*It was a lazy afternoon in the monastery. Sunlight poured through the windows in golden sheets, dust motes drifting lazily through the warm air. The ninja team had scattered to their own devices—some training, some lounging, some bothering each other.

Cole sat cross-legged in the kitchen, a half-eaten slice of cake balanced on a plate in his lap, fork in hand, humming to himself. Princess Vania was perched on the counter beside him, her legs swinging idly while she scrolled through her phone.

In the dojo, Kai was attempting to convince Skylor to spar with him—again—while she read a book, ignoring him completely. Nya sat on the bench nearby, sharpening a blade, occasionally glancing at Jay, who was tinkering with some contraption that sparked every few seconds.

Zane sat quietly in the corner of the common room, P.I.X.A.L beside him, her hand resting on his arm while he scrolled through data on a tablet.

Lloyd and Akita were in the garden, her head resting against his shoulder while he whispered something that made her cheeks flush pink.

And somewhere in the monastery, April—a pick me with a bad smell, jean shorts, and an attitude far too big for her hygiene—was about to cause some kind of chaos. It was just a matter of time.

Cole looked up from his cake. *