==Surprise! I got another chapter written! Whenever I wasn't on stage, I was writing. Also, as you can see, I have partially renamed this fan fiction and gave it a new summary because I've decided to break up this story into a trilogy called Haunted. I hope this revision is met with positive feedback. I'm not changing anything in the storyline, I'm merely cutting it off after about a hundred chapters. Things will still be interesting, starting now! I hope you enjoy this chapter!==
Bassnectar - "Infinite"
Haunted: Collapse into Caliginosity
Chapter 46:
Reasonable Doubt
Muscles in all our bodies strained to hold the stack. Cole held the bottom while Zane supported the center upside down. Jay and I each clutched one of his ankles and one of Cole's wrists to keep a horizontal position above the upper deck. My arms shook with effort. Sweat streamed down my forehead. Sensei Wu slowly made a revolution around us to assess our abilities to work together as a team. Our objective was to not fall apart. The stack represented brotherhood. If one of us weakened, we all shared the failure.
"Do not doubt yourselves, pupils," the aged man lectured. "Your instincts are what drive you through the mission. You may think they hinder you, but they are your greatest strength. Use them."
The words of wisdom eased my eyelids to block the sun out of view. I concentrated on my steady breathing, using my instincts to bolster the muscles in my arms, hands, and abdomen. Balance was precise according to my senses.
Cole had to be strong enough to reinforce the foundation. Zane's duty was to fasten the interior without breaking. Jay and I were required to balance out all of the weight. The thought and realization of our capability to perform the impossible comforted me. I had faith in my brothers. Nobody would flounder.
"Very good," Sensei Wu praised us. "If you dismantle placidly and silently, your training will be done for the day. Fail to do so, then you shall continue with another lesson."
Jay and I glanced at each other to make eye contact. Both of us had to properly give away from Zane and Cole if we didn't want to come tumbling down all at once.
Almost as if by mind-reading, we only released Zane's ankles. Our body weight rotated us on our way down. Releasing Cole's wrists resulted in our feet making contact with the upper deck. When we were out of the clear, Zane forced his way into the air and out of Cole's loosened grip. His body corrected itself into an upright position. Not a sound was made. The four of us looked at Sensei Wu for feedback.
He stood for a moment in front of us. Anxiety filled our brains and caused more sweat to surface on our flesh.
"You have trained well today," he asserted, bowing for our dismissal.
We bowed in response, and then headed down below deck to clean up. As the others went ahead of me, I gazed up at the perfect sky. A pair of slender legs wearing black shoes dangled from the deck outside of the dining room.
"Hey, Sis," I said, halting beneath the young woman with short black hair.
She looked over her knees, her amber eyes glimmering with the sunshine. "You guys looked good today," she complimented.
"Thanks. I take it we put on quite a show?"
"You know I always watch you guys train. I can't stay in the bridge twenty-four-seven."
"Then come play some video games with us," I encouraged. "We just need a shower."
"I'll pass. You and Cole get too competitive."
I shrugged. "Suit yourself."
She didn't expect it when I jumped up and slipped the shoe right off her foot.
"Hey!" she protested, pulling her legs back onto a solid surface.
I chuckled with the shoe between my fingers. "Love you, Baby Sister," I played, tossing the shoe back up to her.
I heard her mumble something as I went below deck, but didn't catch what she said.
Meanwhile, Jay barged out of our bedroom to be the first one to get a shower. I rolled my eyes as he passed by me. Inside remained Cole and Zane, who were having a conversation in the adjoining storage room.
"I mean, you never told us all you did yesterday with Macca," Cole pointed out. "We know it was a photoshoot, but c'mon, something else had to have happened."
"Well," Zane began, a sheepish smile forming on his lips, "she took me out for lunch after it was over."
"Like a date?"
His blue eyes became clueless. "What's that?"
"You know," I butted in, "like both of you are interested in each other, so you went out to have some fun."
"In that case, no. It was merely an act of appreciation for me doing what wasn't necessary."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Very sure. It was pleasing to see her, but we're seeing her again tomorrow."
"Did you invite her back?" Cole asked.
He shook his head. "No. Her dancing competition is tomorrow. She bought us tickets–"
"WHAT?!" I excitedly interrupted.
Cole flinched. "Calm down. You're acting like a five-year-old," he berated.
"I've always wanted to go to one of her competitions! I've only seen recordings."
"Alright, alright, we'll make sure you're closest to the action."
"Macca's already shared the action with me," Zane voiced.
"She gave you a private show?" I complained. "That's so unfair!"
"She didn't perform for me. She showed me how to dance, almost like the falcon."
"What?" Cole questioned.
"Both of us danced. I've never done such a thing before."
Cole and I laughed.
"Prove it, Frosty," Cole commanded.
Zane showed a look of surprise and embarrassment. "I-I–"
A piercing siren and flashing red light filled the bedroom, making all of us jump in fright. A shared glance by us three told us to go to the bridge.
Together, we hurried out to the hallway, but a certain door made me stop in my tracks. Zane and Cole carried on without me. I opened the door to find the room on the side slightly humid because of Jay taking a shower. His dirty ninja suit was draped over the sink while a clean suit lied neatly folded on the toilet. As Jay sang an unrecognizable tune, I realized he had no idea Nya set off an emergency alert, let alone that I had just entered the premises.
I went over to the toilet and flushed it.
"AHH!" Jay screamed, the shower suddenly filling with thick steam from hot water.
"We have an emergency, Jay! Get to the bridge!" I announced, running out of the room.
My arms pumped as I transferred into a sprint. Coming into the open atmosphere, I skidded on my heels to quickly change directions. Everyone was inside of the bridge and facing the screen. Nya looked at me with alarm obvious in her eyes.
"There's a village in Glacier Barrens receiving secondhand attacks from Serpentine. Where's Jay?"
"On his way. What's the plan, Sis?"
"Well, according to the call I just received, it's Hypnobrai and Fangpyre slaughtering each other. That tells me Lloyd and Hannah are up to something."
"I concur," Zane approved. "It's evident that they lost control over the Hypnobrai, considering our last encounter involved the Fangpyre. It only makes sense to conclude they want revenge against them."
"Okay, so we stop the fighting?" Cole asked.
"And apprehend my nephew and his friend," Sensei Wu added, scratching his beard. "They must be stopped before they release any more tribes."
"That means we'll more than likely have to split up; one group tend to the village while the other gets the kids."
"Two groups of two? That doesn't sound wise," Zane countered. "How can two people take two young ones and fight at the same time?"
Quick footsteps sounded through the open doorway from Jay. When he came in, his hair was damp and his finger pointed at me.
"Don't ever do that again!" he demanded.
"We have a situation," I informed him.
"Let me go with you," Nya pleaded. "I can handle the kids while the other two fight off Serpentine."
"No way," I immediately averted. "You need to stay here and operate the Bounty. I'm sure we can handle it."
Her expression seemed annoyed.
"Or we can get Macca to help," Cole suggested.
Zane's eyes widened. "Absolutely not! We almost lost her last time we encountered the Serpentine. I refuse to put her in danger again."
"Think about it, Zane. Macca is the only other person in Ninjago who knows how we do things. We'll do a better job keeping her safe. She won't have to fight or anything."
He continued to shake his head.
"Jay, be quick and get the girl," Sensei Wu instructed.
Zane turned around in disbelief. "Sensei, please," he begged.
"Do not question my orders, Zane," Sensei Wu warned. "Macca will help in the mission. Jay, go now."
Jay nodded. "She's working, right?"
"Yes, at the club," I answered.
He ran out the door and flew off in his Storm Fighter. Zane looked at me with anguish. Nya turned away from me, angrily focusing on the systems. I just betrayed both of them.
As Sensei Wu left the bridge, my gaze followed him out. His orders always had his best interest. What could've been his reason for bringing Macca along?
Please review! :)