Series: Saiyuki and Monkey
Author: Zelgadis55
Rating: PG13 or T for mild language and violence
Disclaimer: I still don't own anyone or anything except the story idea and King Slaard, Slintha and her brother, nameless as he is.
Summary: Monkey and Saiyuki are based on the same legend. What happens when the Sanzo-ikkou meet a group somehow so familiar and yet so different? Not shounen ai. Please Read & Review :)
Warnings: None really. This is not a yaoi story though there are hints scattered here and there because Gojyo and Hakkai really should be a couple. I mean hell, the hints are littered throughout the official manga, even if Gojyo is a skirt chaser!
Distorted Mirror
Ch 7
Monkey stood back in partial shock, he had never witnessed a transformation such as that of Goku into Seiten Taisei and he had certainly never felt an aura as powerful as this. Where he was from, Monkey was by far the apparent strongest and before this, he had had no reason to believe things were any different in this world.
Sure, the monkey king had been able to sense the potential that lay within Goku and the boy held a lot of power. He had quite enjoyed the rare challenge that Goku had offered him that morning though he was way too inexperienced to really make use of his power. However, this… this monstrous version of Goku, Seiten Taisei, was different. He was unfettered by the bounds of civilisation and neither he, nor his power was held back in any way. Simply put, Monkey was, for the first time ever, not entirely sure that he could win and he didn't entirely like that feeling.
From Seiten Taisei's aura, Monkey guessed that he and that monster were approximately the same in raw strength with perhaps a little more in favour of Seiten Taisei. Monkey sighed, if only he hadn't gotten so used to holding back, all for the master's sake of course, it would make what he knew to be upcoming a lot easier.
Monkey watched as Seiten Taisei looked around, his gaze roaming the battlefield with a predatory lust. For a moment, their eyes met and Seiten Taisei's lips curled back in a vicious snarl. His eyes then moved on, even looking at the allies and enemies that still lay unconscious. For a moment, his gaze fell on the fallen Sanzo and an odd expression softened his face and eyes before continuing to look around, taking in everything. Finally, his gaze settled on the three monsters that were still approaching. They were approximately ten meters away by this point.
Seiten Taisei screeched and attacked, he had found his first targets. His claws were extended and he swiped viciously at the woman's chest. Suffice it to say, that she did not take too kindly to the assault. She was fast and jumped back trying to get out the way. She wasn't quite quick enough for Seiten Taisei to miss but she did manage to avoid serious injury. The feral youkai tried again, this time with a nasty, bloodthirsty smile covering his face. She was sent sprawling to the ground and she looked down, there was blood running down the front of her shirt.
"Slintha, Slintha, Slintha." The tallest of the three tutted, he was the one that Monkey recognised from early that morning. "I thought you were better than this."
"You…" She snapped at him before remembering her place and respectfully lowering her head even as she watched Seiten Taisei carefully. "I am sorry your highness, I will do better." She stood and glared at the grinning Seiten Taisei, 'He wants to play,' she realised in disgust, 'that's the only reason I am still alive.' She concentrated slightly and electricity ran up and down her body, just as the creature opposite her attacked again, both sets of his claws aiming for her arms. His claws began to rake her flesh and she hissed in pain but the energy encasing her body did its trick and made Seiten Taisei draw back, a look of rage and pure hatred filling his face.
Slintha licked her lips and grinned 'It doesn't like this,' she thought amused, 'good! Well anyway, time for me to step back.' "Get in there and take out this disgusting creature!" she snarled at the shorter monster as she grabbed him and threw him into the path of the destructive force of nature known as Seiten Taisei.
A look of surprise crossed his face, "Thanks for the warning, sister." He snarled back while attacking Seiten Taisei. He had seen Slintha activate her body's natural electrical defence system and so he did the same.
Seiten Taisei, at the contact with the electricity jumped back and then like a shark, he circled his prey, the smile curving his lips and a malicious cackle escaping from within his throat.
"Why did you do that Slintha?" The tallest of the three demanded to know.
"Because, brute strength wise, my brother is the better choice." She answered smoothly. "A better choice again, would be if you were to fight yourself, your highness."
"Are you trying to tell me, King Slaard, what to do?" he began to rage.
" Of course not, sire! I am only your council, not your mother. You would make the better choice simply because your strength is superior to ours and because when you combine your natural abilities with your magic, then you are unmatched among our people and many others." She smirked as she watched her brother struggle against the unappetizing looking creature.
Tripitaka returned to his feet and ran back over to where Monkey still stood.
"Master, I thought I told you to stay unnoticed."
"You did and I am." He replied. "Goku is over there, not here." He bent down and began to pull Yaone off of Sanzo and Lirin. "Please help me Monkey, she is a little heavy for me to lift alone."
Monkey sighed and helped Tripitaka pull the purple haired woman off of the two. "I have said it before and I will say it again, you are too soft, Master. You are a fool who will get himself killed by constantly putting yourself in danger just because you desire to help others."
They lay Yaone beside Lirin and Tripitaka gave a smile of relief. When Monkey looked at him questioningly, he explained. "Sanzo isn't dead like Goku must have thought. His breathing is just so shallow that with this young lady over the top of him, you couldn't tell. He doesn't look very good though. He needs help badly or he may die."
The continuing fight caught their attention once more as Seiten Taisei's demented laughter rang out into the surrounding area. Tripitaka shuddered. "Monkey, you have to stop this fight before Goku kills them. Even if killing goes against Buddha's will, I don't think Goku would be happy about it."
"You're right." Hakkai's shaky voice commented. "Goku wont be happy about becoming Seiten Taisei. Do you mind trying to keep him away from here while I heal Sanzo? He is the only one who can stop him."
Monkey nodded, "Alright, Monkey will take care of it. I do feel a kind of connection with him, like he is a younger brother or something. Besides, those three followed us so they may know how to get home again so I can't let them die no matter how much they need to."
"Thank you!" Hakkai replied gratefully, as he knelt beside Sanzo and began to heal him.
Monkey pulled his Wishing Staff from its place within his ear and grew it to its customary fighting size. He then jumped into the middle of the battle. "Alright you monsters, Monkey is going to save you so that you can get us home again. Be grateful and get out of my way!"
King Slaard and Slintha looked at each other. Slaard gave the woman a small nod and she replied, "Fine, we'll stand back. Come brother, lets go wait over there."
Her brother glared at Monkey for interrupting but inside, he was immensely grateful. He had never had to endure an opponent such as Seiten Taisei before and he was hurting all over, not to mention covered in injuries. He couldn't have lasted much longer. He followed his king and twin sister over to where they had indicated. Monkey half watched them leave and half watched Seiten Taisei, blocking him off from giving chase when he needed to.
From the look on Seiten Taisei's face, he wasn't happy with the fact that Monkey was separating him from his new toys. Seiten Taisei slashed viciously with his claws at Monkey's face before taking the opportunity to jump over the monkey king and chase after his playthings.
Monkey grit his teeth in annoyance, commanded his staff to grow long and used it to knock the feral youkai off of his feet. "OI! IDIOT!"
"What? You're insulting me while I'm down?" Pigsy's voice called, whining. He and Kougaiji had both woken and Yuu-Loong was just beginning to stir.
Monkey rolled his eyes "Not you PIG! Seiten Taisei, don't ignore Monkey! You fight me, not those pea-brained, electric obsessed losers."
Now, Monkey had Seiten Taisei's full, undivided attention.
"Pigsy!" Tripitaka said in relief, " You are awake."
The pig spirit nodded and regretted the motion. "Ughh! It feels like I have a bad hangover."
"Oh!" Tripitaka said simply before going to check on Yuu-Loong.
Pigsy stood and walked slowly over to where Hakkai was healing the blond monk. Kougaiji stood there too, irritated but warily watching Seiten Taisei and Monkey.
"Is Sanzo out of danger yet?" The prince asked.
"Hai!" Hakkai simply replied through his concentration.
"Good, now will you please stop concentrating on only him and heal my sister too?" he asked shortly.
Hakkai shook his head. The smile plastered on his face. The smile that his friends recognised as his 'you are now and officially pushing my patience so I suggest you stop right now before I have to hurt you' smile. "I am afraid that I cannot do that, Kougaiji. The way I see things is this. If I stop healing Sanzo and move onto Lirin and whoever else, we will all be dead once Seiten Taisei is through 'playing' with Monkey. Sanzo is the only one who can bring Goku back. You would not know this because the only time you have seen Goku in his unlimited form, you were unconscious by the time the limiter was replaced." Hakkai paused for a moment and looked up at the youkai prince. " Your other options are to wake up Yaone-san and get her to look after Lirin and anyone else that needs it or wait until I finish with Sanzo, at which point I will be more than happy to help your sister."
Kougaiji nodded, "I understand. I will wait for Yaone or Sanzo to wake, whoever wakes first."
"Thank you! Kougaiji, just to ease your mind, she doesn't appear to be in any danger."
Kougaiji let a half smile show. "Knowing that means a lot to me, thank you." He then turned suddenly narrowed eyes onto a lecherously grinning Pigsy. "If you touch either my apothecary or sister, I will kill you. Do you understand?"
Pigsy's eyes went wide as he took several hurried steps back. " I… I understand. I wont touch her, er, them, even if they do look like they are begging to be caressed, gently, lovingly."
Kougaiji just glared at him.
Monkey realised that he better start concentrating rather than allowing his mind to wander like he normally would during a fight. He had allowed Pigsy to distract him momentarily and it had cost him. Seiten Taisei had flown at him, hitting him with his claws extended and sinking into the flesh of his upper left arm. Monkey did not cry out even though it had hurt so badly. He always refused to let his enemy see when he was suffering. The claws twisted within his arm and this time Monkey could not help but allow a slight hiss of pain to pass between his lips.
Suddenly, the monkey king felt himself flying backwards. 'No!' he thought, 'I'm going to land near the master. If that monster follows…' Monkey brought his hands up in front of his chest and arranged them, fingers interlocked. He managed to flip in mid air and to almost everyone's surprise, seemed to disappear.
Seiten Taisei had been grinning in delighted, savage amusement but now confusion filled his hate filled face and he looked around, trying to see where Monkey had gone.
In the distance, the three monsters from Monkey's world took advantage of both the fight itself and Monkey's disappearing act. They ran, both to recover from their wounds and to plan a new attack.
Furious over the fact that his new 'toy' had vanished in mid air, Seiten Taisei settled his gaze on the group of people nearby. From one person to the next, his eyes wandered as he considered who was to be his next plaything. He licked his lips slowly, his smile returning as he decided.
Kougaiji felt cold as he realised that Seiten Taisei was watching him. The youkai prince made up his mind to leave the group and take on the feral youkai when he noticed that Seiten Taisei was suddenly whipping his head around in confusion. "Do you have any idea what's going on?" he asked.
Tripitaka gave him a smile and shook his head in amusement. "It's probably just Monkey 'horsing around.'"
Yuu-Loong gave Tripitaka a distressed look, " Master!" He whined, " Please don't say things like that!"
The priest bowed his head slightly, "You are right, Yuu-Loong. I am sorry."
Seiten Taisei looked like he was about to rush Kougaiji so Monkey decided he better make himself noticed again. "Oi! If you're looking for me, I'm up here." He buzzed with laughter as Seiten Taisei immediately started to look all around and above himself for where Monkey's voice was coming from. The only thing the youkai noticed was a horsefly, which he ignored.
"Zz zz zz!" Monkey laughed at Seiten Taisei's obvious frustration. 'Time to attack, I think.' Monkey concentrated slightly, breaking his spell while his opponent was looking around. Directly above Seiten Taisei's head, the horsefly, which was Monkey's most frequently used transformation, instantaneously transformed back into Monkey and he dropped, straight down on top of Seiten Taisei. The youkai looked up again at the sudden shadow but was too late to react as Monkey's boots came down hard aimed straight into Seiten Taisei's face.
Monkey then back flipped away, wincing as he yanked several hairs from inside his shirt. As he had earlier, he blew on them, producing eight clones of himself, one for each chest hair. He grinned at Seiten Taisei's reaction of surprise, obviously, Seiten Taisei could not recall what Goku knew. A moment later, the surprise turned to glee as Seiten Taisei laughed almost insanely.
Moving faster than the eyes of most people could see, Monkey being one of the very few exceptions, Seiten Taisei tore into the magical clones. As each clone was defeated, it returned to its original form, leaving Monkey feeling cold and a little disappointed. Sure, Monkey knew the clones had only about half his strength and none of his magic but he thought that they would have lasted a little longer at least. He had been proved wrong. Not only was Goku's unlimited form a lot stronger, he was also much faster and took a malicious delight in the pain and suffering of others. Monkey could follow Seiten Taisei's movements but he was injured, as well as tired and he had come into this fight when he was not entirely at his best. The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven knew that unless he could find a way to end this quickly, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Monkey wasn't perfect, no matter how good he was. He had had trouble against some opponents before, though that was usually due to trickery on their part. However, he had never been so completely outclassed like this before and the knowledge stung. Seiten Taisei had finished off all eight clones and turned back to the monkey king within seconds. Monkey was unable to dodge the attack in time and the youkai's claws bit deeply. Still Monkey refused to give up. He twirled his Magic Wishing Staff in the air once and then brought it crashing down where Seiten Taisei stood, laughing. The feral youkai didn't even bother to dodge, he simply held out his hand and caught the staff. His spiteful smile grew deeper and he cackled with even more deranged laughter. He then yanked the staff from Monkey's weakened grip and tried to snap it into pieces.
Monkey laughed as he watched the feral youkai's futile efforts. His Magic Wishing Staff, which he had claimed from the Dragon King of the Western Ocean some five hundred years before, was made of the stuff of the stars themselves. It was unbreakable. Not even Buddha herself would ever be able to break this particular weapon. Seiten Taisei soon grew disgusted with the staff's stubborn refusal to break and so, he threw it. Straight towards where everyone else stood and lay, watching and recovering. Monkey watched in horror knowing that even if he were somehow able to make it in time, in his current state a feat which would be impossible, then he would be followed and he would not be able to stop Seiten Taisei from harming or killing everyone there.
"You rotten, cheating monster." Monkey snarled in anger as he threw himself against the youkai. Seiten Taisei merely laughed in demented amusement over Monkey's helplessness and slammed him hard into the ground. Monkey sunk several centimetres into the earth and did not get up again.
To be continued
AN:
There isn't much I can think of to say about this chapter. I did however cut it short because otherwise it would be too long. I am still writing what I thought was going to be chapter seven's ending, so decided to split it and have the rest as chapter eight. :-) Anyway, This works out fairly well, leaving a little cliffhanger for this chapter.
As I mentioned in a previous chapter, in the Tripitaka-ikkou's world, Buddha appears in female manifestation.
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed
Me-Nuriko: No Saiyuki fic would be complete if there weren't at least a few hints between Hakkai and Gojyo as they are such 'close' friends. Watching the Gunlock raws and seeing the jealousy apparent on Hakkai's face whenever Gojyo goes off with a woman or chats one up is proof of that. :-)
Diva Urd: I'm sorry about Sanzo getting it… I know how much of a Sanzo fan you are. Unfortunately I cannot promise not to let him 'get it' again as this story has been long planned out and all I am doing is rewriting/fleshing it out. This particular fight ends in the next chapter
Tora Macaw: Thank you!
Koinu-Chan: Thank you! I don't plan on stopping as I have been planning this fic for so long :-)
Koryu-Sanzo: (laughs) I hope this update was quick enough, I cut the chapter in half so I wouldn't keep you and everyone else waiting too long.
Death's Silent Mistress: Thanks DSM, Yeah I knew you WOULD love the hints, heck, you specifically requested one of them :-P