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Chapter Text

"And start!" Mei giggled loudly as she held up MK's phone, streaming the duel to their fans.

MK grounded his feet, lowering his body while raising his staff. His lips were pulled into a confident smirk. Redson smirked back, lowering his center of gravity as well. Then the two charged, one with flaming fists.

Red hit ruyi jingu bang, causing the smaller male to skid back a couple of inches. Of course, he tossed the demon off and swung the golden tip of his staff at him. The demon slipped under the wide arc, shooting out a stream of white-hot fire.

MK jumped back and to the side, shrinking his staff. He shot toward Redson again, planning on hitting the bull by extending his staff at the last second. Redson blocked the attack, sending off a few rounds of expert hits that MK barely blocked. Then ruyi jingu bang was thrown from his grasp, and he was knocked to the ground.

With a heavy groan, he kicked his foot into the other's chest, sending him back. Scrambling to get up, he raised his fists. Lately, his two mentors had been training him on hand-to-hand combat seeing as every villain of his knows that without the staff he's basically human. It seemed that Redson had been doing the same with his family as his technique had definitely improved.

They began a more physical and graphic fight; MK using more grabbling and restraining movements while Redson used more straightforward attacks and was keeping his body lower, making it harder for MK to grapple him. The fighting was fun though. The adrenaline rushing through their blood, the quick and heavy pants for air as the sun beat down on them. It felt amazing. In the end, MK just barely won, smiling a bright and bloody smile.

The sorta-human had several claw marks along his face and arms, bruises already forming along different areas as well. His hair was a mess, with his new ribbon slightly undone from his braid. The bull-demon wasn't much better, actively bleeding gold from a broken nose and his own claw marks. He had plenty more bruises from his arms and shoulders, mostly where he was blocking/getting hit by MK's trusty staff. His own hair was messy, the tie half way hanging out and entangled in the red mess. Yet, he too was smiling. It was a bit crooked, but it was there!

The two of them gazed at each other, their eyes wondering along the other's bruised body. Strangely, well strange for one of them, they found the sight enticing.

"That was awesome!" Mei's voice broke them out of their momentary trance, a deep blush settling along their cheeks.

"Yeah! I didn't know you could do that!" MK's eyes shimmered as he latched himself onto the bull demon.

Redson pulled his head away, huffing indignantly.

"Well, I am Redson, child of-"

 A large explosion sounded behind the trio, a bright beam of jade green with flickers of sun gold filled the sky. The trio watched in annoyance.

"Better not be an end of the world. Again." Redson hissed, shifting his weight to lean a little on the sorta-human.

MK wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer. Affectionately, he nuzzled the other's cheek, still smiling.

"It'll be fine! Plus, we've grown stronger!" He chittered so happily.

Mei joined on MK's other side, wrapping an arm around his neck. She raised the still streaming phone with a beaming smile.

"I guess we gotta cut this short! The Monkie Trio are on the way to explore whatever that was!"

Redson instantly looked offended.

"We are not calling ourselves that!"

"This is Mei Long signing off!" She raised her free hand to do a peace sign, her dark eyes briefly flashing a dragon green.

"This is Monkie Kid also signing off!" MK gave his own peace signs, his soft eyes glowing a sharp yellow-gold.

The two mischievous mortals gave their friend a look, a smug look for each of them.

With a heavy sigh that was so close to being a groan, Red went with them. "Redson of the Demon Bull Family... Signing off." He simply tilted his head away from the two mortals, eyes and hair sparking.

The two laughed triumphantly, MK pulling his friend back and rubbing his nose against the demon's neck. Said demon tensed, but didn't necessarily pull away.

"Well, we'll see you all next time!" Mei officially signed off, stopping the stream. There were plenty of good lucks and wishes for them to stream the fight, but Mei just turned off the phone before it could get annoying.

"Alrighty! Let's hurry!" MK bounced away from the two, picking up his staff.

Redson rolled his eyes, pulling his hair tie out to properly fix it. He sighed heavily when he saw that MK was just going to run into a battle with his hair half undone. Wordlessly, he tugged the multicolored ribbon out of the other's hair. Then he wove it and MK's bouncy hair back into a braid, tighter and proper this time. MK stood still, his eyes half closed in enjoyment. He also did love it when someone he liked played with his hair.

"Come on! We're gonna miss all the fun!" Mei shouted from her bike, tilting her head back with a whine.

MK and Redson flushed brightly, a sheepish smile on his face as he pulled Redson close to him.

"Hold on!" Was the only warning the Bull demon had before the two were launched into the air.

The larger demon clung to the other, wincing a little at the rushing wind. Still, he was quiet about it all. He was a demon damn it! A powerful one from a powerful family!

It wasn't long before the trio were at the outskirts of the city, the ground being lush with flowers and wild grass and the occasional tree. Then there was a crumbling building that was pulsing with magic.

Shifting into a large falcon, MK flew down with Redson on his back. He usually would've just fallen but that would've been too rough and mean to his passenger. Just as he landed, Mei had skidded to a stop. Her silvery-white suit shimmered as it faded back into her usual outfit. She patted the bits of dust that had blew on her. She pulled out her blade, her laid back expression switching to a more serious one. MK and Redson matched her expression, both ready to fight.

They made their way into the building, the lights flickering. It was giving the entire thing a creepy vibe. Soon however, they entered a large room that was covered in talisman, runes, and other sigils and seals. Standing at the center of it all, were the two demons that the three didn't want to deal with.

"Yin, Jin!" MK moved forward, placing ruyi jingu bang on his shoulder.

The twin, were they even twins?, demons snapped their heads up from a pendant they practically were shoving their faces into. The two scrambled, trying to look intimidating as usual, but they had dropped the pendant. It landed harshly on the floor, right on the line of the largest sigil there was. A bright flash, similar to the one that had attracted the trio's attention, lit the room. The five flinched away from the light, an eerie feeling erupting from the light. A light that seemed to suck everything in.

MK reacted on instinct. He broke a hole in the roof with ruyi jingu bang, then he tossed Mei and Redson out seconds before Yin and Jin followed. MK tried to follow, but his vision was soon filled with jade and gold colors.

Then he woke up lying flat in an alley of some kind. A pulsing headache pounded against his skull, making him whine a little. Slowly, he sat up and squinted to see where he was. He had vaguely seen the sigil on the floor, which actually looked more like a teleporting seal. The same kind that Tang often uses, maybe a rune or so off. Which meant that he was somewhere else.

It took a couple of minutes before MK could finally see where he was. Which was in a familiar alley. He didn't know why it was familiar, but it was familiar. Which meant he had to be within his city. He knows every inch of his city from both hero work and delivering Pigsy's noodles.

Stumbling out of the alley, he ran a hand through his ruffled hair. For a moment, he panicked, not feeling his new ribbon. Pulling his hand away, he relaxed as he saw the ribbon wrapped around his hand. His long hair fell in his face, but that didn't matter as he was suddenly pushed into the brick wall behind him. He grunted in pain before looking up to see what had hit him.

A demon, a big demon with a large dog head that had sharp teeth that peeked out from his snout. Now, MK's city wasn't a stranger to many different types of demons, but the only demons that the half-human could think of that looked so animal-like were DBK and Monkey King's old Brotherhood!

"Watch where you're going, human." The word was spat like acid, a cocky sort of grin on his face before stomping off.

MK blinked very slowly as his soft hazel eyes took in more and more demons with their monstrous appearances out in the open. Then he noticed the taste in the air. Blood and magic, very old magic that reminded him of the Ink Scroll... Except it was deeper and alive, no after scent of ink, no feeling like he was covered in something off putting.

"What the hell did they find?" He muttered, shrinking back into the welcoming darkness of the alleyway. Like seriously, what did Yin and Jin do?

Chapter Text

It took several minutes for MK to calm himself down and remind himself how to deal with this. Ba-Macaque had been drilling it into his head to be stealthier, to think things through. Those lessons had caused plenty of bruises and many, many trips into a shadow portal. He still wasn't the best at it, but he at least hadn't run out and caused trouble.

Looping his ribbon, he pulled his hair back in a ponytail instead of a braid. He didn't have time to do that, not when he wanted to figure out what was going on. Either he was in the past, or it was one of those world ending adventures that twist everything around.

Looking around more made him wince. The option for him being in the past was crossed off instantly. Everything was modern, from the characters being used to the technology and clothes. That meant world-ending. He had been hoping for it not to be world ending.

With a heavy sigh, he pulled up his hood and stuck to the shadows as he traveled around. From what he saw, there weren't many humans, and demons came in a variety of species. Some were dog, others were fox, he even saw a couple of horse demons! That felt freaky.

The humans he did see were dirty and abused, but held no scars while the demons stomping around them held many. The demons seemed so proud to show off their gruesome marks, especially to "convince" some humans into going with them.

Everything that MK was witnessing made his skin crawl. Made him feel guilty. With Ba-Macaque's training, the majority of demons were leaving him alone. The few that weren't, he scared off by flashing his Gold eyes. He... He didn't really want to think on why they would be terrified at seeing that when it usually gives a lot of hope for people.

Just when he started to feel his nerves begin to bubble from under his skin, he saw a familiar sight.

"Papa Tang!"

The man tensed as strong arms were haphazardly wrapped around him, holding him to a broad and firm chest.

Blinking, the man looked up to see a smiling and hopefully face of a human man that had a several bruises and claw marks on his face. It was a wonder to see such marks, marks that were beginning to bleed again, on a happy face.

"Ahem... Sorry, but I uh... Don't have any children... Nor am I priest." The smaller human wiggled out from the other's surprisingly gentle grip.

That happy smile faltered before falling. Those innocent Hazel eyes scanned him up and down, causing his brows to furrow deeper.

"Oh... You're right... I'm sorry, sir..." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking away in embarrassment.

"Well, my name is Tang." The man, who was dressed far too formal for a normal outing, bowed politely.

MK gave a bitter smile, bowing back.

"People just call me MK." He murmured.

The two stood in awkward silence before a bunny demon appeared with three crates of items.

"Here's the usual." The bunny critters, already calculating the cost of it. "The amount." She hummed, leaning to the side with a bored look.

"Y-Yes, yes... Thank you." Tang bowed deeply, his body tense.

As his back was turned to him, MK could see that the back of Tang's suit jacket had a symbol on it. It looked like a boar in a bowl? It looked kind of funny. Yet, it was also something that pinged in the back of MK's head. It took a few seconds, but it did click. He had noticed that the humans that weren't being messed with had similar symbols on their backs! It must've been like a warning or a sign that they were under someone's protection?

"Hey, I'm new in town... So, uh... What's with the symbol on your back?"

Tang and the bunny demon looked up at him like he just grew a second head. Tang was the one who recovered quicker, paying for the crates and trying to grab them. However, having worked with Pigsy forever at this point, MK could tell that this Tang wouldn't be able to carry all three.

"Here, let me help." He easily grabbed two of the crates, huffing slightly as it weighed a bit more than he was expecting. He shifted his hold on the crates, smiling at Tang.

He really did look like his Papa Tang...

"You really don't have to." His expression was tight, almost worried, but his cheeks were a bit flushed with strain.

MK just gave him a look, putting the two crates onto his shoulder so he could put a hand on his hip.

"You're about to fall over with one crate."

Tang flushed even more, looking away. He then sighed and nodded.

"Alright... But Pigsy's not going to be happy." He muttered as he walked away.

That caught MK's attention.

"Pigsy?" He moved the crates in front of him, easily catching up with the smaller man.

The man looked up with a puzzled expression.

"You... You're really new here, aren't you?" He lowered his voice, eyes darting around.

"Yeah... Where I'm from, there's not so many... demons?" His face pulled tight. "No, that's not right... There's just as many demons as there's humans, but they don't look so... Intimidating?" He nodded at that, finding that to be better. "Nor do the demons there bully humans or vise versa..."

Tang looked up to the stranger, eyes wide.

"Is there... Is there really a place like that?" His voice was soft, filled with hopeful wonder.

MK grinned, eyes shining with love for his city.

"Yeah, totally! In fact, Papa Tang is a human who loves reading and teaching about the ancient scriptures and times. He also loves Dadsy's noodles."

"Really? Are they that good?" Tang moved closer, glancing around briefly.

"Oh, yeah! Dadsy is like the best noodle chef you'll ever find! Makes some good dumplings too." MK could already taste his first father's cooking, even the tingling sensation as he would lightly burn his tongue from impatience.

The nervous looking man laughed softly, the tension in his shoulders falling.

"Impossible. Pigsy is the best noodle chef. Even the Emperor and his court dine there occasionally." There was pride spoken with those words.

MK smiled more, thinking back to all the random visits from high-ranking Demon Kings and Celestials. Over the last couple of years since becoming Monkey King's Successor, more and more people wanted to try Pigsy's noodles. Many became repeat customers, even going there to mend their wounded egos after losing.

"Dadsy may not have the Emperor and his court, but a good amount of local Demon Kings and Celestials still come by. Especially after-"

"Tang! Where have you been?" A booming voice shouted, the ground rumbling ever so.

The two humans looked up to see a large, heavy-set pig demon... Well, calling them a pig demon after having only seen Dadsy's family wouldn't be right. The demon in front of him was more like a boar, with large tusks curving past his snarling snot and beady black eyes that shown with a fire against his soft brownish-pink furred face.

MK moved himself in front of Tang, his eyes narrowed deeply. He didn't feel threatened enough to show his glowing eyes, but just enough to know danger.

"Oh, Sir Pigsy!" Tang shuffled out from behind MK, smiling comfortably at the demon.

The tension in MK's shoulders disappeared, seeing as Tang had been wary of everyone. Plus, he said this person was-

"You're Pigsy?" He tilted his head.

The boar demon narrowed his eyes on him.

"What?" He growled.

His voice made MK's ears twitch. It sounded so close to what his Pigsy's voice sounded like that it made his heart hurt a little. He really wanted to see that friendly scowl.

"It's nothing... Just it's my first father's name is Pigsy..." He gave a wary smile, shrugging off his hood.

Tang gave him a look.

"I thought his name was Tang?"

MK nodded, softly laughing.

"Papa Tang and Dadsy are my first parents." He explained.

Tang's face scrunched in confusion.

"Oh? But... Wouldn't that make your uh... Dadsy a pig demon?"

The large boar raised an eyebrow. They both were giving him an expression that he didn't really know how to process. It made him squirm a little. It felt like he was going to be scolded.

"Well, yeah? They're married? Actually! They got married last year!" A bright smile formed on his face at the memory. "Oh Buddha, was it hectic! Papa Tang was just worrying about every detail and Dadsy was chewing the catering company out for their subpar cooking! Nearly didn't have the wedding because of all that!" He laughed, rocking back on his heels.

When he opened his eyes, he saw the two were still staring at him. It made his wide smile faltered. Why were they staring at him like that?

"Oh... Uh... Did... Did I say something wrong?" His innocent hazel eyes darted between the two, shrinking away.

Tang and Pigsy glanced to each other, before the pig demon stood taller. It seemed he came to a decision of sorts.

"Got a way back to 'em, kid?"

MK looked away from them to examine the alley they were in. It was familiar, but it wasn't the alley just outside Pigsy's next to the little bakery that had recently opened. The floor was too clean and the alley didn't smell like broth or pastries. This was his city, but not the city he had grown up in nor the one he protected.

"I... I don't know where I am... It looks like home, but..." His lips thinned, his grip on the crates tightening a little.

"Sir Pigsy..." Tang gave a pleading sort of look.

The large demon pinched the bridge of his nose, breathing heavily.

"Fine. Runt, you can stay here, as long as you work, till you can find yer home."

MK blinked in surprise, he had gotten the feeling that this Pigsy wouldn't be so easily swayed. Maybe he had things wrong? Well... At least he'll have a steady source of income while he looks for a way back home.

Chapter Text

MK looked around the large boar demon's bustling kitchen. He was used to Pigsy's kitchen only having him and said demon, but here there were many different people. There were chefs of all types and styles, waiters, dishwashers, and even packing people matched with delivery drivers! Orders never seemed to stop, but the people had a constant and steady flow, like a beating drum or a heart. From beyond the double kitchen doors, there seemed to be loud echoing chatter.

"Busy." MK hummed, pulling the crates closer to himself as people rushed around him.

The large demon with his father's name gave him a wary look before nodding.

"Never been in a kitchen, Runt?"

MK's mouth twitched in annoyance. He didn't understand why he was being called runt; he was quite tall compared to plenty of other humans! Yet, he said nothing as this demon was willing to give him a place to both work and sleep at.

"I have... It's just been me and Dadsy though."

Pigsy huffed, nodding as if he understood something.

"Tomorrow we're closed, I'll test you then. Tonight, you wash dishes. Tang." He stomped off, barking orders to the people around him as he went to a small sink to wash his hands.

The small human gave MK a nervous smile, eyes darting around the kitchen filled with a variety of demons.

"F-Follow me." He hummed, voice nearly lost in the sea of noise.

MK smiled to him, nodding a bit nervously. He fell in step behind the smaller human. As they traveled through the large kitchen, he looked at everything as they passed by. The chefs and cleaners glanced at him, but they ultimately ignored him. Probably thought he was just a simple human delivering their ingredients.

Eventually, they moved to the walk-in freezer and cooler. It was so neat and organized, but it was all half stocked.

"Okay... Sir Pigsy has a syst-Eh! Wh-What are you doing?" Tang nearly dropped his crate in shock as the new hire began to sort through the top crate.

He stopped to give a wide-eyed look that reminded Tang of a child caught stealing a cookie.

"Am... Am I doing it wrong?" His soft eyes glanced to the food and then back to the older man.

Tang's lips thinned before he shook head.

"No... But we really should wash our hands first."

MK nodded, gently setting the crates down. He then walked out of the cooler with Tang following him. They cleaned their hands before going back in. Tang brought a damp cloth to clean the fruit MK had already placed.

For several minutes, the two worked in silence, moving everything to where they were needed. It was a steady movement, a calm settling over them. It was relaxing.

Once they were done, they took the empty crates to the back where they would be taken sometime later in the night. Washing their hands once more, Tang moved away from him.

"I'll begin to serve the food now." He leaned to the side. "Wu, please show MK the ropes."

Wu, a pale skinned man with stringy white hair, looked up from the dishes he was washing. His cracked lips pulled into a sneer revealing sharp teeth.

"Fine." He growled in a crackling voice.

MK gave him what he hoped was a friendly smile, bowing to the older man.

"Thank you, Sir."

The sneer softened ever so, but only after a huff.

"Come 'ere." He huffed again.

For the next some hours, the two of them washed any dishes that were given. There never seemed to be an end of them! However, there wasn't much that either of them could say or do to stop it. It was their job. Though part way through, MK began to sing a few songs that he could vaguely remember from home. Wu stayed quiet, but his stern expression seemed to slowly soften, his head bobbing a little in time to his singing.

"You hava nice voice... Shoulda try 'n get a singin' career." Wu muttered after one of his songs.

MK smiled a little, remembering that one time he and his friends formed that band. Perhaps he should've had Ba-Monkey King be the one to steal the circle. It would've saved them some havoc at least. But he couldn't do anything to change the past.

"Back home, I have something similar, but I prefer this."

"Prefer this?" Wu looked at him like he was a strange creature.

"Yeah, working with my hands. I like seeing people smile when I give them their food," the tall boy smiled gently, memories floating around his head. "It makes me feel happy."

The withered looking man frowned, eyes narrowing. He then turned away, silently doing more dishes. MK said nothing more, just putting the finished ones up.

Eventually the restaurant closed, leaving only the closing dishes left. The two of them finished easily enough, with Wu disappearing after getting a bag of leftover food. Plenty of the human staff members were given the leftovers, leaving nothing for the rats to eat.

MK and Tang weren't one of them, but that didn't matter to him. He drifted closer to Tang, who was standing off the side with his head bowed. MK kept his back straight, watching as everyone left. He was trying to memorize their faces, but they were just beginning to blur in his mind.

Pigsy soon entered the almost empty pristine kitchen. It was perfectly clean, every surface shining like a mirror. He nodded in satisfaction. His attention soon turned to the last two in his kitchen.

"Right. I see ya been good, so I'll give ya board." He nodded deeply, moving to a locked door.

MK bowed to him, taking a deep breath.

"Thank you, Sir Pigsy."

The large demon glanced back before focusing on finding the proper key. The trio were silent as they walked up the stairs to a small apartment. One door was opened, revealing a pristine bathroom. There was a small kitchen to the side that had a half full fruit bowl, and a worn couch sat in front of an old TV on the other side. The apartment was small but homely, it felt like home. Like his apartment.

"It's not much, and no stealin', Runt." The boar demon gave MK a distrustful look, even as he smiled brightly.

"Don't worry! I won't, promise, Dadsy! Ack! I-I mean Pigsy! SIR Pigsy!" The young man waved his arms around frantically, his face flushed in embarrassment before he bowed deeply and stiffly.

The demon flushed a little but simply turned away with a huff.

"Imma make dinner." He tried to make his way to small kitchen, but MK got in front of him.

"No, no! You've been on your feet all day, let me cook!"

Pigsy and Tang looked to each other for a silent conversation. The demon gave in.

"Imma watch you." He growled, sitting heavily on the lone barstool to the kitchen island.

MK just smiled peacefully. He looked so understanding.

"Of course." His voice was soft, so kind and sweet.

Without any more delays, he began to make one of his favorite meals with the ingredients that were provided. He poured his very heart into the dish, dancing memories of cooking this dish with his Dadsy as Papa watched, humming a song that was playing on that ancient radio or whispering of a new story he had unearthed that day. In no time, the dish was finished and served to the two.

Tang had to sit on the large demon's lap to properly eat as there seemed to be no other chair in the homey apartment. He hesitantly picked up his chopsticks and took an experimental bite. His face lit up, his once hesitant hands grabbing the warm bowl to devour the delicious food.

Seeing how excited his worker was devouring the food, Pigsy took his own bowl. He was genuinely surprised by the delicate taste of the food. It was good. Not perfect, but definitely good. Something he would make for the people he cherished. If he could cherish them.

Pigsy nodded.

"Not bad." He grumbled, taking a few more bites. He gave the waiting boy a look. "You will need more practice."

MK grinned, his shoulder's slumping.

"Yeah, no problem." He hummed before devouring his own bowl. He had no problem with the idea of more practice at a craft that made him think of home.

Chapter Text

MK woke early the next day, surprisingly. Then again, he hadn't really slept. The memories of before being blasted to this other world kept haunting him. Was Mei and Redson okay? Did they get sucked in like he did? Were they somewhere else within the city?

The questions plagued his every thought, turning his dreams into nightmares of them getting hurt seeing as they both look human and clearly humans weren't treated nicely here. He had hoped that everything was just a weird and multilayered dream. It obviously wasn't.

Sitting up on the couch, he took out his phone. Biting his lip, he turned it on. He had service and Wi-Fi, which was a sigh of relief. Then, he began to scroll through his calls. If he had service and everything, maybe he could call them? Maybe he could guide them to-

"The number you are trying to reach is unavailable." He tried Redson's number next.

"The number you are trying to reach is unavailable."

His head fell down, his eyes misting. Taking a quiet breath, he tried to see if he could search things.

Nothing.

Gritting his teeth, he looked back up to the top of his phone. It had said he had- oh... He didn't. No service and no Wi-Fi. What a disappointment to get his hopes up like that.

Squeezing his eyes closed, he pressed his head to the screen. He needed to calm down. He had to calm down... Baba always said when he got upset, he made stupid discissions.

"Stop it..." He muttered to himself, gripping his phone tighter. "That's not his name..."

"Not who's name?" A sleepy voice called to him, making the young man jump to his feet in surprise.

Tang, not his Papa, raised his hands with wide eyes.

"Sorry." They both said at the same time.

Their surprised expressions softened with a nervous chuckle leaving MK's lips as he rubbed the back of his neck. The air felt awkward with this man that looked so much like his Papa but wasn't him.

"I..." He could lie, it wouldn't be too hard. This Tang didn't know his tells like his Papa did. But hat would've felt so wrong. "I was thinking of one of my mentors." He admitted, already moving to the kitchen. "Breakfast?" He was going to make it anyway.

The man nodded, taking his stool.

"What were you thinking his name was?" There was a teasing tone.

MK paused for a second, hand second away from grabbing the rice. His eyes closed tight, his breathing a bit tight.

"I called him Baba." His voice was soft. "He doesn't mind..." He hurriedly pulled the rice to him, going to the counter space.

Tang tilted his head, looking a bit confused.

"Okay... So," he raised his hand, "you have a Papa, a Dadsy, and now a Baba?" Three fingers were raised, along with his disbelieving expression.

MK nodded, his smile thin.

"Yeah, then there's... Well I call him Bama, mixing the words Baba and Mama... But he's also my first mentor." His breathing felt a little tense. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything, he didn't know how this stranger would react. "They all take good care of me, and I know that they loved me, but... My Mentors... I've only really met them a few years ago, so it's... It still feels weird calling them that." He offered a shaky smile while he made some congee.

Tang nodded slowly, still looking a bit confused but stayed quiet. He was thinking, and it was so strange to see that familiar expression on a familiar person but for all the wrong ways. Like he was in trouble. So, he started looking around the kitchen to enhance their breakfast. He grabbed some fruit from the basket along with the important ingredients to make dumpling dough.

"What were your mentors training you for?" His dark eyes trailed to the boy's exposed arms and then to his wounded face.

"Fighting." There was a strange pride in his voice as he began to make some fruit filled dumplings. "My city had a lot of people that liked trying to destroy it or enslave the people that lived there."

"Doesn't sound too different from around here. Now whatcha makin'?" The large pig demon marched into the room, his narrowed eyes glaring at the mess that the boy had caused.

MK felt himself frown at how causal the demon was able to say that.

"Fruit filled dumplings."

"For breakfast?" An eyebrow was raised.

"It won't be that sweet." He pouted a little, his hands not stopping their movement.

Pigsy rolled his eyes in what most would've taken as annoyance, but even in another world MK knew it was amusement. If this Pigsy was annoyed, he was sure that he would also let him know. Loudly. Even the guy's normal talking voice was loud!

The trio stayed quiet after that, Tang and Pigsy both watching him as he moved easily around the kitchen. They both noticed how at peace he looked, how his body relaxed completely. It was almost unnoticeable till then, but his body seemed ready for a fight, ready for something bad happening.

"All done!" He shouted, grinning like the sun.

He gave each of them a bowl of congee with three fruit-filled dumplings. He stayed standing as he began to eat his own food, tilting his head side to side. Tang took an eager bit into the sweet dumplings, humming happily. Pigsy took a more tentative bite. He gave a low hum, finishing his meal.

"A bit too sweet for breakfast, but that's fine." He huffed, stomping off into his room.

MK blinked a little, glancing back to Tang. The man just shrugged before getting up and going into the bathroom. Alone, the young adult quickly got the kitchen cleaned up and properly packed the sweet dumplings.

"Runt." Pigsy's gruff voice made the sorta human look up to him.

He was carrying a white undershirt and a white chef's shirt along with black pants.

"Take a shower and put these on."

MK smiled, bowing a little as he took the uniform. As he had taken the uniform, Tang exited the bathroom in a white and grey tang suit top that was paired with black pants. It seemed to be his waiter uniform.

Not long after that, the three of them were back in the kitchen. A few other chefs were waiting for Pigsy, bowing when they saw him. However, they didn't seem very keen on greeting Tang in the same manner. In fact, they looked ready to add him to the menu.

MK stood in front of him, narrowing his eyes. They glared back, till he made his very briefly flash of his gold eyes. Then they refused to look him in his. Not that he minded since they were being rude.

"Runt!" MK looked to him, watching as the boar demon glared at him. "I want you to make me a noodle dish that you believe would dazzle the customers. Remember, noodle dish."

The way he had emphasize it made the young man give a sheepish smile. Quickly, he cleaned his hands and then he began to get the ingredients. He did see some already pulled noodles, at least made the night before. However, he didn't want to be seen lazy, so he was just going to do what he would with his Dadsy.

"Look at him?" One of the chefs staged-whispered.

"Yeah, what's he thinkin'?" Another snickered.

"He's just wasting time." The third chef didn't even bother trying to whisper, his condescending tone making it very clear on what he thought of MK.

The boy just ignored them, focused completely on the noodles and broth. He was making one that Pigsy had made specially for lovers. Something filling, something to talk about and around. Something that everyone would enjoy.

"And done!" MK gave a proud smile at seeing the familiar family dish.

Looking to Pigsy, he felt that smile waver. The Boar demon looked unimpressed; his lips thinned. Keeping his smile up, he expertly poured five bowls for the five people there to taste.

"Makin' a bowl for a server? How wasteful." The first chef, a bird-demon, sneered. The other two glared at the two but stayed quiet.

"And then how will he be able to tell customers how it tastes?" MK's voice and expression was sweet, but his words aggravated the trio.

"Shut it and eat." Pigsy growled to them before they could say anything.

A few minutes passed as they ate. The trio's noses wrinkled but said nothing. Tang looked happy, cleaning the bowl in seconds! Pigsy held his thinking look, his brows knitted together with his nose twitching.

"Yer slow, Runt." His words made the three demons stand taller. "But cha know noodles. Ya worked with noodles before?" There was a near distrustful tone to his voice.

MK pretended he didn't hear.

"Yeah, my Dadsy owned his own shop. He did most of the cooking while I handled the deliveries and customers."

"Not 'round here?"

MK shook his head, his smile finally leaving. "No... My home... It's very far from here... I don't really know how to get back..." He rubbed the back of his neck, his lips thinning. "But that's alright! I'll just need a little time to figure out where my city is and then I'll be out of your hair!" His smile reappeared, looking as if he had solved the hardest problem.

Pigsy sighed heavily, finishing off his bowl.

"Ya make decent noodles... And ya say ya got experience with deliveries and customers." He didn't look to believing in that. "I'll have my head Deliverer and Tang 'ere keep put that to the test."

MK tilted his head, blinking owlishly.

"Not cook?"

The three chefs sneered at him, putting their surprisingly empty bowls in the sink.

"Ya too slow fer that, but I won't be opposed to teachin' ya to be faster. Yer Dadsy, I'd eventually like to meet him."

MK grinned, bowing his head in appreciation.

"Today you'll be in the kitchen with me. Got it?" Pigsy glared, making it clear that this wasn't up for a debate.

"Of course, Sir Pigsy!" MK saluted him with a bright smile, his body relaxing. At least he now had income and shelter secure, all he needs next is to deal with what in the name of the Buddha did Yin and Jin find!

Chapter Text

MK sighed heavily as he lifted a box filled with a variety of fresh vegetables that Pigsy had demanded him to gather for the day. No, they weren't open, but that didn't mean much to online orders that were due to be picked up and for overnight-resting specials.

The other three chefs were making their own specials, sparing glances to him with sneers. He ignored them, placing the box on the awaiting cart.

The large boar demon gave a nod, easily picking them up and washing them.

"Skin and dice the potatoes, mince the garlic once done."

MK wordlessly nodded, slipping next to him to do as ordered. The knife he was given was heavy and much newer than the ones he was used to, but he adapted quickly dicing and mincing what was told of him. He then put them in a tall pot, getting a pleased nod from Pigsy.

"Thinly slice." He places a couple of tomatoes and ginger roots next to him. He then moved to the others, talking to them in a sharp voice.

MK tediously sliced the ginger roots first, tossing them into the pot. When he went to slice the tomatoes, they splattered him like mini bombs.

"Yer holding them too tightly, Runt." Pigsy growled, tossing a rag at the young man.

"Right!" MK gave a sheepish smile, using the rag to clean himself up.

He tried again with a gentler hand. He was able to get a few slices in before a sudden noise startled him.

"Look at him, Boss! Ruining tomatoes!" The bird demon cackled.

Pigsy huffed, narrowing his eyes on the kid. With a heavy hand, he whacked the human's head.

MK hissed in surprise, a hand tenderly touching where the demon had struck him. That... It had been years since Dadsy had hit him, and even then it wasn't like that. It didn't feel like it would cause a bruise or bump.

"Focus." The Pig demon growled, truly towering over the human man in ways that could only be described as threatening.

MK just nodded, turning back to the rest of the tomatoes. He furrowed his brows, and his hands trembled a little. It took longer, but they were at least all thinly slices.

"On a sheet pan." Pigsy's eyes were harsh, narrowed.

MK nodded again, carefully placing the sliced tomatoes on the sheet pan. The second demon chef, a feline demon, snatched the tray, shoving it into the preheated oven.

"Took ya long enough!" He growled, tail flicking in annoyance.

MK said nothing, just busying himself by cleaning up his station. This wasn't how his Dadsy ran his shop. This wasn't how he was used to being treated in the kitchen.

"Runt!" The boar demon moved next to him, taking the pot of ingredients and pouring water and a few meaty bones in. "I want cha watchin' the pot. Skim the top."

"Yes, sir..." MK frowned a little. "That's... You're making bone broth?"

Pigsy gave him a beady look.

"Gotta problem with it?" There was a threat hanging in the air.

"Uh, no?" The young man tilted his head a little. "I just uh... Never mind."

The pig demon huffed while the other chefs snickered at him.

For the next couple of hours, MK just watched the future broth boil and skimmed any gunk that floated to the top. He did stir it as well, making sure that the flavor mixed well within it.

"Strain it."

"Got it, Sir." The young man hummed, doing as he was told.

Someone, he wasn't sure which of the chefs, bumped into him, making him spill a couple of drops. The drops landed on his arms, making him grit his teeth. Breathing out lowly, he finished his tasked.

"Good, I'll take care of the rest here. Listen to Wu Lei." He motioned to the bird demon.

Wu Lei huffed, rolling his pink tinted eyes.

"Slow me down, or make a mistake, I hit you." He didn't seem happy.

MK just smiled, bowed politely despite how his skin crawled while near this person.

"I will do my best to learn from you, Sir Wu."

The bird-demon, a crow now that he was closer to identify his specific demon type, puffed his chest out. He looked so prideful.

The next few hours with him felt like hell. Wu Lei focused more on the hearty meals, and he truly didn't care about mistakes or taking time to ask any questions that MK had.

The young man's arms were sore and likely to bruise by the end of the week. He saw Pigsy glance at them, but he said nothing about it. It was another reminder that this wasn't home. That this wasn't the man that had brought him in when he was a child and had no memories of who he was.

So, he took everything with a smile and polite bows to appease any anger directed toward him. It didn't help much, but he didn't care. It was becoming increasingly clear that in this alternate timeline, demons held the power, and they really didn't care about humans.

"He definitely needs to learn!" The third demon laughed, who looked to be a frog type.

"I doubt he'd learn anything." The feline demon snickered, grinning with sharp teeth.

MK bit his tongue, keeping focus on boxing the food for the delivery. The deliver, a human woman with curly black hair, gave him a thin smile before leaving.

"Runt," MK turned toward the pig demon, "tomorrow I'll have you training under Tang. Every plate dropped; I deduct from your pay." The demon placed a heavy and firm hand on the maybe-human's shoulder.

He winced in pain but quickly nodded.

"Makes sense, Sir..." He couldn't look the man in the eyes. He didn't want to see the hidden emotions that only he and his Papa could read. He didn't want to see what emotions were hidden in those dark voids of eyes. Not at the moment.

"Good. Tang! Yer both done, we'll clean up." He huffed, shoving both of the humans toward the stairs. "I expect dinner done when I get up there." The threat was unsaid.

The two bowed, leaving before anything else needed to be said.

"It'll... It'll get better." Tang tried for a smile, but it wasn't convincing.

MK just smiled back, straightening his back.

"Thank you." He muttered, watching as the smaller man relaxed. "I'll make dinner."

Tang licked his lips, eyes glowing with happiness.

MK chuckled, turning his head away. At least Tang hadn't seemed to change too much.

Chapter Text

MK stretched a little, a tired sigh escaping his lips. He felt homesick. Sure, he could scroll through it, rewatching saved videos and photos, it wasn't the same. It wasn't the same as being there, hearing Mei yell so excitably about something cute or feel the heat radiating off of the demon prince. it wasn't the same as being curled between his Baba and Bama. It wasn't the same, and it hurt.

He looked out the small window of the once storage room. There were still a few boxes within it, and the room was smaller than his old apartment, but it didn't matter. It didn't matter as he wouldn't be staying there long.

He didn't want to be here long.

"MK?" Tang knocked on the door gently.

He looked nervous, but his smile was so soft and sweet. It easily reminded the half-human of his Papa.

A pain formed in his heart. How long had it been since he had been there? At least a half a month at this point. Everything was alright. It really was alright. He had already moved from washing dishes to serving customers when they were open now! They were a bit rougher and meaner, but he knew how to keep a patient smile on his face, how to placate them without comping. Pigsy sometimes would give him a secretly impressed look.

But it wasn't home.

"Y-Yeah." His voice cracked, making him wince.

The nervous expression Tang had been giving him grew and he stepped further in the tiny room. So tenderly and kindly, he cupped the taller man's face. His dark brown eyes could easily read the other. MK was just so expressive, and he never seems to try hide what he feels.

"Do you want to talk about them?" He wanted to hear more as well. To hear of a place where it was okay for a demon to marry a lowly human. "Does a place like that exist?"

MK looked so innocently confused, tilting his head into that welcoming hand. It didn't have the faint scent of ink and old paper, nor was there the faint scar along his palm from trying to help in the kitchen.

"I don't... I don't understand... A place like what?"

Tang's smile was bitter, a strange jealousy filling his heart. How he wished to be so innocent.

"A place where demons are allowed to marry humans... It's... It's not illegal but it is seen as taboo." He looked away as he explained, but he could see the pure confusion on the younger man.

"Yes, it exists... I've lived there my whole life, I've protected it..." MK's voice wobbled, his body trembling ever so. His body burned with fiery blisters and freezing ice, distant pains of swords and teeth biting into his mortal body. It hurt, but it wasn't bad. It didn't feel bad as strange as it sounds.

Tang guided him to sit down, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. His eyes drifted over the nearly gone bruises and scratches, lips thinning as the young man's words echoed in his head.

"I want to know more about it... How it was to live there... I want to know it all." He whispered.

Tears slipped down the half human's face, his expression tight. His voice wobbled, but his words were certain and firm. He spoke of love for a city so often attacked and nearly destroyed on a weekly basis. He spoke of his job, how he loved driving his Dadsy's tuk tuk all over his bustling city. He spoke of the delicious noodles and dumplings that he was able to consume daily. Then he talked of his newfound fathers and the struggle it was to get them to talk. He laughed as he retold stories about his many friends and acquaintances.

While he spoke, Pigsy soon entered the small room. He had originally wonder what was taking Tang so long to grab the boy for dinner. He soon realized why, listening to the wonderous tale the boy wove of a sweet and gentle home. His expression was tight, but his beady eyes drifted toward the human he lived with. At the hopeful and jealous gleam in those dark brown eyes that had once glowed with wisdom and a hunger for learning.

"Runt." MK looked up, tears still streaming down his face. "It's... It's dinner time... Afterwards we can watch some TV."

MK gave him a watery smile. He then nodded, slowly getting up.

"Sorry... Got lost in memories."

Pigsy hummed, a tight lip smile being his only expression. From what he heard, that city would've been perfect to live in. Especially with his Tang.

Chapter Text

"Runt, we ran out gloves and onions." Pigsy gave the human a look.

That night seemed to have caused a shift within the boy. It was subtle, but the normally bubbly kid that never seemed to stop smiling, wasn't smiling as brightly. He no longer hummed songs that they had never heard of, and his steps seemed heavier than before.

The pig demon refused to say that it affected him, but it did. He hadn't known the kid for long, but he already missed the jovial air that he had brought with him. Even a few of his demon workers had on a brighter look and were kinder to his human workers. Said human workers were stronger in a way.

Yet, with the kid being depressed away from the customers were affecting his other workers! None of them working at their full potential! It was aggravating!

The teen looked between the tray he was about to pick up to his boss. He still had plenty of customers to serve. The beady glare forced him put the tray down and go to the back door. There, he shed his half apron and hung it up.

He knew where his Dadsy liked getting his gloves and onions if he ran out of them. It was difficult to not know this with how often he had to go there!

Yet, he was unsure of himself. Unsure where it was. This city looked and smelled so much like home, but it didn't feel right. But how wrong was it?

Glancing back to the bustling kitchen, his eyes briefly meeting Pigsy's. Those eyes were hard but also pleading. Pleading for him to leave.

A deep sigh left his lips as the door closed behind him. He stood there for a second, listening to the whistling wind at the entrance of the alley.

Once he took a step, he began to explore. Pigsy wanted him out of the kitchen, on the clock nonetheless! He was going to take his time relearning of the city that he loved.

He crossed streets that were newly paved, the paint appearing as if it had just been laid despite that in his home world it had been years since they were painted. There were streets that he had never seen, clubs he had never been to, while others were the same. Oh, there were so many similar stores that just made his heart ache.

For a long minute, he secretly stared into the gravity club he and Mei frequented. They had just begun to drag Redson to it. The demon tried to pull away from it, to claim it was beneath him, but they could see the truth. He enjoyed spending time with them, snickering at them and doing his best to show them how to play a game.

Now though, he could only see demons using the arcade, laughing and playing around. The only humans had uniforms and none of them looked happy.

Turning away from the sight, he hurried down the awfully familiar road. He frowned a little at the people that avoided him, how the demons gave him longer looks before giving him just enough room slip pass them.

"A box of gloves and a crate of onions." His voice was hard, his eyes not looking up.

The demon rabbit hummed a little, getting the box of gloves and a small bag of onions.  It wasn't the amount he had asked for, but he didn't feel like talking back to the demon like he usually did.

Turning around, he started walking back to Pigsy's Restaurant. But he saw a sharp fiery red hair out the corner of his eyes.

His body tensed, head snapping toward the bright color. A color that he hadn't seen anyone have!

That flaming hair wove in and out of the crowd, pausing at a couple of shops.

Heart pounding in his chest, he forced his way toward that hair. Had Redson been dragged into this world as well? With his unnatural hair and his powers, he would have an easier time dealing with everything.

His hazel eyes widen at the sight of the tan skinned Demon, who was leaning back ever so, hips jutted out. His hair was down, curling at the edges, possibly framing his face in an adorable way.

"Firelily! You're here!" His bags fell to the ground with a thump as he wrapped his arms around the larger male.

His heart squeezed ever so, tears pricking at the corner of his eyes. He thought he would be alone forever.

Then he was shoved away, the hands unusually hot for someone as careful and in control like Redson.

"Who do you think you are?" The voice was cold and distant. "Such insolence."

Opening his eyes, he felt his hopes fall into nothing. The smokey quartz like eyes held more red color and the roots of his hair was a darker red, almost black with how deep it was. There were more scars lining his arms and face, a couple running down from his eyebrow.

"I..." MK's throat was closing up. "Sorry," He offered a weak laugh, standing up from where he had fallen, "I uh... I thought you were a friend of mine."

That was the wrong thing to say as the other demon, this world's Redson, flamed worse than MK's Redson ever had. He sneered, eyes becoming flames like his blackening hair.

"How dare you insult me!"

MK barely moved out of the way of a fire slashing down at him. His breath hitched as he saw that the concrete below him melted ever so. It should've been fear that caused his breath to hitch, but it wasn't. It was excitement.

How long had it been since he trained with someone? Since he got a proper fight in since coming here? Too long in his honest opinion.

Settling into his usual stance, his lips twitched into a smirk.

"Is that all you got, Firecracker?"

The momentary expression of confusion vanished into another bout of rage. Like MK's home Redson, his hands were ingulfed in flames. The flames didn't look like his normal fire though. It was a deeper red, like a burgundy.

MK ducked to the left as Redson swung a fist toward him. The hit that came off of his fist was blistering, but that didn't matter to the human. No, what did was the fight itself. He could think about everything else later. Preferably when he's not being attacked.

The fight was brutal, this Redson just trying to maim and kill MK while said human basically pushed him around. Then the demon made a sword out of fire, continuing his attack. It was new, but something that he had seen Redson trying to perfect.

On instinct to match his opponent, to keep the 'game' going, he pulled out his staff. Blow for blow, block for parring. It felt like before, felt like their dance, their fight... But it ended so quickly with MK standing over him, the fire-made sword fizzling out, staff pointed at the demon's throat.

Redson was panting heavily, eyes wide as a bead of sweat dripped down the side of his face to his chest. MK was barely breathing differently, a wide and kind smile on his face that was just completely open and honest.

Then he laughed. It was like a warm spring breeze, felt like watching the sun set and the stars appearing before the moon itself.

"Sorry, I guess I got a bit rough... I was just trying to match you."

"Match me?" The proud demon winced at how small his voice sounded, especially with an audience.

The strange human gave a shrug, putting the all too familiar staff onto his shoulder like it was nothing.

"Yeah! You're not the first demon I've played with!"

Redson should've been upset with those words, but he found himself captivated by the meaning behind it. By how powerful and beautiful this human truly was. He may have to justify what he was about to do to his Father and Mother, but he had witnesses that would attest to that he made the right choice.

The stranger offered his hand, the staff having been shrunken and shoved back into the human's ear.

"Though, I really am sorry for mistaking you for my friend and hurting you."

The demon took the offered hand, feeling the callouses of a well-trained warrior. He kept his grip on the other's hand, making the human give him a strange expression.

"Huh... You can... You can let go now?"

Redson hummed, tilted his head back and to the side. Then he gave a fanged smirked.

"Now, why would I do that?"

The human's face twisted into confusion, but that was Redson's advantage.

Chapter Text

MK yelped as he was suddenly bound by gold rope and tossed over the world's Redson. It took a moment for him to decide to struggle, kicking his legs and wiggling like a snake.

"H-Hey! Put me down! W-What even is this rope?" His voice was a bit squeaky and loud, making a few of the big demons laugh.

His face grew hot as he realized they had an audience. An audience that was recording, nonetheless. Feeling cowed and ashamed for drawing way too much attention, he hid his face with his curly hair. By the Buddha did he hope no one saw Pigsy's symbol.

Feeling warmth gather around him, the once-human blinked before his eyes widen in another realization.

"W-Wait! Hey! Where are you-" A squeak left his lips as the demon slapped his ass! It wasn't hard or really painful, but still!

Then there was the crowd! Oh Buddha did that just rile them up! They were saying something, but their words and voices were getting mixed up and giving MK a headache trying to even catch a few words.

"Well, time to take you home, bride."

"Bride?!"

The gathering of magical flames swirled around the pair, bringing them away from the scene. IT was strange having fire lick at his body and singe his clothes without hurting him or properly burning his clothes. It was comforting too.

Then they were in a large and grand hall that he would recognize anywhere.

"Wow." Was the only word his brain could muster that wouldn't make his even Dadsy and Wukong blush.

Suddenly, the hold on him shifted and MK fell off Redson's shoulders into a bridal hold. The bull demon looked smug, lips curled at the edge, hair glowing and flickering brighter with his chin tilted up.

"This is my family home, but we can make our own proper nest elsewhere."

"Nest?" Okay, maybe he shouldn't have been daydreaming while Dadsy and Macaque were discussing important cultural things demons did... But the topic was so boring! Sue him!

Redson began waking further into the castle, back straight and that smug look calming just a tad. Still, that didn't mean anything for MK at the current moment. The demon's grip was bruising but comfortable. Strangely enough.

"Son." The booming voice shook the ground, making the sorta human flinch.

"Father!" The happiness in the demon's voice wasn't matched by the person he had kidnapped, who was staring up at the large- he had be bigger- form of the world's Demon Bull King with his wife- she looked even more regal- Princess Iron Fan sitting on his shoulder. "I have found myself a bride!"

The demon and the former Celestial narrowed their eyes on MK, making him shy away. He thought they had gotten over that... Well, they did but that was in his world... Here he was a stranger that their son just kidnapped off the streets! Sure, he shouldn't have hugged him, but starting a fight definitely wasn't something that should've happened, but was also a total Redson move.

"U-Uh... Hi?" He tried to wave his hand, but the rope didn't allow for that.

"Son," PIF floated from her husband's shoulder to be more eye level with her child. "do you know whose child you brought in?" Her painted lips were thinned, back straight and rigid.

Redson just grinned, nodding.

"Doesn't that make him perfect, Mother?" There was that note in his voice. One that MK recognized as his desperate desire for approval.

Did... Did they not have a good relationship here as well?

"Yes." DBK's booming voice softened as he used some sort of magic to shrink his body to a more reasonable, but still imposing, height. "It makes him the perfect bride for our son."

Blinking, MK looked between all of their faces. The genuine expression of pride on DBK's, the care and compassion on PIF's, and the pure happiness and excitement on Redson's. It felt strange, making his stomach turn in a way he never thought it could.

"H-Hold on! Who's the perfect bride?" His brain really was slow as he noted there were only four people including him in the too big- well maybe not too big considering DBK's true size- hallway.

The parents snickered. PIF turning a way while using her billowing sleeve to hide her smile like a polite lady. DBK just ended up throwing his head back with a booming laughter that frankly startled MK that if he wasn't tied by some magical rope, he would've jumped and gotten ready for a boss fight!

"Oh! You really are just like him!" There was pure amusement in the demon's voice, the good kind though... Like he really cared about this person.

"W-What? Who-"

"Now, Dear, take him to your wing. Make sure he is comfortable. You don't want to leave a bad impression to your future husband." PIF shooed the two away, her body vibrating with energy.

MK whipped his around, a sense of dread and panic growing as it was finally beginning to dawn on him.

"Wait... I'm the bride?" He hoped this was a joke.

Redson turned his head the side, body shaking as suppressed laughter drifted from him. It was charming, like a strum of a guitar just in the right manner.

Gazing back to him, MK knew his cheeks were a bright red. He never thought of Redson's laughter like that! Then again, his Redson didn't give him much chance to do so.

"You are a silly monkey." The demon hummed, walking through an open archway.

No, not an archway, a doorway. Snapping to his surroundings, he saw a pristine and elegantly made room. A guest room perhaps? But there were nicknacks scattered on the shelfing areas that looked like little projects Redson had temporarily abandoned.

"This is my spare room, but it can be yours now, my Queen."

"Y-Your what?!" MK was so going to die!

Redson snickered, tenderly laying his bride on the bed. He watched for a moment as his bride-to-be struggled against the magic rope, then they paused. Blinking, they shifted a little, sinking into the plush and unused bedding.

"Oh... This... This is soft..." Came the reply.

"Thank you, my Star." Pride swelled in his chest, a hand cupping the red-faced half demon. "I took great care to acquire these sheets and bedding. I had to hunt and best many exotic beasts for this."

That red color continued to fill his face, making his eyes look more like rose gold as he tried to shy away from his intense gaze.

"Y-You clearly hunted well..." 

The Celestial Demon had heard better worded compliments from harlots wishing to use him, even more flattering ones that attempted to stroke his ego into blindness. But those so simple and plain four words had set his heart a blaze, made him smile in a way he didn't think he ever did.

MK's breath hitched at the completely adoring smile Redson was giving him. Maybe he was dying? There was no way in Diyu that Redson found his ill-equip compliment that good! Then again, his Redson was always complaining about people giving him false compliments and flattery in hopes of marrying him. Perhaps that had stayed the same?

"U-Um... Sir?" Had they introduced themselves yet? MK couldn't remember at the moment.

That excited looked softened, brows tugging into a more worried expression.

"Yes, My Love?"

MK looked away, his heart hammering in his chest.

"I... uh... I would like it if I could... Uh... Go home?"

The grin fell into an amused smirk, an eyebrow quirked.

"Well, my Queen," his smirk grew at how it made MK squirm, "if you want to leave, then I suggest you try escaping."

With a tap and a pulse of magic from the demon, the golden rope unraveled from the young adult. However, instead of binding his whole body, it shrunk and wrapped around his neck like a multi-layered chocker.

MK raised a hand to the rope, feeling the silky texture. He could also feel it feeding upon his power, weakening him greatly. A sense of dread filled his stomach as he looked up to the demon with his friend's face.

"Don't worry, Mother and Father will alert the Gold Emperor of this." As he spoke, he tucked a strand of hair behind his ear.

"W-Why?" His brows furrowed, another thing of confusion crowding his mind. Also, who was the Gold Emperor again? What happened to the Jade Emperor?

Redson chuckled, leaning down and pressing a kiss to his forward head. MK swears he's trying not to be so flustered! It's just really hard when Redson is just, well, being so goddamn hot!

"Get some rest, you'll need it if you want to leave." Then he left, locking the door behind him.

MK didn't bother with the door, instead he went to the windows desperately trying to open them or break them. Sure, if he could break them it would be quite a fall, but he knew how to scale down the Bull's castle for completely friendly reasons! However, they wouldn't budge nor crack!

His breath grew labored, panic surging through him as he looked around the impressive room that was beginning to feel more and more like a cage. Like the cauldron.

The hero moved into the darkest corner, furthest from the windows but with the best view of the room. He didn't know why he was taken, especially why they kept calling him a bride, but he didn't care. He was scared and all he wanted was his fathers.

He just wanted to go home.

Chapter Text

Days passed by with MK trying to escape the more peaceful way. He may not have access to his powers, but since when was that the first time? Besides, despite being a different version of the Bull family, their castle layout was pretty much the same and MK has snuck in way too many times... For completely friendly and heroly reasons of course!

The only difference that he could find was the staff. It was about a fifty-fifty whether or not the guard trying to stop him was a Bull-Clone or an actual Bull demon. 

Now, the first time he had tried to escape, he had thought they would be Bull-Clones. So, when a guard tried to restrain him, he didn't exactly hold back. Which ended with the few of the guards severely injured with plenty of broken bones.

It was the first time that he had made someone bleed. The first time in a long time that he had grown fearful of his own power. In a panic, he had made clones of himself to help him carry the others to where he knew the royal Bull Family would be.

He had stirred himself into a panic attack, nearly attacking the doctor they had called if Redson hadn't grabbed onto him. His familiar warmth and flaming hair helped calmed him down. Calming him down enough for him to burst into tears and apologize over and over again. He really hadn't known they were flesh and blood!

What made the day worse was the fact that he got praised for nearly killing them! So, he may have cried much worse and gotten sick with a headache the very next day. Redson had spent that day feeding him rather delicious soup, talking his ear off about some new inventions he was making. It was during that moment that he truly looked like MK's Redson, with those eyes shining with passion for his craft.

Thankfully with being Monkey King's Successor, MK was able to recover after the day's rest. Which meant that he went back to trying to escape, more carefully of course. By being careful, he was captured more easily, which of course meant that he had to deal with a strangely smug Redson.

This time would be different. He swore it would be different. He now knew how much strength it would take to knock a Bull Demon out, and he had the layout memorized. All he needed to do was just break for it.

"Trying to escape again, My Queen?" Redson smirked, hair blazing bright.

Standing behind him was Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan, who also looked smug. They were also brandishing their weapons, PIF's fan and DBK had a large double-sided axe. Redson was the only one without a weapon.

MK gave them a wide smile, lowering his center of gravity.

"Yeah, need to get back."

The fire bull's grin fell, eyes narrowing.

"Back? Back to where? You're already home."

MK's smile wavered at the thought of home. Of sneaking into the steel castle and dragging his new friend into enjoying a normal life.

"We'll see about that." Was he could say as he dashed passed them, sliding underneath DBK's legs.

The three chased after him, sharp winds that he dodged on pure instinct. He grounded his feet, raising his arms to block the sudden fire strike. His Redson always tried to fight like that.

"Surprised you were able to block that." The prat hummed, a smirk on his face.

MK shrugged, tossing the demon off him, already running away.

"It's really not that hard!" He shouted over his shoulder, bounding down the hallways. 

Many Clones and Demons stood in his way, desperately trying to restrain him without hurting him too much. Though that was basically impossible as he was tossing them around like rag dolls or just straight up dodging all of their attempts. 

On pure instinct, the boy bent backwards, just nearly avoiding DBK's wide swing of his axe. Twisting his body, he flipped out of the way of a wind attack from the Queen. His limbs were growing weaker, making him wince.

He really hated the magical rope. It drained more of him whenever he tried to use it, weakening him till he was about as strong as he was before he started training. Of course, that didn't mean much when he was still stronger than the average human.

Taking a deep breath, he lunched himself into the air. Using the ornate designs, he pulled himself into the dark rafters. He could feel the tension within his body ease, the shadows offering him a place to hide from their eyes.

He continued to run, lungs beginning to burn. This was honestly the furthest he had gotten minus the first day. He was so close to leaving. All he had to do was turn left and sneak out the little vent that led to their garbage dump!

A cold sensation ran down his spine, pooling into his gut.

MK turned his head just in time to see a hand shoot out from the deep shadows, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. The abrupt stop made him gag, wincing a little. He then winced as he was dropped before the Bull family's feet.

He expected Redson to grab him, to say something so familiarly smug. But none of them moved, instead, they seemed content to gazing at what was behind him.

"There you are, my son." Macaque leaned over the side, a smile on his lips as he gripped MK's shoulder.

MK held back a wince as that cold, dreadful feeling grew.

Well, shit.

Chapter Text

The room seemed to pause as the two looked at each other. Macaque almost wanted to scoff, to get angry at the human before him. The aura he gave off, even with a damn seal, was overwhelmingly like his husband's, and wasn't that annoying.

"Son, where have you been hiding?" Macaque tightened his grip on the clueless boy's shoulder, his smile sharpening at the edges. He needed to get them out of there.

"O-Oh you know... Training." The words were spoken so easily, a truth hidden behind them.

Well, at least the boy can play along.

"My Moon... Darling?" A powerful aura spread throughout the room, taking all eyes to the one and only Sun Wukong.

"My Golden Emperor." The Bull King stepped forward. "It's been a long time."

Macaque watched as the kid's eyes widen, breath hitching in a way he could only think of as a mix of fear and adoration. It seemed the kid knew of Wukong, knew of his husband but not as the Gold Emperor, but as someone else. His amber eyes narrowed on his husband, a growing anger brewing within his gut.

"Niu Mo! Brother! Has it really been that long?" The red-haired monkey rubbed the back of his neck, eyes darting over to his husband and the kid. His lips twitched down at the sight of the boy.

He looked so plain with waist length brown hair and tan skin. The only part of him that seemed interesting was his hazel hued eyes. Eyes that spoke volumes of emotions and desires in a way that would get him killed.

"Heaven's time is slower." The Bull King chuckled, a friendly smile on his face.

"Well," The dark-furred monkey cut in, his grin as gentle as it could be. "I think we should get going with our son. We have many things to discuss."

Redson stepped forward, a look of fury on his face.

"Wait a minute! You can't take him back! He's mine!"

"He's... Yours?" Wukong took his place next to Macaque, attempting to put an arm around him only for it to be pushed off.

The younger demon nodded.

"I kidnapped him fair and square! I have kept him here for a week fair and square! Just because he's Wukong's-"

"Son." PIF placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. She then looked to her Emperors. "He is correct though."

"I almost got out though! Twice at this point!" The human complained, sagging his body toward the Empress. "If it wasn't for B-Macaque I would've-"

"Quiet now, son." The dark monkey squeezed hard, making the human wince.

Redson huffed, crossing his arms like a child. It was adorable to see as he always tried to portray himself as older than he truly was.

"Yes, by law you are entitled to keep him," Macaque cooed, a more comforting smile on his lips. "But he is our son... We can keep him safe while you make the nest."

The fiery demon looked away, a thoughtful look on his face. He rubbed his chin a little, eyes flicking over to the human, looking him up and down. Finally, he relented.

"Fine. But I will be courting him within the next month."

Wukong laughed, patting his nephew's head.

"Don't worry, we'll keep him safe for you." The words sounded joked, a series of emotions escaping the old monkey.

The Shadow Empress glanced away, an old sadness gripping at his heart.

"Yes... He'll be safe with us."

The human shied away from his hard stare, his expression looking worried. Sighing under his breath, he reached out and broke the golden rope around his neck. His eyes narrowed more as that aura instantly grew brighter. It was no wonder why Redson had decided to cheat a little.

With a couple more minutes of them talking, the trio left the Bull Kingdom. The whole flight was tense and awkward, the red-haired monkey constantly shifting and looking between his husband and his rumored child.

Honestly, there was nothing to compare the two with! Wukong was handsome and strong, he wouldn't have allowed anyone to keep him trapped! Nor would he have betrayed his mate like that!

"P-Plum, my Moon... You know I would-"

The Golden Emperor went quiet at the full force of Macaque's glare.

"He has your aura, Wukong." The name was spat like venom, and it pained the older monkey.

"I think Imma be sick." The human finally muttered, making the two primates give disgusted looks.

Landing somewhere close to a random city, the human ran to some bushes and began to puke. His body trembled and his power flexed as if it was about to explode.

"Fuck... Sorry about that." He raised back to his feet, spitting into the vile with a grimace.

The two rolled their eyes.

"What? Got air sick or something, puny mortal?"

The human made a face.

"No... I got sick because for the better part of a week I've been wearing a magic restraint, that was then cut off. BTWs, totally unfair that you were able to do that with your pinky." The human huffed, momentarily looking annoyed before he turned away with a hand covering his mouth.

Macaque winced. There was so much power leaky off the kid before the rope was removed and there was only more that was still growing. Yes, he now could see why he would get sick, combining that with how fast his husband was going?

A frown settled back on his painted face, amber eyes looking toward the man he had devoted everything to.

"He really is like you." He hummed.

The shorter monkey gasped, turning on his heel to look to his mate, offended.

"He's nothing like me!"

"Really?" He quirked an eyebrow, greatly unamused. "His aura is practically a carbon copy of yours, Wukong." He hated calling his beloved by name, but it must be done.

"N-No it's not!" Wukong shouted, but even he didn't believe that fully.

Macaque opened his mouth to point out the little details he noticed about the boy, especially since he looked an awful lot like that damn Celestial bitch, except he was interrupted.

"He didn't cheat!" The human looked angry and insulted, which was strange to the monkeys who had yet to say a negative thing about him. "I know my fathers! I know how I was born, well..." He looked to the side, rubbing the back of his neck in the same manner the Emperor did when nervous. "I do now. Besides the point," he shook his head, a serious look returning. "He didn't cheat, I swear!"

Wukong felt his shoulders sag a little. He had almost expected the human to try and claim him as their father, or mother depending on season. It was... comforting to see true honesty from someone who wasn't his beloved Moon. However, he knows his Moon well.

Macaque snarled, a heat filling his face. What lies was this human trying to tell him?

"I saw the footage. I saw his staff within your hands!" He was in front of the human, grabbing him by the collar. "I can taste your power because it's so fucking thick! Do not tell me lies, child!"

The brunet grabbed the hand on his shirt, eyes wide at the edges. The Emperor took a hesitant step forward, hand raised. He probably should stop his beloved from killing the human just yet.

"I have a staff, why do you think it's his staff?" The question was shouted, hurried and desperate, but it made them pause.

Yes, why did they assume that staff was Wukong's? Wukong had taken it from the Ao's, surely someone else could've done the same? But the staff's power would've overwhelmed so many, and the weight would've been impossible to lift for normal people.

Macaque dropped him, pulling away to give his husband a look. It was sharp but now seeing him.

"Alright... Then show me your staffs."

He felt confident they wouldn't be able to do it. He knew how to tell a forgery better than anyone else. Once he sees the forgery, he'll punish the two of them when they get home for lying to him and then he'll have to see about a cover story. The one that seems the most plausible that'll leave him in power is that-

Mirroring each other, they pulled out their staffs from their ears, biggening them to be examined. Instantly the old monkeys frowned.

Wukong's staff was a shiny ruby red with the gold caps reflecting the falling sun like still water. There wasn't a single chip or crack or bend. Not a look or scent of rust or blood. It was as if it never used and polished daily, despite it was used often.

The human's, Macaque should learn his name soon, staff was old and worn. The red was more like dried blood with flecks of rust. The gold caps had dirt wedged between the decorative curves. The body itself was chipped with a large crack splintering from the middle.

In truth, the only thing these staffs had in common, was their power. The power that radiated from each was ancient and warm like the sun itself.

"See? They're different." The human waved his staff a little, a triumph look on his face. "Besides, I got mine from my master." There was a note of pride in his voice.

The anger that had been bubbling in his gut dissipated a little. It became less likely that his husband had cheated on him, but that left more questions. Questions that became fear. If this hybrid's mentor had a staff similar to Wukong's, then that means this mentor was about as strong as Wukong. Would that mentor try and challenge his husband? Had that mentor sent this child to kill them? To take over Heaven? To cause chaos and discord amongst their people and ranks?

Macaque groaned a little, turning his head and pinching the bridge of his nose. There were too many questions and so little answers.

"So... Can... Can I go now? Like home? W-Well..." The human looked away, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish look that the Shadow Empress rarely saw from his husband nowadays.

Wukong sighed heavily.

"Yea-"

"No." Macaque glared at his husband, making him look away.

"W-What? Why?" The human looked torn, clearly unsure how to feel about the answer.

Another sigh escaped the old Shadow. Despite being as immortal as his husband, he felt so old. Perhaps later he should comb his hair looking for a grey hair.

"Political reasons. You will be needing to come with us as our son." He gave his Sun a look when he tried to protest. "If you have the ability, I can-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" The human waved his hands, almost hitting himself with his staff before shrinking it and shoving it back into his ear. "I can't go with you! I have a job to get to! I've already missed a week of work!" 

A dark eyebrow was raised. What a strange human. Any other person would have jumped at the chance to better their standing, to get away from doing mortal work. Hell, they wouldn't have been so adamant about not being the Golden Emperor's son.

"You don't need it."

The younger made a face.

"But I like it." A sad expression formed as he lowered his hands and head. "It reminds me of home..."

Wukong stepped forward, tenderly grabbing his tall partner's shoulder.

"Moon, why do we need to keep him? We can just say that the staff was a forgery..."

Macaque shook his head. Of course, his husband wouldn't understand. He never had to worry about his standing, he was always so good at getting people to join him, to love and fear him. It was annoying at times and so helpful at others. He had tried to explain multiple times, but what could he do to get him to truly understand?

"No, it's too late. We can only-"

"Okay." The human gave a wary smile, a guilty sort of expression on his face. "I'm, like, really sorry for putting you both through this mess. But I have to leave. So... Imma leave." His eyes took on a golden hue, a yellowish sort of power growing from him. "Whether you want me to or not."

The two Emperors took a stance, both willing to fight him. Except he transformed into a large bird of prey, shooting fast into the sky. With a puff of gold and violet, they followed, but he was fast. He used the clouds and flew low into the trees to stop them from perusing him. It was annoying how effortlessly he made his movements seeing as the Emperors were a bit rusting since the time of Demon Peace kept them grounded in a way.

After losing him, they settled down, panting a little.

"Shit," Wukong made a face of regret, like he just remembered something. "Redson is going to mutiny."

Macaque blinked before tilting his head back with a loud and exhausted groan. This human was going to be the death of them.

Chapter Text

MK rubbed his shoulders, a smile on his lips. That had been fun. It was like training with them again. And he won this time! Sure, this wasn't his Macaque and Wukong, that much very was clear.

Seriously, the instant he saw that Macaque he knew it wasn't his. Macaque, it seems, will always be breathtakingly beautiful, an aura of nobility and intelligence seeping into the environment. But they weren't the same people.

This Macaque's hair was a midnight black with subtle streaks of violet instead of a soot black with streaks of grey and white. While Baba kept his hair short, this Macaque had it long and pulled up into a fancy bun with strands of hair framing his beautifully painted face by a silver peach-theme hair stick that was decorated with amythests and sapphires. Baba was a warm minimalist in his style, but this Macaque was decorated in silver jewelry that held glittering winter gems and wore a traditional red and silver hanfu. The hanfu wasn't something that he could see Baba wearing either. It was too layered but at the same time the layers looked too thin, and Baba hated being cold.

Then there was the Wukong. His Wukong, his Bama, kept his red hair short because of habit and it held brown hues along with his own white streaks. Emperor Wukong matched his Macaque by also having long, very curly, bright red hair that was pulled into a tight braid with a gold ribbon that had a peach shaped rose quartz at the end. Bama always wore loose, pink comfortable clothes, always ready with a sleepy sort of expression on his face when he's relaxed. Emperor Wukong wore a fitted blood red and gold suit, eyes framed by sharp red eyeliner with sneering lips.

They looked and in certain moments, with certain expressions, they felt like home. Felt safe and comforting. Of course, they had to break the illusions they set with too much ease. Never did he think he would be on the receiving end of Macaque's disgusted glare.

The lights of his room flicked on as the young man climbed through the window, making him flinch as the light assaulted his eyes. He may have taken a few detours to make sure that he wasn't followed.

Sitting on his bed, holding his jacket was Mr. Tang. The man's face was tight and he looked a bit sick. Standing by the light switch was Sir Pigsy, eyes narrowed even more and arms tightly crossed.

"I'd be asking where you have been," The boar started, "but I think we all know what happened."

Tang bowed his head, a finger tracing the edges of the smiling monkey.

"W-Wait! It-It's not at all what you're thinking!" MK hit his chin to the floor as he scrambled to get into the room.

The human and the boar tensed, eyes widening as they watched him get up.

"I-I'm not his kid! Promise!"

The demon scoffed, lips thinning as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Kid," the nickname made all of them wince, "I get that they may be a bit... Tense and busy... But runnin'-"

"I have proof the Emperor isn't my Dad!"

That got Pigsy to be quiet. He looked to Tang, who shrugged his shoulders, but there seemed to be a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Okay. Show it."

MK felt the tension leaving his shoulders as he pulled out his phone. He never left it anywhere that someone could go snooping through. He had almost caught Redson trying to do it once. That... That had hurt a little.

"See?" He turned the phone around, revealing the human forms of his mentors. "These are my..." His voice softened, his triumphant smile falling. "These are my parents... I... I was made with them in mind."

He pulled his phone back, looking at it. Wukong- Bama- was in his fem-human form, his white streaked hair styled in a way that hid the scar running across his forehead. He was wearing a yellow sundress that had pink peaches splattered all over it, revealing the scars of battle lining his body that his fur usually hid. Macaque- Baba- was in his masc-human form, his greyed and white hair pulled into a low ponytail, not bothering to hide his scarred eye. He was wearing a deep red v-neck shirt with a black leather jacket that he had taken off for the photo, the jacket itself being tossed over his shoulder. That pose did nothing to hide his own scars, which there were many of them, but it also showed off the muscles he carefully trained for.

They looked happy, leaning on each other as they smiled to the person that had demanded to take a photo to remember that silly bet. To remember how beautiful and handsome the two of them were.

"You look a lot like them for them not being your parents." Tang tried to be funny, but the homesick teen just gave a wary smile.

"Like I said... I was made with them in mind..." He looked at the photo one last time before turning his phone off. "So, I know who my parents are."

Pigsy and Tang looked at him, observing him he figured. Then the demon sighed heavily, pushing himself up right.

"If you say so... Though I doubt Prince Red will let you vanish from his sights so easily."

Tang nodded, eyes glancing to the open window before he followed his boss out.

MK stood there, watching them leave. He wanted to call out, to ask that one of them stay and at least hold his hand as he fell asleep. He didn't. He wasn't a child.

He turned around, closing and properly locking the window and drawing the curtain. He honestly doubts they would still pursue him, but just in case he should stay inside the shop for a little while.

Chapter Text

Pigsy's words hadn't quite hit home till he went online searching for more information. Apparently, his duel with Redson was a lot more publicly known than he had originally thought. Which also meant that there were more demons looking for him. Thankfully, the photos and videos had a yellowish blur to them that hid what MK truly looked like and what symbol was on his jacket. Didn't hide the fact that he was human though.

The comments from demons, well... They definitely made him want to claw off his skin and hide in the deepest hole he could find. Now, he had though Redson was bad and weird with the whole kidnapping thing, but these demons? By the Buddha! They were just straight up murderous and deadly!

"Why are they talking about me like that?" He whined to his two roommates.

The boar demon and the human gave him a look. Like they couldn't exactly believe he was even asking that type of question.

"That's how demons always talk..."

The two just watched as a look of horror passed over the younger's face. He pulled his new phone close to his chest, body tense.

"No!" Pigsy winced at the shrill cry. "Not the ones I've met!" Those honey-colored eyes zoomed from one to the other, as if making sure that this wasn't a joke.

The large demon huffed.

"Didn't yer... Uh... Pa?" He raised an eyebrow for a second before settling on sneering. "Well, one of yer fathers, didn't they tell ya anything about Demon culture?"

The pale look disappeared as his face flushed a crimson red. He gave them a nervous sort of smile, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked off to the side.

"You didn't pay attention... Did you?" Tang face palmed at the realization.

"I-It was boring! An-And no one even follows those rules anymore!" The boy squawked, flapping his arms like a bird.

The older men face palmed at his words, the boar demon pinching the bridge of his nose. He never thought he would get the chance to teach a child about the world around them.

"Runt," Those beady eyes were sharper than a knife, "those rules are how we work in this world. Yer city..." He clenched his jaw, gripping his knee tightly. "Yer city is a wonderful paradise, but ya will need to focus on what we're needin' to teach ya."

MK felt the edges of his lips curve down as he looked at the two before him. Sir Pigsy really didn't like his Dadsy, but that look... That deep and meaningful look within those dark eyes that did their best to hide all emotion... He was worried and concerned for him. Then there was Mr. Tang... Oh how his face scrunched up in the same way Papa's did when he was holding back a lecture, holding his fears and tears.

His body felt so cold. He felt so alone.

"Y-Yeah..." His voice cracked. "I'll listen this time... Kind gotta, right?" He tilted his head as he tried to smile.

Mr. Tang smiled back, tilting his head in the same manner. Sir Pigsy grunted with a nod.

"Well..." The human gently clapped his hands. They were trembling. "We should get started on the way the world works and the differences between what your used to and what's reality." As Tang spoke, he moved his head and hands side to side.

MK nodded, pulling his legs close to him.

"Yeah..."

Sir Pigsy sighed heavily, running a clawed hand over his head.

"Well, have ya seen the scars?"

For a second MK was confused, but then he looked down to the boar demon's meaty arms. There were plenty of scars, plenty that looked quite horrible... A few he recognized from seeing them on Dadsy's arms... Dadsy hated showing them.

"Yeah... Demons show them off around here... Before meeting you guys, a couple of demons tried to spook me by showing them off? But I've fought, like, way bigger and stronger demons than them, and they didn't have any scars?" It was a minor question that was minorly bugging him, but he had been taught it was rude to ask about how someone got their scars.

Sir Pigsy nodded slowly, leaning back into the couch. As he did so, the cushion he was on dipped too low and seemingly pulled Mr. Tang into falling into his chest. The two glanced at each other, the human's face beginning to glow a soft red. The boar cleared his throat, quickly moving on.

"Here, scars are a pride. They're to show that ya can survive, that yer a fighter."

MK's left arm and side began to burn as if someone had put extremely cold ice onto it.

"But... Demons use humans as slaves?"

The pair nodded.

"Yeah, basically." The demon rubbed his cheek, tilting his head in a way that Dadsy did when he was thinking about his next words. "Though, we have salves and balms that can lighten or remove scars... Many humans are forced to use them."

MK felt a sickness seep into his gut, along with a sense of indignation.

"Forced to use them... So basically, they're forced to hide that they survived? That they won in a way?"

Pigsy couldn't look the kid in the eye.

"Scars are domination. The more ya have, or the worse they are... The stronger ya look."

Tang traced the back of his hand, jaw clenched. He looked so close to crying but kept silent.

The young adult shook his head, covering his lips. He... He really couldn't believe this... Sure, a wilder version of Wukong was in charge, but surely after centuries of being an Emperor, he would've... Actually, no. He couldn't even finish the thought without feeling like he was liar!

"Wow..." He whispered, feeling a sense of, he thinks, astonishment.

The older human offered him a comforting smile. It wasn't that comforting.

"Movin' on." The demon gave both of them a glare, not that either were really terrified of it. "The thing that yer needin' to know, especially now that ya got the attention of Prince Redson-"

"Why is he called a Prince?" The boy couldn't help but raise his hand as he asked. "I-It's just... I don't think... I've heard... him... Never mind." The more he talked, the more of an annoyed glare he was gifted from the demon.

"By the Emperor..." The boar turned his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "What were they teachin ya?"

Mk opened his mouth to defend his family, but Tang's head shake made him close it. Sure, the man didn't know, but he was right. MK couldn't tell... If he told, he'd only be looked at like he was crazy... And he didn't want that. He doesn't know if would be able to handle it if their faces showed disbelief and disgust.

"Prince Redson is the only son of the Demon Bull King, the King of all Bull Demons and a vast majority of fire demon." The honey-eyed boy nodded, easily repeating it back once the older demon gave him a look. "Good. He is also the only son of Celestial Warrior T iě shàn gōngzhǔ, commonly known as Princess Iron Fan of the eight-thousand battles."

"Wait! She fought in eight-thousand battles?" The half human looked a mix of impressed, and a little frightened.

The human scoffed.

"No, no. She gained that title because of her fan. It is said that with a single swipe of it, any being caught in its wake would be sent eight-thousand miles away. She happened to use on a Celestial resistance campaign that had eight-thousand people."

"At this point, she probably has fought in eight-thousand battles."

All of them nodded, as rude as it was to talk about a woman's age, she had definitely been around long enough for her to have fought in about eight-thousand battles. None of them would dare say that to her face though, now that would be a death sentence.

"As the only son of a King and a highly ranked Heaven official, he has earned the title of Prince." Pigsy finished quickly, giving the two humans another glare. Continuing on where he first began, "As I was sayin', since ya have the attention of Prince Redson, he's gonna try and courtnap you." He gave a pointed look when the human opened his mouth to question the word. "It is a process in which a demon will take the person or persons they have interest in and bring them to a nest. Ya get?"

The human blinked slowly, trying to remember what was being said. It was a lot for him to take in, but it also was going to help him survive in this crazy world.

"Uh... Nest and courtnap?" He gave a shaky smile as the demon groaned, leaning his back.

"Okay!" The glasses wearing human jumped forward, wiggling a little so he was properly sitting up. A frown pulled on the demon's lips. "A nest is another word demon's use to mean home, a sanctuary that allows for children of the couple to be raised in safety. It also is to showcase the demon's wealth, power, status, and cunningness by making it a maze to get to the nest. Is that clearer now?"

MK felt his face flush as he gave a firm nod. Well excuse him for being bored! He didn't realize he would have to know this stuff... It's technically outdated by his standards!

"Good." The human looked pleased that, tilting his chin up ever so. "Now courtnap is a mixed term used to describe the process in which a demon... acquires their bride or groom."

"Courting and kidnapping?" The half demon asked almost hopefully.

"Yes! Exactly! Demons find the act of kidnapping to be fun in a way. Like the nest, it shows the power and cunning of the demon. It also shows his desires on full display."

MK held up his hand, turning his head to the side with thin lips.

"So your saying... That this whole courtnapping thing is just to show off?" He looked exasperated at the idea. "W-What if it doesn't work out?"

Pigsy grinned, revealing rows of sharp teeth.

"Well, then someone escapes."

The teen just groaned, shaking his head.

"Can... Can we take a pause... I feel like my head is gonna explode."

The boar demon waved his hand, dismissing the runt. At least they got the most important thing out there... Hopefully it stuck.

Chapter Text

Another week passed with MK being trapped inside the restaurant. He stayed in the back, laughing and eagerly talking with his coworkers, who were just happy that he wasn't "sick" anymore. However, he felt like he was about to die! There was only so long he could be stuck in a place without stretching his powers!

Peeking out his door, he saw his two worried caretakers watching their show. Tang was curled into the demon's side, a content sort of smile. The only sign that the demon was aware of this, was the fact that he kept glancing down, the edges of his lips curling up before he focused on their show and that beginnings of a smile vanishes.

Carefully closing the door, he walked to his window. It had been closed and locked with the curtains drawn. It felt so wrong to not see the sun and moonlights dancing within his room. To not have the temperature move up and down, to have him shivering at night and sweating in the morning... To not have a wild smiling face pulling him out, trusting in his new powers to catch them both. To not have a scowling one whisk them away in a fiery blaze. To not see his two mentors try and not look at each other as they admit to wanting a cuddle party with him.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, tilting his head back. He was trying to steel his courage. He also was hoping that he wasn't making the wrong choice.

Releasing that breath, he threw open the curtains, eyes open wide. The moon was full with the sky filled in hues of glorious purple and gold. His breath was stolen away at the sight. It was so... gorgeous.

Pushing open his window, he moved himself to the ledge. Looking around, he grinned as he saw no one was around. With excitement rushing through his veins, he jumped down, transforming into an eagle.

Easily, he pushed himself high into the sky, letting the chilly wind float through his feathers. Letting it guide him as he admired the stars and milky way more closely.

Then there was a caw to his side.

Turn his head, he saw a large eagle fly next to him. They didn't feel like a normal bird, but the boy didn't care. He just wanted to fly.

Happily, he cawed back in the usual manner he would with his mentors. Then a mischievous spark filled his chest.

Teasingly, he floated closer to the other, letting their wing tips brush. The larger bird gave an indignant squawk.

MK laughed in his bird form, flying away from the other. He could hear them flying faster to catch up to him and he slowed down to make the impromptu game more fun.

The bird flew above him, lowering just enough for their talons to graze his back. He then flew higher before diving low.

The smaller bird gave a joyful chirp, more than happy to chase after his new playmate. They flew through the clear sky, twisting into circles. He was able to happily bump into the other, dropping further down.

The bird cawed, zipping after him, beginning the chase all over again.

For a few hours, the pair of them just chased after each other, changing who was it every few minutes.

By the end, the two landed on a thick branch, both breathing heavily. The moon was at its peak now, pushing many shadows into the furthest corners there were. MK glanced to look at who was his playmate and froze.

The eagle next to him had black feathers with a thin line of red along the top with a deep yellow at the end. He looked regal and noble. They looked powerful and beautiful.

He shuffled away from the royal bird, fear growing in his stomach. He really should have known.

The bird tilted his head at him before making a scoffing motion. With a puff of purple, the Empress of the Universe appeared in much more normal clothes. Black pants with dark purple shoes and a matching top. His hair was lazily braided with a silver ribbon, but other than that he looked pretty normal.

"Figured it out so easily." There was a note of pride in the words that MK was so use to hearing. "Well?" The demon gave him a raised look.

Shuffling further away, he transformed back in a puff of gold. He wobbled a bit as he had to regain his balance, but he was fine! Smiling up at the older demon when he stabilized. The smile faltered as this Macaque kept watching him, standing as still as a statue.

"So... How... How did you find me?"

The dark monkey said nothing for a long minute before turning his head to the stars.

"It's a beautiful night..." Was he said, as if that explained everything.

MK nodded, but he knew there was more to that. Flower Fruit Mountain was miles away, there was no reason for someone of Macaque's status to fly so far for a simple nightly fly.

"I couldn't sleep." He offered, also looking to the sky. "I read the comments about what other demons would do to me if they found me." His face twisted as his body shivered and tensed. "Kinda frightened me more than the thought of Redson or you guys finding me."

Macaque hummed, tilting his head to look at the still crouching boy. He was looking at him like he was strange, and sure he was but he didn't really like seeing that on his Baba's face.

"I'm from a city far away... Humans and Demons working together... Theres occasionally mischievous demons, but the same can be said for the humans... We don't do the whole courtnapping thing."

"Hmm." The six-eared monkey turned away, looking out toward the large forest before the city. He dind't understand why the other so easily answered him, but he wasn't going to let it go to waste. "Why are you here if you have such a home?" Yes, why here. Why now.

MK looked away, running a hand through his hair. His fingers grazed against the silky ribbon.

He could remember the nervous smiles, their laughter when he demanded them to braid it into his hair. He could still feel their scarred fingers weaving it in every time he asked. They would also take the chance to groom his hair, Bama complaining that it was because humans never truly took good care of their hair.

"Doesn't matter. I won't be here long..."

Macaque frowned, turning on the branch to fully look at the boy. Again, he physically looked so human, but with his long hair and crouched the way he was... He pulled away from that painful thought.

"You're in my kingdom, you-"

"Sorry, got work in the morning. Big day." The boy jumped up, smiling in a way that the other was beginning to hate.

"No you-"

The boy fell off the branch.

"Kid!" Without thought, the dark monkey jumped after him, reaching to grab his hand.

The young mortal gave a cheeky grin, changing into a small bird. He continued to fall for a second longer before zipping off to somewhere else.

Macaque scoffed, smirking with a strange amusement. How clever of the human. The shadows reached up, absorbing the Empress for a moment before reforming him on the branch they were on for a moment.

His six glowing ears fanned out, listening as the half human disappeared within the noise of the city he was hiding in. The wind blew through his ears, making him wince at the cries of an infant being suddenly silenced.

He turned away, swallowing the lump that had grown in his throat. He closed off his ears once more, not wanting to listen to that echo of the past. There was nothing that could do. Nothing that he could change.

Taking a deep breath, he changed back into an eagle. He needed to get back before the guards noticed he was gone.

Chapter Text

MK stayed inside for another week, but after that, he really wanted to go out. He felt buzzy and jumpy and almost feral. It didn't help that the demon cooks were trying to bully him; purposefully making his food wrong or adding an allergen that he had specifically told them to avoid. They honestly weren't successful in any of that, cuz he just started to stare them down with his customer smile on his face. Seemed it creeped them out enough to remake it all properly on the fly.

Anyway, he needed to get to delivering. He needed to feel the rush of the wind around him as he listened to music to help him focus on getting the right food to the right address. Hell, even having to listen to the customer complain about his time or how the food was cold because he drove too fast, would be good for him!

Sir Pigsy was hesitant, mouth set in a firm line. He wouldn't say it aloud, but he was worried about the kid. He was strong with a bright personality that drew people to him, good and bad. Then there was the whole Prince Redson trying to court him... He really didn't want to admit it, even amongst his thoughts, but the kid within such a little time had wormed his way into the demon's guarded heart. He didn't want him to go through any more traumatic events that would surely damper his sunny outlook.

The kid was unknowingly giving him puppy dog eyes. They were too effective.

With a heavy sigh, he relented.

"Fine, but cha are goin' with Xiaolong."

At the sound of his name, a teal haired teen looked up from his list of orders. His eyes were a startling green with nearly black-blue cat pupils. Green and deep blue scales scattered around his cheeks, collecting thickly along his jawline before cascading down his neck. He looked like he could have been one of Mei's cousins.

"Xiao, he's companin' ya." Pigsy pushed Mk toward the other, turning on his heel to bark more orders at people.

MK gave the, clearly, dragon boy a wide smile, bowing to him politely.

"I know it may be an inconvenience but thank you."

The dragon grunted, giving a very quick nod as he returned to work. Deciding to see who and where they were delivering to, MK peered over his shoulder. Those startling eyes glanced to him briefly then refocused on the truly important matter.

"I think we should take the Western Ave instead of going straight down Holly Road for this order." MK pointed to the directions, a frown pulling at his lips.

The instructions and directions seemed overly complicated. It also looked like they were prioritizing the demon customers over the humans, which made sense within this type of socity... However, they way that they were going about it...

"Does no one specifically deliver to the demonic customers?" He made sure his face looked confused.

Xiaolong gave him his own confused look.

"No? That would be a waste of time and resources." It was like he was repeating what he had overheard.

"Well... That sounds stupid." The words slipped from his mouth like a death bell, making the normally loud kitchen go silent.

A shadow loomed over the sorta human, who turned to the owner without fear.

The boar demon leaned down to him, snarling almost.

"Want to repeat that, Runt?"

It felt reliving to hear himself be referred to as that. Honestly, this rougher Pigsy acting so nice to him was really weirding him out.

"The layout of your directions are stupid and wasting valuable time."

The demon snarled at him, which he understood. Both Dadsy and Sir Pigsy were prideful men, especially about their work, so he understood.

"Are you saying that the demons shouldn't be prioritized?" One of the cooks, the bird one sneered.

The other demons were quick to glower at him, almost as if they were ready to eat him if their boss wasn't there. Mr. Tang looked ready to faint at the side lines.

MK pinched the bridge of his nose, a sort of headache forming.

"When did I say that?" He muttered, just loud enough for everyone to hear. Groaning instead of sighing, he looked back up to his boss. "What I am saying, is that it would be easier to separate the delivery drivers. The faster ones delivering to the demons, with the slower ones delivering to the humans. Plus, look at these directions and tell me it wouldn't be faster going down Western Ave instead of going down Holly Road?" He pulled the sheet from the stunned dragon to show it to Pigsy, his nose wrinkling in a form of frustration.

He had driven these streets for years. He had mentally mapped out where every regulars' house was and what they enjoyed along with the tips they normally gave if he was extra early or some other reason. Hell! He even remembered several other routes to his normal customers if his normal route was unavailable for whatever reason!

The boar demon pulled out his phone, typing a few things in, clicking on a few others. It seemed that whatever he was doing, was calming him down and frustrating him at the same time.

"You..." He scowled, but MK could see the pride within his eyes. "You are not wrong." It was as if it was difficult for him to say as he shoved the paper into the young man's chest.

MK's tense face fell into a bright smile.

"Thank you." He hummed. "I still suggest that we separate the orders so both can get their food on time."

He left quickly after, helping Xiaolong with packing up their proportion of the deliveries. The kitchen stared after him, a few demons muttering about how wrong his thinking was and how wasteful that idea was. It took Pigsy yelling at them to get back to work for them to start pumping out orders again.

"He's... Right, ya know? And you know how he is about this stuff..." Tang whispered to his dear friend as he grabbed his table's food.

The large demon frowned, thinking deeply about it. When he had first thought of that idea, the delivery system was still so new and the balance they had so fragile. Back then, it was a waste of resources and money. Now, however, they were stable and had enough humans and demons ordering that it wasn't doing them any favors keeping the orders together the way they were.

Pigsy pinched the bridge of his nose. MK was going to kill him someday, he was sure of it. But he didn't want to get rid of him.

Chapter Text

Redson had taken longer than expected to find the perfect place for his nest. He had noticed that his bride-to-be got cold and hot too easily, so the place had to be in the best temperature as well have a waterfall nearby for obvious reasons. It took even longer for said nest to be built and secured properly. He had noticed how close his future bride-to-be was to escaping had it not been for the surprise visit of the Empress and Emperor. Then again, his MK had technically escaped either way.

"Your Highness." One of his bull servants kneeled before him, a green envelope laid flatly in the middle of a ruby tray.

The fiery bull groaned as he swiped the letter from its resting place. Carelessly tearing it open, his mouth curled and twisted into a nasty scowl with a threatening growl slipping from his chest. The letter within his hands soon couldn't take it and literally burst into flames and then ashes. He couldn't believe those... Those moronic fools! Did they seriously think they could speak to him like that? This wasn't the Celestial Era, when would that sink in!

"Tell Mother and Father that I will be home shortly." He huffed after taking a minute to calm down.

His mother had taught him patience was sometimes needed in certain situations. His father taught him strength and cunning were just as needed in many more situations. Right now, he needed patience least he did something rash that would take him from his mate even longer. Plus, he did learn that MK didn't respond well to violent outbursts... The memory of him cradling the dearly wounded guards close to his chest as he sobbed violently till he got sick the next day was like a waking nightmare.

"He is much too fragile." Redson muttered under his breath, his annoyed expression softening. "Probably why they hidden him?" His brows furrowed as more thoughts swam through his head.

Sighing heavily, he shook his head of those conspiratory thoughts. It didn't matter. His MK was powerful and cunning, it was his personality that would be considered weak. Though, should it be considered weak when that hybrid had become a fond person to the inner guards?

"Are you thinking of the Princess, Your Highness?" One of said inner guards hummed, bowing toward the stronger demon.

Princess, that was what they all had started to refer to MK. He had asked about that at one point, a bit confused. Seemed his long hair and slight feminine frame- within demonic bull standards- had lent him to looking like a mortal princess from the time of the Celestials. Redson couldn't blame them, nor did he really want to. MK was a Princess in every right there was. More right than the woman he was about to meet with.

"It is an honor to see you once again, my Betrothed Redson." The woman who spoke held a tanned face, sharp green eyes framed by white eyeshadow and black eyeliner. Her strikingly white hair held sharp streaks of electric green, her status clear for all to see along with the pair of flower decorated antlers that grew from her head.

"It is an honor, my... Betrothed Xiaojiao." Redson felt like he was going to be sick.

Sure, the woman before him was the future heiress to the Ao Dragon line, but she wasn't special in any other regard. She was perfect at nearly everything that was expected of a noble lady; from how to pour tea to dance to even her calligraphy and art. She was boring and honestly looked bored too. The only time she seemed even remotely interested in anything surrounding her, was when it involved war or one of his inventions, but it wasn't the same manner as MK's curiosity. He asked questions that prompted longer and more detailed explanations while she... Well, she rarely spoke unless spoken too. She truly was an elegant dagger made only to be admired.

"Princess Iron Fan, Bull King, and Prince Redson, I humbly welcome thee." Ao Guan bowed his large body to them. His purple-hued eyes glanced to the prince in a way he didn't know how to describe completely.

Redson looked away out of respect for the elder dragon.

"Thank you for the invitation." The ever-regal woman bowed graciously back.

For a couple of seconds, they stood awkwardly. Then Ao Guan brought them along to their traditional tearoom. It was decorated with dark purples and bright greens with accented golds that flowered and bloomed. The cushions for them to sit on were made from the finest silk and even golden threads were used to stitch it together. The table was a marble emerald in appearance that seemed to move like it was echoing rivers and streams.

The beauty of it all was off-putting and something within the bull prince wanted him to either destroy it all or to steal it. Oh, perhaps he could steal some jewelry to decorate his MK! Yes, but he thinks yellow-hued gemstones and metals would look more nicely on the human looking boy.

"There have been some... unsettling rumors going around about your son."

Redson focused back on the conversation at hand. He was so used to the forced politeness and boring talk, that he hadn't noticed the shift in conversation topics. Though with the topic being about him, he has a feeling he knows why it shifted.

"And pray tell, what are those rumors?" He spoke confidently, sitting taller.

The elder dragon gave a thin smile, annoyance in his eyes. He never did truly agree with the Gold Emperor taking the throne.

"Surely they are just rumors." He dismissed as if his word was final.

"People have said that you are courting the son of our glorious Emperor." Xiaojiao spoke after her grandfather, idly stirring her tea. "A... half human." Her sharp eyes peered at him, a strange defiance entering them.

The bull prince was surprised to see such a light within those empty eyes. Perhaps she wasn't as perfect as he thought, but he will not marry her.

"Again." Ao Guan gave the girl a look that quelled that defiance into glass. "It is surely just rumors."

The Bull King tapped his finger impatiently on the too small table. The tapping of his claw was causing little holes to be poked within it, and it was clearly beginning to irritate the dragon. The room was beginning to feel a bit hot, getting closer and closer to feeling like a sauna. Seemed both sides were becoming angry.

"I hate to inform you," Iron Fan looked furthest from being displeased, "but that isn't a rumor. We had been meaning to contact you for a while now, but it has appeared you were busy with many other things."

The dragon's face flushed red, his smile growing icier.

"We have a contract." He reminded them.

Bull King snorted out a puff of smoke, eyes narrowed. He never was good with these types of talks. He had never planned on being good at them either since demons mostly discussed matters with physical violence. However, for his beautiful wife, he would do what he could to maintain a sort of peace.

"Ao Guan," his voice was rough like sharp obsidian, "there was a clause about this. Should either of them court another, we are allowed to let them to pursue the relationship."

Redson tuned the ensuing shouting match out, sipping on the offered tea. Peering over the rim of his cup, he watched as his once betrothed wife squeeze her eyes closed as their families began to bicker. He may not love her, nor really care about her, he briefly wondered what his beloved Princess would do.

He would comfort her, probably would ask her why she was flinching so much. He probably would try to end the argument.

"This isn't up for discussion." His voice sharply cut through the shouting, his eyes coldly looking to the Head of the Ao family. "However, I do believe we can come to a compromise."

The bull and dragon stopped their fighting, they both looked at the other with disgusted expressions. Redson honestly never understood why his parents and the head dragon had agreed to this arranged marriage if they hated each other so much. Then again, the other person to ask for his hand in marriage were the Fox Clan. Mother absolutely refused them on the spot.

"The main reason for this contract, was to ensure your position and status within the Heavenly court, while we had agreed to it as long as we were given the top pick of all metals and oceanic jewels. Have I said anything incorrect?"

The edges of Xiaojiao's lips curled close to a smirk, amusement swimming within her eyes. She never knew Redson could sound so charming.

Ao Guan swallowed thickly, clenching his hands. The boy was a new form of irritating. A form of irritation that made him want to snap his neck.

"Yes, that is correct."

A nearly cruel smile formed on his lips, eyes darkening with power. Perhaps, attempting to follow his beloved MK's example won't be so bad. It might even better for his family and, from the new look within the Dragoness's eyes, an accomplice that looked more than eager enough to help with whatever he had planned next.

Chapter Text

MK laughed at Xioalong's joke, getting the half dragon to smile faintly. If it wasn't for the type of society he lived in, MK was certain that the dragon boy would've become a good comedian or a someone within the show biz. He had the face for it too.

"Alright! Listen up!" Sir Pigsy shouted, his dark eyes darting to the young half-breed that had appeared in his life. Honestly, he was beginning to wonder what favor he had done to deserve the kid. "We're going to be deep cleaning the restaurant tomorrow. Officially closed cleaning."

MK nodded, while everyone seemed to tense. His Dadsy always did a closed-deep cleaning every couple of months. Sure, his place was always so squeaky clean, but he never wanted any place to get neglected too long. Apparently, when he first opened the restaurant and didn't have a closed-deep cleaning day, he found spiders, roaches, a hoard of crumbs in the nooks and crannies he rarely gave a second glance at! He never wanted to see that again! He could basically be dying with the flu and still do that deep clean because there was no way in Heaven was he going to die with a crumb on the floor! MK was always grateful for that, though, restaurant spiders always seemed scarier and bigger than normal spiders.

He shot his hand up.

"I can take care of the dining area!" He shouted with a grin. Dadsy always sent him out to clean the dining area, and there were less likely to be spiders there!

The others seemed to freeze, looking at him like he was crazy! Like he had a death wish! Even Sir Pigsy looked pale!

"No, you're on dishes with Wu." He grumbled.

The half human pouted but nodded in agreement. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, their shoulders slumping. Weren't they glad that he was so agreeable.

After that, everyone was assigned a station to clean to the best of their abilities. Everyone moved stiffly, sweat forming along their brow more out of nervousness than hard work. All seemed ready for war and bloodshed, the usual nightly chatter gone to the wind. Which was bothersome for an employee who wasn't used to silent cleaning.

MK began humming a little song, doing a little dance to try and keep his body doing exactly what he was told to do.

"Tsk, does he not know how to stay still?" One of the demons muttered behind him.

Wu hunched his shoulders, lips thinning. It looked like he had a few choice words toward the now cackling demons.

The humming stopped, his once smiling lips turning down in annoyance.

"Is that why all your ticket times are in the double digits even when its dead?"  He turned his head to them, a toothy grin on his face that felt more threatening than friendly.

The pair of demon cooks hissed, faces twisting into deep hatred.

"Why you-"

"Boys!" Pigsy looked up from his deep scrubbing to sneer murderously at him. "You have no leg to stand on." He hissed, going back to his scrubbing.

The demons spluttered, trying to say something about it be the Runt's fault.

"Honestly, the amount of complaints I have to deal with." MK clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

His words seemed to have caused the others to completely forgo their work. They started yelling at him, calling him so many names that should've been hurtful. MK just gave them a wicked smile, raising a challenging eyebrow.

"Boys!" Sir Pigsy shouted again, slamming his hands down on his almost perfectly clean counter.

The demons finally stopped, looking to him. They looked almost betrayed.

"Sir! He's a human!" One of the demons hissed.

"The Runt's correct! Yer ticket times are shit! Yer food is shit!" He stomped from behind his counter to them, seeming larger than before, meater and deadlier.

"W-We've never got any complaints!" The second one whined.

That seemed to have enraged the boar demon who grabbed them by their jaws and yanked them to his face. His tusks gleamed in the light like deadly knives.

"Ya got no complaints 'cuz of the Runt! His people skills be puttin' yer food in more shame than you. And when ya refuse to remake items, he makes it! It may not be perfect, but in comparison it might as well be!"

His screaming made the rest in the kitchen pause their cleaning, minorly flinching back at his harsh words and spittle. He looked close to actually eating the pair of demons... And wasn't that just horrific, and kind of illegal... Mostly.

"W-Well, then why isn't he on the line?" The first demon hissed, grabbing onto the larger demon's meaty hand.

Sir Pigsy shook them a bit, being as rough as he could without actually killing them.

"Cuz he's slow! He's better for dead shifts and takin' orders out!" His lips curled into sneers that revealed even more of his sharp teeth and tusks.

MK placed his clean dishes up, moving toward the enraged demon with confident strides. Tenderly, he placed a damp hand on the boar demon's forearm.

"Sir, it's alright. Their words are as flavorless as their cooking."

That got a snorted laugh from the boar demon, who gave the kid a raised eyebrow look. As if he was double checking that the kid was sure with his silent discission. The half human smiled brightly, patting his arm.

Pigsy dropped the pair of demons, stomping back to where he was scrubbing some hard spots that were just hell to scrub.

MK blinked for a second before pulling out his phone.

"Hey! Sir?" He waited till those beady eyes on him. "Can I play us some music?" He shook his phone a little.

The demon glared at the device for a long minute before silently going back to his own cleaning.

MK shrugged, taking the silence as a yes. So, positioning it above the bubbly water, he pressed play on his favorite cleaning playlist.

The sudden noise caused everyone within the kitchen to jolt. They gave the weird half human a look, but continued on. Honestly, they didn't have time to tell him to behave and take this cleaning seriously. They could only hope that he would be on his best behavior when they show.

Chapter Text

"Here are your entrees," the honey-eyed human smiled at the family of fox demons as he placed their food before each of them. "Is there anything else you would like? Dessert for later? Refills?"

The middle-aged woman didn't bother stop talking with her husband as she raised her wine glass. MK only smiled as he easily refilled it with golden liquid with a name that he didn't bother learning to pronounce because no one else seemed to know how to pronounce it either.

The little cub stared at him, blinking slowly. He blinked slowly back before moving on to refill a few more glasses. At each table he passed, there were plenty of children who stared at him with slow blinking eyes. They were honestly so adorable! Their fur was so soft too and he just wanted to give them a big squeeze!

But no! He couldn't do that! He was working at the moment. He needed to be professional!

"What do ya mean ya won't serve them!"

MK flinched a little as the swinging doors closed behind him. He never heard either Pigsy screech the way he had in the moment. The boar demon honestly looked ready to burst into flames or keel over... Neither one sounded good with such a packed night.

Actually... He had noticed that a few sections kept getting new servers. Even when the old server comes back, they're in a different section while that server vanishes. He guessed they were getting pulled to serve someone specific, but they were being... Tense or Karen about it. Then again, he's been here long enough to have seen what this world's Karens and Richards look like and how aggressive they act. So yeah, if they're being a Karen about it then he could see why so many are refusing to serve them.

However, he knows that if servers are being pulled to specifically serve them, then they had to have some sort of influence. Big influence at that. Meaning, if they're not being served and they don't get the food they want, it could mean bad news for Sir Pigsy...

Honey eyes met deep brown ones, terrified emotions flickering in the latter's. Tang easily slipped over to him, grabbing his wrist in a subtle move.

"Don't." The word was hoarse and whispered like a silent plea.

MK furrowed his brow, staring at the man with his Papa's face. He looked constipated, ready to pass out too.

"I think you need water and to sit down." He tenderly pulled the older man to a nearby chair.

His grip on the boy's wrist tightened, almost hard enough for his nails to dig into skin.

"Stay quiet, hidden." His pleas were beginning to worry him.

What was causing him to panic? Mr. Tang was the best server that they had, and as skittish as he was, he never acted like this! Like, what was-

"Use MK, he'll be able to handle them!" One of the cooks, MK really should learn their names at this point, pointed wildly.

Hearing his name, he stood to his full height despite Tang's desperate attempts to pull him down.

"Handle who?"

The commotion that had been steadily growing since he entered vanished in an instant. It felt strange, off-putting, to hear nothing but the distant hum of the equipment. All eyes looked to him, the mixture of terror and smugness was something he wasn't exactly expecting. It made a pit form within his stomach.

Sir Pigsy marched over to him, an unknown expression on his face and those eyes looking blank. His hands were clenched by his side, like he wanted to grab the half human's shoulders. MK knew he wouldn't unless he did something that upset the demon.

"Runt..." His voice sounded harsh, like the word had to be ripped from his throat.

Something was wrong, that much was clear. Well, MK had faced far worse and came out on top with scars that this world would flinch at. So, he grinned broadly, patting the large boar's meaty shoulder.

"Don't worry, I got this! Oh! Meiyu! Table 13, the Lu family is here." He offered a smile to the half feline demon. He would only trust his tables to her.

"Wait, Treasure!" The feline's eyes were wide as she took a step forward. She tried to reach for him, except he had already left.

Sure, MK wasn't told which tables were needing a server, but there was only one section that high end clients were always sat. Not his first time taking over for Karen's with too much money and power for their own good.

At the "doorway", it was just a really impressive archway with gold and such important metals decorating it, he stopped. His heart dropped to his stomach, to which his stomach had decided to do somersaults. Sitting at the largest table that he had never seen anyone actually sit at, was the very people he didn't want to see.

They hadn't noticed him, too busy talking with clearly this world's Mei. She looked... Unhappy. Her shoulders tense and slumped at the same time, her expression neutral till someone raised their voice too loud or gestured too aggressively, then she flinched.

A rage burned within his chest as he watched her parents gripped her shoulders. Their touch was too rough, their smiles too thin and angered. It was clear what had happened, what made his bright sister into this shell.

Taking a slow breath, he cooled his expression formed into that customer smile. He would have to ignore his rage that wanted him to tear those awful parents apart. This wasn't something he could fix, no matter how badly he wished he could... Maybe later? Maybe he could find her and steal her away and show her hope? Show her fun?

Moving forward, he cleared his throat. Eyes instantly looked to him, and he felt like he was ready to die. His smile became thinner, keeping his eyes on the Emperor and Empress, begging them to not react. To control their Redson under control, despite that he already knew that boy's hot temper would mean nothing.

The half bull's face had lit up at the sight of his beloved Princess. He had thought he would never see the other ever again! He made a move to stand, attempting to reach for the man.

"Prin-" He was pulled down by his mother, who offered the smiling boy a coy smile of her own.

"We will need more time, my dear." Her tone was sugary and sweet.

"But we haven't even ordered drinks!" A white bird demon hissed, glaring at the once Celestial. If he had it his way, she would have been killed... Except even he realized that he would have died before he pulled a weapon.

The waiter nodded, looking understanding.

"Do you know what you'd like to drink then, sir?" His words felt... Colder and sharper, like he wanted nothing more than pluck and cook the bird before him. Yet, he was as polite as everyone else.

The bird's face scrunched, as if he was unsure how to take what was said to him. Then he smirked, as much as his beak allowed.

"Yes." He cooed coyly, pointedly ignoring the glare from the bull brat. "I want the Golden Heaven."

The long haired waiter nodded, eyes flickering to the large elephant.

"And you, sir?" His tone seemed softer, kinder even.

The elephant bowed his head softened.

"Chai please, no sugar or honey."

"Of course." The edges of his smile dipped down a fraction, crinkles forming in his nose as he looked to the blue lion. "And you? Sir."

Macaque turned his head to the side, covering his mouth as he began to chuckle. He knew immediately how the boy was addressing their top three generals. It was hilarious! It wasn't lost on the other either! If the reddening faces of Peng and Azure were anything to go by.

The lion quickly masked his frustration, plastering on a smile that had people swooning.

"Yes, I would like a peach lemonade." He grinned with pointed teeth.

"I will make sure it's a fresh batch just for you." He left after that, which baffled the others.

The group watched as he left their view, blinking slowly. Then Redson pouted.

"He pretended he didn't know me." His smokey eyes soon moved to glare at his mother, sneering a little. "Mother, why did you stop me?"

The woman shook her head, a playful smile on her lips.

"Because this is clearly part of his game."

He blinked slowly, thinking about it. Then he nodded, a calmness now creeping along his face.

"Yes, I believe you are correct."

"You know that human?" Peng's tone was sharp, disgust in his throat.

Macaque swallowed thickly, the lie stuck in his throat. He... He couldn't speak.

"That was the son of Wukong and Macaque." DBK nodded firmly, smiling a proud sort of thing they rarely saw. "He is the boy that had fought my son, truly a powerful prince."

The pair of monkeys nodded, their faces switching between emotions quickly. Macaque was the one who spoke first.

"The truth is," the truth that would be whispered quietly, "we had recent found him."

"Recently?" Xiaojiao finally shifted her expression to confusion.

He nodded, letting the silence speak for itself. It was easy for them to draw their own conclusions. Conclusions that would leave them without-

"Here are your drinks!" The boy gave them a friendly smile, happily giving everyone their drinks... Even the people he never took orders from. "Do you need a few more minutes?" His eyes were narrowed on the three generals.

Two glared at him while one gave a nearly pitying grin.

"No, my boy," Tusk hummed, closing the menu. "I would like the veggie special for today."

"The grain special with the gravy on the side." Peng hissed a little.

"I would like a plate of meat buns and soup." Azure tenderly took the menus from his companions, nose wrinkling a little as he offered them to the waiter. To the assumed prince.

He doubted that. There was nothing like the pair of monkeys before him. There wasn't even a tail!

"I would have your food out in a moment."

In a fluid movement, all other menus were in his arms and he was walking away.

"E-Excuse me!" Xiaojiao tenderly stood up, eyes dipping to her parents, who weren't looking too happy either way.

The boy's honey eyes looked to her, a more natural smile gracing his lips.

"Yes? Do you need anything else?"

Words jammed themselves in the woman's throat, hands beginning to tremble.

"N-No... Never mind." She slumped back into her chair.

She watched as those honey eyes filled with disgust and anger, eyes that narrowed at her parents. He was gone again.

"Must be hard teaching such a weak child." Peng teased.

Redson grabbed her hand beneath the table. He saw that rage, saw how protective his beloved already was for his supposed to be personal blacksmith. It was the best they could come up with as the Bull clan weren't too good with actually forging delicate weapons. Not like the dragons. However, spending time with her, he was beginning to like her, like the joy she got when she was allowed to get dirty. She wasn't the weak one he realized some time ago.

"Peng." Macaque hissed, nose wrinkling. "She is our guest tonight."

The winged demon shrugged, laughing under his breath. He looked to at ease with his words. He never understood the meaning of kindness, one of the many reasons why he never would know the genuine love of well anyone! That and his hidden cowardice.

"She's just a weak dragon. I heard that she could barely breath fire just, what a year ago?" He hissed, nose wrinkling.

Wukong sighed under breath, picking up his cup of unknown, warm liquid. He knew this was going to get worse and worse till a genuine fight broke out. He may have been the Emperor, but he was just trying to have a dinner with friends! Like old times!

Taking a sip of the liquid, he felt his immortal heart stop. He pulled the cup from his lips, tongue quickly wetting them.

"Sun gem?" Macaque disengaged from his argument with the bird, tenderly placing a hand on his beloved's arm.

"Taste your drinks." It was an order, an order that he more than happily partook in.

The other tenderly tasted their drinks, and the ones that had said nothing but had gotten something either way, loved them!

"He must have a good eye." PIF hummed, smiling a little.

The monkeys nodded before food, with a scent that made their mouths water, was placed in front of them.

"I will give you a few moments to enjoy." The boy's smile was kind as he bowed his head to them before leaving.

Wukong pushed the noodles in his bowl around, his husband mimicking him. As much as they smelled divine, they don't exactly enjoy change. Many times, change had caused cries to be silenced.

Summoning the courage that had taken down the Celestial Era, the Emperor took a bite of his food. Seeing him eat, the others joined with him. Those that had gotten mystery meals held tense faces, waiting for a taste they wouldn't enjoy. Except that never came. Instead, they marveled at the delicate or harsh flavors that matched what they desired most.

Their eyes drifted to the archway, watching as the boy laughed and roamed around with a gleeful smile.

If he didn't return with them, they at least knew where he was.

Chapter Text

MK drifted back to them, notepad open for them. He had given them long enough to enjoy their meal without interruption. He hoped that their tastes weren't too different from his friends, then again, when he had placed the order in everyone had given him a look.

"How was the meal?" He held back a snicker as the three traitors jumped, their eyes looking wide.

Macaque turned to him with a nod, his cheeks colored a soft red.

"It was divine... Pigsy had done such a wonderful job cooking."

The grin on the boy's face grew as he nodded eagerly.

"Yeah, Sir Pigsy is the best cook around." He paused for a second as a soft pattering noise echoed in his ear.

Oh? He was wondering when they would be comfortable enough to try it.

"A-Anything else?" He did his best not to laugh, or to look behind himself, trying to keep his eyes forward as those soft patters crept closer.

The group looked to him with furrowed brows till the Mei-look-alike leaned to the side. Her eyes widen a little, a trace of fear within them.

"The food was wonderful, the spice was just right. Did you have a hand in its creation?" Redson was eager to know more, ignoring the gleeful way his beloved Princess was looking.

"O-Oh! Yes, it's a recipe that I mastered for a friend of mine." His nose wrinkled as he continued to suppress his laughter, eyes darting to the side.

Eyes moved behind him, wondering what he was laughing at, only to see a small fox demon attempt to sneak up behind him. Their eyes were narrowed with their ears flat against their skull. They were shuffling closer, moving with an ease that had even the Six-Eared Macaque second guessing that they were really there. Once they were close enough, they pounced!

MK easily caught the fox cub, spinning them in a circle with a laughing cry.

"Oh! No! You have gotten me!" He bemoaned playfully, bouncing the child once onto his hip.

The fox cub laughed loudly, kicking their feet with their tail wagging happily. They grabbed onto face, a wide and toothy grin showing.

"Did I scare ya? Did I really?" Her voice was high pitched and just oh so adorable. 

The human looking man nodded with an exaggerated sigh of fear.

"Oh, I knew there were little eyes on me!" He teased, rubbing his nose against hers.

She closed her eyes completely, more aggressively rubbing her nose against his.

"Ai! What are you doing?" Two frightened fox demon parents hurried over to them, not daring to step in without permission, but almost frantic in urging their daughter back to safety.

Ai tilted her head, looking confused, then annoyed.

"But MmK is here!"

Her loud declaration got the attention of the entire restaurant. To which caused the other children to hurry over despite the desperate pleas of their parents and guardians. All the while the human looking boy appeared startled.

"Ah... Um..." He shyly glanced to the Emperors, a pleading sort of smile forming on his face. "You... uh..." With his free hand, he rubbed the back of his neck. It reminded many of them so painfully of their Emperor. "You wouldn't mind if I play with the children in here, right?"

The look he was giving them, specifically Wukong, was too effective. It was too adorable, too pleading and gentle and so vulnerable. The ginger monkey could feel his heart beat just a bit faster, his hands suddenly aching to pull the half human close. To protect him from the brutal world that surrounded them.

"Now why-" Peng started, tone haughty and annoyed.

"I wouldn't mind." The Sun Emperor interrupted. "Children need to grow and learn, and it seems they have so much energy." He flashed toothy grin that mirrored the boy's.

MK blinked in surprise before bowing to show his gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty!" His voice pitched at the end, the hidden echo of a chirp ringing for sensitive ears.

With a swift ease, the young man had one of the children running off to give something to a Meiyu. While they were gone, he began talking about some things, waving his hand around. Till he said something strange.

"Oh if only to have golden eyes." Were his words.

Whatever they meant within context had nothing of, it had the children scattering, even the one within his arms. They were laughing, jumping around, scrambling under the unoccupied tables and chairs, all to avoid him who was now chasing after them.

His long braid swung around him like a tail, his body moved with a grace that seemed unnatural. He teased and toyed with them, using his larger body to trap them in a hug as he covered their faces with playful kisses or tickled them. All till they were able to squirm away, often with the help of the other children.

"You don't play fair!" One of the children cried from within his arms. He decided this one was going to be kissed to death.

"Oh I play plenty fair!" He cooed, nuzzling his nose into their cheek.

The child within his arm pushed at his face, whining and hissing.

"Nuh uh!"

"Yup!" He laughed, letting his head be pushed away.

Another child came up to him, grabbing onto one of his arms in an attempt to force him to release the little cub within his arms.

"Are. You. Sure?" The child gritted, using most of their little strength to pull.

"I'm very sure! As sure as a lion!" He tilted his head up in a prideful sort of way as more children tried to free their friend.

Except once those words left his lips, they stared at him, slow grins that were more teeth than anything else grew. MK blinked once before giving a playful scream as he gently pushed the child in his arms into another child. They both tumbled to the ground, laughing, while he back-flipped to his feet and out of the ring of children.

"Get him!" One of them shouted, pointing at him.

He laughed as the chase reversed.

Wukong chuckled as he watched the boy practically dance around the children, tenderly guiding them so they wouldn't get hurt. it was also frightening how adapt the little ones were in chasing him. In hunting in general.

Even with Demons in control, certain necessities have become common practice, like going to the supermarket for food instead of hunting or growing for the majority of people. It was just easier and less likely to kill large families because of now curable diseases. As such, certain skills like hunting and prowling, had been greatly diminished.

"Your mate is good with kids." Tusk hummed, attempting to bring conversation somewhere.

It was beginning to get awkward just watching them play. Though it was entertaining, nonetheless.

Redson tilted his head up, confidence radiating off of him.

"Of course a mate of mine would be good with children."

The haughty way he spoke made it clear enough that even he didn't know what his mate could and couldn't do. Then again, most demons learned more about their mates after the wedding.

Of course, as they observed the playing more, they realized that the children were being surprisingly gentle with the young man. Most demon cubs had a hard time controlling their strength, which ended with many humans becoming scarred or killed. Yet, even as they chased and hunted, pulled and nipped, they were careful not to hurt him nor damage his uniform. When someone did lose control, he used gentle words to teach them better, helping them play again.

Eventually, the children were worn down and sleepy hands were rubbing sleepy eyes. It was adorable. The monkey emperors wanted to snatch the little ones into their arms, to rub their cheeks against their little heads. But they couldn't. That would expose a weakness, and they couldn't allow that.

"Alrighty, little Stars, time to head back to your tables." MK easily picked them up, having a few crawl and cling to his back. It looked almost natural for him to be surrounded by children, having them cling to him so sweetly.

One of the children, the one that hadn't said a word, moved their hands in front of the boy.

"Must be the Qian's child." Peng snickered.

The table looked at him with a variety of emotions. Azure soon shook his head, looking like he pitied the girl.

"The poor girl can't be understood in this world. Perhaps in her next life she would be lucky." His tone was soft and quiet, as if he truly was saddened by the idea that she would never be able to say a single word. But it felt wrong.

The ginger monkey felt his nose wrinkle. He had cared for many defective cubs from his troop long before he was Emperor, he knew they weren't weak. They may have needed more care, but they were skilled in many other ways. Ways that seemed to go beyond what the blue lion could think of.

"I don't think we have time for a story." The young man hummed, looking genuinely saddened by the-

"Wait, did he just respond to her?" One of Xiaojiao's parents murmured.

The girl waved her hands about, forming specific shapes. The young man and the hoard of children upon him, watched her silently.

"I suppose... But only if everyone's parents and the Emperors agree."

Those words seemed to have renewed energy within the mini demons, who scampered off to beg their parents of something. While they were gone, MK looked to them with that sheepish look.

His once perfectly placed braid was now frizzed with a few strands framing his face. A face that was flushed from all the running he had done. Even his suit was wrinkled and pulled at awkward angles. It made him look perfect.

Redson gritted his teeth, desperately wanting to join his future bride on the floor, to be close to him in some manner than the way they were.

"You said, if we agree, Starlight?" The nickname flew too smoothly, too easily from the ginger monkey, who's heart felt betrayed.

The young man tilted his head down a little, tucking a piece of hair behind his ears.

"Uh, yeah... Ning wants me to tell them a few stories, and well... this is the best place to tell them..." He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.

The Emperors nodded, a ginger tail gripping the leg of his chair. The leg creaked under the tight pressure.

"I don't see why not. Stories can be calming." He eased into his seat, giving an expecting look.

The boy's sheepish expression faded into a wide grin that suited his face more sweetly than anything else.

"Thank you!" He bowed his head quickly, raising a hand and moved it in a similar manner as Qian Ning had.

The children returned soon after, sitting orderly and kindly. A couple of the children were leaning onto each other like one would with family.

"Alright, alright," the sever rubbed his hands together, swaying side to side. "Now, which story should we hear first... Ning?"

The young crane demon paused in leaning against a white tiger cub. She tilted her head, thinking deeply on it before moving her hands in those weird ways.

The group of children nodded, turning their attention to the boy with wide and pleadful eyes.

He laughed, nodding back to them.

"So its the story of how the Great Hero lost to the Great Dragon."

The children began giggling, a couple whispering a few words to others. Xiaojiao perked up, looking at him intently. She had read and heard many stories, it was difficult not to as if could be seen as literal disrespect to not know some foreign rumor of a demon, but she hadn't heard of that one. No one dares claim themselves a hero, the word honestly holds little to no meaning within their day and age, and none would call themselves a 'Great' dragon. Not when the four Fatherly Dragons were still alive.

Being bold, she stood up, catching the children and the server's attention. She froze, her chest constricting and her breathing going shallow. Then the boy grinned, and it was like a beacon.

"Come! Sit with us, Mei! I think you'd like this story!" He tilted his head in a manner that felt... She couldn't describe it. An emotion she had yet to feel coursed through her veins.

The name he called her though... It wasn't hers, but she liked it. Perhaps... She could take? At least in private, when she was getting grease and mud on her?

Her legs trembled as she sat on one side him, Redson more than eagerly joining on the other. The boy was smiling at both of them, eyes seeming to take on a more golden hue. She really could see why someone like Redson would fall him, even without the fight. His kindness... It felt... What the word she was looking for?

"Okay!" MK raised a hand high into the air, getting the children to giggle and laugh. "Since we have guests who haven't heard this story, you don't mind if I talk for really really long time?"

The children laughed more, nodding eagerly. Ning moved her hands, bouncing a little.

"Ning says its always more fun when you talk really long!" The tiger cub hummed.

MK smiled fondly at them, bowing his head a little.

"Okay! The longer version of the Great Hero being bested by the Great Dragon." He glanced at his sides, his smile never faltering. "Are you two ready?"

Redson felt his heart melt at the sight before him. He looked at home, talking with the children, eyes gleaming in a way he had yet to see. Perhaps letting him live his life as he was, would be good. For now anyway.

"I am, Princess." The little ones wrinkled their noses, tenderly mocking the red faced boy.

Xiaojiao felt a smile grace her lips, a little more toothy and sharp than her parents wouldn't have liked, she knew that for certain. Even as the fear of their hands grew, she didn't falter. Being within this Princess's presence... She finally found the word for the emotion he was gifting her. Freedom. He was freedom.

"I am eagerly waiting."

His face lit up, a glimmer of gold highlighting his hazel eyes. Then he turned to the children.

"Alright, let the story began." The group before him giggled and laughed, just as he had wanted. He just hopes that no one catches on to the fact these aren't little fairytales.

Chapter Text

Macaque swung his feet around his chair to rest his head against his husband's shoulder. He hadn't heard of any new stories pertaining to any dragons. From the looks on the Ao's faces, he could only assume that this would be a new story to them as well.

"This all began a long time ago, long before the Hero was named as such." The young man began with a flourish of his hands. Wukong thought he saw the shadows flicker for a second. "When he was just a simple and humble noodle delivery person." The children giggled, one of them moving their hands to another, who playfully slapped their arm. "The only feat to his name was pulling the looongest noodle." More laughter as the children mimicked MK who was stretching his arms as far as he could. "And lifting the heaviest of heavy boxes."

The children were giggling and squirming now, seemingly talking with their hands.

"He worked for a stern but fair demon." His became an exaggerated serious expression that got more giggles. Macaque had to cover his mouth to stifle his laughter. "This demon had taken him in when he was young, when he was nothing. The demon had bathed him and fed him his delicious noodles and soup, waiting for the Hero's family to find him. They never did, no matter how many days and nights passed."

An ache formed within the monkeys chests.

"Then! One day, a human scholar came to visit the little shop. Hungry for the beeest noodles there were in the growing city."

"What fanciful thoughts." Peng hissed, sneering a little. "No way any respectable demon would-"

One of the children, a horned demon of sorts, threw something at Peng. The trained warrior barely caught it, but it had done its job to make him look toward the suddenly still crowd of demonic children. Their little eyes were now focused on the once celestial bird, but none of them were nice. Honestly, they looked ready to kill him, a few even looked disgusted.

MK gave a soft clap, getting the children to focus on him again. His hazel eyes looked almost smug as he tilted his head to look at Peng.

"May I continue, Sir Peng?" The edges of his mouth were more sharply turned and his narrowed in the right way to say anger.

The bird warrior scowled at the young man, clenching his fists. He wanted to fight the stupid brat. To kill him! He was insulting him! So blatantly too!

"Yes, my dear." Macaque's smooth voice rung out, him tenderly waving his hand for him to continue. "I would like to hear the end of this amusing story."

A soft red hue took hold of the human-appearing man. He gave a nod as he turned back to the children.

"The human was hungry, so hungry that had eaten five of the biiigest bowls that the shop offered."

"What was the size!" One of the children squealed, wide and gleeful smiles on their faces. They no longer looked annoyed or ready for blood.

"Ooh, I don't know..." The server hummed almost mockingly, a playful expression. Snorting a little, he hurried on. "One bowl that the human had devoured was big enough to feed a family of six people, evenly and equally. So, he had gained the nickname the Scholar of Gluttony." He wiggled his fingers playfully.

The children laughed more, a couple laying on a few of their friends.

"The scholar saw the young Hero and had asked about him. The demon could only shrug his shoulders, the Hero till then had been silent as the dead." Hazel eyes drifted from one person to the next. "The scholar asked about his education, the demon shrugged again. Horrified by the idea that the young Hero would know nothing of the world, took it upon themselves to teach the young Hero everything the scholar knew. As the Hero grew, he became different, more adventurous and outgoing. You couldn't get him to sit still or stay quiet to save a life!"

A couple of the children jumped up, waving their hands.

"Like us! Like us!"

MK laughed, bringing his hands high and waving them about, to which the children that had jumped up mimicked rather happily. He slowly moved his flapping hands down. Still mimicking him, the children went back to sitting down.

"The scholar told him stories of an adventurous monkey, a monkey that thrived in chaos and havoc, that grew in power far faster than anyone could believe." The monkey couple raised an eyebrow at his statement. "The Hero wished to be just like them, changing their name to resemble that of the monkey he admired so much." The raised eyebrow fell as a sense of pride took the emperors' hearts. "The Hero tried to be brave and do what was right, though sometimes he-"

"E-Excuse me..." A timid voice interrupted the story, casting many eyes on her.

The feline's tail was tightly wrapped around her waist. Her ears and eyes were moving around the room like she was expecting someone to hurt her. Within her hands was a tray filled with desserts. They looked delicious, like perfect slices of heaven.

"Hey, Meiyu!" MK waved at her, and the children mimicked him happily. "Do you need help sorting them?"

The fear that seemed to have overtaken the feline demon released into nothingness as she saw the young man.  A soft smile graced her lips, her shoulders slumping a little.

"Please, that would helpful, Treasure."

Redson felt his eye twitch at the nickname. Sure, MK definitely was a treasure, but he didn't like how she said it. No matter how friendly it sounded.

The human appearing man back flipped to his feet, easily making his way over to her. He was smiling and talking to her as the children patiently waited for him to sit back down.

Azure felt the edges of his lips curve down, a strange sensation building within his chest. He didn't know how to feel about the supposed child of his Wukong and that Macaque. The boy clearly was too naive and kind for a world that was ruled by demons. He was honestly surprised the boy had lived for as long as he had with that kindness. He showed no fear either, plus he looked at him and Peng like he knew something... Something dangerous. Perhaps that sensation was fear.

The soft clink of plates and bowls being placed before the nobility brought their attention to the reason why the feline server was there. Dessert, ones that smelled and looked like heaven. However, they had never ordered anything, nor had they ever ordered these dishes before.

MK had kept two in his hands, one that looked like a giant pile of rainbow ice-cream and another that looked like it was made of charcoal and fire.

Meiyu moved away from the nobility, though that only made her a target for a couple of the more rambunctious children. She squeaked before laughing softly, patting their heads as they clung to her. It didn't look like they were using their claws though.

"Treats?" She offered.

The children looked to MK, who was sitting back where he was. He smiled and nodded.

"Yes, please, Ms. Meiyu." The children on her spoke in unison, jumping off the same way too.

She gave them a quick pat on the head before leaving.

"Okay, come back, come back, little fiends." MK called, offering the ice-cream to Redson and the charcoal mess to Mei.

The children laughed, hurrying back to their seats, though at least two of them did actually sit in the laps of the slightly bigger children.

"Now... Where was I?" The server hummed, playfully tapping his lips.

The children laughed, a bird demon waving their feathered hand.

"Hero meets the Dragon!" They offered helpfully.

MK nodded as if he had remembered that exact area. However, before he could go on, Peng interrupted.

"Isn't this supposed to be about a noodle?" They quirked an eyebrow.

The brunet just ignored the other, keeping a soft smile on his face as he continued on talking.

"Yes, that's right. One day, while adventuring out of his neighborhood, he stumbled upon an arcade."

"It was gravity-less!" A child, a tiger demon, shouted. The other's laughed.

"No! Not gravity-less, it just floaty!" Another child scolded after a second of Ning moving her hands.

MK's laugh stopped a fight from breaking out, him nodding.

"Both of you are correct. The arcade had a switch that turned off the gravity, and for those that knew how to navigate it, it was more like floating, where they could reach the ground." The children settled down again, giggling happily. "It was there he saw a young Dragon his age. Lost like him, but unlike him, she held no fear. The older teens tried to push her, tried to steal from her."

Wukong and Macaque hummed softly as they continued to listen, picking at their unique desserts. Then again, the kid hadn't been wrong with their drinks and dinner... Licking their lips, they tried a bite of their desserts. Instantly, they relaxed into each other.

"Tastes like home." Wukong murmured into his beloved's ear.

Macaque nodded, but it didn't taste... It tasted like the past, when they were lounging in the sun, devouring fruits whenever they pleased. It tasted like freedom.

"The Hero tried to step in, tried to protect someone in danger as he believed his own hero would. Except the young dragon leapt over him and took the older teens down in three strikes!" The excitement in the young man's voice caused the children to stir, laughing a little.

Xiaojiao carefully ate her red dessert, finding the flavor to be delicious. It was exactly something she wanted, something that she would enjoy, except it was also something that her parents would never let her have. Not after this night.

The story, though, echoed something deep within her. It called to the fire that had been smothered. It fanned it in a way that she couldn't ignore.

"The Hero was in awe of her strength, of her fire. The Dragon in turn admired his bravery. She believed in a moment, that she had found a kindred spirit. So, she challenged him to a game of her choosing."

"Noo!" A couple of the children laughed, leaning back as they laughed and giggled.

MK nodded.

"Yes, the Hero not knowing how competitive and fierce this Dragon was, accepted. Which, he quickly found to be his mistake as the challenge that was given was to play a game he had never heard of. A game named after the chaotic monkey. The Hero and Dragon played the game for hours and hours till the arcade closed, and the Hero had won none of their matches."

The children howled with laughter, a few of them falling into the other children. Those children pushed the fallen ones of them, which caused them to start a playful fight. They tossed and rolled, pulling at their clothes and limbs. Between growls and hisses, they were laughing and smiling.

The brunet clapped once more to gain their attention, making those that were fighting to stop and simply lay on each other. They were smiling softly, waiting for the story to continue on. He was about to, but two demons, one with orange tinted skin and the other with blue tinted skin, stumbled into the room.

The smell of alcohol made everyone's noses in the room scrunch in disgust. MK's smile that always seemed to be there, fell at the corners, looking almost uncertain.

"Are those the twins of the Horned Kings?" Lady Ao muttered to the table, her perfect face scrunched tightly.

Tusk hummed in agreement, his lips forming in a tight line. It was a bad sign that the twins of such a powerful family came there as drunk as they were. Especially since the Horned Kings had developed a new power of the many centuries, one that made even the Emperor slightly wary.

"Hello, welcome to Pigsy's Restaurant... If you're waiting to be seated J-" The young man stood up as he spoke, dusting the back of his pants, when the orange one interrupted.

"Just shut up, you filthy human!" His words slurred at the end, his balance unstable.

MK raised an eyebrow, the edges of his lips twitching down. Compared to his earlier expressions, one could say he looked annoyed at the other.

"I wish I could, sir," he hummed, stepping in front of the child, who still sat, "as an employee of this-"

A slap rang loudly as the human's head whipped to the side. The blue demon had leaned over the orange one to smack him.

Wukong felt his heart squeeze at the sight of the boy, the boy that held so much power, being hurt in such a way. His eyes narrowed and he made a move to stand, except the boy suddenly started to chuckle.

His head snapped back to them, a bright grin on his face. He looked amused, his cheek not even red.

"Is that all you got?" His tone was mocking and smug, and oh so like the Emperor in his youth.

His words seemed to enrage the drunk demons. The blue demon, Yin, lunged at the boy, claws swiping at his throat, except they swiped only the air.

"Wow, you're a lot faster than you look."

The children laughed, pointing to Yin's shoulder, where MK somehow had settled! He looked smug and pleased, rolling his head to look at Wukong. His warm eyes were glowing with a mischievous desire.

"You don't mind, riiight?" If he had a tail, it would've been wagging happily.

A startled laugh escaped the ginger demon, a smile forming on his face. Oh, yes he liked this strong human! He was wonderful!

"Don't take us lightly, human!" The orange demon, Jin, screamed as he swiped at his brother's shoulder.

The human easily slipped off Yin's shoulder, and the trio kept the dance of the twins attempting to attack the server as he dodged. Eventually, the Horned King twins tried to use their family's power, a power that allowed them to move just a few fractions slower than lightening.

The children leaned from left and right, as if trying to follow the fight.

"Okay, little ones," eyes snapped to a table where MK was peacefully sitting on, "whenever you see yourself getting into a fight, get your opponent angry. Angry opponents make easy opponents." He laughed cheerfully.

 His laughter caused the pair of demons to stop fighting. They were in a head lock, Jin biting the upper part of Yin's arm with Yin's claws digging into Jin's scalp. Their drunk eyes widen in surprise, the effects of alcohol diminishing at their shock. Then again, they weren't the only ones.

MK's grin grew, the tips of his canines peaking from his lips.

"Very easy opponents that attack like rabid dogs. Honestly! Do you guys even tray?"

The children laughed, a few rocking back as they did. As they laughed, they nodded. It was like they were actually taking it seriously, like he was a teacher.

The drunk demons hissed, pure rage on their faces. Their eyes glowed with power, eyes that narrowed onto the laughing children.

Macaque grabbed the back of Wukong's chair, jumping to his feet. He could hear screams of children. They were so close, they were right in front of him!

The twin demons rushed toward the children, their laughter turning into screams. Macaque tried to leap toward them, tried to protect them, he stretched the shadows to do something!

"Now that's just rude. They're children." The young man scolded, slamming the pair of them to the ground. They never had gotten to touch a single hair on any of the children's heads.

"Whaat..." Yin groaned, coughing softly.

MK pressed a foot on his back, twisting Jin's arm behind his back. The orange demon moaned in pain, squeezing his eyes shut. He looked unamused at them, his lips pulled down into a deep frown.

"Very rude." He muttered again. He looked up, eyes finding his current boss.

Pigsy's face was nearing purple with rage, he was breathing steam as beady eyes glowed with magic. He stormed over to the restrained demons, meaty hands clenched at his side. He looked ready to tear them apart and put them in one of his steam buns.

"Police coming?" The young man tilted his head. Looking so naively adorable.

The boar demon scoffed. "Their parents are, and they're not pleased."

Yin and Jin flinched, squirming in attempts to escape the human's hold, but they weren't going anywhere. Not till their parents got there.

MK turned his attention to the little ones.

"Everyone good?" He asked.

The children giggled and nodded, a few waving their hands in agreement.

"Good, good. Now, since it's getting later, I'll have to finish the story another time."

The children instantly whined and pouted, eyes turning hatefully to the demons that interrupted their story time with the server.  Sadly, there wasn't anything they could do but get up and go to their own parents at this point.

Macaque slumped into his chair, an invisible sigh of relief escaping him. He had thought he would witness parents crying in despair, being the Kings of the Diyu to bring back their child. He... He doubts he would've been able to handle it.

Looking to the boy, he felt himself frown. He was too calm within this type of situation, too in control... Had he faced something similar, and why did that thought scare him a little?

Chapter Text

MK smiled an amused smile as Sir Pigsy tried to push his way back into the restaurant. He kept talking about needing to make sure everything was to standard and all that stuff, but his eyes kept glancing back. Kept looking to Mr. Tang, who had wrapped himself in a thick jacket that bore the boar demon's symbol. The fragile human's stomach kept growling every few minutes.

"Please, I got this, Sir. Besides, we need ingredients to make dinner or else Mr. Tang is going to whither into nothing!" His voice was jovial, his grin growing as he easily pushed the demon out of his own restaurant.

"Kid, listen, this-" The demon reached toward him, a hand hovering over his shoulder.

"If this is about earlier, it's all taken care of! And as you know, I can take of myself!" The boy took the hestiant hand into his, his smile softening genuinely. "Besides, I got energy I need to burn." He gave the older pair a look that made them both groan and the demon to grumble about some imaginary damages.

Still, they hesitated more. After Yin and Jin were taken away by their very disappointed and rageful mother, the other patrons wanted to leave... And MK had insisted that the rest of the staff leave early so most of the cleaning hadn't been done. Not the first time this had happened, sadly enough, but the kid always cleaned the place well by himself. Sir Pigsy refused to say perfectly as there was always something the boy missed, but for being by himself...

"Are you sure?" His beady eyes looked behind the boy, searching for something.

MK laughed joyfully, patting the larger demon on his shoulder.

"Yup!"

The demon leaned back, a scowl returning to his face. It fitted there naturally, easing the boy's growing nervousness.

"The place better be cleaned spotless then." He growled in that familiar threatening tone.

MK nodded, watching them leave a little too close to each other. He tilted his chin up, snickering a little. With that finally sound, he closed and locked the door, heading to start in the kitchen as well as make sure the side entrance was closed as well.

As he walked over to the swinging doors, he pulled out his first phone. The cracked screen, the faded and definitely needing replaced case fitted perfectly in his hands. He turned it on, pressing for his downloaded music. The demon made music of this universe wasn't all that good... It was more like a fight with drums than something that moved something within you.

Once the music started, he let it sit on a nearby table as he entered the kitchen. He could already feel the eyes of the hidden assassins watching him from the dining area, but they didn't dare enter the kitchen. Which was smart as in there he had access to many items that could more easily become weapons.

Plucking a few hairs from his head, he turned them into simple clones with simple orders. After the first time, and a few more times, of his clones gaining enough sentience to try and kill him, he talked with Bama... With Wukong, and gotten trained on it properly with the monkey pair. Now, he had a better grasp of what not to do.

Moving further into the back, he grabbed everything he would need to get the dining area cleaned. That area he didn't mind doing by himself, no clones. After all, he wanted to see what these assassins had on them. What sort of tricks they were willing to use and try. Not that he hasn't seen plenty of them already from his home world.

A tired sigh escaped from his lips, an ache pooling in his gut. It felt like he would never go home, never see Dadsy or Papa again, never lose to Mei again, or listen to the passionate rants about mechanic stuff that went over his head from Redson. The last one was something that caused the worst ache.

Taking a deep breath, he back into the dining area, the music that was now blasting had a jazz-tech theme with a female singer. It was one of Redson's newly found interest. Seriously, he may be a few hundred years old, but his taste in music was ancient!

"I really should introduce him to more music." He murmured under his breath as the song ended and shifted to one of Mei's. A rather sensual song that made a laugh slip through.

Shaking his head, he carefully placed the items he had down so head could slip off his jacket. As he did that, he began to sing the lyrics. Naturally, his body moved to the music, swaying his hips and rolling his shoulders in the way that Mei taught him, in a way that had caused his Firecracker to stare.

A hand grazed at his shoulder as the song changed. Eyes burning a quick gold revealed who it was, and boy was he disappointed. The song that played next was fast pace and definitely a fight song, but in the most human way possible.

Grabbing the lunging hand, he spun them around to toss Yin into the wall. Sadly, he didn't hit it hard enough.

"Tsk, you guys know no shame do you?" He turned his back to them, finishing cleaning his second table as Jin tried to swipe at him.

It was easy enough to make the demon lose his footing and fall flat on his back. Honestly, their more civilized counterparts were better at fighting him! Much better!

He easily danced around them, cleaning the tables as he went. He happily sang the songs on his playlist like he didn't care, cuz he honestly didn't. He danced and shook his body the way he wanted to, even hurrying over to his phone to turn the sound up.

Every second that the twins tried to hurt him, well technically kill but wasn't that a stretch for their capabilities, was a second he got to listen to his music more.

Finally came a song that needed a second person, so he grabbed Yin. He twisted the demon's arms just enough to cause whatever spell they used to fail for the pale haired demon. A tiny gasp of breath caught the young man's ear, but it likely came from still hiding Jin.

"Since you want to dance." His voice was lower, sharper and one could almost say like gravel.

Yin tried to twist his bruising arms out of his hold, but that was useless, and honestly, it was fun puppeting the demon around. Forcing him to dance and spin with him, dipping him in a way that visibly made him look sick.

Normally, MK would've taken these thoughts as worrying. Taken them as a bad sign, but not here. Not with this world. Plus, he's heard all about this universe's Yin and Jin, about their whispered crimes and how long they had been getting away with it. It was stupid how everyone feared their family to the point of never questioning the pair, especially when they were this pathetic compared to others. Hell, they even went after other powerful families cubs! That was idiot mistake! One, that he did hope that they didn't repeat, for their benefit.

A hand snapped up, catching the invisible weapon that cut into his palm. He turned his head to Jin, snickering as he dropped Yin to the ground. With a fluid snap of his wrist, the weapon clattered to the ground and Jin was within his grasp as his new dance partner.

"Seriously? This was your plan?" He chided, guiding him around the room in an almost twisted way.

Jin tripped and nearly fell many times as he tried to escape, but MK's hold was too tight, too firm to allow him to crumble just yet. He always pulled him up, pushed him forward in a way that made his bones creak like splintering wood.

"Y-You're just a human!" He barked, but beads of sweat glistened on his forehead from both futile struggle and pain.

MK shrugged, finally releasing him so he crumbled onto his brother.  He easily crouched before the pair, grabbing their faces within his hands. He was still smiling, still looking at some form of peace.

"I'll admit I'm normally not this rough when I'm playing with someone." The pair hissed in rage at those words before they grimaced in pain as he squeezed their cheeks, stopping the sound. "But you went after kids. Innocent and naive kids. None of my usual playmates do that, and honestly," his smile fell as he looked at them with a calculated sort of look, "you wouldn't even survive your doppelgangers. They'd chew you up and spit you out. They had to prove themselves, you had everything handed to you... Even my Firecracker was raised better than you." He tossed them to the ground, standing back up.

He brushed his hands against his slacks, a disgusted expression on his face. He may have said too much, but he could only hope that the pair would actually think for a second and realize their mistakes. If not, then there was nothing else he could do but defend whoever needed him to the best of his ability.

"Leave while I let you, cuz I'm sure Sir Pigsy will make you into a once in a lifetime dumpling." He hissed.

The pair of cowards ran, growling threats under their breaths. MK could only roll his eyes. Their threats weren't even half as creative as his Yin and Jin, nor were they as fun as the pair. Honestly, he almost wanted to try and fight the Guardians of the Cloud.

MK paused in his sweeping, the memory sending a chill within his bones, but something warm within his soul for the first time. He looked around the room, music still playing. There was only so much to do, but if he finished cleaning, the thought would've vanished!

Plucking a couple of hairs, he formed them into clones.

"You know the drill!" He shouted over his shoulder as he stopped the music, running in place like he was chasing the disappearing thought. "Clean everything and disappear before they see you!"

His clones saluted him, words floating in one ear and out the next. He bolted into the kitchen and then up the stairs till he was into the apartment and in his room where his new phone sat.

The Cloud! Where everything was stored! If it still existed, then it shouldn't be difficult for him to get in! All he would have to do was shift into Baba- M-Macaque! He meant Empress Macaque. Surely the Empress of the Universe would have the access to everything within the cloud... Hopefully.

And he likes to think he can play his Baba well, who's to say he can't play an important Empress version of him?

Chapter Text

MK skittered across the hot sands in one of his gecko forms. Even within the appropriate form, the heat was blistering and it felt exhausting. Still, he pressed on, only pausing when he was at the doors of the Cloud.

The building, like everything else, looked different from what his looked like. While his was round with off-white walls and thick shuddery surrounding it, this one held a taller roof with actual clouds on the base. It's walls were a pure white with heavily gold accents that appeared more like shackles. Blood red jewels were used to place spells and wards on every corner.

The door also had guards, not just the Guardians themselves. They looked like Celestial warriors. They were older and worn, armor dented and damaged... He felt a bit bad for them. Within this world only the strong survive, and only demonic beings matter. He almost wished he could change that, maybe he could but not at the moment.

 Moving to the darkest shadow there was, he carefully detransformed. He looked like himself, needing that first to focus. He closed his eyes, just as he was taught. He wasn't entirely good at transforming into other people, especially people of the other gender and those he didn't know well. So, it was a good thing he knew Baba well. He just... He just needed to remember how Empress Macaque looked, his favored outfits, the way his hair flowed and the way it was braided. It was completely different from his Baba, they even stood different with the Empress being that of a untrained noble and Baba's like a true Warrior. He then remembered that deep sadness and pained anger that always echoed within his eyes, the scent of soft rain, fruit, and ink that clung to his skin and fur. The only similarity between the pair.

Opening his eyes, he looked to his hands. Black furry covered his wrists and sharp, purple painted claws glistening within the faint light. He was wearing the first outfit he ever saw this world's Macaque wear. He made it soft and silky, he hated how it felt against his fur. Too nice and too smooth.

He shook his head. Plucking a black strand of hair from his newly shaped head, he formed it into a handheld mirror. He observed a familiar face that didn't have a clue who he truly was. It was perfect, right down to the eyeshadow and contour that the real Empress used.

Vanishing the mirror and letting the hairs fly on the stiff breeze of the desert, MK finally stepped out of the shade. He walked with his head held high, eyes looking down on the guards that tensed at the sight of him.

"Open the door." The word please held heavy on his tongue, but he held it back. He doesn't remember the Empress saying please to anyone.

The guards bowed greatly, quickly opening the heavy doors. He kept his face neutral as he heard them hiss in pain. Their arms were shaking, sweat beading down their faces.

He hummed approvingly when there was enough room for him to glide through. His eyes gracefully moved left and right, searching for-

"Empress Macaque?" A blue giant stepped forward, bowing low so they were looking eye to eye.

A cool smile slipped across his face, tilting his head in a specific way that he had seen the Empress do for PIF and her family.

"Guardian." His voice came out deeper and smoother than his own. "I hope I am not interrupting anything?" He tilted his head further to look at his red-haired brother.

The guardians smiled, shaking their heads.

"For the Empress, you never are."

The red-haired giant stood up, moving to the pair of them.

"What is it that we can do for you?" He also bowed.

MK looked around, hands clasped in front of him. There seemed to be less books than in his world. Works of art and science haven been stifled by demonic restrictions.

"I am exploring options." He chose his words tenderly, heart hammering within his throat. "Something more private?" Empress Macaque wouldn't just outright ask... Would he?

The two guardians looked at each other, thinking long before nodding. They wordlessly guided him to the furthest and darkest corner of the Cloud. The books there were dusty and shadowed, names of both human and Celestial stood next to demonic ones.

"Books of shadows and death... For you, Empress Macaque." One of the Guardians hummed, but MK had his back turned to them. He was now focused on the new knowledge.

"You may leave now." He pulled out one, opening it. He skimmed the words, feeling the lost magic seeping creepily into his own.

There was silence behind him, a silence that made it difficult to focus on the ancient words.

Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the guardians shifting nervously, mouths thinned. They looked almost sick.

"You may speak freely." He fully turned to them, raising an eyebrow.

"One of us must stay with you..."The blue haired guardian started slowly, his voice sounding cracked and weak.

A cruel smile slithered on his face, his body sagging into a familiar stance. One his Baba always used for intimidation as shadows leached from his feet.

"For what? Protection?" His eyes burned with the desire to flash gold. Yet that would only do the opposite for what he needed.

The Guardians shuffled back, bowing more deeply than before.

"W-We're sorry, we'll leave!" They were practically running away.

MK only relax once they were out of his sight. Looking back to the book within his hands, he properly closed it and grabbed a few more. He moved to a dusty table, using a bit of wind magic that Baba taught him to clear it.

For once in a long time, he was able to stay still long enough to read through the books. The power and magic from the books felt like taking a large dose of caffein, but it felt like mud through his veins. Most of the wording was long and elaborate in a way that felt confusing or stupid. He was sure there were simpler ways of saying what they were saying.

It didn't help that he had to keep up the glamour and attitude of his Baba-not-Baba. It was exhausting! He really wished he could steal the books, but he didn't want to get them in trouble with the real Empress.

"Well, this is certainly bold." A familiar voice broke through the comforting silence that had enveloped him.

He snapped his eyes up, them being wide at the sight of the true Empress, staring him down. His face was impassive, but MK knew he was impressed. A warm, bubbly feeling filled his chest and he wanted to smile his goofy smile. He refused.

Instead, he gave a low groan.

"Six ears." He mumbled under his breath, eyes narrowing.

Standing next to the Empress was Wukong. He looked confused but also impressed. MK missed seeing those expressions on his Bama's face, missed surprising him. He wanted to be praised now.

No one had moved, no one said a word. It was making his blood burn; his body ached with the need to fight.

"Soo..." He couldn't help the mischief that filled his voice. "Are you going to chase me?"

The Empress's lips curled at the edges before low chuckle escaped. Fangs glinted in the fire light.

"You won't escape this time." He hissed.

MK's eyes darted to Wukong, watching as he too got ready for the fun that was about to happen. Why wasn't he saying anything though?

"Doubt you lot could catch me even if I was bound." He laughed, the magic of the glamour bubbling around him.

Macaque hissed lowly, leaping from where he stood. He arched high, the hanfu floating around him like deadly petals. MK leapt backward, landing on a different table. He was still wearing his Baba's face as kind laughter filling the room, expression at ease.

"You're about to be grounded." The words should've been harsher, should've been but weren't.

Their faces were gentle, eyes shining with a sad emotion. Wukong leapt to his husband's side, keeping his steps soft and body low. It really was strange how quiet he was being.

Still a grin grew on the young man's face, moving his feet in a little dance that had become habit for excitement, for a fight. He wanted to play more with them! It was fun the last time they chased him!

"You'd have to capture me first."

Wukong leapt from his crouched position, moving swiftly and silently. His claws were outstretched, inches from grabbing him.

MK bowed low, avoiding the claws with ease. He then jumped to the side to further get out of his grasp.

"No no~" He cooed, wagging a finger at them. "No claws."

The pair of powerful monkeys scoffed. Macaque leapt forward again, using shadows to try and wrap around him.

MK crossed his hands at his waist before throwing them out, tossing the shadows away from him. However, he didn't let that magic go to waste. He flicked his wrists up, letting the tossed shadows entangle Wukong and the guardians, though it looked like they weren't going to be involved in this.

"Impressive." Macaque's voice was chilling, eyes narrowing in his form of confusion.

The grin that was on the young half demon's face faltered. His hands clenched ever so. He hadn't actually meant to show off so much, especially since they knew where he worked.

"Crap..." He whispered, finally turning his back to them.

He shook off the glamour, bounding over the tall, mostly empty, bookshelves. He needed to leave now. He could return later... Maybe.

A familiar warmth crazed the back of his neck, making him whip around punch the person his follower.

Wukong was sent flying into an empty bookshelf, causing it collapse on top of him. It was then that MK realized why such an energetic person like his Bama was quiet... It was because he was technically using an invisible spell... That doesn't work against Gold Vision very well... Oops...

"Oooh... You were... Oooh.." Mk winced, clasping his hands in front of his thinned mouth. He looked pained. He felt pained.

"So you knew I was there all along..." The Emperor groaned, shaking off the dust and wood chips. "Moonlight is gonna have to groom me." He pouted, plucking out a stubborn splintered from his cheek fur.

MK gave a weak smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's I learned from my mentor..."

Wukong nodded, pulling out his staff. It glinted more menacingly than the young demon would've liked.

"Well, too bad they didn't teach you everything."

The brunet opened his mouth to dispute the other's words- even if they were true- but he then felt a cold hand pressing onto his shoulder.

"I think we just caught you, son." Macaque leaned out from the shadows, eyes narrowed.

"You're not gonna give me a chance to shift, are ya?" He winced, looking almost pleading at the older monkey.

"Not a single second. Now, how do you want this to finish?"

MK looked away, feeling like that question was more of threat. A threat aimed at the two people he was relying on heavily within this universe.

"Can I at least help on the weekends?" He gave hopeful smile, tilting his head just the right way that usually got Baba to fold.

Empress Macaque stared at him, his fingers drumming against his captured shoulder.

"We'll talk about it." His grip tightened ever so.

Wukong floated to his other shoulder, a hand taking it.

"Thanks for letting our son play around, sorry for the mess!"

The pair practically dragged MK through a shadow portal before the guardians could say a word. MK really does hope that... Well, he's not entirely sure... Maybe he should've thought this plan through more thoroughly... He hopes Sir Pigsy won't be too mad when finds out.

Chapter Text

The portal opened upon the sandy beaches of a very familiar mountain island that was filled with lush plants and flowers. Trees filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables sprouting from the earth. There was a river rippling down into the salted sea.

"Wow." The boy looked around the place, eyes wide.

Macaque watched the boy, watched as he looked at the island with a glow of familiarity. His brows furrowed and his heart rate accelerated. He looked close to tears, as if he found home but it wasn't the same.

"Yes, yes, this is my home and birthplace." Wukong looked proud, tilting his head up in that familiar prideful way.

The young demon turned toward him, quirking an eyebrow in amusement.

"I'm surprised it's still standing." His tone was teasing.

The ginger monkey huffed, pouting to the younger demon. He was expecting to hear something about how awesome or powerful he was, or any sort of flattery. Then again, this boy, this MK, never seemed to look at him with the eyes of fear or pure adoration. No, he looked at him with a strange sort of kindness that felt... He didn't know how to feel about it, but he strangely wanted to keep seeing those types of eyes.

"I'm a good king." He whined.

MK laughed, grabbing the Emperor's hand like he knew him. He tugged on him, bouncing on his feet.

"Can we explore the island?" He looked excited, so openly about what he wanted.

The Shadow Empress scoffed, shaking his head.

"Kid," his body tensed at how fast those honey-colored eyes zipped to him, "you do realize that your grounded?"

His face fell, brows furrowing as his mouth opened and closed.

"Wait! You were serious about that!" He squeaked, releasing the short Emperor. "I-I thought it was like a-a cover or o-ow!" He winced, holding the back of his head as he pouted toward the Emperor.

"Mindful of your words, kid." A kind smile, one that Macaque hadn't seen in so many years, graced the powerful monkey's face.

He huffed, but nodded.

"Minding my words, Monkey King." He mumbled, once again pouting.

The royal monkeys felt a soft form of emotion echoing from a deep part of them. A part of them that they had thought died.

"Come, we have to introduce you to our generals." Wukong smiled too brightly, keeping his head tilted up.

"Or else they might kill you on the spot." Macaque warned.

The boy's pouting expression shifted to one of curious confusion.

"Sure? Not the first time something's been trying to kill me." He snickered to himself, looking away like he told a joke.

The two just looked at him for a moment before dragging him down the worn path toward the vast waterfall. On the way, they passed by thatch roofs of small wooden homes of enslaved humans that helped take care of the island.

The little humans, their children, that stayed near the huts watched them pass with carefully bowed backs. They looked confused, worried too. The only time they had  seen a human appear on their shores, was when they were brought in as slaves.

MK looked at them, smiling brightly and kindly, waving eagerly to them. It was like he didn't seem to understand that they were scared of the monkeys, then again he could've just been purposely ignoring those expressions.

As they continued onward, they passed by more elabrately made homes for the monkey demons. They too started at the trio, their brows furrowed. Usually they would've been told about a new slave coming in. A couple of the children though, were brave enough to run toward the new human, slapping his legs before running back to their parents.

MK laughed, smiling to them just as bright and friendly like the humans. He waved eagerly to them, but their parents pulled them closer, eyes narrowed.

"You should learn not to show your teeth." Macaque hummed. "We are closer to our none demonic brothers and sisters."

The boy tilted his head, brows furrowed deeply. He then closed his eyes, squeezing them tightly. He still followed after them, tilting his head back and forth. He was using a similar thinking face like that of the Emperor.

It only made the demon monkeys around them furrow their brows. Why did a human look so much like their Golden Emperor?

Soon they were in front of the rushing waterfall. With the sunlight hitting it, the water looked like gold. It was gorgeous with the large blooming trees  covering the upper part of it.

The pair watched as the boy rushed forward, looking at the waterfall in wonder. His hand reached forward, as if he wanted to touch the glowing liquid, but he stopped as if his strings were roughly pulled.

Wukong laughed loudly, moving forward, placing a hand on the half demon's shoulders. He was grinning brightly like he always did when he thought he was doing something impressive.

"Glad you stopped there." He chirped. "Or else you'd been shocked. Only a trusted few can go into the main area of the Monkey Kingdom."

"Even the other monkeys out there?" He nodded his head toward the area of the lower demon monkeys.

"Even amongst them. But they are allowed in, they just need to be escorted." The ginger demon reached forward placing his hand just above the water.

A golden, circling seal appeared. It pulsed with power, echoing of his once weakness before he ascended. Within a minute, the enchanted water parted revealing a glowing cave beneath it.

The boy looked to see his expression, except it was just that faint smile. It was like he had already seen this place. Or something similar.

"My masters lived behind a waterfall." MK explained, grabbing onto Macaque's hand.

The Empress felt his body tense, his cool skin suddenly burning as if he touched fire. He yanked his hand away from the boy.

His expression faltered, a pain echoing on his face. It was gone in an instantly.

"Come on, you don't want to lose me too." He blinked his eyes too innocently.

Macaque glared at the boy. He was slippery, always disappearing before their eyes.

"Fine... But only so you don't leave." He huffed, flexing his hand before offering it to the boy.

He took it without hesitation. He looked proud of himself, swinging their joined hands like a child. Macaque focused on looking in front of him.

"Well, what's this?" A lanky gibbon hissed, tilting his head tall so he was purposely looking down at the half demon.

"Beng, we want to introduce you to our son." Macaque pulled MK in front of him, grabbing him by the shoulders. His grip was much gentler than he thought it would be. "We just found him." His words were a warning.

Truly, you never knew who was listening in. Never knew who was waiting around the corner. It was why he was constantly listening, why he never could relax. Then again, his positon was always in danger of being overtaken, stripped from him by the people.

The four generals looked to each other, quiet conversations. There were many things they wanted to say, many snide comments on taking a human in as a lost son, but they too feared the unknown number of eyes.

"He looks much like his father." Marshall Ma gave a weak smile, her eyes narrowing on the young man.

MK didn't respond, instead he was looking around the room in silent awe. He was leaning forward a lot before righting himself.

"Kid." Macaque scolded the boy, who flinched. "You're ignoring our generals."

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking so sheepish. He took a confident step forward, bowign deeply to them.

"It is an honor to meet the legendary four generals." His words weren't lies.

Beng threw his head back with a proudful laugh.

"At least this boy knows how to treat his elders!" He boasted loudly.

A screech sounded from the rafters, followed by a small pale furred body falling down. There was nothing that they could do, magic burning in their bodies, hands attempting to grab the falling body. Then it disappeared.

"You guys never learn." The boy laughed, drawing their eyes to the sky where he was floating on a fluffy, sunset colored cloud. Within his arms was the small, original monkey troop that were snickering and chittering happily.

The boy looked to the monkeys below them, face a glow with joy. One of the shorter monkeys tugged on the half demon's loose hair. He turned his attention to the monkeys, chuckling under his breathe.

"Yeah?"

"You fly like Sun!" The small monkey chirped.

Wukong winced, face scrunching. He forgot that humans couldn't naturally speak to monkeys. Sure, everyone on the island knows that this kid isn't-

"Yeah! Bama had the same teacher as the Monkey King." He looked proud of himself.

The four generals and the two royal monkeys tensed, blinking rapidly at the floating boy.

Another monkey tugged on his hair, making him turn toward them.

"You fly as good as Sun?"

MK shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck carefully.

"Nah, I just learned this spell not that long ago."

"Not long ago?" A different monkey chirped.

He nodded, carefully gathering everyone into his arms.

"Yeah, I mostly got it after finishing a fight with a rogue Uncle." His chipper smile faltered at the edges, his heart hammering loudly within his chest. A hammering of rage and disgust. "But that's in the past!" He closed his eyes as he tilted his head so adorably.

Wukong jumped high in the air, landing on his own clear cloud. He floated over to the kid, who looked to him with ever so hopeful eyes.

"I uh... I don't know how to land."

A bright laugh escaped from the immortal monkey's lips, a lopsided grin showing. He couldn't help the strange warmth that rested beside his heart. He strangely felt prideful at how the half demon turned toward him for guidance.

"Let me guess, you always end up landing on your face?"

"Yeah. I can never get the timing right." He pouted heavily, eyes glistening with tears.

The most powerful being in all of creation and the Emperor of the Universe, who bowed to no one, felt himself crack like glass.

"I can always help finish up your training."

Macaque raised an eyebrow at the voice his husband used to the half demon. It was the very voice he used whenever he was talking to baby subjects. He couldn't believe- No, that's a straight lie, he definitely could believe his husband would falter.

"Peaches." He called, getting their attention.

"Oh! Right! We are still introducing you to our generals!" He leaned his head back, looking directly to the child.

He was grinning.

"But I already know of them. My Masters told me all about them! Said they were the best warriors they had fought against!" He chirped. He then pointed to Beng. "You're General Beng, the master of the Qiang Spear. My Masters told me you had a temper!" He laughed brightly.

Beng flinched back, his brows furrowing. Now, what the kid had said was true, he was a master of the Qiang Spear and he did have a temper... But how did this child know this? It had been a couple centuries since he had fought someone full force... Or because he was angered by them. The  issue with his words though, it sounded like his masters had fought him many times, even when he was angered... Except none had fought him more than once, if only because he always killed them.

"And then theres General Ba, master of the unarmed fighting style! My first mentor told me that you were the weakest to a drink!" He covered his mouth to giggle.

Ba also furrowed his brows, rubbing his knuckles. Who was this child's first mentor that knew such a side of him. He hadn't tasted a drop of alochol since the day his King became the Emperor. He feared he couldn't afford to if he wanted to keep his life.

"And what of us, Marshall Ma and Marshall Liu?" The pale furred Marshall motioned between her and Liu, who bowed his head politely.

They were intrested to hear what this strange child's strange masters have said about them. Maybe it would reveal who these masters are. After all, they couldn't have been someone they'd so easily forgotten.

"Dual sword Master and One-handed Sword Masters. I was told that Marshall Ma liked spicy burn your face off hot food while Marshall Liu liked sweet and salty food." He nodded his head, like he was proud of himself for remembering such details.

The four generals looked to their rulers, raising their eyebrows in sync. Where had they found such a strange human?

"Anyway... Uh... Monkey King, can you teach me how to land? I don't think I have enough energy to-"

Whatever the boy was saying was interrupted by the fact that his cloud disappaited. His breath caught if only for a second, then Wukong found himself catching his oldest troop, holding them close as the boy fell. It would be they wre floating pretty high, at least a couple hundred feet up!

The boy flipped himself, pulling something out of his ear. It grew into a large pillar that slammed into the ground haphazardly. The half breed easily slid down it's ever so tilted side till he reached the floor, where he shrunk it down to a regular staff that he twirled onto his shoulder.

He laughed loudly, grinning that bright grin that he had been showing around so carelessly. Like a quiet challenge to their might and status.

"Wow! Its been a minute since I've used my staff!"

Wukong and Macque each winced as they hadn't told their trusted men about the second staff that looked so similar to their King's.  It seemed the boy had figured that out as well.

"It's not his!" He flailed his hands about, once again hitting himself in the head.

"MK!" The Shadow Empress hissed, panic seizing his heart.

He felt his ears spread wide, flexing to see who now knew. Who was listening, waiting for them to fall. Waiting for him to fall.

"What?" The boy looked confused, and if he had demon ears they would've been pinned back.  

"You don't know who could be listening." He growled lowly.

His confusion seemed to grow as he looked between everyone that was there. He didn't understand something.

"But... There's nothing like that? I already checked?"

"And how would you know that?" Beng hissed, stepping forward.

"We had our eyes on you the entire time." Liu placed a hand on Beng's shoulder, pulling him back.

"Don't you... Oh right..." His lips thinned and he rubbed the back of his neck. He looked at them with almost pitying eyes. "I have a thing."

"A thing?" Ma took a soft step forward, offering a comforting smile. She was always the better of the generals in keeping her emotions in check.

He nodded, looking mor sheepish as he shoved his staff into his ear. He kept his eyes wide as those honey brown became the purest form of gold. The gold swirled within his eyes, contrasting over his pupil till it took it over.

"I have Gold Vision... I can see through any glamours and disguises, and it helps me find what I'm looking for."

Macaque looked to his husband, brows furrowed. His husband also looked confused. He didn't have that. That must've been a skill from his other parents. His true parents, or at least his mentors.

"Wait..." Wukong's brows furrowed tightly, before springing forward. "Is that how you knew I was there?" He cried out.

MK chortled, shoulders rising and falling. The glow disappeared, letting his eyes return to normal.

"Yeah... My mentors really liked using surpise attacks on me." He looked away for a moment, rubbing his forehead. "And ya know, astroprotect, whcih causes the Vision too."

Macaque nodded, cradling his chin in his hand. It was almost overpowered. Being able to see through disguises, find anything-

"How did you get it?" Ba took a step forward so he was standing next to Ma.

The boy blinked, seeming to pause.

"Well... From my Bama? He got it from..." His brows knit together, a sort of pain crossing his face. "The Celestials tried to execute him but he survived the process... It was how he had gotten his eyes... Though he kinda needs glasses now."

MAcaque's ears twitched, a faint memory of hearing screams and pleads for forgiveness. That could've been his husband.

"And now?" He couldn't help the question.

"Now?" MK tilted his head.

"Is he safe now?"

He scoffed, giving an amused raised eyebrow look.

"He's never safe. Always throwing himself into trouble, kinda like me honestly." He laughed.

Wukong laughed, releasing his troop, who ran off. He walked over to the half demon and patted his back.

"I can believe that! Alright, now enough chit-chat. I'll have Ma show you to your room." He grinned like this would be any other day.

"Uh..." The brunette gave him a deadpan expression. "Do you guys actually have a room for me?"

Ma covered her mouth, doing her best to stifle her laughter. The Emperor of the Universe blinked blankly, saying everything that needed to be said.

"I'll show you to a room that we'll make  into yours." She offered, still smiling so kindly.

MK grinned back to her, nodding as he eagerly followed after her. Macaque watched them, his lips thinning. That boy was too trusting.