ECLIPTIC CHILD

┏━━━━ • ✿ • ━━━━┓
Chapter Two
Collar the King #1
┗━━━━ • ✿ • ━━━━┛

❝Mama! Mama!❞

YOU AND MACAQUE were sleeping on a tree. You were laying on his chest while the other little monkeys surrounded you two. Everything was peaceful and nothing to disturb such a quiet night.

That was until you woke up the sound of monkeys screeching and running away. A blue symbol appeared beneath Macaque, teleporting you two somewhere else, "Mama!" You exclaimed before you two could be taken away. Macaque woke up, finding himself falling down,

Macaque: "What?" He thought as he grabbed you by his tail, seeing you laughing with delight.

The shadow monkey noticed that both Wukong and Mk with him as well which probably meant something bad was about to happen. Macaque gracefully landed down before taking you in his arms. You giggled happily and clapped your hands, "Wee!" You chanted while slightly kicking your feet, making Macaque sigh deeply. He then turned his attention to the 10 Kings of the Underworld who were the reason to be here.

Mk: "Wha— A second ago I was in bed. What's going on?" Mk exclaimed with panic.

Wukong: "Yeah, the guys in the cool robes only strike when you're asleep. Kind of their thing." Monkey King stated with a hint of carelessness.

You looked up at the 10 Kings in puzzlement before your eyes landed on a specific one. Your fur raised up and you hissed alarmingly with a deep scoff, showcasing your hatred. Macaque noticed this and how your grip on his clothes tightened. He moved his hand to your head to console you,  but you were still hissing in a warning manner.

Macaque: "What do you want?" He asked while squinting his gold eyes a little.

First King: "Sun Wukong, the Six-Eared Macaque, and MK the Monkie Kid... you have been summoned before the Court of the Underworld to answer for your crimes."

Second King: "You stand before the Ten Kings, guardians of the great cycle."

Third King: "A cycle which has been disrupted. A simple proof is the child in your arms, she mustn't be awoken yet." The king confronted while pointing at you.

Macaque, Wukong, and Mk looked at you with puzzlement. You were still on high alert because of one of the kings had unsettling energy.

Wukong: "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 sarcastically said then raised an eyebrow, folding his arms over his chest.

First King: "And as I recalled, you removed your name from the Book of the Dead." As the king said that, Wukong had on a lazy smile as if he didn't feel any guilt or regret.

Third King: "A similar crime has led to this moment. The Scroll of Memory was stolen. Your guilt is obvious."

Mk who was confused all the time gasped upon realizing the seriousness situation, but he didn't actually take it that seriously.

Mk: "Wait, are we on trial? Do we need a lawyer?" He suddenly switched into a lawyer suit to defend themselves, "Don't worry. I watched almost every episode of Monkey Cop: Courtroom Edition! Hehe. Uh, your honors. What exactly are the charges?" He asked while stepping forward with a confident smile.

First King: "Because of your actions, the Jade Emperor fell."

Fourth King: "And now the Pillar of Heaven has been irreparably damaged."

Wukong: "The Pillar of Heaven?"

Upon hearing the word Pillar of Heaven, a memory flashed in your head. A woman approaching a big pillar of light with colored gems. Your face lit up and a giggle lift your lips, "Mama!" You exclaimed as you looked at the Fourth King. Macaque stared down at you and turned your head away from the king, thinking that you called him mama. He was taken aback by you change of mood out of blue. Before you could react, Mk pulled you four into a huddle to discuss the matter more.

Mk: "Okay. I don't know who is this bady or what are they talking about, but my professional legal advice is... we should leave!" The boy anxiously suggested.

Wukong: "Hmm... not seeing a door, so... I'm just gonna make one!" Monkey King was going to create an exit to leave this court, but he was stopped.

First King: "We thought you might try some... foolishness to escape justice. And so, we have brought upon a power even greater than yours."

Just then, another portal opened and in came the one and only Lotus Prince, Ne Zha. You stared at the prince with awe, but he was looking away when Wukong started to laugh.

Wukong: "This is your big scary?" As he asked this, Ne Zha's dad appeared, "Uh, okay. A little more powerful than Nezh-ie." Wukong uttered in a bit surprise.

First King: "Pagoda-Wielding General, Li Jing... new leader of the Celestial Realm."

Li Jing stared at the three males all with an unreadable yet serious look before his gaze shifted to you which frightened you a bit and made you hold into Macaque tightly.

Mk: "Ne Zha's dad? Ne Zha, your dad's the new Jade Emperor?" The young boy asked excitedly, not knowing the gravity of this matter.

Ne Zha: "The Jade Emperor cannot be replaced." The Lotus Prince stated while keeping his gaze away.

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

Wukong: "Big ups on the promotion, Li. I always knew you'd weasel your way to the top!"

Li Jing: "The world is on a knife's edge. You add nothing but chaos."

Mk suddenly groaned in annoying and decided to interrupt the discussion between Li Jing and Monkey King.

Mk: "Ooo-objection! Ergo, fees or fee, we're guilty until proven innocent— Nah oh wait, forget I said that." He quickly correct himself before he could get all of you in more trouble.

Wukong: "You know that Pagoda of yours isn't going to be enough to stop us."

Li Jing: "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..." The raised his hand up as a symbol formed mid-air, "I collar the beast!"

The first to notice this was Macaque who quickly rushed to stop Li Jing, but it was too late as a new circlet formed around Wukong's head. Monkey King cried out in pain and held his head, falling down on his knees. You pouted sadly as Macaque crouched down beside him, holding you in one arm. You reached your hand out and grabbed his sleeve, "Ba..." You mumbled, small tears forming in the corner of your eyes. Wukong -surprised by what you called him- forced a smile and petted your head.

Mk: "NO! No, no, no..." Mk said in worry as his form started to glitch, but Wukong held his hand assuringly.

Wukong: "It's okay, kid. We're okay."

Li Jing: "Wukong's fangs have been pulled. As for the child..." He snapped his fingers and you were captured in a magical transparent ball, taking you away from Macaque's arms, "She will be held in secure place."

Macaque: "Y/N, no!" The shadow monkey exclaimed as he stood up, ready to pull up a fight to save you.

"Mama!" You called out while hitting on the ball with panic. Li Jing turned to leave with you.

Ne Zha: "Father. The child has nothing to do with them.These three, they're no—"

Li Jing: "Control yourself. You know nothing of this child. This sideshow is over."

Ne Zha gave them an apologetic look before he followed his father. The last thing you saw was Macaque's face that was laced with concern and anger. He didn't know what the Celestial Realm would do to you, but he was sure that he will save you no matter what the cost.

"Mama!"