Chapter Text
Alt. 17 Chapter One
(Fades into the boys (Ninja) taking down all the stuff from the funeral. Zane is thanking everyone that came.)
Zane: “Thank you.”(Repeat)-(Insert random background characters)
(The line starts to shrink until Zane is at the last person.)
Zane: “Thank you for-” He glances up and notices it’s Akita, “Oh, hi! What-how-How’d you get here?”
Akita: “Of course, interrogate me but never say thank you. Nice going Ice Emperor.”
Zane: “That is not what I meant to say. I apologize for being abrupt. You...don’t have to call me that.”
Akita: “I suppose I’ll forgive you. Perhaps things are different in your dimension.”
Zane: “About that, I would like to know how you got here. Did a portal open up? I am very intrigued.”
Akita: “Do you think I would just let you guys leave without giving me a way to follow you?” (Akita laughs) “The answer, no. I’d do that even if you guys didn’t know. But to answer your question, I used the Travelers Tree leaves. And the berry.”
(Akita pauses for a moment, thinking.) “I guess you would be confused, everything is fine in the Never-Realm… But I don’t know… I guess I got bored. Besides, something is always going wrong in your dimension.”
Zane: “Thanks.”
Akita: “I came to visit Lloyd, but I heard something happened to Nya...so I came here…” (Akita glances around the funeral) “I see I came at the right time.”
Zane: “You did.” (He tries to continue when they hear someone yell;)
???: “Zane!”
(P.I.X.A.L. comes running up with Skylor.)
P.I.X.A.L.: “Skylor and I finished everything you wanted.”
Skylor: “All 55 things… hehe…”
P.I.X.A.L.: “Is there anything else we can do to help-” (P.I.X.A.L. stops and stares at Aki.)
Akita: “Um. Hello. Are you another version of Zane?”
P.I.X.A.L.: “(GASP) Who are you? Are you Akita? From the Never-Realm? You look like what Zane described. Oh my goodness, I’ve always wanted to meet you! I’m P.I.X.A.L., and this is Skylor!”
Skylor: “Sup, fox lady.”
Akita: “...Wolf. Interesting. I didn’t know there were others of your kind Ice Emp- Zane. And you… Skylor was it? Are you a ninja as well?”
Skylor: “Oh goodness no. Kai wishes though.” (Skylor chuckles) “I’m the ‘Master of Noodles’ ”
Aki: “...Wha- Really?”
Skylor: “No, of course not. I’m the Master of Amber, but I run a noodle shop.”
Akita: “Noodle shop?”
Skylor: “Oh for the love of the First Spinjitzu Master...” (Skylor facepalms)
P.I.X.A.L.: “You have to go there sometime! It's so good! …so I’m told. I can’t really… taste… anything.”
Zane: “Ah, the pros and cons of being a nindroid.”
P.I.X.A.L: “Yeah, but I’m not really a ninja, so...droid?”
Zane: “Whatever makes you comfortable. I personally prefer nindroid, but whatever floats your boat. (I think that’s the right expression…)”
Akita: “Speaking of ninja, where are the boys?”
(Cuts to the boys “hanging out” in the living room)
(Jay is silently lying on the couch, Lloyd is sitting on the couch next to Jay reading a book, Cole is sitting on the floor in front of the couch half-heartedly eating a slice of cake. Kai is pacing back and forth in the background.)
Cole (through small bites of cake): “Kai, could you sit down or something? You’re acting like we’re stuck in the Realm of Oni and Dragon again.”
Kai: “Why should I?”
Cole: “I- Um. It’s distracting, and kinda makes me nervous.”
Kai: “Distracting from what? Your cake? If my pacing makes you nervous then go eat in the dining room.”
Lloyd: “Kai, chill out. Sure, Cole could’ve been a bit more polite than that, but you don’t need to snap at him. Cole, Kai does kind of have a point. But you both need to be quieter or you’re going to wake Jay.”
(The bickering men turn to look at Jay, who, as mentioned, is fast asleep.)
Kai & Cole: “Sorry.”
(Lloyd returns his focus to his book. The boys still bicker but they whisper.)
Kai: “Cole, I don’t need you picking on every little thing. Your breathing down all our necks isn’t helping anything.”
Cole: “Well, sorry for trying to help you guys have good coping mechanisms that don’t make other people nervous.”
Kai: “It’s not just that! Ever since we started planning Nya’s funeral you’ve been so keen on being a micromanager of all our lives! ‘Jay, you should start eating healthier.’ ‘Lloyd quit staying up so late, you’re going to get sick.’ ‘Kai, stop slouching. Proper posture is- BLAH BLAH BLAH. The only ones you don’t bother are Zane and P.I.X.A.L.”
(The conversation starts to escalate in volume.)
Cole: “What are you talking about?! I haven’t been micromanaging anything! I’m just trying to help-”
Kai: “That's the thing! I don’t WANT your help! You’re acting like I’m 17 again, who needs some sort of parental figure in my life, but guess what? I don’t need that! I need you to leave me the hell alone! If you want to be the responsible one, go ahead! But don’t wrap me into this ‘parental figure friend’ fantasy you’ve got going on in your head.”
Cole: “Really? Are we gonna go there? Fine. I’m not the only one who’s acting like an annoying parent. Ever since Nya died you’ve been breathing down Lloyd and Jay’s necks, like they were defenseless little boys who needed your protection. Guess what? We’re all adults here. Quit throwing childish, hypocritical insults at me when you should be focusing on your own mental health.”
Kai: “There you go again! Always about someone else’s well-being! Never keeping your nose in your own damn business-”
Cole: “Oh YOU’RE one to talk! You keep bothering the younger guys just like how you describe my behavior! Maybe figure out who the hell you’re talking about before you go and blame me!”
Lloyd: “BOTH OF YOU. SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP!”
(The room goes silent. Cole and Kai have seen this anger in him once before, but it was towards their enemies, not each other. Jay stirs but Lloyd tosses a blanket [previously hanging on the back of the couch] onto him, and he falls asleep again.)
Lloyd: “Both of you are such hypocrites. This dispute needs to stop. It’s not going anywhere, and if history repeats itself the team will split up and we’ll hate each other again.”
Cole: “That’s...a bit dramatic.”
Lloyd: “And your argument isn’t? Look, I get it. We’re all on edge, stressed, and probably tired. It’s hard not to get frustrated with each other. But, and pardon me for being blunt, you both need to get your heads screwed on right and focus on your own well-being. I understand the annoyance with each other. Do you think me and Jay aren't? Hell, you’re talking about us in your argument like we’re not two feet in front of you. But if you stop to think and calm down, you can see that you two are concerned about the well-being of the team. And that’s great! But you need to slow down and take care of yourselves as well. We’re not going to get better overnight, and both of you should be less intense with the rest of us. Okay?”
Kai: “...since when were you a therapist?”
Lloyd: “*sigh* Kai, I’m not saying I’m perfect. As you’ve said, I’ve got plenty of things to work on. So does everyone else. But we all need to give ourselves time to work through our problems. Being upfront doesn’t always work.”
Jay: “What are we talking about?”
(The rest of the boys startle, not expecting Jay to be awake.)
Cole: “Nothing Jay, it’s alright.”
(Jay looks at him skeptically but doesn’t ask any further.)
The door to the living room slides open, with Zane, Akita, Skylor, and P.I.X.A.L on the other side.
Zane: “Did we come at a bad time?” (He gestures to how three of the four other boys look tense or upset.)
Lloyd: “No, Zane. What’s-” (Lloyd catches sight of Akita)
Lloyd: “Akita!!” (Lloyd giggles as he says her name.)
(Zane, P.I.X.A.L, Akita, and Skylor walk into the room. Lloyd gets up and goes to hug Akita, who returns the gesture. The other boys and Skylor look at each other, then the hugging duo. They have a smirk on their faces but don’t say anything. The two don’t seem to notice. Skylor walks over to Kai and gives him a peck on the cheek. Kai seems to be in a much better mood. Cole goes and sits on the couch next to Jay who is now side leaning on one of the arms of the couch. Lloyd and Akita step away from each other.)
Lloyd: “How did you get here? Why are you here?”
Akita: “Didn’t I say we’d see each other again? I got here the same way you did.”
Cole: “The Traveler’s Tealeaf and-”
Akita: “And the potent berry. Yes.”
Lloyd: “How’s your brother?”
Akita: “Kataru is doing well. All of my people are thriving thanks to you Ninja.”
(The ninjas all smile at her and bow their heads.)
Lloyd: “Well it's great to see you! It’s nice to…” (Lloyd switches to a whisper,) “Have company other than wannabe parents.” (He gestures to the ninja.) “But, why are you here?”
Akita: (Shrugs) “I heard something happened to your teacher and Nya. So I came to find this.”
Lloyd: “Yeah…about that. Master Wu passed away, and Nya…well it’s complicated.”
Jay (sits up suddenly): “Nya’s dead.”
(Everyone flinches at Jay’s abrupt comment.)
Akita: “Ah…I see. Well, I am sorry for your loss.” She gives a nod to everyone around the room. “She seemed to be a fierce warrior.”
(Everyone mumbles in agreement.)
Jay: “Yeah. She was.” (His tone turns melancholy as he speaks.)
(The rest of the ninjas look around at each other awkwardly. Kai looks down, his face a cross between anger and sadness. Cole shuffles back and forth. Zane and P.I.X.A.L. look at each other worriedly. Jay puts his head back onto the pillow.)
Cole: “Jay-”
Jay (muffled by the pillow): “I don’t want to hear it.”
Akita: “...okay then. Well, perhaps I should head out?” (She motions to the door.)
P.I.X.A.L.: “Actually! We’re having an after-service in a few hours if you would care to join.” (She smiles sympathetically.) “There’s someone I would like to introduce to you.”
Lloyd: “And…it’s gonna be a while. You sure you don’t wanna stick around?”
Akita: “You could just ask to hang out, Lloyd.”
(The rest of the ninjas snicker quietly. Lloyd gives them all a face, then returns his gaze to Akita.)
Akita: “I would also like some battle practice if that’s amenable.”
Lloyd: “Sounds like a good idea.”
P.I.X.A.L.(with a giggle): “Anyways, speaking of after-service, we should head out soon. I reserved a bus for us, since the center of Ninjago City is a ways away, and our vehicles aren’t exactly road legal at the moment…”
Kai: “Were they ever road legal?”
P.I.X.A.L.: “Yes, actually. Cyrus Borg helped with that.”
Kai: “Huh.”
Zane: “I will not be joining you all on the bus, since…people.”
(The ninjas nod.)
Lloyd: “Well, since we’ve got a little time to spare, I’m going to spar with Akita.” (He stops abruptly, glancing back at Akita.) “I mean- if you want.” (He smiles awkwardly.)
Skylor (whispering to Kai): “Does he have any other friends besides you guys?”
Kai: (whispering to Skylor): “No. Don’t think so.”
Skylor: “It shows.”
(Kai nudges her with his elbow, and Skylor grins.)
Akita: “I would enjoy that.” (She gives Lloyd a small smile.)
(Lloyd and Akita leave the room, chatting quietly. Cole stands up and brushes himself off, then starts to pick up the floor around him. Skylor starts chuckling.)
Skylor: “I’m sorry- That was adorable.”
Kai (nodding): “Couldn’t agree more. He does not take after me.”
Skylor: “What, when it comes to being an over-confident philanderer? I think we should be happy about that.”
(The rest of the ninjas snicker and chuckle. Kai looks at Skylor, offended. Skylor gives Kai an affectionate but mischievous smile.)
Kai: “I am not a philanderer! I prefer flirtatious, thank you very much. And you can never have too much confidence!”
Cole: “Oh, but you can.”
Zane: “Especially when it comes to you, Kai.”
(Skylor bursts out laughing, and P.I.X.A.L. snickers. Even Jay shakes with contained laughter. Kai looks taken aback.)
Kai: “Some friends you are.” (He dramatically crosses his arms and turns his head away, but even he starts to laugh.)
P.I.X.A.L. (through chortles): “I-I think I’m going to head down to the bus now…I’ll tell Lloyd and Akita what time the bus leaves.”
(Everyone gives a nod, calming down from the bout of laughter. P.I.X.A.L. leaves the room. Zane starts to follow.)
Zane: “I’ll be catching a ride with Ronan. He and I have things we must discuss. The bus leaves at 3:30.”
(Zane leaves the room. Screen begins a slow fade. In the background, Cole finishes cleaning, and sighs. He walks over to Jay and pats him on the shoulder. Cole helps Jay up and escorts him out of the room.)
(Kai and Skylor nod at each other and they both leave.)
(Screen finishes fade.)
~***~
(Cut to the bus parked outside the monastery’s steps. Ninjas are getting on the bus, and PIXAL is in the driver’s seat. Lloyd, Kai, Akita, and Skylor sit towards the front, Jay sits in the back, head down, and Cole sits near him.)
(PIXAL starts the bus and starts to drive away from the monastery. The three up front begin to have an unintelligible conversation.)
(Roll intro credits)
(Bus pulls up to the entrance of the Center Of Ninjago City {CONC}. Everyone gets off and starts walking to the area where the service is being set up. There is a small stage and speaker system getting set up. Semi-full flower pots line the outside of the stage. Several tables are laid in a row. Bowls and containers of food are set on one half of the row. Zane’s old statue sits in the background.)
(Ensemble meets up with Zane and Ronan, who are finishing a conversation.)
(Zane turns to face the ensemble.) Zane: “Are we…uh…ever going to take that statue down?” (He side-eyes the statue of himself.)
Kai: “Dunno man. It’s getting a little…uh…underkept.” (He chuckles.)
Zane: “Hm.”
(Lloyd makes his way to the front of the group) Lloyd: “We can worry about Zane’s memorial later, let’s go make sure the service is fully prepared. People will be arriving in 20 minutes.”
(Everyone nods and walks over to the stage. Misako and Benthomaar are standing on the stage. Misako is talking to a random volunteer and Benthomaar is trying to water the flowers.)
(Lloyd catches sight of Misako.)
Lloyd: “Hey mom!!” (He waves)
(Misako turns around to see Lloyd. She gives a hand gesture to the volunteer and they scurry off. Misako smiles sadly at Lloyd.)
Misako: “Hello Lloyd.”
(Both parties approach each other, meeting at the top of the left stairs to the stage. Benthomaar joins the group.)
Lloyd: “How’s…how’s the prep going?”
Misako: “It’s…going. I still can’t believe he’s truly gone.”
Zane: “No one can. He was a major part of all our lives. It will be hard to accept that he will be absent for the rest of them.”
Benthomaar: “I am so sorry for your guys’ loss. He was a masterful sensei, from what I can see.”
Misako: “He truly was. For all of us.”
Cole (moving between people): “Let’s, um, finish setting up before the waterworks come.”
(Everyone nods and gets to work. Lloyd and Misako go to help set up the rest of the decor, Zane and Jay help volunteers set up the speakers and mic systems, Kai and Skylor go and make final preparations for the meal, and PIXAL leads Akita towards Benthomaar.)
PIXAL: “Okay Akita, this is Benthomaar! He’s from the Underwater Kingdom!”
Benthomaar (smiling wide): “Hello! It’s wonderful to meet you. I wish it were under better circumstances, but it’s a pleasure all the same!”
Akita: (nods) “The pleasure is all mine. Benthomaar, was it?”
Benthomaar: “Yes! Though, you can call me Ben, if it makes it easier.”
(PIXAL is smiling very wide.)
PIXAL: “Akita is from the Never-Realm! She’s a very impressive warrior.”
Benthomaar: “You have my respect!”
Akita: “Thank you. If I may ask, are you some type of formling? You don’t look…quite human.”
(Benthomaar laughs. He gives an awkward smile.) Benthomaar: “Um, no…I’m not quite sure what a formling is…heh.”
Akita: “Ah. I am a formling. My people maintain a peaceful village and can transform into a specific animal. I can transform into a three-tailed wolf.”
Benthomaar: “That is amazing! Your people sound delightful, and your skills impressive!”
Akita: “Thank you.” (She smiles sheepishly) “To refer back to my question…if you don’t mind…what are you?”
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