𝙈𝙔 𝙈𝙊𝙊𝙉𝙇𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏___[ʟᴍᴋ ꜰᴀɴꜰɪᴄ]

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑾𝑬𝑵𝑻𝒀-𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑬

MY MOONLIGHT

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Chapter Twenty-Three
Collar the King
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❝What can I say? I'm dramatic.❞

ONE MOMENT, YOU were sleeping peacefully with the monkeys on the tree. The next you were falling down an eerie place along with Wukong and Mk. You and Wukong landed down on your feet while Mk hit the ground harshly.

"The world has fallen into chaos, and at every step of its descent... You have been there." Someone was talking and Wukong waved his hand strongly to push the mist away, revealing the ten kings of the underworld. Mk looked up at them with fear and confusion, "Wha— A second ago I was in bed. What's going on?" He asked while shifting his gaze to you and Monkey King.

"Yeah, the guys in the cool robes only strike when you're asleep. Kind of their thing." Wukong stated, seemingly unamused by the kings bringing the three of you here. You sighed and crossed your arms over your chest, "What do you want?" You asked the kings with a frown on your face, crossing your arms over your chest.

"Sun Wukong, the Six-Eared Y/N, and MK the Monkie Kid... you have been summoned before the Court of the Underworld to answer for your crimes." The first king explained the reason for bringing you here all of the sudden. You expected Wukong to be dragged here for what he did in the past, but why were you dragged in here? It wasn't like you were intentionally joining Wukong in his havoc, you were barely helping him get his ass out of the problems.

"You stand before the Ten Kings, guardians of the great cycle." The second king added.

"A cycle which has been disrupted." The third joined them.

Wukong stared at them with a deadpanned look, "Help me remember. What was it the last time you all brought me here? Oh, right. Things didn't super work out for you." He reminded them, his expression turned into a frown. You knew what he was talking about because Wukong had done ridiculous things here, "And as I recalled, you removed your name from the Book of the Dead." The first king spoke up again while Wukong smiled lazily.

"A similar crime has led to this moment. The Scroll of Memory was stolen. Your guilt is obvious." The third king pointed out.

"Wait, are we on trial? Do we need a lawyer?" Mk asked before he let out a loud gasp of shock. His clothes magically changed into a suit, "Don't worry. I watched almost every episode of Monkey Cop: Courtroom Edition! Hehe. Uh, your honors. What exactly are the charges?" You mentally facepalmed as Mk approached the ten kings. The way Mk asked made the first king angry, "Because of your actions, the Jade Emperor fell." He harshly spat out, you could tell he was glaring at you three from under the hood.

"And now the Pillar of Heaven has been irreparably damaged. You stand accused of the destruction of this world." The fourth king continued.

Mk chuckled nervously, "Huh, Imma-Imma need a minute with my clients." Mk requested and huddled up with you and Monkey King, "Okay. My professional legal advice is... we should leave!" The boy said with panic. Wukong hummed in thought as he looked around which gave you a very bad feeling because his ideas usually lead to a big trouble, "Hmm... not seeing a door, so... I'm just gonna make one!" He suggested and was about to create an exit to escape. However, the underworld kings knew that Monkey King would do such a thing, they were prepared.

"We thought you might try some... foolishness to escape justice. And so, we have brought upon a power even greater than yours." The first king stared before summoning a portal. Ne Zha came down from it and Mk waved at him, "Ne Zha? Hey, Ne Zha!" The boy enthusiastically called him out, but Ne Zha didn't even look at him. Meanwhile, Wukong laughed mockingly, "This is your big scary?" Just as he said that, Ne Zha's father father appeared and Wukong stopped laughing, "Uh, okay. A little more powerful than Nezh-ie." He added, scratching the back of his neck.

"You really had to jinx it, Wukong." You thought and rolled your eyes.

"Pagoda-Wielding General, Li Jing... new leader of the Celestial Realm." The first king introduced Ne Zha's dad to you all. Mk's eyes sparkled in awe, "Ne Zha's dad? Ne Zha, your dad's the new Jade Emperor?" Mk asked with curiosity and excitement while the Lotus Prince kept his gaze away.

"The Jade Emperor cannot be replaced." Ne Zha finally spoke up, still avoiding eye contact.

"In his absence, I have been in charge of resolving this." Li Jing uttered formerly.

"Big ups on the promotion, Li. I always knew you'd weasel your way to the top!" Wukong joked with a knowing smile.

"The world is on a knife's edge. You add nothing but chaos." Li Jing stared firmly, accusing your group for all the problems that happened recently. Mk perked up and groaned, "Ooo-objection! Ergo, fees or fee, we're guilty until proven innocent— Nah oh wait, forget I said that." He quickly stopped himself before he could get you in more troubles. Wukong quickly pulled Mk back, "You know that pagoda of yours isn't going to be enough to stop us." Wukong said with determination.

"Perhaps. There was only one thing that could ever bring the Great Sage to yield, as I've been in power by the Heavenly Host..."

Upon realizing what Li Jing was about to do, you quickly rushed to Wukong's side, "STOP!" You shouted, but it was too late.

"I collar the beast!" Li Jing used his powers to create a circlet around Wukong's head. You reached him and supported his body as he yielded in pain, "Wukong... You will be alright." You tried to assure Monkey King, your hand gently touching the circlet. You hated this thing, it was what made Wukong submit to that monk in the past. Mk was freaking out and his form began to flicker which made Wukong hold his hand, "It's okay, kid. We're okay." He gently said to calm Mk down.

"Wukong's fangs have been pulled." Li Jing stated and turned to leave.

"Father. These three, they're not—" Ne Zha tried to reason with his father, but he was cut off.

"Control yourself. This sideshow is over."

Ne Zha looked back at the three of you concernedly and frowned. He then followed Li Jing into leaving the courtroom as you three were transported into a cellar in the Celestial Realm.