Salt: A Ninjago story

35: Pied Piper

The fight, while impetuous and rash had seemed like the right thing to do at the time, but just when Jay and Nya had thought they'd got the jump on the shadow ninja, things had altered drastically.

The aggressive grey trainers of the younger students had been swiftly taken down. Even the great hulking ninja that looked like Killow was felled relatively easily. Positioned as they were alongside the course, the training obstacles had proved useful; the element of surprise gave Nya and Jay the upper hand. Leaping from their hidden position above they propelled the unsuspecting ninja into the apparatus; the limbs of a sparing column and the bone crushing teeth of the rolling barrels; the rotating arms of a bludgeoning device made a satisfying crack as one of its swinging dead weights made contact with Watt's face; beautifully efficient weapons for training and equally efficient now, in battle.

The students were startled to stillness and watched as Jay and Nya felled one grey ninja after another. As the final one fell, the students reverted back from their shock, aggression returning to their faces and their young bodies stiffened into an attacking position. 'Nya' Jay called and leaped towards her. They stood strong the fear of uncertainty in their faces at the swarm of physical anger that stared them down. At that moment Jay looked into their eye's and saw that their fire was not directed towards them but somewhere beyond. Jay swung around in realisation, Watt was coming up behind, dragging his massive frame from the ground where the swinging mace had felled him, blood smeared across his crushed cheek and Jay just about managed to register the larger than average fist as it slammed into his jaw.

'Jay' Nya shrieked as he was thrown back and collapsed to the floor. She threw her body down onto his as Watt loomed above, ready to pummel him again. As she held herself between Jay and a battering she felt the silent rush of nimble feet jump across her and the crash of Watts great weight behind. She lifted her gaze tentatively away from her fallen love to see the students release their pent up fury upon Jay's attacker 'Jay was right' Nya told herself as her heart thudded in her chest and the small fists flew again and again, stilling Watt beneath them.

Jay stirred, his eyes flickering. His jaw was hanging painfully to one side and he let out a low moan as he tried to say Nya's name 'Don't talk Jay' Nya said as she held his gaze 'you were right' she told him with tears and happiness in her eyes 'You were right about the children' Jay sat up slowly and as Nya supported him she saw his eyes widen and turning she too saw the young ninja, standing, blackened and bloody, fists curled eyes boring towards them. Nya stood and faced them. Removing her hood, she threw it to the ground and spoke with passion for both Jay and herself.

'You are brave and full of potential, something that this place has so far denied you. We came here to rescue my brother, a brave Ninja, who's future, much like your own, is in jeopardy. As much as we want to get to him, we could not pass by on seeing your suffering' Nya turned to Jay 'If my friend could talk, he would tell you what he saw in you and I had to agree' She looked intently into the crowd making eye contact with as many faces as she could 'Each one of you is a person that should be free. Free to make your own choices, own your life and discover your true potential, an opportunity that was gifted to us when we were children and made us the people we are today' Taking a breath she looked hopefully into the stunned and uncertain faces of the children before her and continued 'I also won't lie to you. We need your help, to free my brother and free yourselves, because we can't do either alone' It was then that Nya noticed movement all around the training square. Students, of different ages and even some Grey Ninja were standing at the edges and moved forward, intrigued, drawn to the words of hope and kindness, that they had never thought to hear in their lives 'Reverse the roles' Nya continued 'take the fight back to your captors and make your life your own once more' Her heart pounded as the crowd surged towards them and lifted her high in their outstretched arms. She shrieked and laughed 'OMM ok ok! Put me down put me down!' she pleaded with a laugh and they did.

The smallest crowded around and gazed in awe up at her 'Hi' Nya said and they continued to smile and stare. She looked to see that Jay was being helped by two grey ninja, who were bandaging his jaw into place and the thudding in her heart calmed. She waded through the sea of staring bodies to reach Jay who stood to embrace her 'look what we did!' she whispered to him.

'...Ou id ith' he replied.

Nya could not understand what Jay was trying to say and raised her hand up to his face but stopped short of touching it 'Your poor jaw. Oh Jay, lets get this over with and get you home where Pixal can fix you up and Misako can mother you!' Jay suppressed a laugh and nodded, wincing.

Again, Nya turned to the crowd 'You are family to us now. We will look out for you if you come with us. Turn your backs on this life and fight your way out. Because, that's what it will be, a fight for your lives' She thrust her fist in the air and the crowd reciprocated, thrusting their arms high, one after the other, releasing a joint shout of anticipation for their next chapter!