Lloyd POV: The prison was a long way from Ninjago, but the way there wasn't too bad. Honestly, I was more worried about Kai despite what he said. He looked really tired this morning, and it almost seemed like he wasn't all there. Normally, I would try to convince him to stay back and rest up. None of us would feel comfortable letting him get himself hurt, but this time, he just seems like he needs this. Even though I didn't like it, I was going to let him come on this mission. Though we all were going to keep an eye on him, just to be safe.
Soon, we arrived there and the prison, while it looked a lot like Kryptarium Prison. It was much smaller. There were some people waiting for us right outside. With one of them standing in front, most likely the warden.
We landed carefully as he walked up and said, "Thank you for arriving so fast."
"Of course, anything to help.'' I responded, and he quickly led us inside.
It honestly looked bigger inside than the outside. There were some prisoners in their cells, while a lot of guards were handcuffing others that must have escaped earlier.
"How many managed to get out?" Zane asked as we all walked past them.
"Almost this entire wing, though we found most of them. Outside of three." he explained.
"And you know who they are?" Kai stated.
The warden nodded and stopped in front of an empty cell before saying, "This is where they were. One moment, they were in here, and the next, they were gone."
"How dangerous are they?" Nya asked.
"Two of them were car thieves and freelance criminals, but the three men were just being held before his trial. I don't have the details, and all I know is that it was a sensitive case." he explained.
"That doesn't sound very comforting." Jay mumbled, but the warden didn't hear him.
"What about his name?" I asked, and Zane went in to examine the cell.
"He said his name was Hry. He never gave a last name." he answered.
Then a guard ran up to him and said to the warden, "Some prisoners are demanding to speak with you, sir."
He sighed a little and said, "Alright, I'll be right there. I'll leave this to you ninja, good luck."
They both ran off, and Kai said, "He didn't give us much to work with."
"Yeah, but it sounds like this guy is a mystery anyway." Cole stated, and Kai just shrugged. At least he sounds better than before.
"I have something." Zane said and pulled back a piece of the wall. It was a secret tunnel.
"Talk about cliche." Jay mumbled.
"Right, but it would explain how they got out fast." Nya said, looking into it.
"But how did no one notice they were digging a tunnel? I think that would be oblivious." Kai responded, also looking into it.
I rolled my eyes a little and said, "Either way, this could lead us to where the criminals are."
"So we're going into the small, creepy tunnel that escapees used." Jay asked, clearly nervous.
"Yes, now let's go." Cole said calmly. And he climbed right in. With Kai and Nya following right after him.
"Of course we are." Jay mumbled before going himself.
"Zane, can you tell the warden before joining?" I asked, and he nodded.
"See you soon." he said before rushing off, and I went into the tunnel.
The opening was much larger than the tunnel itself. Which was only large enough for one person at a time to crawl their way through.
"Now it makes more sense." Jay said, groaning a little as he crawled in front of me.
"What?" I asked.
"This tunnel is tiny, so it makes sense why they could hide this." He answered, and I rolled my eyes.
But I didn't say anything and we all continued to crawl, which wasn't easy. The tunnel was rough and we were constantly running into each other. Needless to say, it was not a fun experience. Finally we managed to find the end and we found ourselves in a weird abandoned building.
It was weird because the walls and floor were a very dark shade of red. The windows made the outside look dark and the sun bright run. Plus there was an eerie vibe in the whole place. We all looked around with caution, but there wasn't anything in the building, or anyone. Zane shortly joined us and immediately put his hand on his weapon as he looked around.
"I really don't like this place." Jay whispered, but we nodded in agreement.
"We should get out of here." Cole said, backing up a little towards the tunnel.
But suddenly a large piece of metal went flying towards him and he drove out of the way. It slammed into the wall and perfectly covered the tunnel. We all prepared ourselves and remained on guard. Just as someone started laughing.
A man appeared above us, smiling cruelly at us with cold black eyes. His brownish grey hair was slightly messy and was wearing an orange prison uniform. Clearly, he was one of the missing prisoners.
"Who are you?" I demanded, pulling out my sword. The others followed suit.
"I go by the name Hry, but that really doesn't matter." he answered casually, but there was an undertone of maliciousness in his voice.
"Meaning you're one of the men we're looking for." Kai said, and Hry looked at him.
"I suppose, but again. That doesn't really matter now. Since we're about to have so much fun." His smile grew larger, and it sent shivers down my shine.
"Really? Let me guess, you're buddies are about to jump out and fight us. In that case, we're more than ready." Kai said, taunting him. But Hry just shook his head.
"You don't need to worry about them anymore. They've already been taken care of." he said, but that didn't make me feel good.
I was about to say something, but he clapped his hands and continued, "With that aside, why don't we get started."
Right as he finished something fell from the ceiling and we all drove out of the way. An opening appeared near Jay and Nya, causing them to fall into it. Kai immediately tried to follow them, but it closed before he could catch them.
"What did you do?!" he yelled in anger, looking ready to attack him.
But Hry just smiled at him and said, "I just gave them a taste of what I can do. Just like you all will."
Kai didn't like that and was about to rush at him, but then a hole opened under him and he fell. He yelled, but it was cut off by it closing. Cole and Zane tried to get close to him by running at him from opposite sides. I tried to tell them to stop, but Hry wasn't worried. Because they also fell into openings that appeared randomly that closed as soon as they fell through.
I was furious at this… guy, but I forced myself to keep my cool and asked, "Where are they?"
He seemed a little impressed and said, "Well, you are as brave as they say."
"That doesn't answer my question. Where are they?" I said, trying to not lose it on him. I have no doubt that he caused this, meaning he was the only one who could bring them back.
He laughed a little and said, "Just like I said to your friend. I'm letting them taste what I can do."
I just glared at him and said, "Bring them back, now." But he just shrugged in response.
"I can." Him saying that made me lose it.
I rushed at him, jumping up in time and knocked him off his feet. Surprising him, I grabbed his collar and pulled him up.
"What do you mean you can't?" I didn't try to hide the anger in my voice.
"What I mean is that only your friends can get themselves out. If they can." he answered, sounding a little unsettled and out of breath.
"What?" I said, dangerous quiet.
"I molded this place with my ability. It's like the starting point of a labyrinth now. And your friends' memories will make it even stronger." he tried to explain, but I didn't understand.
"So what? It's going to take them back to places they've already been to?" I asked, but he just shook his head.
"More like they will relive some of their 'best' nightmares." he said, making air quotes at the best.
That made my blood go cold, because we've all been through some horrible moments. The idea they'll go through all that was not a good thing.
"Why, of all things, would you make something like that? That's too dangerous." I snapped, raising him up to his feet.
But he laughed in my face and said, "Because what else would be better than a broken hero. They make the best prize."
It took everything in me to not deck the guy in the face. But I did throw him to the ground and tied him up as he moaned in pain.
After making sure he won't run away I said, "You will open a portal, or whatever they are, so I can get them. And maybe I won't drag you to the Kryptarium instead of your previous arrangements."
He thought about that for a few moments and then a portal opened.
"But fair warning Green Ninja. Going in there won't be easy. Since it's more easy to fall into nightmares than waking up from them." he said, in a way that made my temper bubble over again.
I took a deep breath and looked at him to say, "That's what brothers are for."
And I turned back to the portal and jumped in. determined to save my family.
Hry POV: After that foolish ninja jumped I sighed in my bonds. I was expecting them to arrive this early, or get caught in this way. But I suppose it will make things a little easier. I only wish that I managed to catch the Green Ninja, but no matter.
I laughed and made one of my mirrors appear in front of me. This may not be the most comfortable position to watch, but this will still be very entertaining.