MISTY MEMORIES

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Chapter Twenty-Three
Rip and Tear
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❝My body will remember that anger that will not leave me until I die.❞

NOW THAT EVERYTHING was set, all you had to do was wait for Azure to fall into this trap. Right now, you were with Mk who was fixing his new armor.

Meanwhile, you sat on a nearby rock, cleaning your sword, "I hope you're feeling motivated, Mk." You spoke up, looking up at the boy. Mk turned to you and gave you a small smile, "Yeah, but to be honest, I'm a bit nervous." He confessed while scratching the back of his head. Before you could say anything, Wukong joined you two, hearing what Mk had just said, "We've got this, bud. Would have liked to give you some training with your new monkey form, but—" He tried to encourage Mk to train on his monkey form, but the boy stopped him.

"Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, uh, um, about that. Um, I-I was thinking, I've never really needed a scary new monkey form before so, I thought maybe I'd just use it next time."

You frowned and sheathed your sword before standing up, "Mk, you shouldn't fear something that's part of you. In fact, you have to unleash it in order to control it." You told him, putting your hand on his shoulder.

"Y/N is right! Kid, there might not be a next time! This is the time!"

Mk knew that you and Monkey King were right about this, but he was still scared of that uncontrollable form, "It'll be fine! Mei and I have got this awesome, new armor and everything. You know when we look this good, ain't nothing gonna beat us." Mk said, trying to act cool.

"Kid, new armor isn't gonna cut it. We have to hit Azure with everything we've got! You can't just ignore this whole part of your power 'cause it scares you."

Mk looked away and was about to reply, but the atmosphere changed and the sky started crack. Your gaze turned blank and you knew that Azure was approaching. Just then, Macaque joined you, dragging the others with him, "They're coming. Get down!" He exclaimed with a frown on his face. Suddenly, a powerful light shot down on the mountain as Azure stepped out, followed by his companions, "I've warned you! I told you to stay out of my way. But here you stand, preparing for treason against your new emperor. And so, I will test the limits of Sun Wukong's immortality!" Azure stated, his eyes flashing an ominous purple color.

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You were on the cloud with Mk and Wukong, flying away from the pieces of the scroll Azure shot at you. Once you all landed down, you decided to deflect the scroll pieces, "Mist Breathing: Third Form: Scattering Mist Splash." You performed a powerful and swift circular slash that blew all of the projectiles away.

Azure then appeared from the dust, still angry at Mk and Wukong, "MK. Stand down. You do not need to share your mentor's fate." Azure then turned his gaze to you, "And you, child. Don't indulge yourself in a matter that doesn't concern you. If you step down now, I will give you a good position by my side." He offered you, holding his hand to you.

"No." That was all you said which made Azure frown.

"So, that reduced sentence on the table for me too, or...?" Wukong spoke up, putting the staff on his shoulder. Azure's frown deepened and directed the scroll pieces at you three, "Imma take that as a no." Monkey King added while sweatdropping.

"Last chance, MK."

"Never!" Mk exclaimed and hugged Wukong.

"So be it!"

With that being said, Azure shot the pieces at you. You leaped high in the air, landing on Mk's clouds as he flew away. Azure followed you three and the fight took place in the air. Eventually, the lion summoned inky clones of demons Mk fought, "Mist Breathing: Fifth Form: Sea of Clouds and Haze." You charged toward the clones at a blistering speed, performing dozens of slashes in front or/and around them. All of the clones were taken down and you gave the opportunity for Wukong to kick Azure.

You gracefully landed down away from the fight, but you can still watch them. Suddenly, the staff got really big and was slammed down on Azure when Mk kicked it, adding more pressure on the lion. You thought that it was finally over, but Azure wasn't going to give up easily. You watched as he struggled to lift it until he threw it away by increasing his size. You squinted your eyes, "He is using the powers of the Jade Emperor a lot, I have a bad feeling about this." You thought, getting some ominous feelings in your guts. Just then, you heard Wukong's voice in your head.

"Y/N, go and check on the scroll pieces and make sure they're hidden securely."

Upon hearing what he said, you rushed to check on the pieces of the scroll. You saw the small monkeys gathered around them. One monkey landed on your shoulder and handed a piece, "Is this the last piece?" You asked it and the monkey nodded. Suddenly, Azure saw you, "No! If you will not kneel before your emperor, you will perish before your emperor!" He exclaimed as he raised his clawed hand to attack you.

Before his hand could hit you, Mk quickly appeared in front of you and protected you, "Mk!"

"Kid!" Wukong landed beside you, watching Mk struggle.

"Don't worry, Y/N! I will protect you and Monkey King no matter what!"

"After all Sun Wukong has put you through, how much he's let you down, you would still meet your fate trying to protect him?!" Azure exclaimed, adding more pressure on Mk which made his form flicker. Wukong saw this and moved quickly, "Azure! Stop this!" The monkey kicked Azure's fist away from Mk. You immediately rushed to the boy and crouched beside him, his form flickering violently, "Mk, control it." You stated, trying to help him out. However, Azure was only making things worse, "He doesn't deserve such loyalty, yet you insist on learning the hard way, just as I did! I should've never trusted the Monkey King! The False Sage, Equal to Nothing!" He raised his sword up and brought it down on Mk.

However, a bright light erupted from Mk, sending Azure away. You covered your eyes from the strong light with your arm. The boy's form changed into a monkey and he floated in the air, "Hmm. Well, alright then." Mk spoke up, his voice surprisingly... deeper. You watched in awe as Mk fight Azure easily, giving the lion a hard time. You were too focused that you didn't even notice Wukong going to recollect the scroll pieces. Another beam of light appeared and the fight between Azure and Mk become more intense.

"This isn't right... Mk is out of control."

You didn't waste time and ran toward the fight arena. You knew Mk will be more weak after this battle. As you ran, you could see Mk high in the sky and he gave Azure a powerful punch, sending him crushing to the mountain. Suddenly, a loud scream could be heard from Azure and the sky started to crack again.

You knew this wasn't going to end well if no one moved to help.