An invitation

This is how An invitation goes in Shintaro.

[Then, we see the ninja and our heroes with an invitation]

Kai: This is incredible!

Nya: Are you sure this isn't a mistake?

Jay: [gasps] It's real! It's gotta be! It's addressed to us, look!

Mac Grimborn: Unbelievable!

[Lloyd arrives]

Lloyd: What? What is it? Bad news?

Zane: It is highly unusual.

Jay: Ooh, we gotta get ready!

Lloyd: What? What happened? Someone's located the Teapot of Tyrahn? Uh, Pythor's back? The Overlord's been found? What?

Mac Grimborn: Wait. It's... an invitation!

Postman: Heh, you got an invitation. To Shintaro!

Lloyd: Shintaro?

Postman: Mm-hmm, the Ivory City! You don't deliver one of these every day. No siree.

Mac Grimborn: Ivory, huh?

[Jay opens the card]

Jay: Oh ho! Fancy card!

Cole: That's the fanciest card I've ever seen. Oh, it even smells good.

Lloyd: Shintaro? As in, Shintaro?

[Behind him, Wu's chicken chases the Postman away]

P.I.X.A.L.: As in the remote and exclusive mountain kingdom of Northern Ninjago.

Janja: Cool.

Zane: Invitations to Shintaro are exceedingly rare. In recorded history, there have only been a handful of outsiders allowed into the Ivory City.

Jay: I've heard it's incredible! It's the most beautiful city in the world. And the people have wings. Haha! You can't beat wings.

Lloyd: What's it say? The invitation.

Jay: Ahem. "King Vangelis of the Northern Kingdom of Shintaro of the Sky Folk, kindly requests your presence," of course he does, "as honored guests," oh, that makes sense, "to celebrate the birthday of the princess, Vania."

Cole: Princess Vania. Who's that?

Nya: Apparently, the daughter of King Vangelis.

Zane: Little is known about Shintaro. Up until recently, it was still considered a mythical place.

Cheezi: Mythical?

Cole: Well, it looks like we're gonna see it. In person!

[The ninja cheer]

Nya: Let's go!

Jay: Ooh, I'm gonna pack!

Cole: Let's get the Bounty ready!

Wu: What's this about Shintaro?

Lloyd: We've been invited to the Kingdom of Shintaro, to attend Princess Vania's birthday. Masters, this is just what you need. This will get you out of your funk!

Princess Cadance: We are *not* in a "funk". And we're not going. We'll stay here with Misako and P.I.X.A.L. We can assist her in the Hangar Bay.

Lloyd: [whispering to Misako] They're in a funk.

Chungu: [whispers to Reirei] Someone's overreacting.

Lloyd: But how often does a chance to visit a legendary fabled kingdom come your way?

Princess Luna: We've visited our share of legendary fabled kingdoms. Once you've seen one, you've seen them all. You, Garmadon and Wu go. Enjoy yourselves. You don't need us tagging along.

[They walk out of the monastery]

Misako: Now, you listen to me. I've had about enough of this moping around. You are going with the ninja!

Princess Celestia: We can't go charging off to far-flung places! Adventures and legendary kingdoms are for the young.

Princess Luna: You of all people should understand that.

Misako: [glaring angrily] Why should I understand?

[Luna realizes her error]

Princess Luna: Uh, w-what I meant to say was, uh, um--

Misako: You listen to me. You are going on this journey, and you are going to like it! Is that understood?

Twilight Sparkle: But-but we--the chicken need--

Misako: Understood!? [to Lloyd] They're in.

Lloyd: Yes! This is gonna be just what we need!

Goigoi: I've got a feeling this is gonna be a long day.

Lloyd: You coming, Mac?

Mac Grimborn: Uh, you guys go ahead. I need a moment.

[Kai is concerned]

Cole: Why isn't he coming?

Lloyd: He said he had a vision.

Nya: What vision?

Lloyd: Some guy with a green skull.

[Inside, Mac unrolls a scroll to know the meaning of his vision]

Mac Grimborn: Ah-ha. [reads] "The Skull Sorcerer". So, that's why I had this vision. New plan. If I sleep in late, I'll have the vision again. When I do, I'll know where this Skull Sorcerer is.

[Just then, Misako gets to him]

Misako: What are you doing?

Mac Grimborn: Oh! Uh, Misako. I was, just about to pack.

Misako: Are you okay?

Mac Grimborn: Yeah. There's nothing bothering me at all.

Misako: Is there something you're not telling me?

Mac Grimborn: No. Well, good night. [walks out the door]

Misako: Good night.

[She turns around and looks at the scroll Mac was looking into]

Misako: Skull Sorcerer?

[She quickly realizes what was bothering Mac]

Misako: His vision. Oh, why didn't I listen to him?

[She feels guilty, but knows how to help him]

Misako: I'll follow him. If I do, he'll lead me to this Skull Sorcerer.

[Elsewhere, Kion packs his essentials as P.I.X.A.L. watches]