Next Chapter, here we go. REVIEW if you know what that portal at the end of the last chapter was about, with SPOILER ALERT written at the top for anyone who looks but doesn't know.

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Chapter 8: Next Phase

The scaled hands of the approaching Fangpyre foot soldier latched tightly around Misako's arms as he forced her forward towards his superiors. Behind them, a Venomari had the same hold on Clutch.

"Let us go!"

Skales slithered forward, past the surprised Mechanic until he was inches away from her face. "Oh, I think not, old woman." We wouldn't want you to miss the show!" The small army of Serpentine laughed behind him, making her nervous. "What do you hope to accomplish here? You already have the Scrolls of Forbidden Spinjitzu."

"Ah, but Misako, what use are scrolls like these to just us, non-elementals who cannot perform Spinjitzu? To strengthen our allegiances, we mean... a different approach." He turned to Skalidor. "When will the other's arrive?"

"Soon, Skales. The rest of our encampment is on their way, and the other two parties will be here shortly. Our spy-in-action reports that their party will be here as soon as possible, and our spy in the Tower says the remaining Ninja are gathered in the city center." Spy in the Tower?

"Just as Lord Garmadon predicted. Good. Then let's get this place spruced up!" With the flick of his wrist, Skales ordered all of the remaining men to light up the dead Pyramid's chamber, tying up Clutch and Misako in the process.

"...so that is why we need to stay together." Kai was getting tired of explaining the situation. Since rescuing Shade, the group of Elemental Masters rescued Gravis, Ash, and Chamille from a similar attack, and had just saved Bolobo from Mr. E. "NOW, can we please go to Ninjago City? It is clear to me that as long as we are together and safe, they cannot touch us." Despite small protests, they all murmured in surrendering agreement. He looked with a relieved grin towards Skylor, who smiled back.

"Good. We'll leave first thing in the morning. I'll take first shift as lookout."

"Pixal, what just happened?" Zane pressed into his earpiece to get an answer. Around him, Cole, Nya, Dareth, and all of the City's finest stared in the sky confused.

"Unclear, Zane. The system detected an anomaly, and it just... stopped. Right as another detection popped up!"

"What is it, and where?"

"It appears the new Borg-Satellite has picked up a massive caravan of enemy vehicles moving towards the outskirts of the Desert of Doom." Nya's eyes widened. "That's where Clutch said the forbidden Scrolls were!" Without hesitation, the four Ninja rushed back into the Tumbler and the newly built Ninja DB X. "Commissioner, have your men hold down the fort in the event another anomaly occurs."

"Where are you Ninja going?"

"To the Desert of Doom! We cannot allow the Forbidden Scrolls to fall into enemy hands!" Cole closed the armored truck's back door, allowing Nya to race the vehicle forward with Zane following in tow. The Police watched as the disappeared around the corner. "Good luck, Ninja."

Since its creation, the Cloud Kingdom had been a realm of absolute peace. Weaving the words of destiny, the monks would write what was necessary to keep the balance. Never had a sword been unsheathed, never before had blood been spilled.

That all changed today.

Once Nobu whistled, Nimbus had charged from the main Temple, throwing every Nindroid and Skulkin that got in the way into the abyss. But he wouldn't hold them for long; he was already being overrun by enemies as the faction leaders headed towards the ships. Using the distraction the giant beast made for them, Nobu pointed towards Pythor and the strangely robed man. "Come on! We must get the Sword from them!"

Lloyd nodded. "Come on, Mystake!"

"Wait." The Green Sensei and the young Monk turned to face her, confusion on both of their faces. She stood up fully, and dropped her staff. Realizing what was about to happen, Nobu grabbed Lloyds arm to pull him back. Unfortunately for everyone else running towards them, they didn't know.

Five Nindroids and three Skulkin jumped towards the old woman as she tightened her fists. Within half a second, her skin blackened, her hat turned into two black horns, her clothing disintegrated into a skeleton-like texture around her black skin, and her eyes turned purple. She extended her arms to grab the closest Nindroid, then threw him in the abyss, causing the other seven to run.

Lloyd's eyes widened at the sight: She looked eerily like his father, before he had four arms. "M-Mystake."

Her purple eyes stared directly into his. He felt a shiver down his spine. But it wasn't as creepy as her deepened voice. "Yes, Lloyd. This is my true Oni state. Now get that Sword." JUST LIKE THAT? She ran ahead, leaving him stunned as he watched her spin in a purple tornado. He looked back at Nobu for support, but he only shrugged with a simple response.

"Well, Sensei Lloyd, it seems you now have the necessary leverage in the fight."

"Come on come on come on!" Pythor slithered as fast as he could, gripping tightly onto the sword. Leading the way were the only two Skulkin warriors who didn't stay behind to fight. Close behind him were Chen who was now holding onto the Realm Crystal as well as his staff, Kruncha, Ronin, Knuckal, Cryptor, and the Anacondrai Cultists that joined them on the quest.

"*Huff* Why don't we just use the Realm Crystal?" Chen rolled his eyes at the mercenary's ignorance. "Because, Ronin..." He extended his hand forward, as if giving a signal. At the very spot where the two leading Skulkin warriors stepped, Lloyd dropped from above, knocking them both to the ground. "PYTHOR! HAND ME THAT SWORD, NOW."

"Oh, my dear Lloyd, I don't think so. Chen?" The old man extended the Realm Crystal towards the Green ninja, shooting a small beam over his head, creating a small portal. Lloyd jumped to the side to avoid the cloaked figure who dropped from the portal, a sword aimed right at him.

Lloyd had no idea what just happened. He was dodging jabs from a sword, swung from a stranger with black hair and white eyes. The enemy looked up at the oily man who summoned him. In a raspy voice, he yelled "I could use a little help here!"

"Ronin." The mercenary with the red-straw hat sighed, taking out a small knives as he walked forward. "Sorry, kid, but a jobs a job." And he threw the knife.

Right into Lloyds leg. "AAAUGH!" He was incapacitated, grabbing onto his leg as he lashed in pain. The black cloaked stranger grabbed him by the kneck, giving Lloyd a tingling sensation for a second before he was thrown back to the ground, facing Chen and the others. He walked past the Ronin, and grabbed onto the crystal within Chen's staff. "Garmadon wants him alive. Now send me back, I still have work to do."

Chen nodded, creating a portal. before stepping through, the stranger looked at Lloyd. "I'll see you again." After stepping through, both he and the portal disappeared, leaving Lloyd writhing in pain on the cloudy surface, and his enemies staring right at him. Pythor chuckled as he stood over him.

"Well, you heard it here first, Lloyd. Your dear old daddy wants you alive! Looks like we'll all be seeing each other real soon, now let's-" The demonic screams of Mystake echoed across the realm as she ran towards them at full speed. "OH SHIT, CHEN!"

"ON IT!" In the blink of an eye, a portal formed underneath him, causing him, Cryptor, Kruncha, and Knuckal to disappear immediately. The cultists jumped in right after, leaving Pythor and Ronin.

"VIP's first, your highness."

"Damn right, Ronin." Sword in hand, the Serpentine King jumped through, leaving Ronin staring at the incoming Oni and the wounded Lloyd. "They're right, Kid. We'll see each other again. But I hear Ninja never quit." With a smirk, he cannon-balled in, causing it to wink out of existence, with only a parchment left behind as evidence they were there.

"Lloyd!" Calming down as she got closer, as there was no one left to fight, Mystake reverted back into her human form. She and Nobu ran to help him up, defeated looks on their faces.

"They got away with the Sword." Nobu nodded. "I know, but- what's that?" Mystake took notice to the parchment he was pointing at, and walked forward to pick it up.

"I don't believe it..."

"Mystake?"

She chuckled. "they may have the Sword of Sanctuary, Sensei Lloyd, but fate has rewarded us with the Scroll of Airjitzu."

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