We are getting two songs in this chapter.
He should have told her instead of finding out from the news.
Nalia's manager both loves and hates his job.
____________________________________________________________
*2 months later, Nalia returns to Ninjago City to perform a new concert.*
Nalia heaved as she sat in her dressing room, getting ready to sing another song for the people of Ninjago City.
"I still can't believe Lloyd and the others didn't tell me anything about Zane," Nalia mumbled while tapping her foot, trying to control the anger that had been slowly rising through these last two months when she found out from the news on a TV. That the white ninja, Zane, had died by sacrificing himself.
"I'm gone for five months, and this is what I return to. I swear, after this concert, I will find Lloyd and give him a piece of my mind." Nalia noticed her eyes were changing to their golden color, so she took a deep breath, trying to calm down as her eyes turned back to brown.
Soon, there was a knock on the door, snapping her out of her anger as she turned her head. "Come in." The door opened, and in came her manager, Mr. James.
"Starlight, we are about to start in ten minutes. So I came to see that you were ready to go and aren't sitting and eating mangos like last time," said Mr. James.
Nalia rolled her eyes playfully as a smile grew on her face. "Relax, Mr. James. It was only that one time." She exited her seat and put on her mic connected to her earpiece.
"Though I wasn't around when the white ninja, Zane sacrificed his life for our city. I do hope this song will reach the people and give the ninja the respect he deserves," said Nalia as she walked out of her dressing room.
After taking the job as a singer, she had left most of her ninja past behind her, so not many knew she was once part of the ninja team. But should they ever need help, she would be right there no matter what.
Mr. James quickly followed Nalia as he started talking about all the fame she was getting and how everyone loved every new song she released. She was already among the top five best singers.
"I'm sure the people and the ninjas will love the song you have to honor the white ninja, Starlight." He said.
A small smile grew on Nalia's face. "While I am mad at them, I do hope they at least hear my song. Who knows, maybe I'll see them in the crowd." She thought to herself.
The lights on the stage began turning on as Nalia went on to stand right in the middle of the stage.
"Hey! Ninjago City! It's so good to be back here after my long tour around Ninjago!" Nalia spoke to the crowd that was already chanting and cheering her name.
She let out a giggle at how excited the people seemed. "Now, I know while I was gone, something tragic happened here in this city; one of the ninjas lost his life by sacrificing himself to save everyone else. The white ninja, Zane, died as a hero to the people, his friends, and family."
Everyone grew silent as they thought about the loss of a great ninja.
"So, in honor and memory of this great ninja! I'm gonna sing this song for you all tonight! And I hope the ninjas, wherever they are, will listen to it too and take it to heart!" shouted Nalia out loud to the crowd.
The lights soon turned off as the music in the background started playing, and slowly, the lights focused on Nalia as she started singing.
(The song she is singing.)
(link to song)
"Dwelling in the silence, fading into white
Life so psychedelic, living a dream, we've nothing to fear
I've disowned the darkness, and that deadly dance
I've had enough – but can't wake up
PLEASE, ONE LAST CHANCE!
I WANNA BE WHITE, WHITE NOW!~"
Stars began flying around in the room as Nalia's eyes turned gold, glowing ever so bright as she used sand to move around on the stage while dancing.
The crowd cheered loudly while swinging their glow sticks to the song.
"I don't wanna lose my voice
I don't wanna fade away
So they can see the truth, aim to repaint these days
Take aim, and hit the mark – that white, hypnotic spark
Now's the time to rise one,
I WANNA BE THE WHITE, WHITE LIGHT!
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA.~"
Nalia was tapping her foot to the beat, as she used to sand make silhouettes of each ninja with stars flying around them.
The crowd started singing along to the song, and stars danced around the crowd.
"Feel it under your flesh, programmed in your blood
One day we will devour, all of the pain and bitter remorse
Our chains of dependence sow themselves in deep
We gotta help each other
GO, LOVE TO LOVE
I BELIEVE IN WHITE, WHITE NOW!
I don't wanna lose my way
I don't wanna walk that line
Always giving in too soon, breaking down when you could shine
Return to white once more – Return and be restored
Now's the time to rise one,
I WANNA BE THE WHITE, WHITE LIGHT!
NA NA NA NA NA.~"
Nalia had the whole room surrounded by the galaxy while the stars glowed brightly in the room and had them form the silhouette of Zane in the room.
"No one knows right from wrong
No one knows dark from light
Add a layer more of paint; until the world's set right
Go on, with all your might – But none can taint this white
It'll stay forever pure
I WANNA BE A WHITE, WHITE LIGHT!
NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA.~"
When Nalia finished the song, everything in the room turned back to normal, and her eyes went back to brown as she bowed to the crowd, cheering out loud.
Nalia glanced over at her manager at the corner of the backstage; he was giving a thumbs up, which was a good thing on her part.
"Thank you, everyone! I hope you all liked this song I made myself for the honor of Zane! And as the ninjas always say!" A big smile grew on Nalia's as she shouted to the crowd.
"NINJA NEVER QUITS!!!"
The crowd shouted it back as Nalia walked off the stage and went backstage, smiling happily as everything worked out perfectly.
"That was wonderful, Starlight, the crowd loved it! They loved you!" said Mr. James, coming over to her.
Nalia rolled her eyes as she grabbed a bottle of water and a mango to eat. "I hope the ninjas liked it." A soft smile grew on her face.
"Oh, yeah, that reminds me. One of the staff members told me to give you some of these," said Mr. James, handing her a small basket of fortune cookies.
"Oh?" Nalia raised an eyebrow before taking the basket with her to the dressing room, as she wanted to get changed back into some regular clothes and put her scarf back around her neck.
With a sigh, she took one of the fortune cookies, since she had always been curious about them. When she moved some of the cookies, she noticed a piece of paper in the basket. "Strange." She picked up the paper and folded it to see it was an invitation.
"Master Chen,
has personally invited you to participate in his Tournament of Elements.
Secrecy is of the utmost importance.
Tell no one, or suffer the consequences.
Meet on the pier at midnight and leave your weapons behind."
Nalia narrowed her eyes at this; something about this felt fishy in it. "I don't like the sound of this one bit, but if I go, I might see the others again... and Lloyd." A slight blush grew on her face before she quickly shook her head. "I still need to give him a piece of my mind for not telling me anything."
She looked around before removing the makeup from her face. "I don't think I need this weird stuff. By where am I going?" She grabbed a few mangos and put them in a bag with a few other things.
"It's good I don't have any weapons, since mine broke to the Overlord." Nalia grabbed a hat and some glasses, ensuring no one on the streets would know it was her. Being a famous singer has its cons and pros.
After ensuring she had what she needed, she used the air vent to get out just as Mr. James walked into the dressing room.
"Starlight, after this we need t—ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME! SHE SNUCK OUT AGAIN! WHAT IS SHE, A NINJA!?" Mr. James screamed out in anger.
Nalia quickly got outside and ran down the streets until she got to the dock, where she could already see a few people had gathered. She ensured her hat and glasses were still on and covered her identity.
"More people than I thought," Nalia mumbled as she lowered her glasses a little and had her eyes change to gold, checking out the other's elemental auras, though that didn't mean she knew their powers. "Interesting." Her eyes changed back to brown, and she raised her glasses just as she heard some familiar voices.
"Ah, I told you we shouldn't have worn them. The Tournament of Elements. You think all of them have powers like us?" said Kai.
"When I asked my dad about it, he got really suspicious. Like there's something he's keeping from me." said Lloyd.
Nalia glanced over when she heard Lloyd's voice; a small smile grew, but she quickly turned her attention away from them—waiting until it was safe to take off her hat and glasses.
"The fortune cookie said, "tell no one or else there'd be consequences." said Cole.
"Relax, we're cool." A ferry pulls up. "We don't know yet if this is a trap. Wherever they take us, we have to stick together." said Lloyd.
"A trap?" Nalia thought but followed the other masters.
"Watch your step, madam." said Clouse, as Kai looks at her and sighs.
"We can't let anything distract us. You hear me, Kai?" said Lloyd, looking over at Kai.
"Uh? Uh, yeah. Uh, got it. Whatever you said." said Kai.
"Welcome, miss." said Clouse as Nalia got on.
Nalia gave a slight nod but didn't say anything as she went on the boat and decided to head up the stairs and jump up on the roof to have a perfect night sky view.
"Master Chen will be charmed to see you've accepted his offer. A Master of Spinjitzu shall fare favorably in his Tournament." said Clouse.
Nalia narrowed her eyes at what she could hear from the roof. "I don't like the sound of his tone, creepy."
"Hey, we're not here to fight. We're here to save a friend." said Jay.
"What?" Nalia turned her attention down to the ninjas when she heard what Jay said.
"Don't be so petty, Master Jay." Clouse grabs Jay's nunchucks. "Everyone here has something to fight for."
"Chopsticks. I'm a big eater, heh." Jay gulps when he throws his nunchucks into the Sea.
"Lloyd, wait! If you get on that boat, you may never return." shouted Garmadon, as he came running towards the ferry.
"Mr. Garmadon?" Nalia was surprised by everything that was happening at this moment.
"What are you doing here, Dad?" Lloyd asked.
"Master Chen is a dangerous man who should never be trusted. Whatever he promised you, do not believe him." said Garmadon.
"Strange, he didn't promise me anything in my invitation. I knew something was fishy about this." Nalia narrowed her eyes at this behind her glasses.
"Lord Garmadon. It's been a while. It's Sensei now, correct? I can't remember." said Clouse.
"Clouse. I see Master Chen still has you running his errands." said Garmadon.
"I have to go, Dad. This is about Zane. It's about family. If we're ever going to be whole again, I have to get on that ship." said Lloyd.
"Zane!?" Nalia's eyes widened when Lloyd mentioned his name. "Okay, what the fuck is going on."
"Last call. Are you in, or out?" Clouse asked.
"I can't stop you, son, but I can join you." said Garmadon.
"Sorry, no more room in the ship." said Clouse.
"No room?" Garmadon kicks a thug off the ship.
"Poor guy, hopefully, he can swim." Nalia thought.
"I stand corrected. There's room now." said Clouse.
"Don't worry. I'm not here to compete. Only to look out for my interests," said Garmadon. Glancing up at the roof, she noticed Nalia was watching, so he couldn't help but grow a smirk on his face, but he didn't say anything about it.
"Let's ship out!" said Clouse.
The ninjas watch the other masters display their powers.
"You know him. You said his name's Clouse." said Lloyd.
"Don't be fooled by his attire. He is a Master of Dark Arts and Master Chen's number two." said Garmadon.
"Huh, I thought Master Chen's number two was an eggroll and fried rice." said Cole.
"Why haven't you or Wu ever told us there are others with powers like us?" Kai asked.
"Because there are some things we don't want you to know. You were led to believe you were special, yet you never questioned where your powers came from." said Garmadon.
"Uh, are you implying that I'm not special?" Jay questioned.
"Everyone on this ship is a descendant of an original Elemental Master." said Garmadon, before taking another glance up at Nalia, who had gone on to watch the stars.
"Elemental Master? Who were they?" Lloyd asked.
"They were the First Spinjitzu Master's guardians, each endowed with an Elemental Power that has passed down through generations." said Garmadon.
"If that's true, then my sister Nya is too. But she can't do what I can," said Kai.
When she heard that, Nalia glanced down at Kai but didn't say anything.
"Can't she? Power lies in all of you. It only needs to be awoken. The fighters here serve no master and have managed to unlock their own True Potential. For instance, that pale man. A distant relative to the Master of Light. Watch closely and you'll see how he's stayed hidden all these years." Mr. Pale disappears. Griffin Turner runs by. "Then there's Griffin Turner. Grandson to the Master of Speed." Garmadon went on to explain.
"Hey, you can't lay a hand on me. I'm faster than fast. Swifter than swift." said Griffin, running past them.
"Uh, Master of Speed? Pfft. That's not an Element." said Jay.
"So asks the Master of Lightning." said Garmadon.
"Oh, snap, he got you there." said Cole.
"What about her?" Lloyd asked, pointing up towards Nalia, still wearing her hat and glasses.
A smile grew on Garmadon's face. "A surprise."
"What?" said Lloyd.
"Huh?" said Cole.
"What kind of element is that?" Jay asked.
"And, uh, who's she?" Kai looks at Skylor.
"I don't know. Most of these people I have not seen. But they will all be gunning for you. You are ninjas. You serve with honor. Here, that means very little." said Garmadon.
Kai sees Karlof harassing Skylor. "Well, maybe honor means something to me." He walks up to them.
"It's okay. I can handle myself." said Skylor.
"This none of his business. Karlof cold. Karlof just want her cloak." said Karlof.
"You look like you got big enough mittens. Why not leave the gal alone?" said Kai.
Nalia looked down from the roof and had a bad feeling about this.
"These not mittens. These crush ninja." said Karlof.
"Ha, I'd like to see you try." said Kai.
"Save it for the Tournament, Kai." said Garmadon.
"Don't think Karlof afraid of you." said Karlof.
"No, you don't think much at all, do you?" Karlof lifts him. "Unh! Just jump in whenever you feel like it." said Kai.
"You say Karlof not smart?" Karlof asked.
"I'd say Karlof is plenty smart not to start something he can't finish." said Lloyd.
Karlof punches Kai.
"Whoa!"
"Oopsy. Guess Karlof not smart." said Karlof.
Garmadon stops the ninjas from intervening. "Kai started this. He can finish it." They both start fighting.
Kai is about to use his fire but stops as everyone starts hearing someone clapping and, soon enough, a familiar voice.
(The song she is singing.)
(link to song)
"Hey! Are you! Ready to go!
Cause! You know! The way to go!
I! Believe! In my own way!
So! Let's go! The brand new world!~"
Nalia stood on the boat's roof, clapping her hands as she jumped and glided down the railing, causing her hat and glasses to fall off.
"Starlight!?"
"Nalia!?"
"In the dark you follow the horizon
As you become just another shadow in the night
Just beyond that howling in the distance
You'll set your sights on the one that you've been trying to find
I won't stop for
One moment more
Sprinting through this world that's spinning on
Just be true to the color that is hidden in you
You can change it to how you like it - how you want it
Jump right over the shadows that are nearing closer
Go your own way
Don't hesitate, just go ahead!~"
Nalia danced around each elemental master, except the ninjas and Garmadon, and pulled them into a dance with her, smiling as her eyes glowed golden.
"Did you know she would be here?" Jay asked.
"No, I didn't," said Lloyd, who was watching, just as surprised as the rest, but wasn't all that happy about her dancing with the other masters.
"Life is just like a roulette of regret
Realizing there are things we can't protect
Everytime you fail and cry, again you try
'Cause you're growing stronger through the tears
Everyone thinks differently, what they believe
Their sense of justice clouding up the endless sky
Though I'm trying desperately, I still can't reach
That bright light that is shining down on me
I'll be proud of the future and I'll scream it loud
The sunlight's shining on me and you, to see this through
I will believe in that light and I will let it guide me
Show me the way
Tomorrow is a mystery.~"
Nalia moved away from dancing with Skylor, who had a surprised look from the power she felt from her when she had gone on to dance with her.
Finally, she moved over to the ninjas and went on to have them dance with her, all but Lloyd, who was left hanging. Which kind of upset him a bit.
Cole tried to avoid dancing, but Nalia wasn't letting him get out of it.
"The truth's almost blinding,
The light mesmerizing
So over the lies, I'll leap, no I won't let it bind me [note goes up]
But this path you've chosen
Spurs the world in motion
Though you don't know where it leads, surely you'll find a spark of hope.~"
Nalia used sand to help her back up on the roof, and the stars in the night sky were glowing brightly above her.
"Wow, she has really grown since we last saw her." said Cole.
"Yeah, she isn't as shy, like she used to be." said Kai.
"Hey! Are you! Ready to go!
Cause! You know! The way to go!
What! You do! Is up to you!
Make! The future one you love!
Just be true to the color that is hidden in you
You can change it to how you like it - how you want it
Jump right over the shadows that are nearing closer
Go your own way
Don't hesitate, just go ahead!~"
Nalia glanced at everyone as she had their attention, and everyone seemed in a much better mood, which was what she wanted. Though she did notice Lloyd looking a little upset that she had been avoiding him throughout her performance, a small smile grew as she jumped off the roof and used the sand to save her fall.
Getting back on the lower deck, Nalia grabbed Lloyd's hands and finally went on to dance with him.
"I'll be proud of the future and I'll scream it loud
The sunlight's shining on me and you, to see this through
I will believe in that light and I will let it guide me
Show me the way
Tomorrow is a mystery!~"
Nalia let go of Lloyd's hands as she finished her song and gave a slight bow to everyone, clapping their hands, enjoying the show, and even getting to dance with her.
"That was amazing!" said Jay, pulling her into a hug along with the others.
"You've grown so much!" said Cole.
"It feels like it was just yesterday. You were still a little ankle-bitter," said Kai, ruffling her hair.
"Hey!" said Nalia, pushing him away from her hair as she giggled. "It's good to see you guys."
"Nalia, I can't believe you're here," said Lloyd, still amazed by all this.
"Hmm, really." said Nalia, not even looking at him as Griffin returned her hat and glasses. She gave him a sweet smile that quickly charmed him before then turning her attention back to Lloyd, looking a little pissed off.
"Then mind explaining why none of you called me when the Overlord attacked the city." Nalia walked straight over to Lloyd, looking him in the eyes.
Lloyd started growing a little nervous. Seeing her angry, he looked to the other and his father for help, but they weren't doing anything.
"A man should never keep important things a secret for a girl," said Garmadon.
"You're on your own, Lloyd." said Kai.
"You ask for it." said Jay.
"Good luck, Lloyd." said Cole.
Lloyd looked back at Nalia, who was still staring at him right in the face. "Huh? When did your eyes become brown? What happened to your pretty golden eyes?"
"Don't change the subject, Lloyd," said Nalia, despite her face slowly turning red.
"Okay, okay, I'll explain. I didn't call for your help because you were busy with your singing career, and I didn't want to ruin it because of the Overlord." Lloyd tried explaining.
"Then why the fuck! Didn't you call and tell me about Zane? I had to figure it out from the news!" Nalia's eyes started glowing golden as her face was now inches away from his, and she was glaring him deadly in the eyes.
Lloyd placed his hands on her shoulders as to try and calm her down, and to get some distance from her.
"I didn't tell you because I was worried you would have another breakdown, like when we thought we lost Sensei Wu." said Lloyd.
Nalia looked taken aback by this, and a sad look grew on her face. "You didn't hide it because of that, Lloyd. You hide it because of the danger I could have put everyone in."
"What! No, that's not the reason!" Lloyd panicked as he didn't want to push her away. "Please don't think it's like that; I'm sorry I didn't call about Zane's death, Lia. I didn't want it to crush your dreams of being a singer."
Tears formed in the corner of her eyes as she looked down at the floor. "You should still have told me, Lloyd. I deserved to know it. I might be a singer, but I'll always be a ninja first and a singer second." Nalia looked back up at him with tears running down her face.
"You're right; you deserved to know, yet I decided not to tell you anything. I'm sorry, Lia." Lloyd wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.
"You're such a jerk," said Nalia, hiding her face against his chest.
"We're here. Welcome to Chen's Island," said Clouse, catching everyone's attention. He hides behind a crate and pulls out a walkie-talkie. "Master Chen, Garmadon has returned. He says he will be looking out for his interests."
"Interesting. You worry too much, Clouse. Everything will work out. Just wait and see." Chen hangs up.
Lloyd and Nalia turned their attention to the Island that came into view.
"I swore to never return." said Garmadon.
"You know, you should never swear. It's a sign of weak verbal skills," said Jay, glancing over at Nalia, who sent him a death glare.
"I'll be quiet," said Jay, letting out a nervous laugh.
"If Zane's on that island, we'll find him. We have to." said Lloyd.
"Wait, Zane is alive?" Nalia asked, looking up at Lloyd with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, that's what our invitation told us." said Lloyd.
"Oh, thank the old man," said Nalia in relief as she leaned against Lloyd's chest while he had his arms around her.
"Who is the old man you keep mentioning?" Lloyd asked.
Nalia looked up at him, sticking out her tongue. "Still not telling, silly."
Lloyd pouted a bit. "Fine, keep your secrets."
Nalia laughed as he said the same thing when they were kids.