The legend of the light ninja

Chapter Fourteen | Echoes thy Power

*I DO NOT OWN THE NINJAGO UNIVERSE AND ITS PAST, PRESENT AND EMERGING CHARACTERS. AND THE PLOT OF THE SHOW. I ONLY OWN MY CURRENT CHARACTER | SAMUEL JASON HOLLAND. And any new characters I may develop in the future *

The Destiny's Bounty sailed smoothly through the velvety night sky, the crescent moon illuminating its sails with silver beams that danced like whispers of light. Inside the ship, the atmosphere buzzed with warmth and celebration, as the crew's laughter echoed like jubilant music amidst the soft hum of the engines working steadily beneath the deck.

At the centre of this joyful gathering stood Cole, Jay, and Zane, their faces beaming with pride from their recent victories. The trio was surrounded by a tight-knit crew, who showered them with enthusiastic praise and lighthearted banter, filling the air with a sense of camaraderie and joy. Tales of their achievements flowed freely, interspersed with cheeky jokes and hearty cheers, creating an atmosphere brimming with pride and festivity. Jay was the loudest in the group, his boisterous voice booming above the others as he enthusiastically recounted, for the fifth time, the thrilling moment he had unlocked his True Potential by heroically saving Nya during the rollercoaster disaster. He punctuated his tale with increasingly dramatic hand gestures and exaggerated sound effects, eliciting a mix of groans, laughter, and playful eye rolls from his friends, who were all too familiar with the story.

Zane, in stark contrast, spoke with an air of measured calm, his voice low and steady. He eloquently described the profound moment of clarity he had experienced, detailing how his intellect and humanity had merged in a harmonious dance for the very first time. In his eyes shone a sense of inner peace, a deep-seated completeness that radiated from within him. Cole, occupying a quieter space, said little, but his presence spoke volumes. His quiet strength was evident in the way he stood—steady and grounded, a silent pillar among his friends. The calm assurance in his posture drew the others in, inviting them to pay attention even without the need for words.

From the sidelines, Sam watched them, arms crossed, a proud smile tugging at his lips. They weren't just the rookies he and Master Wu had taken under their wing all those months ago. They were evolving, growing into something greater.

Something worthy. But with that, the pride came a twinge of dread.

He couldn't shake the thought: What happens when they don't need me anymore?

Kai, however, leaned against the wall, arms folded, his gaze locked on the celebration with a half-hearted smirk. His laughter was delayed, his words sparse. Inside, frustration burned. One by one, the others had unlocked their true potentials, but his remained dormant. He wouldn't admit it aloud, but the bitterness weighed heavily on him, and the twisting admiration he felt for his team turned into resentment. Why them? Why not him?

Sam noticed. He always did.

As the laughter rose again, Sam quietly slipped away. No one tried to stop him. He moved through the corridors of the ship with practised ease until he reached the observation deck, a quiet alcove near the rear of the Bounty. Through the wide windows, he could see the clouds parting below and the stars glimmering above.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a worn photograph.

It was a picture of his old team, taken years ago before the final battle that would shatter them forever. Jasmine, with her piercing eyes and knowing smirk, stood with arms crossed. Takashi had one arm slung around Akio, who was in mid-laugh, caught in motion like she always seemed to be. And in the middle was he—a younger Sam, full of belief and fire. He traced his thumb over the photograph, over their faces as the image blurred into memories.