Hi all, I really wanted to write this after re-watching the mini-episode Let's Dance, I am working on the requested stories but have a bit of writer's block so I thought I'd give you guys this fluff piece. Slight spoilers for season 12 Prime empire. I own nothing in this story and I don't pretend to know much about dance or ballet, I am going off of very very limited knowledge hear, and the performance in this story is pretty much a spin-off of Romeo and Juliet but with dragons and the leads don't die but everyone else does.
Dance class had become a favorite pastime of Jay and Nya. Both of them gliding across the dance floor in each other's arms, practicing for when they would do it for the first time as a married couple. They walked into their regular Wednesday class only to find it bigger than normal.
"Woah, I didn't realize dance class would get so popular so quickly," said Nya
"Due to a scheduling mix up, the Saturday class will be joining us today," said the instructor.
"I hope we are not late," said Zane walking in, arm and arm with Pixal. Both were wearing leotards, Zane's was white, Pixal's was purple and blue. Both had black ballet shoes slung over their arms.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Jay
"I was about to ask you the same question," said Pixal
"We always come to the Wednesday class," said Nya
"Oh, we are in the Saturday class, it was Pixal's idea to take dance lessons to improve our balance and form, as well as spend quality time as a couple," said Zane
"Huh, we're here for kinda the same reason," said Jay
"What time of dance do you two specialize in? Pixal and I do Ballet," said Zane
"Mostly Ballroom," said Jay
"Though Jay can do almost any style," said Nya
"Wait, how long have you two been coming here?" asked Jay
"Oh ever since we defeated the Sons of Garmadon" said Zane
"So you two have secretly been taking dance classes for almost 4 years, how did none of us notice!" exclaimed Jay
"You always play video games on Saturdays," said Zane flatly. The instructor clapped to get everyone's attention.
"Ah, I see the graceful swan and his sugar plum fairy have arrived, excellent, you and the others from the Saturday class will be focusing on preparing for the upcoming recital while Wednesday's class learns the Salsa," said the instructor, dividing the classes into two separate sides of the room. Zane and Pixal were working on their leaps, Pixal leaping into the air to land gracefully on Zane's palm then him lifting her back into the air as he leaped in front, both of them landing to face each other.
"Brava," clapped the instructor "I do want you two to practice more at home in order to be ready for the show, can't have dragons flying through the air without grace,"
"Yes sir," said Pixal.
"Darling, what if we incorporated a few our fighting moves into this performance," said Zane
"Are you sure you want to steal Cole's thunder? He is the only person the world knows that is capable of doing that move," said Pixal
"If we finish it with the iconic lift, it is sure to be a show stopper," said Zane
"Let's keep it a secret for now and practice it only at home, it needs to be a surprise finish for the audience. After class, the three ninjas and the samurai walked home.
"You two looked great flying through the air like that," said Nya
"Thank you, Pixal is the epitome of grace and beauty," said Zane
"What is it with you and flirting with me lately?" laughed Pixal
"Would you prefer if I talked like this?" asked Zane, doing his detective's voice, she shoved him. Causing him to laugh and kiss her cheek.
"Have they ever acted like this?" whispered Jay to Nya as they watched the two droids being adorable.
"You think we'd remember them acting this adorable," said Nya, trying not to giggle.
"Um, did something big happen with you two while we were in the video game?" asked Jay
"Just Zane being, what you would call a Dork, and acting like a detective from those old films," said Pixal. Zane mocked offense
"Woah Woah Woah Woah, I MISSED ZANE WEARING A TRENCHCOAT AND FEDORA!" shrieked Jay
"He got on my nerves the entire time he was doing it, and he was pointlessly monologuing everything in a stupid voice and outdated terminology," said Pixal
"I didn't think Zane could ever be annoying on purpose," said a thoughtful Nya
"Are you implying I am annoying on a daily basis?" asked Zane, slightly offended
"Leave my Zaney alone, only I can comment on his ludicrous behavior," said Pixal defending her boyfriend. Jay and Nya exchanged looks.
"What in the world is going on with those two?" asked Jay
"Oh quiet, it's adorable," said Nya. They got back to the monastery, Zane and Pixal still being adorable. Cole noticed the adorable droids and asked Jay and Nya what had gotten into them.
"We don't really know, they just started acting cute on our way home," said Jay.
"Huh, I guess you two have competition for cutest couple now," said Cole
"Hey! No one is a cuter couple than Nya and I!" exclaimed Jay
"I don't know, those two are pretty adorable," said Kai, walking in.
"Also I was meaning to ask, why are those two in leotards and ballet slippers?" asked Cole
"They take ballet, normally they have class on Saturday but their class had to reschedule to today so the Ballroom dance class had to share with the ballet class," said Jay
"Wait, how do you know?" asked Cole
"Nya and I take ballroom dance lessons on Wednesdays," said Jay
"AHA! THAT'S HOW YOU GUYS WON THE COMPETITIVE DANCE IN PRIME EMPIRE!" exclaimed Cole
"Hey, at least they won," said Kai
"We wouldn't have stood a chance against Zane and Pix, those two fly without dragons or wings," said Nya
"Why don't we have a little contest, see who's the best dancer! I'm sure my dad would love to judge a ninja dance-off!" said Cole
"That sounds awesome!" said Jay
"I'll go tell Zane and Pix," said Kai
"I'll call my dad and pick him up!" said Cole. Zane and Pixal were in the training yard practicing.
"Hey you two, do you want to participate in a dance-off? Cole's dad is gonna judge, it will be you two against Jay and Nya, and Cole," said Kai after watching Zane throw Pixal into the air for the fifth time only for her to land perfectly on his outstretched hand and be launched once again into the air.
"It would be good to see how we stand in the eyes of a blade cup winner," said Pixal thoughtfully, not shifting her focus from her routine. Once she perfected her landing, she added a twirl.
"Pixal, Darling the nerve circuits in my hand and arm are beginning to fail, perhaps we should give this a rest for a few minutes," said Zane. Kai did a double-take, he had never heard Zane call Pixal anything other than her name. Pixal landed gracefully on the ground and took off her shoes before turning off the music and drinking some water. They both sat down on the porch.
"So are you two up for a competition?" asked Kai
"How long before Cole's dad gets here?" asked Zane as Pixal made sure his arm hadn't taken any damage before giving him a shoulder rub.
"Assuming he's off the phone by now and Cole went to go pick him up already, I'd say half an hour," said Kai
"Ok that should be fine then," said Zane
"I still have to get that third twirl in before landing," said Pixal
"I suppose I could try to lift you a bit higher to give you more time in the air," said Zane
"It might be hard to control my trajectory if I go any higher," said Pixal
"I'm sure we could calculate the correct height in order to get the third twirl and still have control over your landing," said Zane
"I thought we agreed to not use our enhanced robotic capabilities during our performances, it takes away from the joy of perfecting it like normal people do," said Pixal
"You're right, let's just experiment with different heights and ensure there is a soft spot for you to land on in case you miss the target," said Zane, kissing her cheek.
"Wait, you guys aren't using your nindroid abilities for dance?" asked Kai
"We wanted to see what it was like to practice something to become good at it instead of just outright having the skill, I must say it's done wonders for our relationship and overall outlook on life," said Zane
"Cole is so screwed," smirked Kai
"We have been working on my aerial routine for a while now, perhaps this competition will be a good chance to work on the floor routine," said Pixal
"Good idea love," said Zane. Soon it was time for the competition, Lloyd, Lou, and Wu were judging. Nya and Jay were up first. They did the tango, their signature dance. Wu gave them a 7, Lloyd an 8, and Lou a 6. Then it was Cole's turn, he did some sort of contemporary, hip-hop, thing. Lloyd 9, Wu 5, Lou 5. Then it was Zane and Pixal's turn. Their movements were fluid and precise, the sheer trust they had in each other as they moved in perfect time and harmony to the music lost in the euphoria of it all. Everyone's mouths dropped as they watched the performance. Lou 10, Wu 10, Lloyd 9 ( Lloyd doesn't understand ballet)
"Well I guess it's unanimous, Zane and Pix won," said Kai
"It wasn't hard, Pixal and I have been training for a long time now," said Zane
"So when is the recital you guys were talking about?" asked Nya
"Wait, Recital? The next Ballet recital I am aware of is the Dance of the Balance Dragons," said Lou
"Indeed, Pixal and I have the lead roles and we've been working nonstop to make the performance special," said Zane
"The lead roles in that performance are the most coveted and difficult routines in all of ballet! Dancers train for years just for the honor of even being considered for the roles!" said Lou
"Well we have been training for years, these routines are exceedingly difficult," said Zane
"Then today's contest really was for nothing, there is no doubt that these two are the best dancers in all of Ninjago if they are capable of securing the most coveted roles in such a prestigious performance," said Lou
"Speaking of which, I know tickets are hard to come by for the performance, but as the lead dancers Pixal and I are aloud to bring as many family members as we want, Cyrus Borg already agreed to come, all of you are invited too," said Zane pulling out a handful of tickets, he made sure to give one to Lou.
"Thank you! I have been longing to go to this show since I was a kid!" said Lou
"Er, I'll just give my ticket to my mom, I'm not that into Ballet," said Lloyd
"I have already given all your families tickets, including your mother Lloyd," said Zane
"Lloyd, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and as you have heard, Ballet takes skill and precision that many warriors could only dream of accomplishing," said Wu
"Yeah Lloyd, you should see Zane throw Pixal into the air with one arm and her landing on tiptoe on one leg in the palm of his hand, my arms hurt just from watching it!" said Kai
"Speaking of which, we still need to figure out how to get that third twirl while you're still in the air," said Zane
"I suggest you two eat dinner and relax before you continue practicing, you cannot hope to perfect something while low on energy," said Wu
"Yes sensei," said Zane, the sun was starting to set so all the ninja went inside for dinner. The day of the performance came and Misako had to literally drag Lloyd with her.
"Why do I have to go?" whined Lloyd
"To support Zane and Pixal and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Misako. The lights dimmed and a hush fell over the crowd as the curtain opened and the music began. The dancers were mesmerizing and then Zane and Pixal came out in full costume, Pixal had black dragon wings and makeup, Zane was the white dragon. Dancing out a story of forbidden love and a tragedy of two kingdoms falling to ruin leaving only the two lovers. The curtain closing on the black and white dragons dancing the ying-yang symbol, balance from the ruins, peace from war. The ninja met Zane and Pixal after the show.
"THAT WAS AWESOME!" shouted Lloyd
"Someone did a 180 on his stance with Ballet," whispered Cole to Kai
"Thank you Lloyd," said Zane. That night Zane and Pixal went back outside and set their music very low. With only the light of the moon, they danced and leaped through the air to the soft music, recreating their favorite dance of the performance. After Zane set Pixal down, he got on one knee.
"Pixal, my love, our relationships may not be forbidden, but the intensity of the love I have for you is just as potent, will you make me the happiest nindroid in the world and be my wife?" asked Zane, presenting her with a silver and sapphire ring that glittered in the moonlight. Pixal gasped before smiling.
"Nothing would make me happier," she said. In the light of the moon, the two dancers kissed as the music ended and their new lives began.