Wisps: Recollection (Ninjago X Reader)

67. The Jade Princess

"Ronin. Ronin!" Whispers border on an aggravated, held-out yell. The guards will figure out something is wrong. If they didn't already know how you weren't where they asked you to be. 'Ugh, why can't anything just–!'

A hand pressed to your mouth, as you're yanked behind one of the grand pillars. You calmed on his mutter, "It's me. I'll let go."

You breathed against his palm, "What the fuck, Ronin–"

"Shh." Frantic footfalls hurried, merging the ruckus of chainmail, contesting with ramming hearts.

"...hears that we lost that snake's whereabouts–"

"I know, I know, stop nagging me!" He yelled at her, the guards now running with their clamoring armor pieces to add more to the noise.

"Ya caused more trouble than me." Already slinking away, he left you to flounder after.

"You wandered off."

"You're the one that looked a little lost back there." He slung an arm around your neck to lead you. A path he knew like the back of his scarred hand, crossed many times. "You're ready?"

"Hm?"

"They don't invite you on a whim."

"Don't know what to be prepared for." There's a squeeze on your shoulder. Enough to draw out your muddled glance. He's anxious. Going through every little thing, combing it over once. Then twice. More if he'd allow it. Ronin stopped. Breathed. Letting it leave and hang out across the stretching hall of closed embossed doors.

"I can't go with you, they only want you." The man lowered to your ear, hushing you, "Don't get scared. Don't panic. Don't get angry. They'll count on that. You'll squirm and fight and they suddenly gotcha tangled deeper in their web."

"What happened, that you know all this?" Pillars and their ceiling stretched on and on, juxtaposed with claustrophobic oppression. The man looked so small. Unfamiliar to you. A side you've never seen– were never allowed to see. A tremor ran up his hand, chained to the golden handle. Like it would wield him in place forever. Here in whatever labyrinth of thoughts and winding dangers.

"Ain't about me right now, Kid." Ronin knocked off the question, and the doors opened. "I'll be out here if anything goes south. Just scream for me."

'Geez. Thanks.' For as velvety as it fell from his lips, it wasn't at all relieving. When the doors shut, spears itching to lead you, a simple, misplaced step felt like a death sentence. You're sure to stay in line. On the green threaded carpet that leads to the Jade Throne room. Where hearts hammered and eyes pinned to you. Either swirling with emotions. Or nailed to your face with a hard strike of broiling hatred for your title; "Overseer."

"Yes?" You scold your voice for giving out along with your body for a bow. You still weren't sure what to make of that title.

"You are here, and the Ninja are here, because of an agreement we made with Wu a year ago." Confusion's a weak way to capture their expressions. Lost. It's what you feel. Why didn't you expect at least some sort of condition? "And you were not supposed to know, until now."

"Mother." The emperor. You didn't notice him until now. "They've just arrived. And that's not the only thing the Ninja are here for." His mother paid him no mind.

"Master Wu was supposed to be here as well. Something unfortunate has befallen him. Lost to time." The old lady's words dig into you. Your ears drowned with his words that you didn't know might be his last. How could you have said that? To them?

"We offer our condolences. We pray you find him." The empress spoke softly, offering the gentleness that neither of them provided. Further up was another gilded in jade. A girl. Who offered a sweet smile. A sympathy that doesn't go unnoticed by Lloyd. Or you. Her smile widened.