Wisps: Recollection (Ninjago X Reader)

31. Ephemeral

Townsfolk ran out to the streets, to the piers, rowing on boats or staring up leftover motor boats to outspeed the monster thronging their home. Buildings caved in where the Preeminent's body crawled, and you tore your eyes away. Her pace is deliberately slow, a waltz on her path while people squirmed away. Others scrambled in a panic, clutching things or people close. You watched from under the pier, the water slamming against your head, forcing you down as you see. They were screaming for help. No help would come. And naively... you wished– But you wanted this! You followed and stayed by Morro's side and this was the result. This was the only possible result for you. Because you won't let him go, not as a portal opened and Morro's hand dragged you through it.

"Took a while to find you." Morro kept you from falling off the tentacle and let go, shaking off his steaming hand. He didn't have the Sword of Sanctuary with him.

"What happened to the..."

"Lloyd snagged it from me. But he's in the Cursed Realm." He was more than pleased with himself. Townsfolk cried, the tentacle hovering over them as they filed into a paddle steamboat.

"Morro... they're..." They'll turn into ghosts if caught. Changed into something lingering. Instead of fading. A world that will fit both of you now. 'This is how it has to be.'

"They'll fill our ranks, and with the Preeminent, we're basically immortal." He ruffled your hair and brought his fingerless hand to his lips, blowing off the smoke. "The water ninja dunked you, huh?" The tentacle stopped crawling.

"Morro!" Wu scolded him from the pier, and Misako frantically searched for her son.

"Where is Lloyd?" She demanded, ready to attack. Morro ignored her, and talked down to his old teacher, his old "master". She turned her attention to you, and you shook your head, knowing what she was thinking. Ronin was there, and he held her back at her first sign of a struggle.

"...destiny didn't want me to be the Green Ninja. Well, I make my own destiny. And now yours is coming to an end."

"You've released this scourge and it won't stop until it has cursed all Sixteen Realms. I trained you to be a ninja who protects, not one who destroys." Wu had conviction in his voice, pointing his staff at Morro. And then at you. "This is foolish what you are both doing–!"

"You made me believe I was to become the Green Ninja. Now I am! I am better than your precious pupil will ever be!" Ronin is smacked onto the paddle steamer by a gust and a tendril snatched Misako. Wu went after, tendrils splintering buildings chasing. Morro laughed at him beneath the roof shingles and dust. "The more souls the Preeminent takes, the bigger she and her army gets. Say goodbye to your loved ones, and say goodbye to Ninjago!"

Though, he should've known not to be so damn cocky. The white mech tore from rooftops, cradling those he saved. Zane dropped them off as soon as he arrived at the pier and in that same restless breath, his mech's arm seized the tentacle strangling Misako, expelling frost from the machine's gauntlet. Cole phased out from below and caught Misako. Water cuffed the limb you stood on with Morro, fumes growing in plumes. Electrified waves pierced its flesh, and you landed sloppily on the roof. Injured, it retreated as other tendrils rushed out.

"Look out!" Zane warned, his mech swept off its feet, and a hair's width from crushing Jay. The tendrils curled the mech and hurled it above you, fragments of metal raining. Boom! The mech is cast into one of the lone cliffs encircling the village. It was quiet on their side, searching for Zane, before calling out for him. They couldn't go looking for him. Numerous tentacles snaked around the corner, encompassing alleyways and rooftops. Groups of people fled to the ship or were taken into the queen's hands. They had to split up. Nya left on waves to save them, Jay going after her with Wu. It was only Cole and Zane. Cole raced to the rooftops, and Morro's wind tangled with your wisps to launch him in the maelstrom of wind and wisps.