Disclaimer: Ninjago is not mine; however, I do own the characters and the story idea.
Hey people! Just wanna say that my tumblr page is up and I posted some concept art. I'll be posting more, but I'm gonna get in depth about that at the bottom. Also, since Valentine season is upon us, I'm giving you guys three different Valentine stories that connect into one at the end of this three parter and celebrate the love and friendship we feel at this time…..but every relationship has its surprises. ;)
Now, let's a go!
Chapter 24: Valentine's Special (Part 1)
In the Dying Kingdom….
"My King, I beg you to have mercy on me!" Gashadokuro said with a tremble in his voice. He was kneeling before Onryō's prison, while the others watched from the entrance's shadows. What Gashadokuro said while he was fighting those pesky humans had pushed the King's buttons, and he had immediately teleported the skeleton with what little power he had for punishment.
"Mercy?" Onryō asked. "I'm the King of Death and Disintegration, the Demon King. I've dedicated my existence to crushing that Spirit Queen with my own hands, and everything and everyone she cares for. I don't have time for mercy."
The others had quickly looked away and tried to block out the sounds of what they knew was coming. They tried so hard not to hear the snap of their King's claws, or the screams of Gashadokuro that rose in volume. They tried not to hear his pleas that were swallowed up as he was; and, of course, they definitely tried not hear him fade away into darkness. The only clear thing they heard was the echo of their King's collapse as he passed out into a deep slumber.
"He's gone," Harionago said as she clung onto Jorōgumo's arm. "T-t-the King just…. King Onryō just…"
Jorōgumo stroked her thorn hair in comfort. "We've all experienced that punishment, and we all know that he'll bring Gashadokuro back. But this is a strong reminder. We can't bring…her back up."
"You think that it's so easy…"Kitsune scoffed, "but it's not. Especially since the one who got rid of her is the closest to the King." He rolled his eyes at Goryō and got a glare in response, making the fox quickly look away.
"There was no other choice… We all did what we had to do back during Dominance. The name itself taught us something: Only one be the victor over all, and that's what our Queen planned to do." Goryō stopped as he peeked back in the Throne Room at the sleeping demon.
"We're going to attack those humans," he said without turning his head. "But not today or tomorrow, the timing isn't right. We'll attack in a week."
"A week?!" Kitsune whisper-yelled. "I know we have to plan, but why a week? What's happening in one week that gives us a chance to attack those humans?!"
One week later….
"Happy Valentine's Day, guys!" Maria said as she brought breakfast to five terrified ninja. She set a plate in front of each of them, allowing them to glance at the deadly food. Red heart-shaped pancakes that looked raw in the middle as they had a lighter color, piled on with scoops of cream cheese and, to top it off, they were soaked to the center with red syrup. They all just gulped as she stared at them, waiting eagerly for them to take a bite.
"You wouldn't mind explaining what you made for us, right, Maria?" Jay asked with a squeak in his voice as he swore he saw his food move.
"They're pancakes, of course. But since it's Valentine's Day, I made them like a red velvet cake to celebrate. So dig in!"
They all cut a piece and slowly put it in their mouths, the disgusting stench becoming more present.
Knock, knock, knock!
"I think that's the mailman. I'll get it!" The Pink Ninja ran to the door, having the others run to the kitchen, open the window and toss out the food. They quickly ran back and acted like they had eaten and were satisfied, just in time as Maria walked in with a package. "Wow, you guys really wolfed it down this time!"
"Well, you outdid yourself this time. We couldn't stop after the first bite," Cole said.
"Really?" she asked. "I guess if you like it that much, I could make a special Valentine's Day dinner tonight."
"NO!" they screamed in unison. Maria had jumped back at the sudden outburst, that they quickly tried to explain it.
"What we meant to say is that we all have plans tonight," Zane said calmly. "It would be a waste of food, especially since it will be only you and Lloyd. Sensei and Misako won't be coming back until later when they're done with their research."
"I guess that makes sense…" she muttered.
"It was gonna be a waste of food anyway," Jay whispered to Nya.
"Did you say something, Jay?"
The Blue Ninja shot up. "I said…I have a big date with Nya tonight, and it would be a waste of a reservation." He quickly slung an arm around his girlfriend and gave a nervous chuckle.
"And I planned a trip with P.I.X.A.L at Borg Industries to try out the new virtual reality he's been working on."
"And I got a date with Skyler," Kai said with a smirk.
"You mean you're going over to her place to beg her to at least talk to you, right?" Cole asked teasingly.
"No! I've got a real date, unlike a certain someone I know who's practically breaking into the Cake Factory."
"I'm not banned from there anymore! I can go in like any other civilized person!"
"Except you're not," Kai mumbled under his breath.
"Well, I hope you all have a good time," Maria said as she picked up their dishes. "By the way, when I mentioned Valentine's Day to Lloyd last night, he seemed kinda depressed and upset. Do any of you guys know…why?" But the Ninja had left when her back was turned, leaving her alone.
"Well..have a good time, guys," she said quietly to herself. "I really hope you didn't hit anyone when you threw the food out the window."
It was evening when Jay and Nya had left for their date. The two had dressed in the same attire they wore on their first date to try and make up for that time at the Mega Monster Amusement Park. They landed in the front of one of the most expensive and exclusive restaurants in Ninjago; Chez Ninja.
They linked arms and walked in together, and were quickly led to the balcony by the waiter, upon noticing their faces. He pulled back a thick velvet curtain to reveal a white-clothed table for two, illuminated by a candle in the center and the lights of the city.
"Wow, Jay, I'll admit I'm impressed!" Nya said as they walked to their seats. She sat as he pulled her chair out and pushed her back.
"I'm glad. This is just what I wanted our first date to be like before I changed it to the amusement park," he said as he took his seat. "Although it might not have been as fancy as this and I'd be so nervous that I'd be rambling on and on to hide the fact I was nervous and-" He was stopped as Nya interrupted him by giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
He immediately began blushing as she held his hand. "Happy Valentine's Day, Jay. She leaned and closed her eyes, he began to do the same. They locked their hands together and both moved them up to their shoulders. Jay could feel her warm breath closing in on his lips and-
"Wait a minute." Nya quickly sat up and grabbed Jay's left arm, having him loose balance and slam his face on the table. "You're wearing your gem?" she asked as she held it to his face.
"Of course I am," he said as he rubbed his forehead. "Why? Does it clash with my outfit?"
"It's not that, it's the fact you can't control it."
"Aww, relax, Nya, "Jay waved off. "It's not like I'll burst into a giant armor thing and break the building, or get so happy I'll accidentally look through someone else's eyes and start panicking."
"No, but you might see what's gonna happen next, and you might get freaked out."
The conversation was put on hold as the waiter returned with two silver platters with lids. He set them down, removed the lids to reveal their lobster dinner. "Dinner is served, Master Jay."
"Why, thank you," he replied. After that a sharp pain went through his head, he didn't understand at first, but then he realized he was experiencing another vision. He could see the waiter reaching into the folds of his tuxedo and pull out knife. He was going to attack them!
"Master Jay," the waiter said, making the Blue Ninja snap out of his trance. "Before I leave, I have just one thing I request of you." It was happening, the waiter was beginning to reach for his weapon.
"Not gonna happen!" Jay screamed as he tackled him down. The waiter squirmed to break free, but it was no match for Jay's tight grip. He finally got him to stop squirming, and quickly reached into his tux himself to disarm the waiter of his deadly….pen. He didn't have a knife….he had only a pen.
"You…weren't going to attack us?" Jay slowly asked.
"No!" the waiter cried out as he pushed Jay off of him. "I just wanted an autograph from my favorite Ninja, but you're not my favorite anymore!" He ran off crying, leaving Jay to face Nya who, was completely disappointed in him.
Jay sat himself back down and tried to ignore what he had just done. "Heh, heh. I guess I'll have to leave him a pretty big tip, huh?"
"I can't believe you! You made him upset!" she scolded him.
"I'm sorry! I-I-I just… I was trying to.."
"Just eat your dinner."
He quickly cut himself a bite and popped it in his mouth. "Mmmmm! This is really good, Nya. You gotta try it!"
Nya began cutting herself a bite when another pain went through Jay's head. This time he saw Nya chocking on her food, she was mouthing the word 'poison' to him and fell. He quickly shook his head to see Nya, ready to bite down on the lobster.
"Don't eat it!" he yelled, while taking her fork and platter, throwing them both over the side of the building. He let out a sigh of relief, only to face a furious Nya when he opened his eyes. "I know you're gonna yell at me, but I had a vision where you died because your lobster was poisoned."
"Just like how the waiter was evil and was gonna attack us?"
"Um, yes?" he said, afraid of her reaction.
"Jay Walker, you take off that gem right now! It's messing with your head and now your seeing things."
He raised his hands in defense. "Okay, okay. I guess you were right, I can't control it." He slipped it off, reducing it to its simple gem form, and threw it on the other side of the room. "I can't believe I let it get the best off me."
"And I can't believe how easy this was!" a familiar voice purred. Jay and Nya both quickly looked around, only to find Kitsune holding the tossed gem in his paw, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Hello there, humans!"
"You!" they both said.
"You were messing with Jay?" Nya asked.
"Of course, making him see things that weren't there was all part of the plan. It was also my entertainment for the night. So long!" He poofed away, having Jay run to his exact spot where he stood.
"No! Get back here you, you…you nine-tailed cat with eyeliner!"
"Say that to my face," Kitsune whispered as he teleported right in front of Jay. But the Blue Ninja wasn't the least bit afraid of repeating his insult.
"I called you a NINE-TAILED CAT WITH EYELINER!"
"I'll admit that was a good insult," Kitsune said as he scratched his chin. "But I believe there's an old saying how words can't hurt, but stick and stones can. I don't have any sticks…as for the stone part…." Without warning, Kitsune shape shifted his hand into a mallet and swung it into Jay's gut, knocking him off guard and off the building.
He flew down, but rather than falling straight on the pavement like Kitsune intended, he bumped into a few signs and bounced off a moving bus on his way down. He fell onto the pavement, but was still…alive. "Well, it can't get any worse than this," he told himself as he lifted his head off the ground.
That's when he was trampled by strange creature and had two more people stand on him. He tried screaming for them to get off, which luckily was answered as they pulled him off the ground and brushed him off. His vision was blurry until he recognized the people in front of him. "Lloyd?! Maria?!"
"We're so sorry, Jay!" Maria apologized. "Our day has been a little weird, and we're running all around the place trying to catch Dareth-"
"Hold on," he said as he held a hand up, "that was Dareth? The strange creature that stomped on me and almost made me one with the pavement?"
"Yeah, it's a long story," Lloyd said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "We'll tell you later, but did you see which way he went?"
"He went that way," Jay said as he pointed right. The two Ninja quickly ran off when he stopped them. "Hold on, I could help you."
"You really shouldn't," Lloyd insisted. "I told you that it's a long story and even if we told you, you wouldn't help us."
"Oh, please! What could be so bad that would keep me from helping you guys?" he said as he crossed his arms.
After a brief nod at each other, Lloyd turned to Jay and said, "Dareth's gone crazy, he's been running around New Ninjago City wearing nothing but a loincloth."
"…..You guys got this! You don't need my help, so have fun with that!"
Lloyd rolled his eyes and the two of them continued their chase. Jay was ready to summon his dragon when Nya came flying down with her own, landing right next to him. He immediately pulled her in for a hug and asked, "Kitsune didn't hurt you, did he?"
"I'm okay," she said as she broke from the embrace. "And I'm sorry about yelling at you, but we will get your gem back."
"I beg to differ," a voice from above called. They looked up to see Kitsune fall from the building and land right in front of them, shape shifting both of his arms into swords. "Let's see you two try to defeat me."
They charged at him as he did the same, swinging his swords furiously. They jumped over him and hit him with a water and lighting combo on his back. The attack made him furious enough to change his arms into two whips; and, in one swift motion, he flung them at their legs and caught them in a tight grip. He swung them around until they got dizzy, and flung them into a truck.
By now, civilians had begun to watch from the sidelines in safety, as he prepared to grab them again, but Jay was quick to electrocute him as he attacked. Kitsune was stunned and paralyzed, allowing Nya to dose him in water and have Jay shock him again, but with the effect increased from Nya's attack.
Kitsune furiously shook it off and transformed his arms into one huge war hammer. "I'm done playing with you knockoffs! NOW YOU'LL PAY!" He charged at the couple and was prepared to smash the weapon less Ninja to pieces.
But the attack never came.
In the blink of an eye, a tall, black cloaked figure appeared between them, halting the fight and having Kitsune stop his shape shifting. "Goryō," Kitsune said as his ears flattened against his skull, "I wasn't going to kill them. I was trying to teach them not to mess with me and-"
"Get back to the castle," Goryō said.
"I'm not going to that dump, not when these two-"
"Get BACK to the CASTLE."
Instantly, Kitsune poofed away, leaving Jay and Nya with Goryō. He didn't move the slightest as he spoke to them. "Treasure every moment you have with each other, I want to see you both crying your hardest when you watch the other suffer and fade away." And just like that, he disappeared as well.
The bystanders had erupted in cheers at the victory, but Jay didn't pay attention as he realized something. "My gem! Kitsune has my-!"
"No, he doesn't," Nya said as she held his gem over his wrist, letting it regain its bracelet form. She held onto his hand as she spoke. "It'll be a challenge to control it, but I'm with you all the way."
"I'm glad," he said with a smile. "You know, I may be able see to what's gonna happen next the moment before it does, but I right now, I can see something in my future that's about a few years away."
"Oh, yeah?" Nya said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "What do you see that's so good?"
"You." Just like that he pulled her in for a deep kiss, one of many that was soon to come.
Ahhhh, amour! Its so sweet. Now, in my possession I have five FINALIZED art pictures of our main villains: Harionago, Jorōgumo, Kitsune, Gashadokuro, and Onryō. After the last chapter of the Valentine's Day special, I'll put up a poll on my profile so you can vote for your favorite villain. The winning villain will have their art posted on my tumblr for all to see them reveal theirselves.
Can't wait for the next chapter where we'll see Kai and Skyler.
Next chapter on Ninjago: Legend Reborn….
Valentine's Special (Part 2)
Until then, God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.