A/N: This story is a combined effort between me and my sister. We hope you like it! :)

Summary: When a shadow falls over Ninjago the ninja rise to the challenge, but this new darkness proves to be more than they bargained for. Even Garmadon, the lord of evil, is at risk. A secret of Sensei Wu's past may hold the key to the truth. Kai struggles to come to terms with himself when an accidental slip up destroys the ninja team as they know it and gives the new enemy the perfect bargaining chip. Can the mistakes of the past and present be amended in time to save the future? (Takes place in between the episodes Child's Play and Wrong Place Wrong Time.)

Chapter 1

Circumstance

Kai stared miserably over the edge of the Destiny's Bounty as they plied their way through the early morning sky. If there ever was a case of things that were one constant fading steadily into uncertainty, this was it.

He had been trained as the ninja of fire, tasked with the duty of protecting the destined Green Ninja—and he no longer even possessed his legendary weapon: the fire sword that heightened his elemental power of fire. His Golden Weapon, along with the other 3 weapons of power, belonging to his brothers Zane, Jay, and Cole, were now in the hands of the Dark Lord Garmadon. They had been transformed forever from their old forms as a sword, scythe, nunchucks, and shurikens, and changed into a Mega Weapon. It was written in destiny that that Lord Garmadon's son, the Green Ninja Lloyd, would one day be locked in a battle that would ultimately decide the balance of the world.

Kai bit his lip, deep in thought. Just two days ago, because of Lord Garmadon and his Mega Weapon which had the power to create anything, Lloyd had rapidly aged from a child to nearly Kai's own age: a teenager. Kai feared that this meant that the final battle would be coming even sooner than expected now.

"You need to stop worrying Kai," came his sister's voice suddenly from behind him.

"How did you know that I was worrying?" he asked, turning to her, perplexed.

"I grew up with you. I am well acquainted with your 'I'm bothered' face," she told him with a grin, patting his head.

He rolled his eyes and straightened his newly flattened brown hair back into its usual spikes.

Nya laughed. Just then she was joined by Jay, his usual smile lighting up his face, "Wow you guys are up early. What are you doing?"

"Thinking mostly," Kai replied softly.

"Well quit thinking and get down to the bridge," Jay said, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Something's come up and Sensei wants you now."

"What?" Nya exclaimed and dashed toward the bridge, "Why didn't you mention anything sooner?"

Jay's eyes followed Kai's sister's steps with a love-struck expression on his face.

Kai rolled his eyes again and grasped Jay by the arm, following his sister at a jog.

"Kai, Jay, Nya, about time you showed up," Cole teased as they arrived.

"If you remember correctly, I was here first," Jay said with a lopsided smile.

"Hush all of you," came the voice of Sensei Wu, the ninja's master and mentor.

All four of them bowed respectfully, "Yes Sensei," they replied in unison.

"Lloyd, kindly explain the situation," Sensei said stroking his beard.

"While I was on watch, I got a call for help from Ninjago city's center. There is a large army threatening everyone in the main square. It's crazy there and people are getting hurt," Lloyd explained.

Nya ran to the control panel and began to analyze the map. "We should arrive in about two minutes."

"Everyone prepare yourselves," Cole shouted.

"Yes, but for what," Zane interrupted. "Exactly who are the armed assailants? The serpentine? Lord Garmadon? The skeleton army?"

"We do not know who they are," Sensei admitted. "Your falcon was only able to get a fleeting image of the attackers before he was forced to flee. They look like no enemy we have ever before encountered. Although, their armor does have a slight similarity to that worn by the ancient armies long ago." He admitted, his expression turning troubled for a moment before he continued. "Be careful ninja," he warned as they prepared to leave. "I have a sense of darkness and warning."

As the ninja and Nya ran down the corridor of the landing ship, Zane caught Kai's attention. His icy light blue eyes seemed troubled.

"Kai," he asked quietly as they ran, "I have not seen Sensei look so troubled in quite a while, and I too have a sense of growing darkness. What do you believe we are up against?"

"I'm not sure," Kai replied honestly, "but whoever or whatever, are going to get a run for their money." Then, noticing Zane's puzzled expression, he added, "It's a figure of speech."

Zane nodded his understanding.

When they reached the city's square, they saw about two score of the marauders harassing the people and causing chaos. Nya had put on her samurai exo-suit and with Sensei left behind to guard the ship, they charged in to the streets. Kai raised his sword, wishing that it was his fire sword instead of a simple katana and leaped into the fray. The odd warriors they faced were trained fighters, but they were not incredibly skilled. Kai swiped three off their feet while Cole knocked out several with his scythe and fists. Zane knocked down two with his shurikens and caught them deftly as they ricocheted off the foe. Another fell to a well aimed kick. Jay was fighting with the speed of a whirlwind and several fell before him. It was obvious that the enemy moral was shaken and, when Nya arrived on the scene, they fled.

The people started to cheer and Jay let out a shout of victory. But Kai was puzzled, "something's not right," he muttered.

"I agree," Cole replied. "That seemed way too easy."

Jay turned to face them, his expression worried.

"I believe this is not over," Zane said, "I sense something darker."

Kai's eyes widened as realization dawned on him, "Have any of you noticed Lloyd is missing?"

Nya gasped and the other three ninja looked around. Just then, Lloyd came dashing out of an alley.

"Kai, Cole, Zane, Jay, Nya!" He shouted, "help me! While you were fighting, another group of them captured Dareth and some of my friends from Darkly's Boarding School."

"It appears that the battle we fought was a diversion, my brothers," Zane said in a hushed voice.

"They have a head start but, they're on foot, so we can probably catch them," Lloyd said, gesturing towards the southeast.

"Alright," Cole said, taking charge, "Nya I want you to head back to the Bounty and inform Sensei of the development, Kai, Jay, Zane, Lloyd and I will follow after Dareth and the kids."

"You can join us later, sis," Kai said hurriedly, noting her expression.

She reluctantly agreed and left, heading in the opposite direction.

Kai panted as he raced after the enemy. After three minutes, they had caught sight of their quarry and now they were gaining. He watched as the troop of solders halted at a large warehouse-like building and carried their struggling captives inside. He felt anger flare inside of him at the sight. What kind of scum would stoop so low as to capture children? True, Lloyd's former classmates were annoying and they had caused a lot of trouble in the past, but they had once helped to save him and his friend's life and had reformed mostly for the better. He also could not forget about the foppish, arrogant, yet kind-hearted karate teacher Dareth either. He was their friend. He had to save them.

Oh, cliffhanger! Please don't kill me! The next chapter will come out soon! Please review!

Question:

Who is your least favorite person/snake/stone warrior in Ninjago?