28
Mia scrolled idly through her social media feed, feeling aimless. She wanted to get on and check how many follows Amber's dance photos had received, but she had already done so several times today and it felt petty to keep doing it. The number went up every time that she checked, however. Amber's growing fan group was really digging the style upgrade, just like Mia knew they would.
The door banged open, causing Mia to drop her phone. She turned with a scowl. "Excuse me!" she snapped, but May's expression was twisted with rage.
"What did you do?" the slightly older twin demanded.
Mia scoffed. "I don't know," she pointed out dryly. "What did you think I did?"
Rather than answer, May stormed over and threw a magazine onto her sister's lap. Mia nearly asked why May was throwing around tabloids like they mattered, but then her gaze fell on the picture pasted across the cover. Mia sat up, her mouth going dry as she read the headline plastered over the picture.
Oni Makes Move On New Ninjagoan Beau. The picture was one that Mia posted the night previous—the adorable couple photo where Patrick moved a curl out of Amber's face while the oni flushed in delight. The picture had turned out so well that Mia couldn't not post it, but the magazine was evidence that the tabloids had picked up on it.
"This isn't my fault!" Mia snapped defensively. "So NCGossiper stole a pic from Amber's social media. That's not..."
"It's not just the NCGossiper! I've researched online, and every magazine and tabloid out there has pictures of Amber slathered across them! Dancers Weekly, The Ninjagoan Philosopher, Famous Faces..."
"This just proves how hot of an item Amber is!" Mia argued weekly, tossing the magazine toward the trash. "And also how boring the rest of Ninjagoan News is right now. You have to admit—they work fast. I barely uploaded those pictures yesterday."
"You're not realizing how bad this is!" May snapped. "I knew making Amber a social media presence would end terribly."
"Hey!" her sister snapped. "You were right with me, convincing her to get social media! You wanted her to have a blog, remember?"
"Not behind her back! Do you have any idea how violated she's going to feel when she finds out that you made her a secret social media account...one that's feeding tabloids with her face?"
"She has nothing to worry about! She looks amazing in those pictures, so she shouldn't be embarrassed if all of Ninjago saw them. You're overreacting!"
"You can't just shrug this off! People think she's dating Patrick now!"
"Of course they're dating. They went to a dance together."
"You're being so pig-headed," her sister hissed. "Amber's going to be furious with us...the least you could do is take responsibility for making her the biggest news in—"
"I didn't make her the biggest news," Mia sniffed. "I didn't send her picture to tabloids. People love her, May, and I can't control what they do. Even if they hadn't gotten the pics from her social media account—which is booming, mind you—they would have gotten pictures of her eventually. It's only a matter of time before paparazzi start shadowing her everywhere." She went back to her phone feed stubbornly, refusing to look at her sister. "If she didn't want to be famous, then she shouldn't have moved to Ninjago and become a top-ranked dancer. She's got to deal with the consequences now—all I'm trying to do is give her as much good press as possible."
"Mia..."
"Matilda was able to make an argument against an entire race of people because Amber and her family were so secretive and hidden from the limelight. The witch got the whole realm on her side with tons of fake, negative press. The best protection we can give Amber from similar attacks in the future is showing the realm the real her. Which is why we both wanted her to start working on her social media presence, remember?"
May folded her arms, but she didn't seem to have an argument against that. At last, the long-haired Walker scoffed. "Well, be prepared with your explanation," she muttered. "I just hope Amber understands your pure intentions when she finds out about the secret account." Mia's finger froze on the screen, a sudden unease eating at her. May continued patronizingly. "You're going to have to come clean—Amber might not know a lot about tabloids, but she does know that you're the one who took that picture. If you don't tell her about the account, she's going to think you hand delivered it to the magazines yourself."
"Amber won't care about a social media account," Mia sniffed. "Once she sees how famous she is, and how many followers she has..."
"You and I both know she couldn't care less about all that. It's fine and dandy to be defensive with me, but I hope you can swallow your pride enough to apologize to Amber."
"Why would I need to apologize? I'm giving her positive buzz! That's—"
"No matter what you gave her, you betrayed her trust, Mia." May tossed her hair as she made it to Mia's bedroom door. "So take my advice, and get your apology ready."
"I've ruined everything forever," M realized numbly, staring at the news article on his phone. "I tried too hard and forced her into saying that hick is her boyfriend, even though I know—"
"Calm down, Openheimer," Dani snapped, though her own expression was grim as she studied her tablet. "We both know Amber well enough to know that she would never have done this on purpose. Not to mention that I know for a fact that she only thinks of Patrick as a friend. Your bruised ego aside, Amber is going to be humiliated when she learns about this."
M felt a little better at hearing Dani's interpretation, but he couldn't completely rid himself of the shame he felt for the previous night. He had been a total idiot. "Even if she and Patrick aren't a thing, she's never going to talk to me again," he muttered as he stared at the picture of Amber with her agricultural partner. Why do they have to look like such a couple in these pictures? They're practically about to kiss...
"Stop your belly-aching. If she's mad at you, it's your own fault."
"I know it's my fault! I just...I didn't want to lose her." He flushed, and Dani finally turned to look at him dryly.
"So you thought you'd just force her into a relationship with you?"
"I wasn't trying to force her into anything," he muttered. "I was trying to show her how I feel."
"By being completely toxic," Dani said flatly. "Like seriously, Openheimer...buying her expensive gifts? Talking all macho and trying to strong-arm her into ditching Patrick and being with you? Who's giving you relationship advice—your father?"
Rather than respond, M turned maroon. The piano blinked in surprise.
"Oh my gosh, you have—"
"This isn't about my Dad!" M cut in. "I just wanted to show Amber that I was the better option, is all."
"You did it completely wrong, if that was your goal."
"I obviously realize that now!" M snapped, turning to stare at his phone again as the screen went black. He scowled at his expression in the dark glass. "I just knew she didn't like that hick partner of hers...and I thought if I showed her how I felt..." He sighed, his voice becoming so soft that it was almost intelligible. "She means everything to me. If she couldn't sense that already with her magic, then I thought it was going to take something really big to get the message across."
Dani was quiet for a few minutes, but then she sighed. "It didn't occur to you to just pull her aside and say hey Amber, you mean everything to me."
"Stop making it sound like it's easy," M. growled as he shot her a look. Dani's return expression was unimpressed, and M dry-washed his face. "If I could do it all over, I would—but it's too late. She hates me now, and nothing I could say would change that." His eyes filled with tears against his will, and he refused to look at Dani again.
"Look," Dani's tone became gentler. "This tabloid mess aside, Amber just needs time. She wrote and said she's gonna spend the night at her grandfather's house again tonight and then make it to classes tomorrow. Get your apology ready for tomorrow, and then give her lots of space after you apologize. That's all you can do. Just make sure you're the real, sincere M when you apologize."
M. shrugged. "It doesn't matter what I am. It's hopeless."
"It's not hopeless, you stupid boy...but you have a lot of ground to make up." Dani's phone rang and she answered it. "Colby? Hey...yeah, I agree. This has your sister's written all over it."
Theo reached under his bed, looking for the bag with the Vengestone chains. He had half a mind to leave it at his grandfather's house and come get it in a week when he returned to visit Metallonia. Julien had admitted he was swamped with work until the week-long break between trimesters, but Theo couldn't afford to spend so much time in Ninjago. He was going to have to return to the Oni Realm to continue his research there and then come back. He found the bag at last and pulled it out, tugging it open to make sure both chains were inside.
"What's that?"
Theo jumped, pulling the bag closed as he turned to see Amber frowning in the doorway. "Nothing," he tried casually. "Did you and Grandpa talk to the printing company?"
"They said they got it from my Visacloudsky, or something," Amber said with a sigh. "It's Mia and May behind this, I know it. They're the ones who took the pictures. I'm going to have to go talk with them and figure out how it ended up on the front cover of Dancer's Weekly." She shuddered. "I'm so mad at them...as if I wasn't humiliated enough!"
"Those twins...always sticking their noses where they shouldn't," Theo offered, tossing the sack over to dufflebag. Amber came over, still frowning.
"Why do you feel so guilty, Tay?" she asked softly, and Theo cursed the fact he hadn't masked his emotions in time.
"I'm just mad on your behalf..."
"No, this is different," Amber cut in. Theo tried to act surprised, but deep down he was just mad at his sister's ability to read his emotions. Amber reached for the bag, and Theo lurched out.
"Amber, don't..."
His sister ignored him as she pulled the bag open and reached inside. Theo grabbed the sack, but not before his sister managed to touch what was inside. The Xinta gasped, dropping the bag and its contents like they had burned her. Theo pulled it away, his face burning as he pulled the bag closed. Amber stared at him with large eyes. "Theo..."
"It's not a big deal, Ams."
"Why do you have a bag full of Vengestone chain?" Amber demanded. He didn't answer, and Amber stepped closer. "Did you buy it here? What on earth are you using it for?"
Theo almost went along with her interpretation, but he finally sighed. Things were already messy enough—if Amber told his parents that he was buying Vengestone, his goose would be cooked for sure. The Heir to the Oni throne turned to face his sister, meeting her eye.
"I didn't get it from here," he admitted softly. "I found it in the Oni realm."
Amber stared. He knew she could sense his sincerity, and her expression crumpled with concern as she looked back at the bag. "You found Vengestone in the Oni realm? But...how...and why—"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," he replied honestly as he tossed it to his dufflebag again. "It was out in the desert, but I don't know how it got there. This is the metal I need to take to Julien—Uncle Zane said he's pretty sure that it's from Metallonia, and Julien's going to a school out there that investigates Metal specifically." Theo pushed his hair out of his face. "I'm hoping he could help me pinpoint where exactly in Ninjago it came from. That might help us figure out how it ended up in the first realm."
"What do Mom and Dad think?" Amber demanded. Theo's expression darkened, and his sister grabbed his arm. "Theo, you have to tell them!"
"I can't!" he said. "Amber, you know our parents. If they find out I found Vengestone chain while riding around the realm..."
"This could be a sign of something dangerous! If you won't tell them—"
"You can't tell them either!" Theodynn snapped, grabbing his sister by the shoulders. She seemed shocked by his intensity, and he sighed and lowered his voice. "They're already trying to keep me locked up at the fortress, Amber. Every month they get worse—they were going to make me bring Tolan to Ninjago with me."
"Tay—"
"I swear, I'm going to tell them about all this," Theo promised. "But not until I have all the facts. I have to know where it came from, figure out how it got to the first realm. Then I can show them it's not some huge, evil conspiracy."
"But what if it is some huge, evil conspiracy?" Amber demanded. "Vengestone chains don't just fling themselves across realms."
"I know." Theo sagged. "Amber...this is the first time I feel like I've been doing something that will really help the realm. If I could solve this mystery on my own, then it will show them that I can handle hard things." His voice became quiet. "No one thinks I can do it, Amber. The other leaders...the guards...even our own parents. They want me to stay back and push pencils all day. This is my chance to show them that I can handle being the Ruler...even if I don't have someone to Rule by my side." The last confession made him cringe, but it seemed to finally win Amber over. She sighed, looking down at the floor.
"All right," she muttered. "I won't tell our parents about the Vengestone yet. But you're not going to solve this mystery alone." She looked up to meet his eye. "I'm going to help you."
"It lasted longer, at least," Julien sighed as the prototype began to smoke. "The 4QR is definitely stronger than copper and the standard alloys we have tried. But it still cannot quite hold up to the increasing power."
"Ve'll get it," Agatha assured, her smile as bright as ever. Julien couldn't help but smile in return. One thing he loved about Agatha was that she genuinely seemed as excited about failures as she was about successes—it was as if learning that something wouldn't work was as fruitful as learning that something would. Which, in her opinion, was exactly right.
"Tomorrow we can try the 389I sample, but if that does not work, we may have to go back to the Mine and get samples of their more expensive alloys." Julien sighed, rubbing at his glasses. "I wish this one would have worked. I do not like costing MIRI unnecessary money."
"Zis is vat research is all about! Trust me, Zerek has had far costlier setbacks," Agatha assured. "He doesn't even do many of his own personal experiments on site anymore. Vord is he has a private lab vay out in ze norzern mountains of Metallonia where he can go to conduct his more dangerous experiments, avay from any people or press zat could bother him." She shrugged as she scrubbed down the countertop. "People come up wiz all sorts of zeories on why he's so secretive about it, but I zink it just boils down to him liking his privacy and not vanting people to steal his research. He's so anal about zat...a few years ago, he vas sure Borg was sending drones to spy on him and steal his achievements."
"The more I get to know him, the more...eccentric he seems to be," Julien offered. Agatha laughed.
"There's a reason the word "eccentric" is often paired with "genius," JC. MIRI is home to many a mad scientist," she joked. "Vatch out, or you'll be next."
"I think I will make do with being a normal genius," Julien bantered.
"I don't zink zere's such a kind," his girlfriend teased with a wry smile. Julien smirked as he unscrewed his prototype's hardware.
"Speaking of Zerek, did we ever give him that package?" he realized. Agatha stopped cleaning, turning to the box on the shelf next to the case containing the samples they had acquired from the mine.
"Ack. I forgot," the twenty-seven-year-old realized. She headed over to grab the box. "Vatever he ordered, it sure is heavy."
"Check the label," Julien offered. "If it is a metal we have not tried on my prototype yet, perhaps he will let me have a little for my project."
"Zat's true," Agatha offered cheerily as she checked the label. However, as her bright eyes scanned the words, her smile faded. "427R9?" she murmured to herself. "Vat on earth?"
"Is something wrong?" Julien asked. Agatha's eyes flicked up and she flashed him a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"No, nozing. Just a very rare, expensive alloy. Unfortunately, I do not zink zat Zerek vill be villing to share any...but I'll ask ven I bring it to him." Agatha hefted the box and quickly moved to the door, leaving Julien to puzzle in her absence as he finished taking apart the faulty hardware. He frowned down at his prototype and sighed before turning back to his notebook.
"Trial 18...fail."
29
"I'm fine, Amber. I don't need it," Theo said, refusing to even look in the direction of the cup she was offering.
"I felt the same way," she tried. "I kept the tea here at Papa Lou's house in case the nightmare's continued, but they stopped on their own."
"If you didn't need it for your nightmares—"
"I probably should have drunk the tea. I spent that part of my life feeling tired and overwhelmed." The Xinta studied her brother. "You look terrible, Theo. If nothing else, it will help you get some good sleep tonight."
He finally turned to look at the cup skeptically. "It's just the time difference."
"Even if it is, you can't solve the mystery of the Vengestone if you're running on fumes!" his sister snapped in reply. "I promised to keep your secret for you, but can you drink this for me?"
"Mom and Dad put you up to this, didn't they?" Theo accused.
"No, why would they?"
"Hershel already gave me my own bag, but I haven't touched it. I don't need any magic tea, Ams."
Amber narrowed her eyes. She hadn't wanted to go the hard-ball route, but if he wasn't going to leave her any choice, then she would. "You want everyone to believe that you can take care of yourself so badly, but it makes it hard to believe that you really can when you have huge bags under your eyes. If you don't want me to tell our parents about your side projects, then at least take steps to take care of yourself." Theo shot her an unamused look, but she ignored it as she rushed on. "Come on, Tay. There's nothing to be scared of."
"I'm not scared," he snapped defensively, though his eyes flicked over to the teacup again. "I just don't necessarily trust anything that will mess with my mind."
Amber looked down at the tea and sighed. "It just helps you get a good night's sleep. You could talk to Echo—haven't you always wanted to meet her?"
"I have bad experiences with talking to dead people."
Amber froze, realizing what it was that made her brother so adverse to the poppy tea. Her brother moved to start packing his bag to return home, and Amber tried to decide if she should try to force the tea anymore. "All right," she murmured, moving to leave. "I just thought it would help."
Theo's expression twisted, and he looked over at her again. Just as Amber reached the door back into the hallway, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"I'll try it tonight," he conceded.
"Are you sure?" Amber asked, turning in surprise. Theo looked resigned.
"Maybe it will get our parents off my back, if I show up tomorrow looking like I got a good night's sleep for once."
"Dr. Zerek?" The call came through the privacy glass on the scientist's door, and Zerek looked up to frown. He wasn't sure why Agatha was here, but he moved to cover the bulletin board he had been looking at. After making sure that the covering was secure, he headed over to unlock the door.
"Ms. Axel. Vat can I help you with?"
"Julien and I vent to ze MIRI mines to get materials for his project, and zey gave me a package for you." Agatha lifted a small box, and Zerek's brow furrowed.
"A package?"
"It has your name on it," she assured, adjusting the apparently heavy package. "I'm not sure vie zey didn't send it vith the general metal shipment—zey ver adamant zat it go directly to you."
Realization dawned, and Zerek reached out to claim the package. "Ah, yes. I know vat it is now," he said. "Zank you, Agatha."
"It's Chronosteel." It was a statement, and the pretty scientist fixed her mentor with a long look. "Dr. Zerek, if I may ask...vat are you doing vith chronosteel? I zot it vas incredibly difficult to create, and renowned as impossible to use in robotics."
"I make it my job to achieve impossible zings," Zerek countered with a tight smile. "Ve are the Metal Inquiry and Robotics Institution—we must test all metal and alloy substance to the fullest. My current experiments revolve around unlocking possible hidden uses for chronosteel."
"But considering ze ingredients it requires, and how difficult it is to alloy..."
"I appreciate you bringing me my package," Zerek cut in, his smile fading as his gaze became steely. "It is not your place to question vat I research."
Agatha flushed. "Forgive me. My curiosity caused me to overstep." She pushed hair from her face. "I only ask because if ze metal turns out to be functional in robotics, I zink it vould be the perfect substance for Julien's graduate project."
Zerek was about to shut the door, but he hesitated at the mention of the intern. "How so?"
"His project needs somezing zat can handle a great deal of power. The metals and alloys we have tried so far haven't been able to hold up to what he is trying to accomplish."
"Intriguing," Zerek murmured, the gears in his mind shifting. After a minute, he blinked and moved to shut the door again. "I vill have to let him know vat I discover."
Rook ignored the looks of the guards as she sauntered up to the entrance of the Central Fortress. She had long since learned that the more you acted like you belonged somewhere, the more people believed you did. The assassin had nearly reached the front doors when one of the guards stationed pointed a spear at her. She paused, raising an eyebrow. "Careful who you point that at," she warned with a smirk. He didn't seem amused.
"State your business."
"I'm here to see the Heir," she said as if it should have been obvious.
"The Heir isn't here."
"He should be." She pouted, looking down at the nails on one hand. "Unless I got the date wrong."
"He's not here," the guard repeated, but there was a flicker of uncertainty. Perfect.
"Could you at least go check?" Rook demanded. "He's supposed to be here—otherwise, I've come all this way for nothing."
The guard glanced at his companion, who nodded and slipped into the fortress. Rook and the remaining lacky stayed behind, and while she waited, Rook imagined all the different ways she could incapacitate the idiot with the spear.
The door opened again, and Rook put a hand on her hip expectantly. The guard returned, but the man following him was not the heir. The assassin scoffed. "Wrong person," she said dryly as she eyed the lanky figure.
"Who are you?" The newcomer's tone was no-nonsense, and after a quick look-over, Rook decided he probably didn't have any weapons other than the katanas hanging from either side.
"Rook."
He raised an eyebrow. "Should I know who you are based on that?"
"If you were anyone important," Rook said, crossing her arms. "Look, I just need to talk with the Heir."
"The Heir?"
"Yeah, you know..." Rook trailed off, suddenly realizing she couldn't recall what the stupid prince's actual name was. "The Heir of the realm? Oni Prince? Ring a bell?"
"You'll have to come back," the man said dryly. He was studying her closely, and Rook narrowed her eyes.
"Where is he?" she demanded.
"Classified information."
She scoffed. "Classified? Is he seriously not here?" Rook was mystified. Had the prince somehow made it out of the fortress without her realizing? She had been keeping a close watch.
"You'll have to come back." The man's voice was becoming firmer, and she watched as his hand drifted to the katana hilt.
"Are you seriously going to attack me for coming to visit the man courting me?" she asked, hoping her annoyance was clear. The lanky man narrowed his eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
The realization finally clicked. "Ah...the overprotective bodyguard," Rook said, looking him up and down one more time. "I should have realized. I've heard so much about you..."
"And I've heard nothing about you. That in itself..."
"Ask him about me when he gets back, and save yourself the embarrassment of falsely accusing me of something," Rook said before turning to leave. "Just let him know that Rook came to visit...and she didn't appreciate being kept waiting."
The cavern was huge, but Theo was sure he had never been there before in his life. He wandered it aimlessly, trying to orient himself. He was aware that this was some kind of tea-inspired dream, but what was unnerving was the fact he couldn't pull himself out of it. Generally once he figured out he was dreaming, he could wake up. This time, he seemed stuck.
Something glittered from the darkness at one side of the cavern, and Theo frowned as he made his way over. As he grew closer, he realized the light was coming from a large golden vein in the wall. Theo's eyebrows rose.
"Dragon Gold," he murmured as he reached out to touch it. It buzzed underneath his hand, but not painfully. It was just like the thin vein that darted through the tunnels connected to Haiven's house.
So. An Oni thief is the one who dragged me from the Departed Realms.
The voice wasn't spoken aloud, and yet it seemed to reverberate through Theodynn's mind. He blinked, pulling his hand away from the gold. For a moment he thought the gold had spoken until he heard the scrape of large claws on the stone behind him.
The Oni turned, and his breath caught when he realized that a massive dragon had materialized in the cavern. His golden scales glinted in the dim light, and his eyes seemed to burn with hatred as he glowered at the young man on the other side of the chamber.
What are you? The dragon hissed in disgust as it got a look at Theo. Your blood is Oni...but your features...
"Who are you?" Theo threw back in return, his voice echoing across the cave walls.
I am the King of the Dragons...the Elder who ruled for centuries in glory. The dragon sneered as his claws raked across the stony ground. Why have you woken me if you do not know what I am, Oni scum?
Theo's eyes widened. "Jarule," he realized in shock. "What...This isn't..."
So you know of me after all. The ground beneath Theo's feet seemed to tremble from some unseen power, and the Oni took a step back as the dragon began moving closer. What are you, Oni? Why have you brought us here?
"I didn't mean to," Theo admitted, his mind whirling as he tried to figure out what on earth had happened. He had never heard of anyone connected with a dragon through the tea...how was this even possible?
A mistake? The dragon narrowed his eyes. Such a mistake will be your last. Perhaps I was pulled from the Departed Realms to achieve vengeance for the tortured dragon souls murdered by your kind.
"That was decades ago..." Theo tried, but Jarule's roar cut him off.
Decades? They have been trickling into the mists of death ever since my demise. Proud souls of dragons, dying at the brutal hands of vicious human scum!
"That's against the law!" Theo shouted back as he tried to process. Surely, he would know if there were Oni keeping dragons hostage. The great beasts would be far harder to hide than slaves. "Oni and Dragons are at peace—"
Such lies, Jarule hissed. My ancestors have given me this chance to avenge myself and my suffering kind...and I will not waste it. Your thieving blood will stain my talons, filth.
The blast came faster than Theo was expecting, and the aura he threw up to protect himself wasn't quite enough to stop the force of it from throwing the Oni Heir into the wall behind him. He grunted as he hit and dropped to his knees, and he could see Jarule powering up for another attack. Theo's fists clenched, and when the next wave of gold power came from him, Theo managed to roll out of the way. His hands and eyes lit with power, and the Dragon gold behind him hissed and spit as Jarule's tarnished energy made contact with it.
"Why are you attacking me? I haven't done anything," Theo spat. "I'm no thief, and I've never harmed a dragon."
More deceitful falsehoods! Jarule growled. I can smell it in you, Oni. Stolen power from the dragons, somehow housed in your inferior form. A wave of power erupted from his ancient jaws, and Theo sprinted to avoid it. He threw a few aura blasts, his own anger building. Jarule's mouth snapped shut as one of Theo's attacks hit him in the face, and the dragon's fury was almost tangible as he hissed.
It is spreading...the toxic destruction of the Oni. I should have destroyed the witch when I had the chance before she could further unlock the power of her feral race!
"Our power is more than just destruction," Theo said angrily, panting as aura began to spread up his arms, winds whistling in the cavern. "Go back to the Departed Realm, Jarule."
And miss my chance at dragging an Oni conspirator back with me?
Theo's blazing eyes narrowed. "My parents sent you there once. If you won't leave, I'll send you back myself."
Jarule seemed confused, but then his expression cleared. His eyes locked on Theo with new understanding, golden lip curling up in loathing. The witch and the master...once again, dragon and Oni powers have combined to create an ABOMINATION!
Furious power flooded from the dragon, but Theo didn't bother running. Taking a deep breath, he launched blast after blast to counter Jarule's onslaught. He managed to keep them at bay for a moment, but then one of the dragon's attacks managed to catch him on the shoulder. Theo winced in pain, his guard dropping enough for another attack to catch him in the chest and send him careening into a pillar.
I will enjoy tearing you to pieces, the dragon hissed. It seems my ancestors have seen the good in my mortal actions at last, and have deemed me worthy of this revenge.
Theo pushed himself upright, the ground trembling again as the dragon dragged himself closer. "This is no chance at revenge. This is a mistake, created with what has to be faulty tea."
You will not talk your way out of this, Jarule warned, and his attacks began again. Theo managed to dodge, wishing that his dream self could have at least appeared in this chaotic place with a sword. As it was, he used his aura as much as he could, but it was difficult to counter the power of a beast more than ten times his size. The dragon growled in annoyance as Theo managed to dance out of the way of another golden wave, his own purple aura nearly making contact with the dragon coming closer. Theo dodged and blasted, his form charged with adrenaline. However, dread was starting to set in—there was nowhere to run on his side of the cavern. No tunnels, no exits, and a massive dragon dragging himself closer and cutting off any hope for escape.
WAKE UP! He shouted at himself as another of Jarule's blasts exploded near his face, splitting his lip. YOU HAVE TO WAKE UP! Theo sent a large wave of aura, and it caused the dragon to stumble back as he hissed in pain. However, the large attack was draining, and Theo dropped to one knee as his head spun. How can I be light-headed...or in pain? This is a dream, isn't it? I thought you couldn't be hurt in dreams. The Oni swallowed shakily. What happens if he kills me?
The thought sent ice flooding through his system, and the fear was enough to distract him from blocking the next blast. Theo hit the wall again, the breath leaving his lungs. He hit the ground gasping for air as he tried to summon aura with shaking hands.
You are weak, Jarule's tone was triumphant, and Theo realized that the dragon had reached him at last. Your parents were weak as well...if it wasn't for the betrayal of the Elemental Guardians, they never would have survived my wrath. Talons scraped their way toward Theo, and he battled with panic as he tried to push himself upright to meet Jarule's hateful expression. Alas...there is no one here to save you now, you atrocity.
"I am the Heir of the Oni," Theo replied quietly, the taste of blood in his mouth fueling the rage building inside of him. He wasn't going to go down here, like this. An unexpected power and warmth suddenly coursed through him like water bursting from a dam, and his hands turned orange beneath the purple aura enveloping them. "And I am not weak."
His fists slammed onto the ground, and power erupted out of him as the floor of the cavern shattered. Huge fissures formed, forcing the dragon to stumble back. The ground began to shake, and the pillars and walls of the cavern began to crack. Jarule hissed in anger as boulders and stalactites bombarded him from above.
Theo stared at the destruction numbly, and the power faded from him as he looked down at his hands in shock. "But..." he murmured in shock, realizing what this meant. However, before the full consequences of the moment could make themselves known to him, the cavern collapsed completely. Theo's vision went dark, serenaded by the furious roar of a dragon.
30
The shaking woke Amber, and for a moment, she couldn't figure out where she was or why the world would be rocking. The shaking continued even after she oriented herself, and fear spiked in her system. What was happening?
"Papa Lou?" she called out as things began crashing off of shelves. She could hear dishes shattering in the kitchen and trophies thudding to the ground, and the xinta clung to the couch she was on like a lifeboat as the ground seemed to roll and the whole house creaked. "Theo?"
There was no answer from the bedrooms, but Amber felt frozen on the couch until the rocking stopped a minute later. All at once, it was still, though she swore that she still felt like she was swaying. The house stopped creaking, and things on shelves had stopped crashing to the ground. Taking a deep breath, Amber stood and headed for the bedrooms. "Papa Lou?" she called again.
"Amber?"
The xinta sagged, hurrying into Lou's bedroom. Her grandfather was still in the middle of his bed, looking perplexed. Pictures had fallen off his walls, and Amber quickly climbed up on the bed to check on him. "Are you all right?"
"Fine," he assured as he tugged at his frazzled mustache. "Just an earthquake...and only a little one at that."
"Earthquake?"
"It was nothing compared to the one that hit while I was out on tour with your grandmother. Whole streets split open..."
"Why did the earth quake? What does it mean?"
Lou blinked. "It doesn't mean anything, Amber. It just happens sometimes." He rubbed his head before checking the alarm clock next to his bed. "We ought to get ready for aftershocks, I suppose."
"I have to go check on Theo," Amber said, slipping off the bed and heading for the door.
"Amber, you shouldn't move around during—"
"He didn't answer me," she argued as she slipped into the hall. She made it to the other bedroom quickly, her heart pounding. Had something landed on Theo during the shaking? There was no way he had slept through it, right?
"Theo?" she called as she tried to push her way into the room. However, the door wouldn't let her. Amber frowned—she knew there was no lock on the door. She could hear the whistling sound of aura winds from inside, and she realized that the door must be sealed by the moving air. "Theo?"
He shouldn't have nightmares that would trigger aura winds if he was still in tea-sleep, so he must be awake. Was he frightened? Amber strained to sense emotions through the doorway, but she couldn't make anything out. She frowned in determination as she turned the knob on the door and slammed it with her body, forcing it open at last.
Amber gasped as she finally managed to stumble into the room, and her eyes widened as she caught sight of the aura storm. Items from the room were littering the floor, and the lighter things were being tossed around in the wind. Shockingly, Theo did appear to still be asleep, motionless apart from his contorted expression. The Xinta ducked as a stuffed hoofer came flying for her head, and then she made her way over to the bed. "Theo! Wake up!" she called. She had nearly reached the bed when Theo's arms suddenly flashed orange, and Amber froze as her eyes widened with surprise. The flash faded as quickly as it had appeared, and suddenly, the ground was rocking once again. Amber gasped as she dropped to her knees. Her stomach turned over at the rolling sensation, and she closed her eyes in fear until the shaking ceased again.
Theo's arms...that's the earth element, she realized as she hunkered on the creaking floorboards. Does that mean...is he doing this?
"Theo!" she shouted again. Another flash and the rocking became more intense. Amber's heart pounded. Just as she was sure the house would tear itself apart after all, Theo bolted upright with a gasp, and the shaking ceased completely.
The winds vanished as well, and Amber flinched as papers and stuffed animals rained down on her. She watched as Theo wiped at his face, obviously shaken by whatever he had just dreamed of. Did he not drink the tea? She wondered.
"Tay? You...you okay?"
Theo whirled, and Amber pushed herself to her feet shakily as her brother spoke. "I...there was..." Theo shook his head as he looked down at his hands. "I could..."
"It's the earth element," Amber noted. "Theo...I think it transferred to you."
Theo blanched. "But it can't."
"The elements move naturally, remember?" she tried, reaching out to grab the bedpost to support herself. Her legs still felt like jelly. "That's how Colby got his powers, and May and—"
"This one can't move!" Theo argued wildly, and Amber blinked in surprise as Theo pushed himself out of bed. Aura winds began kicking up, and Amber realized suddenly that he was planning on transporting.
"Tay!" she warned, grabbing his arm. "You just had a nightmare—you need to calm down before you try to go anywhere."
"I have to check on Dad," he snapped, fighting her grip.
"Dad?"
"His power left! What if he...it could have..." Theo's words tumbled against each other, and Amber swallowed.
"We can call Dad," she promised. "He's fine, Tay...this is what's supposed to happen with elemental powers. But if you transport out of the realm, you're going to set off all kinds of alarms because the council isn't prepared—"
"I don't care about the council!" Theo yelled, wrenching free of her grasp at last. The winds began twisting around him, and Amber lurched forward.
"Theo, wait!"
"I can't sit back and wait anymore!" Theo snapped, his eyes blazing with purple aura. "I'm done waiting."
There was a flash, and Amber stared at the spot her brother had been standing.
"Kids? Are you okay?" Lou's voice was at the door. "Hunker down until the aftershocks stop, all right? Then we'll have a big mess to clean up."
"You got that right," Amber murmured.
Theo appeared in the middle of the fortress, and he ignored the squeaks of fear from servants as he made for his parents' room. He took the hallways at a sprint, and those he passed caught the look on his face and moved out of his way.
"Dad?" Theo called as he pushed the door open to his parents' quarters. The sitting room was empty, as was their bedroom. Theo glanced at the window and realized it was daytime—once again, the strange time difference between the realms had thrown him off.
He left the room and tore down the halls, demanding to know where his father was. Guards and servants stammered that they didn't know, and he growled in fear and frustration as he continued his search.
"Freak! We need to talk." Tolan appeared out of a side hall, and Theo ignored him as he continued. His bodyguard pursued him, his tone making it obvious he didn't appreciate being disregarded. "Theo—"
"Where's my dad?"
"Why?"
Theo turned, his eyes flashing as he faced his bodyguard at last. "Where's my dad, Tolan?"
The lanky man furrowed his brow. "I don't know—probably out."
"Prince Theodynn!" another voice chirped, and the Heir turned to see a serving girl panting as she pointed out the window. "We found your father—he's out in the fortress gardens."
Theo nodded his thanks before taking off again, and he could hear Tolan behind him. "What's going on?" the bodyguard demanded, but Theodynn didn't answer. He turned a sharp corner, taking a claustrophobic set of stairs that led out into the gardens at the center of the fortress. The sun was blinding as it beat down on him, and the Heir's mouth was dry as he scanned the fields for a familiar figure in black. He finally caught sight of Cole across the way, kneeling in the dirt with his back to his son.
Theo's heart pounded in his chest as he broke into a sprint. "Dad? Dad!" At first, the ninja didn't turn, and Theo's throat constricted in fear. "COLE!"
Cole finally turned, his expression full of confusion. Panic shot through Theo's system, but then the man in black spoke at last. "Theo?"
Theo sagged as he reached him at last. "You're...you didn't..."
"Are you all right?" Cole asked, pushing himself to his feet and brushing the dirt off his hands. "You look—" Theo cut his father off as he embraced him tightly, and Cole stumbled back in surprise. After a moment, he wrapped his arms around his son, though his concern was still obvious in his tone. "Did something happen?"
"I thought you forgot," Theo mumbled into his shoulder.
"Forgot what?"
Theo's grip tightened as his relief caused him to start to cry. "Everything."
Cole was quiet as he processed that, holding his son as Theo wept silently. After a few minutes, Theo pulled away in shame, and Cole studied him closely. "Are you still having nightmares?"
"I...the powers. They showed up in Ninjago, and I thought that if they left you, that you'd go back to how you were all those years ago. When you couldn't remember, because I had taken your powers the first time."
Cole's greying eyebrows rose in understanding. "Oh, Theo."
"They showed up out of nowhere," Theo explained as he looked down at his hands. They weren't orange now, but he knew it was still there, somewhere inside.
"I wondered when they would start manifesting," Cole murmured. Theo looked back up in surprise, and the ex-elemental master smiled. "I haven't really been able to summon the earth element for a while. I can't even communicate with the Earth Guardian anymore."
"You can't?"
"Haven't you noticed that I've been riding hoofers around everywhere?" Cole asked lightly, putting his hand on his shoulder. Theo realized that he hadn't noticed at all. He had been so involved in his own projects these last few months, it seemed he had missed things staring him right in the face.
"You're sure you're okay?" Theo asked at last. "Losing the element didn't do anything else to you, did it?"
"I'm fine," Cole assured. "More importantly, how are you, Theo? I didn't think you were coming back until tomorrow."
"I...sort of flashed out of Ninjago the second I realized I had elemental powers," Theo admitted, suddenly feeling a stir of guilt. He knew he had left Amber with a lot of extra problems that she had to now solve, but he hadn't been thinking much about those consequences when it occurred to him that his father could have gone back to being the memoryless man he had been all those years ago.
"It can be a shock," Cole agreed, though he was still studying Theo. The Heir put a hand through his hair, realizing he must look more disheveled than ever. His father continued gently. "You've got a lot of things on your plate right now, and this is going to be another change...but your mother and I are here for you, Theo. You don't have to do anything alone."
"I know," Theo assured, his stomach twisting at the thought of the Vengestone chain that he had left in his grandfather's house in Ninjago. He contemplated popping back over to get it, but he knew that he had already caused Amber a bunch of extra work. Better to call and let her know that he would be coming back so she could pass the information on to the controlling council. He just had to hope that Amber would keep the Vengestone safe until he could get back to it.
"Is there anything else going on?" Cole prompted carefully, giving Theo's shoulder a squeeze. "You have been so distant lately...we can help you with whatever it is you're wanting to accomplish. We know you've been wanting to make more of a difference in the realm. Your mother and I want to support you in that...but you've got to keep us in the loop."
For a moment, the pressure of Theo's secret project almost became too much. As Cole fixed him with a comforting look, the Heir longed to come clean and confess everything that he had been doing behind his parent's backs. He wanted his father's opinion on the Vengestone, and his mother's guidance on how to crack the meaning between Tala and Ottan's sudden meetings. He wanted to ask them about whether or not he should trust Rook, and if there was some connection between Ninjago and the First Realm that no one knew about.
"There is something..." Theo started, but then he trailed off.
"Yeah?"
Theodynn battled with himself for another minute, the words on the tip of his tongue. However, he finally shook his head. I can't. They wouldn't help me...they would hinder me and make it so that no one will ever figure out this dangerous mystery.
"Theo?"
"I had a dream last night," Theo admitted. "I drank that tea—the same stuff Hershel gave me. But the dream didn't make any sense...can I talk to you and Mom about it? I think...it's some kind of warning."
Cole blinked in surprise, but he was quick to agree. "Sure, of course you can. What kind of dream was it? Was there some old Oni there to talk to you?"
"Actually, that's the strange part," Theo admitted. "It wasn't an Oni. It was a dragon."
Dani pounded on the keys of the piano, driving the instrument through a rigorous ostinato. The sound echoed through the practice room, and Dani closed her eyes as she played. Some questioned her ability to sit for hours on end in a room with a piano, especially considering how she rarely sat still most other times. However, there was something especially calming about losing oneself to music. It was something she had discovered through the hardest years of her life, back when she was still attending a different academy.
Eventually, the song came to a dramatic end, and Dani opened her eyes as the last note faded from the room. She checked her watch and sighed. Only two minutes before her time in the practice room was over. Rather than try to think of a song to fit in that time, she figured she might as well pack up.
The pianist grabbed her bag and pulled out her phone, which she kept on silent during practices. She whistled low as she caught sight of the large number of texts she had received. "Did the world fall apart in the last three hours?" she muttered as she made sure her sheet music for her upcoming final was packed safely in her things. As she stood to leave the practice room, she flicked through the text messages. Most were from Amber and M, and Dani shook her head. "Someone's gotta make those kids talk to each other."
However, in scrolling through Amber's messages, she realized that the Oni wasn't writing about M, or even the tabloid fiasco. Dani frowned as she read through the text stream, and she finally switched over to M's number. His texts were more panicked, and she sighed.
I haven't seen Amber yet. Is she avoiding me?
She officially missed our practice.
How am I supposed to apologize if I can't even find her?
Dani?
Hello?
Dani rolled her eyes. She pushed the practice room door open with her back so she could send her reply.
Calm down, Openheimer. She's not at school today. Amber wrote and said that she had to go to an emergency council meeting this morning about the earthquake last night. I guess it had something to do with her brother? I don't know exactly, but she's not going to be at school at all today, so you can stop panicking.
She pressed send, and less than a minute later, he had replied.
Where have you been? How long have you known she wasn't going to be here?
Dani scowled as she typed her reply.
Sorry that I have a life outside of being your relationship coach, Mr. Dance Man. I've been practicing—music majors have trimester finals too, you know. Amber should be back tomorrow. You can bare your soul to her then, all right?
She didn't bother waiting to see what he would say as she clicked on a notification for missed calls. During the school day, they were nearly always spam calls, so she was surprised to see that Colby had tried to get a hold of her several times. Her phone buzzed to let her know that M had written back, but she ignored him as she dialed her boyfriend's number. It rang a few times, and Dani headed for her dorm to talk. "Hey, Walker, sorry I missed your calls. I was jamming out. What's up?"
"Jarule? Are you sure?" Keyda looked flummoxed, and Theo sighed. They were in his parent's sitting room, and he leaned back on the couch.
"I told you it didn't make sense. I thought only Oni responded to the weird dream tea."
"Maybe it's because you have elemental power in addition to oni aura?" Cole mused.
"I don't know. I was in this huge place I had never seen before, and there was dragon gold in the walls."
"Dragon gold? How do you know that's what it was?"
"Because I've seen it before."
"Where?" his mother prompted. Theo blinked, suddenly wishing he hadn't said anything.
"There's this tiny vein out in the Hidden Village. No one really knows about it—Iona keeps it on the down-low so that Oni won't get any ideas." He watched his parents share a look and resisted the urge to snap at them. This is why I can't tell you guys things, he thought. Seeing dragon gold is the least dangerous thing I've done in secret, and you're still treating it like some big deal.
"What did Jarule want?" Keyda asked at last. Her voice was bitter as she mentioned the previous Elder of the dragon race, but having heard his parent's history with the onery reptile, Theo knew why.
"He was just as confused as I was, at first. Then he got it in his mind that the dream was actually his chance at revenge." Theo shuddered. "He does not like you guys much...and he didn't like me much, either."
Keyda stiffened, and Cole leaned forward. "What happened?"
"I collapsed the cavern down on us and finally woke up," Theo admitted. "But that's not the important part."
"You were attacked by a dead dragon!" Keyda snapped. "We can't just ignore that!"
"Keyds..." Cole tried
"We have to talk to Hershel—this isn't normal," she argued. "My son can't even sleep without being attacked? That's—"
"Would you just listen?" Theo snapped, causing his parents to look at him again. "I handled myself against Jarule, all right? But he said some stuff that didn't make any sense; that's what I need your help with."
"That monster was lying to get into your head," Keyda snapped. "He was a self-righteous, evil..."
"What did he say?" Cole prompted.
"He yelled at me about dragons going to the Departed Realm," Theo said. "He said that ever since his death, dragons have still been dying at the hands of people."
"He's lying!" Keyda insisted. "We stopped all of that, no thanks to him!"
"There were a few years of transition," Cole offered. "There were probably a few dragons and Oni who died in skirmishes directly after the treaty, but we got it figured out."
"I don't think that's what he meant," Theo pressed. "For him to still be so mad about it, even after being dead for so long..."
"The snake just knows how to hold a grudge, is all," Keyda snapped. "The dragons and Oni are at peace."
"Only because we're basically segregated," Theo insisted. "There are still antagonistic feelings between the races. Just a few years ago, dragons sided with the Island in order to—"
"Maybe those are the dragons Jarule is talking about," Cole interrupted. "Wu tried to figure out what happened to them, but he never found them. I think they were killed in the collapse of the Island. It was holding them captive just as it was holding you—"
"But that wouldn't have been Oni who killed them. That was the Island. The dragons who died and talked with Jarule said they were used and abused at the hands of people, not some creepy island."
"Then they lied," Keyda snapped. Theo's eyes flashed.
"They couldn't have lied!
"Jarule was a liar—he lied to his kind for centuries," Keyda argued.
"It's true," Cole added, but Theo pushed himself to his feet.
"Don't you get it?" the Heir snapped. "You can't lie in the departed realm! There's no point—everything ends. There's nothing to be gained from lying in that void... If dragons said they died at the hands of people, then they did. We have to figure out—"
"Theo...is that what this is about?" Cole cut in. Theo blinked.
"What?"
"The departed realm." Cole stood as well, his expression full of concern. "Are you...remembering it again?"
Theo threw his hands up in frustration. "No! You guys are missing the point!"
"Theo, what's really going on?" Keyda prompted. "You've been so out of sorts...do we need Hershel to come and—"
"I'm fine! This isn't about me, this is about what Jarule said! We have to figure out where dragons are still being targeted."
"There isn't anywhere for them to be targeted!" Keyda snapped. "Where are people going to hide a dragon?"
"It's a big realm, and we don't scour all of it."
"Why would they even want to? What's in it for the Oni?" Cole asked.
"That's what we have to figure out!"
"All right," Cole offered, holding his hands up. "We'll look into it. But I think you should get some rest, Theo. You look—"
"I'm fine!"
"Stop," Keyda demanded, and Theo turned to see his mother had stood and was fixing him with a firm look. "Theo, this has to end."
"What has to end?"
"You're pulling yourself apart looking for conspiracies, and it's not healthy. You showed up today in your pajamas, looking like you haven't slept in days..."
"They're not conspiracies—something is happening, and we have to—"
"Your father and I will look into it," Keyda said, drawing herself up the way she did when she was putting one of the Province Leaders in their place. "You will go straight to bed, and we can talk about this tomorrow."
Theo clenched his fists. "I'm not six anymore," he pointed out, his voice soft with anger. "I'm an adult now, and you have to stop telling me what to—"
"I don't care how old you are—you are still my son, and I am still your mother," she snapped.
"Keyds..." Cole tried, but Theo cut him off.
"When are you going to stop treating me like some helpless child?" he demanded, his voice rising. "I'm not weak, or stupid...I'm the Heir of the Oni, and it's time you start treating me—"
"And I am the Ruler of the Oni," Keyda cut in, her gaze steely. "Go get some sleep, Theo. That's an order."
Theo stared at her in disbelief. "Did you just pull rank?" he demanded. Her eyes narrowed.
"Now. We'll talk about this once you've gotten some rest. You're obviously—"
"Dad!" Theo snapped, looking to his father for help. Cole was rubbing his face, but as he met Theo's gaze, the ninja sighed.
"I think it would be good for you to get some sleep. It sounds like you didn't get much last—"
"Ancients," Theo said, clenching his fists tightly. The ground beneath them rumbled, but he barely noticed. "Fine, your majesties. Your wish is my command," he snapped bitterly.
"Theo..."
The Heir ignored his father as he turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door for good measure. His fists shook in anger as he marched for his own room, though he stubbornly wanted to transport out of the fortress. Maybe he'd disappear for a ride on Dragon, or go back to Ninjago. Ancients, maybe he'd go off and scour the realm himself for the dragons that were being hurt somewhere by rebellious Oni bent on keeping past feuds alive.
"There you are," a voice called, and Theo turned to see Tolan leaning up against the wall next to the Heir's bedroom. Tolan's expression was blank as he studied the fuming Heir. "Good talk?"
"Shut up, Tolan," Theo muttered as he moved to go into his room.
"You have some explaining to do," Tolan pressed.
"About what?" Theo glanced over as he opened the door.
"Who's Rook?" the bodyguard demanded.
The Heir blinked in surprise, and then he scoffed. "Wouldn't you like to know?" He slammed the door closed in his bodyguard's face and turned the lock.