Part 1: Preparations

Chapter 6: Try and Try Again

Date: January 25th 2043

Mom… Dad… I am so… so sorry… please… be ok…

I slowly opened my eyes. I blinked twice as my eyes focused to the light in the strange room I was in.

I appeared to be in a living room, with a couch and two recliners. A fireplace mantel had pictures of people on there that I didn't recognize. The television was on, playing a TV show that I didn't remember. I slowly propped myself on my elbows, wincing.

"Whoa, slow down!" I heard a girl say, and she gently pushed me back down.

The girl had long blonde hair with white tips that went to her waist. She was rather pale, and had emerald eyes. She was rather skinny and tall. She wore a red and gold short skirt like moms, and had on a long sleeved white and red shirt with a golden chest plate. Her boots went to her knees, and were white and red.

She seemed oddly familiar.

"Where am I…? Who are you…?" I asked as I stared into her emerald eyes.

"Oh, this is my house. I'm the girl you helped when I was injured in the dojo. Milla."

"Oh… I guess I never did catch your name that day."

"Yeah, you dropped me off and ran right back to train." She said with a frown.

"Milla… what happened to me…? How'd you find me…?"

She seemed to bite her lip.

"Well… It was so unlike you to miss practice the way you did, especially for a week. So I went to your house to see if something was wrong. When I got there…" She looked to her feet. "When I got there everything was burned and scorched… I dug through all the rubble and I eventually found you…"

She shuddered. I moved the blanket that was covering me. I wore my pants, which were no more than shorts now, and I was shirtless. I had what seemed like one hundred burn marks all over me. My torso was covered and bruises. I had gauze wrapped around my chest, either because I had broken ribs, or my back wound. Probably both. I blinked twice. What felt like yesterday I was sparring happily with my family… but now I was covered in burn marks and bruises.

I cracked my knuckles as I formed fists. I squeezed shut my eyes and gave a few shaky breaths.

"He… will pay for this…" I growled. I opened my eyes, and I swear I saw them flash red in the mirror.

Despite the pain, I sat up and stared at my hands. I was still shaking.

"How long… have I been out…?" I whispered to Milla.

"A full month…" She answered sadly. "Frost… where are your parents…?"

I took in a sharp breath. Mother… Father…

"They… are on a trip… I was alone when the accident happened…" I said without showing my face.

"Well… at least they are safe."

"Yeah… safe…" I whispered as I stood shakily. I stared at Milla. "Where are my swords?"

She gasped and stood. "You cannot possibly mean to rush to Guilt's Castle!?" I nodded and stumbled over towards the only door exiting the room. "Are you insane!?"

I looked to my feet then turned to look at her. "Yeah… I guess that I am." I replied. She ran over and blocked my way into what looked like a hallway.

"You're not going anywhere. Stop being so rash!" She shouted, staring into my eyes. I groaned with impatience.

"If I beat you in a duel will you let me leave?"

Milla bit her lip. "Well… fine. You get one match everyday. The first time you beat me, I'll let you leave."

"Then let's fight now." I said as I continued pass her, smiling as I saw my swords were unharmed and in their cases.

"You could at least dress nicer than that before anything. Here, I got something for you after I found you. Now go get dressed."

I glanced at a nearby mirror and noticed my white hair was singed and ash grey. I shook my head. The guy in that mirror… it couldn't have been me… I was so… different. I turned my head and stared at my new clothes and frowned lightly, then I tried them on.

I crooked my head with a slight smirk as I twirled in the mirror, gazing at the pale blue dragon design on the back of my white and golden outlined trench coat. I wore a pale blue shirt and white jeans with silver boots. My gloves were white with golden ringed fingers. I nodded in approval, and then sighed as I noticed my ash colored hair. I smiled as I noticed a bottle of white hair dye on the counter where my new clothes were.

After I was ready I walked out of the upstairs bathroom and down the staircase.

"Whoa. You look… amazing…" Milla said with a blush. I smiled and strapped my swords on my back with the X-shaped sash colored gold. The buckle was a pale dragon just like the one on my back.

"Thanks." I answered.

"Ready?" She asked. I nodded and walked to the door, gripping the handle.

"Where are you going?" She asked, gripping my wrist.

"Outside to spar."

"No. I have a battlefield built in here. Safety reasons, so the monsters cannot attack me while I train." She said and pulled me towards the end of the hallway.

The battlefield was humongous, and had four sections in it. One was icy tundra, another was an open water theme, another was a scorching volcanic land, and the last was a grassy field. We took our positions in the icy region of the battlefield and stared each other down.

Milla's sword was strange. It had a rather skinny, yet long blade. The blade appeared to be made of ruby, and the handle pure gold.

She made the first move, swiftly running forward, her sword ready. I growled and moved my foot lightly, the ice caused it to slide, and I smiled.

Perfect.

I turned right as her blade came inches from my chest. She widened her eyes as I slid out of the way. I drew Guilty Blade and Frost Bite and stared at her as she twirled and faced me. She rushed at me again, using the ice to skate swiftly. I gasped as I felt the burning sensation in between my shoulders. I fell to one knee and sighed as her blade lightly touched the side of my neck.

"Dead." She simply said.

I stared at her eyes, and narrowed mine. I grabbed her blade with my hand and brought it to my neck, making a small cut. She dropped her blade in astonishment.

"What did you do that for?" She asked picking up her blade.

"You caught me. It is only right that I should bleed for my mistakes." I said as I turned and walked out of the room and into the living room.

Date: March 14th 2043

I battled her everyday for nearly two months. But today will be different. I know it will be.

She rushed forward, spinning at the last moment and elegantly tried to slash my waist. I parried with Frost Bite and lunged and her with Guilty Blade, lightly catching her arm. She growled and backed up, holding her sword with both hands. She rushed again, diving under Guilty Blade as I swung. But I knew she would do that, and I struck Frost Bite into the ground, and she slammed into the flat part of the blade. I brought Guilty Blade to her neck and smirked.

"Dead." I whispered, sheathing my swords.

"But how did you...?"

"Simple. I never really tried. From day one I studied your attacks. I know your every move. I can tell you're thinking about putting your blade against my stomach right now." She gasped and slid her sword into its case at her waist. I smirked and walked towards the door.

"Wait… Frost…?"

I froze and turned to look into her emerald eyes.

"You… why didn't you ever give up…? You trained everyday before the accident… and I knew, you came in here and practiced when night arrived… why did you push yourself…? What drove you…?"

I smiled and walked to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"You see… Guilt was created from my Uncle's wish to turn back time to save my mom. In the end, my uncle gave his life to save my mom and dad. He died trying to vanquish Guilt and keep the peace going in Ninjago. But Guilt didn't die… I dream of stopping Guilt once and for all. That's why I train."

"Who… was your Uncle…?"

"Zane. Zane Julien."

"One of the Ninja!?" I nodded. She blushed, looking to her feet. "Ok… you beat me… I guess you can go now…"

I smiled and walked out of the room.

A few hours later

"Oh.. I thought you left."

I turned and saw Milla standing in the doorway of the living room. I nodded and stood.

"I was going to, but I… well, when I saw your face I wondered if you wanted to come."

She perked. "May I?" I nodded.

"Of course. You want to discover what can drive a person to practice as much as I do, don't you?" She nodded and blushed. I smiled. "Well, I am leaving now, so if your coming then hurry and gather what you need."

"I have no need." She said as she walked to the door, opening it for me. I smiled and looked outside. It was a bright sunny day.

Perfect to begin an adventure. I thought with a grin.