Author's Note
Once upon a time, I finished the HOTO trilogy. I felt satisfied, everything felt wrapped up, and I moved on to my other story. It's technically finished…it just needs a cover at the moment (cough, Maddie, cough…). But after editing that bad boy a few times I realized that I had nothing else to write. And then I realized that I really missed writing. There are a few other story ideas I could run with, but to get my creative juices flowing I was like "why not write a few one-off scenes with grown-up Amber and Theo, cuz I technically want to see what that would be like?" In essence…it was a trap I laid for myself. Next thing I know the thing was getting longer and then plot got involved and then more oc's got involved and then I got attached to said oc's and, to make a long story short, this whole new story exploded.
This new story has a slightly different feel to it, especially at first. The first couple of chapters were just one-off scenes really so they don't necessarily feel connected…but after a while it started flowing more like a story again. But I found that I could never end it…it just kept on going and going and going. So rather than having a few different books, like the HOTO trilogy, this has an almost TV show feel to it. So, we decided to treat it like one. We will post the entire thing under the title: "The Heirs", but there are almost three different "seasons" with their own arcs. The first season is called "The Heirs; Path of Discovery." We will probably share the other season names when we get to them…one, because some of the names are spoilers, and two, I honestly have no idea how long this thing is going to go. It's technically still going.
Anyways…part of me feels like I should apologize for this writing addiction, while the other part hopes that you'll be excited to dive back into the world. For context, this story starts ten years after the end of FOTO. It focuses on Amber and Theo. A lot of the other characters are still in the story but as secondary characters. In fact, at a certain point even Cole and Keyda feel like secondary characters, which is sad but helps to give this story its own vibe.
So if you're down for more plot in the world started in the HOTO trilogy, then I hope you like this story. There are lots of characters and experiences I'm excited for you to read!
Anyways, thanks SO MUCH for all the words of support over the past years (geez, crazy I can say years at this point) and I hope that you will still leave reviews. Maddie and I really crave those hahaha. And I hope you're excited for more art because now that she's finally graduated she's been doing lots of drawing!
Thanks again!
-NP
1
"I'm not an Oni, Mom…I'm a freak!"
Keyda closed her eyes as the door slammed shut, and after a moment she exhaled angrily. It was hardly the first argument she had had with her daughter and she couldn't help but wish that Cole was home. He seemed to do better with Amber's current headstrong streak. But Cole and Theo were both gone on an overnight trip helping Wu with something or other, and she found herself struggling to relate to her daughter. Though, Keyda mused bitterly, it shouldn't be that hard. After all, there were so many things in Amber that she saw in herself.
A little while later Amber glanced up as there was a slight knock at the door. She sniffled and wiped at her face, glaring.
"Go away."
Rather than leave, however, Keyda came in with a hot of cup tea.
"Amber…"
The eleven-year-old glanced away angrily and Keyda sighed as she came over to sit next to her on the rug. The Ruler didn't say anything for a few moments, looking around at her daughter's room. Posters of dancers hung on the wall, and a few odds and ends covered the shelves. Amber's coveted dancing shoes sat in a place of honor on one shelf with a painting of her family that Syn had made for her one year. Keyda's eyes lingered on the painting; Syn had captured each member of her family looking their happiest. She wished she could see more of Amber's sunny smile.
She looked at her daughter again, but Amber was continuing to avoid her eye as she glared at the ground. Her hair was in its normal plait, wreathing two horns that seemed to get longer with every passing year.
"Why do I have to be like this?"
Amber's voice was soft, but bitter. Keyda reached out and put a hand on the younger Oni's shoulder and Amber's tears started anew.
"I'm yellow! And I have these…these stupid horns!"
Amber grabbed them as she spoke, grimacing as she seemed to try to pull them off her head. Keyda shook her head and gave her shoulder a little squeeze.
"Don't, Amber…"
"Why couldn't I look like you?! Or like Theo, at least…"
Keyda's heart ached as she watched her daughter cry. She finally shook her head.
"I know that you don't believe me, Amber. But you are so special…"
Amber just let out a wet scoff and Keyda's eyes flashed.
"You are! You're a Xinta. Some of the greatest women in our history were Xinta…"
"Like the Alchemist?"
Keyda fell silent as Amber finally looked over at her with a hard expression.
"Face it…we're horned freaks…monsters…"
"You are not a monster!"
Keyda's voice became stern and Amber narrowed her eyes at her mother's tone. Keyda's anger faded as she spoke quieter.
"Do you… remember the Alchemist?"
Amber glanced away, though her angry expression became nauseated.
"Not really. Mainly just her eyes…"
She shuddered and her large amber eyes filled with tears again.
"She was a monster, Mom. How do you know I'm not?"
"Hey." Keyda cupped her daughter's chin and made her look over. "You are not a monster, Amber. You are nothing like that witch. You're an Oni, and a dancer, and a member of this family, and I cannot let you talk about yourself that way."
Amber just sniffed and Keyda finally sighed.
"Here…drink this."
She handed her the cup of tea and Amber looked down at it, her brow furrowing.
"You and Dad have to realize that food and tea do not solve real problems…"
"Just drink the tea, Amber. Ok?"
Amber glanced up at her Mother's comforting tone and finally sighed, doing as she was told. She didn't recognize the flavor and she finally pulled the cup away, frowning at the dark petals steeped into it.
"What kind of tea is…"
Her words were lost as her eyes drooped, and Keyda guided Amber onto her own shoulder as her daughter fell asleep.
The stage was lit with bright lights, but there was no audience. Amber blinked in the light, looking around. There were poppies strewn across the stage; it looked like some audience had littered the stage with flowers after a grand performance.
"Hello."
Amber whirled around in time to see another Oni coming out of the shadows of the wing. The woman was looking around with obvious curiosity, and Amber couldn't pull her eyes away from her gleaming horns.
"What is this place?" Amber finally stammered. "Who are you?"
The Xinta woman smiled gently and came closer.
"I was hoping you could tell me; I've never seen this place before. It must mean something to you though…this world feeds on…" the Oni trailed off a moment, seemingly searching for the right words. "'Happy places', I suppose."
Amber's gaze darted around the stage once more and she finally exhaled.
"It…it kind of looks like the stage where I practice with my grandpa. Except it's never been covered in poppies before…"
"Mmm…I suppose that's my fault." the woman answered, bending down to pick one up. She looked so familiar….
"You're Echo!"
Echo glanced up as Amber blurted it out, and the younger Oni flushed. She had seen the painting in the history chambers, of course, but why on earth was she dreaming about…
"And you must be Amber," Echo said softly. She came over and Amber froze as the other Xinta cupped her face in her hands, looking her over. "So beautiful…you know, you have your mother's eyes."
Amber's mind was frozen for a few minutes longer, but she finally pulled free of Echo's grasp.
"I'm not beautiful," she argued adamantly, but then continued. "You…know my Mom?"
"I've had many chats with Keyda over the years. It's been a very long time since I talked with her last. But I recognize you from her descriptions." Echo scanned the young Oni in front of her and smiled. "Your mother is so proud of you, you know."
Amber swallowed hard and looked away. She chewed on her lip and then looked back up.
"You have horns."
It sounded stupid the second she said it, and she winced. Echo smiled warmly.
"Yes."
Amber stared at the stage and finally mustered up the courage to talk more.
"Did…people make fun of you for them? Do you hate them?"
Echo seemed surprised at her question and spent a few moments thinking.
"In my day, the mark of the Xinta was very prestigious. I was picked on a bit in my youth…but mainly out of other's jealousy…"
"Jealousy?" Amber snorted bitterly. "Why…everyone else wanted to look like a hoofer?"
She regretted it instantly, but Echo merely laughed.
"It's a mark of power, Amber." Her smile faded. "Are you targeted because you have horns?"
Amber just shrugged, but tears filled her eyes and gave her away. She wiped at them, furious.
"Just stupid kids, mainly. And Ottan. And even Tolan, sometimes, and villagers say things under their breath…"
She swallowed, trying to get ahold of her emotions.
"Theo gets so mad and threatens them, even though I'm twice as strong as him anyways so if one of us was going to do something…"
"Your brother," Echo clarified, and Amber nodded.
"Yeah." She wiped her face again, glad the tears had subsided a little. "He's older than me…but it doesn't always feel like it. He can be kinda…naive sometimes. And he's always so happy…except when he's mad, I guess. But most of the time, he's just like my Dad…"
The tears came anew and Amber sank to her knees. Echo came over and wrapped her in an embrace and Amber stiffened.
"You're so much like your mother…"
A sob escaped.
"No I'm not! My mom's so strong… and I'm …I'm just…"
She shook her head furiously, her eyes and hands flashing.
"I try to be strong, but it always feels like I'm about to shatter. I wish I didn't care…that I could blow it off like Theo or just power through it like my parents. But I can't! I'm just so…broken…"
"No, Amber…you aren't broken," Echo comforted, rocking her. "You know, your mother used to tell me the same thing. It took time, but she finally accepted that being different doesn't mean you're broken…or a monster."
Amber took a shaky breath and finally looked up at the other Xinta.
"My mom thought she was a monster?"
Echo smiled sadly.
"For a long time. She isn't, of course…but sometimes things happen that make people think wrong things about themselves. Maybe that's why you can't recognize how beautiful you are…how special."
Amber didn't say anything, and Echo reached up to rub a thumb on one of the younger Oni's horns.
"You have a very nice curve to your horns, by the way. Mine were always a little boring, but yours would make even other Xinta jealous."
Amber wasn't sure that she believed the other Oni, but she felt an unexpected flush of pleasure regardless. Echo continued.
"When you get old enough, you'll have to find someone talented to carve them. Make them your own."
Amber reached up and fingered one of her horns, feeling along its familiar smooth surface as she swallowed.
"…I don't know if my parents will let me…" she finally admitted, and Echo laughed a little.
"You'd be surprised; I'm sure they know about carved horns. It's a Xinta thing."
Amber didn't know what to say, but suddenly the dream theater was filled with applause. She looked fearfully out into the seats, terrified other dream people had witnessed the whole conversation. But the auditorium was still as empty as ever. However, the applause seemed to cause everything to start to fade, and she turned back to the Xinta next to her.
"…Will I ever see you again?" she asked, and Echo smiled as she tucked a poppy behind Amber's ear.
"I'm sure you will, Amber. It was a pleasure to meet you…"
She pulled her into another hug, whispering into her ear.
"Tell you mother hi."
Amber stirred, and Keyda brushed a stray lock of hair out of her daughter's face as she woke up.
"…Mom?"
Keyda smiled as Amber looked over at her.
"…Did you meet her?" the older Oni asked.
Amber didn't answer for a moment and Keyda was suddenly afraid that it hadn't worked after all. The younger Oni finally nodded, however.
"She's…she's really nice."
Keyda felt a rush of relief and smiled. Amber cleared her throat.
"I know what you're trying to do, Mom…" she started, and Keyda prepared for her to snap at her or complain. But she was shocked when Amber laid back down on her shoulder, wrapping one arm around her mother's waist.
"….Thanks."
Keyda swallowed, tears coming to her eyes as she hugged Amber back.
"I love you, Amber," she murmured, and her daughter glanced up to meet her eye.
"I know, Mom…" she trailed off and then gave her a shaky smile. "I love you too."
2
The fire crackled softly in the living room as Amber scrutinized the chessboard in front of her. She went to move her bishop and Theo made a small noise. She looked up to see her older brother waggling his eyebrows.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" he asked, and she glared at him. She released the bishop, however, and scanned the board. After checking and rechecking her choice several times she finally huffed and grabbed the bishop again.
"You're the worst," she muttered, and Theo just chuckled as Amber made her move and he went to grab a piece of his own. Cole watched with a smile from his position on the couch and then turned back to the scroll he had in his hands.
"Did you translate that one today?" Keyda asked from her place next to him. Her feet were pulled up on the couch as she leaned on him, practicing her reading with a scroll of her own. Cole glanced over.
"Yeah. I'm still slightly worried Phos will haunt me from the grave if I never get these finished and return the originals to Herhsel."
Keyda chuckled, but her smile faded slightly at the thought of the grouchy Healer. The family fell back into silence; the only sound in the room were the melodies drifting off of a CD player near Amber. Her grandfather had given it to her for her last birthday along with a CD full of all their favorite dancing melodies. Cole had mentioned that CDs were a little "old school" in modern Ninjago, but the machine ran on batteries so it worked well for the Oni realm.
"Checkmate," Theo said with a grin, and Amber groaned and then glared at her brother again.
"I think you cheated," she groused, resting her chin on her hand as Theo reset the board.
"Pshhh, did not," he countered before looking up. "Wanna go again?"
The CD player made a whirring sound as it switched to a new song. A lilting tune began playing and Keyda looked up. She listened for half a minute and finally glanced over at Cole. He didn't seem affected by the melody as he continued to read through the scroll. She finally shifted a little, clearing her throat.
"Cole."
He glanced up at her and smiled. She returned it and then gestured to the CD player.
"Do you recognize this song?"
Cole lowered the scroll as he frowned in concentration, looking towards the CD player. Amber and Theo glanced over as their father tried to bridge the memory gap.
"Hold on, I think…" he murmured, and Keyda felt a weight of sadness at the confusion in his expression. But then Cole's face lit up and he turned to her.
"'Wanna walk in a box with me?'" he quoted, bumping her shoulder with his own. She laughed as well, feeling both happy and relieved. But then Cole was standing and Keyda blinked as her husband grabbed her hands, pulling her up.
"Wait, Cole..." she argued, still laughing. He laughed as well as he shook his head.
"What? I'm pretty sure you pointed it out cuz you wanted to dance…"
Keyda finally relented and allowed Cole to lead her through the steps of the waltz. Amber watched, amused, and Theo had a goofy grin on as he rested his head on his arms on the chess table. The song came to an end and Cole spun Keyda one last time. She exhaled happily and they both turned in surprise as their children clapped.
"Encore, Encore!" Theo called, mimicking his grandfather. A blush rose up Keyda's face and they headed back to the couch.
"I'm glad you remembered," Keyda murmured honestly, and Cole gave her hand a squeeze as he reached for his scroll. Theo turned back to the chess game, but Amber's gaze lingered on her parents as her smile faded.
"How did you guys meet?"
Keyda and Cole looked up in surprise at their daughter's intense look. Theodynn looked surprised as well, but then he was nodding in agreement.
"You know how we met," Cole started, but Theo cut him off.
"We know the basics…but there's got to be lots more to the story than you've told us."
"Like everything that happened before you met…all the stuff leading up to it," Amber added. Keyda's expression darkened a bit, but Cole just smiled as he teased them.
"Once upon a time, I was born, and I was the cutest darn baby you ever…."
"Dad, no offense, but we already know about your past," Theo cut in, causing Cole to raise his eyebrows.
"Oh really?"
"We have those storybooks…not to mention all the stories that everyone tells in Ninjago when we go," Amber explained.
"Papa Lou has told us plenty…" Theo said with a laugh, and Cole pointed a finger at his son.
"You can't believe everything my father says…he tends to exaggerate."
Amber glanced over at her mother as Cole and Theo bantered. Keyda had a distant expression and the Xinta swallowed before speaking.
"What about you, Mom?"
Keyda glanced over as Amber and Theo looked at her expectantly. Cole's smile faded as he saw his wife's expression, and the Ruler frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"We don't really know that much about your past, Mom," Theo pointed out. "I mean, I get that you became the first Oni Ruler under the union, but we don't really know how. And while we know our Grandpa Lou and we know that Grandma Bev passed away when Dad was younger, we don't know anything about your parents…"
"They died," Keyda cut in, her tone neutral. "A long time ago."
Amber and Theo blinked.
"We…figured," Amber said carefully. "But how…"
"You don't really need to know all of that," Keyda said quietly, and the two teens made eye contact. Cole squeezed Keyda's hand, and Theo tried again.
"Well, you can at least tell us how you guys met, right? More than just 'a strange set of circumstances stranded the ninja and they met up with an Oni girl and *poof*, a centuries long war was ended…"
Keyda stood abruptly as she shook her head.
"I think it's time for everyone to head to bed. You and your father have an early morning trip to the South, Theo. Don't forget."
"Keyds…" Cole said softly, but she didn't answer as she headed for the door to their bedroom. Amber and Theo turned to Cole as the door closed behind her.
"Can't you tell us, Dad?" Theo asked. Cole looked up at their curious, almost pleading expressions. Then he glanced at the door Keyda had just disappeared through. He finally smiled sadly, shaking his head.
"I think…I think it would be better coming from both of us, Bud. Besides, you know me; my memory's not what it used to be."
Silence fell as he turned back to the scroll, but the warm hominess of the evening had been seemingly tainted for that night. As Amber turned back to half-heartedly finish their game of chess, she couldn't stop thinking about the conversation.
"Doesn't it feel like they're…I dunno. Hiding something?"
Theo shrugged as he finished brushing his teeth. When he finally wiped his mouth, he glanced over at where his sister was sitting on the counter, brushing her hair.
"Maybe they just don't like talking about it."
"But why? There's no reason…"
"I don't know, Ams. You know Mom…she just gets like that sometimes."
Amber glowered at him.
"Doesn't anything ever bother you?" she muttered, and he grinned at her as he ran a hand through his hair.
"This cowlick, most days," he teased and she rolled her eyes.
"You're gonna be with Dad basically all day tomorrow, yeah?" she pressed. Theo nodded. Amber finished brushing her hair and started braiding it. "Then you talk to him about it tomorrow…and I'll try Mom again."
Theo didn't answer and her eyes flashed as she looked at him.
"Ok?"
He sighed and shrugged.
"Sure, Ams, I can talk to Dad. I just don't really know why this is suddenly so important to you."
Amber fell silent, because she had been asking herself the same thing. She finished her braid and finally risked a glance in the mirror to make sure it was in place. Her eyes lingered on her reflection.
"I just want to know."
"Maybe it's time we tell them the whole story, Keyds, if they're asking about it."
Keyda didn't answer as she stared up at the ceiling. Cole moved closer and put his head next to hers.
"You ok?"
"I just don't see why they ever need to know the full story, Cole. They know the gist. They know my parents are dead. They know enough history to know that you came here that we got this crazy Union in place and struggled a bit but that it eventually got a more or less ironed out. They don't need to know all the details that happened in the meantime."
"They aren't little kids anymore, Keyds. They're old enough that…"
"That we should be striving to fill their heads with gruesome scenes? With all the horrible things that happened? The realm is doing so much better now. Why can't we just let the awful parts of the past die?"
Cole was silent and his wife finally turned on her side to face him.
"But sure, why not dig up all those memories so our children can finally understand how cruel and messed up this world was, while you go on to have nightmares for weeks…"
"We don't know that…" Cole started, but Keyda cut in forcefully.
"You have triggers, Cole! Don't pretend like you don't! We take that trip down memory lane and it's just going to haunt you all over again."
She was tense, but she relaxed as he wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close.
"It's up to you, Keyds. But…at least think about it, Ok? They already know the world isn't perfect."
She was silent as she closed her eyes, grateful as always for the feeling of having him close. He kissed her forehead.
"It's like what Phos told me once, all those years ago when he was first making me translate those scrolls. Sometimes, 'history is the greatest teacher.'"
"I'm almost taller than you, Dad."
Cole turned and smiled at the seventeen-year-old walking next to him as Theo seemed to mentally compare their heights.
"Too bad you're done growing…" Cole teased, and Theodynn shook his head.
"Nah, no way. I'm gonna be bigger than you, remember? At least a foot…"
"You should eat more cake, if you want to be bigger than me," Cole pointed out, poking Theo's flat stomach. The teen just laughed, shaking his head.
"I said bigger...not fatter…"
Cole looked incredulous.
"Did you just call me fat, Theo?"
Theodynn grinned and Cole shook his head.
"That does it…"
In a swift movement Cole had his son in a headlock, and Theo laughed as he struggled.
"Daaaddddd…."
"What's that?" Cole asked, smirking. "I can't quite hear you…"
Theo struggled a little longer, but he finally had to admit defeat against the Elemental Master. He went lax as he and his father laughed.
"Alright, you winnnn….I'm sorry!"
Cole finally released him and Theo shook his head as he smoothed his hair back out.
"You sure don't like losing, huh dad?"
"Eh, I was taught to never quit."
They were approaching the Varghall Peaks Mine now. Theo looked over at his Dad, smiling. Cole was holding a hand to his eyes so he could see if Ottan was waiting for them. As he took in his father's profile, Theo spotted the grey hair that had started to grow along Cole's hairline. The Oni's smile faded.
"Hey Dad?"
Cole turned at Theo's more serious tone. He scanned his son's face and stopped walking.
"What's up, Theodynn?"
"It's just…"
He trailed off, running his hand through his hair. It was a gesture that he had picked up from his father, though both continued to be unaware that they did it.
"About last night…I mean, Amber and I were talking. And she really wants to know, you know, more about what happened. And I do too! I guess I shouldn't say just Amber; I'm there with her. But, you know…"
Cole gave him a sad smile as he grabbed his son's shoulder.
"You're not a kid anymore, Theo. I know that you and your sister are aware that there's a lot of background that went into the Union, and even more that went into your mom and me getting together. I'm not saying it's bad to be curious, it's just…"
He trailed off, as if trying to think of how to say it.
"Some of those things…they were hard. And painful. It's hard to want to remember them. Especially for your mother."
Theo broke eye contact as he stared at the ground.
"Yeah, I figured."
They stood in silence for a minute, but then they could hear Ottan calling out to them. Theo looked up. He smiled a little, trying to lighten the mood.
"So…since you've just established how much older and more mature I am…can I compete in the Pit today? I mean, we'll probably finish here early, so there'd be plenty of time for a fight or two."
Cole scoffed and mussed his son's hair.
"Not a chance. Now come on, that old bearded bureaucrat is waiting for us."
Amber hesitated at the large metal office door. She finally took a deep breath and knocked. There was no answer and she bit her lip as she pushed her way in. Keyda was sitting at her desk, massaging her temples as she stared at the letters scattered out on the surface in front of her.
"…Mom?"
Keyda glanced up at her daughter. Then she sighed and glanced back down at the letters.
"Amber, I'm…kinda busy right now…"
"Quarterly village stats?" Amber guessed as she came the rest of the way in. "Let me help, mom. You know you get a migraine trying to read for hours on end…"
"Trying? I can read; I'm not trying," Keyda complained, and Amber couldn't help but smirk as she pulled up a chair and grabbed one of the letters.
"I'll read, you write. K?" she asked in a tone that implied that she was telling rather than asking. Keyda looked like she was going to argue but finally just sighed and pulled the record book forward and dipped her brush. The worked for a few hours, Amber gleaning statistics out of the rambling letters while Keyda wrote them down. Eventually Amber was finally rolling up the last of the scrolls, placing it in the "finished" bin. She glanced over at her mother, who was finishing up a note on the final village.
"Why won't you talk about it?"
The ink-brush froze on the parchment.
"I just want to know, Mom. I want to know what it was like for you growing up…I want to know how you met Dad, how you guys fell in love, what kind of life you led before…"
"Amber," Keyda started, but Amber's eyes flashed as she leaned forward.
"No, Mom! Don't just shut down again! We can't just be happy with the bare minimum anymore. Why can't you guys just tell us the truth?"
Keyda didn't answer as she stared at her record book and Amber stood up.
"I know that bad things happened, Mom. I don't know why you won't just tell us…it's not like any of it could have been as bad as what we've already been through! We know the world isn't all sunshine and roses! I may not remember everything that happened all those years ago with the Alchemist, but you can be sure Theo does. If we've already pulled through that, why can't you trust us with the rest of the story?!"
Keyda shook her head and stood to leave, but Amber grabbed her arm.
"I need to know, Mom! I need to know why you thought you were a monster…and how you realized that you weren't!"
Keyda visibly flinched. Amber was worried she had gone too far when she saw the tears in her mother's eyes, but then Keyda finally looked up.
"Echo told you?"
Amber bit her lip and finally nodded. Keyda didn't say anything else, seemingly lost in thought. The Xinta hesitated a moment more and finally hugged her mother.
"Everyone says that I remind them of you, Mom. But I just…I can't see it. That's why I want you to tell me. Because if you really were like me once…then maybe someday I can be strong. Someday I could be like you."
Keyda embraced Amber tightly, and they stood like that for a while. Eventually Keyda pulled back to study her daughter's face. She took in the pleading expression and finally sighed, wiping the tears off of Amber's cheek.
"Alright, Ams…you win. Just…" she cleared her throat and gave her daughter a little smile. "Just promise you won't think less of me."
Amber returned the smile.
"I could never think less of you, Mom."
"The more you talk about this Baron guy…the more I'm realizing he was a real piece of work."
They were in the living room once again, but this time they were seated on the couch and armchairs around the fire as they drank a final cup of tea. Theo and Amber were leaning in, hanging on every word their parents told them.
"So you all escaped to Dragon Haven, then?" Amber pressed, and Keyda and Cole glanced at each other.
"Well…"
"How'd you get away from the Baron then?" Theo asked, and Keyda shook her head.
"The Guardian of Lightening wouldn't take me to Dragon Haven…Oni-Dragon war and all of that. So I…jumped off."
The teens blinked.
"Off…the dragon?! While it was flying?!"
"I landed on a rock formation," Keyda explained, and then glanced over at Cole. "And then your Idiot father followed me, even though I told him not to…"
"No, you just told me not to be an imbecile," Cole interrupted, and she scoffed.
"What do you call jumping off a dragon mid-flight to take on an entire dragon army…alone?" she demanded, and Cole laughed.
"You did it first, remember? So what does that make you?"
"Woah, wait…didn't this guy have like a dragon-riding army?! Dad, how did you survive that?" Theo asked, and Cole just smirked while Keyda rolled her eyes.
"Well, let's just say I found out how to tap into an Elemental Overdrive…"
"And you took out the whole army?" Amber asked, eyebrow raised. Cole chuckled and Keyda shook her head.
"He's still proud of that moment I see…but that fancy little move totally wiped your father out. Next thing we know we're waking up in the Baron's dungeons."
"Hey…gave us a chance to finally get to know each other," Cole pointed out, putting his arm around Keyda. "I think it was the first time your mom was nice to me…"
"Can you blame me for being a little guarded?" Keyda demanded, and Cole shook his head and kissed her forehead.
"Course not, Keyda."
"And then you escaped, right? Cuz obviously you met back up with Uncle Jay and Wu and the rest of them. How'd you get out? Another overdrive?"
Cole's smile faded and Keyda looked down at her cup of tea.
"No." she finally said, her voice quiet. Cole gave her shoulder a slight squeeze and looked up at his kids.
"I was pretty wiped after the first overdrive…I really couldn't do much at all. And at that time, your mother hadn't unlocked her powers yet…"
"But everyone says she unlocked them cuz she loved you…was that when she realized that she loved you?" Amber pressed, and Cole looked back at Keyda to gauge how much she wanted to say. The Oni Ruler finally took a deep breath and looked up.
"The Baron came while we were down there. I didn't know it at the time, but he actually wanted me to unlock my powers. You both were able to unlock your powers the way it used to be….you were either born with them or you unlocked them as a child. But to break through an Apathy block…"
She trailed off and Amber and Theo tried to recall the lessons Master Hershel had given them about Oni power.
"You have to have a really powerful emotion," Amber tried, and Keyda nodded.
"At the time, I tried to convince myself that I didn't care about your father, but…but I did. And the Baron knew it."
The mood in the room had sobered and Theo and Amber scanned their parent's faces as Keyda sighed.
"He…tortured your father and made me watch. And then he gave me the option to leave."
"But you didn't, right? You fought him…got Dad out of there?" Theo guessed carefully. Amber bit her lip as she watched Keyda swallow hard. Cole was the one who spoke up.
"It was a complicated situation, Theo. The Baron was going to kill her….or at least he said he would. Your mom had to leave."
"I didn't have to…" Keyda argued softly and Cole shook his head as he turned to her.
"Yeah, you did Keyds."
"Then what?" Amber asked softly and Keyda sighed as she looked up.
"I left the fortress and found Zane, Kai, and Jay. They had left Wu with the Dragons and had come to save Cole. I thought I could help them, but…"
Silence fell as Theo and Amber stared wide-eyed, waiting for the next part of the story. Keyda sighed, her grip tightening around her teacup.
"The Baron had a relic that he used to control Dragons…and people. I thought I was leading the ninja into a rescue mission…but it was a trap. He took control of them and made them fight your father."
"Wait…but you said that the whole overdrive thing made you really weak…." Theo pointed out, and Cole gave a little smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"It did. On a good day, maybe I could've thumped your Uncles. But, as it was, I didn't stand much of a chance."
"Then how did you make it out? What happened?"
Cole glanced at Keyda and she set her tea down as she leaned forward.
"I managed to get out of my cell, though the Baron didn't really make it that hard for me. But by the time I had reached the arena your father had already been beaten within an inch of his life. In fact, when I saw him I thought he was dead. And that's when it happened….something just snapped. And I had unlocked my powers."
"Cuz you loved him," Amber added quietly, connecting the pieces of what she had heard over the years to what her mother was saying. Keyda glanced over at Cole and brushed hair out of his face.
"I don't think it was love at that point…but I did care about him. For whatever stupid reason."
She said the last part in a teasing tone, and Cole smiled at her attempt to lighten the mood, leaning in.
"You just couldn't resist my amazing sense of humor and killer good looks…"
Keyda just scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"You wish that's what I saw in you…"
"So what did you see in him, Mom?"
She glanced over at Theo, who was raising his eyebrows. She hesitated, thinking.
"Don't get me wrong…your father was the most idiotic, unrealistically optimistic person I had ever met. It seemed like every other moment I was being amazed he wasn't dead yet."
"This is where you say "But, he was also the funniest, most handsome…"" Cole prompted, and she swatted him.
"No, Cole. It was more…"
She trailed off and he raised an eyebrow as she finally looked over at him.
"You cared about me, and I didn't understand why. But…then I realized that somehow or another, you had gotten me to care about you too. And suddenly losing you was the scariest thing in the world."
Cole smiled at her and after a moment he looked up at his children.
"That's probably enough for tonight, I think…"
They both immediately protested, and Cole just laughed and shook his head.
"Hey, we've been going at it for a while, and I've got a headache from trying to remember everything. There's no way we can tell you the entire story tonight…it's gonna take a long time to get through everything."
"But you will tell all of it, right?" Theo pressed and Keyda and Cole glanced at each other.
"Yes," Keyda finally said. Cole stood and winced as he stretched out his back, and then told Theo to come with him to take the dinner dishes back to the kitchen before bed. Amber came to sit next to her mother on the couch.
"Thanks, Mom. For telling us."
Keyda looked up and Amber gave her a little smile.
"It feels like I'm getting to know you more now."
Keyda didn't answer right away, and after a few minutes she sighed.
"I made a lot of mistakes, Amber…"
"Everyone makes mistakes, Mom. That's why I'm glad you're finally trusting me with yours. It helps me see things a little more clearly."
They sat in silence, Amber resting her head on Keyda's shoulder while they listened to the fire crackle as it slowly died. Eventually the Xinta turned to the Oni Ruler.
"I always thought Dad was handsome. You know, in a yellow, Ninjagoan sort of way. Do you really not think he's attractive?"
Keyda laughed out loud.
"Of course he's attractive…but we can't tell him that. His head is big enough as it is!"
They were still giggling when Theo and Cole got back.
3
"He's my son too, Keyds."
Keyda looked over at where Cole was sitting with his arms folded. She could understand why he was upset, but this was also something she wasn't going to back down on.
"Cole, your body can't handle being exposed to fever."
"So I have to keep out of quarantine and let you run the risk of getting a fever?" Cole asked defensively. "You're the true Ruler, Keyds…I feel like it would be worse if you got sick."
She came over to sit by him and shook her head.
"Don't you remember what happened last time you went into quarantine? Because if you really don't, I will fill you in…"
"That was a different situation," Cole muttered, but Keyda ran a hand through his hair.
"You went downhill fast…terrifyingly fast. And we don't have Phos anymore to pull you out of it if it were to happen again. As it is, Hershel's too busy in the villages to even come himself; he just sent Tolan back with some salve and Syn said she'd try to make it tomorrow."
Cole didn't answer, stewing a moment longer. He finally sighed and leaned forward.
"How's he doing?"
Keyda shrugged.
"I think he's a little better. I don't think it's life threatening, but it's definitely worse than I've seen in a while."
Cole seemed lost in thought and Keyda grabbed his hand.
"I'll be in there with him from now on, Cole. It's not like he's going to be on his own. And maybe I am just being overly cautious…but if you were to get sick again like that it would make everything that much worse. Besides, with Amber not allowed in Quarantine either I need you to…"
"Does she know that?" Cole asked dryly, and Keyda sighed.
"I told her, and she's taking the news like you are. But we don't know how susceptible she is to the fever; she's never been sick before. Which means we don't know how bad it would be if she did catch it. I need you on the same page as me on this, Cole. If she hears you complaining about it then she's going to feel justified being upset as well."
Cole dry-washed his face and finally relented.
"Fine…I'll keep us out of quarantine. But if he takes a turn for the worse, Keyds, I'm coming in."
Amber closed the door quietly behind her, her eyes flicking across the feverish figure in bed. She carefully locked the door and headed over to sit in the chair Keyda had occupied for the last day. Theo's hair was wet with sweat, and as she moved to re-soak the rag on his forehead he opened his eyes. After a moment they focused on the girl in front of him and he gave her a little smile.
"Ams…"
"Hey, Tay," she said, giving him a smile of her own as she replaced the rag. The seventeen-year old tried to sit up in bed, but his younger sister's eyes flashed as she forced him back down into bed.
"Don't you dare try to get up…"
"You're not supposed to be in here," he pointed out weakly, and she just scoffed and leaned back stubbornly in her chair.
"Xinta don't get sick, silly Tay-o. I'm fine."
He smiled again when he heard his old pet-name, but then he started coughing and her expression clouded as she reached for a cup of water to give him.
"So help me, Theo, if you get worse…"
"I'm fine," he said weakly, giving her a ghost of a smile. "In fact, I was thinking of doing some training with Tolan later….or maybe I'll take my Hoofer out…"
He started another fit of coughs and Amber bit her lip as she reached out to steady the cup before he sloshed water all over himself.
"Shut up and sleep already," she muttered, and he just shook his head, though his eyelids did seem to be getting heavier.
"Where's Mom? She's gonna have a fit if she sees you in here…"
"Out trying to find a mat or something she can pull in here to sleep on. Don't worry; I'll be gone before she gets back. I just wanted to come see you, and tell you…you know…don't be stupid and die or anything like that."
He chuckled.
"Mmmm, well, I'll give living my best shot, how bout that?"
She gave him a tight smile as he started drifting off to sleep again.
"Sounds like a plan."
Amber woke to her father's frightened yells, but after the initial shock she calmed down. She knew that Cole struggled with vivid nightmares from time to time. Amber rolled over to go back to sleep; her mother would be there to comfort her Dad. But then the Xinta's eyes flew open as she realized that Keyda wasn't in there tonight.
The child padded to her parent's bedroom. The guard at the door seemed conflicted about what he should do; Amber took in his rigid posture and just sighed.
"It's ok…I can talk to him," she said. For a moment the guard looked like he wasn't going to let the 11-year old in, but when Cole yelled out again the guard finally gave her a stiff nod and held the door open. She walked across the room, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting as she saw where her father was alone in bed. She pulled herself up onto the bed on her mother's side. Her heart ached at the reek of fear in the air; she wasn't sure what it was Cole was dreaming about, but she wished it would stop haunting him.
He was tossing and turning as Amber finally reached him and she shook his shoulder.
"Dad…"
He didn't wake up right away, and she raised her voice a little.
"Dad! Wake up! It's ok…"
Cole shuddered, and Amber hugged him until he slowly came to.
"It's ok, Dad…you're ok…" she murmured, and he finally seemed to realize who was there with him.
"…Ams?"
Cole sat up and she released him, though she stayed right next to him as he rubbed his face.
"Amber. I'm…sorry. Did I wake you up?"
She shook her head.
"No, I couldn't sleep," she lied, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I'm worried about Theo."
Cole put an arm around her and sighed.
"Theo's gonna be ok, kiddo. Mom got him some medication; he just needs a few days to rest and I'm sure he'll be back on his feet."
Amber nodded, but she didn't mention that he still smelled like fear; he was more worried about her brother than he was letting on. A few minutes later Cole started awake after almost drifting off.
"Mmm, sorry Amber. Let's get you back to bed."
She shook her head, tightening her embrace around his middle.
"Can I stay in here with you tonight?"
Cole looked down at her in surprise, but he finally rubbed her neck and relented.
"Yeah, Ams…you can stay in here if you want."
A few minutes later they had both fallen back asleep.
Keyda sat up groggily the next morning, sunlight streaming through Theo's window to where she was lying. She winced as she got up; it had been a long while since she had slept on a floor mat.
Theo was still out as she removed the dry rag and felt his cheeks and forehead. Still hot, but his hair wasn't drenched in sweat anymore. She hoped that meant that he was getting better, but his breathing sounded so raspy. She bit her lip as she found the vial of salve and pulled more out to rub on his forehead and chest. Theodynn finally opened his eyes as she did so.
"Mom?" he croaked, and she gave him a tight smile.
"How are you feeling, Theo?" she asked, and he swallowed. He didn't answer as he looked over and caught sight of the bedmat.
"Did you sleep in here last night? You didn't have to do that, Mom…I woulda been fine…"
She ran her hand through his hair.
"It's alright, Theodynn. I don't mind."
He didn't say anything as he blinked a few more times, trying to clear his vision and wake up fully. Then he started coughing, and Keyda's smile faded.
"Are you hungry?"
"Thirsty," he croaked, and she immediately reached for the pitcher of water. He sat up to drink and grimaced as the world spun around him.
"Theo, are you alright?" Keyda asked and he waved her off.
"Yeah, just a lil dizzy, that's all..."
He finished the water and then moved as if he was going to get out of bed. Keyda immediately pushed him back down.
"Theodynn! You need to be resting…"
"I've been resting!" he pointed out grudgingly, but Keyda just shook her head.
"You're going to keep resting until you're 100%. So lie back down."
He hesitated, but then Theo finally allowed her to push him back down and replace the cold rag.
"I'll be fine soon, Mom…you'll see," he argued softly. Keyda just smiled.
"I believe it, Theo. But you're not fine yet."
"Don't you have to go somewhere today?"
Cole smiled at Amber over their breakfast and shook his head.
"Fever season kinda shuts everything down for a week or so every year…and this year's been a particularly rough one."
Amber processed the news as she picked at the porridge-like substance in her bowl.
"Then after breakfast we can go visit Theo…"
Cole's smile faded and he sighed.
"Amber, you know Theo's in quarantine…"
"You know him, Dad…he's probably going crazy with boredom right now. I can go in and bring some cards or something."
"Mom's in with him," Cole pointed out as he took another bite of toast. Amber rolled her eyes.
"Mom's not the greatest entertainer, Dad. She's probably just making him sleep."
"He needs to sleep, Ams. That's how he's gonna get better."
Cole finished his breakfast and sighed, leaning back in his chair. Amber was scowling at little and he finally gave her a half-smile.
"But since we can't visit Theo, how about we do something just the two of us? Hmm? You pick…"
She pushed the porridge around in her bowl some more and finally pushed herself up from the table.
"I have to go practice."
Cole's smile faded as she got up from the table and left the room.
Cole found her in the arena a little while later, a quick-paced song wafting off the small CD player, trying desperately to fill the large space. He watched her dance for a few minutes, her steps light and quick. The song ended and Amber turned as he clapped.
"Tarentella…" he commented, and she huffed and then shrugged.
"Grandpa said I was ready…"
"And I believe him. I recognize that song too; he used to make us warm up with the Tarentella every practice the year before I left."
She glanced away, and Cole came over.
"What? Don't think I can do it?"
She scoffed a little and looked up.
"You've got a bad back, Dad…" she started, but he just waved her off as he went to her CD player. After a moment the Tarentella song started playing again and he looked back over at his daughter with a mischievous grin.
"Now let's see…if I remember right it goes something like this…"
He waited for the downbeat and began a series of fast paced steps. Amber folded her arms and raised one eyebrow.
"If you hurt yourself, Mom's gonna kill you!" she said, and he just looked offended.
"Wha…you don't think I can Tarentella without getting hurt? I think you should be more afraid that your old man's got more moves than you…"
He made a point to dance in a circle around her, and she rolled her eyes again.
"You're doing it too slow," she argued, and he gestured for her to join him. Amber narrowed her eyes and then launched into the same series of steps. Cole grinned, and for the next minute they raced through the steps of the fast-paced dance. It wasn't long before they fell into sync, having both been trained by the same dedicated teacher. They struck the final pose together, and as the CD player went quiet Cole panted as he straightened. Amber shook her head again, but she couldn't hide her smile.
"I guess you weren't terrible," she finally admitted, and Cole put a hand to his chest.
"Oh, such praise. I shall treasure that judgement forever."
She reached up to smack his shoulder and he blocked the strike.
"If you're gonna keep doing the Tarentella, we ought to get you a tambourine," he pointed out, and she just shrugged as she went to turn off her CD player as it played through a new song.
"Theo'll kill you if you buy me a tambourine before you get him a piano," she pointed out, and Cole chuckled.
"That's probably true."
Amber wandered over to the stadium seats and sat down on the first row. Cole followed, sitting next to her.
"You're getting really good, Ams," he said, and she leaned forward as she glanced over at him.
"You're not too bad yourself, old man," she teased, and he bumped her shoulder with his own. But then Amber was looking away, her smile fading.
"That's what I don't get, Dad. If you were good, why did you quit?"
Cole was quiet for a moment and finally shrugged.
"It just…it wasn't for me. There's nothing wrong with dancing, obviously, but I realized it wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It felt like there was a different path for me, one that I had to go out and find."
Amber didn't say anything and Cole leaned forward.
"My two horrible days at Marty Openheimer's didn't really help convince me, either…"
"I would love to go to Marty's!"
Cole blinked at Amber's outburst, and he looked over to see her glaring out into the arena. He processed for a few minutes and he finally cleared his throat.
"I…didn't realize, Ams. I mean, maybe we could talk to your Grandpa and…"
"No, Dad! Don't you get it? You coulda gone to Marty's…but I can't."
"Why not? We've already established that you're super talented, Amber…"
"Because I look like this! Could you imagine? I'd be the laughingstock of the school! It wouldn't matter how good I was."
Cole wanted to argue, but a nearly forgotten memory came to mind of him on stage in front of a jeering and laughing audience of peers. He reached out to rub her back and she finally looked over at him.
"We could still try to work something out, Amber. If other people want to be small minded, then…"
"It's ok, Dad; I wrote off Marty's a long time ago. And you don't have to try to talk me into it. Grandpa already tried."
Cole blinked.
"He did?"
She smiled a little.
"Yeah. But I told him no, and not just because of the way I look. I don't think I could live in Ninjago."
"Well, good."
She looked over as he gave her a sad smile.
"I think I'd miss you too much, Amber."
There was a flicker of emotion across her face, but then she glanced away and scoffed.
"Yeah, well…someone's got to stay here and keep an eye on Theo."
Cole laughed at that and she smiled.
"He's nearly six years older than you, Ams," he pointed out, and she just shrugged.
"Still. His head's always in the clouds."
Her father chuckled and put an arm around her. They were lost in their own thoughts for a few minutes and Cole finally cleared his throat.
"Well, as far as dancing goes, I happen to know about an annual talent show not too far from your Grandpa Lou's house…"
"I know. Grandpa's told me about it."
"So why don't you perform? With your skills, you could probably win it all!"
She didn't say anything, giving a half-hearted shrug. Cole ran a hand through his hair.
"Maybe…maybe I could even dance with you, huh? Then everybody would be too busy laughing at me trying to dance to see anything in you but your obvious talent."
Amber looked over at him and Cole couldn't really interpret the look she was giving him. He cleared his throat again.
"I mean…unless you don't want your old man up there, slowing you down," he suggested. To his surprise, Amber shook her head.
"You wouldn't slow me down, Dad. Actually, I…I would like that.
His expression relaxed into a smile.
"Yeah?"
She leaned on him.
"Yeah."
Cole chuckled.
"I better get practicing, then…" he mused, and she smiled.
"Yeah, you better. If we're gonna win that trophy, I'm gonna need full commitment!"
He laughed again and rubbed her shoulder.
"See? Now you sound like my father."
Amber looked up at him.
"I think he's gonna be excited about it, Dad."