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kukurykunapatyku · 3 months

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Smoke and mirrors

Also on Ao3

[And then, the faintest thought. He looks like me.

In the aftermatch of Niji and Yonji's capture Reiju reevaluates her relationship with her brothers. Takes place during Germa cover story]

Inspired by @sangerie theories/analyses about ichiji and all the sus things he does during wci, they're awesome :*

(hope this is better present than handsome judge pictures xd)

Stone wall wasn't the most comfortable place to sit, but moving away meant getting her eyes off the horizon. So Reiju stayed.

It’s funny how little it takes to lose sight of another person in the heat of battle. She could swear Yonji was just behind her, covering their retreat with his long-reach attacks. When clouds of smoke billowing from one of the ruined buildings surrounded them, she didn’t look back to see if he was still there. When she saw Ichiji on the other ship, she didn’t check if Niji managed to get on board.

If she was to be honest with herself, she wasn’t thinking about her other brothers in any way, too occupied worrying about whether Sanji and his crew escaped safely or not.

It was only when the fleet reunited that Reiju realized Ichiji assumed their younger brothers went with her. Father was furious, but it was hard to tell if his anger was directed more at two children who returned or the ones that didn’t.

It wasn’t important now. Now, Reiju was sitting in a crenel, cold stone sapping away her body heat. Ichiji on top of a crumbling merlon a few steps away. Father somewhere in the back, out of her field of vision. Silence weighted down on them but no one said a world ever since their lookout started, as if talking would force them to admit-

"They are not coming back."

Trust Ichiji to disregard any emotional tension. Reiju closed her eyes and leaned back, quietly grateful someone else voiced the thoughts plaguing her mind.

"All ships returned or were reported as destroyed," Ichiji continued. "Even if they were not captured, there is very little chance they can come back on their own."

Father grunted something under his breath. He barked at the two soldiers nearby to stand watch before addressing his children.

"Don't tell anyone Niji and Yonji are not back yet, we will deal with that later. Clean yourself before coming to the dining hall, it's unbecoming of royalty to look this disheveled. Don't bring even more shame to our name."

Reiju half-opened her eyes to watch him leave. The nerve of this man. Nothing we could do would give Germa more shame than it already proudly displays.

She threw the sea one last look and get up herself. She was about to reach the stairs when sudden voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Reiju?"

She looked over her shoulder at Ichiji, still sitting on the wall, his back turned away from her. "Yes?"

"Do you think they are dead?" come a monotone question. Reiju's mood soured even more. He could as well be talking about disappointing weather.

"I don't think so. They-" are probably being experimented on. Big Mom wants to know how to make something like us too much to kill them. That was what she intended to say. But then she looked at Ichiji again, his silhouette cutting out a dark shape against an orange sky. Lone shadow, soon to disappear when the sun finally sets down. And she hesitated. "They are strong."

Reiju waited for any indication he even heard her, but silence was the only response she got.

The situation at the table seemed almost surreal. They were being served at usual hour, in their usual places, with dishes planned for tonight on their plates. None of it masked the smell of smoke in the air or that the meal was clearly not as extravagant as it was supposed to be, even though cooks surely did what they could with inadequate supplies.

Behind her chair father, high above them, was unenthusiastically chewing on his food. Ichiji looked almost unbothered but she could see his head shifting every few minutes, eyes constantly drawn towards empty seats. Almost like a black hole, sucking in any attempts to create normal meal atmosphere.

She was getting tired of pretending.

"Father. What are we going to do about Niji and Yonji?"

The sudden quiet fell on them like a thick, heavy curtain.

"Father?"

"Nothing. At least for now."

Reiju gripped her utensils harder, slightly bending the spoon.

"May I ask why?"

"We just came back, the Charlotte family would expect us. We would gain nothing by charging in and we don't have enough soldiers to send them away from the kingdom. It's best to wait until their guard is down, then I will send the retrieval party."

Of course, what did she expect.

"If our numbers are an issue, maybe Ichiji and I could be of use? Smaller but stronger team could infiltrate and find our brothers with little problem. The two of us have enough manpower to save them and avoid any confrontation with pirates altogether."

"You clearly do not see the full picture, Reiju," Ichiji said in father's place. "We can not leave now either. We will be needed here to fill in for Niji and Yonji's responsibilities."

Father nodded at that, apparently intending to say the same thing.

Reiju ignored how tight her chest felt hearing this. She was almost surprised he spoke up at all instead of waiting and observing like usual. Still, she turned towards father. Ichiji wasn't the one she needed to convince.

"Wouldn't it be better for our image if we rescued them quickly? It would send a message, that anyone who plays havoc with us will get swift comeuppance."

Father, as impenetrable to criticism as always, disregarded her comment with a wave.

"We are not ready, I'm not going to waste resources on this. Besides, it could do us more good if enemy sees how invulnerable to pain and fear they are even when solely on their mercy."

Like you were during the wedding? Reijuthought, but kept to herself.

Logically, it made sense. Those were the words of a king and a scientist, clearly knowing the extent of damage his soldiers, his creations, could take before they would need to be scrapped. The bile come higher up her throat.

"I-" she started.

"It is a good intimidation tactic," Ichiji interrupted her. "If they are truly after our research then they will try to keep Yonji and Niji alive long enough to gain as much as possible from the experience. It should give us enough time to rebuild and regroup. There is no need to rush."

"Exactly," father said. "Ichiji, I trust you to take care of setting the course and dealing with any complications for today. Make sure to quell whispers among the staff, I don't need mass panic on my hands right now. I'm retiring for the evening; that was a long day."

Ichiji gave him a curt nod.

"As you wish, father."

He stood up and turned to her.

"After I relay the orders, I am going to call it a day too. I advise you do the same. Get some rest."

Soon both him and father left the room, leaving Reiju alone.

She looked down at her clenched fists, frustrated scream climbing up. But like always, she swallowed it down before it could reach her mouth.

Maybe I'll feel better after an hour-long shower. Or two.

Hot water didn't bring Reiju a peace of mind she was looking for. She emerged from the bathroom with a head only slightly less heavy than before.

Out of habit, Reiju reached for the curtains to close them shut and block the lights from Niji's rooms. He was always the last one to fall asleep and his castle had annoying habit of flanking hers.

She stopped halfway.

It wasn't that she missed them, exactly. How could you miss someone whose main enjoyment in life were violence and cruelty? How could you miss someone who only knew how to laugh at people's pain?

("They are getting so huge mom! Does that mean I won't be their big sister anymore?" Reiju said, Niji still refusing to let go of her finger, mumbling something in his sleep.

Mother smiled and caressed her head.

"Of course not sweetheart. You will always be their big sister, even if they grow taller."

"Taller than me?" Reiju asked.

"Taller than me!" mother laughed.

"Taller than dad?"

"Taller than all the doors!"

"Taller than the roof!" Reiju played along.

"They will be so big we will have to build a castle for each!

"And I'll still be the biggest sister!" she said with pride, her chest puffed.

"The biggest and the best sister in the entire world!" Mother touched their foreheads together. "Oh darling, they'll be so lucky to have you.")

One hand clutched on the fabric, Reiju felt the bitter laugh building up. Sometimes she wanted to curse mother, for placing this burden on her. For giving all her hopes and desperation to her eldest child, not thinking how much pain it's going to bring her.

But you can't curse the dead, can you? Not truly. Because every word she threw mother's way just seemed to fall back on Reiju anyway.

You failed them. They were yours to protect but the only thing you could think to do for them was dying with them. And you failed to do even that.

I tried! I tried to convince father! I tried to save them! If only Ichiji helped me-

How hypocritical. You were perfectly fine with letting them die earlier. You didn't even try to help, to warn them. How is that any different? Because you can't join them?

And that was it, wasn't it.

The tight feeling in her chest, threatening to choke her. Guilt.

Because she didn't die. Because they won't either, at least for now. No, instead they will be cut open and spread on the table like frogs, kept just alive enough for Big Mom and her children to learn how they work.

And then they'll die.

And she still won't.

And what then? She could vividly imagine father's disappointed face, looking down at what remained of his two perfect soldiers. Maybe he sighs and tells the staff to clean the mess. Maybe he scolds Ichiji for failing his mission. Maybe he even sheds a few tears at seeing his dream destroyed like that. Or maybe some spark appears in his eyes, he points at the blood and gore on the floor, says Take what's still usable and shuts himself in the labs. Maybe months later she sees next batch of soldiers with a familial jawline or flashing a self-assuring smirk that will make her heart clench.

Maybe Ichiji would care. Maybe he wouldn't. It's not like it changed anything.

Her reflection in the glass had red, puffed eyes and wet streak on its cheek.

How proud mother would be of you right now. Crying not because your brothers will die, but because you're left behind to deal with it.

Reiju reached for the handle and opened the window, letting cold night wind dry her tears and blow the thoughts away.

She looked down at the dark weaves below and suddenly felt unbearably tired.

Her hands, propelled at the windowsill, etched closer to the edge. Her body tilted over the threshold, mesmerized by the dance happening before her. Howling air and roaring sea filled her ears, two elements fighting for her attention. She closed her eyes and imagined how unnoticeable a single splash would be.

It could be over so easy...

(Blond hair kind smile gentle hands smelling like antiseptic and cigarettes I love you I love you I love you-)

I should go to sleep.

The moon disappeared behind the castle tower.

Reiju was staring at the darkness behind the window when the footsteps came. Slowly, not to appear startled, she turned her head.

Ichiji was standing in the doorway. Reiju wrinkled her nose. Didn’t even knock, of course.

“Good, you are not asleep. Get ready, we are leaving soon. Be in the strategy room in full gear, fifteen minutes should suffice. We have a job to do.” And before she could respond, he turned around and closed the door behind him.

Reiju rolled her eyes but started preparing. What did father came up with now? New mission so short after the humiliation at the hand of Big Mom Pirates? At this hour no less. The old fool probably wanted to cast an illusion that they weren’t affected by their loses. Or tried to catch any clients before their attempted alliance with pirates puts them on blacklists of most kingdoms associated with World Government.

Well, too little too late; judging by how excitingly Morgan had been taking photos of father's crying face, the news were bound to spread soon. This will only make them seem more desperate and all the more pathetic. Not that she had any energy or will to care about how others perceived this rotten mess of a kingdom.

Yonji probably would care, if only to please father-

She closed her eyes and banished him from her mind before the image of her youngest brother, talking excitedly about new experiment he was a witness of, could turn into a bloody figure pinning her under accusing stare.

Maybe at least this farce will get my thoughts off them.

Reiju run fingers through her hair and looked in the mirror. Standing in the cold did wonders for the puffed skin around her eyes, you could barely tell she was crying before. Her tears had evaporated, leaving behind only slightly sticky trails. She opened the faucet, quickly washed away remaining evidence and reached for the towel.

Dried up, she glanced at the mirror again. Vinsmoke Reiju, the first child of the royal family, the crown princess of the Germa kingdom, stared back at her. The oldest sister retreated behind the steel of her eyes, where she belonged.

She checked the clock. There was still a little time left.

The emptiness of corridors was more unnerving than she expected. Night was the time of rest but there should still be more soldiers around. She could hear the murmur of boilers from lower levels and the staff tiptoeing on carpets, off to finish their chores. Still, it was all too quiet.

Reiju shook her head and pushed the doors of the strategy room. She was met with another surprise, when the only figure greeting her was Ichiji again. Where was father?

Instead of explanation he just gave her a nod and gestured to follow.

She did. As she was supposed to. Reiju wished she could see Ichiji’s face but she settled on gluing her eyes to his back; something fishy was going on.

“What’s the mission?” she said, trying to sound as bored as possible. “You didn’t give me any details.”

“Our main objective is retrieving Yonji and Niji from the pirates.” -Reiju almost missed a step- “Our side objective is to destroy any of their assets if possible, as long as it does not interfere with the main goal.”

Reiju dismissed the terrified servant who almost bumped into them while rounding the corner and used resulting pause to collect herself.

“I see. It is an unusual hour for a takeoff though. Did father tell you this in person? I was under the impression he was against quick action. As were you,” she prodded.

Ichiji stayed silent for a few heartbeats.

“Father focuses his attention on more pressing issues. Our infrastructure, especially research areas, had taken a lot of damage. We also lost a lot of clones, which can not be replenished without functioning laboratories, so that obviously takes priority. However, I established that our defenses are in such state of disarray that some major changes need to be done imminently. Otherwise we will be left unprotected against even minor threats, which is unacceptable. As such, since I have been given certain freedom to handle other subjects, I deemed it necessary to move the rescue mission forward in time. We should be back by tomorrow noon if no complications arise.”

Reiju nodded, not missing that he didn’t actually confirmed what father knows.

Ichiji turned his head slightly, no doubt watching for her reaction now.

“I assumed, given your earlier arguments, that you would be onboard with this plan. But if you continue to dispute my decisions I will have to leave you behind.”

“I’m not disputing you, I agree that getting them back early will work in our favor. I was simply curious; father did make his stance quite clear after all. I was surprised he changed his mind this quickly.”

“Father trusts my judgment,” he said with flat tone.

“Does he now,” she responded.

And then, the faintest thought. He looks like me.

It was silly. Of course there were some similarities. Despite all the experiments and modifications the same blood was still running through their vines.

So why did it fell important?

Apparently satisfied with what he saw, Ichiji faced away from her again. Reiju shook her head, focusing back on the situation.

Ichiji was far from stupid, he had to know Judge wouldn’t approve of what he’s doing, even if her brother claimed he was just making important impromptu decision for the good of the kingdom. None of them could disregard father's orders, and going against his wishes like that…

But he didn’t forbade them from going, did he? It was Ichiji who said they can't leave right now; father only agreed with him. Kinda. Just vague enough to give them some wiggle room.

He said he’s not going to send anyone, not that nobody could go. Reiju looked back at their conversation. Did Ichiji plan for this? Is that why he didn’t push father harder, like she tried?

Had he already make his decision back then and was just waiting for the only person capable of stopping him to fall asleep?

But why? Why would he pretend before her? Why had he tried to make it seem like father’s decision?

Had he thought she wouldn’t agree to go with him otherwise?

What is your game? she thought. What do you have to gain?

It couldn't actually be about their defenses. True, they suffered heavy losses but it wasn't something two more people, even as dangerous as Yonji and Niji, could change.

She briefly entertained the thought of Ichiji trying to spare their brothers unnecessary pain. Reiju had to drag their exhausted bodies away from battlefield too many times to seriously consider it. There were no limits Ichiji would not go right past just to finish the mission.

There was no doubt in her mind that if Ichiji was the one captured he wouldn't expect to be rescued. If he had no regard for his own pain it was unlikely he would have any to spare for the rest of them.

Not valuing our lives seems to be the only thing we all have in common, she thought bitterly. Another great victory for the Kingdom of Germa 66.

Hadn't Sanji's botched wedding prove it? She sill remembered that moment with crystal clarity. Moves restricted by hard candy, guns to her head and the calm that came with the realization that this was it. All the evil of their bloodline contained in one place, destined to end right there and then.

The grating laughs of her brothers, unable to care uncaring about their oncoming deaths only validating her resolve to do nothing-

“Stop crying father, it’s pathetic,” half-remembered words rang in her ears. At the moment she took them as nothing more but another proof of Ichiji’s heartlessness, one even father was not except from. But wasn’t she thinking something of a sort too, back then? Reiju send Ichiji another curious look.

The mere idea of being anything like her brothers normally would make her sick. But if that meant Ichiji could be anything like her… If he… Could they have similar motivations right now?

The new spark of hope was carefully grabbed and stuffed deeper into her heart. Just deep enough to be protected when reality came back to extinguish it.

When she broke out of her thoughts they already reached the docking area. Few soldiers came rushing to their side.

“Prepare the ship. The smallest and fastest the better. And hurry, I do not have time for incompetence,” Ichiji said.

The closest soldier saluted.

“Yes my lord! How many units to prepare for departure?”

Her brother’s frown deepened. He looked back at her. In his usually inexpressive face she read the question, or warning, clear as day: Last call to stay if I can’t count on you.

She nodded.

“Princess Reiju and I will be going alone. Am I clear?” Ichiji snared.

The soldier saluted again and rushed to fulfill new orders.

Their ship was ready in the matter of minutes (for some reason it felt like hours).

After making sure the course was locked onto Toto Island, she found Ichiji leaning against the railing at the front of the ship, eyes fixed on the horizon.

Reiju felt the need to say something. She learned to crush urges like that a long time ago. Especially with Ichiji, who always seemed a little too aware of what she chose to share and what she didn’t.

And yet.

“We will get them back in time. They're going to be fine.”

“Of course. They're strong,” he responded, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Like the option of anything else was so unprobable it wasn’t even worth mulling over.

Reiju felt the corners of her lips twitch upwards, as if pulled by invisible strings, before she schooled her expression out of habit.

And she dared hope the similar movement she glanced on Ichiji’s face was more than just the trick of light.

#ichiji #reiju #germa 66 #katsu writes #my stufff #vinsmoke judge #fanfic

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kukurykunapatyku · 3 months

Text

Speedrunning

It's a secret santa gift for @fandomsareforlife. Happy holidays!

A couple missing scenes, drabbles and possible interactions between Griffin Turner and other Elemental Masters. This is a little all over the place, but I hope you'll enjoy it :)

Also on Ao3

Being around other people for a long amount of time could get really annoying when all the conversations seemed to drag on for far longer than Griffin logically knew they had. Talking with his Ma was an exception, at least growing up; nowdays, even she began to slow down.

But there was something worse than getting a little annoyed, and that was being bored of course. So when one fateful day Griffin received an invitation to competition for elemental masters, for people just like him, he didn't need to think twice. Or even once, for the matter. More like half, the other half too thrilled for upcoming event to think properly.

With a ticket to Ninjago City in hand, the master of speed suddenly felt like his life was going to change forever. He shrived excitingly.

The room was pretty spacious, bigger than any he ever had. And it was amazing! He could zoom around without bumping into furniture, watch anything he wanted on the big flat-screen on the wall, bathe in the ridiculously oversized bathtub or eat all the snacks prepared on the table.

It even got posters of his favourite band on the wall!

Okay. That was a tad concerning.

He was chilling on the bed when suddenly an intercom on the wall sprung to life with Chen's voice.

A little confused, Griffin looked at the device. Right now? Just like that? Maybe if he was lucky there is already one in this room... Nah, that would be too convenient.

Not wasting more time, he jumped straight into the corridor leading to staircases. Right in the middle of a brawl between three other masters. Urgh.

He threw his punches blindly until he heard satisfying growl of pain. Stepping back, he finally took in his opponents. Gravity, mind, light, sound; not the most offensive powers but it didn't matter if he couldn't locate a blade in time. He threw his eyes around, cursing his poor eyesight. These four had to be fighting for something!

There! Someone in dark clothes was walking down the stairs, barely shuffling forward, where just a floor below- A jade blade in the vase!

Grinning, he threw his opponent away and rushed downstairs before - What was his name again? Eh, nevermind. - earth guy made a grab for it.

"Ha! Too slow, rocky boy!" Griffin giggled, easily outrunning him. The ninja looked so pissed of! Serves him right for not taking the competition seriously!

He raced toward the main lobby and put his jade blade in assigned place on the central statue. Looking around, Griffin noticed with satisfaction that he seemed to be the first. Hell yeah, baby!

With time other masters filled the room. Orange one, gravity, Jacob, shadow, purple one, lightning, Garmadon brat, Ash, Tox, shadow, mind, nature...

One blade appeared out of thin air, startling him. So Mr. Pale passed as well. No surprise here.

He couldn't help but whistle when earth master staggered inside, clutching his stomach with one hand but with a blade raised in the other. Honestly, he didn't know what that said about the other contestants that that guy wasn't last.

Just one remaining.

And then, when he thought he was going to die from boredom already, the doors opened and metal master proudly strode in. Finally! He joined in the cheers that quickly turned to confusion when one of big guy's gauntlets suddenly fell on the floor, the last jade blade falling with it. Unseen until this point, fire ninja jump out from behind Karloff's back, grabbed the blade and run towards the statue with a self-satisfied smirk. And a screwdriver.

Well, he'll be damned! Griffin didn't expect dirty tricks this early in the game, but he could respect the drive. At least until it wasn't directed at him.

Karloff, who retrieved his weapon already, slumped and whined something about fairness.

Fairness? Come on! They were there to show of, not to philosophize. Really, some people...

Griffin yelped when the floor opened under Karloff, who ended up falling in with a scream. What was that?

"As you can see, lose and you are out. Break any rule, you are out. Never bite the hand that feeds you Master Chen delicious noodle!" Chen announced. "Now rest up. Tomorrow the tournament will recommence."

On the way to his room Griffin had time to recollect himself. Looking with a clear mind, leaving the competition via trapdoor shouldn't have been as shocking. Everything Chen did so far was flashy and almost theatrical; it's only logical that he had something special prepared for the loser.

What happened to him after though?

He shrugged it off. Most likely it was nothing to worry about; probably the worst that awaited Karloff was being a little battered from the fall, getting laughed at by the stuff and being thrown of the island in a shitty boat. Chen was a pretty influential man, but even he couldn't get away with disappearing over a dozen people.

Besides, he thought as he settled under the bedsheets, today was the most fun he had in a while!

Well that kind of sucked.

Griffin turned on his bed. If you could even call that stiff board with a shoddy blanket thrown on a bed. He sighed, thinking back to the nice, warm, soft pillows in his room.

Stupid bed, stupid Chen, stupid competition and, most of all, stupid ninja! If they didn't want to fight against each other, why did they enter Crush Everybody Else And Win Tournament! It's not like they were forced to be here!

And now they were all paying for their stupidity and bleeding hearts. Sure, it was Chen who changed the matches at the last moment, but they should have expected something like this would happen sooner or later. Were they this stupid?

(He needed to stay angry. Staying angry was easier than thinking back about how desperate earth and lightning ninja looked during the battle. How much Chen controlled everything like it was his own private playground. How devastated the winner was, as if losing meant something more than dropping out of a competition. It was easier than remembering their screams of anguish.)

He turned over. Stupid ninja.

"I can't believe you actually fell for their bullshit. You don't look all that smart, but that's just another low."

Griffin felt his hand itching to punch Shade in the face. He took a calming breath.

"You heard what the ninja were talking, it all kind of makes sense. Chen clearly has it out for them; maybe they are telling the truth and they did discover something he doesn't want anyone to know!"

Shade rolled his eyes.

"Sure, and they conveniently didn't tell us that until one of them was in a major trouble during the competition."

The worst part was, Griffin did agree a little. The timing was suspicious; it was clear ninja would have held their distance even longer if the deck wasn't so stacked against them. But even then...

("We don't have to keep fighting each other," Green ninja said with an unprecedented confidence. "We can all win.")

The brat really has a way of making me want to proof him right.

"Why can't you just believe that there is something stinky going on here? It reeks!"

"'Kind of makes sense', 'maybe', 'just believe it', do you even hear yourself? Their story has more holes than a plate full of cheese!" Shade looked almost angry at this point. "If anything reeks here, it's them; from the beginning they acted like they were better than us and now suddenly they want to team up? For me it just looks like they realized Chen wasn't going to let them play their way so now they are trying to make the rest of us give up."

"Neuro confirmed that they were telling the truth about the spell. Doesn't that mean anything?"

"Ah yeah, the spell. The one that he learned about from Clause's mind but, again very conveniently, doesn't know what it's for." Shade crossed his arms. "If you are fine with being strung along and getting tied up in someone's scheme, be my guest. But keep me out of it." He turned around and gave Griffin a nasty side-eye on his way off. "I came here to win. I'm not going to give that up just because the rest of you lack any common sense."

Griffin stood there even after the other disappeared behind closed doors, fists clenched in anger. He wasn't a fool for believing ninja, Shade just... couldn't see a full picture. That's all.

With a sigh he finally relaxed his grip and let his hands fall to the sides. He probably should get going, the next meeting would be in a few minutes.

When will all this shitshow be over?

For the record, Griffin hated asking people for favours. Which was exactly why he was still standing outside the shop for longer than it took him to get there in the first place.

It was stupid idea anyway. Nobody spotted him yet, there was still time to turn back and leave. Yeah, he could just...

He groaned and hid his face in his hands. What was he doing? He was an adult, that's some middle school level thinking. Just ring a damn bell!

Griffin sighed and finally pressed the button. Then waited. Then pressed again and again, until he heard an annoyed voice from inside the building.

"Coming, coming, jeez! Don't you see the sign, we're closed- Oh, it's you." It seemed Cole was the one send to open the door. "Uh, hi?"

"Hey man, it's been a while! I would have called buuut, turns out we didn't actually swapped numbers after the Chen thing? And I heard you had quite an uproar recently."

Cole made a face.

"Don't even remind me. Lloyd's still has trouble sleeping..." He shook his head. "Anyway, come in I guess? Want something? Coffee, tea? Something to eat?"

"Thanks but I won't be long. Is Jay around? I actually came to talk with him."

"With Jay? Yeah, he's upstairs. Sit here, I'll come get him."

Griffin plopped down on the sofa Cole pointed and waited, eyes wandering over inside decorations. Not bad, but why did they had to have so many snakes?

He looked up upon hearing a patter of footsteps on wooden floor and was met with annoyed look on the lighting ninja face. He was probably pulled away from something.

"What do you want?" he started unceremoniously.

Griffin rolled his eyes and patted empty space next to him.

"Don't look at me like that, it's going to be quick, I promise."

Jay took a seat. "So?"

"Okay, here's a thing. Remember those anacondrai warriors? How they totally beat all of us, powers or not?"

"Well, they were hard to forget." Jay shivered. "But what does it have to do with anything?"

Griffin played with his thumbs for a few moments, silence slowly growing awkward.

"It's embarrassing," he finally said. "I know i could do better. They weren't as fast as me, just really really fast. I've never fought someone like that so I just... kind of froze when one managed to grab me. Like, no one ever did before! I didn't know what to do! So... yeah." He stepped from side to side. "I have an idea how to work on that. Will you help me?"

Jay winced, no doubt also remembering how close that fight was.

"I get it man, I do. But what do you want from me? You don't even like me! Why would ask me for help?"

"I think you're pretty annoying and obnoxious, that's not the same!" The ninja puffed up like an angry bird. Kind of cute. "Besides, you guys and your spinning stuff is like, the closest thing to my speed I can find that won't kill me! Probably." He pointed finger guns at Jay, who looked more red by a second. "Aaaand, you can throw lighting at me! So I can learn to dodge at high speed." Damn, he looks mad. Urgh, he didn't plan to vex him, that's no good. "And you can train with somebody who doesn't need to run in circles to keep up with your kicks, it's a win-win!"

"Ex-cuse me? Like I would need training to deal with someone like you! But fine, I guess I can make some space in my extremely busy schedule." Jay pulled out a notebook from one of his many pockets and skimmed through it. For what Griffin could see from here, all pages were completely blank. "Thursdays after 15 sounds good?"

"Sure does! Thanks dude!" He pumped his fist up in the air. "See you then!"

And before Jay could say another thing, he sped out, giggling slightly. Mission accomplished!

“And that’s why I don’t use coriander anymore.”

Griffin almost spitted out the drink. He snapped his head around, looking for the source of the scandalous declaration. Finally, his eyes landed on Zane, in the middle of some casual talk with Neuro, Tox and Pale.

He chugged the rest of his soda and run towards them.

"Hey hey, what's going on here? I was summoned by the heresy of the highest order."

They all looked at him confused. Griffin let out a big sigh. Humanity truly was doomed.

"What do you mean you don't use coriander? That's like, the coolest spice!"

Zane eyed him incredulously.

"It does have interesting taste, I'll give you that, but you can't be serious. It goes well with almost nothing, not to mention that the aroma is so intense it can ruin entire meal!"

"You can't be serious!" Griffin started gesticulating. "It goes well with so many things, like soups or cooked vegetables or cheese-"

The argument went on, Zane shooting down most of his arguments, but Griffin found out he hardly minded. It quickly became clear the other was almost as passionate about cooking as he was. It was fun!

"I can't imagine not adding a couple of leaves to dinner."

“If you can’t even phantom enjoying a nice meal with a balanced taste palette then I really don’t see how that’s my problem.”

"Listen, I don't care how much you don't like coriander, there is no good curry without-"

"Guys? Guys! Can you slow down a little?!"

He blinked a few times before the comically slow sentence made sense in his head.

"What are you talking about?"

"That's my line!" Tox gestured between Griffin and Zane. " You were blabbering so fast my ears started bleeding." What?"I think even Jay wouldn't keep up!"

Zane let out a short chuckle.

"Ah, we must have gotten ahead of ourselves. I'm sorry, I didn't want to make your all feel excluded from the conservation."

Ah. So that's what happened, no wonder talking seemed more fluid than normal. Oooops.

"Yeah, sorry guys. But," He turned to Zane. "we have to hang out more. That was the funniest talk I had in ages! Even if your taste in spices is goddamn awful."

White ninja smiled at him

"Sure, I also enjoyed this. But if you are trying to tell me my spices are atrocious when yours-"

Griffin felt the grin forming as all people around them groaned.

"Bullshit."

"I'm just saying; your powers are kinda redundant. I could get anywhere at least as fast as you."

Griffin stuffed the desire to just go and punch Shade through the wall, if only to wipe off his shit-eating smirk.

"That's not the same, you can't even interact with stuff on the way!"

Shade let out exaggerated regretful sigh.

"Ah, you're right. I just can appear practically anywhere I want to without anything stopping me on the way." He looked up at Griffin. "I guess running pretty fast is so much cooler."

Aurgh, you little-

"Race me then jackass."

Shade raised his brow.

"Excuse me?"

"You, me, right here and now. Let's see how 'redundant' my powers are after I kick your butt!" He leaned over the other man. "Or are you all bark and no bite?"

Shade's eyes sparked.

"Bring it on."

Of course it couldn't be exactly right here and now, but nevertheless it didn't take long to organize the race track and some cheerleaders- I mean, spectators and objective judges.

With a few minor setbacks.

("Hey, will you be our referee?"

Jacob turned to him with an expression of pure disbelief. Shade facepalmed.)

But otherwise everything was ready.

Griffin was stretching on the start line, eyeing Shade by his right. Noticing the staring, master of shadows send him another shitty grin.

"Good luck, speedy."

"Eat my dust."

"Guys, everything's ready!" Ash shouted from the side. "Remember, the first one on the finish line wins! No tech, only powers allowed!

Ready!

Set!

Go!"

The last sound didn't even end and Griffin was already rushing forward. Of course he would win, but no point in giving Shade extra time at the start!

Speaking of the man... He glanced around before spotting him.

Griffin gritted his teeth. His opponent was off to the great start too, but unlike him, he didn't need to worry about uneven terrain and sidelining obstacles on the way. So while Griffin had to more or less follow the beaten path, the other could pretty much ignore twists and turns of the road and just jump from shadow to shadow.

He gritted his teeth and picked up the speed. He's not going to lose at his own special thing!

Left, right, jump, jump, right, higher, faster, go go go!

Shifting between rocks and trees, they finally arrived at the last part: the finish line was on the other side of a lake surrounded by rocky hills. Griffin tried to spot the other man again.

Shade waved at him from the top of the mountain.

That little-

Wait, the lake! Maybe instead of running around it, he could run through it!

With that in mind, he braced himself and took a sudden turn. With a side-eye he barely managed to catch Shade's surprised face but it boosted him enough that even when cold water uncomfortably surrounded his ankles, he sped forward, cackling on the wind.

He began to regret it about ten seconds later; his sneakers were not waterproof. His heart skipped a bit when he almost tripped on a floating branch. But even after he managed to compose himself, before water remembered people were not supposed to be running on it, he could already feel his strength sapping away. There was a reason why he usually didn't try that trick.

The finish line was so close! Just a few more seconds!

He slipped.

Griffin took a sharp breath when his foot broke the surface, landing on a muddy bottom and staggered a few more steps before picking up the speed again. Water was slowing him down but he still rushed forward.

With the last burst of power he hurried on the shore and arrived at the finish line a few feet away. Distantly, Griffin registered muted cheers coming from the sides.

Panting and wheezing, he looked back. Shade just crossed the line, significantly more red than gray this time. Despite the air barely making its way to his lungs, Griffin couldn't help but laugh at the face he was making.

"Who's redundant now?"

Shade puffed further and shuffled closer.

Then pushed him in the water.

Griffin, very pointedly, did not screech and did not scramble around and shudder like a wet cat. Did not.

Hunched over, he heard a strange sound, something between choking and gargling. But when he looked up, his eyes widened. Shade was laughing. He... hadn't heard him laugh before. Griffin was so dumbfounded that for a moment he didn't notice the outstretched hand before him. He grabbed it and let Shade help him up. Still choking a little, master of shadows finally answered.

"Yeah, you were right, whatever. I'm not going to apologize for pushing you in, you looked like you needed a cooldown." He shook his head. "But I take back what I said earlier. You beat my butt alright."

"Well, that was one hell of a show! And both of you look like shit now."

Griffin turned around as Skylor and a few others made their way closer. She smiled at them.

"I bet you burned a lot of energy. If you're hungry we can get something to eat."

He suddenly realized that yeah, he was starving.

"I vote pizza!" Jacob shouted.

"Karloff says barbecue."

"Sushi!" screamed Ash.

"Well, does anyone have cash on them? I think you forgot where we can eat for free-"

"Sky-gal, I love you, but we can't just eat noodles every-freaking-time we meet," Tox argued. "We need some diversity!"

Shade raised his hand.

"Two for pizza!"

Griffin laughed and joined him.

"Make it three!"

#ninjago #my stufff #katsu writes #fanfic

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