Dance with the Earth Chapter 4

Chapter 4

(Marty Opinheimer School of Performing Arts Auditorium)

(Sasha's POV)

"Jazz, you have the time?" I ask anxiously, fiddling with Sophia's pearl.

"Yeah, it's 5:26," she replied, glancing down at her watch.

We were backstage waiting for the show to start.

I peek out from behind the curtain and see that the auditorium was packed full with my peers and their families.  I glimpse around the crowd and see if I can spot my family…

"There they are!!" I exclaim excitedly.

I start trying to get their attention and wave to them, but I'm pulled back.

"What are you doing craziness, stop that," Jazz reprimands me, "no one is supposed to see you till you appear on stage."

"What are you talking about, this is a concert not my wedding," I reply, adjusting the golden bracelet around my wrist.

Jasmine rolls her eyes.

"You have to wait until the introductions are announced, so the audience can anticipate your appearance and be blown away by your beauty, elegance, and grace!" she ends dramatically.

"Sheesh, you're starting to sound like Mr. Hishida," I say warily.

"Speaking of Mr. Hishida…," Jazz nods to gesture behind me.

Oh no…

"Sasha," I sing-song playful voice called from behind me, "I have your headset microphone for you."

I plaster a nervous grin on my face and turn to face the man behind me…

Mr. Hishida…

He is one of, if not the most difficult dance instructor in the entire school.  He's a tall lanky man with incredibly long inky black hair that he keeps in a high ponytail much like me.  Not to mention, he always has this Cheshire cat holier than thou expression on his face.

Don't get me wrong, I'm forever grateful to him for pushing me so hard and giving me the advice and skills I need to achieve my dreams.  It's just that, he's so eccentric.  He kicked out ten students in his class because, according to him, they lacked the poise and humility needed to become professional dancers.

"Ah, you look positively radiant my dear," he sighs, coming to stand in front of me, "just remember to let the music guide your movements to perfection."

"I have spent years perfecting your talent and I wish to see the fruits of my labor, so make me proud," he says, placing the headset on my head, "because if you don't , I'll have to disclaim you as my student and deny your very existence," he concludes merrily.

"No pressure," Jazz mutters in my ear.

He steps back to admire me, "Seriously Sasha, you have become a paragon in the dancing art and I know for certain you will overwhelm the audience with your elegance, grace, and--,"

"Beauty," Jazz and I conclude simultaneously.

"Exactly, now if you'll excuse me ladies," he says while bowing gracefully, "I have introductions to prepare for," he finishes, leaving us.

"It's nice to know Mr. Hishida is actually rooting for me," I say, adjusting my headset.

"We all are," Jazz says nudging me playfully, "and I'm sure Mrs. McGlory would give you the same encouragement if she were here."

"Yeah, she would," I say smiling fondly at the memory of my singing instructor.

"And also, it's raining cats and dogs outside, your good luck weather!!" she exclaims brightly.

I laugh joyfully at my friend's gestures and go to embrace her.

"Thanks again Jazz," I say quietly.

"You're welcome," she says, releasing me.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Hishida's voice rang out from the stage, "thank you so much for coming and during this ungodly weather."

"It's starting," I say, smoothing down my dress.

"Yeah, you should—"

*CRASH!!!!*

(Nya's POV)

Damn it!!  I thought hotly, sprinting towards the destruction of the auditorium of the Performing Arts School.

Nya, the Bo Staff of Waves is beginning to pulsate.

I could feel a slight vibration on my back and knew Tempest spoke the truth.

The rain was coming down heavily as I leaped on top of the roof of the auditorium.

The Serpentine, Skales to be exact, and---

"What the hell is that thing!!?" I yell vehemently, peering at the metallic snake like tank.

"Ah, a ninja," Skales hissed from on top of the tank, "I was just wondering what to test my Hydra Tank on and was just about to annihilate every human here, but I guess I can kill you first."

Skales pulls the head of the tank out of the ceiling of the auditorium and turns it towards me.

The thing roars, its jaws gaping wide and spits out a greenish-yellow liquid at me.  I jump back out of the way and it lands at my feet.  The ground begins to melt away and smoke…

Acid, stay on your guard little gale.

I snap my head up to see the tank slither towards me on its conveyer belt wheels. I dodge to the side as it snaps at me, barely missing my leg.

I recover quickly and go on the offensive; I jump on top of the head and impale my blades in its neck to grip it.  The Hydra roars and shakes it head vigorously to throw me off, but to no avail.

The sharpness and strength of my claws are able to pierce its hide, that's good, I think analyzing its armor.

But, I need to find a weak spot or I'll be—

"UGH!!" I yelp in pain as a blow hits my shoulder and sends me tumbling to the ground.

"Foolish girl," Skales glowers from the cockpit, "a snake's tail is just as deadly as its head!!"

I stagger to my feet and get into a defensive stance.

I can't do this on my own; I think worriedly, I need reinforcements.

I whip out my PMS, I mean thingamabob and press the blue button.

The tank turns around swiftly and attempts to clip me with its tail, but I dive over it.

I roll and land in a crouch with the device to my ear.

"Nya?" Jay's voice calls out.

"Jay!!" I yell strictly, "I need help, the Serpentine are here in Ninjago City!!"

"What, but Pythor is here, in Temblor," Jay replies urgently, "he just escaped with the second Fang Blade!!"

"Crap, well I'm dealing with Skales right now and his psychotic tank, so I could really use a hand here," I state while dodging another acid spit.

"Alright, just hold on we're on our way now!!" Jay yells sternly.

I put the device away and glare at the imposing Hydra Tank.

Now comes the hard part, I think as the tank gives another fearsome roar.

Holding on…

Nya, the roof!!

Huh…

My eyes look down and see the cracks and splinters decorate the ground.

Oh, great, I think as me and the Hydra Tank fall through the collapsing ceiling.

(Sasha's POV

*CRASH!! BOOM!!*

I look up quickly to see a giant monstrosity and a girl in purple crash through the ceiling.

Thankfully we were able to evacuate the auditorium as soon as the first crash occurred.

I lost track of my family and Jasmine during the evacuation.  I can only pray they escaped safely.

The girl landed in a heap on the stage and I saw her eyes blink sluggishly then wince in pain.  The lower half of her face was obstructed by a mask of the same color of her suit.

The large tank-like monster whirled on the defenseless girl and gave a great bellow.

"Time to meet your end ninja," a grotesque serpent hissed from inside the contraption, "I look forward to hearing your bones shatter in the Hydra's jaws!!"

The girl's chocolate eyes' widened in horror as she struggled to sit up.

I then noticed the beautiful platinum staff that rested on her back.  It was emitting a vibrant aquamarine glow.

With the rain pelting all around me, my feet moved on their own towards the helpless girl with only a single thought entering my mind…

Protect.

Time itself seem to slow as I race towards her with my hand outstretched.

My storm grey eyes fell on the staff…

Come here, I need you.

The staff quivered, then in a flash of brilliant aquamarine it was in my hands.

My grip tightened on the weapon as I came to stand in front of the girl.

The monster lunge its head towards me, its jaws gaping wide.

I see a bright red light down its throat and thrust my staff at the vulnerable location.

My eyes widen in amazement as a torrent of water gushed from the head of the staff into the attacking monster's mouth.

The diabolical contraption immediately recoiled and its circuits sparked and flickered violently.

"NO, WHAT'S GOING ON!!!"  A snake-like voice bellowed.

The monster reversed directions and began to short-circuit.

*BOOM*

The tank exploded and blew a hole through the back wall of the auditorium.

I could feel my legs give out from under me as I collapsed from the exertion of the attack.

The girl caught me in her arms and I looked up into her concerned chocolate eyes.

My vision began to swim.

"NYA!!"

I close my eyes as darkness consumes me.