Ninjago Dragons Rising: the Off-Screen Moments

The Other Half

In which Sora and Arin go on their missions with their respective mentors, yet they feel something is missing. . .

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[3rd POV]

"We think the three Dragon Cores can be found somewhere here, here, and here." Nya had the map laid out in front of her, and she pointed to the respective places as she spoke. "We have to find all of them if we want to stop the MergeQuakes and stabilize the world."

"So, we'll have to split up into three teams." Lloyd scanned the room for worthy candidates for his group. Arin had his hand held high; he was the perfect candidate. Lloyd glanced at Sora, her eyes lost somewhere. He figured maybe she wanted to team up with someone in particular, and he guessed the others thought so, too. "Now, how do you wanna--"

"Me and Sora," Nya said confidently. She looked back at Sora to confirm, who was still in her trance.

Sora blinked and regained her composure. "Yeah! . . .Me and Nya," she replied hesitantly. She didn't want anyone to know she was in deep thought. "And Riyu," she added, her voice higher than usual. "We're a team."

"Then me and Arin will be a team." Lloyd beckoned to Arin, and he rushed beside him.

"Sounds good!" Arin remarked. "Then that leaves. . ."

All eyes were cast on Kai and Wyldfyre, who turned to each other, flabbergasted.

"With him/her?!" they shouted in unison. "Don't get us into trouble."

Zane started talking, but Sora drifted into her trance again. Her gaze shifted to Arin, who shuffled excitedly beside Lloyd. Her eyes softened into a saddened expression. Arin noticed her gaze, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt in his stomach.

[Arin's POV]

Several days later

"Arin? You there?"

I snapped put of my trance, my cheeks burning. I quickly turned to Lloyd, who was busy steering the ship.

"Uh, sorry!" I exclaimed, my voice cracking. "How long have I been. . .y'know, staring weirdly?"

"Eh, for a minute," Lloyd shrugged. "But you were supposed to tell me all the fifty-two types of pie crusts."

"Oh, yeah!" I rubbed the back of my neck, chuckling a bit. "Now, where was I?"

I expected Lloyd to give me a number, but he furrowed his eyebrows. "You've been zoning out for the past couple of hours," he said in a worried tone. "I don't think you can continue telling me all that stuff if you're focused on something else."

"Me, zoning out? Really?" Although what he said was true, I'd rather continue talking about pie.

"I'm just kinda concerned about you, Arin," Lloyd stated, his brows still furrowed close to his green eyes. "I mean, I'm your teacher, and teachers are supposed to help. And right now, it seems like something's bothering you."

I sighed deeply. I guess there's no hiding it, now, I told myself.

"Well, it's just -- When I transferred Spinjitzu to that plate the other day, I felt. . .I don't know. Guilty? Empty? I don't know how to describe it."