Return of Doom (Ninjago in the future)

Part 15: The Monastery of Spinjitzu

As I woke I let out a long breath.

My eyes landed on the wood of a bunk bed above me. I felt the quiet rumbling of powerful engines under me, and the softness of the blanket over my body.

I turned my head to the side, my gaze landing on Lloyd. He rested on one of the beds farthest inside the room, his face twitching slightly with different emotions. It was nice seeing him in the real world, not my dream realm.

Someone grabbed my hand. "Luna!"

My eyes shot to the source of the noise, noticing Summer next to me for the first time. "Hey," I rasped, my throat screaming at the effort.

"Don't try to talk," Summer murmured. "Your neck took some damage."

With Summer's help, I slowly sat up, wincing as my head started to pound. I grunted and briefly closed my eyes, waiting for the pain to fade. Summer gently squeezed my hand, closely watching my face.

I exhaled and looked at her. Her expression was worried and pained, and I saw tears start to form.

I held out my arms for her and she leaped into them, sobbing. I squeezed her tightly, resting my head on hers.

"Why?" She managed. "Why did she do it?"

I immediately thought of Umber's enraged face as she pressed my neck into the cave and shivered. "I don't know," I breathed painfully, rubbing my hand in circles on her back.

We stayed like that until Summer's cries quieted into heavy breathing. She gently pulled away and I rested my forehead against hers. "We're almost at the Monastery," she murmured. "Zane said the training is better there."

I yanked back in alarm, my eyes wide. "Father!" I yelped, then burst out coughing. Each breath felt like daggers stabbing into my throat.

Summer shushed me. "I already texted him. He's okay with it. But you should probably take more time off work."

I hesitated, rubbing my throat. I loved my job, but if I was going to train with the Ninja, I should probably quit. It pained me, but I was going to need more time off than I was allowed.

Painfully, I pulled out my phone and began to text my boss. I told him only that I had to leave because of unforeseen consequences. To my surprise, he immediately replied, and his words reassured me. He was not angry.

Suddenly, I remembered the tea I'd brought with me in my backpack. But where had I left it? It must be in the forest somewhere.

Ben entered the room, and I felt myself blushing when I remembered my conversation with Lloyd. I glanced away as he neared, but then I met his gaze.

"Hey, Sleeper," he joked, gently punching my shoulder. I rolled my eyes and smiled. "I was worried about you."

"I'm...fine," I rasped, but my expression said otherwise. Ben gave me a worried look, but said nothing.

The ship jerked as it stopped moving. I propped myself up, using the bed supports to lean on. A moment later, Zane entered the sleeping chambers.

"Good to see you awake," he said to me. When I gave him a questioning look, he added, "Two days."

Two days? I gasped. I must've been exhausted.

Actually, that made sense. I missed two nights of sleep, then faced a dragon, then my best friend. Two days was not too long.

Zane lifted Lloyd into his arms. "We have arrived at the Monastery. Please, make it your home."

Our home? My eyes widened in surprise. I hadn't expected to be accepted so quickly into the ancient home of the Ninja. Excitement bubbled and I limped after Zane and Lloyd, Ben and Summer right behind me.