Chapter 1: The Mask of Deception
(Author's note - So, this is what I'm deciding to stick with, as I've written and uploaded a few stories before, but due to personal reasons, I thought if best to remove them and start afresh, so here we are, with what has to be my most fave season of all - Sons of Garmadon. Now, as a lot of people who write fanfics say - I do not own Ninjago, nor do I own the ninja, but I do own Roberto Garmadon, my oc. Enjoy chapter 1, and please leave a review/comment afterwards if you'd like, just on how it went and if I could improve on anything)
The crisp, night wind blows through my dark blonde hair as I stand on the top of a building not too far away from Borg Tower, overlooking the festivities and celebrations of the 'Day of the Dragon' far below in the streets of Central Ninjago. So much has changed since Wu disappeared a year ago; Lloyd has become the leader of the team, his green eyes have become brighter, and my eye colour has changed, from both being blue to now being blue and green, along with other things. We haven't seen the others in about a year, which is downing to say the least, but we are all searching for our master.
"Anything on your side, Rob?"
Lloyd's now deeper voice almost makes me jump before I crouch and press my finger up against the communicator in my ear.
"Apart from being a little nauseous cause of how high up I am and seeing Ninjago lit up in celebration, nothing. Why are we even here?"
"I just have a sneaking suspicion that something is going to happen, for better or for worse."
"Hmm..."
Folding my arms across my chest, my ears perk up when I hear a faint alarm in the distance and, when I turn around to look in the direction of Borg Tower, flashing red lights amongst the fireworks exploding above the city skyline.
Sighing to myself and donning my hood, I launch into an Airjitzu tornado and fly toward the roof of Borg Tower, landing on the roof where I spot my brother jumping down, to confront the intruders.
"Nice masks. You could almost pass as ninja."
Hopping down and landing next to my brother, I see six figures, one of whom are laying on the floor, probably because of Lloyd. Wait... they're all wearing ninja outfits...
"Dressing up as the ninja and not one of you decided to dress up as me? Not impressed!" I mock, taking a fighting stance similar to the Green ninja and analyse who we're going up against, before the one dressed in green takes off and the others advance toward us.
Ducking a haymaker, I kick the one in the red in the stomach, while I see Lloyd fight of the wannabe ninja, taking out the brown-clad, blue-clad and the white-clad, in that specific order.
Looking to the skyline, I spy a rope tied to the railing, along with the green and white 'ninja' sliding down said rope.
With my brother now out of his martial art, we both dart to the cable and slide down it, with Lloyd going first.
Gliding down the thick rope, I grunt in pain as rope burn starts to set in, before I see the ant like figure of the one dressed in green swing a sword at the very same rope.
He did not just-
With the one side of the rope now free, the one dressed in white now plummets toward the streets of Ninjago. Lloyd and I angle the rope so that Lloyd can grab the person by the waist and let them down onto the concrete without harm before we continue onwards toward the thief with the mask.
"PIXAL, we need my car."
"Co-ordinates, Master Lloyd?"
"Somewhere over... you know how to find us."
As we let go of the rope and freefall, my fear of heights reaching its limit as we soar toward the traffic filled highway. Lloyd's Ninja Nightcrawler appears from the highway and collects him, while I land on the roof of the car.
As it slams down on the uncompleted part of a separate highway, Lloyd brings the car to a stop and chuckles.
"I could kiss you PIX."
"I don't think Zane would approve." I chuckle at her response through the comms as Lloyd revs the car and we speed down the road.
"You all right up there Roberto? You sure you don't need your bike?"
"I'm all good. Besides, we need to concentrate on getting the runaway!" I yell through the wind, my other hand gripping onto the weapons loader.
Merging with the other traffic, although with sparks from the landing, I spot the bike several vehicles ahead of us, weaving throughout the cars and trucks.
"Who are we chasing?" I hear Lloyd's voice.
"He or she is not in our database."
"Whoever they are, they're good. We need backup." I speak up through the wind.
"All the others are on active missions through Ninjago. You two are on your own." PIXAL responds.
Weaving through traffic and dodging cars, we pursue the biker down a corner road that marks the end of the freeway since, for whatever reason, it was never finished.
"I got an idea!" I speak up.
"I don't like the sound of this but go on." Lloyd replies, the sound of his voice solidifying the fact.
"Get close so I can jump on the bike!"
"You're crazy."
"I'm still alive aren't I?"
Not hearing a response, I can only imagine Lloyd shaking his head in either slight amusement of my stunts, or in disappointment.
The biker launches over the gap, making it to the other road, and we follow, with my eyes concentrated on the escapee. Crashing down on the other side, I sigh in relief as we don't let runaway out of our sights.
As we drive alongside the culprit, I see the green outfit has been ditched, and in its place is something more menacing to the eye.
Black biker outfit, along with a dark helmet with a red visor. Glancing to the back of the massive bike, I spot what must be the item of interest on the back of the seat.
A red mask, although I can't make out what else is on it, just some white details.
Getting ready to jump, I steady myself against the whirling winds that emanates from our chase, until I catch sight of a hand movement on the furthest handle.
Uh oh...
As the bike skids to a stop, I set myself back down and hold onto the weapon's loader once again, this time for dear life, before I see Lloyd doing the same, yanking up the handbrake and performing a U-turn before we're facing the bike head-on.
We're not... going to play chicken... are we?
After a few revs of the Nightcrawler, my dread is realized as we both race toward each other. Shivers snake their way down my spine as the bike rides ever closer, two arm-like structures on either side of the vehicle rising up to set themselves facing us.
My eyes widen as we race toward each other, before the arm attachments smash into the tarmac and send the bike into the air, much to our surprise. I look up at the bike with wide eyes prior to the feeling of Lloyd maneuvering the car like last time before I catch sight of the biker soaring above toward the canal.
Jumping from the car, I land on the concrete with bended legs, and run toward the railing, with my brother in hot pursuit. Reaching the barrier between us and the river, the parachute opens up and leaves us with wide eyes.
That symbol...
"Lloyd... is that...?"
Glancing to my brother, he's staring at the symbol with wide eyes before he takes his hood off, still not replying to my question, although I'm pretty sure I know the answer. He glances at me with a confused and an honestly worried expression until we hear PIXAL's voice.
"Master Lloyd. Master Roberto. Are you two all right? Are you there?"
"Yeah, we're here." Answers Lloyd, turning his back to the canal and pressing his finger to his communicator. "It's time to get the team back."
Looking toward the bridge, I see the culprit disappear on a boat, with that mysterious mask in their hand.
Who was that?
Three days later, Lloyd and I are walking the hallways of Borg Tower, toward the doors which lead into the room that was raided by the ninja copycats.
"It's been a while eh bro?"
"Yeah it has." Lloyd answers, as he opens the double doors.
Inside, I see the ninja, all wearing new uniforms, along with the hole in the glass from the break-in.
"There they are." Kai chuckles, fist-bumping Lloyd and myself. "You're late."
"Kai was late too, if it is any consolation." Zane smiles, while the fire ninja shakes his head with his hands on his hips.
"Thanks for meeting us here. It's been a while since we've been under one roof." Lloyd says, with Nya giggling as he finishes his sentence.
"What?" he asks.
"Are we going to talk about it?" snickers Jay, his hands around Nya's and Cole's shoulders.
"Talk about what?"
"Your voice. It's..." Cole starts.
"Lower." Zane says in a deeper tone.
"Also, Roberto. Your eyes are different. As if to represent your powers." Nya chips in.
"Yeah, it's going to take a while to get used to it, I guess." I smirk.
"Looks like both our little ninja are growing up." Kai chuckles, ruffling Lloyd's head and ruffling my hair afterwards, causing me to wince in laughter.
"Leave them alone." Nya sighs, a small smile on her face. "Any word from your mother?"
"Not since she went searching for Master Wu. We don't know where she is."
"She'll come back, Lloyd. And so will Wu."
"Not everyone comes back Cole." I say with a slightly defeated tone. "But that's not why we called you."
"We called you because of this." Lloyd continues, pulling out a tablet with the same symbol from the parachute.
"Your father? Lord Garmadon?" Cole exclaims, his hazel eyes widening.
"After poking around, we learned that it's the symbol to-"
"The Sons of Garmadon. The mysterious criminal syndicate growing in prominence in Ninjago City." Zane explains.
"Seventy-two hours ago, they stole a powerful relic from Cyrus Borg. Some mask-" I start.
"Not some mask. The Oni Mask. There are only three in existence." A person, dressed in a green outfit with gold details steps from behind a glass cabinet which contains some statue of a golden king.
"Woah, woah, woah. I'm confused." Jay says, stepping forward. "How can there be three masks when you just said, it's the only mask?"
"Not only Jay. Oni" Nya answers.
"The Oni are all powerful beings. Demon that predate Ninjago." Zane explains.
Demons? Really?
"Each mask embodies one of the three Oni warlords. If all three masks are united, whomever owns them will wield tremendous power." The stranger continues, looking at a mime mask.
"Ninja, this is Mr. Hutchins. Master at Arms and Council to The Royal Family. I've asked him here."
"The Royal Family?" asks Kai, his voice tinged with surprise.
"Wait, there's a Royal Family? How come I've never heard of them?" I ask, a hint of bitterness in my voice.
"Apologizes if you aren't familiar. They honor their privacy, as they do the safety of Ninjago." Hutchins explains with a narrowed eye.
"Let me guess; they have a mask to?" Cole inquires.
"Two? Now there's two?" Jay chips up, only to have his mouth shut by Nya's hand.
"The Emperor will be delivering a public speech tomorrow, and I'm worried the Sons of Garmadon may try to steal the mask. We could use your assistance. That is, if you can keep a low profile." Hutchins clarifies.
"We are ninja." Zane says, stepping forward and switching from his titanium from to his 'human' form. "No-one will know we are there."
"Just let us know where, and when." Lloyd smiles, bowing to Hutchins.
The day of the speech comes like a breeze, and for now, I'm currently standing on the roof below the entrance to the Royal Palace near Kai and Jay. The sword strapped to my back feels weighty as I look over the semi-crowded area, listening, but at the same time not really listening to the Emperor's speech.
"As many of you know, my family has kept a quiet life. We aren't interested in meddling with current affairs. But as crime has risen, so has our concern. So, it is time to step out of the shadows, and into the light."
"I don't like this one bit. If the Royal Family likes their privacy, why give such a big speech?" asks Nya through the communicator, as I spot her walking within the crowd of cameras and people.
"I think it's nice. They're reaching out to the people." Jay notes.
"Why all the hate sis? You just don't like getting gussied up." Kai remarks, and I can hear the smile in his voice.
"All that gold and glitter is for show. The Royal Family are figureheads. They don't have any real power. What purpose do they have?" Nya asks spitefully.
"Their purpose is to be protected. As do all our traditions. I believe Master Lloyd has spotted something of interest." Zane answers, before I notice him looking at my brother, who is also looking at something... or someone?
Glancing toward where my brother is looking, I see just why Lloyd isn't looking anywhere else, but for me, I raise an eyebrow in wonder.
"Who's that?" I murmur.
"Looks like he's got an eye for the Princess." Kai smirks.
"I guess green is her favorite colour." Jay jokes.
"You do realize I can hear you right?" Lloyd asks, his voice not giving away anything of what Kai and Jay were joking about. "The Emperor's almost finished. Let's just do our job."
"And always stay united." The Emperor declares, standing at his podium.
"Be on the lookout. I got a bad feeling about this." I speak into the communicator, chills going down my spine.
Seeing the ninja all spread out and be on their guards, I scan the area for any sign of wrongdoing, only to not find anything, but that doesn't deter me.
"I see it!" Lloyd exclaims, and I notice what he spots: a blue balloon with the Sons of Garmadon logo.
In that instant, everyone begins to panic, for sounds like gunshots begin to ring out through the street. Lloyd instantly runs to tackle the princess and the Empress, while Hutchins tackles the Emperor.
Jumping from the roof, I backflip and blast two beams of Energy at both parties, landing with bended knee and protecting the five with domes of Energy.
"Thanks brother." Lloyd acknowledges. "Is the threat clear?" he asks into the communicator.
"Firecrackers. False alarm." Nya replies.
Phew. Could've been something a lot worse.
Letting the Energy domes fade away, the Emperor and Empress lead the princess away through the double doors, while Hutchins stays behind to talk with us.
I back up and line with my brother, with the others jump down from the roof and Nya walks toward us.
"You protected The Royal Family. You have their gratitude. You are invited to be their guests in the Palace." Informs Hutchins as we all remove our hoods and exchange excited glances between ourselves.
"No-one ever gets invited into the Palace. Are you sure they meant us?" questions Jay, his voice filled with happiness and joy.
"It's just a palace. Once you've seen one, you've seen them all." Nya mumbles to herself, and I can hear the bitterness in her voice.
"We'd be honored." Lloyd bows.
Later that night, we're standing at the doors to the Royal Palace, with Hutchins in front of us, before he opens the giant double doors.
"Welcome to the Royal Palace. Also known as the Palace of Secrets." The Royal Guard explains, as we all start walking inside.
"Oooh. Why is it called the Palace of Secrets?" asks the Fire ninja.
"If I were to tell you that, it wouldn't be much of a secret now, would it?" I overhear Hutchins's reply, before he shuts the door... a little too hard.
Cole chuckles in awe as we walk down the giant room, filled with gold tapestry, fancy lights hanging from the ceiling and red pillars dotted around the sides of the room with gold carvings sketched into them.
"Oh my, this is amazing. I've never seen anything like this." I remark with wide eyes as I glance at everything, eventually landing on Nya, who is in front of me.
It's no secret that I have a crush on the Master of Water, and although Nya doesn't seem to mind, both Jay and Kai have warned me about getting too close to her.
"I already feel royal." Jay speaks up.
"It's beautiful." I hear Zane chirp.
"Yeah, I could really get used to living in a place like this." Cole says.
"Well don't. We're only here as guests. Then back to protecting Ninjago." Lloyd reminds us, causing me to narrow my eyes and stick out my tongue.
Spoilsport.
"Too much gold in my opinion." I hear Nya scoff, as Hutchins opens the following door, and bowing.
"I present to you, the exalted Emperor and Empress of Ninjago, and their daughter, the Jade Princess, Princess Harumi."
My eyes meet the Princess's, and a smile unconsciously work its way onto my lips, and she returns the smile, albeit slightly.
So, she's who my brother was staring at before... She is cute...
Walking into the throne room, I stand beside Lloyd and Nya and follow the others in bowing to the higher powers, nudging Nya to bow as she, for whatever reason, doesn't bow.
"We are honored by your presence." The Emperor says, his wife, Harumi and himself bowing in return for our presence.
"The honor, is all ours." Lloyd replies.
"I have read much about you. Your heroics will surely become legend." The Jade Princess speaks up, stepping down the steps and gesturing us to rise.
"Kai, the hothead who acts without question." She bows to the fire ninja once she walks to him, who returns her bow with a smile.
"Cole, the rock and foundation of the team."
"Jay, the joker whose mouth is as fast as lightning."
"Zane, the cold and calculating android."
"Nindriod, your Highness." Zane clarifies, switching to his titanium form after bowing.
"And Nya, the girl." Harumi starts, causing the Water ninja, who was about to bow in respect, to stop and glare at her with piercing eyes.
My eyebrows raise with curiosity and questioning before the Jade Princess speaks again.
"The girl I've wanted to be ever since I've first heard about her. With her mastery of water, and skill that could rival any master."
I smirk as Nya places a hand on her hip and smiles. "I like her."
The water ninja bows, before Harumi steps up to me and smiles a little wider than when we locked eyes.
"Roberto, the only ninja to be gifted with double elemental powers and the protective older brother."
Bowing to Her Highness, I straighten with a smile on my lips before she looks to my brother.
"And Master Lloyd, the Green Ninja. The youngest but most powerful protector. The Chosen One. I too have lost my parents, but we are not without family, hm?" She also glances at me while speaking.
Wait... what? What's she on about?
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Jay gesture toward the Empress and Emperor.
"We adopted Harumi and raised her on our own." The Empress starts.
"When her parents passed away." Her husband finishes, as Harumi returns to her previous place in front of the steps.
"Thank you for inviting us into your home." Lloyd says gratefully.
"It wasn't us. It was our daughter." The Emperor responds.
"And she would like you to stay with us, until the threat to our throne is over." The Empress adds.
"These are troubling times, and we as long we have an Oni Mask, we fear our lives are in jeopardy."
Harumi's expression then turns from happy, to serious as she looks at the seven of us.
"The masks must never be reunited. Please say yes."
We all look to my brother, who doesn't hesitate with his next words, or with bowing.
"Then you have our help."
"Great. Then Mr. Hutchins can show you the palace." Harumi smiles and gestures toward the Royal Guard.
"Yes!" I hear Cole say happily.
Heading out the now open door, I turn around to see the Jade Princess smiling at me. Or is it Lloyd? I can't tell.
"While you are in our service, you have full access to our complementary buffet. Anything you want is at your disposal." Hutchins explains, his hands behind his back as we follow him at a normal walking pace, my eyes fixated on a giant table stretching the small section of hallway. Its contents are luxurious and look delectable.
"Exotic fruits, assorted vegetables. Scones." He turns around to face us and goes back to walking again at the mention of scones. "And all you can eat... Cake."
"Ah, thank you, but I gave up sweets. My body is a temple." Cole says, as I hear my stomach growl softly, and thankfully, no-one hears at the mention of cake.
"Ever since Master Wu when missing, Cole has been a real party pooper!" Jay says in annoyance, and I smile in hearing.
"Party pooper?" Zane asks, not understanding the term obviously.
"I'll explain later." The lightning ninja whispers.
"The palace is equipped with secret passages to get anywhere fast." Hutchins says, leading us past bookshelves on either side of the hallway.
"Ah, so that's why they call it the Palace of Secrets." Kai chirps up, leaning toward the shelf to the right with ambition.
"Yes." Hutchins answers, turning to fully face us. "But as to the locations of this secret passages, only the Royal Family knows."
"Sure. You mean like right... here?" Kai whips out a random book, only for nothing to happen.
"Nope"
"Or here?"
A few more books are flung from their places and onto the wooden floorboards, while the six of us watch on in slight amusement.
"Not there." Hutchins says, walking in front of us with his hands behind his back.
"Or right here?"
"Nope"
"How about here?"
Kai.
"No."
"Or right here?"
"Wrong"
Hutchins, you're not helping...
I glance to Zane, who just returns the looks of confusion as more books are ripped from their residences.
"This is the big one!" Kai declares, tossing a column of books, only for the exact same thing to happen as before.
Nothing.
"No." is Hutchins' only response, looking down at the pile of books on the floor with distaste.
"We'll clean up after ourselves." Cole chuckles nervously, as Hutchins walk away with his back to us.
"Anyone else think there's something a little off about this guy?" Nya asks, her tone quiet and accusing.
"He's holding something back." Lloyd replies, his hand on his chin.
"Maybe, but also, the Royal Family, and by extension, himself have probably never had visitors." I chime in.
"Hmmm." Cole sighs, as we start to put the books away in their proper places.
After doing that, we all jog up to Hutchins, who isn't far away.
"And finally, the reason for your protection: The Mask of Deception." Hutchins declares, motioning to the glass cabinet in the center of the room to the right.
"Ew. A face only a mother could love." Kai says in disgust, walking up to the glass case. "Why would anyone want that?"
"That's up to us to find out." Lloyd announces, hands on his hips.
"That mask, it looks almost identical to the one Lloyd, and I saw when we were chasing the Sons of Garmadon." I say, as I glare with narrowed eyes at its painted face.
"Just being in the same room with it, gives me the heebie-jeebies." Jay mutters.
"If this is the Mask of Deception, what was stolen from Borg Industries?" asks Nya, turning to face Hutchins, and we all follow suit, turning to see what he has to say.
"The Mask of Vengeance."
"And who has the third one?" Cole inquires.
"No-one knows the location of the Mask of Hatred. But my sensors tell that it won't be lost for long." Zane answers.
"Zane is correct. Though no-one has found the third mask, it has given the Royal Family little resolve." Hutchins begins speaking, before I notice my brother sneaking away out of the corner of my eye.
Now where might he be going?
"The Royal Family have feared for their lives ever since they obtained it. It Is with great importance that the mask is not stolen, for we know dark forces are looking to acquire it. And that is why we need eyes on it at all times." Hutchins states firmly, just as I see Lloyd return with his hands near his chest.
"We're ninja. We're experts at this kind of thing." Kai declares, hands on his hips, while I cross my arms across my chest and match Hutchins' stare with narrowed eyes.
Later that night, I'm situated on the roof of the Palace, the night wind blowing through the hair. Kai and Nya are on the other side of the building, keeping an eye out for trouble. My katana, which is slung behind my back, feels light, compared to this morning during the Emperor's Speech.
Frowning a little, I look up at the skyscrapers and city lights in the city. Exhaling, I think back to what Nya said about the Royal Family, about how they're 'figureheads and don't have any real power.'
Yes, that's true, but also we must protect them, but only because they have an Oni mask. And how come I haven't heard about them prior to the theft of the Mask of Vengeance?
"Brother, come in."
Lloyd's voice cuts in above my thoughts, but his tone makes me frown in concern.
"Yeah, brother I come in. Everything all right?" I reply, placing my hand up to my communicator.
"No, it's the princess."
"What about her?"
"She's gone."