Wukong squirmed in his seat, excited as the puppet master came onto the stage.

The king had his human disguise, wearing a loose blouse and long skirt to hide his tail. He had more freckles, amber eyes instead of gold and red, freckles dotting his arms and hands, a more human-like nose, and he no longer had sharp canines.

MK nudged him happily, "We should get snacks when the first act is finished!" Wukong nodded, "Agreed." The theater suddenly dimmed as the show began.

"Welcome! Tonight's story is a special one..."

Shadows moved as the man lifted a glowing lantern, causing the sage's excitement to morph into dread. This magic was deathly similar to his old friend's. It unsettled him, but he remained glued to his seat by his need for nostalgic comfort as the man continued.

"It follows the tragic tale between the hero and the warrior. And how those who bring light into this world inevitably bring darkness to those they hold dear."

Wukong shifted uncomfortably, poking Mei, "I'm gonna go get snacks. Wanna come with me?" The dragon girl smiled, most likely sensing his anxiety, and walked out with him as the storyteller continued.

"Like light, heroes bring light, warmth, and friendship. But they also give light darkness."

---

Macaque scowled to himself.

He didn't expect the group to drag along someone else. The redhead was clearly powerful, Macaque could sense it. But he refused to believe it could be Wukong in disguise.

Because then that would mean Wukong cared about other people, and that he really has changed. Because it would mean Wukong misses his stupid shadow plays. Because Wukong might figure out the human he's watching is Macaque, and then what?

Would the king go back on his oath of never harming Macaque?

He didn't want to risk it, so the shadow user decided to simply continue the show. Then the team can see for themselves whether they should trust the old hero or not.

---

Wukong rushed back with Mei, handing out everyone's food and drinks.

They thanked the pair silently as shadows morphed into mountains, and then two figures. Wukong shivered, eyes wide and alert as he watched the shadows move.

"The hero and the warrior were like the sun and the moon. Their light, a protective glow, shining upon the world. Together, there was nothing that could stop the two of them." The shadows posed, matching weapons positioned high.

"Either in the Celestial realms, or on Earth."

Something snapped into place within the old king's mind. Old memories, old touches, old laughter... Times from before.

Times that he had thrown down the drain.

"As time went on, the hero obtained power beyond comprehension. As the hero's light grew, so too, did his shadow." Macaque moved back, showcasing the hero's figure casting a long and daunting shadow. It landed over the warrior.

"And soon, the warrior was cast in that shadow. In the darkness, the warrior was forgotten by the hero." Wukong stared, tears threatening to bubble up.

Did Macaque think I left him? Did he believe I could ever forget him?

Wukong knew that answer. He'd known it for a long time, how could he not? Macaque had never let go of the hurt, the anger, and the betrayal he'd felt. And Wukong didn't blame him.

The shadows took over the warrior, pulling his body as the hero watched idly, and later on, flying off.

The lights came back on as Macaque bowed, taking in the clapping around him. Wukong wiped his face, staring at his hand. It was glossed by a tear he'd wiped, and he wiped it against his skirt before standing up, wobbling slightly.

Tang stared at him in concern, "You okay?" Wukong swallowed thickly and nodded, "I...I just need some fresh air."

They left the theater.

---

He kept going back.

Wukong couldn't help it, he kept coming back to watch the play. Macaque's voice carried on evenly as his shadows told the tragedy that was their friendship.

And the ginger could never stop the sorrow that plagued him whenever he watched the warrior's silhouette become one with the darkness. He shuffled his feet, scratching at his palms as the play ended once again. He sat idly, mind wandering.

"Uh, you do know the show's over, right?"

Wukong's gaze lifted up to stare at Macaque's human form. He sighed, looking away, "Yeah, I know. I just... I like shadow plays. They get me thinking, they make sure I don't forget..." He hesitated.

Macaque hummed, "Forget what?"

"An old friend of mine. He used to...shadow plays were his thing. They were always beautiful, unnervingly empathetic, and I loved every single one of them." Macaque tilted his head, "Where are they now?"

"Better off. I was an idiot, and I hurt them. They're better off without me. I'm...You are better off without me, Macaque, but I can't let you go without ensuring your safety."

Macaque laughed, leaning his head back as his illusion fell, revealing him. "Oh~! Is the Great Sage self-pitying right now?" A firm hand grabbed the king's face, forcing him to look up. Wukong didn't falter, "No, I'm pitiful all the same. I'm just worried about you."

Macaque sneered, "And why is that, hm?" Wukong dropped his human glamour, though his clothes stayed the same considering the fact they weren't an illusion, "The Lady Bone Demon has been freed."

The warrior's eyes widened and he snarled, pushing the ginger's face away, "Fuck." Wukong sat up, scrambling to grab onto the other's scarf, "We can help you! We can keep you safe--" Macaque pried the king off, backing away, "Shut up, Wukong. You have no right to worry as if--"

"I don't care! Macaque, I am so fucking scared of her taking you I'm willing to just let you rip my face off if it means you'll come with us! I am trying so damn hard to make sure we make it through this it's driving me insane."

His breathing grew heavy, causing the shadow user to step back cautiously. Wukong's eyes widened as he, too, backed away, "Macaque. I would tear off my own hands if it means you'll feel safe with me. I would chain myself if it keeps you safe beside me, but please trust me when I say you aren't safe. You can't run."

Macaque shook his head, "I don't need your help! Fuck off!" His voice cracked, however, and his tail flickered. A sign he was anxious and angry. A combination that could mean Wukong's going to get mauled. Not that the king cared.

"Macaque, please--"

The warrior disappeared within the shadows, leaving Wukong all alone.

---

Pigsy stared at the monkey, poking him with a wooden spoon, "What's got you all down?" Wukong smiled weakly, "...The shadow play has this old man sentimental is all. I'm fine, Pigsy." Tang gave the king a look, "That's pretty mild for someone who looks like someone ran over their dog."

Wukong winced, "Sorry."

Pigsy fixed him a look, "How many times do we have'ta tell ya? You don't needa apologize for everything." Wukong shrugged softly, "You waste good food on an immortal who can live without it. The least I can do is thank you."

The chef's face softened, "Sheesh, Monkey King. It's not because you need it, it's because a warm meal can go a long way for anyone." Tang snorted, "Especially if you're mostly skin and bones. Didn't Mei promise we'd plump you up?"

Wukong smiled weakly once more, "Yeah. She did." His smile fell as he fidgeted with his hair, "I just... Listen, I do mean what I said. The shadow play made this old fool miss the better days with an old friend. That's all." Tang hummed, "And where is this old friend?"

Wukong hummed, avoiding the pair's gazes, "I'm not sure. Better off without me, anyway." He pushed away his half-empty bowl, "Doesn't matter, anyway. He hates me for even existing."

Pigsy's brows furrowed, "What exactly did you do?"

The king flushed, "...The old friend's Macaque." The restaurant had never experienced such awkward silence before now.

Wukong stood up, laughing forcefully, "Oh, man! I should get going! I--" He turned, bumping into a stool and knocking it over. The sage turned bright red as he apologized and fixed the stool back up, blushing even harder as he realized he'd apologized to a piece of furniture.

Tang held out his hand, "Monkey King, wait--"

Wukong was already running out the door, crying from pure embarrassment. And then bumped into MK.

They landed hard on the ground, both heroes staring at each other for a few minutes. MK sputtered first, "Monkey King! I am so sorry--"

Wukong bursted into heavy sobbing as Mei ran up to them, "Oh damn what happened?" MK opened his mouth to speak before suddenly hiccuping, causing the ground to rumble.

Oh.

---

Wukong didn't bother going back into the restaurant. Sandy had it handled, right? So MK was going to be just fine, and the king honestly didn't want to deal with MK thinking he was dying. The chaos caused by the hiccups was bad enough.

That, and his newest nightmare.

The lights were no longer red, but they weren't as friendly as before, either. They mocked him with sugar-sweet words as warped memories tormented him. And worse of all, the icy grip of the demoness had even reached his dreams.

---

"You'll fail. Watch and see, watch and see..."

Wukong twisted his body as ice gripped onto his skin and clothes, "No! You'll fail-!" The Lady Bone Demon suddenly appeared, but not as the little girl from before.

She had taken over MK's body, forcing the boy into a twisted smile, "Hm, quite the reaction~!" The king gagged as she contorted, turning into each one of his family members. He twisted, hissing as fur and skin were torn, "You-! Stop this now--"

"Or what?"

His breath hitched.

She stared at him from within Macaque's good eye, an old scar replacing his right eye's vision. His beautiful lotus markings were a dark blue, and his eyes a blinding white as his body smirked. Wukong blinked owlishly, pale as he shuddered.

"Are you willing to kill this particular host?"

Wukong squeezed his eyes shut, "I promised to never hurt him." The ice retreated as the damned spirit cackled. "I won't hurt him-!"

"But you did."

Wukong opened his eyes, gasping and falling to his knees. Macaque was strewn before him, covered in lacerations and bruises that painted his graying skin. He wasn't bleeding, not anymore.

Wukong screamed.

---

He screamed, sitting up and startling whoever had touched him.

Golden-red eyes squinted, staring at two familiar faces. "...What are you two doing here..?"

Mei and MK smiled softly, "Training after MK's hiccups got cured. Uh, sorry to startle you, it's just...you were having a bad dream." MK waved his hands, "U-Unless you totally weren't and we just scared you." Wukong smiled hesitantly, "No, it's fine. I was having a bad dream, now come on. We can train for a couple hours."

He turned to MK, "Alright, let's see the transformations you've got now."

MK grinned, turning into forty animals, "And I'm this close to learning more, Monkey King!" The monkey clapped, beaming, "Great job! Mei, I wanna see you use that sword. MK, spar with her." He sat back, watching the pair fight.

MK threw his staff from below, attempting to knock her sword out of her hands. Mei shifted back, a flicker of dragon features flashed momentarily as her sword glowed and came down. MK yelped, rolling out of the way.

Wukong suddenly stood up, staring towards the city, "...Shit."

---

They arrived quickly, rounding up Pigsy, Tang, and Sandy.

The king yelled at the giant, "An airship, do you have one?" The tea enthusiast nodded, "Yes, what's going on?" Wukong hissed as ice erupted from behind them, "She's here, just go! I'll catch up after, just please get out of the city!"

MK and Mei began to protest, but Tang and Pigsy stopped them, flashing them a look as Wukong turned.

The air was so cold it penetrated his unnatural warmth.

---

Wukong crushed the machines, watching in surprise as they absorbed his powers, "What..?"

Is this what MK was up against?

A giant metal hand suddenly grabbed him, dragging him up. Lady Bone Demon smiled sweetly, her head tilted, "Sun Wukong... Here to stop me as I begin?" Wukong wished he could boast. He wished he could tell her how wrong she was.

"Remember our deal, Sun Wukong. You must lose this fight. Just as your successor did."

Wukong huffed, but still grinned up at the disguised lady before him, "It doesn't hurt to try." The demoness hummed, and the fist squeezed him more. It reminded him of when the Demon Bull King had him in his grasp during his possession.

Wukong struggled, unable to help it as his body instinctively tried to push against the freezing magic encasing him. Golden whisps left his body, disappearing into the machine's 'heart'. The monkey sighed, grunting, "You won't win."

The fist tightened abruptly, crushing him momentarily.

In pure desperation, the king pushed back, splitting the large hand open and leaping off, free-falling through the air as his cloud formed pitifully.

It caught him, faltering slightly as he flew away from her. All he heard was laughter as biting winds raked through his tumbled fur, flowing within his loose clothes.

He spotted the airship and flung himself forward with his last bit of strength.

Just like before, his cloud dissipated, and he landed with a loud thud against the floor-boards, causing the king to wheeze as his fractured ribs screamed out in protest. Wukong shuddered, struggling to sit up as MK and Mei ran up to him. The others surrounded him, talking amongst each other.

"Hey, bud. I don't feel great, think you can help?" MK nodded, standing up and running, "I'll find a first-aid kit!"

The sage felt warm, this wouldn't be their only first-aid kit. And there were fresh supplies...

The world spun, and someone pressed their body against his, keeping him from teetering, "Woah, there, Monkey King!" Mei touched him gently, laying him down slowly. Tang nervously shuffled closer, "I don't understand, how are you so injured..?"

Wukong hummed as MK returned, working with Mei to move his body for bandaging, "I was cursed, I couldn't, uh, I couldn't fight back much without risking you guys." Pigsy frowned, "Cursed? Since when?"

The monkey winced, "Since...Well, since as long as you've known me, I guess." His students gawked down at him, "Why didn't you say anything?! What's the curse?"

"Do not speak of our gift, Sun Wukong."

"I...I can't say what it is. Part of the curse, I guess. And I didn't say anything because it's enough that you have to deal with my messes. I would've loved for MK to simply be a hero within his community, busting...I dunno, bank robbers or something. Not world-ending villains!"

He squeezed his eyes shut, grimacing. The deck felt cool pressed against his back, soothing him slightly. Exhaustion was present as always, begging him to rest. A hand shook his shoulder gently, accompanied by a gruff voice, "Uh-uh, come back to us. Ya have a concussion, don't sleep until you feel better."

Wukong exhaled again, "You should let me sleep. You shouldn't worry 'bout me." There was a small pause, "Oh, I know what to do. Right."

---

The king yawned, sighing to himself as Tang explained what the Samadhi Fire was. Once the scholar was done, the monkey continued, "I know where the rings are. But... The fourth ring isn't easy. Mei, you have the fourth ring, passed down by your ancestor Ao Lie."

Mei's eyes widened, "I could have fire powers?!"

"Mei, no! That fire is dangerous! I was going to suggest you hand it over and allow someone else to wield it." Wukong spoke sternly, begging her in his mind not to go through with the original storyline.

But she was always quite the stubborn girl.

"Just show me how to keep cool when I need to and it'll be all good! So, where are the other rings?" The group nodded, encouraging him. As if they trust him.

"...Fine. One is DBK's nose ring, one is on the moon, and the last one is in Lantern City." He hesitated once more, "And... I have been stocking frequently. I was the one sneaking onto the ship, Sandy. I'm sorry, but I knew we'd have to leave at some point."

Sandy smiled sweetly, "I'm glad you thought of preparing for us, Monkey King." Pigsy cleared his throat, "There's the paranoia he's known for." The king laughed airly, "I haven't planned before in my life. It's about time I do. Now come on, we have a journey to prepare for."

---

Macaque slunk along the shadows. The sage's words in his head as he witnessed the king finally go to his bedroom to sleep.

"I don't care! Macaque, I am so fucking scared of her taking you I'm willing to just let you rip my face off if it means you'll come with us! I am trying so damn hard to make sure we make it through this it's driving me insane."

Did he mean it? Every word, every syllable?

Would it hurt to try?

Macaque left his shadow, shivering as the ice within him shuddered. He moved to the sleeping figure, shaking his shoulder hesitantly. Wukong snorted, blinking awake and sitting up slowly, "...Hm?" He blinked, using his Gold Vision to look around.

He paused as he stared at Macaque.

The warrior scowled to hide his fear, "You said you'd protect me, right? Did you mean it? Or was that just some ploy?"

Wukong sighed, scooting against the wall his bed was pressed against and patted the area beside him, "Come on, we need sleep if we wanna deal with her. If you feel unsafe, just stay here beside me. She won't touch you if I'm casually around to bite her hand."

"You're powerless. Injured."

Wukong shrugged, "And immortal. I can still fight, and my powers will return. So, are you going to stay? Go? Rip my hands off first?" Macaque shot him a look, "Why are you so adamant on me enacting such gruesome shit on you?!"

"It would be well deserved. Whatever you choose, I'll trust." The sage laid back down, rolling onto his side and doing something foolish to someone who was angry at him. He exposed his front, pressing his back against the wall and then falling asleep.

...Macaque could hurt him.

But the king wasn't an idiot. He knew that, and simply accepted it as fact that he would most likely wake up missing limbs. It stirred something old and familiar within Macaque, and he found he couldn't bring himself to do anything horrific.

He took off his boots and gear, rummaging through the other's drawers and changing briskly before wiggling into bed.

Tears pricked his eye as the king's unnatural warmth fought off the deadly cold in his veins. The warrior pressed his head against the other's chest, listening to his body function in his sleep.

Just like old times.