Wukong glowed steadily, eyes closed as of he were asleep.

If he wasn't sitting up with a perfect posture, that is. MK drew next to him, humming a song. Mei poked the glowing monkey, "Uh, how's this supposed to help?" Red Son swatted her hand away, "Hands off, Dragon Girl! It is very important you do not mess up something as important as reaching into your soul." MK sat up in surprise, "Wait, what?"

"Of course you don't get it, Noodle Boy. He's recharging his soul for his powers, to be blunt with you morons. Disturbing this state is a terrible idea." Tang called out from the back in agreement, further cementing why Mei shouldn't mindlessly poke the king.

The van slowly came to a stop and Pigsy stretched, "Alrighty, c'mon, we need to go set up camp." Everyone clambered out, stretching idly. MK grabbed his mentor, carrying him toward the campsite.

A stick suddenly snapped, alerting everyone to danger.

Mei's eyes flashed slightly behind MK before yelling, "MK, LOOK OUT--" A hooked tail, like a scorpion's, hooked around his body, throwing him and Wukong away from Tang and Pigsy. The hero yelled out in panic as his mentor's glowing body left the safety of his arms, landing away from MK.

The hero ignored the chaos of fire and dragon magic in the background fighting off the threat, instead trying to find his mentor. Gold flickered from under messy brush, and he found his mentor's still body next to a collapsed tree. Panic set in, and MK picked up Wukong, noting how he wasn't glowing anymore. Red Son rushed over, equally concerned, "We chased off the demon. Noodle Boy, this is... Not good, but I think he's just asleep so we should... Damn it, let him sleep it off."

MK swallowed thickly, numbly following the fire demon as everyone gathered together, combining their tents to keep safe in case the demon from before returned.

MK groomed Wukong's fur, untangling his curls as the others slept anxiously around him. Rage filled his mind as he struggled to contain it, that demon better hope never to stumble in his path again.

If it wanted to live.

--

Wukong was the last to arise and was thoroughly confused by the soft and colorful fabrics sheltering him.

The monkey clambered out of the conjoined tents, even more frazzled. The Dragon Horse was missing, his companions looked...different, and there were three random kids with them. Wukong walked up to them slowly, letting the old sadness seep into his weary bones.

MK smiled, "Morning, Monkey King!" The king stared at him blankly with tired eyes etched with a sadness MK hadn't seen for a while, startling him. Tang looked over with worry, "Monkey King? Hey, if something's off--"

"No."

Everyone practically spontaneously combusted as the rough, unsteady voice answered them. Pigsy sputtered, "That... Sounded painful. Take it easy, monkey, you haven't spoken in a long time--" The king swallowed down the painful taste of metal creeping up his throat, speaking once more but it was clear he was losing his voice, "N-o." His voice cracked mid-way, lowering in volume at the end.

Sandy suddenly squatted down, holding a stick to Wukong and gesturing at the ground, "Monkey King, could you write our names?" The monkey stared in confusion but did so anyway, using the stick to scribble at the dirt.

Sandy read over the names carefully, kindly choosing not to point out his spelling errors. After all, it wasn't old news that Wukong was most likely dyslexic. "Just as I thought. He says I am Wujing, you are Tripitaka, and Baiji. He does not know who the others are, however. He is also wondering about our Dragon Horse, Ao Lie, better known as Bai Long Ma."

MK drooped, "Oh, no no no-- Can we help him get his memories back?" Wukong perked up with that, thoroughly confused. Sandy placed a gentle hand on him, pretending not to notice the monkey's obvious flinch, "You have forgotten a lot. We are not here to harm you, and these children are our friends. Your friends, too."

Wukong's eyes widened slightly, taking a new interest in the trio.

Mei stepped forward, grinning, "I am Mei, Ao Lie's great, great...I'm a descendant." Wukong slowly waved back as Red Son began his introduction, "I am Red Son, son of the Demon Bull King." The ginger gaped at him, chirping softly in surprise. "Yes, Monkey King, I am your... sworn brother's son." Wukong reached out slightly before hesitating and taking back his hand.

MK was last, smiling gently at his mentor, "I'm MK, your successor." Wukong blinked owlishly, chirping in confusion, his voice cracking slightly. "Yeah, I know it's... Unbelievable. But we become really good friends, I swear!"

A portal suddenly opened, and Macaque clambered out with bits of ice in his fur. He whistled dramatically, "Damn, it is so damn cold whenever I'm with LBD! Yuck--" Wukong suddenly started sobbing hysterically, chirping in distress, eyes wide and disbelieving.

The shadow user stared in shock, "Wha-- Wukong, what's wrong?" MK pouted, "He was knocked out of meditation and has amnesia." Macaque face palmed, "Ah, shit he thinks I'm still dead and kababed!" He plopped down, scooting up to the distressed monkey.

"Wukong, hey-- Woah--" Wukong started desperately running his hands through his straight black fur, shaking so hard he looked ill. A sob escaped his lips when he finally realized that yes, he wasn't hallucinating and his Macque was alive. Wukong held on to his cold partner like a lifeline, sniveling and shaking.

MK sat down as well, softly running his hand through his mentor's unruly curls, "He's okay, Monkey King. He's breathing, and he doesn't hate you. You're okay, shh, you're alright I swear..." Wukong leaned back, hugging MK, too as his crying slowed down into a steady flow.

Pigsy sighed, placing a bowl of hard-boiled eggs next to them with enough for three and a little more.

Macaque ate, offering it to his counterpart along with tea Sandy had generously provided with the meal. MK ate as well, chatting to Wukong about their times together. The ginger monkey nodded along, finally feeling his familiar sadness slowly melt away.

--

Macaque breathed in deeply, mimicking meditation, "Alright, Wukong you'll need to meditate a few minutes every now and then throughout the day. It'll help you recharge and eventually regain your memories." Wukong sat down, closing his eyes.

Before long, he started glowing, wilting slightly.

Macaque sighed, pulling his counterpart into a comfortable position, letting him lean against his body while grooming his glowing fur. Mei and MK eventually joined in, stroking and picking out debris from his curls. Red Son sat nearby, lazily looking at the scenery.

They were all slowly drifting off by the time Wukong stopped glowing.

The king smiled at Macaque and his friends around him as they slept soundly. He purred quietly, watching the others pack up camp. It was strange, he was so sure they were his companions but they were... Different.

--

Pigsy walked up to Wukong, whose eyes reflexively glazed over as his body stilled.

The chef pretended not to notice the monkey shutting down, offering a small bowl of rice, "Here, you need to eat. Don't worry about sharing, Mac's bugging Mei for her share of food." Wukong slowly took the bowl, automatically eating as he stood aimlessly. Pigsy slowly placed a hand on Wukong's back, carefully steering him closer to the others.

"C'mon, you can join everyone. I'm moving you toward Mac and the kids, okay? If you want more just give your bowl to MK, okay?" Wukong blinked, slowly dissipating his blank stare, nodding hesitantly. The chef removed his hand, letting the monkey settle down on his own before leaving.

MK waved, "Hey, Monkey King. Want some ham?" He held up his slice of meat before blushing in embarrassment, "Oh, wait you're vegetarian." He poked at his fried egg instead, offering it, "Egg? It's sunny side up! Don't worry I already ate, like, two." Wukong flushed pink, shyly nodding and watching as the young hero carefully placed the egg on his rice.

Mei suddenly squealed, swatting at Macaque, "NO! You can't have the last slice of ham! You already ate most of it!" Red Son sighed, offering his ham to the shadow user, "You can have mine?"

Macaque grinned, "Ah, thanks, nephew dearest~!" He grabbed the ham, happily eating it as Red sighed, "Why does Mother enjoy your company..?" Macaque grinned, elbowing Wukong, "I am a delight, right, Wukong?"

Wukong nodded, staring in awe and hesitance. Macaque sighed, "Wukong, what happened is in the past. You explained already, stop beating yourself up. I'm breathing, aren't I?" The king stared blankly at his counterpart, not bothering to respond. Macaque decided to change the subject, grabbing some of Wukong's rice, "Alright, Monkey Man! Lemme in on some rice!"

Wukong frowned, sticking his tongue out in distaste and shuffling the rice out of Macaque's reach.

--

Monkey King blinked, sitting up on the bed he'd been placed on while meditating.

He hopped down, walking along the van and out the doors, looking for the others. Laughter alerted him to their location, and he hurried over.

The team was sitting around a fire, toasting small white things on well-polished rods and sticks. Macaque looked up, grinning, "Yo, Wukong! Come try some marshmallows!" Wukong nodded, walking over to his partner and sitting down. Red Son passed him a stick with the small white cylinders, "You toast them over the fire until they are brown."

The ginger nodded, holding the treats over greedy flames. He watched with pure fascination as the marshmallow expanded with the heat, bubbling up and turning a light brown, signaling him to turn it around and do the same to other areas of the treat. Once it was brown and round, Wukong tapped MK who was on his left, cooing.

"Oh, wait for it to cool down. Then you eat it!" MK demonstrated by blowing on his marshmallows for a few minutes and then placing it in his mouth, chewing happily.

Wukong nodded in a determined manner, blowing enthusiastically for a few minutes until he deemed the marshmallow cool enough for him to tolerate. He plucked it off the stick with his claws, placing it in his mouth and chewing slowly.

He chirped in sheer delight, reaching out for another marshmallow. He loved how sweet and soft it was, and how the lingering warmth brought comfort instead of disgust or panic. Hell, he didn't even feel wary about the fire because he was concentrated on toasting his treat the way he liked it. Macaque chuckled, "I knew you'd like it!"

Wukong smiled sheepishly, subtly feeling shame. He had no right to smile and laugh with Macaque after what he'd done. Wukong had hurt him, killed him! He didn't deserve his sweet smile or his teasing remarks.

He deserved insults, snarling teeth, and hateful gazes. Not the off-hand compliments, or amusing grins, and much less that simple, loving, gaze Macaque used on him.

Wukong continued roasting marshmallows, letting them temporarily dull the aching in his chest.

--

Sandy approached Wukong, holding up iced peach tea.

"Hello, Monkey King! Would you like some peach tea?" The friendly giant held up the cup, allowing the king to see the ice floating around the translucent orange-yellow drink. Wukong nodded politely, hesitantly taking the cup from Sandy's hands without making any contact.

The water demon smiled softly, "May I take a seat with you?" Wukong, not wanting to be rude, nodded. He moved to the side, allowing Sandy to settle down. The ginger began to zone out when a meow caught his attention. "Oh, this is Mo! He's one of my many cats."

Wukong blinked in surprise, he didn't know Wujing had so many cats. Or that he even had any at all.

The cat purred, butting his head along the monkey's body. Wukong grinned, petting the cat as he sipped his tea, content with the warm blue fur under his fingers. Sandy smiled at him softly, "May I ask a question? You don't have to answer." The king nodded slowly, "Are you... Afraid of us?"

Wukong flushed, shaking his head. Sandu hummed, "Or just not all of us?" The monkey didn't respond, hesitating. The water demon nodded, "I see. Is it something connected to us or one of us that unsettles you? I've noticed how you act wary when it comes to upsetting us."

Wukong touched his head, circling around it gently. Sandy nodded in understanding, "I see. Well, we are not who you think we are. We don't have any intention to hurt you, we are your friends." The monkey's eyes widened and he beamed up at Sandy, chirping as small tears formed on his eyelids.

"No problem, Monkey King."

--

Wukong stretched, yawning loudly.

He was beginning to gain enough energy and was beginning to regain his memories. He felt a lot less wary of the team as a whole because of it and wasn't as horrible on himself whenever Macaque was around him.

Well, not too horrible, anyway.

He could still feel that residing guilt that refused to let go of him. It had latched on and taken root in his mind, resulting in questions and hate that were directed solely at him. It was tearing Wukong apart slowly, so slowly it was lucky he had forever to watch it bloom. To witness it as its petals filled his body with poison so toxic he deteriorated into a sulking mass.

Wukong shook the dooming thoughts away, instead opting to ignore it in favor of watching the kids interact.

MK poked Red Son, using a baby voice as Mei pranced around the two of them. Wukong walked closer as their words began registering in his ears, and paused, perplexed.

"Awww, Wed is emo an' angyyyy!" Red Son growled, harshly swatting at the other. Mei skipped around them, "Emo Boy the Red Boy!" Red promptly shoved her over, fuming, "I AM NOT "E-MO'!" Wukong stared blankly at them and turned around completely, walking away as fire erupted behind him along with pleas for mercy.

Pigsy looked up as he walked over, "Too rowdy?" Wukong nodded tiredly. Macaque snorted, "I think MK just got launched into the sun." Tang sighed, "We need him alive, though." Wukong rolled his eyes playfully, he had learned by now how to pick up on the scholar's blatant humor.

He sat down next to Macaque, allowing his eyes to close.

--

He gasped, sitting up abruptly before chirping loudly.

MK and Macaque chirped back, immediately asking what was wrong. Wukong pointed at his head and beamed, picking the pair up and twirling them around. Laughter bubbled from the pair in his arms, understanding his joy and relief, "He remembers! He remembers!"

Wukong placed them down, running around to touch and hug everyone in his celebration.

Mei wrapped her arms around him, lifting him up with her own loud cheer, "YES!! He remembers he remembers~!" She sang in a sing-song voice, waddling around with him. Wukong chirped with glee, getting squished into a group hug.

He felt warmth radiating off each one of them with simple joy that he was with his family once again. Whole. He felt whole once more.

It was a simple sliver of happiness he wasn't ever going to let go of for as long as he existed.