Chapter 1

A Rude Awakening

"Have you ever heard of 'Curse of the Century'?" Elaine turns to gaze in Zane's blue eyes that widen in fear, as well as recognition.

"How did you…" the ice ninja pauses for a moment, glancing at the girl sideways. "How did you know about it? It's a secret within my family."

"I…am of the Julien bloodline. I am your cousin, come to warn you of something terrible to come. You are under the curse as the only son of the late Dr. Julien, to go to sleep for one hundred years, never to awaken until then."

"I am?" Zane stares at her in disbelief, "How did you know?"

"I have researched about our traditions and I have found out the date of when it will take place, and how to prevent it."

"Do you mean I could avoid it?"

"Sleep to all is inevitable, yet you are not the same as the others who befell the curse," Elaine informs him, "I know how to save you, but it is a hard and dangerous process."

"Could I…die?" Zane asks hesitantly.

"Yes, you could; however, you are stronger than the other Julien sons and you have advantages."

"What advantages?"

"I know you are not human and that you are a ninja, so you should be able to endure it."

"Endure what?"

"The way to save yourself. There was one son, your great-grandfather, who was able to stop this from happening to him. He harmed his body to appeal to the curser, to be pitied upon."

"There is no curse," Zane says, "but perhaps there is someone who has been making it to be this way…someone who knows many in Ninjago are superstitious."

"I know you are a down-to-earth individual, yet I must forewarn you, do as there instructions tell you, or else you may lose your family," Elaine holds out a white book with silver letters on the front cover, "If you have the symptoms of this man's personal record in the beginning, then do something about this. If not, consider this a foolish superstition."

Zane reluctantly takes it from her frail hand, hiding his skeptic views, and thanks her before leaving the sunny park. On the way, he spots several children playing on swings and slides, all cheerful and full of the youthful happiness, without a care in the world. A little boy has a scraped knee and is being kissed on the cheek by his mother, while his father is putting a band-aid on his leg. Zane sighs deeply, feeling lonely without Dr. Julien being around to love him and to talk to. He never had a mother, and really wants one to hug when he feels upset.

When the ice ninja enters the bridge of the Bounty, everyone is absent, so he goes directly to his shared room and gets in his bed. He thinks to himself as he sets the book next to him, this is absurd. Curiously he opens the diary, merely to see what it's about.

1st Day of the Curse

Dear Diary,

The 'Curse of the Century' has fallen upon my shoulders. I am determined to stop it, yet I fear the inevitable. Already I have been affected by the symptoms. During this morning, I have begun to feel a slight change in my appearance, which has been noted by my wife. My hair has thinned as if overnight and some of it is already falling out in clumps. My body is paler than yesterday and is thinner as well. I will go ahead and research my family history for now.

Dr. Dean Julien

2nd Day of the Curse

Dear Diary,

More symptoms have arisen now. I have fallen ill with a fever and a scar has appeared on my right shoulder; some kind of laceration an inch deep in the skin. How it came to be, I know not, yet I do believe I am in deep trouble.

Dr. Dean Julien

3rd Day of the Curse

I cannot write much, for my illnesses is taking its toll on my weak body. I have researched much about the curse and will discover how to save myself, hopefully in time. Every night, I hear footsteps creaking on the floorboards, yet when I search for their owner, I find nothing.

4th Day of the Curse

Dear Diary,

My illness has improved now. I have found out the solution, but they, my family, has discovered what's wrong with me. This is going to have to be done discretely, on my own, yet this might not even work. I have discovered that my only solution is to gain pity on whoever cursed me by inflicting injuries on my body. I'm already barely able to walk now, so what do I have to lose?

Dr. Dean Julien.

Zane shuts the book, disgusted at the thought that someone believed cutting himself was a solution, and gets up, setting it under his bed as Lloyd enters the room.

"Hi Zane!" Lloyd greets him. "What's for dinner?"

"Cole's chili," Zane responds with a small smile.

"Oh. Then…do you want to eat out?" he asks.

"Go get ready. I'll be there in a minute, but keep this a secret," the ice ninja tells Lloyd. After the child leaves, he continues reading from the diary, just to find out what happens. Even if it's disturbing, it is certainly intriguing as well.

5th Day of the Curse

Dear Diary,

I have been keeping to myself lately, and my wife and eldest son have seemed to notice. I think my method is working, and this nightmarish week will be over soon. Last night, I heard a gong, but when I asked my family if they heard it this morning, they all denied it. I was the only one, even though my youngest daughter is a light sleeper.

Dr. Dean Julien

A/N: What do you think? Please R&R! :)

This is not slash! Hurting yourself is wrong. Disclaimer: I do not own Ninjago.