“That brings me to my next theory: that they do not hunt in that area,” Zane responded. “But do something far more sinister. I am not sure what it is.” As he spoke, he pulled out the clearstone Moon Tribe sword, brandishing it so that all could see the insignia of Dr. Julien carved just above the hilt. “But, because of the mark of the warrior cats’ weapons and the letter and map I discovered in my father’s home, I believe that there’s a chance we could learn about the Moon Tribe and their scheme by investigating this clearstone mine.” Lloyd frowned. “But shouldn’t we be looking for the seventh moonstone? Getting that is our last chance at even hoping to stop Black Blood from becoming invincible.” “We have no idea where it is,” Nya pointed out, shrugging helplessly. The expression on her face betrayed her frustration over that fact, but she also seemed resigned to it. “At least we’ll be doing something, instead of waiting around for the moonstone to drop into our laps. And, if we do catch any Moon Tribe warriors there, maybe we can find out something helpful.” Liana frowned, seeming reluctant. “But… what about Matilda?” “There’s nothing we can do for her,” Wu responded gently. “We will just have to hope that she is still alive and that we will be able to rescue her soon.” Cole risked a glance at Misako. The older woman’s expression was unreadable, but he couldn’t help but wonder if she was secretly relieved at not having to deal with Matilda’s snarky commentary anymore. If so, she didn’t show it. “What do you think, Cole?” Cole blinked and realized that everyone was looking at him expectantly. Why are they looking at me like I’m their leader? He shot a glance at Lloyd, but he too was eyeing him like he expected Cole to say something. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that everyone knows Black Blood and Eagle Talon are my siblings. They want to know what I think of continuing offensive action against them and their tribe. The thought made him feel irritated at them, but he forced it aside. “Let’s do it,” he said, slapping one fist into the palm of his hand. “Anything’s better than waiting around here.”
“We’re going to have to fly all the way north,” Nya pointed out. “It’ll take all day, so we have some waiting to do yet.” “At least we’re on the move,” he said.
* * *
With nothing to do except for wait for the Destiny’s Bounty to drift at a seemingly slow pace to their mysterious destination, the ninja team realized they suddenly had hours of free time on their hands. What made the deal better was that instead of insisting on training, Master Wu allowed them all to rest for the day, saying that they would need to build up their strength for whatever they might find on the northeast coastline. As soon as this was announced, Jay happily proclaimed that they had more than enough time to show Little Leaf another movie. Nya groaned and complained that there ought to be something more productive for them to do, until Jay revealed that the movie he was planning on presenting was one of his and Nya’s favorite romantic films, “Love Under the Dead Blossoms”. At this, Nya promptly decided to join them. Even Lloyd, finding nothing better to do with his time, accompanied them to the lounge room, although this could have been due only to his mother’s insistence that he rest. Lloyd was not known for being ready for taking a day off. Little Leaf was initially leery of watching another one of the humans’ moving picture stories, especially after some of her favorite characters had died in the one the Son of Lightning called “Starfarer”. It had been one of the most thrilling experiences of Leaf’s young life, but she wasn’t sure if she could take any more explosions and blaster battles. However, Nya convinced her that this film would be much quieter and not quite as dramatic as Starfarer, and thus Little Leaf found herself once again completely enamored of the visual story that played out on the big shiny screen on the wall.
As the scenes unfolded and the human people appeared, all the rest of reality faded from Leaf’s mind; she left the cozy space of the lounge room and the company of Jay, Nya, and Lloyd, and found herself in a different world—the human world, where a tom and a female with a quirky and funny relationship were falling in love with one another. The young werecat knew so little about the human world outside of what the Moon Tribe elders had told her with their stories, more often than not she had little idea of what was going on in the film. However, the emotion and dynamics between the couple in the story needed no translation. This form of storytelling was like none other she had ever known—this was some human magic that transported one to different places and had the viewer peering in on other peoples’ conversations and adventures, like one was an invisible spirit haunting their every step, with the point of view changing every few seconds. It was a stimulating and enthralling experience for someone so new to the world of movies, and Little Leaf found herself enamored of the art of the film. The only times she was brought back to the strange realm of reality was whenever one of her companions laughed, sighed, or muttered something beneath their breath. It was only at the very slow parts—the part Leaf didn’t understand, usually those starring pieces of the human world—that she would pull herself gently out of the strange dream and remember she was sitting on a couch with three human friends. Strangely, it was at the climax of the film—when the tom and the female were doing something Nya called “kissing”—that Leaf had herself pull away. She felt a little embarrassed at this part, as if she were intruding on a private moment between mates.
She pulled her eyes away from the screen and glanced to her left, where Nya and Jay sat. In the darkened room, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but she quickly realized that both the Daughter of Water and the Son of Lightning were asleep. Nya had curled her legs up under her and rested her head upon Jay’s shoulder, while Jay himself leaned against her with his eyes shut in a peaceful expression, and one arm around her shoulders. Both breathed slowly and deeply with each other. The picture looked natural on them. Little Leaf couldn’t help but smile at them. Then she looked to her right, where Lloyd sat on the far end of the couch. With Leaf in her fur-free human form, Lloyd had no reason to lean away or find a spot in a different chair; instead he had settled himself comfortably beside her, with one of the pillows in his lap, as he gazed at the TV screen with a bored expression on his face. Clearly, rom-coms were not Lloyd’s favorite movie genre. Leaf glanced back at the TV screen. The human tom and the female were still at it. She wished they wouldn’t go on for so long… Hastily, she glanced back at Lloyd again. Abruptly, she felt embarrassed and hastily looked away from him, instead staring down at her human legs stretched out on the cushions. Somehow, looking at the couple on the screen and looking at Lloyd in succession reminded her of the strange way she regarded the Son of the First. They were friends, she knew that for sure. Little Leaf was not completely unfamiliar with the sensation of friendship, having Lightning Streak as her best friend and others as friendly acquaintances she’d grown up with. She felt warm friendships with Nya and Zane, and maybe even Liana, and she admitted to herself she was beginning to look up to Nya like a big sister. However, when her thoughts drifted to Lloyd…
**** “Gah!” Jukeni’s shocked cry of pain had Kai whipping around just in time to see his companion’s arm speared with a thin arrow. Jukeni stumbled back and plummeted off the landrunner before Kai’s eyes. Suddenly, the vehicle had no driver.
*** An animal stood a few yards away; a small foal with a sand-colored coat and a black, fuzzy mane and tail. Upon its forehead was a pale spot that was somewhat star-shaped. Its large dark eyes gazed at the two humans inquisitively, ears pricked forward. The baby horse stood tensely, and its nostrils flared as it took in the scent. Finally, the soldier seemed to find his voice, although his terror was still evident. He staggered to his feet and waved the dagger in the foal’s direction. “Get out of here! Go on, get!” The foal elicited a high-pitched whinny. Its knobby little legs stumbled on the dirt for a moment before it managed to turn and dart away into the bushes—and beneath the protective shadow of a bigger animal. Kai inhaled sharply as his eyes adjusted to the darkness the trees cast over the tall creature. The two foot-long horn protruding from its forehead was a pretty distinct sign that it was not a horse. Kai stared at the mystical creature. It was much taller than he’d thought it’d be. He’d thought all unicorns were white, but this one had sand-colored coat and a dark mane and tail that matched the little foal’s. Thick muscles could be seen in the sunlight.
Huh. So this is a magic unicorn, Kai thought with a note of contempt. His graze traveled up the neck with its long dark mane, to the head from which the long white horn glistened in the sunlight— —And met the unicorn’s black-eyed glare of rage. The whites of its eyes could be seen as the animal snorted loudly and pawed the ground with cloven hooves, standing protectively over its little foal. The unicorn lowered its head at the humans. “Kai!” Kaeden’s terror-stricken cry echoed shrilly behind Kai, from the top of the ravine. “Get out of there!” For the first time since he found himself in Pawreles, Kai felt a true shiver of fear for his life. The massive unicorn threw its head up and let loose a flying scream—to the ninja, it sounded like a mix of the snake’s attacking hiss and the roar of a dragon, with only the mere echo of a horse’s whinny. The unicorn drew back the lips of its dark muzzle to reveal canine teeth gleaming—it had a couple of fangs as long as Kai’s fingers and twice as thick. Then it charged. Suddenly, Kai found more than enough energy to move. He scrambled to his feet and ran as fast as his legs would carry him to the other side of the ravine, where Kaeden stood waiting at the top of the small cliff. He was aware of the Pingouser stumbling close behind him. “Hurry, hurry!” Kaeden cried shrilly, unable to contain his rising panic. Kai didn’t hesitate. He took a single flying leap and summoned a Spinjitzu vortex. The force carried him up like a merciful hand cradling him, and he flew up into the air before plummeting hard on the ground. Immediately, Kaden was upon him anxiously. “You all right?” he demanded. A long scream split the air. Kai whirled around to face the scene taking place in the ravine—and immediately wished he didn’t. The unicorn had gotten the soldier. At first, it looked like the man was being lifted up into the air by an invisible hand, with the unicorn jerking and lashing its tail behind him. Then he saw the horn—the tip of it, anyway. The man’s wail faded away. The unicorn whipped its head around and flung its victim away. It stood up, snorting and shaking its head.
The unicorn glanced up the ravine where Kaeden and Kai crouched. Kai felt his blood freeze when the creature’s dark gaze met his. Its nostrils flared for a few moments, sniffing the air. For a few, slow seconds, all the world seemed to go still. Kaeden was utterly motionless. Kai dared not move a muscle. The unicorn’s ears flattened against its head. It bared its fanged teeth again— —And snorted as it turned away, flicking its tail contemptuously. It lowered its head and nuzzled its young when the small foal came stumbling out. The tiny thing whinnied happily and wagged its fuzzy tail, sniffing and nuzzling its parent. The adult straightened and cantered away into the thick of the forest. The foal whinnied again and followed it, close behind. They left the fallen soldier where he was. For several long, aching moments, all was silent. Even the birds seemed to have quieted. Kai could still feel his heart hammering violently. Kaeden remained frozen in place. Finally, Kai summoned the courage to speak. “OK…” He licked his dry lips and heard his voice shaking. “… so that’s why we stay away from unicorns.”
Yeah that makes sense.
Kinda reminds me of how I'd make my Playmobil unicorns act. XD
She wasn’t sure how to describe the feeling to herself. She sometimes felt a strange desire to be near him, to constantly keep him in her sights. She felt oddly light-hearted and happy whenever he was nearby, even if he wasn’t paying a lick of attention to her. It was almost as if his mere presence had a soothing, comforting effect on her—and the more she felt it, the more often she wanted to feel it again. The feelings heightened when he did pay attention to her, whether by a friendly comment, a question, or even a small smile when he caught her looking at him. Friends do that, right? she reflected anxiously to herself. It’s normal to want to hang out with your friend often, to hear him talk and laugh. Totally normal. Despite her own thoughts, she couldn’t help but recall the occasional teasing the elders or motherly females of her tribe would give her concerning meeting young toms. Those jokes had begun to come up when Little Leaf had reached her ten-and-third or ten-and-fourth season of life—normally she’d just roll her and eyes and shrug them off, and she’d wonder why older cats always think they’re so hilarious when they tell a kit that one day they will take a mate and have a litter. The jokes had never meant more to her than that. She was still young, with her whole life ahead of her, and unlike some of her more rabbit-brained peers, she had no interest in finding favor with a young tom just yet. But now… Leaf found herself wondering about herself. Well, I suppose I am ten-and-five seasons old. I guess I could— what? No! She felt herself jolt, and she shook her head hastily. Beetle-brain! What are you thinking? That you and Lloyd can just—? Like the heat of flames, she felt her face burn furiously—almost painfully—as she realized the thought that had been slyly creeping into her head. She knew her expression was contorting into a mix of a disgusted cringe and—to her utter horror—an embarrassed smile. She bit her lip hard and looked away, turning her face away from the light of the TV screen. She determined not to turn her gaze back to Lloyd until her face had stopped stinging.
You’re a cat, she rebuked herself hastily. A cat. And he’s a human. You can’t— She dared not even allow her brain to allude to that thought again. You’re a cat. Just remember that. Between the flashing TV screen of the romantic couple and Lloyd’s silhouette outlined by its shine in the dark room, Leaf found herself relieved when she was distracted by voices outside the door. In spite of being in her human form, her sense of hearing was just as acute as it was when she was feline. Trying to ignore the sickly-sweet music blaring from the TV, she strained her ears until she could pick up two familiar voices: Master Wu and Cole’s.
* * *
“Cole—may I have a word with you?” Cole suppressed an irritated sigh at the sound of his mentor’s voice. He had been hoping to grab a bite from the kitchen, feeling hungry again. Please let this be quick, he pleaded to whoever was listening before he turned and faced Wu. “Uh— of course, Master.” The older man slowed as he neared Cole before stopping and leaning against his staff. Beneath the shade of his straw hat, Cole could see Wu’s eyes peering at him thoughtfully. The wrinkles around them were contorted with an emotion Cole couldn’t detect. At length Wu asked, “Are you all right?” Cole felt a flash of confusion at the question, but responded readily enough. “Yeah, I’m fine. On the mend.” He flexed one bicep for emphasis, forcing a smile. Wu didn’t smile back. “Are you sure?” “Of— of course I’m sure.” Cole was beginning to feel a little uneasy. “Matilda’s potion fixed me right up.” “I do not mean your physical wounds,” Wu said. “I mean the wounds in your heart.” OK, Wu was definitely up to something. Cole felt a frustrated surge of defiance. What answer do you want from me? “I told you, I’m fine,” he snapped. Wu arched one bushy white eyebrow at him. Cole felt his cheeks flush as he realized he’d just spoken disrespectfully to his mentor. He ducked his head, shame-faced. “I’m sorry, Master.”
There was a long moment of silence. Cole wouldn’t meet Wu’s gaze. He stared down at the floorboards, letting his eyes follow the wood patterns running up and down like distorted ripples in water. The TV blared dimly from the other room. “How do you feel about Eagle Talon and Black Blood right now?” Wu’s question came quietly—cautiously, even. “What do you mean?” Cole muttered, still staring downwards. He involuntarily flexed his fists. The older man’s thin old hand came to rest upon his shoulder. “I understand what you must be feel—” “No, you don’t!” Cole exploded. “How can you?! All my life, I thought I was an only child! I dreamed of having a big brother or even a little sister to have with me, for me to look after! Then I became a ninja, and I was happy! I had Jay, Kai, Zane, Lloyd, and Nya!” He whirled away, fuming. He gesticulated furiously. “Now— now, it turns out I do have a brother! And a sister! But they’re evil shape-shifters, and they want to end us and take over Ninjago!” “Cole—” “How can you understand, Wu?” Cole turned on him. The words poured out of his mouth, unstoppable with his rising tide of anger. “They hate me! They tried to end me! Man, you wanna talk about family issues? How ‘bout we get into a brother you thought you could trust—a brother you might have actually cared for—and then he just turns around and betrays you like that! How can you know what it’s like to have an evil— brother…” His voice trailed off lamely. Wu simply gazed at him patiently. Cole—his mouth suddenly dry—swallowed and forced himself to meet his master’s eyes. Now that silence replaced the storm of his outburst, he felt strangely small standing before Wu—despite being over a head taller than him. “I— I’m sorry.” His arms fell listlessly to his sides, and he ducked his head again. “I forgot— I mean, I didn’t mean—”
Wu moved over to him and once again rested a comforting hand on Cole’s shoulder. This time Cole didn’t resist. Wu murmured, “Many years ago, my older brother Garmadon turned against me, and I was forced to banish him to a different realm. I too felt angry and confused. We loved each other, and we had looked out for one another for many, many years. It was heartbreaking to confront the fact that he had allowed the venom of the Great Devourer to harden his heart and that his ambitions had turned into dark, selfish ones.” He gazed intently into Cole’s eyes. “It hurt, but I eventually accepted that Garmadon and I were on opposite sides—at least for that long period of time.” Cole’s mind flickered back to his memories of the crazed, power-hungry villain he’d met years ago, when he, Kai, Jay, and Zane had been the only members of the present ninja team. He remembered how Lord Garmadon had struggled with the venomous evil running through his veins, how his blood-red eyes seemed to always gleam with malice and disdain, and his vigorous quest to take over all of Ninjago for his own. He had been willing to do anything for his ambitions, even to go as far as to abandon his family and fight his own son, Lloyd. “Talon’s not like that…” he heard himself protest weakly. Wu’s expression was sympathetic—mournful, even. Cole had rarely known Wu to look to visibly concerned. “Perhaps. I sense there is good in him.” The hope that surged from Cole’s chest surprised him. “Really?” Wu smiled at his pupil’s expression, but there was pity in it. “We cannot give up hope for him—or Black Blood, for that matter. Even if they do not deserve it, we must give them a second chance. If their half-sister Little Leaf can join our side, why not them? There is always hope, no matter how small.” “What if he decides he’s with Black Blood?” Cole demanded. Wu’s smile faded, and his face became grave. “Then you must look at yourself and the people in your life, and decide for yourself who your true brothers and sisters are.”
Talon felt himself start. His eyelids were heavy, although he knew it was the middle of the day. Through bleary eyes, he found his forepaws curled around a hunk of half-eaten raven, with his body lying comfortably upon the stone floor. He was aware of other cats milling about casually in the food cavern, where others like him were also eating. I must’ve fallen asleep while eating, he realized dimly before looking up at the cat speaking to him. Wind Trotter—a well-aged calico tom with yellow eyes—was giving him a look of puzzlement. “Did you hear me?” “I— I’m sorry,” Talon mumbled. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it of the fuzziness. “I kinda spaced out.” “I can tell.” Wind Trotter’s whiskers twitched. “I just came to tell you that Black Blood’s holding a meeting, and she told me to get you. The sorcerers and the battle leader are there.” Mouse dung! Eagle Talon stumbled sleepily to his paws, nearly tripping over his meal. “That sounds important.” “Sure looks like it.” Wind Trotter’s forked tails twitched. “You seem tired.” “Couldn’t sleep last night,” Talon mumbled. He glanced down at the raven he’d been eating. An image of Matilda lying before him in his nightmare flashed before his eyes. He forced himself to repress a shudder. The nightmares last night seemed to be haunting him into reality. Wind Trotter told him which cavern the meeting was taking place in, and Eagle Talon hurried his way down a couple of tunnels to his destination. He arrived feeling a little more alert, and he trotted through the narrow opening with his head held high. As he entered the cave, he could see over half a dozen cats gathered in a rough circle in the middle of the room, speaking in low tones. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the dim lightning, and when they did he could make out a large map of parchment paper spread out on the floor before Black Blood. A shaft of sunlight from the ceiling fell directly upon the paper, providing everyone a clear view of the images of landmarks, villages, mountains, and forests inked onto the map.
Black Blood lifted her head and nodded to her brother. “Glad you could make it, Eagle Talon. Join us.” Talon obeyed and sat next to his sister, allowing himself to look at the map. It must be one that belonged to the sorcerers, for he could see a few markings of writing here and there over a landmark. Sorcerers were the only cats in the clan who were taught to read. Lion Claw spoke up, sitting across from Talon on Black Blood’s right. “We’ve been discussing our next move. I believe our forces are ready to move down south toward the nearest human villages. There we can plunder their goods, subdue the humans, and cut off any means of contact for them to summon help from Ninjago City, or the ninja themselves.” The large, muscular golden-pelted tom grinned, revealing his yellow teeth. “After the battle yesterday, every cat is fired up and ready for the next fight. We’re striking fear into the hearts of every enemy we’ve attacked so far and rendered them helpless. Now’s the time for us to rise.” “And I’m saying, it’s too soon.” Talon craned his neck to see another cat—not one of the sorcerers—standing up and staring firmly at Lion Claw. “The warriors need time to rest. Whatever the result of yesterday, they still need to heal and regain their strength.” “The first place of attack will be a small village, we’re thinking,” Broken Fang, the tawny-pelted female sorcerer, retorted. “With its size, we don’t need most of the experienced warriors, since they’re spent from yesterday. This war party could consist mainly of the younger warriors—and even students, if we must. They need the experience, anyway.” “The students?” The other tom’s eyes flashed. “We’ve been training them so hard lately, they don’t have enough strength to join a war party traveling down south and subduing a village—!” “Peace, Mist Rise,” Black Blood ordered smoothly. “Broken Fang does have a point. This will be good experience for the young warriors. They’re especially itching to get out since we returned from the battle against the Sons and Daughters. Compared to fighting ninja, this will be relatively safe.”
Mist Rise was a large cat, and his long-haired brown coat made his tall, muscular form seem all the larger. Now that coat bristled, and his forked tails twitched back and forth behind him slowly. Eagle Talon could tell the young tom was more agitated than he wished to reveal. “You summoned me to this meeting for a reason, Black Blood,” Mist Rise said. “I’m the battle leader. I know our fighting warriors best. If you won’t listen to me, at the very least think of the young cats—the ones barely out of their training.” “Oh, but I am thinking of them,” Black Blood purred, whiskers twitching, as she met Mist Rise’s gaze. “I’m thinking of how much fun they’ll have terrorizing those stupid, helpless people. The villagers will be like the appetizer for the main course of this war.” Lion Claw, Raven Frost, Broken Fang, Rip Claw, and Black Blood purred and chortled smugly together, along with the two other cats in charge of the clan’s weaponry and training of the students. However, Mist Rise and Sky Pelt—the oldest and most ancient sorcerer—did not laugh along with their tribe-mates. Eagle Talon kept silent, too. He observed Sky Pelt and Mist Rise; while Sky Pelt simply gazed into space, looking bored, Mist Rise flexed his large claws on the ground, then sat down and looked away. Talon thought he could hear the dark tabby tom muttering something beneath his breath. “Anyway,” Black Blood’s voice made Talon turn away from Mist Rise and look at her. “Eagle Talon, I summoned you here in hopes you would decide to join the war party I’m sending down to the village closest to Yōkaiville. Your performance in the battle yesterday was stunning,” she said as she gave him a significant look—probably recalling the three-way battle between her, himself, and Cole. “Being one of our fiercest warriors, I thought about having you lead the party, if you’ve rested enough. The choice is yours.” Eagle Talon held her cold, green-eyed gaze with his own. Her eyes look so much like Cole’s… Talon swallowed and struggled to keep his focus.
