Yes! I'm back! Also, I moved up the rating to T cuz I think there will be some mild (or not-so mild) violence in future chapters. Also, I recommend that if you haven't watched S6 of Ninjago, watch it first, because a character from that season will be making an appearance. Ok, me, hush. Enjoy!
The trip back to the blacksmith shop was silent as Kai, Zane and Pixal watched a fuming Nya make her way to the front door while fishing the keys in her pocket.
"Okay, Nya," Kai started, "You need to calm down. You have to prepare for tomorrow, remember?"
Nya gave a loud sigh, "You're right." Nya opens the door and heads to her room. "Just call me if you need me." After that she closed the door, leaving an astonished Zane with Kai rubbing his temple.
"Kai, if I may, what happened between them?" asked Zane. "I've never seen Nya so angry."
"Let's just say they have a history," replied Kai. "We were good friends with Jay's family when we were kids. After our parents passed away, they're the ones that looked after us until we could stand on our own. Though I don't think it's my place to say what happened, I think it's something Nya must tell you herself."
"Alright. I won't ask about it anymore. I'm sensing whatever happened between them is something only they can fix."
Inside her room Nya was carefully putting everything she thought she would need in her knapsack. Her thoughts then started to wander back to their encounter with Jay earlier that afternoon. She lay on her bed and stared at the dim ceiling. Slowly, her vision faded to a time when all of them were still friends. Still happy. Before one incident ruined everything.
*Flashback*
The laughter of children filled the garden of Jay's home. A little boy with orange hair was running from a girl with black short hair. "Have at thee, dragon," The girl shouted as she pointed her wooden stick at the boy. A small light emulated from the stick and water splashed on the ground causing the boy to slip and fall. The boy slowly sat up holding his knee. He looked at the girl with cheeks flushed of embarrassment.
"That's not fair, Nya! You said you won't use magic!" The boy shouts. The little girl ran to the boy's side while trying not to laugh out loud.
"Sorry, Jay," Nya smiled as she shrugged her shoulders. "I honestly didn't mean it. Here." Nya placed her hand on Jay's knee. She whispered something under her breath. A small light appeared around Jay's knee and the small bruise disappeared. Jay looked in awe as he felt the pain instantly disappear. He looked up at Nya, who was beaming, obviously proud of her work.
"Thanks, Nya. Sorry for yelling at you."
"It's okay." Nya helped Jay up.
"Y'know, your healing spells never gets old," Jay complemented.
"You really think so?"
"Yeah, sure. Besides, your mom's the best water mage there is. No doubt you'll be like her when you grow up. Plus you're kind, pretty and smart."
Nya blushed at this. Jay caught this on and blushed himself. Jay immediately turned around, somewhat embarrassed with what he said. "Uhm, what I was trying to say is that you'll be great mage Nya. No doubt about that, hahaha." Jay uneasily shifted his weight and looked up at the sky. The sun was setting. "Hey look at the time. We better get back to the house."
"I'll race you there!" Nya said as she sprinted away from Jay. "Catch me if you can!"
"Oh come on! Seriously?" Jay immediately scampered after her.
Nya reached the veranda, where two other kids were sparring with wooden swords. One boy had spiky auburn hair, while the other had shaggy black hair. Cole swung his wooden sword at Kai, who dodged the hit with ease.
"Not bad Kai," Cole complemented. "But can you dodge this?!" Cole lunged his toy once again at his playmate. Kai blocked it before it could make contact with his right shoulder.
"That the best you can do, Cole? " Kai said with a smirk. "And I thought we were sparring here."
Cole broke into a somewhat evil grin. "Oh you ain't seen nothing yet." He hit Kai's sword with his own. Cole then intertwined his weapon with Kai's, allowing him to twist it out of his grip and send it flying into the air. He then dropped down to swing a kick that knocked Kai off his feet. Kai landed on his back with a thump. He looked up to see a wooden sword to his face, held by a victorious and smiling Cole, who was also holding his own sword in his other hand.
"Jeez, man. Sometimes your moves creep me out." Kai said as Cole helped him up.
"Hey you asked me what I got, you got it." Cole mischievously countered.
"Yeah, yeah whatever." Kai immediately brushing it off, obviously playing a sore loser.
"Oh, come on, Kai. You're a good fighter! Some more practice, and we'll both be in the military before you know it."
Kai snorted. "You got that right." Both boys then spot Nya and Jay running in the distance.
"Hey guys. Back so soon?" Cole asked.
Nya runs into a nearby tree and puts a finger to her lips before hiding behind it. Cole and Kai look back to see Jay search for Nya.
"Hey guys. Have you seen Nya around here?" Both boys shook their heads.
Nya came out of her hiding spot and jumped on Jay with a "boo!" Jay jumped as high as he could almost grabbing a nearby branch. He hit the ground with a thud. The other kids were then sent grabbing their stomachs out of sheer laughter.
"Okay guys. Really funny." Jay said as he struggled to his feet. Suddenly a middle aged woman appeared from inside the house carrying snacks and drinks.
"Hello, kids. Bet yer all hungry. So I brought some eats." She handed them some cookies.
"Thanks Mrs. Walker," said Jay.
"Oh shucks, Jay, just call me Edna," said the woman as she set the tray on a nearby table before going back inside. Cole took the plate of cookies and sat on the veranda's steps before shoving as many of the delicious pastries into his mouth.
"Hey! Save some for the rest of us you pig!" yelled Kai as he grabbed Cole's wrist before another cookie disappeared into his mouth.
"Aww, but they taste so good."
After their hearty snack, Cole stood up and stretched himself. "Man, that was so yummy. Mrs. Walker really bakes the best cookies ever." He looked up towards the sky to see the stars coming out. Then he heard the voice of Edna calling him. "Mister Cole, your father's here to pick you up." Cole grabbed his wooden sword.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, everyone. Bye." The three other kids watched Cole make his way to the front yard, where his father hugged him with open arms before carrying him home.
"I wonder where Mom and Dad are. I'm getting tired," said Nya as she started to rest her head on Kai's lap. Kai then stroked her hair trying to lull her to sleep.
"Don't worry, Sis. I'm sure they'll be back soon." He looked over to Jay, who was already snoring away beside the empty tray of devoured goods. Edna soon comes out to see her charge sleeping soundly and the other two siblings snuggling close by.
"Aww, my little Jay's all plum-tuckered out." She picks up little Jay in her arms who continued to sleep unaware that he was now being carried. Edna then turns to Kai. "Let's all get inside before we catch cold shall we?" Kai nodded and carried Nya on his back. Despite the fact that Kai and Nya were almost the same height, Kai was pretty strong for his age. He always watched out for Nya whenever he could.
Edna put Jay down his bed while Nya and Kai rested on a nearby mattress laid out for them. As Edna slowly closed the door behind her, she was greeted by Jay's father.
"Oh, Sir Gordon. I just put Jay to bed. Kai and Nya are snoozing in the room as well."
Sir Cliff Gordon was a wealthy nobleman who owned a mine within the mountain. Kai's parents often bought metal from his business and thus became good friends with the man. Tonight, he wore a very grim look on his face. "Edna, please, wake the children. I need to talk to them."
Edna immediately complied and woke up Jay, Kai and Nya. She led them to the living room and fixed them some hot chocolate. Once they were settled, Cliff Gordon started talking.
"Kai, Nya, I need you to listen very carefully. From now on, you will be staying here with us."
"What? Why? Did Mom and Dad decide to stay here?" asked Nya, a little confused with what she said. Don't get her wrong, she loved coming over to play with Jay, but nothing beat the sweet smell of home. So, why was Sir Cliff telling them that this would be their new home?
"Yeah, Dad, what gives?" Jay asked.
"Your parents won't be coming back for a while," replied Gordon. "Their trip to Hiroshi's labyrinth was extended because they've found more things that needed to be observed. They've asked me to look after you while they're away. Is that alright with you?"
"Alright! Extended sleepover!" Jay exclaimed while pumping his hands in the air. Everyone just stared at him. He immediately composed himself. "I uh mean, don't worry, you're in good hands. Right, Edna?"
Edna nodded. "Of course we'd love to have you over. Come now." She gestured to the kids. "Let's get ready for bed. It's getting late." Jay and Nya follow Edna up the stairs.
Kai, however, isn't convinced. Their parent's may have gone to Hiroshi's labyrinth three days ago, but they always returned by the end of the day. Why should this day be any different? As Sir Cliff Gordon stood up preparing to retire, Kai spoke up.
"Sir Cliff, I don't believe it. Mom and Dad would never go to Hiroshi labyrinth and stay for the night there. They told me before they left that they would always be back to say us 'goodnight'."
"Maybe they changed their minds." Gordon replied. "Hiroshi's labyrinth is a big place. They must have found something that caused them to extend their stay."
"Not Mom and Dad. Don't lie to me Sir Cliff. I may only be twelve years old, but I can tell when something's off. What happened to our parents?"
Gordon sighed. There was no going around this kid. When he wants something, there was no stopping him from getting it. Just like his father. Gordon kneeled down to look at Kai in the eyes.
"Kai, this won't be easy to take in. Are you sure you want to hear what really happened?"
Kai felt his stomach knot up. He knew the news would be difficult to swallow, whatever it was. But he braced himself and nodded.
"Kai, you're parents have perished inside the labyrinth. They were looking for a rare metal that was said to be found in the fabled oasis of the labyrinth. Unfortunately, something within the labyrinth took them. We don't know what it was, but we saw some sort of monster appear out of nowhere and separated the two of them from the group. My team and I got away safely but your parents never got out. We returned inside only to see the creature drag them down into the earth below. We tried to dig them out, but we never found them. I'm sorry."
When Gordon had finished, Kai's skin had become white as snow. All color had drained from his face and he his head felt like it was being split in half. He wanted to cry. Scream. Break something. Go to the labyrinth and demand that monster to bring back his parents. He failed at keeping himself in check. He thought he had prepared himself for the worst, but he didn't think that it would be this heart crushing. He held his head to his hands breathing heavily and quickly, as tears threatened to spill. He felt himself falling as all he saw were black and white dots dancing around his vision. However, Cliff held him steady and embraced him.
"I'm so sorry Kai. We did what we could. I promise that we will take care of you and Nya for as long as I live and that I will never let anything happen to you both."
All Kai could do was embrace the man since he was the only one in close proximity. He silently sobbed, letting grief, anger, and sadness overflow from his heart. How could he ever tell Nya? Despite being two years younger than him, her heart was still too tender for such a happening. But look at how he reacted to all this. If this is how he felt, how much more would Nya feel when she hears of it? No, he had to be strong. He will tell her when he's recovered. So that when it's Nya's turn to cry, he will be ready to lift her up.
Kai didn't know how long he silently cried in Gordon's arms. All he knew that when he was done, Gordon's shirt was soaking wet with his tears. Jay's father didn't mind however. He knew this was hard on the boy. He then led Kai to the guestroom where Nya was already sound asleep.
"Good night, Kai. Get some sleep. I'll see you both in the morning."
Kai made his way to the bed. He could hear Nya's steady breath as he rested his head on his pillow. He turned off the lights and closed his eyes. But sleep wouldn't overtake him. His body was exhausted, but his mind was restless. He turned himself to face Nya. She was all he had left now. He couldn't let anything happen to her. 'I promise. I'll take care of Nya, Dad.' He then brought Nya closer to him and embraced her. After this, he slowly fell asleep.
The next morning, the news of their parents' death spread like wild fire. There was a small funeral held in their honor. Kai held Nya the entire time while Nya let her tears rain down. Everyone in the village gave them their condolences, including Lord Garmadon and his family, as well as Master Wu. After the procession was over, Nya locked herself in her new room in the Gordon estate. It was definitely a lot bigger than the room she and Kai used to share back home. Nya lay down on her bed fidgeting with a ruby bracelet that her mother told her she'd inherit one day. Guess now was that day. She suddenly heard a knock on her door and slid underneath the covers.
"Nya?" It was Jay. "Are you in there?"
"Go away."
"I just wanted to see how you're holding up. Please don't be mad." Jay made his way inside Nya's room and sat at the foot of the bed.
"Please go away, Jay. I want to be alone."
Jay sighed and got up. "Okay. I'll go. But remember, if you want someone to talk to, I'll be here." He softly closed the door behind him.
When Nya heard the door click, she slowly pushed the covers back and got out of bed. She walked over an old trunk which used to belong to her mother. As she rummaged through her mother's old belongings, she found a worn out book and flipped to its first page. There was a letter written on it:
My dearest Nya,
I hope you take care of this book as I have. It's quite an heirloom. This book was used by your grandmother, which she passed on to me, and now I to you. It contains many aquatic spells that not many mages know, and this book is the only one of its kind. Work hard and with enough diligence, you will become a great mage.
Happy Eleventh Birthday
Love,
Mom
Nya once more burst into tears. 'Mom was supposed to give this to me next year,' she thought to herself. She hugged the book with all her might taking in the love that her mother had left on that letter. 'Don't worry, Mom. I'll make you proud. I promise.'
After that day, Nya spent every day practicing the spells that were her mother's spell book. She was always at the fishpond or near any body of water in order and sometimes came home dripping wet. This did not deter the young girl however. She wanted to prove herself. Her progress was slow but steady. With no master to teach her, she was on her own. Master Wu's academy was just up the mountain, but not having any money nor the capacity to take care of herself, Nya decided to wait until she was old enough and prepared enough.
Kai on the other hand saw the passion in his sister's eyes and decided to follow his parents' footsteps as well in their honor. He spent his days in his father's blacksmith shop, being an apprentice to the shop's current owner, Gavin. Gavin was his father's second hand around the place and he would man the store whenever Kai's parents were away. With their passing, Gavin took the responsibility of holding down the fort until Kai was old enough. Kai's father explicitly stated in his will that Kai will inherit the shop when he would retire or upon his passing. However, knowing Kai still had little knowledge of how to craft high quality weapons, Gavin took care of the shop. Being the honest and loyal person he was, Gavin gave half of his earnings to Kai every day, saying that he was the real owner, and that he was only an employee.
As days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years, Nya's training began to yield good results. However, she barely had time for anything or anyone else. The only person whom she would really talk to was Kai, because she would share her new learnings with him. Jay on the other hand, Nya ignored him like he didn't exist. This vexed Jay beyond measure. Whenever Jay would show Nya his ideas or designs for his inventions, Nya would only nod or say "That's nice" without even looking at him. Finally he had had enough. One night, he found Nya reading her spell book at the living room.
"Hey Nya. Can I talk to you?" No response.
"Nya?" She only nodded.
"Can you please stop reading for a sec and look at me?"
"Mhmm. That's nice." That was it. Jay Gordon had snapped.
"Alright. Enough is enough." Jay grabbed Nya's book from her hands.
"Hey! Give that back!" Nya yelled.
"Ha! After five years, she finally talked!" Jay yelled back. "Look at you. You've become obsessed with magic, like it was some sort of curse."
"You know full well why I'm studying so hard," Nya countered. "I promised my mom I'd work hard on my magic!"
"Yeah, but you don't have time for anyone or anything else!"
"I wouldn't expect you to understand. You're just a rich boy who has everything, not needing to work for anything."
"That's not true! I do work hard on my inventions! If you were really listening to me for the past five years you would have noticed!"
"Oh yeah? Last I heard, they always end up failures."
"Take that back!"
"Give me back my spell book first!" Nya pointed at the book Jay still had in his hand. Nya chased him around the living room. Jay stayed as far as he could from Nya, using the couch as a barrier between them. But that didn't stop the girl. She jumped over the couch and knocked Jay off his balance. Both fell on the floor with a carpet to break their fall. The book wasn't so lucky. It flew out of Jay's hands. And into the fire place.
"No, no, no!" Nya scrambled to her feet and got the fire place poker, hoping to save her dear memento. But it was too late. By the time she had gotten it out, had been burnt to a crisp. Nya's heart broke. She turned to face Jay and yelled with all her might.
"I hate you! I hate you, Jay!"
Jay stayed silent, knowing it was his fault. Nya ran to her room and shut herself in. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She didn't even come down to dinner when Edna called. She just cried and cried.
Nya broke away from reliving the memory. She remembered never talking to Jay after that. She remembered her moving out the Gordon estate the next morning because Kai was finally going to take over the blacksmith shop. Gavin said he was retiring and that Kai was ready to man the shop on his own. She was thankful that she and her brother could finally go back to where they originally called home. Even though she didn't have as much time to practice her magic, she was happy enough to help her brother around with whatever he needed. Despite the loss of her mother's spell book, Nya continued to enrich her knowledge on magic. She travelled to the town library every now and then to research any spells she would come across. As for Jay, he had become a skilled mechanic and inventor. He would often come to town to show his new inventions or be summoned to Lord Garmadon's house to talk business. Whenever Nya saw him, she avoided him. As the years went by, she began to notice a change in him. He had become cocky and rude. Whenever they met, Jay would insult her, which would result in her retaliating. Thus their rivalry grew. And that's how they've been ever since.
Nya sighed. Perhaps if she tried to talk to Jay right after that night, things between them would have been different. She shook the thoughts out of her head. 'No time to think about that now. Master Wu's academy awaits.' She resumed packing her things.
Back in the kitchen, Kai, Zane and Pixal were preparing dinner when a loud knock was heard at the door. Kai went to see who it was. It was an old man with glasses who wore a purple robe. He had a worn out satchel around him.
"Good evening master Kai. I'm sorry for intruding at this late hour, but I have a message from General Cole. He specifically asked that it be delivered to you immediately."
Kai took the letter from him and bid him a good night. He tore open the envelope and scanned its contents. Zane and Pixal poked their heads out of the kitchen.
"What's the matter Kai?" asked Pixal. Kai looked back at them.
"Well, we are officially in business."
"Why's that?" Zane joined in.
"I just a got a letter from Cole. The Serpentine invasion is underway."
Yay! Chapter 3! I'm excited to know what you guys think! Also, thanks so much for your reviews! It warms my heart every time I read them! :)