Wisps: Recollection (Ninjago X Reader)

29. Crooked Path

A crooked path. At every corner, it disappears and reappears behind the trees with dips and bumps faltering those who travel it. Where it all leads, well, wouldn't you like to know... There was no point in wondering as you walked it. You faced away from the painted path, returning to searching every nook and cranny in Ronin's shop. You knocked something over– but Morro caught it. He placed it back on the shelf while you tried to find what you wanted.

"You don't seem sleepy in the slightest." Morro denoted your burst of energy.

"Haven't slept that good in a while. Can't believe it with all the snow." You flourished the katana, checking its weight.

"Was it because of me?"

"No way."

"You're hiding something with that grin." Morro's mirth soured, Ronin is here. Muffled squawks of seagulls honked clearer and a dull clink muted their squabble. Like a moth to a flame, Ronin wouldn't pass off the deal Banaha proposed.

"Pretty gutsy making your hideout in Stixx, with this much water they'll never suspect–"

"Where did you hide the Jade Blades, Ronin?" You called him out, rummaging in the weapons' crate.

"If you want a Jade Blade, they all sunk to the bottom. Plus, jade is brittle against Aeroblades 'cause their supernatural aspects don't fare well with deepstone, I wouldn't–" You flicked the katana to his throat, putting a much-needed distance between the two of you. He shuffled into the moonlight entering the hole in the roof.

"I'll take this katana then. How has looking out for yourself gone?"

"Gonna rub it in my face?"

"Seeing you with no other options is funny. Nowhere to scurry off like a rat."

"Rat? That's a new one from you. Other than bastard thief or fucker–"

"Enough. The Sword of Sanctuary?" Ghoultar snagged it off Ronin's holster. He inspected it, and once he deemed it the real one, presented it to Morro. "For once, a crook makes good." He stabbed the scroll, embedding the blade into the table. The map reflected on the blade, showing a red x on its edge in the ocean. Underwater gear would be ideal... Good thing Ronin had some. "We're taking, what was it, uh your scuba stuff. Whatever it's called." Bansha scoured the cabinet you motioned to.

"What about my soul? The deal was you'd remove the curse–"

"You can have your soul, but the deal has changed." He leaned over the table, arms propping him up with his goal. "I want the Ninja too."

"Woah, now hold on" –he lowered his bandana– "a deals a deal. What do you care about the Ninja? You got the scroll, so go out there."

"Our Preeminent requires, certain... safeguards." The three ghosts chortled, crowding Ronin. His distressed sight clashed with your uncaring one. You haven't seen him like that in a while.

"C'mon, throw me a bone here! You can't seriously be letting this guy push you–?"

"Push me around?" Your voice teetered on the border of yelling at him. You never felt more fucking free. Like you could take everything and make it yours. You'll pull back those shackles and titles. Ripping them from their fists and into your bloody ones. You'll take those chains, lashing out with them at those that fucking put you here. "The only ones that pushed me here... we're all of you. So don't look at me all surprised! You, especially you, Ronin, should've seen this coming."

"...I'll keep my cursed soul. It was a mistake. I'll admit-"

"And you're part of the reason for this mistake. Hah." You felt nauseously angry; what a pitiful thing he gave you.