"Ash, pass me the basil, will you?"
I open the spice cabinet where a full bottle of basil sits, but I slip it into the sleeve of my sweater before Cole catches sight of it.
"Looks like we're out of basil," I lie pleasantly. "But I think…" I scan the spice cabinet. "Thyme will make a good substitute."
"Are you sure?" he gives me a dubious look. The pot of soup in front of him bubbles murkily, and I fight the urge to take matters into my own hands.
"Positive," I throw the bottle over to him and he catches it easily. He gives me another look, but with a little more prodding he dispenses the herb into the soup and fills the air with a mouthwatering smell.
"We need to go get groceries soon," he says as I take in a deep breath. "I mean, first no avocados, then no tomato juice, and now no basil?"
"Then I guess it's really good luck that we have all the ingredients to make a pork soup, huh?" I smile as I lean against the counter. With Cole's vision blocked, I take the opportunity to shove an avocado back into the crevice it rolled out of.
"I guess so," he sighs a little and slumps his shoulders.
"Come on, Cole, I'm sure it's delicious," I say as I grab a spoon and take a bite of the soup. Warmth, spices, and flavor fills my mouth, and a smile tugs on the corners of my lips. I take a step back. "Definitely delicious."
Cole grabs another spoon. "It can't be better than-" he cuts off, his face wiping clean as he lowers the spoon from his mouth.
"What did I tell you?" I laugh. "Infinitely better than…" I give him a look. "What was your plan?"
"Alright, alright," he laughs and shakes his head. He gets a thoughtful look on his face as he locks eyes with me. "Ash, you have a little bit of soup left on your lip."
"What? Where?" I ask as I reach to wipe my mouth.
"Right here," he tips my chin up toward him and leans into me just as the door bangs open.
"Is dinner ready yet?"
Cole and I spring apart as Jay, Kai, and Zane saunter into the room, Lloyd shuffling in just behind them.
"Just about," I answer as I reach down into the cabinets below the cook top to grab bowls and to hide my reddening face. "Only a few more seconds."
With my dignity scraped off the floor, I get the bowls on the table and Cole follows me, filling each one with a healthy ladleful of soup. The others sit as Cole goes to set down the pot, and as soon as his back is turned Kai looks to me.
"Is it safe?" he mouths so Cole won't hear.
I give him a nod just as Cole turns back around.
"So what do you guys think?" Cole asks, taking a seat next to me as the others tentatively try the food.
"This is delicious!" Kai grins as he shoves another spoonful into his mouth.
"It is," Zane agrees. "The blend of spices and vegetables is absolutely perfect." He gives me an approving look out of the corner of his eye as I dig into my own bowl.
"Thanks guys. I planned on making something else, but all the ingredients I needed were gone," Cole sighs.
"That's weird," Jay muses. "Nya went to the store and restocked everything yesterday-"
I kick Jay hard under the table, and he bites down a yell. "Speaking of Nya," I quickly change the subject. "Where is she?"
"I don't really know," Kai shrugs. "I haven't seen Sensei Wu around since training either."
"I saw them talking about something on the computer," Lloyd pipes in. Most of his bowl already empty. "It looked important, but they told me to leave before I could see anything."
I can't help the lurch my stomach makes as I take another sip of broth. Suddenly, I can't taste it anymore. "Do you think they found something about my dad?" I ask in the calmest voice I can manage. "I know they were trying again."
"If they did, it must be a big deal if he and Nya were talking it up for so long," Kai says.
"Indeed it is a big deal."
We look up as Sensei and Nya walk into the room. Sensei is as unreadable as ever, but Nya has a look on her face that's a mixture of excitement and worry. My stomach rolls.
"What is it, Sensei?" Cole asks as the atmosphere grows serious. "Is something wrong?"
"It's too soon to say for sure whether this is good or bad," Sensei answers. "But it does concern me."
"Is it about my dad?" I ask as my heart flies into my throat.
Sensei sits at the table and pulls a bowl of soup closer to him. He lifts the spoon, sniffs it, glances a second at Cole, then takes a sip. "I promised I'd help you learn more about your abilities, and I also said that I've felt your power before," Sensei begins as he eats another spoonful. "It wasn't until today that I realized exactly what I was feeling."
"What do you mean?"
"Long ago, Ninjago was ruled by monarchs gifted with special abilities. They used their powers to protect Ninjago and keep the peace, but they were eclipsed by modern governments and systems. The last true ruler, his name was Whim I believe, gave up his throne and chose to guide Ninjago from the shadows. The others that came after him did the same, keeping Ninjago safe and secure without seats of power," Sensei Wu explains.
"Wow," Jay whistles.
"So what happened to them?" Zane asks.
"According to legend, the bloodline gradually died and the past rulers of Ninjago no longer exist, but through further study Nya and I have discovered that the bloodline still runs strongly, and the monarchs still survive."
"What does this have to do with me?" I ask. My hands tremble, and I clench my fingers to keep them still.
"Sensei and I dug really deep into the legends and old histories, and we traced the rulers to an ancient forest where stories say they kept their court," Nya explains from where she sits next to Jay. "There we found evidence that a ruler's been living there for years now, or was, at least. Local legends say that the ruler living there disappeared years ago along with his wife and child, and they haven't been seen since."
"Maybe they decided to go on an extended vacation?" Jay laughs nervously. "I mean, just because a family disappears doesn't mean that some scary mumbo-jumbo's going on."
"But that's the thing," Nya says. "Each monarch is born with elemental powers like yours, and these powers aren't some cheap magic tricks. They're intense, powerful, and incredibly hard to control. There are even stories of young monarchs destroying forests, cliffs, and entire towns with their powers." She looks at me. "Sound familiar?"
"So what you're saying is my dad and I are some ancient rulers of Ninjago, and for some reason he pulled me and my mom from our foresty home?" I ask. "And he just forgot to mention it?"
"Well…" Nya looks at Sensei Wu. "Not… exactly."
Sensei puts down the cup of tea he had just poured for himself. "You're one of the old rulers of Ninjago, Ash, there's little doubt about that. But there is no evidence that your father is," Sensei says slowly. "I… I knew the last king of Ninjago. He travelled with me and Kai's father for many years before he settled with his wife to have a child. If something happened, he would have come to me, or least asked for help. But he hasn't. And he certainly would have taught his child using his own elemental power, which you've never given any indication your father has."
"So then I can't be," I shake my head. "If my dad didn't have powers, then it's impossible for me to be… whatever I am. Not unless-" The sentence dies in my throat.
"Unless what?" Jay asks.
"Unless her father isn't her father," Zane says.
"That's not possible," I clench my hands even more tightly.
"Ash, based on our research and your own descriptions of your father, this Desmond Vizier is not the ruler of Ninjago or my friend."
"Then there must be some mistake," I snap with more force than I mean to. "Maybe- maybe your friend had another kid. Maybe my mom had powers- she died soon after I was born, so I never knew her."
"According to the stories, Ash, the most recent monarch was and is a man," Nya says carefully, "and all monarchs are born as an only child- there's no way the bloodline spread out."
"So what?" I demand, choking back the sudden lump in my throat. "My dad kidnapped me? For what reason? He never hurt me, he helped me with my powers, he was everything a kid could ask for in a father."
"Ash, I understand that this is a lot to take in now, and it's going to take time to come to terms with what we've just told you," Sensei says softly.
"And we don't have the complete story," Nya says. "I'm sure there's some logical reason-"
"I need some time to think right now," I say as I stand up. "I'll see you guys in the morning."
Without another word I slip out of the silent room and onto the deck. My entire body is trembling as I hardly hold back the emotions that threaten to explode from my chest. I force one foot in front of another in a beeline back to my room, but I can't stop thinking about my father, of all the memories of training and playing together back in the village- his dark eyes layered with the love I know he felt for me. That couldn't be a lie… it just… couldn't.
I'm reaching out to open the door to my room when I hear a clamor of footsteps behind me. I turn to see Cole standing in the shadow of the hallway, the dim light casting shadows in his face.
"For a ninja, you make a lot of noise when you walk," I try to force a smile, but can't.
"Ash, we should talk."
"I know what you're going to say, and I'm fine," I turn to hide my face. "I need to vent. Alone, if you don't mind."
"Is that what you did in the forest?" he asks before I can escape. "When you were alone?" I can't bring myself to face him. "Ash, I'm here for you- we all are. You don't have to run away."
"I'm told you I'm fine," I snap as I start to turn the knob. "I just need to be alone and-"
"Please, Ash, Let me help-" Cole touches my arm and a burst of fire explodes from my body. He recoils as I tug back the heat and bury it, barely swallowing the horrible warmth before it bursts out again.
"I-I'm sorry," I struggle to calm my shaking hands as I stagger away from him. "I didn't mean to-"
"No, that was me," he shakes his head as he recovers. The cuff of his shirt is smoldering and fills my nose with the acrid smell of fire. "Don't apologize."
I swallow the bitterness in my throat and pull my arms against me. My hands are as hot as stovetop, searing through my cotton sweater. "You should go," I say in a soft voice as my stomach roils with nausea. "I'm unstable like this. I'll hurt you."
"Ash, just listen to me for a second," his dark eyes bore into mine, and at this point I'm too exhausted to fight. "I know what they said was harsh, but Sensei's been wrong before, and it's like Nya said: we don't have the full story yet. We don't know your dad's reasoning, so I wouldn't give up on him so soon."
I force a nod. "You're right," I cough to clear my voice. "He could've saved me from what happened to my real parents." The word burns like acid on my tongue.
"Exactly," Cole nods. He gives me a reassuring smile. "And once we find him, you can ask him yourself."
"Right," I try to return the smile, but it comes out as more of a grimace. There's a small pounding of footsteps overhead, and I bite back a sigh of relief. "Looks like the others are getting ready for training. You should too."
He glances up, and I can feel his hesitation. He looks back to me. "You sure you're going to be alright?"
"Cole, I've been managing my emotions since I was a toddler. I'll be fine," I try the smile again, and it seems to work this time as Cole lets out a submissive breath.
"Alright. We're here if you need anything, okay? Anything at all."
I give him another reassuring nod before he finally leaves to join the others. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and turn to finally open the door and enter my room.
As I slip in, I notice a dark shape on my pillow. It's a letter- small, white, and flat with my name scrolled out in spidery writing on its surface. My hand trembles as I slowly pick it up and open it. More familiar writing greets me, and I realize with a kick of my heart that it's my father's. My heart thuds even harder as my eyes scan the page.
If what I'm told is true, then you've been met with a surprise today, my darling Iris.
My old name unearths a lot of mixed memories and emotions of happier days tainted now by swirling doubts. I shake them aside and continue to read.
I am sorry I wasn't there to tell you the truth. There is much I never had the chance to tell you, but perhaps we may soon have that chance. I am sure you remember the place we used to train together. Meet me there tonight, and perhaps I may help clear some of the confusion that plagues you.
Stay strong, Iris, and I promise you will soon see the truth.
-Your true father, Desmond -
The letter hits the floor the same time my knees do. My father knows what's happened. How, I don't know. Cole's words come back to me, and I wonder if he was right. Maybe my father has a good reason for… whatever all this is. Maybe he's just been looking after me all these years.
But something doesn't feel right. I can't explain it, but something in the pit of my stomach roils. When we were first separated from each other, I always dreamt of the day I would see my dad again. I was always so excited at the idea of seeing his face just one more time, of seeing his loving smile, but all I feel right now is… emptiness.
There's a loud knock on the door and I almost scream. I force myself to keep calm as I stuff the letter into my pocket and go to answer it.
The door creaks open as soon as I've sort of composed myself. I look down to see Lloyd's small shape huddle in the doorway.
"Oh, hey kiddo," I greet him in a broken voice. I clear my throat and try again. "What's going on?"
"I wanted to make sure you were okay," he says. "Cole said you were, but I wanted to make sure."
"Yeah, um, I'm fine, kiddo," I lie with a nod. "Thanks for asking." I start to push him out the door a little. "It's gotten really late. Isn't it time for you to go to bed?"
"It's not that late," he says as he turns back to me. "The ninja are still training."
"Right," I mutter mostly to myself. I'd forgotten about them. It's going to be difficult sneaking past them if I want to go to the forest undisturbed. At least Nya landed the ship for a while. It would've been much more difficult if I had to find a parachute or something else to get down to solid earth.
"Ash, are you sure you're okay?" Lloyd's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I blink and realize I've been staring at the floor.
"Yeah, fine, I just have to go clear my head," I say. "You go to bed. I'm going to take a little walk."
"Do you want me to come with you?" he asks. "It's kind of dark outside-"
"There's nothing in those woods that can hurt me," I shake my head, "and I'll be back soon. Just go to bed, alright?"
His dubious expression doesn't change, but he eventually shuffles off toward his room. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and head the opposite way down the hall, out toward whatever awaits me in the forest.
The pit in my stomach grows bigger.