No P.O.V.
The morning sunlight awoke Jessica. Blinking, she rose from her bed and looked over at Celeta, who was hanging from the ceiling.
That reminds me, did Nya wake up at all? Jessica asked.
No, and for the record, NOT MY FAULT. Celeta remarked.
Fine. In the meantime, I need a new bow. Where's the nearest yew tree?
Five miles, through desert and forest terrain.
Good, my morning run. Make sure that they stay docked here.
Getting off the ship, Jessica stretched and began her run, drinking in the early morning air. Not unlike my training, just different environments. Although, I have to wonder how everyone will take in the fact that Lloyd's evil after dad dies. After about half an hour, she reached the tree and smiled. A small part of her necklace disappeared, and a foot away laid a black bow. Picking it up, Jessica loaded an arrow and shot. The arrow lodged itself in the trunk of a tree fifty meters away. Time to go back.
Meanwhile…
Jay walked down the hall of the ship. It was almost time for morning training, and he was going to wake up Nya for breakfast. He blushed slightly at the thought of his girlfriend, but shook it off.
As he made his way there, he gasped as he saw Nya sprawled on the ground. Running towards her, he began to shake her and yell, "Nya! Wake up!" Nya twitched, and opened her eyes. "Nya, what happened?"
"Jessica's-bat-talking-mutated." Nya stammered. By this time, Kai had heard Jay and was also by Nya's side.
"Nya, you're talking nonsense. How can a bat talk?" Kai asked, looking at Celeta, who had just flown in from her outside hunting. In response, Celeta clicked.
"See? You must have been hallucinating. Bats are too stupid to talk-OW!" Jay was cut off by a large vase being dropped on his head. Celeta gave a bat laugh and thought to herself, That's what you think, dimwit.
"That reminds me, where's Jessica? Shouldn't her bat be with her?" Kai asked. Nya got up and opened the door to find that no one in the room and the bed sheets all over the floor.
"What happened? Where is she?" Nya asked frantically.
Celeta gave several clicks, trying to say "Jessica's on her morning run", but no one really noticed it. Even Nya, who heard it, said,
"Look, even her bat's worried! What if something's happened?" Nya asked.
Celeta used her wing to slap her forehead, thinking, Are all humans this stupid besides Jessica?
While the three were trying to find Jessica, Zane was on the deck, training, when Jessica ran up to the ship, with her yew bow strapped onto her back. "Hey, what's your name again?" She asked, panting slightly.
"Zane." He told her.
"Okay, hi there Zane. Where are the others?" She asked before a series of screams answered her question. Nya ran outside, pale.
"Have you seen Jessica- Jessica? Where were you?" She asked. Jessica groaned.
Celeta! Get your ass over here! Jessica shouted over their mental connection.
Alright, but technically, I have no ass. Celeta replied, flying out.
WHY didn't you say I was on my run?
Since last time I talked out loud, Nya fainted. Jessica sighed mentally as Kai and Jay walked out.
"Jessica, where were you?" Jay asked, aggravated.
"I was on a morning jog, and making a new bow." Jessica told him, pulling out her yew bow from her back.
"Next time, would you please tell someone?" Kai asked, clearly annoyed.
I did, but someone didn't tell. Jessica pointed out to Celeta.
Not my fault these guys can't take surprises. Celeta sang. Jessica sighed mentally once more.
"Sorry. For future reference, I do morning runs every day. Part of my training." Jessica said, containing a curse.
"Jessica, could you spar with Lloyd? I'd like to see your skill." Sensei Wu told her.
"Sure, but how about hand-to-hand combat? Let's see your fighting skills." Jessica told him.
"You're dead meat. Lloyd's beat all of us without really trying, and that was before the tomorrow tea made him even stronger." Kai said with a smirk.
"Never underestimate someone before they fight." Jessica said as she took a fighting stance.
Lloyd came quickly, clearly wanting this to spar with the others. Jessica dodged, jumping onto a ledge. Lloyd scowled and tried again, but his sister was too fast for him, and in-between would deal small amounts of damage with attacks from behind. Finally, Lloyd began to hit back and did much more damage, surprising Jessica.
No wonder he's the best ninja; his skill is nearly greater than mine, and I have trained for ten years! She told Celeta after a difficult dodge.
Yes, and he hasn't even shown off his Spinjitzu! Amazing how he can harness all four elements so easily! It will be hard to defeat him after he becomes the Lord of Darkness. Celeta noted.
After an hour of sparing, with everyone else goggling, Lloyd gave up and began using Spinjitzu, disappointing Jessica.
Ah well, knew it would end eventually. Too bad I have to lose. Jessica sighed mentally. Unless of course...
Don't even think about it. The necklace will only last so long. You should save it for the final battle. Celeta warned.
I know, I know. I was just thinking that-
That you needed to prove you're better than Lloyd? I know you do not like him, but trust is key in your mission. Without it, you will lose these allies, however untrusting they may be, and gain six powerful enemies.
Grudgingly, Jessica allowed Lloyd to catch up and defeat her with Spinjitzu. She felt everything spin around her until Lloyd stopped. Jessica fell onto the floor of the training ground headfirst, and groaned in pain. Rubbing her head where she could feel a small knot, she muttered, "Got to show off, just like Dad would've told you to."
"Are you alright?" Cole asked, extending a hand to help her up.
"I'm fine." She told him, getting up without his help.
Looks like someone likes you. Celeta sang.
For just once, could you shut up? Don't mean to be rude, but it can get annoying. And besides, he was just being nice. Jessica snapped.
"That was really good. Who trained you?" Sensei Wu asked, mystified.
"The Elder Spirit of Dusk Forest. Or, he taught the finer tips of fighting and my all my spiritual training." His niece told him, bored.
"'Spiritual training'? What's that?" Jay asked.
Really? They don't even have spiritual training? How amateurish can these guys get? Jessica wondered. "I'll show you." Lifting her hand, she focused on one of the punching bags. A part of her necklace, barely a millimeter long, glowed faintly as the bag trembled and lifted over a small crate. When it was in position, Jessica closed her hand, and the bag fell on the crate, crushing it.
Everyone's jaws dropped, and Kai asked, "But how- No way- How did you-"
"Spiritual energy, similar to what I used to fight Lord Garmadon. Simple, once you get the basics down." Jessica said, leaning against the main mast. Of course, intense meditation is required to remain in control. She remarked to Celeta.
"Wait, why didn't you use it during your sparing match with Lloyd?" Zane asked.
"There's a limit to what I can do." And what my necklace can take before breaking.
"Interesting. Could you teach the ninja?" Sensei Wu asked. Jessica held back a snort.
"No way. It's hard enough to learn it, much harder to teach. The Elder Spirit trained for hundreds of years before he began to teach me, and even then it was difficult. There's little chance I could teach them anything, not without anything going wrong, at least." She told him.
"And by going wrong, you mean...?" Cole asked, leaving the sentence unfinished where Jessica picked up.
"I mean serious injury or death. If it doesn't go horribly wrong." She said.
"What if it goes horribly wrong?" Jay asked, scared.
"Either the earth would explode or the sun would expand, one of the two." Jessica told them calmly. "Which is why even the Elder Spirit rarely used the power."
"Since you are already at Lloyd's level, would you like to continue sparing with him?" Sensei Wu asked.
"Nah, I would rather train with Celeta." When everyone looked confused, Jessica sighed and explained, "My bat." Without another word, she walked away, Celeta in tow.
"Is it just me, or is she a girl of a few words?" Kai asked, annoyed.
"Give her time. She's in a strange new place, and will need time to adjust." Sensei Wu told him.
Back in her room, Jessica locked the door and turned to Celeta. Could you seal off the door till I'm finished?
Of course. Jessica smiled and settled down on the bed. With her legs in crisscross position and fingers locked together, she took a deep breath, her hair began to glisten and float away from her head, rippling. She levitated off the bed about a foot in the air and a silvery aura surrounded her entire body. Her eyes opened, but instead of dark green, they glowed silver.
"Jessica? Can we talk?" Nya asked, outside the door. Celeta clicked and the door turned to steel, but this scared the living daylights out of Nya, who began punching at the steel door. "Jessica? Is something wrong?" She shouted. *During meditation, Jessica's senses are completely cut off from the outside world. In fact, the only thing that can draw her out before the five-hour cutoff is Celeta.*
Nya's screams eventually attracted the attention of the ninja, who ran to her. "What the heck happened to the door? And why were you yelling?" Jay asked.
"The door turned into steel all of a sudden! I think Jessica's in trouble! Can you get us into the room?" Nya asked desperately.
"We can try. You might want to back up." Lloyd told her. Once everyone was out of the way, Lloyd blasted the door off its hinges.
Oh, come on people! What the hell do I have to do to catch a break? Celeta asked herself.
Looking inside, everyone gasped at Jessica floating in the air. "What happened to her?" Jay asked, his voice shaking.
"I don't know, but we're going to solve it." Cole said, drawing out his scythe. Celeta gave some impatient clicks, trying to tell them "It's fine, just standard meditation!" but no one got it.
WHY can't they just accept a talking and intelligent bat? Seriously, it's really getting on my nerves! Celeta thought with a groan.
"Maybe we can snap her out of it!" Kai suggested, drawing close with his sword. Seeing as her master was about to earn a concussion, Celeta screamed through the mental link,
Wake up! They're going to kill you! Jessica's eyes snapped open from their glow and she dodged Kai's sword before using her whip to grab his foot. She tugged and he fell over with a thud.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR?! YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!" Jessica screamed, drawing out her bow and nocking an arrow.
"You were floating above your bed and glowing! What were we supposed to do?" Jay asked but Jessica's temper blew.
"YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO LEAVE ME ALONE! It's my standard meditation!" She screamed back.
"Standard? We've seen Zane meditate before and last I checked, he doesn't float around and glow like that!" Kai countered but Jessica snorted.
"And last I checked, HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY SPIRITUAL POWERS. If you DON'T want to explode and/or destroy the earth and/or sun, you have to do undisturbed meditation for five hours straight! And during that time, you can't hear, see, smell, or sense anything on the outside world, which is why the only reason I am not concussed is because of Celeta! So would you guys please leave me alone for the next five hours?" Jessica asked. Her necklace glowed again and the ninja and Nya were thrown out of the room before the door was slammed shut and became crystal this time. "See if you can manage five hours of being awake and not annoying me into oblivion!" She shouted before stomping off to her bed. After several deep breaths, she managed to return to her meditation.
"Man, what's she got against us?" Jay asked.
"I think you guys might want to give her some space. She's just closed off, and you guys did almost give her a serious injury." Nya pointed out.
While most of the ninja looked annoyed, Cole sighed and nodded before walking away.
"Is it just me, or did Cole just agree with you?" Kai asked, confused.
"Never mind. Come on, we need to go to the deck for training." Zane said, and they headed off to the training area.
Doodeedoodeedoo... Hey, it's a Page Break! CALL FORTH... THE HUNT!
Finally, seven hours later, Jessica awoke from her meditation. So, how'd it go? She asked Celeta.
Much longer than normal. Two extra hours. Celeta said. I'm guessing the interruption was the source.
You're right. When I returned, it seemed to take longer for my simplest actions. I'd better make sure that doesn't happen again. Mind you, this is driving me nuts! Why'd I listen to you when you told me staying here would be a good idea?
Personally, I have no clue. And if this continues, your own life could be in danger. If they had given you a concussion, you would've been stuck in your mind forever.
"Jessica? Is your meditation finished?" A voice from outside the door asked.
"Yes, so it's okay to come in." Jessica called back, leaning against the wall. Nya entered, smiling, but Jessica could sense her fear.
"What happened? You said it would take five hours." Nya said, revealing a worried expression.
"If you're not interrupted. Since I was, the concentration required multiplies and it becomes harder for the necessary tasks during meditation. That reminds me, what's the time? I haven't eaten yet." Jessica said, and as if to solidify the claim, her stomach rumbled loudly as if she hadn't eaten in days. Nya laughed at the loud sound before it rumbled again, louder than the last time.
"It's a couple hours to dinner, but you'd better get a snack. It's Cole's turn to make dinner." Nya warned.
"He's not a very good cook?" Jessica asked.
"Let's just say that everyone goes to bed hungry when it's his night to cook." Nya replied, and handed her a granola bar. "Here, this will get you through the night without starving."
True to Nya's word, what Cole served that night looked something like mix between a pile of crap and slime, just cream-colored.
Uh, Celeta, is this even food? Jessica asked quickly.
Depends on how you define food. Celeta told her, although the bat looked green in the face just smelling the glop.
Edible and not going to kill you.
Then yes, its food. But personally, I think you should join me for my night hunting.
Agreed. Jessica carefully picked up her spoon, took some slop, and sniffed the food. Gagging, she forced herself to not barf and put the food in her mouth. The result was a mixture of being disgusted and being poisoned. How can anyone eat this stuff? Jessica wondered. After dinner was finished, which meant that no one was touching their food at all for ten minutes, Jessica found herself doing the dishes with Cole. For the first few minutes, there was no sound besides the flow of water and scrubbing of dishes. Then, after five minutes, Cole broke the silence.
"I'm sorry for what happened during your meditation. We didn't know, but we shouldn't have tried to give you a concussion." He said, averting his eyes. Jessica remained stunned for a few seconds, then responded.
"Thanks... I guess. Sorry for screaming my lungs out." She flashed him a smile, but she could have sworn he had blushed at it. Ignoring it, they finished and Jessica went to her room where Celeta was waiting.
Ready for dinner? The bat asked.
You got that right. Jessica said.
The two set off into the night, moving quickly. After a couple hours, they found dinner and after eating returned to the ship. However, upon return Lloyd was waiting outside Jessica's room.
"Jessica, where were you? You scared the living daylights out of us." He told her angrily.
"By 'us', you mean just you, right?" His sister asked. He sighed.
"That doesn't change the fact that you keep disappearing all the time. Jessica, do you just not like us or something?" Lloyd asked.
"You do realize both times I've actually been doing things?" Jessica countered.
"Not this time! You just ran off! What were you doing?" He asked.
"Just buzz off! We may be siblings, but we're not friends. You can pick your friends, but your family members are given to you. You don't need to be nosy." She shouted before going inside her room and shutting the door. Tomorrow, I'm leaving. This has gone on long enough. Jessica told Celeta.
You're too closed-minded. I know you blame Lloyd for your mother's death, but you are being far too harsh on him. Celeta said cautiously.
The little brat deserves it. Like it or not, he's a murderer, just like our father. Maybe I am an assassin, but I'm taking out people who would otherwise kill dozens of people.
Suppose what you heard wasn't the actual transfer and you were required-
So you're saying that I'm his heir? The person who will inherit all of Lord Garmadon's dark powers? Jessica's anger began to rise dangerously.
I only meant to-
Get out. Now. "Get our NOW, you stupid bat!" Jessica screamed. Celeta clicked angrily and flew outside. Groaning, Jessica laid down on the bed and looked at the ceiling.
Ugh, I hate this place. She thought to herself before going to sleep.