Borg Tower, guest room.

"You may close the door, Skylor," the mayor said as Skylor entered.

Skylor nodded, bolting the door shut. She took a seat on a chair next to Master Wu, sitting across from Cyrus Borg and the mayor.

"You know the circumstances of this meeting," the mayor sighed. "One of Ninjago's prominent ambassadors, Ambassador Nina, was murdered tonight, and I want to know why."

"As I said before, it was an inside job," Skylor sighed.

"A valid presumption, but we must keep other options on the table," Borg said.

"Other options," Skylor questioned.

"Yes, other options," the mayor nodded. "Ambassador Nina, although popular among the masses, is known to have many rivals, particularly several in higher circles."

"You presume one of her political rivals ordered the assassination," Master Wu noted.

"It is possible," Borg answered. "It's far too early to say with certainty which group would be suspected."

"So, we shoot in the dark and hope to nail one," Skylor puffed. "Sounds smart."

"Restrain your sarcasm, Skylor," the mayor sighed. "This isn't a hopeless endeavor. We have a few potential leads, based on Nina's political history. For instance, before she was appointed an ambassador, she served as head judge of the city court, sentencing many of the ninja's former enemies to life imprisonment. She also supported full-scale rebuilding of this city and Stiix."

"She probably angered many as judge, didn't she," Skylor asked.

"She did indeed," Borg nodded. "In fact, her court was ruthless in imprisoning con men, pirates, corrupt barons, etc."

"Lots of enemies means lots of potential suspects," Skylor sighed. "It'll be impossible to comb through them all."

"I have asked special ops to launch a full-scale investigation," the mayor said.

"Special ops," Skylor questioned. "That'll take forever to complete. It took seven months for them to hunt down all the Sons of Garmadon, and by then, the Oni had been defeated."

"I would ask the ninja, but they are not here, aren't they," the mayor sighed. "Lloyd and Cole are missing, Kai is out of commission, and Jay and Nya are retired. Or do you suppose that Zane and Samurai X are capable of hunting down fugitives alone?"

"The mayor speaks wisely," Master Wu nodded. "Too busy my students are, and although capable, Zane cannot stop an explosive of chaos if he lights the fuse. But you will let Skylor have say in the process."

"Of course, Master Wu," the mayor nodded. "Her expertise might speed up the process."

"I can assure you of that," Skylor nodded. "Where do I start?"

Ninjago City library…secret research facility.

Two figures, a lady and a nindroid, played cards at a lowly lit table, concealed by shadows of bookcases behind them. Another figure, a nindroid, rested with his legs up, his sniper lying on the table.

"Mission report, Salvo," one of the cardplayers asked.

"Partly successful," Salvo whistled. "I got Nina but missed Dorin."

"How'd you miss," the cardplayer asked. "You had a clear shot at both."

"I did with Nina," Salvo sighed. "But the whole room panicked, and they scampered out. I missed Dorin in the shuffle, hitting Duke Louis' leg instead."

"You were fortunate it wasn't the duke's head," the cardplayer grumbled. "He is one of the Retributionist's wealthiest donors."

"My apologies, Lady Jael."

"No need for apology. You tried your best. Order 13 will succeed regardless," the other cardplayer nodded.

"Reassuring, Forte, but not helpful," Jael sighed. "Dorin must be killed…and soon. Just an hour ago, I intercepted transmissions from special ops. They've been given full authorization to begin investigating the assassination."

"I can't stop special ops," Salvo whistled. "Not all 200 some agents. That's asking too much. And if Skylor gets involved, then it's only a matter of time before they rat us out."

"Agreed," Forte nodded. "We need to buy more time."

"I know where to get more time," Jael nodded. "Before my master left, she entrusted me with causing a bit of chaos in the city. And I know the perfect source of chaos – the Serpentine."

"Ninjago's faced snakes at least thrice," Salvo sighed. "What makes you sure that snakes will succeed where their previous armies failed?"

"They failed because they faced all the ninja," Jael smiled. "But the ninjas are scattered, and only a few are in the city. If the Serpentine fall in line, then we will have overrun the city before they could retaliate."

"Risky, but I'll buy it for now," Salvo nodded. "When's the meeting with them?"

"We meet at dusk, in their place," Jael smiled. "I plan on bringing you, Forte, and a vanguard of twenty."

"To a peace conference," Forte questioned.

"Yes, for show," Jael smiled. "The Serpentine will join us, especially once I show them the strength and power of our arms."

Serpentine Tombs

Negotiations, though, didn't go quite as planned. At first, everything was smooth, and the Serpentine were receptive of Jael and the nindroids. But their Council of Leaders, headed by Scales, wasn't so hospitable to Jael's plan.

"Your plan is foolish," Scales laughed with the other council members. "It spells trouble if it is executed."

"On the contrary, it will secure the city for the both of us," Jael replied. "Neither of us are strong enough to conquer Ninjago City alone. But with our combined strength, we can overwhelm the ninja while they are scattered abroad and…"

"And what," Scales interrupted. "Establish a mini-empire like Lord Garmadon? Because that sure worked great for him."

"Oh, right, it did, and same with you, right," Jael snapped. "You can't conquer Ninjago alone. Never have, and never will."

"Why on earth do I want to conquer Ninjago," Scale laughed. "Ninjago's not worth the trouble."

"Not worth the trouble? Or have you lost your lust for power? Or better yet, revenge?"

"Vengeance is for fools," Scales spat. "It nearly consumed me and look what I got in return. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Ever heard of a villain who sought vengeance and lived happily ever after? Nope? Didn't think so."

"At least settle the score with the ninja. I will do the rest."

"I have no score to settle. Be gone with you! You waste my time."

At Scale's command, four Hypnobrai guards attempted to forcibly shove Jael out of the council house. Jael, though, resisted, instead punching one of the guards in the face. The others raised their katanas, pointing their blades directly at Jael's neck.

"I will not ask again," Scales stated. "Leave now or face the consequences."

"What consequences," Jael asked.

"We will report your intrusion to the ninja," Skalidor interrupted.

"Skalidor, you fool," Scales sighed. "We do not mention our alliance with the ninja to outsiders!"

"Wait, you are allied with them," Jael questioned. "You allied with the ninja, your former enemies?!"

"Yes, and they will be intrigued to hear of you," Scales hissed. "Now leave, or there will be trouble."

"There will be trouble alright," Jael fumed. "If you are allies of the ninja, then you must be wiped out too. Today, the Retribution comes to you, and with them, the edge of the sword."

Jael unsheathed her katana, then chopped a lock of her hair off. She threw the lock of hair into Scale's face, causing it to float into his eyes. He sneezed, then rubbed his eyes. Then Jael plunged her sword into the floor, breaking the boards underneath.

"Let war descend and destroy you all," Jael swore.

"If it is war you seek, then war you shall have," Scales swore, picking up the sword. "Now leave, lest you become our first casualty."

Jael swore, then stormed out of the room.

"Scales, she is rash," Skalidor sighed. "She speaks destruction upon herself."

"If it is war that she wants, then war she shall have," Scales sighed.

"But what about your vow," Slithraa asked.

"So long as lust of vengeance exists, there can never be true peace in Ninjago," Scales sighed. "And I can no longer stand aside and hope for change; it is time I exact that change myself."