Chapter 33
Movie Ninjago
With the girls not answering their phones, the Ninja Force and Wu all but raced back to the city on the Bounty to find them. Koko and Garmadon remained behind with the Serpentine to plan their next move now that Chen had the weapons.
When neither Penny or Skylor answered their phones after the nth time they tried to call, Jay routed their numbers through his supercomputer remotely to track them. Skylor's phone was nowhere to be found, but they did get a hit on Penny's.
Tracking the phone's signal to a wrecked house was not what any of them wanted to see.
Kai immediately began running around the wreckage shouting Skylor's name with Nya at his heels calling for Penny, while Zane desperately dug through a large pile of debris where his sensors told him Penny's phone was.
He didn't know if he should feel relieved or not to not find Penny under there alongside the cracked phone.
The Ninja Force continued to search frantically through the wreckage for some clue to where they'd gone when they heard the rumbling of a motorcycle pull to a stop in front of the house.
Turning to look, they all saw Morro getting off his bike and walking over to them, pulling his motorcycle helmet off stiffly, his hair damp with sweat. "There you are," he said, his expression serious, though he gave a wince at the sight of the wreckage. "I've been trying to get through to you."
"Morro," said Lloyd, running over to his cousin with Wu at his heels.
"Do you know what happened, Son," asked Master Wu, his face concerned.
Morro's frown deepened. "I was contacted by the Fuchsia Ninja," he said. "He said there had been an attack here. That a rogue Master Builder and his thugs tore apart this house to get the people who live there. Tinman's little girlfriend and her father."
"AND HE DIDN'T STOP THEM!?" Kai shouted furiously.
"Oh, he tried," Morro said ruefully, rubbing his neck. "And from how he was walking he has the bruises to prove it."
"Is he okay?" asked Lloyd worriedly.
Morro gave Lloyd a smile. "He'll be fine, Shrimp. I got some healing tea into him so he'll be fixed up soon."
"Doesn't change the fact he let them get away," Kai growled.
"Kai," Master Wu scolded.
Morro shot Kai a glare for saying that. "I'm sure he would have stopped them if your own little girlfriend hadn't been helping them," he said in a biting tone.
"WHAT?" shouted all of them in shock.
"What are you talking about?" Nya said, her expression falling. "Skylor wouldn't!''
"LIAR!" shouted Kai, refusing to believe it.
"She did, Kai," Morro said firmly.
Kai actually had to take a step back hearing that. With the exception of Wu, Morro almost never called people by their real name. Everyone had their own semi-insulting nickname that they'd long since given up on dissuading. The fact that Morro hadn't called him Pyro like he always did hammered home he was serious. That Skylor had actually…
"Why?" asked Zane, looking utterly heartbroken. "Why would she do that? Penny is her friend. We are her friends… Why?"
"Dunno," said Morro, looking almost apologetic at them for having to give them the news. "Apparently the Master Builder told her to attack him, and she did." He then frowned. "Weird thing, though," he added, sending Kai and Nya a funny look. "From what the Fuchsia Ninja said, she was using your fire powers while she was doing it," he said, looking at the Fire Ninja, then turned to his sister, "and then finished the fight with your water powers."
The look of utter bewilderment on everyone's faces showed they clearly had no clue what he was talking about. Only Wu looked like he had some idea of what was going on.
Catching on to that, Lloyd turned to him and said, "Uncle Wu?"
Master Wu sighed and pulled his flute to his lips and played a song most of the Ninja Force didn't recognize.
Except for Cole, who liked music just as much as their teacher. "Sweet Amber," he said thoughtfully. "Metallica always sounds weird on a flute."
Hearing that, Morro's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you're saying she-"
"Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying," said Master Wu with a nod to his son.
"Saying what? What is going on here?" asked Jay, sounding utterly lost, and the rest were also growing frustrated at the lack of answers.
"That it seems Skylor, like you, is an Elemental Master," said Master Wu solemnly. "And from what Morro is describing, it is likely she is the Master of Amber. The power of absorption and replication."
"So, she what? Copied Kai's powers and mine?" asked Nya incredulously.
Morro scoffed. "Not just you and the Pyro," he said. "Given what close quarters you had her in to 'protect' her, I'd bet my bike she's got all of your powers by now."
None of the Ninja Force looked like they knew how to respond to that, but before any of them could come up with one, the sound of running footsteps caught their attention.
They turned to see Prof. Julien running towards them, his expression one of worry.
Zane's face crumbled at the sight of him, and he rushed over to hug his father. "Dad! It is awful!" he said, ice cubes falling from his eyes. "Penny is gone! Why would they take Penny?"
The Ninja Force gave their friend sympathetic looks, all of them reeling from this latest development.
None of them were expecting Prof. Julien to actually have an answer.
"I'm afraid I know," he said gravely, looking at the destroyed remains of the house.
"How?" blurted out Jay, the questions that had been piling up since they'd gotten here finally becoming too much for him. "How do you know? Why did Penny and her dad get taken? Who is this Chen guy? Why did he want them? Heck, how did you know to come here? WHAT IS GOING ON?"
Prof. Julien almost smiled at that bundle of questions. Likely because he was well used to them from Echo. "In order," he said. "Because I helped set it up. Miss Penny and her father were in hiding from Chen. Chen is a vicious mob boss with ambitions for greater power. He wants them because Penny's father and my old friend, Cyrus Borg, is capable of completing a mech for Chen that could spell doom for Ninjago. I knew to come here because I saw their safehouse's destruction on the news, and I believe that should give you an idea as to what is going on."
There was a long beat of silence. Then-
"WHAT?"
"Oh, before you point out that Cyrus Borg does not have a daughter, I suppose I should mention that Penny is an android, and from what Zane told me last night, we had best find her fast."
"WHAT?!"
Penny kept silent as she was led with her arms tied behind her back through the hallways of a lavish mansion, feeling like she was being led to her execution.
The fact it was Skylor leading her through the halls among the many guards did little to soothe her worries. If anything, it made her emotions far harder to process.
Skylor… Her friend… Was the daughter of Chen!
She still couldn't fathom it. With the knowledge now provided, she could in a logical sense see it. There were numerous physical similarities between Chen and Skylor, such as their shared auburn hair and the color of their eyes. But emotionally, her internal systems could not compute it.
Still, the familiar way Skylor now strode through the halls a step behind the man who had led in their capture only further proved what Penny was trying to deny. Penny and her father were now taken by the very people she had always tried to avoid.
Skylor was Chen's daughter, and she had led her right to them.
Still, there were still some things that simply did not make sense. The evidence of abuse the Ninja Force had found seemed too thorough to have been faked, as well as the clear fear on Skylor's face and her words of warning before Clouse had burst in also did not point to someone seeking her father. The lies she had told and the many whispered apologies had also added to the mystery. What, if any, of her knowledge of Skylor was real, and what was false?
Penny was brought out of her internal struggles when they were brought into an imposing office and made to stand before the very man that Penny had hoped to never meet and that her father would never have to see again.
Chen.
The mob boss grinned at her father gleefully. "Oh, there you are, Borgy," he said in a tone that could almost be mistaken for friendly as he strode over to circle her father like a shark. "You gave us quite a scare, running off like that. You should have known better. Leaving your project for us unfinished, tsk, tsk, tsk. But no matter, we found you eventually."
Borg squirmed under Chen's scrutiny, and said, "I-I had to," he said. "You lied when you told me that monstrosity I built was for the good of Ninjago. That it would end our conflict with Garmadon for good."
"And I was telling the truth," said Chen with a sinister smile. "Nothing Garmadon or the Ninja Force can throw at us could stop it, and Ninjago will be better…" His grin widened as he finished, "crushed in the palm of my hand."
Borg just glared at Chen with courage that Penny knew he didn't really feel. "I will not help you," he said firmly.
Chen sneered at his attempt at bravery. "Oh, is that so?" he asked. "I seem to recall you're a bleeding heart, Borgy. I have several innocent little Serpentine locked in my dungeon I'd be happy to torture until you say 'yes', or…" He glanced over at Penny, and she suppressed a shudder. "If you don't care much about those snakes, maybe I can start with this little girl."
Chen then paused and blinked, seeming to only just now register she was there. "Wait, who is this girl, anyway?" he asked.
"A friend of mine from school," Skylor answered him, her face expressionless and her tone empty. "She saw us capturing Borg, and was brought along to ensure no witnesses."
Penny briefly wondered about the Fuchsia Ninja, who had survived the fight and was sure to sound the alarm, but a quick look that Skylor shot her made it clear she shouldn't mention that.
Chen missed the look, too busy looking Penny up and down to notice. He then gave a nonchalant shrug. "Very well, Skylor. You've always wanted a pet. You can keep her in your room if you like… provided Borgy gives us what we want," he said glancing at Borg pointedly.
Penny followed his gaze and saw her father looking almost physically ill at the thought of harm coming to her, bowed his head and nodded. "I- v-very well, Chen… I'll finish it," he said, his expression defeated.
"SPLENDID!" cheered Chen, all too happy to hear that. He then glanced at Skylor. "Then take your little pet, and off you go, Skylor," he said, giving her a dismissive wave.
Skylor, still expressionless, nodded and began leading Penny out of the room.
"Oh, wait one moment," Chen called after her.
Penny briefly caught a glimpse of Skylor's expression turn to one of fear before it vanished, and she turned back around. "Yes, Father?" she asked.
"Have you discovered the proper way to use Green, yet?" Chen asked, looking at her expectantly.
"I believe so," Skylor replied. "When I questioned the Ninja, they mentioned that the Green Ninja was not able to use the full power of Green until he unlocked his True Potential. Perhaps if I found my own-"
Before Skylor could finish that sentence, Chen stormed over to her and smacked her across the face so hard she collapsed to the ground.
Despite everything, Penny let out a cry of dismay at the sight of Skylor getting hurt, and crouched down next to her, but unable to do anything more with her hands tied.
"You absolutely stupid girl!" Chen snarled down at her as Skylor stared back up at him, her blank expression gone, and the fear clear on her face. "True Potential? That drivel is the last thing you need! That's not how you do it! Find another way, or you lose your new pet!"
Skylor was clearly trying to smooth her face back into the blank mask, but not really managing to do it as she cupped her cheek and dutifully replied, "Yes, Father."
"Now get out of my sight!" Chen seethed.
Skylor quickly got back to her feet and led Penny out of the room as fast as she could without running.
Penny's head was now swimming even more with this new information. She opened her mouth to speak, but Skylor hissed a quick, "Not here."
Thus Penny was left to her thoughts in silence as Skylor took her through the building and down a set of stairs.
Finally, they came to a door in what might have been the basement of the house. There was a barred window set into it, making it clear the room was a cell.
"I thought you were taking me to your room," Penny managed to ask as Skylor reached to open the door.
Skylor sighed as she pulled out a key to unlock it. "This is my room," she said in a quiet voice.
Penny was stunned speechless at that.
Skylor opened the door, revealing what was clearly meant to be a prison cell attempting to disguise itself as a bedroom. The canopy bed looked soft enough, a carpet thrown over the stone floor for some warmth, and there were posters of various bands and movies doting the stone walls made a valiant attempt at comfort, but one look at the bars on the high windows and lock on the door made it the entire place feel cold and oppressive.
Skylor untied Penny's wrists and refused to look at her as she took the whole place in. "I… tried to run away when I was little," she admitted slowly. "Not that I got far, this is an island after all. Still, Father moved my room here as a punishment."
Penny looked over at Skylor, horrified.
Seeming to think Penny's horror was about their situation, Skylor's face crumbled. "I am so, so sorry, Penny! Pixal!" she corrected herself. "I swear I didn't know about Borg! I never wanted this to happen!"
"What… What were you attempting to instigate, then?" Pixal asked, dropping her hologram and wanting to confront Skylor with her true face in hopes Skylor would do the same. "Why were you there?"
Skylor's expression turned to one of guilt. "My father sent me to spy on the Ninja Force," she admitted. "I was supposed to… monitor them and try to keep them from discovering Father's plans, as well as get close enough to absorb their powers."
"Absorb their powers?" Pixal asked. "Is that how you used fire and water against the Fuchsia Ninja?"
Skylor gave a rueful smile. "Yeah," she said, cupping her hands to allow a small flame to appear in them. "I'm an Elemental Master like the Ninja Force. Power of Amber, I can duplicate their powers."
Though not Green, it seemed, if that previous display was anything to go by, but Pixal had more important things to ask. "Why do this?" she asked. "Nya is our friend, and Kai cares for you deeply. What do you plan to do if they find out? Will… will you hurt them?"
"NO!" Skylor shouted urgently, then glanced at the door to make sure no guards had heard them. "No," she said in a quieter voice. "I don't want to hurt them. I'm trying to save them!"
Pixal felt a small bit of hope enter her circuits. "Save them?" she asked.
Skylor again glanced out to make sure they weren't being overheard, before whispering to Pixal. "If they try to fight my father, they will die," she said in a voice that made it clear she believed that to her very core. "But if I can stop them first, I can protect them."
Pixal stared at her, not able to compute that logic. "Would it not be better to stop Chen?" she asked. "Then they will not be in danger."
But Skylor shook her head. "We can't," she insisted, reaching up to cup her now bruising cheek. "My father always gets what he wants. There is. No. Stopping him! All you can do is try to let him win in the best way possible. A way that hurts the fewest people."
"Skylor," said Pixal softly, her expression falling. "Even when he's winning, he's hurting you. He's clearly been hurting you for a long time. We could stop him if we worked together. You wouldn't have to be afraid of him anymore."
But Skylor looked terrified at the very thought of going against him and shook her head vehemently. "We can't!" she insisted.
At that moment, Skylor's phone vibrated, and she glanced down to see the text message. "Sorry, I have to go," she said reluctantly. "Clouse wants me in the lab." She then glanced up at Penny and tried to put on a brave smile. "I'll do my best to keep your father safe," she promised. "They need him, so they won't hurt him. Just stay here, I'll be back soon, and don't let anyone see you as an android, okay."
Skylor then hurried out the door, locking it behind her, and leaving Pixal to watch her go through the bars on the door.
Well, she had succeeded in seeing Skylor's true face, and it was one of a battered girl even more caged then Pixal currently was while locked in by bars and stone
Once she was certain Skylor was out of earshot, Pixal ducked behind her bed so she could not be seen through the door, and reached into her pocket to pull out an earpiece.
Plugging it into her ear, Pixal turned it on.
A/N Yeesh, things are not going well for these Ninja, but at least they're finally getting the full story. Penny now knows why Skylor did what she did too, and while she doesn't agree with it, she understands and pities Skylor a great deal. Fortunately, Zane gave her just the tool to get out of this mess. Skylor, meanwhile, is going to be having a hard time and is convinced all her friends are going to hate her now. She doesn't blame them, but she wishes it wasn't the case.
A massive thanks to Kay Hau who was a big help in beta reading and planning all this. She helped fix some awkward sentences in this chapter, and I appreciate the help.
Next Time: The Show Ninja get some unexpected help, and Jay finally gets the answers he wanted from Nya... he's not happy about it.
