Pythor's base – Chen's Island
Four days. Four days since he, Lloyd Garmadon, the Green Ninja, last roamed free. Four days since he had awoken in prison. Four days since he had last seen Kigaru and Cole. Four days since he had seen Pythor mock him to his face. And every day, he thought it would be his last.
Pythor had done Kigaru favors, but he sure spared none for Lloyd. At breakfast, he whipped Lloyd with reeds till Lloyd fainted to the ground. At lunch, he shoved piles of dirt and bugs into Lloyd's face, forcing him to choke and gag till he swayed off his bench. At dinner, he tied Lloyd to a pole, then licked and bit his arms till they bled all over. Then at night, he threw Lloyd into the cell with his tail, cursing Lloyd as the ninja slumped into his bed.
If Pythor was despicable, though, then his men were just pure evil. All they long, they tortured Lloyd, whipping him with reeds, pelting him with rocks and rotten food, ripping out pieces of hair, and punching him mercilessly during training. No wonder, then, that Lloyd nearly died each night, save for the care of his companion Ryoko, who bandaged his wounds when she didn't serve Pythor as a personal slave.
"Ryoko, I can't go on like this another day," Lloyd groaned on the fourth night. "I…I must be free soon, or I will not survive this place."
"You have endured worse," Ryoko sighed. "Remember how you survived the reign of your father?"
"But they never tortured me," Lloyd groaned, wincing as Ryoko wiped the blood from his arms. "My father, at least, knew mercy. That monster Pythor, though, wishes me dead at his doorpost."
"His cruelty I strongly despise," Ryoko sighed. "To him, we are as filthy slaves, ones only deserving of beatings and cruelty."
"And he does not relent. He never will, until I am dead. I used to laugh with contempt whenever he strolled by, but now, his slither shivers my soul. Oh, that me and Kigaru would be rid of that vile beast! Oh Kigaru!"
"What is it, Lloyd?"
"Kigaru! I've forgotten her, the poor child. She must be half-starved, or dead! No! I…I cannot live if she had died because of me!"
"Lloyd! Pull yourself together," Ryoko snapped, slapping Lloyd right across the cheek. "You are the Green Ninja, the protector of Ninjago and her people! You are better than this! This is not your fate!"
"You expect the impossible," Lloyd growled. "Hope is fleeting when all I cared for is dead to me."
"But Kigaru still lives," Ryoko said.
"She does," Lloyd sniffed, wiping his eyes.
"Yes, and better yet, Pythor has taken to her, the fool," Ryoko smiled.
"You mean Pythor likes her," Lloyd asked. "Preposterous. I can smell a rat before I see one."
"Maybe he is trying to use her for his own gain, but his heart is soft toward her, nevertheless. Why, it was only yesterday that I saw them walking together in the garden, without guards there to protect his head."
"He's definitely up to something. If he wins Kigaru over as a friend, there's no telling what he'll get her to do for him. We must stop him before he fills her head too much."
"Well said, green ninja, but I'm afraid you're too late for that," Pythor said.
Lloyd jumped, bolting right up onto his feet. Ryoko also rose, bowing before Pythor as slave would do before his master.
"You…you've already won her over," Lloyd sighed. "You…you really are taking everything away from me. Next it will be my life."
"Don't be such a cry-baby, Lloyd," Pythor hissed as he unlocked the cell door. "I don't have time for your pessimistic outlook today. I have other pressing issues today."
"Yeah, like whipping me till my lungs explode," Lloyd gulped.
"I'd wish, but I'd be better off with you alive," Pythor sighed. "Come with me."
Pythor jerked Lloyd's arm, causing him to tumble out of his cell. Lloyd then yelped, grasping his right shoulder with his left arm.
"Oh, sorry," Pythor chuckled. "I forgot your shoulder was broken. Here."
Pythor gave Lloyd a wrap, then had Ryoko slowly create a sling around Lloyd's arm.
"Better," Ryoko asked.
"Couldn't be healthier," Lloyd grumbled. "This'll take a few weeks to heal."
"You'll be fine," Pythor sighed. "Come on."
Lloyd and Ryoko nodded and followed Pythor through the maze of hallways and rooms that comprised the Jungle Viper base. To their surprise, the base was buzzing with activity, as Vipers scurried about their emergency tasks. Squadrons gathered together in groups of ten, armed with weapons of various shapes and sizes. Scientists huddled in laboratories, studying pages of note frantically. Scribes and spies gossiped in conference rooms, reviewing plans and phoning off-island contacts. But none occupied the command room, which was where Pythor took Lloyd and Ryoko.
"Alright, Pythor, what scheme have you concocted now," Lloyd sighed.
"Nothing sinister today," Pythor assured him.
"Then why bring us into your command room, without any protection," Ryoko asked.
"I hate to admit it, but I need your help," Pythor said.
"You need our help? That's a first," Lloyd whistled. "Since when do villains call upon heroes to help them?"
"Alright, yes, it's not proper," Pythor admitted. "In any other circumstance, I'd strange you to death right here. Now is not the time for evening the score, though. I have more pressing matters at hand."
"What sort of pressing matters," Lloyd asked.
"I have misplaced two living weapons," Pythor sighed. "Both Cole and Kigaru escaped yesterday."
"Wait, Cole and Kigaru got out," Lloyd smiled.
"They did," Pythor grumbled. "As you feared, I nearly won Kigaru over, but the foolish girl vanished on me while I contemplated my next move. And then, while we were searching for her, Cole broke out of his cell and escaped into the jungle before we could nab him."
"Kigaru…vanished? That's not possible," Ryoko remarked. "She had to leave some clue of how she escaped…a secret passageway, or something."
"We found nothing, not even the slightest clue of tampering," Pythor said. "We couldn't even find fingerprints or DNA."
"No DNA? That's impossible, unless," Lloyd started.
"Unless what," Ryoko asked.
"Unless she unlocked the power of invisibility," Lloyd finished. "But that would mean she possessed the elements of shadow and light, as both are required to turn invisible to others."
"So, she possesses multiple elements, like you," Pythor said. "Great. That makes life a whole lot easier."
"Lloyd, what are you thinking," Ryoko interrupted.
"When Kigaru healed you, Ryoko, she scratched the surface of her powers," Lloyd replied. "Yet to her, healing was the only ability she claimed to have. Even she has not yet grasped her true potential, but given enough time, she will discover the extent of her powers. At first, it will be in accidental bursts, but later…I fear that she will master her powers without the capability to control them."
"This ninja element stuff is dull, but I see your point," Pythor interrupted. "The longer it takes to find Kigaru, the more power she will unlock, and the more dangerous she will come."
"Right," Lloyd nodded.
"Kigaru must be found before she grows too strong for us," Ryoko remarked.
"Then I propose a deal," Pythor proffered. "Aid my men in the search for Kigaru, and I will let you and your friends leave. Otherwise, we will both be powerless and unable to hinder her progression."
"I hate to admit it, but you're right," Lloyd sighed, shaking Pythor's hand. "But don't double-cross me, or we'll make you regret it."
"Fine, ninja," Pythor sighed. "But I will not look forward to our cooperation."
"Neither will I," Lloyd sighed. "But prejudice will have to wait. I have an apprentice to find first."
Ancient ruins – Chen's Island
Kigaru sniffed the air. Perfume. Incense. Tropical fruit. The smells of what once was an ancient marketplace, bustling with ancient Ninjago people bartering and buying. She envisioned the chaos, the quarreling of merchants with customers, the giggling of children racing about, the scornful gazes of upset mothers, the heated discussions among the men. Such was life for these people…whoever they were.
She scooped up some dust, then tossed it into the air. It immediately formed itself into a tiny whirlwind, spinning round and round upon her palm. Then she whistled, and the dust collapsed back to the ground in a heap.
"You have discovered the element of form," the voice of Laisha whispered in Kigaru's ear.
"What is form," Kigaru asked.
"Form is the element of shape-shifting," Laisha's voice answered. "It empowers the wielder to create with matter any object or grants one power to shift their appearance to that of anybody they have seen."
"How do I grasp it," Kigaru asked.
"Form is difficult to learn, and arduous to master. Patient application, though, will lead quickly to results. And you will sense when its power will serve you well."
"I…I sense danger, from the woods."
"It is Pythor's men. They search for you, to return you to their master."
"I…I will not fall back and hide," Kigaru said.
Kigaru backed into the jungle, then rested her hands upon a tree. A cloud of smoke shrouded her, then dissapitated, as she shifted into the form of the tree she had touched.
Then the vipers arrived, conducting a thorough search of the area. They perused the ancient ruins, and then the jungle around it. No sign of anything, or of Kigaru.
"Sir, there's no one here," one viper said.
"I could have sworn the scout spotted a person here," the commander sighed. "His report must have been incorrect. Carry on men."
Kigaru, through her form of a tree, listened as the vipers trampled into the jungle, until their presence was no longer detectable. Then she shifted back into human form, collapsing to the ground as she did so.
"You have successfully used form," Laisha's voice said. "Well done. I am impressed you held it as long as you did."
"Practice will make me stronger," Kigaru smiled. "Now then, why am I here?"
"You sensed that this was an ancient village," Laisha's voice said. "Why do you suppose it is in ruins?"
"Perhaps the villagers abandoned it," Kigaru shrugged.
"Think harder. There is more to ancient ruins than meets the eyes."
Kigaru glanced around her. Most of the village was ruins of houses and businesses, but there was still a portion of city wall standing aloof, still in prime condition despite its age. Then she noticed scribblings upon the walls.
"I…I see scribblings…in ancient writing," Kigaru answered.
"And I see someone in need of rescuing," Cole interrupted.