An Unexpected Host

+ CHAPTER 4 +

"So, you can guarantee me that this army will suffice?"

The Spider Queen examined her newfound army carefully, watching them with sharp, judgemental eyes.

"Why of course, my queen.. This plan will bring you back to your former glory with ease."

A hooded figure stood next to the demon, their hands clasped behind their back. They'd met the Spider Queen a mere day ago.

The demonic ruler had quickly taken a liking to this mysterious person, who's features and, in turn, identity were obscured by a white, blue, and back cloak made from a fine silk. Their sleeves draped over their hands, which were only visible at rare moments, like when they would pull out a magical trinket, for example. The cloak had designs of blue fire and black bones, which merely hinted at the person underneath.

"Plan? There is no plan for this. I take over the city with my army and-"

"Ah ah ah.. No you will not."

"What?!"

The Spider Queen rounded on the figure, who unhooded themselves slowly, looking back up at her with cold eyes. The queen's reaction to their identity was priceless.

"I knew I recognized that wretched voice from somewhere!"

The demon prepared to bring a sharp spider-leg down on the figure, but they held a hand up and she paused.

"Hold on. I'm merely here to assist you. However, to do this I need your cooperation and the mutual understanding that I am on your side, not theirs."

The Spider Queen lowered her leg.

"I'm listening..?"

Mk landed harshly on the ground, landing on his hands and knees.

Wukong dropped down next to Mk, holding out a hand to help Mk get up.

"You're awfully tired today, did you sleep alright last night?"

"Yeah! I dunno what happened."

The brunette grabbed Wukong's hand, standing up quickly and yawning, rubbing his eyes.

"It's like I was up all night! But I went to bed early..!"

Mk groaned, crossing his arms bitterly, pouting. Wukong simply giggled at Mk.

"It's fine, it's fine. We can cut training a bit short and you can rest a bit."

The simian held his hands up dismissively, giving a soft smile.

"Okay then! Thanks Monkey King!"

Mk hugged the sage quickly before letting go and taking a few steps back.

"Hey, so I've actually got a question.."

"Really? What's up bud?"

"So like.. Completely hypothetically. But, if there is something wrong with me.. Like I'm possessed by a demon- what would you do?"

Wukong blinked, obviously taken aback by the question, especially by how oddly specific it was..

"Well, don't take this the wrong way, kid, but if you can't shake the possession, I'd probably have to kill you or something. But that wouldn't happen, I assure you, you're safe."

Mk was a bit shocked by Wukong's response. He'd been thinking about the possibility of being possessed by a demon a lot today, and now the idea of it being a reality had a whole new reason to be feared..;

Monkey King would kill him.

"You're LATE!"

Pigsy screeched as Mk dashed behind the stand, which was already overcrowded by customers.

"Right! Sorry! Monkey King kept me longer than I expected!! Please don't fire me!-"

"Oh shush! I'm not gonna fire you, not right now at least, now get to work!"

The pig threw an apron at Mk, which hit him in the face. The boy let out a muffled yelp, quickly tearing it off of his face, putting the stained cloth on and immediately getting to work.

After what felt like hours of working, the crowd began to thin as 12 o'clock drew nearer and nearer. Eventually, Mei and Tang showed up at the stand, giddy and eyes shining with excitement.

"Mk! There's thirty minutes left! The parade just started!!"

Mei beckoned quickly. The young man looked over at his boss, who simply nodded. Mk practically tore off the apron, tossing it aside and running out of the stand, walking over to Mei and Tang. They quickly turned, walking towards the streets.

When they arrived, the sides of the streets were beyond crowded. Mei pouted bitterly, looking over at Mk.

"We'd be at the front if Pigsy wasn't working you all the time!!"

"Hey don't put this on him!! He needs help.!"

Mk quickly defended his boss, shaking his head.

"Uh-huh.. And you're helping by wasting your youth."

Mei just scoffed, gesturing to the parade, floats of dragons and tigers and other meaningful animals filled the streets.

"Ooo look! A spider!"

Tang pointed to a dark float, which Mk let out a yelp at the sight of, hiding behind Mei, who merely laughed.

"It's just a float Mk! Cmon, just look at it!"

Mk slowly peered over Mei's shoulder, taking a closer look at the float. It was vaguely familiar..

"Uhm.. Is it just me or does this seem familiar.?"

"Mk, I swear you've gone mad since that whole passing out in the alley situation, you can chill out."

Mei just waved her hand dismissively, rolling her eyes.

Mk swallowed the uneasy feeling that'd been bubbling up, crossing his arms over his chest and watching quietly.

As the spider float moved by, the streets went quiet, nobody seemed to recognize the float at all, not even the other people handling other, more colorful floats. That's when the giant spider float stopped, suspicious murmuring filled the crowd as some people started retreating from the sidelines. Some of the people in front of Mk, Mei, and Tang moved away, allowing them to get to the front to get a better look.

There was a minute or two of silence before the sounds of gears screeching to life filled the street as the spider float actually started moving, the legs twitching as it stood up on it's own. This promptly freaked out those nearby, most turning and running off. Underneath the mech, where it had just been sitting, covering it up, sat a mass of mechanical spiders, singular eyes glowing red and awaiting some kind of command.

"CITY OF MEGAPOLIS!! I PRESENT TO YOU ALL; THE YEAR OF THE SPIDER!!"

-------------------------------

Well! It's newyears and.. Things have most certainly not straightened themselves out..