Chapter 76
Troubling Troubles

.:Violet:.

It was unusual for oldest person on the Destiny's Bounty to be late for dinner especially when it's Zane's night to cook. The ninja of air had just finished her first plate of food and she was now sipping her tea as the others –except Nya- have their seconds. Their merry conversations filled the scented room and light laughs would echo around. Lavender eyes would often cast to the door of the dining room, excepting the elder to come in with a tea pot in his hand but tonight, he wasn't and it deeply concerned Violet. Not wanting to wait anymore, the female ninja stood up from her seat, immediately drawing attention from the others.

"What's wrong Violet?" Zane's worried voice asked.

"Nothing, I'm just going to check on Sensei Wu. I'll be back in a few minutes." She reassured the group before making her way out.

The cool, night air nipped at Violet's skin, making her shiver. However, she walked down the stairs quickly, across the decks and into the lower decks. Once the ninja was at her master's room, she softly knock with her knuckles.

"Come in Violet."

It sort of amazed the elemental master of air how Wu was able to detect whoever was at the door. Perhaps she had a different knocking style to the boys. As she entered the room, concern and dread already filled the remaining space in her full stomach. The son of the First Spinjitzu Master had bags underneath his eyes and his brows creased heavily. The usual scent of tea was gone and the room had a cold atmosphere to it.

"Sensei Wu, whatever is the matter?" Violet gasped as she kneeled by her sensei who was in front of the burning incense sticks.

It looked like the old master was tired and too worried about something he didn't even prepared tea for himself –judging by the tea pot that was on the other side of the room- and it was obviously stressing him to the point of breakage.

"Violet, can you be a dear and prepare me some tea?" His voice was wearily, the warmth that was usually in there was gone.

"O-Of course!" She answered and she dashed to the tea pot and started to prepare the tea.

While doing so, a heavy sigh was heard from the sensei and Violet looked back, his head was in his hands; massaging his temples. Once the tea pot was finished, Violet fetched a cup and poured tea into it and gave it to Wu.

"Are you sick?" She asked softly and she gently laid a hand on his forehead to feel his was fine but Wu hit it away.

"No." He answered.

"If there something bothering you then?"

"…Yes…" He replied hesitantly before casting his hazel eyes into her's. "My smoke visions are never wrong."

.::.

"W-What..?!" Kai's warm voice gasped with shock as her nimble hands repacked the bag she unpacked that very morning.

"Kai, if I don't go, this gang will go to another village and I can't have this happening."

"But it's so risky! You can get killed! At least let me come with you!" Kai argued but Violet sadly sighed as she chucked in a fresh pair of undies.

"No, there's a reason why I'm doing this. My ability to disappear can help me not get killed! If you come, you have a high chance of dying and I can't have that happening too! You promised me you wouldn't die anytime soon."

It was frustrating. There were no other words Violet could describe it as. Hearing how a dangerous and organised gang is taking over Jamanakai Village made her whole day go sour. By taken over, Wu describe them killing, torturing and raping the villagers. This already happened in one night and half of Jamanakai Village (Population of a thousand and a half people) are dead, the other half is used for sport. Worst thing is that the police couldn't do anything since they were shot down immediately and the gang is a group of sixty men. Wu explained to her that this gang had appeared many years ago when they attempted to take over Ninjago City but were stopped. Now they are back and more dangerous. The old master described how her ability to turn invisible could help her to find out their plans and capture them. When Wu said capture, she wondered if the old man actually meant kill. But this is a solo mission to make sure no one else get hurts.

At dinner, when she and Wu announced the plan, everyone was immediately disagreeing but this was their only chance. Violet wasn't too bothered by it. What did bother her were Nathan and Kai. Both instantly said they were coming. After ten minutes, she had persuaded Nathan that she was fine however Kai was harder.

"But I don't want to lose you." Kai's voice was filled with defeat and sadness that Violet stopped packing and looked up at him.

"And I promise you that you won't be losing me." And she went on her toes and softly kissed his lips. "But I have to do this. If you were in my shoes, would you do the same thing?"

"I-I suppose…"

"Then let me." At this, she turned around and placed all her daggers (in their sheaths) into her bag as well as a sharpening stone. She reached underneath her bed and pulled out her arrows and arrow making kit. She also put in a first-aid kit.

After another hour, Violet made her way onto the decks with Kai right behind her. The night sky twinkled with stars as if they were sprayed on. The full moon shone brightly but it hid behind the clouds that loomed over. Long goodbyes are painful. Every time Violet says it, it feels like she would never see the person again, it feels likes her life could change, as if Ninjago's fate can change for the greater or worse. Immediately, strong arms tackled her into a hug and a gasped was shot from her mouth.

"Come back safely okay..?" Lloyd's masculine voice whispered forlornly, making him sound like a child he used to be.

"I will Lloyd, I will." She squeezed the taller boy. Saying goodbye to the others were hard but when she turned to Nathan, she saw his eyes water. "You aren't crying at you?" She teased softly.

"No, samurais don't cry."

"I agree with that." Nya added.

"I just wished you didn't have to do this."

"For the umpteenth time Nathan, I'll be fine!" And she gave him a hug before turning to Wu.

"We'll send the falcon to watch over you… Be safe okay?"

"I will Sensei." Violet bowed before turning to the last person.

His arms were crossed over his chest, his amber eyes looked everywhere but her own violet one's. Exhaling deeply, she walked over to him and pulled him into an embrace. Immediately, Kai's warm arms wrap around her; his nose buried into her hair.

"I love you, remember that."

"I will Kai. I will. I love you too." And she gently kissed his lips before pulling away.

"Bye everyone."

.::.

The scent of blood was heavy in the air as well as the awful smell of metal. The ninja of air softly cringe as she got nearer to Jamanakai Village. The whole place was dark and silent; too silent. The lack of noise and the still air particles were poison against her skin. There were no whispers, no bangs or rustling from the trees that stood cowardly. Suddenly, light exploded within the town; the heat ate her skin and the smoke filled her noise. But this wasn't like any other smoke scents, this one was revolting. Haunting laughers filled the air as well as the hissing crackle of a fire.

Afraid to disturb whatever was happening, Violet slightly hovered in the air and turned invisible. She levitated through the front gates of the village and she fought with herself not to gasp. The sight was nauseating.

Lifeless bodies were littered to the side of the streets and blood stained the once-clean cobblestone roads and paths. The doors and windows to each house were broken: doors hang from a single hinge while creaking whereas windows were shattered into a million pieces, leaving the huge and sharp shards attached to the window. The usual market carts that would loiter here for the day were all tipped over and the goods were spilled along the ground. Violet eyed the fruit cart and saw the fruit on the floor were covered in ants or squashed.

The disturbing scented smoke finally took Violet's attention away and she headed towards the source. The closer she got, the stronger the smell became, the more she suffocated. The odour was overwhelming; it brought bile to the back of her throat. Arriving at the crime scene, the sight broke Violet. She dropped to the ground and let go of her dinner.

The fire in the middle of the village was huge, the flames roared higher than the buildings and smoke rose towards the dawning sky with ashes flickering everywhere. That wasn't what Violet concern was. It was the source of the burning material. They were people. Dead people. With eyes as wide as saucers, she watched with horror as the skin turn scorched black with flames lining to ignite the inside of the body.

"Get more bodies!" A voice boomed out above the laughs and the roaring fire.

A man double the size of Cole came into her view. His attire was black pants that showed the monstrous muscles in his legs through the fabric, a tank top to see on his muscularly arm was a tattoo. A cross with a metal pipe and a bone dipped in blood. His ginger moustache was thick and busy yet there was no beard on his face. His ginger hair was obscured with a black-ski mask but at the moment, it was pulled up so the female ninja could see his sharp face and grey eyes that reflected his soul.

Immediately at his command, men –wearing the same attire- stopped laughing but grins were still plastered on their faces and they went over to the side and picked up more corpses.

Violet couldn't watch. She wanted to get away. Why did she agree to this? How could people be so dark? At least Garmadon just wanted to turn everyone into his own image, not kill them for no bloody reason! (Violet cringed at the pun) Is the master of this gang the one that is responsible for her parents' death?

The female looked back at the ginger to see him grinning darkly as he walked to the over side of the fire. Wobbly, Violet got to her feet and chased after him, no longer caring if her footsteps were heard. She doubted it since she was a ninja and the fire was too loud. On the other side, she felt her body paralyse on the spot. More gang members were there but this time, they were beating some alive citizens. They all cried out in pain and the ninja was distraught she couldn't hear this before. The attackers bore whips, batons, guns and other devices Violet didn't want to name. The view brought tears to her eyes and her breath was trapped in her throat. The blood-curding creams echoed through her ear drums, making it ten times louder in her head than what it really is. Fear finally took control of Violet.

It was like a disease, permeating all parts of her body, seeping into every vein. The fear made her limbs and muscle feel heavy, so heavy that the ninja's leg gave out and she fell onto her knees. Fear then swallowed her heart, making Violet tremble and ache for reassurance. Her mind was then injected with it, making her fear for the worst. I'm not afraid… I can do this… I'm not afraid.

But no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn't leave.

Sorry if it's a bit dark… BUT AH! 15 REVIEWS?! You guys are amazing! Which is why I tried to update earlier. Since the Stone Army is next, I thought there should be a week or so break between episodes 19 and 20 so I'm putting this little mission in. If you don't like dark stuff (because it's really going to get dark), I would not suggest reading future chapters 77, 78, 79 and the start of 80. Let's just say I have the rough draft of them but I haven't edited or proof read it yet. So major thanks to: MortalNinjas, FlameNinjaofDarkFire, Ninjagymnastgirl, ALookIntoMyWorld, Jayla Fire Gal, , ShadowNinja27, cakeisthebest, ElementzGirl7, Nightmare and CarlyShi208!

MortalNinja: The Porcelian dolls are fairly large, I think you're being mistake for a barbie doll or something…

Flame: Thank you! It's kinda rare to find someone who loves writing dialogue.

ALookIntoMyWorld: Once again, I'm extremely sorry.

Jayla Fire Gal: I love your reviews, they're the ones I look forward to the most! They always make my day. Thank you so much!

Once again, big thanks to everyone!