Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Day of the Great Devourer and Darkness shall Rise
"Well... this sucks" Cinder thought as he and the others were sitting at a cave's entrance. He and the others were all sitting around, devastated by what happened.
"Today is not going so well." He thought as he recalled what happened a few hours ago.
Flashback
Everyone stared as the Great Devourer ate their teacher and the serpentine king. Then it spotted them and hissed angrily. Everyone panicked in fear and all ran off towards the Bounty. The four ninja jumping obstacles and over buildings. While Cinder went with Nya holding onto her Mech with Lloyd on his back. They got on the ship and were trying to get it to start up.
"Fire up the engines. I said fire up the engines!" Nya shouted
"There's no wind. And we only have reserved fuel." Lloyd shouted
"Use it!" She said as the ninja make it to the ship. Cinder sighed in relief of them safe and sound. Jay was looking out the window and seeing the serpent coming
"Uh, hate to tell you this, but objects in the mirror are closer than they appear." He shouts
"Working on it. Blasters on full." Nya said and hit a button and the bounty raised into the air just in time as the ship nearly got bitten by the giant serpent's mouth.
"Whoo-hoo! Take that, you stupid snake." Kai shouted
"Uh, I think it heard you." Jay said as it flared its hood angrily and slithered after them
"Nya, we gotta go faster. That thing is gaining on us.l Kai said to his sister
"We're going as fast as we can. I'll try to make it to Scattered Canyon." Nya satd pointing to a row of tall cliffs ahead in the distance
"Probability of us making it that far is less than 8 percent." Zane said
"Never tell me the odds!" Nya shouted at the Nindroid
"It's coming in for another attack. Port side." Cole said as he kept watch on the snake. Cinder was on the mast to keep a bird's eye view on the serpent as well. Nya swerved away as it did its attack. They were almost there to the canyons but the ship was losing altitude, getting closer to the ground.
"We're losing speed. We'll drop to the ground pretty soon." Lloyd shouted as then Nya came up with a idea
"Throw everything overboard." She shouted
"What?" Everyone said in surprise
"We need to lose some weight." Nya explained and hears Cinder's voice outside
"Port side!" He shouted from the mast. The ninja begin throwing out many things including a fridge only for the Devourer to eat it all. Jay noticed this
"Man, he sure is hungry. Does anyone else think the snake looks bigger than it did before?" He said and Cole notices it as well and eyes widen in realization and panic.
"The more it consumes, the bigger it gets. Don't throw anything else overboard!" He shouted and everyone stopped throwing stuff off, which was fortunate enough for tne Bounty to make it to the canyons
"Phew. We made it to Scattered Canyons. Hold on!" Nya shouted as she maneuver the ship around the canyons and soon after lost the serpent. Cole sighed in relief along with Cinder
"Phew, we lost him." Cole said but alas it wasn't, because a moment later the Devourer came out of nowhere and bit off one of the engines. Causing the ship to fail and go down towards the ground.
"Abandon ship!" Nya shouted as she got into her Mech with Cinder and Lloyd riding on it and flew off
"Goodbye, old friend." Zane saids and the others summoned their vehicles. Then drove and all went to a small cave to hide, watching as the Devourer swallows the Bounty.
"No!" They all yell in despair as the Devourer ate their home in half. Then after that, it left.
"Unh, it's gone." Cole said once the giant serpent was gone
"Oh, that was too intense. All that action makes you so thirsty." Kai said exhaling weary
"There's no time to rest. We need to warn people before it becomes bigger." Zane said with a serious look on his face.
"We also need a plan to stopping it." Cinder said concerned
"Then I got a plan in mind." Said Kai and everyone listens to his plan
Flashback End
After they made the plan, Kai led them towards Jay's parents home. Cinder looked around at all the random bits and pieces of junk and scrap. It was the most interesting place to be raised up in. His brother has told him of the incident with the Fangpyre tribe that have bitten Jay's parents, but fortunately was able to get the General's staff to make the antidote for the bite. Cinder shivered in fear of how powerful that particular tribe was. Cinder then watched as Kai brought out a blueprint of a massive vehicle.
"This looks awesome!" Jay said impressed as he looked at the blueprint
"Zane, you still have a recording of the Sacred Flute in your memory bank?" Kai asked to the nindroid who nodded
"It might've been destroyed earlier, but I have its exact tone recorded and ready for playback." Zane said and plays the flute recording. Cinder hummed to the music, liking the beautiful noise
"That sounds beautiful." He said
"It's beautiful, but it's the weakness against the serpentine and the Devourer." Zane said as Kai looked around the junkyard
"Alright. There should be enough spare parts around here to build this whopper. But we're gonna need to create our biggest Tornado of Creation yet. This is gonna be dangerous and we can't have anyone around."
Cinder was confused by this "Tornado of Creation" and asked what it was. Cole explained the concept of it to him, making the purple dragon in awe of it. Then the Postman enters the Junkyard Whistling a tune. Cole notices him and groans.
"Ugh. What's he doing here?" He said and both him and Kai run up to him. Cinder watched, wondering how the interaction will go.
"Aah! You ninja are always sneaking around, giving people heart attacks. You're too quiet." The postman said while getting spooked
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. But you need to get out of here, now." Kai apologized to him and the mailman looked around and back to the ninja
"Uh, well, now, I too have a job to do, and that's delivering the mail, which I plan to do." He said and pulled out some mail which Jay takes. Cinder thought this postman was clueless, because apparently he doesn't seem to notice that a frickin' DRAGON was standing there.
"Look, dude, my parents aren't even here. You really should be on your way." Jay said
"Them, too? Uh, let me guess, are they at the "Take Back Ninjago" rally too?" The mailman said
"Uh, "Take Back Ninjago" rally?" Jay asked confused and the mailman scoffed
"What, you guys haven't heard? Everyone's getting together for a rally in the city. You know, to raise awareness about all the Serpentine problems that have been surfacing lately." He said
"Whoa, would you look at that. You guys are inspirational." Lloyd said sarcastically and Cinder sniggered at the mailman's antics
"Wait a minute, you know what? You guys are right. Wherever you guys are, trouble is always around the corner." Said the mailman as he spoke, the ninja, Nya, Cinder, and Lloyd noticed the Devourer approaching and get into battle stances.
"I think I'll be leaving now 'cause whatever you guys are up to, I want no part of it." He then noticed their stances and looked behind him and turned around to see a giant serpent coming. "Aah! S-s-snake!" He yells and jumps into a trash can. Kai looked at the others and ordered Cinder, Nya, and Lloyd to take cover. The three of them ran over to a stack of tires and hid.
Cinder watched in amazement as the four ninja did Spinjitzu and then their Tornadoes merged into one huge golden Tornado. Random junk and scrap started to fly towards the Tornado and after a few seconds, a huge vehicle emerge from the Tornado.
"Woah! That is powerful." Cinder said
"Yeah, this is the second time I see them do it." Lloyd said and the three watched the battle. It looks like the music was working, but it seems like the snake was able to regain focus enough and hit the vehicle with its tail. Hurting Zane in the process and their plan ruined. The serpent wailed around for a few seconds and then left. The others got out of the vehicle and checked on Zane. Worry was on their faces about their team mate's health. Cinder and Lloyd ran over to help as well.
"Is everybody okay?" Cole said
"We're fine." Cinder said
"Where's Zane?" Lloyd asked worriedly as everyone look around the vehicle, trying to find the white ninja.
"Right here." Zane said as he emerges from the damaged cockpit, now missing the left side of his hace, revealing the robotics underneath. "That was close."
"Too close." Kai said in relief
"Perfect. Now that was a total failure." Jay said irritated
"Not total. Did you guys notice his forehead? It has a weak spot." Kai said
"Oh, great, let me make a note of that. Giant snake has wee, itty-bitty weak spot that'll be" Jay said and raises his voice "TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AT BECAUSE THE THING IS TOO RIDICULOUSLY HUGE TO DO ANYTHING TO STOP IT!"
"ROAR!"
Everyone jumped in fright by Cinder's sudden roar. After a few seconds he stopped and looked at Jay with irritation
"You done?" The dragon said looking at Jay, who glups
"Yes." He said quietly, not wanting to anger the dragon more
"Good, now be calm and listen." He said as Nya spoke up
"Uh guys? Things just got worse. Look." She said and pointed where the giant serpent was heading. Everyone turned and looked and looks of horror appeared on their faces.
"It's heading towards Ninjago City." Zane said
"My parent's are there right now." Jay said
"So is everybody else." Cole said
"If it consumes the biggest city in all of Ninjago, there will be no stopping it." Kai said
Cinder thought of what would happen to those civilians. All the innocent lives in danger of a giant serpent eating them. He hoped that they could get there in time and save them.
"Let's get there right now!" He said
The others nodded and went into action. Kai, Zane, Jay, and Cole jumped into their giant vehicle and drove off. Nya jumped into her Mech while Cinder and Lloyd sat in the seat attached to it and took off.
—-—
The team have soon reached Ninjago City and heard screaming in downtown. Cinder holding onto Nya's Mech with Lloyd sitting in the passenger chair as they flew. He saw the four ninja helping a elderly couple in mechanic gear.
"Those must be Jay's parents." He thought and saw a camera man and spokes lady from the news. The guy was recording by the looks of it. He sees the four ninja using their weapons to try distracting it. But seeing its enraged hiss. He knew that it was REAL angry.
"Uh, I think we only made it mad." Cinder heard Jay shouted and watch them dodged it. They kept dodging it, but it was getting the giant serpent even madder. Then it swung its tail at them. Scattering the ninja on the ground and the Devourer lunges at them.
"Hang on you two, this is going to be sketchy." Shouted Nya as her Mech grabs a telephone pole and flew up towards the serpent and lodged it in its mouth.
"Whoa!" Shouted Cinder as he held on. But the snake shooks its head
"Samurai to the rescue. Again." Jay shouted
"Whoa!" Shouted Cinder as he held on to the Mech. But the snake shooks its head like crazy, and with its shaking made Cinder loose grip and flew off. Cinder's wings flared out and glide onto one of the giant serpent's horns. Grabbing onto it for dear life while Nya and Lloyd were stuck inside the jaws of the serpent.
"Its breath smells worse than Cole's chili." Lloyd said
"Hey!" Cole said, very offended by that. Cinder wanted to snigger, but he was focusing holding onto the snake's horn for dear life. Kai shouted out to Nya
"Get out of there, sis!"
"I can't! I'm stuck!" She said as her Mech's rocket boosters were malfunctioning. Cinder watch as the snake tried to close its mouth. Hoping that Nya can get out of there on her own. Suddenly a loud ROAR! came and with a BANG! A huge creature flew in and attacks the beast and grabs Nya's Mech, rescuing both Nya and Lloyd from their own doom. Cinder realizes he's still on the snake and whimpers in fear. No way getting off the snake and he was scared for his life. The snake noticed its unwanted passenger and moves his head, trying to get to its prey.
"Rocky! Our Dragons are back." Cinder hear his brother shout as then the snake kept on shaking its head. Cinder squeaked as he lost grip a little bit and yelled
"HEEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPP!"
The others notice their draconian team mate on the snake's horns.
"Oh no! Bro, how did he end up there!?" Cole shouted in panic
"I don't know how, but we need to get him to safety as well. He can't fly at all with zero experience, he won't make it by gliding down." Nya said worriedly
"But we have a answer to it: our dragons. It appears Dragons go through a metamorphosis when they reach adulthood. They too have found their True Potential. So they can get Cinder to safety." Zane said
"Well, they couldn't have come at a better time. Save Cinder Rocky!" Cole said
Cinder looked down and felt his limbs weakening from holding for so long. He started to slip. The Great Devourer notices this and shooked really hard. That made Cinder lose his hold and was throw up into the air. He tried to opened his wings to glide, but couldn't open them because of his exhaustion and scream in horror and fell. He watch everything slow down in slow motion and watched as his life flashed before his eyes. He curled into a ball to lessen the fall but suddenly
"Gotcha!"
Cinder felt being grabbed by the neck and was held tightly. Cinder looked behind him to see it was another dragon!
The other dragon turned its head around and put him on its back. Cinder looked at the dragon in awe. This dragon was different to the ones he heard about. This dragon has four heads! The dragon's whole body was white with green accents, but each head has a different marking of a element representing the four ninja. Then the dragon attacked the snake with their elemental breaths. Cinder was relieved, but then was flown off when the snake strikes the four-headed dragon and went down. He hit the ground hard and felt a few bones break and roared in pain. He can tell that his right wing was broken along with a few ribs cracked. The others ran over to him and the white dragon with worry and concern. Cole with fear on his face
"Bro! Are you ok?" He saids worryingly and examining both him and the other dragon. The white dragon was also looking at the purple dragonet with concern as well, even thought it was injured as well. Cinder coughed up some blood from the broken bones within his body.
"No, I have a few cracked ribs and... Cough cough... I can feel my right wing is broken." He said coughing and tried to get into a more comfortable position to ease the pain.
"What now?" Nya said and Cinder looked behind Lloyd to see a familiar face. Lloyd also turns around to see his dad.
"You came back!" Lloyd said surprised
"Give me the weapons. I am the only one who can handle the power of all four weapons at once. It's the only thing that'll defeat the Devourer." Garmadon said making Jay suspicious and worried
"Uh, I thought we were supposed to do everything in our power not to let him possess the weapons." He said
"I've ran every other scenario through my servers. It appears to be the only way." Zane said and Cinder coughs again
"All four weapons combined could destroyed the snake." He said and Garmadon nods to the purple dragonet's fact.
"Give me the weapons." He said
"Kai?" Zane asked as he used the Shurikens of Ice to make temporary ice packs for Cinder's ribs and wing. The white dragon lay down behind the smaller dragon and nuzzled him. Cinder purred in relaxation of the gentleness of the bigger dragon's nuzzle.
"Only I can destroy it. Or prepare to watch—" Garmadon said but was cut off by the Sword of Fire being tossed to him
"Quit your yammering and just do it." Kai said as he looked at the four-armed man. "When you have a chance to make the blow, it has a weak spot near his forehead." He said while Cole and Zane gave their golden weapons over. While Jay was still skeptical of the idea but gave in and give him the Nunchucks of Lightning to him.
"Uh, I don't think this needs to be said, but we're gonna need these back." He said and Garmadon Chuckles
"I'll do my part. You just make sure he stays in one spot." He laughs and runs away.
"Stays in one spot? Stays in one spot!? How are we supposed to do that?" Jay questioned
"Don't forget: we're ninja. Come on, you overgrown worm. Take the bait. Come and get me. Whoa!" Kai yells at the giant snake to follow him. Cinder watched the other three ninja run off as well to get into position. But then squeaked as he was lifted up by the white four-headed dragon
"You little one, are staying with us while they get the trap set up for the serpent." Said the head with the earth markings. The one holding him was the head with ice markings. Cinder looked at him.
"So you're Rocky? My brother told me he took really good care of you when he and the others were trying to get the Golden Weapons?" Cinder said with curiosity and the Earth Dragon laughed.
"Indeed, I was surprised of his scent. I thought he was another dragon, but it was you that I scented. You are a interesting hatchling, I don't remember any dragon having a hatchling of this color." Said Rocky
"Well... because I'm not from this land. I came from another world." Cinder said sheepishly and the four head's eyes widen in shock.
"You're from another world? What world is it?" They asked and Cinder looked away and saw Cole and Kai running over to them.
"I'll explain later, we need to get to Zane and Jay." He said and they nodded
"Alright, we'll talk after this is over." Rocky said and put Cinder on their back and Kai, Cole, and Lloyd got on. Cole looked over at his brother with concern
"You doing ok bro?"
"Yeah, I'm doing fine."
"Are you sure you should be up there?"
"I'll love to be on the ground, but Rocky and the others refused to leave me out of their sight. I have a really interesting conservation with them a few mins ago." Said Cinder and the three ninja were surprise by this, but didn't have the time to answer the purple dragon as they took off. They flew towards a construction site to see a giant ice slide in the air, and saw two ninja sliding down it. The white dragon caught them as they flew off the end of tne slide and flew in a tight circle to see the handiwork that the ninja did.
"You think it's working?" Jay asked worriedly
"We're about to find out." Kai said and everyone looks down and cheered. They have managed to make the Devourer bite its own tail.
"We did it! Now, where's Garmadon? He's not gonna hold on for much longer." Cole said
"Look!" Lloyd said pointing up at a skyscraper. The sky becomes engulfed by dark clouds as the ninja team see Garmadon on the roof "Dad!"
"You are the reason evil runs through my blood. You bit me once. Now feel what it's like to be bitten back." Garmadon shouts and unleashes a purple energy and jumps off.
"Go get him, Dad." Lloyd said
Cinder watched as Garmadon fell, he can feel the darkness coming off of him. It was addicted and scary.
"Vengeance will be mine!" Garmadon yells and struck the serpent's weak spot. The serpent screamed and then imploded from the hit and its venom spreads throughout the city. Everyone cheers of the demise of the snake.
"He did it." Jay said happily
"No, we did it!" Cole said, holding Cinder in his arms. The white dragon landed onto the ground and everyone got off, with Cole holding Cinder in his arms. Before the black ninja could get off he was grabbed by Rocky. Cinder laughed at his brother's predicament
"Bro! It's not funny!" Said Cole annoyed
"Yes it is! Rocky grab you because you are holding me, you doofus." Cinder said as he continued to giggle. Rocky put Cole down and nuzzled him then Cinder, who purred. Cole sighed
"Glad to see you again boy. I see you, Shard, Wisp, and Flame have taken a liking to my adopted brother." He said and the four heads warbled happily.
"We should call you by a name that's suitable for the four of you." Cole said
"What about Ultra? We are the ultimate combination of the four elements together." Said Wisp and Cinder relayed the info to Cole
"Ok then, Ultra does make a good suitable name." He said and Cinder sighed as he relax. The other ninja went over to Jay's parents and watch Jay get hugged by his mom. Cinder and Cole walked over, well Cole walked while Cinder was being carried by Ultra (Shard's head carrying him). The others saw this and smiled at the cute moment. Jay's parents asked who the young dragon was and Jay told them. Jay's mom Edna gushes over Cinder saying how pretty his scales were, making the dragonet blushed in embarrassment. Jay's dad Ed was a excitable man who loves tinkering with machinery and old parts. Cinder then noticed Lloyd looking around for his dad and asked him.
"I don't see my dad." He said
"He should be around here somewhere." Kai said
"Your analysis is incorrect. He is not here." Zane said
"Then our Golden Weapons are gone too. Well, isn't that convenient?" Cole said
"Look, his footsteps." Nya said pointing to the footsteps in the venom
"I have a feeling you'll see your father again soon." Kai said
"I know, but that's what I'm afraid of." Lloyd said worriedly
"Ah, Sensei Wu!" Cole shouted in excitement as Nya gasp
"Wow!" She said
"Ha! Would you look at that! He survived!" Jay said happily as they ran up to him. But Cinder knew what the wise teacher wanted and grabbed the tea pot laying on the ground.
"I can't tell you how glad I am to see you!" He said and passes his pupils to grab his teapot from Cinder who smiled. "The Devourer left a bad taste in my mouth. (He drinks some tea.) Ah. Much better. And still hot." He said
"It's good to have you back, uncle. But my father left and he took the Golden Weapons." Lloyd said sadly
"Ah, very true. The ability of the weapon is truly great, but the ability to better oneself makes you limitless." Wu said
"I couldn't have said it any better myself." Jay said
"Besides, we have what is most important: you." Kai said
"The pupils have become the masters." Wu said with a smile on his face.
"Am I really gonna have to fight my father one day?" Lloyd said sadly
"One day. But today we can feel good that Ninjago is saved, for tomorrow you will train for the day. Good will finally face evil and a final outcome will be decided for all of time." Wu said
"Uh, but don't worry. We're gonna teach you everything we know." Kai said
"And make sure you're prepared for that fight." Jay said
"Because as we all know, good will always stand up to evil." Cole said
"And ninja will always stand up for what is right." Zane said
"And we'll stand by you to the very end." Cinder said and everyone jumped up shouting
"Go, ninja. Go!"
—
It was a few days after the battle of the Great Devourer in Ninjago City and the ninja were rebuilding the town. A lot of damage occurred during it and a lot of repairs were needed.
"Ugh, finally. All fixed up and Serpentine free." Cole said exhausted from working all day. A few feet from him Kai was trying to use his fire but fails. The red ninja growls with anger
"Aargh. Ugh, this is frustrating." He said as the street sign tips over.
"Aah!" Jay and Cole said and grab the sign while Kai continued ranting.
"Our weapons are gone and most of our elemental powers are gone. I mean, we can still do Spinjitzu, but..." Grunts. He tries to use his Fire again, but the only flame coming out was from Zane's blowtorch. "I just feel so, I don't know, limited. And thanks to the Devourer, our tank's out of commission, our Dragon's hurt along with Cinder, and now the Bounty is destroyed, we don't even have a place to sleep."
"No one ever said being a hero is easy." Zane said taking off his welding mask. "Though our good deeds may never make us rich, they make us rich in other ways." He said
"Yeah, well, I don't feel rich." Kai said grumbly
"Ugh. I for one enjoy pitching in. I've always wanted to feel part of a community. Uh, speaking of which, anyone seen Nya? She said she was gonna help." Jay said wondering where the female Samurai was at. A few mins later Nya came in on a motorbike with Sensei Wu sitting in a side cart.
"And I have. I may have found us a place to live." She said
"Really? But there's a waiting list a mile long to live in Ninjago City. How did you do that?" Jay said questioning her answer of their living situation
"I know a guy, who knows a girl, and she knows this girl who knows a guy. Well, this guy knows a girl who's a real estate agent and she can help you find a place, if you catch my drift." Nya said slyly and hands Jay a pamphlet.
"And where are you off to?" Jay asked with annoyance that the Samurai and their teacher can't help.
"We have to find a couple of components to fix the ninja tank. And my dragon ointment has finally arrived. It's a day's trip, but once we get back, he'll be flying again, as well as Cinder too. Also, I love scenic drives. Haha, punch it, Nya!" Wu said excited
"Ay ay, Sensei." Nya said and guns the motorbike, rocketing away from the four ninja.
"Yee-haw!" Wu said excited and they were gone
"Patty Keys, Real Estate Queen." Huh, this is exactly what we need. Once we get a roof over our head, we can start properly training Lloyd." Jay said reading the pamphlet
"Good, 'cause if we know Lord Garmadon, he's not going to be taking any breaks. And let's not forget, the Serpentine are still at large." Cole said
—
A few days later the ninja were with the real estate lady Patty Keys, who was showing them a worn-down apartment. Cinder was there with them to look too. His wing was still in a brace, but his ribs were mostly healed, but have to take it easy.
"This one-bedroom, one-half-bath is a cozy dream. Who needs extras when everything is in arm's reach? Now, wait until you see the lighting." She said and turns on the light, but the bulb flickers, burns out, and falls to the ground. "Uh, who needs lights when you have this view? Heh." Opens the window blinds, but the view was actually a brick wall. Cinder make a sour face in disgust by the smells, Lloyd too as well
"Uh, why do I smell old people?" He said
"Look, doll. I'm trying to work around your budget. This is all you can afford." Patty said annoyed and Cinder growled in annoyance at her for her rudeness. She took a few steps back from him. The ninja were discussing their options on this place.
"Uh, this looks...promising. Remember, guys, Sensei told us our main objective is to train Lloyd, not kick our feet up in some swanky suite. If this is all we can afford, this is all we can afford." Cole said
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's not rush into any decision. I mean, if it's really all about Lloyd, don't we need to live in some place that'll make training easier?" Jay said
"Yeah, Jay's right. If we have to get Lloyd ready to save Ninjago from his father, shouldn't he at least have his own room?" Kai said agreeing with Jay on this
"Technically, that does not matter, he only—" Zane said but Kai gently punches him.
"We're only thinking about the children, hehe." Jay said and the real estate lady spoke up
"I do have another property that you'll just love." Patty said and leads them out of the apartment. 35 mins later the real estate lady brought them to a fancy room atop a skyscraper.
"Whoa!" Everyone said in amazement. Cinder was looking at the room with curiosity. It was spacious, modern looking, and comfortable for a big number of people,
"Oh, man." Jay said
"Now, this is the eight-bedroom Hero Suite. Floor-to-ceiling windows, digital wall television, state-of-the-art game console..." She said
"Uh, it seems a little out of our price range." Cole said nervous of the price for this
"Oh, sure it costs a little more, but you deserve it. I forgot to mention, there's also a Dragon keep on the roof." The real estate lady said
"Nice." Kai said
"Maybe we can get a hero discount. After all, we are the ninja who saved the city." Jay said
"I thought Lord Garmadon saved the city." She said
"Hmph." Jay grumbles
"We could get day jobs to pay for the extra expenses." Kai said
"We always said we could use a little more responsibility." Zane sard
"But we have to train Lloyd." Kai said
"Did I mention the in-house training facility?" The real estate lady said showing them the training room.
"We'll take it!" The four ninja said and Cinder sighs at their decision, knowing its going to bite them in the tail later.
"Ok then I'll get your lease started for you and payment for rent is next month." She said and left. Cinder looked at the four ninja sternly.
"Are you guys sure you can pay the rent?" He asked
"Of course we can! You can help us on this too, right?" Jay said but the purple dragon laughs.
"I'm 13 years old and you want me to help you with this? Did you forget about the laws for underage children working? I'm also still injured from the battle you know?" Cinder said and continues laughing
"He has a point there Jay." Kai said
"And we don't want the police on us for having a underage child working." Zane said
"But... my brother is a dragon. He can do a job that won't burned him out, especially with the injury. He can worked as a museum tour guide or a librarian." Cole said and looks at Cinder "Will that do for you bro?" He said to the dragon who sighed
"Alright alright I'll help. But you know people are going to figured out who I am, right?" He said
"Well, we'll just have to hope nobody will noticed you." Kai said and the others went online to look at job openings.
—
"Welp... this is boring, but... peaceful" Cinder thought as he walked around the City's Library as a helper. The employees at the library were in awe seeing the purple dragon. When Cole asked them if he can worked here, explaining his age and their living situation. They agreed to let him work here, but as a helper being underaged, he won't get much money. But the owner, a kind elderly lady, allowed the purple dragon to get minimal payment. Saying to go slow and take your time doing it than to rush and ruin the healing process of his wing.
Its been a few days now since he was hired, and Cinder was getting used to working here. Unfortunately one of his friend's sibling works here. He made sure to tell her his first name, not last, to keep his identification quiet. But overall he loves working here. But ever since he's been working here, he was getting popularity of who he was. He didn't liked it when people stared at him or asked very uncomfortable questions. But some people that come in were polite and sensible to him and don't pushed for more details. They also give him extra money or good wishes for recovery of his injured wing. While working here, the ninja were working at different jobs. Jay works as a pizza delivery man, Cole works as a bank's security guard, Zane works as a chef, and Kai works as a party entertainer. Cinder, at the moment, was working on putting the books back onto their shelves in the science fiction section, but he hears two familiar voices come into the library.
"Dawn, why are we here?" Said the first girl
"Because my sister works here Virginia, duh. Also, the reason we're here is because they have a dragon that works here!" Said the second voice
Cinder frozed, knowing who those two voices are. His school friends Dawn and Virginia were here and wanting to SEE him. He panicked trying to think of an excuse, but then sees them coming with Dawn's older sister Dani.
"Hello Dani, who are these two?" He said trying to act calm but was panicking internally
"Hey Cinder, I wanted to introduce you to someone, this is my sister Dawn and her friend Virginia. Sis, Virginia, this is Cinder." Said Dani and Cinder looks at them. It have been months since he last talk to them. He wanted to talk to them but didn't want to reveal himself.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you." He said with a nervous smile
"Hello as well." The two girls said smiling
"Well Cinder, I'm going back to work now. You want to show them around the library?" Said Dani
"Uh... I would, but I still need to put these books away. Then go over to the kid's section to watch the young kids there and..." Cinder said before being cut off by Dani
"Don't worry Cinder. My sister and her friend can help you if you want." She said and Cinder thought carefully of this, declining their help wasn't a good idea, agrees for their help. Soon the dragon and two girls went deeper into the library. The two helped the young dragonet with putting books back on their correct shelves in alphabetical order. Sadly, Cinder's luck ran out sooner than later. He was at the front desk, looking up something on the computer while waiting for Cole to pick him up, while Dawn and Virginia were sitting reading books. Then Cinder looked up hearing Cole coming in, and then realized his mistake. Dawn and Virginia were surprise by him coming in.
"Hello there sir. Do you need any help with something?" Said Virginia
"No actually, I'm just here to pick up my brother from work here." Said Cole
Both girls were confused but then noticed Cinder looking at the ninja nervously. Both girls then connect the dots between the two being brothers. But Dawn remembers seeing a picture Cinder showing him and his brother on his locker a few times. There, she was able to connect the dots between her friend and the dragon.
"Hey bro, how was your shift?"
"Slow and boring. No robberies happened at the bank. How was your day here?" Cole said to his draconian brother
"Slow as well but my co-worker's sister came in with her friend to see me and help with putting books away." Said Cinder when he heard a gasp behind him. He turns around to see Dawn's shocked face and Virginia's confused face. But he saw recognition in her eyes and he flinched.
"Cinder?" Dawn said
"Yessssss?" He said
"By chance, is your last name Brookstone?"
Cinder hesitated but nods his head.
"By the First Spinjitzu Master, it's you! This is where you were the whole time? Why didn't you tell us about this?" Dawn said and Virginia was still confused.
"Dawn, this dragon can't be Cinder. He's a human." She said
"Actually I'm not human." He said and brought out a picture of him and Cole, both his human and dragon selfs side by side, the both looked surprise.
"I seen that picture. You have it in your locker at school." Said Dawn
"Yes, it was." He said as Virginia was shocked and then starts laughing.
"Ah ah ah ah ah! I realized that Art project we have to do a few months ago. You drew a dragon that was so realistic that our art teacher was impressed. Were you drawing yourself?" She asked
"Yes" Cinder said sheepishly while rubbing his head.
"Oh wow, no wonder you drew a detailed dragon. It's because you knew your own body so well." Said Dawn and she laughs
"Yep. Also I'm sorry for keeping this quiet from you. But I didn't want anymore hunting me down because I was some monster." Cinder said nervously but was being hugged by the two girls
"You're not a monster Cin. You're a great friend that always want to help out. So don't be down on this, ok? Or we'll have Martin and Zack prank you." Dawn said and Cinder laughed real hard and then coughed harshly from his bruised ribs.
"Well, me and Cinder are heading out now. You two can come over to our place to hang out if you want?" Cole said
"Of course, thank you for the invitation. Where do you guys live at? My sister can drop us off before work tomorrow?" Said Dawn
"Sure" Cole said and wrote down the address and gives it to Dawn and looks at Cinder.
"Come on bro. Let's get back home before the others come back. As well as Ultra doesn't go 'dad mode' on you as well." Cole said
"Ultra?" Dawn and Virginia both said as they were now curious.
"Oh, you'll see when you come over." Said Cinder cheekily and the two girls huff at him and sighed
"Fine. Keep your secrets then. We'll find out what you hiding." Said Virginia and the two brothers chuckled
"We'll see, bye you two and Dawn? You can tell your sister about my true identity. I'm just worried about people finding out." Cinder said
"Ok then. Well, we'll let you guys go now. Hope you have a great day Cin." Said Dawn
"See ya later as well." Said Virginia and the two left
"Welp... the cat's out of the box bro. You know people from home will know your ability as a dragon." Cole said and Cinder sighs
"I know, but I'm just worried that our grandparents will find out about this and I don't want to be kick out of the family and..." He said but was cut off by Cole hugging him
"Bro, I don't care what our grandparents said. You're family and family isn't about blood, it's the ones you love and care for." He said calming his brother down. Cinder took a deep breath to calm his nerves down.
"Thanks bro, that was helpful."
"You're welcome. Now let's go home now." Said Cole and both ninja and dragon headed to their apartment.
-—
The next day was a day off for Cinder and he took the chance of it by training Lloyd how to fight. The other ninja could of help but today was paid day for the rent. So the four ninja took extra shifts for extra money. Cinder would like to help but the elderly lady told him to have a day off to relax his body and let his wing heal.
"Ugh! This is going nowhere." Lloyd shouted as he tried to punch the punching bag.
"I know Lloyd, but what choice do we got? There isn't a whole lot of options to live at and not many places to train you if affordable." Cinder said and Lloyd sighed
"I know. But at least I have someone training me than learning on my own. The others are too busy with their jobs and not training me." He said and Cinder smile
"At least the teacher is a dragon with 8 elemental breathes." Cinder said as then the doorbell ranged. Cinder padded over to the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's Dawn, Cinder. I'm here with Virginia. I also brought Zach and Martin with us as well." Said Dawn on the other side.
"Alright. Let me do something real quick and I'll open the door." Said Cinder and went over to Lloyd
"Training's over for today. We have guests"
"Ok" Lloyd said and walk into the living room and sat down. Cinder went back to the front door and opens it. Revealing his four friends. He then smirks at Martin's and Zack's reaction. Both boys were in shock of his draconic body. Dawn and Virginia laughed at their reactions.
"Oh! You should of seen your face. It was so priceless!" Said Virginia as she continues laughing.
"Indeed, your reactions of my draconian self is hilarious." Cinder said smiling as Zach and Martin came out of their shock. Cinder led the four inside and allow them to look around. Zack noticed Lloyd on the couch.
"Whoa! Cinder, I didn't know you were friends with Garmadon's son!"
Cinder looked over at the ten year old and smiled
"Yeah, but don't ask him about his dad."
"Why not?" Martin said and Cinder sighs
"Apparently there's a prophecy telling of the Green Ninja having to fight the head of evil aka Garmadon."
"Oh, that sucks." Zach said
"Yeah it is" said Lloyd and Cinder looked at him
"Alright, introductions. Lloyd, these are my friends Dawn, Virginia, Martin, and Zack. Guys, this is Lloyd." Cinder said
"Hello" Lloyd said and the others did the same. After introductions were done. The 5 teenagers talked about all sorts of topics. Martin and Zach laughed when they found out that Cinder drew himself for their art project. They were all laughing at things they did in school when they heard a loud roar coming about them. The others were confused but Cinder and Lloyd smile knowing who it was.
"What was that?" Zach asked
"That was Ultra." Cinder said
"Ultra?" Martin asked and Cinder smile
"I'll show you." He said and led the four into a hallway and at the end was a door. He opens it and walks in. When he was in by a few feet he was grabbed by his neck and lifted up.
"Ultra!" Cinder said laughing happily when the white four-headed dragon nuzzles him. Cinder's friends stopped in their tracks seeing the other dragon in the room.
"Are you feeling ok young one?" Rocky said
"I'm fine Rocky."
"I don't think you're ok little one. Your wing is still in its cast." Shard said and Cinder huff in annoyance
"I'm fine, alright Shard."
"Cinder." Lloyd said as he came in
"Yes?"
"Your friends are asking you?" He said
"Alright" Cinder said and allow Ultra to put him down onto the ground and looks at his friends.
"Guys, this is Ultra. This is what I was hiding from you Dawn and Virginia."
His four friends were quiet, but Virginia came up to Ultra, asking permission with her eyes, Shard put his head in her hand and she stars petting him. Emitting a purr from the ice dragon.
"Oh... He's so soft and his scales are warm but cold as well." She said
"Yeah, he is." Cinder said
"Why is he here. He looks so different from other dragons I seen in books." Said Virginia
"Well... from what Ultra told me. They were just four separate elemental dragons: Earth, Fire, Ice, Lightning. They used to be protectors of the Golden Weapons but Garmadon wants them to be able to get out of the Underworld. Unfortunately he has them right now and the ninja don't know what's he going to do." Said Cinder as he felt Rocky licking him. The others notice this and chuckle at him which he knew what they're laughing at.
"I know that Rocky is licking me. It's normal for dragons to clean any dirt or dust off our scales." He said
"Oh... Wait? Our scales? What do you mean?" Martin said and Cinder realized his little mistake and giggles nervously
"Well you see... I'm not really was born like you guys."
"How so?" Dawn said and Cinder scratched his head and he grab his phone he gotten from his dad and brought up a video of his 'birth'. The four watched the video while Cinder was speaking to Ultra. After the video was over Dawn hand back Cinder his phone.
"You hatched out of an egg?" Virginia asked and Cinder nods
"Yes, I'm an actual dragon and hatching is the term for newborns."
"That's interesting, but your body doesn't look like other dragons here in Ninjago." Said Zach
"That's because I'm not from this land or world more to speak." Cinder said and his friends eyes widen in surprise
"You're from a different world?! How do you know about that when you were so young?" Said Dawn
"There was a note that was addressed from my biological parents. Unfortunately I don't know who their names are. But I know some names, like I have a uncle whose name is Sparx, and three other dragons called Volteer, Cyril, and Terrador. My middle name is named after the Fire Guardian named Ignitus." Cinder explained
"Wow, that's a interesting story." Said Virginia
"Yes, indeed it is." Dawn said
During the conversation there was a slight banging on the window by the living room. Lloyd went to go check on it but a few seconds later he came back panicking. Everyone was confused.
"What's wrong Lloyd?"
"Skales is here!"
Martin, Zach, Virginia, and Dawn were confused while Cinder growled. He went over to the door but was grabbed by Rocky.
"Rocky! Come on!"
"Nope, you're still injured and we don't want you having your injuries take longer to heal." Rocky said and Cinder grumbled
"Besides if he come into here. He'll have to go through us first before they can get to you." Flame said
"Fine, you're in charge but don't get hurt or effected by him. He can hypnotize you." Cinder said then looks over at his friends "That means you guys shouldn't look at his eyes either. I don't want you guys getting hurt as well." His friends nodded and got away from the door. Cinder looked at Ultra.
"At least let me be bait for him, he'll think an injured dragon that can't fight would be able to protect Lloyd." Ultra huffed but agrees to the plan and hid in a dark corner. Cinder sat in front of Lloyd facing the door. A few mins later the door opened and the General of the Hypnobrai came in. He saw Cinder's defense of protecting Lloyd.
"What'sssssss thisssssssss? A little dragonet trying to protect the green ninja? Very foolissssssssh of you, you can't protect him when you yourssssssssssself are injured, makesssss it eassssier to take you with me for Garmadon'ssssssss plansssss." He laughs
"Wait, plans? What does he want with me? I'm just a hatchling." Cinder said confused
"He told ussssssss that you control the elementssssssss of darknessssssss and have a darker perssssssssssonality if teach correctly." Skales said
"Well, for your information serpent, I might have a darker personality but I'm just a normal hatchling, especially since I have something you don't." Cinder said
"Oh? And what'ssssssssss that?" Skales said mockingly but then hears a loud growl and looks up to see Ultra looking at him threatening and Cinder smirked
"Oh... just another bigger and more experienced dragon that can take you down easily. Shard?"
"One frozen Serpentine coming up." Shard said and blew out ice and freezes Skales into place. The serpent tried to escape but the ice was too thick to get out.
"Now Skales, I don't like it when people threaten who I care about. Now, you better explain what Garmadon is up too or I have Ultra here fried you into a crispy fried snake." Cinder said
Before Skales could do anything there was a knock at the door and Lloyd went to the door and Sensei Wu and Nya enter in. Both looked at the situation. Cinder and Lloyd explained what happened and Wu was disappointed of the ninja leaving Lloyd or training him. He told Cinder and Lloyd that he wants the ninja to learn their lesson. So after Cinder's friends left saying that they have to get back home, the four ninja came in a few mins later and have looks of devastation. They felt guilty of their actions
"We shouldn't have taken those jobs in the first place. What were we thinking? Losing Lloyd and Cinder was by far our greatest loss." Cole said
"But it could be your greatest lesson." Wu said and the ninja turn around to see Wu and Nya with Lloyd and Cinder next to them safe and sound
"Lloyd/Cinder!" The four shouted
"You're okay!" Kai said while Cole was hugging his brother
"Me and Cinder weren't going to be, but Ultra protected us from Skales." Lloyd said and Nya shooks her head
"I go away for a day and everything falls apart." She said
"I guess you could say we learned we don't need all the fancy stuff. We just need each other." Kai said
"You want us to help you clean up?" Wu asked
"Well, we are a team." Kai said
"Nya, I think it's time for another road trip." Wu said
"Hold on, I got a better idea." Cole said and a few hours later were moving back into the old apartment. "It's not much, but this one-bedroom, one-half-bath is a cozy dream. Who needs extras when everything is in arm's reach?" He said when Lloyd accidentally knocks Jay with a chair, making him drop a box on Kai's foot.
"Hey!"
"Ow, ow, ow!" Kai shouts
"Ha, feels like home to me. Hey, at least we get to stay in Ninjago City for a little while." Jay said
"And now without the distractions, we can put all of our energy into training Lloyd." Zane said
"Who's there?" Lloyd said and Zane helps him carry the chair. Kai looks over to Wu
"I know the Serpentine Generals got away, but you never told us: whatever happened to Skales?"
"Oh, he found a home, too. But it's not quite as roomy as here. But it doesn't matter, what matters most is that we'll have time to train Lloyd." Wu said and the others agree with it and continue on moving into their apartment. Cinder was sitting on the bed watching everyone do their tasks. He still couldn't do much with his wing still injured but he just relaxed. He though what Skales said: why does Garmadon want him for? Is it some sort of evil plan or to turn him to the darkness. But he left those thoughts float away and he went to sleep, today was a very stressful day.
—-
Chapter 5 Edited and Spell checked
