Ninjago: Ripped World 2

The Light

Cole opened the door to the library, one that was in perpetual darkness. Still early in the day, the windows were heavily shuttered, obstructing any natural light into the space. A functional light had been set up over the main research table outlining the shape of its surface. All the bookshelves had task lighting so scholar could go about their work unhindered by the annoyance of the world and its revolutions in space and time. Days would go by when Sensei Wu would be consulting the texts. He would finally emerge unsure of the day or date but full of wisdom, though making little sense.

It was his sacred place and every student understood this when they entered.

Misako walked over to them and greeted Kai and Skylor 'Welcome Skylor its wonderful to see you and Kai of course. You look well Kai' Misako spoke gently as was her way and it was especially so in the library.

'Thank you' Skylor whispered back, to have the gentile moment whipped away by Jay, animated in the background venting his frustration at the box.

'Nnnng! Oh come onnn! This box is just the WORST!' Lloyd winced and prodded Jay in the arm 'OW!' Jay said, frustrated 'Whadya do that for?'

Lloyd indicated to the visitors, adding '...and you're being really loud, it's a library'.

But Jay had no interest in silence 'Skylor' he exclaimed, loudly 'brilliant, you have to come look at this!'

Skylor turned to Kai and gave him a perplexed look. He shrugged his shoulders' as he wasn't sure what was going on either and she began to walk over to the table. As Skylor approached she could see the small box and the disc and then her subconscious kicked in. The table stretched away in front of her and the short walk seemed to take an eternity as long locked away memories crept into her present.

'Where... where did you get this?' She said.

'You recognise it?' Lloyd said

'Well, yes. But I don't know what it is. I saw it a long time ago.'

'But you remember it?' Jay added, hoping for some more information 'Did you ever see it working?'

'Working?' Skylor asked 'No, I don't know what it is. Its just some box' She felt on edge, like she should know more and Jay wanted details she couldn't give. She knew it was not good, whatever it was.

Misako, could see her unease and stepped in 'It's fine Skylor, don't let Jay worry you with it. We just thought you may be able to give us some insights into the Amber disc'

'The disc is amber?' she said

Jay tried to jump in again, but Misako raised her hand to silence him. He buttoned it, tightly. 'Yes' Misako said holding Skylors gaze 'come and see, it's quite beautiful' she led her forward as Jay and Lloyd backed away from the table. The hesitant audience was wrapped in darkness with only the box, the disc and Skylor existing in the tables light. Skylor touched the worn leather surface of the table, her fingers moved towards the box but stopped short of touching it. Skylor began to talk as her fragmented memories surrounding the box fitted into place.

'My father would hold court. Important and wealthy patrons would visit and exquisite banquets and parties would be thrown. I would be alowed to join them early in the evening and as he spoke to his assembled guests he would eloquently brag about our powers, my mothers and mine. He would say we were his most prized possessions. Of course, I didn't realise that was slightly maniacal. I thought he just loved us, so much. Mother didn't seem to be that receptive to his flattery and would stand at his shoulder looking dour and distant. I couldn't understand it. All these important people hung off his every word and mother was just not there. Father was proud and strong... and a complete tyrant. But how was I to know?'

It was after one of these parties that mother disappeared. I thought she hated father... and me... and left. I can understand it now and I wish she had taken me with her too. I suspect my younger self would have objected. I know I would have. That's what hurts so much now. That I was so deluded I was turned against my own mother. She knew this to be so and left me.

The room was silent. The light showed the tears on Skylors face for all to see. Kai came forward and held her.

Nya took Coles hand. He looked at her and could see she was feeling every heart felt word and put his arm around her.

Skylor pulled away from Kai. 'I'm sorry' she said.

The room erupted in a flurry of consolation that snapped her back to the present and the box.

'It was around then that I saw the box. It was the only time I ever saw it'.

'Did you know what is was?' Asked Misako.

'No' Skylor replied 'as usual, I was nosing around at one of fathers parties at a time when I should have been in bed. I was sat behind a beautiful partition screen in fathers' office. It was one of my favourite places. The design was so intricate and the edges gilded. I would follow the pattern with my finger, like a maze and see where it would take me. This time father came into his office with Clouse and my mother. She stood at his shoulder and Clouse in front of his grand desk. Clouse placed a small parcel in front of father, which he unwrapped. It was the box. I'm sure of it. It looked perfectly new, not like now. Clouse placed a second smaller parcel on the table and this was the disc. He called it the conductor'.

'Father indicated for mother to come forward. He said something to her and she placed her hands on the box. Clouse spoke some words and a soft mist kind of... evaporated from my mother and was drawn into the box. She looked in pain and I turned away. I was scared. I didn't know what I was seeing. And that was it. They left the room eventually, as did I when it was safe. That's all I know'.

'I still don't know what it is. Do you?'

'Not entirely' said Misako.

Kai spoke gently to Skylor 'I've not told you about Jay's recent experience. It links directly back to his mother and being found by the Walkers'.

'Tell me' she looked at Jay. She sat on a stool at the table as Jay began his story.