Misty and The Secrets of Forbidden Spinjitzu (Ninjago)

The Last of the Formlings

"My story begins long ago. A time before the Long Winter. A time when our realm was still lush and green. A time... before I lost everything. We lived and worked in the forest, together, happily. We were Formlings, and we lived in peace. And at the end of the day, we returned to our village. It was a beautiful place, built deep in the forest. It was my home. But my brother and I, being younglings, had not yet found our animal forms. And despite what I told my brother, I was nervous." Her brother chucked a snowball at her.

And said "What is it? Don't tell me you're still nervous?"

"No," Akita said

"I can see it in your eyes."

"Well, I cannot help it. What if something goes wrong? And I do not find my animal form? The Choosing is a week away. What if I am not ready?"

Brother tosses a snowball up and down. "You are ready. All who are pure of heart find their animal form." Akita smashed his snowball with hers.

"Not all," Akita said softly

"That was a long time ago. And it only happened once. Trust me, we will both find our animal forms. And we will run together in the forests all day and night. You'll see." Her brother said kindly.

"The week passed, but my anxiety did not," Akita confessed

Akita and Kataru approach the Formling Leader. He dipped his hand into face paint and marks their faces with distinctive whiskers. The tribe gasped and Akita turned to see Vex.

"Ah, just in time for another Choosing." He said as he made his way through the village "Such a brutal, savage tradition. And what will you do with these innocent children if their animal form does not come to them? Will you reject them? As you did me?"

"We did not reject you, Vex. Your exile was of your own choosing." the leader said

"Lies. When I did not find my form, you turned against me. All of you. You mocked me in secret, you whispered behind my back. Vex, the pathetic. Vex, the shameful. Vex the Formless." Vex snarled

"That is your fear speaking. You distrust the world, Vex. You see the worst even when it does not exist." The Leader said

"I have had years to dwell on your betrayal. Years of resentment, alone, in the Wilds, and I realize now, it is time for your power to end. In my journey, I have discovered a power that dwarfs your Formling abilities elemental power. The crowd broke out into murmurs. "You can bow to me now, willingly, or when I return in force unwillingly. In either event, I will assume my rightful place over you. The choice is yours." Vex snarled

"You are a fool, Vex. And we will not abide your threats." The chief replied

"You will regret this," Vex said

"Vex returned to the forests from whence he came. And we resumed the Choosing. But I was uneasy. Kataru and I entered the Wilderness, unsure where our journey would take us, fearing that Vex's return was a bad omen. The Choosing must pass in silence. So we did not speak. We waited. And waited. For what, we did not know. A sign, a vision... something to guide us to our animal forms. And every day, we traveled further into unknown lands. And the further we traveled, the more concerned I became that I would never find my form. That I would turn angry and bitter like Vex, the Formless.

After a dream visit, Akita found her form and she checked out her reflection in a pond. She then heard a growl and took a stance. A bear leaped out and confronted her until he sees the markings on Akita. He then turns to the pond and sees his reflection and hers.

"Kataru!" Akita cried

"Akita," he shouted He leapt out of his animal form and Akita did the same. They run and hug each other. "We did it. We found our forms. I told you they would come to us." he said

"Ha. I should've guessed you would be a bear. It fits you," Akita said

"Because I am so strong?" Kataru asked

Akita snorted and said, "Because you are loud, always hungry, and sleep half the year." They laughed

"And look at you. A wolf. Cunning and sharp. With big teeth."

Akita chuckled, "Come on. What are we waiting for? See if you can keep up!" They race away in their animal forms. Kataru pawed snow into her face, playfully, and brings down berries from a tree. They howl and roar to the moon.

"I cannot wait to get back and show the others," Kataru said

"You go ahead. I want to go on one more run," Akita said

"You have the restlessness of a wolf now," Kataru said as Akita transforms back into her wolf and runs off to howl to the moon. "See you soon, sister,"

Akita returned only to find the village covered in ice and she watched her destroyed by an ice dragon.

"I walked out of the village and never looked back. I will not return again until Vex and his master, the Ice Emperor, are brought to justice." Akita said

"I had no idea," Lloyd said softly

"That's horrible," Misty murmured softly.

"Now you know," Akita said

"The Ice Emperor captured my friend, Zane. We're going to get him back. Which means you and I, we're on the same quest." Lloyd said

"Not the same." Akita said and she pulled her dagger from behind and said, "You seek to rescue your friend." she took the dagger out of its sheath and said, "I seek revenge,"