Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 28- Trials of the wild

N Y A

The jungle was waking up as we trudged through the thick undergrowth. I rubbed my eyes blearily, sleep still clouding my thoughts.

The sky above was painted in soft hues of orange and pink, though we barely got a glimpse of it through the towering trees and dense canopy.

Dew clung to every surface, and the air was thick with the earthy scent of soil and moss. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't beautiful, but beauty didn't make it any less uncomfortable. My boots were soaked, my arms were scratched up from rogue branches, and any exposed skin of mine was currently being attacked by mosquitos.

"My god- I'm sorry Rue, but I can't deal with this. How the heck do you live like this?" I burst out. The mosquitos were getting the better of me.

Rue laughed, a bright sound that seemed to lift the oppressive atmosphere.

Thank God she didn't take offence to that.

"Okay, I get it. Not everyone loves the jungle like I do. But it's my home, so I guess I'm biased." She shrugged, grinning.

"You really grew up here?" Lloyd asked, sidestepping a vine that had conveniently decided to drape itself across our path. "In the middle of all this?"

"Yep," Rue said, planting her hands on her hips with a proud grin. "My tribe's been here for generations. We know this jungle better than anyone. Every plant, every animal—it's like family."

Lloyd raised an eyebrow. "Even the animals that want to eat you?"

"Well," Rue admitted, "those ones are like the grumpy uncles at family dinners. You respect them from a distance."

I couldn't help but snort at that. "Grumpy uncles? That's one way to put it."

"You're not wrong," Lloyd said with a chuckle. "We've met our fair share of grumpy uncles. They usually try to kill us though."

"Kill you?" Rue's eyes widened. "That's intense. What did you do to them?"

"Nothing," I said, deadpan. "Apparently, saving the world comes with a side of mortal enemies."

Rue laughed again, and I found myself smiling despite the sticky heat. She had a way of making everything feel lighter, even when we were trekking through a jungle that seemed determined to trip us up at every turn.

Our conversation was cut short by Zane, who stopped abruptly and raised a hand.

"Something is approaching," he said, his tone calm but urgent.

Rue's expression turned serious in an instant, her smile vanishing. "Get ready."

"What are we dealing with?" Lloyd asked, drawing his swords.

Before Rue could answer, the jungle itself seemed to explode around us. A blur of movement shot out from the trees—a pack of creatures, their bodies made of thick, twisted roots, covered in spikes.

"They're called Thornhounds!" Rue explained, already summoning vines to shield us. "They're territorial and fast. Don't let them corner you!"

"Great," I muttered, summoning water to my hands. "Just what we needed."

The hounds moved like shadows, darting in and out of the undergrowth. I blasted one with a jet of water, sending it crashing into a tree. But two more replaced it, their growls low and menacing.

There was so many- a whole pack.

We were largely outnumbered.

I gulped.