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✩*:.˶˃______✧✧✧________˂˵ .:*✩
It had been a few weeks since the dumpling disaster, the shrinking incident, the bug fiasco... and countless MK-related shenanigans that had tested every fiber of Y/N's patience.
She wasn't even sure how she managed to stay graceful anymore. Maybe it was willpower. Or maybe it was the ability to sleep for 10+ hours a day.
And now, MK was back—eyes wide, waving tickets around like a hyper squirrel.
"Y/N! There's a shadow play tonight in the city, come with us! Pleaseeee!"
She blinked at him, eyes dull with exhaustion. "...I thought you were banned from public events after the hiccup earthquake."
"I was! But Pigsy got us new identities!" MK grinned brightly.
She sighed. "Fine. But only because I need a break... and food."
⸻࿐
They arrived at the open-air theater as dusk settled in. Lanterns glowed with soft golden light. The stage was already set, old scrolls, props, and a large, elaborate lantern hanging in the center. Tang and Pigsy were already seated, Mei saved seats, and MK bounded toward the snack stall.
"I'm going with him," Y/N said bluntly, following MK. "He's going to pick the blandest food here, I just know it."
MK pouted. "Am not!"
⸻ᬊ
While they were distracted at the snack cart, something began to stir in the theater. The lantern shimmered, and the shadow puppets began to move on their own. One by one, Mei, Tang, and Pigsy were pulled inside the play, vanishing without a sound.
⸻✦
By the time Y/N and MK returned, the stage was alive.
The puppets danced across the screen, telling a story too familiar to be fiction. A story about the Monkey King and the Brotherhood—the same one Y/N once knew... and left behind.
She watched silently.
The betrayal. The power. The fall of the Demon Bull King.
Her breath caught in her throat. Was this what happened while I slept?
⸻☾
MK's voice cut through the tension. "Wait... is this... me?"
He approached the stage. And then, suddenly—
"Hello, bud," said a voice behind him.
Y/N turned sharply.
It was "Monkey King"... or so it seemed.
But the energy was off. Too sharp. Too smug. Too dark.
MK launched a punch—and it was caught midair.
Y/N's instincts screamed. "MK, step back!"
But it was too late.
The shadows thickened. Illusions shattered.
"Macaque." Y/N growled under her breath.
⸻༒
Macaque smirked, stepping into the light, the lantern glowing ominously in his hand. "You kids are too curious for your own good."
MK tried to fight him, but he was easily overwhelmed. Worse, Macaque used the magic lantern to force MK to confront shadow versions of his friends.
Y/N leapt forward to assist—but was cut off by shadow Mei, eyes glowing, voice warped.
Y/N hesitated.
It wasn't her.
But it looked like her.
Y/N gritted her teeth, dodging each blow. "I really don't want to hurt a kid..." she muttered. "But keep pushing me—"
She summoned a burst of energy, just enough to knock the shadow Mei back, not enough to destroy her.
⸻☽
On the stage, MK's emotions began to spill. His fears of not living up to Monkey King. Of being weak. Unworthy.
Y/N could feel his spirit unraveling.
But in one wild, impulsive moment, MK rushed at Macaque, eyes blazing with determination.
The way he moved...
The focus, the fire...
He looked just like Wukong in his prime.
Y/N's eyes widened in awe. He really is his successor...
⸻✭
Macaque flinched.
For a moment, something human cracked through his smirk.
He smashed the lantern.
Light exploded outward.
Mei, Pigsy, and Tang tumbled out of the shadows with groans.
Y/N rushed to them, helping Mei sit up. "You okay?"
"I think I saw my grandma's tax records," Mei wheezed.
MK stared at Macaque. "Why...?"
Macaque's smile was bitter. "I wanted to watch you fall apart. But turns out, you're doing that all on your own."
Silence.
Y/N watched him warily. He wasn't lying.
He looked... tired.
Broken.
Before anyone could react, he vanished into smoke.
⸻✩
Later that night...
Deep in the ruins of the theater, Macaque returned. The shattered lantern lay in pieces.
But the Mayor awaited him, his form twisted and corrupted.
"The lantern, monkey."
"What's left of it," Macaque muttered, tossing it toward him.
The Mayor caught it with glee. "Lady Bone Demon will be pleased. One more piece for the bone mech."
Macaque didn't say a word. He just disappeared into the shadows again.
⸻❁
Back on Flower Fruit Mountain...
Y/N stood at the edge of a cliff, arms crossed.
Wukong... what else haven't you told me? _______♡
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