#Hostess Writes - Ninjago

[crossroads-of-the-raven]

Whump prompt - Ninjago: Kai

Kai Jiang wasn't supposed to get sick.

He was the protector.

He was the caretaker.

It's been that way since he was five and his sister was three.

It's been that way since he was sixteen and gained three brothers.

It's been that way since he gained a baby brother a few months later.

Kai Jiang will be twenty in a few months.

He hasn't gotten trully sick since he was five, not long after his parents had disappeared.

Nya doesn't remember, she was too young.

Kai's memory of that time is patchy at best, but, he remembers enough to know he had to learn how to stop an illness before it worsens.

But that was fifteen years ago.

Two years ago, he got his parents back.

Six months ago, his sister got engaged.

Six months ago, the team earned their greatest victory.

And maybe Kai has let his guard down during the down time.

And maybe Aspheera's theft of his powers had slightly bigger consequences.

And maybe the Never Realm was a bit colder for him, than it was for the team.

And maybe there was a reason he never let himself get sick, a reason Nya didn't know, didn't remember.

Because Kai is the protector.

Kai is the caretaker.

That means he makes sacrifices.

Sacrifices of himself so that no one else has to.

And maybe he's never told anyone just how many sacrifices he's made.

But a sick Kai is unaware.

A sick Kai is tragically open and honest.

'Oh, I'm sick' is Kai last thought before the illness pulls him under.

~

The first thought from the other residents of the Monastery of Spinjitzu, is worry and concern when the Master of Fire doesn't show up for the rare brunch their Master had allowed.

When they discover his current state, they remain worry but are also relieved.

They actually find it funny when Jay discovers that Kai will answer any question they have as though he was under truth tea.

They don't find it funny for long.

[crossroads-of-the-raven]

Ooooo

>: )

Kai Jiang wasn't supposed to get sick.

He was the protector.

He was the caretaker.

It's been that way since he was five and his sister was three.

It's been that way since he was sixteen and gained three brothers.

It's been that way since he gained a baby brother a few months later.

Kai Jiang will be twenty in a few months.

He hasn't gotten trully sick since he was five, not long after his parents had disappeared.

Nya doesn't remember, she was too young.

Kai's memory of that time is patchy at best, but, he remembers enough to know he had to learn how to stop an illness before it worsens.

But that was fifteen years ago.

Two years ago, he got his parents back.

Six months ago, his sister got engaged.

Six months ago, the team earned their greatest victory.

And maybe Kai has let his guard down during the down time.

And maybe Aspheera's theft of his powers had slightly bigger consequences.

And maybe the Never Realm was a bit colder for him, than it was for the team.

And maybe there was a reason he never let himself get sick, a reason Nya didn't know, didn't remember.

Because Kai is the protector.

Kai is the caretaker.

That means he makes sacrifices.

Sacrifices of himself so that no one else has to.

And maybe he's never told anyone just how many sacrifices he's made.

But a sick Kai is unaware.

A sick Kai is tragically open and honest.

'Oh, I'm sick' is Kai last thought before the illness pulls him under.

~

The first thought from the other residents of the Monastery of Spinjitzu, is worry and concern when the Master of Fire doesn't show up for the rare brunch their Master had allowed.

When they discover his current state, they remain worry but are also relieved.

They actually find it funny when Jay discovers that Kai will answer any question they have as though he was under truth tea.

They don't find it funny for long.

when the character who's like "i will never reveal my trauma to anyone" gets a high fever and, while weak and delirious, starts spilling every.

last.

secret.

[crossroads-of-the-raven]

He Who Is, He Who Is, He Who Is - Wu: Betrayal, Fear, Regret - Brother, Son, Student

He who is so kind; when I fell he picked me up, when I was scared he held me close, when I succeeded he cheered me on.

He who is so sweet; when I was worried he came to my door, when I was dower he cheered me up, when I felt alone he was my companion.

He who is so brave; when met with sorrows he became determined, when given trials he concurred each test, when face with the worst he became the best.

He who is my brother.

He who is my son.

He who is my student.

He who fell to lust of power.

He who fell to unintentional lies.

He who may burn the world if I don't try...

Try.

Try ... what?

Betrayal, Fear, Regret.

They have followed me for so long; I wonder, would I recognize the day were they not there to wake me.

Would I walk the same without their weight upon my shoulders.

Would I speak the same or have they placed the words upon my lips.

The betrayal was unwanted by the giver yet the sting from his harsh hand, haunts the days when the venom's whispers grew to strong.

The fear drove my words and actions; drove me to push his limits, to fill his head, to make demands and when it all fell away, what I had made, drove him away.

The regret now hold me fast as I gaze upon the third, as he trains with his brothers and the shadows of the first two hold him tightly in their grasp.

I see them, their shadows live on.

It's in his words.

It's in his actions.

It's in his appearance ... his appearance.

They see me though his eyes.

They move him like a puppet to their will.

Their hearts are aligned and I fear what will occur.

Was I too kind?

Were my words too harsh?

Did I demand too much?

Did I not demand enough?

Destruction, Wind (the storm) and Fire.

Is tragedy their destined fate.

Is there nothing I can change.

No. No, no, no. I refuse to let it stay this way.

If this horrid pattern seeks a third victim to display, then I will take it's desired doll away.

If I must bind him in the proverbial chains, then I promise not to take his light away.

If I must hold him down to change his strings, I will keep them from dragging him away from me.

~

I see it.

Am I too harsh?

But I must hold fast.

He flickers like the flame he one day may weild without the sword and then ...

To much power - I see my brother.

To much over confidence - my son rears his head.

Is this right, am I dimming his light.

Is this to much and then ... the fight

My brother on the ground, my student stands above. My son's shadow rises as Fire crows his false triumph.

Enough; I have not done enough.

Hide the doll tragedy desires, tighten the chains that bind him (from him, his light has already turned away), change his strings (do not let the other two control him). Perhaps his True Potential would be too much.

~

The battle rages then turns for the worst.

Triumph and failure walk hand in hand and then the child falls away. Blocked from sight and away from the light.

A moment passes ...

Then another ...

The wait ...

The weight ...

Upon my shoulders sits fear and regret; were I to look back, betrayal would grin as tragedy claims the third (the first wails at my side and I wonder how much longer his tragedy will be drawn out).

Aboard the Bounty, we watch - the fires below, rage.

Then like a jewel, like a star, like a treasure from the forge, he emerges.

His flight is triumphant and as he lands upon the deck, the treasure in his arms is revealed.

If only for this moment the weight disappears.

Fire shines brightly, the shadows are banished.

Tragedy could not touch him.

Father, may it never come so close again.

[crossroads-of-the-raven]

A Tale of the Wind (Intro, A Tale of Water) - A Ninjago History

Thanks to @fantaghoul for letting me use their post to fill out my own Morro Headcanon

Disclaimer: I have not watched Dragons Rising - however, I have hear that it tends to retcon lore from the OG show as such I will be sticking to the original lore and expanding on that. Also, there will be a slight retcon of a detail concerning The First Master's control over water and wind and his creating of the Ninjago Realm. I'll make a separate post about my retcons at another time for now I just wanted to finally get this work out there. Now, without further ado.

~~~~~~~

Ninjago.

That's what he would call it and this would be where he would primarily reside. It had been so long since he had returned to the Realm he had created and the world beneath the waves was thriving; but, they had forgotten him.

In his time away - creating other Realms, defending the First Realm to keep all the others from falling into ruin - the seven tribes of Merlopia (two of which were Serpentine) had forgotten him. He knew that some part of them knew him, some part deep within but on the surface, his creations did not recall him.

The First Master understood that this was impart due to Wojira, the Grand Guardian he had left to watch over his work, but like the Grand Guardian of the First Realm, who now called himself, The Overlord, this Guardian as well had turned against him.

And yet, he could see it in how her eyes would flicker between red and blue, in those moments he saw remorse. Wojira was a good Guardian, but she had made mistakes and now it was beyond her power to stop herself.

The Merlopians fought bravely and with him there they fought twice as hard. The First Master, however, did not wish to see Wojira killed so he called together his Protectors - Fire, Metal, Wind and finally Water, Water who was the first to be given mortal form.

Water love the world beneath the waves and it had been the proof of this love that convinced the First Master to give her mortal form. She was called Nyad, Nyad of Merlopia, Nyad who would be the first Master of Water. Above and below the waves Nyad fought to protect her husband, her daughter and the people she had been made a part of; then appeared, the Master of Ice, still immortal, and without speaking a word Nyad knew.

There were many options and Nyad knew that the First Master would never ask something so desperate of her, she knew that he would exhaust every option and still never ask for her sacrifice and that was why she made the choice herself.

Working with the First Master, working with her fellow Protectors, Metal, Fire, and Wind, the five of them were able to construct two amulets, one of Wind (the Storm) and one of Water (the Flood). These would be able to tame Wojira and perhaps one day the former Guardian would be able to return to her post but for now sleep was more favorable then death.

Nyad, to ensure their success, became one with the great ocean of Ninjago and soon the battle came to an end. The Merlopians constructed a great temple far and deep beneath the waves to honor Nyad's sacrifice and to house the sleeping Wojira. As for the daughter of Nyad, her mother, mind lost to the sea would observe her naming ceremony from a distance, unaware of her connection to the baby girl who would one day make water dance.

The baby girl would be named Nya, a naming tradition that would be passed down for generations to come.

On the surface, though the Realm was his creation, the First Master asked if the Merlopians would be willing to share the Realm with another. The king of Merlopia gave his terms and there was agreement. The war had tired them and all they desired was peace in isolation so the First Master created the land of Ninjago a fair distance away, a distance that would satisfy the agreement.

One day the Merlopians would remember who created their Realm.

~

The First Master found Wind, Fire and Ice at the edge of the newly created land, the three Protectors contemplating the sea.

"Thoughts in isolation tend to double back on themselves" said the First Master in greeting.

The three turned to the First Master and bowed, greeting their master.

"Rise and please speak clearly what is among you that I may be of aid."

The three Protectors looked between themselves, then Fire spoke, "Master, you gave us life and great purpose and even among the Protectors, you gave us three another gift each for use when the time is right. You gave me quick foresight that I may be a guiding light in dire circumstances."

"You gave me far sight," said Ice, "and with this I was able to see the end of this battle before you called Nyad for the creation of the amulets."

"And you gave me", said Wind, "the gift to effect destiny and yet as I am there is only so much I am able to do. Master, you said that all of us, each one of your Protectors would one day take on mortal form and in doing so we would be able to do things that we cannot yet do as we are. Nyad has returned to her element and her power will one day awaken in her daughter. Wojira is sleeping and I ... I wish to stay apart of Destiny's Trio, I wish to remain where the wind meets the water. But, now I feel what Nyad felt when she asked to become mortal and though I wish to stay I feel a pulling calling me. Master, you who command every element, I ask of you, make me mortal that I may fulfill my destiny."

And the First Master smile a gentle smile one that had the slightest touch of sorrow. He gave his creations freewill, all his creations in every realm and for every generation; but freewill ment that one had the ability to choose good and the ability to choose evil. Destiny's Trio never kept things from each other and so the First Master knew that Wind made his request in full knowledge of blessings and tragedies that could one day be.

"It will be done" said the First Master.

As they were, the Elemental Protectors could travel between Realms without any aide and so they followed the First Master to what would one day be called the Wailing Alps, the tallest mountain in Ninjago that would one day house the Temple of Wind. From the mountain the First Master and his Protectors entered the Realm of the Cloud Kingdom and there they were met by the Master Writer, a man who had been a scribe when the First had left the Realm, who now rejoiced in having lived long enough to see the First Master's return and welcomed him and his Protectors, knowing why they were there.

The Master Writer was honored to have been remembered and further honored by the First Master by the task he would be given - to care for and teach Wind in just the same way the King of Merlopia had been tasked to do for Water when she became Nyad. And so with great power, Wind was given mortal form, like Nyad had been made merlopian, Wind became a being of The Cloud Kingdom clothed in the robes of a scribe.

"Now," the First Master said, "what is your name?"

Wind thought in silence as all waited with baited breaths, then, he spoke.

"My name, ... is Morro."

This would be a name passed down for generations to come.

~

Freewill. The freedom of choice, the choice to be good but also the choice to be bad.

It would be several thousand year after the first Master of Wind was laid to rest that someone would enact a change, the tragedy the First Master hoped would never come to fruition. Fenwick could hardly be called a scribe when he first came upon the thought as he contemplated how others rejoice in the return of the Master of Wind from his mission in Ninjago. Every Master of Wind, since the first would be trained to the level of a Master Writer, then sent down to Ninjago when the need was at its most, to lessen pain, to alter tragedy, to defy what the scribes of the Cloud Kingdom had written. Fenwick despise the thought that his people rejoiced that someone would overruled their writings, the words of the Cloud Kingdom were absolute but the Master of Wind could always find ways to change the winds of fate. Unfortunately, Fenwick was not alone in his arrogance but he would be the catalyst for a horrific age in the Cloud Kingdom.

In time Fenwick grew his skill, in time he climb the ranks, in time he gathered his hidden forces and then they struck. The Master of Wind was found dead. It was an accident many concluded but generations would pass and as numbers dwindled people became wary of the Family of the Wind, something was after them and no-one wanted to be caught in the crosshairs, yet soon even the Family of the Wind feared stepping out their own door but better to be seen then be found dead in the dark. Time passed on and the Master of Wind had become long forgotten in Ninjago, often times the Family of the Wind contemplated escaping to Ninjago but something always stopped them from leaving just yet.

~

Her name was Morria. She lost her father as a baby, her older cousins when she was five, her friend when she was twelve and her mother when she was seventeen. She was twenty-three, the last of her family when she met the man who would be her husband, he was an orphan and his name was Arnon, two years later they would be married, two years after that they would have their son, a small child who, by Arnon's dying wish, would be named Morro.

Morro had a remarkable memory and each day as Morria would braid Morro's hair, to hide the natural streak of green that marked him as member of the Family of the Wind, she would teach him all she knew about the Cloud Kingdom, about their work as a scribe, and about their family history but there was only so much she could teach him. It had become to dangerous to live in the family home of the Family of the Wind, Arnon, while he had lived, had worked hard to find them a home where they could be safe; Arnon's death had been a sacrifice to keep Morro and Morria safe.

Once Morro's silky black hair had been given braids to hide the green, Morria would teach Morro how to manage the task himself by teaching him how to hide the green in her hair. This was how they kept each other safe, Morria would not let Arnon's sacrifice be in vain, she needed to learn as much as she could then she could teach Morro herself after the two of them escaped to Ninjago. Morria kept close her and Morro scrolls of life, as Arnon's had already been laid at his tomb, after all, you cannot write a life scroll for the dead. As to Morria's scroll, her parents and potential guardians were nolonger around to write in it and she feared what would happen should she open it herself, but, Morro's scroll was written in with the care, respect and wisdom of a true Master Writer.

There was peace, a balance and that of course was when tragedy struck again. Morria had been contemplating how she would retrieve Arnon's scroll, a scroll that she had full rights to but hadn't claimed for fear of being caught; Morria wanted to bring it with her when she and Morro escaped to Ninjago but as it was, it was not ment to be.

It was night when Morria bundle up Morro that he wouldn't be recognized; in her bag was her and Morro's scrolls along with some quills and ink, a change of clothes, some rations and the only three books her family had been able to keep from their old home - it was time to go to Ninjago. Into the night they went but half way through the city, Morria knew something was wrong, though her hood was up to obscure her face, she could tell that the shadows had eyes and they watched her like starving wolves. Morria slowed her steps and quickened her turns, she could feel the wind in her heart begging to be used but she would not reveal herself so quickly, she could not reveal herself so quickly, Morro was only five and had no power of his own and with his and her scroll so close at hand, Morria, could not take the risk. Part of her begged that that the monsters in the shadows would turn away from her but she knew now what she didn't before, she would not live to see Ninjago.

In her angered fueled sorrows at all the tragedy she had been forced to bear, at knowing her son would be an orphan, the wind began to roar, to unleash the full extent of the sorrows of the Family of the Wind, and in the wind, Morria, could hear her family as they fought back. Taking advantage of the chaos, Morria used the shadows like the Ninja her ancestors were trained to be and made her way to a small orphanage.

"Morro," Morria said as she placed him on the steps and handed him his change of clothes and part of the rations from her bag, "I have to go, but I need you to promise me to remember everything and do everything I had taught you. Do you understand?"

"You're not coming back," Morro asked.

It was a cruel thing that a child so young had to be prepared incase they became an orphan but Morria hadn't shielded Morro from the possibility.

"I'm sorry", it was all she could say, and, "I love you Morro."

With one last hug as they held each other tight, Morria hear her son whisper, "I love you, momma". She let him go, knock on the door of the orphanage, and Morria dissappeared into the windy night.

~

There was a part of Morria that had wished she had taken the chance to escape with Morro but she could hear on the wind that the possibility of escape had ended the moment she had been spotted; for Morria, there was only one thing left to do, the monsters in the dark had been hunting her a long time but the moment she died none but her family would be able to open her scroll, she knew this, but as to her son's scroll, she would hide it that none could harm him with it. Her task completed, Morria faced her attackers far away from Morro's scroll and as she took her last breath, the wind combed through Morro's hair like a mother guiding her son to sleep.

~

The first Morro had heard of his mother the next morning had been a grim cold voice that had concluded that her death had to have been destiny. It would be many years later when the nights would nolonger be filled with Morro's silent tears, as it was, it was four months after he had become an orphan, that the monsters had found him. He could not see their faces; they kept their voices gravelly, their grip one his arms was tight to bruising and their nails sunk deep into his skin. Morro had always been a careful child, he had to be, but somehow, someone had seen him playing with the wind.

Morro, though frightened, struggled fiercely in their grasp. The whole group was near the outskirts of the Cloud Kingdom as many did not know that the dead woman with green in her hair had been a mother, as such, they who had killed her and caught her son wanted the matter to be over and done with. Still, Morro struggled and slowly the wind began to kick up, he had to live, for his ancestors, for his father Arnon, and for his mother.

"My apologies child," said a grim cold voice that didn't sound sorry at all, "it's just destiny."

Then, just as death was about greet him, the wind gave one last push and Morro was falling. On the wind he could hear the grim cold voice speak, "thrown out, ah, it's just as well, the fall will take care of him itself."

Perhaps one could say that Morro was halfway to his True Potential but he gathered what control he had of the wind and ruffly costed down the Wailing Alps, past the abandoned Temple of the Wind all the way to the bottom of the mountain, landing with a tumbling head over heels crash. There he sat in shock and soon began to cry and the wind cried with him. The night came and then the day and with no more tears to be had, Morro begain to follow the wind. It would be seven months before he'd find rest at the Monastery of Spinjitzu.

[crossroads-of-the-raven]

The reason for his fire is to burn bright for others.

For those closest to his Hearth Fire,

he cares for them and keeps them warm.

Just beyond the gentle fire,

this wall surrounds those he loves,

a fearsome inferno to keep them safe

as he cradles his family in his arms.

push it deep down, but the memories will never leave you

[crossroads-of-the-raven]

Day of the Departed - Alternate Ending - The Unforgotten AU (Chapter 1)

As Morro walked back to his podium in the Hall of Villainy, he contemplated the events of the night.

When he had awoken in the mortal realm, in a museum no less, his mind was flooded by memories that were not his own as he cast his eyes around the darkened room, taking in the sight of the enemies from Lloyd Garmadon's memories.

"Who, who are you?" Samukai had asked, and rather than make himself a target by introducing himself he returned the question, prompting the villains to gloat in their introductions and forget him beyond his presence.

Good, Morro thought, he had no doubt that the enemies of the Ninja would not appreciate meeting the son student of Master Wu and he had no intentions of making himself a target - not if he could help it.

Someone had brought them out, someone who had released four souls from the, now half/dead, Cursed Realm that wandered in a daze, in a closed off section of the Departed Realm, and one from the Departed Realm proper who was free of the Preeminent (part of Morro wondered if that had been on purpose or if the person who had summoned him hadn't known that he had been allowed to exist in the Departed Realm, fully detached from the Cursed Realm).

Either way, the night had turned out well for what he had saw of it; the Ninja had been warned, Master Wu looked well and now he had a story to tell Sensei Garmadon when he got back to the Departed Realm.

Garmadon, the older man had found him, collapsed on the grounds of the Departed Realm after the defeat of the Preeminent; they had both been allowed to enter the Departed Realm, they had both been freed of the Preeminent.

Morro had been sure he would have awoken in the Cursed Realm, bound by the chains that once held him that then held Garmadon, in the room made for the Preeminent's favorite prisoners, her favorite children, her favorite dolls; the room where she molded them (him) to her liking till they were willing to serve her.

At the time, Morro had been both sorrowful but glad to be free of that room even if it ment someone else (Garmadon) would be held under the strict surveillance of her "loving hand"; now, however - gone from her influence, he wondered in revulsion at how tightly she had him in her proverbial grasp, he wondered and despaired at how he had gotten so selfish, in how he had first ended up in the Cursed Realm.

He had wanted to be the Green Ninja, he had wanted to make Master Wu proud, he had want to prove that his father Master hadn't wasted his time on him, to prove that his Master had good reason to keep him around, that he was needed, that he was necessary, that the years of training hadn't been in vain, that he could be the hero Master Wu was so desperately searching for.

How had he lost all that, how had he become one who would desire to see the destruction of the world.

But in the end he had given back the Realm Crystal, and now he had set the Ninja on the right path to save their friend.

It wasn't much, and in Morro's opinion, it would never be enough, but it was what he could do.

Approaching his podium in the museum, Morro wondered at what Sensei Garmadon would think about the nights events, no doubt, the Master of Wind thought, he would receive a poke to the head from the older man's staff for his antics - just as he did when he awoke in the Departed Realm.

Leaping onto the podium Morro prepared to grab his sword, prepared to return to the Departed Realm before he heard a sound like someone muttering as they dragged somthing heavy.

Morro could have sworn that the voice sounded familiar, just older, after forty-one years the age wouldn't be surprising.

Was it any of his business what the museum staff did on their time, no, but perhaps it was his curiosity that lead Morro to get down from his podium and investigate.

The figure was just around the corner, deeper into the Hall of Villainy, hidden in the shadows, the box he had been pushing lay open beside him.

Morro couldn't tell what was being said and he didn't want to risk invisibility with his false body.

Whatever had been in the box was almost completed as the the figure raised a sword different yet similar to Morro's own Departed blade.

Getting as close as possible, Morro heard the words, "just enough yin energy left" as the figure placed the blade in the hands of the sculpture that had been in the box before quickly making an exit, an exit Morro wished he, himself, would have made sooner as the sculpture came to life.

Each Realm could be considered a room, yet the Preeminent was the room, because of this, she had needed a way to travel amongst herself so as to properly interact with her prisoners.

This was a form highly feared, highly hidden and rarely spoken of, the memory being one that many hoped would never see the light of day but now she stood before Morro in all her terrifying visage and the Master of Wind did the only thing he could do.

Run.

Quick has the wind he commanded Morro flew out of the Museum and took off for Yang's Temple, Master Wu's Water Ninja would be his only hope, for while he could not see her, Morro knew that the Preeminent was not far behind him.

~~~~~

Reaching Yang's temple Morro could see the Destiny's Bounty getting tossed around by the unnatural wind as the Earth Ninja battled the ghost of Sensei Yang.

Grabing the wind around him to stabilize the flying ship, Morro quickly dove for the deck of the Bounty.

"Master Wu", Morro shouted, Morro could hear the Ninja's exclamations at his sudden return to their midst but his eyes could only flicker between his old Master and the world around him as he search for the form of his once jailer while working to keep the Bounty stabilized.

"Morro", Wu questioned.

"I need the water ninja", Morro rushed.

"Not on your afterlife", the Fire Ninja said in return, while he and the others pulled out their weapons.

"Morro", Wu questioned again.

"Please", Morro was desperate, "she back, she back and she'll drag me back, I can't go back, I can't. Please Master don't let her take me. I take back what I said, I do want to be saved. Please, don't let her take me."

Morro was on his knees, he was begging as Wu reached for him, were he not a ghost, the Ninja were sure that tears would be dripping down his face.

"Morro, please tell me, who is back?"

"The Preeminent."

And as if waiting for her que, the Ninja heard a shrieking scream that pierced the night and a figure garbed in stained white, a figure like a pale green shadow, like a woman dranined of her blood, appeared before them, her many snake like arms a stark contrast to the four normal seeming arms that held a blade not unlike the ones that the Ninja had seen their enemies weild all night - her midnight hair, as long as she was tall, covered her face and not a single one of them desired to see what laid beneath.

"Morro", Wu said, his voice hushed, eyes refusing to leave the threat, "get to the rift".

"What?" the young ghost exclaimed in a half whispered voice.

"Get to the rift", the old master continued, "if the worst should happen then the rift might be your only hope."

"Master?"

"Go", turning to Nya, Wu continued, "Nya!"

"On it Sensei", thus began the Ninja's battle.

Morro flew, still working to keep the Bounty steady in the unnatural wind, looking down however, Morro could see the fighting between Yang and the Earth Ninja had come to a close. Eyes sweeping between the closing rift and the all the Ninja, Morro dove down to Yang's Temple.

"Earth Ninja", Morro called out, casting furtive glances at the desperate battle above, "your Master seeks your return to the Mortal Realm."

"Morro", Cole exclaimed.

"Morro", Yang spoke, "I had thought your summoning rather odd, you were properly allowed into the Departed Realm, you are detached from the Preeminent aren't you?"

"Such questions are beyond this limited moment, Yang", Morro's voice displayed his panic, "your magic has brought the beast back to the living world."

"What is that", Cole shouted, now noticing where the shrieking had come from.

"Yang", Morro continued, "this is your magic!"

Yang's eyes were wide, he knew what he had done, he just hadn't expected someone to take such ambitious advantage of his spell and the ambient yin energy of the eclipse.

"Yang", Morro shouted.

The old Sensei could understand his panic.

"The rift", Yang said, now desperate to make himself understood, "the eclipse is ending and the rift is closing along with it, once it's closed the spell will nolonger be able to sustain her in this Realm. The two of you must go through the rift, the extra energy it will take to return you both to the living will dry up the well swiftly enough that your friends should be able to cease her violent presence."

"Wait, both?" Cole at this point was thoroughly confused.

"Yes, both", Yang said, "you need not fear him Cole, for his soul to have been where he was in the Departed Realm, he would have had to earn it. Now go, the both of you."

"What about you?"

"One must remain behind as the Master of the House, at one point, it was to be you, now I give you back the freedom I stole, Morro, quickly before she takes notice."

With a nod, Morro grabbed onto the wrist of the Master of Earth and swiftly gathered the wind to pull them closer to the rift, that their arijitsu would be able to take them the rest of the way.

"No, wait", Cole protested at the thought of leaving Yang behind, but activating his airjitsu, Morro tossed Cole into the rift and followed close behind him.

On the Bounty the battle raged; even with the winds steady, it was difficult to stay on their toes. It seemed that for every victory the Ninja got, the more vicious the battle became.

Then beyond the Bounty came a flash of light as the last two souls entered, the rift closing behind them, the winds breaking free of Morro's control in his transformation, the Preeminent was frozen as the last of the yin energy that sustained her in the living Realm was sapped before Nya was finally able to drown her.

The world seemed to hold for a second before the feedback of the closing of the rift shook all who were close by; the Destiny's Bounty spiraled as Nya struggled to keep it from crashing.

~~~~~

"Is everyone alright", Misako asked as she and the others disembarked from the Bounty onto the floating land that held Yang's Temple.

"Nothing the tightening of a few screws won't fix", Zane said.

"I'm okay, Lloyd said before asking, "where's Cole".

"And Morro", Wu seemed to whisper.

"Oh, no", Jay said.

"Did he make it", Nya asked.

"He was too late", Jay said with a gasp, "he's gone forever, I'd give anything to have him back".

The silence of the group voiced their agreement in full, then a familiar voice spoke.

"Anything", the voice asked.

"Anything", Jay confirmed.

"Even the Sonic Rader Jet", Cole said as Morro's wind brought them to a landing before the Ninja.

Stepping back as the Ninja swarmed their friend, Morro could see Master Wu's eyes upon him, he ducked his head.

As a ghost it had been easy to play the part of the mischievous but helpful spirit, radiating confidence with every word, the demeanor of one who had nothing left to lose, Morro's interactions had been simple, but now he was alive; the wax form he had been placed in was flesh and blood, his heart beat in his chest, the wind nolonger blew through him but now granted him his first breath of life in forty-one years - he was alive.

And he was terrified.

What did this mean for him, what would it mean for him.

Here he was in the midst of those he once fought against, those he had just helped - but that didn't mean anything, it couldn't, there was still far to much he had to make up for.

And that thought froze him.

Morro didn't doubt that at least one Monk in the Cloud Kingdom was laughing at him.

Grandfather First Master help him, that was it, wasn't it, in death he had escaped the consequences of his actions (the excruciating pain of the water not withstanding - nither the trials) now he could once more wander alone as he did all those years ago or he could stay and face the pain he had caused.

Morro lifted his eyes and his met those of Master Wu's, in the end there really was only one option.

~~~~~

That didn't mean he wasn't going to take baby steps towards the whole thing.

Morro sat by the doors of the newly restored Temple, a ways away from the Ninja and their campfire, a plate of simple oatmeal sitting half eaten beside him.

The metal man Nindroid, Zane, had instructed that he and Cole were to be slowly reintroduced to more complex flavors and textures at the speed he allowed them so as not to shock their newly restored systems.

Glancing at the group, Morro could see them all huddled with their families - Lloyd Garmadon not having left the Red Ninja's side all night, his eyes would swiftly look his way as if worried the once ghost was preparing an attack before returning to the group.

A voice spoke behind him like the whisper of the wind.

"You could join them; I'm sure Wu would be pleased", Yang said, his words ringing true.

"The others wouldn't be", Morro replied.

"You'll have to talk to them eventually."

"Then let eventually come; I'm in no rush to hurry it along."

"Something else troubles you."

"... In the Departed Realm, I had been traveling with Sensei Garmadon, I'm ..."

A red lantern was placed beside him.

"A tourist left this here for me, however, I have no need of it. They say that the lighting of the lanterns was how we were able to send our well wishes to the departed. It would be nice to see it put to good use."

Morro took the lantern in hand, holding it a while he thought, then where the lantern had once sat, there was now a small lit tea light.

Morro thought a moment longer before picking up the tea light and lighting the lantern, it's soft glow warmed his face, then he let it go, the lanterns of the Ninja followed close after.

Sensei, Morro thought as his eyes followed the light, I'm in the Living Realm, I'm with Master Wu, I was able to help his Ninja and now I'm alive once again. I don't understand why I was given this gift instead someone more worthy, instead of you, but I'm here and I promise to be better then the kid that landed himself in the Cursed Realm. Happy Day of the Departed, Sensei, I pray my message finds you well.

[crossroads-of-the-raven]

When all that you are

Slowly slips away

Till all that remains is Ice

Ice that buried the love it once remembered.

i always got the sense the ice emperor barely knew what was going on, like he can't think straight... everything's cloudy and unreal...

Anyways I did this for @spinchip 's dtiys!! I had a lot of fun and like how it came out so i hope you guys likw it too :]

[crossroads-of-the-raven]

Finally got around to posting the Morro Cloud Kingdom background story, check it out if you like.

AU concept:

Ya know how in Dragons Rising Euphrasia said that if they found out she was an elemental master she would be exiled from the cloud kingdom. Well how did she know that? Has it happened before?

Consider this; an au where Morro was exiled from the cloud kingdom at a young age because of his power. That's why he was living in the streets, stealing food from the trash, because he didn't have any home. That's why he was able to defy destiny so easily when he possesed Lloyd. And that's why he has a green streak in his hair, a mark of his exile.

Does it still count as an AU if it could be canon?