ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: Avril Lavigne cover (by First To Eleven) - Head Above Water

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Yeah, my life is what I'm fighting for

Can't part the sea, can't reach the shore

And my voice becomes the driving force

I won't let this pull me overboard

---

The ninja were working on fixing the Destiny's Bounty, standing on wooden platforms.

Jay got splashed with oil, and he groaned. ''Ugh, useless pile of junk.''

''Oh, it's worse than I feared. The rotors on the starboard booster are completely destroyed. The port boosters are shot from the strain.'' Nya replied, a concerned look on her face. ''Oh, sorry guys. She's not getting airborne anytime soon.''

''So if the Stone Army attacks again, we're sitting ducks,'' Cole said, looking at Nya.

''Uh, ducks can fly, Cole. Weren't you listening?'' Jay asked the Earth Ninja.

''We just got out tails handed to us and we couldn't even stop one of them. Ugh, I hate feeling helpless.'' Kai replied, slouching his shoulders.

''We mustn't give up hope, Kai,'' Wu told the Fire Ninja, walking up to them with Zane.

''But the Stone Army is indestructible. You saw it. At best, all my powers could do was slow them down.'' Lloyd said, looking down at the sensei.

''That's not entirely true,'' Misako spoke, making them turn their heads. ''There is a way to defeat them. And it is told within the scrolls.''

Everyone headed inside the Destiny's Bounty to look at the scroll, with (Y/n) clutching the one she found in her hand.

''The prophecy reveals that the power to defeat the Stone Army lies within the Green Ninja.'' She told the Ninja.

''I tried. I gave them everything I had.'' Lloyd replied.

''Yes, but you are stronger than you think. Look. The true power of the Green Ninja can only be unlocked when his four protectors find their own pure elemental powers.'' Misako said, looking at the scroll.

''Are we the protectors?'' Cole asked.

''Pfft, silly question. Of course, we are. Haha, right?'' The Lightning Ninja asked, unsure.

''If we are the protectors, then we're doomed. Our elemental Golden Weapons no longer exist. We cannot tap into our elemental powers without them.'' Zane told the others.

''But the powers do exist within each of you. And there is a way to unlock your powers on your own. We must go to the Temple of Light.'' Misako replied.

''Temple of Light? What's that?'' Nya asked.

(Y/n) no longer paid attention to their conversation and instead fiddled with her necklace. Her arm holding the scroll moved without her wanting to, and she was opening it, about to look at it.

'I have to see this.' Morro spoke.

Then, she felt some's hand touch hers, and she pulled her hand away, snapping out of her thoughts. She looked to see Cole, trying to get the scroll from her.

''What's that?'' Jay asked, looking at it.

(Y/n) hid the scroll behind her back, intending to look at it later. However, Kai snuck up from behind and took it from her grip.

''Hey! That's mine.'' (Y/n) told the Fire Ninja, who laid it out on the table and unfolded it. Cole's eyes widened, recognising the picture he had seen that day before the wind blew it away.

Misako looked at it, interested. Remo appeared, examining the scroll before looking at (Y/n).

''Where'd you find this?'' The Earth Ninja asked, pointing at the seemingly ancient piece of parchment.

Jay pushed aside Kai to look at it, before seeing something that caught his eye.

There was a picture of a fox, behind a dark orange silhouette. There seemed to be a shape resembling a bright flash of light, also coloured orange.

Multiple fox tails surrounded it, each with a picture. Jay looked closer, noticing a tail with a blue background and what seemed to be a rollercoaster with someone keeping the rollercoaster cart from going any further. Lightning symbols surrounded the blue silhouette, a darker shade of blue than the background.

His eyes widened, he knew what he was seeing. Kai then pushed aside Jay and noticed something on the parchment.

Kai saw a tail with a red background with the shape of what looked to be a volcano erupting in the background while a silhouette in red hovered towards a flying ship. There were flame symbols surrounding the red figure, and they seemed to be holding someone in their arms.

Zane sighed, pulling his brothers away from it. The Nindroid turned his gaze to the slightly yellowed paper, finding a tail that had a light blue background, with birch forest trees. He saw himself, arms outstretched, holding his Shurikens of Ice and facing the Treehorn Queen. Symbols of his element were also seen.

Finally, Cole plopped himself into a seat, leaning an arm on the table. He saw a grey background, with a black silhouette and in the background, the Scythe of Quakes glowed brightly. He used his hands to shield his eyes from the light, while the others looked on, confused as to why he did so.

Nya rolled her eyes and led the boys out of the room, coming back to take a look at the scroll. (Y/n) pored over the scroll, examining it.

''Don't look too closely or you'll need glasses.'' Nya teased her close friend. (Y/n) looked at her, an eyebrow raised.

''I find it strange that it doesn't show the Green Ninja.'' (Y/n) replied, furrowing her eyebrows in thought.

''The first scroll doesn't show the Orange Ninja,'' Nya said, bringing the scroll closer to her. She then noticed the fifth tail, with a silver background. There was a giant blue-grey wave, rearing up with foam at the tip. A silver silhouette stood on what looked to be boat docks.

''What's that?'' The Samurai Girl asked, looking at (Y/n). She shrugged.

Suddenly, the scroll rose up into the air, folding back into its rolled-up form. There was a flash of orange light, and it disappeared into thin air.

The two girls blinked, shocked to find the scroll gone.

''So much for looking at it,'' Remo said, a disappointed look on his face.

Jay poked his head inside the control room. ''Are you going to help? This ship won't move with just us boys.''

The two girls looked at each other in the eye, knowing what just happened had to stay a secret. Nya looked at Jay and nodded.

The Lightning Boy smiled and disappeared. The two girls followed and saw Cole trying to push the ship into the water, with Kai in a chair and wearing sunglasses.

Zane was busy trying to convince the Fire Ninja to help, which didn't do much, but when Nya and (Y/n) stormed over to him, he quickly threw off his sunglasses and folded up the chair. ''I'm helping!'' He shouted, before tripping on a rock in the sand and landing facefirst in the soft sand.

The girls laughed, while Kai lifted his head and spat out the sand in his mouth. (Y/n) walked over to him and helped him up, dusting off the sand, noticing his blush. ''You look like a tomato, especially with your gi, I think it suits you.''

The Fire Ninja's expression became surprised, and if possible, his blush became more intense. His lips then curled into a smirk, and you could almost hear the sound of his ever-growing ego. He then leaned his hand against the hull of the Bounty and Cole pushed the ship a bit, making his hand slip, and once again, fall down onto the sand.

Jay stood on the ship's deck, looking out towards the sea. (Y/n) wanted to be there instead, and suddenly she found herself in his place, while Jay quickly realised he was back on the sandy beach.

''What the?!'' He exclaimed, stumbling and falling into Nya's arms. The Samurai Girl helped him up, putting him back on his feet. ''Thanks.'' He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

''No problem,'' Nya replied, lightly punching his arm. He oww'ed, holding the arm she lightly punched.

The other ninja looked at the Orange Ninja in surprise. They hadn't seen what she would do when they weren't around, so this was a big surprise unlike a birthday present to see.

Seeing Cole struggle with getting the ship into the water, the others helped, and soon, it was in the water.

---

With the Bounty finally set on the dock, the Ninja were saying goodbye to everyone before heading off.

''Now promise me you'll eat your vegetables,'' Edna told her (adopted) son.

''Mum!'' Jay said in frustration, embarrassed.

''Oh, I mean it. You get sluggish when you don't get enough vitamins. Ed, tell him if he's gonna save the world, he has to eat his vegetables.'' Edna said, looking at her husband.

''Uh, do what your mother says,'' Ed replied, before smiling at his wife.

''I don't know what to say,'' Lou said to his son, hugging him.

''You don't have to say anything,'' Cole replied.

''You're right. I don't have to say anything. But I do have to sing.'' Lou told him, and the Royal Blacksmiths hummed while Cole's father sang. ''Who's gonna save Ninjago's hide? Who's gonna make a dad swell with pride? Cole is. Cole does. Cole, Cole, Cole.'' He finished, and everyone applauded.

''That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard, Pop.'' The Earth Ninja replied, once again hugging his father.

''Now, Dareth, as the honorary Brown Ninja, we're entrusting you with protecting Ninjago and tending to the Ultra Dragon. Are you up to the tasks?'' Kai asked the Brown Ninja.

''I won't let you guys down,'' Dareth replied, determined. ''Did you hear that? I'm officially the Brown Ninja!'' Everyone cheered. ''Oh, what's my elemental power?''

''Uh, hot air?'' Nya asked, unsure.

''So I command the wind. Cool!'' Dareth replied.

'I will remember this, you will pay.' Morro growled in her mind. 'Greatly.'

(Y/n)'s parent's hugged their daughter goodbye, with a certain purple-haired girl missing.

''Where's Cami?'' (Y/n) asked.

''Oh, sweetie, she's probably hanging out with her friends.'' Her mother replied, pulling out of the hug.

''Heya, champ, we haven't seen ya in a while.'' (Y/n)'s father told her, smiling. ''How ya doing?''

''I'm great, thanks, dad, and mum.'' She replied, looking at the two.

Remo appeared, and her father grabbed a ham sandwich from a plastic container and handed it to the silver snake, who happily swallowed it.

''Why can't I stay here?'' Remo asked, quickly finishing his sandwich. (Y/n)'s father chuckled, showing he had no more to give. ''Nevermind.''

Zane sighed as he looked at everyone spending time with each other.

''Is there anyone you would like to say goodbye to?'' Wu asked the nindroid.

''My only family is my Falcon. And my only memory of my father was nearly erased. I will miss Ninjago for it's all I know, but I am excited to see what the future has in store.'' Zane answered, looking at his sensei.

''Well, my Nindroid friend, there are a few people who would like to say goodbye to you.'' Wu replied, pointing his bamboo staff to a crowd of fangirls, cheering and holding up signs. (Y/n) looked at the crowd, grinning.

''I love you, you stupid Nindroid.'' Mother Doomsday said, pushing aside the girls to look up at Zane, making him smile.

''Pupils, it's time we set sail,'' Wu told his students.

''Goodbye!'' Jay said to his parents.

''See you!'' Cole said to his father.

''So long!'' Kai said to the crowd.

(Y/n) looked at her father. ''See ya later, alligator.''

He saluted. ''After 'while crocodile.''

Jay and Cole pulled open the Bounty's sails by tugging on the rope, while Nya steered the ship. (Y/n) stood at the back of the ship, waving goodbye with an absentminded smile.

Her parents waved back, feeling the familiar melancholy feeling as the ship sailed away. The boys joined her, waving at their parents.

''Jay! Did you make sure to pack clean underwear?'' Edna asked, shouting to her son.

''Yes, mom!'' Jay shouted back, before burying his face in his hand. And everyone laughed at him.

---

The sun had begun to set, turning the blue water to caramel orange.

''We still have a long journey ahead of us,'' Wu told his students.

''Still no word from your Falcon?'' Cole asked Zane as he walked up to the others.

''Not yet,'' Zane answered.

''I wonder what's on the island?'' Kai asked the others, looking towards the horizon.

''An entirely new ecosystem?'' Zane answered.

''Never before seen creatures?'' Cole replied.

''Darkness and suffering?'' (Y/n) asked, and the others save for Jay looked at her, surprised.

''Oh, vegetables that taste like dessert?'' Jay replied, oblivious of her response.

''I hope the Stone Army is there. They may have gotten the best of us once, but never again.'' Kai said to the others.

''You said it,'' Cole replied.

''Hear, hear,'' Jay added.

''I wonder if this is the end of our destiny,'' Lloyd replied, looking at the others.

''If it is, there isn't anyone else I'd want on by my side,'' Kai told the Green Ninja.

''Hear, hear,'' Jay added.

''You said it,'' Cole said.

Zane turned on his Falcon Vision. ''My Falcon has arrived at the Dark Island!'' He said, and the ninja went to the control room, and he plugged himself into the computer so everyone could see what he saw. ''There, now we can all see.'' Suddenly, a Stone Warrior used a circular blade to bring down the Falcon, making Zane hurtle back, making the others gasp. ''He's...he's gone.''

''We don't know that,'' Wu replied.

''Oh, Zane. I'm so sorry.'' Nya apologised to the nindroid, helping him up.

''Well, he was our friend too, so we're not gonna let him go in vain. If the Stone Army wants a fight, they got one.'' Kai told the nindroid, determined.

''Well, that's going to have to wait because right now, we're sailing straight for a storm. All hands on deck.'' Misako told the ninja, and they looked towards the window, seeing dark clouds near.

---

On the deck of the Bounty, the Ninja, except for Jay, were trying to stabilize the ship.

''Hold the line!'' Cole shouted to the others, holding the rope.

''The winds are too strong!'' Lloyd said, at the end of the rope.

''We need everyone's help, Jay!'' Zane told the Lightning Ninja, who was near the stairs, undercover.

''But I don't wanna get wet. I...I only have one pair of underwear.'' Jay replied.

'Don't think about it, otherwise, I think about it too.' Morro told (Y/n).

'Yeah, I get it, Morro.' The girl replied, rolling her eyes while keeping a foothold on the deck.

''Jay, this is no time to be making jokes. The Bounty can only take so much.'' Kai told the Lightning Ninja.

''You think I'm trying to be funny?'' Jay asked. He then heard laughter. ''Okay, laugh all you want, but we'll see who laughs last when I have to go commando.''

''Who's laughing?'' Kai asked the others.

''Not me.'' (Y/n) replied, gripping the rope.

''Ugh. It sounds like some of us are getting a kick out of this.'' Nya said, struggling to steer the ship.

''That's not laughter,'' Misako answered. (Y/n) turned her head towards the old woman at the mention of this.

''What is that sound?'' Wu asked her.

Misako saw starfish-like creatures cling onto the window. ''Starteeth.''

''Uh, guys, why is the sea laughing at us?'' Kai asked the others.

''And why do I have a feeling we're not gonna get the joke?'' Jay asked as several Starteeth landed on the ship.

''Hey, what's that?'' Cole asked, letting go of the rope.

''Whoa!'' the other boys said, trying to keep ahold.

''I'm coming! I got it!'' Jay exclaimed, running to the others to help.

''About time, Jay!'' Kai said.

Jay got splashed with water. ''Oh, perfect!''

''It looks like some sort of a, hmm, fish.'' The Earth Ninja told the others, picking it up and examining it, revealing its sharp teeth.

''Wait! We must not let the Starteeth on board. They devour ships and won't stop until we sink!'' Misako said to him, at the top of the stairs.

The Starteeth bit him. ''Ow! It bit me!'' He exclaimed.

'He'll be fine, don't worry about him.' Morro said.

The Starteeth hopped over to the rope and bites it, unstabilizing the mast. More Starteeth came on board as the ship rocked from side to side.

''Huh, get these things off the ship!'' Kai shouted, and the Starteeth clung to him. ''Aargh. I'm starstruck! Unh, good riddance, water vampires!'' He said, throwing them off.

''Faster! Or we'll sink!'' Lloyd urged them. (Y/n) used her lightning powers to shock a constellation of them, picking them up and throwing them in the water.

''Get off there!'' Jay shouted as some hang on his back. ''Oh, my! Aah! Get them off! Get them off!''

(Y/n) picked a few off, but one-hopped onto her hand and bit her. She immediately ripped it from her hand and kicked it into the ocean.

''Use your Spinjitzu!'' Kai replied. (Y/n) stood back, starting to feel tired.

''Ninja, go!'' Jay shouted, doing so, but the Starteeth go on the Bounty's sail. ''Okay, bad idea.''

''Ninja, go!'' all the boys shouted except for Jay, collecting the annoying Starteeth and tossing them in the water.

''Sink your teeth into this!'' Kai said, looking down at the water.

Jay gasped after seeing some bite the chains. ''They eat through metal too?''

''Uh, guys, I think we have a bigger problem,'' Lloyd said, looking down at the side of the ship where the ninja couldn't reach was a whole constellation of them.

''Oh, I should have brought an extra pair of underwear.'' Jay groaned.

The next day, the Ninja were scooping out water from under the ship.

''Ah, this is hopeless! Now that we have no rudder we've been drifting aimlessly and we'll never get to the Dark Island.'' Kai said, lacking optimism.

''We only know what is foretold will happen. Not when it will happen.'' Misako replied.

Zane dropped his bucket, it splashing in the water that had leaked in through the hole.

''What is it, Zane?'' Wu asked.

''I sense something,'' Zane answered, walking to the hole.

''Is it the Falcon?'' Cole asked.

''Is he all right?'' Jay questioned.

''No. It's...something else. Brace yourselves!'' Zane told the others, who did so.

Everyone groaned as the Destiny's Bounty crashed onto a small island with a lighthouse.

''Who would build a lighthouse way out here?'' Lloyd asked the others, after getting off the Bounty.

''It's not a lighthouse, it's a prison,'' Zane answered. The group walked up to the door, before hearing growling.

''Oh, I should have brought an extra pair of underwear,'' Jay mumbled.

''Mysterious. We better keep going.'' Wu told the others.

Jay saw the camera. ''Uh, should we smile?'' Zane's face was reflected in the camera's lens.

An old man opened the door, with white hair and glasses.

''Zane! Is it really you?'' The old man asked, hugging the nindroid. ''You found me!''

''Uh, do you know him?'' Lloyd asked, confused.

''Of course I know him, I built him for heaven's sake!'' The man replied, looking at the Green Ninja.

''But my memory tells me that you have passed,'' Zane said in disbelief, facing his father.

''Ah, you found your memory switch.'' The old man replied. The group heard another growl. ''Hurry, it can't know that you are here or else there will be dues to pay.''

Jay gulped. ''It?''

''I'll explain everything inside, including why it is that you thought I was dead.'' The old man told them.

He led them inside, with Nya looking at the beached Bounty.

''Locking, barricading, hand checking.'' The old man sighed. ''I think we're safe. This way.'' He lead the group upstairs. ''Please, please have a seat. You must be thirsty.''

''Seat, where?'' Zane asked, looking around to see nothing to sit on.

Zane's father pulled a lever, revealing a table. ''There of course.''

''Wow, that's pretty smart,'' Nya replied, sitting down.

''A technical wizard,'' Cole added.

''It's amazing.'' (Y/n) said, smiling. Remo appeared, then went looking for something to eat.

Zane's father pressed a switch and everyone quietly watched as a small tea serving bot appeared and served them tea. Jay decided to mess with it, and it ended up pouring tea on his groin. As he reacted to the pain, everyone laughs except Zane who found pictures of himself and his father from his past.

''Father, I don't understand. I-I saw you pass.'' Zane said to his father.

''Yes, you did, and believe me when I tell you, I thought I was kaput, but as you know in Ninjago, the past is the past.'' Doctor Julien replied.

''And the future...'' Misako said, looking at Wu.

''...is the future.'' Wu finished, looking at Misako.

Remo, not impressed by their moment appeared between the two, pushed Misako away from Wu. The others watched, while Wu watched him do it.

However, his efforts were wasted when he moved away, as Misako moved back to be next to Wu.

''But after I turned off your memory switch, what you didn't see is bonehead Samukai reviving me with a special elixir. He wanted me to create state-of-the-art war machines for their army. He said if I did, then I would be able to see my son again. And to make sure I didn't escape, he chained a Leviathan to keep guard.'' Doctor Julien told them, winking at the snake.

''A Leviathan? That's what we heard in the ocean?'' Lloyd asked Zane's father.

''Yes. When Samukai didn't return, I thought I would never see you again. But as so much time has passed I started to question if you would ever want to see me again. I was afraid if you found out what horrible things I've created, you would think I was a...a monster.'' Julien answered, looking away from his son.

''We will get you out of here, Father. Now that we are together, perhaps we can invent a way off this rock.'' Zane replied, putting a hand on his father's arm.

''Could you repair the rocket boosters on our ship?'' Jay asked, pointing to the Destiny's Bounty.

''That sailing ship has rocket boosters?'' Julien asked, looking down at the formerly flying ship.

''Well, the rotors and gears are shot.'' Nya answered.

''Eh, pish posh. No matter! I'll have your ship airworthy by dawn!'' Doctor Julien said, waving it off.

The Leviathan growled, making the ground shake.

''It's an earthquake!'' Kai shouted.

''No, it's much worse! He's here. Everyone hide!'' Doctor Julien told them, and they all hid, with (Y/n) using her illusions. The Leviathan checked on the window. ''Nobody make a sound.'' He whispered. ''Aha, if it isn't my old chum.'' He said to the leviathan. He arranged the tea bowls and used chopsticks to tap them.

''Hehe, just marching to the beat of my own drum. You know, doing whatever I can to pass the time. Since I'm so, you know, heh, alone.'' Seeing nothing of interest, the leviathan disappeared back into the ocean.

''If we're gonna make something and get out of here, we're gonna have to hurry before it comes back,'' Kai told the others.

Everyone started working on the ship, to fix it so they could make it to the Dark Island.

Cole whistled a familiar tune until the others looked at him and he stopped. ''What? It's catchy.''

They kept working on fixing the ship until the growl of the Leviathan was heard.

''Everyone aboard! It's coming!'' Doctor Julien shouted, running down the steps with his son. Tentacles rose from the water, going towards the Bounty.

''It's here!'' Kai said, looking at it.

''Get us out of here, Nya!'' The Lightning Boy told the Samurai Girl. They ran onto the Bounty, with Zane and Doctor Julien behind them.

''I hope she's ready!'' Nya said, taking control of the ship's wheel. She grunted as she pulled a lever. ''Come on!'' The Leviathan grabbed the Bounty before it could fly away.

''Giant octopus, or giant squid?'' (Y/n) asked the others.

''Octopus, but that's not important right now!'' Jay answered, shouting.

''Lloyd! Use your Elemental Powers!'' Wu told the Green Ninja.

''As you wish, Sensei! Release us, you monster!'' Lloyd replied, summoning a sphere of shining emerald energy, making it release its grip on the Bounty.

''Well done, Lloyd!'' Wu told his nephew. The Leviathan grabbed them again.

''It's chained!'' Zane shouted, standing on the Bounty's railing. (Y/n) looked at him, surprised.

''Zane! What are you doing?'' Julien asked his son.

''The Leviathan won't let us leave. I think I know a way I can help.'' The nindroid replied.

''But you can't jump in. These oceans are filled with Starteeth.'' His father said, running towards him.

''I know,'' Zane said, before diving in.

''Zane! No!'' His father shouted, looking over the railing. (Y/n) jumped in too, to help the Ice Ninja.

''(Y/n)!'' The boys shouted, looking over the rail.

The water wasn't too cold, nor was it warm. (Y/n) swam towards Zane and grabbed two star teeth, placing them on the chain. He then turned around and looked at (Y/n) in surprise, bubbles escaping his mouth.

(Y/n) moved her legs as one like a fish, to the surface. Zane followed, and the two saw the Bounty about to be dragged into the water.

The Leviathan finally let go as the chain broke, freeing it. Zane and (Y/n)'s heads broke the surface of the ocean, seeing the Bounty fly free from the monster's clutches.

(Y/n) smiled at Zane, and he smiled back. She then started to float out of the water, surprising the nindroid. She held out her hand, and he took it, and the two flew up to the deck of the Bounty.

''But where is my son?'' Julien asked.

''I'm here, Father!'' Zane appeared, with (Y/n), climbing the last part as he didn't want the others to see her ''new'' ability.

''Zane! Zane.'' Julien said, hugging his son. (Y/n) was taken by surprise as Cole hugged her, but she was still soaking from her dive.

The girl was exhausted from using her powers and quickly passed out in his arms. The Earth Ninja looked down at her confused, before carrying her to her room.

He dried her and placed her into a bed, with an (f/c) teddy bear. The girl immediately took the soft toy and cuddled it, while Cole watched.

Kai peeked into the room, seeing Cole beside her bed. He felt a hint of jealousy, disappearing as the Earth Ninja looked at the door to see no one.

Cole headed out of the room, smiling at the peaceful sight of (Y/n) hugging her teddy bear before closing the door and joining the others.

Yeet XD

Did you notice the foreshadowing in this chapter?

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See ya, Bookworms.

WriterAgreste, over & out!