The Overlord knew he was dying. He had expected to- that was why, even as he exploded into nothingness he was laughing. The ninja would never expect for him to have a back-up plan as maniacal as this. Oh, if only they knew...

Jay walked into the kitchen, mouth wide open in a huge yawn. He headed over to the pantry, removing a box of cereal, and then got a bowl down from a cupboard. After releasing his hands of the cereal and bowl, Jay pulled open a drawer and grabbed a spoon- and froze when he saw his upside-down reflection in the crystal-clear metal. He wasn't concerned about the way his hair was messed up like it always was when he'd just woken up and hadn't bothered to do anything about it yet. It was his eyes that bothered him. They had changed from their normal lightning-blue color to a darker shade, almost black in color. Their shape had changed as well- the pupils were narrowed, reptilian. Evil-looking. He put down the spoon, shaking his head in disbelief. He was seeing things, simple as that.

Cole, who had been playing Fist to Face 2 in a failing attempt to beat Kai's high score, put down the controller. "You changed yet Jay?" The ninja's voice was different- deeper, darker.

Jay took a step back, "Ch-changed? What do you mean 'changed'?"

Cole began a set of push-ups. "What I mean is, have you found your true self yet? The self that, deep down, knows there's more to life than sitting cooped up in this cushy dojo, waiting for something to cause trouble. The self that wants to be the trouble, that feels like they deserve something in return for all the good they've done for Ninjago. Have you found that self Jay?"

Jay shook his head defiantly, "No...I- I never felt like that, and I still don't. Why are you asking me about it?"

The ninja of earth finished his exercises and stood, walking over to Jay. "I ask because I have found that self. And because you, my friend, have not, you are now my enemy." He grabbed a kitchen knife off of the counter, lunging at his former ally. The ninja of lightning grabbed the spoon he had put on the table earlier, barely managing to block the knife's path to his heart.

Changing tactics, Cole threw the knife, knocking the utensil out of Jay's hand. Both objects clattered to the floor. Jay ducked, missing Cole's punch by only a few seconds. He did not, however, see Nya approaching from behind. The hilt of her dagger connected with the back of Jay's head, knocking the ninja unconscious.

Cole looked up in surprise, "Why didn't you just let me kill the runt? He would have been dead by now."

"If Jay was one of us in the Overlord's army, then he may still be one of us." Nya grabbed Jay's arms, lifting his limp body from the ground, "Give him time. He may turn out to be of use for our conquest, even if he doesn't change."

Cole grinned, grabbing a rope to bind his former ally's arms together, "As you wish, my lady." He turned to the window- the sky had darkened, and clouds had gathered ominously over the city. "I must ask, what do you propose we do with the traitor?"

"Well," Nya began, "You did say you'd like to see a good fight. Let's wait until we've secured our hold on Ninjago. Once the land is ours we can focus our energy on capturing those fools who evaded the Overlord's wondrous gift. I'll let you choose who gets to battle this imbecile when we've caught the others."

A shadow crawled across the kitchen, Zane's robotic eyes glinting with malice, "Allow me to guard the prisoner until proper detainment is available. Nothing can pass my guard- even a ninja would be hard-pressed to make such an attempt."

Cole laughed, pocketing Jay's nun-chucks. "Do what you will. He's nothing to us if he continues to reject the Overlord's gift. In fact, why don't we build a nice dungeon for our traitorous friend to stay in until I grow weary of his resistance?" He pointed to a Shade, its features blackened and dark. No one could have guessed it had once been Cole's father. "You there- gather some others and start constructing a prison even the Overlord would be proud of." The shade bowed its bleak face expressionless. Two of its brothers joined it, obediently beginning their grim task as the dark ninja watched from inside the dojo.

Cole took Nya's hand in his, turning his head so his eyes looked into hers. "So far, my dear, it has been the beginning of a glorious new age. Shall we continue together?"

Nya laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief, "Jay would be so jealous... seeing us together would just about break his poor little heart." She leaned forward, her lips barely not touching Cole's ear, "That's a yes by the way..."

"That would be terrible." Cole agreed. "Why don't we go tell him the news when he wakes up?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Nya, you rule the world."

"I know. And so do you."