The chapter you've all been waiting for, is here!
____________________________________________________________
*At the Destiny's Bounty, the ninjas are trying to figure out how to stop Pythor from unleashing the Devourer while examining a Fangblade hologram.*
"They got the first one, but there are three more, and we just need one to stop Pythor. They have a map, and we don't, so the question remains: how will we find them first?" said Nya.
"I still can't get over the fact that you were the mysterious Samurai. Is anyone else blown away like I am?" said Jay.
"We're over that. Can we move on?" said Kai.
Nalia was sitting and writing in her diary, since she was getting close to the song she wanted to sing for the team. "This should surprise them..... besides, I haven't sung this song since... the time with Morro." A soft smile grew on her face.
Jay speaks Gibberish. "Someone's a little hot under the collar."
"It appears his impatience is because he has not found inner peace and unlocked his like you and I have Jay," said Zane.
"Great observation, Mr. Roboto, but Cole and Nalia hasn't found it either." said Kai.
"I got it!" said Cole.
Nalia looked up from her diary, raising an eyebrow.
"You've unlocked it? Oh, why are Nalia and I the only ones!?" Kai complained.
"No, I figured out where I recognized the Fangblade from. I have a picture of it." Cole goes to get the picture.
"Oh, haha, is that it? Heh. Good." said Kai.
"I got it!" Cole shows them the Blade Cup from his photo album.
"That's it!" said Jay.
"Back where I grew up, there's this pretty big competition where every year the winner gets the Blade Cup. My dad's won it multiple times." said Cole.
"Cool!" Nalia looked with big eyes.
"You never told us your dad was an accomplished athlete. What sport?" Zane questioned.
"Oh, h-he's a, uh...a blacksmith." said Cole.
"Nothing wrong with that. My father was a blacksmith, too. But I've never heard of a competition—" said Kai before being cut off.
"That's because he's not a "blacksmith" blacksmith. He's a... Royal Blacksmith." Cole turns a page of his album to show them a picture of his dad: everyone but Nalia snickers.
"That's your dad?" said Jay.
"But how did the Fangblade become a trophy?" Kai asked.
"Well, supposedly, the Blade Cup was made by this guy who collected priceless artifacts. His name was something like, uh, Dutch...no, Clutch. Clutch Powers! Anyway, it gets passed on to each year's winner." Cole explained.
"Who has it now?" Zane asked.
"I don't know. I haven't talked to my father in years." said Cole.
"Well then, we'll call him up." said Kai.
"You can't! He thinks I'm in Ninjago City training at the Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts." Cole groans. "He wanted me to follow in his footsteps. But when I couldn't sing or dance, well I...I ran away. When he sees I can't dance, he'll know I've been lying in all the letters I've been sending him."
Nalia's eyes widened the moment he mentioned singing and dancing. Now, she was really interested.
"He doesn't know you're a ninja?" Zane asked.
"What? You gonna crack some joke that my old man wears a tutu?" Cole asked.
"No, but if we're going to have any chance at getting that Fangblade before they do, we better get our own act in tune." said Kai.
"Maybe this is the perfect chance for me to surprise them." Nalia had the biggest smile and couldn't wait to meet Cole's dad and maybe ask a few questions.
*The ninjas and Nalia finally located Lou's home and jumps off the Bounty.*
"Woo-hoo!"
"Yeah, wooo!"
*The ninjas use their Golden Weapons to land safely. Cole opens an instrument case.*
(Nalia's normal outfit. She will still be wearing her red scarf.)
(image)
"Uh-uh. But no mortal shall possess all four." Jay chuckles before giving him the Nunchucks of Lightning.
"Very funny," said Cole before looking over at Nalia. "Yours too, Lia."
"Okay." Nalia gave him the staff.
"You wanna remind me again why we can't keep our weapons?" Kai and Zane give Cole their weapons as well.
"I told you, my dad can't find out I'm a ninja. And I don't feel like making up excuses why I'm carrying a giant scythe around with me. Just remember the plan: we find out who has the Fangblade trophy, we snatch it, and then we get the heck out of town." Cole knocks on the door.
"Lying and stealing doesn't seem like something good people would do," Nalia questioned.
"Just a moment." Lou opens the door.
"Hey, dad. How long's it been?" said Cole, cheerful.
Lou sternly said. "What? You too good for the doorbell?!" He slams the door on them.
"What just happened." Nalia was very confused.
"Uh..." Cole looked at the others.
"Use the bell, son." Lou whispered, Cole does so.
"♪Welcome!" The door opens again.
"Cool doorbell." A smile grew on Nalia's face.
"Haha. Come on in, son. It's been forever. What did you bring? A quartet? Come in, come in. I've got a kettle of lemon honey tea on the stove right now." said Lou, all happy.
*A gramophone plays some background music. After being seated, Cole groans.*
"Did my son tell you I broke my foot? It was the cha-cha, but I swear the percussionist had it in for me." said Lou.
"No, dad. I didn't tell them about your silly stories." said Cole.
"I'll love to hear them!" Nalia giggled, with a big smile.
Lou looked over at Nalia, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you using hand signs?"
"She got into an accident with her throat, so until she is fully recovered. She is using hand signs." Zane explained.
"Oh, well, I'm sorry to hear that, I hope you get a full recovery." said Lou.
"Anyway, as I said, we don't have time for silly stories." said Cole.
"Oh, what he meant was, we've been busy training at the...uh..." said Kai, trying to think of something.
"Uh, the Martha Oppenheimer. Yeah." said Jay.
*Background music suddenly stops.*
"Martha Oppenheimer?" Lou questioned.
"What he's trying to say is the Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts." said Zane.
"Right! Well, um, see, we have this final research paper we're doing on the history of Ninjago talent, and what we really wanted to know was how can we get our hands on the Blade Cup?" said Cole.
"You're talking about getting your hands on the Blade Cup? The most prized and heavily guarded award in all of Ninjago, the symbol of excellence in harmony and grace? You can't just get it, you have to earn it. You have to exhibit style. Perfect pitch. Push the boundaries of artistic license and..." Lou explained.
Nalia was listening closely, with starry eyes.
"...win this year's Ninjago Talent Show!" He finished.
"Um, perhaps there's an easier way." said Zane.
"Is this why you came? You knew I was injured and when my quartet insisted we shan't go on, you four have come to take our place! Haha, ingenious! My son, bringing forth the next evolution of the Royal Blacksmiths! Let me hear the sweet, sweet sound of harmony." said Lou.
They all get up confused looking and do so.
"Harmony..."
"Harmony..."
"Harmony..."
Cole groans as the harmony dies down, and Lou and Nalia cringe.
"Oh, my ears, what was that sound." This was probably the worst Nalia had ever heard, and she so wished she had never heard any of this.
"Look, dad. We just need the trophy." said Cole.
"Yeah, we're bringing home the gold and-and we want you to train us." said Kai.
Lou sniffles. "I've never been more proud. If you'll excuse me, I need to write a song about my feelings." He leaves the room, but Nalia quickly runs after him.
"Mister, wait!" Nalia quickly ran in front of him.
"Oh, what is it, little princess?" Lou asked.
Nalia took a quick look, making sure the others weren't coming or were listening. Before she then opened her mouth. "Please help me get into this competition too, but without the others knowing. I wanna surprise them." She finally spoke clearly, and her voice was crystal clear yet soft.
Lou's eyes widened upon hearing her voice. "I thought the others said that your voice was still recovering."
Nalia rubbed the back of her neck. "It recovered some days ago; I just haven't spoken until now since I want to surprise them with a song," she explained.
"I see, so you wanna get into the competition and surprise them with a song," said Lou, looking at her as a few ideas ran through his head. "Let me hear your voice, like the others just earlier."
"Okay," said Nalia, smiling and taking a deep breath. "Harmony..." Her singing voice sounded so soft and angelic when she let out her singing voice. Not only that but whenever she sang, anyone would feel a gentle warmth and remove any discomfort since her singing also healed anyone's injuries.
"Oh, that is the most beautiful voice I've ever heard." Lou sniffles, removing a tear from his eye. "Okay, little princess, I'll help you with what I can. Without the others knowing of this little surprise of yours."
"Yay!" Nalia smiled happily and couldn't wait.
*Some time later, the ninjas are training.*
"Okay, from the top. Five, six, seven, eight." Lou plays some keys on the piano.
"Bop till you drop." Kai started.
"Shake it till you break it." Jay came next.
"Move it till you lose it." Zane came right after.
"Spin it till you win it." Cole right behind.
Piano music stops.
"Stop, stop! Ugh. If my ears weren't attached to my head, they'd be running away! Kai, love the energy, hate the hair." Lou hits Kai on the head with his cane.
"Aah!"
"Oh, mangos." Nalia watched while sitting on top of the piano.
"Jay, you're giving a lot, but I need more! Zane, you're like a machine. Don't change anything." Zane smirks. "And Cole, try to act like you wanna be here."
Nalia giggled, watching this while eating a cut-up mango that Lou had made for her.
"He's worse than Sensei Wu!" Jay whispered.
"I'm pretty sure the old man was worse than mister Lou." Nalia thought to herself.
"Okay, moving forward. Let's take a look at the big show-stopping climax. Cole, we can't have history repeating itself." said Lou.
"Dad, it was the Triple Tiger Sashay. I was seven." said Cole.
"What's the Triple Tiger Sashay?" Kai asked.
"Yeah, what is it?" Nalia ate her mango slices while wondering if that was some food he was talking about.
"Only the most difficult dance move ever created." said Cole.
"It's true. Many professionals have dare tried, but it's never been successfully completed." said Lou.
"Hence, my father thought a seven year-old could! But I ended up falling on my face, humiliating myself, and letting my quartet down." said Cole.
"If you're going to win, you have to go big! Alright, time for a break. Take five." said Lou leaving.
Nalia ate the rest of her mango slices before she got off the piano and ran after him so she could do her training.
*Later at the Concert Hall, contestants practice singing, beatboxing, and juggling. The ninjas are practicing their routine.*
"Then kick ball change, barrel roll, barrel turn, and we all do the double wings—" said Cole.
Jay and Kai bump into each other.
"That looks like it hurts." Nalia was sitting on a chair watching the ninjas, since she wasn't going on the stage until the end as the last person. So, for the time being, she could sit back and relax.
"Ow! Dude, you gotta follow me." said Jay.
"Follow you? You're two beats off." said Kai.
"Actually, 2.72 off the beat." said Zane.
"Guys, guys! Let's not make this any harder than it needs to be. We just stick to the plan and keep up the charade until the trophy's revealed. Once we steal the Blade Cup, we can argue all we want once we get back home." said Cole.
"But this is your hometown, Cole. Don't you want to try and win it?" said Jay.
"Ugh, they only dance step I wanna perform is called "Get-me-out-of-this-nuthouse-and-let's-burn-these-memories-from-my-head"." said Cole.
Lou suddenly appears. "What?"
"Dad, I..." Cole tried to explain.
"You... you were going to steal it?" Lou asked, not able to believe it.
Cole sighs. "Dad, I didn't mean for you to hear that, but-but I'm glad you did. There's something I've been wanting to tell you. All these years, I haven't been training to be a singer or a dancer. I found something new that I'm really good at. Dad..." He uses Spinjitzu to change into his gi. "I'm a Ninja." Lou gasps. "And the truth is, if we don't steal that Fangblade—I mean, Blade Cup—there's other people that will. Bad people. Serpentine. And we need it to save the world. I know how ridiculous this sounds, but I'm proud of who I am, and I want you to be proud of me, too."
"I can't be proud of any son who thinks stealing is right! And I'm not gonna wait around to watch you make a mockery of our family's legacy!" said Lou.
"Dad, I—" Lou walks away. Cole groans.
"I'm sure he didn't mean that." said Kai.
"Maybe if he saw you in action." said Jay.
"No, it's-it's okay." said Cole.
"Don't lose hope, Cole. Maybe he will change his mind after watching you." Nalia smiled, hoping her song could cheer him up.
*A group of poorly disguised Serpentine walk out of a dressing room.*
Kai reads the name on the door. "Treble Makers?"
"Wait a minute. What are they doing here?" Jay asked.
*The Ninjas and Nalia peek behind the curtain to see Pythor sitting at the judge's table wearing a fake beard and an arm sling for his broken arm.*
"I can't help it if I offend anyone. My only job will be to tell the truth." said Pythor.
"You don't look anything like your photo." said Judge 2.
"Ah, sadly, but," Pythor chuckles, "The camera adds a few pounds. I'm just happy to have the opportunity to judge this prestigious competition."
*The Blade Cup is brought out.*
"The Fangblade!" said Pythor.
"Uh, yeah. You mean the Blade Cup." said Judge 2.
"Yes, yes. Whatever." said Pythor.
"It looks like we're not the only ones planning to steal the Blade Cup. Pythor's here." said Kai.
"This complicates things." said Zane.
"Then I say we make our move. We can't risk losing out again. I say we steal it." said Jay.
"We're not gonna steal it. We're gonna win this competition, but we're gonna do it our way." said Cole.
"Our way?"
"Wait, where's Nalia?" Jay asked.
The others looked around, but couldn't see her anywhere.
"Let's just hope, she doesn't try to kill Pythor." said Cole.
Nalia had gone to her dressing room, where she changed into the dress she would be wearing, along with a stylist who would help her.
"Alright, little missy. Time to change you from a spark to a beautiful star on stage." said the Stylist, and had Nalia sit down in her chair as they began fixing her hair and helping her get the outfit on.
(Her hairstyle now.)
(image)
(Her dress.)
(image)
"Sweetie, you've gotta remove that scarf. It doesn't fit your dress." said the Stylist.
But Nalia shook her head. "No, I'm keeping this scarf on, no matter what." She said, holding her scarf close around her neck.
The stylist sighs in annoyance. "Fine, we don't have any more time anyway."
Nalia smiled as she walked out of her dressing room and over to the opposite backstage so she wouldn't run into the others. She sat down on a chair and could already feel her heart beating fast in her chest the closer it came to being her turn.
"Last call for Spin Harmony!" said the Announcer.
"Well, it looks like the last act is no longer performing. Haha, that means I can give this to the winners—" said Pythor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Spin Harmony!" said the Announcer.
*The Weekend Whip plays as the crowd cheers. Pythor orders the Serpentine to attack them.*
Nalia moved a little so she could watch them without being seen. But would use her sand powers to help take out some of the Serpentines.
"Jump up, kick back, whip around and spin. And then we jump back, do it again. Ninja, go! Ninja, go! Come on, come on, and do the Weekend Whip! (-end Whip.) Ninja, go! Ninja, go!"
Cole performs the Triple Tiger Sashay on three Serpentine.
Cole imitates a tiger's growl. "Rawr."
"So cool." Nalia whispered, amazed.
Zane gasp. "The Triple Tiger Sashay."
*Everyone but the Serpentine and Skulkin cheer.*
"Oh, he did it! The Triple Tiger Sashay! He's danced the impossible!" said the Announcer.
*The judges give them a 10 but Pythor gives a 0. The Audience boos him.*
"Awww, come on man. We where so close." said Jay, as they got off the stage.
"Looks like we might have to steal the blade cup, after this is over." said Kai.
"And last but not least, The Little Starlight!" said the Announcer.
*All lights in the room got turned off, confusing everyone until some music began playing as background music.*
Nalia took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she focused on the music. She tapped the microphone on the side of her face. "This is it, I've never done this in front of so many people. But I hope they like it." She thought to herself.
(The song she will be singing.)
(link to song)
She stood behind the stage, opened her mouth, and began singing.
"I recall.
That day we played together by the sea.
Just you and me.
Still that scent, of the ocean, seems to fade each passing day.
It slips away. So I sing an old, familiar song.
I hope you know the one, I will sing to call you back to me."
Nalia walked out on the stage, taking a deep breath as the lights turned back on and focused on her.
"I need you to hear it! Need you to believe in.
Something out there beyond! The open sea.
Out in the starlight.
I need you to hear it! Need you to believe it.
There's a wind stirring my wings, that is always beckoning.
Calling me above! Into the open sky.~"
Nalia used her sand powers to make silhouettes of the old man, Morro, and Lloyd. But they didn't have any faces, making it seem more like a story she was telling with her powers.
The ninjas watched from the backstage, all shocked at what they heard, even seeing who was on the stage.
Pythor wanted the show to end when the lights turned off and music began playing. But the moment he heard the sound of someone singing, he was very much shocked when the lights turned back on. He saw the mute girl singing, and he hadn't even noticed that her singing was healing his broken arm.
Nalia's voice captured everyone's heart and attention, as no one could take their eyes off her.
"I recall.
A smile unbreakable and self-assured,
invincible.
Now it hides, behind the breaking waves upon the shore.
Yet, I see more.
I'll sing every word and every note.
I'll never forget it because, I know it came from you.
Tried my best to hear it! trying to believe it.
You and me, having one! Final goodbye.
I'll see you waving.
Trying to believe it! I want to believe it.
That your song is now my song, through your voice I'll carry on.
And one day we'll fly! You and I, in the open sky.
I need you to hear it, need you to believe in.
Something out there beyond the open sea!
Out in the starlight.
Trying to believe it! I think I believe it.
That one day we'll meet again, and continue this dreamland.
In the gleaming dawn!
we'll wake up once again.~"
As Nalia sang and danced on the stage with the sand puppets, she began glowing gold, and she could feel something of a boost to her powers. Smiling happily, she used the sand to glide around in the air and around the stage and audience. A faint silhouette of a golden dragon could be seen where Nalia was, looking like it was flying with every movement.
"She found her True Potential." said Jay, shocked.
"Amazing." said Zane, as they all kept on watching.
Nalia landed back on the stage smiling at the crowd, even at Pythor, as she opened her mouth to sing the following words.
"Trying to believe it! trying to believe in.
Something out there beyond the open sea!
Out in the starlight.
Trying to believe it! trying to believe in.
That one day we'll meet again, and continue this dreamland.
In the gleaming dawn!
We'll wake up once!
Again.~"
Nalia finished with a bow to the audience, it was silence at first until everyone cheered out loud.
"Oh! I can't believe it! The Little Starlight! Having such a big beautiful voice, in yet such a little body! This might be the best performance ever seen on this stage since The Royal Blacksmiths!" said the Announcer.
*All judges give her a 10, even Pythor, without thinking about it. As he was completely jaw-dropped.*
"It's a perfect score! Little Starlight wins the Blade Cup!" said the Announcer.
A shy smile grew on Nalia's face as she was given the Blade Cup. Before then, a few people ran up to her, asking her a few questions, such as whether she was looking to become a singer or even an idol. If so, some of them wanted her to join their agencies.
"I-I'll think about it," said Nalia, taking some of the business cards they gave her. With a final bow, she went back to the ninjas, that was just staring at her in shock.
"Soooo..... you guys like my surprise?" Nalia asked, holding the Blade Cup.
"Nalia, that was amazing!" The ninjas pulled her into a hug before they then went on to throw her into the air.
"Your voice is finally back! And your singing was the most beautiful thing we've ever heard!" said Kai.
Nalia laughed as she was being thrown into the air.
"You even found your True Potential." said Zane.
NNalia was happy they liked her surprise as they slowly put her back down. "Don't forget I won the Blade Cup for us."
"Yeah, we saw, and you earned it," Cole ruffled her hair.
Nalia grew a little shy at that but still smiled. "You did great, too, with that Triple Tiger Sashay."
A sad smile grew on Cole's face. "Thanks, Lia, if my dad had seen it."
"Cole!"
"Dad?" said Cole, surprised to see his dad.
"I saw it all, son. I saw it all." said Lou.
The two embrace.
"You saw me dance?" Cole asked.
"More importantly, I saw you fight. Those Serpentine were up to no good, trying to steal the show, and I saw you stand up for what is right. I was wrong. I shouldn't have pushed you so hard to follow in my footsteps. Everyone is born with a special talent inside that's just been waiting to get out. And you were born to be a Ninja." said Lou.
"You're not mad?!" Cole was surprised.
"How can I be? My son's a hero!" said Lou.
"Eh, sorry to interrupt your little family reunion, but did you know..." Pythor rips off the beard. "It's me, Pythor."
Nalia glared at him, holding tightly on to the Blade Cup.
"You couldn't fool us, Pythor!" said Cole.
"Touch the Blade Cup, and I'll break your arm again." Nalia moved closer to the others.
"I didn't want to miss our big show stopper," said Pythor before looking at Nalia. "And it looks like the mute girl has gotten her voice back. What a shame; I liked that you couldn't speak."
"What?" Nalia questioned, confused, before sending him another glare. "And I liked it that you had a broken arm."
*Two Constrictai push a crate and knock over a stage lights. Lou screams.*
"No!" In shock, Nalia dropped the Blade Cup, sending flashbacks to how Morro died.
"Dad!" Cole jumps in after him.
*Pythor laughs as he escapes with the Blade Cup while the other ninjas cough from the dust.*
"They took the Fangblade." said Jay.
"Cole!" Kai shouted.
*They gather around the pile and notice Cole's glowing scythe.*
"He found his True Potential." said Zane.
*Cole grunts while lifting up the debris with his newfound powers.*
"They are alive." Nalia whispered in relief.
"Wha-what? How did we survive that? Son?" Lou asked.
"Cole's found his True Potential. His relationship with his father must have been holding him back." said Zane.
"He's indestructible!" said Jay.
"Ugh, great. So now I really am the only one who hasn't figured out my special power!" Kai complained, crossing his arms.
Cole returns to normal. "Is everyone alright? What just happened?" Cole asked, winded.
"We're all okay, son." said Lou.
Nalia smiled, running over and hugging them, happy they were still alive.
*Back at Lou's house, the ninjas are drinking tea.*
"Oh, man." said Kai.
Jay simultaneously said. "That was really cool."
Zane simultaneously said. "You both found your True Potential."
"I guess the score card now reads Pythor-two Fangblades, ninja-zero," said Jay.
"Yeah, but all we need is one, and there are still two left to find." said Cole.
"Who knows? Maybe when I unlock my True Potential, I'll turn into the destined Green Ninja." said Kai.
"Yeah, dream on." said Cole.
"Ha, okay." said Jay.
"Haha, as if," said Nalia, smiled drinking her tea.
"The only thing you're destined for is a more inflated ego." said Cole.
"It may not be the trophy, but it will look good on my wall." Lou hangs up a picture of Nalia and the ninja's victory.
"All right!" said Cole.
"Excellent." said Zane.
"Awesome." said Kai.
"Fantastic." said Nalia.
"Nice." Jay chuckles.
"As far as I'm concerned, you're all my family now." said Lou.
"Yeah." said Cole.
Nalia giggles happily, drinking her tea.