IT WAS LATE INTO THE NIGHT WHEN EMMA HAD FINALLY CLOSED HER EYES. She had opened the letter - the one her mother had left for her and that she had stalled opening for so long. But after spending the day with Dust and laughing at the cute hops he jumped, she had begun to feel a pit of sadness in her heart. It was as if someone was telling her to open the letter and rid of her regrets, so that night, she had curled underneath her blanket with a flashlight and ripped open the envelope.

Tears pricked the corner of her eyes as she continued on with the note and she had found herself wishing she had read it sooner: 

Emma,

I know this is strange, maybe even sudden. If you have this, it's because something has happened to me, something grave. I gave this to Sensei Wu because I trusted him to find you and deliver it personally. I needed for him to understand my decision.

We knew it was coming, Emma. The other masters and I were awaiting my ultimate fate. It was only a matter of time before the demons took action and harbored me away for death. It's not easy to write this, it's the hardest thing I've done in my life.

I realize now that you need an explanation, rather than for me to tell you that it was my time. I'm an elemental master of earth, something you most likely know by now from reading this letter. The demons took me specifically because earth is a key component to destroy them. They feed off the earth, however, they are something different. Though they need earth to survive, they can also be killed by it. They aren't immortal, no matter what it seems.

I'm trying to tell you this simply, but the words I have to say are too much to give you on paper. There's someone I never told you about, someone you'll find in your journey of self-discovery. You'll be surprised, maybe angry, but she knows more than possibly I do, and that's because of what she's gone through.

This is all I can tell you now, this is all I have to tell you. 

You must promise me something, Emma. You must promise to do your best, to do all you can for Ninjago. I know this is difficult, it's a big responsibility. Having the fate of an entire world rest on your shoulders is a fate I wish upon no one. But you have your brother, it's both of you against humanity.

You be yourself, Emma. You are the best you.

I love you more than words express, Mom.

There was no time for Emma to question what was written, no time for her to find this mysterious person. She was focused on the words, the meaning, the sympathy. Her mother knew her fate, no, she wanted her fate. She was ready to accept her life no matter what it took, so long as Ninjago was safe. She did it for her kids, her friends, her husband, and her teammates.

Emma was ready to do something, maybe talk to her father, call anyone and someone. But the sound of sheets rustling made her perk up, "You going to sleep, Em?" Jay's voice sounded from several beds away. The teenager sighed and yanked the cover off her head and turned the flashlight off, "Yeah, just doing some light reading. Goodnight, Jay."

"Night, Em."