Chapter Two: Exploration Planned Out...

I stayed to the back of the group as we disembarked at an island I didn't know existed. Star was silent, though I knew she was observing our competition very closely for me. We were ushered into a large throne room of some sort. A funny looking man was sitting on the throne, beaming at us as if he were pleased to see us. I wasn't fooled though. He was power hungry, and we were the ticket he needed to take over Ninjago. Calm down Ella. You are letting your imagination to get carried away again. Star spoke in my mind suddenly, soothing my fears.

The funny man waved his arms in a broad circle even as the doors banged shut behind us. "Welcome! I am your host, Master Chen! The rules of the tournament is simple enough...last one standing wins. For the first round, I have hidden these jade blades throughout the island." He held up something that was too long to be a knife, but too short to be a sword, which had a bright green blade. "When the bell chimes, I expect all of you to go search for one. Once you have one, bring it here to me. The one person who doesn't find a jade blade will be eliminated. Understood? Good. My servants here will see you to your rooms."

At that dismissal, an army of females that were wearing too much makeup and were dressed exactly alike came swarming forth, each one grabbing a guest and taking them elsewhere. I tensed as mine ushered me up the stairs. I didn't like the lack of emotions that they were broadcasting, sure that the others might find it uneasy as well. Most of the others were silently allowing the servants take them to their rooms, though the ninjas were protesting the whole separating them from each other thing. I bit my bottom lip as I noticed that they were also kicking Garmadon out, much to his anger and Lloyd's distress. I ducked into my room, quickly closing the door behind me.

My room apparently was designed after a five star motel. And I wasn't kidding either. A large gold chandelier, a large living room, a gigantic private bath (the tub was the size of an Olympic swimming pool) and a large bedroom with a walk in closet and an emperor sized bed. I also had a giant balcony. Good. I don't like how fancy everything is in here.

I pushed the doors open, leaning against the polished marble railing. Star hadn't said anything about the room, not that she needed to. She was as shocked as I was. We were so used to not having any luxuries, that a large room given to us that was filled to the rim with luxuries was a bit too much. Ella, look to your left. Star spoke suddenly, startling me out of my thoughts. Confused about why she would want me to look to the left, she was pretty excited though, I'll give her that much, I turned to look at my left side...and nearly fell of the balcony out of shock. It was a jade blade, amongst a large rose bush that was in a pot on the balcony. The green of the leaves almost hide the blade, but with Star's artistic eye it was easily spotted. Thanks Star. Now we just have to wait for the bell to chime.

Suddenly I found myself in a position that I wasn't familiar with. Having time on hand. Growing up, everything had been about survival, and responding to a constant sense of danger. By that, I mean constant running and avoiding people. I suspect that it had something to do with the house on fire where Star and I made first contact. Shaking my head, I glanced around to see if I couldn't find something interesting, even as I noticed a couple of emotions floating in the air. Uh... someone has a crush. And someone else is starting to get a crush. Might be fun to see how that'll work out. Just then, a bell chimed loudly, tearing my thoughts once again to the here and now.

Leaping to my feet, I grabbed the jade blade, my heart pounding loudly. What do we do now?

Must I always be on top of things? Go straight out of our room. I sprinted towards, the door, flinging it open easily. Someone is over on the right...which blocks the direction we need to go... head left until you see a side set of stairs for the servants. I ignored the way my sneakers thumped loudly against the floor as I ran down the hallway in the direction that she indicated. It wasn't long before we came across a closed door labeled servants only. Pushing it open, I slipped inside, allowing the door to close quietly behind me. Instead of running down the stairs, I leaned against the door and took a few deep breaths. Someone came running past, confusion rolling off of them in waves. I held my breath as I waited for them to leave. Once whoever it was left, I released my breath with a soft sigh.

Hey? Star? How did you know about these stairs?

Lucky guess. Come on. We need to get to the throne room.

I turned and headed down the stairs, relaxing over their simplicity. Throne room here I come.

…

I was the first person back to the throne room. Master Chen raised his eyebrow upwards in surprise about that, but didn't say anything. He didn't need to. I knew he was annoyed it was me and not someone else. Which could only mean that this entire thing must be rigged so that only one person could win and he was expecting whoever that was and not me. Or you are being paranoid. Could be he just wasn't expecting the youngest one here to make it first.

Knock it off Star. Oh look. Someone else just joined us. I openly stared at the pretty red head who strolled in carrying the second jade blade. When she noticed me, shock and surprise flashed across her features, right before she handed the blade to Master Chen. I looked away, watching as many others came in. It wasn't long until Kai and one other were the only ones that weren't back. Unease flooded the other ninjas as they stood near each other, whispering softly to each other. I tried not to eavesdropped, but years of not having been taught proper manners, meant that I threw common sense out the window.

"...Don't like this. He knows we can't loose anyone on the team. We've got to figure out if he is telling the truth about Zane and rescue him if he is!" Jay hissed anxiously.

I shifted slightly, not liking the fear and worry rolling off of them. Maybe I shouldn't hold them on a pedestal when it comes to the whole fear factor. Just then, the other guy walked in holding the jade blade. Even as the ninjas distressed appeared to double upon seeing that, his metal glove that he was wearing suddenly fell off, and Kai slipped out from behind him, neatly catching the jade blade before it could fall to the floor.

"Well then. We now know who it is that lost this round. Sorry Karlof. Time for you to go." I expected Master Chen to signal to some of his guards to escort him out to the ship...not push a button that caused a trap door to open underneath him. He fell down the hole in the ground, much to the distress of everyone in the room. Well, minus the red head, she didn't seem to care about that. However, I need noticed that the ninjas were not just distressed, they were horrified. And truth be told? I didn't blame them.

I'm going exploring while you sleep. You were right. There is something going on here. Star bluntly told me, leaving no room for argument. I decided against telling her to make sure she got enough sleep. You sure that the ninjas won't go looking for information since that is kind of in their job description?

Like your not curious and worried at all.

I didn't respond to that, glancing over at the ninjas. They had been speaking off Zane as if he were being held prisoner by this Master Chen, and somehow I suspected that he was blackmailing them into competing. Too bad he doesn't appear to have anticipated us.