Ok guys, I'm going to try breaking each episode of Ninjago I watch in half. Be honest, guys. Do you want shorter chapters, but a longer story? Or do you want longer chapter,s and a shorter story?

Chapter 3 – Fire Beats Smoke

What seemed like the most desolate and dead land would not be able to sustain life…actually had a figure treading over its snow.

Walking over the snow of the tundra lands, with a raging blizzard, but not managing to slow the figure down…was Zane, but he was different.

Instead of the artificial skin that he used to wear to make him look human, now there wasn't a speck of skin to be found on him, but instead just titanium-like skin. And his eyes…his eyes would always glow a bright blue, twenty-four/seven.

But the way he looked was the least of his problems; Zane had not a clue as to where he could possibly be, for the falling snow fell to fast and strong for him to see anything. His only light source was the full moon's light that was trying to seep through some of the thick winter clouds above.

He continued to take a few more steps, and with each one he could hear and feel the snow crunch beneath his feet. But then he stopped, for he heard a terrible sound: CRACK!

There was nothing but darkness everywhere, but there was something in the black void. It was obviously a beast of some sort because there was growling echoing off the walls. And the creature was right to growl because not five seconds later did a huge patch of ice suddenly fall from above. A lot of powdery snow fell with the icy-platform, and the snow covered the human-shaped figure that originally caused the ice to fall. And from above where the figure fell, was a pale moonlight shining through the hole, illuminating the snow, the ice, and the figure's shiny, metal skin as his eyes glowed blue. When the figure stood, he heard the growling, and though he was reluctant to, Zane wanted to venture further into this dark, icy cavern.

But Zane stopped when he noticed something off…his right arm had come off during the fall; luckily he was not a real human being, so he just picked his arm up and screwed it back on into its 'socket'.

Once that was taken care of Zane looked down into the dark cave as the moonlight illuminated the icy walls beautifully. But he knew he looked a little too far down when he saw two blue orbs, and he knew those orbs could only be one thing: eyes.

The beast that was growling moments ago, and the owner of the glowing blue eyes was a dragon. This dragon looked like a ghost; it was almost transparent, yet it had a silver-ish, blue aura to its scales. And not only that but this dragon looked…really, really familiar to Zane.

But knowing whether or not that Zane has seen this dragon was the least of his problems as he noticed that this huge, ghost-like dragon was getting closer. So the titanium ninja started to back up in fear, but it wasn't long before his back was against the wall.

Even if he did notice the fact that this dragon was wearing a shackle around its neck with chains attached to restrain the beast, Zane knew the chains were short enough to keep the dragon from reaching him. So Zane looked around in panic, but soon he found the hole in which he fell down from above. And not only was the hole still there but so was…a falcon?

"Zane! Zane, are you there?! If you can hear me, you need to WAKE UP! WAKE UP!"

Zane opened his blue-glowing eyes groggily, and he was gasping for breath, despite him being a robot.

Zane was no longer in the tundra lands, he was still chained in a cell on Chen's island. For the event with the dragon was…

"…only a dream," Zane sighed.

"I think that it is absolutely amazing that you can dream…I-I've always wondered what it's like…though, you always were very special."

"Where am I?" Zane questioned, ignoring the feminine voice he heard in the room; the room above and his cell only being divided by a high up and barred hole.

"And…who are you?"

"I'm…I'm P.I.X.A.L., a friend. But you're in danger, and you have to get out. Look, your memory drive is unfortunately out of source, and your elemental powers-!"

"Elemental powers?" Zane asked as he looked around and noticed the shackles chained to both of his wrists, and so he started to pull on them.

"You are a Nindroid, Zane! A ninja! And your friends are here on this island, to save you…but they're having trouble! You NEED to remember, Zane! Remember who you are!"

"Friends…?"

"Remember, Zane! You saved them, and you were rebuilt…there are still things that you have yet to understand about yourself alone…but if we're ever going to have a chance of escaping, you have to remember."

But then something hit Zane, and he smiled.

"P.I.X.A.L….we are compatible."

"Yes, Zane! Very good, you're remembering…and yes, we ARE compatible."

Down in a secret cave that was Nya's hideout, she was underneath the 'updating' Destiny's Bounty while Wu was standing by.

"I mean, sure, Jay's funny, cute and he always makes me laugh, but…he can be such an ass sometimes when he never takes me seriously," Nya complained as she was working on the Bounty…but also managing to put to sleep as the old man used his staff for support.

"More light, please!"

Nya said louder, and Wu woke up with a snort and switched on the flashlight that he was originally holding in his hand.

"R-right…never takes you seriously," Wu yawned.

"But then there's Cole; handsome, true, and I guess I can connect with him on a much deeper level, but…everything's just a little TOO serious with him. Ya know what I mean? Socket-wrench."

Wu grabbed the requested tool and handed it to the complaining woman.

"Younger emotions can be VERY complicated," Wu pointed out.

"Uh, Sensei...these are needle-nose pliers. I asked for a socket-wrench," Nya said as she realized that she was handed the wrong tool and held it back up for Wu to take back, "and would it kill you to just imply some wisdom?"

"N-no, I wouldn't…but I'm not going to stick my finger into that beehive," Wu protested, but then he looked up and noticed Misako walking in, "any word, Misako?"

"Sadly, no," Misako sighed, "oh, it's been days. There hasn't been a trace of any communication with Garmadon or the ninja…I'm starting to get really worried."

"We're all feeling the worry that haunts you, Misako. So I say you step up on our search," Wu said firmly.

"Well, it's a good thing I made a second mobile base in case Destiny's Bounty was out of the question," Nya cut in as she walked up to one of her computer monitors, and she pressed a button that operated a panel in the center circle.

Rising up on the center-circle was a brand new vehicle. It was like a huge, bulky, elongated and very 'unique' army tank, and its paint was black and dark red.

"It's called The DV-Express…NOT married to the name," Nya announced, but the last part was nervously.

"Be safe, Nya," Misako blessed softly.

"You never need to worry about me!" Nya said with a grin as she started the engine for the DV and drove out of the secret base.

"Hmm…wherever they may be, at least my brother is there to be their guide," Wu reassured.

"This is my husband we're talking about…that's what worry's me."

The sun was rising over all of Ninjago, and that included Chen's island.

Inside of Chen's temple, the ninja, Garmadon and the other Elemental Masters were all in a line grabbing breakfast.

"Next!" the man(who was also tattooed like the rest of Chen's cronies)at the buffet called, and next in line was Lloyd and Garmadon.

"Like I'm givin' you shit," the man growled at Garmadon.

"Now Son, there's a lesson here to be learned: turn your back on your evil sensei, and you might not be served creamy biscuits," Garmadon whispered to Lloyd, and just walked off with what little food on his tray to find a booth.

"Well, we're being served one thing, and that's sh-."

"Don't say it, Lloyd. We get it," Kate interrupted.

"But you all get my point. This was never a fighting tournament to begin with; it was just some alibi meant to help Chen steal everyone's powers," Lloyd continued to rant in a hushed voice, "but we still don't know why."

"Isn't it obvious? Chen clearly wants that kind of power to destroy and take something," Kai guessed.

"I highly doubt that. From what Garmadon's told us—it sounds like Chen has much bigger plans," Cole added with fear.

"Need I remind you all that we STILL don't know where Zane is?" Jay questioned angrily as the rest of them left the buffet with their trays of food to find where Garmadon went…but there was something else about Jay that made Cole look at him in shock.

"Jay…why are you still in pajamas?" Cole asked with concern.

"Hey, it's my day off!"

"What the hell is wrong with you? 'It's my day off'," Cole mocked Jay angrily.

"Whatever you two have to say to each other, put a sock in it. Keep in mind that holding grudges only hurts yourself," Garmadon growled as the Masters of Earth and Lightning finally got to the booth and sat down.

"He's right. The only ones we're fighting are our opponents, not each other!" Lloyd added.

"Who said I was holding a grudge? I-I already dropped the grudge," Cole lied.

"Yeah? Well, I dropped it first!" Jay protested, only causing the two to get at each others' throats again…and accidentally spill their trays.

"Oh boy…this tournament will test us all, Lloyd. If they don't make peace, neither of them will move on," Garmadon sighed in disappointment as the bickering Cole and Jay.

But suddenly the sound of an air-horn pulled everyone's heads up, and that's when the P.A. system came on.

"The Tournament of Elements continues, whoo-pee! Would the next contestants please make their way to their assigned challenges: Speed, Gravity, Smoke, Nature, Mind. Oh! And last but hopefully not least…" Chen announced but then paused.

"What do ya know? We all get the day off," Jay added with a chuckled…but he jinxed it.

"FIRE!" Chen finished, making Kai gasp, "and remember: only ONE can remain."

The other Elemental Masters and Chen and Clouse were all gathered in the stone benches and stands of a challenge that took place on a steep and high up cliff.

Not too far from sight of the cliff was a beautiful and lonesome Cherry Blossom tree that grew out on the tip of a piece of cliff the jutted out like a sore thumb. And on the little piece with the tree was Gravis, Master of Gravity, and Griffin Turner, Master of Speed.

Their challenge was to see who could find the Jade Blade hidden within the hundreds of pink blooming branches in the tree.

Another challenge was between Bolobo, Master of Nature, and Neuro, Master of the Mind.

Their challenge took place is the middle of the huge and dark rock garden, where the gravel was swirled in beautiful patterns.

Their challenge was to see who could fight to get to the Jade Blade that was jammed into a huge boulder in the center of the garden.

And the final challenge: Kai, Master of Fire vs. Ash, Master of Smoke.

Their challenge took place over a boiling lake of lava, and the only thing connecting their sides of lands was an old, riggidy, wooden bridge. And in the middle of the swaying bridge was a Jade Blade.

Each of these three challenges were all being observed by Chen and Clouse, as well as the other Elemental Masters from their cliff top.

Some of Chen's minions were either banging against drums or chanting while Chen himself was clapping and laughing like a demented child.

"Turner, Master of Speed vs. Gravis, Master of Gravity!" Chen announced as the two said contestants didn't need to wait long with anticipation for Chen's signal, "FIGHT!"

And with that, the two were making their own way to the Cherry Blossom tree.

Gravis used his gravity-manipulation powers while Turner used his unnatural, super speed.

The two Elemental Masters were either floating or racing through the disorienting branches of the tree that chose a really weird place to grow. And every time they moved around, they knocked off many beautiful petals.

Meanwhile, Bolobo and Neuro were still awaiting Chen's command.

"Neuro, Master of thee Mind vs. Bolobo, Master of Nature! FIGHT!"

It wasn't long before the Masters of the Mind and Nature were starting the challenge.

Neuro clasped both his hands to the side of his head and shut his eyes tight while Bolobo held his nature staff tightly in his fists.

But Lloyd wasn't liking what he was seeing.

"How can anyone call THIS a fight?!" Lloyd asked angrily and loudly over some of the chanting, banging drums and cheers.

"Just be patient," Garmadon growled, and so Lloyd waited for what his father was talking about.

Neuro concentrated his brain waves towards Bolobo, and as he did, he read the Nature Master's very mind; thus being able to see and predict Bolobo's next moves, attacks, even thoughts.

What Neuro saw was that Bolobo was going to attempt to produce many rapidly growing vines that would surround him. So when that actually did happen, Neuro was already a step ahead when he jumped up as he used the growing vines to quickly reach the top of the boulder.

But Bolobo wasn't having it. The Nature Master growled like a barbarian as he banged his staff onto the gravel, and with one loud thud, more vines began to grow, but they grew up from underneath Bolobo. So the new vines were also pushing up to the top of the rock.

Just like the first two challenges, Kai and Ash were still waiting for Chen.

"Kai, Master of Fire vs. Ash, Master of Smoke—FIGHT!"

But before Kai went on, he pulled up his red ninja mask that covered the lower half of his voice. But still, he wasted no time in going against Ash.

Soon, the Fire Master started to sprint onto and across the bridge, but Ash then jumped harshly onto his end of the bridge; causing huge waves to travel through the whole bridge, and also stopping Kai. The said Master of Fire accidentally lost his footing, and since the bridge had no railing, he grasped the edge of the bridge with one hand before he could fall to a lava-lake demise.

The waves not only caused Kai to fall off, but also the Jade Blade, but it luckily fell onto a rock sticking out of the lava below. But the Jade Blade being even closer to the lave was the least of Kai's problems as Ash started to run out on the bridge too.

"C'mon Kai, you've got this," Lloyd pleaded to himself.

Just when Ash was a quarter across the bridge, Kai used all the strength in his back and legs to swing and kick his way up and through the bridge. Kai then attempted to fall down onto Ash, but the said Master of Smoke only turned into intangible smoke again to dodge Kai.

But the two didn't remain down for long when they turned around and glared at each other. But when Kai went to go and try to hit Ash again, Ash only turned into smoke, and it just kept going every time.

But soon, Ash had had enough when he managed to land a punch to Kai chest, sending the Master of Fire hurtling back into the bridge and even breaking the thick wood planks. So Kai held on for dear life while the lava boiled not far beneath him.

And the whole time, Chen was enjoying this.

Bolobo and Neuro were still at it when Bolobo finally caught up to Neuro, and this time Neuro didn't predict Bolobo's next move, so he was left helpless when Bolobo made yet another patch of strong vines come up as they wrapped themselves around Neuro…but the Mind Master wasn't done yet.

Neuro viciously ripped the vines, and then he punched Bolobo right back down to square one. And soon, Neuro used his brain waves on Bolobo again.

"You should NEVER underestimate the power of the mind," Garmadon told Lloyd.

"Who said I ever did?" Kate asked with wonder, awaiting what would happen next.

"But last time I checked, nature always wins," Lloyd added with a grin.

Maybe Lloyd was right, but that didn't end the fight wasn't over yet.

Bolobo once again grew another patch of vines, and this time, Neuro didn't see it coming as the vines wrapped viciously around Neuro's shoulders and torso.

Meanwhile, Gravis and Turner's little showdown was still going on too as the two were STILL searching through the blossoms and branches for the Jade Blade. But they were also trying to slow each other down.

Sometimes, whenever Gravis would come floating through, Turner would come sprinting out of nowhere and knock Gravis back against another branch. But Gravis wasn't going to made a fool, for when Turner was busy laughing, Gravis used his powers to pull on a branch and then release it, slapping Turner back.

And the childish fight of slapping each other with branches only continued. And Turner somehow managed to let himself get attacked by…flying blossoms.

Kai was still hanging by the rope edge of the bridge that was now broken, but Kai knew how to get back up.

"NINJA-GO!"

Kai used his fiery Spinjitzu as he flew back up and onto parts of the bridge that were NOT broken yet. And the fight continued from there.

"C'mon, Kai!" Kate pleaded.

"Use your fire!" Lloyd added.

"FIRE!" Kai cried as he shot missiles of fire from his fists at Ash. But of course, Ash only turned to smoke and ashes every time to dodge the fire.

Bolobo was struggling, not as much as Neuro, but still struggling to think as to what he should do; he has Neuro in his grasp, but if he suddenly leaves to get the Jade Blade, Neuro would be free and Bolobo was not going to take that chance.

But then Bolobo had it. He laughed at poor Neuro as he created another large vine to reach up and retrieve the blade for him…but Neuro had had enough.

He managed to break his arms free, and he sent more brain waves towards Bolobo again, but these waves were different. These waves didn't just read Bolobo's mind, but they also hurt it.

And while Bolobo was grasping his head and grunting in pain, the vines around Neuro let go and loosened, and Neuro took that chance to get back to retrieving the Jade Blade.

And it was a victory for Neuro as Bolobo remained helplessly with a migraine, and so Neuro grabbed the Jade Blade and held it up high.

"The winner: Neuro! And the Loser—Bolobo!" Chen announced as he pressed a button on the panel built into his throne, and a trap-door below Bolobo opened, and the Nature Master dropped down, down, down.

"The Master of the Mind moves on!" Chen added.

Turner and Gravis had given up their child's play and had gotten back to looking for the Jade Blade. But it wasn't long before Gravis FINALLY found the hidden blade. So the Master of Gravity used his powers to levitate the blade to him, but…

Turner came out of nowhere and grabbed the floating Jade Blade.

"The winner and the one that moves on: Griffin Turner! And the loser—Gravis!" Chen called as he pressed another button…but do to the fact that Gravis was the Master of Gravity, he didn't fall down since he was still floating.

But Chen didn't give up easily; he only pressed another button, and that dropped a sand-bag from…the tree…and when the bag hit Gravis, he then fell into the caverns below.

"How many buttons does that fuck-nut have?" Turner questioned as he had no idea there were trap-doors out on this cliff or sand-bags in trees in the first place…well, now ya know.

Meanwhile, Ash and Kai were still going at it: Ash turning to smoke to doge each of Kai's fire attacks flying towards him. But unfortunately, after Ash turned to smoke to dodge another fire ball, it accidentally lit the other half of the bridge on fire!

And from atop the cliff in which everyone was watching the fight, Clouse thought he'd take matters into his own dark magic-wielding hands, but that was when Chen fiercely grabbed Clouse's arm and stopped him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? I wanna see where this is going to go," Chen hissed, and Clouse only rolled his eyes at his master.

Back with the fight between the Masters of Smoke and Fire, Ash turned to smoke to fly across a large gap to get to Kai, and when he reached him, Ash took Kai in a choke hold. But the fire ninja wasn't down yet; Kai shot another fire ball at the weakest point in the middle of the bridge, and so the bridge finally broke with the Elemental Masters still on it.

But luckily, the two men managed to land on to separate rocks directly across from each other, and smack-dab in the middle of them, wedged in a rock, was the Jade Blade.

So Ash and Kai jumped up to the middle rock and started fighting each other in mid-air, only for their hits to send them both back again. But then Ash jumped over to Kai's rock, and tried to push him off, only for Kai to catch him in time. Now they were budding heads like deer.

But then Ash had an idea; he turned to smoke again to fly over to the center rock and get the blade, but that only opened a door fir Kai. The said fire ninja then jumped through Ash's intangible smoke body and he pulled the blade out of the rock, and landed on a rock on the other side.

The challenge was over.

"Winner: Kai!" Chen called, and the ones cheering the loudest were the ninja and Garmadon…even Skylar was jumping for joy.

"Kai moves on, but Ash—you're OUT!" Chen called, as he pressed yet another button, activating a trap-door that was placed directly under Ash. So like Gravis and Bolobo, Ash fell down into the mysterious caverns below.

And since Kai knew what was down there, despite that it was his victory, he regretted it.

Chen was sitting in his throne in the throne room with Clouse by his side, as his Kabuki danced gracefully around the room with large, colorful paper fans.

"Master, we know the intruders were who snuck in that night, and yet, we let them move on. Please, let me use my magic to put an end to them," Chen growled as his hand was engulfed in a dark purple, shadowy aura.

"Fear not, my student. You will get to use your precious powers—just not now. There are other ways for us to 'bring them down'. We'll be 'switching up' the competition," Chen said as he chuckled darkly.

And I think I need a little help guys. Star(not my OC, she's Kairocksrainbow's)is an Elemental Master, so it would make sense if she were to either compete or somehow get her powers stolen by Chen, right? My only problem is I don't know how I'm going to do that yet. So if someone has an idea as to who she could fight in a challenge, or something like that, do tell me your ideas.

Anyway, until the next chapter, I'm TRikiD, bye-bye!