A/N: Hey, I hope you all are having a great start to 2025. As promised, I am going to upload my new Ninjago original story. But first, a little prologue)

--

Hayden had a lot going on ever since he got the letter regarding his termination from the Ninjago City Police, and it was still eating him alive. And now, he had two weeks' worth of unexplained absences to explain the reason, and also turn in his uniform, badge and gun. Once he handed them in, he would learn that Dragon wants to train him in the art of Spinjitzu, and become a Ninja himself, to be an official member, the Umber Ninja. Which would also mean moving back in the monastery, but Dragon told him it's the way it had to be.

--

At the police station, Hayden looks at the building for what he assumed the last time before he heads inside.

--

In his office, Navis was painting a model boat as he precisely brushes up underneath the railing and was near the end when door knocking interrupted him, shocking him and making him raise his paint brush high, hitting the railing. "Darn it!" He muttered, looking at the damage. "Not again!"

"Uh, is this a bad time, Commissioner?" Hayden was heard through the door.

Upon hearing his voice, Navis puts the brush down. "No, no, come in, come in." The door opens and Hayden enters. "Ah, just in time to explain why you have some unexplained absences, and-" He looks closer at him. "Where's your uniform?"

"In here." Hayden tosses the parcel on the desk, shaking the contents on it a little. "Along with my badge and service weapon."

Navis was soon confused. "What is the meaning of this?"

"You fired me."

"What do you mean?"

Hayden gets out the letter, unfolds it and looks at it to read it aloud. "'Dear, King Vangelis of Shintaro. I, Commissioner Sailor Navis...' Amusing name." Hayden couldn't see behind Navis' enormous moustache, but he was pouting a little. "'...of the Ninjago City Police Department, approve the request to relieve the department of Police Officer Hayden Finlay Salvos, aka Mantis, effective immediately, once this letter has reached you. Whatever punishment he deserves has been approved. Regards, S. Navis.'" He folds the letter as Navis was surprised. "It's even got your signature on it."

"I didn't write that. Give it to me." Hayden hands him the letter and Navis unfolds it to look at the supposed signature before looking at it with the magnifying glass. "No, no, no. This isn't how my signature is done. The 'N' stands on its own and the 'V' is supposed to be shorter. I'll have someone look into this." He puts the letter down before looking at the parcel. "Do you still want to go through with the resignation, son? You have been an excellent addition to our force. Perfect record of arrests, excellent firearms accuracy, experienced interrogator and being a great friend to us all, as well as the Ninja. In fact, when you were able to help solve the case of the missing people who entered Prime Empire, even risking your own life to enter it, I believed that it should be time to give you the rank of Corporal."

Hayden was completely surprised. "Really? You're promoting me?"

"Absolutely. If the resignation doesn't stand."

He soon nods. "It would be an honour. Thank you, Commissioner."

"You're welcome, Corporal Salvos. You may begin tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." Hayden takes the parcel and leaves the room, closing the door. "YES!" His excited voice was heard behind the door, making Navis shake his head.

"Just like his father."

--

In the living room at the monastery a few minutes later, Lloyd, Kai, Jay, Zane, Cole, Nya, Geoff, Gewuji, Blake, P.I.X.A.L., Cirrus, Maggie and Dragon were waiting for their potential new Ninja as a package was next to Dragon before the doors open and they all see Hayden come in, holding the parcel under his arm. "Hey, how did it go?" Lloyd asked as they all stood up.

"Did he take it well?" Blake asked.

"What was his reaction?" Zane asked.

They kept bombarding him with questions, until Hayden had enough. "I'M NOT FIRED!" He yelled as best as he could. They all stop asking upon hearing what he said. "The letter was a fake. I was never fired. Someone forged the Commissioner's signature."

"So, does that mean you won't be a Ninja?" Jay asked.

"Maybe in the future, Jay. But, I only came to tell you that I have been promoted. I'm now Corporal."

"Well, congratulations." Gewuji said, coming up to her boyfriend and presses her lips on his left cheek.

"Then, we should go out and celebrate." Kai said.

"I shall book us a table at Master Chen's at once." Zane replied, turning away.

"Guys, you don't have to." Hayden said.

"No, we're serious." Lloyd replied. "You've been promoted, and that deserves a little reward."

"Okay then." They start leaving the living room to head out to celebrate Hayden's promotion. "But still, I wonder who would send a false letter to Vangelis."