Aria stood behind the Ninja and Princess Vania who had just finished explaining what happened to her and Cole that night.

"I'm very disappointed, Vania. It is forbidden to enter the mountain!" King Vangelis shouts "The rule of law is there for a reason. It is unsafe below. Not only did you endanger yourself, but you have also endangered our guests."

Vania looks down "I-I'm sorry, father"

"I humbly beg your forgiveness, Lady Aria. I will send three brigades of my ablest guards at once. They will find your friend. Have no fear" King Vangelis says

"Thank you" Aria bows

"We'll go too" Kai says

"I cannot allow that" King Vangelis declines "The dungeons are treacherous. We have lived here for centuries, and even we do not enter them lightly. There are things that dwell below that... should not be disturbed"

"So the creature Cole saw was real?" Nya asks

"You told me I imagined it!" Vania looks upset

"Pft" Aria hid her laugh

"I said what I had to to protect you, child" King Vangelis defends "One day, when you are older, you'll understand. Now, time is of the essence. I must dispatch my men. I ask you all to remain calm and stay here"

"We can't just stay here. Cole is our friend!" Kai argues

"Yeah, we have to help!" Jay agrees

"It is out of the question. I will not put anyone else in danger. My men will bring your friend back. Trust in them" King Vangelis insists

Kai looks annoyed "Yeah-"

Aria interrupts Kai "of course, King Vangelis. We will do as you ask"

"Thank you. Now please, I have much to attend" King Vangelis smiles lightly "As do you, Vania"

The group walks out

"You don't really think we're gonna sit this one out, do you?" Lloyd looks at Aria

"Of course not" Aria sighs "I fear my Cousin has bitten off more then he can chew"

Wu looks at Vania "Princess, I don't want to get you into any more trouble, but do you think you could perhaps show us-"

Vania pulls out two torches "the way into the dungeons? You bet. Follow me!"

She hands Wu a torch and runs off.

"Okay" Lloyd shrugs

The ninja and Wu follow Vania. She takes the ninja to the opening in the palace gardens.

"Here it is" Vania sighs "I wish I could go with you. I feel like this is all my fault"

"No, we don't want you to get into any more trouble. We'll handle it from here" Nya insists

Lloyd looks at her suspiciously "Yeah. You've done enough. Come on, guys"

Wu stays standing next to Aria as the ninja start heading in.

"Master?" Zane looks at him

"Go on without me, Zane. I would only slow you down" Wu says

"Master Wu, that is not so" Zane disagrees

"It is, not matter how I wish it weren't. Now go, quickly, before someone sees you" Wu holds the torch out to him

Zane takes the torch and runs off leaving Lloyd there as Aria turns the other way.

"Aria" Lloyd calls out "aren't you coming with us?"

"I'll pass thanks" Aria declines, she looks at him and says softly "bring Cole back safely"

Lloyd could see the worry in her eyes, Aria doesn't show it often, but she does care.

"you can count on us" Lloyd replies

"Right" Aria turns and walks away "not like I really care"

"Yes you do" Lloyd mutters before smiling

-

Aria sighs as she sits and watches the Shintaro guard do practice drills.

"You look bored Lady Aria"

Aria turns to see the captain of the guard, Hailmar.

"Hello Hailmar" Aria greets

"Have you been watching this entire time?" Hailmar asks

"Yes, I'm very intrigued by the way your guards train, the knights in Ninjago trained much more dangerous conditions" Aria explains

"Is Ninjago that terrifying?" Hailmar questions

"No.. but it will be" Aria replies "is Shintaro always this peaceful?"

"Most of the time yes" Hailmar answers "with the exception of Dire Bats every once in awhile"

"I see" Aria stands up straight and looks around "can everyone fly?"

"Mostly" Hailmar replies "not all have the gift though"

"What happens to those who don't have the gift for it?" Aria asks "are they not allowed to fly then?"

"To keep the Kingdom at peace and for their own safety, yes" Hailmar regretfully answers "they are assessed at a young age, those who don't appear to be able to learn how to fly and don't have the gift for it are unable to fly to avoid them getting injured or even worse.. die"

"I see" Aria looks back at the guards training "so hypothetically.. their wings are clipped, before they even get the chance to truely grow.." she looks up at the birds in the sky "and learn to fly"

-

Aria sits in her room reading a book when princess Vania comes in. Aria looks at her with a questioning look.

"Ok I am really not good at making decisions like this, which is why I need your advice" Princess Vania starts and Aria just stares at her

Vania takes a breath before continuing "The ninja had been underground way too long, and I think something terrible might have happened to them. And I think I should go after them, but they're ninja. They can take care of themselves, right? Master Wu even said I shouldn't go after them. But what if they've been attacked by crazy monsters? I should at least alert the Palace Guards, right? But if my father knew the ninja went down into the tunnels, he'd banish them from Shintaro forever! Even if their intentions were good. Oh, what should I do?"

"Well" Aria turns the page of her books "you could always just do what you want"

"Huh.. do what I want?" Vania questions

"Yeah" Aria says "being a princess doesn't mean you have to stop living for yourself, if you wanna sit on a throne looking pretty your whole life and follow the expectations set by your predecessors then go ahead be my guest no one's gonna stop you" she shrugs "but I suppose if you wanna raise hell and go fight something in a dungeon to save a bunch of idiots.. you could do that too, even if you get objections to it"

"Really?" Vania smiles "wow, the Empress must be very lucky to have such an amazing Lady-in-waiting"

Vania runs out excitedly.

"Heh" Aria looks back at her book, her spellbook that is "that's right little princess, go reckless risk your life for those Ninja, I'm sure you'll have lots of fun"

"You know you actually gave her good advice" Aria hears Hanabusa's voice from her crystal ball "you can't hide your emotions so easily anymore, come on you know you actually just helped her"

"Shut it Hanabusa" Aria turns her crystal ball "do your job"

"So cold, your highness"

-

Aria stands on the balcony watching a group of children fly around and play together while one little boy sadly sat watching them from afar, alone.

"Hmph" Aria looks annoyed "even in this so called Ivory City there's still discrimination and unfairness" she glares down "how sickening"