The lights in the preparation room were dimmed, casting a soft, theatrical glow over the contestants as they moved about, adjusting to the discomfort of their new performance attire. In one corner stood Robin, dressed in an intricate outfit befitting her reputation, yet there was a subtle tension in her posture as she glanced over the stage setup, breathing in the heavy atmosphere of anticipation. She straightened her costume, fingers trailing over the ornate details that made her feel both regal and vulnerable.
Her eyes flickered across the room, finding [Name], who was calmly adjusting their own attire. Though they'd exchanged few words before, the air between them held a strange familiarity mixed with a new layer of rivalry, now that they knew the consequences of failure. [Name] glanced at Robin, catching her gaze just for a moment—a fleeting glance that held no warmth, only a steady, unreadable intensity that sent a chill down her spine.
Taking a breath, Robin tried to shake off the unease. She had performed countless times before audiences that adored her, but here, it was different. There was no adoration waiting for her out there—only judgment and the cold, detached gaze of the evaluators. The stakes were terrifyingly real.
A low chime echoed in the room, signaling that it was time. Robin swallowed, her heartbeat quickening. She could feel [Name]'s presence behind her, steady and unfazed. It was as if the world beyond the curtain had melted away, and only the stage and their impending judgment existed.
As they were called forward, Robin gave a final glance at [Name], finding in their expression something between confidence and quiet ruthlessness. This was it—their first round, the moment to prove themselves or be forgotten forever.
(Art by @zassyoku_DD on X)
On the stage, as the haunting notes began to fill the air, Robin and [Name] slipped into the music’s flow, voices weaving together in a bittersweet harmony that held the audience in rapt attention. Their voices rose and fell, merging effortlessly, blending vulnerability with strength, creating something beyond a competition. Each note seemed to bind them, transcending the stakes and the darkness looming at the edge of the stage.
The lights dimmed to an intimate glow, spotlighting the two of them as they sang. At that moment, their eyes met—two gazes locked, capturing a warmth that melted the cold tension of the competition. Robin’s nerves faded as [Name]'s eyes softened, reflecting gentleness. There was no calculation, no rivalry—only the connection between two souls bound by the intensity of this shared moment.
They sang the next verse, their voices intertwining with a vulnerability that was raw and tender. Without realizing it, they stepped closer, their hands brushing as they reached for the same note. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Robin’s lips, one that [Name] mirrored, as if they both understood something unspoken—that, for now, nothing else mattered. Winning, losing... it all faded away.
As Robin gazed into [Name]'s eyes, the final note lingered in the air, resonating softly in their hearts. Her gaze drifted for a split second to the scoreboard, the ominous numbers sealing her fate, before she looked back at [Name] with a serene acceptance.
Her lips curved into a gentle smile, and she whispered, so quietly it was barely a breath: “Please take care of my brother.”
For a moment, [Name] didn’t understand, still lost in the warmth of their shared performance, still captured by the closeness between them. But then, like a thunderclap, the words sank in. Their eyes widened just as something warm and wet splattered against their cheek—a spray of crimson that stole the air from their lungs. They staggered back, the weight of realization crashing down as they watched Robin’s body fall.
Time seemed to slow as they fell to their knees, numbness spreading through their limbs. The stage lights cast a stark glow over Robin’s form, her body lying still, surrounded by a pool of her own blood, a final soft smile gracing her face as though she’d found peace in her last moment.
A single trickle of red traced the curve of her lips, frozen in time.
[Name] reached out, trembling, their fingertips brushing the cold stage floor just inches from her. The crowd’s noise, the distant cheers, the indifferent faces of the judges—all blurred into a single, painful silence. The friend who had been beside them, who had shared this stage, was gone.
They could only stare, horror-stricken, the emptiness sinking deeper as Robin’s words echoed in their mind. The weight of her last request crushed them, etching itself into their heart like a scar: “Please take care of my brother.”
And in that moment, as the reality of her absence set in, [Name] felt their own smile fade, replaced by the raw, aching emptiness of loss.
The world around them felt distant, blurred at the edges, as if time itself had halted to mourn her passing. But reality crashed back all too soon—the firm grip of a guard’s hand yanked them upright, snapping a cold metal collar back around their neck. The sharp click of the lock echoed, sealing them back into the relentless, unyielding grip of the competition.
The weight of the collar pressed into their skin, a brutal reminder of their place here, as if the warmth of her last touch and her parting words were already slipping away. They didn’t struggle, didn’t fight; they simply stood, eyes still locked on Robin’s peaceful form lying amid the crimson stain on the stage. That faint smile she wore haunted them, searing into their memory as something to carry with them—a fragile comfort and a haunting wound all at once.
The Bone Brotherhood consists of 6 members in the current era, a group of demons who gained power over divine or mysterious circumstances.
Whatever they were, they were quite different from Sun Wukong’s original Brotherhood, who not only fought for freedom but for the service of the people in the mortal realm.
In this case the motive is quite the same, however instead of getting rid of tyrants like the Brotherhood’s force, the Bone Brotherhood tends to do it in a silent manner, consisting to change such ways of the public tyrants into a better people, if said leader aren’t as changing as they thought, they silently dispose of them…leaving a new leader in their place to advocate for the rights of the people and the freedom from tyranny.
The 6 members are representations of 6 synonyms of freedom.
Sun Wukong, A former member of The Brotherhood, joined the Bone Brotherhood a few years after the Journey, represented liberty. The freedom of being in captivity and treated as prisoners or that of the lowest of the low standards.
General Shi, now known as ‘The Mayor’ was known as a representative of peace. Advocating the calling of his master, MBK, to adhere the call of peace and order.
The Bone Ore Brothers, Jin and Yin, both represent Assurance, having the power to release doubt from one’s mind and to be free to cause a little bit of fun in life.
Red Son, newest member and Hybrid Son of a Celestial and Demon represents independence, the need to handle oneself and make decisions without the need of outside help.
And lastly, the very founder of the Bone Brotherhood, MBK, also known as ‘The Mister Bone King’ represented Exemption, to be immune to the shackles of control and oppression.
The Bone BrotherHood has held the mantle of securing freedom in the shadows, whilst hiding amongst the crowds like wolf in sheep’s clothing…
Even the Celestials disregard them as a fairytale, not wanting to associate a group of individuals capable of manipulating the strings in the shadows.
Indeed though, if one Celestial has already investigated their actions, or better yet a mortal…they will always be a few steps ahead…
As if…they could see the future…somehow…
———————————————————————————
Something for Accepted fate- I took so long drawing this shit.
He stared at the Neck pin of the crowned skull, contemplating on his bed on his decision.
“Do not fret, I will be patient, it’s your choice if you want a place here in my ward…whatever you choose, I will respect it…”
“Meet me back at the Destiny’s Keep Tea Shop if you’ve made your decision”
He sighed placing the pin away and looked to the mirror.
His hair was down and he wore the clothes of old…
Red Son always reserved his looks, but now with this offer…
He could try and find his style…right?
He twirled around the mirror, checking his clothes and seeing how it looks on him, he immediately flinched when he heard the door open and close.
“Wha- Mother?! Don’t you knock?!”
Flames erupted from his hair as Princess Iron Fan observed his clothing.
“What’s this? Are you going out on a date or something?”
“No! I’m just, trying on a new look…”
He continued to look around the mirror, it feels good…but it doesn’t seem…right…
He takes out a new batch of clothes he got in his closet and started using the hangers to see what would suit him.
“Are you sure this isn’t a date? I haven’t seen you change this much since your Ex Boyfriend.”
“I’m sure Mother, and don’t remind me of that demon.”
He wants to ask…does it suit him? Does it match with his style?
But…
“Your actions and choices are not theirs, it’s time you make a choice of your own, not one dictated by your parents…not all their decisions benefit your needs…”
He sighs putting away the clothes, perhaps if he tied his hair?
He ties it back to its flaming bun, staring at the mirror…before removing the tie and banging his head on a nearby desk
“Alright, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing! Nothing…”
“I’m your mother, you can tell me anything…”
“It’s nothing that concerns you…alright?”
He wanted to tear up, he’s never done anything without his parents’ opinion or jurisdiction…but it’s a start…
“Red Son.”
“If you’re confused about yourself then it’s not a problem really…I will accept you nicely whether or not your a boy or girl”
“What? No! It’s not that! Besides we already had this talk!”
“I’m just…it’s my problem alright? I’ll handle it on my own.”
“Besides, it’s not like you had any trouble…finding out what your preferences are…”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean, look at you, you’re whole look? You might’ve added horns to your hairstyle but you still look like a Celestial Maiden…at least…you know what you are despite being the Demon Bull King’s wife…”
“…”
“So that’s what this is about…no gender identity crisis?”
“No! We already had this talk!”
“So you don’t know what you are, or…who you are….as a person..?”
“I…y-yes…”
“Then you are correct, that’s something for you to find out…it took me a while to find myself after I was thrown out of Heaven for marrying your father…”
“And to be honest…everyone’s experiences are different…if you really wanna find yourself, then you should try going out some more, take a fresh air, it’ll help for a bit…”
“Or maybe go out of your own Element for a bit, try something new…that’ll help.”
“…”
“Mother-“
“Ah there’s that Jade pin…I was looking everywhere for it…”
“You were saying?”
“…”
“Nevermind…”
“Alright, me and your father are going out for a peaceful date, lock the doors if you’re going out, ok?”
As she instructed that, she left the room closing the door behind her. Leaving Red Son to contemplate some more…
He stared at the mirror looking at himself, he took the neck pin out of his pocket and placed it where it would go…
Try something new…get out of your element…
He decided to take up on that offer…
———————————————————————————
Red Son’s design in the Accepted Fate Timeline!
And now the 6th member of the Bone Crown Brotherhood.
“You! You’re that, other master of that Gamer Girl!”
“Ngh…what does she call you…MBK?!”
“That is correct.”
“What do you want?! We already had our little truce, so you can just run off and do whatever business you have with that Mayor!”
“I am aware of the truce, I did not take you here for such interrogation”
“I simply wish to speak with you, that’s all.”
“Speak with me? What could you possibly want that I have?!”
“Are you aware of the story of the Samadhi Fire? The version your parents told you.”
“The one that-?! Erm…hang on why would I tell you that?! Aren’t you sworn brothers with the Great Sage?!”
“So is your father now answer the question.”
“Gah! Fine! It’s a powerful fire capable of destroying the universe itself, if not controlled, luckily by splitting the fire it was able to keep it in a contained state, the rings being capable to, what humans call nowadays ‘nerf’ the fire into a weaker state than it was.”
“Hm? That’s how the rings work?”
“Of course it does! They’re the same rings around Nezha’s neck and arms how else do you think the rings work?!”
“But, if the fire is STRONG and DESTRUCTIVE enough, it has the ability to break free from the rings itself and actually cause damage and destruction.”
“…”
“That’s it?”
“Of course!”
“You know not of it’s origin?”
“It was created by some demon, a demon so powerful not even the Great Sage could stop them.”
“Pft-ahem…”
“Uhm…correct…but do you know who this demon was?”
“How am I supposed to know?! It’s not like I was actually there!”
“How ironic…”
“What?”
“They say the Great Sage only leaves out details and tells the person what they need to know…yet they do the same thing to their son…how hypocritical…”
“What are you talking about?!”
“…”
“What if I were to tell you, that you were the one that created the fire?”
“Wh-What?! You’re not serious! There’s no way! I-I’m not even capable-“
“You are a half-born offspring of a Celestial Maiden of the Flaming Mountains, who controls the very elements of Wind, your father a Demon King, of the Thundering Mountains and liberator of worlds, capable of bringing an entire kingdom to their knees if he wasn’t holding himself back.”
“You are the only one born with power to control the very flames of the earth, to harness it and bend it to your will. And yet you deny your part in its creation?”
“Not to mention that symbol on your back that shows the very Three Rings of the Samadhi Fire, I’d hardly call that a ‘fashion choice’”
“I…well…ARGH! What’s your point?!”
“You have potential, Red Son, but you hold yourself back, despite losing the fire in such a young age, you still continue to create something new, utilizing the very materials of the mortal realm to create the newest inventions and combine ancient magical elements to your will.”
“All held back because you try so hard to please the very people that took that Fire away…”
“I…I-“
“I used to want to please everyone I needed…but do be prepared for disappointment…it’s not everyone that can be pleased…even your own parents won’t think you are ‘useful’ enough.”
“…”
“However…I am not here to criticize you…”
*MBK creates Ice shards in their hands*
“Rather I wish to educate you.”
“E-Educate me?”
“You have so much potential in you Hong Hai’er, but you hold yourself back to your weakness to please your parents…not every child’s decision is the choice of their parents you know…you have a path, a destiny beyond them…you can’t attach yourself to them…that’s not a way to lead to a great future…sometimes even a child needs to let go of their mentors…”
*He holds out her hand*
“Come…I’ll show you how to break past that seal of yours…”
“…”
———————————————————————————
Something for ‘Accepted Fate’
Because I haven’t drawn anything with that concept.
Yes, MBK pretty much despises everyone he remembers as a villain (except Jin and Yin, he kinda considers them nuisances before adopting them as brothers…typical brother behavior) this is mostly not because they’re angry at them for hurting her but because they constantly blame Wukong for things they tend to do sometimes.
Which is why MBK is open to criticizing them.
However, Red Son is an exception…you see he basically sees what Red Son is, a child bound by their parents decisions with no will of their own.
What Red Son is repeating and the hate he gives Wukong is what he’s heard from his parents’ mouths. And his parents can also be unreliable narrators due to their biases against the Great Sage. (Or as MBK sees it)
Which is why he’s trying to guide Red Son to a better path, a better destiny.
And also might have a reservation for the Bone Crown Brotherhood.
in any of the three au a bai-he discovered who was she and what did she do?
Destiny’s Lament
She already did technically because the Scroll told her, added with MBK, but what she does is deny it at first, wearing things other than blue or even things that look ‘fancy’ but it slowly diverges that she accepted who she was in the past and is able to live with it
Third Time’s A Charm
This is a situation of her remembering her past life in Destiny’s Lament, then she’d do whatever she can to warn LBD to stop that this wasn’t the first time she’s stuck with her plan, that someone was going to kill her…unfortunately whether LBD lives or dies is up to fate.
Accepted Fate
She actually finds this out longer than anyone should, she gets accused for changing the timeline before MBK confesses that it was he who did so. She gets shocked about who she is at first, but she’s more focused on MBK since he’s about to get executed.
