ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: Amanda Seyfried - I Have A Dream

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◄◄⠀▐▐ ⠀►►⠀⠀ ⠀ 0:00 / 4:22 ⠀ ───○ 🔊⠀ ᴴᴰ ⚙ ❐ ⊏⊐

I have a dream, a fantasy

To help me through reality

And my destination makes it worth the while

---

The Ninja looked at a hologram of a fangblade, thinking.

''They got the first one, but there are three more, and we just need one to stop Pythor. They have a map, and we don't, so the question remains: how are we gonna find them first?'' Nya asked the others

''I still can't get over the fact that you were the mysterious Samurai. Is anyone else blown away like I am?'' Jay asked, looking at Nya.

''We're over that. Can we move on?'' Kai asked Jay.

Jay spoke gibberish. ''Someone's a little hot under the collar.'' He said.

''It appears his impatience is because he has not found inner peace and unlocked his full potential like you and I have Jay,'' Zane replied.

''Great observation, Mr Roboto, but Cole hasn't found it either.'' Kai retorted.

''I got it!'' Cole exclaimed.

''You've unlocked it? Oh, why am I the only one!?'' Kai replied, frustrated.

''It takes some time to cool down, young volcano.'' (Y/n) said, smirking.

''No, I figured out where I recognized the Fangblade from. I have a picture of it.'' Cole said, running off to find it.

''Oh, haha, is that it? Heh. Good.'' Kai replied, relieved.

''I got it!'' He brought in a photo album and showed the Blade cup.

''That's it!'' Jay exclaimed, picking it up and looking at it.

''Back when I grew up, there's this pretty big competition where every year the winner gets the Blade Cup. My dad won it multiple times.'' Cole told them.

''You never told us your dad was an accomplished athlete. What sport?'' Zane asked, looking at Cole.

''Oh, h-he's a, uh...a blacksmith,'' Cole replied awkwardly.

''Nothing wrong with that. My father was a blacksmith, too. But I've never heard of a competition-'' Kai said but was interrupted by Cole.

''That's because he's not a "blacksmith" blacksmith. He's a... Royal Blacksmith'' Cole clarified.

(Y/n) perked up at the mention of this.

He then got up and turned the page of the photo album, to reveal a man very much like Cole holding the Blade Cup. The others snickered.

''That's your dad?'' Jay asked.

''But how did the Fangblade become a trophy?'' Kai asked.

''Well, supposedly, the Blade Cup was made by this guy who collected priceless artefacts. His name was something like, uh, Dutch...no, Clutch. Clutch Powers! Anyway, it gets passed on to each year's winner.'' The Earth Ninja answered.

(Y/n) began to draw a large crystal monster, beside a smaller version.

''Who has it now?'' Zane asked.

''I don't know. I haven't talked to my father in years.'' Cole replied, looking down.

''Well then, we'll call him up,'' Kai said, holding a phone.

''You can't! He thinks I'm in Ninjago City training at the Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts.'' He replied, walking away to the others to the steering wheel.

He groaned. ''He wanted me to follow in his footsteps. But when I couldn't sing or dance, well I...I ran away. When he sees I can't dance, he'll know I've been lying in all the letters I've been sending him.'' He finished.

''He doesn't know you're a Ninja?'' Zane asked.

''What? You gonna crack some joke that my old man wears a tutu?'' He asked, walking back to them.

''No, but if we're going to have any chance at getting that Fangblade before they do, we better get our own act in tune,'' Kai replied, putting his hand on Cole's shoulder.

---

Standing on the deck of the Bounty, Cole got (Y/n) out of her wheelchair. Jay folded it up and held it, along with his nunchucks.

They then leapt off the Bounty, with Cole holding (Y/n) tightly.

''Woo-hoo!'' Kai exclaimed.

''Yeah, wooo!'' Jay said as he fell.

They transformed their weapons into vehicles to get to the ground safely, making them disappear when they landed. Jay put the wheelchair and Cole put (Y/n) in it.

''Alright, hand them over,'' Cole said, opening a case with his Scythe already in it.

''Ah-uh. But no mortal shall possess all four.'' Jay replied, chuckling as he placed his Nunchucks of Lightning in. Zane put his Shurikens of Ice in, with Kai being the last.

''Very funny,'' Cole replied, unamused.

''You wanna remind me again why we can't keep our weapons?'' Kai asked.

''I told you, my dad can't find out I'm a Ninja. And I don't feel like making up excuses why I'm carrying a scythe around with me.'' Cole answered.

''You could say it's an upcoming prop for performance or that you danced to death.'' (Y/n) replied. ''Either one could work, you just don't know until you try.''

''Just remember the plan: we find out who has the Fangblade trophy, we snatch it, and then we get the heck out of town,'' Cole replied, rolling his eyes though hiding a smile at what she said. He then knocked on the door, and they waited.

''Just a moment.'' A voice called out almost instantly. A man with a moustache and bushy eyebrows like Cole's opened the door.

''Hey, dad. How long has it been?'' Cole asked.

''What? You too good for the doorbell?'' He replied sternly, slamming the door on them.

''Uh...'' The Master of Earth stood there in silence.

''Use the bell, son.'' His father called from inside. Cole pressed the button.

''Welcome.'' The doorbell rang out with a smooth singing voice. The door opened again, with Lou smiling.

''Haha. Come on in, son. It's been forever. What did you bring? A quartet? And a girlfriend?'' He asked, making Cole's and (Y/n)'s cheeks blush. ''Come in, come in. I've got a kettle of lemon honey tea on the stove right now.'' Lou said, hugging Cole before they all went in, with him closing the door behind them.

In the background, a gramophone played. The boys all sat on the love seat, while (Y/n) was there in her wheelchair. Cole groaned.

''Did my son tell you I broke my foot? It was the cha-cha but I swear the percussionist had it in for me.'' Lou asked, holding a cup of tea.

''No, dad. I didn't tell them about your silly stories.'' Cole replied grumpily.

''Silly stories?'' Lou said, upset.

''Oh, what he meant was, we've been busy training at the...uh...'' Kai tried to find the words.

''Uh, the Martha Oppenheimer. Yeah.'' Jay finished for him.

The background music stopped.

''Martha Oppenheimer?'' Lou questioned.

''What he's trying to say is the Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts.'' Zane corrected his brothers.

''Right! Well, um, see, we have this final research paper we're doing on the history of Ninjago talent, and what we really wanted to know was how can we get our hands on the Blade Cup?'' Cole asked his father.

Lou took a sip from his tea. ''You're talking about getting your hands on the Blade Cup? The most prized and heavily guarded award in all of Ninjago, the symbol of excellence in harmony and grace? You can't just get it, you have to earn it.'' He told them. ''You have to exhibit style. Perfect pitch. Push the boundaries of artistic license and win this year's Ninjago Talent Show!''

''Um, perhaps there's an easier way,'' Zane replied.

''Is this why you came? You knew I was injured and when my quartet insisted we shan't go on, you four have come to take our place! Haha, ingenious! My son, bringing forth the next evolution of the Royal Blacksmiths! Let me hear the sweet, sweet sound of harmony.'' Lou said, putting his hand up to his ear.

''Harmony...'' Jay sang.

''Harmony...'' Sang Zane.

''Harmony...'' Kai tried to sing.

As the harmony died down, Cole groaned, and Lou & (Y/n) cringed.

Lou turned to (Y/n). ''Can you sing?'' He asked.

''She's our ace.'' Cole cut in quickly, looking at her. ''Her voice needs rest.''

The others nodded. (Y/n) looked at her feet, biting her lip.

''Look, dad. We just need the trophy.'' Cole told his father.

''Yeah, we're bringing home the gold and-and we want you to train us,'' Kai added.

Lou sniffled. ''I've never been more proud. If you'll excuse me, I need to write a song about my feelings.'' He then disappeared behind a door.

''What are you doing?'' Cole asked Kai.

''Look, we enter this competition so we can get close enough to the Blade Cup. Once we get the Fangblade, we leave town. How hard can this be?'' Kai asked.

''And you just jinxed it.'' (Y/n) sighed.

---

The ninja trained in a room, with a ceiling to floor mirror behind them.

''Okay, from the top. Five, six, seven, eight.'' Lou said from behind the piano.

''Bop till you drop.'' Kai sang.

''Shake it till you break it.'' Sang Jay.

''Move it till you lose it.'' Zane sang.

''Spin it till you win it.'' Cole sang, spinning around once.

(Y/n) sat in the corner, humming.

''Stop, stop. Ugh. If my ears weren't attached to my head, they'd be running away! Kai, love the energy, hate the hair.'' Lou said, hitting Kai on the head with his cane.

''Aah!'' Kai cried out in pain.

''Jay, you're giving a lot, but I need more.'' Lou complimented the Lightning Ninja. ''Zane, you're like a machine. Don't change anything.'' Zane smirked. ''And Cole, try to act like you wanna be here.''

''He's worse than Sensei Wu,'' Jay whispered to Kai.

''Okay, moving forward. Let's take a look at the big show-stopping climax. Cole, we can't have history repeating itself.'' He told Cole.

''Dad, it was the Triple Tiger Sashay. I was seven.'' Cole replied.

''What's the Triple Tiger Sashay?'' Kai asked.

''Only the most difficult dance move ever created.'' The Earth Ninja told him.

''It's true. Many professionals have dare tried, but it's never been successfully completed.'' Lou replied.

''Hence, my father though a seven-year-old could. But I ended up falling on my face, humiliating myself, and letting my quartet down.'' Cole said, grumpy.

''If you're going to win, you have to go big! Alright, time for a break. Take five.'' Lou said, walking out of the room.

(Y/n) stopped humming and went over to the others.

''Uh, I'm starting to see why Cole is so closed off. It's cause twinkle-toes here couldn't deliver the goods. Is that why you ran away?'' Jay asked him.

(Y/n) sighed, going over to Cole.

''Oh, I could deliver the goods—look. I'll deal with my father, but let's stick with the plan. All we have to do is keep this charade long enough until we can get our hands on the trophy.'' He told the others.

''I don't know. I'm starting to think we can win this thing.'' Jay replied, confident. Cole grunted at him. '''Okay, okay, we'll stick to the plan.''

---

Outside, (Y/n) quietly sang her song while the others did their routine.

Remo gently tapped her shoulder. ''Sing louder, at the talent show they won't be able to hear you.'' He told her.

(Y/n) sighed. ''I know, Remo. It's just... I have stage fright.''

He looked confused. ''Then why didn't you say no to Cole's claim?''

''I didn't want to let the others down. It was too important.'' (Y/n) watched the boys practise. They stopped, taking a break.

Cole walked over, while the others went inside. Remo disappeared, leaving her to talk to him.

''Are you sure you want to sing?'' He asked, looking worried.

''Yeah, I just need to work on my song. I think it's coming along rather nicely.'' She replied, fiddling with her hands.

''Uh, if there's anything you need, you can talk to me, remember?'' Cole reminded her with a smile.

(Y/n) smiled back. ''I'll be sure to remember.''

Cole blushed and gave her a bone-crushing hug. He then pulled out of the hug, and the two went inside to join the others.

---

The boys practised their dancing while the contestants practised their talents, such as singing, beatboxing and juggling.

Remo was giving (Y/n) a pep talk, encouraging her.

''Then kick ball change, barrel roll, barrel turn, and we all do the double wings-'' Cole told them, and they did the moves as he said them.

Jay and Kai bumped into each other.

''Ow! Dude you gotta follow me.'' Jay said to Kai.

''Follow you? You're two beats off.'' Kai replied, pointing to him.

''Actually, 2.72 off of the beat.'' Zane interrupted, correcting him.

''Guys, guys! Let's not make this any harder than it needs to be. We just stick to the plan and keep up the charade until the trophy's revealed. Once we steal the Blade Cup, we can argue all we want once we get back home.'' He told them.

''But this is your hometown, Cole. Don't you want to try and win it?'' Jay asked him.

''Ugh, they only dance step I wanna perform is called "get-me-out-of-this-nuthouse-and-let's-burn-these-memories-from-my-head." He replied. (Y/n) went silent, seeing Lou.

''What?'' Lou spoke, making Cole turn around.

''Dad, I...'' Cole struggled to explain.

''You...you were going to steal it?'' Lou asked.

Cole sighed. ''Dad, I didn't mean for you to hear that, but-but I'm glad you did. There's something I've been wanting to tell you. All these years, I haven't been training to be a singer or a dancer. I found something new that I'm really good at. Dad...'' Cole used spinjitzu to change into his ninja gi.

''I'm a ninja,'' Cole told Lou, making him gasp. ''And the truth is if we don't steal that Fangblade-I mean, Blade Cup-there's other people that will. Bad people. Serpentine. And we need it to save the world. I know how ridiculous this sounds, but I'm proud of who I am, and I want you to be proud of me, too.'' He said, putting his hands on Lou's shoulders.

Lou pushed Cole away from him. ''I can't be proud of any son who thinks stealing is right. And I'm not gonna wait around to watch you make a mockery of our family's legacy.'' Lou replied, walking away from Cole and slamming the door behind him.

''Dad, I-'' Cole said, but it was too late. He groaned.

(Y/n) went over to him and was beside him.

''I'm sure he didn't mean that,'' Kai said, trying to cheer him up.

''Maybe if he saw you in action,'' Jay replied, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

''No, it's-it's okay.'' The group then heard a door open, and a group of serpentine in wigs and wearing shades walked out of a dressing room. "Treble Makers?" Cole said, reading the label on the door.

''Wait a minute. What are they doing here?'' Jay asked, confused.

They then heard Pythor talking to the judges. Kai walked over to the curtain, opening it slightly. He saw Pythor, wearing a fake beard.

''It looks like we're not the only ones planning to steal the Blade Cup. Pythor's here.'' Kai told the others.

''This complicates things,'' Zane replied.

''Then I say we make our move. We can't risk losing out again. I say we steal it.'' Jay said, getting desperate.

''We're not gonna steal it. We're gonna win this competition, but we're gonna do it our way.'' Cole replied, determined.

''Our way?'' The others asked.

''My poison lies over the ocean, my poison lies over the sea. My poison lies over the ocean, so bring back my poison to me!'' The Treble Makers sang, making Remo cringe.

''A serpentine folk song is sung horribly...'' He hissed softly.

The Serpentine and Skulkin cheered, but everyone else booed. Pythor scored it a 10, but the judges scored it 6. Pythor intimidated them to flip their scorecards around to a 9.

(Y/n) looked at the others. ''I'm going before you guys to give you more time.''

Cole blinked, surprised. ''Good luck, (Y/n).''

The others cheered as she went on the stage, quivering. She looked at the crowd and gulped. Slowly, she made her way to the microphone and took it in her shaking hands.

''Today, I'm going to sing you a song, something I wrote myself.'' She announced, taking a deep breath.

The crowd waited, and she opened her mouth to sing.

I have a dream, a fantasy

To help me through reality

And my destination makes it worth the while

From behind the curtain, Cole listened, amazed.

Once she was finished with the final verse of the song, she stopped, looking to the judges as the crowd cheered and clapped.

The two judges put up a nine, while Pythor put up a six. The Anacondrai glared at the two judges, making them turn their nines upside down. Three sixes. (Y/n) sighed and made her way backstage, looking at the boys with a smile. ''Go get 'em, tigers.'' She said with a wink.

''And last but not least, The Royal Blacksmi—Uh, hold on. Uh, this just in, there's been a switch. Taking the stage next is Spin Harmony!'' The announcer shouted.

''If we're gonna do this, I want everyone to see who we are,'' Cole told the others.

''I have butterflies in my stomach,'' Zane said.

''Aww, come on. That's just nerves.'' Jay told Zane.

''No, I really do have butterflies.'' The Ice Ninja replied, opening his panel to release three butterflies.

''Okay, uh, glad he got that out of his system,'' Jay said, (Y/n) chuckled at the joke.

''Last call for Spin Harmony!'' The announcer called.

''Let's do this, for Cole!'' Jay pointed at Cole.

''If we can do the Tornado of Creation, we can score perfect 10s out there,'' Kai told them.

''I can say anything and it will only go to elevate our team unity,'' Zane added.

''I'm glad you guys are my friends. Let's do the whip!'' Cole exclaimed.

''Ninja, go!'' The ninja cried out, doing spinjitzu.

(Y/n) sat in a special part of the seats, where she could park her wheelchair and watch the show.

''Well, it looks like the last act is no longer performing. Haha, that means I can give this to the winners-'' Pythor said, looking at the Blade Cup.

''Ladies and gentlemen, Spin Harmony!'' The announcer said, sliding onto the stage. He then walked back off the stage as the boys came on stage.

The Weekend Whip played, and the spotlights turned on, illuminating the ninja as they danced. Pythor ordered the serpentine to attack them, while a Fangpyre snake sat beside (Y/n) and watched.

''You come here often?'' The Fangpyre serpentine asked.

''Nah, today it's just to look after those boys on stage.'' (Y/n) replied, eating popcorn.

''Ah, okay.'' The Fangpyre snake looked at the ninja. ''I'm taking a break.''

Jump up, kick back, whip around and spin.

And then we jump back, do it again.

Ninja, go. Ninja, go.

Come on, come on, and do the Weekend Whip. (-end whip.)

Ninja, go. Ninja, go.

They watched as Cole did the Triple Tiger Sashay on the serpentine, stepping on one, punching another, and bonking the last one with his head. Cole landed on his feet. ''Rawr.''

Zane gasped. ''The Triple Tiger Sashay.''

Everyone but the Serpentine and Skullkin cheered.

''Oh, he did it! The Triple Tiger Sashay! He's danced the impossible!'' The announcer exclaimed.

Kai rushed over to Cole and rubbed his head against Cole, while (Y/n) watched, chuckling. She bid the Fangpyre snake goodbye and went backstage to wait for the others.

The judges gave them a ten, while Pythor gave them a zero. The crowd booed, and an arm came from Pythor's mouth and wrote a one on the scorecard, making it a ten.

''What? Wait. I didn't write that.'' Pythor said in disbelief.

''It's a perfect score! Spin Harmony wins the Blade Cup!'' The announcer shouted, and some people came over with the Blade Cup. Cole raised it above his head, and it shone in the bright spotlight.

''Oh, this is a travesty of epic proportions! I demand for there to be a recount!'' Pythor demanded.

Cole searched the crowd for his dad but groaned when he saw an empty seat.

Backstage, Cole held the Blade Cup. (Y/n) came over to them, a smile on her face.

''I've never felt more alive.'' Zane said.

''Hahaha! We did it!'' Jay cheered. Everyone chuckled.

''No, Cole did it. Because of you, Ninjago will sleep safely tonight.'' Kai replied, and (Y/n) nodded.

''Thanks, but go on and celebrate without me. Winning this doesn't feel the same without my dad being able to-'' Cole said, handing the cup to Jay.

''Cole!'' Lou called out, making Cole turn his head.

''Dad?'' The Earth Ninja asked.

''I saw it all, son. I saw it all.'' Lou said, and Cole ran towards his father. The two embraced, making (Y/n) 'aww'.

''You saw me dance?'' Cole asked, taking his mask off.

''More importantly, I saw you fight. Those Serpentine were up to no good, trying to steal the show, and I saw you stand up for what is right.'' He answered with a proud smile.

''I was wrong. I shouldn't have pushed you so hard to follow in my footsteps. Everyone is born with a special talent inside that's just been waiting to get out. And you were born to be a Ninja.'' He told Cole.

''You're not mad?'' Cole asked.

''How can I be? My son's a hero!'' Lou exclaimed.

''Eh, sorry to interrupt your little family reunion, but did you know'' Pythor spoke, making the ninja turn around. He then ripped off the beard. ''It's me, Pythor.''

''You couldn't fool us, Pythor,'' Cole told the Anacondrai.

''That's a bad disguise.'' (Y/n) said, crossing her arms.

''I didn't want to miss our big show stopper,'' Pythor replied, and two Serpentine pushed a crate, knocking over some stage lights. Lou screamed as the stage lights fell towards him.

''Dad!'' Cole jumped in after his father.

Pythor laughed as he left with the Fangblade, while the others coughed dust.

''They took the Fangblade,'' Jay said between coughing.

''Cole!'' Kai exclaimed, pointing at the pile of stage lights. The others went over to the pile, looking at it. They then noticed Cole's Scythe glowing.

''He found his True Potential,'' Zane said, looking at it. Cole grunted as he lifted the debris up with his newfound strength. He was glowing brightly. He threw the debris he was holding to the side, before helping up his father.

''Wha-what? How did we survive that? Son?'' Lou asked, confused.

''Cole's found his True Potential. His relationship with his father must have been holding him back.'' Zane told the others.

''He's indestructible!'' Jay exclaimed.

''So cool.'' (Y/n) said in awe.

''Ugh, great. So now I really am the only one who hasn't figured out my special power.'' Kai said, crossing his arms. Cole then returned to normal.

''Is everyone alright? What just happened?'' Cole asked, winded.

''We're all okay, son,'' Lou assured his son.

''All in one piece.'' (Y/n) chuckled.

---

Back at Lou's house, the ninja drank tea for their victory.

''I guess the scorecard now reads Pythor-two Fangblades, Ninja-zero,'' Jay said, looking at Cole.

''Yeah, but all we need is one, and there are still two left to find,'' Cole replied optimistically.

''Who knows? Maybe when I unlock my True Potential, I'll turn into the destined Green Ninja.'' Kai said, making (Y/n) snort.

''Yeah, dream on,'' Cole replied, and the others laughed.

''The only thing you're destined for is a more inflated ego,'' Cole told Kai. (Y/n) ''oh'ed''.

''It may not be the trophy, but it sure will look good on my wall.'' Lou appeared, hanging up a picture of the ninja's victory. ''Don't think I forgot you, (Y/n).'' He said, bringing out a picture of (Y/n) in her wheelchair, her eyes closed as she sang.

''All right!'' Cole exclaimed.

''Excellent,'' Zane said.

''Awesome,'' Zane added.

''Nice.'' He said, chuckling.

''As far as I'm concerned, you're all my family now,'' Lou told them.

''Yeah,'' Cole said with a smile.

---

(Y/n) prepared herself for bed, yawning.

Someone knocked on the door, and she allowed them in.

Cole poked his head into the room. ''I wanted to congratulate you on your achievement.'' He told her.

(Y/n) rubbed her nape. ''Thanks, it's a shame really, Pythor made the other judges make the score go the other way.'' She replied, chuckling slightly.

''Well, if it makes you happier I have a gift for you,'' Cole said, grinning. He pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and gave it to her.

It was her, in her wheelchair. Every detail was done neatly, with Cole's name at the bottom of the paper.

She looked at it, smiling as she looked at the great drawing he had done. ''It's great, thank you, Cole.''

He blushed. ''You're welcome.'' He gave her an almost bone-crushing hug. He pulled out of it, resisting the urge to give her another hug. She'd have more broken bones to worry about, and he didn't want to be the cause of that.

''Well, goodnight.'' (Y/n) replied, giving him a smile. He returned it, walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.

She yawned, getting into bed and closing her eyes, almost falling asleep instantly.

Word count: 4131 words

Why is it at nighttime do I finally finish the chapter?

Favourite song by which artist?

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WriterAgreste, over & out!