Hey! Guess what? School is over! Summer is here, even if I don't like summer xD Finally, I have time to write this story. So, here's the chapter 3 as a gift for my Bday xD It's about Melissa's rescue but in Zane's POV. This chapter is short in comparaison with the others, sorry about that. Anyway, there's going to have some blood, not too much, don't worry :)

Enjoy :D

Chapter 3: An unexpected find

(Zane's POV)

Moments before the encounter…

Kobayashi forest is a beautiful place. It's one of the biggest forest of all of Ninjago and it's known for its beauty during the seasons, especially in spring. To see each flower bloom brightly as the trees reveals their first green leaves. With its unique flora and fauna, it's like going into a mystical world.

After hours of search, despite that I enjoyed the sight of these fascinating woods, I couldn't find the teapot.

I looked all available places my database gave me: logs, caves, rocks, bushes, trees, but it was unsuccessful. I am starting to wonder if this mission was truly about finding the teapot.

My internal clock indicates me it's almost the end of the day.

"I must get back to the bounty."

A snap of branch makes me quickly turn to the left and notice it was only a squirrel, probably searching food for winter. I look around and see a hazelnut near a trunk. I pick it up and slowly make my way toward the small mammal.

The squirrel stops its search and stares at me, its tale flicking lightly. I kneel down and show the nut on my palm. The small rodent carefully crawls at me. I smile when it comes near me. "Here you go, little one."

The brown animal sniffs my gloved hand and quickly picks up the treat before running away. The squirrel then climbs an old tree until it disappears through the leaves and branches. I chuckle at the sight before standing up.

Suddenly, a sharp cry of bird fills my ears as I look up and see my feathered friend circling in the air not so far in a nervous way. "Did you find the teapot, my friend?"

Why is he so agitated?

I start walking to his direction and stop immediately. My sixth sense starts tingling wildly when I hear a shuffling of leaves, like heavy footsteps.

I quickly summon my shuriken and hide behind a tree.

I slightly turn my head to the left and see a cloaked girl, about the same age as Nya, with magnificent wavy cinnamon hair running through the woods. From the way she's stumbling over roots, I can say she's injured and unfocused.

"Get back here!" A man with chestnut hair shouts furiously accompanied with two others behind him going after her. Where do they come from?

This must be what my falcon wanted to show me. Thank you, my friend.

I pull my hood on and follow them carefully without revealing my presence. I am sorry Sensei, I may not have found the teapot, but saving someone's life is more important.

A few minutes later, I pause when the girl falls on the ground and cries in pain. The three men approaches her slowly. I can hear faint voices but can't understand what they are saying.

I advance quietly behind a bush and camouflage myself with the shadows. With my new view, I can clearly see the girl. Her wavy hair covered most of her cloaked back, reaching a few inches above her waist. Despite the black cloth around her, I notice she was wearing a blue jeans shorts with a black belt and a simple light turquoise t-shirt. Isn't she cold with this weather?

Half of her oval-shape face is hidden with her hair but I can still see determination in her eyes.

She is very beautiful.

Wait… why am I saying this? I don't even know her, I thought as I mentally face palm.

She gets up with difficulty and drops into a fighting stance as the three men charge at her. I am about to show up to help her but I completely freeze in place.

I watch with pure admiration as the girl defends herself with powerful kicks. She dodges most of the hits with agility and elegancy. She was capable to take out two of them easily, despite her weakened body. Unfortunately, she didn't see coming an attack from the last one. The girl collapses hardly on the ground groaning in pain.

She tries to get up but fails and looks up, making her wince. Her face immediately shows fear as the man, which I think is the leader, walks towards her. She's holding something in her hand as she bows in defeat.

I must stop this before it's too late.

I jump from my hiding spot and perform spinjitzu as I throw one of my shuriken at the assailant, freezing his waist.

"Aaarrrggg!" He screams collapsing on the ground, clutching his frozen side.

I land in front of him and he tries to attack by kicking me. I dodge it easily and press with two fingers the back of his neck, hitting a sensitive nerve. He instantly crumbles down unconscious. I glance at the other men to be sure they are unable to attack again and sigh in relief. I pick up my golden weapon and without any other sign of danger I turn myself to face the injured girl.

All of a sudden she throws a knife at me leaving a deep cut on my left arm. I widen my eyes in surprise as I feel a little pain, my artificial blood staining my sleeve. I was supposed to be alarmed of her attack but all I could think of was amazement.

Even if she's down… she keeps fighting.

A strange warm heat invades my system when I look at her eyes.

Pure emerald jade irises full of persistence and courage were staring at my blue ones. Despite her dangerous stare, she looks exhausted as she puts a hand on her wounded leg panting heavily. She also looks unfocused for some reason, her greens orbs couldn't stop moving. What happened to her?

I present my hand to her showing that I am not a threat.

"Don't worry, you are safe now." I reassure. "Let me help you."

She painfully sits up, grimacing at she presses her hand on the wound. She stares at my gloved hand for a moment searching if she can trust me and looks at me. Crimson liquid slides down slowly on her temple to her honey beige cheek. Her parted pink lips quivering as she breathes shakily.

Suddenly, her eyes flicker and without a warning she passes out.

Before her head hits the ground, I grab her bruised body quickly but gently and put her in my arms bridal style. I reach out my hand and tenderly wipe off the trail of blood from her cheeks with my thumb.

I adjust her carefully and I notice she's wearing a beautiful jewel around her neck. The chain of the necklace was made of pure gold and was adorned with a magnificent turquoise gemstone shaped like a drop. It has a golden outline and from the bottom to the top, the thin lines forms a sort of a tree as if it was protecting the gemstone. I sense a powerful energy coming not only from the necklace, but from the girl too. I wonder why…

Leaving the three unconscious men behind, I head back at rapid pace as my falcon leads the way from the sky.

Several minutes passed and I finally see the Bounty. My feathered friend flies away towards the ship, probably reporting my return. The sun is nearly down as the forest tranquilly falls into sleep. Numerous stars are beginning to show up in the pink and orange sky.

I glance at the girl's sleepy face with worry as I extend my sensors to see how she is doing. My eyes widen when I detect an unknown substance going through her bloodstream. That's when I notice a red mark on the side of her neck. Was she poisoned? Her pulse is slowing down and she's getting colder by the minutes.

I do not have much time.

Please stay with me…

And this is how Zane finds her :D How was it? Now, for the next chapter, let's see how the team will react when our nindroid will arrive.

So, since school is over, I'll probably update quicker :D Anyway, thank you very much for your reviews! You're the best :D

Have a great day/night!

Danino