We've Got Training To Do

14: The Green Ninja

A/N: Thank you to AdelineHatter for the name Sen.

You'll see what I mean.

Previously on WGTTD:

Jade had a dream that Sammy was in danger and went on a secret mission to save him, but Kai followed her and messed up her plan. They ended up getting caught, but Jade got them out. Unfortunately, Sammy made Jade leave him behind so she could get the Fang Blade and an injured Kai out of there. The Ninjas now hold one of the five Fang Blades. Also, Sensei returned with Lord Garmadon, and they've got some news for Jade....

~0~0~0~

"Oh, no fucking way," I say grouchily.

The Ninjas are looking from me to Garmadon.

"Uh, Jade?" says Jay timidly. "Why'd he call you Isabelle?"

"Isabelle is my first name," I explain impatiently. "I started going by my middle name after my father left me and my mother."

I say this without breaking eye contact with Garmadon and made sure to let my face show exactly what I know and how I feel about it.

Garmadon visibly cringes. "Isabelle, I–"

"Save it," I snap. "I don't want to hear your explanations."

I turn my back on him. "Now, if you all will excuse me, I've had a long day of rescue attempts and Fang Blade-wrangling, and I am going to bed. Good night."

I flee to the privacy of my room and hide under the covers like the four-year-old I was when my father left.

My father.... For years I hadn't even thought of him for a moment, and now suddenly he was back in my life... as my worst enemy.

Well, that doesn't change anything, I tell myself. He hasn't cared in fourteen years. Why should I care now?

I shouldn't care. I don't care. But something tells me that there are people who should have informed me of this particular insight.

I feel a weight settle on my bed. "Go away," I tell it.

"Heh-heh," the weight chuckles. It's Jay's voice. "I would love to, except I lost rock, paper, clam and now the others are making me talk to you."

"Tell them I said to fuck off."

"They'd probably believe it," Jay sighs. "You're not exactly good at this whole 'team' thing, Jade. You're always pushing us away."

"Would you rather I push you off the side of the Bounty?"

Welp, I tried, Jay thinks. He has half a mind to leave, but something holds him back.

"You know," he says carefully, "having your father back in your life might not be such a bad thing."

"In theory, I suppose," I mutter. "If my father were anyone other than Garmadon."

"Maybe even having Garmadon as a dad isn't a bad thing either," he says.

"He's not my dad," I snap. "I'm not denying that he's my father; I saw that much in his head, but I'm not giving him the satisfaction of being called my dad. That title belongs to Nate, and Nate alone."

"Nate was your stepdad, right?" says Jay.

"Yeah."

"The one who died in the fire?"

I aim a kick in his general direction.

"Okay, sorry." Jay sighs. "All I'm saying.... Just give him a chance, Jade."