Authors Notes: Thanks so much for the reviews everyone. Seriously I like to know how I'm doing.

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Twisted Cogs

Shadows

Chapter 12

Building

Nya ran down the hallway at full tilt. She looked around the room and spotted her brother. She ran over to him and nearly ran right into Lloyd as she did.

"They took him. Echo had found a hidden passage." She said tears streaming down her face. She shuddered as she heard a laugh from behind her. Clouse walked between them. They watched as he walked a familiar clock in his hands as he walked with his hands behind his back. He turned looking at them.

"He's a bad man." Nya said as her brother hugged her to him trying to protect her from the obviously murderous man standing before him.

"Good morning Ms. Smith. I hope your stay is a pleasant one." He lied. Chuckling under his breath as he went.

"Wheres our friend?" Lloyd demanded. His voice booming throughout the room.

"Which one are you referring? You know perfectly one the black and blue ninja have both died in the tournament. Who else is there?" Clouse asked.

"Zane and Echo." Nya yelled. Everyone within the room that were trying to peacefully eat looked up at them. "We came here looking for them because this is where we were told they were taken." Nya yelled.

"Oh...is that right?" Clouse chuckled looking around at the others.

"He knows...hes just not telling." The master of mind said.

"Thank you for that...unneeded affirmation Mr. Neuro. Now if you'll take your seat we'll get this tourn…"

"No we're tired of you all picking us off one by one. Just where are you taking all the elemental masters when we lose hum?" Griffin asked. Clouse narrowed his eyes and snapped his fingers. A few guards came in only for them to be pushed aside and held down by both Tox, and Chamille.

"We want some answers...and we want them now." Lloyd said snatching the clock piece from Clouse as he walked around him. "First off...wheres Echo...you took his power source out...did you do anything else?" Lloyd said Clouse glared at Lloyd.

"You think your so special don't you? Lord Garmadons son…" Lloyd was taken aback by this. He had his hood up. How did he know? The answer hit him.

"Our rooms...Nya said she found a hidden passage...you've been watching us this whole time. You've known we were looking for Zane and Echo." Lloyd said throwing back his hood.

"Of course we knew. I used to be part of your fathers army...a general. I created his...volcano cannon...he repaid me by firing me out of it...I landed on this island. Chen found me...trained me." Clouse growled holding the clock up and squeezing it. "I should repay him back by killing his son."

"Stop." Lloyd yelled out. Clouse continued to squeeze the clock while glaring at Lloyd.

"Thats enough Clouse." Chens voice called from the door. "If they want to see their friend...then lets show them...where they are." Chen said walking back out the door. Lloyd snatched the clock from Clouse and stuffed it into his Gi before walking along behind Chen who led the way for the other masters to follow. The room was dark, but lit with very few candles. They couldn't see a lot of the room. Their were lots of purple eyes that slithered away once they got to close to see what they were. Chen definitely liked his snakes. Nya gasped feeling one go over her foot. She jumped up into her brothers arms. He held her close running his fingers over her hair. Nya buried her face in the nap of her brothers neck.

"Your okay Nya." He whispered. The hallway opened up into a deep cavern area. Lloyd could smell sea water and he could hear the water dripping all around them. Chen sat down on a throne across from them.

"I...don't see any of the masters Chen. Is this a joke?" Lloyd asked. Chen smiled.

"Oh no joke...a skeem perhaps...but no joke." He snapped his fingers and guards grabbed hold of them throwing them to the ground putting a foot against their backs. "You will contribute...to Ninjagos downfall." Chen smiled down at the Lloyd.

The lights flickered all around the captured elemental masters. Screams could be heard from down the hall. Lots and lots of screams. Jay backed up into Cole who held him close. Coles own eyes scanning the room.

"Where are the guards?" Cole asked. Zane peaked out from his hiding spot wondering where Jay had ran off to. He climbed out and scanned the room. "They are down the hallway...positioned around where that screaming is coming from." He said.

"If their was ever a time to escape it would be now." Zane looked back and forth for a moment wondering just where that voice came from. "Oh hi…" A set of sunglasses looked at him. His orange jump suit looked like it was floating on thin air. "I'm Paleman."

"I am Zane Julien."

"You...metal man. Can you map way out?" Karloff asked peeking out the door.

'I can get us out.' Pixal said to Zane. Zane nodded showing a map of the lay out.

"Come on...lets get out of here." Paleman said as she walked out of the room following Zane as he led the way.

"Stay as quiet as possible." Cole whispered.

"Says the chunkie guy." Cole turned around his face was beat red.

"You callin me fat?" His eyes locked onto Karloff who chuckled.

"I am big too." Karloff patted his stomach.

"Yeah you ar…" Cole bumped into something and looked down. He jumped back. "Zane!" Cole dropped to his knees turning over the bronze nindroid. Zane stepped over his brothers legs and smoothed his hair back.

"No...no no…" Zane noticed his shirt was ripped and his chest plate was broken into. He looked within and his eyes locked onto the empty power source. "Echo…" He gently closed his chest plate and pulled his brother to him. Cole watched as his friends shoulders shook.

"Its okay Zane...your brother isn't dead. If we can put his power source back in he should be fine. But...it'll be touch and go. I'm sure he'll be fine if your holding him as we place it." Jay said touching Zanes shoulder. Zane looked up at Jay.

"Promise?" He asked. He was tired and they could see it. Even when he cries he wasn't leaking oil like he normally did. They had to get him some food and oil soon or he'd be to weak to help. Cole helped Zane hold his brother as he stood up holding his brother too him.

"How are we going to get off this island after we get out of here?"

"I'm sure their are ships." Cole told them.