Starset - Manifest

Stuck in this state, misaligned

Trapped inside the looking glass

Tell me when will all this pass

Oh, how I hate the silver line​​

—

When Sensei Wu finally finished telling the story, three of the four ninja followed him onto the deck, somewhat frustrated with Sensei's solution to the young blond boy. To them, all that training during the daytime was a lot of work. But Lloyd did not get the consequences they wished for.

''We had to train all day, and he gets read a bedtime story?'' Cole complained to the old man.

''Hmm, you're right, I nearly forgot. Why are you still not training? Did you find the answer to the riddle?" Sensei Wu questioned the three.

Kai sighed in his defeat. ''No, Sensei. We still don't know what the best way to defeat your enemy is.'' The boy answered.

Dejectedly, the ninja began to walk away.

''It is to make them your friend,'' Wu answered them, turning and leaving afterwards.

Sleep-deprived, you then crawled out of the shadows onto the deck. Kai looked down at you and jumped a few centimetres in the air out of fright at your appearance, being the first to notice you. The other two promptly noticed your presence, eyes widening.

''If you dare hurt Lloyd, there'll be more than one bone to fix... and trust me, there's plenty to break.'' Your hoarse voice came out as you glared up at them.

Cole and Zane looked at Kai before going past him to go to bed, leaving just you and Kai.

You don't remember putting yourself to sleep. But you remembered a creak of the door in the night as you woke up while wrestling with the pillow for comfort. And well, with the covers too, which were now on the floor.

Shaking your leg, a wood splinter came out, which you pulled off with a look of disgust. Looking around, you didn't have long until Lloyd was in your way, staring at you with a mischievous grin.

''Boo.'' The boy greeted...? Whatever. His bright green eyes, mixed with flecks of red here and there, a colour that resembled his father's crimson, bore into your very being. You scooted away as best as you could on your bed so you could have some space.

''Okay, why are you in my bedroom?" You intelligently questioned. The boy held up a few choice items, that being a sledgehammer, some detergent, a few vials of something probably nasty, and a toolbox. One at a time though. Lloyd didn't have the strength to lift the toolbox and the sledgehammer together.

''Master Wu wanted me to prank the others, and I may need your help...'' Lloyd answered with his grin slowly turning into a smirk.

You grinned. ''Deal.''

—

Kai picked up his game controller, ready to play. Lloyd poked his head in, stopping his whistling.

''Hey, Kai! Ha. Saw Cole beat your high score. You should have seen it. It was pretty spectacular.'' Lloyd informed the Hothead.

''Uh, you must be talking about Sitar Legend. This is Fist to Face 2. No one beats me on my game.'' The Porcupine retorted confidently.

''Huh. Could be wrong. See ya!'' The munchkin blond replied, resuming his whistling as he walked away.

Even though Kai didn't believe Lloyd, he still checked the high score on his game and found the Earth Ninja's profile on the new highest scores.

''Huh? Cole!'' Kai shouted, enraged.

Whilst in the kitchen, Cole was preparing dinner, stirring some soup with a large spoon.

''Mm-mm! Violet Berry Soup, my culinary achievement. If the recipe is not followed exactly. . . '' He raised the spoon to his mouth, tasting it, but it was so bad he gagged.

Lloyd appeared in the doorway to outside. ''By the way, I saw Jay spice things up. I told him not to, but he said your cooking could use it. Bye, Cole!'' The boy promptly turned and left.

Furious, Cole spat out the soup in his mouth. ''Jay!''

While on the upper deck, Jay was wearing kendo gear in preparation for his routine with a sparring bot that he recently built.

The Lightning Ninja pulled out his Nunchucks after pressing a button to turn the machine on. ''Let's ease our way into this. How about level 2, shall we?''

Pressing another button to put it to level 2, it came up as level 9 as the bot slightly twitched and sparked.

Lloyd stood on the steps to the upper parts of the Bounty. ''Hey, Jay. I saw Zane try to repair the sparring bot earlier. Isn't that your expertise? Later, bro.'' He started whistling as soon as he left.

''Wait! What?'' Jay yelled in disbelief, attempting to turn the now rogue sparring bot off as it advanced on him, robotic limbs spinning. He screamed as it began hitting him. ''No! NO! ZANE!!!''

Further, towards the front of the flying ship, Zane wore his pyjamas, about to hang out his laundry as Lloyd approached, still whistling.

''Hello, Lloyd. What brings you up here this fine morning?'' Zane warmly greeted the boy.

''Kai wanted me to pick up his ninja suit. He said he threw it in with your whites.'' Lloyd rummaged through the laundry, finding the red gi. ''Here it is. Thanks.'' The boy turned and left.

In confusion, the Ice Ninja retrieved one of his ninja suits, discovering it was now pink and causing him to get angry.

Afterwards, below deck, the ninja were arguing with their accusers, not bothering to stop and listen to each other.

''You couldn't just be happy with the top score. You had to rub it in my face!''

''Do you know how long it took me to make that? Three days. Three days!''

''It's an unsaid law, okay? You don't touch a man's robot!''

''How am I supposed to strike fear in this?'' Zane held out his ruined ninja suit to the Fire Ninja. ''It's pink!''

While they were arguing with each other, the Old Tea-Obsessed Man entered the room before opening the bathroom door, where the munchkin blond had been hiding, laughing evilly as soon as he showed.

Beside him were some spices used to ruin Cole's soup, the tools utilised to damage Jay's robot and the detergent that had helped mess up Zane's ninja suits.

The ninja gasped in unison. ''You did this?'' They shouted. The door creaked open, and you wheeled yourself in with a frown.

''Boys, I get first dibs on. . .'' Cole began, going up to Lloyd to punish him but you put yourself in between him and Lloyd. He looked at you in the wheelchair as you held out a stick, now scowling.

''Nope, not today Mister Earth.'' You eyed the boy and the others. ''Just a reminder: Don't. You. Dare. Hurt. Lloyd. Understand?" You interrogated, the boys immediately nodding in response, gulping. ''Good.''

Wu glanced at you before turning his attention back to the ninja. ''I put both of them up to this for today's lesson. I wanted to show you the destructive power of rumours and that jumping to conclusions can only lead to trouble.'' The Old Tea-Obsessed Man informed. ''Did you ever think to find out if the accusations were true?'' Wu questioned the group.

''Uh, no offence, Sensei, but let me jump to this conclusion: today's lesson is lame.'' Cole flatly replied, glaring at Lloyd behind you who was smugly looking back at him.

''Yeah, why can't you just teach us to paralyse your enemy with one finger, or find out if a man is lying by the twitch of his nose?'' Jay avoided your gaze, glaring at Lloyd as well.

''Because not all lessons are about fighting. And I misplaced my lesson book.'' Wu admitted.

Kai glanced around, not taking long to find the lesson book as it was sticking out of Lloyd's back pocket. He then swiped it, holding it up for the Sensei to see. ''You mean this lesson book?''

''It was the perfect plan until you have to show up and mess everything up—'' Lloyd began but was interrupted by Cole shutting the door on him to stop his monologue.

''If you're done fooling around, I could use you guys on the bridge. We do still have a snake problem to attend to. Over and out!'' Nya announced over the speaker.

''It's one thing to let the son of your nemesis live with you. But having my sister here? And (Y/n), who can't do anything to help, no offence-'' Kai spoke, glancing over at you as you crossed your arms.

''Thanks for the well-thought-out compliment, Kai.'' You hissed under your breath, voice dripping with sarcasm. ''Have sweet dreams tonight. You'll find a snake in your bed when you wake up.''

''I mean, come on! I thought this was a ninja headquarters.'' Kai fumed to the others as you muttered, not hearing you but Cole did, eyes widening as he glanced between you and the Hothead.

''You do know I can hear you. . . over and out!'' Nya spoke before the room went silent, not before traces of regret showed on Porcupine's face. The ninja then filed out of the room, heading to the bridge.

You groaned as Remo appeared on your shoulders, an excited twinkle in his eyes, his tail wagging slightly. ''What do you want me to do?" He questioned.

''We just need him to regret his words, not do more than what's required.'' You reached to the snake to smooth down his scales while he nodded, turning invisible. Lloyd pushed aside the sliding doors into the bathroom.

''Can I help?" He asked.

''Eh, I think you've done enough for today, Lloyd.'' You told him, wheeling out of the room while he followed. ''Go relax, the ninja will be on their mission and we can have our quiet.''

—

A yawn escaped you while you were reading, snug under the blankets. A knock came from the door, which you lifted your head to. ''Come in!''

Nya stepped in with a pouty Lloyd beside her. ''Got stuck on Lloyd Duty.'' She explained, closing the door behind her. The Son of Garmadon huffed, crossing his arms.

Remo appeared on your shoulders, as usual, studying the boy before him while you sit yourself up. ''Well, aren't you adorable?" His forked tongue flicked in and out of his mouth while Lloyd froze in place upon spotting the snake.

He then gasped, hiding behind Nya, staring at Remo with wide eyes out of fear. Nya gently put a hand on the munchkin blond's back, pushing him forward. ''Don't be scared. He's friendly.''

Lloyd was reasonably hesitant, gulping. ''Don't trust a snake...'' He muttered.

''This is a snake you can trust.'' You told him, looking at Remo as if to confirm, the little snake nodding in response.

Lloyd blinked a few times before stepping out of his place behind Nya, going forward with his hand outstretched to Remo. The little snake raised his head in preparation, silent.

You and Nya observed as Lloyd came closer, his hand right on top of the snake's head, lowering until he touched the snake, which Lloyd flinched at. He then began to slowly rub Remo's forehead, the snake happily puffing as he did.

Then, Remo moved out of the young boy's reach, slithering off the bed before disappearing. There was a creak as the door opened, seemingly closing on its own.

''Ha, he does that for me as well,'' You start, attempting to lighten the mood. ''He's not a big fan of overstimulation.''

''Overstimu- what?" Lloyd tried saying in his confusion, fumbling with the unfamiliar word. You were about to explain when a beeping cut through the silence. It was coming from Nya, looking at her wrist, where the bracelet was. The girl turned to leave but was stopped by Lloyd.

''Guess you've got something important.'' You grinned at her while she nervously chuckled.

''Yeah.'' She stopped her chuckling. ''Gotta go pick up the boys.''

''I'm guessing it has something to do with this?" Lloyd questioned, pulling out a helmet from underneath your bed. You and Nya froze on the spot.

After a moment of silence, Nya was the first to speak. But with a stutter. ''H-how?" She looked at the boy, bewildered.

''Remo found it in your room,'' You guiltily answered. ''Sorry.'' You apologised as you rubbed the back of your head, face heating up from embarrassment.

Nya warmly smiled. ''It's alright, but this needs to be kept a secret.'' She told you both with urgency in her voice. ''We can't have the boys discover their so-called enemy is a girl in disguise.''

''Got it, Captain.'' You winked.

—

When the ninja had been rescued by the ''samurai'' (who you now knew the identity of), the group sat at the dinner table. You noticed Kai's eyes particularly had a green shine to them, which Nya informed you were part of the effects of the Venomari venom.

The spiky-haired boy had been spat in the face and was suffering from the hallucinogenic effects. He had become detached from reality, or so everyone thought. This quickly became annoying as the rest of the group had discovered.

''So then, just when we were gonna bite it, this huge mechanical robot—'' Jay began to tell the others.

''Samurai. It was Samurai.'' Zane corrected him before he could continue.

''A Sama-what?'' The blond munchkin turned towards Zane, confused.

''Samurai. Highest level of warrior class. They would protect nobility and serve with honour on the battlefield.'' Wu informed the group.

''He was a hundred feet high, with weapons coming out every part of him.'' Kai described while you stole a furtive glance at Nya, who watched with a blank face. ''Look at Sensei's beard. It's moving like snakes.'' Porcupine whispered to Cole, who looked like he was in mental agony.

''When is this Venomari spit supposed to wear off?'' Nya questioned the others, narrowing her eyes at her brother. ''It's starting to get annoying.''

Kai picked up a gyoza, lifting it to his face to eat it, however, he didn't even open his mouth. The food ended up on his cheek, slowly sliding down the side of his face as he blankly stared ahead. The others watched, confused.

The Fire Ninja's eyes then landed on you, and for some reason, you tensed up, anticipating something. He then screamed out as his eyes widened. ''There's white-headed orange fluffy snakes behind you! Aaah!'' You felt Zane's curious gaze on you while you gulped.

''Okay, don't let this mysterious Samurai cloud what's really important.'' Cole reminded the others, drawing the attention away from you, while Kai's gyoza fell off the table. ''All the Serpentine are out, and if Pythor can unite them, the legend states some Great Devourer is gonna consume the land and—''

''Great Devour-er?'' Nya echoed.

''Whatever it is, it's a can of worms I don't wanna see open.'' The Earth Ninja admitted.

Lloyd buried his face in his hands. ''It's all my fault. If I hadn't opened the first hatch, none of this would've happened.'' You tried giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, while he groaned.

''We cannot change the past, but we can affect the future. At least we have the Sacred Flute in our possession, so—'' Wu began but Jay interrupted.

Jay held onto his cup before tipping it over, the water spilling onto the table. ''Yeah, ahem. About that...''

''Pythor sort of stole it.'' Zane awkwardly explained.

''The last Sacred Flute gone?'' Wu questioned before sighing. ''You four are Ninjago's last hope.'' The alarm began to beep loudly as red lights flashed, alerting the ninja.

''Cold vision must have caught something. That means the Serpentine are near.'' Nya told the others, glancing around.

''Oh, no! Ninjago City?'' Cole inquired. The group headed to the control room, and you wheeled in after Zane.

The group looked at a holographic map of Ninjago City was displayed as it rotated. Below the holographic surface, different coloured trails branched out from one spot.

''How many are there?'' Jay asked the others.

''Looks like all of them,'' Kai answered.

''Pythor must be trying to unite them,'' Zane replied, looking to the others.

''Go. We mustn't let the five tribes unite.'' Wu urged the ninja. They rushed out of the room, leaving the others behind for the mission.

—

The Lightning Ninja picked up a prawn, about to eat it, when it slipped out of his grasp, falling onto his seat and bouncing onto the ground.

''You know, whether it was in a lesson book or not, we used the destructive power of rumours to our advantage,'' Cole said as he looked at the others.

''And now the Serpentine are further away than ever from getting their act together,'' Kai announced with a face of determination.

''You know, I don't think we would've gotten out of there if it hadn't been for Zane.'' The Lightning Ninja said as he turned his eyes to the Ice Ninja with a smile.

''Don't thank me. Thank Lloyd. If it hadn't been for his "laundry skills," we all would've been found.'' Zane replied, making everyone in the room laugh. Lloyd then walked in with a pile of Zane's now back to white gi.

''Well, it took me twenty loads, but your suit's no longer pink. And to show that I'm sorry, Cole, I got you a can of nuts.'' The munchkin blond told the Earth Ninja, holding out a can. You covered your mouth, hiding the smirk.

''Uh, haha, yeah. Don't think I don't see what this is. When I open this, a bunch of snakes are gonna pop out, right? Yeah, no thank you.'' Turning away, Cole approached the fridge, only for a wall of rubber snakes to smack into him, jump scaring him and caused him to fall backwards.

The others laughed at the scene, while Cole was standing in the mess of rubber snakes before he too joined in. Once the group was done laughing, you wheeled over to him with something hidden on your lap.

''Sorry about the soup, Lloyd went crazy with the spicing up. I kind of convinced him to let me save some of it...'' You told him, holding out the container with the soup in it. He stared at it in surprise, rendered speechless.

''I don't know what to say...'' The Earth Ninja admitted. You chuckled in response.

''You just need to say thank you- after all, you worked hard on making the soup so I thought it'd be a waste if I let Lloyd ruin all of it.'' You told him. ''Anyway, I'll be hanging out on the deck if you need me, heh.'' You turned, leaving the room.

Cole only watched as you left.

—

The skies had turned dark, and Remo had once again reappeared on your shoulders, staring up at the skies as the stars were reflected in his eyes. It was always hard for him to stop, so you didn't bother to take him out of it. He was happy doing it anyway.

Zane walked out onto the deck, pausing as his gaze landed on you. Making his way over to you, he sat down beside you, staring up at the skies. The Ice Ninja's eyes were filled with the light of the stars above, too numerous for him to count.

A content sigh left you, a gentle nightly breeze tickling your cheek. Amidst the silvery glow of the stars, was a golden star that twinkled. Your confusion began when Zane began to wave up at the skies, an absentminded smile on his face.

''What are you doing?" Curiously, you questioned, voice soft.

His answer was simple. ''Waving at the stars.'' A smile tugged at your lips, and you did not resist it as Zane continued. ''Is any star waving back at me?''

''Perhaps they are.'' You mumbled, which the boy heard, however he did not comment.

''(Y/n), could I ask you something?" The Ice Ninja questioned, putting his hand down to then look at you. A lump in your throat formed at his words, most of the calm atmosphere dissipating.

''Sure... go ahead.'' You looked down at your feet, gripping the wheels of the wheelchair tighter than before.

''I've noticed you've acted odd today.'' He observed. ''When Kai had the Venomari spit in his eyes, and he looked your way, you did not react well.''

''Obviously, Kai is a bit superstitious.'' You try covering up, averting your gaze. Zane lifted an eyebrow. ''Besides, the venom must have that effect on him where it can make you see one of your fears, right?''

''...Why would his fear be fox tails?" The Ice Ninja inquired. You looked at him, desperately thinking of a response. Gaze flitting up to the dark skies, you then yawned.

''I really can't think of an answer, Zane.'' You 'tiredly' admitted, slouching in your wheelchair. ''Maybe some other time we can think about what this could be.'' The boy made no further comment, a look of hurt crossing his features before vanishing.

You began to wheel yourself to your room, with Zane in tow. Hopping onto your bed, Zane grabbed the covers, pulling them over you. When he pulled away, a pleading look was on his face before he turned, quietly closing the door, heart heavy.

''Goodnight, (Y/n).'' Zane gently said before the door closed, and you shut your eyes.

That night, it was hard to sleep with the fact you lied to him.

I guess old habits die hard. I keep finishing these chapters around midnight. No memes in this chapter, but hey, there might be some in the next. :)

Without further ado,

See ya, Bookworms.

WriterAgreste, over & out!