Monkie Kid: Mommy Dearest

Coronation Day

The group approached the mountain that Lady Thorn Rose's temple resigned on. Greyish-green clouds took over the skies above the mountain as flashes of lightning appeared in the clouds with faint rumbles of thunder, and a strong wind. Daiyu remained inside with Chenguang and Chyou as the others prepared for their fight.

"So, what's the plan, Monkey King?" Mei turned to Wukong.

"Don't have one," Wukong admitted, "just destroy everything in your way, but leave the witch to me."

"Now that's a plan I can get behind." Chenguang chuckled.

"If you're calling dibs," Macaque was stretching, " then I'm going after that cloaked minion of hers."

In the temple, Lady Thorn Rose sat at the vanity in her bed chamber with servants surrounding her. They pinned her hair up, decorating it with dull gold flowers, and helped her into elegant black robes embroidered with dull gold flowers with thorned vines and a train. Lady Rose Thorn stood in front of a large mirror when she noticed Messenger. 

"I hope you've come bearing good news." Lady Thorn Rose hummed. 

"Sun Wukong is on his way." Messenger nodded.

"Excellent," a dark chuckle left her mouth, "get the child ready. We want him to look his best for his father."

Messenger started to walk away but stopped themselves. "You have no intention of telling the child who you are, do you?"

"Of course not," Lady Thorn scoffed, "once Sun Wukong is gone along with the others. I'm tying up loose ends. Sharing a child with The Great Fool, Equal to Heaven is a disgrace. Now, do what I asked you to do a get him ready."

Messenger nodded before leaving her chambers to finish getting ready. 

The closer the group reached the summit of the temple; the wind began to pick up giving them the challenge to fight against the wind as well. Wukong pulled out Tao's ragdoll from his robe, this for him was a reminder, a motivation, and a reason to fight back against Lady Thorn Rose. It had been his goal all along, and he wasn't leaving until he got what he came for. 

When they reached the top of the mountain, they all went into defensive stances, as Messenger stood in front of the temple stairs smiling.

"Welcome," they said, "we've been expecting your arrival."

Back in the temple, Tao was dressed in formal black robes with dull gold embroidery of thorned vines. Following behind him were two of the temple's servants as they walked with him to the throne room.

"Where's my son?" Wukong yelled.

"My Lady had said before, he is safe," Messenger continued to smile. "You've arrived just in time for the celebration." 

The doors to the throne room opened, the lanterns that decorated the room gave off a silver glow as Lady Thorn Rose stood by her throne holding the thorn crow on a pillow. A victorious smile began to form on her face the closer Tao got.

"Celebration?" Macaque raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Just a little something that My Lady put together." Messenger's smile began to disturb them. "We're just waiting on the last few guests.

A large thorn demon had appeared. In its arms were Chyou, Chenguang, and Daiyu struggling as the demon had a tight grip on them. 

"Oh," Messenger's let out a dark chuckle, "it seems that they've arrived."

"It was a trap," Chenguang grunted as she tried to break free, "and we fell right into it."

"Let them go!" MK pleaded.

"If you insist." Messenger hummed.

With a nod from them, the demons threw all three of them to the ground. Pigsy, Tang and Sandy ran to their aid. They rest readied their stance for an attack. 

"You're just as sick and twisted as the master you serve!" Wukong spat out. 

"And you're as foolish as you've always been." Messenger retorted. "But none of the matters anyone."

Several thorn demons began to rise up from the ground, surrounding them as Messenger smiled as their demise would be soon.

Tao slowly approached Lady Thorn Rose, before kneeling down to her feet.

"You should know I have watched you for a very long time. I have seen the power you possess. At such a young age no less." The way she spoke like she was a proud mother, made Tao feel uneasy, but he remained quiet. "I had brought you hear days ago, to give you this."

The pillow with the throned crown was now in the hands of one of her servants. She carefully lifted it off the luxurious pillow and held it out for Tao to observe.

"This crown is a symbol of power," Lady Thorn Rose continued, "consider this a great honor and a start to a grand future."

She began to slowly lower the crown on top of Tao's head, while he was oblivious to the wicked smile that began to form on her. "A grand future that I look forward to seeing."

The hoard of thorn demons began to make their approached to them, before Wukong had a chance to react, he caught a glimpse of Messenger through the crowd of demons. The smug look of their face, as if they had won already, sent Wukong into a rage. Without thinking he launched himself toward they as he reeled back a fist.

Before Wukong had a chance, something burst through the temple, leaving a large hole with small parts of the building falling to the ground. It was all a blur, whatever erupted from the building ended up hitting Wukong and sending him skidding across the ground. 

"What the?" Wukong groaned as he began to pick himself up off the ground. 

He pulled himself up to his hands and knees, when something began to stand over him, when he looked up his heart sank.

"No." Wukong quietly pleaded at what he was looking at.

Tao stood over him, his face was emotionless, the golden eyes he once shared with his father were now a glowing silver, and the crown of thorns with the crystal glowing laid on top of his head. Tao had been possessed by the power that Lady Thorn Rose gave him.