Christmas with the Ninjas

Merry Christmas!

Finally! The couples can get together for the Christmas party! There's gonna be Christmas cheer & fluff abound in the finally of this holiday special so enjoy!

Chapter 6: The Ninjago Christmas Spirit

The hour has finally arrived.

The ninjas and kunoichi were on their way to the Christmas party at the monastery. Even their families were on their way.

Kai and Aria were on the former's elemental vehicle while Breeze was talking Aria's family.

Aria kept staring at the ring around her finger.

Much to Kai's surprise, she actually said yes.

The kunoichi of wind also shared similar feelings for the hotheaded ninja. He wasn't perfect but no one is. She also loved him just as much as he loved her because she eventually looked past his brash ways and saw a devoted young man who would do anything to protect those he truly cares about, similar to herself and her own family.

Her family were still understandably shocked but they (surprisingly) had nothing against it. She can't forget seeing her parents faint the moment she said was getting married. Bella was awed and Tony was slightly annoyed that his younger sister was getting married before him but was nonetheless happy for her. Her family knew she and Kai truly loved each other and didn't want to be separated again.

But after this, there's going to be a LOT of planning to do such as the wedding date and finding the perfect gown.

But enough about that, there's a Christmas party to attend!

The snow-covered monastery was soon within sight.

"First to arrive!" Kai exclaimed proudly as he helped Aria off the Flame Cycle but they weren't alone for long.

Jay soon arrived on his Storm Fighter with his parents while Nya rode on Star.

"Nya!" The blue ninja called out to his fiancé from his vehicle, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine!" The Japanese girl answered from her dragon.

Jay was still grateful that Nya still loved him despite his massive screw-up with his present. He couldn't feel more blessed to have such a wonderful girl like her to be his future wife. Once the inventive couple landed, they greeted Kai and Aria, oblivious of their new engagement.

They already knew who was coming next upon the sound of a large revving engine coming from far away.

Cole arrived with his father were on the Tread Assault while Luna flew on Rain with her mother. The first thing the black ninja did upon arriving was help Luna and her mother off her dragon.

"Danke," Luna thanked her lover, "If it makes you happy, I didn't drop the cake." The kunoichi of water held up the intact box, much to her lover's relief.

"I can't wait to try it!" Cole's mouth still watered at the prospect of tasting Black Forest Cake.

"Then you're going to love it!" Luna kissed her lover's cheek.

Last to arrive was Zane and Heather with their respective vehicle and dragon along with the teal kunoichi's family. As if their timing couldn't be more perfect, it started to snow.

"Hello!" Heather waved from atop Leaf, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Yeah!" Aria responded and the kunoichi got into a group hug.

The ninjas also greeted each other like old friends.

"I'm most pleased to be with you all on Christmas." Zane greeted his friends formally.

He didn't expect them to say 'Happy Birthday' but he was still happy to spend time with them and he already enjoyed his birthday with Heather earlier so he didn't mind.

"It's so nice to spend Christmas with you all!" Luna also greeted the ninjas like family.

"Yeah!" Jay exclaimed, "Especially with the party going on!"

The ninjas and kunoichi trekked up the steep stairs leading to the monastery as they observed one another. They haven't changed much but it was only three years and the only thing that's different were their clothes.

The ninjas all wore the suits they wore at the gala after the Trial of Wind for the party while the kunoichi got dressed for the occasion.

Nya wore a dark navy blue gown accented with glitter. The long flowing skirt was lightly pleated with a bow made of black lace at the back and the same lace adorned the edge of the strapless bodice. Her slender arms were covered in long gloves also made of black lace with the edges in a matching navy blue color. On her neck was a thick black ribbon that resembled a choker tied in a bow on her left side layered with a magenta bow. The 'choker' was accented with crystals and Nya wore another necklace with tiny pieces of rose quartz and she also had dangling crystal earrings to match. Finally, part of her now long hair was fastened with a black ribbon that also had a magenta bow and accented with crystals.

Luna was clad in a pastel purple dress that had a multi-layered skirt, a string of beads wrapped around the waist, and some lace in the middle of the bodice. Over it was a long-sleeved white jacket made of fluffy material tied at the top with a lilac bow with a lily brooch and a thin ribbon trailing from it. Her only jewelry was a pearl necklace and dangling diamond earrings.

Heather had a slender strapless teal dress to match her signature color back in her days as the kunoichi of nature with a thick blue sash right below her chest. Over it was a long-sleeved white jacket that was open with frills on the edges with a white rose brooch and the only jewelry she had was a necklace with a white flower in the center. Instead of her usual scarlet headband, the English girl's now short hair had a shimmering white headband and on her left side was a white bow with yet another white rose in the center.

Lastly, Aria wore a reddish-orange sleeveless dress with a red bow tied around her waist with a carnation pattern made of lace all over her bodice and yellow flowers at the top edge. Draped over her shoulders was a small cream-colored shawl tied with a pink bow in the center and her dirty blonde hair was still tied in a high ponytail but with a shimmering white bow. To top it off was a gold chain necklace with topaz.

Finally, the ninjas and kunoichi reached the courtyard where it all started and ended.

The monastery was covered in snow but at least the cold didn't bother Zane. They noticed the snowman in the center that was most likely built by Lloyd and Iris as well as the footprints that barely left any fresh snow. It looked like a battlefield with the snowman as the sole witness of whatever went on earlier today.

"Looks like Lloyd and Iris are still at it…" Cole chuckled.

They may have matured over the years but those two still liked to indulge in childish habits. As if on cue, the last couple showed up at the large double doors leading to the actual monastery.

Even the young couple were also dressed up for the party.

Lloyd wore black pants and a matching sleeveless gi with over a white long-sleeved shirt. The gi had golden embroidery on the side and the young hero had a green sash around his waist.

Iris wore a gown with a sweetheart neckline with white trim at the top and bottom of the pale pink bodice that had white floral embroidery at the center of her chest. Short sleeves in a deep pink hue wrapped just below her shoulders and the flowing skirt was in a slightly deeper shade of pink than the bodice but not as deep as the sleeves and had white lace around the hem. Her lower arms were covered in white gloves with pink embroidery on the hands. The Russian girl's wavy brownish gold locks were woven with tiny white flowers with pink centers. What caught everyone's eye was the fact that she still kept her signature crystal heart necklace.

"Zdravstvuyte!" Iris greeted her allies, "Merry Christmas!"

"What she said." Lloyd gave his trademark smirk.

"Lloyd! Great to see ya, buddy!" Jay playfully noogied the shorter ninja.

"It's been a while!" The golden ninja greeted his brothers.

"Oh, I also have a big announcement to make!" Aria stepped up so she was at the center of the courtyard and thus, getting all the attention.

"Kai proposed!" The Mediterranean girl blushed and held up her hand to show her unique ring.

"Congratulations, Aria!" Nya embraced her future sister-in-law as did the kunoichi.

"I never thought anyone would want to be with someone like Kai." The sarcasm was still strong within Lloyd, even if it earned him a painful punch on the arm from the fire ninja.

Cole felt a slight tinge of jealousy that now Kai proposed before him but he still understood and respected his father's wishes to not to just jump into it. Zane too felt like he was left behind but he also didn't want to rush into marriage with Heather. He wanted to know what she thinks of long-term commitment before he can even plan on proposing.

The kunoichi had their dragons put in the rebuilt stable where the Ultra Dragon now resides so the four-headed beast won't be lonely for the holidays. Cole also wanted to catch up with the Rocky 'head'. Even after all these years, he still hasn't forgotten his beloved dragon and all the moments he shared with it in the beginning.

"He still means that much to you?" Luna smiled watching her lover chuckle as the one head of the large beast nuzzled its former master.

"Yeah," Cole petted Rocky's muzzle, "I can never forget him… Just like my mom…"

The German girl can hear her lover's bittersweet sigh. She never knew her father but she knew it was rough for Cole to move on.

"I'm sure your mother would want you to enjoy Christmas rather than mourn her."

"I know," The earth ninja sighed, "It still hurts sometimes but we must move on…"

"I understand…"

The two shared a quick kiss before catching up with the others to join the party.

Inside, the monastery, the ninjas and kunoichi got the chance to mingle with the citizens. Many girls still ogled the ninjas but they made it apparent that they were in committed relationships with the kunoichi and a couple of them were getting married.

Being the heroes of Ninjago, the ninjas and kunoichi got to have their own table where they can eat and hang out with each other away from the fangirls.

"Oh, Zane! I heard that today's also your birthday!" Lloyd said.

"You remembered?" The white ninja asked in astonishment.

The former robot didn't really crave acknowledgement of his birthday but he was still surprised that the young hero remembered despite all the holiday hype.

"Probably because of last year's 'birthmas' thing…" The young hero rubbed the back of his head nervously, "And who couldn't forget what Heather did to Jay when he insulted your birthday?"

"Oh yeah!" Kai laughed, "That scream he made was priceless!"

The guys (sans Jay) raucously laughed, remembering the Venus fly trap incident.

The lightning ninja glared at them and then pointed his sapphire eyes at the gingerbread men. He pretended his brothers were the anthropomorphic cookies and bit off just the heads.

"Jay. Don't eat dessert right now, you'll spoil your dinner." Nya gently reprimanded her fiancé, oblivious of his spitefulness towards the ninjas laughing at his expense.

"Didn't you get anything for Nya?" Zane asked the blue ninja.

"I don't wanna talk about it!" He answered all too quickly.

The ninja inventor knew he didn't need to give Nya presents to make her happy but it still hurt to be reminded of what could've been. He missed a perfect opportunity to make her smile and feel loved with something completely new and original that can't be found anywhere else.

"Nya, did you really mean what you said back there?" He asked.

"Of course," The Japanese girl answered, "Sure, it would've been nice to see the present but all I can ever want is to be with you."

"Oh Nya, what have I ever done to deserve you?"

"Just for being the best you."

The metal wielder shared a short yet passionate with her fiancé. They both knew their lives will only get better once they tie the knot…

Once the group was done with their food, it was finally Cole's favorite part about Christmas.

"Can we have cake now?" He asked, sounding almost desperate. He still hasn't forgotten about the Black Forest Cake still waiting to get eaten.

"Ja!" Luna finally brought out the cake and sliced it up for her teammates.

"I believe this is long overdue." The aqua-eyed girl gave Cole a slice of Christmas cake as well as the rest of the ninjas and kunoichi.

"Yes!" The black ninja practically wept tears of joy, "Luna! Can't you be any more perfect!?"

"I-I'm not perfect!" The German girl blushed, "Just try the cake!"

At last, Cole finally got to taste the famous Black Forest Cake!

The cake was rich and chocolate-y, the fluffy cream melted in his mouth, and the juicy cherries burst with flavor in each bite. It was no wonder why Luna and her mother would have this cake every Christmas. This was a tradition he'll want to keep if he and Luna get married…

Soon, the classic tunes of the famous 'Nutcracker' began to play.

"Oh god, I hate this music." Kai cringed and covered his ears.

"Yeah…" Jay agreed with a voice just as glum as his future brother-in-law's.

"What's so bad about it?" Heather asked.

"Do you know how many times we have to listen to this crap every time we go outside!?" The fire ninja whined, "Every time Nya and I go Christmas shopping, we have to listen to this crap!"

"It's a classic Christmas story, of course you'll hear it often at this time of year." Zane said.

"But the songs are SO annoying!" Now even Cole was complaining, "It was already bad enough that Dad and Luna forced me to- !"

The black ninja suddenly fell silent.

If the ninjas knew what happened earlier, he will NOT live by the end of the year!

"Forced you to what?" Iris tilted her head.

"I-i-it's nothing!" Cole tried to dismiss her but she wasn't backing down.

"Really?" The violet-eyed girl raised an eyebrow, "Doesn't sound like it."

"Cole, just tell them." Luna finally had it with Cole keeping his secrets.

"But you promised not to tell- "

"We didn't say anything about you telling them." Luna said with a mischievous smirk.

"Oh, Cole didn't tell you?"

The earth wielder felt his blood run cold upon hearing him talk…

"Cole finally sang Christmas carols with Luna and my quartet." Lou said out loud.

"DAD!"

The mostly French ninja just wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Kai and Jay guffawed like the morons they were and the kunoichi wouldn't stop giggling. Even Zane chuckled, making it even worse for the poor earth wielder.

"You should've heard him!" Luna said in between giggles, "He actually has a great voice!"

"No way!" Lloyd laughed, "I would've thought he was tone-deaf!"

"Tone-deaf!?" Cole's bushy eyebrows twitched in rage, "I'll make YOU deaf once this is over!"

"Cole!" The father of earth scolded him, "Don't speak that way! It's Christmas!"

"Yeah, Cole." Kai smirked at him.

Cole just growled and stared at his plate, wishing there was still more cake left…

Meanwhile, the others tried to squeeze in time to wish Zane a happy birthday.

"I know this may be an inappropriate time to say it but… Happy Birthday, Zane." Iris said.

"Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it." Zane still didn't like being the center of attention, "I don't really need acknowledgement from all of you to enjoy my birthday."

"But I still feel kinda bad for not getting you a birthday present…" Aria confessed sheepishly.

"It's okay, really," The ice ninja responded, "I don't need presents to enjoy my birthday. As long as I can spend time with all of you, that's all I need. I also celebrated it already with Heather."

The plant wielder blushed once her boyfriend mentioned her.

All she wanted to do was keep her lover from feeling left out on his birthday.

"What went on between you two?" Aria asked Heather with a playful glint in her sky blue eyes.

"W-we just had some cake and I got him a little something…"

"What was it?" Iris asked curiously.

"I just found a neat photo frame and put a picture of us on our date in the Frozen North."

"I heard the auroras are very beautiful." Luna sighed wistfully, grabbing Cole's attention.

He wondered if he could propose to her under the Northern Lights but since Zane and Heather dated there, he wanted to do something more original.

He's going to have a lot of planning to do…

"So Zane, what should we do for your birthday next year?" Heather asked her boyfriend.

"Honestly, I won't even mind if we don't do much. As long as I'm with you, that's all I need."

"Dude, are you always this humble?" Kai asked, "Just indulge for once!"

"I have to admit, I think it would be nice to celebrate away from all the Christmas propaganda. Maybe on a boat or something along that line…"

The former nindroid's mentioning of a boat reminded his brothers of the Destiny's Bounty. It's been three years but they still miss that versatile vessel that served as their home during their adventures around Ninjago.

No matter how long it's been, they will never forget the ship they once called home…

"Then I'll try to make it happen." Heather vowed.

"It would be nice but I don't want you to exhaust yourself because of me. Just being with you is my idea of a perfect birthday."

The couple of spring and winter shared yet another tender kiss.

Every now and then, Aria would stare at her ring. She still can't keep her mind off of the idea of marrying Kai. She truly loved him but thoughts about the upcoming wedding consumed her. It wasn't about if she was ready for commitment. She really wanted it but the possible changes in her life was a little scary…

"Aria?" Kai sat next to her, "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah…" The Mediterranean girl still looked away.

"Then why do you look so gloomy?"

"I was just thinking about how different things will be after we get married. I really want to be with you but…"

"Are you actually having second thoughts?"

"O-of course not! If I still had my doubts, I would've said no!"

"Then why do you seem so scared?"

"Kai, I would like to spend the rest of my life with you, I really do, but both our lives will change forever and it's such a big leap…"

"I know how you feel," The red ninja admitted, "To be honest, I'm also a little intimidated by all the changes that'll happen but we'll get through them."

"How do you know?"

"Aria, no matter what will happen to us, I'll always be there for you. I promise."

"That's why I'm glad that I'm going to marry you, Kai. You're always trying to protect me…" Sky blue eyes twinkled as the kunoichi of wind smiled at her soon-to-be husband.

The fire ninja held his fiancé's hand, the ring flashing with the light reflected upon it.

With the other ninja couples occupied with one another, Lloyd finally got the present wrapped in pink with a green bow on it so Iris will know that this present was from him. He had Kai make it a few days ago and he kept it hidden in his room until today. He searched for his lover until he found her chatting with some of her friends from Ninjago City.

"Iris!" Lloyd beckoned his girlfriend over to the back of the monastery.

"What's going on?" The pink kunoichi asked once they were away.

"Uh… I got this for you," He handed the present to her, "You know, it's the holidays and stuff…"

"R-really…!? For me…?" Iris stared at the present in her hands.

"Open it." The golden ninja urged her.

Iris carefully unwrapped the present and nearly dropped the box once she opened it.

Inside was a tiara made of gold decked with rose quartz with one larger than the rest of them in the shape of a heart to match her trademark necklace.

"It's beautiful…!" The kunoichi of time gasped, "Where did you get this?"

"I designed it with my mom's help but Kai and Nya were the ones who actually made it…"

Lloyd helped place the tiara atop Iris' brownish gold locks.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it! I love you, Lloyd!"

The kunoichi of time leapt into her lover's arms and engulfed his lips with hers. Unlike the time with the mistletoe, Lloyd was eager to kiss back.

But none of them saw the mistletoe above them.

Back at the party, the ninjas and kunoichi were still having a good time hanging out with Sensei Wu, Misako, Haruka, and even Garmadon. They were still surprised at how different the latter was from his former evil self. He was very benevolent and even had a sense of humor.

Finally, Lloyd and Iris returned but the latter donned her tiara.

"You look so beautiful…" Haruka smiled upon seeing the pink kunoichi with the tiara she helped her son design.

Kai and Aria also smiled seeing that their hard work was not in vain.

"Spasibo," Iris blushed, "Lloyd had it made for me!"

"Who knew you could get so romantic?" Cole teased the young hero.

"Shut up!" Lloyd rolled his pure green eyes.

He's had more than his fair share of teasing for today!

Can't he just have a normal Christmas for once!?

"Look! It's snowing!" Heather pointed at the window and the group went outside to see.

At least this will distract the ninjas from teasing Lloyd further…

Outside in the courtyard in front of their own statues, the ninjas and kunoichi marveled at the snowflakes dancing down from the night sky.

"It's always so wonderful to be in the snow!" Luna said as she danced under the snowflakes.

"You know what will be fun?" Lloyd suggested, "A snowball fight!"

Although they were dressed up, even the kunoichi were up for it. The group didn't want to pick sides since it's Christmas and settled on a free-for-all.

"No powers!" This time, Iris made sure that everyone, especially Kai and Zane, would obey the rules so there won't be any unfair play.

All of a sudden, Kai got hit by a random snowball.

"What the- !?"

"Gotcha!" Aria taunted her fiancé with another snowball aiming right at him again.

This time, Kai ducked, only for the snowy projectile to hit Iris' back. Initially shocked, Iris merely giggled and scooped up a snowball but ended up hitting Cole, who ended up hitting Jay. One hit after another soon led into an all-out snowball fight but the ninjas and kunoichi all had a great time under the falling snow.

The heroes of Ninjago can all agree that this was the best Christmas ever as they got the share it with each other and that was the definition of Christmas spirit.

Wow! I can't believe I got this story done in time & got a TON of great reviews! All I can say is thank you! Every last review means a lot to me!

Thank you everyone! Have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!