T/W - torture/gore/panic (attack)

Note: some of this is probably not historically or technically accurate, or they might be out of character, but I tried pretty hard to keep it fairly accurate. I have NOT read JTTW so this is just based off the little that I do know.

I did some research/big brain work and it might really just depends how old the immortal is to figure how long time seems to them (I'm new to mythology so bear with me), so it really just depends how old Monkey King is to figure out how long the 600+ years felt to him.

Or, if "one day in heaven is equal to one year on earth", then would technically only feel like around 1 year and 4 and a half months to him.
I'm going with that, so  you can just multiply the time they say by 365 and you get human time.

Written with Shadowpeach in mind, but it could also be platonic. Read it however you like.

"It is over, Sun Wukong," Buddha's voice thundered all around him.

The mountain closed around him and Wukong tried to push it away but it was no use. He tensed as his body was encased, except his head, left arm, and right knee.

Fortunately it didn't hurt too much.

Magical golden chains wrapped around the mound he was in, and Buddha sealed the lock that rested right below his head. He strained and tried to break out of his rock prison but nothing moved.

"You will remain here to make up for your wrongs. How long exactly, time will tell."

"You tricked me!" he screamed.

"Who ever said you never tricked us?" someone said.

For once, Sun Wukong said nothing.

He was defeated.

This was a bitterness he had never tasted before.

Sighing, he looked around him, observing his surroundings; surroundings that would become all too familiar to him in time.

He clenched his fist, then tried to see if he could reach his face, but he couldn't. He huffed in frustration. His back was not the most comfortable either.

He waited there for a while, hanging his head, shutting out his thoughts, forcing his mind blank. Until he couldn't anymore.

Finally got what you got what you wanted, a voice in his head said. You just had to keep asking for it. And look where you are.

No, he argued, I only wanted what was best for me and my friends. For the people. I shouldn't be here. I deserve to be free!

And he believed it. For then, at least.

He closed his eyes. He just wanted to sleep. And he tried to, but his position was so uncomfortable, and he was so... angry.

He had no idea how long he was there; still sleep did not come. He mumbled curses to the gods, voice slowly rising.

"I am a god! I am super-imortal, and super-powerful!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the caves. "I shouldn't be here!"

If you're so powerful, how are you here?

"Shut UP!" he screamed.

In the wake of the silence he felt someone else's presence. He glanced around but didn't see anyone. "Who is it?" he demanded.

"There you are, bud," said soothing, familiar voice. Macaque appeared. His face fell as he laid eyes on him, and his hand flew to his mouth as he saw that he was covered in scars, and his fur was matted with blood. "Sun-"

"Just help me get out of here," Wukong muttered.

Macaque looked unsurely from Wukong to the mountain, to the golden chains and lock and back again. "Wukong, I-"

"Help me get out!"

"Be quiet! I had to sneak in here. I'm not supposed to be here and you know it," Macaque hissed, stepping closer to him.

Wukong opened his hand in a gesture and raised his eyebrows irritably, and Macaque shook his head slightly, glancing at Wukong's hand and then knee.

"Are you going to help me or not?"

"Of course." He placed a hand on the mountain and inhaled, then grunted as he used his powers to try to break the mountain. "You help too."

"What do you think I'm doing?"

They struggled for a minute before giving in, sweat pouring down both of their faces. "I'm sorry," Macaque whispered.

"They... tricked me," Wukong panted. Tears pricked his eyes.

"I know."

"I shouldn't be here."

Macaque continued to stare at the ground.

"I did this for us," Wukong continued, voice filled with bitterness. "I played fair. But they think that I'm some joke?!"

Macaque sighed. "To your credit, the Jade Emperor did have to send his greatest army after you."

"You know what I mean."

Not knowing what to say, Macaque sat at his feet and stared numbly at him. They were both silent.

Hours passed.

Wukong wanted to sleep.

Loud screeching and cackling voices sailed through the air and they both jerked their heads up, not realizing they had started to drift off to sleep. They looked at each other nervously.

"What is that?" Wukong asked.

"I should go," Macaque gasped as his face paled.

"Don't!" Wukong pleaded with his eyes. "You left me before. Don't leave me this time."

"I-" Macaque stopped short as a couple of guards came into view, carrying a pot of... Glowing melted metal. "Oh, no," his stomach lurched horribly.

"Macaque..." Wukong started to panic.

"Sun, they're gonna see me." It broke his heart to, but Macaque disappeared into a shadow.

"Macaque?"

No response.

The two guards came up to him. "Thirsty, Wukong?"

A newly realized thirst hit him, but he forced himself to ignore it. "I... I think I'm good, actually," he replied, trying not to seem terrified.

"Well, this is Buddha's orders."

"And what exactly are those orders?"

"This." One lifted the pot of the stuff to Wukong's mouth and the other forced his mouth open with a welding tool.

He tried to yank his face away but earned a punch in the jaw. Something cracked.

"Don't make this hard for us, or else it'll just be worse for you," the one said as he touched the pot to his lips.

"Ugh!" Wukong screeched, again pulling his face away.

"I said, don't make this hard for us!" he yelled, and the other punched him again, harder, and this time across the face. Blood trickled from his nose.

"This is punishment enough, and unfair at that, can I just talk to-" Wukong was interrupted by the stream of molten copper being poured into his mouth and slipping down his throat.

He would have screamed but he couldn't.

It was hell. It seemed to burned through his mouth and throat and internal organs and he felt it destroying his flesh. He smelled it burning and guessed his fur was on fire as well.

They wouldn't stop...

Then there was an "oof" from one of the guards and the grip was released from his head and there was a sickening rip of his skin as it hung. There was no way he could hold it up anymore. He heard something clang as if falling to the floor a little ways away. Everything was silent for a moment except for his own raspy, horrid gasps.

Then there were gentle hands around his face, holding his head up. "Look at me, bud. Please," Macaque's shaking voice pleaded.

Wukong opened his eyes to his friend's soft expression, but he didn't want pity. He tried to speak but no sound came out.

"I'm gonna getcha some water, ok?" His voice broke.

Wukong tried to nod, and Macaque felt it. "I'll be right back."

He was back fairly soon, probably within a couple minutes, and gently held up his head and gave him the water. Wukong drank slowly and painfully.

"It was hard not to spill the water flying across the universe," Macaque forced a laugh.

He wasn't sure how long it was, but Macaque just stood there, gently holding his head up, offering him water, until he could feel himself slowly healing. But was it starting to hurt worse now. He let out a low groan and leaned his head frustratedly, partly as if to get out of his grasp, because (again) he did not want pity. Both of those actions made everything hurt more and he instantly regretted it.

"Careful. Just- stay still, bud."

He closed his eyes. "Mac?" he whispered ever-so-faintly.

"Yep?" he stepped closer so their faces were almost touching.

"Don't... get in... trouble."

"Don't you worry about me," Macaque told him, glancing from his eyes to his mouth. Wukong could tell he meant it.

Eventually, he fell asleep in his brother's hands.

- - -

When he woke up, Macaque was gone, but so were the guards or any sign of their tools.

Time dragged by, and Wukong tried not to think too hard about anything. From his mouth to his stomach it still hurt like fire, but he guessed that if Macaque hadn't stepped in, it would be a lot worse.

He owed him for that.

The fierce fighter in him was dying to get free of the mountain, and move around some. Just walk around, even. Just stand up. But he couldn't move at all, except for his hand and neck.

That was worse than the metal.

It was mental torture.

At one point he tried to kick his legs, and ended up screaming curses, then trying to move some more, and screaming some more.

He did this for hours.

Days.

Heaven knows how long.

He sure didn't know.

And Macaque hadn't come back yet.

He was starting to become worried for his friend. What if something happened, and he was wanted in heaven? What if they tried to kill him like they did Wukong? No, Macaque was too much of a safe-player to get in trouble.

So that meant he had forgotten about him.

Or didn't care about him.

That was the worst, thinking he didn't care.

Just when he was almost healed all the way, the guards came back, this time with iron pellets to "eat". They were hot and burned right through him too. He still didn't cry; wouldn't. They would think he was weak. He was strong! He was the Monkey King, the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven. He was not weak!

Really, he was, sometimes his thoughts would tell him. He was weaker than he had ever been in his life.

At least he didn't cry.

Time passed, and his pain and sadness turned to anger. Mostly anger at Macaque for leaving him- for not coming back, that is. He imagined all the things he would say to him.

Why did you leave me?

I don't care about you, he would say.

We are sworn brothers. You are supposed to help me!

You don't deserve my help, he would say. Look at you. Just look at you. You can't even talk right! You're weak. Why would I want to help you?

Because you're my brother, Macaque!

You're not my brother anymore, he would say. You failed. You were stupid and reckless.

So you're too good for me?

Yes.

He replayed this fake conversation and others in his mind so many times that he started to believe they really had happened.

Did it?

- - -

At this point, Wukong had become extremely delirious. So he didn't even flinch when there was a woosh beside him and a figure appeared.

"Yo, hey bud," Macaque said cautiously. Almost as if I might be mad at him, Wukong thought sarcastically to himself, or maybe he pities me in my condition. "I gotcha a little somethin'." He held out a peach to him.

Not like I can take it or anything.

Wukong mock gasped. "Whaaat? For meee? You're not serious, that whole peach is for me? Bud, you shouldn't have!" He knew Macaque was just trying to help, and he was just starting an unnecessary argument, but neither of those things occurred to him.

"Ok, you don't have to be so you about it," Macaque sighed, sitting next to him.

"No, no, honestly. This exactly what I need right now; I'm trapped under a mountain, but the Six-Eared Macaque brought me a peach. Hooray."

"You know I'd help if I could," Macaque said bitterly, but he wasn't angry.

Well, I am.

"Oh sure, 'cause normally you just RUSH to my rescue!" he yelled.

"Yeah, okay." Now his voice was sad and hurt. He stood up and started to walk away, bent over in emotional pain.

"Well, it was great seeing you, bud, just run off like you always do!"

"No, that's you!" He whipped around as he raised his voice. "You're the one who's always running off, looking for more power, more sources of immortality. You're the one who wouldn't quit while we were ahead. Not the Great Sage, he's gotta drag EVERYONE ELSE into his mess."

"You're not in this mess!" Wukong screamed. "You're still free! Everything I did was for US!"

"You did it for yourself!" Macaque growled. "You've become like, this obsessive demon! I told you going against the Jade Emperor was a bad idea, but no, Wukong doesn't listen to anyone." Pain etched his voice. "He just does whatever he wants."

Wukong growled, snarling.

Macaque's voice turned quiet, almost to a fierce whisper, which was worse than yelling. "You put yourself here. Not me." He smashed the peach in his hand and threw it on the ground, then gracefully disappeared down one of his shadow holes.

"Fine! Leave!" Wukong yelled at nobody. "I don't wanna see your face here again, you big- ghaa!" That was a lie. Plus the squashed peach was just laying on the ground, tormenting him. It looked so good. So juicy. He let out a sigh. "I really wanted that peach."

Scene: skip to 39:55

Bro is so traumatized/hurt/out of it and Macaque knows it.

https://youtu.be/2XF2GRl7NL0

- - -

More time passed. More molten metal (he decided it was copper) and iron pellets. More pain. More insanity.

Too much insanity.

He kicked and twisted and writhed, then screamed, and squeezed his hand shut so his claws drew blood, then fell unconscious because of the pain from screaming, then woke up, and the cycle started again. And the guards would come sometimes too. Over and over.

And over.

He was trying to move around one time, when he felt tears prick his eyes. The frustration was too much. Instead of screaming, like he usually would, he hung his head and sobbed. Tears flowed. How long it was, heaven knows. Huge, choking sobs made his breathing unsteady, which turned into hyperventilating.

Macaque. He was there for me. Until I made him leave.

"Don't leave me!" he choked through his sobs, gasping, tears still running into his mouth (thankfully) and down his chin and neck. "Please! I take it all back. I need you! Please!" He screamed the words before breaking down again.

You're weak.

Crybaby.

Who are you again? Oh right, the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven. Right.

Weak.

He cried himself to sleep.

When he woke up, someone was standing there, waiting for him.

"No, please, no," he begged. "Not again."

"It's just me, bud."

"Macaque?" he breathed.

"I'm sorry I made you wait so long, bud. But you look like you're doing... fine." Macaque's voice was soft and sad again.

Wukong thought that his voice right then was the best sound he had ever heard in his life.

He was still bitter, for some reason, so he didn't reply. He didn't look up either because he didn't want him to see the tears in his eyes.

"Have some water, bud. I'm gonna getcha fixed up."

Now he had to look up at him to drink the water. Even if Macaque had noticed his tears, he didn't say anything about it.

"I'm so sorry I didn't come back for a while," he said softly, holding his chin and the water up as Wukong drank.

"Why didn't you?" Wukong gasped after he finished chugging the water.

"There was... business," he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Trouble?"

"You could say that."

"Is everyone ok?"

"Yeah. I brought you peaches." His voice never failed to be gentle. Macaque somehow never stopped holding his chin up even as he stooped to pick something up. It was a whole basket full of peaches. Wukong's eyes started to fill with tears again. Maybe Macaque noticed because he gave him a slight smile.

He managed to hold both his head and the peach up, and then several more peaches, as Wukong devoured them one by one.

"Hey, uh, I'm really sorry about last time."

"That... it's fine," Wukong said through a bite. "That was my fault."

"No, I came to help you, and I didn't. I probably just made things worse."

Well, he kinda did. But I started it. I was rude for no reason. "Macaque. That was my fault."

"But you were the one... locked up. You're not at fault here."

"And why does that make any sense? Since when do you say that?"

"Sun, you know what I mean."

Wukong huffed and grinned and finished the peach held out to him. That was the last one. Macaque gave him more water, then gently let his head down before preparing something off to the side. He produced a wet cloth, dripping with something that Wukong could tell was not just water.

"Hold still." Macaque carefully wiped his whole face, then (very carefully) his neck, then his hand and knee and surrounding leg, and finally his fur on and around his head. The ointment (or whatever it was) tingled on his skin and Wukong could feel himself healing quicker. He took in a deep, relaxed breath, for the first time in...

"How long have I been down here?" he asked.

"Uh-" this question seemed to catch Macaque off guard because he dropped something and bent to pick it up, then popped right up again. "Um, how long do you think?"

"I..."

"You know what, I shouldn't ask you that. I should just tell you, huh." He took Wukong's face in his hands again.

"Yeah, you should." Wukong gave him a confused look.

"Well, it's- I- I don't know. Maybe like-" he mumbled something.

"What?" Wukong asked.

"Maybe like a few months. Several. Something." Macaque looked away but his grip around his face only grew stronger, more comforting, as if to make up for any emotional discomfort he might be causing.

"Several... months?" Wukong mumbled and his face fell.

"Um, yeah. It's... it's been a minute, bud."

Wukong closed his eyes and bowed his head, except didn't, because it was still being held up.

"I'm sorry," Macaque murmured.

"Well it's not your fault."

"I want to get you out of here, Sun Wukong," he said after a moment.

"Don't say that."

"Why?"

"It'll get my hopes up."

"Oh, bud," Macaque whispered sadly, and stroked his cheek with his thumb, a gesture unexpected by either of them. Wukong gave a smile in return, and then received the same.

"You don't have to stay here, you know, bud," Wukong said after a bit. "Go on, live your life. Go... fight evil. Or whatever." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice, but at the same time, Macaque could tell that he just didn't want to be a burden.

"No, Wukong," he said simply.

"Really, you can leave me here, it's ok."

"Not unless you don't want me here."

"I bet you don't want to be here. I'm pitiful. This is my punishment, not yours."

"Well if you keep bugging me about it, then maybe I will." That was a lie, but it seemed to shut him up. "You tired?"

"Yup."

"Here." Macaque slowly let his head down and removed his hand, then began stroking his fur on the top of his head, then slower and slower.

"Thank you for helping me," Wukong murmured after a while, eyes closed.

"Of course."

His breaths seemed to slow down, so Macaque thought he was falling to sleep.

"Everything hurts," he groaned, catching him off guard.

"I-I know, bud."

"Please don't leave me."

"What?"

"Please... don't leave me." A small sob escaped Wukong, and tears fell from his face.

"Bud, don't cry." He again took his face in his hands, but now pressed his forehead to Wukong's. "I'm not gonna leave you."

They both cried, sun sobbing and shadow silent.

- - -

About 7 celestial months later...

There... someone was standing there. But it wasn't the guards, and it wasn't Macaque. Who...

He looked up.

- - -

Finally, he had freedom.

...But with a price.

But, oh, was it worth it.

He had the best friends in the world!

Except... he lost one...

~ the end ~

(or the beginning of New Adventures)

For fun - final word count (not AT ALL embarrassing):

"That was a lie": 2

"You know what I mean": 2

Sun (name): 6

Face: 15

Bud: 15

Head: 20

Macaque: 48

Wukong: 52

This is the only LMK I've written but I'll take requests! ;)