The cave was enormous

So big that the rest of the ninja had a hard time digesting that it was actually there. And they were actually seeing it with their own eyes. That it wasn't a dream, nor a nightmare.

Everyone else went off exploring, as there was much to see. But Lloyd stayed back, not because he was scared, but he was overwhelmed. Something about the emeralds called out to him, beckoned him to come closer. But if being a ninja taught him one thing, it was to always look deeper before going on a whole new different adventure.

And that's how Aisha found him, alone and thinking

For the longest time, it had only been her. In such a big cave. There had been no one to talk to, nor even gaze at. Nothing but the cave walls, that is. And after a while, that eventually got boring to.

Except, Aisha knew what Lloyd was thinking. For a while, she had been wondering about it to.

"Hey Lloyd, would you take a walk with me?" Aisha asked.

The green ninja nodded, then stood up. Following her, the young girl took him to a more secluded part of the cave. There were still emeralds, but these one's were different. These one's didn't call out to him as much as the others did.

Aisha eventually sat down, beckoning for him to do the same. Then she gently placed her hand on his, her eyes gazed upon his deep pains, his deepest insecurities, and yet…his biggest hopes. Wu said that the eyes were the window to the soul, well maybe he was right.

Because just as easily as Aisha could see his pains, he could also as easily see her's. Whatever it was, it was deep. It had been a while since the young girl had attained the pains riddling her system. But then again, it wasn't so long ago if she was still reliving it over and over again.

Or maybe it was

There was much to still be discovered

"I bet you're curios, Lloyd. And I'm here to answer your questions, whatever they may be. Please do lay your curiosity's on me." Aisha's voice was considerably light, just as her spirit.

Things often happened in correlation; Lloyd was no stranger to that concept. Aisha, wherever she came from, was from a high place of glory. She has fallen, yet she had gotten back up. A warrior at heart. One thing that Lloyd found attractive in a women.

But he did have one question

"Why are you here?"

Aisha pulled back, just as she had done before. But then she came back, both physically and mentally. Blinking rather rapidly, her breathing increased along with the tension in the room. It almost made the green ninja wished he hadn't said anything.

But then she spoke, and oh so sad was her tale

"I…I'm not who you think I am. My parents were guardians over this cave, and naturally it came down to me once they…passed."

"Why did you're parents need to guard this? Aren't these just emeralds?"

Aisha stood up, slowly guiding her hands over the smooth crystal. In reality, she should've told him the whole truth. But then again, she knew that it would be unwise.

So, the young girl only told half the truth

"These are emeralds…to an extent. They have the ability to heal those who are injured. Except, they can only be used once. When one emerald is used, or two depending on the circumstance. The rest of the emeralds die, and naturally, the cave dies as well."

Lloyd's eyebrows creased. "But you're parents…."

"They knew, Lloyd. They knew that it could heal them," Aisha sighed. "But they told me not to, said that something in the future would require the usage of them. And to protect the cave until then. It took every fiber in my being not to use them…but…it still hurts, Lloyd. And I'm scared I might never heal again."

"You will."

The green ninja stood up, embracing Aisha in a tender hug. Almost immediately she broke down, sobbing into his shoulder. Piles of trauma sealed in a briefcase, that's what he called it. He knew Aisha had been trying to stay strong, to let her parents death not bother her too much.

But at one point, everyone snapped

And that was this moment

Lloyd let her cry, even let her yell to the skies if she wanted to. Except, Aisha did none of that. In fact, after a few minutes, the young girl calmed down, taking in a healthy amount of deep breaths. Stood up straight and sat back down.

Any evidence of her crying wasn't noticeable

He didn't know what to say next

"I know you're curios what these emeralds of powered by." Aisha's voice was back to being soft, not as tender as before though.

Lloyd grimaced. "Aisha…"

"I'm fine. Now, do you want to know?"

"Um…"

"Life."

Lloyd turned around, confused. "What?"

"They are powered off the elemental power of life." Aisha looked at Lloyd, dead center. "That's what makes them work, how they can heal other people."

"That's cool. But Aisha…."

"I'm fine Lloyd, please don't worry about me." She stood back up, gathering his hands in her's. "I've always been fine, so please, let's just leave that embarrassing outburst in the past."

Lloyd didn't know what to exactly say about that, if he should really leave it all behind. Or bring it back up. It seemed like the right thing to do, but then again, it wasn't his job to manage Aisha's emotions. All he could really do was help.

He nodded, as Aisha let go. Watching her leave to find the rest of the ninja, Lloyd bit his lip. When did everything get so complicated?

And...was it getting better or worse?

Aisha had acted weird, brushing off her emotions like it was nothing. Which only made it seem that they weren't the first people to find the cave.

Another question filled his mind

Were they truly the only ones?

Or did someone else find it first?

NINJAGO

The foreshadowing, hehehe. Also, the emeralds running off the elemental power of life…what do you all think about that? Let me know :)