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The shadow couldn’t bear it anymore, the incantations they spoke, how they left the golden monkey writhing on the ground, reduced to nothing but a shaking, cowardly rabbit. They disrespected Wukong, despite being miles away from his glory. Why didn’t he just return to Flower Fruit Mountain- why was Macaque left in the dust, why has he only just now found where Wukongs been ? Was their courtship a burden? They never fought- at least not for long- and their love had felt as everlasting as the Samadhi Fire.
Macaque would’ve followed the other to the ends of the world, would’ve gone on the journey, even, if Wukong insisted. Would’ve chased his back like a foolish dog chasing its tail, never getting tired. It must’ve been the monk, cursing Wukong’s bright light, staining his glory. That ungrateful and pathetic, damned monk.
Tonight , Macaque thought, Tonight, he would free him .
The plan was simple, he’d kidnap Tripitaka while the moon was high- maybe torture him the way Wukong was, then he’d finally end it all. Wukong will find the demon, thank him, tell him all about how terrible the monk was, but it’d be ok. They’d be together again. The great sage will be safe at home, on the mountain, with Macaque, reconciling what was lost in the past 500 years.
Macaque thrust the monk onto the ground, sneering at him. Disgust plastered across his face, “So, you’re the great Tang Sanzang, huh? Reincarnation of Golden Cicada ” the name almost sounded foreign, spat out like vitriol. “I’ve heard just a piece of your flesh can grant anyone immortality” a chuckle, “I wonder how much it’ll grant if I eat it all.” He drank in the way the monk’s eyes widened as he frantically shook his head.
“That’s not happening.” Macaque spun around just in time to catch the force of another monkey’s fist. He was hoping Wukong wouldn’t find him, was hoping his freedom could be a surprise. But this could work too.
“Wukong-”
“Get out. before you regret it.”
“Oh no Wukong- He cant control you anymore, it's ok!” Macaque stumbled back, gesturing to where the monk sat, wrapped tightly in ropes, his mouth taped shut. “I’m gonna save you, I promise, you can come back home- I’ve missed you so much-”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, give him back.” The great sage was unrecognizable in the dark, making Macaque’s fur bristle. Never has being with the golden monkey made him feel so alone.
His dark eyebrows furrowed together, in irritation, “Oh yea?” the moment happened in the puff of a breathe, Macaque leaped at the monk, dragging him off the ground by the neck, “Tell me what I dont know , Sun Wukong! What could I possibly not know- after decades at your side, I am made of you, as you are of me.” He jostled Sanzang’s body around in his hold, “But you want to forget me, it’s ok- that monk has tainted you-” your sun-streaked hair, your smile, your pride, the hands that slotted effortlessly into mine “I’ll make you remember-” and as the shadow lifted his free hand to finish his plan, he was struck in the middle.
The great sage only walked over to the wall Macaque was flung into, lifting him up by the collar and slamming him back onto the ground. Bits of broken rock flew out, they were lit by the shine of the moon. The look on Wukong’s face was one he never hoped to see again, lest it'd be his death. Macaque gripped his shoulder before leaping out of the way of Wukong’s staff, which stuck itself into where he lay before.
They’ve never fought like this before, unforgiving and relentless. Adrenaline pumps in both monkeys, one hardly ever stronger than the other. He doesn’t know how long the fight drags on before he sees the blinding glint of a staff headed towards him. The force pushes the air out of his lungs, his feet off the ground.
He screams . Or maybe he doesn’t, all he can hear is the rush of warm blood running down his cheek. His nails scrape against the tiny rocks beneath him, and despite being a demon, he pleads. Pleads to every god that might be watching him. Laughing at his foolishness- for trying to bring his friend back, for trusting anyone but himself. However, the golden figure that stands before him is no god- each step it takes is agonizingly slow, maybe to let Macaque repent for what he’s done. Macaque can see the rise and fall of its shoulders, it’s out of breathe from the fight.
The shadow isn’t sure what takes over him, desperation, anger, betrayal. He wills shadow clones to grab onto Wukong, blood smears his vision as he runs up to the sage.
All he hears is a crack
Red pools out underneath his body. Macaque stares at it, stares and stares and stares- Watching for any hint of life. Suddenly, the night air feels colder, and harsher with each inhale. He shifts his weight from one leg to another, then another, and before he knows it he runs to the lifeless body, dropping to the floor. He lifts Wukongs head, shock still plastered all over its face. His corpse droops, and drops of tears fall onto it. “Wukong” the name leaves his throat dry, “Wukong-” the shadow buries his head into the corpses neck, their blood swirling together. He takes in the fading smell of peaches, this used to belong to me, “please, please get up, I’m-” He grabbed the body’s hand and held it to his cheek, it was cold, already. That’s how fast the gods dared to take Wukong away from him, “sorry- I’m sorry.” Time stretched on, Macaque’s tears leave puddles, he weeps, curses the gods he pleaded to just a moment before.
There was the sound of shuffling, the monk. Macaque grits his teeth, clinging onto the body one more time before turning towards Sanzang.
“You.” his voice is broken, like the cracks of a shattered mirror. He paces over to the kidnapee, ripping the tape off his face in a quick swipe.
“Macaque-” Sanzang tries to say but is grabbed by his head, shoving him face first into the dirt. He twists his neck to look at Macaque, “Do not say my name” do not taint what he and I had.
“You dont have to do this- I- I- know you’re angry but-” the monks' eyes flicker past Macaque and land on the motionless body, devoid of all of its great golden aura, “don’t you want to do what he would’ve wanted- continue his legacy?”
“His legacy was ruined the moment you showed up” the words land like daggers, filled with hatred that could overflow a dam.
There is silence, long, unforgiving silence. Then finally, “I wish he had let you die”