Alex landed soundlessly on the balcony of her room.

"Where were you?"

Alex jumped and turned to Shade's balcony. "I was just. . . it's none of your business."

Shade crossed his arms. "No, but I'm sure Chen would love to hear that the ninja had a secret meeting."

"We didn't have a secret meeting," Alex lied smoothly. "I was out clearing my head."

"That's still against the rules. It's past nine," Shade said. "You'll be disqualified."

"Shade, like it or not, we're on the same team," Alex told him. "Like it or not, my powers might actually come in handy for whatever Master Chen has planned. If you turn me in, you're hurting our team and turning everyone against you."

"So?"

"So, I thought you wanted to win."

Shade glared at her for a moment. "Fine. I won't rat you out, but you owe me."

Alex leaned against the wall, glad it was dark enough that Shade couldn't see the worry on her face. In a completely confident voice she said, "All right. What would that be?"

"I'll let you know what the time comes," Shade said. Then he vanished.

Alex walked into her room and collapsed onto her bed. "I really hate him."

Nancy paced back and forth on her side of the room.

"I thought you said your insomnia was getting better," Echo said.

"Oh, did I say better?" Nancy asked. "I meant worse. I'll probably be awake for another twenty-four hours or so." She jumped onto her bed and sat cross-legged. "So. . . can I practice my powers on you until you fall asleep?"

Echo yawned. "Sure I guess." She laid down on her bed.

Nancy focused on Echo. The real world and the world of her subconscious blurred until they were one. Echo appeared in front of her.

"Wow," she said. "This place is beautiful. Where are we?"

"I don't really know," Nancy admitted. "I have memories that aren't mine buried in my subconscious. That's why they're always landscapes like this."

Echo studied the mountain. "I've seen this place before. It kind of looks like where Jimanikai Village is."

"Huh, so the memories are before people began settling," Nancy said to herself. "Interesting."

"Try changing the scenery," the Master of Storm suggested.

Nancy nodded and thought about a place she knew. The scene changed from the mountain to a large field of wildflowers. She stared at it, unable to believe it.

"What's wrong?" Echo asked.

"I. . . I thought of Ninjago City. This must've been what it was like before," she replied. "It was beautiful."

"Yeah, it was," Echo agreed.

Nancy clenched her fists. "How could someone just destroy something like this?" The scene changed as if a speed through time. The flowers were suddenly all dead with dirt plowed up.

"Nancy!" Echo gasped.

Nancy looked at herself. She was glowing dark purple. That was enough to shock her out of her anger and turn off her powers. Reality flooded back to her. "Oh my gosh!"

"What just happened?" Echo asked. It was silent for a minute. "Nancy?"

Nancy turned to Echo, her dark blue eyes glowing. "Sleep!" she commanded. Immediately Echo passed out and Nancy's eyes stopped glowing. She swallowed. "I don't like using that power," she said softly, "but it's better you think that was a dream." She pulled her knees up to her chest. "I wish it was a dream."

Cole laid on his bed, trying to find a comfortable position. He finally just sat up. "Maybe the floor is more comfortable."

There a soft laugh. "I heard you had a complaint."

Cole turned to where Joey suddenly appeared in his room. "Who told you?" he asked.

"Chen put me in charge of making sure everyone is comfortable in their rooms. I've been listening in since nine. Which reminds me," Joey said, "what exactly do you guys think you're doing?"

Cole didn't know how to respond, and he figured the stubborn teen wouldn't listen anyway. He kept his mouth shut and let Joey begin his rant.

"You have no idea what will happen if you get caught snooping around. If Master Chen asks, I have to tell him. I'd like to lie for you guys, but it's part of the stupid deal to pay back my father. The best thing you can do is just win the challenges."

Cole figured he was done and asked, "You really want us to trust Chen?"

Joey didn't respond for a long time. Then he replied, "I'm not asking you to trust him. I'm asking for you to trust me."

Cole looked down and then nodded. "All right, then you might want to get to the others before they get into trouble."

"I will," Joey said.

"Before you go, can you please do something about my bed?"

Joey shrugged. "Master Chen said if anyone had any problems to inform him before I fix it. You'll have to wait until tomorrow." He vanished.

Cole muttered under his breath and laid back down. "This stinks."

Caleb and Zane stood guard outside of the factory, dressed up like the other guards. The outfit was a little too big on Caleb, but he managed to look natural.

Zane looked back at the door, trying to will the others to hurry up.

Caleb spotted someone approaching. He jumped, seeing Chen walking towards them. He tapped Zane's arm in alarm.

Zane looked back. His eyes glued to Chen, he whispered to Caleb, "Just keep up the act."

Master Chen stopped when he reached them. "Well? Aren't you going to let me in?"

"For what reason, Master?" Zane asked.

Cocking his head in amusement with a smile, Chen let out a laugh. "I simply want to see how our guests are."

Zane, knowing that if he denied him at further that he would be found out, back out of the way and gave Caleb the signal to do the same.

Caleb looked down and moved.

Chen walked over, placing his hands on the door. He looked to Caleb and then Zane. "You two are dismissed for the night. Don't be here when I return." He walked inside.

Do we leave? Caleb asked.

Zane watched the door shut. "I guess we have to. We'll start down the corridor we came from and wait for Kai and Lloyd. Hopefully they don't get caught."

"Lucas," Kai said, walking over to the Master of Mind.

Lucas turned to him. "Please, I haven't don't anything wrong."

"If you have to know what we were talking about, it was work related," Lar added.

"Wow, that's just sad," Lloyd said. "You don't recognize your own brother."

Zoey looked over to them. "You're late," she stated. "Master Chen is about to come in."

"When did you have that vision?" Lar questioned. "You said you would tell us."

"I don't think you understand," Zoey decided. "No, you still have a lot to learn. My vision had nothing to do with us leaving. Oh, and we have five seconds now."

"Well, let's just ask what we came for," Kai said. "Are you guys all right?"

"We're fine, but Chen took our powers using some staff," Lucas said quickly. "So don't–" He stopped talking abruptly as the doors swung open.

Master Chen immediately walked over to the five. "Don't tell me you three got in trouble already!"

"We didn't do anything wrong," Lucas said in a harsh tone.

"It was a misunderstanding," Zoey corrected, moving between Lucas and Chen. She made a small bow.

"Well!" Chen said, turning to Kai and Lloyd. "If it was a misunderstanding, maybe it was a bad idea putting you on night shift. Dismissed!" He turned away, waving his hand.

Kai and Lloyd exchanged looks.

Chen, clearly irritated, turned back to them. "Get out!" he snapped.

Kai and Lloyd both obeyed, hurrying out of the factory.

Master Chen then looked to the three who had begun staring at him. "Don't just stand there! Work!"

All three turned their attention back to what they were doing.

Chen lightly placed his hand on Zoey's shoulder for a brief second. Zoey tensed and her eyes turned white. Images passed through both of their heads and then they were gone. Chen headed back out.

Zoey looked down at the machinery as her eyes turned back to normal. "Joey, you sneaky trickster. You scared me half to death."