Happy birthday! Okay, because of school and me wanting to be on schedule, I'm only posting every other week. If I do then. . . Happy birthday!


15. Secrets Revealed

Zoey stopped when a jolt went through her body. She reconized this part of the forest. It was bad. "Brother, we should find another way," she suggested.

"Nonsense, it'll be quicker going through," Zane said.

"But I have a bad feeling," she said.

"It's perfectly fine," Kai said. "What could possibly live out here that poses a threat?"

"I agree with Kai," Zane said. "We'll continue this way."

Zoey lowered her head and followed. She stopped when she almost ran into Kai. He and Zane had opened a door attached to a tree. The seer's eyes widened. "We need to leave, now."

Zane looked to her with concern. "What's wrong?" he asked. "I sense nothing wrong."

"But…" Zoey couldn't think of an excuse. "Please. I don't feel—" Her words were cut off when she grabbed her brothers hand and a vision began.

Zoey and Zane stood in a room with an old man, their father. There was a banging on the door. Zoey jumped and looked up, eyes wide. She looked to her father. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "Forgive me."

"Zoey, what did you do?" he asked.

"Open up!" a voice boomed. "As order of the king, we're looking for Dr. Julien!"

"Zoey, why would you turn him in?" Zane asked.

"It was a mistake," Zoey said. "I hadn't realized who–"

The door swung open. Three guards ran inside and down to the main area. "You can come willingly or forcefully," one growled.

"I will not allow you to take my father," Zane said, getting in a fighting stance.

"No, Zane," Dr. Julien said, looking to his son. "Please, don't try to fight." He forced a smile. "I'll be fine."

Then the guards began to take him away.

The scene changed.

"Zane please!" Zoey said, following her brother through the woods. "I did not–"

Zane turned around. "Our father is at the mercy of the king because of you! What could have possessed you to reveal our location?!" He turned and continued along.

Zoey looked up at the dark clouds that she was so familiar with. It had been years since she saw the sun. "I wish we could forget," she whispered.

"It can be arranged."

Zoey didn't even jump at the voice. She turned and there stood Joey. "You can help?" she asked.

"Of course. At a price."

"Name it."

"Ten pieces of gold."

"Deal!"

"Per week."

Zoey paused. "I thought it would only take one–"

"No, I'm new at magic," he said. "Once a week until I get it down. Do we have a deal?"

Zoey glanced to her brother who was getting further and further away. "Deal."

Zane stumbled back into Kai. "Woah, what just happened?" the ex-general asked.

"You're the reason he's gone," Zane said. "You lied to me!"

"No!" Zoey said. "I–I just didn't want you mad at me!"

"Did you ever even tell me why you sold him out?" Zane asked, then he answered himself. "No! You should've told me!"

"I can't!" Zoey said. She started to back away. "You wouldn't understand. You won't believe me! I see it!" Her eyes turned pale white and she could faintly see outlines of what would happen. "No matter what, using magic was the only way that didn't end with you yelling at me, but even that ended bad!"

"Okay, time out," Kai said. "With the serpentine helping the king, this isn't the time to–"

"Stay out of this Kai!" Zane snapped.

"Since you won't forgive me," Zoey said, "I'll leave. I'll find our father, or fall to the king trying!" Then she took off, ignoring Kai's warning.


Rick looked to Alex as they walked through the woods. Why Cole paired them together seemed like a mystery. Alex obviously didn't like him much. "So, these Nunchucks of Lightning," he said, "what exactly do they do?"

"I don't know," Alex said, keeping her eyes on the path ahead. "I only know the powers of the Sword of Fire and Shurikens of Ice. I've held those two, not the nunchucks or Sythe of Quakes."

"You said they were too powerful to wield," Rick said.

"Too powerful for my father, because he wishes to possess them all," Alex corrected. "Not only is it physically impossible, but the power is too great. My father doesn't understand this."

"But would you want to possess the weapons if it were possible?" he asked.

She stopped and turned to him. "I wouldn't even consider it. Never ask that again." Then she continued.

Rick put his hand to his ear. "Cole, I want a new partner."

"Don't tell me you're scared of Alex," Nicholas's voice came through.

"Just work with her," Cole said. "We have to find those nunchucks. You heard what she said, the only way to defeat the king is to find the ninja and weapons."

"She also said only the elemental ninja can find the weapons," Rick said. "I know she isn't the Ninja of Lightning and I can bet I'm not."

"Even if you're not the ninja, maybe you can find a place that would be a natural fit for a pair of electrical nunchucks," Jay said. "Oh, and maybe if you get Alex to laugh, she'll be less scary."

"I'm not scared of her!" Rick hissed.

"Okay, whatever," Wilson said. "Just keep searching."

Rick caught up with the princess. "So…"

"Do you really think I'm scary?" Alex said in a small voice.

"What?" Rick frowned, then he remembered she had an ear piece too. "Oh, geez, no."

"I'm not like my father," Alex insisted, as if she had to tell everyone she met that. "I don't like it when people fear me, thinking I'd hurt them if they step outta line." Her emerald eyes were full of hurt and she turned away. "All right?"

Rick nodded. "Okay. Alex, I would never think of you doing something the king would."

"Yeah, well, I'm still finding my way," Alex said as they continued. "There's a purpose for me, but I don't know what yet. I probably sound like an idiot, blabbing about my fate!"

"No, it's fine," Rick said. "Fate's cool, if you like dying."

"What?"

"Well, everyone's fate eventually leads to death," Rick said. Then he quickly covered his mouth. He took a deep breath and blurted, "Unless you're immortal. Then I guess fate means you'll live."

"Uh…"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to get all depressing," Rick said. "Anyway, do you think the Nunchucks are at Storm Ridge? It's always storming there. It didn't always, only once a week for five days. Then the clouds covered the kingdom."

"We should look there," Alex agreed, "but first who do you think the Ninja of Lightning is?"

"Guys, we need to all head to Storm Ridge!" Jay's voice blasted into the ear piece.

"Gah, how do you turn this stupid volume down?" Alex snapped.

"Jay, we kinda just decided that," Rick said. "Though, what made you come up with it? I would've thought Nicholas would come up with it."

"I just know!" Jay said. "Come on!"

Rick looked to Alex. "Let's go."


Garmadon paced in front of his throne. Four serpentine generals slithered in. "Skales, answer me this. Did you kidnap my son?" the king growled.

"Of coursssse not!" the Hypnobrai general said. "The boy was probably trying to protect your brother, ssssir."

"Hmmm," Garmadon turned to them. "Where is the Andacondrai general?"

"Missssing, sir," Skalidor hissed. "He has been for three yearssss."

"Sir, the entire tribe dissssappeared," Fangtom said.

"I suppose just the four tribes will be enough," Garmadon sighed. "I want warriors to head to Storm Ridge."

"For the nunchuckssss?" Acidicus guessed. "How do you they are there?"

"My spy contacted me," Garmadon said. "Rattla."


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