Skybound: Charlie's Story

Stranded

Charlie squinted into the sunrise, her hand shading her eyes from the sun. Her brother had flown out a few hours ago in search of land, and she was waiting for his return along with Cole and Nya.

Then, a familiar shade of green came into view. Lloyd flew to the shore, his dragon disappearing the minute he was above land. He crashed into the sand, groaning in exhaustion.

"You okay?" Cole asked as he and Charlie helped him up. "Did you see any land?"

"Just water," the Green Ninja replied as he stood. "I tried to reach the mainland, but it's too far. We won't be able to get off this island on our own."

Charlie hummed in thought. "You tried your best. At least we now know what we can't do."

Cole laughed suddenly.

"What's so funny about our predicament?" Nya asked with a raised brow.

The Earth Ninja let out a breath. "Oh, I was just thinking about what Jay might say to that," he raised his voice a few octaves. " 'You're telling me we went through all that trouble to get the venom to stop Nadakhan, and now we have no way to get off this island!?' " His smile faded slightly. "Heh, gone one day and I already miss him spazzing out."

"Me too," Nya added solemnly. "After he lied to us, I was so hard on him. And now he's captured and all alone. Some friends we are."

Charlie rested a hand on Nya's shoulder. "Hey, Jay's strong. We'll get him back. It's like what Wu once told me, if you want something bad enough, you find a way to make it happen."

Cole nodded, his grin returning. "She's right. If we can't fly off this island, we'll build our way. I've seen enough movies to know it's possible."

"And if we've built a rocket off an asteroid, what's one raft a little—" Lloyd said vigorously.

"Across an endless sea filled with unknown creatures that wanna eat us?" Nya squeaked. She covered her mouth sheepishly. "Uh, that was my Jay impression."

Charlie shook her head, chuckling. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get building."

~~~~~

The sun shone hot overhead as the Ninja built a raft. Charlie never had an issue with heat, due to her Darkness always carrying the cold with her. But the air was so humid it was hard to ignore the steady trickle of sweat running down her back.

"One more round of palm ties, and I'd say she's secure enough for sea," Lloyd grunted as he tied off the branches on the raft.

"Why is it all sea vessels are shes?" Asked Nya, looking up from her hammer and pegs.

Cole shrugged as he secured the ties. "​​​​​​I don't know. Because it takes a lot of paint to make them look good?" He snickered at his own joke with Lloyd joining him, but they quickly stopped when they saw the women's glares.

Lloyd tried to hide his laugher with a cough, but his sister's narrowed gaze remained intimidating.

The Master of Darkness threw a stick at his head and returned to her work with the ties.

"I kid, I kid," Cole said lightly, his gaze on his partner. "Lighten up, guys–er, girls."

"Nice save," Charlie patronized.

Nya scoffed. " I get it. My personal mission to rid the world of its prejudices is wearing thin."

Lloyd frowned suddenly. "Hey, uh, did anyone take my ties?"

"Not me," Cole answered.

"I didn't touch them," said the Water Ninja.

"I thought they were over there," Charlie told him.