Ninjago: Amplified - [A Ninjago Fanfiction]

[37] - Anxious Hours

Akiri brushed out Bee's fur with a hand, picking out stray bits of dirt from her tiny hairs. The manticore purred at the contact, kneading her large paws against the cool stone floor.

It had been an hour since the ninja's sensei had left the hideout, providing the remainder of the group enough time to form an action plan. It was decided that Cole and Kai would travel to Shintaro, Jay and Zane to the Island of the Keepers, Nya and Onyx to the Merlopian Kingdom, and Akiri and Yuri to the underground home of the Serpentine. Meanwhile, Lloyd, the sensei, Misako, Gold, Eris, Bee, Xena, and Lilith would stay put in the Samurai X Cave in the case of emergency.

It was a fool-proof plan. All they needed to worry about was addressing their allies. Honestly, the only group that concerned Akiri was the Serpentine. Surely they'd be able to put aside their differences for the sake of the world-- at least, Akiri hoped that they would.

Bee's ear twitched, and the manticore suddenly turned her attention towards the control center across the clearing. Lloyd and Nya had apparently just finished contacting the elemental masters, and they shortly met them in the small rest area. The two joined the other ninja at the couch, evidently satisfied with their work.

"Elemental masters are all informed and set." Nya explained, crossing her legs comfortably.

"So, what's the plan?" Lloyd added, leaning back in his own seat.

As Cole debriefed the two on what they'd decided, Akiri took a moment to check in with her own team. She patted Bee's head before diverting her gaze to her friends, who were seated close by her side.

Akiri noted the way Yuri fiddled with her thumbs, the hypnobrai's tail twitching without her control at her side. Onyx appeared to be having similar worried thoughts, her despondent gaze glued to the ground.

"Is everything okay?" She asked, snapping the two out of their downhearted trance.

"A little nervous." Yuri was the first to admit it. She kept her eyes locked on her fingers as she continued. "I haven't seen the tribes in years."

Ah, that was right! Akiri had been so caught up in the recent events that she'd completely forgotten about her teammates' scattered pasts!

Onyx and Yuri already carried the burden of convincing entire civilizations to join them in their fight; Akiri was certain that facing their former homes wouldn't make things any easier for them.

"You won't be alone in there." Akiri reminded, gently nudging Yuri with an elbow. "I can do all the talking, if need be."

"T-that would be nice." The hypnobrai sighed, her shoulders drooping. "But I know they'd also want to hear from me."

"Then I'll take the lead, and you can follow whenever you're ready." Akiri sent her a reassuring smile. "Does that sound okay?"

"Yeah, actually." Yuri exhaled, appearing much more relaxed. "I appreciate that. Thank you, Akiri."

"Of course." Akiri nodded before shifting her attention to Onyx. "I'm guessing you're having the same thoughts, right?"

"Unfortunately." Onyx groaned, hiding her face in her palms. "I never wanted to see my parents ever again, but here we are."

She dropped her hands back into her lap, scowling.

"Maybe I shouldn't go." The merlopian suggested. "The King knows Nya. That alone should be enough to convince them."

"But Nya needs backup, too." Gold reminded.

"Onyx, I know from experience that you can punt a bitch into orbit." Eris chimed in. "If anyone tried anything, you'd be able to handle it."