Children of Destiny
Okay guys! This chapter will focus on Kyle where we'll see why he's all camera shy and stuff as well as some action with some new mysterious foes. Also, this chapter will deal a bit with anxiety & fear. I sincerely hope I don't offend anyone so… here we go.
Chapter 9: Eyes on You
Breakfast at the Bounty was a usually peaceful affair but the atmosphere was tense.
Although Kyle joined his teammates for a breakfast of pancakes topped with fruit, he sat a good distance away from them, opting to eat by himself. He was even more antisocial than Liana and that's saying a lot.
"Should we talk to him?" Willow whispered to the others.
"Give him some space," Misako answered, "He needs time to open up to us over his anxiety."
Without saying a word, Kyle finished his breakfast, put his plate away, and left. The yellow ninja was normally level-headed but not cold. This wasn't like him at all…
"Why is he so reluctant to be in the spotlight?" Leon asked, "I think it's pretty nice."
"Not everyone has the same opinion as you do." Amy reminded the green ninja, "Just because you like something doesn't mean we're all obligated to have the same opinion."
"Kyle can be a bit of a perfectionist," Chris began, "He may have a strong intuition but he does get worked up over little details, if that indicates anything…"
"I remember," Alex nodded, "Whenever he messed up on something, he would freak out."
"Maybe he's scared that he'll mess up on TV and it'll show all over Ninjago." Willow suggested.
"I can see why," Melody added, "I do get shy once in a while…"
"I understand your concerns for your brother but you should know better than to badger him," Misako lectured her students, "It would be better to take a more cautious approach."
"I guess so."
The ninjas didn't forget Kyle's outburst the other day and this time, they made sure not to tease him about it or they'll face another one of Misako's punishments…
The first training session commenced without Kyle today.
Misako wanted for the yellow ninja to join them but she understood that he needed some time to sort out his thoughts but she'll make sure he'll train with the others after lunch.
Ever since she first practiced archery a couple of years ago, Willow showed improvement with her skills using the Bow of Hours but just like in the monastery, she was only allowed to wield a bow under adult supervision due to her young age. Her dad forbade her and even Leon to use weapons unless he was there watching them.
The new kunoichi of time eyed the target standing at the other end of the Bounty, readying her arrow until she was sure she had this in the bag.
'Stay focused, Willow,' her father's voice echoed in her head, 'You must be graceful but steady just like your namesake.'
'I can do this…!' The pink kunoichi felt more confident remembering her parent's advice.
The arrow was fired and…
…it missed.
Leon gave her a thumbs-down and made the 'wrong answer' sound.
"Oh yeah!? Let me see YOU do better!" The young kunoichi stuck her tongue out at him.
"That's enough, you two," Misako calmly reprimanded the siblings, "You can't be perfect on the first try but as the old saying goes, 'try, try again.'"
"Yes, Sensei." The siblings behaved themselves in front of their tutor.
The other ninja and kunoichi also tried out their new weapons. Unlike the simple ones they had at the monastery, they can feel their elements within the legendary weapons and the elements that were summoned by them felt like extensions of their own bodies. They felt like they were in complete control but unfortunately, they were still novices…
Chris spun his nunchucks until lightning crackled from the spinning weapon but the sparks soon began to spread out until it shrouded the Bounty.
"Chris, that's enough!" Alex used the Fans of Gales to scatter the crackling plasma.
"You still need some work on your elemental control," Misako started, "It's not something you can master overnight so it's best you take it one step at a time."
"But what about the Overlord?" Forrest asked.
"Don't worry about him… for now… but you must always be on your toes."
"Got it."
The ninja and kunoichi resumed their training, hoping the Overlord doesn't come back soon…
Later in the day, a certain kunoichi walked down the wooden halls of the Destiny's Bounty.
Liana knew what it was like not wanting to be seen by prying eyes and thought she could talk to him over his phobia. She often got unwanted attention back in Arbouria, either because of her powers or beauty. Even if she wasn't part of the popular cliques at school, many guys had hit on her before, calling her 'hot', which was ironic due to her ability to manipulate ice and snow. The guy with the Mohawk during the ninjas' first mission was definitely far from the first man to hit on her.
But this wasn't about beauty and flirting.
This was about Kyle's fears and anxiety.
All the doors to the bedrooms looked alike but Liana remembered where Kyle's room was.
"Kyle?" She gently knocked on his door, "Can I speak with you?"
A moment of silence filled the hall before the metal wielder finally answered.
"Come in." His voice sounded more like a mumble but at least he was willing to invite her in.
The kunoichi of ice took a step inside the room that was still bare like most of the other rooms. Kyle sat on his bed staring at the clouds through his small window.
"What do you want?" Kyle asked but not in a rude tone.
"Kyle, I know what it's like getting unwanted attention," Liana started, "I just want to know why you react in such a manner whenever the others mention the cameras."
"No…" He muttered, "You'll just laugh at me…"
"I've been laughed at too many times to do such a thing to you." The kunoichi of ice said.
The metal ninja was astonished that the usually reticent girl was opening up to him. Like every other person on this ship, he was aware of Akira's crush on her but he would've never thought that he would be the one she'd open up to.
"Now tell me," The pale girl started, "Why don't you like being in front of the cameras?"
Kyle let out a long sigh, not looking forward to Liana's reaction to what he's about to say.
'Here goes nothing…' He said in his head.
"Every time I think about the whole world having their eyes on me, it makes me feel humiliated, like I'm being judged by everyone." The metal ninja finally confessed.
What he expected was laughter but his only reply was a cool silence.
This was another thing the kunoichi of ice knew all too well. She too had been judged by other girls back home for her different interests. But it was also different because there were people who were big fans of the ninjas. To her, it was nice not being looked down on but regardless of the fans, Kyle didn't seem to like it. At all.
"Kyle, listen to me." Liana shifted so she was facing right at him, "My father once told me that there are only so many people in Ninjago and they all have different opinions. Not everyone will like you but not everyone will hate you either."
"This has nothing to do with fitting in," Kyle complained, "I don't want to be generalized for my powers. I don't want to be seen as just a ninja."
"I understand," The white kunoichi said, "I also want to be seen and accepted for being me, not being nothing but a fighter."
"How do you know about all this stuff?"
"I have lived out the very thing you fear."
"You have…?"
"Yes," Liana nodded, "I'm always seen as this weird girl who's as cold as the ice she wields but I want to be seen for who I am, not what I am. My mother did the same with my father when he was a robot. At first, they thought they wouldn't belong together but look at them now. I hope to achieve something similar and be seen for who I am. You also yearn for that type of attention with the way you try to avoid being seen solely for one aspect of yourself."
The white kunoichi's words really struck home for the normally calm ninja.
He didn't mind being a ninja and having powers but he didn't want to be labeled solely because of it. He also wanted to be seen for who he was deep down.
"Kyle, when the world sees you, who do you want them to see?" Liana asked.
"I want them to see the real me. The real me who likes inventing just as much as his family but also likes other things such as reading and playing sports with his friends back home and whose favorite color is white, not yellow."
"I've been there," Liana patted his shoulder to comfort him, "I've been labelled for most of my life. Everyone thinks I'm cold just because of my ice powers but I don't want to be seen as just a 'beautiful but cold ice princess'."
"Then why don't you just open up to us?"
"It's not easy."
"So is facing the media who wants you to be something you're not."
"Then don't be something you're not."
"I don't plan to but everyone will still judge me."
"There's always going to be people out there who will. You should know that by now."
"At least I know more about opening up than you."
Liana gasped at Kyle's sudden insensitive words as was Kyle himself. He was a frank person but he never downright insulted anyone before.
"Look, I-I didn't mean to put it that way…" He stuttered.
"It's no big deal," The kunoichi of ice shook her head, "I get these sort of words all the time."
"I… I still need some time alone…"
"I understand."
The white kunoichi quickly got up and left Kyle to deal with his emotions by himself.
'I know more about opening up than you.' His words still echoed in her head as she left.
To Liana, the conversation back there was like a real eye-opener, not just to Kyle but to herself. She never realized how much she shut herself off from everyone, even the people who tried to get to know the real her.
'Maybe Father was right…' She mused to herself, 'I just have to show others the real me. I hope Kyle will learn to do the same…'
Training went on as usual but the others still felt a sense of uneasiness from Kyle. He seemed to have gotten over his anxiety but Chris and his cousins knew he was far from it. The yellow ninja kept looking around as if someone was watching or following him. Chris was concerned, being the older brother he was to all the ninjas but wanted to give him some space.
Now that the new generation have unlocked their Spinjitzu, they were tasked to go through the obstacle course using just their signature elemental tornadoes.
Alex took down the arrows coming at her with the tempests from her powerful orange twister and Forrest knocked down the targets in his teal cyclone with leaves swirling about. With keen eyes, Misako noticed the gradual improvement of her pupils. At first, the new ninjas' Spinjitzu tornadoes were wobbly and flickered but slowly but surely, they grew more steady as the time went on.
But there was one exception.
Kyle's sparkling twister was unstable and even when he wasn't doing Spinjitzu, he stumbled on his feet a lot and also tripped a few times. Even after his little talk with Liana, he still had a hard time forgetting about his fears.
"Kyle, don't forget the most important rule of training: concentrate." Misako told him.
"I-I know…" The metal ninja looked down in embarrassment."
"I understand that you don't like unwanted attention but fame is one of the aspects that come with being a ninja. Your parents went through the same thing."
"Just because they had their own experiences doesn't mean it'll be the same for me." The ninja of metal complained.
"That is true but whether or not you'll let your fears take over is entirely up to you."
The yellow ninja thought about his fears of being judged and screwing up. He was often told by his parents that no one's perfect but his perfectionist streak kept telling him that there was no room for screwing up and the world was always watching him. No matter how much he wanted to, he can't just forget his fears so easily.
At least the others learned their lesson and didn't nag him much.
But the pit in his stomach did…
No sooner had the new ninjas' training session had ended that the alarm rang. Everyone made a beeline for the bridge to see what's wrong.
"Alert: Strangers are entering Ninjago City." The computer displayed a map of the city with red dots nearing it, indicating the unwelcome guests.
"What do they look like?" Liana asked, "Can you get a picture of them?"
"Scanning city premises." The AI went silent for a few moments before concluding, "Images of the intruders scanned."
Unfortunately, the pop-up was in low-quality and the group can only make out grey silhouettes.
"Looks like we'll have to take another trip to the city." Amy readied the Scythe of Quakes. She hoped the fans won't bother them as much this time.
The new generation got their weapons prepared to leave… that is except for one.
"I'm not going." Kyle complained, squeezing himself against the wall.
"Kyle, the people need us!" Akira exclaimed in exasperation, "Stop being such a spaz about the paparazzi and help us!"
"Kyle, it isn't healthy to run away from your problems and fears," Misako lectured the ninja of metal, "Unless you face them, they'll only grow and consume you. Only by facing your fears will you be able to conquer them and find inner peace."
"But…"
Misako knew better than to force the metal ninja to go through something he didn't like but if he keeps avoiding confrontation, it could be even more detrimental to his mental growth.
"I don't want to force you to do this but you must," She said, "Not just for the people of Ninjago but also for yourself. I know it sounds cruel but this may be one of the lessons you have to learn the hard way."
With great reluctance, Kyle gave in and followed his teammates to Ninjago City…
Just as expected, journalists and fans crowded around the ninja and kunoichi the moment they arrived at the city and another thing that was expected was the way Kyle handled it.
Throughout the whole mission, Kyle kept hiding behind the others, refusing to even look at the fans clambering at him and the others. More often than not, he hung at the back of the group, using Chris or Akira as a shield from all those flashing cameras.
"Kyle! Stop pinching me!" The fire ninja hissed at his cousin.
The olive-skinned ninja could've sworn his nails were like claws sinking into his flesh.
"I'd stop if these annoying fans just go away!" The hazel-eyed ninja complained.
The other ninja and kunoichi felt hindered by Kyle's phobia but they had to keep moving or the Overlord will get ahead of them in his twisted game.
"Excuse me!" Forrest approached one of the few passersby who just went on their merry way,
"Can we speak to you for a moment?"
"What for?"
"Have you seen anyone suspicious around here?"
"Now that I think about it, I did spot a group of strange men at the streets at the eastern part of the city but they could be anywhere by now."
"Thanks for the help."
"Looks like we're going east." Leon pointed eastward to lead the team.
The group nodded and headed for the area where the mysterious men were supposedly seen. But once they reached their destination, everything seemed peaceful…
"We should know better than to judge by first impressions," Amy said, "We still have check the place for anyone or anything suspicious."
"Can't you just leave me at the Bounty!?" Kyle complained, "You can handle it without me!"
"Kyle, we're a team and we can't leave you out!" Alex exclaimed.
"No! I just don't wanna go!" The yellow ninja shook his head like a pestilent child.
"Why can't you admit your fears?" Liana asked, reminding him of their conversation.
"I don't wanna talk about it!" Kyle tried to leave but his brothers blocked him.
"But why are you trying to avoid the public so much!? What are you so afraid of!?" Chris finally let out his frustration at his brother.
"Just stop!" The ninja of metal had it and lashed out, "Just stop it, okay!?"
"Kyle, what's your problem!?" Melody asked in bewilderment.
"Do you know what it's like to be judged!? Do you have any idea how badly I just want it all to go away!? And what if I screw up!? The whole world will think I'm a failure and what's worse is that the news will sensationalize it! It's bad enough that all I'm seen for is the ninja of metal and the son of Jay Walker, inventor of the P.I.X.A.L.'s! That isn't all I am! I'm not this simple hero the world can depend on twenty-four seven! I want to be myself but I can't if the whole world only sees me as a ninja! How would YOU like it if the world doesn't see you for who you are!? Well!? DO YOU!?"
The ninja and kunoichi stood there in shocked silence that was broken by Kyle's heavy breaths while hot angry tears ran down his face. They had no idea how self-conscious the metal wielder can get and even felt guilty for making fun of him for his fears and anxiety earlier.
"K-Kyle…" Amy stepped up, "We just wanted to…"
"No…" The metal ninja shook his head, refusing to look at his brothers and sisters straight in the eyes, "You just think this is funny…"
"No! Of course not!" Melody exclaimed.
"If you truly felt this way the whole time," Chris approached his brother, "Then why didn't you say so in the first place? We've seen the real you and we would've been willing to help you."
The lightning ninja's sapphire eyes gave a purely earnest glint and the rest of the ninjas joined their eldest teammate. Kyle didn't know what to say and was shocked that his teammates still supported him, even after admitting his fears…
But the silence was soon broken by evil chuckles.
"Looks like the metal brat has finally come out of his shell."
The group the teammates assumed to be the strangers stepped out from the shadows.
This mysterious group were covered in black cloaks with hoods covering their faces.
"Who are you guys!?" Willow asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" One of the enigmatic figures said in a masculine voice, making the ninja and kunoichi assume it was a man under the hood.
"We are disciples of the rightful ruler of Ninjago." Another answered.
"Enough talk!" Akira took out the Sword of Fire, "Less discussion, more action!"
The hotheaded ninja led the assault against the mysterious men but they can't land a hit. Even with their whole bodies concealed, the adversaries were surprisingly fast and evaded the ninjas' attacks with ease. It was like they weren't even human…
Or not human anymore…
The ninja and kunoichi had to rely on their signature move.
"NINJA-GO!"
There were ten ninja and kunoichi at the 'battlefield' but only nine tornadoes spun about.
Kyle wanted to fight but the civilians staring at him kept putting him off and his fears started to get to him, hindering his elemental powers. It was like the whole world was staring and judging him and his fears of screwing up in front of the entirety of Ninjago started to claw at his mind.
Multiple eyes stared at him like wolves and lions around fresh meat.
"What are you doing!?" Akira exclaimed, "Use your powers!"
"I can't!" The metal ninja clutched his head in fear.
"Kyle! You have to do this!"
"But I'm gonna screw up!"
"No one's perfect!" Alex shouted, "Only you can decide how the world sees you!"
Kyle reflected on the words his teammates and mentor told him.
His fear will only grow stronger if he runs away and could end up hurting him.
'If I keep running away, no one will know the real me,' He thought, 'that's not what I want…'
But the spectators' eyes still stared at him yet they needed him. He was scared but he can't just let his team down because of him. But now that he admitted his fears, he felt more willing to be his real self…
'I hate to admit it, I can't be perfect,' Kyle's heart still pounded in his chest, 'but the least I can do is be me!'
With courage filling his soul, Kyle reawakened his true abilities.
"NINJA-GO!"
Kyle's sparkling gold tornado spun across the battlefield, taking down the mysterious group but they somehow managed to keep their cloaks on. Now that the team was complete, the cloaked men hardly stood a chance as they were quickly beaten down by the elemental twisters.
"That does it!" One of the men held out his hand and a mass of dark energy formed around it. It was small but the ninja and kunoichi can practically feel the malice contained within it.
"Don't!" Another one of the cloaked figures halted his cohort, causing the evil aura to disperse, "It's too soon!"
"How is it too soon!?" The man who used such an arcane ability hissed, "Isn't it time for US to get OUR revenge!?"
"Metal!"
Kyle called upon his elemental powers to defeat his foes. With precise speed, he used the Steel Kunai to pin down the man who tried to use such a strange ability on them. The enemy ripped out the blades and threw them down before retreating with the rest of his gang.
"This isn't over yet!" One of the mysterious men pointed at them accusingly, "We WILL get you when the time is right!"
A mysterious black cloud materializing out of nowhere enveloped the cloaked men.
"Cowards!" Chris cursed through the dark mist, "Come out and fight us like real men!"
Once the fog finally cleared, the mysterious men were no longer there, as if they never existed.
"Who were those guys…?" Forrest asked in a hushed tone.
"How should we know?" Leon responded with another question, "But whoever they are, they must have some link to the Overlord…"
"But the aura back there," Liana added, "No human can ever do that…"
The new generation had little to time to ponder over their previous foes when something else got their attention.
"Boys!" A familiar voice called to the Walker brothers.
They were surprised to find out who the voice belonged to.
"Mom! Dad!"
Chris and Kyle ran up to their parents who just arrived at the scene.
"What are you doing here?" Chris asked in astonishment.
"We heard everything that and we wanted to check on you," Jay replied, "You know, just to see how you're doing."
"After finding out what you've been doing, we couldn't be more proud of you." Nya added.
Kyle remained silent, not sure how to tell his parents about his earlier fears.
"Kyle, is something wrong?" Jay approached his younger son with concern in his blue eyes.
"I… I couldn't help but getting scared back there…" The yellow ninja sighed, "I just didn't want everyone to think I'm some coward…"
"Kyle, it's normal to be scared sometimes," The former metal wielder said, "I learned the same lesson back in my days as a kunoichi. Fear is a natural part of life. We all have to face our fears some time and whether or not we let them control our lives is completely up to us."
"Even if you aren't good the first time, you're only being human," The former blue ninja added, "You weren't perfect but that's okay. We make mistakes so we can learn from them. It doesn't matter how many times you fall, it matters on if you'll get back up again. Even if you can't do it all on your own or even if the whole world sees it, you're still our son and we love you."
"Y-you'd still care about me…?"
"Kyle, everyone does something that'll end up embarrassing them," Jay said to his younger son, "Believe me, I went through that sort of stuff more than enough times, and in front of your own mother to boot."
"But what if I screw up? What if I fail being a ninja?" The yellow ninja asked.
"Nobody's perfect. Not even you, but we still love you for who you are," Nya embraced her son, "There can only be one you and that's what makes you the best you."
"Kyle, you're not alone," Liana stepped up, "I know how you feel."
"But I still feel anxious about the next time the world will be staring at us…"
"Don't worry about it," Akira patted his shoulder, "We'll help you get over it. We're all one big family, not just us, but the other ninja and kunoichi too."
"… Arigatou…" An honest smile graced the yellow ninja's face as he finally let the others in.
Jay and Nya's hearts were filled with parental pride as they saw their son growing up.
They knew Ninjago will be in good hands with a new generation of ninja and kunoichi like them.
Looks like Kyle's taking the first step on overcoming his anxiety! Speaking of anxiety, I'm gonna have to get a tooth filling in a few days. O_O;
Anyway, Prepare to be on the edge of your seats because we MIGHT see one of the mysterious men unmasked & find some answers to the mysterious disappearances in the next chapter!
Also, I want to thank everyone who reviewed my newest story, 'The Ice Prince'. I'm really surprised that you all liked it even after I said that I hate Frozen now. Thank you!
As always, review!