Promises (Ninjago's Kai x Reader)

Episode 13 - Stand

Tangles of purple and black energy border my vision as a new dream replaces the bitter sweet symphony my imagination had created about me and Kai. He had held me close as we watched our son play in the backyard of our simple family home with our black German Shepard named Dusty. That was the life we had always dreamed of, and for a while, the drugs I took turned it into reality. But not anymore.

I'm as tall as a tower, watching over the city of Ninjago: peaceful, for once, and beautiful under the glow of the rising sun. Until my limbs groan awake, and my eyes fall upon a party of five that's standing on the rooftop of a building about a half mile away. One of them, with red hair, holds an arm outstretched, and seems to be struggling with effort. I move towards them, compelled by an indescribable force, and that seems to send them into a panic.

In just a few strides, I'm standing over them, raising a hand, instructed to destroy. That's when I recognize my brother, Skylor, Jaxson, and Nya. The fifth, Dareth, has wisely run for cover, but the other three continue to stare as Skylor fights to take control.

I swing my fist, and right before I smash them like pancakes, something stops my hand. It's a struggle as I'm compelled simultaneously to crush them and to turn away and let them live.

Skylor wins, and I turn back towards Borg Tower, but not before tossing away a band of bikers that has gathered at my feet. I find extra pleasure in throwing U.V., who squeals like a pig.

When I reach Borg tower, I have to climb it like a tree, which is actually easier than expected. It's like my muscles are made of stone, making me invincible. I reach the top and am staring into my father's ruby red eyes. Harumi stands next to him, looking like she just shit her pants.

"We must leave," she says. "It is not safe here anymore."

"I do not flee," Garmadon replies, and as I raise my fist, Harumi bolts.

Smash him! I'm being compelled, just as I was before. And then--

"Tasha wake up!"

The vision fades in the blink of an eye and I'm back in Michael's room, wrapped in his blankets, drooling on his pillow.

"We have to get out of here!" Mike exclaims.

I rub the sleep out of my eyes. "Why, what's going on?"

"Are you still high!? The building is under attack!"

There is a loud crashing sound and the entire room shakes violently, knocking precious bottles off the back of the bar, and I realize that my dream is actually occurring in real life right now. I jump up out of bed, grabbing my sweatpants and sports bra off the floor. My head spins-- the combination of a hangover, coming down from coke, and probably the ecstasy still lingering in my blood stream makes it difficult to put the outfit back on.

"We need weapons," I say, and Mike hurries across the room to the same dresser that he retrieved the drugs from last night. While he's distracted, I snatch the remaining bag of coke off the bar and shove it in my pocket.

"Here," says Mike, offering me a couple throwing knives. "And I figured you might want this too." He holds out black cargo pants, a dark purple undershirt, and a grey vest that appears to be bullet proof. "Might be a bit big, but it's better than sweatpants."

"Thank you," I say. "Ready the troops and meet me outside the bike garage. We're gonna figure out who did this and make them pay."

Except I already know who did this, I just need him out of my way so I can deal with it.

When he leaves, I change into the outfit he gave me, hiding the knives in the various pockets, though I doubt I'll actually use them. Unfortunately, Mike did not offer me shoes, and I wore crocs here last night, which are more of a hinderance than anything, so I opt to go barefoot. I grab the bag of cocaine from my discarded pile of clothes, hesitating to put it back in my pocket.