Hey everyone, I'm back! I know, I know you are like: OMG you're alive! Sorry for the waiting, school kidnapped me for all its exams and stuff xD

So, as you all know, this is the rewritten version :D I changed some things but the main plot is still here, don't worry :D To remind you, this story takes place after the defeat of the Overlord and there isn't going to have the Rebooted part.

Like every stories in fanfiction, I do not own Ninjago, only my OCs.

So hope you'll like it, enjoy :D

The Secret of Nature: Prologue

It was a nice day at Yamakaze village. It's a really small village with a few houses in the middle of nowhere. It's located in the mountain regions of Ninjago, yet the village is surrounded by a big forest. I've been here for about three days and the people are very kind with travelers. Unfortunately, I must leave to find another village. I've been traveling like this for about ten years. I don't like to stay in the same place for a long time. It can't be dangerous for me, especially for the thing I must protect. I remember the exact word of my father before I left a very long time ago.

Remember, don't let anyone take your necklace…

Since then, I don't trust anyone easily, they can be a threat for me. This is the reason I don't have many friends, in fact… I don't have any. Sure, I met new people from here and there but they never were like actual friends. It takes a lot to gain my trust and if you do, that's mean you're really special. Anyway, that's why I move from places to places, to protect my necklace. But before I leave, I need to buy some food at the market. I don't have much money left, hopefully I can buy at least a few apples and some water.

I walked to the market with a little leather bag on my back. The sun is shining brightly today and the cool breeze is sweeping through my cinnamon hair. Even if we're only in the middle of autumn, I don't feel so cold and I'm only wearing a pair of short, a simple t-shirt and a cloak. For some reason, I can easily endure the cold in certain places and hours of the day. How? I have no idea… it's a complete mystery.

I arrived at the market as a woman with a thick sweater greeted me with a smile, but her brown eyes reflected concern when she saw my attire. I slowly moved my cloak so it hide my knives from my belt. I don't want to alarm her or something. "Welcome young lady, how can I help you?"

"Hello, I would like to buy some apples and water please." I asked kindly looking at the colorful fruits as I tightened my cloak around my shoulders. She nodded and went to get my request. A moment later, she came back and put it in my bag before glancing me from head to foot.

"Aren't you cold, child?" The gray-haired woman asked worriedly. "Winter is coming, you should get dressed more warmly." I look down at myself and shrug slightly. Like I said, the cold doesn't bother me, strange isn't it?

"No I'm not, I'm perfectly fine." I reassure with a smile looking at her. "I'm used to it."

The woman eyed me, trying to find if I was having hypothermia or something but hesitantly let it go. "It will be five dollars." She says nicely and I mentally winced at the prize. I only have three dollars. Ever since I left on that day, I didn't have an actual job, just errands from time to time. What am I going to do? I can't steal it that would be wrong. Sigh, I'll leave the apples, maybe I could find some berry bushes before nightfall.

"Oh ok, well I'll only buy the water." I said handing my money as I take out the red fruits. My mind is screaming in protest, but I have no choice. She must have seen my face because she gave me a sympathetic smile.

"It's okay, dear, you can have the apples," the woman revealed putting it back as I blinked in surprise.

"No, I c-can't take this from you." I stuttered as I try to take out the red fruits, but a warm hand landed on mine.

"It's alright, you need it more than I." She smiled lovely as I tried to protest. "I insist."

I looked at her as my eyes were filled with happiness. "Thank you, thank you very much!" I put my bag on my back and smiled brightly at her.

"You're welcome and be safe, child." She took the money and waved at me as I started to walk away.

As I took the main street, I saw a little boy with blond hair struggling with some boxes trying to put them on the stand. I was about to help him but I was too late because the boxes fell and all the merchandises were all over the place. I went over the small blond boy and squatted down to help him. He gasped and quickly looked up with hazel curious eyes.

"Here, let me help you." I said as I gather the scattered merchandise. A few minutes later, we finally put the last boxes in place. "You should be more careful with those boxes. You could hurt yourself." I warn as I dusted the stand to make it more welcoming.

He nodded shyly as he stood up. "Thank you, miss and I'm sorry."

"It's okay kiddo," I reassured with a smile, "I'm Melissa by the way."

"I'm J-Jacob." He muttered timidly staring at his feet.

"Well Jacob, where are you parents? You shouldn't be alone." I looked around the market frowning in concentration. The place wasn't full of activity, only a few persons here and there. After all, it was just the morning.

"My mom's at home and my dad went to buy some things before opening the shop." The blond boy said playing with his sleeves. As is on cue, a tall man with dirty blond hair arrived with a crate over his shoulder.

"Can I help you, miss?" He questioned with a stern voice putting the crate on the stand.

"It's okay, dad, she helped me with the boxes." His son mentioned pointing at the boxes while nudging his shirt and I nodded in agreement nervously.

"Okay then, thank you for your help." The man said with a smile, his expression becoming friendlier than a few seconds ago. "… Mmh, you don't look like someone from here… where are you heading?" The man eyed me with suspicion as I cleared my throat.

"Yeah, I've been here for three days, but I'm leaving today to the next village." I announced tightening my cloak. I can't say exactly where I'm heading because one, it's for protection and two, even I don't know where I'm going.

"Do you know where it is?" He asked lifting a blond eyebrow as I shook my head. "Well, first you take the small path when you'll reach the forest over there." He started pointing at the vast forest at the bottom of the small hill. "Then you follow it until you find a huge rock. Turn to your left and keep going for a few miles and you'll arrive to the next village."

"Thank you, sir." I responded smiling with a nod. "And have a great day."

"Your welcome and have a safe trip." The tall man shook my hand.

"Bye Melissa!" Shouted happily Jacob waving his hands.

I chuckled as I left the market and headed to the exit of the village, towards the entrance of the big forest. The day is still young, I'll probably find the village before nightfall. I continued my walk but something stopped me as a hand covered my mouth pulling me behind, dragging me to a dark alley. I punched the person behind me, freeing myself as a masculine voice groaned in pain. I tried to take a knife from my belt but a pair of strong arms grasped me, keeping me steady.

What's happening!?

"Shhh, don't worry sweetheart. We only want something from you." Said a deep voice near my ear. My eyes widened at what he meant and I started to scream but it was muffled by his hand.

Oh no… this can't be happening. I must do something, quick!

"Nice one, Dave." Another voice came in front. "Tell the boss we got her."

Wait, what boss? Who are they?! Let me go!

I started to struggle to free myself until I felt a sharp pain on the side of my neck. They let me go and I quickly stood up to run away but my legs suddenly gave up. I fell on my knees as everything became blurry. I tried to get up again, but my whole body got weak by the second as my eyes became heavy and sleepy. No, I can't let them… I need to stay awake.

A dark chuckle was heard from above as I dizzily looked up and saw two other men grinning at me before darkness consumed me.

And voilà! How was it? Good? Bad? The ending was a little different if you noticed it. That's because I had a new idea xD

Also, don't freak out if there's grammar mistakes, I speak French, English is my third language.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the new prologue. I don't know when I'm going to update because it's almost the end of school and final exams are coming Dx Anyway, thank you for your patience and don't forget to review ;)

Have a great day/night!

Danino