Percival leads the Ninja through the city. At first hiding behind a wall. "All clear." He turns to the group. "Come on. Our secret HQ is close. Stick to the shadows."
"Sticking to shadows is one of the things Ninja do best." Lloyd replied.
As they hurry through the city, Arin hurries up to Percival. "It's kinda weirding me out how we're on the same side now, Percival."
Percival looks over his shoulder at Arin. "I can imagine. But just think of it like when an Earth Dragon builds a nest with an Ice Dragon. Nothing is stronger."
"Since when do you know stuff about dragons? All you used to care about was joining the Claws to hunt them."
"A lot's happened since we last saw each other, Lampshade."
Raya laughed. "Lampshade?" Her laugh caused Arin to blush and he looks at her, then back at Percival.
"Oh, uh, you can call me Arin."
Wyldfyre sings loudly while she's sneaking, then stops and looks at everyone who's looking at her.
"Kai, can you please?" Lloyd asked, sounding annoyed.
"Of course." Kai looked annoyed. "Wyldfyre, this is a stealth mission, so the theme would go more like." He sings in a quieter voice.
"Oh yeah, got it!"
The quietly sing together.
"Dad, don't encourage her!" Raya complained.
"Raya, shhh!" Kai shushed.
"I'm not doing anything. You're the one."-
"Raya, quiet." Kai cuts her off, placing a hand over her mouth.
Lloyd groans, pulling his hood down over his eyes. "I forgot! There's three of them now!"
The Ninja continue to run.
"When we were flying to Imperium, we saw a massive explosion." Lloyd told Percival. "Did you see it too? It looked like Dragon Core energy."
"Who didn't see it? I came from the Advanced Systems Lab. That's where you'll find your Core. But first, we gotta get to our base and out of sight of any guards." Percival turns the corner. "The entrance to the tunnel is right around. -" He gasps.
Beatrix suddenly lands in front of them in a mech, some Claws come up behind her. Arin and Raya push a frightened Percival and his friends back.
"Imperium citizens siding with the Ninja? Traitors! You will be executed for your treason! And you, Ninja? You dare invade my kingdom? How foolish can you be?"
"Of course we dare!" Raya told her. "You're a murderer, slaying innocent creatures! You don't deserve to have a Kingdom, let alone a throne!"
"Your sad Ninja training, your pathetic Elemental Powers, they are nothing compared to my power! Attack!"
XxXxXxXxXx
In the sky. Nya, Sora, and Riyu approach Imperium on Jiro and Zanth. "For as rotten as this kingdom is, it does look perfect from the outside." Nya comments.
"The citizens still think it is perfect." Sora told her. "Just ask my parents."
"Maybe after this is over, we can talk to them. Convince them that."-
"No! My parents believe in Imperium more than anything. More than they believe in their own." Sora cuts herself off with a sigh. "There's no talking to them." She then sees some sparks going off in the city. "Look!" She points.
Nya turns and gasps. "s that an elemental fight? Maybe we're not the only ninja to have our plans derailed by Imperium."
Sora turns to her. "Let's hope the armor I built Jiro is enough to break through."
XxXxXxXxXx
In the city, Beatrix slams down her sword, the Ninja jump to the side and Zane throws out his ice, but Beatrix absorbs the attack.
"Whoa! What?" Raya gasped.
"Did that just happen?" Kai asked.
Beatrix laughs. "My mech is impervious to your elemental powers. You think your powers make you so superior!"
Lloyd, Kai and William through out their powers, but Beatrix easily blocks them before slamming down her sword, the shockwave sent the Ninja onto their backs.
"Huh? We don't think we're better than anyone cause of our powers." Lloyd said as they pick themselves up.
"I do!" Wyldfyre smiled, that comment made Beatrix to swing her sword at the Ninja, who dodge.
"You will learn that no one is superior to Empress Beatrix!"
Kai then points to the sky. "Look! Is that who I think it is?"
"Aunt Nya!" Raya smiles.
"Tell me they didn't forget about the electro barrier!" Lloyd said with worry. They all watch as the two approaching Ninja fire on the barrier.
"Fools! We are Imperium. None can shatter what we build!" Beatrix snarled. They all watch as the barrier is breaks and the two dragons rapidly approach. "Impossible. That."- She cut off when Jiro tackles her to the ground.
"Yes!" William cheered.
"Good Empress? Looks like Mediocre-at-Best Empress to me." Nya states.
Beatrix lets out an enraged scream, getting back up and throwing Jiro off her. "Claws, get them!" She orders. "All of them!"
A fight quickly breaks out. Raya does a back hand spring before kicking a Claw in the side of the head, then round house kicked one, then leap frogged a few more. Sora jumps off Zanth and takes on a few Claws before turning to face Lloyd.
"Fancy meeting you here. Imperium steal your Dragon Core too?"
"Not ours. But they did get Kai, Raya, and Wyldfyre's Core." Lloyd answered as he gestured to the three.
"Hey, it's not a competition." Kai told him. Lloyd does Spinjitzu on a few more Claws. Zanth bites down on Beatrix's mech and throws her away from Jiro.
Riyu runs over to Arin and pulls on his sleeve and squealing.
"What? Riyu, we can't run away."
"Arin!" Raya runs over to him. "I don't think that's what Riyu means."
Arin looks at her, then turns to see Lloyd nearby who just took out a few Claws. "Lloyd! I think Riyu's trying to tell me the big dragons will keep the Empress occupied, so we can get out."
Lloyd turns to him. "But they'll need help!"
Zanth tackles Beatrix's mech with both her front feet, before turning and roaring at them.
"You wanna argue with a dragon?" Arin asks Lloyd.
"Point taken. Percival, let's go!"
"AFTER THEM!" Beatrix demands.
Raya turns and throws out her arms, a fireball hits a Claw Hunter, Kai comes up to his daughter's side and sends out another fireball. As the Hunter goes down Kai turns, grabbing Raya's arm as the Ninja run off. Percival leads them to a dumpster and leaps inside, his friends follow while the Ninja pause.
"I've jumped in worse." Kai said.
"I fell in worse." Raya reminds.
"Ohh boy, was your mother pissed at me." Kai replied. The Ninja all jump in and the doors of the dumpster closes.
"Secret dumpster chute." Arin said, very impressed with his hands on his hips. "Nice."
"Come on. Our HQ's close." Percival leads them further into the hallway.
XxXxXxXxXxX
While underground, Percival leads the Ninja through the tunnels. Until Raya slides to a stop and Riyu bumps into her as she looks at something.
"Hey, that's part of the weird techno cocoon me, my dad and Aunt Nya found Zane in." She realized. "In that underground Monastery."
"Yeah. The Empress took all that stuff apart. Most of it got sent to the Land Of Lost Things." Percival said as he comes up to her. "That's where we dump all our old tech."
"Yep, we've become pretty familiar with that place." Sora replied.
"And this explains why part of the portal gate was there." Nya added.
"And why I could not connect to this gate again." Zane said as he walked up, while looking at it. "This would've been useful to know before I expended so many days on my failed attempts."
Percival places a hand on Raya's shoulder. "We're almost there."
The group finally reaches the headquarters, and the Ninja pull off their hoods as they look around.
"How does the Empress not know you're all hiding out down here?" Lloyd asks as they all take a seat.
"When we were the Imperium Teen Protection Force, we learned where all the security cameras are, so now we can avoid them. It's how we've been able to build up the Resistance without getting caught." Percival explained.
"And how big is the Resistance?" Arin asked.
"We're the leaders, but we have people inside all kinds of places." Percival answered as one of them hands him a key card. "That's how we got this access card." He hold it up. "This will get you into the Advanced Systems Lab to find your Dragon Cores." He give it to Lloyd.
"I don't get it. Last time I saw you, you were dragging poor Riyu to the Empress." Sora said, causing Riyu to growl at Percival and hide behind her.
"We all saw you Ninja free those dragons with our own eyes. So when the Empress said it didn't happen, we got skeptical and started digging, and uncovered all kinds of lies. We were told our old Emperor died in and accident, but it turns out the Empress and Ras caused that accident."
Sora's eyes grew. "Seriously? Even I didn't know that!"
"We've all known people who've mysteriously disappeared. We believe anyone who tries to express themselves in a way the Empress disagrees with is imprisoned." Percival continued, he pressed a button to turn on a screen, showing Beatrix. "This footage was never broadcast, but in it, the Empress admits to her lies. One of her biggest? That dragons are only mindless beasts. Did you know dragons have super advanced IQs? And almost all dragon species live in cooperative communities, just like us."
"Obviously." Wyldfyre said. "Everyone knows that."
"Not in Imperium." Percival told her. "But I'm confident when the rest of our people learn the truth about how we treat dragons, they'll rise up."
"But how will they learn the truth?" Sora asked. "The Empress controls all the information in Imperium."
"We have an insider that can get us access to the broadcast tower tonight. If we can hack through the encryption, we can stream this to every screen in Imperium. That's why we think it's fate you've shown up here now."
"How is it fate?" Raya asked.
"Because she's here." Percival points at Sora, he turns to her "You're who inspired us to do this, Ana. I mean, Sora."
"Me? I'm just a runaway who's good at tech stuff."
"Our whole lives, the Empress told us what to do, how to dress, how to think. And we just did it, no questions." One of the leaders spoke.
"But you defied LaRow and the Empress." Percival smiled at Sora. "You resisted."
"You did what no one had ever done. When we learned the truth about what happened to you, why you left." The one teen who spoke before, trailed off.
"We had to do our part to try and save Imperium. None of us can hack the broadcast encryption, but we believe you can." Percival told Sora.
A surprised Sora stares at him, then looks at Riyu then back at Percival. "I'm in."
"Not without me!" Arin announced. "I've always got your back, Sora!"
"Great. You do that, we'll get the Dragon Cores from the lab." Lloyd said.
"One thing. I saw that lab after the explosion. It's now on lockdown. Guards on guards on guards."
"Distraction?" Raya asks with a grin. "Sounds fun!"
Kai turns to her. "Let's do it, Smith style!"
Wyldfyre beams. "You had me at massive explosion!"
Raya growls. "I didn't say that, you fossil!"
"But you implied it." Wyldfyre told her.
"Yes." Kai smiles, snaking his arm around Raya's shoulders. "We did!"
"Aright then." Lloyd smiles. "Time to save the world."
XxXxXxXxXxX
Outside, the dragons continue fighting Beatrix. Jiro roars at Zanth before grabbing her tail and slamming her to the ground, Jiro charges at her.
"Filthy lizard!" Beatrix pulls out her sword, but Jiro shoots at her multiple times charging at her. She grabs the dragon and throws Jiro, slicing off the armor. "No dragon is a match for me!"
XxXxXxXxXxXx
Kai, Raya and Wyldfyre stand by a corner and look at a building. Wyldfyre is holding a map.
"Alright, map says that's the armory."
"Doesn't look like anyone's home." Kai comments.
Wyldfyre smiles. "Knock knock."
Kai smirks as he turns to her. "Who's there?"
"Ka!" Wyldfyre lights her hands.
Kai does the same thing. "Ka who?"
The two turn to Raya, who sighs. She places a hand on her father's arm, copying the fire.
"Kaboom?" She asks, holding up some fire.
The other two nod. "Kaboom!"
The three shoot fire at the armory. The three laugh and sing while shooting more fire, blowing up the building.
But nothing but huge fire erupts from the building, their powers disappear. "Wait. Where's the massive explosion? If this is where they keep their rockets and weapons and blowing-up stuff, shouldn't there be more loud booms?" Wyldfyre asked.
"Yeah, I gotta agree." Raya frowns. "Where's the mega ring in the ear explosion?"
"Y'know, I was just thinking the same thing." Kai said with his hands on his hips. "This is the armory, right?"
Wyldfyre pulls out the map. "Totally. See?"
"Gimmie that!" Raya snatches the map. "It's upside down, you fossil!" She shoves the map back.
"Oh. Uh, well. You let a kid raised in the Wyldness be in charge of a city map, so … your fault."
"NO!" Raya yells at her.
Kai sighed. "Raya, calm down!" He places a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure this building is still something very, very important, so no doubt we pulled a strategic move to help the Resistance."
A guard suddenly comes running up. "Not the Shoulder Pad Storage!" She then sobs loudly as Kai, Raya and Wyldfyre nervously crept backwards.
XxXxXxXxXx
Percival leads Sora, Arin and Riyu to the broadcast tower.
"I can't believe you managed to get an insider into the broadcast tower. That's, like, Triple A level clearance." Sora told Percival.
"And wait till you see who it is." Percival said as they take the elevator up to the top. They arrive at the top to find Rapton.
"Rapton!?" Sora and Arin yell in shock.
"Hey, if you need an inside guy, Rapton's your man." Riyu tackles him to the ground. "Hey!" Riyu headbutts him. "Ow. Boy, someone's really holding on to an old grudge."
Percival runs up to Riyu, who growls at Rapton. "Come on, please." Percival begged the baby dragon. "We need him if we wanna save Imperium."
Arin sighs, placing a hand on his head. "Hey, buddy. I hate Rapton too, but let's at least hear him out."
Riyu didn't like that, but he didn't fight when Percival picks him up and sets him on the floor.
"How do we know you're not a spy for the Empress?" Sora demanded Rapton.
"Cause I can't stand her! Ugh. Look, all I ever wanted was to hunt dragons." He starts, and Riyu growls at him. "Ok, ok. I'll admit. Wasn't reading the room there, heh. Look, the Empress has gone off the rails. She's so obsessed with destroying Ninja, she doesn't think about anything else! She's built this MergeQuake weapon, and she's too far gone to realize she'll destroy the whole world trying to get revenge."
"What's that got to do with you?" Arin asked.
"When I didn't get the Dragon Core she sent me for, I had a real moment of clarity. Why was I helping her end the world? Rapton needs the world. Rapton likes living in it."
"He heard about the Resistance and came to me." Percival told the Ninja. "We made him a fake Dragon Core to give to the Empress."
"I was hoping with a fake Core, her weapon just wouldn't work, and she'd give up. But that kind of explosively backfired."
"The lab explosion?" Arin asked in shock. "That was you?"
"Yeah. Rapton barely got out of there alive. But, now I hear the Empress has another plan to get her weapon going, so we gotta work fast. Her real strength is the loyalty of her people, and we're betting a pirate broadcast to the truth will end that. So, you trust me or not?"
"Fine." Sora pulls off her hood. "Truce. But it's only temporary."
"Absolutely. I hate you all too, like, so much." Rapton agreed, the moved to the machine. "Now, one hand scan and you're in. Go to town."
XxXxXxXxXxX
In the streets. Lloyd, William, Nya and Zane approach the Advanced Systems Lab. "Streets all clear. Let's go!" Lloyd said, the three hurry down the street. When suddenly one of Jiro's blasters flies in front of them and Beatrix lands in front on them while still in her mech.
"I gotta admit, she's good with dramatic entrances." Nya said. "Wonder where she learned that."
XxXxXxXxXx
Atop the broadcast tower, Dorama electrocutes Rapton.
"Yet another dramatic drama entrance! Please, hold all applause until the end of the performance." He deflects Riyu's attack. Ha ha! I knew following that heel Rapton would lead to a plot twist. Now look at what I've upstaged." He deflects more of Riyu's attacks. "The Empress will be thrilled with me."
"How can you work for her?" Percival asked. "Her rule is nothing but lies!"
"Oh, nieve child. The lies of the stage is where we find our inner truths." He activates his staff and attacks Percival, but Riyu jumps and tackles him.
"Thanks, Riyu."
Riyu let out a squeak.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Beatrix confronts the Ninja. "You stick some guns on a dragon and think it can take me?"
"Where are our dragons?" Nya demands.
"Where all dragons should be. Imprisoned, preparing to be drained for their energy, so they can't help you this time. I know you've come for my Dragon Cores, but you will not get them!"
The Ninja battle Beatrix.
XxXxXxXxXx
On the other side of the city. Kai, Raya and Wyldfyre are still searching for the armory. "See, those are power lines, not rivers." Kai said as he holds the map, trying to show the girls. "And. Raya! Are you even paying attention?"
"Uh?" Raya blinks, she turns to an annoyed Kai. "Sorry daddy. What was that?"
"What are you two so focused on?" Kai demanded.
Wyldfyre turns to him and points to a big screen. "They did it."
XxXxxXxXxX
Beatrix slams all four Ninja into a wall, defeating them. She walks up to them. "Your powers disgust me! We."-
"We must eliminate repulsive and aberrant freaks from our city, like I did to my sister and my father."
"Exactly! Wait, what?" Beatrix pauses and turns to a big screen to show herself talking with Ras.
"And I assure you all there has been no dragon escape. Anyone suggesting that is a traitor."
"And we're clear." Dorama's voice spoke through the speakers next as the video shakes. "Empress. Stunning performance!"
"I don't need a good performance. The brainless people of Imperium will believe anything I tell them. With those dragons now gone, tell LaRow to increase draining the few we have left. Last thing I need is pathetic citizens complaining."
"What is this!?" Beatrix gasped, staring at the screen. "What's happening?"
"Just your own words, Empress." Lloyd tells her as he, Nya, Zane and William stand back up.
The video feed shows Beatrix in a lab with Dr. LaRow. "Faster! More!"
"The dragon can't take much more."
Beatrix turns to her. "Who cares? Drain it until there's nothing left! Imperium's power must be infinite!"
The video then shows Zanth roaring in pain.
XxXxXxXxXx
On top of the broadcast tower. Arin smiles as he watches everybody's reactions. "It's working!"
"Good." Sora smiles. "Now it's my turn to be on camera."
Parcival starts to livestream Sora.
"People of Imperium! You've heard the truth from the Empress herself. Imperium is not the perfect place we've been told it is. It tortures dragons. It drains them of their very life. Every comfort you have, every privilege, comes at the expense of other living beings. This cannot, must not continue! And she doesn't only abuse dragons. Our entire culture is in service to her. The Empress used me for my work, then threw me away when she couldn't control me. Just like the dragons, I was a mindless beast. That's how she sees all of us, but we are all stronger than she realizes. We must rise up. We must be free! Because today, we are all dragons!"
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
Two guards run towards the armory. "There's an uprising. Let's gear up!"
The building explodes, knocking the guards back as Kai and Wyldfyre emerge from the flames triumphantly.
"Now that an armory." Kai said.
"Yeah!" Raya cheers.
XxXxXxXxXx
Beatrix flees through the streets, where angry citizens boo at her. "Those videos were faked! You know me! Argh, I am good!" A suddenly slammed into her and she stops running as she finds more angry citizens.
"The Empress is a liar!"
"Boo!"
Beatrix grabs a nearby guard and throws him at the crowd, shocking them as she resumes fleeing.
"Down with the Empress!"
Beatrix continues to flee even as Jordana contacts her. "This better be good news, Jordana!"
"We are all dragons! We are all dragons! We are all dragons!" The citizens all chant.
XxXxXxXx
Percival and the others watch the protest from the top of the broadcast tower.
"You did this." Percival told Sora, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"We did this." She corrects him. "We are all dragons!"
XxXxXxXxXx
Lloyd, Nya, William and Zane finally reach the Advance Systems Lab. "The teens weren't kidding." Lloyd said as they peer at the entrance. "That is a lot of guards. Let's go!" He starts to move.
"The armory is on fire! Come on!" All the guards take off running.
"Did my brother's dumb plan seriously work?" Nya asked with shock.
"It would appear so." Zane said. The four run up the stairs towards the entrance.
Until Beatrix's mech slams down between them and the entrance. "Looking for these?" She holds up the MergeQuake weapon, displaying two Dragon Cores and a fake one.
"How does she have three Cores?" Lloyd asked with shock.
"Now, even MergeQuakes are mine to command! Prepare for your complete and utter destruction, Ninja!" She fires the weapon into the sky, opening a huge rift as she laughs maniacally.