Ninjago: Amplified - [A Ninjago Fanfiction]

[63] - In Retrospect

It had been five months since peace was restored in Ninjago.

Although Aurora and her friends no longer had to worry over their safety, they still had lots of work left to do. After escorting everyone off of the Dark Island--including Hikaru's people, who had changed their ways and had even begun to help them in their return home--they had a lot of destruction to tend to.

While some villages had made it out of the fight unscathed, there were still plenty of regions that had been destroyed in some way or another (Ninjago City included). After their return to the mainland, Aurora and her team assisted the ninja and other volunteers in rebuilding before she and her friends took notice of another issue.

Ninjago's people weren't just joined by the ninja and vigilantes-- some newcomers from different areas of the world had taken a liking to them, too. Aurora recalled the first few days of rebuilding, when she'd spotted various beings such as ghosts, merlopians, and even stray serpentine among them. The ninja had shared in her realization, noting that some of their allies' people had expressed the desire to stay in Ninjago's mainlands.

So, Aurora and her team embarked on a new mission: to build a place where the newcomers could acclimate to their new environment while under their protection. The ninja stuck to rebuilding while the vigilantes got to work on a village of their own.

Aurora and her team, aided by Ronin, Echo, Lilith, and Xena, managed to build homes for themselves, as well as some other cottages for the first wave of newcomers. Aurora and her teammates each designed a cottage of their own, positioned close by one another.

Yuri and Gold decided to live together, while Onyx took on the challenge of living with Eris. Though Aurora doubted the merlopian would have much trouble. After all, the two had grown much closer throughout the past year-- now, they could almost be considered sisters. Yet Onyx wouldn't be alone, even if she were to experience some trouble; her brother, Trisomaur, had immediately decided to join her in the village, excited for a fresh start.

And he certainly wasn't the only one. The ninja had made a point to mention their village while they rebuilt the city, catching the interest of many different beings.

Aurora was absolutely elated about the development, and even more so on that particular day.

The ninja and a few of their other allies were coming in an hour to see their progress and share a meal. The last time they'd seen the village, it had merely been an empty grassland. Aurora hoped that they would be pleasantly surprised.

Aurora snapped out of her reverie when Bee rubbed her body against her side, begging for attention. The elemental grinned, scratching her manticore on the chin.

"I know," Aurora cooed. "I can't wait to see them, too."

Bee meowed before her ears perked up at a new sound. Aurora followed her creature's gaze, spotting Akiri calling her from their home's doorframe.

Bee was the first to reach Akiri, wagging her tail like mad. Akiri said something to her that Aurora couldn't hear, rubbing behind the big cat's ears. Aurora smiled at the sight as she approached.

"Well, the noodles are almost done." Akiri huffed a laugh at Bee's loud purring. "How's the table looking?"

"All set." Aurora confirmed, thinking back to the table and chairs that she and her manticore had just finished with. "Anything else we need to do?"

"Nothing for you." Akiri hummed, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Go and get ready. I can handle the food."

"Alright." Aurora smiled warmly, beckoning for Bee to follow her. "Come on, then, Bee!"