"What you mean the whole tribe disappeared," Faith questioned, a bit infuriated by Daddy No-Leg's report. The three of them, Faith, Daddy No-Legs, and Kai, were gathered around a makeshift fire under the Dieselnaut, and Kai was busy preparing beds in the corner for the night.
"You heard me out, Heavy Metal," Daddy No-Legs sighed. "When I woke up from the Oni effect, everyone and everything was gone except for the Dieselnaut."
"Wait a second," Kai questioned. "How did they miss you and not everyone less?"
"When the Oni attacked," Faith answered, "they turned everyone except me and Firstborn into stone, then departed for Ninjago. And from what Daddy No-Legs reported just now, I figure that when the Oni were destroyed, everyone was freed."
"Almost everyone," Daddy No-Legs coughed. "Yes, most of the tribe was freed instantly, but some, including me, took longer to be freed of their spells. But I could still hear through my stone prison, and what I heard gives me the shivers."
"What did you hear," Faith asked.
"The tribe voted to stay until everyone was freed," Daddy No-Legs coughed again, "mainly because some of else took longer than others. Well, the night before I broke out, the tribe was attacked, then carried away by mysterious raiders into the darkness."
"How come they didn't snatch you up," Kai asked.
"I was still stuck in the stone at that point," Daddy No-Legs sighed. "They couldn't have lifted me even if they tried. Guess they weren't patient enough to wait for me to thaw out, so to speak."
"Well, I'm glad you survived at least," Faith smiled weakly. "But these mysterious raiders sure have my blood boiling. Any chance you overheard where they were going?"
"Not that I can say," Daddy No-Legs shrugged. "There was too much mumbling amongst them to tell. And besides, it'll be easier to track them in the morning."
"You're right," Faith sighed. "Get some sleep, Daddy No-Legs and fire ninja. You'll both need your rest for tomorrow's journey."
Daddy No-Legs and Kai sighed, then lied down on their covers. Daddy No-Legs was snoring in an instant, while Kai tossed and turned till he fell into a soft, mild slumber. The last thing he saw that night was Faith standing in the entrance of their shelter, the moon beaming down on her soft, composed face.
If you're the type of fella lookin' for a greasy spoon meal of juicy patties, then loiter your way over to Laughy's Karaoke Bar on the south side of Ninjago City and grab a gulp of cider and the best home-town cookin' this side of Ninjago! Participate in lively card games with lethal high-stakes dealing or pursue stardom on Ninjago's top-rated karaoke mike-mash stage. And don't forget Dareth's Monday mash-ups and throwback Thursdays. So head on over to Ninjago's lovely Laughy's Karaoke Bar and get chillin'.
Disclaimer: Laughy's Karaoke Bar is in no way affiliated with the Sons of Garmadon or any single person associated with that group.
"What kind of advertisement is that, Mr. X," Kuriam questioned. "Can't the owner be more appealing than that? Stupid waste of money."
Mr. X, the nindroid general, only nodded, then gestured toward the front door.
"If you insist," Kuriam sighed. "Maybe the 'greasy spoon meals' aren't as bad as they sound."
Kuriam and Mr. X stepped through the doors of Laughy's, leaving two men in black ninja suits outside to guard their rides, two high-speed racing bikes stolen that day from a nearby dealership. Yet neither them nor the guards spotted the two ninjas spying from the roof, and none noticed that there were eyes peering through a window in a nearby building.
"You sure that's him," Cole whispered into a walkie.
"I bet 100 bus tokens on it," Ronin answered from the other building. "He's not alone either."
"I can see that," Cole sighed. "Zane, did you scan them?"
"Yes, Cole," Zane replied. "My readings indicate that these two thugs are the same ones we encountered at the noodle shop."
"There's your proof," Ronin smirked. "Now the question is how to nab them without causing a ruckus. You guys have a plan in place, right?"
"I don't," Cole answered, "but Zane does."
"Well, what's his plan," Ronin grumbled. "From what gathered when you called me, Cole, you seemed to be the one with the plan. Please tell me Zane filled you in earlier."
"Nope," Cole sighed. "He told me it was a surprise."
"A surprise I am willing to reveal now," Zane interrupted. "Cole, remember that disguise you wore the last time we infiltrated enemy ranks?"
"Oh no, not that one again," Cole remarked. "I'm not waltzing into that bar as Rocky Dangerbuff. That disguise nearly got me killed at least twice."
"But it is your best disguise," Zane retorted. "And besides, it is the only scenario that has any chance of succeeding without complications."
"What if they recognize me through my disguise," Cole questioned.
"Cole, you're thinking too much," Ronin chimed in. "Those two thugs haven't the slightest clue about the Rocky gig and that's to our advantage."
"Okay, I guess I can be Rocky again," Cole shrugged. "But if this fails and I get my butt kicked, you and Zane owe me, Ronin."
"Okay, okay, cool it Cole," Ronin laughed. "If anything happens, I'll give you 50% discounts on puffy potstickers. Now get going before they walk out on us."
A few minutes later, "Rocky Dangerbuff" strolled into Laughy's from across the street, while Ronin and Zane monitored from their respective locations. He glanced around, then spotted Kuriam lounging by himself at a table in the back corner. Rocky then approached Kuriam, plopping down without a word next to him.
"Hey," Kuriam stated, sitting up. "Get lost, pal. This table's reserved for me and my bud."
"Well," Rocky coughed. "If I may be so bold, you two are sitting at the table I reserved yesterday for me and my bud."
"You had a reservation," Kuriam questioned. "No way. My pal was sure nobody owned this spot before we came."
"He didn't check the guest list then," Rocky sniffled. "Turns out I'm a favorite around this place and good friends with the manager. You want me to call on him to settle this?"
"No, no, don't. You can stay if you like for now. No guarantees my friend will enjoy the company, though."
"Where's your friend?"
"In the back. He's taking a call from a friend of his."
"Well, mind if I keep you company? My friend pulled out at the last second and I do hate eating here by myself."
"Go ahead. I have six two-pound burgers and two bowls of curly fries coming out soon anyway. By the way, what's your name?"
"Rocky. Rocky Dangerbuff."
For a moment, Kuriam winkled his nose and rolled his eyes. Cole sweated, fearing that the brute might be suspicious. But after a few moments, Kuriam smiled and proceeded to drink his tea.
"Rocky, eh," Kuriam remarked. "Sounds like you're the muscular type. Good. Me too. See these beauties? Worked out for ten years for these babes."
"Me too," Rocky nodded. "What's your name? Is it as muscular-sounding as mine?"
"I'd wish," Kuriam nodded. "The name's Kuriam, which I swear was my mother's choice."
"Well Kuriam, seems like we could be good friends," Rocky noted. "But first, tell me what you do for a living. Don't worry. I won't tell a soul except my own."
"Then tell me yours."
"Fine. You reveal, I reveal, and we both keep each other's secrets. Deal?"
"Deal. Me and my friend work for a scrap metal enterprise firm called Darlunds Industries which operates on Chen's Island and in Ninjago City. Basically, we clean up scrap metals and debris from demolished buildings and recycle them at our facilities into building materials."
"Sounds like hard work."
"It is, although there's enough hands to lighten the load. Me and my pal are in town to negotiate with Borg Industries to remove debris from Ninjago City."
"Oh, is that why your friend is gone right now?"
"Yes, sire. Now tell me about yourself."
"I work for a friend of Borg who's funding repairs on the palace."
"The palace, eh? That's precisely why we're here. The boss wants a contract to haul debris from the palace. Know if your friend can help?"
"Oh yeah, he'd be glad to. What time and place?"
"Outside Ninjago," Mr. X replied.
Mr. X plopped down next to Kuriam at the table, turning toward Cole with a look of concern written on his face. Cole's eyes widened a little but not enough to raise any alarms.
"You must be Kuriam's friend," Cole stated.
"I am," Mr. X sighed.
"Not much of a social butterfly," Kuriam joked. "He prefers silence to talking."
"So does my friend," Cole nodded. "You want to meet outside Ninjago City, you mean?"
"Yes," Mr. X sighed. "Vermillion ruins, tomorrow night."
"Fine with me," Cole agreed. "I'll run it by the big man."
Once the food arrived, Kuriam and Cole ate in silence, while Mr. X lounged back and spent some time in sleep mode. Kuriam devoured four whole burgers, then belched loud enough for the entire room to hear. Cole then excused them. He departed Laughy's and crossed the street, then entered the neighboring building and found Ronin and Zane inside the lowly-lit lounge.
"Any luck," Ronin asked.
"The best luck," Cole chuckled. "You were right. Those two can't tell black from white."
"Heard it all over the commlink," Ronin smiled. "I guess our lead paid off."
"But who was our lead," Zane questioned. "You never mentioned anything to us about his identity."
"You'll know soon enough," Ronin winked. "For now, head back to Skylor's and fetch some shut-eye. We meet with the lead in the morning."