A/N: So, this idea has been in my head ever since seeing episode 36. Basically, for those who haven't seen it, GO WATCH IT NOW! If you can't find it, or if you just don't have time, it'll be fine because the plot will be explained as the chapters go on. This story is a bit Au-Ish, but in a good way.

Taking place after the events of Season 3. The four remaining ninja have gone to Master Chen's island alone. (As in without the other elemental masters or even Garmadon) after Chen sends a notice daring the ninja to come and rescue Zane. However, it has been over a month since they left, and Nya and the Senseis are beginning to grow anxious. When a new notice of a mysterious 'Tournament of Elements' arrives all throughout Ninjago, Nya enlists seven normal teens to go to the island and find the missing ninja. Now I know OC stories are sometimes frowned upon in the fanfiction world, but I promise that this one will be different. It will follow the show's events, but with my own twists and turns along the way.

The Monastery

For those fortunate enough to visit the beautiful and serene mountains located far away from Ninjago City, words like peaceful, breathtaking, and spectacular would be perfect to describe the area. With gushing waterfalls flowing down the glowing rocks, and the amazing flora and fauna across the hills and valleys, it is a place where harmony and balance is found everywhere.

CRASH!

Almost everywhere, that is. The sound of glass breaking echoed throughout the air from a secluded dojo located on the edge of the mountain forest.

"DARETH!" Nya shouted, and thrust open the training room doors to find the annoying brown ninja about to throw a vase at a nearby student. Gene? Brad? She didn't really care at the moment. All that mattered was that a man almost twice her age was acting like a child, and the entire room was trashed with broken pots and upside down bonsais. All the kids suddenly paled at the sight of their raven-haired friend's angry face, and Dareth began to sputter out excuses.

"N-Nya, I-" He didn't get the chance to finish, as she marched over and promptly started to lecture him to no ends.

"What are you thinking!?" She exclaimed. "When I said the students could come over I didn't mean for all of you guys to mess around and break everything in sight!"

"I-I j-just t-thought-"

"You thought what!?" Nya yelled, and Dareth flinched.

"Nya..." Sally stepped forward and pushed up her glasses. She was in her regular attire, a white gi with a green belt tied around her waist. "We're sorry that we ruined the room."

Nya sighed, and put her hands on her hips, but she slowly let herself calm down. "Dareth. I know that since the others..." Her voice cracked a bit, but she continued. "I know that since they're gone you've been having trouble training the students, but I'm trying to finish something and your noise isn't helping."

A guilty look flashed across Dareth's face, and he put the vase down, "I'm sorry, Nya."

"Just try and be more careful next time, okay?"

"Okay," Dareth and the kids mumbled softly.

"Good," Nya turned around and prepared to get back to her project.

"H-hey, Nya?" Nya stopped and saw Sally take a tentative step forwards, her expression both anxious and sorrowful. "I-I was wondering...when do you think Kai and the others will be back?"

Nya gulped.

"Yeah," Gene chimed. "They've been gone for over a month!"

"You won't tell us anything about them," Brad said, joining the conversation. "Only that they're on a mission. But they've never been away this long."

"Are they okay?" Sally finished.

Nya bit her lip, and felt like crawling into a hole as she glanced around at the all children's (and Dareth's) hopeful faces. They were waiting for answers, answers that she didn't have.

"I can assure you guys that Kai, Jay, Cole, and Lloyd are doing fine," Her gut twisted as the lie fell gracefully from her mouth. "They're okay, they're alright. But, somethings come up that's made their quest harder than expected."

"But they're not hurt, right?" Sally asked.

Nya licked her lips. "No. They're absolutely unharmed. Just a little caught up, that's all." She forced herself to give a smile and began to slide the training room entrance closed. "Don't be afraid. I know my brother and my friends. They can handle anything."

And with those last words she slammed the doors shut.

Nya felt her eyes water up as she ran out of the monastery and into the bright lights of the outside world. Her whole vision seemed to swirl, and she ended up tripping over a protruding tree root and onto the rocky earth. Feeling the sharp rocks scrape cheeks, Nya felt her whole face burn with pain, and she let out a incoherent cry.

"Nya?" A voice said from above, and she glanced up to see Misako looming over her. "What are you doing?" The kind gray-haired woman helped Nya get to her feet.

"I tripped..." Nya said flatly.

"Is this about the others?" Misako questioned, her tone gentle.

Nya put her fingers to her face and felt the warmth of blood. Ignoring the stinging sensation of the gravel ebbed in her skin, she nodded.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Misako asked.

Nya shrugged.

"I'll take that as a yes," Misako led Nya over to a cheery blossom tree, and they sat down in silence.

"I'm just nervous," Nya explained. "They've been gone for a month. A full month, Misako! What if something happened?"

Misako sighed. She knew that the samurai was extremely troubled by her team's failed return from Master Chen's Island. The four elemental ninja had received a letter in an ally way from the notorious crime lord that claimed Zane was alive, but was currently on Chen's island far away. He ordered that the ninja meet go to the docks, alone, and a boat would arrive to take them to his dwelling.

The problem? They had gone alone. No sensei. No other people. Just them. And to make matters worse? They hadn't returned despite the long amount of time that had passed. Nya, of course, was worried sick, and spent every waking hour trying to figure out where the island was and how to find her brother and teammates. Wu was a bit different, preferring to study his tea leaves to search for answers and meditate while his brother, Garmadon, did the same as well.

"I'm sure that the four will accomplish their task," Misako said.

"But what if they get injured? Or if they even get killed? We've already lost Zane. I..." Nya trailed off.

"I know," Misako embraced Nya in a tight hug. "But worrying about the present when there's the future does not change anything."

"But what if that's just it? What if they need our help and we're sitting here doing nothing?" Nya said, and clenched her fists in frustration.

"Then we'll know," Misako said firmly. "Sensei Wu and Sensei Garmadon are trying their best to find a solution to this predicament. But all we can do is hope for the best."

Nya, realizing Misako was right, relaxed a little, and let breathing go back to normal.

"Good girl," Misako said, seeing her friend's more calmed state of mind. "Now, remember this: Your brother and the other ninja are skilled fighters and warrios trained to get through thick and thin. Wherever they are, and whatever they're going through, is certainly not going to stop them from finding Zane. Nothing keeps family apart, and nothing will ever severe the bond we share with the ones we love. I am almost positive that they're close to defeating Chen and coming home."

"Yeah, maybe you're right," Nya said.

"Wonderful," Misako stood up and brushed some dirt off her shirt. "Now, shall we finish repairing the Bounty?"

"I guess so," Nya followed her friend towards the Monastery, a feeling of optimism encasing her mind and making it easier to think. And besides, maybe she was right. Maybe her brother and teammates could handle anything on that stupid island.

Maybe.

A/N: I know it's short, but that a prologue for you. I promise the other chapters will be much longer. Please review and tell me what you think!