Chapter 1: Shadowy Surprises

"The team need's you now more than ever."

Cole looked up to see Lloyd hanging upside down from a higher branch. As the green ninja righted himself, the former black ninja rolled his eyes. It'd been a year since Zane's death, and about just as long since he'd seen any of the others. Why show up now when he was finally getting some peace?

"I thought I was good with a scythe." He said, swinging the axe in his left hand down hard on the long part of the limb he was on. "Turns out, I'm even better with an ax."

It was Lloyd's turn to roll his eyes. He could see that Cole was trying to avoid the call. But he knew his former leader all too well. Cole was a resolute person; giving one hundred percent in all he did (except in singing, but that he could live with). So he knew Cole hadn't truly given up on them.

The former ninja sighed, feeling his friend's gaze on him. "I'm tired of fighting, Lloyd. Tired of Serpentine, tired of Nindroids, tired of…Jay." He looked over his fellow loggers. "Out here, no one knows who you are. No one expects anything of you."

Lloyd pulled down his mask and asked. "But what would Zane expect?"

This made the earth ninja pause, grief flaring up in his heart. He tried not to think of his lost brother anymore. It hurt too much.

"You're the Master of Earth, Cole." The green ninja continued. "You don't belong in trees; your feet should be on the ground." He then climbed down to the branch parallel to the one Cole was on. "You can't hide who you are."

Cole shook his head. "Sorry Green Machine, this is my life now."

Before he could continue to argue, a large cracking noise caught the two's attention. A stem had broken on the loading truck. Causing many of the workers to become endangered. As the men ran, Cole found himself unable to stay back as those who he'd come to know be put in harm's way. He dove off his branch, landing with his feet planted firmly on the ground. Giving the earth a punch, great pillars of stone rose up and caught the large pieces of timber.

As the dust settled, the loggers looked on in awe. They'd never known one of Ninjago's famous ninjas had been among them. Heck, aside from the former Lightning ninja, they'd all seemed to have gone into hiding. To have one here, saving their lives, it felt like a great honor.

As the loggers cheered for him, Cole couldn't help but sigh in distain. So much for being covert. Now that they knew a ninja had been a part of their team, he'd never get ant peace in the camp. He would be asked to use his powers instead of them doing their work. But that could be just as dangerous depending on his emotions.
Quickly gathering his things, Cole left the camp. Still being cheered at as a hero. That part he'd readily admit he did miss, but he missed sharing it with his brothers.
"If you change your mind Cole," Lloyd called from high up a tree. "you know where I'll be."

As the green ninja disappeared in a puff of smoke, Cole couldn't help but crack a small smile. They'd taught him well as a child, and now Lloyd was pulling tricks like an old pro. But that smile was soon gone, as thoughts of their broken family returned to his mind. He soon tossed those thoughts aside and marched on. He'd have plenty of time to think about it when he found a place to be alone.

My Lady! On your left!

"I know, I know." She mumbled, dodging a swing from the left as a dagger came at her from the back. The blade never reached it's target though, as her body disappeared into the shadows around her and reappeared behind the attacker. With a slash of her scythe, the being was gone. Leaving only a gray orb behind. She then looked at her other attackers. "Honestly, is this the best you got? I've had better workouts with six-year-olds."

Her would be attackers looked at her cautiously. They knew going into this they were in for a fight. But no one had told them it would be their lives on the line. In hindsight, they should've asked more about their target. But hey, no one said that these guys thought with their minds when it came to a hot girl.
The job had seemed simple enough. Get a girl for the master and bring her back. And after finding her alone this deep in the woods, it seemed like a piece of cake.

Only…no one had told them that she had the powers of an Elemental Master.

The girl in question stood five foot four, looked to be a seventeen-year-old Caucasian with tannish gold hair just a bit below her neck and her bangs dyed violet. She wore black jeans tucked into a pair of dark combat ankle boots, a deep purple tank top with a black broken heart on the front, black fingerless opera gloves, a black faux leather vest, and a pair of purple sunglasses that hid her eyes. Hidden just under her hair, but glinting under the setting sun's light, were a pair of black and purple earrings, and around her neck was a silver chain with a scythe pendant. At least, they thought it was a pendant until she took it off her neck and it grew to a full sized one.

"Now I'm not gonna pretend I don't know why you're here." She continued, tapping her fingers against the staff of her scythe. "I'm betting you work for some crazy psycho who wants to take over this place, am I right? And you don't know why, but they told you they needed me to make this plan more stable." She looked them over carefully, keeping an eye out for more or any surprises they might have brought to the party. "But all you saw was a pretty girl and thought 'Once the boss is done with her, maybe I'll get a taste of the sweet thing.' Am I right? I'm right aren't I?"

The thugs couldn't say anything. Only watch as the female circled their troupe like a predator hunting its prey.

"Well I'm sorry to say boys, but all your lust for me has only made me stronger." The girl stated, picking up the orb that was all that remained of their fallen comrade. They could only watch as the girl sucked at it like a lollipop as the light in it began to fade. Once it was empty, she smashed it down on the ground and the pieces disappeared. "Hopefully your friend makes a better power for me than he does you."

The four that were left could only think of one thing to do.

"Run!" The leader hollered, racing away from the terrifying young woman.

As they fled, the female could only chuckle darkly as she tapped her scythe against her shadow. Slowly, a wolf-like figure rose from the darkness and came to stand by her side. She gave the wolf-which was tall enough to reach her side- a small pet and told it. "Follow them. I want to know who's hunting me and how they found out I was here."

The wolf nodded before racing into another shadow the same direction the men had come from. Once they were out of sight, she gave a sigh and turned her scythe back into a necklace.

"So much for peace and quiet out here." She thought aloud, slipping the pendant back on before going to a nearby tree where she stashed her pack. "Honestly Midnight, is it so much to ask to get assigned a realm where trouble isn't waiting around every corner?"

Unfortunately milady, that is the way of your people. The pendant replied, a glowing purple aura signifying its awareness. Your father often complained of the same when he assumed the mantle. But with your mother by his side, he at least found it tolerable.

"I still don't understand why you were eager when you heard we were coming here." The girl told the weapon as she slid the black bag on. "I mean, besides the punks who just tried to snag me, this place doesn't seem to need our services."

Just be patient my dear. It told her as she began to walk again. All will be made clear in time.

If the weapon could smile, she felt like it was right now. And rather cheekily too. But then, so would she if she knew something someone else didn't. Honestly, the weapon acted more and more like her with each time she swung it. It was practically an older sibling at this point.

"So how far to New Ninjago City again?"

About fourteen miles. We can rest by the ravine a quarter mile from here tonight and-TALYNN BEHIND YOU!

She drew the weapon a second too late.

Cole's ears perked up at the sound of a scream not too far from him. He was far from the logging camp, and even father from civilization. No one should be out here. When the sound of a large crash came not long after the scream, he ran towards it. Just like before, even though he was no longer a ninja, he would live up to Zane's motto to protect those who could not protect themselves.

Though from the looks of it as he came across the fight, the girl had sure tried.

She was crumpled against a nearby tree, blood seeping from a gash on her head. Her upper arms were littered with cuts, and her clothes were torn, but other then that she was alive. Her bag giving just enough of a cushion that her spine wasn't snapped on impact. As for her scythe, it was laying a few feet away from him; most likely let go when she lost consciousness midflight.

Her opponent was a creature made out of thorns that looked like a coyote. Its eyes glowed an eerie yellow with sparks of light going through them. It was hunched over her, looking ready to eat her. He had to act fast.

Snatching the scythe up, he ran towards the creature and swung at its back. As the blade ran across the thorns, the creature howled in pain. Then turned to him with a snarl.

"You want her ugly?" He asked, getting between the girl and the beast. "You'll have to go through me to get her!"

The beast barked in anger, then drew its claws as it went to attack him. Before it could get close though, another beast tackled it; this one made of shadows. Soon more began to creep out of the darkness of the trees from the setting sun's light. They fought as one against the creature, leaving the master of earth confused.

You must hurry and get her out of here. A voice in his head stated, making him look around. The pack may be able to defeat it. But with their Alpha in danger here they cannot concentrate. Now hurry, we can't waste the opportunity your interruption and their distraction has given us.

Though unsure of where the voice was coming from, he agreed with the voice and went to the girl. He swung her on his back piggyback style with the scythe perched under her knees so he could hold her better, then took off towards the river. Once across and a little downstream, even if the beast got away from the pack he wouldn't be able to track them.

The girl grumbled a little as her eyes peaked open. The sudden jostling of her body made the pain flare up causing her to wake. She looked at her savior but couldn't make out his face. All she could tell was that he was young, strong, and had a great power in him. A power similar to her own, but of a different origin.

"Hey, if you can hear me don't worry." He told her as they ran. "That thing's not getting you while I'm here."

Before she could respond though, the darkness consumed her again, making her body slump against his.

My Lady, can you hear me?

The girl let out a groan as she returned to the waking world. Her body was still sore from the creature's attack, but not as sore as it should've been. She could feel a bandage wrapped around her head as well as her arms and legs.

'That boy must've been real.' she thought, thinking back to her last waking moments as she sat up. 'He took care of me. But did he…'

He did nothing inappropriate, that I can confirm. The scythe stated from its resting place on a tree not to far from her. The sun had set now, but her savior had made a fire she was resting beside on her sleeping bag. He only grabbed your sack from the bag, unrolled it, and tended to your wounds with medicine from his own. He went to gather more firewood just a while ago, but he'll return soon to check on you. The weapons voice turned somber then. Forgive me for not sensing that creature sooner my Lady. If I'd been more aware-

"You can't fully blame yourself for that Midnight." She told the weapon as she checked over her wrappings. The guy had done well. "I should've guessed that the punks' employer would have a backup if they failed. Honestly this place had been so calm since our arrival I'm afraid we've gotten rusty."

Nevertheless, I should've scanned the area around us closer for any creatures like that before we began our trek again. I'll endeavor to do better from now on.

"We both will." She replied before looking around for her sunglasses. Once she found them beside her, they were quickly pulled on. "Anything else of note while I was out?"

Well…more of an irregularity.

She gave the weapon a confused look.

The boy who saved you, he could hear me.

This made her eyes widen. "That's impossible. No one's supposed to be able to hear you but those like me and-" she thought back to the familiar power she felt when the man was holding her. It was ancient, as old as her lineages powerful line.

We were told that the First Spinjitzu Master had the blood of dragons in his veins, and that he created this realm. Midnight thought aloud. Perhaps this is a descendant of one he shared his power with. Hence the dragon soul.

Before she could reply, the sound of footsteps made her silent. Turning towards the direction they came from, she saw a young man probably a year older than herself. He had shoulder length black hair and deep brown eyes the color of the earth. He was very muscular for his age, easily carrying what would take her two trips with both hands in one hand on his own. And with two canteens crossed over on his chest too.

"Oh, you're awake." He said with a smile as he set the logs nearby. "I didn't think you'd be up so soon."

"How long have I been out?" she asked, genuinely curious if he was that surprised.

"About five hours." He told her, grabbing one of the canteens to give to her. "I ran across the water and a little downstream in case that thing got away from those shadow wolves. Any idea what it wanted with you?"

"Honestly? Not a clue." She took a drink of cold water, helping the last bit of fogginess clear from her head. "But when you get around like I do, you tend to find people just wanna attack you for no good reason in the first place. Animals too."

"Huh. Can't argue that." He took his own drink before continuing. "I'm Cole by the way."

The thought of giving a fake name crossed her mind, but she settled giving the shortened version. He'd been good to her, might as well not lie yet. "Talynn. And thanks for…well, saving my life."

"It's a ninja's duty to help others."

She gave him a confused look as she saw his attire. "No offense, but I didn't know ninjas wore clothes like that. Not that the look doesn't work for you."

Cole couldn't help but laugh at her comment. "You're not wrong. I've just been doing other things. Besides, can't cut trees wearing a gi."

"So you quit being a ninja?" Talynn asked him.

"I…well… more like I took a pause from it." He said, thinking back. "My team and I…we lost one of our brothers a year ago. And without him…we just couldn't keep it together."

This made her think back. A ninja killed a year ago…then it hit her. "You're one of the Elemental Masters aren't you?"

"Elemental what now?"

"A descendant of one of the First Spinjitzu Master's allies; ones he shared his elemental abilities with." She gave him a confused look. "Did your teacher not tell you this?"

"Not really no. He just said it was my destiny to become the Master of Earth." He told her before growing confused. "How do you know this?"

Talynn let out a chuckle. "Let's just say I make it my duty to know these type of things. In this realm though, that's the way it's always been. The power gets passed from parent to child upon birth; sometimes skipping a generation if one doesn't want it."

This made Cole think back to the day he met Sensei Wu. If what she said was true, and he was a descendant, did that mean Wu had been watching him the whole time?

I think you may have overloaded his brain mistress.

The return of the voice from before made Cole jump up, scanning the area for the source.

"It's okay!" Talynn exclaimed, putting her hands up to calm him. "It's just Midnight."

"Who?"

She pointed at her scythe. "Midnight Rose. A sentient weapon from my home realm. They were created much like your realm's Golden Weapons, but from a special metal called Sinnizite. They help amplify my own powers."

He sat down slowly processing what she was telling him. "So you're an Elemental master too?"

Talynn shook her head. "My race is a bit more complicated than that, and my powers even more so. All I can say, is that the shadows of the night are mine to control."
Cole could only shake his head in response. "I'm not even gonna try to understand what you just said. But the best I can is that you're not from anywhere in Ninjago, is that right?"

She nodded.

"So why are you here?"

"Not exactly sure myself." The girl said turning towards the flames. "I was told I was needed here; that I'd find the answers to some of my own question while I was at it. Besides, when the higher beings say go, you go."

"Huh."

"But what I do know, is that without you I'd most likely not lived through that attack." She then turned and bowed her head. "So I owe you a debt I must repay."

Cole put his hands up and shook his head vehemently. "You don't owe me anything. I told you-"

"To not allow me to repay my debt will bring shame to my pack and my family's name." Talynn declared in a no nonsense tone. "I must repay you in some way. Be it a little thing or a large one."

Cole sighed. "Look, I get you want to return the favor. But there's nothing I want that you can give."

This came as a shock to the girl and weapon. Usually by now, boys were asking for a kiss or-shadows forbid-a one night stand. If this one truly didn't want that…

"What if I could let you talk to your fallen brother?"

Cole gave her a shocked look.

"I can do that you know." She told him. "Let you have closure from your grief."

It was then that an old story that his mother used to tell him came to mind. A story of seven powerful beings from another realm that could take a person's soul in a heartbeat. There was one for each sin, and if you saved their lives, they could grant you anything within their sin's power.

"You're a Reaper, aren't you?"

Talynn smiled as she pulled off her sunglasses to reveal the ruby-like irises. This one was smarter than he thought. "Perhaps I should properly introduce myself."

As she said that, the shadows helped her rise to her feet as her attire began to change. Gone were the biker chick clothes; she now wore a black gi-like suit with puffed sleeves at the elbow that turned purple mid-arm with a dark purple heart over her chest. Black gloves encompassed her hands, while a black and purple scarf went behind her back. This all led to the dark hood that most of her gold curls were tucked into except for a few strands. Midnight Rose flew to her hands, completing the look that had him in awe.

"I am Tallianna Redfox. Reaper of Lust, Mistress of Shadows, and Alpha of the Broken-Hearted Wolf Pack." She stated, giving him a formal bow as she landed back on the ground. "And as my savior, you may ask for the ability to talk to your fallen comrade one last time."