Clouse stared intently at Prince Cole's retreating form. Something moved in his periphery and he turned to see Chen dismissing the guard. Soon the two men were alone in the large room.

Chen drummed his fingers on his throne. "A surprising turn of events, to say the least. What do you make of this?"

"The timing is... most curious."

Nodding, Chen leaned back in his chair. "My thoughts exactly. Him withholding the fact he's the Master of Earth is suspicious in of itself."

"It's possible he doesn't know." Clouse ran a hand down his scepter. "History has shown that Trerian is a country that doesn't exactly... appreciate that which they don't understand. Elemental masters being among such."

"We'll see. He's very powerful if it is indeed him causing the widespread tremors. " Chen gave Clouse a sidelong glance. "Keep a close eye on him."

"Of course, Your Majesty. I also must inform you that I received word that Lord Neuro sends his regards but he will be unable to make it to Skylor's birthday... again."

Chen's face darkened. "What was his excuse this time?"

"Something about a family emergency. He neatly forgot to give the specifics."

"That man has taken far too many liberties with my patience over the years... he's started to become much more than a nuisance. I'll have you draft a response later. Anyone else I should be aware of?"

"No. The other guests have sent their replies and should begin arriving tomorrow."

"Good, good. I expect a report from you tonight."

"Of course, sire." Giving a partial bow, Clouse excused himself.

After exiting the room Clouse kept his face impassive, but his thoughts were anything but calm. It had been several years since a new Elemental master had appeared and now, of all the times it could happen, another master of Creation literally appeared on their doorstep. The timing hardly could be a coincidence. Frowning, Clouse picked up speed, ignoring the servants who literally ran to get out of his way.

Once in his chambers Clouse shut his door with more force than strictly necessary. 'This does not leave much time to prepare.' Doing a quick sweep of the room to make sure it was empty, Clouse struck the staff on his chamber floor. A piercing clang rang out. The white diamond flashed and Clouse muttered a spell under his breath. As the light faded from the room, Clouse did too.

Soft firelight danced against the cave walls. Not bothering to wait for his eyes to adjust, Clouse took the familiar path deeper into the earth. The tunnel opened into a large room lit by torches and a central fire pit. Illuminated in the glow were several tables scattered about filled with scrolls, jars, bottles and bits of metals. Most notably was a large planetary model set on metal stands moving in real time.

Walking to the display, Clouse tracked the sun, moon and earth's slow rotations. Clouse whispered another spell. The spheres accelerated, whipping around the base of the podium as time artificially passed. Then, with an audible shriek, the model stopped. The sun rested in front of the planet, moon between the two.

"Expand."

Flickering images of the nearest planets in the solar system appeared- all lined up directly behind the sun.

Clouse stared at the earth, standing alone in the solar system. An event that came only every 300 years.

A high pitched caw came from the stalactites, breaking Clouse from his musings. He let the illusion fade and the planet returned to its present location. Looking up Clouse waited for a large falcon to land on the ground in front of him.

"Do you have anything that's actually worth while today?"

The bird's eyes narrowed and it screeched indignantly.

"Watch it." Clouse glared but the bird tapped its foot impatiently.

He sent a stream of purple magic at the bird. There was a grunt of pain as the bird's form grew and elongated. In a matter of seconds the falcon had been replaced with a man bracing himself on all fours and panting heavily.

"I... hate... that!" The man spat between breaths.

Clouse raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "I could leave you as a bird but give you the ability to speak. That would remove the need for any further transformations."

Another glare met Clouse's words, the effect amplified by the cloudy visage that covered the man's left eye. He forced himself upright on wobbly knees and brushed dirt off his leather shirt.

"That's what I thought."

"Look ya want your report or not?"

"By all means Ronin, don't let me stop you."

Flexing his hand Ronin spoke tersely. "I scouted that cave you sent me to and it looks legit. The problem is there's booby traps galore- even airborne ones- that I'm not able to disable thanks to my lack of fingers."

Clouse waved away Ronin's barbed statement. "If you couldn't get close how do you know that it's there?"

"People don't trap like that unless they've got something important to protect."

"You would know." Clouse mused aloud. Ronin bristled but didn't comment. "But you're too valuable for me to risk, and frankly too untrustworthy to make the attempt. Hmmmmm." Tapping his thumb on the scepter, Clouse turned his attention back to the clock. The days were passing swiftly and time was running out. "I've got a new assignment for you."

"As long as it isn't reading those stupid scrolls again. My eye is still crossed from the last time."

"Might I remind you-" Clouse reached into his robe and pulled out a small gold ring. He held it up for Ronin to see. Ronin's face grew red and he took a step toward it, but Clouse held it out of reach. "-that you aren't in a place to negotiate." Clouse pocketed the ring while Ronin tracked his movements. "So don't get any ideas."

"Hey, we have a deal."

"Oh I'm aware. I'm just making sure you remember it. After all, all ways here are my ways."

Ronin clenched his jaw. "You've made your point. What do you want now?"

"This assignment is twofold. You're to keep an eye on the visiting prince. There's something off with his story and I need to know what he's doing and who he talks to. On top of that look for a candidate for the cave's trails. Someone clever, quick on their feet- and not in a position to attempt a double cross."

"And how do you expect me to be in two places at once?"

"I'm sure you'll figure it out. You have two hours to do what you will before I send you out."

Growling under his breath, Ronin stormed out of the room. Based on his door choice Clouse suspected he was going into the mines instead of to his pallet. Clouse rolled his eyes. He'd have to make sure Ronin didn't fall asleep on assignment again.

Pulling out the ring once more Clouse walked over to a scrying bowl. He dipped it inside and a rippling image of a woman appeared. Her black hair was long and unkempt and her mouth tight as she bent over a stack of wood. As Clouse watched, Ronin approached her and she dropped the wood in her hand. Her pale face regained some of its color but a desperate look filled her eyes. She probably would have run to Ronin, but the fetters around her ankles didn't allow for much range of motion. Clouse curled his nose in disgust as the two embraced and let the image fade. At least some of the incentive for Ronin's behavior wasn't going to become ineffective any time soon.

Leaving the bowl, Clouse walked to one of his scroll filled tables. He dug out a small piece of parchment, buried beneath the pile. Neat handwriting filled the space.

Located:

Light

Nature

Wind

Gravity

Metal

Sound

Speed

Mind

Smoke

Poison

Amber

Ice

Flipping over the paper, Clouse looked over the Elements recorded there.

Missing:

Creation

Destruction

Fire

Earth

Lightning

Water

Time

Shadow

He crossed 'Earth' off the list and moved it to the front. The number of missing Elements had dwindled in recent years, but not quickly enough. Frowning Clouse looked over the Elements again.

Creation and Destruction had long since been lost to the ages. They had been the only ones not to reappear with any others that had died out throughout Oroborous' long history. Clouse had little hope of ever finding them, but he kept them on the list as a reminder of what still might be out there.

There had been a lead on two Elements years ago, but that came to nothing. However, with Earth showing up now... Clouse wouldn't be surprised if others made themselves known in the coming days. Especially if history were to repeat itself. That left only the job of being at the right place at the right time when they appeared.

Clouse turned his gaze to the diamond staff in his hand. In the torch light various colors could be seen jerking around, as if trying to escape. The most violent was a bright white that swirled like a storm, flashing and dimming at regular intervals.

"Don't worry, you won't have to stay there for much longer."

Assuming everything went according to plan. Clouse rubbed his temples. That was still a large assumption. But, now that Earth had made itself known, he could better prepare. Pulling out one of his texts, Clouse began to mix different ingredients in a ceramic bowl.

At one point he reached to grab a flask off a nearby table. When he turned back, his elbow struck the bowl, sending it crashing to the floor. Cursing under his breath, Clouse looked over the mess. He'd have to start from the beginning. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.

A large bronze bell had been mounted on the far wall. Still muttering to himself Clouse walked over and rang it. Low pitched clanging reverberated through the cave and into the tunnels beyond. While he waited, Clouse magicked the mess away.

Several minutes later a giant of a man walked into the room. His tanned skin and black hair, along with his black guard's uniform, made him look like an extension of the shadows. Black eyes, so dark they were almost purple, practically matched the purple snake embroidered on his chest.

"Captain Pyth."

"Sir." Pyth gave a brisk nod.

"I've been reminded that I haven't had a status update from the lower levels in three days. I believe you were told to report to me daily."

"Forgive me, sir. We've been busy and I haven't had the opportunity to be discrete."

Clouse narrowed his eyes. "Don't let it happen again." He paused to let his words sink in. "Now what is the latest report?"

"We're making progress, sir. The weapons are coming along and production is on schedule for apparatus that you wanted. We still haven't figured out a source to work it, but there's been a few rumors of people in the city who might be able to... help... with that."

"I see." Frowning in thought, Clouse considered his options. "Find anyone who might be of use. We're running out of time and it has to be done. Soon. But I need you to remain discreet. I don't want this revealed prematurely."

"I understand. I'll have my men get right on it."

"Good. You're dismissed. Send Ronin to me on your way back with a tin dish. The last shipment didn't cut it."

With a nod the man spun on his heel and marched out of the room. 'Some good news at least.' If the contraption became functional that would be the biggest piece of the puzzle locked into place.

Footsteps echoed into the room and Clouse looked up as Ronin all but stumbled back in. His eye was bloodshot and the way his hair was marred made it look like he'd just been awakened from sleep. A medium tin bowl balanced precariously in his open hands. Clouse waved the bowl over and Ronin leaned tiredly against a table.

"Time to start. Remember what happens if you shirk in your duty." Clouse narrowed his eyes at Ronin.

"Whatever. Just get it over with."

A smug sense of satisfaction rose within Clouse as he shot another burst of purple magic at Ronin. Ronin let out a grunt but didn't make any other sound until he had turned back into a falcon. Once bird Ronin stopped kneeling over, Clouse struck the scepter against the ground. In the blink of an eye Ronin disappeared.

Alone again, Clouse looked around the room. There was another matter he needed to attend to. One that wouldn't work if anyone happened to walk in on while he did it. Casting another spell, Clouse set invisible walls at all the room's doors. They would only dissipate when Clouse commanded them to. Satisfied in his work, Clouse struck the ground with the staff once more.

This time the flash was subtler, more muted in color. A form flickered into existence a few feet in front of him. Clouse waited until he had the newcomer's full attention.

"I have a new assignment for you. Things are about to become... interesting."

A/N- Just because there are a list of located elements doesn't mean Skylor has them all... what she does and doesn't have will continue to be revealed as the story progresses :)

Also, as some of you may have noticed (especially in this chapter), there are significant Aladdin vibes in this story ;) Yes this is a crossover-esque story but no it will not exactly follow the plot lines of either Ninjago or Aladdin. Until next chapter my peeps :)