LOVE STORY

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Chapter Fourteen
The Queen, the Prince,
and the Shadow
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❝Forever's a long time, bud. Trust me.❞

THE ESCAPE FROM Lantern City was successful, but the powers of the evil Lady Bone Demon had reached the city and its poor citizens.

Your mind was preoccupied with so many thoughts like how to extract the Samadhi Fire from Mei without harming her. However, you were mostly concerned about Macaque. He was being controlled by that evil witch and was being used by her. You were certain that once he fails or she gets what she wanted, LBD will dispose of him. As much as you hated your first encounter with Macaque after years, you still were glad that he was back. You still get a chance to make amends with him and tell him your part of the story.

This was all you wanted...

Your thoughts were interrupted when Tang spoke up with a hint of worry, "Um, so uh, Mrs. Queen, miss, I don't wanna rush you or anything but-" He couldn't finish his sentence when Mk butted in the conversation, "I'm okay with rushing her. What's the plan, Monkey Queen? We've got all three Rings of Samadhi, so how do we use them to make the Lady Bone Demon go boom? Is there a switch or-" The boy's nagging didn't help you at all at this point. The train halted for a moment which made Mk fall.

You glanced at Mei then averted your gaze when she looked at you, "It's a bit more complicated than that. In order to reforge the Samadhi Fire we'll need to reach the summit of that mountain." You told him with a serious look.

"Huh. And, uh, that's where we'll find the fourth ring eh? Ain't that right, Monkey Queen?" Pigsy questioned, giving you a glare.

You didn't expecting him to ask you about the forth ring in front of everyone. This made Mk question about the forth ring, but you couldn't just tell him straight ahead that it was Mei. Just then, the train car stutter as Ne Zha's Fire Ring could be seen outside, "Uh, who dat?" Mk asked you with panic. The Fire Ring disbanded, causing the sky train to stop moving. Ne Zha emerged from the ring. He threw two flaming wheels at the car, causing it to split.

"Get back!" You exclaimed, but it was too late as the car got cut.

You swiftly grabbed everyone and moved them to a safer train car. Ne Zha then landed in the train, "Y/N. Finally." He spoke up, obviously not looking really happy to see you. You chuckled nervously as you tried to protect your friends, "Ne Zha, my old friend. Don't tell me you trekked all the way out here to hang out with lil' ol' me." You said, trying to lighten the mood. However, the Lotus Prince wasn't having it at all.

"You know exactly why I'm here. I will not let you reforge the Samadhi Fire and doom this world."

"I can't believe it's really you! The legendary Third Lotus Prince, Ne Zha! I must be the luckiest Tang in the world!" Tang exclaimed with excitement, but he was pushed back by Ne Zha.

"How did you find us? Wait, wait, don't tell me. You took a sneaky peaky at the map while you were supposed to be guarding it? Now who's untrustworthy?" You asked him with a raised eyebrow, faking your shock.

"I didn't have to. I knew the ring I had been tasked to hide was safe in Chang'e's care until you stole it!"

"Borrowed."

"I had a feeling the Demon Bull King would've kept his instead of hiding it as instructed. No surprises there."

You raised an eyebrow and put your hand on your chin, "Yeah, I think we all saw that one coming."

"Which brings me to your ring. Worst kept secret ever!" Ne Zha yelled with great frustration toward you.

"Well, I mean, not wrong." Mei spoke up, earing her a nod of agreement from Sandy.

"This is exactly why the Rings of Samadhi should have been entrusted to me alone!" Ne Zha exclaimed and dashed toward Mk swiftly, "Hand over the ring, child. I won't ask-" He was cut off when you gave him an upward punch, sending him to the sky. You turned your head to the group, "That's not going to stop Ne Zha for long. Go. You have to get to the mountain now!" You stated firmly, urging them to go to the mountain and fast.

"And then what?" Mk asked you with concern.

"Just wait for me there. I'll explain everything." You replied.

"But-but I can help! Let me help you." Your successor tried to help, but it was no use. You had to stick to the plan even if you have to push Mk away, "There's no time, bud. Macaque could show up at any second. Go!" You told him, hoping that he would just understand you.

You had to get Ne Zha out of the way and before Macaque reach you.

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You and the others left the train, taking the rings with you. You summoned your cloud and flew away from Mk and his friends to drag Ne Zha with you. Soon later, you and Ne Zha engaged into a fight.

You were doing your best to outrun him, but he was fast. The Lotus Prince threw his spear at you, but you quickly dodged it, "You're faster. I'll give you that. But we both know I hit harder!" You exclaimed before you went to do a counterattack. You grabbed him by the red ribbon around his shoulders and were about to punch him. His spear returned and for the second time almost hit you, but you dodged it again.

Ne Zha threw his weapon at you again and this time you caught it. You were going to use it against him, but the Lotus Prince wrapped the red ribbon around you and threw you away. You crashed into a mountain, "Alright. That hurt." You mumbled and let out a groan. Suddenly, you noticed that the rings were gone which wasn't good at all.

"You might hit harder." You heard Ne Zha's voice before he dashed at you, stabbing his spear just above your head, "But I'm still faster." He said with pride, showing you the three rings on his position.

You looked at him for a moment before you smirked, "Heh. And dumber."

"Why can you never just let me have the last word?"

Suddenly, you heard banging from the distance, "Not good." You said before you and Ne Zha knew it, you were trapped in the ice. Macaque landed on the icy platform.

"Is that?" Ne Zha started.

"Macaque." You finished, seeing that half of his body covered in ice. You didn't like what she had done to him, she was obviously using him, "So you got Bone Demon powers now, huh? Don't you see that she is using you!" You exclaimed with a frown on your face. For a moment, you could see a bit of hesitation in his eyes, but it was masked by a scoff. Macaque grabbed the rings from Ne Zha, "No!" The prince exclaimed.

"What? You got what you wanted, didn't you? You're not gonna gloat? Monologue a little bit before scurrying off to your master? Go on. The Lady Bone Demon is waiting." You said, totally not pleased by your statement.

"I couldn't care less about what the Lady Bone Demon wants!" Macaque spoke up before breaking the rings, revealing that they were fake. Ne Zha stared with utter shock, "What? They were fake? Y/N!" He was frustrated that you had fooled him again. You didn't say anything and just kept your gaze at Macaque, "So, the real rings are with MK. Perfect." He said and chuckled darkly.

Just then, you three could see a bright golden light coming from afar, "The ritual. They've started the ritual! Y/N, what have you done?!" Ne Zha sent you a sharp glare. You growled in anger, "I told them to wait!" You protested, but stopped when you saw Macaque starting to move.

"Stop! If you hurt that kid I'll-"

"What? Make things worse for MK?" With that being said, he blasted in the air toward the mountain.

"Stop! I have a plan!" However, it was too late. With Macaque being here, things will take a worse turn.