The day had dawned, and Moon was already awake from the very first ray of sunlight that appeared. She got ready for the day with basic hygiene and soon saw Wu having tea.
"...Good morning." – She passed by him to grab at least an apple.
"Good morning, Moon. How did you sleep last night?" – Sensei Wu asked, taking a sip of his tea.
She didn't answer him at all. Wu just observed and sighed.
"I have to tell you something in private later." – He said, approaching her.
Moon grabbed an apple and took a big bite. She looked at Wu with no emotion in her eyes at that moment.
"Sure, see you later." – And with that, she left.
"I have to tell you why the Golden Weapons reacted to your presence... But I feel you won't like the answer..." – He said once Moon had left the kitchen.
o0o0o
"The clothes really turned out great!" – Nya approached Moon with a smile.
Soon everyone else woke up and got ready for the day. Because of the events that happened a few days ago, everyone went shopping for clothes for Lloyd, who needed them because he had... grown up really fast, and for Moon, since she didn't have many casual clothes to go out or just relax at home.
"Yeah, they did... After hours... trying on so many clothes," – she sighed, tired just remembering that day.
"Yes! It's necessary!" – Nya said, pointing at Moon's confused face.
"Lloyd is the only one who needs clothes... I don't understand why me too." – Moon raised an eyebrow.
"You basically only wear your ninja outfit, and sometimes your training clothes! You need more of your own style!" – Which were actually very valid arguments.
Moon decided it was better to just do what Nya asked—or rather, ordered—so they could get it over with once and for all. The other guys went to another store with Lloyd to buy more clothes in his new size.
Moon stared at the store with a drop of sweat. The place was big and full of people.
(Too many people...) – She felt a little uncomfortable in a place like that.
A woman wearing a pink outfit with the store's logo appeared with a big smile: a saleswoman.
"Excuse me! Have you ladies been helped yet?" – She sounded like the cheerful type.
Moon looked at her and froze for a brief two seconds, having the illusion that this woman looked like someone else for just a moment because they were similar: fiery red hair, green eyes like a bright shout, and... that person didn't have freckles or a mole by the mouth.
"..." – Moon's expression returned to normal.
"Hm? Did you say something?" – Nya asked, looking at her.
"...No." – Moon was straight to the point.
"..." – There was an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds, but the saleswoman broke the ice by asking what kind of clothes they would like to buy.
Moon was wearing a purple tank top along with flare jeans and a purple jacket with white details, plus black combat boots.
Moon tried another outfit: short black leggings, white sneakers with a purple-streak logo, and a simple short-sleeved black shirt.
New outfit: a long, slightly formal black blouse that was tighter at the wrists and waist, tight jeans, high white boots, and a fur coat.
And it kept going like that... She even grabbed a wolf onesie pajama with a hood.
Last look: a pale purple blouse that showed her shoulders and bra straps, long sleeves, a dark purple skirt, star-patterned tights, and simple but cute shoes.
"Awww! You look adorable, and all the outfits look amazing!" – Nya said, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes! This combination was made to look cute and lovely! Just as madam requested!" – The saleswoman's eyes also sparkled in admiration.
The two of them started chatting, both with red cheeks because of the purple ninja's cuteness, who didn't really understand what was happening.
"Hm? Moon, you don't like the outfit?" – Nya stopped talking when she noticed Moon looking at the skirt. – "If you don't like it, just say so! Your opinion matters the most!" – Nya added.
"It's just that I'm not used to wearing skirts... It's just weird." – She closed her eyes, thinking for a moment.
"Alright! You don't have to wear it if you don't want to, but I'd give anything to see the guys' reaction! I bet it'd be hilarious!" – Nya sighed, a bit disappointed. – (The reaction of my brother and Cole! I'd do anything to see that!) –
"Give anything?" – Moon opened her eyes. – "I'll do it... just this once." – Moon sighed tiredly.
"Seriously?! I'm surprised!" – Nya widened her eyes.
"On one condition." – She raised a finger. – "You'll have to wear an outfit I choose for you too." – Nya agreed to the deal. – "I'm only doing this because I'm bored..." –
The saleswoman sold a lot that day.
"Hey! Over here!" – Nya raised her hand to get the boys' attention.
"Finally!" – Kai sighed in irritation, putting his hands on his hips. – "Why do you girls always take so long?" –
"We didn't even take that long." – Nya frowned.
"Jay kept complaining that he was almost growing roots from waiting so much." – Cole mentioned, tired.
"Hey!" – Jay didn't like being exposed.
"Looks like your shopping trip went well." – Zane commented when he saw the two girls.
Kai, Cole, and Jay immediately froze and turned red as tomatoes: Nya was wearing wide pants with a wine-colored blouse with water patterns, sandals, and a belt, while Moon was wearing that mentioned outfit.
"O-owo!" – Jay gulped, staring at Nya as if hypnotized by her beauty. – "Y-you look b-beautiful, Nya." – He said shyly.
Nya smiled and giggled softly, her cheeks turning redder than anything.
Kai and Cole looked at the white-haired girl with crossed arms, completely mesmerized, unable to utter a word. Kai even tried to say something but only managed incoherent sounds.
"Mo–" – Cole stammered but was interrupted by Lloyd.
"That ice cream was really good—Ah! Moon, Nya!" – Lloyd approached with a smile. – "Owo! You two look really nice in those outfits." – He said with a grin.
"Yes! Buuut..." – Nya pulled Moon by the shoulders. – "This one looks even better!" –
Lloyd looked at her and blushed slightly, only able to agree. Kai and Cole died a little inside for not having said anything. Nya was laughing internally, satisfied with the outcome.
"We'd better go; it'll be night soon." – Zane broke the mood and brought everyone back to their senses.
Everyone agreed, and Moon, walking behind the group, thought:
(It's not... that bad... this feeling.) – She felt more relaxed.
"Was that a lip twitch?! You were smiling!" – Nya pointed excitedly.
"No... You're just seeing things." – Moon replied, unfazed by Nya's enthusiasm.
"Besides, you're talking a lot more! You're opening up to us. That's great, Moon!" – Nya exclaimed happily.
"You're just imagining things..." – Moon said as she walked away, ignoring Nya.
o0o0o
Now it was time for Lloyd's training. The Green Ninja dodged Jay and Zane's attacks. The shurikens Zane threw hit the watermelon Nya was holding, and Zane's face froze in shock.
"Since he grew up faster, Sensei, he's learning things faster too." – Nya said to Wu. – "But will that be enough?" –
"Only time will tell." – Wu said wisely, watching the training.
Now it was Lloyd versus Kai, who wielded a sword. Kai swung the blade toward Lloyd, who caught it with his bare hands by the tip, careful not to hurt himself. Lloyd tried to focus his green energy but failed, and Kai pulled the blade back, making Lloyd fall ridiculously.
"You're improving, but you still fell for an obvious trick." – Kai approached to help him up.
(Lloyd's energy is still too unstable... He needs more focus.) – Moon noted mentally to prepare a proper focus training session.
"If I had focused better when I was younger, I would've seen that coming." – Lloyd said, disappointed in himself.
"We can't change the past, but we can improve for the future." – Wu said wisely. – "Again. And this time, don't hold back." –
(We can't change the past, but we can improve for the future... What a dull phrase...) – A memory echoed in Moon's mind.
o0o0o
Now, on top of the Destiny's Bounty. The Ninjas, Nya, and Wu were there to receive the Falcon and the new information it brought.
"The Falcon returned with concerning news." – Zane said, removing the chip from the Falcon and plugging it into the computer for everyone to see. – "What did you see, my metallic-winged friend?" –
"The city of Ouroboros!" – Nya exclaimed as the video played.
"Garmadon went back to the city of snakes." – Kai said seriously.
"But why? It looks like they're preparing for a final battle." – Cole suggested.
"The welcome party's gonna be fiery..." – Jay could barely hold his laughter, and Moon raised an eyebrow.
"Nya, change course. We're heading toward them." – Ordered Sensei Wu.
The Ninjas, Nya, and Wu prepared for battle with their weapons.
They infiltrated the fight.
(What is Wu thinking, facing Garmadon head-on like that... It'd be better to take advantage of the element of surprise.) – Moon thought while watching from above the ship.
At Wu's signal, everyone jumped down to face Garmadon: Wu's plan was to fight him directly. Nya jumped next and froze Garmadon's Mega Weapon. Garmadon looked at the ninja who had done it, thinking for a brief moment it was Zane, but...
"Lloyd, is that you?" – A father always recognizes his son.
"It's me! I've grown a bit since the last time you saw me, Father." – Lloyd said bravely.
"Argh! Finish them!" – Lord Garmadon ordered the serpents while escaping.
o0o0o
He hid inside a house and struck the Mega Weapon against the wall to break the ice Lloyd had created.
"Damn Ninjas! If only they weren't around...! If they had never EXISTED! Yes... I wish I could go back in time! To make sure the Ninjas never came together!" – The Mega Weapon created a time-space portal in front of Garmadon. – "Now I'll be able to stop them from ever forming a team, so my son never becomes the Green Ninja! And Moon never betrays me again!" – Garmadon jumped into the portal.
Nya kicked the door open, and the portal began to flicker wildly. Moon's eyes widened at the unstable aura coming from it.
"He used the Mega Weapon!" – Kai shouted.
"Well, don't state the obvious! That portal's going crazy!" – Moon said worriedly. – "We have to get out of here!" –
Suddenly, the city began reverting to desert, being buried by sand once again.
"What?! What does that mean?!" – Kai yelled as more sand rose.
"Garmadon went back in time to make sure Lloyd never becomes the Green Ninja!" – Zane explained, pointing to Lloyd.
"I can't... I can't feel my hands!" – Lloyd said in fear.
"We have to go in!" – Kai exclaimed, struggling to move.
"If he changes anything, everything will change! Protect the future, Ninjas!" – That was the last thing Wu said to them before they all jumped into the portal.
o0o0o
The portal threw the Ninjas right into a puddle, leaving them covered in mud.
"Next time, I remembered to bring a helmet for time travel." – Jay said, feeling a little queasy.
(This place...) – Moon recognized it almost immediately.
"Where are we?" – Cole asked, looking around.
"Better question: what time are we in?" – Zane asked, glancing at a small village.
"Five Weapons? It's my parents' workshop! Nya and I used to work here. W-wait a minute, this is the day Garmadon ordered the skeletons and Moon to take my sister!" – Kai exclaimed, worried.
(This day... Lord Garmadon's plan is to prevent the Ninjas from coming together.) – Moon concluded. – (Kai...) –.
She looked at the Red Ninja, who was very worried, and she sensed that he blamed her like before. After all... she was the one who kidnapped his sister in the first place.
"We have to warn them!" – Kai didn't want the same thing to happen again.
"Kai, we can't alter the past. We're only here to prevent Garmadon from changing it." – Moon said, looking at him.
"It's easy for you to say! You have nothing to worry about! You don't have a sister who's about to be kidnapped!" – Kai said without thinking.
Moon stayed silent, waiting for him to calm down. She preferred to turn and move closer to the Five Weapons workshop.
"Where do you think—?!" – Kai got punched in the shoulder by Cole. – "Why did you do that?!" –
"You crossed the line. Moon isn't like that anymore, and you know she had no choice to begin with." – Cole was the first to defend her. – "Garmadon took advantage of Moon's debt and forced her to do these things. Moon isn't to blame! You have to apologize to her." –
Kai's angry expression melted into worry. He now realized that what he said must have hurt her more than it seemed. Moon was tough; wounds didn't faze her, and she had great skill and experience—but her emotional side seemed to be her only weakness.
"Shit..." – Kai whispered. – (What have I done?! I'm such an idiot!) –
"I think we have another priority right now." – Jay cut the tension.
"Jay's right. First, stop Garmadon. Then, you apologize to her." – Zane exclaimed.
Kai chose to stay silent for now.
Moon saw Wu approaching and kept her presence low. The other Ninjas soon joined her.
She just nodded, already understanding their plan. After watching Past!Kai being rude to Sensei Wu, Kai went behind Wu and covered his mouth to prevent him from shouting.
"We need your help, Sensei." – Kai said, pulling him behind a log.
The Ninjas removed their masks so Wu could see their familiar faces. Moon kept hers on, knowing it was better that way.
"O-o-o, if we're trying to prevent Garmadon from changing the past, wouldn't talking to Sensei alter the past and change the future?" – Jay asked, looking at the others.
"That is correct. I think it's time for a big 'oh no!' don't you think?" – Zane asked them.
"Huh?" – Sensei Wu looked seriously confused.
"Well, we can't undo what's already done. Sensei, you have to help us." – Kai begged him.
"You five...?" – Sensei looked at them.
Cole gave a brief explanation of where they came from and why.
"I don't understand, but I'll try..." – Wu agreed to help.
"We don't have time. Any moment now, the skeletons and the Ninja—will attack. We think Garmadon might try to hurt me, I mean, my past self." – Kai corrected himself mid-sentence.
"Garmadon?" – Wu looked shocked by the information.
"Sensei, we don't have time. We have to protect my past self!" – Kai shook him a bit to wake him up.
Soon, the sky darkened, and skeletons appeared in skull-style vehicles. Past!Moon was among them, her expression as cold as ice. Her eyes lacked the same glow they once had.
Past!Kai began fighting the skeletons in his own way, while Past!Nya tried to stay hidden, watching her brother fight.
"So, are you going to help us?" – Kai asked Wu.
"Don't look at me. I'm wise, but not that wise." – Wu replied.
"Considering we've already altered the past, I don't see why we can't fight a few skeletons as long as we're not noticed by our past selves, Kai and Moon." – Zane said to the group.
Suddenly, three skeletons appeared.
"I don't know why I didn't say this before, Zane. I've missed beating these guys up!" – Jay grabbed his nunchaku. – "Uha!" –
The skeletons tore off one of their arms as if mimicking him. Jay was genuinely happy to relieve stress by hitting them.
(My past self will be a problem... Although, for now, I was only focused on following Garmadon's orders. Maybe I can use this to my advantage.) – Moon thought, analyzing Past!Kai's fight against Past!Moon.
Soon, Sensei Wu stepped into the fight to save Past!Kai and Past!Nya. He succeeded, forcing them to retreat. One skeleton tried to capture Nya, but Lord Garmadon, disguised, pushed the skeleton away and deliberately missed controlling the claw.
"You idiot! You missed!" – Past!Moon stayed silent, her gaze deadly at the mission's failure.
And with that, the future changed...
o0o0o
In the future, Wu watched as the clouds darkened.
"This isn't good." – He looked at the group portrait, and Moon and Lloyd began to disappear.
"No! No! This isn't good!" – Kai said, holding his head.
"Why? We saved you and your sister." – Wu looked confused.
"No! The skeletons were supposed to escape with Nya. The only reason you convinced me to become a ninja was so I could save her." – Kai explained to the past Sensei.
"Ah, I understand." – He processed the new information.
"No matter what, you need to convince Kai to come with you." – Zane said.
"Why?" – Jay asked, confused.
"Because if Kai doesn't become a ninja, the past will still be altered, and Garmadon will complete his plan." – Moon explained. – "You would never unite, and we wouldn't train Lloyd to be the Green Ninja... And Jay would never meet Nya, so he'd never fall in love with her." – Moon was blunt.
Kai didn't like the last part at all. Jay panicked and became a bit whiny.
"Sensei! You need to convince him to go with you!" – Jay whined, grabbing Wu and shaking him.
Past!Kai approached, and the future Ninjas hid so he wouldn't see them. Kai went to thank Wu for saving them.
"Thank you for helping us. If it weren't for your spin, splint, or whatever it's called..." – Past!Kai shrugged. – "My sister would have been kidnapped." –
The Ninjas, especially Moon, stared at Kai, judging his past self. If he could, Kai would have nervously laughed. Wu tried to convince Past!Kai to become a ninja, but without the motivation of saving his sister from the villains, Past!Kai just wanted to remain a simple blacksmith. However, Past!Nya became very interested and decided to go with Wu for training, and Past!Kai went along to accompany his sister and not leave her alone.
o0o0o
At the monastery... The Ninjas watched the siblings' training. Past!Nya was the only one actually training, while Past!Kai looked like he might die just hitting a punching bag. Sensei Wu tried to motivate him, but it didn't work at all.
"Ouch! I'm useless!" – Kai whined quietly, seeing his past self being pathetic.
"You don't even seem like you want to be a ninja!" – Jay exclaimed after seeing him.
"I already said. The only reason I became a ninja was to rescue my sister." – Kai defended himself.
"If Kai doesn't become a ninja, our past is ruined." – Zane warned.
"Ouch! Even when Garmadon does something good, it's always for evil! Sensei couldn't handle it; I guess it's up to us to put things back on track." – Cole suggested.
"I have an idea." – Moon said suddenly.
This briefly startled Jay, as she was quieter than usual—and they were already used to her mood. Anyway... Moon explained her plan to him, and they decided to execute it that night.
o0o0o
Jay, Cole, and Zane went to "kidnap" Past!Nya wearing skeleton masks so she wouldn't recognize them, and Kai went to straighten himself out. Moon went to the camp where they were staying. She stayed at a distance where the aura of her past self hadn't reached yet—but she had.
(I... was really that dark?) – Moon felt shaken by the immense negative aura she emanated. – (I'm better where I am...) – She clenched her fist tighter.
Moon then returned to inform the group where the skeletons and Past!Moon were.
"Did you get her?" – Moon asked as she arrived.
"Yes." – Jay said, worriedly looking at the bag containing Nya.
"Let's leave her there before my past self notices." – The Ninjas nodded.
Nya was left in front of a skeleton that wouldn't question it much, besides being farther away.
After that, the future was set straight. Wu sighed in relief as the dark clouds vanished, and Moon and Lloyd returned to the photo.
But moments later, everything turned dark again, and Moon and Lloyd disappeared from the photo once more.
o0o0o
There was a party that the past Ninjas and Wu held before going to sleep. The future Ninjas were tired of watching.
"Why are we still here?! I thought everything was fixed!" – Jay whispered, careful not to wake the past selves.
"Yeah, but we have to stay to make sure everything goes as planned." – Cole replied.
"And what happens after that... exactly?" – Wu asked.
"Our past selves have most of the Golden Weapons... Garmadon must have my sister, and the Purple Ninja has the Aura Staff... And in a minute, I wake up and, tricked, take the Fire Sword, which ends up leading a major enemy over Ninjago!" – Kai explained, though it turned out differently.
Instead of Nya being there, Past!Moon woke Past!Kai and lured him into a trap.
"That wasn't... like that." – She frowned at the change.
"It must be Garmadon's doing." – Zane concluded.
They headed to the Fire Temple.
"You'll pay for kidnapping my sister!" – Past!Kai said angrily.
"And with what weapon?" – Past!Moon asked, grabbing the Fire Sword.
"It wasn't like that!" – The future Ninjas panicked—except for Moon.
"Past!Kai won't survive this fight... Not against my past self with the Fire Sword." – Moon wondered where her Aura Staff was.
Moon intervened in the fight, using a regular iron staff. Past!Moon and Past!Kai were shocked by this.
"What—" – Moon interrupted him.
"Save your sister first!" – Moon said before kicking Past!Moon.
Past!Kai got up and went to rescue Past!Nya. Moon and Past!Moon, despite differences in battle experience, were evenly matched: both knew what the other's next move would be.
"How ironic." – Moon murmured during the clash.
"...What do you mean...?" – Past!Moon couldn't help but be curious.
"I went to the past and I'm fighting myself." – Moon tripped her past self, who fell backward, dropping the Fire Sword. – "Kai!" –.
Kai grabbed the Fire Sword and went to fight Garmadon with his past self. Now, Past!Moon grabbed and threw Moon's weapon into the lava, both fighting unarmed.
Both knew their strength, their practiced moves, and that this fight would last an entire day. But it was interrupted when Garmadon called Past!Moon.
(I was that obedient?) – Moon felt slightly irritated seeing herself blindly loyal.
The Ninjas were about to be defeated, but Jay arrived with the Golden Weapons, including the Aura Staff. They used the same weapons that had created the Mega Weapon to destroy it.
"Fire!" – Kai unleashed fire on the Mega Weapon.
"Lightning!" – Jay unleashed lightning on it.
"Earth!" – Cole sent rocks at it.
"Ice!" – Zane launched spikes of ice.
"Aura!" – Moon released a wave of aura.
The five main elements harmonized in a powerful attack, destroying the Mega Weapon. It began to collapse under so much energy.
"Ninjago!" – Wu shouted.
All the Golden Weapons floated and merged into one, then flew into the sky and exploded into space. The Fire Temple began to collapse.
"Nya!" – Past!Nya began to vanish. – "What's happening?!" – Past!Kai disappeared.
That past was disappearing, and the future Ninjas returned to their present.
Moon woke up in her room. She looked around and saw she had returned to her own timeline.
"This..." – She saw the staff... Aaron's staff—on her wall. – "What's it doing here?" –
Suddenly, the door of her room burst open... by Kai.
"Moon!" – He was out of breath.
"What is it?" – She asked, putting the staff aside.
"Moon!" – He approached her. – "I came here to apologize for that." – He scratched the back of his neck.
"For that?" – She raised an eyebrow.
"Yes... I shouldn't have blamed you, said what I did... You're definitely not the type to do that... I have no reason to apologize for my actions. I was an idiot to you, Moon, and I'll understand if you don't want to forgive me." – Kai looked down, embarrassed.
"It's okay." – This made Kai lift his head. – "I understand, there's nothing to blame... Who I was in the past isn't who I am today." –
"Definitely. You're more amazing now." – He said nervously, cheeks redder than usual.
"Well... I have to go do some things. See you later, Kai." – She left her room.
Kai watched her and let out a long sigh, feeling as if his heart might jump out of his chest.
o0o0o
"Moon, are you okay? The others are acting a little weird." – Lloyd asked, spotting her.
"Let's just say the past is one thing and today is another." – She left, leaving Lloyd very confused.
_TO BE CONTINUE_