Rating: angst
Plot: Harumi has a nightmare about her past
Au (if necessary): N/A
When it takes place: after crystallized
Characters: Harumi & Jay
Words: 850

Don't even think about asking for a part 2 because this is going to be the first chapter of a big story I'm working on.

Harumi's pov:
I walked through the palace gardens, the light breeze blowing through my perfectly styled hair. Picking one of the flowers I twirled it between my thumb and pointer finger smiling to myself knowing that no one in the palace would ever know my secret. It was perfect, everything was going as planned and in a matter of minutes the beautiful jade and gold halls would be engulfed in flames. I stepped out of the garden and into a secret tunnel where I met up with Mr. E so that I could escape unnoticed only something went wrong and we got hit with the blunt of the explosion and the next thing I knew I was floating in a dark abyss as a distorted voice spoke to me. He said that I was one of Ninjago's greatest threats and deserved to be his herald. I would be brought back to life if I chose to serve The Crystal King, of course I agreed because who wouldn't want a second chance at life, but something stopped me. I saw myself, only it was me when I was child. The younger version of myself was curled up in a ball, hiding her face but I could tell that she had been crying, she was me after all.

"Why are you doing this, you are supposed to become a ninja not a villain." Little me said, finally looking up. I couldn't answer, my throat felt like it was dry. "You have turned into a monster."

I looked down at my hands and instead of seeing my pale skin and perfectly manicured nails I saw blood covered claws. I turned around and saw what must have been my reflection only it didn't look like me, in my place stood an oni.

"You didn't really think using the oni mask wouldn't have an effect did you?" Mocked the voice, which I now recognized as the Overlord.

"No matter how hard you try to erase the past you will always be a monster."

I shot up from my bed looking around to make sure that I was still in the monastery. After seeing that I was safe I took a deep breather to calm my nerves but I couldn't shake what I had seen in my dream. Was the Overload right? Would I always be evil? I ran my hands over my face in an effort to fully wake myself but stopped when I saw the tips of my nails. I could have sworn I saw them fading into a deep onyx color but when I blinked they were back to their polished red. Deciding it would be best if I got some air I slid off the bed, my bare feet coming in contact with the cold floor, sending a shock through my body. I walked out of my room and headed towards the kitchen before I was stopped by the sound of movement behind me. Turning around I saw Jay frozen to his spot in fear, whether it was from seeing me or being caught I wasn't quite sure.

"Hey Harumi, what are you doing up so late?" Jay asked me trying to mask his nervousness, but I'm the master of masks so I saw right through it.

"I could ask you the same thing though I don't expect a response." I said turning back around ready to end the conversation there. But these damn ninjas just can't let something go that easily. "I couldn't sleep, this line of work takes a toll on your mental health."

"I can imagine" was all I said, only half listing, but he just wouldn't shut up; I guess that's why they call him Motor Mouth.

"Is there something you want me to do or can I get my water and go back to bed?" I snapped and started to get annoyed. I immediately regretted it after seeing the hurt look on Jay's face.

"Sorry, I'm still getting used to being here and I can't sleep so...um what I'm trying to say is you didn't do anything wrong, actually, besides Lloyd you're the only one that has even talked to me." Jay looked at me, a blank expression on his face as he thought about what I had just said, and then to my surprise he pulled me into a hug.

"Don't worry, I know I can talk a lot and if you ever need me to shut up just say so. And about me giving you a second chance, I know how it feels to be adopted. I might not have had the same experience as you but both of us got separated from our parents and I just figured you needed someone to vent to that would understand this." I could feel the tears stinging at the corner of my eyes as the emotions came crashing down all at once. I didn't want to cry in front of someone that I wasn't even that close to but I couldn't stop it and soon found myself sobbing in the arms of one of my former enemies.