#themissdnl

Journey to the West: Chronicle, Skritches

JTTWC: MONKEY!

Another fashion sketch based on a costume from the 1986 Journey to the West.

Honestly, the Celestial Realm should've expected shenanigans when they invited Sun Wukong up there.

Okay, one for each

Sun Wukong: After being sealed away for, 500-years, he developed autophobia: fear of being alone. He'd scream for who knows how long but due to the seal, he could hear beings outside but they could only hear him if they stepped into the tunnel- which tend to freak them out more than incite them to come inside.

He also has a potent fear of failure, throughout his life he never really dealt with it. There was the fall to the Celestial Realm, and Buddha, but it hasn't quite hit him yet- more so he's avoiding it. The "Great Handsome Monkey King: Great Sage (Equal to Heaven)", just doesn't fail. He can't. Ergo, he doesn't know how to cope or deal with failure, it just doesn't compute. He tends to have an avoidance habit with things like this, or joke it off.

He's also asexual aromantic, he holds value over platonic or familial relationships over everything else. In-part due to the fact he was born without a biological family. This is why he's eager to make friends and family members out of people he likes. Unfortunately, he's very poor at managing said relationships.

Pigsy: Like with his LMK incarnation, he's a great cook. It was something he got into rather recently, in order to woo Cuilan and show her he was serious about bettering himself, he picked up cooking as humans can't really eat demon slop (to put it generously) that he'd been eating.

He also likes poetry, but is poor at writing it and prefers to read or recite.

He's adept at wind magic which he used to quell seas which he was Reed-Parting Marshal in the Celestial Realm, or at least break up dangerous waves. He also uses it to amp up his flying in bursts. Instead of the 72-Transformations he settled for the 34 pack because it was something easier to handle and he didn't need to warp his physical form because (at the time) he was actually rather handsome and didn't like messing with his image too much, this bit him latter on but he still isn't bothered to go the whole yard.

He's a hopeless admirer of beauty in all things, not just women, but wherever he sees it, but tries to hide it where he feels would be too "out of norm" which is why only certain things slips out. Cuilan got to see this side of him because he slipped up about scenery and enjoyed it.

Sandy: Being a water demon, he needs more well- water, than the rest of the group to keep hydrated. Thankfully, because of his water magic, it's never in short supply, but he finds it more taxing to do if he's over heated.

He also likes poetry.

Post-journey, he's either like to continue being a guard to Tripataka, possibly his monastery, or be hermit out in the woods, enjoying nature.

Ao Li: Being a son of a sea king, he's not actually very good at utilizing his fire-breath. He can spew it yes, but has haphazard control over it. He's somewhat insecure about that.

As a horse, he likes his snout getting stroked by Tripataka (in particular) but allows that others to do so because it sooths him. He tries not to show it with the others.

He wanted to be a proper prince growing up, getting married in all that, but after his banishment, plenty of time to think, he realizes he doesn't really know what that means for him. Or if he even wants it anymore but does want his family back.

He doesn't like his horns being touched. They're like his pride and joy. Tripataka can tho.

Tripataka: Every year, he grieves his mother's death wherever he's at, creating a makeshift grave if need be. He's tried to move on but has difficulty understanding what she did, even though he knows what brought it on. Part of why he wants to get the scrolls is to hopefully put her spirit at rest, thereby getting closure for himself.

This is the "Brotherhood" in this au of JTTWC. The group was founded, like in the original text, after Wukong displayed his power in fit of excited after showing his Golden Cudgel's power to his people. The goal of the group was to unify the demon/spirit-animal population. This was by taking out wild and unruly bands and keep peace between each other. Similar how ruling humans do.

Listed in order of membership,

Sun Wukong: Considered the founding and core member of the group, due to his display of power drawing them all together. However, aside from his friends, he had little interest in what happened outside of Flower Fruit Mountain. Of which was often used as the central get-together point for the group and he had the final say in who joined or didn't due to being the strongest, wanting to keep those worth having in his bonded group.

Six-Eared Macaque: The only member of the table (those seated at meetings) who wasn't a Demon Lord himself, instead he was his top general-tactician, advisor, and elder brother. His seat at the table was, openly, due to his connection to Sun Wukong.

DBK: The first demon lord to recognize Sun Wukong’s immense power, seeing it as a good opportunity to further his family’s influence he sought to create an alliance with the Monkey King. While flattered, greatly, and pleased to be recognized outside his kingdom Wukong wanted to see if this potential ally was worthy of him. Understanding, and ready to prove himself, outside of gifts, the two spared. Impressed, on both sides, the alliance was struck. The two getting along well they soon called each other brothers. DBK was the one to plant the idea of forming more alliances, on the basis of creating a firm foundation and quelling fighting between the demonic kings. The idea backed by Macaque, they decided to create a bond of worthy allies.

Garuda Demon: This demon was one of the one’s nearby on a tall mountain in Aolai. He was young but renowned for his swiftness in flight and swiftly rose to the top in his island home (separate from Flower Fruit Mountain). In truth though, Garuda was rather cowardly when it came to taking chances. Always wary of someone much stronger showing up and falling because of it- worried of making himself a fool or dying. On his home turf though, he often acted more self-assured, knowing he was the strongest there.

When Sun Wukong displayed his might, Garuda panicked. Worried a challenge was at his doorstep. However, when an offer was given to him, by said monkey, he felt elated! This powerful being saw potential in him, or at least worthy enough to keep at his side. His people urged him to accept and he did.

Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin: A demon queen centered on the smallest island in the Aolai chain. She is known for her size, being the smallest member of the alliance once joining. She was well aware of the fact that she needed allies to protect her people from humans that hunted them, finding them an easier target than those on Flower Fruit Mountain. Population and resources weren’t as easy to come by compared to the main island or at least not a plentiful. She finds Wukong too loud and boisterous not to mention arrogant, but, this was for her people so she endured it. His power was respectable and she could see why he was well liked but his loudness was a draw back that couldn’t be ignored. The pluses of the alliance being made though, out weighed the cons. Readily all her people’s needs were met and life became comfortable.

Black-Water Dragoness: Taking the place of the river demon related to one of the Dragon Kings. She is estranged to her family due to not wanting to be married off, wanting instead a domain of her own to rule over nor wanting to live the stuffy rule-ridden society that they lived under, being extensively workers of the Celestial Realm. So, one day she up and left, taking a handful of those loyal to her. She took over the Black-Water River being that the deity wasn’t high on the totem-pole. Basically, telling him to mind his own business and they’d leave him well-enough alone. They lived there contently for much of the time their family not knowing where they went off to. Though, the lack of search wasn’t very heartening but not expected. She had plenty of sisters so it wasn’t a loss for the family, marriage wise.

She came to learn of Sun Wukong after his stunt with his Golden Cudgel. Finding it amusing that her oh so proud family was made to kowtow to a monkey. Curious they entertained meeting him, which by then Wukong had already begun to gather up allies. Show casing skill in magic, as well as gifts, they managed to secure a spot- noting they had no water-based allies at the time helped.

Lynx Demon:  Another demon that was relatively close to Flower Fruit Mountain, instead of being stationed in Aolai, this demon king lived in Pūrvavideha, along the coast across from the island chain. Known for being elegant and beautiful, yet vicious in protecting their territory against other demons and humans alike. Yet, yearned for making alliances but couldn’t find anyone worthy of their time- outside of DBK. The two had long been friends but the distance between the two of them left little in the way of aid, aside from each other who could both fly. They both wanted to unite the demons, but were choosey about whom they’d do so with. When Sun Wukong demonstrated his power to the world at large, they both knew they’d found what they were looking for. Still, after being invited by DBK in the alliance, they wanted to test the monkey’s power for themselves. The swift defeat that followed, instead of angering them, won their respect and they formally joined the alliance.

Ape Demon: Another demon from the Pūrvavideha continent, his home was made in a dense mountain range and was scouted by DBK and Wukong to join their alliance. Seeing no reason not to turn away such a big break he joined up. A jovial burly member, he got along readily with everyone and would often smooth over disagreements in the group. He took the family aspect of the alliance rather seriously and wanted it to last as long as possible. Due to this he found it difficult and refused to take sides between members. This left him rather stuck as he watched the Monkey King’s and his brother’s relationship deteriorate over time. The revelation that Macaque wouldn’t be able to use magic stuck a cord in him and he tried to console him…but it only pissed him off further so he left it be, much as he wanted to comfort him he didn’t know how.

Iron-Fan: Born to a family without sons, Iron-Fan took any measure to build alliances to prolong her family lineage. Her dedication to magic made her a powerful demoness in wind magic that was only bolstered further with the Palm-Leaf Fan, sending any interlopers and would-be overthrowers of the Iron-Fan territory packing and splattered wherever they landed. Even so, she sought connections to secure the family future. While she like many others’ witnessed Sun Wukong’s staff reach the heavens, she wanted to first learn something about just whom the weapon belonged to. Not wanting to walk right into a situation whilst knowing nothing about whom she’d be dealing with. Upon hearing it was a rowdy monkey-spirit, she was left…uncertain about perusing a partnership with a wild animal, in clothes. While she mulled it over, she received an invitation, at the behest of DBK, to join an alliance with he and the Monkey King: Sun Wukong. While reluctant she was intrigued that another demon king had already allied with him. Out of curiosity she agreed to a meeting.

After displaying her wind magic, she was then added to the bond. Though she tended to stick with the other female demons, or DBK. Who the two well-began to have a rather obvious courtship. Sun Wukong, while, mostly, matching what she expected impressed her with his overall battle prowess and tactical thinking- albeit he was too on the fly for her, but nonetheless, she was satisfied with the alliance. The parties were something to enjoy and the together they readily had the demonic world under their grip and the humans kept in check.

Lady Bone Demon: Expelled.

JTTW: Chronicle, Red Son

A look at Red Son's design in Chronicle! I wanted a mix of "classic" design", with the pigtail-like hair style with a bit of LMK for good measure with the ponytail, and a touch of personal flair with the tend being fiery. Also has horns, and a tail (not shown) to show his heritage from his dad's side.

JTTWC: Back from the Dead

"You're not getting rid of me that easily. Not anymore"

"I really hate monkeys..."

"Including me-"

"Yes! Including you!"

"Touchy..."

Sun Wukong:

Pigsy: He views Pigsy essentially as he does in the original text, stupid, lazy, and cowardly. He enjoys teasing him to get a reaction out of him.

Sandy: A stick in the mud that thinks he's better than the rest of them because he does everything he's told- even though Wukong does it better. He's a sort of rival for savior's praise.

Ao Li: Temperamental little dragon, he views him as a child and should respect his elders, i.e Old Monkey.

Pigsy:

Sun Wukong: Arrogant jerk that's more trouble than he's worth. Pigsy doesn't like the fact that he's stuck with him but at the very least he's good at hitting things.

Sandy: He agrees that he's a bit stiff and a know-it all, but is glad that another former Celestial Being is around that agrees in his sentiments about Monkey. Also another one to help shoulder all the demons they have to deal with. Less trouble for him.

Ao Li: A young dragon, like with most others, views him as the kid of the group. Though him being a teen brings on the general teenage complaints.

Sandy:

Sun Wukong: Respects his strength but not much else concerning his reckless, arrogant, irresponsible and generally hard to get along with personality. But, because it was Tipitaka's decision to release him he doesn't question the decision too much.

Pigsy: Much the same as with Monkey but with no teasing, lazy and a coward.

Ao Li: Is sympathetic towards his punishment and sees him as a youth that needs help in tempering himself.

Ao Li:

Sun Wukong: Not a fan. To say the least. He views him as the reason his family's reputation took a downfall and as such doesn't like him but puts up with him being there so he can redeem himself in the eyes of his family.

Pigsy: Not much different from the rest, but likes him more than Monkey, he isn't afraid to call him out for being a lazy coward much like Monkey and Sandy are, but does it with more of teenage sarcasm.

Pigsy, he says them whenever he's upset, which, is, a lot. He uses them like seasoning to really showcase how upset he is. Adds flavor to the sentences.

Sun Wukong, Doesn't use them as much as Pigsy but he throws out a damn, or fuck, when frustrated or bastard/bitch, towards individuals he dislikes and is currently upset with them. Still, he'd be like a 6/10 and Pigsy is a 8/10.

Ao Li, he's a teenager, yeah he swears, particularly now that he's not around his parents. Even still, he's not flagrant with it, just a few damns here and there.

Sandy, only when the situation really calls for it. He's the type that can use them but chooses not to.