Ninjago stories

Chapter 4- E

The night breeze ruffled Mia's hair as she stood on a rocky outcrop, Blackie perched precariously on her shoulder. Below them, a swamp stretched out like a murky green blanket, the air thick with the croaking of frogs and the buzzing of unseen insects.

"Are you sure this is the way, Blackie?" Mia asked, her voice laced with doubt. The grumpy troll Blackie had mentioned was nowhere to be seen, and the swamp looked more like a breeding ground for giant mosquitoes than a gateway to magical knowledge.

Blackie, who seemed less than enthusiastic about the whole swamp situation, adjusted his miniature witch hat with a disgruntled paw. "Positive. Now, hold on tight. We need to cross this rickety bridge before nightfall."

Mia wrinkled her nose as she eyed the rickety wooden bridge spanning the swamp. It swayed precariously in the wind, and several planks looked suspiciously close to snapping. "Are you serious? That thing looks like a death trap!"

"Don't be a scaredy-cat," Blackie scoffed, though his own bravado seemed a little strained. "Just keep your eyes on the prize – learning to control the wind like a pro!"

Taking a deep breath, Mia cautiously stepped onto the bridge. Each creak and groan of the wood sent shivers down her spine. Halfway across, a particularly loud groan startled her. She tripped, flailing her arms wildly for balance.

Suddenly, a gust of wind erupted from her outstretched hand, catching the rickety bridge and sending it swaying violently. Blackie, who hadn't been expecting the sudden surge of wind, let out a yelp and lost his footing. With a comical splash, he disappeared into the murky depths of the swamp below.

Mia stared at the commotion she'd caused, a mixture of shock and amusement warring on her face. "Blackie!" she cried, peering over the edge of the bridge.

A disgruntled head emerged from the swamp water, fur plastered to his sleek body. "Thanks a lot, Mia! That was NOT part of the plan!" Blackie sputtered, shaking himself off in a flurry of water droplets.

Mia, despite her initial concern, couldn't help but let out a giggle. "Oops? Sorry, Blackie," she said, trying to sound apologetic. Secretly, she was kind of proud of herself. Maybe she did have some control over the wind after all.

Blackie, thoroughly soaked and grumpy, clambered back onto the bridge, shaking himself off one last time. "Alright, alright," he grumbled, "let's just get across this bridge before some swamp monster decides you look like a tasty snack."

Mia, emboldened by her accidental feat, decided to put her newfound control to the test. She focused on the wind swirling around her, picturing it as a gentle breeze. Slowly, the swaying of the bridge subsided, the wood creaking less ominously.

Blackie, who had been clinging precariously to Mia's arm, looked up in surprise. "Hey, that's not bad! You actually managed to control the wind a little!"

Mia grinned, a newfound confidence blooming within her. Maybe this whole "wind magic" thing wasn't so bad after all. Perhaps by embracing her abilities, she could learn more about herself and her connection to the wind.

Reaching the other side of the bridge, they continued their trek through the swamp. The path was treacherous, filled with hidden sinkholes and buzzing insects. But with each gust of wind Mia accidentally conjured – a small breeze to push away a particularly large spiderweb, a gentle lift to help Blackie jump over a muddy puddle – her control grew.

By the time they reached a clearing bathed in moonlight, Mia was no longer a novice struggling with accidental gusts. She could control the wind with surprising precision, creating gentle swirls and miniature tornadoes at will.

Blackie, who had been surprisingly patient throughout the journey (mostly because he was too focused on avoiding getting mud on his fur), watched in awe as Mia sent a small ball of wind dancing through the air.

"Wow, kiddo," he finally admitted, "you're a natural! Maybe there's something to this whole wind channeler thing after all."

Mia smiled.

" Dad was one of the best. He was going to teach me, but...." Mia took a breath. " The accident happened."

" I remember. But, I think you're the best elemental master ever!" Blackie replied.

" And Nya's the worst." Mia muttered.

Blackie bristled at Mia's last comment. "Whoa there, hold on a minute. Nya may not be a master of wind, but she's a phenomenal water ninja! Remember that time she saved Ninjago City from that giant squid monster using nothing but a bucket and a mop?"

Mia crossed her arms, kicking a pebble across the moonlit clearing. "Yeah, well, that was mostly luck. She doesn't really control water like Kai controls fire or Cole controls earth."

"Control isn't everything, Mia," Blackie countered, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Each element has its own unique way of interacting with the world. Nya may not have the same flashy moves as some of the others, but she understands water in a way most people never will. She can be calm and adaptable, like a flowing river, or fierce and destructive, like a raging storm."

Mia paused, considering Blackie's words. Maybe she had been too quick to judge Nya. "I guess I never really thought about it like that."

Blackie hopped off her shoulder and nudged her leg with his head. "Exactly! Each ninja has their strengths and weaknesses. That's what makes them a team. They complement each other, learn from each other. You wouldn't want a whole team of fire ninjas, would you? Things would get a little... toasty."

Mia smirked. "Okay, okay, point taken. Nya's cool... in her own way."

Blackie let out a satisfied purr. "There you go! Now, back to your wind mastery training. Think you can create a small wind tunnel to help us navigate through that dense thicket over there?"

Mia pointed towards a wall of thick foliage that blocked their path. Focusing on the wind, she pictured a swirling vortex clearing a pathway through the undergrowth. A moment later, a miniature whirlwind materialized, parting the leaves and branches just enough for them to squeeze through.

"Nice!" Blackie exclaimed, cautiously stepping into the wind tunnel. "See, this is why you need to learn this stuff. It'll come in handy way more than just avoiding grumpy trolls and swamp monsters."

Mia followed him into the tunnel, a newfound respect for her abilities blooming within her. Maybe this whole journey, with its unexpected twists and turns, was exactly what she needed. She was learning about her powers, reconnecting with her past, and starting to see her friends in a new light. The path ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, Mia felt a spark of hope flicker within her.