CHAPTER ONE — HOMECOMING
rise of the snakes — part one

"Father, it has been a while." — iris wu

EXHAUSTION CREPT ITS WAY UP IRIS WU'S LEGS AS SHE TREKED UP THE MOUNTAIN TO THE MONASTERY OF SPINJITZU, OR AS SHE CALLED IT, HOME. Two years had passed since she waved goodbye to the mountain peak, a place overrun with cherished memories and untold secrets. During her time away, Iris often reflected on her era at the monastery, because despite the fact she left to get away from it all, some part of her missed it.

The past couple of years were, for Iris Wu, a bit of a rollercoaster. Travelling Ninjago was a wonder she would never soon forget; the land, the people, the history, were all so beautiful and fascinating in their own amazing ways. And probably the best part about it, was that she was just Iris and not the daughter of the famous Sensei Wu and powerful Leslie Cho and certainly not the granddaughter of the legendary First Spinjitzu Master — the creator of all Ninjago. For the time she spent away from the monastery was the time where she was free, unbound by the burdens her name brought her.

It was through her two year adventure across her grandfather's creation that she realised how much her abilities had previously defined her. She learnt that she was rather good with computers, a pretty decent builder and surprisingly, an excellent artist. What she was proud of the most was that she did it all without her powers.

When she turned her back on the mountain top a couple of years ago, she vowed to leave behind her powers along with it, and in doing so allowed her to become the person she now was. And even though she was on her way back to the monastery, she didn't dare use her powers. For she created her oath the moment she exited the gates and would only break it when she re-entered them. Unfortunately, that meant Iris had to climb the countless steps up the large mountain without being able to use her powers to teleport herself immediately to the top.

But her Mother taught her long ago that you had to keep your word, it was what separated you from the bad guys who always betrayed it.

So the young woman continued her journey up the steep mountain steps, feeling the slight strain on her muscles after them not being in such frequent use for so long. The wind kissed her cheeks, the cold soothing the rush of red that surged beneath her skin. Beating like a drum, her heart ached within her cage of bones, threatening to break free as she neared her destination, a place she was clearly anxious to return to.

Each nearing step felt heavier than the one before, but she carried on nonetheless. Iris knew there wasn't much left to go on this windy, jagged path so she pulled tighter on the strap of her bag and tried to put her anxieties to rest. It didn't work.

Just as Iris was about to place her boot down on yet another cold stone step, she froze on the spot when she heard yells from above. Turning her head in the direction of the noise, Iris' trained eyes instantly spotted the source. Sailing in the clouds above her head where four large and beautiful dragons.

It had been a long time since she had set her gaze upon a dragon's shining scales — for they were rare and incredible creatures — but she always loved them since she was little. After all, dragons were rather important to her family. Iris narrowed her dark eyes at the majestic creatures, only to spot four people sitting astride a dragon each.

These must be the ninja, Iris mused.

They seemed to have been heading towards Jamanakai Village near the base of the mountain (a usually peaceful place full of kind people) so Iris hoped everything was alright. And if it wasn't, she was sure the ninja would sort it. The excited yells of the ninja echoed down the mountain because they had yet to be carried away by the accelerating wind. The young Wu smiled at their childish, energetic nature before turning away from their fleeting forms to resume her journey.

She could see the monastery from where she now was. It towered above the delicate clouds, asserting its superiority to the puffs of white air. The crimson beams framed the strong cream walls, their captivating red sticking out amongst the starkness of the stonework. Gold accentuated the large wooden gates, the light reflecting off the shiny metal making it seem as if the sun itself was guiding her there. As if it were guiding her home.

Rarely did she step outside those walls in the years of her youth, even less so after her Mother sadly passed away. It may have been her home, but it soon became her prison. When Iris grew older, she came to realise that and then decided that one day she would leave those crimson gates behind and start anew. But it seemed fate had different ideas.

News spread quickly across Ninjago, so when Iris heard about the appearance of four elemental ninja, she knew her Father had to be involved. The thought of him with new students, especially those with such power, worried her. Not because she believed he would misguide his new pupils as he happened to be one of the wisest people Iris had ever met. More of the fact that she felt it was something he could not do alone. So that was why she was currently braving the long steep path up the mountain side.

Her heart pounded at the thought of seeing her father again. Conflicting emotions clouded her thoughts, her mind now a storm of all her anxieties. How would he react to seeing her again? Iris feared his rage, it was not something to underestimate; she knew that from experience. Disappointment was nothing new after so many years of it, but she hoped that wouldn't be the face her father would wear upon seeing her again.

Iris planted her feet firmly on the step beneath her. She was almost at the gates now and that much closer to her reunion with her father. In the time she had spent away, she had often wondered about the moment that they would see each other again. But Iris knew no amount of daydreaming would be close to what it would really be like. For better or for worse. The young woman exhaled a shaky breath as she continued on her path, her trembling hands clutched at her bag straps desperately — like a life-line —as she grew nearer and nearer to her destination.

As Iris finally placed the soles of her sturdy boots upon the top stair, she let out a deep breath and stared at the large maroon gates before her. She was finally home. Rubbing her palms against her jacket, Iris then raised a fist and knocked against the old wood, hearing it reverberate within the monastery walls. Iris released the vice-like grip she had on her bag and straightened her back in anticipation for her Father.

It was probably too late to run down the mountain, Iris thought as she anxiously rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet.

There was certainly no turning back now.

A creak echoed around the mountain top as the towering red doors were pulled back to reveal a girl — younger than herself — staring back at her. She had jet black hair, cropped to a bob, and eyes that sparkled with adventure. Iris wasn't sure who the girl was, after all, the tales she heard only mentioned four elemental ninja. Had her Father found a fifth? Iris wasn't sure.

"Can I help you?" The girl questioned politely, glancing Iris over a little confused. People only usually came to the monastery for help or to deliver mail. But the lack of panic in her eyes and of any sort of package in her hands meant she was neither.

Sighing, Iris replied. "I'm looking for Sensei Wu, is he here?"

The girl nodded before turning back to the monastery. "Sensei!" She called out. "There's someone here for you!"

"Thank you." Iris smiled kindly at the girl who nodded again and returned the Wu girl's smile.

When the sound of familiar footsteps came into earshot, Iris felt her heart race inside her chest, threatening to break free. There was certainly no turning back now. Iris inhaled sharply as she heard her Father's voice for the first time in two years. "Who is it, Nya?" He questioned as he made his way over towards them; having not yet spied Iris for she was hidden from his gaze behind the enormous crimson gate. But before an 'I don't know' could fall from the girl's — Nya's — lips, he finally caught sight of the last person he expected to be standing on his doorstep: his daughter. "Iris." He breathed out, not taking his eyes off her.

Much to Nya's surprise, Sensei Wu dropped his staff and if weren't for her quick reflexes, it would have toppled to the slabbed floor. The two Wu's stayed there for a moment, not saying a word, not doing anything bar staring at each other. She had changed — Wu noted — she looked much more grown up than she did when she left home those years ago. It appeared Iris was no longer the little girl he remembered and that made him fill with pride: she had become her own woman and she had done it all by herself. Pushing her away the way he did was one of his biggest regrets, but as he had taught his students: you cannot change the past, only the future.

A smile crept onto her lips as her Father continued to stare at her in disbelief, eyes wide and jaw dropped, and she felt a sense of relief wash over her as the awaited disappointed lecture or angry shout didn't come. "Father, it has been a while." She commented, breaking their silence.

Wu didn't wait for her to say anymore as he threw his arms around his child, bringing her into an embrace. Iris' body tensed in surprise before she relaxed into the hug and then proceeded to hug him back. She truly was home.

"'Father'?"

Both Wu's turned at Nya's voice to see her gazing at the two in confusion. Iris' Father let out a small laugh before somewhat reluctantly withdrawing from the hug to stand next to the young girl who instantly handed him back his signature staff. "Nya, this is my daughter, Iris." He introduced, glancing between the two girls. "Iris, this is Nya, she's the sister of one of my ninja. I'm training her too." Now that was something nice to hear.

Iris stepped forwards, offering her hand to Nya who shook it as she continued to observe Iris curiously. Not once had Sensei Wu mentioned a daughter before that moment. Sure, Nya had found a few things around the monastery that suggested a young girl once lived there (not that the boys would notice) but she didn't know they belonged to their Sensei's own daughter. "It's nice to meet you." Iris stated as she grinned at the younger girl.

"You too." Nya too grinned. "It's gonna be nice to have another girl around here. I was starting to feel outnumbered." Four ninja plus a Sensei vs one ass—kicking girl. It wasn't exactly equal.

Nya's words intrigued Wu who glanced at his child with a questioning look. "Are you staying?" After how they left things, he wasn't sure if Iris wanted to be back. A visit was one thing, but moving back in was another.

Nodding in confirmation, Iris replied. "Yeah, if that's okay with you?"

"Of course it is."

Then a teasing smirk lined the young woman's lips as she turned to him. "I heard about the ninja and thought you could use some help." It was the truth, sure it wasn't just that, but hearing about the new elemental ninja was what made her decide to come back after two years of travelling Ninjago. They were a sign that things were starting to change and that was something Iris Wu didn't want to miss out on.

Wu just chuckled, having missed his daughter's wit and remarks, as he ran a hand down his beard. "I guess an extra pair of hands couldn't hurt." He mused. "And helping the ninja will certainly help you dust off the rust." Quipped her Father as he matched her smirk.

A look of mock offence was sent his direction as Iris replied with a small huff. "My skills are not rusty! They're fine."

"Prove it." Challenged the Sensei. Iris hated to admit it, but he was right, she was a little rusty. Over the past two years she had not used her powers once and had stuck to her oath, but that didn't mean she left people to fend for themselves when she could help, after all, she knew a thing or two about fighting. But she had rarely done so on her travels across Ninjago, so she could use with a refresher. When Iris didn't reply, Wu grinned in victory. "I thought so."

A hearty laugh escaped Iris' lips at her Father's words. She hadn't missed the incessant training he forced her through, or the burden that came with her name, but she had certainly missed the fun and laughter they used to share. Nya just smiled at the two of them in the background, finding that seeing their Sensei happy like this lightened her heart.

As Iris reached back up to the straps of her bag, her Father spoke up. "Your room is the same as you left it." It appeared that despite leaving for two years and taking on four new students that he hadn't decided to clear her room for the extra space; and that just made Iris smile softly.

"Thank you."

Wu nodded his head at her. "Take all the time you need. We will be here once you have settled back in."

Iris returned the nod before heading off into the monastery — her home. She had spent her entire life on the mountain top, so she knew it like the back of her hand. This was the place she was born, where she had grown, where she had lost her Mother. So many memories (many of which weren't even her own) clung to the walls, echoing throughout time, telling stories of their past. Iris weaved through the hallways, spying the vase she had cracked after running into it when she was five as well as noticing how the picture of her Father and her Mother remained in the same place she had last seen it, hung up in an empty corridor that one could smile at as they strolled past. Well, that was what Iris certainly did.

Once she made it back to her room, for the first time in two years, Iris couldn't help the small grin that appeared on her face. Because despite the occasional bad and stressful memory, this was her home and it always would be.

AFTER UNPACKING HER BAG, IRIS CHANGED OUT OF HER DIRTY GARMENTS AND INTO A CLEAN SET OF FITNESS CLOTHES. She found her mat where she had left it, in the bottom of her wardrobe, and rolled it out onto the floor in her room. Whilst she was finishing up removing all her items from her bag, she had heard the ninja return from their mission. And from the sounds of it, it had gone well. Iris wasn't sure if it was a good idea to suddenly introduce herself at that moment, so she remained in her room and prepared herself for some tai chi.

Iris glanced over to her desk where a letter from her cousin, Loralyn, was laid out in the open. Beside it was a picture of the two of them wearing bright smiles upon their faces as they hugged one another as children. It was a fond memory, from one of the few times they had actually seen each other, and it caused the young woman to smile contently as she continued to ready herself.

Tai chi had always been a calming exercise for the Wu girl. From a young age, it had helped her to focus on her powers and control them, which was an incredibly difficult thing for her at the time. And despite not using her powers in the past two years, Iris had kept up the practice as it soothed her mind and her soul and helped prepare her for the day ahead. By now it had become a part of her daily morning routine, but right at that moment she was doing it for the reason she began: her powers.

Iris was fairly out of practice when it came to her abilities of space so she thought that she might as well start from the beginning. Because if she was going to help her Father train the new ninja, she was going to need to be in tip-top shape, powers included. Considering she hadn't called on the power within her for two years, Iris was unsure as to what would happen when she finally tried; which was why she was trying to calm down her spirit and go into a state of deep focus. After all, concentration was key.

Arms hanging freely at her side, Iris then raised them as she stretched, feeling her tired muscles ache as she reached out to grasp at the air in front of her. A sigh fell from her lips and she continued to push her limbs out as she secured her footing on the soft mat beneath her. She was preparing to summon her power for the first time in two years, so she was understandably anxious.

Iris came to a halt, pulled her arms back in and took a deep breath in. She reached down inside herself for the very thing she had kept hidden away for so long. Now it was time for her powers to return. A familiar sensation surged through her veins as Iris called on her power. It flowed throughout her body, so natural like she had never stopped using it at all. Iris let out a calm sigh as everything in her balanced into a state of tranquillity.

Her dark eyes were closed as she tried to focus on the power within and bend it to her will. If she was going to help the ninja control their abilities then she had to be able to control her own.

But despite being able to feel it coursing through her body, she found she was unable to pass the power out of her fingertips and into the world around her. She was stuck. Like a dam had been built in those two years, keeping her element back. Well, now it was time that she tore that dam down and let the water flow.

She took a deep breath before using the strength she had to push against the wall so she could use her powers once more. But Iris overestimated the force she needed to apply. For as soon as she pushed against it, it quickly came crumbling down. Power burst out of her hands too rapidly for her to control. It flew across the room, smashing against an empty vase which then toppled to the ground with a loud crash. Iris cringed at the noise. It appeared the wall blocking her abilities wasn't as tough as she believed.

Then her door opened.

Iris spun around to face the now open doorway to find a white-clad ninja staring at her. This must be Zane, Iris realised as she looked over the ninja before her. He had snowy white hair to match his clothes and well defined features on his face. There was a symbol stuck to his uniform, his symbol, the symbol of ice. So it was most certainly the Ice ninja before her.

He was clearly confused at her presence but didn't attack because to the Ice ninja, the girl before him didn't seem like a threat to him or the monastery. "I didn't think anyone was in here." He stated as he scanned the room, having previously thought it to be for storage.

With a small smile, Iris said. "I just arrived this morning, whilst you were out." The ninja before her said nothing, just continued to stare at her somewhat blankly. "My name's Iris."

"I'm Zane." He quickly replied before a frown twisted itself onto his lips. "What are you doing here?"

Iris froze. From his tone she could tell that he wasn't being rude, more curious and confused as to her presence in the monastery. On her travels she had met some blunt and direct people, so this was nothing new. So, the Master of Space just offered a small smile. "I thought it was about time that I returned."

"Are you an old student of Sensei Wu?"

She had never thought about it like that before but in a way he was right; she may have been Sensei Wu's daughter but she was also his student. Everything she knew she had learnt from him, and some from her Mother before she died, so he was her teacher and she was his student. After a brief pause, the young woman replied. "Yes I am." And before the Ice ninja could ask anything else from her, calls from the other ninja brought them from their conversation as they wondered where their friend had gotten to. As Zane turned to leave Iris, she quickly spoke up, recapturing his attention. "Please don't tell them I'm here." When she noticed the frown upon his face, she explained. "I would like to tell them myself, when I'm ready."

Zane nodded in understanding, respecting her wishes and her decision, before he backed out of her open doorway and headed towards the others. And as soon as he was out of sight, Iris let out a deep sigh. She glanced at the broken vase on the floor then to her hands, hoping that she could find a way to control her powers and quick. Her mind drifted to the white ninja who had just been in her room and the conversation they had. He was the first of her Father's ninja she had met and she knew it wouldn't be long before she met the others.

But there was something peculiar about the frosty fighter that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Chapter 1!!! Woohoo!!!

So Iris has returned home to the monastery to help her Father train the ninja. And her and Zane have met! Yay!

Nya and Iris will definitely be good friends as they're the only girls around. Iris mentioned her cousin, Loralyn, who is the oc of the wonderful dorkiest_nerd and the two of us are writing this universe together. Love you, hun, we are going to make this series amazing.

Thank you for reading!!! I hope to see you in the next chapter!!!

Sincerely Rosie aka Winter326