Author's Note: Wow! It's been awhile, hasn't it? I'm super happy that I was finally able to push through rehearsals for my Christmas play, midterms, and incredibly stressful changes to my college program and get something published. This actually isn't the chapter I initially thought I'd be uploading this weekend, but I got 200 words into my other idea and hit a brick wall. I'm much happier with this one. "Nightmare" takes place directly after the season 1 finale. I hope you enjoy it!
Replies to Reviews:
RandomDragon 2.0: Awe, thanks! I love writing Nya and Kai and how they are always willing to help Lloyd (and each other). Their relationship is so wonderful! I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Guest: I literally just finished rewatching The Hands of Time, so Nya struggling to get over losing Samurai X is definitely in the cards. It will just be awhile before I reach that point, as I am attempting to stick to a somewhat chronological chapter order. Thank you so much for taking the time to review. I appreciate your feedback!
Guest: Omg! Thank you so much! I really think LLoyd and Nya do have a special connection. Spending all that time together while the others are off on missions? You can't tell me they didn't bond over that. Any I absolutely love Nya and Kai's relationship as siblings. While they don't always get a ton of attention, their moments are always adorable. Thank you so much for your kind words. I really value your feedback!
Guest: Gosh, I had no idea my writing was capable of watering crops and heating homes, but THANK YOU so much! That was really sweet of you to say. I hope you continue to enjoy "Of Milk and Cookies"!
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Nya shifted uncomfortably as for what seemed like the millionth time since she had first gotten in bed. Due to the loss of the Destiny's Bounty, the group was currently staying at a local school that had been converted into an emergency shelter in the aftermath of the giant snake that had leveled multiple blocks of Ninjago City. The makeshift beds they were using for the night weren't very comfortable and her brain didn't seem to think that ceasing activity and going to sleep was worthwhile pursuit. With all that had happened lately, Nya was sure she'd never be able to look at snakes the same way again. Seeing someone she respected and cared for as much as Sensei Wu be eaten by the Great Devourer had affected her more than she wanted to admit. Having grown tired of reliving the moment, Nya gave up on sleep entirely, slightly annoyed that none of her brothers seemed to be sharing her conundrum.
"Not the cake..." Cole mumbled in his sleep, resulting in a still sleeping Kai throwing a pillow at him so accurately that it could almost be mistaken for having been orchestrated intentionally. Sleeping in a room with so many other people obviously didn't bother them at all. Unfortunately for Nya, the sounds of the others only contributed further to her insomnia. She turned on her phone and glanced at the time. It was late – almost 1 in the morning. Several alerts from local news stations filled her screen. "Ninjago City in Ruins", "Hundreds Lose Homes in Surprise Snake Attack", and "Police Seek Parents of Unidentified Girl Displaced By Building Collapse" seemed to be common headlines. Not in the mood for such depressing topics, Nya opened a reading app. Maybe a good book would help her relax...
/
Lloyd raced down an empty street, desperately trying to outrun the ginormous snake that was hot on his heels. The Great Devourer had already consumed his uncle and now, it was after him. Crash! The beast knocked over a lamp post. Dodging, Lloyd managed to avoid being hit by the falling object. However, he failed to notice the pile of debris directly in front of him. As he tripped, the Great Devourer loomed above him, growing closer and closer, fangs dripping with venom. There was no escape. With a whoosh, the snake opened its jaws wide and prepared to strike.
Lloyd woke to the sound of his own screaming. Just a nightmare. Through the dim light, he could just make out the forms of the others – most of them still asleep. He was safe. The Great Devourer would never be able to hurt another soul. But the reminder of the day's events was a little too real for his liking.
"You're lucky the guys can sleep through pretty much anything..." Nya commented quietly, glancing over from her perch on a camping cot.
"Uh… sorry. Did I wake you?"
"Nah. I was already up." Nya waved her phone, the light from the screen illuminating her face, "Every time I close my eyes, I see Sensei getting eaten. Not fun. I figured I might as well catch up on my reading. It's more exciting than watching Jay hug his pillow. And we haven't exactly had much free time lately anyway." Lloyd nodded in agreement. Life had been pretty crazy with the serpentine and the fang blades. Not to mention Lloyd's newfound status as green ninja. Though, Jay's current sleeping position was pretty entertaining, he thought as he glanced over at the sleeping form of the ninja of lightning.
"So… Nightmare?" Lloyd sighed. He wished he could deny the suggestion, but, screaming a few minutes ago had definitely given it away.
"I never want to see another snake again…"
"Trust me, I know. And I'd say that's a pretty reasonable response after everything we've been through."
The two jump at the sound of a baby crying coming from somewhere down the hall.
"If it makes you feel better, it looks like we're not the only ones having trouble sleeping..." Nya offered in an attempt to cheer Lloyd up.
"Yeah. I can't believe how many people are staying here." He commented.
"Ninjago City is a pretty huge place. It's gonna take awhile for things to get back to normal." This seemed like a pretty huge understatement to LLoyd. The place was trashed from what he'd seen. And, if he really thought about it, he'd played a pretty large role in making it that way. There had been a time when he wouldn't have cared all that much, perhaps would have even taken joy in such a fact, but now that he had grown up a bit - now that he was the Green Ninja...
"Nya?" Lloyd asked, as he made his way over to her cot and sat down next to her.
"Mhm?"
"Do you… Do you ever wish I'd just left well enough alone and never released the Serpentine in the first place?" She firmly put a hand on his shoulder.
"Lloyd, what happened today isn't your fault, you know." The small boy gave her a look that clearly said, uh huh – I don't think so, but leaned against her tiredly.
"Well, actually, it kinda was. I mean, Pythor wouldn't have been able to summon the Great Devourer if it weren't for me." He pointed out.
"Maybe, but how do you know that someone else wouldn't have made the same mistake? Literally anyone could have stumbled upon the Hypnobrai's tomb. It's not like you were actually looking to cause so much trouble when you found them. " Lloyd was still skeptical.
"I guess, but-" Nya interrupted him.
"And besides, you probably wouldn't have come to live with us if you hadn't. And then I never wouldn't gotten to know my best friend and favorite adoptive brother." She booped his nose for emphasis as she spoke.
" Just think of all the adventures you would have missed out on. Not to mention the fact that we still wouldn't know who the Green Ninja was. Which, in my humble opinion, would be a pretty big problem." He finally gave in.
"Okay, fine. You win. Arguing with you is so pointless." Lloyd complained.
"I grew up with Kai for a brother. I've picked up a thing or two on being convincing. I know things kinda suck, and that a lot of people are hurting right now, but you can't let it get to you too much. These wounds will heal with time and you've still got a world to save one day. Just remember that you're not perfect. You're allowed to make mistakes. "
"That doesn't make it any easier."
"I know. But I'm gonna keep saying it until I finally get through that thick skull of yours. You should also keep in mind that Hindsight is always 20/20."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Asked Lloyd, confused by Nya's words.
"It means that the more you focus on you past mistakes, the more you feel like you should have seen them coming, should have done something to stop them. But that's not healthy. You can't just keep on focusing on every little thing you do wrong. You'll be miserable. Which is why I'm ending this conversation right now and challenging you to a game of 20 Questions."
"Wait! What?"
/
"It's Sensei's beard, isn't it?"
"How did you-"
"Hah! I knew it." Nya declared with a look of triumph.
"But-"
" Another round?" They had been playing for over an hour. Nya currently held the record for number of wins, somehow managing to guess correctly within a very slim number of questions. Lloyd yawned, but nodded.
"I guess I could be persuaded to keep playing. But you gotta tell me how you keep winning so easy one of these days..."
"A good samurai never reveals her secrets." Nya said with a wink. Considering her options for a moment, she added, "Alright, I got one."
"Person, place, or thing?" Lloyd asked her, determined to finally beat his opponent.
"Place."
"Is it somewhere I've been?"
"Oh, definitely." He thought for a moment.
"Is it Mega Monster Amusement Park?"
"Lloyd! You've never actually been there..."
"Yeah, but I want to."
"That doesn't count. Next question."
"Is it... The Venomari Tomb?"
"Nope."
"Is it Darkley's?"
"Absolutely," Lloyd perked up at this, but then, Nya continued, "Not." He groaned in frustration.
"Final answer. Is it Buddy's Pizza Place?" She looked at him, for a moment, eyebrows raised.
"Oh my gosh Lloyd! It's like you're not even trying."
"Well maybe I'm just tired." He said, attempting to elbow her. Nya blocked his attempt. She could tell he was fading quickly.
"It is almost 3 a.m. Maybe you should think about going back to bed. We can finish this tomorrow." Suggested the older girl. Lloyd yawned before reluctantly giving in to his tiredness.
"You're right. Promise you won't let any snakes in here?" She wasn't sure he was completely awake anymore. It was doubtful that any of the Serpentine were going to show their scaly faces anytime in the near future. So, she simply nodded and half carried, half dragged him over to his own bed and tucked him in.
"G'night Nya," Came a sleepy voice.
"Goodnight, kid. Sweet dreams." As Nya slipped quietly back to her own cot, she could have sworn she herd him mumble,
"Love you..." And it melted her heart. She had no trouble falling asleep after that.
/
I hope you enjoyed reading my latest installment in "Of Milk and Cookies"! I appreciate the continued support of my readers – you guys are inspiring. As always, feel free to leave feedback or suggestions as long as it is constructive. Have a magical weekend!
-GwenBrightly