Hello again! Welcome one and all to the 50th chapter of Second Destiny! We are now on the final leg of the first book with only 2-3 chapters left to go! Woohoo!
I am so sorry for my long absence, COVID and college don't mix. I had to put off writing for a time to focus on my studies since those ARE priority. But now that I'm on break for a couple weeks and I've gotten a feel for how things work at school I might be able to write and update a bit more, but no guarantees.
Responses to reviews!
Potato Crystals- He's not! How will things work themselves out? Zane might get himself hurt.
Guest- Sweet tea is sweetend iced tea. Thats what we call it here.
treki684- Its here! Thank you for the love!
Anonymous- Yes, Kai was selfish then, but he's gotten past that now thankfully, and yes I have to agree Zane is definitely the most powerful of all the ninja and he's really slept on. And I do update when I can but I do have other priorties like school that do come first over writing.
kane- Awww! This warmed my heart! I'm glad you've stuck around this long so thank you! And don't worry, this is far from over!
I have two words to describe this chapter.
...
Drunk Zane.
That's it.
WARNING: Fighting, alcohol use and drunken shenangians
The lights and the crowd became a blur as Bodacious flew out of the chute and sprang into the arena, Zane in tow. The mustang leapt into the air and came back to earth on all fours, the force almost jarring the disguised nindroid from the saddle who was clutching the rein for dear life. Hailey and Jackson watched, horrified.
"Oh, I can't watch!" She cried, burying her face into Jackson's chest.
The bucking horse was giving Zane hell as he threw his back legs into the air, almost sending him catapulting out of the saddle before being slammed back into its seat. Zane was seeing stars and couldn't hear or see anything else, just the angry grunts and snorts as Bodacious tried to get Zane off his back, being tossed around like a ragdoll.
It had to be only a few seconds, but to Zane it was an eternity. Bodacious came down from another leap and turned when suddenly he lost his footing. Zane felt his heart rise into his throat and suddenly the ground rushed to meet him as he and the bronc fell. The wind was knocked from his lungs as he collided with the arena dirt. One of the pickup men got off his horse and helped a dazed nindroid to his feet while the other escorted Bodacious back to the pens. Still fighting for air and the world around him still fuzzy, he absentmindedly stumbled for the nearest fence, gasping for breath.
"Zane?" Said someone. He felt a hand on his. "Zane! Are you okay?!"
Jackson and Hailey were on the other side, worried looks on their faces. Zane opened his mouth to answer but burst into a coughing fit as he tried to spit the dirt out of his mouth.
"Looks like Bodacious wasn't too sure in his step tonight," Said the voice over the loudspeaker. "That's a 3.67 second ride for Jackson Granger, but because of the fall will be granted another chance. Give it up folks!"
"Shit.." Jackson cussed. "Let's get him out of here."
They helped Zane over the fence and took him back behind the chutes. Hailey went to find water as Jackson sat Zane down.
"Are you alright?" He asked. "He threw you for a loop out there…"
Zane nodded as he still tried to catch his breath. Hailey came back with a bottle of water and Jackson's saddle. Zane washed the dirt from his mouth.
"Where were you two?!" He finally managed to say. "You were gone for almost two hours!"
The two teens looked at each other.
"We were getting food!" Hailey said. But the nervous look on their faces said otherwise.
"Not true." Zane said flatly. "What were you two really doing?"
The two glanced at each other again. Zane saw the look on their faces. He sighed and facepalmed.
"On second thought, just-don't tell me. I don't want to know."
"Please don't tell-"
"Take it to my grave, just don't for the love of the FSM ever do that again, at least around me. I'm responsible for you two!"
Jackson sighed in relief. "You're not hurt, are you?"
Zane looked at his arms, his shirt and face streaked with dirt. "I don't think so…"
"Thank the Four Legends…"
"What now, though?" Zane asked.
"Well, I can't go out there now because if they do they'll know something's up." Jackson said as he brushed the dirt of Zane's shirt. "Looks like you're gonna have to finish it off strong, bud."
Zane's eyes went wide at the thought of going on that kind of hellride again.
"B-b-but-" He sputtered. "I-I can't-"
"Yes you can." Jackson said, pulling Zane up and grabbing his saddle. "And I'm gonna show you how."
The three ran over to a stack of hay bales and Jackson threw his saddle on top before sitting on it.
"Okay, look," he began. "When you first get into the saddle, y'all have to make sure you have a tight but comfortable hand on the bronc rein." He demonstrated the way it was supposed to be held. "You have to hold onto it tightly, because this is what keeps you in the saddle. When they open the chute, you have to mark out-"
"They told me that before, what does it mean?"
"Marking out means your spurs are above the animal's shoulder when they first come out of the gate. Luckily you did that somehow which is why they didn't DQ you."
Jackson got off and dragged the bales around in a certain way so the top one rocked back and forth. He put the saddle on and got on again.
"This was your problem," Jackson continued. "When y'all came out of the chute, you were just trying to stay in the saddle."
"Isn't that the objective?"
"Yes, but there's more to it than that. It's more than just staying in the saddle. You have to find the right rhythm and center of balance to have the smoothest ride. You're going with the horse, not against it. Y'all see what I'm getting at here?"
Zane thought about what Jackson was saying. "I think so…"
"Once you've marked out and you're out of the chute, you start raking the horse with the spurs, chin to tail." Jackson explained. "Raking makes the horse buck harder and the higher the score you'll get."
Jackson got into the starting position and demonstrated everything he had just explained, Zane observing carefully as he showed Zane what marking out looked like and started rocking the bale back and forth, keeping the center of balance and raking the bale with his heels to the rhythm. He got off and gestured Zane to get on before handing him the bronc rein.
"Just like I showed you." He said. "I'll rock the bale, but you have to find the balance and rhythm."
Zane adjusted his seat and hand on the rein before getting in the right position.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Jackson rocked the bale, and Zane did as he was told, finding the center of balance and getting the feel of raking and going along with the "horse's" motion. Then suddenly Jackson pushed the bale to one side as he was rocking, almost falling off.
"See what happened there? Horses don't just buck in straight lines," he said, pushing it the other way. "Most of them try to throw the riders off. They'll turn, twist, they'll even spin. Again, you have to keep the balance and go with them."
Zane nodded and they kept practicing, tirelessly rocking and raking until there was a voice over the loudspeakers.
"All roughstock riders due for a second go-round, be advised. First lot is up in fifteen minutes, bulls first, followed by bareback and saddle broncs. Please be advised. Thank you."
"Shit." Jackson said. "This is probably as good as we can get without getting you on an actual practice bronc." He had Zane get off and the three stood on the fence and watched the bull and bareback bronc riders go. Zane observed and made careful note of each animal's bucking patterns and coming up with ways to do what Jackson had taught him.
Time ticked away and soon the saddle riders were due to go.
"Watch him, watch him!"
One the horses in the chutes kicked the panel behind him, making the fence shudder. The trio turned to look as a black and white horse was snorting and rearing as it was pushed into the chute, not wanting to wait for the gate to open. Standing at the top of the chute was Jack, who Zane recognized as the man he had seen earlier in the night- and not on the best of terms. He was trying to put his saddle on the horse's back when it jumped up and made it fall off. Jack snarled in anger.
"Settle you damn thing!" He hissed as he kicked the horse in the flank through the gate.
"Hey, he ought to be ejected for that!" Hailey said.
"I don't think they saw…" Jackson said, referring to the chutemen.
"He should not be treating any animal in that manner." Zane said. "We should alert them." But Jackson shook his head.
"Too late now." He said as he watched Jack finish cinching up his saddle on the horse before swinging his leg over the fence and get onto the horse's back. He grabbed hold of the bronc rein.
"Coming out of chute number five, Jack Mason on Texas Hold 'Em!"
"Ready?"
"Yeah, lets go boys!"
The chute swung open and Texas Hold 'Em flew out with Jack on his back. The clock started ticking as the horse bucked like there was no tomorrow, turning his belly up to the sky and kicking like a mule to get the man off his back, but Jack held fast and matched the horse's every move. Dust rose into the air as Texas tried, but failed as the buzzer sounded at eight seconds. The crowd went wild as Jack jumped onto one of the pickup men's horses and landed on his feet, waving to the crowd as he sauntered back to the chutes, his friends whooping and rattling the fences.
"That's a 87.68 point ride for Jack Mason, which puts him at the top of tonight's contenders." Said the loudspeaker. "We still have a few riders left, but it looks like he may take the win home tonight. Give it up, folks!"
Jackson grit his teeth and shook his head. "That ain't right…"
Jack saw the boy's disgruntled look and smirked. "What's wrong kid?" He taunted. "Sad, aren't you?"
"I do not appreciate your tone towards my friends." Zane said, calmly yet firm. "It is not very sportsma-"
"Shut it, pretty boy." Jack snapped. "Don't think I didn't see you cryin' like a little bitch before they turned you loose. People like you don't belong here."
Zane opened his mouth to argue but Jackson stopped him. "Don't." He said. "You can't win with him. He never knows when to quit…"
Grudgingly, he gritted his teeth as he shut his mouth and let it go. Jack smirked again before walking off.
"Grr, that asshole!" Hailey said, slamming a fist on the fence. She turned to the nindroid. "You better beat him so you can put him in his place!"
Zane nodded as he watched the next rider go. "I will try…"
Too soon, the call came.
"There's one ahead of you, sixteen. Get screwed down!"
Zane stood above the chute, saddle in hand as he watched a brown and white paint horse with piercing blue eyes like his own came trotting through the alleyway into the gate. The noseband on his halter bore the name "Must Be The Whiskey".
With much more confidence than the first time, Zane placed the saddle on the horse's back and cinched it tight as the chute men tied the flank strap and the rein. He checked to make sure the chaps and his spurs were all in place, ignoring the snickering and pointing from Jack and his friends. He tried to quell his racing heart as he dropped himself onto the saddle and settled inside. It wasn't until he started to feel trapped by the chute when suddenly he started having second thoughts.
"I-I don't know if I can do this." Zane said, looking up at Jackson and Hailey, who stood on the fence.
"Yes you can, Zane." Jackson told him. "It's just like I showed you, remember: you're going with the horse, not against it. Find that balance."
"I…"
"Okay, fine, maybe you don't know, but I do." Hailey said over the crowd and the racket of the chutes. "You're tough as nails, Zane. You've faced a hell of alot worse than this. Remember what you told me? About having faith?"
"I do."
"I have faith in you Zane. And you should too. If not for yourself, then for me. You say that ninja never quit. Well guess what? Neither do cowboys!"
She reached through the fence and handed Zane the bronc rein.
"Stand clear!" Yelled the chute boss.
"Good luck buddy!"
"You can do it, Zane! I have faith in you! Show Jack who's boss!"
Zane watched as one of the chute hands jumped into the arena and took hold of the rope of the chute as he mulled over Hailey's words.
'She's right.' He thought. 'I've been telling her to have faith, but even then if I can't find it in myself, what does that tell her?'
Zane took a deep breath to calm his racing nerves.
'If her and Jackson have faith in me, then it's only right to do the same.'
"Coming in hot out of chute number three, last but certainly not least is Jackson Granger on Must Be The Whiskey! Will he take the win or will Jack Mason walk away a winner tonight? Well folks, it's time to find out!"
Zane tightened his grip on the bronc rein and leaned back in the saddle as the crowd's cheering thundered in his ears.
"You ready son?" The chute boss said over the noise.
Remember: Mark out, find the rhythm, and rake.
Zane took one last deep breath. He nodded.
Cowboys and ninja never quit, and he wasn't going to start today.
CLANG!
The chute flew open and Whiskey jumped up, launching himself out with his head on the ground and his back legs touching his nose before unleashing a barrage of vicious kicks and bucks. But this time Zane was prepared and as soon as they came back to earth he started raking Whiskey with the spurs as he rocked along with the horse's motion. Jackson and Hailey were standing on the fence as the nindroid and bronc hashed it out.
"Hey, he's doing good!" Jackson said. He looked up at the clock. 2.76 seconds. He and his girl whistled and shouted to cheer him on.
It was a mess of flying leather, mane, and dust. Zane was raking Whiskey front to back like there was no tomorrow. The horse was going up on hinds and coming on all fours to try and shake him, but Zane matched Whiskey move for move like a shadow as they tore up the arena dirt.
It was five seconds and counting, and the spectators in the stands were getting louder and louder as the seconds passed.
"Hey Jack," One of his friends said. "I think pretty boy over there's gonna do it!"
"What?!" He said and looked over.
In a last ditch effort to throw Zane off, Whiskey jumped straight up into the air and threw his hind hooves up to the stars, but it was no use. Whiskey and Zane came back down to earth together as the buzzer sounded at eight seconds.
The stands roared as the buzzer went off, and the pickup men rode over to help Zane off. He jumped from the bronc's saddle and grabbed on the pickup man's as he slid to the ground and landed on his very shaky knees. He had ridden Must Be The Whiskey for the full eight seconds. But what was his score?
There were a few moments of silence as the judges in the booth talked among themselves and exchanged papers. He stared at the screen. Jackson and Hailey did too, waiting with a bated breath.
"Do you think so?" Hailey asked.
Jackson sucked in a breath. "I don't know…"
"Well ladies and gents, the scores are in. It looks like Jack Mason has been knocked off his throne tonight by Jackson Granger with a 90 even point ride!"
The stands erupted into a fit of whistles and cheers. Hailey and Jackson were practically jumping up and down.
"Holy shit!" Hailey cried. "Zane did it! He won!"
Zane himself was in disbelief. "I did?"
As if to confirm, Jackson's name appeared on the screen with the rest of the names and scores. Jack's name and score was pegged down below Zane's.
"I-I did…"
Jackson and Hailey jumped over the fence and ran over to him. He was immediately bombarded by two as they hugged him.
"That was INCREDIBLE!" Hailey cried as she shook him. "You should have seen yourself! That kick at the end? That was AWESOME!"
Zane grinned. "Thank you. Even though I had faith in myself again after your talk, I still was not certain I could pull it off."
"But you did, and it was the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
There was the voice over the loudspeakers as they bade the spectators goodnight. Zane followed the two out of the arena and through the rodeo grounds to a building where the winners of the night's events were getting their prizes.
"Winner of the saddle bronc ridin'?" A man at the table at the entrance asked, pointing to Zane.
"Yup," Jackson said. "This is your guy."
The man nodded and wrote something on a clipboard before disappearing to the back. He returned a moment later with an envelope and a small black felt box.
"Here you go, son." He said, handing them to Zane. "You ought to take pride in yourself tonight. That was one great ride." He held out a hand. Zane smiled and took it.
"Thank you sir." He said, giving a firm shake before they left the building.
"Well," Hailey said once they got outside. "What are you waiting for? Let's see what you got!"
Zane opened the envelope first and found it was a check for a thousand dollars. He shook his head and handed it and the box to Jackson.
"I cannot take this." He said.
"What?" Jackson said. "Why not?"
"Yes, it may have been me that rode tonight, but it was supposed to be you. Based on the way Hailey always talks about you, you are just as good as a rider and far more deserving of it. I did win it, but I also stole your ride in the process and I feel terrible about that enough already. I refuse to take any more from you."
Hailey blushed madly and pulled her hat over her face. "Stop…"
"Alright, I catch your drift." He said, folding up the check and placing it in his pocket. He opened up the box and peered at its contents before shutting it. "I'll take the check, but you take this."
"Why so? It isn't mine. It's yours."
"Okay, maybe that's true. But out there?" He jerked his head to the arena. "That wasn't me tearing it up on that horse, it was you. So it's only fair you keep this." Jackson handed the box back. "It's safe to say that as of tonight you, Zane Julien, are a full-fledged cowboy. You deserve this more than anyone."
Zane took the box into his hands and opened it. Inside was a silver belt buckle with a gold design of a saddle bronc and its rider surrounded in gold trim and the words "67TH CR SADDLE BRONC CHAMPION" in blue. It glimmered under the arena lights as Zane observed its intricate details.
"This is...incredible…" He said. "I've never had something like this."
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Hailey asked. "Go put it on! There's the restroom over there."
Zane went inside and came back a few minutes later, having swapped his plain buckle for that he had won. Hailey and Jackson nodded in approval.
"Wouldn't look better on anyone else." Jackson said.
Hailey trapped Zane into a giant hug. "Dammit Zane I'm so proud of you, and you should be too. You've come such a long way."
"Thank you for guiding me throughout the journey." He said, returning the embrace. He grinned at Jackson. "Both of you. There's no one else I'd rather have."
"Oh, stop. No need to be so mushy." Jackson said, a smile playing on the corners of his lips.
"Well, I would not be speaking the truth if I said anything less."
True it was indeed. He was thankful for everyone he had met along the way to help him, but it was Samuel, Clemens, Hailey, and now Jackson he owed the real thanks to. Without them, he wouldn't be where he was. Even though how to get him back to Ninjago was still up in the air, they had risked everything to teach him and keep him safe. Flint River and the other ranchers- after knowing he wasn't bad- accepted him like one of their own without question. They were kind people who cared for one another, and he was proud to be among them. His chest swelled with pride as he looked at the buckle once more, now an official mark that he was indeed one of them.
"Zane behind you!"
Suddenly a rough pair of hands shoved him forwards, almost making him fall. He turned around and saw Jack. He got up in Zane's face, eyes blazing with anger.
"Thought it was funny to steal my ride pretty boy?" He snarled, beer and tobacco clearly on his breath. He shoved him again. Jackson leapt to Zane's side.
"Hey, get your hands off him!" He said.
"You better watch yourself kid." He growled. "I'll beat your ass back in line."
"Oh no you ain't!" Hailey said, backing Jackson up. "Zane won fair and square, don't get your panties in a knot just because you got what you deserved after what you did to poor Texas!"
Jack snarled and raised a fist at her. Jackson wound back to swing at him, but was beaten to it when a hand that wasn't his struck Jack in the face. Jack doubled over. He got up and felt the blood leaking from his nose and looked up at the offender, seeing Zane with his fists clenched, ready for a second swing. He growled and launched himself at Zane and the two scuffled in the dirt.
"Come on, Zane, don't take that shit!" Jackson yelled as the two fought. A crowd started to gather as they gouged and kicked at each other. Finally, Zane was able to kick Jack off of him and scramble up. The angry man rushed at Zane again, but he caught him and slammed him on his back.
"Atta boy!" Jackson whooped. Hailey looked up from the fight to see Jack's friends appear behind the crowd. One of them pointed to the fight and they both started running towards it, looking very angry.
"Hey, we gotta go!" She yelled, grabbing both of the boys and they all took off running. Jack was helped up by his two friends.
"Get those fuckers!" He growled. They took off after them.
Jackson looked over his shoulder and saw the other three behind them. "Shit! We need to lose them!"
"The truck's that way!" Hailey said, pointing the opposite direction.
"They will catch us if we go that way!" Zane said as they ran. "Jackson is right; we'll need to get them off our trail first!"
They jumped the arena fence and ran across the other side before ducking behind the grandstands. But Jack and his crew didn't let up, determined to pummel all three of them into a pulp. When that didn't work, Zane and the other two ran for the chutes. As they were running along, Hailey spied something on the fence: a pair of electric prods.
"You two, go! I'll hold them off!" She said, running to the fence.
"What?!"
"Hailey, you need to stay with us! He is going to hurt you!"
"I know what I'm doing, go!"
Zane and Jackson kept running, and Hailey ducked behind the panel as Jack came and ran after them. Once he was gone, she grabbed the prods. The two were confused as they saw her standing there and skidded to a stop.
"Hey boys," she said, twirling a prod in one hand and leaning on the other. Then she grabbed both by the handles and turned them on, arcs of electricity jumping between the prongs. An evil smile came over her face.
"Care to dance?"
She rushed at them with the prods, and the two fell over each other as they tried to run away, Hailey zapping their heels and laughing as she chased them.
Zane and Jackson heard their yelps of pain as they ran down the main alleyway and into the pens where the roughstock were being kept. They twisted and turned through the paths, the endless rows of gates and panels becoming a labyrinth. Then, on the other side, Zane saw an opening through the chain link fence that circled the rodeo grounds.
"Go," He said to Jackson. "Get to the truck, I'll meet you there!"
"But what about you?" Jackson asked. "He'll snap your neck!"
"You're forgetting I'm a ninja as well as a cowboy. I can figure it out. Get to the truck and go!"
"But-"
"Now, Jackson!"
Jackson stopped arguing and hopped over the fences and ran through the opening, disappearing behind the rows of trailers.
"You!"
Zane looked up and saw Jack running his way. He took off and the two found themselves jumping through the pens of horses and bulls as they ran. Zane was able to get some distance between them, but not for long. He needed something, and fast. Zane looked down into the pen next to him and suddenly had an idea. He bent down.
"Psst. Hello friend," he whispered to its occupant. "I need a favor…"
"Finally, I've got you, pretty boy." He snarled as he jumped down into the pen. "Now get down here so I can whoop your ass!"
Zane stood on top of the pen, crossing his arms. "I don't think that will happen today." He said.
"Why not?" Jack sneered. "Too much of a little bitch to fight me like a man?"
"No." Zane replied, unbothered by the insult. "I'd just like to see karma collect its debt. Last time I checked, any respectable man does not harm an animal. Besides," Zane flashed a rare smirk. "I think someone has a score to settle with you."
Jack furrowed his brow. In his anger, he didn't realize that he dropped himself right into the pen of Texas Hold 'Em, who was glowering at the man with his ears pinned back. Jack seemed to realize the trouble he was in, his cocky, angry face replaced by one of fear.
Texas squealed and flashed his hooves at Jack, who yelped and tried but failed to get over the fence. His shirt caught on the panel and he was bent over the top unable to free himself. Seeing his chance, Zane made his escape, but not before seeing the horse bite the coward in the ass.
"Where is he?!"
"I don't know!"
"He didn't say where to meet him?!"
"No! Just get in the truck!"
Jackson hopped in the drivers while Hailey slid across the hood like Bo-Duke to the passenger side. Jamming the gears, the two took off to search for Zane.
"You didn't ask him?!" Hailey said as they wove in and out of traffic.
"No! He was yelling at me to go! What did you expect me to do?!"
The two circled the grounds once, twice, three times, with still no Zane in sight. They were starting to get worried when-
"Look there he is!" Hailey yelled pointing up ahead. Zane was still running, the three back on his tail. He saw them and frantically waved his hands in the air, flagging them down. They sped up and skidded to a stop.
"COME ON ZANE!" Hailey yelled out the window. "HURRY!"
Zane ran as fast as he could. Jack launched himself forwards for Zane's heels, but missed as he jumped through the window and into the backseat of Jackson's truck with an Oof!
"Go go GO!" Hailey yelled, pounding on the dash. Jackson shifted gears and slammed on the gas, tires squealing as they peeled out. A beer bottle went flying through the air and smashed into the back window. They ripped out of the grounds and went flying down the highway. It wasn't until Coalinga was out of sight that Jackson finally slowed to the speed limit.
Jackson caught his breath and glanced in the rearview. "Zane! You okay bud?"
There was a muffled voice as Zane tried to free himself from being stuck in the back. He freed himself and appeared between the two seats. "Yes," he panted. "I'm alright."
The three looked at each other for a moment before they all busted into fits of laughter.
"Oh, you kicked his ass!" Hailey howled. "That was awesome!"
Jackson didn't say anything, he was laughing too hard and slapping the steering wheel. Zane chuckled. It wasn't often he laughed, especially not after a fight, but he had to admit that it felt really good to see Jack get what he deserved.
Soon Jackson was able to talk. "Okay…" He said between giggles. "Okay, we still have some time to kill, anyone want something to eat?"
Hailey gasped. "Can we go to That-a-Burger?" She asked. "Pleeaase?"
"Yes, we can go to That-a-Burger."
"Yay! Oh, can we get the That-a-Chicken and the milkshake with the refill tin?"
"Yes, we can get the That-a-Chicken and the milkshake with the refill tin."
"Yay!" Hailey said. She laced her fingers with Jackson's and pecked his cheek. "I love you so damn much."
Even though it was dark in the truck, Zane could still see the redness creep into the boy's cheeks.
…
Headlights beamed through the window as someone pulled into the yard. Clemens got up from his recliner and looked at the clock on the stove.
"Looks like they're back." He said to Samuel.
The rumbling from the diesel subsided and Zane, Hailey, and Jackson came through the door, laughing and talking about the night's events.
"Hey y'all." Clemens said, getting up to greet them. "How was it?"
"Oh, you should have been there!" Hailey said. "It was incredible."
"Really?" Clemens turned to Jackson. "Well son, what did them judges give ya?"
"It's him you should ask." Jackson said, pointing a thumb to Zane.
"What? What do you-" His eyes fell to Zane's buckle. He let out a low whistle. "Son, that was all you?"
"Sure was," Hailey said. "He tore it up out in Coalinga."
"And get a load of this," Jackson said, walking over to the table. He pulled out a picture from the check's envelope and slapped it on the table. A photographer had captured Zane and Whiskey's battle, the horse in midair with his hooves up to the stars as the nindroid was gritting his teeth, determination etched in every inch of his face, pulling back on the rein, dirt, and dust flying all over the place. Samuel and Clemens peered at it. The former grunted and rubbed his chin.
"Okay, I'll admit this looked like one hell of a ride," Samuel said. "But how the hell did this even happen in the first place?"
"Um...It's a long story…"
"Well, that picture looks like it has one hell of a story alright," Clemens said. He grabbed a glass and poured himself some whiskey before pulling up a chair and sitting down. "Come on and set awhile. We have time. I'm always up for a good story."
…
Even though it was the summer months, that didn't stop the howling wind and snow from swirling around Morro and his army as they trekked through the uncharted mountains that Ghoultar and the map had led them to. The cold didn't affect them, but the wind and snow were making it almost impossible to see. Even when Morro tried to use his elemental powers to clear the way ahead, his wind couldn't contest with the mountains' own. His dragon navigated the deep snowbanks as he and Ghoultar sat on it's back, his army following close behind.
"He may be made of metal, but I still don't see how that piece of junk was able to get through here." He grabbed on his dragon's reins as another gust of blizzard wind threatened to topple him from its back. "Argh! Ghoultar, are you sure this is the right way?!"
"Ghoultar positive!" The ghost soldier said as he too clung to his leader's dragon. "Keep going!"
The farther the army went into the mountains, the thicker the snowstorm became. It got to the point where Morro couldn't even see ahead of his dragon's snout and it had to resort to breathing its green fire to clear the deep snow and to see the path ahead, which were just dark shapes looming in the whiteout.
…
"It is time."
"Indeed. The master of ice has proven to be a fit teacher. He has guided her well. Though reluctant to accept it, she has some idea of what really lies within. It was evident to me when she risked her life for him during his battle. I have faith he will continue to serve her well in the journey."
"But we've waited too long. Morro has already begun to infiltrate the mountains. He will wreak havoc on the people if not stopped. I can get her, but not before he gets in."
"The ice master's friends will be here soon. While me nor Spitfire cannot help, perhaps you can attempt to hold the ghost warlord off until either us or them get there. He is headed your way, after all."
"I have not been manifested for quite a time, but I will try. I am merely a spirit as well as all of you, I doubt it will be any good."
"Very well. Whenever you are ready, Stonetooth."
…
Cole grunted as he screwed a few last bolts into place. He checked to make sure everything was as it should before getting up.
"Okay, I think I got it. Fire it up!"
In the past day and a half, the ninja and Sensei had been working nonstop to get the Bounty back in commission. So far they had finished repairing the thrusters and some of the generators.
Nya heard Cole's call and powered on the screens in the Ops room. One by one they turned on, showing different maps of Ninjago. She cheered.
"Yes!" She said. "We're back online!"
The other ninja ran into the room. "Can you get tabs on Morro?" Kai asked.
"One step ahead of you." Nya said, typing. Soon a red dot appeared on the screen on the far edge of the map, to the ninja's dismay.
"Oh no, he's already off the charts." Jay said, dropping his face into his hands. "We're so hooped, and Zane too…"
"Not yet." Lloyd said. "That place is probably such a tangle it'll take awhile for Morro to find him. And remember, someone's been helping Zane too, so whoever-or...whatever is helping him, I'm sure they would keep him safe from Morro too."
"How are you so sure?" Kai asked. "We don't even know what's out there."
"Faith, Kai, faith." Sensei Wu reminded. "I still have faith that we can get Zane back just as much as he would have faith in all of us. We all need a little more of it now than ever."
"Well, I have faith we still can get Zane back." Nya said. "But we'll need to work double-time to get the Bounty off the ground until then. Now that the generators and thrusters are fixed, we should be up and running within forty eight hours. Then we find Zane and get outta there!"
The ninja nodded and all went back to work fixing the Bounty. But they would soon come to realize that getting Zane back would be easier said than done.
…
The snowstorm had become so thick that the only way to tell that the day was at nearing its end was the white sky above Morro giving way to the darkness of the night. The wind battered against him and his army and the snow fell from the clouds in sheets, covering the shoulders and back of the ghostly dragon, some of the more fortunate soldiers taking shelter from the snowy onslaught beneath its wings. Morro squinted as he tried to see through the storm. Suddenly his dragon stopped.
"Huh?" he said. "Hey, keep moving!"
He jerked the reins, but the dragon didn't listen, instead lifting its head and sniffing the air as it became fixated on some unseen presence ahead of them. It let out a low hiss.
Morro held up a hand, telling his army to stop. "Hold it!" He said. "It's got something."
The army readied themselves and clutched their weapons tight as a dark shadow began to loom from the snowy landscape. There was a dark, rumbling growl as suddenly a huge black dragon emerged from the snow. A pair of tall, twisted horns sat atop its glowing purple eyes. It saw the unwelcome visitors and roared.
"Don't let it stop you!" Morro yelled as he saw his army backing up at the sight of the creature. He pulled out his own sword and pointed at it. "Get him!"
The ghosts charged, but the dragon paid no heed to the soldiers cutting at its ankles. Instead it glowered at Morro and his dragon, icy mist wafted from it's jaws as it hissed. But Morro wasn't intimidated by the aggression and instead jumped down from its back.
"You know what to do." He told it.
The ghost dragon leapt at the other as they charged and clashed, a flurry of claws, teeth, and plumes of fire and ice.
"Keep moving!" Morro yelled to his army, jumping to the side to avoid a sweeping tail. "It'll hold off long enough so we can get out of here!"
They continued on, leaving the two dragons to their own devices. The black dragon shot a blast of ice from its mouth in an attempt to freeze the ghost but was met with a huge plume of green flame in return. A tail swept the feet from under it and was slammed into the side of the mountain, causing a shower of rocks and snow to fall on the two. The ghost dragon raked its claws across the other over and over. The ice dragon snapped at it but was met by being slammed into the side of the mountain again. Huge chunks of rock fell off the cliff face. The ghost dragon let go and leapt away just as the boulders fell on its combatant. Seeing the ice dragon was trapped, the former turned and galloped through the snow to meet Morro and his army.
"Let's get out of here!" he yelled over the howling wind. "Hurry! Before it comes back!"
The ice dragon managed to free itself from the rocks and ran after them. It soon had the ghosts in their sights and lunged, but was suddenly thrown back in midair like it had hit an invisible wall. It crashed into the snow and let out a frustrated roar as it watched Morro and his army disappear into the blizzard.
'I failed brothers. I'm sorry.'
'You did your best, Cyclone. Leave it up to Stonetooth now.'
…
"Master, look!"
Time was something nobody could tell as the ghost army trudged through the storm, but eventually the blowing snow had begun to taper off. Up ahead, Ghoultar was at the top of a ridge, waving the others over. Morro snapped at the reins and the dragon loped up the side of the slope to meet Ghoultar at the top. Up here, the snow had stopped blowing and the sky was clear. Ghoultar pointed ahead.
"This is it." Ghoultar said. "This is where Ghoultar saw the ice ninja."
Their spot on the ridge gave the ghosts a sweeping view of the valley below, so huge he couldn't see the mountains that would be on the other side. It stretched for what may have been thousands of miles for all he knew. The setting sun cast an orange glow across the landscape, what was within eyesight being covered by thick, lush forest. A huge smile cracked across Morro's face.
"Well done, Ghoultar." He said. "But we're not done yet." He picked up his dragon's reins.
He had done it. He had actually done it. He was laying eyes on a whole new land unseen and untouched by the rest of the world. Somewhere in here was the solution to his plan, and he would turn this place over stone by stone until he found what he was looking for.
Morro jerked at his dragon's reins, and he and his army descended down the mountainside and slipped into the forest below unseen. Now that he was here, he would stop at no length to get his hands on Zane. Even if it meant burning this entire valley to the ground.
…
"Zane? What are y'all doing here all by yourself?"
Over the last couple days Clemens had busied himself planning and putting together a huge barn party to celebrate Zane's and the other's victory over the Untamed, and every ranch within the county had been invited. The yard was packed with the vehicles of their guests as well as the huge amount of barbeque pits that were cooking equally huge amounts of food. The barn that Zane and Hailey had cleaned out the day before was decked out in string lights strung across the rafters that hung above tables, chairs, and a dance floor. Dinner had already been served and Clemens had led a toast to recognize Zane for his bravery. Now it was dark outside and most of the attendees were talking with one another or dancing out on the floor as music played. While he unfathomably appreciated all that the old cattleman had done for him, he hadn't socialized much. He knew almost no one, and parties or any sort of large social gathering was not something he was used to. Looking around, everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves, but Zane himself felt very out of place. So he had resorted to staying in the far corner of the barn, leaning against the wall as he watched Jackson twirl and swing Hailey around the floor as they and their friends all danced together. That was until someone's voice startled him. Zane jumped and saw Clemens in front of him, a look of concern on his face.
Zane tugged awkwardly on the collar of his shirt. "Uhm...Forgive me, Clemens, I really appreciate all this but...it's not something I am accustomed to."
The old cowpoke nodded in understanding. "That's alright, son, I get it. Never really was a party person myself. Still ain't, really. But I'll tell you what- I've got a trick up my sleeve that always helps."
"What is that exactly?"
The man smiled and raised a hand. "Wait right here. I'll be right back."
Clemens disappeared into the crowd and returned a moment later with a pair of glasses in his hands. Both had ice cubes with one having a golden yellow liquid while the other was darker.
"Zane, you've worked your hide off for long enough, its about time y'all slow down and take things easy for awhile." He said. "I know you're worried about getting back home, but we're workin' on that and it'll come in due time. But for right now, how about havin' a drink with me?" He titled the darker glass out to Zane.
Zane took the glass, unable to turn down his offer. Clemens smiled and took a sip of his drink and Zane did the same. It was soda, but there was also something else in there that he couldn't place.
"What is this?" he asked, having never tasted something like this before.
"Whiskey and coke." Clemens said. "Mine's just on the rocks, but I didn't know if you'd be able to handle it all that much. Do you like it? Is it too strong for you?"
Surprisingly, it wasn't nearly as bad as he thought it was and found the warm tingling sensation in his chest not unwelcome.
"No, it's ideal." Zane said. He took another sip just to be sure. "Actually...I quite like it."
Clemens chuckled. "Figured you would, works every time." He pulled up a chair and sat down. "So, how's Hailey and the ranch been treating you?"
Zane and Clemens conversed among themselves for awhile, swapping stories and bits of pieces of conversation back and forth over more drinks until a voice called his name from outside. Clemens stood up.
"Ah hell, Samuel needs me for something." he said. "I'll catch you later, Zane, thanks for your time. Try to have some fun, won't you?"
Zane nodded. "Of course. I will try…"
Clemens left, leaving Zane alone in the corner once again. He sighed and leaned up against the wall, watching the people dance. Hailey and Jackson had stepped off the dance floor as the song ended and sat down to take a break. Hailey went to one of the coolers lining the wall to get something to drink when she saw Zane by himself and walked over.
"Zane, why are you by yourself?" She asked. "All of this is for you. You should be out having fun!"
Zane sighed. "I know. But I'm not used to this."
"I get that, but...you should at least let loose a little bit. If anyone here deserves to, it's you!"
Zane didn't say anything, but Hailey saw the conflicted and hesitated look on his face.
"Zane, won't you go out there and dance?" She asked. "Have a good time?"
He knew how Clemens put this all together for him so he and the others could have fun and celebrate, but the thought of the other ninja and Morro still weighed heavy in his mind. He couldn't enjoy himself in good conscience knowing that the vengeful ghost had yet to be defeated and his brothers were still looking for him. They would be fighting him while he was here dancing of all things. That wasn't fair to them. His job was to protect. How could he do that when he was here possibly making a fool of himself? FSM, he couldn't even dance!
Hailey recognized the look on Zane's face, she'd seen it before. She sighed.
"Look, I know you're worried about Morro and everything else. I get that. But this is all for you, Zane. This might be your last chance to do anything like this before we send you back." She said. "And I'm gonna be honest, I'm gonna miss you so much when you leave, and I want to have all the good memories I can to cherish once you're gone. And I know you want that too, and so would your other family back in Ninjago. Hell you can even learn a thing or two to show 'em once you see 'em again. But we want you to have fun Zane, to be happy for a while. If not for yourself, then for me?" She gave him a hopeful look. "Please?"
Zane thought it over a moment more. "But... I don't know how to dance." He said.
Another song started and people got back out on the dance floor. Hailey looked over and saw them getting into lines as the beginning of "Footloose" started to play. She turned back to Zane.
"Well we're gonna change that!" Hailey said. She grabbed the nindroid by the arm and led him to the edge of the floor. Zane saw everyone begin dancing and started to doubt if this was a good idea.
"I don't know this dance!" He said over the music. "Or any for that matter!"
"Zane, its okay!" Hailey said. "I'm gonna teach you. It's easy, watch." She started going through the moves slowly so the nindroid could see.
"Been workin' so hard," Said the lyrics of the song.
I'm punchin' my card,"
"Grapevine to the right, one, two, three, stomp, four." She said, demonstrating the move. "Grapevine again left, one, two, three, stomp, four."
"Eight hours, for what?
Oh tell me what I got,"
"Now K-step. Right foot forward diagonal, meet with left, step back with left and meet with right. Then lead with your right back again and meet with left and step forward with left and meet right." She explained while doing it. "Pigeon toe, pigeon toe- and you have to click your heels- now with your right go heel heel toe toe, heel, hop, heel, hop heel heel-"
"I've got this feeling,
That time's just a-holdin' me down,"
"And now changing walls you're gonna take your right heel back after that last hop and take it to the side and cross and hit your heel with your left hand and," she turned on her other heel and hit her boot with her right hand. "You do the same over again." She turned to Zane. "Easy enough?"
Zane nodded slowly, putting the moves together in his head. "I think so…"
"I'll hit the ceiling,
Or else I'll tear up this town,"
"Great!" she said and pulled him onto the floor and they squeezed into a line. The music began to pick up. "Remember, just like I showed you, follow my lead!"
The line started moving as everyone started dancing to the music. Zane followed along, trying to do the moves and keep up with the beat at the same time.
"So now I gotta cut loose,
Footloose,
Kick off the Sunday shoes
Please Louise,
Pull me off of my knees,"
It was tough at first, but he finally found the right pace and soon was going right along with the rest of the crowd.
"Hey, that's it!" Hailey said from next to him as she danced. "You're doin' it!"
Zane felt a smile grow on his face as he K-stepped. He really was dancing.
"Jack, get back,
Come on before we crack,
Lose your blues,
Everybody cut footloose!"
Hailey laughed when she saw his grin. "See, I told y'all could do it! Loosen up a little, you know you can also throw in your own moves here and there!"
"How so?" Zane said over the music.
"Like this!"
"You're playin' so cool,
Obeyin' every rule
You're burnin' yearnin' for some,
Somebody to tell you
That life ain't passin' you by,"
She and a few others on the floor did their own moves while going through the motions, really getting into the rhythm of the song as they turned to change walls. She looked over her shoulder.
"I'm tryin' to tell you,
It will if you don't even try,
You'd only get if you'd,"
"Come on Zane!" She yelled "You can do it! Have some fun with it!"
"Cut loose,
Footloose,
Kick off the Sunday shoes,
Ooh-wee, Marie
Shake it, shake it for me,"
Zane copied some of the other's movements as well as his own and he couldn't help the laugh that escaped his mouth. He was really doing it! And he was having...fun.
"Woah, Milo,
Come on, come on let's go,
Lose your blues,
Everybody cut footloose!"
The lines broke and a circle was cleared in the middle of the dance floor, and people starting jumping in and dancing with one another for a moment before going back to their spot, trading off with those around them as the music played. People swing danced, twirled, two stepped, a few even catchy handshakes. Then Jackson stepped out into the open. Deciding to mess around with her, Zane grabbed Hailey's arm and pushed her out into the circle.
"Hey!" She said. "What's the big idea?!"
Jackson grinned and motioned for her to come. She looked over to Zane, who smirked.
"I'm so getting y'all back later!" She said as Jackson took her hand, not without a smile on her face. The young cowboy took his lady and spun her round and round as they swung swiftly to the music before they jumped back into their lines as the lyrics started again.
"I'm turnin' it loose!
Footloose,
Kick off your Sunday shoes,
Please, Louise,
Pull me off of my knees,
Jack, get back,
Come on before we crack,
Lose your blues,
Everybody cut footloose!"
By now, Zane had forgotten his initial fear of dancing and was having what very well could have been the time of his life as he cut footloose with Hailey and the other ranchers, and was disappointed as he heard the song coming to an end.
"Footloose,
Kick off your Sunday shoes,
Please, Louise,
Pull me off of my knees,
Jack, get back,
Come on before we crack,
Lose your blues,
Everybody cut, everybody cut,
Everybody cut, everybody cut,
Everybody cut, everybody cut,
Everybody,"
"Everybody cut footloose!" Yelled just about every voice in the barn for the last line. The dance floor erupted into cheers, clapping, and whistles as the song ended. Zane was laughing as Hailey pulled him off the floor.
"See?" Hailey said with a smile, happy to see that Zane was finally having a good time. "I told you you could do it!"
Zane nodded. "How did I do?" He asked.
"You did great," Hailey said. "See Zane, it's okay to have fun every once in a while."
Zane tugged at his shirt collar, feeling a bit hot. "Is there anything I can get to drink?"
"Yeah! What do you want?"
He thought for a moment. "Clemens gave me something earlier, though I can't recall what was in it but coke…"
"Oh, you want a whiskey and coke? Yeah I'll get that for you. But you said you didn't drink?"
Zane shrugged. "Clemens asked to have one with him. And it gives me a warm and "fuzzy" sensation that is rather pleasant…"
"Okay, I gotcha, wait a sec."
Hailey left and returned a minute later with Zane's request as well as a small glass filled with whiskey. He raised his brow as Hailey handed his glass to him. "What's that?"
"Oh, this?" She held up the glass. "This is a shot of whiskey."
Zane became more confused. "A shot? That does not look like any kind of vaccine to me…"
Hailey facepalmed. "No silly, this isn't that kind of shot. It's basically a small amount of alcohol that you just "shoot" back. Watch," She said as the nindroid watched her down the glass in one gulp. "It's a great way to enjoy any drink without carrying a glass around."
Zane took a sip of his drink and nodded. "I see. Noted." He finished his second drink just as another song started and they both got back out on the floor, Hailey showing him how to dance to other songs. They stopped between dances for breaks in which he learned how to do shots and tried different kinds of alcohol, that warm and fuzzy feeling in his chest growing more and more with each sip. He felt so much more loose and lighthearted and didn't mind the burn of the liquor. He was having a lot of fun, so much so he didn't realize it was becoming...well...too much.
Zane had just finished having a few more shots with Hailey before making his way back to the floor while Hailey decided to sit this one out. She too had been drinking quite a bit but knew her limits. She was just having a soda when Jackson tapped her shoulder.
"Hey," He said. "Has he been drinking?"
Hailey gave him a confused look. "Who, Zane? Yeah. Why?"
"Uh, how much has he had?"
"A couple drinks and a handful of shots. Why?"
Jackson looked out at the dance floor. "Uhm...you think he's alright?"
Hailey looked where Jackson was staring and saw Zane out dancing with the others, except his steps were a bit uneven. She shrugged.
"I mean he looks fine to me." She said. "We'll just keep an eye on him. Let him have his fun."
Jackson wasn't entirely sure but went with her word anyway. They left Zane to his own devices as they did their own thing. But they didn't realize that leaving a buzzed nindroid with access to a full table of spirits and beer would prove to be a huge mistake.
The night wore on and the party was nowhere near over yet. Zane kept knocking back shot after shot and drink after drink. His mind and eyes were so hazy he couldn't see all the warning signs blazing in his vision and wasn't aware that he couldn't walk straight. He heard another song come on and drunkenly marched himself to the center of the floor.
"Hey err-one!" He said, his voice slurring. "Wah this!"
Zane waved his hand and a dress made of ice materialized over his body before belting out a garbled mix of "Let It Go" and "Sea Shanties" while dancing around like he had broken his leg. The barn erupted into roaring laughter at the plastered nindroid's spectacle.
Samuel, who had been watching this the entire time, rolled his eyes. "I'm gonna turn in for the night." He said to Clemens. When he got no response, he turned to see his grandfather passed out in the seat next to him, snoring away with a half full glass in his hand. Tony and Christopher had also reached their limit. He huffed before leaving the barn and back to the house, passing Hailey and Jackson on the way.
"Hey you two, get a handle on that nindroid. He's causin' a scene." He said before going inside. The two teens looked at each other and shrugged when they heard a commotion coming from inside the barn and decided to go investigate, shocked by what they saw playing out.
"Uh-" Jackson said as Zane finished his song. His ice dress disappeared as he stumbled through the crowd and to the liquor table, falling on his way.
"He's WAY too fucked up." Hailey said. "Don't let him get to the alcohol!"
The two fought their way through the crowd and over to Zane, who had just grabbed a full handle of whiskey.
"Hey! Zane, no!" Jackson said, jumping in front of the nindroid. He reached for the bottle but Zane pulled it away and held it protectively.
"Zane, give me the bottle." Jackson said, holding out his hand. Zane shook his head.
"Give it to me." He repeated. Zane shook his head again and turned to run but was caught by Hailey who was able to restrain him.
"Ey!" Zane said as Jackson pried the whiskey from his hand. "Give hat back!
"You're drunk off your ass Zane." Hailey said as the two dragged him to an empty chair and sat him down. "You're cut off until you sober up!"
Zane huffed irritably as Jackson and Hailey tried to find food to help Zane get sober and eventually had him munching on some garlic bread.
"I don't know…" Jackson said as the two talked between themselves. "Can we get him to how he was before?" Hailey shrugged.
"I don't know, he seems pretty fucked up to me. He might just have to sleep it off, but we can at least try to see if it will help his hangover." Zane had finished the bread and was again trying to run off. "I'm gonna find some more food. Try and get him some water."
Hailey left, leaving Jackson with Zane. He looked around for water, but all the coolers were empty.
"Oh, come on…" He said, unable to find any. He turned back to Zane.
"Okay, listen bud, I'm gonna find you some water, so don't you move from this spot until I get back. Okay?"
Zane hiccuped and nodded, almost falling out of his chair as he did so. Jackson ran around the barn, trying to find water when he saw what he was looking for.
"A-ha!" He said, spying some mason jars of clear liquid on a table. He grabbed a few jars of what he thought was water before hustling back over to Zane. Jackson caught him red-handed chugging whiskey straight from the bottle. He gasped.
"Zane! What are-where did you- gimme that!"
Jackson snatched the bottle out of Zane's hands and peered inside, ignoring his jumbled drunken complaints. The nindroid had downed half of the bottle. He couldn't have even been gone for two minutes!
Jackson shook his head in disbelief. "You know what- here." He said, shoving the jar of water- or so he thought- into Zane's hands. "Drink this. You need to rehydrate."
Zane chugged the jar in seconds and Jackson handed him the other. It too was gone in moments. Zane was on the third one as Jackson ran back for more. But when he returned, the nindroid was gone, glass jars and an empty whiskey bottle littering the floor around his chair.
"Oh no," Jackson said, setting down the bottles. "Zane! ZANE?!"
"Jackson! Where's Zane?"
He turned around to see his girlfriend holding a plate of food. He started to panic.
"I don't know!" He said. "I went to go find water and when I came back he was gone!"
"Okay, we'll find him." She said, setting down the food. She jerked her head. "Is that water? Hand me one please."
Jackson tossed her a jar and Hailey unscrewed the lid. She took a drink when suddenly her eyes went wide and she spat it out.
"What?!" Jackson said. "What's the matter?!"
"This isn't water you dumbass!" Hailey yelled, grabbing Jackson and shaking him. "It's MOONSHINE!"
Jackson's face paled.
"How many did you give him?!"
"Three…"
Hailey just covered her mouth, her own eyes growing wide too.
"Holy shit…"
"And that…" he said, kicking the whiskey bottle.
The two looked at each other for a moment more before running off to find Zane before he could get himself in any more trouble. They were running for the dance floor when suddenly they both tripped over something. They shook themselves off and looked to see what caused their fall before picking up-
"Is that-" Hailey began.
"Zane's shirt…"
Jackson and Hailey looked up at the dancefloor, seeing Zane shirtless showing off moves that ain't nobody seen before.
"Oh my god he's trying to take off his pants!"
"Get him!"
Hailey and Jackson sprang up and ran after Zane. The nindroid saw them coming and booked it as fast as his stumbling run would let him. It was a wild goose chase as the two tried to catch the laughing shitfaced master of ice, knocking over tables, chairs, and people. Zane somehow jumped over a table and ran for the entrance, the world growing blurry and swimming as he stumbled out of the barn and across the yard. He didn't make it far before tripping over himself and falling face-first into the corral's water trough. Then everything went dark as he blacked out from the sheer amount of alcohol flowing through his veins.
Oh boy, Zane sure had fun alright. It's a shame he won't be able to remember it all.
Thank you for reading! Be sure to follow, favorite, and drop a review on your way out! Stay healthy and safe and have a Merry Christmas! RealtreeGal out!