#we all love to watch Wukong get wasted

[lavaflowe]

CONGRATS TO HAVOC FOR WINNING THE SWK SHOWDOWN🎉🎉

[newkatzkafe2023]

Okay just saw friends, family and enemies, meeting Queen Kong, now they HAVE to meet female Godzilla and Godzilla Jr. XD

(emojis don't work for this platform.)

I CHALLENGE ANYONE WHO READS THIS POST, TO TAG AND REBLOG AS MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS AS YOU CAN!!!!!!!

#Scary wife Privileges😈

(Lmk Wukong) Ohhhhhhhhhh man everyone in megaspolis can see you the Legendary godzilla. Your husband begged for months for you and godji jr to meet his friends and we finally agreed. After all godzilla jr kids Needs friends his age, so later you got to pigsy's restaurant. And everybody was either amazed or terrified, Tang was the first to notice and well...😨

Tang: P-Pigsy I-I t-think godzilla is outside your r-restaurant😨😨😨😨

Pigsy: Very funny Tang😒😒😒

Sandy:(Upon seeing you) Oh dear....😥

Wukong: Hey, you guys I want you meet my wife Y/n or goddesszilla and my son JR!!!!🥰🥰

Then the others showed up, Mk was spazzing out in a good way as he ran around you in extreme excitement. Then Mei was over here, taking selfies with goji Jr and playing with the filers with him. And Redson called his parents about the possible danger. As he hid under a table in Pigsy's restaurant.

With their Enemies 🐂🕷🌬☠️🦁🐘🕊

the spider gang did not want any of that radiation smoke🕷🕷🕷

and neither did DBK and PIF🐂🌬

Jin and Yin were fanboying all over the place🩶🤎

The Mayor knew what was good for him and stayed back and far away along with Lady bone demon☠️💀

Nezha Wasn't sure if he should report this to heaven or not

And Lastly Azure and Peng were outraged because what else has Wukong hid from them. Meanwhile Yellowtusk Did everything in his power were not to piss us off.

As for Macaque he's muttering his Prayers as he literally digs his own grave😈🤣😰

(MR Wukong) Terror Pure unadulterated Terror, your husband finally decided to tell his master about you and Jr, Any well it really could have gone better. The ground shook the camp as they see Wukong and Fruity come back with a big body and soon an even bigger body. The pilgrims were pale as snow when they saw you and Jr.

Wukong: I wanted to tell you, that I'm married now and this is my wife Y/n and my other son godzilla Jr🤗

We stared down at the pilgrims, as the monk wasted no time passing out because the monkey king is Married to GODDESSZILLA!!! pigsy pissed himself and sandy actively ran away screaming. Meanwhile fruity and goji Jr because the fastest best friends😊🥰

(NR Wukong) Ohhhhhhhhhh man this is gonna be lit🤩🤩🤩🤩. Everyone was so stoked to meet godzilla, and Wukong Sorta found himself bragging about you and his Jr. Li was at a serious lost about what to do with this information, but Jr was quick to win him over with his surprisingly social nature.

Li:(getting Lick by Jr) haha awww your so cute🥰😊

Godzilla Jr:(purrs)

Su and the others had many questions for you which you Took the time to patiently answer to the best of your while Wukong cuddle and purred into you.

Meanwhile

Ao bing: Dad is that goddesszilla???😯😲🫨

Ao Guang: Whatever you do do not make eye contact😨😰😱

(HIB Wukong) Luier and Silly girl already loved you when you made their father happy. They also became fast friends and Siblings with Godzilla Jr. Goji Jr was quick to become very protective over his younger smaller brother and Sister. But overall the 3 were loving play mates, and Silly girl had started calling you mama at the end of the visit as Luier would sit by you asking questions. Which put another painful blush on his face as he watched the whole interaction. You also Might be wondering why pigsy didn't bother to flirt with you......????

Because both of you can definitely kill him😬

(Netflix Wukong) the dragon king Screamed like a little girl when he saw you at Lin's house. While Lin herself, she could even begin to comprehend what's going on here. Wukong had bought you and Goji Jr to meet his friends and so far Goji Jr loved Lin as he went and licked her face. Making Lin laugh at the tickles, meanwhile dragon king was down for the count as you stared down at him with a glare. Dragon king remained on his best behavior while you were there Because his life literally depended on it.

FEEL FREE TO REBLOG

[acoraxia]

I was wondering if you had any headacanons for Xiangliu or any interp ideas? I was hoping to write this in anonymously but yeah! I was curious about your ideas for him or what you think his impact to the next season will be 👉👈 He didn't feel like a filler villain for me because this season was heavy on the life cycles and the disruption of it and I've seen a couple people reference his story as the origin of Plato's Allegory. I think if the last life cycle was JTTW then he must've been from one previous to that one with Wukong and maybe the original brotherhood or with the original JTTW group..? I'm unsure! It's fun to speculate though

hooo boy i had to really sit down and think about this one because i did not like the theme they had going on for this season... spoilers ahead for those of you who haven't watching LMK S5 yet

So Xiangliu is interesting to me because he first appears in Shanhaijing, an older classical chinese mythology book. He doesn't really appear in JTTW at all? The only nine-headed beasts we get are the Dragon King's son in law and a nine-headed lion. So they essentially plucked him from another mythology book which is interesting to me because at least Nuwa appears in Investiture of the Gods which serves as a nice little "sequel" to JTTW.

Anyways.

He really didn't feel like a filler villain but he suffers the same effect as Azure Lion where we get quickly introduced to his character and then he's gone. And we get like, what?, one or two little tidbits about him and that he's involved with Chaos but Chaos is evil and apparently might be Pangu but that'd be a little fucking insane and fuck with my head as a mythology loving nerd - it's a weird little thign to introduce a character so quickly and then have him vanish before we even learn what his favorite color is.

if he does come back for s6 i think it'd a waste though considering he seemed pretty... complete? he went back to the chaos (?) and was satisfied with his ending so?? gg?

I also don't like the western ideas being thrown into a show that centers on Chinese mythology but hey the show was animated by an australian company and then passed on to a canadian company so sure whatever. I also don't like the fact they make this out to be a repeating cycle because that's... that kind of defeats the purpose of JTTW to me? I understand that JTTW has so many iterations and interpretations and different ways to go about it (this is why there's so many movies, shows, series, etc.) but to have it be an actual thing in the canon of Monkie Kid feeeeels... off?

You mean to tell me SWK goes through getting bashed by a group of people over and over again? And he doesn't remember it? no one remembers it? that's a little fucked up (and i do not like how they had nuwa be the one to start said cycle because wtf) i mean it could be fun!! just the way it was executed felt rather rushed and a little bit... empty? idk how to describe it

TLDR; Xiangliu was an interesting character but due to poor execution and the rapid way he was handled I cannot form a proper opinion on him it's like asking me to try and describe a flavor of ice cream i've only had a spoonful of once 10 months ago

[digitalagepulao]

A-ma Longan, or Grandma Dragon-Eye

soooo i'm doing my own spin on giving Wukong a mama, so meet miss Dragon-Eye herself <3 Longan is a langur monkey who appeared in Huaguo one day centuries back, and found a spot for herself in one of the mountain's monkey troops. Given her considerable age and that she's been a mentor and a maternal figure to so many, she's earned a position of respect among the other langurs. François langurs are matriarchal and rear their children communally among the females, and males leave the troop before they are mature, so I imagine that someone needs to kick ass when the troop is in danger, and given the amount of demons we have around, that's gonna be her. Longan once attempted cultivation but ultimately gave up before reaching Huaguo, but what she's learned watching priests and monks doesn't go to waste. She's managed to keep peace among the monkeys as well as with most demons, and she does her best to keep all her loved ones healthy and safe. Sometimes that includes pacifying spirits and local gods, but that's just part of the job. She has a sort of will-they-won't-they Situationship with the mountain's tutelary deity (dijizhu) who I'll get to eventually. They work well together, having grown their own kind of affectionate sniping and ribbing over the centuries, and he can't complain finally receiving offerings and not being trampled by this or that demon as was the case before Longan came. i'm gonna come up with, way more ocs for this au of mine lmao including of course, giving Wukong a monkey big bro :3c

transcript of the image under the read more VVV

A-ma Longan, matriarch of the troop. Stern | Reclusive | Temperate | Dry - Droopy fur, red dye face paint, constant neutral or mellow expression, necklace made of stone pits. Can stand like a human when needed. - Known for having a deadpan sense of humor and not engaging with games like most, prefers to keep watch on trees and pacifying distraught land gods and rowdy demons. - Know human manners and medicine, basic language - Not native to Huaguo - Often takes a mentor role with other monkeys Maintains an uneasy peace with other demons, until Wukong befriends and allies with them

[lilith-little-world]

The Oracle|| Concept Oneshot 4||

Here is some fluff and a slightly suggestive theme. Sorry for not posting sooner, I had slight writer's block and some stuff came up.

“See, this isn't so bad!”

You bring a small cup of coffee up to drink. It has been a while since you went to a cafe. The weather was becoming warmer as the month came to the end, soon transitioning to spring. Today, however, was just perfect to be outside and eat out. Even though it took a little bit of persuading for a certain someone to join you.

“It wouldn't be so bad if people stopped staring.”

“Nobody is staring, my little sunspot.”

Wukong huffs before taking a sip from his tea, flustered by the pet name. You just smirk at his reaction. Enjoying the time together, you guys don't really go out in public. Since Wukong prefers not to be out in the eye of the public for obvious reasons.

“Is this payback for always teasing you? Why did you choose a cafe with lots of people?!”

“Sunshine, how dare you even think that? Of course, I did this just to see you all flustered and shy. Also, this place never got this full, so I'm just as surprised as you are.” You said the last part quietly and looked away to see the busy cafe.

Wukong groans, pulling the hoodie over his face. Whilst sinking into his chair, with clear annoyance. You take a bite from your muffin and think. How can you make this time more comfortable for him? Maybe, cool it with the pet names?

Nah.

He wouldn't dare show the same mercy to you.

You stretched your leg over and lightly rubbed against his calf. His body tensed up from the sensation. It took a minute before he raised his hoodie and peeked at you.

“Hope you know, I don't mind you sleeping over for the night.”

“Oh?” He sits up with a smirk. “What is that supposed to mean, peaches?”

You put down your foot but made sure it was touching his.

“Hm? I thought it was straightforward and clear what I meant. You can stay over the night at my place.” You glance at the window, trying to keep your composure.

“I mean it is, but you were quite vague. So please tell me, what are we planning to do all night?”

Wukong’s posture was now relaxed, having placed his elbows on the table and resting his head in both his hands. Leaning forward closing the distance. You glance at him and smile softly. Silently celebrating for finally achieving your goal, of making him comfortable.

“Oh I don't know, maybe-” You lean back and pretend to think for a moment. Wukong’s smirk falters but forms a small smile instead and leans back in his chair.

“Hmm, we can watch a series of your choice and eat snacks all night!” You innocently say. He let out a chuckle.

“That sounds lovely, just know I won't let you sleep. We are going to be staying up all night.”

He takes a sip from his tea, copying your actions from earlier. You laugh at his antics.

“But you must spend the day out with me.”

“I wouldn't have it any other way.”

“Great, let's go then!”

“Huh? Wait, where are we going? I thought you just wanted to go out to a cafe!” He said with panic.

“That changed when you agreed to spend the whole day by my side. I'm not going to let this opportunity go to waste. Don't worry though-” You lean close to his ear and whisper.

“You’ll have me all night within your arms.”

Wukong shuts his mouth, face red. You worry a bit when he just stares at the spot in front of him.

Looks like you broke him.

After 2 minutes of pure silence, you could see his fur prick up as his pupils dilated.

‘Oh, that's not a good sign.’

A coo came out from him. It was deep, almost purr-like. However, just as the sound quickly came out of him, it just as quickly disappeared. He slumps over the table and groans, slowly turning into a laugh.

“Hahaha, peaches, you- nearly got me there.”

You raise an eyebrow and smirk. Usually, it was him making you flustered and shy but now it was his turn. You felt proud that you managed to get the Great Sage, himself, all riled up and out in public, no less.

“Oh, I don't know what you mean. I just want to spend time with you. Now let's go shopping, while the sun is still out.” You slowly made your way out of the cafe. Wukong follows behind, already exhausted from the earlier incident.

As much as Wukong looked indifferent about everything you show him. He was enjoying his time spent with you. It had been a while since he had gotten out. However, he can't ignore the warm feeling in his chest whenever he sees you excitedly buy things for him.

If only this day could last forever.

______________________________

Okay, so I'm gonna be opening the asks now. So I can answer questions about the story or just want me to write some oneshot lmao

I need to update daily since I will forget about this and lose motivation. So send in questions or request if not there will be slower updates here.

[imminent-danger-came]

2x03 and 4x03

Mei: “If I know the Monkie King, which I don’t, his lesson isn’t going to be as simple as just hearing, it’s some sort of twist. Maaaayybbee, it’s about listening good! You know?”

MK: “Isn’t that the same thing?”

(2x03 Pig Pong Panic)

-

Azure Lion: “If your bonds of friendship are as strong as you say, then you will always find your way back to one another.”

MK: “Alright! Find our friends, beat the curse, and get back to the good old fashioned story of the week!”

MK: “But where to start...”

Mei: “You’re a big brained boy when it comes to the legend stuff, got any idea of what chapter the JourNeY to the WeeSt we’re in?”

MK: “Uhhh I kinda just skip to the parts with Monkie King in them, but it’s fine, everything will be fine!”

Guard: “Did ya hear?”

(4x03 The Great Tang Man)

-

Not gonna lie gamers. I don’t exactly know what this one is trying to say. Like, it has to do with MK’s lovely ‘smartie kid’ arc (which tbh starts all the way in 1x10, I need to write a meta for it some time), BUT LISTENING?? HEARING??? AN “IF” STATEMENT??? MK’s “hand out” position and “finger on chin” position are swapped chronologically, not to mention they’re mirrored, and we all know how I feel about that.

I’ll put the scene (and lowkey a mini-meta) under a readmore, but during Pigsy and MK’s climatic ping pong fight this happens:

Mei: “You have to truly learn to listen”

Tang: “His hunger for the win! It’s insatiable.”

Pigsy: “I won’t stop.

“I can’t stop.”

“I’ll NEVER STOP!”

MK: *Gasp!*

“That’s what Monkie King meant!

MK: “Not just super hearing, but actually listening to what people are saying! I have to listen!”

LIKE. WHY SHOW THOSE SCENES.

Originally, I had assumed that this scene was for the shonen anime joke—this ping pong game is already so over the top, and having the hero make a climatic realization during it works super well. I think it’s hilarious every time I watch 2x03.

However, referencing 2x03 in 4x03 has made me totally reconsider the validity of this scene for like, character progression.

MK is of course terrible at listening. He assumes double meanings and doesn’t truly “listen” to what people say, just what he chooses to hear. I think 3x03 “Smartie Kid” has a great example of this:

MK: “Meeiiii, Monkie King needs to recharge after his fight with Ne Zha! He’s in no state to waste his time on mere mortals—especially now that I don’t have my powers.”

Pigsy: “Woah. He told you that?”

Obviously, Sun Wukong didn’t actually tell MK that. MK has seriously low self-esteem, and that seeps into how he interacts with others.

So, when MK hears “If your bonds of friendship are as strong as you say, then you will always find your way back to one another”, he assumes that means getting back to his “monster of the week” adventures, but it doesn’t. He’s permanently changed (4x07 hahahahahaha), and as we all know, part of the Hero’s Journey is the hero never returning home (*cough cough* 4x01 “But maybe this is the point in our hero’s journey where things get a little bit, darker. *cough cough*).

It’s definitely all tied together, but I’m not sure I grasp it entirely yet.

And then there’s the scenes from 1x09 and 1x10, which sure do imply...something. Currently I’m thinking the line “Ah, ya did it bud, you remembered what I told you” has everything to do with it, and everyone’s little speech about being MK’s team. They’re both scenes where MK truly listened to the people around him, which is a rarity around these parts.

And, you know what was another instance where MK truly listened?

[imbeccable-writes]

3 4 and 5 for tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow because I TOTALLY don't know everything about it because we talked about it for like a week straight ;D but also seriously because I wanna hear about it :D

tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

3. What's your favorite line of narration?

Okay, listen, Wukong really tried to tell MK, okay? He really, really did.

After Mei left, he said to himself, next time I see him. I’ll tell him then. 

And MK was scheduled to come over for training just the next day! So it wasn’t like it was that far off or anything. It was great!

And then MK came over, his face shining with his smile as he came running into Wukong’s clearing and Wukong thought, he looks so happy.

And it would be super uncool if Wukong completely ruined his mood right before training, right? His head wouldn’t be in it anymore! So he swallowed the words back and greeted his successor, resolving to tell him right after training.

Then right-after-training rolled around and MK was still happy; tired and panting, but shining somehow even brighter than before. And really, who was Wukong to ruin his good mood? Was he really going to tell him hey, you’re gonna watch all your friends die and then just make him go home to those very friends? No!

So Wukong wished him a good night and watched MK rush off and get smaller and smaller until he was completely gone, and Wukong muttered, “Fuck,” under his breath.

Next time, he thought, strong in his resolve, next time I’ll tell him.

This… went on for a while.

MK kept staying happy and Wukong kept choosing to put off telling him because he simply couldn’t take breaking his successor’s heart. He would rather waste away under another mountain for 500 years, would rather burn away in that Heaven-forsaken furnace than look MK in the eye, take his heart in his hand, and crush it.

Wukong is just so much fun to write for. He's such a flawed character who has a lot of care and love in his heart for a select few people, and he just doesn't know how to communicate with them. And at this point, Wukong has had just about enough of hurting MK, his beloved successor, thank you very much.

(Never mind that by doing this, he already has. It's a lose-lose situation to be sure.)

4. What's your favorite line of dialogue?

It's a tie between

“I think,” said Tang quietly, “that there are worse ways to be hurt than by being loved so completely. In fact, I believe it to be the only pain worth having.”

“I don’t want him loving me to hurt,” she said...

and

“You listen to me, Sun Wukong, ‘cuz I’m only gonna say this once,” she interrupted, lifting a finger and pointing at him so close his eyes went cross-eyed. “You better stay with him until the end of time, because if you let him get hurt when I’m not there to either beat your ass or protect him myself, I’ll break through the gates of Hell themselves and drag you down with me, quadruple immortality or not.”

Mei and MK are so important to me also??? like. sometimes i see people describing them as siblings, and that's valid, but their bond feels so much more deep than that to me. I genuinely view them as something along the lines of platonic soulmates, and I just adore writing them interacting or talking about the other.

5. What part was hardest to write?

The hardest part to write is definitely the wrap-up of chapter 2 (which is why it's taken so long lmao). I don't know what it is about it- it's like, I want each character to have their own closure with MK in one way or another, but because there's so MANY characters, it feels bogged down with more or less the same narrative of "i'm sorry i hid this from you for this reason" "i understand that and i'm still mad but i forgive you". It doesn't help that this fic has evolved past what it initially was going to be, so some of the things I had written prior to the change don't fit anymore, which is always a tragic cut to make. So far it's basically the moment MK starts to reconcile with his family onward that's been a real pain in my ass this whole time, lmao.

Thanks rex!!! I really need to get on this fic dude. School's been killing meeeee

[rusialeksis]

Fan Gathering - League of Legends

Hey everyone,

As part of our discussion on postmodern culture and fandom, I wanted to share my amazing experience attending a League of Legends fan gathering. Unfortunately, I have not yet attended an anime convention, but I have participated in a fan gathering few years ago, while I still lived in Greece. So long story short, I've been playing League of Legends since I was a kid, and it’s still a big part of my life. Whenever I have free time, you can find me playing the game, exploring new strategies, and mastering my favorite champions. I’m so invested in the game that I even read each champion's stories to understand them better. I have been part of tournaments where I have played 1v1 or as teams against other and have won trophies, which made me feel that sometimes games are not as decribed by others a waste of time, but a part of my life. So, when I heard about a League of Legends fan gathering at a mall in Greece, I knew I had to go.

From the moment I arrived, I felt the excitement. The event was buzzing with energy, and the atmosphere was electric. Fans from all over had gathered, united by their love for the game. It was amazing to see how a simple game had grown into something so big, bringing people together.

The best part was seeing the champions of League of Legends come to life. There were people dressed as my favorite champions—Katarina, Lux, Darius, and Wukong—with amazing costumes. They even imitated the champions’ famous phrases with the right voices. Hearing Katarina’s “Violence solves everything,” Lux’s “Shine bright like the dawn,” Darius’s “Strength above all,” and Wukong’s “Every mistake is a lesson” felt like I was in the game.

Walking around the gathering, it felt like the game was more than just a game. It had become a shared experience, a community, and a world we all belonged to. The cosplayers did an incredible job, and it felt like I was interacting with the actual champions.

One of the best moments was meeting a cosplayer dressed as Katarina, by far my favorite champion. Her costume was perfect, and she had Katarina’s fierce attitude. When she said Katarina’s lines, I got chills. It felt like the champion herself was right in front of me. We talked about our favorite moments in the game and shared some tips. It was awesome to connect with someone who loved the game as much as I did.

This is not a real picture from the fan gathering, I just wanted to show what Katarina looks like in "real life". Unfortunately, back then I had an old phone and I do not have any picture at all from that time.

This is the actually champion, and her appearance in the game. In this picture we see Katarina in her basic custom which is her default skin. Every champion in this game has multiple skins, which back then you used to have to pay in order to unlock them. Now the game has made changes, and you can unlock this skin by completing missions.

The fan gathering also had booths and activities related to League of Legends. There were stands selling T-shirts and figurines, and I couldn’t resist picking up a few souvenirs. There were also gaming stations where fans could play matches, and it was exciting to watch the battles and also play with others. Everyone there had a deep love for the game, and it was heartwarming to see. After getting into the third place during this gathering, me and my teammates were awarded a $10 paysafe card each, which is like a gift card that you could use to buy various things online. I used it to buy the newest Katarina's skin back then which was made specifically for Christmas. One of my happiest days I could say. I have the picture of the skin below.

There was also a panel with well-known players and content creators from the League of Legends community. They shared their experiences and insights about the game. Listening to them made me realize how much League of Legends had grown beyond just being a game. It had become a platform for creativity, friendship, and even professional opportunities.

Reflecting on my experience, I realized that what made it special was the sense of community and belonging. Being surrounded by people who shared my passion for League of Legends was empowering. It reminded me that gaming is not just about playing; it’s about connecting with others and forming friendships. It was also our everyday discussion topic in the morning with my friends at school.

In conclusion, attending the League of Legends fan gathering in Greece was unforgettable. It was more than just an event; it was a celebration of the game and the community. Seeing my favorite champions come to life, interacting with fellow fans, and being part of such an enthusiastic community made me appreciate League of Legends even more. It’s amazing how a game can bring people together and create a shared world where we all belong.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you get to experience something similar someday!

[melodyschaos]

Hey so...if it's okay I'd like to place a request, my partner just broke up with me by sendin me a text sayin so, deletin our server and blockin me everywhere without any posibility to even talk about it

So uhm I'd love to request a comfort fic about it with Liu Er and Wukong comfortin a male reader?

Don't feel obligated to write this btw. Thanks for readin.

~💮

Y/N was wrapped up in two blankets of comfort with a bowl of ice cream in their lap. They were also sitting in the lap of Wukong while Macaque gathered extra pillows for movie time. The Monkey King had his chin on Y/N's head and was loosely hugging them around the waist, minding the bowl.

"Don't waste any more tears on them, Y/N, they weren't worth it anyway."

"What I don't get," began Macaque, dumping his armload of pillows on the couch, "Is how this guy thinks he can just cut and run. What kind of jerk breaks up with you over text, wipes out the server, then blocks you so you can't even ask him what in the hell. Sounds to me like he knew he was the jackass. Must've thought he could avoid consequences by completely freezing you out." He sat next to Y/N & Wukong, giving him a careful hug.

"Right? Coward took the coward's way out. Besides, who needs him when you have us?"

"Thanks you two...what are we watching tonight?"

Macaque grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. "Hello, Dolly! It's a cute movie."

"You watch that kind of stuff?"

"Save it, Peaches. Even I can't be Mr. Grim and Darkness all the time. If I recall, someone sitting on this couch likes watching Mean Girls."

Wukong huffed. "It's an absolute gem of a classic and I don't wanna hear any slander."

"You guyyyys, it's startiiiing!"

Both the monkeys ceased their bickering. As the intro music began, Y/N realized they were right. He didn't need a cut-and-run jerk, he had the Sun and the Moon to love him.

[chaozsilhouette]

Moonlit Musings

The night is such a perfect time to face one’s darkest truths. Shrouded in the moon’s light what can one do but admit to their flaws. It can be a time of rejuvenation and rebirth, only if you let it.

§~~~~§~~~~§~~~~§

It was a quiet night.

The full moon hung high in the heavens accompanied by millions of stars. Not a cloud to be seen, an ideal night for passions to run wild. Normally people would be taking out their telescopes or arranging romantic picnics.

Sadly, nights like these only filled Sun Wukong with dread. It was a night like this when he was finally able to return after the Journey. That was the night he learned he had lost a precious treasure.

When he returned, he expected to be greeted by his subjects until Macaque showed himself. He expected to be strangled as the pale furred monkie admonished him for his recklessness. He expected to watch as fury transformed into tearful joy as they embraced one another for the first time in over five hundred years.

But that wasn’t what happened.

The moment he set foot back onto Flower Fruit Mountain, he sensed something was very wrong. Like his previous return trips, his subjects greeted him with loud celebrations. The new mothers showed off their infants. The young ones wasted no time climbing all over him, taking in the scent of their king.

The immortal elders, however, looked concerned.

That was when he realized Macaque’s scent on the mountain was far too faint. Even the magical signature of his clones no longer felt fresh.

Macaque was nowhere to be found. The monkeys reported Macaque had returned a few years after he stopped by the mountain earlier in the Journey but not as his usual self. He didn’t respond to any of their questions. He didn’t even take time to check in on the infants. He didn’t say a word.

He just entered the mansion, but no one saw him leave.

Entering the mansion, Wukong dashed to their room desperate for answers. Opening the doors, he saw the room was horribly empty, sure all of his belonging were exactly as he remembered them, but all of Macaque’s stuff was gone. Macaque’s closet was empty and all his books had vanished. Despite his desperate hopes, there wasn’t any signs of a struggle or hidden messages to be found.

Macaque left of his own free will, but why?

He couldn’t bring himself to sleep in the bed they shared so many nights together. Every time he dared, he awoke expect to be greeted with the comforting warmth of familiar presence, instead he opened his eyes to a cold emptiness.

The lack of answers broke his heart, but he didn’t have time to start tearing the landscape apart trying to find him. Now that he was back for good, he had so many responsibilities to catch up on. He was determined to be a good king for his subjects and that meant ughthinking things through. Plus, he wanted to spend as much time with his master and brothers as possible.

Then there was the concerning fact all his previous allies had severed their alliance with him.

Apparently after all the fuss with the Demon Bull King, word had spread that Wukong broke their alliance by disrespecting protocol and attacking the royal family. Plus, his new position as a defender of humanity annoyed more than a few respectable demons. Combined with the sheer number of powerful demons he killed on the Journey cemented the idea that having an alliance with him would only end poorly.

He was banned from court meetings and the other kings in the surrounding areas wanted nothing to do with him. The chaotic nature of his past had finally caught up to him and in the worst possible way.

He was still recognized as the Monkey King of the Sun Court but was effectively blacklisted. No one wanted to mess with him, but they also didn’t want to interact with him. Not good for his mental health to say the least.

Simians are naturally social creatures. Wukong was used to constantly being around other people and learning new things. His time imprisoned was not kind. His first year of freedom had him constantly climbing over his brothers and master just to reassure himself that this was real.

And now that he couldn’t reconnect with old faces unless it was through a battle to the death…It forced him to delve into old memories. Memories that while sweet only made the emptiness more pronounced.

§~~~~§~~~~§~~~~§

Sun Wukong smiled as he watched Macaque’s reaction.

The six-eared monkie was furiously pinching the bridge between his eyebrows after he shattered a boulder with a careless headbutt as though it would make his life mercifully easier. “You’ll have to explain it to me again. What did you mean by ‘no longer under Yama’s jurisdiction’?”

“Exactly what I said. I was napping. Having some time to myself, when out of nowhere some idiots tried to take my soul to the afterlife.” Wukong explained as though having entities of death rip out your soul to drag it to the underworld was no big deal.

“Bet you weren’t happy.” Macaque couldn’t help but smirk at the flippant tone. He just made it so difficult to stay mad.

“Not in the slightest. I barged my way to the top brass, bunch of cowards called the Ten Kings (totally undeserved titles by the way) and demanded what the fuck was going on.” He was still ticked off even if the payoff was sweet. Seriously! Did immortality mean nothing to these cowards? They couldn’t even play it off as him dying in battle. He was in the peak of his youth! “Can you believe they tried to play it off as a misunderstanding? Should have smacked the loudmouth when I was there.”

“So, through a series of ridiculous events, you erased your name from the records of the dead.” Macaque could easily piece together the rest from there. No matter how ridiculous the odds. He learned never to bet against his friend when a problem could be handled with brute strength or intimidation. If it didn’t look like such an answer was possible, clearly, they hadn’t experienced the force of a determined Wukong. Something about facing a ticked off monkie of practically infinite strength and invulnerability left harden conquerors pissing themselves.

It was hilarious.

“Not just mine. In my infinite wisdom, I erased the names of several of the monkey inhabitants of esteemed Flower Fruit Mountain, including yours.” Wukong playfully booped Macaque’s nose.

Turning away to hide a light blush, Macaque scoffed to cover his embarrassing response. “Typical. I can’t leave you alone for five minutes without you doing something insane.”

“I know. I’m just that awesome.”

“So what? Are we now double immortal?” That was the question wasn’t it. Due to their master’s instructions, they were immortal and ageless, so what exactly would this give them? He didn’t feel any different. He couldn’t sense any new powers or changes in his instincts.

His counterpart, however, had other things on his mind. “Who cares. All I know is that those idiots have no control over our souls anymore.” And with that the King took his rightful place across Macaque’s lap as the other returned to his scrolls.

Wukong instead took the time to examine his friend, who finally gained enough confidence to fully drop his glamour and embrace his true appearance.

He still couldn’t believe Macaque actually had six ears. The weird part was how natural they looked, almost as if seeing him with only two was bizarre. The coolest part was how each pair softly glowed a different color. Blue. Purple. Red. Sometimes Wukong would just stare at them, imagining that he could see glittering stars emanating from that glow.

Suddenly those magnificent ears twitched. Macaque didn’t bother looking up from the bamboo scroll. “A trespasser...multiple, boar and vulture demon. Another hunting party”.

“Again. Ugh. Don’t these idiots ever give up!” Don’t get him wrong, Wukong loved a good fight. What better way to prove how superior you are to others than to steal what’s most precious to them? But even he was starting to grow bored with the sheer number of hunters that thought kidnapping his subjects was a quick cash grab.

After the fifth army he returned in pieces to the surrounding upstart lords, you’d think they’d take a hint.

Thankfully he wasn’t the only powerhouse on the mountain. “I haven’t tasted blood in a while. Why don’t I defend the kingdom while your highness enjoys a show?” Macaque set aside his reading material, eyes glittering with bloodlust.

Wukong returned the smirk with one of his own. “I’m always up for a good thrashing. One request: make it glorious.”

“Don’t I always.” Macaque joked as he retrieved his spear from his own shadow.

Wukong summoned his cloud and claimed a good vantage point. Once again, he marveled at his friend’s hearing. Judging by the distance it would have been at least three hours before he would have detected their presence.

Kicking back, he transformed some hair into a fruit platter and waited for the screams.

§~~~~§~~~~§~~~~§

To this day, Wukong knew Macaque was alive. Thanks to his efforts combined with the intense training, the monkie was double immortal. Besides, that monkkie was way too stubborn to die. He would survive purely on spite if he had to.

Macaque left, but why?

While he may have effectively isolated himself, that didn’t mean he didn’t hear about the other courts. A few centuries ago, he heard rumors about the formation of a new court by someone under the title of the Macaque King. Supposedly they were a powerful monkie who knew way more than he had the right to. For a brief moment, Wukong dared to hope it was his old friend, but it didn’t last. The few recounts he caught described him with black fur. Besides, he knew how much Macaque hated the title of King. Even when Wukong offered him the position as co-ruler of his kingdom, the pale monkie adamantly refused.

Still, he was curious.

For a few weeks he could have sworn he detected a familiar scent hiding underneath Mk’s. And he wasn’t the only one who noticed. A few of the immortal monkeys questioned him on the mango infused scent and what his plans were. It was almost too much to take in.

To think he returned to teach his student instead of showing his face. It hurt just to think about it. He chose to ignore the beckoning scent until it became impossible to ignore MK’s leap in progress. Then it just vanished like it hadn’t been testing his patience. Like it hadn’t brought him to the brink of shaking the kid upside down until he confessed where his old friend was hiding. The kid probably grew wise, or someone told him to change his bathing habits, and by the next training session it was all but gone.

Dragging his hand down his face, Wukong tried to reevaluate his thoughts.

Getting mad at the kid wasn’t going to solve anything. He knew he hadn’t been the most attentive master. Hell, the whole hammer exercise at its core was a desperate attempt to remove a painful reminder of better times. His master would be disappointed in how he was running away from his problems, but would encourage him to take the steps to be better. Zhu Bajie would be a sarcastic little shit, trying to get him riled up so the monkie would prove him wrong. Sha Wujing would sit him down and wouldn’t let him leave until they talked everything through.

He had to make things right with the kid. He deserved a better master. And this New Years he was gonna get one.

He spoke, praying the winds would carry his voice to his Warrior.

“Macaque. I know it’s been a while, but…I-I want to talk. I know you’re out there, somewhere I can’t reach. I miss sparring with you. I miss lazy days napping in the shade by your side. I miss defending the mountain as we held contests to see who could take out the most trespassers before their common sense kicked in. I miss you. Please come home.”

§~~~~§~~~~§~~~~§

The moon was high in the sky. Stars danced in the heavens as the faintest hints of vibrations pulsed through the concrete from the late-night dance clubs. MK lay awake, his mind struggling to make sense of it all.

Ever since Macaque disappeared in order to remain undetected, he kept thinking about his relationship with the Monkey King. Sure, he was being trained and he was definitely making progress. The monkie was still on his case for supposedly cheating on him with another mentor. Nothing MK said or did could make the monkie think otherwise. Thankfully, he was no longer shooting him suspicious glares, but the underlying tension remained.

The sad truth is they just weren’t that close.

He would have expected to learn more about the Monkey King on a personal and emotional level, but he just couldn’t get past that wall. Their training sessions felt more like just the Monkey King arranged just to get it over with. There was no passion at all.

Okay, perhaps that last bit was an exaggeration.

When you peered past the arrogance and pride, you found one socially awkward monkie. It was similar to Red Son the more he thought about it, both seemed to find it difficult to talk to or relate to others in a friendly setting. Sure, Monkey King projected a friendly demeanor and called him “bud”, but if he didn’t know any better he could have sworn the monkie was afraid to take that final step.

The last few sessions had taken a bit of a turn in a positive direction as Sandy would say. Maybe Monkey King decided it was time to make a change? Maybe this was all a trick so MK would lower his guard and reveal Macaque’s identity? Maybe he was just tired and should have conked out an hour ago?

Maybe.

Reality was so different from the legends. When Tang first introduced him to the Monkey stories, he was hooked. He loved listening to the tales of the infamous trickster that flipped off every major religious figure with unbridled confidence. Meeting the Great Sage in the flesh was like a dream come true until he was exposed to the King’s less pleasant tendencies.

Mk couldn’t help but wonder just how much confidence the Monkey King had in his training skills. Did he ever train someone before? Could MK talk to someone about this without appearing even more ungrateful than he already looked? Why didn’t he stop Red Son from unsealing his father when he was there? Why didn’t he simply seal the entire family when they were reunited? Why did the five times immortal sage decide that now he needed to train a disciple? Was Monkey King not telling him something important?

He had so many questions and not even the foggiest idea of where to start looking. Or perhaps he did?

The truth was he missed Macaque. The dark-furred monkie may have only taught him for a month, but the progress he made and the level of care he was exposed to made him feel as though he had finally unlocked the ability to fly.

He missed the regular grooming. He missed learning about the demon community. He missed learning new ways to mess with Red Son through appropriate court manners.

Watching the fire user freeze up at the term “honorable prince of the Iron Bull Court” just made him laugh, when his hair combusted it really matched his face. Now that he thought about it, were those horns starting to peek out of his forehead? And maybe the slightest hint of a tufted tail swiping the bottom of his coat? Seeing the demon frantically compose himself was a treat he didn’t know he needed. He still had the video saved as one of his favorites, didn’t hurt that Mei caught it at the perfect angle.

Oh yeah, he missed that.

With any luck, New Years would be the start of something better.

§~~~~§~~~~§~~~~§

On an island that remained surrounded by unquenchable storms, a single black-furred monkie sat cross-legged in a secluded part attached to the palace. All around him fruit trees and bushes bore a hefty bounty releasing an intoxicating scent of life.

Ears twitched.

Macaque opened his eyes, aroused from his meditation. It was odd. He had the faintest sensation that someone had been talking about him. Now that wasn’t exactly unusual, he made plenty of allies and enemies across the centuries. What was odd was that the voice sounded like someone he once cherished.

But that couldn’t be right.

The deceptive silence of his personal orchard gave him no answers. Not that he really expected it to.

For some reason he refused to identify, Macaque turned to the single peach tree in the grove. A tribute from his past and a reminder of his mistakes. But it was also a valuable resource once he learned the truth about the peach’s properties. He used its powers to protect many happy relationships, if only it could have helped him so long ago.

No matter.

He still had many projects to work on, including one successor just rife with insecurities. He honestly felt bad ducking out as he did. If things were different, he would have offered him a new life. His Stars were always happy to welcome a new member into their budding community.

As a bonus, his presence would have interrupted their constant attempts to set him up with new dates. He adored their efforts but being paired with partners who only wanted power or he would view only as friends was not something he enjoyed. Although watching them mentally destroy those they didn’t find suitable for him was quite entertaining.

Either way, New Years was coming up fast and he still needed to approve a few changes. His Stars were determined to make sure this event topped last years in every way possible, but they had to make sure they didn’t set the orchard on fire again. Or worse, they could launch the fireworks into the storm barrier. He wasn’t sure why or how, but the tornadoes and clouds turned different colors as explosions rang throughout the night.

It was beautiful but lost its charm after the third day.

[lunar-wandering]

i don’t wanna fight alone anymore - Chapter 5

if you pick up on the 5d chess level plot line i hint at in here i platonically love you

Word Count: 2.3k

Read on Ao3

-

Wukong sighed as he walked into the ship's common area, taking in the sight before him.

"Y'know. I was honestly kind of hoping that what happened yesterday was a dream." He said, "Or, well, I guess it would be a nightmare-"

"Aw, you consider me to be a nightmare?" Macaque said, from his rather uncomfortable looking position of being sprawled on the couch. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"It wasn't intended as one." Wukong sighed again, looking over at MK and Mei. "And what are you two doing?"

"He kicked us off the couch." MK said, his arms crossed and a pout on his face. Mei wore a matching expression. "We're trying to convince him to give it back."

"Pouting doesn't work on me, kiddo." Macaque said, "I'm not easily swayed, unlike someone I know."

"Oh c'mon." Mei said, moving over and getting closer to the shadow monkey. "We're friends now right?"

"....I don't recall agreeing to that-"

"And friends will let their friends use the couch!" She continued, nudging Macaque's arm. "Please? We'll even let you sit with us."

"Absolutely not." Macaque said, pulling his arm away from her nudging. "I'm quite comfortable where I am, thank you very mu-"

He didn't get to finish that, as Wukong, having had enough, easily climbed behind him, and shoved him off the couch, knocking him to the floor. Macaque yelped, as MK and Mei cheered.

"Hey! I'm still injured you know!" Macaque hissed, fur bristling.

"If you can annoy people, you're healed enough." Wukong said, crossing his arms as he looked down at Macaque. "You need to get ready anyways."

"Ready? Ready for what?" MK asked.

"To go get the next object of course! I gave Sandy the coordinates last night, we're almost there already." Wukong said.

"What're we getting this time? A shovel, to go with the rake?" Mei joked. Wukong paused for a moment, before he gave a little laugh.

"Oh, it's uh, nothing like that, this one is more of a back up than anything-"

"Back up? Back up for what?" MK asked, concern starting to form in his voice.

"You don't need to be concerned about it bud, it's really nothing important, in fact we probably won't even need it! Everything will be fine. Just.... fine." Wukong said, chuckling a little, a very familiar smirk starting to appear on his face.

Or, well, familiar to Macaque at least.

"You're lying." Macaque said, elaborating when MK and Mei looked at him with confusion. "He always makes that face when he lies."

"I do not." Wukong hissed, but despite his denial, he stood up, turning around so that the others couldn't see his expression. "A-anyways, we're wasting time here, so uh, let's go!"

-

"...Why am I here again?" Macaque asked, sulking a little as he walked with Wukong, MK, and Mei through the entryway of the temple.

"You, are here so I can keep an eye on you." Wukong explained, "If you think I'm trusting you anytime soon, you'd be dead wrong."

"...Point taken." Macaque said, as they turned the corner into a room that practically glowed with various objects. Some of them were on pedestals, some just laying on the ground. More hallways connected to the room, each of them with even more hallways and doors.

"How're we going to find the object you're searching for with all of...this?" Mei asked.

"Oh, I'm sure we'll know it when we see it." Wukong said, "I'm sure it's somewhere in this temple."

"And how can you be so sure? Where are your sources Wukong, go on, pull out your list of references, I'll wait." Macaque said, crossing his arms and smirking as Wukong sputtered. MK tuned them out, instead focusing in on some of the various treasures the room held.

Over on a nearby pedestal, a small mirror stood, innocently gleaming alongside the rest of the treasure. Curiosity started to take it's hold, and MK reached out-

"Woah there kid-" Macaque said, grabbing hold of MK's wrist, stopping him just before he could reach the mirror. "Hold on there, this place is full of mystic treasures, remember? You don't want to go about activating some magic trap or something, we can't risk that kind of thing, right Wuk- ........you've got to be kidding me."

MK turned, following where Macaque's gaze was-

To see Wukong, standing on the other side of the room, sheepishly holding a golden cup.

"....Uh, Macaque's right, shockingly enough." Wukong said, nervously chuckling as he set the cup back down on the pedestal he'd taken it from. "We wouldn't want to risk it."

"Don't- don't just put it back like you didn't do anything." Macaque said, letting go of MK's wrist to march over to Wukong, glaring at him. "We all saw you pick it up-"

Mei started to record.

"What, I didn't do anything..... I'm better at controlling my impulses than that." Wukong said, a nervous smirk starting to form on his face. Upon seeing it, Macaque reached over and pinched the other monkey's cheek.

"You're making that stupid face again." He said as Wukong yelped, smacking away Macaque's hand. "Seriously though, be glad nothing happened, I would've killed you if you'd activated something-"

Almost as if on cue, there was a faint click, and a magic circle appeared on the ground, a barrier rising up and trapping the two monkeys within the circle.

There was a moment of silence.

"....Yep, I'm going to kill you-" Macaque said, tackling Wukong to the floor. Mei cheered, excited for a fight, but MK quickly stepped in.

"Woah, woah, hold on-" MK said, and both monkey's paused mid-fight. "Are you two okay?"

"....Wukong don't you dare say it-"

"We're just peachy kid!" As soon as those words left Wukong's mouth, Macaque went back to attacking him with extreme fervor. In response, Wukong leaned back, planting his feet into Macaque's chest and shoving him away. Macaque's back slammed against the barrier, and he growled, moving to attack Wukong again-

Only to pause as Wukong pulled out a piece of chalk, humming quietly as he drew a line on the ground.

"....What are you doing." Macaque asked, all the fight leaving him as confusion took over. Wukong hummed in satisfaction as he finished drawing the line.

"We can't just fight the whole time we're in here, that'd be counter-productive." He said, tucking the chalk back into his pocket. "So, you stay on your side, I'll stay on my side."

"That has to be the most childish solution I've ever heard-" Macaque started, only to be cut off as Mei cleared her throat.

"Not that this isn't very entertaining, but like, how exactly are we supposed to get you out?" She asked. Wukong and Macaque paused.

"Uh. I'm not entirely sure-" Wukong started.

"I found a switch over here." MK said, drawing their attention to where he stood by the wall. "D'you think pressing it would let you out?"

"No." Macaque said, a surprising amount of certainty in his voice. "There's another switch, probably in some kind of control room or something like that. You have to flip it before you can flip this one."

There was a moment of silence as everyone stared at him.

"....What? I traveled a lot, I've seen a lot of traps." Macaque huffed, putting his back against the barrier and sliding down to sit on the floor. "I know what I'm doing."

"...Well it's not like we have any better options." Mei said, shrugging as she grabbed hold of MK's arm, turning down a random hallway. "We'll be back!"

Wukong sighed as he watched the two of them walk further into the temple, before turning and glaring at Macaque.

"You better not have just sent them off on a wild goose chase." He said, mirroring Macaque's pose by sitting down on the ground.

"Please, do I look like I want to stay in this circle forever?"

-

"Why is this temple so hard to navigate!" MK yelled in frustration, as he gripped onto the stone wall. He and Mei were slowly climbing down, hoping to find some kind of control room deeper in the temple.

"Probably to deter thieves." Mei said. She wasn't struggling nearly as much with this as MK was. The perils of loosing super strength.... "Either that or to make the adventure more fun for, y'know, adventurers."

"Couldn't they have set it up so you could choose a difficulty setting?" MK mumbled, "This would be so much easier if we could do this on easy mode-"

MK missed the next grip point, his foot sliding. He startled at the sudden lack of support, scrambling a bit in his panic, which turned out to be a mistake, as he ended up slipping and letting go of the wall entirely, tumbling back.

"MK!" Mei yelled, reaching out a hand to grab at him, barely missing by a few inches.

MK tensed, bracing himself to slam against the stone floor of the temple-

Only to feel himself get caught in someone's arms.

"Red Son?!" Mei yelled, incredulous, and MK opened his eyes to see that she was right, Red Son had caught him. "What are you doing here?!"

"I'm getting something for W- ah, my parents." Red Son said as he set MK down on the ground. "Yep, I'm picking up some random mystic artifact for my parents."

"....Do your parents actually know you're here?" MK asked.

"Of course they do! Why wouldn't they?" Red Son said-

And then proceeded to rush forwards to catch Mei just before she could hit the ground.

"Ha! That was fun!" She said, laughing as she jumped out of Red Son's arms.

"Why would you do that?!" Red Son hissed.

"I knew you would catch me."

"A bit of warning might have been nice!"

"So you admit you would catch me?" Mei asked, laughing as Red Son paused, before he huffed, crossing his arms and looking away, his necklace jangling as he moved.

"....What's with the necklace?" MK asked, and Red Son froze, before quickly hiding the necklace behind his shirt.

"It's nothing." He mumbled, before grabbing hold of Mei and MK's hands, and starting to walk. "C'mon, you're looking for the switches to undo the magic barrier right?"

"How'd you-"

"Just a.... lucky guess." Red Son said, dragging them down a long series of hallways. As they passed a darkened hall, MK paused, staring intently. "Hurry it up MK, you don't have all day."

"Sorry I just....thought I saw something." MK said, slowly turning away. He could've sworn that he had seen- no, that wasn't possible. "...Wait, did you just call me MK?"

"I think he did." Mei said, smirking. Red Son didn't even look at them, but his hair started sparking at the edges.

".....No, I didn't." He said, "You two must be hearing things. Now hurry it up, we're running out of time."

-

"What is wrong with you?" Macaque asked, sitting on his side of the circle.

"Excuse me?" Wukong said, glancing over at Macaque in confusion. Macaque sighed, before standing up, and crossing over the chalk line, despite Wukong's protests.

"Normally, you could get us out of here easily. So, I'll ask you again." Macaque said, leaning over, nose almost brushing against Wukong's. "What is wrong with you?"

"I- uh, well, what's wrong with you?" Wukong countered, "Why don't you use your shadows to break the barrier?"

"You seriously think that she left me unscathed?" Macaque hissed, before quickly backtracking. "Or, well, I mean, not unscathed, but like-"

"So it was her." Wukong whispered, "She's the one who hurt you."

"....Don't think about it too much." Macaque said, walking back over to his side of the circle, sitting down and pulling his knees to his chest. "It's....not important."

"Macaque-"

"We're back!" MK's voice interrupted, and both Wukong and Macaque visibly startled at his sudden presence. "We flipped the switch, all we need to do now is just flip this one!"

"Oh thank goodness." Macaque said, making a show out of standing up and stretching. "Any longer in here and I think Wukong would've driven me insane."

"Hey-" Wukong started to protest, but then stopped as he registered who was with Mei and MK. "Uh. Who do you have there?"

"Ah, Red Son just. Kind of showed up." MK explained as he walked over to the switch on the wall. "Said he was getting something for his parents."

Wukong leveled Red Son with a look of suspicion, and Red Son looked away, nervously rubbing his arm. MK flipped the switch on the wall, the barrier falling down. Both Macaque and Wukong let out an audible sigh of relief as the magic faded away-

Only for the ground to shake.

"Well, looks like time is up." Red Son said, oddly calm, as he walked by them, turning to head deeper into the temple. "I'll see you guys later."

As he passed by Wukong, he paused for a moment, leaning over and whispering something Mei and MK couldn't hear. Macaque's ear twitched, and a look of horror briefly flashed over Wukong's face, but it was gone as fast as it had been there as the floor shook again, this time knocking some rocks loose, the sound of them tumbling making Wukong wince. He rushed forwards, picking up Macaque (despite the protest that he could "run on his own") as he started towards the exit. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mei do the same with MK, before hurriedly catching up to him.

"Wait- what about Red Son?" MK said, watching as the aforementioned demon continued to walk back further into the temple, with a walk that was far too calm for someone who was in a collapsing building.

"He'll be fine, I'm sure he's got a plan." Wukong said, skidding to a stop once he reached the outside, setting Macaque down and turning to watch as the temple collapsed completely, sealing the entrance. Mei softly set MK down on the ground beside her.

"...We didn't end up getting that thing you wanted." Mei said, staring at the collapsed temple. Wukong sighed.

"It's fine. Like I said, it was more of a..... back up plan anyways." He said, turning to head back to the ship. "We shouldn't need it anytime soon."

[talesofsonicasura]

Fast Shadows AU

(Post too early, fuck. Just know that my Save To Draft had been changed to Post by trollish programming on the phone app. Expect frequent changes.)

Hello everyone. Now, if you ever seen my SonicAsura Doodles then you noticed one mentioning an AU called Fast Shadows. Today we'll be discussing that! The link to the image is here.

It is a Sonic2020/LMK AU and begins at the very start of the Sonic Movie. (You don't have to watch the full movie!) Before Sonic is forced to leave LongClaw, he looks at her one more time, a split second long enough to not notice the location on the Warp Ring glitched. Going from Green Hills forest to a familiar dilapidated theatre, the Six Eared Macaque's home.

So, Sonic ends up in Megapolis within Macaque's home at least a decade before the events of Lego Monkie Kid. Being who he is, our favorite angst monkey quickly finds Sonic. We know Macaque is quite a dick to MK but MK's probably an adult since the legal driving age in China is at least 21. And I don't think the guy would be an absolute jackass to a child much less a three year old, Sonic is 3 years old at the start of the movie.

Out of pity, Macaque lets Sonic stay until he finds a good orphanage or someone who could take better care of him. A plan that is thrown out the window once he sees a glimpse of the hedgehog's power. At first, he thought of stealing it but got a much better and humane idea: make Sonic his disciple. Macaque couldn't let such power go to waste. Plus a successor sounds perfect in his mind.

He did have to wait until Sonic was a bit older since the hedgehog right now is only big enough to fit in his pocket (8 inches) and sparring or weapon training is a big NO. (Sonic does imitate Macaque's moves when he watches him train.) Rules were set up so the toddler didn't get roped up with any of his enemies. (I can bet 50 dollars that Macaque has a decent amount of people who hated his guts than just Sun Wukong.)

Too bad for the emo monkey, he slowly begins to gain parental love for Sonic. Something he realized after the incident that resulted in the hedgehog losing a chunk of his ear. A father-son bond forming between the two which grows stronger over time.

Then Macaque's past comes back to haunt when the Demon Bull King returns. (Sonic will be 13 at that point.)

That's the general jist of it. Our hedgehog will have various techniques from different games than just new ones like the Double Boost. For those who don't know, Double Boost is a combination attack using Sonic's incredible speed in Sonic Forces. I'll be making different Double Boost attacks depending on the characters in question. Now Sonic will have different relationships, familial and platonic. Here are a few main ones alongside some sample text.

MK- Meet during Bad Weather. The two instantly become friends and training partners, their bond becoming brotherly overtime. If they aren't training, the two are goofying off or having fun. When it comes to teamwork with MK, these two are nearly unbeatable as they move in sync. Each covering their partner's weakspots and unleashing devastating team attacks.

Double Boost- Eclipse Vortex: Sonic and MK run around their opponent fast enough to create a makeshift vacuum. Inside they strike targets from all angles before ending with a powerful strike of their cudgels.

Sonic: The skies the limit when we work together! Look out! Here comes the Blue Blur!

MK: And don't forget the Monkie Kid! Let's do this!

Sonic and MK: Double Boost- Eclipse Vortex!

Six Eared Macaque- Meets in Macaque's Theatre after escaping from the Echidna clan. Macaque is Sonic's shifu but also his father. The monkey often teasingly playful towards Sonic and can be quite protective. Their teamwork is refined and makes it impossible for opponents to counterattack. Any failed attack on one leads to a fierce strike from the other as punishment.

Double Boost- Lunar Fury: Macaque launches their targets skyward with his shadow magic. Creating semi solid afterimages they strike their opponents further upwards until a Smoke Monster encased Macaque and Sonic slam them down to the ground.

Sonic: They won't know what him them when we work together, Pops! Let's show em what we're made of!

Macaque: You don't have to tell me twice, squirt! Time to end this performance!

Sonic and Macaque: Double Boost- Lunar Fury!

Sun Wukong: Meets the Monkey King through MK. Sun Wukong is viewed as his friend's Shifu and becomes more of an uncle figure over time. The Great Sage likes to banter with Sonic often, the hedgehog's presence encouraging him to take MK's training more seriously and not bottle up his emotions much. Teamwork between the two is decently good. Sun Wukong overwhelms his opponents with power as Sonic enforces it using his speed.

Double Boost- Heavenly Bombardment: Sun Wukong sends Sonic airborne alongside multiple hair clones in the form of different animal. Sonic forms a downward twister that sends the copies towards targets at rapid speed. Sun Wukong then leaps forward grabbing Sonic's hand and the duo come spiralling down with earth shattering force.

Sonic: Let's finish this together, Monkey King! Nothing can stop us now!

Sun Wukong: I like the way you think, kid! Try to keep up!

Sonic and Sun Wukong: Double Boost- Heavenly Bombardment!

That's all for now folks! Until next time, I'll see you back at Megapolis.

Edit 1: What to expect from this AU.

As said in my doodles, Sonic's personality will mostly be the same except for a few changes. Sonic will be a bit rigid around strangers and can become rude if irritated. He's a bit more crafty too so expect him to do things like stealing or sabotage.

There will be at minimum four or five chapters before getting into canon. Canon officially starts at Bad Weather as neither Sonic or Macaque were present in the city during the whole Demon Bull King revival fiasco.

It will be following some canon events but not all. Expect big changes around episodes 'Macaque' and 'Shadow Play' for obvious reasons.

[eastofthemoon]

Never thought I would write Lego Monkie King fic, but here we are.

Title: Did I Forget To Mention

Rating: G

Characters: Monkey King, MK and Pigsy

Summary: Monkey King was certain he knew all about MK. However, after a visit he suddenly realizes how little he does know his successor.

Archive of Our Own

Wukong flew across the sky in his bird form. He hadn’t planned on training the kid until tomorrow, but the weather was just too perfect to waste.

Besides, it was either that or house clean and he wasn’t in the mood for it. It could wait another week or two.

Wukong gave a small twirl in the air as he flapped his wings and soon landed on top of the sign.

He spotted MK walking out with Pigsy close behind. Wukong wanted to swoop down and surprise tackle the kid, but paused. MK wasn’t in his regular set of clothes. They were strangely a lot nicer than normal and he was even straightening a tie?

Wukong tilted his bird head in confusion. He didn’t even know the kid had nice clothes. Where was he going that he had to dress so formally?

Curious, Wukong stayed in his bird form and flew a little closer, but made certain to stay out of sight.

“I shouldn’t be long, Pigsy,” MK said as he put a bag in his delivery cart. “I’ll be back by the lunch rush-”

“Kid, it’s fine,” Pigsy said as he patted the kid’s shoulder. “Sandy says he got you covered, just try to be back by the dinner and we’re good.”

He’s oddly flexible today, Wukong thought. Pigsy always got so cranky when he was dragging MK off to do some training.

MK sighed, but gave a smile. “Okay, thanks, Pigsy.”

Pigsy waved a hand. “Don’t mention it.” He then rubbed his neck and passed MK a small box. “Oh and uh, here I made some egg tarts for your folks.”

Wukong frowned. Folks? Did he mean MK’s parents?

MK’s eyes widened happily. “Really? Wow, thanks, Pigsy! That saves me having to stop by the bakery.” The kid carefully tucked the box into the bag and climbed into the car. “Alright, I’ll see you later.”

“Stay safe,” Pigsy said with a wave before venturing inside his restaurant.

Wukong quietly watched MK drive away.

MK had never mentioned his parents to Wukong before. He talked about Mei, Sandy, Pigsy and Tang, and sometimes even mentioned an aunt of his, but never his parents. Wukong knew he lived by himself, but he never thought too hard about it. Granted it was odd the kid was making such a big fuss over seeing his parents.

Were they super strict or something? Was that why he didn’t leave with them?

Wukong probably should have gone back to the Flower Fruit Mountain, but he found himself flying after MK’s cart. The lack of information was going to nag him until he knew.

It didn’t take long for Wukong to get his answer when MK climbed out of the delivery car and ventured into a graveyard.

Wukong felt his heart stop as he watched MK carefully carry the bag and walked until he reached a pair of tombstones.

MK gave a small smile. “Hi Mom, hi Dad.”

Wukong landed on a nearby tree, but kept his distance.

MK silently cleaned the tombs. He then placed the flowers along with the egg tarts and burned some incense before kneeling.

“I bet you guys are worried about me,” he rubbed his neck. “It’s been a year, but don’t worry. I have a great mentor in the Monkey King and all of my friends got my back. I’ll be okay.”

He then folded his hands to pray and then rose up once he was finished. MK gave one more smile at the tombstones before picking up his now empty bag and left.

Wukong waited until MK got to his delivery car and drove away. He shifted back into his true form as he landed in front of the tombstone.

Quietly, he gave a bow and lingered for a moment before turning back to his bird form and flew away.

No training today. There was a lot he had to think about.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wukong returned to Flower Fruit Mountain until it was close to evening. He took flight as a bird again and headed to Pigsy’s restaurant. He waited until the shop closed and Wukong watched MK and Tang head home.

He snuck through an opened window, reverted to his true form when he landed and entered the kitchen. Pigsy was in the middle of washing dishes.

Wukong cleared his throat. “Hey Pigsy, I-”

He briefly regretted it as Pigsy yelped, spun around with a wet frying pan in hand ready to attack. Wukong prepared to dodge, but Pigsy froze upon seeing him and blinked.

“MONKEY KING?!”! He cried and cursed before shaking the wet frying pan in his face. “Geez, didn’t anyone ever tell you to not sneak up on people?!”

“Sorry,” Wukong said as he held up his hands. “Didn’t realize this was how you greeted paterons?!”

“It is when people sneak in here after I locked up the place when it’s supposed to be empty,” Pigsy snapped.

Wukong raised an eyebrow and gestured to the window. “Not completely locked up. You missed a window.”

Pigsy frowned, glanced to where he pointed and grumbled. “The one time I forget-” He shook his head. “Wait, nevermind that! What do you want? I doubt it’s about testing my security.”

Wukong’s eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. “I needed to discuss something about MK and you seemed like the best person to ask.”

Pigsy’s eyes widened. “The kid? Is he okay?”

“He’s fine,” Wukong said quickly and rubbed his neck. “But...I didn’t realize his parents were dead.”

The small panic left Pigsy’s face before the cook turned back to scrubbing his pan. “He told you?”

“Not exactly,” Wukong said. “I spotted him this morning and followed him.”

Pigsy raised an eyebrow at him. “So you saw him visiting his parents' graves?”

“Yeah,” Wukong said slowly. “When..did they die? Was it recent?”

“No, years ago,” Pigsy said as he rinsed the frying pan. “He was little at the time. MK admitted to me he doesn’t remember them much.”

“I see,” Wukong replied. “So, who raised him?”

“His aunt took him in,” Pigsy continued as he set the frying pan aside and tackled a bowl. “Known her for years, nice lady. Bit of an airhead sometimes, but she does love MK.”

“But he’s not living with her now, right?” Wukong asked. “I was under the impression he lived by himself.”

Wukong knew the laws enough to know that legally MK was just old enough to be living on his own. It wasn’t common, but it did happen. He never gave much thought as to why in MK’s case.

“He does,” Pigsy replied. “Not long ago MK’s aunt got offered her dream job that requires a lot of traveling. She was reluctant to take it because of how it might affect MK.”

Wukong raised an eyebrow. “So, she didn’t?”

“No, she did,” Pigsy said as he looked up. “She never told MK about the job offer, but he accidently found out about it. So he decided suddenly that he was old enough to move out and take care of himself.”

He huffed. “Although what he defines as ‘caring for himself’ is up for debate, but I digress. MK moved out and his aunt took the job while making sure to send MK rent money to help out. She sends him a postcard about twice a month.”

Wukong frowned. He did recall MK flashing a postcard in his face a few times, but Wukong would often try to redirect the kid towards their lesson for the day.

Pigsy glanced over his shoulder as he pointed a finger at Wukong. “Now, my question is, why are you asking me all of this and not MK?”

“How could I?” Wukong said as he said on the floor and leaned against the wall. “The kid never told me any of this. He must have had his reasons for not wanting me to know.”

It bothered him. Wukong wasn’t fully sure he understood why, but it did. He was MK’s mentor. This was stuff he felt like he should now, right?

“I thought we had a good relationship,” Wukong continued. “This is a big detail to not tell someone. How could-”

Suddenly, something hard struck the top of his head.

Wukong yelped as he looked up and saw the culprit was the frying pan in Pigsy’s hands.

“OW!” Wukong rubbed his head as he growled. “That hurt-”

“Oh, please,” Pigsy snapped. “I know it takes way more than a frying pan to actually hurt you.”

Wukong glared. That might be true, but it still stung. “But what was that for-”

“Because for someone who is immortal you’re not too bright!” Pigsy set down the frying pan. “MK never told you because he didn’t want you to know! The kid just never thought of it!”

Wukong blinked. “What?”

Pigsy sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, it’s hard to explain, but when someone you know dies after a while you just naturally forget who knows and who doesn’t.” He tossed his hands up in the air. “It probably just didn’t occur to him to bring it up.”

Wukong raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t help, but wonder if Pigsy was speaking from personal experience.

The Monkey King gave a sigh as he rubbed his neck. “Okay, fine, but we’ve known each other for close to a year now? How could he not think of bringing it up?”

“How would he?” Pigsy retorted. “What do you expect him to do?” He gave a fake grin and waved. “Hiya Monkey King! How’s your day going? Oh, by the way my parents are dead!”

Wukong cringed and pointed back. “Okay, first of all, NEVER smile like that again it’s creepy and second,” he frowned, “I get what you’re saying but still…”

Pigsy’s eyes narrowed. “Let me put it this way, when the two of you have ‘talked’ has it been about MK himself or has it been all about you and his training?”

Wukon raised, but then dropped his arm in thought. MK did mention his friends, but it was usually just some side note before Wukong changed the subject or he recalled a detail from his own adventures.

Wukong didn’t reply, but the silence seemed to be more than enough of an answer for Pigsy.

“That’s what I thought,” Pigsy said as he returned to the dishes in the sink. “I’m just an outsider here, but it seems to me that MK knows a lot more about you than you do about him.”

Wukong’s tail twitched in thought. After a long moment he gave himself a deep sigh. “You’re right.” He shook his head. That was the downside of being immortal. It was a lot easier to forget the world doesn’t revolve around you.

“I need to fix this,” Wukong said aloud. He wasn’t sure if he was saying it to Pigsy or to himself.

Pigsy snorted. “First smart thing you said since you got here.”

Wukong gave a small smile. “Thanks, Pigsy.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Pigsy said as he glared. “Just try to avoid giving me any more future heart attacks.”

“No promises,” as Wukong turned to leave. “Unless you are willing to offer me free noodles?”

Pigsy picked up the frying pan. “Do you want another whack?”

Wukong held up his hands. “Nah, I’m good. See you around.”

He heard Pigsy give another disgruntled snort as he turned into a bird and flew off. As Wukong headed home, plans began to form in his head. He would find a way to fix this.

----------------------------------------------------------

The next day, MK arrived at Flower Fruit Mountain. He was a bit earlier than Wukong expected, but it wouldn’t disrupt his plans.

“Heya, Bud,” Wukong greeted from his seat on his cloud. “Bit early today?”

MK huffed as he ran up. “Pigsy said I could have the morning off, so I thought it would be good if I came earlier.”

“Did he?” Wukong replied and gave a smirk. I wonder if he did that for me, but I won’t question it if he did.

MK swung his staff. “So, what are we focussing on today? Defence? Strike attacks? How to hang upside down without throwing up?”

“None,” Wukong said as he landed and brought out the book he’d been hiding. “Thought we try some of this?”

MK’s eyes lit up. “What is it? An ancient book of spells?! Secret techniques?!”

Wukong laughed as he tossed it to him. “Take a look.”

MK caught it, and suddenly the excitement on his face turned to confusion. “A...cookbook?”

Wukong crossed his arms as his tail twitched. “Yeah, I thought it was time to try something different. Never hurts to take it easy every once in a while, right?”

MK gave a thoughtful frown as he flipped through the pages.

Wukong rubbed his neck. “Something wrong, Bud?””

Did MK not like the idea?

“Oh, it’s nothing,” MK said hastily and laughed as he gave a nervous smile. “I just didn’t think that you cooked anything.”

Wukong raised an eyebrow. “What? Did you think I ate nothing but peaches and peach chips?”

“Um...kind of?” MK muttered with a sheepish grin.

Wukong raised a hand, but then lowered it. It was his favorite snack so he couldn’t blame the kid. He shook his head.

“Anyway,” Wukong said as he wrapped an arm around MK’s shoulder. “Why don’t we try one of these recipes?”

“I’m not a great cook,” MK said, but then gave a small laugh. “Although, I’m a lot better than my Aunt Ling.”

“Oh, yeah?” Wukong asked as they headed to his house.

MK laughed. “Yeah, she once tried to make dumplings and we nearly set the kitchen on the fire.” The boy laughed at the memory. “Granted, if she wasn’t such a bad cook I wouldn’t have met Mei.”

“Oh, really?” Wukong said as they entered the house. “Why don’t you tell me all about it while we cook.”

MK’s face brightened as he told the story and Wukong didn’t interrupt him. In the end, the food they made wasn’t great, but it was worth it for the stories MK shared. It was a small step, but it was one in the right direction.

[justmenoworries]

Yo, okay, totally bonkers theory here, but! What if Macaque’s and MK’s first meeting was a pure coincidence?

What if Macaque genuinely didn’t expect MK to be there, but once he was, Mac just kinda... rolled with it, because he saw his chance to get back at Wukong?

Ramblings and theorizing under the read more!

So, what their first meeting initially looks like seems like a classic con-artist set-up: Macaque creates the giant shadow-creature from his own shadow “defeats” it, gains the admiration of MK and we know how it went from there.

But upon several re-watches, I kinda noticed that, if that was in fact the plan from the very beginning, then some of Macaque’s actions and expressions don’t really add up?

Like right here, when he beats his shadow-giant for the first time.

That’s a rather odd expression for someone who presumably just won the equivalent of a mock-fight.

It looks rather calculating and even a bit critical, for lack of a better word. Like he’s trying to gauge something.

So, I thought: What if he wasn’t actually trying to attract MK? What if he was training? That move he whipped out seconds before sure looked fancy and complicated. What if he was using the shadow-giant as a training-dummy, to test his own strength?

We know Macaque does train. He has his own dojo after all.

And let’s be real: Macaque would totally be selfish and reckless enough to practice a dangerous move on a just as dangerous target in the middle of a city.

Then there’s his reaction to meeting MK.

When MK first calls out to him, he seems genuinely surprised. He even assumes a fighting stance.

When MK falls, he tries to walk away, with a  facial expression that  says: “Huh. That was weird.”

Then when MK gets all up in his face the very next second, he startles and leans back.

If Macaque was already expecting MK to show up, why react like this?

In fact, MK losing his grip on the roof would have been the perfect opportunity for Macaque to win his trust. He could have caught him, made a good-natured joke about MK needing to be more careful, then pretended he just realized this is the famous Monkie Kid he’s talking to.

Instead, he seems like he honestly didn’t know who MK was at first and also didn’t expect him to show up.

By the time MK gets all close and personal, it definitely clicked for Macaque who he was talking to.

And I know what you’re thinking: “But if he wasn’t planning on luring in MK, how did he know exactly who MK was?”

Good question!

Mk asks it too, and Macaque gives a pretty convincing answer.

Macaque: “Monkie Kid, right?

MK: “*gasp* How did you-?”

Macaque: “Your staff kinda gives you away, dude. Not just anyone can wield that thing.”

Which, you know. Fair enough. By this point MK is kind of the unofficial super-hero of his hometown. It’s entirely plausible that stories about the boy who can lift and wield the Monkey King’s staff would have come around to Macaque.

And yeah, it’s entirely possible that the plan was to lure in MK from the beginning and I’m just overthinking things.

But again, if Macaque wanted to manipulate MK into swapping teachers, here’s another prime opportunity he seemingly just lets go to waste.

His target has arrived, he’s obviously impressed by what Macaque just did (even if he did think he was watching Monkey King at first) and he’s in a prime position to make a non-chalant offer of mentorship to.

What does Macaque do?

He says: “See you around, MK.” And, once again, tries to leave.

Now this is the point where I think Macaque truly began to see MK as an opportunity to get back at Wukong.

MK isn’t exactly being subtle with his dissatsifaction with Monkey King’s teachings and his desire to learn cool new stuff.

Macaque, being quick on his feet, immediately puts two and two together and here’s where the con starts.

Macaque intentionally plays on MK’s insecurity about Wukong as a teacher and his own talent as a fighter.

First by subtly implying that Wukong wants to hold him back by not teaching him stuff.

Macaque: “Buut, you can never have too many teachers! I’m sure Monkey King would agree. It’s not like he’d wanna hold you back.”

(Side note: That is an interesting thing to just bring up here. I wonder if Macaque was going through something similar in the past, where he felt like Wukong was intentionally holding him back, maybe so he himself could shine brighter as a hero. Whether or not he’s correct in that assumption is up in the air, since we still haven’t heard Wukong’s side of the story in “Shadow Play”. Long story short, I think there’s a bit of projection going on here. And by a bit, I mean a lot.)

Then by negging Mk about not quite living up to his own legend when he defeats him in a sparring match later on.

Macaque: ”Not bad. Don’t get me wrong, but I was kind of expecting a little more from someone with your power.”

MK: “H-hey, I’ve got more! I can give way more than that! I can do better.”

Macaque: “Kay. Maybe show me next time.”

And after this is where he teaches MK dangerously extreme techniques and slowly gets him into a position where he can steal Monkey King’s power from him.

I’d like to think that Macaque did develop at least some genuine fondness for Mk when they trained together. His advice about how Mk should “stop trying to be nice” sounds like something he might have wished someone said to him way back when, when he was still trying to be Wukong’s faithful partner and friend.

But in the end, that small bit of attachment just couldn’t measure up to the years of resentment and rage towards Wukong.

TL; DR: Macaque met MK by pure coincidence, recognized a situation he could easily exploit for his own benefit and then promptly did so. It wasn’t actually planned, at least not at first.

P.S

I feaking love how Macaque’s image on MK actually gets smug when MK chooses Macaque’s teachings over Wukong’s. Macaque must have felt so reluctantly proud and triumphant in that moment.

Also, Macaque’s wide smile when he talks about teaching MK. Happy evil dad.

[skellebonez]

Did someone ask for fluff?!?!

How about some brothers bonding (Sandy, Pigsy and Wukong) with 1 and 9?

YEAH brother bonding time! This also has a follow up fill here because I like adding a dash of angst with my fluff (and then finishing it up with even more fluff) and I had two ideas that were similar enough I wanted to keep the flow going. They both ended up rather long as well.

Do not give me that look./ How long have you been standing there?

It was odd to have company on Mount Huaguo again. Not “Xiaotian over for training” company but “oh actual guests and more than one oh boy hope I can handle this many people” company. A “three day bonding trip” Xiaotian had called it, time for them to get reacquainted with each other. The fact it was two people who he had initially believed to have moved on with their lives to the point of reincarnating... made it even more odd.

But Sun Wukong would admit, though he had not recognized them at first due to how much they had changed, it was nice to see Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing again. Or, rather, Pigsy and Sandy. That’s what they went by now. New names to go with their new lives.

The first day he kept staring at them, afraid they would disappear now that everything was out on the table. Their anger at his disappearance, his assumption they had left him behind when he heard they had left their positions, his reasoning for leaving so long in the first place. Everything had come out when Pigsy had cornered him the day he chanced coming by the shop when Xiaotian hadn’t shown up for training (turned out he was sick and had forgotten to inform him) via email. He was pissed that Wukong hadn’t said a word to either of his younger brothers at the Lunar New Year festival and had just run off again.

He’d only stopped yelling when he realized that the monkey’s face had starting streaks of angry tears from holding himself back and the way his face fell when Wukong responded “I like pranks but pretending to be my dead brother isn’t funny” was more than telling enough. Telling enough that Wukong realized it wasn’t a cruel prank. His “you thought I was dead Wukong?” pushed him over the edge and those angry tears became “soul crushing disappointment and relief” tears because his brother, no both of his brothers were alive and he had wasted so much time mourning them when they were right here the whole time.

It was very awkward. Especially when Wukong couldn't stop himself from grabbing Pigsy and holding onto him.

But that was then. And again when he saw Sandy. But that was then! This was now. Now was bonding time. Now was the last night of this trip and it was such a far cry from the first day.

The first day, again, was awkward and tense before the few immortal monkeys he had managed to scratch out the names of in his one trip to... well, he didn’t want to think about that, had recognized Pigsy and flocked to him. The first night had him showing them how he had been living and them telling him of their exploits in becoming normal modern day citizens. He listened intently, asking questions when his curiosity couldn’t wait but otherwise holding himself back with great self control and focus. The second day they talked and talked and played games with the monkeys and Wukong showed them how he cared for them (and if he was right he saw soft glimpses from both of them in his direction and a thwap and laugh from Sandy after Pigsy heard him say “you’re both dads now that’s something you have in common”) and Sandy showed him how his boats work and introduced them to all of his cats on his houseboat (there were many and Wukong immediately loved all of them)

While that first night they had just eaten basic food Sandy and Pigsy had brought, that second night he had decided to show him his own cooking. He’d only been cooking for a years, since he had started his search for a successor and tempted a taste of some food at a festival that he happened upon, and he was nervous. Pigsy had always been very eager to eat anything before but even then he would judge the food with a shockingly insightful pallet. Wukong worried that his attempts at adding extra seasoning on their dishes had gone overboard since they overwhelmed him too much to try them.

Pigsy’s “You’ve only been cookin for a year? This is really good!” put all his worries aside. Ironically he had still under-seasoned his dishes, but the fresh vegetables he had used were such high quality that Pigsy assured him they more than made up for it.

Now was when he watched Pigsy show him how to prepare fresh homemade noodles in his own kitchen as Sandy regaled them with stories of the stuff the cats got into as he prepared fresh tea.

It was better than he ever hoped for.

"So Pigsy was stuck there for 3 hours?” Wukong laughed, grabbing the baby monkey that was about to leap off his shoulder before they could careen into Pigsy. “No, no jumping on guests!” He laughed, gently running his fingers through their fur before letting them leap out of the kitchen and back into the living room where the others watched TV (a livestream of kittens Sandy had put on, they absolutely adored it). He looked over at the chef with a smirk. “And here I thought you had a temper.”

“Do not give me that look,” Pigsy said with a warning tone, but Wukong could not tell it was almost all bark and playful to boot. “I’m the one making you a separate pot of soup so your tongue doesn’t hate you for trying to eat too much pepper.”

“And I thank you for that, younger brother,” Wukong said with a smile that Pigsy returned after a moment. It was odd, still, saying that again. But it felt good.

“Elder brothers,” Sandy chimed in, and that was odd and good as well, placing the dinner ware and fresh pot of tea on the table. “Everything is ready!” Mo meowed on his shoulder, a content purr sounding from the cat who looked a lot like his owner.

“Perfect timing! The soup’s just done too,” Pigsy announced as he grabbed Wukong’s smaller pot and carried it to the table. “Lemme ju-”

“I’ve got it,” Wukong said as he grabbed the larger pot effortlessly and placed it beside his own, closer to his brothers. “I can’t make you both do all the work now can I?”

“Not what you would have said 1 month into our journey together,” Pigsy playfully ribbed, earning a mock offended gasp from the monkey.

“I have you know I was a very different person back then, why I would have almost offered to do it 8 years in I bet!” Wukong joked, earning good natured laughs from his brothers as they all helped themselves to the amazing meal. Even as under seasoned as Pigsy had to make his own helping Wukong could only describe the taste as “nearly divine”.

This was... amazing. Nearly perfect, even.

“Sound like you’re all having fun!” Xiaotian’s voice suddenly rang out, scaring the three into jumping in their seats. Wukong had become so content and comfortable in his brother’s presence that he hadn’t even realized they now had two more guests. Tang stood beside his student, holding back laughter as he looked at Pigsy specifically.

“Geeze, kid, you nearly scared me to death!” Wukong said as he took exaggerated breaths. “And I’m immortal!”

“How long have you been standing there?” Pigsy questioned as he relaxed, sending a slight glare over his shoulder to a now laughing Wukong.

“Long enough to hear you having fun,” Tang answered with a laugh, sitting down next to Pigsy and picking up one of the extra bowls to ladle himself a portion of soup once Pigsy nodded his ok.

Xiaotian took a seat next to Wukong, smiling as he grabbed his own bowl. “We just wanted to see how things were going and since I have training tomorrow we thought maybe we could stay the night?"

"Tang too?" Wukong asked with a raised brow.

"I didn't want him to feel left out with Xiaojiao training for her next race," Xiaotian explained with a chuckle and a shrug. It was sweet, the way he wanted everyone to feel included now... but Wukong had a sneaking suspicion he brought Tang so he would also have some time with the Monkey King since he was, you know, Tang’s hero apparently.

“The more the merrier, then!" Wukong said as he leaned back and sipped the broth left in his bowl, eyes closed as he savored the rich flavor. “You were right, by the way, this was a great idea. Everything’s been perfect so far.”

He was so engrossed in his meal that he missed how Xiaotian tensed beside him.

[starsfic]

The Ghosts of Fiery Cloud Manor- Chapter 2: The Scholar's Manor

Summary: Xiaotian meets Tang and his partner.

AO3

-_-

"QI XIAOTIAN!"

The moment he stepped foot in the village, Xiaotian found himself freezing. The yelling was too close. Too close to the bark of his father. He slapped himself out of those thoughts, turning.

A man in a white and brown robe was hurrying up, red scarf fluttering after him. He came to a stop, leaning on his knees to pant. "Xiaotian, correct?" he said as he straightened, brushing dirt off his robe.

Xiaotian nodded, holding out his hand. "You must be Mr. Tang, right?"

The scholar gave his hand a firm shake. "Indeed, I am!" Tang said, using his other hand to fix his glasses. They turned at footsteps, watching another man, dressed in a yellow sweater, hurry up. "And this is my partner Sun Wukong."

"Like the Monkey King?" He couldn't help it. He had been obsessed with the stories since he was a kid.

For some reason, panic flashed across Tang's face. "Yes! Like the Monkey King! Not exactly like the Monkey King but close..."

Wukong took over at the scholar nervously laughed. "He's a big fan." He stage-whispered. "Anyway, kid, he saw your text and freaked out, thinking someone was still there and you were hurt or something."

"Actually…"

He explained about the lack of footprints in the dust and the paintings. Tang visibly calmed when he heard that there hadn’t been an actual intruder. “You’re right, the paintings still being there are a good sign.” He rubbed his chin in thought, not seeming to notice as Wukong wrapped an arm around his shoulder and start leading him down to the village, gesturing for Xiaotian to follow. “It’s possible that the stories kept any wannabe thieves away…”

“The stories?”

Tang glanced at him with a smile, his next words bearing a sharp contrast.

“Oh, the ghost stories.”

-_-

Sunlight drew Xiaotian from slumber. He didn’t get out of bed immediately, mulling over dinner last night.

In the inn’s dining room, over a meal of vegetarian noodles, Tang had laid down the history of Fiery Cloud Manor. Yes, the manor was built right where Red Boy, one of the most famous villains of Journey to the West, was claimed to live, giving the manor its name. One of Tang’s ancestors had built the manor centuries ago after he came back from studying in Britain. A few weeks after his sudden death, the manor had suddenly been abandoned and locked up and none of Tang’s family allowed to go in.

Which led to the rumors of ghosts.

But what kept playing Xiaotian’s minds was what Wukong had said, clearly not intending to be heard.

“Hopefully, ghosts are the only thing that’s in there…”

He finally pulled himself out of bed, stretching. He got dressed and packed a bag, a plan outlining in his mind. Tang didn’t have any maps of the manor, so Xiaotian would figure out the layout of the manor and get a feel for what was there and what needed to be done. He needed cleaning product and a unit more specific than ‘a lot’ would be helpful.

When he opened his door, the monkey waiting outside wasted no time in clinging to his front. “Seriously?” Xiaotian voiced, staring at the monkey. It gave a happy chirp. “This has to stop, you can’t get attached.” He continued on this vein as he walked downstairs, not even noticing the innkeeper, Mr. Syntax, watching until he chuckled.

“Good company?”

“He’s persistent,” Xiaotian said, plopping the monkey back onto the counter. “I’ll give him that. Hey, do you know if there’s anywhere I can get a packed lunch?” The monkey reached for his loose hair and he batted its hands away. “I want to get a full day out in the manor.”

“Oh, I’ll whip something up while you’re eating breakfast.”

Xiaotian thanked him and headed into the pub, ordering some dumplings. He couldn’t resist snapping a picture and texting it to Pigsy. Pretty good, but not as good as yours! A few minutes later, there was a response of Good. Miss you. Xiaotian sent back a miss you! before the innkeeper handed him a brown paper bag. He headed out and soon found the trail again.

The soft mist of morning lingered around him as he started his hike. Now that Xiaotian was slightly more awake, he noticed more details on his walk. Bull and monkey statues, worn away by weather and time, lined the path. Scattered here and there were wild peach trees, soft breezes scattering pink and white petals. With the sunrise, it was beautiful.

By the time Fiery Cloud Manor came into view, he was smiling. His smile stopped when he saw the closed gate…

And no headband.

Some critter must've gotten curious. At least he had a spare...which he had forgotten. Xiaotian pushed that aside and headed through the gate and to the door, making sure to wedge two large rocks he found to prop open the doors. When that was done, he studied the floor.

The entrance hall floor was made of red marble, gold veins cracking through it. The wallpaper was a similar shade of red- clearly, Tang’s ancestor hadn’t cared about how red on red would look- and when he wiped some dust away, he found a pattern of bulls. Above, a crystal chandelier would’ve offered light, but it was more spiderweb than crystal. Xiaotian shivered at the thought of spiders. “You probably have a lot of them,” he said out loud. His voice bounced off the walls, echoing into the depths. “You probably hate that- believe me, I would.”

Weirdly, he felt less weird talking to the house than the monkey.

“Let’s get to know each other.”

He set down the hallway, pulling out his phone to start his playlist. He hummed along to the music as he found more paintings, as well as vases and decorative armor and weapons. Which was weird. Wouldn’t someone take something like that when the house was abandoned? Xiaotian found himself pushing those thoughts away when he came to a traditional paper push door, a pair of large flames decorating it.

He pushed them open, sending dust scattering. The marble floor in this room had been replaced with wood with a reddish tint to it. Xiaotian moved his gaze up and yelped when he looked back.

"Okay." He said when his heart stopped racing. His several reflections repeated the motions of his mouth. "Mirrors. Didn't expect mirrors." Xiaotian headed in. There had to be windows somewhere, right?

Nope. All Xiaotian found in what he was recognizing as a ballroom were mirrors, occasionally broken by the white wall underneath. This room probably looked less creepy when the golden chandeliers above were lit. But for now, Xiaotian was glad to get out.

The rest of the manor was less creepy, thankfully. Four floors and an attic were open for examination. He found a door that must've led to a basement, but the door held firm when Xiaotian had tried to open it. He brushed it off, happy to wait to deal with that, and continued his exploration. Most of all, he found Tang wasn't kidding when he had said that the manor had been abandoned suddenly.

None of the furniture looked missing. The decor was still decorating. Some of the rooms still had clothes in their closets. Then Xiaotian entered the library. "Are you kidding?!" he yelled to nobody. "Who just leaves their books?!"

There wasn't a single gap in the bookshelves that filled the room. There was a marble fireplace, any fire having long since died out, and dusty furniture. There was a desk that, under further examination, looked like whoever had been writing had simply gone up to get a snack and had never come back. A portrait of a familiar woman- the same woman from the painting downstairs, that horn hairstyle was hard to miss- looked down at the desk with a look of distaste.

"I feel you." he told her.

He continued his examination, humming along to the next song to come on. He froze when a kid screamed for more candy. "Mei!" Xiaotian grabbed his phone, turning it on to show it had gone to his Don't Even Think About It playlist. In retrospective, he probably shouldn't have a playlist titled this. Or use Xiaojiao's birthday as his passcode.

He switched it to a different playlist and then turned to texting his best friend. You're five hours away, how are you still driving me crazy?

A minute later, his phone lit up with a call from Xiaojiao. He answered it and her giggle filled the library. "Sounds like someone found the new song!"

"Yeah, that horrible Disney remix. Thank you for that."

Xiaojiao let out a snort, soon calming. "So, how is it? Epic disaster or nice fixer-upper?"

Xiaotian looked around. "More like epic fixer-upper. Mr. Tang was right- this is the perfect place for a museum."

"How bad is it?"

That was another weird thing. For a house that had been abandoned for at least a century, there was surprisingly no damage. "Just some dust, cobwebs, and grime here and there. But seriously, this place is amazing."

"I see you found your soulmate."

He couldn't help his own snort of laughter. "Yes, I predict a spring wedding. I wish you were here to see it-" Something hit his back and he screamed. For a moment, there was nothing but panic.

Finally, the creature hopped off…

And the inn monkey blinked innocently up at him.

"MK?! Is everything okay?!"

"Fine!" Xiaotian said, feeling his heart race from the scare. "It's just the monkey."

"...the monkey?"

Said monkey let out a chirp before hopping up onto his shirt, reaching for the paper bag. "No," he told it, holding the bag as far as he could. "I will not feed you! Sorry, Xiaojiao, this monkey apparently likes to hop from the local nature reserve."

There was a coo from the other end before someone else spoke. "Okay, I have to go!" Xiaojiao said. Xiaotian froze at her planning voice. "Love you, bye!" And just like that, she was gone.

He was broken out of his confusion by paws batting at his hair and he gave in. "Fine." Xiaotian said, sitting down on one of those comfy-looking armchairs. "Let's see what we have that won't make you sick."

The bag was opened and he pulled out some noodles, Peking duck, white rice, and some spring rolls. Finally, Xiaotian found a bag of dried peach slices, marketed as peach chips. He popped open the bag and handed it over to the monkey.

They ate in companionable music-filled silence. The monkey occasionally paused to cock it's head. Then, when Xiaotian had finished his lunch and was placing the trash in the bag, it let out a series of chirps and squeaks, mimicking the tune. "You're a talented little guy, aren't you?" Xiaotian asked, reaching over to give it a head scratch. Realization struck a moment later.

Oh boy. He had gotten attached, to both house and monkey.

He could deal with that later, he mused as he leaned back, feeling sleepy. His stomach was full, the armchair was comfy, and the library was surprisingly warm, which all pushed him deeper into the abyss of slumber. It wasn't an issue. He could take a quick nap...

He didn't notice a figure watching him as his eyes fell shut.