Seeing Through the Trauma

The Monster (3)

"What-" he looked up, eyes scanning around before seeing Mei and Red Son behind him, both looking a little dazed as well and a flutter of panic swam in his mind until he caught sight of his dad on the other side of him, sighing in relief as he stood.

In front of them all he noticed Azure, standing in the shade near what looked like a throne of some kind. He was staring down at the scroll in his hands but MK wasn't worried about that. MK was worried about what was missing. The one person he didn't see.

"Where's Baba?" He asked, tone just a tad apprehensive and his gnawing anxiety got even worse when his uncle didn't answer him immediately, a small squeak of surprise leaving him when Macaque was suddenly in front of him, his hand outstretched to keep MK behind him and his weapon in his other hand.

"Dad?" He asked with a tilt of his head, confused as he stared up at his dad's expression and then glanced back at Red Son and Mei to see if they knew what was going on. Both looked just as confused as he felt though so he figured they didn't and looked back at Azure, wondering what it was he was missing here.

"Stay back, MK," Macaque commanded as he stared down Azure, the lion looking more disappointed with every second that passed.

"Macaque, I had hoped that even with your reconciliation to Wukong that you would at least hear me out. Just let me explain-"

"There's nothing to explain. Set Wukong free or I'll do it myself." The demon growled out, tone threatening, and MK took a small step back in confusion, hurt running through him and surely showing on his expression because Azure looked even more upset at it.

"MK please, I did this because I knew you wouldn't understand." He started, tone soft and Macaque growled slightly, cutting him off as his stance got even more threatening.

"Don't you dare talk to my kid after tricking him." He snarled and MK took another step back, Mei at his left holding her sword in her hands and Red Son at his right, hands clenched into fists like he was ready to fight at any moment.

But MK didn't want that. He didn't want any of this. Uncle Azure was supposed to be on their side, he promised to help him. How could that all have been a lie?

"You... tricked me?" MK asked quietly but everyone heard it, even Azure who was now staring at him with guilt in his eyes, a softness still there that MK couldn't understand. Why did it still look like he cared if he'd just been using MK all along? 

"No, MK please understand that I didn't want to. I will free Wukong I just didn't want him meddling with my plan first." He explained but MK could bearly hear it over the rushing in his ears, the realization that someone he'd trusted was keeping him from Baba. Then Azure turned to Macaque, who still looked just as hostile. 

"I thought you of all people would understand how impulsive he can be. He won't listen to reason, I just need him out of the way long enough to-" He was cut off when Macaque suddenly disappeared, sinking into the ground as a portal opened beneath him, and even MK was startled as he looked around, ears perked as just as suddenly Macaque lunged out of the shadow behind Azure, bringing his weapon down to strike the lions back. 

MK could do nothing but take another step back as Azure quickly turned and blocked the blow, grunting as his sword tussled against Macaque's weapon. 

"Stop this! You know as well as I do that you can't win. Why won't you just listen to me? I'm trying to help people!" He huffed out, moving to the side as Macaque tried to strike him again, blocking the blow with his sword and stumbling when Macaque suddenly melted into the shadows at his feet, throwing him off balance. 

"The only person you're helping is yourself. Now give me Wukong and I won't kill you." The shadow demon threatened and MK felt his chest tighten painfully, his heart thundering in his chest as Mei nodded, pointing her sword at the two.