How long was Peng hidden before he revealed himself in your Taken AU during Wukongs first meeting with MK?
Ohohohoh, Peng was there for... quite a while.
There was something about Wukong’s power that one could easily find. Wild, like a sunbeam cutting through a pitch dark cave. Even lingering traces tended to have a trace to them if you knew where and how to look.
Being around Wukong for as long as they had, Peng knew these traces. Of course, there were means in hiding them, so they were worried they would have trouble with finding Wukong’s staff.
They had gone to the resting place Wukong had set it down, finding it was indeed ripped from the Earth and taken. They had both scanned the area for any clue, coming up short.
At least, Wukong, had come up short.
Peng had found something rather interesting. A single long strand of Red hair. This hair was silky, hot to the touch, and smelled of charcoal. A familiar trace of a different, but just as sneaky Nephew. Peng had said nothing of this, opting to stick the strand of hair in their pocket for now, less Wukong discover it.
Peng in truth didn’t know what to think of this at first. Many thoughts came to mind, from Red Son coming here on his own, to Red Son coming here with Xiaotian.
So when Wukong looked ready to leave, Peng ducked ahead with a sneered, racing ahead first. Their goal was to check the city next, giving Peng quite the head start first.
To find a remnant of Wukong’s power wasn’t easy, able to be blocked if someone knew how. Even the staff, which Wukong was so connected to, could be lost in connection if it was tucked away somewhere.
Mihou’s shadow, for instance, could block the connection.
If Xiaotian did take the staff, the child could have tucked it away in a similar fashion.
Which is probably why Peng found their way upon a simple apartment complex. They had been quiet, a still as any bird perched to find it’s prey. Their heart beat stilled, their breathing almost non existent.
The weathered brick facade bathed in the twilight glow, hiding secrets within. Peng could feel the pulse of Wukong's power echoing faintly through the walls, a siren call guiding them forward, seeming almost to beckon from within.
Peng crept along the cracked pavement, moving slowly, gathering their senses. It was here, inside these aging walls, where secrets thrived in corners and behind doors.
They had intended to investigate every window, every apartment, but was drawn to the roof first. While hidden behind some plants and out of general view, it took only a bit of investigation for Peng to uncover a familiar hover bike.
This was Red Son’s. The Bull Prince was here.
Ready to investigate this further, the roof doors opened, and Peng slipped behind the wall. They had kept quiet as two young men emerged from the stair case, walking side by side.
Red Son, as Pen suspected, and the boy they had all been looking for: Xiaotian. Peng had almost leapt out the moment they saw him, thrilled that their nephew was alive and well.
Yet, they steadied themselves, holding back the reunion to gather some info. From Red Son’s calmer demon and casual attitude, Peng had a feeling Red Son had not recently located Xiaotian.
No, from what they could tell, the two had been meeting up secretly probably for some time. Perhaps since the beginning. Unsurprising.
They were only impressed the boy had managed to fool Wukong and Macaque into thinking he had no idea where their son was.
The two boys stood at the edge of the roof, their silhouettes outlined by the dying sunlight, unaware that they were being watched. Peng held their breath, straining to catch snippets of their conversation—
"—I know you're worried, Red, but I really think MK has what it takes. With the Monkey King's staff and some training, he…He’ll be unstoppable.”
Peng was curious. MK? What luck that they would stumble upon such a conversation, gaining the confirmation they needed that Xiaotian was indeed involved with its disappearance. Yet, who was this MK that they spoke up?
"You have a strange amount of faith in this mortal boy." Red Son shook his head to the Monkey Prince.
"He's not just some mortal," Xiaotian countered, meeting Red Son's gaze levelly. "He’s MK.” Xiaotian seemed to hold this fact in heaven regard.
Whatever Red Son thought in return of this “Mortal boy” he didn’t say, "Very well. I trust your judgment in this...for now." Red Son guided them to his bike to seemingly leave, “Are you really okay with someone else taking it?” Red Son asked, looking at Xiaotian quizzically. “The staff, I mean.” It was Xiaotian’s birthright.
Xiaotian smiled with a confidence Peng hadn’t seen in a time, “I never wanted it in the first place.” he chuckled. “It suits MK much better then me.” There was a lightness about him. Peng wondered if that had always been there, but was positive it wasn’t. For Wukong so convinced that their boy would shatter the moment he even touched the mortal realm, the child seemed to be thriving.
Red Son’s shoulder’s slouched, “If… that is what you believe.” The Bull Prince tossed his leg over his bike.
"Be careful on your way back," Xiaotian cautioned, "The huntsman is aware of our identities now. He might- I dunno… try something.”
Peng twisted their head. A Huntsman? Seemed the two had found some trouble lately. Not unexpected. They craned their neck, struggling to look at them without being spotted, forced to listen more then see.
Red Son snorted, revving the engine. "As if some lowly spider demon concerns me. It is you I should be cautioning." Despite his bravado, there was a tenderness to his voice that gave way, "I'll be cautious. You just focus on training that human of yours properly. Watch your back. I don't understand your connection to this mortal," he admitted. “If you trust him, however, so will I.”
There was a small pause, “I think you two might even become friends if you gave MK a chance.” Xiaotian cooed.
Red Son scoffed, “Unlikely,”
After that, there was another pause, "He has a love for cooking, just like you,"
“One shared hobby would hardly dictate friendship.” Red Son pretended to mull over it. “Still, if you think that’s enough for me to tolerate him…”
Then, there was a cut in the conversation. It made Peng curious enough to risk peeking around the corner. They found they didn’t have to worry about being seen, as these two younglings seemed completely absorbed in the other.
Xiaotian was leaning close to Red Son, while Red Son gently caressed Xiaotian's face with care and attention.
Peng almost choked, eyes double in size and their feather’s puffing slightly. Oh. OH OH!
Azure Lion owed Yellow Tusk and them SO much money!
Xiaotian’s voice was quiet, as if the boy himself didn’t realize how tender he sounded, “But it’s opens the door for you two to get closer.” he says with a secret smile, "You never know what might blossom from the smallest of shared interests~" a tease, so similar to how his own Baba spoke to his mate.
Red Son’s voice was weak, “I don’t see why I would waste my time to get along with him. What is so important about us getting along?”
“You two being friends would make me happy,” Xiaotian admits, a hand to Red Son’s chest. “My two favorite people getting along? Absolutely the best~” a simple but rather effective sentence, as it was clearly sending Red Son apart.
The boy fumbled for a response, the flush of his cheeks so clear, “So I am just a tool for your happiness now?” he quipped, his tone playful but with an undercurrent of genuine curiosity. To be confirmed as the Monkey Prince’s favorite seemed to put the boy on cloud nine.
These disgusting little younglings. Peng could already feel the amount of gold Azure was going to hand them.
“Far more than a tool,” Xiaotian waved him off, adjusting the collar of Red Son’s shirt for him. “If you really don’t want to however, I won’t force you.” The boy knew what he was doing, even if he denied it later- a flirt as bad as his parents.
Red Son clicked his teeth. Just like DKB, the Prince had no sense of denial to the object of his desire, “I will try.” he took Xiaotian’s hand to remove it, probably to stop Xiaotian from feeling his pulse… and also to just hold Xiaotian’s hand one more time, "I'll take my leave before your foolishness becomes contagious," he grumbled, revving the engine once more. With a casual salute, he peeled away into the night sky. Xiaotian waved goodbye to him as he left, lingering on the roof for a time.
Peng was pumping their fist in utter victory, feeling the urge to just strut out now and congratulate their Nephew. It was wonderful.
While they were not one for romantic relationships, the disgusting connection that it was, this was nothing but good news otherswise.
It would bring them and Yellow Tusk a large sum of money with a bet well won, and , the best part, it would PISS OFF WUKONG!! DBK too, of course, but Wukong was the focus here.
Distracted by their own bubbling joy, Peng almost gave themselves away when the door opened a second time. A human boy walked out next, approaching Xiaotian with such casual ease that they must have known each other.
Yet, what Peng noticed most, chilled their joy and made it plummet. In the mortal boy’s hands was a staff- Wukong’s staff. He sauntered around with ease, the staff’s weight no consequence to him.
Peng had only ever seen Wukong, and in rare occasion, Macaque, lift the thing before.
They wanted to throw themselves out into view to demand to understand what was happening, but held back.
“Hey, I thought I might find you up here,” The mortal spoke. They were a bit taller then Xiaotian, with chocolate brown hair and a red head band to sweep back the messy locks. Their eyes a shimmering gold that Peng couldn’t seem to stop looking at.
Xiaotian turned with a bright smile, "Hey. Red Son just took off."
The human boy nodded, then rubbed the back of his head, "I uh… feel kind of guilty involving him in this. Got both of you involved.” he admits.
"Don't be silly," Xiaotian nudged the mortal playfully. "I’m the one who got you involved, not the other way around.” he glanced to the side, “It was my idea to show you the staff after all.”
The mortal cringed, "Yeah, I guess. But still..." He trailed off, watching the city lights dance across the skyline. “So, when do you want to start training me?"
A mischievous grin spread across Xiaotian's face. "What, you mean you don't want to jump right in tonight?" he teased, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "C'mon, let's see those sweet staff skills!"
The mortal laughed, shaking his head, “We haven’t even had dinner~!” he chuckled, stepping back when Xiaotian playfully swung at him. He ducked and spun the staff, catching his foot when he swung it. The two snickered, playfully throwing a few hits here and there.
Peng was speechless. This… This was unfounded? They expected Xiaotian- Xiaotian was the only logical sense, but this boy? Who was this boy?!
“This teacher you told me about really gave you a head start with this whole staff thing,” Xiaotian marveled. The mortal clearly wasn’t used to holding something that wasn’t a light stick, but was quickly adjusting to the difference. The only thing this young human seemed to lack was a… presence?
Peng couldn’t get a read on him. Not his smell, his power, nothing. That alone was odd. What sort of friend had their darling nephew made lately?
The human boy grinned as he twirled the staff around with practiced ease. "Yeah, my Angel really drilled me on a lot of different weapons and martial arts forms." He slid into a low stance, the staff whirling defensively in front of him. "But I've still got a lot to learn when it comes to actual combat."
Xiaotian nodded, eyeing MK's form critically. "Your foundation is solid," he acknowledged. "But channeling your aura and utilizing the staff's full capabilities will take some work." He rolled his shoulders back, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. “Like getting that thing to shrink and grow like you did before. My Dad always loved to use that to catch his enemies off guard.” he put his palm out, quickly pushing it pass MK’s defenses to rest to his chest.
The boy grunted a little, looking down at his palm. Peng watched carefully, noting his jacket, his face… his shoes. Red in color, and just like what Macaque had said Xiaotian was looking for.
Was this boy the one their nephew had been seeking?
Peng turned their eyes from the two, stunned. The boy could wield the staff and it’s abilities? If they really were connected to Xiaotian on some deeper level, that might explain it a little. They didn’t understand what this meant, yet… a strange part of them told them it was important.
Perhaps if Yellow Tusk was here, he could offer a better guess. Peng would have to inform him later to figure it out.
As the two continued to spar on the roof, Peng knelt down slow and careful, making sure not to make a sound. Taking out some paper and a pen from their bag, he had a feeling Wukong wouldn’t be far behind.
So much was going on, and Peng felt that if Wukong intervened now, they might never fully understand. So Peng made a decision.
As Peng wrote, they heard Xiaotian speaking, "We should probably head back inside and let your dads know we're not gonna trash the roof with our epic staff battle."
“Yeahhh,” the mortal laughed. As they began their stroll towards the roof's exit, Xiaotian suddenly clapped the mortal on the shoulder, causing him to stumble a tad. "What?” when he looked back at Xiaotian, had gone still.
Peng too turned their head.
Ah… He was here it seemed.
As they finished their little letter and sealed it into an envelope, he heard Xiaotian’s panicked squeaks, pleading for the mortal to be quiet of his presence. Then, he was ducking into the mortal’s shadow to hide.
And not a second too soon, for the King of the mountain was arriving.
