The Winds Of Change

Chapter 3: Shadows of the Past

Days passed, and little by little, Morro's presence became less of an issue within the team. The tension was still there—Kai never failed to throw sharp looks his way, and even Nya kept her distance—but training together had begun to bridge the gap. They weren't friends, not yet, but they were working together.

Morro, however, couldn't shake the feeling that it was only a matter of time before something went wrong. After all, the shadows of his past still followed him. The mistakes he had made, the chaos he had caused—they were not so easily forgotten.

One afternoon, while the ninja were practicing in the courtyard, Master Wu called for a break. Everyone scattered, grabbing water and towels as they cooled down from the intense training session. Morro, his chest heaving from exertion, wandered over to the edge of the courtyard, leaning against the stone wall that overlooked the forest beyond.

He stared out at the horizon, his mind drifting back to his time as a villain. Back then, he had been consumed by the need to prove himself, to show everyone that he was worthy of being the Green Ninja. That obsession had driven him to the darkest corners of Ninjago and beyond, and now, looking back, it all seemed so pointless. He wasn't the Green Ninja. He never had been. And chasing that title had only brought him pain.

"You thinking about running again?" a voice interrupted his thoughts.

Morro turned to see Kai standing a few feet away, arms crossed, his fiery gaze fixed on him. It wasn't an accusation—more of a challenge, as if Kai was waiting for the day Morro would give up and leave.

"No," Morro replied calmly. "I'm not running."

Kai's eyes narrowed. "You sure about that? You seem pretty good at leaving a mess behind for other people to clean up."

Morro clenched his jaw, fighting back the urge to snap at Kai. He knew this was part of the process—earning their trust wasn't going to be easy. Still, the constant digs were wearing him down. "I'm not running," he repeated. "I'm staying. Whether you like it or not."

Kai stepped closer, his tone growing colder. "You think we've forgotten what you did? That we'll just let you hang around because Wu says so? We're watching you, Morro. The second you slip, the second you show even a hint of going back to who you were, we'll stop you."

Morro met Kai's glare head-on, his voice steady. "I'm not who I was."

Kai scoffed, his lip curling. "People like you don't change. You might be playing nice for now, but deep down, you're still the same guy who tried to destroy Ninjago."

Before Morro could respond, Lloyd stepped between them, holding up a hand. "That's enough, Kai."

Kai threw his hands up in frustration. "Are you serious, Lloyd? How can you trust him after everything?"

Lloyd's expression was calm, but firm. "Because I believe people can change. And if Morro is willing to try, then we should give him the chance."

Kai's eyes flickered between Lloyd and Morro, clearly torn between his loyalty to his friend and his distrust of Morro. "Fine," he muttered, turning away. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

As Kai stalked off, Lloyd turned to face Morro, his expression softening. "Don't let him get to you. He's just... protective of the team. He's not wrong to be cautious."

Morro sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I get it. I don't blame him for not trusting me. I wouldn't trust me either."

Lloyd shook his head. "It's not about trust, not yet. It's about proving that you're different. That takes time."

Morro nodded, though doubt still lingered in the back of his mind. Time. He wasn't sure how much of that he had left before something went wrong.

That evening, after training had wrapped up, the team gathered in the monastery's main hall for dinner. The air was filled with the scent of warm food, and for a brief moment, the tension seemed to ease as everyone settled in. Morro, as usual, found himself sitting at the edge of the table, still feeling like an outsider even though he was part of the group.

Zane, ever the curious one, was the first to break the silence. "Morro," he said, tilting his head slightly, "I've been meaning to ask. What was it like in the Cursed Realm?"

The question caught everyone's attention. Even Kai, who had been ignoring Morro for most of the meal, looked up, clearly curious despite himself.

Morro hesitated, his fingers tightening around his cup. The memories of the Cursed Realm were not pleasant ones, and talking about it was the last thing he wanted to do. But Zane's question wasn't meant to be cruel—he was genuinely curious.

"It was... cold," Morro said finally, his voice quiet. "Empty. Like being trapped in a place where time doesn't exist. You're stuck there with nothing but your own thoughts, and after a while, that's all you have."

Nya frowned. "Sounds awful."

"It was." Morro looked down at his plate, his appetite gone. "But I deserved it."

The table fell silent, and Morro immediately regretted saying anything. He hadn't meant to bring the mood down, but the truth was, he still wasn't sure he had earned the right to sit with them, to share in their victories and their peace.

Cole, who had been quietly listening, spoke up after a moment. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

Morro shook his head. "It's fine. I don't expect anyone to understand, but... being back here, with all of you, feels strange. I spent so long fighting against everything. Now, I'm not sure what to do."

Lloyd, sitting across from him, leaned forward. "You're part of the team now. You don't have to figure it out alone."

Morro looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. Lloyd, despite everything, was offering him a place. A real place on the team, not just as some outsider trying to make amends. It was strange, and Morro wasn't sure if he deserved it, but the thought of belonging somewhere, of having people to rely on—it was more than he had ever hoped for.

"Thanks," Morro said quietly, though the word felt inadequate. "I'll try not to let you down."

Lloyd smiled. "We all make mistakes. What matters is what you do after."

As the night wore on, the team eventually dispersed, everyone heading off to their own rooms to rest before the next day's training. Morro lingered behind, sitting alone in the dimly lit hall, his thoughts heavy. He knew he was making progress—slow, painful progress—but the weight of his past still hung over him like a dark cloud.

Just as he was about to get up and leave, Wu appeared, his quiet footsteps barely making a sound as he approached. He sat down beside Morro, his expression calm, yet thoughtful.

"You've come a long way," Wu said, his voice gentle. "But I sense there's something still troubling you."

Morro let out a bitter laugh. "You think? I'm trying to make up for all the things I've done, but it feels like no matter how hard I try, it's never going to be enough."

Wu nodded, his eyes thoughtful. "Redemption is not a destination, Morro. It's a journey. One that takes time, patience, and acceptance of your own flaws. You cannot change the past, but you can shape your future."

Morro sighed, staring at the floor. "What if I'm not strong enough?"

Wu smiled softly. "Strength does not come from power, Morro. It comes from the willingness to change, even when the path is difficult."

They sat in silence for a while, the only sound the faint rustling of the wind outside. For the first time in a long time, Morro felt a sense of peace. It wasn't the end of his journey—not by a long shot—but he realized that he didn't have to walk it alone.

"I'll keep trying," Morro said quietly, more to himself than to Wu.

Wu stood, placing a hand on Morro's shoulder. "That's all I ask."

As Wu left the hall, Morro remained seated for a little while longer, his mind calmer than it had been in days. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time, he felt like he was moving in the right direction.

And maybe, just maybe, there was hope for him yet.