Chapter Text
Macaque wasn’t an idiot. He knew the plan was stupid and he knew he probably was going to end up being canon fodder for the group, and yet he still bit his tongue and had bared the task with a smile. Or a grimacing snarl. Close enough.
The brotherhood did successfully conquer a new territory, one with tons of space and resources but entirely too many steep cliffs and ledges for the raven furred monkey’s liking.
During the battle he had been keeping too much on his toes like he was used to, being light footed when he should have had a sturdy stance. A wolf demon had managed to hook his claw under the strap of Macaque’s armor, lifting the monkey effortlessly off the ground as his claws dug into his stomach like a giant bottom jaw scooping up raw dough. A scream erupted from Macaque’s throat before he could think, it echoed throughout the whole cliff side and made his own ears pop from the shrillness of it.
The wolf demon howled, pulling back his lips in a snarl to bare his teeth at the shadowy simian. Ears flat against his head like a whistle just went off. He jerked Macaque’s dangling form forward so they were nose to nose. “You annoying parasite!”
He knew this was stupid, he knew this would hurt him more than his enemy but he needed to get rid of this canine. He was the only scout left that could slip away and call for backup, he needed to get him down long enough for Azure and Wukong to finish the job. So, as though he were on an old tree-tied wood swing, he kicked his legs back and the momentum slammed him directly into the demonic mutt. Driving the claws deeper into his wound, but ultimately sending them both over the edge.
The last thing he felt was bile being pushed up into his throat, his eyes rolling back into his head as air engulfed his body. Falling fast. He was in too much pain to make a portal, and he couldn’t see which way was up or down. Suddenly he saw a flash of gold, the sound of metal cutting through air. He felt arms wrap around his middle; he felt his body change directions so fast he felt the air empty from his lungs. With a gasp, he lost consciousness. The last thing Macaque heard was a familiar raspy and snarky voice. “Don’t worry, little ape, I got you.”
—
When the Warrior finally comes to his head is pounding. His whole body feels like horse shit and his fur is matted with blood. He recognizes two smells in the room immediately. Incense and alcohol. Not the fun alcohol, rubbing alcohol. So much of it he can feel his eyes start to water. He tries to sit up, groaning as he clutches his side but a giant pale white hand gently places itself on his chest. Pushing Macaque back down into a lying position.
“Calm yourself little warrior, let your mind adjust to consciousness.” He recognized the elephant in the room. Pun intended.
“Heh… Yellow Tusk, if you aren’t a sight for sore eyes—“ the six eared monkey was cut off by his own chest erupting into coughs. When it ceases he groans deeply, looking down at himself.
His whole abdomen had been wrapped in thick gauze, a bowl of hot water and blood stained rags sat to his right. His armor had been removed and his top had been opened, still on him by the sleeves and shoulders. What was missing, largely to his disappointment, was the wraps he had put on his chest. He makes a disappointed ‘tsk’ sound as he quickly wraps his shirt back around to cover himself.
“No one saw, if that’s what you’re thinking, young one.” The elephant demon said after a beat of silence. Not looking up from the bowl he was stirring.
“Thanks…” Macaque didn’t mean to sound sarcastic, but he was skeptical. It wasn’t necessarily a secret. Just something that had never been brought up in conversation before. He decided to bring the subject off of his chest. “How did I— I mean, I was thrown off a cliff. How am I not splattered across a cliff side?”
Suddenly the entrance to the healing tent was flung open. The thick fabric rustling as a tall pale blue figure appeared. Looking down at Macaque with disappointed magenta eyes and a scowling beak. Great. This day can’t get any worse.
“More like throwing yourself off a cliff. What were you thinking?” Peng’s voice sounded like angry waves hitting a coastline.
“I had to buy time! He was gonna run off, but I’m fine! No harm no foul—“
“Only because I caught your pathetic ass!” The bird demon hisses, squatting down to lean into Macaque’s face. “I knew you were a coward, but i never took you for suicidal.”
Macaque narrowed his eyes, the bird’s words were laced with venom. He bared his teeth and his tail smacked against the cot like a metronome in agitation.
“I was doing. My. Job.”
“Your job is to assist in conquering the Celestial Realm, bettering the world for mortals and bringing us all to greatness. Not wasting your life and making us all fear you might—“ they cut themselves off, pressing their claws against the bridge of their nose in annoyance.
Macaque couldn’t help but slowly grin, flopping to lay back down as he chuckled smugly.
“Hush you insolent worm! This is no laughing matter!” If feathers could flush with embarrassment, theirs definitely would be right now. Macaque covered his eyes with his hands as he laughed loudly.
“I know- I know I just—“ he snorted, cheeks puffing up as he pointed at the avian childishly. “You were worried! Like, actually, genuinely worried about me!”
“No! I wasn’t worried about you! Do you know what would happen to me if the Monkey King found out I let his little stray get hurt?” Stray. It was a word used by many before the golden winged Peng and will probably be used by many more after. It was one of the many terms used to describe the Six-Eared Macaque.
“Well I’m hurt, so, failed that part buddy.” He grinned but his eyes remained tired and sunken. He let the expression drop into a deadpan as the bird squawked in retaliation.
“You know what I meant! God you’re so insuffera—“
“Peng, zip it.” The monkey clamped a hand over their golden beak. This was met by a hard swat of his as the bird opened their mouth and drew in a breath to speak about the audacity, only to be met with
“SHHH! Someone’s coming- someone angry…”
Macaque suddenly cut them off. His ears twitched, two out of the three on his right turned outward. He could recognize the sound of someone walking with a purpose. The first presence walked further back, smaller strides and heavier body and armor. The second, was walking like a comet about to crash into the earth and set fire to everything around it. He could hear the rushed long strides as a shadow appeared on the other side of the tent door. They all turned to look, as the large form of Azure Lion held the entrance of the tent open.
And Sun Wukong made his entrance.