Garmadon ushered me under deck, firmly telling me to stay. I did as he ordered (probably because even though he acted calm and collected, I could see the fear in his eyes and decided I would rather keep him as content as I could while his son was being possessed), promising to lock the door after he left.

As Garmadon strode out with his clenched fists trembling, I shut the door behind him and slid the lock into place. I rested my palm against the wood as I exhaled heavily, leaning my forehead on the wall. I wished to be up on deck, maybe actually making a difference, but I knew that would be impossible. I didn't know what I was doing, I had zero experience in battle and I would just get underfoot. Locking me away in a perceived area of space was probably the best option for everybody.

I clenched my eyes shut as the sounds of fighting - metal clanking, exclamations and the shooting of canons - began all at once, assaulting my ears. I swayed on my feet as the Bounty lurched from side to side.
Outside the door, I heard the frantic mumbling of Kai, Wu and Zane as they raced down the hallway. Just as I was about to unlock the door and ask if there was anything, anything, I could do to help, the Bounty suddenly tilted sideways.
I lost my footing, shrieking as I stumbled and painfully caught my arms on what seemed to be a chest of drawers and a bedpost before slamming the back of my head harshly against the opposite wall. I groaned, rubbing my injured cranium with a hand as I heaved from the unexpected turn of events.

"Our quarters aren't much further, go, Sensei!" Zane exclaimed from the other side of the wall. I began to scamper up towards the door, sliding on the wood and scraping my hands, giving myself splinters. "Kai and I will hold him back!"
I felt myself freeze. He was on the ship. Llo- Morro was on board, holding a great threat against us. I gulped as I realised I was suddenly exceptionally glad that I listened to Garmadon.

All I could hear was the sounds of fists against flesh, the striking of metal against metal or the wood of the walls, and the grunts of exertion from fighting. I swallowed thickly. That was Lloyd out there. Yes, possessed, but still Lloyd.
I dropped my head, squeezing my eyelids closed as the fighting continued.

The Bounty fell to the side again, dipping dramatically in the sky and making me audibly gasp in surprise as I slid down the floor once more. The wood burnt my knees as I fell, grunting against the pain as Kai and Lloyd began spitting at each other like riled cats.
"Your team will fall apart without its green leader!" Morro sneered.
"I'll lead them!" challenged Kai. "And make sure you go down if it's the last thing I do! Sensei says you won't give up - well, neither will I!"

Out of the blue, Morro crashed through the wall and fell onto the ground on the other side of the bed post. I watched in horror as he sat up, clutching his head, before catching my gaze. The Bounty lurched again, and Kai went tumbling down the hallway.
Before I could do anything, like run away screaming or break into tears, the bow of the Bounty's hull crashed against what felt to be the top of the mountain. I sharply inhaled at the rocking impact, unable to tear my gaze away from Morro's curious, black eyes.
"Y/n?"
It was Lloyd's voice. My eyes widened as his irises began to fade to their usual green, before he clutched his head and groaned in pain. I went to comfort him, but Morro bet me to it, making Lloyd stand as he set his careless, black gaze on me.

Suddenly the hull's stern smashed against rock, too, making me go flying as I was crushed against the wall. A large, gaping hole opened up just beside me, and to my complete horror, I slipped out from the force of the wind.
"Lloyd!" I shrieked in alarm as I barely managed to catch myself on the jagged edge of the hole. The wood bit into my hands, but it was either that or falling to my death. Lloyd didn't respond. Morro watched on.
My fingers began to slip. A cold dagger of panic stabbed my stomach.
"Lloyd, please!" I cried in fear as my grip got looser and looser with each millimetre my fingers lost. I was being whipped around in the freezing wind. "I know you can hear me! Fight him!"
Just as my fingers lost their hold, a hand grabbed onto my wrist harshly and dragged me inside.

"Y/n!" Lloyd exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug as he fell back onto his haunches. "I'm so, so sorry. Are you okay?"
I fell against Lloyd's chest as he held me, my breaths heavy with adrenaline. I nodded as I clutched my eyes shut, hoping, praying, it was all just a horrible nightmare. I had my arms tightly wrapped around his neck as we kneeled on the ground, as if I ever let go, I'd never see him again.
"Y/n," Lloyd said, suddenly serious. He lifted my chin with a gentle hand. I caught his scared gaze, his irises alarmingly switching between black and green. "I- I can't hold him much longer. I'm trying sohard to come back to you, but you need to stay away from me."
I went to argue but Lloyd silenced me with a soft brush of his lips on mine. My protest died in my throat.
"Please," he whispered, leaning his forehead against mine, his green eyes crudely hidden behind his black locks. "For me."

I couldn't say no when he asked me like that. I nodded in agreement, and Lloyd sighed in relief, his shoulders sagging.
"Please be safe," I managed to choke out. Lloyd slipped his fingers into mine.
"I'll try my best," he murmured, pressing a harder kiss against my lips. I raised my hands to cup his cheeks, returning it. He grimaced, opening his conflicted eyes as he split.
"He's angry," Lloyd said. "Go, find my Dad. He'll keep you safe."
"But-"
"Now, Y/n, please."
I lifted my gaze to the ceiling before relenting. Lloyd cracked a weak smile, his eyes darkening considerably. His resolve was beginning to falter.
"I'll see you soon," he pledged. I gulped before nodding and darting out of the room in search of Garmadon.

We ended up crashing in a forest in the middle of fucking no where.
"Okay, let's never do that again," Kai mumbled as he rubbed his arm. Jay and Nya appeared by his side as he inspected the the first of the two large holes in the hull.
"Where's Y/n? Is she okay?" Nya asked. I emerged from my spot against the shrouded corner, sending the group a timid wave. Jay jumped in surprise at my sudden appearance.
"Whoa, you should be a ninja!"
I cracked a weak smile at Jay's attempt of lightening the situation.
"I'm fine... I think," I answered Nya.
Zane sighed. Kai grinned. Nya exhaled in relief.

"Hey," Kai addressed me, sending me a curious look. "Morro didn't come out after he was thrown through the wall. Weren't you in that room? What happened?"
I dropped my gaze as the three stared at me, waiting for my reply.
"I, uh, saw Lloyd," I mumbled.
"What?"
"No way!"
"Is he okay?"
I gave them a look of helplessness. "He said that he's fighting Morro. He told me to stay away from him."
The three remained silent. Kai spoke up.
"He's looking out for you," the fire ninja reminded me, uncharacteristically soothing, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Staying away is probably for the best. I can fly you back home-"

I surprised both the others and myself when I barked out a loud 'no!' Their eyes widened at my interruption as I flushed.
"Sorry," I mumbled before my voice grew determined. "But I want to stay. I want to help."
Nya was the first to accept, earnestly nodding in agreement.
"I think she should stay," Nya vouched. "She and Lloyd are close. We could use that to our advantage. He's already appeared because of Y/n, he could do it again."
Jay frowned.
"So you're suggesting to use her as bait?" he asked as a sudden, sharp throb to the back of my head reminded me of my injuries. I winced, rubbing the spot. "Isn't that dangerous?"
Nya shook her head, shutting down Jay's inquiry.
"It's Lloyd," she stressed. "Even with Morro in his head, he wouldn't hurt Y/n. He's way too head over heels for her to even let Morro send her a glare."
I blushed, but pushed back my giddy emotions. It wasn't the time for them.

Zane caught my wince and soundlessly stepped forward to inspect the back of my head. I let him place his icy-cool hand against my bump, calming the throbbing somewhat.
"Thanks, Zane," I sighed.
"Are you injured anywhere else that is not visible?" Zane asked worriedly. I gave a feeble shrug.
"Just the back of my head when I hit it," I said nonchalantly as I crossed my arms and ignored the ache in my fingers. "I'm fine everywhere else."
Jay sent me an odd look.
"Have you seen your knees?" he asked. I frowned before glancing down. They were a literal bloody mess, staining the hem of my cotton shorts. I didn't even realise they were stinging so badly.
"Oh," I mumbled.

Jay nervously chuckled.
"And to think," he said with his usual upbeat vibe. "If Sensei hadn't gotten rid of the staff, it could've been worse."
Cole suddenly shuffled down the steep hallway, approaching us. Wu and Garmadon followed close behind.
"Yeah, but now we don't know the message!" the earth ninja exclaimed. I frowned. Message? What message?
"Not exactly," corrected Wu. "I managed to make an imprint."
The younger Sensei gestured for us to follow him as he entered one of the many rooms. On the wall painted crudely in ink by hand, were three large symbols that meant nothing to me. The first was what looked to be a child's version of a tornado, the second was what I thought to be a sword and the third, of course, was a skull. Because what kind of secret message apparently imprinted on a staff would be complete without a ominous skull?

"But what does it all mean?" Jay asked with a tilt of his head. Wu stroked his beard consideringly, glancing over at Garmadon.
"Our father told us long ago that he would leave a message leading us to his final resting place," explained Garmadon as he placed a hand on the skull painting.
"After he passed, we looked everywhere for it, not knowing it was in my hand all this time," Wu continued before leaving the room and exiting the crashed Bounty.
"You mean to tell me-"
"Yes," Wu caught off Kai as he expertly slid down a rope. "These symbols will lead us to the tomb of the First Spinjitzu Master."
I slowly shuffled my way down the rope the others had easily used before me. It took a while, but I got there in the end. I raced to catch up to the others.
"The only problem is, I haven't the foggiest idea what any of them mean."

"Well if Morro's trying to find the tomb, we've gotta find it first," said Kai, rather aggressively. I sent the back of his head a worried look. Lloyd's possession clearly had him worried for his friend-turned-sibling.
"Hey," said Cole with an accomplished grin. "Maybe Misako can help decipher the clues since she's a total history buff?"
Garmadon nodded.
"Good idea," he agreed, before turning his head to Zane. "Can you please contact her?"
Zane confirmed with a stoic nod before grabbing a metal Falcon from his panel in his stomach. I widened my eyes in awe. I'd never seen him do that before.
"Pixal, release the Falcon and give her our location," Zane ordered as the metal falcon's wings spread and he took off into the sky.
"Good," Wu said as we watched the Falcon fly off. "Then we set up camp."
As the others set off to grab materials, I sent Garmadon a curious look.
"We're in the middle of nowhere," I pointed out. "How's Misako going to get here?"

Lloyd's father just grinned knowingly.
"You forget, Y/n," he said in clear amusement as we began to head off into the woods after Jay and Zane to pick up dry sticks for firewood. "Misako's the mother of the Green Ninja. She'll find a way, she always does."
I weakly smiled and bent down to grab some sticks for the campfire. Garmadon frowned.
"In all that is happened, I've forgotten to ask you," he began worriedly as I glanced up at him. "Are you okay?"
I blinked.
"I'm fine."
He sent me a look. I sighed.
"I'm scared," I admitted, picking at a stick with my nails. "I... I feel like I'm not helping, but I don't want to just sit back. I want to be useful."
Garmadon smiled in understanding as he gathered sticks and branches.
"I think you do not understand the full description of somebody who aids others," he said. "You do not need to help significantly to still help. Look, you're collecting sticks. You're helping."
I huffed in amusement before my smile faded.
"But Sensei Wu..."
Garmadon sighed, picking up more sticks.
"He's terrified," he explained. "Utterly terrified. He feels that it was his fault that Lloyd got possessed, and blames himself. He just wants to keep you as safe as possible so when Lloyd comes back, he can be happy. Possession... it does a number to somebody. I don't think Lloyd would be able to handle it if you were..."
"Dead," I finished softly. Garmadon paused.
"Yes," he said, just as quietly. "You are the only... the first he has ever... honestly, I am glad he found you."
I swallowed thickly, holding the sticks close to my chest, ignoring the pain of them digging into my skin.
"I'm glad he found me, too."

"Care to hear a ghost story?"
Not really, I thought, but stayed silent as I watched the flames flickered from the fire in the darkened forest. There was a chorus of agreement from around the circle.
"If it means saving Lloyd," said Zane. "Of course."
Wu stared into the fire with eyes that looked to be locked in the past.
"Morro may have been my first pupil, but he was also my greatest regret..."
Wu went on to explain his tale of woe while I stared at the fire, thinking.
Nya seemed to think that I could help Lloyd gain control again, but both Garmadon and Wu had a point about my safety. Was there a way for me to do both?
Probably not.

"Whoawhoawhoa, back up!" Jay interrupted my thinking, making me glance up from the fire. "You're saying Morro, the master of wind, was gonna be the Green Ninja?"
I knitted my eyebrows together. Morro? The ghost that possessed Lloyd?
I needed to pay more attention.
A sudden strong gust of wind sent the fire dragging, bending against the force. Cole flinched.
"U-uhh... did... that just happen?" he asked, scooching closer to my side nervously. "Maybe I don't like ghost stories..."
"Tell us what happened next, Sensei!" urged Zane. I fell out of the story again as my eyelids began to droop, making me catch only snippets of the conversation as I drifted in and out of consciousness. Cole soon took notice and offered his shoulder for me to rest on. I accepted, too tired to care that it'd probably be super uncomfortable, and leant against him.
Despite my unending worry for Lloyd, I soon fell into a fitful, restless sleep.

The next day wasn't as eventful as the last. Misako arrived sometime between after I fell asleep and before I woke up, already discussing quietly with Garamond and Wu, the aged parchment in her grasp most likely the focus of their conversation.
When I went to grab some breakfast - consisting of only plain noodles, though I was too hungry to care about the blandness - we caught each other's eyes. An unspoken reassurance was passed between us.
Apparently the first symbol of the message meant 'airjitzu,' whatever that was. It seemed to grant the ability to take temporary flight. Considering the current events, a fighting style to make people fly for short periods of time didn't even seem shocking anymore.

I stayed back with Misako, Garmadon and Wu as I watched the five ninja take off on their acquired yaks. They were headed off to Stiix, since a guy called Ronin stole a scroll containing the teachings of airjitzu. Spirits were high as the team got a leg up from the competition, and much to Kai's distaste, Jay, Cole, Nya and Zane began singing a familiar song that was used in long car rides.

The remaining four of us set off to find Misako's car, leaving the battered Bounty behind until we could find a way to fix and/or move it. Misako hung back to wall through the underbrush with me, staying silent until she finally spoke.
"Are you okay?"
Honestly, I was getting a little sick of people asking me that.
"And reply honestly."
I nodded as I stumbled over a log, holding away a bunch of ferns.
"I'm fine."
Misako sighed.
"Even when I asked you to reply honestly, you still don't tell the truth," she mumbled. I dropped my gaze.
"Sorry," I said quietly, guiltily, as we followed a trail through the bush. "I just don't want people to worry about me. There's more important problems to focus on."

Misako placed a hand on my shoulder, making me glance up at her. She sent me a soft smile.
"Your feelings are still valid, Y/n," she said soothingly, motherly. "You're scared. That's nothing to be ashamed of. Everybody's scared."
I quirked a fake smile, appreciating her sympathy and her wise (what else?) words.
"Thanks, Misako," I mumbled. She grinned, squeezing my shoulder gently.
"Anytime, Y/n."

When we got back to Steep Wisdom, it was half-way through the day already. I sighed as I stepped out of the car, waking out into the courtyard. At least tidying up will take my mind off of things. The four of us immediately set to work, sweeping up glass shards, picking up toppled shelves and restocking the shop.
"Your mother called me," Misako said as she lifted a box of tea leave containers and placed it on the counter. "She wants to know when you're coming home."

I paused sweeping, glancing up at Misako with a set expression. I had no desire to return.
"I'm not going home until Lloyd's okay."
Taken aback, Misako blinked. She soon smiled and stepped around the counter, pulling me into a motherly hug.
"I admire your determination," she complimented softly. "You're a very kind girl. I'm glad Lloyd found you."
I sheepishly blushed, returning the hug eagerly.
"He'll be okay," Miskao mumbled, but I wasn't sure if she was saying it to reassure me or her. Maybe both of us. "Lloyd's strong."

"What's up, losers."

Miskao and I pulled away, glancing over at the stranger in the doorway. He had a smug look on his face, barely hidden by a maroon rice hat. He sauntered in, confidence emitting from him in waves. He acted as if he owned the place. Wu and Garmadon emerged from the back room curiously.
"No wonder you've got no customers," grumbled the grungy, hard-set middle aged man with shaggy, brown hair and a steampunk-styled eyepatch as he picked up a container from the shelf and tossed it in his hand.
"The first problem is that you're opening a tea shop in the middle of a dry season - water's at a premium! Then there's the name; Steep Wisdom," the man scoffed. "More like Steep Debt. I mean - where are the customers?"

Wu and I shared a confused, perplexed look. Who did this guy think he was?
"Who is this strange fellow?" Wu asked Garmadon.
"I have no recollection of him, brother," Garmadon replied as he shook his head.

"You need to have a name with pizazz," continued the stranger as he approached the counter. "Like Curiosi-tea or Shake-Your-Boo-Tea. These are just off the top of my head!"
Ronin scoffed, opening a phone book. Miskao huffed, sliding the book out from under his hand and slamming it shut. I sent a wide-eyed look with Garmadon.
"Excuse me," she said coolly. "But if you're not a customer, what are you doing in our shop?"
"You mean my shop," the man corrected.
"Huh?" Wu and I said. Garmadon's eyebrows furrowed.
Ronin frowned, placing a hand on his forehead and shaking his head.
"Oh, right," he mumbled. "They never told you."

The man grinned at us, crossing his arms.
"Name's Ronin," he greeted. "And since I'm now effectively the majority shareholder, I'm your new business partner."
"What!" I exclaimed in shock while the others gasped.
"After the ninja lost the scroll of who-what-su to that Morro dude, I bailed them out in exchange for their shares in the tea shop," Ronin explained, before scowling. "Since they destroyed my pawn shop, I thought it was a fair trade. Until I saw this sorry place."
I inhaled sharply as Ronin sauntered off to inspect the shelves.
"Is Lloyd okay?" I asked, a desperate look on my face. Ronin paused before shrugging, turning his head to face me.
"Beats me," he said nonchalantly, making my heart sink. "I was too busy trying not to get killed."

Garmadon placed a hand on my shoulder.
"They did not get the scroll of Airjitzu?" he asked stoically.
"If they didn't get it, they'll never be able to follow the rest of the clues to the tomb of the First Spinjitzu Master," Miskao stressed, bunching her hand into a fist on the counter.
"But that means they won't be able to save Lloyd!" I said, on the verge of panic.
"Relax," Ronin said. "The ninja are fine. I told them another possible way they could get it. Don't you know in life; there's always second chances."

The way Ronin said that made me instantly on edge. I found it easily impossible to not trust him. The others remained blissfully unaware of my standoffishness.
"What do you mean 'another way'?" Wu asked.
"What, nobodies ever told you about Yang's haunted temple?" Ronin asked with raised eyebrows.
"Haunted temple?" I echoed, tilting my head. Ronin smirked, slinging an arm around my shoulders. I instinctively cringed.
"Afraid of ghosts, sweetheart?" Ronin said in amusement. I shrugged off his arm, sending him a monotoned glare.
"Don't call me sweetheart," I snarled, crossing my arms. Ronin's smirk grew.
"So you are afraid of ghosts," he said with an accomplished edge to his voice. Miskao placed an arm in front of me, pushing me behind her.

"Yang's haunted temple is nothing but an attraction for tourists," she said with an exasperated snap.
"Ah, but that's where you're wrong," Ronin snickered, stepping back against the counter and crossing his arms. "If the ninja manage to pass all the tests and conquer their fears, they'll get their hands on the original scroll of airjitzu."
Garmadon sent Ronin a suspicious glare.
"And if they fail?"
Ronin shrugged his crossed arms.
"They die, or get turned into ghosts. Depends how Sensei Yang feels."
Miskao stiffened in front of me. I remained unconvinced.
"Haunted temples aren't real," I said in denial. "He's just saying that to be a nuisance."
Ronin snorted.
"Your boyfriend's possessed by a ghost and you're telling me that haunted temples aren't real?"
My expression grew tight.
"We're- we're not-"
"Please," Ronin interrupted me with a roll of his eyes. "I may have no honour, but I'm not thick in the head."
My hands tightened into fists as I fumed, glaring at Ronin with distaste.
I really didn't like him.

"Thank you for coming back to Steep Wisdom," Miskao said kindly to a customer as she handed him his bag of tea leaves. She slid a smaller bag containing more tea leaves across the counter with a warm smile. "Here's a little something extra."
Ronin scowled as he leant against the entrance doorway. He grabbed the smaller bag with a snarl in Miskao's direction.
"Whoawhoa, we're a business, not a charity," said Ronin as he shook his head. "We're here to make money, not friends."
I glanced up from my book as I stared at Ronin with a disgruntled frown. Not only was he egotistical, but he was also a bastard. The differences between Lloyd and Ronin were incredibly astounding.
The customer sent Miskao a disbelieving look. She returned with an apologetic grin.
"Thanks and come again!" she said cheerfully as the customer exited. She deflated, dropping her gaze. "I hope..."
Ronin scoffed, shaking his head.
"Boy, you guys really need my help," he commented. Miskao sent him an uncharacteristically sharp glare. Her seemingly eternal motherly patience was wearing thin.
Miskao glanced over at me, but I just helplessly shrugged. There was nothing to do. He was a majority shareholder.

"I'm going to call my mum," I said as I set the book to the side and grabbed my phone. With a sidelong glare at Ronin, I scurried to the back room with my phone in my hand.
I entered a room at random, shutting the door and blindly stumbling to the couch as I dialed my mum and hit call. Just as I was about to bring the phone to my ear, my eyes caught a hint of green in my peripheral vision.

Heart soaring, I stumbled to my feet. I didn't know what to feel when my eyes set on the subject of my sudden burst of adrenaline.
It was a green hoody.
I inhaled sharply as I slowly walked over to where it was hung up carelessly on a hook. My fingers slid against the soft material, clenching it in a fist as I felt my chest grow heavy. I bit my lip as I tugged it down, hating that my throat began to swell with incoming tears.
I slid down to my knees as I hugged the hoody tight, inhaling a shuddering breath as I tried my damned hardest to stay strong.

"Y/n?" came mum's voice from my phone, back on the couch when I unknowingly dropped it. "Y/n, honey, are you crying? What happened?"
I glanced up, holding the hoody tight against my chest, as if it was Lloyd himself. I struggled to my feet before collapsing into the couch and grabbing the phone.
"Y/n, sweetie, are you hurt? Talk to me."
I held the phone to my ear as I cleared my throat and tried to regain my dignity. I wiped my damp cheeks as I replied.
"Yeah, sorry mum," I said thickly. "Sorry."
There was a pause.
"Is it Lloyd?" said my mum finally. "Did something to happen to him?"
I nodded, before realising that she couldn't see me.
"Y-yeah," I stammered. "He's... he's been possessed by some emo ghost or something."
There was an even longer pause as mum processed what I claimed.
"Possessed?" she repeated, needing me to confirm.
"Yeah."
"By... an emo ghost?"
"Yes."
Mum hesitated.
"Y'know what," she began. "I'm not even going to ask. Are you okay?"
I inhaled as I held the hoody even tighter.
"I... don't know," I said. "But... I'm trying."
My mum hummed in either agreement or acknowledgement.
"Are you staying with them until Lloyd's back?"
"Yeah... is that okay?"

Mum sighed, but it wasn't tiredly or out of disappointment. It was acceptance, as if she knew exactly what I was going to say.
"Of course, honey. I hope Lloyd gets better soon."
I smiled bittersweetly as I glanced down at the hoody.
"Me too."