to rule the world | a ninjago au

[12] the master of grand escapes

zane

"I think I'm gonna get another Bloody Mary," Jay giggled into his comm. Zane resisted the urge to find his lightweight friend and dunk his curly head into a bucket of ice cold water.

"No." Nya replied quicker than Zane could open his mouth. "Stay where you are. Nobody can move whilst Wu is talking."

"Hey Nya," Jay whined, "Who's that guy with you? The one with the—"

"No." Nya said again, shutting down Jay's slightly slurred speech. "Whoever's closest, keep an eye on Fritz, please."

Zane's scanners picked up Rema stepping a metre closer towards Jay and relaxed little.

"Friends," Wu boomed, "Family. Frenemies." The crowd chuckled nervously at that. "I'm so glad you could all attend today."

I'm not.

"We are gathered here for a momentous occasion. Today marks four months since my brother retreated underground, cowering in fear, from a disastrous attack we have risen mighty from. Today marks the beginning of Coronation Week, with which, I believe, with all of my heart, that New Ninjago shall not be burdened by the past as soon as I am crowned. Corruption no longer runs deep in our government and monarchy, rooted out by our brave Saviours. I welcome Vortex and Lady Blanche to the stage."

Zane's eyes immediately zeroed in on the two figures that stepped forwards from flanking Wu. The one on the left was Morro - a dark suit and hair pulled back into a low bun, Harumi, barely looking familiar with her now customary red face paint and a long black dress slitted down the side.

"Thank you, Emperor Wu," Harumi flashed a smile out towards the crowd, sweeping her long braid of white hair over her bare shoulder. "I am pleased to announce the next week of festivities for all. Those staying at the Palace will receive top tier treatment, whilst others can also enjoy the Palace's activities and events happening. Tomorrow, Emperor Wu shall be crowned, marking the beginning of the Coronation Week."

Morro stepped forward with a blank expression and a small child clinging to his side. Zane hadn't noticed the child before - it looked to be about six years old and very attached to Morro.

"Please note that security will be top notch during all these events. No one is going to slip past us." His eyes sifted through the crowd, calculating, as he rested a protective hand on the child's head. "Have fun."

Wu pushed Morro back and took the limelight once again. "I hope all shall enjoy this coming week, brought to you by Master Chen's Noodles."

"Sponsoring," Zane coughed sarcastically into his fist, much to the enjoyment of surrounding guests. The part he was playing of a stuck up snob was surprisingly fun but terrifying at the same time. How could people act like this twenty four seven?

"It's utterly ridiculous, isn't it?" complained a man a few years older than Zane. He gave 'Landon Bermony' an assessing run down before approving of Zane's appearance. "Wu is a good leader, I'll give him that. But outside of this whole thing? He's got this ridiculous idea of bringing us back to the 'good old days'. I don't know about him, but I actually quite like the age of technology. Very useful."

"Mmm," Zane half heartedly pretended to agree. Everyone here seemed either totally on board with Wu's future plans (of which he didn't know much about) or half hanging off, with doubts on his true intentions.

"Crafty fellow," someone had said to him, almost admiringly. "Good set of brains."

"He's the best replacement and should have been on the throne years ago, I swear!" Another person gushed lovingly. "Wu's the best."