MY MOONLIGHT

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Chapter Three
Shadow Play
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❝What can I say? I'm dramatic.❞

FOR DAYS NOW, YOU had been watching Mk from afar, studying his weakness and strength points. His most recent battles with the Demon Bull King and the Spider Queen did show you how powerful Mk became and what to do. Undoubtedly, Mk likes to have his friends' support. What would become of him if they were gone?

This was a theory to test.

However, something else was bothering you. Someone unpleasant had returned back and this was a bit problematic. She will most definitely be after you, so you must remain as discreet as possible. Still, this is a matter of another time. Something more important awaits now.

Anyhow...

With the help of the magical lantern, you can trap them there so Mk will remain vulnerable. To add insult to the injury, Wukong was gone on a vacation. This couldn't be more wonderful, could it? Well, guess what? It did! Mk and his friends were in the Shadow Theater to watch one of your puppet shows. You disguised yourself as a human and put on your black and red robes to hide your identity. With a smirk on your face, you stepped out from behind the curtains, creating creepy atmosphere.

"Welcome viewers to a shadow play the likes of which have never been seen! It follows the tragic tale of a legendary warrior, and how those who bring light into this world inevitability bring darkness to those they hold dear."

The show started as you pulled out the lantern, showing a puppet similar to the Monkey King. You could hear Mk whisper something to Mei about forgetting to buy the snacks before he left to get some. This was your opportunity to make your move, "Like light, heroes bring warmth, hope, and friendship. But they also give life to the darkness." You continued your tale as the lantern glowed a bright purple color, trapping Mk's friends in it. Your plan had worked, all you needed now was just wait.

After a few minutes, Mk returned with a pile of snacks and looked around for his friends. However, his attention shifted to the bright lantern, "The Hero and the Warrior were like the Sun and the Moon. Their light, a protective glow, shining upon the world. Together, there was nothing that could stop the two of them. Either in the Celestial Realms or on Earth. As time went on, the Hero attained power beyond comprehension. As the Hero's light grew, so too did his shadow. And soon, the Warrior was cast in that shadow. In the darkness, the Warrior was forgotten by the Hero."

Mk watched with wide eyes as you used the shadows to tell your tale. You could sense and see insecurity in his eyes. It was clear that your story had effected him greatly and that was what you wanted, "It's only a matter of time before your fall, Mk." You thought with an evil smirk on your face.

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You continued to observe Mk's behavior in last few days after his friends' sudden disappearance. The boy was very down and depressed, your plan was perfectly working.

On a rainy day, Mk came back to the Shadow Theater and he remained even after the play was over. Thus, you decided to approach him, "Ah, you again. You must be my biggest fan. You are aware the play is over, right?" When you said that, Mk got startled since he didn't expect you to talk to him. He looked away in embarrassment and let out a sigh, "So, um, what happened to him? The Warrior?" Mk asked you, a hint of curiosity in his eyes which made you chuckle.

"What would you like to hear? The Hero suddenly remembered his beloved friend, the Warrior? That they lived happily ever after?"

"No! No, no, no, no, no. Well, yeah, maybe. Um. Okay. I don't know why I'm telling a complete stranger this but I guess I kinda feel like the Warrior, in the story. A little. Is that dumb?"

"I take that as a complement, young man. The tell-tale sign of a good story. That you resonate with it so personally. But I think maybe you missed the point-" Mk cut you off and continued to blabber.

"It's like I wanna be strong and I'm tryna be, but it's like Monkey King isn't giving me a chance!" He exclaimed and then let out a deep sigh, "What if... what if he knows he made a mistake? Chose wrong. Chose the wrong successor." He added, doubt and confusion laced his tone. Upon hearing this, you decided to take your move and appear beside him as Wukong, "And? What if he did?" You stated, an unreadable look on your face.

Mk fell back upon seeing his mentor appear out of nowhere, "Ugh. This again? Look, I know you're not really here! I've been doing what you told me to do. Believing in myself, blah blah blah. But I'm not ready for this. I can't face the Lady Bone Demon alone. I just feel so..." He trailed off, but he froze when you started to laugh in mockery, "Ergh! If you're not gonna help just leave me alone!" The boy exclaimed and went to punch you, but you easily held his fist.

"Whoa, bud. You been workin' out? You pack a bigger punch than I remember."

"No. No, no, no. It's. It's you... Y/N!"

You laughed again and revealed your true form to him, "The one and only! So why so glum? I've noticed that lately you've been lookin' a little down!" You spoke up, tightening your grip on his fist which made him wince in pain. Realization hit Mk hard like a rock on his head.

"What are you doing here?! Oh no! I just-"

"Unloaded all your secret insecurities on me! I know! But hey, no shame in that, man. Sometimes you just gotta talk it out, y'know? I don't really do it. Maybe I should. But we'd be here all day so..."

"Would you just get to the point?!"

Mk was very frustrated that he used his other fist and went to punch you, but you easily held it, "Slow down, kiddo. This is the thanks I get for checking in on my favorite student?" You teased him while still smirking. Mk groaned in frustration, "I am not your student!" He protested, giving you a sharp glare. You chuckled again and pushed him back, "Well, with ol' Monkey King not around, I thought someone should teach you a lesson." You started and pulled out your magic lantern, "Ah, MK, you really are dense aren't you? You saw a story about a hero who got handed everything, who didn't have to work for anything and you thought you were the other guy? The second the Hero got real power, he couldn't care less about his friends. That's you, bud." You explained which added more to Mk's fears.

"Me? I-I'm not like that."

"Hmm, I beg to differ, kiddo." You stated before summoning the shadows of his friends. Mk's eyes widened as he finally understood what had happened to his friends, "Oh, did you just realize they were missing? Classic hero maneuver. Maybe it's just me but these guys don't look too happy about being left in the shadow of the great Monkie Kid." With that being said, you disappeared into the shadows and watched Mk fight with his friends.

"Also, side-note: How did you not know it was me? Shadows, kinda my gimmick isn't it?" You mocked him, seeing him getting attacked by Mei, "Hey don't look at me! Focus! Ooh this bit might hurt!" You exclaimed with amusement and Mk got pinned, making you laugh.

"Enough."

Suddenly, Mk pushed his friends away and launched at you. For a moment, Wukong's face flashed before your eyes that it scared you a bit. You raised your hand and held the staff, "You're right. That is enough. You know, you really are that bit too much like him. But good to see there's some potential." With that being said, you broke the lantern in your hand and disappeared. You ran through one of the back doors to an alleyway, a smirk tugging on your lips. The doors then opened again and you knew he chased after you.

"What is your deal? Why did you do that!"

"Hm, why'd I break the lamp? Well I was gonna do that whole 'watch the hero be tormented by his own mistakes' thing but it seems like your kinda already doing that to yourself, which honestly has been an absolute pleasure to watch. Y'know, I meant what I said. You really are a good kid. A good kid with a really terrible teacher."

You distracted Mk with a clone for a moment to disappear, "I thought you were my teacher?"

"Ooh ouch!"

"It was you wasn't it? Monkey King was the Hero and the Warrior was you? Right?" Mk asked you before he spotted you on the rooftop.

"Maybe you're not as dense as you look. Something's coming. Something you're not even close to ready for. Don't worry. You can never have too many teachers, right?"

Just like that, you disappeared, leaving Mk confused.

-TIME SKIP-

You returned to the destroyed theater to retrieve the broken lantern. You fixed it with your magic and and were about to leave when you heard clapping behind you. When you turned around, you saw a man sitting while clapping his hands, a creepy smile on his face. Something was definitely unsettling about him and you needed to leave as soon as possible.

"Bravo! Bravo! What a performance!"

"Thanks, last show actually, I was just heading off-"

You were about to leave when the man teleported out of nowhere and choked you, "Lady Bone Demon would like a word. Oh, and she'll be needing that."