(General P.O.V)

"I know you're a chronic moper but even for you, this is too much."

Raava mentally whispered to Vaatu from where they were standing. Which was behind Kori's seat.

Vaatu swallowed the snort as he watched the tense mood with which the banquet, hosted by the queen in honor of her sister's arrival, was conducted. Both royals were seated on each ends of the table and on either side were the same officials and other important figures from the Tamaran high society.

The food looked amazing and inviting. It certainly seemed as if they were all enjoying themselves too.

That is, if it wasn't for the icy looks Queen Komandr kept throwing Kori's way. And the vicious smile on her face as she cut in to her food. The craziest part was how the both of them looked similar. They were identical in every way except for their hair and eyes.

Vaatu had been against the idea of coming here but Kori had insisted. All he could do now was make sure the Queen and his younger siblings were kept safe.

Vaatu had a copy of himself hidden in each of the kid's shadow at a smaller table dedicated to them. Vor, Sai, Kai and Breeze were surrounded by a multitude of Tamaranean kids who were only too happy to listen to the stories of wonder they told.

"I'm not moping." He finally answered his sister.

"We are connected you idiot." Raava rolled her eyes.

"I know when something is bothering you."

Vaatu looked at her and saw the concern in her eyes.

He blinked and turned away.

"Be that as it may..."

He begun only to be cut off.

"You don't need to be strong with me brother!"

Raava retorted, slightly surprising Vaatu.

"It's about Demeter isn't it?"

She added much more softly.

Vaatu's hand gripped Kori's throne tightly.

"Let's not go there."

He bit out, his mood taking a turn for the worse.

Raava went silent.

"You deserve better. You will find better."

She simply said, knowing without being told that Demeter had refused to come with him to Gaea.

Vaatu's frown eased somewhat. Maybe... maybe Raava was right.

(Elsewhere)

Aden looked at the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, as he lay wounded on the ground, defeated after their 36th spar.

The fight had begun the second Sun Wukong had arrived on Energia. First against the White Shadow and then against Aden once he had teleported in and dematerialized his Homunculi puppet.

Sun Wukong's fur was singed by flames and his robes were nothing but tatters.

"You wanna take a break?"

Aden wondered with Geb on his shoulders clapping his hands after the showing.

"Daddy, Monkey's really funny. Can we keep him?"

Geb asked.

"Keep me!?" Sun Wukong jumped up to his feet in anger, twirling his Staff and enlarging it before sending it straight at Aden.

"I am the Great Sage! Do you think I'm a pet for a snort nosed brat to keep!!?"

Aden raised a finger and blocked the huge staff, nullifying the shockwaves before sending the pressure blast back through the Staff. Sun Wukong widened his eyes as the staff trembled and he leapt away.

Geb giggled at the sorry sight of the Monkey King.

"Oi, he didn't mean like that you stupid Monkey."

Aden told him sternly.

"Besides it would be an honor to become my son's pet."

"That's it! I challenge you Aden Strong to another fight! A fight to the death!"

Aden felt like slapping himself on the face.

"Hey boss, you think maybe you hit him too hard during that time you slammed his head onto the ground?"

Chaos asked, appearing out of thin air while munching on some nuts.

Geb's eyes lit up.

"Uncle Chaos! Gimme gimme."

He floated off Aden's shoulder and flew towards Chaos.

Chaos looked uncomfortable for a second as Geb jumped onto his head. Aden shook his head with a smile.

"He doesn't bite, Chaos."

Chaos managed to settle Geb on his shoulders, offering the nuts up to the kid.

"I know."

He replied with a small frown.

"I'm also the concept of disorder and darkness. That doesn't exactly scream daycare or 'good with kids' now does it?"

Aden waved off his concerns, side stepping Sun Wukong's lunge.

"You'll get the hang of it soon, I'm sure."

"Fight me bastard!"

The Monkey King raged.

Aden went into his air elemental form, phasing his body under the blow of the Monkey King's staff.

Sun Wukong spun, a tail sprouting out of his butt and enlarging, whipping up to land on Aden's head. The Avatar grabbed the tail and pulled. Sun Wukong shrieked in surprise as Aden slammed him onto the ground, conveniently smashing his spine on a piece of rock that had jutted out of the ground.

Monkey broke apart into millions of hornets that buzzed around Aden in a tornado of deadly insects.

"Interesting."

Aden stated as he watched Sun Wukong's new form. The hornets tried to sting him but failed to penetrate his skin. Then they begun spewing fire from their butts.

Geb yelped and hid his face under Chaos' head, only peaking out of the long locks of hair in fear.

"He's scaring the kid."

Chaos informed Aden.

"Cut that out, Wukong."

Aden frowned and snapped his finger. A small sonic vibration made the bugs explode in a wave of green liquid bursts.

"Yuk." Aden spit.

"I think I got some of it in my mouth."

The flesh and blood splattered on the ground and quickly reformed into the Monkey King once more, he was however breathing heavily. He looked at Aden as if he was staring at an insurmountable mountain.

"In...all my years after achieving Nirvana...I have never met such a foe. You are truly powerful, Aden Strong."

He finally stated, standing upright before bowing, both hands held out infront of his body.

"Thank you for sparing this foolish Monkey's life. I saw Mount Tai and did not recognize it."

Sun Wukong stated, admitting his defeat.

He had a million more tricks and powers he could use and it was one of those powers that told him there was no way he could beat the opponent before him. Monkey was reminded of Buddha once more. That was the same feeling he got from Aden.

Aden was left speechless. A genuine smile however spread out across his face. He didn't bow but he stretched out his hands in the same gesture Sun Wukong was making.

"I am also impressed by your skills Great Sage. Thank you for allowing us to trade pointers."

"What are Dad and funny monkey doing?"

Geb asked curiously.

"It's called bro-ing. The process of getting a bro."

Chaos answered with a smirk. He was getting used to having the little brat on his shoulders, though he would never admit it.

"Bro-ing?"

Geb asked while blinking in confusion.

"Think of it as making friends."

Chaos simplified the explanation.

"Oh like me and Shuri? Shuri's a friend. I gave her a gift! She told me that friends give each other presents!"

Geb answered with excitement.

A look of curiosity appeared on Chaos' face.

"Oh she told you that? What gift did she give you?"

"She let me listen to songs that her big brother likes. She used to stay up all night hidden under her brother's sheets when he wasn't around. It's for grown ups too! I love Tupac."

'Oh how...interesting?"

Chaos thought, looking at Aden who was bro-ing with Sun Wukong. His other kids loved hip hop too. Was it a family thing? Chaos smirked.

"Say Geb, You remember any of those songs? Your dad loves music and would like nothing more than to hear you sing one."

Geb gasped at Chaos' suggestion.

"Really?"

Despite their differences, Aden felt a connection to the Monkey king's love for fighting, just like he did. He extended his hands and helped him up from his bow, dusting off the dirt and soot from his fur.

"You are a worthy opponent, Sun Wukong," Aden said, his voice filled with admiration. "I spared your life today, but it is your honor and bravery that ensures you and I will never be enemies."

Sun Wukong looked up at him in surprise, his golden eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Aden," he said, bowing his head once more. "I never thought a being such as you could be so merciful, especially when I could feel the hate you held for the gods."

"My hate is well deserved. Zeus and a few others are everything wrong with deities. However there are others like you that show me, maybe all hope is not lost."

Aden replied, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"I felt no malice from you in every blow we exchanged. You fought for the thrill of battle and the love for combat. Nothing more."

The Monkey King looked up at him, his expression thoughtful. "Can I ask you for a favor then?" he said, his voice full of mischief as he held his staff over his shoulders.

"Of course," Aden replied, already suspecting what Sun Wukong's request was.

Monkey held out a hand, closing the fingers into a tight fist.

"Can we fight again in the future?" He asked, his eyes shining with excitement. "I would like to challenge you one more time, and this time I shall be the one claiming victory."

Monkey King's brown eyes shone golden as his divine energy rippled out.

Aden smiled, his eyes twinkling.

"I wouldn't mind kicking your ass again Monkey. I too, look forward to our next battle. May it be just as fierce as this one."

He finished in a light but formal tone.

With that, Aden held out a hand to the side, manifesting a yellow portal on his side.

"This will take you out of my realm and out into outerspace."

He explained.

"Finding your way back to the Divine realm will not be too hard from there, right?"

Sun Wukong chuckled.

"It won't."

He slapped the Staff on his shoulder.

"There is a lot more my staff can do other than smash."

Aden raised his eyebrows.

"Ok that came out slightly...wrong."

The Great Sage admitted.

"It sounded gay."

Chaos stated from a distance, making sure to cover Geb's ears.

Aden rolled his eyes.

"Ignore him.

Sun Wukong gave one last nod before walking towards the portal and entering it.

"Till we meet again, Avatar."

Aden nodded, his expression changing as the Monkey King left. 'Now to deal with that trouble causing book.'