A friend pointed out to me a small encounter in "Stiix and Stones" that I hadn't paid much attention to before:

When the audience is first introduced to Ronin he's somewhat hiding behind a vase when Jay asks "Going so soon?"

Ronin: "If this is about our last encounter it was only business."

Kai: "You left us in the mouth of a-"

Ronin: "So you're still upset..."

Cue fill in the gap time.

There's a video game floating around, the Shadow of Roninwhich is technically not canon but timeline wise takes place between S4-5. I believe that is where the agreed upon notion that Ronin took Zane to Chen's Island in S4 came from. This does not follow the storyline of SoR, but several elements from the video game were pulled to create this one-shot.

.

"Look! Looklooklooklook!" Jay sprinted into the common room startling the current occupants.

Grumbling under his breath, Kai paused the video game he and Cole were playing. "What's the big deal?"

"This!" A piece of paper was shoved into Kai's face.

He swatted at it. "Do ya mind?"

Apparently not as Jay ignored him and waved the paper again. "It's from the Ninjago Museum! A mysterious benefactor donated several weapons."

Kai and Cole shared a skeptical look. "Jay, we have weapons already..."

"No, Cole, these are the Obsidian Legacy!"

"-The what?-"

"-You're kidding!-"

Cole now looked confused. "Kai you know what these are?"

Taking the paper from Jay, Kai looked at the weapons pictures on it. "My dad told me a story about them once. They were said to have power. Legend says they're practically cousins to the Golden Weapons."

"There's no way that's-"

"Actually, he's right."

The ninja turned to see Wu walking into the room with Misako. Lloyd, Nya and Zane trailed in behind them. "The blades making up the Obsidian Legacy are very old, though not nearly as old as the Golden Weapons. While they're said to have otherworldly powers, the truth of that statement has been lost to the ages. Though, it is very strange they'd be unveiled now."

"But Mom, aren't you still on the museum board? Why are we only finding out about them now with the public? Especially if they're as dangerous as Uncle Wu says..."

Misako raised an eyebrow. "There's been an unusual influx of donations and finds lately. I didn't realize the curator was planning on putting them on display just yet. I told him it wasn't a great idea when we don't understand them fully, but it appears I was outvoted."

"For better or worse the public knows those weapons are here in Ninjago." Wu looked around the room. "I will not be surprised if someone attempts to take them. There are three currently residing at the museum."

"Each blade is unique." Misako took the paper from Jay and pointed to each in turn. "Dagger, longsword, and gladius. According to legend the Obsidian Glaive is the crown piece. It contains power that is then shared to the other blades. However, as Wu said, the exact nature of these weapons are unknown."

Lloyd frowned "So the Glaive is missing. Do we know where these were found?"

"The donor has been completely anonymous. The only information on them is when they arrived at the museum. Even then whoever delivered them was careful not to be seen on camera."

Everyone went quiet, digesting Misako's words.

"So the question is does anyone else have the Glaive?" Cole asked.

Kai took the picture from Misako. "Maybe whoever donated the other blades wanted to see if anyone with the Glaive would come for them? Or see if anyone would have info on the Glaive?"

"Whatever the reason, you all must remain vigilant. The weapons are too similar in lore to the ones my Father used to create this realm. Misako and I will research possible leads. For now keep your eyes and ears open."

"Yes Sensei." Several voices chorused.

With a final glance Wu left the room with Misako.

"What's with all these legendary things popping up that can cause havoc? You'd think our ancestors enjoyed trying to rip apart the Realm." Kai grumbled. "Messes up another memory..."

Cole didn't think Kai meant for the last sentence to be audible so he didn't press that. "Let's hit the city and hear what people are saying. If nothing else we might throw off anyone who'd be interested in stealing the rest of the weapons."

With nothing better to do the ninja trailed out to prepare for a trip into town. Cole subtly held Lloyd back so the two of them were alone in the common room.

"You don't have to come if you don't want to. Between the five of us we'll be able to split off pretty well."

"No, I think it'd be good to get out." Lloyd gave a half-hearted smile. "I don't think Father would want me to stay isolated for long. Somehow the world still keeps spinning."

"It does." Cole quietly agreed. "It's never the same, but it does."

"Would I sound too much like a little kid if I wailed 'it's not fair'?"

"No. Death is never fair. But the grief reminds us how much we loved. Don't be ashamed of grieving."

Lloyd opened and closed his mouth a couple times. Wrapping his arms around Lloyd's shoulders, Cole pulled Lloyd into a hug. When Cole released Lloyd he didn't comment on the glassy look in the younger boy's eyes.

"I'll meet you at the garage."

Cole waited until Lloyd nodded before slipping from the room. It certainly wasn't fair for a parent to be stolen so soon from life. While circumstances varied greatly between what occurred with Lloyd's dad and Cole's mom, the end result was the same. Life could be all too cruel sometimes.

.

A week later still had the ninja (and co.) searching down the rabbit hole for leads.

Misako slid a computer toward Wu, the bright screen contrasting sharply with shadows wrapping around the room. "There have been some recent spikes in energy and changes in weather patterns in the north. Nothing that would warrant an emergency, but it's an energy source that isn't on record in our system. Though I don't know if it has anything to do with the Glaive, it should probably still be checked out. The timing is too coincidental."

"Agreed, at the very least it'll give them something constructive to do."

Misako couldn't help but agree, though she'd definitely been using her work as an excuse to hide the pain of her husband being gone- again. "I'll gather them first thing in the morning." Misako stifled a yawn.

"You should get some sleep Misako. It's not good to push yourself too hard."

Misako smiled sadly. "If I let myself stop and think, I'm afraid I'll break. And if that happens I don't know if I'll be able to pick myself up."

"We cannot change the past... but there are so many things I wish I could change."

"Garmadon made his choices. In the end I can say he was the man I fell in love with. That gives me more comfort than if it had ended with the Overlord and Lloyd's battle."

"Indeed."

The two lapsed into silence. Even with Wu's suggestion of going to bed, it wasn't until the candles burned low that he and Misako retreated to their respective rooms.

The next morning the ninja rose with the dawn and, instead of sunrise exercises, found themselves in the Bounty's control room. Wu outlined Misako's observations.

"We don't know for sure what this is, it could just be a fluke of nature, but the last thing we need is for the Glaive to fall into the wrong hands. Zane, Kai, and Cole I want the three of you to head this up. The rest of you I want here in case another lead or situation in the city arises." Nya, Jay and Lloyd didn't look particularly enthused but didn't question Wu's decision. "Check in each night. You can leave as soon as you're ready."

"I have the Proto Sam-X up and running." Nya offered. "It was only designed for two but there's another motorbike in the garage that is also available."

"Dibs on the bike." Kai called as he ran from the room.

Rolling his eyes Cole followed him, at a markedly slower pace, with Zane on his heels.

Lloyd watched them go, a small frown on his face. "Do you really think they'll find it?"

"We'll find out, nephew. We'll find out..."

.

Cole wanted to throw himself on his bed and sleep for the next twenty-four hours. Two days into their road trip and so far the only suspicious thing was the possibility of bugs in their motel beds. At this point Cole didn't care. The people in the tiny town they'd stumbled into didn't seem to have an idea of what the ninja were asking about, but Cole wasn't too sure. When were small towns actually idyllic?

Flopping onto a mattress Cole closed his eyes and let out a groan. He'd slept on dirt softer than this. The door creaked open and Cole waited for Kai's swaggering stride or Zane's light steps- only to remember the other two were already in their own beds on the other side of the room.

Cole shot upright onto his feet, seeing his brothers do the same in the corner of his eye. Swinging his gaze to the door, Cole found a middle-aged man, wearing a copious amount of leather, leaning lazily against the door jam. His head was tilted down, covered by a wide brimmed hat. The picture was entirely too similar to the Westerns Cole used to watch when he was younger for him not to think it was staged.

"You boys lookin' for somethin'?"

"Nothing you can help us with." Kai fired back. He didn't notice Zane freeze next to him, but Cole did.

"Zane what is it?"

"Not so much as a memory but an impression- '' Zane broke off and cocked his head to the side, presumably listening to P.I.X.A.L. A few seconds later he shot blasts of ice at the man. Cole let out a wordless exclamation. He'd expected such action from Kai but not level headed Zane. The man though seemed to have been expecting such a response as he twisted away with a finesse that belied his bulky frame.

"I wondered if you'd remember me." He said it with such a flippant disregard that both Cole and Kai bristled, their elements coming readily to their hands.

Cole stepped forward, being careful not to block Zane's line of fire, but putting himself between the man and Zane. "Who are you and what do you want?"

However it wasn't the man who answered. From behind Cole Zane's usually calm voice dripped with venom. "He's a thief and borderline mercenary who calls himself a bounty hunter. He's the reason I was on Chen's island in the first place."

"He WHAT?!" Kai shouted.

The man didn't flinch beneath the frenzied shouts and hardening glares. Instead he shrugged. "No hard feelings kid, it was nothing personal. Though I usually go by Ronin, not 'thief.'"

That was as far as Ronin got before the ground opened beneath his feet. Ronin let out a grunt of surprise as he found himself trapped waist deep in unyielding rock.

Cole stalked forward another pace. "I repeat, what do you want?"

"Yeish kid lighten up. No one has a hit on any of you- that I know of anyway-"

"-How comforting-" Kai muttered.

"-but news of your little "project" came my way and I think we could help each other."

"Yeah, I don't think so." Kai stepped forward, hands blazing. For the first time in their conversation Ronin began to look nervous.

"Hey now, I didn't come here to fight."

Before Kai could spit out a response a cool hand gripped his shoulder. His jaw snapped shut and he stepped aside.

Zane studied Ronin. "While I don't relish the thought of being around him for a prolonged period of time, it would probably be worthwhile to hear his reasons. From what I can remember, and what P.I.X.A.L tells me, he wouldn't come to us for frivolous reasons."

There was a beat of silence before Kai let the flames go out. He kept his fists clenched though and shot a look at Cole.

Cole crossed his arms. "We won't attack," the yet was heavily implied, "but I'm not letting him up until he talks."

"I've been talkin' this whole time."

Cole gave an unimpressed look and Ronin gave a small gasp as the ground tightened around his torso. "Don't push it." He fell back a step to make room for Zane.

"You said you have a business offer?"

Settling back into a bored expression Ronin leaned back as much as he could. "You're after the Obsidian Glaive right." Crickets met his statement- statement not question- but that didn't seem to bother the rogue. "Well it just so happens that I've got an old map that depicts where the Glaive is supposed to be located."

"And you want us to believe you're telling us this out of the goodness of your heart?"

Ronin scoffed. "Not even close. I want 40% of the cut."

Kai let out a spluttering sound. "There's just one of you. Plus, what makes you think we're selling it?"

"I didn't see you guys making much progress getting there until I came along. And I'm pretty sure even the Ninjago Museum would be happy to give you a reward for finding such a valuable artifact."

Cole crossed his arms. "That still doesn't answer why you approached us?"

"I figured you goodie goodie types would pay well to keep it from falling into some... unsavory character's hands."

Another growl came from Kai but Zane raised a titanium eyebrow. "You do know we're not technically paid to be ninja right? But why should we believe you?" Zane's voice was hard. "You're just as likely to turn and grab the Glaive to sell to the next highest bidder."

Ronin attempted to shrug, quickly aborting the motion when his arms didn't move more than an inch in the earth. "Figured I'd try something new."

Not particularly comforting, but they didn't have the greatest excuse to keep this so-called interrogation going longer. Cole crossed his arms and allowed the earth to recoil to its original state. Ronin shot upward only to crash back to the floor when none of the ninja stepped in to keep him upright.

"Fine. But you better not so much as step out of place or I'm going to drop you off the nearest cliff."

This earned Cole a couple incredulous glances, but the grief this man's actions had caused after selling Zane to Chen... Cole couldn't deny part of him would love to follow through with his threat.

"Finish packing. We leave within the hour." Everyone gave muttered sounds of agreement and went about clearing out the motel room.

Cole nudged Zane to the small kitchenette. It was only a few yards from the door, but it gave a semblance of privacy. "Are you okay Zane?" He asked quietly.

Zane didn't answer for a moment. "I- I am unsure how to respond. I don't remember much of Ronin's involvement in my capture. P.I.X.A.L. reminded me it happened during the transference of my consciousness from Mr. Borg's computer to my new body."

"How has this not come up before?" Cole meant it as a rhetorical question, but Zane shrugged.

"We all were under a lot of duress on Chen's island. At the time it was enough to know Chen had orchestrated my capture- and that I was operational again." Zane paused. "But, if it hadn't been for his and Ronin actions we might not have formed the new Elemental Alliance and Kai would likely be without Skylor."

Cole sighed. "The end doesn't justify the means."

"No it doesn't, but given we can't change what's happened I'm thankful it didn't turn out worse than it did."

The loss of Sensei Garmadon after only recently getting him back was certainly the worst of it, but, Cole grudgingly had to admit, Zane had a point. "Okay, as long as you're comfortable with this- and you'd better tell me if you aren't-" Cole waited but Zane didn't comment, "we'll take his offer. I don't trust him farther than I can throw him."

"Technically speaking, you would be able to throw him a much greater distance than Kai or myself given your enhanced strength-"

"It's just an expression Zane."

"I will update my databases."

Cole huffed a small laugh and headed back toward Kai who still stood guard over their new 'guest.'

"So we're doing this?"

"For now." Cole stalked in front of Ronin. "Talk."

"Yeish would it hurt ya to lighten' up?" Scowls met his sentence and Ronin sighed. "So like I was sayin' this,'' Ronin pulled a piece of parchment out from somewhere on his person, "will help you get what you need." He handed the paper to Cole.

"Just like that?" Ronin shrugged, which wasn't really an answer as far as Cole was concerned... Forcing himself to pretend the man wasn't seriously getting under his skin, Cole opened the map. "You have got to be kidding me." Cole looked up at Ronin. "The Golden Peaks?"

"What goes around comes around." Ronin shrugged.

Kai shook his head. "No, no way!"

"Look, ya want the blade or not?"

"Not that badly..."

"Kai-"

"-He asked!"

Cole groaned but turned to Ronin. "What do you know?"

.

Even with Ronin's admission he wanted to help, it still took too long to wheedle the information out of him. Something about bargaining chips even though he'd approached them first. Zane had contacted Master Wu and reported that Lloyd and Jay were now on their way to meet up with them. It would be a couple hours before they arrived but the group would then set out to the Golden Peaks.

"I still don't trust this guy." Kai muttered to Cole.

"You think I do? Just keep a close eye on him and don't let him anywhere near Zane."

"No duh." But Kai left Cole's side and began engaging Ronin in a lengthy monologue about hair products. From both of their expressions it seemed to be a mutually tortuous conversation.

Finally a knock came on the door. Without waiting for an answer Jay barged in. "You all ready to go? Nya and I figured something like this would happen. So, we suped up the old chopper. That way we can all ride along together. Even with air support it's going to be an hour or so to the Golden Peaks."

"Come on," Cole shouldered his bag. "We'll fill you in on the way there."

Piling into the chopper the group remained quiet while Cole gave a quick overview of everything that happened over the last couple hours. He did, however, save the fact that it had been Ronin who kidnapped Zane for later. Given how... expressive Jay could be, and the fact that it inadvertently led to the more or less death of Sensei Garmadon he didn't want Lloyd distracted. The poor kid didn't need to be thinking about that right now. Cole internally winced at the thought of what kind of conversation that'd cause later.

Still they took the rest of it fairly well.

The copter darted sideways before Jay pulled it upright. "The Golden Peaks. The. Golden. Peaks." Or as well as Jay took anything.

Cole gave another wince and looked at his youngest teammate. Lloyd's face was carefully blank but a war of emotions flew within his eyes. Mentally cursing himself for not preparing Lloyd on that ahead of time Cole tried to subtly catch his attention. However after the initial shock Lloyd turned to look out the window. He didn't say anything and Cole wasn't about to ask him personal questions with Ronin in the vicinity. Making a mental note to talk to Lloyd when the opportunity presented itself, Cole tuned back into Jay's ramble.

"-that's like sacred ground. We can't just be messing around there-"

"Jay-" Kai cut into what must have been a long winded verbal thought process. "We know. We're not going to attack the mountain willy-nilly but we need to have a look around."

"And who's the pirate boy?"

"I'm old enough to be your father." Ronin deadpanned.

"...And now it's awkward. Who are you?"

"Ronin's the one who brought us the map."

"Where did you get the map?" Lloyd's voice had a quiet authority that made everyone fall silent.

Shrugging, Ronin leaned back in his seat. "Picked it up somewhere. Can't really remember the details."

"So you've just been sitting on a map of one of Ninjago's most sacred sites for a while now?"

"I got lots of things layin' around. The recent news about the Obsidian Legacies reminded me that I thought I'd seen the name before."

An uneasy silence met Ronin's words. Something about them didn't quite ring true. Cole redoubled his resolve not to let the thief out of his sight on this mission. The rest of the trip passed in silence.

Gradually a golden glow appeared on the horizon. It grew steadily brighter the closer they got. Within the glow a large mountain became visible. They landed in a field nearby and trekked to the mountain's base. The group remained silent as Lloyd walked forward and touched the sloping face. A shudder ran through his body and his hands lit up with green energy. It flared brightly then faded. No one said anything about the way Lloyd's shoulders shook or the fact he kept his back to them for a couple minutes.

"Well." Lloyd turned, and if his eyes were a bit too green, no one mentioned it, "let's look at that map."

Ronin grudgingly pulled it out. The map showed the Golden Peaks, the surrounding land, and a detailed cave on the north side. Cryptic writings indicated a treasure (rough translation provided by Ronin) of some kind. Other warnings lined the paper but even Lloyd couldn't make out their meanings.

"Move out carefully. There's probably going to be traps especially if the Glaive is here. "

The group murmured in agreement and began to make their ascent. Cole concentrated on the earth, searching for openings or tunnels beneath the surface.

About halfway up the slope Cole called to the others, "I found something!" With a grunt Cole forced an opening through the rock. A tunnel appeared beneath his hands. "There's a chamber down here. And there's something- something in it."

In retrospect it might have been good to have Cole hold one of the previous blades since obsidian most likely fell under his jurisdiction of 'earth', but it was too late for that now.

"Go slow." Cole cautioned. "The ground is pretty sloped."

Kai stepped through first, holding his fist high as a torch. Only a few feet in he froze. "There's a lot of heat coming though. I don't feel fire per se, but there's probably not much between this chamber and the lava."

"It might be booby-trapped to let the lava in if the wrong person were to find this chamber." Lloyd said. "Walk carefully."

"I think the original opening was further to the south, so until we get into the chamber we should be okay." At least Cole hoped so.

The six carefully picked their way into the mountain. The tunnel ended in a large cavern. Shadows from Kai's flames danced along the walls. Red light spilled from a doorway across from them.

"Looks like that way." Cole led them across the threshold and into the antechamber.

The red light came from somewhere below them. A few gasps rose from the group as they realized they came to a cliff over a pool of lava.

"Look! There's something over there!" Jay pointed. Across the chasm a rock island held a pedestal. Some dark and shiny glinted in the low light. "That's probably it right?"

"Gee how many other dark obsidian looking glaives do you see laying around, Jay?"

"Yeish, Kai I was just clarifying."

"Let's just get it and get it over with." Lloyd cut into the argument before it could really get going. "Zane, can you get us over there?"

"Of course." Cool white light joined the red of Kai's flames as Zane shot bursts of ice toward the island. "It won't hold long."

And already drops of water fell, hissing, into the lava far below.

Lloyd nodded curtly. "Jay with me, The rest of you wait here. Zane, keep the bridge alive for us."

The two hurried on light feet across the ice bridge. Everyone (possibly sans Ronin but Cole wasn't watching him now that his brothers' lives were hanging precariously in the balance) breathed a sigh of relief.

The two shared a look, then Lloyd placed his hand on the podium. Green energy bathed his hands again. The walls rumbled around the group. Cole tensed, ready to hold off a cave in. Just as quickly the mountain quieted. The group stood ready to run as Lloyd leaned forward and picked up the Glaive. Nothing. Lloyd visibly relaxed and turned back to the group.

"Hurry up kid, we ain't got all day." Ronin drawled, kicking a rock off the cliff to the lava below.

Faphooooosh!

A wall of lava rose, decimating Zane's ice bridge.

"Ronin!" Three furious voices shouted in unison.

Cole and Kai rushed to the edge. Together they fought against the elements to hold at bay the rising lava. Zane shot a new bridge to their brothers. Barely allowing it to reach them, Lloyd and Jay jumped across it and sprinted back to the group.

"Move, move, move!" Lloyd shouted above the roaring mountain.

Cole wasn't quite sure how, but Ronin was suddenly in front of the group- holding the Obsidian Glaive. 'How did he-?' The mountain shook again and Cole shoved the thought aside in favor of surviving.

The group broke into the dying light of day, but the reddish glow growing brighter behind them was more than enough to stave off the darkness. Not in a comforting way.

"I knew we'd get it!"

Cole did not like how smug Ronin sounded. It appeared Lloyd didn't either because he took a step toward Ronin.

"Hand over the Glaive, Ronin."

"Hmm..." A purple glow began to encircle Ronin. "I do believe I've become rather attached to it- ah!" A jolt of electricity cut him off. Involuntarily spasming, Ronin flailed. The Obsidian Glaive flew out of his hand... directly into the rising lava. With a grating shriek the metal dissolved into the heat.

Lloyd shot Jay a look. Jay shrugged, "You wanted to be attacked by freaky purple smoke?"

"That's one way to not have to worry about it again." Kai muttered, but he turned to Ronin with flames dancing in his eyes. "I don't know what that was but you're going to be sorry-!"

But before Ronin could hear why exactly he'd be sorry, he jumped off the mountain.

"What the-!" Lloyd shot forward in time to see Ronin gliding down the slope. Where he had a sail stored was anyone's guess. In barely a minute he reached the helicopter.

"He can't possibly..." Jay trailed off as the blades began to rotate.

The chopper took to the air and hovered close enough that the ninja had to hunker down against the wind.

"No hard feelin's ninja," Ronin's voice came across a loudspeaker Cole didn't even know existed, "but with the Glaive gone our partnership is over." He flew off leaving the five staring blankly in his wake. The mountain rumbled hard and rocks fell from the mouth of the cave.

Kai let out a wordless yell and chucked a fireball at the rapidly shrinking helicopter. "He did not just do that!"

Sighing, Lloyd shook his head. "Come on, we've got to get off here before we go up in smoke."

The five scrambled down the mountain, feeling the heat of impending lava at their backs. Finally they reached the base of the mountain, sticky, sweaty and angry.

"That was a waste."

"We know the other Obsidian Weapons are no large threat. We'll figure out the Ronin issue another day."

"We've got bigger issues now." Everyone looked at Jay. "How're we supposed to get home now?"

Chorus of groans.

"Good thing Nya was still on reserve. Nothing like calling baby sis to come to the rescue." Kai dug out his com link.

While Kai let a disapproving Nya in on their situation, Cole frowned and drifted toward Lloyd. "I can't say I'm a fan of having Ronin running around willy-nilly."

Lloyd shook his head. "Same. I have a feeling our paths are going to cross again- probably sooner than any of us would like."