Hey guys, some of you pointed out that I really didn't focus on Mackenzi as a character and her connection with Blake, so I decided to repost this chapter with a bit more information about her character. Hope you enjoy it!

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Kai's P.O.V.:

Skylor was on patrol and Trent was at his mechanic shop he ran with Matt. Amber was now living with her wife and last I heard, she was trying to get pregnant through a donor. I hoped everything was going well for them.

Blake on the other hand, was still living with us. He had picked up a few shifts at Allison and Amber's bakery, but besides that, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. If there was one thing Blake loved more than anything, it was basketball. He was great at the sport and he once brought his team at the community center to the championship. His dream was to be a professional basketball player, but something like that doesn't make a lot of money and it was a hard field to get into.

He was outside practicing his signature move, the fireball slam dunk, in the backyard. I was watching him from the kitchen window. He lit his ball up with his powers, flipped his way to the goal, and tossed the ball in the net. It's a move I've seen him do over a hundred times, but this time, as he grabbed the goal, his shoulder gave out and he plummeted towards the ground, missing the goal. I immediately dropped everything and ran outside.

"Blake!" I ran to him and helped him up. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, I guess I just lost my grip." He said getting up.

He was rolling his shoulder and holding it. I could tell he was a little uncomfortable.

"Are you sure your shoulder isn't bothering you again? I told you we could set up another appointment if you want."

"No, the doctor already cleared me to play. Remember?"

"They don't know how much you've been practicing. I think you should take a break." I said.

"I can't now. My coach at the community center said that a scout from the Ninjago regional team saw my game last week and he's giving me a try out for the team." Blake said. "He said if I do a good job, this could be my ticket to the big leagues."

"What? That's awesome! When were you going to tell us?"

"I was going to do it tomorrow night at dinner when everyone was here." He sighed.

"Oh, so that's why you've been practicing so much." I realized.

"Yeah, you know me. I lose my focus if I don't practice. I mean, I just missed my fireball slam dunk. I invented that move! How could I mess it up?"

"I think it's your shoulder buddy. We should really get it checked out again."

"No I can't!" Blake protested.

"Why not?"

"Because I'm scared about what they'll say." Blake frowned. "What if they say I can never play again? What if my career is over before it even begins? Basketball is all have, it's all I'm good at. If I lose that, then who am I?"

He sat down on the ground and looked at the sky. I sat down next to him.

"Hey buddy, I know this stinks, but none of that changes the fact that you have to do what's best for you and your body. It's better we deal with this now before you push yourself too far and end up getting really hurt. Then your career really would be over for good. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I get it." He frowned.

"The best thing we can do now is take it one step at a time. I'll see if I can get you into urgent care tomorrow and we can go from there. Deal?"

"Deal." He said giving me a fist bump. "Thanks Dad."

"Anytime buddy." I smiled. "Now come inside and cool off. It's getting hot out here anyway."

"Ok." Blake agreed.

We went inside and I ordered a pizza for dinner. Skylor came home and after dinner, I told her what happened to Blake.

"What? Is he ok?" She worried.

"He seems better now, I managed to make him an appointment tomorrow morning."

"Oh, I'm working a case right now, but I can take the day off to go with you."

"No babe, I can handle it. It's just really upsetting him that he might not be able to try out for regionals now."

"He got a try out for regionals? That's amazing!" She smiled.

"Yeah, he was going to tell everyone at dinner tomorrow night, but now he's not sure if he's gonna get to try out if his shoulder benches him." I frowned.

"Oh poor Blake, that must be so hard." Skylor frowned.

"I know it is, but I'd rather him not play than end up severely injuring himself." I said. "I guess we'll just have to see what the doctor says and then go from there."

"Yeah, let me know what happens ok?" She asked.

"I will. Good night."

"Night." She kissed my cheek and went up to the bedroom.

I knew Skylor had a long day, so I decided to give her some time to herself. I decided to go and check on Blake.

"Hey buddy, you feeling better?" I asked.

"Yeah Dad, I feel fine. I think I was just practicing too much." He said.

"I made you an appointment in the morning to have a doctor look at your shoulder."

"Ok." He sighed. "Do you think I'll still be able to try out?"

"We'll see ok?" I said.

"Ok." He frowned. "Good night Dad."

"Night buddy." I said closing the door.

I went to bed. Hopefully everything will work out with Blake, but if it doesn't, I hope he finds something else that makes him happy.

The next day...

Blake and I got ready and I took him to urgent care for his appointment. The doctor did an X ray, an ultrasound, and did some more test, now we just waiting on the results.

"Dad?" Blake looked at me. "What if I can never play basketball again?"

"Then, you keep moving until you find something else that you're just as good at."

"But I love basketball! I can't just give it up. Other than being a junior ninja, it's been my entire life."

"I know buddy, but things like this happen. Let's just see what the results come up with and we'll go from there. One step at a time ok?"

"Ok." He sighed.

A few minutes went by and then the doctor came in with the results. She pulled in the ultrasound screen and showed us the picture they took of his shoulder.

"Well Mr. Smith, nothing showed up on your X-ray, but when we did the ultrasound on your shoulder, we found that you tore your rotator cuff."

"Is it serious?" I asked.

"If left untreated, it can cause you immense pain and you can limit the movements in your shoulder."

"Does that mean I have to quit playing basketball?" Blake frowned.

"Well, since you're an athlete that's probably why the problem has persisted this long." She said.

"Well it has been sore lately." My son frowned.

"However, there may be some treatment options."

"Like what?" Blake asked.

"Well we could put you on pain medication, weekly physical therapy, or there's a simple surgery that could reattach the ligaments. That would solve your problem." The doctor said.

"Ok let's do that!" Blake blurted out.

"Whoa Blake, you don't just rush into things like this." I said. "There's a lot to think about before you make that kind of decision."

"Dad, this is the only way I can get better to play basketball again and make it to my try out next month." He said.

"There's more to surgery than just the procedure part." The doctor explained. "With the recovery time it'll take about 6 months until you're cleared to play again."

"Oh, so even if I do the surgery, I won't get to try out for regionals?" Blake frowned.

"I'm sorry, not this year, but if you do the surgery now and you get the same opportunity next year then I see no reason you can't try out then." She said.

"But what do I do while I'm waiting?" He frowned.

"You'll find something Blake, but the important thing is for you to be healthy, and pushing your body to its limits isn't going to help anything." I told him.

"Fine, how soon can I do the surgery?" Blake asked.

"I can refer you to specialist at the hospital that can get you in by next week." The doctor said writing us a note.

"Ok." Blake said. "Thanks."

We asked a few more questions and then I checked Blake out of the building and took him home. He spent most of the drive looking out the window. I knew he was upset.

"Blake, I know it sucks, but this is for the best ok?"

"I know." He frowned. "At least I can try out next year, right?"

"That's the spirit." I smiled.

"I guess." He sighed.

When we got home, Blake ran to his room. I watched some TV and waited for my family show up. Amber and Allison wanted to arrange a dinner all together because they had some exciting news to share. I just hope Blake isn't too disappointed that he won't be able to try out for regionals now. I knew he was really excited about that.

Skylor came home and she immediately asked me what happened with Blake, so I told her everything. Needless to say she wasn't too happy.

"Surgery? Kai why would you let him say yes to that?"

"The doctor said it was a simple procedure. Plus this way he'll be able to try out next year, it seemed like the best option." I said.

"I really hope you're right about this." She frowned.

Later that day we were all at dinner with Amber, her wife Allison and Trent. Amber and Allison made a special announcement that they were both pregnant! We were so happy for them and Skylor and I couldn't wait to be a grandparents and the boys were looking forward to being uncles.

"Blake, didn't you say you had something to tell us too?" Trent asked him.

"Well I did, but now I'm not going to do it anyway." Blake frowned.

"What was it?" Amber asked him.

"I... I got an opportunity to try out for the regional basketball team, but the doctor said when I dislocated my shoulder on the island it tore my rotator cuff and now it's not strong enough to play again." He frowned.

"Oh Blake, I'm so sorry." Trent frowned.

"It's ok, there's a surgery that can fix it, but then I can't play till next year." Blake frowned. "I don't know how I'm gonna pass that time."

"I may know of something." Trent said. "One of my customers I had today is a teacher that works at the middle school. He said the basketball coach there is moving to Nom and they're looking to hire a new coach."

"Well, it would give me something to do while my shoulder heals." Blake said.

"He's coming by tomorrow to pick up his car. Do you want me to see if he can get you an interview?" Trent asked.

"Yeah, that'd be awesome! Thanks Trent." Blake smiled.

"No problem." Trent smiled.

Three weeks later...

Blake's P.O.V.:

My surgery was done two weeks ago and my arm had to stay in a sling for two months. It was hard to resist the urge to play basketball, but today I started my new job as a coach at the middle school. I was really excited about it. If I couldn't play, at least I could do this.

I walked into the gym and saw a group of boys sitting on the bench in matching red jerseys. Their mascot was the Fireballs, which I thought was fitting.

"Ok, hello everyone. I'm your new coach, Coach Smith." I introduced myself. "We're gonna have a great season this year. Are there any questions?"

A boy with brown hair raised his hand. I called on him.

"What happened to your arm?" He asked.

"It's a long story, but I dislocated my shoulder a long time ago and it turned into a worse injury. Anyway, next question." I said. Another boy with blond hair raised his hand. "Yes?"

"Are you a good basketball player?" He asked.

"Yes I am, I actually got a chance to try out for regionals, but I can't now because of my shoulder." I frowned. It still upset me to think about that missed opportunity. "Alright, that's enough questions. Let's start with some stretches."

They spread out on the gym floor and I talked them through the stretches. Then we practiced with some layups and went over the basic rules and positions of the game.

Half way through our practice, a girl coach walked in with 6 other girls. They started stretching on the other side of the gym.

"Take a water break boys, I'll see what's going on." I said.

The team went to the locker room to grab their water bottles. I walked over to the girls. The coach had chestnut hair in a ponytail and blue eyes.

"Hey, excuse me." I got the coach's attention. "What are you girls doing here?"

"Oh, you must be the new boys basketball coach." She said. "I'm Coach Mackenzi Morris of the girls team, but you can call me Mack."

"Ok well, this is our place to practice so you need to find somewhere else to go." I said.

"Well, I'll let it slide because you're new here, but due to budget cuts, we get to practice at the same time. Surely you read the newsletter right?" Mack said.

"Oh, um... maybe I skimmed over that part." I lied. I didn't read it. "Anyway, we need the space to practice so you guys can go on the outside court."

"Oh we were, but then it started raining and the court gets slippery when it's wet. And why should you boys automatically get the gym anyway? Just because you're men and you think you're stronger than us?"

"What no, I wasn't trying to..." I blushed.

"Alright, how about this? Your boys beat my girls in a match on Friday, and we'll let you have the gym." Mack said. "Loser has to practice at the outdoor court for the rest of the season."

"Ok, you're on." I gave her a fist bump.

I looked back at my team sitting on the bench. One of the girls accidentally sent a basketball flying towards them and they started freaking out and running around. One kid even hid under the bleachers. I was in way over my head. I knew I had a lot of work to do.

"Ok everyone, back on the court." I told them. "Huddle up!"

We all got together in a big circle. The boys looked nervous and confused.

"Ok boys, the girls have challenged us to a high stakes game of basketball on Friday. If we win, we get the gym to ourselves."

"We can't beat them. We're terrible." One of the boys said.

"You guys may be struggling a little Timmy, but you all have potential to be great players. It's my job as a coach to help you achieve it, you guys just need to meet me half way and show a little effort." I smiled. "Do you think you can do that for me?"

"Um... I guess." The blonde boy said.

"Good enough. Fireballs on 3!" We all put our hands in. "1, 2, 3!"

"Fireballs!" We all screamed.

We went through some more drills and I talked them through it. By the end of the practice, they had mastered dribbling and passing the ball. But when I looked at Mack's team, her girls were already making baskets and stealing the ball. That was way more impressive than what we did. Tomorrow we'd have to practice even harder.

Over the next few days, my team was actually coming along pretty great. They could make passes, score baskets, dribble, I was really impressed. I was really liking this coaching thing.

Before I knew it, Friday was here and it was time for my team to face off against the girls team. They had been practicing all week for this and I knew they could do it.

"Ok, looking good everyone." I said after we were done stretching. "Are we ready for the game?"

"I don't know coach. The girls are really good." One boy said.

"I know Kevin, but we can do it." I smiled.

"Yeah, I don't know if we can take them." Another boy said.

"Yes Anthony, they're strong, but we have grit. We can do this." I said. "Hands in."

We all put our hands in the center and did our sound off. The kids all took their positions and the game began. I watched and coached them from the sidelines as Mack came up to me.

"Gotta say, you've done a great job with them new guy." Mack said.

"Well your team is pretty tough too." I smiled. "And my name isn't new guy, it's actually Blake."

"Oh, now I know why you look so familiar!" She said. "You look like that kid from the community center's team that always had that really cool fireball move."

"The fireball slam dunk, yeah that was my signature move." I blushed.

"Why did you quit? You were at the top of your career." She said.

"I know, I had a chance to try out for the regional team, but I couldn't." I said, gesturing towards my sling.

"Oh I see." Mack frowned.

"It's ok, I can try out next year." I sighed. "I think I'm actually liking this coaching thing though."

"I wish I got a second chance." Mackenzie sighed.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

She lifted her pant leg and showed her prosthetic leg. I felt embarrassed that I didn't know about it.

"Oh I'm sorry, I had no idea." I said.

"It's ok, I keep it covered because it freaks people out at first." Mack said. "And to answer your next question, I was in a bad car accident when I was 18. I had earned a full basketball scholarship at Ninjago State, but then a week before my first practice, I was hit by a drunk driver. The force of the hit threw me from the car and my leg didn't come with me."

"That sounds horrible." I frowned.

"I honestly don't remember much. All I remember was a big flash of light and waking up the in the hospital without my leg." Mack said. "The only thought going through my head at the time, was I'm never going to play basketball again, and my career is dead."

"I know that feeling." I looked at my sling.

"But after some sole searching and a lot of physical therapy, I decided to try to coaching and was able to find something I really love." She smiled at the girls on the court. "I wouldn't trade this for anything."

"Yeah, I'm starting to like it too." I smiled. "Just look at how happy they are."

"Well I'm glad to hear it." She smiled. "You have the heart of a champion coach Blake, now you can pass it on to your students."

"Yeah, I think the game really motivated the boys to do their best. I've seen some real progress in them the last few days."

"Well that was the point silly." She winked at me.

"Wait, you never wanted the gym all to yourself?" I asked.

"Of course not, I just wanted to see your team give it their all and it looks like it worked." Mack said.

I looked back at the game and Kevin passed the ball to Anthony who took the shot and made a 2 pointer goal. Then the clock ran out and I looked at the score board. We had won by two points. My team was jumping around and celebrating.

"Great job boys!" I yelled.

"We can keep sharing the gym, and maybe after practice on Monday we can go out to celebrate?"

"Yeah, sounds great." I smiled. Then I realized. "Wait, did you just ask me on a date?"

"Yeah, is that cool?"

"Oh yeah, that's... cool." I blushed. "See you Monday."

"See you then Blake." Mack said before she went back to her team.

Come that Monday, we went out to dinner and had a great time. I actually had a lot in common with her. A few dates later, she ended up being my girlfriend. Maybe my dad was right, I did find something else that I was really good at.