NINJAGO: Cold Blooded

The night sky comes alive with a myriad of twinkling stars, creating a celestial spectacle that captivates the senses. The moon, radiant and full, casts its gentle glow upon the snowy landscape, illuminating every crevice and creating a magical ambiance.

Nestled amidst the snowy mountains, the night sky unveils its celestial wonders, painting a picture-perfect scene. Countless stars dot the velvety darkness, forming intricate constellations that have fascinated humanity for centuries. The moon, a radiant pearl in the sky, casts its ethereal light upon the snow-covered peaks.

In the deepest bits of the mountain, in a small cave, a woman was resting beside a snow-white horse. It was cold in the mountains, the winds of midnight added on to it. But a small campfire ignited the room, giving warmth to the two.

With her back against the steed, the woman diligently sharpened her dagger, her eyes focused and determined. The blade glinted in the firelight, reflecting her unwavering resolve. Beside her, the horse rested its head gently on her shoulder, a silent display of trust and companionship.

Suddenly, the tranquility of the cave was interrupted by the arrival of a small owl. Its wings fluttered gracefully as it smoothly landed on the woman’s outstretched arm, carrying a letter in its beak. “Hm?..” The woman’s eyes widened with curiosity as she carefully took the letter from the owl.

Unfolding the parchment, she read the words that would set her on a new path, her heart filled with a mix of curiosity. “Dear Twyla,” She began reciting the words on the letter. “You have been invited to the Tournament of Elements? If you are interested in joining, it’s at Ninjago Harbor tomorrow night, east of the mountains. Please bring no weapons with you.” Twyla read in a confused tone, she had never heard of this Tournament of Elements before.

Suddenly, a loud flapping noise which sounded like newspapers crumbling emitted from the owl who was flapping its wings. Then It began to hover above the ground, taking flight and leaving the cave. Twyla stared blankly at the paper, then turned to her horse. “What do you think Ember? Should we go?” She asked nudging her horse.

Ember snorted and made a nodding type of motion with her head. Twyla chuckled, “Alright then, shall we head back to camp then?” She suggested, and with that being said, Ember rose to her hooves. Twyla stood up and swiftly spun her dagger around and placed it in her belt holster.

Twyla picked up some snow from the ground, throwing it onto the burning fire. Which of course, resulted in it burning out. A loud sizzling sound echoed in the small cave. Twyla gracefully swung herself onto the back of her majestic horse, feeling the familiar warmth of the saddle beneath her. With a gentle nudge, she urged her loyal companion forward as they emerged from the dark depths of the cave.

The moon was still out, and the stars gleamed like the snow that glistened when the light of the sun hit them. Twyla sighed figuring it would take quite some time to reach her destination. The vast expanse of the mountains stretched out before them, it held many valleys and jagged peaks.

With a gentle kick, Twyla and her companion set off through the wilderness of the mountains. The snow beneath Ember’s hooves crunching with each step. As they ventured deeper into the heart of the mountains, the snowflakes danced around them. Twyla’s breath formed tiny clouds in the frigid air, and she could feel the chill seeping through her layers of clothing.

The towering peaks seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky, their jagged edges contrasting against the softness of the snow. Twyla couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the landscape, even in the midst of their arduous traveling. And finally, after what had felt like forever, Twyla caught sight of a large camp.

“Finally!” She exclaimed, then she patted Ember’s neck then held the reins again. “Let’s hurry on down there,” Twyla said and kicked a little harder. Ember broke into a sprint, running down the small rocky hill. The cold wind hit Twyla’s face, making her squint a bit.

But once down from the hill, Twyla pulled back on the reins making Ember slow down into a trot. The two entered the small camp, following the dirt path to a large tent in the distance. As they approached a grand tent, adorned with vibrant colors and intricate patterns, Twyla patted Ember’s neck, dismounting her.

Her feet landed softly on the ground. She took a moment to adjust her attire, ensuring she looked presentable before approaching Kaede. As she walked towards the tent, her excitement mingled with a hint of nervousness. She knew that the conversation she was about to have with Kaede would be of great importance.

“Kaede,” Twyla called out, her voice filled with a mix of eagerness and respect. “I received a letter today, and it has brought me both joy and uncertainty. May I have a moment of your time?” Kaede, standing just outside her tent, turned towards Twyla, her eyes reflecting a sense of curiosity. “Of course, Twyla,” she replied, her voice carrying a hint of reluctance. “What is it this letter you received?” Kaede asked crossing her arms.

“The letter for an invitation to a Tournament Of Elements.” Twyla paused, “It was said to be tomorrow night.” She finished, Kaede raised an eyebrow at this. “Anything else?” Twyla took in a deep breath, knowing this could be a red flag to Kaede. “They asked not to bring in any weapons.” She breathed nervously.

“Hold on, Twyla. Look. That’s a major drawback,” she pointed out, concern lacing her voice. However, her determination kicked in, and she looked at Kaede with a mischievous grin. “Oh, come on, Kaede! I don’t need weapons to defend myself, I can still fight!” she suggested, trying to convince her leader.

Kaede crossed her arms, still unsure about the idea. “But what if something happens? You’re the deputy, what happens if you can’t defend yourself?” she argued, her voice tinged with worry. Twyla took a step closer to Kaede, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Kaede, I understand your concerns, but I can defend myself. Besides, nobody else will bring weapons,” she explained, her voice filled with conviction.

Kaede hesitated for a moment, contemplating Twyla’s words. Finally, she let out a sigh and nodded. “Alright, Twyla. I trust you.” she agreed, a small smile forming on her lips. “But,” Kaede added, Twyla raised her eyebrow. “You are bringing that dagger in your pocket.” She said, Twyla nodded knowing it would be the best and the only way she could go.

“Go and grab some herbs for your travels, along with anything you may need for your travels. Then bid your farewells to everyone.” Kaede said and Twyla nodded, bowing her head. “I will! Thank you, Kaede!” Twyla smiled and then turned around, facing her horse.

“And one last thing...” Kaede said sounding a bit nervous. Twyla turned around, tilting her head. “I have received a prophecy of you,” Kaede whispered, Twyla’s eyes went wide in shock. Kaede took out a scroll from her pocket and tossed it over to Twyla.

“Take this on your journey, I’m not sure what it means but there are strange pajama people on it. You’ll probably figure it out later since your smart. But it means one other thing...” Kaede paused. Twyla raised an eyebrow. “You more than likely won’t return to us, you will more than likely be alive, but still. I’m sorry.” Kaede graveky frowned, Twyla sighed and nodded as mounted her horse.

“I understand.” Twyla took the reins and began to walk away on the dirt path, her horse trailing behind her. Kaede frowned watching as Ember and her friend walked down the path.

“Just stay safe... Twyla.” Kaede muttered under her breath before lowering her arms. She watched as Twyla walked off to wherever she needed to be. Then when out of sight, Kaede turned around and went into her tent.

Twyla secured Ember to a sturdy fence before hastily retreating into a tent. As she stepped inside, she was greeted by a sight that filled her with a sense of comfort and safety. The tent was meticulously organized, brimming with an array of herbs, cozy beds, and an assortment of medical supplies.

Eager to find the healers, Twyla began her search, her eyes scanning every corner of the tent. Finally, she spotted Roan and Astrid at the back, engrossed in their work. With a warm smile, she approached them, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Roan and Astrid reciprocated her smile, their eyes filled with curiosity as they inquired about her needs.

“I’m in need of some traveling herbs,” Twyla explained, her voice filled with determination. Astrid nodded understandingly and immediately set off to gather the necessary herbs. Meanwhile, Roan’s curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn’t help but ask about Twyla’s destination.

“Where are you headed?” Roan inquired, his voice laced with genuine interest. Twyla’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she replied, “I’m on my way to the tournament of elements!” She replied excitedly. Roan raised an eyebrow, leaning on a table. “Tournament Of Elements you say?” He inquired. Twyla nodded.

Astrid returned, clutching a bundle of four remarkable herbs specifically crafted for adventurous journeys. The first herb, known as Swiftleaf, possessed the power to enhance one’s speed and agility, allowing the traveler to cover great distances in a fraction of the time. The second herb, named Moonspirit, had a calming effect on the mind, ensuring a peaceful and restful sleep even in the most unfamiliar surroundings.

The third was known as “Sustenance Sage.” This herb possessed the extraordinary ability to grant immunity to hunger, ensuring that the traveler would never feel the pangs of an empty stomach during their journey. Its leaves were a vibrant shade of green. Lastly, the fourth herb, aptly named Sightseer, heightened one’s senses, granting the ability to perceive hidden dangers and secret treasures that lay hidden in the corners of the world.

With the herbs in hand, Astrid eagerly approached Twyla, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Where are you off to, my dear?” she inquired, her voice laced with genuine interest. Roan, standing nearby, couldn’t help but interject, “She’s headed to the Tournament of Elements.” Astrid’s eyebrows raised in surprise, her curiosity piqued by the mention of such a prestigious event. However, she wisely chose not to pry further, respecting Twyla’s privacy and understanding that some journeys are meant to be embarked upon without too many questions.

As the time came for Twyla to depart, Astrid and Roan bid her a heartfelt farewell, their faces adorned with warm smiles. With a gentle nod, Twyla stepped out of the tent. Now all she needed to do was get some food for the road and say farewells to her friends.

Astrid couldn’t help but watch her leave, a mix of excitement and anticipation swirling within her. She knew that Twyla’s journey to the Tournament of Elements would be filled with challenges, but she also had faith in the power of the traveling herbs she had provided. With a sense of satisfaction, Astrid turned her attention back to her own tasks, eagerly awaiting Twyla’s return and the tales of her extraordinary expedition.

TIMESKIP TO WHEN TWYLA IS ABOUT TO LEAVE...

As Twyla made her way towards the exit of the tribe, she was pleasantly surprised to see her friends, Aramis and Sikiya, waiting for her. “Not going to leave us without saying goodbye are we?” Aramis crossed his arms with a smile. Twyla gasped and dismounted Ember, jumping into the two’s arms.

“I thought you two were out on patrol!” Twyla exclaimed pulling away from the group hug. Sikiya shook her head placing her hands on her hips. “Nope! We were just climbing the trees around camp!” She replied with a smile. “Can’t believe you would leave us without saying goodbye.” Aramis sighed dramatically.

Twyla and Sikiya scoffed, rolling their eyes. “Well, we didn’t just want to say goodbye. We wanted to give you a gift, before your departure that is.” Sikiya informed, Twyla raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

Suddenly, Aramis reached into his bag and pulled out a beautifully crafted wooden box. With a mischievous smile, he handed it to Twyla, saying, “I stumbled upon this during my travels, and I knew it was meant for you, Twyla. Open it, and you’ll find a treasure that will remind you of our everlasting friendship.”

Intrigued, Twyla carefully opened the box to reveal a delicate necklace.. Its vibrant colors sparkled under the moonlight, mesmerizing her. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she turned to Sikiya, who had a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Sikiya extended her hand, revealing a pair of intricately designed earrings that perfectly complemented the necklace.

“Twyla, these earrings symbolize strength and resilience, just like you. Wear them with pride, my dear friend,” Sikiya said, her voice filled with affection. Twyla embraced her friends, feeling blessed to have such thoughtful companions by her side. “Oh thank you guys!” Twyla exclaimed with tears forming in her eyes.

“Don’t cry now! You have a big journey ahead of you!” Sikiya said whipping away Twyla’s tears. “And they’ll freeze!” Aramis joked with a smirk, resulting in the other two laughing. “But seriously though, take care of yourself,” Sikiya said placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Twyla nodded and hugged them one last time before walking over toward Ember. She then swiftly swung herself up onto the saddle. She adjusted and went into a comfortable position. “Come visit us when you have the chance!” Aramis said waving goodbye to his friend. “See you soon!” Sikiya said as Twyla’s horse began to walk down the slope. Waving as she did.

She would miss her friends, but she was excited for her new journey. Now it was time for a journey, one she had no idea on how it would go.