"Family Means No One's Left Behind"~ A Greenflame and Children Story

Chapter Twenty Four: What Lies Beyond the Surface

Kabaz's Point of View~
Today, the schools were closed because there was a lot of snow which I'm so glad for. "Yes! No school!" I cheered. "But who knows, we might have to more work when we go back," May said. "Hey! Don't be such a buzz kill! It's our day off." I groaned at her. She slightly raised her arms and said, "Hey, I'm just sayin'." I looked outside the window and saw sheets of snow covering almost everything. "Wow! That's a lot of snow!" Lari exclaimed as he also peered at the snow. "Yeah, it is. I wonder how the city looks." Lloyd said. Then, Skylor came into the room and asked, "Has Sker been asleep this whole time?" Akidah looked back at her mom and responded, "No, he just went back to bed after he got the news of no school." Skylor nodded and said, "Well, make sure he doesn't sleep the whole day. Then he'll be nearly impossible to wake up." I nodded and said, "We'll make sure he doesn't." Kai from the kitchen with a slice of toast in his hand and looked outside. "Man, that's a whole lot of snow out there." He said. "Most we've seen since I was about twelve years old," May said. "Hey, Kabaz, Akidah, you two mind helping me clear some snow in the front yard?" Dad asked. "Okay, sure." We said. Since both of us were already wearing sweatpants and socks, we just slipped on a jacket and slippers. The three of us stepped outside and melted the snow so it was out of the way. "There, now people can easily walk in and out of here," Dad said. "Okay, bye kids. You may not have school, but I've gotta get to work. Take care, I'll be back around 8:30." Skylor said as she and dad walked towards the front of the yard. "Bye, mom! See you later!" Akidah said as she waved back to her. Then, dad summoned his dragon and flew off with Skylor holding onto his shoulders behind. I went back inside and took off my jacket and slippers and sat down at the table where May and Lari were. "So, what do you four want for breakfast?" Lloyd asked. "Waffles! Eggs! Bacon! Hash browns!" We all shouted all at the same time. "Hold on, hold on. Remember, Sker's still sleeping." Lloyd said. We all simmered down. "How about we make eggs, bacon, and pancakes?" Dad suggested. "Yeah!" We all said. Then, all of us went into the kitchen and began to make our breakfast.

Narration~
As the day took its peaceful stroll, something more sinister and diabolical was beginning to crawl through small cracks of the ninja's snow day, on the Dark Island.

'New Foe's' Point of View~
I was pacing back and forth, many thoughts raging like a storm. The servants spoke not a word, but continually worked. "Aaahh! Where is he?!" I shouted. I was waiting for my son to come from his training for an important discussion. "I'm here father." A voice calls from behind me. I turned around and saw my son, Haru, standing there. "Why were you late?" I asked in an irritated voice. "Never mind that, I'm here aren't I? So, what do you want father?" He responded. "You never speak to me like that, you hear me! If I ask you something, you give me the answer I want to here! You'll never be a leader with an attitude like that!" I snapped. "I was only doing what you told me to do, train and practice using my powers." He responded irreverently. "That was all you had to say Haru. Now, shall we begin our discussion?" I said. "Yes father," Haru said. "Now, your time of becoming ruler, the king, of Ninjago is slowly drawing near. It's only a matter of time before your dream becomes reality. But, you're still not ready for that title yet, Haru." I began. "What?! Why am I not ready?! I've done everything you told me! I've followed your orders!" Haru shouted. "Because you have many obstacles in your way," I said. "What are these 'obstacles' then?" Haru asked. "These are your obstacles," I said as I showed him pictures of Kai, Lloyd, Skylor, and their brats. Haru examined them before pointing to Skylor's photo. "Who's she?" He asked. "She is the master of amber," I replied. "The 'master of amber'?" Haru questioned. "Ugh, don't be stupid, Haru. Amber means absorption. Meaning, that when she touches, she can absorb other elemental masters or beings like us powers and use them as her own. She is the most powerful of them all. She can see inside your head, know your thoughts, secrets, and weaknesses, disappear in the forms of shadow, light, and smoke, travel faster than a speeding bullet, take the form of others you trust, turn into metal, use nature and gravity against you, use sounds to know where you are, she can even poison you," I explained. Haru's eyes widened in wonder. "This one, he is the new master of wind, these two have the element of fire, he inherited amber from his mother, and she, she has powers like the Green Ninja, meaning that she has the ability to unlock the golden power," I said as I pointed to each of the children's photos. "I...I didn't know...that." Haru mumbled out. "Of course you didn't. You're impatient. You think these things are supposed to be easy, but you're sorely mistaken. Now, I want you to take these photos of each of them and study them. I want you to come up with ways you will use so their powers have little to no effect on you. And I want these ways by sunset. Do you understand me?" I told him as I pushed the photos closer to him. "Yes, father. But why sunset?" Haru responded. "Because I have a task for you to complete. This task is vital for your success in becoming king, so I suggest you not fail. I've already completed the first part and I will help you with this mission because it requires both of us. I will go into further detail when you have completed your studies. Now go," I said. Haru took the photos and left. I then began to think back to when Haru was in his earlier youth and what I had sung to him.