Winds of Change {A Ninjago Fanfic}-Book One in the Four Winds series

Chapter Seventeen: A Different Idea

Morro struggled against the chains. They were infused with Alita's dark magic. First he was trapped in the Cursed Realm, then in Lloyd's body, and now this? I growled in frustration.

"Are you ready to help me, pet?"

"Don't you dare call me that again," Morro said, his voice dangerously low.

Alita laughed. She was enjoying being in control here.

"My idea is to get the realm crystal from the ninja," she explained. "I have no idea where they have hidden it though."

"The realm crystal will not work," Morro said. "You need a better idea."

"Why won't it work?!"

"I used the realm crystal to bring the Preeminent here," he said. "It didn't actually enter inside the preeminent."

"But how-"

"You have magic!" He growled. "You don't need the realm crystal!"

"I don't know how to open a portal!"

"Maybe you should find something that will show you how!"

*************************************

Aira kicked at the dummy and blasted it with her wind. The dummy flew backwards but then she caught it using her power and gently carried it back towards her.

"Very good!" Jay yelled excitedly. "Lloyd has gone a good job teaching you!"

"Why do you sound surprised?"

"You are his first student," Zane explained. "We are suprised at how well he taught you for his first time."

"Well, I-"

"Howdy hey!" Yelled a deep voice. Aira turned towards the source. A man had entered. He wore orange and had an eyepatch.

"Ronin!" Zane and Jay yelled in unison.

"How are you?" Jay said happily.

"Pretty good, how about yourself?"

"Pretty good," Jay said.

"Almost too good," Zane said.

"Hey," Ronin said looking at Aira. "Who is this lovely lady?"

"She is my student," Lloyd said walking in. He looked almost annoyed at Ronin's comment. Aira wondered why.

"Well, what do you know," Ronin laughed. "Little Lloyd had become a Sensei."

"I'm not at a Sensei," he said. "I'm just and active teacher."

"Sure, sure," Ronin laughed. "But I had a reason for coming."

"What is that reason?" Zane asked.

"Something is amiss," Ronin said becoming serious. "There was a massive energy surge near the Caves of Doom. I couldn't figure out what it was."

"The artifacts," Aira breathed. Lloyd's face turned pensive.

"Artifacts?" Ronin asked.

"It's a long story," Jay said.

"Sensei Wu is in his meditation room," Lloyd said. "Go tell him what you've found."

Ronin nodded and walked out. Jay and Zane followed him. Lloyd crossed his arms and watched them go. Aira looked down and blushed. She had been furious with herself for being so forward last night.

"Let's see your punching form," Lloyd said thoughtfully. Aira quickly brought her fist into the dummies stomach. "Again."

She punched the dummy again and Lloyd watched her form carefully. She felt extremely self-conscious under his gaze.

"Your too tense," Lloyd said. "Relax."

"I'm trying," she said nervously.

He came up behind her and ran his thumbs down the two cords in her neck. She tried to keep breathing. He massaged her neck for a few minutes and she felt the tension leave her.

"Now try again," he said stepping back.

This time she punched dummy flawlessly. He smiled and she blushed. Her neck still felt warm.

Lloyd mentally slapped himself. She could easily have become relaxed without the whole massage thing. But it just felt right. This was so confusing.

"Lloyd?"

"Hmm," he said snapping back to reality.

"I asked you a question," she said. She was dying to know what he was thinking about.

"I'm sorry," he said rubbing the back of his neck. Aira's heart fluttered. Why did guys look so cute when they did that? "I have a lot on my mind."

"Understandable," she said smiling.

"Lloyd!" Cole yelled bursting into the room. He looked between the two of them. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No," Lloyd said. "What's wrong?"

"There was a breakin at the Museum and a book of ancient magic was stolen!"

"What?! Why would they keep a book of magic!?" Lloyd yelled. "Do you know how much trouble magic had caused?"

"Yes, Lloyd," Cole said. "I'm a freaking ghost remember. How did that happen? Magic!"

"Cole, get the others," Lloyd instructed. "We need to find that book! Aira, you ride with me."

Aira nodded. Lloyd ran out of the room and then back in. "Here, you might need this."

He handed her a deep purple ninja GI with silver trimming. It was beautiful. She smiled and thanked him. He blushed and handed her a sword. She changed and hurried outside.

"Hey! Aira's looking good!" Kai whooped.

"Officially a ninja," Nya said laughing. Aira hadn't actually seen Nya go on a mission with the guys before but she had a red and blue ninja GI.

Aira hopped up behind Lloyd and wrapped her arms around his waist. He took off and the others followed.

************************************

"A book of magic?" Amaya asked.

"Morro was so kind as to retrieve it for me," Alita smirked. Morro growled.

"Hurry up so I can go," Morro said. Suddenly an idea popped into his head. An idea to make it up to the ninja. He would have to be quick though.

Alita began to chant the words to open the portal. A purple cloud appeared above them. As soon as the opening was wide enough Morro jumped through. Alita yelped in surprise. She still needed Morro! She began chanting again. She would most likely have to go in and retrieve him.

Next: Chapter Eighteen: Reunion