Hope's Last Glimmer

Chapter 2: Dancing in the Shadows

Ok guys. I finally got the chance to write up the second chapter for you. Thanks for waiting so long! I know many of you have been dying to read more and I've been such a mean author for keeping you waiting for so long. So, without further ado, I present chapter 2. Enjoy!

-TMNTNinjagoLover

Shimmer's POV:

With an abrupt burst of light, I stepped from the portal onto the damp, mossy dirt of one of Ninjago's forests. This particular forest differed from that of the first portal I came through back before I had met the ninja. This forest smelled heavily of pine needles and moss. I smiled as the rich earthy smell welcomed me home. 

The night air was cool and crisp as I breathed a sigh of relief to myself before taking in my surroundings. A few lights twinkled in the distance through the gaps in the trees; a town was nearby. 

Deciding it was best to seek out civilization, I began to make my way towards the lights, pine needles crunching beneath my feet the whole way. I walked slowly through the forest, enjoying the stillness of the night. 

***(time skip brought to you by Zane's robo falcon)

Upon my arrival in the outskirts of the small town, I noticed something wasn't quite right. After further inspection of the little town, I was shocked to find it had been desecrated; one side of the town had been torn to shred by what seemed to be a twister. Something about the place set me on edge. There were small fires strategically placed throughout the parts of the town left intact, but there wasn't a single soul out and about. It seemed to eerily quiet that, had I not known better due to the fires, I would have assumed it to be abandoned: a ghost town

My  ears alerted me to the sound of voices. They were unclear, but I could make out that both voices were masculine and quickly approaching. Alarmed, I concealed myself in the shadow of an old, crumbling church--most likely the carnage left behind by the supposed tornado. 

The owners of the voices passed my hiding place, not noticing my small form crouched in the shadow of the church's steeple. Something was oddly familiar about the two of them. From their mannerisms to the hushed tones of their voices, something just screamed familiarity. 

Curiosity go the better of me as I decided to follow them. Slinking from shadow to shadow, I crept after them, keeping a safe distance between myself and them. I danced among the shadows, flitting between buildings and greenery in an effort to keep up with the brisk pace of the two I was trailing. 

Suddenly, one of them stopped and looked around suspiciously, his actions causing me to hunker down considerably more and will myself to melt into the shadows.

"Do you get the feeling we're being watched?" asked the one, looking around. 

"No, why?" replied the second. 

Something snapped. 'I know those voices!' 

"Cole? Jay?" I asked as I withdrew from the shadow of the house I had been hiding in and stepped out into the moonlight.

They looked perplexed as they stood silently staring at me. 

"GHOST!!!" yelled Jay as he hid whimpering behind Cole. (FYI Cole's not a ghost.)

"Shimmer?" asked Cole incredulously, stepping forward. "for the love of cake is that REALLY YOU?!"

"Yes, it's me!" I replied, unable to resist the grin that crept into my tone. At this point, Jay had poked his head out from behind Cole to get a better look at me. Upon realizing that I was indeed made of flesh and blood, he sprang out from behind Cole and tackled me in a hug.

"Shimmer..." he sobbed into my shoulder. "I missed you so so much!" 

Even Cole was getting misty-eyed as he came over and enveloped me in a hug. I hadn't expected to find these two or anyone for that matter, but I am infinitely happy that I happened upon them when I did.

"You should see Sensei." stated Cole matter-of-factly. "We'll take you to the Bounty." 

Not able to contain himself any longer, Jay's head shot up from my shoulder as he blurted, "How are you ALIVE?!"

I couldn't  resist the urge to laugh as I looked into his teary-eyed countenance. "I'll tell you my story later when I meet with Sensei, alright?" I answered, nodding at Cole to indicate that I agreed with his suggestion of seeing Sensei Wu. 

And so, our trek to the Bounty began.