Chapter Text
Macaque wiped the last tear from his cheek, standing up and looking into the waterfall he gaze upon for centuries. Wishing and wondering what would make things easier. For his people, for his king.
Never for him. Never his life.
In nearly three and a half thousand years, he had never been selfish. Not once.
He always acted in the shadows, helping those he held dear until he reached empty. Acting as if it was his only purpose. Receiving harsh words and relentlessly insults from those around him. And still, he gave everything.
No. No, he wouldn’t keep being the perfect doll he was used as. He was done being a blank face or a myth. He was the sized eared macaque, the great sage of wind and storm.
And when this was all over. He would no longer be the foolish warrior of Flower Fruit mountain.
“Liu Ér…” His general spoke up, watching the whole thing from the edge of the spring. Macaque didn’t look back, and didn't need to see the pity on their face. It had been weeks since his magic started depleting, being consumed by the parasite in his body. He almost choked on a laugh at the irony. Even a thousand miles away, Wukong was still taking from him.
“What is it general Beng?” He asked softly, softer than he thought he could be right now. His sharp edges fraying and rubbing against the inside of his skin, trying to break free and consume him.
“The king is-“
“The king is dead.” His cold words filled the air, the sky turning colorful in the oncoming darkness that would soon overheat them. He glanced at the old monkey so he could understand his eyes, know the real meaning in his harsh words. “In everything but life, he is dead. We don’t have a king anymore.”
Beng was quiet, slowly nodding at their warrior. The secret queen of Flower Fruit mountain held more power than others granted him. And the monkeys had seen him as an equal ruler of their home and kingdom, without issue. The only real reason Wukong stood as their king was because of the ancient prophecy and because he fought for their safety. He was a good king.
He WAS a good king.
But since claiming immortality, he had changed. So subtly and so slowly, the monkeys paid no mind to it. Macaque had tried to ignore it.
But it was long past time to move on. It had been over 600 years since he had gone under that mountain, and though the little ones hadn’t had a chance to see him themselves, they always saw how Macaque was after visiting.
Broken. He refused to eat most days, and consumed himself in his work. The monkeys weren’t certain he even slept when they were not around to force him. It hurt to see their Queen like that, and it only got worse the longer time passed. Eventually their Warrior couldn’t do much of anything involving Sun Wukong, couldn’t even bring himself to visit anymore.
They tried everything, but nothing could console their beloved Queen.
The only one to save them when Erlang Shang attacked, the vicious dogs hunting them and ruining their beautiful island. Macaque saved them, as many as he could, and hid them away until the last of heaven had forgotten them.
When they heard Sun Wukong had been freed, everyone rejoiced. They thought that of course their beloved king would return, right? He would be able to console their queen and bring their lives back to normal!
They had truly wanted their peace back. Something Sun Wukong had promised would never be taken from them.
But they never blamed their king. The bad people in heaven were to blame, and he was always being good to them. They could wait, wait for him to come home.
And then he did.
He finally came back, years after being freed. Told them about a journey he had been on, vaguely speaking about scrolls. They didn’t argue when he said he wanted to throw a party, even Macaque seemed wary of denying him.
So they feasted, used their best fruits from the season and stashed wine that somehow survived, just to welcome their king back home. It had been a long while since they even dared to hope, but they had been given it one last time and they grasped it with both paws.
Wukong wasn’t the same. Many wondered if what had happened had been too strenuous and he wouldn’t be able to move past it like they had. They felt sad for their king’s struggle, but would do their best to help him too. Things would be better soon.
They just had to keep hope.
And then that hope finally shattered. Into millions and millions of sharp pieces. Because their king once again had left them. Gone back to those that leashed him like a dog, and didn’t care for the lives of his people.
It was finally what destroyed their queen. That last betrayal was so much more painful, but he had the choice.
He could have stayed with them. He was not asked to go back. He could have lived the rest of his life with them. But he chose those strangers lives over their own.
Macaque didn’t leave the palace, he didn’t ask for fruits, and refused to let them see him. They knew in their hearts that he was dying. Inside and out, he was losing himself in grief for a person not yet succumbed to death.
They grieved too.
How could they not? They were slowly losing all will to fight against the harshness of each day. The magic of their king dampened and they could almost certainly lose it all if it wasn’t for Macaque keeping the magic alive.
It was all he did anymore.
And then one last straw was placed on the hump of the overwhelmed camel. One last question and fact that left the palace in despair.
Why was there another soul appearing on the mountain? Not only the mountain, but the palace.
A would that pulsed with golden magic much like their lost king. And one that could very well be ruined from the harsh life they would lead.
Maybe he wasn’t being selfish now. Wasn’t doing something for himself.
But this was the last thing he would put his faith in. The last being he would love unconditionally and support through life.
For his child, he would create a better foundation.
And for his child, he would come into the light of dawn.
The sun set, and Macaque looked out on his island. Keeping track of every soul under his care, his ears twitching this way and that. He placed a calm hand on his stomach and let out a deep sigh.
“The king of Flower Fruit mountain is dead to his kingdom.” He finalized, steadily going over and plucking a ripe peach from his once beloved tree. “But its queen will make sure the little one will have a fit home to come out to. They will be loved more than any child ever has been. I won't let their blood determine their life, nor will their father be the reason they suffer. This will be the child of Liu Ér Mìhoú. NOT Sun Wukong.”
He looked sadly back at the old friend.
“That is my wish.” Beng nodded, walking towards Macaque with a gentle hand reaching out. He took Macaques own in his small paws, and rubbed his forehead on their palm.
“Then we will do as you wish, your majesty.”
~*~
Macaque quickly got to work, getting the island back to its former glory. The residents were so eager to finally have their queen back to his strong self, forcing himself to eat as much as the monkeys gave, and to fall asleep at night with the rest of the mountain. He had a lot to do, but he knew he needed to get his energy back.
He wouldn’t be able to do everything while he was weak like this. He needed to keep the baby healthy too.
He sent a letter to the last person he thought he would, but the only person who might be able to help him, and understand.
His last family, even by such stupid standards as magic, and the only other person that hates Wukong almost as much as him, and is sane enough to work with. Teishan Gongzhu, a mother and princess.
He also sent a letter to the other demon lords, the kings that had been ignored either because of their new power, or forgotten strength. It didn’t matter, it only mattered what he could use to rebuild his mountain.
With the last sent, he rummaged through the treasury. Something he rarely did, but he had too many things to prepare to care about stupid sentiments. Wukong was dead to him, so he reaped the rewards of what he suffered.
Taking a few cursed items, ones he found useful, and then those he found useless, he quickly found what he needed.
Cloth that Wukong had always shucked away, uncaring about such things. He was always fine with whatever when it came to clothes, rarely even changing them. If he was gonna gain a strong hand in this fight, he needed to change that reputation.
Precious gems and treasure that had mostly been paper weights in the past few centuries, those that could be sold, and those than needed to be used for their true worth.
Artifacts that had used even Wukong would find use in, something he hadn’t dared to before, but things changed.
He summoned a portal, taking a deep breath and falling into the regal smile he rarely used, only when he performed.
This was nothing but another performance. He could put on a good show, just for his baby.
~*~
“This stupid little-“ the spider queen growled, ripping up the fabric in her hands, the woman around her stayed still, bowing their heads and glancing amongst themselves. Their queen had a temper, but had never gone so far as to rip her own creations.
“Trouble with your art, Lady Shùzhī?” A deep melodic voice murmured around them. The woman gasped, all trying to find where that voice had come from, but none could pinpoint the location themselves. The queen just scoffed, glaring at nothing in particular with so much bite it seemed like she was ready to pop.
“Who goes there?! Why do you say that name??” She spits out, her many legs readying her for a strike. A chuckle resounded and in the darkest corner of the cave the shadows sunk deeper, glowing purple and slowly revealing a young looking monkey demon. Tall, more human like.
“Was it a secret? I mean not to offend you, my lady. I just wanted to offer my condolences for your role as Queen of the spinal. So very sad…” he hummed, not going into the light, reveling in the darkness a little more. The other lady’s seemed scared by the new presence, but the former Queen just growled.
“I am a QUEEN. I don’t need those fools.”
“Hm, yet that’s not what history will say, is it?” She didn’t reply, looking away and getting the urge to rip up another poorly made dress. It was her passion, yes. But she wanted more than just a small part in her family. “Of course, if you want to consume yourself in those fantasies, I won’t stop you. But I thought you might like what I have to say first.”
“…and what do you have to say to me…?” It was obvious she was at her wits end, the facade cracking slightly at her desperation. Macaque smiled.
“I wanted to show you how you could become your former self, once again a queen of your clan.” He revealed his face, stepping out and looking the pitiful woman in the eyes. She shrunk back at the moment, the sight making her legs shake, though she would never admit that. He looked… so much like Sun Wukong. But the difference was clear, distinct in everything he was.
He had jet black fur, his eyes a vibrant lavender, while his ears…
His ears glowed like magic flower petals in the dark.
All six of them.
“Would you like to hear my offer? Or stand in the dark for the rest of your miserable life.”
She did so hate the darkness.
~*~
Macaque had secrets. It’s not exactly a surprise, everyone keeps secrets. And when you live as long as Macaque, you just… don’t bring up things you want to forget.
Like his past as a concubine.
Really, it wasn’t a great experience. And he didn’t like reliving it. But he did learn valuable information from his time in court, mostly about court dynamics.
There were always favorites, those that held the gavel in each social gathering and led the pace for discussion.
That was gonna be their target. Right now Shùzhī needed backing, she fell from grace and is now considered the outsider in her clan. Going from Queen to ruined princess makes it hard to gain favor. Her family wants to forget about her, and she loathes them for that.
So he’s going to make sure they can’t.
There is always a banquet of some kind, demons like those, and family automatically has to be invited. Most of the time it’s expected that the unwanted family doesn’t attend, and if she had it her way, Lady Shùzhī would probably just sulk in her room for the entirety of the night.
So Macaque gave her very strict instructions.
Make the most beautiful Hanfu, something that would make a statement. They needed to know she was there, and she would not go back into the darkness.
Then she needed to be the last person to enter the room. This was reserved for the highest status people attending, so it would tell them that she was still the queen. That was the most important.
The spider clan took only three things seriously. Their food, their battles…
And their clothes.
Nothing mattered more than what they wore. It was the reason Macaque was doing this in the first place. He needed to make a statement as well, but he couldn’t do that with his current position. Flowerfruit mountain was seen as a savage land, without any real people. It’s why the kingdom is looked down on. People don’t see their beauty, their freedom is seen as savagery.
They needed to change, to create a foundation that made them recognizable. And what’s better to change a kingdom than a makeover?
Macaque had one thing that helped him, gave him a hand in this fight.
And it was his ears.
He could hear their past, their present and most of all the future of the Spider clan. He knew that they would soon fall from grace, most would die in grueling battles that they could not hope to win.
At least, that was one outcome.
Their pride makes them foolish. And many would suffer from lack of motivation to improve.
It wasn’t Macaques problem if they lived. Actually, many might die just from him helping them survive.
But if he kept a force like them close, he can help keep their targets his own. They won’t stop from being the innate power house that they are, if they survive their downfall they will be one of the most powerful armies in the known realm.
But they had little motivation to reach out to others, seeking only their own company lest whoever falls prey to their schemes is interesting enough to keep around for a while.
They do like playing with their food.
He would stop their massacre, put lady Shùzhī back on the throne, and use their power and influence to keep his own rule stronger.
He needed a backing, and without known connections flowerfruit mountain was at risk to be attacked again. People hesitate when they understand the consequences. And the spider clan was unpredictable.
For anyone but Macaque.
—
This wasn’t the only time he did this.
He started losing count of the people he was changing the course of life. Creating paths and tearing down competitions. He was a shadow in the darkness, using these people like pawns. Gaining trust and respect, along with endless enemies.
It was all a gamble, a sacrifice.
It would pay off.
He knew it would.
***
“Flower ears!” Ma called out, using the sweet pet name she always did. Panicking as she found Macaque limping towards the peak of the mountain, trying to reach his nest. “You- you-“
“They’re coming. Ma, g-get-“ he couldn’t finish his sentence before his legs gave out and he fell. He didn’t reach the ground before he felt strong arms around his back and legs. Lifting him up, a familiar sent making his instincts relax.
“I’ve got you, pretty monkey.” Bo, the baboon that vowed loyalty so easily. A heart that needed a home, he was offered a home by Macaque, in exchange for his strength when needed. He had found his home, and his queen was every generous. “I will take you to your nest. Please don’t worry, you have a long way ahead of you.”
Macaque nodded and let Bo take him, many of the monkeys were racing along, the females getting supplies to help, while the males did what they were told that would help their queen.
When he got to the palace, he could feel another contraction coming, screaming out as the pain was getting worse. He gripped Bo’s hand tightly, making the strong demon monkey wince. Ma cooed reassuringly in his ears, petting his fur gently. The other woman did anything they could to help with the pain, but there was only so much they could do.
Then Menshang rushed in, frantic as well, he went to Macaque's side as well, seeing how hurt his queen was he also did what he could to help.
He used a magic seal, one meant to help ice demonesses when giving birth, and to release the aches in some areas. He was only taught it to help his superiors. Demonesses didn’t see him as equal, he was to be used for what he was worth. This was expected for him to learn.
But this wasn’t just an expectation. It was a desire to relieve the pain of his savior in any way he could. Doing as much as he could, he also try’s to soothe the child, concentrating to keep them both calm.
“It will be a little longer, patience.” He says to Macaque softly, only receiving an angry laugh in response. He smiled sympathetically. “What do you want? What will help?”
“I… w-we don’t have time, the armies are coming. They- they know…” he tries to explain to his right hand, Mensheng froze. Realizing what he was saying.
“How far out?” He asks quietly, needing to know how long they had. Macaque’s glowing ears shifted, all taking on different directions as he listened for them all.
“Less than a day's trip. They will be here within the day, and there are thousands of them. Of all realms, they will not stop.” He tells them all urgently, and everyone goes silent. The reality dawned on them.
Bo was the only one that seemed unfazed. He squeezed Macaque's hand tightly. “I will do anything to protect you all. I will gladly die.”
Macaque shakes his head, glaring at Bo like he was saying something truly angering.
“No. No, you will survive. That is a direct order.” He grits out, looking directly at Bo with absolutely genuine fury. “It takes a strong man to die in battle. But a stronger man will live to see the people he’s protected. You are a strong demon,” he squeezed back, eyes hardening. “Be STRONGER.”
Bo nodded, getting teary. The rest assure him in their own ways, but Menshang is just staring.
They had bad odds right now. It’s no secret Macaque is the strongest person on this mountain. They didn’t hold a candle to him, no one did. Except maybe those as strong as the Monkey king.
They wouldn’t be able to win this fight for him.
But they could do their best to hold them off.
—
Macaque screeches as the contractions continue, Ma and the elder females of the troupe stay behind to help him through this. Telling him exactly what was going to happen, and getting him mentally and physically prepared.
This would go on for hours, and he would be unable to do anything to help his mountain. Not while the last of his magic was being used to birth one of the strongest beings to ever exist.
He had to trust his people to take care of the rest for now.
Menshang was at the head, keeping the bigger threats at bay for now. After Guanyin and even the Buddah himself blessed them to peace, most of the higher beings were unable to go against their will. But smaller ones had less faith, and would do whatever they could to stop this birth.
Bo was a strong demon, living as a rarely found innocence. He was a warrior with values, and had seemed a place to call home for a very long time. This was his home now, and he would all but give his life for it and its inhabitants. If it wasn’t for the words of their queen.
Menshang has done many cruel things, and made so many bad decisions. But he doesn’t think he’ll ever regret following his dear shadow here, becoming a general of flowerfruit mountain.
Years ago he would have never thought it was possible, would have laughed at the very absurdity. But after meeting Macaque, and hearing his words, Mensheng would follow him to hell and back. Never leaving his side if he could help it.
He knows Macaque will never love him, or even give him anything more than his trust… but in a way, he would have always been okay with that. He will support him like this, as much as possible.
He just wants to be better for him.
The monkeys fought in the only way they could, against beings like this. They used the mountain, the terrain and magic still left inside it. Casting a seal to keep the lesser demons out, making it harder for them to go any further than the base of the mountain.
The different allies also found a way in, from the spider clan to the demon bull clan, they held the army’s at bay, never letting them push too hard on the barrier, but saving their strength for when the shadow is finally fit to fight.
If they had been informed prior, demon bull king and princess iron can would have also come to fight. But with the princess due so soon, they hadn’t even talked with their allies. The bulls only being sent because of the urgent message and the generals making a decision based off what they had been commanded.
The spiders were having the time of their lives. Lady Shùzhī was cackling as she slaughtered the most low life demons of her people, her crown making a sharp tangle of spider legs on her head, only making her more terrifying.
Everyone was doing their part, it was just a matter of time before Macaque would be able to join the fray.
—
“GAH!!” He was getting dizzy from it all, the seals starting to wear off entirely, and nothing but a damp cloth to keep his mind clear. The bed under him was breaking from the sheer power he was releasing, and he could only hear white noise as he became consumed by it all. His shadows wanted desperately to help him, swirling and moving like they would jump out at any moment. But with his mind still conscious, they had no choice but to stay in the dark and watch their master suffer.
Ma had shouted something to him, he had to assume she was telling him to push. Keep pushing, and don’t stop.
It took so long, he doesn’t really think he could handle knowing how long, but finally, they were born. One last effort to help, he gave the last of his magic to them, everything he had, so they could be as healthy as possible.
Then he passed out.
***
Macaque awoke with a pulsing headache, the air fighting to return to his lungs as he shakes in his nest.
A small weight is left on his side, a bundle of blankets wrapped in a way that kept them tight to him at all times. There was darkness, but that darkness almost felt like a breath of fresh air after a lifetime of isolation. He gulped down the feeling greedily, not a single thing could have happened that would change how he consumed the shadows. That was the way of the beasts, they were all one and would continue to be forever and always.
They fed, they ate, they helped, they harmed. And they were his. The only thing he would never have to fight.
With his strength returning he started to sit up, the pain almost unbearable, but not enough to keep him from reaching for his hope. Pulling away the small fabric to show a sleeping face of an angel. Snoring softly and drooling. Just like their father it seemed, Macaque chuckled.
Kissing their small forehead he unraveled his ears to listen. Hearing a riot outside his nest, loud shouts and enraged curses being directed towards him. He huffed, the fuss no doubt starting to disturb his little one. He didn’t know if they had his ears yet, but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious…
He placed a small charm over them, enough to keep them in a peaceful little bubble. Smiling when they shifted in his hold, he held them so close, a desperate and happy strength. But he had to finish this.
He used the wrapping left by his side, his monkeys knew him so well, but he knew it must be Ma that had done this. He wrapped them to his chest tight, keeping them secure and obscure. His magic was returning in folds, both consuming him and feeding him, bringing his strength he hadn’t felt in a long time.
He dragged a finger over their forehead, brushing it lightly down their head to their nose and booping it softly, they hiccuped and a small bubble of gold aura escaped their little mouth. Macaque giggled and kissed their cheek, taking the bubble and consuming that too. His eyes glowed a celestial gold, and his body felt stronger, healed. It wouldn’t be forever, but it would be enough for him.
He was good at performing after all.
He summoned his shadows, mentally searching for his babies. Smokey was still in hiding, not coming out just as he had ordered him, the other little shadows couldn’t come out without him, so they were helplessly watching the intruders.
Ma and the others were doing the best they could, keeping the intruders at bay from shallow threats and loud hisses. But the crowd was restless, they wanted him. They wanted him dead.
So it seemed many did.
So he gave them what they wanted. Arising from the shadows he stood on a tall rock, gazing out towards the demons and other beings alike, all here to see him dead. Many from the clans he had destroyed, many that feared the birth of the next monkey. If they left this place, it would only be after his child’s death, or his own.
They would not be leaving this ground.
With one final breath he released the barriers that kept the shadows and the realm separated, calling on every breathing monster hidden in the darkest corners and forgotten places. They rose to the ground, all with a single thought in mind.
‘No one can leave our master's sight alive.’
There was chaos, he portaled the monkeys back home, not wanting them to see this. Even the most skilled fighters could not hurt these beasts, because they could not be harmed. They had to flesh, that had no pain.
They were made from the magic of the strongest shadow weaver to ever live, and were powered by the birth of a celestial primate. Those with the magic of gods could not kill them.
So this was not a fight, or a game. It wasn’t a war or battle of demons.
This was a bloody massacre in the name of his baby.
As he watched every demon fall, one by one being torn apart or eaten alive, blood only fueling his shadows. He remembered his family, the people he’s left behind in the name of survival. The ones that had only ever wished for his life and happiness. They had a tradition, one that happened when a new person or child was taken into the clan. Whether from adoption or birth, they celebrated the joyous occasion by performing in their honor.
When there was another child adopted into the clan, it was a play about how they had come to find them, about their pain and sorrows. Meant to show that they would never be forgotten as long as this family lived on.
But when someone was born, something that happened so rarely, and was as such a high risk to both the parents and child, there was something entirely different about the moment. A pregnancy was a miracle that no one would wish upon another in the clan, but would always welcome them as family. So dangerous but so rewarding, it was special.
So they chose to dance.
A dance of the shadows, and about the ‘white flower bloomed from darkness’. Even though it was rare, it was taught to everyone.
He took a breath in, holding it as he raised his arms and took the position. A rhythm in his mind helping him remember the steps, softly humming the music and letting his shadows follow along, echoing the sound better than he could, creating a symphony that made him feel more at home than he’d felt in a very, coldly long time.
Moving his body slowly, careful not to jostle his baby, he moved in elegant waves. From one place to the next, he used the shadows in his dance, keeping him in step without a care for where he went. No uneven ground or walls could stop him from finishing the steps just as he remembered.
It was terrifying to see. The creator of these deaths, moving between the battlefield so smoothly and eloquently in a dance no one could recognize. It baffled them, but there was no room for curiosity when they were now fighting for their last breath.
The older celestials, ones that could see where this was going, tried to flee. Turning away, only to find that there was nowhere to leave. The sky had been replaced by complete darkness, no end in sight. The entire mountain had been taken into the shadows, and now that the fight has started, it will not end until they all die at the hand of the Queen.
‘Sailed the endless tides, looking far and wide.
Tryin’ a fill the hole, buried deep inside…’
He moved his arms out, palms faced out in a stop motion as he tilted his upper body slightly and moved with the wordless beat.
Screams were heard, anger and pain mixing to make a song completely new. One of life, and of death.
The tempo got louder.
‘I was out of hope… ‘til I looked in your eyes.’
The swaddled one was blearily looking up into the sky, only able to see their mother from where they were glued to their side. Macaque glanced down to gaze onto them with warm eyes, and with aw, the little one squirms to try and reach towards the pretty lavender eyes. Macaque smiled.
‘Swear my world lit up, the moment you arrived.’
The momentum stopped, a moment of silence for them, only broken by the terror that bleed from the faces around them. Macaque didn’t move for a single second, his heart synchronized with the little souls within his heart. He touched the baby’s face, gently rubbing their fur and just moving the blanket enough to reveal two ears poking out from one side of the little bundle on top.
‘Been lookin’ for the one, and you're the missing piece.’
The air shifts and the wind makes his clothes ripple frantically to bend to the will of such great power, his ears flutter and he can hear the little sounds that were as precious as a song just for him.
Sounds of his little one, present and future that were music like none other.
“Of me,” he sang out, kissing the smallest ear gently. He moved faster, dancing the steps like he had never forgotten them. “I searched the farthest sea.”
“And everything between us feels like… treasure that… I seek!” They giggled, unable to hear much of anything with that seal, but he could hear his mom’s words, just slightly. He didn’t take his eyes off him. And Macaque did the same, getting lost in the dance he loved, with the one he loved more than anything. “The moment we locked eyes, I felt it deep inside!… of… me…”
The last of the fight was dimming, the survivors having so little left to give, and depression taking hold as they realized their fate had been sealed long before they realized they would fight.
Macaque cooed and cried as his little one smiled at him, his heart beating inside him so hard he’s sure even Sun Wukong would be able to feel this connection through their bond.
But he didn’t care. This was his child. Not Sun Wukong’s.
“You’re my missing piece…”
Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm~
Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm~
The shadows hummed along, the music becoming louder and flowing in the background as he finished the dance. Looking up to see an endless array of death and destruction, no bodies were left behind, and no survivor to tell the stories.
It was peaceful.
That’s all he ever wanted.
He heard a little giggle, and glanced down to see his baby had loosened the blanket enough to free one arm. He pulled on his Mama’s clothes, wanting to feel them closer. Macaque didn’t wait long to oblige. Kissing their head sweetly.
~~{the end…}~~
{FOR NOW}