A/N: New Ninjago Stroy, had help with my co-writer HarryBuilder for helping me make this, enjoy this first chapter.
At the Jamonikai Village, an old man with a rice hat, white robes, a long white beard and holding a bamboo staff, walked across the street.
The Children's Shelter orphanage there was an auburn haired girl with her hair combed back and braided into a ponytail, wearing a purple t-shirt, white skirt with skin tight shorts up to her thighs underneath, black sneakers and lavender socks and was packing up some toys into a box.
Once she was done she lifted up the box and quietly made her way across the room, she looked down and saw laying on the floor were little kids, sleeping peaceful, and smiled, "Sleep well little devils." She mused hush before tip-toeing the closest which was pitch black but she managed to find her way around it like it was broad daylight.
Once done, she dusts off her hands and walks toward the counter, where she sees two women preparing some food. One woman had short black hair with curls, a red jacket and orange shirt and brown long pants while the other had long black hair in a ponytail, a white button-up shirt, blue jeans.
The ponytail haired girl turned to the girl with a smile, "Toys away?" She asked.
"Like you need to ask." The girl asked with a shrug, "So what are you and Nao making for lunch today?" She asked while leaning on the counter.
"Peanut butter and jellies," The short haired woman, Nao answered, "And later, Susan is making some blueberry muffins."
Susan turned to the girl with a sheepish expression, "Which is why, Lydie, I was hoping if you could…" She tried to ask but Lydie's frown told her what she was going to say.
"Forget it." Lydie stated as she got up and walked.
Nao turned to Lydie, "Now sweetie, we know that you don't like going out in public." She said.
Lydie scoffed, "More like the public doesn't like me." She said while crossing her arms.
"Yes, but only because they don't know you like we do." Susan said, walking up to Lydie with a smile, "You just need the chance to show them what's in here." She pointed to her heart.
"And this errand is for the kids." Nao reminded her, "Don't they deserve it?"
Lydie frowned in confliction before sighing in exasperation, "I'll be back in a few minutes." She said.
"There's our little niece." Susan smiled as she kissed her cheek.
Lydie then walked out of the shelter, grabbed her bag, put on her helmet and gear, put on her skates and headed out.
Ever since she was a baby, she was raised in the orphanage but was never asked to be adopted by anyone. As she grew older and past the age of adoption, Nao and Susan decided to raise her as their niece and over the years, Lydie had been a great helper to them and the orphans, whether it was with adoption interviews, taking care of the kids or cleaning up, though sometimes she wish that she knew her birth family and why they give up on her.
She never understood why but there was always something about her that made people afraid or distrustful of her, she was at least grateful that the children of Jamonikai liked her. Some of the adults would call her strange for roller skating at night, thinking it was being stupid but for Lydie she always felt welcomed in the dark.
She eventually reached the fruit stand and looked through options before finding what she was looking for, "I'll take one small full basket of those," She said to the vendor but he immediately pulled them out of her reach.
"Sorry, no can do." The vendor answered.
"Why not?" Lydie asked with a brow.
"I'm afraid I sell these to only, respected villagers." He answered snidely.
Lydie growled and was about to retort when a new voice spoke up, "Excuse me good sir, but I believe this young lady asked you for some berries," The two turned to see an old man with a long white beard and hat and holding a staff approached, "And as a good salesman, you are compelled to give her what she wishes." He advised.
"Really? And what makes you think I would do that, old man?" The vendor questioned rudely.
The old man simply scoffed. "You should respect your customers and your elders." He said before he bonked him on the head and flipped the berry basket into the air. "It may cost you dearly." He then caught the basket and then, faster than you could blink, he moved to catch the berries that had flown out effortlessly.
Lydie stared at him in awe, "Whoa." She said before the man offered the berries to her.
"I believe you requested these." The old man politely said.
Lydie accepted the basket as she gave the old man a grateful smile. "Y-Yeah, Thanks pal." She said gratefully.
The vendor, after recovering, glared at the old man, "Hey, you're supposed to pay for those!" He said.
The old man gave him a dull look, "A person like you unwilling to share his produce with someone simply because of who they are is unworthy of payment." He was insulted.
The vendor snarled and drew a blade, "I'll make you eat those words, you geezer!" He yelled and then charged at the man but he effortlessly dodged, "What the?!"
"Your form is slow and undisciplined. Sloppy as well in the art of fighting." The old man stated calmly.
"I'll show you sloppy!" The vendor swung his knife again and again but the older man kept dodging before he got behind the vendor and pushed him onto the ground with his staff.
"Your anger blinds you, you believe it's what gives you strength but in the end, it is what weakens you." The man continued as he walked around the down vendor.
The vendor growled in anger, shocked by how this old man was making a joke out of him before he glanced at Lydie, who was too amazed by the fight to notice him. He smirked, getting an idea, "Oh, yeah well what about her?!" He then charged at Lydie who just realized what was happening in time to see the knife coming at her.
"Whoa!" She yelped dodging the knife by leaning back but it caused her to become unbalanced and fall to the ground.
The vendor stood over her, "You can either give me your money or I'll take it with your hand." He demanded.
Lydie scooted back in fear as the Vendor raised his knife, but just when he was about to strike, "NINJA-GO!" The vendor was suddenly swept up in a golden and white sparkling tornado that came in out of nowhere.
"Aaaahhhhh!" The vendor screamed as he was inside the golden white tornado as he then felt multiple punches and kicks as the tornado stopped and revealed the old man spinning a bit before stopping on top of the vendor. "W-what?! H-how did you…?!" He questioned in disbelief.
The old man then yelled and struck the vendor in the face with his staff, knocking him to the floor and kicking his knife away. The vendor looked up to see the old man pointing his staff to his face, "Anger, arrogance and dishonor. These three are what I exploited to cease victory, do you yield?" He questioned with a glare.
The vendor flinched when he saw the old man's glare and staff in front of him as he raised his hand. "Okay, okay you win! I give up, I give up!" He pleaded.
"Good." The old man said as he got off the vendor, "Now, run along before I rethink my mercy." He ordered.
The vendor didn't need to be told twice as he quickly got to his feet and ran off, leaving his stand behind while also wanting to get as far away from the old man as possible.
The old man then walked up to Lydie, who was shocked at what she saw. "Whoa. That was amazing." She said in awe as she saw the man offering his hand and she took it while standing back up. "How did you do that Twister-itzu, or Torna-su, or?
"Spinjitzu." The old man corrected. "An ancient martial art where one moves so fast, their actions become a tornado and in the center lies a powerful weapon and that weapon is a true warrior." He explained while stroking his beard.
"How come I never heard of it before?" Lydie asked in interest.
"Very few have known of its existence while those must insure it is never lost to the Sands of time." The old man said. "But little do people realize that this technique is much more important than they could ever hope to believe."
"Why, what's so important about a move that turns you into a tornado?" Lydie asked curiously.
The man turned to her, "What's so important? Practically all of Ninjago itself." He said before he began telling a story.
[Flashback]
A man in a rice hat and black robes was doing some stances as around him mountains rose, forests grew, rivers ran and clouds formed in the skies above.
"Long before time had a name, Ninago was created by the First Spinjitzu Master using the four Golden Weapons of Spinjitzu." The man said.
Flying over the man's head were four weapons of gold, with dragons heads carved into them. Each weapon carries an elemental aura.
"The Scythe of Quakes, the Nunchucks of Lighting, The Shurikens of Ice, and the Sword of Fire." The old man continued as the weapons then started circling around a person trying to wield them. "weapons so powerful, no mortal being could handle all their power at once." The man continued as the person surrounded by the weapons was immediately destroyed by the sheer power of the weapons.
The man then stood before two younger men dressed in robes as well, one blonde and the dark auburn. "When he passed on, his two sons swore to protect the four weapons. But the oldest was consumed by darkness, and wanted to possess them to remake Ninjago in his own dark image." He revealed.
And then the auburn boy turned dark with red eyes as he battled his younger brother with dark clouds as they clashed. "A battle between brothers broke out, and the oldest was struck down and banished to the Underworld." The man explained as the white boy struck his brother down as he fell into a deep, dark hole as his appearance changed with a ribcage-like marking on his chest and a helmet.
And then sometime later, the blond boy was sitting in a meditative spot as he meditated before hiding one of the Golden Weapons in a cave with a shadow of a creature appearing behind the cave's entrance. "Peace returned, and the younger brother hid the weapons. But knowing his older brother's relentless ambition for power, he placed a guardian to protect them."
Later he painted a map to each of the weapons before handing it to another man to hide and protect. "And for fear of his own demise, a map for an honest man to hide." The man finished.
[End of Flashback]
As the story finished Lydie looked amazed, "Whoa." She breathed out before looking at the old man in confusion, "But wait, how do you know all this?"
"Because, it was I who banished Lord Garmadon and hid the four weapons." The old man answered, "And now I fear I must find them again."
Lydie gave wide-eyes at the old man. "You're the younger brother? You came here looking for the map?" She asked in surprise.
"No, the map was already taken from another village but even if it weren't, it is not what I came for," he answered before turning to Lydie, "Instead, I came for something even greater: you."
"Me?" Lydie asked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Since my brother can not enter this realm, he will find another way to claim the weapons." The man started as he started walking around. "If he were to collect all four weapons, even I would not be able to stop him again."
He then turned around and pointed to Lydie, "But you, you have a great power inside as vast as the black night sky. I would train you to harness it, use it, and become a Spinjitzu Master." He announced as he tapped his staff on Lydie's shoulder.
Lydie looked unconvinced as she brushed off his staff, "Look, I'm flattered that someone finally sees me as something other than something to be scared of, but I have a responsibility to my aunts and the orphanage." She told him before rolling away, "So sorry, but you got the wrong girl." She added.
The old man watched her go before he ran up to her very quickly before twirling around as he landed in front of her as Lydie gave a startled yelp as she stopped while the staff aimed at her face.
The old man gave a chuckle. "Heheh, startled bat. You were not even ready to face my pinkie toe." He joked while wiggling his toes at her. "We're I my brother, you would not be breathing at all."
Lydie rolled her eyes as she pushed the staff away. "Look, I'm all for saving Ninjago, but I do have other more important things to do here other than your sibling rivalry. The orphans and my aunts, Nao and Susan, need me." She told him as she kept skating away.
"And who will protect them should Lord Garmadon escape? And do you not wish to prove to these people you are more than what they believe you are?" The man asked as Lydie perked up and turned to him in shock, "You must learn to conquer the darkness that haunts you inside, only when you become a Spinjitzu Master will you be able to face Lord Garmadon." He finished with a serious look.
Lydie stared at him hard, and thought for a moment. If this Garmadon was as dangerous as he said then she knew she couldn't let him threaten Jamonikai or her loved ones. So with a sigh, she nodded, "Alright, where do we start?" She asked.
After saying her farewells to Nao, Susan and the orphans, Lydie set off with the man, whom she learned was named Wu, to train.
…which apparently would start at the top of a large mountain.
Lydia was climbing up the mountain, which is pretty hard for her as she saw Wu wall crawling up as he grabbed an edge and flipped up as Lydie kept climbing, they would've used the stairs that were on the mountain, but Wu said that this was merely the warm up for her.
After much climbing, Lydie finally made it to the top as she took her breath as she saw Wu sitting on a rock next to the door of a large building in a meditative stance.
"How long is this training gonna be though?" Lydia asked tiredly. "Aren't we in a bit of a rush since your brother has the map? They could already be at the first weapon by now." She pointed out as Wu stood up and walked to the door.
"Patient." Wu said as he stood up and stroked his beard. "They may have the map, but it will take them some time before they understand the resting places of the Weapons." He said as he and Lydie went into his place as she saw that it was a Monastery. "And you will be ready when you are ready, not a minute sooner." He said as he went in.
Lydia looked around the Monastery in confusion. "You live in a Monastery? I'm gonna learn to fight in a place of peace?" She asked as the only thing she saw was a brass dragon statue in the center.
"Not fight, train." Wu corrected as he stood next to a dragon stand. "To become a true ninja, first you must be able to see in what others do not." He said as he twirled his staff around.
"That's very wise, but you do know there's nothing here, right?" Lydia pointed out.
"Is there?" Wu asked as he flipped the small dragon statue up, revealing a small button. He then pressed it as the dragon statue and other parts of the floor rose up and revealed a series of training machines and dummies.
Lydie looked awed at the sight. "Wow! That's amazing!" She said excitedly as she stood next to Wu. "Is this all gonna help teach me that Spinjitzu move you showed me?" She asked eagerly before she hopped on one of the balancing stools as she hopped in a crane kick, but then she noticed the stool lowered itself as she looked at it in confusion.
"Oh dear." Wu said, realizing he should've warned her about that beforehand.
The stool then popped up as Lydia flew off as she gave a startled scream as she hit the dragon statue at the center before she fell to the floor with a grunt.
"Oh, I should've seen that coming." Lydie groaned as she looked up and saw Wu sitting in front of her with a tea set next to him.
"Complete the training course before I finish my tea." Wu instructed as he grabbed his cup of tea before he placed a napkin on his lap. "Then we will see if you are ready." He said as he prepared his tea and then drank.
Lydie just gave a strange look as Wu finished. "Today you failed." He said as he put his cup away and grabbed his staff as he stood up with a backflip. "Tomorrow, you will try again." He added as he walked backward.
Lydie looked gobsmacked, "What the-?! Failed?!" She sputtered and stood up, "But I didn't even have the chance to…" She didn't finish as Wu closed the door.
"Patience." Wu said behind the door as Lydie just stared at where he was.
The next day, the training course was starting up as the obstacle course turned on while Lydie looked at it while holding a wooden staff as she ran off as Wu slowly prepared his tea as her timer.
Lydia then jumps into the dummy's section as she dodge their incoming attack, but then she was kicked by one of them as she fell in front of Wu as he placed a napkin on him.
"Failed." Wu answered.
The next day, Lydia tried again as she was spinning on a spinning blade, then jumped over a lower pole and dodge the maces as she then tried out the spinning pistons, but she crashed into them as she was hit by them in the air.
"Failed." Wu answered again as he poured some tea into his cup.
The day after that, Lydie tried again but ended up bouncing on the parkour pistons.
"Oh, failed." Wu answered with a wince.
On the fifth day, Lydie got hit with a mace as she hit the wall. "Oh, so failed." Wu repeated with a shake of his head while putting some sugar in his cup.
The sixth day, Lydie gave a determined look as she rushed and knocked a couple of dummies down as she then ducked the spinning pistons as she looked at Wu, who was holding his cup while giving her some time in case she failed.
Lydie then jump and spin with the blades as she jump on the parkour pistons perfectly as she hopped on the swiping poles as she chuckled before the mace from the center on the pole spinned and hit her as she held on before she left go and crashed next to Wu with a dizzy expression.
"And…" Wu placed his cup on his lap. "Failed." He said.
And then from the seventh day, Lydie exited her room with a serious determined expression as she looked at the obstacle course while she and Wu watched on. And once Wu started to grab his napkin, Lydie quickly jumped into action.
Lydie did a flip as she kicked the dummies down quickly as Wu place his napkin on his lap, Lydie jumped and flip over the spinning pistons as Wu pour his tea, Lydie spinned with the blades before hopping away as Wu place a couple of sugar on his tea, and as she was in the parkour pistons as she hopped quickly, but then she saw Wu about to drink his tea as she threw her staff at him, which knocked and spilled his tea as Wu saw her jumped pass the axes as she flipped as he went to his cup and filled his tea as he notice that Lydie is nowhere in sight.
"Is that one sugar," Wu perked up and turned to his right and saw Lydie sitting next to him with the sugar bowl, "Or two?" She asked with a small smirk.
"Heh." Wu gave a small chuckle as he placed his tea down and walked up to the entrance.
"So, you gonna teach me this Spinjitzu now?" Lydie asked.
"You already have." Wu answered. "Your final test comes tomorrow." He added as he closed the door.
"Huh?" Lydie asked in surprise.
"My advice is to get some sleep." Wu advised while Lydie was in deep thought about what this last test could be, and what could be harder than all this?
At night, four young men dressed in black ninja gis were sneaking around on the roof of the monetary as they silently entered and snuck past Wu, who was sleeping, before they made their way to Lydie's room as she was in her pajamas and brushing her hair.
As she looked at the mirror she remembered Wu's words from earlier, "My advice is to get some sleep." Wu's words repeated in her head.
As she looked at her reflection, she narrowed her eyes in determination, "Just you wait Lord Garmadon. Once I'm ready, I'm coming for you, and then I'll give you one of these!" She then swung her hairbrush around. "And then this!" She added as she didn't notice the four Ninja surrounding her as she twirled around. "And this!" She then stopped as she pointed her brush at one of the ninja, which startled her.
Lydie then noticed that she was surrounded by four ninja as she gave wide eyes as they all readied their weapons. "Uh-oh." She uttered and looked at the four, "You know, if you were gonna attack me, you could at least wait till I was decent." She said, gesturing to her hair.
One of the Ninja with sword was about to strike first, but Lydie knocks it away with her hairbrush before she shoved it in the Shuriken Ninja's mouth over his mask as the ninja spit it out as Lydie duck as it rebounded off the nunchuck Ninja in the face, as it flew over and landed it on the one with the scythe's back as he shivered from the bristles pricking his back.
While they were distracted Lydie jumped into the ceiling and ran across the beams as the four noticed her escaping and gave chase.
The one with sword jumped in front of her as he gave a flying kick, but Lydie ducked and he flew a bit before he fell to the floor with a yelp as Lydie chuckled.
But then one of the Ninja kicked Lydie through the roof as she flew through the air, but surprisingly, landed on her feet as she landed next to the switch for training course as she saw the Ninja advancing towards her.
Lydie gave a look. "Let's see how you four can handle fighting while in a moving environment." She challenged as she pressed the button.
The training course activated as each of the Ninja were hit by the incoming courses as they dropped their weapons before the one with the scythe dodge a bean bag as another one with Lydie came towards him as he was hit by her as he dropped his scythe.
Lydie then landed in the middle of the four ninja as she looked around as they all took battle stances.
Lydie looked around as she realized that she was surrounded again as she gave a smirk. "Four against one, huh? Good thing I'm used to punks ganging up on me." She said, remembering how she was able to overcome bullies trying to pick on her.
The four Ninja then started their attack, but they were shock that Lydie block or dodge their strikes as they tried their kicks, punches and even flips, but Lydie countered them very quickly as she either grab their arms, duck, or grabbing their legs and twirling them around as she exchanged blows to them but she fought back as it was clear the four were not on the winning side of this fight.
Two Ninja tried to give Lydie double flying kicks, but she quickly grabbed their feets, spinning them around as they crashed into the walls with a yelp. She then stepped on the foot of one ninja, then she duck their kicks again, which hit each others foots as they all cringe from the impact as they all jumped back as Lydie then grab one of the ninja's heads as she flipped him over to the ground head first as the Ninja tried to get her guard down, but soon they were all knocked down to the ground with a groan as Lydie stood up with stance as she grab a stray bowstaff on the ground to finish the job.
"Stop!" They all turned to the sound of Wu's voice and saw Wu coming out of the Monastery as he looked at them. "Very impressive, Lydie. And boys, your teamwork needs better refining." He said.
The four Ninja stood up as they all gave a bow to Wu. "Yes, Sensei." They all said as Lydie looked at them in surprise.
"Wait, these guys are your students too?" Lydie asked in surprise as she lowered her staff. Wu nodded as Lydie groaned in realization, "This was my final test, wasn't it?"
Then one of the ninjas stepped forward, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa." He called out. "You never said anything about a fifth." He pointed out. "I mean, it's always four, four leaf clovers, four corners on a compass, four-"
Before he could continue, another Ninja spoke, "Ugh, what he's trying to say Sensei Wu, the four of us have trained together." He stated.
"Yeah, we're solid." Another Ninja added.
Lydie gave a chuckle at them. "You boys didn't look that solid to me. You couldn't even fight a girl." She commented as the two gave her glare.
"Hey, for the record we were holding back with you." The second ninja stated with a look, "If we were going all out, you'd be on your back right now."
"If that was the case, then why did I beat you four to the ground so easily?" Lydie joked with a smirk as she crossed her arms as he glared at her.
"Master, what is the meaning of this?" The fourth Ninja asked, getting back on topic on why he recruited Lydie and why he brought them together.
Wu approached them, "Each of you have been chosen, each intune with elemental properties," He started before holding his staff up, "But first, NINJA-GO!"
Wu then did Spinjitzu past them, as they spun around and came out wearing different colored Ninja Gis and weapons and animal emblems tied to each of them that represent their elements.
"Whoa! How did he do that?" The red one asked in surprise, a lion emblem on him.
"How did you manage to change my clothes?" Lydie asked as she wore a purple gi with the emblem of a dragon.
"Heheh, Look what color I am." The blue one said with an octopus emblem on his chest as he looked over himself.
"Impressive." The white one said as on his chest was a wolf emblem with the fur looking crystallized.
"Wait a minute, I'm still black." The black one pointed out while his emblem is a gorilla.
Wu then turned to the red one. "Kai, Master of Fire." He said as he placed his staff on Kai's shoulder. "It burns bright in you." He added as he turned to the blue one. "Jay is blue, Master of Lightning." He introduces next after placing his staff on Jay's shoulder next.
Jay gave a chuckle. "That's not all I'm the master of. I do a little inventing, a bit of model building, a touch of cooking, and dabble in a bit of poetry." He boasted.
The black one gave a sigh. "More like a mouth of lightning." He muttered.
Lydie turned to the other boys. "Does he always talk so much?" She asked in annoyance.
"I could tell you stories." Kai told her in a dull tone.
"Black Ninja is Cole." Wu continued as he tapped his staff on Cole's shoulder. "Solid as rock, Master of Earth." He added.
Cole then twirled his scythe around as he did some flips and took a stance.
Lydie gave an unimpressed sigh as Cole brought his scythe close to her neck, "Nice to me you new girl, I got your back." He said with a look before flipping up his hood and showing his also black hair, "And for the record, there ain't nothing in this World I'm afraid of." He said in a serious tone.
"Except for dragons." The white one pointed out.
Lydie gave a slight chuckle from that. "Seriously?" She asked. "I think dragons are kinda cute."
Cole gave a slight irritated look. "First, dragon's aren't from this world, Zane. I said 'in this world.' And second, they are not cute, new girl." He pointed out with a look.
"White ninja is Zane." Wu continued as he tapped his staff on Zane's shoulder as Zane did a bow. "Master of Ice, and sear with sixth sense." He added as Zane twirled around and brought out his shurikens as he twirled them before they vanished from his hands.
"I sense this one takes things a little too seriously." Lydie said in a weird look with a brow.
Zane then took off his hood, showing his pale blonde hair, and turned to her, "You too have the gift?" He asked.
Jay then scoffs, "She's just making a joke Zane." He then took off his hood, showing his auburn hair. "Remember what we talked about? Your sense of humor? Huh?" He reminded him.
"Yes. It was a joke." Zane nodded in understanding. "Ha ha." He gave a fake laugh with a straight face as Jay facepalmed himself.
Wu then cleared his throat bringing their attention back to him as he tapped on Lydie's shoulder, "And Purple Ninja is Lydie. Silent and Mysterious as Shadow, Master of Darkness." He finished as the boys were shocked.
"Wait, darkness?" Kai asked as he took off his hood, revealing his spiky brown hair. "Isn't darkness bad and what Lord Garmadon is practically made of?" He questioned while giving Lydie a suspicious look.
"Hey, I'm not like him. I didn't even know about Lord Garmadon before now." Lydie pointed out in defense while giving Kai a look. "I didn't wanna come here at first, but Master Wu convinced me."
"Pay attention!" Wu said as they all turned back to him, "You four are the chosen ones who will protect the four Golden Weapons," He said, gesturing to Kai, Cole, Jay and Zane. He then looked to Lydie, "And you are the one who will lead them in protecting Ninjago, from Lord Garmadon."
The five were shocked. "Me?!/Her!?" They all yelled in shock.
"I-I'm the leader?!" Lydie stammered while pointing to herself.
"Why does she get to be leader?!" Jay demanded. "Why shouldn't it be me?!" He complained.
"No way, I was chosen before her! Why not me!?" Kai demanded as well.
"I believe it is wiser that I should be the one to lead us. I am the most strategic and calm of mind amongst the five of us." Zane suggested politely.
"Sorry, boys, but I was here before any of you have!" Cole pointed out. "And I'm the strongest, so I should lead." He added.
Lydie looked at them anxiously, "Look, I don't really care. Any one of you can be leader, because I really don't want to be-"
"Enough!" Wu demanded as they flinched and turned to him, looking sternly at the five, "The smoke visions have shown me that Lydie does indeed have what is necessary to be your leader, so my decision is final." He said firmly, "From this moment forth, you will follow Lydie's orders without question and trust in her judgment."
Lydie gave a concerned look as she rubbed her arm. "I'm not sure if I could lead this team, Master. I've only ever had to look after those younger than me but," She pointed out in worry before looking a touch more confident. "I'll try my best, and make sure nothing happens to them."
Wu smiled and nodded but Kai spoke up again, "Alright, so the girl's in charge but what about my sister?!" He demanded.
"You're sister?" Lydie asked in confusion as Jay gasped.
"We're saving another girl?" Jay asked Kai in interest. "Is she hot?" He asked with a small nudge.
"Jay." Cole warns as Kai gives him a glare.
"I-I just wanna know what we're getting ourselves into." Jay defended.
Lydie looked at him with a raised brow, "Are you trying to say that I'm not hot?" She asked in a touch of insult.
Jay realized his mistake and scrambled to come up with a reply. "Uh, um, let me, uh, ask another, um, question," he stammered before looking at Kai, "Does she like Blue?" He asked again.
"Back off." Kai threatened with a look at Jay.
"When we find the weapons we will find your sister, Kai." Wu assured. "It is time! We must go to the first weapon!" He announced.
"Whoa, whoa, hold on a minute." Cole spoke as he stepped forward. "You said you were gonna teach us Spinjitzu." He said, like Lydie, none of them had yet to learn Spinjitzu.
"Spinjitzu is inside each and everyone of you." Wu stated. "But it will only be unlocked when the key is ready to be found." He advised as he stood quiet for a second. "Come! My feet are tired, we will take the horse carriage." He said before walking inside.
"Great." Jay groaned. "Now we have to find the key?" He asked again in annoyance.
"Yeah, I'm feeling he's taking us for a ride." Cole commented.
"Well, if it means finding my sister, then sign me up." Kai declared as he put on his hood as he walked ahead of them.
"Quick question, did Wu mention anything about having any horses?" Lydie asked with a brow.
Apparently he didn't because Wu didn't have any horses, meaning the five Ninja had to pull the carriage themselves to the first weapon while Wu rode comfortably on it.
"'Sign me up'!" Jay repeated sarcastically at Kai. "Way to go, Sparkplug." He muttered.
"Why does he have a horse carriage if he doesn't even have any horses to carry it?" Lydie questioned as she was in front of the group while panting.
"I sense this is some strange form of team building." Zane answered for Lydie.
"If this is for team building, he's got a funny way of doing it." Kai retorted.
"Just keep pulling." Cole encouraged, "We have a long way to go."
Lydie then glanced back at the boys, "So, where'd sensei find you guys?" She asked.
"Well let's just say, if it wasn't for Sensei Wu, I don't think the five of us would ever be seen together." Cole answered.
[Flashback]
On a mountain, a mountain climbing group in gear were crawling up the side of the cliff. Cole appeared and passed them without a sweat. "I was Testing my limits." Cole explained how he met Wu.
Cole reached the top but was surprised to see already there and drinking tea.
[Next Flashback]
In the city Jay was on top of a building with a pair of homemade wings, "I was testing my invention." Jay explained how he met Wu.
Jay jumped from the building and he gave a 'Whooping' sound as he glided through the air, until he crashed into a billboard and ruined his wings. He groaned before he noticed Wu next to him while drinking tea as Jay looked confused.
[Next Flashback]
In a snowy village, some villagers were looking at an icy pond with a hole in it while muttering to themselves, "I was testing myself." Zane explained his first meeting with Sensei Wu.
Zane was seen at the bottom of the pond meditating and holding his breath before he noticed Wu drinking tea right next to him and nearly drowned from the surprise.
[Next Flashback]
In a blacksmith shop, Kai was working on a new sword, heating it up and hammering on it several times over, "And I was testing my Metal." Kai finished on how he met Wu.
Kai then put his heated sword into a bucket of water, but once he took it out, it was all twisty and turny and groaned in disappointment before he saw Wu coming in.
[End of Flashback]
Lydie listened to each of their stories in surprise. She had thought Wu would've selected great warriors to find and protect the golden weapons from his brother, but these guys were like her: just random teenagers nobody knew even existed. What made them so special?
"You guys are right." Lydie said in understanding. "If it weren't for Sensei, none of us would…" She was cut off when Wu started shushing them as they stopped the carriage.
They hid behind some rocks as below them they saw a huge crater with numbers of mining caves on it with a couple of watch towers and operating it were living skeletons.
"The Caves of Despair. Samukai must be close to unearthing the Scythe of Quakes." Wu said as they all climbed up and hid behind a rock.
"Samukai?" Lydie asked in confusion. "Who's that?"
"The leader of the Skulkin and the King of the Underworld." Wu answered, "It is clear that my brother has struck a deal with him to help collect the four weapons."
"That would've been something to tell me ahead of time, Master." Lydie pointed out with a deadpan look before shaking her head and turning back to the mines, "But right now, let's focus on getting that Scythe before those boneheads do."
"Correct." Wu said in a serious tone. "But, remember, do not use the weapon for its power…" He was cut off when Jay interrupted him.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Too great for us mortals." Jay interrupted.
"Jay, be quiet and don't be rude to Sensei." Lydie said with a firm look before Jay gave her look.
"Seriously?" Jay questioned before he groaned. "Fine. Alright guys, let's chop-socky this lemonade stand. Lydie, you got a plan?" He asked Lydie.
"Sure do. I think." Lydie honestly said. "First we lower ourselves down the ledge, and then…" She cuts herself off as she looks around as they realize they are one ninja missing. "Where's Kai?" She questioned.
They all looked down and saw Kai already racing stealthily across the mine, while staying out of sight of the Skulkin.
"You gotta be kidding me? And I'm the rookie of this group." Lydie muttered in annoyance.
"To be fair, he had only joined us shortly before you did." Zane told her.
"Good to know, Zane." Lydie muttered. "Let's just follow him and travel by shadow boys." She said as she and the three boys followed after Kai while Wu stayed behind.
At the settlement where the skeletons set up, Kai sneaked behind them while remaining out of sight of the guards while the others followed at a quick paste as they moved quickly.
Lydie and the three then hide in a waggon as the skeletons turned to them, but saw nothing as they slowly walked away as they walked past some skeletons moving some rocks from a treadmill as the lead saw the wagon, as the Ninja stopped when they hit a wall and lowered to the ground to stay hiding, but the lead skeletons foot got smashed under a rock on the treadmill as he cried in pain for a moment before continuing his work as the Ninja kept going while they're distracted.
And then, a skeleton was right in front of them as Lydie picked up the wagon to see it in front of her as the skeleton saw Kai running past, but before he could warn anyone, she and the boys put the wagon over the skeleton as they punch him senselly before walking off quickly, leaving a tangled skeleton tied up in his own bones while having a bone in his mouth.
Kai is hiding behind some rocks as he sees a command tower where Samukai is while looking through the map.
"The map!" Kai whispered as he saw it.
Somewhere on the ground, Nuckal and Kruncha are inspecting some rocks on a treadmill while Nuckal sees a ring shaped one.
"Oh oh oh! I found something!" Nuckal called out.
Kruncha sighs at his partner. "That's another rock you bonehead!" He pointed out, not noticing that the rest of the Ninja were hiding under the treadmill as they went past them.
"But it's shaped like a donut." Nuckal protested as he hummed in thought. "I wonder what it tastes like." He said stupidly as he took a bite out of the donut shaped rock, which resulted in him losing a tooth. "Ugh." He groaned while Kruncha shook his head with a sigh at him.
Kai then jumps out of sight when a couple of skeletons are moving a wagon as Lydie and the others follow from monkeybarring on tracks before jumping behind the rocks Kai was on before following him to where Samukai is as they meet up with Kai on the top of the tower, overlooking Samukai.
"What's the matter with you?" Jay whispered as he smacked Kai on the head.
"Shh!" Lydie hushed and pointed down towards Samukai as he looked down at the map.
He then chuckles to himself and puts the map down. It was only then that the Ninja noticed something about how Samukai was looking at the map, "Hey, the map's upside-down. They're digging in the wrong spot!" Jay realized.
"That's why they haven't found the Scythe yet." Lydie added.
"But the golden weapon is still near." Zane reminded them as he tied a rope to his Shuriken and threw down at the map before pulling it up.
Lydie then took the map and turned it right side up, "Okay, so if they were digging here while the map was upside down, then that means." She pointed to the opposite side of where they are. "That should be where the Scythe really is." She declared.
"Then there's no time to waste." Kai said as he backfilled away from them.
"What is it with that guy?" Jay questioned them. "Always in a rush." He added in annoyance.
"If you have a sibling, wouldn't you be worried and wanting to get things done quickly to save them?" Lydie questioned with a brow.
"Touché." Jay conceded as they flipped off the roof and followed after Kai.
Kai quickly held up a structure as he slide pass the two guards as he enter the cave Lydie pointed out while the other sneaked in after him
They soon found Kai as he tried to move a big rock but to no avail.
Lydie shook her head and approached him. "Hey, Kai. Before you race off again, you need to remember that we're a team. We do things together or not at all." She reminded him.
Kai looks at her tiredly before sighing, "Fine, whatever." He said as the others joined him and together they moved the rock away, revealing a hidden chamber with the Scythe of Quakes in the mouth of what looks like a dragon statue in the center of the room.
"The Scythe of Quakes." Lydie muttered in awe at seeing one of the Golden Weapons the FSM used to create Ninjago.
Jay apparently agreed as he looked at the weapon in amazement, "Whoa-ho-ho! That is so COOL!" He declared a little loudly.
Jay's voice echoed throughout the whole mine which got the attention of Samukai and his troops as they stopped what they were doing as they were surprised by the loud noise.
"Ssshhh!" Lydie shushed Jay while bonking his head while Cole went up to get the Scythe out of the dragon statue. "Jay, not so loud! Are you trying to alert the dead?!" She whispered harshly as Cole came down as he wrapped the Golden Weapon.
Jay rubbed his head as he gave a wave. "Aw, come on, Lydie. Don't be paranoid. We're totally on the opposite side of the caves." He assured her.
"Zip it, okay." Cole spoke as he tossed the Scythe to Kai. "Now that we got the Scythe, let's sneak out while those boneheads are still busy." He said.
As they walked out however, none of them noticed the dragon statue's mouth starting to open wider as a puff of breath came out.
Once out of the cave, Lydie turned to the four boys, "Alright guys, just follow me. The way out is right around the-" She stopped herself when she turned and came face to face with Samukai, "Oh! Uh, hello?" She said nervously.
Smirking, Samukai drew his four blades with his four arms as his Skultin warriors were behind him as the Ninja drew their weapons. "Hello." He greeted back.
"I told you that they would hear you!" Lydie yelled at Jay with a glare as she readied her staff. "Quick on your feet, don't let them get the Scythe!"
"Got it!" They answered back as they went into battle, knocking the Skeletons down while making a break for the exit.
But then Kai got surrounded by skeletons. "Kai! Throw it here!" Zane called out as Kai tossed the Scythe to the ice ninja.
"Going long!" Cole called out as Zane tossed the Scythe to him before being tackled by skeletons as Cole caught the Scythe.
"There's too many of them!" Kai called out as he swiped a skeleton down.
"Just keep fighting!" Lydie tells him as she keeps on fighting before she notices something, "Wait guys, this is just like the training course! We just need to focus, remember what we learn!" She told her team.
She then visualized the course and started moving through it like it really was the training course. "Over the planks, dodge the swords, here comes the dummy!" Lydie called out as she jumped on some skeletons, dodging their swords and then hit one as she spins around as dark purple energy starts forming around her. "NINJA-GOO!" She called out as she then did a purple dark Spinjitzu as she was taking out multiple skeletons as the others saw this in awed.
"Spinjitzu." Cole said in awed as Lydie spinned past them.
"Lydie! What's the key!?" Kai called out.
Inside Lydie's Spinjitzu, she is in the center of the tornado as she swatted some skeletons with her bow staff while throwing some punches and kicks. "I'm just going through the motions! This is what Sensei must've meant when he said we already know Spinjitzu and for us to unlock it on our own!" She called out. "Just do what I'm doing!
Jay gave a thought as he followed Lydie's example. "Over the planks, dodge the swords, here comes the dummy!" He called out as he jump-flipped over a skeleton, blocked a sword strike, and then did an electric blue Spinjitzu with bolts of lightning shooting from it as he took more down. "Che-chang!" He cheered.
Kai then started as well. "Over the planks, dodge the swords, here comes the dummy!" He called out as he did a fiery Spinjitzu as he took out more skeletons as he spined past Kruncha and Nuckal as the former laughed at his partner.
"He just called you a dummy." Kruncha chuckled.
"No. He called you a dummy." Nuckal dined before they both saw Zane in an icey Spinjitzu tornado coming at them as they both screamed and ran off.
Zane stopped his Spinjitzu as he gave a straight face. "I sense you do not stand a chance." He taunted.
"Nice taunt Zane!" Cole commented before he did Spinjitzu too and became a brown and black tornado of stone and dirt.
Seeing how the tables had turned against them, Samukai knew he and his men had only one option, "Retreat!" He called to his men as the Skulkin all screamed and ran out of the cave as the Ninja in their Spinjitzu drew closer to them.
Once their enemies were gone, the Ninja stopped spinning and stood victorious at getting the Scythe of Quakes and beating the Skulkins while Kai held the Scythe of Quakes.
"Huh, guess they didn't want a second serving of these babies." Cole boasted while flexing his muscle while Jay, Kai and Lydie shaking their heads at Cole's pride. "Good thing they didn't check the merchandise in the back." He added as, turning around to flex his back, but then he saw something that made him afraid and go wide-eyed in fear.
"Alright!/whoo-hoo-hoo!" Kai and Jay cheered simultaneously.
"Great work, boys. Mission accomplished." Lydie said with a smile before she frowned. "But, I feel like we're forgetting about something." She added while rubbing her chin.
"Uh, guys?" Cole asked nervously.
"Indeed. Didn't Sensei say there was a guardian protecting the weapons?" Zane asked as he rubbed his chin as well.
"He did, but if there is one, wouldn't it be out by now after we took the Scythe from it's-?" Lydie asked before she heard the sound of something growling, "Okay Kai, either your stomach is growling or something in your stomach is growling." She said turning to the fire ninja.
"Um Lyd, that's not Kai." Cole said fearfully.
"What do you mean, Cole? If it's not Kai, then what is it?" Lydie asked as she turned around, as did the others as they went wide eyes as standing behind them was the dragon head they saw in the Scythe's resting place except with a huge body with wings and a clubbed tail, revealing it to be a real dragon, "Oh. It's him." She squeaked.
"Is that uh, that's not what I think it is, is it?" Cole asked hopefully as the dragon stood on its hindlegs and spread its wings as it barred its teeth at them before looking at Lydie specifically.
"You mean a dragon?" Jay asked fearfully.
"Uh, that sure looks like a dragon." Kai answered afraid as well while clutching onto the Scythe of Quakes.
"And it doesn't look happy." Lydie nervously noted as she felt the Dragon's glowing eyes piercing right through her very soul. "And why do I get a feeling that it's mostly looking at me?" She asked again.
"Well, I sense that we won't be able to spin our way out of this one." Zane stated worryingly.
"Maybe we could reason with it?" Lydie suggested nervously before she noticed the dragon taking a deep breath in, "Or maybe not, hit the dirt!" She cried out.
The dragon then blasted out its Elemental Earth breath at the Ninja as they jumped out of the way as where the dragon's breath hit, rocks appeared and blocked their exit as the dragon looked at them and breathed earth breath again as they dodged.
"I thought dragons weren't from this world!" Cole exclaimed as the dragon charged at them again and they ran. But then, it slammed its tail down, separating Lydie from the boys and then knocking her to a wall with a claw.
"Argh!" Lydie cried out as she fell to the floor.
"Lydie!" The boys cried out when they saw her get up.
"I'm okay." Lydie groaned as she looked up and saw the dragon charging at her, "Yikes!" She yelled before she dodge it, rolling out of the way and dodging another earth breath attack, "Why is he attacking me?! Kai's the one with the Scythe!" She called out as she jumped over a tail swipe.
"Hey! Don't change that dragon's mind!" Kai called out.
"I sense some of your presence is creating some hostile reaction to the dragon, but I don't know why exactly." Zane spoke as Lydie ran around the cave.
Eventually the dragon finally caught her, pinning her under its claw. Lydie tried to lift it off but the dragon was too strong, "Guys! Help!" She called out.
"Lydie!" They cried out, trying to think of a way to save her as the dragon took a deep breath in while looking straight down at her.
Lydie knew what was gonna happen next and trembled, "H-hey come on, m-maybe we can talk about this!?" She pleaded.
The dragon just gave a growl as it kept charging up its breath as Lydie gulped in fear as she covered herself while waiting for her fate.
Kai looked around for something to save Lydie before he looked at the Scythe of Quakes in his hands, knowing that they had no choice, he then unwrapped it as Jay placed a hand on his arm, knowing what he was thinking.
"No, no! Kai, bad idea! Sensei told us not to." Jay reminded him.
"Then you better keep your mouth shut." Kai said stubbornly. "Unless you rather explain to Sensei how we just lost our leader?"
Knowing he was right the others sighed and nodded, "Do it!" Cole encouraged him.
Kai ran up in front of Lydie, who is between him and the dragon as he slammed the Scythe's blade down to the ground as the dragon was startled and backed away, allowing Lydie to slip free as the cave started to collapse in on itself as some rocks fell on the dragon, pinning it down but not for long.
Kai and Lydie run back to the others as they jump onto some rocks as they dodge a few falling.
"We gotta escape!" Kai called out before they looked at the ceiling and saw an opening cracked open from the Scythe's power.
"We'll use Spinjitzu to make it to that opening!" Lydie called out as she brought out her bow as the dragon roared at them as it charged at them. "NINJA-GO!" she called out while doing Spinjitzu while the others followed.
The Ninja then spun to an opening through the wall as the dragon nearly got them, but was too late as they were out of its reach and the cracks were too small and narrow for it to get through.
The Ninja then spun out of the ground as they landed where Wu was waiting for them when he saw the cracks as they stopped spinning as they made exciting noises as Zane and Jay fell to the ground from the rush they had.
"Whoo-hoo-hoo, that was awesome!" Lydie cheered.
"I know, right!" Cole cheered in agreement as he, Lydie and Kai high-five each other.
"Yes! We are unbelievable!" Kai cheered as well while holding the Scythe.
Wu gave them a firm glare, knowing what they did as Zane spoke next. "We are the best!" He cheered.
"Ha!" Jay laughed. "Did you see that? I was like, POW! And you were like, BAM!" He imitated the fight they had.
"ENOUGH!" Wu yelled out, which caused them to flinch as they turned to him. "I told you not to use the Scythe!" He lectured.
"He did it." Jay quickly said as he and the boys pointed at Kai while Lydie looked at them in disbelief.
"What? You all agreed to it." Kai said in defense.
"Look Sensei, it's not what you think." Cole tried to explain.
"Using it was our only option." Kai added as he walked up to Wu.
"And what makes you think you are more important than the team? Huh? Huh?!" Wu questioned angrily as he got close to Kai's face.
"I did it to save Lydie, alright?" Kai spoke with a firm look.
"What?" Wu asked with a raised eyebrow.
Lydie then walked to him, "Wu, don't blame Kai for using the Scythe. He saved me from that Guardian Dragon you place to protect it." She said firmly as she took off her hood to show her angry face. "Which apparently was a lot more interested in killing me even though Kai was the one holding the weapon!"
"What?" Wu asked in surprise. "It was more focused on you rather than the Scythe?" He asked with a thoughtful look.
"Yeah. And not to mention it nearly blasted me into the ground with its dirt breath while trying to bite my head off!" Lydie yelled out as she got close to Wu. "If that thing was supposed to protect the Scythe, why would it feel like killing me was more important than getting it back? Huh? Huh?!" She leaned closer.
Wu was startled by her outburst as he leaned back a bit while the boys were surprised that she yelled at Wu straight to his face. In Wu's eyes, he saw for a moment in Lydie's place was a young man with the same color hair as her and blood red eyes glaring at him before changing back to Lydie glaring at her.
Kai then walked forward with a firm look, "Look, maybe I was willing to listen to you at first because it meant getting my sister back, but if that means I have to sit back and watch my friends become dragon food, I want out of this!" He said firmly.
"Same goes for me!" Jay agreed as he stepped forward too.
"And me as well." Zane chimed in.
"Don't need to ask me twice!" Cole declared as he stepped up with his arms crossed.
Lydie then gave Wu a hard look, "If we're supposed to sacrifice each other to get these weapons, then Lord Garmadon can have Ninjago for all we care, because there is no way we're doing that!" She told him. "If this is how you treat ninja, then you really need to know that we're not just protectors, we're people, teenagers who want to be better to protect our friends and family! So either you accept what happened down there was a no-choice situation for us to use the Scythe, or you can go and get the other weapons and face your brother and his skeleton army by yourself since you think what we'd done was a bad move!" She added with a very firm glare.
Wu narrowed his eyes at each of them as they remained steadfast in what they believed in even after he warned them not to use the Scythe and only did it to save their friend while looking at Lydie, seeing something familiar in her eyes.
Wu gave a sigh. "Very well, in light of how Kai only used the Scythe to save Lydie, I will allow this once but only once." He concedes. "But there are still three weapons left. Maybe next time you can get them without taking extreme action."
"If those guardian dragons don't kill me if they wake up." Lydie added. "Why did that earth dragon focus on me? Did you know why?" She questioned.
Wu was silent for a moment before he turned and walked away, "Perhaps, there was something about you that it deeply despised." He said cryptically while walking away.
The Ninja looked at him in confusion as Cole turned to Lydie, "So, still think Dragons are cute?" He asked.
Lydie thought for a moment before smiling, "Yeah. Only when they're not trying to kill you." She joked as they all, minus Zane, laughed as they followed Wu to the next Golden Weapon.
As they walked, Lydie turned to Kai, "Hey, thanks for saving me back there." She said.
Kai shrugged, "Hey, gotta remember we're a team, we do this together or not at all, right?" He recited Lydie's words from earlier.
Lydie giggled, "Well just for that, I'm gonna help you get your sister back, promise." She said, offering her fist.
Kai looked at it before he nodded and gave her a fist bump as they caught up to their friends.
In the Underworld, Samukai sits on his throne while giving a nervous look on his boney face as he faced an unknown figure in the darkness, "Master Garmadon, I have failed you," Samukai said in shame, "The Ninja have learned Spinjitzu and have the Scythe of Quakes." He reported before bowing his head, waiting to be lectured.
But what Garmadon said next caught him off guard. "Good." He said, sounding pleased rather than angry, which surprised Samukai as he looked up. "Then my brother was there. And you are certain you saw her?" He asked.
"Mmhh." Samukai nodded. "Trust me, I saw her with my own eyes. She fits your description and her Spinjitzu was almost an exact copy of yours." He confirmed.
"Excellent, then she is as strong as I always hoped she'd be." Garmadon said in a proud tone.
Though confused by this Samukai returned to the subject of the Golden Scythe, "If I had my army, we could easily ambush them at night to get the Scythe from-" He tried to explain his plan.
"No." Garmdon said firm yet softly, as Samukai flinched and he continued, "Let them think they're winning." He said.
"Uh, I do not understand." Samukai asked in confusion as to why they don't ambush them while they sleep and get the Scythe back quickly.
"Everything is going according to plan." Garmadon assured the confused Samukai. "And I think it is time that dear Lydie meets her father." He added as he gave an evil sinister chuckle as he walked out the throne room, leaving a confused Samukai alone in the throne room.