Chapter Text
Zane has never fully understood his future vision. He does not know where the dreams come from, nor how to trigger them. What he does know, however, is that they are never wrong.
He used to have dreams often. Often enough that it was one of the first things he told Master Wu about himself upon meeting. Odd dreams that always seemed to come true.
But as the years passed, Zane’s dreams dwindled. To the point that he'd begun to question if he lost his gift entirely. He wondered if it was because of his death and rebirth. Maybe it severed whatever connection he had with the future.
His hypothesis was wrong.
Zane knew that now as he wandered the empty halls of the monastery. He was always very aware in his visions. Aware that something was not right.
Knowing this does nothing to lessen his anxiety, however, as something beats against the monastery gates. A thunderous sound that drowns out Zane's own thoughts.
The gates give way to a blazing fire and from it a large serpent slithers forward, seemingly towering over Zane.
"Who are you!" he yelled at it, "What do you want!"
The serpent laughed cruelly. Retribution was its only answer as it unhinged it jaw and struck to swallow Zane whole.
He did not awake yet, however. Destiny had more to show him. For when he opened his eyes, Zane found he was in a barren land. Ice spread for miles as snow whipped harshly through the air. A dragon soared over head, a large one, whose shadow spread across the land. It landed at the feet of a man he did not recognize, clad in dark armor. His mask was carved into a permanent snarl.
And then…
"Zane!"
He turned around, following Jay's calls. His friends were frozen to the ground. His family.
He had to help them! He had to protect the—
"Wake up, Zane!"
Zane fell out of his bed with a shout, scrambling out from under the blankets as he struggled to catch his breath. He trembled as every inch of his dream was commited to memory.
He looked up, finding his brother perched on his bed.
"Finally," Jay whined overdramatically, "I swear, you sleep like the dead sometimes." He looked down at Zane, eyes softening, "Woah, are you okay?"
Zane blinked, "I… I had a vision."
"Wait, really?" Jay cocked a brow, sliding off the bed to join Zane on the floor, "You haven't had one for years."
"I know," Zane nodded frantically, "They don't come to me like they used to…"
"So… What are the odds that it's just a nightmare?" Jay asked carefully.
Zane huffed, "Jay, all of my "nightmares" have come true. I'm not even sure I can dream normally. Pixal certainly doesn't."
"Okay… But what if—"
"Guys! Are you coming?" Cole shouted sticking his head through the doorway, "Master Wu wanted us all in the courtyard twenty minutes ago. Let's go!"
"What?" Zane asked.
Jay pushed himself up on his feet, holding out his hands to pull Zane up. "That's what I came to wake you up for. Master Wu's wanting to get back on a normal training schedule now that construction on the monastery's done."
"But my vision—"
"We'll talk about it during training," Jay placated, leading Zane out the door, "Like old times."
"Alright," Zane relented, glancing down at the wild mess of sheets that covered his floor. He'd have to make his bed when he returned.
But then a thought struck him. "Did you push me out of bed?"
Jay's shoulders hiked up to his ears. "You wouldn't wake up! I had to do something!" he defended, voice going shrill.
Zane frowned down at his brother, before shoving him out of his room to change, not letting him see the fond smile that spread across his lips.
"Aw, come on! I'm sorry, Zane!" Jay shouted through the door, "But, like, you and I both know you can take it! So it really shouldn't be a big deal!"
He payed his brother no mind changing quickly before leaving his bedroom to join the others in the courtyard. The gates loomed ahead, standing like an omen for what is sure to come.
Zane fell in line with the rest of his brothers and sister. Jay took the space right next to him. They all stared straight ahead as they waited for their master to begin the lesson.
"I'm glad to see you've finally joined us, Zane," Master Wu's voice came from somewhere to the right, but he did not turn to see. Zane’s eyes fell to the floor as embarrassment crept up the back of his neck.
Master Wu continued, pacing infront of his students, "But let it be known, tardiness will not be tolerated from this moment on. We must have consistency if you are to remain battle ready. To be inconsistent is to grow complacent. That is when you get sloppy! I will not have you grow complacent under my care."
"We're not complacent, Master Wu," Lloyd gave a laugh, stance faltering, "We'd never let ourselves go that badly."
"Maybe so," Master Wu nodded, the brim of his conical hat forming deep shadows across his face, "But are you satisfied with your skills as they are?"
Lloyd raised a brow, glancing warily at the others before answering with a shrug, "I mean, we defeated the oni, so… yeah. I think so."
"You think so," Wu huffed, "Lloyd, your heart stopped for eight minutes."
"I couldn't do anything about that!"
"I know that. Just as I know no one could've prevented Cole falling off the Bounty. But you need to understand that you are not invincible," their master continued grimly, "Over the years, I have been entrusted to teach and protect you all. It is a privilege and responsibility I take very seriously."
His eyes held almost a pleading light to them. Softness in stark contrast to the rigidity of his posture. "We cannot predict the future, but I am not going to risk your lives on complacency."
"I understand, Master Wu," Lloyd nodded, straightening his posture further and looking to the others for encouragement, "But we are not children anymore. What would prove to you that we are ready? Th— That we are fully capable of taking care of ourselves?"
The corner of Master Wu's mouth turned upwards, never a good sign when he was in a mood like this. "You want to prove yourselves, do you? Alright then. Anyone who can beat me in combat is dismissed from training for the day." He hit the end of his staff on the stone ground, marking the beginning of the trial.
The ninja stood stock still, only risking minute glances at each other.
Master Wu watched them all expectantly. "Is no one up to the challenge?" he asked, before pointing the head of his staff at one of them, "Cole, my first student. Care to test your strength?"
The ninja separated, abandoning Cole in face of their Master's attention. "Aw jeez," he swallowed, before stepping forward, falling into fighting stance.
"Go on," Wu motioned for him to start, "I'll let you make the first move."
"I—I just don't wanna hurt you, Master…"
"I may be old, but I am not frail yet. Now, Cole," Wu beat his staff against the stone again, impatience lining his features.
"Okay…" Cole took a breath before striking forward, earning a sharp swing of a bamboo staff to the gut that sent him flying to the side.
"You are easily distracted by sentimentality and fear," Wu said matter-of-factly, "Much like your mother."
Cole pushed himself to his feet, jumping back into the scrimmage. Despite his best efforts, he was bested again. Pinned to the stone of the courtyard, Master Wu declared him a failure.
"Who's next?"
Nya stepped forward, hands on her hips. "I fear nothing," she declared boldly.
Wu smiled in the face of her confidence, awaiting her move.
Once he had beaten her, he announced, "You're growing too cocky. Too much like your brother."
Offended, Kai shouted, "Hey!"
"You must overcome any insecurity rather than mask it," Wu continued, "Fail."
Always eager to prove himself, Kai faced Wu next. Sloppy. When he failed, it was Jay. Anxious. After him it was Zane. Unwilling.
And then it was Lloyd.
"Come on, short stack!" Kai cheered him on from the sidelines.
"Give it everything you got!" Nya added in full faith of her youngest brother.
He was beaten just as easily as the others.
"There is too much going through your mind, nephew," Wu hummed, "You must learn to clear it."
Lloyd huffed, pulling himself up from the ground. "Oh yeah? Sure, we all have our weaknesses, but we've always been stronger as a team. Right guys?" He turned to the others, finding them standing behind him.
"What do you say, Master?" Lloyd looked daringly at his uncle, "Can you face us all at once or are you to scared?"
"Bold words. Let us see if you can back them up," Wu fell into battle stance, "Just know, I will not be going easy on you this time."
"Easy?" Kai frowned.
Wu did not wait for his students to move first. He moved swiftly around the group to sweep Jay below the knees, preying on his unpreparedness.
As they turned, he jabbed Cole in the gut again, the earth master fell back with a groan.
Kai and Nya came at him from both sides. All it took was a quick step out of the way to make the siblings run into each other.
Zane was in front of him now and Wu knew of the many calculations running through the nindroid's mind as he determined the best way to beat him. Luckily, at this point, Jay had gotten back to his feet and was acting recklessly. An ill aimed bolt of lightning struck the ice master, bringing him to his knees. Jay flinched, rushing to his brother's side as he rambled apologies.
Facing Lloyd once again, Wu stood proudly as he waited for his student's next move.
Lloyd didn't falter, bracing himself as he yelled, "Ninja go!" All at once, the entire team lept for their master.
Lost in the scuffle, the ninja shouted over each other, until one finally declared, "I've got his legs!"
They all lifted him victoriously, shocked to find Zane in their hands.
"Those are my legs!" he yelled indignantly.
Their master's sly laugh came from behind them. They turned to find Wu perched on the monastery's steps, a fresh cup of tea in hand.
"Fail," he declared simply, taking a sip of the steaming beverage, "You'll all run through your drills for two hours and then, I'll consider giving you a break."
The ninja groaned, falling into order as they assumed their regular positions.
Training was no longer as strenuous as it used to be. Quite the opposite in fact. It's so ingrained into the ninja's bodies that the forms and movements have become second nature and boring. On the other hand, it made talking amongst themselves easy. Especially when Master Wu left them to their own devices.
"The snake swallowed you whole!" Jay exclaimed in disbelief.
Zane nodded as Cole let out a groan. "I swear to the First Master, it's always snakes. Like, sometimes we get a break from them and then, BOOM! Snakes again…"
"So the snake swallowed you and then you ended up in some ice world?" Nya asked, "What is going on in its stomach?"
"I do not think that's literally in its stomach," Zane clarified, "While this vision was very straight forward, especially compared to others, I do believe that was metaphorical."
"I was being sarcastic, Zane."
"Well, if it's straight forward, what does it mean then?" Kai asked, face set into a deep frown, "Is Ninjago about to get hit with a snowstorm or somethin'?"
"I am unsure," Zane answered, "I often don't fully understand my visions until they come to pass."
Kai rolled his eyes, "Right. I forgot how unhelpful they were."
"At least we know something's coming," Lloyd said, "If the monastery really is going to be attacked by fire snakes, we can ask Pix to upgrade our defenses. Fireproof and stuff."
"What about Master Wu?" Cole asked, "Seems like he oughta know this too."
"He's already in an overprotective mood," Lloyd groaned, "The last thing we need is to give him a reason to be."
"That seems unwise," Zane frowned, "Wu's worries are not unfounded."
Lloyd sighed and he turned away from the droid's disappointed eyes, "I know that, Zane. But we need to put Ninjago first. We're no use if we're just sitting ducks in the monastery."
"'Sides, if the danger is comin' here shouldn't we leave the monastery?" Kai shrugged.
"I don't think that will work," Zane shook his head, "No matter what, my visions always come to pass."
"Well that's just great," Jay sighed, "Can't wait for you to get swallowed whole, Zane."
"I do hope that was metaphorical."
Master Wu was, in fact, a merciful teacher. He let the team off for an early lunch, expecting them all to return on time for afternoon training.
So while Jay and Nya ran off to be all mushy in the city and Zane did whatever he did whenever he wasn't saddled with cooking, Cole, Lloyd and Kai found themselves on the couch, controllers in hand and microwaved pizza on the coffee table.
The round of Lava Zombies had been particularly exciting as Lloyd had been close to finally beating Kai's high score. Unfortunately for him, his character died just short of him reaching the goal. Kai finished off the level with a victory cry.
Cole rolled his eyes and swallowed his bite of pizza, having died much earlier in the round. "Whatever. Let's play something else."
"You just want a game you're actually good at," Kai taunted.
"Duh. Isn't that why you always choose Lava Zombies?"
"Hey! This game is awesome! Way better than playing the sitar," Kai's voice dragged the last syllable obnoxiously.
"Don't you dare mock Sitar Legend," Cole's mouth was wide with indignation, "That series is a classic!"
"When's the next one supposed to come out anyway?" Lloyd asked before taking a bite out of his food.
Cole shrugged, "Uhh… I don't know actually. Should be sometime soon though. They used to put a new game out every couple years."
"It was canceled actually." A voice piped up behind them, causing Cole and Kai to both jump out of their skin. They whipped around to find Pixal standing behind the couch, hands clasped behind her back and wearing a t-shirt Kai recognized from Nya's closet.
"Pix! I told you not to scare people!" Cole explained at the same time as Kai said, "When did you get here!?"
"She's been here a while," Lloyd shrugged, "Pay more attention, ninja. Maybe Master Wu was right."
"Watch it, kid," Cole glared.
"I apologize for frightening you," Pixal bowed her head, "That was not my intention."
"It's okay, Pix. Just give us a heads up next time," Kai sighed, dragging his fingers through his hair.
"I wasn't going to intrude at all, but I've found upon further investigation that Sitar Legend 9 has officially been canceled as of three months ago. After many failed attempts to get the rights to an array of songs and getting wrapped up in a lawsuit, the development team pulled the plug on the project, shelving the series for the foreseeable future," Pixal said, sounding much more like she was reading off a script than genuinely talking.
"Aw man…" Cole slumped in disappointment.
"Do you wanna play?" Lloyd asked, holding up a controller.
Pixal shook her head, showing off the toolbox she'd been holding behind her back. "No thank you. I'm actually on my way to finish a project for Master Wu."
"Well if you need a break, you can come join."
"I appreciate the thought," she smiled, before turning to walk off down the hall.
"That's the third time she's done that to me," Cole complained, turning back to the game with an idle shake of his head, "Was gettin' a snack the other night, I turn around and see two bright green eyes just sitting behind the kitchen counter. She gave me a heart attack and didn't even say anything."
Kai shrugged, "At least you didn't find her in the fridge."
Cole raised a brow, "Why would she be in the fridge?"
Lloyd brushed past the question when Kai didn't answer immediately, busying himself with setting up another game, "Pixal’s always been quiet. You get used to it."
And for a moment, it felt odd. How would Lloyd know Pixal any better than the rest of them? Zane knows her the best obviously, but it's not like Lloyd's hung around her as much as he had, right?
They didn't dwell on it long. There was a match to win and titles to uphold. Lloyd could try acting all-knowing and as mysterious as his uncle all he wanted, it wouldn'tmake him any better at Lava Zombies.
He lost the match again.
Training resumed sometime later. And any thoughts of their master being a merciful teacher were swiftly dashed.
"I see now that training this morning may have been too difficult," he said, walking to a box placed precariously on a stool, "So I have found something that will test your skills without being too challenging."
The ninja watched the box anxiously as whatever was inside moved and thrashed.
"What's in the box?" Jay asked, fear dripping into his voice.
"A highly aggressive predator native to these hills. The walls of this monastery were originally built to keep this species out as the first monks were ill equipped to deal with them," Wu patted the lid of the box, "If you survive this, we shall see about further upping the difficulty of your training."
Disbelief struck Lloyd's face, "Survive?"
But Master Wu paid no mind to their concerns, unlocking the box and walking back into the monastery.
Carefully, Lloyd inched his way to the box as the creature inside continued to thrash about. He drew his sword, using the tip of the blade to push the lid up…
And a chicken popped out.
The ninja relaxed, collectively letting out a collective sigh of relief. Jay doubled over, laughing obnoxiously. "Really funny, Master Wu!" he called back to the monastery, "You really had us going there!"
Seeming to react to the noise, it raced forward, bawking loudly as energy sparked within its feathers until it began to glow blue.
"Uh, guys…" Cole gulped, "I don't think that'sa normal chicken."
"Definitely not normal," Kai agreed as electricity sparked off its feathers.
The courtyard quickly became a mess of ninja, feathers and electricity as they scrambled to get the bird back inside of its box.
Lloyd snuck away from the scuffle, finding refuge inside the monastery. He turned around, jumping in his skin as he found Master Wu and Pixal waiting for him to notice them.
"Wh— What is that thing!" he demanded breathlessly.
"A chicken," Pixal answered simply, turning to bow to his uncle, "I've finished constructing her coop, Master Wu."
Wu gave her a nod, "Thank you, Pixal." He smiled, before turning to Lloyd with a sly chuckle, "Its breed was first raised by the first elemental master of lightning. When he died, they made their home in the lands surrounding this monastery."
"Oh, cool…" Lloyd frowned, "Well, I have a few choice words for Jay's great-something-grandpa."
"I imagine he found unity and companionship with the birds," Wu mused, before his voice turned stern, "Much like how you are supposed to be finding unity with your siblings."
"Oh come on, uncle Wu!" Lloyd whined.
"No buts," he frowned, sliding the doors open to shove Lloyd back outside, "You claim you are grown. Prove it then."
However, the courtyard was shockingly quiet. Wu looked out at his students to find them in a pile, the box that held the chicken sat inconspicuously infront of them.
"We got the chicken…" Cole smiled tiredly.
"It's in the box!" Jay added.
Unimpressed, Wu let out a long sigh. "Congratulations, you've passed," he announced reluctantly.
The ninja gave a little cheer to celebrate their minor victory before deflating once again, worn from the few minutes they'd spent with the animal.
Pixal stepped forward, kneeling infront of the box and reaching for the lid.
The ninja tensed as they realized what she was doing, scrambling to get off of each other and stop her. Jay reached out uselessly for her, "Wait, Pixal don't—"
But Pixal had already slid the lid off, releasing the chicken back out into the courtyard. She opened up her hand, sprinkling what looked like crumbs across the ground.
She stood up, brushing her hand off as she fixed the ninja with a look. "She's hungry," she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
The ninja deflated once again, groaning about how much easier that would've been.