The first chapter to have two songs in it.
Just to clarify something, since I can't actually add a link to the song, you guys can click on. You'll have to copy and paste the "link" I do put in. If you wanna give it a listen. (you can also check out the playlist chapter. I update it often with name of the song and by who.)
How much money does Nalia actually have back in her cave?
We get a little fluff here.
____________________________________________________________
*At the dojo, Lloyd stands upside down and uses one hand to support himself.*
"Focus." Wu proceeds to pour some tea. "In order to bear the fate of Ninjago on your shoulders, you must first learn to bear the weight of all of us."
*Lloyd is using his feet to balance the ninjas and Wu. Zane is holding Kai and Jay in his arms on Lloyd's feet. They are both holding Nalia, and Cole stands on Zane's head. Cole has Wu on his shoulders. The ninjas are all nervous.*
Wu sips tea. "Focus."
"I don't feel very safe about this, Sensei," said Nalia.
"Sensei, I'm starting to think this was a bad idea." said Jay.
"Yeah, Sensei, he's just a kid." said Cole.
"In order for him to succeed, we must all trust one another." said Wu.
*Behind them, some machinery is heard outside as Lloyd starts straining from holding all the weight on his feet. A wrecking ball slams into the wall, making everyone fall and land on the ground.*
"What just happened?" asked Nalia.
"What was that?" Cole asked.
They get up and see a builder and foreman, wearing hard hats, who unexpectedly notice the ninjas.
Dareth emerging from behind beaded doorway. "WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!!!! This wasn't supposed to happen until tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow?" Foreman turned to the builder. "Let me see that order." The builder hands him the order slip and he looks at it. "Oh, yeah. My bad. Sorry 'bout that. We'll be back in the morning." They both leave.
Dareth groans as he picks up one of his "trophies," which is bent.
"Uh, Dareth, what is this all about?" Cole asked.
"Well, I fell behind on some of my payments and some developer named "Darnagom Enterprises" is buying the entire block to put in som" said Dareth.
"Darna-what?" Nalia looked over at Lloyd, who was just as confused as she was.
"But, we already lost the Bounty. We can't lose the dojo now." said Jay.
"My trophies. Oh, my fakes trophies!" Dareth sobs.
"Wait a minute. "Darnagom"? When you rearrange the letters, it spells—" Zane looks at the sign.
"O grandma"?" Jay guessed.
"No! Garmadon!" said Kai.
"Ooooh, that makes more sense." said Nalia.
"Right." Jay laughs. "That would make more sense."
"Um, my dad is behind this?" Lloyd questioned.
"If he destroys the dojo, where will we train Lloyd?" Cole asked.
Dareth turned to Wu. "Any chance you got 50,000 in that teapot of yours."
"Worry not, Dareth. You're not in this alone. We're all with you." said Wu.
"How much did I leave behind in my cave, let alone in the house Morro and I lived in?" Nalia wondered, as the FSM would sometimes come with some bucks for her, that he had told her to save for the day she was ready to leave the cave.
Just then Nya came into the dojo. "Did someone say 50,000—?"
Jay gasps. "You didn't happen to win the lottery?"
"No, but I heard about Ninjaball Run!" said Nya.
"Ninjaball Run?" Everyone looked at her confused.
"It's the biggest road race in Ninjago, with a prize of 100,000 big ones. And it's tomorrow." Nya explained.
"I thank you, little lady fighter, but you're talking about the most dangerous race known to man. Only the most serious of racers even stand a chance," said Dareth.
"But didn't you just do a few upgrades on our Ultra Sonic Raider? Maybe we might stand a chance." said Kai.
"Nalia and I can enter with my dragon. You did say I needed the practice," said Lloyd.
"So it is agreed. You will all enter this "Ninjaball Run" to save the dojo." said Wu.
"Are you still crying?" Nya asked, noticing Dareth's sobbing.
"This is gonna be fun." said Nalia smiling at Lloyd.
"Yeah, and when we win. You can sing us a victory song," said Lloyd.
"I hadn't even thought of that; now I really wanna win this race." A big smile grew on Nalia's face.
*The following morning, there is a big crowd as several racers are waiting in line along with the Ultra Sonic Raider.*
"Welcome, everyone, to the 14th annual Ninjaball Run!" said Announcer 1.
"The Grand Prix where it doesn't matter how you get there, as long as you get there first." said Announcer 2.
*Wu, Dareth, and his students Jeff and Phil join the crowd.*
"Well, let's take a look at the racers." said Announcer 1.
"I see the starter's line. We have a few familiar faces." said Announcer 2.
*The Postman jingles his bicycle bell before the Ultra Dragon lands next to him, making him fall off his bike.*
"Watch it, you big oaf!" said the Postman.
"Sorry! Mister!" said Nalia, sitting behind Lloyd.
Cole looked up at Lloyd. "You look nervous, Lloyd. You okay?"
"N-n-nervous?" Lloyd chuckles. "Maybe for you guys."
"Don't be nervous, Lloydie; I'll have your back if anything happens." Nalia smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist so she wouldn't fall off when they started the race.
Lloyd tried his best to control his face from turning red as he cleared his throat. "T-thanks, Lia, it's good to know that."
Nya gets off the Ultra Sonic Raider. "One final thing: I installed a pretty cool upgrade, so if you're ever in a tight spot, pull that lever because of what it does..."
Brad Tudabone, in a modified school bus, revs the engines loudly as he and Gene grin at the ninjas, who can't hear because of the noise.
Nalia smiled, seeing Brad and Gene, so she started waving at them, and they waved back to her.
"Lia, don't wave at the competition," said Lloyd, slightly annoyed that her attention was more on his old friends.
"Awww, come on, greenie. Please don't take it so seriously. I mean, I get we do have to win this race. But at least let's have some fun," said Nalia, resting her head on his shoulder.
Lloyd's face began turning red like a tomato because of how close their faces were to each other. "F-f-fine, whatever."
"What?!" shouted Kai, not hearing what his sister said.
"Pull that lever, because if you pull that lever. . ." Nya tried explaining.
"Alright, the race is about to start. And officials are saying pit crews must take their places." said Announcer 1.
". . .only under those circumstances and no other." Nya finished explaining.
"We're about to begin!" said Announcer 1.
"That's my cue. Gotta go! Good luck!" Nya leaves to take her seat in the stands.
"Huh? Wait, Nya, we couldn't hear you!" shouted Kai after her.
As Nya leaves, two more racers appear. Soto and his pirate crew are in a van, and Lou and The Royal Blacksmiths are in a modified pick-up truck with a driver. The Royal Blacksmiths are singing in harmony.
"Wow, so many people are joining the race." said Nalia, smiling.
"Yeah, I'm not surprised; after all, the prize would catch anyone's attention," said Lloyd.
Nalia slightly nodded, her head still resting on Lloyd's shoulder. "There are so many fun and interesting things to see every day. I love that it's never boring, even with the scary stuff." She spoke in a soft, honest voice.
Lloyd glanced at her and noticed the warm smile on her face that he hadn't seen her make before. She looked so at peace in this moment.
A portal soon appears, and Kruncha and Nuckal come out of it in a skull-based vehicle next to Soto's van.
"Wait a minute, it appears some skeletons have crashed the party. Is this against the rules?" said Announcer 2.
"Rules?!" Announcer 1 laughs. "There's only one rule in Ninjaball Run: to cross the finish line first. Let's take a look at the course. The first grueling leg starts on the streets of Ninjago City and empties into the treacherous Sea of Sand. Racers, look out for the dangerous crater way known as Crash Course Canyon, where the slightest mistake can be your last! The next two legs of the race take us into the winding maze known as the Birchwood Forest and then through the perilous and icy Glacier Barrens. Finally, in the fourth and final leg, racers must beat the desert heat in the Badlands, which takes us back to the finish line here in the heart of Ninjago City!"
"I don't know, guys, if we're gonna save the dojo, we're gonna have to beat some pretty stiff competition," said Kai.
"One final word: let's have a good clean race!" shouted Announcer 1. Gene and another boy discreetly remove a screw from the Ultra Sonic Raider, sniggering as they get back on Brad's bus. "So good luck to everyone."
*On a nearby TV, a red light appears, and everyone starts their engines. A yellow light soon appeared.*
"On your mark, get set," A green light soon appears. "Ninjaball GO!" shouted Announcer 1.
*The racers soon take off.*
"Come on, boy!" The dragon soon takes off. "Whoa!" shouted Lloyd while Nalia was laughing.
*The Ultra Sonic Raider's left traction belt soon comes off, making it stop.*
"What happened?" Zane asked.
"We've been sabotaged!" said Cole.
The racers move along Ninjago City as Soto attempts to intimidate Ed and Edna, who activate a gadget, inflating balls on the wheels and crash into Soto's van before speeding off, crashing into the Royal Blacksmiths' truck, the Postman's bike, Brad's bus, and the skull vehicle as they pass by and make a turn. Lloyd and Nalia are at the back, struggling to control the Ultra Dragon.
"Whoa! Oh!" The dragon turned in the opposite direction. "Wrong way! Oh! Oh, we're going the wrong way," said Lloyd, while Nalia held in tight to him.
"Please, go the other way," Nalia whispered to the dragon, which it listened to. Then, it went on to turn around once again, now going in a different direction.
"Whoa! Oh! Not again!" shouted Lloyd, still having trouble riding the dragon.
Nalia looked up ahead and pointed in front of them. "Watch out!"
They were heading straight towards the Bounty, where Lord Garmadon was preparing to fire a cannon at the ninjas.
"Goodbye, ninjas." Garmadon laughs.
But soon, the Ultra Dragon appears.
"Look out!" shouted Nalia.
"Oh! Ahh! Out of the way!" Lloyd crashes into the Black Bounty.
The crash knocks back the Serpentine and Garmadon as the cannon fires, but they miss the Ultra Sonic Raider as it passes through the explosion smoke, and the dragon passes the Black Bounty.
"Nice going, Lloyd and Nalia," said Kai.
Lloyd tries to grab the reins but slips and falls, but Nalia acts quickly and grabs his hand. Pulling him back on the dragon.
"You saved us!" said Cole.
"We did? I mean, yeah, we did! Hey, what do you say we work together?" said Lloyd.
"Yeah, I say let's show 'em what we ninjas are all about," said Jay.
"Ninja, go!"
"They're getting away!" shouted Garmadon.
*At the start line, the crowd cheers as they watch the Ultra Sonic Raider and Ultra Dragon on the screen.*
"Looks like our leaders are just about to enter the second leg of the race into the Birchwood Forest!" said Announcer 1.
*At Birchwood Forest, a bird is sacred away as the racers drive into Birchwood Forest. The Fangpyre bus passes the Royal Blacksmiths' truck.*
"You, dum-de-dum, you, Dum-de-dum you. . . " Their banner is soon snagged on a tree branch, making them crash into a pile of snow. They soon emerge from it. "Too big, too big. Too slow, too slow. We had a lead but let it go."
The Ultra Sonic Raider passes by the crashed truck.
"Oh, man." Cole said, disappointed that his father was out of the race.
"We'll never get through those trees to catch up," said Kai.
"I'll find a shortcut. Up, boy!" The Ultra Dragon flies up. "Whoa!" Lloyd laughs along with Nalia. "You went up." He looks down, sees another path, and heads down to the ninjas. Follow me! They turn right, down the path. "Whoo-hoo!"
"Wow, he's getting the hang of it." said Jay.
"And it looks like we've made up the lost time," said Cole.
Kruncha and Nuckal see the ninjas.
"Working together!" said Nuckal.
"Not if we have anything to say about it." said Kruncha.
Nuckal gets to the grapple cannon and fires, grabbing the Ultra Dragon's leg. Kruncha soon makes a few turns.
"Aaaaah!" Nalia screamed.
"Whoa!" The dragon soon crashes into the ground.
*Kruncha and Nuckal laugh before they come past a nearby tree. The chain is soon tugged, making them spin around the tree before crashing. At the start line, everyone gasps as they watch on the screen.*
"Oh, a nasty crash. More racers are out of the race. Hope they're okay." said Announcer 1.
"Yeah. But if they're not, stay tuned for the slow-motion replay." said Announcer 2.
*Back in Birchwood Forest, the skull vehicle is upside down and loses two wheels as Kruncha and Nuckal, half buried in snow, squabble and fight each other. Nearby, Lloyd comes up to the injured Ultra Dragon.*
"Are you okay there, fella?" The dragon nods one of its heads as Lloyd soon looks on. "We got them back in the race."
Nalia rushed over, ignoring the snow in her hair as she looked at Ultra Dragon. "I'll help you, buddy."
Lloyd looked over at her, confused. "How can you help him?"
She gave him a small smile. "Looks like you're getting a song earlier than I had planned, but I think this one is more fitting for this than at the finish line."
"What?" Lloyd became more confused.
Nalia took a deep breath and opened her mouth as she began singing.
(the song she is singing.)
(link to song)
"When the cold wind is a-calling
And the sky is clear and bright
Misty mountains sing and beckon
Lead me out into the light
I will ride, I will fly
Chase the wind and touch the sky
I will fly
Chase the wind and touch the sky.~"
Lloyd watched her singing and noticed the Ultra Dragon was already getting better. It began standing up, but it closed its eyes, listening to Nalia's song.
He noticed a golden glow surrounding Nalia as stars began showing up and dancing around her.
"Wow.... is she an angel or what?" Lloyd asked no one.
"Where dark woods hide secret
And mountains are fierce and bold
Deep waters hold reflections
Of times lost long ago
I will hear their every story
Take hold of my own dream
Be as strong as the seas are stormy
And proud as an eagle's scream.~"
Nalia took his hands and began dancing around in the snow with him, while she sang.
"I will ride, I will fly
Chase the wind and touch the sky
I will fly
Chase the wind and touch the sky
And touch the sky
Chase the wind
Chase the wind
Touch the sky.~"
Nalia let go of his hands and stopped dancing with him as she finished singing, and the stars around her disappeared along with the golden glow.
"What did you do? I mean, you sang a song. I understand, but how did you make our guy here better?" Lloyd asked.
Nalia let out a soft giggle at his confused face. "I told you, my voice is very special." She walked over and began petting the dragon. "When I sing, I heal people's injuries. No matter how severe the injury might be."
"So that's why I've always felt the sore pain I had going away, on the deck when you first sang for me and then in the desert after our ship got eaten," said Lloyd, amazed.
"Yeah, I sing because I love it, but I also do it to help those in need. If I ever lost my voice completely, I wouldn't be able to heal anyone, and I wouldn't be able to express my feelings." Nalia explained before turning to him. "You can't tell anyone about this, not the healing part of it... I don't want the wrong people to find out and then use me for that... that's one of the things the old man told me."
Lloyd nodded as he listened closely. "Okay, I wouldn't tell a soul about it." He gave her a reassuring smile. "But who is this old man you keep talking about?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Nalia smirked, but Wu had told her not to tell anyone that she knew the First Spinjitzu Master personally, as that would complicate things and make people question things.
Lloyd narrowed his eyes at her. "I didn't take you for one keeping a secret, not even for me."
Nalia rolled her eyes playfully. "We should get back to the others; they might need help." She got back on the dragon.
"Fine, keep your secrets," said Lloyd, also getting back on the dragon, and soon enough, they were back in the air.
*The crowd cheers as the two remaining racers are nearly in the city.*
"He pulled the lever!" said Nya.
"Ninja! Ninja! Ninja! Ninja!" Everyone chanted.
The headlamp rattles on the Ultra Sonic Raider jet as it and the Black Bounty are near the finish line.
"It looks like it's going to be a photo finish." said Announcer 1.
The Black Bounty and Ultra Sonic Raider pass the finish line. The jet lands on the ground as the ninjas get off, and the crowd approaches them as the Black Bounty also lands.
"Ninja! Ninja!" The crowd lift them onto their shoulders. "Ninja! Ninja! Ninja! Ninja! Ninja! Ninja! Ninja! Ninja!"
"I won. I won! Clearly I passed the finish line first!" said Garmadon getting off the Bounty.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!" Everyone looks at the screen to see the overall winner. The headlamp on the Ultra Sonic Raider jet has crossed the finish line first. "The ninjas! The ninjas have won!" said Announcer 1.
The crowd cheers as Jay removes the headlamp.
"Yeah! I knew it would bring us luck!" said Jay.
"No! That's not fair! That wasn't even part of the vehicle in the first place! It's not even street legal! My ship was—" Garmadon began complaining.
"Your ship?" Garmadon looks up to see his son, Nalia and the Ultra Dragon on the deck of the Black Bounty. "I believe this belongs to us."
"Thank you for taking care of it." said Nalia smiling.
"No! No! No!" Garmadon begins to cry in anguish as sirens are heard.
An officer comes up to him. "Alright, Garmadon, you're coming with us."
The Fangpyre bus soon shows up, blocking the officers' way as Skales opens the door.
"Look who needs who now." said Skales.
"Hi! Skales!" Nalia waved at him smiling.
Skales waves back before Garmadon quickly gets on and the bus drives off.
"Somehow, Sensei, I don't think that will be the last we're gonna see of him," said Nya.
Dareth looks at the trophy, full of money. "We did it! We did it! Ooh-hoo! We saved the dojo! Oh, look what I can do. CANNONBALL!!!!!!!" He jumps into the trophy, and some money falls out as everyone soon laughs.
"So, since we won the race. Are you still gonna sing us a song?" Lloyd asked.
Nalia giggles at his question. "Of course, I'm still gonna sing us a song." She got off the Dragon and was now standing on the top deck of the Bounty. She breathed deeply before singing aloud to the ninjas and the crowd.
(the song she is singing.)
(link to song)
"In this life
Nothing's ever how you thought it would be
Easy to some
Harder for people like you and me
But in this world
Just when you're racing through the eye of a storm
There's always a calling
A compass to lead you home
When things are all dark and gray
And nobody knows just what to say
Dig deep inside and you will feel
An inner strength, an inner steel
All this time
Of blinders shut and not a thing to see
They're blocking a view
So grand, so rich and beautiful
But here I am
Like a fearless shadow waiting in the wings
Can you hear me?
'Cause I'm ready to come right home
When things are all dark and gray
And nobody knows just what to say
Dig deep inside and you will feel
Oh, yeah.~"
Everyone was amazed by her voice, the golden glow surrounding her, and a few stars. She even used her sand powers to form a story for her song, making random things out of the sand and even using the sand to glide around.
"There's always a trail to a better place
Tomorrow's the first in so many ways
Just search your heart and you will feel
An inner strength, an inner steel
And maybe you'll find out tonight
That dreams can come true if you fight
Always believe in yourself
No matter the time, no matter the place!
When things are all dark and gray
And nobody knows just what to say
Dig deep inside and you will feel (you will feel)
Oh, yeah
There's always a trail to a better place
Tomorrow's the first in so many ways
Just search your heart and you will feel
An inner strength, an inner steel
When things are all dark and gray
And nobody knows just what to say
Dig deep inside and you will feel
Oh, yeah (an inner steel)
When things are all dark and gray
And nobody knows just what to say
Dig deep inside and you will feel
Oh, yeah.~"
By the end of the day, Nalia had grown a fanbase, and more people had asked her to join their agencies.