Partners In Crime

Chapter 50: Legend of the Djinn

"Aria."

Aria looked up from her mother's book to see Lloyd standing at her doorway.

"You might wanna come see this," Lloyd points outside.

Aria marked her page in the book before following Lloyd out into the living room where the tv was playing. Footage is shown of the ninja committing various crimes, with Reika robbing the bank, Zane sabotaging a roller-coaster and sending its riders crashing off of the rails, Cole destroying various roads, Jay robbing a painting of Master Chen from the Ninjago Museum of History, and so forth.

News reports interviews various associates of the Ninja and the Police Commissioner is calling for their arrest.

"That seems out of character," Aria comments.

"Very," Lloyd agrees as he turns to her "You think there's someone out there plotting against them?"

"Maybe not someone," Aria replies "maybe it's something."

-

On the tv the commissioner was talking "Any questions?"

"How do you find a Ninja?" A reporter asks

"The Ninja are still at large and public enemy number one." The Commissioner replies

"Hm?" Aria looks up at it.

"We've taken their ship as well as secured their known hideouts" the Commissioner says "They will be caught and pay for their crime spree. I bet my reelection on it."

"So," Lloyd drops a pile of books in front of Aria "I looked through all the myths and legends and I think I might've gotten an idea."

"Of what?" Aria questions as she puts a donut in her mouth.

"Of what?!" Lloyd makes a sound of annoyance "Of what the ninja are dealing with!"

"Oh yeah that," Aria says. "Why do we care?"

"Cause he could be really helpful to us," Lloyd picks up a book and throws it on the table in front of Aria with a page open. "I think it's a Djinn."

"A Djinn?" Aria questions as she sat up "Like a genie?"

"Sorta," Lloyd sat across from her "Djinn are like genies, only when he grants you wishes, you'll be wishing you never met him. They're very sneaking and like to twist your wishes against you."

"Ah like a loophole," Aria nods "so how would he help us?"

"He's put the whole city of Ninjago against them," Lloyd explains "it's a perfect time for us to go inside and look around."

"What exactly would we be looking for?" Aria asks "There's nothing worth looking for."

"Perhaps not, but we can assess the situation." Lloyd replies "Look around, see if we can find anything."

"What I hear is boring work." Aria sighs "I'm in the middle of my own important research."

"You're reading your mother's book I know," Lloyd says "I get it, but we need to figure out our next move. Do you plan to just sit here for the rest of your life?"

Aria glanced at her mother's book before turning back to Lloyd "My parent's didn't intend to," she stood up "so neither do I."

"Huh?" Lloyd looked confused.

"Just come on!" Aria called out as she headed to the door.

Lloyd picked up the book on the Djinn before following after her. The two traveled through Ninjago watching the citizens, who did not seem bothered by the two's presence. 

"It seems they have forgotten us," Lloyd comments "see, I told you it'd be fine."

"We haven't exactly attacked Ninjago on our own accords lately." Aria says as she glances around "nor ever I think."

Lloyd suddenly stops and turns around to stare at someone who walked past them. Aria stopped not far ahead of him and turned back around.

"What?" Aria asks.

"Are you noticing anything strange?" Lloyd questions "Like that person who just passed?"

"What about them?" Aria walked towards him.

"Not everyone, but look at their wrists." Lloyd says

Aria looks around at the people, as Lloyd said a few of them in the area had the same mark on their wrists.

"A birthmark," Aria mutters.

"Exactly," Lloyd says "remember the writing in the temple 'once the tyrant and her lover return all those who bare the mark of Del will once again resume their roles before the kingdom disappears forever.'"

"You think those with those marks on their wrists are Deltorian's?" Aria questions.

"I don't think, I know." Lloyd responds.

The two look at each other curiously before going further into Ninjago. After awhile of snooping around they found out that the ninja managed to escape prison and quickly headed back to their domain.

"Knowing that all Deltorian's have a visible birthmark on their wrist makes it easier for our plans," Aria says "to you know, extract revenge on them for taking our heads."

"Them and their descendants yes," Lloyd replies.

Aria sighs "Boy is this getting interesting."