Wisps: Recollection (Ninjago X Reader)

54. Worse, Then Better

a/n: This cute fanart was created by StarGayzerLily

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Shivering on the damp sand, a roof is the only shelter you could find in the long, heavy outpour. Your tired, pained, sick body forced you to keep an eye out. With the cold, it's a sneaky thing, a creeping fog across your mind. When victory paraded, it was great, invigorating... Now it left a shallow print on your heart.

Nothing changed. You wouldn't achieve anything until that spirit was banished. Or so you think. A small piece of you whispered if it really would be solved that way. If you were chasing demons only for more to show themselves.

Reflecting rippled, swept in the chilling breeze flowing over the ocean. You had to prepare, learn the scarlet wisps. An ability that now shackled you into place with it's volatile emotions...

How would you control your rage?

Your fingers find the back of your shoulder. Ghosted over fading remnants of very light burns...

You were lucky.

How destructive wrath is. So powerful. Intense. Burning the soul out if it seethed for too long...

You breathed in.

And out with a curse.

Coughing out a bitter laugh, you eased up to your feet and banged your head on the wood. Headaches are so nice when you're sick. Amazing even. Your glare could scorch the mud on fire, but the dark rain, ever so mocking, splashed the dirtied lake in the mud. A kick and your shoe's heel slipped on its surface, knocking you to your ass. "Could it get worse?"

Rain sprinkled softer in response. Surprisingly. The universe gave you a break for once. You took that to mean you should get to Skylor. Before she sent you another message. Though, she might worry if she saw you like this. Always in worse condition than the last time you see her and Griffin. And Ronin...

You send her a message, and your phone rang immediately, "Sky?"

"Hey- are you positive you don't need any help at home?"

There again was that bittersweet word...

"Yeah. I got it," you reassured once more.

"Okay, give a call you need anything," she reminded. Like the first call some hours ago when you lied about being "home".

"You're not still up, right" -you tried to muffle your cough- "sorry, uhhh, it's pretty dusty here, yeah." You slapped your warm forehead.

"Mhmm." A pause. A sighed, "Y'know, the festival, my planning's sort of saving me right now. I'm tired." Her words lay heavy, exhausted. Stressed. "Well... I'll see you later, okay?"

"Yeah," you strained your throat, feeling a cough. You hang up with a quick farewell. Soft coughs pushed from your lungs, and you dial another phone number, not wasting a second as soon as he picked up, "Borg, I found out how to break those people free– you have to break the gem–"

"That is wonderful news- I knew you could do it!" The confidence he had in you was so genuine it surprised you. And shamed you all the same as you stayed quiet. "...Are you still there?" You walked through the rubble, back along the broken streets and homes...

"What made you think I was going to do it?" You knew why. "It wasn't that bullshit you said, was it?"

"I want to believe her... But you still have many things to prove. Whether that be me, yourself... or others." Barely did he let that linger, going to another topic. "I received the form and your records. As I'm analyzing the best way to construct your prosthetic and such, is there anything you want in mind?"