The streets of Ninjago City were silent, even a woman ran from the darkness of an alley, her white hair stark against the dark of the road around her. When her feet hit the ground, the sound was inaudible. The lights around them were out, but the moon still shone above the city, casting a silver glow that let the shadows dance around the woman as she pushed herself to go faster. In her arms was a small child, barely three years old, with (h/c) pigtails pulled hastily on the side of her head. She watched over the woman's shoulder, not understanding why her mother had grabbed her so quickly out of her crib that night, or even why her mother was running now.

"Mommy..." The young girl murmured, hands scrunching around the fabric of her mother's shirt as they hid around another corner. The woman hushed her, peeking around the corner for a moment, then went running again. They were close to the Royal Palace now, the woman knew it. That was the only place she could think to go as figures emerged from the dark corners behind them. They were far enough that she could get away, but only for now.

When the woman came to a stop, they were at the corner, just a few feet away from the gates. She placed the young girl down, running her hands gently over the top of the girl's head, then cupped her face.

"(y/n), we don't have a lot of time. I need you to run to those gates as fast as you can. You don't look back for me, you just run, okay?" (y/n) looked up at her mother, (e/c) eyes shimmering in the moonlight. She clutched a small toy to her chest- a small stuffed rabbit.

"But Mommy-" (y/n) started, but her mother shook her head.

"No buts. You have to do this, for me. It's a race. I'll meet you there, okay?" Her mother whispered. The moon lit up her white hair to a pretty silver (y/n) would've spent longer admiring if her mother hadn't turned her around to face the Palace gates. Quickly, she wiped at her tears, then began counting down for her daughter. A quick glance over her shoulder showed the figures were closer now, only a few yards away.

"3... 2... 1... go!" (y/n) ran for the gates like her mother instructed. It was a race, just a race. Maybe that's why her mother had been running with her, because they were racing with someone.

By the gates, two of the royal guards noticed the girl, and the woman who seemed to move back, swallowed into the shadows of other buildings. The girl kept her blue bunny in her fist, a small smile on her face because she was winning, she was winning!

One of the royal guards stayed by the gate while the other went to wake the Master-At-Arms, as they were unsure of what to do about a child coming to the gates. Within seconds, the girl slid into the gate, barely moving it as she cheered.

"Mommy, I made it! Mommy-" (y/n) turned to the street to find her mother gone, and her breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she didn't know what to say as she stared at the empty spot where her mother used to be. The royal guard who stayed behind chose then to exit the gate, swiftly closing it behind him. (y/n) turned her eyes to this man. "Where is my Mommy?" She asked him, voice small. The royal guard was quiet, turning his eyes to where the woman had been, knowing he had seen her run in a different direction, but he didn't know how to tell this small girl that.

"I apologize, I don't know who you mean." The royal guard told her, kneeling down to her side. "Can you tell me your name? Maybe that will help us find your mother." He gently asked her, already seeing the tears well up in her eyes. She held the stuffed bunny close to her chest.

"(y/n). (y/n) (l/n)." She said quietly. The man nodded, turning his eyes back to where her mother had disappeared from. He hadn't been sure what to make of it. Was she abandoning her child? Except her child ran willingly from her... what did this mean?

"Do you know your mother's name?" The royal guard questioned, looking to (y/n) again. She shook her head.

"I had an Uncle Scott. We never met." (y/n) replied, rubbing at the tears that she had begun to shed. From the Palace, the royal guard could see the other guard who had left returning, two other figures in tow.

"Okay. Well, my name is Hutchins, and we're going to help you. Is that alright?" Hutchins asked her gently. (y/n) turned her eyes up to him, squeezing her bunny tighter. After a moment, she nodded her head. Hutchins gave her a small smile, feeling sorry for the child, because whatever happened with her mother, he didn't believe she would return.

Hutchins stood as the other guard came closer, the Emperor and Master-At-Arms behind him. He held out a hand to (y/n), which she hesitantly took, then he led her through the gates, going to meet the others.

(y/n) slid her hands over railing of her balcony. It was night and the full moon was out. Ninjago City had grown from the dark city it used to be on the night (y/n)'s mother had disappeared. And yet, she came out here every night before bed, watching the moon and expecting for her mother to come back out of the darkness. Though, her hope was running thin. Her mother never did come back over the seven years (y/n) had been living in the Palace.

After Hutchins had brought (y/n) into the Palace, they spent a handful of weeks looking for her mother, but she was never found. Over the time (y/n) spent in the Palace, the Emperor and Empress took a liking to her, and decided to adopt her when the search for her mother only came to more dead ends. The change for (y/n) was a hard one to adjust to, but also one she knew she'd have to learn how to fit to. And Hutchins helped, even as he rose through the ranks, he was there for her, encouraging her to branch out beyond what she believed her limits were.

"Princess?" A knock came on her bedroom door.

"Come in." (y/n) responded, turning away from the balcony. She let her hand slide off of the railing as she walked back into her room. The door opened, revealing Hutchins. He gave her a quick smile.

"How has your day, Princess?" Hutchins asked, holding his hands behind his back. (y/n) returned his smile.

"It was fine, thank you, though I told you that you don't need to be so formal. (y/n) is fine." (y/n) replied, knowing that despite what she said, he wouldn't address her as anything else.

"I acknowledge, Princess." Hutchins said with a nod. Both of them waited for a moment, a comfortable silence. "The Emperor and Empress request you in the throne room. But before I take you there, I actually had a gift for you. I know your birthday is soon, and you seem to be on the balcony more frequently." Hutchins told her. (y/n) gave a shrug of her shoulders.

"The moon is just-" Hutchins gave a slight shake of his head, cutting her off.

"You do not need to make excuses, Princess. Your time is your business, and I won't make you share. But... there is a thing about the night your mother disappeared. I was tasked later to search the area, and found something I believe may have been left for you. I waited to bring them to you now because I believe you are mature enough to understand the value in them, and you are now closer to being able to fit them." (y/n) was quiet as Hutchins brought out his hands in front of him now, then he knelt down.

In his palms were two metal cuff bands. They were thick enough to cover over (y/n)'s wrists, but no bigger than that. One was white, and the other was black. (y/n)'s eyes widened at them, a faint memory of her mother having these in the back of her mind, though her mother had never worn them herself. (y/n) gently touched the white cuff, dragging her finger and feeling the coolness of the metal.

"Thank you, Hutchins." (y/n) finally managed to say as she looked up to him. He gave a nod.

"I can help you put them on later, if you'd like. For now, we should probably head to the throne room. Your parents are waiting." (y/n) stepped back from Hutchins, letting him put the bracelets on her bed side, then she followed after him to the throne room. Normally, she'd question him on why she was being requested so late in the night, but now her mind had wandered to the bracelets, why her mother would just leave them there.

"Princess, we are here." Hutchins spoke, breaking (y/n) away from her thoughts. (y/n) looked up, then to the open throne room doors.

"Thank you, Hutchins." (y/n) told him, then she turned the corner into the room by herself. In front of the thrones, the Emperor and Empress stood, already smiling, which (y/n) expected. What she didn't expect was the young girl that stood between them. Her white hair was the first thing to catch (y/n)'s attention as she came closer. It was bright in the light of the room, and pulled into two braids. For a moment, it made (y/n) think of her mother, the comfort she found in her, then the thought was gone. A frown pulled at the girl's lips as she looked to (y/n), and her hazel eyes widened for a moment, but she stayed quiet.

"Good evening Mother, Father." (y/n) bowed her head slightly to the two. "May I ask why you called me here?" (y/n) questioned, though she knew the girl across from her had something to do with it. The Queen nodded back to her.

"You recall the incident with the Great Devourer a few months ago, yes?" (y/n) nodded, waiting for her to continue. "Well, not everyone survived, as you may know. Harumi's parents were no exception. Your father and I made the decision to adopt her, as we believe it will be valuable for you to socialize with one another, grow up together despite your common experiences." (y/n) felt a sudden sympathy for the girl in front of her, Harumi. Yes, (y/n) had lost her mother too, but there was no finality to her disappearance. For Harumi, there was. Her parents were gone, and nothing would change that, not even the hope of a ten-year-old standing on the balcony every night.

"I am (y/n). It is nice to meet you." (y/n) said, holding her hand out to shake rather than bowing for this introduction. She believed that this might help Harumi find comfort in her first time in the Palace, as (y/n) remembers her own difficulties adjusting to the royal life within a short span of time. Harumi looked at (y/n)'s hand, seeming to be thinking deeply about something, then she gave (y/n) a small, but brief smile, before putting her hand in (y/n)'s, shaking it gently.