A young woman walked out of a cottage, her thick black hair tied back with a blue ribbon as she held a basket and walked through the sleepy little village, watching the clock tower change to 8 o'clock in the morning. The moment it did, windows opened up and people started moving into the market place as they exchanged their morning greetings. She went and bought a loaf of bread and placed it in her basket before bumping into someone, making him drop the scrolls he had been carrying.
"Oh, excuse me Sensei Garmadon," she said with a smile as she helped him pick up all the scrolls. He just gave her a smile.
"It's alright Kimberly," he replied as he stood up.
"It's just Kim," she corrected as she handed him the scrolls. "Off to study at the library again?"
"Yes indeed," he said with a smile. "And you?"
"I'm going to drop of something my brother made for Sensei Wu," she answered as she held up some weapons. "You know how that is." He gave her a cautious look.
"We both know what you're really doing," he warned. "Be careful and don't get caught."
"I won't," she assured him. "And even if the authorities find out it's far too late. If you want you can come over! Maybe you can help teach me!" He laughed.
"Maybe some other time," he said. "My brother isn't a fan of having his toes stepped on as far as teaching is concerned. Have a nice day!" He walked off and she went to a small monastery, humble in size as she opened up the door closing it behind her and walking into the center of the open courtyard.
"Sensei Wu," she asked before she heard something. She turned quickly and caught an arrow. "That almost grazed me Sensei." She looked at where it had come from. On a perch was an old man with a long beard and a straw hat, holding a bow and arrow.
"But if I only ever act as if it is training and not a real fight then you will become to complacent," he advised as he jumped down, landing perfectly on his feet. "I trust no one saw you come in?"
"Even if they did, everyone thinks I'm just delivering some weapons my brother made," she said, pulling out some weapons. He smiled and inspected them.
"These will do you well in the future," he said with a smile. "Take the chigiriki Kim Kuznetsov, and fight." She smirked, holding the chigiriki while Sensei Wu held out his bo staff. They battled and fought for a long time, but finally he had her on the ground. "I win." She smirked as he helped her up.
"I survived a whole five minutes longer," she noted proudly. "I feel like I'm getting better."
"When you let go of your insecurities you do exceedingly well," he praised with a smile. "You are learning very well. I am proud to pass on my knowledge to you."
"But why did you pick me," she asked. "Women learning martial arts isn't exactly legal."
"It once was," he said as he started walking inside. "Follow me Kim." She followed him into the building. "Long ago, before time had a name there was the First Master, as he is called. A man of incredible magic who created our fair world of Ninjago." He lead her to his library and pulled out a scroll. "He then entrusted people with certain abilities. They were known as the Elemental Masters. There was man and woman alike in their ranks." He until led it to show ancient art of women in battle armor. "Their rumored ancestors were trained in the art of fighting, regardless of their gender."
"But everyone knows magic doesn't exist," she said. "Besides that was back when this old monastery was built. No one dresses like the people in those paintings do. At least, no one aside from you or Sensei Garmadon."
"That is simply because Ninjago has forgotten its roots," he replied. "Though magic may not be real to my knowledge, the values of these women certainly are. Although magic could still be real. My knowledge may be vast, but it is not limitless."
"You still haven't answered my question," she said. "Why did you choose me?" Sensei Wu sighed and put the scroll back on the wall.
"Supposedly, my brother and I are descended from this First Master," he explained. "From parent to child, a secret art is passed down. A sacred fighting style. Neither my brother nor I have any children to pass it on to. But we have both agreed that we should find someone to carry it on. We have agreed that it should be you."
"Me," she repeated in disbelief. "I'm just the sister of a metal worker."
"We both know that you are far more than that," Sensei Wu said with a wise smile. "One day, when you are as old as I, you will pass on this ancient art onto your own chosen apprentice, should you never have children."
"What is this ancient art," she asked.
"Spinjitsu," he replied. "A very powerful art. You will need to use it wisely."
"I've never heard of it before," she said. "What is it?" He smirked and backed up a bit.
"NINJA GO!" He spun into a shimmering golden tornado. Kim gasped and stepped back before he slowed down. "That is Spinjitsu."
"That was amazing," she said. "What else can you do?"
"You can fight with it," he replied. "I have given you all the tools to use it. You must find the key to it within your self."
"I promise I will Sensei," she said as she gave him a respectful bow. Sensei Wu bowed in return.
"I believe you should be going now," he advised. "Your brother will be looking for you otherwise." She nodded.
"See you tomorrow Sensei Wu," she said as she slipped out the door, heading to a small farmhouse.
Farther away, there were three men in an open air shop. One of them was showing off a chair.
"Fine quality chair," he said. "Made from deer skin and oak. Nice and sturdy! I hunted down the deer myself! I chopped down the tree!" The other man looked at it for a while.
"What kind of support does it have," he asked.
"I stuffed it with cotton," replied the man. "It offers good support!"
"Then I'll take it," he said brightly, handing the shop owner the money and carrying out the chair. The owner chuckled, looking at his friend.
"Another sap," he replied, twirling the coin between his fingers.
"Yeah, you always barter well Nadakhan," he replied, "but it's only smart business." Nadakhan nodded before noticing Kim going by smirking as he watched her.
"Look at her Dareth," he said. "The soon to be Mrs. Nadakhan." Dareth took a look and was visibly surprised.
"The metal worker's sister," he asked. "She's not the most glamorous of girls. Besides, I thought you said that you'd never love anyone like Delara." Nadakhan nodded.
"Yes, but she passed away five years ago now. Besides," he reasoned, "she has a great resemblance to her. Not just in her appearance, but she has a certain fire about her as well. She's strong willed and determined. After seeing so many weeping widows during the war, it's nice to see a girl who doesn't break down so easily."
"But she's so plain," Darth replied. "Not in appearance but she doesn't do much. She disappears to study scrolls with Wu for long periods of time, probably books or something. That or she stays at her house."
"That may be true but she is still so different from everyone else," Nadakhan replied. "A funny girl, but in a good way. I intend to make her my bride."
Kim made her way to her cottage home, closing the gate and opening the door. Once inside she heard a deep voice singing a lullaby in a foreign language. She smiled as she listened to him sing, walking into the room where he was working on a project while waiting for him to finish. "Another Midonnian lullaby?" He looked up at her.
"Yes, Karloff knows lots of Midonnian lullabies," he said. "Better than Ninjagoan ones. Karloff not speak that very well."
"Well, you were a lot older than me and Auriel when we came here," she said. "Speaking of, where is Auriel?"
"Auriel at friend's house," he replied as he used a screwdriver to hold something in place. "Neuro teaching her to read Ninjagoan."
"That's nice of him," commented Kim.
"It is indeed. Though Auriel knows nothing but Ninjago. She was baby when we fled Midonnia. Ninjago safer."
"Maybe," Kim said softly, "but there are some regrets about leaving. I barely remember anything about our homeland. I know nothing about our parents either."
"Our parents had sad tale," he replied as he attempted to carefully paint what he was working on. "Not fan of talking of it."
"You'll have to tell me someday," she said, sitting in front of him. "Auriel will be next."
"That day not today," he said firmly. "Blue or red paint?"
"Red," she said. "Red and gold." He started painting it as such. "Can you at least tell me one more thing about them?" Karloff paused for a moment before looking up at her.
"Fearless," he finally replied. "Our parents were fearless." She smiled.
"I bet they were to have raised you," she said as she sat down.
"That was result from a different thing," Karloff said. "Can you hand me pliers?" She nodded and handed them to him, watching him twist the metal of a different piece into what would be its final shape.
"Karloff, do you think I'm odd," she asked.
"Odd," he repeated. "No. You just like Mamasha. Why?"
"People talk," she responded. "I don't feel like if it in here. Sensei Wu is kind enough, but he's more like a father than a friend. And I talk with Sam, but she cares more about her bookstore than anything else."
"What about Nadakhan," he asked as he inspected his work. "Nadakhan always talking to you. Big, strong man too."
"He's also a swindler," she pointed out. "I just don't trust him. And he doesn't see me as me. I know that every time he looks at me, he just sees Delara."
"Then he not deserve you," her brother responded. "That the truth. He must like you for you, not who you look like." He stood up and grabbed a saddle bag.
"Did you load it up with food yet," she asked. He nodded and they both went outside while Karloff tacked up a white horse and attached a cart. He hopped onto the cart seat.
"Do you want anything from fair," he asked. "Auriel already asked for new dress. I get her new dress. I get you what you want too."
"A rose," she replied. "Like that one in the painting of our family."
"That is always request," he said.
"And you always fulfil it," she said with a smile. He rolled his eyes.
"Alright, I bring back rose," he said as he whipped the reins, making the horse pull away. "I be back in week's time with rose and pretty dress." She waved him off.
"Good bye Karloff!" He disappeared from view as she went back into the house, gathering up the laundry and going to the well. She drew some water and then started to wash her clothes. She noticed a bunch of boys gang up on one small girl. She frowned and stepped between them. "What do you think you're doing to her," she asked.
"Nothing," said a dark haired boy.
"I don't believe you Brad," she said. "You and Gene are always up to trouble. Now leave her alone."
"Or what," asked Gene. "You can't hit us, we're just kids!"
"Maybe," she said, "but Bonnie won't take your bullying forever." The two boys started to laugh.
"She's just a girl," said Gene. "What's she gonna do, hit us? Girls aren't allowed to fight!" Kim furrowed her eyebrows, glaring at Gene and Brad.
"That doesn't mean she can't defend herself!" From across the way, Nadakhan saw what was going on and smirked at Dareth.
"Let me show you the proper way to help out a damsel in distress," he said.
"She looks more ready to fight to me," Dareth replied nervously. "I may be a renown fighter in martial arts, but Kim makes me nervous and I wouldn't want to fight her."
"It is not a fight," replied Nadakhan, "just stopping one from happening." He walked over and stood between them. "Now Kim, I hope you realize that these two are just boys. Surely they deserve a little slack."
"Slack is what gets them to be like that Nadakhan," she replied. Nadakhan nodded thoughtfully.
"This is true," he replied before turning to the boys. "Now run off to your mothers or I will tell your fathers what you've been up to." Their eyes widened and they ran off. Bonnie took the chance to run off as well. Nadakhan smiled and looked at Kim. "I see that you are spirited as always."
"What do you want Nadakhan," she asked, frowning and crossing her arms over her chest. He looked over at the flowers peddler and whistled at them. She came over and handed him a bouquet while he gave her coins in return.
"Perhaps I wish to join you at your dinner table tonight," he suggested. "And these can be the lovely centerpiece in the middle." She looked uneasy and backed away.
"My brother just left," she said. "I'm… not allowed to have anyone over until he gets back."
"Ah, but you are an independent woman" he replied. "Surely you can break a rule like this just once."
"Not with Auriel around," she responded. "She will definitely tell Karloff. Now please, I need to go pick her up from a friend's house." She started to walk off while Dareth stood besides Nadakhan.
"I thought Kim didn't have any friends," he said in confusion.
"She doesn't," Nadakhan replied with a frown. "Everyone always talks about how strange she is. No one associates themselves with her aside from Garmadon and Wu." They watched as she walked away and took a turn.
Soon enough, she came to a small house and knocked on the door. A young woman with a baby on her hip opened the door as three small children ran past her.
"Sorry about that," she replied. "Auriel is in the fireplace room with Neuro. We really appreciate you letting Neuro practice teaching with her. The kids are getting to that age where they'll need to start learning."
"It's my pleasure," Kim said with a smile. "It's probably too late for me to learn, so Auriel should get a chance to." The woman nodded and stood aside for Kim to walk in. A man with prematurely grayed hair stood next to a brunette little girl, a book open in front of them.
"Can you read this out loud for me," he asked, pointing to a sentence.
"The blue bird flies over the dark wood," she said slowly, carefully pronouncing each word.
"That was amazing," he said with a smile. He looked up at Kim and slowly closed the book. "It's time for you to go home Auriel." She pouted until she looked and saw Kim. She smiled brightly and ran over to her, hugging her tightly.
"Kim, I learned how to read colors," she proudly declared. "And we're working on animals!"
"Very good," said Kim, beaming with pride. She looked up at Neuro. "Thank you very much for taking the time to teach her."
"I enjoy it," he said. "Your brother has left for the fair in Jamanakai, hasn't he?" Kim nodded as she gently took Auriel's hand.
"Yes but he'll be back soon," she replied. Neuro's wife came into the room.
"You two are both welcome to join us for dinner," she offered.
"Thank you very much, but we're good," she responded. "I want to take care of everything on my own. Karloff is always so worried that we can't take care of ourselves. We can, and I will take every chance to prove it." Neuro's wife just sighed and shook her head.
"If that's what you want," she replied. "Take care." Kim waved goodbye as she lead Auriel out of the house, with Neuro putting a hand on his wife's shoulder.
"Such a strange girl," he said. "I've never met anyone quite like her."
Auriel looked up at her sister as they neared the cottage.
"Why can't we eat with them," she asked.
"I already explained," Kim replied. "Karloff won't be around forever. We can't accept help or else we won't be ready when he's gone."
"That's a lie," Auriel said, frowning. "You know that isn't the real reason." Kim bit her lip for a bit.
"They… they don't want me over," she replied. "They want to have you over. They like you but they're not big fans of me."
"But you're the best big sister ever," she said defensively. "Why wouldn't they want you over?!"
"I don't know," she replied honestly. "I guess the people in this village really just don't get me." They went into the house. "We have fresh fish today. I also bought some cheese. Let me go out into the garden and get some veggies while you clean your room. It's a mess in there." Auriel pouted, but went to her room while Kim gathered up the hem of her dress ad tied the left side up before going out and pulling up some carrots and potatoes from the garden.
"Harvesting fresh vegetables for your dinner table," asked Nadakhan, standing over her. "What are you making for your sister tonight?" Kim rolled her eyes, standing up with the vegetables in her hands.
"None of your business," she replied as she walked back into the house. "Standing outside a woman's home is disturbing you know."
"It wouldn't be a problem if we were close," he replied.
"I have no desire to get close to you," she said as she walked back into the house, locking the door behind her. "That jerk!" She angrily started washing the dirt off the vegetables. "Acting like he knows me!" She started chopping them at an alarming rate. "Treating me like I'm helpless!" She cut the head of the fish off. "I hate talking to guys like him!" She brought everything over to the fireplace, putting the carrots and potatoes over the fire in a stone bowl, covered in butter and fresh seasonings while the fish rested on a flat stone. She kept flipping the fish and grabbing the bowl with a thick cloth and tossing the veggies before it was ready. She served all of it up on two plates and topped it with cheese before getting Auriel. "Dinner's ready." Auriel got up and followed her to the dinner table.
"I haven't eaten anything like this before," commented Auriel. "Is this a new dish?" Kim shook her head.
"No," she replied, "it's an old one. It's Midonnian. Mamasha taught me how to make it."
"What was she like," Auriel asked.
"I don't remember," she answered. "I only have the faintest memories. Most of what I can remember is when Mamasha would have me help her in the kitchen. Karloff was far older than I was when we left Midonnia. He remembers a lot more. You can ask him when he returns from the fair." She smiled and rubbed the top of her little sister's head. "You can ask him anything at all. I'm sure he'll be able to tell you."
"But he won't be back for a week," she whined.
"A week is hardly a long time to wait," Kim replied. "Now go get ready for bed." She kissed the top of Auriel's head. "I love you my little wildflower." Auriel giggled.
"I love you too Kim." She hugged Kim tightly before bouncing away.
Kim left the house and went outside the village, getting on top of a hill and looking up at the stars. She smiled and sighed. Looking at them always gave her a sense of calm. After an hour or so, she got up and went into the cottage, not noticing the very faint howling in the distance.
