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Mk was kinda worried, he knew he was in for it with Wukong. The whole sacrifice himself was a big no in the older monkey’s, EVEN THOUGH HE’S A HYPOCRITE!!! Ahm, anyways. They might have saved the world, and all, but Mk could tell from his mentor…. Father?’s Face, that he was due for punishment. Mk knew it was gonna happen when he was told to come to flower fruit mountain alone.
The atmosphere on Flower Fruit Mountain was unusually still, the usual chatter of the monkeys eerily absent. Mk’s heart pounded in his chest as he landed, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings for any sign of life. He had a feeling that Monkey king had arranged this solitude on purpose. The thought only made the knot in his stomach tighten further.
Swallowing nervously, Mk mess with his jacket strings, his steps hesitant as he approached Sun Wukong’s hut. The door was slightly ajar, and a dim light flickered from within, casting shadows that danced eerily across the ground. He could feel the tension in the air, thick and heavy, as if the very mountain was holding its breath.
When he stepped inside, Mk was greeted by the sight of Sun Wukong sitting calmly at the low wooden table, his eyes closed in meditation. But Mk knew better than to think the Monkey King hadn’t noticed him. The older monkey’s senses were sharper than anyone else’s, and Mk could feel Wukong’s presence, like a storm waiting to break.
“Sit,” Sun Wukong’s voice cut through the silence, calm yet commanding. Mk flinched slightly at the sound but obeyed, lowering himself to the floor across from his mentor. He didn’t dare meet Wukong’s eyes, instead focusing on a knot in the wood of the table, his fingers fidgeting nervously in his lap.
For a long moment, there was only silence. Mk could feel the weight of Wukong’s gaze on him, assessing, deciding. Finally, the Monkey King spoke again, his tone soft but carrying a firm edge. “Do you have any idea what you almost did?” Wukong asked, his voice cold.
Mk’s throat felt dry. “I… I just wanted to protect everyone,” he stammered. “I thought it was the only way…”
“The only way?” Wukong’s voice rose slightly, his tail flicking behind him in agitation. “The only way was to throw your life away? To leave all of us behind? What about the others? Mei, Pigsy, Tang, Sandy… What about me?”
Mk flinched again, guilt washing over him. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Didn’t mean to?” Wukong interrupted, his tone sharper now. “Mk, you’re the Monkie Kid. My successor. Do you really think throwing your life away would solve everything?”
“I thought… I thought it was the right thing to do,” Mk whispered, his voice barely audible.
Wukong sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’re brave, Mk. No one is denying that. But bravery without thinking, without considering the consequences… That’s just foolishness.” He moved closer, towering over Mk. “You could have died, Mk. You could have left all of us to deal with that loss.”
Mk’s eyes stung with unshed tears. “I’m sorry… I didn’t want to hurt anyone…”
Wukong’s gaze softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. “I know you didn’t, but actions have consequences. And this time, those consequences nearly cost you your life.” A sigh escaped Sun Wukong, not out of frustration, but more out of a deep, weary disappointment that cut Mk deeper than any reprimand could. He reached for his belt, unfastening it slowly. “And now, you’re going to face another consequence.”
Mk’s head snapped up, his eyes wide. “But we saved everyone! I—”
“That’s not the point!” Sun Wukong’s voice rose, not in anger, but in an intensity that made Mk shrink back slightly. The Monkey King leaned forward, his eyes burning with a mix of emotions Mk couldn’t quite place. “You think I don’t know what it’s like to put yourself on the line to save others? I’ve been doing it for centuries. But there’s a difference between bravery and recklessness, Mk.”
Mk’s lips quivered as he tried to form a response, but the words wouldn’t come. Wukong’s gaze softened, just a fraction, but his resolve didn’t waver.
Mk’s eyes widened As wide as possible as he watched Wukong slide the belt from his waist. He had been spanked before, of course he has, Pigsy was his adoptive father and boss, and Wukong could be stern when needed but this… this was different.
“Wukong, please—” Mk’s voice broke as he scrambled to his feet, but the older monkey shook his head.
“This isn’t about punishment, Mk. This is about making sure you understand the gravity of your actions. You’re not just a kid with powers anymore. You’re the Monkie Kid, and with that comes responsibility. To your friends, to the world, and to yourself.”
Mk’s breath hitched as Wukong gestured for him to come closer. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but Mk forced himself to step forward, his legs trembling beneath him. “Bend over,” he instructed, his voice leaving no room for argument. Trembling, Mk obeyed, his cheeks burning with embarrassment and shame as he bent over the table.
“I’m only doing this because I care about you, Mk. Because I don’t want to lose you.” Sun Wukong’s voice was firm, but there was an undercurrent of something else—fear, maybe, or sorrow. Mk couldn’t tell. All he knew was that Wukong’s words hit harder than any physical blow ever could.
The first lash of the belt made Mk gasp, his hands gripping the edge of the table for support. Wukong wasn’t holding back—each strike was firm, leaving a sharp sting in its wake. Mk bit his lip to keep from crying out, but it was no use. The pain was intense, and with each lash, the reality of his actions hit him harder than any physical blow could. Each strike was deliberate, measured, a painful reminder of the consequences of his actions. Tears welled up in Mk’s eyes, not just from the pain but from the overwhelming guilt that flooded his chest.
“I— I’m sorry!” Mk choked out, his voice trembling as the belt landed again. “I didn’t mean to— I just—”
“I know you didn’t,” Wukong’s voice was strained now, but he didn’t stop. “But that’s why you have to learn, Mk. This can’t happen again.”
The spanking continued for what felt like an eternity, but in reality, it was only a few minutes. By the time Wukong finished, Mk was left trembling, his breaths coming in shaky gasps, tears streaming down his face. Wukong’s expression was unreadable as he put the belt back on, turning his back turned to Mk.
“Go to the corner,” Wukong said quietly, not looking at him. Mk didn’t argue, he didn’t want to give a reason for Wukong to punish him anymore. He shuffled to the corner of the room, his backside throbbing with pain. Mk’s face burning with shame as he stood there, sniffling softly. He pressed his forehead against the wall, tears silently streaming down his face as he fought to steady his breathing. The room was silent except for the crackling of the fire.
The minutes dragged on, and Mk’s legs started to ache from standing still for so long. But he didn’t dare move, didn’t dare disobey. Wukong’s presence behind him was a constant reminder of why he was there. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Wukong spoke again.
“Come here.” Mk turned, hesitating for just a moment before turning around slowly, his eyes red from crying and shuffling back over to Wukong. The older monkey’s expression had softened considerably, and there was a hint of something in his eyes that made Mk’s chest tighten. Regret, perhaps?
Wukong placed a hand on Mk’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “I’m hard on you because I care, Mk. You’re- you’re my son, and I don’t want to lose you. Not like that. Not ever.” Wukong said softly, reaching out to ruffle Mk’s hair. “But you need to learn from this, Mk. No more reckless decisions. Understand?”
Mk sniffled, nodding slowly. “I… I understand. I’m sorry, Wukong. I’ll be better. I promise.”
Wukong sighed again, pulling Mk into a brief, but firm hug. “Good. Now, I think it’s time for bed. You’ve had a long day.”
Mk wanted to protest, but he knew better. He was exhausted, and the weight of everything that had happened was catching up to him. He nodded, letting Wukong guide him to the nest in the corner of the hut, where he climbed into the soft nest without protest. The blankets were warm, and the pillows are to soft to ignore, but Mk couldn’t shake the feeling of shame that still clung to him.
“Sleep, Mk,” Wukong said gently, pulling the blanket over him. “Tomorrow’s a new day.”
As Mk closed his eyes, he felt Wukong’s hand rest gently on his head, a silent reassurance that, despite everything, he was still cared for. The last thing Mk heard before sleep claimed him was Wukong’s soft, almost whispered words.
“I’m proud of you, kid. But you need to stay safe.”
And with that, the exhaustion finally took over, pulling Mk into a deep, dreamless sleep.