Chapter 1: Darkness Shall Rise
It had been a whole month since the Great Devourer attacked Equestria City and was destroyed. Everycreature was doing their part to rebuild after the rampage of the Devourer, including the Ninja. but it wasn't so easy for them, as without their weapons they had lost their elemental powers as well.
They were currently fixing one of the lampposts along the streets. "Easy boys, easy," Gaia said as they straightened out the pole.
"Finally. All fixed up and Serpentine-free," Landrush said, while Trail tried to use his powers but only got a few sparks.
"Save your energy Trail," Flash said. "We've all tried, but gotten jack-squat."
"Aw, this is frustrating!" Trail complained. "Our weapons are gone, and most of our elemental powers are gone! I mean, we can still do Spinjitzu, but... Argh!" He was trying to use his fire again, only for Frost to bring out a blowtorch and weld the pole down. "I just feel so, I don't know, limited. And thanks to the Devourer, our tank is out of commission, Ultra Dragon's hurt, and now that the Bounty is destroyed, we don't even have a place to sleep!"
Frost then flipped his mask up. "No one ever said being a hero is easy," he said as Trail frowned. "Though our good deeds may never make us rich, they make us rich in other ways."
"Yeah, well, I don't feel rich," Trail sighed.
"Um, boys, did you forget that I'm-" Gaia tried to say only for Thunder to interrupt her.
"I, for one, enjoy pitching in," he said as he threw away a broken radio. "I've always wanted to feel part of a community. Ah, speaking of which, has anypony seen Aqua or the girls? They said they were gonna help."
"And we have!" Aqua said as they turned to see the Mane Six coming towards them, along with Aqua and Wu riding on a motor scooter. "I may have found us a place to live!"
"Really? But, there's a waiting list a mile long to live in Equestria City," Thunder noted. "How did you do that?"
Aqua shook her head and pointed to Rarity. "Don't look at me, Thunder. I didn't pull any strings. She did," she said as everypony turned to the fashionista.
"Well, through my vast business resources, I was able to dig up quite the chain of references. As it turns out, I know a colt, who knows a mare, and she knows another mare who knows another colt," she explained to them. "And well, this colt knows this mare who's a real estate agent, and said agent can help you find a place, if you catch my drift," she said as passes him a pamphlet.
"And where are you off to?" Flash asked.
"Well, I need to head back to Canterlot to write down a report about all of this and send some construction workers to help with the work," Twilight explained. "I also need to visit Zecora to see if she can make some Serpentine antivenom."
"Why?" Thunder asked before they heard a mare scream in fear. They turned to see the baby Fangpyre next to a chariot with a snake face on it. "Never mind," Flash quickly ran over and picked up the little baby snake.
"Sorry miss, Fang was teething," Flash said before walking back to the others.
"Fang?" Landrush asked after hearing what he called him.
"A bit on the nose don't you think?" Rainbow asked Twilight as she just shrugged. None of them could decide who should be the one to raise the Serpentine Hatchlings so they agreed they would all raise them together but would live with Twilight in Canterlot.
"And… how are the rest of the little Hatchlings mastering their powers?" Gaia asked Twilight.
"Well, Coal is so strong that it's hard to pull him off of something. With Sky, she's having a bit of trouble with her hypnosis. Toxsa keeps spitting at creatures whenever she gets scared, and Melody… Well, she keeps scaring everypony with her invisibility," Flash told them.
"I have faith that they'll master their powers soon. And once they do, we may be able to convince the rest of the Serpentine to exist with other creatures in peace," Twilight said with confidence as Wu finished drinking. "But until then, I'll be taking a trip to Silver Shoals and ask Celestia and Luna for something to help dull their powers a bit."
"We also have to find a couple of components to fix the Ninja Tank. And Ultra Dragon's healing ointment from Lord Ember has finally arrived," Wu explained, "It's a day's trip, but once we get back, they'll be flying again." He then chuckled excitedly. "Also, I love scenic drives. Haha, punch it, Aqua!"
"Aye-aye, Sensei," Aqua said as she revved up and drove off with Sensei Wu.
"Yee-haw!" Wu shouted.
"And I need to check in with Sunburst back of the school of friendship, so I'll be gone for a few days," Starlight told them.
"Yes, and we've been away from Ponyville for way too long than we'd like," Applejack said. "So, we'll on our way home too."
"If you need any help finding a new home, just call us," Fluttershy told them.
"And if you like to stay in Ponyville, I'll have your 'Welcome to Ponyville' Party ready and waiting!" Pinkie promised. After giving Fang back, Twilight and Starlight then brought their horns together and the Mane 7 teleported away.
"'Golden 'Goldy' Landing, Real Estate Queen,'" Thunder read the pamphlet. "Ha, this is exactly what we need. Once we get a roof over our heads, we can start properly training Lloyd."
"Good, 'cause if we know Lord Garmadon, he's not going to be taking any breaks," Landrush told them. "And let's not forget, the Serpentine are still at large."
"Yeah, but without Pythor to lead them, I doubt they'll be much of problem," Gaia reminded him.
Meanwhile, by the ruins of the Destiny's Bounty, the Hypnobrai, Fangpyre, Constrictai and Venomari had gathered around with their generals where Skales had stepped up to fulfill the role of leader.
"Serpentine! We have been exiled for the lassst time!" Skales said as they looked at him with scrutiny, the other Generals having told them of Skales's hand in helping Pythor deceive them. "But fear not, I will lead you!"
But then one Hypnobrai spoke up. "Lead usss?! To where?!" he asked. "The City of Ouroboros has been desssstroyed, our underground fortesss is gone, and our tombsss are completely barren! We have no home!"
"You want to lead usss ssso badly," a Fangpyre pointed at Skales. "Why ssshould we trussst you?" she asked.
"Becausssse I wasss the one who told you in the first place not to awaken the Devourer!" Skales answered, "But no, you lisssten to that madman of a leader Pythor!"
But before then any further arguments could occur a new voice piped in. "You want a home?" a familiar stallion asked as the Serpentine and gasped at what they saw. "We'll give you a home!" All the Serpentine turned to see Lord Garmadon, Tirek, and Chrysalis and with the Golden Weapons as well. Tirek was a lot buffer after Garmadon offered him some magic to absorb.
"Lord Garmadon!" Skales shouted in anger towards him before he looked at Tirek and Chrysalis. "And you two, we've heard you were turned to stone!"
"Hmph, you can thank Garmadon for our freedom," Chrysalis told them, glancing at the Alicorn.
"And you'll have to forgive me, I know I haven't been myself lately," he said, referring to his temporary alliance with the Ninja, before holding up the six Weapons. "But now that I have my father's golden weapons, it's time I got back to my roots. If I'm going to rule Equestria, I know I can't do it all by myself."
"And that's why he freed us from our stone prison," Tirek spoke up. "Not only to get revenge on those that put us there, but to let us rule beside him when he remakes Equestria into his own image. But it'll take more than the three of us to do so."
"Yes," Garmadon agreed. "All of Chrysalis's changelings have turned over to the light and the Skeletons served their purpose, but I've always been partial to snakes." The Serpentine were humbled by his compliment.
"So, if you want someone to follow, then follow us!" Chrysalis said as the Serpentine seemed to be in favor of them.
Skales, however, would not allow it. "You are to follow me! Not them!" Skales said but the Serpentine were more eager to follow Garmadon.
Garmadon then decided to convince them even more, turning to the Bounty's remains. "You want a home? We give you a home!" With his horn glowing, drawing power from the Weapons, Garmadon lifted the broken pieces of the ship into the air, reconstructing it and repainting it black and purple.
"The power of the Weaponsss..." a Hypnobrai said in awe as they saw what they can do.
"I give you the Black Bounty!" Garmadon introduced their new home as the Bounty landed and they all cheered.
"Imbecilesss!" Skales shouted as he rushed towards them. "Do you not remember he was just helping the Ninja?! Now you blindly follow them becaussse of his sssorcery?!" he demanded before pointing at Tirek and Chrysalis, who looked unimpressed by his attempts to take control, "And what'sss to sssay that Tirek or Chrysalisss won't betray you once they get what they want?! They're not even Serpentine! Rule with me, and we rule asss brothersss and sssistersss!"
The Serpentine started talking before Tirek spoke up. "Interesting point, but we've got an offer you can't refuse. Rule with us…" he started before holding up a Hypnobrai soldier while powering up his magic to absorb the Serpentine's power, "or else..."
The Hypnobrai gulped as the decision was clear. "All hail Lord Garmadon!" the Serpentine cheered as they boarded the Black Bounty and flew away, leaving their Generals behind.
"Oh Darn it!" Skales whined as he slammed his staff down on the ground.
On board the Black Bounty, Garmadon took the helm as Tirek and Chrysalis were with him and four other Serpentine on the bridge. "Your Eminence, excussse my ignorance, but why isss it we fly in the opposssite direction of the Ninja, when you have the Golden Weaponsss in your possssessssion?" A Hypnobrai asked him.
Garmadon turned to him. "Because they have my son! And it is written that he will one day defeat me," he explained as he raised a brow. "What good would turning Equestria into my own image be when that victory would be fleeting?"
"Then we dessstroy Lloyd!" A Constrictai suggested.
Tirek and Chrysalis looked at each other as they noticed Garmadon's seething expression. "Ooh… you shouldn't have said that." Chrysalis told him with a nervous look on her face as Garmadon glared at him.
"Argh! Lock him in the brig!" Garmadon ordered before the Hypnobrai took the Constrictai away. "No one will touch my son. But by getting rid of my brother, my sisters, those pesky Ninja, and Twilight Sparkle and her friends, Lloyd will never reach his full Potential. The prophecy will never be fulfilled and Equestria will be mine... forever!"
A Fangpyre then cleared his throat. "But why are we flying away from the city?" he asked.
"Because, we are heading the Golden Peaks," Garmadon answered.
Chrysalis raised a brow. "The Golden what?" She questioned and Tirek answered.
"The Golden Peaks…" he remarked in awe. "I heard tales of those mountains, said to be the place where the First Spinjitzu Master acquired the gold for the Golden Weapons. However… I have a feeling there's a particularly evil reason to go there," he said as he looked at Garmadon with intrigue.
"Yes. Even the Golden Weapons have secrets yet to be unlocked, and once I uncover their full potential, nothing will stand in our way," Garmadon answered as the Black Bounty took off.
A bright pink mare with crimson pink mane opened a door with the Ninja and Lloyd behind her to an apartment. However, it was a rather crummy-looking one, thus lowering expectations.
"This one-bedroom, one-half-bath is a cozy dream. Who needs extras when everything is in arm's reach? Now, wait until you see the lighting," she said as she turns on the light, but the bulb flickers, burns out, and falls to the ground. She chuckles nervously. "Uh, who needs lights when you have this view?" she opens the window blinds, but the view was really a brick wall.
Lloyd then smelled something, "Um, why do I smell Griffon feathers?" He asked Goldy.
The mare turned to the colt. "Look, doll. I'm trying to work around your budget. This is all you can afford," She told him.
Flash looked around with a sheepish smile. "Uh, yeah this looks...promising," he said, but didn't sound very convincing.
"Remember, guys, Sensei told us our main objective is to train Lloyd, not kick our hooves up in some swanky suite," Landrush reminded them. "If this is all we can afford, this is all we can afford."
Gaia then raised a hoof. "Um, actually Landrush I think I might be able to-"
But then Thunder interrupted her, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's not rush into any decision," he pointed out. "I mean, if it's really all about Lloyd, don't we need to live in some place that'll make training easier?"
Trail caught on to what Thunder was doing. "Yeah, Thunder's right. If we have to get Lloyd ready to save Equestria from his father, shouldn't he at least have his own room?" he asked as Lloyd smiled at their thoughtfulness.
"Technically, that does not matter, he only-" Frost tried to argue only for Trail to gently elbow him.
Thunder then gave her a sheepish smile. "We're only thinking about the children," he chuckled.
"I do have another property that you'll just love," Goldy said as she led them out of the crummy apartment.
Goldy then brough the Ninja to a fancy skyscraper apartment suite that was ten times better than the first apartment. The Ninja were in awe of the suite.
"Oh, man." Thunder said.
"Incredible." Flash looked around the room.
Goldy then gave them a brief tour of the suite, "Now, this is the eleven-bedroom Hero Suite. Floor-to-ceiling windows, digital wall television, state-of-the-art game console..." she listed as the Ninja were amazed.
"Uh, it seems a little out of our price range., Landrush said.
"A little?! This place looks like it costs 20 times more than what we have!" Flash retorted to him.
"Actually, we can afford it since I-" Gaia tried to say but was interrupted by Goldy.
"Oh, sure it costs a little more, but you have the royal seal of approval from the Princess of Equestria herself, you deserve it," she said as Gaia growled at being constantly interrupted today. "I forgot to mention, there's also a dragon keep on the roof."
Outside the building Ultra Dragon was flying around it.
"Wow, now this is a fancy place," Flame commented.
"I'll say," Orchy said.
"Nice!" Trail said as they walked up the window.
"Hey, maybe we can get a hero discount? After all, we are the Ninja who saved the city." Thunder suggested.
"Really? I thought Lord Garmadon saved the city?" Goldy pointed out as Thunder hmphed and crossed his hooves. "That said, since the Ninja of Wind is the coltfriend of the Princess, I guess I could lower the price a bit for you."
"And the rest of us can get day jobs to pay for the extra expenses," Trail suggested.
"We always said we could use a little more responsibility," Frost added just before two scrolls appeared before them.
Flash took one scroll and read it. "Oh geez," he turned to the others while Gaia read the second scroll. "Sorry guys, Twilight just asked me to handle the training of some of the guards as their regular instructor is part of the City's repair team, so I can't help you with the rent."
"And I'm afraid I too cannot be of aid," Gaia said as they turned to her as she gave a guilty smile. "My mother requires my aid to help her with some functions and appearances this month, and I did promise her we'd spend more time together."
"That's okay, we'll handle the rent," Landrush assured them.
"But you also have to train Lloyd," Flash reminded them before Goldy stepped between them.
"Did I mention the in-house training facility?" She asked as she pressed a button on a remote and showed them an indoor training grounds, with all the equipment they needed for training Lloyd.
"We'll take it!" all the Ninja said in unison.
With that the Ninja began their duties. Thunder became a pizza delivery pony, Landrush became the Equestria City Bank security guard, Frost became a chef, and Trail became a party entertainer. Meanwhile Flash handled the training of the Canterlot Guard, while Gaia helped her mother with their family's official functions.
At first, Thunder, Landrush, Frost and Trail had an easy time with their jobs, getting good pay and filling up their rent jar. However, they were so occupied by their jobs that they did not have a chance to train Lloyd yet. Meanwhile, Flash and Gaia were struggling to handle training guards and attending rich pony functions.
However, over the next days, Thunder was getting tired from running all over the city and had gotten less and less tips, Frost received more and more customers and forced to speed up his body, Landrush began to grow sore from standing and often mistaking normal ponies for robbers, and Trail had been gone from being a party entertainer to a living-punching bag for rough playing kids. Meanwhile, in contrast, Flash had begun to grow adept in training the guards, and Gaia had grown use to attending functions to the point of actually enjoying the rich-pony life again.
"Oh..." Landrush groan as he placed his backhooves in a bucket of ice water after a long day at work as Lloyd was training with a dummy before getting punted. "My hooves! I can't feel them any less than I did when I was preparing that Auction at Gaia's mansion."
"There was so many of them," Trail said as he was covered in bruises as he laid back on the couch. "And they wouldn't stop." Frost was oiling his hoof before spinning it around.
"My gears locked up even times more than at Gaia's mansion," he complained as Thunder crawled over to the TV and raised his hoof up.
"I don't even have the strength to play video games," he moaned before he collapsed.
Lloyd then walked in, "Oh but, you guys said you'd train me, and Flash and Gaia still haven't come back yet," he said.
"Sorry, champ, they haven't and we can't until we make rent," Landrush told him before he looked at Thunder. "How close are we?"
Thunder looked at the jar which was only a third full. "Gah! Is this thing getting bigger? We're not even close!"
"And our rent is due tomorrow!" Frost told them.
"I can pull a double shift," Landrush said.
"And I can do overtime," Frost added.
"Maybe I can sling a few more pizza pies," Thunder said as he stood up.
"And I can make a little extra if I do the living pinata..." Trail said, causing the others to look at him with wide eyes. "Ugh, don't ask."
"Great, then our priorities are set," Landrush said "Tomorrow… we make rent."
"And, uh, what about me?" Lloyd asked.
"How about you help out and fetch me some more ice, huh?" Landrush told him as Lloyd frowned.
Deep in the Equestria City subway lines, Skales and the other Generals were discussing their next move. "Our fellow Ssserpentine followed Garmadon and those two has-beensss!" he told them. "We're going to have to do something truly diabolical if we're going to earn their respect back. Let'sss brainssstorm ideasss on how we can do that."
"Let'sss releassse the Devourer!" the Constrictai General suggested.
Skales facepalmed, "No Skaildor, you idiot. We've already done that. And need I remind you what happened to Pythor!"
The Venomari General suggested his own idea, "How about releasssing the ssswarm of evil beesss?"
"Ugh, Acidicusss, where would we even get evil beesss?" Skales groaned.
"I don't hear you offering any ideasss." Fangtom pointed out as Skales groaned.
Thunder got off his scooter and quickly ran over to his boss that had a few pizza pies ready. "Pizza delivery. 21st and Union," the manager told Thunder, shoving the pizza into his hooves. "Get it there in time, or else it's on you."
Thunder was concerned about when he would get there. "Uh, how much time is left?" he asked his boss.
"Five minutes." he answered casually.
"But I'll never get across town in five minutes!" Thunder expressed frantically.
"Then I guess it comes out of your pocket." the manager answered rudely. "Now, get going!" With that, Thunder rived up his bike and rolled out. He drove past some ponies going by on his bike and went as fast as he could to deliver the pizzas. A big truck drove by in his path so he quickly ducked under and kept on driving.
As he drove, he heard somepony yelling, "Help! Help!" He turned and saw a mare being harassed and being robbed by three griffon thugs.
Thunder knew he was pressed for time but he also had a duty to protect the creatures of Equestria. "Help!" the mare yelled again as Thunder turned around and zoomed towards the thugs to help the mare as they laughed.
The thugs were still trying to yank the mare's bag from her Thunder pulled up into the alley, "Hey what's going on here?" he asked
"Mind your own business, Ninja," One of the griffons said.
"No way," Thunder glared.
"It's three blades against none," The second thug pointed out as all three pulled out daggers.
Thunder narrowed his eyes and revved up his bike and charged at them. The Griffons panicked and made a run for it only for Thunder to ride on the walls and cut them off. "Blind alley, guys!" Thunder quipped as the three ran away in the other direction with Thunder right behind them. The Unicorn then jumped and dove towards them. "Banzai!" he cried out, landing on the three as the mare smiled at him.
"Thank you," she thanked as Thunder handed her bag back, "Pizza Ninja." Thunder then rode as fast as he could towards 21st and Union.
Thankfully he arrived, but he was surprised to see there were only a few houses here.
He then saw a hippogriff walking by. "Hey, isn't this 21st and Union?" He asked, wondering if he made a wrong turn.
"Sure is, but there hasn't been anything built here in moons," The hippogriff answered and walked on. Thunder then got off his back and took the pizzas, wondering if whoever ordered them was here, "Hello? Anyone here?" he called out, before hearing a familiar voice.
"Ssso, after you rob the bank, we embark on phasssse two," Skales's voice said from inside a sewer entrance as Thunder walked towards it. "Ingeniousss!"
Thunder looked down and saw Skales with two of the other Generals with him.
"But bosssss, when are we going to get pizza? I'm hungry," Skalidor complained.
"Rob the bank?" Thunder repeated, backing away from the pipe only for Acidicus to grab him from behind with knife to his throat, causing him to drop the Pizza into the hole.
"Hey look, pizza!" Fangtom said.
"Lunchtime!" Skalidor said, as munching sounds were heard while Thunder tried to break free from Acidicus's hold.
"Ah, ah, ah… Where do you think you're going?" Acidicus asked him with a smirk. "We haven't given you your tip."
Thunder gulped, realizing getting fired was the least of his problems.
Three of the generals took a Subway cart and drove off while they left Thunder with his legs tied up.
"Oh, come on, Thunder, you got to warn the others," he told himself. "You can figure a way out of this."
He struggled his legs to get free before realizing there were too tight for him to get free from. "Okay, maybe not."
He then noticed the map on the wall that showed the subway routes and one that led to the bank. "So that's the Serpentine master plan. Wicked! Guys, I'm coming!" He then managed to get on his legs and started hopping down the subway line. "Unh! Hopefully, Landrush can stop the bank robbery."
Meanwhile at the bank though, Landrush was sleeping on the job until the bank owner came out. "Everything okay?" he asked, waking Landrush up.
"Aah!" Landrush yelped, "Nothing out of the ordinary, boss," he assured.
"Thanks for taking the double shift," The owner thanked before heading back inside.
"My pleasure," Landrush assured before he yawned. "And now, for a little more beauty rest." And so, he fell asleep again. Little did he know that inside the bank vault, the three Serpentine Generals burst out of the ground and the alarm sounded, waking him up. "Uhh!"
"Take it all!" Acidicus told the other two as they grabbed as much money as they could.
"Shouldn't wait for Skales?" Fangtom asked.
No, Fangtom, you fool," Acidicus reminded him. "He'sss carrying out the ressst of the mission, remember?"
"Oh, yeah. I forgot," the Fangpure said as they grabbed all the bags of money and jumped down the hole. Landrush then arrived in the vault but was already too late.
"Huh?" He looked down and recognized the hole as a Constrictai hole. He then heard voices.
"Now, let's take the subway!" Acidicus said.
"Subway?" Landrush repeated.
Meanwhile at the Park, Trail was entertaining another party and blowing up balloons. "I swear, I'm never taking Pinkie for granted again," he said as he blew the balloon even bigger before it popped and he heard the alarm at the bank go off.
"Trouble? Sounds like they need me." He then tries to leave, but he is stopped by the mare with the kids.
"Not so fast. I still have you for another hour." She told him.
"Uh, but the bank," Trail told her, "Ponies are in danger."
"Not until my son is done playing," the mare told him as she looked toward her son only to turn and find only the balloons in her hooves. She scowled at the retreating Trail. "Huh, you're fired!" she shouted.
Meanwhile at Frost's job, he was about to serve the food he made when he overheard a stallion talking. "It's true, at the bank," The stallion told the mare next to him. "I hear they stole all that money, and no one's doing anything about it."
Frost was so distracted by the conversation that he accidentally drops some eggs on a colt's head. He starts crying and his parents glare at him.
"Uh, uh, I'm sorry," he apologized only to end up ruining their food even more as the head chef came out and was not pleased.
"You're fired!" he shouted as Frost's artificial fur covering his eye started falling off.
"It must be my hard drive overheating," he tried to defend as the family were freaked out, "I mean... never mind. I'm going!" He then ran out of the restaurant.
Trail and Frost then headed to the Bank as Landrush tried to explain himself to the Bank Owner. "I'll make it up to you, I swear," he said.
The Owner however looked unconvinced. "Hmmm, no. Why don't you go home and get a good night's rest, and go ahead and sleep in," he said sarcastically. "In fact, sleep in all day for all I care, because you're fired!" he then marched back inside as Landrush sighed and his two friends joined him.
"Ugh, looks like we're all in the same boat," Trail said as all three of the got fired in one day.
"Eh, that's okay. I hated that job anyway," Landrush assured. "Let's go. The Serpentine Generals are getting away."
"Which way did they go?" Trail asked.
"I overheard them saying something about the subway," Landrush told them.
Frost nodded. "Good call. But shouldn't we wait for the others?"
"No time, Let's go!" Trail said as the three ran.
"NINJA, GO!" They did Spinjitzu and put on their armor and hoods.
As they ran, Landrush spoke up. "I know, Flash and Gaia are too far away to wait for but, has anyone seen Thunder?"
Back in the subway, Thunder continued to hop with his legs still tied up down the line. "Hello? Anypony?" He called before sighing, "Boy, I think I may have picked the wrong track. I hope I see someone soon." He said as he kept on hopping.
Meanwhile Landrush, Trail, And Frost had made their way into the subway and saw a train coming. They then hopped onto the train, as inside the Generals heard them land on the room.
"Sssounds like we have company boysss," Acidicus told Fangtom and Skaildor.
"But I only heard three. Aren't there sssix?" Skaildor question asked.
"Don't know about the other two," Fangtom said, "but we already caught the blue one, ssstupid." he told Skaildor.
"Hmm, then it'sss possssible that Sssentry and the mare went after Ssskales," Acidicus guessed. "Alright, then we need to make sure thessse three aren't there to back them up," he said as the other two nodded.
On top of the train, the three Ninja were crawling along, trying to avoid getting blow off. Landrush looked down to find a way in but found none. "Ugh, isn't there an easier way to get inside?" Landrush asked, still holding on.
Trail grunted, "Not without a ticket!" He then felt something grab him. "Huh? Aargh!" he yelped as he was pulled into the train, leaving a hole on the roof.
"What the?" Landrush said.
"I believe Trail just found it," Frost concluded as they looked at the opening.
"Nindroids first," Landrush offered.
"Oh, you are such a gentlecolt," Frost complimented as he jumped in.
Inside Trail was bound by Skalidor as Frost landed on the floor and Landrush landed on his back, "Let me go, snake!" Trail demanded as the other two were surprised.
"Welcome to the part-ugh?!" Skalidor commented before Trail elbowed him.
Acidicus the approached them. "Care for a drink?" he quipped as he sprayed his venom at Frost causing to fall on Landrush.
"Sorry about that." Landrush apologized for standing on Frost.
"That's quite alright. Venom can't hurt-" Frost tried to assure only for Fangtom to whack him with his staff and laugh. Frost rubbed his head. "But that stings a little. Let me have this dance, snake," he said before grabbing Fangtom and throwing him to the ground.
Landrush stood up, "One down, two to go-" He was interrupted when Fangtom got back up, punched him, and then tried to bite him while Acidicus restrained Frost.
"These Generals are a lot harder to defeat without our Weapons!" Trail grunted as Skalidor increased his grip.
Landrush just kept dodging Fangtom's attacks. "Don't worry, these guys don't have Pythor to be their brains anymore," he assured. "Just keep fighting, we not gonna let these fools get away with this!" He then threw Fangtom against the window as it broke.
"Get away? We aren't trying to get away," Fangtom told them. "We're trying to distract you long enough for ssso that Ssskales can foalnap Lloyd."
"What?!" Trail asked in a concerned tone.
Fangtom then explained, "We never had any interessst in the money. We just needed the boy." He laughed as he continued, "Who'sss the fool who needsss Pythor now?!" he asked as the three Generals laughed.
Inside the Hero Suite, Lloyd was taking a break from training and playing some video games. He grunted in disappointment as he didn't get the high score and tried again. Little did he know that a certain Hypnobrai was lowering himself near his window with a window cleaner lift. As Lloyd was playing, he then noticed Skales's reflection on the TV and gasped in fear as he turned to the window where Skales tapped on it.
"Hello, my little pony," Skales said with a smirk.
"Help me!" Lloyd yelled as he ran to the door, but it was locked. He tried to unlock it but only got an automatic response. "Door is locked," the security system said.
Lloyd tried to yank the door open. "I know! I want it open!" he said as he kept on pulling. Skales then cut a hole in the window and slithered in. Lloyd turned to him trembling. "What do you want with me?"
"You ssseem to be the only thing your father caresss about. And he'sss the only one capable of keeping Lord Tirek and Queen Chrysssaliss in line," Skales told him as Lloyd tried to unlock the door again. "But with you asss my hossstage, even with those two by hisss ssside, he'll have no other choice but to let me lead the Ssserpentine! Hyah!"
Lloyd yelled before he realized what Skales said, "Wait, Tirek and Queen Chrysalis are working with my father?!" he asked.
"Yesss, but they won't help him, or you," Skales told as Lloyd was backed against the door. "Let'sss train."
Then on the other side of the door, voices were heard. "Hello? Lloyd, what's going in there?" Flash knocked with Gaia, Wu and Aqua with him as Lloyd and Skales were surprised by their arrival.
"Help!" Lloyd called.
Back in the subway, Frost ducked under a venom spit from Acidicus before he ran up the side and got behind him and punched. "We have to save Lloyd!" Landrush told them before blocking a punch from Fangtom.
"We can only hope that Flash and Gaia arrived in time to save him!" Frost said as he dodged Acidicus's venom and then knocked him down with a kick.
"Just give me a weapon, and I'll take care of these snakes!" Trail grunted as he tried to break free of Skaildor's grip.
Frost then grabbed the railings. "Who needs weapons when you can make your own?!" He takes apart the railing and uses the circular piece as a make shift shuriken and knock off Skaildor, freeing Trail.
"Ha! Smart thinking, Frost!" Landrush cheered as kicked Fangtom down and took off a pipe. "Here, Trail!" he threw the Pipe to Trail who used it as a sword to knock Skaildor into the wall when he tried to run.
Skalidor got up and saw Trail holding him at weapon point, "Unh! Uh, uh, uh...this was all a big misunderstanding," he tried to explain nervously.
Trail raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?" he asked before he heard Landrush speak.
"Guys," he said as he looked out the window, "I think I found Thunder." Up ahead he saw Thunder, still tied up and hopping right towards the speeding train.
Thunder saw the light on the side opposite to him, "Ah, finally the way out," he sighed in relief but it soon turned into terror as he realized the light was actually a train speeding right towards him. "Ah! Not good, not good, not good!" He then started hopping as fast as he could but against a speeding train he would never outhop it.
Back on the train, Frost and Landrush hurried to the front while Trail kept watch on the three Generals. When they reached the front, they saw there was no driver. "Where's the driver?" Landrush asked as they flipped up their hoods.
"The train appears to be automatically controlled," Frost explained.
Thunder meanwhile was still hopping as the train was getting closer. "Oh, no. Oh, no. Aah!"
"So, it's not gonna stop?" Landrush asked as Thunder kept on hopping faster.
Frost pulled on the brake handle, but the train was still going too fast as it screeched on the rails. "It's not slowing down!"
Landrush then helped Frost pull the brakes, but the Train still wasn't stopping.
Back with Trail, he could hear his friends struggling, and knew they couldn't do it alone. "I'm sure they could use your help, but what do I know?" Acidicus asked with a grin.
Trail growled, knowing that if he left to help the three Generals would escape. "Ugh, we're not strong enough!" he heard Frost grunt. After that, Trail knew what he had to do.
"I'm coming!" Trail shouted as he dropped his pipe and ran to the front. The three Generals were surprised by his loyalty to his friends before they looked up at the hole and then climbed out of it to escape. Thunder kept on hopping until he fell over and he saw the other three Ninja pull on the brake handle.
"Together!" Landrush said as all three pulled as hard as they could as on the roof the Generals were slithering as fast as they could to get off.
"AH! OH BUCK ME! AAHH!" Thunder screamed as the Train was a few feet away from running him over and closed his eyes, bracing for impact. Then with one final pull Landrush, Trail and Frost finally managed to get the train to stop and on the room the Generals fell off from the sudden stop.
They got up and slithered on, realizing that Skales's plan was a failure and who they should follow from now on.
Thunder opened his eyes and saw the train stopped, just barely touching his hooves, he gasped in relief and saw his friends, "Hey, there you guys are!" he said as he tried to loosen himself again. "Um, I could use a little help here?" he asked sheepishly.
The four then rushed back to the Hero Suite, hoping Lloyd was still there. "Lloyd?" Landrush called, hoping for an answer.
"He's not here." Frost said, fearing they were too late. Trail looked in the training room but Lloyd wasn't there.
Oh, I can't believe we let this happen, again!" Trail said in guilt. "We shouldn't have left him!"
Landrush then added, "We shouldn't have taken those jobs and just trained him in the first place," he told them, as their desire to live in the best place possible had cost them something even more important. "What were we thinking? Losing Lloyd to the Serpentine again was by far our greatest loss today."
They looked down sadly before they heard Wu speak up, "Or it could be your greatest lesson." They turned and saw Wu with Flash, Aqua, Gaia and...
"Lloyd!" all four of them shouted in relief to see him all right.
"You're okay!" Trail said.
"I wasn't going to be, until they showed up at the last moment," Lloyd explained.
"We turn our backs for a few days and EVERYTHING falls apart!" Gaia retorted.
Trail chuckled, "I guess you could say we don't need all the fancy stuff," he said, putting on hoof on Lloyd's shoulder. "We just need each other."
"Want us to help you clean up?" Flash offered.
"Well, we are a team," Trail said
Wu turned to Aqua, "Aqua, I think it's time for another road trip," he said.
Thunder sighed, "Doesn't matter, we'll never make the rent now."
Gaia then groaned in aggravation. "Oh, for the love of Celestia, I CAN PAY THE RENT!" Gaia snapped without her fancy accent as they all turned to her in surprise. "I'M RICH, REMEMBER!?"
"We remember, but we don't want to take advantage of that." Trail explained as Gaia calmed down, blushing as she realized the reason her friends never utilized that fact.
"My friends, you need to remember we're all family here, nopony is taking advantage of anypony," she said, and then smiled. "Now how about we get the rest of our stuff, make this place a real home."
"Hold on, I got a better idea," Landrush spoke up.
Soon the Ninja were moving their things into their new home, the rundown apartment Goldy showed them before. "It's not much, but this one-bedroom, one half-bath is a cozy dream, who needs extra when everything is in arms reach." Landrush quoted as the others were moving some stuff in.
"Hey, it's the simpler things in life," Flash said as he and Trail brought in a chest, only for Lloyd to bump into and causing him to drop the chest on Trail's hoof.
Trail whimpered before held his back hoof with front ones and hopped around, "Owowowowow!" He yelled in pain as Flash chuckled, remembering something similar happening on the Bounty.
"Ha, feels like home already," Gaia said after she chuckled.
"Hey, at least we get to stay in Equestria City for a little while," Thunder said.
"And now without the distraction, we can put all of our energy into training Lloyd," Frost said as he stopped Lloyd from walking around aimlessly.
"Who's there?" Lloyd asked as Frost helped him move the table.
"And he's gonna need that training, 'cause from what Skales told him, Garmadon has formed an alliance with Chrysalis and Tirek," Flash told the other stallions.
"What?!" the four shouted in unison.
"Lloyd told us after we saved him from Skales," Gaia explained.
"Plus, there was a report that their statues have gone missing," Flash added.
"Looks like we got our work cut out for us," Landrush said.
"Speaking of Skales, I know Acidicus, Skaildor and Fangtom got away, but you never told us what you did with him," Trail said.
"Oh, he found a home too, but it's not quite as roomy as here," Wu told him with a smirk.
As it turned out, Skales's new home was in a prison cell in the city detention center, resulting from a choice he was given between jail or Tartarus. "Mark my word! Thisss won't be lasssst you'll sssee of me!" he screamed from behind his bars.
"Lights out!" A guard shouted as Skales turned to the door.
"Oh very funny!" he retorted. "You'll rue the day you made a fool of me!"
The guard then hit the lights off and walked away. "Yeah, yeah." He said as Skales groaned, realizing he was going to be here for a while.
Meanwhile far from the city, Garmadon, Chrysalis, Tirek, and the rest of the Serpentine had reached the top of a tall mountain with a hole at the top, emitting a golden light. "The Golden Peaks, the wellspring of the gold of the Golden Weapons," Garmadon said as he held the Weapons up which glowed. From the pit of the Golden Peaks rose an orb of molten gold that floated up in front of Garmadon. The six Golden Weapons then flew into the golden orb and something began to happen within it. "Yes, it's working!"
"What is?!" Chrysalis shouted. "You still haven't told us what we're doing here!"
"Wait for it," Garmadon told her as then, when a dragon's roar being heard, the ball exploded and everyone gasped in awe as the six weapons were replaced with a single golden Axe-like weapon. The top of the weapon looked to be the six elements of each weapon collided together as it floated towards Garmadon. He had an evil grin on his face as he reached out for said weapon. "Behold, the Mega Weapon!" he exclaimed before he grabbed it and the veins in his hoof turned gold as he felt power surging through him and he kneeled, yelling from the overflow of energy.
"Your Eminence! Are you okay?!" A Venomari asked in concern as Garmadon caught his breath.
"Yes, In fact, I've never felt more powerful!" Garmadon declared as he then heard someone approaching. "Who goes there?!"
They all turned to see Skaildor, Acidicus and Fangtom, panting as they slithered up the mountain.
"What are you three doing here?" Chrysalis asked the Generals.
"It wasssn't easssy to track you down," Acidicus told them as the other two caught their breath, "But we've come here to join you."
"Why the sudden change of loyalties?" Tirek asked them.
"Skales'sss failure of a plan to capture Lloyd!" Skaildor answered and Garmadon landed in from of him.
"WHAT?!" he roared the three generals scrambled back.
"It wasss hisss idea! Not oursss!" Fangtom pleaded as the three bowed low to Garmadon, "Pleassse forgive ussss, Lord Garmadon!"
Before Garmadon could lose his temper, Tirek then put his hand on Garmadon's hoof before he could do anything. "Save that weapon for the Ninja and the Council of Friendship," he told him. "These three may be the only ones who can keep the Serpentine in line."
Garmadon lowered the Mega weapon and turned to the Generals. "Very well, you may join us." He conceded before narrowing his eyes, "But remember that my son is off limits!"
The three generals bowed again, "Thank you Massster Garmadon!" they said.
"Now to destroy the Ninja and the Council of Friendship, once and for all," he declared.
"And then finally claim Equestria as ours, forever!" Chrysalis declared as they all laughed evilly, echoing for miles.
Their echoes would soon reach Equestria City where the Ninja were asleep in their apartment well Sensei Wu meditated in front of a candle. Then the flame soon went out as Wu felt a disturbance in the balance and heard the echoes of his brother and his followers.
"I fear there's a great disturbance in the force," Wu said to himself when he opened his eyes.