- Jay -

The guys and I were sitting at the brig of the Bounty. We were there because Nya was showing us a lesson that could be useful for fighting serpentines, with (name)'s help. As Nya pulled away a sheet of cloth, it revealed a serpentine's old skeleton.

"Some villagers unearthed the remains of this Fangpyre a few miles away," she named specifically. "According to researchers, and (name)'s confirmation, it predates the Golden age, and must be hundreds of years old. Although the venom in the fangs of the Fangpyre genetically mutates human cells into reptilian, I've learned there could be a way to stop the effects without having to create an antivenom."

"Boys, I hope you're all paying attention. This will be important." (Name) reminded us before Nya finished her point.

"If one is able to wildly raise their heart rate, hypothetically it could reverse the venom's effects. Resulting in...d-diminished.."

"Nya? Are you alright?" (Name) asked concerned.

"Y-yeah, uh-- Is someone wearing perfume? I'm severely allergic to perfume."

I panicked a little after hearing that. I leaned over to Kai, who was sitting next to me, and whispered, "you told me it was men's cologne."

To which he shrugged, "eh, I get them mixed up." And he laughed with Zane and Cole.

"Kai, as harmless that joke might have been, I'm sure that you knew fully well that your sister is allergic to that perfume stuff."

"It's okay, (name)," Nya waved it off, "I should be fine as long as I'm not exposed to it for too long."

Honestly, I agreed with (name). Kai's prank would be funny if Nya wasn't allergic to perfume, but he knew I wanted to impress her, instead he makes me look like an idiot. Eh, whatever, it is his sister after all. I should apologize though.

"Ah, looks like class is over." Cole stretched after getting up from his seat. "Time to start stomping some Serpentine before they find any Fangblades."

"Sounds like a plan!"

"I'm excited to join." Kai and Zane added, just before (name) popped through.

"Hey-hey-hey! You guys still have combat practice with me before anything else..."

As the voices faded out the door, it was just me and Nya left in the room. This was my chance to talk to her. As Nya was cleaning up her lesson, I walked up to her with apologetic eyes.

"Hey, Nya, I'm sorry," I started off. "The reason I was- you know- I went to Kai because--" I was already getting jitters and struggling to find the words. Nya was just so cool and pretty, I couldn't help but get my tongue tied around her. "Look, what I want to say was-"

"I know, it's just a cruel joke. I should be fine," she shrugged off, "please, go fight snakes."

"Nononono, I was trying to impress you!" I finally blurted out. "Before Sensei left, he said our hearts were the key to unlocking our true potential."

Nya looked away all bashful. "Impress me? But I look so.."

"Fantastic~" I decided it was time to shoot my shot. "Maybe, if you would like I can take you to some big fancy restaurant? I mean, you don't have to. If you don't want to."

"You mean, like a date?"

"Uhm...yeah?"

"Sure! I'd love to! But I have to go now before the perfume toxins enter my bloodstream and I go into shock. See you tonight!" She waved before leaving the brig.

I excitedly pumped my fist in the air. "Yes!!" This was my chance! I did a little victory dance to celebrate until I felt a prick on my hand. I saw that it came from touching the serpentine fang, but it was just a poke. I shrugged it off as I left to get ready for my date with Nya.

#~#~#~#

- Sensei Wu -

After going through the Traveler's Tea portal, I had made it to the underworld. It was a dark and cold place as it's sky was crimson red. The whole atmosphere sent chills down my spine, but I remain calm and collected. Then, I heard a voice I was hoping to find.

"Hello brother... What took you so long?" The voice belonged to none other than my older brother, Garmadon. "You brought the katana from our youth, with you. Funny, you never had the courage to cross the temple wall, yet now you have the courage to come here?" He said, trying to get under my skin.

"Why have you come to this place of darkness?" I questioned him.

"A place as wicked as me? Don't you see, brother? While I respect our old friend, (name), and her reasons to resent this realm. Here, I feel at home," Garmadon claimed. "Back in Ninjago, I was physically unable to hold all four Spinjitzu weapons. But here, dark, divine magic has made me stronger.. and what was once impossible is now possible!"

As my brother turned around to face me, I saw that he had grown a new pair of arms. Garmadon smiled devilishly as I gasped, "you came here only to possess the weapons of Spinjitzu?!"

"Yes, brother, and I refuse to allow you or your petty ninja to stop me!"

Garmadon summoned his own weapons and charged at me. I pulled out my katana and engaged in the fight. Despite the Devourer's bite fully taking over my brother, I still loved him. But he had turned into a being I no longer recognized. And yet, he's still my brother, and it was his son who was in danger. I had to tell him about Lloyd before this drags for too long.

My brother knocked me down the hill we were on, and before he had the chance to land another blow, I got up and used my Spinjitzu to move away. But suddenly, three monsters rose from the muck where I stood. They had me cornered.

"Brother, I've not come here to--"

"You will pay for your visit!" He cut me off, "mud monsters, converge!"

And they did as instructed. The monsters caught me in between them as I was now stuck in their disgusting messes. I tried pulling, clawing myself out while my brother picked me in my loss.

"You don't belong here, old fool. You should've known better than to try to stop me!"

I didn't care about what he was saying. All I could think about was my nephew, the Serpentine, and the threat that is coming to Ninjago. Garmadon needed to know!

"I didn't come to stop you! I came to warn you! To tell you-" It began getting harder for me to resist against the mud monsters. I was beginning to sink, but with the little strength I still had, I finally managed to say, "your son's in danger-!"

"Lloyd?"

Thankfully, Garmadon pulled me out of the mud last second. I gasped for air as my brother picked me up from the ground I collapsed on.

"Tell me, what has Lloyd gotten himself into?"

"He has opened a can of worms I fear I will never be able to close."

"You mean, we will never be able to close. You can tell me more later, but first we need to return home. How did you find me?"

"Traveler's Tea. But I used it and now I have no way back."

"There's only one way to return to Ninjago. But to get there, we must pass through the Mountain of Madness and it is a long and dangerous road ahead."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Then, we should leave. Before it really gets dark.."

#~#~#~#

- You -

It had been at least an hour after combat practice with the ninja. I taught them a few tricks and techniques to use when fighting the certain types of Serpentine. It was an idea both Wu and I came up with before his departure. It's only been three days since then, but, I hoped everything was going well while looking for his brother. Beila's Retreat was a very harsh dystopian world I used to call home. And it's land was vast, Wu would have to be very lucky to find him immediately where he entered.

I shook my head. That's not for me to worry about. My task was to find Lloyd, the Fangblades, and help the ninja reach their true potential. Zane managed to unlock his, so I knew I'm doing something right. Everything will be fine.

"Don't worry, Lloyd.." I muttered, looking out of my bedroom window, "we'll rescue you soon."

I decided it was about time to head back up to the bridge and see if Pythor was on the move. As I walked, I heard someone talking in the bathroom. I recognized the voice to come from Jay.

"-its just a rash, it'll probably just go away. You're gonna do great, Jay. This is your chance to shine. Heh-heh!"

"Is everything okay in here?"

"Gyah!" Jay yelped as I took him by surprise. "Oh, jeez, (Name)..it's just you..."

"Well, aren't you jumpy." I chuckled a bit, but then I noticed what he was wearing and a smirk grew on my lips. "Aaahh~ Let me guess, going somewhere with a certain..bob-cut lady~?"

Jay blushed as he rubbed the back of head bashfully. "Yeah, I'm finally going for it. I'm gonna impress Nya and woo her with my manly charms." He says, while petting his combed hair.

I, however, could only squint at the blue ninja with confusion. I did over hear him a bit earlier- oh my gods, don't tell me. "You're not really gonna tell Nya that you invented Spinjitzu, are you?"

"Y-you heard that?!"

"The door was slightly open, Jay." The man pouts but I just sighed. "Listen, I may have lived a long time, but I know nothing about romantic relationships. Hell, I've never even been in one. But what I think people would value most in any relationship is: honesty. Why should you say a bunch of things that you are not?"

"Because...I don't know. I think I just wanna prove to Nya that I can be manly, strong, and smart. Like someone that can do anything. You really haven't thought about having a partner that are these things?"

"Again, never been in a relationship in all my past lives. And if I did want a partner, sure, maybe. But if it's based on lies, would I really even know that person in the end?"

I saw how Jay's expression seem to take in what I was saying. I may have rained on his parade a little, but if he was serious about getting together with Nya, they both deserve the best from each other. It won't do them any good when lies are involved, it could even put them in danger.

"Forgive me, Jay, I didn't mean to discourage you. That was just my opinion and advice. Sorry."

"No, no. It's okay, (name). You're right, I don't know why I would say I invented Spinjitzu. That would make me hecka old!"

"Much older, older than Wu, if anything. And we all know how ANCIENT I am." I laughed as I make my way out the door. "Hehe, well, I'll let you finish getting ready. See ya."

- Jay -

After (name) left the bathroom, I looked at myself again in the mirror. Should I really tone down the exaggerations? I really liked Nya and I wanted her to be bedazzled by me. But, what if (name) was onto something?

"...ehh, maybe I'll just say small lies. Just enough to make Nya more impressed. It never really hurt anyone." I combed through my hair one more time and snapped my fingers as I winked at my reflection. "It's show time~!"

I slid into the Bridge as the guys and (name) were inside. As I walked confidently, Cole noticed and gave me friendly tease.

"Woah-hO! Where are you going, Mr. Fancy?"

"Didn't you hear? I'm taking Nya to a nice restaurant. A really nice restaurant-"

"You might wanna change your plans," Kai interrupted. "The Bridge just picked up evidence of Serpentine activity over at Mega-Monster Amusement Park."

We all looked at the monitors. On it, there was an image screenshot of the Serpentine taking pictures with civilians. It was like they were blending in with the attractions perfectly.

"Hey, that's Pythor!" I pointed out.

"Pythor would not be there for fun. We believe a Fangblade might be buried underneath the park." Said Zane.

"Well, we can't let them get it!.. Oh, but my date.." I remembered.

"Jay, if they get all four of them, Pythor can unleash the Great Devourer. Get your priorities straight, man."

I hung my head in disappointment. This was gonna suck, not just for me, but for Nya too when I tell her I have to cancel.

"Wait, I think there might be a better way to solve this." But, fortunately, (name) had a better idea.