The Missing Piece

Chapter 4

After finishing their food, the ninjas left some bank notes for Skylor to collect and left. Climbing back up to the Bounty, the ninjas feel much happier now that they are well fed, and the thought of reuniting with their long-lost teammate brings a warm comfort to each of their hearts.

A chains rattle sounded as the anchor was raised, and the bounty cruised slowly towards Laughy's Karaoke Club. As the ship passed some buildings, Jay recoiled back into his cabin, refusing to see the places of Ninjago city that would reignite his sorrows. Noticing Jay's absence, Kai wandered into the bottom deck, hoping to find Jay.

"Yo Jay, you here? We're approaching Laughy's soon." Kai called out, scanning the many doors that paved the hallways.

"Kai?" Jay sniffed. His voice rang out from one of the doors.

"What are you doing in here?" Kai asked.

"Uh..(sniff) nothing...just (sniff) trying to avoid...(sniff) the places that will (sniff) you know...." Jay mumbled, pulling his blankets around himself.

The bounty passed over a vast, towering building with water puddles staining the rooftops from the earlier rain. Jay cringes at the sight of the building from the cabin's window. Kai breathed deep, forcing back his tears, ran to the window, and closed the blinds creating a dark atmosphere in the room. A single flame sparked on Kai's hands, illuminating the room.

"Uhm, Kai," Jay called out from under the blankets.

"Hm?" Kai replied, turning from the window to face Jay.

"How are you not experiencing these mood swings? Like how do you keep yourself in control?" Jay asked, his face half covered in a blanket. "Cause out of all the people who would go crazy after the funeral, I expect you. I mean, you are the hothead." Jay smiled weakly, trying to force a joke, although his heart barely laughed.

Kai smiled at the attempt. "Ever heard of punching bags?"

"What about it?"

"You can say that my room is a funeral of those. Don't judge," Kai added hastily.

Jay raised his eyebrows at the reply.

"It's my method to cope with the depression, I guess," Kai muttered, scratching his head. "Master Wu once told me that grief takes many different forms. Some people cry, some people climb mountains, and some people punch punching bags for no reason."

Jay nodded at the reply. The two spent some time in silence for a few minutes until Zane's voice rang out from the intercom and broke the silence. "We have arrived at Laughy's. Repeat, we have arrived at Laughy's."

Kai nudged Jay several times until he recoiled from hiding and followed Kai to the upper deck. It takes a while until the sunlight stops blinding the eyes of the two. As they looked downwards, they saw a small shop with multicolored signs illuminating the words 'Laughy's Karaoke Club'.

The city's people heard another thud of the anchor, and the ninjas slid down, anticipating their meeting with Neuro and their old friend Dareth. The moment they entered, the ninjas heard a dozen simultaneous sounds. They listened to the clinking of glasses, the sounds of people singing to the tunes, and the thud of balls hitting the sides of the pool table. As Jay glanced at the karaoke stage, the sounds suddenly stopped as he saw himself and Nya dancing on the podium, celebrating the end of the Son of Garmadon's reign.

He shook himself awake from the trance, followed the ninjas towards the counter, and sat down at tall wooden stools.

"Hey, you guys! Long time no see." Dareth called out from behind the counter, passing glasses of bubble tea to each ninja.

Dareth, the owner of Laughy's Karaoke Club, is the ninja's ally with glossy brown hair and a proud smile. He wears a white shirt and a brown apron.

 "Hey, Dareth," Lloyd answered, taking a sip of his bubble tea. "How's the business here?"

"Ah, everything has been going well. After I cleaned the place from the flood, of course." Knowing that Jay and Kai are also there, Dareth sounded a quick squeak. "Ack, I'm sorry, guys, I didn't realize you guys are also here. Sorry I mentioned a touchy topic...."

"It's ok, Dareth," Jay answered, forcing a quick smile.

"Yeah, don't sweat about it," Kai waved his hand. "We all move on from the incident." Kai then glanced at Jay, who sipped his drink in the slowest possible manner. "Well, most of us...."

"So what are you all up to? Dareth asked casually, wiping glasses with a handkerchief.

"We're on a mission," Cole answered. "Have you seen Neuro?"

"Ah, Neuro! That sly master of mind, of course, I saw him. He's on table ten right over there." Dareth answered, pointing to the far end of the shop.

"Thank you, Dareth." Zane smiled.

"Anytime, guys. Also, you don't need to pay me for the drink. It's all in the house." Dareth winked.

The ninjas smiled at Dareth and walked over to table ten. And there he is, sitting with his back towards the ninjas, closing his eyes as if he's meditating. Neuro has white and black hair, a goatee, and black eyebrows similar to Kai. He wears a gray and tan robe-like attire with a leather collar and belt.

"Greetings, ninjas," Neuro muttered without turning his back towards them.

"Hi, Neuro." Lloyd answered, "We want you to help us with-"

"Your mission to bring Nya back?" Neuro muttered, completing Lloyd's sentence.

"I forgot he can do that." Lloyd muttered. "so do you agree?"

"Why not?" Neuro shrugged. "I've been very bored these last few days."

"That's great! We'll meet you outside when you're ready." Lloyd smiled. The ninjas quickly followed him outside and climbed up to the upper deck of the bounty, waiting for Neuro to come and excited about their new mission.