Ninjago: Amplified - [A Ninjago Fanfiction]

[57] - A Way and a Wish

Akiri watched in bewilderment as the Bounty's elders moved throughout the control room with a determination that she hadn't seen in days.

She'd barely been awake for thirty minutes, and already so much had happened. Aurora and Echo had met the Bounty's residents as soon as they awoke, frantically urging them towards the control room. Apparently, they'd pinpointed where their allies could have gone overnight.

After a brief debate, they decided to set course for the location-- which was mostly thanks to support from the two Sensei.

Akiri thought she'd be ecstatic if they got a lead on their allies' whereabouts. Now, it had happened much too fast for her to grasp.

Aurora stood just a few paces away, talking with a doubtful Ronin over the debate's verdict. Akiri could just barely hear the bounty hunter's voice over the chatter from the others in the room.

"But the Dark Island?" He repeated, holding up his palms in exaggeration. "What if you're wrong, kid? That place isn't gonna be any easier to patrol than here!"

Aurora's response was drowned out by a nearby beeping from the command center. Garmadon and Misako discussed potential routes among one another as Wu stood by their side, tapping away at the center's keyboard.

Akiri turned back in Aurora's direction just as she began to approach. The oni casted a look over her girlfriend's shoulder, noting Ronin's obvious look of displeasure. Clearly, he wasn't entirely convinced that they were heading in the right direction.

"How exactly did you and Echo come up with this?" Akiri couldn't help but ask when Aurora rejoined her.

"Last night, neither of us could sleep." Aurora shrugged. "We met up on the deck and thought over it for a while. I'm glad we did."

Akiri could tell that the answer was genuine, as it looked like Aurora hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. Still, the oni couldn't help but feel as though her girlfriend was keeping out some details from the explanation.

Nevertheless, it made Akiri happy to see Aurora so enthusiastic again.

"I'm glad, too." She smiled.

A little confused, but glad. She added to herself.

Aurora opened her mouth to say something, but she was cut off when Lilith called her name from across the room. Following Aurora's gaze, Akiri spotted both Ronin and the elder elemental standing side-by-side. Judging from the looks on their faces, they shared the same doubts that Ronin had expressed before.

For a moment, Aurora hesitated. Then, she sighed.

"Do you mind--?"

"Not at all." Akiri assured with sympathetic smile, ushering Aurora away. "I should probably go and see what the others are up to, anyhow."

After the announcement, both the ninja and vigilantes had returned to the deck below. They hadn't seen them in a while; Akiri was wondering what they were up to.

"Alright. Thanks for understanding." Aurora exhaled in relief. "I'll catch up with you later, then."

She pressed a kiss to Akiri's cheek before heading away. Akiri couldn't help but admire the renowned fire in Aurora's eyes: the same fire she'd seen before Aurora had become sick.

Maybe the development wasn't so bad after all.

Akiri exited the control room, descending the flight of stairs leading to the lower deck. She spotted the others standing amongst themselves, in the middle of a debate of their own. Just as she reached the last step, Gold took notice of her approach, saying something to the others that she couldn't hear.