Imagine Dragons - It's Time

​​So this is what you meant

When you said that you were spent

And now it's time to build from the bottom of the pit

Right to the top

Don't hold back

—

A/N: Sorry for the wait! Procrastination is my Achille's Heel. 

A loud banging from a gong echoed down the hall as you tried covering your ears with your pillow. It was a bit weird, honestly, things seemed a bit louder than before. Was it just you, or was your hearing a bit more sensitive than before? You couldn't exactly tell, but Wu's attempt to wake up the boys was more troublesome than what was warranted. Like you were able to get enough sleep last night either with the boys chatting amongst themselves.

Back in the room with the boys, the old Tea-Obsessed Man still banged the gong while the boys groaned, lying down on their beds. ''Evil doesn't sleep and neither should you!'' Wu shouted to them. They groaned in response. ''In order to reach your full potential, we must greet each day as an opportunity.''

Kai rose from his bed, getting down from where he slept. ''Okay, okay, we're up. But if you want us to reach our full potential, shouldn't we at least get a full night of rest?'' He questioned, yawning as he approached the blinds. The Fire Ninja tugged at the strings to open them, but the blinds fell off almost instantly, clattering onto the floor.

Cole stretched his back. ''You call that a rest? I think my back has more lumps than the mattress.'' He complained to the others.

''We were up so late, talking about how cool it is to have a new headquarters, I guess we lost track of time. Since the Serpentine burned down our monastery, I'm just glad we have a roof over our head... '' Jay replied, putting his readied toothbrush under the tap and turning it on, not noticing that instead of water, some dirt came out. Oblivious to his soon-to-be-discovered issue, he started brushing his teeth, only to spit out the dirt that had replaced his toothpaste.

''What is our lesson today, Sensei?'' Zane asked. ''Mastering the strike of the Scorpion? Or perhaps the grace of—'' The floor underneath him broke after he went into a few poses, causing him to cough as he inhaled some dust. The others gathered beside him.

''I think today's lesson would be chores.'' Sensei Wu answered to the ninja's dismay.

''Chores?!'' The boys cried out collectively.

''Ninja fight, Sensei. They do not clean.'' Cole objected.

''In order to respect ourselves, we must respect our new home and where we are from. And this place is a long way from becoming a ninja headquarters. I expect things to be spotless when I return. And put your backs into it.'' Wu banged the gong again once he had passed the door's threshold, then stepped out of sight.

Cole helped Zane out of the broken floorboards. ''This place is gonna take forever to clean and fix up,'' Kai grumbled.

''Unless we put more than our backs into it, huh?'' Jay approached him, winking.

The ninja began cleaning out the old ship, with Cole first using his Spinjitzu to clean out a room full of dust and old parts which he gathered and put outside the ship, along with a sign that read 'Garage Sale'.

Kai and Zane entered a room together, the Ice Ninja throwing his Shurikens forward, which embedded themselves in the opposite wall, freezing it and the rest of the room. Kai brought out his Sword of Fire, the blade instantly lighting ablaze. He placed it near the ice, which began to melt. The two then whirled into Spinjitzu, clearing out the ice and the room was as good as new.

While Cole and Kai attempted to fix a machine, Jay approached something metal attached to a wall covered by old cloth, he pulled it off, spinning his Nunchucks and booting up the huge computer system underneath the old cloth.

You were reclining on a chair with a small beach-type umbrella only enough to cover you. Sipping some lemonade, you observed as the boys cleaned out the ship, weakly cheering them on. Not like they'd hear anyway, probably had too much dust in their ears with all the cleaning they did.

Though you muttered a curse when some of the dust drifted over to you, so a hand had to be used to cover the top of the drink, coughing the rest away. God forbid you have any fun without something messing it up. Eh, at least you got to do something other than the usual.

—

A soft tap came from the door since you were already on the floor drawing on a piece of paper burnt at the edges, you looked up. ''Come in.'' The door creaked open, a hand appearing for a brief moment with something in its grip, dropping two things onto the floor, one heavier than the other, disappearing as the door closed.

You finished the drawing you were doing, turning your attention to the new items. The first you saw was a small tube of burn gel with a strip of paper attached to a string. The other, a barely-recognisable-

Sketchbook?! How did it survive the fire? Like the paper you had now, it was burnt, though a few holes marked the front of it, the revolting smell of melted plastic and the pungent smell of smoke filling your lungs.

Your chest tightened in response. Grasping for something to ground yourself, you grabbed the small tube of burn gel, turning over the strip of paper.

To my Zenko.

There was nothing else on it. Not even an untidy scribble, the writing neat, except for the fact the top of the capital T was a bit wobbly. Sighing, you silently thanked whoever sent the gift, uncapping the tube and beginning to apply the gel to your burn wounds.

When the door opened again, you were surprised to see Porcu- you meant Kai, sticking his head into the room. He glanced at the remains of the sketchbook before looking at you. ''Cole found it in the ruins before we left them. He seemed pretty determined.'' Kai disclosed, disappearing once more. ''Oh, yeah, and Jay's parents are here.'' He spoke from down the hall.

—

You had to wear clothing just to cover the burns, partly to keep them from getting worse and to make sure anyone outside the group didn't see them. It seemed Jay's parents were one of them. Pulling up in a jalopy, the old couple's car bumped into the pile of old parts Cole had gathered.

The group gathered on the deck of the Bounty while you leaned on a rail, listening in on their conversation. Jay walked out onto the plank connecting the ship and the sand. ''Mum! Dad! What are you doing here?" Arms outstretched as he tried acting happy, his parents bought it.

''Oh, look! It's my baby boy! It's been so long since we heard from you!'' His mother cried out.

''Ma, I called you two days ago,'' Jay replied, the rest of the ninja, and Nya as well as Wu followed him off the Bounty. You gripped the rails, lowering your head a bit.

His father giggled, and he and his wife hopped down from the car. ''Oh well... It's not soon enough, son. When are you coming out to the junkyard? You say you are coming an...an...and you don't.''

''Dad...do we have to talk about the junkyard in front of my friends?'' Jay questioned as he nervously glanced around at the others.

''He hates it when we tell people he was born in a junkyard,'' Edna informed the group, turning her gaze to Nya. ''Oh... and who are you?'' She approached the girl with Ed, a warm smile on her face. Edna gasped. ''You are so cute! You are just my son's type.''

Nya nervously smiled, looking to Edna before turning her gaze in your direction, only for a moment. A genuine smile appeared on her face, but she looked back at Jay's parents while the boy himself was getting embarrassed.

''It's a pleasure of meeting you. I'm sure if you want, Jay can give you a tour. He worked very hard on it.'' Nya told Ed and Edna.

''We'd love a tour!'' Jay's parents exclaimed. The boy himself groaned, holding the side of his head.

—

Following the ending of Jay's tour with his parents, the skies turning orange as the sun began its blazing descent, the group once more gathered outside to bid Jay's parents goodbye.

Ed turned on the jalopy's headlights, causing everyone to grunt as they shielded their eyes from the excruciatingly bright light. ''Heh, like 'em? I used a little extra juice.'' Ed proudly told the group, leaning back in his seat before turning off the headlights. ''Yep. Bye, son. I couldn't be more proud.'' The jalopy reversed, then turned to drive away.

''And bring Nya with you, will ya? I can see why you like her.'' Edna called out from the jalopy as it drove off.

''Mum!'' Jay cried out in embarrassment.

''Now that they have left, maybe Jay can teach us the art of kissing pillows...'' Wu started seriously before finishing with a snicker.

''Ugh!'' Jay groaned, turning to walk back into the Bounty. Attempting to comfort him, you gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder as he passed. His response was a non-committal grunt before disappearing into the ship.

—

The next morning, Jay knelt at the button as he worked on it, screwdriver in hand. Kai and Zane passed by, both of them holding junk in their grasp.

''Sure got a lot of junk piling up. If only there was a place we could get rid of it...'' The Fire Ninja said as he walked past.

''If you don't mind, I'm trying to focus.'' The Lightning Ninja told him.

Cole was next to pass by, holding a phone to his ear as he pretended to be on it. ''Hi, mum and dad. Of course, I'd love to visit. What kind of son would I be if I didn't want to?''

''Heheheheh. I know what you're trying to do. Okay, look, I might have promised to visit my parents, but there's a lot of stuff on my plate.'' Jay informed the other ninja, rising to his full height as he faced them.

Nya stepped into the room, Jay immediately noticing and wiping the grease and oil off his face. However, you entered alongside her, though the Lightning Ninja was more focused on Nya to notice you at first.

''Hehe. Hi, Nya.'' He slightly waved to her.

With a grumble, you glared up at Jay, who looked down, now noticing your presence. ''Uh, hi (Y/n)... as well.'' He added nervously.

''You gonna visit your parents, today?'' Nya questioned the boy.

''Uh, sure am. Just about to leave.'' Jay answered. You quietly facepalmed, muttering a few words under your breath.

''He's changed his mind so quickly...'' Came your mutter.

''Tell them I say hi.'' The girl turned, leaving the room. You pulled yourself up onto a chair to look at the others better. The moment Nya had left, the other boys looked at Jay.

''What? So my plate's not that full.'' The Lightning Ninja told them.

Crossing your arms, you were sure to look at Jay like the others were now. ''Well, it seemed pretty full a minute ago.''

—

A flute's tune filled the air while above, the dragons flew high into the sky, the sunlight bearing down on the group while they walked. Zane carried you along, making you grateful you didn't have to touch the hot and gritty sand. Cole stared at the dragons as their wings took them away.

Jay sighed. ''Of all the days to lose our ride...''

Zane sped up so he could catch up to Wu, curious. ''That flute. You've never told us why it's so special.'' Zane wondered, looking over the Sensei's shoulder.

''Long ago there were many flutes, created to combat the powers of the Serpentine and drive them underground. But over time, Ninjago's forgotten its ancestors' wisdom, and now this is the only one.'' Wu informed, turning to Jay as he played the flute again.

''I get the lesson: respect your elders or else suffer the consequences. Boy, you guys are laying it on thick.'' The Lightning Ninja replied, walking ahead of the others.

The Old Tea-Obsessed Man chuckled. ''Perhaps you are only hearing what you need to hear.''

Jay stopped in his tracks after he had approached the Junkyard.

''What is it?'' Nya asked, walking up beside him.

''It's quiet. My family's never quiet.'' Pulling on his hood, he rushed into the Junkyard, the others following, while you held on tight to Zane so you wouldn't fall out of his arms.

The Lightning Ninja heard some muffled grunts coming from a giant green fridge. With a flip, he kicked it open, seeing his parents chained up with duct tape covering their mouths.

''What happened? Who did this?'' Jay interrogated. He tore off the tape covering Edna's mouth first.

''Sweetheart, you came!'' Edna joyfully exclaimed.

Jay ripped the tape off of Ed's mouth.

''Oh, you gotta get out of here. You shouldn't have come, it's the ssssnakes!'' Ed's voice stretched on in a hiss.

''The bite of the Fangpyre!'' Wu exclaimed as you took a closer look, seeing snake fangs amidst their normal teeth. ''Once they sink their teeth, their venom can turn anything into a serpent. It's only a matter of time before the full transformation is complete.'' Once Jay's parents were freed, they hopped out of the fridge. Ed turned around, showing the small tail that had begun to grow.

A few red and white Serpentine rounded the corner of a junk pile, with a wrecking ball towering over them, a poisonous green glowing wicked smile on the wrecking ball itself.

The ninja got into their positions, ready for anything. You gulped at the sight of the ninja's foes. ''Uh, is that wrecking ball staring at me?'' Cole questioned the others, holding out his Scythe.

The wrecking ball swung around, aimed at the group. It slammed into the ground, but not before Jay saved his parents from getting hit, while Zane got you out in time. The others were fine as well.

''Lloyd!'' Wu looked up to the child, who stood on a tall junk pile, looking down at Wu.

''Hello, uncle.'' Lloyd greeted, a Serpentine general with two snake heads slithering into view beside him. ''Looks like we're not the only family reunion. I'm glad you brought the ninja. I could use some help taking out the trash. Muahaha!'' He attempted his evil laugh again. You and Nya looked at each other, rolling your eyes at the same time.

''If we want to turn your parents back, we need the antivenom in the staff.'' Nya reminded Jay as she turned serious.

''Second dose, to the dirt!'' Cole shouted, with everyone plunging to the ground as the wrecking ball slammed into the spot where they were a second ago.

While you were brushing off some of the dirt from your clothes, the Fangpyre Serpentine hissed as they approached.

''Easier said than done, sis. We're a bit outnumbered.'' Kai told his sister. Zane put you down to pull his hood over his face.

''Nobody messes with my family. Ninja, go!'' Jay exclaimed as he rushed forward, Nunchucks in hand. Leaping into the air, he then hit the ground, knocking away some of the Fangpyre snakes before whirling into Spinjitzu, demolishing those in his way. The wrecking ball swung in his direction, but before it could hit him, he slid under it.

''Ninja, go!'' The other boys rushed forward with their Spinjitzu, clearing out more of the snakes.

Fangpyres hissed as they surrounded Wu, closing in on the old man. But he had a trick up his sleeve, putting the flute to his lips, he played it, causing the Fangpyre to stop while the music played. Nya kicked away a Fangpyre, hitting another, and swinging around the last, letting go so the Serpentine crashed onto the ground. All of the ones who had formerly surrounded Wu were now all defeated.

''I don't know, Sensei. I think we make a pretty good duet.'' Nya told the old man, standing beside him with her hands on her hips.

Loud music that sounded like rock music was blasted from the speakers Lloyd stood beside. He had a smug grin on his face while you looked up at him with a frown.

''Young nephew, must I teach you whose side you should be on?'' Wu briefly pointed to the boy with his flute, yelling.

In retaliation, Lloyd adjusted the volume so it was harder for him to hear Wu's voice. ''Sorry, uncle. Can't hear you!''

A Fangpyre snake had crept up behind Wu and was about to hit him when out of nowhere, Edna appeared and bonked the snake away with her trusty frying pan.

''Man, I gotta get me one of those.'' You muttered to yourself as you observed Edna, mainly focused on her weapon of choice.

''Yeah, way to go, Edna!'' Ed cheered his wife on.

''Ninja, go!'' The boy cried out as they did Spinjitzu, chasing after the snakes. When they went to round the corner the Fangpyre snakes went, they found themselves facing a giant poisonous green robot that seemed to appear like Jay. It wielded a giant pair of Nunchucks.

''Ah! What is that thing?'' Jay questioned, looking up at it.

''It was supposed to be in your honour, son, but do you like it?'' Ed asked his son with a twinge of nervousness in his voice.

''Thanks, but no thanks,'' Jay answered. The ninja ran as the giant robot turned bad began to follow them, slamming its Nunchucks where the boys once were.

''Why'd you have to be born in a Junkyard?'' Cole questioned, looking ahead at the seemingly sentient wrecking ball.

''I know. Tell me about it.'' The Lightning Ninja answered. You clambered into a tyre and sat down in it with a sigh. You watched as the sentient wrecking ball attacked the ninja, kicking up a cloud of dust that cleared, only three of the four boys remaining.

Elevating your gaze, you easily found where Jay was, on the wrecking ball as it swung upward. Doing a flip off it, he jumped into the cockpit.

While this was going on, a Fangpyre snake approached you from behind but stopped as soon as they saw your condition. You hadn't noticed their presence until you heard:

''Underssstandable, have a good resst of your day...'' The Fangpyre awkwardly hissed, backing away. You whipped your head around to look at them, while the Fangpyre avoided your eyes.

The Fangpyre robot attacked the other ninja, while Jay sat in the cockpit of the wrecking ball, attempting to operate it. The wrecking ball then slammed full force into the Fangpyre robot, knocking it into a junk pile not too far from you. An unholy screech exited your mouth from the surprise you had.

Lloyd looked to the ninja, who brought out their Weapons, ready to face the boy and the Fangpyre General. ''Retreat!'' The Munchkin Blond called to the Serpentine. They began to do as commanded, with the Rattlecopter flying away, Lloyd and the General standing on a platform attached to it.

''He's getting away with the staff!'' Nya yelled while you climbed out of the tyre, joining the others.

The Lightning Ninja sighed. ''Right now would be a good time to have those Dragons.''

''It'ssss okay, sssson,'' Ed told him, trying to reassure Jay.

''There is still a way.'' Wu informed the group.

''How?'' Jay questioned in his confusion.

''Part of reaching your own full potential is understanding your weapon's potential. Once it is in tune with a focused heart, its secrets and powers can be unlocked.'' Wu explained.

''Oh, this is not the time to be cryptic.'' The Lightning Ninja complained.

''He's saying our weapons are vehicles themselves,'' Zane told him.

''Don't tell me I have to ride this thing like a broomstick.'' Kai stared at the Sword of Fire in his grasp.

''Although that would be amusing, I doubt that's what Sensei means...'' You muttered to yourself, snickering under your breath as you imagined what that would look like.

The old man turned to Jay. ''Jay, concentrate on unlocking your Golden Weapon. Let your heart guide you. Imagine you're taking flight.'' Wu told the Lightning Ninja. The boy looked at his Nunchucks, before going to an area with more space.

He began to swing them around in a sort of dance, lightning appearing as it crackled, the boy then ended up in a transparent sphere while he spun. A flash of white light, and Jay was sitting in the cockpit of an electric blue fighter jet.

''Whoa! Haha, did I just do that?'' The Lightning Ninja wondered aloud.

Kai whipped his Sword of Fire around a few times, before running his hands along the blade, making it light up under his touch. He then threw the Sword into the air, the ground raising below his feet. A flash of light, and he was sitting on a red motorcycle.

Zane held his Shurikens, putting them out at his sides, making ice shards appear in the air. As he went on, it was clear a motorcycle was being formed in the ice. Most of the ice then broke off, revealing a blue and white motorcycle with some ice on the front which Zane revved.

Cole swung his Scythe around behind his back, before throwing it into the air, the Golden Weapon hovering above him as he floated a bit off the ground. Parts of the earth flew into the air, gathering around the Scythe before going below Cole's feet and making a mountain of earthy rubble. He grabbed the Scythe, striking the makeshift mountain below him. A flash of light and a big black 4x4 vehicle with Earth details was in its place.

''Ha! I hate to hurt Rocky's feelings, but I think he's just been replaced.'' Cole said to the others. In their respective vehicles, the ninja raced off to chase after Lloyd, with Jay cheering as he soared into the clouds.

''Does your flute turn into anything?'' Nya questioned Wu, with hope in her voice, while you looked into the distance, watching as the boys raced away.

Wu looked at the sacred flute in his hand. ''I wish.''

Jay lost concentration in his celebration after he had successfully snatched the staff from the Fangpyre General. Falling, the boy screamed as he approached the ground, looking like he was about to become a ninja pancake if something wasn't done to stop his rapid descent.

''Jay! You have to concentrate!'' Kai yelled out.

''I can't!'' The Lightning Ninja screamed back.

''I think we're gonna have to catch him,'' Cole told the others. ''I got him. I got him.''

''No, I got him!'' Kai replied.

''He's mine!'' Zane exclaimed.

The vehicles crashed into each other, disappearing as fast as they had appeared. Jay still screamed but was caught just in time by the jalopy with Nya at the wheel, you leaning on the leather seating beside her. Seemingly Jay didn't know where to look, judging by his glances toward you and Nya separately.

''Heh, nice catch,'' Jay mumbled.

''Aw, I knew I liked thissss girl,'' Edna told her husband.

The Fangpyre's army began to charge at Kai, Zane and Cole, who had their Weapons out, prepared to take them on.

''Huh? Why isn't this thing working?'' Kai questioned in confusion as he looked at his Weapon. The jalopy pulled up beside the ninja.

''Your weapon is merely an extension of your mind. If your mind is immobile, so is your weapon.'' Wu told the ninja.

''Oh, boy. Oh, gosh. Oh, golly, oh, duh. Get in, boys!'' Ed panicked, and the boys then hopped onto the back of the vehicle.

''We have to get back to headquarters!'' Jay urged.

''Go! They're getting away!'' Lloyd ordered the Fangpyre army as they gave chase to the ninja. Nya put the pedal to the metal, speeding off with the army in tow.

Arriving at the Bounty before the Fangpyre did, the ninja began to prepare, while you noticed slither marks in the sand nearby, which the others hadn't noticed, too focused on rushing to their stations, with Nya going below deck with Jay's parents while the others headed to the bridge of the ship. A bit of the gritty sand was on the deck too, with similar marks on it as well.

Nya placed the Antivenin in the cups, Ed and Edna drank, their Serpentine forms vanishing within seconds as they turned back into humans whilst they laughed.

''Oh, that's good.'' Ed spoke, cheery.

Jay slammed his fist against the button in frustration. ''Ugh, I don't get what's wrong. I spent forever on this. It's supposed to work!''

Ed approached the Lightning Ninja. ''Uh, son? Maybe I can help?''

Jay gasped at the sight of his father returned to normal. ''Dad! You're okay!''

''You're darn tooting. Oh, let's have a look.'' Ed knelt, going through the wiring as he fixed it. Standing up, he took a step back, allowing Jay some space. ''Oh, yeah. Uh-huh. Oh, that should do it. Now try it.''

Jay punched the button, The Destiny's Bounty then opened its wings and rocket boosters turned on at full power, allowing it to take off as the Fangpyres came near. Tilting slightly, it was enough for Nya to stumble with the staff in her grasp, which fell out of her hand and off the ship, hitting a Fangpyre snake on the head with a bonk.

—

Below deck once more, you stared out of your window, watching as the skies' colours changed amid the sunset. A frown settled on your face as you paused, listening for anything. The screech of metal against metal greeted you, making you cringe from the unpleasant feeling it left in your ears.

Was Jay working on something? Sounded like it.

Back in the main bedroom where the boys slept, Jay had a blueprint laid out in front of him. Scrunching his face up in concentration, he pulled out a screwdriver, working on something to come...

Here's a drawing I worked on while I was writing, heehee :D

(Excuse if it looks a bit rushed, I'm too stubborn to draw from references so it may be time to start doing that.) 

Check comment for something to translate while you wait for the next chapter --> 

Without further ado,

See ya, Bookworms. 

WriterAgreste, over & out!