Promises (Ninjago's Kai x Reader)

Episode 11 - For Whom the Bell Tolls

It seems I've come full circle. In a little more than three years, I've gone from being someone who was fueled by anger, desperate to make my father proud by doing the worst things imaginable, to someone who chose to be kind and to love with my whole heart,  fighting to make the world a better place, and now I'm right back where I started, except this time it feels so much more lonely.

Once, I was surrounded by Skulkins, committing crimes, attacking villages, slaughtering innocents. But they were my friends. They made me laugh and encouraged me to grow stronger. The gang of bikers that surround me now can barely look me in the eyes. Whether that's because they don't trust me or because they're scared of what I might do to them, I can't really be sure.

A man approaches our hoard, wearing a rusted samurai helmet, and carrying a katana that clearly hasn't been sharpened in a few years. He is practically shaking as he holds his chin high, staring Harumi in the eye.

"We're good people," he says. "We have nothing to give."

"Your village is surrounded," Harumi declares. "Kneel before your emperor."

My father steps forward, an air of regality surrounding him.

"We will never kneel," the man says, brave as can be. "Our people have already taken up arms. We will fight, if need be."

My father growls, glowering at the man. "Taken up arms?"

"These people know not of your power, my Emperor," Harumi purrs. "Show them. Show all of Ninjago how to kneel."

Purple matter forms around all four of my father's fists. Pebbles begin to float, smashing together, forming clumps. Small rocks do the same, and then some bigger rocks, and then he's controlling boulders, and they're all coming together to form this humanoid rock monster with eyes that glow magenta. The creature groans as it approaches, and the quivering man drops to his knees, bowing his head so low that his forehead touches the ground.

I can feel it then: the fear that seems to radiate from everyone, even the Son's of Garmadon and Harumi herself. They'd only theorized what my father can do, but seeing it in person was something else. It almost made him seem more real, and with that he became more dangerous.

But there was something else. Something inside me that moaned and groaned along with the creature. Like I could feel it. Like I could feel my dad's power coursing through it. Like we were one in the same. And at that moment I realized I could beat it. The real question now was if I wanted to.

          ~

I flew above the rest, just barely out of reach of that giant rock monster. Far enough that I wouldn't have to interact with anybody hitching a ride on it's head and shoulders, but still close enough that I could feel it's heart beating in sync with mine.

We were almost to the city, and it was quickly becoming clear that our rock monster was taller than any of the skyscrapers. I could fly ahead, warn people to evacuate, try and find my brother.

But my heart squeezed at the thought.

The Oni were right. I was truly meant to be on the dark side. That's what my powers have been all along, so it should've been obvious. I was delusional to think otherwise.

But still, there were people there that I loved. I could still save them without betraying my father.

I shot ahead. I could hear Harumi swearing at me to come back, but I ignored her. I flew to the center of the city, high above any and all of the buildings. Nobody seemed to notice a dragon hanging above, they were all so preoccupied in their everyday lives. They had no idea what was coming for them.