Snippets from my 420 pages graphic novel "Avant Garde" about how I relate my love life with the concept of avant-garde music while juxtaposing Malaysia's culture of food and history of entertainment, with my travels abroad.
The day was plain, Macaque leaped from roof to roof. It’s been two days since fought with Monkey King and was defeated by Monkie Kid. Furious, he tries to figure out another way to defeat Monkey King. Staying in the dojo wasn’t much help so he decided to get some fresh air.
“Come on, think! What type of weapon is out there that could kill that immortal bastard” - the thought to himself. That’s when he spots Mk running down the streets.
“Now what do we have here.” - he grins, getting a better look at Monkey King’s successor. Mk stops for while, catching his breath.
“*huffing and puffing* C-Can’t be late … gotta get … the package” - Mk says to himself before running off again.
Macaque decides to follow him, waiting to know why he’s in such a hurry. After a while, Mk stops and enters Outdoor Market Place. Macaque stops and makes his way down an alley. It seems like Mk is looking for someone. He sees an opening to attack Mk without anyone knowing.
‘Your mine now’ - he says to himself, preparing to attack.
He gets startled as someone calls out to Mk. Mk turns, smiles, and runs towards the person who called him. Macaque gets irritated. Who dares interrupt him?!
He peeks at the corner and sees … someone … beautiful. Macaque sees the most beautiful human being he’s ever seen. A man with glasses, a red/white coat, and a scarf.
“There you are, Mk! Where have you been?” - the scholar says.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Tang. Pigsy gave me more orders to deliver.” - Mk replies with a weak smile.
“Pigsy, Pigsy. He’s giving you way too much work.” He replies, shaking his head in disappointment. Tang pats Mk’s head.
“I’ll talk to him later about your work. He shouldn’t give you so much work. It’s not healthy for a growing boy.”
“You know I’m 22 right? I’m not a kid anymore”. Mk replies, fixing his hair.
“I know but, you’re my kid.” Tang chuckles and wraps his arm around Mk.
Mk and Tang laugh it off, not knowing the shadow monkey observing them
Macaque’s heart can’t stop beating. He looks at Tang, he looks at his body, up and down. It’s perfect, his body is perfect. His skin… it’s smooth and soft. His eyes are beautiful. So is his smile.
“Well, we better go get Pigsy’s delivery. It’s getting late and the market is starting to close. Let’s not keep Pigsy waiting.” Tang says leading the way.
“Yes, sir.” - Mk replies, following not far behind.
Macaque follows them around the market. After a while, he winds up following them back to Pigsy’s. He sees the pig waiting outside, hands crossed and with a frown. Tang and Mk arrive with the package.
“What took you two so long? Do you know what time it is? I’m about to close the store!” - Pigsy scowls.
“Sorry about that, boss. With all the extra deliveries, I arrived at the market late.” - Mk apologies.
Pigsy gives a heavy hump. Tang looks at Pigsy with a glare.
“Pigsy, you can't be angry with Mk, he works extra hard and is the Monkie Kid, fighting DBK and hanging out with Mei and Sandy. Give the kid a break.” Tang says with a sad expression. Mk joins in, making puppy eyes.
“Ya, like a day off?”
“Don’t push it, young man, now go set the package on the counter.” - Pigsy snaps back.
“Ugh, fine.” - Mk makes his way into the shop with a frown.
“Don’t drop it, or you’re fired!” Pigsy yells out.
“You know you can’t fire your only employee, Pigsy.” - Tang replies with a smirk.
Pigsy sighs. “Must you always be a smartass?”
Tang lightly chuckled. His voice made Macaque’s body numb, he felt a sudden heat run through his body.
‘What … am I feeling?’ He thought to himself. He snaps back when he hears Pigsy yelling at Tang!
Macaque could feel something boiling inside of him. Suddenly Pigsy hits Tang on his head, making the scholar fall back.
“You should think twice before saying anything smart, you freeloader!” - Pigsy shouts.
“Ow, that hurt!”
The boiling turns into a flame as Macaque is triggered by this. The Lamppost nearby light suddenly went dark by Macaque’s sudden anger. It startles Pigsy and Tang, Macaque quickly hides in the shadows, not being seen.
“What was that?” - Tang said, concerned.
“Not sure. The bulb must have popped.” - Pigsy replies, reaching a hand out to tang, helping him up. In a single pull, Tang gets up.
“Wow Pigsy, have you been working out? You seem to have gotten stronger, you could almost lift me with one hand.” - Tang smiles on. Pigsy’s face turns red by the sudden compliment and prays he gets from Tang. Macaque notices this and gets even angrier, making him kick a garbage can. Pigsy and Tang suddenly turn in the direction where it came from.
“You head inside, I’m gonna go check it ok?” - Pigsy says patting Tang on his shoulder.
“ Ok, be careful.” - Tang says, heading inside.
Pigsy grabs his broom and heads towards the alley. Macaque quickly hides in the shadows.
“Who’s there? Come on out!” - Pigsy demands.
That’s when a raccoon pops out, startling Pigsy. He shoos it off and it runs off. Pigsy turns back heading inside the shop. From inside, Macaque can hear Tang asking what happened. Pigsy tells him that it was just a raccoon. Macaque makes his way out of the alley but runs back in when he sees a green motorcycle park. A girl gets off and runs off, calling out to MK.
“Mk! There you are! I thought you said we were going to meet at the arcade?!” Mei yells, angry from waiting for an hour.
“Sorry about that, Mei. Had a couple more orders plus had to get a delivery for Pigsy.” - Keeping his head down in shame.
“*sighs* I guess I could let this slide.” Mei looks at Pigsy, “You shouldn’t give so much work to Mk. He works so hard, fighting DBK clones plus training with Monkey King.” Tang gives Pigsy a smirk. “Told you so.” Pigsy opens his mouth but closes it knowing he isn’t winning this argument. Everyone starts bursting into laughter. Macaque focuses on Tang’s voice. Hearing him laugh, warms his heart, it makes him smile. He wants to feel this feeling forever, and more. He wanted to do things, he never imaged he would do. But how could he get close to him when his enemy is near him at all times? Unless … he isn’t his enemy. Not anymore.
“Hey Mk, can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Whatever happened to that weird purple thing that attacked a few days ago?”
“Oh-oh that, um … well uh … Me and Monkey King took care of it. Don’t worry about it. W-why do you ask?”
“Oh no reason, it just, don’t get me wrong but that thing kinda looked like him?”
“W-What no it doesn’t look like him at him at all.”
“He’s right, it looks more like me. ” - a sudden voice enters the conversation. Standing in the door was Macaque, hands on his hips and a smirk on his face.
Everyone but Mk has confused looks. This guy looks like Monkey King but is very different from him, besides appearance. Macaque looks at Tang and gives a small wave. Mk quickly takes out his staff and stands in front of his friends.
“What are you doing here?!” - Mk yells at him.
“Wow, easy there kid. I just wanted to stop by and say hello to my favorite student.” -Macaque replies with a grin on his face.
“I’m not your student, not get out of here before I knock that smudge clean off your face.” - Mk threatens back. Pigsy can see the look on Mk’’s face, anger, and fear.
“How did you know I was here?” - Mk demands.
“I saw you at the market,” Macaque leans over, looking directly at Tang. “With your cute friend back there.”
Tang feels uncomfortable by the sudden flirting the demon is giving him. Without a second thought, Pigsy stands next to Mk, ready to fight. Mei joins in.
“Leave this place Macaque or else.”
“Ya! Leave you Monkey King Imposter!”
“Easy there. At least here me out-”
“I don’t need to hear anything from you. You just can’t come in and threaten my friend like that.”
“Threaten? Now, why would I threaten a cutie like him.” Macaque winks at Tang, angering Pigsy.
“Get out of my shop, Now!”
“Mk!” A sudden shout comes from behind Macaque. Wukong walks in, looking at the ground, not noticing Macaque.
“You left your-” he sees Macaque. “Jacket…” There was a long silence between them.
“Monkey King! Nice to see you again, ‘bud’. ” - Macaque chuckles. Wukong drops Mk’s jacket and launches himself at Macaque, violently pinning him by the throat on the wall.
“How dare you come back! You didn’t get the memo, to leave us alone.” Wukong takes the staff from Mk.
“Looks like I’ll have to get rid of you myself.”
Tang, not far from the demon monkeys sees what is about to happen. Not a fan of violence plus not wanting Pigsy ‘s shop to end up destroyed, he speaks out.
“Wait!” - Tang yells out, making Wukong and Macaque turn and look at him.
“I’m not sure what exactly happened between you three but clearly violence doesn’t solve anything. If we want him to leave, we should at least hear him out, despite his” Tang gives Macaque a worried glare “odd approach towards us.”
Macaque smiles.
“See, he gets it.” Macaque turns into a shadow, freeing him from Wukong’s grasp. He makes his way to Tang, appearing behind him.
“Tang!” - Pigsy yells out.
“Cutie here knows how to treat an alley.” Macaque places his hands on his shoulders leaning his head on Tang’s shoulders. Wukong quickly grabs Tang, yanking him away from Macaque. Tang gets behind Wukong.
“Keep your filthy hands away from him!”
Macaque snarls at Wukong for taking his price away from him.
Mei interrupts “What do you mean by alley?”
“Ya, spill.”
Macaque looks at Tang, stops, and takes a quick breath. “Ahem, as I was saying.” He looks at Wukong.
Quick peek at #sexuallytransmitteddemon inks from last night #livestream ! Sorry if I didn’t respond but could t get the other phone to sync and watch so just drew away. Hope to hang this out into a zine soon for people to read since right now is just a shit time to pitch comics. This will be in color so I have a bit to go. #makecomics #inks #inkpages #comics #comicspitch (at Miami, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_3WL6XBGDA/?igshid=8qsk47gpl4lq
