Evening fell quickly across Azure Valley - thousands of people had gathered in the palace's huge courtyard, whilst many more people gathered outside the walls, hoping to get a good view of one of the city's greatest events.
Inside the palace, multiple maids were assisting in getting everything ready, after all, it had only been that morning when Jupiter held the Sky Jewel and agreed to its request. The once lilac ninja was now dressed in a silk violet dress, touched with gold and decorated with sequins. Hairstylists and make-up professionals were hustling around the girl, who was sat in front of a mirror.
"Hurry, we don't have much time left!" cried one of the women.
"Where's the earrings? She needs the earrings!" cried another.
It was chaos in the dressing room, so much chaos that a maid had tripped and shattered a very expensive looking vase. Jupiter sat quietly in her comfy seat - she was about to offer to help clean up the shards of ceramic, when the kind woman doing her hair quickly said,
"Don't worry, my dear, you just sit tight whilst we get someone to clean that up." With little force, she turned Jupiter's head and continued on her hair.
"Somebody get that servant boy here! We need someone to clean this before we have an incident!" The woman shouted. Without a second thought, another maid hollered into the hall.
It was a pandemonium in the room and Jupiter was feeling a little sluggish. The ceremony hadn't even started yet; she still had to get onto the balcony and Axel had to bestow her the crown and, more importantly, the Sky Jewel, in order for the coronation to be completed. It was an exciting but draining event.
Within a few seconds, the servant boy arrived with a dust pan and brush in hand. A maid ushered him towards the broken ornament scattered on the floor. Jupiter eyed the person cleaning up the floor as the last few decorations were being placed on her head. The boy's hair fell across his face as he swept up the shards but somehow, Jupiter recognised him. Her heart dropped immediately.
"Hector?" She breathed. What were the chances that they'd both end up here, in this sub-realm, in this palace? Very slim, in her opinion.
The boy lifted his head slowly to reveal tired eyes, but those eyes soon widened in surprise as he saw Jupiter. It was him. He didn't say anything - he was lost for words at the coincidence of both of them being there. Around them, maids were still bustling with finishing touches being made.
"Alright, dear, go on now! Good luck!" The woman doing her hair squealed, pushing her out the door, but Jupiter's eyes were still locked on Hector's.
The palace halls were adorned with lilac coloured flowers. She could hear the cheers from the crowds beyond the palace walls, and as she was being escorted to the balcony to make her first appearance, a wave of anxiety washed over her. This was an exciting but nerve-wracking event - but is this what she'd spend her life doing? Deep down, she felt that she never belonged alongside the ninja, or that she was not worthy enough to call herself a ninja. To be in a place where her elemental power is praised by people felt more welcoming. But was it the right thing to do?
The golden gates of the palace's main balcony opened slowly - Axel stood there, proclaiming to the citizens of Azure Valley the coronation of Empress Jupiter. Beside him stood a young maid holding a cushion with a crown.
Jupiter stepped outside the gates and into the warm evening air - roars of appreciation surged from the crowds below as Axel positioned the dignified crown on Jupiter's head.
"And now," Axel yelled above the people. "I bestow Azure Valley's most illustrious jewel, The Sky Jewel, to our newly crowned sovereign! May she prosper in its power and status!"
From a dark velvet box, he unveiled the gem; this time it was bound to a thin gold chain - it was now a pendant for a necklace. Axel slowly placed the necklace around the Empress' neck and it glowed a bright lilac colour, bright enough for the citizens in the courtyard to see and cheer for. He quietly explained to her that she must never take it off, and she nodded in response. Moments after the jewel was placed around her neck, a sudden rush went through her, something warm and inviting, familiar but different.
Axel insisted the new Empress said a few words before heading back inside the palace - she spoke to the people of the sub-realm with a kind voice, thanking them for their welcoming sentiment and hoping to be the suitable leader that was foretold to them.
A while later, the people of the palace went back inside to celebrate the Empress' new reign. A party was announced in the palace, with Azure Valley's highest individuals as guests. Illuminated with the most affluent décor was a great hall, where people from across the sub-realm gathered for the exclusive celebration. However, something else was on Jupiter's mind - how and why was Hector a servant in the palace? Did Axel take him too?
She spent the rest of the night avoiding conversation with guests and searched the palace for her long lost friend.
"Hector!? Where are you!?" She yelped down the halls. The Sky Jewel on her chest pulsed in different colours, strangely causing Jupiter's energy to drain quicker than normal. She ended up walking slowly around the gigantic building.
"Hector?" She yelled one last time. Where could he have gone?
YOU ARE READING
NINJAGO: Corrupted
Pertualangan[𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙!] Join the six ninja, Kai, Cole, Zane, Nya, Jay and Lloyd in a quest to find their missing teammate Jupiter, whilst uncovering the secrets behind her power and what it all has to do with a mysterious jewel... Find out in this ill...
