WARNING: This chapter includes stronger language than what you usually see in here (people are gonna drop the F-bomb and stuff.). Just a heads up to anyone that has a problem with strong profanity.
This past few days I've gotten to know the new teammates better, despite Jay's antics with trying to find the traitor. I've found out that they have learned spinjitsu and how to summon their dragons already from Cole, Cass has an older sister and brother, Hunter once shoved a hot dog up his nose (don't even ask how we got on the subject of that one), Hunter and Nathan's parents are deceased, and that Sammie avoided dance school, just like her brother, and evidently their colors are purple (Cass), orange (Hunter), light blue (Nathan), and yellow (Sammie). I could already tell confusion was going to happen between both Nathan and Jay, since they both are blue ninja. Other than that, I was delighted that I got to know more about my new friends, and they got to know more about me as well.
Though, this drama with the traitor is really driving Jay insane. You can really tell. Dark circles have started to appear under the poor guy's eyes and he's started spying on everyone, which is getting really creepy. He's started writing notes on his notepad, documenting any kind of suspicious action by any of us. I tend to get anxious when he's around with his notepad, hoping he's not writing down anything about me. The way he's been acting has prevented me from watching Kai and Nathan's actions though, leaving me only with partial evidence that Jay could be our wolf amongst the sheep. He's been acting weirdly enough to prove it, but at the same time he's too engulfed with paranoia to be the traitor. He's too anxious and tends to jump the gun a lot. Someone who was a double agent wouldn't be acting that way, would they?
I've begun to see why Jay tends to accuse Nathan so much though. I've noticed that my new friend does indeed act anxious, as though he's hiding something. Sometimes way more often than normal, leaving me suspicious. I wish to investigate further, but Jay's antics have restricted me from getting more info.
I was restricted again from getting info today because I got stuck with shop duty with Lloyd. How wonderful, just keep increasing the awkwardness between us, Cloud Kingdom. Though, it wasn't as bad as the day I blurted out the words that started it all. That day was horrid. Absolutely horrid. I hope it never happens again. Though, as I stood there at the counter, staring into it's surface, my thoughts began to change.
Maybe I do like him more than I think? No, I wanted to shake my head. That wasn't true...or was it? I wasn't sure. My feelings were so complex, so complicated, even I couldn't figure out if I truly liked him or not. It was like trying to figure out a math problem. Was the answer x or y?
I looked over at the blond as he stocked the shelf behind the counter with pots full of tea leaves and fragrant ingredients for certain teas. He smiled to himself as he placed the pots carefully next to each other on the shelf, making sure that they wouldn't fall. I watched him blink, the eye that I could see changing from red to green. I had to admit, I was still fascinated by the fact that his eyes could change colors so easily like that. This kid, who I've only known for a year, has somehow made me question my feelings. I've had plenty of times similar to this, but this time just felt really different.
I mean, we've been through hell together. From seeing horrific images forced in our minds, to being possessed, to even losing loved ones we adored so dearly, we both have been through a lot. Yet, somehow, it didn't break out friendship. Somehow we've managed stay together, and even become best friends. Now, though, I'm afraid that having feelings beyond friendship may break our bond, destroying our friendship as well. I suppose that I might as well keep any kind of feelings like that tucked away for now. I don't want to destroy our friendship.
"Hey, Karma, could you give me your honest opinion?" Lloyd asked suddenly, causing me to snap out of my thoughts. I looked over at him to see that he had a slightly nervous look on his face. It must be something important. I quickly nodded, making sure not to take too long. The green ninja hesitated for a moment, as if he were unsure about something, then he sighed.
"Do yo-" he started to ask, but was immediately interrupted by the sudden slamming of the two front doors.
"Helloooo ninja!" a heard a man say with a singsong voice. I looked over at the doors to see (surprisingly enough) Xavier standing in front of them, a smile on his face. How exactly did he find this place? I mean, I know there are flyers throughout the City, but...how does he know the ninja run it? I watched him jog up to the counter and pull me in to a hug that felt like it was going to crush my ribs.
"Oh, it's been too long, Karma! How is everything?" he asked.
"Xavier...it's only been a month since Lilly and I last visited you," I reminded him as he let go of me.
"That's still a long time in my opinion," he said, a smile still on his face. That's a long time for a man who can see 900,000 years into the past and future!?
"Um, could I ask who you are?" Lloyd asked, looking at the hyper, crimson-haired man who had entered the shop. Xavier slid over to the boy.
"Well, if it isn't Lloyd Garmadon! You have a lot ahead of you, young man!" he exclaimed, shaking the blond's hand. Lloyd looked bewildered, and possibly even a little freaked out that he knew his name already. Xavier seemed to notice this look, and stopped shaking his hand.
"I apologize. My name is Xavier Erland, master of time. I am a good friend Lilly and Karma," he introduced himself. Lloyd gave a look of surprise.
"Time? So, you can stop time or?" his voice trailed off as he tried to think of all the possibilities of what Xavier's power could be. Xavier shrugged.
"Somewhat yes actually, but not completely. The most I can do is see and travel into the future and past. I try to not mess with the events that transpire in time, though. Everything does happen for a reason after all," he explained. Lloyd's expression started to brighten when he spoke about traveling through time, but then it saddened when he said "Everything happens for a reason." I assumed that Lloyd was thinking about his father.
"Well, you guys mind introducing me to the rest of your teammates? I'd love to meet them," Xavier asked.
"We don't mind at all," Lloyd said, a hospitable look replacing the sad one, "Please, follow me."
Before he could walk through the door though, I tugged on Lloyd's shirt to stop him. He turned to look at me, now giving a bit of a confused look.
"What were you going to ask me earlier?" I asked him in a whisper. The blond was silent for a moment, then his cheeks became pink and he shook his head.
"Just...forget about it," he whispered before walking through the door with Xavier. I started to feel like I had messed up as I watched them disappear behind the door. Did I say something wrong to make Lloyd not tell me? Did he forget? Or maybe he just decided not to ask me for whatever reason? I really wanted to find out, because the way Lloyd had said it, it sounded important. I wonder what it was...
I decided to go into the living room to see how Xavier was doing with meeting everyone, only to enter to Jay questioning the poor man. Xavier looked extremely uncomfortable as Jay asked him questions and jotted down things on his notepad. The blue ninja stared at him with distrust as the master of time answered each question.
"Um, Jay, what exactly are you doing?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips. Jay looked up from his notepad, narrowing his eyes.
"I'm testing to make sure that we can trust him. You never know when a visitor is actually the traitor's partner in crime!" the redhead exclaimed. I gave him a what-the-hell look.
"He's a friend of Lilly and I. Why would he be untrustworthy?" I questioned. Jay jumped up from his seat and scrambled over to me.
"Well, maybe I don't have complete trust in you and Lilly as of right now! Just because he's a 'friend' of yours doesn't mean I'm gonna trust him immediately," he told me. His words sort of stung, mainly the part where he said he doesn't trust me, but I didn't show it. I just narrowed my gaze at the young man.
"You're acting crazy, Jay. I'm actually starting to question if you even have any remaining sanity," I admitted. Jay looked offended from the remark.
"I'm not insane!" he shouted, "I just want to save this team!"
"Save it!? How are you saving it when you keep accusing Nathan over here of being the traitor when his signs aren't that extreme!? You're just terrorizing everyone and creeping us out!" I argued. Anger was starting to build up inside me and the more I tried to contain it, the more difficult it became.
"I'm just trying to save you all! Nathan's the one who's the most suspicious anyway! Why don't any of you agree with me!?" he exclaimed. He really was losing it, you could tell. I opened my mouth, ready to argue again, but I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. The hand very gently pushed me aside, placing it's owner in my spot. Nathan stood where I used to be, an angered look on his face.
"I'm the traitor, huh!?" his voice was louder than what I'm used to hearing from him, so I could tell he was really mad. "You know, Jay, ever since my second day here, all I've ever heard were rumors that I was the traitor! I've heard nothing good about me from you and all I ever hear is all your stupid theories about how I'm the traitor, and frankly, I'm freaking tired of it!"
"Well, maybe you are the traitor and just hiding it from us!" Jay argued. Nathan stared daggers at him. The nice, slightly quiet boy that I had known for more than a week isn't as nice as I thought. He stepped closer to Jay, narrowing his eyes.
"If I were the traitor, my brother would have known and would have probably ratted me out to you guys. Trust me, Hunter knows what should stay secret and what shouldn't," he informed the master of lightning. I looked over at Hunter to see him nod in agreement with his brother.
"But he could still be hiding it! Siblings tend to cover up their brother or sister's backstabbing actions and personality!" Jay shouted as Nathan glared at him, "Besides, I can tell you're the traitor because of how you act! You stare at everyone, especially Sammie, and you act all nervous all the time! Explain that!"
Nathan's cheeks started to turn red as his expression angered. I watched his hands ball into fists and tighten, and his light blue eyes started to fill with rage. He was gonna explode.
"Oh, so I guess I'm the traitor because I didn't know how to talk to you guys! I'm the traitor because I was NERVOUS ON THE FIRST WEEK! Wouldn't that make nearly everyone else in this room traitors too, Jay!? Maybe even yourself!? And," the blue ninja paused to take a breath, his eyes still locked on Jay, "Is it so wrong to like someone, Jay!? Is it SO FUCKING WRONG!? Admit it! You stared at Nya and you still do! You even stare at inappropriate places! I guess that would make you the traitor too, huh!?"
Jay cheeks became crimson as Nathan panted from yelling. I could see Kai glaring at Jay from the corner of the room. Something told me that Jay was going to be burnt to a crisp after this, if Nathan doesn't kill him first. Though, did Nathan just admit he liked Sammie!?
"That doesn't prove anything!" the dark blue ninja argued. Nathan grumbled. He looked at Jay as though he were about to dropkick the redhead. I don't blame him.
"It's not my fault that you're much dumber than you look. You just can't accept the fact that you were proven wrong!" he shouted. Jay's expression began to fill with pure rage. Then, he swung his fist and it connected with Nathan's right cheek, causing the boy to stumble back. I heard a gasp as Nathan looked up at Jay, seething. He ran up to Jay and knocked him to the ground with a spin kick. Then, he jumped onto the dark blue ninja, repeatedly punching his face. Okay, this was getting out of control.
Lilly quickly ran over and pulled Nathan off of him, restraining the master of water. Hunter ran over as well to help, and to try to calm his brother down. Zane pulled Jay off the floor and restrained him as the master of lightning kicked at the air frantically like a child throwing a tantrum.
"This is not a very pleasant display to our guest, boys," Zane said, sounding annoyed.
"He's not even in the room anyway, Zane. He went to find the bathroom minutes ago," Cass informed the nindroid. Zane shook his head.
"Still, that was childish of you two. What would Sensei say?" he said like a mother disciplining her children.
"He would probably say something about brotherly love and respect...and tea," Jay answered, glaring at Nathan. The light blue ninja glared back, looking quite exasperated. Suddenly, we all heard a loud bang, as though lots of heavy things had just fallen in one of the rooms. I looked down the hall with curiosity. Could that be Xavier? If so, why is he making that sort of noise?
"Um, is our guest okay? It sounds like he's having a bad time in there," Cole looked down the hall as well. I sighed.
"I'll go see what's wrong. He probably accidentally shut off the lights while still inside or something," I volunteered before walking down the hall. I silently walked down it then knocked on the bathroom door. Though, when I did, it creaked open, revealing no one inside. Where'd he go!? Was he just exploring our home? Or was he...? No. He couldn't be. That's be crazy.
I crept down the hallway, making sure to not make a sound as I listened for any noise. I peeked into each room as I made my way down the hallway, looking for the crimson-haired man. I stopped suddenly when I heard another bang. It was coming from Sensei's room. Believing that he was in there, I snuck down the hallway to Sensei's room, making sure that I didn't make a sound. I stopped once I got to the door to the room and peeked in, only to be shocked.
In the middle of Sensei's room, Xavier stood holding the Realm Crystal. He stared at it with awe, and kept glancing towards the window and door like a thief making sure they weren't going to get caught. He didn't spot me for some reason when he glanced at the door. Might as well call him out now.
I jumped into the doorway, raising my voice to say "Xavier, what are you doing!?"
He nearly dropped the crystal at the sight of me, startled by my sudden appearance. He held it closer to himself now, not speaking to me.
I sighed. "Xavier, no one's supposed to touch that. Please put it down."
The master of time hesitated, holding the crystal to his chest now. Then, he sighed.
"I'm sorry, Karma," he said, before running up, grabbing the top door frame, and kicking me into the hall. He darted down the hall as I recovered from the kick to the chest. I need to warn the others.
"Guys! It's not Nathan who's the traitor!" I screamed as I ran down the hall, "It's our guest!"
I quickly ran into the living room to see the others cornering Xavier. He looked frightened as they neared. Kai pointed a katana at his throat.
"I believe you should drop that, sir," he said in a fake polite voice. Xavier blinked, then looked down. He then slid under Kai and out into the open, dropping the crystal on his way. The master of time cursed, then darted out the door, seeing that there was no way to retrieve the crystal now.
"Well, at least he dropped it," Kai said, picking up the Realm Crystal. I ran out the door after Xavier, not waiting for my friends. I skidded to a stop on the pavement outside when I saw Xavier sitting on his dragon above, which was a gray with eyes that resembled clocks. The master of time turned and looked back at me. It looked like he had been crying but I couldn't tell.
"Xavier! What the hell was that!?" I shouted up at him. He had an ashamed look on his face.
"I'm sorry. Please try to forgive me," he said before flying off. Words could not describe the anger and confusion I was feeling just now. Why did he do that!? Why would he attempt to steal the crystal!? He's not the traitor...is he!? I guess there was so much more to Xavier than I thought. That being how much a thieving fake he could be!
I turned and stomped back inside, fuming. I trusted him! And now that trust is gone! I just...I can't believe it. Why would Xavier do this!?
3 hours after Xavier's visit, Steep Wisdom
Lilly sat on a rock in the small pond by the tea shop, still trying to figure out what exactly happened a few hours ago. She stared down at the small waves in the pond she was making absentmindedly, lost in thought. Why exactly would Xavier try to steal the crystal? she thought to herself, That's not the master of time I knew.
She had known for Xavier for years. He was the one who gave her a place to stay when she grew weary of living on the streets. He was the one who attempted to teach her all the things he knew. He was the one who told her about the ninjas of Ninjago and encouraged her to show off her ability. He was the first person to not discriminate her because of her powers.
Why would he steal though? He got ticked at her every time she stole food or shirts from nearby shops when she was younger. Is he just being hypocritical now? Or is there more to his story? Is there something going on that she doesn't know about?
The only thing that she could think of was that he was somehow was forced into this. There was no other way. Xavier wouldn't do it for any other reason. Though, how would he be forced into it? No one was holding a gun to the poor man's head. Unless the person who forced him to do this threatened him. How would this person threaten him though?
Lilly thought for a moment, creating slightly larger waves with gentle movements of her hand. They couldn't have been threatening him, knowing his power, so how could they threaten him? Then, it hit her. The sudden realization caused Lilly to make a large wave, causing the water to slosh against the clay brick tiles that were above the water. They didn't threaten Xavier, they threatened someone close to him.
It all made sense. Xavier does everything that he decides himself, and doesn't do any jobs for anyone unless someone he cares about is in harm's way. That's the Xavier she knew. Though, if her theory was correct, who exactly is being threatened?
There was only one answer.
Ninjago City, 12:15 am
Xavier ran into the alleyway as fast as he could, nervous that he may be too late, and what was to come. He stopped when he saw a hooded figure standing at the other end of the alley, whose fiery orange hair shined in the little moonlight that fell into the alleyway. He thought he could see him smiling.
"Oh Xavier, time's up," the hooded figure sang as he approached the master of time. Xavier stood still, trying to not look nervous.
"Do you have the crystal?" the hooded figure asked him. Xavier hesitantly shook his head.
"They got it away from me, but I'm sure your other guy can get it instead, right?" the master of time answered him. The hooded figure leaned into the moonlight, revealing his fiery orange hair yet again and his malevolent navy blue eyes. His expression showed that he wasn't too pleased with Xavier at the moment. When was Alex ever pleased anyway?
"Xav, your deal was that you'd get the Realm Crystal for me, and I wouldn't lay a finger on your precious little girlfriend," Alex said, glaring at him. Xavier cleared his throat.
"Yami is male, sir," he corrected Alex. The master of psion gave an annoyed sigh, mumbling a "whatever".
"Anyways, you didn't meet your deadlin-" Akex started to speak, but Xavier interrupted him, begging "Wait! Please give me a second chance! I assure you I'll get it this time! Please! Just don't do anything to Yami!"
The orange-haired man hesitated, then sighed. "Alright, Xavier," he said, then looked around as though he thought someone was watching them,"come here and I'll tell you. I can't talk out loud with the cops crawling all over the place."
Xavier nodded and walked over to Alex as he pulled off his hood. The master of psion placed a hand on his shoulder, then looked at him.
"Alright, listen, here's the deal..." Alex started to say, his voice trailing off suddenly. Xavier started to grow nervous.
"Is there something wro-" Before the master of time could finish, he felt a sudden sharp pain in his stomach, causing him to gasp. Alex jerked his other arm, smirking as he pulled his hidden blades from Xavier's abdomen. The crimson-haired man continued to gasp and clutch his stomach, trying to stop the blood from gushing out of his body. His eyes were wide, as if he had just seen a ghost.
"Bet you didn't see that one coming, did ya master of time?" Alex smiled. The master of psion laughed manically as Xavier fell to his knees, struggling to stay conscious and stay alive. He noticed that he was losing a lot of blood, and now losing time too.
"Y...you.." Xavier struggled to say, looking up at the laughing man. He couldn't finish his sentence though. He could feel himself slipping out of consciousness slowly. No! I can't die yet! his thoughts shouted, but he couldn't deny it. He was losing blood too fast. Tears started to fall from his eyes as he thought of his fiancee, and the friends he had betrayed earlier today. Who would tell Yamikani? Who would make sure he's okay? Who would bring the news to everyone? He would never get to say goodbye to Yami. He would never get to properly apologize and say goodbye to his friends. He would never see them again.
He fell onto the ground, staring up at the moon as tears streamed down his face. This isn't the way he wanted to go. Dying of blood loss in an alleyway with no one knowing except his killer. This isn't the way anyone wants to go, but Xavier had to accept his unfortunate luck, as he'd rather take it than someone innocent.
"I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye everyone. Maybe I'll see you all again," Xavier whispered as his consciousness started to slip into darkness. A smile came to his face as he ran through his memory, from when he was a child up until yesterday. All the lives he had changed. He had made an impact, and that's all he needed to know. He had done something good for this world, and now it was his time to go.
He smiled one last time before closing his eyes forever, satisfied with the impact he had made on others' lives.
18-9-16
