I flinched, knowing this couldn't be good. I ran through possible outcomes quick through my head and frowned. I did not see a way this could end decently.

My anxious glowing eyes found Wu as Leila hissed and canines leapt up to try and grab the sensei's dragon. I frowned and tossed another exploding tea towards Leila in hopes of diverging her attention, to no avail. One dog's teeth made purchase in the dragons foot, a harsh crunch that I could hear even from this far away. It made my insides melt as Wu and his dragon quickly dipped, deeming to go down.

Yet, the dragon rolled and the dog went soaring. I froze, watching as the metal creature thudded on the roof I resides on. "Lloyd!" I called, backing up against the small wall that had just been my refuge from Leila. I watched in terror as the beast stood, shaking it metal coat out and it's eyes locked with mine. I felt mine flash a mortified purple as I bumped up against the small wall behind me. My balance tottered and I had to lean forward to not fall backwards over the wall and over the side of the building.

"Lloyd!" I yelled again, this time more frightened. The beast advanced, belly low to the ground and lips pulled back in a harsh and guttural growl. My breathing hitched as I waited for it to pounce. I could imagine my death: quick and simple as the metal jaws clamped down hard on my throat. My crimson blood would pool and cover the vials of tea next to me. I imagined Lloyd and the others would mourn me, but this I was unsure of. Perhaps they would not.

The dog barked and I winced, holding out a hand. Perhaps if I could just change it before it attacked like I had the other canine we had captured. My hand was wobbly and shaking as I angled it towards the metal dog. Tears welled in my eyes and I wished desperately that I could speak with my mother but alas, she had no knowledge of where we were and what I was doing. If only I could be stronger. Or strong like her.

A bark, metallic and fake, came from the beast as tears streamed down my face. Why couldn't it just get it over with already? It seemed to be feeding off my fear and mortification, taking its time with giving the killing blow.

"Lloyd, please!" I begged one final time. The beast crawled further and I saw him ready himself to lunge at my before I squeezed my eyes shut.

And thus, finished my story.

Or so it seemed. And so I at least thought.

I opened my eyes hesitantly to see the beast lying on the ground, sparks flying from it. My shoulders, which had been raised to my ears fell and I glanced around to find no one around to have done the damage to the creature. My stomach dropped to my feet as a voice rang in my ears.

"Hello, there, love. Seems I have done you a wonderful favor."

I spun a slow circle to come face to face with Leila, her eyes dancing wildly under the snarling mask she donned. Her black hair whipped around her in the wind and I flinched as she reached forward with a metal arm to cup my face in her cold hand.

"What a lovely, precious, and utterly worthless oni!" She said as if it was a compliment, her voice light.

Where was Lloyd? Sensei Wu? What had happened to the warriors that she had gotten to me?

My mind flooded with horrible awful scenarios, the most prevalent being that they were dead. I squeezed my eyes shut again as tears ran down my face. I tried my hardest not to move or squirm.

I gnarled gasp escaped my lungs as she grabbed my arm in a tight grasp before throwing me. I flew, like a lifeless doll across the roof, half teetering off the edge. I tried to scramble away from the edge, but my lower half slipped over and I was left clawing for purchase on the edge. I gasped and heaved, hoping to catch a breath of air that didn't seem to fill my panicked lungs. My toes snagged against the side of the building and I tried to push myself up to get a better hand hold only to slip with a cry.

My fingernails chipped and broke off as I clawed for a grip, leaving bloody streaks on the roof. Leila stalked towards me, slow and purposeful.

"What did you do to them?" I screamed between the helpless sobs.

Leila tilted her head before kneeling down to my level. I watched, still trying to keep a hold and not slip to my death, as she ripped the wolf mask from her face.

Though her form itself was beautiful, her face was gnarled and twisted and crude. Her eyes were sharp and full of hatred and cruelty. But the rest of her face was twisted in such a way that I cannot even describe here. I understood then why she often donned a mask.

"I have left them to be mauled by my dogs in a tide of their own blood."

I had no way of telling if what she said was the trust. Yet still, her words pierced my heart and I knew I, too, would be next.

"And Wu?" I muttered, voice low. There had to be someone left to protect Ninjago. Surely Wu-

"The same fate awaits him, too, Oni child." She hissed, looming over me. "And without you protectors in my way I will reduce this horrid country to ash."

My grip slipped, and I scrambled to get another hold. A yelp escaped my lips as I screeched to a stop, her metallic arm holding me down to the roof.

"Your mother will be the first to go. I just thought you would like to know."

My eyes widened and everything turned slow as she let go of my arms and I fell.