***(Lloyd's POV)***

"Lloyd Garmadon, please come to Principal Wu's office," a voice says over the school's loudspeaker.

I frown, looking up from my writing assignment during first period Language Arts. I typically don't get called to the principal's office unless it's to help out with something, and I don't remember Uncle Wu mentioning he needed me for anything this week. And it's out of the question that I'm in trouble. Wu would murder me if I broke a rule and set a bad example for the rest of the student body. Kai's already got that covered.

As I rise and gather my things, the class doesn't even look up. Well, except for Sammy Snod, who tries to catch a glimpse of my writing assignment as I slip it into my backpack. He's always trying to cheat off somebody.

I guess everybody must be used to me leaving class to help out my uncle.

Maybe two guys got in a fight or something, and Wu wants me to help them talk it out?

I close the class door quietly behind me and head upstairs. In the quiet of the hallway, I can hear what sounds like furious shouting from the third floor.

I'm going to assume my hypothesis about students fighting is correct.

Figuring it's better not to waste time, I take the stairs two at a time and reach the waiting room for Wu's office in a matter of seconds. As I get closer, it almost sounds like those enraged shouts I'm hearing are...female?

Is somebody's mom angry with Wu or something?

I release a measured sigh. It'd be just like him to have me play mediator in a situation like that. He likes to bring "student representation" into issues with parents.

In other words, I'm better at winning people over than he is.

I slowly pull open the waiting room door. Wu's secretary Dareth looks up at me, gives the finger-slit-throat-motion, and waves me toward Wu's office.

Thanks for the warning. I resist an eyeroll at his antics.

As I pass by, he stage-whispers, "She's crazy!"

I opt not to respond, instead knocking on Uncle Wu's door. A chair shuffles amid angry female threats of suing the school. Eesh, what got Karen so riled up?

The door cracks open slightly to reveal Nya Smith's tired face.

I balk. "Nya? What in Ninjago is –,"

She holds a finger to her lips severely and slips out of the office, closing the door behind her. The angry female shouting stops.

"Nya? Where are you going?" a woman asks, keeping her voice measured.

I look down at Nya, but she shakes her head.

"We've got a bit of a problem," she says calmly, walking toward the chairs in Wu's waiting room.

I frown. "Why are you here? I – oh no. Did something happen with Kai?" I try not to imagine all the horrible things that could've happened to my brother that would've made Nya's mom mad enough to shriek like that.

But then, that voice didn't sound like her mom's.

"No, no, Kai's fine," Nya reassures me. "If you're wondering about all the yelling, that's my friend Skylor."

"Oh." Relief emanates from me as confusion sets in. "Why is she here, then? And you. Why are you both here?"

"I'm here for an interview for Graceton's school paper." She twiddles her fingers together.

I suddenly remember this morning's news. "Right. Nya, I'm so sorry about what happened with Graceton last night. I can't believe someone blew up part of the school." Apparently, explosives were used to blow up the right wing of the main building. That's some formidable damage.

"It just doesn't make sense," she sighs. "And that's the reason for my friend Skylor's presence. She's convinced that some guy at Ridgewood set off the bomb, and now she's trying to exact painful revenge on whoever it is."

I raise my eyebrows. "There's evidence that a guy at Ridgewood set off the bomb?"

"No," Nya says flatly, her expression taut. "There's none so far. Just suspicions."

"Then why's she so mad?" I frown.

"Well, first of all, she's under a lot of stress right now. Second, she got detained after spraying a plunger with glass cleaner and sticking it in a security guard's face."

I blink. "Huh?"

"Yeah. The guy's fine, but she could be charged with assault or something. Principal Wu didn't call the police, though; he's just trying to talk things out with her."

"Ah." I clear my throat. "Has she taken her meds today?"

Nya shakes her head. "She's not crazy, Lloyd, just...very stressed and very loyal. She came in here because she wanted to help me, but she definitely went the wrong way about it." She clears her throat, trying to lighten the mood. "Besides, she doesn't take meds. She went through a homeopath phase this summer." Her smile is anything but genuine.

I nod slowly. "Okay then. So...why did Wu call me up here?"

"You're running for student body president and are pretty much guaranteed to win. Skylor asked to speak with someone who 'represented the student body and could account for the integrity of his students'. 'A' plus 'B' equals you."

"Uh...what does she mean by 'account for the integrity' of Ridgewood?"

"She's probably expecting you to give her a list of possible suspects."

I narrow my eyes. "Don't tell me she has you sleuthing on this Ridgewood journalist thing, too?" Nya's not malicious – well, maybe she threatens Kai like she is – but I know for a fact that the only time she'd do something fishy is if she saw one of her friends in need.

And this particular friend of hers seems like she has quite a few needs.

She hitches a shoulder. "Skylor was the one who got on me about doing the article now, but I'd been intending to do an article with Ridgewood for the past several months. You can even ask Wu – we had the article set up to be done with Ridgewood in November. I was going to sit in on a board meeting and watch a few sports games and everything." She runs a hand through her black locks. "The article got pushed up, but I think it's timely. The last thing Graceton needs right now is to feel tension-locked with Ridgewood, and maybe a well-researched voice can dissipate some of the conflict between our schools." Her voice has an edge to it that says she's withholding information.

I frown. "What aren't you telling me?"

She sighs. "Skylor's rumor that a Ridgewood boy set off the bomb at Graceton may or may not be trending on social media among the Graceton student body." She crosses her arms. "I found out this morning and called your uncle about it."

Everything clicks into place. "So Ridgewood needs you to do this article now – to help preserve the integrity of our school. You can put a stop to the rumors, since you'll be speaking as a trusted voice to students at Graceton." I rub my forehead, suddenly feeling exhausted. "If rumors go on like that..." It would mean parents withdrawing their students from Ridgewood. If things get out of control, the school could even shut down.

"And why do you want to help us?" I finally ask, trying to fit in the last piece of the puzzle. "Did my mom put you up to this?" It wouldn't surprise me, given that my mom's the principal at Graceton.

"I'd rather Kai not blame my school for ruining his." She picks a piece of lint off her shoulder. "If that happens, then he'll –,"

"Make you swallow the innards of a nontoxic glowstick so your poop glows at night?" I fill in for her.

"Something like that." She doesn't seem to find my words humorous, though.

"So were you meeting with Wu about the article this morning?" I confirm.

"Precisely. Skylor, however, had other plans. It seems she's sabotaged whatever attempts I had at peaceful research today." She sighs.

"I could get one of my friends to show you around if you want," I offer, my mind calculating.

Nya has to get this article done soon.

An idea dawns on me. "Hey, you met Jay yesterday. How would you feel about interviewing him? And my friend Zane could give you a tour."

"I'd rather not stick around here and end up running into Kai," Nya admits. "Besides, creating disharmony between Kai and his friends isn't right. They don't deserve that."

I get her implication that maybe he does.

"I just need some time to work out a plan with Principal Wu," she continues. "A plan that involves staying far away from Kai."

The door to the office swings open, and a redhead with schooled features marches out. "Are you the student body president?" she asks, her gaze trained on me.

Nya rises. "He will be, after the school election runs. Skylor, this is Lloyd Garmadon."

Skylor's features relax a little. "The Lloyd who let you in your house last night?"

Nya directs a look at Dareth to see if he's listening, her tanned cheeks visibly pinkening. "Uh...yeah, whatever. Anyway, he'd be happy to talk with you about Ridgewood's culture and community."

Skylor straightens. "I've changed my mind. There's one particular person of interest I can't leave until I've spoken to."

"And that is?" I ask, rising to stand at my full height. I've got Skylor by a few inches, and I might need the intimidation here.

"Kai Smith," she smiles sweetly.

"Absolutely not," Nya scoffs. "Skylor, I'm not letting you take out your anger at Ridgewood on my brother."

"He's a jerk to you," she huffs, rolling her eyes. "I don't even understand why you still defend him. He's –,"

"Stop!" Nya yells. "Just stop, Skylor." She sighs. "Why do you insist on telling the world about my relationship with my brother? That's my business and no one else's." She turns to look at Dareth once again, who's leaning across his desk like he's watching a soap opera unfold.

"As your friend, it's my business, too," Skylor argues.

Nya turns back around. "Not really." She massages the bridge of her nose. "Talk to Lloyd, Skylor. I need to get home and work on some stuff. This day has been such a bust." She turns toward the door.

As Skylor's about to speak up again, I reach out my hand to stop Nya. "Wait! Don't go yet. I...think I have an idea." Help us, Obi-Wan KeNya! You're Ridgewood's only hope!

She raises an eyebrow at me.

I point toward the office door. "Let's talk outside for a moment."

Still looking a bit skeptical, she nods and heads outside. I follow her, keeping an eye on her friend the whole way. Given that Skylor's face is shooting fire balls in my direction, I don't think she likes being left out of the action.

As I close the door behind me, I look down at Nya. "Is she always like this?"

"Like what?" Nya narrows her eyes.

I search for the right words that won't make her go on the defensive. "Like a...very scary avenging angel?" Maybe a fallen one with a twisted sense of justice?

Nya's expression relaxes, and I even see a bit of humor twinkle in her eyes. "No, she's not always this way. Only when she feels threatened or feels that her friends are threatened."

"Ah." I clear my throat. "Okay, so this will sound crazy at first, but I think we should call Kai up to the office and have him talk to her."

"That's a terrible idea."

"Hold on," I bid her. "Just listen. You know how Kai's great at...er...charming women?"

"That may work on the old lady next door, but not Skylor," Nya argues.

"Okay. Well, Wu will want Kai to talk with Skylor anyway because he believes in conflict resolution. Those two can hopefully work something out and put an end to these rumors, regardless of Skylor's resistance to Kai's antics. And since Kai will be up in the office, you won't have to worry about running into him here while you interview with his friends and get a tour."

"He doesn't want any of his friends to know about me," she points out. "What will he do when they tell him they showed me around school? I'm thinking my chances are better being buried alive, under a body-length headstone, during a hailstorm, while aliens are attacking." Her voice drips sarcasm, but her face is serious.

I consider this. "Well...what if I just have you hang out with Zane? He keeps a secret like nobody's business. If I tell him not to talk to Kai about you, he won't even ask why."

She chews her lip. "Are you sure he won't, like, stuff me in Kai's locker or something?"

"You have some serious issues trusting people."

"Nothing wrong with guarding your heart."

I resist a groan at her obstinance. "Well, would you rather hang with Jay? You've already met him, but he can't keep a secret to save his life. If he doesn't accidentally tell somebody, he acts like a twitching rat around whoever he's keeping the secret from."

She bites her lip, then sighs. "I guess I could take a tour from Zane. I really do need this article out as soon as possible."

I clap my hands and rub them together. "Great! I'll get Dareth to call Kai and Zane up here. I'll make introductions with Zane for you, keep Kai occupied in the office as long as possible, and make sure Skylor gets out of here without a suspect list."

Nya raises an eyebrow. "So...do I go hide somewhere until Kai's out of sight?"

I think for just a moment before walking down the hall and opening a side door. "Wanna hang out in the teacher's lounge?"

"Is that even allowed?" Nya frowns.

I wave at Professor Saunders, who's making a cup of coffee while simultaneously muttering to himself about snakes. "You can use my free pass inside."

She nods slowly and makes her way toward the lounge. "Okay, then." She pauses in the doorway to stare at me seriously. "If this doesn't work..."

"It will. Trust me," I smile.

Though Nya has a terrible time trusting anyone.

***(Zane's POV)***

"Zane Julien and Kai Smith, please come to Principal Wu's office," a voice says over the loudspeaker.

Jay snorts and turns around in his seat to shoot Kai with a knowing look. Kai gets sent to the office quite a bit.

Kai rolls his eyes and kicks the bottom of his desk chair. "Shut up," he whispers, throwing his things in his bookbag.

Jay proceeds to scoff before grabbing a marker, popping the top off, and –

Jay freezes when our instructor clears his throat.

"Mr. Walker, I didn't hear your name over the loudspeaker," he asserts. "That means I need your eyes on your assignment."

Jay sheepishly blushes and turns back toward his work.

It's Kai's turn to snicker as he slings his bag over his shoulder and purposefully bumps into Jay with it.

I carefully collect my pencils in their box and rise. My in-class writing assignment on To Kill a Mockingbrick was finished ten minutes ago, so I've been working on other homework since then. I like to stay ahead in my studies so I have more time to spend with my father. Since retiring from his job as a civil engineer, he spends much of his day alone and thrives on our evenings together.

I wave at Jay and Cole as I leave toward the door. Jay shoots me a quick smile before returning to his assignment, but Cole doesn't even seem to acknowledge my gesture.

Something's been off about him since yesterday, and I've yet to find out what it is. Perhaps he's just stressed with his position as captain of the football team alongside all his studies?

I make a mental note to ask him what I can do to help later. I've tutored Cole in the past, so if school's the issue, perhaps I can help him keep up with it.

As I make my way into the hallway, Kai elbows me. "I wonder what Wu thinks we've gotten into today."

I shake my head. "You mean, what he thinks you've gotten into."

Kai rolls his eyes. "I don't understand why you don't break the rules at least once in a while. I mean, what's wrong with having a little fun outside the lines?"

"I haven't found a reason yet to go outside the lines," I shrug. "Many noble feats can be accomplished within the bounds of our school's rules."

"Have you been pleasure reading Brickstopher Marley lately?" Kai eyes me. "You sound like a poet."

I sigh. "It's Brickstopher Marlowe, and no, I haven't. However, I am reading his Tales of Canterbrick so I can stay ahead in our Brickish Literature class." I eye him. "I suggest you do the same, Kai, or else you'll be swamped by your studies by the time our Marlowe essay comes around."

"Why does everything have to do with bricks at Ridgewood?" he complains. "It seems like all the greats have to put bricks in their names or book titles or bumper stickers."

I begin ascending the stairs leading to Principal Wu's office, matching Kai's leisurely pace. "It gives credence to metropolitan Ninjago's heritage, Kai. The foundations of Ninjago City's booming economy were constructed brick-by-brick by our forerunners five hundred years ago. The fact that their efforts have led to such a thriving economic and socially equitable society is –,"

"Yadayadaya," Kai sighs. "Speak in words the non-geniuses among us can understand, Zane." He shoots me his grin that says he's mostly kidding.

Kai is a good friend, but he's much more concise than I am when talking.

I think for a moment until I've developed an adequate summary of my argument. "The word 'brick' is so common because it pays respect to our ancestors."

"Gotcha," Kai nods in understanding. "Man, you should teach history here. Our World Brickstory teacher can't explain anything understandably."

I open the door to the office's waiting room. "He's incredibly intelligent, Kai. That shows in his lectures and writings."

"Yeah, well, some of us need a reading level below doctoral." Kai walks right up to Principal Wu's office and, without knocking, swaggers in.

The whole place immediately erupts into furious shouts.

I hasten in behind Kai, unsure of what trouble he's so carelessly walked into. "Principal Wu, what's the matter?" I ask, observing the individuals in his office.

To my right is Kai, his arms crossed over his chest and a decided look of annoyance flattening his mouth. Beside him is a ginger girl with humidity-mussed hair and the sourest expression I've ever seen.

"You almost got me arrested today!" she shrieks, sticking her finger into his chest.

"Look –," Kai tries to say, but it's of no use.

"I could've been charged with assault," she hisses, her eyes venomous with rage. "And it's all because you tried to run me off the road!"

Kai snorts. "I don't recall –,"

"Stop acting like you're an innocent!" she bellows.

Wu rubs his nose. "Students...and Skylor, please just calm down. Let's talk this out and see what the issue is."

Kai furrows his forehead. "Skylor...what a rich girl name. Or maybe an athlete's name." He gives the girl the once-over. "Nah, definitely not an athlete name. We're going with rich girl."

Her eye twitches. "Does that matter?"

Kai squints his eyes in thought. "I feel like I've heard a name like that recently..." He snaps his fingers. "I know, you introduced yourself to me when you told me off in the parking lot today."

"I did no such thing," she argues, crossing her arms. Some of the heat seems to come off her expression, and I pray my thanks to the First Spinjitzu Master that she seems open to having an intelligent conversation.

"You did too," Kai laughs. "You most certainly griped me out this morning."

She sighs heavily. "I meant that I didn't introduce myself to you. I don't give out my name and number to jerks who bomb my school!"

Kai's eyes bug. "Whoa, there. I did not bomb your school." His eyebrows furrow in concentration. "Wait...you must go to Graceton if your school was bombed, and my mom was just talking about that this morning..." His face lights in recognition. "Which is also when my mom mentioned your name! Ha!" He claps his hands. "Are you one of Nya's –,"

He suddenly turns paper white and whips around toward me.

I frown. "One of...what?"

Choked laughter bubbles out of Kai. "Gee, Zane, why don't you step outside for a moment? It's getting a bit crowded in –,"

"Yeah, Kai, one of what?" Skylor asks, her voice sweeter than a polysaccharide and more innocent than a dove's.

I frown at Kai's bewildered expression. "I'll step outside while you continue to speak with Skylor." I push open Wu's office door, not wanting to invade Kai's privacy.

As soon as I step out, Lloyd appears in the corner of my vision. "Zane!" he hisses.

I frown and step toward him. "Is everything all right, Lloyd? It seems Kai is in a bit of a predicament."

Lloyd nods. "Yeah, everything's fine. Come outside the waiting area with me." He motions toward the door, which he swiftly opens to let me out.

I follow his directions, confused. "What is the meaning of all this, Lloyd?"

He steps outside behind me and closes the door. "Okay. What I'm about to have you do, you can never, ever tell Kai about. Or any of Kai's friends, actually. Or his parents."

"I don't like this level of secrecy, Lloyd." I furrow my forehead. "What's going on?"

"It's for a good cause," he reassures me. "So basically, there's a girl here who's a journalist from Graceton, and if Kai sees her, he'll probably have a breakdown."

"Why?" I frown.

"Personal reasons," Lloyd replies. "So while Kai's detained in the office with Wu, I need you to show her around Ridgewood and point out some of its best features, sports team, classic holidays...you know the drill. You've showed parents around the school before, right?"

I nod, still confused.

"Great. This is just like that, only geared toward an article for Graceton's school paper. And trust me, I need it to be good stuff that Graceton girls would appreciate. Actually, stuff that would totally make them change their opinion on our school would be nice." He smiles like a bike tire salesman selling to a fish.

I think of Ridgewood's charity events, football record, and heartwarming community stories. "I think I could do that."

"Great," Lloyd grins encouragingly. "This particular journalist – her name's Nya – is trying to ease some of the tensions between Ridgewood and Graceton, since apparently her friend has spread a rumor that a guy at Ridgewood set the bomb at Graceton. It's going around like wildfire right now." He pulls out his phone and shows me a social media post about evidence linking the bomb at Graceton to a boy from Ridgewood.

I scroll down on the post, frowning when I see a tag called "#revengeonridgewood". I tap it, only to see the tag has been posted over 300 times.

That's three-quarters of the student body at Graceton.

I look up at Lloyd, frowning. "This 'Nya'...is her friend Skylor the girl who spread the rumor?" 'Nya' was the name Kai mentioned before I left, if I heard him correctly.

Lloyd fingers his shirt collar. "Yeah. Do me a favor and don't pry as to her connection to Kai. It's...messy."

I nod slowly. "You have my word."

"Good." He walks over to the teacher's lounge. "Thank you so much for being willing to help out, Zane."

"It's my pleasure."

Lloyd opens the door to the teacher's lounge, and I see a girl with dark hair turn toward us.

She bears a small smile, rounded brown eyes, and a striking resemblance to Kai.

And though I would never break a promise to Lloyd, I do wonder how Kai and this girl are connected.

***WELCOME BACK, KIDDOSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

I am a slow updater these days *sighs* Slowly retiring author vibe!

I hope you guys liked this one. What perspectives do you hope to see in the next chapter? Maybe Kai and Skylor's in the office, or Nya's as she gets a tour and meets some of the students at Ridgewood...

Or Seliel's, since she seems to have overheard that Misako wants to hold classes at Ridgewood?***