Wisps: Recollection (Ninjago X Reader)

18. Versus

Griffin clapped you on your spine, a cocky grin on his face after just winning his own fight. He could go up to Chen and bearhug him with how confident he was and leave unscathed with his charisma only.

"You got this, don't be nervous. Neuro's not that tough-"

"I'm not worried about that."

"Then walk out there and beat him."

'That's what I'm afraid of.'

The more people defeated, the more elements Chen has on his side to do what he wants. The more elements he has, the more in danger Zane and Pixel are. He has four so far. Karlof's, Zane's, gravity, and smoke. It's been two days in this forsaken palace.

The gong's dull clang rang.

You stepped out into the stone garden, gravel crunching under the soles of your shoes. You take your place across from Neuro. His hands are near his head, waiting to get the jump on you.

"May the battle of the Mind versus the Spirit, commence!"

He tapped his fingertips on his temples. You have to get the hit on him first- it doesn't reach him.

It's instantaneous, you're looking at yourself from his mind; it's static. There's a cry.

You snapped out of it, the arena clearing up the white and black dots.

Neuro clutched his head, crumpling to the ground in a withering heap. He's whimpering and wailing, begging it to stop. The crowd is panicking and you're stuck at your spot. What happened to him? Was it Clouse? But when you look up at him, Clouse is - if not more - perplexed as you are.

"That's it?! Borrrrrring. The winner is-!"

You pulled Neuro out of the way of the trap door. He squirmed in your hold and you're staring into pitless eyes, scalars blacker than an ocean's abyss. He's trembling in your arms.

You don't know what to do. He then pushed against you and toppled to the gravel, convulsing. Abruptly, he lay stiff as the dead. He stirred, and his eyelids opened, clear and silver as he's gasping heavily.

Mumbling of what happened rumbled through the bleachers.

"What is the hold up?! Keep fighting."

The people fall quiet, skepticism plain in their silence. Yet, they didn't make a move to disagree, only quietly voicing it. Your disbelief at the situation swells.

"What? He just went throu-!"

"I'm not fighting! Not that mind." Neuro rested on the floor as if standing up would continue the fight. "I'm not-"

"You will fight-" Chen's booming voice got caught off with your own.

"You saw what happened- you want to see him like that again!?"

People rallied in an uproar:

"Neuro isn't fit to fight now!"

"Yeah, he obviously needs that checked out!"

"This is so unfair!"

"Not a great match-up!"

"Rematch!"

You're so caught up in their shouting, you don't feel that strangling on your throat, and you claw at your scarf. Warmth snaked up your arms, your fingers grasping at the air. Lilac colors spiked in your vision, focusing on Neuro on the ground. You fight against it, closing your palms together, watching the blue dust slip through the gaps. You need to stop it- you won't let it happen. You dropped to the ground, palms on the rocks, aqua wisping under them. Your head fell limp. A Stygian film played over your vision and the strings slacked, a chill devouring the arena.