Pretentious Faces (Masquerade Au)

On A 'Trip'

"So...he just...left? Why?" Tang sat patiently, staring intently at the young hero before him. MK rubbed his arm, grimacing slightly, "Uhm, he's...visiting some old friends?"

At his words, Sandy, Pigsy, and Tang each winced and glanced at each other. The gentle giant cleared his throat, "Is...is Mr. Monkey King okay? That can be pretty tough." MK frowned, confused, and slowly his eyes widened. He felt uncomfortable, a brief memory flashing across his mind.

"...Well, he was..." He inhaled, slowly gathering his words, "So, he was trying this thing called 'astral projecting'. And, when he called in, he was in a temple or something. There were...these little origami figures. And incense..."

---

Monkey King bowed his head before the figures, speaking softly, "She's back, and stronger than before. I need to go cause some...trouble in order to stop her. I need to keep my successor safe."

He looked up, smiling sweetly behind his mask, "That's right, I have a successor. His name is MK-- You would've all adored him. I just know it." He stood back, but still close to the shrine. Wukong exhaled, "Please wish me luck, yeah?"

The king then reached out for the boy, his magic highlighting the world into bright gold.

---

Sandy and Pigsy turned away, heads clouded with swirling thoughts. Tang simply looked distant, his expression practically a different person, "Oh, monkey..." His voice was soft, fond and pained.

MK jolted, eyebrows knitted together, "What?" The scholar looked equally perplexed, "I think I wanted to say 'Monkey King'. Not sure why I paused." The young brunette nodded slowly, "Okay...makes sense. Yeah." He suddenly facepalmed lightly, "Right! I was gonna go help Mei do something! Bye, Tang!"

The man watched the other go, eyes still distant.

---

Macaque shuddered, feeling the unnerving chill wash over him. She was back, he knew it. And she would make him pay for delaying her arrival.

His ears suddenly swiveled, and the warrior paused his racing thoughts. The boy was out today, and apparently he was training his powers. On his own. Which meant Wukong wasn't training him at the moment, for some odd reason. Had the boy and the sage had a fight?

The shadow user slinked closer, eyes trained on the brunette. MK was practicing his transformations, eyes squinted in concentration. Macaque stepped out, grinning with a snarky laugh, "Hey, bud! Where's your mentor?" The question strung itself out, startling the young hero. MK fumbled, turning around sharply.

"...Macaque. What do you want?" His voice lacked his usual cheer, and his body went rigid. Macaque ignored his obvious lack of trust, "Oh, come on, now! Is that any way to treat your favorite mentor?" MK rolled his eyes, "You're not my favorite."

"Oh? Then where is your favorite?" Macaque grinned sharply, ready to pounce. The boy stepped back slowly, eyes trained on the monkey, "Out. Running errands." The warrior raised an eyebrow, "Errands? Really? Is that the best excuse he could come up with?"

Wukong must have left because the witch had appeared. He must be out, either finding someone to get her, or something powerful enough to defeat her. Seems that was one thing that never changed with the king.

"It is an errand! Technically, anyway." MK suddenly puffed out his chest, "What're you doing here, anyway?" Macaque hummed, "Right."

"...You two used to be friends, right?"

The question caught the monkey off-guard, his smirk slipping. MK ignored his expression, speaking up, "What happened between you and Monkey King? Why are you two so hellbent on not being friends? No, why are you so big on beating him up?" Macaque stepped back, a growl tearing through his throat.