The Silent King (Au)

Memories Tend To Taunt

The king clawed viciously through the ink, MK was in the scroll, he could feel it!

Wukong stumbled through, not caring if the ink stained his clothes or not. He needed to find his successor before the curse got a hold of him.

He would never forgive himself if the curse trapped MK the same way it had trapped him.

The king tore through memories, ignoring the shocked cries of people who no longer existed, dodging stands and homes as he desperately searched. A familiar golden energy vibrated to his right, and he didn't hesitate to run toward it.

--

Tang groaned, they were separated.

Amazing, after finally restoring their present memories and beginning their search for Wukong they ended up getting separated by some stupid ink--

Someone tackled him, causing him to screech loudly as Mo hissed from his perch on Tang's shoulder.

"T-ang! Mo!" The scholar sighed in relief, patting Wukong, "You scared me! Oh, the others are here we just got separated by the curse. Think you know how to find them?" Wukong grimaced, shrugging. He took Mo into his arms, pondering for a moment.

Wukong suddenly stomped loudly, causing cracks to splinter and spread.

A voice suddenly echoed out, "SANDY!" Tang turned toward a certain crack, pointing at it, "That's Pigsy's voice!" A flash of green alerted them as well from another crack, and Wukong gestured at it, "M-ay!"

Tang huffed, "I'll get Pigsy and Sandy, you go get Mei!"

--

MK stared intensely at the stone egg, his mind going a million miles per hour.

Macaque placed a hand on his shoulder, glaring at the old man behind them, "So, what? He's not human?" The man nodded solemnly, "Indeed."

MK stared down at his hands, "...I'm like Wukong..?" Macaque sighed, "No, of course not. He's unique, just like how you are not Wukong. You're simply related, but you are not the same person. I promise you're still MK, but now you know about another part of you."

Their surroundings suddenly darkened drastically as ink pooled behind them, forming a figure.

--

Mei and Sandy hugged them, forcing the group into a tight embrace.

Wukong wriggled out, puffing out air, "M-Kay. Mac. W-Where?" He threw his arms out, gesturing at the cracks. Mei shrugged, "Gold Vision..?" The king huffed, and his ears suddenly flinched.

He looked around as a familiar voice echoed out, followed by two magic signatures, "STOP IT."

Wukong didn't hesitate, immediately tearing open a large crack, and sending the group tumbling in. He rushed toward the ink figure looming over Macaque and MK, crashing into it.

The figure yowled as it reformed, "Oh, come on, now! I'm simply revealing his destiny--"

Wukong's fur rose as he clawed at the fake MK. Macaque was close behind, swinging down his staff. But no matter how many times they hit and tore at the ink, the fake MK just kept reforming. MK huffed, his body glitching as he stumbled, "Leave them alone!"

The ink laughed, taunting them, "You are destined to be just like Sun Wukong! To hurt everyone closest to you--" Wukong grabbed MK, pulling him away as the world around them began to crash down around them. Cracks formed wide craters, cornering everyone.

Macaque hissed, "MK, don't listen to that thing! You're different, stronger! You're amazing, kid!" The ink pushed down against Macaque, forcing him to dive into his shadows to retreat.

MK suddenly glowed, monkey features adorning his once-human body as he rushed forward.

Wukong reached out, chirping for him to come back as the boy blocked the ink with his staff, "Enough! I get to choose my own fate, not you, not Azure, no one!" Sparks of gold emitted from the ground as MK flew upward, fist carefully aimed...

Wukong and Macaque dodged glowing ravines and falling debris, shielding the others as a protective glow illuminated over them.

--

Mei hugged the youngest monkey, cheering, "That was amazing!"

Slow clapping alerted them, and Wukong growled as a familiar figure revealed himself. Macaque narrowed his eyes, "...You..." Azure sighed, regret clear in his eyes as he held up his hand, "Me."

The world began to flood with ink, and MK screamed as it began to consume his mentor. 

Wukong struggled fruitlessly as he reached out, desperately trying to touch his successor and partner, even if it was for one last time.

Macaque yowled, struggling against the beam of light, "Wukong!" Everyone shouted out for him, and the lion struggled.

Azure looked down at Wukong's sinking form, looking away painfully as the others continued to scream for him.

Wukong opened his mouth, wishing desperately to call out to them. To reassure them. To make a few false promises of being fine.

The only sound that came out was a hesitant chirp followed by stronger clicks and noises.

Then the world turned dark.