Takes place in episode 82
I don't own Ninjago
"There's no time to lose!"
They were a few simple words.
"Sorry to barge in, but it's really quite urgent!"
And they definitely shouldn't have had an effect on him.
"We have to vacate the city!"
It was stupid really.
"We need weapons, lots and lots and lots of weapons!"
He should have moved on by now.
"Woah woah woah, one at a time."
After all, it had been two years.
"Just shoot it to me straight, what's gonna do me in?"
And the whole thing was getting old.
"Pardon? Do you in?"
Just how long can someone possibly be affected by something.
"Every time something bad happens to the city, first thing they do is can the Police Commissioner."
It didn't matter how many times he still woke up in a puddle of sweat, hardly able to draw in a full breath.
"So what is it this time?"
Or how he could still hear those vial words that never left his mouth.
"Subterranean mutant insects?"
He wanted—needed—to forget.
"Indomitable flesh-eating zombies?"
For the sake of the team. For himself. For everyone.
"A Pirate genie?"
But those simple little words were all it took for him to feel his hot breath on his neck.
To hear the cheering crowds as he was beaten relentlessly.
To smell the grimy smell of the old pirate ship.
To taste the awful food he was fed, just enough to keep him alive.
To see her with the deadly venom splattered all over her chest.
To realize that he wasn't strong enough to save her.
"A Pirate genie?"
He couldn't help but smile, really.
"Yes, anything can happen in this crazy town."
He turned to look at the only person in Ninjago he shared his memories with. Her beautiful soft gray eyes were filled with reassurance yet also a mixture of understanding.
She knew. She always knew.
But he had to push these feelings away. They had a bigger mission. Save Lloyd and stop Harumi. He gave her a small smile and refocused on the task at hand.
"Ah, don't be ridiculous! It's the Sons of Garmadon!"
But no matter how much he tried to ignore it, the words he would dread for the rest of his life, floated through his head. And his phantom breath, never went away.
"Just wish it all away."