"So, Attempted Murder Crew, watcha doing here?" I asked.

"We weren't trying to murder you." The women said like it was obvious.

"We weren't?" A guy in the back asked.

  She whipped around. "Are you telling me you almost killed them? I specifically said I wanted them alive!"

  They all frantically pointed at each other.

  "So, why are you here?" Lloyd asked carefully. His hand sliding to his katana.

  The women moved her gun warningly. "We believe whatever is in that paper is money that Emily O'Hannah owes us."

I furrowed my brow. "What are you talking about?"

"Long time ago Emily convinced us her writing and program could make millions and borrowed some money from our huge corporation." The women flicked her hair back. "Unfortunately her writing didn't hit it off, the professional business man who's idea that we turned down for hers actually ended up making a lot of money and put the corp down a couple hundred thousands in income. They fired us because we're the reason they now are scrambling and here we are."

"Woah, woah, woah." I waved my hands. "So you're willing to put a gun on people just because of money?"

"There are families that were left starving!" The women growled. "It's not just about money."

I stared at her, finally seeing the desperation.

Zane tightened his grip on the arrow. "Just say the words and I'm ready." He murmured softly.

"Good luck with that Ice Ninja." The woman snorted. "We can still end up shooting one of your comrades. Who will it end up being? The old man? The poor green ninja with the head injury? The pretty girl?"

His face tightened as he went to release the arrow but I stopped him.

"Don't." I said. "You're right, you shouldn't have lost your job because of all this. Whatever money that's in here I will give to you."

She looked surprised. "As long as you promise to use it wisely to feed your families and start a new business, instead of whatever evil black weapon depot you're apart of." I continued.

"And if you don't you'll have the whole ninja force on you." Kai warned.

She hesitated. "Why are you just giving it to us?" She asked.

I shrugged. "It's what Nana would want."

I waved the paper before unfolding it.

"Dear Gwen," I glanced at the women. "That's me."

"I know you've always wanted to become the artist you dream to be. I know your father may not agree. This money I've raised for you can send you to the art school you've always dreamed of going to. Or it can lead you somewhere else, maybe it can start you onto something better. " I began.

   "Remember that dreams are never nothing, but sometimes dreams have to be altered for reality. Don't let yourself be blinded by the light like I was.
These so much out there for you. You've made it to the city, to the tomb, to the eternal sacrifice, and to this amazing tree you stand under now. But the money isn't the only thing I leave you. I leave you this advice." I moved onto the small poem at the bottom.

"Paints and colours, bright and blue.
Family and friends that should always remain true,
Dreams and reality, fear and fun,
Find your path and maybe a special someone. "

Treats pricked in my eyes as I smiled sadly. "Love, Nana."

  There was a loud sniff as Cole swiped at his eyes. "I'm not crying." He muttered when we all looked at him.

  I found a check inside the box. As well as one that was empty. I quickly began writing inside.

  "What your name?" I asked the women.

  She hesitated. "Mary Li."

  "Mary Li..." I said as I scribbled her name. I handed it to her.

  "As soon as I cash this in, you can get yours." I told her.

She miles, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry." She apologized. "After I lost my job I guess I lost my way."

  I smiled. "Maybe I did too." I said a softly. "I just....didn't start making killer machines and try to drown anybody."

******

Paint and colours, bright and blue.

  Painting Koko and Garmadon's new place was so much fun. I made a whole new mural in their bedroom. Lloyd said the picture of the ninja was to self-centred but Koko totally loved it.

  The ninja had tried to help as well, emphasizing the tried. Kai and Cole began arguing after they spilled paint on each other. Lloyd was put on rest by his girlfriend and everything became a huge mess, but it had been very fun. Even though I ended up showering for about forty minutes trying to get the paint out.

Family and friends that should always remain true.

I was never forgetting my new friends. But it was now time to go back home. No money to go to the art school. But a new plan.

  I arrived at my doorstep. Zane had brought me and even walked me to my door. As I knocked he didn't move even when the door opened.

  Dad stood there, staring at me. I stared back.

  "Hey Dad..." I said hesitatingly, giving a nervous smile.

  Suddenly tears ran down his face as he lurched forward and wrapped his strong arms around me. I was sobbing as well, it was a bit of an ugly cry but let's just ignore that part and almost inhaled my snot. But I was back home.

  He put me down and grabbed my face, staring into my eyes.

  Then he looked over my shoulder, his brow furrowing at the sight of Zane. I stepped away for a second.

  "Dad, this is my friend Zane. He helped me while I was in Ninjago City." I explained.

  "Hello good sir." Zane said formally, moving to place a hand out. "It is a great honour to meet Gwendolyn's father."

  He gave me a funny look but shook it. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I think it's time we finally had a long needed talk."

  I smiled. "I agree."

There was lots more crying. Zane kindly had offered Mom tissues he had in his pocket. And though Riley would deny it he totally shed a tear.

  Then Dad and I sat down alone, ready to talk things out.

"You...we're always so set on making me you." I started. "I...didn't what to be you. I wanted to be me. Your Gwen is perfect with great grades, a engineer, mechanic whatever. But this Gwen is artsy, quirky, a little crazy."

  His eyes softened. "I need you to accept I'm not going to be that person you are picturing. I'm just going to be me. I need you to be okay with that." I said.

  He covered his mouth with his hand. "I...your grandmother had a hard life. She was a dreamer. I saw what it did to her, and I soon thought that dreams are just little fairy tales and what we need it hard fair reality.  Realized how dangerous dreams can be. So I thought if you played it safe with what I already knew worked you wouldn't have to suffer like Nana did."

  I took his hand. "I know that now, I know that dreams sometimes can't come true the way we imagine. But I still want to go my own direction. Nana left me some money but I had to give it to some people who deserved it more. I'm going to try to become an art teacher instead. I did some research and I've found a gat university."

  Dad smiled, his hand moving to brush some hair behind my ear. "You're so grown up." He mumbled. "I guess I have to let you free."

  "Don't worry." I nudged him. "I've made some friends who are good mechanics. Metally car stuff can never go wrong."

  Dreams and reality.

The dream was becoming a world famous artist. In my family I'm famous because my dad found the mural I made in his basement.

The reality is that I may not have a good chance of success down that road. So I'm turning the wheel.

The fear was that I would become my father.

Also that I would die because of some submarine following us.

The fun was the adventure. The new friends. The new opportunities.

Find your path, and maybe a special someone.

I have found my path. I sent an application to that awesome university, it's in Ninjago city, and I have a new plan for my future.

As for that special someone.....

  "I want to ask you something." I said as we sat in my backyard. Zane glanced at me, his eyes blinking slowly.

  "Why didn't you trust me enough to tell me that you were a Nindroid?" I questioned.

Zane thought for a moment. "Many people...react very differently to me revealing what I truly am. They think me...Not as human, now I know that makes sense but they assume I don't have emotions, feelings, dreams, thoughts. But I do." He sighed. "And maybe I wanted you to believe that I had all those things. Empathy, courage, kindness."

I smiled. "Oh Zane! I'm not an idiot!"

He sputtered. "I did not say that!"

I laughed. "I think you have all the emotion that I have, maybe even more." I stared deep into his eyes. He flushed.

"Thank you." He frowned suddenly.

"What is it?" I asked in concern.

"I'm experiencing a weird emotion. One I've never felt so strongly before." He said slowly.

I watched him carefully. "What does it feel like?"

"Warm. Strange. Makes me feel nervous. Makes me feel...a strong sense of protection." He said, his eyes confused. Maybe. I thought. As my heart seemed to flutter. Maybe he was feeling the same as I was.

"Love." I took the step. "Is that it?"

Zane thought for a moment, before turning to meet my gaze with an intense stare. "Yes." He said in realization. I gave a small smile, and a nervous laugh. "I believe it's customary that after I confess my feelings I kiss you now. Are you alright with that?"

I let out a louder laugh. I nodded, my brain fuzzy and adrenaline seemed to be running like a cheetah on a high in my veins.

"Yeah." I said. "Sure."

He leaned forward, stopping a little before my face, searching for any signs of hesitation before pressing his lips to my own.

I closed my eyes as one of his hands reached to cup my face. Our lips seems to mould together and I felt that warmth. That love. It was great. It was perfect.

"EW!" Riley yelled and I jerked away to see him covering his eyes. "That is horrible! Yuck! Ugh!" He gagged, running into the house.

I chuckled.

I felt Zame take my hand. "Gwendolyn, I want you to know that I love you more than I have ever loved anyone." He said.

I smiled. "Me too."

Our lives had been fluid. Moving fast and maybe even going in different ways. But suddenly it had stopped and frozen us together.

This is what happens when water turns to ice.

A/N****

Wow! Oh my god it had ended! What a rollercoaster! Thank you to all my uber amazing readers! Thank you to friends and family! Thank you for support and thank you Ninjago for making these amazing characters!

LuckyBugBooks 🐞