She was once again back in the familiar jungle she'd seen so many times in her dreams now. Though she hadn't seen it since that snake had attacked her. It wasn't there now but she had a feeling the creature would show up soon.
Calli looked around, the jungle looked somewhat darker and more eerie than last time but that could also be her imagination at this point.
Deciding she would not get anywhere by just standing around (and the fact she would not like to stand around to become snake-food, dream or not) she decided to start moving, this time avoiding the path and just diving headfirst into the bushes. Maybe not the smartest plan but by following the path every time she got here, she was getting nowhere.
After just a few minutes of walking and hacking away at plants and trees she heard the sound of flowing water and just a few seconds later the ground disappeared from underneath her feet, launching her into the river a few feet down. It wasn't very deep, only knee-high, but that still didn't help her already annoyed mood.
The redhead stood up, all the while cursing under her breath, and looked around. It seemed she had landed in some kind of spring. There was a lot of light filtering trough the trees compared to the rest of the jungle and on the opposite side was a large cliff going up at least 20 feet full of ancient murals and paintings with in the middle a very large painting of a giant snake.
She walked closer slowly, her curiosity getting the better of her and carefully traced some of the lines. Now that she stood in front of it she could see that what she thought to be just the white stone of the cliff to be actually painted over with what looked to be some kind of liquid pearl, glimmering in all colours of the rainbow depending on the light, Similar to her marking but hers was only differing between white, pearly and different shades of purple.
Suddenly the water in the spring started to stir up, small waves pushed against her legs making Calli turn whirl around.
Behind her was that same massive snake, staring at her intensively with its dark eyes.
Unlike last time, however, it never took on a hostile stance, even so Calli decided it would be a good idea to take no risks and put up a shield.
This action sparked a loud thundering laugh to echo trough the air, making the girl back up against the wall.
"Did you really think that would be effective against me?" It took Calli a few seconds to register that the heavy booming voice came from the snake itself. (Despite the fact she had seen talking snakes before, she never expected this.)
It took a few moments to collect herself before she finally spoke up. "What do Ye want?"
"Let's drop the shield first, shall we?"
"And why would I do that? Ye tried to kill me last time."
The snake leaned it's head back with it's mouth formed into some sort of grin, hissing in amusement.
"And yet you're alive? aren't you?" Then it leaned forward, it's head close to her. "I never tried to kill you."
Calli scoffed, crossing her arms and glaring at the animal trough her shield. "Really, could've fooled me." She replied, sarcasm seeping into her voice.
"The only thing I did was mark you, Enhance your power, It is thanks to me you can even summon that pretty shield of yours."
It snickered as the girl involuntarily shuddered at that memory. "The mark on your arm is my symbol, I am the one that created you, I am the one that gave you your power."
It hissed, head swaying from side to side as it spoke.
"Really? I wouldn't have guessed after the giant snake now permanently staining half my body."
"I would hold the sarcasm if I where you. I brought you into the world, and it takes less effort to take you out of it."
For once the redhead held her remark, instead crossing her arms and glaring for a reply.
"That's better. A soldier always listens to her higher ups."
"I am not your soldier!"
Once again the snake snickered at her reply. "Of course you're not." the redhead didn't miss the taunt in it's hiss. "You're their soldier, always making sure they don't end up hurt. Am I right."
Calli glowered at the snake, her eyes flashing dangerously as she let her emotions get the better of her. He was taunting her, she knew it and she hated the fact that it was working.
"What is it ye want." She hissed as she crossed her arms over her chest, her nails digging in her arms to keep herself calm.
"At the moment? Nothing." The snake grinned. "But there are dark days coming, and in due time you will come to me."
Calliope shot upright, breathing heavily with her heart thumping in her chest. she closed her eyes in an effort to calm herself down.
"You're finally awake."
The redhead jumped up with a startled yelp, knocking her head into one of the wooden panels of her makeshift house. She whirled around to Lloyd, who was looking at her apologetically.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay, kid." She breathed, rubbing her sore forehead. "aren't ye supposed to be with the others. Wait... never mind that, how'd you find me here?"
The blond held up the familiar red and black snake. "Tangle."
Calli glared at the animal. "I hate you." She muttered. Tangle just gave her a look that she could only interpret as a; "deal with it".
"So how'd ye sneak away?"
"They're finding a place to train, the apartment is too small."
"Well, they haven't called in panic, so I don't think they've noticed yet." She noted dryly as she checked her phone. "Still, next time tell someone where ye're going."
"Sorry." Lloyd apologized, hanging his head.
Calliope gave him a smile. "I'll let them know ye're with me, and I'll bring you back later. Or when they need you."
Lloyd landed next to her on the ground, albeit a bit more wobbly then she did. "Now I know why you like this so much." He told her with a grin. "It gives so much freedom."
The girl giggled. "I just like being high up in general. The free-running is just an extra."
"There you are." The two turned around to see the others join them, Kai looking rather annoyed at the younger kid.
Lloyd looked to his feet as he slowly slid behind Calli.
"Don't ye go hiding behind me kid, ye're the one that snuck away."
The other three gave each other amused glances behind the red ninja, who kept the scowl on his face.
"We found a dojo further down the street, We were about to ask if we could use it to train Lloyd." Zane explained the situation.
The redhead nodded and stretched her arms. "Let's go then."
The group all shared a look as the owner of the Dojo came into view. He wore an all brown Gi which had been opened up at the top, revealing a large golden chain. His hair was styled with more gel then Kai had in his and he had a very aloof air about him.
"Welcome to Grand Sensei Dareth's Mojo Dojo." He said with a bow. "I am Grand Sensei Dareth and I Dareth you to join my Dojo."
"Okay we officially found someone with worse puns then Cole and Jay." Calli muttered, resulting in a dark look from both boys.
"Face the wall of Karate trophies. If you look closely, my name is on all of them." Dareth proudly, and a bit cocky, stated. "That is because i am a highly skilled karate machine."
Kai rolled his eyes and took a breath. "Look, Dareth, we're wondering if we could share your Dojo. You see, we've been put in charge of training this little guy to become the best ninja in all of Ninjago ."
Dareth shook his head and puffed his chest. "Not possible, for I am the greatest in the land. How many trophiers do you have?"
"Listen, Pal, we're the guys that just saved the city from a giant snake." Jay scoffed, obviously getting annoyed with the man.
Dareth let out a laugh. "Am I looking at Lord Garmadon? Because unless I'm stupid, and I'm not, Lord Garmadon destroyed the devourer."
The blue ninja huffed. "That's been a huge misunderstanding. Actually, we were the ones who-" I'll let you train here but only on one condition. You have to defeat me. If you succeed, we will share the dojo." Dareth rudely interrupted Jay. "That's right. I, grand Sensei Dareth, master of all animal fighting styles, challenge one of you to a battle. I know the Tiger." He demonstrated by pretending to be a tiger and growling.
"What a about the idiot monkey?" Calli muttered under her breath, only to receive an elbow in her side and a warning look from both Cole and Jay, though Lloyd was smirking at her.
"-The penguin." Dareth hadn't noticed the little exchange and kept imitating animals. Kai though, finally decided enough was enough and pushed the 'Grand Sensei' to the ground using his spinjitzu.
The redhead cheered. "Thank you, Kai." Once again Cole went to jab her in the side, though she managed to dodge it and jab her fingers in his side and then went to hide behind the youngest boy.
"You're mean." Dareth pouted as he tried to get up. "How did you-"
Kai gave him a grin. "You might know animals. But we know spinjitzu."
The man gave him a look of admiration and then bowed. "You can train in my dojo anytime.
Whilst the boys went on to their task of training Lloyd, Calli decided to work on her meditation, as she had been slacking lately. She heard them all giving directions.
"When you strike with your fists, concentrate." Cole told the kid as he walked across the room and past her. "You may be small, but you're strong."
From what the redhead could gather from just her hearing, Lloyd was supposed to break planks into half, she she had expected a loud noice after he had taken a deep breath. what she hadn't prepared for was the whole room shaking like there had been an earthquake.
"What the F-" The girl was stopped by Sensei Wu slapping his hand on her mouth with a stern look.
"That's the power of the Scythe of Quakes. And you did it without the golden weapon!" Kai gasped.
Zane nodded. "That must be why you have the potential to be the greatest Ninja. You can harness all of the elemental powers."
"Really?" Lloyd beamed. "Cool!"
Dareth crossed his arms and held his head high. "I have to admit, not bad for a kid. But instead of ten boards, how about fifty?" He motioned to two of his own students, who came in with more boards in their arms. "Stack'm up boys."
Calli shared a look with Jay, who looked more amused then annoyed like the others.
"And perhaps if I, Grand Sensei Dareth, can break them all, you will allow me to join your team and become..." He paused and pulled a brown mask over his head. "The brown Ninja!"
Jay snickered behind his hands. "the brown ninja? You gotta be joking."
"Sorry, pal. Club's already full." Cole agreed with his best friend as he went to sit down next to Sensei Wu and Calli but this didn't deter the "Brown Ninja"
"Okay, Okay. then maybe this demonstration of my superhuman strength may persuade you. Jeffy, Phil, are we ready?"
the two students nodded and stepped away from the stack of boards.
"Observe. I call upon the greatest animal to give me strength, The dragon."
Dareth let out a battle cry and hit the boards with all his strength only to scream in pain as soon as his hand met the wood. Everyone burst out in laughter.
"Oh man." Jay breathed. "Ow"
Though the laughter was quickly interrupted when screams rang outside.
Ugh, I'm so sorry this is such a short chapter, but this just did not want to get written :( I wanted to start with the first episode of the season but that was even worse. As for why its so late, well beside the writers block I also have been really sick for a week during this as well and I decided to put the deadline of this chapter to today, December 12th, so I can give you a chapter on my birthday.
But this gives you guys some more information about calli and her relation to Lloyd is getting much more big sister like which I hope you guys like.
Fun fact, my dad and brother have given me the palace from season 8 and this Ninjago board game you have to build with lego stones and such, its a rare piece according to my brother. But yeah. I hope you'll forgive me for the late update and I hope next one is done much faster and you guys don't have to wait for a month,
Anyhow, onto the reviews!
MightyShipper: Sorry for the weird upload times, it's either on like 6 in the morning or late in the evening...but I'm glad you like it.
Pappilie: its alright, i mean I;m sorry for not uploading, at least you're caught up now :) and yess all but season 6, though i need to use the ending and beginning due to timeline happenings and i do like the Nya and Jay moments in that. And yes tips are nice to get but don't force yourself, if you find something just let me know.