#shadow kaida

[ninjago-forever]

Ninternia 1: The Ultimate Elemental

Chapter 3: The Start of a Story

Shadow closed the door to the dorm silently. Swinging her satchel over her shoulder, she turned around to find Soran, with a backpack of his own, standing there. To the normal, oblivious passer by he would've looked impatient, bored, and slightly snooty, but Shadow saw the shifting weight, the glancing eyes, and the fingers fidgeting with his cape that betrayed his nervousness.

"Ready to go?" she whispered to him. He nodded, and followed her as they made their way out of the school.

Two days ago, they'd found the supposed treasure map under the school. Soran had bugged her about it until she'd agreed to go with him to the place marked on the map, yet she couldn't shake a sense of unease. He'd given her the map saying she'd be a better navigator than him as soon as she'd agreed to go, which was yesterday, and while she agreed she'd also spent most of the night studying as the map, and, more specifically, the symbol Shadow couldn't shake the one that the cobra coiled around a gemstone with an "E" on it looked familiar, but no matter how hard she'd tried, she couldn't place it. That was the problem with a photographic memory, it was hard to keep track of everything. Not to mention all the stuff she'd suppressed. she quickly ended that train of thought before she remembered anything she'd regret.

You put all that behind you. Forget it already

Shaking off her thoughts, Shadow pushed a side exit open, and walking out with Soran in tow. AVA was deep in the forest, but whoever built the school had either found a really big clearing or... chopped down quite a few trees. She was betting on the latter. The school itself was a rundown, two story building covered in various forms of vandalism. Not far away was a big, dilapidated barb they used for storage. 

"It's locked," Soran whispered gesturing to the side door of the barn.

"Of course it's locked" Shadow muttered, shoving him out of the way and slipping a small throwing knife out of her belt. Carefully keeping the blade hidden from sight, she inserted it into the keyhole, and, after a few turns, was rewarded with a satisfying click. Putting the knife back in it's hiding place, she opened the door to reveal storage cabinets, assorted outdoors equipment, a work table. a tool chest, and, most importantly, an ATV. With all the trails and hills around AVA, it was pretty fun to drive.

"How'd you get the door open?" Soran asked.

Shadow opened the hood of the ATV and started hotwiring it.

"Same way I know how to do this," she answered as the engine roared to life. Thankfully, they were far enough away from the school for no one to notice it. Soran hopped on and drove in a circle.

"Open the door already!" he ordered her. Holding back a sharp remark, Shadow took down the bar holding the big door closed and shoved it open. Despite its considerable weight, she managed to get it open after a few tries.

"Took you long enough," Soran told her. He drove through the barn doors. Shadow didn't bother responding as she got on the ATV behind him. Arguing with him would be pointless.  Anyway, regardless of what he said, she didn't care about him and therefore she didn't care what he said to her. That was why she chose to hang out with him actually, there was no chance she'd ever care about some blond wannabe villain who was terrible at being truly evil, but ordered around everyone, was convinced he had royal blood, and cared about nothing except himself, and that was exactly how she wanted it. She refused to care about anyone ever again, not even herself.

Late that night, Shadow sat shivering on the highest branch of a tree, gazing up at the starry sky, while Soran lie sleeping, using his cape for a blanket and bag for a pillow, in the clearing below. They'd been traveling all day, and were only a few miles from their destination but it had gotten too dark to tell where they were going so they ended up finding the clearing and setting up camp, which basically meant park the ATV, and try to sleep. They'd decided against building a fire to avoid any unwanted attention, and Shadow didn't own any other clothes beside a spare gi (ner black "pjs"), so the cold night air was biting into her, yet she didn't do anything to warm up.

"I kept everything inside, and even though I tried, it all fell apart," she sang softly, "what it meant to me would eventually be of a memory of a time I tried so a hard." Her voice was low and clear, each word carrying more emotion a then her face ever showed. There was a reason she only even sang when she was alone. After awhile, she climbed down, intending to explore the forest, but when she hit the ground, despite a light, silent landing, Soran woke up

"Shadow?" he asked, blinking sleepily, "why are you still awake?"

"Sleep isn't really my thing..." she replied wondering how in Ninternia he'd heard her. He rubbed his eyes, then studied her more intently.

"You're cold," he said, more of a statement than a question.

She blinked "Um... okay?" Soran didn't respond as he opened his backpack, and pulled out a bundle of black cloth.

"Here," he said, throwing it to her, "I made this for you so we could match, the evil mastermind and his loyal henchgirl." Despite the remark, his voice had none of its usual haughtiness. Shadow slowly unfolded the bundle feeling, slightly unnerved by the whole situation, but a sense of shock came over her when she saw what he'd made.

In her hands was a soft, black cloak, similar to Soran's, but with a little something extra. Going from the hood to the end of the cape was an embroidered, twisting dragon the same verdant hue of her eyes. Shadow knew how long embroidery took, and judging from the size of the design, and skill of the stitches, he'd spent days on it.

"I... um, thanks," she said awkwardly," You, uh, didn't have to, um, do this."

Soran smiled, "It was worth it, You look great," he yawned, "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to sleep."

Then he rolled over and did just that, leaving poor Shadow completely at a loss for what to do. Something about how he'd acted reminded her of-

Don't think about them. They're gone. They left you and don't even try with Soran, she scolded herself, With love comes loss, remember? That's why you swore never to love again, especially not some stupid boy, not even if it's just as a friend... 

"Are the we there yet?" Soran asked.

"For the twenty third time, no," Shadow said tiredly from behind the map. Yes, she was counting. Despite the rough terrain, and that she wasn't holding on, she somehow managed to stay on the ATV while Soran drove it through the forest undergrowth.

They'd started traveling shortly after sunrise, since Shadow hadn't bothered sleeping at all, and Soran hadn't been able to in the light. According to the map, they were almost there. Shadow pulled her new hood lower as she continued studying the old scroll. Neither of them mentioned what had happened last night. She would've thought it had been a dream if it wasn't for the cloak resting on her shoulders. Part of her wished it had been though. She'd been in a bit of a mood since then.

"Are we there now?" Soran said in a bored voice.

"For the last time, n- oh wait. "Shadow said, looking around, "This is it."

"Finally!" he said, hitting the brakes, and jumping off. She followed him, folding up the map and slipping it into her satchel despite the fact that by doing so, she was damaging it because it was a hundred plus years old scroll that wasn't meant to be folded. Interesting thing? She knew it.

They were now standing in the most densely wooded area they'd found yet. Not far away was a rushing river which was probably why there was so much vegetation here. There was a fog in the air and the earth covered in moss, making it slippery. Combined with the tangle of roots and vines, it made footing treacherous. There was a crashing sound coming from not far away.

"What's that noise?" Soran asked heading towards it.

"That would be the sound of water hurtling over a 1,500 foot cliff," Shadow said, fighting back a smirk when he froze.

"Um... maybe I should... uh, stay away from the edge, "he muttered, walking back to where the ATV was.

"You want the treasure or not?" she asked him, feeling a sudden surge of annoyance.

"Of course I do what kind of a question is that?"

"Then come on."

Shadow led him towards the crashing sound, which steadily got louder, as the fog got so thick, she couldn't see where she was stepping. Suddenly, she grabbed his arm, preventing him from taking another step

"Hey!" Soran said.

She released him, "Fine, walk off a cliff for all I care."

"Well-wait, what!?"

"The cliff edge is right there. Another step and you're going cliff diving."

"I knew that! I was just er, testing to see if you were paying attention."

"Sure, this way," she said shortly, wondering why she'd bothered to stop him from going over. Climbing rather stepping, she stayed parallel to the edge, while Soran stayed several feet to her right. It was difficult since the trees grew even here, some hanging half off the cliffs, and she couldn't see her hand in front of her face. Some part of her mind was was aware that wasn't possible for trees this big to grow in these conditions, not naturally, but she didn't stop to think about it. Nor did she listen to the sense of unease and strange familiarity of the symbol. She didn't feel like paying attention to her vague hunches. She just wanted to focus on the objective rather than having to deal with the turmoil in her mind.

"Here," she said. They'd stopped some way below the highest point of the diff where a ledge broke off, and led across the cliff wall to, presumably, behind the falls.

"You're kidding me, right?" Soran said.

"No, " Shadow replied as she readjusted her satchel and cape. At this point, she didn't care whether or not he came she just wanted to keep moving. Whatever that map was leading them to, she was going to find it. She'd figure out her next move from there, but she knew it wouldn't include Soran.

"My shadow's the only thing that walks beside me," she mouthed silently as she inched across the ledge, "My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating. Sometimes I wish someone out there would find me. Till then I walk alone..."

Gradually, the ledge continued to widen, and the noise grew louder. The sound of the rushing water pounded at her eardrums, drowning out everything except the drive to complete her goal. Maybe afterwards she could finally rest...

"Whoa..." Soran said, standing beside her behind the waterfall. She fought the urge flinch, having somewhat forgotten he was with her, even though the whole adventure was his idea in the first place. As for what he was looking at...

Before them was a huge, stone door carved into the cliff face. It was covered in twisting designs. After a second, Shadow, realized that the designs were snakes. Cobras, anacondras, vipers, you name it. Stepping closer to the door, she ran her fingers. across the carvings, but suddenly she froze as she recognized one of them.

Of course...

          The symbol...

                       The trees...

It all makes sure now...

"I've got it!" Soran said, startling her. He stepped forward and, before she could stop him, pushed down on a carving. A deep grating sound started from inside the walls, causing the ledge to vibrate. Knowing full well she couldn't stop the doors from opening, and completely aware of the dangers that lurked inside, Shadow's hand went to the hilt of her tanto knife, which she'd hidden under her cape last night. She caught a flicker of movement in the shadows.

"Hello children," a low voice hissed "I thank you for releasing me, and the rest of my kind from our centuries of imprisonment, but must ask; what brings you all the way out here?"

A nearly silent scrape came from Shadow as she started to draw her blade.

"What's the matter?" the voice asked as it owner slithered out of the door way. His eyes glinted as he continued, "Cat got your tongue? Or should I say snake?"As soon as Soran saw the human sized, purple & white snake, he screamed and jumped backward, effectively ruining the tense moment. Shadow yelped as she saw him heading for the ledge, which was completely out of character for her, and she would forever deny doing, but she slid her tanto knife back into its sheath, and dove landing, right on top of him.

Their faces inches apart, Shadow said"I honestly don't know why I saved you."

Soran blinked

"Snakes? Why'd it have to be snakes?" he moaned.

[ninternia]

Ninternia: The Ultimate Elemental

Chapter 9: From Ice to Life

"Hey, I don't think freezing yourself will unlock your powers," Khan said, joining Cyrus outside in the snow ."If that was how it worked, I would've just set myself on... nevermind." He sighed, and kicked at the frost under his feet. It had only been a day since the fire. A place that had withstood the test of time, destroyed in a few hours. Cyrus felt a tightness in his chest whenever he thought about it. Perhaps he was malfunctioning.

Not to mention the missing pieces the siltharaa had taken. They weren't sure how to get those back yet. The backup plan was if they didn't run into the snakes again, they'd go to the waterfall door Shadow had found. Khan was not happy about that plan. 

A frigid breeze blew down the mountain, causing his companion to shiver a little. As a robot, or rather nindroid Cyrus didn't react to the cold, and strangely, neither did the reason he was out here.

Shadow just sat far above them, on the branch of a snow covered fir tree, her cloak flapping in the wind. You could see the disturbances in the snow where she had climbed, yet it still looked almost impossible to reach her perch, and Cyrus had seen her get there.

"Why are watching her?" Khan asked.

"I was built to protect those who cannot protect themselves," he stated. "Someone should supervise her, she is a child. What if she falls?" 

"If she falls?" Khan scoffed. "She thinks she's a squirrel! And I'm sure she can pro-HEY!" He yelled as a branch dumped its share of snow on him. Shadow, who had jumped on it causing the white powder to fall, landed on her feet beside them.

She looked at Khan "Careful what you say. You never know who's listening."

"See?" Khan said, trying to get the snow out of his hair "No protection needed."

"Sure, if you want to freeze," Katara said, throwing a black parka at each of them as she came out of the bus. "But if you'd rather not, I'd wear the jacket."

"That wasn't what I was talking about," he muttered, shrugging it on. The rest of the Guardians soon joined them, all dressed in the parkas, each trimmed in their respective colors. Katara herself only wore a plain, black cloak like Shadow's atop her gi. Atalie followed, shivering in her thin long sleeve.

"The third piece of the Blade of Elements is, well, the blade. The Vault is at the top of Tuinval Mountain, the tallest mountain in Ninternia." Atalie explained, "No human that's attempted the climb was ever seen again."

"There's a reason for that, " Katara said." Tuinval Mountain is the home of the winter contingent of the Last Liegion, or, in other words, the last home of the winter elves. Well, that and the subzero tempatures."

"That's where you grew up?" Jaya asked.

"Not exactly." Katara replied. "Anyways, I'm sure you've noticed how warm the jackets are. They should keep you from freezing. I also worked a technoband into the right sleeve. It's not as high-tech as mine, but it has a grappling hook, spike, and a couple other things for the climb. There's also a communication device worked into the hood so we can hear each other over the wind. Any questions?"

Cyrus watched as they put the new jackets on. Clay's was trimmed in orange, Khan's in red, Jaya: turquoise, Ren had blue, and Shadows was all black. The young girl had to take off her cape to put it on and she didn't seem happy about it. Cyrus's own trim was ice blue.

"May I asist you with that?" R.A.L.I. inquired, approaching Cyrus.

"Of c-course," he stammered, allowing her to help him put the parka on. After she'd zippered it up, she stood there for a second, just looking at him, before going back inside. It was only the Cyrus realized he was holding his breath.

Wait... I do not require oxygen.

He frowned, perplexed. He really needed to get Katara to do a full systems diagnostic. He was about to call for her when a sudden movement caught his optical sensors.

Cyrus looked up to see Katara lying in the show, Clay on top of her as he'd dove into her. Where Katara's head had been was a grappling hook, now buried in the wood of a tree.

"Oops, my bad" Shadow said innocently.

Katara glared at her as Clay helped her up, both of them brushing off show. The others exchanged looks. None of them were sure if Shadow had simply been testing her technoband, and misfired, or if... they'd just witnessed an attempted murder.

Ren coughed, "So..."

"The jackets are powered by a fire sapphire, an elven gem. It's in the reinforced pocket. If you open it..." Katara trailed off, looking straight at Shadow as if daring her to see what would happen.

"Okay, how about we spread out and practise?" Jaya said before Shadow could do anything. As they started climbing short ways up the cliff and dropping back down, Cyrus approached Katara.

"Could you run a diagnostic on me?" he asked her.

"Sure, something wrong?" she tapped at one of her technobands.

"I have been feeling unfamiliar sensations of late, such as a fluttering in my chest, losing my train of thought, and, most recently, a tightness, like my core is being squeezed."

Katara paused and looked at him. "R.A.L. I. around whenever you feel the first two?" 

"Yes."

"And the tightness, did that start after the fire?"

"Affirmative."

She gave him a small smile. "Nothing wrong with you Cyrus. Those are just natural reactions to love and loss."

"But... I am a machine. I am incapable of feeling emotions."

"You're a lot more capable than you think, more so than some other people. Now come on, we should start climbing. We don't want to get stuck on the cliff face overnight." As she and the others began their final preperations, Cyrus just ste there, thinking; she's wrong I'm not like them. I'm not alive. I can't feel.

No matter how much I want to...

Hours later, he was much more concerned with physical ways of feeling rather than emotional ones. They were thousands of feet above the ground, clinging to the rock face in the middle of a blizzard. Cyrus was just wondering why he was capable of feeling such cold when something grabbed his arm, and pulled him into the mountain.

He yelped, but quieted after realizing it was just Katara, who had been ahead him. She gave the others the same treatment. Clay and Jaya were startled a bit. Khan screamed and flailed around in the show before coming to his senses. Ren freaked out and fell, so they had to pull him back up. It was a good thing they'd tied themselves together. Shadow on the other hand...

"What the-" she rolled while holding Katara's arm, using the momentum to throw the poor elf into a nearby snowbank

"Kat!" Clay shouted, going to help her while Ren and Khan cracked up.

"I think we're going to get along," Khan told Shadow. She glared at him, then flicked her wrist. Next thing they knew, a knife was pinning his hand to a nearby tree.

"Keep telling yourself that," she said.

"Are we at the village?" Jaya asked, changing the topic.

"Not yet," Katara replied, spitting out snow and glaring at Shadow. "Come on."

After they released Khan from the tree, they continued their journey into mountain peak. Looking up, Cyrus could see a widening strip of sky that looked blue instead of cloudy. As for the rift itself, the entrance was narrow, about a foot wide, but the walls soon began to open up.

It was warmer inside the crack, likely because there was no wind. Small trees and bushes grew here and there. The snowfall was light, just enough to cover the ground in a pristine white blanket. It was so peaceful...

"When we get there, follow my lead. My kind don't trust humans and with good reason. You'll be the first humans to step foot in it as far as I know. Anyways, just be on your best behavior," Katara finished.

"This group? Never," Shadow smirked.

"Never say never," Ren grinned

"Why not? You just said it twice," she countered.

"Ooo, she got you there Sparky." Khan snickered.

"You're just jealous I have powers and you don't!" Ren shouted back.

"Just wait till we finish the Blade, then we'll see who's jealous!" Khan spat.

"Wait... you think you're going to be the Ultimate Elemental? Oh, this is rich" Shadow laughed.

"How? I'm perfect for it," Khan glared, a little miffed that a little kid was laughing at him.

Before anyone could respond, seven white clad figures surrounded them, some from the snow, others from above. Each of them held a knife, and had a bow and quiver of arrows slung across their back. One of them stepped forward, jabbing their knife into Khan, ice blue eyes boring into his warm hazel ones.

"How do you know of the Blade of Elements?" they hissed in a low voice.

"Leave him alone," Katara answered, stepping between them. Thankfully, the knife hadn't done any damage. The Guardians tensed, unsure if they were going to fight or not.

To their surprise, the one who'd Khan pulled down his hood and face mask, revealing a surprised looking, raven haired elf.

"Katara?" he whispered. She froze, then pulled her own hood back. Next thing Cyrus knew, the two elves were hugging each other and talking in a strange language. The rest of the elves relaxed, and put their weapons away.

"So... they're friendly?" Ren asked.

"Yes" Katara said, "Everyone this is my uncle Levi.  He-"

Cyrus never heard the rest of sentence because someone grabbed behind and pulled him...

Into the rock?

"Some advice, if anyone grabs you from behind, resist." Shadow said, dragging from him along a passageway carved into the rock. The blue tinted rock. The reflective, blue tinted rock. That was cold to touch.

Oh, it was ice. The further along they got, the more reflective the wall's became. Soon, the floor became too slippery too run, but instead of slowing down, Shadow started skating. More or less helpless to stop, Cyrus just let her pull him, watching the strange phenomena of the walls reflecting  each other into infinity.

It was somewhat mesmerizing to watch. Whenever he looked, there was hall after hall, identical to the one they were in. Strings of bioluminescent microorganisms were frozen in the ice, giving off an odd light, only adding to the uncanny beauty. And of course each hall had its own Shadow and Cyrus. The nindroid found himself wondering if one of them were the real ones and he was the reflection.

"Whoa, slow down Dreamer Bot!" Shadow called as she let go of his hand, flinging him forward....

Straight toward a ravine.

In a panic, Cyrus grabbed for the doorway, and managed to swing himself sideways. He promptly crashed into wall.

Shadow skated over to him. "I don't suppose you know how to get across?"

"I do not even know our current location," He said, getting up.

She rolled her eyes. "Where do you think?"

Cyrus frowned, attempting to run a scan through the place so he could match it to somewhere in his data base, and... failed. Or perhaps he didn't. He knew where he was now.

"The Blade Vault."

"Maybe there's hope for you yet." Shadow said.

He blinked, then turned his attention back to the chasm. It was too deep to see the bottom, too wide to jump across, and everything was sheer ice, impossible to climb. Across it, Cyrus saw a flight of stairs leading up. There was also the remains of a bridge, a few feet of ice sticking out on either end.

"Any ideas?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I am useless here... Something shuts down modern technology."

"It's all the elemental energy, boosted by the Blade piece. The air's so thick with it, I can almost feel it." Shadow answered, "But that doesn't matter. You can still brainstorm."

"Why would-"

"I meant come up with ideas."

"Oh," Cyrus watched as she sat down an the edge of the cham, lege dangling over the darkness, muttering nonsense under her breath. He didn't make any suggestions. She was a smart girl, and had no lack of ideas. Despite her being over ten years his younger, she'd probably solve this quicker without him. Without his systems, he was nothing more than a fancy toy.

"Well?" Shadow asked him.

"Could you repeat your query?" Cyrus inquired sheepishly.

Is my audio system not functioning as well?

She rolled her eyes. "I was asking if you'd come up with anything because I don't want to get the others when we could bring it back, and rub it Lady Lectures-a-lot and Hedgehead's faces."

Cyrus blinked.  

She sighed. "Katara and Khan,"

"Oh."

"So?"

"I do not have any ideas."

"You have to have something."

"Why do you keep saying that?" Cyrus asked quietly.

"What?"

"Why do you think I have ideas? I am robot, a piece of machinery. My mind is made up of ones and zeros, just programming. I cannot feel, or ever think for myself. Without my other systems, I am nothing," he finished, staring into the void.

"Dunno, you seem pretty sad right now," Shadow commented.

"I-what?"

"And now you seem surprised, little insulted, a bit disbelieving, and confused. Now that think about it, you're confused a lot of the time. Not that I blame you, humans are confusing. Been one my whole life and I still don't get them."

He frowned. "You do not understand. Those are merely simulations of emotions my creator programmed into me so I could seem more human."

"What'd he 'program' you to do?"

"I am built to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

"How can you protect if you can't care?"

"I-But... but..." Cyrus stammered she was wrong. She had to be. Dozens of people over the years had told him he couldn't feel, they couldn't all be incorrect. It was statistically impossible, yet...

If that was true...

Then why did Shadow sound so...

Right?

"Butts are for sitting," she decided.

Cyrus couldn't help it, he laughed. It had been so unexpected, so ridiculous, so simple, that it was perfect.

Shadow smirked. "See? You can laugh too!" She met his eyes. While her face was still locked in a sneer something in her deep green eyes made him question if she was still just trying to make him question his exsistance, or if she was actually trying to help him when she added; "I think the only thing that's stopping you, is that you don believe you can."

Cyrus stared at her, trying to process what she'd just said. For such a long time, as long as he could remember, he'd been told the exact opposite. He could even remember the day he'd stopped trying to feel.

He'd been meditating in a pond when he'd heard a muffled shriek. He'd kicked to the surface. When he'd emerged he'd seen a little girl speeding down a hill on a bike. She was out of control, and heading towards a busy street. A woman in a lab coat was chasing after her, screaming for her to stop.

Cyrus had pulled himself out of the water, and cut the child off, tackling her into the grass. She's been crying, hiding her face from him. She wore a lavender, grass stained hoodie, a pair of thick gloves, jeans, and dirty, purple, sneakers with untied laces.

By this time the woman had caught up with them. "Minnie?! Onh, Minnie, you're okay! You scared me." She'd sobbed as she'd embraced the child. She'd turned to Cyrus, her expresion thankful...

Until she saw him

A look of horror had come over her face. "Get away from us!" Shed screamed 

He'd been so confused. "Ma'am, I'm just trying to help, please-"

"I said get away! No machine could ever care enough to help without being told. You all just do what you're programmed to! I know that now, after - Just go!"

Since that day, Cyrus had never stayed after helping anyone, never remaining in one place for too long. Not until Master Ju had found him, and trained him. He'd changed so much because of one little girl.

And now, here was another making him question himself all over again. Now there was only one thing to do. He needed to know what he wanted. Did he want to be an emotionless droid, or take a chance at being human?

Was it even a choice?

He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, searching his mind, breaking every barrier he'd built over the years, and just letting himself feel. Before he understood what was happening, a flood of familiar images he didn't quite recall flooded his mind.

A young man holding him tightly, running through a snowy forest.

The same man, now middle-aged, smiling with pride as Cyrus played with a flying prisimfin.

A very old version of the man, lying in a bed, whispering something to Cyrus, "You'll remember when you're ready. Farewell my son, I wish you the same love and happiness you gave me..."

The man was his creator, his father: Ty Julian. Before he could process what that meant, another wave of emotions hit him, and this one made him collapse.

Pain

Loss

Sorrow

The man flipped a switch on Cyrus's chest, then his eyes closed a final time as he took his last, shuddering breath...

For a second, Cyrus felt a sense of loss and loneliness too big to comprehend. 

Then he felt...

Emptiness.

Blackness.

Nothing.

It was like he was trapped a freezing void. He was completely numb. There was no point to do anything. Only to go through the motions. The cold seeped into him, and took away his senses.

He didn't feel any drive.

Any determination.

Any reason why he did anything.

He just... 

Did it.

Years flashed before his eyes, lost in this haze. He didn't think it would ever end. 

Suddenly, a memory flashed in his mind, of when they were racing through the maze under Lyra, laughing. Other memories of the others poured through his mind.

Ren showing him how to play video games.

Khan talking to him about R.AL.I.

Katara maintaining him.

Jaya explaining the others jokes.

Clay always checking up on him.

Even cold, distant Shadow leading to him to this point.

A warmth began to spread through him, chasing any trace of the numbing cold.

I am Cyrus Zen Julian, creation and son of Dr. Ty Julian, and a pair of the Guardians, my... family.

As soon as he thought the last word, a new set of images fell into his mind, but these ones were strange, blurry, forgien.

Katara slumped in red puddle inside a transparent silver dome.

Half of his power source in the back of a metal hand.

A complete Blade of Elements landing in the intersection of Nelson and LuMonica.

A shadow trapped in a web of lightning, ice, fire, earth, and so many things exploding in light.

His eyes flew open and he bolted upright.

"Took you long enough," grumbled Shadow. "You gonna make a new ice bridge, or what?"

"What?" Cyrus asked, disorientated by everything he'd just been through. "You just unlocked. Fix the bridge."

"...."

He quickly realized she was right.

He could sense a new... energy in his mind. He stepped up to the edge of the bridge, and reached out with it... only to create a layer of ice on an existing bridge.

"You've got to be kidding me," Shadow groaned. "It was there the whole time!?! I listened to all that for nothing!?" She yelled out at nothing, before never doing that again.

"Can't stop me," she muttered under her breath, causing Cyrus to look at her in confusion.

When she didn't elaborate, he said, "It appears to be made of the same reflective ice as earlier, making it seem like there is nothing there because of the darkness above and below it. Ingenious." 

"I can't decide if that's straight up brilliant, or downright cruel," she said in response, stalking across the bridge. Cyrus just smiled slightly as he followed her across then up the stairs.

Why was he so calm?

Because that last set of memories weren't memories at all, but rather visions of what was to come, and if he played it right, he could bring an end to this fight.

"Wow..." Cyrus breathed, as they emerged from the stairway. As it turned out, the never before seen by human eyes Tuinval Peak was a ring of stone and ice. The center of it was sunken hundreds of feet down. Within that crater was the last winter elven village.

Cyrus could see the elves homes, some of which were carved half into the cliff, but, thanks to the high walls, it was already dark down there, and there were twinkling lights scattered throughout the buildings. In the center of the village, and by that extent, the mountain, was a tall rock formation reaching all the way up to their level. On the top of it rest a pavilion carved out of ice, inlaid with gemstones. A bridge led from the outer ring to the pavilion, where Cyrus located the blade piece. It was a magical sight, right out of a fairy tale, but it was nothing compared to the view surrounding them.

They were so high up, the storm clouds that had given them much trouble lay below them, surrounding the peak in a fluffy blanket. It looked like a lone island in an endless sea of clouds, tinted in pinks, lavenders, and oranges as the sun began to set. The sky itself was so many colors, Cyrus wondered if he was looking at a rainbow. It was completely breath taking.

I wonder if a moment can last forever... He wondered as he stood on the pavilion, turning slowly, trying to see everything at once.

"Why haven't you grabbed the blade yet? It's freezing up here," Shadow grumbled, ruining the moment. Cyrus sighed as he went to retrieve it. Despite her comment, she didn't look the slightest bit cold. He made a replica of the blade out of ice, and switched them.

"Now we get to do all of that in reverse, yay." she complained, but then a sly smile spread across her face. Cyrus wasn't sure he trusted it.

"What?" he asked hesitantly.

"Do you like sledding?"

[ninternia]

Shadow Kaida Out of Context

"That was fun. Who doesn't love staying up all night putting out a fire, then spilling secrets that shouldn't be… secret?"

"You either read too many comic books, or watch an insane amount of cartoons. Or both. Yeah I'd say both. Oh, add video games to that."

"Would you look at that, elfy's finally awake. Did you enjoy your beauty sleep? It didn't do you much good."

"A… teapot?"

"I've told you what I know, do whatever you want with it."

"Okay, let's get this straight, don't treat me like a kid, and won't prove to you I'm not."

"Let me guess… You spent the whole time we were talking trying to come up with a line, and you only interrupted now because you thought of that not-half-bad one?"

"Do you like sledding?"

"I can't decide if that's straight up brilliant, or downright cruel,"

"I was asking if you'd come up with anything because I don't want to get the others when we could bring it back, and rub it Lady Lectures-a-lot and Hedgehead's faces."

"Some advice, if anyone grabs you from behind, resist."

"If Lady Lectures-a-lot is cool with it then I'm sure I'll be fine."

"It's a scabbard. That's what it's for,"

"That guy was toying with us. If he'd wanted, we'd all be dead right now"

"I'm going to go clean my sword before the blood dries."

"Is that a fish,"

"I won't kill you."

"I'm more serious than you could ever dream of being." 

" 'Give me a chance to explain.' I thought people only said that in books and movies, unless you took it from one."

[ninjago-forever]

The same promise played out on two scenes. One true but unreachable. One within reach but a lie. The same but different. One but two.

Which would you chose?

To be submerged in lies, whether from others or self-told, but content?

Or endlessly trying to achieve an ideal that, deep down, you know you'll never accomplish?

- FSM

For a future Ninternia chapter.

[ninjago-forever]

Shadoran Ship Art

Inspired by Death Cab for Cutie's song, "Little Wanderer."

[ninjago-forever]

Ninternia: The Ultimate Elemental

Chapter 9: From Ice To Life

"Hey, I don't think freezing yourself will unlock your powers," Khan said, joining Cyrus outside in the snow ."If that was how it worked, I would've just set myself on... nevermind." He sighed, and kicked at the frost under his feet. It had only been a day since the fire. A place that had withstood the test of time, destroyed in a few hours. Cyrus felt a tightness in his chest whenever he thought about it. Perhaps he was malfunctioning.

Not to mention the missing pieces the siltharaa had taken. They weren't sure how to get those back yet. The backup plan was if they didn't run into the snakes again, they'd go to the waterfall door Shadow had found. Khan was not happy about that plan. 

A frigid breeze blew down the mountain, causing his companion to shiver a little. As a robot, or rather nindroid Cyrus didn't react to the cold, and strangely, neither did the reason he was out here.

Shadow just sat far above them, on the branch of a snow covered fir tree, her cloak flapping in the wind. You could see the disturbances in the snow where she had climbed, yet it still looked almost impossible to reach her perch, and Cyrus had seen her get there.

"Why are watching her?" Khan asked.

"I was built to protect those who cannot protect themselves," he stated. "Someone should supervise her, she is a child. What if she falls?" 

"If she falls?" Khan scoffed. "She thinks she's a squirrel! And I'm sure she can pro-HEY!" He yelled as a branch dumped its share of snow on him. Shadow, who had jumped on it causing the white powder to fall, landed on her feet beside them.

She looked at Khan "Careful what you say. You never know who's listening."

"See?" Khan said, trying to get the snow out of his hair "No protection needed."

"Sure, if you want to freeze," Katara said, throwing a black parka at each of them as she came out of the bus. "But if you'd rather not, I'd wear the jacket."

"That wasn't what I was talking about," he muttered, shrugging it on. The rest of the Guardians soon joined them, all dressed in the parkas, each trimmed in their respective colors. Katara herself only wore a plain, black cloak like Shadow's atop her gi. Atalie followed, shivering in her thin long sleeve.

"The third piece of the Blade of Elements is, well, the blade. The Vault is at the top of Tuinval Mountain, the tallest mountain in Ninternia." Atalie explained, "No human that's attempted the climb was ever seen again."

"There's a reason for that, " Katara said." Tuinval Mountain is the home of the winter contingent of the Last Liegion, or, in other words, the last home of the winter elves. Well, that and the subzero tempatures."

"That's where you grew up?" Jaya asked.

"Not exactly." Katara replied. "Anyways, I'm sure you've noticed how warm the jackets are. They should keep you from freezing. I also worked a technoband into the right sleeve. It's not as high-tech as mine, but it has a grappling hook, spike, and a couple other things for the climb. There's also a communication device worked into the hood so we can hear each other over the wind. Any questions?"

Cyrus watched as they put the new jackets on. Clay's was trimmed in orange, Khan's in red, Jaya: turquoise, Ren had blue, and Shadows was all black. The young girl had to take off her cape to put it on and she didn't seem happy about it. Cyrus's own trim was ice blue.

"May I asist you with that?" R.A.L.I. inquired, approaching Cyrus.

"Of c-course," he stammered, allowing her to help him put the parka on. After she'd zippered it up, she stood there for a second, just looking at him, before going back inside. It was only the Cyrus realized he was holding his breath.

Wait... I do not require oxygen.

He frowned, perplexed. He really needed to get Katara to do a full systems diagnostic. He was about to call for her when a sudden movement caught his optical sensors.

Cyrus looked up to see Katara lying in the show, Clay on top of her as he'd dove into her. Where Katara's head had been was a grappling hook, now buried in the wood of a tree.

"Oops, my bad" Shadow said innocently.

Katara glared at her as Clay helped her up, both of them brushing off show. The others exchanged looks. None of them were sure if Shadow had simply been testing her technoband, and misfired, or if... they'd just witnessed an attempted murder.

Ren coughed, "So..."

"The jackets are powered by a fire sapphire, an elven gem. It's in the reinforced pocket. If you open it..." Katara trailed off, looking straight at Shadow as if daring her to see what would happen.

"Okay, how about we spread out and practise?" Jaya said before Shadow could do anything. As they started climbing short ways up the cliff and dropping back down, Cyrus approached Katara.

"Could you run a diagnostic on me?" he asked her.

"Sure, something wrong?" she tapped at one of her technobands.

"I have been feeling unfamiliar sensations of late, such as a fluttering in my chest, losing my train of thought, and, most recently, a tightness, like my core is being squeezed."

Katara paused and looked at him. "R.A.L. I. around whenever you feel the first two?" 

"Yes."

"And the tightness, did that start after the fire?"

"Affirmative."

She gave him a small smile. "Nothing wrong with you Cyrus. Those are just natural reactions to love and loss."

"But... I am a machine. I am incapable of feeling emotions."

"You're a lot more capable than you think, more so than some other people. Now come on, we should start climbing. We don't want to get stuck on the cliff face overnight." As she and the others began their final preperations, Cyrus just ste there, thinking; she's wrong I'm not like them. I'm not alive. I can't feel.

No matter how much I want to...

Hours later, he was much more concerned with physical ways of feeling rather than emotional ones. They were thousands of feet above the ground, clinging to the rock face in the middle of a blizzard. Cyrus was just wondering why he was capable of feeling such cold when something grabbed his arm, and pulled him into the mountain.

He yelped, but quieted after realizing it was just Katara, who had been ahead him. She gave the others the same treatment. Clay and Jaya were startled a bit. Khan screamed and flailed around in the show before coming to his senses. Ren freaked out and fell, so they had to pull him back up. It was a good thing they'd tied themselves together. Shadow on the other hand...

"What the-" she rolled while holding Katara's arm, using the momentum to throw the poor elf into a nearby snowbank

"Kat!" Clay shouted, going to help her while Ren and Khan cracked up.

"I think we're going to get along," Khan told Shadow. She glared at him, then flicked her wrist. Next thing they knew, a knife was pinning his hand to a nearby tree.

"Keep telling yourself that," she said.

"Are we at the village?" Jaya asked, changing the topic.

"Not yet," Katara replied, spitting out snow and glaring at Shadow. "Come on."

After they released Khan from the tree, they continued their journey into mountain peak. Looking up, Cyrus could see a widening strip of sky that looked blue instead of cloudy. As for the rift itself, the entrance was narrow, about a foot wide, but the walls soon began to open up.

It was warmer inside the crack, likely because there was no wind. Small trees and bushes grew here and there. The snowfall was light, just enough to cover the ground in a pristine white blanket. It was so peaceful...

"When we get there, follow my lead. My kind don't trust humans and with good reason. You'll be the first humans to step foot in it as far as I know. Anyways, just be on your best behavior," Katara finished.

"This group? Never," Shadow smirked.

"Never say never," Ren grinned

"Why not? You just said it twice," she countered.

"Ooo, she got you there Sparky." Khan snickered.

"You're just jealous I have powers and you don't!" Ren shouted back.

"Just wait till we finish the Blade, then we'll see who's jealous!" Khan spat.

"Wait... you think you're going to be the Ultimate Elemental? Oh, this is rich" Shadow laughed.

"How? I'm perfect for it," Khan glared, a little miffed that a little kid was laughing at him.

Before anyone could respond, seven white clad figures surrounded them, some from the snow, others from above. Each of them held a knife, and had a bow and quiver of arrows slung across their back. One of them stepped forward, jabbing their knife into Khan, ice blue eyes boring into his warm hazel ones.

"How do you know of the Blade of Elements?" they hissed in a low voice.

"Leave him alone," Katara answered, stepping between them. Thankfully, the knife hadn't done any damage. The Guardians tensed, unsure if they were going to fight or not.

To their surprise, the one who'd Khan pulled down his hood and face mask, revealing a surprised looking, raven haired elf.

"Katara?" he whispered. She froze, then pulled her own hood back. Next thing Cyrus knew, the two elves were hugging each other and talking in a strange language. The rest of the elves relaxed, and put their weapons away.

"So... they're friendly?" Ren asked.

"Yes" Katara said, "Everyone this is my uncle Levi.  He-"

Cyrus never heard the rest of sentence because someone grabbed behind and pulled him...

Into the rock?

"Some advice, if anyone grabs you from behind, resist." Shadow said, dragging from him along a passageway carved into the rock. The blue tinted rock. The reflective, blue tinted rock. That was cold to touch.

Oh, it was ice. The further along they got, the more reflective the wall's became. Soon, the floor became too slippery too run, but instead of slowing down, Shadow started skating. More or less helpless to stop, Cyrus just let her pull him, watching the strange phenomena of the walls reflecting  each other into infinity.

It was somewhat mesmerizing to watch. Whenever he looked, there was hall after hall, identical to the one they were in. Strings of bioluminescent microorganisms were frozen in the ice, giving off an odd light, only adding to the uncanny beauty. And of course each hall had its own Shadow and Cyrus. The nindroid found himself wondering if one of them were the real ones and he was the reflection.

"Whoa, slow down Dreamer Bot!" Shadow called as she let go of his hand, flinging him forward....

Straight toward a ravine.

In a panic, Cyrus grabbed for the doorway, and managed to swing himself sideways. He promptly crashed into wall.

Shadow skated over to him. "I don't suppose you know how to get across?"

"I do not even know our current location," He said, getting up.

She rolled her eyes. "Where do you think?"

Cyrus frowned, attempting to run a scan through the place so he could match it to somewhere in his data base, and... failed. Or perhaps he didn't. He knew where he was now.

"The Blade Vault."

"Maybe there's hope for you yet." Shadow said.

He blinked, then turned his attention back to the chasm. It was too deep to see the bottom, too wide to jump across, and everything was sheer ice, impossible to climb. Across it, Cyrus saw a flight of stairs leading up. There was also the remains of a bridge, a few feet of ice sticking out on either end.

"Any ideas?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I am useless here... Something shuts down modern technology."

"It's all the elemental energy, boosted by the Blade piece. The air's so thick with it, I can almost feel it." Shadow answered, "But that doesn't matter. You can still brainstorm."

"Why would-"

"I meant come up with ideas."

"Oh," Cyrus watched as she sat down an the edge of the cham, lege dangling over the darkness, muttering nonsense under her breath. He didn't make any suggestions. She was a smart girl, and had no lack of ideas. Despite her being over ten years his younger, she'd probably solve this quicker without him. Without his systems, he was nothing more than a fancy toy.

"Well?" Shadow asked him.

"Could you repeat your query?" Cyrus inquired sheepishly.

Is my audio system not functioning as well?

She rolled her eyes. "I was asking if you'd come up with anything because I don't want to get the others when we could bring it back, and rub it Lady Lectures-a-lot and Hedgehead's faces."

Cyrus blinked.  

She sighed. "Katara and Khan,"

"Oh."

"So?"

"I do not have any ideas."

"You have to have something."

"Why do you keep saying that?" Cyrus asked quietly.

"What?"

"Why do you think I have ideas? I am robot, a piece of machinery. My mind is made up of ones and zeros, just programming. I cannot feel, or ever think for myself. Without my other systems, I am nothing," he finished, staring into the void.

"Dunno, you seem pretty sad right now," Shadow commented.

"I-what?"

"And now you seem surprised, little insulted, a bit disbelieving, and confused. Now that think about it, you're confused a lot of the time. Not that I blame you, humans are confusing. Been one my whole life and I still don't get them."

He frowned. "You do not understand. Those are merely simulations of emotions my creator programmed into me so I could seem more human."

"What'd he 'program' you to do?"

"I am built to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

"How can you protect if you can't care?"

"I-But... but..." Cyrus stammered she was wrong. She had to be. Dozens of people over the years had told him he couldn't feel, they couldn't all be incorrect. It was statistically impossible, yet...

If that was true...

Then why did Shadow sound so...

Right?

"Butts are for sitting," she decided.

Cyrus couldn't help it, he laughed. It had been so unexpected, so ridiculous, so simple, that it was perfect.

Shadow smirked. "See? You can laugh too!" She met his eyes. While her face was still locked in a sneer something in her deep green eyes made him question if she was still just trying to make him question his exsistance, or if she was actually trying to help him when she added; "I think the only thing that's stopping you, is that you don believe you can."

Cyrus stared at her, trying to process what she'd just said. For such a long time, as long as he could remember, he'd been told the exact opposite. He could even remember the day he'd stopped trying to feel.

He'd been meditating in a pond when he'd heard a muffled shriek. He'd kicked to the surface. When he'd emerged he'd seen a little girl speeding down a hill on a bike. She was out of control, and heading towards a busy street. A woman in a lab coat was chasing after her, screaming for her to stop.

Cyrus had pulled himself out of the water, and cut the child off, tackling her into the grass. She's been crying, hiding her face from him. She wore a lavender, grass stained hoodie, a pair of thick gloves, jeans, and dirty, purple, sneakers with untied laces.

By this time the woman had caught up with them. "Minnie?! Onh, Minnie, you're okay! You scared me." She'd sobbed as she'd embraced the child. She'd turned to Cyrus, her expresion thankful...

Until she saw him

A look of horror had come over her face. "Get away from us!" Shed screamed 

He'd been so confused. "Ma'am, I'm just trying to help, please-"

"I said get away! No machine could ever care enough to help without being told. You all just do what you're programmed to! I know that now, after - Just go!"

Since that day, Cyrus had never stayed after helping anyone, never remaining in one place for too long. Not until Master Ju had found him, and trained him. He'd changed so much because of one little girl.

And now, here was another making him question himself all over again. Now there was only one thing to do. He needed to know what he wanted. Did he want to be an emotionless droid, or take a chance at being human?

Was it even a choice?

He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, searching his mind, breaking every barrier he'd built over the years, and just letting himself feel. Before he understood what was happening, a flood of familiar images he didn't quite recall flooded his mind.

A young man holding him tightly, running through a snowy forest.

The same man, now middle-aged, smiling with pride as Cyrus played with a flying prisimfin.

A very old version of the man, lying in a bed, whispering something to Cyrus, "You'll remember when you're ready. Farewell my son, I wish you the same love and happiness you gave me..."

The man was his creator, his father: Ty Julian. Before he could process what that meant, another wave of emotions hit him, and this one made him collapse.

Pain

Loss

Sorrow

The man flipped a switch on Cyrus's chest, then his eyes closed a final time as he took his last, shuddering breath...

For a second, Cyrus felt a sense of loss and loneliness too big to comprehend. 

Then he felt...

Emptiness.

Blackness.

Nothing.

It was like he was trapped a freezing void. He was completely numb. There was no point to do anything. Only to go through the motions. The cold seeped into him, and took away his senses.

He didn't feel any drive.

Any determination.

Any reason why he did anything.

He just... 

Did it.

Years flashed before his eyes, lost in this haze. He didn't think it would ever end. 

Suddenly, a memory flashed in his mind, of when they were racing through the maze under Lyra, laughing. Other memories of the others poured through his mind.

Ren showing him how to play video games.

Khan talking to him about R.AL.I.

Katara maintaining him.

Jaya explaining the others jokes.

Clay always checking up on him.

Even cold, distant Shadow leading to him to this point.

A warmth began to spread through him, chasing any trace of the numbing cold.

I am Cyrus Zen Julian, creation and son of Dr. Ty Julian, and a pair of the Guardians, my... family.

As soon as he thought the last word, a new set of images fell into his mind, but these ones were strange, blurry, forgien.

Katara slumped in red puddle inside a transparent silver dome.

Half of his power source in the back of a metal hand.

A complete Blade of Elements landing in the intersection of Nelson and LuMonica.

A shadow trapped in a web of lightning, ice, fire, earth, and so many things exploding in light.

His eyes flew open and he bolted upright.

"Took you long enough," grumbled Shadow."You gonna make a new ice bridge, or what?"

"What?" Cyrus asked, disorientated by everything he'd just been through. "You just unlocked. Fix the bridge."

"...."

He quickly realized she was right.

He could sense a new... energy in his mind. He stepped up to the edge of the bridge, and reached out with it... only to create a layer of ice on an existing bridge.

"You've got to be kidding me," Shadow groaned. "It was there the whole time!?! I listened to all that for nothing!?" She yelled out at nothing, before never doing that again.

"Can't stop me," she muttered under her breath, causing Cyrus to look at her in confusion.

When she didn't elaborate, he said, "It appears to be made of the same reflective ice as earlier, making it seem like there is nothing there because of the darkness above and below it. Ingenious." 

"I can't decide if that's straight up brilliant, or downright cruel," she said in response, stalking across the bridge. Cyrus just smiled slightly as he followed her across then up the stairs.

Why was he so calm?

Because that last set of memories weren't memories at all, but rather visions of what was to come, and if he played it right, he could bring an end to this fight.

"Wow..." Cyrus breathed, as they emerged from the stairway. As it turned out, the never before seen by human eyes Tuinval Peak was a ring of stone and ice. The center of it was sunken hundreds of feet down. Within that crater was the last winter elven village.

Cyrus could see the elves homes, some of which were carved half into the cliff, but, thanks to the high walls, it was already dark down there, and there were twinkling lights scattered throughout the buildings. In the center of the village, and by that extent, the mountain, was a tall rock formation reaching all the way up to their level. On the top of it rest a pavilion carved out of ice, inlaid with gemstones. A bridge led from the outer ring to the pavilion, where Cyrus located the blade piece. It was a magical sight, right out of a fairy tale, but it was nothing compared to the view surrounding them.

They were so high up, the storm clouds that had given them much trouble lay below them, surrounding the peak in a fluffy blanket. It looked like a lone island in an endless sea of clouds, tinted in pinks, lavenders, and oranges as the sun began to set. The sky itself was so many colors, Cyrus wondered if he was looking at a rainbow. It was completely breath taking.

I wonder if a moment can last forever... He wondered as he stood on the pavilion, turning slowly, trying to see everything at once.

"Why haven't you grabbed the blade yet? It's freezing up here," Shadow grumbled, ruining the moment. Cyrus sighed as he went to retrieve it. Despite her comment, she didn't look the slightest bit cold. He made a replica of the blade out of ice, and switched them.

"Now we get to do all of that in reverse, yay." she complained, but then a sly smile spread across her face. Cyrus wasn't sure he trusted it.

"What?" he asked hesitantly.

"Do you like sledding?"

[ninjago-forever]

Ninternia: The Ultimate Elemetnal

Chapter 8: The Heat and The Cold

Katara dropped her bags, inspecting the room she shared with Cyrus carefully. As far as she could tell, it was as they had left it. Both their bunk beds were made, silver-grey on top, white and ice blue below. Her worktable, and tools were neat since she hadn't been working on anything here. There was her shelf full of inventions varying from complete to a pile of pieces. A bulletin board and white board took up most of one wall, both covered in notes. The only thing that belonged to Cyrus, other than his bed, was a fish tank to a on his dresser, which was home Prisimfin named Simon. While she would've preferred to have her own room, she didn't mind sharing with the nindroid. He was quiet, cleaned up after himself, and never touched her stuff, so it worked out.

Satisfied that no one had been in the room since they'd left, Katara began to unpack while thinking about their adventure. So much had happened, so much had changed, yet not even a week had past since she'd met them. Not even a week, yet one of them already knew she was an elf, though she knew she'd have to tell the rest at some point. The truth trap in the labyrinth had been a close call, but how much longer could she keep it up?

I should tell them....

As far as she could tell, none of them had any prejudices against elves, which was good. Clay had taken the news really well. They'd hung back from the group on the hike out of the canyon, so she could explain what a winter elf was; while cold didn't bother her, heat drained her energy, and could kill her.

"So is that why you jumped away from the fire?" He'd asked, looking at her curiously.

"Yeah," she'd replied, hesitating before adding, "Does... it bother you?"

"Does what bother me?" He'd looked so confused, like the thought hadn't even crossed his mind and... maybe it hadn't.

How awkward she'd felt: "That I'm not.... human, and.. my weakness. What it could mean for the team. Doesn't that worry you?"

His smile had been so warm, trusting, caring... "Kat, I don't care if you're human, elven, or even an alien, you're a part of this team, and my friend. As for your 'weakness', it's not going to make you weak unless you let it. Why would you think otherwise?"

She remembered staying quiet for a while. He hadn't even pushed her, he'd just let her take her time before answering, "Humans... haven't exactly been kind to elves in the past. There was a war between my kind, and the siltharaa, but... Part of it took place on human land. The whole thing was covered up, yet they couldn't erase memories. The families who lost people in that... The didn't forgive us, or the snakes..."

He'd listened to her every word. "I... I had no clue. I've never heard of anything like that."

"You grew up in the city, right? It's more the mountain villages, especially the rural ones."

"Oh... Well, I still stand by what I said, and anyways, you had nothing to do with any of that."

Katara frowned as she remembered the conversation. If only she was able to believe him about her 'weakness', but she just couldn't bring herself to. A small smile pulled at her lips as she recalled the nick name though. It had been so long since someone had called her that. She sighed not feeling the will to sleep, and decided to work on her technobands, when she heard a loud slam coming from the living room. Dropping her tools, she dashed to join the others

"Who?" Ren was asking a little girl stalking into the Temple. She had pale skin and raven hair braided over her shoulder She wore a black gi as well as a cloak with a dragon on it. Underneath it was a well hidden tanto sheathe the elf could barely make out. What caught Katara's attention was the child's harsh expression. There was a dull, empty look in her eyes, disguised behind anger and determination, yet it was still there.

A clattering sound broke the tense silence. A quick glance around revealed that everyone was here, a few doing odd things; Clay was putting down a coffee table, Churro and R.A.L.I. were under the dinner table, but the source of noise was Atalie, who had dropped the hilt in shock.

"Did... did you say 'Soran'?" she asked, ignoring the curious looks the others were giving her. "How do you know him?"

The girl studied her. "I was his classmate at the boarding school. How do you know him?"

"I-" Atalie started, but Khan cut her off.

"Enough figuring out why who knows who, because we still don't know you," He glared at the child.

She raised a skeptical brow. "Let me guess... You spent the whole time we were talking trying to come up with a line, and you only interrupted now because you thought of that not-half-bad one?"

"Yup." Khan smirked, then paused as he thought over what she'd said. "Wait... No, or... um..." He trailed off in confusion. Katara resisted the urge to facepalm. She also noticed a triumphant gleam in the girl's eyes. 

Clay took a knee in front of the child, and set his hands on her shoulders. "What my friend here was trying to say is; What's your name? I'm Clay, and that's Khan, Ren, Jaya, Atalie, Cyrus, Churro, Rali, and Katara.'

She twisted away. "You can call me Shadow. Where's Ju?"

In a patient tone, he answered, "Sensei isn't here right now. How do you know him?"

Shadow studied him. "Okay, let's get this straight, don't treat me like a kid, and won't prove to you I'm not." Clay blinked looking taken aback.

Jaya stepped forward. "Enough, let's get back to the beginning. You said your classmate was captured. By who? And where?"

"Several days east, if you travel nonstop on foot, there's a pair of doors under a waterfall. They lead into the lost world of Erdan, has to the siltharaa, a race of snake people. Soran and I found a map that lead there about a week ago, and decided to check it out. Now they have him imprisoned," Shadow answered.

They found the doors to Erdan? And released the siltharaa? But how? This isn't good...

"Wait, someone hit rewind, did you say there's a LOST WORLD OF SNAKES RIGHT UNDER OUR FEET, AND YOU JUST SO HAPPENED TO RELEASE THEM!?!" Ren yelled. Recalling humans dismissed other races for legend Katara quickly masked her surprise with confusion.

"No, we just went there. Someone was already down there, a super tall man in all black." Shadow replied, unfazed. Out of the corner of her eye, Katara noticed Atalie had gane pale.

What's up with her?

"Oh, because a creepy stranger releasing them is sooo much better, " Ren moaned.

"But you left him? How did you get away? Was he hurt?" Atalie questioned, a strange look on her face.

"Yes, he distracted them, and no," Shadow responded.

"Do you know where he is?" the older woman pressed.

"I know where they caught him, but it didn't look like their main base. The best way to find him would be to find the snakes, and they now have a map marked with various seacret places in Ninternia, Blade Vaults included." Shadow backed up until she was at the doorway again. She looked at all of them. "I've told you what I know, do whatever you want with it." With that the little girl turned away, about to leave.

"You're not going to stay?" Atalie asked, a worried expression on her face. 

"Yeah if you want us to save your friend, you've at least got to help," Khan added.

Shadow paused, though she didn't turn back. "He wasn't a friend. He was a stuck up, whiny brat, but... he did save me, and I don't like having unpayed debts. If you need another reason to save him, he's one of you, an Elemental Guardian. I watched him unlock. That's how I got away." She shut the door behind her, disappearing into the night.

"That was peculiar," Cyrus commented.

"If that means creepy, I agree," Churro shivered, getting out from under the table. "Was she a spirit or something? No kid I know talks like that."

"I believe she was human," R.A.L.I. assured him as Cyrus helped her up.

"She's been through hard times, " Katara gazed at the place the child had been. "I want to go after her. Maybe I can convince her to stay. If what she said was true, we might need her, plus if she know's Sensei he probably trained her. She carried herself like a ninja, and had a tanto if nothing else."

"You didn't have to make a list," Clay teased. "I was going to talk with her if none of you did. She needs a place to sleep, change of clothes, a decent meal, and more." Katara exchanged a smile with him then left. By the time the elf was outside the gates, Shadow was out of sight.

Setting off down the path, she tried to think of a way to convince Shadow to join the team. Though she had said she'd shared what she knew, Katara got the distinct impression that she had a lot more information then she let on. There was something different about this child, more than her being a ninja, not seeming shaken by everything that happened, and her way of speaking. After a second, Katara realized she'd been moving at a quick pace down the mountain for several minutes and had yet to see or even hear Shadow. The elf came to a stop looking around.

There's no way I could've missed her but she couldn't have gotten this far ahead Did she go off the path? Unless-

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she felt a knife against her neck, right on her carotid artery.

"Why are you following me?" a low voice hissed in her ear

"I just want to talk," Katara replied.. unnerved by how off guard she'd been caught. Her captor released her, but by the time she turned around to see that it was indeed Shadow, the blade was back in its hiding place.

Swift, silent, skilled, smart, how long did Sensei train her?

"Well?" the girl asked.

"I, uh, just wanted you to come back, at least for the night. Though if you wanted to stay longer..." Katara trailed off. There was something unsettling about the child that was throwing her off. A strange aura telling her to trust the kid, which went against her nature.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'll be fine."

"So you're just going to abandon your friend? And don't say he isn't. You traveled through the wilderness for several days to tell us what happened, there's no way you don't care about him, even if it's just a little."

Shadow's already distant demeanor became cold. "I don't know why you'd think that, but I walk alone. Always have and I always will."

Katara faltered a bit, shaken by a hidden, empty note in her voice. Taking a different route, she said, "Well, you live in this world too, don't you want to help save it? These siltharaa sound like they're trouble, and they're not the only problem." 

"Evil older brother and the spirit of darkness itself going to take over I'll like of darkness itself? They're not going to destroy the world, just take over it, and if I don't make it... Anyways, how do we know Ju doesn't just want the Blade for himself? Finally, why do you do that?"

"I, um, do what?" Katara was having keeping up.

"You act like you don't know what the siltharaa are. I saw your face when I mentioned them earlier. There was no confusion, just surprise, a bit of fear, and anger." Shadow raised a brow.

"My dad knew a lot of folktales and stories."

"Hm... nicely done. You lead me to assume an answer rather than giving one, but now I know you're hiding something, and that your dad's gone, and I'd say your mom is too." Her eyes flicked to the ever present bandanna. Katara resisted the urge to check it. This girl had learned more about her with a single sentence than most of the others had after living with her for several days. No way she knew about the elf thing though, right?

Shadow grinned, "Gotch 'ya. What I can't figure out is why you came after me. You have secrets. I'm sure you like to keep to yourself. I doubt you would've joined any team if Ju hadn't dangled the 'You're a Guardian, come save the world!!' carrot in front of you so.. why come after someone who can read you like a book?"

"You're not the only one who can read people. Your eyes, your tone, you try hide it, but I can see it, hear it. You've had a hard life, and I don't think I'm alone in losing my parents, " Katara countered.

"Your point is..."

"I'm just saying, no matter how you act, you're still a kid. If you want a friend..."

Shadow scoffed. "Who? You? That's hilarious. You're already annoyed by me, don't deny it, and anyways, friendship is overrated."

"Okay, fine, what about this; You stick with us until we get your friend. After that, you can leave, and none of us will bother you again."

"Give me one reason to-"

Shadow shut up mid sentence as both her Katara turned toward the Temple in unison. Without another word, they took off up the path. Despite the elf's heightened speed, Shadow somehow managed to stay with her, but Katara didn't give it much thought at the moment. She had bigger problems. The closer they got to to the top, the louder the shouts, crashes, and clangs got. As soon as they arrived, they bolted through the open gate. Katara paused to survey the courtyard.

Frostbite

There were at least a dozen siltharaa wrecking havoc, and the others were fighting them. She saw Khan swinging his sword as he ran around, Ren shocking snakes on the roof, Jaya on the porch attacking with her trident, and... a wave of relief hit her when she saw Clay throwing snakes over the wall, yet she didn't see Cyrus, Atalie, R.A.L.l., or Churro. She hoped they were safe inside. 

While she was distracted, a siltharaa broke away from the others and charged her. Not having the time to activate her technobands, she dove out of the way, and the snake kept running... right into Shadow's tanto. As she pulled it out of the body, she gave Katara a nod and disappeared into the fight. 

Okay... So she doesn't hesitate to kill either...

Shaking her head, she activated her blades to join the others in protecting their homebase. After taking down her fourth snake though, she began to feel tired, and she could if she could feel it, she could only imagine now exhausted the others were. They were too scattered, it was too chaotic. In a fight like this, whichever side was bigger would win. 

"You weren't kidding when you said they had several useful functions." a familiar voice said. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Katara replied, standing back to back with the young Earth Guardian. "You?"

"Took some hits, but I'll be okay," he assured her, tapping his knuckles together, then punching a snake through the wall. He'd left his scythe on his back, and was just using his powers, eyes like pools of lava. "Did you convince Shadow to stay?"

"I think so. She's helping us at the least" Katara ducked under a thrust. "Khan! Watch where you swing that thing!"

"Sorry!" he yelled, now backed up against the wall by a team of siltharaa. Apparently, they'd decided he was the easiest target, and, to be honest, they were probably right.

Idiot, he almost cuts my head off then I have to go save him. 

Before Katara could reach him, a black blur took all of them down in succession. Shadow. How she moved that fast Katara didn't know, but right after, an explosion came from inside the Temple, distracting her, and everyone else. Something went flying towards them.

"A... teapot?" Shadow said, catching it.

"They used the gas from the stove to ignite the air in a powerful blast!" Cyrus shouted as he and the others emerged fo the cloud of smoke and flames.

"And they blew up the stove too!" Churro coughed.

"I just informed them of that."

"Is that what that jumble of words meant?"

"Enough!" Clay commanded. "Get the hose. Fill buckets from the stream outside. What ever you can do to put this out!"

They scrambled to follow his orders, hoping they could save the Temple. The siltharaa had left as soon as they'd caused the explosion. The Guardians were too busy, and exhausted, to give the attack much thought, trying to extinguish the fire as they were.

Except for one.

Oh no...

Katara stumbled backwards, trying to get away from the flames. The air was already thick with heat, and it was making her dizzy. She could feel her energy fading, and she hit the ground. There was so much smoke, she was coughing more than breathing. The fire was moving fast despite her teammates efforts to stop it. It so was hot... and she felt so tired... Her eyes closed.

Clay... He's the only one who would know what happened...

When Katara regained consciousness, the first thing she noticed was that it was cold. In fact, it was what humans would call 'freezing', but to a winter elf, it almost felt like home. A quick inspection revealed that she was in some sort of walk in freezer. There were several isles of shelves packed with boxes, all of it covered in frost. She got to her feet, unsteady for a moment before regaining her balance...

I don't remember this place, was it always-

Suddenly, some one tackled her from behind, almost making her fall. She tensed, about to throw them, when her attacker spoke.

"Thank the FE, you're awake," Clay said in relief, turning her to face him then hugging her again. "I was so worried. I figured it was the heat, but I didn't-"

"It's fine. Sorry about this. Did the others ask questions?" Katara squirmed away, but he didn't seem bothered by it. "Oh, and thanks for taking me here, wherever 'here' is."

"Um... I didn't take you, Shadow did. We're inside an underground freezer that's connected to the kitchen from a staircase over there." He replied, pointing. "But... when did you tell her you weren't human?"

"I didn't," Katara said, dashing in the direction he'd pointed. Climbing the stairs he'd mentioned, she caught a glimpse of her reflection. Her ponytail was tangled, and she was covered in soot. Her bandanna had somehow stayed in place, unless Clay had fixed it, but her gi was unkept and torn in some places. Shaking her head, she refocused on what she was doing, until she emerged from the freezer that is.

She was standing in a blast zone/battle field. Most of the kitchen was torched, only some of the counters, dishwasher, and fridge was left intact. The stove was... well, not really recognizable, and there were ashes and rubble everywhere. The walls were almost gone, so she could see the rest of the ruins. The bedrooms, living space, training dojo... they were all gone. Everything.... Centuries of history... The Temple had been the home of the First Elemental millenea ago, it had withstood the test of time, and now.... There was next to nothing left, just smoking ruins.

"We tried to stop it, but..." Clay came up behind her, grief in his eyes. "There wasn't much we could do. We only put it out a few hours ago, once most of the more flammable stuff was already gone. We saved as much as we could, and took it down to the bus."

"I should've been helping you. Maybe..." Katara trailed off as she realized the sun was high in the sky.  She'd been out for hours.

"One more person wouldn't have made that much of a difference, don't beat yourself up about it," He told her. "At the least, we managed to recover most of Sensei's library."

Not to mention I wouldn't have been able to help...

She left the kitchen, hoping that maybe something had escaped the inferno but the rest of the Temple was stripped down to its frame, a skeleton of what it once was. Here and there a piece of wall had survived, black with soot, which just made it all the sadder. Piles of objects burned beyond recognition, parts of the roof, and damaged furniture were scattered every few feet, making it difficult to walk. She found the others sifting through the mess in the dining and living rooms.

"Would you look at that, elfy's finally awake," Shadow drawled from her spot on the charred rafters as she sharpened a katana. "Did you enjoy your beauty sleep? It didn't do you much good."

Her earlier anger returning, Katare glared up at the girl. "How did you know?"

Shadow ignored her, not even bothering to glance down. "I'll take it as you haven't told them. More fun for me then." 

"Told who what?" Ren asked looking up from his pile of rubble "And why did yo call her 'elfy'? Aren't those the things that make shoes?" Shadow almost fell off her crossbeam laughing. Katara glared at her feet.

"Hey are you okay?" Jaya looked at her worriedly.

Clay put a hand on Katara's arm. "You should tell them."

"If you don't, I will!" Shadow chimed, in twirling her sword. "And I'll enjoy every second."

"What are you guys talking about?" Khan demanded.

Katara sighed. This isn't the way I wanted to do this. Then again, I didn't want to do this at all...

Still, she reached behind her neck, untying her bandanna.

"I'm an elf," she said, brushing her hair back to reveal her pointed ears. "A winter elf, to be exact, though I do have fire elf blood..." There was a pause as the other teenagers processed this.Then Ren broke the silence laughing.

"Very funny guys, is this your way of getting back at me for lying?" he said, but when they stayed quiet, he started to sound a little desperate. "That is what's going on right? RIGHT?!"

Katara winced.

"I suppose I should reprogram my database again to include elves as fact rather than fiction." Cyrus said. Khan suddenly reached out, and touched Katara's ear. She was startled, and threw him.

"Ow!" he yelped, rubbing his arm.

"Sorry, but maybe you should've asked." she muttered.

He got up. "I had to check if they were fake. I guess not..."..

'First siltharaa, now elves! What's next!?! An army of indestructable stone warriors? A bunch of crystal dragon zombies!? A-PIRATE-GIENE-CAPTAIN-WHO-WANTS-TO-STEAL-OUR-SOULS-SO-HE-CAN-REBUILD-HIS-REALM-AND- CONTROL-THE-WORLD-WITH-UNLIMITED-WISHES!?!" Ren said all in one breath. They a stared at him.

"That was... oddly specific," Clay blinked.

Shadow looked down at the Lightning Guardian. "You either read too many comic books, or watch an insane amount of cartoons. Or both. Yeah I'd say both. Oh, add video games to that."

Jaya put an arm around Ren to try and calm him. She turned to Katara, eyes flicking to her ears before returning to her face. "You said you were a... 'winter' elf. Is there... an elf for every season?" Before Katara could respond, Shadow cracked up again, and this time, she did fall.

Though it might've been on purpose because she landed on her feet, sheathing sword in the same motion. "Nope! There the two kinds of elves: winter and fire. Winter elves can be in extreme cold, and not even feel it, but heat drains their energy. It can also kill them. The opposite is true for fire elves.

How does she know that? Did she used to know an elf?

Khan looked at Katara awkwardly. "Um.... sorry about all the, uh, fire jokes. I didn't know how dangerous it was to you." She raised her eyebrows in surprise, this wasn't the response she'd expected from him.

"It's fine, not like you knew any better" she looked at the others, they'd returned to digging through the mess. "Does... You're all okay with..."

Jaya glanced at her. "Why wouldn't we be? You've proven yourself. I can't say I'm happy you didn't tell us at first, but I can see why you wouldn't. How about this; No more secrets and we call it even." She looked at everyone else. "And that goes for all of you. We're a team after all." Ren Clay, Cyrus, and Khan nodded. Katara looked uncomfortable. Shadow appeared to be debating which knife she should use to cut out Jaya's tongue.

"Well..." the little girl said. "That was fun. Who doesn't love staying up all night putting out a fire, then spilling secrets that shouldn't be... secret?" she grinned.

"I am now certain they are gone," Cyrus interrupted. Clay, Ren, Khan, and Jaya groaned in unison.

"What's gone?" Katara asked, confused.

"Hm..." Shadow pulled an over dramatic thinking pose. "Let's use our brains for a second. I came here with the sole purpose of warning you that some snake people took a map marked with the locations of four vaults that hold the pieces to a sword that can control the world, and you just so happened to have two of those pieces lying around." She gasped comically. "You don't think they took them do you? And without asking!?"

Khan snorted.

Katara wanted to hit herself for being so stupid. The attack made a lot more sense now.

"Hey guys, ready to go? We've got the bus all set!" Churro called, picking his way through the debries when he saw their expressions. "Why the long faces? Did I miss something?"

[ninjago-forever]

Shadow Skateboarding

So... That happened 🤣.

I was looking Manga Drawing books, and wanted to see how Shadow looked if she had I normal life.