Chapter 2: Only One Can Remain
The Ninja, the Mane Six, and other competitors for the tournament watched as they approached a large building with two Serpentine painted on the front.
"Whoa, look at that," Landrush gasped in shock.
"Awesome," Rainbow breathed out.
"Let Yah-Karlof see!" Yah-Karlof says, shoving Trail aside.
Trail grunts, "Do you mind?!" he asked as the two got ready for another fight.
But they're attention was drawn away to the sound of ponies in maroon robes doing punches and chanting. The steamboat soon reached the pier.
"Welcome to Chen's Island!" Charm greeted as she and Grimoire walked off the ship. "The Tournament of Elements welcomes its many brave competitors and its visiting royalty, both current and former," she said, a bit snidely at Luna as the mare scowled a bit.
"Master Chen will be pleased you've both returned," Grimoire says to Garmadon and Luna, "Sensei Garmadon and Little Luna."
"The pleasure is all ours, Grimoire," Garmadon said plainly.
"I'm sure it is," Grimoire replied as he and Charm walked away.
"Definitely feeling some tension between the four of you," Thunder whispered to Garmadon and Luna.
"Yeah, and how is it we're on an island we've never seen on any map?" Fluttershy asked.
"And care to explain how the face of Equestria's most popular Noodle House is secretly assembling an underground fighting tournament?" Landrush added as the rest of the competitors got off the boat.
"Master Chen used to be a friend," Luna explained to them. "Now he's a traitor. During the Great War, Chen turned against his own kind and sided with the treacherous snakes."
"The battle you two, your sister, and Uncle Wu fought together in?" Lloyd chimed in. "He was an enemy?"
"He used the power of deception and rumors to divide the Elemental Masters," Luna explained as they walked to the gates, "And if that wasn't enough, he also turned the other creatures of Equestria against both ponykind and one another, escalating the violence to nigh unstoppable proportions."
"It was only by a miracle did we manage to defeat the Serpentine and draw the kingdoms' borders. In a deal for his surrender, Chen was to spend the rest of his miserable life here on this island in exile," Garmadon continued. "Little did we know, he stole Star Swirl's Spell of Immortality, and over the centuries built his criminal empire, using his noodle business to fund his army."
"Wait! So all the money I've been spending on noodle goodness was being used to help a traitor build his underground crime world?!" Landrush asked in shock.
"Really, that's your biggest issue right now?" Gaia asked him as he shrugged.
Twilight frowned. "Well, Chen might've divided the ancient Equestrians once upon a time, but he won't be so lucky against us," she declared.
Trail and Applejack then noticed the orange mare and Maximum approaching. "Please, ladies first!" Trail said as he quickly pushed the others aside.
"Ya can go first, I don't mind at all Maximum," Applejack quickly told him with a smile.
"That is very kind of you, but please call me Max," Maximum told Applejack as they walked past them. The orange mare smiled at Trail when she walked past him.
"Fire will melt her icy heart," Trail whispered with a goofy grin. "Just wait."
"Applejack, darling, are you feeling all right?" Rarity asked as they all continued to walk to the palace.
"Of course, I am. Don't know why you ask," Applejack said as Rarity looked at her with a raised brow.
"Right," she said with a light roll of her eyes. While she could tell Applejack wasn't lying, she could sense there was something going on that even she was not aware of.
The group then approached the gates, "This is a big island, Frost could be anywhere," Landrush told his friends.
"Are we even sure he's on this island?" Rainbow asked.
Flash shook his head, "No, but if there's a chance he is, we have to take it," he told them. "So everypony, keep an eye out."
"Both eyes, ready and watching!" Pinkie said, pulling her binoculars.
Then the gates opened, as Grimoire and Charm led the group down a purple carpet path to the sides, more ponies in robes banged on drums chanting tribal language.
"So, this is the house that noodles built," Thunder joked as he laughed and marched proudly, "Ha! Always wanted to go to a red-carpet event."
"More like a purple carpet event," Gaia corrected after seeing the color of the carpet.
"On this island, we are strangers and Chen lives like a king," Luna told them. "Here, he is totally self-sufficient. Any way on or off this island is with his permission. And the way to obtain it is to earn it."
"You never told me about this place," Lloyd told his father. "How do you and Luna know so much about this island?"
"Because before Chen was our enemy, he was our Sensei," Garmadon answered as he pulled down the back of his robe to reveal a snake tattoo on his back.
They then look towards Luna as she lifted up the veil around her neck to show she bore a similar one. "It was one of many things we regret in our past," Luna mentioned before they all went inside.
Inside, the group and the competitors were all sitting around what looked to be a throne room and waiting for further instructions. "You never told us you two had a Sensei," Twilight whispered to Luna.
"When we were your age, Garmadon and I sought out a darker means of guidance, after his father and the Pillars disappeared," Luna whispered back. "He taught us to win at all costs, no matter who we hurt. It wasn't until you and your friends saved me, Twilight, did I learn otherwise."
"And it wasn't until you saved me, son, that I saw the light," Garmadon told Lloyd as the younger stallion smiled.
"Uh, apparently, he also never taught either of you to have a sense of humor," Thunder mentioned.
"Yeah, lighten up!" Pinkie jumped in, "We're in an underground fight club! It's supposed to be fun!"
Then one of the guards struck a gong as they all turned their attention to the front. Then as a gramophone played music, Grimoire and Charm stood to either side of the front.
"All rise, for Master Chen!" Grimoire and Charm said in unison as a large chair was lowered down with a dark purple stallion with a black mustache and sideburns sitting on it. He was wearing a black cape, red robes with gold and purple details, and on his head was a hooded Serpentine skull with a fake purple snake hanging in it.
"Welcome, one and all, to the Tournament of Elements! Now everycreature can all DIE-!" he exclaimed as the doors slammed shut and they all gasped before Chen leaped to his hooves. "-rect your attention to me!" he finished while laughing as Grimoire scrunched his face and placed a hoof to his head while Charm rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Garmadon and Luna sighed in aggravation. "We forgot to mention he has a penchant for theatrics," Garmadon whispered to his son.
"And an excessive one at that. Some things haven't changed, it seems," Luna added with an eye roll.
"Hee, hee, hee! Never before have so many Elemental Fighters been under one roof," Chen continued as he stepped down and walked around. "I see Master of Fire, Earth, Life, Shadow, Wind, Speed. Even a prophesied Light Savior and Ruler of Equestria have graced us with their presence," he said as he looked at Lloyd and Twilight before he looked at Garmadon and Luna. "And a pair of former pupils have returned."
He then pointed towards the gong with the snake symbol on it. "This symbol before you is for the Anacondrai, fiercest Serpentine warrior to ever roam this land. Its creed: 'Only one can remain'."
A soldier then hit the gong again before the center of it started to part ways. They all looked at the gong and could see behind it are brackets for each round of the tournament and who they would be fighting.
"Good, looks like we're each in our own bracket," Flash whispered to the others. "We won't have to face each other for a while."
"Then we better find Frost before that happens," Lloyd whispered before Chen continued.
"Behold, a Jadeblade!" Chen gestured to Grimoire who was holding a Blade made of a jadelike metal. "Here, it represents life. Obtain it, move on. Allow your opponent to take it, loser. The rules are simple. Every match will be different. No two fights will be the same. Your powers will keep you in the tournament. Use it or lose it!"
"Hm. What Yah-Karlof win?" Yah-Karlof asked Chen rather impudently.
"Win and stay on the island, my metal-horned friend," Chen answered. "Win it all, and you'll receive fortunes beyond your wildest dreams!... Also, a lifetime supply of Master Chen noodles! Hee-hee." He then turned to the Ninja. "But! Nocreature is here because of noodles. You want the glory of being called the greatest warrior in the world!"
The Elemental Masters all applauded in agreement, but Twilight frowned in suspicion. "And what happens when they lose?" she asked.
Chen turned to her with a grin. "'Lose'? Who here likes to lose?" he joked as he and the Elemental Masters all laughed, but Twilight just grew more suspicious as Chen did not answer her question. "Now please, enjoy my island. It's a super fun happy place. Hahaha. Fun time on me!" he laughed while Pinkie scowled in suspicion.
"That's totally not a friendly laugh," she whispered to her friends.
"You will now each be shown to your rooms," Charm announced as she stomped her hoof. Out from the doors came several black maned ponies, with white and red face paint and kimonos which made it hard to tell which of them were mares or colts. They walked over to the Elemental Masters.
"Oh great, just what we need," Rainbow complained. "A bunch of creepy clowns."
"Not clowns, Kabuki," Luna corrected. "Chen's jesters and personal servants."
Each Kabuki stopped in front of each Elemental Master before they took each one and guided them away. "Yeah, well, whatever they are, I don't like 'em," Landrush said as they were being led to the upper floors and separate rooms. "So much for staying together." The only ones that did not get led by a Kabuki were Garmadon, Luna and the Mane Six as they were still on the ground floor.
"Always be ready!" Garmadon called out to them. "Never lose focus!"
"What?!" Trail called out as they couldn't hear him. "What did he say?!"
"I don't know! Something about, uh, mucus?!" Thunder guessed as they were being led to their rooms.
"Your Fire Suite, Master Trail," the Kabuki that led Trail told him as they stopped in front of a door and she opened it. Inside, Trail saw that his room is in his colors as his emblem is printed on a carpet on the floor. Not only that, but there are also a couple of paintings of himself hanging on the wall.
"Are you kidding me?! Ha!" Trail exclaimed as he was amazed by his room. "Fire!" He sang as he ran to the center and looked around his own room. "Whoa. So handsome," he complimented after seeing a painting of himself. He then slid open a couple of doors and walked out to a patio and saw the view of the island. "I could get used to this."
"It's all right, I guess." Trail whipped around to see Rainbow looking around the room casually, "a bit too much red in my opinion. Maybe I can ask Chen to add some rainbow in here."
"Hey! What are you-" Trail tried to ask.
"Letting myself in. Like or not, me and the girls are gonna need a place to stay, while we're stuck here," Rainbow told him as she joined him on the balcony.
Trail sighed and then turned to see the orange mare on the balcony next to them, with her hood off it was shown she had a red mane in a ponytail. Trail smiled dopily at her as she turned to him.
"Heh, looks like we're neighbors," Trail said coolly, "I'm Trail Blaze, Master of Fire." He then lit his wings ablaze and winked at her as Rainbow rolled her eyes.
The mare smiled amusedly, "Topaz, Master of…" She stopped and turns to Trail with a smirk, "Wouldn't you like to know."
Trail just stared dreamily at her, and Rainbow looked at his wings, "Um, Trail, your wings?" she said.
Trail turned to his wings and realized they were still burning, "Ow, owowowowow!" he yelped, flapping his wings frantically to put them out as the two mares giggled.
Thunder and Pinkie were brought into Thunder's room which was blue with electrical systems and devices around, "Every device within your room has been configured to interact with your own electrical system," the Kabuki told Thunder as she closed the door.
Pinkie and Thunder looked at each other as Thunder tried making some static and then a huge television popped up from the floor.
"WOW! Now that's a TV!" Pinkie yelled in amazement, then they saw a pair of controls appear as they both nodded and took the controllers as they sat on Thunder's bed and started playing video games.
Gaia, Rarity, and Fluttershy were brought to a green-colored room with a peculiar mixture of a greenhouse theme from the exotic hanging plants being magically self-cared for, and a nobility theme from the intricate marbling and fine fabrics being strewn about. "Wow, these are the rarest plants I've ever seen, I've only ever read books about these," Gaia mentioned as she was bewildered by the plants.
"Not only that, but it appears Chen left a little present here," Rarity said as she levitated what looked to be a new ninja outfit for Gaia. It was sleeveless and had each of the ancient Equestrian symbols for each of the Ninja with Gaia's on the right chest of it. "He must have commissioned somepony to create something this divine, because after seeing his attire, I would never like to meet his personal tailor."
"Why don't you try it on, Gaia?" Fluttershy asked before Gaia took the suit and did Spinjitzu. She then replaced her old Gi with the new as she had her mask over her muzzle.
"Looking good," she complimented herself after she looked at herself in the mirror.
Flash and Twilight looked around his room which was yellow and oddly resembled the old barracks at the castle.
"Heh, gotta give it to Chen, he can at least give you a good room," Flash commented before turning to Twilight as she was sitting on the bed, looking deep in thought, "Hey, you okay Twi?"
"Oh yeah, it's just, I'm wondering about something," Twilight told him, "Garmadon told us that you and the other Ninja were all descendants of Elemental Masters,"
"And?" Flash asked.
"Well, I'm just wondering if, could me and the girls also be descendants of Elemental Masters too?" Twilight wondered as Flash looked intrigued by this question as well.
"I don't know Twi, but for now, let's just focus on finding Frost, okay?" Flash told his marefriend.
Twilight smiled. "Okay," she said as the two shared a kiss.
Meanwhile, Landrush was laying on his bed in his own room but his bed appeared to be made of mostly stone. He grunted as he tried to get comfortable on it but with no luck. "A stone bed? Come on," he complained as he sat up and bumped his head on the lamp above him. The lamp itself appeared to be a switch as a wall in front of him parted and he saw something that made him gasp.
He went over and saw shelves filled with his favorite foods. "Chen's Noodle House? Three Ingredient Sizzling Rice, Snow Pea Custard Apple, Mu Shu Wu Shu?!" he exclaimed before he began to chow down on some noodles. He then slurped up some noodles before he saw his favorite dessert with widened eyes. "Cake!" he then cheered as he continued to chow down on his own feast. "Score!"
A Kabuki leads Applejack to a room which is green with a few energy lines on the walls. She looked around and knew this didn't belong to any of her friends before she bumped into Max. "Oh, sorry about that, Maximum," She apologized as he helped her up.
"It's all right, and I told you before: call me Max," he told her. "I am glad that Kabuki honored my request to have you here. I suppose you consider this my apology for what happened on the boat."
"All water under the bridge, partner," Applejack assured as she looked around the room. She then noticed a small photo on his nightstand of himself and a filly with a brown coat and yellow mane on his back. They seemed to be standing in front of a potato farm in the picture as she wondered something. "Hey, who's that in the photo with ya?"
Max turned to the photo and frowned slightly. "My younger sister, Minimum Powers. We live with our Aunt and Uncle on a small farm in Canterlot," Max answered. "And she's the reason I even entered this tournament."
Applejack looked at him with confusion. "Whaddya mean?" She asked.
Max then looked very ashamed, "It was all because of a foolish decision I made that she's suffering," he said sadly, "That's why I'm hopeful that when I win, I'll be able to truly help her." Applejack looked at him in concern and wondered what happened to his little sister.
Meanwhile in Lloyd's room, Lloyd had already put on his new Gi, "Yeah, this is sweet!" He laughs before looking behind him and seeing the picture of him and his friends, staring at Frost in particular, "Don't worry, we're gonna find you pal," Lloyd promised.
Outside the temple, both Garmadon and Luna were shoved out by Grimoire and Charm. "While Master Chen was more than accommodating to our uninvited royal guests, since you two weren't invited, I'm sorry to say there's no room for has-beens in our Master's temple," Charm said mockingly at them.
The two just frowned. "Fine, we'll just stand guard," Garmadon said. "We wouldn't want anything to happen to them."
Luna then leaned forward with her eyes narrowed. "And don't think we've forgotten you and your brother love to use dark magic. Therefore, we strongly advise you to not feed that vice, you snakes," she snarled.
Grimoire merely raised a brow. "Now why would we want to cheat the Ninja?" he asked before he slammed the door at them.
A sudden fanfare was being played over the loudspeakers before Chen could be heard through them. "Fellow fighters, hidden around my Island are enough Jadeblades for every participant except for one,"As every competitor in the palace heard him, Luna and Garmadon took this opportunity to climb over the wall to get back inside. "The one who returns to the Palace Arena empty-hoofed loses!"
Thunder and Pinkie Pie were in a hot tub in his room as they heard Chen. "The tournament begins…" A ram suddenly burst into the hot tub room and surprised both Thunder and Pinkie, "now!"
"Now?!" Thunder exclaimed in shock.
Then a gray ram with white horns walked in, "This place could use a little more space," the Ram said. "Thunder, Master of Lightning… meet Ramerak, Master of Null!"
He reared up on his back legs and then fired a blast of null energy at Thunder and Pinkie. The two of them went and dodged each blast being thrown at them, seeing that each blast had not destroyed anything, but rather erased them. As if the hit spots were never at all. They both learned quickly they did not want to get hit with null energy.
Thunder shot a bolt of electricity right at Ramerak and electrocuted him to the floor. As he recovered from that attack, he could see a Jadeblade up on the ceiling. Thunder saw it too as Ramerak got up and used his power on Thunder.
Lloyd, Flash and Gaia exited their rooms just as Chen can be heard over the loudspeakers. "May the best fighter win," he let out a maniacal laugh just as the other competitors started looking for Jadeblades. "Also, the Council of Friendship and the Princess are forbidden to help in any of the fights, considering they're just spectating. Hoo-hoo! Now have fun!"
"He didn't see anything about helping finding a Jadeblade," Rainbow remarked as she saw something near the roof. "Trail, heads up!" Both him and Topaz looked up and saw something.
"Is that–?" Topaz started.
"A Jadeblade?" Trail finished as he and Topaz looked at each other.
Back inside, Lloyd, Flash and Gaia saw a Jadeblade in the statue. The small stallion, Pale Hound, and the Whitetail Wood Deer rushed towards it but got tripped up by each other.
"Hey," Lloyd said as he, Flash and Gaia rushed towards the Blade but then Gaia was tripped by a gray Kirin.
"Oof! Hey!" Gaia retorted, turning to the Kirin as he jumped over her and towards the Blade. She then looked under a chair and saw another Blade, "Huh, my lucky day!" She said, grabbing the Blade.
Flash and the Kirin were locked in battle before he turned into smoke and disappeared, "Huh?" Flash said before the Kirin appeared behind him and punched him in the face.
Back outside, Trail and Topaz looked at each other for a moment before Topaz made the first move. "That one is mine!" she declared as she jumped over and pushed Trail down. She then jumped up to the patio above her room as he got up.
"Hey!" Trail called out before he jumped over to her.
"Stop!" she yelled out as she tried to stop him from going up.
"You stop! Unh!" Trail grunted as he pushed her back, only for her to fall off before he quickly grabbed her by the leg.
"Help me!" She pleaded before Trail tossed her up, as a mistake as she used that moment to get up on the roof and take the Jadeblade.
Trail gaped in shock, "Sorry hot stuff," Topaz apologized with a grin as Rainbow face-hooved herself.
Trail then heard grumbling and looked down to see Yah-Karlof stomping into the courtyard. "Grrrr… where Yah-Karlof find Blade?" the Yak growled as Trail smirked.
"Two birds with one stone," he said before flying down.
Applejack and Max walked out and saw the fight between the other masters. "Looks like the games have already begun," Max commented before he noticed a Jadeblade across the room, "There you are," he said before rushing towards the Blade.
Landrush then walked outside, his cheeks puffed up a bit as if he was about to get sick. "Can't fight on a full stomach," he moaned before he saw a Blade on the lower levels, "Oh-ho-ho, Sweet!" he said before walking towards it.
As the other competitors fought, Grieval noticed Landrush going for a Jadeblade on one of the lower levels. Just when Landrush was halfway there, the speedster griffon pushed the other competitors off him before he made a dash for the Jadeblade was going to grab and took it. "Ha! Too slow, rocky colt," Grieval bragged.
"Hey!" Landrush complained. Meanwhile, Max was about to get a Blade before a very light green cloud of poison gas got him by surprise. A mare with a yellow-green coat and bright green mane came out of a room with a smirk on her face before she ran towards the Jadeblade.
Back in Thunder's room, Thunder was pinned down by Ramerak as he had the Jadeblade. Thunder had to think of something quick before he did a little spark and turned on the TV. The Space Ranger movie quickly caught Ramerak's attention. "Ooh, Space Ranger," Ramerak said with amazement. Thunder quickly took this opportunity to roll away from him and use his towel to whip the ram right in the flank. Ramerak yelled out in pain as he dropped the Jadeblade and Thunder quickly caught it.
"Ha, ha! I love my room!" Thunder cheered before he quickly grabbed his new ninja suit and headed out with the Blade.
Back with Lloyd and Flash, they had managed to get the other Elemental Masters off them. But then just as a gray Hippogriff with a black and white mane tried to attack Lloyd from behind, Flash pounced on him.
"Lloyd, go for the Blade!" Flash told him. "I'll cover you!"
Lloyd nodded and made a break for the Blade, but Grimoire and Charm had other ideas. "Seecore," Grimoire chanted as his horn and eyes glowed with dark magic.
Then suddenly, the dragon on the carpet Lloyd was standing on grabbed him, "Wha-Hey?!" Lloyd said as he tried to break free.
Garmadon and Luna made it back into the palace and noticed Grimoire and Charm using their dark magic. "Of course, they wouldn't play fair," Luna growled as they raced over and tackled both of them to the ground. With the spell broken, Lloyd got his leg free and pushed back one of the competitors before he saw his father and Luna tussling with Grimoire and Charm.
"Hurry, Lloyd, you must not lose!" Garmadon told his son as he struggled to keep Grimoire down. Lloyd kicked back one of the competitors before he grabbed the Jadeblade. Meanwhile, Flash struggled against one other competitor before he noticed a Jadeblade on the ceiling.
"Okay, no more Mr. Nice Guy!" Flash grunted before he used his power to blow away the one he was fighting before he flew up towards the ceiling. Meanwhile, Max was tussling against the mare that gassed him with poison as they struggled to get the Jadeblade.
He was about to give in before he remembered his reasons for coming here. "HRGH, No! I can do this! I must do this!" he grunted before he released a blast of green energy at the mare flinging her back. He panted and grabbed the Blade.
Down below on the first floor, Landrush was dogpiled. Soon he got out of the dog pile as he grunted while pushing off the other competitors often. "It's mine!" he declared as he walked towards a Jadeblade on the floor before he clutched his stomach in pain. "Oh, stomach cramps!"
The Master of Void took this opportunity to turn invisible and run towards the Jadeblade. Just when Landrush was about to pick it up, he saw it float in the air and moved away from him. "Hey, stop! Stupid Blade," he complained as he tried to chase after it. He then felt punched in the face as the Blade moved farther away from him. He then realized it wasn't the Blade as he punched a nearby pillar to cause some dust to fall on Pale Hound. "Ha, ha, ha! NINJA, GO!" His Spinjitzu knocked back the Master of Void while the Jadeblade was thrown in the air. He quickly stopped and grabbed the Blade before he held his mouth as if about to get sick. "Ugh! Okay, that was too fast."
Back in the throne room, Grimoire places Gaia's Jadeblade into the statue with the others, "Only two Jadeblades remain," he declared.
"And only three competitors," Charm added. "Who will be next to arrive here with a Blade?"
The doors then slammed open as Landrush raced in, "Wait! I got one!" He yelled.
"Landrush!" Flash said in relief.
"You made it!" Thunder said with a smile.
"Thank goodness," Gaia added in relief before Landrush noticed which creatures were still missing.
"Where're Trail and Rainbow?" Landrush asked as the Ninja and the Mane Five realized the Element of Loyalty and the Master of Fire had not returned yet.
Charm then took Landrush's Blade and placed it on the statue. "Only one Jadeblade remaining," Chen announced.
Twilight then noticed something else. "Uh, guys? Yah-Karlof isn't here either," she said as they all knew that could only mean one thing.
Out in the courtyard Trail and Yah-Karlof stared each other down with a Jadeblade between them. Trail lit his wings on fire and Yah-Karlof, scrapped his horn on the ground, turning metal before giving a bellow and snorting.
They continued glaring at each other, waiting for one of them to make a move, "Get on with it already!" Rainbow yelled from above impatiently as the two charged forth, trading blows, trying to beat the other and make a break for the Blade.
Yah-Karlof knocked Trail down and was ready to stomp him flat before the pegasus pushed him back with his fire. The two masters fought on as the Jadeblade was flung into the air.
Soon the doors to the throne room opened wide as Yah-Karlof walked in with the Jadeblade on his horn. "Haha! Yah-Karlof win! Mighty Yak beat puny red Fire pony!"
All of the other competitors cheered for his victory while the rest of the Ninja and the Mane Six looked concerned as they already lost one of their own. However, Yah-Karlof's victory was short-lived when the metal covering of the horn holding the Blade came loose and fell to the floor.
"Wha?" Yah-Karlof said in surprise.
Trail came from behind him with a screwdriver in his hoof, "Sorry, looks like you had a screw loose!" he quipped before snatching the Blade and flying over to the statue and placing it with the others. The competitors cheered for Trail while Topaz had an impressed smile on her face. Trail smiled back as he felt his heart beating just by looking at her.
Rainbow then flew in. "I would've grabbed it but, you know, rules," she told her friends as she landed next to them.
"We have a loser!" Chen declared as he gestured to Yah-Karlof.
"No fair! Red fire pony cheat!" Yah-Karlof argued as he reattached his mental back to his horn.
"I did what I had to do," Trail said in defense.
"That is not how you win," Garmadon firmly said.
"That was considered cheating, Trail," Luna added with a stern look.
"Fine. Yah-Karlof lose," Yah-Karlof said, accepting his defeat as he gave a look. "Yah-Karlof never want be on stinking pony island! It not good as Yak islands!"
Chen seemed to look apologetic. "Oh, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your stay," he started as he moved a hoof behind his back, and gave a subtle signal to Charm. "I guess this worked out for the best. This is… GOODBYE!" Charm pressed a button on his throne and a trapdoor opened underneath Yah-Karlof, which he fell through as he was screaming to the bottom.
The Ninja, the Mane Six, and the competitors all jumped back in surprise. Garmadon and Luna sighed in aggravation. "Perhaps we should've warned you that Chen also has a love for trapdoors," Luna griped.
"As you can see, lose and you are out," Chen announced while gesturing to the challenging board as one of his goons removed Yah-Karlof's bracket picture and crushed it in his hoof. "Break any rule, you are out! Never bite the hoof that feeds you… Master Chen delicious noodles! Now rest up! Tomorrow the tournament will recommence," he announced as one of his ponies bang a gong to end the meeting.
A little bit later, the group were seated in sets of tables as they were in a dining hall having dinner as Landrush and Pinkie enjoyed the food.
"Hah, at least the chow's good," Landrush commented with a smile.
"How does this guy make the best food on an island?! It's incredible!" Pinkie excitedly cheered as she ate her food as fast as she usually does.
"How can you both eat after what we just saw?!" Twilight scolded the two.
"We don't even know what was waiting for Yah-Karlof at the bottom!" Flash reminded them.
"I know and it's killing me!" Thunder spoke nervously. "What's under the trapdoor?! What happens when you lose?!"
"Easy, you three," Luna said softly.
"Don't think about it," Garmadon told them.
"It's all I think about," Thunder pointed out. "I moved on. I feel guilt."
"These are not good feelings," Fluttershy pointed out after what happened to Yah-Karlof.
"You think you three feel bad? Imagine how I feel," Trail said, knowing that it was his fault for what happened to Yah-Karlof when he stole his win. "Our mission is simple. Tonight, we find Frost and get off this crazy island."
"We only came here to find our friend, so we shouldn't be here any longer than we have time," Rainbow added in agreement.
"And just how are we supposed to do either of that?" Landrush questioned. "You heard Chen. Break a rule and we're out," he reminded them.
"Landy's right. Chen's not gonna let us roam around the island just like that just to find our friend," Gaia said in agreement while feeling a little worried. "And I don't wanna know what's down that trap door, thank you very much," she added.
"I feel we can all agree on that," Rarity said in agreement with Gaia, not wanting to know as well.
"Then it's a good thing we're Ninja," Trail said with determination.
"He's right, y'all. Chen didn't account for us being stealthy, so he won't know about us snoopin' around," Applejack pointed out.
"That is true, we are so good at stealth that not even Chen would know," Flash said in agreement.
"Then that settles it," Trail said with a smile. "Meet me in my room at midnight," he told his friends before Pale Hound walked up to them while holding his lunch tray.
"You mind if I join you?" Pale Hound asked them.
"Disappear, pal!" Thunder yelled rudely while pointing his chopstick at him. "This is private," he added.
Pale Hound then used his powers to turn invisible while his lunch tray was still visible while the others are looking at him weirdly.
"Uhh," Thunder sighs as he shakes his head. "I know you're still here. I can see your lunch tray," he pointed out before Gaia just bonked him on the head. "Ow! Hey!"
"What's gotten into you?!" Gaia scolded before giving Pale an apologetic look, "I'm terribly sorry about him, good sir. Please join us."
"That's okay, I think I should just sit somewhere else," Pale Hound said with a smile as he turned visible again. "And don't worry, he's probably just worried about the next contest after seeing Yah-Karlof going down that door," he added as he walked off to sit somewhere else to enjoy his lunch.
"Hmm…" Thunder said in suspicion as he watched Pale walk off.
"Wow, Thunder. Gaia was right. You were really mean," Landrush commented.
"How am I supposed to know if we can trust him?" Thunder said in defense. "See what this island is doing to me? It's corrupting me! It has to stop!" he dramatically said before he got hit again, this time by Applejack. "Ow! Will you ponies cut that out!" he called out as he rubbed his head.
"Thunder, we've only been here for a day and we're already making more enemies than friends," Applejack pointed out in annoyance as Max walked by with his lunch tray. "Howdy, Max," She greeted him with a wave.
"Good evening, Applejack," Max waved in response with a smile. "Quite the absurd first challenge which escalated quickly," he commented.
"I hear ya, partner. Feel bad for Yah-Karlof though," Applejack said in sympathy.
"Well, I truly hope he is all right. Regardless, he would've been quite a challenge so perhaps it's best that he was eliminated," Max added.
"I can agree with you there," Trail commented, knowing that Yah-Karlof was a tough opponent.
"Well, I'm off to enjoy my lunch. I'll see you all in the morning," Max said before walking away.
"See ya," Applejack waved to him with a smile.
The group turned to the cowgirl in curiosity. "It seems at least one of you has made a friend in the tournament," Luna said with a small smile.
"Indeed," Garmadon said in agreement with a smile as well.
"How did you make friends with Max, Applejack?" Twilight asked in interest.
"Well, I got to know him and he seems to be just a guy who's trying to win for somepony important to him," Applejack started with a thoughtful look. "He isn't that one who's up for glory and fame like the others."
"I still don't trust him or any of them," Thunder said before giving a look. "I'll see you ponies tonight," he said, getting back to the topic of finding Frost and getting off the island.
Later that night, Trail and Rainbow were checking their new tournament outfits, Rarity made copies of the suits for the Mane Six so they could fit into the tournaments so they would not feel left out. Trail's was red while Rainbow's was cyan.
"Oh yeah, looking good," Rainbow said before looking at the clock. "Oop, it's showtime."
The two ponies rushed up to the balcony as they looked down and saw Chen's guards patrolling the palace. The rest of the Mane Six and the Ninja stealthy appeared from the room and landed on the balcony, first Lloyd, Landrush, Flash and Gaia while the rest of the Mane Six flew down quietly as they all entered Trail's room.
Trail and Rainbow then saw Topaz coming out, which made them flinch as they looked up and saw Thunder jumping down. Not wanting Topaz to see them, Trail panicky pushed Thunder over the balcony as he gave a startled yelp as he was flipped back. Rainbow look at Trail in shock at what he just did as Topaz heard the sound and turned to them.
"What was that you said, Trail?" Topaz asked in confusion.
"Uh, I said…" Trail stammered while Rainbow gave him a weird look as he looked up. "...w-w-what a beautiful night," he lied nervously.
"Really?" Rainbow whispered with a brow before she flew to see Thunder hanging on the edge for dear life. "You good, Lover Colt the First?" She asked.
"Har, Har," Thunder whispered sarcastically. while Topaz looked at Trail in confusion at what he said. "Ha, ha. Aw, come on," he added, finding that Trail is still lovestruck.
"What do you guys think happened to Yah-Karlof?" Topaz asked in curiously.
"A question everycreature is asking, now they're even more worried about losing," Rainbow answered with a shrug.
"Well, I feel horrible," Trail honestly said in guilt. "If I had known what would happen-" He trailed off.
"You did what you had to do to stay in the tournament," Topaz assured.
"She's right, Trail. Besides if you had lost, you would've ended up like Yah-Karlof, whatever that might be," Rainbow added in agreement as Thunder still held on.
"And I'm sorry if I was cold to you earlier, Trail," Topaz apologized, clearly eager to make amends.
"Psst," Thunder quietly spoke, trying to get Rainbow and Trail to help him.
"Maybe it's good to have friends here," Topaz continued.
"Trail! Rainbow!" Thunder whispered harshly.
Trail and Rainbow looked down at him. "Thunder, would you stop making noise?" Trail whispered back with a look.
"Just hang on a little longer," Rainbow whispered, knowing that they need to get Topaz out of sight so she doesn't find anything suspicious.
"Trail, you have asked about my power…" Topaz was cut off when Trail looked at her with a nervous smile.
"Uh, yeah, oh, it's so cold out. Brr," Trail said as he rubbed himself while pretending to shiver as Rainbow played along.
"Y-yeah. They should, uh, really make sleeves for these suits if you're gonna have a midnight brawl," Rainbow played along while shivering slightly.
"Better call it a night. Come on, Rainbow. Heh, heh," Trail said as he quickly walked back inside while Rainbow followed, leaving Topaz confused.
"Oh, okay," Topaz said uncertainty. "Sorry to have bothered-" she trailed off when she saw them enter the room as the slide door opened again as Trail poked his head out.
"Oh, okay. Good night," Trail said as he gave a nervous smile and chuckle.
"Come on, lover colt." Rainbow's hoof grabbed Trail's shoulder as she dragged him back into the room as the door closed again.
Topaz shrugged as she entered her room as her door closed.
Once the coast was clear, Trail opened the door again to see Topaz was now gone as he rushed to the balcony and flew down to help Thunder. "You and Rainbow had to leave me hanging, huh, Romeo?" Thunder sarcastically asked.
Rainbow flew in and helped Trail out. "Oh, quit complaining. You would've done the same if it was Aqua," She argued.
"That's not…" Thunder trailed off as he thought for a moment before he sighs. "Okay, you got me there," he said in defeat as the two landed on the balcony.
Once the three were inside Trail's room, they saw their friends relaxing as Landrush was lounging on a lounge chair, while Gaia sat and the end while Lloyd was sitting on a chair next to them while the rest of the girls and Flash were looking at Trail's room. Gaia's suit was forest green, Landrush's suit was black, Flash's was amber yellow, Rarity's was pearl white, Applejack's was rusty orange, Pinkie's was a hot pink, Fluttershy's was greenish yellow and Twilight's was royal purple.
Landrush is eating something as Thunder looks at Trail's room. "Whoa-ho-ho-ho. Nice digs," he commented.
"I know," Landrush said with a jealous look. "His room is so much nicer than mine," he complained.
"Gotta say, they really went for the fire vibes for your room, Trail," Twilight commented.
"This place is smoking hot, literally," Pinkie joked with a chuckle.
"Look, chocolate-covered shell peas," Landrush said as he bent down at a bowl filled with chocolate covered peas. "I love these," he said happily.
"Did somepony say chocolate?" Pinkie asked excitedly as she rushed towards Landrush. The two of them started to chow down on the chocolate before they raced over to Trail's bed.
"Oh, and look how soft your pillows are," Landrush commented as he gave a sigh. "Man, mine are made of rock. What a crock," he complained.
"Hey! I used to sleep on rocks too!" Pinkie complained before realizing, "Actually they were pretty uncomfortable so that's not really helping my point."
"Okay, it was almost impossible to get here," Flash pointed out as he paced around in front of them, reminding them of their mission. "Chen really has this place locked down for the night."
"No kidding. This place is swarming with guards," Thunder added.
"I don't suppose any of you have any ideas on how we search the island for Frost, do you?" Rarity asked as she looked amongst them.
"We travel by shadow," Gaia answered. "Cover every square inch of this place until we find him."
They were so distracted by each other that they didn't see Landrush stretching back and hitting something on the wall. The bed then suddenly flipped with him and Pinkie still on it.
"That's a bad idea. The island's massive, it would take us forever to search every corner," Twilight pointed out.
"We'll need to split up," Thunder suggested.
"No, dividing is what Chen wants, we stick together," Lloyd protested, reminding them what Garmadon, and Luna told them.
"Well, how the hay are we gonna search the place?" Applejack asked before the bed flipped back up as Pinkie and Landrush held on to it.
"Uh, guys…" Landrush started as he and Pinkie recovered.
"This bed is, uh…" Pinkie trailed off.
"Okay, we get it! You like my bed!" Trail shouted with annoyance.
"Will you two stop playing around?" Flash asked with a brow.
Pinkie and Landrush looked at each other with smirks as they turned to their friends. "We think we know how we can search the island," Landrush said with a smirk. Then a few moments later, the Ninja and the Mane Six were laying on Trail's bed together.
"Okay, I feel ridiculous," Lloyd commented.
"Ooh-la-la. You're right. The pillows are soft," Rarity sighed as she relaxed.
"And so comfy too," Fluttershy added with a relaxing smile.
"Is this a joke?" Twilight asked Pinkie Pie and Landrush as she sat up to look at them.
"One of us must've done something to trigger it," Landrush protested. "I was laying here, then I stretched…" He then stretched back as his head moved the pillow he was laying on hit a small button on the wall.
And then the bed flips away as the group yelled in surprise before the bed was flipped around as they saw a hidden passage as the pillows fell to the floor as the Mane Six and Ninja gasped in shock as they held onto the covers.
"Ooh! Secret passageway!" Thunder gasped as they dropped down, "Cool."
The ponies with horns then glowed their horns for light as Trail also brought out his fire element for more lighting.
"Nice work, you two," Trail said to both Pinkie and Landrush. "Maybe Frost's not on the island, but in it," he theorized.
"You're right, Chen might be holding him captive down here," Twilight added in agreement. Then they hear some grunting sounds as they look around.
"Do you guys hear that?" Rainbow asked before they looked up to see two eye-holes in the wall over.
"Oh, secret peep holes. Ha, ha!" Thunder left before he climbed up and looked through said holes. "Super cool!" He added. "Sounds like someone's fighting on the other side of this wall."
"What do you see? Who's fighting?" Landrush asked curiously.
Thunder looked through the holes and saw it was Topaz's room while the mare was training inside. "It's not a fight, it's Topaz's room. And it looks like she's training," he answered.
"Topaz?!" Trail asked as he quickly put out his fire as he climbed up to Thunder. "Let me see! Let me see!"
The others gave Trail a teasing look. "Oh, looks like Trail's got hots for her," Landrush said with a teasing smirk.
"The dude is crazy about her," Rainbow commented with a slight chuckle.
"No, she's competition," Trail denied it. "I just wanna know what powers we're up against," he reasoned as he then tried to move Thunder from the peeping holes.
"Wait your turn," Thunder complained.
"We can at least share," Trail argued as he looked through one of the holes as he saw Topaz doing a one hoof pushup.
"Guys, this is an invasion of privacy," Lloyd pointed out.
"And it is not nice to eavesdrop on somepony," Fluttershy added.
"Her room doesn't reveal anything about her power," Trail said as they looked around the room through the holes they were looking through. Then when Topaz stood up, she lifted her hoof as fire then appeared on her hoof as her horned glowed red.
The two stallions gasped at what they saw and turned to each other.
"What? What did you see, partner?" Applejack asked.
"She's… fire," Trail said in shock and worry.
Gaia however looked unconvinced, "I'm not so sure," She said before jumping up and pushing Thunder out of the way, "Let me see," Gaia then looked through the holes. "Wait, she's doing something," She called out. After Topaz diminished the fire in her hoof, she then brought out a pot filled with dirt as she then planted a seed in it. "Looks like she's just planting some seeds right now, nothing out of the-"
She cut herself off when she and Trail then saw Topaz's horn glow green and then from the pot grew a vine plant. "Oh my stars," Gaia gasped in shock as Trail went wide-eyed.
"What is it now?" Flash questioned.
"She grew a plant from a seed in a pot by using my element!" Gaia called out in shock.
"She's not just Fire, she's also, Life," Trail breathed out stunned and shocked.
"Wait, what?!" Twilight question. "Is it even possible to use two elements?
"Lloyd once did all six elements," Thunder pointed out.
"Only because he's the grandson of the first Spinjitzu master," Flash added.
"Wait a minute, if we're all descendants of Elemental Masters…" Lloyd starts as he theorizes that Topaz might be related to Trail and Gaia if she can use both Fire and Life like them.
Landrush gave a laugh as he started hopping and pointed at Trail. "Trail's heart is on fire. Trail's heart is on fire. Trail's heart is on fire," he sang playfully.
"Can we please just keep moving?" Trail said, wanting to end this childish thing.
"Yeah, we got to find Frost and get out of here. This place is filthy," Rarity said in agreement.
Landrush picked up the chocolate bowl that fell with them as he walked up to the others as they walked down the passage as he and Pinkie ate some chocolate peas.
"Huh. It's like a maze down here," Flash commented as he led the group, "Good thing you're leaving a trail back to Trail's room," he said to both Landrush and Pinkie.
"We're what?" The two ponies asked if they turned and saw some spilled peas they dropped as it left a trail back to Trail's room.
"Oh, yeah, we meant to do that," Landrush said, in truth, they didn't mean to but found it effective to know their way around.
And then they climbed/flew down a passage below as they soon found themselves in a cave like tunnel as they continued onward before Lloyd and Twilight spotted something in front of them as both placed a hoof in front of Trail as he and the others stopped.
"Everypony stop!" Lloyd called out as he bent down and inspected what looked like a trigger wire.
"Looks like Chen placed booby traps," Twilight said as she examined the wire.
"Ha, ha! Booby traps. Even cooler. Ha, ha!" Thunder excitedly said as Twilight and Lloyd gave him a look. "Or, I mean, kinda cool. I mean, they're totally not cool, you know, 'cause they're dangerous," he quickly corrected it.
"Nice save there," Rainbow commented with a brow.
"We better watch our step from here on out," Flash told them.
"Hey wait, do you guys hear that?" Trail asked as they heard what sounded like marching coming from around the corner. "Everypony be quiet," they quickly hid behind some rocks before they saw some of Chen's goons walking down the catacombs. They then got a little crazy idea as they saw twelve more coming by before they quickly pulled them and knocked them out.
A little bit later, the twelve ponies are now disguised as Chen's goons, wearing the snake skulls and armor they wore. They are in a secret hidden chamber with a giant snake passage in front of them as Chen's goons keep chanting rhythmically.
Pinkie and Landrush were then licking some of the chocolate they put on their faces to make it look like tattoos to blend in with the others. "Would you two stop licking your tattoos!?" Flash whispered harshly.
"It's chocolate," Landrush said in defense.
"We can't resist the flavor," Pinkie added. Those two really loved chocolate.
"Sshh!" Lloyd hushed. "Just shove it and try to fit in," he whispered to them.
"Just do what these creeps are doing," Twilight added as they saw Thunder trying to follow the chanting as they followed along as they tried to mimic the chanting.
Then walking in were Charm, Grimoire and Chen as their soldiers immediately bowed down as the Mane Six and Ninja did the same once they saw them bow to them. Then walking in was a white female Abyssinian wearing goggles on her head and overalls with a tool belt around her waist, with a snake like staff in her paws as she gave it to Chen.
"Your staff, sir," she said with a hint of disgust.
"And you're certain it will work?" Chen asked her as he took the staff.
The Abyssinian nodded, "I tested it out on your 'mechanical guest'. It works," she said before looking away and muttering, "unfortunately."
The Mane Six and Ninja heard what she said. "Mechanical guest?" Applejack repeated.
"Could she mean…?" Gaia asked hopefully.
"Frost!" Fluttershy gasped silently.
"That means he is on this island and is being held captive," Flash whispered as the others looked in shock.
"At least we know he's alive," Landrush stated.
"I'd like to test it for myself," Chen said as he turned to his minions. "Bring out the loser," he announced.
Then from the corridor behind them, came four goons dragging a metal-covered Yah-Karlof with them. "Unh! Get hooves off Yah-Karlof! Yah-Karlof wish he never sign up for Nasty Tournament," he grunted to himself before they forced him to kneel before Chen as the goons started chanting yet again. "What Snakey Ponies chanting for?" he asked in confusion.
"They're chanting 'Only one can remain'!" Chen declared as Yah-Karlof looked in confusion while the Mane Six and Ninja watched from behind as they were having a bad feeling about this. "Like I said, use it or lose it," he said as his four goons held Yah-Karlof down again.
Chen then pointed his staff at Yah-Karlof as ice started shooting out from it as it hit Yah-Karlof. He gave a growl of pain from the shot as Chen gave a smirk while the female Abyssinian looked away in guilt. Yah-Karlof's metal coat cracked and felt apart as his power of metal was siphoned out of him and went into Chen's staff.
Chen's goons let go of Yah-Karlof as he fell to the floor, greatly weakened as the Mane Six and Ninja were shocked at what they just saw.
"He's stolen Yah-Karlof's power of Metal," Trail whispered in shock, feeling even worse for what he did to the yak.
"And did you catch what he did before? He used Ice," Rainbow added.
"That means they must have already stolen Frost's power of Ice too," Landrush added with a glare, now angry that Chen stole their friend's element and for what he did to Yah-Karlof.
Yah-Karlof got up and looked at his hooves. "What…Where Yah-Karlof Metal go?!" He asked as he tapped his horns against the ground, but he couldn't feel his power anymore.
"Yar-Karloff Metal? Oh, well, to explain in your Yak speak: it Master Chen Metal now," Chen revealed as held up his staff before he felt the power of metal course through him as his whole body turned metal. "But now I will let you go…" he started with a small smirk.
"Really?" Yah-Karlof asked hopefully.
"...To the factory!" Chen finished with his hooves raised.
Yah-Karlof was shocked by this as Chen's goons grabbed him by the fur as he was dragged off with his legs kicking. "No, no! Snakey-Ponies let Yah-Karlof go! No! No!" He yelled out desperately.
The Mane Six and Ninja watched them take Yah-Karlof away as Landrush turned to Gaia as he gasped. "Gaia, your face…" He pointed out.
Gaia gasped as she touched her face and saw the chocolate melting from her hooves. "Oh, my face? All of our faces! The chocolate's melting," She pointed out in slight panic.
The others then notice their chocolate tattoos are melting as well as they all gave worried looks. Chen, the twin lieutenants, the female Abyssinian, and Chen's goons then notice them as well.
"Who are they?" One of Chen's goons questioned while pointing at them.
Chen then immediately recognized them, "Intruders!" He called out as the heroes immediately stood up and made a break for it. "Stop them! They must not escape!" He ordered as Chen's goons then started chasing after them.
The heroes then ran through the tunnel while passing Chen's men they knocked out and tied up after taking their costumes. The group looked back and saw the goons chasing them before Landrush tripped over the tripwire and fell to the ground. They then looked back and saw a wall came down and blocked Chen's men from coming after them.
"Yes!" Trail cheered but it was short lived as they saw giant axes coming out from the walls, "Oh no!"
"Everypony! This way!" Flash ordered as they ran as fast as they could as the axes came down faster and faster until they ducked into a small cave.
They all took a breath of relief, "That was close," Landrush said as they all took a moment to catch their breath. Their rest was short-lived when they heard the shaking sound of a rattlesnake's tail.
"What's that sound?" Gaia asked nervously before they looked down and saw a very large purple Anacondrai Serpentine below at them as it hissed at them while rattling its tail like a rattlesnake.
"Another Anacondrai!?" Twilight asked in shock.
"Or is it a giant Rattlesnake?!" Thunder asked.
"I think it's both," Fluttershy squeaked frightfully.
"That has got to be the second biggest snake I have ever seen!" Trail yelled out in shock, as the Serpentine only came second to the Great Devourer.
"Whatever the hay it is, we got to run!" Flash shouted as the Serpentine then launched itself towards them with its fangs open.
The heroes yelled in startled as they started climbing as they went through a small hole as Rarity and Thunder was behind them as they crowded at the end of room as the snake tried to bite as them as it only succeeded in getting some of Thunder's pants and some of Rarity's tail as they crowded together. The large Serpentine snapped at them to try and get more as Trail's elbow pressed a switch behind them and they all screamed as they fell back into his room and onto his bed.
The Serpentine gave a roar before the hatch closed, cutting it off as the heroes took their breath.
"Are we…?" Trail asked to make sure they were alive.
"Looks like it," Rainbow answered.
"Yeah, but barely," Lloyd added.
"Just by a hair," Fluttershy mentioned while trembling.
"That was something I don't wanna go through again," Flash commented.
"Agreed," Twilight agreed.
"Did we just," Landrush tried to speak but groaned in pain.
"Found an emergency exit? Eeyup," Applejack answered as she pulled out her hat.
"Chen clearly took very extreme measures to ensure nopony ever thought about snooping around his island," Gaia stated.
"Meaning we can't search the tunnels for Frost without that slithering beast making a meal out of us," Rarity added.
"Yeah, so, no more sneaking around," Thunder stated as he stood up, "From now on, let's just follow the rules."
"No matter how stinky they are," Pinkie complained.
"Uhh, we may not have found Frost, but at least we know for sure that he's on the island," Trail said as he and the others stood up after Thunder. "And we also found something just as important. This tournament isn't about glory. It's about Chen stealing all of our Elemental Powers," he added.
"But why is he stealing our Powers?" Flash questioned as he sat up. "What is he planning to do with all of them?"
"I don't know," Twilight answered with uncertainty, "but if we're gonna find out, find Frost and stop that plan, we have to play by his rules to stay ahead of him. Agreed?" She asked her friends.
"Agreed," they all said with a nod.
Applejack looked away in concern as she remembered Max telling her his reasons for coming here but now she knew he came here only to be lured into a trap. "Maybe we should tell Max and the other fighters about this," She suggested to her friends. "If they knew this Tournament was one big trick then maybe they could help us out."
"I don't think it would be a good idea, Applejack," Lloyd said to her.
"Why not? They have to know," Applejack pointed out.
"I don't think they'd believe us, given how Chen likes to play creatures against each other. Not to mention, we don't know if any of them are on Chen's scheme," Lloyd reasoned. "Just saying it out could ruin our chances at stopping Chen and finding Frost, and we'd end up with our powers taken," he added.
"Nocreature can get involved in this. Let's see if we can figure this out on our own," Twilight stepped in, "If things go sour, then we tell the other fighters, but until then, nothing about what we found leaves this room."
"Understood," everypony but Applejack agreed in unison as the farmmare looked away.
"Max will not like this one bit," Applejack muttered, knowing that if Max found out the tournament was a fraud on his own, he would be devastated. She knew she had to say something.
"Good thing we weren't spotted. That was close," Landrush commented as the others walked off Trail's bed.
"Yeah, too close," Thunder commented as he turned to the back and noticed that a piece of his suit was taken where the Serpentine tried to bite him.
"Far too close," Rarity added as she showed them her tail that a piece of her tail hair was missing. "That snake has no respect for boundaries or fashion," she said in slight irritation.
Back in Chen's chamber, the Serpentine has the pieces of Thunder's suit and Rarity's tail in its mouth as a couple of hooves grab them as Charm and Grimoire examine what they found.
"Mm. Good work, our pet," Charm said while petting the Serpentine. The Serpentine gave a hiss as it nuzzled its masters.
"Yes, yes, we do know who the imposters are, don't we?" Grimoire asked as he petted their Serpentine as well. "Thanks to you, we now know who they are," he said.
"And soon… they will pay for their intrusion… with their lives," Charm added as she and her brother and pet snake looked at the pieces as the Serpentine's tail started rattling. Now the Ninja and their friends were in for a real fight.