Lian sealed during Pilgrimage Prego AU
Once again woke up and chose violence again.
SFW, Platonic, Familial, Romance, Character death, Character revival, Angst, Mention of injuries, Mentions of blood, Pregnancy, Mentions of delivery, Stone Monkey reader
LMK
Flower Fruit Mountain was home of the infamous Monkey King and his followers.
His Warrior and his Mediator.
The trio formed before the Monkey King’s reign.
Ever since he and his warrior were saved by a water wielder, the monkey’s were never too far from each other.
What were their names?
The Monkey King, Sun Wukong.
The Six Eared Macaque, Macaque.
The Stone River Monkey, Lian.
There wasn’t a foe that could stand these three in battle nor argument that could be solved.
…Though certain methods could be debated.
Lian has Wukong and Macaque hanging upside down from water vines. Below them was a shallow hot spring. The water monkey was covered in old fruit juices and hair after walking into a trap. A trap she was sure one of her dearest friends played on her. Lian: “I am only going to ask this one time… who’s idea was it?” Macaque and Wukong both pointed at each other. Lian’s eyes narrowed. Lian: “So this is how we are going to play then, huh? Real mature.” Macaque: “Li you know I was practicing for our play today. You know it was Wukong!” Wukong: “Lies! He wasn’t in the hang out spot!” Lian: “And how do you know that?” Wukong: “Because I was there.” Macaque: “Wait—I thought you said you had kingly things to do and that’s why you couldn’t help me with the thing!” Wukong chuckles a bit nervously. Wukong: “Oh? That was today…” Macaque: “Yes!” Lian facepalms. Lian: “You know what, I’m dunking you both.” The monkey’s eyes widened. Macaque: “Wait, wait, wait!” Wukong: “Li don’t! I just got down grooming!” A cough interrupts the trio. General Ma and Ba are standing there with some guilty looking cubs behind. General Ba: “The little ones have something to say.” General Ma gives them a small look before the group of children shuffled over. Turns out those kids were in charge of the prank meant for one of their friends. Lian sighed before smiling softly at the cubs. Lian: “… Its alright kids, but next time you need to be careful.” Wukong: “Really?! You’re going to let them go just like that!” Macaque: “Wukong--” Wukong: “No! I demand equal respect!” Macaque: “Peaches I’m begging you stop talking!” Lian has a knowing smirk on her face before turning to the children. Lian: “You all want to see how the king and warrior take a bath?” Macaque and Wukong: “Wait what!?” Lian drops the water restrains on the two monkeys as they drop into the spring. Its only waist deep for the fellow stone monkey’s sake. The dark and ginger haired monkeys stand up sputtering and coughing some water from their noses. Lian laughs hard at her dear friends before jumping in right along with them. They let out an undignifying squawk as they are submerged again. The water monkey hugs them both as they laugh and pout. Lian gestures to the children and generals. Lian: “The waters great! Join us!” General Ba: “I don’t think so.” General Ma: “Same here.” Wukong: “I’m ordering you as your king.” General Ba and Ma: “No.” Macaque and Wukong give Lian a look. She flicks her hand as the two generals get dragged into the springs as the younger monkey’s play with the water features.
The trio’s dynamic shifted slightly once Wukong began his search for immortalities.
He left Macaque and Lian in charge of the mountain while he was away.
It wasn’t perfectly ran over night, but with the help of the generals and the people’s patience, the pair made it work.
By day, Macaque and Lian worked tirelessly to make sure everything was perfectly attended to.
By night, they would put on shadow/ water plays for everyone to enjoy.
The children loved the little interactions the shadows did and getting to hold water figures for a few seconds before they ‘melted’ in their hands.
The pair weren’t always on the mountain.
Sometimes they even managed to tag along with Wukong or go on their own small adventure.
Soon enough, the Monkey King had finally returned home feeling satisfied for now.
A great feat was made as Macaque and Lian put on their biggest play yet.
The trio is stumbling around in the middle of the night. Macaque and Wukong had tried to do a drinking game with the new wine the king had brought from his travels. Lian had a feeling that she would have to end up caring for them soon and chose not to drink. Smart choice. Lian is hauling the giggling monkeys into a large nest. Lian: “Okay—Wukong stop poking me—let’s get you two into the nest…” Lian heaved as the monkey king suddenly went limp, putting all his weight on her. Lian: “Wukong! Move your furry behind—ACK!” Macaque suddenly fell on top of her. She was now being pinned down by a pair of drunk monkeys. Lian: “Traitors!” Soon enough she was trapped in a cuddle pile. The harder she tried to move the tighter the grip got. Eventually she gave up. Wukong: “Finally—hic—admitted defeat Mangos?” Lian grumbled as she started getting comfy. Macaque pulls her closer to his chest. Macaque: “Warm…and fluffy.” Wukong pouts and tries to drag her closer to him. Wukong: “Quit hogging her, you hogger.” Macaque hissed a bit, snuggling her closer.
Life was good.
Fresh fruit, lovely sun, a thriving community.
Yes, things were looking up for the Monkey King’s kingdom.
That was until the Brotherhood came to their shores.
One minute Lian was planning her next water play for the children, the next she was making sure to pack extra rations for their journey to meet the rest of this so called Brotherhood.
She had no idea what was said for Wukong to even consider attacking Heaven was a good idea, but it was the cause of her being thousands of miles away from home.
Lian, of course, had the option of staying behind to help with the mountain, but she refused.
The two most important beings in her life were about to go fight some of the best soldiers ever lived, they were going to need all the help they could get.
The Brotherhood was a group Lian never thought she would grow attach to.
Yet, each day, some of her new brothers started to worm their way into her heart.
Easily the closest brother was Brother Bull, aka, the Demon Bull King.
He had come around the mountain on a couple of occasions and was respectful as he was strong.
Peng and Yellow Tusk remained on neutral ground for her.
Neither made a lasting impact as Brother Bull had, but they weren’t awful to her either.
Whether that being her role of head cook and head medic had any influence, she didn’t know.
Azure… Azure was a special case.
Lian didn’t hate him.
No, far from it.
He treated her with similar kindness Macaque and Wukong had treated her but was also gentle.
She wouldn’t lie and say he wasn’t good… but he was the one who thought of this ridiculous plan on attacking Heaven.
Macaque and Wukong would start to see their new brothers trying to spend time with Lian.
They weren’t against it.
No, no, no, they were all for her having more friends.
But it also meant having her around less.
It felt off and unnatural.
It was a trio after all.
Lian would often find herself getting ‘monkey napped’ by the dark and ginger furred monkey when brotherly hang outs took too long.
Azure is taking a walk with Lian. They hear a familiar voice in the distance. Wukong: “Lian!” Azure shook his head in disbelief Azure: “Really, already?” Lian just shrugs. Lian: “You know how they are Azure. Well, this was a lovely conversation but—Hey!” Azure snatched her up by her waist. Lian: “Azure—" Azure: “Don’t make a sound.” And he stuffs the monkey in his mane. Wukong comes from the bushes and walks up to the lion. Wukong: “Hey Azure! Have you seen Lian?” Azure: “Maybe check with Peng.” Wukong: “Nah, Macaque is checking with him… maybe Yellow Tusk might know. Thanks Azure!” Wukong leaps off. Azure: “You’re… welcome?” A few more seconds pass before the lion parts some of his mane. Lian’s head pokes out. Lian: “I cannot believe that worked. I swore he was going to use his golden vision.” Azure: “As did I.” The water monkey shifted a bit on his head, getting a bit more comfortable. Lian: “Anyways, why hide me?” Azure chuckles a bit. Azure: “Can’t I have you with me for a little bit longer?” Lian laughs. Lian: “Careful Azure, Macaque might hear you.” Macaque did in fact hear that. And he was not happy.
Lian had listened to Macaque’s worries about the future.
There was no way she wasn’t going to ignore a warning from the future from someone who could literally hear it.
She did her best to help her friend’s voice be heard amongst the playful banter.
The water monkey even used her powers to get Wukong to sit still for a second and hear their grievances.
But he didn’t listen.
Before everyone knew it, the group was marching for the battle of their lives.
And they failed.
Wukong had surrendered himself.
Lian is staring in horror at her best friend kneeling in surrender in front of the Jade Emperor. Lian: “No, no, no, no, NO, NO! WUKONG! WUKONG NO!” The water monkey desperately tried to get past the growing crowd of guards. Her main concern was what the Jade Emperor was going to do to her friend. Lian: “NO STOP! WUKONG! DON’T HURT HIM! DON’T HURT HIM!” She was suddenly yanked back into someone’s chest and started free falling into the darkness. Her eyes opened back up to the night sky on one of the beaches on Flower Fruit Mountain. Tears made her vision blur as she tried to look for anyway back to Heaven. Back to Wukong. A familiar pair of arms pulled her into a tight hug. Lian: “Macaque we need to get to him! We have to! WE NEED TO SAVE SHIHOU!” Macaque looked at her, tears already starting to stream down his face. Macaque: “Don’t you think I want too as well! We can’t!... we can’t Li…” Lian paused before fully breaking down into the darker monkey’s arms. Her arms pulling him impossibly closer to her. Both their fingers dug into their furs. Lian: “Mihou… Mihou… Our Shihou… oh gods what are they going to do to him…” Macaque hugged tighter hearing the next sob. Macaque: “I don’t know Mangos…” Both apes clung to each other, sobbing into the night before trudging their way back to their people.
It was heartbreaking to tell the troop what happened to their king.
But the outrage of the people would be the least of their worries.
A few nights later Heaven sent out an attack.
Led by Erlang, thousands of fire arrows started to descend on the island.
Never had Lian or Macaque moved so quickly in their lives.
Macaque and half of the generals oversaw getting the people to the enchanted waterfall.
Lian and the other generals were on the defense and putting out the fires.
The island would forever remember the ear piercing screech as a large water shield covered the fiery sky and how quickly every single fire had been smothered out at once.
Macaque nearly felt his heart stop when he heard some generals yelling for a medic.
Lian had gone limp the second that the Heavenly troops had pulled out.
The shadow monkey would split his time between helping with recovery and staying by Lian’s side.
The poor water monkey hadn’t reacted to any of the treatment and just laid there still, slow breathing.
Lian would wake up to find Macaque gripping her hand and with tears in his eyes.
The confessions came the following week.
News spread around the community and strangely enough, it boosted morale.
Lian and Macaque were 99% sure that they saw the general’s exchanging bets behind closed doors.
Between navigating a new courtship and trying to help a recovering island it was rare to get much good news.
But when it was presented, it was gladly taken in.
The union of Princess Iron Fan and the Demon Bull King was one of those moments.
Lian was helping PIF with the final touches on her wedding dress. Lian: “You look absolutely radiant sister.” PIF blushed a bit. PIF: “Thank you sister… I just cannot believe this is really happening.” Lian: “I can. Do you know the torture it was to listen to Brother Bull ranting about your beauty and power? It was so sickeningly cute I almost wanted to date him.” Both women laugh at this. PIF: “I heard about your courtship with Macaque. How is my sworn brother treating you?” Lian chuckles lovingly. Lian: “Wonderful doesn’t even cover it Iron Fan. My only regret is not starting this with him sooner.” PIF: “… Any thoughts of children?” Lian blushes profusely. Lian: “We are taking things slow Iron Fan.” PIF: “I didn’t hear a no…” Lian: “… Just small talks. We’ve agreed that the more serious talk about children is for after he properly ‘naps me.” PIF: “I hope it is soon. I want my children to grow alongside yours.” Meanwhile with DBK and Macaque… Macaque: “She is going to break you.” DBK: “I am looking forward to it.” Macaque: “I meant mentally Bull.” DBK: “I know what I said.” Macaque facepalms while feeling some heat in his face. Macaque: “I heard that she wants children with you.” DBK: “And I am prepared to give her as many as she wants. She deserves the best!” Macaque chuckles at this and tries to finish the last bit of polishing on the bulls horns. DBK: “So… you and Lian, huh?” Macaque: “…Yes…” DBK: “About time brother.” Macaque: “What?” DBK: “You two are as oblivious of your love as two blind bats.” Macaque: “Hey!” DBK: “You two look at each other as Wukong looked at peaches… and I am happy for you two.” Macaque smiles at this comment. Macaque: “Thanks.” DBK: “And make sure you give her children around this date. I want my offsprings to grow up with yours.” Macaque: “DBK!”
It wouldn’t be for another century of searching for Wukong before they made a breakthrough.
Finding the exact location where the Monkey King was sealed.
It was heavily guarded and meant for perfect shadow portal conditions.
Wukong and Macaque were about to start fighting as soon as they saw each other.
Lian whacked them both on their heads for even thinking on starting the reunion with a fight.
Yes, she wasn’t happy with this entire situation, but she was not going to start off like that!
The water monkey did her best to clean her king and carefully groom his face.
Macaque helped feeding the king some fresh fruit.
No, the three of them didn’t cry during this.
No one will believe you!
There was a lot of catching up to do anyways.
Wukong’s emotions ranged from fury at the attack on his mountain and Lian’s condition afterwards.
To absolute shock and joy hearing that the two were courting each other.
FINALLY!
They had the same look he had when he saw his favorite peaches.
Wukong: “You two better not have the wedding before I bust out of here.” Lian: “Wasn’t planning on it.” Wukong: “And—wait what?” Macaque smiles softly. Macaque: “We agreed that it wouldn’t be a full wedding if you weren’t there. We would wait for you.” Wukong blinked back some tears. Wukong: “Bud, you know it could take years, right? Centuries even! I was just joking about it!” Lian: “And we aren’t joking with our decision Shihou.” The sound of his old name made him flinch a bit. Lian cupped part of his face while Macaque cupped the other part. Lian: “We’ll be together, but until you aren’t back on Flower Fruit Mountain with a peach in your hand, we are not having that wedding? Got that Peaches?” Wukong can’t help a few tears from falling. Both his friends wipe them. Macaque: “Fur for brains, don’t get too sappy on us now Peaches.” Wukong: “This is nothing—its just eyes in my sand! You saw nothing Plums!” Lian: “Want to try that again Peaches?” Wukong: “I’m not talking to you Mangos!”
They tried to make as many visits as they could.
Some days it would be the pair together, other days at least one of them would be with the chained king.
But it changed after Macaque’s last visit to the cave.
Something happened between the two monkeys.
No matter how much pleading or talking Lian did, Macaque refused to talk about it.
And refused to go back to the cave.
Meaning that Wukong would be alone again.
Lian could only pray that Wukong would be alright for the rest of his sentencing.
It wouldn’t be for another 500 years before Wukong would be free.
He wanted to go back to his mountain but this journey had to be done right away.
It wasn’t until Wukong had been banished for a week from the pilgrimage that he decided to go back home.
He could at least be present for his friend’s wedding… that being if they hadn’t done it already.
Lian and Macaque received a shocking astral projection from their formerly trapped friend in the middle of the night, happily telling them he was on his way back home.
Wukong arrived to a sleep deprived water monkey sobbing into his arms as a shadow monkey smacking the back of his while intertwining their tails.
The wedding preparations were set and ready to go.
It was a familial reception.
Every single monkey on the island was invited as well as PIF and DBK.
The bull smacked Wukong on the head for his ‘cowardly surrender’, but he did find some softness in his eyes.
PIF smacked his head for staying so long and postponing the wedding.
Lian was admiring her dress in the mirror. PIF: “It is almost hard to believe that not too long ago we were in the reverse position.” Lian laughed. Lian: “It’s finally happening Iron Fan… We’re finally doing this.” PIF: “I thought Mihou already—” Lian: “Yes, he already ‘napped me, but we wanted to make this official.” PIF hums as she fixes her sworn sister’s posture. PIF: “You are a woman of power, look the part.” Lian straightened her back a bit. Lian and PIF smile in the mirror. PIF: “He is going to love you for the rest of your life.” Lian lets a single happy tear out, careful to wipe it as not to smear the makeup. Meanwhile with Macaque… DBK was standing on the side as Wukong is doing a last minute facial grooming. Macaque didn’t really need it, but Wukong insisted it was his “Kingly and Best Friend Duties” to do it. Wukong: “I just can’t believe it!” Macaque: “I know.” Wukong: “You’re getting married!” Macaque: “I know.” Wukong: “And its to Lian!” Macaque can’t help but chuckle at the last one. Macaque: “I think I know Wukong.” Wukong: “I think I’m more excited that the two of you.” DBK: “And you would be wrong. I’ve been planning this day since before they were together.” Macaque: “Wait what?” Wukong: “What? No, you didn’t! I’ve been doing it ever since they told me in the mountain!” DBK looks at him smugly. DBK: “I’ve been planning this since our days in the Brotherhood… brothers I see are not here.” Macaque tenses up a bit. Macaque: “We wanted a small ceremony… and not that the others would be invited after the little stunt they pulled…” DBK and Wukong look in confusion. DBK: “What stunt?” Macaque: “…It doesn’t matter now. Let’s just focus on the wedding.” There is a small pause before the subject was dropped. Wukong: “…Hey Mihou.” Macaque had his full attention. Wukong: “… Thanks for waiting for me…” Macaque sighed and smiled softly at him. Macaque: “Like we said, it wouldn’t be the same without you fur for brains.” Wukong: “And you just had to ruin the moment didn’t you!”
The wedding was wonderful.
Lian had the most beautiful dress Macaque had ever seen her wear.
No, he wasn’t crying…
…Okay, he’ll admit the tears this once.
The vows were adorable and loving.
Wukong himself officiated them.
The reception was filled with wine, food and dancing.
By the end of the night Macaque had teleported himself and his new wife to a romantic cave for the rest of the night.
The week was blissful.
Not only were the newlyweds being extra lovey dovey in public, but they also made activities with Wukong.
Something that shocked the king.
Even when it was their time for each other, they still thought about him.
Things almost felt normal with how long the trio spent eating fruit and bathing in the sunlight.
A normal feeling the king craved so much.
That’s why leaving so soon was going to break him a bit.
It was the night before returning to the Pilgrimage when Wukong finally came clean and told the couple the whole truth.
Macaque and Lian were more worried about what Wukong had said about the crown on his head.
And how it was meant for disciplining him.
The couple were hurt and mad at the whole situation.
Lian swallowed her anger and made sure that her king had enough food for his journey, making him promise to be careful.
He never promised that.
Weeks would pass from his departure.
Weeks with Macaque talking about finding ways to get rid of that crown, his biggest idea was around the monk’s death.
The water monkey agreed in finding a way to get the crown off, but killing the monk?
That was something she couldn’t do.
It wasn’t right.
Her words fell on her husband’s deaf ears.
It had been a week since their last conversation about the crown, and a week since Lian had started hating the smell of plums when it happened.
She had gotten up after craving mangos when she spotted her husband sneaking out of the house.
Curious, she trailed behind.
Macaque must have been too into his own head to not hear her following him as he slipped into a shadow portal.
Lian followed after him.
She barely had any time to properly take in her surroundings when she heard the cries for help.
Macaque had attacked the pilgrims and now was fighting a furious Wukong.
The dull glow of the crown gripped her heart.
She needed to stop them right now before anyone else would get hurt.
The water monkey tried using her powers, but something was wrong.
She couldn’t use them properly.
It forced her to grab her own staff and join the fight.
Fighting her husband and best friend was not something she planned or wanted to do in the dead of the night.
It only got worse with the rain that began to come in.
Soon enough the monkey king had kicked her into some bushes.
Macaque was on the ground, struggling to get up from all the mud.
Wukong was in the air and diving in.
His staff was raised above his head… he was coming in too fast…
Lian: “MACAQUE!” Lian raced to her husband who was frozen at the sight of his best friend aiming the staff for his head… for his eye… Lian: “WUKONG STOP!” She was now in front of her husband and raised her staff up and ready to deflect the attack. THWACK! …She was too slow… …The water made the staff slip… Wukong’s face was inches away from her… and his staff buried deep in her chest. The rest of the staff had exited out of her back and had created enough force to send Macaque flying back by a couple of feet. All the monkeys were frozen in place, trying to process what had just happened. Wukong: “Lian…?” Macaque: “LIAN!” The water monkey’s knees buckled as she fell forward. Wukong shrunk the staff and grabbed her. Wukong: “No, no, no, no, why are you—you aren’t supposed to be here!” Macaque was scrambling, slightly slipping on the mud. He went on his knees, providing his wife with a cushion for her head. The shadow monkey gently grabbed her face before turning to Wukong. Macaque: “You know medicine stuff! Fix her!” Wukong: “I’m trying!” Macaque: “Try harder!” Lian looked at her husband and best friend’s panicked state. Lian: “Wu…Shihou…?” Wukong nodded desperately as he continued to put pressure on her wound. Wukong: “I’m right here Mangos. You’re going to be alright! You’ll be okay bud!” Macaque’s tears started mixing with the rain showering them. Lian looked at him. Lian: “Mi… Mihou?” Macaque reached for one of her hands and held it to his cheek. Macaque: “Right here Li… gods why did you follow me!?” Lian: “Mih…Mi…” Lian liked the warmth in her hand… everything was getting colder for some reason. Wukong was starting to panic even more. The blood wasn’t stopping, and her eyes were dropping. Macaque noticed it too. Wukong: “I got this! I’m—I’m the Great Sage! I can save you! I can save you! Just don’t…” The Monkey King’s voice broke. Macaque’s ears flickered. The slow beat of his wife’s heart had stopped… Macaque: “… Lian?” Her body had gone limp and icy cold. Macaque: “Lian? Lian! LIAN! LIAN WAKE UP!” Wukong just looked at his bloodied hands. What had he done… Macaque buried his face into Lian’s neck, holding her tight. Hoping that by some miracle the hug would bring her back to him. Macaque: “DON’T LEAVE ME! DON’T LEAVE LI! YOU CAN’T!... you can’t…” He turned to the silent stone monkey besides him. Macaque: “THIS IS YOUR FAULT! YOU KILLED HER! YOU MURDERED MY WIFE YOU—YOU—" His voice broke as another sob broke free. He just held onto the cold body tighter. Macaque was too tired to react to Wukong hesitantly came closer and hugged them both. His sobs were poorly stifled as apologies poured out like the rain around them. There was nothing they could do. The Stone River Monkey was dead.
Bloodied hands dug the grave.
Trembling arms who lowered her body.
And salty tears that littered the soil after she was properly buried.
Lian had once said during the trio’s younger days that she would hope that the two wouldn’t fight on the day she was buried.
A comment that hadn’t meant anything just a few hours ago…
The King and Warrior would give her that one last wish.
That was the day Wukong last saw Macaque.
The shadow monkey portal straight to the Bull Castle.
He teleported straight inside and called out for his sworn sister.
Iron Fan felt her heart stop seeing her sworn brother hurt, bloodied, sobbing, and no Lian in sight.
The Bull family mourned for the loss of a sister and Red Son’s future Godmother.
Wukong would go to finish his journey and come home to break the news.
That their beloved Mediator had fallen.
The village and the king gave a proper funeral on the island.
For the next few hundred years Wukong and Macaque would try their best to bring Lian back.
Some even going as far as going down to the underworld in order to find her soul.
But there was nothing…
Maybe it was time to let her rest…
…
…
…
…
It would be a few thousand years before Lian would come back to the world of the living.
Her first minutes back were pretty hectic.
Involving a dark, cramped place, a broken vase, and a group of hooded demons promising to hunt her down.
Lian ran for what seemed like hours before she felt like she was safe.
The memories came crashing down on her as she tried to make sense of everything.
The memory of that staff buried inside her was too fresh… too vivid…
It became increasingly obvious that a large amount of time had passed since she... expired.
This modern world around her was so bright, noisy and had too many smells.
Her powers were still acting out, but thankfully she had enough energy to put up a human disguise.
Those demons wouldn’t be able to recognize her now.
Lian slips into a nearby restaurant. It’s quiet there, away from all the loud noises and sounds. Someone coughs behind her. Lian looked behind her and nearly had a heart attack. It was the Pilgrim Pig and the Monk—wait, no—they were dead. So, reincarnation? Pigsy: “Pigsy’s Noodles! What can I getcha?” Lian blinked a bit before looking at the menu and pointing at one of the options. Lian: “Wait, um, do you take silver?” Pigsy: “A bit of an old currency, but I can take it to a shop.” Lian sighed in relief, thank goodness there was some good news. Pigsy nodded and got to work. She sat down at the bar, leaving enough space in between her and the Monk’s reincarnation. Something pulled on her clothing. It was a little boy. MK: “Hiya!” Lian couldn’t help but smile at the boy. Lian: “Hello.” He attempted to crawl on her lap. MK: “I’m MK! What’s your name?” Lian: “I…” Tang: “MK don’t crowd her too much.” He pulled him off her, before smiling apologetically. Lian: “Oh no, he’s fine… you can call me Ms. Li.” MK: “Ms. Li? I like that! I like you! You’re my friend now!” He grabbed a Monkey King sticker and stuck it on her arm. She did her best to swallow the bile in her throat. Lian: “Thank you… my friend.”
It took a couple more visits to the restaurant before Lian would open a bit about her situation.
She ran with the story of some group of people trying to catch her for some reason and how she came to the city to start a new life.
Lian was not expecting Pigsy to offer her a room near MK’s bedroom.
The room was slightly dusty and a bit cramp, but it at least meant safety.
Better than sleeping in the park’s trees.
They were nothing like Flower Fruit Mountains trees.
…
…
… She missed her home dearly.
She missed her husband.
She missed her best friend.
Now everything was gone.
Lian knew the chances of Wukong being alive, being an immortal being and all… but she didn’t want to see him.
Could you blame her?
The water monkey had nightmares of that staff being buried in chest.
And her husband?
Lian didn’t want him to see her in this state, not to mention the sting of betrayal she felt.
He had tried to go behind her back and kill the monk after they had talked about not doing so.
What if he saw her and thought she was an imposter?
Would he…
No, best not to think of that.
Besides, the group of demons were still looking for her.
That needed to be one of her big priorities.
Hopefully the modern world would give her some grace.
It took some time to get used to being around so much technology and ‘normal’ things without giving away too much information.
But she made it work with the help of her new friends.
By the time the first month rolled in, Lian had started to notice her stomach getting a bit bigger.
Maybe she needed to lay off the mangos, noodles and the peach buns?
But something inside her told her it was something else…
Thank goodness modern medicine has come a long way and presented her with a ‘pregnancy test’.
…It was positive…
…
…
She was pregnant.
…
…
…
BUT HOW?!
The only other person she had been with was Macaque and that was before…
What cruel game were the gods playing?!
To be killed by her best friend, be revive in a new world, being targeted and then find out she had been pregnant this entire time!?
Oh gods… she had been pregnant when she got…
…
…
Lian ended up breaking down in front of Pigsy and Tang about her new situation.
She was scared, alone and… and… and wanted her family back…
The tears didn’t stop for a while as the cook and scholar comforted her the best they could.
The water monkey was once again taken aback by Pigsy and Tang’s generosity.
They didn’t care if she was pregnant, they weren’t going to leave her and would help if she needed it.
Lian popped their spines with the strong hug she gave them.
She promised to help around as much as she could as compensation.
Pigsy didn’t mind, but once she was close to her due date, he didn’t want her stressing too much.
Lian: “MK, Mei, there is something you need to know.” MK and Mei look up from their coloring books. MK: “What is it Ms. Li?” Mei: “Do you have any more of those yummy fruit snacks?” Lian passes a couple to the kids. Lian: “Well… do you two remember the pregnant lady in the park?” They nodded. Lian: “That is going to happen to me.” MK and Mei look at her and then her belly. They slowly walk over to it. Mei tapped on it. Mei: “Hey baby! Can you hear me!?” Lian couldn’t help but laugh at the scene. MK just hugged her waist. MK: “I can’t wait to see you on the outside! You’ll be our little brother or sister!” Mei: “Then we can finally have enough people to play with!” MK: “Yeah!” Lian quietly observed MK practically bouncing off the wall with Mei. It reminded her a bit like the young monkey’s back home. …It was too much of a little monkey… She was going to need to look into that. Pigsy and tang slide her some noodles and buns. Lian: “Thank you.” Pigsy: “I can see the kid took it well.” Tang winces at MK bumping into a table and resuming his running. Tang: “You’d think it was his own sibling being born.” Lian: “Guess he feels that way.”
A few more months pass by.
Lian was finally putting her life together.
She was now very well integrated into the friendship group of Pigsy and Tang.
Even getting to know more about their story and MK’s ‘origin’.
Speaking of which, MK and Mei had started viewing her as an Auntie/ Mother figure.
Life wasn’t how it was before, but it was good.
…
…
And of course, the universe had other ideas.
Lian was shopping in the market when she felt her water break.
Oh uh…
She was going to have her baby here!?
NO!
Not here!
Maybe at a hospital—wait she couldn’t go there either!
She may still look human but there was no way humans knew how monkey’s, especially stone monkey’s anatomy!
The contractions were starting to kick in.
There was ONE place she could think of that would guarantee her safety and secrecy from the celestial monkeys and those demons hunting her down…
Lian stumbles into the old temple, glamour down, crying in pain as the contractions start increasing. She could only hope that HE would forgive her for this sudden entrance. Pink flames suddenly flare up in the empty torches as a young man in golden and pink armor appears. Nezha: “Who dares enters in this part of my—Lian?!” Lian gave him a pained smile as sweat rolled off her cheek. Lian: “Hey Nez!” Nezha: “Wait—but you’re supposed to be—are you—” Her breath hitched. The young god came a bit closer to her side. Lian: “Nezha I’m about to have my kids and I would REALLY appreciate it if you stood guard.” Nezha: “But why did you come here!? There are mortal hospitals for a reason.” Lian: “SOMEONE IS TRYING TO HUNT ME DOWN NEZ!” Lian fell on all fours. The young god immediately by her side getting some pillows and spare blanket. Lian: “Nezha please… Its not safe for me… for us…” Nezha: “What about Wukong?” Lian winced. Lian: “Please don’t tell him. Or MacAAARRGGHH!” Nezha: “Okay! Okay!”
Lian owed the young god so much for what she was putting him through.
Finally, luck shined on her with a safe delivery.
A pair of twins.
Beautiful cubs.
The perfect mix of her and her husband.
She would need to put good glamour seals on them soon.
Nezha was quiet while Lian explained what had happened since her ‘revival’.
He promised to keep her secret.
You could say it was settling a score.
The water monkey stayed in the temple for a couple of days, just enough for her to be able to walk properly again.
It certainly helped that her powers were back.
The young god would receive 3 crates of fruits on the day she left the temple.
He had a feeling he would be seeing her soon.
Lian was bombarded by a worried Pigsy and Tang all while trying to soothe a crying MK and Mei.
Thankfully the twins brighten their spirits.
Pigsy was concerned for Lian’s health and nearly having a heart attack after she admitted not having eaten a full hot meal since leaving.
The woman was put on bed rest with her twins sleeping in a makeshift crib.
MK and Mei snuck into the room to snuggle and watch movies.
Years would pass after that day.
Lian would start working part time as Pigsy’s sue chef while doing plays on the side.
The water ‘special effects’ were always a crowd pleaser.
Saving enough money to move into a proper apartment not too far from her first home.
MK nearly cried when he heard she was moving but brighten up seeing that it was close by.
The twins were placed with stronger glamour seals with each year that passed.
Lian loved them to death.
Now here she was, years into a nice stable life, her children growing happily without the fear of some demon coming after them, MK and Mei just becoming adults, extending her hobbies out into the city.
Yes, life was good.
Pigsy: “What do you mean you’re not going to go?!” Tang: “Pigsy’s right Li! This loto vacation doesn’t come to everyone. You should go.” Lian: “But it’s for one adult. And I’ve already talked with the guys on the phone, and they won’t take the kids.” MK jumps out of his seat. One of the twins was getting a piggyback ride. Mei was holding the other twin upside down. MK: “How about we watch them instead!” Mei: “Yeah! C’mon Auntie! You need this or you’ll turn grey before the twins graduate from school.” Lian looked down at her 10-year-olds. Lian: “What do you think--” Twins: “SLEEPOVER AT MK’S!” Lian blinked before laughing at her children’s enthusiasm. They always loved any excuse to stay with their “Big Brother” or “Big Sister”. Lian: “Only if its okay with Uncle Pigsy and Uncle Tang.” The twins didn’t even need to do the puppy dog eyes to get those two to agree. Uncle Pigsy and Uncle Tang were cool in their book. Lian: “I guess we better start packing then?” The twins screamed in delight. Lian smiled at the scene before her pseudo ‘son’ side hugged her. MK: “It’s a month long vacation Ms. Li! I say you earned it!” Lian: “It’s a month long, that’s the problem.” Mei: “Why don’t you go on a digital cleanse too? That way you’ll really be relaxed!” Lian sighed. Lian: “Maybe.” Pigsy: “Just listen to what the kids say this once Li.” Tang: “Besides, what’s the worst that can happen?”
