Chapter Text
How long has he been lying and waiting for their return?
He knows it’s been hours, but it felt like weeks of constant worry went by.
Macaque was sitting on the worn-out, dusty chair that Azure had so kindly offered. Despite the dirt, his pregnant belly was too heavy to stand up for long. He locked his gaze on the scroll in the middle of the floor, and there was still no sign of movement or burst of magic to see his family escape the prison.
No sign of Wukong burst out theatrically to scare his enemies or to mostly impress with his heroic flair…His mate had yet to escape.
If his mate hadn’t escaped, what about MK and his friends? He knew how strong they were when they were together even when enemies tried to divide them, they always found a way to reunite like a powerful force of nature that cannot be broken apart.
And yet, they haven’t escaped yet, and the gnawing of uneasiness had never settled but only increased.
The only thing that kept Macaque grounded was caressing his belly full of his twin cubs. That seemed to ease his agitated cubs and himself a bit. However, there was another concerning matter at hand, a huge matter sitting on a broken throne.
The former Shadow Weaver glanced at Azure the Lion. He sat on his broken throne like a defiant King, but he was nothing but a kingdom-less king. He also gazed at the scroll before him with a bored expression and he rested his head against his right fist. Macaque could tell that gears were turning in his head. Thinking. Plotting something.
If only his ears could hear to the far depth of one’s mind and read their thoughts, he will be there to slit his throat before his plan come to fruition.
“I can feel your stare. Stop it!” Azure growled without averting his gaze from the scroll. Macaque scoffed lightly; he was still not a bit intimidated by Azure if he thought every attempt to scare would work.
“You need to stop with your scary Alpha bullshit. You don’t scare me.” Azure snarled in a low tone, but Macaque could hear him. He tore his gaze from the scroll to stare back at the Weaver and spoke.
“How did Wukong even put up with you? It still puzzled me that you took Wukong as your Alpha.”
“I didn’t…Not at first.” Then, Macaque smirked. “The first time we met, I punched him in the face.” Azure was not sure if he should be impressed or scared. But he rolled his eyes in irritation.
“You’re intolerable, that’s for certain.”
“Keep rolling your eyes, you might eventually find a brain.” Macaque snarked wittingly, which earned Azure to hit the armchair of his throne with his fist till he broke it.
“You don’t seem to grasp anything that transpired.”
“Oh, enlighten me.” Macaque rolled his eyes as Azure stood and strode over to him.
“I’m trying to shed the light of truth upon you. You can’t trust Sun Wukong. I trusted him and looked at what happened to me.” Macaque snapped his head at him with a sharp dagger-like glare.
“You’re the one who doesn’t seem to grasp, that Wukong has changed.”
“Even if you say Wukong has changed, it will never erase his past misdeeds. Wukong bowed down to Heaven just when we were winning. To overthrow the Jade Emperor and to make the world free of suffering and pain, and to make matters worse, he sided with them to take on some ridiculous journey with a human monk for redemption!? After everything we’ve been through together. Through blood, sweat, and sacrifices. He became a coward and a traitor!” Then, Azure in his rage grasped Macaque’s shoulders, his claws nearly grazed his skin, but Macaque didn’t show fear as Azure snarled.
“But have it your way, Shadow Weaver. So be it if you are hellbent on staying loyal to your mate. I will hurt Sun Wukong far worse than he hurt me…Through you.”
Macaque frowned, he instinctively put a hand over his belly and growled. He shoved Azure’s hand off of his shoulder and left the dusty throne room. His throat tightened. Even if he didn't want to admit it, he did fear for the worse.
Azure watched him go with narrowed eyes.
Wukong punched the ground in frustration. The floor creaked, breaking under the might of his fist. He was trying to get out of the scroll but no matter how many layers he passed through he couldn't escape this prison right clutches. It was maddening. His instinct was becoming more and more difficult to repress. Like a violent wave engulfing every inch of his being, he felt like he was drowning in rage.
His pack was outside.
His pregnant mate was outside.
His eyes reddened. His inner Alpha snarled in pure rage. He unconsciously released his pheromones, flooding the place with his scent. He was driving himself insane with anger. He felt like soon enough he'll be controlled by his inner Alpha. He was at the edge of savagery. If he didn't rejoin Macaque soon, he was going to turn insane.
He was latching on the last shreds of his sanity with gritted teeth. He was upholding all his Master's teachings to not let the beast inside of him control him. Breathe in. Breathe out. He couldn't let anger control him. He needed to remain sane. To have a grip on his mind.
Loud sounds echoed in the distance. Wukong perked up. He knew this voice. Wukong's eyes widened. This was MK! What was he doing in the scroll? Was he in danger? Wukong growled. He ran towards the voice. It sounded like MK was fighting against something.
Wukong tore through the layers. Breaking the foundation of the scroll with nothing but his bare hands. He saw MK and the others fight against an ink curse. Wukong didn't hesitate. He jumped amid the fight and pushed the creature away.
“Monkey King!” Chirped MK, happy to see his mentor after all this time searching for him. The teenager wiped away the sweat glistening on his forehead and jumped on his feet.
“Sorry I'm late, bud.” Hummed Wukong, tried to appear as if he wasn't on the verge of abandoning himself to his anger. He didn't want to show this kind of thing in front of MK.
The russet monkey scowled at the ink creature. So that was the curse plaguing the scroll? It did look quite intimidating. A mishmash of all MK's previous enemies, truly a horrific vision. Wukong tightened his fists and readied himself. He was going to beat this thing to the ground and get out of this prison.
The battle was rough. The curse had the nasty tendency to enter in one's head and dig up their deepest insecurities. But Wukong wasn't going to let himself be mistreated by a mere curse. Some words were cut. Especially when the curse dared to mention Macaque's name. Dared to say that Wukong abandoned his pregnant mate. How could he let himself be trapped? Wukong saw red. For one instant he couldn’t control himself. He tore through the pinkish creature and ripped it to shreds.
When he was done, he was standing in a puddle of black liquid, his claw and mouth dripping with ink. He was heaving. Anger still runs through his body. High on fury.
“Monkey King?” Tentatively asked MK. The rest of the team was standing behind the teenager, looking frazzled.
“I, huh, yeah?” Answered Wukong as he wiped away the ink.
“You’re, okay?” Questioned MK, he put one hand on his mentor's shoulder and squeezed it. Wukong took a deep breath, calming himself.
“Yeah… How did you get here? What happened?” Asked Wukong once he regained his calm.
“This damn lion guy came to us.” Grumbled Mei as she crossed her arms, she was still salty about what Azure did.
Wukong felt his blood run cold at the mention of a lion. “What lion?” He asked urgently.
“Azure.” Answered MK.
Wukong felt his anger flare again, but he restrained himself. “Where's Macaque?” He asked with a cold voice. MK averted his eyes. It was all he needed to see to determine where Macaque was.
Did Azure…Did he take Macaque hostage? Wukong heaved, anger rising within him. How dare he? How dare…He was going to skin this damn cat alive!