Summer was already drawing to a close.
It was crazy; whereas last summer felt like it went on and on for an eternity (though I did blame that on it holding a couple more near-death experiences than this one had thus far), this time, summer went by in a blur.
Sure, an aching, sore blur, chock full of endless days of training, but fast all the same. It felt as if each day passed by in only a blink.
Perhaps that was why I felt that my training didn't progress as much as I had hoped it would.
Lloyd trying to teach me spinjitzu ended in a disaster and a sprained arm, so that was quickly suspended for the time being.
And despite the constant, gruelling trainings focusing on my powers, absolutely zilch came out of it. I was no closer to harnessing them than I was before I had even learnt of their existence.
I was ready to rip out my hair.
The only saving grace was my ability to pick up on archery fairly well.
The target training engrained in me from a young age, despite being for a different weapon entirely, proved useful. I was hitting bullseyes within the week.
Lloyd's surprise at my skill made me feel pretty smug. Only for about a day, though, as the very next morning I tripped over my own sword within the first five minutes of another simulated hunt and made Lloyd fall into a coughing fit from laughing so hard.
At least he was keeping my ego in check.
My lack in progress wasn't making only me uneasy - Lloyd was steadily growing more and more clingy once again, and while I enjoyed his presence immensely, I worried how he'd handle me going to college.
Obviously he wouldn't stop me from going, and I knew that it was the best thing for me and my self-interests, but part of me wished that I could just do the course online and at home - or even if Lloyd could come with me. But that was obviously impossible with all his duties.
And despite Ambrose and Chen (more so the former) looking out for me on behalf of Lloyd, it was no less troubling. The more worried Lloyd got, the more anxious I became. The vision on the rooftop did not provide any reassurance, either.
Guess I just gotta do my best to keep my feet on the ground and stick to where it's safe.
At least, that was the plan, until;
"Why don't you take Y/n out on patrol tonight?" Wu suggested during dinner, making the ongoing conversation about hotdogs halt in surprise. Jay's chopsticks fell into his dinner.
"What?" Lloyd spluttered, staring at his uncle as if he'd just grown another head.
"It would be invaluable experience and insight for you," Wu said directly to me. He turned to Lloyd. "She doesn't need to fight anyone. Just bring her along and keep to the shadows."
Lloyd fell silent, frowning in consideration as he assessed his two options. Option A; keep me safe and sound at home. Or B; disobey his sensei.
I decided to make it easier for him. Lloyd may be team leader, but I declared silently to myself that this was my decision to make.
"Sure," I agreed with a nod. "Sounds fun."
Lloyd whipped his head around to me. "Wa-"
"Then it is settled," Wu announced. Lloyd sent his uncle an exasperated look.
"Isn't it my-"
"You can wear one of my suits!" Nya offered. She grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. "This is going to be so much fun!"
"You can follow my usual route!" Jay said as he scrambled up to join us. We began to leave the dining room, much to my flustered confusion - I hadn't even finished eating yet. "It's quieter than the others."
"Yes," Garmadon said with a distracted murmur. "Good idea."
Cole nudged Lloyd with a small chuckle.
"This is going to be interesting," the earth ninja mused.
Lloyd raised his eyes to the ceiling in exhaustion. Wasn't he meant to be the team leader?
"Why do I even bother?" he sighed.
🍃🍂🍁🍂🍃
"How do you move in all this gear?" I bemoaned.
Nya peeked a side look from behind her mask. We were jogging through the backstreets of Ninjago City and I had a major case of sticking-out-like-a-red-thumb, tugging on the uncomfortable belts and buckles with a disgruntled expression. I could already see the confusion on stan Twitter about there being 'two' water ninjas.
"You get used to it," Nya snickered, enjoying my discomfort because it was apparently the only thing exciting on that warm, dead quiet summer night. "A lot of that gear's saved our lives more than you can count."
I huffed, which didn't quite work in my favour considering the gi hood concealing my mouth. The hot air just hit back and added to the uncomfortable boiling of the full-suit. It was like wearing winter pyjamas in a hot pool.
Despite that, I felt tingly with adrenaline. I never would've pictured going out with the team on patrol, even after finding out that Lloyd was the green ninja. I was sick with both nerves and excitement.
It was kind of weird seeing them all with their masks on.
