Chapter 16: The Invitation and Only one can Remain
"Hmm... now this is interesting." Cinder said as he looked at the scene in front of him. It's been a year since the Overlord's defeat and Zane's passing. After the memorial the ninja team have disbanded with Kai, Cole, and Jay going their separate ways. Leaving the dragonet and green ninja as the remaining members. Cinder was also on his own but has a communicator on him just in case Lloyd needs help. He and Ultra were flying along the south coastline of Ninjago. He was having fun exploring new places he never been too. As well as learning new things from Ultra and Ignitus.
He was then contacted by Lloyd, who informs him that smugglers were near his location, and were carrying exotic animals to the black market for what they were. Cinder confirm to go after them with Ultra. So the two were following the group high above, making the group think it was a bird. When the smugglers stopped for a break, the two dragons launched on the offensive.
It was a long fight, but the smugglers were no match against the two dragons. Cinder looked through the items that were left behind. Most of them were general goods and illegal substances. But there were some creatures that were endangered or rare. There was Ice Birds, Wallopers, Starteeth, Storm Hawks, and Sand Eels. But there was also a Mino Rhino and the most dangerous of all was a Tigerwidow Spider. Cinder wonders how that got captured because of how venomous they are, but thought some of the smugglers aren't alive from trying to get it.
Cinder went to each cage and released the captured creatures from their cells. The Tigerwidow he carefully unlatch its cage for last and moved back quickly. The spider came out, clicked its pincher and scurry away. Cinder continued to look through the crates and seeing nothing else turned to Ultra.
"Ok. I've checked through everything. Let me get contact to Lloyd to get the police out here to detain all of this."
"Alright." Rocky said
Before Cinder could contact Lloyd he heard a voice coming from the crates. It was low but he could heard it. It sounded frustrated and irritated, wanting to get out. Cinder listens closely to it and follows it, which lead him to a lantern which was lit. He was confused, why wasn't there any smoke coming from it. So how was it lit? Then he heard the voice, much louder then before.
"HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLO! ANYONE HEAED ME? I'M A DUDE WHOSE STUCK IN A VASE WHO WANTS TO BE LET OUT OR ELSE YOU'LL BE DESTROYED BY THE MIGHTY SPARX!"
"What in Ninjago? What creature can communicate in the human tongue? Better let them out or else they died of thirst in it."
Cinder step over to the lantern, unlocks it, and opens it up. What he saw astonished him: a golden dragonfly flew out of the lantern. He can see that this dragonfly was completely different than others. First thing obviously was it could speak, was a bright gold compared to a yellow, red, brown, or blue. It also have four arms with hands that have opposable thumbs, allowing usage like a human and was bigger as well. Much bigger than regular dragonflies and Cinder wondered why the smugglers captured this strange dragonfly.
"Excuse me uh... sir? Are you alright?"
The dragonfly turn to look and it eyes widen at Cinder, who was confused of its reaction.
"U-uh yeah. I'm fine, just surprised of seeing you."
"Oh?" Cinder said curious and the dragonfly nodded
"Yes, not because you're a dragon, I seen a ton of them. You just remind me of my foster brother."
"Foster brother?" Cinder questioned confused. He didn't know of a dragon being raised by dragonflies. But... that dragon wasn't the only one to be in that situation. So he shook his head and change the subject.
"That's very odd, but can I asked you two things;
1: How did you end up in the lantern and 2: Your name." Cinder said and the dragonfly laugh.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! Give you my name! I won't said it, especially since I'm in a place that I don't know with a stranger."
"Alright then. I'll tell you my name and then you tell me yours?" Cinder said hoping for the inscent to say yes.
"Hmmm... alright then Purple Boy. Go ahead." She he dragonfly said Cinder sighed
"Ok, my name's Cinder, protector of Ninjago and my companion behind me is Ultra."
The dragonfly looked astounded by tne dragonet's name but then heard his companion to see the four headed dragon behind Cinder. He screams and went behind a crate. Cinder was confused.
"You ok sir?"
"No! "
Cinder looked at Ultra then back at the dragonfly and chuckled.
"If you're scared of Ultra's size, don't worry. He's a softie."
"O-ok." The dragonfly said as he came out from hiding and hover ver to the dragonet.
"Hmm... he does look scary, but I see what you mean."
Cinder nodded
"Oh! I forgot to mention who I am. The name's Sparx, hero of Avalar along with my brother Spyro." Sparx said pompous. Cinder was now curious of hearing that bit of info.
"Avalar... I think I hear that before, but where?"
"Really? Who told you about that? Because where I am, I'm not in my own world." Sparx questioned
"Uhh... I think it was a dragon who talks to me through my dreams. His name is Ignitus." Cinder said and saw the dragonfly's eyes widen in shock
"Wait, wait, wait!? You said Ignitus? You don't mean old fire butt who taught my brother how to breath fire is the time keeper dude?"
"Yes?" Cinder said and explains how he met him and some bit of how he came to this world. Not realizing that Soarx was looking at him closely as he told his tale.
"Mhh... hey Cinder, or is it Cynder?" Sparx asked
"C-I-N-D-E-R. Also, you have a question." Cinder said
"I was looking at you while you explained and it was just nagging my head of why you looked so familiar. Particularly that blade on your tail." Sparx said and Cinder looked at him and brought his tail up, showing the scythe blade on it.
"Does this remind you of someone?"
"Uhh... yes! There was a dragoness who have it, but..." Sparx trailed off
"But what?" Cinder questions
"She was taken and being control by another dragon. I have the shivers when seeing her. But the dragon controlling her was like my brother, and his name? I can't remember who he was, it's been years since the war with him." Sparx explained
"Was it Malefor?"
"Yes! That was his name! How did you know? Ignitus tell you that?" The dragonfly questioned and Cinder shook his head.
"No, when my foster mom and brother found my egg, there was a scroll with it telling them how I can hear. Hang on, I have it with me in my bag." Cinder said and runs over to Ultra, jumps up, and grabs his bag. He went through it till he finds it and walks back over to the dragonfly.
"Here, this was with my egg when my foster mom found me." The dragonet said and waits as Sparx reads it. After a few mins the dragonfly flew back a few niches and looked at Cinder in silence. Cinder put the scroll back in his bag and was confused.
"You ok Sparx?"
Silence
"Sparx?"
"You... you're the child of my brother." Sparx spoke and now it was Cinder's turn to go silent. Then...
"Really? How?"
"The scroll gave me a hint of who's writing it. It was my brother who wrote this because I know what happened. Everything that's in it I was there, following my brother through his journey of who he is." Sparx said
"So you're saying that my biological parents are heroes and you're my dad's brother?"
"He he yeah. Like father like son, so looks like I was saved by my nephew." Sparx chuckled and Cinder chuckled too. The dragonet explained that he and Ultra were flying around Ninjago, taking a break from their last battle. Then getting intel from his teammate about smugglers near him carrying illegal goods to the black market and agreed to go after them. Once done he was looking through the crates to make sure the smugglers didn't get away with any of it. The dragonet was glad he took it, if he did he wouldn't have found Sparx within the cargo.
Then Sparx explained how he got there. How he was in the swamp with his parents when he was taken by something and then thrown through a swirling vortex. Then getting captured by the smugglers while unconscious and then watched the two dragons attack and then getting released.
"Wow, so that's an interesting story." Cinder stated
"Too right, but yours is like your parents, protecting thousands of innocents. But I'm happy to found you kid. I was so depressed when your dad disappeared as well as your mom since I can see that the "Terror of the Skies" has a child." Sparx said
"Yeah. I'm happy to see someone from the world I was supposed to hatched in. But founding a loved one or family member is even better." Cinder said happily as then his communicator came live.
"Cinder, Cinder? Do you heard me? Did you stop those smugglers from delivering those products?" Lloyd said and Cinder warbled with amusement
"I heard you Green Ninja. You don't have to worry about me, especially with my elemental powers." Cnder said
"That's good." Lloyd said
"The reason I took so long to contact you back is because I found something, no, someone." Cinder said
"Really? Who?" Lloyd questioned and Cinder took a pic of Sparx and sent it to Lloyd.
"Look at this."
"Oh? That's an interesting dragonfly. Is it with the crates of the smuggled goods?" Garmadon's voice came over the communicator.
"It has a name you know." Sparx voice surprised the others and Cinder laughed
"Ah ah ah ah ha... sorry for that. This is Sparx, he's from my homeworld and was taken from it and brought here to Ninjago. But thanks to him I'll know who my parents are." Cinder explains
"That's good news Cin!" He heard Nya said in the communicator. "Who are they?"
"Their names are Spyro and Cynder, with a y." He said
"That's good news. Well I'm going to talk to the other ninja and try to get the team back. Are you close to come to it?" Lloyd said and the dragonet snorted
"I'll be there. Chen's Noodle Shop, right?" Cinder said
"Yup, see you later then." Lloyd said and cut communication. Cinder looked at his foster uncle and grinned.
"Want to come and see my foster brother uncle?"
Sparx chuckled
"Of course, be a fun surprise for him to see."
"Alright, grab onto my horns and hang on."
Sparx did so and held onto Cinder's top horns and the dragonet got on Ultra and the white dragon took off and headed north towards New Ninjago City. With Cinder happy to know who his biological parents were and following their footsteps.
—
Cinder sat in a booth with Lloyd at Chen's Noodle Shop. He was in his human form at the moment, explaining to Sparx about this ability, and thought of how his brother will react to this. He and Lloyd talk over a few topics while waiting for the remaining three ninja to come. Cinder allowed Sparx to get something since he knew that the dragonfly hasn't eaten since the last time he ate. So an empty plate that was once filled with food sat on the table. Then a few minutes later Jay came in, then 5 minutes later Cole entered. 30 minutes later Kai came in, much to the annoyance of Cole wanting to grab some of the food.
"Kai, back here." Lloyd called out to the red ninja and he ca,e over and seeing the others.
"Jay? Cole? Cinder?"
"Ha, you too?" Cole chuckled
"The runt tricked us all." Jay grumbled
"Compare to you three, I was having fun and still protecting Ninjago. But I have something important to said, but I'll allow Lloyd said his piece." Cinder as Lloyd stopping Kai from taking food from the conveyor belt.
"Thanks Cin, and also talk first, then eat." Lloyd said
"Uh, trust me, do you know what kind of restraint I've had to stare at all of this noodle goodness? You're late." Cole grumbled
"Make it quick." Kai said irritated
"I know without Zane things have been different, but we have to move on. The reason I brought you all here is because... maybe we should add someone new to our team." Lloyd explained
"A new ninja?" Kai said questions suspicious
"Are you crazy!?" Jay exclaimed with n shock
"Come on, Zane's irreplaceable!" Cole snaps
"I cared for him too but now it's time to care about this team." Lloyd argued
"Maybe without Zane, there is no team." Kai stated as then three thugs came in and walk up to the cash register.
"Oh. Don't look now, but we've got trouble." Jay said as then the leader and two other thugs forced the Restaurant Owner to open the cash register and put him on the conveyor belt. They laugh.
"Check it out." Thug 1 laughed
"All right, now they're our problem." Cole said and uses a pick of chopsticks to smack one of the thugs. Allowing the owner to get away. "Excuse me, it's not polite to touch someone else's food."
"I'd listen if I were you. He's no fun to be around when he's hangry." Kai said as the thugs started to attack them. "All right, I admit it. We make a good team."
"Yeah, mmm. Everything's better on a full stomach" Cole said as he grabs the food Kai kicks off the conveyor belt. But the leader shatters a plate. "Hey, I was gonna eat that." The team then defeat the thugs easily.
"How can you walk away from this?" Lloyd demands but they run away through the back door.
"Hey, let's get them, guys." Cole exclaims and the team ran after the thugs. Once outside they noticed that the thugs were gone, like they disappeared.
"Oh, where did they go? Huh?" Kai said angrily but the team then sees a table with a note and fortune cookies.
"What's this?" Lloyd questioned
"Uh..." Jay said confused but everyone sees a picture of Zane on the letter. Cinder was confused
"It's Zane." Kai gasped
"What does it say?" Cole questioned
"It says he's alive." Lloyd stated and everyone gasps.
"I don't think those thugs were delivering a message to the Noodle House. I think they were delivering a message to us." Kai said
"What do you mean it says he's alive?" Jay asked
"Hey, I'm just telling you what it says." Lloyd points out
"Why would these thugs lead us here?" Kai said
"You know, this has to be some cruel joke. And I'm not laughing." Cole said
"Look." Lloyd points what's below the poster. A plate of fortune cookies sat on the table. There was not 4 on it. "I think this was meant for us too."
"Fortune cookies? Very peculiar." Jay said curiously
"Should we?" Lloyd said before Cole eats one. Cinder face-pawed at him. He could hear his uncle chuckling
"Uh, you do realize there's a fortune inside, right?" Kai questioned
"Oh, so that's why they're called that." Cole said embarrassed while Lloyd reads his fortune.
"Listen to this. "Master Chen has personally invited you to participate in his Tournament of Elements.""
"Wait a minute. Are you saying that Mr. Chen, the same guy filling my belly with delicious goodness, is actually Master Chen?" Cole exclaimed
""Secrecy is of the utmost importance. Tell no one, or suffer the consequences."" Kai said reading his
"If you ever want to see your friend again, meet on the pier at midnight and leave your weapons behind."" Jay said reading his as well. Then their fortunes explode, and Cole belches.
"Uhh. At least I know I was invited." He said and everyone laughs, with Cinder warbling.
"You don't think..." Lloyd trailed off with curiosity
"It could be a trap. A lie to lure us in." Kai said with caution
"Yeah, but what if it's not? What if Zane's alive?" Jay argued
"The Tournament of Elements. I'm starting to think this Master Chen makes more than noodles." Lloyd said thoughtfully
"You can forget bringing in a new ninja, Lloyd. Let's go see about an old one." Kai stated
"Well, to change this somber mood. Cole I want you to meet someone I met earlier." Cinder said
"Ok then, show me." Cole said and Cinder let Sparx out.
"Hello!" The dragonfly shouts and made Cole, Jay, and Kai jotted back in astonishment.
"What in Ninjago!?"
Cinder laughs with amusement.
"Bro, this is Sparx. My dad's brother."
"Brother?! You mean..." Cole trailed off
"Yes, thanks to him I know who my biological parents are. Let me tell you I'm following them in their footsteps." Cinder said happily and Colesmiled too
"That's great bro! But..."
"But what bro?" Cinder questioned
"You founding your uncle actually gives us the advantage to find Zane without Chen knowing." Cole said
"You're right Cole! He won't know we have a spy to look for us while we do the distracting." Jay said with a grin
"You know, we were given four fortunes, not five. That means Chen doesn't know Cinder is part of the team and a dragon too. This will work to our benefit." Kai said with a smirk.
"Alright then. We'll meet up and head to the pier, sounds good?"
"Yes."
—-
The ninja and Cinder, along with Sparx who was hidden in Cinder's clothing, arrive at the docks near midnight. Cinder saw other people here, meaning these were the other Elemental Masters.
"Ah, I told you we shouldn't have worn them." Kai said as he looks at his ninja gi. "The Tournament of Elements. You think all of them have powers like us?"
"When I asked my dad about it, he got really suspicious. Like there's something he's keeping from me." Lloyd said
"The fortune cookie said, "tell no one or else there'd be consequences."" Cole said dryly
"Relax, we're cool." Lloyd assured as a few minutes past till a ferry pulls up as it was midnight. "We don't know yet if this is a trap. Wherever they take us, we have to stick together. Also stick to the plan as well."
The ferry came to a stop and a man with a mustache and his hair pulled back in a low ponytail have one of the ferryman put a plank of wood onto the pier.
"Watch your step, madam." The man said to the lady wearing orange. Cinder sees Kai looking at her and sighing.
"We can't let anything distract us. You hear me, Kai?" Lloyd said
"Uh? Uh, yeah. Uh, got it. Whatever you said." Kai said mindlessly and the disguised dragon sighed. He could see that the fire ninja has hearts for this lady.
"Master Chen will be charmed to see you've accepted his offer. A Master of Spinjitzu shall fare favorably in his Tournament." The man said with an oily voice.
"Hey, we're not here to fight. We're here to save a friend." Jay said
"Don't be so petty, Master Jay." Tne man said and grabs Jay's nunchucks. "Everyone here has something to fight for."
"Chopsticks. I'm a big eater, heh." Jay chuckles nervously and gulps when he throws his nunchucks into the Sea.
"Lloyd, wait! If you get on that boat, you may never return." Garmadon shouts as he runs up to them
"What are you doing here, Dad?" Lloyd said surprised
"Master Chen is a dangerous man who should never be trusted. Whatever he promised you, do not believe him." Garmadon said
"Lord Garmadon. It's been a while. It's Sensei now, correct? I can't remember." The man said with a sneer,
"Clouse. I see Master Chen still has you running his errands." Garmadon said
"I have to go, Dad. This is about Zane. It's about family. If we're ever going to be whole again, I have to get on that ship." Lloyd explained
"Last call. Are you in, or out?" Clouse said
"I can't stop you, son, but I can join you." Garmadon said
"Sorry, no more room in the ship." Clouse said with a smirk but Garmadon kicks a thug off the ship and hops on.
"No room?"
"I stand corrected. There's room now. But the other boy needs to get off if you're coming." Clouse said looking at Cinder.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to compete. Only to look out for my interests." Garmadon said and looks at Cinder. "As for Cinder, he's going to watch his brother compete."
Hmm... fine, hop on. Now let's ship out!" Clouse said and the ferry started its course out from the pier. Cinder looked around with the others as they watched the other Masters display their powers.
"You know him. You said his name's Clouse." Lloyd questioned
"Don't be fooled by his attire. He is a Master of Dark Arts and Master Chen's number two." Garmadon said
"Huh, I thought Master Chen's number two was an eggroll and fried rice." Cole remarks
"Why haven't you or Wu ever told us there are others with powers like us? Especially since—-" Kai questioned before stopping himself from revealing Cinder's abilities.
"Because there are some things we don't want you to know. You were led to believe you were special, yet you never questioned where your powers came from." Garmadon explained
"Uh, are you implying that I'm not special?" Jay said with an annoyed look and Cinder sniggers
"Everyone on this ship is a descendant of an original Elemental Master." Garmadon said
"Elemental Master? Who were they?" Lloyd questioned
"They were the First Spinjitzu Master's guardians, each endowed with an Elemental Power that has passed down through generations." Garmadon said
"If that's true, then so is my sister Nya. But she can't do what I can." Kai states but Cinder sighs at him being native.
"Can't she? Power lies in all of you. It only needs to be awoken. The fighters here serve no master and have managed to unlock their own True Potential. For instance, that pale man. A distant relative to the Master of Light. Watch closely and you'll see how he's stayed hidden all these years." Cinder's eyes widen as the man disappears. Then a man with sunglasses and windswept hair runs by super fast. "Then there's Griffin Turner. Grandson to the Master of Speed." Garmadon said
"Hey, you can't lay a hand on me. I'm faster than fast. Swifter than swift." Griffin said as he runs by. Cinder wonders if that Elemental Master can see him used his Dragon Time to not get detected.
"Uh, Master of Speed? Pfft. That's not an Element." Jay scoffed
"So asks the Master of Lightning." Garmadon pointed out
"Oh, snap, he got you there." Cole said laughing
"Ouch, that's got to hurt his ego." Sparx whispered
"Compared to you having an ego?" Cinder whispered back with a smile
"Ouch, that hurts my heart you know?"
Cinder chuckled
"And, uh, who's she?" Kai asked looking at the lady in orange.
"I don't know. Most of these people I have not seen. But they will all be gunning for you. You are ninja. You serve with honor. Here, that means very little." Garmadon said as Kai sees a man in full metal armor starts to harassed the lady.
"Well, maybe honor means something to me." He saids and walked over to them
"It's okay. I can handle myself." The lady said
"This none of his business. Karlof cold. Karlof just want her cloak." The man, now named Karlof said
"You look like you got big enough mittens. Why not leave the gal alone?" Kai said mockingly
"These not mittens. These crush ninja." Karlof shouts
"Ha, I'd like to see you try." Kai taunted
"Save it for the Tournament, Kai." Garmadon said trying to make the Fire Master not start a fight. Cinder looked at him.
"You know Kai, he won't listen when his temper gets in the way. Like a fire."
"Too true." Garmadon sighs
"Don't think Karlof afraid of you." Karlof said
"No, you don't think much at all, do you?" Kai said but shouts in surprise as Karlof lifts him. "Unh! Just jump in whenever you feel like it."
"You say Karlof not smart?" Karlof said with anger
"I'd say Karlof is plenty smart not to start something he can't finish." Lloyd said encouragingly as Karlof punches Kai.
"Whoa!" Kai shouts in
"Oopsy. Guess Karlof not smart." Karlof said as he slam his fists together and his entire body turn into metal. Jay and Cole try to intervene but Garmadon stops them from intervening.
"Kai started this. He can finish it." They both start fighting.
"Hey Sensei?" Cinder asked
"Yes?"
"Are there Elemental Masters that have the elements that I have? Like my mom's elemental breaths?" Cinder whispered and Garmadon hums.
"Yes, there are Masters that have the elements over Shadow and Poison. Wind and Fear? I believe there was a Master of Wind but sadly the last one disappeared and for Fear? I do believe my father didn't appoint that element to a master for it. So it would be akin to Dark Magic." He explains
"Fire!" Kai grunts as he and the Master of Metal continue to fight.
"Enough!" Clouse shouts as he defused the fight. Karlof scoffs at the red ninja and leaves.
"I'm sorry if I was cold to you earlier." The lady said and helps him up. Then walks away to the front of the ferry. Cinder, Garmadon, and the ninja team went up to the others as well. Far out in the distance was an island with a building structure along the coast with a mountain range.
"We're here. Welcome to Chen's Island." Clouse said as he walks away. Cinder, listening to what Garmadon said about him, stay far away from him. But could hear him with his advanced hearing.
"Master Chen, Garmadon has returned. He says he will be looking out for his interests."
"Interesting. You worry too much, Clouse. Everything will work out. Just wait and see." The man, now named Chen said and hangs up.
"I swore to never return." Garmadon said darkly
"You know, you should never swear. It's a sign of weak verbal skills." Jay said
"If Zane's on that island, we'll find him. We have to." Lloyd said with hope. Cinder nods silently to it, as long as nobody notices him using his skills then he'll found Zane.
—
30 minutes later Chen's ferry arrives at the island. The sun was rising over the horizon, creating a reflection on the ocean's surface. Cinder kept his focus on the island.
"Look at that." Cole whistled
"Awesome." Kai said impressed
"Let me see." Karlof demanded and pushed pass Kai.
"Do you mind?" Kai said annoyed from being shoved . Cinder ignored the Fire Ninja's grumbling and look around. Coming onto the island was the entrance into what is a courtyard. On both sides were men wearing cloaks banging sticks on drums as the group walked past.
"Welcome to Chen's Island. The Tournament of Elements welcomes its brave fighters. Master Chen will be pleased you've returned, Sensei Garmadon." Clouse said with a sneer
"The pleasure is all mine, Clouse." Garmadon said with a blank look.
"I'm sure it is." Clouse said oily
"Definitely feeling some tension between you two." Jay questioned
"Yeah, and how is it we're on an island I've never seen on any map?" Kai states
"And care to explain how the face to Ninjago's most popular noodle house is secretly assembling an underground fighting tournament?" Cole said
"Master Chen used to be a friend. Now he's a traitor. During the Serpentine Wars, Chen turned against his own kind and sided with the treacherous snakes." Garmadon explained
"The battle you and Uncle Wu fought together in? He was an enemy?" Lloyd said astonished
"He used deception to divide the Elemental Masters. We barely defeated the Serpentine, and in a deal for his surrender, Chen was to never leave this island. Little did we know, he'd begin to build his criminal empire from here." Garmadon said as they walked up the steps towards the building.
"He may have divided our ancestors, but he's not gonna divide us." Lloyd said determined . But then the team was forced to the side as Kai pushed them to allowed the orange cloaked lady to go pass. Cinder growled quietly with Sparx grumbling at the sudden movement.
"Uh...ladies first. Fire will melt her icy heart. Just wait."
Garmadon sighs. Cinder just growled more at Kai's antics
"This is a big island. Zane could be anywhere. Keep an eye out." Cole said as the team entered the building.
"So this is the house that noodles built. Ha! Always wanted to go to a red carpet event." Jay quirks
"Chen lives like a king. Here, he's totally self-sufficient. The only way on or off this island is with his permission, which you have to earn." Garmadon said
"You never told me about this place. How do you know so much about this island?" Lloyd questioned
"Because before Chen was my enemy, he was my Sensei." Garmadon said and shows them a tattoo of a Anacondrai on his back. They were soon escorted into a circular open room with multiple floors with rooms each with a symbol for an element. The Elemental Masters and ninja arrive inside the palace and sat in a circle.
"You never told me you had a Sensei." Lloyd sad curious
"When I was your age, I sought a darker means of guidance. He taught me to win at all cost, no matter who I hurt. It wasn't until you saved me that I saw the light." Garmadon said grimly
"Uh, apparently he also never taught you to have a sense of humor. Lighten up, we're in an underground fight club. This is supposed to be fun." Jay said excitedly as a guard bangs a gong and another turns on a gramophone.
"All rise for Master Chen." Clouse drawls ou as then a man came out from the doorway. Cinder's first reaction to seeing him was... weird. He was dramatic, arrogant, and snobby. The man, Master Chen, was wearing a hat that was a snakes' hood in coloring of the Anacondrai and wearing clothing that's almost similar to what the snake tribe sorta wore.
"Welcome to the Tournament of Elements. Now everyone can all di—(the door sudden closes and everyone gasps)—rect your attention to me!" Chen laughs.
"I forgot to mention he has a penchant for theatrics." Garmadon whispered to Lloyd as Chen continued laughing.
"Never before have so many Elemental Fighters been under one roof. I see Master of Fire, Earth, Shadow, Speed, even a prophesied Green Savior. And a former pupil has returned. " Chen points to the gong. "This symbol before you is for the Anacondrai, fiercest Serpentine warrior to ever roam this land. Its creed: "Only one can remain.""
The gong moves aside, showing a bracket. Cinder could see each Elemental Master's picture on it. Fortunately he can see he wasn't on there, so he can snoop around the island without being noticed. But he knows he can't used his elemental breaths or else get caught. But with his skills and the help of Uncle Sparx, he will find Zane and bring him home.
"Good, looks like we're each in our own bracket. We won't have to face each other for a while." Kai said with relief.
"Better find Zane before that happens." Lloyd said
"But, remember the plan. If you guys are under scrutiny by Chen, I'll go and look for him." Cinder said quietly as Chen brought out a green translucent blade.
"Behold, a Jadeblade. 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." He explains
"Hm, what does Karlof win?" The Metal Master asked
"Win and stay on the island. Win it all, and you'll receive fortunes beyond your wildest dreams, and lifetime supply of Master Chen noodles. But no one is here because of noodle. You want the glory of being the greatest fighter in all of Ninjago!" Chen declared and everyone cheer except for the ninja team.
"And what happens if they lose?" Garmadon probed
"Lose? Who here likes to lose?" Chen said and everyone but the ninja laughs. "Now please, enjoy my island. It's a super fun happy place. Hahaha. Fun time on me."
Chen then leaves the room.
"You'll now each be shown to your rooms." Clouse declares as women with face makeup and fancy robes and wearing holding fans. They each walk up to each one of the Masters.
"Ah, just what this place needs. Creepy clowns." Jay said a little creeped out.
"Not clowns. Kabuki, Chen's jesters." Garmadon stated as the Kabuki grab the ninja's arms.
"Yeah, well, whatever they are, I don't like them." Cole said a little upsetting.
"So much for staying together." Kai said frustrated as they're being escorted away from each other to their suites. Cinder and Garmadon were left as they watch the others.
"Always be ready. Never lose focus." Garmadon shouts as they went into their suites. Then Cinder and Garmadon pushed out of the palace by Clouse.
"Since you two weren't invited by Master Chen, I'm sorry to say there's no room for you." Clouse said with a smirk
"Fine, I'll just stand guard. I wouldn't want anything to happen to them. I know how you like to use Dark Magic." Garmadon points out and Cinde just grumbles with annoyance.
"I came only to watch my brother. So I'm just a spectator."
"Now, why would I want to cheat the ninja?" Clouse said ignoring the disguised dragonet and the two were shoved out the door and it shuts itself immediately. After a few minutes music starts to played over speakers. Then Chen's voice came on over the intercom.
"Fellow fighters, hidden around my island are enough Jadeblades—-"
Garmadon motions Cinder to followed him as he starts climbing his way up the building. Cinder right behind he Sensei as he used Wind blasts to get up quickly.
"—-For every participant except for one. The one who returns to the palace arena empty-handed loses. The tournament begins...now!"
—-
Later that day, the ninja were sitting in a booth in a buffet area. After the unexpected surprise start of the first round. The team almost lost Kai with him and Karlof being the last two. But then, thanks to Kai's quick thinking and with a screwdriver, he was able to stay in the game. Garmadon was disappointed but stayed silent on Kai "cheating" but Cinder knew that the Sensei was troubled with his own thoughts about his past. Cinder watched his brother's happiness with food. While he ate some food while giving some to his uncle discreetly.
"At least the chow's good." Cole commented
"Arrgh, it's killing me. What's under the trapdoor? What happens when you lose?" Jay said frustrated on the trapdoor that Karlof was on after the round.
"Don't think about that." Garmadon advised but Jay paid no mind.
"It's all I can think about. I moved on. I feel guilt. These are not good feelings." He continued
"You think you feel bad? Imagining how I feel. Our mission is simple. Tonight we find Zane and get off this crazy island." Kai said
"And just how are we supposed to do that? You heard Chen. Break a rule and we're out. He's not gonna let us roam around." Cole points out
"Then it's a good thing we're ninja. Meet me in my room at midnight." Kai said as the Master of Light and walked over with a plate of food in his hands.
"You mind if I join you?" Mr. Pale said as he came over to their booth.
"Disappear, pal! This is private." Jay said but Mr. Pale uses his Light. Jay just sighs "I know you're still here. I can see your lunch tray."
"Wow, Jay, you were really mean." Cole chastised
"How am I supposed to know if we can trust him? See what this island is doing to me? It's corrupting me! It has to stop. I'll see you tonight." Jay said and left. Cinder looked at the others and got up.
"What ya's doing bro?" Cole asked
"Going to talk to the Master of Light and also apologize for Jay's actions. He shouldn't get treated like that." Cinder explains
"Uh... ok? Don't know why you should since we don't know any of them." Kai said and Cinder huffs in annoyance.
"Oh really? How about you trying to be friendly-friendly with the lady that you have the hearts for Fireboy?"
"He does have a point. Especially you being so hot headed right now with your antics." Garmadon said and the Fire ninja just grumbled to himself. Cinder smiled at the Sensei and walked over to the table the Master of Light was sitting at. The other Masters looked at him with curiosity as he walked up to them. Cinder just ignored them and turned to the Master.
"Hello."
"Hello?"
"Sorry for my friend being rude, along with the others. They are all stressed out because a friend of ours is on this island somewhere. So I hope we didn't hurt your feelings. Jay is great to be around once you get past his hyper attitude." Cinder explained and Mr. Pale nodded his head.
"It's fine, but I get why he's acting like that. Thanks for telling me and also the apology as well." He said and Cinder nodded
"Yep, no problem. I'm going to explore now, see if I can find my friend." The disguised dragonet said and left.
A few hours later after the sun has gone down and nearing midnight, Kai opens his door to let Lloyd, Cole, and Cinder (Sparx included) in. However, Jay came in right when Skylor came out to her balcony. Kai pushes the blue ninja off from being spotted, causing Cinder to use his Shadow element to grab him and bring him into the room. The Lightning master was grateful for the help and they waited for Kai to come in, after a few mins he came in.
"You just had to leave me hanging, huh, Romeo? Plus nice digs." Jay said annoyed but then whistled when seemingly the Fire Master's room.
"I know. His room is so much nicer than mine. Look, chocolate-covered shell peas. I love these." Cole said as he took the bowl and jumped onto the red ninja's bed. "Oh, and look how soft your pillows are. Man, mine are made of rock. What a crock."
"Really?" Cinder said curious and astonished
"Yes, I'm not kidding." Cole stated
"Okay, it was almost impossible to get here. This place is swarming with guards. Any ideas on how we search the island?" Jay questioned
"We travel by shadow. Cover every square inch of this place until we find him." Kai said as then Cinder heard his brother shout of surprise and turned to the bed to see his brother wasn't there. He walked over to it and looked at it curiously while the others continued their conversation.
"The island's big. We'll need to split up." Jay argued
"No, we stick together." Lloyd argued back as then Cole popped up as the bed flips. Cinder was astonished by this and looked at him questioningly.
"Uh, guys, this bed is, uh..." Cole said before being cut off.
"Cole, I get it! You like my bed. Would you stop playing around?" Kai said with his temper getting the better of him.
"I think I know how we can search the island." Cole grinned and looked at Cinder. "Right bro?"
"Right."
A few seconds later the ninja and dragonet lie down on the bed.
"Okay, I feel ridiculous." Lloyd grumbled
"Ah, you're right. The pillows are soft." Jay said
"Is this a joke?" Lloyd said skeptical
"I must've done something to trigger it. I was laying here, then I stretched—" Before Cole could finish his sentence, the bed flips over again. They all shouted in surprise and fell onto a stone floor. They all gasp.
"Whoa! Secret passageway! Cool." Jay said excitedly as Kai uses Fire to light up the passageway.
"Nice work, Cole. Maybe Zane's not on the island, but under it."
They all hear grunting.
"Quiet. Do you hear that?" Lloyd said as Jay sees light coming from two holes.
"Oh, secret peep holes. Haha! Super cool. Sounds like someone's fighting on the other side of this wall."
"What do you see? Who's fighting?" Cole questions
"It's not a fight. It's Skylor's room. And it looks like she's training." Jay said, making Kai extinguish the Fire. Causing the room to go dark before Sparx's body kept the room lit.
"Let me see, let me see!"
"Ah, looks like Kai's got the hots for her." Cole said smugly and Cinder sniggers while Sparx laughs
"Probably because her hair resembles his element, thinking she's meant for him." The dragonfly quips and the Fire Ninja glares at the two.
"No, she's competition. I just wanna know what powers we're up against." Kai said quickly as he tried to use the peep holes.
"Ugh, wait your turn." Jay said angrily
"We can at least share." Kai argued
"Guys, this is an invasion of privacy." Lloyd grunted as he was holding the two up against the wall.
"Ugh, her room doesn't reveal anything about her power." Kai groaned but gasps, a
Omg with Jay. Cole, Lloyd, and Cinder wondered what the two saw.
"What was it? What did you see?" Cole remarks
"She's...Fire..." Kai stutters in astonishment
"Wait a minute, if we're all descendants of Elemental Masters..." Lloyd trails off as Cole and Cinder sing-song.
"Kai's heart is on fire. Kai's heart is on fire. Kai's heart is on fire." The two brothers said together.
"Can we please just keep moving? It's like a maze down here. Good thing you're leaving a trail back to our room." Kai said as Cole had a confused look on his face.
"I'm what?" He looks behind him and sees his chocolate shell peas. "Oh... yeah, heh. I meant to do that."
The group of six went further down the corridor. The corridor went deeper and sloped at an angle as the team continued walking. Then Lloyd stopped the group and pointed at a tripwire. Jay laughs at seeing this.
"Haha! Booby traps. Even cooler. Haha." The blue ninja said but Lloyd stares at him. "Or, I mean, kinda cool. I mean, they're totally not cool, you know, 'cause they're dangerous."
Cinder looks at the Lightning Master and grumbles. Jay's sense of humor and seriousness was wack up.
"From here on out, we have to watch our step." Lloyd declares as then chanting was heard
"Do you hear that? Everyone be quiet." Kai said and everyone did, with Sparx hiding under Cinder's shirt to block his lighting. Then the team hides behind a rock as men with the Serpentine bone hats and they each fight one of them silently and take their outfits. They then follow them to where the others were going to this "ceremony".
"Stop licking your tattoos." Kai whispered
"It's chocolate. I can't resist." Cole whispered back
"Shh! Just try to fit in." Lloyd whispered as they chanted with the Warriors and watched as Chen entered. But he has something with him that the team could see. In his hand was a staff, with the top in the shape of a snake's head. Holding in its mouth was a crystal, which was glowing white. Unbeknownst to the team Cinder could see that the crystal was emitting elemental energy, but with a familiar energy. How could he forget when he remembered each elemental energy from the team so well that he can guess who it is. His eyes widened in realization as he knew that within the crystal was Zane's element.
"Bring out the loser." Chen announced and a few warriors walked in with Karlof, who was handcuffed.
"Unh! Get hands off Karlof! Karlof wishes he never signed up for this. What's chanting for?" Karlof demanded
"Uh, they're saying "only one can remain." Like I said, use it or lose it." Chen said with an evil grin and used his staff, which emitted an icy white as it stole Karlof's power.
"He's stolen Karlof's power." Kai whispered horrified
"And he used Ice. That means he must have already stolen Zane's power too." Cole whispers horrified as well by this turn of events.
"What happened to my Metal?" The Master of Metal cried out.
"Your Metal? Oh, it's mine now." Chen laughs. "But now I will let you go."
"Really?" Karlof said with hope
"To the factory!" Chen declares as his warriors grab him
"No, no! Let Karlof go! No, no!" Karlof screamed as he was dragged away towards where the factory's at.
"Jay, your face..." Lloyd whispered in worry and the blue ninja gasped once seeing what Lloyd's pointing at.
"My face? All of our faces! The chocolate's melting."
"Who are they?" A warrior questioned which cause Chen to look over to them
"Intruders! Stop them! They must not escape!" He yells in anger and the team ran, trying to get away from the cultists. Luckily, or unlucky, Cole trips on the tripwire, closing the door on the Warriors.
"A-ha! Yes!" Kai said victorious but then another trap activates. "Oh, no!"
They ran as fast as they could and escaped the trap.
"That was close." Cole said relieved but then the group heard growling.
"That sound..." Jay trailed off when they saw a serpent below them.
"That has got to be the second biggest snake I have ever seen!" Kai shouts in fear and they climb up and try to reenter the red ninja's room. Fortunately Cinder shifted to his dragon form and used his Fear element on the snake , causing it to reared back in fear and slithered away from the team. Soon the team finally reentered Kai's room and fell on his bed.
"Are we..." Kai trailed off as he breathed heavily from the encounter.
"Yeah, barely. Thanks to Cin that we got out of there from the snake." Lloyd said
"Did we just—ow!" Cole groaned
"No more sneaking around. From now on, let's just follow the rules." Jay declares
"Unh! We may not have found Zane, but we found something just as important. This tournament isn't about glory. It's about Chen stealing all of our Elemental Powers." Kai exclaims in anger.
"But why? What is he planning?" Lloyd questioned
"I don't know, but if we're gonna find out and find Zane, we have to play by his rules. Agreed?" Kai imply
"Agreed."
Cinder looked at them. They would be watched as they competed. But he won't, allowing him to go searching during the night. With his Uncle helping as well as backup just in case he gets caught. He told them that he'll go searching tomorrow while they compete. Soon the others soon went back to their rooms for the night. With a plan set for finding Zane, it won't be too hard, right?
"Good thing we weren't spotted. That was close." Cole said in relief, as Cinder followed the Earth Master. Not knowing that a piece of clothing will be an issue.
—
Chapter 16 edited and spell checked