Wisps: Recollection (Ninjago X Reader)

61. Scavengers

You're underground, once passing by a few bloodied vermillion scales. You could tell they were fresh, plastered to the ground. You haven't seen anymore of them in a long while, your senses picking every single detail. The drips and drops of dirtied water that distorted out into the dark. The suffocating scorn that had long faded in the shadows, cursing your wisps. Hateful of the element, they tried to choke it out with your haggard breaths. Was your fractured, panicked state that pushed over the edge? The now present snakes slithered up the wall in your flickering light. It went dim as you ran... except for a glow deeper in. You slowed to a jog, your gasps listless. Two bickering shadows cast on the grimy walls in a back and forth: "...at least I didn't wait for you to do something old man!"

"Old man?! Well, I'll be, you would be the same age as me if you hadn't been a coward!"

"You're the one that left me there!"

"Because you were too scared to take a chance!"

"Hah! You were so desperate, you decided to go through that portal, without a plan, scared that would be the last chance! You were the cowardly one!"

"Oh, that sounds like your own experience. How did you escape there, hm? Little brother, you don't seem to remember it was you quivering- afraid of what would come next! You decided you'd wait there until the next, unlikely portal, twiddling your thumbs there for four decades! Instead, I was the sole one risking my neck! Do you have any idea what we could've done? We could've ruled Ninjago ages..." Krux's lecturing lodged in his throat with a dying croak. If they could take it all back... with the emotion welling in their pitiful gazes... Krux brought his brother into a tight embrace. "I should've stayed with you."

"No, no I should've taken the risk with you." He sunk into his brother's hug, smearing his runny nose on his clothes. "I was so scared when you left."

"...I would keep having dreams of that nightmare. A guilt that would haunt me." Regrets ever anchored to time.

"Me too, brother." He clapped his back hard, and his wet eyes opened, spotting you by the wall. You awkwardly waved, putting out your wisps. Coughing into his fist, he nudged Krux. "Someone's being nosey."

"Didn't want to ruin the touching, brotherly moment." A brisk exhale escaped through your nose, Borg nowhere to be seen.

"Yes, you've given us plenty of time to bond. Now, where have you been?"

"With the Ninja, duh, where else?"

"Ugh, yes, but what location?"

"The Samurai X cave."

"I see. That hidden technological eyesore," he grumbled with a nod to one of the snakes. "Report back there once we go our separate ways."

"Yeah, I will. So, where is Borg?"

"The snakes have gone ahead with him before we decided to discuss things," Krux sighed, messaging his wrinkled forehead even more crinkled in the lantern's glow. At a violent eruption of the flame, you backed into the heavy shadows. They draped over you, a duvet cover that welcomed you into the fold. "So, you do have a fear of fire."

"Is-is that what it is?"

"Don't play coy."

"...yeah."

"Well, get rid of it."

"I would if I could." You shoot a dirty look at the old bastard, his frown thinning. An epiphany went off in his head, as bright as the lantern he plucked from his hip. Flames swished in the glass, reminiscent of water. Brightened light glistened over his teeth. "...what are you doing?"