Chapter 8: Four Prongs of the Fork
Kai never felt sicker in his life. Riding behind Faith on a bumpy dragon's back, he vowed not to regurgitate his lunch, twelve puffy potstickers he had eaten two hours too soon. Great strokes of colors, green, red, blue, purple, violet, spiraled violently, spinning his eyes in hypnotic dizziness. Rancid trails of dust tickled his nose. Rapid jerks of the reins churned his stomach. Kai swept from side to side, nearly falling off twice. At least Faith was there to snatch him up before he fell into the portal tunnel.
"Keep still," Faith scolded. "Swaying like a seasick dragon won't keep you alive."
"I can't help it," Kai gulped, repelling half-eaten lunch back down his throat. "I'm terribly dizzy and nauseous."
"I told you not to eat so many puffy potstickers at once," Faith scolded. "Now you're as useless as a dragon chain that can't shoot. And didn't Skylor warn you about those before we left?"
"Yes, but I was hungry," Kai answered.
"Well, don't you spill on me or I'll throw you into another realm and leave you there forever."
"I'll try, but I can't make any promises."
"You'd better."
"Why are you going home, though? I though you made your home in Ninjago."
"I did, but nothing stirs a yearning heart more than home. No matter how cozy my bed or how deep I sink into my covers, I can't help but worry over my people. It's been at least a year since I left them, and I can't help but fear for their safety, not after what the Oni…."
"The Oni are gone, and your people will be safe."
"Thank you. I never figured you to be the comforting one. I thought that was Nya and Skylor's thing."
"It is."
"Then Sensei Wu taught it to you?"
"In a way, but I mostly discovered it on my own the hard way."
"You refer to Harumi?"
"Yes. We sympathized deeply with her after the Sons of Garmadon destroyed the palace, especially Lloyd. I even felt a close kinship with her, as we both had lost our parents. But then she ripped our hearts with treachery, unleashing worms I had buried long ago."
"Master Wu told me everything," Faith sighed. "I too was lied to and manipulated for years, yet I still cannot fathom the wickedness which Harumi performed in showing her true colors to you, even after all the trust you placed on her. But as my people say, the sharpest arrow is not the bow of the enemy but the lie of a friend, and you received the worst lie of them all."
"Thank you Faith," Kai said. "Are we close?"
"Not yet," Faith smiled, "but we will be soon. I too am anxious, for my people have long been separated from their leader. Now I shall return, and we shall rebuild or we shall migrate to a better place."
Chen's Island. Once the fortress of the criminal empire of Master Chen, the isle looms infamously in the books of Ninjago's history. Deeds of villainy reside here, the letter Garmadon wrote to steal Misako from Wu, the dark magic of Clouse, the terrible elemental staff of Chen, deeds terrible enough to scare men with their mentioning. And yet, the fall of Chen liberated the island from its dark curse.
Now, as Jay, Nya, and Skylor land their jet onto the shores of the island's main harbor, the former palace greets them, not as the residence of a crime lord but as a vacation resort. Now, guests from everywhere dine and relax, swimming in pools, chilling in natural hot springs, touring dense jungles where elemental battles once occurred. Even the poorer residents open their lives to visitors, detailing stories of contests through their unique points of view.
"Man, this place is the bomb," Jay exclaimed as he admired the recently-furnished throne room. "You guys really cleaned up the place."
"Karlof thanks you," a gruff voice answered.
Karlof and his companion Neuro (master of mind) walked over to the sight-seeing ninja. They greeted Skylor and embraced her, then turned to the others.
"We are sorry to hear about what happened over in Ninjago City," Neuro sighed. "It pains me even more that one of our own has lost her power yet again."
"I will live," Skylor laughed. "I can still fight."
"And congratulations on your marriage, Jay and Nya," Neuro added.
"How did you know," Jay questioned.
"I can read your mind," Neuro stated.
"Oh, right," Jay blushed. "I knew that."
"What brings you to island," Karlof asked.
"Trouble, I fear," Neuro added. "Tell us, ninja, what enemy is lurking among us now? Another Chen faction?"
"No, not another Chen faction," Nya replied. "We encountered an Anacondrai who may be plotting to steal something from this island."
"Then by all means capture him," Neuro urged.
"We just don't know where he is," Jay blushed.
"All we know is that Pythar is on the island," Skylor finished. "I suspect that he will appear at some point; however, for the time being, we must rest from our long, painful journey."
"It wasn't that painful," Jay retorted. "I had loads of fun."
"Jay, your singing is painful," Skylor sighed. "Now come. Let me show you to your rooms."
Everything is ready. Every training tool is positioned precisely as he desired. Kigaru and Yuuma, clothed in some of Lloyd's old training suits, stand alert, waiting for the command to begin. Master Wu and Misako watch from Destiny's Bounty, delivered yesterday from the repair shop by Samurai X and Ronin. Ronin gazes down from his makeshift lifeguard tower, a commlink in one hand and a pint of Chen's noodles in the other. Lloyd walks through the arena, sighing as he approaches his pupils. Let the games begin, he thinks.
"Kigaru, Yuuma," Lloyd calls out.
Kigaru and Yuuma jerk their heads. They immediately rush over to Lloyd, stopping before him without a word.
"Are you ready to begin," Lloyd asks.
"Yes Master," the trainees reply.
"If I am to train you," Lloyd continues, "I must discern your strengths and your weaknesses. You must learn your strengths and weaknesses, strengths to refine and channel and weaknesses to learn from and remove. Glance at this sword."
Lloyd unsheathed a shiny silver katana, its blade reflecting the full glory of the midday sun. Kigaru and Yuuma awed, then watched Lloyd lower it to their height.
"See this sword," Lloyd said, "and admire the craftsmanship that this blade represents. Notice its perfection. This is what you can become, a flawless sword sharper than the enemies you will fight. But no sword is birthed without flaw; every blade begins crooked and jagged, full of bumps and cracks that must be hammered flat or sealed. That is our mission, to exert your strengths and hammer your weaknesses."
"What will you teach us, Master Lloyd," Kigaru asked.
"Yeah. I'm ready to learn," Yuuma swore, entering a fighting stance.
"Today, you fight with the training utensils," Lloyd answered. "Fight them and discover your strengths and weaknesses."
Yuuma immediately raced over to a nearby spinning dummy with dangling pads, then punched the middle pad with his fist. The pad spun around the machine in a circle, swinging around like a dazed fighter. Then, before Yuuma could duck, the pad struck him in the back of the head, knocking him flat onto his face.
"Remember to duck," Lloyd shouted.
Yuuma scowled, then jumped back up to fight again. He continued punching the pad again and again, each time hitting harder than before. The first few times, the pad swung back around and whacked him down. With every repetition, however, Yuuma's ducking motion quickened until he was dodging the counterattack without a sweat.
"Great job, Yuuma," Lloyd praised. "You have just discovered the art of dodging. Now Kigaru, go and try that machine over there."
Kigaru walked over to a machine with a dangling pad and two foam bars, one as high as her head, one as low as her feet. She punched the pad, then waited for the machine to spin around the circle. When the pad approached, she started to duck. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the low bar. Without thinking, she jumped, sailing over the low bar and right into the side of the high bar. She flew several feet forward, crashing with a thump into the ground.
"Be careful not to jump too high," Lloyd chuckled. "Keep trying and you will succeed in no time."
Throughout the day, Yuuma and Kigaru practiced with the machines. By the time the sun set, they were exhausted, unable to stand any longer. Bruised and battered, they collapsed before Lloyd and Ronin.
"Good job," Lloyd praised. "You proved yourselves to me today. I see great potential in you. You may head inside and get cleaned up now."
Kigaru and Yuuma wobbled back inside, leaving Ronin and Lloyd to themselves. The Destiny's Bounty hovered to the side of the building, then the ramp extended for Misako and Wu to walk on.
"Lesson one is complete," Wu said. "How do you feel, Lloyd?"
"I feel fine Master like I finally have a clue," Lloyd chuckled.
"I hope those kids aren't too beaten up for tomorrow," Ronin shrugged. "You really gave them a hard workout today, Lloyd. Shouldn't you have started lighter?"
"I will in the future," Lloyd noted. "But today I have discovered where their strengths might lie."
"And where do they lie, son," Misako asked.
"Yuuma is stronger than Kigaru," Lloyd explained. "He strikes with all his physical might and throws everything into the battle. Kigaru, however, approaches with more reservation. Being weaker, she strikes with force, but also calculates, learning quicker than Yuuma from her mistakes. When they fought, Yuuma showed more power, but Kigaru showed more intelligence."
"Only one thing remains then," Wu nodded. "You must discern what power they will possess, a discovery only training will reveal over time."
Another sunset befalls Jamanakai Village. Farmers wander in from the outlying hills, dragging their pitchforks along the ground. Merchants close shop windows and lock up their doors. Families gather inside for dinners of steaming rice or soft, buttered rolls. All retreat into their homes, save the one who is masked in front of the fountain.
He paces back and forth, deep in thought as he awaits his friend's return. Four days he has stayed in this village, and four days he has waited by the fountain. Now the fifth day draws near, and yet no sign of him still. He sighs, then paces again, but nearly bumps into the one who he has waited for.
"Kuriam," he hisses. "What took you so long? I've waited five days for you."
"Sorry, master," Kuriam bowed. "The Nightcrawler broke down yesterday and I had to trek the rest of the way on foot."
"Did you hide the wreckage," the master questioned.
"Yes," Kuriam nodded. "It is safe in the cave as you instructed."
"Good," the master smiled. "We cannot afford to risk being discovered by the Ninja. Speaking of the obvious, what news do you bring me?"
"Very good news," Kuriam smiled. "The Ninja have divided their forces. They are splitting up to hunt down separate portions of our army."
"That is good news," the Master questioned, slapping Kuriam across the face. "Do you not realize how terrible this is? The Ninja could discover us, or worse, our base. Then all my plans will be for naught. Do not let the Ninja expose our intentions."
"Shall I return to Ninjago City?"
"No. We will let the Ninja play their little games. Let them search all they want; they won't find a clue of our true identities. For now, continue as we have discussed. I will speak with Pythar concerning this."
Thus resolved, the master and Kuriam depart, unaware of the shadow behind the fountain, unaware their every word had been heard, heard by a hermit known simply as Morro.