Were a little stuck with this chapter because of a planned idea I had to change around a bit to fit better in.
There is one song in this chapter.
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*The ninjas approach the gates of Cloud Kingdom.*
"Welcome to Cloud Kingdom. We've been expecting you." greeted a monk.
"Ha, how are we—" Jay began asking.
"Standing on a cloud? Easy. In other Realms, there are other rules. I'm Fenwick. I've been asked to show you around." said the monk by the name of Fenwick.
"Nice to meet you. I'm—" Kai began introducing himself.
"Kai, yes, we all know. You're quite popular with the other monks. Up here, we see everything that goes on in Ninjago." Fenwick told them.
"Then you know—" Cole began asking.
"You've traveled far for the Sword of Sanctuary, a powerful weapon that can foresee your opponent's next attack. It's also the second clue to finding the Tomb of the First Spinjitzu Master." Fenwick explained.
"Blimey. But how be you—" said Zane still in his pirate accent.
"Finishing your sentences? I know, it's rather annoying, but up here we know, let's just say... we know what's going to come next. Come, I know Morro isn't far behind. Follow me and I'll explain." said Fenwick leading them inside.
Nalia so far had been pretty quiet and just listened, she did agree on Morro not being far behind. Knowing him as well as she did.
*The ninjas and Fenwick walk into the library, where the monks are writing on scrolls.*
"Wow, it's the ninja." whispered one of the monks.
"And Nalia Starlight, the singer." whispered another monk.
Nalia smiled while waving at some of the monks.
"I know you're familiar with a few of the realms. Cloud Kingdom is just one more of the Sixteen Realms that exist parallel to Ninjago." Fenwick explained.
"Sixteen Realms?" Kai asked.
"In this realm, we strive for greater understanding and let go of distractions. There is no television, no video games—" Fenwick went on explaining before getting cut off.
"No video games? Hmmph. Not impressed." said Jay.
"It appears all any lad does here be writing." said Zane when observing the other monks.
"That is because here, our words matter. You see, in Cloud Kingdom, we are the Writers of Destiny. It was here that it was decided that Lloyd should be the Green Ninja. And just now, that Zane should find his voice again." Fenwick told the ninjas.
Nalia raised an eyebrow when listening to his explaining.
"I sense my vocal pattern has returned without any repairs." said Zane, having his voice return to normal.
"Ugh! He doesn't talk like a pirate anymore." said Jay upset about this.
"How'd that happen?" Cole asked.
"It was written." said Fenwick.
"Hey, guys, he's writing about Dareth!" Jay accidentally spills ink on the scroll.
*Somewhere else.*
Dareth whistles and honks the Prototype X-1's horns to get the attention of a nearby driver. "Hey, what up?" He runs into a cement truck, spilling cement on him.
*Back with the ninjas.*
"Oh, poor Dareth!" said a monk, while Jay nervously laughs.
"Is there anything written about me?" Nalia asked.
Fenwick looked at Nalia when asked this question, and a concerned expression appeared on his face. "Your future will be filled with challenges, but sadly none of them will be able to prepare you for what is to come."
"What..." Nalia started growing worried when hearing about her future, though still a little cryptic that she coudn't understand what it meant.
"If you know what's going to happen next, then you know how important it is for us to get the Sword of Sanctuary." said Kai.
"Yes, and I know you made a promise to save your friend Lloyd. Sadly, we cannot ensure promises, because we aren't allowed to choose sides." Fenwick explained before leaning in and whispering. "And no one else will tell you this, but we had intended for Morro to stay in the Cursed Realm."
"What do you mean "intended?" " Cole asked.
"He was never supposed to escape. He somehow defied destiny. And now we're playing catch up." said Fenwick with a small sigh.
A concerned look grew on Nalia's face when hearing this. "If Momo hadn't escaped, Lloyd wouldn't be in this situation... not to mention, I haven't been able to talk him out of letting him go."
"Do you think we wanted you to become a Ghost? That's preposterous. Ever since Morro broke free, things have been happening outside of our control. To be honest, we don't know how this will end." Fenwick went to say to Cole.
"Then quit talking and give us the sword. We'll find the tomb and stop Morro." said Kai growing impatient.
"Look, we wanted to give it to you, but first, the Master Writer wants to see you." Fenwick said.
"Fine, then show us to this "Master Writer." " said Kai.
*Fenwick lead the ninja and Nalia to a skiff.*
"So this Master Writer, he'll decide if we get the sword just by looking at us?" Cole asked.
"It is an important decision, one that will not only decide the fate of Ninjago, but the fate of the Sixteen Realms." Fenwick explained.
"... Something about this doesn't feel right." Nalia thought to herself as she was getting that feeling Fenwick couldn't be trusted.
"Do you know what's inside the tomb?" Kai asked.
"I do. Morro's after the Realm Crystal. It's the doorway to the Sixteen Realms." said Fenwick.
"Wow!" said Jay surprised.
"It is a bridge to greater understanding...or a gateway to ruin. When the First Spinjitzu Master created it, he knew the power to freely cross realms could never fall into the wrong hands, which is why he buried it with him in his final resting place. A tomb protected by impossible traps that only a Master of Spinjitzu could get by with the aid of the Sword of Sanctuary." Fenwick further explained to the ninjas.
"But I thought Morro just wanted to be the Green Ninja. What does he want with the Crystal?" Cole asked.
"It is not Morro who sees the power to ruin, but his master, the Preeminent." Fenwick answered.
"The Cursed Realm. He's in charge?" Kai asked.
"Not he, but—" Fenwick began but got cut off.
"She, Queen of the Cursed, an evil so vengeful. She cannot crossover by any other magical means." Nalia explained with a bright face.
The ninjas all gave her a puzzled look.
"How do you know that?" Jay asked.
"Books, scrolls, the old man." said Nalia with a smile.
"Sometimes I forget Nalia knows a lot from the old times." said Zane.
Fenwick cleared his throat. "But if Morro uses the Crystal to free her, after cursing Ninjago, there will be no stopping her reign until every last Realm falls under her control." They arrive at a building. "We're here! Wasn't that a lovely ride?"
"Yeah, you paint a lovely picture." said Kai sarcastically.
Nalia however only became more concerned and was starting to think it was already too late to talk Morro out of it.
"Now if you just wait in here, I will be back with the Master Writer in a moment." The ninja walk in and Fenwick locks the door.
"Oh, look, a pinball machine! Ah, it may not be a video game, but it's the next best thing." said Jay going over to play it.
The others observe the stuffed animals.
"Strange place to meet this Master Writer." said Zane.
"What is that awful smell?" Nalia asked when trying to cover her nose with her scarf.
"Yeah, I thought this place didn't have any distractions. Looks to me like they just shoved them all up here." said Kai while taking a lot at everything.
Jay laughs as he is playing. "Yeah!"
"Hey, leave that stuff alone. We want to make a good first impression." said Cole.
"Oh, just one game. Whoever had this high score is going down." said Jay while still playing.
The ninja and Nalia suddenly hear a distant sound.
"That machine sounds strange." said Zane.
Nalia moved a little closer to the ninja, not liking the creepy feeling she was getting let alone the smell.
Jay loses the game and groans. He stops playing the game, but the sound won't stop. "Oh, that's not the machine!"
"Then what is it?" Kai asked.
Nimbus comes out and roars at them. The ninja and Nalia scream as they are slowly approached by Nimbus.
"I don't think he likes you trying to break his record." Kai told Jay.
"So that's where the awful smell came from." Nalia mumbled through her scarf.
"There goes our good first impression." said Cole.
"Is this the Master Writer? He's in charge of our destiny?" Zane asked.
"Whoever he is, I don't think he's handing over the sword." said Kai as they all were backing towards the way they came in from.
Jay tries to open the door. "It's locked. Why would it be locked!?" Nimbus grabs and shocks him. "Okay, so now I know how that feels."
Kai jumps behind a giant stuffed animal. "Over here, big guy." Nimbus hugs it. "Ah. Oh, so you like your toys, huh?" He grabs a smaller toy. "Stay, big fella, or I'll break it. Stay, stay. Hurry, find a way outta here."
"Nalia, bite him!" shouted Jay.
"I'm not gonna bite him! He smells awful, I don't even wanna know what he tastes like!" shouted Nalia back at him.
"The one time we ask you to bite someone, and you're not gonna do it?!" shouted Jay at her.
"You are asking for it! Not the others!" shouted Nalia back at him.
"Maybe you could sing him a song?" Cole suggested.
"Do I look like a song book here? Even I have moments where I can't just come up with a song on the spot." said Nalia with a sigh.
"Wait, why doesn't Nalia just break open the door? She does have the strength to do so." said Zane.
"Right." Nalia got to the door and forced it open with ease.
"Look! Morro is here! With Fenwick!" Zane quickly pointed out.
"Oh, traitorous Fenwick! I knew I didn't like that snob." said Jay annoyed.
"Come on!" shouted Cole.
*They leave without knowing Nalia forgot to close the door.*
"The Sanctuary is on the top floor." Fenwick told Morro and his ghost friends.
*Nobu hears the ninja and Nalia climbing up to him.*
"Fingers tired. Legs about to give." said Kai while trying to catch his breath.
"Ow! Stop using my face as a foothold. You're not making this any easier." said Jay.
"You're alive!" said Nobu surprised.
"No thanks to Fenwick." said Kai.
"Wait, where's Nalia?" Cole asked, noticing she wasn't with them.
*In the tower keeping the Sword of Sanctuary.*
Morro approaches the Sword. "The Sword of Sanctuary." However, just as he was about to grab the sword, a shooting star flew past him and knocked the sword out of reach. "What?!"
(The song she is singing.)
(link to song)
"Hey, do you still remember the red color of that evening sky
Like the whole world was burning right before our eyes
Back when we made a promise
Our words carried off into the wind
We held each other tight back then.~"
Nalia created a wall out of sand blocking Morro as she grabbed the sword.
"Lia, what are you doing!" shouted Morro annoyed.
Morro charged at her with a strong wind, hoping it would knock her over.
Nalia didn't need to use the sword to know what he would do, so the moment she was struck by his wind. She used it to easily fly out of the room they were in.
"The shadows that hide behind your smile
You put on that mask hoping I won't ask
So I don't
Pretending I don't see
The shadows smiling back at me
I was always waiting for you
To bring me some kind of news, when deep inside I knew
Those cold and long endless nights
The mornings that will never arise
I can see them all clearly before me.~"
"What?! When did you learn to fly!" shouted Morro surprised before quickly following her.
"Lia!" shouted the ninjas, seeing Morro chasing her.
"Look! Nalia got the sword!" Zane pointed out.
Nalia used her sand powers to easily slide down the tower with Morro right behind her.
"She got the sword! Stop her!" shouted Morro to Soul Archer and Bansha who saw the commotion. "Sorry sis, but you aren't giving me much of a choice. And I need that sword."
"She ain't getting away from me." Soul Archer aimed his bow and fired an arrow.
Nalia pulled out her staff and deflected to arrow. "I'm not taking any more bullshit from Morro."
Bansha gave a loud screech, actually causing Nalia to drop the sword because of that painful sound.
Morro took that as his chance and used to wind to bring the sword back to him, and just in time as the ninjas went for the attack.
The ninjas try to fight him, but he dodges all their moves. "Too late. I know your every move." Morro laughs.
Nalia growled in frustration and sprinted towards Morro with her staff.
"Hey, do you still remember the red color of that evening sky
Like the whole world was burning right before our eyes
Back when we made a promise
One we knew that we could never keep
It vanishes upon the breeze
There's no sound, no color I can see
No warmth in this room, it was gone too soon
And I've found that life has worn me out
More times than I could ever count~"
Morro quickly dodged out of the way just as Nalia was swinging her staff at him.
"Sorry Lia, but I don't have time to play with you. But I promise I'll find time for you and listen to more of your singing after all this is over." Morro told her before escaping and lands on a skiff Soul Archer and Bansha possessed. "Sing them a farewell song, Bansha." She screeches, making the ninja land on a skiff.
Nalia growls covering her ears, a few tears in her eyes. "I don't want your empty promises!"
"Still passing through. Uh, on second thought, mind if we borrow your skiff?" Cole asked the monk on the skiff.
"Nalia is really pissed off." Jay whispered.
Zane and Kai nodded in agreement but didn't say a word.
Nalia took off ahead of the ninjas once more, not letting Morro get away this time like last time.
"The eye. Perfect. Now get us out of here!" shouted Morro to his ghost friends.
"The reason I drew to you
Was because you hated lies too, but that was far from truth
It's all too overwhelming, 'cause you deceived me so skillfully
Don't know why it had to come to goodbye
We both waved at each other
Saying see you soon another time
But it would seem that day would never see the light
Even though it was a lie, it's the kindest one I'll ever find
I won't forget.~"
"Doesn't she ever shut up?" Bansha questioned annoyed when hearing Nalia's voice again.
"Not when it comes to singing." said Morro, using the wind to try and push Nalia away when suddenly he felt his elemental powers were gone again.
"Why did you stop? She is catching up to us!" said Bansha annoyed.
Morro glanced up at Nalia and took notice of the faint golden glow surrounding her. "I see now, well. This makes it a little more troublesome. Looks like I might have to give her that offer one last time."
Nalia was getting closer to their skiff, but her vision was getting blurry as she was feeling sleepy at the worst time. "This isn't good, if I get more sleepy, I might fall asleep."
"Nalia, listen to me! I don't wanna fight you, just like you don't wanna fight me!" shouted Morro out to her.
"What are you doing?!" Bansha questioned.
"Quiet! I know what I'm doing. You just focus on getting us down from this mountain." Morro told her.
"Hey, do you still remember the red color of that evening sky
Like the whole world was burning right before our eyes
Back when we made a promise
One we knew that we could never keep
But it lives on in you and me.~"
Nalia summoned a few stars and had them aimed ready to strike the skiff, but only the skiff. Since she was still very against using sharp objects or even weapons against others.
"Nalia, please just take my offer already! Join me and we wouldn't have to fight each other. We both know you don't wanna do this." said Morro, trying to convince her.
Nalia narrowed her eyes at him, for a moment seeming to hesitate. "You're right, I don't wanna do this... But if it's the only way to stop you, then I'll do it and save my Lloyd."
Nalia moved her hand in a motion and just as the stars were about to strike Morro's skiff, the ninjas suddenly got in the way. Taking the hit instead as they were struggling to control their skiff.
"Guys!" Nalia quickly flew about them after having hit them by a mistake.
"Obstacle detected. Collision certainty: 100 percent." Pixal told Zane.
"Abandon ship!" The ninja used the debris as skis. "Ah! Haha. Hello, haven't we met before?" Zane asked when catching up to Morro and his friends.
Nalia let out a relieved sigh when seeing they were alright, and decided to follow them from the air.
"Don't they ever quit?" Morro questioned frustrated.
"Your ride is kind of slow, huh?" Kai runs into a tree.
"Kai!" Nalia quickly flew down and helped him back up.
"Thanks, Lia." said Kai before getting back on his skis.
Nalia gave a small nod. "Sorry for going ahead of you all."
"It's fine, at least you were able to keep them distracted." said Kai patting her head before following the others once more.
"Oh, why do I get the uncontrollable sled!?" shouted Jay riding in the front part of the skiff.
"Hold on, Jay." shouted Cole.
Soul Archer aims an arrow at him but Jay dodges. "Haha, missed!"
"I never miss." said Soul Archer.
Jay screams as the arrow chases him, but collides with a log instead that Nalia had grabbed and used to block the arrow. "Phew. Hahaha. Thanks Nalia!"
Nalia smiled before letting out a yawn. "Damn it, now isn't the time to be tired."
*Meanwhile, the rest of the team are still trying to interrogate Ghoultar.*
"Still won't talk, hmm? Guess it's time to bring in the "big buns." He's all yours, Misako." said Wu letting Misako step forward.
"Puffy Potstickers?" Misako offered him a plate of dumplings.
"Ghoultar not strong enough. Ghoultar want! Ghoultar tell everything!" said Ghoultar finally giving in.
Kai suddenly appears on the intercom. "Come in, Bounty! Come in! Hope your jets aren't cold, 'cause we're coming in hot!"
"The ninja. Everyone to your stations." Wu told the rest, heading out of the room.
*Misako drops the potstickers—and the keys.*
"Morro has the Sword of Sanctuary." said Misako seeing the ninja, Nalia and Morro on the screen on the bridge.
"We know what Morro wants with the tomb. He's after a crystal that can unleash the Preeminent to curse the Sixteen Realms." Kai told them over coms.
"Then we must work together to make sure that doesn't happen. Nya, get us into the action." said Wu looking at everyone in the room.
"You heard what he said." Nya told Wu while heading to her station.
"Why do you all run toward the action? We should be running away." said Ronin as he watched the others heading into action.
Nya on the water balloon cannon. "Let's see how you like these water balloons." The Ghosts dodge it and it hits Jay instead.
"Hey! Watch it!" shouted Jay.
"Sorry!" As Nya reloads the cannon, Ghoultar attacks her and Soul Archer aims an arrow at her. Ronin uses his Aeroblade to deflect the arrow before it hits her. "Good job, Ronin. But who's flying the ship?"
"That would be me, I guess." said Ronin, getting back inside the ship and began steering the ship.
*Ghoultar jumps off and lands on the Ghost skiff, weighing it down.*
"You big oaf. How are you slowing us down? You're a Ghost!" Morro asked annoyed.
"Ghoultar likes Puffy Potstickers." said Ghoultar while rubbing his stomach.
Wu on the Bounty's anchor. "Need a lift?" Everyone but Kai and Nalia climbs on.
"Go! I can catch them." Kai told them.
"I'll help." said Nalia following Kai.
Morro sees Kai using his Aeroblade on the Sword. "Watch out!" Kai damages their mast. "You again."
"You say that as if it's a bad thing." Kai hangs on to their sail and gets on the skiff.
"Oh, I've lost sight of Kai and Nalia." said Jay.
"Keep following them." said Wu.
"I guess both our fates are tested. The thing is, I already know how mine will end." Morro disarms Kai. "And now I know how yours will." He raises his sword.
"You'd fight someone unarmed?" Kai questioned.
Morro hesitates. "That's a good question. Yes!" Just as he's about to strike, Nalia flies right in. Taking the hit as he cut the sword into her shoulder.
"Ah!" Nalia held in a painful scream, tears forming in the corner of her eyes when trying to ignore the pain.
"Nalia?!" shouted Kai and Morro, both surprised.
Nalia looked up at Morro, teary eyes as she grabbed the sword by the blade, ignoring the pain as it cut into her hands. Blood slowly running down her wrists, but didn't let go.
"Nalia let go! You are only hurting yourself!" shouted Morro at her in a mix of concern and frustration as he couldn't pull out the sword because of her strength, let alone that it was only hurting her even more.
"Lloyd, p-please if you can hear me... I wouldn't give up on y-you. No matter what, so you must keep f-fighting." said Nalia through the pain.
"L-Lia, take the sword. I can't hold him much longer! said Lloyd, letting go of the sword as he was able to take back control, though not for long.
"Lloyd." said Nalia with a forced smile, and a tear runing down her face.
"You can fight him, Lloyd. You're stronger than he is. Just fight him. Lloyd! Fight him." said Kai as he made sure Nalia was behind him just to be safe.
Morro regains possession and attacks him while trying to get back the sword that was still stuck in Nalia's shoulder.
Nalia grunts as she pulls the sword out of her shoulder, feeling a little lightheaded after that. But refused to lose consciousness.
"Hate to spoil this next, but just 'cause you're in my friend's body, watch out!" Kai kicks him. "I think you're going down. Right..." Kai picks up Nalia and uses Airjitzu and the skiff falls off the cliff. "...now! Sorry, Lloyd." Kai goes back to the Bounty and everyone cheers.
"You got the sword, but how?" Wu asked when seeing them with the sword.
"And why is there blood on it?" Jay asked.
"How else? Working together. Lloyd fought Morro like a true hero. And Nalia took the sword head on." Kai explained.
Nalia gave a weak smile, finally feeling herself relax as she suddenly passed out on the deck.
"Nalia?!"