Chapter Text
Jude
“Lucien.”
The young boy refused to look up, glancing at the ground, almost forcing it. His wrists hurt from the tight clutches of the guardians that dragged him all the way from his prison cell to the throne hall. His heavy breathing automatically loosened the pressure on his hands and it made the ghostly guards readjust their hands multiple times in annoyance.
“Lucien.” he repeated, slightly annoyed.
The young boy exhaled so loud that even he was able to hear his distress. To almost feel the clenching in his own chest.
As he obviously trembled in fear, heart beating too fast, he smirked. “Lucien, look at me.”
So Lucien looked up. Because he knew, he would only make it worse if he disobeyed for any longer.
His light green eyes, which turned pitch black whenever he moved in the shadows. His weird green aura and the deep green hair strand between his black hair. The black, dark green harmonized clothing that was scary to look at for the young boy, yet aesthetically pleasing to his malicious demeanor.
Morro – his captor, the authority, he had no choice whether to resist or obey. The one, who dragged him and his brother all the way into his lair to enslave them, basically.
Morro smirked as he saw the clean and smooth face of the boy. Especially his natural light green eyes, his natural strawberry blonde hair got his eyes hooked onto him. Two features that sounded horrible in a combo. But two horribles made one perfect, like Morro had always told the boy. The moles on his face made his face look like a perfect sketch. Moving on to his clothing, it seemed like the artist gave up on the rest of his body. His clothes were torn, especially his upper body struggled to stay warm under. His legs were covered in partially ripped bandages, covering up wounds the dark ghost had caused beforehand. Lots and lots of ripped bandage pieces, trying to cover up the bruises and red swellings on his light, almost plain white skin.
The guardians were being rough with the little boy, as they pushed him to the ground, right in front of the stairs that led to the king’s throne. Lucien had a knee jerk reaction when being pushed to the floor. He jerked up for a moment until he was ready to be pushed down again. He hissed as his legs started shaking from the pain the pressure on his wounded knees caused. Morro didn't move a bit while sitting on the precious and luxurious piece of gold, formed into the shape of a throne, just a couple of steps up.
“Your eyes are sooooo pretty.” Morro leaned forward, putting his elbow on his leg and laying his head on his bare hand palm to admire his face even more. "Your darker spots are oddly unique and fit you very well."
The young boy broke eye contact between them.
Morro’s gaze darkened and he exclaimed: “Hey. I wasn't done talking. You look at me, when I talk, remember?”
His eyes met those of Morro again. Again – he would make it worse if he didn't. Morro's gaze met his shaky knees. A slight smirk built up in his face, almost as if he was admiring the masterpiece he did to his body.
“For a human, you seem to be ungrateful for feeling your body in every sense of its being.” Morro arose from his king-like throne as he gestured to the guards to let go of his wrists. The little boy sighed in relief and shook his hands to get all the blood flowing through his fingers again. He didn't notice how cold his hand had actually become until the blood flowing caused him to feel little fireworks in his fingertips. As he took a quick glance at his hands, he saw the untreated cut wounds again how they traced a gradient from red to his skin color to signal, they were probably about to be inflamed again.
“It sure must be exciting to feel so much sensation.” Morro continued as he squatted right in front of his ‘dear Lucien’ and teased his ghostly, almost ticklish, fingertips against the sensitive bandaged up knees of his, making him be all in a quiver. He held back any noise he could. Though, everytime he touched, he's got the feeling of completely breaking down at any point, the feeling of yielding to the hands of evil because of some stupid light strokes on his body. He arched his back and grit his teeth as he backed away, squirming, from Morro. His eyes were widened, he breathed through his mouth. Although, Morro seemed to be enjoying watching his little one all worked up in pain and horror.
The pictures in his head were alive as the day. Morro had always told the little boy, he would never assault him in front of the king’s throne. It would insult his reputation, of course. On the other hand, if the king laid hands on him in the „slave‘s dungeon“, it would make him stronger and better than him. Thinking back to those words made him feel a little relieved. To know that he would not degrade his reputation, no matter the temptation.
The boy always wondered if assaulting Morro right in front of the throne would boost his reputation.
„To feel like you, humans, do.“ Suddenly, Morro roughly grabbed the boy‘s knee, making him whimper in pain. „I would give everything to feel your pain right now.“
The authority's grip tightened more, with every little fingertip digging more into the little boy's body, he wanted to scream out every single shard in his soul. He thought about begging Morro to stop, again. Beg to let his body untouched for the day. The little boy didn’t speak and decided to endure instead. Clenching his eyes shut, gritting his teeth and hissed, just to disobey. Just to feel a sense of safety in him. To endure just for a a moment longer...
When Morro noticed the boy didn‘t do what he wanted, his grin faded and he abruptly raised his hands, just to stop mid-air as he noticed the boy‘s angsty demeanor. Morro changed his demeanor and slowly put his hands on his cheek and caressed his thumb across the soft skin of his.
“If it wasn’t for your stupid potential, I would be doing things way worse than this in front of this throne. You should be thankful, I have myself under control right now.“ Morro said as he stuck his cold, ghostly thumb into the boy’s mouth and traced across his teeth with it.
As the strawberry boy wanted to back up, Morro had violently pulled his head back to stay in place. He traced the sharp, soft edges of his teeth, the fleshy gum that hadn’t been taken off in a long time and the gunk on his teeth that came with poor dental hygiene.
Behind the teeth, his thumb looked for the slimy, wet tongue that the boy had already hidden in the darkest corners of his mouth.
Water would dissolve him, immediately. Saliva, on the other hand, did nothing more than a silly sizzle on his „ transparent skin“. Morro called it, „his call to be a human again“.
“You know why I brought you here, right?”
He shook his head in no, hoping he could shake off Morro‘s thumb out of his tongue. Surprisingly to the boy, it worked and Morro towered in front of him again, after slightly slapping him on the cheek.
„Right,“ Morro scoffed, „how were you supposed to know, anyways.“
“You’re going on your first mission, Lucien!“ Morro grinned. „You must be so relieved, it’s not another punishment, right?“
The boy zoned out halfway in, thinking of the feeling of the worst punishment, Morro had ever given him. There were no memories. Only the devastating feeling of helplessness in his throat, his hands around his throat.
“Actually, you‘ve been behaving well in the past. And I won’t tolerate any more lash outs. Got it?"
Instead of responding, the boy gulped loudly, clearly audible to Morro.
“You're not gonna answer me, Lucien?”
“His name is Jude, maybe that's why he isn't responding.”
Something broke inside of the young boy when he and Morro turned their heads around to see his older brother, Ronin, standing in the huge door frame. The young boy widened his eyes and opened his mouth a bit. Two guardians had brought them in and they left right away when they sensed the spice in the air. Ronin wasn't handcuffed unlike Jude. He had been gone for days or weeks or months even, Jude couldn't tell anymore. Morro had always gaslit him into believing he was never coming back. For Jude to believe, he lost his older brother forever.
“Ronin…“ Jude said under his breath, a word only he could hear, almost tearing up from the rush of relief he felt that moment.
“You keep on interrupting our deep and meaningful conversations. Shouldn't you respect the ones that you owe, a little more?” Morro walked past Jude who still kneeled on the ground, facing the throne.
“Conversation? Seemed more like you were talking to yourself.” Ronin scoffed, walking towards Morro.
“Watch your mouth, peasant. If I didn't need you anymore, you would be in flames, burning, already. And you and I and Lucien know that I love torturing people around.”
“I'm a masochist. I love pain.”
“Good thing, I identify as a sadist, honey bun”
“Stop with the 'honey bun'.”
“Who are you to command me around?”
“My name is Ronin.”
Morro discontinued the meaningless conversation and turned around to Jude again, just to notice he had turned around, sitting on the ground, while listening to their conversation the whole time.
“What if I hurt your brother, Ronin? Every time you break your loyalty towards me, your brother will be punished too.” Morro grabbed Jude’s hair, making him look at Ronin. Jude‘s lips trembled in pain, his eyes were clutched shut.
His older brother did not receive the same punishments as Jude did. Ronin did not know, he could just assume what he did to Jude, a whole story made up in Ronin‘s head just from the bruises and hickeys on his whole body.
“You won't.” Ronin's voice sounded more serious than it had before to which Jude reacted with an avoiding glance towards Morro and Ronin.
“I know.”
While Morro still held his hair, he smirked down at Jude while his eyes radiated discomfort and fear. “Don't be scared, my dear Lucien.” And let go of his hair.
“How many times should I tell you? His name is Jude.” Ronin said, the madness in his voice not to be overheard.
“And how many times should I tell you that I absolutely despise his name? If I used his name, I would just be manifesting his betrayal towards me. Lucien sounds so much cooler. And after all, he hasn't even spoken up about it, so don't make it a problem.”
"I wonder why he hasn't spoken up about it. Maybe because you keep on oppressing him and maybe because he doesn't talk a lot."
"Oppression? God, you're really something." Morro scoffed. „You have never experienced true oppression, have you?“
“You can’t just treat people as they want. And you can't just change someone's name without asking.”
“Oh, I can, Tom.”
"Who is Tom?"
"It's you."
“Seriously, what's wrong with you?”
Both of them kept arguing out loud, like they always did when Ronin heard Morro call Jude by Lucien. Jude had already internalized the way their discussion went. It was funny to him, at the same time he was anxious and ashamed.
“Ronin.” Both, Morro and Ronin, looked at Jude as his soft and raspy voice spoke up. “Stop.”
His voice sounded like he looked like. Sweet like strawberries, rough like cigarette smoke. A voice actor that gave up halfway into acting, would’ve probably sounded exactly like Jude.
Morro probably hadn't heard his voice in quite a while and Ronin didn't expect him to talk to him in front of someone else.
“Okay.” Ronin just said. He didn't complain and stopped. It must've been urgent if he talked in front of Morro.
Jude hasn‘t been a talker since late childhood. He would only speak to trusted people, with Ronin being, without a doubt, his most trusted person.
“Oh, so you can speak up, huh?,” Morro's smirk faded, “Get up.” Jude got up immediately, looking at his master. “The Ninja made a very crucial mistake. Which one is it, you may ask?“
No one responded to Morro’s rhetorical question.
“They invited Ronin to join them to find ‚The Blade of Elements‘. The only blade in this realm that will give me all the power, I rightfully deserve.“
„Power of trash?“ Ronin smirked as Morro raged up a little but calmed down immediately after.
“You know what, I have an idea.“ Morro leaned in, next to Jude’s right ear to whisper his special mission into his ear.
Jude preferred verbal commands, if even so. But well – this command, he would've loved to get on paper.
-
“Why did you talk earlier?”
“I don't know. Felt like it.”
“Felt like it?” Ronin repeated, “It must've had a reason, kiddo.”
“Well…yeah,” Jude scratched his neck, “He wouldn't have stopped anyways. I felt embarrassed.”
“For your own name?”
“No. I'm not embarrassed for my own name. I just knew that he would do whatever he likes, anyways. Even if you tell him to stop… And I should learn how to stand up for myself anyways."
Ronin nodded. Both the siblings rested their heads against the bent metal walls of Rex, sitting next to each other. They had been on the way for an hour until they got to their destination and sat a few minutes out.
"He twists the story however he likes. No point in arguing, just a waste of energy." Ronin said.
“Ronin?” Jude began talking. “What… exactly is ‘The Blade Of Elements’?”
“The blade, huh?” Ronin scoffed. “Morro had been obsessing over this thing for a while now. Actually, ever since he escaped the time vortex. This blade has the power to awaken origin powers inside you.”
“Origin powers?” Jude asked perplexed. “What does that mean?”
“Morro believes that would mean he could awaken the powers of the First Spinjitzu Master in him.” Ronin looked at Jude in disbelief towards Morro. “He’s gone crazy after time travelling.”
Jude grinned as Ronin told him his intentions. “Truly delusional.” Jude smirked.
“And there was something else he wanted to find out. He didn’t tell me, though.” Ronin admitted as Jude nodded.
Silence dominated the jet for a while. They had arrived at the monastery of the ninja a couple minutes ago but they wanted to get rid of the curiosity that they didn't talk about. And none of them would want to make the first step anyways, not even Jude.
"How are you feeling?" Ronin asked, putting his hand on Jude’s shoulder.
"I'm scared." Jude zoned out, "How are you feeling, Ronin?"
"To be honest, I'm scared too." he looked at Jude, still zoned out, "I'm more scared of what will happen after. What will I be doing? And what will you be doing?"
"Probably training to become one of Morro's commanders."
Ronin lifted one of his eyebrows, internally asking what he was talking about.
"He said that he saw something in me and wants me to become one of his commanders because 'he needs diversity in their army too'." Jude had a slight smirk on his face as he picked his skin on his finger. „Such a dickhead. I have no choice but to obey him."
Ronin scanned the little boy head to toe. He had never seen his little brother that bruised. He remembered their visits at the playground when Jude couldn't stop tripping and falling and slipping on the sand and climbing grounds. Even then, Jude had been less bruised than he was at that moment.
"What did he tell you in the end?" Ronin asked.
Jude looked at Ronin again. His eyes radiated nothing but pure regret. Regret of what? It was the silence that spoke thousands of syllables in five seconds.
"I feel like I'm going to throw up if I tell you."
Ronin would never get chills, but goosebumps spread enormously quick as he heard his brother saying this.
"I can tell you after. I feel like it's easier done than to be said." he added. Jude did, in fact, not feel like it’s easier done than said.
"Okay." Ronin sighed.
“Wanna go?” Jude asked and stood up from the messy ground.
“Before we go, change into some new clothes, Jude. Yours look awful.” Ronin chuckled. „And brush your teeth before we go.“
Lloyd
"Why are they taking so long?" Jay asked.
That was probably what everyone present thought. Ronin's Rex had been standing there for a while already but neither have they seen any movements nor anyone leaving the jet. Like Rex was a monument that the Ninja were visting.
"It's a funny tease from Ronin." Cole sighed, "Haha, so funny. Now come here!"
Nobody expected someone to actually come out of Rex. And it wasn't just someone. Ronin. And some other guy, the Ninja hadn't seen before. Although an acquaintance of them just stepped up, most of the eyes were hooked on the person next to him.
Blonde hair with a little red in it, the hair was even messier than Lloyd's. Deep green eyes, round glasses. He had some moles in his face. Every piece of clothing was oversized for sure as if he just put on his brother‘s clothes because he had nothing else to wear. Dark colors dominated the whole look. The white shirt under his grayish black denim jacket was inconspicuous but important for the look, for sure. His black leather shoes made this outfit look so expensive (and was a size too large).
"Hi." Ronin said as he put his arm around his brother's shoulders. "Sorry, it took a while. Rex was being a bitch."
"Don't worry about it. Good to see you again." Lloyd smiled as his glance switched to the boy next to him again, "Who did you bring along?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you." Ronin said as he made his brother take a step forward. "This is my younger brother, Jude. I'm just looking after him. He doesn't talk a lot, he may not even talk at all. Please be patient with him." he added.
"How is he gonna help us then? I mean, this guy won't fucking talk to us the whole time? How are we going to communicate then?" Jay asked, making Jude actually look up and looking at him.
"Jay." Lloyd said in a serious voice. "I'm sure he has his own ways to tell you what he thinks."
Jay remained quiet, looking ashamed of what he just said.
"I'm sorry, you're not worth any less, just because you don't talk." Lloyd leaned closer to Jude. "My name is Lloyd. Nice to meet you. This is Jay and he doesn't really think before talking, sorry for that. But that means you're already one step ahead of him."
Jude smiled as Jay embarrassingly said "Hey!" and looked annoyed. And there, Jude looked up into his eyes.
Right into the eyes of the Green Ninja.