Chapter 12: The Surge and Art of the Silent Fist
Cinder watched from a window as students were running through the courtyard having recess, sitting in the teachers break room. Following the battle with the Overlord, the ninja are now teachers at Wu's Academy —which has replaced Darkley's School for Bad Boys— training a new generation of ninja. Cinder should be in school himself but with help from his brother and the others he was homeschooled and kept up with his grade group, even with all the shenanigans he went through. He has passed with flying colors to move on.
Unfortunately the ninja (Kai, Cole, Jay, and Zane) have lost their powers after the battle. Lloyd, having the powers of the First Spinjitzu Master, was flying around Ninjago getting rewards. Cinder was also given the same treatment but declined, stating he didn't need these rewards. Fortunately Ultra stayed with the purple dragonet and the others, instead of Lloyd, to teach him more control of his elements. Many people have seen the power he weld as Aether arched over his body when he was standing still with the others for a photo.
Everyone in Ninjago celebrated the ninja, particularly Lloyd, for saving the world. This event also caused Cinder's identity to be revealed to the civilians as he, Cole, and his dad were having a family hug and a cameraman caught it. After that people were coming up and praising him for helping protect Ninjago. His former classmates and teachers were shocked by this revelation and asked his dad about him. His dad told the truth of his childhood and some were shocked but some were shameful of bullying him. His friends congratulated him on saving the world. Martin and Zack were amazed by the power he wield and Dawn and Virginia hugged him for being a great friend.
He was brought out of his thoughts as the other ninja came in, looking weary from their classes. Jay was going through the fridge for his lunch and sighs, annoyed.
"Alright! Who took my pudding cup? My name was clearly written on it." He said irritated
"I didn't see "Motor Mouth" on it." Cole said with the cup in hand eating it. Cinder looked at his brother with a look and Cole shrugged nonchalantly.
"I'm telling the headmaster." Jay said
"Leave me out of it. I'm on break, too." Wu spoke. Cinder didn't notice how the elderly teacher got there without him noticing
"Relax, Jay, you can have mine." Kai said as he threw his cup of pudding to the ginger-head, who caught it.
"But this isn't cold." Jay whined with disappointment. Cinder warbles in sympathy for the blue ninja and walks over, crouches, and breathes ice on it. Jay smiles happily and starts talking while eating his pudding. "Mm. Is anyone else chapped that Lloyd gets to be the Golden Ninja and fly around accepting awards while we're stuck here being teachers with no powers?" (Sighs) "I miss our elemental weapons."
"Hmph, at least I'm not doing the same thing as Lloyd is doing. I'm trying to carry on with life, especially with schoolwork. At least I'm not boasting about still having my elemental breaths." Cinder said with a huff but smiles. "I want to be humble with my achievements and not get a huge ego. I feel sad that you guys don't have your powers because of this. But at least you guys can work more on your physical skills than relying on your powers all the time."
Everyone nodded in agreement to the purple dragonet's words and continued eating their food.
"Why is that when I teach, I get the feeling that none of the boys are listening?" Nya said annoyed as she came into tne break room.
"Hi, Miss Nya. I saved you some pudding." Jay said
"What did we talk about?" Nya chastise
"Oh, right. Boundaries." Jay said abashed
"Hey, did you guys hear the news?" Nya questioned
"There's trouble?" Kai said
"Danger?" Jay said
"An emergency?" Zane said
"Oh, a new menace?" Cole said
"No. We got clearance for a field trip." Nya said and everyone groan except for Wu and Cinder.
"Not just any field trip. A field trip to tour Borg Industries." Nya said
"Ah! Not the Borg Industries. As in home to super genius reclusive savant Cyrus Borg? Inventor of the hover car and everything else cool in this world?" Jay rambled but groans in pain after Zane kicks him and Kai huffs in annoyance at this
"Who cares about Cyrus Borg? If you ask me, people should concern themselves with the lessons of the past. Not waste their time on the disposable fads of tomorrow when—" He said but groaned, realizing the other ninja have left except for Cinder, who was smiling with sympathy.
"You're agreeing with me on this Cin?" Kai questioned
"Yes. I admit, all this stuff sounds amazing and all. But we can't forget the past. Also, new technology in looks and design looks cool and all, not everything is 100% perfect. But I am a dragon, so I don't know how modern the technology will be. So I'm keeping an open mind until we get there." Cinder said and left the room with Kai standing there alone.
—
"Woah... the city has changed so drastically since being here." Cinder said as they entered New Ninjago City.
"Wow. You leave town for a short while and—Ahh!" Nya shouts in surprise as the bus crashes. Distracted by the incredible new technology.
"Ugh! Who here still uses wheels anymore? Get with the program!" The postman shouts angrily but stops when Cinder growls at him.
"Don't worry, we'll free you up. Time for some old-school muscle tool." Cole saids and goes outside the bus. With Cinder helping, the two lifted up the postman's van, freeing him from the bus.
"Stand back, pedestrians." A Robot Security Mech said
"Who are you calling pedestrians?" Cole said angry and Cinder growling at it
"It appears our help is not welcome." Zane said with concern
"Well, I prefer traveling the old-fashioned way—on foot. Besides, it's not like we can't find where we're going." Wu said and everyone headed towards the doors of Borg Tower. Everyone went through the automated doors except for Kai who was repeatedly getting squished by the doors.
"Welcome to Borg Industries. I'm P.I.X.A.L., Cyrus' Primary Interactive X-ternal Assistant Life-form. I'm sorry to hear about the traffic accident." She said with her robotic voice
"Wow, news travels fast." Cole said impressed
"Everything in New Ninjago City is fully automated and interconnected. Your antiquated bus should be ready shortly. You are Zane, a droid like me. What does Zane stand for?" P.I.X.A.L. asked
"I stand for peace, freedom, and courage in the face of all who threaten Ninjago." Zane said with stern determination.
"She means your name, tin head." Jay said sniggering
"I guess I'm just Zane." He said with a small smile
"Permission to scan?" P.I.X.A.L. asked
"Uh... Permission granted?" Zane said confused and stood still as she scans him.
"Heh, check it out. Zane has an admirer." Jay said with a smirk to Cole
"Your hardware is outdated and your processor is slow and incompatible with ours. Peculiar. All droids must recharge our batteries, yet curiously. I'm unable to locate your energy source. What powers you?" P.I.X.A.L. asked curious
"I, uh... I don't know." Zane said truthfully and P.I.X.A.L. turn towards the others.
"Mr. Borg would like to see the ninja on the 100th floor. If the others would follow me for the rest of the tour." She said
"Alright then. Bro, you coming with us to see Borg?" Cole said
"Nah, I'll stick with Nya, Sensei, and the students for the tour." Cinder said and follows after the group
—
Cinder looks impressed by what he sees. P.I.X.A.L. have brought them to a room filled with different VR video games and giant display screens
"Mr. Borg believes technology is the key to making our dreams come true." She said and the students gasp in amazement
"Whoa! Cool beyond cool."
"Awesome!"
"Uber-mega. I'm, like, wow!"
The students were chattering excitedly.
"Mhh, this is pretty interesting technology. Wonder if there be something that would be of interest to me." Cinder said and tune back into P.I.X.A.L.'s lecture.
"Even now, he is working on a Digiverse where the gamer will be digitally scanned in to take gaming to another level." P.I.X.A.L. explains
"Whoa! They have a Perfect Match console." Sally, a young student from the group, said excitedly
"What's Perfect Match?" Nya asked, confused as Cinder pawed over to them.
"It's the latest craze. If finds your perfect partner with flawless results. You should try it, Miss Nya." Sally said and Nya steps on the machine.
"I doubt a machine could know someone's—"
"Hello, Nya. You are an independent, self-confident young woman who refuses to be in a boys' club. Analyzing the match now." The computer said
"Of course it's gonna be Mr. Jay." Marla, another student, said but a hologram of Cole appears. All the girls gasped in horror.
"Promise you will not tell anyone." Nya pleads to them but hears Cinder squeak in surprise. Turning to see his face have the same expression as her and the girls. He was also horrified by this. Cinder went up to it and breathed a shock of Lightning into it and the machine shuddered and shut down. The purple dragonet glared at the machine with hatred.
"Cinder?"
He turned to see Nya and the girls looking at him with shock at his action. He sighs
"That machine... was lying. There's no way Cole is your perfect match. How can a love machine tell who is your Love? That's just stupid, and I bet something's up right now." Cinder said as he calmed down. Nya couldn't get a word with the dragonet, P.I.X.A.L. called everyone to continue following her. A few mins later they were
led to the factory area.
"And this factory line where—" P.I.X.A.L. said but stops talking but continues, but was more monotone and cold. "This will be the end of your tour."
"Stay back and stay together." Nya grunts as she deflects a robot arm and spinning blade. Cindee grumbled and shot a ball of Poison at a robot arm.
"This way. There's a way out!" Brad said and led the others towards it but were caught on a conveyor belt. All of the students whimpered in fear because of all the chaos in the room.
"No! Do not break formation! Why don't boys ever listen to me?" Nya grunts as she kicks off a robot that is trying to harm the students. Cinder jumped and took off into the air, flapping his wings as he flew around hitting the factory equipment.
"Run! Jump and kick!" Nya guides the students and Wu through the robots. Cinder kept up with his attacks, using Lightning and Poison attacks to short out the circuits and deteriorating the droids.
"Everyone get to the window." Wu saids
"Whoa!" All the students shouted as the conveyor belt they're standing on is taking them towards a garbage incinerator.
"How do we stop it?" Nya said as Cinder tried to use Ice to freeze it but couldn't because of the heat. But then the ninja pull up on a NinjaCopter, carrying an aerial work platform with them. Zane shoots a control panel, which shuts the conveyor belt the students were on down.
"We need to get everyone to the bus. I have an idea." Kai said to his sister
"Come on, kids. Jump on board." Cole said as everyone got on, except for Cinder who was flying already, and Nya was about to get on. But her leg was grabbed by P.I.X.A.L.
"This will be the end of your tour." Nya kicks P.I.X.A.L. and runs, jumping on the NinjaCopter.
"Come on, she's one of them. We have to go!" She said as Zane got them away and took them to the bus as Nya and the students got inside.
"Get to the academy as fast as you can, sis. We need the Golden Ninja." Kai said quickly
"What about you guys?" Nya questioned worried
"We must protect the people." Wu said
A traffic light alternates between green and red before turning red and attacking a pedestrian. A hover-car goes haywire and starts spinning. A vacuum chases a woman. Finally, a security mech tries to tip over the school bus. Everyone screamed and the ninja, Wu, and Cinder held the bus from tipping.
"I'm on it. Ninja, go!" Cole shouts as he uses Spinjitzu to jump over the bus and pull out the power chords on the mech. "No one calls me pedestrian!"
"I always said Mr. Cole was my favorite." Brad said and the other students cheered. Before Nya left, Cole came over to Cinder with something in his hands.
"Bro, you should go with Nya and the students as protection, just to be safe, ok?" Cole said
"Uhh... (Sighs) alright then, I'll go. Just to help Nya protect the students." Cinder said
"Phew, thanks bro. Here, there's a suit here for you, we found it along with ours with the Techno-Blades. Hope to see you soon bro." Cole said and hugged him and Cinder got on the bus. Nya then punched it and took off, speeding away from the city. Cinder kept an eye on his surroundings as they drove through the streets. Seeing the students scared, he assured them everything would be ok. Soon they reached the edge of the city and out to the open countryside. Cinder hoped Lloyd could get to the others in time or else everybody would be in danger, again.
—
Cinder watched as the four ninja hid their vehicles with leaves. After leaving the city and returning to the Academy Nya went to get Lloyd while Cinder led the students to their dorms. Then hearing that the Overlord has returned but as a digital virus in the computer system of the city. He also stated he wanted Lloyd's Golden Power to make a new body for himself. The ninja and Lloyd were able to escape the city with the Techno-Blades but sadly, Sensei Wu was caught and taken prisoner by the Overlord. Now they are near Garmadon's Monastery to seek temporary refuge till they get a plan to stop the Overlord.
"Aah. This is a perfect place to lay low. No robots, no cameras, no problems." Lloyd said as he watched the four do their task.
"Still, if any aerial drones pass overhead, you better wear this." Nya says and tosses him a Techno gi. Cinder was standing next to her in human form with his gi on, purple with silver accents with an image of his draconian self in gold. "It will scramble their signal so they can't find you."
"Yeah, this is sweet." Lloyd said with a laugh
"Lloyd?"
"Mom?" Lloyd turned to see his mom Misako walking from the woods.
"Oh. What are you all doing here?" She said looking at them.
"The Overlord's back and New Ninjago City has fallen under his control. He has Sensei Wu." Lloyd said with a sad expression on his face.
"Wu's tough. There's a reason he's lived as long as he has." Misako said putting a hand on her son
"Well, where's Dad?" Lloyd asked, turning the conversations towards the former evil lord.
"Yeah, where's Lord Garmadon?" Kai joked with mirth
"He no longer goes by Lord. Here, he is Sensei Garmadon and he won't be back until this evening's lesson." Misako said
"Uh, did you just say Sensei Garmadon?" Jay said with a shocked expression on his face
"I'm glad he's on our side now. With Sensei Wu gone, we could use the help." Zane said
"Come in, but your weapons are not allowed. Ever since Lloyd saved his father, Garmadon swore an oath to never fight in hope to make up for his evil past. It's an oath he takes very seriously." Misako said
"But we were supposed to protect these with our lives." Kai said looking at the Techno Blade in his hand
"And never let them out of our sight." Jay added in
"You guys go on ahead, I will stay back and watch over them." Zane said and the ninja give him their Techno Blades.
"Haha, yeah!" Co.e said
"Thanks, Zane." Kai thanked the Nindroid as he gave his Blade to him
"You're awesome." Jay said doing the same
"You're the best." Cole said doing the same as well
"See ya." Jay said farewell to the Nindroid and walked off with the others. Cinder looked at the white ninja.
"You want me to stay with you to watch the Techno Blades?" He said and the ninja shook his head
"No, it's fine. Go ahead and join with the others. I'll be fine watching over the Blades." Zane said and Cinder nodded and hugged him. Then shifted into his draconian self and ran after the others to the monastery. He soon caught up to the others and soon was at the monastery. It was beautiful, the monastery was up against a mountain with a waterfall going down to a stream that led towards a waterwheel. Which was the main source for electricity to the entire monastery. There were a bunch of bonsai trees around the grounds blooming with bright colors. It was amazing to Cinder, who never got to see a whole lot of architecture around Ninjago. But he appreciated the value of seeing this.
"Pass the ball to me. Yeah." A girl shouted as Kai caught their ball. They run up to the ninja.
"Ah, at least there's some places left in this world I'm still considered cool." Cole said as Kai tries to give their ball back, but the kids run up to Lloyd instead.
"Oh, wow!" A boy said in awe
"It's the Green Ninja." Another boy said
"And the Purple Dragon too!" A girl said and the other girls were around Cinder and were petting him, making him purr in happiness
"Nope, still totally lame." Jay said as he smacked Cole behind the head and walk up to the kids. "Hey, hey!"
"I recognize that look." Misako said as she noticed Nya staring at Jay and Cole. As the boys were playing with the kids.
"What look? I wasn't looking." Nya said nervously
"Two boys, one heart." Misako said knowingly
"Am I that obvious? What should I do? Jay's the only one who makes me laugh, but Cole...Cole's not Jay." Nya said, panicking, looking over at the dragonet next to them. "Cinder knows, but he doesn't believe that I am in love with his brother. Because he sensed something was up with this "love machine" in Borg Industries."
"I see." Misako said as Cinder came over, his face showing he heard everything but kept a chill expression on his face and walked over.
"Misako?"
"Yes, Cinder?"
"Uhhh... with what you said about no weapons here, should I be in human form? Reason is my horns, claws, and tail blade." Cinder asked
"I see, well don't worry, Garmadon knows you liked to be in your true form. He made you an exception IF you only used them with his lessons." Misako said and the dragonet nodded in approval as he watched the kids play with his brother, Kai, and Jay.
—
At nightfall, the ninja sit down with the other students (Cinder lying down on his stomach) for training. They gasp when they see Garmadon's shadow has four arms. This turns out to be someone else, who opens the door for him.
"Ah, my son. So glad you could join us." Garmadon said with a warm smile seeing his son and the others.
"Hey, it's been a while, Father." Lloyd said
"Check out the new Sensei. Looking sharp." Jay whispered to Cole
"Silence!" Garmadon orders and hits the blue ninja with his staff.
"Ow!" Jay yelp from the smack
"Close your mouth and open your ears. Tonight's lesson is the Art of the Silent Fist: To fight without fighting. May I have a volunteer?" Garmadon asked but nobody raised their hand
"How about me?" Lloyd said
"The Ultimate Battle: Round Two!" Nya cheered as Lloyd stood up and went onto the training floor and stood across from his father.
"Attack me. But please, no powers. I happen to like my monastery." The sensei said and the kids laughed. Lloyd charges at him, but Garmadon dodges, making him run into a table. "You see, the key is balance. Let your opponent fight himself." He dodges more of Lloyd's attacks. "Let the enemy tire himself."
"Argh!" Lloyd growls as his dad yawns then dodges. "Huh?" Lloyd slams into a support column.
"Oh!" The three ninja said with sympathy at their teammate being dominated by his dad.
"Pupils, I give you the most powerful ninja in all the land, the Golden Ninja." Garmadon said calmly and the kids laugh, but the ninja facepalm.
"Ugh, Lloyd." Jay groaned with embarrassment. Lloyd finally lost patience and summons an Energy ball.
"Easy, son. It is only a lesson." Garmadon said smiling
"Sorry, I don't know what got into me." Lloyd said as he calms down
"You let the anger take over. I know that feeling well. Now, let's divide into groups." Garmadon said and everyone paired up. Kai pairs up with Jay and hits him.
"Ow!" Jay yells in pain from the hit.
"Perfect." Garmadon is pleased and notices Cinder watching and walks over to him. The dragonet sees the sensei coming over and bows to him.
"Cinder, keeping yourself busy with training?"
"Yes, I've been busy keeping my training up, especially with my elemental breaths." Cinder said as he watched the students practice.
"Mhh... that's good. At least you're keeping your skills up compared to the other ninja. Especially Lloyd, I don't blame him for his powers, but he needs to have his physique in check if he can't use his powers." Garmadon said
"I see." Cinder said but before they confirmed to speak there was a scream outside. Everyone stopped and looked outside.
"The Techno Blades!" Kai shouted and ran outside with the others behind him. Cinder sprinted to keep up and skidded to a spot, seeing what he saw. There was Zane holding P.I.X.A.L. in tree vines leading her towards them. Cinder thought she looked the same except for ONE glaring issue: her eyes were red. He sighed in relief to see the Techno-Blades weren't taken but wondered how she found them.
"It's P.I.X.A.L.. But how did she find us?" Cole questioned angrily
"How about we take her apart to find out?" Kai said confused and angry
"Please, she was only doing what she was programmed to do. She may hold many answers, but perhaps there is an easier way." Zane said calmly and activates his Techno Blade.
"No. I—" Garmadon exclaimed but Jay put a hand on the Sensei.
"Ah, relax. Ain't a weapon, only hacks into things."
"Where am I? Why am I tied up?" P.I.X.A.L. gasped as she was released
"You were under the control of the Overlord. How did you find us?" Zane questioned
"They've mined Sensei Wu's memory. The Overlord knows all of your hiding places." P.I.X.A.L. said and everyone gasped
"My brother. Is he...is he okay?" Garmadon asked worried
"Yes, but the Overlord wants your son. His Golden Power is the only way he can escape the digital realm and become real." P.I.X.A.L. said
"Why did Borg give us the Techno Blades to protect? Why are they so important?" Kai said
"Because together, they can reboot the system, wipe the master computer clean, and destroy the Overlord virus for good." P.I.X.A.L. explained but gasps
"What is it?" Nya asked
"I didn't come alone." P.I.X.A.L. said
"Uh, who else is with you?" Jay said s a red
"Nindroids." P.I.X.A.L. said
"Nindroids?" The ninja, Nya, and Cinder exclaimed
"Where are they? I don't see any of them." Jay said and everyone looked around on guard when the Nindroids revealed themselves.
"Five versus eighteen. Probability of survival is too low to quantify." P.I.X.A.L. said
"Whoa!" Zane dodged a laser
"These Nindroids are so fast—" Jay was cut off as he got hit in the face by a Nindroid. Cinder winces at that but shoots out an ice shard at a couple but hits him in the head and rolls a bit and into a pile of rocks. Nindroids attack the down dragon into a pile.
"Nice kick. Now see mine. Ninja, go!" Cole shouted as he did Spinjitzu at a few Nindroids, then spinning over to the pile of Nindroids, clearing them away from Cinder. The dragonet got up, shaking his head from the surprise attack. Cinder watches Lloyd do Spinjitzu as well to knock a group of Nindroids who were banging Zane up.
"We need to get out of here." Nya said and Cinder nodded and roared loudly. Everyone heard it and ran up into the monastery. Soon they were stuck by the water wheel.
"We've got you now." A Nindroid said
"Anyone want to clear a path?" Jay asked
"Yeah, I've got an idea." Cole said, looking at the wheel.
A few seconds later the waterwheel was free-spinning, rolling through the nindroids like pins and then crashing in the trees. Then the ninja's vehicle took off as they "escaped". Once the nindroids chase after the vehicles. Everyone emerged from the waterwheel.
"Won't be long until they figure out we used autopilot. We should get a move on." Cole said
"I'm coming with you. If the Overlord wants my son, I'm not letting him out of my sight." Garmadon stated firmly
"I'll stay and look after the monastery." Misako said as everyone started to move out
"Wait. If he wants me, and the Techno Blades are the only things that can stop him, shouldn't we split up, just in case?" Lloyd said, making everyone stop.
"Good thinking. Zane's Falcon knows the secret location of my Samurai X Cave. You and your father go and take what you need to get as far away from us as possible." Nya said
"Secret cave? I thought we knew everything about each other." Jay whined with hurt
"Well, a girl's gotta have her secrets. Plus, Cinder was the only one that knows because he helped build it. Plus the cave wouldn't be secretive." Nya said and the ninja groaned at her for doing something like this.
"What are you guys gonna do? Those Nindroids aren't gonna let you step one foot into the city." Lloyd questioned
"Yeah, Nya. What are we gonna do?" Jay questioned as well
"We're gonna shut down the power." Nya said and starts walking but P.I.X.A.L. paused.
"There was also another thing that I needed to tell you, but that battle made me forget till now."
"Oh? What would that be?" Misako questioned
"The Overlord has a backup plan if he can't get the Golden Ninja." P.I.X.A.L. said
"Uhh... what is it?" Cinder asked, having a sinking feeling about this.
"The Overlord knows of Cinder's history and will use him if Lloyd isn't accessible. I'll apologize if this makes you feel scared and afraid." P.I.X.A.L. said and Cinder sighs.
"It's fine. I knew someday an enemy of ours would know how powerful I am. But... wasn't expecting it so quick, now... let's see what Nya has in mind."
—
The ninja, except Zane and P.I.X.A.L., jump out of a box. A clown honks his horn next to Jay, annoying him. Cinder sniggered as he jumped off the pedestal. They were able to get back into the city's limits to their destination. Cole, Kai, Jay, and Nya were in a box while Zane and P.I.X.A.L. were in a different car. Cinder, on the other paw, pretended to be a statue on a pedestal. He stretch his body from standing still for so long and watched as everyone discussed.
"We can get you just outside of the Storm Farms, but you'll have to get to the power substation on your own. Good luck, and abracadabra!" Tne magician and the clown disappears using a smoke screen.
"Show off." Jay said coughing
"So, Nya, shutting down this power substation. Can we really destroy the Overlord and his Nindroids by simply flipping a switch?" Cole questioned
"Cripple them, yes. Destroy, no. Once we've powered down his army, we still need to reboot the central computer with the Techno Blades. And don't forget, since he knows we have them, they aren't gonna let us just waltz in." Nya explained
"Whoa! Wait a minute, if shutting down the power turns off everything connected to it, wouldn't that mean P.I.X.A.L. too?" Jay said concerned
"Well, if Zane hasn't figured it out, don't tell him. If we're going to come across more Nindroids, we need to be on our A game." Cole exclaimed
"Speaking of which, where is Zane?" Kai asked curious
"He's over in the next car, I seen P.I.X.A.L. doing some repairs on him from the battle. But yes, we shouldn't tell him, if would make him very upset." Cinder said and sat on his haunches and everyone did something to occupy themselves till they got to their destination. 45 mins later Cinder groan mentally as he watch Nya encounter his brother.
"Hey, Nya. How are our kids?" Cole asked
"Our kids?" She saids turning around, blushing. "Why would we have kids? We're not even married, let alone—"
"I mean our students, weirdo. Ever since we left the school, I worried for them." Cole said with a worried look. Cinder face-paw at the Samurai, she was being so silly about this love ordeal he wonders how long till his brother and Jay found out.
"Oh, Dareth's looking after them. You know, Cole, you don't get the credit you deserve." Nya said
"What do you mean?" Cole questioned confused
"I mean, you always put others ahead of yourself. I know the other ninja get all the attention, but I just want you to know, you're a good guy." Nya said with a nervous smile and grabbed his hand.
"Ah, don't tell Jay." Cole said, unsure of what's going on here.
"Ha, tell me what?" Jay said as he and Kai walk in and notices the two holding hands, causing them to recoil.
"Um..." Nya stuttered
"Ha, oh, hope I didn't interrupt anything, 'cause we're here." Kai says and exits the car, with Jay following. Cinder looked at her, gave her a stern look, and exited. Once outside he saw that they were in a field cover with towers a few feet apart with a giant tower in the center. All having lightning transmitting into them from continuous storm clouds spread out in the sky, grey and gloomy as they let out strikes of lightning. One strike startled P.I.X.A.L..
"Aah!"
"Careful. They farm the electricity that's in the air. This is where all of Ninjago gets their power." Zane said cautiously
"Looks like we have a welcoming party." Kai said pointing to Nindroids patrolling the grounds
"The only chance we have of getting in there is to stay out of sight. There's no way we can take them all on." Nya said
"You mean we get to be ninja for a change? Whoo-hoo!" Jay said excitedly
"I'll stay back. I'm not built for stealth and cannot assist you." P.I.X.A.L. said to everyone
"Be safe and stay out of trouble. I'll see you later." Zane said and took off, the others following behind. Cinder took his human form to also go stealth as his scales, tail blade, and horns will gather the Nindroids attention. Cinder ran up to the side of the main tower and scaled up. He halted his climb as there were a group of the robots with their general getting them orders. He and others took this opportunity to sneak in when the Nindroids were laughing at a shorter one who was displeased of his height. Soon they were inside and Cinder shut the door quietly and look around. The place was very industrial but technical with all the tech connected to keep the machine running. N the center was a cylinder glass dome with energy coursing through it from the roof.
"That's the substation's core. Shut that down, and it's lights out for the Overlord. Now if only we knew which switch." Nya said as Jay pressed
a button.
We say, go go! You're gonna see us rip into it. We just jump up kick back whip around and spin— music blared out of the speaker
"Hey, I love this song." Jay said and hums to it
"Turn it off! They can't know we're here." Kai whispers angrily at the blue ninja.
"Pfft. Buzzkill." Jay scoffs and turns it off.
"None of these buttons are doing anything. There has to be an easier way." Cole said
"Yeah, like maybe just hack the system?" Kai said and tried to break the power source's glass, but failed. "Argh! Stupid technology."
Cinder, in dragon form, came over to the red ninja and brought his tail up, tail blade reflecting off from the core's light. He moved back, jumped up, spun and smashed his blade at the glass. But it didn't break, it withstand Cinder's attack even when he was in his birth form.
"This can't be harder than it looks." Cole said hopefully and tried, but it didn't work. "Okay, definitely harder."
"Button, button, who's got the button?" Jay said as he searched for the shutoff button.
"Be quiet." Cole said
"I am being quiet. You be quiet." Jay said but a few seconds later the alarms went off. Nya went to a computer screen and saw the army outside.
"Nindroids! Our cover is blown! Seal the doors and find a way to shut it down." Nya shouted but Zane sees P.I.X.A.L. on the cameras.
"P.I.X.A.L.! Don't seal the door. I'm going out there."
"Are you crazy? We barely fixed you up the last time you fought them." Jay said grabbing his arm, but got shoved by the white ninja
"You didn't fix me, she did." Zane goes out, but the short nindroid manages to slip in.
"Argh! Great. Now they come in fun sizes!" Jay moaned in annoyance and the Min-Droid starts to attack the ninja. Cinder was in the air above Nya for protection if the small Nindroid goes after her.
"Hack him with the Techno Blade." Kai said to Cole who tried but the robot deflected it.
"Argh! I'm trying! I gotta hand it to the little runt. He doesn't know when to quit." Cole said
"Quit?" It saids angrily and fires at Cole, but he dodges and it cracks the power source's glass. Cinder notices this and grins.
"Seems like Garmadon's lesson is going to be effective for our victory."
"Ah, that's it. Fight without fighting!"
"This is no time for a lesson, Kai!" Jay said irritated
"Hey, Half Pint! Over here! Whoa! We need to provoke him more." Kai said as he taunted the Min-Droid
"Or more Nindroids. Nya, open the door!" Cole shouted
"I see where you're headed." Nya said grinning as she opened it, causing more to come in. The Nindroids started firing lasers and were breaking the glass as the three ninja dodged the shots. Min-droid later tries to kick Cole, who moved last second, and hits the glass falling into the charge, which then explodes. The power then disappears, shutting down all Nindroids and everything in New Ninjago City. The team cheered with happiness of their victory but Cinder went outside to see if Zane and P.I.X.A.L. were ok. Once outside he sees Zane but sees that she was on the ground. He roared to the others to come out and they saw the situation as well and ran over.
"This is why I wanted to stay back. So you w-w-would not s-s-see this." P.I.X.A.L. stutters as her power drains to zero.
"You knew this would happen?" Zane questioned with worry.
"Your mission was important. I-I was not. I am to assist. I assisted." P.I.X.A.L. said while her voice broke in a few spots.
"You're using up your reserve. Don't say anything more until we find you more power." Zane pleaded desperately with fear
"You've destroyed the only power source in Ninjago. Power will all be nonexistent. We are not so d-different, are we? Are we compatible?" P.I.X.A.L. said with a smile
"Yes, yes we are." Zane said with a sad smile as she powers down. Cinder padded over and lay a paw on the Nindroids shoulder. Zane looks over.
"Hey, don't worry Zane. We'll find a power source for her and she'll be ok, alright?" The purple dragonet said with a small smile. Zane nodded
"Now the question is: How are we getting to the city with no vehicles that are powered by it?" Cinder question
"Well, I have an idea. We can go to Jay's parents and look for parts to turn one of the guys' vehicles from electric to gas powered. That way we'll have a reliable vehicle to use." Nya explained and everyone agreed to it and started the trek to the junkyard in the desert.
"Hmm... I could help with giving her a source of power. But I probably don't have the knowledge to do it. Oh well, just hope that things go smoothly." Cinder thought as he walked with them, not realizing what would happen next.
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Chapter 12 edited and spell checked