Flames of the Past #2: Beginning of Chaos (Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

The sun shone over the ocean, its reflection rippling in the wind. Birds chirped and leaves rustled overhead. It was a beautiful morning—and perfect weather for traveling.

Doxton's ships were just setting off into the water, heading for home. Fervendale had left before them, and the people of Trynia were just beginning to board their own ships.

"Such a shame we have to leave so soon," Chantria, the queen of Trynia, sighed from the dock. Her husband Alec was beside her, along with their grandson Chester. Skylor, Shillvaron's princess, and her advisor Clouse were there as well. "And without getting the chance to look at that... Fire Crystal."

"I've heard it's a beauty," Alec agreed, looking Skylor in the eye.

"We're keeping the Fire Crystal off-limits at the moment," Clouse cut in with his croaky voice. "Safety reasons."

"Oh?" Alec glanced at Chester. "Surely you could make an exception for your grandparents? Or is the Crystal even off-limits to you royals?"

When Chester hesitated, Skylor broke in. "Actually, it's getting pretty late," she laughed uneasily. "You should be going, don't you think?"

Alec straightened out his jacket, huffing. "I guess another time then?" he grunted.

The two kingdoms said their farewells before Alec and Chantria boarded with the rest of Trynia. Chester, Skylor, and Clouse watched as the ships faded into the distance, then headed off the dock. They rejoined the six ninja, who had been lounging around just in case. The ninja team's current mission was to protect the Ruby Princess, after all—her kingdom and its treasure, the Fire Crystal. It had been a close call at the banquet the night before; their enemies, the Sons of Darkness, had broken in and managed to get their hands on the Fire Crystal. But, thanks to Jay's quick thinking, the gang lost the battle in the end, with the ninja capturing one of their teammates. Alfonso Huxley was now secured in Shillvaron's dungeon.

Kai drew up beside Skylor as they walked back to the palace. "What was that about?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.

The princess heaved a sigh. "Just an old kingdom quarrel," she explained vaguely.

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Care to explain?"

Skylor hesitated a moment, but it seemed her frustration got the best of her. "It's like having the Water Crystal isn't enough for them," she puffed. "They've always had their eyes on the Fire Crystal."

Kai's eyes rounded in surprise. "Trynia has the Water Crystal?"

Skylor glanced sideways at him. "Each of the four kingdoms has an Elemental Crystal," she said as if it were common knowledge. "They've just never been threatened by hostile forces like this in decades."

"Except from the other kingdoms," Chester suddenly butted in, appearing between the two.

Skylor looked away, unease flashing in her gaze.

"I think it's a power issue," the prince continued. "To be the superior kingdom."

"The kingdoms are after the Elemental Crystals?" Kai asked in alarm.

"I wouldn't say they're after them," Chester replied.

"It's... complicated," Skylor mumbled.

Chester turned to the princess and rested an arm around her. She squirmed a bit, as if taken by surprise. Chester murmured to her as he began swerving her away from Kai. Kai looked away, a bit jealous. So maybe he had a little crush on the princess. It didn't matter, anyway, because she was betrothed to Prince Chester. That immature, nosy prince who constantly got on Kai's nerves.