Now, since you obviously read the last chapter and are dying to know more about Snape, his "classmates" and why the hell Sensei Wu is saving six kids when only four are destined to save the word, this chapter should explain…some of those things
As always, 12% credit goes to justalostfangirl
Enjoy!
We all entered the pathway. Once we took a few steps inside, a wall of fire erupted behind us and was replaced by seemingly ordinary bricks. Fire illuminated the path. The flames came from Snape's sword.
"We are almost there." Snape said.
"Where are we going, exactly?" Harry asked.
"To safety." Snape said. We all followed him closely. After what we saw him do, we had no doubt that he could and would protect us.
"So…what you did back there was Spinjitzu?" Draco asked after a minute or two of walking.
"Weak Spinjitzu. Minerva was the best out of all of us at it. She was the first to figure it out, too." Snape said.
"You destroyed the Skulkin. They literally turned into nothingness. How can you call that a weak attack." I asked.
"You have no idea what hidden powers await us in this world, waiting to be found. The scary part about that is, there are very bad people who have already found those powers." Snape said.
"The Overlord?" Luna asked.
"The Overlord isn't out only threat. Probably our most powerful, yes…but not the only one."
"So it's not just The Overlord and the Skulkin we have to defeat?" Draco said.
"I'm afraid not. Stop! We're here." Snape told.
"There's nothing here." I said.
"But what about below?" Luna said.
Snape laughed to himself. "Oh, I believe I could tell you your Element right here and now, Miss Lovegood."
He breathed fire yet again, only this time he aimed for the ground. The concrete below us vanished into smoke and we all fell. Everyone except Luna and Snape yelled and squirmed in the air. I saw the bottom get closer and closer. I closed my eyes. I opened them only when I fell on something soft. I opened my eyes and saw that I fell on Hermione.
"N-Neville…." Hermione said.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" I said as I got on my feet. "How'd we survive the fall?"
"We Spinjitzu Users aren't so easily harmed. You, Longbottom, were lucky enough to fall onto Miss Granger." Snape said. "Now let's see if I remember how to pilot this thing."
"What thing?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, we're at the bottom of an abyss." Ron said.
"Or so it would seem until it's turned on." Luna said.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Draco said.
"The Firebird." Snape said. He spat a small flame onto his palm. He snapped his flaming fingers and the Firebird he was talking about turned on. I couldn't see the exterior, but the inside was painted red and yellow. In the back, where I was, were several leather seats. Behind those seats were bay doors and a closing skyward hatch. In the front was the pilot's seat. On the arms of the chair was a joystick and several flashing buttons. Snape sat down in the pilots seat and started pressing buttons. The Firebird started to hum to life.
"Everyone sit down and buckle up." Snape said. Everyone took a seat. "Opening cave walls…" The rocky wall in front of us receded into the ground. "Everything's operational, taking off. Thunderbird am I clear for take off?"
"You're good to go, Severus. I'll be on your right. Ice-Speeder and Earthquaker are ahead of us, but the skies are clearer than the ground, we should get there first." Professor McGonagall's voice came from Snape's chair.
"Alright then, let's get the Ninja to safety." Snape said. The Firebird lifted up and slowly flew out of the abyss. The sky was stormy and gray. Several Skulkin airships zoomed across the sky. On the ground were hundreds of thousands of Skulkin land vehicles and even more foot soldiers.
"Holy…." Draco said. "What an army."
"The Overlord sent this huge army to deal with us? Us?" Hermione said.
"Men with power are often very paranoid." Luna said.
"And The Overlord is almost as paranoid as he is powerful. He believes that his brother has been training you for years. He believes that you all are already the powerful Masters of Spinjitzu destined to defeat him." Snape said. A large cluster of skeletal warriors charged towards the Firebird. Snape pressed a button on his chair and an explosion turned the warriors into fragments of bone.
"Won't they turn into a snake of bones and chase us?" Hermione asked.
"That little Skulkin trick isn't typically used. However, it is a possibility, so let's get to higher skies." Snape increased the Firebird's speed and flew it high above the Skulkin army. A smaller blue airship flew next to us. The ship didn't seem very stable with sparks flying off it and electricity crackling around it. I could just barely make out Professor McGonagall in the cockpit.
"Where are Rubeus and Buggy?" Snape said.
"Just ahead of us, tearing through Skulkin. We can catch up soon." Professor McGonagall said.
"Alright. Do us a favor and try to clear the skies of any enemy ships. We need to get the Ninja to the Monastery immediately." Snape said.
"Agreed. I'll speed up and cover you and The Four." Professor McGonagall said.
"Much appreciated, Thunderbird. Hold on tight, children." Snape said. Orange beams zipped through the air, heading towards the Firebird. The Thunderbird flew in front of us and seemingly started firing lightning bolts ahead of us. Some enemy fire hit the Firebird, causing intense shaking.
"How're you doing with those Skulkin airships, Minerva?" Snape asked.
"My aim is a bit off, but I'll have them soon enough." Professor McGonagall said.
"Make it sooner!" Snape said. "I'm taking damage!"
"Fine then…stay on my tail." Professor McGonagall said. The Thunderbird swooped down towards the foot soldiers and land vehicles. The Firebird and airships followed, firing at us but only hitting fellow Skulkin. The Thunderbird and Firebird pulled up sharply. The Skulkin airships couldn't do the same in time and crashed.
"Good call, Minerva. It should be clear skies from here." Snape said.
"Thanks. I'll see you at the Monastery." Professor McGonagall said.
"I'll see you there." Snape said.
"Is…is this normal for you guys?" Ron asked.
"Yes. Now, we'll be safe soon." Snape said.
"All of those Skulkin…they're gonna overrun Hogwarts." Harry said.
"Yes, yes they will." Snape said.
"Are you sure you can't do anything." Harry asked.
"No, Potter. There are just too many." Snape said. After a short silence he spoke again. "But…there is hope."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
"After Sensei gives you some training, after you learn Spinjitzu…you could take back Hogwarts. I have no doubt that your former school will become the Skulkin's non-Underworld headquarters. But once you tap into your powers…that won't matter." Snape said.
"Are we really that powerful?" Hermione asked.
"I wouldn't've saved your life if you weren't." Snape said.
After half an hour of flying, everyone fell asleep. Snape piloted the Firebird with the Thunderbird ahead of us. I sat silently, contemplating whether or not I should ask a question that could get me off the Firebird.
"P-professor Snape?" I asked.
"You don't have to call me Professor anymore, that ruse is over with." Snape said.
"Well, uh, Snape…I don't know if you know this but…uh…." I said.
"You aren't a Spinjitzu Master?" Snape said. "Sensei told me."
"Then why'd you save me? I don't have any powers." I said.
"Oh, but you do. Sensei Wu may not have sensed the the power of a Spinjitzu Master in you, but he did sense power. He sensed a Wizard's power. However, he also sensed abilities beyond Wizardry. It was the same thing he sensed in my classmates and I. Sensei will train you as he trained me. He wants you to protect The Four on their missions. Assist them." Snape said.
"But wouldn't you guys be better suited for that." I asked.
Snape sighed and pushed a button on his chair. The chair rotated to face me. "Currently, we don't know which elemental power everyone has. It's not easy sensing the power of The Four, that's why four of them went unnoticed for a year. However, last night when you came to Sensei, he sensed your power. You have the power of Sensing."
"I thought the four Elements were Earth, Fire, Ice, and Lightning." I said.
"There are sub-Elements and others, but those are the main Elements. However, there are two other main Elements. They are Creation and Destruction. The Overlord, obviously, mastered Destruction. The First Spinjitzu Master and Sensei mastered Creation. Thus far, Sensei has only had one student who could use Creation, who died long ago. He believes that you could aid The Four by using the only power none of them can use alone.
"Remember how you saw where the entrance was? Sensing, a sub-Element of Creation, can only be used by The Four if they combined their power perfectly. And even with their incredible power, they are far from mastering that technique. So, by using the power of Sensing, Sensei Wu wants you to be a map for The Four. Now, I'll be honest, you aren't powerful enough for Spinjitzu—"
"Oh." I said flatly.
"But, you could be trained to fight." Snape said.
"We're approaching the Monastery." Minerva said.
"Thanks for the heads up." Snape's chair rotated to face forward. "Preparing to land."
Ahead of us was a pitch black storm cloud, rich with lightning. "Are you sure you want to fly through that." I said.
"Trust me, Longbottom." Snape said. The Thunderbird plunged into the storm cloud and Snape followed. The Firebird shook even more intensely than when we were under fire.
"What's going on? Another attack? Are the are the Skulkin back?" a still drowsy Ron said.
Just when I thought lightning would tear the Firebird apart, the shaking stopped. The sky was bluer than I've ever seen. Ahead of us were the Thunderbird and a beautiful floating mountain. A water fall on the mountain flowed off land and down to the ground. The Thunderbird flew into the waterfall and disappeared. The Firebird flew right behind the Thunderbird. The waterfall truly hid a shiny metal landing bay. The Firebird gently landed. Our seat belts automatically receded into our chairs when Snape pressed a button and a door opened on my left. A stairway sprung from the floor of the landing bay, stopping at the base of the Firebird.
"Finally. Safety." Snape said.
"C'mon, Severus!" Minerva said.
"Coming." Snape said. "Follow me and touch nothing."
We exited the Firebird and followed Snape and Minerva. They led us to a metal door that opened to Snape's touch. They continued walking down a long metal hallway riddled with golden and ivory statuettes.
"Do not, I repeat, do not touch any statuette in the Monastery unless instructed to do so." Snape said.
"What happens if we do?" Draco asked.
"Well, you probably won't die." Snape said.
"Probably." Minerva said.
When we reached the end of the hallway, Snape opened another door. Behind it was a beautifully peaceful garden with a fountain in the center. The garden was surrounded by marble houses. Sitting next to the fountain was an old man.
"Sensei!" Minerva said. "We succeed."
"Good, good." Wu stood up and walked to us. "Everyone but Rubeus and Buggy are here."
"Those two should be here soon." Snape said. "The Skulkin had far more land troops than air vehicles. Rubeus and Buggy were slowed down by it, but they're ok."
"Ah, I see. It would only be right that we wait for them until we figure out the next step." Wu said.
"The next step?" Hermione said.
"Finding out what our Elemental powers are." Luna said.
"She's been answering questions all day." Snape smiled.
"Oh, has she?" Wu said.
"Buggy all over again." Snape said. Wu laughed. The sound of two engines came from below the surface.
"They weren't as far behind as we thought." Minerva said.
Two people emerged from the door behind us. One was Rubeus Hagrid, the half-giant "Groundskeeper" at Hogwarts and Spinjitzu Knight. The other was a small woman with blonde hair and tan skin. He crystal-like blue eyes bulged from her eye sockets.
"Professor Derandal?" Luna said.
"Call me Buggy, Luna. Everyone else does." Buggy said. Her voice was very soft.
"You were a Professor at Hogwarts?" Ron said. "Why didn't I know you…existed."
"I taught the Illusions class. Not very popular among young Wizards. Luna was one of my only students." Buggy said.
"'Arry? Yer a Spinjitzu Master?" Hagrid said. "Ron un 'Ermione too?"
"Yup. That's us." Hermione said. He charged at the three and hugged them, lifting them off the ground.
"Aw, this'll be so much fun. Da tree of us, fightin' tugether, beatin' Da Overlord senseless! Aw, uh can't wait!" Hagrid said.
"Hagrid…your crushing the Spinjitzu Masters." Ron said.
"Oh…sawrry." Hagrid put them down.
"Now that we're all here…let's get down to business." Wu said.
"Agreed, Sensei." Buggy said.
"We are all aware of the situation." Wu said. "The Four Masters of Spinjitzu destined to ultimately defeat The Overlord, my brother, by use of my father's Golden Weapons of Spinjitzu have been found."
"But you sensed five Spinjitzu Masters, which goes against both your vision and the number of Golden Weapons." Buggy said.
"Exactly. I chose Neville to aid them on their recovery of the Golden Weapons, but still there aren't enough Golden Weapons to go around. The next step in sorting out why this and my vision aren't in coherence is figuring out everyone's Elemental power." Wu said.
"Where should we do it?" Minerva said.
"Here is fine." Wu said.
"Aw, this'll be fun." Hagrid said. The Spinjitzu Knights stood beside Wu, facing us. "Neville, ya might wanna step back a bit."
I moved and stood beside Wu. Wu cleared his throat. "We'll do this in the order of the Elements. First up, Rubeus, The Knight of Earth."
Hagrid took a large and rusty scythe from his robe. It was beyond me how he hid it. He twirled the weapon and then shoved the blade through the ground. The ground below us shook. The ground began to crack. The final crack stopped at Harry's feet, ending the shaking.
"Harry Potter, Black Ninja, Spinjitzu Master of Earth!" Wu said. The Knights clapped and Hagrid threw down his scythe and picked up Harry again.
"Yer da Errth Ninja, 'Arry! I'm yer teacher! I'm su glad!" Hagrid said.
"You're crushing your student, Hagrid!" Harry said. Hagrid apologized and set him down.
"Harry, you are destined to wield the Scythe of Quakes and command the Earth. You will learn to tap into hidden reserves of great physical strength and use it to lead your team." Wu said.
" I'm…I'm the leader?" Harry said.
"Uh was too." Hagrid said.
"While you are all evenly matched, every team needs a leader. That will be you Harry. Please, stand beside your teacher. Next, Severus, the Knight of Fire."
Snape stepped forward. He spat a fireball into his palm and tossed it into the air. The fireball flew back down and stopped an inch above Hermione's head.
"Fire?" Hermione said.
"Hermione Granger, Red Ninja, Spinjitzu Master of Fire!" The Knights clapped. "Hermione, you are destined to wield the Sword of Fire and tame all flames. One day, you and your fiery passion will push your limitations back a hundred miles. Nothing can put out your inner Fire."
"No, no, no, not again!" Hermione said. "Another mistake? I don't have a fiery passion!"
Wu shrugged. "Seems like it to me. Fire is always the hardest to tame. This entire time you denied everything I told you, just as your teacher did when I first told him."
"But…" Hermione started.
"Fire is also always telling the other Elements what to do." Wu said.
"No mistake there." Ron said. Hermione stared angrily at him.
"Hermione, stand by your teacher. Next up, Buggy, Knight of Ice." Wu said.
Buggy stepped forward. She took in a deep breath and exhaled sharply and slowly. The air that came from her mouth was so cold it was visible. A snowy cloud formed in front of her. She tapped the cloud. It flew above Ron's head then moved above Luna. While floating over Luna, the cloud released snow.
"Luna Lovegood, White Ninja, Spinjitzu Master of Ice!" Wu said. The Knights clapped.
"We all knew, anyway." Snape said.
"It was a tad obvious." Buggy said. "You're just like me when I was getting used to it."
"Luna, one day you will hold in your hands the twin Shurikens of Ice and have absolute power over all things cold. You have already shown signs of Insight, the power to see the future. You will use this to guide your teammates through what has yet to happen. Please stand by your teacher. Finally, Minerva, Knight of Lightning."
"Wait, but we all know I'm Lightning. It's the only one left." Ron said.
"Well, Sensei's vision could've been right and Draco is Lighting and you aren't a Spinjitzu Master." Luna said.
"It is a possibility." Minerva said. She took the spiked nunchucks from her sleeve and twirled them. They started cackling with electricity. She stopped twirling, and the electricity left the nunchucks and shot through the air. The electricity went straight into Ron, who screamed.
"Ron Weasley, Blue Ninja, Spinjitzu Master of Lightning." Wu said. The Knights clapped.
"Hard to believe you of all people would be Lightning." Minerva said.
"Why?" Ron asked checking for any wounds from the attack.
"Ron you will master the Nunchucks of Lightning and command the skies. You will find within you a speed that can give Lightning a run for it's money. You also have a great mechanical mind. You and your creations will turn the tides when you and your teammates are in need." Wu said.
"What does that mean, 'a great mechanical mind'?" Ron said.
"You're good with machines, Ron." Harry said.
"Like…Muggle machines? Like the ones Dad is always fumbling with? I'm supposed to build that stuff?" Ron said. "Call me Hermione, but there's gotta be a mistake."
"It's destiny, Ron." a smug Hermione said.
"Ron, please stand by your teacher." Wu said. "Now…Draco Malfoy…the fifth out of four…a curious case. Not Earth, nor Fire, nor Ice, nor Lightning. What are you?"
"Hopefu…maybe Malfoy isn't one of us." Harry said.
"Maybe, Harry, maybe. But…I have a hunch." Wu said. Wu snapped his fingers and a wave of golden light washed over Malfoy. His eyes became golden. The Knights gasped.
"So soon?" Buggy said.
"Nuh way!" Hagrid said.
"Him?" Minerva said.
"Sensei, he can't possibly be the Gr—" Snape started.
"No!" Wu exclaimed. "He is not that one. We can't be sure of that yet. For now, Draco Malfoy…you are the Fifth Ninja, Spinjitzu Master of the Golden Element…Creation." Wu said. The Knights slowly and confusedly clapped.
"Um, dis may be irrelevant, but uh, what color should we give 'em?" Hagrid asked. "We…we ain't gonna give 'em…ya know…green?"
"No, Hagrid." Wu said fiercely. "Draco, what color would you like?"
"How about purple?" his voice was deep and hard. He cleared his throat. "Sorry, that was weird. How about purple?"
"I can make a purple Gi before dinner." Buggy said. "And I'll get the other ones too."
"Could you make Neville a yellow Gi?" Wu said, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Um, of course, Sensei." Buggy ran off.
"Luna, follow Buggy. Teachers, show your students their rooms. Draco, Neville, follow me. Dinner will be in twenty minutes." Wu said. Everyone went off in a different direction, student bombarding teacher with questions. Wu started walking. I followed, but Draco didn't. I went back to check on him.
"Are you ok, Draco?" I asked.
Draco's golden eyes turned black for half a second. They became gold again. "Never better. Why?"
"No reason!" I said.
"Alright…we should follow Wu." Draco said. I nodded and followed Wu. Draco's hands began smoking. He clenched them into fists and flames burst. He stopped in his tracks. The flames died and he turned to me with black eyes.
"You saw nothing." his voice was hard and deep again. I nodded. "Good."
