The green ninja?

Maya didn't know why but she had bean feeling a bit exhausted lately. After the feral incident things had calmed won but, something was still bothering her.

Maya had decided to take a nap but found herself on panther island once more. 'Not again.' Maya sighed as she turned to see the green ninja.

'Would you go away, I won't even know who you are till I get my true potential. If I ever unlock it. To tell the truth I don't even want to know who you are. Is this all I was meant for, to find out who you are? Then what? What do you want?' Maya glared at the green clad ninja.

The ninja in green only held his hand out and something melodic came from his voice, no it was his voice, as if he was calling her. The time was coming.

Maya shook her head 'No I won't do this, not now.'

The voice tried to call her again and even tried to go near but…

'NO!' Maya roared as she walked off.

'I can hear you but I won't
Some look for trouble while others don't
There's a thousand reasons I should go about my day
And ignore your whispers which I wish would go away, oh
Whoa.'

She heard the green ninja call out to her a bit more clearly but she ignored it. 'Why do I have to carry this burden.' She found a hall waythat led to some stars and she fallowed them.

The voice tried to fallow and continue to speak.

'You're not a voice, you're just a ringing in my ear
And if I heard you, which I don't, I'm spoken for I fear
Everyone I've ever loved is here within these walls
I'm sorry, secret siren, but I'm blocking out your calls
I've had my adventure, I don't need something new
I'm afraid of what I'm risking if I follow you

Into the unknown….'

Maya felt afraid, she didn't want things to change. All her friend where by her side. And they always argued about the green ninja if any of them became the green ninja would they resent each other, would they resent her for it.

What if Zane became the green ninja. Would he care more for his new title then her. Maya froze at this as she looked around the green jungle, she though she had lose the ninaj but heard the voice once more and then he appeared from the foliage in front of here and called out to her. His voice was becoming familiar. No.

'What do you want? 'Cause you've been keeping me awake
Are you here to distract me so I make a big mistake?
Or are you someone out there who's a little bit like me?
Who knows deep down I'm not where I'm meant to be?
Every day's a little harder as I feel my power grow
Don't you know there's part of me that longs to go

Into the unknown….'

Maya had been feeling it, her powers growing stronger, she would be reaching her full potential soon. But what did this stranger in her mind want, was it her fears clouding her so she would never find the true ninja or was she just looking at a reflection of herself as the thing she feared at the moment. Or possibly the things she knew she wanted to know but was afraid to know.

She saw panther gather around them and she felt something strange. The green ninja. Something about him was becoming more and more familiar as she looked into those calm eyes.

Then the ninja started running away. Maya couldn't help it, she rushed after him.

'Where are you going? Don't leave me alone
How do I follow you
Into the unknown?'

Maya reached out, desperate at what she wanted and did not want to know. But before she reached the green ninja….

"Hello I'm home!"

"Sensei!" they guys called.

Maya jumped at that "Sensei?" Then she smelled it, something vile, something that she could never forget as it had at times haunted her and she growled as she rushed out to face this enemy.

"So glad your back safe." Kai said.

"Where is Maya?" Wu looked confused, even Lloyd was there.

"She was feeling tired and decided to take a nap…." Zane tried to explain.

Then the noticed the four arms and "Roar!" Maya launched out of the bounty and onto Garmadon.

The other looked on shocked while Wu protected Lloyd and Wu. Kai tried to join in the fight but….

"So, we meat again." Garmadon struggled in Maya's grip.

Kai puts his sword to Garmadons through and said "He must of fallowed you Sensei."

"Maya, Kai, stop! He is the reason I left." Wu explains.

Kai looks confused while Maya hisses "Was he causing trouble?"

May growls and Garmadon growls back.

"Not when I was there. Look for as long as the serpentine threaten Ninjago with the great devourer, he will be our guest." Wu explains.

"What!" they all shouted. Giving their own opinion on this.

Maya yowled "You can't let this monster here. Not after what he did." Maya was going to claw Garmadon but….

"Enough!" Maya flinched, but still didn't' let Garmadon up. The other just said "Yes Sensei."

"Maya…I know what he did hurt you and you have every right to mistrust him, but please." Wu looked on with a plea.

Maya still growled but got up as she held Lloyd close, the boy looking on with wide eyes at his biological father.

Garmadon got up at that and said "This isn't about the weopons, it's about keeping my son safe."

Lloyd looked on more wide eyed.

"From here on out you will obey me and you will respect my brother." Wu demanded.

The other agreed but Maya stayed silent. She didn't' know if she could keep that promise. Then "Dad is that really you?"

Maya looked down, she saw Lloyd wanted to go to his father but she was weary. Wu nodded and she frowned but let him go. Lloyd rushed to hug him and Garmadon hugged back "It's really me."

"Dad, why do you have four arms?" Lloyd asked.

The other had to chuckle at this but Maya still looked on worried. Zane sensed this and kept her close.

"To the bridge, we must put our attention to more pressing matters." Wu spoke up as he, Garmadon, and Lloyd walked off.

Before he left Garmadon smirked at Kai and Maya. Kai was angry and Maya wanted to yank Lloyd away from the mad man.

As they entered the bridge Wu asked about the four fang blades and they explained the situation and then told Kai and Nya to check the deck and such.

Once they were gone Wu had more questions and Lloyd was still clinging to his father the two walking off to catch up it seems. Maya walked off to make sure Lloyd would be okay but Garmadon scowled.

"Excuse me this is a privet conversation." Garmadon glared.

"Just making sure you don't put anything you shouldn't in his head. Or worse use that poison." Maya glares.

Garmadon growled "I would never!"

"How can I be sure. You say you're here for Lloyd and yet all you've done is abandon him, do you know what danger he was in while you where gone. What could have happened to him." Maya glared.

Garmadon looked away and said "I had no choice."

"There's always a choice." They both look at Lloyd who had said that.

"Son?" Garmaodn looks shocked.

"Dad, I'm glad to see you but Maya's right. You had a choice and you chose power over me. It's going to be a while before I can trust you." Lloyd headed back to Maya who held him tight and led him back to the group.

When they came to Zane, Zane looked over with a frown at Garmadon and kept the two close.

'Who do they think they are, he is my son.' Garmadon glared, but as he looked on, he couldn't deny that his son looked happy.

In fact they way those three looked made him remember who things had been with Misako and how he had wanted things to go, before his evil side took completely over. 'Is that what it would have bean like?'

Wu then said "The rest of you head off and do what you must. Maya I must speak with you in privet."

They all nodded and headed out. Garmadon left as well.

Once gone Wu said "Maya, I sense a struggle within you, and it is not about my brother."

Maya frowned and said "No it's not. It's about how I have to reveal the green ninja. Sensei…I've been having dreams of the green ninja and a place I think is called panther island."

"You have?" Wu looked shocked.

"They've bean getting stronger. And every time I feel I am getting closer to finding out who the true green ninja is. I also feel my powers growing stronger. That means my full potential is coming soon. But sensei…" Maya looked down uncertain.

"What is it Maya, talk to me." Wu looked worried.

"I….am I only good to you all as a way to find the green ninja." Maya looked on with tears.

Wu looked shocked "Maya of course not. Just like the golden necklace balances the elemental weapons you balance the team."

"But the weapons can now be used without the necklace isn't that right. So, the team could function without me as well." Maya looked on saddened.

"Maya, even if the weapons could combine without the necklace to balance them, they would never be whole. They could never reach their true potential. Just like the ninja cannot reach their full potential without you. It is why the green ninja cannot appear without you." Wu smiles.

"What do you mean?" Maya looks confused.

"The green ninja represents energy and that is what flows in each of the elements, and energy and green represent life. The panther is part of that balance of nature in life. Even if we only used the elements, how would the ninja know life without at least knowing one living creature." Wu smiles.

Maya took this in 'Elements and nature. They represent life. And an animal is part of the cycle of life.' As Maya took this in they heard Jay yelling about Garmaodn destroying his battle dummy.

Wu sighed it was going to be a long visit.

For the next few days they had to get used to Garmaodn around. As Maya observed how the poisoned man lived his life she wondered who they ever thought Zane was weird.

Maya kept an eye on Lloyd when he was around Garmadon as did Zane. Even if this annoyed the evil man he allowed it as Lloyd wouldn't allow himself alone with him. But it seemed the two where starting to get along and Maya was worried on this.

As Time went on Maya's dreams of the green ninja got worse. She felt she was getting closer, but she was still uncertain.

One day she decided to tell Wu about the dream.

"This is just you getting closer to your true potential and finding the green ninja. But you must first find your own. That means letting go of this fear." Wu looked on worried.

"But how. How can I do this if I can't tell Zane one of my fears." Maya had tears in her eyes.

Wu looked down sadly 'I should not encourage this but…' WU looked up at the pained women and said "Then tell him."

"Are you sure?" Maya looks shocked.

"If it will give you peace, then go." Wu nodded.

At that Maya nodded and headed out. Wu still frowned. 'I wish I could tell them everything.' He looked at an old photo of him, his brother, and Misako.

Maya found Zane in the kitchen cooking and said "Zane can we talk?"

"Of course Maya. It will take a while for the duck to be cooked." Zane took of his apron and sat at the table.

Maya went over and sat next to him as she said "Zane I need to ask you something. Well several things really."

"You may ask me whatever you wish. I am always here to listen to you." Zane hold her hand caringly.

Maya smiles as she says "Zane. Do you care more about being the green ninja then anything."

Zane looked on confused at this and was about to think and then paused 'Why would she ask that. I care much for being the green ninja it is my personal goal but….' That's when he realized it.

"Maya…" He held both her hands and said "Nothing and I mean nothing, not even being the destined green ninja would mean more to me then you. I would gladly give it up if it mean I be with you forever." Zane smiled sincerely.

Maya's eyes widened and she felt tears of joys well up "Oh Zane you don't know how happy that makes me."

"Of course, but Maya, what has made you ask that?" Zane looked on worried.

Maya tried to brush away her tears but Zane gave her a napkin to help her clean up. As she did she said "Zane if I had the ability to choose the green ninja would you be mad that it was not you?" Maya looks a bit afraid.

Zane tilted his head but said "Maya even if you had such an ability, if you did not chose me I know it was for a reason. Maya is there something going on?" Zane looked on more worried.

Maya sighed "Zane sensei told me the truth about the scroll that I take part in with the green ninja…." She then told him everything, even the dreams.

Zane looked shocked at first but then calmed as he took all this in. As Maya finished he asked "Why did you not tell me any of this, I would have gladly helped you trough it." Zane looked a bit hurt.

"Sensei asked me not to tell any of you so that none of you would be upset at the idea of thinking I had a choice in who could be the green ninja or try to pressure me. I may be able to find out who the green ninja is but I can't choose him. And the second reason, well, you where all so determined and always fighting I guess I was scared to think how you would react." Maya looked down sadly.

Zane frowned sadly "That is why you never said a word and the reason you have bean suffering along is because of our constant competition. It is also why you asked me such questions."

Maya looked on with tears still stressed from it all and Zane hugged her close and said "Maya I do not care who is the green ninja or how he is chosen. All I care is that you are safe and happy and I love you. Never doubt that."

Maya felt so relieved that she sighed into his chest and he cradled her as he rubbed his fingers through her hair, taking her sakura scent in.

"Please tell me if there is anything else bothering you. You can always come to me." Zane kissed the top of her head.

Maya did want to ask one more thing but before she could "Guys we got a visual on the serpentine." Nya called them in a rush.

At that they ran to the bridge and saw the serpentine on their way to the fire temple the same one Kai and Garmaodn fought at. But it looked like it was ready to blow any moment.

"Can I come I want to help. I'm so close to reaching spinjitsue I know it." Lloyd jumped.

"No way!" Everyone said.

"Aw. I never get to do anything fun." Lloyd looks down.

"Lloyd this isn't fun." Maya comes up to him and he looks up as if saying 'Yeha right.'

"Okay it is a rush. But it's serious and dangerous and you're not ready for a battle like this. Pluss someone has to defend the bounty while we're gone." Maya smiles.

"That's just your way of saying it's safer here." Lloyd frowned.

"It is true Lloyd. But we only do this because we care. We cannot think of ever placing you in danger." Zane frowned.

Lloyd wanted to protest but "Their right son. You are safer on this boat then in battle. Also if the ninja ever fail, you may be the only hope they have one day." Garmadon pats his head making Lloyd smile.

They all looked shocked at this but there was no time figure it out, they had to makes a plan, as that happened thought they realized that Garmadon was not around.

Cole then asked "Sensei where are our weapons."

"Where's Garmadon?" Kai was the first to realize as he rushed off to find him "Kai wait?"

They all rushed after him "What's going on?" Maya asked.

"I asked my brother to get the weapons." Wu explained.

"What, and why where they even away from the guys?" Maya looked shocked.

"Sensei wanted to use the weapons to see if I could be a ninja, they tend to glow around potential elemental master. But I refused." Nya explains.

As they got there thought Kai locked the door. They asked why and Nya explains because he thought he was the green ninja. Maya had had enough. It was time for all of them to know.

Maya used her power to bust down the door and roared "Enough!" the two feel to the ground and the other grabbed the weapons while Wu scolded Kia and Nya and Lloyd helped Garmadon.

"Dad?" Lloyd looked worried.

"I'm find son." Garmadon became gentle around Lloyd.

"I've had enough of this!" Maya finally says.

They all looked at Maya in shock "What do you mean?" Kai asked.

"Maya don't." Wu tries to stop her.

"No sensei, they need to know. They need to stop this before someone gets hurt or…" before Maya could finish the ship rocked.

"Sound like we finally reached our destination." Cole realized.

With that they rushed out and saw the lava all over the place. "The fire temple." Said Cole.

"Wo, cool." Lloyd looked on.

They all headed in, Nya and Lloyd staying back. As Nya warned them about not using their elemental weapons and Maya not going full panther.

Everyone agreed and put them away then traveled in by stealth so they would not be seen, not knowing that a little yellow shadow was fallowing them.

'I'll show them I'm just as good as any of them.' Lloyd thought as he tried to sneak through.

As they came in the snakes had just discovered the fang blade. The ninja tried to sneak closer but Pythor saw them. At that they had to fight "Light as a leaf, fight like there is no tomorrow!"

They all fought and on, Maya scratching and biting and even using spinjistue to trip up and scare the snakes away.

But as they fought Lloyd snuck and saw Pythor heading for the exit "Not so fast Pythor!"

They all looked over shocked "No Lloyd!" Maya called but it was too late. Lloyd tried to jump kick at the snake but he got him and used the blade at the boy "Come any closer and the boys get it."

"Give my back my son!" Garmadon growled.

"First let us go then you can have the brat." Pythor hissed.

"No dad don't." Lloyd begged, he didn't want Ninjago to suffer because of him. He'd already caused so much trouble.

Maya was livid at this, her panther side felt like it was coming out, but she suppressed it as instead she began to sneak, the other ninja kept the snakes busy as Wu and Garmadon talked with Pythor.

Kai saw this and activated his weapon. Nya tried to tell him to stop but he said "I will do what I must."

At that point Pythor was almost out of the cave, Maya at this point pounced on Pythor to get Lloyd of out fo the snakes grip and growled.

"It doesn't matter, let's get out of her boys but not before leaving them with a parting gift." Pythor called as some snakes dug to make the volcano more unstable and separate Maya and Lloyd from the snakes and from the ninja.

"He is making the volcano unstable." Zane called.

"We have to get out of here." Jay called.

"Not without my son." Garamond called.

"And not without Maya." Zane added as he pointed at the two stuck on a rock surrounded by lava.

"What about the fangblade." Kai called and then went after it.

"Kai wait!" Wu called.

Kai used his sword to get the blade out of Pythors hands while the other tried to save Maya and Lloyd.

Cole tried to make stone steps for them, but the rock was too hot. Zane tried to cool them but his powers didn't work well in the volcano. And Jay's powers had no use.

"Dad!" Lloyd called.

"We'll get you son." Garmadon called.

"Zane." Maya coughed the ashes getting to her.

"Maya hold on." Zane looked on worried.

Jay saw Kai trying to get the blade out "Leave it Kai it's not worth your life."

"Yeah help us save the others!" Cole called.

"Not without that fangblade." Kai called.

They all looked shocked at Kai's selfishness but then it got worse, the guys tried ot get the other back but suddenly the cave collapsed and the other where thrown out of the cave.

"Guys!" Maya called.

"Maya I'm scared." Lloyd hugged Maya.

Maya looked down at Lloyd and said "I am too." Tears in her eyes.

Kai kept trying to get the blade out and Lloyd called "Kai help us."

"Come on why won't my power unlock!" Kai said in frustration.

Maya wanted to yell at him but the heat was getting to her it was so warm too warm for her to scream. Then "Kai help us!"

Kai looked over at the two in their state and maya begged with her eyes 'Help us.' Kai looked at the blade and them and then he rushed to them and said "Come on let's get out of here."

As Maya looked around thought she thought 'How.'

On the bounty everyone was in a state of panic. Garmadon wanted his son and Zane wanted to go back for Maya and Lloyd.

Jay had bean the one to drag Zane out but it hadn't bean easy.

As they got on the bounty Zane said "How can we just leave them." Zane glared.

"We are not leaving them we are going to use the anker to bring them up and…." Wu starts but.

The valcono exploded. "Kai." Nya said saddened.

"Son." Garmadon fallowed.

At this Zane fell to his knees and felt like he had been stabbed in the gut. "Lloyd, Kai….Maya."

"Zane…" Wu looked on sadly as he patted his back. Zane just looked on down with despair.

"Why do I lose everything in my life sensei." Zane started to tear up and Wu looked shocked but before he could answer they saw something with fire commign towards them and Zaen sensed it.

'Kai and he has Lloyd….And Maya!' he could sense her and she was alive.

"It's Kai. He's found his true potential." Jay pointed out.

As Kai landed he rushed to the front of the group. Lloyd and Maya where settled down. Garmadon go ot Lloyd first but Zane still patted the boys head on his way ot pick up an almost knocked out Maya.

"Maya, my love." Zane held her close.

"Zane. You called me love." Maya seemed surprised, but happy.

"Because at this moment when I thought I lost you I thought I had lost all my love." Zane felt tears of sadness and joy.

Maya frowned sadly at that and said "Oh Zane." She kissed him his cold lips helping to take away the heat away.

When Kai recovered and the other where checked over they went into the command room and Zane could not help but ask "How did you survive, how did you discover the key to unlocking your powers?" as he held a still weary Maya close.

"I knew when I had to make a choice, I wanted the fang blade so badly. To prove I was good enough to become the green ninja. But then I figured it out. If I sacrificed two for the blade then I wouldn't of bean worthy to even call myself a ninja. That my preparation, was still to be a protector. Even if I never become the green ninja." Kai smiles.

"We're proud of you Kai." Nya smiled.

"You have learned a valuable lesson." Wu nodded.

"I'm sorry I causes so much trouble." Lloyd looked down.

"Just never scare us like that again." Garmadon patted his son's head.

"I just wanted to prove I could be as strong as any of you." Lloyd frowned.

"I think I know of a way to do that." Maya smiles.

Wu looked over shocked at Maya 'Has she….No she has not discovered her full potential yet. Then what?'

"Guys place your weapons around Lloyd." Maya smiles.

At that they guys smiled and Lloyd looked shocked as they placed them they saw them glow and suddenly the symbol for wind appeared.

"The ninja of wind has been found." Wu smiled.

"Wind?" Lloyd looks shocked.

"It was your grandfathers and your uncle's element. Now it is yours' son." Garmaond looked own sadly but proud at his son. 'Now he will never be like me and that is all I wished for.'

"But dad won't that make us enemies." Lloyd looked on saddened.

"You may be a ninja, but I will never harm you son. Not while I can still control myself." Garmadon looked down sadly.

"Ha. This is heavy and all but what ever happened to the fang blade!" Jay exclaimed.

Maya had to smack him upside the head for that, feeling much better.

"I thought you said that only decreased his intellect." Zane raised a brow.

"I'm starting to wonder if there's any hope left for him." Maya frowned.

"Hey!" Jay yelled.

They all laughed at this, the mood finaly calm.

Later…..

Maya looked up at the stars for a little bit. Zane had been sticking to her like a glue all day, and she didn't mind, but she needed to gather her thoughts.

'It's almost time I can feel it. But who will it be? Are they ready for this, am I?' She looked at her hand and thought. 'Who am I on this team. Wu says I am the balance of it, that I represent the living part of nature. But what else. Today I could barely do anything, Kai had to save me. They've all grown so much and yet I feel stuck in the same place.'

Maya frowned as she sighed, she was going to go in when she saw Zane behind her "Zane." Maya jumped.

"I apologized. You seemed troubled." Zane looked worried.

Maya sighed "I have to find my true potential and when I do the green ninja will be revealed. Along with all that I feel stuck. You've all grown and changed and I feel I've stayed the same. Sensei says I am the balance of the team, but I'm not sure how. Zane I don't want to be here just to reveal the green ninja." Maya frowns.

"Then don't." Zane smiled.

"What? But Zane I…." Maya tries.

"Maya, if you do not wish to reveal the green ninja you do not have to. And if you want to be more then just the one to reveal him then be more. If you do not know how to balance the team, then do not force it. To me you do all that without trying but if you feel you do not then do not try it then. Instead let it come naturally or decide for yourself on what to do. It is your power Maya, no one should force you how to use it." Zane smiled as he cuddled her.

Maya smiled at his more cuddly nature and thought 'I am the only one who can control my power, but don't I have a responsibility?' With that Maya had something new to think on but what Zane said helped her.

She just hoped she make the right decision.