Chapter Text
“Did you hear about that Prince that just made their debut?”
Macaque’s ears twitched. Idly listening in on the gossip his servants were excitingly chatting about from their quarters. The Demon King sitting at his desk within his office. Flipping the pages in his book with little interest.
“You mean that one with pretty much every demon racing to court? Yeah, I heard of him. Sun Wukong right?”
Another young Prince that had been introduced to society and is already being fought over by hoards of demons. Is it courting season already?
The shadow demon never paid much attention to the event. Always having something to occupy himself with and having little time to even entertain the thought of pursuing a new love interest.
But Macaque was curious though. Why are so many demons all after this one Prince?
“Yeah! I heard that the Prince shot down every suitor that tried courting him. Beating them to a pulp before escaping.”
Oh? Well, that’s interesting.
So this little Prince was strong, huh? Is that why he was getting so much attention?
It’s true that demons are attracted to strength and seek such a characteristic out in their partners. But there had to be more to it than just that.
“I feel bad for his admirers then! To lose a chance of obtaining a husband as pretty as him. Their pride must be severely wounded.”
Ah, so that’s the reason. The Prince was sought after because he was highly attractive.
Well, regardless of how the Prince looks, Macaque’s interest peeked. If this Prince was strong enough to hold his own in a fight against countless demons, then he would be worth looking into for a possible new alliance.
It would be best to scope him and his kingdom out now. While everyone else is preoccupied with the young debutantes looks instead of his power.
Macaque abruptly closed his book shut. Tossing it on the desk as he stood from his chair. Making his way to leave his office.
Time to find this little Prince and see what all the excitement is about.
Turns out that Sun Wukong lived on the infamous Flower Fruit Mountain. A paradise that was surrounded by dangerous obstacles that kept unwanted visitors away. Protecting the kingdom that lies in the middle of it.
A kingdom of anthropomorphic monkeys. Who’s characteristics and looks reminded Macaque of his own citizens in his kingdom.
The similarities were not lost of the Demon King.
How did such a place escape his knowledge for so long?
The monkey citizens living here had a military. An impressive looking one at that. Trained soldiers who were battle ready and prepared to defend their homes.
If the rumors about the Prince turned out to be false then Macaque was still willing to form an alliance. Just for his army alone. They could be proven quite useful in the future.
That and the seemingly endless food supply of fruits that grew on the mountain. Explaining the name choice for this paradise.
Traveling through the shadows, the Demon King made his way towards the manor behind the waterfall. Learned from his spying in the kingdom that this was where the Prince resides.
Creeping his way within the manor’s walls, Macaque kept an eye out for where the Prince could be. Wanting to catch him when he was alone to talk to him privately.
Eavesdropping on the maids who passed by, the shadow monkey learned that Sun Wukong was enjoying some alone time within the garden. Having ordered his servants to leave him alone for the time being.
Opening up a golden opportunity for the Demon King.
Making his way into what looked like the garden, that’s when Macaque spotted him.
A golden monkey was regally lounging on the branches of a peach tree. Wearing fine clothes that complimented his figure. Luxuriating in the warm sunlight that peeked through the tree branches. Being so at peace being surrounded by the pink flowers that decorated the tree.
The scene looks as if it came out of a fairytale. One that Macaque use to read as a child. With a romantic scenery that artists could only hope to replicate one day.
But it wasn’t the setting that had the Demon King lost for words. It was the monkey sleeping soundly in the tree.
Macaque now understood why so many others had been obsessed with winning the Prince’s hand in marriage.
He was beautiful. Undeniably so.
Upon gazing at the sleeping Prince, there was only one thought going through Macaque’s head.
Mine.
It was as if his instincts had taken over. Commanding the King to stake his claim. To strike while the Prince was vulnerable and unsuspecting.
The shadow demon did not plan for this. To be swept up in his own emotions so suddenly. To desire something so strongly.
Macaque never thought himself a demon to have so little self-control.
But going against all logic, Macaque made his move.
Things had been stressful for Wukong lately. Ever since demons learned about his existence, the Prince had been bombarded nonstop with admirers trying to kidnap him. Claiming that they want to marry him. That it was some kind of tradition for demon courtship.
Wukong rolled his eyes at that. Not impressed with the ‘romantic’ display.
Why was kidnapping someone deemed a perfectly good way to court them? It seemed barbaric to the Prince.
Despite Wukong’s distaste for the tactic, that didn’t change the fact that a seemingly endless number of demon admirers tried to use it on him. Attempting to get their hands on the golden monkey at any chance they could get.
It was annoying for Wukong to be constantly avoiding his so-called suitors. At first, the Prince wanted to be polite and decline their proposals by escaping their grasp. Running away from them to the safety of his kingdom. Where his subjects were more than ready to protect their Prince from unwanted attention.
However, when the constant abduction attempts became too much for Wukong, the Prince took matters into his own hands and started to beat the demons to a pulp for daring to ever come near him. Hoping that the brutal display of beating his admirers into the dirt would discourage anymore courting attempts.
But the overwhelming display of power from Wukong only gained him even more attention. With hoards of demons coming out of the woodworks to win him over.
Making this nightmare never-ending.
“I already have more demons than I bother to count coming after me the minute I step foot outside the mountain. I don’t need my own subjects to watch my every move too!”
“But your majesty, we only want to make sure you’re safe.”
They’ve been arguing like this for an hour now. Wukong’s generals insist on accompanying him everywhere he goes. Having become overprotective of their Prince the last few months. Not allowing Wukong a moment alone.
As much as the Prince loved his subjects, it was infuriating that they didn’t trust Wukong enough to defend himself.
“Haven’t I proven that I can take care of myself just fine already!” Wukong had achieved immortality when training under his former master, Sage Subodhi, for crying out loud. “All I want is a moment alone to myself! I don’t think that’s asking for too much.”
Sighing in frustration, Marshal Ma pinched his nose. Beginning to lose his patience with Wukong. “Your highness, we don’t know when another demon is going to attack. It’s better for you to stay with us at all times so we can keep you safe.”
“A demon isn’t going to try to kidnap me in my own home!” Wukong’s exclaimed. Desperately wanting to be left alone for even a minute.
Deciding to interrupt the other two monkeys before a shouting match begins, General Beng stepped in. “I think we should lay off Wukong for the time being. A demon has yet to try to abduct the Prince while he is on the mountain. We don’t need to watch him so closely here.”
“The keyword there is ‘yet,’ General.” Ma snapped. Having lost his patience but still tried to contain his composure.
Use to the Marshal’s prickly temper, Beng pressed on. “But the point still stands. Wukong is safe as long as he is on the mountain. None have dared to approach him when there’s a whole army ready to defend him.”
Ma seemed to consider the other’s words. True, that a demon has yet to step foot on the mountain without regretting it almost immediately. Being instantly attacked by their army.
Perhaps they don’t need to be so overprotective of their Prince.
“Fine, you win.” Marshal Ma turned back to Wukong. Making his tone firm. “But stay on the mountain where your safety and we can protect you. No going off on another adventure or anything of the sort. Understand?”
Huffing at the lecture he was being given, Wukong pouted. But held his tongue. Not wanting to ruin his chances to have a moment to himself. “Yes, I get it. I’ll stay in the kingdom where I’m safe.”
“Good.” Marshal Ma straightened himself.“We’ll alert the staff to leave you be for the time being. They’ll give you your space until told otherwise.” Turning to General Beng. “Come along General. Let’s leave our Prince to his own devices.”
“Of course.” General Beng agreed. Winking at Wukong before following the Marshal out of the garden. Leaving their Prince alone for the first time in months.
Finally, alone, Wukong smiled to himself. Immediately making his way to the peach tree in the middle of the garden. Climbing its branches until he reached his favorite spot. Laying himself on it. Intending to relax among the flowers.
For the first time in months, Wukong was alone. Completely alone. Out of the line of sight of watchful eyes. Enjoying the peace and quiet the garden provided.
Closing his eyes with a sigh, the golden monkey nestled into the flowers. Quickly falling asleep at the sounds of the birds chirping.
Wukong wasn’t sure how much time has passed. Slowly stirring awake by the rustling sounds above him.
Opening his eyes, the golden monkey peered up to look for the source of the noise. Seeing nothing but the peach blossoms slightly swaying in the breeze.
The Prince was about to shrug off his suspension in favor of going back to get some shut-eye if it wasn’t for the faint sound of a branch breaking right next to him.
Quickly rising from his lounging position, Wukong turned to scan the area. On high alert.
However, it was already too late.
Before Wukong could even properly comprehend what was happening, he was tackled out of the tree. Grabbed and carried bridal style, letting out a small ‘oof’ from the contact.
The other being who was carrying him moved fast. Too fast for Wukong to make out who they were at first. Only able to catch a glance of them.
The others frame was similar to his own. Another monkey. One of his subjects, perhaps? They had darker fur than him, black?
Who was this? What was happening?!
Not giving the Prince time to voice out his questions. The other monkey was on the move. They held Wukong close to their chest before diving straight down. About to hit the hard ground head-on.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Wukong’s yelled. Starting to struggle in the other’s hold. Try as he might, the Prince could not escape his grasp. “STOP!” His panic voice alerted the guards close by.
But it was already too late. Before he knew it, the ground opened up. A black portal appears out of their shadows as they hurtle towards the ground. Disappearing within.
When the guards rushed towards the scene, their Prince was nowhere in sight.
Darkness surrounded Wukong. The shadows engulfed him and the mysterious figure that held onto him.
The Prince couldn’t make out a single thing. With no light to help him see. In a constant state of free-falling into the endless abyss. Being forced to cling onto his abductor for some kind of stability. Burying his head into the other shoulder and shutting his eyes tight. Waiting for this nightmare to end.
Macaque smiled in triumph. Tightening his grip on the Prince as he traveled through the shadows. Ecstatic that his plan had worked. Now having the golden monkey in his grasp.
This was uncharacteristic for the Demon King. Never before had he done something so rash and reckless.
But the sudden impulse to take the Prince was strong. Stronger than any feeling Macaque could remember having in all his years of living.
It felt freeing to give in to his instincts and let them drive him. Being awarded such behavior with a prize as gorgeous as the Prince he was holding.
The shadow demon was going to lavish Wukong with everything he could possibly want and more.
Nearing their destination, Macaque slowed down to a stop. Emerging from the shadows out to the open. Stepping foot a few thousand miles away from Flower Fruit Mountain. Having arrived in a secluded area within his own manor. Smirking down at Wukong as the other still clung onto him.
Sensing that they have come to a stop, the Prince slowly lifted his head from the other shoulder. Still confused about the events that just took place. Glancing up and making eye contact with Macaque.
Time seemed to freeze. Macaque was taken aback by the large golden eyes the other monkey wore. How they perfectly fit with the rest of the Prince. Matching well with the pink markings that adorned his face.
The rumors Macaque heard about the Prince didn’t do him justice.
He was even more beautiful than they say.
Wukong, for his part, took one look at the dark-furred monkey and immediately acted. Shoving the Demon King back with all his strength and jumping out of his hold. Freeing himself from Macaque’s grip as the other was forced to let him go.
Grunting from the sudden turn of events, Macaque stumbled before righting himself. Gaping at the Prince with surprise.
It escaped Macaque’s mind that the rumors had also talked about how strong the Prince was too as well as beautiful. Having forgotten in his own room excitement.
Creating some distance between him and the demon monkey that kidnapped him, Wukong glared back at Macaque. Taking a fighting stance in case the other tried to attack him again.
“Who are you?” Wukong demanded. “And where are we?”