Ninjago: Amplified - The Illusive Labyrinth [Halloween Short Story]

[2] - Corridors

Hours had passed since Aurora and her friends left Haven. After informing the village of their absence, packing for their trip, changing into their old gear (as insisted by Eris), and saying a goodbye to Bee, the group set off on their mission.

Fortunately, their destination was only a short journey from home, so they didn't need to travel very far. Nonetheless, the walk felt very nostalgic for Aurora. It was as if she and her team were vigilantes again.

Gold took the lead with Yuri close by, directing them using the map Eris had provided. Aurora traveled behind them, with Akiri matching her pace at her side. Onyx and Eris strayed at the back of the group, chatting about what their destination would look like.

Aurora was glad Eris had suggested the trip; it was nice being with her friends again, like this.

The group broke into a new clearing in the woods. Gold brought them over to a ledge, looking out at the empty space below them with an increasing confusion. The android's frown deepened as they surveyed their surroundings, peering back at their map with narrowed eyes. Yuri stepped beside them, following their gaze curiously.

"Gold?" Aurora called, concerned. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah... It's just..." Gold pointed at the map with a finger. "It's supposed to be here."

"Maybe it's just up ahead?" Yuri considered, flicking her tail to the path across from them. "The location must be a bit off."

Gold took one last look at the clearing beneath the ledge, squinting at the map with furrowed brows. Then, they shrugged, stepping away from the cliffside with a sigh.

"You're probably right..." They nodded. "We must be close, at least."

The remainder of the group followed the android's lead, heading in the clearing's opposite direction.

Eris, in the meantime, soared over to the ledge to get a better look. She froze in midair, her expression falling at the sudden sight before her. She rubbed at her eyes, blinking twice as she registered what she was seeing.

"Uh... Guys...?" She stopped the rest of the group just before they could wander away. "You are looking for the same palace I am, right? Not a different one?"

"Of course we are, Eris," Onyx pulled a face at the ridiculous question. "Where else are we going right now?"

"...There?"

Eris gestured back to the space beneath the ledge, where the others couldn't see. The group exchanged looks of shared bewilderment– all except for Onyx. The merlopian scoffed, rolling her eyes at the situation.

"Oh, right, sure," She grumbled. "So the place we're looking for just magically appeared from thin air, huh?"

She slipped away from the group, walking over to the ghost's side.

"I know you, Eris. You're just playing a pra–"

Onyx's words were cut short as she stopped at the overlook. Her previous doubt seemed to vanish altogether, her eyes wide.

Unsettled, the others hurried to join their friends. Aurora's breath caught in her throat as she halted atop of the ledge, realizing what the two had seen.

The clearing underneath the ledge was no longer empty– in its place stood the very same palace they'd been searching for.

"Oh, OKAY. So it's just THERE NOW." Gold laughed nervously. "Right where it WASN'T before."

"So we're all seeing the same thing?" Onyx wondered aloud. "I'm not hallucinating right now?"

"No, I'm seeing it too..." Akiri breathed out, just as unnerved. "And it definitely wasn't there before."