Y/n's POV

"Come on, y/n," Kai says, throwing another fireball at me. "How do you expect to get back into shape if you don't even try?"

"I am trying," I protest, blocking the fire with a shield of my element. "How about you try to be a better teacher?"

"Hmph," Kai mutters, offended.

We take a break from elemental training and move on to hand-to-hand combat.

"I see your martial arts haven't changed," Kai observes approvingly.

"I've been practicing," I explain. "Well... sort of. It's kinda hard to train without a teacher."

"Have you practiced any fighting with weapons?"

I shake my head. "Like I said before, I turned younger again when I returned home. I don't know about Ninjago, but on Earth, it's not exactly normal for a preteen to own a scythe."

"Fair point."

With that, Kai goes over to the weapons rack at the side of the courtyard and throws me a katana.

I catch it with one hand, and get into battle stance as Kai picks a sword for himself.

"Ready to lose?" he mocks.

"Not a chance."

We fight for a while, neither of us giving up. Eventually, I knock the sword out of his hand. With a smirk, I stab my katana into the ground victoriously.

"Okay, okay, I'll admit it," Kai says. "You're still pretty good."

"Pretty good? I'd say pretty awesome!" Jay shouts, coming outside. "She totally whooped your ass, and she's been out of training for a year!"

"Yeah, well, beginners luck," Kai pouts, crossing his arms.

"Aw, don't worry, buddy," I say, patting him on the shoulder. "Most of my skill is thanks to Ninjago logic, anyway."

————Kai's POV, dinner time—————

"So where's y/n gonna sleep?" I ask. Above the tea shop is kind of like a house, and if you include the rooms on the Destiny's Bounty that's anchored above the shop, there are enough rooms for each of us to have our own. But now y/n's here, and she needs a place to stay.

"She can sleep with—ow!" Nya starts to say, before Sensei elbows her in the side.

"There is not enough room in Nya's bedroom for a second bed," Sensei begins, then smiles mischievously. "But I believe there's space in Lloyd's room."

Sensei catches me staring at him, and he gives me a wink. Ah, so this is his master plan.

"So it's settled then," I confirm, and give Lloyd a nudge. "Just no funny business."

————Later that night, Lloyd's POV————-

I'm surrounded by a black wind, and I can barely see in front of me. Someone's cackling behind me as they watch me struggle.

"You're not strong enough. You're not good enough. You can't protect them."

"Who's there?" I cry.

"You're worthless. You mean nothing. You can't save Ninjago. You aren't brave, you're a coward. Give up, green ninja, and leave this realm to me."

"I would rather die trying!"

The voice laughs darkly. "Oh, that will happen, I assure you."

"Who are you?"

"You took everything from me. I'm supposed to be the green ninja, not you. And now I'm going to take everyone you love away from you."

"Leave my family alone!"

"My my, how courageous," the voice taunts.

I hear his voice growing louder, until he seems like he's right behind me. I turn around, and I'm greeted by a gust of wind. The dark mist charges towards me, laughing bitterly. My head rings with threats as the fog consumes me.

He's reading my thoughts, seeing everything. He knows about all of my feelings, my secrets, my fears... I press my palms to the sides of my head, trying to get him out.

"You seem so protective of your loved ones. Especially that girl y/n."

"Leave her out of this!"

"Why would she ever want you? You don't deserve her. You're not good enough for her. Do you really think she'd accept a tra--"

"Get out of my head!"

"Useless. Powerless. Weak."

"Stop it!"

"Coward. Failure. Worthless."

...

I awake to someone shaking me gently.

"Lloyd?" Y/n whispers.

My eyes shoot open as I sit straight up with a gasp. I frantically look around me, searching for the owner to that horrible voice from the dream.

"Shh, Lloyd, it's okay. You're safe," y/n says. "It was just a bad dream."

"Y/n?" I say fearfully, turning to her. I have never been so glad to have her sitting next to me. I really hope she can't see how close to tears I am right now.

"Are you alright?" she asks.

I bite my tongue. "Mm, hmm."

Against my will, I suddenly let out a sob. I slump onto y/n's shoulder as she pulls me into a hug.

"You're safe now. It was just a nightmare, and now it's over. I'm right here"

I wipe away a few tears with the back of my sleeve. "Sorry."

"For what?"

"You shouldnt have to see me like this."

"Lloyd," she says sternly, turning me to look at her. Using her thumb, she wipes away a tear I missed. "There is nothing wrong with showing your emotions. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here for you."

For some reason, that makes me cry harder.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asks after I settle down a bit.

I take in a shaky breath, and tell her what happened in the dream.

"You are not worthless," y/n says forcefully, after I finish explaining. "And I'll accept you no matter what. You do deserve me. If anything, it's me who doesn't deserve you. I know I sound like a pick-me girl, but it's true."

I raise my head to look at her, dumbfounded.

"How could you say that?" I ask. "You are the most amazing person I've ever met."

"Really?"

I nod. She smiles, looking down, avoiding eye contact.

"And you're the most wonderful person I've ever met," she whispers, moving in closer to me.

"We do make a pretty fantastic couple, don't we?" I say, hoping she'll take the hint.

"Couple... as in, together?"

I shrug. "If you'll have me."

"You dork," she says with laugh.

"I'll take that as a yes?"

She laughs again and nods.

I brush the hair out of y/n's eyes, and I lean in to kiss her. She places her hand behind my neck as our lips meet.

The voice from the dream starts creeping back, telling me that I'm not good enough for her, but I push it away. I know my worth.

Y/n and I may be from two different worlds, but I can't help but think that we're meant to be together.