ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: Twenty Øne Pilots - Stressed Out

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Used to dream of outer space but now they're laughing at our face

Saying, "Wake up, you need to make money"

Yeah

---

(Y/n) opened the door to the animal shelter. Remo was on her shoulder, looking around with curiosity.

An old man with greying hair and golden-brown eyes appeared, scaring her.

''Grandpa, why'd you scare me?'' (Y/n) asked, blinking.

He glanced past her, looking through the glass. ''Sometime's it's fun to have a little surprise.''

(Y/n) chuckled. ''Maybe you should lay off with the surprises, I saw Cami being chased by a bunch of chickens.''

Her Grandpa's eyes sparkled. ''Don't forget you pranking Terry, he looked like he'd seen a ghost.''

'Maybe he did.' Morro spoke, and she could hear his laugh in her head.

''(Y/n), you also forgot something.'' He reminded her.

''Right, what was it this time?'' (Y/n) asked.

Her grandfather disappeared behind the desk and appeared with a necklace with a (b/s) (Birthstone) attached to the end.

''You found it? I've been looking for it for ages, thank you, Grandpa!'' (Y/n) exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.

He chuckled. ''Anything for my smart little fox.''

''What happened to the old nickname?'' (Y/n) asked, pulling out of the hug.

''Your mother didn't approve, your old nickname, Zenko, apparently didn't fit you.'' He replied, leaning down and grabbing a box.

''Is that because I spilt red lipstick in her Valentino white bag?'' (Y/n) asked.

Her grandpa nodded, once again looking out the glass. ''You said it was for a funny video, did you not?''

(Y/n) looked out the window. ''I should go now.''

Remo looked at her, head tilted. ''You always seem to run when things aren't in your favour.''

''Guilty as charged.'' Her grandpa chuckled. ''Be a good guardian.''

''See ya, gramps.'' She said as she walked out.

His eyes narrowed, looking at the back of her head. ''I know you're there, Master of Wind.''

Morro shuddered. He could feel the old man's eagle-like glare even from the depths of (Y/n)'s conscience.

---

The boys and (Y/n) were helping rebuild the town. The sign swayed before Jay and Cole steadied it.

''Ugh, finally. All fixed up and Serpentine free.'' Cole said, looking over at Jay. Remo frowned.

Kai struggled to use his elemental powers, only achieving a small flame. ''Aargh. Ugh, this is frustrating.'' He complained.

The street sign started to tip over. Zane, Jay and Cole grabbed it, putting it back into place.

''Our weapons are gone and most of our elemental powers are gone. I mean, we can still do Spinjitzu, but...'' He continued and kept trying to summon his powers.

''I just feel so, I don't know, limited. And thanks to the Devourer, our tank's out of commission, our Dragon's hurt, and now the Bounty is destroyed, we don't even have a place to sleep.'' He finished, walking away from the others only to turn around.

''No one ever said being a hero is easy. Though our good deeds may never make us rich, they make us rich in other ways.'' Zane told him with a smile.

''Yeah, well, I don't feel rich,'' Kai replied.

Jay picked up an old tv and began to walk it over to a bin. (Y/n) took off the lid, letting him throw it in. ''Ugh. I for one enjoy pitching in. I've always wanted to feel part of a community. Uh, speaking of which, anyone seen Nya? She said she was gonna help.'' He said, looking around for her.

Nya arrived, in her motorcycle with Wu in a sidecar. ''And I have. I may have found us a place to live.''

''Really? But there's a waiting list a mile long to live in Ninjago City. How did you do that?'' Jay asked. Wu sipped his tea.

''I know a guy, who knows a girl, and she knows this girl who knows a guy. Well, this guy knows a girl who's a real estate agent and she can help you find a place if you catch my drift.'' Nya replied, confusing Jay and (Y/n).

''And where are you off to?'' He asked.

''We have to find a couple of components to fix the Ninja tank. And my dragon ointment has finally arrived. It's a day's trip, but once we get back, he'll be flying again.'' Wu told the ninja. ''Also, I love scenic drives. Haha, punch it, Nya!''

''Ay ay, Sensei,'' Nya replied, driving off. ''Also, (Y/n) look after the boys, will ya?'' She shouted as she drove off.

(Y/n) saluted. ''Sure will, captain.''

''Yee-haw!'' Wu exclaimed as they drove off.

''You have yee'd your last haw,'' Remo said, looking amused.

Jay looked at the pamphlet. ''"Patty Keys, Real Estate Queen." Huh, this is exactly what we need. Once we get a roof over our head, we can start properly training Lloyd.'' He said to the others.

''Good, 'cause if we know Lord Garmadon, he's not going to be taking any breaks. And let's not forget, the Serpentine are still at large.'' Cole replied, looking at them.

''This sounds like a scam.'' (Y/n) said, sighing.

---

''This one-bedroom, one-half-bath is a cosy dream. Who needs extras when everything is in arm's reach?'' Patty said, with the boys looking over her shoulder at the shabby room before them. ''Now, wait until you see the lighting.''

She turned on the light, only for the bulb to flicker and drop to the ground. ''Uh, who needs lights when you have this view? Heh.'' She asked, opening the window blinds, but you could only see a brick wall.

''Uh, why do I smell old people?'' Lloyd asked.

''Probably because gramps is living next door.'' (Y/n) answered.

''Look, doll. I'm trying to work around your budget. This is all you can afford.'' Patty replied, annoyed.

(Y/n) stared off into space, uninterested in the conversation they were having.

''Ever since the Great Devourer attacked, she's been quiet ever since.'' Said a voice.

''We'll take her in, she'll fit right in with the others.'' Another voice spoke.

A young girl with white hair clutched a photo, with her and her parents. She kept looking down at the ground while she walked, the two people chatting to each other. Silent, they guided her to a room.

She sat down on the bed, looking down at her feet instead of looking at the two that faced her. Glancing at the window, she saw a piece of paper flutter past, blackened at the edges.

Ignoring the two, she ran, trying to keep it in sight. She burst through the doors, seeing the paper on the ground, about to fly away with the wind.

She hastily grabbed it and turned to see the two supervisors behind her, concerned looks on their faces. Looking at it, she saw a detailed drawing of a boy and girl, holding hands. The boy wore blue, with reddish-brown hair and electrifying eyes.

The girl wore red and had short black hair in a bobcut, and both were smiling. The two were surrounded by hearts here and there, coloured blue.

''Little one, please don't do that again, you nearly gave Nurse Joy a heart attack.'' Scolded a woman, holding her hands on her hips.

The girl looked away, holding the drawing in her hand. She turned her head towards them again, a guilty look in her eyes.

One of them gently took her hand and led her inside. ''Now, time for food.''

(Y/n) felt a tap on her shoulder. She blinked, looking over at the boys who were giving her questioning looks.

''Sorry, I just spaced out.'' She said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Jay shrugged, and they continued to the fancier living space.

---

''Woah.'' The ninja awed as they entered the better (but more expensive) place.

''Oh, man,'' Jay said, looking into the room.

''Now, this is the eight-bedroom Hero Suite. Floor-to-ceiling windows, digital wall television, state-of-the-art game console...'' She said, listing everything the place had to offer.

''Uh, it seems a little out of our price range,'' Cole replied.

''Oh, sure it costs a little more, but you deserve it. I forgot to mention, there's also a Dragon keep on the roof.'' Patty said, pointing to the roof.

''Nice,'' Kai commented.

''Maybe we can get a hero discount. After all, we are the Ninja who saved the city.'' Jay replied, trying to bargain with Patty Keys.

''I thought Lord Garmadon saved the city.'' Patty said, turning to them, making Jay ''hmmph.''

''We could get day jobs to pay for the extra expenses,'' Kai spoke.

''We always said we could use a little more responsibility,'' Zane told them.

''But we have to train Lloyd.'' The Fire Ninja replied.

''Did I mention the in-house training facility?'' Patty added.

''We'll take it!'' The boys exclaimed. (Y/n) buried her face in her hands.

''I'm surrounded by idiots...''

---

The Ninja got back from work, tired.

''Oh...'' Cole whispered, sinking his sore feet into a bucket of cold water.

Lloyd hit a punching bag, but it swung back on him and knocked him over.

''My feet...I can't feel my feet.'' Cole complained.

Kai flopped down on the couch ''There was so many of them. And they wouldn't stop.''

Zane put oil on his arm. ''Ugh, my gears locked up several times. I didn't even know my gears could lock up.''

''I don't even have enough energy to play video games,'' Jay spoke, sighing and falling over.

''Oh, but I thought you were going to train me when you got home,'' Lloyd said, walking out of the training room.

''Sorry, champ, but we can't until we make rent,'' Cole replied, looking at the Green Ninja. ''How close are we to, Jay?''

Jay sighed. ''Is this jar getting bigger? We're not even close.''

''And our rent is due tomorrow,'' Zane said, oiling his gears.

''I can pull a double shift,'' Cole suggested.

''And I can do overtime,'' Zane added.

''Maybe I can sling a few more pizza pies,'' Jay replied.

''And I could make a little extra if I do the human pinata,'' Kai said quickly. The others looked at him. ''Don't ask.''

''Great, then our priorities are set. Tomorrow we make rent.'' Cole replied.

''And uh, what about me?'' Lloyd asked.

''How about you help out and fetch me some more ice, huh?'' The Earth Ninja asked the young boy.

There was a ding as the door opened. (Y/n), in her wheelchair appeared, holding some money. She went over to the jar and poured it in. She then looked towards the boys, who were exhausted.

''Thank you, (Y/n),'' Jay said weakly, struggling to raise his head.

''What happened to you guys? I think you need some rest.'' She told them. Remo appeared on her shoulders. He nodded, before disappearing.

He came back, with a bucket full of warm water. (Y/n) grabbed it, and replaced the cold water bucket with the warm one. ''You've probably been leaning on that wall for too long.''

She then moved onto Zane, who was trying to make his gears move properly again. She grabbed the oilcan and put the oil where it was needed. ''Don't overwork yourself, or that'll happen again.''

Looking down at Jay, Remo tried to help him up, but (Y/n) lifted him and Remo got her a blanket. She wrapped Jay in it and placed him on the couch, chuckling. ''You remind me too much like sushi.''

Moving over to Kai, she grabbed a warm rag and cleaned his face, making him groan in protest. Remo pulled a blanket over the Fire Ninja, and he was silent, getting comfortable. ''Stop being a human pinata.'' She told him, sighing.

Zane looked at her, confused. ''Why are you helping us?'' He asked, finished with oiling his gears.

''Because you helped me in the first place, so I'm returning the favour.'' (Y/n) replied, picking up Lloyd and letting him sit on her wheelchair with her.

The ninja all blushed as she left with Lloyd, presumably to get food or other stuff.

---

While the others worked at their jobs, (Y/n) had taken Lloyd out for a break, without telling them though.

The two entered the animal shelter, with (Y/n)'s grandfather leaning on the desk, looking at them. ''Hello you two.''

''Hello to you too.'' (Y/n) replied, grabbing the rabbit food and pouring it into a bowl. Lloyd walked over to a cage, and there was a mew as a kitten appeared, fur as dark as midnight with eyes that shone, and were an emerald colour.

The bell rang, signalling a new customer. Lloyd turned to see a girl and a boy his age enter, looking around.

Her grandpa smiled, looking down at the boy who had light brown hair and blue eyes. ''Hello Nelson, come to see Honey again?''

The boy nodded, a big smile on his face. The girl chuckled, tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear.

''Lil bro, go ahead and see Honey. Noir's waiting for me.'' The girl told the little boy, who ran to see the golden retriever, but saw Lloyd.

''Who are you? Are you a ninja?'' Nelson asked, curious.

''Name's Lloyd Garmadon,'' The Green Ninja told the boy proudly. ''And I'm the destined Green Ninja.''

(Y/n) smiled at the two. Nelson and Lloyd instantly became friends and went to look at the animals in the shelter.

The girl was petting the black kitten. ''So adorable.'' She said, smiling down at the cat.

''You come here often?'' (Y/n) asked, grabbing a mouse toy.

She nodded, smoothing down the small kitten's fur.

Nelson and Lloyd were looking at a dog with what looked to be a wheelchair for the back legs, but whose tail wagged so much it looked like it could fall off any moment.

The blond-haired boy grabbed a bag of treats and brought it forward, and the dog instantly came forward, trying to leap up at the boy, tongue rolling to the side as she tried to get at the treats.

Nelson helped Lloyd pour the correct amount into the bowl and sweet little Honey began eating, digging her nose into the bowl.

Remo, who was bored of staying on (Y/n)'s shoulder, went to explore. He slithered to a part where no one else was, and when he thought he was alone, an emerald snake appeared. He looked confused before his nom nom seekers detected a Ham Sandwich.

The other snake looked in the direction of the love of his life, and the two snakes began to slither to the source, trying to get there first.

When Remo grabbed the end of the ham sandwich, the other snake did too to the other side, and they did a tug of war, not giving up the prize that lay between them.

They then slapped each other with their tails, not flinching for the cost would be that their goal would be lost, and devoured.

The fight was stopped when (Y/n)'s grandpa grabbed it, ignoring the two fighting snakes, and ate it.

Remo looked sad, while the other one looked annoyed. The other snake slithered off, back to its cage or whatever it resided in within the shelter.

(Y/n) looked at the clock. ''I think it's time to go, Lloyd, the boys will be back soon.''

The young boy pouted and turned to his new friend. ''See ya.'' He said sadly. Nelson slipped a piece of cardboard into his hand.

Lloyd looked at it questionably, wondering what it was for. He read it.

Nelson, The future Purple Ninja

Call this number if you need my services [REDACTED]

I kick snake butt, evil person butt, potentially evil overlord butt and more.

''Butts are for sitting, but okay.'' (Y/n) said, chuckling. The two turned to leave, with Nelson waving at the green ninja, who waved back.

They left, getting Lloyd some candy/lollies on the way.

---

Skales cut a circle in the glass, and slithered inside.

Looking around, he found a note on the chair.

Looking for something? I mean someone? Well, he's not here, so beat it.

The Hypnobrai Serpentine General sighed, before seeing a nice hat on a table. He went over, and placed it over his head, looking at the mirror and thinking: What a great person I am.

He then snuck around in the ninja's rooms, trying on everything they had to offer. First, a tuxedo with a blue tie (It was found in the very back of the closet, almost like the person who put it there wanted no one to find it.) And in the pocket was a medallion, with Yin-Yang symbols.

Trying on some hair gel, he used it to make his scales more glossy, making him look like a pearl shaped like a rope with arms.

Hearing a ding, he froze, and Wu and Nya came in, seeing clothes laying on the floor while Skales stood there, mortified.

''Where's Lloyd?'' Wu demanded, pointing his bamboo staff at the Serpentine General.

''I-I don't know!'' Skales told the old master honestly. ''I was looking for him and he wasn't here!''

''Good thing too, otherwise you'd have another crime to add to the charges,'' Nya replied, putting her hand on her hip.

''Please don't hurt me!'' Skales begged.

Nya smiled. ''We won't do that.''

---

''Lloyd?'' Kai asked, looking around.

''He's not here,'' Zane answered.

''Oh, we shouldn't have left him,'' Kai replied, guilty.

''We shouldn't have taken those jobs in the first place. What were we thinking? Losing Lloyd was by far our greatest loss.'' Cole told the others.

''But it could be your greatest lesson,'' Wu spoke, standing with Lloyd, Nya and (Y/n).

''Lloyd!'' The boys exclaimed, running forward.

''You're okay!'' Kai said in relief.

''I was with (Y/n) at the animal shelter, I met a boy my age and it was great,'' Lloyd answered.

''I could tell something would happen.'' (Y/n) lied, she didn't want anyone to know her powers except for the people who already knew.

The ninja moved back to the old apartment, with (Y/n) looking out the window to see the view of the brick wall.

'Morro, are you there?' (Y/n) asked. There was no response.

She went to draw, then heard his voice. 'Yes, I'm here.'

'Good.' She thought, leaning on the wall. She then fell asleep, her drawing book in her lap.

Nya woke up and saw the girl asleep against the wall. She grabbed a blanket, and gave it to her, a small blush on her cheeks when she thought what would have happened if the tired girl in a wheelchair woke up at that very moment.

She fell asleep too, and all was silent.

Except for Morro, but let's not worry about him, shall we?

Heh, when I came back yesterday, I was super tired, heck.

On Monday I had to do a 6-hour trip, with a 3-hour hike, and boy was that exhausting.

As always, don't forget to vote, comment and share this story if you love it.

Always helps me to leave a nice comment <3

See ya, bookworms!

WriterAgreste, over & out.