Complications
They had went to Pigsy's noodle shop. They had dragged the snake clones there having just two chunks of ice inside the restaurant wasn't ideal. Pigsy had to close early which clearly made him mad, he was serving them all noodles.
"This is buisness hours, you all are making me lose tons of money doing this, and I hope you are planing to pay for the servings I gave you all specially since that one won't stop eating" said Pigsy pointing at Nezha who was having about his fourth bowl of noodles.
"Oh come on Pigsy it is for a good cause besides it was close to closing time" said MK trying to calm him.
"Look if it such a big deal here charge it" said Red Son tossing a purple card at Pigsy.
Pigsy caught it in mid air and looked at the card having demon bull king symbol on it. "Hmm it better be legit"
"It is! We have the money to cover any expenses ... we just chose not to use it most of the time" Red Son admitted to their uncesarry crimes.
"Well either way you guys made a big commotion it's the big talk all over Metreopolis" Pigsy said as he went to the cash register and began to charge Red Son.
"It was a good thing we manage to convince others it was a street performance just to get yelled at that we didn't have a permit for it" said Mei giggling at the thought.
"I hope it doesn't attack any unnecessary attention" said Pigsy as he was about to put the key in to lock the door but a particular someone had push the door open.
"I came as soon as I heard!" Said the familiar voice. It was Tang as he was trying to force himself through the door before Pigsy close it.
"Idiot we are closing" said Pigsy but he couldn't push against Tang as he manage to push through.
Tang had manage to force himself in but ofcourse he had a little casualtie as he tripped and almost fell if it wasn't for someone being in the way in the exact moment. Tang had close his eyes thinking he was going to fall but when he opened them again he force he was just in someone's arm.
"Are you alright?" A tender voice ask.
Tang looked up to see in who's arms he had fallen into, to see it was Ao Bing. Tang's face had change color as it now had a more redish hue. NeZha looked over noticing that he had fallen into Ao Bing's arms something about this infuriated him. Mei who was across the room couldn't help but notice the look in NeZha's eyes when he saw Tang fall into Ao Bing's arms. She couldn't help bit have her mind run on that thought as she watch what was about to happen.
"Y-you're Ao Bing! The Dragon prince! Third Son of Ao Guang, it is such a honor to meet such a rare legend figure and in the same room as NeZha! I must be the luckiest man alive!" Tang explicated as his eyes sparkle looking at Ao Bing.
Ao Bing just gazed upon him a bit surprise that he even knew who he was to begin with and also the fact that he mention something that cause curiosity. Why would he find it so rare to be in the same room as NeZha? Ao Bing did notice he was getting a little too close for comfort as he had to back up a bit. He tried to say something but words would not leave his mouth. NeZha notice right away as he finish slurping his noodles chewing as hw spun the chopsticks in his hand before he grab a hold of Tang's arm with the same chopsticks and toss him across the room. Leaving everyone in shock as Tang slam into the wall and slowly slide down.
"Tang are you alright?!" Pigsy question as he went over to him looking at him down on the floor.
"Heh yeah, it was a hard throw but not hard enough to break anything" said Tang chuckling
"Good cause you almost broke through my new silverware" said Pigsy as he was glad to see it was all fine.
Tang frown at him "Geez it's nice to know your silverware has just that much importance to you than me" said Tang.
NeZha with the chopsticks grab a hold of Ao Bing's wrist as well. Ao Bing felt his body tense by the grab as he looked down at his wrist before he was pulled in to sit right next to him. Ao Bing felt a bit surprise yet he wonder what that was about as he turn his attention to NeZha who continue to eat his noodles. Ao Bing just didn't move as he continue to st next to him his cheeks getting a light shade of pink. Mei eyes spark as she quickly reach over to Red Son's arm and the back of MK's hoodie pulling them away from the scene going behind the icebergs.
"Did you guys see that?" Mei question right away
Red Son took a moment to compose himself "Dragon girl do not drag me like that!"
"What? The amount of noodles NeZha's swallowing? Yeah I think he hasn't eaten for a while" MK answer he question oblivious.
"No no no, the way NeZha has been acting lately haven't you guys notice?" Mei question again.
"Acting in what particular manner?" Red Son question crossing his arms.
"Ever since Ao Bing has joined he has stick to his side, also he sometimes glances over at Ao Bing. Even right now he just threw Mr Tang aside and pulled Ao Bing next to him" said Mei as she was surprise they both were not noticing this.
"Well we know that NeZha and Ao Bing have meet before by the way NeZha acted when he saw him back then. So maybe they are friends?" Said MK.
"Maybe they have a hidden past that they don't care to talk about because it brings back bad memories so they just basically trying to act like strangers that know each other"
The three looked over blink and looked up at the snake clones that said such a thing.
"What? I like to think out of the box" said the Snake clone.
"Look either way what does it matter what kind of relationship they have?" Red Son question as he felt
it was a bit intrucive of them.
"Cause it's boy love" said Mei as she took her phone out and showed like the cover of a magazine that had the tittle on it.
"Boy love?" MK ask as he got cheek to cheek with Red Son looking at the phone as Mei was specifically holding it towards Red Son.
Red Son flustered a bit looking over at MK as he got too close in a matter of seconds without a warning.
"Boy love is one of the best things invented in my opinion it is more based on raw emotion and its more real than anything you will ever experience all down from TV shows to mangas" said Mei as she explained proudly.
Red Son push her phone down with his hand "So you are just trying to recreate one of your boy fantasies through them?" He raised a eye brow.
"It is not a boy fantasy, you will see. All we have to do is get Nezha and Ao Bing to tell us a bit about their backstory" said Mei.
"Hold on you want them to tell us how they meet or something?" Red Son question.
"It shouldn't be that hard, MK you take over I need you to get the info out of Ao Bing first and then we tackle Nezha" said Mei as she pulled out notes in her phone.
"Hold on why do I have to be the one to get the information?" MK ask looking concern.
"Well you are kinda at the same level as them, besides Nezha and you seem to have created a decent bond back then" said Mei.
MK sigh sweating a bit as he approach the table where they were both sitting "Hey Ao Bing I have some snacks that you might like if you want to come over to try. But they are at my room" said MK as he needed to get Ao Bing away from the others first.
"Oh how sweet, well I guess trying one of your mortal delicacies wouldn't be so bad" said Ao Bing as he got up "Excuse me" he said to the others as he went with MK to his room.
Red Son and Mei were watching from a far, "Alright MK you are pulling it off quiet nice" Mei said as she tap on her keyboard on the phone.
"What exactly are you even taking notes of? Nothing has happen" said Red Son.
"Oh sweet Red, plenty has happen" she said tapping his head. Red Son frown and push her hand away from his head.
MK took Ao Bing into his room as he began to scatter around trying to find a snack. He didn't want Ao Bing to actually think he was only there to question him. He then found one of the special Monkey King chocolate bars. Ao Bing looked around the room as he notice there was indeed a lot of Monkey King merchandise all over. MK handed him the chocolate bar.
"You really admire your master don't you?" Ao Bing question as he took the chocolate bar from his hand.
"Oh that? Y-yeah I use to be a big fan before becoming his successor" MK said rubbing the back of his own head.
"I see how fotunate for you" Ao Bing analyzed the chocolate bar all over before removing the wrapper and then bite onto it. Ao Bing's eyes sparkle as the burst of flavor went all around his mouth. Ao Bing chew blushing a bit of the delicious taste "Wow this is amazing"
"It's chocolate, I assumed you never had it and I was right judging from your reaction" said MK as he was preparing his question though he was a bit hesitant at first. "So Ao Bing, I see you and Nezha know each other"
"Mhum" Ao Bing just agreed as he had a mouth full of chocolate.
"How do you two know each other?" MK ask.
Ao Bing pause for a moment before swallowing the chocolate to answer "Nezha and I use to be very close friends when we were kids" said Ao Bing as he looked at the chocolate his expression had change from a very happy delighted one to a thoughtful and sorrowful one.
NeZha was still slurping on his noodles when Mei jumped in and sneak up his side with Red Son. "Hey NeZha lotus, mind if we sir and talk?" Mei question though she almost made him choke on his noodles but he just looked over at her and just nod a little thoughtful.
"So you and Ao Bing" she quickly put it on the table.
"Do you really have to make it sound like that Dragon girl" said Red Son a little annoyed as she just gave them a sneaky smile.
"What about us?" NeZha question as he was curious to what they wanted exactly to know.
"Do you two have history together?" Mei question.
Nezha eyes widen as he stop at mid slurp of his noodles it took about a second and then finish slurping. "We knew each other when we were kids"
Mei squeezed her phone hard making it split into two. "Oh my gosh puppy love" said Mei.
"What?" NeZha asked confused.
"Okay I'll take over since clearly you are not capable of handling such a situation" said Red Son as he rub his brows. "Look we were jusr curious since you two act strange around each other, it's like you knke each other's secret" said Red Son waiting to see NeZha's answer to it. Clearly he handled it a little better than Mei, since Mei was just melting on the table over the fact of NeZha and Ao Bing having history after all.
"Ao Bing and I were just friends as kids but things went south quick" he said looking into the liquid still in his bowl of noodles.
"South? What exactly happen?" Red Son ask curiously noticing the atmosphere change around NeZha it felt more melancholic though his face lack much of the emotion.
NeZha shook his head "Would you excuse me? I need to get Mk and Ao Bing so we can start the questioning" He got up and walked away from them.
The situation happen many years ago it was a memory he chose to leave untouch. As he approach MK's door he was clench his fist getting it closer.
"Nezha and I use to be very close friends when we were kids"
Nezha stop his fist as he heard that it was very clearly Ao Bing's voice. He couldn't help his curiosity as he heard him said that, a little bit of light came from the opening of the door. It seem MK didn't close it all the way, NeZha push it very lightly he didn't want to open it too much just enough till he could see inside. The gap was noe wide enough as he could see MK's back facing the door, but he could see Ao Bing inside holding a wrapper of the chocolate he was eating he looked a bit upset about something.
"Did something happen between you two?" MK ask.
"It happened so long ago..." said Ao Bing as he clearly remembered.
~ "Wow all that looks so cool!" Ao Bing smiled and gazed in awe as NeZha was showing him his new weapons. NeZha had just gotten a spear with the fire wheels, and the ribbon.
"Erlang said that I am ready to start my training to be a good Celestial soldier" said NeZha proudly.
"So you are going to be fighting?" Ao Bing question as he was yet to start training.
"Yup probably going to be facing many demons and monsters" said NeZha as he waved his spear around.
"I want to join you!" Said Ao Bing with sparkly eyes as he seemed determined.
"You haven't even started your training you can't come along" NeZha pointed out.
"I-I can get started that way I can help you and protect you if you need it!" Ao Bing said.
"If anyone needs protecting its probably you! I will be too strong for those monsters and demons you wait and see" said NeZha as he was very confident he could take them on.
"So you don't want me to come along?" Ao Bing ask a little sad.
"Ofcourse I want you to come along and together we can be a unstoppable team! Fire and Ice" said NeZha as he had a big grin.
Ao Bing had little sparkle in his eyes as he really wanted this, so much that when he returned home he begged his brothers to train him. "Please!" Ao Bing pulled on Ao Yi's sleeve trying to convince him.
"I just think it's a little too soon Ao Bing, you will have plenty of time later" said Ao Yi, Ao Bing frown as he didn't want it later.
"Oh don't be such a downer second brother I believe he is ready" Ao Jia said as he enter the room.
Ao Jia was their older brother and the one that looked like the most like their father the only different was that he was younger and had short hair. Ao Bing turned his attention towards him and looked excited as he went to his other brother.
"So! So you will teach me?!" Ao Bing question.
Ao Jia couldn't help but chuckled at the little reaction and nod "Sure, how about I teach you to use your dragon form?" Ao Jia question as Ao Bing nod quickly.
"Dragon form?! Don't you think it's a little early for such a thing?" Ao Yi question concern for his little brother safety.
"Don't worry we will practice in the mountains of the mortal realm where the purest and biggest lakes are. There he can practice till hearts content" said Ao Jia as he grin at his little brother petting his head who was so excited he could barely contain himself.
"Well... alright but please be careful" said Ao Yi though he couldn't help but havw a bad feeling in his chest, Ao Bing quickly went to hug his leg before running off with Ao Jia to start his training.
Ao Jia took him to the mortal realm near the lake of the mountains. It was far from civilization and not many knew about the area so it was great training grounds. Ao Jia spend some time none stop trying to teach Ao Bing about the dragon form and how to transform into it.
"Dang I forgot I have run a quick errand now that we are down here, in the mean time you can just sit and practice" said Ao Jia to Ao Bing who nod and continue in. After all this was consider a safe place.
It was taking a while for Ao Bing to try to turn into his dragon form. He was starting to grow frustrated but keep trying for some more time pinching his eyes thinking that he needed to do this. He wanted to do this so badly he just thought how he wanted to go in explorations with NeZha. He couldn't jusr fall behind or could he? He began to have second thoughts as he tried so hard but couldn't do this. His eyes opened and sigh looking into the water a bit startled at first but then as his eyes adjusted he couldn't believe it. He was a dragon in those moments. He looked at his dragon body and was very delighted.
"This is amazing it worked" said Ao Bing as he continue to gaze upon himself.
He felt a odd presence as ig someone was right nke staring at him. As he turned to see NeZha he was surprise. He didn't expect to find him so soon or like this, he even wonder if NeZha saw him transform at all?
"NeZha! I'm so glad to see you, look I have manage to transform into my dragon form" ao Bing was so excited showing him but there was something off. As NeZha did not answer him but stayed in his spot.
"NeZha?" Ao Bing question as he saw he was not moving from his spot.
He wasnt aware that NeZha could not hear him, all he heard were the growls of a dragon. There wasn't much difference from regular dragons to the dragons that were from the east. NeZha got his spear
into position as he pulled it back and flung it towards Ao Bing. Ao Bing notice and quickly moved out of the way before it could pierce him.
"Ah you are a good looking one I'm pretty sure if I being your head back Erlang would be pleased" said NeZha as he retracted his staff.
"N-NeZha?! What are you doing?" Ao Bing question as he didn't back down.
NeZha had charged straight at him using his fire wheels under his feet to guide towards Ao Bing.
Ao Bing gasp and quickly moved away from him trying his best to fly away in confusion. He had no idea why NeZha was attacking him. Ao Bing then felt his tail grab as he looked back he saw NeZha's arms wrap around it and then force him down to the ground. Ao Bing grunted as he was slam on the ground.
"You are not escaping me! Wait till Ao Bing sees what I caught" said NeZha as he was excited unaware this was Ao Bing.
Ao Bing realized it hearing him "I-I am Ao Bing, NeZha don't you recognize me?" Ao Bing realized as he quickly shook NeZha off hard causing him fly towards the ground crashing. Ao Bing was shock he didn't meant to flung him like that.
NeZha's body was consumed in flames as he got angry at that he raised his hand up and threw a big pink fire ring towards him. "Kyah!"
Ao Bing eyes glew blue as he manipulated the waterfront the stream to hit the wrong and try to stop it. NeZha moved quickly as he went towards the dragon using his spear he moved in a quick motion cutting him all over. The dragon shriek in pain, Ao Bing was in much pain from that and knew he needed to change back bur couldn't concentrate. He needed to stop NeZha before he killed him. Ao Bing manage to stomp on NeZha atleast holding him in the spot.
"Ha like as if you can hold me down" said NeZha as his fire began to get more intense burning Ao Bing's paw.
Ao Bing grunted as he moved away just to be grab by NeZha's ribbons and slammed around a few times. NeZha didn't hesitate to hit him again the ground and the bolders all he knew that would hurt. After he was done he slam Ao Bing once more onto the ground noticing he would not move he remove the ring on his wrist.
"Perfect you were a easy target" said NeZha as the ring enlarge in his hand. He grab the dragon by the horn.
Ao Bing eye reflected NeZha as he saw that he was ready to end him. He was terrified trying to scream to let NeZha know it was him.
"NeZha..."
NeZha eyes widen, before him wasn't the dragon anymore but a injured Ao Bing. His eyes were damp as his tears began to run down his face.
"Ao Bing?"
Ao Bing just cover his face as he cried letting out all the stress and anxiety he just went through. NeZha kneeled and hugged him in his arms as he apologized none stop. ~
Ao Bing keep thumbeling the wrapper in his hands as he played around with it as he told the story. MK looked a little concern as he heard the story. While NeZha had heard everything behind the door.
"What happen afterwards?" Mk question.
"My father wasn't pleased he decided that the dragons had lived long enough in the Celestial Realm so he decided to move away from them. Every since NeZha and I never interacted again, I guess our duties came first after all" Ao Bing explained.
NeZha had heard enough of this and just turned away walking back to Pigsy noodle shop.
"I say you guys should give it another shot" said MK.
Ao Bing looked surprise as he turned his attention to the Monkey Kid.
"It was all a accident back then, you shouldn't let a little mistake like that get in the way for you guys not to interact at all. I mean you two are talking more now which is something I think you guys are still salvagable" said MK.
Ao Bing looked up at him in awe as his talking was so inspiring. He then smiled "You really have a way with words Monkey kid" said Ao Bing standing and place a hand on his head.
Maybe just maybe MK would be right if they gave it a chance that is. Ao Bing and MK join the others once more as they were getting ready to question the two demon snake clones.
"You know you are not getting anything from ussssss" the snake clones said.
"That's what you say until we start getting it rough on you" Mr Tang commented from a far as he was having a bowl of noodles.
"Tang just eat your noodles and let them handle this" said Pigsy as the least he needed to deal with was ruckus in the building at such late hours.
"You either start talking or I can make you talk" NeZha warned as he snap his fingers showing a pink flame upon his hand having a radiant glim over it as he place it near the snakes. It had such a burning sensation making them sweat as it approach to them but never melting the ice.
"Alright alright we will tell you!" One broke the silence.
"Huh.. honestly quicker than I imagine them to break" said MK as he was surprise how quickly they were to give the information.
"We took the Cryssssstal Lotussss caussssse we need it to sssssset free the Ssssssnake King" the Snake Clone admitted.
"Release the Snake King?" Nezha raised a eye brow not aware that the Snake King was sealed away to
being with.
"The Sssssnake King wassssss ssssssealed away many centuriesssss ago by one of the Celessstial Realm godsss. Every sssince he hasss been ssstuck in thisss ssstone prissson, we have tried finding a million waysss to releassse him but then we found out about the Cryssstal Lotusss and how if you had the right materialsss we could make a sssap that could releassse him" they explained
"That would explain the relics they stole are mainly use to make the sap" said NeZha as he turned his attention to Ao Bing, "Do you know of the sab they speak of?"
"Many things can be made with the Crystal Lotus, it is a ice that never melts away so if used the right ingredients and the right temperature you are able to make saps with it. But there is no known recepies written down" Ao Bing explained.
"That isss where you are wrong young guardian, there isss a big record if recepiesss all ssscatter around the world" said the Snake clone which left Ao Bing in question, how could such a thing exist and he not know about it.
"What are you talking about?" Ao Bing question
"Lady Yi has ssscatter thossse recepiesss all over, it's only a matter of time before the otherssss find it" smirk said Snake clone.
Ao Bing was caught by surprise as he heard that name it belong to none other than his mother. "How can that be, that's impossible. I was never told of such a thing!" Ao Bing clench his fist, he refuse to believe this was true cause if it was that meant his father kept it a secret from him.
"Ao Bing" NeZha tried to speak to him but he was so caught up in this.
"Tell me! Who told you such a thing and where this recepies are?!" Ao Bing yelled glaring at the snake clones as he wanted to call him out at his bluff.
"We have not located them yet, it's only a matter of time, don't worry young prince you will know soon" he said smirking as it seem he had something up his sleeve.
NeZha had taken a glimpse at both where they had frozen, he realize that one of the snake clones hands was in their pocket and he couldn't help but suspected the worse. "Ao Bing!" Nezha yelled reaching for him grabbing his arm pulling him back.
The Snake clones were already making a plan to escape, they had blown their ice prison to pieces. The others had flinch shielding themselves from the coming assault. The snake clones laughed as they were making they blew out bubbles all over the room before making their grand escape.
"Is everyone okay?" MK question
"Yeah I guess" said Mei sitting up.
As the room cleared up they could see the snake clones were no longer there but bubbles all over.
"No they have escaping" said Ao Bing as he was about to give chase.
"Hold on" said NeZha as he didn't trust the look of the bubbles, still having a tight grip on Ao Bing's arm.
"Bubbles did they really think bubbles are going to do anything?" Mr Tang question as he pop one of the bubbles. As soon as one was popped it made his hand turn into stone. "Ahhh!"
"Idiot why would you touch one?!" Pigsy question angrily.
"Well excuse me but what I was suppose to know bubbles cause someone to turn to stone!" Tang yelled back at him.
"Great now we are in a room surrounded by deadly bubbles and can barely move" said Red Son as he had landed under the table after the big escape of the snake clones.
In that moment the ceiling broke as two individuals came down and destroyed all the bubbles with a staff. The staff was a purple color very familiar. Suddenly it stopped in front of MK.
MK flinch a bit as the dust from the ceiling was clearing up as they saw both images of the dark color monkey and the ginger monkey.
"Wukong?... Macaque?!"
To be continue...