Of the things that I hate more and more as I go back through events like this, is knowing that this was all us being played by Harumi. She'd been planning this for so long that it made each loss we suffered feel even worse. The worst example of this was when Zane went after Mr. E in his attempt to get initiated into the Sons of Garmadon.

At the time, I was searching the city for the last known place that Zane had been. Our first hope had been to try to track where he was and maybe find out where their hideout was. Given that they were appearing from seemingly nowhere, and the only bar they frequented we'd now raided, we needed to know more about them. They'd been so low radar before that I hadn't even heard of them, and then overnight they'd attacked the Royal Palace and stolen two Oni Masks that were capable of resurrecting my father. This wasn't like any of the other foes we'd faced, who were always more open about their schemes. Even the Twins made themselves known to us pretty quickly, for better or worse. It felt like we'd been thrust right into this giant mess, and I was trying to figure out what was going on. Now that Zane had gone dark, it felt like we were losing even more control of the situation than we already had.

I think what made that moment worrying the most for me was knowing that Zane had done this on his own. We weren't told about his plan, which I get was so we made it more convincing. But we had no idea what was going on with him. I was running around Ninjago City doing everything I could to find where he'd gone. But nothing was working. I couldn't find out where it was, and so hearing suddenly that Zane had gone missing after getting revealed was even worse.

I know now that Harumi told them about Zane, likely after overhearing us discussing it on the Bounty. That's what I mean when I say I just get angrier looking back. We found Zane beaten up and knocked out in the desert. For someone to punch apart someone made of titanium, we knew that this was serious. Mr. E had caught up to him on his bike and done this. It's the only explanation that I have. Zane said his memory was fuzzy, but he remembered Mr. E being the last one that he was chasing down. It was also how we learned that the Oni Mask of Deception let you levitate objects with your mind, since Killow tried to use that to attack Zane during the race. Oh, in case it wasn't clear, it was a race to initiate him into the SOG, and it wasn't until they'd started Harumi went and told them so they could use the race as a cover to get rid of him.

This may sound random, but I want to talk a bit about the three generals of the SOG. This was the first time that they were really made aware to us as a threat. Mr. E was the one that beat up Zane, and the one that stole the Oni Mask of Vengeance from Borg Tower. From what Zane gathered, he was a nindroid. For some reason, I felt like that was more important than it ended up being. We never found out what he was. Was he someone like Cryptor? An old Nindroid from the Digilord's attack we never found out about? Or someone that I just, don't remember? I don't know. I feel like, he and Zane are really similar. Like, he's an echo of Zane or something?

Killow I have even less to say about. I barely even got a chance to fight him. He was always with the rest of the SOG, and I don't even remember much about him other than him just being a big and scary tough guy. His motorcycle had a saw for a front wheel. I remember that because he tore up any road he used it on. He was just kinda, there.

Ultraviolet is the one I remember the most. She was just crazy. I don't know what her deal was, or why she looked like that. I mean, I don't get why she and Killow had gray skin. I don't even know what her real name was. I mean, people talk rumors about her all the time, and she's clearly, not exactly sane. I get the feeling she wanted to bring my father back, simply because she wanted to see how crazy it would get. Given that the first thing she did when he did take over was start hunting down anyone in the city like it was some sort of game.

...See, that's the issue here. Whenever I think back to all of this, I really only remember Ultraviolet. I barely knew anything about the SOG then. I knew that they were a biker gang. And I think Harumi simply picked and formed them for her own ends. But other than Ultraviolet, I don't get why any of them even wanted to bring my father back. Like, again, I know for a fact that they did want it. They were by his side when it happened, and the thugs didn't exactly get scared and run away like the Serpentine did when the Great Devourer was unleashed. But, I just don't know much about them. They could've just been a regular group of thugs and I doubt it would have changed things. I mean, Chen had a theme around his cult, and it all made sense. I at least got why they all wanted to go with Chen. But, I don't get why the SOG wanted to really have him back like Harumi did. And, since this was the point that they really started posing a big threat to us, I have to say this now.

But I've gotten off track enough here. So, there I was, watching Zane in critical condition and half wrecked from Mr. E. It was the first time I had to take the SOG seriously as a threat to us as ninja. They were attacking the city, yes, but this was them actually hurting Zane. I made the call for us to go as far away from Ninjago City as we could to both protect Harumi and avoid getting attacked by the SOG. We had to find the third Oni Mask to prevent them from resurrecting my father. We had to go and stop them and protect Harumi.

During all of this, I found out that Cole had found a baby in the SOG headquarters. Zane had given him the chance to escape, and he'd met back up with us. We didn't know at the time who this baby really was. What we did know was that Cole had brought him with us knowing he couldn't leave him with SOG. I know dragging a baby along with us sounds bad, but we had no idea where he'd come from. If we left him back in the city, he could get captured by them again. We worked to protect him. I can now say that I have no idea how to handle a baby. And I'm not embarrassed to say that. I mention him now, since he would become very important later.

What was really important here was that Cole discovered that the baby had a map to the third Oni Mask wrapped around it. I'm not sure why they did that, but knowing what I do know about who the baby was, I can't say I'm shocked. I mean, he'd already held the key to us finding important artifacts without knowing before. What we figured out was that the mask was in Primevavl's Eye in a jungle in the center of Ninjago. Now that we knew, I had to keep us hidden. I couldn't let the SOG figure out where we were or that we knew about the mask (even if, with Harumi being in the room, it didn't matter in the end).

I made the call for us to enter a Dead Man's Squall in order to disappear. There's one moment that I remember, though. One moment that I really don't know why I remember, but I do. Before we entered, Harumi came to talk to me on the deck. After I explained where we were going, she asked me if I remembered my father before he left me. Specifically, from before I got out of Darkley's. We got to talking, and I remember that we were talking about how we both had families that weren't there for us growing up.

I remember that after we talked, I got to thinking. Did I want my father to be resurrected? I don't mean as he was. I mean as he was when he did: Sensei Garmadon. I kept a picture of us on the Bounty with me, taken before we left Chen's Island. Hearing how Harumi only remembered her parents in dreams, it made me start to wonder if I dreamed about that. Did I want to have my father back?

I've gone on and on before about how upset I am about how I only had my father for a short time. How I feel like I sometimes didn't even spend all the time with him I should have. And, when I think about that, I can't deny that a part of me, wants to say yes. If I could have him back, the way that we were when I last saw him, I would. I want him back to help teach me the things he never could. To help guide me whenever I don't know what to do. To give me someone to rely on that doesn't disappear for months at a time or sacrifices himself for us. I want my father back, I really do.

But, then I think about what he'd say. I know that if he knew I was resurrecting him using something like the Oni Masks he'd likely never forgive me. He wouldn't want to come back like that. When we last spoke in the Cursed Realm, I knew that he was telling me that I had to stand on my own feet. He'd given all he could, even if he wasn't given the time he really needed to tell me what he needed to. I know that he'd lived his life without regret. He'd cleared himself of his greatest one over the letter before I sent him away. Whenever I feel selfish and start to ask for him back, I just remember that he would've wanted me to carry on his legacy, not drag him back into my own. Even if it hurts, I know that he wouldn't want me to bring him back.

I think the reason I remember how she talked to me about that, about our families, is because looking back, she was manipulating me. She wanted me to say something to her. She wanted me to admit I wanted him back. I don't know if it was because she wanted to try to drag me into her plans… no, I know that's not why. She never wanted me around. She hated me. She wanted me to admit that I wanted him back. Just so she could use that against me. She wanted me to watch my precious father take me down and destroy every ounce of hope I had left. And it made her words just stick out to me even more, even if I didn't know why at the time:

"I can't imagine what must be going through your head. Whatever happens, I'll be here."

Yeah, Harumi. You really were there. There for every single minute of it.

What makes me upset about all this, was that I was falling for her manipulations. I was actually falling for her. I felt attracted to her. I felt like I wanted to be with her. She knew it. She had to have known it from the start. She tried to kiss me after saying that. She was trying to get me to fall for her, just so it hurt even more. And the only good thing I can say, is that I didn't let her kiss me that time. That time. I was such an idiot. Such a stupid, stupid idiot.

After we entered the Dead Man's Squall, everything went wrong. I really should've seen this coming. It's not like we can actually escape without having something go wrong. Mr. E had put something inside Zane that, when we brought Zane onboard, snuck out and started disabling the ship's systems. Namely, it got to Pixal. I know I mentioned at the start that Pixal had more or less shown back up and gone back to working in our systems. It turned out, whatever Mr. E had put in Zane wasn't to take down the Bounty directly, but more so to get to Pixal in our systems. This was important, since it meant that it took control of Samurai X.

Yes, we found out that Pixal was actually Samurai X because she was taken over to come and attack us and take down the Bounty that way. I was originally thinking of really going into detail here about how it all felt at the time, and what was going on through my head, but I've already kinda said it all before now. I don't get why she was hiding it in hindsight, since Borg and Zane were already in danger before she became Samurai X, and I don't really even feel shocked since it feels like she'd been apart of our team since Zane integrated her chip into his systems. So, I'm not really as shocked at this as I thought I would be. Even at the time, I don't remember being that surprised, more so just worried that something was about to go wrong.

I'd go into detail with the fight, but I wasn't around for a lot of it. Pixal in her mech attacked us. I'm used to fighting mechs, but I normally have one of my own. I managed to hold my own against her for a good while, actually, given how it was both raining and she was in a mech. Before the battle, I'd given Harumi a sword to defend herself if we couldn't. Harumi had also grabbed the map for us. Pixal managed to get the upper hand, and Harumi narrowly stopped me from getting skewered. I was so shocked at her saving me that it gave Pixal enough time to grab Harumi in her mech and then try to fly away.

...I really wish I could say I made a smart move here, but I didn't. I was so shocked at seeing Harumi get taken that I grabbed my sword, and decided the best move was to jump off the Bounty and onto the mech flying through the air, in a thunderstorm. As if that wasn't bad enough, I jammed my sword into the mech's systems to disable it. Pixal launched out and back up to the Bounty, and I'd just stranded myself and Harumi on a mech that was falling out of the sky.

Really, it could have gone a lot worse than it did. I used the map Harumi had grabbed as a makeshift parachute to slow my fall just enough so I didn't die hitting the ground, while I stuffed Harumi into the mech to break her fall. Really, the two of us were lucky to still be alive. I guess for thinking on the fly, I was doing pretty well. We didn't die, which was what that easily could have turned into. If I'd used my head instead of jumping randomly after her, I might have been able to prevent what was going to happen next.

The two of us crashed into the jungle. The others managed to stop Pixal by destroying the bug that Mr. E had planted in Zane, but still failed to stop Pixal from knocking the Bounty out of the sky. It was just another crash of the Bounty really. What was more important to me was that I'd just crash landed in the jungle, with Harumi. The two of us had been separated from the others, and were lost in a jungle that was said to be deadly, with nothing but a sword, a broken mech, and each other.

If I'd wanted to give Harumi a better opportunity to get me away from the ninja for her plan, I'd have had to gift wrap it for her. Not only that, but I injured my right arm falling from the sky, so I was injured on top of it. Once she got out from the mech, we realized that we were alone in the jungle, and had no idea where the other ninja had gone. All we could do was use the map that we had and make our way deeper into the jungle.

Our worst escape ever was still playing right into her plan. We were about to walk right into the vent to start all of this, and I had no idea the one being the quietest about it, was right beside me the entire time.


"Okay," Lloyd stretched, "I think I feel good about that one. I was kinda getting long with chapters for awhile, I think these shorter ones work well. What do you think, Jay?"

"I think they're good," Jay smiled. In truth, he was just happy that this time, Lloyd hadn't sounded ready to break his chair out of anger.

"Sweet," Lloyd stood up, "Alright, you want to go and get some food? Kai said he'd be out tonight so nobody is cooking dinner just yet."

"Sure, should I invite the others?" Jay asked, "They might want something!"

"Nah, Cole said he's got some things to do, and I don't think Zane eats unless someone makes something for him. Doesn't want to waste food, I think," Lloyd shrugged, "I'm good to go anywhere. We can just fly the Bounty anywhere."

"Hrmm, there's this place that Nya wanted to try," Jay perked up, "It might be nice to surprise her and take her out somewhere. It's nothing fancy, it's this new sushi place. I bet she's still training, can I invite her?"

"Sure, I don't mind," Lloyd shook his head, "I'll eat anything."

"Sweet!" Jay chirped. Before he left the room, however, he stopped. Lloyd blinked in surprise, and in turn Jay turned to look at him.

"Hey, Lloyd?" Jay spoke up, "Does writing all this stuff make you feel better?"

"Huh?" Lloyd blinked, "Like, making the book?" Jay nodded, letting Lloyd take a moment to think of his response to that.

"I think it does," Lloyd crossed his arms, "It helps to actually tell someone how it all felt from my perspective. Like, just give my side of the story. And, thinking about what I want to talk about helps too. So, yeah, I think it does. Is there a reason you ask?"

"Just was wondering!" Jay nodded, "Alright, I'm gonna go and grab Nya!"

"Sweet," Lloyd chuckled, "I'll go meet you at the control panel."

Jay let Lloyd leave the room before him, and in turn Jay went the opposite direction. Jay made his way over towards one of the training rooms on the ship, and in turn he did indeed hear the sound of someone grunting and groaning behind the door. Jay sighed and took a moment to wait for it to calm down, then opened the door.

"Nya?" Jay called out, "Are you there?"

"Hey! Jay!" Nya turned from the punching bag she had just been attacking. She shook her head to knock the sweat off and grabbed a towel to throw around her shoulders, "What's up?"

"Just admiring how strong you are," Jay chuckled, "Lloyd and I are heading out to eat. You hungry?"

"Sure, I can take some time off training to eat," Nya smirked, "You better watch out, Jay, I'm close to beating your record for the training course."

"Wait, really?!" Jay looked over at the wall, seeing a list of Nya's times hse's scribbled in, "Wow, you're getting really close! Looks like I'll just have to go and one up myself, just like always."

"The only thing you one up is your record in video games," Nya rolled her eyes.

"Well then we both have something we're good at!" Jay smirked. He walked up to Nya and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. As soon as he did, Nya chuckled and waved him off.

"Gross, Jay!" Nya ran her towel through her hair, "I just got done training! I'm all sweaty."

"I can't help but want to whenever I see you like this," Jay smiled warmly, "It reminds me of what I like so much about you."

"Ugh, you're so corny," Nya rolled her eyes, "You're lucky I like you for it."

"Heh, yeah," Jay nodded. When he didn't respond, Nya blinked in surprise. After a moment, she leaned in towards him.

"Something up?" Nya asked as she walked her way over to grab a water bottle to down, "You seem down."

"Not down, just worried," Jay rubbed his arm, "I knew Lloyd was torn up about Harumi, but, I never knew it was this bad for him. He sounds, really angry when we record chapters. I'm… kinda worried about him."

"Cole said the same thing, so did my brother," Nya shook her head, "I think he just need sto get it all out. Keep recording with him, or whatever it is you do. I think letting him talk helps."

"I know, I know," Jay sighed, "But I feel like I should be doing something more for him! I mean… he sounds so sad. Like, he's in pain and we barely even saw it."

"Then you should just make sure to be there for him," Nya wrapped her arm around Jay, "Listen, Lloyd isn't like you guys. But look how doing all this has helped him get closer to the others. I mean, he's actually starting to look pretty buff after all that time with Cole, and he's got Kai cooking again! I'm sure if you be there for him, he'll open up to you even more."

"Mhm…" Jay nodded his head, "Thanks, babe. I needed to hear that."

"Hmmph, was there ever any doubt?" Nya hugged him from the side and took a step forward, "C'mon, I gotta shower if we're going out and get ready. Tell Lloyd to wait up a few minutes for me, alright?"

"Take all the time you need!" Jay called out. Nya winked at him and then disappeared down the hallway as well. Jay, feeling his heart a bit lighter, let out a small inhale and exhale before making his way up towards the control deck. Nya was right. He'd be sure to be there for Lloyd. Lloyd would open up to him soon. And when he did, he'd be there for the kid. Such was his thought as he readied himself both for the night out, and for what was surely going to be a rough set of chapters for his friend.