The South Ninjago Sea. Tranquil, aromatic waters, they rock the cradles cruising their perfume-scented waters, water lilies floating in large fields as they beautify the breeze. Here, the wealthy lazily sail, tanning in yachts under the warm, gentle rays of the evening sun. Here, great wooden junks, with sails majestically fluttering the sky with living color, race with the currents, shipping to the far isles as bold ancestors once did. Yet here, none compare to Enchantress, queen of the seas, luxury cruise ship titanic in all her proportions.
On her the affluent and privileged play and laugh, as if giddy children taken into a candy store. They gamble the cards, they dare the slots, they exercise the pools, they indulge the massages, they feast the dinners, all in indulgences not found anywhere. Yea, even now couples can be found strutting the orange-lighted decks outside, looking out with dreams at the vast oceans before them. And one such couple, the male dressed in unbroken tuxedo, the female adorned in luxurious red Chinese dress, gazes toward the west, toward the city they spent their lives protecting.
"What a beautiful sunset," Nya smiled, staring out to the western horizon. "I cannot think of anywhere else in Ninjago with such lovely skies."
"Weren't the views from the monastery or Destiny's Bounty pretty," Jay asked.
"They were," Nya sighed, "but nothing like the picture painted tonight."
"The only picture I see is you," Jay smiled.
"Thanks," Nya smiled, scooching closer to Jay's side. "You know, I wonder how we managed to spend so long together without even thinking about marriage."
"Yeah, I wonder," Jay blushed. "Two blind love birds just strolling oblivious to what life gave you."
"I guess we were blind love birds," Nya laughed. "You were shy, and I was outspoken."
"I wasn't shy," Jay blurted, jabbing Nya softly. "I was…nervous. Okay, maybe I was shy, but I got over it, just as you got over being outspoken."
"Oh really," Nya retorted. "We'll see how the lightning ninja knows about water."
Just then, they heard a loud bell ring out from the ship's upper deck, announcing to all the passengers that dinner was now being served in the dining hall.
"We better go," Nya sighed, inching out from under Jay's arm. "Dinner won't wait for us."
"Neither will this tux," Jay cringed, itching at his neck. "I'll be glad when dinner is over, so I take this itchy suit off. Why are we having dinner with the captain again?"
"He invited us, Jay, probably to satisfy his curiosity about us. After all, we ninja don't occupy the spotlight frequently."
An hour later, Jay and Nya were seated at a silk-covered glass table, positioned on plush cushions near the ship's captain, an old, whiskery sailor sharply-detailed in luxurious officer's regalia. Together, they munched through plates of lobster and shrimp, sipping on cups of strong tea to water down the sharp spice of their seafood entrée.
"Thank you for your invitation, captain Fenghua," Nya said. "I have enjoyed meeting with you in person. Isn't that right, Jay?"
"Oh, um, yeah, thank you," Jay gulped, swallowing a bite of lobster. "I, um, appreciate your kindness, even though the tea's a little strong."
"Don't be rude," Nya scolded. "Even though we're on our honeymoon, you still have manners to display at the table."
"He means no harm," Fenghua chuckled. "I enjoy having you as company tonight, especially with all those stories about the villains you've defeated. But what puzzles me still is that some villains are still at large?"
"Well, not exactly at large," Jay chuckled nervously. "We do our best to keep tabs, but sometimes, well, we lose track of them after a while."
"Lose track, eh," Fenghua questioned. "I would think Pythor, Lord Garmadon, and those time-bending twins are too dangerous to lose."
"They are," Nya admitted, "but we have not forgotten them entirely. We still watch for Lord Garmadon, although reports are far and few between, while neither Pythor nor Krux and Acronix have appeared for years now."
"A mystery indeed," Fenghua mumbled, "as mysterious as the death of Harumi."
"Look Fenghua, we know she's dead," Jay answered bluntly. "That building collapsed with her and we found no evidence of her survival. I just don't get why people keep bringing it up these days. Can't we just accept that she's dead and move on?"
"I believe you," Fenghua soothed. "You don't have to yell."
"What makes you unsure," Nya questioned.
"Normally, I don't bother my guests with old captain superstitions, but you two obviously have a handle on strange things, so I might as well tell you," Fenghua sighed. "Last night, as I returned to bed, I spotted a figure slithering out of sight on the upper deck. He disappeared before I could wink, but he left a parchment lying on a table nearby. When I picked it up, I…well, read it yourself and see what you make of it."
Fenghua removed from his coat pocket an unraveled scroll, covered in light scribbles from top to bottom. He handed the scroll over to Nya, who glanced down the lines with her eyes. Then she handed the message to Jay, who analyzed it before returning the paper to the captain.
"Sounds suspicious," Jay concluded, "as if someone on this ship is acting out of the ordinary."
"See what I mean," Fenghua agreed. "I've worked with the crew for nearly ten years now, and never once did I encounter anything as serious as this."
"Hmm," Nya thought. "It seems as if whoever wrote this message was in a hurry to complete it. Look at all the terrible handwriting and spelling mistakes he made. It's almost like trying to decipher Jay's penmanship."
"Hey, my pen isn't' that lousy," Jay retorted, "but I know who's is: A Serpentine."
"And what proof gives you that inclination," Nya questioned. "The Serpentine didn't leave many records when they escaped."
"Ronan happens to know a guy who knows a guy who knows a snake who happens to be an expert in their ways," Jay assured them. "My bet is that a snake wrote this."
"That doesn't help us determine who did it," Nya sighed.
"I just so happen to know a certain snake on board," Fenghua offered, "and I believe that he may be an old acquaintance of yours?"
"No, I don't know who wrote this," the snake stated.
Jay and Nya, now clothed in their suits, lounged on a sofa in a ship cabin, waiting impatiently as Scales analyzed the Serpentine writing before him. Using a magnifying glass, he carefully glanced over the characters, sounding them out as best as his tongue cloud. After a while, he set down the glass, sighing as he turned to the Ninja.
"I'm sorry," Scales said. "I cannot tell who wrote this."
"So, you have no clue," Jay sighed. "All this time and you have no clue? Why didn't you say so in the first place?"
"Jay, Scales means no harm," Nya retorted. "We owe him enough for taking time to help us out."
"A favor returned," Scales sighed.
"Any idea who might have penned this," Jay asked, taking a deep breath.
"I cannot say for certain," Scales replied. "Whoever it was has poor writing skills. I barely deciphered his words, let alone his meaning. But I could offer some advice."
"Anything helps," Nya said.
"Then here," Scales answered, handing Nya a slip of paper. "This is the addresses of a certain passenger I bumped into yesterday."
"Room 246. Got it," Jay said. "Well, Scales, thanks."
"No problem," Scales sighed. "Just try to leave me alone once in a while."
"We won't bother you again," Nya assured Scales.
"I pray that you don't," Scales sighed, "if only to avoid the mess you are walking into."
Night falls upon the Enchantress, shadows creeping into the crooks and crevasses prone to shadows; a pale moonlight splotches the decks, lighting isolated pockets at various points. All have retired to their cabins; all slumber in the soft, silk beds; all dream of utopias that might come. Only two figures, ninja by trade, stay awake, stealthy in their traceless approach to Room 246.
"You sure we're up for this," Jay questioned.
"Why shouldn't we be," Nya asked as they snuck around a corner. "We have our elements and our weapons; what can one person throw at us?"
"No, I mean, shouldn't we do this in the morning," Jay clarified.
"Captain Fenghua doesn't want to disturb the passengers. And besides, he might not be in his room in the morning."
"Here's Room 246, but why's the door open?"
"Hush," Nya shushed, hiding on the wall. "I hear someone inside."
They both flattened up against the wall, concealing themselves from those inside. Nya then signaled for absolute silence.
"Who's in there," Jay whispered. "I hope he's friendly."
"Quiet," Nya hushed. "He's talking."
Jay didn't respond. Instead, he attuned his ears to the voice inside, trying hard to listen in on what was being said. Sure enough, two small voices emerged, one low and soft like a serpent's, the other higher and rougher, as if it belong to a transmitted caller.
"What do I owe the pleasure of your call," the serpent asked.
"Did I disturb you," the transmission crackled. "I did not mean to wake you."
"Only a minor frustration, my lord," the serpent answered.
"Report to me," the transmission ordered. "Have you done as I instructed?"
"Yes, my lord, the plan is in motion," the serpent affirmed. "My scanners perceive they have landed, but I do not possess the equipment to determine where. I need the apparatus found last night on the shores of Chen's Island."
"That apparatus you will have in due time," the transmission assured the serpent. "My spies within are determining its location as we speak. When they have located the mechanism, then I will summon you."
"I pray that it happens soon," the serpent sighed. "I have noticed recently that the captain has become a bit uneasy, as if something bothers him about the safety of his ship."
"Captain Fenghua is an old fool," the transmission chuckled. "He is superstitious about everything; don't fear him or his excuse of a crew."
"Then what of Scales," the serpent questioned. "He too is on board, and I fear that he has already discerned something amiss."
"Scales is no concern of mine," the transmission crackled again. "Do what you can to remain hidden till I summon you. Now then, anything else to report? Night falls on the island and I will soon lose connection to you."
"Nothing else, my liege," the serpent bowed. "You have the sworn word of Pythor, ex-ruler of the Serpentine."
"Pythor," Jay blurted out. "Pythor's the rat?"