Dimension Breaker [ 3 ] | Lloyd Garmadon

Chapter Eleven: Home Sweet Nothing

The gem had sent us into the center of Ninjago City, I took the sunglasses off, it being dark outside now. I gave them back to Kai and pulled back my hood, not needing to block out the sun right now.

I looked around, seeing how much Ninjago can change in one year. I stepped over to a fountain and leaned over, seeing my reflection in the water. My face was dirty and had numerous scratches around my cheeks. Even though my hair was in two french braids I could tell it was matted and filthy. My arms didn't have the same strength they did four-hundred and one days ago, nor did my stomach were I was only flat, no abs visible. I sighed and clutched the cloak tightly around my arms, feeling chilly.

"Come on, let's get home." Cole said, joining me by my side. He seemed to notice my shivering because Lloyd walked over and handed me a green hoodie, I have him a slight smile and took off my cloak, slipping into the hoodie that was way too big for me, but it was warm and made my feel safe.

"Thanks." I mumbled, holding the black cloak in my hands now. As we walked through the city and towards the tea shop I could only think about my time in the dimension, the darkness, the climate, the people... and the things they made me do.

The city had changed, the lights were dimmer, not payed attention to, but the signs were plentiful, all about the same thing... me. I glanced up, eyeing a large billboard, my picture was up there, my brown hair tucked behind my ears and a smile spreading across my face, my eyes were focused straight ahead to the camera. I remember that day, we were all having a large park day, the Sensei's and Misako too.

We asked someone to take a picture of us all as a team, Sensei has it hanging in his meditation room, or he did. I'm not sure anymore. But someone must have gotten a picture of me alone. The title above the photo read; MISSING- Emma Brookstone, Would now be 20 years old. Last seen in Jamonakai Village on August 23.

"We've been trying to get those down." Kai said, following my glance, "But you know Gale, alwas poking her head where it doesn't belong." Jay shrugged, "You mean up her ass?" I questioned, a soft giggle escaping my mouth. The ninja all laughed, except for Zane who didn't say anything.

I read the sign again, seeing the same ones posted everywhere around the city, I narrowed my eyebrows in confusion then finally let out a sigh, remembering, "Right, I'm twenty." I mumbled, forgetting my birthday on the island.

"Yeah, I was going to say it on the island, but I didn't think you wanted to hear it." Cole responded, nudging my shoulder. I shrugged, "Who cares, right? Just another number, and it was wasted on an island full of-- nevermind."

"Why don't you tell us about it?" Lloyd offered, "I don't really wanted to talk about it, it was just there. So freaking stupid... who the hell put me there?" I grumbled, my mood turning dark as I thought about it more and more, it made me angry, furious even.

"We don't know." Zane spoke up, still walking in front of us all. I rolled my eyes and shuffled my feet against the road. "But hey, the big two-'o'! Twenty! It only happens once!" Jay cheered.

"Sadly, I am not in the mood to celebrate being stuck on an island, so far, twenty has been nothing but dissapointment, up until the fact that I'm finally off that place... thanks by the way."

"We wanted you off that place, and I promise, twenty will be looking up." Cole said, smiling at me. I fakely smiled and nodded, seeing the tea shop in the distance. Someone's shadow moved outside near the dragons pin, my eyes are still adjusted to the dark so I could make out a kimono and a short bob.

"Nya!" I squealed, loud enough for the person to turn around. A small box dropped on the ground and the person leaped up, sprinting towards us six. I could then see it was certainly Nya. She wrapped her arms around me and I did the same, hugging my best friend, "You're back!" she shrieked, a large smile on her face.

"Happy belated birthday! I want to hear everything, maybe after you've gotten settled in again. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Tired? Can I get you anything?" she rambled, Kai's eyes went wide, seeing his sister like this. I laughed and shook my head, "I'm fine, not hungry, tired, thirsty, I'm good." I replied.

"Come on! You have to see everyone again! Oh! I made cookies too!" she continued, dragging my hand and pulling me across the courtyard, "Still got a knee problem!' I reminded her as we neared the shop more.