A/N: Okay! Almost to the homestretch! I'm almost there! AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!
Please read and enjoy!
Chapter 7
I couldn't believe what I had just seen. Sure, I had been surprised when I found out Nya was the mysterious Samurai X, but this new revelation takes the cake. We all stand motionless on the Bounty's deck, amazement and bewilderment both taking over our faces. Sensei Wu had approached Nya, and...
Wait, what?
"Nya, the elemental power of Wind moves freely within you… Such a startling development…" Sensei strokes his long, white beard with deliberate contemplation as he muses further. "Hmm…something must have happened during your ordeal for you to awaken to your innate ability…"
A blush comes to her face and she averts her eyes from Sensei. Following the subtle inclination, a sudden unmanly squeak escapes me, but I quickly shut my mouth. I take care not to make any eye contact with my brothers—especially Kai. Great time for my face to feel warm… I grouse inwardly. Sheesh… Thank Thor for my hood…
The guys all turn to me with questioning looks, and Kai's eyes narrow suspiciously. Nope! No eye contact!
"So…the time has finally come, has it…?" Sensei's straw hat casts a dark shadow over his eyes. He's speaking so low and mysteriously, but still everyone hears him loud and clear. "…Kunoichi are just as relevant and powerful as Ninja, after all… Isn't that right…Haruka…?"
Huh? What was that last bit?
"Sensei…?" Zane's voice tentatively stirs the contemplative ambience. And as if awakening from a distant dream, Sensei Wu lifts his head with an assertive strike of his bamboo stick against the deck.
There's an almost somber gleam to his wise, onyx eyes despite his steadfast expression. "Nya, it is time for you to take your place amongst the Spinjitzu Masters, and become a kunoichi. And no doubt by doing so, pave the way to unlocking your True Potential."
Nya's soft, chocolate eyes snap back to Sensei with determination shining in their depths. "Yes, Sensei," she says, dipping into a respectful bow. "It would be an honor. Please guide me."
Sensei hums his affirmation and turns towards the door. "Now, come all of you. There's much to discuss…and there's something you all must see…"
Again with the ominous talk? We all glance at each other in confusion before following Sensei Wu inside the Bounty and into his chambers. His room is dark as always, just dimly lit with candles. He never really explained why, but keeping up with the times wasn't always his prerogative. Kai is the last to enter, and we form a semi-circle in front of our teacher and remove our hoods. The scent of cherry blossoms tickles my nose, and I spy a few incense sticks burning in a cup smack dab in the middle of low-standing table positioned at the center of the room. Sensei closes his eyes briefly, and then with the same low undertone begins to speak. "Elemental Masters are a chosen, special few. Without proper guidance or self-awareness, most will go their entire lives not knowing about their gift, and die in the darkness of ignorance. But members of my family have always been able to sense those who were different—those who didn't know about their own affinities for the elements… It is how I was able to find all of you, in fact. But that's not all… There are others… You Ninja wield four of the Natural Elements: Earth, Fire, Lightning, and Ice. However, with the newfound serenity of Nya's heart, it is time for me to reveal another four elements: Wind, Water, Light, and Darkness."
"What?!" Our voices erupt in startling unison at the sudden, unorthodox revelation. Why were we just hearing about this now?! Were there really others out there?! Others like us?!
Sensei lifts his hand to calm us. "Yes, yes, I know. But please save your questions for when after I finish explaining." Sensei turns his focus to Nya. "As I've said, you mark the genesis of the reawakening of the Counter Elements, Nya. A mere generation has passed since the last Master of Wind. Your powers were not lingering over the surface like the others, but buried deep within you—dormant, until your heart could find the peace it needed to grow."
Nya places her hand over her heart and smiles. She isn't confounded by this. She's ready and accepting—ready to take on a new challenge and embark on a new adventure. And I can feel my own heart grow calmer. This is good. Yeah…we'll be able to do this…together.
Sensei addresses us again as a whole. "And now…it is time for the other three Masters of the Counter Elements to be found."
"Whoa, whoa, hold on for a sec, Sensei," Cole interjects, stepping up. "You mean you want us to actually find these guys? Roam all around Ninjago?"
"Yeah," Kai chimes in, speaking up as well, "they could be anywhere."
"Not to mention, we still have to stop the Serpentine from getting their slimy hands on the rest of the Fang Blades," I put in reasonably.
Sensei takes all of our objections in stride. "Of course, our top priority is still to stop the Serpentine. However, we must also make it our objective to find the remaining masters."
"Sensei…there is more you are keeping from us, is there not?" Zane suddenly asks plainly. And Sensei, being the ever Captain Cryptic, doesn't answer Zane and wordlessly turns around to stroll over to the back wall of his room. Sensei always had a very Spartan-ish sense of décor. His room's lined in tatami mats, a futon he uses for sleeping is in the corner, a table for his precious tea time, an armoire, some Japanese oil paintings decorates his walls…but not that back one. No, it's completely bare—just an oak wall. So then…why…
Deliberate and sure, Sensei splays his palm on the center of the barren partition. And at once, the entire wall panel rotates.
What in the corncob?!
"And these, dear students, are the four Platinum Weapons of Legend!"
We all gawk. Great Pegasus! These bad boys look cooler than the Golden Weapons! Fierce and opulent, four beautifully crafted weapons display themselves before us. They completely radiate power and magnificence. Impeccably sharp blades, smooth edges, dangerous points, and blunt curves practically screamed to be used to vanquish evil. But who would wield them…? Who exactly were the remaining masters…?
Sensei gestures to each one by name. "These are the Bladed Gauntlets of Tempest, devastatingly powerful attachments that fasten onto the master's hands and feet to allow slicing blades to accompany what would normally be blunt attacks. The Bo Staff of Waves is an impressive and heavy length of seventy-two inches and twenty-five pounds, and requires a graceful yet power individual to wield it properly. The Bow of Divinity is a recursive, long bow that shoots arrows of divine light that pierces through those tainted with evil. No doubt the chosen master will have to be an exceptional archer to even draw its string. And lastly…these are the Twin Sais of Oblivion…" Sensei gives pause before further elucidating. Something is there in his eyes again—that strange somber gleam. But it dissolves even quicker than it did before. "…Wicked in appearance and deadly for sure. These weapons are used for both stabbing and slicing with swift precision. It's been…quite some time since they've been touched…"
Sensei drifts off to leave a heavy blanket of foreboding in his wake. But again, he's quick to recover. "Nya, please step forward," he instructs, and she does so without a lick of hesitation.
Wise, onyx eyes focus on her alone. "Nya, you were the Samurai X and proved most formidable in combat with the help of your machines and gadgets. But now…a new you will be born. You will become a female ninja—a kunoichi. You will not only receive elemental training, but you will also undergo the same merciless regimen I have the Ninja go through each day. There will be no more going it alone unless the situation calls for it. For us, nomads, find great strength in unity. Do you understand?"
Nya nodded firmly. "Yes. Although I have my own strength to be proud of, I will ask for help when I need it." Soft chocolates suddenly lock onto me, and my breath catches at the beautiful smile sent my way. For me. Just me. "I trust them."
Nya…
Sensei Wu smiles in understanding. "Excellent. Now…Ninja-GO!" Turning into a glimmering, golden vortex, Sensei engulfs Nya in a brilliant flash. He did the same for us. Which means… Sensei's virtuous element dissipates as he retakes his place in front of us.
And there she is… And she never looked more incredible…
A royal purple sneaking suit hugs her body like a second skin, but the front splits down the middle, revealing black fishnet and a teasing view of her sternum. Her arms are visible, except for the black, fingerless gloves that stop about halfway up her forearms. Around her wrists are platinum, spiked bangles, and encircled around to protect her lower legs are plated silver shin guards with an intricate design of wings etched into them. She turns back around to Sensei, and I'm transfixed by the shiny, silver depiction of an eagle on her back, its wings spread wide enough to touch each of her shoulders. So freakin' cool! I notice she lacks the usual hood the guys and I share, leaving her hair free. But she still had something to obscure her identity if needed: a purple mask. I saw it cover the lower half of her face and neck before she had turned to face Sensei again. And was that some type of…amethyst brooch fastened above her heart? And were her eyes…different…?
"I don't think I approve of this…" I hear Kai mumble. And is his eyebrow twitching? "Her suit is way too…revealing. I don't like it! Gross!"
If Nya heard him, she didn't comment. In fact, she's oddly quiet. Is she okay…?
"Now Nya, Kunoichi of Wind…concentrate and call the gauntlets to you," Sensei Wu instructs.
Her head turns, revealing her profile…and I'm right. Her eyes are different. No longer are they the soft pools of milk chocolate that I know, but flaring voids of stark violet. What…? I open my mouth to call out to her, but immediately close it upon catching Sensei's placating expression.
She's okay. Just watch.
Face hardened with resolve, Nya extends her hands towards the Bladed Gauntlets of Tempest. Those flaring violets close and her brow smoothes out serenely. We all observe with bated breath as the gauntlets begin to pulse a rich violet. It's a timed rhythm—like that of a beating heart, a living thing. And in a flash they respond, rising gently from their perch, the four pieces of weaponry levitate and glide towards their master as if riding the currents of a nor'easter. One by one they attach themselves to her body with subtle clinks of metal upon metal. It's funny, because on their perch, they had appeared clunky and heavy. But once they settled on my girl…they look made for her. It was like they had melted down to fit her particular form. Sleek, lithe, and graceful. Those weapons are hers.
My eyes burn to blink, and that's when I realize, I've been staring at her. I exhale a quick breath and let my mouth stretch a mile wide into a smile. "That was beyond awesome!" I burst excitedly.
"Yes, truly impressive," Zane puts forth, a curious tilt to his head.
Nya opens her eyes and looks down at herself, and I'm relieved to see they had returned to normal. Blinking, she lifts her legs one after the other experimentally, as if testing their weight. And seeming satisfied, fires her right leg out to perform a side kick. The force of the attack and the added power of the gauntlets create a powerful gust of wind that shatters the window in Sensei's room.
Nya cringes and sheepishly lowers her leg. "Oops…sorry, Sensei."
"Whoa…" Kai gapes, eyeing the jagged pieces of glass now littering the floor.
"Yeah," Cole utters, "watch out Serpentine."
Sensei Wu laughs lightly. "Diligence, Nya. Practice and diligence will reap mastery in time." Our teacher touches that hidden panel again, and the rest of the Platinum Weapons re-conceal themselves.
My celebratory euphoria dies down a bit when my gaze returns to my girlfriend. I watch with concern as vexation crosses over her face as she touches the large amethyst and silver brooch stationed above her heart. What's wrong…? Why does she look so stricken…? Her eyes are cloudy—soft cocoa transitioning into murky, dark waters.
Nothing stops me from calling out to her this time. "Nya? What's wrong?"
The murk and fog immediately disperse as her gaze meets mine, and she shakes her head. "No. Nothing…I'm fine." Her mask is all but painted unto her face, so I can easily discern the smile she plasters unto her lips…and how completely fake it is. She hurriedly turns away from me. "But Sensei, where did these weapons even come from? You've told us about the origins of the Golden Weapons, but…"
I frown, but stay silent. Easily figuring out that now isn't the time.
"Sadly, I do not know how the Platinum Weapons came to be. Only that they've been passed down in my family for generations, from keeper to keeper." Sensei goes to settle himself down at his lone table and removes his hat.
"If that's the case, how come Garmadon never tried to use them instead of the Golden Weapons?" Cole asks.
"My brother could never wield the Platinum Weapons, for their power is too great and unstable to maintain as one," Sensei divulges, pouring himself a cup of tea…Where in the biscuit did that tea set just come from?!
"Now, please leave me. It's getting late and my indulgence is calling me."
"Yes, Sensei." We all say in unison, bowing respectively.
As we all begin to leave the room, I turn to see Nya reach up and touch the mysterious brooch that had magically manifested onto her person. I gather my courage and purse my lips determinedly. I guess now's the time… I walk over to her and place my hand on her shoulder.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask again.
She's silent for a moment, but I can tell by her eyes that she's not in her own world. "Yeah," she says meeting my gaze, "just…just a lot to take in…that's all."
I would never goes as far as to say that I can read people easily, but my shrewdness and meticulous attention to detail lets me get a pretty good idea when someone's not being truthful. Well, I take that back. She wasn't lying per se, just not telling the whole truth. And, I don't want to push her if she's not ready. So…I guess I'll drop it…for now.
"I'm going to go to my room for a bit. Call me when dinner's ready, okay?" Before I can even get my thoughts together enough to respond, she's pulling her mask down, leaning up on her tiptoes and kissing me chastely on the lips. A familiar thunderous tempo settles in my chest, and I sigh dreamily as I watch her go.
"O…Okay…" I get out in a tone that could barely constitute as a whisper.
A sharp tap on my shoulder has me turning irritably to the source, and for me to get an eyeful of sharp, intense golden-amber eyes glaring murderously into my own startled blues.
My mouth falls open stupidly. "…Uh…"
Flaming orbs narrow further. "I need to talk to you. Now."
A/N: I miss Morro…and I miss Garmadon. Oh, and I have a question for anyone's who's willing to answer it: Is it true that Jay wields both Lightning and Wind elements? I keep hearing it on forums and stuff, and people are saying it's true. But I can't find when he displays Wind powers. Does anyone know when? And if so, could you share the info with me? I hope it's true personally…
