Chapter 1
(Haley's POV)
"We got a letter!" I shouted for the whole group to hear. "Who got a letter?" Hannah asked sitting down on the couch. "It's addressed to all the occupants of the Destiny's Bounty," I read the sticker aloud. "Well read it woman!" Callia yelled. I tore open the envelope and pulled out a gold edged invitation. "What is it?" Kai asked sitting next to Hannah. "It says we're all invited to the Ninjago Masquerade Ball this weekend," I said reading the fancy manuscript of the thick paper "all of Ninjago is gathered to rejoice in the peace we share due to the ninja, samurai, and their honored Sensei." "Alright! Some recognition!" Jay shouted. "I don't know about you guys," Bonnie says "but I wanna get my dance on!" "It says to dress formal but festive and everyone wears masks," I said explaining the details. "Oooooooh! We get to go dress shopping!" Callidora yelled. "That means we get to pick out a dress for you sis!" Hannah said pointing to me. "Wo! I never said I'd go!" I said holding up my hands in defense. "Of course you're going! There's gonna be hot guys there!" Calliope said smiling. "But I'm not much of a party girl," I said narrowing my eyes at her. "Yes you are, you're a great singer," Hannah! Why did she have to say that! I started to blush a bit. "Hannah, you know I have stage fright. I can't stand in front of a crowd without losing my nerve." "But your voice is really pretty," Connie said sitting next to Lloyd with his arm around her waist. "Besides, no one who would judge will know who you are if you're wearing a mask," Bonnie said "plus Cole is supposed to cook that night and I love him but I'm never in the mood to vomit up my own stomach." I chuckled."Fine I'll go," I said. "And we will be going to," Kim said "but we need to be asked." Zane turned to her, "But we're already dating, why do I need to ask you?" "Not just you Zane," Connie said facing Lloyd "we all have to be asked. All of us. In a very spectacular and romantic way." "She's right Kai, a very romantic way to ask me to the ball," Hannah said. "But what's romantic?"Cole asked. "Fireworks or a bouquet of roses, a dove with a letter in around its foot or sky writing, or a skydiver with the words on its parachute," Bonnie fantasized. "Or a shining knight on a horse, fireflies at night, swans in the pond or a parrot trained to ask," now Nya started. "And cookies that make the letters in the sentence, a romantic dinner at a high point at sunset, the words across a jumbo screen or a hot air balloon ride over the landscape to see flowers planted in the words," Hannah said. "A trip to a butterfly sanctuary, a stroll through a rose garden, sitting in a gazebo with birds singing or being at the beach with dolphins jumping and swimming in the warm water," Connie said sighing and smiling as she imagined romance. "It has to come from the heart basically," Calista said. "And you all will need tuxedos," Bonnie said. "And we'll need hair, makeup, dresses, jewelry…" "WE GET TO GO SHOPPING!" Callidora yelled smiling. "What is all the noise pupils?" Sensei asked walking into the room. "Ninjago is having a masquerade ball in our honor," Zane said. "Ah, sounds like fun," he said smiling. "But we need to be asked first," Kim said twirling her figure around Zane's nose. "In a romantic way," Connie detailed as she leaned on Lloyd's shoulder. "Ha, well, I'm being forced to go," I said setting to envelope and letter on the table. "Come on, everyone knows you got the perfect legs for a dress," Hannah said making me blush. "Hannah, why would you say that?" "Because you never wear clothes that show your figure. It's good so show it off!" "Just stop talking," I said turning my face so no one could see my face. "Well boys," I said plopping down on the couch "it's Monday so you have 'bout five days to ask your girl out." "In a romantic way," Nya clarified. I chuckled at the persistence in these girls. Of course, I'd never admit it, but I wish I could get asked in a romantic way by my guy. But Lord Garmadon isn't going to just ask me to the ball. This isn't a Cinderella story.
(NO POV- at Garmadon's evil lair)
Lord Garmadon was pacing his chamber back and forth while waiting for intel he could actually use. "Lord Garmadon," Skales slithered into the room "we have gotten word from scouts that there is a masquerade ball being held in the ninja's honor." The dark lord looked up from the floor. "This could be a chance to get them off their guard," he says grinning "we will need disguises." "Yes Lord Garmadon," Skales spits out and slithers away leaving Garmadon to his thoughts. 'So the ninja will attend this ball, but that means Lloyd will be there also; and probably their friends from the other world. That means that Haley will be there too. I don't know, she's nice. I can't ask her out, it's not right or evil. But once I'm there they won't know it's me, what if I stole a dance or two. It's not evil, but I'd prefer it actually. She's probably one of the only people I could call a 'friend'. Actually, I think she might be the only person I could say is a 'friend'. But friend doesn't feel like the right word, something more close to me. Like family or partner, but more. UHG! This is why I'm not good with emotions! They get in my way and confuse me! But still… I can't get her out of my head. I don't understand why I think of her differently.' The dark lord continued to pace his room in confusion and turmoil over his own emotions. He finally gave up trying to figure it out tonight and chose to sleep on his uncomfortable, almost unusable bed.