S E L C O U T H. || Ninjago

> 9.3

EVERYONE STARTS WORKING ON THE SHIP.

—Cole: [Whistles a familiar tune]

We all turn to look at him.

—Cole: "What? It's catchy!"

The little robot—Tai-D, was it?—picks up Julien's bowl.

—Julien: [Burps.]

I scrunch my nose in displeasure, manners have always been something I prioritized.

—Julien: "Excuse me... but I must say, I have never had such a meal in all my life. Where did you learn to cook? I never programmed that into you."

—Zane: "I guess I just picked it up." [shrugs.] "Father... if I wanted you to make a change in me, would you?"

I frown at that. Why change the self artificially when I've seen him manage so on his own?

—Julien: "A change?"

—Zane: "An alternation."

—Julien: "Heh. But Zane, you're perfect. I could never make you better than you already are."

—Zane: "But I see no reason for me to have a memory switch. I happen to like my life and don't want to ever forget you again."

My eyes soften. Oh, so that's the sort of change he wants.

—Zane: [glances at you.] "...or anyone else."

His father's expression softens.

—Julien: "Don't worry, my son. We will both never forget. I'm glad you found me."

—Zane: "I'm glad you made me."

The Leviathan growls.

—Julien: "Everyone aboard! It's coming!"

—Kai: "It's here!" [He points at the gigantic tentacles]

The Leviathan screams and growls.

—Jay: "Get us out of here, Nya!"

We all run into the ship.

—Nya: "I hope she's ready!" [grunts as she grabs the steering wheel and pulls the lever.] "Come on!"

Unfortunately, the Leviathan grabs the bounty before we can fly away. The different members fall back while I stand still, tilting my body to not fall. They keep sliding across the deck.

—Master Wu: "Lloyd! Use your Elemental Powers!"

—Lloyd: "As you wish, Sensei!" [stands up and began forming a green power ball between his hands] "Release us, you monster!"

The power ball expands and makes the creature release us. I frowns as I smell... a feeling of distress coming from the monster.

It grabs us once more and I stand by Zane as we look down the deck.

—Zane: "It's chained!" [climbs to the edge.]

—Julien: "Zane! What are you doing!?"

—Zane: "The Leviathan won't let us leave... I think I know a way I can help."

—Julien: [hurriedly walks down the stairs toward him] "But you can't jump in! These oceans are filled with Starteeth!"

—Zane: "I know." [prepares to jump but feels a force pushing him far back.]

Before he realizes what was happening, I was gone from the deck.

—Zane: "[Y/N] no!" [tries to follow after but is stopped by his father.]

—"HINOKAMI KAGURA: Clear Blue Sky."

I mutter before diving into the water and swim to the bottom to slice the chain. The ship was about to drown.

—Lloyd: "Help!"

Suddenly, the ship is released.

—Kai: "It let us go...!"

—Julien: "What happened?"

—Zane: "[Y/N] released the Leviathan..." [helps his father up.] "and now it's letting us go."

—Lloyd: "But where is [Y/N]??" [asks worriedly.]

—"I'm here."

I say as I sat at the edge after having climbed up.

—Everyone: "[Y/N]!"

—[B/n]: "Mph!" [runs up to hug you.]

—Jay: "Who's kid is that??"

...