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

Chapter 20 (Final)

Cole searched everywhere for Miss Beech. But everywhere he went, he didn't find her. It was ironic. The one time he actually wanted to run into her she was nowhere to be seen. He felt as if she was deliberately avoiding him.

He remembered her once bringing up how the kids almost kidnapped Laurie, but she had blamed her knowledge on palace gossip. But she was there, Cole thought, mind spinning. She was the one who protected Laurie!

By the time the wedding was starting, he still hadn't found her. Reluctantly, he decided the mystery of Miss Beech's name in the book would have to wait.

He caught up to the rest of the team on the way to the chapel inside the palace.

"Where have you been?" Jay asked.

"I was... looking for someone," Cole mumbled.

"Who?"

"Just someone."

Kai elbowed the black ninja. "Yeah, Cole claims he knows who protected Laurie that night," he said.

Lloyd's head snapped toward Cole. "You do?"

Cole shifted nervously, avoiding the green ninja's intense gaze. "I think it was... one of the maids...?"

Lloyd stared at him a few moments longer before scoffing. "Why do I even bother?" he muttered, turning away again.

Cole bit at his necklace. Lloyd had a point, after all. How could an elderly maid fight off a gang member? But he remembered the cut on Miss Beech's arm and wouldn't dismiss the theory completely.

The ninja, plus Laurie, found their seats near the altar. Until the wedding was done, they were technically still Skylor's protectors.

The room was packed. Chester was standing beside the altar with the priest. Kai scowled at the prince and turned his head. On the front row across from them sat Clouse, Alec, and Chantria.

Someone placed a hand on his shoulder and the red ninja turned to see Garmadon seated behind him. Beside the sensei were Wu, Misako, and Pixal. "Are you okay?" Garmadon asked him.

Kai heaved a sigh. "It's like you said," he murmured. "I only have to think about protecting the princess. Being a ninja. Nothing else."

Garmadon frowned, but the red ninja had already turned away. Patting Kai's shoulder, the sensei sat back again.

Meanwhile, Cole was scanning the room for Miss Beech. She's gotta be here, right? he wondered desperately. His eyes searched the aisles until he spotted a figure lurking near the back of the chapel.

There she is! He nearly jumped from his seat. She was staring back at him. Her eyes had a dark look to them, like she somehow already knew what Cole had found. The black ninja was about to get up and walk over to her, but at that moment, the music started.

Everyone rose to their feet. The room turned toward the back, where Skylor was beginning her walk down the aisle. Her white gown was long-sleeved and high-necked, accented with red and adorned with jewels.

Kai's heart dropped. She looked beautiful. Too beautiful to be marrying Chester. How he liked to imagine it was him at the end of the aisle—him whom Skylor was dressing up for. But it was only a dream.

He watched as Skylor met Chester beside the aisle. The prince murmured something to her and her smile broadened. Kai sat down with the rest of the crowd. Even though it had been an arranged marriage, Skylor seemed to really love Chester. And knowing that, Kai somehow felt worse.

The wedding was painful. Painful to watch Skylor and Chester stare into each other's eyes as the priest spoke. Painful to know they would exchange vows and be bonded together for life.