[Ninjago: Amplified] Modern AU

[47] - The Protector Needs Protecting

It had been hours since Akiri and her friends had arrived at the New Year's Festival.

Garmadon and Misako had dropped them off around noon. Hours later, Akiri felt as though she and her friends had done everything there was to do there!

The first thing they'd done that day was play some of the festival games; most of which were obvious scams, but they'd surprisingly managed to find one that was at least possible to win. Jay, Kai, and Cole had won a ring-toss game, earning them a comically large bear plushie that Kai promptly named "Bingus." As expected, Eris was especially supportive of the name.

The group had split up for a short while afterwards, as only half of them wanted to go on any rides. The remainder of the group took the time to peruse the festival snacks, offering them to the rest of their friends once they'd returned.

All in all, they seemed to have a great time together that day.

All except for one of them.

Akiri couldn't help but glance over at Aurora from time to time. She'd noticed she was acting more distant than usual. She continually stared off into the crowds as they navigated through the festival, as though she was looking for something.

Although Aurora appeared to have a good time with them, Akiri could tell that she was much quieter than usual.

Something was on her mind– and nobody else seemed to notice.

Kai's boisterous voice broke Akiri out of her thoughts. She realized that she'd been staring at Aurora for far longer than planned; quickly, she averted her gaze, refocusing on current conversation.

The group had taken a break from the festival for a short while, seating themselves on a few benches away from the bustling crowds. Kai, Jay, and Cole were all proudly hovering around their stuffed animal, and Kai was holding it up into the air for all to see.

"You're just jealous you didn't get one!" Kai grinned at his sister.

Nya smacked his shoulder in response with a roll of her eyes.

"You're so ridiculous!" She huffed in amusement. "I'm just shocked you managed to win that thing at all!"

"Uh, no." Kai corrected, gesturing towards Jay and Cole. "WE won it."

Nya coughed before abruptly commenting under her breath.

"Dumbass trio—"

"Loud and proud, at that!" Cole beamed, and he and his two friends gave their own thumbs-up of approval.

Nya facepalmed, laughing at their shenanigans regardless.

As the three continued to celebrate their victory, Akiri couldn't help but tune out their words. She peered at Aurora, who was sitting just across from her. Aurora didn't seem like she was paying any more attention to the exchange as Akiri was, her eyes scanning the strangers who milled around them.

That was when a blurry shape whisked into Akiri's peripheral vision. She broke out of her thoughts just in time to see Eris lean against the back of the bench behind her.

"Hey, what's with you two??" She looked between Aurora and Akiri, confused. "You've been quiet. You didn't have a fight, did you??"

"No, nothing like that." Aurora reassured with a smile– one that looked much too forced for Akiri's liking. "I'm just glad to be back in the city, that's all."

Eris studied them both for a long moment, her finger held below her chin as she thought. Then, she shrugged.

"Alright, but you guys should get your heads out of the clouds!!" She insisted, cheery. "It's New Year's— you have to have a good final day so the next year is just as good!"