This is the seecond part of Day #5. I hope you enjoy!
*Royal Palace, 7:35 P.M.*
The Ninja were in awe, as they saw the Royal Palace's front entrance gates, up close. As Hutchins opens the entrance gates, the Ninja walked in.
"Welcome to the Royal Palace, also known as the Palace of Secrets," Hutchins greeted the Ninja.
"Ooh, why do they call it the palace of secrets?" Kai asked in excited way.
"If I were to tell you that, then it wouldn't be a secret now, would it?" Hutchins said, closing the entrance gates. The Ninja looked at the palace, and they were all in awe, except Nya, of course.
"I already feel royal," Jay said in awe.
"It's beautiful," Zane complimented.
"Yeah, I could really get used to living in a place like this," Cole added.
"Well, don't. We're only here as guests, then back to protecting Ninjago," Lloyd said sternly, to refocus the Ninja on what they're here for.
"Too much gold in my opinion," Nya commented. Hutchins opened the doors to the room where the Royal Family sit on their thrones.
"I present to you the exalted Emperor and Empress of Ninjago, Takeshi and Kaori Onodera, and their daughter, the Jade Princess, Princess Harumi," Hutchins said, introducing the Ninja to the Royal Family, in person. All the Ninja bowed, except Nya, until Lloyd tapped Nya's arm, reminding her to bow, in which she responded with a death glare.
"We are honored by your are honored by your presence," Takeshi greeted.
"The honor is all ours," Lloyd said.
"I have read much about you. Your heroics will surely become legend," Harumi said, walking to the Ninja from her throne. "Kai, the hothead who acts without question."
That has been true for Kai since Day 1.
"Cole, the rock and foundation of the team."
Cole was the foundation of the team, since he was the first member and leader. Cole wasn't upset that Lloyd took up the reign as leader, because he prefered teenage Lloyd than the bratty kid Lloyd from five years ago.
"Jay, the joker whose mouth is as fast as lightning."
To most, that's a very accurate fact for Jay.
"Zane, the cold and calculating android."
"Nindroid (uncloaks), your highness," Zane corrected Harumi, as she moved onto Nya.
"And Nya, the girl," Harumi continued. The princess' description of her was very disappointing to her. "The girl I've wanted to be ever since I first heard about her. With her mastery of Water and her skill that could rival any master."
"I like her," Nya said, changing her mind about the kind things the princess said about her.
"And Master Lloyd, the Green Ninja. The youngest but most powerful protector. The chosen one," Harumi said, finishing off with Lloyd. "I too have lost my parents... ...but we're both without family?"
"We adopted Harumi and raised her as our own," Kaori explained.
"When her parents passed away, five years ago," Takeshi finished.
"Thank you for inviting us into your home," Lloyd thanked the two rulers for their gratitude.
"It wasn't us. It was our daughter," Takeshi explained.
"And she would like you to stay with us, until the threat to our throne is over," Kaori added.
"These are troubling times, and as long as we have an Oni Mask, we fear our lives are in jeopardy," Takeshi said to the city's longtime protectors (since 2014 to be more precise).
"The masks must never be reunited. Please say yes," Harumi begged.
"Then you have our help," Lloyd accepted, bowing to the acceptance of her offer.
"Great. Then Mr. Hutchins can show you the palace," Harumi said, as Hutchins showed them the non-secret areas of the palace.
*Royal Palace, 8:04 P.M.*
"While you are in our service, you have full access to the complimentary royal buffet," Hutchins explained to the team. "Anything you want is at your disposal. Exotic fruits, assorted vegetables, scones, and all-you-can-eat cake."
"Ah, thank you, but I gave up sweets. My body is a temple," Cole said, trying not have his former obsession get the better of him.
"Ever since Master Wu went missing, Cole has been a real party pooper," Jay pointed out, since he didn't like how this Cole ruined all the fun, as he said.
"Party pooper?" Zane asked in confusion.
"I'll explain later," Jay whispered.
"The palace is equipped with secret passages to get anywhere fast," Hutchins continued.
"Oh, so that's why they call it the Palace of Secrets," Kai said in realization.
"Yes, but as to the locations of these secret passages, only the Royal Family knows," Hutchins explained.
"Sure. You mean like right...here?" Kai asked, pulling a book out.
"Nope," Hutchins responded. Kai pulled more books out for a secret passage, and Hutchins' response was the exact same.
"Umm...We'll clean up after ourselves," Cole said, breaking up the tension.
"Anyone else think there's something a little off about this guy?" Nya asked, feeling suspicious.
"He's holding something back," Lloyd agreed.
The Ninja managed to catch up to Hutchins, who was about to introduce them to the thing they were here for.
"And finally, the reason for your protection: the Mask of Deception," Hutchins said, introducing them to the prize.
"A face only a mother could love," Kai commented. "Why would anyone want that?"
"That's up to us to figure out," Lloyd said with determination to find out the answers.
"Just being in the same room with it gives me the heebie-jeebies," Jay commented, being Jay.
"If this is the Mask of Deception, what was stolen from Borg Industries?" Nya asked.
"The Mask of Vengeance," Hutchins responded.
"And who has the third one?" Cole asked.
"No one knows the location of the Mask of Hatred, but my sensors tell me it won't be lost for long," Zane informed the group.
"Zane is correct. Though no one has found the third mask, it is given the Royal Family little resolve..." Hutchins said, while Lloyd wanders off, because he saw Harumi undoing her kabuki makeup. Lloyd just couldn't believe how beautiful Harumi was. It was beauty he or, probably, the rest of Ninjago never saw. Harumi was Lloyd peeking, and she turned away, which made Lloyd back up. He felt like he gave the Princess of Ninjago, probably the most beautiful person in the world, a bad impression. Lloyd backed away back to Hutchins' discussion. "...for we know dark forces are looking to acquire it. And that's why we need eyes on it at all times."
"Don't worry, we're ninja. We're experts at this kind of thing," Kai reassured Hutchins, who gave a glare of doubt to Kai.
*Royal Palace, 11:44 P.M.*
Kai and Nya were on watch duty from outside of the palace, on the rooftops.
"All clear," Nya told her brother.
"Me too," Kai confirmed. "Wait...look!"
Kai and Nya saw Hutchins walk outside, looking suspicious.
"Who's watching who?" Nya said to her brother, selecting Hutchins as a suspect.
*Royal Palace: Buffet Table, 11:50 P.M.*
Jay was enjoying himself eating all the sweets at the buffet table.
"Are you sure you don't want any?! This cake is delicious!" Jay exclaimed, with food coming out of his mouth. Cole wanted some, but he remembered what he gave up on.
"My body is a temple," Cole reminded himself.
"Well, the buffet is clear of any threats. And they're out of baloney," Jay said, with his reports turning to disappointment of food.
"Can we discuss now what is a 'party pooper'?" Zane asked.
"Jay's upset I'm the responsible one. With Master Wu gone, someone has to keep us in check," Cole groaned.
"In that case, you are correct. You are responsible. It is nice to have a pooper at the party," Zane teased, which made Jay laugh, hysterically, and Cole groan.
*Royal Palace, 11:53 P.M.*
Lloyd walks to the Mask of Deception, where it is contained.
"So, you're the Mask of Deception," Lloyd said, when he hears glass break from Harumi's room. He slowly walked into the princess' room. "Princess? Princess Harumi? Are you there?"
She wasn't there, when Lloyd found her room to be a mess.
Yo, everyone. Sorry it took me long to update the story. Again, I'm trying to do two stories at once. Both of them I do enjoy writing. Now onto the reviews.
Reviews:
Mariah: Hi Mariah. It's good to hear from you again. Thank you, for your positivity. If you want to know what's next then keep reading to find out.
Thank you for reading, everyone. If you want, you can leave a review to share your thoughts. I wouldn't mind if you would favorite or follow it, that makes me more happy that people enjoy it. I will see all of you guys, girls, and all in between, next time. Bye.