Song Quote: Mr. Belvedere
"Streaks on the china,never mattered before,who cares. When you dropped kicked your jacket As you came through the door, No one glared.But sometimes things get turned around
And no one's spared. All hands look out below There's a change in the status quo.Gonna need all the help that we can get According to our new arrival Life is more than mere survival We just might live the good life yet"
~~~
Your Pov:
Everyone was gathered in the bridge. The ninja set their sights on a white hologram of the next fangblade thinking of their next action.
You sat at the table in the middle of the room looking through your old flip phone. Pressing the buttons you grew accustomed to as you searched through the phone.
Lloyd wasn't paying attention instead leaning his head on your shoulder as he watched the small screen move.
"They got the first one, but there are three more and we just need one to stop Pythor" You listened to Nya speak. "They have a map and we don't, so the question remains, how are we gonna find them first?"
"I still can't get over the fact you were the mysterious samurai, Is anyone else blown away like I am?" Jay turned to everyone in bewilderment.
"We're over that can we move on?" Kai barked in a impatient voice.
"Oo oo ooo, some ones a little hot under the collar" Jay retorted with a smug grin on his face.
"It appears his impatience is because he has not found inner peace and unlocked his potential like you and I have Jay" Zane pointed out with a smug smirk.
Kai gritted his teeth in annoyance arguing "Great observation Mr.Roboto, but Cole hasn't found it either."
"I got it!" Cole interrupted having a eureka moment.
"You've unlocked it?! Oh why am I the only one?!" He shouted in anger.
"No I figured out where I recognize the fangblade from." Cole replied turning on his heel to grab something. "I have a picture of it."
Kai sighed in relief "Oh, haha, is that it? Good..."
"Focus on yourself instead of comparing to others. You'll overheat yourself hothead" you said aloud not looking up from your phone but heard the fire ninja grumble.
Cole came back a moment later with a photo album in hand. He set it down on the table opening the pages as everyone gathered around.
Jay snatched the book getting a look at a particular trophy. "That's it!" He exclaimed as they looked at the page.
"Back where I grew up, there's this pretty big competition, where every year the winner gets the blade cup. My dad's won it multiple times " Cole explained with a fond smile.
Looking away from your phone you got a look at the album getting a glimpse of the trophy.
"You never told us your dad was an accomplished athlete. What sport?" Zane questioned in simple curiosity.
"Oh he's a, uh a blacksmith" Cole replied looking away hesitantly.
"Nothing wrong with that, my father was a blacksmith too" Kai replied but added in confusion "But I've never heard of a competition..."
"He's not a "Blacksmith" Blacksmith, he's a Royal Blacksmith" Cole interjected flipping the page to show a photo of his dad.
Your eyes widened slightly immediately recognizing the older man in the photo.
The other ninja started to snicker amongst themselves. "That's your dad?" Jay asked suppressing a chuckle.
"You look a lot like him" You complimented nodding your head as that was the best you could say to him.
"But how did the Fangblade become a trophy?" Kai asked curiously interrupting your thoughts.
"Well supposedly, the blade cup was made by this guy who collected priceless artifacts" Cole explained but took a second to remember the name "His name was something like, uh Dutch. No, Clutch, Clutch Powers! Anyways it gets passed on to each years winner."
"Who has it now?" Zane inquired curiously.
"I don't know, I haven't talked to my father in years..." Cole trailed off and in your mind you knew there was more to what he was saying.
"Well, then let's call him up" Kai offered holding out a cellphone for him to take.
"Y-You can't!" Cole exclaimed adding "He thinks I'm in ninjago city training at the Marty Openheimer School of Performing Arts."
He sighed looking away steering the helm of the ship revisiting hard memories. "He wanted me to follow in his footsteps, but when I couldn't sing or dance I..."
"I ran away" the earth ninja frowned looking down "When he sees I can't dance, he'll know I've been lying in the letters I've been sending him" he finished staring ahead as he turned the helm.
Taken by surprised Zane asked "He doesn't know you're a ninja?"
The earth ninja turned away from the wheel frowning "What, you gonna crack some joke that my old man wears a tutu?" He hissed growing defensive.
"No, but if we're gonna have any chance at getting that fangblade before they do we better get our act in tune" Kai put a hand on Cole's back in a reassuring way.
"Alright let's set our course" Nya replied walking over to the computer to put in the data for where the team was heading.
Sitting back at the table you reopened your flip phone opening the pictures.
As you sorted through the albums you saw pictures of plants, places and other subjects.
Two figures kept popping up often. The first one was of a lavender snake with beady black eyes that would perch upon your shoulder with a almost cat like smile.
The other figure was a woman with blue eyes and wavy Auburn hair tied into a loose low ponytail.
She had a vertical scar on her right cheek that stuck out even though it was faded.
Something in these small moments captured in time by a small phone camera should have some sort of an effect on your shattered memory.
Sadly nothing rings a bell.
"Who is that (Y/n)?" Lloyd asked as he looked at the photos as well.
"Dunno bud..." you hummed putting the cellphone away glancing over to see Zane staring at you with a curious look.
~~~
The Bounty flew over the town hovering overhead.
The ninja had changed out of their suits and into more casual clothes.
You had been spacing out but then Jay had nudged your shoulder "You wanna come?" He asked smiling kindly at you.
You nodded turning to Lloyd who stood next to you. Before you could utter a word the young boy piped in.
"I'll stay behind with Nya to guard the ship while you're gone." he smiled but quickly whispered into your ear "I'm also gonna destroy their high scores in their games."
He pulled away giving you a mischievous smirk as you ruffled his blonde bowl hair.
"What did he say?" Jay asked as you stood next to the ninja about to head out.
"Nothing of concern" you replied looking ahead with your mask off laying on your neck.
Jay held out a helpful hand to you as the other ninja jumped off the bounty.
You took his jumping together riding on his storm glider landing safely on the ground.
Cole opened a long briefcase containing his golden staff. "All right hand them over" He called to the three ninja.
"Ah ah, but no mortal shall possess all four" Jay laughed at his joke as he set his nunchucks into the case.
"Very funny." Cole slightly glared at the blue ninja for a moment as Kai and Zane placed their weapons inside.
"Remind me again why we can't keep our weapons?" Kai asked once more.
"I told you my dad can't find out I'm a ninja and I don't feel like making up excuses why I'm carrying a giant scythe around with me" Cole replied explaining the plan leading your group towards his old home.
"You could say it's just a prop for a upcoming performance..." You muttered but shrugged it off.
"Just remember the plan, we find out who has the Fangblade trophy, we snatch it and get the heck outta town" Cole finished turning around to knock on the door.
"Just a moment" a voice rang from inside before the door opened revealing Cole's father.
"Hey Dad, how long has it been?" Cole greeted his old man with enthusiasm.
His dad glared for a bit hissing "What? You too good for the doorbell?" Before slamming the door on the earth ninja's face.
"Already off to a great start..." You muttered as the ninja looked at the door in shock.
The earth ninja stood there for a second in shock but his father said from inside "Use the bell son."
He let out a sigh pressing the doorbell button as an automated voice sang in a smooth buttery voice "Welcome~"
Cole's dad opened the door with a bright smile on his face. "Come on in son, it's been forever" He greeted hugging the earth ninja closely but looked right at your group.
"What did you bring? A Quartet? And a soloist?" His father glanced at the other ninja then at you.
"Or did you finally get a girlfriend son?" Lou nudged his son whispering to him in a half teasing manner.
Before a blushing Cole could reply his father cut him off staring at you before perking up.
"Wait a minute, I know you!" He exclaimed with a bright smile as the ninja looked at you confused. "You were the one at rehearsal. Thank you so much for your help it could have been a lot worse."
You returned the smile nodding at the older man "Your welcome, I hope you're doing well."
Lou opened the door wide gesturing everyone to enter. "Come in come in. I've got a kettle of lemon honey tea in the stove right now."
When you entered the home you could smell the fragrant tea. Taking in the vintage decor of the home you listened to the record that played upbeat older music.
Cole's father, he introduced himself as Lou, served a cup of tea for everyone and admired his wall of pictures much to the earth ninja's embarrassment.
The ninja sat on the larger loveseat while you sat opposite of them in the small seat. You found yourself gazing at the memorabilia that was placed throughout the room. Admiring them for all that they are and the sentiments they must hold.
"Did my son tell you I broke my foot?" He started to say and gestured to his foot with his cane continuing "It was the cha-cha, but I swear the percussionist had it in for me."
Lou gestured to you while you sipped on your tea trying not to burn your tongue. "It would have been a lot worse if she hadn't caught me when I fell off the stage."
"No, dad I didn't tell them about your silly stories" Cole groaned in response as he looked at you with a raised eyebrow.
Lou raised an eyebrow frowning at his som "Silly stories?"
"What he mean to say was, we've been so busy training at the..." Kai tried jumping in but couldn't remember the schools name.
"The uh Martha Openheimer" Jay finished and you internally facepalmed.
The music stopped as Lou asked "Martha Openheimer?"
"What has trying to say is the Marty Openheimer school of performing arts" Zane corrected glancing at his brothers.
"Right well,um, see we have this final research paper we're doing on the history of ninjago talent, and we really wanted to know how can we get our hands on the blade cup?" Cole asked stuttering over his lie a bit.
Lou took a sip of his tea before speaking "You're talking about getting your hands on The blade cup? The most prized and heavily guarded award in all of Ninjago, the symbol of excellence in harmony and grace? You can't just get it, you must earn it" He lectured as he walked around the room.
"You have to exhibit style, perfect pitch. Push the boundaries of artistic licences and win this years Ninjago talent show!" He exclaimed getting excited and ahead of himself.
"Um is there an easier way...?" Zane asked but Lou cut him off not answering.
"Is this why you came? You knew I was injured and when my quarter insisted we shan't go on, you four have Cole to take our place. Haha! Ingenious!" He shouted in delight as the ninja looked at eachother unable to get a word in.
"My son, bringing forth the next evolution of the Royal Blacksmiths! Let me hear the sweet, sweet sound of harmony" he prompted the four ninja to harmonize together.
You sat there sipping your tea about to laugh your butt off as the ninja looked at eachother panicking.
Jay took the lead and stood up singing "Harmony"
Zane tried harmonizing but his came out stiff and awkward "Harmony..."
Kai soon joined struggling as well "Harmony" while Cole just facepalmed and his father cringed at the harmonizing.
"Guys you should have practiced more in class" You joked and took a sip of your tea.
Lou decided not to comment on their voices and turned to you "(Y/n)? could I hear your voice as well?"
This time your eyes widened panicking a bit you looked to the others but they couldn't help you "Uh yeah sure" You replied unsurely lying through your teeth "I haven't really been practicing lately so..."
"It's alright happens to the best of us" Lou replied encouraging you to sing.
Taking a deep breath you felt jitters go up and down your spine as you projected your voice going up and down through the pitches smoothly.
You heard clapping from beside you "Marvelous just marvelous. With more practice you'll shine brighter" Cole's father praised in awe.
"Son she is such a cute and beautiful girl I'm so glad you know her" Lou winked at his son in a suggestive way.
Cole blushed a bit in embarrassment "Yeah look, dad we just need the trophy-" he began to say but Kai cut him off.
"Yeah we are bringing home to gold and want you to mentor us" he jumped in feigning enthusiasm.
"I've never been more proud. If you'll excuse me I'm gonna go write a song about how I feel" Lou was touched and excused himself beaming with joy.
"What are you doing?!" Cole hissed in anger at Kai who is diverting from the original plan.
"Look we enter this competition so we can get close to the blade cup once we get the fangblade we get out of town how hard can this be?" The red ninja smirked confidently.
"You just jinxed yourself" You hissed shaking your head as you drank the last of your tea.
~~~
Lou wasted no time mentoring the ninja. He came back fifteen minutes later after writing a song or maybe adding onto a preexisting one.
You sat down on a chair watching the rehearsal as the ninja practiced their vocals. The four ninja couldn't get their tones to the perfect pitch and needed all the help they could get.
Lou had the ninja do some warm ups with their voices while he focused on you. "Since I now know you can sing, do you have any other talents as well?" He asked curiously.
"S-she's a new transfer student to the school so she's only been working on her singing" Jay told Cole's Father in an effort to keep up their cover.
"Ah I see. No worries" Lou hummed to himself but couldn't help but ask "Do you by chance play the guitar Miss (Y/n)?"
"How would you know that?" You tilted your head asking since you were unsure yourself.
"Well I do see you eyeing that guitar in the corner" Lou chuckled getting up to go grab the instrument. "Plus your hands have the calluses of a guitarist."
He handed you the instrument "I understand you may be rusty or new but pluck some cords. I want to see where you are." Lou prodded you seeing how you held the instrument.
The ninja looked to one another stopping their warmups to listen. Cole was worried that his father would see through the charade and it was present on his face.
You nodded looking at the guitar in your hands. Your grip and positioning was rather comfortable. The strings under your fingers moved creating the notes turning to melodies. Each movement was so familiar like it was something done a thousand times. Although some of your skill had somewhat diminished, this was a fragment of your old self.
While the memory of playing has faded but your motor functions still remember the positions.
You started to hum along with the random notes with each strum. Were they apart of a song long forgotten or something you simply made up?
"Wonderful" Lou smiled brightly with hope "A true virtuoso in the works..."
"Hey who taught you to play?" Cole couldn't help but ask out of pure curiosity.
You kept a poker face "I'm self taught" you lied unsure if that's actually the case or not.
"Who said you four should stop warmups?" Lou frowned at the four ninja lecturing them. "We don't have a lot of time before the competition so there's no time to waste. We're starting today."
The four straightened up as Lou put his focus on them. The heat was on as the older man began to put pressure on the four so that they will grow to greatness.
Tuning the others out you stared at the gramophone as it still played music.
The older tunes of another era was comforting and albeit soothing. With the warm, smooth voices and harmonies and the variety of instruments playing in the background.
You started plucking the strings of the guitar in your hands to the music following along each cord as you remembered how to play properly.
A small smile started to creep up on your face as you played. This same feeling you felt before while watching Cole's Father's rehearsal that day. The way the music and dance moves lined up in a harmonious ritual with everything bursting with life.
You were captivated by the notes and lyrics behind the music. The forms of art all have passion behind it. This is what moved your very being and what's moving your fingers to play now.
The silence that has been your existence ever since waking up that fateful night has awoken from a single note beginning a song.
Stirring a missing piece that you have been missing. Passion.
Something you could build upon to figure out the person now that holds the name (Y/n), the one with no purpose.
From here on you will find more notes to add to your song to fill the void, maybe adding lyrics along the way that mean something to you.
~~~
Author's Edit: September 20th 2020
~~~