The ninja spent some time grieving for their lost Sensei. Lloyd, Reika, Aria, and Wu had felt it the most. They however were not able to grieve for long, a letter arrived for Aria from the palace. The ninja gathered around as she read it.
"What does she want now?" Kai asks looking annoyed
"..my brother has finished his studies." Aria told him as she slowly looked up from the letter "and he's returning to Ninjago. My mother requested I return to the palace for his homecoming."
"Your brother?" Jay questions
"Prince Zero," Zane tells him, turning to the ninja "We saw him many years ago during the Ninjaball run. He was surrounded by guards at the time, Aria was still a child."
"Oh yeah," Kai says recalling the memory
"I thought Zero still had a few years left," Lloyd said, leaning over Aria's shoulder
Aria looked up at him "Apparently he graduated early, my brother is amazing after all."
"Will you be alright," Lloyd asks concerned "After all your mother.."
"I'll be alright," Aria smiles "Promise."
"Of course, you will," Reika says as she slings her arm around Aria's shoulders "cause I'm coming with you."
"Why?" Aria asks
"Yeah, why?" Lloyd asks suspiciously
"If you're going I'm going too," Kai joins in
"Me too," Jay agrees
"Me three," Cole pipes in
"I as well," Zane nods
"No no," Aria shakes her head "You all don't need to come."
"But we're your family," Lloyd says leaning over Aria's shoulder
"Yes, you are," Aria smiles to them "I couldn't be happier that you are all concerned for me, but I really should go on my own."
"There you go talking all prim and proper," Reika rolls her eyes "Come on wifey curse at me."
"I uh-" Aria looks down "I'm not doing that."
"I know your mother's an ass, but do you need to put on this act for her?" Reika asks
"It's about time you shouldn't care what your mother thinks," Lloyd tells Aria gently.
"Yes, we like you for who you are" Zane agrees
"Yeah, even with your weird relationship with my sister," Kai jokes
"I really must go see her," Aria says
"At least let me come with you," Reika begs "I'm worried, we all are."
Aria looks around at the Ninja's worried expression before sighing with a smile "Alright.."
"Yes!" Reika cheers
Aria went to Sensei Wu to tell him of her plans as Reika and the ninja all looked at each other seriously.
"You better keep an eye out for her," Lloyd says
"That's a given," Reika replies
"But make sure you're on your best behavior too," Kai adds "We don't need to bail you out of jail for insulting the Empress."
"Just a little insult wouldn't hurt," Reika mutters
"No-" Jay tells her
"Unless she deserves it," Zane intervenes
"Heh," Cole leans on his fist "of course she deserves it."
Later that week Reika and Aria departed for the palace early morning. Once arriving Reika was taken into a room to wait while they changed Aria's attire. After what seemed like hours the door finally opened back up.
"Hey," Reika looks at the blonde guard looking annoyed "It's been hours, where is she?"
"Princess Aria is waiting for you now," the guard smiles "Follow me."
"About time," Reika jumps up and follows the guard
"I'm not just some guard you know," the guard smiles at her "I'm Hanabusa, I use to be her highness's personal guard.. until she left that is."
"I see," Reika replies, not knowing how to feel.
She looks up to see Aria standing in the hall, waiting.
"Oh wow!" Reika rushes up to her "You look so cute."
"Cute?" Aria tilts her head "Not mommy."
"No this is definitely giving little princess vibes." Reika says
Aria giggles "for once, you are right."
"Princess, your family is waiting," Hanabusa interrupts
"Right.." Aria answered, looking nervous
Reika grabbed Aria's hand and squeezed it tight. She gave her a comforting smile before Aria smiled as well. Hanabusa led the girls to the dining hall, he opened the door and stood to the side as they walked in. At the head of the table sat Layla, on her right was the Emperor, followed by Harumi. On her left was Zero and beside him, a spot set for Aria.
"Zero," Layla spoke "It's rude to read at the dinner table."
"Yes mother," Zero responded as he shut his book "forgive me, it seems I've forgotten the rules in my time away."
Zero glances at his mother who in response gives him an icy glare.
"Brother," Aria smiles as she approaches "welcome home."
"Well look at you," Zero stood up as she grew closer "it seems you have gotten much older since I last saw you." he took her hand "I told you you'd become a beauty."
"Thank you brother," Aria replies happily
Zero lets go of her hand and turns his attention towards Reika.
"Who is this you've brought with you?" Zero replies
"I'm her wife," Reika replies
The Emperor chokes on his drink, Harumi looks confused, and Layla glares up at the children.
"She's joking," Aria puts her hand in front of Reika's face, looking embarrassed "This is Reika, she's here as a representative of Master Wu."
"Nice to meet you," Zero held his hand out to her
"Nice to meet you too," Reika took his hand
Zero mutters to her "You'll never be allowed to have my little sister."
"Guess I'll have to work overtime," Reika mutters back
The two smile to each other as Aria had a bad feeling.
"Alright," Layla waves off the servants "Sit.. we have much to discus."
Zero and Aria look at each other and nod, Reika looks between the two of them confused. The royal siblings take a seat as Reika stood behind Aria's seat. Looking around, Reika noticed all the servants and guards all quickly and quietly leaving.
"So," Layla placed down her fork and folded her hands "now that Zero is back, you all know what I want to talk about.."
Harumi looked over at Zero and Aria who glared at her in return.
"The line of succession," Layla finished, glancing over at the two sides "Naturally, it should fall to Zero, my eldest. But he's been in training to be the captain of the guards."
"I'm ok with that," Zero chimed in before looking spitefully at Harumi "then technically in succession it goes to blood first."
"But I'm the second oldest," Harumi argues "If we go by age."
"You're not truly blood here though," Aria tells her "therefor by royal blood I am next in line."
"I've been preparing to take over since I've been here though," Harumi says, looking hurt "Aria my sister you love being a ninja."
"You're not our sister," Zero crosses his arms
"Why you-"
"Enough bickering," Layla interrupts "all of you, are my children."
Zero and Aria looked annoyed as Harumi smiles.
"Law also states an Empress cannot rule without being married." Richard, the Emperor, speaks up for once "It is why me and your mother married."
"Precisely," Layla nods "Girls, if you so wish to be next in line I suggest you find yourself an engagement first. A respectful one too, he must be someone useful to this empire. On top of that you must show you are fit to rule my kingdom, but don't think you'd be given something easy. You better prepare."
"But mother," Zero said, looking upset "Aria hasn't been given the same opportunities as Harumi, that's unfair."
"Not my problem," Layla replies looking at the two of them "you wanted this fight, now deal with it." she stood up "dismissed, all of you. Get out of my face."
The children all stood up and began walking out of the dining hall, with Reika following after them. Once the doors closed Aria and Harumi faced each other.
"What was your argument about us not being sisters?" Harumi asked smugly "It's an equal playing field."
"You know damn well it's not fair," Aria curses
Hanabusa rushed over as Reika grabs his arm, shaking her head to not intervene.
"Just know it's your fault," Harumi tells them "both of you."
"We'll see who comes out on top," Zero replies with a smirk "their's no way a half-wit can compare to us."
Harumi glares at them as Aria and Zero cross their arms. Reika gasps seeing Aria AND Zero's eyes glow purple.
"May the best princess win," Harumi says before walking away
Hanabusa bows to Aria and Zero before running after Harumi.
"I'm fucked," Aria says once Harumi was out of ear-shot
"Not entirely," Zero replies with a smile "I got an idea."
Reika looks between the two confused "Um, what's the plan?"