Roots of Earth ~ A Ninjago Fanfiction

Chapter 40: The Star Pool's Message

The black she-cat's movement from boulder to boulder was deft and graceful, for she was a creature well familiar with the realm of the treacherous mountainsides. The female's beautiful black pelt reflected the warm rays of the sun slanting down between the large boulders' shadows. She slipped soundlessly up and down the rocky slopes, drifting idly through the terrain. There was no real point in this walk; she was merely enjoying the cool, fresh mountain air and the breeze ruffling her whiskers.

The cat hopped up to a smooth outcrop and surveyed her surroundings. A steep slope stretched out far below her, boulders and hints of plant life scattered here and there on the dirt. Farther down in the distance, where a vast valley swept away, greenery colored the horizon, signs of lush forests and fields. The sunset dipping behind the jagged tips of pine trees cast a warm orange light throughout the land, its final gift before bidding the world farewell and casting it to the mercy of the night. A low breeze whistled though a nearby outcrop, a lone mournful song to the scene alongside the cry of a hawk, whose soaring silhouette could be seen just above the puffy pink clouds.

The she-cat took all this in with her brilliant, emerald-green eyes, silver markings on her fur outlining those eyes and making them stand out beautifully. She lay on her belly and heaved a deep sigh of contentment. She enjoyed the last of the sun's warmth, and let its rays soak into her sleek pelt.

These mountains were her home. Her home was beautiful, and anybody who said otherwise was blind. "But those forests and valleys should be ours, too," she murmured softly, just beneath her breath. Her voice stirred the silence of the valley like a whisper, but nothing more. "Those villages and rivers and caves and fields. Those should be ours."

Her eyes narrowed. "They took everything from us," she hissed. "Everything from me."

She stopped. There was no need to be angry now. The evening was too lovely to recall old hurts. Let her enjoy it for herself... it had been a long time since she had last taken a moment of peace.

She forced herself to soothe the ever-burning hurt and hate within. "It won't be long," she purred. "Not long at all."

She lowered her head to her paws and sighed. As the sun sunk lower and lower behind the trees, she listened to the whisper of the wind, letting the familiar sound of her home calm her heart. She then closed her eyes.

"Black Blood?"

The she-cat stifled an irritated growl and turned around. Below the outcrop stood a young, ginger-pelted tom. She replied, "What is it, Fire Paw?"

He twitched his tail nervously under her cold gaze. "Sk— Sky Pelt wants you to come to the Star Pools. He says he has something to show you."

"About what?"

"I don't know. He just wants you to come."

Black Blood's whiskers twitched in a scowl, but she said, "Very well." As she hopped down from the boulder she added, "Ancestors know what that old badger wants now."

Fire Paw seemed very nervous around his leader, and was rather eager to get to the caves. The two cats walked up several rocky slopes and followed the invisible trail to their dwelling. After a little while they came to a jagged cliff hanging several yards above their heads, where two large boulders lay side by side, hiding the narrow opening in the face of the cliff. Black Blood lead the way in, ducking beneath the entrance's jagged mouth and delving into the shadows. Fire Paw followed close behind.

The tunnel was nearly pitch-black, but the creatures were accustomed to its darkness and had no trouble finding their way down the winding corridor. The tunnel led to a large, spacious cavern, where dim sunlight filtered in from a few breaks in the ceiling.

Several cats could be seen eating, gossiping in small groups, grooming each other, or merely taking a rest in the cavern, their pelts dotting the smooth stone floor here and there. A couple of kittens played and tumbled over each other with their chubby, clumsy little bodies while their mother watched close by. Beside her sat another she-cat sat, her belly bulging with unborn kits. There was a sense of peace and contentment in the cavern, and Black Blood looked at her clan and felt satisfied.

She and Fire Paw crossed the room and headed for another tunnel entrance, this one rather bigger than the first. Black Blood stopped when they reached the entrance. "Did Sky Pelt ask you to escort me, or are you afraid that I may get lost?"

"N— no, Black Blood. Sorry, Black Blood," the tom stammered nervously and quickly padded away. Black Blood ignored his apologies and continued, slipping into the tunnel.

The she-cat proceeded to dip in and out of tunnels, soundless. Some tunnels were tall and wide, capable of allowing many tall humans to pass, while others were short and narrow, once in a while even forcing a cat to lower their head and walk slowly so as not to run into the shallow ceiling. The few cats she met along the way dipped their heads respectfully and murmured, "Black Blood". She acknowledged these with cool nods, mostly ignoring them.

Finally Black Blood drifted out of a tunnel to a cool dimly-lit cavern, smaller than the first one. A single break in the ceiling high above her head cast a ray of half-hearted light from the evening outside. Shadows gave the cave a cold, enigmatic vibe. Stalagmites and stalactites stood and hung like still, dark flowers in a low field, little water droplets occasionally dripping down into the pools dotting the floor.

These pools glimmered blue and silver in the dim light, some reflecting the little sunlight and casting dancing lights on the walls. The pools were of different sizes, and there was no pattern to how they were laid out, but there was a mysterious sense of purpose in these pools.

Black Blood drifted to one glimmering pool sitting before a stalactite. She sat down neatly on her haunches and gazed down at the water's surface, wrapping both her tails over her paws. A single drop of water fell from the tip of the rock above and dripped into the pool, ruffling its smooth surface before the pool smoothed it itself out again. The tiny sound of its splash echoed like a tentative whisper throughout the cavern before it faded off.

"Thought you'd never get here," A low voice rasped.

Black Blood straightened and turned her head to the other side of the cavern, pricking up her ears. There, half-hidden by the dim light of the evening shadows, sat an ancient-looking tom. His pelt was a pale gray-blue color, his muzzle was dotted white with age, and a jagged scar across his mouth stood out from his ragged fur.

His milky blue eyes met the she-cat's bright green ones, and he voiced a wheezing chuckle. "Sure took your time."

"You never said it was urgent," Black Blood retorted. "Frankly, I'd prefer it if you get straight to the point, and skip all the mouse-brained so-called prophecies from our ancestors about gloom and doom. What is it, Sky Pelt?"

Sky Pelt stood up with a small grunt and drifted over to the younger cat. "We have four moonstones: one from a Sister of Darkness. One from a Son of Lightning. One from a man-snake. And one from a Son of No One. We still need three more."

Black Blood twitched one of her tails impatiently, but she made no comment.

"The fifth is just within our grasp." Sky Pelt twitched his ear down to the pool they stood at. "Use your senses within you. Unlock the answer."

As Black Blood peered down at the glittering water, he asked quietly, "Do you see it?"

There was along period of silence. Black Blood didn't move, and Sky Pelt let the question hang.

Then she raised her head. Her eyes were flashing with satisfaction and anticipation. "I see it." She stood up. "I know where it is. The fifth moonstone is near our claws."

Black Blood gave a rare smile, making her whiskers twitch. "Prepare our warriors. It's time to continue taking back what is ours."