The Handsome Monkey King @xxsun-kingxx - Tumblr Blog

Important Announcement!

OUT OF CHARACTER-

Heyyyy it's Luna/Lune here! The Mod/Mun of this blog! As I'm sure you've all noticed that things have been at a stop here.

Well it's because I, the Mod/Mun of this blog need to do a lot of edits to continue the current arc! Sooooooooo me and the Mod/Mun of @xxsun-kingxx were talking about a side arc, which will feature an alternative universe to this one!

This side arc is for fun and won't affect the main canon of the blog. This arc is just for me and Apollo/Peanut to have things to do while I edit Bai He Emoticons and other emoticons for the upcoming arc in the main canon! So stay tuned for the alternate universe arc~

OoC:

THAT'S RIGHT MY SUBJECTS WE'RE DOIN' STUFF AGAIN

LEGO!

Love, Apollo 💫

You know when you say he's relieved to see you it makes me think of something. I think Mac's fear is more about the pain of dying and then his subsequent time in the Diyu. If he wakes up and sees you and it gives him peace of mind knowing he's not left you and that he's not dead and that he's not in the Diyu anymore- well it's like you're his ever bright reminder he's alive. And I find that beautiful.

..you know what, bud, I think I really needed to hear that today.

Thanks.

I'll do my best to keep being that reminder. If I get my way, he'll never be in pain again.

Unrealistic, I know. But at least I can make sure I'm not the one causing that pain. And I can make sure I'm the one to kiss every wound better afterwards.

When you find LBD's Right Hand Man and Peng I hope the two of you make them suffer. How DARE they take Bai He! What do they even want with her? She's just a baby!

I know exactly what they want with her.

Macaque says it's impossible. He won't even consider the possibility, and he gave me such a look when I suggested it.

I understand why. The idea that she could come back, after all we did to erase her from existence, is pretty harrowing.

But even if it's impossible, even if it'll fail, that's not going to stop them from trying.

I just wish I knew why the Spider Princess and Peng are going along with it. Hell, I wish I knew how Spider Queen is back!

Are they really willing to destroy the realms, just to get revenge on me?

...

...Don't answer that. I know the answer.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say you have nightmares of Macaque's death a lot. And you probably have nightmares about losing MK to the Pillar and losing Bai He to the Lady Bone Demon, huh?

Ha...

You hit the nail on the head, kiddo.

Of course I do. Every time I close my eyes, it's a new nightmare. A new way for my Troop to suffer, and a new reason for it to be my fault.

The thing is - when you live as long as I have, you realise that nightmares are usually the least of your problems.

Reality has always managed to be worse than what my screwed up head can come up with.

The sleeping spell makes them worse. I can't move, I can't escape them, I'm trapped until Macaque decides I've had enough sleep.

But it's better than the alternative.

Anything is better than the alternative.

So Wukong, if LBD somehow came back and made Bai He her host again, would you be forced to end your daughter's life, to destroy LBD?

What if MK or Macaque become her Host?

Would you destroy them instead?

Or would you find another way this time?

Is LBD the enemy that you hate the most? >:)

I...

Fuck.

Fuck, I remember that stupid ask. And my stupid answer.

*Wukong groans, leaning back against the wall and squeezing his eyes shut.*

You don't tell a soul this, you understand? Not a soul.

If, in some crazy alternate reality, Bai He became the Bone Demon's Host again. If there was absolutely nothing we could do. If every option had been exhausted.

Then yeah. I'd do it.

Macaque and MK have a much better shot of freeing themselves from her grip on their own, given enough time. There are more options there.

But a life trapped as her Host is no life at all. I couldn't condemn my girl to that fate. Even if it would destroy me.

The enemy I hated most used to be the Jade Emperor. But now? Yeah. It's her.

So you do care?... Thank you.. for keeping me (us) Save. Smiles Weakly

-Vee

Of course I care, kiddo.

I care a whole lot. Enough that I grabbed a nice Successor just to make sure you were all taken care of!

See, aren't I lovely? You're welcome. I accept praise and gifts from my Shame Temple.

Do you think Macaque ever has nightmares about his death that he doesn't tell you about?

No, I don't.

I used to think he did! But I'm awake most of the time, so I know when he's having a bad dream. Even if I am asleep, he'll tell me when he wakes up. That's how we work through it.

I'm the one that hides my nightmares.

Cold to the Core Arc: Continuation, because Tumblr hates me and our long ass replies.

( @xxmoon-warriorxx here u go bbby)

*Wukong's mind was blank and buzzing all at once, his eyes glowing bright. His claws were longer, his fur was singed, his huffing growls sounded more like a wild animal than a great King.*

*He didn't see Macaque's panic, or his attempts to soothe him. And he didn't see the flash of pure, guilty fear written on MK's face.*

Baba-

*Wukong's tail smashed against the ground again, dangerously close to his son. Mei was the one to pull MK away from the new pile of rubble. And still, Wukong didn't see.*

*Then, loud and frightened enough to cut through the buzz-*

Tianchan Shihou- STOP!

*There was movement. A force slamming into his front. A familiar smell burning his nose. A tail, curling around his own with remarkable gentleness. As if Wukong hadn't just created several holes in the ground from angry lashing alone. As if Wukong was something precious, something to be held. As if he was anything but the monster he wanted to be in that moment.*

*Someone was calling for him.*

*His mate was calling for him.*

*His wonderful, beautiful mate, was holding him tight and begging him to stop, to think, to calm down. To stay.*

*Wukong's response was slow. So slow, it almost seemed like he hadn't heard Yuelei at all. But his tail tightened around Yuelei's. His arms wrapped around him. He lowered his head slowly, carefully, nuzzling into Yuelei's hair and taking a deep breath of that calming scent.*

*The crimson shine bled out of his eyes as reason and remorse took its place, leaving a terrified family and a missing daughter.*

She's gone.

She's gone, Yuelei, and they took her. I promised her that I'd.. I promised that she would be safe. I swore that the suffering was over.

I lied to her.

I lied to my baby, Yuelei, and now she's alone and hurt and I don't know how to find her. And MK-

*Wukong pulled himself out of Yuelei's fur to look down at his eldest son, and the terrible state he was in.*

Baba? You're back?

*Crack. Snap. Crumble. Wukong's lungs tightened and his heart jumped into his throat as he knelt down in front of MK, pressing a shaky kiss to his forehead.*

I'm back, kiddo. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Either of you.

I just don't know what to do.

**Yuelei felt his rising tide of emotions come crashing down when Wukong finally came to his senses, a deep and shaky sigh left the shadowmancer's lungs. He scrubbed furiously at his face with his hands and then knelt down next to Wukong and MK, he placed a hand on Wukong's shoulder and gently squeezed it reassuringly.**

W-We weren't scared of you or anything, Sun. You know we aren't scared of you, right? We... were... scared for you. You don't need to rush off all alone anymore, we're here for you. We'll help you find her, together.

Y-Yeah we... we were scared seeing you like that.

**MK manages to sit up and he somehow moves his arms up enough that he can clumsily give Wukong a gentle hug.**

Y-You're not alone anymore, you don't need to go running off trying to solve everything on your own- you know that, right? W-We're here together as a family and we'll get Bai He back, Baba.

You don't have to shoulder this all alone. I'm sure she doesn't blame you at all, you'll see. We'll find out where they took her and then we'll come up with a plan and get her back and she'll greet you with a smile and big hug and say:

'I knew it! I knew you would come get me, Baba and everyone! You saved me!'

So don't worry. She loves you Baba, she won't blame you for this at all.

If anyone's to blame for this it... it isn't any of us. It's the Lady Bone Demon's right hand and Peng. They're the ones that did this. And I know I'm a hypocrite because I feel guilty for failing her, but it... it isn't my fault either. I know that, but I know if I feel guilty, then you must be too- but it... it isn't our fault. They're the ones that took Bai He. They're the ones to blame. We couldn't have known that they were coming.

Right! It's those JERKS that took her that are to blame! Oh, when I get my dragon claws on them, they'll wish they never crawled back out of the holes they crawled out of! How DARE they go after her again! After all she went through!

**There was a low groan off to the side, and finally after all this time, Red Son had finally shaken off his stupor and slowly pushed himself to his knees.**

Those... those ABSOLUTE PEASANTS!

If they THINK they can just WALTZ into the Bull King Fortress like this and attack us and basically steal a part of our FAMILY then they've got ANOTHER thing coming!

**MK turned to face Red Son**

AWEEEEE! Red Soonnn you consider us familyyy! That's so precious!

I- well I just...

T-Technically it's not my choice that you are! Monkey King and the Six-Eared Macaque are sworn brothers of my father and my mother is the sworn sister of the Six-Eared Macaque! S-So it's not like I-I want to be family o-or anything! I was cursed to be born into it! Also Bai He is the only one tolerable out of you monkey brains, s-so there! I like her best! What of it!?

Dawww Red Son lovesss ussssss!

H-Hardly! I just... have a soft spot for Bai He! Now if you'll EXCUSE me, I have to free mother and father! Why don't you banana brains all think of a way to find her while I do that!

Liar liar pants on fire Red Boi~

**Yuelei's ears flicker as he tries to listen in on where LBD'S right hand, Peng and Bai He could be, but it's difficult with everyone speaking.**

Hate to break up the family reunion but if I could get some QUIET over here it would be appreciated. I need to concentrate. I couldn't hear them coming before, but nothing escapes my hearing for long. I just need some time. I'll figure out where they've slunk off to.

I'll find out where they've taken her and we'll get her back. And after we get her back- we won't let either the Lady Bone Demon's right-hand man or Peng get away again. I'll personally put them in the grave myself.

Mind your arms, kiddo, you'll hurt yourself again. I've only just popped them back in.

*Wukong focused on caring for his son over actually listening to what they were saying, letting the familiar squabble wash over him in a comforting wave.*

*But, tucked behind him where only Macaque could see, the end of his tail continued to flick back and forth like a hissing python. His temper bubbled barely beneath the surface, centuries of boiling hot rage ready to explode again at the slightest provocation.*

*He decided his anger would be better spent yelling at Demon Bull King, instead, once the husband and wife were freed. A good brawl would help quell his impulses before the final fight, especially if he could direct it towards the Trusted Brother that was supposed to protect his little girl.*

I've got this, Red Son.

*Wukong turned to Macaque, kissing one of his velvety ears. It was chaste, more of an apology than anything else.*

One more loud noise, my love. I need to free those two.

*He reached out for MK again next, cupping his cheek. Then he pulled the staff back out from where it was hidden behind MK's ear. It looked scuffed and was cold to the touch - MK must have used it in the fight, then hidden it away to stop the lackeys from trying to take it like the first time. Not as though they could lift it, but Wukong understood the fear.*

*He stood, the staff growing out to its normal size. Then he turned, aimed, and sent it flying like the universe's most deadly javelin.*

*It cracked into the mountain of ice holding the Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan. For a moment, it seemed as though it wouldn't work.*

*Then the crack spread, splintering and shattering a large chunk of the ice. It was enough to free their torsos and heads, but their arms and legs were still trapped in place.*

There. You've got the rest, Red. I just need to hear whenever excuses my Big Brother was going to come up with.

Cold to the Core Arc: Continuation, because Tumblr hates me and our long ass replies.

( @xxmoon-warriorxx here u go bbby)

*Wukong's mind was blank and buzzing all at once, his eyes glowing bright. His claws were longer, his fur was singed, his huffing growls sounded more like a wild animal than a great King.*

*He didn't see Macaque's panic, or his attempts to soothe him. And he didn't see the flash of pure, guilty fear written on MK's face.*

Baba-

*Wukong's tail smashed against the ground again, dangerously close to his son. Mei was the one to pull MK away from the new pile of rubble. And still, Wukong didn't see.*

*Then, loud and frightened enough to cut through the buzz-*

Tianchan Shihou- STOP!

*There was movement. A force slamming into his front. A familiar smell burning his nose. A tail, curling around his own with remarkable gentleness. As if Wukong hadn't just created several holes in the ground from angry lashing alone. As if Wukong was something precious, something to be held. As if he was anything but the monster he wanted to be in that moment.*

*Someone was calling for him.*

*His mate was calling for him.*

*His wonderful, beautiful mate, was holding him tight and begging him to stop, to think, to calm down. To stay.*

*Wukong's response was slow. So slow, it almost seemed like he hadn't heard Yuelei at all. But his tail tightened around Yuelei's. His arms wrapped around him. He lowered his head slowly, carefully, nuzzling into Yuelei's hair and taking a deep breath of that calming scent.*

*The crimson shine bled out of his eyes as reason and remorse took its place, leaving a terrified family and a missing daughter.*

She's gone.

She's gone, Yuelei, and they took her. I promised her that I'd.. I promised that she would be safe. I swore that the suffering was over.

I lied to her.

I lied to my baby, Yuelei, and now she's alone and hurt and I don't know how to find her. And MK-

*Wukong pulled himself out of Yuelei's fur to look down at his eldest son, and the terrible state he was in.*

Baba? You're back?

*Crack. Snap. Crumble. Wukong's lungs tightened and his heart jumped into his throat as he knelt down in front of MK, pressing a shaky kiss to his forehead.*

I'm back, kiddo. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Either of you.

I just don't know what to do.

Cold To The Core Arc Part 4

**Several hours later, after Wukong and Yuelei had their heart to heart under the Peach Tree, and they took some time to swing by Sandy's place for a small session of therapy, they wave goodbye to him and start making their way back to the docks.

Despite having a decent therapy session, Yuelei's senses were electrified, and a swell of anxiety started building up inside of him near the end of the session.

It was strange, something was off, it was eerie, the world around him was quiet... far too quiet. And something deep inside of his soul whispered, the tone sinister and haunting. Almost like a siren's song.**

**The Snow-White Warrior's tail began to flick back and forth, slow at first like a pendulum but then the pace went wrong, it picked up and became fast, far too fast and he stared at the surface of the sea.

His ears were flooded with the swirl of the waves, but also latched onto something else that lingered with its echo. It sounded like... screams, but they were faint, far off, distorted, as if being dragged down into the depths of the ocean and drowned.

Something was wrong, there was a chill in the air surrounding him, which should not be. For he is pressed up to the warmest being in all the realm. Sun Wukong, his beloved flame. So bright and beautiful and burning, and warm, so wonderfully, wonderfully warm. He shouldn't be cold and yet he was.**

**He doesn't understand what could possibly be amiss... until it dawns on him the dark and twisted truth... he hasn't heard from Xiaotian or Bai He all day. No calls, no astral projections... nothing. As Wukong's Nimbus materialized before them, Yuelei finally felt his frozen body unthaw and he turns towards Wukong, his expression dark with trepidation.**

Wukong...

**His six ears flutter like the fragile wingbeats of butterflies, as he tries to track down any trace of MK or Bai He, but there's nothing, only a still and cold silence that sense shivers straight down the shadow's spine in their wake.**

P-Peach...

**the shivers spread through him and he grabs Wukong's hand and squeezes it tight.**

Something is... something is wrong. I...I haven't heard from Xiaotian or Bai He all day. They haven't called, texted or astral projected to me, to update me about when they'd come back from their sleepover of the Bull King's fortress from last night. I don't hear them... they're not back at Flower Fruit Mountain. I would have heard them arrive there... they should have been home by now.

@xxsun-kingxx

*Wukong was oblivious to the changes in the air, hands tucked behind his head as his hummed and his tail squished, holding a half eaten bag of peach chips. He was always one of two extremes after a therapy session, especially tough ones. Miserable and sinking back into his familiar depressive state, or happy as a clam and hopeful for the day ahead.*

We should probably start cleaning up when we get back, Bai He left all her homework on the table and I forgot to tell her to clean up before she left. If she grumps at me about moving her stuff again, then that can be a lesson!

Seriously, those two are so messy... Do you think they get that from me? Do you think I'm messy?

*Wukong is still idly chatting as he summons his cloud, patting it fondly before turning to Macaque to help him up.*

Your chariot, my... Love?

*Macaque's expression sends chills running down his spine, the peach chips slipping free from his tail and falling into the water.*

Hey, hey... It's okay. It's okay.

*He squeezes their hands, pulling Macaque forwards and pressing a kiss to his forehead. He looked much more worried about his mate than he was their children.*

Moonlight, the kids are fine. You know what? They're probably having so much fun that they forgot to tell us when they're coming home. Or they think if they keep quiet, we'll forget and they can stay another night.

MK's always playing games like that, and I bet he's roped Bai He into it as well.

*Wukong's smile drops when he sees that he hasn't comforted Macaque at all. He sighs, bumping their noses together.*

It was a matter of time before they started trying to find ways to escape your hearing, my love. Come on. Let's swing by the Fortress and pick them up personally.

Then you can scold them all the way home for making us worry.

**Yuelei doesn't look at all convinced, his lips pulled into a taut frown, his eyebrows furrowing. He isn't able to look Wukong in the eyes for a beat or two. His ears flutter again, as if he's trying to pinpoint the kids, and his frown only deepens when he doesn't hear anything.**

**His tail curls around his waist in an attempt at self soothing, but it doesn't quite work. There's this chill, he can feel it, and it's settling down into his skin and seeping into his bones, it's bitter. He knows... he knows this feeling from somewhere.**

**He's felt it before... but where? When? He doesn't know. He tries not to focus in on it, instead he stares deeply and intently into Wukong's golden gaze, they're like two bright and beautiful miniature suns. The familiar warmth he always saw chased away some of the chill. It gives him the faintest and fleeting sensation of solace, and he nods.**

Y-Yeah, you're probably right. I... I've just been on edge lately.

**He decides to bury the feelings and banish them, it would do him no favors to become frantic, he knows panicking never helped any situation. The kids were fine... probably. He regains some sense of control over his emotions, and he tries for a small smile. It's a tentative and fragile thing, it is a mix of calm but also unease, conflicting.**

**He nuzzles his nose against Wukong's, returning the nose bump, an almost inaudible purr pulsating through his vocals. Another attempt to self sooth, no doubt. He allows himself to be pulled up onto the Nimbus cloud and he settles down next to Wukong. He leans up against him and loops his arms around him and holds on, readying himself for the ride to the Fortress.**

Let's go pick up our Kids and get home so I can curl up in the nest. I probably just need some sleep.

It's been such a long day, I'm not surprised you're exhausted.

But the kids are fine, my love.

*Wukong waited for Macaque to settle down on the Nimbus, stroking his thigh in patient motions.*

Hey, the worst thing that'll happen is I'll have to explain to Iron Fan that we can't stay for dinner. But you're tired, I'm tired, and Bai He is not using this sleepover as an excuse to forget her homework.

*Wukong didn't actually understand the importance of homework, or what homework was at all. All of his time with a Master (or teacher, apparently, Bai He's school had teachers instead of Masters) had been a full time gig. There wasn't any homework, because there wasn't any going home.

He'd happily take homework over sending his little girl away to learn instead.*

Demon Bull King Fortress, here we come!

*The Nimbus zipped into the sky, breezing past mountains and the beautiful ocean beneath them. If it was moving a little faster than usual, then Wukong didn't mention it.*

*He was the first one off the cloud when it finally set down in front of the fortress, and his carefree smile turned cautious.*

*The Bull Clones normally stationed at the gate were gone.*

*Wukong held his hand out to help Macaque off the cloud, his eyes narrowing and shining with Gold Vision.*

Stay quiet, move slowly.

You can't hear the kids?

**Yuelei tenses up the second that the touched down and noticed the Bull Clones were not at the Gate, it was... not comforting to say the least. Also, he didn't say anything, but the closer they got the colder Yuelei felt, as if ice flowed through his very blood.**

**Swallowing down a lump of nerves, the Six-Eared Macaque perks his ears and listens intently. At first there's only a suffocating silence, save for the bubbling and boiling of the lava and flickering crackles of flames that surrounded the Fortress.**

**Somewhere deep down a new emotion surged through Yuelei and the warrior's starlight white fur bristles and stands on end. It's rooted deeply in his core, a sense of unseen danger.

It's silent, too silent, even for such a forsaken land. Without even thinking Yuelei presses himself closer to Wukong, allowing the King to shield him.

He shivers, and he lowers his voice down into to a wary whisper, it is shaking slightly with stress and unease:**

No... I there's nothing no Xiaotian or Bai He. I don't even hear Mei, Red Son, or my Sister Iron Fan or our Brother the Bull King. This is... something is going on, or something happened. Iron Fan would have contacted me if they went on an outing.

**Then suddenly, Yuelei stiffens up, his body going as rigid as a stone, as his ears flutter and that's when he hears it, the faintest of noises.

It's like the clinking of chains and the raw, and ragged whimpers of someone trying to scream, but their voice was so frayed all they could do was let out nearly inaudible calls of distress... it sounded monkey-like...like...**

**He turns to Wukong, a flash of worry washes over his face, his entire body becomes tense. He reaches up and grabs hold of Wukong's wrist and holds it tightly to ground himself.**

X-Xiaotian... I heard... I heard him. I think he's in danger, he was crying, trying to scream and it sounded like he was struggling against something?

**As much as he wants to rush straight into the Fortress it would be a fool hardy idea, they had no idea what laid in wait inside, for all they know there could be a powerful demon lurking inside.

And if it was enough to cause Xiaotian to struggle and scream, then whatever or whoever it was had to be powerful. They had to proceed with caution.**

I didn't... I didn't hear anyone else, but he might be in a fight with someone. I can't tell; all I can hear is him.

*Wukong's face was dark, his jaw set and his tail lashing behind him like a whip. He kept his mate tucked safely behind him.*

Stay out here.

I know - I know you don't want to, don't give me that face. But if someone is in there, and they're strong enough to hurt MK, then we stand a better chance if they don't know we're both here. And you're a much better spy than me.

Stay. Use your shadows to watch. That's an order from your King, love.

*Wukong pressed a cold, chaste kiss to Macaque's cheek before letting go of his hands. He transformed into a dragonfly with a swirl of golden power, zipping into the Fortress and buzzing deeper inside.

Empty hallways. Empty rooms. When he peeked into the dining hall, he could still see the plates and leftover food from breakfast.

But the tiny, muffled sounds of struggle were getting stronger. Strong enough for Wukong to hear it too.

He found them in the library. Massive standing bookcases had been toppled over, coated in spiderwebs. The floor was chilled with black ice. It looked like a battle had been had - and lost.

DBK and Princess Iron Fan were trapped together, completely covered in ice. It was a testament to their immortality that they hadn't suffocated.

Red Son was in a separate corner, half covered in webs and half pinned by a bookshelf. He was unconscious, covered in small cuts.

Bai He was nowhere to be seen, and Wukong's Gold Vision couldn't find her either.

And MK.

His baby, his son, his successor.

Trussed up in the middle of the room by glowing ice chains, arms over his head and legs splayed wide. His body was wrapped in chains to keep him in place. He looked like a bug caught in a web, hiccuping and gasping between breaths.

There was blood dripping down his arms. His shoulders were definitely dislocated from the struggle, and he looked like he'd been trying to free himself for hours to no avail.

When Wukong transformed back into himself, MK barely had the strength to lift his head. His bandana had fallen to the floor. His eyes were bloodshot, with a black eye swelling more by the minute.*

Baba? B-Baba-!

*Wukong moved faster than he had ever moved before.

Within seconds, MK was supported by clouds, taking the weight off his poor shoulders and damaged wrists.*

I'm here. I'm here, baby, it's me, Baba's here. You're okay now.

*Wukong reached up, gripped the chains, and shredded them into pieces. MK practically fell into his arms like a broken puppet. But that broken puppet was already squirming to try and get free, looking around with pure frantic panic.*

Did you get Bai He? Did you find her?! You have to find her, they- she-

*Wukong just shushed him, his expression unreadable as he guided MK down to the ground. His son was in hysterics already, and Wukong had to hold him down to keep him in place.*

Yuelei, in here! Library!

*Wukong didn't have to look around to know when Macaque had arrived, more focused on checking MK for any life threatening injuries.*

Bai He is gone. Check the rest of the Fortress for her.

Xiaotian...

**His eyes widened, and his voice dipped down low, his tone tinged with terror, he hadn't seen their kid this beaten down in a while. The Warrior had arrived through a shadowy corner in the library the moment Wukong called out to him. He had reluctantly waited outside as Wukong searched through the Fortress, he had heard the moment Wukong discovered MK.

Yet he waited until his King commanded him forward. As soon as his eyes landed on MK's battered and bruised body, he felt a violent surge of sorrow, but he also felt the rise of raging storm thunder through his shadows. His entire body felt like a steaming geyser about to erupt.

As soon as Wukong mentioned Bai He being missing though, he decided to leave Wukong to care for MK. He would be safe with Wukong, for now Yuelei had to find Bai He.**

**A protective growl rumbled through him, he had recognized the chains and ice as he let his gaze trace over the tattered ruins of the Library before he turned to leave. It wasn't HERS, but it was HIS. The Lady Bone Demon's right hand, her little lackey. MK and Mei called him by Not Mayor. Did HE have his Little Lily?

If he did, then he was going to tear him limb from limb once he found the bastard. The simian of shadows reluctantly ripped himself away from Wukong and MK's side, he slipped down into his shadows and sailed through them, checking each and every last nook and cranny of the Fortress.**

**His shadows also swirled around him, he sent them outwards and they slithered forward on ahead of him from room to room, searching and seeking for any sign of their daughter, but try as his shadows might they came up empty.

Still, Yuelei seeped into every room to check, in case his shadows had simply missed something, anything to give the Warrior a clue to the whereabouts of their baby, their Bai He.**

Bai He! Bai He, where are you? Come on, answer me!

**The longer he looked, the more he gave up any semblance of stealth, and instead he started calling out to Bai He, his shadows lifting up furniture, slipping into every little corner, and breaking open every doorway into every single room.

The Fortress was vast, but slowly and surely the Warrior's shadows were running out of place to check. Each empty room that he and his shadows stalked through was another room that he and his shadows left turned upside down. Another room that they left behind without any hints of where Bai He might be.**

B-Bai He?! Kiddo, please! Where are you?

**Silence echoed, so loud.... there was no answer.

The longer his search stretched on, the more he feared the worst. Where had that BASTARD taken HIS baby? Where was the Lady's lackey? Yuelei's mind flooded with a flurry of images, each one more frightening than the last.

Images of Bai He being hurt, being tortured, her curled up in a corner and crying at the Not Mayor towered over her, with a sinister smirk across his face.

He could imagine the man's hand reaching out and scooping Bai He up by her tiny little throat. Then without mercy he would squeeze it- harsh and hard, suffocating the life out of her.**

**Suddenly he heard a noise, the faintest of groans. His entire body was taken over by chills, and his breath caught in his throat.**

Bai He? Bai He?! Lily?!

**He rushed towards the noise, only to come to a complete stop when he found not Bai He, but instead he found-**

**Mei, halfway embedded in ice and chains, shivering. She groans softly, as she starts to stir. Around her is a pile of ruined furniture and debris. Besides her is a dragon-shaped hole in the wall, and there's ice, and broken chains, tattered spider webs and some golden feathers scattered about the threshold of it.**

**She finally comes to consciousness; she winces and then sees Macaque standing before her**

Mr. Macaron I... I'm...

T-The Not Mayor guy, and P-Peng and those creepy bone-spirit versions of the Spider Queen and her hench spiders took Bai He! I-I tried to follow them but I... I couldn't I-

Don't... don't apologize. I-It's not your fault. Let's get you out of there, kid. **Without another word, Yuelei used his shadows to splinter apart the ice, bones and chains, freeing Mei. He helps her to her feet and shadows pool underneath them**

Hold on tight dragon girl, we have to get back to Wukong and Xiaotian, free my sister, Bull King and Red Son and figure out where that bone bastard and shitbird took MY BABY and once I get my hands on them...

They're DEAD.

**Yuelei's shadows swallow them up and the arrive back in the library, popping right back up next to Wukong and MK.**

**As soon as they arrive Mei stumbles out of Macaque's hold and crumbles to her knees in front of MK**

MK I... I'm sorry they... they got away. I... I couldn't... I'm sorry!

I-I couldn't stop them! I-I tried b-but they took her! They got her. T-They were way s-stronger this time than before. I... I'm sorry-

**The Dragon stifles a sob and leans over to help Wukong with MK, who seems half delirious with pain.**

**He is shaking and crying and trying to get free, but he's far too exhausted to do much of anything else. All the young stone monkey can do is cry, and repeat over and over**

I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Baba! I'm sorry Mama! T-They t-took Bai He. They took her. I-I couldn't. W-We were all sleeping w-when they came and-

**Yuelei kneels down besides Wukong, MK and Mei. He reaches out and gently brushes his hand through MK's frazzled bangs.**

It's not your fault, Kiddo. We'll find her. We'll find her and get her back.

**Yuelei's voice is quiet, there's the faintest flutter of warmth in it, an uncurrent mean to carry comfort but it's also glacial. It's a winter's gale, ice-cold, filled with contempt and malice reserved for the ones that took his and Wukong's Lil Lily.

His body is ravaged with tremors and his breaths come out shaky, and uneven, heavy with hate. He turns his attention to Wukong and the Warrior's whisper is dark with dread and distress as he tells Wukong what Mei told him:**

Wukong... they... the Lady Bone Demon's right-hand man, those bone-spirit versions of the Spider Queen and her Hench spiders, and Peng... they... they took Bai He.

*Wukong didn't watch the shadows leaving the room, he didn't have to. The trust between them may be shaky as lovers in their weakest moments, but the Warrior and the King never fell out of sync. Even as enemies, they stepped together.*

*Right now, his priority was his son.*

I've got you, kid, I'm here. Mama and Baba are here. You know what I have to do, right?

*MK didn't look happy at the suggestion. As a matter of fact, he looked sick, flinching back when Wukong reached for him. Wukong felt his stone heart crack a little bit more.*

I have to. Deep breath.

W-Wait, Baba, wait-!

*Wukong did not wait. He gripped and yanked, forcefully popping each shoulder back into their sockets. MK's shriek of pain vibrated through the library. But even that was muted, weak from a full day of struggling and misery. Wukong's face very carefully did not betray how he was feeling.*

Good job. So good, sweetheart, that's my kid.

*He tucked MK close against himself, tail twitching when Macaque reappeared with Mei in tow.*

*No Bai He.*

*Wukong watched Mei rush to her friend, kneeling down next to them and leaning into MK as the duo dissolved into fresh sobs.*

Wait - hold on, you two. You were sleeping. This happened this morning? You've been...

*They'd been tied up and suffering for hours. The attack had happened hours ago. And neither Macaque or Wukong had realised it until Macaque thought to check.*

*Wukong was already feeling sick when Macaque whispered in his ear, his jaw clenching so tight his teeth felt like they might shatter.*

Bai He is gone. Yeah, I figured.

*When Wukong got to his feet, his expression was dark. For a moment, no one quite knew how he was going to react next.*

*He turned, and grabbed the massive bookshelf on top of Red Son. The furniture was sent flying across the room books and all, slamming into the wall and smashing straight through to spill into the hallway.*

Fuck!

*Wukong howled with pure rage, his glamour practically exploding off him and revealing blood red eyes. When his tail lashed, it hit the ground so hard that the floor cracked and splintered as easily as pushing a knife through butter.*

I'm going to find her!

*Wukong turned on his heel, hand raised to summon his Nimbus and go flying.... Somewhere. He wasn't sure yet. Wherever he was most likely to find Bai He.*