? ??????? ? {Ninjago}

?S1 E3: Snakebit (2)?

The other ninja followed suit, knocking down Fangpyre after Fangpyre. (Y/N) simply watched from the pile, gaze criticizing and bored. Yet there seemed to be something cloaked behind that monotonous expression that Wu was certain he'd seen before...

He was yanked from his contemplation by the hissing of snakes, slowly closing in. Wu simply took out the flute, playing tranquilly on the instrument and forcing the Fangpyre to cover their ears. Nya seized the moment to drop in and take out the group of immobilized snakes. "I dunno, Sensei," she said, hands on her hips. "I think we make a pretty good duet."

Loud rock music rang out through the chaotic junkyard as the twins flipped on a boom box. (Y/N) nodded at the general as if to thank him. Wu shook his head, shouting, "Young children, must I teach you whose side you two should be on?"

The music only grew louder as Lloyd cranked up the volume. "You'll have to shout a little louder," (Y/N) called, laughing.

As a Fangpyre snuck up behind the old man, fangs out, Edna swooped in an hit the snake with a frying pan. "Heh! Way to go, Edna," Ed cheered.

The ninja shouted as they chased some of the snakes away from the trash heaps, only for them to disappear. (Y/N) watched them climb onto a huge robot—the same robot they'd seen Ed work on a few hours ago. "And now for the grand reveal," they murmured, popping the lollipop back in their mouth.

The four friends came screeching to a halt as a huge green robot shook the ground with each step towards them. The music slowly died down as it glared at them through its helmet. "Ah! What is that thing?" Jay shouted, holding up his Nunchucks.

Ed scratched the back of his head, chuckling nervously, "It was supposed to be in your honor, son, but do you like it?"

"Thanks, but no thanks," Jay replied, jumped back as the monster machine slammed down its own nunchucks. The ninja quickly ran only to reencounter the sentient crane.

"Why'd you have to be born in a junkyard?" the black ninja sighed, glaring at Jay.

The latter only shrugged. "I know. Tell me about it."

As the crane swiveled it brought its heavy ball to the floor, trying to knock over the ninja like bowling pins. The four jumped as it passed by, landing safely on the dirt again—but something was different. Kai checked his friends again before saying, "Uh, wasn't there four of us?"

Jay was clinging onto the bottom of the wrecking ball as it swung gloriously into the air. As it reached its peak, the ninja leapt off the surface and back flipped into the cockpit. Kicking out the soldier, he shouted, "Let's see if I can work this."

(Y/N) watched them closely from afar, a slightly bemused expression on their face like a mask. Something at the back of their mind seemed to twitch before settling back down again as if something had smothered it.

The giant robot drew closer and closer to Cole, swinging its nunchucks dangerously close. "Don't worry, I got it," he grunted, catching a nunchuck with the Scythe. His arms were shaky though, and he almost broke—but suddenly, the wrecking ball crashed into it, sending it tumbling into a pile of trash. The twins eyebrows rose. "I told you, I had it," Cole whined playfully to Jay.

For a moment Lloyd contemplated the damage before turning to his twin. They nodded in agreement. "Retreat!"

The sound of whirling blades filled the air as a helicopter rose from behind the three. The ninja could only watch as Lloyd helped (Y/N) onto a platform, beaming. The other Fangpyre ran too, along with their vehicles. "He's getting away with the staff," Nya cried.

For a split second, (Y/N) looked over their shoulder at the ninja. Their eyes didn't seem to shine as vibrantly red as before. Wu took a deep breath. Maybe there is hope for them yet.