A/N: Hey guys! Here's the next chapter. Sorry if you don't like it. No flaming please! I think I'll make two or so more.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ninjago
(Arua's POV)
I watched in horror as we approached the Forge of Time. It was now completely dark and I could see a faint light in the distance and a black column of smoke. They had begun crafting the Staff of Time.
"We're too late," said Jay quietly. His voice turned louder. "Just our luck! Why does your home and the Forge of Time have to be on opposite ends of Ninjago, Zane? Now Lord Garmadon and Zeera have had heaps of time to craft the Staff of Time!"
Zane shrugged quietly.
"We may be too late to stop them from crafting it," Sensei advised. "But that does not mean we cannot win this battle."
Cole turned to everyone. "Sensei is right. If we get there quick enough we can stop them from completing the Staff of Time. If they craft it, we'll just have to steal it from them. Remember, nothing is more important than getting that staff."
The dragon and exo-suit suit began their descent and landed a fair while away from the snippets of light that must be at the Forge. Something dark is blocking the full view of the light, I realised. Whatever it is, we've got to get past it.
"Hey!" Yelled Kai impatiently. "Why aren't we landing right in front of the Forge? This is ages away! We'll never get there in time!"
Sensei hopped off the exo-suit and tapped something invisible to our eyes due to the darkness.
"This is the Plain of Spikes," he explained. "These spiked rocks blend into the darkness and create perfect protection for those seeking the Forge of Time from above. They only way we can get through the Plain of Spikes is to weave between the rocks."
Everyone crowded in front of Sensei.
"My scanners say that it will take us approximately 10 minutes to make our way through. We should leave now." Calculated Zane.
Everyone turned to go except Sensei, June and I.
"Wait!" I called out. The others halted. "What about June? She is only 10. We can't let her get hurt."
"She is right." Sensei advised once more. "She and Lloyd must stay behind." Lloyd groaned while June look relieved but worried. "As for you, Arua. You are not my pupil. I cannot tell you whether you can or cannot come, but if you choose to, your life will be in danger."
I paused, calculating. My life would be in danger. I may not return. Who would look after June? I may get Kora back if I go. If I don't return, will the ninja look after June? Is it worth the risk? So many questions buzzed about my head. I shook them off and looked at Sensei with a steely glint in my eyes and nodded.
"Count me in."
(Zeera's POV)
I watched the shadowy darkness, alert for sounds. Nothing, as usual. I thought, bored. Lord Garmadon may know how to forge the staff with the rare materials supplied in there but someone of his age should have experience and be faster. This waiting is killing me!
"Are you done yet, Master?" I called into the light of the cave.
Lord Garmadon stuck his head out and glared. Doesn't he know that doesn't faze me yet?
"You must not rush me, apprentice." He commanded. "And keep your voice down! I admit I have had more time than I expected, but this oversight has worked in our favour. Now keep scouting. It is nearly complete."
I groaned. This position of Lord Garmadon's apprentice is way less eventful than I thought it would be. But I'd like to see those ninja sneak up on us now! They don't know who they're dealing with!
A sizzling sound came from inside the Forge of Time. I walked inside and turned to Lord Garmadon. He was proudly holding up a golden staff. It looked the same as the hilt on the scythe except at the top was a dragon's head and in it's mouth was a clock.
"Behold!" Lord Garmadon cried triumphantly. "The Staff of Time!"
He walked over to me.
"Take it," he ordered, "so I may carry the elemental weapons."
"Yes Master." I replied, taking the staff from him.
"Good. Now we must flee so we can learn to harness it's power!"
We sprinted to the entrance of the Forge of Time only to be stopped in our tracks by seven figures. One was Sensei Wu, still as wrinkled as ever, holding a metal spike on a string. I raised an eyebrow at it. What is that pathetic weapon? The second figure was a girl about my age in samurai armour and red clothes. She wore a helmet, a golden bracelet with a red sphere in the middle and held an 'S' shaped boomerang. Next in line were four ninja of different colours: white, red, black and blue. White held silver shurikens, Red had a sword, Black had a scythe and Blue held black nunchucks. At the end of the line was someone who I had hoped would turn up but I never expected to.
"Arua" I said in breathless shock.
(Arua's POV)
"Brother," Stated Lord Garmadon.
"Brother." Sensei Wu replied.
Zeera's bewildered gaze immediately hardened. What happened to her appearance? I wondered. I mean, I know she was turned evil but I never expected this!
I was in such a state of shock, bursting to ask her questions yet withholding them in sheer awe that I randomly burst out: "Hey, nice new hairstyle."
Zeera raised her eyebrow and I instantly facepalmed. Ok, that went terribly and not at all as I'd hoped. I thought, totally embarrassed.
"Y-you know. It, uh, it suits you. Goes with your look." I said feebly. I shook my head to clear it and looked at her hopelessly.
"Zeera, you know this girl?" Questioned Lord Garmadon.
She bared her teeth and glared at me.
"She is the reason I am bitten. That I had to suffer that pain. That I am who I am." She answered with loathing dripping off her every word. "I would have escaped the Great Devourer if I hadn't heard her voice which made me stop in my tracks and give that snake the chance to eat me!" I looked at her with horror and sadness in my eyes. It is all my fault.
"Kora I'm-" I began
It's too late for that!" Zeera yelled, cutting me off. "And that is not my name! It is Zeera! For what you've done, you will pay."
Lord Garmadon looked at Zeera approvingly while Sensei looked on in horror.
"You will get a chance to use your revenge, my apprentice." Lord Garmadon said. "But that will be another day. NOW!" He yelled.
Zeera and Lord Garmadon raced towards the line we had made and jumped clear over it. I saw Kai and Cole trying to stop them by attempting to hit their feet with their long weapons but it was useless. Zeera and Lord Garmadon split up and raced into the Plain of Spikes. Sensei pulled out the Fikkran Serum and passed it to Cole.
"We must track them before they escape! Use your speed!" He instructed. "Arua, Kai and Cole, follow Zeera. Zane, Jay and Nya, follow Lord Garmadon. Stop them before they reach the end of the plain! I will protect Lloyd and June. Go ninja. Go."
We split up and raced into the Plain of Spikes.
