"Come on, come on! Let's hustle people!" Jay barked as he instructed the other ninja. "Don't walk, run! We got to get this place spotless before Lyn arrives!" The Bounty has been bustling with activities of general cleaning since early morning in preparation for Lyn's visit. The ninja requested a day-off from Sensei and Dareth to clean. It was easy to convince their old master, but their goofy agent, not so much. They had to give lots of excuses to Dareth in order to postpone production. Since morning, they have been wiping the counters and tables, sweeping the floor, and vacuuming the couches, as per Jay's orders.
"You know, I'm getting tired of taking orders from someone who hasn't lifted a finger yet," Cole tells Jay with a pointed look.
Jay scoffed. "I am helping. I'm the event coordinator!"
"This isn't technically an event Jay," Kai interjected. "I don't know why we have to be this over-prepared."
"Well, Lloyd's bringing his friend—who is a girl—home," Jay said shrugging his shoulders. "Don't you want to make a good impression as a family? Look what happened to me!"
"Your parents were the ones who came to visit the first time," Cole reminded him. "And your mom wouldn't stop talking about your most embarrassing moments, much to our amusement anyway."
"Precisely!" Jay continued, waving his hands in the air. "We need to make sure this 'visit' goes well for both of them!" He then sees Lloyd wiping their TV console.
"Epepep, you need to take a shower," Jay swiped the clothe from Lloyd hand and pushed him toward their bathroom.
"But I want to help!" The blonde protested. Jay held up his hand.
"Uh-uh, you're helping by staying squeaky clean till 2pm. Now shoo."
When Jay returned to the living room where the others were, he realized they had stopped moving and had given him weird looks.
"What?"
"Why are you in Full-Mother-Goose-Mode?" Cole asked. "I thought that was Zane's job."
"Pardon?" Zane answered, but Cole waved him off.
"Oh, come on you guys," Jay replied. "This is our Lloyd we're talking about. Don't you want to make his 'girl friend' have a good time?"
"Yeah, yeah," Kai spoke up. "I'd do the same for the girl I'd bring home. But not yet."
"That is, if you actually get a girl," Cole teased.
"Hey!" Kai shot Cole a glare. "I did say I got a date during Valentine's, didn't I?"
"Yeah, uh-huh, and I'll bet it didn't go so well and she ditched you before you knew it!"
"Look who's talking, Single Pringle! When was the last time you had a date?"
"Why I oughtta-" Cole and Kai were about to grab each other's shirts when Zane cut in front of them.
"Enough arguing my friends," Zane told them. "There's no need to fight." Kai and Cole both crossed their arms, neither looking at each other.
"I understand Jay's plan on making this a memorable encounter," the nindroid continued. "So let us just continue cleaning, shall we? Besides, I do believe that this Lyn holds a special place in Lloyd's heart, one that surpasses the position of a friend. Even if he doesn't know it yet. Us doing this is a way of showing that Lloyd had our full support."
"Thank you!" Jay commented, gesturing his hand at the titanium ninja. "My point exactly." The master of earth and the master of fire both sighed.
"Fine," Kai said wearily. "For Lloyd."
"Yeah, for Lloyd," Cole agreed.
Before noon, the Bounty was as spotless as when they first cleaned it. Everything was scrubbed, wiped, and mopped clean, from the deck, to the hallway, and even the training room. Lloyd had come out of the bathroom looking more refreshed and asked if there was anything else he could help with.
"Not really," Kai responded, looking around the room. "Zane and Nya are prepping lunch."
"You know," Lloyd said as he sat on the couch. "It's just her first visit. It's not like it should be a big deal."
"It is a big deal!" Jay told the younger ninja.
"Come on guys," Lloyd continued. "You know what I mean." He let his shoulders relax. "But thanks for doing this. Lyn's never had many friends. She just wants some people would actually treat her like a normal person."
"Life for her must be really tough, huh?" Cole chimed in. "Probably has to meet high expectations, never really giving her a chance to find who she really is or what she's really good at."
"Something like that," Lloyd replied. "Being born in a rich family made her real popular with others, but more in a bad way than good. Her peers always used her or had no genuine intention of being her friend, and she grew tired of it. So she never went with them and somewhat became an unintentional outcast."
"And the stalker?" Kai asked.
"He keeps claiming to be her boyfriend, but isn't, and she hates him for it. She thinks he's only doing it to marry into her family or something like that."
"That really is a sad life to live." Jay commented.
"But now that she's got you," Kai nudged Lloyd with his elbow. "Things are looking up eh?" Lloyd snorted.
"Yeah, yeah. She said at least she has a true friend to confide in, at least that what she tells me."
"Come on Lloyd, be honest with us," Cole said as he leaned on the couch. "Do you have feelings for this girl?" Not this again. Sure Lloyd liked Lyn, but he wasn't certain that they were the romantic kind yet. He was still getting to know her after all.
"I-I'm not sure," Lloyd sheepishly replied while rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, she's nice and all, but I'm not sure if I'm even ready for a relationship yet. Can't we stick as friends? Besides, I'm sure she doesn't think of me that way."
"Alright, suite yourself," Jay told him. "It's your choice after all. But just remember: If you need any advice, we're all here for you."
"That's so cheesy, Jay," Cole gagged.
"Hey I don't see you being helpful."
"Says the guy who barked orders rather than scrub the floor!" Lloyd chuckled at his brothers' bickering. He heard some footsteps behind him. He turned around to see Nya wiping her hands.
"Come on, guys," she told them. "Lunch is ready." That got the black and blue ninja to split up and everyone happily went to the dining room to eat.
2pm finally came. Lloyd jumped out of the Bounty and flew for Ninjago City. Since it was early afternoon, no doubt any bystander would catch sight of Ninjago's green hero soaring the skies. Landing outside the city, he started walking for the brunette's skyscraper of a house. To his surprise, he found Lyn already walking away from the building. No disguise for her today. She was wearing her turquoise cardigan over a white shirt, along with her black jeans and sneakers.
"Hey," Lloyd waved at her as he met her just outside the City's boundary. "I didn't expect you to drop your cover." Lyn grinned.
"Kinda risky I know. But I wanted to be me when I meet your family. No Jack for today. Just Lyn." Lloyd chuckled.
"Okay, then. Let's go I suppose."
"Lead the way." Both of them went outside the city, where Lloyd summoned his dragon again. He held out his hand and helped Lyn up. Lyn realized she would have to wrap her arms around her friend. Her cheeks began to heat up. She's done this before. So why was she nervous this time?
"You okay?" Lloyd's voice shook her from her thoughts.
"No, I'm okay," the girl replied. She carefully clasped her hands around the green ninja's waist. Lloyd fought with all his strength not to flinch at her touch. He too felt his ears get hot as both ascended into the sky.
"You're not nervous are you?" Lloyd worked up the courage to speak. He wanted to concentrate on maneuvering his beast, but he could sense that his passenger was tense.
"I'm not nervous," came the reply, followed by another answer. "Okay, maybe a little."
Lloyd tilted his head. "Why would you be nervous?" The girl took a deep breathe.
"I don't really know. Maybe because I don't know what your family think of me."
"They'll like you, trust me." Lloyd replied. He remembered how his brothers slaved to clean the Bounty for her sake. Lyn felt herself blush again and looked away, trying to focus on the clouds that whizzed by. There's no reason for her to doubt him. He's never said or done anything that led her to believe otherwise. If anything, Lloyd was the most honest person she's met. She felt her muscles unwind and she relaxed for the rest of the flight. Lloyd turned his head for a while and caught a glimpse of her smiling, eyeing the clouds before shifting his attention to the front with a smile on his face.
The Bounty was finally in sight. The dragon's landing was smooth and both jumped off its back and into the deck before it disappeared into thin air.
"Wow." Lyn voiced in amazement as she took in surroundings. "I've never been on a ship before. Let alone a flying one."
"We come out here and use this an outdoor training deck," Lloyd told her. "Get's really messy from time to time." He gestured his hand that led to the door. Lyn followed him inside. "I'll take you to meet the guys first, then we can give you an official tour." Lyn simply nodded, still taken by the ship's features. They stopped at the living room where every one of the team was waiting, including Sensei Wu and Nya. Lloyd gave a short knock before opening the door. Everyone eagerly shot their heads up.
"Lyn, meet the team," Lloyd said proudly as he guided her inside. Lyn timidly made her way inside. Hand trembling, she gave a small wave.
"Hello. I'm Lyn. I've heard so much about you all." It wasn't long before the four ninja crowded around her, Nya and Wu following slowly.
"So you're the mystery girl! Nice to meet ya at last!" Kai told her with a smirk.
"Nice to meet you too. Kai right?"
"Got that right!" Kai told her puffing his chest. "What gave me away? My hair? My amazing good looks?"
"I'm sure everyone recognizes each one of you even with a glance," Lyn replied heartily. Everybody laughed at this.
"She's arrived!" Jay spoke up, shaking Lyn's hand. "I'm Jay, master of lightning, co-mechanic of the Bounty, and currently smitten by the beautiful Water Ninja." Nya shook her head in amusement.
"It's good to meet you, Lyn," the former Samurai told her. Lyn began to relax more.
"Good to meet you both too." She turned to see a man made of metal and the other was of green skin, almost transparent. 'Must be Zane and Cole.'
"It's a pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance," Zane calmly states while gently shaking Lyn's hand.
"The pleasure's all mine." Last was the ghost. How would she shake his hand exactly? Won't their hands just phase through? Cole saw through her confused face and laughed.
"Don't worry about it," Cole chuckled and held out his hand. "Ghosts don't bite." Lyn looked at his hand before cautiously shaking it. It was indeed solid. Her eyes widened un amazement. 'He must have practiced or something.'
She finally turned to the last man there. This man wore a wide brimmed hat and had long white mustache and beard almost reaching his waist. She clearly knew who this one was.
"Hello there, Lyn. I am Sensei Wu." The old man stroke his beard and gave a small bow, signaling Lyn to bow back. She dipped her head low, all the more nervous at his presence.
"I-It's an honor to meet you, Sensei," the girl stammered. She then faced the others. "It's really a privilege to be here with all of you."
"Lyn, breathe," Lloyd told her. "It's not like you're in danger." The girl let out a long breathe.
"All right!" Cole clapped his hand. "Now that we all know each other, why don't we give Lyn a tour?" The boys lined up, each of them gesturing toward the hall, with Lloyd leading the way. They took her to the training deck, the kitchen, the bridge, and let her take a peek in their rooms. Along the way, the boys would slip in small embarrassing moments from Lloyd's childhood, which left Lyn laughing and Lloyd covering his crimson face. Jay sighed, as he realized that that part was utterly inevitable. Lyn's face maintained a smile all throughout the tour, enjoying everyone's company. The tour ended in the living room, and Jay grabbed a controller and held it up.
"Do you play?" Jay asked her. Lyn shook her head.
"Oh, no," the girl replied. "Dad never let me play video games."
"Then now's the perfect time to start!" Kai called out briskly as he grabbed the other controller and hurled it at her direction. Lyn, unsure what to do, put her arms up to shield herself. She waited for the object to hit her but none came. She opened her eyes to see Lloyd's arm in front of her, controller in hand.
"Kai!" Nya smacked her brother on the head. Lloyd gave him a death glare.
"Sorry… I kinda got ahead of myself," Kai apologized.
"Sorry Lyn," Lloyd looked at his friend who had calmed down. "We kinda throw controllers at each other all the time. You alright?"
Lyn nodded. "Yeah, I'm great."
"So, do you want to play?" Lloyd asked handing her the controller.
"I don't know. I don't really game and stuff."
"Come on," Lloyd pleaded. "There's no harm in trying, right?" The girl thought for a moment. She looked at the others, who were already waiting eagerly for her response. Her lips curved into a smile.
"Okay," she took the controller from the Green Ninja and sat on the floor in front of their television.
"Why are you sitting on the floor?" Lloyd asked her, patting the couch. "Align your eyesight with the TV for maximum gaming experience." Lyn slightly shrugged and moved to the couch while the others gave her room.
"You're going down, Lyn!" Cole told her.
"Hey, I've never done this before! Can't you guys take it easy?"
"Nope!" Jay answered. Lyn gulped but she kept calm. She was here to have fun after all. Lloyd, Nya and Wu watched the rest play. Jay would coach her from time to time of there's something she didn't understand. The ninja patiently answered her questions and Lyn soon got a hang of the game. The rest would cheer for Lyn, but the newbie was no match for her opponents. After two hours, Lyn's finger had gone sore.
"I don't know if I can move my fingers anymore. I give." She set the controller down.
"Whoo!" Kai jumped. "I win!"
"Well I'm hungry," Cole said leaning back on the sofa's soft cushion. Just then, Zane appeared from the kitchen. He left the living room an hour earlier to prepare some snacks.
"If you don't mind, I've prepared some food for everyone." Everyone left their seats and proceeded to the dining area. The table was decked with a variety of pastries, pasta, and some fruits and soda.
"We didn't really know what you liked, so we hope this is to your liking," Zane said as he started to distribute plates to everyone.
"I-uhm, wow," was all Lyn could say. "I-I mean thank you. This is really amazing. You all have been so nice and so kind."
"All right, let's get our grub on!" Cole cheered as he scooped a huge portion of pasta on his plate. As everyone ate, the ninja started firing questions at Lyn, such as where she was from, what kind of music she liked, did she like spicy things, and so on. Lloyd silently watched the conversation among them. He's been quite silent, simply watching his friend enjoy herself. He enjoyed seeing her happy and hoped she could always be this happy.
"Wait so you like garlic chilly ramen noodles?" Jay asked in disbelief. "But those things are spicy hot!"
"They're kinda spicy, but they're really delicious when you get used to them," Lyn replied.
"What about allergies?" asked Nya. Lyn tapped her chin to think.
"Peanuts." Suddenly, Sensei Wu stood up.
"If you'll all excuse me, I shall retire to my room," he silently spoke as he turned to leave. But before doing so he turned to their visitor. "Please, make yourself at home Lyn." He then looked at his students. "And I expect all of you to be up and early tomorrow for sunrise exercises." The ninja immediately straightened themselves to give their teacher a bow.
"Yes, Sensei."
Lyn was impressed."Wow. Do you always get up before sunrise to train?"
"I believe Sensei wanted us to train today but we asked his permission to skip practice in order to clean the Bounty." Zane told her. "Sensei probably just wants us to make up for lost time."
"Oh." Lyn realized that they had all broken their daily routine for her. She bit her lip in embarrassment.
"Hey, what's wrong, Lyn?" Nya asked her.
"I just realized, your schedule got blown off because of me," Lyn replied. "I'm so sorry for being inconsiderate." That caused a short laugh from the guys.
"Hey don't worry about it," Kai explained. "It gave us a free day."
"Kai's right," Cole added. "Besides, any friend of Lloyd is a friend of ours."
Lyn couldn't help but smile as wide as she could. No one had ever done that for her before. It was always her bending for others, helping them without getting anything in return. Now, there were these people who were kind enough to spend their entire afternoon with her, even if it disrupted their own schedule. In addition, they were very transparent. Everyone was so honest, so simple. No need for pretenses. Just all out fun and fellowship. She could feel tears blur her eyesight and she tried to wipe them away.
"Hey, what's wrong?" It was Lloyd's turn to ask. He moved closer to see why she was suddenly crying. To everyone's surprise, Lyn gave out a chuckle.
"It's just, you're all so nice." Lyn looked each of them. "You're the best kind of true friends anyone could ever ask for." She then turned to the blonde boy. "You're very lucky Lloyd."
"Aw, Lyn," Nya told her while putting her hand on the brunette's shoulder. "Know that you're always welcome here. Feel free to drop by whenever you like."
"Yeah, just come by when you feel like it," Cole told her. "Just give us a heads up that you're coming, okay?"
"Oh no," Lyn replied, shaking her hands. "That would be too much."
"No really," Nya insisted. "Just swing by anytime. Lloyd's always there to pick you up."
"Hey!" Lloyd yelled. "I'm not a chauffer."
"We don't have time for your gibberish talk Lloyd," Jay said. "Seriously, Lyn, we're all friends here. If you need some down time, just hang out with us."
"Or if you want a rematch," Kai added.
"Or a simple snack," Zane continued.
"I think she gets the point guys," Lloyd told them. Lyn nodded.
"Thank you, all, so much for this. I don't know what else to say." Suddenly, the girl's phone rang. She excused herself and answered the phone in the hallway. Everyone patiently waited for her to return. After a few minutes, walked back, her face looking grave.
"That was my dad. He wants me to come home immediately. He says he's got something important to tell me in person."
"Oh, I guess that cuts your visit short," Lloyd answered, standing up. "Don't worry, I'll take you home."
"Thank you, Lloyd." Lyn turned to the others. "I wish I could stay longer, but I gotta go."
"It's no trouble whatsoever, Lyn," Zane replied. "It was wonderful to have you."
"Yeah, come visit again sometime," Kai told her.
"I hope so. Please do tell Sensei 'thank you' for everything." Everyone walked the pair to the deck where Lyn waved them goodbye. Lloyd summoned his dragon and climbed on with Lyn following after him. The dragon descended and everyone watched them until they were out of sight.
"So?" Jay asked his brothers. "What do you think?"
"She's an interesting character," Zane answered.
"She's got guts," Cole responded. "She's not afraid of trying something new."
"Nya?" Jay asked his girlfriend. "What do you think of Lyn?" Nya simply smiled.
"They look good together." All the boys turned to look at her with disbelief. The Water Ninja raised a brow.
"What? I know what you guys are thinking," Nya shook her head and turned to her brother. "What about you, Kai?"
Kai's face turned to one of determination. "We need to get those two together."
Hello my lovely readers! I'm so sorry I've been absent once again for several months. It's finally summer and I am trying to get back to my writing. I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Till next time ~ SnowflakeShard 3
P.S. Some of you might be wondering why Cole is a ghost in this chapter. Since this takes place after Skybound, I decided to keep Cole's ghost form to remain consistent with the show's timeline. He can eat, since it was confirmed by the Skybound Season. However, keep note that I will only incorporate events until the time of the Day of Departed Special to avoid confusion. I will not include HoT or upcoming seasons because it might get too complicated.