A/N: Let's see if I can pick up the pace some…
Chapter 4
"—Sassy, did you hear me? Sassy. Sasha!"
I jump when I hear Jazz's shout, and whip my head around to find her looking worriedly at me. The pounding of blood in my ears startles me. Why am I so worked up…? I rub my temple, feeling a dull throb resonate throughout my head. Jazz touches my arm.
"Hey, you okay?"
My first thought is no, but I quickly dismiss the notion and nod. "Yeah…my bad, girl." I try to pull my lips into a smile. "It started to rain, that's all. And you know how that makes me."
She cocks a well-trimmed eyebrow. "Well yeah, I know how rain can turn you into a space cadet. But that's the first time I've seen you so far gone… I think your eyes even changed color for a sec there."
I eye her weirdly. "Huh?"
"And how in hell do you know it's raining right now?" She asks, obviously ignoring me. "There are no windows in here, and I sure as hell can't hear anything besides all that music and cheering." She squints her eyes and leans in close to my face. "I know you're weird, but…are you crazy too? Because contrary to popular belief, there is a difference."
"Uh, and contrary to popular belief, there is a difference between please back up and get the hell out my face. You're in my bubble, Jazz. Get out. My bubble."
Her powder blue eyes widen immediately and she backs up, hands raised in mock-surrender. "Whoa! Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to get in your bubble!" She back-pedals quickly. "Hell, the last thing I want is to end up like Brooke Shields during sophomore year. Never mind…"
I place a hand on my hip and wave my other dismissively. "No really, it's my bad. I didn't mean to snap at you, Jazz." I shrug helplessly. "I guess I'm just—"
"Oooooh, Sashaaaa!"
Such a whimsical and sing-song cadence could only mean the entrance of Instructor Li. Jazz and I turn around towards the door and sure enough, standing in the doorway in all his beautifully flamboyant glory is one of the best and strictest song and dance instructors at Marty Op, if not the world.
"I told you he'd come…" Jazz mutters.
Instructor Li saunters on up to us wearing his patent steel-tip shoes, his tall, wiry frame encased in violet, pink, and black. One of the few of the Celestial's creations that could pull off such colors and look damn good while doing it, I might add. He definitely can be classified as a beautiful man rather a handsome one: with a well-defined, oblong face surrounded by devastatingly long, inky black tresses always well-kept and maintained (sometimes even better than some girls), unblemished skin the color of devonshire cream, and sharp, slanted, hazel-brown eyes that spoke of his oriental descent. All of it met for a very nice physical package. But what really stands out at the moment is that he's holding a very large and lovely bouquet of white carnations and red roses.
My mouth falls open in surprise, but promptly closes when the incredulity hits. "Please don't let these be from you. I don't think I have the mental capacity to fight off your husband." Sarcasm. A girl's best friend.
Without missing a beat, he laughs with all the poise and theatrical flair of a young debutant and shakes his head as if to pity me. "Oh no, my dear diamond-in-the-rough, these aren't from me. Though your dance did indeed remind me of myself in my unpolished youth, I'm afraid that doesn't constitute as a stalwart performance in my book. Surely not one that warrants a bouquet as lovely as this. Surely not!"
He hands me the bouquet while I mentally roll my eyes. Surely not my ass… But these flowers are lovely… I eye my eccentric instructor from beneath my lashes. "As thrilled as I am by your honeyed words," another mental eye roll, "do you happen to know who sent these?"
"Oh just read the card attached, dear, and all will be revealed. His pleasant smile downturns a bit when he cuts his eyes to Jazz. "As for you, Cinderella, Yvette needs help with her costume posthaste!" He claps his hands twice in rapid succession. "So off you go!"
Jazz just groans. "Sure, Instructor B, sure…" she walks passed him muttering something about being a part-time maid when he snaps his fingers abruptly.
"What was that? Did you not volunteer to be my seamstress in order to satiate your fashionista urges?" Jazz flinches guiltily. I raise my eyebrows at my retreating friend. Well, he got her there. Although I enjoy being a fashionista too, I knew better than to collaborate with a perfectionist voluntarily. So sorry, Jazz, can't bail you out here.
My best friend pouts. "Yes, I did, I did. And…I'm going, I'm going." Jazz putters over to the door, but not without sticking her tongue out over her shoulder at Instructor Li's back and shooting me a thumb's up for good luck. The door closes, and I'm left here alone with my instructor of four years. Clearing my throat awkwardly, I decide to just read the small note attached to the bouquet, which I innately know he's already read.
I eye him again, and he simply shrugs—elegantly I might add. "What? It's not like it was sealed or anything."
"In which you would then casually hold it up to the light…" I accuse dryly, but his expression turns unexpectedly somber.
"Read, Sasha."
Sighing once again, my eyes trace the innards of the pretty, little, silver-lined aquamarine letter. And I begin to read:
Dear My Little Habanera,
This is just a little something from me and your sister to help express our love and support from a distance. We know you're working hard every day to make your dreams come true, so we know you'll blow the audience out of the water with your performances. (Sophia and her puns… Good lord!) Lord Leviathan must have other plans in mind for us not to be able to reunite after so long, but I have faith that he will allow it soon. Very soon. So chin-up, Haba, and may his tears continue to bless you each and every day!
Love Always,
Your Family
P.S.
That instructor of yours has high-hopes for you! And I'm grateful to him for calling me every month to tell me how well you're doing. He told me not to tell you, so let's just keep this between us! See you soon, baby!
Tears sting the corner of my eyes by the end of it. And gasping almost uncontrollably, I hug the bouquet as close to my body as I possibly can, imagining it as a medium between my mother and sister. I miss them. But they're with me. They're always with me. Soon, another pair of arms encircles me, filling me with even more warmth and happiness. Did he…? Did he really…? I hug him too.
Was there really a method to the madness? When I first got here, I remember him telling me that I had pre-set scoliosis and that he was going to save me from becoming a real-life Quasimodo. For four excruciatingly long years he was an asshole casserole. I'll never forget all the pain and suffering he put me through: Running four miles each morning before class with arm and leg weights on, improving my flexibility by making me stretch and bend my body in angles I never knew it could, training me in the dancing martial art of Capoeira to get me more in touch with my Brazilian roots and improve my overall body strength. And those were just the exercising parts! All of it was so hard! So mind-numbingly hard!
But… But…it all paid off in the end… I'm where I am, because of his strict tutelage… This is why all of his students are ranked as part of the top ten percentile in the school…including me…
"…Do you remember what I told you when you first entered my class…?" His voice is a soothing whisper from above, and I nod my head in remembrance. "Everyone has the potential to be beautifully successful in life…but only from those who are willing to put forth the effort…"
"…Can reap the rewards and become truly beautiful…" I finish, smiling into his purple silk vest.
He chuckles, a delicate quake from his chest. "…And you are one of the few who have transcended, Sasha… You have become a beautiful, shining diamond. And I'm proud of you. Very, very proud of you."
I smile as my tears fall and roll gently down my cheeks. The moment couldn't have been more perfect, more tranquil, and dare I say it again, more beautiful. That is…until an ear-shattering explosion shakes the very foundation of the Marty Oppenheimer.
*~Elements~*
"Oh crap!" I growl hotly as I leap from roof to roof, making a beeline towards the blood-curdling screams of ensuing calamity. Thunder growled from smoky grey heavens, a deluge of heavy rain soaking the city. There had been an explosion that pierced beyond the shopping district—deeper into the city, further south. The Marty Oppenheimer! The great and prodigious school of performing arts is just below me now. While most of it remained intact, a large section of the west side of the school had been savagely torn into. People screamed and scattered like terrified cattle in all directions, trying to escape…whatever was amongst the broken rabble of the building.
"What the hell is that thing…?" It looked to be some sort of tank, but oddly built to resemble a longed-neck monstrosity. Wait…could such an obviously reptilian design be by the…? "Oh crap!" I bemoan again.
(Nya! The Bo Staff of Waves is beginning to pulsate! A master must be near!)
The slight reverberation from my back informs me that Tempest spoke the truth. But that would have to wait until later. Right now, I have to do what I can to protect the people here while they made their escape. Furrowing my brow, I continue my leaping trek towards the school until I'm perched atop the roof of the demolished section. Rumbling thunder continued to plague the atmosphere along with its heavy rain, but strangely not a single crack of lightning…
I dispel the trivial thought and instead focus on advancing towards the center of the destruction, until I'm face-to-face with the problem as the metal monstrosity slinks on its tracks to meet me up on the roof. I do a quick analysis of the tank's structural integrity. Hmm…a tank that can traverse up the side of buildings with no problem…? And the thing isn't small either…about the same size of a normal tank excluding the long neck and head… But it's also light enough not to fall right through the weakened building… A flaw in armor, maybe…? But it doesn't look so cheaply built…
From a hatch on top of the body, Skales suddenly emerges, looking as slimy and contemptible as ever. His long, forked tongue sneaks out from his maw to taste the air. "Ah, a ninja…" he hisses. "I was just wondering what to test my new Hydra Tank on and was just about to annihilate every human here." He smirks crookedly at me. "But I suppose I can spare the time to kill you first…"
Skales reenters the tanks and the head responds immediately, moving with the fluidness of an actual snake in a very uncanny way. I'd be impressed if I wasn't going to try to tear the thing to shreds. The tank releases an ear-splitting roar (How? I have no idea!), its maw gaping wide to reveal sharp fangs…and a spout…? My eyes widen when greenish-yellow liquid is spewed right at me! But thankfully my reflexes kick into gear and I jump back out of harm's way. The roof's cemented plating begins to quickly sizzle, smoke, and melt…
(Sulfuric acid. Stay on your guard, Little Gale. Or else end up a dissolved mess of skeletal remains…if that.)
Gee, thanks for the mental image, Temp! I snap my head up to see the tank slither towards me on its conveyer belt wheels. I dodge to the side as it snaps at me, barely missing my leg. Recovering quickly, I decide to go on the offensive. I jump on top of the head and impale my blades in its neck to grip it. The Hydra roars and shakes it head vigorously in an attempt to throw me off, but to no avail. The sharpness and strength of my claws are able to pierce its hide, causing a smirk of triumph to split my lips from beneath my mask.
But, I need to find a weak spot or I'll be—
"UGH!" I yelp in pain as a blow hits my shoulder and sends me tumbling to the ground.
"Foolish girl!" Skales' venomous voice echoes from all around, booming over the heavy slap of rain, "A snake's tail is just as deadly as its head!"
I stagger to my feet and get into a defensive stance. No good… I can't do this on my own… I need reinforcements… Keeping a steady eye on my opponent, I whip out my PMS—I mean thingamabob and press the deep azure button. The tank suddenly performs a quick 360 spin and attempts to clip me with its tail, but I dive over it. I roll and land in a crouch with the device to my ear.
(Nya?) Jay's voice calls out over the line.
"Jay!" I yell strictly, hoping my voice can be heard over the raging elements and roaring tank, "I need help! The Serpentine are here in Ninjago City!"
(What?! But Pythor is here! In Temblor! He just escaped with the second Fang Blade!)
Dammit all! We're losing so much ground against the Serpentine… "Well I'm dealing with Skales right now and his psychotic tank! So I could really use a hand here!" I shout while dodging another acid spit.
(Alright, just hold on! We're on our way now!)
I put the device away and glare up at the imposing Hydra Tank. Now comes the hard part… I grit my teeth and ready my claws. Holding on…
(Nya, the roof!)
Huh…? I look down and see the cracks and splinters decorate the ground. Oh, great… When the Hydra Tank makes another dash forward, the roof gives way completely and we both fall through the collapsing ceiling.
*~Elements~*
Pandemonium. Parents, teachers, and peers filed out the emergency exit as quickly as they could in terror as another tremor wracked the building and rained plaster and cement down from above. And with it…fell a girl clad in purple, a monstrous tank, and a flood of water. As expected, Instructor Li had reacted swiftly after the first explosion as did some of the other instructors, and had rallied the masses to start immediate evacuation. He had told me find any stragglers and lead them to the nearest safe exit, and luckily I had found Jazz during the chaos. And together, we had made sure that all of our peers had been a part of the panicked exodus. But now, this girl…
She had landed in a heap amongst a row of seats, and I see her blink owlishly before wincing in pain. And I instantly see why, she had landed too awkwardly and most likely suffered a hard knock to the back of the head. Her face is obscured by a mask, and strangely the only thing I can think of is: Ninja…?
"Help! Help, I'm trapped! My legs are trapped!"
"Sasha! Look!"
I turn my head to see Jazz point to the squirming body of a man, his eyes wide and dilated in fear as he tries in vain to free himself. I address my best friend quickly. "Jazz, go over there and help him! I'll take care of the girl!"
"What?! But—"
"Just go! Now!" I shout furiously. "While that thing's still disoriented!"
She purses her lips defiantly, but I know she'll do what I say. "Fine! But I'm coming back for you! You're strong and all, but you're not Wonder Woman!" And with that last quip, she dashes off towards the fallen man, while I try to find a safe passage to the girl. But my time is up as the tank-like monster collects itself and whirls on the defenseless girl. Its jaw creaks open to release a great bellow, showcasing fangs on the top and lower mandible.
"Time to meet your maker, ninja-filth!" A reptilian voice hisses from the contraption. "I look forward to hearing your bones shatter in the Hydra's jaws!"
The girl's chocolate eyes' widen in both horror and defiance as she struggles to sit up, letting me know she wasn't willing to just roll over and die. I smirk at that. Good. The more fight she has, the better our chances are of surviving this shitty situation... Huh?
I then take notice of a beautiful platinum staff not far from where the girl laid helpless. Is it hers? And why is it glowing? And that color…reminded me of home. The beautiful seas surrounding Poseidonia were of the same vibrant and bewitching aquamarine.
(Ah! There you are! I am yours to wield, young hybrid… So, what will you do in this time of crisis…?)
The voice invading my mind was cool, calm and collected, like gentle waves lapping at a shore. The exact opposite of how I was feeling at the moment, with the way my blood is thrumming furiously through my veins. But despite the incredulity of it all, I'm too wired to give a damn and reach towards it. Soaked through and through I yell indignantly.
"Then get your pole-ass over here! I need you! Now!"
The heavy splinters of rain surrounding the staff instantly cease in movement as the weapon snaps up off the ground and zips to my hands. It's heavy, but oh so very comforting to hold. I can do this… I can! With the rain pelting all around me, plastering my hair to my skull and my dress to my body, my heeled-feet move rapidly to position myself in front of the now sitting up girl. Protect… I have to protect her!
Time itself seems to slow as the tank-thing's gaping jaws come at me agonizingly slow. But that's just fine. Because that gives me just enough time to lift my staff and ram it dragonhead first into its mouth…towards a bright, red light down its throat.
Lord Leviathan… Please give me strength! And my prayers are swiftly answered, as a torrent of water shoots from the dragonhead and into the attacking tank's mouth. The diabolical contraption immediately recoils as its circuits spark and flicker violently.
"Impossible! No, impossible! It was just water, wasn't it?! It shouldn't have—!" The monster reverses on it tracks wildly, sparks flying in all directions. A crippled roar was all it could emit before exploding, creating a gigantic hole in the back wall of the auditorium. Stray pieces of shrapnel careen towards me from the impact, and I instantly turn around to shield the girl with my body. A sharp pain screams from my upper back, and unfortunately that's all it takes for me to collapse to the ground. Blood pounds in my ears. But before my vision fades to black, I can just make out a pair of concerned chocolate eyes peering down at me.
My lips flit up into a tired and pained smirk. That's all folks…
"NYA!"
A/N: That was fun! I mean, that was really fun! I'm satisfied as all hell with this one, but I still have a ways to go before this book is over!
