Azalea stepped out into the open fresh air outside of Kryptarium Prison. The wind blew her long black hair into her face. She had heard many stories of breakouts in the past, but never once had she imagined that she would be apart of one. There was a hint of guilt for doing so, after all, only criminals, villains, and elemental masters broke out of prison. At least Azalea and her fellow pack members were breaking out for a worthy cause though. In the long run, history would prove them to be in the right for doing this, even if it was shady now. "For the pack, for the bloodline, for Ninjago..." she whispered as she rushed off to follow the other pack members and the mysterious stranger called Retriever who had just set them free.
*snip*
"Let this rank-up ceremony begin. Starting with those of you who are currently Student rank." He would have to worry about all that another time. For now, he had to act as if she was watching and bring honor to the pack by giving Alpha his full attention...
Azalea stepped out into the open fresh air outside of Kryptarium Prison. The wind blew her long black hair into her face. She had heard many stories of breakouts in the past, but never once had she imagined that she would be apart of one. There was a hint of guilt for doing so, after all, only criminals, villains, and elemental masters broke out of prison. At least Azalea and her fellow pack members were breaking out for a worthy cause though. In the long run, history would prove them to be in the right for doing this, even if it was shady now. "For the pack, for the bloodline, for Ninjago..." she whispered as she rushed off to follow the other pack members and the mysterious stranger called Retriever who had just set them free.
*snip*
"Let this rank-up ceremony begin. Starting with those of you who are currently Student rank." He would have to worry about all that another time. For now, he had to act as if she was watching and bring honor to the pack by giving Alpha his full attention...
Jadyn parked the motorcycle up against one of the trees near the road. He made his way through the trees towards where he knew the remains of the village were. As he entered the ruins he looked around, Zephyr wasn't there. He decided to find a spot to wait for her. He eventually found a fallen beam to sit on, which he checked for stray nails first. He waited, lost in his own thoughts about everything that had taken place lately. Suddenly he heard the sound of a vehicle in the distance from the opposite side of the abandoned village. Jadyn stood, now alert. Then someone emerged from the surrounding forest. It was Zephyr. Her blonde hair with blue dyed streaks was tied up in a ponytail. Her green eyes were fixated on him. To his dismay, his heart melted at the sight of her, because he realized what Alpha had said held truth to it... He almost wished it wasn't, everything would be so much easier. Zephyr rushed through the snow toward him, once she had reached him she said breathlessly with a slight grin on her face. "Wow, this crazy plan actually worked..." He couldn't help but grin back as he replied. "Of course it did." She seemed to hesitate, before asking. "Did Alpha give you any trouble?.." "Yeah, he did," Jadyn replied. He hoped she wouldn't ask too much about it. A concerned look crossed Zephyr's face and she quickly asked. "What did he do? Are you ok? I knew I should have come with..." "Ah. Well..." He ran his hand through his hair and replied as he gestured to the beam he had been sitting on earlier. "We might want to sit down, I feel like there's a lot we might need to discuss." "Jadyn please, what did my grandfather do?" Zephyr insisted as she stepped closer, she looked as if she wanted to come closer, but she held herself back. The moon was very bright so he could see her breath and his own clearly in the cold air. Jadyn sat down on the beam and looked down at his feet. "He's done a lot to me, even before last night, both physically and mentally..." He touched the spot where his scar was out of habit.
He looked up to see Zephyr studying him quietly. Their eyes met and they held each other's gaze for a moment. For a brief second, Jadyn wondered if any of the pack members had followed him and was watching them. Zephyr sat down next to him. He added. "Let's just say that I've passed out more than once and that the pack has actually had to give me medical treatment." "There has to be another way! I don't think you staying with the pack is worth it," said Zephyr. Jadyn wasn't sure how to reply to that. He had made up his mind about staying with the pack for now. He didn't trust them to be left out of his sight for long. He knew Zephyr didn't agree with the idea though. "I don't expect you to agree with my choice to continue to stay with the pack. I don't expect anyone to. It's just something I need to do..." "And I realize I can't change your mind... But I could at least come with you. I won't let them touch you again." said Zephyr, there was a determined edge in her voice. "Won't your family and the team worry about you?" He asked, hoping in vain he could change her mind. "They are already worried about dad and you." She replied as if implying her leaving wouldn't change much. Jadyn took out the letters Zechariah had given him earlier and said. "Anyway, you have to go back tonight at least, because you need to give all this information to them." Zephyr took the letters and sighed in slight annoyance as she looked at them. "I suppose..." She put the letters in her ninja gi and shivered as a gust of wind made their surroundings feel even colder. He realized she was probably freezing just as much as he was, if not more maybe, she had been raised in the jungle of Hiroshi's Labyrinth after all. "Are you cold?" He asked. "Well yeah, just about everything out here is..." Zephyr replied. An idea suddenly sparked in his mind and he stood up saying. "Hang on, I've got an idea." He walked over to where he saw some unscorched wood pieces earlier. Zephyr stood up and followed him curiously. "What are you-" Jadyn picked one of the wood pieces up to show her and said. "I can build a fire. It shouldn't take too long." "Oh, good idea. I'll help you find wood to burn in that case," said Zephyr.
The two of them gathered wood pieces and Jadyn cleared a spot for the fire in front of the beam where they piled up some of the wood. He concentrated, pushed his instincts from his childhood to the back of his mind, and ignited a flame from his hand. The flame spread onto the wood and as the fire grew so did the warmth that came from it. Zephyr sat down again, the fire lit up her face as she grinned saying. "That's much better, good thing your element is fire, I'm glad it is..." He sat down next to her once the fire was strong enough to survive on its own. Perhaps his element wasn't so bad after all. Sure it could bring pain, suffering, and destruction. But it could also bring warmth, light, and joy. Fear had made him think of the bad side of fire most of his life, but seeing for himself how it could bring good was both a comfort and a relief. Or maybe he just felt that way because Zephyr was there. He remembered the night he had first used his element of fire. How the fire had come in the peace and calm of the moment. How he had willed against his own will to produce the flame to help himself and Zephyr move forward and finally tap into their powers. He didn't know what she was afraid of at the time, but he could tell something was making her hold back. How ironic that the source of both their fears had been Alpha and the pack... They sat there in silence for a bit warming themselves by the fire. Jadyn tried to think of something to say. To perhaps start talking about the pack's plans. But he didn't want to break the peacefulness. Zephyr glanced at him and said quietly. "Can I ask you, how did you get your scar?" That wasn't what he expected her to say. Why would she ask about it? Maybe she suspected the connection to her grandfather. Deep down, ever since he found out his childhood attacker had been Alpha he subconsciously knew Zephyr would probably find out about the history between the two of them eventually. But he hadn't thought about it much, and he didn't think she'd wonder so soon. He realized he better say something. "My scar... Wh- why do you ask?" "I'm, just curious..." She replied.
The two of them gathered wood pieces and Jadyn cleared a spot for the fire in front of the beam where they piled up some of the wood. He concentrated, pushed his instincts from his childhood to the back of his mind, and ignited a flame from his hand. The flame spread onto the wood and as the fire grew so did the warmth that came from it. Zephyr sat down again, the fire lit up her face as she grinned saying "That's much better, good thing your element is fire, I'm glad it is..." He sat down next to her once the fire was strong enough to survive on its own.
*snip*
"My scar... Wh- why do you ask?" "I'm, just curious..." She replied.
*muffled fangirl squeal* it's night and they're together with a cozy fire and they just talking trying to find some peace and Jadyn likes Zephyr and asdfghjklzxxb,xz x3
The two of them gathered wood pieces and Jadyn cleared a spot for the fire in front of the beam where they piled up some of the wood. He concentrated, pushed his instincts from his childhood to the back of his mind, and ignited a flame from his hand. The flame spread onto the wood and as the fire grew so did the warmth that came from it. Zephyr sat down again, the fire lit up her face as she grinned saying "That's much better, good thing your element is fire, I'm glad it is..." He sat down next to her once the fire was strong enough to survive on its own.
*snip*
"My scar... Wh- why do you ask?" "I'm, just curious..." She replied.
*muffled fangirl squeal* it's night and they're together with a cozy fire and they just talking trying to find some peace and Jadyn likes Zephyr and asdfghjklzxxb,xz x3
He felt there were more important matters that needed to be discussed, all the things he hadn't had time to explain the previous night, but there was part of him that wanted her to know about his and Alpha's history... Zephyr added. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to..." "No, I'll tell you, I want to, really," Jadyn replied hastily. He cleared his throat and said. "Well, it happened when I was five years old, and my family lived closer to Ninjago City." "Five?" Asked Zephyr surprised. "Yes... It was night, I was in bed, and, well, ah-" Why couldn't he make himself say it all out loud? What was making him hold back? Zephyr gazed at him with a look of concern. He forced himself to continue. "I woke up, and someone was there..." He paused, trying to gather his thoughts and think of a way to best explain... "Zephyr, it was Alpha, he was going to end my life..." She looked horrified as if she could see him in a new light. Her jaw dropped a little as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out. He continued. "My father saved me in the last minute, using the element of fire... That's why Alpha, looks the way he does, why half his face is burned... And that's also why I have this." He pointed to his scar, brushing some of his red hair out of the way so she could see it better, although he wasn't sure if she could in the dim firelight anyway. "That must have been pretty horrible..." Said Zephyr. "Yeah, the memory haunted me for years." He replied looking into the flames of the fire in front of them. "Fire always reminded me of it for some reason..." "Yet. You are the master of fire now." She said. "It's never been easy, but yeah, I am, aren't I?" He said halfheartedly. "Yeah, so, Alpha? Surely you both recognized each other, how did that go?" Asked Zephyr. "About as well as you'd expect. Like I said, he wanted to be rid of me then and there." He replied. "But then my father convinced him to keep you alive because of the prophecy, right?" Said Zephyr. "Yeah," said Jadyn.
"But, despite the fact that Alpha is connected to your horrible experience in the past, and that he and the pack have hurt you now, you still stay with them. Why?" Asked Zephyr, from the emotion in her expression she must have realized what he had been putting himself through. Although he hoped she wouldn't realize how much he was really putting on the line. "I can't give up this opportunity, not when I could save lives and help to defeat the pack. Besides, leaving would only put a bigger target on my back if I was recaptured and it would be all for nothing." He replied. "But it must be a nightmare for you... That's- Totally crazy, you realize that, right?" she said with concern in her voice. "I'm aware." He replied. "Next time I'm going with you. Lisa or Moe or someone can meet one or both of us and pass on information if need be." said Zephyr, she was serious. "We talked about this..." He said uneasily. "I mean it. I already can't stand the idea of you going back again tonight." "Zephyr..." "What?" She asked. "I couldn't forgive myself if you got hurt." he replied. "Same for me with you and you already have! Just already knowing that you have gone through so much is a lot to take..." said Zephyr giving him a look that he had to look away from so that he could continue to resist her pleas. Jadyn understood where she was coming from, and he felt bad that she had to carry the guilt of him getting hurt by the pack. But how could he make her understand that he wanted her to stay away from the pack, and particularly Alpha because he cared for her? And how could he make it not sound like a confession? For now, he figured it was just best to change the subject to other matters. "Can we discuss the prophecy and Alpha's plan now?" he asked, hoping the change in subject would save him. Zephyr looked as if she was about to argue, but then thought better of it, then she replied. "Fine. I can always find the den again on my own anyway..." "Please, don't..." he said in desperation, and then added "Besides, didn't they kick you out?" "Twice. But I don't care, I'm going to try, I have to." said Zephyr.
"So the prophecy..." he reminded her. "Right... Alright fine. Find out anything new about it?" "Yeah. But there's also some important details I forgot to mention last time too." said Jadyn. "Ok, so far I know that you and I are probably the fox and the wolf. That arorea minerals are aorura lights and that there's an asteroid that's coming that will somehow bring the pack victory, but they are concerned about it landing in the wrong place." said Zephyr. "That about sums it up, although I don't know much about it landing in the wrong place." he said. "They are worried it will land in Ninjago City and New Oraborous." Zephyr replied. "Oh... I see." said Jadyn, " I should tell you about Alpha's plan now that your father told me." "Okey." she said as she brushed some of her blonde and blue hair out of her face a little only to have it fall back to where it had been before. "After the elemental masters and any other powerful beings in Ninjago are destroyed. And Alpha's daughter, your aunt I guess, becomes empress of Ninjago. Alpha wishes to restore the pack to their original forms, so that, they can turn into wolves again." Jadyn explained. "Really? So would that include those with a lot of wolf blood, like me?" asked Zephyr, sounding more interested and intrigued than horrified. Jadyn's mind couldn't help but remind him of Alpha slapping him when they had discussed this fact, of Zephyr becoming like the pack, and other things... "Yeah, I belive so. There's a spell I found, it's not completely figured out yet though and there was only a few details. But some of the ingredients include aurora minerals, the heart of the asteroid, and essence from Alpha. " He replied. "Interesting.The other stuff is really bad of course... But can you imagine? Being able to turn into a wolf for real would be so cool." said Zephyr. "Why?" asked Jadyn, curious as to why she would find that so appealing, especially when they were in the middle of discussing serious stuff. "It's- actually kinda complicated... You see, ever since I left Hiroshi's Labyrinth all those months ago I've had strange dreams, where I'm- a wolf." Zephyr replied, her gaze met his again.
Dreams, that definitely wasn't the answer he had been expecting. "I see... I suppose it's hard to say that's a coincidence at this point, huh?" he said as he tried to process how that could be possible. "That's not even the half of it..." replied Zephyr, "There's other wolves in my dreams, and other creatures that are similar, there is even, a fox..." A fox, of course... When he didn't reply, she continued. "And I've seen a dragon too, a green one. I think the other creatures are supposed to represent real people, and the dreams might actually be warnings or visions of some kind." "How often do you have these dreams?" asked Jadyn. "I don't know, I've had around half a dozen and they tend to happen before or around important events." She replied. "Interesting." "I believe the fox is supposed to be you." Said Zephyr. "Well, naturally." He replied. "I could kinda tell even before I knew of the prophecy though..." She added. "Oh, really?" he asked, curious as to how she had made the connection beforehand. "Yeah, well, both you and the fox in my dreams have almost the same intriguing presence, I guess? Although I suppose you have it lot more, because you're well, ya know, real. I mean, I ment- Ah well, you know..." she replied. He couldn't tell if she was blushing or if it was just the cold, probably more likely the cold. Jadyn grinned, touched that she saw him that way. His heart was racing in that moment. He replied, jokingly. "Are you sure it wasn't because of the red fur on the fox?" asked Jadyn winking at her as he ran his hand through his red hair. Zephyr laughed a little, something he hadn't seen her do in what felt like a long time. "Oh, I don't know, maybe, could be the captivating amber eyes too." She replied with a smug smirk. Wait, are we both flirting?! Jadyn thought with a start as the realization hit him. He remembered what Alpha had said about him and Zephyr again. How he had warned him that if he did try to make any moves, it would end in heartbreak... He continued anyway though despite that. "So tell me, does your wolf form have your stunning green eyes?" "It does actually! I mean, I don't know I'd say stunning though..." she replied.
"I mean, that's partly how you caught me off guard when we met for the first time." He admitted. "Really?" asked Zephyr. "Yeah, plus I didn't expect you to fight like your life life depended on it. Your reaction in general caught me off guard too. Lisa got onto me about that later though." "I remember that." she said smiling, then frowned, sighing as she put her elbows on her knees and face in her hands. "Don't get me wrong, I-, I really enjoy talking to you. Maybe more than I like talking to anyone else. But- Please stop making me wish we didn't have to go separate ways tonight more than I already do..." "I really wish we didn't have to either... But, I suppose this is the kind of bittersweet stuff we signed up for when we decided to become ninja." he replied. "I guess, yeah. I think Alpha would have found us eventually anyway though, even if we weren't ninja." said Zephyr. "Then it's a good thing we are." he said quietly. "True..." said Zephyr. The two of them sat warming themselves by the fire in silence for a while. Jadyn wasn't sure what else to say, he was pretty sure they had discussed everything they needed to. Although he might've forgotten something again. He knew he couldn't stay much longer though...
Before he could mention having to leave eventually though, Zephyr spoke. "Oh, also, we ran into some gangs in New Oraborous today. The guy you punched last time we were there remembered you, he wanted revenge. And some people who didn't like Nathan, the Snake's Skull Gang they called themselves, almost got us. If it wasn't for my gravity I don't know if we would have made it out..." "Oh really? Wait, what?!" asked Jadyn in surprise. "Yeah. I helped everyone escape though. I made it out shortly after, even though-" she cut off what she was saying and wrapped her arms around herself with a distressed look on her face. "What happened?" asked Jadyn, now concerned. Something had shaken her... "Well, when I was making my escape, the leader of the gang, Thorax was his name, he- he tackled me to the ground, and- " She paused, and took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, her breath visible in the cold air, she continued. "and choked me, It was terrifying... But, somehow, I got the upper hand by injuring him and then using my powers on him. I- I don't know if he made it though..." She stammered. Jadyn processed what she had just told him. Imagining what she had just said gave him mixed emotions of shock, fear, and anger. If he had only been there- no, he couldn't wish such things... He could only help the here and now.
He wanted to get closer to comfort her, but he wasn't sure if she needed space. He inched just a little closer. To his astonishment she moved closer to him as well, their shoulders were nearly touching. "Those filthy gangs..." Jadyn muttered. He gave her a side hug, as he was about to pull away Zephyr leaned in. She touched his hand that was around her. What unspoken thing it meant, he couldn't say for sure. "You okay?" he asked. "I think, I'll get over it eventually, I don't know when though..." she said, still closer to him than he knew for sure how to react to in the moment. She continued, "It was also really weird. Thorax suggested that I be his girlfriend..." "What?!" Jadyn exclaimed before he could stop himself, then he added, "that rat..." Zephyr grinned slightly and said, "I guess it's a good thing a rat don't stand much of a chance against a wolf. Or a fox for that matter." "I wasn't even there..." he said, attempting to convince himself to create more space between them. "I know," said Zephyr resting her head on his shoulder. He hadn't fully realized in the past how good felt to be so close to her. Her presence was warning and soothing. A few more moments passed. Despite the bitter cold, it really was a beautiful night. But he had to break the spell, he had to stop this and return to the pack as soon as possible. "I think it's time we put the fire out." He said grimly. "Already?" asked Zephyr lifting her head from his shoulder. "Yes... I'll have to leave soon." He replied withdrawing his arm from her and standing up. "I still don't want you to." she said. "And my stance hasn't changed either." Said Jadyn.
He gathered some snow to put on the fire, as he was doing so zephyr said. "Wait, let me try something." She gazed at the fire and put her hands up like she was warming them. Suddenly the flames got smaller, more rounded, and turned blue. "Now try putting it out." She said. "How can you do that?" asked Jadyn. "It's how the fire reacts when I take all of the gravity out of it's pocket of space. Just something I figured out." "Right, I remember when that happened before." replied Jadyn putting snow and dirt over the blue flame as Zephyr returned the gravity in that spot back to normal. He glanced in the direction he had the motorcycle parked, he had to leave. "How about you meet me here two days from now?" said Jadyn hastily. "What?! That's too long." replied Zephyr. "It's probably better to spread any future meetings out more. It'll be less likely to draw attention. " he explained, hoping she would understand. "I'm going to come to protect you as soon as I deliver these letters." said Zephyr firmly. No! He couldn't bear it if something horrible happened to her for his sake. What's more, he couldn't wait any longer to return to the pack. He forced himself to reply. "I'm afraid I can't allow that. I'm leaving now..." Zephyr grabbed his arm as she said. "It hurts so much to see you leave. What am I to do about that?" A stupid but effective idea suddenly came to mind. She looked mildly confused as he grabbed her hands and put them over her eyes. "Then don't watch." he said. Then he made a run for it. The moment she realized what he'd done she darted after him. She shouted, "Don't leave yet, not like this!" It pained him, it really did. She would probably get mad at him, and understandably so if she did. Also, this felt like a horrible pattern they were getting into. It felt like he was always running away from her in some way. But despite all that he kept going.
