Wisps: Recollection (Ninjago X Reader)

47. * Pick Up *

You trodded on the cracked pavement, seeing civilization in the darkness. A billboard flashed, light twinkling along its wall surrounding a hill. It seemed familiar; you've walked down this road before. But you weren't paying mind to that feeling. Everything else pressed forth in your head. It's taking a tremendous amount to stay afloat above the flood of thoughts while one kept pushing you down under. You'll shatter under the pressure. Under your stupidity. Under your inaction. Your failure.

Your feet stopped. Your breath stayed in your throat, torn between pouring out a frustrated scream or trying to scrounge whatever calmness you have left. Shallow breaths. One foot forward. Shaky, shallow breaths. "Stop." It wouldn't. One thought persisted. 'I failed again.'

'If I just moved. Did something. Anything. Instead of standing there, too afraid to make things worse.' But it didn't matter. Things are already worse. Your frustrated shout yelled over the barren land, back at you, blaming you.

'Where was Echo? Where is everyone? Chime? Jay–Nya–' Your teeth felt sore with how hard they grounded together to stifle another scream. 'Ronin's...' Your bite eased up, shallow breaths becoming hurried puffs–faster with the blurriness in your sight. Streaks of water run to your jaw. 'He's fine.' Harder to ignore the bloodied clothing that stuck to your hip. 'He's...'

Just do this. Do this one thing for me and get that djinn...

Your tears poured. You swallowed back those waiting sobs. Will you fail Ronin again? Just sitting here, crying? 'He would hate me for that. Hah.' His last words to you. His faith in you... But can you–? 'I have to. I can't let Nadakhan win. I have one last chance.'

You wouldn't fail this time. You. Can't.

Right?

Back on your feet, and you jogged, spent and haggard to that source of light in this wasteland by the city. Dried dirt kicked up in the air and settled like your memory. You have been here before. The restless chatter on the other side of the wall further proved it... if the flashing sign wasn't a confirmation.

"...outside and saw nothing, honey."

"Now I'm sure I heard an awful scream earlier Ed."

"I could-"

"You're injured, Jay. Finish up that soup, you need your strength if you want to heal up."

'He's here?' The surprised noise in your throat was quieter in volume than the slamming open the motorhome's door. And even all that was quieter than the older man's shout of disbelief.

"Hey, it's that war criminal on the news!!!"

"Ed stay back!" Edna raises her wrench in the air, and you edge away with a hurried yelp.

"Just listen, I'm not hurting anyone!"

A confused croak of your name was nearly drowned out by Ed and Edna's panicking. Everyone looked at Jay, a blanket enveloped his tired frame, nearly hiding the gauze wrapped around his neck.

"You know this hooligan, son?" His father grabbed the wrench from Edna.

"Uh yeah, actually you've met them once before, remember?" The couple tried to scrounge their heads for answers, warily spying your face and form.

"I don't think they rem-"

"Oh! Wait a minute darling, it's that person that fought all those nindroids with the ninja- right here in our scrapyard!" Edna was ecstatic, her crow feet further wrinkling at your surprised nod. "Of course I remember now!"