Masters Of Fire

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===Table Of Contents===
Introduction 	Author’s Note • Map • Important
Pilots 	Way Of The Ninja • The Golden Weapon • King Of Shadows • Weapons Of Destiny
Rise Of The Snakes 	Rise Of The Snakes • Home • Snakebit • Never Trust A Snake • Can Of Worms • The Snake King • Tick Tock • Once Bitten, Twice Shy • The Royal Blacksmiths • The Green Ninja • All Of Nothing • The Rise Of The Great Devourer • The Day Of The Great Devourer
Legacy Of The Green Ninja 	Darkness Shall Rise • Pirates vs Ninja • Double Trouble • Ninjaball Run • Child’s Play • Wrong Place, Wrong Time • The Stone Army • The Day Ninjago Stood Still • The Last Voyage • Island Of Darkess • The Last Hope • Return Of The Overlord • Rise Of The Spinjitzu Master
Ninjago: Rebooted 	The Surge • The Art Of The Silent Fist • The Blackout • The Curse Of The Golden Master • Enter The Digiverse • Codename: Arcturus • The Void • The Titanium Ninja
The Tournament Of Elements 	The Invitation • Only One Can Remain • Versus • Ninja Roll • Spy For A Spy • Spellbound • The Forgotten Element • The Day Of The Dragon • The Greatest Fear Of All • The Corridor Of Elders
Possession 	Winds Of Change • Ghost Story • Stix And Stones • The Temple On Haunted Hill • Peek-A-Boo • Kingdom Come • The Crooked Path • Grave Danger • Curseworld
Skybound 	Infamous • Public Enemy Number One • Enkrypted • Misfortune Rising • On A Wish And A Prayer • My Dinner With Nadakhan • Wishmasters • The Last Resort • Operation: Land Ho • The Way Back
Day Of The Departed 	Day Of The Departed
Hands Of Time 	The Hands Of Time • The Hatching • A Time Of Traitors • Scavengers • A Line In The Sand • The Attack • Secrets Discovered • Pause And Effect • Out Of The Fire And Into The Boiling Sea • Lost In Time
The Sons Of Garmadon 	The Mask Of Deveption • The Jade Princess • The Oni And The Serpent • Snake Jaguar • Dead Man’s Squall • The Quiet One• Game Of Masks • Dread On Arrival • True Potential • Big Trouble, Little Ninjago
Hunted 	Firstbourne • Iron And Stone • Radio Free Ninjago • How To Build A Serpent • The Gilded Path • Two Lies, One Truth • The Weakest Link • Saving Faith • Lessons For A Master • Green Destiny
March Of The Oni 	The Darkness Comes • Into The Breach • The Fall • Endings
Secrets Of Forbidden Spinjitzu	Wasted True Potential • Questing For Quests • A Rocky Start • The Belly Of The Beast • Boobytraps And How To Survive Them • The News Never Sleep • Ninja vs Lava • Snaketastrophy• Powerless • Ancient History • Never Trust A Dragon • Under Siege • The Explorer’s Club • Vengeance Is Mine! • A Cold Goodbye • The Never-Realm • Fire Maker • An Unlikely Ally • The Absolute Worst • The Message • The Traveler’s Tree • Krag’s Lament • Secret Of The Wolf • The Last Of The Formlings • My Enemy, My Friend • The Kaiju Protocol • Corruption • A Fragile Hope • Once And For All • Awakenings
Prime Empire 	Dyer Island • Level Thirteen • Superstar Rockin’ Jay • I Am Okino • The Glitch • The Cliffs Of Hysteria • The Maze Of The Red Serpent • One Step Forward Two Steps Back • Racer Seven • The Speedway Five-Billion • Stop Drop And Side Scroll • Ninjago Confidential • The Prodigal Father • The Temple Of Madness • Game Over
Master Of The Mountain 	Shintaro • Into The Dark • The Worst Rescue Ever • The Two Blades • Queen Of The Munce • Trial By Mino • The Skull Sorcerer • The Real Fall • Dungeon Party • Dungeon Crawl • Grief-Bringer • Masters Never Quit • The Darkest Hour • Ascent • The Upply Strike Back • The Son Of Lilly
Seabound 	A Big Splash • The Call Of The Deep • Unsinkable • Five Thousand Fathoms Down • The Wrath Of Kalmaar • Long Live The King • Escape Frpm Merlopia • The Tale Of Benthomaar • Riddle Of The Sphinx • Papergirl • Master Of The Sea • The Calm Before The Storm • Assault Of Ninjago City • Nyad • The Turn Of The Tide
Crystalized 	Farewell The Sea • The Call Of Home • The Shape Of Nya • A Mayor Problem • Public Enemies 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 • A Painful Promise • Ninjago City vs Ninja • Kryptarium Prison Blues • Hounddog McBrag • The Benefit Of Grief • The Fifth Villain • The Council Of The Crystal King • A Sinister Shadow • The Spider’s Design • The Fall Of The Monastery • Darkness Within • The Coming Of The King • Return To Primeval’s Eye • Crystastrophe • Christofern • A Lesson In Anger • Brave But Foolish • Quittin’ Time • Return Of The Ice Emperor • Safe Haven • Compatible • Distress Calls • An Issue Of Trust • Serpent Form • Roots
=Introduction=
==Author’s Note==
This is a fanfiction about LEGO Ninjago: Masters Of Spinjitzu x Wings Of Fire. Masters Of Fire will incorporate many (if not all) seasons of Ninjago. The Master of Fire by Cloudy, is another excellent Ninjago x Wings Of Fire fanfiction, that has season 8 and up. This fanfiction stars Lloyd, Kai, Jay, Cole, Nya, Zane, Wu, and Garmadon, as well as some side characters who pop up! Ninjago is two twin continents across the world from Pyrrhia and Pantala, that have been settled by Pyrrhian and Pantalan travelers. 
This fanfiction belongs to Robyn. Any theft of this idea, page formatting, artwork, or anything akin will be dealt with immediately.
===Helpful Guides===
Guide To Ninjago
Guide To The Elemental Masters
Guide To Side Characters 
=== Other===
All credit for the characters goes to the creators of the show. All bases/basefills/art are credited in the gallery. Le Ice Sunday, Ninjadragon53, Crowji, AderitetheOrewing and Vanilla The CreamWing are credited for their spell checking here! Anywho, enjoy the story!
This fanfiction has existed for August 24 2023
==Map==
==Important==
This fanfiction contains numerous spoilers for Ninjago: Masters Of Spinjitzu as well as some non canon additions to the show. Watching the show before reading is recommended. 
Themesong:
=Pilots=
==Way Of The Ninja==
Kai was hammering away at an iron bladed sword. Sparks flew each time the the hammer connected with the still hot blade, and the loud clanging could be heard from outside the blacksmith’s shop. 
“To forge the perfect weapon, you first need the right metal and plenty of heat. Cool it off… and… presto!” Kai mumbled as he worked, before cooling the sword in a bucket of water. He held up the finished blade with a growl of disappointment, it was bent. Nya chuckled with a grin.
“You made it too quickly, Kai. Be patient. If Father was still here, he'd say—“ Nya began but Kai cut her off. 
“I know. No matter how much Fire you have, experience isn't something you learn overnight. That may work for you, Nya, but I'm gonna be a better blacksmith than Dad ever was.” Kai replied, ears pricking as he heard someone enter the shop.
An elderly HiveWing walked through the doorway, a staff strapped to his side, beneath his wings. He inspected the swords and armor, prodding them with a talon. 
“Hmm… your metal is loud and heavy.” The HiveWing observed, talons clicking on the floor. “Useful to slow one down. Useless in the art of stealth. All tools for a samurai, but nothing for a ninja?” Kai’s light amber eyes narrowed in immediate annoyance, and Nya, who was at his side, felt Kai’s scales heat up.
“Ninja? Huh, you're a long way from finding a ninja in these parts, old dragon.” Kai scowled. “And the shop is called ‘Four Weapons,’ not ’For Browsing.’ Either buy something or go peddle your insults somewhere else.” He waved a talon towards the HiveWing.
“Ha!” The HiveWing scoffed. “Too bad. Thought I'd find something special here.” He turned to leave. Nya waved frantically to get Kai’s attention and motioned for Kai to show the HiveWing around. 
“If it's something special you're looking for, let me sh—“ Kai turned to address the HiveWing only to find that he’d vanished. Kai looked around, slightly unnerved by the dragon.
“What is it?” Nya asked, placing a talon on her brother’s shoulder. 
“He was just… forget it.” Kai shook himself as Nya lowered her talon. 
Kai looked out the shop entrance, ears flicking. Something felt…off. Abnormal. The sky darkened suddenly and Kai snarled, surprised. His scales heated up suddenly causing Nya to flinch away. 
“Kai! What’s wrong?!” Nya asked, jerking away from her brother’s firescales. A large, seemingly bone-made truck flew over the hill, carrying a few BoneWings. 
“Oh, oh! Let me go first! Please, oh please! I'm dying to go down there!” A young BoneWing, Nuckal, cried, watching the fleeing villagers. 
“You nitwit, you're already dead!” Kruncha smacked Nuckal on the back of the head. “Try to control yourself in front of Master Samukai.” 
Kruncha’s tone changed as he addressed his superior. “But with all due respect, last time… you did say… I could go first.” He said.
Samukai shook out his wingless body, four limbs (front and back) placed firmly on the ground, while two smaller front talons were curled next to his body. His red eyes glared in dark, lifeless eye sockets. His dark scales outlined the white bone-like markings on his body. 
“Sorry boys, this one is mine. Just remember what we're after and find that map.” Samukai said, twin blades clutched in his front talons. “Attack!” He lashed his spiked tail and slammed it against the floor of the truck, urging his army onward. The army of trucks surged forward, and the villagers of Ignacia ran forward to meet them. 
“Boo!” Samukai gave a toothy grin, red eyes glaring down at the villagers as the lightning flashed behind him. The villagers froze in terror and turned tail, sprinting to safety. 
Nya looked past her brother’s shoulder at the BoneWing army. 
“What are they?” Nya asked, eyes wide. Kai paced to the wall and began to strap armor over his scales, and slid a sword holder over his body so a katana hung at his side.
“I don't know.” Kai said, pacing towards the door. “Stay here.” He ordered Nya, firmly.
Kai leapt into battle and smacked a BoneWing with his tail. As skeletons do, the BoneWing’s body crumbled, and his head bounced towards Kai. The head bit him on the foot. 
“Bite this!” Kai growls, kicking the BoneWing’ s head. Some BoneWings perched on a truck clapped sarcastically as Nya crept up behind them. She tackled two of the BoneWings and slapped them with her tail. 
Kai blinked, startled. “I thought I told you to stay back!” He called to her as she flew over to land by his side. 
“What? And let you have all the fun?” Nya scoffed, chuckling. The two continued to grapple with the army, as Kruncha and Nuckal slipped inside the blacksmith shop. 
Nuckal looked around for a moment and shrugged in Kruncha’s direction.
“You're not lookin’ hard enough!” Kruncha snarled, smacking Nuckal again. 
“Ow! You're not lookin’ hard enough!” Nuckal tackled Kruncha in retaliation and the two slammed into the wall. 
The front sign fell down and distracted the two from their wrestling. On the back of the sign, a map was taped to the wood.
“The map!” Kruncha and Nuckal exclaimed in sync. 
Back outside, Kai and Nya finished off the last of the BoneWing warriors. He laughed as Samukai launched himself down from the main bone truck. Kai drew his weapon confidently and Samukai drew four. Two daggers in his front talons, and two in the extra talons on his side. Kai’s confidence crumbled as he saw Samukai’s extra limbs. 
“Oops.” He mumbled, backing away. Samukai snarled, tackled Kai, easily disarming the SkyWing. Samukai pinned Kai and raised one of his sword’s over Kai’s head, reading to deliver the killing blow. Suddenly a golden tornado whirled into view and knocked Samukai off of the SkyWing.
“Ninja go!” A voice cried from within the tornado and the twister hit the King BoneWing again. The tornado dissolved revealing the elderly HiveWing that had browsed the blacksmith shop earlier.
“Sensei Wu! Your Spinjitzu looks rusty.” Samukai scoffed, smirking. 
“Nothing like bone to sharpen its edge, Samukai.” Wu answered, staff in his talons. Samukai glanced around and saw Kai lying, stunned, beneath the water tower. Samukai slashed the legs of the water tower and it fell, directly towards Kai. 
Kai yelped and tried to scrambled up, but he was still dazed from the original attack. 
“Ninja go!” Wu shouted, twisting into his golden tornado as he saved Kai from the falling water tower. Samukai and his army retreated to their trucks but Samukai called to his army,
”Lord Garmadon says take the girl!” Wu stiffened at the words. 
“Lord Garmadon?” Wu echoed. Kai stumbled to his talons, shaking his head. Samukai cackled as he shot a grappling hook-like thing from the truck and grabbed Nya. 
“Nya!” Kai cried, clutching his bruised ribs and attempting to get to the trucks. The vehicles vanished along with the army and Nya screaming beside them.
Kai sat down, staring at the vanished army. “They took Nya.” He whispered, as his scales heated up dramatically. He growled, smoke curling from his body. Wu paced towards him.
“I told you,” Wu smacked Kai on the head with his staff. “Useless.” 
Kai rounded on the HiveWing, eyes blazing furiously.
“Arrgh! You could've done something! You could've used your… Twistitzu or your-“ Kai snarled, taking to pacing. 
“Spinjitzu.” Wu corrected.
“But you did nothing!” Kai growled. “I'm going to get my sister back!” Wu blocked his path, looking down sternly.
“Where they go, a mortal cannot. That was Samukai, King of the Underworld.” Wu began to explain. “And if it's true that he's carrying orders for Lord Garmadon, then I fear things are much worse than I ever thought.” 
“Lord Garmadon?! Underworld?!” Kai exclaimed. “ What's going on?! What do we have that's so important to them?! And why would they take my sister?!” 
“What's so important?” Wu huffed. “How about everything in Ninjago itself?”
“Long before time had a name, Ninjago was created by the first Spinjitzu Master, by using the four elemental masters: The Scythe Of Quakes, The Nunchucks Of Lightning, the Shurikens Of Ice, and the Sword Of Fire. Weapons so powerful, no one can handle all of their power at once. When he passed away, his two sons swore to protect them, but the oldest was consumed by darkness and wanted to possess them. A battle between brothers broke out, and the oldest was struck down and banished to the Underworld. Peace returned, and the younger brother hid the weapons, but knowing his older brother's relentless ambition for power, he placed a guardian to protect them. And for fear of his own demise, a map for an honest man to hide. That honest man was your father. The older brother is Lord Garmadon. And I need to find those weapons before he does.” Wu finished his explanation. 
“You're the younger brother? Then you came here looking for the map?” Kai questioned, still clutching at his sore chest and stomach. 
“No. I came for something greater: you.” Wu shook his head. “Since my brother cannot enter this realm, it's obvious he has struck a deal with Samukai. If he were to collect all four weapons, even I would not be able to stop him again. But you, you have the fire inside. I will train you to harness it. Use it. Become a Spinjitzu Master.” 
“Look, I'm flattered you think I'm all that,” Kai said, wincing as he inspected the cuts on his chest. Samukai’s claws had punctured his armor. “But I gotta save my sister! I'm not getting involved in your sibling rivalry.” Kai turned to walk away, and began to limp off. 
Wu swung his staff, whacking Kai hard enough to send him tumbling into the dust. Kai hissed in pain. 
“Haha. Clunky mule. You are not even ready to face my pinky toe.” Wu said, standing over Kai. “If you want to get your sister back, you must control the fire that burns inside. Only when you become a Spinjitzu Master, will you be able to face… Lord Garmadon.” He hesitated slightly on the name. 
Kai pinned his ears, smoke curling angrily from his scales. He thought for a moment before saying, “Okay. Then when do we start?”
———————
Kai was struggling to climb The Mountain Of Impossible Height, the mountain where Wu stated the ancient monastery resided. Kai stopped on a ledge. 
“How long is this going to take? Why can’t we just fly?” Kai asked between panting breaths.
“To be a ninja, you’re going to have to much stronger than you are now. Consider this part of your training.” Wu answered simply, wings buzzing.
“How long is training gonna be?” Kai continued his interrogation. “Aren't we in a bit of a rush since they have the map?”
Wu paused at a massive door.
“Patience.” He led Kai into the monastery. “You will be ready when you are ready. Not a minute sooner.”
Kai glanced around, surprised. 
“A monastery?” He inquired, blinking. “You expect me to learn to fight in a place of peace?” 
“Not fight. Train. In order to become a true ninja, first you must be able to see what others do not.” Wu answered, and Kai huffed. 
“See what? There’s nothing here.” 
Wu pushed a golden dragon statue, revealing a large red button. He pushed it and the stone courtyard of the monastery began to shift, allowing training equipment to push up from the cobbled earth. 
“Whoa!” Kai exclaimed, walking out into the courtyard. “Is this gonna teach me how to do that cool move?” He accidentally stepped on one of the pieces of equipment that was still emerging from the stone. 
“Oh dear.” Wu mumbled, wincing as Kai was launched backwards and into the wall. Kai groaned and rubbed his sides. 
“Complete the training course before I finish my tea,” Wu said, settling on the steps that led into the monastery. A light blue teapot and matching cup were in his talons. “Then we will see if you are ready.”
Kai nodded. He could do this, he had to do this. 
Wu drank the entire cup of tea before Kai could even step away from the wall. 
“Today you failed. Tomorrow you will try again.” Wu declared with a small smile. 
Kai blinked, confused. “Failed?! But I didn't even start to—“ He tried but Wu cut him off. Wu closed the door to the monastery with the last word of:
“Patience.” 
—————— 
Over the next few days, Kai would train hard, however he struggled to meet Wu’s expectations, causing Wu to constantly fail him. 
“Fail. Fail. Oh, fail! Oh, so fail! And… fail.” Wu’s voice rang in Kai’s head as he attempted to complete the course again. Suddenly, Kai had a plan to try next time he ran the course. 
Kai was prepared to go through the course, and he waited for Wu to sit and watch. Kai flung himself onto the equipment, but was sure to knock Wu’s teacup away from him to stall. Wu poured more tea into another cup, looking up. Kai was nowhere to be found. Suddenly the SkyWing was at his side, offering the old Sensei sugar cubes for his tea. 
“Was that one sugar… or two?” Kai asked, grinning proudly. Wu turned to go back into the monastery and Kai followed, chattering excitedly. 
“So, am I gonna learn this Spinjitzu I've been hearing about?” Kai asked, smoke curling off of his tail. 
“You already have.” Wu answered. “Your final test comes tomorrow.” Wu closed the door to his room. 
“I suggest you get some sleep.” 
————— 
Kai was preparing to sleep. The SkyWing was much too energetic to rest yet, so he stood talking to himself. 
“Oh yeah?! Well take this!” He whipped his tail at an invisible enemy, flinging his pillow across the room. Unbeknownst to Kai, a dragon, cloaked fully in black and wielding Nunchucks had landed by the door. 
“And this!” Kai swiped at another nonexistent enemy as a second dragon, similarly cloaked to the first one yet carrying Shurikens landed in the corner of the room. 
“And this!” Kai said again, spinning in a quick circle before coming face to face with the third figure cloaked in black, this one was holding a scythe. Kai blinked at the figure who stared back at him, then raised the scythe as the other two closed in. Kai realized he was in a similar situation as with Samukai. 
“Oops.”
==The Golden Weapon==
Kai attacked the ninja closest to him, the one with the scythe. The one with the scythe jerked away from Kai, surprised as Kai’s scales heated up quickly.
Kai sprinted out of the room and into the training yard, followed by the three ninja. Kai grinned and turned on the equipment, startling the three. The biggest figure, the one with the scythe again, tackled Kai and Kai flipped them onto their back, pinning them. The other two leapt on top of the wrestling dragons, creating a dragon-pile.
Wu rushed into the training yard.
“Stop!” He ordered firmly.
“Yes, Sensei.” The figures cloaked in black agreed immediately, backing away from Kai who still looked suspicious. His suspicion was quickly replaced by confusion.
“Wait a minute, they're your students too?” He asked, and Wu nodded. 
“This was my final test, wasn't i-?” Kai tried but one of the figures interrupted. He flipped down his hood revealing spikes of light brown and scales of dark blue. 
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!” The ninja said, waving his front talons. “You never said anything about a fourth. It's always three. Three Blind Mice. Three Musketeers. Three-”
The scythe-wielder shoved the smaller blue dragon, probably a TempestWing, aside. 
“Uh, what he's trying to say, Sensei Wu, is that three of us have trained together.” He said, attempting to be reasonable. “We're solid.”
“Didn’t look ‘solid’ to me.” Kai observed, quieting under a glare from the scythe-wielded, who was a MudWing. 
“Master,” The third cloaked figure piped up, flicking down his own hood to reveal glossy white scales, an IceWing. “What is the meaning of this?” 
“Each of you have been chosen. Each in tune with elemental properties.” Wu explained. “But first, ninja, Go!” The HiveWing twisted into his golden tornado, changing all of the Ninja’s cloaks to armor with their respective colors. 
“Whoa.” Kai looked down at the armor, slightly concerned on how Wu did that. 
“How'd he do that?!” The MudWing asked, seemingly having similar thoughts as Kai. 
“Whoa! Look what color I am!” The TempestWing trilled, elated. 
“Wait a minute, I'm still black.” The MudWing said, inspecting the dark armor over his forelimbs and chest.
Wu faced his students, who now had weapons strapped somewhere on their bodies. 
“Kai, Master Of Fire. It burns bright in you,” Wu began, addressing the SkyWing. “Jay is blue, Master Of Lightning.” 
“Heh, that's not all I'm the master of.” Jay chimed in, grinning. “I do a little inventing. A dabble in model building. A touch of cooking. A little poetry.” 
The MudWing sighed and shook his head, grinning slightly. “More like ’Mouth of Lightning’.” He chuckled. Kai scoffed in agreement. 
“Black Ninja is Cole, solid as rock, Master of Earth.” Wu introduced the MudWing, who’d trained dark eyes on Kai. 
“Nice to meet you, kid.” He extended a talon with Kai shook. “I got your back, and for the record, there ain't nothing in this world I'm afraid of.”
The IceWing raised a talon.
“Except for sea serpents.” The IceWing interjected.
“Sea Serpents aren't from this world, Zane. I said in this world.” Cole sighed. 
“And White Ninja is Zane, Master of Ice, and seer with sixth sense.” Wu said, as Zane spun his Shurikens before making them vanish. 
“I sense,” Kai began. “This one takes things a little too seriously.” Cole snorted. 
“You too have the gift?” Zane asked, ears pricked and head tilted. Jay laughed and patted Zane on the wing. 
“He's just making a joke, Zane.” Jay explained. “Remember what we talked about? Your sense of humor? Huh?” 
Kai blinked. Jay really did have a mouth of Lightning. 
“Yes, it was a joke.” Zane nodded, with a slight grin. “Haha.” His laugh was almost robotic. 
Jay shook his head, disappointed his teachings fell on deaf ears. 
“Pay attention!” Wu buzzed his wings. “You four are the chosen ones who will protect the Four Weapons of Spinjitzu from Lord Garmadon.” 
“But what about my sister?!” Kai snarled, the sudden aggression caused Cole to take a step away, startled.
For a dragon on the smaller side, Kai could be quite scary at times. 
Jay gasped, spikes on his back sticking straight up as his scales sparked.
“We're saving a girl? Is she hot?” Jay berated Kai with questions. 
“Jay...” Cole tried to calm the energetic TempestWing, since he could feel the heat beginning to rise from Kai’s scales. 
“I-I just wanna know what we're getting ourselves into.” Jay explained, holding up his talons in surrender. “Does she like blue?”
“Back off!” Smoke was curling thickly off of Kai’s scales and Jay shrank back, blinking. 
“When we find the weapons,” Wu interrupted, stepping between the furious SkyWing and scared TempestWing. “We will find your sister. It is time! We must go to the first weapon!” 
“Whoa whoa whoa.” Cole interrupted Wu, looking him evenly in the eye. “Hold on a minute. You said you were gonna teach us Spinjitzu.”
“Spinjitzu is inside each and every one of you, but it will only be unlocked when the key is ready to be found.” Wu said, pausing. “Come! My feet are tired. We will take the horse carriage.” 
“Great.” Cole muttered, not please with that answer. Jay nudged him excitedly. 
“So now we have to find the key?” Jay asked, sparks flickering wildly along his body.
“Can you turn those off?” Kai growled, moving away from the Master Of Lightning as he was nearly shocked. 
Kai’s question went unnoticed as Cole flicking his tail, thoughtfully.
“Yeah, I'm feeling like he's taking us for a ride.” Cole replied to Jay. Kai huffed, smoke curling from his tail.
“Well, if it means finding my sister, then sign me up.” Kai said, following Wu and the others trailed behind him. 
—————
The next day, the ninja were pulling a carriage that Wu was perched atop. They were traveling to the “Caves Of Despair” to find the first golden weapon. 
“‘Sign me up’.” Jay mocked Kai. “Way to go, spark-plug.” 
“I sense this is some strange form of team-building.” Zane said, walking and glancing at the harnesses leashing them to the carriage. 
“Just keep pulling. We have a long way to go.” Cole said, he was in front, being that he was strongest. 
“So,” Kai started. “Where did Sensei find you three?”
“Let's just say if it wasn't for Sensei Wu, I don't think we'd ever been seen together.” Cole answered, directing the comment at Kai who gave him an offended look. “I was testing my limits.”
——Flashback ——
Cole was climbing up a mountain, the rocks crumbling beneath him. He’d bound his wings to his side as not to be tempted to use them. He reached the top with a grin and jumped when we found Wu watching him, calmly sipping tea. 
———End Flashback———
“I was testing my invention.” Jay said.
———Flashback———
Jay was testing out a way to fly without having to use your wings. Large bird-like appendages were strapped to his back and goggles were placed on his face. He leapt off of a building and instead of flying, he crashed into a billboard. Jay dragged himself out of the wreckage and noticed Wu. He gave the HiveWing a confused look. 
———End Flashback———
“And I was testing myself.” Zane finished.
———Flashback———
Zane is meditating in a frozen pond. Spying Wu who was underneath the surface with him, Zane gasped and began frantically swimming to the surface for air. 
———End Flashback———
Kai was quiet for a moment, “You're right, if it weren't for Sensei, none of us would—“
“Shh... Stop!” Wu interrupted. The ninjas skidded to a halt and unhooked themselves from the carriage. They had arrived at the Caves Of Despair. 
“The Caves of Despair.” Wu said. “Samukai must be close to unearthing the Scythe Of Quakes. Remember, do not use the weapon. For its power-“
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Jay interrupted Wu, waving a talon. “ It's too much for us mortals. Alright, guys. Let's chop-souy this lemonade stand! Cole, you got the plan?”
Cole nodded. “Sure do. First, we lower ourselves down the ledge. And then...” Cole glanced around with an exasperated sigh. “Where’s Kai?”
The ninjas fanned out, searching for their red-scaled companion. They found him already on ground level. 
Jay sighed as he spotted the SkyWing. “Let's go!” He whispered, beckoning the others to follow.
The ninjas abandon their original plan and join Kai instead. A BoneWing Warrior spied the red ninja and was about to sound the alarm when the other three took him out. 
Kai’s keen eyes caught the piece of paper Samukai gripped. “The map!” He exclaimed. 
A conveyor belt ran across the terrain, carrying rocks. Nuckal caught his eye and he picked up a rock to show Kruncha, as Cole, Jay, and Zane gripped the underside of the belt and were carried towards the SkyWing. 
“Oh, oh, oh, oh. I found something!” Nuckal exclaimed, nudging Kruncha. 
“That's another rock, you bonehead!” Kruncha replied, annoyed. 
“But it's shaped like a doughnut!” Nuckal protested. “I wonder what it tastes like.” He bit down on the rock and shrieked in pain. Kruncha shook his head, disappointed in his companion. 
Kai proceeded to get closer to the map, and the others caught up with him. Jay slapped Kai with his tail.
“What’s wrong with you?!” The TempestWing hissed. 
“Shh.” Kai replied, smacking Jay back. 
In a base on stilts, Samukai laughed and set the map down, leaving it unattended. The four advanced slightly 
“It's upside-down. They're digging at the wrong spot.” Jay pointed out, squinting at the map from the wrong angle. 
“The Golden Weapon is near.” Zane said, grabbing the map with a Shuriken before Samukai could notice. Kai studied the map for a moment.
“There’s no time to waste.” He said, taking off without the rest of the team. 
“What is it with that guy?” Jay huffed. “Always in a rush!”
Kai snuck into a cave unnoticed and tried to push a boulder out of the way. He struggled with it when the others arrived. 
“Hey!” Cole growled. “Before you race off again, you need to remember that we're a team.” 
Kai looked the other up and down and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, whatever.” 
Together, the four pushed the border aside. They step into a massive cave, where inside, lay the Scythe Of Quakes. 
“Wow! That is so cool!” Jay exclaimed, voice echoing loudly. Cole shushed him. 
Cole retrieved the Scythe, “Shh! Not so loud.” 
“Come on.” Jay scoffed. “Don't be paranoid. We're totally on the opposite side of the caves.”
“Zip it, okay?” Cole tossed the scythe to Kai. “Now that we got the Scythe, let's sneak out while those boneheads are still busy.”
As the ninja left, the massive maw of a Sea Serpent slowly opened. 
“Alright, team. Everyone stick together. The way out is right around the corner.” Cole said, taking the role of leader. 
As Cole led the ninja out, Samukai and a small battalion of BoneWings were waiting for them. The ninja prepared for a fight, Jay drawing his nunchucks. 
Jay was the first to hit a BoneWing. “Two points!” He exclaimed, laughing. 
“Kai! Throw it here!” Zane called. Kai tossed the Scythe to the Master Of Ice. 
“Going long!” Cole shouted, and Zane tossed the Scythe in his direction.
“There’s too many of them!” Kai yelped as he was overpowered and knocked down. 
“Let me handle that.” Jay said, grinning. 
Jay runs to aid the fire ninja and as he fights, he notices a familiar pattern. 
“Hey, guys! It's just like the training course! Over the planks! Dodge the swords! Here comes the dummy! Cha-Ching!” Jay called out the training course obstacles as he fought and suddenly an electric blue tornado engulfed him. 
“Spinjitzu!” Kai was awed as the electric ninja helped him up. “Jay! What's the key?!”
“I'm just going through the motions.” Jay explained. “This is what Sensei must have meant when he said we already know it.” 
Kai nodded. “Over the planks! Dodge the swords! Here comes the dummy!” Kai was engulfed in a fiery blaze of his twister. 
Kruncha cackled and laughed at Nuckal. “He just called you a dummy.” 
“No, he called you a dummy!” Nuckal protested, growling at his companion. The two yelped and sprinted out of the cave as Zane’s icy Gale whirled closer. 
“I sense you do not stand a chance.” Zane grinned and stood up, his scales glittering in the dark cave. 
Samukai looked around, growling before finally making up his mind. “Retreat!” He cried, turning tail and sprinting away. The army followed him as four, multicolored twisters spun towards them. 
“Huh! Guess they didn't want a second serving of these babies.” Cole grinned and patted his shoulders. 
Kai and Jay shook their heads in disappointment. 
Cole’s ears flicked and he turned. 
“Alright.” Kai gave a lopsided grin. 
“Woo hoo!” Jay cheered, sparks flickering between his horns. 
“Uh... guys...?” Cole asked, eyes wide. 
“Didn't Sensei say there was a guardian protecting the Weapons?” Zane brought up the topic. 
The other three turned and saw a massive, dark brown “sea” serpent standing in front of them. 
“Is... that... a...?” Cole looked at the others for reassurance. “That's not what I think it is. Is it?” 
“You mean a sea serpent?” Jay asked. 
“ Uh, that sure looks like a sea serpent!” Kai yelped. 
“I thought they were confined to the ocean!” Cole gasped, scrambling backwards. 
“Actually,” Zane interjected. “Most sea serpents can travel easily between land and water, making them formidable opponents.” 
The three stared at Zane as the sea serpent roared. 
“I sense we won't be able to spin our way out of this one.” Zane said. 
Sand spewed from the sea serpent’s maw, and the ninjas rolled to the side. 
“I thought you said sea serpents weren’t even from this world!” Jay glared at Cole as he dodged another attack. 
Kai uncovered the scythe to use it. 
“No no, Kai!” Jay sparked, frantically. “Bad idea! Sensei told us not to!” 
“Then you better keep your mouth close.” Kai growled at Jay, holding the scythe. Kai charged the sea serpent. 
“Kai! Don’t!!” Cole shouted after him. Kai did it anyway, as Kai would. He slammed the scythe into the ground, and a massive shockwave knocked the serpent back, stunning it. The serpent flopped down with a hiss, but was still writhing and moving. 
“We gotta escape!” Kai said, moving towards the exit, talons curled around the scythe. 
“We'll use Spinjitzu!” Cole said. The serpent roared and tried to follow the elemental masters as they escaped. 
Soon they all stood gasping outside. 
“That was so awesome!” Cole panted, grinning. 
“Yes! We are unbelievable!” Kai agreed, tail flicking. 
“We are the best!” Zane nodded. 
“Did you see that?! I was like "pow"! And you were like "bam"!” Jay bounced excitedly around the group. 
“Enough!” Wu growled. The four paused and looked at their sensei. Wu sighed and pinched the scales between his eyes. 
“I told you not to use the scythe!” Wu snarled, looking at his trainees. 
“He did it.” Jay pointed at Kai. 
“What! Hey!” Kai smacked the TempestWing with his tail. 
“I warned him, Sensei.” Cole said, shaking his head. 
“Using it was my only option.” Kai defended himself. 
“And what makes you think you're more important than the team, hm?! Hm?!” Wu asked the red ninja, tail lashing. 
“They took my sister, remember?!” Kai shot back, exhaling a plume of smoke. The intelligence and fury in Wu’s eyes caused Kai to subside. The other ninjas were surprised, they hadn’t seen the Master Of Fire retreat since they’d met him. 
Wu took a deep breath. “There’s still three weapons left.” The HiveWing said. “Maybe next time you’ll do it right.” Kai growled under his breath as the others followed Wu away. Kai reluctantly trotted behind Cole, the Master Of Earth glancing back at him. 
————— 
Back in the UnderWorld, Samukai bowed at an alter, begging his leader for forgiveness. 
“Master, I have failed you. They have learned Spinjitzu and they have the Scythe.” Samukai said, red eyes coiled with fear. 
“Good.” A low voice rasped from the shadows. Samukai blinked in surprise. 
“Then my brother was there.” 
“If I can gather my army,” Samukai mused. “Then we can easily ambush them and—“ 
“No.” The voice ordered firmly. “Let them think they're winning.” 
“But I... do not understand.” Samukai said, tilting his head. 
“Everything is going as planned.” The voice whispered. Samukai bowed respectfully and left. 
==King Of Shadows==
Clustered on a small ship, the ninja and Wu were on a ship heading to the Frozen Wasteland to retrieve the Shurikens Of Ice. 
Jay shivered, pulling the bright blue cloak tighter around his body. Kai rolled his eyes and heated his scales. Jay grinned and scooted closer to the SkyWing. 
“You’re welcome.” Kai muttered and Jay nodded.
“I spy something... white!” Jay said after a while, shattering the delicate silence. 
Cole sighed, his own dark cloak pulled across his frame. “Could you try to be quiet for once? This ain't easy.” Cole was standing at the Helm, sheltered from the drifting snowflakes as he controlled the ship. The ship lurched as they bumped and ice floe. 
Jay groaned, “I spy something broken.”
Kai took to pacing the deck. “If Sensei knows the way to the next Golden Weapon,” Kai worried. “Why isn’t he steering the ship? We’ve been drifting aimlessly for miles!” 
Zane shrugged, “Sensei’s wisdom is beyond my own.”
“The most powerful move in Spinjitzu can only be accomplished when all four elements are combined.” Wu said. “Earth. Ice. Fire. Lightning.”
He struck a different fighting pose with each element he named. 
“Uh, what happens when all of them are combined?” Jay asked, shivering again.
”The Tornado Of Creation.” Wu replied. “The power to create something out of nothing.” 
Kai attempted a few moves. 
Wu pressed his face into his talon, shaking his head.
”No, Kai.” Wu sighed. “If done incorrectly, it will lead to disastrous consequences.”
“Disastrous consequences. Right...” Kai rolled his eyes, and the boat lurched again as they crashed into an icy shore. 
“Uh... wasn't me.” Cole said. 
Kai fell over the rail and onto the ground. 
“Ow.” He muttered, wincing at the repeated pain to his injured underbelly. 
“Did I do that?” Kai asked from the ground as the others hopped down to join him. 
Cole helped him up.
“No. We are here.” Wu said, leading the way. 
The ninja trailed after him, Kai favoring a forelimb to keep it pressed to his aching chest. 
Jay was lost in thought and began to stray off the path, screaming when he came face to face with a frozen BoneWing. 
“Whoa... looks like someone's already been here.” Cole said, wrinkling his nose. 
The ninja and their sensei trekked into a massive ice cave. Jay slipped and fell the moment he entered and Zane had to catch him.
“Heh heh, thanks Zane.” Jay smiled apologetically. The group continued onward until Zane stopped at the front. 
“The shurikens!” Zane exclaimed, spreading his wings to retrieve them. He grabbed them and returned to his companions.
“Well that was eas-“ Cole started to say but the entire cave shuddered violently. 
“This is why you never say that!” Jay yelped as small icicles rained down on the group. 
Another “sea” serpent reared its head with a loud roar. It blasted ice in the ninja’s direction, freezing Zane and the shurikens in a solid block.
“Kai melt him free!” Cole ordered distracting the serpent. A massive icicle fell from the ceiling and smashed into the ground between Kai and Zane.
“We need to focus on getting out of here!” Kai replied, attempting to shove Zane’s ice block out of the cave. Cole waved Jay over to take his place and Cole began helping Kai push the ice block. The ice block began to slide taking Wu, Kai, and Cole with it. Jay yelped, sprinting along behind them. The ice block crashed into a dead end and shattered, cascading small chunks of ice over the others.
“Ow.” Zane said, sitting up. 
“Now you know how I feel.” Kai grumbled, shoving Jay off of him. Jay grumbled. 
“Ow, now I’m in pain and cold.” Jay whined, shaking the ice crystals off of his feather-like wings.
——————
The ninja arrived at the Floating Ruins near the end of the day.
“So,” Kai began. “It’s constantly storming here?”
“Indeed.” Zane said. “How it stays in a state of constant turbulence is beyond my knowledge.” The IceWing’s spikes clicked together as he moved. 
Jay grinned, “Can I just say, that this is totally awesome!” The Lightning flashed and thunder growled. 
Zane twitched slightly, glancing back. “We’re being followed.” He declared. 
“Now let’s go.” Jay grinned broadly and spread his wings. 
“Don’t!” Wu cried but Jay was swept away by the sudden Gale and hurled into Kai. 
Kai snarled in pain as the small TempestWing righted himself and squirmed away from the angry SkyWing. 
“You cannot fly,” Wu finished his warning. “The wind is too strong, flying will only result in failure.” 
“What else are we supposed to do?” Kai hissed out, clutching his repetitively injured chest. 
“Climb.” Wu said simply, leaping on chunks of floating rock to reach an island tethered to the ground by chains. Kai struggled up behind the others, groaning. 
“Heh, alright.” Jay said, snatching the nunchucks of Lightning. Just as he takes the nunchucks, a loud roar is heard. 
“Another serpent?!” Cole growled. Kai waved and began to jump down. 
”See ya.” He called. He stopped as the BoneWings began to come closer. Jay extended prosthetic wings from his back with a laugh. 
“How is that supposed to help us?” Cole called. 
“They look cool.” Jay shouted back as the wind caught his fake wings and drifted him easily up. The fake wings were much lighter than his normal ones, and allowed him to glide much easier. Cole hauled himself out of the storm and spread his wings to fly alongside Jay who’d used the glider to get out of the wind. Wu and Zane followed soon after, with Kai trailing after them. Kai was still injured and he was still very annoyed with how the injury hadn’t been dealt with. 
The ninja migrated to the Forest Of Tranquility, and Kai started a fire. Zane produced some bandages from a satchel under his wing, and helped Kai bind the cuts lacing his stomach. Kai almost set Jay, who’d been watching, on fire when Zane first touched the injury. 
“Apologies.” Zane said, pulling his talons away once he was finished. Kai shivered slightly and stepped away from the cold-radiating IceWing. Zane helped patch the others up too, Jay with a few cuts on his face, and Cole with a large cut on his tail. Zane himself, however, showed no sign of injury, despite being thrown into a wall in a block of ice. 
Kai laid himself by the fire, one wing extended towards it. Jay plopped down next to him and Cole on the other side of Jay. Zane remained standing, but eventually sat. Wu was meditating a distance away, the farthest from the group besides Kai. Kai lay apart from where Jay, Cole, and Zane were clustered. 
Kai watched the elderly HiveWing for a moment. “Come on, Sensei. Join us.” He jerked his head back towards the other three. 
“There is still one weapon left.” Wu replied. “We must get our sleep.” 
Jay bounced up and began “dancing”. It didn’t look like dancing that’s for sure, it looked like Jay was being electrocuted. 
“Aww, Sensei.” The TempestWing complained. “Look, you gotta admit, we're kicking their boney butts.” 
“Get up here. Show us some moves.” Kai said, beckoning to where Jay was still dancing terribly. 
Wu sighed with a slight smile. “I guess I could.” He answered. “Now this move is very special.” 
“But if done incorrectly, will it lead to disastrous consequences?” Zane asked, tilting his head. 
The entire group shared a laugh. 
“Zane, is that a joke?” Kai chuckled. “A sense of humor... you found it!” 
Wu got up and joined Jay in the horrible dancing. 
“Shake what your momma gave you. Yeah, look at this one now. Hmm... oh yeah. Spin round. Oh yeah. I put my feet.” Wu said, prancing alongside Jay. Kai snorted a laugh and Fire curled from his maw. Cole beat on some drums with his tail while Zane meditated and Kai rested. 
Wu turned in for the night not long after, he coiled himself in a tree, not sleeping but meditating. Zane eventually drifted off and Cole and Jay kept Kai up for a while with their snoring. 
————— 
Kai had his wings tented over his head and tail draped over his nose. 
“Kai…Kai.” A whispering voice stirred him from his sleep and he sat up, hoping there wasn’t danger. 
“Kai…” The whispers continued. 
“Was that?” Kai looked around, spotting the familiar dark blue scales of his sister. 
“I have to go.” Nya said suddenly, and she spread her wings before soaring away. 
“Nya! Wait up!” Kai leapt into the sky after his sister. “Slow down! Why are you flying so fast?!” 
He lost sight of his blue sibling and hovered, looking around. He spied an unusual temple and landed, pacing inside. 
“Kai.” Nya’s voice echoed from deeper within the temple. 
“Nya?” Kai called, walking closer. He padded through spiraling tunnels, until he found the center of the mountain the temple was built into. This sister was standing, motionless in front of the Sword Of Fire. 
“Nya!” Kai cried, relieved his sister was alright. 
“Don’t worry.” Nya said, but her voice began to distort, growing deeper. Her form shifted until she was a mere shadow, a pure black reminder of a RainWing. 
“I’m right here, brother.” The shadow laughed evilly. 
“Garmadon.” Kai snarled, tail lashing. 
“Forgot something?” Garmadon’s shadow asked. 
“You can't hurt me here.” Kai growled. “You're banished. Trapped in the Underworld.” 
“And that is why you are going to remove the Sword of Fire for me.” Garmadon replied, the shadow pacing around him. 
“I don't think so.” Kai snarled and attempted to claw the shadow. Garmadon vanished and reappeared where he’d been standing previously. 
“Are you sure about that?” Garmadon asked, the shadow’s red eyes narrowed evilly. 
Garmadon vanished again to reveal Nya, the real Nya, tied tightly in chains and hung over the lava. 
“Kai!” Nya cried. 
“Nya.” Kai’s eyes widened and he looked back at Garmadon. 
“If you don't remove the sword,” Garmadon inquired. “How else will you cut the chains to save your precious little sister?” 
“You know it's a trap!” Nya yelled to Kai, squirming. “I can... free my...self.” She struggled with the chains for a moment before going limp again. “Okay, that’s tight.” 
Nya dropped closer to the lava beneath her with a scream. 
“Nya!” Kai reached a talon towards her, growling. 
“Tick tock.” Garmadon’s voice filled the cavern. “Tick tock.” 
Kai swung into his fiery tornado, launching himself over the lava and grabbing the sword. He sliced through the chains binding Nya and grabbed her. Garmadon cackled as the siblings jumped to the main path that led out. 
“Stay close.” Kai warned, sword gripped in his talon. Nya pressed close beside him. 
“I’m not going anywhere.” Nya said, fearfully. 
“You can’t hurt us!” Kai raised his voice, addressing the shadow of the RainWing. “You’re only a shadow!” 
“Even shadows have their uses.” Garmadon’s ghostly voice whisked around the siblings. Kai twisted around, following Garmadon’s voice. A shadowy figure of Kai appeared in front of the SkyWing. 
“Kai, look out!” Nya exclaimed. 
Kai whipped around. “Stay back, Nya.” He growled at his shadowy twin. 
“Stay close, stay back. Make up your mind.” Nya said, backing away. 
Kai leapt at the shadowy figure but passed right through it. 
The shadow version of Kai lashed its tail, sending Kai against the wall. 
“That’s not fair!” Nya growled, helping her brother to his talons. 
“Oh, am I being to hard?” Garmadon asked, and more shadowy figures of Kai appeared. Kai launched himself at the shadows again, but they knocked him away and easily disarmed him. One shadow picked up the Sword Of Fire, but Wu flew into view, attacking the shadow and taking the sword back. 
“Brother.” Garmadon growled. “I see you protect one, but what about the other three?” 
“They are safe! Far from you grasp, Garmadon!” Wu hissed in reply, standing beside Nya and Kai. 
“I wouldn’t be so confident.” Garmadon snarled, laughing. 
A flickering image of what was happening in the Forest Of Tranquility appeared in front of Wu and the siblings. BoneWing warriors surround the sleeping ninja, and Cole is the first to wake. He discreetly reaches for his scythe, but he’s caught and the scythe seized by Kruncha. Nuckal keeps a struggling Zane and Jay pinned to the ground as Samukai wielded the collected weapons. 
“I believe these belong to Lord Garmadon now.” Samukai said in the image, and the BoneWings cheered. Wu’s eyes grew wide, but Kai saw no fear in them. 
“My brother must not unite the four weapons.” Wu said, turning to Kai. “We must keep them apart!” 
Kai nodded and spread his large wings. Nya followed his example and Wu followed her. Garmadon growled in fury, and raised his voice to address the massive serpent slumbering in the lava. 
“Awaken, guardian of the deep!” Garmadon shouted. “They're stealing the Sword! You must not let them escape!” 
Wu leapt into the air, landing on the Fire Serpent’s head as the monster rose from the smoldering lava. The serpent reared it’s fiery crown, roaring in fury and attempting to shake the HiveWing perched atop its brow. Lava was launched into the air splattering across the cavern. Nya screamed as the molten rock almost hit her wing, and she flung herself higher into the air. The Fire Serpent smacked its massive tail into the side of the cavern, causing boulders to come tumbling down and block the entrance. 
“There's no way out!” Kai yelped, landing. “He's taken away all our options.” 
“All but one.” Wu answered. He leapt onto a peninsula of rock that jutted out into the lava. 
“Sensei! What are you doing?!” Kai cried, attempting to join his teacher but being forced back by the lava. Wu used the sword to slice the rock, allowing the portion he was standing on to float freely. 
“No, you fool!” Garmadon roared. 
“If he is to bring the other weapons here, then I will take the Sword of Fire to the Underworld.” Wu answered, calmly. “It is my sacrifice to pay.” 
Kai inhaled sharply. “No! It's mine.” He shouted to Wu. “I shouldn't have come on my own. You don't have to do this! There has to be another way!” 
Wu gave Kai a slight smile, sipping his last cup of tea, before the rock he was standing on was flung over a lava fall. 
“No!” Kai cried, attempting to fly after Wu, but Nya held him back. 
“Then I will see you there, Brother!” Garmadon cackled and launched his shadowy form down the lavafall after Wu. 
“This is all my fault.” Kai whispered, scales steaming. “Sensei won't be able to hold up for long.” 
The Fire serpent turned its head to Kai and Nya. 
”Forget Sensei!” Nya tugged Kai’s front limb, wincing at the heat of his scales. “What about us?” 
Kai snarled and launched himself at the Fire Serpent, wings spreading as he clawed at its face. The serpent whipped its head wildly, almost throwing Kai off. Kai dug his talons into the creature’s large eyes. The creature shrieked in pain and finally threw him off. Kai was slammed into the cavern wall, where he slid down, groaning. The serpent subsided, ducking its head into the bubbling lava. Kai hauled himself to his talons, shaking his head. He turned to walk towards Nya, but immediately jerked one of his front talons back, hissing in pain. Nya ran to her brother’s side, helping him up as they paced to the door. Nya slammed her shoulder into the boulders, and they shifted slightly. Kai joined her, and they finally knocked the blockage away. They flung themselves into tail choked with ash outside of the Fire Temple. Kai coughed, cradling his inured talon. 
—————— 
Zane, Cole, and Jay all hung, suspended by rope from a tree. Jay squirmed wildly and sparked, hoping to burn through the ropes with little success. 
“To the Fire Temple!” Samukai declared, leading his wingless minions their vehicles. 
“Yeah!” Another soldier, Skulkin, agreed. 
The shadowy form of Garmadon appeared to the BoneWings, red eyes glaring. 
“My brother has taken the Sword of Fire to the Underworld.” Garmadon informed. The ninja’s eyes widened. “Hurry! Return home and unite the weapons before it's too late!” 
Samukai hesitated. “Uh, change of plans! To the UnderWorld!” He shouted. The BoneWings cheered. Nuckal shook his body, bones clattering. T Cole noticed the sword strapped to his side was a stick. 
“What happened to your weapon?” Kruncha asked, poking Nuckal. Nuckal shrugged and tossed the stick away. The two boarded a vehicle and the BoneWing army set off. 
Cole coughed. “Great. What now?” He asked. 
Jay grinned, revealing the sword he’d stolen from Nuckal. “Now we get outta here.” 
Cole blinked as Jay raised the sword. “Uh, Jay. Before you do that, you might wanna...” Jay cut the rope sending the ninja to the ground in a pile. 
“Give us a warning.” Cole finished, standing up and sending Zane tumbling off of him. 
“Let's go!” Zane got a running start before jumping into the sky, followed by his companions. 
—————— 
“Faster! We need to go faster to cross over to the Underworld!” Samukai ordered. 
“There they are!” Cole said, pointing towards the mass of vehicles. The three soared over the army. 
“More speed! We'll never get home at this rate.” Samukai growled, addressing his drivers. The Skull Truck slowed dramatically. 
“What’s wrong?” The BoneWing king asked and Samukai looked back to see Cole pulling backwards on a chain attached to the Truck. 
Zane and Jay landed on the vehicle, knocking four BoneWings off. 
“Get them!” Samukai ordered, tail lashing. 
“Ninja go!” Jay’s lightning tornado knocked off a few more warriors. The TempestWing spied the chest where the weapons were, and punched the lock. 
“Owww.” He whined. “Okay, that’s why they make keys.” 
Cole swung his weapon at Samukai, attempting to knock him off. Samukai ducked, and Cole hit Jay, knocking the TempestWing sideways. Cole managed to send Nuckal and Kruncha sprawling in the dirt behind the truck. Jay gasped a moment before getting to his talons. 
“Jay!” Cole winced, helping the TempestWing up. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.” Jay glared at the other, mutely. Zane approached the driver of the Skull Truck. 
“Greetings…” The IceWing said, a talon raised. Suddenly Samukai barreled into the IceWing, knocking him off the truck. Zane yelped and gripped onto the back, as Samukai shoved the driver aside and took his place. The truck sped up dramatically causing Jay to fall back and knock off Zane. Another BoneWing slammed their tail into Cole, and the MudWing flopped into the dust behind. A dark purple portal opened in front of the Bone Truck, and the vehicle vanished into it. 
Jay groaned, voice hoarse. “We didn’t stop them.” He whispered, wings dropping. 
“You don't need to say it.” Cole growled. “I know. We've lost.” 
The trio stood there, staring at the place where the truck had vanished. 
==Weapons Of Destiny==
Wu awoke with a jolt, a shudder running through his body as he was chilled by the frozen air. He rose, shaking his body.
“Hmm…The Underworld.” Wu mused, tail flicking. Talon-steps alerted the Sensei to approaching BoneWings, and he hid behind a boulder, wrapping the Sword Of Fire to conceal it. 
—————
Jay, Cole, and Zane landed outside the Temple Of Fire, and Cole walked towards it. 
“Kai? Sensei?” Cole called, ears pricked for a hint of a voice. 
Zane trotted forward to stand next to Cole.
“The Sword of Fire was here, as well our friends, but I only sense loss.” Zane said. “We are too late. The Elemental Weapons have left this realm and are now in the Underworld. The end is drawing near.”
“Ugh... great. The one place no mortal can cross over.” Cole groaned, sitting down. 
“We might not be able to cross over,” Kai’s voice called from inside the Temple. Cole looked up as the door opened. Kai and Nya were perched on the back of the massive Fire Serpent. “But a serpent can.” 
Cole gave a very unflattering scream and scrambled behind a pillar. 
“Our father used to tell us stories about serpents, that they were mystical creatures that belong to both worlds and ferried between them.” Nya said, stroking the Serpent’s side. 
“Are you serious?!” Cole called from behind his pillar, shuddering. 
“Once he realized we were trying to protect the Sword of Fire, he actually became quite a softie.” The Serpent nudged Kai with its nose.“Hey, knock it off.” Kai laughed. 
Nya chuckled and Jay approached her, coughing. 
“Do you like blue?” Jay tried to ask, but the words came out an inaudibly hoarse whisper. 
“He cannot talk, but he wants to know if you like blue.” Zane translated for the SeaWing. 
“It's my favorite color.” Nya smiled. Kai shoved Cole out from behind the pillar and walked with him towards the serpent. 
“Yes.” Jay grinned weakly. 
“I don’t know if this is a good idea,” Cole flinched back against the SkyWing as they neared the Serpent. “It could eat me.” 
Kai laughed and patted the Serpent on the nose. “He won’t hurt you.” Cole reached out tentatively and placed his talon next to Kai’s before jerking it back. 
“Okay, that’s enough of that.” Cole shook out his wings. 
Kai looked towards Zane, Jay, and Nya, shaking his head in annoyance at Jay. 
Kai paced towards Nya, frowning. 
“Nya…” He started, closing his mouth again. 
“This is goodbye, isn't it?” Nya asked. Kai nodded. 
“Come back to me in one piece, okay? I don't wanna have to run the store on my own.” Nya hugged her brother. 
“I promise I won't be gone for long.” Kai returned the hug before stepping back. 
“I'll keep a candle lit outside our shop until you return.” Nya turned and spread her wings, flying away. Kai watched her fora moment before turning back to his companions. 
Jay and Zane hopped onto the back of the Fire Serpent. Kai followed them and Zane patted him comfortingly on the shoulder. 
“You guys go on ahead. There's not enough room for all of us on that... thing.” Cole backed away. The Fire Serpent peered at Cole. 
“You're right, Cole. But I got a way to fix that.” Kai said. 
————— 
That night the group camped out near the Caves Of Despair. Jay spent most of the night coughing and drank almost all of their water reserves. 
Cole would wince every time Jay tried to speak and got nothing but a hoarse whisper. 
“Jay, I’m really sorry.” Cole apologized over and over only to have Jay shake his head. 
“It’s okay.” The TempestWing rasped. Soon Jay drifted off, and Zane perched himself in a tree. Cole stayed up, watching the three Guardian Serpents they’d already collected. 
“Can’t sleep, hm?” Kai asked, after he woke up due to Cole’s pacing. 
“Not a wink.” Cole replied, wrinkling his nose. “I don’t trust…them.” He gestured to the serpents. 
“They’re really not that bad, y’know?” Kai laid himself next to the MudWing. 
“I’ll take your word for it.” Cole replied, settling as well. Kai shivered, and heated his scales, head resting on frontal talons. Cole turned away from the SkyWing to keep an eye on the serpents, but couldn’t keep himself awake. Despite being in scarce tree cover, the freezing temperatures, and the looming threat of Lord Garmadon, he too fell asleep. He was comforted by the warmth against his back. 
————— 
The ninja awoke the next morning to continue on their journey. They arrived at the Caves Of Despair to collect the earth serpent. Kai shoved Cole into the cave where the serpent was slumbering. 
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Cole asked, looking back at the others. 
“You are the Master Of Earth, Cole,” Zane interjected. “If the serpent is going to accept any of us, I’d be you.” Cole glared back at the others and entered the cave. 
—————— 
Later that morning, the ninja were all perched on the back of the serpents with their respective elements. Cole dug his talons into the serpent’s scales. The serpent growled and Cole winced. 
“E-easy... not so fast...” Cole closed his eyes. 
“What do you mean?” Jay asked. “ This is awesome!” 
“Also,” Zane flicked his tail. “You can fly.” 
Cole shuddered. “It’s not the falling that scares me.” 
Zane grinned. “Jay is correct, this is quite fun.” 
“So how do the serpents cross over to the Underworld?” Cole called, wings pressed against his side. 
The serpents dramatically increased in speed. 
“I think we’re about to find out.” Kai replied, pressing low against the back of his serpent. 
The serpents dove at full speed and began to spiral. The only indicator they’d begun passing to the other realm was the sudden drop of temperature. 
“Is it over?” Cole asked, opening his eyes as the serpents leveled out. Then they dove again, increasing their acceleration. 
“Hardly! I hope these serpents know what they're doing!” Kai called back. The serpents’ speed increased again. 
“They're speeding up! Hold on!” Kai called to the others. Silence settled over the group as they entered the Underworld. The serpents slowed to a halt and Cole leapt to the ground. 
“Solid ground.” Cole sighed with relief. “We made it!” 
The others landed at his side and they all turned towards a massive structure. Zane trained his metallic blue eyes on the structure. 
“Sensei’s inside.” The IceWing growled. 
“They’re expecting us.” Kai pointed towards the structure. Each BoneWing was being searched before entering the building. A BoneWing attempted to enter with a cart of weapons. 
“Hold up!” Kruncha held up a talon. “Nothing gets through without inspection.” 
“Ninja search!” Nuckal trilled. He knocked everything off of the cart on the process. “Okay, clear to pass!” Kruncha sighed in disappointment. 
“No flying.” Cole whispered. “Too loud.” 
The ninja swung using the numerous stalactites. They halted and watched for a moment. Jay looked up and stiffened. He made various muffled noises and tried to hit his companions with his tail. 
“Can I be the first to say it's been an absolute pleasure since Jay lost his voice?” Cole chuckled at the struggling TempestWing. Kai nodded in agreement. Jay pointed upwards and the ninja glanced up. 
“Gahh!” Cole yelped, jerking his talons back and tumbling to the ground. The others followed his example, though more gracefully. The BoneWings stirred, alerted by the sudden noise. 
“Uh... if there are more than one ninja, is it 'ninjas' or just 'ninja'?” Nuckal asked, tilting his head. 
“I think it's just 'ninja'.” Kruncha replied, looking at his companion. 
“Oh, okay.” Nuckal pointed. “Then, ninja!” 
The BoneWing army surrounded the ninja, who growled, tails lashing. 
“I count ten boneheads to every one of us. I think I like these odds.” Cole said, grinning.
A chittering caught the ninja’s attention, and they looked up. Several dragon-sized spiders descended from the ceiling. 
“Uh-oh.” Kai shuddered. “Anyone got any bright ideas?!”
——————
Wu continued to search for his brother. He reached the base of the same building his ninja were clustered in front of. He tensed immediately and spun to meet his dark scaled brother. Wu barely contained a shiver as those merciless red eyes trained on him.
Garmadon laughed a cold, humorless chuckle. “Brother.” His cruel voice rang through the still air. 
“Brother.” Wu responded, revealing the Sword Of Fire. He drew the weapon with a snarl.
“Seize the sword!” Garmadon ordered, scales flashing a ghastly red. 
Several BoneWings surrounded the elderly Master, who narrowed his eyes. 
“Ninja, go!” Wu’s golden twister knocked away the BoneWings clustering him. “You'll have to take it from me!”
Samukai appeared, six limbs gripping three of the four golden weapons. “My pleasure.” He hissed.
Samukai launched his wingless body at the Master, using a Shuriken and the scythe to attack the HiveWing. 
“Teach him a lesson.” Garmadon snarled.
—————
The ninja were being forced closer by the impending army. 
“Any ideas? I'm still all ears!” Kai yelped, slicing a BoneWing with his sword. Jay pricked his ears and turned to the other.
“Tornado of Creation.” Jay groaned, coughing. 
“Huh?” Kai slammed his tail into another BoneWing and looked at the blue ninja. 
“You feel a weird sensation?” Cole shrugged and coughed up some smoke. It was too cold for him to breathe fire here. 
“No.” Jay groaned out, coughing harshly. 
“You ate an odd crustacean?” Zane offered, exhaling frost at the enemies. 
“Tornado of Creation.” 
“I got it. I got it!” Kai declared. “Two gorgons on vacation. Huh?”
Jay cleared his throat and coughed violently for a moment before lashing his tail.
“I said,” His voice began to get stronger but was still raspy. “Tornado of Creation!”
“Ohhhh.” The other three nodded in understanding.
“Welcome back.” Zane flicked his tail and swiped at a skeleton dragon. 
“But it could lead to disastrous consequences.” Cole warned. 
“We're about to have a disastrous consequence!” Kai replied, charging into a mass of BoneWings with his scales alight. 
“Let's do this.” Cole got a steely look in his eyes and nodded. “Earth!”
Kai followed the MudWing’s example and called out his element, creating his blazing inferno of a tornado. 
The frosted and electrical ninjas imitated the the others, exclaiming their own elements. 
The multicolored tornadoes coiled together to form a many hued twister.
The Tornado sucked in weapons and boulders, even the BoneWings themselves and merged them into one giant structure. A large Ferris Wheel was constructed out of discarded bones and weapons, with all of the BoneWings trapped inside. Kruncha saw Nuckal eating some cotton candy and slapped it angrily out of his talons. 
The ninja were discarded on the ground, groaning. Jay was the first to his talons, but he stumbled dizzily and had to sit back down. Zane shook out his whole body and his spikes clattered. Cole was rubbing his head and Kai was grimacing against the pain in his once again injured body. Cole, Kai, and Jay’s bandages had been stripped away to help with the construction of the Ferris wheel, and Kai’s had begun bleeding again, but just slightly. 
Kai shook off the pain with a growl. “Come on! There's no time to waste!” 
The ninja spread their wings and flew towards the building, landing at the side and peeking around where they heard the sounds of fighting.
Cole growled and proceeded the lead Jay and Zane towards Wu to help him, but Kai spread his wings stopping them. Cole gave the red ninja a surprised look and prepared to shove him out of the way.
Kai shook his head. “No, this is Sensei’s fight.” The other three gave him reluctant looks but didn’t proceed forward.
Wu used the Sword of Fire to blast at Samukai but the BoneWing dodged. Samukai used the Shurikens Of Ice to freeze the sword to the ground, then used the Scythe Of Quakes to destroy the earth. He used the nunchucks to disarm the elderly Master, and send him flying back from the sword. Wu flopped onto the ground and scar,be,d up, backing away with narrowed eyes. 
“Bring me the Four Weapons.” Garmadon ordered glaring at Samukai.
“No! You will obey me now!” Samukai turned, red glare heightened by the weapon’s power.
Garmadon laughed with a mocking grin. The weapons sparked and Samukai lost control. The ninja jumped as Wu landed lightly beside them.
“No one can handle all of their power at once.” Wu whispered to the ninja, as they all watched. 
“Selfish fool.” Garmadon scoffed. “Did you think I wouldn’t plan on your betrayal?” 
“What’s happening to me?!” Samukai shrieked, and tried to let go of the weapons, but couldn’t. 
“You’ve fallen right into my master plan.” Garmadon spread his wings. “Not even I can handle all their power! But now that they’re combined, it’ll create a vortex through space and time, allowing me to finally escape this ghastly place.” 
“ You've fallen right into my master plan. Not even I can handle all of their power! But now that they're combined, it'll create a vortex through space and time, allowing me to finally escape this ghastly place! 
“Uh oh.” Samukai whispered. A few seconds later he screamed loudly and exploded, vaporizing. 
The ninja shielded there eyes as a swirling multicolored portal formed from the explosion of Samukai. The weapons drifted up to hover around the portal before falling, lifeless.
Garmadon paced towards the portal but hesitated as Wu spoke.
“Father would not want you to do this, brother.” Wu said, extending a talon to the RainWing.
Garmadon tensed and turned with a hissing snarl. “Father is no longer here!” He growled, eyes burning. “Good and evil, there has always been a balance. Where I go, the balance can be destroyed. Soon I will be strong enough to possess the four weapons, so o can recreate the world in my own image.” Garmadon flared his frill and bared his fangs.
He turned his glaring gaze to his brother. “You. You were always his favorite.” With that, he leapt though the portal. The portal closed behind the RainWing’s dark tail as the ninja paced cautiously towards their Master.
Wu paced towards the weapons, and then each of the ninja picked up their respective weapons. 
“He is gone, but he will return.” Wu whispered, staring at the place where Garmadon had vanished. 
“Then we‘ll be ready for him.” Kai put a talon on his Sensei’s shoulder. 
“And keep an eye out in case he has any more of his evil plans.” Cole agreed.
Wu turned to look at his ninja, each wielding their elemental weapon.
“Then I have done my part.” He said. “The balance has been restored…for now.”
=Season One=
==Rise Of The Snakes==
“Long before time had a name, the first Spinjitzu Master created Ninjago using four elemental weapons. But when he passed, a dark presence sought out destroy them all; Lord Garmadon. So I, Sensei Wu, his brother, sought out to find four ninja to collect them first.”
Sensei Wu was meditating in a quiet room, when the sounds of fighting brought him from his thoughts. He looked up and glanced around as he heard someone shout.
”Fire strike! Oh my gosh, isn’t that the greatest move you’ve ever seen?”
”Stop trying to do it yourself! We need to attack as a team.”
Wu slid open the doors to his room and gave a slight jump to see the training equipment was barren.
“Zane, why are you wasting your special attack on me? You have to save it!”
Wu opened the door to the television room, a look of disappointment crossing his face as he spied the ninjas shouting at and playing a video game.
”Fantastic! I’m out of lives!” Jay cried, frantically pressing the buttons.
“But the lesson lives on, and I’m getting the hang of it! Hee-yah!” Zane replied, grinning.
“Okay, now!” Cole ordered. Wu darted in front of the distracted ninjas and unplugged the tv.
”Aww!” The ninjas exclaimed together as the tv screen went dark.
“Aw man.” Cole groaned.
“What? What happened?” Jay asked glancing around.
“It took us three hours to get there!” Cole exclaimed, crossing his front legs.
“Why would you do that, why?” Jay questioned Master Wu, sparks flickering along his wings.
”Just because Lord Garmadon escaped through a vortex doesn't mean he won't return one day for the Golden Weapons of Spinjitzu.” Wu replied, looking sternly at his trainees. Zane raised a protesting talon.
”But Sensei Wu, ever since he’s been gone, Ninjago has had nothing but peace.” Wu scowled at Zane’s argument. Jay chimed in with his agreement.
“Yeah, peace is boring. There’s no one to save, there’s nothing to do.”
”We can train tomorrow,” Cole laid back on his spine, dark wings pressed against his sides.
”Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today!” Wu hissed, four wings buzzing as he scowled.
Cole smirked. “Well I was going to eat this pizza tomorrow, but if that’s the case.” He raised the food to his mouth. Quick as lightning, Wu smacked the pizza out of Cole’s talons.
”Ow!” Cole yelped.
“No pizza for you!” Wu barked. “In order to reach your full potential, you must train.”
Kai chuckled. “Uh, remember when we did this little thing called the Tornado Of Creation? I thought that was pretty insane.”
“Oh.” Wu sighed. “You four have merely scratched the surface of your full potential. There are still so many secrets you have yet to unlock. You haven't even begun to tap into what powers your golden weapons hold.”
Unbeknownst to the ninjas, the legendary Sword of Fire had set a pizza slice ablaze.
Cole smirked slightly, catching Kai’s eye. “You wanna talk secret powers? Check this out.” Cole methodically plugged the tv back in with his scythe, the screen lights up with their progress and the ninjas cheer. They pick up their controllers and begin playing again. Wu tugged on his white cloak.
Zane glanced at the tv, then back at Wu. “Don't worry, Master. We will be ready when Lord Garmadon returns.” He assured the HiveWing. Suddenly an azure and obsidian SeaWing appeared in the doorway, panting as she struggled to get the words out.
“Guys! It’s Lord Garmadon, he was spotted approaching Jamanakai Village!” Nya gasped, blue tail lashing. The ninjas jerk up with gasps, Kai ran into Jay in his hurry and Cole and Zane whacked each other in the face. Zane tripped on the tv cord and landed with a grunt. Nya gave Jay his nunchucks.
“Uh, th-thanks, uh--“ The TempestWing stammered.
”Hurry!” Nya urged, following the ninjas as they raced out. Wu stared in disbelief as the dragons struggled to put on their pouches and weapon holders.
”Can I help-?” Nya inquired, watching the scene before looking up at Kai.
“Sorry, sis, where we go, danger abounds. This is a job for the ninja.” Kai replied dramatically. Nya gave him an annoyed look as Kai struggled to reach one of the straps of his pouch.
“Uh… a little help?” Kai asked. Nya rolled her eyes and tightened the strap for him. The ninjas spread their wings and flew off. Cole shouted “Yeah!” as the cold mountain wind stung his dark scales.
“Will they ever reach their full potential?” Nya asked, watching the ninjas fly off.
”In time, maybe a long time, but in time.” Wu replied, shaking his pale head.
Pale clouds parted by red, brown, white and blue wings, the ninjas sped towards the village in danger.
“Just like old times, eh?” Cole called shaking his head.
“You guys believe what Sensei said about unlocking our full potential?” Kai offered suddenly, disregarding Cole’s statement.
“He may be onto something. I mean since we got these golden weapons, it's not like we ever had to use them. I wonder what they do.” Jay replied, twirling in a quick spiral, his feather-like wings catching the sunlight.
“I, for one, look forward to the future. If there is more for us to accomplish, let it be.” Zane offered, shifting into a warmer air current.
“Don't know about you, but is anyone else a little excited about battling Lord Garmadon? I've been looking forward to trying out some new Spinjitzu moves. Could be the perfect opportunity.” Cole said, flicking an ear as he spied the village.
“Ha-ha! Race you there?” Jay called, already gaining a slight head start. The ninja tucked their wings and dove towards the village.
“Jamanakai Village. First ninja there wins!” Kai called, wings pressed against his side to increase his speed. The ninjas crashed into the snow in unison, before Kai bounced up.
“Ha-ha! I was first!” Kai declared, red wings spread in victory.
“No! No one was faster than me!” Jay argued, sparks flickering along his wings.
”Ha-ha-ha! My feet were down before yours!” Cole replied, smugly, shaking himself to get rid of the cold snow.
“You were all disillusioned! It was clearly me!” Zane protested, spiked tail lashing.
The four were pulled from their arguments by the screams of villagers and remembered the task at hand. The shadow of a hovering dragon with four limbs appeared. Cole snarled.
“Stay sharp, fellas. Whatever happens, never let your guard down.” Kai growled, pulling his sword from its sheath on his back. Maniacal laughter sounded, echoing off the high mountain wall nearby. The shadow progressively shrunk until a RainWing dragonet was seen hovering.
“Muahhaha! It is I, Lloyd Garmadon! I demand all the candy its town…OR ELSE!” The dragonet trilled, attempting to look menacing. His body was a pitch black with white markings on his underbelly.
“Lloyd Garmadon?” Jay echoed. “I thought we were going to face Lord Garmadon.” He seemed disappointed.
“It’s his son.” Cole replied, watching the dragonet bare his fangs.
Jay released an annoyed ‘hmph’ at the response, sparks flickering off his tail.
Cole sighed disappointedly. “Looks like he escaped his boarding school for bad boys again. And to think we could’ve been doing Spinjitzu already.”
Lloyd looked around, and landed, snarling again. “Er... er... gimmie your candy or I'll release the Serpentine on you!” He declared, opening a can of “peanut brittle” and releasing rubber snakes.
“Boooo!” The rising mock came from the crowd of villagers, and they began to hurl vegetables and fruits at the dragonet.
“No way! I asked for candy, not vegetables! I hate vegetables!” Lloyd yelped as the villagers crowded around him.
“He's gonna have to do a lot better than use an old bedtime story to scare people.” Kai muttered, shaking his head.
“The Serpentine are real, Kai. They're not something to joke about.” Zane interjected, looking pointedly at the flame-colored dragon.
“Serpentine? Real? We're talking about the ancient race of snake dragons who once ruled Ninjago and were supposedly locked underground.” Kai responded with a scoff, rolling his eyes.
“Sealed in five different tombs to separate the warring tribes and ensure they don't unify to exact their revenge upon those who put them there.” Jay replied with a whimper, spikes flattening against his spine as he pressed his wings against himself.
“It was an old wives' tale to teach kids not to poke their noses where they don't belong. Don't you think it's a little suspicious no one's ever found one of their tombs?” Kai offered, skeptically.
“Well, that's because you'd be a fool to look for one. If there was anything I hated more than sea serpants, it was snakes. Rubber or not.” Cole answered with a shudder, as the group trotted over to Lloyd and picked him up. Cole slung the RainWing dragonet over his shoulder with a huff.
“Unhand me!” Lloyd yelped, tossing the snake-can where it hit Jay in the back of the head.
”Don’t worry, folks. We’ll take care of this. Nothing to see here.” Cole answered, shooing away the watching crowd.
“Bow down to me or suffer my wrath! I'll give you to the count of three! One! Two!” Lloyd squirmed from his place on Cole’s shoulder.
Kai chuckled. “What are we supposed to do with him? Spank him?”
“Two and a half!” Lloyd grumbled. The ninjas hand Lloyd on a sign with a rope around his upper body. The villagers continued to throw vegetables at him.
“You just made me your nemesis! Mark my words, you'll pay for this!” Lloyd hissed, squirming. The villagers and the ninja laugh as Zane buys candy for them.
“Next time, try paying for your candy.” Cole laughed.
“Crime doesn't pay, muchacho. You can take that to the bank.” Kai replied, giving Cole a friendly nudge.
Jay took a bite of his cotton candy, keeping direct eye contact with Lloyd as he did so. “Mmm... cotton candy.”
Lloyd released a muted scream of rage.
The ninjas trotted out of the village, still laughing. Kai was about to take off, when a scroll fell out of one of his pouches, dislodged when he was retrieving his sword.
“Huh? I don't remember putting this here.” Kai mumbled, picking up the manuscript.
”That’s Sensei's bag. You must've accidentally taken it in the rush.” Zane replied, padding over.
“What is it?” Jay asked, peering over Zane’s shoulder.
“It’s a scroll, windbag.” Cole chuckled, joining them.
“I know it's a scroll, but what does it say? It's written in chicken scratch.” Jay replied, smacking Cole with his tail.
“Not chicken scratch. The ancient language of our ancestors.” Zane corrected Jay. Jay gave him a smack with his wing.
“Uh, can you read it?” Kai asked, as the ninjas spread the scroll in front of Zane.
“Well, I can try. This symbol means "prophecy".” Zane replied, gently tapping the old text.
“Prophecy?” Jay echoed, feathery wings twitching as sparks flickered along them.
“It means it tells the future.” Cole replied, smacking Jay with his thick tail.
“Of course. Ha-ha. I knew that.” Jay replied, snapping his jaws at Cole.
“'One ninja will rise above the others and becomes the Green Ninja, the ninja destined to defeat the dark lord.' " Zane read, causing an interested ‘ooh’ from Kai. Jay gasped, pressing a talon against the page.
“Look a picture!” He exclaimed.
“Dark Lord? Hold on... you think they mean Lord Garmadon? Wait a minute! Is that us? Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking?” Kai asked, glancing between the ninjas clustered around the scroll.
“Like how good I'm going to look in green? Ha.” Jay said smugly, sparks flashing between his horns.
“Isn't it obvious I'm going to be the Green Ninja?” Kai asked, flashing a smirk at Cole.
“The color obviously suits me!” Jay exclaimed nudging Kai.
“Technically, I am the best.” Zane joined in the chorus of self-promotions.
“Everyone, stop it! Remember why Sensei brought us together in the first place. We're a team. We weren't meant to see this and probably for good reason. Come on, let's head back home. We have training to do.” Cole shoved the group apart, looking pointedly at Kai.
“It's about time I added some finesse to my routine.” Jay said, stretching his wings.
”Well, I could use some exercise.” Zane said, shrugging his pale shoulders.
“Yeah. I gotta work on some new moves.” Cole said, flashing a grin as he spread his wings. The ninjas all took off, wings sending up a cloud of snow. Only Kai lingered on the ground, crimson wings a bloodstain on the alabaster ground.
“Could I be the Green Ninja?” Kai whispered to himself, before leaping into the sky and following his companions.
————
Lloyd was aimlessly wandering the snowy plains, shivering as he pressed his wings against his sides, scales a midnight black.
“Stupid ninja. I'll show them who they're dealing with.” Lloyd muttered, kicking a stone before yelling at the pain that jolted through his talon. He noticed a metallic clang as the rock made contact with something solid. He leapt through the snowdrifts to find where the rock landed, and he brushed the snow away, the cold flakes making him shiver harder.
“Hey what is?” Lloyd exclaimed as he noticed a snake-like design on the metal. He pulled a lever, unlocking it before tumbling into an icy darkness, the chill freezing him to the bone. He crashed into a smooth floor, groaning at the contact. He sat up rubbing his stomach and back, breath clouding the air.
A blue dragon who was seemingly missing back legs slithered up to him, towering over the RainWing dragonet.
“You are out of your mind to venture so far away from home, little one.” The dragon hissed, turning his head so his hypnotizing red eye was pointed directly at Lloyd.
“Look into my eyes. Give up your mind. I will control you.” He hissed. Lloyd ducked with a yelp, and the dragon’s hypnotizing gaze reflected off of the ice, and back at him.
“No. I will control you from now on.” Lloyd replied, seeing the snake-like dragon weave side to side.
“What shall you have us do, Master?” The dragon drew out the ‘s’.
“Us?” Lloyd echoed, tilting his head.
More snake-like dragons emerged, some with hoods, all with four limbs. They resembled RainWings, with a frill that connected to their body, like a cobra.
”My own army of snakes!” Lloyd exclaimed, cackling.
—————
“So then we all agree. The prophecy states that one of us will become the Green Ninja and the issue will not rest until it is decided.” Jay stated, stamping his foot with sparks flickering along his scales.
“May I suggest a tournament? Last ninja standing is the best.” Zane tossed his head.
“And will be declared the Green Ninja! I love it!” Kai exclaimed, flames curling off of his tail as he grew excited.
The ninjas shoved open the door to find Nya using the training equipment. Her blue scales sparkled in the sunlight as she leapt through the course. Distracted by the arrival of the Ninjas, Nya was knocked off the course and lay on the ground, limbs splayed.
”Hey, Nya. Closer to beating your brother's speed record?” He gave a shy laugh. He helped her up.
“I'm getting there. Heard what happened in town. Just a false alarm?” Nay inquired, tilting her head.
“Yeah. Uh, but we're going to need the space. Sorry, sis.” Kai said, giving Nya a friendly nudge with his head.
“Two matches. Then the winners of each face off for the title. Armors for our own protection. It's time to see what these babies can do.” Cole declared, pulling his scythe from its holder on his spine. The ninjas all suited up in brown leather armor, with helmets over their faces.
“Hey, Nya. Wanna stay and watch me mop the floor with them?” Kai asked, laughing as he drew his own weapon.
“No, thanks. I think I'll just visit Jamanakai Village. Knock yourselves out.” She gave a dismissive wave and departed the monastery. Kai stuck his tongue out at her retreating tail.
“Alright!” Cole exclaimed as Jay and Kai took their positions across from each other, weapons ready. “First up: Kai versus Jay!”
He paused for dramatic effect. “Ninja, go!”
Jay swung his nunchucks around his head as lightning flicked between the two golden handles. He smirked and accidentally electrocuted himself with a jump. They battle, weapons clanging together as they dueled. Kai perched on the roof, running along the shingles as Jay fought from the ground. Finally, Kai leapt to the ground to be even with Jay and shot a fireball from his sword. Jay doubled over with a gasp as Kai stood taller, proclaiming victory.
Jay sat out on the monastery porch; tail coiled over his talons. Kai stood between Zane and Cole as the two faced off, ready to battle.
”Next up: Cole versus Zane! Ninja, go!” Kai exclaimed, leaping backwards.
Zane spun his shurikens from talon-to-talon, grinning as he tossed one at Cole. Cole stopped it with his talon, gripping his scythe in the other. He grinned, positive he’d beaten Zane by stealing a shuriken but then ice began to keep up Cole’s talon, freezing him in place. Zane lunged at Cole with the other shuriken but Cole knocked him back with his scythe, breaking the ice and pinning him.
Kai and Cole faced off in the center of the monastery as Jay and Zane sat dejectedly on the sideline.
“For the prize and the title of best ninja... blah blah... ninja, go.” Jay mumbled, running his talon along the golden handle of his nunchucks.
Kai leapt at Cole and their weapons crossed as Kai smirked at Cole through the sparks flung off the golden metal. Cole grinned right back and twisted Kai’s sword to the side, before Kai shoulder checked him and swung the sword again. Cole caught it expertly with his scythe and pressed it to the ground, their shoulder met, red scales against brown. They grinned et each other and Cole whirled away, slamming his scythe into the ground and sending a shockwave towards Kai that knocked him off his talons. Kai yelped and Cole grinned, seemingly victorious.
Kai leapt up sword trembling in his grip as Cole exclaimed, “Yes!”
“It's too h-hot!” Kai yelped, struggling to hold onto the burning weapon.
“It's burning!” Zane exclaimed pointing at Kai’s glowing sword.
“Fire!” Jay shouted, sparks flickering brightly along his wings.
The weapon grew too hot, and Kai tossed it away, flames sparking up all over the monastery. Jay’s pouch caught on fire and he jumped around shouting “hot, hot!”
Master Wu appeared, possibly alerted by the noise and he seized Zane’s shurikens, looking around before tossing them into the air. He closed his eyes, front talons pressed together as the shurikens hovered over each other in midair, before zipping across the training yard and putting out the fires.
“What were you thinking?!” Wu shouted, furiously flaring his four wings with a buzz.
“Uh, we were tryna figure out who is the Green Ninja.” Jay said, wincing as Zane slapped him. Jay cleared his throat hastily.
“Ow! Did I say Green Ninja? No, sorry. What I-what I said was lean.” Jay corrected himself, sparking again.
“You were not supposed to see this.” Wu answered, snatching the scroll from Kai.
“But Sensei, we wanna know. Which one of us is the chosen one?” Kai asked, orange eyes gleaming. Cole saw this and gave a small smile.
“None of you if you don't unlock your full potential.” Wu stated, jaws lifting slightly to reveal pearly white teeth.
“But my sword. It was so bright. Is this what you meant by unlocking our Golden Weapons?” Kai inquired, eagerly. Smoke began to curl from his crimson scales.
“You are only at the beginning. And the road is long and winding, but yes, this is what I meant. If this is what it must take for you to train, then so be it. But none of you are near the level of what it takes to be the Green Ninja.” Wu stated wisely, looking at his bright-eyed trainees.
——————
Back in Jamanakai Village, the citizens were under attack once more. They ran screaming through the streets fleeing the newly appeared Lloyd and his Serpantine army.
“What now?” Nya asked, alerted by the screams as she turned, blue wings spreading. Lloyd could be seen with a wheelbarrow full of candy.
“Take the candy! Take it all!” Lloyd ordered, ending the statement with an evil laugh.
Nya gasped as she spied the hypnotic Serpentine tribe known as the HypnoWings.
——————
“This makes no sense, General. Raiding an entire town for sweets?” Skales, a four-legged HypnoWing asked the leader, who as a show of his status, only had front legs.
“You will do as I command because I hold the staff!” The general commanded, the rattle on his tail shaking dangerously.
—————
Cole and Kai’s weapons clanged together again as the sparred, in the training yard. Zane and Jay were facing off against each other as well, sparks flying from Jay’s scales and the colliding weapons.
Within the confines of the monastery walls, Wu was meditating, wings pressed against his sides, and head dipped, twisted golden horns arching from his head. He opened his eyes, peering into the gray smoke drifting from his incense. From within the smoke showed the hazy images of the HypnoWings attacking the village. Wu gasped, eyes flashing with terror as he flung open the doors of his room to stare out at his ninja.
“The Serpentine are back! Everyone in Jamanakai Village is in danger!” Wu exclaimed, wings buzzing.
“Calm down, Sensei. We were just there. It was some kid who says he—“ Cole tried, leaning on his scythe at Kai’s side.
“The spirit smoke does not lie! An ancient evil has been released!” Wu protested, tail lashing furiously.
“Nya's there right now.” Kai said stiffening.
”Nya?” Jay echoed, looking at the crimson dragon.
The ninja raced out of the training grounds, flinging themselves into the sky. Kai was fastest, being a SkyWing. Technically the crimson dragon was a hybrid, but he’d apparently never inherited any of his other half’s genetics.
As they neared the village, Kai let out a few stressed words of wisdom. “Stay close. Stay together.” He warned.
“Would we do if any other way?” Cole asked, holding Kai’s gaze for a moment. They landed splay taloned in the snow, and Kai raced into the village, followed by the other dragons.
“I'm never coming down from this sugar ride! Woo-hoo!” Lloyd exclaimed, whipping around as the ninjas arrived behind him.
“Sorry to bust your buzz, little Garmadon.” Cole replied, pulling out his scythe and smirking down at the obsidian RainWing.
“But it's already past your bedtime.” Jay finished the line, nunchucks prepared.
“Get them!” Lloyd ordered.
The General rate led his tail. “Seize them!” He ordered, hood flared.
Kai halted, sword raised. “The serpentine? They’re real?!” He exclaimed, dodging the hissing dragons crowding him. Zane didn’t even have the chance to say ‘told ya so’ when the hypnotized villagers and HypnoWings began to close in on the four ninja.
“It's not just them we have to worry about, the whole village has been hypnotized!” Cole said, backing away. Jay swung his nunchucks like he was about to use the weapon, but Zane stopped him with a freezing talon on his shoulder.
“No! Our weapons are too unstable. We can do more harm than good.” Zane stated.
“I guess that leaves us with RUN!!!” Jay shrieked, sprinting away from the attackers and flinging himself onto the roof of a house, before flying over the buildings and landing in an alley. The other ninja followed his example, taking different paths as not to be followed. A familiar blue and black SeaWing arrived, gasping in the alley as the ninjas clustered together.
”Huh, Nya. You're okay.” Jay said, a little bit awkwardly but mostly relieved.
“Barely. They've hypnotized everyone in town.” Nya said, shaking her head and lashing her tail.
“Mind control. How is this possible?” Jay asked, nervously as sparks flashed against his blue scales.
“When you hear them rattle their tails, don't look them in the eyes. That's how they get you.” Nya warned, looking from her brother at the rest of the group.
“ Well, what are we supposed to do? We can't use our weapons, and now we gotta fight with our eyes closed? Ha, perfect.“ Jay said sarcastically, pressing his face into his talon.
“The dragon with the staff is the General. He's the one in charge. If we can get the staff from him, it holds the anti-venom. If we get that, we can save everyone.” Nya said, peering over the wall that concealed them.
“Look, guys. Forget about the whole Green Ninja thing. Let's make Sensei proud. The four of us. We're a team.” Kai said, looking around the group.
“Now you’re talking.” Cole agreed, flashing a grin.
“Oh. And Nya, you can be our honorary member!” Jay said with jazz-talons.
” Gee, thanks.” Nya replied, tone dripping with sarcasm. Leaping over the walls, the ninja charged towards the HypnoWings and villagers.
“You wanna play?” Kai said, trying to be impressive. “How about a little Spinjitzu? Ninja go!” Kai spun into his fiery tornado, but quickly lost balance and fell.
”Okay, we’re really outta shape.” Jay said, face-taloning. Lloyd was escaping.
”Ha! Consider this a warning, ninja!” He laughed insanely as Zane leapt towards him.
”Ninja, go!” Zane shouted, shurikens flying to freeze the wheels of the cart Lloyd was pushing.
The cart tipped, spilling its sugary contents as Zane whirled towards him in an icy blaze.
“My candy!” Lloyd exclaimed, draped over the handles of the cart.
“Sensei was right. Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today. We should've dealt with you the first time around.” Zane said, looking down on the RainWing dragonet.
“Retreat!” Lloyd shrieked, scales turning pale green as he fled.
”Retreat!” The General called to his army of HypnoWings, and the dragons began to race away from the village. Cole stops The General and glares at him, kicking the staff out of his talons.
”Go on, give me a reason.” Cole snarled, standing over the staff containing the antidote for the venom. The General gave him a scared look and slithered off.
“Look into my eyes. I control you.” Skales, a HypnoWing hissed in Cole’s ear, drawing the MudWings attention to him.
”You control…” Cole’s eyes flashed momentarily red as Nya leapt in, shoving Skales away as the HypnoWing fled.
“Cole! You have the antivenom!” she said, looking at him.
“By golly, you’re right.” Cole replied, shaking off the unusual feeling he’d been experiencing.
“Quick, the fountain!” Nya said, holding off some hypnotized villagers.
“Good idea!” Cole leapt towards the fountain, landing on the rim and placing the staff into the water, where the antivenom leaked from the golden weapon and into the water, curing the infected dragons.
The ninjas and Nya leave the village to find Wu waiting for them outside.
”We're sorry, Sensei. If we dealt with Lloyd before he became a problem, none of this would've been necessary.” Kai said, rubbing his forearm.
“Even lessons learned the hard way are lessons learned. Mmm... a great evil has been released. I fear troubling times will come. This is only the beginning.” Wu replied, looking down.
“Then we will train and be ready for the Serpentine.” Zane promised, spikes clicking against each other as his tail lashed.
“It may not be Lord Garmadon, but that doesn't mean we won't bring our A-game.” Cole agreed, nodding.
“Help us train. Help us realize our potential.” Kai urged the old HiveWing master.
“Yeah. Teach us the secrets behind the weapons of Spinjitzu.” Jay agreed, sparking again.
“Hmm... there is much to teach. We must return to the Monastery.” Wu said. The ninja all took off, wings shredding the clouds and sending up plumes of snow.
Nya sighed. “When am I going to get my own weapon?” She asked, turning to Wu.
“Patience, Nya. Your time will come.” Wu replied, a slightly knowing expression on his face.
——————
In the HypnoWing tomb, Lloyd and his army were waiting.
“Candy, I need candy.” Lloyd groaned, clutching his stomach.
“The boy set us free.” The general stated, glaring at Skales.
“He is a child. He is not one of us.” Skales argued, forked pink tongue flicking out.
“I may not have the staff, but I'm still your General! Stand down!” The General ordered.
Skales subsided unwillingly and paced to the side of another HypnoWing.
“You coward! We all know he's under Lloyd's spell. You're second-in-command and still you do nothing?” The other HypnoWing asked, incredulous.
A smirk formed on Skales’s face. “Now was not the time. I still hold the key to destroy the ninja. And when I do that, everyone will see it is I who should be in control.” He said, cackling evilly. His eyes began to spin in their hypnotic way.
Unknown to everyone, Cole’s eyes turned a bright, ominous red.
==Home==
Wu was seated in the center of his room, silver smoke curling in front of him as he meditated. He flicked an ear, distracted by an argument from his ninja.
”My turn! Uh, it's my turn!” Kai exclaimed, shattering Wu’s concentration entirely.
“Oh, you want a little more? Take this!” Cole shouted.
“Yeah? How about a little of this?” Jay asked, with a shout.
“Monkey paw to the head!” Kai replied.
“Ninja, roll!” Cole added in.
With a sigh, Wu rose to his talons, forked tail lashing as he paced to the television room and slid open the doors. A look of surprise crossed his face as he saw the room was empty, the controllers untouched.
“Dragon punch!” Jay said, drawing out the ‘a’. Wu trotted out to the training yard, even more surprised to see the ninjas actually training. Jay was spinning his nunchucks to deflect arrows, Zane was coiled in the center of the yard, Kai was spinning in his fiery tornado, and Cole was using his scythe on the dummies.
“Ninja Go!” Kai whirled into his blaze of a tornado as Zane suddenly opened his eyes. He leapt in front of Jay, throwing the TempestWing off.
“Hey! Huh?” Jay exclaimed, nunchucks going limp in his talon. Zane continued to leap throughout the training yard, snatching Cole’s scythe to decapitate the training dummies.
“Hey, what?!” Cole yelped as Zane shoved him out of the way.
“Ninja, go!” Zane exclaimed, spinning into his icy tornado and causing a sheet of ice to extend over the monastery floor. Kai slipped and landed with a grunt.
“Woah, oof.” Kai muttered, shaking his head as he stood up. Kai, Jay and Cole clustered in the center of the training ground, watching Zane practice on his own.
“This roof isn't big enough for the four of us.” Kai hissed.
”Correction, this roof isn’t big enough for him.” Cole replied, nodding in agreement.
“It's like he's in his own world.” Jay said, watching the pale IceWing. He raised his voice. “I BET HE CAN’T EVEN HEAR US!” Zane showed no response and Master Wu paced over to his students, wings against his back.
“Sensei, Zane's... weird.” Kai said looking at the old HiveWing.
“What is weird? Someone who is different or someone who is different than you?” Wu shot back, eyeing his trainees.
“ No, Sensei. He's "weird" weird.” Cole replied.
——Flashbacks——
Cole was in the bathroom when Zane unapologetically walked in. “ Do you mind?!” Cole exclaimed, embarrassedly.
Jay was watching a sad movie with Nya, when Zane started laughing hysterically.
Kai was getting up for a midnight snack when he opened the fridge to find Zane perched among the racks.
“Ahh! Holy bologna!” Kai had yelled. Zane tilted his head from inside the fridge.
” I'm sorry. I consumed the last of the deli meat. Cheese?” He offered the crimson dragon some of the cheese.
——End Flashbacks——
“We like the guy. He's really smart. He's just...” Kai paused and sighed. “A little off sometimes.”
”Zane is a brother and brothers are often different. I should know.” Wu said, a faraway look in his golden eyes. Cole and Kai exchanged looks and jumped as there was a knock on the door.
”Mail!” Jay, Cole and Kai exclaimed together, as Cole yanked the gates open to reveal a small purple RainWing messenger. The RainWing pushed up his hat with a grin. The post dragon was panting slightly as he rummaged in his bag.
”Let’s see…a letter from Jay’s parents.” Jay took his mail. “Kai has a fan letter.” The post dragon continued, as Kai took the envelope. “And look, something from Cole’s father!”
“What no package?” Cole asked. “I’m expecting something from Weapons, Warfare and Beyond.”
“No. Nothing from... uh-uh. Here it is!” The post dragon handed Cole the package.
“Ha ha, yes!” Cole exclaimed, trotting inside to fetch his scythe. Zane was standing motionlessly inside the monastery walls as the doors closed.
“Hey, Zane. How come you never hear anything from your parents?” Jay asked, tilting his head and looking up from his letter.
”I don't remember my parents. I've been an orphan all my life.” Zane replied, blinking almost white, blue eye at them.
“You mean you've never had a home?” Kai asked, looking up from his own letter. Zane looked down, shaking his head mutely.
“The Monastery is your home now.” Wu replied, resting a talon on Zane’s shoulder and shooting the ninja a glare. Zane walked off, head lowered and shoulders bowed.
Cole was indoors, cleaning up the extra training weapons they had.
—————
Skales looked through Cole’s eyes and saw the silver of a sword’s blade. He showed off the projection to his a fellow HypnoWing soldier.
”I  can't believe you hypnotized one of the ninja. Does the general know?” The soldier, Rattla, asked in an excited whisper.
“Of course not. He's been put under the control of Lloyd. But I plan to use it for my best interest.” Skales replied, closed his mouth quickly as The General approached, still staffless.
”Everyone works while you two slack. As my second-in-command, I expect more from you, Skales.” The General hissed, looking down on his soldiers. Rattla nodded mutely and walked off.
“Yes, General. General, you know I am most loyal to you, but I must question this childish agenda. The ninja have stolen our staff, yet you instruct your army to make this playhouse for Lloyd? Snakes don't belong in trees.” Skales looked up at his general with a small growl.
”You know better than to question my judgement, Skales. I'll pretend you didn't ask.” The genera, glared at Skales and Skales flattened his hood with a repressed growl.
“Hey! If we plan to rule Ninjago from here, this elevator needs to have a trapped door! I want more booby traps!” Lloyd exclaimed from a lower level of the treehouse.
“As you wish young Garmadon.” The General bowed his head shooting a look at Skales. He waved a talon to Skales.
“As you wish General.” Skales said distastefully, walking off.
———————
Back at the monastery, the Ninjas were clustered around a table. Kai was next to Cole, and Jay, Wu and Nya were on the other side.
“Mmm. Oh, I love it when it's Zane's night to cook.” Jay said, light blue sparks bright against his dark scales.
“Hey. I didn't hear any complains about my duck chowder last night.” Cole said, grinning.
“That's because it glued our mouths shut. You really thought Jay was speechless all throughout dinner?” Kai teased, crimson tail lashing.
”Yeah. Please don't make that again.” Jay grimaced at the remembrance. Zane slid open the door into the dining room a pink flower-patterned apron over his chest.
”Dinner is served.” Zane replied, spiked tail flicking. The ninjas, Nya and Wu all burst out laughing at the outfit.
“What's so funny?” Zane asked, looking around with a blank expression on his face.
“Zane. You're wearing a... Even I wouldn't wear that.” Nya laughed, grinning.
“You laugh because I take steps to ensure I'm clean after cooking?” Zane asked, head tilted, blue eyes confused.
“Haha! No! We laugh because you came out wearing that ridiculous outfit!” Kai replied, tail flicking.
“I guess we don't share the same sense of humor.” Zane said, pacing to the head to the table.
”Well, how about this?” Cole asked, a smirk on his face as he sized a plate of shrimp and smacked it onto Kai’s face.
The whole room burst out laughing once more, all except for Zane.
“How could you not find that funny?” Cole asked, as Master Wu crept up behind him, a bowl of soup in his talons. Wu dumped the bowl over Cole’s head, discarding the ceramic on Cole’s horns.
“Ah!” Cold yelped as Kai snickered.
“Now you are brothers.” Wu laughed, looking between Zane and Cole. A food fight erupts but a still confused Zane doesn’t participate.
That might, Zane was discarding a bag of trash when an ochre flash caught his attention. He turned, seeing a brown falcon perched on a wire above the monastery. Zane tilted his head, and the falcon copied his movement. Zane flapped his wings, sending a cloud of dust towards the bird, and the falcon flapped its wings in response. Flying off, the falcon sped into the growing darkness. Zane chased after the bird, leaping into the air and swooping after the creature.
Zane concealed himself in the shadows, watching the bird as it landed in a tree. It had led the IceWing into the woods, where Zane spied a massive treehouse slung between three towering trees. Serpentine crowded the entrance to the treehouse, and Zane could hear the voice of Lloyd Garmadon from the building.
“If I see one girl in here. I'm gonna go ballistic.” Lloyd shouted at his army. Zane looked up at the falcon, who dipped its head to him.
“Thank you, my mysterious friend.” He said, looking back towards the illuminated treehouse.
—————
The next morning, the ninjas were winging their way through the trees. Zane was ahead, pale scales bright against the green of the forest. He was followed by his companions. Zane halted, perching on a branch and flinging open his wings to halt the others. Jay ruffled his feathery wings, sparks flying from his body.
“I don't even think Zane knows where he's going.” Kai muttered, before raising his voice to address the IceWing who was scanning the trees. “Uh, tell us again how you stumbled upon Lloyd's secret headquarters?”
“I followed a bird.” Zane replied, looking back at the trio behind him before leaping to the ground.
“Why did you follow a bird?” Jay asked with a small sigh, sparking.
“Because it danced.” Zane answered simply, as if it was obvious.
“Oh...okay.” Jay replied slowly. “Was it a cuckoo bird?” Kai, Cole and Jay all laughed.
“Of course not. Everyone knows cuckoo birds are not indigenous to these forests.” Zane replied, turning to look back before leading them farther up a path. The trio gave each other a look and followed the IceWing, before gasping as they saw the treehouse towering above the forest floor, suspended between the trees.
“Watch it! No, bigger! Come on, we don't have all day! It's not time for a lunch break.” The four heard Lloyd cry from within the treehouse’s walls.
“Holy cannoli, Frosty was right!” Cole exclaimed, shaking out his body.
“We can't let that brat and those snakes get a foothold of Ninjago. We gotta destroy that thing before it becomes operational.” Kai said, smoke curling off of his lashing tail.
“Whoa! Are you sure? It looks like a pretty cool tree house. There's a ropes course... Ooh, a tree swing!” Jay said distractedly.
“Hey!” Cole stepped on Jay’s tail. “Remember who's team you're on. Alright, guys. What do we do?”
”It looks like the entire place is being supported by those three trees. Once those ties are severed, the whole is gonna fall like a house of cards.” Kai said, pointing to the thickly woven ropes.
”But why would one make a house of cards? Such construction would be careless.” Zane interjected, looking confusedly at Kai.
“Oh brother.” Kai muttered, shaking his head.
”Travel in shadows, boys.” Cole said leaping off.
“Easy for you to say Mr. Darkscales.” Kai muttered, his own bright red body shining against the trees. He silently spread his wings, soaring upwards towards the roof of the treehouse. Cole slipped in through a gap in the wall, and cling to the bottom of the elevator as it rose. Zane and Jay climbed up a tree, and Jay slipped. Zane darted out and caught him.
“Gotcha.” Zane helped Jay back up. Jay gave Zane a grateful nod, and joined Kai and Cole on a level of the treehouse.
Lloyd cackled beneath them. “It's almost finished. Soon, my fortress will be complete. You! Hold up that sign for me!” He ordered a HypnoWing soldier. The ninjas looked down to see the sign read. No girls or ninja. Lloyd pulled a lever and the HypnoWing soldier tumbled into a cage beneath the floor.
“Booby trap!” Lloyd exclaimed, laughing. The ninja continued to the top, where they prepared to destroy the ropes.
“Ninja, go!” Jay cried, quietly, and spun into his electric tornado, cutting the first rope.
“Ninja, go!” Zane mimicked, cutting the second rope. The treehouse lurched dangerously to the side, and Lloyd looked up, spying Kai on the top of the house.
”I said no ninja, attack!” Lloyd cried, clinging to the railing, his scales pale white and lime.
“Everyone, retreat!” Skales shouted, spreading his wings and leaping out of the treehouse. The HypnoWings fled, some tossed to the ground in the initial lurch, and the others were being crushed by falling logs.
“Cole! Wait till we're off the treehouse, then cut the line.” Kai said, spreading his wings to fly off. Skales hovered near the ninja.
“You! You will obey my every command.” He ordered, pointing at Cole, his eyes a swirling red.
“I will obey your every command.” Cole replied, his eyes mimicking Skales’s. The treehouse lurched again, sending the three other ninjas tumbling to a lower level.
”Where’s Cole?” Jay asked, shouting over the chaos.
”This whole place is coming down!” Kai yelled back, claws digging into the logs of the floor. The ninja clawed their way back to the roof to find Cole.
“No one goes anywhere until you deal with me!” The Master Of Earth snarled, scythe in talon and eyes blazing red.
“What's gotten into him?” Kai asked, scales heating up.
“He's under their control.” Zane replied, watching Cole and calculating how to rescue the MudWing.
“Yeah, well he better snap out of it quick because this whole place looks like it's about to go down!” Jay exclaimed, panicking as sparks light up his scales.
“Don't go. We have to protect my treehouse fortress.” Lloyd said, staring at Skales.
“Your treehouse? It's about time we did this!” Skales cackled.
“Did what?” Lloyd asked, Skales pulled the lever, sending Lloyd tumbling into a cage beneath the floor.
“Now, to get the staff!” Skales ordered. Cole paced towards the ninja, snarling insanely.
“Okay, now come on. Friends don't hit friends.” Jay warned, backing away from Cole with his nunchucks ready. Cole lunged towards him, smacking him across the face before leaping back.
“Ow, okay. I-I-I-I'm gonna ignore that.” Jay pressed a talon to his bruised jaw.
“What're we supposed to do? If I use my sword, this place will turn up into flames faster than a tinder box!” Kai shouted, knocking a stray HypnoWing off of the treehouse.
“Isn't the anti venom in the staff?” Zane asked, looking back at Jay.
“Yeah, but the staff is back at the Monastery.” Jay replied gaze snapping to Cole as the MudWing lunged. Cole slammed himself into Kai, sending the winded SkyWing into a pillar, which cracked and fell out from beneath him. Unable to catch his breathe, Kai flailed as Zane leapt towards him and grabbed his wrist, hauling him back onto the roof as Kai panted heavily. Kai clutch his stomach, gasping, as the others turned back towards Zane.
“Jay! Use your lightning! Try to shock him out of his trance!“ Zane said, crouching next to the winded Kai.
“Oh, sorry, Cole, but this is gonna hurt you a lot more than it's gonna hurt me.” Jay apologized, preparing his nunchucks. He shocked Cole and Cole flinched, doubling over. Cole lunged at Jay, shoving him backwards and off of the tower.
“Jay!” Kai and Zane shouted, surging towards the edge as they looked down to see Jay squirming in a tangle of branches.
“That is a serious safety hazard!” Jay yelped, struggling.
The Masters of Ice and Fire turned as Cole snarled again, a cruel smirk on his face as he prepared to cut the last rope.
“No, Cole! Don't!” Kai yelled, leaping towards the MudWing.
“No! No, Cole! No!” Zane shouted from his place, a hind talon caught in the gap in the logs. All the ninja turned as tranquil flute music was audible from the sky. Cole relaxed slightly, weapon lowering as the red faded from his eyes. Flying towards them was Sensei Wu and Nya, Wu had a flute pressed against his mouth. Kai dragged the disoriented Cole off of the collapsing roof as Nya helped free Zane. Jay helped support Cole as he and Kai lifted the MudWing off of the treehouse.
”Huh? Where-where am I? What are we doing?” Cole asked looking around as Kai and Jay held him just above the collapsing building.
“We're getting outta here because this whole place is coming down!” Nya replied, sprinting off of the roof herself as Cole began to fly alone. Once they were all safely off of the treehouse, Kai turned to Wu.
”That flute.” He began.
“It cancels their powers.” Jay finished.
”It's as old as the Serpentine themselves. But we must hurry! The Monastery is unguarded! Quickly!” Wu said, wings buzzing as he rushed the others along.
After an hour or so of flying, the ninja felt a collective drop in their stomachs as they filled with dread, spying a towering column of smoke. They landed in the center of the burning monastery, looking around at the mass destruction.
“We're too late. Those snakes.” Smoke curled from Kai’s mouth as he growled. “Our home.”
”Zane, put this out!” Cole called from where he was clinging to the mountainside, he had been checking for surviving items. Zane spread his pale wings, hovering above the monastery as he opened his mouth and released a spray of glittering ice crystals. The flame sputtered out and died beneath the frost Zane provided, and thick heavy ashes drifted over the ninjas talons as he landed.
“The training equipment, gone.” Zane whispered as the last few flames flickered out against the pale ice crystals and blackened ashes.
“Our video games, gone!” Jay yelped, sparking rapidly.
“They stole their staff back.” Wu sighed.
“What do we do now?” Cole asked, dark eyes wide as he turned to his Sensei. Everyone jumped as the temperature increased dramatically and Kai could be seen, crimson scales smoking.
“If you hadn't followed that silly bird, none of this would've happened!” Kai snarled at Zane, his head wreathed in gray smoke.
“Kai...” Wu said warningly, taking a step towards the Master Of Fire.
“No, Sensei, he's right!” Jay agreed, electricity crackling through his body. “Because of you, my high score has been deleted!” He hissed at Zane.
“This is a teaching moment. We must learn from this.” Zane replied calmly, looking between the trio of angry ninja.
“A "teaching moment"? What's wrong with you? Don't you get it?! EVERYTHING IS GONE!” Cole shouted, brown eyes glaring down at the IceWing.
“Enough!” Wu ordered, slamming his talon onto the ground with surprising force considering his age. “We are all at fault. Zane is your brother. Apologize at once.”
A guilty look was shared between the ninjas as Kai’s scales faded back to their normal color. They turned to apologize, looking down.
“I'm sorry, Zane, I...” Kai began, but looked up in the realization the IceWing had vanished.
“Zane?” Jay echoed. Unseen to the ninja, however, a white shape was winging his way through the clouds.
———————
The HypnoWings returned to their tomb, Lloyd tied up with his wings firmly bound to his sides.
“Do something, General. You're still under my command, right?” Lloyd whispered frantically, struggling against his bindings.
“Enough! I am the General! You will return my staff at once!” The General hissed, towering over Skales who gripped the staff.
“No.” Skales replied, meeting his general’s furious gaze unflinchingly.
“You dare challenge my command?!” The General snarled, tail rattling dangerously.
“Slither Pit! Slither Pit! Slither Pit! Slither Pit!” The HypnoWings began to chant, circling around the two.
“I guess we'll have to fight for it... in the Slither Pit!” Skales declared, stalking away.
The HypnoWings cheered as Skales and The General circled each other, snarling.
“Winner gets the staff and leads the tribe! You know the rules. There are none, but in the Slither Pit, whatever I say goes. Alright, fight!” Mezmo, a HypnoWing, shouted and Skales lunged towards The General. The General blocks the attack and advances. The first round of the fight is evenly matched, and no one notices Lloyd stealing a map from its holder.
“Two weapons!” Mezmo shouted, pulling a leaver and lowering an icy weapon holder. The General seized a pick-axe and shield, while Skales chose to dual-wield katanas. The General threw his pickaxe at Skales, but missed and the weapon buried itself in the ice.
“Side winder!” Mezmo exclaimed, pulling another leaver. The battlefield tilted dramatically and Skales slid to the right.
“Go, General! Go!” Lloyd voice rose over the cheering HypnoWings as he concealed the map beneath his wing.
The General tried to hypnotize Skales, but Skales whipped in a quick circle, smacking The General in the face with his rattled tail. Skales begins to sway from side. The General became disoriented and a little dizzy, falling backwards when Skales lunges at him again.
“He used Fang-Kwanzaa-Do.” Rattla whispered, awed.
The General was limp on the ground, breathing, yet unmoving with his eyes closed.
”Get up! Get up!” Lloyd urged, worried.
“We have a winner!” Mezmo declared, raising Skales’s wrist with his own talon. A glittering gold aura surrounded Skales and The General, as the General gained hind legs and Skales lost his. Skales gained black and gold markings on his hood, while The General’s markings faded to a bland gray.
“Skales! Skales! Skales! Skales! Skales! Skales! Skales! Skales!” The HypnoWings chanted their approval.
You will be loyal to me now!” Skales snarled, looking down at The Former General, now just Slithraa.
“I will do as you command.” Slithraa looked down in defeat. Skales turned his red glare on the imprisoned RainWing Dragonet.
“You! Leave and never return!” He severed the ropes containing Lloyd and the small RainWing gasped, before sprinting away.
————————
Clustered beneath a tent on the Mountain Of Impossible Height, the ninja were seated around a small fire, eating a large animal off of sticks.
“Wh-what are we eating again?” Kai asked, wrinkling his nose at the taste.
“Mud-Newt. Not bad for something that lives underground.” Cole replied.
“What?!” Jay exclaimed, dropping the stick. He spat out what he’d been eating and dejectedly thought a rock into a tin-can. “Yeah! A new high s-score.” He shivered.
“Remember, we must be thankful for what we still have.” Wu reminded, though he was not eating either.
”What do we have? Our home is gone.” Cole replied, leaning slightly against Kai.
“You know, I don't miss our home. What I really miss is Zane.” Kai said, glancing at Cole.
“Yeah. I miss Zane.” Jay agreed, looking down, sadly.
”Zane?” Nya echoed, looking past Jay.
“Yeah, Zane. You know. White Ninja. The smart, strange one.” Jay replied, making halfhearted gestures in the air with his talons.
“No.” Nya pointed forward, a grin lighting up her face. “Zane!”
“Zane!” Everyone shouted, dashing towards the IceWing who had landed a small distance from the tent. The Ninja embraced Zane all at once before backing away.
“Zane. We're so sorry for everything we've said. We're a team and that means we're all responsible.” Jay said, with a sigh of relief as he relaxed.
“You don't need to apologize to me.” Zane replied slightly confused.
”But what about all those awful things we said? Isn't that why you left?” Kai asked, tilting his head.
“Of course not. I saw the Falcon again and I followed him.” Zane replied, a small grin on his face.
“That's our Zane.” Cole replied fondly, as the ninjas crowded the IceWing again for another hug.
“We're happy to have you back.” Nya replied, giving the IceWing a friendly nudge.
“Why? Is it my turn to make dinner?” Zane asked, making it sound as if it were a legitimate question. A chorus of laughter bubbled up from everyone circled around the Master Of Ice.
“Yes, Zane. We would love for you to make dinner.” Wu replied with a smile.
“But I already made it. Come. I want to show you what I've found. I think you will all be pleased.” Zane trotted away, spread his wings, and looked back at them. With a swing of his icy wings, Zane was winging his way through the sky, leading his companions into the Sea of Sand.
“I can't explain it, but I feel a strange connection with the Falcon. I think he's trying to help show us the path we need to take.” Zane said, looking at his companions.
Zane landed on a large boulder overlooking the desert, where a massive ship loomed out of the sun-bathed dunes.
“Our new home.” Zane said, sweeping a pale wing towards the ship. Jay inhaled deeply.
”Do I smell pie?” He asked, a grin on his face.
“Cobbler berry. Oh, and I made myrtle berry and apple and—“ Zane is cut off by exclamations of joy from the rest of the ninja. Jay, Nya, Cole and Kai all raced towards the ship, leaving Zane and Wu alone.
“I'm proud of you, Zane. One day, I promise. We will find your family.” Wu turned to his trainee.
“But I've already found them.” Zane replied, looking towards the ship.
“I feel there's more to you than meets the eye. There's something special about you, Zane.” Wu said, looking down at Zane.
“Sensei, will I become the Green Ninja?” Zane asked, excitement blossoming in his blue eyes.
“It's too early to tell, but if it's in your path, you'll know. Come now. It would be a shame to let them to eat all that pie.” Wu answered, eyes crinkling as he smiled. The duo spread their wings and flew off into the darkening sky and towards the ship.
———————
The ninja were all clustered around a table, happily sharing a meal and a food fight with laughter in echoing from the ship. A slight ways away, Lloyd watched dejectedly, before huffing a sigh and turning away, trudging back into the desert.
==Snakebit ==
The ninja were all coiled on small-sigh bunk beds. Kai above Cole, and Jay above Zane. They were all peacefully asleep, as Master Wu silently opened the door and crept inside, a gong clutched in his talon.
He began to hit the gong to create a loud bell sound, while saying “Evil doesn't sleep and neither should you!”
There was a collective groan as the Ninja stirred.
“In order to reach your full potential, we must greet each day as an opportunity,” Wu said wisely. Kai climbed out of his bunk with a sigh.
”Okay okay, we're up. But if you want us to reach full potential, shouldn't we at least get a full night of rest?” The crimson dragon said as he yawned.
“You call that a rest? I think my back has more lumps than the mattress,” Cole groaned, stretching.
“We were up so late, talking about how cool it is to have a new headquarters, I guess we lost track of time. Since the Serpentine burned down the Monastery, I’m just glad we have a roof over our heads," Jay answered, trailing off as he put his toothbrush under the faucet and attempted to brush his teeth. Only to find instead of water, it was dirt. Jay gagged and coughed.
“What is our lesson today, Sensei? Mastering the strike of the Scorpion? Or perhaps the grace of—“ Zane began, he was mimicking a fighting stance as the floor gave out beneath him and he fell through, coughing. Cole helped the IceWing out of the hole.
”I think today's lesson would be chores,” Wu said, a smile on his face.
”Chores?!” The ninja echoed, freezing in their various spots around the room.
“Ninja fight, Sensei. They do not clean," Cole answered, sitting next to Kai.
“In order to respect ourselves, we must respect our new home and where we are from. And this place is a long way from becoming a ninja headquarters. I expect things to be spotless when I return. And put your backs into it," Wu said, banging the gong one more time before he left.
”This place is gonna take forever to clean and fix up," Kai grumbled.
“Unless we put more than our backs into it, huh?” Jay said, in his ‘I have an idea’ voice.
———————
Cole was in an empty room. He glanced around at the space and the junk littering one corner.
“Ninja go!” Cole spun into his earthy tornado, gathering up all the debris in the room and discarding it in the sand outside with a sign that read Rummage Sale.
———————
Kai and Zane were in another room and Zane threw his Shurikens, freezing the entire room.
”Ninja go!” Kai whipped into the blazing tornado and evaporated the Ice, cleaning the dusty room.
———————
Cole and Kai were attempting to repair the lights upon the ship. They were hitting a metal box with hammers. Jay walked in and looked at them with a smirk, before yanking off a large, dusty sheet and revealing something that resembled a control panel.
Jay used his nunchucks to shock the systems back to life, the machine whirred and lights sprang into existence, illuminating the dark ship.
Kai and Cole looked up and gave each other a high-five.
———————
Sensei Wu opened the door to a small room, looking for his ninja and found them playing videos.
“What took you so long?” Kai asked, grinning from his spot by Cole.
“Wow, This place looks amazing! You guys did all this?” Nya asked, stepping in behind Wu.
”Ninja don't just fight, Nya. We clean,” Cole informed her with a smile.
“Oh, you have exceeded my expectations...” Wu said, looking around proudly.
A car honk interrupted Wu.
“...but can you keep it up?” Wu finished.
The ninja all looked out the window towards the sound.
“Looks like we're about have some visitors, and loud ones at that.” Nya said, smirking at Jay.
Jay sighed. “Ugh... It's my parents. Please, if they start yapping, just don't let them keep going, okay? They don't know when to quit. And if you start talking then they'll start talking, and suddenly half the day is gone before you know it ends...” Jay rambled.
“We get it! They talk a lot!” Kai interrupted. “The cherry doesn’t fall far from its blossom.” He muttered earning a chuckle from Cole.
Two TempestWings land outside, their wings neatly folded against their sides as they looked up at the ship.
“Oh, will you look at all this great stuff? They can't just get rid of it. We should have brought the trailer, Edna.” Jay’s father, Ed, said admiring the items left out for the rummage sale.
“This ain't a flea market, Ed. We're here for Jay," Edna, Ed’s wife, reminded him.
“Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?” Jay said stepping onto the deck of the ship they had discovered to be called the Destiny’s Bounty. Jay’s higher than normal-pitched voice was the only giveaway that his happiness about his parents’ visit was forced.
“Oh, look! It's my baby boy! It's been so long since we heard from you!” Edna said, sweeping Jay into a tight hug.
“Ma, I called you two days ago,” Jay replied, but accepted the embrace.
Ed chuckled. “Oh well... It's not soon enough, son. When are you coming out to the junkyard? You say you are coming an.. an.. and you don't.” Ed said, sitting next to Edna.
“Dad... do we have to talk about the junkyard in front of my friends?” Jay asked, lowering his head with embarrassment.
“He hates it when we tell people he was born in a junkyard.” Edna explained, looking at the ninja before her eyes fell on Nya. “Oh... and who are you? You are so cute! You're just my son's type.”
“Ma!” Jay exclaimed, sparks flickering along his body.
“It's a pleasure of meeting you. I'm sure if you want, Jay can give you a tour. He worked very hard on it.” Nya said, a little awkwardly.
”We'd love a tour!” Ed and Edna chorused as the ninja led them into the Destiny’s Bounty. Jay sighed, face pressed into his talon before hurrying after.
“And this the bridge. This extends into a periscope. This tells what's going on of Ninjago. And this... if a serpentine’s not giving us the answer we want, and we're late up night...” Jay said, gesturing to a machine.
“A neuro apparatus to read their minds?” Edna guessed.
“An audio appliance to make them talk?” Ed questioned.
“No, a cappuccino machine,” Jay said, pouring a small cup while grinning.
”Haha. Amazing, son! We're so proud of you.” Ed smiled at Jay.
”Why don't you tell them about the button?” Cole asked, sweeping his wing towards a large red button in the center of a console.
”Heh heh, it's not ready yet," Jay replied, glaring at Cole.
”Oh, what's the button?” Edna asked, interested.
”He's working on a special defense system," Zane said, glittering in the sunlight streaming through the bridge’s windows.
”Something every ninja headquarters needs.” Kai added, smirking at Jay.
“Oh, really? What does it do? Can I help?” Ed asked, reaching towards the button. Jay gently pushed his talons away.
“No, it's okay. I don't need your help, dad. Let's just leave it alone. Hey, look at the time. Don't you need to get back before it gets dark? I told you, there's dangerous Serpentine out there,” Jay rambled, herding his parents towards the door.
“Uh, I suppose we could get back,” Ed said.
“Edna, it was a pleasure hearing about Jay's first potty time,” Cole said as the group moved onto the main deck.
“Oh, if you thought that was good, wait until you hear the story about the time I caught him kissing his pillow!” Edna replied, grinning.
“Snakes, Ma. Snakes!” Jay reminded her, flaring his wings.
“Okay, we're going. We're going.” Edna laughed. “So you promise to come to the junkyard to visit your mother and father?”
”Yes, I promise! But only if you leave. I don't want you to get hurt. It's getting dark. Uh, your headlights are working, right?” Jay asked, looking at the two.
Ed and Edna clicked on the bright lights they wore around their foreheads like crowns. They couldn’t see well in the dark, so the lights helped.
“Heh, like 'em? I used a little extra juice.” Ed said, patting his light, before clicking it off. “Yep. Bye, son. I couldn't be more proud.”
“And bring Nya with you, will ya? I can see why you like her.” Edna whispered in Jay’s ear before turning.
”Ma…!” Jay sighed as the two older TempestWings departed. The group watched Jay’s parents depart then Jay turned to go back inside the ship.
”Now that they have left, perhaps Jay can teach us the art of… kissing pillows.” Wu snickered, following behind Jay.
Jay groaned and everybody laughed.
———————
“I don't think he's coming, dear.” Ed said suddenly as the two were flying.
“Stop it, Ed. He's coming.” Edna replied, swooping towards him to smack his shoulder, gently.
“No, he doesn't need us anymore. I just have to remember that. Uh, write it down for me, would ya?” Ed replied, ears dropping sadly.
“Oh, dear. Lights, dear. It's getting dark.” Edna replied, clicking on the light around her horns.
“Right, heh. Thanks, sugarplum.” Ed answered, turning on his own light.
—————
Lloyd paced jumpily through a foggy cemetery known as the Cemetery Of Souls.
“It's not scary. Um, maybe just a little, but I like scary. Yeah, that's it. I'm the son of the Dark Lord.  I love the dark. I eat this stuff for breakfast!” Something rustled in the bushes and he yelped. “I'm gonna make those HypnoWings pay for betraying me. I have to find the FangWings. If there's anything a snake doesn't like, it's another snake. Here, by the mutated tree. I found it!” He swished his tail around to clear the mist from the entrance.
”Soon, the Serpentine will know who their master is, and it will be I, Lloyd Garmadon!” He cackled evilly as lightning flicked across the sky and thunder roared. Lloyd yelped, flinging his wings over his head. He accidentally nudged the lever and the FangWing tomb slid open, and a the snake-like tribe leapt from the dark depths.
Lloyd screamed in fright as the shadowed shapes emerged from the tomb.
A large, two headed FangWing dragon towered over the small RainWing dragonet.
”And who...” The first head began.
”...may I say released us...” The second head continued.
“...from our captivity?” The first head finished.
Lloyd regained his ability to speak.
“Uh, Lloyd? I released you to make the HypnoWings pay for betraying me.” Lloyd said, frill a pale Jade green in fear.
“The HypnoWings?” The second head asked, eyes glaring down at Lloyd.
“Those hypnotizing deceivers.” The first head agreed.
“It'll be...” The second head started.
“...our pleasure.” The first head completed the statement, a savage grin on his face.
”Oh, good. I'll lead the way. Then after that, there's some ninja I want dealt with.” Lloyd said, beginning to weave his way between the FangWing warriors.
”Sounds like...” The first head started.
”...you know...” The second head continued. Lloyd was getting tired of this back and forth talk.
”...what you want.” The first head finished.
”But the HypnoWings are strong.” The Second head stated, looking to the first head.
“And we are few in numbers.” The first head agreed.
”We need...” The second head started.
”...reinforcements!” The first head exclaimed
“What did you have in mind?” Lloyd asked, slightly scared. The FangWing General led his tribe is a hiss, and Lloyd cackled again.
————————
Ed and Edna returned to their junkyard, landing on the dusted ground.
“Home, sweet home. And back to the grind.” Ed said, retrieving his toolbox and pacing towards a large object hidden by a sheet.
”Oh, sweetie. You've been working on that thing day and night.” Edna sighed, looking back form the trailer she was about to enter.
“Well, you never know when Jay may show up.” Ed replied, tightening a screw on the large object he was working on.
“Oh, you're right. You never know.” Edna replied, whisking into the trailer and closing the door behind her, the windows lighting up inside as she flicked on the light.
A dark silhouette whisked behind Ed as he worked, and there was a clatter of metal.
“Uh, Edna? Was that you?” Ed asked, turning quickly.
”What, Ed? Are you hearing things again?” Edna called, poking her head out from the trailer.
”Uh, you uh, you turned on the security alarm before you left, didn't ya, hun?” Ed asked, uneasily.
Edna emerged from the trailer and trotted over to check the alarm. She clicked the switch and nothing happened. “Uh, must be broken.” She said, shrugging.
The power went out and the junkyard was thrown into silence.
”Whoever's there, my son knows Spinjitzu!” Ed threatened, glaring around. A threatening hiss whispered out of the darkness. Ed hurried over to Edna.
”What is it, Ed? Oh, why are the lights out?” Edna asked, fearfully.
“Call Jay, hun. Someone's broken in!” Ed exclaimed.
“How about we wait until he calls you?” Lloyd asked, holding up a phone with a cut cord. He laughed evilly.
“Ed…” Edna said fearfully, pressing herself against the larger TempestWing’s side.
”Be strong, Edna. I won't let them hurt you.” Ed snarled, stepping in front of his wife. The FangWing General, Fantom, slithered up behind Lloyd. The RainWing and FangWing were perched on top of a mound of discarded cars.
“If we plan...” Fantom’s first head began.”
“ ...to attack...” The second head continued.
”...the HypnoWings...” The first head replied.
”...we'll need to grow...” The second head added.
”...our army.” The first head finished.
“And, uh, how do we do that?” Lloyd asked, green eyes widening.
”Let's just say...” The second head said with a smirk.
“...we FangWings bite off more.…” The first head continued.
“...than we can chew.” The second head finished as Lloyd scowled slightly.
”Have at it, boys!” The first head ordered, looking to the FangWing army that was concealed in the shadows. The waiting dragons surge out of their hiding places, fangs sinking into the metal objects stacked in giants heaps around the junkyard.
Vehicles that Ed had collected were seized by warriors of red and white.
“My creations! They are turning them into—“ Ed exclaimed.
”An army?” The Fangtom’s first head hissed dangerously, an evil grin on his face. The objects bitten by the FangWings turn scaly and pale green, with glaring red eyes.
“You are correct.” Fangtom’s second head agreed.
”But we can also…” The first head continued.
“…turn people, too!” The second head finished, laughing manically.
——————————
Jay was tapping the button in the bridge with a hammer, wondering why it wasn’t working. He opened a panel and fiddled with some of the wires, glancing up as Kai passed, carrying a small stool.
”Sure got a lot of junk piling up. If only there was a place we could get rid of it...” Kai said, smirking as he set his stool down.
”If you don't mind, I'm trying to focus.” Jay said, waving the fire ninja off and returning to his work, before being distracted again as Cole walked by.
Cole was pretending to be on the phone as he turned to grin at Jay. “Hi, mom and dad. Of course. I’d love to visit. What kind of son would I be if I didn't want to?” Cole said, loudly. The statement sounded very very rehearsed, but there was a minor twinge of sadness on Cole’s voice, that only Kai seemed to notice.
”Heheheheh. I know what you're trying to do. Okay, look, I might have promised to visit my parents, but there's a lot of stuff on my plate.” Jay said, returning to his work with a huff. Nya entered the bridge with a yawn, looking tired. Jay hastily wiped the oil and grease from his face as the SeaWing appeared.
“Hehe. Hi, Nya.” The TempestWing said, straightening up quickly.
”You gonna visit your parents, today?” Nya asked, watching Jay.
”Uh, sure am. Just about to leave.” Jay lied, quickly.
”Tell them I say hi.” Nya replied with a smile as she left.
The rest of the ninja looked at Jay with smirks.
“What? So my plate's not that full.” Jay grumbled.
————————
Jay sighed, their vehicles weren’t working, and most likely never would. Jay didn’t want to fly all the way alone.
“Well, I guess I gotta go on this long flight all by myself. Sure be nice to have company...” He said, looking at Nya. Nya was nodding until.
“Of course we'll go, buddy.” Kai chimed in.
”I could use a break.” Cole offered.
”All you had to do was ask.” Zane agreed.
Jay sighed with annoyance, pressing his talon against his face.
The group departed, Wu tagging along with his Sacred Flute in talon as they flew. The soft flute musical spiraled up around the noise of their wingbeats.
”Of all the days to lose our rides.” Jay panted. The desert was hot…and their vehicles had air conditioning.
”That flute. You've never told us why it's so special.” Zane observed, speeding up to fly beside Wu.
“Long ago there were many flutes, created to combat the powers of the Serpentine and drive them underground. But over time, Ninjago's forgotten its ancestors' wisdom, and now this is the only one.” Wu replied, placing the flute to his mouth once more and beginning to play again.
”I get the lesson: respect your elders or else suffer the consequences. Boy, you guys are laying it on thick.” Jay replied, looking back toward the rest of the group.
”Perhaps you are only hearing what you need to hear.” Wu chuckled. Jay rolled his electric blue eyes slightly, and halted, staring at the junkyard. The alarm bells in his head were ringing. The junkyard was quiet…too quiet. There was no clanging over a hammer on metal, no whir of a saw, and no lights glowing on the sign.
”What is it?” Nya asked as the group halted behind Jay.
”It's quiet. My family's never quiet.” Jay replied. The TempestWing dove towards the junkyard, sparks flickering along his body. He landed, sending up a small cloud of dust and glared around. A muffled screaming reached his keen ears and he hurried towards it. He opened a large metal fridge to find his parents tied up inside.
”What happened? Who did this?” Jay asked furiously, unbinding his mother’s mouth.
“Sweetheart, you came!” Edna exclaimed, a slight hiss to her words. Jay unbound his father’s maw.
”Oh, you gotta get out of here. You shouldn't have come, it's the ssssnakes!” Ed yelped.
“The bite of the FangWings!” Wu said, eyes widening. “Once they sink their teeth, their venom can turn anything into a serpent. It's only a matter of time before the full transformation is complete.”
An angry hiss from behind caught the group’s attention and they turned. A large wrecking ball machine was glaring at them, jaws parted.
”Uh, is that wrecking ball staring at me?” Cole asked, deeply unnerved.
“Duck!” Jay shouted, as the wrecking ball swung towards them. He lunged towards his parents, shoving them out of the way. The rest of the ninja scattered as the wrecking ball slammed into the ground, creating a large crater.
“Thankssss, sssson.” Ed groaned, sitting up dizzily.
”Lloyd!” Wu’s shout caught Jay’s attention and he turned. The RainWing dragonet was staring down at his uncle from a piece of flat metal atop a junk pile. Behind him, the FangWing leader lurked, staff in talon.
”Hello, uncle. Looks like we're not the only family reunion. I'm glad you brought the ninja. I could use some help taking out the trash. Muahaha!” Lloyd cackled, grinning.
”If we want to turn your parents back, we need the antivenom in the staff.” Nya said, looking at Jay.
“Second dose, to the dirt!” Cole yelped, shoving Kai out of the way as they scattered again. The wrecking ball hissed.
”Easier said than done, sis. We're a bit outnumbered.” Kai replied, helping Cole up.
“Nobody messes with my family. Ninja, go!” Jay growled, spinning into his electric tornado.
”Ninja, go!” The rest of the ninja cried, following Jay’s example. The FangWing army hissed and lunged towards the ninja. Wu played his flute to disoriented the dragons attacking him and Nya. Nya pinned a soldier, before knocking another out with her tail. Wu smacked one with the flute knocking him out as well.
”I don't know, Sensei. I think we make a pretty good duet.” Nya said, standing victoriously over the unconscious FangWings. Loud music began to rise up from Lloyd’s perch as he tuned a FangWing-bitten radio to a blaring volume.
”Young nephew, must I teach you whose side you should be on?” Wu shouted over the music, glaring at the RainWing dragonet.
”Sorry, uncle. Can't hear you!” Lloyd yelled back, turning up the music even more. There was a metallic clang as Edna hit a FangWing with a frying pan, stopping them from biting Wu.
”Yeah, way to go, Edna!” Ed cheered, from where he was standing with a twisted piece of metal as a weapon.
“Ninja, go!” The ninjas cry rose up above the chaos as they spun towards a massive statue of Jay. The FangWings hissed, reaching the statue before the ninja, and sinking their fangs into the metal. The music stopped as the statue hissed itself to life.
“Ah!” Jay yelped. “What is that thing?” He turned towards his father, wings flattened against his spine.
“It was sssupposed to be in your honor, sson, but do you like it?” Ed said, from his place crouched beneath a hunk of metal.
“Thanks, but no thanks.” Jay said, as the ninja scattered once more.
“Why'd you have to be born in a Junkyard?” Cole asked, helping Kai up.
“I know. Tell me about it.” Jay replied, stiffening as the wrecking-ball swung towards them again. There was an explosion of dust and the ninja peered down into the crater.
”Uh, wasn't there four of us?” Kai asked, glancing around for the missing Ninja.
Jay yelped, clinging to the wrecking-ball as the machine hissed angrily. He leapt from the ball to the cockpit of the machine, and shoved the snake out of the chair.
“Let's see if I can work this.” Jay said, reaching for the machine’s controls as they hissed at him. The FangWing robot hissed as it lunged towards Cole, but Jay spun the controller and faced it.
“Don't worry, I got it.” Cole said, but Jay smacked the robot away with the wrecking ball. “I told you I had it.” Cole grumbled.
“Retreat!” Lloyd screeched, sprinting away before flinging himself into the air alongside the FangWing General.
”He's getting away with the staff!” Nya said, pointing in the direction of the fleeing RainWing.
“Right now would be a good time to have that armor.” Jay said with a sigh, watching the fleeing FangWings’ teeth nervously.
“It'ssss okay, sssson.” Ed said, placing a now green talon on his son’s shoulder.
“There is still a way.” Wu replied, gesturing to their weapons.
“How?” Jay perked up.
“Part of reaching your own full potential is understanding your weapon's potential. Once it is in tune with a focused heart, its secrets and powers can be unlocked.” Wu said.
“Oh, this is not the time to be cryptic.” Jay snapped, pacing anxiously.
“He's saying our weapons are armor themselves.” Zane replied, nodding with understanding.
“Don't tell me I have to wear this thing like an armband.” Kai said, scowling.
“Jay, concentrate on unlocking your Golden Weapon. Let your heart guide you. Imagine your body is as hard as diamond.”
Jay grimaced and closed his eyes, moments later he was wearing a dark gray armor, decorating with swirls of light and dark blue.
“Whoa! Haha, did I just do that?” Jay asked, looking down at the armor coating his body. The ninja followed his example and leapt into the air in hot pursuit of the fleeing dragons.
Nya and Wu watched the ninja fly off.
”Does your flute turn into anything?” Nya asked, looking down at the thin instrument.
“I wish.” Wu sighed.
Jay whisked through the air, massive wings carrying him passed Lloyd and the FangWing General.
“Whoa, what the heck was that?” Lloyd asked, glancing around.
“Oops, haha. Overshot that a little.” Jay skidded to a halt, large wings bringing him to a hover before flying back, carefully approaching the two.
”Duck! Protect the Staff!” The FangWing General yelped but Jay snatched it from him and sped off.
”I got it? I got it!” Jay exclaimed. His armor vanished, and the sudden disappearance of its weight startled him, causing him to lose control of his wings. Jay yelped, the Gale too strong for him to right himself.
“Jay, you have to concentrate!” Kai cried, flying towards the TempestWing.
” I can't!!!” Jay screeched, causing Kai to cover his ears. Jay was flailing too much for Kai to get close and help him.
“I think we're gonna have to catch him.” Cole said, he and Zane approaching.
“I got him. I got him.” Kai assured the others, drifting closer to the still panicking Jay.
“No, I got him!” Cole dove down below Kai, pushing the SkyWing aside. “I’m stronger.”
“He's mine!” Zane shouted diving down towards the SkyWing and MudWing. White scales collided with red and brown, then the ninjas went tumbling into the sand.
Jay was caught by Nya who had been running along the ground alongside Jay’s parents, whose wings were vanishing as they transformed.
“Heh, nice catch.” Jay said shyly as Nya set him on the ground.
“Aw, I knew I liked thissss girl.” Jay’s mother cooed, a prominent snake-like hiss in her voice.
“Everyone!” The first FangWing leader’s head cried.
”Attack!” The second finished.
Kai turned to fight and tapped his sword against his palm, waiting for his armor to return.
“Huh? Why isn't this thing working?” Kai asked, turning to Wu.
“Your weapon is merely an extension of your mind. If your mind is immobile, so is your weapon.” Wu answered.
Jay’s dad glanced behind the group to see the FangWing army charging across the sand.
“Oh, boy. Oh, gosh. Oh, golly, oh, duh. Let’s go, boys!” Ed exclaimed, beginning to sprint in the direction of the Destiny’s Bounty.
“We have to get back to headquarters!” Jay cried, grabbing his mother and helping to her into the air. The FangWing venom effecting Ed and Edna was rapidly causing a decrease in their wing size, since the FangWings were wingless.
“Go! They're getting away!” Lloyd shouted, blossoms of red appearing in his scales.
Cole helped Jay’s father and they arrived at the Destiny’s Bounty fairly quickly. The FangWing army was still hot on their trail, however, their ground speed was higher than every other tribe.
“Come with me. Once we reverse the venom, we can fix you.” Nya said, leading Jay’s parents below deck.
“Man the stations, everyone!” Jay ordered, taking his place at the helm.
“Jay, we better hurry.” Kai leaned over the TempestWing’s shoulder.
“I've been waiting for this moment.” Jay grinned and smacked the red button.
“They're gaining on us!” Kai shook Jay’s shoulder.
“Bottoms, up!” Jay’s father exclaimed, as he and Edna sipped the antivenom, curing themself of the FangWing’s poison and returning to normal.
“Oh, that's good.” Ed said, examining his now normal scales.
“Ugh, I don't get what's wrong. I spent forever on this. It's supposed to work!” Jay yelped, pressing the button a few more times.
“Uh, son? Maybe I can help?” Ed offered, holding a screwdriver. Jay looked at his father, gasped and grinned.
“Dad! You're okay!” Jay hugged Ed, smiling.
“You're darn tooting. Oh, let's have a look.” Ed returned the hug and crouched next to the button, opening the control panel. He made an adjustment to the wiring.
“Oh, yeah. Uh-huh. Oh, that should do it. Now try it.” Ed said, straightening up. Jay pressed the button and the Bounty’s sails unfolded, the boosters clicked on and the ship rose shakily into the air.
”No, no, no, no!” Lloyd cried, scales a dark red now. He coughed as the dust spiraled into his face. The Bounty lurched dangerously to the side and Nya fell into the railing, the staff dropping to the ground below.
“These ninja...” The FangWing leader’s second head snarled.
“...they must be stopped.” The second head agreed.
”Tell me about it.” Lloyd huffed.
The Bounty was soaring along the sky, parting clouds with her massive hull.
”We'll get you back to the Junkyard just as soon as we see the coast is clear. But stay as long as you'd like. It's nice having you here.” Jay said, smiling at his parents.
“Oh, take a note, Edna: of all our inventions, this one is our greatest.” Ed said, nudging his wife. Edna tossed the notepad and pen away.
“ I already know, dear.” Edna answered, pulling Ed and Jay into a hug. Wu watched with a smile on his face as the trio embraced each other.
==Never Trust A Snake==
A dark ochre falcon fluttered through the sky, landing on a black phone wire and scattering a cluster of other birds.
“Wake up, Zane. I know where you come from.” The falcon said in a very human voice.
The IceWing awoke with a jolt, head smacking into the bunk above his. Zane rubbed his bruised scalp and slid out of his bunk. He glanced around, looking out the window. He stretched and shook out his wings, heading above deck.
“The hunt starts early today.” Zane said, addressing his Sensei and companion.
“A watchful eye never sleeps.” Wu said, tail tapping the deck.
“As long as Lloyd and the SerpentWings roam freely, no one in Ninjago is safe.” Nya said, steering the ship.
“Where are the others?” Zane asked, spike clattering.
“Training on the upper deck.” Wu answered.
Zane headed to the upper deck, and looked around, confused. The deck was barren and there was no sign of his companions. A screech caught his attention and Zane spied the dark feathered falcon perched on the mast.
”You were in my dream, little friend. Last time I saw you, you led me to good fortune. What reason have you returned?” Zane inquired of the bird, hatching the raptor ruffle its wings. Soon the Falcon soared from the mast and into the distant as Zane watched from the deck. Zane’s keen ears twitched and he turned, snarling.
“Lord Garmadon.” He faced h the Dark Lord. “But you you were banished!”
“Only to return for the Weapons Of Spinjitzu.” Garmadon growled, drawing twin katanas. “ Soon I will have the power to recreate Ninjago in my own image.”
Garmadon charged at the IceWing who summoned his Shurikens and leapt over Garmadon’s back before landing, wings spread in a defensive stance.
“Give me your Shurikens of Ice!” Garmadon roared spraying venom in the IceWing direction. 
“You’ll have to take them from me!” Zane replied. “Ninja go!” He spun into an icy twister and attacked Garmadon. The RainWing easily grabbed the IceWing by his throat and lifted him up. He tossed Zane into a pile of crates. The golden shurikens went skittering across the deck.
“So be it.” Garmadon hissed, grinning cruelly. He cut a rope and a heavy box came descending towards the downed IceWing. Zane’s eyes widened and he flung up a wing but a green scaled figure appeared and caught the box. Zane stared at the gold wreathed figure and the dragon tossed the crate aside.
Zane stared in wonder at the dragon. “The Green Ninja. The legend’s true.” He turned his gaze back to Garmadon. 
Garmadon leapt towards the Green Ninja but was immediately punched by the dragon. Zane watched. The Green Ninja was seemingly blurred. Zane could tell their scales were green, but couldn’t decipher what tribe. Garmadon flipped backwards and onto his back talons, sweeping a sword at the ninja. The green ninja landed lightly on the blade. Garmadon spun attempting to throw the dragon off, but the ninja leapt and landed. 
Garmadon threw his swords at the green ninja, who dodged easily. Garmadon lunged again but the green ninja smacked him with his tail. The green ninja leapt onto a crate and pulled out the nunchucks of Lightning. Garmadon turned and yanked a sword out of the mast, charging the green warrior again. The Green Ninja hit Garmadon with a bolt of lightning from the nunchucks. Garmadon roared in rage as he was flung over the side of the bounty.
Zane scrambled to his talons and turned to the Green Ninja. The dragon had a talon raised, Zane’s falcon perched on it and flames flickering in his eyes. 
“Who are you?” Zane asked, pacing closer. “Kai, is that you?”
Dark brown falcons fluttered down to land next to Zane. Soon dozens of them had surrounded the IceWing.
“What’s the meaning of this? Who are you?!” Zane stared at the ninja. Falcons filled Zane’s vision with spiraling brown feathers.
————
Zane awoke with a jerk, hitting his head on the bed above like he just had in his dream.
“Oh sleeping in. You’re gonna be late for training.” Jay said, stretching as he yawned. 
“Oh.” Zane sat up. “How come no one awakened me?” He asked, sliding out from beneath his blanket.
“We didn’t you think you wanted us to.” Kai shrugged, a toothbrush in his mouth. “You looked like you were having some dream.”
“How do I know this isn’t a dream?” Zane asked, tilting his head. Cole smacked him in the face with a pillow.
“Does that feel like a dream?” The Master Of Earth chuckled. 
“No.” Zane replied, shaking out his body. “Thank you for your help.” The others chuckled at him and left the room. Zane stood for a moment before following.
“Heh, moving a little slow today, huh?” Kai asked, seeing the IceWing emerge from below deck after the others. “What exactly did you dream about?”
“I saw the falcon again.” Zane replied, thoughtfully. 
“Whoa.” Jay sparked.  “Zane, every time you see that bird, something big happens. First it lead you to the secret tree house.”
“Then it led you to the bounty.” Cole agreed.
Wu interrupted the ninjas excited chatter.
“Alright. Stretches. First, the Swooping Crane.” Wu demonstrated the pose.
“This time, it showed me the Green Ninja.” Zane whispered.
“The green ninja?!” Cole, Jay, and Kai exclaimed in unison. 
Wu turned to see the ninja, with the exception of Zane, in different poses. 
“That looks like the shocked monkey.” The ninja looked at the HiveWing as he spoke. “Bad form. More focus.”  Wu turned around again. 
“You can’t just drop a bomb like that! Spill the beans!” Jay whispered.
“Yeah, what else did you see?” Kai hissed. 
“He was fighting Lord Garmadon.” Zane replied, simply.
“That’s what the prophecy said!” Kai mused, quietly. “That the Green Ninja would defeat the Dark Lord. But did you have a chance to see which one of us was him?” 
“Yeah.” Jay agreed.
“Did you see?” Cole whispered at the same time as Jay. 
“I could not tell.” Zane answered. “He shared attributes each of us possess.”
“Now, pinching crab.” Wu called from the front, changing the pose. Zane and the others followed his example.
“Well, tell us everything. And don’t spare any details.” Kai whispered. “There has to be a clue that tells us which one of us is gonna be the Green Nin-“
Wu appeared beside Kai and tugged on one of his horns. “Ow, ow, ow! Hey!” 
“What was so important to ignore my teachings?” Wu asked, tilting his head.
“Uh, nothing.” Kai said, quickly.
“It was nothing, sensei.” Jay agreed.
“Yeah, we don’t talk while you teach.” Cole offered.
“Everyone was paying attention.” Zane vouched for the others. 
“Since you all appear to be lacking in focus, then you can all share in the punishment.” Wu said, sweeping his tail across the ground.
“It was all Zane.” Cole pointed.
“I was merely answering their questions!” Zane protested.
Wu rolled his eyes. “No free time and no video games. The rest of the day can be used for training.” Wu said. “And tomorrow for that matter.”
“Training?” Kai frowned. “For how long.” 
“Until you can answer this simple riddle: what is the best way to defeat an enemy?
“Easy,” Kai chuckled. “With a sword.”
“Your fists.” Jay chimed I’m.
“Spinjitzu.” Cole offered.
“Tornado Of Creation?” Cole tilted his head. 
Wu sighed and shook his head. “Pace yourselves. You have a lot of training ahead of you.” Wu said. “Make sure to sharpen your mind as well as your Spinjitzu.” The sensei paced away.
“Ugh.” Cole groaned. “What’s the base way to defeat an enemy? It could be anything!” Cole grumbled.
“Come on, guys, we’re smart. We can figure this out.” Jay said, flicking his tail. 
Kai punched a training bag and watched Wu close the door to the bridge. 
“Yeah, but let’s here more about this dream.”
“Let me just say, the Green Ninja is awesome.” Zane commented, grinning. 
—————
The FangWings, currently under the command of Lloyd, encountered the HypnoWings. 
“Go general!” Lloyd trilled. “The HypnoWings. Now to teach them a lesson for betraying Lloyd Garmadon! Uh, do your thing, FangWings. I let you out of your hole for a reason.” 
“Attack!” Fangtom urged his tribe’s army forward. Fangtom leapt off of the vehicle he was on and paced towards the HypnoWing leader.
“Skales, my old chum!” Fangtom exclaimed doing a secret talonshake with Skales. “I didn’t think id be fighting you. Hmm, moved up on the world, have we?” 
“If it isn’t the FangWings! Of all the cold-blooded to creep up on us, I’m glad it is a friend.” Skales replied. 
“Wait.” Lloyd raised his talons. “I thought you were enemies. Not friend!” 
“We were at war.” Fangtom answered. “But seeing that Skales is now leading them, well, I don’t see why we can’t be comrades.” 
“Had you released the ConstrictWings, The VenomWings or heaven forbid the AnacondaWings, then we would’ve had a tussle.”
“A tussle? A tussle?!” Lloyd exclaimed. “But I’m Lloyd Garmadon! Bringer of evil!” 
Skales chuckled. “Heh. What should we do with him?” He asked Fangtom.
The two headed dragon replied with, “I could turn him into one of us.” 
“Hmm.” Skales contemplated a moment. “No, the little tyke is pretty useless.”
“What if,” Fangtom grinned. “You hypnotize him and make him think he’s a pig?” 
“That’d be pretty funny.” Skales agreed and the two laughed. Lloyd snuck away quietly, ears pinned and scales white.
“Hah! Can you imagine?” Fangtom asked, still chuckling.
Lloyd climbed into a SerpentineWing vehicle’s tail, but it flung him away and into the blizzard.
—————
Back on the bounty, Zane was finishing his explanation of his dream.
“With his fist on fire.” Zane completed.
“Woah.” The other three exclaimed at once.
“So I’m the green ninja?” Kai asked, excitedly. 
“What are you talk about?!” Cole exclaimed, smacking the red ninja with his tail. “He had incredible strength to lift that cargo and save his life! It’s me!”
“No, no.” Jay replied, shaking his head. “Did you miss the part of the story where the guy pulled out nunchucks? I have nunchucks!” He drew his weapon to show.
“I think you’re all missing the point of this dream,” Zane interjected. “The point is the falcon flew on his arm and it was my dream, so naturally it’s me!” 
Jay rolled his eyes. “I think we can cross Cole off the list. I could’ve lifted ten times-“
“Whoa, cross me off the list?! Anyone can hold nunchucks!” Cole growled at Jay.
Wu approached the group after noticing they weren’t training. 
“Since you are not training, you must have already found the answer to my riddle. What is the best way to defeat your enemy?” Wu asked, head tilted.
“Uh, the best way to defeat your enemy is to…train, Sensei?” Kai asked, wincing at his response. 
“Feeble and incorrect.” Wu replied, scoffing. “Maybe more training will help you focus. Remember what happened to your armor when you lost focus. A razor-sharp weapon is an extension of a razor-sharp mind.” Wu vanished below deck again as the ninja released a simultaneous groan. 
“How am I supposed to focus when we don’t know who the green ninja is?” Jay whined, frowning. 
“I don’t want to be training all day.” Cole sat down with a sigh. “Let’s work together on this riddle. We can figure it out.”
————
Farther within the Sea Of Sand, Lloyd was pacing alone through the drifted dunes. 
“ ‘Had you released the ConstrictWings, the VenomWings or heaven forbid the AnacondaWings then we would’ve had a tussle’.” Lloyd mocked Skales. “Pfft.”
The small RainWing examined his map.
He looked up again, glancing around before spying a massive tomb. 
“I found it!” He exclaimed, scales flashing bright yellow.  “The  AnacondaWings. The most feared and powerful SerpentineWing of them all. And if they’re afraid of the AnacondaWings, then the AnacondaWings are what they’re gonna get.”
He opened the tomb and coughed as he was blasted with an explosion of dust and sand. 
He stepped in, and looked around, pulling a flashlight out of his cloak’s pocket. He turned it on and shone the beam around. An AnacondaWing materialized at his  side, startling the young dragon 
The AnacondaWing hissed before clearing his throat. “My sincerest apologies, young man. Oh, dear, due to my unfortunate appearance, I tend to have an unsettling effect on people, heh.” The Serpentine gave a slight smile.
“Oh, I be,I’ve you dropped this.” He handed Lloyd his flashlight. “Ah, there you go.” 
Lloyd peered around again, the tomb as littered with dragon bones.
“Uh, thank you.” A flash of white flickered through his frill. “Uh, what happened of the others?” 
“Poor, unfortunate souls. All those years, locked away with nothing to eat.” The AnacondaWing shook his head and began leading the other towards the exit. “Must have slowly starved away until they were just scales and bones.” The AnacondaWing’s stomach growled and Lloyd looked nervously at the dragon who towered over him. 
“And who may you be, my little appetize—Uh I mean, friend?” The AnacondaWing asked, tilting his head. 
“Lloyd Garmadon.” The RainWing answered, ignoring the AnacondaWing’s slip-up. “Son of Lord  Garmadon and future dark ruler.”
“Oh hahaha,” The AnacondaWing laughed. “How deliciously evil. If I had talons, ooh, I’d be trembling in my boots.”
“And, uh, who are you?” Lloyd asked, head tilting.
“Humbly, I am Python P. Chumsworth. And since you’ve freed me, I am eternally in your service.” 
Lloyd’s eyes lit up. “Really?! You’re not gonna trick me?” 
“Oh, why would I trick you?” Pythor tilted his head. “I hardly have any friends.” He gestured around. 
“Woah.” Lloyd twitched his tail. “I hardly have any friends too.” He kicked a rock with a talon.
“You don’t say.” Pythor mused.
“Hey!” Lloyd perked up. “How would you like to be my loyal henchman? I’ve been betrayed by the HypnoWings and the FangWings, and I’m looking to get a little revenge on some ninja too.” 
Pythor noticed the map Lloyd had.
“Hmm, I love revenge!” Pythor cooed. “Ohl you know Floyd—“
“It’s Lloyd.” Lloyd interrupted. 
“Whatever.” Pythor rolled his eyes. “I have a feeling this is the start of a beautiful friendship.”
—————
Cole and Kai were sparring on the deck when Cole triumphantly pinned the SkyWing. The MudWing huffed with boredom and allowed the red ninja up.
“Anyone got a solution to Sensei’s riddle?” Cole asked as he helped Kai to his talons.
“It can’t be that hard.” Jay growled. “What’s the best way to defeat an enemy?” 
“Zane, you’re smart. What is it?” Kai asked, rubbing his shoulder. Cole looked at the red ninja, worried he’d actually hurt him.
“I do not know,” Zane replied. “But I sense that Sensei is going to keep us here if we don’t work together and find an answer.”
“That brothers me,” Cole growled, tail lashing. “Because while we’re here working, that means the enemy is planning.” 
—————
Lloyd cackled as Pythor moved the two along on a bike. Pythor was pedaling and Lloyd was seated on the front. They knocked trash cans over and causing dogs to howl.
“Stop! Stop!” An annoyed villager barked, ears pinned against his head and wings flat against his back. 
———
Pythor removed a sign that ordered the grass to not be stepped on, then he and Lloyd flopped on top of it and rolled around.
———
Pythor and Lloyd were eating ice cream from a stolen cart as a disgruntled villager shouted from where they were tied. 
“Hey you can’t do that!” The villager protested.
————
Lloyd and Pythor threw stones at boats floating on the water, causing them to sink. The owners of the toy boats saw their creations sink and cried.
————
Lloyd and Pythor moved down a row of young dragonets in strollers and snatched candy from them. Then they triumphantly return to Pythor’s tomb with a wheelbarrow full of candy.
“Wow.” Lloyd said, in a sugar coma. “You’re the best henchman a mastermind could ever have.” He said, twitching slightly.
“Oh, Lloyd. You’re the best mastermind a henchman could ever have.” Lloyd chuckled. 
“Hmm. Why is it that you have no friends?” Pythor asked, head twitching to the left as he looked up from where he lay.
“Well,” Lloyd began. “I could’ve had friends back at my boarding school for Bad Boys, but I decided to run away and never let them see me again.” He cackled.
“Really?” Pythor blinked. “Why would you run away from making friends? Everybody needs friends, even tyrants.” Pythor turned his long neck away to lap at a lollipop he had.
“Well, uh, maybe I didn’t run away.” Lloyd grimaced. “Maybe I, uh, I got kicked out.”
“From the Boarding School for Bad Boys?” Pythor gave the RainWing an incredulous look. “I don’t believe it. I hear they are the training ground for the truly despicable. And if you ask me, ho-ho, you are a talonful.”
“Well, thank you, Pythor, but they told me I wasn’t bad enough.” Lloyd answered, head resting on his talons. “They said I lacked the amoral ambition to be one of tomorrow’s masterminds.”
“Well, you’ll show them.” Pythor replied.
“That’s right, I will show them.” Lloyd yawned. 
“Then why don’t we?” Pythor bounced to his front talons, the only ones he had.
“Uh, why don’t we what?” Lloyd sat up.
“Let’s get revenge on the very school that rejected you.” Pythor nudged the dragonet. “And when the ninja come to rescue them, we’ll have a trap laid out.”
“A double revenge?” Lloyd asked, yellow crossing through his scales.
“A double revenge!” Pythor agreed. “Get some rest. Hijacking an ice cream truck is a lot for anyone, and if you’re going to rule the world, we’ll ho-Ho-ho you’ll need to get your sleep.”
Lloyd yawned again. “Oh, and one more thing.” Pythor said.
“Yes?” Lloyd echoed sleepily. 
“I’ll be your friend.” Pythor murmured. 
The RainWing dragonet hugged Pythor. “Oh, Pythor, you’re the best.”
Lloyd curled up on the ground, and Pythor noticed the map sticking out of Lloyd’s cloak pocket and tried to reach it. Pythor laughed low in his throat but Lloyd rolled over, now laying on the map. The AnacondaWing made a noise of annoyance.
—————
Back on the Bounty, the ninja opened the door to Wu’s study and peeked through the doorway.
Wu twitched an ear, seemingly sensing the ninja’s appearance.
“Ah. You must have found the answer to what is the best way to defeat an enemy.” 
“We have, sensei,” Cole said, grinning. “It’s—on three guys. One two…”
“Teamwork!” The ninja cheered, each putting a talon in the center of their circle.
“Is this what you all think?” Wu fixed them with a stern look.
“Yeah.” Cole said.
“Yes!”
“Absolutely.” Jay and Kai said in unison with the MudWing.
“Sadly, you are all wrong.” Wu shook his head. 
“Come on.” Cole groaned. Kai copied the noise and shook his head.
“Aw man.” Jay looked downcast as he followed the others into the hall.
“I’m starting to think whoever figures out this riddle can be the Green Ninja for all I care.” Cole grumbled 
The ninja all looked up as an alarm started blaring and a red light began flashing.  
“What’s that?” Jay lashed his tail.
“Who cares?” Kai asked, heading in the direction of the bridge. “It’s something else besides training.”
Kai led the way into the bridge to see Nya in front of a large screen.
“Break it down for me, sis.” He said, stopping beside the SeaWing.
“Lloyd and a SerpentineWing have overtaken Darkley’s Boarding School for Bad Boys.” Nya said, flicking her tail and tapping some buttons.
“That place is a  cesspool for the crooked and the misbehaved.” Jay scowled, 
“Well, doesn’t mean they don’t need our help.” Cole answered. “Step on it.”
Zane pressed the red button in the center of the console and the Destiny’s Bounty lifted off the ocean and soared into the sky.
————
At Darkley’s, Lloyd and Pythor laugh in the face of the tied students and teachers, then rolled down the hallway on a skateboard.
“How are the booby traps?” Lloyd asked, sitting on the front of the skateboard while Pythor used his tail to push them along.
“Every door, window, and hole into this place are spring loaded.” Pythor replied, hissing slightly.
“Ah, good. I’m sick and tired of those ninja sneaking their way into my evil doings.” Lloyd snorted with annoyance. 
The Destiny’s Bounty hovered over the boarding school, and the ninja peered down from the deck, hoods flipped up. 
“Looks quiet down there. Should we infiltrate using stealth?” Zane asked.
“You all can’t fly.” Kai noted, pointing to rigged net launchers. Kai could easily burn through a rope net. “Besides, we’ve done that. What about using our Golden Weapons to get out armor?”
“I’m still working out the issues with that.” Cole said, tapping the dented dragon armor with his hammer. “Anyone have any other good ideas?”
“Hmm.” Jay grinned broadly. “Well I have one idea, but you guys gotta trust me.” 
“Oh.” Kai looked at the blue ninja. “I don’t think I like the sound of this.”
————
Lloyd looked around nervously, talons twitching. 
“Relax.” Pythor said. “We’ve made the perfect trap. We’re in broad daylight so there isn’t any shadows. But even if they could get in-“
“What’s that?!” Lloyd yelped, pointing to something at the ground. The net canon trigger and launched at the slight movement, but it was just a lizard. The ropes shimmered in the sunlight, not rope, but metal a very strong reinforced metal. 
“Oh yeah. Good reflexes. I was just testing you. If I know these ninjas, they’re cleverly sneaking their way right past us at this very moment.” Lloyd said,  narrowing his eyes.
————
The ninja were all perched on the anchor.
“Jay, I don’t know about this.” Kai said, nervously.
“It’s this or get pinned by solid metal nets.” Jay said. “Just hold on right!”
He gave Nya a signal to drop the anchor.
The ninja all shrieked, except Jay who’s laughter rung up above the screams. Kai was ashamed to say he may have screamed loudest.
Lloyd and Pythor leapt out of the way as the anchor crashed through the ceiling. It fell through the whole building before finally landing at ground level. The ninja all coughed loudly as a dust cloud was sent up.
“Okay.” Cole groaned, dragging a disgruntled Kai off the anchor. “Let’s agree to never do that again.” He paced towards the students and two BoneWings tied up and strung from the ceiling. Cole lifted his scythe making the students shriek but he only cut their ropes.
“Stay outta school kids.” Cole said, slinging the scythe over his shoulder. He turned to find BoneWings.
“Well, well, well. Kruncha and Nuckal. Substitute teachers, eh?” Cole glared at the two. “If we cut you down, we better not catch you hanging around Ninjago again, or else.” He cut the two free and Kruncha ran in one direction and Nuckal ran the wrong way, soon turning to follow Kruncha.
Kai peered up the hole to see Lloyd gasp and vanish.
“He’s on the top floor! Let’s get him!” Kai said, pointing up. 
“Ninja go!” The ninja cried together.
Zane and Kai used their Spinjitzu to get up the stairs, while Cole scaled the anchor chain. The who,e the anchor had created wasn’t large enough to fly through. Jay took the elevator. 
Kai and Zane kicked open a door in sink and tried to run through, but a bucket fell and trapped them in a sticky and slimy substance. 
“Ugh!” Kai growled, attempting to heat his scales and get out, but Zane’s close proximity and below freezing scales collided with Kai’s warmth and merely caused steam.
“I can’t move.” Zane looked apologetically at the red ninja.
Pythor and Lloyd cackled, and Lloyd yelped when he spied Cole still climbing the anchor chain. Jay was tapping a talon in the elevator and trying not to doze off at the tranquil music. 
Cole leapt onto the floor Pythor was on, scythe drawn. “Prepare to eat dust.” The MudWing growled, lashing his tail. Pythor grinned evilly and yanked a rope causing dust to fly everywhere and knocking Cole’s legs out from under him. Cole gasped and inhaled a mouthful of dust before immediately started coughing. There was a ding and Jay surged out of the elevator, nunchucks drawn. 
“He’s got a SerpentineWing with him!” Cole coughed. “Watch out for booby traps!” 
Jay nodded and caught a glimpse of Pythor escaping. “Ah! That’s one big snake.” He whimpered before following.
Lloyd sprinted in a circle around the roof. “They’re coming, they’re coming, they’re coming!” He squeaked as Pythor barricaded the door. Jay however managed to break through and leapt onto the roof, feathery wings spread.
“Shocked to see me?” He asked, spinning his nunchucks. 
“Do something!” Lloyd exclaimed looking at Pythor as he scampered to the other side of the roof. 
Pythor snatched the map from the dragonet.
“Wh-what are you doing?!” Lloyd yelped. “I thought you were my friend!”
“All you wanted was to make the SerpentineWings your slave! Well, sorry, my dear boy, I have other plans.” Pythor spread his talons and vanished as his scales camouflaged. 
Lloyd attempted to run away from Jay and his scales turned pale Jade green and white. He looked over the boarding school roof and gulped seeing how high he was. He wasn’t used to flying this high up as he was still young. 
The Destiny’s Bounty was brought to a hover next to the roof.
“Lloyd. Montgomery. Garmadon.” Wu growled. “You come here right now!”
“I got him.” Jay smiled and slung the dragonet over his shoulder. He brought him to Wu.
“Whoa, hey, lemme go!” Lloyd squirmed. 
The other ninja leapt up the anchor chain and landed next to Jay. 
“What should we do with him?” Cole asked, grinning slightly. “Wash his mouth out with soap for a hear?”
“Ground him indefinitely?” Kai offered.
“Have him sit in the corner for a century?” Zane chuckled. 
“I know exactly what we must do.” Wu narrowed his eyes at Lloyd. Lloyd gulped nervously.
————
That night, Lloyd was tucked into a bed made on the floor, while Wu read him a story. The ninja all looked through the door with indignant expressions. The Bounty’s flight made a slight hum as it moved.
“And that is why Jack The Rabbit never trusts a snake. The end.” Wu finished, closing the book.
“Oh, if my dad had read me that book, I would never have made that mistake.” Lloyd whispered. “I’m sorry, uncle.” 
“Oh, you do not need to apologize.” Wu smiled. “I am sure that if your father was still here, it would be the first book he’d read. Good night, nephew. Sweet dreams.” 
“Ah good night uncle.” Lloyd yawner. Wu patted the RainWing on his head and left, closing the door behind him.
“I don’t get it, sensei.” Kai said, tilting his head at Wu.
“Why isn’t the little brat getting punished?” Jay asked, voicing the question all the ninja were thinking.
“Yeah, we had to train all day and he gets read a bedtime story? It’s not fair.” Cole agreed.
“Hmm, you’re right. I nearly forgot.” Wu said. “Why are you not still training? Did you find the answer to the riddle?”
Kai sighed. “No, sensei. We still don’t know what the best way to defeat your enemy is.” Kai said, leading the others back to the main deck, heads hung. 
“It is to make them your friend.” Wu replied. The ninja all turned to look at him.
“Ohh.” They all made an understanding noise.
“Of course.” Jay said.
“Yeah.” Kai agreed.
The ninja all peeked through the cracked door at the slumbering RainWing. 
== Can Of Worms ==
A bird fluttered down and landed in a window of the Destiny’s Bounty, twittering loudly before being waved  away by a red talon.
Kai stretched and settled on the couch, picking up a controller. He turned on the tv with a grin, about to play his game. Lloyd poked his head through the door, hood to his cloak pulled down to reveal his head. 
“Hey, Kai!” Lloyd stepped into the room with the SkyWing as Kai looked over at him.
“Ha. I saw Cole beat your high score. You should have seen it,” Lloyd said. “It was pretty spectacular.” 
Kai scoffed. “You must be talking about Sitar Legend.” Kai said, grinning smugly. “This is Fist To Face Two. No one beats me on my game.”
“Huh.” Lloyd shrugged. “Could be wrong. See ya!” He turned to leave the room and started whistling. 
Kai shook his head with another scoff and turned on the console. 
The menu screen loaded and Kai gasped, seeing the MudWing had claimed the top five spots with scores of 9370, 7277, 5759, 4209, and 3224.
“Huh?!” Kai exclaimed, growling. “Cole!!” 
————
Cole was stirring a large pot of what seemed like Chili our soup.
“Mmm.” Cole grinned. “Violet Berry soup, my culinary achievement. If the recipe is not followed exactly…”  He sipped some off of the spoon but gagged and coughed.
Lloyd peered through the door. “By the way, I saw Jay spice things up.” Lloyd said, smiling. “I told him not to, but he said your cooking could use it. Bye, Cole!” The RainWing left.
Cole spat out his mouthful of soup and growled. “Jay!!”
—————
Jay had on all his armor and he flipped down his eye protection. A sparring bot was in front of him and Jay had the remote in his talon. 
Jay drew his nunchucks. “Let’s ease our way into this.” He said. “How about level two, shall we?”
He turned the sparring bot on but the level quickly leapt up to nine. The bot back to advance towards Jay, very slowly.
Lloyd was whistling when he came onto the deck with Jay. “Hey, Jay. I saw Zane try to repair the sparring bot earlier. Isn’t that your expertise?” He shrugged. “Later, bro.” He continued whistling.
“Wait what?!” Jay yelped, and the sparring bot hit him and sent his sprawling. He tried to grab the remote but the bot hit him farther back, laughing.
“NO, NO!” He shrieked. “ZANE!!”
————
Zane was hanging up the ninja’s cloaks and masks to dry on the main deck. Lloyd came up behind him, whistling still.
“Hello, Lloyd.” The IceWing greeted the smaller RainWing with a smile. “What brings you up here this fine morning?”
“Kai wanted me to pick up his ninja cloak.” Lloyd said, twitching his ear and returning the grin. “He said he threw it in with your whites.” He searched through the laundry basket for a second before pulling the red cloak out.
“Here it is.” Lloyd wrapped the red fabric around his talon. “Thanks.”
Zane narrowed his eyes and pulled out one of his white cloaks. He growled lowly when he realized it was bright pink.
—————
Below deck, each of the ninja were arguing with the dragon upsetting them.
“You couldn’t just be happy with the top score, now coulda ya?” Kai growled at Cole. “You had to rub it in my face!”
“Do you know how long it took me to make that?!” Cole hissed at Jay. “Three days. THREE DAYS!”
“It’s an unsaid law, okay?” Jay was lecturing Zane. “You don’t touch a man’s robot!”
“How am I supposed to strike fear in this?!” Zane shoved his pink cloak in Kai’s face. “It’s pink!!” 
Wu entered the room with a small smile, watching the ninja argue for a few moments. He then opened the bathroom door where he revealed Lloyd. The RainWing cackled loudly, and the ninja see each of the things used to ruin their stuff. 
The ninja gasped simultaneously. “You did this?!”
Cole stepped forward, eyes blazing. “Boys, I get first dibs on-“
Wu extending a wing, protecting the smugly grinning RainWing.
“No dibs!” Wu huffed. “I put him up to this for today’s lesson. I wanted to show you the destructive power of rumors and that jumping to conclusions can only lead to trouble. Did you ever think to find out if the accusations were true?”
“Uh, no offense, Sensei, but let me jump to this conclusion: today’s lesson is lame.” Cole groaned. Kai nodded in agreement. 
“Yeah,” Jay nodded. “Why can’t you teach us to paralyze your enemy with one finger? Or find out if a dragon is lying by the twitch of his nose?”
Wu sighed. “Because not all lessons are about fighting,” Wu paused. “And I misplaced my lesson book.”
Kai noticed the lesson book sticking out of Lloyd’s cloak pocket, and he snatched it. “You mean this lesson book?” He tilted his head, grinning.
“It was the perfect plant until you have to show up and mess everything up—“ Cole closed the door of him, dusting off his talons. 
Nya’s voice soon crackled over the speaker. “Of you’re done fooling around, I could use you guys on the bridge.” Nya said. “We do still have a snake problem to attend to. Over and out!” 
Kai grumbled. He didn’t like the thought of Nya accompanying him into dangerous situations. “It’s one thing  to let the son of you nemesis live with you. But my sister here? I mean come on!” Kai huffed. “I thought this was a ninja headquarters.”
“You do know I can hear you,” Nya said again. “Over and out!” Kai groaned and winced, pressing a talon to his face. 
The ninja clustered in the bridge and Nya turned to face them.
“Last ww heard of Pythor, he stole the Map Of Dens from Lloyd and is now on his way to open the last two SerpentWing tombs.” 
“Ugh,” Lloyd shook his head, turning an ashamed color. “Don’t remind me.”
Wu placed a talon on Lloyd’s shoulder. “Pythor’s our most dangerous threat.” He said, tail flicking. “If he finds those tombs before we do, with his intellect and all four subtribes unleashed, there’s no telling what he’ll do.”
“Good idea.” Nya nodded. “Why don’t we?” She tossed two darts at a map. “These are the locations of the Hypno and FangWinv tombs.” 
“Show off.” Kai mumbled.
“And this is Pythor’s tomb.” She placed a final dart on the map. “After many hours of ruminating on why the tombs were placed in these precise locations, I discovered a secret pattern. If you notice, all three are in line with the Ninjago symbol for SerpentineWings.”
“So the last two tombs must be here, and here.” Jay added two darts to the map and pointed. “You’re so smart.” 
Nya grinned. “Was there ever any doubt?”
“There’s little time,” Wu’s wings buzzed. “Kai and Jay, you head to the VenomWjng tomb. Cole and Zane, you take the ConstrictWing tomb. And take this.” The master handed Zane the sacred flute.
“You might need it if you run into Pythor. Good luck, ninja.” Wu gave the ninja a dismissing nod and they left.
“What am I gonna do?” Nya turned back to Wu. 
“Yeah, what are we gonna do?” Lloyd echoed, tail-top flicking. 
“Nya, I need you here to make sure Lloyd doesn’t get into any more trouble.” Wu answered.
“Yes, sensei.” Nya huffed, slightly annoyed. 
Wu turned back to the map as the SeaWing and RainWing left. 
“Where are you Pythor?” He sighed. “What are you up to?” 
—————
The ninja were all clustered on the deck.
“Let’s go boys,” Cole said, spreading his dark wings. “We got some snake dragons to club.” 
Jay and Kai swept off in the opposite direction of Zane and Cole.
Cole flew alongside Zane, who groaned at the bright pink cloak and hood he was wearing.
“Let’s set down,” Cole called as they neared the mountain. “My wings are tired.” Being the strongest in the group, Cole knew if his wings were tired, Zane’s definitely were. 
The two landed and Cole massaged his shoulders. 
“I don’t think I can fly much more,” Cole said, wincing as his muscles protested. “We go the rest of the way on talon.”
“But this is The Mountain of a Million Steps.” Zane observed, tilting his head. “Aren’t we pressed for time?” 
“Then we’ll take a shortcut.” Cole grinned.
Cole was climbing the mountain, panting slightly with the IceWing perched on his back. 
“Am I holding on to tight?” Zane asked.
“Light as a feather, Pinky.” Cole replied. “Almost there.” 
The two finally reached the summit and found the tomb entrance, but it was open. 
“Looks like Pythor was already here.” Zane observed. “Perhaps we should investigate.” 
Cole was sitting down, panting heavily. “Give me a second. Phew. Go on and start without me.”
Zane leapt into the tomb and landed kicking up dust. Cole followed a few moments later, still catching his breath. 
The two turned to look at massive murals drawn on the walls.
“Huh, didn’t momma snake ever tell them not to draw on the wall?” Cole asked, chuckling. 
“These images describe a legend about one tribe uniting them all.” Zane said, tracing a talon over an image. 
“Those snake had been at war with each other for centuries.” Cole shrugged, dismissively.
“Well, it says here, once they unite, they can find the Four Silver Fangblades that will u leash the Great Devourer, an evil that will consume all of the land, turning the day into night.” Zane answered, walking along the wall and trailing his talon across the murals.
“You get all that from those little pictures?” Cole blinked, impressed. 
“This gives me deep concern.” Zane said, tail flicking. “If Pythor’s not here and unites all the tribes together before Kai and Jay find him-“
Cole placed a talon on the other’s shoulder. “Relax, Zane. They’re a bunch of snake dragons who believe in fairy tales. If anything we’ve got all the-“ Cole stiffened as he felt the ground shift slightly. 
“You feel that?” He asked. Cole put all four talons on the ground, head lowered towards the stone. He growled. 
“What?” Zane asked, blue eyes narrowed. 
“There’s something in the ground.” Cole hissed. “Don’t. Move.” 
A ConstrictWing launched themself from the ground and wrapped their tail around Zane.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” He hissed. “Pythor sends his regards.”
“Did you stay behind just to tell us that?” Zane growled, squirming. “Pathetic.”
“Look who’s calling who pathetic, Pinky.” The ConstrictWing, Skalidor, hissed as he tightened his grip on the ninja.
“Only I call him Pinky.” Cole growled and slammed his scythe into the ground, causing an earthquake to rattle towards the snake and knock him back, freeing Zane.
“Zane, go!” Cole shoved the IceWing towards the exit and faced the snake again, this time taking the flute out of one of his bags. 
Zane made it up but when Cole didn’t follow after a few moments, he turned back.
“Cole?” He called, looking down. Cole placed his talons carefully on the instrument and began to play. The ConstrictWing flinched back, groaning in pain as he covered his ears. 
Cole grinned slightly, thinking he’d won, but the snake dragon wrapped his tail around  his neck.
“Zane! Zane!” Cole choked out, dropping the flute.
“Ninja, go!” Zane leapt back down the hole, seized the flute and began to play, but Skalidor extended a talon and grabbed him by the throat. Zane gasped, and inhaled as best he could, continuing to play. 
Finally Skalidor’s grip loosened so they could escape. Cole growled and pulled out his scythe again.
“Wrap your head around this!” He knocked the dragon out.
“Ah good one.” Zane said, shaking out his wings. 
“Thanks.” Cole narrowed his eyes and looked back at the unconscious SerpentWing. “But if he was expecting us, I think Kai and Jay are walking into a trap. Come on, let’s get out of here.” The two spread their wings and soared up out of the hole, before gliding in the direction of the Toxic Bogs.
—————
Kai and Jay swept over the acidic landscape and landed, both wrinkling their noses.
“Ew.” Jay observed, flicking his tail.
“Hey, it’s not me.” Kai growled at him. “We’re in the Toxic Bogs. This stuff will eat through you worse than Cole’s Chili.” Jay snickered and the two advanced to where the tomb was.
Jay opened the door and the two peered inside, but it was empty.
“Pee-yew.” Jay groaned. 
“Pee-yew.” Jay’s voice echoed back at him and he laughed.
Kai sighed. “Let’s just make this quick before Pythor gets here.” His ears pricked a noise. “Hm?” 
Kai paced around the side of the tomb, just far enough he was still within earshot of the electric ninja.
“This place looks empty.” Jay shrugged. “We must’ve just missed them.”
Jay leaned farther into the tomb.
“Check this out!” He called to the fire ninja who ignored him.
“They say you’re the Green Ninja, but I say I am!” Jay called into the tomb.
“I am! I am!” Jay’s voice echoed back.
“I am!” Jay shouted back again.
“I am! I am!” The echo responded. Jay laughed. Kai jumped as a frog croaked in the pond beside, and he drew his sword. 
He relaxed upon seeing the small amphibian. “You shouldn’t sneak up on dragons like that.” He said, looking down at the small creature. “Heh, if I wasn’t such a well-trained Nin—“ The frog leapt into the pond, landing on the head of what was soon revealed to be a VenomWing. The VenomWing shot a spray of green liquid into Kai’s eyes, and Kai fell back. More VenomWings emerged from the bogs and to Kai they only looked like gingerbread dragons or had elf hats.
“Uhg. Jay? Jay!” Kai’s voice became increasingly high pitched.
“No, I’m the real Jay!” Jay yelled into the tomb.
“No, I'm the real Jay!” His echo replied.
Jay heard Kai shriek and sprinted around the corner to see Kai cowering before Constrict and VenomWings that were closing in on him. 
“Oh, this is not good.” Kai whimpered. “Jay! Jay! There’s so many! Elves and gingerbread dragons everywhere!” He covered his face with his talons, his eyes now a sickly green instead of light amber.
“Okay…” Jay said, slowly, nunchucks drawn. “I don’t know what you’re seeing, but this is no time to lose yourself. I need you, partner.”
“I’ve never fought little dragons before!” Kai yelped. “We’re toast!” 
Cole and Zane appeared through the mist, having tracked the duo through the dense canopy.
“Anyone order a little kick tail?” Cole growled, scythe in talons.
“Tail…tail…tail.” Cole’s echo came back at him and Jay laughed. 
The landscape seemed to shift around Jay and Pythor flung open his wings with a hiss. “Boo!”
Jay yelped and scrambled back, and Zane whipped out the flute, trying to play it. Pythor snatched the instrument and tossed Zane away like he weighed nothing.
“No, let’s not let music ruin things, hmm?” Pythor grinned.
Being forced back by the impending SerpentWings, the ninja leapt onto a log floating on the pond. The canopy above was too thick to fly through.
“I’ve got a sinking feeling this may be the last I see of you four.” Pythor cackled.
“That’s it. I used to hate serpents, but now I officially hate snakes.” Cole growled, curling his tail farther from the acid eating its way through the log. The ninja were trapped. They couldn’t fly out, and they couldn’t return to shore.
“Wait, do you see it?” The ninja all looked at Kai, who was standing shakily on his hind legs. “A magic floating rope! We can climb to safety!” 
Jay grabbed the red ninja’s cloak and pulled him back. “Boy that VenomWing venom is some powerful stuff.” He remarked as the SerpentWings laughed from the shore.
The log started sinking more, and some SerpentWings took flight to catch the Ninja if they attempted to fly away. Every way out was blocked.
Zane’s shoulders slumped and his wings drooped. “For whatever it is worth,” He began. “It was an honor to fight beside you all.” 
“Me too.” Cole dug his talons into the sinking log with a growl.
“Yeah, ditto.” Jay agreed. A rope dropped in front of them and they blinked.
“Hey, what?” Cole asked.
“The magic rope.” Kai said, shaking his head violently. He laughed. 
“Quick. Everyone, swing over.” The ninja all swung to a low level of a tree, and Cole had to grab Kai to keep him from falling.
A heavily armored dragon tore through the canopy with a blast of fire and landed, attacking the SerpentWings.
“Oh dear.” Pythor frowned. 
The dragon had a robotic voice when they said “Pythor target confirmed. Time to bag and tag.” The dragon shot a dart from a bracelet like th8ng on their wrist and it hit Pythor who yelped and flew away.
“Who are you?” Cole asked, eyes wide as he paced towards the dragon.
“How about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen?!” Jay trilled.
“Santa?” Kai blinked, and rubbed his eyes like an irritated cat.
“Thank you mysterious warrior,” Zane began. “I owe you my life for saving—“ The dragon held up a can and sprayed whatever was inside at Zane's face. The IceWing was still for a moment before falling over, unconscious. 
“Now that wasn’t nice.” Jay growled, but the dragon knocked the rest of them out in the same manner. The ninja were clustered in an unconscious pile when a spotlight glared down from The Destiny's Bounty.
—————
The ninja were all sitting at the table for dinner.
“So then,” Jay was saying. “Just when we were gonna bite it, this huge mechanical dragon—“
“Samurai.” Zane interrupted. “It was Samurai.”
“A sama-what?” Lloyd echoed, head tilted to the left.
“Samurai.” Wu said, beginning an explanation. “Highest level of warrior class. They would protect nobility and serve with honor on the battlefield.”
“He was a hundred feet high!” Kai exclaimed. “With weapons coming out of every part of him.
Kai leaned closer to Cole. “Look at Sensei’s beard. It’s moving like snakes.” Cole gave the red ninja an annoyed look and nudged him back into his own spot.
“When is this VenomWing spit supposed to wear off?” Nya asked, frowning at Kai. “It’s starting to get annoying.”
Kai tried to eat but missed his mouth entirely.
“Okay, don’t let this mysterious Samurai cloud what’s really important.” Cole said. “All the SerpentWings are out, and if Pythor can unite them, the legend states some Great Devourer is gonna consume the land and-“
“‘Great devourer’?” Nya echoed.
“Whatever it is, it’s a can of worms I don’t wanna see open.” Cole shuddered.
Lloyd groaned. “It’s all my fault.” He sighed. “If I hadn’t opened the first hatch, none of this would’ve happened.”
“We cannot change the past.” Wu placed a talon on his nephew’s shoulder. “But we can affect the future. At least we have the Sacred Flute in our possession, so-“
“Yeah, ahem…about that.” Jay laughed nervously.
“Pythor sort of stole it.” Zane finished.
Wu’s spines pinned against his back. “The last Sacred Flute gone?” He asked with a sigh. “You four are Ninjago’s last hope.” The alarm began to blare loudly causing Kai to jump.
“Cold vision must have caught something,” Nya explained, leading the others into the bridge. “That means the SerpentWings are near.”
“Ninjago City?” Cole asked.
“How many are there?” Jay peered around Cole, being one of the shortest ninja.
“Looks like all of them.” Kai squinted at the screen before rubbing his eyes again.
“Pythor must be trying to unite them.” Zane’s spikes clattered as he flicked his tail. 
“Go, we mustn’t let the five tribes unite.” Wu said and the ninja nodded before jogging out of the bridge.
All the ninja went into their elemental tornadoes and appeared with their element colored cloaks and masks.
Zane looked distastefully at his pink cloak. “I must get this taken care of.” He sighed.
Kai spun for a moment but stumbled and fell over, a talon pressed to his eyes.
“Don’t worry,” Jay helped him up. “It’ll wear off soon. For now, you’re coming with me.”
—————
The ninja all stood battle ready on the deck, before leaping off and diving towards the city. Kai had a firm grip on Jay and was screaming loudly in his ear.
“Ah. I love the smell of land hurtling towards you in the middle of the night.” Cole remarked. They all spread their wings and slowed to a stop, landing in an alley.
Kai was still shaking slightly, and he rubbed his eyes again.
“Woah.” The ninja all exclaimed together.
“Ninjago City.” Kai turned in a small circle, admiring the glowing skyscrapers.
“Amazing.” Zane blinked.
“I always heard stories about this place.” Kai said.
“Biggest city in all of Ninjago. Always wanted to come here.” Jay agreed.
“Yeah, I always dreamed of one day being on a billboard here.” Cole added.
“You too?” Jay, grinned.
“Yeah,  I did too.” Kai twitched his tail.
“Uh, but may I remind you, where are the snakes?” Zane said, flicking his ears and looking around. “We should be standing in the middle of a massive SerpentWing gathering.”
The ninja walked down the alley and into a desolate street. Zane’s gaze fell on a sewer cover.
“Ugh,” Cole wrinkled his nose. “I hate snakes.”
—————
In the sewers, the many subtribes of the SerpentWings chatted while Pythor was getting ready.
“You’ll have to use more than words to bring the SerpentWings together.” Skales advised the AnacondaWing.
“All I have to do is show them the way.” Pythor replied. 
“They’re ready for you, Pythor.” The VenomWing leader, Acidicus said.
“Ah, showtime.” Pythor climbed onto some abandoned vehicles in the sewer and addressed the SerpentWings.
“Friends, enemies, and enemies who pretend to be friends,” Pythor began. The SerpentWings chuckled. “I welcome you.”
—————
Watching from a ledge, the ninja calculated their best options.
“That’s a lot of snakes.” Cole shuddered.
“What are we gonna do?” Jay asked.
“I have an idea,” Kai grinned. “Follow my lead.”
“And what is with the ConstrictWings and their vice-like grip,” Pythor chuckled. “Let it go already!” The SerpentWings laughed along.
“It’s funny because it’s so true.” One FangWing stated.
“Heh, but in all seriousness, the reason why I called this gathering is because…” Pythor paused for suspense. “The good people of Ninjago imprisoned us in those insidious tombs, and I want to return the favor.”
The SerpentWings cheered their approval, but didn’t notice Kai gripped a rope above them.
“That sounds like a great plan,” Kai said in his best FangWing accent. “But you know the HypnoWings will screw it up.”
“Who said that?!” An indignant HypnoWing called, growling.
“Those buck teeth can bite my rear end.” Jay called from the ConstrictWing side of the room.
“I get they’re drinking their own venom!” Cole called. The SerpentWings began to fight amongst themselves.
“All that digging must have given them dirt for  brains.” Zane flicked an ear.
“What’s going on?” Pythor asked. “Why am I losing them?” 
Skales spied Cole. “Ninja! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” Skales led the other subtribe leaders out into a hall.
The ConstructWing leader grabbed Kai, Cole, and Jay.
“Run!” Jay shouted at Zane, who nodded and sprinted away. Zane dodged into another tunnel but found it to be a dead end. He pressed himself against the wall and closed his eyes, holding his breath. A ConstrictWing peered into the tunnel, but couldn’t distinguish Zane’s pink cloak from the pink poster he was pressed against. 
————
“Did you take care of them?” Pythor asked.
“All but one.” Skales replied, showing the bound and gagged ninja.
“Search every nook and cranny. If he’s a ninja, you’ll never find him in plain sight.” Pythor scowled. 
“Look, a pink ninja!” A voice called, catching Pythor and Skales’ attention. 
Zane was hovering over the gathered subtribes.
“Go, pink ninja, go!” The other ninja cheered on their companion as he dive towards them and cut their bindings. 
“Now let’s get out of here,” Zane said, leading the others into a hall. “Let us blow this popsicle stand. Ninja, go!” His light pink tornado laced the hall with ice, preventing anyone else from following.
“Popsicle stand. Haha, I like it!” Jay said before they reached open air and flew off.
————
Skale placed a talon on Pythor’s shoulder. “You’ll have to do better than that to unite the tribes.” He chuckled. 
Pythor glared at him. “GET YOUR TALONS OFF ME!” Pythor screeched. 
—————
“You know,” Cole started. “Whether it was in a lesson book or not, we used the destructive power of rumors to our advantage.” The MudWing stretched out his stiff body and shook his wings.
“And now the SerpentWings are further away than ever from getting their act together.” Kai agreed, still rubbing a slightly irritated eye.
“You know, I don’t think we would’ve gotten out of there if it hadn’t been for Zane.” Jay commented.
“Don’t thank me.” Zane raised his talons. “Thank Lloyd. If it hadn’t been for his ‘laundry skills’ we all would’ve been found.” He chuckled. 
Lloyd came in carrying a laundry basket.
“Well, it took me twenty loads, but,” He held up a snowy white cloak. “Your suit’s no longer pink. And to show that I’m sorry, Cole, I got you a can of nuts.” He handed a cab to the dark scaled ninja. 
“Uh, haha, yeah.” Cole rolled his eyes with a small smile. “Don’t think I don’t see what this is. When I open this a bunch of snakes are gonna pop out, right? Yeah no thank you.” He trotted over to the fridge and opened it, getting showered with plastic snakes.
The ninja all laughed and Cole joined in a few moments later.
==The Snake King==
In the desert, Skales and Pythor were busy digging.
“We’re wasting our time, Pythor.” Skales growled, tail lashing. “There’s nothing here but sand and dust.”
“Keep digging.” Pythor replied, red eyes trained calmly on the lead HypnoWing. “The Lost City Of Ouroboros is under us. I know it.”
“Oh face it.” Skales growled, tossing down his shovel. “Your first attempt to unite the subtribes failed, and now that you have lost your flock, you’ve become desperate.”
“I am desperate, my disloyal number two,” Pythor rounded on the HypnoWing. “But only to bring our kind together so that we can unleash the Great Devourer.”
“You put too much faith in legends.” Skales observed, crossing his front talons. “Besides, all the SerpentWings know is to be at war with each other.”
Pythor’s shovel struck something hard and there was an audible metallic clang.
“Skales, I believe we’ve found it.” The HypnoWing’s eyes widened and he helped Pythor dig free to metallic dial. Pythor turned the dial and the sand seemed to be sinking away below them. Skales yelped and spread his wings, lifting off to hover above the tornado of particles. Massive winding walls shot up from the depths of the desert, forming a massive structure around the two. Skales landed beside Pythor once more and looked around, amazed.
“I present to you, the city formerly known as the Lost City of Ouroboros.” Pythor announced, spreading his front talons victoriously.
————
The Destiny’s Bounty soared through the clouds, skimming the sky and passing a mountain. A purple RainWing with a hat strapped to his head was struggling to keep up. He had a parcel strapped to his back.
“Wait! Slow down!” The postdragon called. “I have a package for Sensei Wu!” 
————
In the dining room of the Bounty, Lloyd was training with the ninja.
“First, I’ll stomp on his tail.” Lloyd said. “Then when he turns, a thunder clap to his ears. Then when he’s stunned, I’ll disarm him.”
“Too late.” Cole poked the RainWing with his tail. “He’s already hypnotized you and now you’re under his control.”
“Or he’s already put you in a squeeze.” Zane added.
“Or spit on you with his hallucinatory venom.” Kai chimed in. “Trust me, bad stuff.”
Lloyd groaned. “Uncle, what’s the best way to stun a SerpentWing if you don’t know what kind they are?” He asked, as Wu appeared in the doorway.
“Sadly,” Wu looked pointedly at his ninja. “It was the Sacred Flute you four carelessly lost.”
“Hey, no no no, we didn’t lose it.” Jay argued. “Pythor stole it.”
“Whatever the case,” Wu waved a talon. “Without it I fear we have nothing to combat their powers. We may have prevented them from uniting in the past, but they will try again, and one day they will be stronger.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve almost reached my full potential,” Cole smirked. “And when I become the Green Ninja, we’re not gonna need any magic flute.”
“You’re gonna be the Green Ninja?” Kai laughed, but turned serious again. “Don’t make me laugh.”
“I thought it was decided that I was going to be the Green Ninja.” Zane huffed, tail flicking. 
“The only thing decided about you, Zane, is that you’re weird.” Jay replied. The ninja all started arguing and Wu set a box he was holding on the table.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Lloyd waved off the bickering teammates. “What’s in the box?”
“Your new uniforms.” Wu replied, passing on out to each of the ninja.
“Cool, they’ve got like armor.” Jay commented, grinning at Wu.
“I love the gold highlights.” Kai agreed.
“Battle claws!” Cole chimed in.
“The material is really light and breathable.” Zane remarked.
“Oh,” Lloyd looked disappointed. “Nothing for me?”
“Uh, you get, uh,” Wu looked around before pushing the velvet lined box towards Lloyd. “The box?”
The alarm started blaring and Cole hopped up before jogging to the bridge and coming back.
“Sorry to break up the moment, boys, but a small faction of our Slithering friends are striking up trouble at Mega Monster Amusement Park.” 
“Amusement park?” Lloyd sat up. “Can I go? Can I go with you, please? Let me make things up. I can help!” 
“I’m sorry, nephew,” Wu said. “You will stay here, where it’s safe.” 
“Aw.” Lloyd’s wings drooped. “The ninja get to have all the fun.”
“What do you say, guys?” Jay turned to his companions. “Time to try out the new merchandise?” 
——————
Soon the ninja were all standing on the deck, new ninja outfits and masks on.
“Alright.” Cole shook out his body, the built in armor on his shoulders clattered. “This new stuff feels like it’ll really protect us.”
“Yet, provides more mobility.” Zane agreed.
“You wanna strut your stuff on the catwalk,” Jay began. “Or get down to that amusement park so we can go on some rides?”
“I love a good old fashioned roller coaster,” Kai pulled his hood up. “But nothing beats this.” With that he spreads his wings and dove off of the ship’s deck, rocketing towards the ground.
The cold air whisked past his face as he neared the ground and spread his wings, soaring in a small spiral before landing.
The ninja landed at the same time, posed to show off their new outfits. 
“Ha, check that out.” Cole examined his armor. “And not a scratch on me.”
They paced into the park and heard cheers. Jay wove his way into the crowd.
“Haha, ladies, relax, relax, we have arrived.” Jay smirked.
The ninja stopped and blinked in surprise as they saw three SerpentWings tied up with thick rope.
“Uh, what just happened-?” Kai asked a bystander.
“Oh, you totally missed it,” A RainWingin the crowd replied. “There were like, icky snake dragons, and then this mysterious Samurai came in and saved the day.” 
“He was, like, gorgeous.” A SandWing agreed. 
“You saw his face?” Kai questioned, growling slightly.
“No, but we could totally tell.” The RainWing waved her talon.
Jay spied Nya and bounced over to her. “Nya, you’re here!” 
“Yeah, you just missed all the action,” Nya grinned at the blue ninja. “He just flew in, took care of business, and then flew off. It was pretty cool.” Jay looked back at his companions and when he turned again, Nya had vanished.
Jay paced back to the others who were clustered around the confined SerpentWings.
Their attention was caught by a fussing MudWing dragonet being tugged along by his mother. 
“I don’t wanna be a ninja!” The dragonet whined. “I wanna be a Samurai!”
“The samurai is my new hero.” A second voice agreed.
“I knew the samurai could kick the ninja’s tails.” A third voice agreed with the second.
“Ugh, who is this guy?” Kai pinned his ears against his head with a scowl.
“Whoever he is, he’s stealing out thunder.” Cole agreed. 
“And we just got these cool new ninja suits.” Jay huffed. “Argh! I’m gonna say it: I hate Samurai!” He tossed his talons in the air in frustration.
Kai yelped as Wu appeared at his side. The HiveWing calmly took a bite of his cotton candy.
“Do I hear a hint of jealousy?” Wu took another bite of his sugary treat. “Maybe this can be a lesson for you.”
“Not another lesson,” Jay whined. “Wait, how’d you get here so quick?”
“The lesson is iron sharpens iron.” Wu ignored the TempestWing.
“I do not follow, Sensei.” Zane tilted his head at the elderly dragon.
“Healthy competition can help you reach your true potential faster.” Wu replied. “Do not be jealous of this Samurai, let them inspire you.”
Wu turned and his eyes lit up. “Oh, Farris wheel!” He jogged towards the ride. 
“Inspire?” Jay echoed, watching the HiveWing vanish into the crowd
“Wait a minute.” Kai started. “Maybe the old dragon’s right.”
“You want us to compete with the Samurai?” Cole looked at the SkyWing with disbelief. “He’s got all the cool gadgets, we don’t stand a chance.”
“No, not with him.” Kai explained. “With us. I say we turn this into our own competition. Whichever of us is skilled enough to catch this mysterious Samurai is probably the best of the bunch.”
“So, whoever learns the identity of this Samurai is the one who will become the destined Green Ninja.” Jay paused. “Ha! I love it!”
“Then it’s a bet.” Cole agreed. “May the Green Ninja win.” 
“Ninja, go!” The ninja spread their wings and returned to the Bounty.
————
The alarm in the Bounty went off, filling the halls with its cry.
The ninja entered the bridge to see Nya frantically pressing buttons.
“Multiple Snake sightings!” Nya cried. “They’re everywhere!” 
————
Zane was the first to leave, and he spread his wings leaping off the deck.
He landed and skidded to a halt as he spied the Samurai.
“Huh?” He growled and made a snowball which he tossed at the Samurai’s metallic mech. “Metal menace!” He shouted, and his snowball missed.
—————
In the forest of Tranquility, Kai  encountered three ConstrictWings. 
“Go, ninja, go!” Three bystanders cheered for the SkyWing as he faced the SerpentWings.
There was a loud bang behind Kai, and the SkyWing looked back. The Samurai’s draconic mech leapt over Kai and threw a net over the SerpentWings.
“Samurai!” The bystanders squealed.
“Ninja, go!” Kai spun towards the mech but the Samurai easily caught him and picked him up in a net.
“Aah! Hey, what’s going on?!” The SkyWing squirmed.
—————
Samurai was fighting off more snakes. 
“Ha! Now I got you!” Cole drew his scythe and paced towards the Samurai’s mech.
The Samurai slammed a fist into the mountainside causing an avalanche over Cole.
Cole growled and dug his way out of the drift, but by the time he was free the Samurai had vanished
————
Jay grinned and draped himself over a train track as the train approached.
“Help! Samurai, where are you?!” Jay shouted, voice raised to a different pitch so it sounded feminine.
The mech soon appeared, holding some train tracks as Jay blinked in surprise. 
Samurai X latex the track down and built the track around where Jay lay. Jay stared at the Samurai as the train wove around him and the Samurai flew off.
“GAH!” Jay stood up with annoyance. “Stupid Samurai!” 
—————
Kai landed outside of an Arcade with Lloyd at his side. 
“Okay,” Kai began. “I know it’s my turn to look after you, but just play a few games and stay put. I have a feeling the Samurai may show up.” He gave Lloyd a talonful of coins.
“Let me help!” Lloyd looked up at the taller SkyWing.
“No.” Kai said, firmly.
“Come on.” Lloyd whined. “At least drop me off at a decent arcade.”
“Sorry, shortie.” Kai spread his wings and took off, leaving Lloyd scowling in the street.
“Kai, wait!” Lloyd shouted, but Kai was already out of earshot. The RainWing was about to enter the building when he overheard the hissing voices of SerpentWings.
“I hear he found it,” The familiar voice of Skales reached Lloyd’s ears. “And everyone is gathering again.” 
“Impossible.” The FangWing leader’s voice was heard next. “The Lost City does not exist.”
“Well, it isn’t lost anymore,” Skales chuckled. “And I heard there’s gonna be a fight.”
“A fight?” The FangWing leader echoed. “Count me in.”
“All aboard,” Skales, waved a talon towards an approaching Snake-bus. “Next stop, Oroboros.” Lloyd hastily bought a SerpentWing disguise and put it on, boarding the bus.
“Hey, you, hold it there.” Skales hissed from the driver’s seat.
“Huh?” Lloyd’s eyes widened and it took all his self control to keep his scales SerpentWing patterned. 
“Last one closes the door.” Skales finished.
“Uh, sure thing.” Lloyd tugged the door closed as he entered the vehicle, and he took a seat near the back. He peered out the window as the bus left, and he watched as the city got farther and farther away in the distance. Lloyd sighed, and pressed his chin into a talon. 
The bus drove through the desert for the day, and arrived in the Lost City just after nightfall.
————
“Just do as I’ve said, and I promise you will be my second-in-command.” Pythor directed at Skales. “Forever.” Pythor passed the HypnoWing some cotton for his ears, and the two inserted the material. Pythor slithered into the center of a massive arena, where Lloyd watched from the stands. 
The arena had seats on one side of an enormous circle. The other side contained a massive gate with a statue of the Great Devourer, with its mouth bared, revealing four fangs. There was also a large cell with steel bars.
Pythor stood in the center or the arena, and called for silence.
“I bring you together to the Lost City of Ouroboros before the statue of our very own Great Devourer, to speak of unity.” Pythor called. 
“Where are the fights?!” A ConstrictWing called.
“Where is the big show?” A VenomWing agreed. 
“Slither pit! Slither pit! Slither pit!” The crowd chanted. 
“Argh.” Pythor growled. “You want a show?! You want to see a fight? I ask for your allegiance but you will not give it. So, I will take it.”
“What are you saying?” The Fangtom, the FangWing leader, glared at Pythor.
“I challenge the four tribe Generals for their staffs and their allegiance. At once!” Pythor growled.
“I fought hard for this staff, and will not give it up easily.” Acidicus, the VenomWing general hissed.
The four generals began to close in. 
“There’s no way he can defeat the four of us at once.” The ConstrictWing general room a swipe at Pythor. Skales discreetly passed the Sacred Flute to Pythor, who raised it to his mouth and began playing.
“He’s using the Sacred Flute against his own.” Lloyd whispered.
“My ears!” Skalidor wailed, talons clamped over his head. 
“It hurts!” Acidicus agreed, hissing at the displeasure. 
Skales willingly tossed his staff at Pythor’s tail, and Pythor whipped around, knocking down the other generals. 
“Bow to your master.” Pythor hissed, collecting the other staffs in his talons. “Now to you master, SerpentWings!” Lloyd quickly dipped his head, but dropped the fake rattle he’d been holding.
Lloyd drew a quick intake of breath, scales turning vibrate pale green and white as he spread his wings. A HypnoWing lunged at the RainWing dragonet, pinning Lloyd’s wings to his sides.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Mezmo pulled off the fake HypnoWing accessories Lloyd wore.
Pythor’s attention was drawn by the commotion and he looked up.
“Lloyd?” Pythor tilted his head, a cruel grin spreading across his features. Lloyd swallowed heavily.
——————
The ninja were clustered around the table, all looking defeated. 
“Trying to find out the Samurai’s indemnity is more of a nuisance than the snakes.” Cole huffed, rubbing a sore arm. “Any luck with you?”
“The guy’s elusive. He’s like a ghost.” Jay grumbled. “One moment he’s there, the next he’s gone.”
“I am starting to believe we’ll never catch him.” Zane agreed.
“I think it’s safe to say, none of us are closer to proving we’re the Green Ninja.” Kai rested his chin on the table, talons tended over his head.
Who entered the room. “Looks like iron is sharpening iron.” He said, pausing beside Cole. “I feel you are getting closer to your True Potential.” He pinched Cole’s sore arm.
“Ow.” Cole shifted away from the HiveWing, rubbing his arm and grumbling.
“Where is my nephew?” Wu asked, scanning the assembled dragons. “I though you were looking after him.”
“I thought Cole was gonna pick him up.” Kai responded, lifting his head.
“I went to the arcade,” Cole began. “But he wasn’t there. Jay was—“
“Don’t bring me into this,” Jay cut the MudWing off. “I babysat yesterday.”
“Sensei, we have not seen him.” Zane flicked his tail.
“We must find the dragonet.” Wu said.
—————
The ninja landed outside the arcade.
“Lloyd?” Kai called, looking around. Jay went into the arcade. “Lloyd? He was right here. Someone must have seen him.” 
Cole looked up, spying a security camera. “Hey, guys, check this out.” 
——————
The ninja all clustered around a computer as they watched the security camera footage. 
“Wait, wait.” Jay nudged Cole who was operating the computer. “There’s the pipsqueak. Play that back.” 
Cole rewound the footage to show Lloyd buying his disguise, changing his scale color, and leaving. 
“What is he up to?” Jay asked.
Kai led the way back into the street beside the arcade. 
“I sense these are Lloyd’s talonprints,” Zane lowered his head towards the ground. “But they come to an end here. He either flew off or found an alternate form of transportation.” Zane rose again.
“Something tells me we’re going for a flight.” Kai said, gesturing to bus tracks in the mud. “Come on, boys.” They all spread their wings and launched into the sky. Kai flew highest in a quick upwards spiral.
They landed just outside the city of Ouroboros. 
“What is that place?” Cole whispered to Kai.
“Looks like snake city.” Sparks flashed between Jay’s horns.
“Let’s get a closer look.” Kai paced toward, wings pressed against his back and amber eyes gleaming. 
They all peered around the corner and into the arena.
“It appears Pythor has successfully united all of the tribes.” Zane mused. 
“I know we ruined their last get together, but that's no reason to not get an invitation.” Cole sounded offended. “My feelings are hurt.” He stifled a chuckle.
“There’s Lloyd.” The red ninja pointed to where the RainWing was locked in a cage and hung from the Great Devourer’s statue. 
“Whoa.” Jay’s eyes widened. “And look at who they worship.”
“Let me guess: the Great Devourer.” Cole shuddered.
“All the more reason to get Lloyd out of here.” Kai drew his sword. “This comes to an end today.” The ninja followed Kai’s example
Weapons drawn, the ninja charged into the arena only to be caught in a cage that slammed down on them, their weapons methodically dropped outside the bars.
“The ninja.” Lloyd whispered, struggling in his confinement.
Pythor cackled. “Looks like we’ve caught the main event.” The ninja were brought into the center of the arena.
“Main event?” Jay pressed himself fearfully against Cole. “What do you think he meant by ‘main event’?” 
“I have a feeling we’re the main event.” Kai growled.
“Or the main course.” Cole shivered again and Kai pressed against his side comfortingly.
“Kai, you may be right.” Zane replied. “Things really might come to an end today.” Kai glared at the IceWing and muttered.
“Not helping, Zane.”
“Uh, don’t worry!” Jay piped up. “The Samurai could still come and save us.”
“You say you wanted a battle!” Pythor announced as the ninja were dumped out of their cage and had their wings chained. 
“And I give you one.” Pythor finished. “I give you ninja, versus, Samurai!”
The Samurai was released from a massive cell on one side of the arena, and was too, chained. 
Jay was silent for a moment before, “WHAT?!” He yelped. “We have to fight the Samurai?? But we don’t even have our Golden Weapons and he has that hulking thing of armor. It’s not fair.”
“I want to see once and for all who is the greatest hero.” Pythor announced. “Is it Samurai, or ninja? Only the Victor will be allowed to leave.” 
“Stay together.” Kai growled, smoke curling off his talons.
“Perhaps he can join our team, to fight our way out.” Zane offered. “After all, he hates the SerpentWings too.” 
The Samurai’s mech launched towards the ninja.
“Scratch that.” Cole said. “He is not on our team.” 
“Haha!” Jay smirked. “Missed me!” The Samurai hit him, knocking him back where he lay, sprawled and winded.
Zane helped the TempestWing up. 
“Tornado Of Creation?” Zane suggested. The ninja all agreed and spun into their elemental tornadoes, combining to form one massive, multicolored twister.
The tornado absorbed things from all over the arena, and one HypnoWing lost his lollipop.
The ninja formed a slingshot and launched it only for the Samurai to block it. Pythor laughed and pulled a lever, causing spikes to shoot up all over the arena.
“Argh!” Jay growled. “Why can’t anyone play fair?!” As if on cue, Pythor pulled a lever and the arena tilted to the left.
All the ninja and the Samurai slipped and fell, grabbing  the spikes for their lives. 
“Can this get any worse?” Cole asked, attempting to haul himself onto the spike so he could stand.
“We must continue to make it appear that we are fighting for real.” The automatic voice of The Samurai caused the ninja to look down. 
“Huh, we’re not tithing for real?” Jay asked, looking nervously down into the darkness beneath the arena. 
“Keep up the charade and hold on to my ex-suit.” The ninja let go and hooked onto the Samurai’s mech. The mech’s engines roared to life and it flew off, before stuttering in mid air. The ninja’s wings were still chained, though Kai was trying to melt through his.
“There’s too much weight!” Kai said as the mech lurched. 
The stomach of the mech opened and a dragon wrapped in silver, red, and green armor leapt out. The mech shot upwards again.
“I can’t believe he just saved us.” Cole said. 
“He stole our thunder! Again!” Kai growled.
“ARG! I HATE THAT SAMURAI.” Jay hissed.
“Go, ninja, go!” Lloyd called from his cage, watching the ninja vanish into the sky. The Samurai’s heavily armored wings caught the sunlight as he landed and used a gadget on his wrist to draw the golden weapons towards him.
“Get him!” Pythor ordered but the Samurai vanished. 
“How do you turn this thing off?!” Kai pressed a button and the mech stopped mid air. The mech went into a dove into the sand, scattering the ninja.
Cole sat up with a groan, shaking sand off his still chained wings. Zane was helping Jay up.
“Where’s Kai?” Cole asked, immediately noticing the SkyWing’s disappearance. 
—————
Kai groaned and sat up. He growled at his confined wings and suddenly flames curled off his scales. The chains melted into a pile of bubbling iron and Kai shook off the liquid. 
“Guys? Cole?” Kai called, looking around. “Huh?” A struggling shape was visible in the sky, armor smoking.
“The Samurai?” Kai whispered. The Samurai vanished into a sand drift in the distance, and a plume of smoke shot into the air.
Kai spread his wings and flew towards the smoke, before landing a distance from the downed dragon.
“Testing. Testing. One two…” The Samurai’s voice modifier glitched and Kai blinked in surprise. The Samurai tugged off their helmet and revealed familiar blue and black scales.
“Nya?” Kai gasped.
Nya hastily put the helmet back on. “Steer clear, ninja!” Nya’s voice modifier faltered again. “Don’t look…” She pulled the helmet entirely off and faced Kai. “At me…”
Kai paced towards his sister. “I don’t understand.” He said. “You’re the Samurai?”
“It was always a boy’s club.” Nya sighed and looked down. “You never let me try to help, so I found my own way to be a hero. Are you mad?”
“Mad?” Kai echoed, incredulously. “Of course not. It’s just, all this time, I’ve been trying to protect you and you’ve never needed it. You’re amazing.” Kai hugged Nya tightly.
Nya pulled back and punched Kai in the shoulder. “Girl power. You’re not gonna tell the others, are you?”
“But we had a bet.” Kai said. “We agreed whoever caught the Samurai would be the Green-“ Nya looked down again.
“Of course I won’t say anything.” Kai put a talon on Nya’s shoulder. “How’d you make all this stuff?”
“You’d be surprised how much spare time I have waiting for you guys to come back from your missions.” Nya said. “You better head back before anyone gets suspicious. We’ll have to rescue Lloyd another day.” Nya handed Kai the golden weapons.
Nya turned to fly off.
“Nya, whenever I get in trouble, the other three always have my back.” Kai called after her. “But you…just be careful, will you?” 
“Promise.” Nya smiled back at him before spreading her blue wings and sweeping into the air. 
——————
“Kai?” Jay called, perched on Cole’s back to see farther.
“Kai?” Zane echoed. The mech in the sand moved suddenly.
“Quick! Get it, it’s gonna get away!” Jay leapt towards the mech but it flew off.
“Great.” He sat down in the sand. “Now we lost Kai, the Samurai suit is gone, and we have no way to get home.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Cole pointed and grinned. Kai was flying over a drift with the weapons in his talons. Kai landed and the others ran over to him.
“Where did you go? How did you get those? Did you already melt off your chains? Can you melt off our chains?” Jay berated the SkyWing with questions but Cole shushed him. 
Kai reached towards the MudWing and melted his chains. Then he melted Jay and Zane’s. 
“Now, will you please do some explaining?” Jay asked.
Kai sighed. “It’s a…long story.”
——————
The ninja returned to the bounty and were brushing their teeth.
“He was all mysterious. Never said a word.” Kai said, toothbrush in his talon. “Then handed me the Golden Weapons and poof, he was gone.”
“Poof?” Cole echoed. “He just poofed?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Jay waved his talons. “Wait a minute, Kai. If the Samurai had his hands on the most powerful weapons in the whole world, why would he just give them back to you?” 
“Um, I don’t know.” Kai replied. “Maybe she-“ Kai caught Nya’s eye as she winced.
“I mean, he's not that bad after all. All I do know is that we owe him our lives. Maybe he has made us all a little better.” 
“I sense this means the bet is off.” Zane offered. 
“More importantly,” Wu buzzed his wings. “My nephew has found his way into the den of all snakes. I fear there may be no way of rescuing him now.”
“Sensei, there’s a way.” Kai placed a talon on Wu’s shoulder.
“And don’t worry, we’ll find it.” Cole promised.
Wu sighed, and left. He was walking down the hall, soon arriving at Nya’s room. “I think you forgot this.” He  said, smiling at her.
Nya accepted the Samurai weapon from Wu. “Iron sharpens iron, and sibling sharpens sibling.” Wu continued in his way. Nya smiled to herself as she entered her own room.
==Tick Tock ==
The ninja all stood in the deck of the bounty, looking down into the water where they could see the blurry white form of the Master Of Ice, 
“An hour!” Kai exclaimed, holding a stopwatch. “He just broke his own record. The guy’s inhuman!” 
Zane was seated on the ocean floor, tail coiled neatly around his body with the spikes draped over his talons. He opened his eyes, squinting through the murky depths. A large orange and blue striped fish swam up to Zane. The IceWing extended a talon and stroked the fish gently, before exhaling a cloud of bubbles and swimming to the surface.
He was met by cheers from the others perched on the deck.
“Amazing!” Cole cheered.
“We’re not worthy.” Jay fake bowed as the IceWing climbed into the deck and shook himself off, splattering the others with droplets.
“I broke the record?” Zane asked, grinning at his companions. 
“You destroyed it!” Kai showed him the stopwatch.
“Okay, okay.” Jay waved his talons. “Is anyone thinking what I’m thinking?” 
“We’re never thinking what you’re thinking, Jay.” Kai deadpanned. Jay rolled his eyes.
“Anyway, I don’t think we can get any better. Just think about all we’ve accomplished.”
———Flashback———
Kai was jogging over several hot coals, hotter than he’d tried to withstand yet.
———
Jay was balanced on a single talon on the top of a pole. The pole was on top of the tallest building in Ninjago City, and an electrical storm crackled around the TempestWing.
————
Cole studied a barbell, before adding more weights to it. Upon running out of weights, he had Jay and Nya perch on it to make it heavier.
———End Flashback———
“The question should be raised.” Zane said. “Perhaps we have reached our full potential?” 
The ninja headed below deck to find Wu. 
“Well, every morning I do five hundred push-ups.” Zane said.
“Five hundred?” Kai echoed, smirking. “Try a thousand!”
Jay laughed. “Cute. I do a thousand AND ONE!” 
“What is this? Amateur hour?” Cole chuckled. “Sounds like my warm-up.” Cole opened the door to Wu’s study. “Sensei, what does true potential look like if-“
The ninja turned to see Wu stashing a Katana. They all stiffened and bowed respectfully to their master.
“Our apologies, Sensei.” Zane apologized. “We’ve interrupted you.”
Wu sighed. “I’m sorry if I have been distant lately.” He faced his trainees. “My mind has been elsewhere since Lloyd has gone missing. What can I help you with?”
“Sensei, what if we’ve done enough training?” Cole inquired. “What if w’ e reached out True Potential? What if we’re ready?”
“Hm. You might have reached peak physical condition, but you’ve yet to reach your inner potential. In each and every one of us, there are obstacles that hold us back.” Wu explained. “Only when you conquer that fear will your heart be free. Only then will you reach your True Potential. Only then will we have a fighting chance to stop the SerpentWings from releasing the Great Devourer.”
“There’s more to the Great Devourer than you’ve led on, isn’t there, Sensei?” Zane inquired, icy blue eyes squinted. 
“I too have obstacles within my own heart.” Wu sighed again. “There’s a story I’ve never told you.” 
“Long ago, when I was a young boy, Garmadon and I were more than brothers. We were the best of friends.” Wu said. The story was interrupted by Jay’s voice.
“Wait a minute. Now, I know you two were brothers, but really? The King Of Cruelty, The Doer of Destruction, the Captain of Chaos, and you two were friends?” Jay berated the master with questions. 
“Please no interruptions.” Wu scowled the TempestWing while Kai hit him with his tail.
“You see, he did not always have a wicked heart. One day, I lost this very katana. Knowing our father would be mad, my brother told me to go retrieve it.” Wu continued his story. “But I refused. He told me not to put off what can be done today and went to get it himself. When my father found him, he was very ill, for he was bitten by a legendary snake that would grow forever as long as it consumes. A great evil had found its way into my brother’s heart, for the snake’s venom could turn the purest of things wicked.”
———Flashback———
Garmadon lay in a bed, prehensile tail coiled around himself as he groaned with pain. The First Spinjitzu Master studied the bite mark on his talon, causing Garmadon to sit up quickly. 
“Leave it!” Garmadon roared. “Leave me alone! I don’t need you! I hate you!” 
————End Flashback————
“The snake is the same one that the SerpentWings want to reawaken today.” Wu said, frowning and staring into the distance.
———Flashback———
The first Spinjitzu master examined Garmadon’s talon again. “Ahh it hurts!” Garmadon cried, shoving his father away. “It’s all Wu’s fault!” 
————End Flashback———
“So the Great Devourer turned your brother into The Dark Lord?” Kai asked, blinking his glittering amber eyes.
“It was all my fault.” Wu admitted. “You four have finished your training. You must now focus on stopping Pythor from collecting the Fangblades. But never lose focus on the obstacles that lie within each of your hearts, that holds you back from true greatness. Unlock your true potential.” 
“But how are we supposed to do that, Sensei?” Zane asked.
“It is up to each of you to discover.” Wu rose, and picked up the case he’d stashed the katana in. “Now I must go on a personal journey of my own.” 
“Wait, where are you going?” Jay followed the HiveWing out of the room. 
“To a place you cannot follow.” Wu paused in the hall, looking back at his ninja.
“If you’re going for Lloyd, the City of Ouroboros is filled with hundreds of SerpentWings.” Cole said. “You’ll never do it alone.”
“I am going to find someone who can be of aid.” Wu said, dipping his head, somberly. “The SerpentWings have united and grown stronger, we will need all the help we can get.”
The ninja accompanied  Wu to the top of a mountain, before soaring off and down to ground level. Kai glanced back, reluctantly. He had a bad feeling about whatever Wu was planning.
————————
Pythor growled with frustration flinging a cup across the room.
“It says nothing a bit where the four Fangblades are hidden,” Skales observed. “Have our ancestors left us nothing? Where are they?”
“This here. This must be a clue.” Pythor shoved Skales away from a table and laid a piece of paper down.  “‘When five fangs unite as one, the path toward the Devourer has begun’.”
“Yes, when the five tribes unite.” Skales waved a dismissive talon. “We’ve done all this. It means nothing. If you don’t find out soon, the others will begin to ask questions, and soon they will start to think you don’t know what you are doing.”
“I know what I’m doing, fool!” Pythor growled. “I’m trying to unleash the Great Devourer. Legend spoke of a map showing exactly where the four Fangblades have been buried. There must be something around here. Keep looking.”
——————
Nya sighed and hung up a missing Fangblades poster. The ninja were in a small village, hanging up posters advertising their need for the Fangblades.
“This is silly.” Zane observed with a huff, small ice crystals melting as he exhaled. 
“You have any better ideas?” Cole asked, flicking his tail.
“Hey, maybe Sensei is gonna go get the Samurai for help.” Jay offered, tacking another poster to the wall.
“The Samurai?” Kai chuckled nervously. “I’m sure she’s, I mean, He’s busy looking for the Fangblades as well.”
“Uh, everything alright?” Cole narrowed his eyes at the SkyWing.
“Yeah, yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?” Kai waved his talon and turned away.
“One hundred percent.” Nya agreed, smiling nervously. “We’re not hiding anything.” 
Zane tensed and turned away, sensing the Falcon’s presence. Absent-mindedly, he moved towards the Falcon’s location, scattering his fliers over the ground. 
“Hey, weirdo.” The shopkeeper peeked out the door. “You’re making a mess of my storefront. You-hoo! You got a problem?” Zane dropped the last of his fliers and trotted away.
“Maybe I should teach you a lesson on manners.” The MudWing shopkeeper growled.
“I’m so sorry sir.” Kai apologized, stepping between the shopkeeper and Zane. “Sometimes our friend is in another world.”
“He’s littering all over the place.” The MudWing grumbled.
“We’ll pick it up,” Cole promised. “So sorry, again.” 
“Zane, what’s the deal?” Jay asked as Cole and Kai began picking up the scattered fliers.  “Ah! It’s the Falcon! Oh. My. Gosh. Every time we follow it, it leads us to good fortune!” 
Kai shoved his stack of papers into Cole’s talons and turned to Nya.
“Head back to The Bounty and wait till you hear from us.” He said. 
“But where are you going?” Nya asked, fixing her brother with a stern look.
“We’re gonna follow that bird.” Kai replied. “Who knows, it could lead us to the first Fangblade. 
Zane was the first to leave, his pale form slicing through the clouds as the other ninja exchanged looks before following. After an hour or so of flying, Kai glanced at Cole.
“I guess good fortune is really far away.”
—————
The ninja took a break from flying and landed on a mountainside to climb for a while.
Jay stopped, perching himself on a branch. “Keep going,” He panted, waving a talon at the others. “I’ll…I’ll catch up later.”
Cole, Zane, and Kai continued, and began flying again soon. It wasn’t too long before they landed again to walk. Cole stopped a little while after that. 
“I’m good,” He gasped, sitting down. Kai looked back at him with concern. “Just…just taking a breather. Keep going, I’ll catch up in a bit.” Kai reluctantly followed Zane as he kept on moving forward. Soon the terrain turned from rocky to snowy. 
“Good thing…we’re in…peak…physical…condition.” Kai panted, falling behind slightly. “Gosh that bird just keeps going.” 
He spread his wings and flew for a little while, before landing when Zane stopped.
“Hey, what do you make of this?” Kai pointed to a sign, gasping slightly. 
Warning: Treehorns the sign read. “I am not familiar with a ‘Treehorn’.” Zane observed, head tilting. 
“It’s probably just some wild squirrels.” Kai replied, before sitting down. “Well, don’t lose him.” He pointed up at the falcon. “I’ll wait for the other guys to catch up.”
Zane spread his wings and flew along behind the falcon, occasionally glancing back until he couldn’t see the red scales of Kai anymore.
“Where are we going, my mysterious friend?” Zane asked.  He heard a squawk and turned to see the falcon go crashing into the snow.  He dove after it and landed. He looked down to see the falcon sparking and twitching in the powder beneath it. 
“You’re a…a robot?” He scooped up the small bird and examined it, before setting it in a tree as he heard the sound of crunching snow. Zane’s keen ears pricked and he turned, snarling as he spied another robot. This one was much bigger than himself, and vaguely resembled a dragon, but lacking any tribal features. 
“Intruder! Intruder!” The robot’s crackly voice emitted from an unseen voicebox. “Prepare to be terminated.” 
Zane growled and leapt into the sky, blasting a spray of Frostbreath towards the robot before being knocked aside. Zane dodged around the robot as it shot fire in his direction. He leapt onto its back, serrated talons digging into the rusted metal. He tore out the wires on the back of the robot’s neck and the robot fell limply into the snow. 
Zane dropped the wires and stumbled into the snow, spying the same symbol on the robot that was on the falcon. 
“The same symbol.” He whispered. “Where have you brought me, my Falcon friend?” He scooped up the bird and tucked it gently into a pouch concealed by his cloak. He spied a tree with the same symbol on it. He titled his head and knocked on the bark experimentally. There was a loud metallic sound and he felt around the bark, before finding a groove. He pulled and a part of the tree swung open to reveal steps descending into a secret workshop below. Zane ventured down and into the workshop.
“So, this is your home, my mysterious friend.” He pulled the falcon from inside his cloak and laid it gently on a work table. He used a blueprint to repair the bird and the bird fluttered to life again, flapping its wings. 
“You brought me here, but why?” The bird soared into the air and flew around the workshop, scattering the blueprints for itself and another project. Zane picked up the fallen sheets of paper, and had to take a second look. He dropped everything, eyes wide as he stared at the paper. He shook his head wildly, crumpling the paper and throwing it away. 
“No. No, no, no, no.” Zane grabbed his head, breathing heavily. “It can’t be. No, no, no. No!!” 
———————
Master Wu was calmly walking through a village. He passed two familiar BoneWIngs, Kruncha and Nuckal who shrieked with fear and sprinted away.
Wu looked up at a sign, pulled his heat down lower over his head, and entered the shop before him. The bell attached to the door gave a cheerful tinkle as he entered. 
“I would like to purchase some Traveler’s Tea.” Wu announced as he neared the counter.
“Never heard of it,” The gray RainWing behind the counter replied, before turning. Wu dropped several coins on the counter and the RainWing thought for a moment before gathering the tea leaves. She placed the tea leaves in a bag, before pausing and staring pointedly at Wu.
“You know, those who drink this never return.” The RainWing warned, sweeping the coins into the register and passing Wu the bag.
“Then I will not bother you again.” Wu replied, exiting the shop and tucking the bag into a pocket within his cloak. 
———————
Having finally regrouped and caught up with the pale scaled ninja, the others halted outside the tree entrance. Cole and Kai exchanged looks while Jay peered curiously inside. Kai pulled Jay back and went in first.
“Zane?” Kai called, trotting down the steps, followed by the other two. Jay shook the snowflakes on his wings. 
“Wow, would you look at this place?” Jay asked, almost falling off the steps as he turned in a tight circle to see everything. His gaze fell on the rigidly standing IceWing. “Zane, what’s wrong?”
“Are you hurt?” Kai paused a few feet from the IceWing.
“You okay?” Cole halted next to Kai. Zane sighed loudly and looked towards the crumpled blueprint in the corner. Kai followed his gaze and picked it up. 
Kai handed it to Cole for the MudWing to examine, and turned to Zane, a talon reaching out towards him. 
“Hey…what-“ Cole began to ask but looked up as Zane turned. The ninja screamed in sync as Zane faced them with a panel open in his chest. 
“You’re a robot?!” Kai exclaimed, being the first to speak. 
“All this time, I never knew.” Zane whispered, staring down at the exposed wires and buttons. 
“Uh, guess this explains why you’re always acting so weird…right? Hehe.” Jay tried to lighten the mood, but his ears were pinned. 
“The reason I never had a sense of humor was because my funny switch wasn’t on.” Zane replied, before flicking the switch. 
“Hello, my baby, hello, my honey!” Zane sang loudly, startling all the others back. “Hello, my ragtime gal. Send me a kiss by wire.” Jay broke out in confused and slightly forced laughter while Kai and Cole exchanged a look. Zane turned the funny switch off and sighed.
Cole put a talon on the IceWing’s shoulder. “It just makes you more special,” Cole smiled at him. “You’re still the same Zane, just more, uh, gears.” 
“No matter what you’re made of, you're still our brother.” Kai agreed. 
“Really?” Zane looked at the two.
“In fact, I bet it makes you an even better ninja.” Cole nodded. 
“Yeah!” Jay joined it, grinning. “And how cool is it that I can honestly say ‘My brother is a Nindroid’?”
“A nindroid?” Zane tilted his head at the TempestWing.
“Now, come on.” Cole gave the IceWing a gentle nudge. “Pythor is still out there looking for the first Fangblade, and we need you.”
“You’ll have to go on without me.” Zane flattened his ears and spikes. “I just don’t feel right.” 
The ninja regrouped outside the workshop. Kai shook himself off, uneasily. 
“We just have to give him time.” He sighed. “I don’t know how I would feel if I was told I was a robot.” 
“You mean a Nindroid.” Jay corrected. 
“Yeah. Whatever.” Kai rolled his eyes at the TempestWing. 
“How the heck do we get out of this place?” Cole looked around. The ground trembled suddenly and there was a loud cracking sound. “What’s that?” 
“Cute tiny birds?” Jay asked, flipping his hood up. 
They all stood back to back, growling and peering into every direction. “Did you see that?!” Cole exclaimed, swearing he saw a tree move. 
“I don’t see anything.” Jay pressed himself into a smaller target.
“I just saw it too!” Kai pointed. Something clicked about the sign they all met at. “Treehorns!” 
The group’s eyes fell on the robot lying facedown in the snow. “Intruder…intruder.” The robots animated voice crackled as it twitched. 
“Oh, great.” Kai’s wings drooped. “I think that thing was supposed to protect this place.” He drew his sword. “Guys it’s up to us. Ninja, g-“
He was cut off my a kick from one of the Treehorns. It sent him flying into a tree as he groaned. More Treehorns surrounded the group as Jay tried to zap them with his electrocuted and Cole helped Kai to his talons. 
“There’s too many of them!” Cole growled as he pressed closer to Kai to protect him. 
——————
Zane examined the blueprint for himself again. 
“A…a memory switch?” He quickly scanned the scribbled notes next to it before finding the switch on himself and pressing it.
—Flashback—
“Hello, Zane.” 
A larger IceWing with some ginger scales down his back was holding onto Zane’s front talon as he helped him walk. Zane looked up and saw himself in a mirror.
——
Zane was stirring a pot with the same larger IceWing at his side. 
——
Zane was hugging a lamp while the same IceWing smiled in the corner.
“You were built to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
——
The IceWing was tighetening a screw on the Falcon before it sat up and fluttered into the air, Zane looking up at it with, presumably his father, at his side. 
The older IceWing took a picture of Zane, himself, and the Falcon perched on Zane’s shoulder.
——
Zane was gripping the older IceWing’s talon as he lay, weak, in bed. 
“You were always the son I never had,” The IceWing rasped. “It’s time you begin your next stage in life. And the only reason ima bout to do this is because I love you.” The elderly IceWing took off his glasses, and turned off Zane’s memory switch. A few moments later as Zane regained consciousness, the glasses shattered on the floor.
——Flashback Ends——
Zane shed a single tear as his past memories finished flickering through his head. The Falcon perched on his shoulder and rubbed against his neck in comfort. Zane wiped his eyes and stroked the Falcon’s sleek feathers.
He took a deep, steadying breath and closed the panel on his chest. He gave one last look around the room before jogging up the stairs. 
“Hey guys, wait up!” Zane called. He skidded to a halt as he saw them being brutally kicked by the Treehorns. 
“Leave my friends alone!” Zane shouted, sweeping into the sky with a cloud of snow behind him. He leapt onto the Treehorns, sinking his talons into their bark-like flesh and blasting Frostbreath along their shoulders. 
“What’s gotten into Zane?” Cole panted, leaning on a tree for support.
“I don’t know, but I like it.” Kai replied, stumbling slightly and favoring a front limb.
The other three leapt into battle alongside Zane, Kai’s firescales causing steam to hiss up around the group, making it harder for them to be seen. The Treehorns began backing away.
“Are they regrouping?” Jay asked, a cut above one of his eyes was bleeding freely. “Who’s that?” His voice dropped a pitch as he stared up at the massive, eight eyed enemy before them.
“Their Queen.” Zane growled. He stepped forward and the others took a step back. 
“You will not hurt my friends!” Zane shouted at the creature, who looked down at him. “There is nothing that will hold me back,” Zane’s scales began to turn from white to a sky blue. “I know who I am!” 
Zane began to float, shurikens in his front talons as he was engulfed in a bright blue light. 
“What’s happening to him?” Kai exclaimed, shielding his eyes from the glow. “Was he programmed to do that?!”
“I’ve never seen a robot do that!” Jay interjected.
“You mean nindroid.” Kai corrected the TempestWing.
“Yeah, whatever.” Jay replied, mocking Kai.
“Zane’s unlocked his True potential.” Cole stared at the IceWing as he turned a solid Titanium color.
Ice shot from Zane’s chest and climbed up the Queen Treehorn’s body. The Queen threw back her head with a roar, but was frozen solid in a matter of moments. The blue light and ice vanished from Zane’s body and he fell limply into the snow. The others rushed towards him and Cole helped him up.
“What happened?” Zane asked, blinking.
“That was awesome!” Jay said, bouncing around Zane.
“You should’ve seen yourself.” Kai agreed, patting Zane’s wing.
“Heh, I’ve never seen anything like it.” Cole nodded.
Zane inspected his scales. “This must be what Sensei meant by unlocking our hearts.” He sighed slightly. “I remember now. I remember everything. I remember my father and how he cared for me. I remember where I came from, and I feel stronger for knowing.”
“I’m so jealous.” Cole grinned. “Your powers are so cool.”
“We have our very own nindroid!” Jay trilled, wrapping the other three in a group hug.
“Watch out, Pythor, we’re coming to get you.” Zane stared into the distance from the depths of the embrace.  
—————
Pythor was still struggling to find the map. He threw another cup across the room, where it joined the first, shattered on the floor. 
“Where are the four Fangblades?” Fangtom, the newly appeared VenomWing General asked.
“What if there is no map?” Acidicus speculated.
“I know, I know!” Pythor spat at them. “But I don’t know where to look!”
“Then I’m taking my staff back!” Fangtom growled, moving towards the table.
“Me too.” Acidicus agreed. 
“Me three.” Skalidor accidentally hit Acidicus in the head with his staff, and the two staffs fell on the ground. The antivenoms from within the staffs began to leak out and converge in a multicolored puddle.
“That’s it!” Pythor gasped, shoving the two apart.
“What’s it-?” Skales echoed, head tilting.
Pythor gathered the SerpentWing generals’ staffs and leaned them against the table in a circle. 
“The Map of Fangs.” Pythor replied. “It’s been right in front of us all this time. ‘When the five fangs unite as one, the path towards the Devourer has begun’. It’s not speaking of the five tribes, it’s the venom in the five staffs!” He slid a piece of paper into the collecting antivenom leaking from the staffs.
“Behold! The locations of the four silver Fangblade!” Pythir victoriously held up a piece of paper with the map on it.
“Soon the Great Devourer will be unleashed and Ninjago will be ours!” Pythor’s announcement was met by cheers.
—————
Wu built a small campfire, and lit it with a match from his pocket. He poured the Traveler’s Tea into the fire and the flames turned a flickering purple and blue. Wu inhaled deeply, adjusted the katana at his side, and stepped through the Portal.
Wu stepped out of the portal and onto a black mountain. Smog hung low in the sky, the black clouds almost blending in with the naturally dark sky. 
The HiveWing buzzed his wings and pinned his ears as a familiar voice was heard behind him.
“Hello, brother.” Garmadon’s drawl caused Wu to whip around. “What took you so long?” Garmadon crossed two of now six limbs as Wu stared at him. 
==Once Bitten, Twice Shy==
Nya whipped a dusty blanket off a two headed skeleton and addressed the ninja. 
“Some villagers unearthed the remains of this FangWing a few miles away. It predates the Golden Age, and must be hundreds of years old.” Nya said, waving a talon at the skeleton. “Although the venom in the fangs of the FangWings genetically can mutate dragon cells into SerpentWing, I’ve learned there could be a way to stop the effects without having to create an antivenom.”
Zane was scribbling down notes in his notebook, while Kai leaned back in his chair, balancing with his tail. Cole was absentmindedly sketching in his own notebook while Kai peered curiously over his shoulder.
Jay was watching Nya with a lovestruck expression on his face. 
“If one is able to wildly raise their heart rate, hypothetically it could reverse the venom’s effects.” Nya coughed. “Resulting in…diminished, uh, excuse me, is someone wearing perfume? I’m severely allergic to perfume.”
Jay pinned his ears and leaned back to whisper to Kai. “You told me it was cologne!”
“Meh, I get them mixed up.” Kai waved a talon. Everyone but Jay and Nay laughed. Both glared at Kai as Zane opened a panel on his wrist and turned his humor switch off.
“Ah, looks like class is over.” Cole stretched and closed his notebook, yawning. “Time to start stomping SerpentWings before they find any fangblades.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Kai agreed, packing up his own things and shaking out his crimson wings.
“I’m excited to join.” Zane agreed. The three paced out the door and Jay lingered behind. 
“Uh, hey uh, Nya.” Jay stammered. “I’m sorry. The reason I was—you know-I went to Kai because—look. What I’m trying to say is—“ Nya cut him off.
“I know. It's just a cruel joke.” Nya replied. “I should be fine. Please go fight snake dragons.” 
“No, no, no, no.” Jay shook his talons and head simultaneously. “I was trying to impress you. Before Sensei left, he said our heart was the key to unlocking our True Potential.” 
“Impress me?” Nya echoed, tilting her head before shyly covering her face with a talon. “But I look so…”
“Fantastic.” Jay finished, smiling adoringly at the SeaWing. “Look, maybe, if you’ll let me, I can take you to some big fancy restaurant. You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.”
“You mean like a date?” Nya echoed, blinking. 
“Uhm, yes?” Jay pinned his ears against his head, prepared for rejection.
“Sure!” Nya’s face lit up. “I’d love to. But I have to go now before the perfume toxins enter my bloodstream and I go into shock. See you tonight.” Nya waved and trotted out the door.
“Yes!” Jay laughed and grinned broadly, spinning in a quick circle. He did a little victory dance and accidentally pricked himself on the FangWing skeleton’s long teeth.
“Ow!” He pressed the bleeding cut to his mouth. “Man.” The cut stopped bleeding almost as soon as it started and he shrugged it off and left. He felt an unusual tingle through his talon but shook it off as the electric abilities he was born with. 
——————
Wu stared at his brother, transparent wings tucked against his sides and concealing the Katana he’d brought. 
“Hello, brother.” Garmadon paced around Wu, before snatching the case with the katana inside and opening it. “You bought the katana from our youth. Funny, you never had the courage to cross the temple wall, yet now you have the courage to come here.”
“Why have you come to this place of darkness?” Wu asked, a scowl plastered on his face as he scanned the landscape behind Garmadon. The Realm Of Madness was nothing to trifle with.
“A place as wicked as me?” Garmadon shook out his wings with a cruel grin. “Don’t you see? Here I feel at home. In Ninjago, I was physically unable to hold all four Spinjitzu Weapons. But here…” He trailed off, wings tucked against his sides.
“Here, dark magic has made me stronger and what was once impossible is now possible.” Garmadon raised his wings to emphasize his now six legs.
“You came here only to possess the Weapons Of Spinjitzu?” Wu echoed, guard up.
“Yes, brother,” Garmadon replied. “And I refuse to allow you or your petty ninja to stop me!” Suddenly Garmadon was wielding four weapons that resembled the Weapons Of Spinjitzu. He gripped them with his front and middle talons, while lunging towards Wu.
Wu barely had enough time to block the blow but was knocked back. He spread his wings but crashed into a mud puddle. Garmadon spread his own wings and hovered as Wu struggled with the mud-monsters that crowded around him.
“Brother!” Wu cried, hissing in defiance as he was backed into a corner. “I’ve not come here to-“
“You will pay for your visit.” Garmadon interrupted, landing on a ledge above Wu. “Mud monsters, converge! You don’t belong here, old fool, you should’ve known better than to try and stop me.” Garmadon spread his large, dark wings, casting Wu into a shadow. His alabaster white smirk stood out against the pigmented scales.
The mud monsters surrounded Wu, choking him with their watery earth. Wu attacked them, but his talons passed through, now drenched with sopping wet mud. He hissed in defiance, nearly vanishing in the mud monster’s bodies before breaching the sediment once more.
“I didn’t come to stop you!” Wu gasped, clawing his way free. “I came to warn you! To tell you—your son’s in danger! Agh!” Wu’s cry was cut off as he vanished beneath the mud and small bubbles burst at the surface.
Garmadon had lowered his weapons and turned away. “Lloyd?” He echoed. Memories flashed through his head, and he turned back, pinning his ears against his head. He leapt into the mud and yanked Wu free, a tight grip on the HiveWing’s forelimb. “What has Lloyd gotten himself into?”
“He has opened a can of worms I fear I will never be able to close.” Wu clutched at his chest as he breathed deeply. The air wasn’t clean, but at least it was air. Wu stumbled to his talons, searching for his hat in the bog. He retrieved his accessory and disdainfully shook himself clean. He sat down for a moment again, breathing heavily. 
“You mean we will never be able to close.” Garmadon corrected, red eyes glinting. “Get up. You can tell me more later. First, we need to return home. How did you find me?” He peered at Wu with eyes narrowed to slits. He’d never believed Wu would actually come t9 this realm.
“Traveler’s Tea.” Wu replied, getting to his talons and shaking to rid his wings of the last bits of mud. “But I used it all and now have no way back.” Wu silently chastised himself. Why didn’t he consider getting back? 
“There’s only one way to return to Ninjago.” Garmadon said, gravely turning to stare at a massive mountain hundreds of miles away. “But to get there, we must pass through the Mountain Of Madness and it is a long and dangerous road ahead.” Garmadon’s gaze flickered with uncertainty. 
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Wu replied, standing next to Garmadon, transparent wings spread. 
“We should leave.” Garmadon replied, opening his own wings. “Before it really gets dark.”  He leapt into the air, Wu a few paces behind him.
—————
The dirt crumbled into an unseen hole as a few ConstrictWings launched themselves out of the earth, shaking dirt off of their bodies. Skales and Pythor were helped out of the hole behind the ConstrictWings. Pythor looked around and squinted at the flashing lights of Mega Monster Amusement Park. He wrinkled his nose.
“This is it, Pythor. The map leads us here. The first Fangblade.” Skales announced, reading the tattered scroll between his talons. “Maybe it’s better to wait until dark so we don’t attract any unwanted attention from Ninja or Samurai.” Skales did not want to get beat up again. 
“Oh, I have a feeling we’ll fit right in.” Pythor smirked. He spread his wings and launched into the air, followed by the others. The SerpentWings landed just outside the park, and looked around. Pythor led the group inside, looking around with his narrowed amber eyes.
A dragonet spied them, shrieked and fluttered away.
Pythor tilted his head and blinked. 
“Excuse me!” Pythor turned as he felt a prod in his side. “Would you mind if my family took a picture with you?” An older SandWing was addressing the AnacondaWing.
“Your costume is sooo authentic!” The SandWing’s wife agreed, looking at Pythor’s unusually long neck, massive fangs, and lack of hind limbs.
“Of course!” Pythor smiled as the family clustered around him and held up a camera to Skales. “Welcome to—to, uh-“ He looked frantically around. “Mega Monster Amusement Park!”
“Say cheese!” Skales clicked the button and the camera flashed. Skales smirked at the camera, having captured an unflattering picture of Pythor. He might have to ask for a copy…
“Cheese!” The family trilled together and Pythor flinched as the light flashed. Pythor rubbed the spots from his eyes and winced with a scowl, glaring at Skales.
—————
Back on the Bounty, Jay was getting ready. He flattened his spikes against the back of his neck before shaking them back to normal.
“Nope, not doing that.” He mumbled, smoothing out his feathered wings. 
“Did I ever tell you I was the first one to learn Spinjitzu?” Jay asked himself in the mirror. “No, I mean, uh, I invented Spinjitzu. Yeah that’s it. And I invented a few other moves, like the karate double chop. Hyah!”
He punched out a talon and stared at it for a moment. The place where he’d pricked his claw on the FangWing skeleton was bright red, while the scales around it were a sickly green. The scales had grown more rigid, and sharp, more like Zane’s than his own.
“No, no, no, no.” Jay whispered, jerking his talon back towards himself. “The prick from the FangWing fang! Oh, no, this isn’t happening. Nope, it's nothing.” He pulled on some black gloves that concealed his claws and talons, and traveled up his legs a bit.
“It’ll probably just go away.” He waved a talon dismissively. “You’re gonna do great, Jay. This is your chance to shine.” He gave himself finger guns in the mirror before pressing his face into his talon in regret. He exited the ninja’s shared room and paced to the bridge.
“Whoa, where are you going, Mr. Fancy?” Cole asked, chuckling at Jay’s suit jacket. Jay grinned and adjusted the scarf around his neck, flicking his tail and twitching his wings to show off.
“Didn’t you hear?” Jay tilted his head. “I’m taking Nya to a nice restaurant. A really nice restaurant.” Jay grinned. Kai gave him a side-eye and Cole looked between the two, rolling his eyes.
“You might wanna change your plans,” Kai pointed at the map with blinking red icons. “The bridge just picked up evidence of SerpentineWing activity over at Mega Monster Amusement Park.” There was a click and a ding and the map displayed a picture of Pythor with a family of SandWings. 
“Hey, that’s Pythor.” Jay observed, trotting closer and nudging Kai with his shoulder. 
“Pythor would not be there for fun.” Zane interjected from his place at the helm. “We believe a Fangblade may be buried beneath the park.” Zane’s spikes clattered as he turned to face the front again.
“We can’t let them get it!” Jay said, but sighed, conflicted. “But my date…” He trailed off. Kai snorted a huff. 
“Jay, if they get all four of them, Pythor can unleash the Great Devourer.” Kai turned to the Master Of Lightning. “Get your priorities straight, man.” Cole narrowed his eyes slightly. Kai was right, of course (maybe for once), but his tone could be because Jay was taking Nya out. Kai was extremely overprotective of his sister, and though he acted fine with her suitors, he disliked most of them. Cole hoped Jay would be one of the few who passed and Kai was cool with it. Nya had told him time and time again that it was her decision who she dated, but Kai still scared off some of her potential partners. 
———-
Jay nervously stood outside Nya’s room, before gently knocking on the door.
Nya flew in through a hatch in her room, and shook out her wings, still in her Samurai X armor. 
“Huh?” She tilted her head at the door. Jay was still standing outside, now worried.
“Uh, Nya, you there? You alright?” He began to open the door. Nya slammed herself into it and pushed it closed again. “Arg.” Jay muttered, rubbing his arm.
“Don’t come in!” Nya shouted, and began to frantically take off her Samurai X armor. “I’m getting ready!”
“Well…uh, I wanna talk to you about our date.” Jay was sparking nervously. “You know, I’m hearing really bad reviews for the restaurant and I just…”  He trailed off for a moment. Nya’s watch beeped and projected a map of Mega Monster Amusement Park.
“SerpentWings spotted at Mega Monster Amusement Park?” She whispered. 
“You know, I think we should cancel.” Jay finished, wincing with a sigh.
Nya opened the door, her face a mask of disappointment. “Oh, you’re canceling?”
“No, no,” Jay shook his head, spikes clicking. “I just wanted to know if you would rather go to the Mega Monster Amusement Park instead.” He managed an awkward smile.
“Really?” Nya’s eyes widened. “That would be perfect! But aren’t you overdressed?” She glanced to the side and saw her helmet was still in view. 
“Well, yeah.” Jay nodded. “Of course, I need to change—“ Nya launched her helmet into the closet with her powerful tail. 
“What was that?” Jay’s ears flicked at the clatter. 
“Nothing!” Nya chuckled like haha Silly Jay. “You know what? I’ll dress up too. Looks fun.” She vanished behind her changing wall. A few moments later she came out with scarlet robes draped across her body. Sequins glittered on the stitches, and she had amber beads wound around her horns. 
Jay blinked. Wow. Nya looked incredible. 
“I’m in your talons.” Nya grinned slightly shyly and the two left.
————
Wu and Garmadon landed and Wu shook out his still wings with a buzz. 
“So, what kind of trouble has Lloyd gotten himself into?” Garmadon asked, sniffing the ground before avoiding a certain part of the path. 
“Well, I’m afraid to say, the worst kind.” Wu replied, carefully following Garmadon. “He’s reopened the SerpentineWing tombs, and now that they have united, Pythor is trying to find the four silver fangblades to unleashed the Great Devourer.” 
Garmadon was silent for a moment, leading the way in a cloud of hushed darkness. 
“The very snake that turned me evil?” Garmadon finally shattered the uneasy silence between the two.
“Yes.” Wu sighed.
“Why would Lloyd open the tombs?” Garmadon’s blood red eyes seemed to stare through Wu as the RainWing looked back. 
“To be like you.” Wu replied, speeding up to walk at Garmadon’s side. 
Garmadon grew quiet again. 
“I never wanted him to.” He finally admitted. “Thank you for watching out for him.”
Wu nodded. “You may think of me as your enemy,” The HiveWing said. “But I was first your brother.”
————
Jay and Nya arrived at the amusement park, and Jay led the way to the restaurant. 
They were sitting at a table, and Jay had to peer around his massive burger. 
“Yeah, even when I was young, it was clear I was born for adventure.” Jay bragged. “I was the first one to get my knot badge in Little Scouts. I was always trying daring foods. I once built these wings from scrap metal and other…uh, you okay? You seem kind of distant.”
Nya was caught off-guard by the sudden attention to her. She looked around her own massive burger. 
“Uh yeah,” She smiled. “It’s just, the portions are so big. And to think we split our dish.” She gestured to the mountains of food in front of each of them.
“Heh.” Jay clicked his talons together awkwardly. “So that Samurai. Oh, man. I hate him, don’t you? He’s such a showboat, you know? If you ask me, he’s nothing without his bug, clunky exo-suit.”
“Oh.” Nya frowned in slight annoyance.
“Yeah. Nothing can compare to four good old fashioned talons, don’t you think?” 
“Yeah, sure.” Nya’s watch was blinking, and she answered distractedly. 
“You know, ssssomebody once told me…” He trailed off. Why was he hissing all of the sudden? He snatched a spoon up and peered at his reflection. His fangs had lengthened dramatically, and there was a slight greenish tint to his dark azure scales.
“You okay?” Nya peered around her burger.
“Excussse me, I have to use the ressstroom.” Jay fled the table, slamming the bathroom door behind him with a huff. He yanked off the glove on his talon. His scales had turned a sickly green. 
“Oh gosh, I’m turning into a snake!” His wings had begun to shrink slightly, and were also tinted green. He locked himself in a stall, and someone knocked on the door.
“I’m busssy, dude!” Jay shouted. “Can’t you ssssee it’s taken?” The dragon left with a grumble.
“I can’t go out there looking like this.” He muttered, holding his horns with his talons. “This is the worst date ever.” 
————
A cart was creaking through a ride that was meant to be scary.
“Ha, lame!” A dragon exclaimed, frowning with his front legs crossed. He spied some SerpentWings digging. “Heh, look how stupid this guy looks.” He joked.
A dark green VenomWing trotted up to the cart and hissed, frill flared. He sprayed the cart with venom and illusions of monsters and fears danced before the rider’s eyes. 
“Get me off this thing!” The dragon from before wailed. “Mommy!!”
————
Kai, Cole, and Zane landed in the park, looking around.
“Where is everybody?” Kai asked, head tilting as he pulled back his hood.
Screams caught their attention and the ninja turned, looking towards fleeing riders. The riders were sprinting and flying away from the tunnel ride.
“Wait a minute,” Cole narrowed his eyes. “That ride was never scary.”
“VenomWings.” Zane answered, talons unsheathing.
“Should we get Jay?” Kai asked.
“Let’s not bother the two lovebirds,” Cole chuckled. “I think we can handle this.”
Kai led the group towards the tunnel, and they leapt past carts on their way to the center.
“Excuse us, coming through.” Kai muttered as he passed.
“Nothing to look at, folks.” Cole nodded.
“This is official ninja business.” Zane agreed. 
————
Nya looked towards the restroom, flicking her tail worriedly. He hadn’t come back yet, and her watch was beeping insistently 
Nya sighed. “Sorry, Jay. Duty calls.” She left the booth, a talon cashed over her glowing watch. 
“Huh, you don’t look sssso bad.” Jay nodded at himself in the bathroom mirror. “Jussst go out there and tell her the truth.” He flexed his wings  and blinked. He craned his neck and saw his wings were smaller than before. 
“Ah! Wings are disappearing!!” He yelped. His scales were turning a sickly green. “No, no, it’s okay, Jay.” He gave himself a comforting look. He splashed some water on his face and wrapped his scarf around the green scales on his neck. 
“It’s okay, Jay, lots of people like small wings.” He returned to the table and his stomach dropped in disappointment. 
“Ssshe left? Nya?” 
A MudWing saw Jay’s more snake-like appearance and screamed. Jay flinched and the rest of the restaurant turned to look at him. 
“Snake!” Another dragon cried and everyone surrounded him, smacking him with various objects. 
“No! Ssstop! You don’t underssstand!” Jay yelped.
———
Nya summoned her mech with the press of a button, and climbed inside.
———
“Ah!” Pythor cackled, lifting a silver object from the hole he and Skales were digging. “The first fangblade is ours!” 
The woosh of Fire caught his attention and he turned, seeing Kai and the rest of the ninja staring at him with smirks. Kai’s Sword Of Fire was alight and perched on his shoulders.
Kai pointed. “Not so fast.” He said, dramatically.
“Really?” Cole asked, turning to glare at the SkyWing. “That’s the best you’ve got?” He rolled his eyes. 
“I couldn’t think of anything on the fly!” Kai protested, nudging Cole with a shoulder. 
“How about ‘time to burn’ or ‘jump on this fire ride’?” Cole suggested, smirking.
“Well, next time you lead.” Kai huffed.
“Next time I will.” Cole replied with a laugh.
“Oh, yeah? If you can catch up!” Kai launched into battle.
“Oh, come on. You gotta follow my lead.” Cole attacked the SerpentWings with Kai at his side. 
A cart rolling by contained very confused passengers.
“Ninjas?” One dragon asked. “Ninjas aren’t scary.”
“Watch and learn, brothers.” Zane flashed a per,h white grin at the two battling dragons. He drew his shurikens and locked them beneath his chin. His whole form began to glow gold and blue, and a white light engulfed him.
Ice shot from his chest. He’d reused his true potential power.
Zane landed and exhaled tiredly. He looked around, hoping to see the snakes he’d frozen. Instead he saw a very cold Kai and Cole trapped in blocks of ice.
“Oops.”
Pythor and the other snakes slithered away, laughing at the dilemma behind them. There was a loud thump and Pythor slammed into a metallic forearm from Nya’s mech. Nya snatched the fangblade and tried to take off.
“Stop him!” Pythor shouted. 
“Thruster malfunction.” Nya’s exo-suit warned her as her boosters flickered uselessly. The mech sprinted away, but was tackled by Pythor’s SerpentineWing minions. 
Pythor slithered victoriously towards Nya. 
“Finally the mystery man is revealed.” He said, opening the mech and yanking off Nya’s helmet. His cruel grin curled more. “Or should I have said mystery girl? Who’s gonna save you now, hmmmm?”
Nya glared at him defiantly, blue eyes glinting.
———
The crowd was still hitting Jay with various articles of food. 
“Ow!” Jay yelped, scrambling out of the crowd and slamming the bathroom door behind him. He wrapped his scarf around his face and neck, concealing the green scales creeping their way over his body. 
“Do not go in there!” He warned the crowd as he walked nervously by. “He bites. This is not dinner theater, people. It’s real! Arm yourselves.”
He made it outside the restaurant unharmed and flared his shrinking wings. 
“Nya! Where is she?!” He spied a group of snake dragons and growled at them. “Hey!”
The SerpentWings cackled and pointed at his small wings. Jay huffed and flattened his spines.
“Oh, what happened? Snake bite your tongue?” Pythor guffawed at the TempestWing. 
Nya was tied to a roller coaster cart, her wings bound. “Jay! Help!”
Pythor flicked his purple tail at a FangWing standing near the controls. The FangWing pressed the button and the roller coaster began to move. 
“Later, alligator. Let’s go, boys.” Pythor turned away from the TempestWing and took off.
Jay used his small wings to get him airborne, and he clung onto the tracks, sprinting down them. He caught up with the last cart and climbed to the front.
“What happened to you?!” Nya asked as Jay seated himself in the cart by her side. 
“What happened to you?” Jay asked back. He looked down the tracks and spotted a ring of fire and tracks that ended in a jagged edge. 
“Uh, we have to get you out of here.” Jay began tugging at Nya’s chains. His tail flicked into view. 
“Were you bit?!” Nya asked, seeing the plague of green spreading across his azure scales. “Take off your head scarf.”
“I’d…I’d prefer not.” Jay shook his head, dismally. “I was meaning to tell you, but I didn’t want it to ruin the date.” He rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed.
“Oh, that’s so sweet.” Nya smiled before shaking her head and focusing. “Hey, you were the first in your ‘Lil Scouts group to get your knot badge, right?”
“Yeah, about that,” Jay chuckled. “I made that up just so I could impress you. I was never in ‘Lil Scouts.”
“You weren’t?” Nya gave him a side eye. “Hold on.”
“What? You have an idea?” Jay asked, hopeful. 
“No, hold on!” Nya cried. The cart was flung up a hill then came down from the very top. 
The two screamed and Jay’s scarf came undone and was whipped away in the wind.
“Don’t look at me! I’m a monssster!” Jay shielded his snake-like features from Nya’s view, ears pinned. “Though I hate samurai, where is he when you actually need him? Samurai! Help! Help! Samurai!”
“Jay, I don’t think the samurai is coming.” Nya whispered, almost inaudible above the wind. 
“Why?” Jay looked back at her, talons still flung up to shield his face. 
“I know this might not be the best time, but I haven’t been totally honest either.” Nya replied.
“What is it?” Jay’s stormy blue eyes were wide with confusion.
“I…” Nya took a deep breath. “I’m the samurai!”
“You’re the samurai!” Jay blinked, before the cart lurched and his attention was dragged away from Nya. “Aah! Running out of track!9
“Jay,” Nya grabbed the TempestWing’s attention again “If anything horrible were to happen, I want you to know that you don’t have to wear cologne or pretend to be anything that you’re not. Because I like you best when you’re you.” Nya pressed her head affectionately against Jay’s cheek.
Jay’s jaw dropped, surprised, and his body began to glow. Warm yellow light covered the pale green scales and turned them back to calm blue.
“Your face. You’re returning back to normal!” Nya exclaimed.
“It’s just like you said,” Jay smiled. “You must have raised my heart rate.”
“Whatever happens next, just remember, you are the best you.” Nya grinned encouragingly at him. 
Jay flattened his spikes determinedly, and stood shakily on the hood of the cart. He spread his feathery wings wide and his body shimmered with electricity.
“What’s happening?!” Nya exclaimed.
“My true potential.” Jay replied. He shot into the sky and appeared in front of the cart, reaching out and digging his talons into the metal. The cart lurched and sparks flickered off the rails. The cart screeched to a halt just before the ring of fire, and Jay collapsed, exhausted on the hood.
————
The ninja collected outside the park’s enterance. 
“You really had me fooled. I never guessed you were the Samurai.” Zane said, spikes clattering as he lowered his alabaster hood.
“I wish I had a sister like you.” Cole beamed at Nya, and patted her affectionately on the shoulder. 
“Technically,” Kai raised a talon. All the other ninja sighed. “I was the first to discover her secret, and didn’t we agree whoever we thought was best would naturally be the Green Ninja.”
Kai blinked at the ninja’s blank expressions. 
“Huh? The Green Ninja!” He waved his talons. “The destined ninja to defeat Lord Garmadon, ring any bells?”
“Why would we say that?” Jay tapped his chin thoughtfully. 
“Yeah, I’m drawing a blank.” Cole agreed.
“Nope.” Zane nodded. “That conversation is not in my database.”
Kai waved his talons but pressed his face into them with a sigh.
“You know what I learned today.” Jay said as the ninja paced away.
“What’s that?” Nya asked, nudging his shoulder.
“No matter what secret you have, whether you’re a snake or a samurai, it’s important to be yourself.” Jay replied. Kai snorted. 
“Yeah, that’s cute.” Cole said. “But you wanna know what I learned? The SerpentWings now have the first fangblade.”
“But we are getting strong,” Zane piped in. “One day we will all reach our true potential and Pythor will be stopped.”
“And we figured out all this without Sensei,” Jay agreed. “Pretty good for four ninja.” Nya punched Jay’s shoulder. 
“Ow, and a samurai.” He ammended.
“I wonder what sensei is doing now…” Kai trailed off, looking into the distance as the others took off to fly up to the Bounty.
——
Garmadon and Wu halted at the base of a mountain so tall, its tip vanished into the thick clouds.
“We’re here. The Mountains of Madness.” Garmadon announced, flexing exhausted wings.
“The only back to Ninjago is up there?” Wu asked, squinting.
“The worst is yet to come,” Garmadon warned with a nod.
The two began their ascent.
==The Royal Blacksmiths ==
==The Green Ninja==
==All Of Nothing==
==The Rise Of The Great Devourer ==
==The Day Of The Great Devourer==
= Legacy Of The Green Ninja =
== Darkness Shall Rise==
== Pirates vs Ninja ==
==Double Trouble==
==Ninjaball Run==
==Child’s Play==
==Wrong Place, Wrong Time ==
==The Stone Army==
== The Day Ninjago Stood Still==
== The Last Voyage==
==Island Of Darkness ==
==The Last Hope==
==Return Of The Overlord==
==Rise Of The Spinjitzu Master ==
=Ninjago: Rebooted=
===Battle For Ninjago City===
==The Surge ==
==The Art Of The Silent Fist==
==Blackout ==
==The Curse Of The Golden Master==
===Fall Of The Golden Master ===
==Enter The Digiverse ==
==Codename: Arcturus ==
== The Void==
==The Titanium Ninja==
=The Tournament Of Elements=
==The Invitation==
==Only One Can Remain ==
==Versus==
==Ninja Roll==
==Spy For A Spy==
==Spellbound==
==The Forgotten Element==
==The Day Of The Dragon ==
== The Greatest Fear Of All==
==The Corridor Of Elders ==
=Possession =
==Winds Of Change==
==Ghost Story==
==Stiix And Stones==
== The Temple On Haunted Hill==
==Peek-A-Boo ==
==Kingdom Come==
==The Crooked Path==
==Grave Danger ==
==Curseworld==
=Skybound=
== Infamous==
== Public Enemy Number One==
==Enkrypted ==
== Misfortune Rising ==
==On a Wish and a Prayer==
==My Dinner With Nadakhan ==
== Wishmasters==
==The Last Resort==
==Operation: Land Ho ==
== The Way Back==
=Day Of The Departed=
=Hands Of Time=
==The Hands Of Time==
==The Hatching==
==A Time Of Traitors==
==Scavengers==
==A Line In The Sand==
==The Attack==
== Secrets Discovered==
==Pause And Effect==
==Out Of The Fire and Into The Boiling Sea==
==Lost In Time==
= The Sons Of Garmadon =
==The Mask Of Deception==
==The Jade Princess==
==The Oni And The Serpent==
==Snake Jaguar==
==Dead Man’s Squall==
==The Quiet One==
==Game Of Masks==
==Dread On Arrival==
==True Potential==
==Big Trouble, Little Ninjago==
= Hunted = 
==Firstbourne==
==Iron And Stone==
==Radio Free Ninjago==
==How To Build A Serpent==
==The Gilded Path==
==Two Lies, One Truth==
==The Weakest Link==
==Saving Faith==
==Lessons For A Master==
==Green Destiny==
= March Of The Oni =
==The Darkness Comes==
==Into The Breach==
==The Fall==
==Endings==
= Secrets Of Forbidden Spinjitzu =
==Wasted True Potential==
==Questing For Quests==
==A Rocky Start==
==The Belly Of The Beast==
==Boobytraps And How To Survive Them==
==The News Never Sleeps==
==Ninja vs Lava==
==Snaketastrophy==
==Powerless==
==Ancient History==
==Never Trust A Human==
==Under Siege==
==The Explorer’s Club==
==Vengeance Is Mine!==
==A Cold Goodbye==
==The Never-Realm==
==Fire Maker==
==An Unlikely Ally==
==The Absolute Worst==
==The Message==
==The Traveler’s Tree==
==Krag’s Lament==
==Secret Of The Wolf==
==The Last Of The Formlings==
==My Enemy, My Friend==
==The Kaiju Protocol==
==Corruption==
==A Fragile Hope==
==Once And For All==
==Awakenings==
= Prime Empire = 
==Would You Like To Enter Prime Empire?==
==Dyer Island==
==Level Thirteen==
==Superstar Rockin’ Jay==
==I Am Okino==
==The Glitch==
==The Cliffs Of Hysteria==
==The Maze Of The Red Serpent==
==One Step Forward, Two Steps Back==
==Racer Seven==
==The Speedway Five-Billion==
==Stop, Drop And Side Scroll==
==Ninjago Confidential==
==The Prodigal Father==
==The Temple Of Madness==
==Game Over==
= Master Of The Mountain =
==Shintaro==
==Into The Dark==
==The Worst Rescue Ever==
==The Two Blades== 
==Queen Of The Munce==
==Trial By Mino==
==The Skull Sorcerer==
==The Real Fall==
==Dungeon Party==
==Dungeon Crawl==
==Grief-Bringer==
==Masters Never Quit==
==The Darkest Hour==
==The Ascent==
==The Upply Strike Back==
==The Son Of Lilly==
= Seabound =
==A Big Splash==
==The Call Of The Deep==
==Unsinkable==
==Five Thousand Fathoms Down==
==The Wrath Of Kalmaar==
==Long Live The King==
==Escape From Merlopia==
==The Tale Of Benthomaar==
==The Storm Amulet==
==Riddle Of The Sphinx==
==Papergirl==
==Master Of The Sea==
==The Calm Before The Storm==
==Assault On Ninjago City==
==Nyad==
==The Turn Of The Tide==
= Crystalized =
==Farewell The Sea==
==The Call Of Home==
==The Shape Of Nya==
==A Mayor Problem==
==Public Enemies 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5==
==A Painful Promise==
==Ninjago City vs Ninja==
==Kryptarium Prison Blues==
==Hounddog McBrag==
==The Benefit Of Grief==
==The Fifth Villain==
==The Council Of The Crystal King==
==A Sinister Shadow==
==The Spider’s Design==
==The Fall Of The Monastery==
==Darkness Within==
==The Coming Of The King==
==Return To Primeval’s Eye==
==Crystastrophe==
==Christofern==
==A Lesson In Anger==
==Brave But Foolish==
==Quittin’ Time==
==Return Of The Ice Emperor==
==Safe Haven==
==Compatible==
==Distress Calls==
==An Issue Of Trust==
==Serpent Form==
==Roots==
=Gallery=
Moved to Masters Of Fire/Gallery
Category:Inspired by Fiction
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)
Category:Fanfictions (Fanon)
Category:Content (Dragon Cat114)