A/N: Sorry today's update is late! It was supposed to be yesterday but... well... sadly, reality is a bit of a thing. So, to apologize (and definitely not because I couldn't figure out which one to post on) I'm giving you all a chapter of this and a chapter of Forged in Fire! I hope you enjoy!

Review Reply:

xxXTryMeXxx: You're fine! I'll admit, I was a bit worried, but I get it (after all, this chapter's late for a reason.) And I'm not too surprised about the title, it's still pretty vague for the moment. It'll be awhile before I reveal it though, so there's plenty of time (and hints to be given) before the reveal! ;p

"I can't believe our dragons ditched us!"

"You heard what Sensei said, they're going through a metamorphosis. We're lucky they stayed to help us out last night."

"Yeah, but he could at least have let Jay's parents drive us back to the Bounty!" Kai shot a glare in their mentor's direction.

"I'm sure he's got some secret lesson he wants us to learn here." Cole's voice was softened with uncertainty.

Wu smirked at them, clearly having heard every word, then gestured to their golden weapons. "As I've said before: your weapons are simply an extension of yourselves."

Kai groaned. "Would it kill you to be straightforward for once?! I mean, seriously-"

Zane held up a hand, stopping Kai mid-sentence. "I believe he is implying that our weapons can act as vehicles themselves."

"Don't tell me I have to ride this thing like a broomstick." Kai glared at the Sword of Fire. "If I do, I'm just going to walk."

With a small shake of his head, Zane closed his eyes and began methodically waving around his shurikens. There was a bright flash of light, and by the time it was gone Zane rested on an icy motorbike.

"Whoa, I want one!" Jay exclaimed, and Zane gave him a smile.

While he was looking at Jay, the motorbike disappeared from underneath him.

"Focus." Wu smirked, watching his students finally learning their weapons. Better late than never.

After a moment, all four ninja were sitting in their vehicles: Jay in a lightning jet, Kai and Zane on fire and ice motorbikes, and Cole in some kind of all-terrain roadster. Nya rode with Jay - much to Kai's chagrin - and Wu sat behind Zane.

With a whoop, they were off.

*High in the mountains...*

Lloyd glanced around, trying to find a good thing to focus on besides panic. Being lost in the mountains was bad enough, but running into the Hypnobrai made things even worse.

And, as if Skales wasn't bad enough, he was apparently also friends with Fangtom. Close friends. The two were chatting about uniting their tribes... All Lloyd could do was prepare to be kicked out again.

"I sssee you brought the little tyke with you." Lloyd froze at Skales's gesture.

"He isss jussst lossst and ssscared," the first head stated.

"He releasssed usss, the leassst we can do isss help him," the second added.

"He isss a human. He isss not one of usss!"

"I could turn him into one of usss."

Of course Fangtom was trying to barter, but Lloyd knew he was going to side with Skales in the end, or worse.

Slowly, he rose from his seat. The second he was upright, he bolted.

"Lloyd!" Serpentine of both tribes moved to stop him as the two heads shouted his name. He whirled and narrowly avoided being grabbed again and again, still running even with the tears burning his cheeks.

*Still the child, trying to calm himself.*

After running awhile and taking a nasty tumble down the mountainside that left his ankle red and swollen Lloyd found himself finally free of the Serpentine. He sat there, debating what he should do. The Serpentine were consistently abandoning him, but before they did so they were really nice and helped him out.

Maybe he'd try just one more tribe - after all no one deserved to be imprisoned, and the snakes were really nice! If this next tribe ditched him that was fine, he'd just give them the map so they could release the rest of the tribes themselves while he did his best to disappear. It looked like there was some land off the edge of the map, so he could probably hang out there. Although the ocean could be a good idea too, he'd only seen it once or twice but it was made of water so one couldn't just walk on it. As long as he found a way to be on the water instead of in it he'd be fine.

His mind made up, he rose to his feet and began heading down the mountainside, limping on his bad ankle. He walked for hours - teeth grinding into his lip and drawing a familiar, metallic taste into his mouth - before he made it to the desert. There was a large rock formation that he assumed was the next tomb.

Pulling the lever, he watched the rock slip away before stepping up to the gaping entrance. "Hello?" His eyes drifted to the bones as he called out. "Is- is anyone there?"

He stepped into the tomb, hating the feeling of being watched that followed his every move. Instinctively, he'd whirl around, expecting a ninja, student, or even one of the teachers to be standing there... But there was nothing. He whirled one last time when the presence was right behind him, and discovered it was a large, purple serpentine. He squeaked and drew back.

"My sssincceressst apologiesss young man, I tend to have they effect on people."

Lloyd took a moment to catch his breath, calm his racing heart.

"And who might you be my little appeti- I mean, friend?"

"I- I'm Lloyd. Lloyd Garmadon. I just- I just need someone- someone who can protect me, please." His voice faded with each word, barely a squeak by the time he finished.

The snake wrapped his long, purple neck around Lloyd as he examined the child. He unwound before he spoke. "Well, I am Pythor P Chumsworth, and since you freed me I am eternally in your service."

"Service?" Lloyd asked hesitantly.

Pythor smiled. "It simply means I am going to help you."

And cue Pythor! Everyone's favourite scaly villain who is still out there today, just preparing to come back!

*voice in the crowd* Isn't he the only one still out there that can prepa-

*Me* Ssssssh! That's not important.

Once again, I hope you enjoyed and I'll try and be on time next week!