Chase Holfelder - Firework (Minor Key Cover)

Maybe a reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow

And when it's time you'll know

---

TW: one uncensored c slur, some ableism

A scream came from the Destiny's Bounty when a certain Porcupine woke up to a surprise. Remo slithered away, vanishing as soon as the others checked on Kai. The Fire Ninja had a very awkward start to the morning having to explain what happened.

Turning a page, you had to resist smirking once the sound rang out, sitting on your bed.

''Oh, how I love the sweet sound of Kai's suffering in the morning.'' You hummed to yourself, running a thumb over the creases of dog-eared pages. Sunlight filtered in through the small window of your bedroom, casting the room in a morning glow.

The pile of unread books was getting smaller, too small for comfort. You weren't even sure what you'd do once that pile vanished completely, rereading a few was plausible but for the rest? Probably not.

You knew all the endings for these stories, yet you had no idea what yours was. Were you really going to live the rest of your life like this?

Perhaps that was a question to be answered later.

—

Riding on a bike with improvised wings was The Postman, desperately attempting to catch up to the flying ship with a parcel in his grasp. ''Wait! Slow down! I have a package for Sensei Wu!'' He screamed out.

While below deck, you got up from your bed, sliding onto the wheelchair. Heading out of the room, you went to turn the light off but a strange tingling feeling raced down your arm as soon as you touched the switch.

The overhead light flickered to orange for a few seconds before completely shattering. A small yelp escaped your mouth, you instinctively used your arms to shield your face as the fragments fell, clattering onto the floor. 

Looking down, you spotted your necklace's 'gem' glowing, only for a few seconds before the light faded and it returned to its usual false image.

''(Y/n)? Are you alright?" Nya's voice called from down the hall, footsteps following after. You scrambled to pick up what pieces would be seen if she were to come in, the wheels squeaking against the floorboards.

''I'm fine!'' You answered back in a shrill voice. Too late. Nya poked her head in, lifting an eyebrow before seeing the mess. Stepping in, she grabbed a piece of paper you had chucked and swept the glass shards onto it with another scrapped piece of paper.

''Not going to ask what happened here,'' The girl started, throwing away the glass shards into a nearby bin, then dusting her hands off. ''But I'll ask this: did you plant Remo in my brother's bed?"

''I didn't put him there, he wanted to do it. And he promised to just stay on the pillow.'' You replied, taking the paper scraps and putting them in the bin with the shards. ''He didn't do anything too bad. Besides, he insulted you and me.''

Nya looked mildly surprised. Then, her face melted into a smile, one that reached her eyes and was filled with warmth. You looked up at her, returning the gesture.

''Just so you know, I've got your back, Nya. You probably don't need it though knowing who you are.'' You said, referring to Samurai X. ''I thought it'd be nice for you to hear it anyway.'' Turning to the door, you wheeled out.

Nya stood in your room, blinking a few times before following after you. Was it just her, or did her heart rate pick up slightly just then? Either that was her imagination or it happened. No, it didn't. 

She pushed any conflicting thoughts aside and pulled her focus back into the present before anyone could notice.

Entering the dining area, you looked at the others sitting at the table while talking, with Lloyd's expression brightening upon spotting you and Nya.

''Sadly, it was the Sacred Flute you four carelessly lost,'' Wu informed the boys, settling down onto his seat after placing a box onto the table in front of him.

''Hey, no, no, no, we didn't lose it. Pythor stole it.'' Jay insisted, waving his arms around a bit.

Wu poured himself a cup of tea.''Whatever the case, without it I fear we have nothing to combat their powers. We may have prevented them from uniting in the past, but they will try again, and one day they will be stronger.''

''Don't worry. I've almost reached my Full Potential, and when I become the Prophesied Ninja, we're not gonna need any magic flute.'' Cole boasted to the Sensei.

''You're gonna be the Green Ninja?'' Kai questioned. ''Hahaha, don't make me laugh.'' He pointed at Cole.

''Don't even try talking, Kai, your hair is as big as your ego.'' You told the Fire Ninja with a smirk.

''Oh, snap.'' Cole held out his fist and you bumped it, grinning. Kai looked peeved.

''I thought it was decided that I was destined to become the Green Ninja.'' The Ice Ninja spoke, gesturing to himself.

Jay placed his hand on Zane's shoulder. ''Oh! The only thing decided about you, Zane, is that you're weird.'' He told him. The boy's conversation then devolved into an argument, their words quickly becoming inaudible.

Lloyd got up from his spot and walked over to his uncle. ''Yeah, yeah, yeah. What's in the box?'' He questioned.

The Sensei pulled the lid off the box. ''Your new uniforms.'' He announced, the boys stopping their argument at his words, gasping in awe.

''Huh, that's one way to stop them arguing.'' You mused, tapping your fingers against the wheels of your wheelchair. The ninja took their new gis, looking over them.

''Whoa! They've got, like, armour.'' Jay gushed over his outfit.

''I love the gold highlights,'' Kai exclaimed.

''Battle claws!'' Cole smiled at his outfit.

''The material is really light and breathable,'' Zane told the others.

The munchkin blond groaned. ''Oh, nothing for me?''

''Um, you get,'' Wu started, Lloyd getting his hopes up. ''The box.'' The smile on the munchkin blond's face disappeared upon hearing this.

Red lights flashed as the alarms blared, causing everyone to look around in surprise. The group rushed to the control room, with you behind since you had difficulty going up the stairs.

''Sorry to break up the moment, boys, but a small faction of our slithering friends are stirring up trouble at Mega Monster Amusement Park,'' Cole told the others, bringing up a zoomed-in map of the amusement park, then going on to show pictures of the serpentine terrorising park goers.

''Amusement park? Can I go? Can I go with you, please? Let me make things up. I can help.'' Lloyd energetically begged the ninja while you looked on with pity for the boy.

''I'm sorry, nephew. You will stay here, where it's safe.'' Wu told Lloyd.

''Oh, ninja get all the fun.'' Lloyd's excited demeanour deflated faster than a balloon as he stared at the floor disappointedly. You wheeled over to him, attempting to pat him on the back to reassure him. He didn't respond.

''What do you say, guys? Time to try out the new merchandise?'' Jay questioned the other ninja.

—

Following his failure to catch the ''mysterious'' samurai, Kai dropped you and Lloyd at an arcade. The Porcupine had promised beforehand that he wouldn't be too long and that Cole would pick you up, staying out of earshot of the munchkin blond who would understandably not react well to the news if he heard it.

So, in short, you were going to be abandoned for a bit. With Lloyd. And well, Remo was with you, invisible but not taking well to the news, so you gave him some bread to munch on, unfortunately without ham which the snake was dismayed with. He chewed on it while his eyes narrowed, burning a hole into the wall he glared at.

''When will these guys ever learn?" You wondered aloud to Lloyd, who gave a meek shrug in return.

Hearing hushed voices echoing from an alleyway, you perked up. You and Lloyd looked at each other before you began wheeling over to see what the commotion was about with the munchkin blond in tow. The pair of you peeked around the corner.

''Impossssible. The Lossst City doess not exisst.'' Fang-Suei claimed, looking to Scales as the serpentine group gathered in the space beyond the alleyway.

''Well, it issn't losst anymore.'' Scales laughed. ''And I heard there'ss going to be a fight.''

The munchkin blond began to sneak around the corner to go after them, but you snatched his cape and dragged him back with reluctance. The boy turned his eyes to you, a pleading look in the Xmas-coloured eyes he had.

''Lloyd, you cannot go, this is too dangerous for you.'' You told him with concern, holding back a sigh at the look he was giving you.

''Please, just please let me help this once, I promise I'll be good.'' The boy begged. Your heart ached for how sad he looked, but you had to clench your eyes shut to think. He was so young, but for him to get hurt? You didn't want that to happen, not ever. Or, as long as you could delay it, you would not let it happen today.

''I don't want you to get hurt.'' You forced out as you opened your eyes, gripping the wheels of the wheelchair. Lloyd stared at you, frowning sadly.

Your interaction was interrupted by the rumbling sound of the serpentine bus starting up. Looking to the ground, Lloyd was deep in thought with the money Kai gave him clutched tightly in his hand.

Then he turned his gaze upward, surveying the area around, his eyes landing on a Hypnobrai costume display behind glass within a shop that was miraculously near the arcade. You followed his gaze, lifting an eyebrow when you saw maracas with the costume set.

''It's probably to imitate the hissing or like the rattling noises,'' Remo spoke when the Son of Garmadon rushed into the shop. ''Could've done better though. It sticks out too much, in my opinion.''

Luh-loyd returned with the costume in his hand and handed it over to you, squishing you in a hug afterwards. You put it on as best as you could, then let your hands fly over the individual parts.

Lloyd watched as they became more realistic, and when you were done, you almost completely looked like a real Hypnobrai. Your back wasn't completely disguised which wouldn't be a problem if you somehow found a good enough excuse or something to cover it. You kept the maracas just in case.

A Hypnobrai in a wheelchair, but still, you were proud of your work as you stared in the glass window. Unfortunately, with this, you had to put away your ''necklace'', with it back to being a white-gold ball.

''It's hard to tell if you're a human now.'' The boy commented. You flinched at his words, quickly looking away. He let out a small whine, worried he had done something wrong. You went to pat his head to reassure him, but strangely enough, two bumps sat beneath his hair.

Pulling away, you had to reassure yourself you were imagining things. ''I'll be safe.'' You promised, wheeling away from the boy who had to watch. Looking forward, Scales blinked a few times at your appearance.

''Excuse me, I know I'm in a wheelchair, but it's rude to stare.'' You made sure to emphasise the hisses you had known Remo to sometimes do. ''Perhaps I'll knock you from your place, and I'll be stared at for the right reasons.''

The Hypnobrai general continued to stare before his eyes narrowed. You drew in a sharp breath, wondering if you went too far. He then calmed, grumbling under his breath as he directed some of the other serpentine to pull out a ramp for you to go up.

Once the door shut and you found a spot to park your wheelchair (with the brakes on in case), the serpentine bus drove off while Lloyd was watching.

—

The ride was long. Over many kilometres of desert that stretched on and on, with many bumps on the road in between. While the real serpentine had others to talk to, you were alone, for the time being.

It was dark outside, and you were starting to become more alert, listening to others' conversations but there wasn't much to learn. It was also getting harder to sit still as the bus drove closer to its destination. What would you do when you got there?

In the distance, it appeared, rising over the horizon. Vague stone sculptures of something encircling the city, which as the bus came closer, were sculptures of snakes with hoods like the Hypnobrai, rearing up over the serpentine bus and its occupants who were small in comparison.

Even in the nighttime, they cast shadows onto the bus. Still, the driver pressed on, deeper into the city, towards its centre. When you found your place in the tiered seating surrounding an arena, the serpentine near you were chanting one thing.

''SLITHER PIT!'' The riotous crowd demanded, some boos mixed within it, making you think twice about coming here. For a moment, your body sparked alive with a tingling feeling again, this time stronger.

Your attention was then drawn to a large purple serpentine with a long, curving neck, adorned with black markings that ran down the length of his scaly body and a light blue gem on his head. He had a tail that was a bit shorter than his neck but that was saying something for a serpentine. Pythor, of course.

There wasn't anyone else in the crowd who looked like him- except for Remo. The little snake was visible on your shoulders, with a seething glare pointed at the Anacondrai. Why was he acting like this? The little snake then turned invisible, causing a few confused looks in your direction. You ignored them.

''I bring you together to the Lost City of Ouroboros, before the statue of our very own Great Devourer, to speak of unity,'' Pythor announced to the crowd that quietened a bit at his arrival.

But they began to demand again.

''Where are the fightss?'' A Constrictai questioned.

''Where iss the big sshow?'' A Venomari inquired.

''Slither Pit! Slither Pit! Slither Pit! Slither Pit!'' The crowd chanted, you had to start doing the same or they would have noticed, not as they did on the bus earlier.

Pythor growled, leaping forward to then slither with his hands raised high. ''You want a show? You want to see a fight? I ask for your allegiance but you will not give it. So I will take it.'' He looked towards the other serpentine generals, who held their staffs. Scales joined them, looking back at the Anacondrai.

''What are you ssaying?'' Fangtom questioned him.

''I challenge the four tribe Generals for their staffs and their allegiance. At once!'' Pythor proclaimed to the crowd.

''I fought hard for this sstaff and will not give it up eassily,'' Acidicus told him.

''There's no way he can defeat the four of us at once,'' Skalidor replied, attempting to hit Pythor with his staff but the Anacondrai dodged, spinning and hitting him with his tail. Acidicus was next, attempting to do the same but Pythor punched him in the face.

Fangtom hit him and then the three generals opposing the Anacondrai tackled him to the ground, while Scales stood upright before secretly handing Pythor the Sacred Flute who began to play it.

You watched as the other generals stopped their attack, holding their heads as the flute's melodic tune rang out. Remo bristled in his place on your shoulder. You covered his head with one hand and he relaxed a little.

''My ears!'' Skalidor cried out.

''It hurts!'' Acidicus protested.

Scales threw forward his staff and Pythor defeated the other generals, leaving them laying on the ground.

''Bow to your master.'' Pythor had gathered all the staffs, throwing them to the ground in front of the generals they belonged to. ''Bow to your master, Serpentine!'' He demanded.

The crowd began to bow while you tried to do the same, but a serpentine behind you knocked their head into your wheelchair by accident. They muttered apologies until they suddenly stopped and their eyes widened.

You looked down at yourself. The false Hypnobrai image you had placed onto yourself was melting away, turning into small smoky orange wisps that faded. For a moment, all was still.

Then it erupted into chaos. Serpentine were screaming, you caught a glimpse of Pythor looking up at you with his eyes narrowed before he was blocked off by a Hypnobrai in your face. Avoiding eye contact, you attempted to whack them in the throat. One dragged you from your wheelchair. Another tried pulling you by the legs.

A flash of silver, and you widened your eyes, spotting Remo amidst the crowd, fangs bared and gleaming for a moment in the moonlight before sinking into a serpentine's shoulder.

A screech came from them while you attempted crawling away with all the strength you had since the wheelchair was no longer in sight, having thrown both maracas at the serpentine who had held you.

''GET THEM!'' Pythor screamed as the crowd fought amongst each other, a few getting their act together to catch the one person that had watched them all this time, others trying to get to the small silver snake. Scales watched these serpentine especially, a dark look on his face.

You couldn't see Pythor anywhere. Remo was still around, vanishing for a second before reappearing with a rock he had found, using it to trip over some of the serpentine and then threw it in their faces as he tried getting back to you.

But the fighting was stopped as Pythor appeared, holding up Remo in his scaly hand, who thrashed and bit in his captor's grip. But it was no use. The Anacondrai glared down at the silver snake, turning his gaze to you. You shuddered as his eyes landed on your bruised self.

''What is a disabled little cripple doing out here, hm?" Pythor questioned mockingly, slithering forward to where his long neck towered over you. His eyes narrowed.

You looked around, freezing in place when you saw the condition of the wheelchair, one of the wheels was bent with parts of it never being able to be fixed on one side if Jay were to take a look at it.

There was nothing you could do.

—

Wu stepped into his room, an envelope in hand. Turning it over, he paused at the family seal of (Y/n)'s mother, before pulling it open. A piece of paper with almost unintelligible scrawl across the page, spelling out one sentence:

GO FIND MY CHILD OR SO HOPE YOUR FATHER ABOVE HELPS YOU.

The old man's blood ran cold and as his usual outwardly calm manner disappeared, he gulped.

—

The ninja pulled up to the arcade where Kai had dropped off Lloyd and (Y/n), the munchkin blond with Kai who hadn't seemed too keen on the idea when he had been told about it.

Lloyd looked around, pointing to the shop window where the Hypnobrai disguise was earlier, giving them some details about what happened, the boys then followed him as he went down the alleyway.

''I sense these are (Y/n)'s wheelchair tracks.'' Zane pointed out to the others as they looked at the markings on the ground. ''But they come to an end here. Why?"

''There was this serpentine bus.'' Lloyd piped up, guilt clear on his face, looking to the tyre tracks on the ground where the wheelchair tracks had stopped. ''(Y/n) used a disguise and got onto it.''

Kai gritted his teeth under his mask. ''Something tells me we're going for a ride. Come on, boys.'' He made his motorcycle appear, and Lloyd clambered onto it. Once he was on, the boys raced off, following the direction of the tyre tracks.

Once they arrived, they made their vehicles disappear, sneaking into the heart of the city on foot, though Kai had to ensure the munchkin blond was safe. The ninja and the one shortie blond finally arrived in a space between the tiered seating, hidden from the crowds.

''It appears Pythor has successfully united all of the tribes,'' Zane observed.

''I know we ruined their last get-together, but that's no reason to not get an invitation. My feelings are hurt.'' Cole told the others. Lloyd peeked out from behind him, glancing around.

''There's (Y/n).'' Kai pointed out, the others looking in that direction. The munchkin blond's eyes widened. There you were, sitting inside the cage, while the wheelchair sat beside it, almost looking like a pile of scrap weren't it for the fact there were still some discernable features that remained.

You looked up, blinking a few times as you noticed the group of fruit-coloured ninja in the shadows. Narrowing your eyes, you also spotted Lloyd and cursed under your breath. Why did they bring him here?

Cole then put his finger to where his lips would be under the mask, signalling from across the arena for you to stay silent. Reluctantly, you nodded.

The ninja rushed forward, towards you when a cage dropped onto them. Lloyd was the only one not to get trapped, retreating into the shadows. The Golden Weapons had fallen out of the ninja's grip, and onto the ground in front of Pythor.

They were then forced to walk out into the middle of the arena, with serpentine surrounding them holding weapons in case they tried anything. The ninja looked over to a larger cage, a rattling of chains then came from the darkness within.

''You say you wanted a battle, and I give you one. I give you ninja versus Samurai!'' Pythor announced to the awaiting crowd. The doors to the large cage opened, and the Samurai was brought out. The serpentine then took off the chains restricting the mech's arms before running away.

''What? We have to fight the Samurai? But we don't even have our Golden Weapons and he has that hulking thing of armour. It's not fair.'' Jay protested.

''I want to see once and for all who is the greatest hero. Is it Samurai, or ninja? Only the victor will be allowed to leave.'' Pythor declared.

''Stay together,'' Kai told the others.

''Perhaps he can join our team to fight our way out? After all, he hates the Serpentine too.'' Zane reasoned to the other ninja before the Samurai attacked with a circular blade. The ninja hit the dirt to avoid it.

''Scratch that. He is not on our team.'' Cole replied. The Samurai rushed forward, aiming to sweep them but the ninja avoided it, gathering on the other side.

''Haha, missed me!'' Jay taunted after the Samurai had attempted to throw a circular blade his way, missing his head since he ducked. It then came back, hitting his head.

''Tornado of Creation?'' Zane suggested to the others. They then called out their elements, merging their Spinjitzu into one massive tornado, a giant slingshot in its place after it had drawn in all the materials it could. Lloyd made a run for it while the serpentine were distracted, stopping at the cage that held you.

''Lloyd! You shouldn't have come! It's too-'' You began.

''Dangerous? I wanted to rescue you, I'm sorry I didn't stay.'' He replied, grabbing ahold of the bars and swinging the cage door open. You immediately engulfed him in a hug, with the boy hugging back a few seconds later you then pulled out of it.

''We've gotta get out of here.'' You crawled to your wheelchair, checking over it. The one thing you had used to get around was almost completely in shambles, held up by a few parts here and there. At least it hadn't gotten pulled into the Tornado of Creation.

The slingshot made by the Tornado of Creation launched a huge metal spiked ball, which knocked into the Samurai mech and made it land near Pythor and Scales. You gulped, looking at the two who had been distracted by the Tornado of Creation.

Then the ninja charged forward, heading for the Hynobrai general and the Anacondrai who still held Remo. Pythor then pulled a lever that made spikes appear out of the ground, tall enough to trap the ninja.

''Argh! Why can't anyone play fair?'' Jay shouted, to which Pythor pulled the lever down further and the arena began to tilt, the ninja screaming as they slid down the rapidly steepening inclination. You bit your lip before the Samurai mech shot up, with the ninja holding on tight and the thrusters at full blast.

It wasn't enough as there was too much weight on the mech. Nya, in her Samurai guise, leapt out of the mech, letting it fly off with the ninja still on it. She punched two serpentine in the face when she landed, leaping off the tiered seating and onto the arena, which was no longer tilted.

Nya then charged at Scales and Pythor, who you felt shove into you, taking Lloyd into his grasp, however, Remo fell into your arms with a cry. ''GET HIM!'' Pythor screamed once more, serpentine rushing to the girl disguised as a samurai.

Surrounded by serpentine, Nya looked in your direction, seemingly giving you an apologetic look before activating a magnetiser, bringing the Golden Weapons to her. Grabbing them, she threw a circular blade which hit the lever, tilting the arena once again and making the serpentine that had surrounded her fall into the pit below.

''Don't leave me here-'' You watched her activate her jetpack, flying off. Pythor then looked at you, still holding Lloyd who looked terrified. The arena went back to normal, and you got in your wheelchair, hissing as a piece of metal poked into your side.

The only thing you could do now was back away with your hands on the wheel, mainly using the left one as the right one was the more damaged wheel. The wind blew through your hair for a moment, sending chills down your spine at its coldness.

But you had no time to worry about the logic in that. The tingling feeling returned with a vengeance, sizzling through your veins like wildfire. Serpentine began to back away slightly, as you noticed electricity arcing through the air.

Your eyes widened. It was coming from you. Lloyd's jaw dropped at the scene before him. Taking in a deep breath, you looked around, the feeling building up in your hands. It grew, stronger, and stronger until you put your palms out.

The world exploded in a blazing glory of electrifying orange, striking at every serpentine that came close, cloaking your vision in its colour. Many rushed away with none foolish enough to face your wrath. This was how it felt to have the power you wanted. This was the power you needed.

Pythor turned tail with Lloyd in his grasp, with Scales behind him, avoiding an aimed blast at him, with you forgetting for a moment that the munchkin blond was still with the Anacondrai. The rest of the serpentine that remained followed were galvanised into running away from your anger-fuelled bursts of pent-up power.

But in the aftermath, you were still that person, still with legs that would not serve you. And exhaustion caught up. Falling forward out of the wheelchair, you crumbled to the ground, sparks of electricity still dancing through the air, crackling as they went, eventually dissipating.

Whatever serpentine was left stunned where they once stood were dragged out of sight by fellow serpentine, leaving you laying alone on the ground. A feeling like slamming into a brick wall bashed your remaining senses, leading to you mumbling a small cry for help.

A distant figure appeared in your vision as it all began to blur, as your mind descended into the darkness...

—

Nya faced Kai, wearing all of the Samurai armour except for the helmet. ''...You never let me try to help, so I found my own way to be a hero. Are you mad...?" She questioned, looking worried.

''Mad? Of course not. It's just, all this time, I've been trying to protect you and you've never needed it. You're amazing.'' He told her with a smile.

Nya punched his arm, averting her gaze as guilt settled in. ''Girl power. You're not gonna tell the others, are you?'' She asked, looking slightly worried.

''But we had a bet. We said whoever caught the Samurai would be the Green—'' Kai stopped, sighing. ''Of course, I won't say anything. How'd you make all this stuff?''

''You'd be surprised how much spare time I have waiting for you guys to come back from your missions. Wasn't even the first one to discover the ''mysterious Samurai's identity''.'' Nya informed, making Kai stop for a moment to look at her questioningly. ''Not like I'd tell you who, anyway.''

Kai then took the bag with the Golden Weapons that his sister handed to him. ''Nya, whenever I get in trouble, the other three always have my back. But you...just be careful, will you?''

''I know someone has my back. I still promise to be careful though.'' Nya told him. The siblings then left, with Nya getting back into her mech while Kai walked over the dunes with the bag in his grasp.

—

How many times were you going to get hurt? First, it was that cliff, then it was the fire in the monastery you were caught in, and now getting captured by serpentine and then shocking them all with newfound power (both in the literal and figurative sense).

You watched as electricity jumped from finger to finger, but a knock on your door made you clench your fist to make it disappear.

''Come in.'' You grumbled with the door opening. In stepped Kai, pausing a moment as he looked at you before sitting beside you on your bed, with some space in between.

''I know.'' Kai lifted his gaze to meet yours, showing his cedar-brown eyes. Your eyes widened, looking him up and down. Did he know about the fact you knocked the serpentine to the ground? ''Nya's the Samurai.''

You blinked, remaining silent for fear your next words could betray you. You just had to forgo that to open your mouth. ''Uh, yeah, I knew that. With the amount of time, I have on my hands. How wouldn't I know?''

''You spend a lot of time reading.'' Kai shot back, so you punched his shoulder. The boy grunted, almost toppling onto his side but he regained himself before that could happen. ''Hey, it's true!''

''Porcupine, you better watch your words, or you're going to be in for a shock.'' You warned, the boy looking at you in bafflement. He then shot to his feet, shoving the blanket over your eyes while you yelped in protest, floorboards creaking as he left the room afterwards.

Yawning, he almost ran right into Cole who was looking at something or someone. Following his gaze, the Fire Ninja was met with the unusual sight of Jay kissing his pillow.

''This is the first night I've caught him doing it,'' Cole mumbled to Kai, who watched the scene before blinking tiredly, turning and going to his bed.

''Probably won't be the last,'' Kai whispered back, settling down under the covers. His reply was met with the Earth Ninja humming in response before the boy closed his eyes.

—

Boots tapped the stony ground, kicking aside rock fragments scattered around the area. The figure stopped, turning their gaze to an individual piece glowing in the darkness. Kneeling, their fingers curled around it.

The infinity symbol with its purple and silver sides glimmered in their palm. A finger ran over it, feeling the various bumps and indents. They paused, hearing something else. A woman with familiar (e/c) eyes emerged from the darkness, a hood covering the top of her head.

''The prophecy was unveiled too early.'' She proclaimed, her eyes flitting over the symbol in the stranger's palm.

''Relax, a little old birdy told me that the scroll got ''conveniently'' carried away on the wind.'' They replied, a grin appearing on what was visible on their face. The woman frowned, folding her hands behind her back. ''It's all about the risks you have to take to gain something.''

She thought for a moment. ''Cas, what happens at the end of all of this?" The woman questioned, stepping forward.

''It all has to do with the prophecy. Which, as you've said, was seen too early. That old man took it without your permission, the fool probably associated it with the other one.'' They informed, chuckling at the thought. ''His beard is as long as he is stupid.''

''That's not answering my question.'' The woman growled a low rumbling sound that brought a brief shiver to the mysterious figure. ''Please, I need to know-''

Her question was not answered. There was a flash of purple and silver, stunning the woman who then wildly looked around, finding no one. She let out a forceful breath. Worried for her child.

Lore.

Love it to bits. Anyway, I did change quite a few things from the original, hope it wasn't too significant in your eyes. Also gave Kai some more appreciation, since there wasn't much of that. Eighth chapter reached, woohoo ;)

The next chapter might be short but that's something that may change in the process of writing it.

Go wild with your comments and theories!

Without further ado,

See ya, Bookworms.

WriterAgreste, over & out!