Just an Illusion (A Ninjago Reader Insert)

Flickering

"I am not letting you team up! We all saw what Mr. Zappy over here did last time!"

"You're telling me that we got dragged out of bed at 3 flipping am to help Lloyd, only for you to tell us no?" yelled Y/n."Sorry, my tournament, my rules. Either kick someone of your team, or Lloyd is disqualified."The group were disgusted. How were they going to choose?"Well, we can't lose anyone else. I'll step out. Maybe I could look for Cole and Zane," Kai whispered."Are you sure?"
"Positive. Win this thing."

The group nodded, before turning to Chen.

"So, you've taken my offer, I'm sure. All right then. Y/n is removed from the event."

"What? Why me? We agreed-"

"My tournament, my rules," he giggled.

She groaned loudly. "Fine. Have it your way. But don't go changing your mind when you get bored." She turned to Lloyd. "I'll be fine. Good luck", she muttered, before being led out of the arena.

***

About an hour had passed. Y/n had taken up to investigating the tunnels under Kai's room again, hoping to find some answers about the happenings on the island. The tunnels branched out across the island, becoming darker and and narrower as she went. Along the way, she heard the distant hissings of the serpent. She ducked behind a boulder near one of the walls, just in time to hear the growing sounds of someone's screams. She shivered. She was sure it wasn't Cole or Zane; it didn't sound robotic and was much too high. Still, she hated the thought of a former competitor being that thing's lunch.

After another few minutes of walking, she came to a row of doors, each with bars for windows. It was near pitch black here. She peeked into one cell. All she could see was a pair of bandaged lumps, like a mummy in a sarcophagus. Turning her head, she couldmake out a miniscule scratching noise. The sound grew as she crept along the passage, until it came to a sudden halt.

Y/n stopped in her tracks. She pressed herself against the stone wall, barely daring to breath. That is of course until-

"Y/n? Is that you?"

"Cole! There you are!"

She moved back to the door, seeing the black ninja staring back. He was dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, which was covered in grime. His hair had specks of flour through it, and he had gained an extra scratch across his hand.

"What happened to you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. They took my powers and made me work in the noddle factory, but I'm ok. Listen, I found Zane."

"You did? How is he?"

"He's-well, he's alive! And he's all...metal! They locked him up too, but he's ok. And he has a girl in his head now!"

"A what now?"

"I know! I couldn't believe it. Pixal- she's his girlfriend I guess- she somehow uploaded herself to him! It's crazy, but, well I'm still trying to wrap my head around it."Y/n grinned. "I get it. Just the fact that he's alive-"

"Yeah! Anyway, enough about me. What's happening with you?"

She explained all that happened in the last 24 hours, getting annoyed again about being kicked out.

"Why would Chen do that?"

"I'm not sure. It's like he has something against me." She paused for a moment. "I'll get you and Zane out. I just need-"

"No, Y/n, listen, I got to stay here. For now, anyway."

"What? How come?"

"The other Elemental Masters. I can't leave them here. They've been suffering a lot longer than me. If we all go now, Chen will be suspicious of you. And if what you say about him hating you is true, I hate to think what he'd do."