            “I’m not; you smell nice,” she smiled in his direction. “Like a storm in the forest mixed with campfire smoke. Fresh and outdoorsy and a little wild.”

            “Incense,” Monkey suddenly said. “You smell like incense, and morning mist, and fresh leaves.” There was a weight to his words, a hidden meaning Jen couldn’t decipher. Her ponderings scattered when Monkey’s free hand cradled her jaw, thumb tracing the growing heat of her cheek. “It’s warm, comforting, safe. I feel at ease when you’re near.”

            As his confession faded into silence, Jen’s senses focused solely on Monkey. He was closer than she originally thought, the heat of his body radiating to her own. Even without touching, she could feel his face hovering just in front of her, their noses nearly brushing. Soft breaths tickled her cheeks and breezed down her throat in a shivering caress.

            “There is…one more…” Monkey offered, voice tense and slightly strangled.

            The spike of anticipation returned, every want and desire suddenly battling to escape her fluttering ribcage. “Yes?”

            A tension built between them, something heavy and overwhelming but painfully fragile. Jen waited, hopeful and anxious, nearly trembling where she sat. What she wanted, Monkey clearly wanted, too. She could feel it in his panted breaths, in the desperate clutch of his grasp. His desire, his hesitation, his ironclad restraint crumbling. “May I?”

            “Please,” Jen breathed.

            Lips pressed against hers, warm and soft and perfect. The hands on her face held her steady, the delicate touch meant for something precious. It was sweet and chaste and still set Jen’s heart aflutter. She reached up, stroking the fur of his cheek. Her other hand remained on his chest, feeling his heartrate jump at her approving hum. Monkey sat up, pulling her close so their bodies were flush, tail wrapping around her waist. Heat and desire burned through Jen, fanned higher when Monkey deepened the kiss, sharp fangs nipping at her lips.

            An unimpressed snort boomed around the cave, startling them both. They jumped apart, frazzled and panting, Monkey’s hands clutching Jen’s shoulders protectively. With her sight restored, Jen blinked against the sudden light, a familiar figure focusing into view.  “Is this what’s considered training, nowadays?”

            “Uncle?”

            “Bajie?”

            “Oh, remember I exist now, do you?” Bajie scoffed. “I thought maybe you got lost on the way here. If I had known what sort of training you were up to, I would have saved myself the trouble and had dinner already.”

            Both Monkey and Jen sat in stunned silence, red faced and mortified. Rolling his eyes, Bajie handed Jen the torch and marched out of the cave. “Come on before the food gets cold or something else finds it before we get back.”

            As the shock wore off, a nervous chuckle bubbled out of Jen. A rumbling chuckle followed from Monkey, sharing in her mirth. “Well,” Jen sighed, climbing to her feet. “Let’s go before he decides come back and scar us even further.”

            Monkey grumbled but stood as well, Jen taking his hand to lead the way out of the shadowy alcove. Even after tugging off the blindfold, Monkey let Jen guide the way back by the light of the torch, hands still firmly clasped together and blushing faces smiling.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------(This has been in my head for nearly a week, I'm so glad I got to finish it! Come get yo juice! Longest one yet, totally worth it. Bajie is a terrible wingman but a terrific cockblock, change my mind. Big thanks to everyone for reading, hope you enjoyed!)

[kaynanarie]

JourneyTober! Day 6 - Cycle

            “Sit down, young one. Have some tea with us.”

            A fresh cup was poured and passed across the make-shift table by a long-armed gibbon. Next to him, a baboon nodded in approval, taking a sip of his own drink.

            Five minutes earlier, Jen and Monkey had been strolling along the path when an ambush of wolves appeared from the trees. Monkey shoved her behind him, engaging the pack while Jen retreated to a safe distance. With most of their comrades outnumbering Monkey, two of the left-over wolves set their sights on the defenseless human. All it took was a toothy grin to send Jen fleeing into the forest, the wolves in hot pursuit.

           First, she ran, then tripped and tumbled down the hill, landing in a pile of fallen leaves. Jen scrambled back to her feet and ducked behind a rocky outcrop to hide. As gruff voices echoed nearby, she pressed herself flat against the wall and shuffled away step by careful step. Where her hand grazed a thick tangle of vines, the stone vanished. Glancing down, Jen found a small hollow hidden beneath the leafy curtain. The voices of the wolves were growing closer so she brushed the plants aside and crawled into the crevice.

           Instead of a cramped gap in the rocks like she had been expecting, a short tunnel led into the hillside and ended in a spacious cave. The ceiling was tall enough for her to stand without bumping her head. Candles were scattered along the rough walls, illuminating the space in a warm light. In the center of the room was a tree trunk, a glowing lantern and teacups set upon its smoothed surface. Seated at the rustic table were two primates; a monkey with long arms and a baboon with a colorful face.

           And that was how Jen found herself sat on the ground, holding a steaming cup of tea, and listening to the chatter of her monkey hosts.

           “Not many Destined Ones have made it this far,” the baboon noted.

           The gibbon nodded. “Even less Companions as well. This monkey seems more diligent in keeping his human alive. Perhaps this pair will find all the relics.”

           “They’ve been found before, but all must be found or all will be for naught. And the cycle begins anew.”

           “And the cycle begins anew,” the gibbon repeated as both took careful sips of their tea.

           “You know about the relics?” Jen asked, glancing between the two. “How? Who are you guys?”

           “I am the Long-Armed Gibbon. This is the Red-Bottomed Horse Baboon. We are the Celestial Primates. Where there were once four, then there were three, but now there is only two.”

           “Till our stone brethren can return.”

           Jen choked on her drink when the riddle almost made sense. “You mean the Monkey King?”

           “Yes,” the Baboon answered simply. “The Stone Monkey set this all in motion and all must be understood. The Destined One can see his mission fulfilled but be warned; mindlessness leads to failure and the crown is a terrible burden. Only when the cycle is broken can he truly succeed. Until then, the Destined One is doomed to fail.”

           “What do you mean doomed?!” Jen snapped, slamming her cup on the table. “What cycle? Is finding the relics not enough? What do we need to do?”

           “You are the Companion,” the Gibbon said. “With your guidance, the Destined One may find the true path and complete his journey.”

           “How am I supposed to guide him when I barely know what’s going on?” Jen begged, reeling from the bombardment of critic words. Instead of answering, the two monkeys tilted their heads and glanced towards the cave entrance.

           The Baboon spoke first. “Your friend is looking for you.”

           “Better hurry,” the Gibbon added. “He sounds quite distraught.”

           Jen immediately jumped to her feet and hurried to the cave entrance. The monkeys’ voices echoed down the tunnel as she crawled back the way she came in.

           “Good luck, young Companion; to you and the Destined One!”

           “Trust and rely on each other and you may live to see this journey’s end!”

            Brushing past the ivy curtain, Jen emerged to fresh air and sunlight. The alarming sound of footfalls on leave was quickly alleviated by Monkey rounded the corner. He was still wielding his staff on high alert, fur bristled and tail lashing in agitation. A wash of relief smoothed his figure when he spotted Jen. In an instant, he was by her side, one arm pulling her into a tight hug against his shoulder.

            “I’m fine,” she assured him with a smile. He pulled back to scan her for injuries, a stern brow arched in an unspoken question. “I was just hiding in here with–,” she turned to point but found that the cave entrance was gone. She shoved the vines out of the way, finding solid stone underneath. Monkey knelt down next to her, glancing between her and the wall curiously.

            “But…but there was a cave right here! And there were two monkeys drinking tea!” Jen’s mind whirled, trying to remember everything that may or may not have happened. Her thoughts were interrupted by Monkey placing a hand on her forehead.

            “I don’t have a fever and I didn’t imagine it,” Jen protested with a pout. He didn’t seem convinced, tugging her away from the mysterious rock. “Let’s just go before more wolves show up.”

            Climbing back up the hill, the two found the path and continued where they left off, Monkey’s gentle grip on her wrist keeping her by his side as they walked. Even after the disappearing cave was left far behind, the haunting words of the Celestial Primates echoed in Jen’s ears.

           ‘The Destined One is doomed to fail…’

           ‘The crown is a terrible burden…’

           ‘Mindlessness leads to failure…’

           ‘And the cycle begins anew…’

------------------------------------------------------------------------------(The mental gymnastics I went through to write this dialogue.)

[kaynanarie]

JourneyTober! Day 13 - Pagoda

            Everything was muddled and bitterly cold. Even after kicking down the door of his cell, Monkey could only make it a few stumbling steps before a cacophony of voices bellowed around the pagoda. Red haze filled his vision while a deafening ringing in his ears brought him to his knees. Agonizing minutes passed before the chanting fell silent, leaving Monkey shaky and disoriented.

            The last thing he remember was plunging into the frozen lake after defeating the dragon. He had made it to shore but was ambushed by the macaque chief before everything went dark. Waking up inside the tower, half frozen and dazed, did little to piece together his situation.

            Unshrinking his hidden staff, Monkey used it to heave himself off the ground. He needed a way out. He needed to find Jen and make sure she was safe. But first, he needed a plan.

            Outside his cell, the jagged walkway plummeted into a bottomless chasm. Rising from the pit all the way to the top of the pagoda was a massive monolith, carved with statues and slowly spinning in place.

            Cells lined the outer walls; some empty, some only housing the remains of deceased prisoners. The yaoguai still alive paced behind iron bars, watching Monkey pass with a sinister interest. There were guards, tall with treelike heads hung with glowing lanterns, patrolling along the path while other lesser demons kept watch.

            Monkey kept to the shadows, sneaking past guards and prisoners alike. He was nearing the next level of the tower when he heard quick footsteps echoing from the passageway. Backing behind a pillar, Monkey readied his staff and watched the figure approach.

            An oversized cloak obscured their features but they were short, much smaller than any yaoguai he had encountered so far. They also lacked the demonic aura of anything dangerous. Their covered head glanced left then right before hurrying out of the doorway. As they passed, Monkey caught a peek at the face hidden beneath the hood.

            A human. His human. Jen.

            He was already moving by the time his mind had recovered from the shock. One hand snagged her cloak while the other reached to stifle her shout, tugging her back to the safety of the shadows. Jen thrashed in his hold, knocking his hand away from her face and spinning to face him. The fury in her eyes shift to surprise then delight as she threw her arms around him.

            “There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

            After the ice of the lake and the frigid prison, her hug brought a warmth Monkey didn’t even know he craved. Rapid fire emotions ached in his chest; panic, anger, fear, but finally settled on relief as he returned her embrace.

            “How?” he managed to choke out, hands still clinging when she stepped back to look at him.

            “I saw when you got captured and followed you here,” she answered, ignoring his responding frown. “I stole a cloak, snuck in, and I’ve been looking for you ever since.”

            “Too reckless,” Monkey scolded. “It’s dangerous, you could have been hurt.”

            “Well, I found you and I’m not sorry,” Jen said, crossing her arms. “Besides, getting in was easy. Getting out is going to be the hard part.”

            “Not out. Up.” Monkey nodded to the top of the pagoda.

            “You’ve got to be kidding,” Jen muttered, eyeing the looming tower. “And how are we supposed to get up there? I haven’t exactly found any stairs.”

            This time, he pointed to the giant wooden beams cross-crossing over the pit, climbing to the upper levels one ledge at a time. Jen paled, glancing down at the empty darkness below.

            “Nope. No way. That’s dangerous and reckless.”

            “We’ll be fine,” Monkey chuckled. He took one of her hands in his, leading them towards the first bridge. “Just stay close and don’t look down.”

            Jen’s face went from white to burning red, her eyes suddenly finding the scuffs of her boots fascination. When she spoke, her words sounded small and nervous. “Just don’t let me fall, okay?”

            The firm grip on her hand gave a reassuring squeeze that settled her nerves.

            “Never.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------(This one had a completely different ending than I originally planned. Set during Chapter 3 of Black Myth Wukong. I'm still trying to catch up on these, maybe someday. Thanks to everyone still reading.)

[kaynanarie]

JourneyTober! Day 28 - Soul

            The shrines of the Yellow Wind Ridge were different than the root carved, flower covered sanctuaries of Black Wind Mountain. They were sand colored and perched on stone daises while Buddha statues sat in thoughtful meditation inside.

            Monkey plucked a hair and conjured it into an incense stick, setting it within the dusty shrine. Smoke curled from the lit offering, dancing away on the dry wind as it swept through the desert village.

            “Why do you do that?” Jen asked once Monkey had finished his silent prayer. “I know Tudi helped us on the mountain but are there other like him here, too?”

            Monkey nodded. “Yes. Though we’ve yet to see them, the shrine keepers will lend us their aid.”

            With the incense lit and the shrine properly acknowledged, Monkey continued down the sandy road, Jen trailing behind.

            “What kind of help do they usually offer?”

            “Guidance,” Monkey answered, scanning the buildings ahead for guards and archers. “Directions, warnings of enemies, aid in battle.”

            “Battle?” Jen blinked, thinking back to Monkey’s numerous fights and victories. “I think I saw Tudi help you once with the immobilizing spell. Would they really fight if you needed help?”

            ���Not fight. Recover.” Monkey plucked another hair, holding it out to Jen. “If I ever fall in battle, they can withdraw me to safety. Every offering holds my energy that can be used as a tether to reach me.

            Jen stared at the ordinary looking strand of fur in her hand. “You leave a piece of your soul at the shrines for a tactical retreat?”

            “Something like that,” Monkey agreed after a moment. He turned suddenly, expression grim, eyes dark and serious. “If that ever happens, you must run. Go to the nearest shrine; it will keep you safe until I find you again. Understood?”

            “But what if you need–?”

            “No,” Monkey interrupted, the word blunt and final. “If I fall, I cannot protect you, and I won’t have you attacked in my absence. Okay?”

            This time, the request was soft and pleading, concern heavy in Monkey’s eyes as he waited for Jen’s response. While she didn’t like the idea of running away, she finally sighed and nodded.

            “Fine, I’ll keep myself safe. Just try not to make getting hurt a habit, alright?”

            A flaming arrow shot past, pining itself to the wall behind them. Monkey grabbed Jen’s arm and ducked behind a doorway as more archers fired down from the rooftops.

            “That part might be out of my hands.” Monkey spun his staff and darted out into the opening, rushing the rat guards as yet another battle began.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (I really struggled with an idea for this one so it's pretty short. Thanks for reading.)

[kaynanarie]

JourneyTober! Day 24 - Brotherhood (Wind)

            Out of all the places they had traveled so far, the New West was proving to be the most hostile. Vengeful yaoguai, frozen undead, lightning dragons, and a demon prison had already attempted to bar their way through Little Lei Yin Temple. Being so high up in the mountains, the bitter cold and constant snowfall made travel slow and tedious.

            Along the way, they gained a new companion; the boar demon, Zhu Bajie, who claimed to be a sworn brother of Sun Wukong himself. He promised to help in their journey, even referring to Monkey as ‘Nephew’, before leading them away from the cymbals he was freed from.

            And while the new trio made steady progress during the day, the nights were unbearable.

            A blizzard had encompassed the temple, forcing Monkey, Jen, and Bajie to hunker down in one of the abandoned huts near Bitter Lake. The cracks in the dilapidated structure did little to hold the heat in and even less to keep the cold out. Howling winds whipped the snow into blinding waves, burying the house in deep drifts. Not even the crackling fire could provide enough warmth to stave off the creeping chill.

            Jen huddled as close to the flames as she could without burning herself. The cold felt bone deep, numbing her from the inside out. Her red face and trembling fingers absorbed what little heat the fire provided but never truly felt thawed. While her demon companions had the advantage of fur, they weren’t fairing much better.

            Monkey kept blowing in his hands and cupping them over his freezing ears, his fur fluffed up to conserve body heat. On the other side of the tiny hut, Bajie was keeping himself busy; boiling water for tea, sorting ingredients for dinner, tending the fire with the limited wood they could gather. Even as the hour grew late, the comfort of sleep was blown away with the storm.

            “We need to find more wood,” Bajie spoke after a while, watching the fire slowly shrink. He fed the last bundle of branches to the flames before pointing at Jen. “You won’t last much longer at this rate.”

            Monkey perked up from his light doze, dark eyes scanning the human in concern. She was pale and shivering, hugging her knees close. The dying fire was doing her no favors and without it, her condition would only worsen.

            “I’m fine,” Jen said, white breath puffing through her chattering teeth.

            Bajie snorted in disbelief. “You’re about two shades off from turning blue. I know how fragile humans are and I don’t plan to wake up next to an icicle.” He grabbed his tattered blanket and wrapped it around himself as a makeshift cloak. “Just try not to freeze while I’m gone, okay?”

            He cracked open the door and slipped out, a blast of snowflakes and icy wind left in his wake. Jen turned back to the fire, watching the flickering glow with tired eyes. She was startled by Monkey appearing at her side, draping something over her shaking shoulders. The familiar black and orange stripes caught her eye instant. It was the tiger pelt Monkey usually wore around his waist, the fur much softer and heavier than Jen would have guessed. Already, the chill started to fade under its cover.

            Jen smiled, Monkey’s face flushing pink at the sight. “Thanks.”

            Instead of an answer or even an acknowledging nod, Monkey wrapped his arms around Jen and pulled her close. Her head was tucked under his chin and his tail curled around her middle, sheltering her in a warm embrace. Too comfortable to protest, Jen leaned into him, enjoying the shared body heat as the wind outside calmed and the storm finally began to disperse.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Another switched out prompt. Thanks for reading!)

[vorpaldoodles]

Journey tober day 22! Protection!

Stay, just, just stay this time. Please? He’s begging.

[kaynanarie]

JourneyTober! Day 26 - Pillar

(Tiny spoiler warning for Black Myth Wukong)

            Since arriving at Mount Huaguo, the journey had continued at breakneck speed. Jen’s head was still reeling from the countless demons that confronted them on arrival. And all the changes their defeats had made of Monkey.

            First, a gilded rhino with a glowing horn adorned him in golden armor, extravagant and regal in its craft. Next, a flying deer of ice and poisoned blood left a pair of silk boots, the first shoes Jen had ever seen Monkey wear. Then a giant grasshopper that shook the earth with every bounce yielded a crown with two long, arching feathers perched its top. Last was a tiny mantis in a fight Jen did not witness but Bajie complained loudly about while it raged in his stomach. The bug’s defeat added a pair of ornate bracers, completing the armor in all its splendor.

            There was an authority to the ensemble, a power that Monkey effortlessly carried, like he was always meant to wear it. He looked every bit as royal and intimidating as the king he was sent to find. Jen couldn’t deny the enhanced appeal it gave his already handsome features but there was an apprehension to seeing him become so different so suddenly.

            While Bajie cheered and grinned proudly at every victory, Jen found herself more and more unsettled. A creeping dread grew in her chest with every piece added, with every part of Monkey slightly changed. It was like she was watching him slip away bit by bit until he wouldn’t be recognizable anymore. She still congratulated him when he looked her way, masking the anxiety behind a forced smile. If Monkey’s confused frown was anything to go by, he wasn’t buying her act.

            The trio had followed the path to the waterfall, a weaving labyrinth of open caverns and rocky alcoves at its base. There, glittering in the sunlight, was a towering pillar of iron and ornate gold, nearly as tall as the mountain itself.

            “Ah, here it is!” Bajie laughed, glancing up where the top pierced the sky above. “I knew it. Wukong is tightfisted, even Guanyin agrees so. He kept it here so it could be passed down to another one of his kind.”

            As if sensing Monkey’s approach, the pillar rumbled and slowly started to change, shrinking itself narrower and shorter until it was the size of an average fighting staff. Even in its smaller form, the pillar still radiated a power and weight that made Jen keep her distance.

            Bajie nodded, encouraging Monkey forward. “Now it’s time for you to try it, kid.”

            Slow and hesitant, his hand hovered the staff, carved words glowing under his careful touch. Gripping the iron firmly, he took a deep breath and pulled.

            The pillar resisted at first, refusing to budge in Monkey’s grasp. Around them, the very mountain began to thunder and quake. The ground shook underfoot, stones tumbled down from the rocky ledges, leaves and fruit rained down from trembling trees. Bajie struggled to stay upright while Jen dove for cover, tucked behind a fallen log as the power struggle continued.

            Finally, in a flash of golden sparks, the staff broke free. Monkey spun his newly acquired weapon, feeling the weight and balance in his confident hands. A final tremble rocked the cave and collapsed the far wall, revealing a hidden path deeper into the mountain.

            “Once you have this, there’s no turning back,” Bajie spoke with a mix of pride and resolve. “Now…you look exactly like Wukong.”

            The words sent a cold chill through Jen’s body. Properly armed and garbed with Sun Wukong’s fineries, there was no denying her monkey companion as the Destined One. For a moment, she did not recognize him, though, lost in the visage of the legendary Monkey King.

            Bajie’s praises continued, oblivious to Jen’s inner turmoil. “You’re all set, kid. You look like a fierce warrior!” The boar demon led the way through the collapsed wall, climbing his way up the pile of rubble. “Come with me! Let’s find out what that old monkey is up to.”

            As Bajie disappeared ahead, Monkey glanced around, noticing Jen’s figure still hidden behind the log. Before he could approach, she had scrambled to her feet, beelining in Bajie’s direction.

            “Are you okay?” Monkey asked, taking in her rushed stride and nervous behavior with concern.

            She only nodded, avoiding his probing stare. “I’m fine.” As she tried to hurry past him, a hand caught her arm, the grip careful but still firm in its halting intent.

            “Jen?” Monkey’s voice was questioning, chastising, and pleading all in one. The quiet desperation in it compelled Jen to reveal her worries if only to put him at ease.

            “It…looks good,” she said quietly, getting to see the armor up close. The gold designs were carefully crafted down to the tiniest detail; true artwork fit for a king. “You look very…different.”

            The meaning in her words seem to startle Monkey, his body still as realization set in. He sighed after a moment, a hand cradling her jaw and gentling tipping her face up towards his. The same dark eyes she’d come to love stared down at her, holding the same warmth and kindness in their depths.

            “It’s still me,” he assured her, thumb caressing her cheek. “That’s not going to change.”

            “Do you promise?” Jen whispered, gaze misting and throat suddenly choked with every fear she had swallowed. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers with a soothing hum. The tender touch was enough to overflow her closed eyes, gentle fingers brushing the falling tears away.

            “I promise; I will never leave you.”

            A shaky breath passed Jen’s lips as she leaned into him, the anxiety draining away to weary relief. Monkey pulled her in a hug, warm and comforting despite the bulky armor. Underneath it all, he was still her Monkey; her companion, her friend. The one she traveled with and the one she fell in love with. Now, she could only hope he would keep his word and stay that way till the end.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Got a bit behind so I had to do two in one day. Tiny spoiler for Black Myth Wukong, gonna have more of those for the last few. Thanks for reading! Should have the next one up soon.)

[lucagray813]

There was no way I wasn't drawing these two for today's prompt! I love drawing Pigsy - he's just such a good shape!

I think colouring with pencils is growing on me but I really should try and get some that are all the same quality if not part of the same set.

I've written so many Dadsy fics by this point and if you want you can check them out on AO3 here or on Tumblr here. There are currently more fics on AO3 but I'm slowly posting them here too.