Second Destiny: Discovery of Mt Horn

by RealtreeGal

When a simple mission goes horribly wrong, Zane has to flee for his life into the the Southern Tip of Ninjago, an uncharted, dangerous wilderness. Discovered in a valley of treacherous mountains, he is taken in by a new race of people. While waiting for winter to pass, he learns their culture and legend, and about a new elemental master, waiting to rise in Ninjago's darkest hour.

31. Chapter 31: Cowboy Up

Hello, everyone! Im back to post another chapter! It's been awhile, I know, but high school is a real hassle, and my fish has been sick lately. But hey, I'm here! Without further a'do, I present to you, chapter 34!

"You're sure this is the right size?" Hailey asked, holding the lightbulb in her hand. It was about the size of a dime. "This is the smallest lightbulb I've seen."

Samuel and Zane nodded in unison.

"Yes." Zane said. "That is the correct bulb. It's identical to the one in my functional eye."

Hailey, Zane, and Samuel were in the garage, fixing his damaged eye. The lightbulb had been busted and a wire was damaged. Luckily though, a quick run to the hardware store had got them what they needed. Samuel had Zane sitting on a stool, unscrewing Zane's faceplate to do his work. He had already fixed the wire. Now he was doing the light bulb.

With expert precision, Samuel unscrewed the damaged lightbulb. Then he took a rag and wiped out the dirt and grease from the empty socket. He took the new lightbulb, gently screwed it back in place. Using his flathead screwdriver, he secured it in place. Then he reattached his faceplate.

"Alright, that ought to do it." Samuel said as he finished tightening the last screw. "Test to see if it works?"

Zane's damaged eye turned on, returning to its normal shade of icy blue.

"Both eyes are fully functional." He said. He heard Hailey and Samuel breathe a sigh of relief.

"Alright," Samuel said, putting his tools back in his toolbox. "That's all we need. You're done."

Zane hopped off the stool. Looked around. His eye worked flawlessly.

"Thank you Samuel." He said, offering a smile. Samuel grinned back in return.

"No problem Zane." He said, putting his toolbox back in its place on the shelf.

"Now what are we going to do about that?" Hailey asked, pointing at Zane's shirt.

Zane looked down and gasped. There was oil spots all over the front of the shirt Samuel had given him.

"Oh no." Zane said. 'Samuel will not be at all pleased. First horse mucus, now this…'

"Can we get them out?" He asked. Hailey shook her head.

"It's a lost cause." She said. "I've tried, believe me. I was working on a friend's tractor once. I got oil all over me. I was wearing one of my favorite shirts too. I tried for three days to get it out. I ended up just throwing it away. And my jeans and pretty much everything else I was wearing that day too."

Zane sighed. "He's going to be so displeased…"

The two of them hadn't noticed Samuel come behind them, and they jumped when he spoke.

"Ah hell, don't worry." Samuel said. "It happens all the time." He shrugged. "No biggie. That shirt was getting a little tight anyways."

Zane felt a little better now.

"But now I don't have a clean set. And I don't think it's a good idea to be wearing my robes when I'm trying to blend in as a civilian."

Hailey looked at Samuel.

"Should we go to the feed store Uncle Sam?"

Samuel nodded. "Sure, go ahead." He thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. "Get him a few outfits. And also while you're at it, pick up a couple bales of alfalfa, please."

"You're not coming with?"

He shook his head. "Nah, you'll be fine. I have to do a little yard work anyways."

"Alright that's fair." Hailey said, walking back to the house, gesturing Zane to follow. "Where are the keys?"

"Basket on the counter." Samuel answered as he grabbed a gas can and filled up the lawnmower in the corner. "And take my debit card!"

"Okay!" Hailey said as she shut the door. "Come on Zane."

Hailey grabbed the truck keys and got Samuel's wallet, pulling out a card. She took out her own wallet from her back pocket and placed it in before putting the wallet back. She slipped on her boots. Zane followed and activated the hologram that made him appear human as he left.

Hailey shut the door behind him and together they walked to the driveway. Hailey unlocked the truck. Zane climbed into the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt, but was quite taken aback when Hailey plopped herself in the driver's.

"Uh...Hailey?" Zane asked.

Hailey turned to look at him as she shut the truck door. She raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"You're…driving?"

"Uh yea, that's why I'm sitting at the wheel Zane."

"But-I thought you had to be a certain age?"

Hailey nodded. "Yea, you have to be a certain age to be road legal. Here in our district you can get your permit when your 14. Then you can get your license at 15 and a half."

Hailey pulled out her wallet and showed Zane her license.

Zane nodded. "I see. But why do they let you operate vehicles at such a young age?"

"You do realize I've been driving since I was five, right?" Hailey asked, starting the truck up. The diesel engine roared to life. She strapped herself in.

Zane was again shocked.

"Five?" He said.

"Yessir." Hailey answered. "And when I was six I learned how to drive a stick."

Hailey looked over at Zane. He seemed totally lost.

"It means a standard." She said. "It's slang. We call trucks with standard transmission sticks or stick-shifts. Because, well, y'know, you shift gears with the…stick…basically…"

Hailey looked at Zane, who still looked as confused as before.

"Yeeaaaaaa…" Hailey said, putting the truck in gear. "I think we should get going now…"

Hailey check the mirrors and looked back as the backed out of the driveway. Zane watched as she handled the wheel with expertise.

"Since you drive," Zane began. "Do you have a vehicle of your own?"

"Yup." Hailey said as she turned the truck around. She put it in drive. "A 1994 F-250. Powerstroke." She added with a smile. "Automatic. It's two-tone, white and red."

"Is it in your name?"

Hailey shook her head. "No." She said as they started down the road. "But I'm basically the only one that uses it. My grandfather legally owns it, but even said it himself it's mine pretty much since I'm the one who's done all the maintenance on it."

Zane nodded. "I see." Another thought crossed his mind.

"Where is it? I haven't seen it at all."

"Oh, it ain't here." Hailey answered. They turned down a couple of corners and came to the stoplight. "Patriot's sitting in the barn at the ranch right now. Probably covered with a tarp."

Zane raised an eyebrow and looked at her quizzically.

"Patriot?"

Hailey looked at him.

"It's my truck, ya dummy. I named it Patriot. It's my ranch truck."

Understanding dawned on Zane's face. "You name your trucks?"

Hailey shrugged as their light went from red to green. "Yea," she said, stepping on the gas. "It's kind of a thing with us ranch people. We name our vehicles."

"Interesting. We do not have that habit back in my homeland."

"Well," Hailey said. "As I've said before, y'all ain't in Ninjago anymore."

They passed a couple of stores before Hailey turned into a large gravel yard, pulling in front of a large wooden structure like a barn, with a hay shed next to it, covering stacks of hay and racks of fence paneling. She stopped right before one of the railroad ties that served as parking blocks.

Hailey turned the truck off and hopped out. Zane followed. Hailey locked the truck using the key remote and pocketed the keys.

"So we are here to get me new clothes?" Zane asked as they walked to the doors.

Hailey nodded. "Yup. We're gonna get y'all some pants, shirts, a pair of boots, and a belt. Maybe a hat too to kinda finish the look, but we'll see."

Hailey held the door open. "After you."

Zane walked in, followed by Hailey. He followed her to the front counter.

"Hey Richard." Hailey said to the clerk. "How ya doin?"

"Hey, I've been good. Slow day today. You're the fourth person to come in." Said the man-Richard-with brown hair, green eyes and a clean shaven face, dressed similar to Hailey.

"Sheesh. Wonder why." Hailey said, pulling her wallet out of her pocket. "Can I get a couple of bales of alfalfa number one?"

Richard nodded. "Of course. Driving Sam's truck?"

"Yup. Right in front." She pointed out the window.

Richard nodded again and pulled a radio off his belt.

"Tom, we've got two bales of alfalfa one for the white Dodge."

"Rodger that." Said another voice from the radio. Richard clipped the radio back to his belt as Hailey handed him the debit card.

"Say, who's your friend there?" He asked as he entered some numbers on the computer.

"Ah," Hailey said. She gently took Zane's forearm and nudged him closer to Richard. "This is my friend here. His name is Zane. He's from the Silverton area, but he's spending some time here. My grandfather hired him as some extra help on the ranch."

Richard held out a hand. "Nice to meet you, Zane. I'm Richard."

Zane took Richard's hand. "Pleasant to meet you, Richard." He said as they shook.

"Ever driven a tractor?" Richard asked.

Zane shook his head. "No, I have not."

"Rode a horse?"

"No. I am going to learn though."

"He's a city slicker?" Richard asked Hailey. She nodded, laughing.

Hailey and Richard both laughed a little together, leaving Zane standing there, wondering what the joke was about.

"Then why did your granddad hire him then?"

"He's kinda in a pinch with labor right now, so he's finding people in the city to help him out. You know how they're always looking for work over there. Anyways, Zane is shadowing me and learning about life out here. Just kinda getting his feet wet."

"I see," Richard said. He handed back the card.

"Well, Zane, we sure are glad to have you here. If you ever need anything you can always ring me up."

Zane nodded. "Thank you. I will definitely keep that in the forefront of my mind."

Richard raised an eyebrow.

"Bit of a fancy talker, I see. Well, there ain't nothing wrong with that." He shifted back to Hailey. "Is that all you need?"

"Actually, we've come here to get him some clothes too. He only has street clothes that won't last a day out on the ranch."

"Ah, I see. Well, we are having an inventory clear out, so we've marked a few things down."

"Okay, we'll look around. Thanks, Richard."

Hailey took Zane's arm. "Follow me."

Zane looked at her confused about what she was saying. Hailey looked at him back. 'Just roll with it.' She mouthed.

Zane nodded. 'Affirmative.'

Hailey led him to a bench. "Sit here, I'll be right back."

Zane nodded as Hailey walked off. He looked around.

The interior of the building was wooden, with polished hardwood floors. Lights hung from the beams supporting the ceiling. It looked like a ginormous cabin. The whole area was a large rectangle. At the front end of the building were the doors and large windows with signs posted, with various brands and one that said: "HELP WANTED". Besides the doors was an area with a table, a couple of machines, and a few hats with tags on them.

Zane was seated on the benches in the middle of the floor. On the wall adjacent to the entrance was shelves about seven feet tall, the first five filled with pairs of boots. The ones below were full of shoeboxes. On the wall opposite of him going front to back was shelves with gun ammunition and fishing bait, a refrigerator containing what seemed to be medications, the register, hats, and pants. Sizing charts hung on the walls between. On the floor were shelves for home decor and various supplies like horse treats, supplies like feeders and brushes, more medications, and other care items like horse shampoo. Way in the back were shelves for toys, an area with saddles, blankets, bridles, bits, halters, and lassos. Clothing racks were also grouped together. Women's, Men's, Kids. He was sitting between the men's and the kids. On the very tops of the walls hung paintings, trophy antlers, and heads of deer and elk. Country music played quietly overhead on a couple speakers in the ceiling.

Zane was snapped out of his sightseeing when Hailey came jostling back, holding some clothes.

"Okay." She huffed, dumping everything on the bench beside him. "I found a couple of things you might like." She grabbed a shirt from the pile and held it up for Zane to see. It was a long sleeve collared shirt, white with grey and light blue plaid with black buttons. "You like?"

Zane nodded. "Yes, it's appealing to me."

Hailey held up a pair of blue jeans with a "W" sewed in each back pocket. "These?"

Zane nodded again.

She put them with the shirt. Then she showed him the same pair but black. "What about these?"

"Yes."

"Alright," Hailey said, putting that in the pile as well. She picked them up. "Let's see how these fit you so we can get your size, then we'll look around some more."

Hailey gestured Zane to follow. They went to the way back of the store, to the fitting rooms. She gave Zane the clothes.

"Try these on and tell me how they feel." She said.

"Affirmative," Zane responded before walking into the stall and shutting the door. Hailey scrolled through her phone as she waited.

She heard Zane grunt.

"Are these pants supposed to fit your body so tight?" He asked.

"Yep." Hailey said. "They're like that for a reason."

"I am unable to get them past my midsection…" Zane said. "And based on my calculations they will be much too short. Can we opt for a different size?"

"Yea. What are those?"

"Seven times thirty-five."

"It's seven over thirty-five. Jesus that's almost my size." Hailey said. "Okay. Try on the shirts while I go look."

Zane tried on the shirt Hailey picked out. It fit him nicely. The material was smooth and thin, but not transparent.

Soon Hailey returned with a different pair.

"Here, try this one." She said, handing it to him from under the door.

Zane took the pants and slipped into them with much ease compared to the last pair. They were tight around him at the hips, but other than that it fit him good as well.

"They are supposed to be tight on my waist, yes?" He asked.

"Yep." Hailey said. "How do they feel?"

Zane moved his legs, walking around the room. He bent his knees. "Quite well." He said. "They are little tight, though."

"That's how they are. And how is the shirt?"

Zane rolled his shoulders. "Acceptable as well."

"Here let me see."

Zane came out, wearing the shirt and pants. He became quite confused when Hailey facepalmed and laughed.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

"Your shirt is supposed to be tucked in, Zane," Hailey said. "There are certain ones you wear untucked, but more often than not you tuck them in, especially for ranch work. See?" He pointed to her own shirt that was tucked into her jeans.

Zane nodded.

"I see." He said before walking back in and closing the door. He came back out a few seconds later, shirt tucked in this time. "Now?"

"Much better." Hailey said. She smiled.

"Why are you smiling?"

"You actually look pretty good in that. Better than I expected." She scratched the back of her neck. "Are you sure that's going to be comfortable on you?"

Zane nodded "Yes."

"You're sure? Because you're going to be doing a lot of stuff in those clothes."

Zane nodded again "I am positive."

Hailey shrugged. "Okay, if you say so. Now we need to get you a belt and some boots."

Hailey called Richard over.

"What do you need?" He asked.

"Can you measure his waist for his belt size please?" She asked.

"Of course." He said, pulling a thin tape measure from his pocket. He walked up to Zane.

"Stand straight please." He asked. Zane complied. Richard wrapped the tape measure around his hips and tugged it till it was snug.

"He's gonna be a 36." He said, rolling the tape measure up. He smiled and nodded at Zane. "Is that all?"

"Yep. Thanks, Richard."

Hailey turned back to Zane as Richard walked back to the counter.

Hailey gestured for Zane to follow, and they walked to where multiple leather belts hung on a rack on the wall.

"I'm thinking of a dark brown or a black," Hailey said. "What color leather do you want?"

Zane shrugged. "I am not sure." He replied.

"Hm. Okay." She said, grabbing a few off the wall, one brown, one chocolate, and one black. "Let's try these."

They went back to the room and tried them on.

"The black does look quite exceptional on me," Zane said after multiple minutes of contemplating.

"Awesome," Hailey said. "You know, let's just take a brown one too, just in case. Black does tend to get dirty easily."

Zane came back out. Hailey nodded.

"A little black does look good on you." She agreed. She motioned for Zane to give her the belt. He took it off and handed it to her. They went to one of the shelves on the other side of the store to get some boots.

"Which toe do you like?" Hailey asked.

"What?" Zane asked. "I do not have a preference for any one of my toes in particular."

Hailey facepalmed.

"I meant the shape of the boot, silly, not the toes on your feet."

"Oh," Zane said.

"See, look here." Hailey pointed down at her boot. "The tip of my boot, where my toes are. That's the toe of the boot. See how mine is round? That's called a round toe."

Zane nodded. "Noted."

Hailey took a boot from a pair off the shelf. It was square. "This is a square toe, see?"

Zane nodded again, and Hailey put the boot back and grabbed another.

"This is a triangle toe boot." She said, showing him the boot, which had a pointed end. "Personally I don't like these, they don't have much room."

"I see." Zane said.

Hailey held the boot by the sole. "See here?" She asked, pointing to the heel, which was sloped inwards. "This is the traditional cowboy heel." Then she gestured down to her own boots. "Mine are straight, not sloped, so these are roper heels or just simply ropers."

"Okay."

Hailey put the boots back.

"What size are you?"

"27," Zane said.

Her eyes bugged.

"27? You're sure?" She asked. "I don't even think they make that size…" She looked down at his feet.

"No. They can't be. There must be a different sizing system where you are…"

"What size are you?"

"Eight and a half."

"But that's impossible, my calculations say you would be over double that size."

"Well, this boot is eight and a half and my foot fits fine so…"

"That is not possible. That is a small child's size," He looked up to Hailey. "And you are definitely not small by any means."

"Excuse me?" Hailey asked roughly, raising an eyebrow. She looked about ready to slap him.

"Uh-no," Zane replied awkwardly, realizing his mistake with a small jolt of horror. "I apologize. That did not come out as I intended, I was referencing to your age, not your body size."

Hailey rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She muttered.

"Do you guys need help with sizing?"

The two turned around to see Richard.

"Erm," Hailey coughed. "Yea. May you get his foot size please?"

"Of course." He said. "Wait here." He left and came back a minute later with a flat metal device.

He set it down on the floor next to Zane. "Take your shoe off and put your foot in, your heel against here." He pointed to a curved piece of metal at one end.

Zane did as he was told, but then he realized he would have to take his sock off too, and then his exoskeleton would be revealed.

He cast a glance at Hailey. She knew too, by the look on her face.

But thankfully Richard didn't ask for him to take off his sock. He put his foot in and watched as he slid a few knobs around the side and his toes.

"He's a ten," Richard said after a moment. He stood up and pointed to a section of the boot shelf further away from them. "You'll find most of the tens in men's over there."

Hailey and Zane said their thanks and made their way.

"Alright," Hailey said. "See any you like?"

Zane looked, scanning all the pairs of boots. They all looked the same.

Except…

"Those do appeal to me…" he said finally after a few moments.

He was talking about a pair of square toe and roper heeled boots that were a mahogany brown toe and pull straps, sky blue shafts (A/N: for those that don't know, the shaft of a cowboy boot is the part that goes up and covers the leg depending on the length) with a simple white design stitched in.

"These?" Hailey asked, taking them off the shelf.

Zane nodded.

Hailey looked at the boots. "Hm. Okay. These look pretty cool."

Hailey searched around below the shelves among the boxes that sat there. Muttering under her breath, she finally pulled one out.

"Okay." She said. She opened up the box which said "ARIAT" in big letters, which had the same boots. "These are the boots you want in your size." She held the box out to him. "Try these on."

Zane took one of the boots and slipped it on. It felt a little tight around his foot.

"It's supposed to be," Hailey said when he told her. "You have to break them in. The leather will stretch out about a week after wearing them. Are they tight, or are they just snug?"

"Snug."

"Okay, they're supposed to be like that then. Here, wear them and walk around."

Zane did as he was told. He walked past the shelves and back.

"How do they feel?" She asked when he came back.

"Snug but otherwise comfortable." He answered.

Hailey nodded. "Okay. You sure those are the ones you like?"

"Yes."

"Okay, if that's what you want then…" She said. She put the boots back in the box and handed all the clothes they had decided on so far to him.

They went to the hat rack and picked out a hat for him, a black felt hat with a brown leather hat band that had a silver clasp. Then they got him a copper belt buckle that had a longhorn on it. They got a few other small things before headed over to the register.

In all, they had gotten three pairs of the blue Wranglers, one pair of black, five shirts, two belts, a few pairs of boot socks, a hat, a buckle, and the pair of boots.

Richard punched in some numbers on the register.

"Sheesh," Hailey said. "I don't even spoil myself like this…" she shook her head as she swiped the card.

Richard began bagging their things. "Anything else?" He asked.

"Actually, yea…" Hailey said. "Can I get a bottle of penicillin?"

"Of course. I'll just add it on here…" Richard punched a few numbers in. "There you go."

Hailey walked to the fridge Zane had seen earlier and pulled out a brown bottle with a red and yellow label. Richard put it in its own separate bag.

He finished folding and bagging the clothes. Hailey and Zane took them, thanked Richard, and walked out.

Hailey unlocked the truck and they both got in. She started it up and they headed home.

They pulled back into the driveway. Zane took the bags inside while Hailey took the two bales of hay to the stables.

Zane had set his things in his room and was walking back out when he saw Samuel sitting at the table, scrolling through his phone. He looked up.

"Good news, Zane." Samuel said. "I have you booked for horseback lessons."

Zane was delighted.

"Thank you Samuel. I appreciate it very much." He said. Samuel nodded.

"No problem." Samuel replied, nodding his head. "I got you started tomorrow at ten. How does that sound?"

"Perfect." Zane said.

"Okay. You should take it easy, horse riding is actually pretty tiring, especially for beginners" Samuel grinned. "I should know myself. Been riding since I was three."

"Really?" Zane asked.

Samuel nodded. "Yup. I rode my dad's old mule at first. He was mean sucker." Samuel made a biting motion with his hand. "Tried to bite me every time I got on. Then I started saving up allowance and bought me a horse when I was about thirteen. Or was it fourteen?" Samuel rubbed his chin, looking up at the ceiling thoughtfully.

"Ah, hell." He said finally. "I can't remember now. I'm getting old." He leaned back. "Anywho, it was a nice bay. Henry was his name. Had him for a good ten years before he broke his leg." His face drooped a little. "My dad put him out of his misery. We buried him under one of the trees up at the ranch. He got me another horse when he could afford it, but it was never the same."

Zane tried to think of something to say.

"I'm sorry." He said finally.

Samuel shrugged. "It's okay. He had a good run."

There was a few moments of silence before Samuel spoke again.

"Well, y'all best get some rest now." He nodded out the window to the darkening sky.

Zane nodded. "I will."

Zane and Samuel said their goodnights before Zane headed to his room, where he slipped into his nightclothes and went to sleep.

(Time Skip)

The next morning, Zane donned his new clothes , ate some breakfast that Hailey had made, and then drove with Samuel up to the stables.

They drove down the long gravel driveway. Zane noticed that the shrubs and brush had been trimmed which now revealed a sign he had not seen on his last visit.

"RIVER GLEN STABLES." It read, its letters branded into the wood. "BOARDING, TRAINING, LESSONS."

Samuel pulled the truck into the gravel yard, parking it next to a few other pickups and trailers. Both of them hopped out. Zane followed Samuel to the crossties. They were empty, save for a young woman standing next to a golden and white pinto.

Samuel waved to her, and smiled and waved back.

They walked up to her.

"Hey Cathy." Samuel said, shaking her hand. "Sorry if we're a few minutes early."

"Oh, don't worry about it." She said. "You're just fine."

She turned to Zane.

"You must be Zane." She said. She held out her hand. "Nice to meet you."

Zane accepted her gesture. "Pleasure to meet you as well."

"This is the one taking lessons for the week, yes?"

Samuel nodded. "Yup. He's a very quick learner. He'll do great."

"Great!" Cathy said. "Do you have any previous experience with horses?"

"No, I do not," Zane said. "I have groomed one before, but no previous riding experience."

"He's fresh from the city." Samuel said.

"Ah, okay." She said, nodding her head. "Well, anyone can ride. Even the city people get the hang of it after a couple weeks. You'll do great."

Zane nodded. "I have full confidence in myself."

Cathy chuckled.

"That's the spirit." She said.

"I have some errands to run," Samuel said. He nodded to Zane. "I'll see you in about an hour."

Afterward he left.

Cathy gestured behind her. "This is Cody." She said. "He's going to be your horse for this week. He's very sweet and gentle, so he won't hurt you on purpose. No biting, no kicking, no bucking. We start most of the young ones on him."

Zane reached out and stroked Cody's muzzle.

"Okay," Cathy said after a few moments. "Let's go get you fitted for a helmet."

Zane followed Cathy to the barn, where Hailey had taken him previously.

On their way there, John passed them on his ATV, hauling hay. He saw Zane and waved. Zane did the same.

"Have you been here before?" Cathy asked.

"Yes." He answered. "Once. I was with a friend of mine."

Cathy nodded. "Ah, okay. I think I recall seeing you. You were with Hailey, right?"

"Correct." Zane replied.

They reached the helmet room. They tried on a few helmets before finding one that fit for him. Then Cathy had him watch a video on barn and horse safety. Then they headed back to the crossties, where Cathy showed Zane the proper way to hold a horse, and had him lead Cody to the main arena.

Cathy opened the gate as Cody and Zane walked in. It was very spacious, even more so now that he was inside. At the center was a set of red plastic steps.

Cathy shut the gate behind them and directed them to the steps. She took Cody's reins and picked up a lounge line from behind the steps. She snapped it onto the halter beneath.

"This is a mounting block." She explained, pointing to the steps. "Sometimes we have trouble getting into the saddle, so we use this to help us."

Cathy placed a hand on Cody's shoulder and made a clicking noise with her mouth, which made Cody shuffle sideways, closer to the mounting block.

"Do you know how to get into a saddle?" She asked.

Zane shook his head.

"Okay." She said. "First, you're going to grab onto the saddle horn with one hand and the seat with the other." She pointed with her free hand where he was supposed to grab. "Then you're going to take your left foot and place it in the stirrup."

Zane did as he was instructed. "Okay."

"Now, pushing off on the stirrup and using where you're grabbing, you're going to hoist yourself on the saddle. As you're coming up, you're going to swing your leg up and over and put your foot in the other stirrup. And when you sit down, do it lightly, don't just plop yourself in the seat, it hurts the horse's back."

Zane lifted himself up just as Cathy told him to. He slipped his boot into the stirrup and sat down gently. She walked around and adjusted the stirrups and tightens the cinch.

"Awesome!" She said. "You're doing great. Ready to take the reins?"

Zane nodded, suddenly feeling nervous. He had never actually taken control of a horse before…

His nerves got worse when Cathy handed him the reins. He fumbled with his hands as he fixed them to hold like Cathy told him to.

After he got the reins situated, he sat there, extremely nervous.

He was in control of a horse. A horse. The beast that his people could only dream of handling. The mighty beasts of the south, they called them. Wild, untamed. And yet here he was, sitting on one like it was nothing special at all, the "beast" docile and ready to take his command.

Cathy's voice suddenly snapped him out of his thinking.

"Are you nervous?"

Zane couldn't help but nod quickly. Cathy gave him a smile.

"It's okay," She said. "All the first-timers get nervous or scared when they ride for the first time." She walked over to him.

"So, what we're going to do is get Cody moving. To do that, you tap him with your heels. Make sure the balls of your feet are on the stirrup with your heels down."

Cathy reached for his boot. "May I?" She asked.

Zane nodded. "Of course."

Cathy took his foot, showed him how to have his feet in the stirrup, and used his heel to bump Cody in the ribs. Under him, the horse took a step. Zane made a small noise of surprise.

"See how he moved? That's how you get him to walk." She said.

Zane nodded again. "Noted."

"And you have to tap him a few times. Don't be afraid about hurting him, he's a big animal with really tough skin." She said. "And if he doesn't go, try tapping him a little harder or click to him, like this." She made the same clicking noise with her mouth, and Zane recognized the sound as the one Hailey often used with Ranger.

"Okay." Zane said.

"You got it?"

"Yes."

"Great. Now, can you get Cody to walk for me?"

Zane looked down and did as he was told. Cody started forward on his signal.

"Okay, awesome," Cathy said, walking beside them at a distance. "Now, when riding, in order to direct the horse, you look ahead when you're going to go, the area between their ears."

Zane did as Cathy said. "Okay."

Cody's path became straighter, and Zane realized that they were coming up to the arena wall.

"Uh-" He began, but Cathy had already began talking again.

"Now to turn a horse," she said. "What you're going to do is this. You're going to take the reins that's closest to me- your inside rein- and you are going to pull it toward you. And while you are doing that, you are taking your outside leg-the one between the horse and the wall-and squeezing his side."

She walked over. She grabbed the rein to demonstrate.

"Think you can handle that?"

Zane nodded. He copied what Cathy had shown. Cody responded easily and turned right.

"Awesome!" She said. "You're doing great so far. Now can you do the same by turning left?"

Cody did as Zane asked.

"It's okay, you won't fall off," Cathy said. "And if it were to happen, the sand is super soft."

Zane nodded as he let Cody walk.

"Okay." Cathy said after a few moments. "Now I want you to get Cody into a brisk walk, or what's called a 'working pace'. We want to keep him at this pace because if we don't, he'll make a habit out of stopping. Now to do that you just tap him with your heels to get him going or to just slow him down."

Zane urged Cody to the working pace. He made a small noise of surprise as he jolted a little bit.

Cathy must have seen his nervousness.

It's okay, you won't fall off," Cathy said. "And if it were to happen, the sand is super soft."

Zane nodded.

"Awesome," Cathy said. "Now I want you to stop him. To do that, you pull both reins towards you. When I say pull, you pull back, firmly, but gently. Don't yank the reins. When I say give, bring the reins back to their normal position. By doing that, you're thanking Cody for stopping by taking the pressure off his mouth. Okay?"

"Okay," Zane said.

"Now get Cody into a working pace again."

Zane did as he was asked. He walked a few moments.

"Pull," Cathy said.

Zane pulled the reins back. The horse halted.

"Give."

Zane did as he was told.

"Awesome!" Cathy said. She came over and gave Cody a pat on the neck.

"You're doing great so far, Zane. I'm impressed." She said to him.

"Now let's take all of what we just learned and put it all together. Let's do a few laps around the arena, okay? And when you're done come to the center and stop. Working pace."

Zane nodded. They did four laps around the arena before Zane stopped Cody next to the mounting block.

"That was great," Cathy said. "You are truly doing awesome."

Zane nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She said. "Now, let's go over how to back up a horse…"

For the rest of the hour, Cathy and Zane went over the basics of riding. Then Zane dismounted, walked Cody out of the arena to crossties, unsaddled him, groomed him, and then took him back to his stall, where Zane then fed him grain and alfalfa hay with a baked apple treat, all under Cathy's supervision. When everything was said and done, and Zane had returned the helmet to its rack, He realized he had enjoyed himself very much, and found himself secretly wishing it hadn't ended.

Samuel came to get him. Zane and Cathy waved goodbye.

"So…" Samuel asked as Zane buckled up. "How did it go?"

"It went quite well. I enjoyed my lessons very much. I look forward to more."

Samuel chuckled. "Good. Because there's more where that came from. And be warned, the saddle soreness is gonna hit you soon, and it's a pain. I should know…" The truck ambled out of the long driveway.

"But I feel no presence of aches," Zane said.

"You may not right now," Samuel said. "But it will later…"

Zane realized later that night that Samuel was right. Every joint of his ached, but his legs were by far the worst. Hailey set up an Epsom salt bath soak for him the upstairs tub, which helped somewhat before he went to bed.

He also realized that he would get used to saddle soreness very quickly. In the coming weeks, Zane went from learning the bare basics to becoming more skilled. He could now canter very well. He mastered posting, pacing, balance, lead changes, and flying lead changes. He knew the beginners obstacle course like the back of his hand. Cathy had even set up a couple small jumps for him. Soon, he was able to do more complex obstacle courses. He knew a great deal of horse nutrition and grooming. He could tack up a horse the right way without being too long. He went from Cody as his mount to a couple different horses, which were more difficult to control. The saddle soreness became a distant memory.

After one of his last lessons had just finished, Hailey met him with Ranger.

"You've come a long way." She said. "I'm seriously impressed. And in such a short time too."

Zane nodded. "Thank you. I am quite glad that I have developed a new skill set that is very unique to me."

"Yeah. Around here it's basically a skill that's vital. Especially with what you'll be doing while you're with us."

Zane was about to ask what that was, but became confused when Hailey dismounted Ranger.

Hailey held the reins and gestured towards the saddle. "Care to? I'd like to see your skills outside of an arena."

Zane nodded, climbed into the saddle, and took the reins from Hailey.

Hailey hoisted herself on Ranger's back and sat behind Zane on the saddle.

Zane craned his neck to see her. "Hailey, what are you doing?"

"Riding double." She said. "We aren't supposed to do this, but since you're lightweight and I haven't done this in awhile, it's okay I guess."

Zane tapped Ranger to a brisk walk. They trotted their way back to the house.

"Holy hell," Hailey said as Zane stopped Ranger expertly. "Cathy really taught you well!"

Hailey slid off the saddle first, holding the horse's reins as Zane followed suit. Under Hailey's watchful eye, Zane went through the motions of unpacking and putting everything back on its place. Together, they groomed Ranger before taking him back to his stall. There Zane mixed Ranger's supplements with his grain while Hailey refilled his hay net with fresh alfalfa.

Hailey and Zane began walking back to the front porch.

"So," She began, shutting the gate to the pasture. "You handled Ranger very well today."

Zane nodded. "Thank you. I hope I applied my skills correctly."

"You did. So, question for you."

"Yes?"

"How confident do you feel with horses?"

They reached the steps. "I feel 95% confident in my ability to handle equines." He replied as they pulled off their boots.

"Good," Hailey said. She opened the front door and they stepped inside the house, greeted by Juneau laying by the fireplace, Beibeis on the stair post, and Samuel, who seemed to be expecting them.

Hailey and Samuel exchanged a look.

"So?" He asked, a grin playing on his face.

"He says he's confident." She said.

Zane looked between them, confused. "Excuse me, but what's going on here?"

Samuel jerked his head toward the living room. "Come on." He said.

Hailey and Zane sat on the couch while Samuel made himself comfortable in his recliner.

"So, Zane," He began. "I seen your lessons have really taught you well. Cathy did a very fine job."

"Thank you." Zane said. "Her structure was very easy to understand."

Samuel nodded. "Good. Y'all still have a ways to go before you completely master horsemanship. There's definitely more to it." He cleared his throat. "But I will say you have for sure come a long way."

Zane nodded. "I understand. But I am willing to learn the partnership there is between humans and horses."

Samuel scratched his beard. "Good." He said. "Which brings me to my next point."

Samuel glanced at Hailey.

"So," She began. "Uncle Sam and I have been talking these past couple weeks while you were at your lessons…"

Samuel picked up where Hailey left off "And we think that y'all are ready for the big next step."

Zane raised an eyebrow.

"What are you alluding to here?" He asked. "I am not catching on…"

Samuel grunted as he straightened up. He leaned forward in his recliner.

"We signed you up for these lessons for a reason, Zane," Hailey said, picking mud off her sleeve. "Not just for shits and giggles."

Samuel nodded. "Exactly." He said "So, Zane…"

"How do you feel about…having a horse to call your own?"

Zane was stunned. For a few moments he was quiet, struggling to find words, watching Hailey and Samuel exchange hopeful looks.

He couldn't believe it. After all they have done for him, and they still continue to give. One of their most prized animals? To him? What an honor…

"I-l…That would be…" Zane paused for a moment. "Incredible…"

Hailey and Samuel grinned.

"We thought it would," Samuel said. "Now, we've been looking. Unfortunately we aren't able to bring down any of the ranch horses because, well…they're ranch horses. So we're going to have to find some that are for sale around here."

"Or…"

Samuel and Zane both turned to Hailey, who gazed past the window thoughtfully.

"Hailey." Samuel said sternly. "We've discussed this already. You are not going there."

"But, Uncle Sam!" Hailey said. "Y'all know it as well as I do!"

"Hailey…"

Zane was again confused. What was going on now?

"They know the time is coming! They've always been on edge since the quake! And so have we! Tell me…" Hailey pointed to Zane. "You know when he showed up that it was a sign that it was coming too."

Samuel had a very sour look on his face now.

"You weren't supposed to say that out loud, Hailey!" He hissed.

Zane was even more bewildered. It? What was she referring to?

"It's true…" she said.

"Come on, even I knew! If word got out about this entire clusterfuck then y'all know as well as I do that everyone would take it as a sign!"

Samuel covered his head. "Oh my god…" he said. "The things you say sometimes…"

Hailey stood up and walked over. She tugged on his sleeve. Samuel got up and they went down the hall. Zane watched in bewilderment as they disappeared out of sight.

…

"Young lady, you need to learn to shut your mouth!" Samuel growled as soon as they were out of earshot.

"You can't just ignore the elephant in the room, Uncle Sam! You know it's happening!" Hailey shot back. "The poor bastard doesn't even know what he's a part of! I can't even begin to explain it to him!"

"But do you really have to say it put damn loud?"

"Yes!"

"Why? Why is it so important for you?"

"Because this is my home! Everything I know and love is here! Why else? If it concerns Mt. Horn, then it concerns me."

Hailey paused a moment to look Samuel in the eye.

"Uncle Sam, you may not show it, but I know deep down you feel the exact same way I do about this. Look, I'm scared about this whole entire predicament too, but he needs to know what role he plays in this. This isn't just willy-nilly-"

"I know Hailey," He said. "I'm forty-five years old, I've seen more than you have and probably more than what you will ever have. I know danger when I see it. And what do I see when I see Zane at Oldenburg? A hell of a lot of danger."

"Okay, maybe so." Hailey said. "But I also know what you see if he doesn't know how he's connected. A heeeeeeell of a lot more danger."

"Look," she continued. "It's going to happen. It's happening. It's happening, Uncle Sam. If I take him to Oldenburg, they'll know, and they'll be able to understand what's going on way better than any of us. They'll be able to explain to him what this all is and what he has to do with it."

"Hailey-"

"Uncle Sam! Are you even listening to me?! They've been preparing for this for YEARS! Decades! Centuries!"

Samuel knew that she was right. But he still didn't want her to go. He already risked his ass enough simply by harboring Zane in their home instead of alerting the authorities.

"Maybe we should wait until things simmer down…" he said.

"Uncle Sam, there is no waiting! Not anymore! You know the legend!

'On the night of a full moon, when Mt. Horn is on the edge of doom, the Dark Archer's descendant will rise to power, free the sons, and lead on to save the land, the people, and Ninjago itself.' This isn't just our home at stake Uncle Sam, it's the entire world as we know it! And it just gets closer with each passing day! It can't wait anymore! This is happening! This is now!"

Samuel was quiet. He didn't know what to say. He heaved a sigh and rubbed his face, staring out the window.

"You're right…fine." He said grudgingly after a few moments. "Take him…"

…

Zane's head shot up from looking at the floor when he heard Hailey and Samuel, who still looked a bit displeased, come back into the room.

"Change of plans," Hailey said. "Tomorrow you and I ride out to Oldenburg."

Zane raised an eyebrow.

"For what purpose?"

"You'll see. It'll all make sense when we get there."

Zane still had no idea what she was talking about. But he decided it was best to wait and not question it further.

Later that night, Zane lay awake in his bed, unable to sleep. He had overheard bits and pieces of the conversation and pondered over what Hailey had said. What was he a part of? What was happening? How did it have to do with him? And why was it that Samuel didn't want him to know?

And who were "they" that Hailey was talking about? Why were they on edge?

Was he a part of some legend? Okay, well apparently yes, of course. But why him? What did Ninjago and Mt. Horn have to do with each other, two cultures that have never met in hundreds of years?

Zane thought back, searching the deepest recesses of his mind, for something Wu may have said. Maybe Misako mentioned something of them in her scrolls, even just in passing. Something, such as an old map in the museum, or something he had seen in books.

But he came up empty.

Zane sighed. He rolled over in his bed and looked at the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand.

3:45 AM.

He had been up for the past six hours.

He rolled on his other side again. He shut his eyes, but sleep continued to evade him.

He laid there, staring at the dark woods outside the window, for how long he had no idea until he became aware of footsteps coming down the hall.

He heard the creaking of his door being pushed open.

"Zane." Came a quiet voice from the dark. "Are you awake?"

Zane sat up and saw Hailey.

"Yes." He said. He looked at the clock.

4:30 AM.

"Why are you up so early?"

"Get dressed. We're leaving."

Zane slid out from under his covers. He quickly made his bed before getting dressed and meeting Hailey in the living room.

"What about Samuel?"

"He knows we're leaving." She said in a low voice.

"Why so early?"

"It's a four-hour ride from here to the Oldenburg district. They don't allow cars or vehicles on the land, and we sure for the hell ain't walking."

Zane and Hailey ate a quick breakfast before going outside to tack up Ranger. They put on his saddlebags, which were full of bottled water and food. It was still dark outside when the two rode out of Elkhorn headed westward. The sinking moon was the only source of light.

Once past the sign, Hailey clucked Ranger to go faster. They loped away, and soon Elkhorn vanished from view.

…

It was too dark to see much of anything. It wasn't until they were riding for two hours when the sky finally began lightening up, turning from pitch black to a soft orange.

The heavy pine forest had given way to more sparse woods. There were more shrubbery and more lively green and plentiful undergrowth. More birds could be heard singing. The morning sun caught on the edges of the young leaves.

Hailey and Zane had crossed over two bridges and had ridden near the edge of Traver's Lake. Based on Zane's calculations, he estimated they had ascended about 156 feet in altitude above sea level.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, it warmed, more so than in Elkhorn. Winter had since passed, and now spring was on its way. He could tell by the way young blades of grass pushed through the soil on the edges of the road.

Hailey had been quiet for most of the ride, save for a few times when she pointed out to him other roads leading to towns or plants growing around the trees, or a couple of buck scrapes.

Zane looked around. There were only a few pines here and there now, dominated mostly by aspen and maples. A couple squirrels scampered through the leaf litter, looking for nuts.

Zane craned his neck to look ahead. "Hailey, where are we?"

"Still about an hour and a half out." She answered. "But we're getting there."

They trotted on for a few more minutes until they came next to a clearing with a brook. Hailey slowed Ranger to a stop. She signaled Zane to get off and Hailey dismounted after him. The three walked into the shade and out of the warm sun to rest. Hailey let Ranger loose and he immediately helped himself to some water. Hailey did the same, sipping some and then taking off her hat and splashing her face.

"So refreshing…" she mumbled. She finished and dried off her face.

They rested for a time before continuing. It wasn't long before Zane noticed a column of smoke rising through the trees a distance away.

He tugged at Hailey's sleeve. "I believe there is something burning…"

Hailey nodded. "I know." She said. "We're getting close."

Zane thought for a moment. "Why don't they allow motorized vehicles?"

"Well," Hailey began. "I'll try to explain it, but it's more like a you-understand-when-you-see-it kind of thing."

"They're…amish, for lack of a better term. They live just like how everyone did back in the Dark Archer days. Primitive, by today's standards. No electricity or running water. Ain't no mechanization for stuff like agriculture. Everything is done either by hand or by horse. Or oxen. Old traditions and culture are still the same…y'all see where I'm going with this?"

"Yes. I see now. But why do they reject being modern?"

"It's been speculated. They don't really say. They keep to themselves."

Zane swallowed. He had been trying to ask her this all day, but somehow he couldn't work up the courage to ask. But at the same time it had been bothering him so long he couldn't really hold it in anymore.

He took a deep breath.

"Hailey?"

"Yes?" She said.

"I heard you and Samuel talking last night."

Hailey dropped her head and sighed.

"Oh boy…" she muttered. "I can only imagine what's coming next."

"Hailey, am I part of a prophecy of some kind?"

Hailey was quiet for a long time.

"Hailey?" He asked, breaking the silence.

"I can't really explain it…" she said. "It's a yes and no sort of answer. Everything we know about all this is still foggy for the most part. The only people who can explain it better are the ones we're going to."

"Who's them?"

"You'll see Zane." She said. "You'll see."

Zane decided not to question it further.

After a half hour's trot, more columns of smoke became visible.

After awhile longer, Hailey suddenly brought Ranger to a stop, as there was a fork in the road. She pulled out a map, muttering to herself. Then she put it away and took the path on the right. Over the sound of Ranger's hooves, Zane became aware of the faint sound of ringing metal.

They trotted down the road and came to a section where it curved.

Hailey muttered something under her breath. When they rounded the bend, Zane was surprised to see a tall, fortified fence with a heavy wooden and metal studded gate. It was guarded by two men. Zane was also surprised that they were wearing armor and carrying swords in metal sheaths, which was attached by a thin leather belt. The sound of metal on metal was much louder, and he could now hear shouts over the noise.

Hailey reined Ranger in as one of them stopped her with an outstretched hand and drawing his sword.

"Halt!" He said, his voice deep and gruff. "What brings you?"

Hailey shifted in her saddle. "I need to speak with the calvary master." She said.

"Master Hundarion does not take blatant requests to see him. Did he summon you?"

Hailey shook her head. "No, but-"

"Then begone!" The man said. "You have no reason to be here, you silly girl."

"Yes, I do!" Hailey said fiercely.

"Begone!" He repeated.

"Hey!" She said. "Would you just listen?"

"I do not listen to silly little girls!"

Hailey looked pissed.

"JUST LISTEN TO ME FOR ONE FUCKING SECOND, DAMMIT!" She bellowed. Ranger pranced nervously as he felt her anger. "ITS HAPPENING! I HAVE YOUR MAN OF LEGEND! HE'S RIGHT HERE!" Hailey slid off the saddle and pointed to Zane.

The man looked at Zane for a second, glanced to the other man, and then back to Zane. They both started laughing.

Seething with anger, Hailey yanked Zane off of Ranger's saddle. She pressed a hand to his chest that deactivated his hologram, revealing his silver skin before grabbing him by the forearm and shoving him towards the guard. His titanium exoskeleton gleamed in the sun for all to see.

He looked up at Hailey, his eyes wide with horror. What was she doing?!

"H-Hailey…" He said. "My cover...you blew it..."

Hailey turned back to the men, who definitely weren't laughing anymore.

"Now do you believe me!?" She said.

They both stood there, mouths and eyes open with shock. One of them even dropped his sword in amazement.

Finally, the man who Hailey was speaking to managed to snap out of his shock.

"Go get Master Hundarion." He said to the other.

He just stood there, unable to look away. Zane looked at Hailey, completely lost as what to do.

"Now Jonathan!" He barked.

Jonathan jumped and ran, pushing the gates open and calling the Calvary master's name as he went.

The other man pushed the gate open for them.

"You may pass." He said, voice quivering. "Deepest apologies about the brash encounter."

Hailey said mounted Ranger again. "Next time, take some time to listen, even if they seem to be 'silly little girls." She scoffed and spurred Ranger into a trot through the gates.

Zane glanced at the man as they passed. He looked at Zane like he was something that should be feared. Something to be awed by. Why in such a way?

The man continued to look at him until he shut the gate behind him.

"Zane, welcome to Oldenburg." Hailey said.

Zane turned back around, and a very strange sight met his eyes. He couldn't help but gasp.

It was a city. Not by modern standards, but many houses, made of cobble, wood, and mud with thatched roofs. Smoke flowed out of nearly all their chimneys. There were wooden fences that protected vegetable patches, livestock, little yards, and some horses. Nearby, there was a long stone building, where a man wearing a thick leather apron and leather gloves was toiling over an anvil, hammering a red-hot piece of metal. Swords, armor, and strangely shaped metal all hung on the walls behind him next to a blazing furnace. People, mainly women, and children bustled around, whether it be picking from and tending to the garden, washing clothes in wooden basins, feeding the animals, and other household tasks. They were dressed just like Hailey had said: Back in the Dark Archer days, a good couple centuries ago. All that was to his left.

To his right, he saw a large clear area, crowded by armored men, identical to the two they encountered at the gates. Zane discovered the source of the metal sound he had heard earlier, as the men appeared to be battle drills. They were dueling with one another, using words. Another man, sitting on a horse covered in armor, who appeared to be of higher ranking, was shouting commands and criticizing those who faltered. Next to that, there was an oval track, with two poles and a target and a large bag on each end. Several men were on horses, taking turns running the track, throwing a wooden lance at the target. Another higher-up was barking orders. Zane watched as one of the trainees ran his horse at the target, hurling his lance. It struck the target funny and the bag came swinging around, knocking the rider to the ground. He winced.

Beyond the track and the clear space were rows of long, low buildings, also made of wood, mud, and stone. Beyond those were what seemed to be large stables and pens, some empty, some occupied by horses. He noticed they were all branded with the symbol "Ø". Beyond the last cottages and buildings, Zane caught glimpses of sprawling fields, being worked by cattle attached to plows.

Riding down the main road, Hailey, Zane, and Ranger turned lots of heads. It seemed that modern people were a rare sight in Oldenburg.

Zane glanced around nervously. Nearly all the commonwealth had stopped what they were doing to stare, and some of the soldiers as well. He heard shocked whispers and muttering. A few pointed.

Hailey ignored them as Ranger trotted on. A few of the people slowly followed them, intrigued.

Zane turned back around and craned his neck to see in front of Hailey.

"Ooooh boy," Hailey said. "Better have your game face on. Here comes the man himself."

Zane looked ahead and was startled to see a large, hefty man, fully armored with a large sword at his hip, riding a massive dun horse, also armored, with a clipped mane.

Hailey stopped Ranger and told Zane to get off.

Zane slid off the saddle, not knowing what to do as the horse carrying the man strode towards them.

The dun came to a stop just a few yards away. Now, almost everyone in sight had turned around to look. A large number of people, including the drill officers, had milled over to get closer. A hush had come over them.

The man didn't say anything, just simply observing Zane, looking him up and down.

He was very heavily built and under the armor, it was clear that he was very muscular. He seemed to be at least six feet tall. Through, the helmet, Zane could barely see his piercing eyes.

He urged his horse closer a few steps and leaned closer as if to get a better look. The air was tense, so tense that Ranger couldn't help but snort and paw the ground.

Zane glanced back nervously at Hailey as if asking what to do. Hailey merely jerked her head towards the man.

There was the sound of shuffling iron. Zane turned back around just in time to see the man pull off his helmet. Suddenly a flow of locks of ginger hair came loose, and Zane saw that the man was bearded, with a tan, weatherbeaten face, a crooked nose, and brown, brooding eyes.

Again, he leaned over, even closer now, towards Zane, narrowing his eyes.

Zane could only look back. He shuffled a step back towards Ranger, resting a hand on his neck.

The man grunted and straightened up. The air was so thick and strained it could be cut with a knife.

"It does not appear to me that he is who the legend speaks of." The man said finally. His voice was strong, deep, and commanding.

"But Master Hundarion!" Cried a voice behind him. Suddenly Jonathan came rushing from behind. "It is! It's really him! The legend speaks of one who is c-"

"I know what the legend says!" Master Hundarion barked, in a way that made everyone, even Hailey, flinch.

He looked at Zane harshly. "He may have skin like the moon and eyes light as a ghost." He said gruffly. "But the only way we know of is he wields power, if so, then he is the one."

Everyone looked expectantly at Zane, and he felt at least a hundred pairs of eyes boring into him.

Again, he glanced over at Hailey in a way to ask what he should do.

Should he show them his powers?

Hailey gave him a curt nod.

Zane gulped. Then, with his fist, he covered the ground in front of him in a coating of ice.

People gasped. They took a step back. Master Hundarion's horse snorted and scuttled away at the frost that had suddenly appeared. Master Hundarion stared down, looking shocked, and amazed at the sight.

Zane did a semicircle around him before finishing. When he was done, he looked up at Master Hundarion.

The Calvary Master was wide-eyed. He could not believe it.

Zane looked around. Everyone was staring on the ice on the ground. It was dead quiet.

Then, some people found their voices.

"He's the man of legend!"

"Ice! It's an element of nature!"

"The time has come!"

Suddenly there was a roar of voices of everyone talking and shouting at once. Master Hundarion raised a hand.

A hush fell over them again.

Master Hundarion lowered his hand. He looked at Zane.

"Alas." He said. "You are indeed the one the legend speaks of. What brings you to us?"

Zane gulped.

"I came here unintentionally." He replied. "I was being pursued by Morro's soldiers."

Master Hundarion raised an eyebrow.

"Who is this "Morro" you speak of?"

"He is an enemy from the Cursed Realm. He recently escaped after we defeated the Anacondrai. Now he is building an army and has intentions to take over Ninjago."

Gasps rippled around the crowd. Master Hundarion was no exception.

"The Cursed Realm?!" He cried. "How did he escape?!"

"He came through the vortex we banished Garmadon through."

Master Hundarion shook his head.

"What is your name?"

"Zane."

"Zane." Master Hundarion repeated. Then he gestured with his hand.

"Come with me, Zane, and you and I can discuss this further."

Zane again glanced back at Hailey. Again, a quick nod.

Zane walked up to the horse's side. He followed Master Hundarion down the road, past the buildings, away from the people.

They continued their conversation where it left off. Zane told Master Hundarion about the battles he had, starting from the Overlord. Throughout the entire time, Master Hundarion was mostly silent, aside from the occasional grunt or nod. He seemed rather unbothered when Zane mentioned he was a nindroid, much to his astonishment.

"I see." He said. "And now with this Morro, you and your brothers are trying to stop him as well."

Zane nodded "Exactly."

Master Hundarion stopped his horse and turned broadside. "I do not believe I have properly introduced myself. I am Hundarion, the Calvary Master and Commander. I go by many names, but please, feel free to call me Hundarion for simplicity's sake."

Zane nodded. "Noted. I am Zane, as you know. I am the master of ice."

"Yes," Hundarion said. "You possess a power of nature, just as the legend says."

"Hundarion, May I ask something?"

"Why yes," Hundarion said. "What is troubling you?"

"This legend you and your people-or all that are here-" Zane began. "What does it have to do with me? And why me specifically? Your culture and mine have been separated for centuries."

Hundarion sighed.

"It is a very tedious and complex tale. But as the one, you deserve to know."

Hundarion made his horse go faster.

"We will head to my living quarters to discuss this over food and drink. I reckon this conversation will last a great time." He said.

…

Hundarion pushed a cup full of dark amber liquid across the table to Zane.

"Have some ale, if you wish." He said.

They were in Hundarion's living quarters. It was a large building, with its own stable, constructed of stone bricks, complete with a bedroom, a room serving as an armory, a washroom, and a living room. The flooring was wooden planks. They were both seated in the living room, at an oak table with a red and gold tablecloth, surrounded by intricately carved furniture, woven tapestries on the walls, portraits of men (possibly commanders before him) a couple of swords, and a large stone fireplace, which was currently burning, washing the room in a warm light. They were both eating a meal, which consisted of ham, peas, and potatoes.

Zane decided to try a sip, just to be polite. He took the cup and drank a swallow. The drink tasted sweet, full, and surprisingly, fruity.

"Zane, you are the one that my people have been waiting centuries for," Hundarion said, cutting into a piece of ham.

"But why so?" Zane asked. "I don't understand that, as my people and yours have not made contact in hundreds of years, even if at all. I hadn't the slightest clue that human life was present here, as neither was anyone else aware."

Hundarion sipped from his ale. "Really? Is that so?"

Zane nodded.

"That is odd." Hundarion continued. "We fought in the Serpentine Wars."

"You did?"

"Yes. They tried to invade the valley so they could use it as a source of metal. They also wanted to enslave us for laborers if they were successful. And they nearly were, but led by the Dark Archer we fended them off."

"I never heard such a story."

"Perhaps you were fighting different battles." Hundarion reasoned.

Zane nodded. "Perhaps. But it still doesn't explain why."

Hundarion cleared his throat.

"Ah, yes. When the Dark Archer came to be, He was our leader. He gave us order, structure, and a sense of protection. He blessed us with strength and the ability to fight our enemies. He had marvelous powers, some that none the world had ever seen. A steed unlike any other. His abilities gave our army the upper hand in every battle time and time again. By then, we had become the most feared warriors on the southern tip. If it weren't for him, we would have never stood a chance against our enemies.

"But alas, he grew old, as any of us do. He said he must go, and how sickly he seemed when he said it. We feared what we would be without him, whether we could survive in his absence, or if he never returned. But he said fear not, that he had a dream the night before, and the words that came to him in that dream were the words he spoke to us before he vanished."

"He who is from a land unbeknownst

With skin like the moon and eyes pale like a ghost

Who wields an element of nature a power

Will signal Mt. Horn of the darkest hour

And on a full moon

The brothers will rise

Their spirits from beneath the ground

To the dark night skies

And he who is lost will be found

With a newborn fire in their eyes

When there comes a call for valor

There comes a time of peril and war

He will save us all from the clutches of the dark

And lead Mt. Horn to victory once more."

"And ever since he spoke these words to us, we have been preparing for that day. We have embodied these words. Past, present, and future generations are taught this legend, or prophecy, if you will. Men train every day to prepare for this war that the legend encompasses. Women teach the children in the household of its meaning. These children go on to either train for the foretold war or to continue the teachings onto their own youth, as we know that with each passing day that inevitable will eventually come closer."

"And now, that day that tells us the time is in the near future, today is the day. Your arrival, master of ice, although unintentional as you claim, alerts us that the darkest hour is dawning upon us. In Ninjago, Morro and his army are beginning to take over."

Zane nodded. "He intends complete domination. And if he is successful, and that Bansha and Ghoultar managed to return to him, he may soon attempt a conquest of Mt. Horn as well."

Hundarion nodded. "Yes, I fear the same. This Morro you speak of is unlike any enemy we have ever faced in the history of our existence. I'm afraid that if this is the war the legend speaks of, then it will be long and ultimately, extremely difficult and deadly."

"How am I supposed to rise the brothers?"

"That you do not have a part in, as far as we know." Hundarion said. "As for the rest, we can only leave it up to fate and destiny for it to happen."

Zane nodded. "I see. So I am merely the precursor."

Hundarion nodded in return. "Precisely. But essential nonetheless."

"Does the Dark Archer's descendant have any idea that they are a part of the legend?"

Hundarion sighed. He shook his head sadly.

"He had two sons and a daughter, and they bore children of their own, and so forth. But sadly the birth records were destroyed in a fire long ago during the Yukon Invasion." He shuddered. "Only the Four Legends know of his ancestry and whereabouts now. But he will come one day. And that day is now sooner than I have ever thought."

Zane opened his mouth, about to ask what the Yukon Invasion was. But he decided against it, based on the way Hundarion shuddered. He would ask Hailey later.

Speaking of which, where was she?

Zane peered out of one of the windows. He couldn't see her, his view was blocked by the stables. He watched a black mare walk out of her stall, followed by her foal, who was prancing around her hooves.

Hundarion leaned forwards to see what Zane was seeing. When he say the mare and her baby, he smiled.

"Ah, yes." He said. "Dams with their young are always a joy to watch. In all my years I never tire of seeing them, as they never fail to lighten me." He turned back to Zane. "Have you seen a mother and her baby together, witness the tenderness they share, and the joy and lightheartedness that the foal has as he's running about, seeing the world for the first time, Zane?"

Zane shook his head. "I have not, but it sounds very pleasant."

Hundarion nodded. "Pleasant indeed. Horses not only serve as excellent mounts in battle, but also serve as a reliable companion."

"How is your relationship with your mount, Zane?" He asked, taking another drink from his ale. "Do you and your horse have a close bond, or is he simply there to merely carry you from place to place?"

"Actually, Hundarion," Zane began. "I do not have a horse."

Hundarion sat up fast and nearly spit out his ale.

"No horse?!" He asked. "The man in the Dark Archer's legend comes to us, and does not have a mount to call his own?!"

Zane shook his head, a little startled by Hundarion's sudden outburst.

Hundarion tsked. "This is not correct nor proper by any means." He said, getting out of his chair. "It must be fixed immediately."

Zane stood up as well, following Hundarion out the door, leaving the rest of their meal uneaten. "Where are we going Hundarion?"

The two walked to the stables, where Hundarion got his horse. He got into the saddle.

"We are heading to the stables." The Calvary Master said. "We must not make haste. Your mount awaits you."

Well, there ya go! Don't worry, more is coming soon! Have a good day! -RealtreeGal