Chapter Text
Chapter 8: Inner Steel
Kai was driving as Jay was trying to get the drone working.
“I still can't believe you actually brought a mysterious drone with us. It could be dangerous” said Skylor as she glared at Jay.
“It's fine. I'm an engineer” said Jay with a small smile. This caught Kai’s attention.
“Is that a smile I see?” he teased.
“It's been a while since I've done this. I missed it” said Jay as he continued to work.
“Have you made any progress?” asked Skylor.
“Nope,” he said, making the other two sigh.
“Guys look, it's a town” said Kai. The two others looked outside and saw it too. At first glance, it looked like a normal town. But as they looked closer, something seemed off.
“Well, we need gas. And I don't know about you, but I could go for a bite to eat” said Kai.
“Yeah, same here” said Jay.
“Sounds good to me,” said Skylor. As they got closer to the town, they saw what was off about it. There were multiple strange creatures running around. They looked like human foxes. When the Ninja walked out of the Bounty, they looked around in confusion.
“What are these things?” questioned Skylor. One of the foxes walked up to them.
“Hello, welcome to our village. What brings you here?” it asked.
“Um, we just need some gas and food,” said Kai.
“You’ll have to talk to one of the humans about that,” said the fox before pointing at one of the buildings.
“There’s a store over there and the gas station is on the other side of town,” said the fox.
“Ok, thanks” said Jay as they walked over to the building. Once they entered, they saw it was full of both humans and foxes.
“Wait, you're a Ninja” exclaimed one of the humans as she ran over. She was wearing glasses and had pink hair.
“That's right. And you are?” asked Kai.
“I'm Sally. It's nice to meet you. Have a seat” she said as she brought them over to a small table.
“What's with the weird fox people?” asked Skylor.
“We're not weird, you're weird” exclaimed one of the foxes.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to offend,” said Skylor.
“To be honest, we're not entirely sure. A hole ripped in the sky, and they just fell through” said Sally. But this didn't seem to convince the Ninja.
“That sounds like a stretch,” said Kai.
“It happened. We're not from Ninjago. We used to live in a place called Chima, but now we're here” said the fox. This shocked the Ninja.
“So you're from another Realm!” exclaimed Kai.
“Maybe so, but we're happy they're here” said Sally as she wrapped an arm around the foxes shoulders. A song played over the radio, making Sally jump with joy.
“MY SONG” she exclaimed.
In this life, nothings ever how thought it would be
“Wait, you wrote this song?” Jay questioned Sally.
“Yep,” she said with a smile.
Easy for some, harder for people like you and me
“I can't believe it, I love this song” said Jay, making Sally smile.
But in this world, just when you're reaching through the eye of the storm
“One of the Ninja loves my song. THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER” she exclaimed before hugging Jay.
There's always a calling, a compass to lead you home
“I didn't know you listened to this, Jay” said Kai as he stood up.
“It is really good though,” he said as pulled Skylor up to dance.
When things are dark and gray, and nobody knows what to say
“I've been going through a really hard time lately. But this song has really helped me” said Jay with a smile.
Dig deep inside and you will feel, an inner strength, a inner steel
“I wrote it after my parents died. I'm glad it helped you” said Sally with a sad smile.
“I'm sorry to hear that,” said Jay.
All this time, of blinders shut and not a thing to see. They're blocking a view
“Don't be. It's been a long time, since Harumi took over the city” said Sally, shocking the Ninja.
“You used to live in Ninjago City,” said Kai.
So grand, so rich and beautiful. But here I am, like a fearless shadow waiting in the wings
“Yeah, I lived there with my parents. But when Harumi and Garmadon took it over, my parents died. But then you Ninja freed the city. After that, I left and wrote this song. I was only 16” she said.
Can you hear me, because I'm ready to come back home
“In getting revenge for her parents dying, Harumi did the same thing to others” said Kai.
“I guess that just shows how incapable at protecting Ninjago we are,” said Jay as he sat down.
When things are all dark and gray, and nobody knows what to say
Sally put a hand on Jay's shoulder.
“I don't blame you. You did everything you could, but as hard as it is to say, you can't save everyone” said Jay.
Dig deep, and you will feel, oh yeah
“But-” started Jay, but Sally cut him off.
“Most people aren't like Harumi. We know you can't do everything when you're facing such powerful and ruthless opponents” she said.
There's always a trail to a better place, tomorrow's the first in so many ways
“We've heard of the stories of the Ninja in Chima. You are heroes who's legends spread beyond the Realms” said one of the foxes.
Just search your heart and you will feel, an inner strength, an inner steel
“I didn't realize we were so famous,” said Kai with a smirk, only to get jabbed in the chest.
“Like you need more reason to have more of an ego” said Skylor.
When things are all dark and gray, and nobody knows what to say. Dig deep inside and you will feel, an inner strength, an inner steel
“Thanks Sally, for everything” said Jay with a smile. Sally smiled as well.
“Of course. Come on, you guys can stay the night here. On the house” she said.
Kai and Skylor were sitting in their room.
“Kai, I have to ask you something,” she said.
“Go ahead,” said Kai. Skylor took a deep breath before continuing.
“What are we?” she asked. Kai looked to the ground and sighed.
“I don't know,” he said. This made her groan in frustration.
“You are so stupid” she snapped, confusing Kai.
“Hu?” he questioned before she went back to ranting.
“When you lost Nya, I was there. I was by your side. But you refused to let me in” she snapped at him.
“I'm afraid,” he said, making her calm down.
“Afraid of what?” she asked.
“Afraid of losing you, like I lost Nya. I lost all hope, until Bentho told us about this lead” he said as he stood up and took her hands.
“I was afraid I'd lose you too. I'm sorry I hurt you. I guess I just wasn't ready” he said, making her smile.
“You don't have to apologize. I guess I should have been a little more understanding of your situation” she said as they leaned closer.
“I'm still not well, but if you'll have me, I'll try to let you in,” he said with a smile. His response was a kiss. Their kiss however, was interrupted by a loud rumble and the ground shaking.
“What is happening?” questioned Skylor.
They ran outside with Jay and saw something they never thought they'd see. There was a massive hole in the sky. The inside of the hole was filled with different colors.
“IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN” yelled one of the foxes.
“What's happening?” asked Kai.
“Remember when I told you about how we got here?” asked the fox. The three Ninja looked back at the sky.
“We have to stop it,” said Kai.
“How?” questioned Jay. Kai turned to him.
“I have no idea,” he said before running off with Skylor.
“Great” said Jay as he followed. One of the foxes was being sucked into the hole until Jay grabbed it and brought it to safety.
“Thank you” it said before running off.
“HELP” yelled Sally as she was being sucked in.
“Hang on” called out Jay as he jumped and did spinjitzu, sending him up at Sally. He grabbed her and landed on one of the buildings.
Kai faced down the hole and blasted it with his fire. As he did, it started to get smaller.
“JAY, BLAST IT” he called out. Jay and Skylor high fives and both blasted it with lightning. After lots of energy, it closed.
“We did it,” said Kai before he collapsed. The townsfolk, both human and fox, cheered for them. The Ninja, the heroes. A smile spread onto Jay's lips as he looked around.
The three were saying their goodbyes.
“Thanks for saving me,” said Sally.
“Don't mention it” said Jay with a smile, making her blush.
“You guys take care of each other,” said Kai with a warm smile.
“We will,” said a fox. After waving goodbye, the Ninja left, their spirits and hopes high.
“Nya, here we come”
