The Jade Warrior

Chasing Shadows

Y/n found some robes and swiftly put them on. The fabric stretched over his body as he stormed out of the building.

"I should have never trusted you" He says as he walks down the street with a grimacing stare. Wukong quickly walked infront of him trying to stop his temper.

"First of all, I didn't do this. Secondly you need to calm down."

"How can I believe you. Not to mention the strongest armor made in the universe is now missing!" Y/n's tall figure says looking down at Wukong furiously.

"And that is bad, which is why we have to work together to find it!" Wukong pleads, putting Y/n at a complete halt as he looks down at him.

Y/n’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Wukong for any hint of deceit. He was still skeptical, but Wukong's unusually serious expression gave him pause.

Wukong took a deep breath, holding Y/n’s gaze. "Look, I know I joke around a lot," he admitted, "but even I wouldn’t mess with something that important to you." He pointed to the bustling street ahead, his voice low. "Whoever took it… they must’ve done it while we were in the bathhouse. They’re probably still nearby."

Y/n let out a heavy sigh, reluctantly nodding. "Fine. But if you so much as delay us, Wukong, you’ll regret it."

"Understood," Wukong replied with a quick, half-hearted salute, a small smirk breaking through despite the tension. "I think I saw a couple of suspicious figures heading towards the marketplace earlier. They might’ve taken it there."

Without further discussion, Wukong sets off through the crowded streets. Y/n deciding to take a different direction, following his senses he weaves through several alleys and eventually makes it to some sort of underground shady business area. "Of course"

Y/n's bright figure shines in the darkness of the area. No dealer, or vendor dared approach him as he marched across the field, eventually turning into a back alley and entering into a run down tea shop.

"Geez you never give up do you?" A familiar voice rings around the building. Y/n's body casting a light to see Wukong, but with black instead of orange fur.

"Who may you be? Why did you take my armor?" Y/n asks curiously as the figure sits in a nearby chair with a cheeky smile.

"I'm Macaque, and I just couldn't help myself~" He says as Y/n looks down at him, not impressed, not insulted, just blank and a hint of confusion.

"Interesting, you look and sound like Wukong, yet I sense you are nothing like him..."

Macaque's smirk grew as he leaned back, casually resting his arms on the chair. "Oh, I’d say I’m nothing like him," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "Wukong’s all about the show, the hero act. I, on the other hand, have a more… refined taste for trouble."

Y/n kept his gaze steady, unimpressed. "You stole my armor, I will use force if you do not return it"

Macaque shrugged, unbothered by Y/n’s icy tone. "Let’s call it borrowing. You’ve been hiding behind that armor for so long, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about." He glanced over Y/n’s form, a sly grin on his face. "And I must say, you’re even more impressive without it. All that energy, just radiating. Must feel good to be free, no?"

Y/n’s eyes narrowed. "I don’t need your opinions on my form. Return the armor, now."

Macaque chuckled, tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Why rush? You and I both know you can handle yourself just fine without it.” He leaned forward, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Maybe Wukong’s rubbed off on me. I’m curious to see just what you’re capable of… unrestricted."