Ooookay, so I know I've been like, MIA forever. I got into writers block, then I forgot about most of my stories, then I got out of writers block, then I had zero time to do anything, but you all deserve this long chapter.

Kai's POV:

Nya had come to me about their new friend Lloyd, with some…intriguing information. Son of Garmadon huh. My initial thought was not to trust him, because I hated Garmadon, always looming over the city and making us wonder, would it be today? He hadn't attacked anyone in years, but we still waited and wondered.

But then I thought more about it. I never even knew the Dark Lord had a son, if he did have one, Lloyd would not be what I would imagine. He was brighter than a Christmas light and kinder than anyone I had ever really met. Sure, it could all be an act…but he seemed so real. Probably the least fake person out of any of us. Maybe he tried to be good so people wouldn't judge him on his father. I finally came to the conclusion that Lloyd, just like he had to prove himself good, had to prove himself evil before we could decide that he was.

Nya seemed relaxed at this answer, then said goodbye and went back to school. I fell back into bed, prisoner to my sickness. It made my head feel so sluggish and my body ache. I just wanted to feel normal again. I shut my eyes and tried to ignore the pain, it was about the hardest thing I'd ever tried to do.

Master Wu's POV:

Something, something was coming. It was so soon too, I felt as if there was some sort of sign from my brother I had ignored or hadn't seen. I was sitting in the silence, smoke curled in front of me. It sweetened the room with its simple scent and cleared my mind. The pathways of future possibilities began to open in front of me. My concentration was fierce, and my mind struggled to keep the unfolding words of smoke visible.

Pouring every ounce of focus out, I began to read.

The Fire Prince on brink of death

The Ice Warrior species not discovered yet

The Water Princess with something to prove

The Lightning Boy to afraid to move

The Son of the Earth to protect and serve

A life of good they all deserve

Born of evil filled with good

Two brothers to fight for what they should

Unite the eight before the strike of twelve

Or in darkness the land shall dwell

The smoke dissipated quickly and suddenly. The words lingered in my mind. What did it mean? Surely it was important, as the final line sounded like a death sentence to the land of Ninjago. It would be ideal to figure this out soon. One line only made sense to me. Unite the eight before the strike of twelve. The Twelfth Moon Festival. When the Moon covers the Sun at exactly midnight, commonly referred to as the twelfth strike.

There were eight people I needed to unite before the Festival, which was in four days. I had a lot of work to do.

Jay's POV:

"We should do something." I suggested for a third time that day. Cole glanced over from his bunk.

"There's really nothing we can do." Cole answered, echoing our earlier conversation. "Besides it's really better to not get involved, it seems like there business." He added.

I sighed again. There had to something, anything we could do. My brain racked itself the whole time, creating at trashing ideas.

"What if we…wait no. Never mind." I said, diving back down into thought. Morro and Lloyd were…a special case. I couldn't find two more opposite people. Yet at the same time, more similar. They had the same story it seemed like, just outwardly went about it different ways. Between the two of them, there was something. I just couldn't quite place it. Yet. They seemed almost like the same person, if they could just see it. My mind wondered back to how Cole and I became friends.

We were similar to the two of them. Different on the outside, but similar on the inside. We had met at the arcade I loved. Cole was there to try something new, I was there on my weekly routine. He was utterly failing at Centipede Millipede. I had watched, and struggled not to laugh. He challenged me to do better. Of course, being the gamer I was, aced the game and left him in disbelief.

Him impressed, and me proud of myself, (feelings both of us weren't used to) we decided to run around the arcade and play different games together. Things continued from there, and now we were practically brothers.

"We should set them up." I said finally, my mind reeling suddenly. Cole glanced up again, and eyebrow raised.

"What if they get mad at us for that." He pointed out. I shrugged.

"What if they don't." I shot back. Cole shrugged back.

"If you think it's worth it, I guess there's no stopping you, and you're going to want help." He deadpanned.

"Will you?" I asked pleadingly. He smiled with a slight laugh.

"Wouldn't miss it." He answered, dragging himself upwards off his bunk and walking to join me. "What do you have in mind?" He asked. I just grinned mischievously.

I had plenty of ideas.

Morro's POV:

I couldn't tell if I hated the two-hour break, or classes more during school. It was only the second week of school but everything was already falling into routine. Breakfast if wanted it, First, Second, Third and Fourth period, where we all had science, and then two hours of break for lunch. Then back to school for Fifth and Sixth period, then dinner, then in an hour or so lights out.

Class was boring, and during the two-hour break, Julian forced me to be social, so I either had to deny harshly or face my brother. Neither were desirable. I was leaning towards facing Lloyd, but every time I thought about it the more terrifying it seemed. I almost wanted to laugh at myself. Terrified? Me? As if.

But I was. And it was getting harder and harder to deny it.

My mind my on this topic when a quick tap on my shoulder made me turn around, and not seeing anyone, I looked downwards to the tiny teen dressed in bright blues matching his eyes.

"Hi Jay." I said, my voice sounding different to me than it had before. Maybe it lost a bit of edginess…

"Hiya Morro. Hey, no one else could come to arcade today, I was wondering if you wanted to come, you don't come often." He suggested. I wanted to say yes, but my mouth fought my brain and instead I ended up saying,

"Was I some sort of last resort?"

He looked surprised momentarily, then burst into a speech.

"No no no, I have Cole and Zane in First period, then Nya and Lloyd are in my second, so I already had the chance to ask them all. That makes sense, right? You're great to hang out with, I didn't mean disrespect, hopefully you don't decide not to come because of this, I-"

"You're ranting." I said, efficiently shutting him up. He stopped, but when Cole said it Jay seemed ok with it, when I said it he just looked embarrassed. There was something wrong with me. Of course, he's known Cole for way longer.

"Sorry, you're fine, I didn't mean…yes. I'll come." I spat out awkwardly, trying to amend something. Jay grinned, almost too much.

"Great, flagpole at break." He said holding out a fist. I stared before realizing he was holding it for a fist bump. Lightly and awkwardly I fisted him. He blinked, then broke into a slight grin.

"See you later." He said, with a two-fingered salute. I waved back silently, then turned down the hall to my next class.

Interesting.

Lloyd's POV:

I realized, I could help my brother. Probably better than anyone. But it was rather terrifying to think about, as was about everything else, but this especially. He probably just still hated me.

My mind was exploring this topic when a kind hand fell on my shoulder. I looked up to Cole's warm face. I was immediately relaxed, problems melted when the older kid was around.

"Hi Lloyd, how are you doing?" He asked, walking next to me.

"Ok, everything's been stressful, but good. If that makes sense." I said with a shrug. He nodded thoughtfully.

"Oddly yes. Up for the arcade. Maybe clear your mind?" He suggested. I thought about it, it did sound like a good idea.

"Yeah, that sounds like fun. Will Nya be there?" I asked, then smacked myself. Very direct, and obvious. Cole looked startled for a second, then his face slipped back into its regular calm features.

"Or anyone else?" I added instantly. He shook his head.

"I don't think anyone else can come today. Glad you can though." He said with a shrug. I nodded but wondered, was I just a last resort? I quickly shook the thought away, Cole wasn't like that.

"Great, meet me around back at break." He suggested.

"What about the flagpole?" I pointed out, it was our usual place.

"No, I know shortcut." He answered, simply. I shrugged.

"Okay, well see you later then." I said, waving goodbye and turning towards my next class.

TIME SKIP-AT ARCADE

Jay's POV:

I signaled to Cole across the room. Our two friends beside us hadn't noticed each other. Cole explained something to Lloyd who nodded, and Cole turned into the bathroom.

Crap. I was going to use the bathroom as my excuse also. I saw Lloyd wander over in the direction of Tetris.

"Hey Morro, why don't you check out the Tetris game. I'm going to go get…some…food." I said, very unconvincingly. Morro shrugged and began walking in the same direction as Lloyd, I breathed a sigh of relief and sat down at one of the barstools. Suddenly I was glad I used this as my excuse. Cole had to wait in the bathrooms.

"Ha, hahaha." I laughed quietly at the thought.

Morro's POV:

The way Jay presented it seemed odd, but Tetris was fun. And maybe he was just hungry. I turned around another game console and to the Tetris game the same time someone else did. We bumped heads. I looked up, indignant. The person across looked up apologetically. We caught eyes and froze.

"You?" He asked. Staring in shock at me. My mind whirled and thought, Lloyd?

So yeah, it's kinda short. And credit goes to CHEESEPUFF fg for the Tetris idea. I'll hopefully write more soon, I have loads to catch up on.

Keep writing Keep reading Nova out ; )