Name: Doongie Age: 19 From: Seoul, South Korea Siblings: Soonie, Dori Status: Talking to Jeongin Sexuality: Gay Occupation: None Face Claim: Hyunsuk CIX Health Issues: Anxiety Species: Cat Theme Song: Animals by Neon Trees
PERSONALITY
Doongie embodies balance, a calming presence with a streak of chaos that keeps those around him on their toes. Most of the time, he is serene and thoughtful, radiating an air of quiet composure that makes him approachable and comforting. He is the type to observe before acting, choosing his words and actions carefully. However, beneath this calm exterior lies a mischievous side that emerges unpredictably, often catching others off guard. Doongie has a knack for turning mundane situations into something lively with his playful antics, and he loves creating moments of spontaneous joy. While he doesn’t seek the spotlight, he enjoys subtle, clever humour, often teaming up with Dori to stir up harmless fun. His chaotic tendencies are never mean-spirited; they’re driven by a desire to keep life interesting and bring smiles to those he cares about. Doongie bridges Soonie’s steadfast calmness and Dori’s boundless energy, making him a vital piece of the sibling dynamic. Despite his chaotic streak, his loyalty and sense of responsibility shine through, ensuring he’s there when it matters.
ABILITIES
Shapeshifting
Doongie can transform between his feline form and human form at will. His feline form is sleek and graceful, while his human form retains a hint of his mischievous charm.
Enhanced Senses
Doongie’s senses are heightened beyond normal levels, allowing him to hear, see, and smell with extraordinary precision. This ability makes him both an excellent tracker and an astute observer.
Agility and Reflexes
Thanks to his feline nature, Doongie has remarkable agility and quick reflexes. He can leap great distances, navigate tricky terrain, and dodge attacks.
Shadow Step
Doongie can blend into the shadows, becoming nearly invisible in dim or dark environments. This ability makes him an expert at stealth and surprise tactics.
Mischief’s Charm
Doongie’s chaotic side has a unique charm that disarms those around him. He can distract enemies with clever tricks or lighten the mood with his playful antics.
Empathic Connection
Doongie intuitively understands the emotions of those around him, allowing him to comfort or manipulate when needed. His calm demeanour helps soothe others, while his chaotic side can incite excitement.
Arcane Knowledge
Like his siblings, Doongie possesses knowledge of basic magical principles. While not a master, he can assist in spellcasting, particularly when the magic involves stealth or subtlety.
Feline Familiar Bond
As one of the siblings, Doongie shares a deep, unbreakable connection with Soonie and Dori. Together, they amplify each other’s abilities and can communicate telepathically over short distances.
Playful Chaos
When in battle or a tricky situation, Doongie can channel his chaotic side to create distractions or confuse his opponents, giving him and his allies an advantage.
Balance of Calm and Chaos
Doongie’s unique ability to balance his calm and chaotic natures allows him to adapt quickly to different scenarios. He can either bring peace to a volatile situation or introduce unpredictability to gain the upper hand.
Cat’s Grace
Doongie’s movements are always elegant and precise. Whether dodging an attack or performing acrobatic feats, he moves with the effortless grace of a feline.
Night Vision
Doongie’s vision sharpens, allowing him to see clearly where others cannot. This ability is invaluable during nighttime missions or in dimly lit environments.
Whisker Sense
Doongie has an almost supernatural awareness of his surroundings, akin to a cat’s whiskers detecting subtle changes in the air. This ability makes him highly perceptive to dangers or hidden objects.
Chaotic Recovery
When faced with setbacks or injuries, Doongie’s chaotic energy kicks in, helping him recover more quickly than normal. This unpredictable trait often surprises his enemies.
BACK STORY
Doongie was the second feline to join Lee Know’s family, arriving at a time when Soonie had already begun to settle into his role as the elder sibling. Doongie’s origin, however, was more mysterious. Unlike Soonie, who was brought in with an air of quiet dignity, Doongie was found during a chaotic stormy night. Lee Know discovered him nestled in a cardboard box near a café, his fur damp but his eyes shining with an almost mischievous glint. Despite the storm raging around him, Doongie had a calmness about him that instantly drew Lee Know in.
From the moment Doongie entered the household, his dual nature became apparent. He would spend hours lounging peacefully in a sunbeam, exuding an air of tranquility that was contagious. But when the mood struck, he became a whirlwind of playful energy, darting across the room, knocking over items, and dragging Soonie into his antics. His balance of calm and chaos quickly became a unique dynamic in the family, bridging the gap between Soonie’s reserved nature and Dori’s youthful exuberance.
As Lee Know grew to understand Doongie’s quirks, he realized that Doongie’s chaotic streak wasn’t just for fun—it was often a clever way of protecting or helping his family. Whether it was distracting Dori from mischief or bringing a sense of adventure to Soonie’s orderly life, Doongie’s antics always seemed to serve a purpose. His bond with Lee Know deepened as they shared moments of quiet understanding and bouts of playful chaos that often left the room in disarray but the atmosphere full of warmth.
Doongie’s role in the family became that of the peacemaker and energizer, his calm side bringing comfort and his chaotic side ensuring that no day was dull. While his origins remain shrouded in mystery, Lee Know believes that Doongie was sent to him as a reminder that life is about balance—finding peace amidst chaos and joy in the unexpected.
Top Left Photo: I ended up becoming a foster mom for the first time. I met these cuties from a friend and couldn’t imagine not wanting to take care of them. They can be a handful at times but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Top Right Photo: After some stress with life and work, I ended up browsing online. I saw that journaling could help deal with stress and emotions. I immediately ordered a journal and accessories. I write every night and reflect on my day. I use this to help release any stress and to cope.
Bottom Left Photo: I lost my grandmother on my mother’s side back in May. We were very close. When I’d visit her we’d dance in the rain for fun. She loved baking too which I learned from her. After she passed I took a cab and it was raining hard which made me smile. I drew a heart on the window. It makes me smile to remember that.
Right Bottom Photo: I went to so many concerts in 2024. I’m a very musically inclined person. I can listen to music for hours. I would sing my favorite songs and feel joy. My favorite concert was with Breaking Benjamin with a close friend. It was one helluva night.
The rain hit the windows in soft rhythms, a quiet symphony to fill the silence stretching between them. Austin sat at the edge of the couch, elbows on his knees, his gaze fixed on the worn rug beneath his boots. They were here again, in this small, unassuming room that somehow felt heavier with every passing second. Across from him, their eyes burned into him—sharp, searching, and infinitely sad. He didn’t need to look up to know. He’d memorized their expression long before this moment.
“I don’t know how we got here,” Austin muttered, his voice hoarse, as if dragged from the depths of a place he couldn’t bear to visit. He exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck, a nervous habit that gave him away every time. “I— I thought I’d be enough to fix it. Fix us.”
Their laugh was quiet, bitter at the edges, and it hit harder than any argument ever could. “You can’t fix something that’s already shattered, Austin. We tried to hold on too tight, and all we did was break each other.”
His chest tightened, the words cutting through him like glass. He lifted his head then, his eyes meeting theirs. The same eyes that once held him in a world where nothing else mattered now looked at him like a stranger. The worst part was, he couldn’t blame them. He’d buried himself in the cases, in the endless pursuit of justice, convincing himself that chasing ghosts would fill the void left behind. But the truth was, it only made him lonelier.
“I miss who we were,” he admitted, the words raw and unguarded, hanging heavy in the room. “The night we met—it felt like we could take on anything. Like the world didn’t stand a chance against us.”
They looked away, their hand curling into a loose fist on the arm of the chair. “Maybe that’s the problem, Austin. We’re still stuck in that night, chasing something that’s already gone.”
The silence that followed wasn’t empty—it was filled with everything they didn’t say, the love they once shared now buried beneath too many unspoken words and unmet expectations. As the rain continued to fall, Austin realized that some endings weren’t violent or cruel—they were simply quiet, leaving behind only echoes of what could have been.
Picture one: A capture from the jimmy fallon show her 2024 year was very career based. She had lots of family moments however it was definietly more career based getting her brand up and running and being an influencer. she made it to the jimmy fallon show and got her name out there. this was a big deal for Heidi.
Picture Two: Again another career based picture. She went on a podcast and that podcast opened a lot of wounds for Heidi but it helped her grow. She had lots of healing to do still and the podcast was full of clarity for her.
Picture three: She got to collab with her favorite skin care brand. did i tell you this was very career based yet? but it is she was very focused on her job and going places as a micro influencer. she also it 10k on tiktok this year. that was a huge goal she had set for herself.
Picture four: Her and her daughter grew as a pair. They became more understanding of eachother and Heidi is trying to be a better mother. she’s not doing to bad but she knows she could work on it.
In the vast expanse of the Dreaming, where thoughts and fantasies intermingle to form worlds of their own, the King of Dreams stood atop a hill of sparkling silver sand, his cloak billowing around him like shadows in the distant corners of the Dreaming where nightmares lurked. Morpheus’ dark eyes scanned the ever-shifting landscape below, deep and knowing. Among the countless dreams being spun into existence all at once, one in particular caught his attention, a small figure of a child, perhaps no older than eight.
She had tousled golden blonde hair and wore a simple dress, her bare feet leaving faint imprints on the dreamscape’s ground as she wandered. This was interesting; he had seen many children create more than just the simplistic dreams, most of them were filled with tables with large feasts, or courtyards with other children leaping through the air to dance upon the clouds overhead. Morpheus’ dark gaze followed each step she took, she was was lost in a world of her own making through the very words she spoke into the dreaming. He’d seen it before but he could see that she was in-between a space of memory and imagination, at an age when the world first starts to open up through the written word. In her hands, she held a book, its cover worn and familiar, a cherished possession in this dream. To Morpheus, the book indicated many things; it held meaning for her, and in the Dreaming, infused with significance; such things often became tangible.
A large oak tree appeared as the girl sat beneath it, its leaves golden as the autumn sun filtered through them, offering her shade. He heard her reading aloud. “She’s making her own story,” Morpheus mused. It was one he had never heard before, and he wondered how a young child could even have the capacity to read in the Dreaming. The voice that emerged was soft, almost hesitant, yet filled with the wonder of discovery. The tales within the book, filled with knights, monsters, and faraway lands, danced before her eyes, forming shapes and scenes in the air around her.
Morpheus watched, intrigued, as the dream began to take on a life of its own. The stories she read were no longer confined to the pages; they blossomed into vibrant, living visions of dragons soaring above, castles rising from the ground, and heroes embarking on grand quests. The child’s imagination was potent, weaving a dreamscape that was rich and vivid, yet tinged with a certain melancholy.
At that moment, a shadow passed overhead, and Morpheus turned his gaze upward to see a raven circling above. His raven, black as midnight with a striking white patch against its dark feathers, cawed softly before swooping down to land beside the child. It was Lucien. “What is your name?” the bird asked, tilting its head and watching the girl with keen, intelligent eyes, as if guarding the dreamer in her delicate state.
Morpheus, curious to see where this dream would lead, watched as Lucien fluttered beside her, a silent sentinel. The King of Dreams moved through the shadows, unseen, as she began to venture deeper into her dreamscape, into a world of her own making.
“The book she carries,” Morpheus pointed out to the raven, “there are no words within its pages. Her story will change for her…” He pointed a long finger as Lucien hopped over to look at the book.
“That book will remain here, in my possession…” He could alter it, perhaps, by helping her realize that her world may crumble with just a simple gesture, but he did not. Morpheus hardly ever took it upon himself to really interfere, that was unless something required him to; but even then, it was like pulling teeth, this was not something he needed to do for himself, he found no reason, but Morpheus chose to observe, letting her dreams unfold while she learned to escape the waking world within the Dreaming.
“Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, I’m really sorry to tell you this . . . But, Emily’s scans came back, and we’re afraid that we’ve found something on her breast tissue that wasn’t there during her last visit.” The doctor cleared his throat, setting her file down on the counter beside him. “Given your history, Mrs. Reynolds, we would like to take a sample and get it tested, just to be safe.”
Dawson watched as his wife’s face fell, the churning in his gut telling him that they wouldn’t get the results they were hoping for. Emily Reynolds had suffered through so much pain over the last two years, battling breast cancer on and off. It had destroyed the woman that he knew and loved, and left what resembled a shell of her behind. She had gone through chemo, gone through remission, and gone through the terror of finding out she had cancer twice already. He knew she couldn’t handle it again. Not gracefully.
“I don’t want to,” Emily’s voice, choppy and full of sadness, cut through the momentary silence.
“Em, you have -“ Dawson began, though his wife’s hand shot up in an attempt to silence him.
“No, Dawson . . . I’m tired of fighting, I’m tired of being sick and having no energy. I don’t have it in me to go through another round of chemo.” He knew she was right, that asking her to go through with chemo was a death sentence in itself.
But he was selfish, and he wanted more time.
“What are our options?” The male asked, ignoring the protests of his wife. “Please doc, I . . . I need more time with her.”
“Well . . . We can’t do much without her consent. Right now, the best option is to at least take a sample and see if it’s cancerous. It could just be a scare.”
“I’m not doing it,” Em said again, foot stomping in protest to both her husband and the doctor. “I’ve known for a long time that I would die young, so just let me. I don’t want to do tests, I don’t want to do chemo, I just want to enjoy whatever time I have left with my husband and our dogs, and not f***ing worry about my health, for once.” She stood, turning her back to the doctor, green eyes like daggers directly into her husband’s heart. “Please, just take me home. I don’t want to do this. I just want to go home.”
——————————————————
Emily Louise Reynolds succumbed to her sickness in the middle of a Sunday night seven months after that visit, entering eternal rest peacefully as she slept next to her husband with her dogs curled up in her lap at the age of 34 years old.
The day had started like most others, Dawson waking before she had, an arm slung over her stomach. “Morning baby,” he said groggily, nestling himself into her side. But she didn’t stir, and her skin was cold, and he just knew. “Em?” He shot backward, his hand moving to her face. He hadn’t noticed how sunken in her features had gotten after losing so much weight; “Baby? Hey, hey… Emily…” he shook her gently, tears burning as they escaped down his cheek. “Emily please.. please.”
He wasn’t sure when the ambulance came, or when they carted her away. He was too afraid to do anything, watching in horror as his wife’s lifeless body left their home for the very last time.
And thus began the downward spiral of Dawson Reynolds, a man lost in the shackles of grief.
| a collection of facts not previously mentioned on his profile. i’ll add more as they come up. 1. haruya is the first and only flower school member to have fallen off the stage at a show. he now thankfully avoids jumping around between platforms on stage while still holding a guitar. ( side note: he still hasn’t lived it down. )
2. haruya has a severe peanut allergy and it haunts him that he can’t try it because he thinks candy with peanuts in it looks good.
3. cats are his favorite animal. he wishes he could have one, but says he doesn’t want to just go out and buy one so he’s waiting patiently to be blessed by the cat distribution system.
4. haruya’s favorite color is yellow.
5. he doesn’t know how to swim or ride a bike and keeps saying he’d like to learn, but he gets embarrassed any time someone tries to show him.
6. his sleep schedule is an absolute nightmare. haruya can either sleep for 12 hours straight or be up for 3 days, no in between. his bandmates get annoyed to share a hotel room with him at times because he’s always up and moving around in the middle of the night.
7. he hates when it gets quiet, so he has music on literally all the time. if nothing’s playing, haruya is the one humming or making noise to make sure it’s not completely silent.
8. the good news: if haruya calls you out of the blue, especially at a weird time, it means he likes you. the bad news: he might literally just be calling to figure out where you land in the ketchup or mustard conversation.
9. although easy-going generally, haruya gets his feelings hurt pretty easily. he won’t confront you if you hurt his feelings though - instead, he will just fret about it for the rest of the time he knows you. example: if you say his shirt is ugly, he’ll probably laugh with you, but he will think of it every time he wears the shirt and consider changing.
10. he loves calling his friends randomly, but it takes an act of god to get him to answer the phone himself. even if he’s posting actively, he’ll still miss a call or text and not return either until like 3 AM, or he’ll wait until he sees you in person.
Character’s Full Name: Prince Fiyero Lurandor Tigelaar Character’s Nickname(s): Winkie Prince, Yero, Fi, The Scarecrow Age: 17 - 39, depends on the storyline Birthday: Dreamday, the 15th of Solastra, in the year 305 AW (After the Wizard’s arrival) Ethnicity: Ozian, Winkie, Gillikinese Sex/Gender: Male Hair color: Dark brown with blonde highlights Eye color: Blue Height: He stands at 5 feet and 11 inches Weight: He weighs approximately 195 pounds Scars: None Tattoos: Blue diamond markings painted onto his skin Birthmarks: None Piercings: None Dress/clothing preferences: He prefers to adorn the royal garments that he has been forced to wear being from the royal family of the Vinkus Right/left-handed/ambidextrous: Right-handed Glasses/contacts: None
Parents: Marillot Tigelaar and Baxiana of Upper Fanarra Siblings: None Grandparents: Thalion Tigelaar and Almaris Vorken, Eldarion Fanarra and Caristelle Fanarra Marital Status: Married at the age of seven Significant Other: Crown Princess Sarima Wanderlust-Tigelaar Children: Crowned Prince Irji Tigelaar, Prince Manek Tigelaar, Princess Ilianora Tigelaar, and Liir Ko Thropp Pets: Feldspar the Horse Other family members: Sarima’s five sisters, Sarima’s parents, and his paternal aunt Friends: Elphaba Thropp, Glinda Arduenna Upland, Boq Woodsman, Avaric Tenmeadows, Nessarose Thropp, Shenshen Minkos, Pfannee of Phan Hall, Crope, Tibbett and Milla Enemies: The Wizard and Co.
Religion: Lurlinism, Pleasure Faith Country of Birth: Winkie Country or The Vinkus Place of Birth: Kiamo Ko, Knobblehead Pike Current Location: Shiz University, Shiz, Gillikin, northern province of Oz Homeland: Kiamo Ko, Knobblehead Pike, The Vinkus, the western province of Oz First Language: Ozian common tongue, Vinkus common tongue Accents: He has a very heavy Vinkus accent being born and raised in the Vinkus
Education: Royal Winkie Academy, Shiz University’s Ozma Towers Degrees: royal governance, diplomacy, and international relations Employment: The Wizard Gale Forces, Emerald City Guard Occupation: Chieftain of the Arjikis, Prince of the Vinkus, Student at Shiz University, Captain of the Guard
After the Journey to the West Sun Wukong was gifted the honor of Victorious Fighting Buddha in Heaven, but with no actual duties he wishes to reunite with his people. When the Jade Emperor denies him, the monkey King works tricks to go anyway and is punished upon his return. His treatment divides Heaven’s loyalty and Erlang Shen may be an ally that makes the most difference.
The journey westward to India for sutures of enlightenment was finished. Out of the four pilgrims, only two were gifted Heavenly status. Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing were given mortal duties fitting their personalities, with the excuse that their past offenses still bled through their personalities now. And so they were separated from the other two pilgrims, who were given a celestial status here in the heavens. Tang Sanzang received the title of Buddha of Sandalwood Merit -- which marked him with the duty of overseeing enlightenment and purity to those he deemed worthy. It was a role that made sense for a man who was considered one of the most holy and pure. His first deciple, Sun Wukong, was gifted Buddhahood as well with the title of Victorious Fighting Buddha -- which upfront sounded like it suited the Great Monkey King too. He had a strong will and determination that burned in his fighting spirit. Reasonably, he would be putting himself to use in efforts by a warrior spirit. Maybe even acts of war or civil conflict... but he wasn’t doing any of this.
Perhaps he could assist the Four Heavenly Kings as they oversee Earthly affairs -- particularly in war or heroism? There was also chances to bless the Divine Army in their training, right? As well as times when Heaven itself needs to be defended. It doesn’t happen very often, but his specific title driven duty should compliment that. Maybe he could escort the Goddess Jiutian Xuannü in her duties of war, sex and longevity and use his role as Buddha to amplify her own..... except for the sex part. It would be embarrassing to explain to the Jade Emperor -- considering she is one of his consorts. However, as Sun Wukong went about his time in Heaven, he was declined all these opportunities. All of these deities stated that this wasn’t what his power of Buddhahood would apply to. Most days, the ape finds himself either meditating, eating, or wandering aimlessly.
There is something that the Monkey King noticed when he wandered aimlessly -- likely because of the high privilege nature of Heaven. Many of the deities here are very stuck up, shamelessly casting heavy judgment with glances and snotty expressions. Entitlement seems to be a norm here, which makes sense now that he thought about it. The last time he was here, the Jade Emperor appointmented him as keeper of the horses. His job was to simply guard them and make sure they stayed healthy. Immortal horses that literally only lived their best endlessness eating Heavenly grass and waiting for the near never time that they were needed. The official title he was given there was Bìmǎwēn, which meant "avoiding the horse’s plague" as he was expected to live in one of the stables right along with them -- just thinking about it still ruffles the fur on his tail.... but Heaven never stopped looking down on him, and that was obvious now. He was given a title for profound fighting victory, and yet he was dismissed from doing any duties related to the fighting spirit.
"I have a feeling you are unhappy with your station, Buddha. Is this true?" the Jade Emperor asked as he sat upon his throne with a celestial paintbrush and parchment. As he spoke, he was scribing affairs for his subjects to look into, his deep gaze falling upon the monkey as he stood in his white and gold Buddha robes. "The title is quite an honor. You should be grateful."
"I am. Please, don’t mistake my restlessness for dismissal of the honor.... I have always been very hands-on and active in my responsibilities, that’s all. Yet, none of the Heavenly affairs call for my assistance. So, there is no duty for me to preform?" Wukong asked.
"Well, none yet. It’s good to be prepared for when the time comes."
The two stood in silence even though it was the Jade Emperor that summoned him here. The smug smirk upon the overlord’s features seemed to paint a picture for Wukong. He felt like this entire meeting was just to check in and make sure the monkey wasn’t doing anything rash. Was he that wild? Yes, very much so. The ape never could simply stay in one place, and since he was here there was no point in holding back.
"Since there are no duties for me to preform... yet..." Honestly Wu felt that there likely was none and this whole thing was a ploy to just keep watch over him in a controlled space -- BUT he will let that fall to the backdrop. In the moment he was trying to be civil. He was in a higher point of Heaven, after all. "Would I be permitted to visit Huāguǒ Shān? Just to make sure my clan is growing the way they should. I am their king and I had hoped--"
"Your mortal achievements and status hold no weight in the Celestial realm. Only the mission appointed to you by Guanyin earned grace here. So, no unfortunately. The truth is that the Heavenly realm is not permitted to mingle with the mortal unless it has to do with duty and celestial merit."
Somehow this answer seemed well rehearsed because it was dealt quickly and felt like it was noted with practice from a script. He must have expected Wukong to ask. So, he took the answer and politely dismissed himself from the Jade Palace with a bow. The moment he turned to leave there was a saddened and sour expression that he couldn’t mask completely. Wukong felt like possibly the sharpest dressed prisoner in existence. This place was beautiful but it was practically a big cage for him. Perhaps he was biased, but the ape preferred his mountain. There was actual grass to touch, trees and mountain facing to climb, challenges of life and so on. He missed the days when he had to work for his merit rather than sitting here meditating day in and day out. So... he intended to visit his home and it wasn’t hard to come up with a plan.
『』『』『』
Day and night didn’t pass naturally the way it does in the mortal realm. Wukong waited for this cycle to pass with a flux of the Milky Way. It was like watching whisping sands of stars zip by for about an hour before the cloudy sky returned. Then the monkey went about his walk to the station he sits to meditate. No one typically came to observe him since they hardly give him a gentle look anyway. So, he took his place and closed his eyes to focus -- rather than meditate. Under his index claw was a single strand of his own hair, which he channeled with his Qi. The energy was actually distributed two ways, one toward a clone to substitute his sitting posture here and the other was to turn into an aunt. The transition was seamless, like as if he had never moved. While his clone sat there to put out the image of flawless and focused meditation the aunt scurried toward one of the nearby statues. Once out of sight he changed into a Magpie to follow the rest as they trailed after the Milky Way.
There was just a quick stop at his living quarters to quietly change from these ridiculous golden robes to his armor -- which included golden chain mail, a Phoenix Feather cap and cloud walking shin bracers. With his cherished Ruyi Jingu Bang staff and the golden somersault cloud Jīndǒuyún, he finally felt like his true self again. Changing himself into a pheasant, the Monkey King darted out his nearest window and straight down through the clouds.
Wings beat fast and determined as the transformed monkey was making his way back to his kingdom. The plan was to visit for the standard seven days he should be spending in meditation up in that temple. He would let the illusion of his clone cover the leave and then be back before anyone even noticed..... and if it works then that’s the plan of action any other time he wanted to visit.
When he was far enough away from the clouds of heaven the pheasant form faded and the Monkey King took flight with the Jīndǒuyún. It was like a child returning to his favorite place because the smile on this ape’s face was wide and true. Sloping down along the lush forest his claws tickled the water along a wide river before he passed through a glistening waterfall to a village hidden within.
Shuǐlián Dòng. Home sweet home.... and sadly, now that he was here with the cheering welcome of the chimpanzees of his clan, the Great Monkey King Sun Wukong didn’t want to leave. It felt good to sit on his large and glorious hand crafted throne again, and take in all the things the infants wanted to show him. His clan had learned so much in the thirteen years he was gone. The truth was that Wukong hated that he ever had to leave.
To Sun Wukong this lush and healthy mountain of flowers and fruit was his true heaven.
Erlang Shen observed from the heavens, his eyes piercing through the mists that separated the realms of Heaven and Earth. He had long suspected that the restless spirit of Sun Wukong would not be content within Heaven’s tranquil halls. Though the Great Sage had been granted the esteemed title of Victorious Fighting Buddha, Heaven’s rigid structure did not allow him the freedom he so cherished. Erlang Shen could sense the simmering frustration beneath Wukong’s calm façade, knowing the Monkey King was ill-suited to the endless meditation expected of him.
“It is as if they have caged a wild tiger and expected it to purr like a housecat,” Erlang Shen mused to himself. He had often found himself in conflict with Wukong in the past, but he held a deep understanding of the ape’s spirit. Wukong’s true essence was forged in the untamed mountains and valleys, his spirit bound to nature’s wildness rather than Heaven’s orderly beauty.
When Erlang Shen learned of Wukong’s escape, he smiled knowingly. The Monkey King had left a perfect clone in his place, an illusion so seamless that it could have fooled most eyes—but not his. Wukong’s cleverness was unmatched, and Erlang Shen admired the way he had slipped away, taking to the skies as a pheasant before diving down to the familiar embrace of Huāguǒ Shān.
“Let him have this freedom,” Erlang Shen thought, his heart softening. “He was not crafted to sit still and wait for duties that may never come. Heaven has its warriors, its generals, and its scholars—yet there is no place here for a spirit so vibrant and free. Perhaps he can be of better service to Heaven by tending to his mountain.”
Though he knew the Jade Emperor might frown upon such an escape, Erlang Shen had no intention of intervening. He understood that Wukong’s heart was bound to Huāguǒ Shān, to the creatures and kin who waited for him. Erlang Shen saw the wisdom in allowing the Monkey King this respite, if only for a short time.
From his place in the celestial halls, Erlang Shen whispered into the winds that trailed after Wukong, sending his thoughts like a hidden blessing: “Sun Wukong, may you find peace in your mountain, and may Heaven grant you this freedom without punishment. Your strength and spirit are gifts not meant to wither in meditation. Return to us in your own time, when you are ready.”
And so, with a nod of understanding, Erlang Shen turned away, satisfied that Wukong would be allowed a measure of the life he truly desired. Heaven would wait, for even the gods knew that the heart of the Great Sage could never be stilled.
The passage of time worked differently between the realms, which Wukong had not paid attention to. It wasn’t for lack of care because his plan was to return before the clone began to wilt… but his heart became so relaxed that he stopped keeping track. Just returning to his people felt like a cleansing wave of emotion and the celebration for his return was two days long on its own. He could enjoy the mixed mingling of snub nosed monkey and chimpanzee families that shared the hidden mineral cavern that had been transformed over nearly one thousand years. Now it was almost like an underground city, with some of these monkeys partially evolving because of his influence. The more advanced monkeys protected and educated the clan like he used to in the founding years.
Sun Wukong truly loved it here… but Heaven would never lift their attempts to pin him down.
It was after a routine run from one side of the mountain to the other that the General’s message brisked the wind to reach him. He had settled in a flower grove, laying upon the soft grass and picking shapes in the clouds… until the soft voice practically cut his happy mood like a hot blade through lukewarm butter. It was unintentional, but Wukong felt his heart race as he suddenly sat up. Had it really been a full seven days or did he relax too much and the clone started to wilt? Sitting up and crossing his legs, the monkey began to look through his red and blue robes, drawing out an hourglass incense relic. He then sighed as his heart dropped. He was having too much of a vacation because the hourglass was broken.
“Damn… well, that means this visit is over…” Putting the relic away, Wukong let his hands rest upon his knees, focusing on the wind with his senses. His spirit echoed, using Daoist magic to catch Erlang’s passing message and echoing his own back. “You know as well as I do that it’s not that easy. I’m on my way back so that there is no command to come for me. I will not let them destroy my mountain.”
That really was the Monkey King’s greatest concern. He has never been on truly good terms with Heaven – especially with the Jade Emperor. Every gesture that looked like an honor on the surface was quickly proven to be a power play for control. That hasn’t changed with this new role of Victorious Fighting Buddha. The ape did learn from his last big run against Heaven though, becoming more humble with what he did have… and what he cherished more than even his own life was this mountain. He was beyond the typical rules of immortality so he could take the punishment he would likely receive.
And so, Wukong made his way back to Shuǐlián Dòng to inform his subjects. He would inform the warriors and caretakers of the back up escape plan he had in mind, just in case it was ever needed. The cave could be rebuilt as long as the community in it still lived. Then he dressed in his armor and traveled to the highest peak of the mountain. There was a natural pedestal here with a cracked oval stone was set. It looked like it had seen the better refinement of the elements, with a waved texture from water and wind. Wukong let his fingers run along the pattern softly before looking back over his shoulder. He wasn’t sure when he would get to see the lush scenery again, but in his mind this was better than seeing it burn. Rearing back he took a large leap and the golden somersault cloud manifested at his feet.
He began to soar and catch the wind before shooting straight upward to penetrate the clouds. It was now that he could see the starting structures of Heavenly farms, and in the distance was a tranquil city with the Jade Palace at the most northern point. As the Monkey King approached he could feel his heart race, unsure exactly what punishment waited for him once he landed. With a light dipping motion to come to the ground, Wukong took a sharp hop to land at the base of the stairs.
“Stop where you are!!”
That was the only warning before gold glowing chains shot out from hidden points in the ground and railings to the palace steps. They wrapped tightly around Sun Wukong’s chest, arms and legs. Then the one at the chest yanked HARD downward so quickly that the monkey let out a startled squeek before being forced to his knees. He hadn’t even made it back into the palace yet but already he was restrained like a prisoner.
“GAH!! I came back, dammit!! There wasn’t even any duties to perform–”
“You nuisance of an animal!” came the Jade Emperor’s voice as he stood at the top of the stairs leading to the palace entry. As guards appeared to shift the chains and adjust the prisoner’s arms behind him the overlord finally moved to step closer. The Monkey struggled against the grip of the men around him and the strength of the chains, but they kept him still where he was. “One day you will learn that the greatest authority is mine. There is no other that surpass me, so you will obey!” He then stepped forward and extended a hand, pulling the tie to the Phoenix Feather cap and snatching it off the monkey’s head.
“Hey!! I rightfully earned that–”
“Be QUIET!! You apparently do not want your title. Fine… However you are not allowed to simply walk freely. You will understand your place – do you hear me? And I will make sure you don’t have free reign.”
With the guards held Wukong as still as possible even as he pulled at the chains that bound his wrists behind him. Eith a simple motion the Jade Emperor drew a golden handband from his robes. One that was all too familiar and so the Monkey King began to thrash as much as possible. With some slight adjustment the prisoner was held as still as possible and the Emperor secured the golden circlet along his forehead and to the base point at the back of his head. Wukong could feel the constraints of magic bind the headdress to him and his heart sank. There was only one person he would ever trust to put something like this on him – because he KNOWS this isn’t Guanyin’s headband.
“Damn you… And you wonder why I’ve never trusted Heaven?” Wukong snarled stubbornly as he was still held to his position upon his knees.
“Shōu jǐn!!” the Emperor shouted sharply.
In a sudden pulse the circlet began to glow and a sharp pain started to rip through the Monkey King’s head. A tightening effect started at the softer temples along the side of his skull, and squeezed pressure points before shrinking around his forehead. It was enough for Wukong to scream out in pain before the Emperor called off the spell. He slouched tiredly, limp in the guards grip as the circlet returned to normal and pressure released.
The taller man then looked to his guards with a proud smile. “Remove all assets. The armor can be thrown back to the mortal realm. I want him completely subdued as he is officially a prisoner here now.” He then looked to Wukong and reached out, taking a sharp grip of his jaw to force him to look up. “You seem to set new points of existence, monkey. The gift of Buddhahood cannot be removed from you – not that we could destroy you anyway. So… you can be contained and think about what it means to be the first Buddha who is a prisoner in Heaven. Take him away.”
And so, the Great Monkey King was forced to his feet and moved to the tribute temple that was meant to be for him. His living quarters while he was stationed here had been fortified with spells to keep him here. As commanded the armor he had cherished was removed for him to wear a simple hanfu style jacket, sash and pants outfit instead. Wukong was then released by the guards to stay here which led to a light nap to quick-heal from the headband. The ape was officially contained in possibly the prettiest cage he had ever imagined… but as he laid there his mind still saw through the surface of things. Likely Heaven would try to gloss it over but at the base of things this was still a cage, and likely the rest of Heaven would see him as some kind of high risk pet.
He would quiet down for now….. but Wukong’s mind was swimming in rounds to think of plans to get out of here.
Erlang Shen, the Divine Divinity, stood at the periphery of the Jade Palace, observing the unfolding drama with a calm, inscrutable expression. His hawk-like eyes missed nothing—the chains, the thrashing of Sun Wukong, and the self-satisfied demeanor of the Jade Emperor. Erlang Shen neither moved nor spoke as the Great Monkey King was shackled, his defiance quelled by the cursed circlet. But within him stirred a mix of emotions: understanding, frustration, and a faint trace of sympathy.
Erlang Shen had known Sun Wukong’s return to Heaven would not be met with open arms, especially given the ape’s history of rebellion. Yet, he found himself troubled by the severity of the punishment. The golden circlet, a tool meant to instill humility, now seemed a weapon of dominance. Erlang Shen had his own reservations about the rigid order of Heaven, though he kept them hidden beneath his stoic exterior. Watching Wukong’s suffering sparked a flicker of recognition—he knew what it was to struggle against authority, to find oneself trapped between one’s nature and the demands of those above.
“Was this truly necessary?” Erlang Shen murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the distant hum of celestial winds. His fingers tightened around his divine three-pointed spear, an unconscious gesture of restraint. He could not intervene, not now—not when the Jade Emperor’s command was absolute. But he could not help but ponder the consequences of this act.
As the guards dragged Wukong toward his fortified quarters, Erlang Shen turned and walked away, his expression as calm as ever. Yet, his mind raced. He had no great love for Wukong’s antics, but he respected the Monkey King’s indomitable spirit. Heaven’s treatment of Wukong might have subdued the ape for now, but it would not extinguish his will.
“He is no ordinary prisoner,” Erlang Shen thought, his gaze shifting to the shimmering horizon of Heaven’s golden halls. “Sun Wukong’s mind is sharper than any blade. A cage, no matter how gilded, will not hold him forever. And if they think this will break him, they are fools.”
Erlang Shen paused at the edge of the great marble bridge that spanned the celestial river. His sharp features softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. “If they insist on pushing him like this, they may one day regret it. The Great Sage Equal to Heaven is not one to be silenced.”
With that, Erlang Shen turned his attention back to his own duties, his figure disappearing into the brilliance of Heaven. But in the quiet recesses of his mind, he resolved to watch over Wukong from a distance. The Monkey King was a disruptive force, yes, but Erlang Shen understood that even disruption had its place. And if the balance of Heaven ever tilted too far, perhaps it would be Sun Wukong’s wild heart that restored it.
Gossip trails, but the imprisoned Victorious Fighting Buddha slept through the initial sweep. The Headband Tightening spell has always been a harsh one, but delivered by the Jade Emperor it was possibly worse. Not only was Wukong out cold during the first couple hours after his confinement just to recover, but he didn’t feel the shift of the guards bringing him back to his station. When he woke up he had a splitting headache so he rolled into his side and curled a bit. His golden eyes opened slowly to find blue and brown silk robes and black trousers. His armor really was stripped off along with his Phoenix Feather cap, which made the monkey’s heart sink. If they really did cast his armor back to Earth then they could be literally anywhere.
It was then that a thought came to him. If they took his armor then what about…. A clawed hand shifted toward his right ear, searching the inner canal and behind his earlobe. The Ruyi Jingu Bang was gone too. They left him unarmed and without any armor. A sad sigh escaped Wukong as he laid upon the bed, but it soon shifted to anger. There was a distinctive reason why he didn’t trust in Heaven anymore – which was the unfair, unethical and self-serving nature of this place. It was pretty to look at for the paradise legends gave, but Wukong stopped believing in what it stood for long ago. With a sigh, Wukong shifted to finally sit up as the headache passed. The prayer sanctuary that belonged to the Victorious Fighting Buddha was transformed into more of a large living quarters with surrounding forest setting for a yard.
“Ugh… what a nice looking pet cage,” the Monkey grumbled to himself as he shifted his feet off the side of the bed and stood to stretch. It was at that moment that he noticed two figures seated by the window nearby. A clean shaved man in gold and red robes and a dark haired woman in lotus embroidered silk and headdress. Both seemed to be contently holding conversation over tea… and just seeing them brought a sigh of relief through Wukong. “Master Sanzang… Buddhisattva Guanyin,” he greeted softly before approaching the two. “I’m surprised the Jade Emperor allowed anyone to see me. You could have woke me up.”
“You were healing, Wukong. Immortality isn’t fading any time soon, so we could wait.” The Buddha of Sandalwood Merit shifted to stand, taking up his gold staff as he did. It was a motion that Guanyin followed as the two stepped over. The Monk reached out to gently rest a hand upon the monkey’s head just to tilt slightly. “There isn’t any bruising, shockingly.”
“...You can’t remove this can you?”
“No, this one is not the circlet I made for you,” Guanyin said as she stepped forward to take a better look. “This one was made by the Jade Emperor in the same likeness – we both assume because he never understood the meaning behind the circlet. He likely thought it was a manner of security just in case Master Sanzang ever needed to control you.”
Wukong let out a light sigh. “Well, he did play tactically this time. Rather than risk a second war the Jade Emperor locked me here instead.”
“You haven’t seen the impact because you’re in here, Wukong. Heaven is divided about how the Jade Emperor has approached this. When Gautama Buddha learned about the Emperor’s intentions he withdrew and refused to help bind you, and so the Jade Emperor made this circlet and the seal to the temple instead.” The tall bald man let out a light sigh as he rested a hand upon Wukong’s shoulder. He could already see the gears turning in the Monkey King’s thoughts and gave that shoulder a light squeeze. The gesture was enough for those golden burning eyes to shift up toward him. “You made quite a few allies during our Journey to the West, and I advise that you connect with them. I personally came to tell you that I intend to step away from Heaven into hiding, because I’m relocating the Sutures of Enlightenment. There is corruption growing here and the sutures could be abused in the wrong hands.”
“Allies… here in Heaven? …Who? A-And, Master! You need a proper distraction if you’re going to get out of Heaven undetected. I can provide that even from in here,” Wukong said with a light gesture of a hand toward the surrounding temple and forest.
“A distraction would be beneficial, but don’t worry about Master Sanzang’s safety. He isn’t the only one leaving Heaven and we all intend to band together to stay hidden,” Guanyin said softly. Stepping closer, she gently wrapped an arm along the inside of the monk’s elbow just to stand casually with them. “As for who, most of the Court in Heaven sides with the Jade Emperor – mainly because they bend to his authority and are rewarded for it. That brings a misguided and tarnished sense of honor. However, I think you know of one General that is on your side. So… we’ll let you think on a distraction. Shall we?” The Buddhisattva looked toward Sunsang, who gave an approving nod before the two of them turned to make their way out. Wukong watched as they approached the barrier of the designated confinement, seeing their form echo through the spell before both disappeared in a flash of bright light.
“One General…” Wukong repeated to himself in a thoughtful whisper.
It didn’t take long at all to figure out which Celestial General the two were referring to. Despite all the terrible fights Wukong had with Erlang Shen in the past the two worked well together against a common foe. It was almost like there was a silent understanding between two rivals – which was also an echo back to the days when the Monkey King was free. He didn’t know the three eyed warrior very well on a personal level but maybe that could change. Especially if he hopes to make a genuine friend he can trust in this oasis of manipulation. It’s not going to be easy to get a common word out to speak with Erlang. Just walking around the forest he could see guards at various points of the barrier and they would likely be looking out for passing letters or wandering scrolls. There was only one way that would work… and so Wukong moved to climb to the highest point he could. Scaling the roof of the temple, he leaped to a thick branch of a tree and began to climb upward as far as he could. Taking refuge along the leaves, he comfortably sat upon the branch and leaned back against the trunk. It was here that he closed his eyes to focus.
‘Erlang? If you can hear me, I need a favor… well… a little more than a favor as it’s more a means to a plan. I hear that some deities intend to leave Heaven and I want to provide a distraction for Master Sanzang and Guanyin. If this distraction works then maybe I can work toward a different kind of change – if you’re interested?’
Wukong’s meditation plea echoed across stardust to avoid the Jade Palace, surging toward the private domain of General Erlang Shen. The message came and went until it was able to find it’s target and close in, feeding the words over with a soft and pleading voice.
Erlang Shen, seated upon the edge of his private terrace, felt the ripple of Wukong’s plea as it reached him. The soft hum of celestial energy carried the familiar tone of the Monkey King’s voice, tinged with urgency and defiance. Erlang Shen’s third eye, ever attuned to the hidden currents of the heavens, flickered open briefly, catching the unspoken tension in Wukong’s words.
For a long moment, the General remained still, his mind weighing the implications. The Jade Emperor’s treatment of Wukong had already caused unrest, and now even Guanyin and Tang Sanzang were stepping away from Heaven’s authority. That the Victorious Fighting Buddha would scheme for their safe passage was no surprise—but his appeal to Erlang Shen, of all deities, was something new.
Erlang Shen rose slowly, his crimson and gold robes fluttering in the gentle celestial breeze. He strode toward the edge of the terrace, gazing out over the silvered clouds and the faint glow of Heaven’s distant spires. His face remained impassive, but his mind churned with thoughts of rebellion, loyalty, and the delicate balance of power within the Jade Court.
“Sun Wukong,” he murmured to the winds, his voice low but resolute. “You call to me with a plan as bold as your spirit. Yet, you tread dangerous waters—waters I have navigated before.” He closed his eyes, allowing his divine essence to extend outward. The message he sent back was direct and calm, though it carried a subtle edge of warning:
“Great Sage Equal to Heaven, your words reach me, and I have heard your plea. I will not deny that the Jade Emperor’s actions trouble me, as does the growing divide among the heavens. But you must tread carefully. Even as you plan this distraction, know that all eyes are upon you. The chains they have placed are not merely physical; they are meant to sap your resolve.”
Erlang Shen’s message lingered for a moment before continuing.
“Still, I see merit in your cause. If Guanyin and Sanzang intend to leave, then a distraction might be necessary to ensure their escape. I will aid you, but only if your plan serves a greater purpose. Let this not be a petty rebellion but the first step toward something meaningful. Tell me, Wukong: What is the change you seek? And how do you intend to achieve it?”
With that, Erlang Shen allowed his presence to recede, though his gaze remained fixed on the horizon. A flicker of respect touched his lips—he could not deny that Wukong’s audacity was something he admired, even if it often bordered on reckless. Whether the Monkey King’s ambitions would spark a new era or merely another celestial conflict, Erlang Shen would decide in the moments to come. For now, he waited, his spear at his side and his mind ready for whatever response Wukong’s boldness might bring.
There was no denying that the Jade Emperor intended to erode away at his resolve... the hidden truth was that he very nearly did the first time there was a clash between them. There would have been ongoing fighting if not for Erlang Shen matching every move and then extra help to have him captured. The first mental break was the Brazier of Eight Trigrams and the pain the monkey had to endure for fourth-nine days. The experience maimed him as his radient mineral red fur became an ashy brown and his coal black eyes were burned to become golden yellow. Yes, the ability to see through illusions came from such harsh treatment, but it was the start of an end.
Being held down literally by Buddha for five hundred years was what nearly did it. The sheer weight of time brought the Great Sage to debate about what life would have been like if he submitted. His own people wouldn’t have died and all of the Heavens wouldn’t have suffered. However, the Jade Emperor would have also set a staple that treating others in a down grading manner just because they were socially lower was okay. Sun Wukong truly felt he deserved to be seen for the talents and power he had rightly earned and trained for.
Was it so terrible to have pride in yourself?
A soft sigh came to Wukong as he heard Erlang agree to help him, but the request to work toward something meaningful brought him to pause. Did Erlang really trust him to lead the Heavens toward some kind of noble change?
"Truthfully? I think my bias toward Heaven is filled with too much... I don’t have the right word..."
Anger? Disappointment? ...Loss? Cluelessness?
When Wukong was a child he could remember his mother telling stories about the spirits she found in the stars. About how she was reached by a beautiful star on a lotus bud who told her there was a gift waiting for her at the top of Huāguǒ Shān. That was where this chimpanzee who couldn’t have children of her own rescued a wounded baby who was born from a Heavenly stone. This was his origin story and so he felt he needed to see Heaven and know what kind of kindness could give his mother such a gift....... but when he focused more on extending his people to a better lifetime and meeting earth bound deities to gather education and power all things changed. Wukong was met with a leader that was okay with sweeping him to the side with no acknowledgment at all. There seemed to be an unfair and self serving agenda rather than meeting things in a manner that echoed peace.
Sure, not all things are fair, but this was ridiculous.
"I wouldn’t be the right one to take full leadership, if that’s what you’re asking. My mind would be bent with the... feeling I had when I was forced to live in the stables with the horses... but... Now that you have me thinking about it, I wouldn’t mind working toward you sitting on the Jade Throne. I could be more useful as a strategic support or a general. Unless, you would rather not do that? But still, a plan like this would have to be in steps so that the Jade Emperor doesn’t become suspicious."
Erlang Shen listened to the echoes of Wukong’s words, carried to him by the currents of celestial energy. His sharp gaze turned to the horizon, thoughtful, as the Monkey King’s admission settled in his mind. Sun Wukong’s bitterness toward Heaven was palpable, his memories of past injustices shaping every decision and ambition. Yet, beneath the fiery defiance, Erlang could sense something deeper—an understanding of the weight of leadership and the scars of being overlooked.
The General leaned against his spear, his fingers brushing its smooth shaft as he considered the proposition. Wukong’s blunt honesty struck him as refreshing, a sharp contrast to the sycophantic chatter that often filled Heaven’s halls. But the notion of Erlang himself ascending to the Jade Throne? That was a thought he had rarely entertained.
Erlang Shen was no stranger to the complexities of power. His own conflicts with the Jade Emperor, though quieter than Wukong’s, had left their mark. He understood the burden of leadership, the fine line between justice and control. While the idea of taking the throne had merit, he knew that ruling Heaven was not simply a matter of strength or strategy—it required something more.
The General closed his third eye, focusing his thoughts into a reply that carried the same clarity and directness Wukong had offered.
“Sun Wukong, your bias against Heaven is not unfounded. It is forged by experience, and I would not ask you to abandon it. You have suffered much at the hands of this celestial order, and that suffering has shaped you into the formidable being you are now. But anger alone cannot build a better Heaven.”
He paused, his words carrying the weight of his own struggles.
“I have no desire to sit upon the Jade Throne for the sake of power. If I were to lead, it would be for the purpose of reshaping this realm into something worth revering. Heaven should be a sanctuary, not a place of manipulation and unchecked pride. But such change cannot come from rebellion alone—it must be built on the foundation of trust, alliances, and clear vision.”
Erlang Shen’s voice softened slightly, though his resolve remained firm.
“If you seek to act as a strategic support, then let your actions reflect the wisdom you have gained. Your strength is undeniable, but it is your cleverness and resourcefulness that will pave the way for this plan. Together, we can sow the seeds of change—but only if we tread carefully. The Jade Emperor is not blind to deceit, and any misstep could see us both in chains.”
His grip on his spear tightened as he spoke his final thoughts.
“For now, let us focus on this distraction. Ensure that Guanyin and Tang Sanzang escape safely. Once they are free, we will begin laying the groundwork for a greater plan. I will act as your ally in this endeavor, but I will also challenge you to rise above the anger and loss that haunt you. You are not the same ape who once fought against Heaven out of pride. You are more than that now.”
Erlang Shen allowed his message to flow across the winds, confident that Wukong would hear it. He knew the road ahead would be fraught with danger, but he could see the potential for something greater in the Victorious Fighting Buddha—a potential that, if guided wisely, could change the heavens themselves.
There was a major difference in the way Sun Wukong processed things in his life. The laws of nature were what he was met with first and there was no room for liars to a language like that. The world was built in facts, figures, physics, cause and effect -- which means that any decision made should be with all instinct intact. No beating around the bush... and to acknowledge the things that made the cosmis tick. To ignore it would be foolish, and so Sun Wukong has always followed the wild path. He trusted the untethered and undiltered truth. To ignore what was true was dangerous.
As the message echoed back Wukong felt his fur stand on end... but not entirely due to unease. When this conversation started there was an air of temporary need for the sake of his master. In the past he had grown a bond with this monk to a point where he would simply have a need and Wukong would answer it. There was a blessing at play that Master Sanzang was not the type to abuse his power... but Erlang’s words struck him with almost the same shock that the monk’s did so many years ago. For the first time there was someone in Heaven that actually felt he could amount to something more than meaningless violence.
Trust, alliances and... clear vision.
Wukong took a deep breath -- in through his mouth and then out slowly through his nose. He had to put his own pain to the side in order to think about the task ahead. To nurture the growth of change he needed to try to see Heaven the way he used to... and then try to bring this illusion of paradise to meet that vision.
Still... he could sense Erlang’s sincerity through the echoes of their communication. He spoke with a softness and understanding that he didn’t expect from anyone in Heaven, let alone his most profoundly equal of rivals. If they really could form trust then maybe... just maybe... Wukong could work on healing his heart of all the wounds left by Heaven itself. It was a feat that he knew needed steps, and he would rather be close to the ally he intended to make.
"You’re right... any misstep would be our undoing. What we need is a way to cover their escape and also create a new situation for our continued cooperation. We need to act in a way that makes the Jade Emperor still feel in power even though we’re making progress... and I have a plan in mind, but we both have to act the part for this to work."
Wukong would then go into detail about a meeting he expects to happen soon. His armor and weapon was removed, and likely the court would intend to return them to the mortal realm by returning each of them to the Four Dragon Kings. The Ruyi Jingu Bang is going to be the most problematic because it doesn’t answer to Ao Guang anymore. When the gold banded staff puts up a fight the Jade Emperor will send for Wukong so that he can command the Monkey King to fix it.
"We’ll both know when it happens because the staff is bold. She doesn’t take lightly to being separated from me. I have to play the trapped but stubborn prisoner until she throws her fit and they send for me. When the conflict happens you should be there when they come to try to command me to fix it. I’ll keep to the persona the Jade Emperor knows so well for now, negotiating for the circlet to come off, and so on. As expected the Jade Emperor would decline and I’ll stubbornly refuse to fix it. That’s where you come in. You can suggest that I be moved under your supervision in exchange for the circlet and imprisonment to be removed. For now, I can grumble and groan like I used to do. Let the Jade Emperor still think he has control while I stay with you. We can think of our next steps once Master Sanzang and Guanyin have escaped," Wukong explained.
『 The Court be damned 』
The universe gifts the soul with will. With will the soul gains great strength.
Accepting the Job at Chan Law Firm Sebastian had accepted the offer from Chan Law Firm with a mix of pride and relief, recognizing it as a pivotal step in his career. The firm’s prestige and the promise of a fresh start in Miami made the decision feel like the perfect way to honor his ambitions.
Moving to Miami Leaving Brooklyn wasn’t easy, but as Sebastian stepped off the plane and felt the warm breeze of Miami, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. The vibrant energy of the city promised new opportunities, and for the first time in years, he felt a glimmer of freedom.
Car Accident in Miami The sound of crunching metal and shattering glass was all Sebastian remembered before the world went black. Waking up in the hospital, bruised and shaken, he couldn’t escape the haunting thought that life could be taken away as suddenly as it had been upended.
Meeting Owen Chan When Sebastian first met Owen at the firm’s annual party, he felt an immediate spark he couldn’t ignore. But as he caught himself imagining more, he quickly reminded himself of the walls he had built, knowing his secret could never come to light.
i hate writing things like these but i’d like to just set some ground rules and expectations for this page. with real life responsibilities and working a full time job, i often can’t commit to more than just creating a few headcanons or aesthetics, which is why i want to lead with the idea that this will be very low activity, aesthetic based muse. i don’t want to string someone along in writing and have them wait a few days and then if i have multiple threads going on, the cycle continues.
i want to refrain from using discord at the moment - i fear it often blurs the lines between roleplay and reality. i understand it is a great tool for communicating and allows people more flexibility, but i have often found at times that it provides almost too much access. i am willing to share my discord with anyone who i maintain a healthy relationship with going forward, but i won’t be giving it out right away.
i am over the age of 25+ in real life, and would respect that anyone who decides to interact with me also be at least 21+.
smut in writing? i’m okay with it, i guess. my only trepediation with it is that it often takes too long to get to the point, and with limited time to write, i’d rather fade to black and fill in the pieces so we can continue on with the storyline.
love interests are not something that i am solely here for but i am not against it either. at the time, i guess i would consider myself multi-ship. any and all li’s would exist separately from their own worlds, unless previously discussed. if it presents itself, having a 1x1 partner to grow with would be super chill.
i’m just here to have fun, goof around, grow my character and continue on from there.
okay
blessed
